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Deadspin | CJ McCollum, Hawks pull out 2nd straight tight win over Knicks Apr 20, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) controls the ball against New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the fourth quarter of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images CJ McCollum scored 23 points and sank the game-winning basket with 12.7 seconds left, lifting Atlanta to a 109-108 win over the visiting New York Knicks on Thursday and giving the Hawks a 2-1 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series. Game 4 in the best-of-seven set will be played Saturday in Atlanta. The Hawks led 96-85 with 8:06 to go in the fourth quarter, but the Knicks roared back to tie the game at 105-105 on a 3-pointer by Miles McBride with 1:41 remaining. Jalen Brunson followed with a three-point play at the 1:03 mark, putting the Knicks on top. A bucket by Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson cut the gap to 108-107, and Brunson shot an airball on the next possession, and the Hawks got the ball on a shot-clock violation with 16.4 seconds left. After a timeout, the Hawks got it to McCollum, who made the 16-foot fadeaway to reclaim the lead. The Hawks then made a defensive stop on Brunson, forcing a loose ball that was recovered by Jonathan Kuminga as time expired. Johnson had 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists while Kuminga came off the bench to score 23. New York got 29 points from OG Anunoby, 26 points from Brunson and 21 points and 17 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns. The Hawks outscored the Knicks 28-15 in the fourth quarter of Game 2 to eke out a 107-106 victory, then continued their torrid scoring in the first quarter of Game 3. Atlanta made 6 of 8 from long distance and outscored New York 33-21 behind 10 points from Kuminga. Brunson (11) and Anunoby (10) scored all of New York’s points. Atlanta led by as many as 18 points (56-38) after a four-point possession with 3:46 left in the half. But the Hawks missed their next eight shots and New York finished the half on a 12-2 run to trim the deficit to 58-50. Atlanta was the aggressor in the third quarter and led by 69-54, only to have the Knicks climb within 69-65 on Brunson’s drive with 6:40 left. Atlanta subsequently took an 88-80 lead into the final quarter. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #McCollum #Hawks #pull #2nd #straight #tight #win #Knicks

Deadspin | CJ McCollum, Hawks pull out 2nd straight tight win over Knicks
Deadspin | CJ McCollum, Hawks pull out 2nd straight tight win over Knicks Apr 20, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) controls the ball against New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the fourth quarter of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images CJ McCollum scored 23 points and sank the game-winning basket with 12.7 seconds left, lifting Atlanta to a 109-108 win over the visiting New York Knicks on Thursday and giving the Hawks a 2-1 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series. Game 4 in the best-of-seven set will be played Saturday in Atlanta. The Hawks led 96-85 with 8:06 to go in the fourth quarter, but the Knicks roared back to tie the game at 105-105 on a 3-pointer by Miles McBride with 1:41 remaining. Jalen Brunson followed with a three-point play at the 1:03 mark, putting the Knicks on top. A bucket by Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson cut the gap to 108-107, and Brunson shot an airball on the next possession, and the Hawks got the ball on a shot-clock violation with 16.4 seconds left. After a timeout, the Hawks got it to McCollum, who made the 16-foot fadeaway to reclaim the lead. The Hawks then made a defensive stop on Brunson, forcing a loose ball that was recovered by Jonathan Kuminga as time expired. Johnson had 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists while Kuminga came off the bench to score 23. New York got 29 points from OG Anunoby, 26 points from Brunson and 21 points and 17 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns. The Hawks outscored the Knicks 28-15 in the fourth quarter of Game 2 to eke out a 107-106 victory, then continued their torrid scoring in the first quarter of Game 3. Atlanta made 6 of 8 from long distance and outscored New York 33-21 behind 10 points from Kuminga. Brunson (11) and Anunoby (10) scored all of New York’s points. Atlanta led by as many as 18 points (56-38) after a four-point possession with 3:46 left in the half. But the Hawks missed their next eight shots and New York finished the half on a 12-2 run to trim the deficit to 58-50. Atlanta was the aggressor in the third quarter and led by 69-54, only to have the Knicks climb within 69-65 on Brunson’s drive with 6:40 left. Atlanta subsequently took an 88-80 lead into the final quarter. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #McCollum #Hawks #pull #2nd #straight #tight #win #KnicksApr 20, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) controls the ball against New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the fourth quarter of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

CJ McCollum scored 23 points and sank the game-winning basket with 12.7 seconds left, lifting Atlanta to a 109-108 win over the visiting New York Knicks on Thursday and giving the Hawks a 2-1 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.

Game 4 in the best-of-seven set will be played Saturday in Atlanta.

The Hawks led 96-85 with 8:06 to go in the fourth quarter, but the Knicks roared back to tie the game at 105-105 on a 3-pointer by Miles McBride with 1:41 remaining. Jalen Brunson followed with a three-point play at the 1:03 mark, putting the Knicks on top.

A bucket by Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson cut the gap to 108-107, and Brunson shot an airball on the next possession, and the Hawks got the ball on a shot-clock violation with 16.4 seconds left. After a timeout, the Hawks got it to McCollum, who made the 16-foot fadeaway to reclaim the lead.

The Hawks then made a defensive stop on Brunson, forcing a loose ball that was recovered by Jonathan Kuminga as time expired.


Johnson had 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists while Kuminga came off the bench to score 23.

New York got 29 points from OG Anunoby, 26 points from Brunson and 21 points and 17 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns.

The Hawks outscored the Knicks 28-15 in the fourth quarter of Game 2 to eke out a 107-106 victory, then continued their torrid scoring in the first quarter of Game 3. Atlanta made 6 of 8 from long distance and outscored New York 33-21 behind 10 points from Kuminga. Brunson (11) and Anunoby (10) scored all of New York’s points.

Atlanta led by as many as 18 points (56-38) after a four-point possession with 3:46 left in the half. But the Hawks missed their next eight shots and New York finished the half on a 12-2 run to trim the deficit to 58-50.

Atlanta was the aggressor in the third quarter and led by 69-54, only to have the Knicks climb within 69-65 on Brunson’s drive with 6:40 left. Atlanta subsequently took an 88-80 lead into the final quarter.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #McCollum #Hawks #pull #2nd #straight #tight #win #Knicks

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Apr 20, 2026; New York, New York, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) controls the ball against New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) and center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the fourth quarter of game two of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

CJ McCollum scored 23 points and sank the game-winning basket with 12.7 seconds left, lifting Atlanta to a 109-108 win over the visiting New York Knicks on Thursday and giving the Hawks a 2-1 lead in their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.

Game 4 in the best-of-seven set will be played Saturday in Atlanta.

The Hawks led 96-85 with 8:06 to go in the fourth quarter, but the Knicks roared back to tie the game at 105-105 on a 3-pointer by Miles McBride with 1:41 remaining. Jalen Brunson followed with a three-point play at the 1:03 mark, putting the Knicks on top.

A bucket by Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson cut the gap to 108-107, and Brunson shot an airball on the next possession, and the Hawks got the ball on a shot-clock violation with 16.4 seconds left. After a timeout, the Hawks got it to McCollum, who made the 16-foot fadeaway to reclaim the lead.

The Hawks then made a defensive stop on Brunson, forcing a loose ball that was recovered by Jonathan Kuminga as time expired.

Johnson had 24 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists while Kuminga came off the bench to score 23.

New York got 29 points from OG Anunoby, 26 points from Brunson and 21 points and 17 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns.

The Hawks outscored the Knicks 28-15 in the fourth quarter of Game 2 to eke out a 107-106 victory, then continued their torrid scoring in the first quarter of Game 3. Atlanta made 6 of 8 from long distance and outscored New York 33-21 behind 10 points from Kuminga. Brunson (11) and Anunoby (10) scored all of New York’s points.

Atlanta led by as many as 18 points (56-38) after a four-point possession with 3:46 left in the half. But the Hawks missed their next eight shots and New York finished the half on a 12-2 run to trim the deficit to 58-50.

Atlanta was the aggressor in the third quarter and led by 69-54, only to have the Knicks climb within 69-65 on Brunson’s drive with 6:40 left. Atlanta subsequently took an 88-80 lead into the final quarter.

–Field Level Media

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‘The game tells you what to do’: Clear mind does the trick for CSK’s red-hot Samson <div id="content-body-70901021" itemprop="articleBody"><p>While some batters arrive at away grounds determined to play a ​certain way regardless of the pitch, Chennai Super Kings’ ‌Sanju Samson says his red-hot form in the ​IPL 2026 is a product ⁠of adaptability and an open mind.</p><p>After single-digit scores in his first three IPL knocks, Samson smashed his second ‌hundred of the season against Mumbai Indians on Thursday, his unbeaten 101 off 54 ‌balls setting up Chennai’s 103-run victory over ‌the ⁠five-time champions.</p><p>With 293 runs from seven innings, ⁠Samson is now third in the leading scorers’ list this season behind Sunrisers Hyderabad duo Abhishek Sharma (323) and Heinrich ​Klaasen (320).</p><p>Samson said it was ‌not a typical Wankhede pitch and he had to adjust his game as the ball did not come nicely onto the bat.</p><p>“I think ‌the game tells you what to do,” he ​added.</p><p>“I think you don’t have to come with a preconceived mindset, or you ⁠don’t have to be premeditating — this is how I play or this is what I want to ‌do.</p><p><b>Also read | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/ipl/mi-vs-csk-ipl-2026-akeal-hossein-powerplay-impact-for-chennai-super-kings-mask-celebration/article70900303.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Akeal Hosein rewrites PowerPlay playbook with Chennai Super Kings</a></b></p><p>“You can definitely say that this is the way I play… It is my responsibility to understand the game situation, what the team demands, and then plan my game around it.</p><p>“I definitely go with a very open mindset.”</p><p>The 31-year-old, ‌who was player of the tournament when India defended its ​T20 World Cup title earlier this year, also relished handing Mumbai its biggest ⁠defeat in the IPL in front of its own ⁠fans at the Wankhede Stadium.</p><p>“It really feels great to score a century in Wankhede ‌against MI,” Samson said after the win, which helped Chennai climb to fifth place in ​the league.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 24, 2026</p></div> #game #tells #Clear #mind #trick #CSKs #redhot #Samson

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Deadspin | Surging teams collide as Marlins visit Giants Apr 18, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fourth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Two teams that have ridden strong pitching to recent success will meet Friday night when the Miami Marlins open a three-game road series against the San Francisco Giants. Right-handers Sandy Alcantara (2-2, 3.06 ERA) of the Marlins and Adrian Houser (0-2, 5.40) of the Giants will kick off a series pairing a Miami team that’s won three of its past four games and a San Francisco club that’s prevailed in five of seven. The Marlins used Thursday as a travel day following a home series win over the St. Louis Cardinals. With starters Max Meyer and Janson Junk allowing just four hits and two runs over 10 1/3 innings, Miami took the book-end games of the three-game set 5-3 and 4-1. Junk was pitching so well that after Wednesday’s game, Marlins manager Clayton McCullough had to defend his decision to send in a reliever to start the sixth inning. McCullough said the available relievers provided beneficial matchups for Miami. “As good as Janson was pitching,” McCullough said, “our best path today to nail down a win was to go that route.” After a brilliant start to the season in which he allowed a total of just two earned runs and 10 hits over 24 1/3 innings in three starts, Alcantara has fallen victim to minimal support in his past two outings, during which his teammates have given him just two runs in each, both losses. He’s never won at San Francisco, going 0-3 in five appearances, four as a starter. For his career, the 30-year-old is 1-3 with a 2.95 ERA against the Giants over eight games (seven starts). The Marlins hope a healthy Esteury Ruiz can help ignite their offense. He is expected to make his season debut in San Francisco after having suffered a strained left oblique late in spring training. A fifth-year major-leaguer, Ruiz enjoyed his best season across the San Francisco Bay in Oakland, when he stole 67 bases and hit .254 for the Athletics in 2023. Acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for prospect Adriano Marrero in December, Ruiz will be asked to tap into his entire arsenal. He had a home run, a single, a walk and two runs in his final rehab outing at Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday. To make room on the roster for Ruiz, the Marlins designated outfielder Austin Slater for assignment. He spent the first seven-plus seasons of his career in San Francisco, where he was a fan favorite. In 593 games with the Giants, he hit .254, slugged 39 home runs and stole 47 bases. He hadn’t homered in 12 games for the Marlins this season and was hitting just .174 in his first season with them. The Giants won two of three games against the Dodgers but lost 3-0 on Thursday. Landen Roupp and Tyler Mahle pitched San Francisco to 3-1 and 3-0 wins, respectively, in the first two contests before Logan Webb was a hard-luck loser in the finale. Giants manager Tony Vitello said he was impressed by his team’s performance vs. the Dodgers and hopes for repeat efforts against the Marlins. “There’s a lot of firepower,” Vitello noted about the Dodgers after Thursday’s loss. “To hold the entire lineup down for three straight days is just not something you’d go to Vegas and roll the dice on.” Houser has yet to win in four starts in his first season with the Giants after spending last year with the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. He’s never lost to the Marlins, going 3-0 with a 3.22 ERA in five career outings, three as a starter. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Surging #teams #collide #Marlins #visit #GiantsApr 18, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fourth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Two teams that have ridden strong pitching to recent success will meet Friday night when the Miami Marlins open a three-game road series against the San Francisco Giants.

Right-handers Sandy Alcantara (2-2, 3.06 ERA) of the Marlins and Adrian Houser (0-2, 5.40) of the Giants will kick off a series pairing a Miami team that’s won three of its past four games and a San Francisco club that’s prevailed in five of seven.

The Marlins used Thursday as a travel day following a home series win over the St. Louis Cardinals. With starters Max Meyer and Janson Junk allowing just four hits and two runs over 10 1/3 innings, Miami took the book-end games of the three-game set 5-3 and 4-1.

Junk was pitching so well that after Wednesday’s game, Marlins manager Clayton McCullough had to defend his decision to send in a reliever to start the sixth inning. McCullough said the available relievers provided beneficial matchups for Miami.

“As good as Janson was pitching,” McCullough said, “our best path today to nail down a win was to go that route.”

After a brilliant start to the season in which he allowed a total of just two earned runs and 10 hits over 24 1/3 innings in three starts, Alcantara has fallen victim to minimal support in his past two outings, during which his teammates have given him just two runs in each, both losses.

He’s never won at San Francisco, going 0-3 in five appearances, four as a starter. For his career, the 30-year-old is 1-3 with a 2.95 ERA against the Giants over eight games (seven starts).

The Marlins hope a healthy Esteury Ruiz can help ignite their offense. He is expected to make his season debut in San Francisco after having suffered a strained left oblique late in spring training.

A fifth-year major-leaguer, Ruiz enjoyed his best season across the San Francisco Bay in Oakland, when he stole 67 bases and hit .254 for the Athletics in 2023.


Acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for prospect Adriano Marrero in December, Ruiz will be asked to tap into his entire arsenal.

He had a home run, a single, a walk and two runs in his final rehab outing at Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

To make room on the roster for Ruiz, the Marlins designated outfielder Austin Slater for assignment. He spent the first seven-plus seasons of his career in San Francisco, where he was a fan favorite. In 593 games with the Giants, he hit .254, slugged 39 home runs and stole 47 bases.

He hadn’t homered in 12 games for the Marlins this season and was hitting just .174 in his first season with them.

The Giants won two of three games against the Dodgers but lost 3-0 on Thursday. Landen Roupp and Tyler Mahle pitched San Francisco to 3-1 and 3-0 wins, respectively, in the first two contests before Logan Webb was a hard-luck loser in the finale.

Giants manager Tony Vitello said he was impressed by his team’s performance vs. the Dodgers and hopes for repeat efforts against the Marlins.

“There’s a lot of firepower,” Vitello noted about the Dodgers after Thursday’s loss. “To hold the entire lineup down for three straight days is just not something you’d go to Vegas and roll the dice on.”

Houser has yet to win in four starts in his first season with the Giants after spending last year with the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. He’s never lost to the Marlins, going 3-0 with a 3.22 ERA in five career outings, three as a starter.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Surging #teams #collide #Marlins #visit #Giants">Deadspin | Surging teams collide as Marlins visit Giants Apr 18, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fourth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Two teams that have ridden strong pitching to recent success will meet Friday night when the Miami Marlins open a three-game road series against the San Francisco Giants. Right-handers Sandy Alcantara (2-2, 3.06 ERA) of the Marlins and Adrian Houser (0-2, 5.40) of the Giants will kick off a series pairing a Miami team that’s won three of its past four games and a San Francisco club that’s prevailed in five of seven. The Marlins used Thursday as a travel day following a home series win over the St. Louis Cardinals. With starters Max Meyer and Janson Junk allowing just four hits and two runs over 10 1/3 innings, Miami took the book-end games of the three-game set 5-3 and 4-1. Junk was pitching so well that after Wednesday’s game, Marlins manager Clayton McCullough had to defend his decision to send in a reliever to start the sixth inning. McCullough said the available relievers provided beneficial matchups for Miami. “As good as Janson was pitching,” McCullough said, “our best path today to nail down a win was to go that route.” After a brilliant start to the season in which he allowed a total of just two earned runs and 10 hits over 24 1/3 innings in three starts, Alcantara has fallen victim to minimal support in his past two outings, during which his teammates have given him just two runs in each, both losses. He’s never won at San Francisco, going 0-3 in five appearances, four as a starter. For his career, the 30-year-old is 1-3 with a 2.95 ERA against the Giants over eight games (seven starts). The Marlins hope a healthy Esteury Ruiz can help ignite their offense. He is expected to make his season debut in San Francisco after having suffered a strained left oblique late in spring training. A fifth-year major-leaguer, Ruiz enjoyed his best season across the San Francisco Bay in Oakland, when he stole 67 bases and hit .254 for the Athletics in 2023. Acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for prospect Adriano Marrero in December, Ruiz will be asked to tap into his entire arsenal. He had a home run, a single, a walk and two runs in his final rehab outing at Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday. To make room on the roster for Ruiz, the Marlins designated outfielder Austin Slater for assignment. He spent the first seven-plus seasons of his career in San Francisco, where he was a fan favorite. In 593 games with the Giants, he hit .254, slugged 39 home runs and stole 47 bases. He hadn’t homered in 12 games for the Marlins this season and was hitting just .174 in his first season with them. The Giants won two of three games against the Dodgers but lost 3-0 on Thursday. Landen Roupp and Tyler Mahle pitched San Francisco to 3-1 and 3-0 wins, respectively, in the first two contests before Logan Webb was a hard-luck loser in the finale. Giants manager Tony Vitello said he was impressed by his team’s performance vs. the Dodgers and hopes for repeat efforts against the Marlins. “There’s a lot of firepower,” Vitello noted about the Dodgers after Thursday’s loss. “To hold the entire lineup down for three straight days is just not something you’d go to Vegas and roll the dice on.” Houser has yet to win in four starts in his first season with the Giants after spending last year with the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. He’s never lost to the Marlins, going 3-0 with a 3.22 ERA in five career outings, three as a starter. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Surging #teams #collide #Marlins #visit #Giants

A fortnight is a long time in a fast-moving tournament like the Indian Premier League.

Two weeks ago, the Rajasthan Royals was on top of the world, having won its first four IPL 2026 games. Around the same time, Sunrisers Hyderabad was floundering, having lost four of its five games.

But, as the two teams come together at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday for the first game of the season in Jaipur, the narrative has transformed.

Over their last three games, the Royals have tasted the bitterness of the law of averages, as their seemingly hypersonic top-order has screeched to a near halt.

Consecutive failures by openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have denied the Royals an early launch, exposing their undercooked middle-order.

Incidentally, the first team to apply the brakes on the Jai-Soorya duo was SRH, in their first meeting of the season in Hyderabad.

Riding on four-wicket hauls from debutant pacers Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain, the Sunrisers had handed Royals their first defeat of the season.

READ: The boy who asked for more: Behind the rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

The Royals then suffered another away defeat, to Kolkata Knight Riders, before recuperating with a hard-fought win against Lucknow Super Giants.

Meanwhile, SRH has added two more wins to its kitty – against Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings – and now finds itself fourth in the table.

Adding fuel to its momentum, full-time captain Pat Cummins has returned from injury and will make his first appearance of the season in Jaipur.

For rival skipper Riyan Parag, IPL 2026 has been a mixed bag. With the bat, he has cut a sorry figure, aggregating just 81 runs from seven innings.

But, on the leadership front, Parag has shone, marshalling his side adeptly to win five out of seven games and occupy the second spot in the standings.

The sharpest tool at Parag’s disposal has been the express-pace duo of Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger.

IPL 2026, RR vs SRH: Royals hope not to repeat mistakes from away leg even as Cummins returns to lead Sunrisers A fortnight is a long time in a fast-moving tournament like the Indian Premier League.Two weeks ago, the Rajasthan Royals was on top of the world, having won its first four IPL 2026 games. Around the same time, Sunrisers Hyderabad was floundering, having lost four of its five games.But, as the two teams come together at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday for the first game of the season in Jaipur, the narrative has transformed.Over their last three games, the Royals have tasted the bitterness of the law of averages, as their seemingly hypersonic top-order has screeched to a near halt.Consecutive failures by openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have denied the Royals an early launch, exposing their undercooked middle-order.Incidentally, the first team to apply the brakes on the Jai-Soorya duo was SRH, in their first meeting of the season in Hyderabad.Riding on four-wicket hauls from debutant pacers Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain, the Sunrisers had handed Royals their first defeat of the season.READ: The boy who asked for more: Behind the rise of Vaibhav SooryavanshiThe Royals then suffered another away defeat, to Kolkata Knight Riders, before recuperating with a hard-fought win against Lucknow Super Giants.Meanwhile, SRH has added two more wins to its kitty – against Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings – and now finds itself fourth in the table.Adding fuel to its momentum, full-time captain Pat Cummins has returned from injury and will make his first appearance of the season in Jaipur.For rival skipper Riyan Parag, IPL 2026 has been a mixed bag. With the bat, he has cut a sorry figure, aggregating just 81 runs from seven innings.But, on the leadership front, Parag has shone, marshalling his side adeptly to win five out of seven games and occupy the second spot in the standings.The sharpest tool at Parag’s disposal has been the express-pace duo of Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger. Rajasthan Royals’ Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger celebrate after winning against Lucknow Super Giants. | Photo Credit: PTI Rajasthan Royals’ Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger celebrate after winning against Lucknow Super Giants. | Photo Credit: PTI With their combined prowess with the new ball, Royals have claimed 18 wickets in the PowerPlay, the most by any team in IPL 2026.On Saturday, the Archer-Burger axis will look to unsettle SRH’s in-form opener Abhishek Sharma, who smashed a blazing hundred (135*) against Delhi Capitals in the last game.On the opposite corner, Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi would be on the lookout for payback against Hinge and Sakib.Both these early-game tussles and their outcomes could determine the course of Saturday’s game. The Jaipur crowd, which had to wait half a season to watch its team in flesh, would naturally be yearning for the game to swing the Royals’ way.Published on Apr 24, 2026 #IPL #SRH #Royals #hope #repeat #mistakes #leg #Cummins #returns #lead #Sunrisers

Rajasthan Royals’ Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger celebrate after winning against Lucknow Super Giants. | Photo Credit: PTI

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Rajasthan Royals’ Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger celebrate after winning against Lucknow Super Giants. | Photo Credit: PTI

With their combined prowess with the new ball, Royals have claimed 18 wickets in the PowerPlay, the most by any team in IPL 2026.

On Saturday, the Archer-Burger axis will look to unsettle SRH’s in-form opener Abhishek Sharma, who smashed a blazing hundred (135*) against Delhi Capitals in the last game.

On the opposite corner, Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi would be on the lookout for payback against Hinge and Sakib.

Both these early-game tussles and their outcomes could determine the course of Saturday’s game. The Jaipur crowd, which had to wait half a season to watch its team in flesh, would naturally be yearning for the game to swing the Royals’ way.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#IPL #SRH #Royals #hope #repeat #mistakes #leg #Cummins #returns #lead #Sunrisers">IPL 2026, RR vs SRH: Royals hope not to repeat mistakes from away leg even as Cummins returns to lead Sunrisers A fortnight is a long time in a fast-moving tournament like the Indian Premier League.Two weeks ago, the Rajasthan Royals was on top of the world, having won its first four IPL 2026 games. Around the same time, Sunrisers Hyderabad was floundering, having lost four of its five games.But, as the two teams come together at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday for the first game of the season in Jaipur, the narrative has transformed.Over their last three games, the Royals have tasted the bitterness of the law of averages, as their seemingly hypersonic top-order has screeched to a near halt.Consecutive failures by openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have denied the Royals an early launch, exposing their undercooked middle-order.Incidentally, the first team to apply the brakes on the Jai-Soorya duo was SRH, in their first meeting of the season in Hyderabad.Riding on four-wicket hauls from debutant pacers Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain, the Sunrisers had handed Royals their first defeat of the season.READ: The boy who asked for more: Behind the rise of Vaibhav SooryavanshiThe Royals then suffered another away defeat, to Kolkata Knight Riders, before recuperating with a hard-fought win against Lucknow Super Giants.Meanwhile, SRH has added two more wins to its kitty – against Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings – and now finds itself fourth in the table.Adding fuel to its momentum, full-time captain Pat Cummins has returned from injury and will make his first appearance of the season in Jaipur.For rival skipper Riyan Parag, IPL 2026 has been a mixed bag. With the bat, he has cut a sorry figure, aggregating just 81 runs from seven innings.But, on the leadership front, Parag has shone, marshalling his side adeptly to win five out of seven games and occupy the second spot in the standings.The sharpest tool at Parag’s disposal has been the express-pace duo of Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger. Rajasthan Royals’ Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger celebrate after winning against Lucknow Super Giants. | Photo Credit: PTI Rajasthan Royals’ Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger celebrate after winning against Lucknow Super Giants. | Photo Credit: PTI With their combined prowess with the new ball, Royals have claimed 18 wickets in the PowerPlay, the most by any team in IPL 2026.On Saturday, the Archer-Burger axis will look to unsettle SRH’s in-form opener Abhishek Sharma, who smashed a blazing hundred (135*) against Delhi Capitals in the last game.On the opposite corner, Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi would be on the lookout for payback against Hinge and Sakib.Both these early-game tussles and their outcomes could determine the course of Saturday’s game. The Jaipur crowd, which had to wait half a season to watch its team in flesh, would naturally be yearning for the game to swing the Royals’ way.Published on Apr 24, 2026 #IPL #SRH #Royals #hope #repeat #mistakes #leg #Cummins #returns #lead #Sunrisers

The boy who asked for more: Behind the rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

The Royals then suffered another away defeat, to Kolkata Knight Riders, before recuperating with a hard-fought win against Lucknow Super Giants.

Meanwhile, SRH has added two more wins to its kitty – against Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings – and now finds itself fourth in the table.

Adding fuel to its momentum, full-time captain Pat Cummins has returned from injury and will make his first appearance of the season in Jaipur.

For rival skipper Riyan Parag, IPL 2026 has been a mixed bag. With the bat, he has cut a sorry figure, aggregating just 81 runs from seven innings.

But, on the leadership front, Parag has shone, marshalling his side adeptly to win five out of seven games and occupy the second spot in the standings.

The sharpest tool at Parag’s disposal has been the express-pace duo of Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger.

IPL 2026, RR vs SRH: Royals hope not to repeat mistakes from away leg even as Cummins returns to lead Sunrisers A fortnight is a long time in a fast-moving tournament like the Indian Premier League.Two weeks ago, the Rajasthan Royals was on top of the world, having won its first four IPL 2026 games. Around the same time, Sunrisers Hyderabad was floundering, having lost four of its five games.But, as the two teams come together at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday for the first game of the season in Jaipur, the narrative has transformed.Over their last three games, the Royals have tasted the bitterness of the law of averages, as their seemingly hypersonic top-order has screeched to a near halt.Consecutive failures by openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have denied the Royals an early launch, exposing their undercooked middle-order.Incidentally, the first team to apply the brakes on the Jai-Soorya duo was SRH, in their first meeting of the season in Hyderabad.Riding on four-wicket hauls from debutant pacers Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain, the Sunrisers had handed Royals their first defeat of the season.READ: The boy who asked for more: Behind the rise of Vaibhav SooryavanshiThe Royals then suffered another away defeat, to Kolkata Knight Riders, before recuperating with a hard-fought win against Lucknow Super Giants.Meanwhile, SRH has added two more wins to its kitty – against Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings – and now finds itself fourth in the table.Adding fuel to its momentum, full-time captain Pat Cummins has returned from injury and will make his first appearance of the season in Jaipur.For rival skipper Riyan Parag, IPL 2026 has been a mixed bag. With the bat, he has cut a sorry figure, aggregating just 81 runs from seven innings.But, on the leadership front, Parag has shone, marshalling his side adeptly to win five out of seven games and occupy the second spot in the standings.The sharpest tool at Parag’s disposal has been the express-pace duo of Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger. Rajasthan Royals’ Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger celebrate after winning against Lucknow Super Giants. | Photo Credit: PTI Rajasthan Royals’ Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger celebrate after winning against Lucknow Super Giants. | Photo Credit: PTI With their combined prowess with the new ball, Royals have claimed 18 wickets in the PowerPlay, the most by any team in IPL 2026.On Saturday, the Archer-Burger axis will look to unsettle SRH’s in-form opener Abhishek Sharma, who smashed a blazing hundred (135*) against Delhi Capitals in the last game.On the opposite corner, Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi would be on the lookout for payback against Hinge and Sakib.Both these early-game tussles and their outcomes could determine the course of Saturday’s game. The Jaipur crowd, which had to wait half a season to watch its team in flesh, would naturally be yearning for the game to swing the Royals’ way.Published on Apr 24, 2026 #IPL #SRH #Royals #hope #repeat #mistakes #leg #Cummins #returns #lead #Sunrisers

Rajasthan Royals’ Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger celebrate after winning against Lucknow Super Giants. | Photo Credit: PTI

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Rajasthan Royals’ Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger celebrate after winning against Lucknow Super Giants. | Photo Credit: PTI

With their combined prowess with the new ball, Royals have claimed 18 wickets in the PowerPlay, the most by any team in IPL 2026.

On Saturday, the Archer-Burger axis will look to unsettle SRH’s in-form opener Abhishek Sharma, who smashed a blazing hundred (135*) against Delhi Capitals in the last game.

On the opposite corner, Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi would be on the lookout for payback against Hinge and Sakib.

Both these early-game tussles and their outcomes could determine the course of Saturday’s game. The Jaipur crowd, which had to wait half a season to watch its team in flesh, would naturally be yearning for the game to swing the Royals’ way.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#IPL #SRH #Royals #hope #repeat #mistakes #leg #Cummins #returns #lead #Sunrisers">IPL 2026, RR vs SRH: Royals hope not to repeat mistakes from away leg even as Cummins returns to lead Sunrisers

A fortnight is a long time in a fast-moving tournament like the Indian Premier League.

Two weeks ago, the Rajasthan Royals was on top of the world, having won its first four IPL 2026 games. Around the same time, Sunrisers Hyderabad was floundering, having lost four of its five games.

But, as the two teams come together at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday for the first game of the season in Jaipur, the narrative has transformed.

Over their last three games, the Royals have tasted the bitterness of the law of averages, as their seemingly hypersonic top-order has screeched to a near halt.

Consecutive failures by openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have denied the Royals an early launch, exposing their undercooked middle-order.

Incidentally, the first team to apply the brakes on the Jai-Soorya duo was SRH, in their first meeting of the season in Hyderabad.

Riding on four-wicket hauls from debutant pacers Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain, the Sunrisers had handed Royals their first defeat of the season.

READ: The boy who asked for more: Behind the rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

The Royals then suffered another away defeat, to Kolkata Knight Riders, before recuperating with a hard-fought win against Lucknow Super Giants.

Meanwhile, SRH has added two more wins to its kitty – against Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings – and now finds itself fourth in the table.

Adding fuel to its momentum, full-time captain Pat Cummins has returned from injury and will make his first appearance of the season in Jaipur.

For rival skipper Riyan Parag, IPL 2026 has been a mixed bag. With the bat, he has cut a sorry figure, aggregating just 81 runs from seven innings.

But, on the leadership front, Parag has shone, marshalling his side adeptly to win five out of seven games and occupy the second spot in the standings.

The sharpest tool at Parag’s disposal has been the express-pace duo of Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger.

IPL 2026, RR vs SRH: Royals hope not to repeat mistakes from away leg even as Cummins returns to lead Sunrisers A fortnight is a long time in a fast-moving tournament like the Indian Premier League.Two weeks ago, the Rajasthan Royals was on top of the world, having won its first four IPL 2026 games. Around the same time, Sunrisers Hyderabad was floundering, having lost four of its five games.But, as the two teams come together at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday for the first game of the season in Jaipur, the narrative has transformed.Over their last three games, the Royals have tasted the bitterness of the law of averages, as their seemingly hypersonic top-order has screeched to a near halt.Consecutive failures by openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have denied the Royals an early launch, exposing their undercooked middle-order.Incidentally, the first team to apply the brakes on the Jai-Soorya duo was SRH, in their first meeting of the season in Hyderabad.Riding on four-wicket hauls from debutant pacers Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain, the Sunrisers had handed Royals their first defeat of the season.READ: The boy who asked for more: Behind the rise of Vaibhav SooryavanshiThe Royals then suffered another away defeat, to Kolkata Knight Riders, before recuperating with a hard-fought win against Lucknow Super Giants.Meanwhile, SRH has added two more wins to its kitty – against Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings – and now finds itself fourth in the table.Adding fuel to its momentum, full-time captain Pat Cummins has returned from injury and will make his first appearance of the season in Jaipur.For rival skipper Riyan Parag, IPL 2026 has been a mixed bag. With the bat, he has cut a sorry figure, aggregating just 81 runs from seven innings.But, on the leadership front, Parag has shone, marshalling his side adeptly to win five out of seven games and occupy the second spot in the standings.The sharpest tool at Parag’s disposal has been the express-pace duo of Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger. Rajasthan Royals’ Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger celebrate after winning against Lucknow Super Giants. | Photo Credit: PTI Rajasthan Royals’ Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger celebrate after winning against Lucknow Super Giants. | Photo Credit: PTI With their combined prowess with the new ball, Royals have claimed 18 wickets in the PowerPlay, the most by any team in IPL 2026.On Saturday, the Archer-Burger axis will look to unsettle SRH’s in-form opener Abhishek Sharma, who smashed a blazing hundred (135*) against Delhi Capitals in the last game.On the opposite corner, Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi would be on the lookout for payback against Hinge and Sakib.Both these early-game tussles and their outcomes could determine the course of Saturday’s game. The Jaipur crowd, which had to wait half a season to watch its team in flesh, would naturally be yearning for the game to swing the Royals’ way.Published on Apr 24, 2026 #IPL #SRH #Royals #hope #repeat #mistakes #leg #Cummins #returns #lead #Sunrisers

Rajasthan Royals’ Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger celebrate after winning against Lucknow Super Giants. | Photo Credit: PTI

lightbox-info

Rajasthan Royals’ Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger celebrate after winning against Lucknow Super Giants. | Photo Credit: PTI

With their combined prowess with the new ball, Royals have claimed 18 wickets in the PowerPlay, the most by any team in IPL 2026.

On Saturday, the Archer-Burger axis will look to unsettle SRH’s in-form opener Abhishek Sharma, who smashed a blazing hundred (135*) against Delhi Capitals in the last game.

On the opposite corner, Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi would be on the lookout for payback against Hinge and Sakib.

Both these early-game tussles and their outcomes could determine the course of Saturday’s game. The Jaipur crowd, which had to wait half a season to watch its team in flesh, would naturally be yearning for the game to swing the Royals’ way.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#IPL #SRH #Royals #hope #repeat #mistakes #leg #Cummins #returns #lead #Sunrisers
Deadspin | Cubs bring 9-game win streak into opener vs. Dodgers Apr 23, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) hits a walk-off single against the Philadelphia Phillies during the tenth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images The Chicago Cubs carry the longest winning streak in the major leagues into the opener of a three-game road series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night in a battle of division leaders. Chicago extended its winning streak to nine games with an 8-7 victory in 10 innings over the Philadelphia Phillies (nine straight losses) on Thursday. “A nine-game winning streak is unusual,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “You could say we’ve done it against teams that are struggling. But hopefully we are part of that. That’s what I would like to say, that we have made it tough on them.” Despite injuries that have thinned both the rotation and bullpen, Chicago — which is tied with Cincinnati for the National League Central lead — has thrived behind a strong defense. According to FanGraphs, the Cubs lead the majors in defensive runs saved with 12. Starting pitcher Cade Horton and reliever Porter Hodge are out for the season with UCL injuries. Closer Daniel Palencia (left oblique strain) and relievers Phil Maton (right knee), Hunter Harvey (right triceps) and Ethan Roberts (finger laceration) are on the 15-day injured list. Cubs left-hander Caleb Thielbar exited in the ninth inning Thursday after appearing to injure his leg. “It’s left hamstring tightness,” Counsell said. “He felt it tightened up on him when he was out there.” Michael Busch launched a three-run home run, and Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki each drilled a solo shot to pace an 18-hit Cubs attack on Thursday. Nico Hoerner leads the Cubs in batting average (.304), RBIs (22), hits (31) and doubles (seven). The Cubs are tied for fifth in the majors in homers with 32. “You have to hit home runs in this game to be a good offensive team,” Counsell said. “That’s for sure. I think we have been a well-rounded offensive group so far.” Right-hander Jameson Taillon (1-1, 3.97 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Cubs on Friday. In his last outing, he allowed one run on five hits over six innings, walking three and striking out four in a 4-2 win Saturday over the New York Mets. He is 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers — tied with San Diego atop the NL West — who will start right-hander Emmet Sheehan (2-0, 5.85) on Friday. Sheehan didn’t factor into the decision in his last start on Saturday despite allowing two runs on four hits over five innings in a 4-3 loss against the Colorado Rockies. Friday will mark Sheehan’s first career appearance against Chicago. The right-hander won his previous two outings this season before Saturday. “The last three outings, each of them Emmet has gotten better,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “(He’s had a) lot better quality of pitch making. The stuff. That’s something for us to build on.” Andy Pages leads Los Angeles in batting average (.337), hits (30) and RBIs (21). Max Muncy leads the Dodgers with eight homers. Los Angeles staved off a sweep by the San Francisco Giants with a 3-0 road win on Thursday. Former Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker signed a four-year, 0 million contract with the Dodgers in the offseason. Tucker started the series against the Giants in a 0-for-8 hole, was moved down to the cleanup spot and had two singles. “Being there is fine,” Tucker said. “Wherever I am in the lineup, I want to help the team win. It’s been a little bit of a grind.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Cubs #bring #9game #win #streak #opener #DodgersApr 23, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) hits a walk-off single against the Philadelphia Phillies during the tenth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

The Chicago Cubs carry the longest winning streak in the major leagues into the opener of a three-game road series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night in a battle of division leaders.

Chicago extended its winning streak to nine games with an 8-7 victory in 10 innings over the Philadelphia Phillies (nine straight losses) on Thursday.

“A nine-game winning streak is unusual,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “You could say we’ve done it against teams that are struggling. But hopefully we are part of that. That’s what I would like to say, that we have made it tough on them.”

Despite injuries that have thinned both the rotation and bullpen, Chicago — which is tied with Cincinnati for the National League Central lead — has thrived behind a strong defense. According to FanGraphs, the Cubs lead the majors in defensive runs saved with 12.

Starting pitcher Cade Horton and reliever Porter Hodge are out for the season with UCL injuries. Closer Daniel Palencia (left oblique strain) and relievers Phil Maton (right knee), Hunter Harvey (right triceps) and Ethan Roberts (finger laceration) are on the 15-day injured list.

Cubs left-hander Caleb Thielbar exited in the ninth inning Thursday after appearing to injure his leg.

“It’s left hamstring tightness,” Counsell said. “He felt it tightened up on him when he was out there.”

Michael Busch launched a three-run home run, and Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki each drilled a solo shot to pace an 18-hit Cubs attack on Thursday. Nico Hoerner leads the Cubs in batting average (.304), RBIs (22), hits (31) and doubles (seven).

The Cubs are tied for fifth in the majors in homers with 32.


“You have to hit home runs in this game to be a good offensive team,” Counsell said. “That’s for sure. I think we have been a well-rounded offensive group so far.”

Right-hander Jameson Taillon (1-1, 3.97 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Cubs on Friday. In his last outing, he allowed one run on five hits over six innings, walking three and striking out four in a 4-2 win Saturday over the New York Mets.

He is 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers — tied with San Diego atop the NL West — who will start right-hander Emmet Sheehan (2-0, 5.85) on Friday.

Sheehan didn’t factor into the decision in his last start on Saturday despite allowing two runs on four hits over five innings in a 4-3 loss against the Colorado Rockies.

Friday will mark Sheehan’s first career appearance against Chicago. The right-hander won his previous two outings this season before Saturday.

“The last three outings, each of them Emmet has gotten better,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “(He’s had a) lot better quality of pitch making. The stuff. That’s something for us to build on.”

Andy Pages leads Los Angeles in batting average (.337), hits (30) and RBIs (21). Max Muncy leads the Dodgers with eight homers.

Los Angeles staved off a sweep by the San Francisco Giants with a 3-0 road win on Thursday.

Former Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker signed a four-year, $240 million contract with the Dodgers in the offseason. Tucker started the series against the Giants in a 0-for-8 hole, was moved down to the cleanup spot and had two singles.

“Being there is fine,” Tucker said. “Wherever I am in the lineup, I want to help the team win. It’s been a little bit of a grind.”


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Cubs #bring #9game #win #streak #opener #Dodgers">Deadspin | Cubs bring 9-game win streak into opener vs. Dodgers Apr 23, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) hits a walk-off single against the Philadelphia Phillies during the tenth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images The Chicago Cubs carry the longest winning streak in the major leagues into the opener of a three-game road series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night in a battle of division leaders. Chicago extended its winning streak to nine games with an 8-7 victory in 10 innings over the Philadelphia Phillies (nine straight losses) on Thursday. “A nine-game winning streak is unusual,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “You could say we’ve done it against teams that are struggling. But hopefully we are part of that. That’s what I would like to say, that we have made it tough on them.” Despite injuries that have thinned both the rotation and bullpen, Chicago — which is tied with Cincinnati for the National League Central lead — has thrived behind a strong defense. According to FanGraphs, the Cubs lead the majors in defensive runs saved with 12. Starting pitcher Cade Horton and reliever Porter Hodge are out for the season with UCL injuries. Closer Daniel Palencia (left oblique strain) and relievers Phil Maton (right knee), Hunter Harvey (right triceps) and Ethan Roberts (finger laceration) are on the 15-day injured list. Cubs left-hander Caleb Thielbar exited in the ninth inning Thursday after appearing to injure his leg. “It’s left hamstring tightness,” Counsell said. “He felt it tightened up on him when he was out there.” Michael Busch launched a three-run home run, and Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki each drilled a solo shot to pace an 18-hit Cubs attack on Thursday. Nico Hoerner leads the Cubs in batting average (.304), RBIs (22), hits (31) and doubles (seven). The Cubs are tied for fifth in the majors in homers with 32. “You have to hit home runs in this game to be a good offensive team,” Counsell said. “That’s for sure. I think we have been a well-rounded offensive group so far.” Right-hander Jameson Taillon (1-1, 3.97 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Cubs on Friday. In his last outing, he allowed one run on five hits over six innings, walking three and striking out four in a 4-2 win Saturday over the New York Mets. He is 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers — tied with San Diego atop the NL West — who will start right-hander Emmet Sheehan (2-0, 5.85) on Friday. Sheehan didn’t factor into the decision in his last start on Saturday despite allowing two runs on four hits over five innings in a 4-3 loss against the Colorado Rockies. Friday will mark Sheehan’s first career appearance against Chicago. The right-hander won his previous two outings this season before Saturday. “The last three outings, each of them Emmet has gotten better,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “(He’s had a) lot better quality of pitch making. The stuff. That’s something for us to build on.” Andy Pages leads Los Angeles in batting average (.337), hits (30) and RBIs (21). Max Muncy leads the Dodgers with eight homers. Los Angeles staved off a sweep by the San Francisco Giants with a 3-0 road win on Thursday. Former Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker signed a four-year, 0 million contract with the Dodgers in the offseason. Tucker started the series against the Giants in a 0-for-8 hole, was moved down to the cleanup spot and had two singles. “Being there is fine,” Tucker said. “Wherever I am in the lineup, I want to help the team win. It’s been a little bit of a grind.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Cubs #bring #9game #win #streak #opener #Dodgers

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