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Deadspin | Hawks look to build comfortable series lead over Knicks Apr 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) drives on New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) in the fourth quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images The New York Knicks held a comfortable lead for most of their Game 1 win last weekend. Since then, the Atlanta Hawks have made things massively uncomfortable for an opponent with aspirations of a deep postseason run. The pressure is intensifying for the Knicks, who will look to even up the first-round playoff series Saturday night when they visit the Hawks for Game 4. “The reality of it is, it’s a seven-game series for a reason,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said after Jalen Brunson’s turnover with 1.2 seconds left ended a 109-108 loss in Game 3 on Thursday. “Stuff’s going to happen. Plenty of teams have been down 1-2, even OKC was down 1-2 last year and they ended up winning it. I’m not saying we’re going to win. “This should sting. We gave ourselves a chance knowing we didn’t play our best basketball, so it should sting. We need to feel it and be locked in for the next games.” If the Hawks can win again, they will get a chance to advance to the second round with another win in Game 5 on Tuesday in New York. If the Knicks can overcome their struggles in the past two games, the series will return to Atlanta for Game 6. New York opened the first-round Eastern Conference series with a 113-102 win when it led by as many as 19 and shot 47.5%. New York was on the way to taking a 2-0 lead on Monday but lost a 13-point lead in the third quarter and suffered a 107-106 loss. CJ McCollum scored 32 points in Game 2 and was clutch again to seize the series lead on Thursday. Atlanta led by 18 in the first half but lost an 11-point lead with 8:06 left in the fourth quarter before finishing off its win. “It’s just everyone’s on a string,” Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels said. “Everyone’s playing for each other. I still think throughout the game we can do better with rotating, especially taking away layups. “I think we take away the 3-point line, but we got to be early on the layups, but it’s a little thing we can work on. But overall, our guys are really flying around, having each other’s back, shifting for each other.” McCollum capped a 23-point performance by hitting a 16-foot fadeaway with 12.7 seconds left and the Hawks finished it with a defensive stop when Jonathan Kuminga stole the ball from Brunson. “I like the way we fought back, but there’s a lot of things throughout the game that myself, I can be better at,” Brunson said. The defensive stand on Brunson was part of Atlanta’s stout defense through most of Game 3. The Hawks limited the Knicks to 43.0% shooting, forced 15 turnovers and were particularly effective in the opening quarter when they outscored New York 33-21. “I think we set the tone right from the jump,” Atlanta forward Jalen Johnson said. “If we have that same mentality going into the next game I think we’ll put ourselves in a good position.” Brunson scored 26 points and his three-point play gave the Knicks a 108-105 lead with 63 seconds left. OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 29 while Karl-Anthony Towns collected 21 points and 17 rebounds, Knicks starters Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart combined for two points on 1-of-12 shooting. Hart played 40 minutes and had nine rebounds, but Bridges was limited to 21 minutes as reserve Miles McBride contributed 15 points in 31 minutes by hitting five of New York’s 10 3-pointers. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Hawks #build #comfortable #series #lead #Knicks

Deadspin | Hawks look to build comfortable series lead over Knicks
Deadspin | Hawks look to build comfortable series lead over Knicks Apr 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) drives on New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) in the fourth quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images The New York Knicks held a comfortable lead for most of their Game 1 win last weekend. Since then, the Atlanta Hawks have made things massively uncomfortable for an opponent with aspirations of a deep postseason run. The pressure is intensifying for the Knicks, who will look to even up the first-round playoff series Saturday night when they visit the Hawks for Game 4. “The reality of it is, it’s a seven-game series for a reason,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said after Jalen Brunson’s turnover with 1.2 seconds left ended a 109-108 loss in Game 3 on Thursday. “Stuff’s going to happen. Plenty of teams have been down 1-2, even OKC was down 1-2 last year and they ended up winning it. I’m not saying we’re going to win. “This should sting. We gave ourselves a chance knowing we didn’t play our best basketball, so it should sting. We need to feel it and be locked in for the next games.” If the Hawks can win again, they will get a chance to advance to the second round with another win in Game 5 on Tuesday in New York. If the Knicks can overcome their struggles in the past two games, the series will return to Atlanta for Game 6. New York opened the first-round Eastern Conference series with a 113-102 win when it led by as many as 19 and shot 47.5%. New York was on the way to taking a 2-0 lead on Monday but lost a 13-point lead in the third quarter and suffered a 107-106 loss. CJ McCollum scored 32 points in Game 2 and was clutch again to seize the series lead on Thursday. Atlanta led by 18 in the first half but lost an 11-point lead with 8:06 left in the fourth quarter before finishing off its win. “It’s just everyone’s on a string,” Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels said. “Everyone’s playing for each other. I still think throughout the game we can do better with rotating, especially taking away layups. “I think we take away the 3-point line, but we got to be early on the layups, but it’s a little thing we can work on. But overall, our guys are really flying around, having each other’s back, shifting for each other.” McCollum capped a 23-point performance by hitting a 16-foot fadeaway with 12.7 seconds left and the Hawks finished it with a defensive stop when Jonathan Kuminga stole the ball from Brunson. “I like the way we fought back, but there’s a lot of things throughout the game that myself, I can be better at,” Brunson said. The defensive stand on Brunson was part of Atlanta’s stout defense through most of Game 3. The Hawks limited the Knicks to 43.0% shooting, forced 15 turnovers and were particularly effective in the opening quarter when they outscored New York 33-21. “I think we set the tone right from the jump,” Atlanta forward Jalen Johnson said. “If we have that same mentality going into the next game I think we’ll put ourselves in a good position.” Brunson scored 26 points and his three-point play gave the Knicks a 108-105 lead with 63 seconds left. OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 29 while Karl-Anthony Towns collected 21 points and 17 rebounds, Knicks starters Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart combined for two points on 1-of-12 shooting. Hart played 40 minutes and had nine rebounds, but Bridges was limited to 21 minutes as reserve Miles McBride contributed 15 points in 31 minutes by hitting five of New York’s 10 3-pointers. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Hawks #build #comfortable #series #lead #KnicksApr 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) drives on New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) in the fourth quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The New York Knicks held a comfortable lead for most of their Game 1 win last weekend.

Since then, the Atlanta Hawks have made things massively uncomfortable for an opponent with aspirations of a deep postseason run.

The pressure is intensifying for the Knicks, who will look to even up the first-round playoff series Saturday night when they visit the Hawks for Game 4.

“The reality of it is, it’s a seven-game series for a reason,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said after Jalen Brunson’s turnover with 1.2 seconds left ended a 109-108 loss in Game 3 on Thursday. “Stuff’s going to happen. Plenty of teams have been down 1-2, even OKC was down 1-2 last year and they ended up winning it. I’m not saying we’re going to win.

“This should sting. We gave ourselves a chance knowing we didn’t play our best basketball, so it should sting. We need to feel it and be locked in for the next games.”

If the Hawks can win again, they will get a chance to advance to the second round with another win in Game 5 on Tuesday in New York. If the Knicks can overcome their struggles in the past two games, the series will return to Atlanta for Game 6.

New York opened the first-round Eastern Conference series with a 113-102 win when it led by as many as 19 and shot 47.5%. New York was on the way to taking a 2-0 lead on Monday but lost a 13-point lead in the third quarter and suffered a 107-106 loss.

CJ McCollum scored 32 points in Game 2 and was clutch again to seize the series lead on Thursday. Atlanta led by 18 in the first half but lost an 11-point lead with 8:06 left in the fourth quarter before finishing off its win.


“It’s just everyone’s on a string,” Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels said. “Everyone’s playing for each other. I still think throughout the game we can do better with rotating, especially taking away layups.

“I think we take away the 3-point line, but we got to be early on the layups, but it’s a little thing we can work on. But overall, our guys are really flying around, having each other’s back, shifting for each other.”

McCollum capped a 23-point performance by hitting a 16-foot fadeaway with 12.7 seconds left and the Hawks finished it with a defensive stop when Jonathan Kuminga stole the ball from Brunson.

“I like the way we fought back, but there’s a lot of things throughout the game that myself, I can be better at,” Brunson said.

The defensive stand on Brunson was part of Atlanta’s stout defense through most of Game 3. The Hawks limited the Knicks to 43.0% shooting, forced 15 turnovers and were particularly effective in the opening quarter when they outscored New York 33-21.

“I think we set the tone right from the jump,” Atlanta forward Jalen Johnson said. “If we have that same mentality going into the next game I think we’ll put ourselves in a good position.”

Brunson scored 26 points and his three-point play gave the Knicks a 108-105 lead with 63 seconds left. OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 29 while Karl-Anthony Towns collected 21 points and 17 rebounds,

Knicks starters Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart combined for two points on 1-of-12 shooting.

Hart played 40 minutes and had nine rebounds, but Bridges was limited to 21 minutes as reserve Miles McBride contributed 15 points in 31 minutes by hitting five of New York’s 10 3-pointers.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Hawks #build #comfortable #series #lead #Knicks

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Apr 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard CJ McCollum (3) drives on New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) in the fourth quarter during game three of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The New York Knicks held a comfortable lead for most of their Game 1 win last weekend.

Since then, the Atlanta Hawks have made things massively uncomfortable for an opponent with aspirations of a deep postseason run.

The pressure is intensifying for the Knicks, who will look to even up the first-round playoff series Saturday night when they visit the Hawks for Game 4.

“The reality of it is, it’s a seven-game series for a reason,” Knicks coach Mike Brown said after Jalen Brunson’s turnover with 1.2 seconds left ended a 109-108 loss in Game 3 on Thursday. “Stuff’s going to happen. Plenty of teams have been down 1-2, even OKC was down 1-2 last year and they ended up winning it. I’m not saying we’re going to win.

“This should sting. We gave ourselves a chance knowing we didn’t play our best basketball, so it should sting. We need to feel it and be locked in for the next games.”

If the Hawks can win again, they will get a chance to advance to the second round with another win in Game 5 on Tuesday in New York. If the Knicks can overcome their struggles in the past two games, the series will return to Atlanta for Game 6.

New York opened the first-round Eastern Conference series with a 113-102 win when it led by as many as 19 and shot 47.5%. New York was on the way to taking a 2-0 lead on Monday but lost a 13-point lead in the third quarter and suffered a 107-106 loss.

CJ McCollum scored 32 points in Game 2 and was clutch again to seize the series lead on Thursday. Atlanta led by 18 in the first half but lost an 11-point lead with 8:06 left in the fourth quarter before finishing off its win.

“It’s just everyone’s on a string,” Atlanta’s Dyson Daniels said. “Everyone’s playing for each other. I still think throughout the game we can do better with rotating, especially taking away layups.

“I think we take away the 3-point line, but we got to be early on the layups, but it’s a little thing we can work on. But overall, our guys are really flying around, having each other’s back, shifting for each other.”

McCollum capped a 23-point performance by hitting a 16-foot fadeaway with 12.7 seconds left and the Hawks finished it with a defensive stop when Jonathan Kuminga stole the ball from Brunson.

“I like the way we fought back, but there’s a lot of things throughout the game that myself, I can be better at,” Brunson said.

The defensive stand on Brunson was part of Atlanta’s stout defense through most of Game 3. The Hawks limited the Knicks to 43.0% shooting, forced 15 turnovers and were particularly effective in the opening quarter when they outscored New York 33-21.

“I think we set the tone right from the jump,” Atlanta forward Jalen Johnson said. “If we have that same mentality going into the next game I think we’ll put ourselves in a good position.”

Brunson scored 26 points and his three-point play gave the Knicks a 108-105 lead with 63 seconds left. OG Anunoby led the Knicks with 29 while Karl-Anthony Towns collected 21 points and 17 rebounds,

Knicks starters Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart combined for two points on 1-of-12 shooting.

Hart played 40 minutes and had nine rebounds, but Bridges was limited to 21 minutes as reserve Miles McBride contributed 15 points in 31 minutes by hitting five of New York’s 10 3-pointers.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Angels visit Mike Trout-friendly Kansas City for 3-game series Apr 15, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout watches his two run home run against the New York Yankees during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. All MLB players are wearing number 42 today to honor Jackie Robinson. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images While the Los Angeles Angels have ended their first true skid on the young season, the Kansas City Royals continue to struggle. Looking to build on a needed victory, the visiting Angels try to hand the Royals a 10th loss in 11 games on Friday night. Los Angeles ended a four-game losing streak, during which it totaled six runs, with its 7-3 home win over Toronto on Wednesday. The triumph somewhat salvaged a 2-4 homestand for the Angels, who continue to hover around the .500 mark to open the campaign. “When you try to make this game harder than it is, then it’s going to get really hard,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “Stay with the course.” Los Angeles is averaging 3.4 runs while 5-7 at home, but 6.1 in splitting their first 14 road contests. On Wednesday, Angels star Mike Trout clubbed his first home run this season at home, where he’s batting .158 in 11 contests. However, he’s batting .300 with seven homers, 17 walks and 16 RBIs on the road. Trout has batted .315 with six home runs and 18 RBIs in 34 career games at Kansas City. He’s 0-for-1 with two walks against scheduled Royals starter Noah Cameron (1-1, 5.40 ERA). The Kansas City left-hander allowed only two runs and no homers over 10 2/3 innings of his first two starts this season. However, he has yielded 12 runs (10 earned) and five homers over 9 1/3 innings in two games since. Three of those long balls came over four innings of Saturday’s 13-4 loss to the host New York Yankees. “I don’t know if I lost focus or they just started putting the bat on the ball and started making some mistake pitchers there,” Cameron said. “Just got to get back in the zone and attack and try to get us out of there.” The Royals won three of their first five games in 2026 but have just five wins since. That includes one in the last 10 games, during which time its pitchers have a 6.16 ERA with 18 home runs and 54 walks allowed. “If we get too focused and caught up in what’s happened over the last couple of weeks, we’re not going to be able to move forward,” Kansas City general manager J.J. Picollo said. Baltimore went deep twice Wednesday during an 8-6 defeat of the host Royals. Meanwhile, Kansas City’s Carter Jensen hit his team-leading sixth homer and is 7-for-13 with four RBIs in his last four contests. Kansas City All-Star third baseman Maikel Garcia is batting .353 with two homers and nine RBIs in 13 home games, but his status for this series opener is uncertain after he exited Wednesday with elbow soreness. “Just have to see how he feels come Friday,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. Garcia is 1-for-10 versus scheduled Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi, while fellow star teammate Bobby Witt Jr., batting .368 in the last five games, is 0-for-12 against the left-hander. Kikuchi (0-2, 5.63) is 4-2 with a 4.72 ERA in 10 career starts against the Royals. He allowed 15 runs over 18 innings of his first four 2026 starts. Then he struck out eight with one walk and four hits over six scoreless innings Saturday in a no-decision versus San Diego. “That’s kind of the Kikuchi that we’re used to seeing, that type of guy where he’s attacking with the fastball,” Suzuki said. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Angels #visit #Mike #Troutfriendly #Kansas #City #3game #seriesApr 15, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout watches his two run home run against the New York Yankees during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. All MLB players are wearing number 42 today to honor Jackie Robinson. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

While the Los Angeles Angels have ended their first true skid on the young season, the Kansas City Royals continue to struggle.

Looking to build on a needed victory, the visiting Angels try to hand the Royals a 10th loss in 11 games on Friday night.

Los Angeles ended a four-game losing streak, during which it totaled six runs, with its 7-3 home win over Toronto on Wednesday. The triumph somewhat salvaged a 2-4 homestand for the Angels, who continue to hover around the .500 mark to open the campaign.

“When you try to make this game harder than it is, then it’s going to get really hard,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “Stay with the course.”

Los Angeles is averaging 3.4 runs while 5-7 at home, but 6.1 in splitting their first 14 road contests.

On Wednesday, Angels star Mike Trout clubbed his first home run this season at home, where he’s batting .158 in 11 contests. However, he’s batting .300 with seven homers, 17 walks and 16 RBIs on the road.

Trout has batted .315 with six home runs and 18 RBIs in 34 career games at Kansas City. He’s 0-for-1 with two walks against scheduled Royals starter Noah Cameron (1-1, 5.40 ERA).

The Kansas City left-hander allowed only two runs and no homers over 10 2/3 innings of his first two starts this season. However, he has yielded 12 runs (10 earned) and five homers over 9 1/3 innings in two games since. Three of those long balls came over four innings of Saturday’s 13-4 loss to the host New York Yankees.


“I don’t know if I lost focus or they just started putting the bat on the ball and started making some mistake pitchers there,” Cameron said. “Just got to get back in the zone and attack and try to get us out of there.”

The Royals won three of their first five games in 2026 but have just five wins since. That includes one in the last 10 games, during which time its pitchers have a 6.16 ERA with 18 home runs and 54 walks allowed.

“If we get too focused and caught up in what’s happened over the last couple of weeks, we’re not going to be able to move forward,” Kansas City general manager J.J. Picollo said.

Baltimore went deep twice Wednesday during an 8-6 defeat of the host Royals. Meanwhile, Kansas City’s Carter Jensen hit his team-leading sixth homer and is 7-for-13 with four RBIs in his last four contests.

Kansas City All-Star third baseman Maikel Garcia is batting .353 with two homers and nine RBIs in 13 home games, but his status for this series opener is uncertain after he exited Wednesday with elbow soreness.

“Just have to see how he feels come Friday,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said.

Garcia is 1-for-10 versus scheduled Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi, while fellow star teammate Bobby Witt Jr., batting .368 in the last five games, is 0-for-12 against the left-hander.

Kikuchi (0-2, 5.63) is 4-2 with a 4.72 ERA in 10 career starts against the Royals. He allowed 15 runs over 18 innings of his first four 2026 starts. Then he struck out eight with one walk and four hits over six scoreless innings Saturday in a no-decision versus San Diego.

“That’s kind of the Kikuchi that we’re used to seeing, that type of guy where he’s attacking with the fastball,” Suzuki said.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Angels #visit #Mike #Troutfriendly #Kansas #City #3game #series">Deadspin | Angels visit Mike Trout-friendly Kansas City for 3-game series Apr 15, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout watches his two run home run against the New York Yankees during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. All MLB players are wearing number 42 today to honor Jackie Robinson. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images While the Los Angeles Angels have ended their first true skid on the young season, the Kansas City Royals continue to struggle. Looking to build on a needed victory, the visiting Angels try to hand the Royals a 10th loss in 11 games on Friday night. Los Angeles ended a four-game losing streak, during which it totaled six runs, with its 7-3 home win over Toronto on Wednesday. The triumph somewhat salvaged a 2-4 homestand for the Angels, who continue to hover around the .500 mark to open the campaign. “When you try to make this game harder than it is, then it’s going to get really hard,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “Stay with the course.” Los Angeles is averaging 3.4 runs while 5-7 at home, but 6.1 in splitting their first 14 road contests. On Wednesday, Angels star Mike Trout clubbed his first home run this season at home, where he’s batting .158 in 11 contests. However, he’s batting .300 with seven homers, 17 walks and 16 RBIs on the road. Trout has batted .315 with six home runs and 18 RBIs in 34 career games at Kansas City. He’s 0-for-1 with two walks against scheduled Royals starter Noah Cameron (1-1, 5.40 ERA). The Kansas City left-hander allowed only two runs and no homers over 10 2/3 innings of his first two starts this season. However, he has yielded 12 runs (10 earned) and five homers over 9 1/3 innings in two games since. Three of those long balls came over four innings of Saturday’s 13-4 loss to the host New York Yankees. “I don’t know if I lost focus or they just started putting the bat on the ball and started making some mistake pitchers there,” Cameron said. “Just got to get back in the zone and attack and try to get us out of there.” The Royals won three of their first five games in 2026 but have just five wins since. That includes one in the last 10 games, during which time its pitchers have a 6.16 ERA with 18 home runs and 54 walks allowed. “If we get too focused and caught up in what’s happened over the last couple of weeks, we’re not going to be able to move forward,” Kansas City general manager J.J. Picollo said. Baltimore went deep twice Wednesday during an 8-6 defeat of the host Royals. Meanwhile, Kansas City’s Carter Jensen hit his team-leading sixth homer and is 7-for-13 with four RBIs in his last four contests. Kansas City All-Star third baseman Maikel Garcia is batting .353 with two homers and nine RBIs in 13 home games, but his status for this series opener is uncertain after he exited Wednesday with elbow soreness. “Just have to see how he feels come Friday,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. Garcia is 1-for-10 versus scheduled Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi, while fellow star teammate Bobby Witt Jr., batting .368 in the last five games, is 0-for-12 against the left-hander. Kikuchi (0-2, 5.63) is 4-2 with a 4.72 ERA in 10 career starts against the Royals. He allowed 15 runs over 18 innings of his first four 2026 starts. Then he struck out eight with one walk and four hits over six scoreless innings Saturday in a no-decision versus San Diego. “That’s kind of the Kikuchi that we’re used to seeing, that type of guy where he’s attacking with the fastball,” Suzuki said. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Angels #visit #Mike #Troutfriendly #Kansas #City #3game #series

Deadspin | Mariners’ big bats waking up ahead of series at Cardinals Apr 20, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor (12) hits an RBI-double against the Athletics during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images Maybe the Seattle Mariners’ big three are finally getting over their World Baseball Classic hangovers. Over their just-completed six-game homestand, Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez and Josh Naylor’s bats started to heat up. The Mariners went 3-3 against a pair of American League West rivals, the Texas Rangers and the Athletics, and start a six-game trip Friday in St. Louis with an interleague encounter against the Cardinals. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth Wednesday and the score tied at 4-4 against the A’s, Raleigh grounded a single to center field. Rodriguez followed by grounding a single to left, sending Raleigh to second, and he scored on Naylor’s line-drive single to left. “These guys have really found a good groove,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “Their at-bats have been outstanding, I was super impressed there with two outs, Cal getting the hit up the middle, Julio going into the hole and then Naylor going the other way to win it.” Entering that homestand, the Mariners’ Nos. 2-4 hitters were scuffling. Raleigh was batting .169 with two homers and 11 RBIs, Rodriguez was hitting .200 with one homer and six RBIs, and Naylor was at .118 with two homers and seven RBIs. During the six games, Raleigh went 7-for-24 with three homers — one in each of the past three games — and three RBIs; Rodriguez was 9-for-23 with two RBIs; and Naylor was 9-for-17 with three RBIs. “You work hard to get those results,” Naylor said. “It’s a hard game we play. It’s arguably the hardest sport. We chose to play it — and we’re idiots for choosing it — but we did. And we have decided to come to this ballpark every day and grind.” The Mariners hope to continue to progress on the road, where they’re 1-8 this season with eight consecutive defeats. They’ve been outscored 33-19 during the skid. “We’ll take this on the road with us and take some momentum from it for sure,” Wilson said. The Cardinals return home after going 4-2 on a six-game trip to Houston and Miami. They lost 4-1 to the Marlins on Wednesday but got a chance to give Alec Burleson, Jordan Walker and Masyn Winn a day off. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol called it a “no-brainer” to get his key players two days off in a row with the team being idle Thursday. “It’s hard because you want to empty out (the bench) and just take your shot,” Marmol said after the defeat. “But this early on (in the season), you also have to be disciplined about keeping your word. Hit the reset button. Getting (Thursday) off for some guys, two days off for the guys who needed it is important. It may not seem that way from a fan perspective. You look at it and go, ‘Gosh, hit Walker, Winn and Burly.’ That stuff catches up with you.” Friday’s series opener is set to feature a pair of right-handers in the Mariners’ George Kirby (3-2, 2.97 ERA) and the Cardinals’ Andre Pallante (2-1, 4.05). Kirby has won his past two starts, including a 7-3 decision against Texas on Saturday in which he allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings. He’s 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA in two previous starts against St. Louis. Pallante is coming off a 7-5 victory Saturday in Houston in which he gave up one run in five innings. This will be his first appearance against the Mariners. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Mariners #big #bats #waking #ahead #series #CardinalsApr 20, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor (12) hits an RBI-double against the Athletics during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Maybe the Seattle Mariners’ big three are finally getting over their World Baseball Classic hangovers.

Over their just-completed six-game homestand, Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez and Josh Naylor’s bats started to heat up.

The Mariners went 3-3 against a pair of American League West rivals, the Texas Rangers and the Athletics, and start a six-game trip Friday in St. Louis with an interleague encounter against the Cardinals.

With two outs in the bottom of the ninth Wednesday and the score tied at 4-4 against the A’s, Raleigh grounded a single to center field. Rodriguez followed by grounding a single to left, sending Raleigh to second, and he scored on Naylor’s line-drive single to left.

“These guys have really found a good groove,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “Their at-bats have been outstanding, I was super impressed there with two outs, Cal getting the hit up the middle, Julio going into the hole and then Naylor going the other way to win it.”

Entering that homestand, the Mariners’ Nos. 2-4 hitters were scuffling. Raleigh was batting .169 with two homers and 11 RBIs, Rodriguez was hitting .200 with one homer and six RBIs, and Naylor was at .118 with two homers and seven RBIs.

During the six games, Raleigh went 7-for-24 with three homers — one in each of the past three games — and three RBIs; Rodriguez was 9-for-23 with two RBIs; and Naylor was 9-for-17 with three RBIs.

“You work hard to get those results,” Naylor said. “It’s a hard game we play. It’s arguably the hardest sport. We chose to play it — and we’re idiots for choosing it — but we did. And we have decided to come to this ballpark every day and grind.”


The Mariners hope to continue to progress on the road, where they’re 1-8 this season with eight consecutive defeats. They’ve been outscored 33-19 during the skid.

“We’ll take this on the road with us and take some momentum from it for sure,” Wilson said.

The Cardinals return home after going 4-2 on a six-game trip to Houston and Miami.

They lost 4-1 to the Marlins on Wednesday but got a chance to give Alec Burleson, Jordan Walker and Masyn Winn a day off.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol called it a “no-brainer” to get his key players two days off in a row with the team being idle Thursday.

“It’s hard because you want to empty out (the bench) and just take your shot,” Marmol said after the defeat. “But this early on (in the season), you also have to be disciplined about keeping your word. Hit the reset button. Getting (Thursday) off for some guys, two days off for the guys who needed it is important. It may not seem that way from a fan perspective. You look at it and go, ‘Gosh, hit Walker, Winn and Burly.’ That stuff catches up with you.”

Friday’s series opener is set to feature a pair of right-handers in the Mariners’ George Kirby (3-2, 2.97 ERA) and the Cardinals’ Andre Pallante (2-1, 4.05).

Kirby has won his past two starts, including a 7-3 decision against Texas on Saturday in which he allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings. He’s 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA in two previous starts against St. Louis.

Pallante is coming off a 7-5 victory Saturday in Houston in which he gave up one run in five innings. This will be his first appearance against the Mariners.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Mariners #big #bats #waking #ahead #series #Cardinals">Deadspin | Mariners’ big bats waking up ahead of series at Cardinals Apr 20, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor (12) hits an RBI-double against the Athletics during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images Maybe the Seattle Mariners’ big three are finally getting over their World Baseball Classic hangovers. Over their just-completed six-game homestand, Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodriguez and Josh Naylor’s bats started to heat up. The Mariners went 3-3 against a pair of American League West rivals, the Texas Rangers and the Athletics, and start a six-game trip Friday in St. Louis with an interleague encounter against the Cardinals. With two outs in the bottom of the ninth Wednesday and the score tied at 4-4 against the A’s, Raleigh grounded a single to center field. Rodriguez followed by grounding a single to left, sending Raleigh to second, and he scored on Naylor’s line-drive single to left. “These guys have really found a good groove,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “Their at-bats have been outstanding, I was super impressed there with two outs, Cal getting the hit up the middle, Julio going into the hole and then Naylor going the other way to win it.” Entering that homestand, the Mariners’ Nos. 2-4 hitters were scuffling. Raleigh was batting .169 with two homers and 11 RBIs, Rodriguez was hitting .200 with one homer and six RBIs, and Naylor was at .118 with two homers and seven RBIs. During the six games, Raleigh went 7-for-24 with three homers — one in each of the past three games — and three RBIs; Rodriguez was 9-for-23 with two RBIs; and Naylor was 9-for-17 with three RBIs. “You work hard to get those results,” Naylor said. “It’s a hard game we play. It’s arguably the hardest sport. We chose to play it — and we’re idiots for choosing it — but we did. And we have decided to come to this ballpark every day and grind.” The Mariners hope to continue to progress on the road, where they’re 1-8 this season with eight consecutive defeats. They’ve been outscored 33-19 during the skid. “We’ll take this on the road with us and take some momentum from it for sure,” Wilson said. The Cardinals return home after going 4-2 on a six-game trip to Houston and Miami. They lost 4-1 to the Marlins on Wednesday but got a chance to give Alec Burleson, Jordan Walker and Masyn Winn a day off. Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol called it a “no-brainer” to get his key players two days off in a row with the team being idle Thursday. “It’s hard because you want to empty out (the bench) and just take your shot,” Marmol said after the defeat. “But this early on (in the season), you also have to be disciplined about keeping your word. Hit the reset button. Getting (Thursday) off for some guys, two days off for the guys who needed it is important. It may not seem that way from a fan perspective. You look at it and go, ‘Gosh, hit Walker, Winn and Burly.’ That stuff catches up with you.” Friday’s series opener is set to feature a pair of right-handers in the Mariners’ George Kirby (3-2, 2.97 ERA) and the Cardinals’ Andre Pallante (2-1, 4.05). Kirby has won his past two starts, including a 7-3 decision against Texas on Saturday in which he allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings. He’s 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA in two previous starts against St. Louis. Pallante is coming off a 7-5 victory Saturday in Houston in which he gave up one run in five innings. This will be his first appearance against the Mariners. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Mariners #big #bats #waking #ahead #series #Cardinals

Promotion-chasing Millwall has received an apology from Westminster Council after the club’s badge was used in an illustration depicting ​a white supremacist in a children’s anti-racism booklet distributed in primary schools.

Millwall’s Supporters’ ‌Club said on X that legal action was still ​being considered after a ‘serious misuse’ of its registered rampant lion ⁠badge—saying it created a false and damaging image of the club.

“The council has confirmed no more copies of the image with the club’s logo will ‌be made or distributed by them, and all remaining material in their possession will be destroyed,” a statement on ‌ X said.

“The club is still considering its legal position on the ‌matter ⁠and is unable to comment further.”

Westminster Council’s booklet highlighted ⁠the career of Paul Canoville, the first Black player to play for Chelsea.

The illustration of the white supremacist, wearing a Ku Klux Klan-style white hood and robes emblazoned ​with the club’s badge, is placed ‌next to a photograph of Canoville, who has a speech bubble that says: “Racism never went away. I was badly abused in a reserve match at Millwall, but then I could show the racists ‌my 1984 2nd Division Champions medal!”

READ: Carrick keen to balance short-term success with building for the future

In its apology, Westminster Council ​said it accepted the use of the image was “an insensitive way to illustrate the historic problem of racism within ⁠football.”

“The booklet has been removed from circulation, and we are reviewing processes to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” it said in a statement.

The ‌Paul Canoville Foundation issued a statement saying it had no involvement in the commissioning or production of the booklet, although the former Chelsea player did make a personal appearance to meet students as part of the associated programme.

“We understand the illustration in question is a depiction of a real incident Paul experienced whilst playing for Chelsea Reserves against ‌Millwall Reserves in the 1980s, in which he was subjected to serious racial ​abuse by a number of individuals wearing Ku Klux Klan-style white hoods,” it said.

“This was one of many incidents of ⁠racist abuse Paul endured during his career, incidents that form the foundation ⁠of the educational and cultural work the Foundation exists to advance.”

The foundation added that it was not in a position ‌to speak for other parties’ editorial decisions.

South London club Millwall is pushing for promotion to the top flight for the first time ​since 1990 and is in third place with two games remaining.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#Millwall #receives #apology #club #badge #antiracism #booklet">Millwall receives apology over use of club badge in anti-racism booklet Promotion-chasing Millwall has received an apology from Westminster Council after the club’s badge was used in an illustration depicting ​a white supremacist in a children’s anti-racism booklet distributed in primary schools.Millwall’s Supporters’ ‌Club said on X that legal action was still ​being considered after a ‘serious misuse’ of its registered rampant lion ⁠badge—saying it created a false and damaging image of the club.“The council has confirmed no more copies of the image with the club’s logo will ‌be made or distributed by them, and all remaining material in their possession will be destroyed,” a statement on ‌ X said.“The club is still considering its legal position on the ‌matter ⁠and is unable to comment further.”Westminster Council’s booklet highlighted ⁠the career of Paul Canoville, the first Black player to play for Chelsea.The illustration of the white supremacist, wearing a Ku Klux Klan-style white hood and robes emblazoned ​with the club’s badge, is placed ‌next to a photograph of Canoville, who has a speech bubble that says: “Racism never went away. I was badly abused in a reserve match at Millwall, but then I could show the racists ‌my 1984 2nd Division Champions medal!”READ: Carrick keen to balance short-term success with building for the futureIn its apology, Westminster Council ​said it accepted the use of the image was “an insensitive way to illustrate the historic problem of racism within ⁠football.”“The booklet has been removed from circulation, and we are reviewing processes to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” it said in a statement.The ‌Paul Canoville Foundation issued a statement saying it had no involvement in the commissioning or production of the booklet, although the former Chelsea player did make a personal appearance to meet students as part of the associated programme.“We understand the illustration in question is a depiction of a real incident Paul experienced whilst playing for Chelsea Reserves against ‌Millwall Reserves in the 1980s, in which he was subjected to serious racial ​abuse by a number of individuals wearing Ku Klux Klan-style white hoods,” it said.“This was one of many incidents of ⁠racist abuse Paul endured during his career, incidents that form the foundation ⁠of the educational and cultural work the Foundation exists to advance.”The foundation added that it was not in a position ‌to speak for other parties’ editorial decisions.South London club Millwall is pushing for promotion to the top flight for the first time ​since 1990 and is in third place with two games remaining.Published on Apr 24, 2026 #Millwall #receives #apology #club #badge #antiracism #booklet

Carrick keen to balance short-term success with building for the future

In its apology, Westminster Council ​said it accepted the use of the image was “an insensitive way to illustrate the historic problem of racism within ⁠football.”

“The booklet has been removed from circulation, and we are reviewing processes to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” it said in a statement.

The ‌Paul Canoville Foundation issued a statement saying it had no involvement in the commissioning or production of the booklet, although the former Chelsea player did make a personal appearance to meet students as part of the associated programme.

“We understand the illustration in question is a depiction of a real incident Paul experienced whilst playing for Chelsea Reserves against ‌Millwall Reserves in the 1980s, in which he was subjected to serious racial ​abuse by a number of individuals wearing Ku Klux Klan-style white hoods,” it said.

“This was one of many incidents of ⁠racist abuse Paul endured during his career, incidents that form the foundation ⁠of the educational and cultural work the Foundation exists to advance.”

The foundation added that it was not in a position ‌to speak for other parties’ editorial decisions.

South London club Millwall is pushing for promotion to the top flight for the first time ​since 1990 and is in third place with two games remaining.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#Millwall #receives #apology #club #badge #antiracism #booklet">Millwall receives apology over use of club badge in anti-racism booklet

Promotion-chasing Millwall has received an apology from Westminster Council after the club’s badge was used in an illustration depicting ​a white supremacist in a children’s anti-racism booklet distributed in primary schools.

Millwall’s Supporters’ ‌Club said on X that legal action was still ​being considered after a ‘serious misuse’ of its registered rampant lion ⁠badge—saying it created a false and damaging image of the club.

“The council has confirmed no more copies of the image with the club’s logo will ‌be made or distributed by them, and all remaining material in their possession will be destroyed,” a statement on ‌ X said.

“The club is still considering its legal position on the ‌matter ⁠and is unable to comment further.”

Westminster Council’s booklet highlighted ⁠the career of Paul Canoville, the first Black player to play for Chelsea.

The illustration of the white supremacist, wearing a Ku Klux Klan-style white hood and robes emblazoned ​with the club’s badge, is placed ‌next to a photograph of Canoville, who has a speech bubble that says: “Racism never went away. I was badly abused in a reserve match at Millwall, but then I could show the racists ‌my 1984 2nd Division Champions medal!”

READ: Carrick keen to balance short-term success with building for the future

In its apology, Westminster Council ​said it accepted the use of the image was “an insensitive way to illustrate the historic problem of racism within ⁠football.”

“The booklet has been removed from circulation, and we are reviewing processes to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” it said in a statement.

The ‌Paul Canoville Foundation issued a statement saying it had no involvement in the commissioning or production of the booklet, although the former Chelsea player did make a personal appearance to meet students as part of the associated programme.

“We understand the illustration in question is a depiction of a real incident Paul experienced whilst playing for Chelsea Reserves against ‌Millwall Reserves in the 1980s, in which he was subjected to serious racial ​abuse by a number of individuals wearing Ku Klux Klan-style white hoods,” it said.

“This was one of many incidents of ⁠racist abuse Paul endured during his career, incidents that form the foundation ⁠of the educational and cultural work the Foundation exists to advance.”

The foundation added that it was not in a position ‌to speak for other parties’ editorial decisions.

South London club Millwall is pushing for promotion to the top flight for the first time ​since 1990 and is in third place with two games remaining.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#Millwall #receives #apology #club #badge #antiracism #booklet

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