Deadspin | Justin Wrobleski moves to 4-0 as Dodgers blank Cubs Apr 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski (70) pitches against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images Shohei Ohtani hit his first home run in 13 games and Justin Wrobleski continued his strong start to the season with six scoreless innings as the Los Angeles Dodgers finished off a 6-0 victory over the visiting Chicago Cubs on Sunday. Miguel Rojas hit a two-run double in the first inning and Dalton Rushing had a two-run single in the sixth as the Dodgers won two of three against the Cubs and took a home series for the fourth time in five tries. Wrobleski (4-0) gave up four hits with six strikeouts, but matched a season-high with four walks. The left-hander lowered his ERA to 1.50 in 30 innings over five appearances and four consecutive starts. Shota Imanaga (2-2) gave up a season-high five runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings with three walks and six strikeouts. Imanaga allowed more runs than his last four starts combined (three). Chicago’s offense was held to four hits and went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Michael Busch delivered the only extra-base hit, a double to lead off the second inning. The Cubs lost their second consecutive game following a 10-game winning streak. Andy Pages delivered a sacrifice fly to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead in the opening inning and Rojas added his two-run double two batters later. Wrobleski worked through early trouble, leaving two Cubs runners aboard in the first inning and the bases loaded in the second. He put the leadoff batter on base in four of his six innings. Rushing gave the Dodgers a 5-0 lead with his two-run single in the sixth and Ohtani hit a solo home run to left-center in the seventh inning, his sixth of the season. The blast ended Ohtani’s longest stretch without a home run since joining Los Angeles for the 2024 season. Ohtani was the lone player to produce multiple hits, as he went 3-for-3 with a walk, two runs and an RBI. Edgardo Henriquez, Jack Dreyer and Kyle Hurt each pitched a scoreless inning without allowing a hit as the Dodgers earned their third shutout victory of 2026 and the second in the past four games. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Justin #Wrobleski #moves #Dodgers #blank #Cubs

Deadspin | Justin Wrobleski moves to 4-0 as Dodgers blank Cubs
Apr 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski (70) pitches against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

Shohei Ohtani hit his first home run in 13 games and Justin Wrobleski continued his strong start to the season with six scoreless innings as the Los Angeles Dodgers finished off a 6-0 victory over the visiting Chicago Cubs on Sunday.

Miguel Rojas hit a two-run double in the first inning and Dalton Rushing had a two-run single in the sixth as the Dodgers won two of three against the Cubs and took a home series for the fourth time in five tries.

Wrobleski (4-0) gave up four hits with six strikeouts, but matched a season-high with four walks. The left-hander lowered his ERA to 1.50 in 30 innings over five appearances and four consecutive starts.

Shota Imanaga (2-2) gave up a season-high five runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings with three walks and six strikeouts. Imanaga allowed more runs than his last four starts combined (three).

Chicago’s offense was held to four hits and went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Michael Busch delivered the only extra-base hit, a double to lead off the second inning.

The Cubs lost their second consecutive game following a 10-game winning streak.

Andy Pages delivered a sacrifice fly to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead in the opening inning and Rojas added his two-run double two batters later.

Wrobleski worked through early trouble, leaving two Cubs runners aboard in the first inning and the bases loaded in the second. He put the leadoff batter on base in four of his six innings.

Rushing gave the Dodgers a 5-0 lead with his two-run single in the sixth and Ohtani hit a solo home run to left-center in the seventh inning, his sixth of the season. The blast ended Ohtani’s longest stretch without a home run since joining Los Angeles for the 2024 season.

Ohtani was the lone player to produce multiple hits, as he went 3-for-3 with a walk, two runs and an RBI.

Edgardo Henriquez, Jack Dreyer and Kyle Hurt each pitched a scoreless inning without allowing a hit as the Dodgers earned their third shutout victory of 2026 and the second in the past four games.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Justin #Wrobleski #moves #Dodgers #blank #Cubs

Sports news April 27, 2026

Apr 26, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski (70) pitches against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

Shohei Ohtani hit his first home run in 13 games and Justin Wrobleski continued his strong start to the season with six scoreless innings as the Los Angeles Dodgers finished off a 6-0 victory over the visiting Chicago Cubs on Sunday.

Miguel Rojas hit a two-run double in the first inning and Dalton Rushing had a two-run single in the sixth as the Dodgers won two of three against the Cubs and took a home series for the fourth time in five tries.

Wrobleski (4-0) gave up four hits with six strikeouts, but matched a season-high with four walks. The left-hander lowered his ERA to 1.50 in 30 innings over five appearances and four consecutive starts.

Shota Imanaga (2-2) gave up a season-high five runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings with three walks and six strikeouts. Imanaga allowed more runs than his last four starts combined (three).

Chicago’s offense was held to four hits and went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Michael Busch delivered the only extra-base hit, a double to lead off the second inning.

The Cubs lost their second consecutive game following a 10-game winning streak.

Andy Pages delivered a sacrifice fly to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead in the opening inning and Rojas added his two-run double two batters later.

Wrobleski worked through early trouble, leaving two Cubs runners aboard in the first inning and the bases loaded in the second. He put the leadoff batter on base in four of his six innings.

Rushing gave the Dodgers a 5-0 lead with his two-run single in the sixth and Ohtani hit a solo home run to left-center in the seventh inning, his sixth of the season. The blast ended Ohtani’s longest stretch without a home run since joining Los Angeles for the 2024 season.

Ohtani was the lone player to produce multiple hits, as he went 3-for-3 with a walk, two runs and an RBI.

Edgardo Henriquez, Jack Dreyer and Kyle Hurt each pitched a scoreless inning without allowing a hit as the Dodgers earned their third shutout victory of 2026 and the second in the past four games.

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #Justin #Wrobleski #moves #Dodgers #blank #Cubs

NBA head coach rankings for all 16 still alive in 2026 Playoffs <div id="zephr-anchor"><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The 2026 NBA Playoffs are all about the matchups, and that puts an added emphasis on coaching. Coaching often has a way of falling into the background during the league’s eternal 82-game regular season, but maximizing every possession matters in the playoffs, and it puts a harsh spotlight on the men in the big chair who need to consistently cook up advantages for their teams to advance.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The narratives can change fast in the playoffs. It feels like several people on this list are coaching for their jobs even if they had a lot of regular season success. With offseason openings in Chicago and New Orleans and a potential opening in Portland, we already know the coaching carousel will be spinning this summer. You can bet that there will be a couple more vacancies before the end of the season.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Let’s rank every head coach who made the 2026 NBA Playoffs.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">16. Jamahl Mosley, Orlando Magic</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1"><a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/1085707/nba-bold-predictions-for-champion-finals-2025-26-season">The Magic were my preseason NBA Finals pick out of the East</a>, and instead they barely snuck into the playoffs as the No. 8 seed. Orlando was the most disappointing team of the season, and it seemed likely they would try out a new head coach before making a major shake-up to the core once the season ended. Then something funny happened: the Magic finally got healthy and started playing their best basketball at the right time. Orlando looks like it can absolutely win its first-round series against the No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons. If the Magic advance, they probably can’t fire Mosley even if they never should have been the 8-seed to begin with. Mosley deserves a ton of credit for optimizing his defense to limit Cade Cunningham and shutdown Jalen Duren to this point. Everything is fluid in the playoffs, and that includes this ranking of Mosley.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">15. Tiago Splitter, Portland Trail Blazers</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Chauncey Billups was arrested in a federal gambling probe after the first game of the season, and it thrust assistant Tiago Splitter into a head coaching role the rest of the season. All Splitter did was lead the Blazers to a winning record for the first time in five years, and finally get them back into the playoffs. Splitter has been good enough to keep the job going forward, but new owner Tom Dundon is emerging as an unprecedented cheapskate who might not offer him enough money to return. It’s hard to think another coach could have squeezed out many more wins this season, but I do think it would benefit Portland to play faster going forward given their halfcourt scoring troubles. The Blazers <a href="https://stats.inpredictable.com/nba/ssnTeamPoss.php?season=2025&po=0&frdt=2025-10-21&todt=2026-04-25&view=off&sort=aotopdr&order=ASC">rank No. 21 in pace after a defensive rebound, and No. 23 in pace after a turnover</a>. Billups made them play faster before his arrest. Splitter has performed really well in general, but I’m still not super convinced he’s a great head coaching candidate long-term.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">14. Nick Nurse, Philadelphia 76ers</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Nurse won it all with the Toronto Raptors in 2019. He’s still hanging on with the Sixers in 2026, but he’s lost his momentum at this point and feels like he’s hanging on by a string. Philly ranked in the bottom half of the league in both offensive and defensive efficiency despite Nurse riding Tyrese Maxey so hard that he led the league in minutes per game. The constant injuries to Joel Embiid and Paul George certainly haven’t helped, but it feels like Nurse’s ‘mad scientist’ act from Toronto has lost its juice all these years later. It wouldn’t be too surprising if his head coaching days are over either after this series, or after next season.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">13. Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">What a disaster the playoffs are shaping up to be for Udoka and the Rockets. Houston avoided the sweep to the Lakers in Game 4, but there’s no excuses when you’re facing a team without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves. Udoka just hasn’t been able to find any answers for how to unclog the halfcourt offense. While other teams have been able to hide bad defenders, Udoka has no plan for former No. 3 overall pick Reed Sheppard and still doesn’t trust him. Udoka took the Rockets from 22 wins to 41 wins to 52 wins since arriving, but it feels like Houston is stalling out. <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/1111531/nba-playoffs-overreactions-every-2026-first-round-series">We predicted Udoka could lose his job if the Rockets lose the series</a>, and it sure feels like it’s trending that way.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">12. Mike Brown, New York Knicks</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Brown was always going to be feeling pressure in his first year as Knicks head coach after taking over for Tom Thibodeau, who had just led the team to the conference finals. So far, it’s impossible to say the Knicks upgraded. New York’s defense rose from No. 14 to No. 7 during the regular season and the offense finished a couple spots better too, but it just feels like Brown still doesn’t have the answers to the team’s biggest questions. He’s made multiple missteps in his first-round series with the Atlanta Hawks, including playing lineups with Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns multiple times per game. The Hawks are no slouch, but the Knicks still feel like they have the talent advantage in this series, and it would be a complete disaster if they fail to advance. Could Brown be coaching for his job after just one year? I’m not sure if there’s a head coach in the playoffs feeling more heat than Brown.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">11. Darko Rajaković, Toronto Raptors</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Reputations can change quickly in the playoffs, and it feels like Darko Rajaković’s is turning for the better during his first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Rajaković was hired as a developmental coach, but Scottie Barnes regressed in his first season a year ago, and recent first-round picks Ja’Kobe Walter and Gradey Dick haven’t contributed much. Well, Barnes roared back to form with the best season of his career in his second season in the system, rookie Collin Murray-Boyles has been an instant impact hybrid forward, and Rajaković squeezed a 16-win improvement out of Toronto this year. Rajaković is drawing praise from every corner for evening the series with Cleveland through four games, showing impressive adaptability on both sides and coming up with a plan to limit the Cavs’ pick-and-roll combinations as much as possible. I had Darko a couple spots lower before the weekend, and he could be a couple spots higher by the time this series is over.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">10. David Adelman, Denver Nuggets</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Adelman was facing championship-or-bust expectations from the moment he took over for Mike Malone. He performed well in an incredibly difficult situation after getting the job at the very end of last year’s regular season, leading the Nuggets to a 7-game first-round win over the Los Angeles Clippers and then a tough 7-game loss to the eventual champion Thunder. This year’s Nuggets won 54 games even with long injuries to Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Peyton Watson, and more, but the playoffs haven’t been so kind to them. Minnesota’s Game 4 victory to take a 3-1 series lead despite major injuries to Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo is the type of loss that can blow up a franchise. The Nuggets are getting out-classed in the series, and Adelman hasn’t had any answers to their various problems. It’s possible Denver can still mount a comeback with Minnesota’s starting backcourt out for the series, but Denver simply looks flat and dead right now, so it’s hard to expect it will happen. Adelman could quickly find his reputation in the gutter with one more loss.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">9. JB Bickerstaff, Detroit Pistons</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Bickerstaff once took the Cavs from 22 to 44 to 51 wins, and now he’s pulled off a similar turnaround with the Pistons. He inherited a 14-win team when he was hired by Detroit, and immediately won 44 games and then pushed for 60 wins this season to grab the East’s No. 1 seed. Now Bickerstaff is fighting for his reputation as the Orlando Magic have given him all he can handle in the first-round. The Pistons’ halfcourt offense was middling all year for a team that won at such a high clip, and this playoff run has exposed even more issues, including a failure to maximize Jalen Duren. The Pistons can’t bully the Magic in the same way they pulled a lot of opponents this year, and there have been some questions about how he’s handled a deep rotation in this series. Getting eliminated by Orlando would do major damage to Bickerstaff’s reputation, and would essentially invalidate the 2026 NBA Coach of the Year that he may win. Add in his struggles in the playoffs in Cleveland too, and Bickerstaff badly needs to take these Pistons on a deep run. He’s definitely a solid coach who deserves a lot of credit for building an elite Pistons defense, but he needs to prove there isn’t a better option out there for a team with NBA Finals aspirations.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">8. Mitch Johnson, San Antonio Spurs</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Mitch Johnson entered his first full season as Spurs head coach just trying to make the playoffs. Instead, San Antonio blew past its preseason over/under of 44.5 wins by winning 62 games and claiming the No. 2 seed in the West. It might feel like anyone could coach Victor Wembanyama to success, but Johnson did well to convince his superstar big man to cut out some three-point shots, play more frequently at the basket, and cut down his turnovers. Johnson also seamlessly juggled a backcourt with one highly paid veteran (De’Aaron Fox) and two hungry youngsters in De’Aaron Fox and Dylan Harper. He deserves some credit for coaxing career-years out of Julian Champagnie and Sixth Man of the Year Keldon Johnson, too. Johnson is only 39 years old, and will have every opportunity to grow alongside Wembanyama long term.</p></div><div class="duet--article--block-placement jgpyd51 jgpyd50 duet--article--article-body-component"><div style="position:relative"><div class="_1nfb3k4j"><div class=""><div style="background-image:none" class="duet--media--content-warning _1i91r6b0"><div class="duet--article--image-gallery-image _1eezmj00" style="aspect-ratio:1.499777" id="c2IyOmltYWdlOjExMTI2NTk="><a class="_1eezmj01" href="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2272310376.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" data-pswp-height="4476" data-pswp-width="6713" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"><img alt="CLEVELAND, OHIO - APRIL 20: Head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the second quarter of Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena on April 20, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)" data-chromatic="ignore" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-nimg="fill" class="w91vxg0" style="position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent;background-size:cover;background-position:50% 50%;background-repeat:no-repeat;background-image:url("data:image/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,%3Csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' %3E%3Cfilter id='b' color-interpolation-filters='sRGB'%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3CfeColorMatrix values='1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 100 -1' result='s'/%3E%3CfeFlood x='0' y='0' width='100%25' height='100%25'/%3E%3CfeComposite operator='out' in='s'/%3E%3CfeComposite in2='SourceGraphic'/%3E%3CfeGaussianBlur stdDeviation='20'/%3E%3C/filter%3E%3Cimage width='100%25' height='100%25' x='0' y='0' preserveAspectRatio='none' style='filter: url(%23b);' href='data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mN8+R8AAtcB6oaHtZcAAAAASUVORK5CYII='/%3E%3C/svg%3E")" sizes="(max-width: 639px) 100vw, (max-width: 1023px) 50vw, 700px" srcset="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2272310376.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=256 256w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2272310376.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=376 376w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2272310376.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=384 384w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2272310376.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=415 415w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2272310376.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=480 480w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2272310376.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=540 540w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2272310376.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=640 640w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2272310376.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=750 750w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2272310376.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=828 828w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2272310376.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1080 1080w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2272310376.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1200 1200w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2272310376.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1440 1440w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2272310376.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=1920 1920w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2272310376.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2048 2048w, https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2272310376.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400 2400w" src="https://platform.sbnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/04/gettyimages-2272310376.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C0%2C100%2C100&w=2400"/></a></div></div></div><p><figcaption class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup ls9zuh2 rzoxl5a">CLEVELAND, OHIO – APRIL 20: Head coach Kenny Atkinson of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts during the second quarter of Game Two of the Eastern Conference First Round NBA Playoffs against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Arena on April 20, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)</figcaption> <cite class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup ls9zuh2 rzoxl55">Getty Images</cite></p></div></div></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">7. Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland Cavaliers</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Atkinson took the Cavs from 48 wins to 64 wins in his first season on the job, but a second-round playoff flameout took some of the shine off his 2025 NBA Coach of the Year award. This season has continued to be a bit sobering for Atkinson and Cleveland, as the Cavs dipped to 52 wins in an injury-marred season that saw the team swap out Darius Garland for James Harden. Cleveland regressed on both ends of the floor, and its No. 1 ranked offense from 2024-25 was exposed as unsustainable. Atkinson has been out-coached by Darko Rajaković at times in this series, and Cleveland risks getting upset if he doesn’t tighten things up and figure out how to puncture a flawed Raptors team. Again: reputations can change quickly in the playoffs, and Atkinson feels like he might be starting to live on the edge, and not in a good way.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">6. Jordan Ott, Phoenix Suns</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Suns are getting pulverized by the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round, but that shouldn’t take away from the incredible job Ott did in his first season this year. The Suns’ preseason over/under was set at 30.5 wins, and Ott ended up leading the team to 45 victories and a playoff berth no one saw coming. He found edges on the margins by going all-in on offensive rebounding and trying to force turnovers defensively, and it ended up getting the most out of a group that didn’t have the most talent but always played hard. Taking the next step will be even more difficult for Ott and the Suns, but his first year was a huge success regardless of how this series ends.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">5. Quin Snyder, Atlanta Hawks</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Snyder missed the playoffs his first two years with the Jazz before making six straight trips to the postseason, including three 50-win seasons. Are the Hawks on the brink of a similar run of sustained success? Snyder got the Hawks back into the playoffs in his third season with the team despite massive midseason roster turnover. The preseason optimism for Atlanta started with Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis. Both were traded before the deadline, and now Snyder is coaching up C.J. McCollum, Jonathan Kuminga, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to go toe-to-toe with the Knicks. Atlanta has consistently found ways to frustrate Jalen Brunson, and they made a sharp move by putting Kuminga on Karl-Anthony Towns. I also give Snyder credit for making the tough decision to take former No. 1 overall pick Zacch Risacher out of the rotation right now. I don’t know if Atlanta will actually win its series against the Knicks, but I do know they should feel good about their head coach long-term.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">4. Chris Finch, Minnesota Timberwolves</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">It wasn’t long ago that the Wolves went 13 straight years without making the playoffs. Under Chris Finch, they’ve made the playoffs in five straight seasons, including two Western Conference Finals trips. Minnesota was on its way to waxing the Denver Nuggets in a first-round series upset when <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/nba/1112537/anthon-edwards-injury-wolves-star-leaves-nba-playoffs-with-leg-injury">Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo both suffered long-term injuries</a>. If Finch can still get Minnesota to advance despite missing his starting backcourt, it will be proof that he’s one of the best coaches in the league. Minnesota fans can get frustrated with his lack of development for young players on the roster, but you can’t argue with the results — especially for a franchise like the Wolves that spent so many years in the wilderness.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">3. JJ Redick, Los Angeles Lakers</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">No one expected the Lakers to mount a playoff run without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves entering the postseason, but somehow they are on the brink of advancing to round two largely due to Redick’s brilliance. The Lakers coach has taken full advantage of the Rockets’ shortcomings in terms of ball handling and shooting to put Houston on the precipice of crisis. Redick’s strong connection with LeBron James is evident in this series as the 41-year-old continues to play at a high level, but he’s also getting good play out of Luke Kennard and Marcus Smart. Redick has zero coaching experience when he was hired off his podcast a couple years ago, but he’s made the most of a changing roster in a pressure-cooker environment. The Lakers are being rewarded for their belief in him, and now he may be one of the best coaches in the league.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">2. Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City Thunder</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Mark Daigneault spent his first three seasons building up the Thunder without a playoff appearance. Ever since, they’ve been one of the best teams in the league, and now they’re trying to make history. No NBA team has won back-to-back championships since the Kevin Durant-era Warriors, but the Thunder are the favorites to repeat after winning their first title since moving to OKC last year. Daigneault has done well to set up an elite defense that blurs the lines between physicality and fouling, and he knows how to stay out of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s way on offense. It might feel like anyone could coach the Thunder to success, but that would be taking Daigneault’s success for granted.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">1. Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics</h2></p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">This was supposed to be a gap year for the Celtics with Jayson Tatum coming off a torn Achilles. Instead, Boston zoomed right past their 41.5-win preseason over/under to earn 56 wins and eventually emerge as the Eastern Conference favorite once Tatum made his return. Mazzulla deserves most of the credit for turning the Celtics into a machine at both ends of the floor despite losing key veterans Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis over the offseason. He maximized an inexperienced front court to help make Neemias Queta into a legitimate starting center, he did well to re-center the offense around Jaylen Brown, and he got the most out of Derrick White even during a season where he was ice cold from three. The Celtics just play their game every night out and that’s a credit to Mazzulla. Still only 37 years old, Mazzulla should be an elite coach for a long, long time.</p></div></div> #NBA #coach #rankings #alive #Playoffs

Deadspin | Rockies stifle Mets to clinch series in doubleheader opener Apr 26, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman Troy Johnston (20) hits an RBI single in the fourth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Troy Johnston had an RBI single in the fourth inning and hit into the tie-breaking, run-scoring double play in the sixth Sunday afternoon for the visiting Colorado Rockies, who beat the skidding New York Mets 3-1 in the opener of a doubleheader. Jose Quintana (1-2) tossed 5 1/3 solid innings for the Rockies, who have won the first two games of the three-game set to lock up their third series win of the season. Colorado finished 43-119 last season and didn’t win its third series until July 18-20, when it took two of three from the Minnesota Twins. Jake McCarthy added an insurance RBI single in the seventh for Colorado. Tyrone Taylor homered in the fifth for the Mets, who have lost 14 of 16. Quintana allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five. The 37-year-old left-hander, who played for the Mets from 2023-24, threw 31 pitches in the first, when he walked Bo Bichette and Luis Robert Jr. and allowed a single to Mark Vientos to load the bases with one out. But Quintana wriggled out of the jam by striking out Marcus Semien and Brett Baty. That began a stretch of 11 straight batters retired by Quintana, who set down the final four batters he faced after Taylor’s homer. Juan Mejia retired all five batters he opposed before the Mets threatened in the eighth against Jaden Hill, who gave up one-out singles to Francisco Alvarez and Bichette before walking Juan Soto. But Hill got Robert to pop out to first and struck out Vientos. Victor Vodnik threw a perfect ninth to close out the four-hitter and earn his fourth save. McCarthy and Edouard Julien had two hits each for the Rockies. Nolan McLean (1-2) gave up two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out seven over five innings. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Rockies #stifle #Mets #clinch #series #doubleheader #opener

#Deadspin #Rockies #stifle #Mets #clinch #series #doubleheader #opener">

mwasimuddin125 0

Apr 26, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman Troy Johnston (20) hits an RBI single in the fourth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Troy Johnston had an RBI single in the fourth inning and hit into the tie-breaking, run-scoring double play in the sixth Sunday afternoon for the visiting Colorado Rockies, who beat the skidding New York Mets 3-1 in the opener of a doubleheader.

Jose Quintana (1-2) tossed 5 1/3 solid innings for the Rockies, who have won the first two games of the three-game set to lock up their third series win of the season. Colorado finished 43-119 last season and didn’t win its third series until July 18-20, when it took two of three from the Minnesota Twins.

Jake McCarthy added an insurance RBI single in the seventh for Colorado.

Tyrone Taylor homered in the fifth for the Mets, who have lost 14 of 16.

Quintana allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five. The 37-year-old left-hander, who played for the Mets from 2023-24, threw 31 pitches in the first, when he walked Bo Bichette and Luis Robert Jr. and allowed a single to Mark Vientos to load the bases with one out.

But Quintana wriggled out of the jam by striking out Marcus Semien and Brett Baty. That began a stretch of 11 straight batters retired by Quintana, who set down the final four batters he faced after Taylor’s homer.

Juan Mejia retired all five batters he opposed before the Mets threatened in the eighth against Jaden Hill, who gave up one-out singles to Francisco Alvarez and Bichette before walking Juan Soto. But Hill got Robert to pop out to first and struck out Vientos.

Victor Vodnik threw a perfect ninth to close out the four-hitter and earn his fourth save.

McCarthy and Edouard Julien had two hits each for the Rockies.

Nolan McLean (1-2) gave up two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out seven over five innings.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Rockies #stifle #Mets #clinch #series #doubleheader #opener">Deadspin | Rockies stifle Mets to clinch series in doubleheader opener

Apr 26, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Colorado Rockies first baseman Troy Johnston (20) hits an RBI single in the fourth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Troy Johnston had an RBI single in the fourth inning and hit into the tie-breaking, run-scoring double play in the sixth Sunday afternoon for the visiting Colorado Rockies, who beat the skidding New York Mets 3-1 in the opener of a doubleheader.

Jose Quintana (1-2) tossed 5 1/3 solid innings for the Rockies, who have won the first two games of the three-game set to lock up their third series win of the season. Colorado finished 43-119 last season and didn’t win its third series until July 18-20, when it took two of three from the Minnesota Twins.

Jake McCarthy added an insurance RBI single in the seventh for Colorado.

Tyrone Taylor homered in the fifth for the Mets, who have lost 14 of 16.

Quintana allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out five. The 37-year-old left-hander, who played for the Mets from 2023-24, threw 31 pitches in the first, when he walked Bo Bichette and Luis Robert Jr. and allowed a single to Mark Vientos to load the bases with one out.

But Quintana wriggled out of the jam by striking out Marcus Semien and Brett Baty. That began a stretch of 11 straight batters retired by Quintana, who set down the final four batters he faced after Taylor’s homer.

Juan Mejia retired all five batters he opposed before the Mets threatened in the eighth against Jaden Hill, who gave up one-out singles to Francisco Alvarez and Bichette before walking Juan Soto. But Hill got Robert to pop out to first and struck out Vientos.

Victor Vodnik threw a perfect ninth to close out the four-hitter and earn his fourth save.

McCarthy and Edouard Julien had two hits each for the Rockies.

Nolan McLean (1-2) gave up two runs (one earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out seven over five innings.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Rockies #stifle #Mets #clinch #series #doubleheader #opener

FIFA should press the U.S. government ‌to establish an “ICE Truce” for this year’s World Cup, including a public guarantee from federal authorities to refrain from immigration enforcement operations at games and venues, Human Rights ⁠Watch (HRW) said in a report published on Monday.

FIFA World Cup 2026 – the first edition of the global showpiece tournament to feature 48 teams – will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July ‌19. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been the face of a hardline immigration crackdown and deportation drive pursued by the administration of President Donald Trump.

Rights groups have condemned the ‌crackdown, saying it has led to violations of free speech and due process rights and ‌created ⁠an unsafe environment, particularly for minorities. Trump casts his actions as necessary to improve domestic ⁠security and curb illegal immigration.

“FIFA needs to act urgently to address the risks of human rights abuses for athletes, fans, and workers. One concrete thing it should do is work to persuade the Trump administration to establish an ‘ICE Truce,’” HRW said.

“Gianni Infantino (FIFA president) and his FIFA colleagues should use their ‌leverage to demand that the Trump administration do what’s right for the games. Roll back discriminatory travel bans, refrain from abusive immigration enforcement operations in and around World Cup venues, protect children’s rights and commit to uphold freedom of assembly and speech,” it added.

OLYMPIC TRUCE

The idea is drawn from the “Olympic ‌Truce,” a tradition dating back to ancient Greece, when warring city-states paused hostilities so athletes and spectators could travel safely to the Games.

ALSO READ | Norwegian FA chief calls on FIFA to abolish peace prize

“The FIFA 2026 World Cup will no doubt be one of the greatest and most spectacular events in the history ⁠of mankind, attracting millions of fans from around the world to 11 host cities across America,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle told Reuters.

“This will be a monumental event that requires close coordination between the Trump Administration, ‌FIFA, and all of our great federal, state, and local partners. President Trump is focused on ensuring that this is not only an incredible experience for all fans and visitors, but also the safest and most secure in history – and no amount of ridiculous scare tactics driven by liberal activist groups and the left-wing media will change that,” he added.

Concerns intensified on Thursday when advocacy groups issued a travel advisory warning that visitors travelling to the U.S. for the World Cup may face arbitrary detention or deportation, among ‌other human rights abuses.

Fans, players, journalists and other visitors may face racial profiling, searches of electronic devices, or risk of cruel or inhuman treatment if they end up in immigration detention facilities, according to the advisory.

Thursday’s warnings followed a March statement from Amnesty International that the tournament is ⁠drifting far from the “safe, free and inclusive” event promised by FIFA. HRW also said it had written to ⁠Infantino requesting details about the nominees, judges, terms of reference and selection process for FIFA’s inaugural peace prize.

Trump was awarded the prize in December for what the world football’s global governing body ‌said were his efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation in troubled hotspots around the world.

“By concocting this award, Infantino risks turning the 2026 FIFA World Cup… into yet another sportswashing event in a world that already has far too many,” HRW added.

Published on Apr 27, 2026

#Human #Rights #Watch #urges #FIFA #push #ICE #Truce #World #Cup">

Human Rights Watch urges FIFA to push for ‘ICE Truce’ at World Cup 2026 FIFA should press the U.S. government ‌to establish an “ICE Truce” for this year’s World Cup, including a public guarantee from federal authorities to refrain from immigration enforcement operations at games and venues, Human Rights ⁠Watch (HRW) said in a report published on Monday.FIFA World Cup 2026 – the first edition of the global showpiece tournament to feature 48 teams – will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July ‌19. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been the face of a hardline immigration crackdown and deportation drive pursued by the administration of President Donald Trump.Rights groups have condemned the ‌crackdown, saying it has led to violations of free speech and due process rights and ‌created ⁠an unsafe environment, particularly for minorities. Trump casts his actions as necessary to improve domestic ⁠security and curb illegal immigration.“FIFA needs to act urgently to address the risks of human rights abuses for athletes, fans, and workers. One concrete thing it should do is work to persuade the Trump administration to establish an ‘ICE Truce,’” HRW said.“Gianni Infantino (FIFA president) and his FIFA colleagues should use their ‌leverage to demand that the Trump administration do what’s right for the games. Roll back discriminatory travel bans, refrain from abusive immigration enforcement operations in and around World Cup venues, protect children’s rights and commit to uphold freedom of assembly and speech,” it added.OLYMPIC TRUCEThe idea is drawn from the “Olympic ‌Truce,” a tradition dating back to ancient Greece, when warring city-states paused hostilities so athletes and spectators could travel safely to the Games.ALSO READ | Norwegian FA chief calls on FIFA to abolish peace prize“The FIFA 2026 World Cup will no doubt be one of the greatest and most spectacular events in the history ⁠of mankind, attracting millions of fans from around the world to 11 host cities across America,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle told Reuters.“This will be a monumental event that requires close coordination between the Trump Administration, ‌FIFA, and all of our great federal, state, and local partners. President Trump is focused on ensuring that this is not only an incredible experience for all fans and visitors, but also the safest and most secure in history – and no amount of ridiculous scare tactics driven by liberal activist groups and the left-wing media will change that,” he added.Concerns intensified on Thursday when advocacy groups issued a travel advisory warning that visitors travelling to the U.S. for the World Cup may face arbitrary detention or deportation, among ‌other human rights abuses.Fans, players, journalists and other visitors may face racial profiling, searches of electronic devices, or risk of cruel or inhuman treatment if they end up in immigration detention facilities, according to the advisory.Thursday’s warnings followed a March statement from Amnesty International that the tournament is ⁠drifting far from the “safe, free and inclusive” event promised by FIFA. HRW also said it had written to ⁠Infantino requesting details about the nominees, judges, terms of reference and selection process for FIFA’s inaugural peace prize.Trump was awarded the prize in December for what the world football’s global governing body ‌said were his efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation in troubled hotspots around the world.“By concocting this award, Infantino risks turning the 2026 FIFA World Cup… into yet another sportswashing event in a world that already has far too many,” HRW added.Published on Apr 27, 2026 #Human #Rights #Watch #urges #FIFA #push #ICE #Truce #World #Cup

mwasimuddin125 0

FIFA should press the U.S. government ‌to establish an “ICE Truce” for this year’s World Cup, including a public guarantee from federal authorities to refrain from immigration enforcement operations at games and venues, Human Rights ⁠Watch (HRW) said in a report published on Monday.
FIFA World Cup 2026 – the first edition of the global showpiece tournament to feature 48 teams – will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July ‌19. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been the face of a hardline immigration crackdown and deportation drive pursued by the administration of President Donald Trump.
Rights groups have condemned the ‌crackdown, saying it has led to violations of free speech and due process rights and ‌created ⁠an unsafe environment, particularly for minorities. Trump casts his actions as necessary to improve domestic ⁠security and curb illegal immigration.
“FIFA needs to act urgently to address the risks of human rights abuses for athletes, fans, and workers. One concrete thing it should do is work to persuade the Trump administration to establish an ‘ICE Truce,’” HRW said.
“Gianni Infantino (FIFA president) and his FIFA colleagues should use their ‌leverage to demand that the Trump administration do what’s right for the games. Roll back discriminatory travel bans, refrain from abusive immigration enforcement operations in and around World Cup venues, protect children’s rights and commit to uphold freedom of assembly and speech,” it added.
OLYMPIC TRUCE
The idea is drawn from the “Olympic ‌Truce,” a tradition dating back to ancient Greece, when warring city-states paused hostilities so athletes and spectators could travel safely to the Games.
ALSO READ | Norwegian FA chief calls on FIFA to abolish peace prize
“The FIFA 2026 World Cup will no doubt be one of the greatest and most spectacular events in the history ⁠of mankind, attracting millions of fans from around the world to 11 host cities across America,” White House spokesman Davis Ingle told Reuters.
“This will be a monumental event that requires close coordination between the Trump Administration, ‌FIFA, and all of our great federal, state, and local partners. President Trump is focused on ensuring that this is not only an incredible experience for all fans and visitors, but also the safest and most secure in history – and no amount of ridiculous scare tactics driven by liberal activist groups and the left-wing media will change that,” he added.
Concerns intensified on Thursday when advocacy groups issued a travel advisory warning that visitors travelling to the U.S. for the World Cup may face arbitrary detention or deportation, among ‌other human rights abuses.
Fans, players, journalists and other visitors may face racial profiling, searches of electronic devices, or risk of cruel or inhuman treatment if they end up in immigration detention facilities, according to the advisory.
Thursday’s warnings followed a March statement from Amnesty International that the tournament is ⁠drifting far from the “safe, free and inclusive” event promised by FIFA. HRW also said it had written to ⁠Infantino requesting details about the nominees, judges, terms of reference and selection process for FIFA’s inaugural peace prize.
Trump was awarded the prize in December for what the world football’s global governing body ‌said were his efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation in troubled hotspots around the world.
“By concocting this award, Infantino risks turning the 2026 FIFA World Cup… into yet another sportswashing event in a world that already has far too many,” HRW added.
Published on Apr 27, 2026

#Human #Rights #Watch #urges #FIFA #push #ICE #Truce #World #Cup">Human Rights Watch urges FIFA to push for ‘ICE Truce’ at World Cup 2026

OLYMPIC TRUCE

The idea is drawn from the “Olympic ‌Truce,” a tradition dating back to ancient Greece, when warring city-states paused hostilities so athletes and spectators could travel safely to the Games.

ALSO READ | Norwegian FA chief calls on FIFA to abolish peace prize

Trump was awarded the prize in December for what the world football’s global governing body ‌said were his efforts to promote dialogue and de-escalation in troubled hotspots around the world.

“By concocting this award, Infantino risks turning the 2026 FIFA World Cup… into yet another sportswashing event in a world that already has far too many,” HRW added.

Published on Apr 27, 2026

#Human #Rights #Watch #urges #FIFA #push #ICE #Truce #World #Cup

Deadspin | Astros awaken to salvage finale, end Yankees’ 8-game win streak Apr 26, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) hits a double during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Spencer Arrighetti worked seven strong innings, Christian Walker produced a three-hit game with a home run and the Houston Astros salvaged the finale of their three-game series against the visiting New York Yankees with a 7-4 victory on Sunday. Arrighetti (3-0) remained unbeaten in three starts after opening the season with Triple-A Sugar Land. He allowed three hits, walked one and posted eight strikeouts on 96 pitches, 64 for strikes. Walker finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs while Isaac Paredes went 2-for-4 with a homer, three runs and three RBIs. Yordan Alvarez also produced a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with a pair of runs. Paul Goldschmidt doubled twice and scored for the Yankees, who rallied for three runs with two outs in the ninth but had their eight-game winning streak snapped. Arrighetti retired the Yankees in order in the top of the first, fourth and fifth innings. He worked around a one-out single from Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the second and stranded two runners after issuing a hit-by-pitch and a two-out walk in the third. Arrighetti retired nine consecutive batters before Aaron Judge clubbed a two-out homer in the sixth. Judge hit his 10th home run on his 34th birthday. The Astros quickly pounced on Yankees right-hander Luis Gil (1-2), with Walker firing the first salvo on a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the first that plated Paredes. Walker, who homered in his final plate appearance in the ninth inning on Saturday, delivered the Astros a 2-0 lead with his seventh homer this season. Two innings later, Paredes smacked his third home run off the left field foul pole, plating Alvarez and doubling the Houston lead to 4-0. Alvarez rallied from an 0-2 hole against Gil that extended the inning before Paredes capped the two-out rally by driving a 1-0 sinker 364 feet. Alvarez chased Gil with a double to right that pushed Carlos Correa, who walked leading off the fifth, to third base. Paredes greeted Yankees reliever Paul Blackburn with an RBI single that scored Correa, and Walker followed with a two-run double to left-center for a 7-0 lead. Gil allowed six runs on five hits and three walks in four-plus innings. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Astros #awaken #salvage #finale #Yankees #8game #win #streak

#Deadspin #Astros #awaken #salvage #finale #Yankees #8game #win #streak">

mwasimuddin125 0

Apr 26, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) hits a double during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Spencer Arrighetti worked seven strong innings, Christian Walker produced a three-hit game with a home run and the Houston Astros salvaged the finale of their three-game series against the visiting New York Yankees with a 7-4 victory on Sunday.

Arrighetti (3-0) remained unbeaten in three starts after opening the season with Triple-A Sugar Land. He allowed three hits, walked one and posted eight strikeouts on 96 pitches, 64 for strikes.

Walker finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs while Isaac Paredes went 2-for-4 with a homer, three runs and three RBIs. Yordan Alvarez also produced a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with a pair of runs.

Paul Goldschmidt doubled twice and scored for the Yankees, who rallied for three runs with two outs in the ninth but had their eight-game winning streak snapped.

Arrighetti retired the Yankees in order in the top of the first, fourth and fifth innings. He worked around a one-out single from Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the second and stranded two runners after issuing a hit-by-pitch and a two-out walk in the third. Arrighetti retired nine consecutive batters before Aaron Judge clubbed a two-out homer in the sixth. Judge hit his 10th home run on his 34th birthday.

The Astros quickly pounced on Yankees right-hander Luis Gil (1-2), with Walker firing the first salvo on a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the first that plated Paredes. Walker, who homered in his final plate appearance in the ninth inning on Saturday, delivered the Astros a 2-0 lead with his seventh homer this season.

Two innings later, Paredes smacked his third home run off the left field foul pole, plating Alvarez and doubling the Houston lead to 4-0. Alvarez rallied from an 0-2 hole against Gil that extended the inning before Paredes capped the two-out rally by driving a 1-0 sinker 364 feet.

Alvarez chased Gil with a double to right that pushed Carlos Correa, who walked leading off the fifth, to third base. Paredes greeted Yankees reliever Paul Blackburn with an RBI single that scored Correa, and Walker followed with a two-run double to left-center for a 7-0 lead.

Gil allowed six runs on five hits and three walks in four-plus innings.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Astros #awaken #salvage #finale #Yankees #8game #win #streak">Deadspin | Astros awaken to salvage finale, end Yankees’ 8-game win streak

Apr 26, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez (44) hits a double during the fifth inning against the New York Yankees at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Spencer Arrighetti worked seven strong innings, Christian Walker produced a three-hit game with a home run and the Houston Astros salvaged the finale of their three-game series against the visiting New York Yankees with a 7-4 victory on Sunday.

Arrighetti (3-0) remained unbeaten in three starts after opening the season with Triple-A Sugar Land. He allowed three hits, walked one and posted eight strikeouts on 96 pitches, 64 for strikes.

Walker finished 3-for-4 with four RBIs while Isaac Paredes went 2-for-4 with a homer, three runs and three RBIs. Yordan Alvarez also produced a multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with a pair of runs.

Paul Goldschmidt doubled twice and scored for the Yankees, who rallied for three runs with two outs in the ninth but had their eight-game winning streak snapped.

Arrighetti retired the Yankees in order in the top of the first, fourth and fifth innings. He worked around a one-out single from Jazz Chisholm Jr. in the second and stranded two runners after issuing a hit-by-pitch and a two-out walk in the third. Arrighetti retired nine consecutive batters before Aaron Judge clubbed a two-out homer in the sixth. Judge hit his 10th home run on his 34th birthday.

The Astros quickly pounced on Yankees right-hander Luis Gil (1-2), with Walker firing the first salvo on a two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the first that plated Paredes. Walker, who homered in his final plate appearance in the ninth inning on Saturday, delivered the Astros a 2-0 lead with his seventh homer this season.

Two innings later, Paredes smacked his third home run off the left field foul pole, plating Alvarez and doubling the Houston lead to 4-0. Alvarez rallied from an 0-2 hole against Gil that extended the inning before Paredes capped the two-out rally by driving a 1-0 sinker 364 feet.

Alvarez chased Gil with a double to right that pushed Carlos Correa, who walked leading off the fifth, to third base. Paredes greeted Yankees reliever Paul Blackburn with an RBI single that scored Correa, and Walker followed with a two-run double to left-center for a 7-0 lead.

Gil allowed six runs on five hits and three walks in four-plus innings.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Astros #awaken #salvage #finale #Yankees #8game #win #streak

Related Posts

OLYMPIC TRUCE

OLYMPIC TRUCE

Post Comment Cancel reply