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Why Top NBA Draft Prospects Aren’t Guaranteed Stars | Deadspin.com Feb 25, 2026; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) drives to the basket as Texas A&M Aggies guard Pop Isaacs (2) defends during the second half at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 99-84. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images For most of the season, the consensus top three players in the draft have been AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer. Dybantsa has been my consensus top prospect for the entire season, and he will likely be the top pick come draft time. Prediction markets currently give Dybantsa a 75% chance of going first overall, with Peterson and Boozer close behind. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: basketball Peterson and Boozer were stars in college, but I’m not entirely sold on either one of them at the NBA level. My issues with the two guys are different, but I believe there are other players closely behind them on big boards that do what they can, but better.The issues with Peterson are pretty simple: Does he have the mentality of an NBA player? Offensively, he has all the skills in the world and is freakishly athletic. There aren’t many guys I have as much faith in to apply consistent rim pressure like he does. He also has a well-developed jumper and can score at all three levels.Aside from his durability and off-court mentality, he isn’t a high-motor defender, and his playmaking leaves a lot to be desired. I think if you’re okay taking a risk on that changing with a full 82-game NBA schedule, then you can take him second overall. If not, Darius Acuff might be a more enticing offensive first guard.Acuff has a lot to work on defensively, but a shooting prospect like him does not come around too often. He can’t provide the rim pressure that Peterson does, but he’s a much better facilitator off the dribble. Offensively, he’s such a complete prospect and should be getting way more top-five buzz.The next guy likely to go top three could not be much different than Peterson. Boozer has an NBA body and looks like a guy who could play all 82 games for the next decade. Unlike Dybantsa or Peterson, Boozer feels like a guy who will be ready to provide real value right away. I’m just not sold on his ceiling.You’re taking a top-three pick because you think they’ll turn into an All-Star, not just an everyday starter. Boozer relied on way too much back-to-the-basket offense at Duke, and he’s just not going to get touches like that in the NBA. Even if he did, he’d be far less efficient.UNC’s Caleb Wilson can provide that same level of post-production, but with far more athleticism. Wilson has work to be done on his jumper, but it’s still fundamentally strong, and I think he can at least be a threat from the outside once he gets further into his professional career. Defensively, versatility is so valuable at the NBA level, and I think Wilson’s explosive play style makes him an equally high-floor option at forward.The 2026 NBA draft class is incredibly deep. If you don’t love the guys at the top of the board, this could be the year to move back and still get a great player for the future. Acuff and Wilson are the guys I’d move back for. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: basketball #Top #NBA #Draft #Prospects #Arent #Guaranteed #Stars #Deadspin.com

Why Top NBA Draft Prospects Aren’t Guaranteed Stars | Deadspin.com
Why Top NBA Draft Prospects Aren’t Guaranteed Stars | Deadspin.com Feb 25, 2026; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) drives to the basket as Texas A&M Aggies guard Pop Isaacs (2) defends during the second half at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 99-84. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images For most of the season, the consensus top three players in the draft have been AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer. Dybantsa has been my consensus top prospect for the entire season, and he will likely be the top pick come draft time. Prediction markets currently give Dybantsa a 75% chance of going first overall, with Peterson and Boozer close behind. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: basketball Peterson and Boozer were stars in college, but I’m not entirely sold on either one of them at the NBA level. My issues with the two guys are different, but I believe there are other players closely behind them on big boards that do what they can, but better.The issues with Peterson are pretty simple: Does he have the mentality of an NBA player? Offensively, he has all the skills in the world and is freakishly athletic. There aren’t many guys I have as much faith in to apply consistent rim pressure like he does. He also has a well-developed jumper and can score at all three levels.Aside from his durability and off-court mentality, he isn’t a high-motor defender, and his playmaking leaves a lot to be desired. I think if you’re okay taking a risk on that changing with a full 82-game NBA schedule, then you can take him second overall. If not, Darius Acuff might be a more enticing offensive first guard.Acuff has a lot to work on defensively, but a shooting prospect like him does not come around too often. He can’t provide the rim pressure that Peterson does, but he’s a much better facilitator off the dribble. Offensively, he’s such a complete prospect and should be getting way more top-five buzz.The next guy likely to go top three could not be much different than Peterson. Boozer has an NBA body and looks like a guy who could play all 82 games for the next decade. Unlike Dybantsa or Peterson, Boozer feels like a guy who will be ready to provide real value right away. I’m just not sold on his ceiling.You’re taking a top-three pick because you think they’ll turn into an All-Star, not just an everyday starter. Boozer relied on way too much back-to-the-basket offense at Duke, and he’s just not going to get touches like that in the NBA. Even if he did, he’d be far less efficient.UNC’s Caleb Wilson can provide that same level of post-production, but with far more athleticism. Wilson has work to be done on his jumper, but it’s still fundamentally strong, and I think he can at least be a threat from the outside once he gets further into his professional career. Defensively, versatility is so valuable at the NBA level, and I think Wilson’s explosive play style makes him an equally high-floor option at forward.The 2026 NBA draft class is incredibly deep. If you don’t love the guys at the top of the board, this could be the year to move back and still get a great player for the future. Acuff and Wilson are the guys I’d move back for. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: basketball #Top #NBA #Draft #Prospects #Arent #Guaranteed #Stars #Deadspin.comFeb 25, 2026; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) drives to the basket as Texas A&M Aggies guard Pop Isaacs (2) defends during the second half at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 99-84. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

For most of the season, the consensus top three players in the draft have been AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer. Dybantsa has been my consensus top prospect for the entire season, and he will likely be the top pick come draft time. Prediction markets currently give Dybantsa a 75% chance of going first overall, with Peterson and Boozer close behind.

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Channel debug: basketball

Peterson and Boozer were stars in college, but I’m not entirely sold on either one of them at the NBA level. My issues with the two guys are different, but I believe there are other players closely behind them on big boards that do what they can, but better.

The issues with Peterson are pretty simple: Does he have the mentality of an NBA player? Offensively, he has all the skills in the world and is freakishly athletic. There aren’t many guys I have as much faith in to apply consistent rim pressure like he does. He also has a well-developed jumper and can score at all three levels.

Aside from his durability and off-court mentality, he isn’t a high-motor defender, and his playmaking leaves a lot to be desired. I think if you’re okay taking a risk on that changing with a full 82-game NBA schedule, then you can take him second overall. If not, Darius Acuff might be a more enticing offensive first guard.

Acuff has a lot to work on defensively, but a shooting prospect like him does not come around too often. He can’t provide the rim pressure that Peterson does, but he’s a much better facilitator off the dribble. Offensively, he’s such a complete prospect and should be getting way more top-five buzz.

The next guy likely to go top three could not be much different than Peterson. Boozer has an NBA body and looks like a guy who could play all 82 games for the next decade. Unlike Dybantsa or Peterson, Boozer feels like a guy who will be ready to provide real value right away. I’m just not sold on his ceiling.

You’re taking a top-three pick because you think they’ll turn into an All-Star, not just an everyday starter. Boozer relied on way too much back-to-the-basket offense at Duke, and he’s just not going to get touches like that in the NBA. Even if he did, he’d be far less efficient.

UNC’s Caleb Wilson can provide that same level of post-production, but with far more athleticism. Wilson has work to be done on his jumper, but it’s still fundamentally strong, and I think he can at least be a threat from the outside once he gets further into his professional career. Defensively, versatility is so valuable at the NBA level, and I think Wilson’s explosive play style makes him an equally high-floor option at forward.

The 2026 NBA draft class is incredibly deep. If you don’t love the guys at the top of the board, this could be the year to move back and still get a great player for the future. Acuff and Wilson are the guys I’d move back for.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: basketball

#Top #NBA #Draft #Prospects #Arent #Guaranteed #Stars #Deadspin.com

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Feb 25, 2026; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Darius Acuff Jr. (5) drives to the basket as Texas A&M Aggies guard Pop Isaacs (2) defends during the second half at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 99-84. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

For most of the season, the consensus top three players in the draft have been AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, and Cameron Boozer. Dybantsa has been my consensus top prospect for the entire season, and he will likely be the top pick come draft time. Prediction markets currently give Dybantsa a 75% chance of going first overall, with Peterson and Boozer close behind.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: basketball

Peterson and Boozer were stars in college, but I’m not entirely sold on either one of them at the NBA level. My issues with the two guys are different, but I believe there are other players closely behind them on big boards that do what they can, but better.

The issues with Peterson are pretty simple: Does he have the mentality of an NBA player? Offensively, he has all the skills in the world and is freakishly athletic. There aren’t many guys I have as much faith in to apply consistent rim pressure like he does. He also has a well-developed jumper and can score at all three levels.

Aside from his durability and off-court mentality, he isn’t a high-motor defender, and his playmaking leaves a lot to be desired. I think if you’re okay taking a risk on that changing with a full 82-game NBA schedule, then you can take him second overall. If not, Darius Acuff might be a more enticing offensive first guard.

Acuff has a lot to work on defensively, but a shooting prospect like him does not come around too often. He can’t provide the rim pressure that Peterson does, but he’s a much better facilitator off the dribble. Offensively, he’s such a complete prospect and should be getting way more top-five buzz.

The next guy likely to go top three could not be much different than Peterson. Boozer has an NBA body and looks like a guy who could play all 82 games for the next decade. Unlike Dybantsa or Peterson, Boozer feels like a guy who will be ready to provide real value right away. I’m just not sold on his ceiling.

You’re taking a top-three pick because you think they’ll turn into an All-Star, not just an everyday starter. Boozer relied on way too much back-to-the-basket offense at Duke, and he’s just not going to get touches like that in the NBA. Even if he did, he’d be far less efficient.

UNC’s Caleb Wilson can provide that same level of post-production, but with far more athleticism. Wilson has work to be done on his jumper, but it’s still fundamentally strong, and I think he can at least be a threat from the outside once he gets further into his professional career. Defensively, versatility is so valuable at the NBA level, and I think Wilson’s explosive play style makes him an equally high-floor option at forward.

The 2026 NBA draft class is incredibly deep. If you don’t love the guys at the top of the board, this could be the year to move back and still get a great player for the future. Acuff and Wilson are the guys I’d move back for.

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The Boston Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora this past week, and the Philadelphia Phillies did likewise with Rob Thomson, not even bothering to wait for May flowers to bloom. Your team’s manager might be next. At least five other Major League Baseball teams have managerial situations ripe for change.

The manager of the team with the worst record in the league has been on most short lists for the next manager to be canned, but it didn’t happen Friday. Instead, New York Mets president David Stearns gave manager Carlos Mendoza what some cynics call the “dreaded vote of confidence.”

Sometimes when a team struggles, the front office makes a point to express confidence in the manager’s job security. Reporters long ago identified such talk as the “dreaded vote of confidence,” because the struggling team frequently would fire the manager anyway. Maybe not that day or that week, but relatively soon.

Stearns told MLB.com as the Mets had approximately 99 things wrong with them, but Mendoza was not the one at fault.

“We don’t view this as a manager problem,” Stearns said.

OK.

“And we don’t intend to make a change,” he added.

Oof, there it is. The Mets don’t intend to make a change. Intentions are about as stable as momentum, which in baseball is only as good as your next starting pitching performance or horrendous injury. Stearns’ intentions are liable to flip 180 degrees if the Mets have one too many arduous nights at the ballpark.

Apparently not wanting to risk telling a lie to the New York media, Stearns couldn’t even bring himself to say: “We won’t make a change.” Instead, he should have phrased it: “We’re not considering making a change.” After all, nobody can publish what Stearns was considering unless he confirms it.

Regardless, a vote of confidence gives Mendoza more time. Only, more time for what? Juan Soto is back in the lineup and raking, but Francisco Lindor remains out because of a calf strain, and Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr. also remain sidelined. Mendoza won’t have a full complement of players for weeks. In the meantime, the Mets lineup and bullpen remain full of holes, no matter if it’s because of injuries or not.

The Mets, heading west on a road trip to Anaheim and Denver, probably banked on getting healthy against weaker opponents. They got the upper hand in the series opener against the Los Angeles Angels after falling behind by three runs early. Showed some grit and gumption. A good show for the perception of Mendoza’s motivational profile.

But the Mets remain 11 1/2 games out of first place in the NL East already. It’s possible Mendoza gets a full season to get the Mets back to the playoffs. But it’s more likely Stearns schedules another Mendoza vote in about a week, and he’s the next manager to go.

#York #Mets #Manager #Carlos #Mendoza #Officially #Hot #Seat #Deadspin.com">New York Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza Officially on Hot Seat | Deadspin.com The Boston Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora this past week, and the Philadelphia Phillies did likewise with Rob Thomson, not even bothering to wait for May flowers to bloom. Your team’s manager might be next. At least five other Major League Baseball teams have managerial situations ripe for change.The manager of the team with the worst record in the league has been on most short lists for the next manager to be canned, but it didn’t happen Friday. Instead, New York Mets president David Stearns gave manager Carlos Mendoza what some cynics call the “dreaded vote of confidence.”Sometimes when a team struggles, the front office makes a point to express confidence in the manager’s job security. Reporters long ago identified such talk as the “dreaded vote of confidence,” because the struggling team frequently would fire the manager anyway. Maybe not that day or that week, but relatively soon.Stearns told MLB.com as the Mets had approximately 99 things wrong with them, but Mendoza was not the one at fault.“We don’t view this as a manager problem,” Stearns said.OK.“And we don’t intend to make a change,” he added.Oof, there it is. The Mets don’t intend to make a change. Intentions are about as stable as momentum, which in baseball is only as good as your next starting pitching performance or horrendous injury. Stearns’ intentions are liable to flip 180 degrees if the Mets have one too many arduous nights at the ballpark.Apparently not wanting to risk telling a lie to the New York media, Stearns couldn’t even bring himself to say: “We won’t make a change.” Instead, he should have phrased it: “We’re not considering making a change.” After all, nobody can publish what Stearns was considering unless he confirms it.Regardless, a vote of confidence gives Mendoza more time. Only, more time for what? Juan Soto is back in the lineup and raking, but Francisco Lindor remains out because of a calf strain, and Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr. also remain sidelined. Mendoza won’t have a full complement of players for weeks. In the meantime, the Mets lineup and bullpen remain full of holes, no matter if it’s because of injuries or not.The Mets, heading west on a road trip to Anaheim and Denver, probably banked on getting healthy against weaker opponents. They got the upper hand in the series opener against the Los Angeles Angels after falling behind by three runs early. Showed some grit and gumption. A good show for the perception of Mendoza’s motivational profile.But the Mets remain 11 1/2 games out of first place in the NL East already. It’s possible Mendoza gets a full season to get the Mets back to the playoffs. But it’s more likely Stearns schedules another Mendoza vote in about a week, and he’s the next manager to go. #York #Mets #Manager #Carlos #Mendoza #Officially #Hot #Seat #Deadspin.com

fired manager Alex Cora this past week, and the Philadelphia Phillies did likewise with Rob Thomson, not even bothering to wait for May flowers to bloom. Your team’s manager might be next. At least five other Major League Baseball teams have managerial situations ripe for change.

The manager of the team with the worst record in the league has been on most short lists for the next manager to be canned, but it didn’t happen Friday. Instead, New York Mets president David Stearns gave manager Carlos Mendoza what some cynics call the “dreaded vote of confidence.”

Sometimes when a team struggles, the front office makes a point to express confidence in the manager’s job security. Reporters long ago identified such talk as the “dreaded vote of confidence,” because the struggling team frequently would fire the manager anyway. Maybe not that day or that week, but relatively soon.

Stearns told MLB.com as the Mets had approximately 99 things wrong with them, but Mendoza was not the one at fault.

“We don’t view this as a manager problem,” Stearns said.

OK.

“And we don’t intend to make a change,” he added.

Oof, there it is. The Mets don’t intend to make a change. Intentions are about as stable as momentum, which in baseball is only as good as your next starting pitching performance or horrendous injury. Stearns’ intentions are liable to flip 180 degrees if the Mets have one too many arduous nights at the ballpark.

Apparently not wanting to risk telling a lie to the New York media, Stearns couldn’t even bring himself to say: “We won’t make a change.” Instead, he should have phrased it: “We’re not considering making a change.” After all, nobody can publish what Stearns was considering unless he confirms it.

Regardless, a vote of confidence gives Mendoza more time. Only, more time for what? Juan Soto is back in the lineup and raking, but Francisco Lindor remains out because of a calf strain, and Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr. also remain sidelined. Mendoza won’t have a full complement of players for weeks. In the meantime, the Mets lineup and bullpen remain full of holes, no matter if it’s because of injuries or not.

The Mets, heading west on a road trip to Anaheim and Denver, probably banked on getting healthy against weaker opponents. They got the upper hand in the series opener against the Los Angeles Angels after falling behind by three runs early. Showed some grit and gumption. A good show for the perception of Mendoza’s motivational profile.

But the Mets remain 11 1/2 games out of first place in the NL East already. It’s possible Mendoza gets a full season to get the Mets back to the playoffs. But it’s more likely Stearns schedules another Mendoza vote in about a week, and he’s the next manager to go.

#York #Mets #Manager #Carlos #Mendoza #Officially #Hot #Seat #Deadspin.com">New York Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza Officially on Hot Seat | Deadspin.com

The Boston Red Sox fired manager Alex Cora this past week, and the Philadelphia Phillies did likewise with Rob Thomson, not even bothering to wait for May flowers to bloom. Your team’s manager might be next. At least five other Major League Baseball teams have managerial situations ripe for change.

The manager of the team with the worst record in the league has been on most short lists for the next manager to be canned, but it didn’t happen Friday. Instead, New York Mets president David Stearns gave manager Carlos Mendoza what some cynics call the “dreaded vote of confidence.”

Sometimes when a team struggles, the front office makes a point to express confidence in the manager’s job security. Reporters long ago identified such talk as the “dreaded vote of confidence,” because the struggling team frequently would fire the manager anyway. Maybe not that day or that week, but relatively soon.

Stearns told MLB.com as the Mets had approximately 99 things wrong with them, but Mendoza was not the one at fault.

“We don’t view this as a manager problem,” Stearns said.

OK.

“And we don’t intend to make a change,” he added.

Oof, there it is. The Mets don’t intend to make a change. Intentions are about as stable as momentum, which in baseball is only as good as your next starting pitching performance or horrendous injury. Stearns’ intentions are liable to flip 180 degrees if the Mets have one too many arduous nights at the ballpark.

Apparently not wanting to risk telling a lie to the New York media, Stearns couldn’t even bring himself to say: “We won’t make a change.” Instead, he should have phrased it: “We’re not considering making a change.” After all, nobody can publish what Stearns was considering unless he confirms it.

Regardless, a vote of confidence gives Mendoza more time. Only, more time for what? Juan Soto is back in the lineup and raking, but Francisco Lindor remains out because of a calf strain, and Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr. also remain sidelined. Mendoza won’t have a full complement of players for weeks. In the meantime, the Mets lineup and bullpen remain full of holes, no matter if it’s because of injuries or not.

The Mets, heading west on a road trip to Anaheim and Denver, probably banked on getting healthy against weaker opponents. They got the upper hand in the series opener against the Los Angeles Angels after falling behind by three runs early. Showed some grit and gumption. A good show for the perception of Mendoza’s motivational profile.

But the Mets remain 11 1/2 games out of first place in the NL East already. It’s possible Mendoza gets a full season to get the Mets back to the playoffs. But it’s more likely Stearns schedules another Mendoza vote in about a week, and he’s the next manager to go.

#York #Mets #Manager #Carlos #Mendoza #Officially #Hot #Seat #Deadspin.com

A resurgent Gujarat Titans (GT) will be keen on extending its winning run and solidifying its Playoffs bid when it hosts Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Two consecutive wins have nudged GT to the brink of top four, and in toppling defending champion Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Thursday, it got the tailwind it needed before facing the table topper.

Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj’s incisive opening burst was vital in sapping the momentum out of RCB’s innings. In fact, the pair has disrupted teams consistently in the early overs. Rabada is the most successful bowler in the PowerPlay this year with 10 wickets. Siraj has six wickets but his economy of 6.95 is the second-best by any bowler (min. 60 balls bowled) in this phase.

Punjab deploys a batting template similar to RCB and can be thrown off track by the pair. Prabhsimran Singh, PBKS’ in-form batter at the top, has been nabbed twice in three innings by Rabada and averages just 10.

That the game will be played on Pitch No. 5, where Rabada had reduced Mumbai Indians to 44 for three in the PowerPlay earlier this season, only adds to the home team’s advantage.

Arshad Khan has pulled his weight in the absence of Prasidh Krishna, and has five wickets from two games. Arshad and Jason Holder shared five wickets between them against RCB. If Rabada accounts for the top-order, this duo will be cherishing the prospect of bowling to a still untested middle-order. Barring Marcus Stoinis’ unbeaten fifty in the last match, the highest a batter outside PBKS’ top-four has scored is 29.

Two wickets for 19 runs in the last match would instil enough confidence in Rashid Khan to take on the daunting task of tying down Shreyas Iyer. The PBKS captain picked 17 runs off Rashid in just nine balls the last time the two faced off at this venue. However, across the IPL, Iyer’s strike rate hovers below 120 against the leg-spinner.

IPL 2026: Gujarat Titans hopes to extend winning runs, faces table topper Punjab Kings A resurgent Gujarat Titans (GT) will be keen on extending its winning run and solidifying its Playoffs bid when it hosts Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.Two consecutive wins have nudged GT to the brink of top four, and in toppling defending champion Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Thursday, it got the tailwind it needed before facing the table topper.Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj’s incisive opening burst was vital in sapping the momentum out of RCB’s innings. In fact, the pair has disrupted teams consistently in the early overs. Rabada is the most successful bowler in the PowerPlay this year with 10 wickets. Siraj has six wickets but his economy of 6.95 is the second-best by any bowler (min. 60 balls bowled) in this phase.Punjab deploys a batting template similar to RCB and can be thrown off track by the pair. Prabhsimran Singh, PBKS’ in-form batter at the top, has been nabbed twice in three innings by Rabada and averages just 10.That the game will be played on Pitch No. 5, where Rabada had reduced Mumbai Indians to 44 for three in the PowerPlay earlier this season, only adds to the home team’s advantage.Arshad Khan has pulled his weight in the absence of Prasidh Krishna, and has five wickets from two games. Arshad and Jason Holder shared five wickets between them against RCB. If Rabada accounts for the top-order, this duo will be cherishing the prospect of bowling to a still untested middle-order. Barring Marcus Stoinis’ unbeaten fifty in the last match, the highest a batter outside PBKS’ top-four has scored is 29.Two wickets for 19 runs in the last match would instil enough confidence in Rashid Khan to take on the daunting task of tying down Shreyas Iyer. The PBKS captain picked 17 runs off Rashid in just nine balls the last time the two faced off at this venue. However, across the IPL, Iyer’s strike rate hovers below 120 against the leg-spinner. Punjab Kings’ batting has been dominant this season. | Photo Credit: VIJAY SONEJI Punjab Kings’ batting has been dominant this season. | Photo Credit: VIJAY SONEJI GT’s batting, still unable to find a fix for its long-standing middle-order snag, does not look as well-rounded as its bowling.Last season, the top three of Shubman Gill, B. Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler had contributed more than 70 per cent of the side’s runs. This year, their combined haul is nearly 68 per cent.Four of GT’s five wins have come while chasing, and in three of those one of them had struck a fifty. In the fourth, against RCB, the early ransacking by Gill and Buttler had all but ensured the result in the 156-run chase.The addition of Holder has shored up the order but the middle-order is yet to make a contribution of note.Against PBKS, though, Titans would be more than happy for its top-three to accumulate. The league leader’s batting dominance has veiled its bowling frailties. PBKS concedes at 10.86 during the field restrictions and has just nine wickets in this phase, both among the bottom four in the league.Its showing isn’t great at the death either, with its economy rate of 11.25 being the second-worst among the 10 teams.Conceding totals in excess of 220, like its last two games, is unlikely on Pitch No. 5, and PBKS would hope to put on a better show before its bowling lapses snowball into a bigger crisis.Published on May 02, 2026 #IPL #Gujarat #Titans #hopes #extend #winning #runs #faces #table #topper #Punjab #Kings

Punjab Kings’ batting has been dominant this season. | Photo Credit: VIJAY SONEJI

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Punjab Kings’ batting has been dominant this season. | Photo Credit: VIJAY SONEJI

GT’s batting, still unable to find a fix for its long-standing middle-order snag, does not look as well-rounded as its bowling.

Last season, the top three of Shubman Gill, B. Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler had contributed more than 70 per cent of the side’s runs. This year, their combined haul is nearly 68 per cent.

Four of GT’s five wins have come while chasing, and in three of those one of them had struck a fifty. In the fourth, against RCB, the early ransacking by Gill and Buttler had all but ensured the result in the 156-run chase.

The addition of Holder has shored up the order but the middle-order is yet to make a contribution of note.

Against PBKS, though, Titans would be more than happy for its top-three to accumulate. The league leader’s batting dominance has veiled its bowling frailties. PBKS concedes at 10.86 during the field restrictions and has just nine wickets in this phase, both among the bottom four in the league.

Its showing isn’t great at the death either, with its economy rate of 11.25 being the second-worst among the 10 teams.

Conceding totals in excess of 220, like its last two games, is unlikely on Pitch No. 5, and PBKS would hope to put on a better show before its bowling lapses snowball into a bigger crisis.

Published on May 02, 2026

#IPL #Gujarat #Titans #hopes #extend #winning #runs #faces #table #topper #Punjab #Kings">IPL 2026: Gujarat Titans hopes to extend winning runs, faces table topper Punjab Kings A resurgent Gujarat Titans (GT) will be keen on extending its winning run and solidifying its Playoffs bid when it hosts Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.Two consecutive wins have nudged GT to the brink of top four, and in toppling defending champion Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Thursday, it got the tailwind it needed before facing the table topper.Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj’s incisive opening burst was vital in sapping the momentum out of RCB’s innings. In fact, the pair has disrupted teams consistently in the early overs. Rabada is the most successful bowler in the PowerPlay this year with 10 wickets. Siraj has six wickets but his economy of 6.95 is the second-best by any bowler (min. 60 balls bowled) in this phase.Punjab deploys a batting template similar to RCB and can be thrown off track by the pair. Prabhsimran Singh, PBKS’ in-form batter at the top, has been nabbed twice in three innings by Rabada and averages just 10.That the game will be played on Pitch No. 5, where Rabada had reduced Mumbai Indians to 44 for three in the PowerPlay earlier this season, only adds to the home team’s advantage.Arshad Khan has pulled his weight in the absence of Prasidh Krishna, and has five wickets from two games. Arshad and Jason Holder shared five wickets between them against RCB. If Rabada accounts for the top-order, this duo will be cherishing the prospect of bowling to a still untested middle-order. Barring Marcus Stoinis’ unbeaten fifty in the last match, the highest a batter outside PBKS’ top-four has scored is 29.Two wickets for 19 runs in the last match would instil enough confidence in Rashid Khan to take on the daunting task of tying down Shreyas Iyer. The PBKS captain picked 17 runs off Rashid in just nine balls the last time the two faced off at this venue. However, across the IPL, Iyer’s strike rate hovers below 120 against the leg-spinner. Punjab Kings’ batting has been dominant this season. | Photo Credit: VIJAY SONEJI Punjab Kings’ batting has been dominant this season. | Photo Credit: VIJAY SONEJI GT’s batting, still unable to find a fix for its long-standing middle-order snag, does not look as well-rounded as its bowling.Last season, the top three of Shubman Gill, B. Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler had contributed more than 70 per cent of the side’s runs. This year, their combined haul is nearly 68 per cent.Four of GT’s five wins have come while chasing, and in three of those one of them had struck a fifty. In the fourth, against RCB, the early ransacking by Gill and Buttler had all but ensured the result in the 156-run chase.The addition of Holder has shored up the order but the middle-order is yet to make a contribution of note.Against PBKS, though, Titans would be more than happy for its top-three to accumulate. The league leader’s batting dominance has veiled its bowling frailties. PBKS concedes at 10.86 during the field restrictions and has just nine wickets in this phase, both among the bottom four in the league.Its showing isn’t great at the death either, with its economy rate of 11.25 being the second-worst among the 10 teams.Conceding totals in excess of 220, like its last two games, is unlikely on Pitch No. 5, and PBKS would hope to put on a better show before its bowling lapses snowball into a bigger crisis.Published on May 02, 2026 #IPL #Gujarat #Titans #hopes #extend #winning #runs #faces #table #topper #Punjab #Kings

Deadspin | White Sox pursue another memorable performance vs. Padres May 1, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the second inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images Will Venable made it back to where it all began on Friday night: San Diego. His MLB career started with the Padres in 2008, and he spent 7 1/2 seasons there, then went to the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers before retirement. While he made plenty of memories playing in San Diego, Venable, 43, could start a new scrapbook there as Chicago’s manager. The White Sox won 8-2 against the Padres on Friday, and the teams will meet again on Saturday in the second contest of a three-game serires. The White Sox used their power to blow open Friday’s game early. MLB home run leader Munetaka Murakami blasted his 13th long ball of the season with two men aboard as part of a six-run second inning, and the lead grew to 8-0 before San Diego averted a shutout in the eighth. Venable said his young team has embraced its underdog role as the White Sox seek their fifth straight victory. “Obviously, these guys are getting some great results, and we’re changing that,” he said, “but we are still the underdogs, and that’s something I’m comfortable with, and like being in that role.” Chicago went into Friday ranked ninth in the majors in homers. Most of that power comes from Murakami, Colson Montgomery and Miguel Vargas, who have combined for 28. Montgomery unloaded his ninth of the season in the fifth inning. Lately, the team has gotten solid starting pitching, including six shutout innings from 6-foot-10 rookie left-hander Noah Schultz on Friday night. Right-hander Sean Burke (1-2, 3.21 ERA) will try to keep that run going in the series’ middle game. Burke last worked on Sunday, firing 7 1/3 scoreless innings and allowing just three hits with no walks and four strikeouts in his team’s 2-1, 10-inning defeat to Washington. He’s faced the Padres twice in his career, going 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 10 innings. Opposing Burke will be right-hander Michael King (3-1, 2.41 ERA), who hasn’t lost since April 3 in Boston, 5-2. In his career against the White Sox, King is 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA in five games, one as a starter. That was Sept. 21, 2025, when he threw five shutout innings and struck out four in a 3-2 win. The Padres would love a good outing from King. Their starters rank 22nd in MLB in ERA at 4.57 — nearly two full runs a game more than their biggest National League West rival, the Dodgers (2.95), But San Diego manager Craig Stammen said he isn’t that concerned about the rotation. “They’re hanging in there,” he said. “Some guys are pitching well and some guys are up and down. They’ve been able to pitch enough innings to keep the bullpen fresh.” Reinforcements are on the way this month. Offseason signee Griffin Canning could join San Diego after one more rehab start in the minors, while former White Sox ace Lucas Giolito likely has two more minor league outings before he joins the rotation. Giolito’s contract stipulates that he has to join the Padres by May 16. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #White #Sox #pursue #memorable #performance #PadresMay 1, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the second inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Will Venable made it back to where it all began on Friday night: San Diego.

His MLB career started with the Padres in 2008, and he spent 7 1/2 seasons there, then went to the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers before retirement. While he made plenty of memories playing in San Diego, Venable, 43, could start a new scrapbook there as Chicago’s manager.

The White Sox won 8-2 against the Padres on Friday, and the teams will meet again on Saturday in the second contest of a three-game serires.

The White Sox used their power to blow open Friday’s game early. MLB home run leader Munetaka Murakami blasted his 13th long ball of the season with two men aboard as part of a six-run second inning, and the lead grew to 8-0 before San Diego averted a shutout in the eighth.

Venable said his young team has embraced its underdog role as the White Sox seek their fifth straight victory.

“Obviously, these guys are getting some great results, and we’re changing that,” he said, “but we are still the underdogs, and that’s something I’m comfortable with, and like being in that role.”

Chicago went into Friday ranked ninth in the majors in homers. Most of that power comes from Murakami, Colson Montgomery and Miguel Vargas, who have combined for 28. Montgomery unloaded his ninth of the season in the fifth inning.

Lately, the team has gotten solid starting pitching, including six shutout innings from 6-foot-10 rookie left-hander Noah Schultz on Friday night. Right-hander Sean Burke (1-2, 3.21 ERA) will try to keep that run going in the series’ middle game.


Burke last worked on Sunday, firing 7 1/3 scoreless innings and allowing just three hits with no walks and four strikeouts in his team’s 2-1, 10-inning defeat to Washington. He’s faced the Padres twice in his career, going 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 10 innings.

Opposing Burke will be right-hander Michael King (3-1, 2.41 ERA), who hasn’t lost since April 3 in Boston, 5-2.

In his career against the White Sox, King is 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA in five games, one as a starter. That was Sept. 21, 2025, when he threw five shutout innings and struck out four in a 3-2 win.

The Padres would love a good outing from King. Their starters rank 22nd in MLB in ERA at 4.57 — nearly two full runs a game more than their biggest National League West rival, the Dodgers (2.95),

But San Diego manager Craig Stammen said he isn’t that concerned about the rotation.

“They’re hanging in there,” he said. “Some guys are pitching well and some guys are up and down. They’ve been able to pitch enough innings to keep the bullpen fresh.”

Reinforcements are on the way this month. Offseason signee Griffin Canning could join San Diego after one more rehab start in the minors, while former White Sox ace Lucas Giolito likely has two more minor league outings before he joins the rotation.

Giolito’s contract stipulates that he has to join the Padres by May 16.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #White #Sox #pursue #memorable #performance #Padres">Deadspin | White Sox pursue another memorable performance vs. Padres May 1, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami (5) rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the second inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images Will Venable made it back to where it all began on Friday night: San Diego. His MLB career started with the Padres in 2008, and he spent 7 1/2 seasons there, then went to the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers before retirement. While he made plenty of memories playing in San Diego, Venable, 43, could start a new scrapbook there as Chicago’s manager. The White Sox won 8-2 against the Padres on Friday, and the teams will meet again on Saturday in the second contest of a three-game serires. The White Sox used their power to blow open Friday’s game early. MLB home run leader Munetaka Murakami blasted his 13th long ball of the season with two men aboard as part of a six-run second inning, and the lead grew to 8-0 before San Diego averted a shutout in the eighth. Venable said his young team has embraced its underdog role as the White Sox seek their fifth straight victory. “Obviously, these guys are getting some great results, and we’re changing that,” he said, “but we are still the underdogs, and that’s something I’m comfortable with, and like being in that role.” Chicago went into Friday ranked ninth in the majors in homers. Most of that power comes from Murakami, Colson Montgomery and Miguel Vargas, who have combined for 28. Montgomery unloaded his ninth of the season in the fifth inning. Lately, the team has gotten solid starting pitching, including six shutout innings from 6-foot-10 rookie left-hander Noah Schultz on Friday night. Right-hander Sean Burke (1-2, 3.21 ERA) will try to keep that run going in the series’ middle game. Burke last worked on Sunday, firing 7 1/3 scoreless innings and allowing just three hits with no walks and four strikeouts in his team’s 2-1, 10-inning defeat to Washington. He’s faced the Padres twice in his career, going 0-1 with a 2.70 ERA in 10 innings. Opposing Burke will be right-hander Michael King (3-1, 2.41 ERA), who hasn’t lost since April 3 in Boston, 5-2. In his career against the White Sox, King is 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA in five games, one as a starter. That was Sept. 21, 2025, when he threw five shutout innings and struck out four in a 3-2 win. The Padres would love a good outing from King. Their starters rank 22nd in MLB in ERA at 4.57 — nearly two full runs a game more than their biggest National League West rival, the Dodgers (2.95), But San Diego manager Craig Stammen said he isn’t that concerned about the rotation. “They’re hanging in there,” he said. “Some guys are pitching well and some guys are up and down. They’ve been able to pitch enough innings to keep the bullpen fresh.” Reinforcements are on the way this month. Offseason signee Griffin Canning could join San Diego after one more rehab start in the minors, while former White Sox ace Lucas Giolito likely has two more minor league outings before he joins the rotation. Giolito’s contract stipulates that he has to join the Padres by May 16. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #White #Sox #pursue #memorable #performance #Padres

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