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China’s anti-corruption body probes badminton association chief  China’s top anti-corruption body said on Wednesday it was investigating the head of the country’s badminton association for “serious violations of discipline and law”.Olympic gold medallist Zhang Jun, chairman of the Chinese Badminton Association (CBA) and vice president of the Nanjing Sport Institute, has been placed “under disciplinary review”, it said on its website.Jun is also being investigated by the Nantong Municipal Supervisory Commission in eastern Jiangsu province, the statement added.The statement by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission did not give details on why Zhang was being probed but said he was “suspected of serious violations of discipline and law”—a phrase commonly used in China when referring to corruption.Since coming to power, President Xi Jinping has pushed to root out graft—an effort that has intensified in recent months.Zhang Youxia, a vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC)—China’s top military body headed by Xi—and a member of the Politburo, was placed under investigation in January.Another Politburo official, Ma Xingrui, was probed too, Chinese state media reported in April.Badminton chief Zhang Jun won two Olympic badminton mixed doubles gold medals at the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Games.He joined the national team’s coaching staff after he retired in 2007, before becoming the CBA’s president in 2019.Rumours had swirled when Zhang was not seen recently, with the hashtag “Badminton Association Chairman Zhang Jun Missing” garnering more than 55 million views on Weibo.Published on Apr 29, 2026  #Chinas #anticorruption #body #probes #badminton #association #chief

China’s anti-corruption body probes badminton association chief

China’s top anti-corruption body said on Wednesday it was investigating the head of the country’s badminton association for “serious violations of discipline and law”.

Olympic gold medallist Zhang Jun, chairman of the Chinese Badminton Association (CBA) and vice president of the Nanjing Sport Institute, has been placed “under disciplinary review”, it said on its website.

Jun is also being investigated by the Nantong Municipal Supervisory Commission in eastern Jiangsu province, the statement added.

The statement by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission did not give details on why Zhang was being probed but said he was “suspected of serious violations of discipline and law”—a phrase commonly used in China when referring to corruption.

Since coming to power, President Xi Jinping has pushed to root out graft—an effort that has intensified in recent months.

Zhang Youxia, a vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC)—China’s top military body headed by Xi—and a member of the Politburo, was placed under investigation in January.

Another Politburo official, Ma Xingrui, was probed too, Chinese state media reported in April.

Badminton chief Zhang Jun won two Olympic badminton mixed doubles gold medals at the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Games.

He joined the national team’s coaching staff after he retired in 2007, before becoming the CBA’s president in 2019.

Rumours had swirled when Zhang was not seen recently, with the hashtag “Badminton Association Chairman Zhang Jun Missing” garnering more than 55 million views on Weibo.

Published on Apr 29, 2026

#Chinas #anticorruption #body #probes #badminton #association #chief

China’s top anti-corruption body said on Wednesday it was investigating the head of the country’s badminton association for “serious violations of discipline and law”.

Olympic gold medallist Zhang Jun, chairman of the Chinese Badminton Association (CBA) and vice president of the Nanjing Sport Institute, has been placed “under disciplinary review”, it said on its website.

Jun is also being investigated by the Nantong Municipal Supervisory Commission in eastern Jiangsu province, the statement added.

The statement by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and the National Supervisory Commission did not give details on why Zhang was being probed but said he was “suspected of serious violations of discipline and law”—a phrase commonly used in China when referring to corruption.

Since coming to power, President Xi Jinping has pushed to root out graft—an effort that has intensified in recent months.

Zhang Youxia, a vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC)—China’s top military body headed by Xi—and a member of the Politburo, was placed under investigation in January.

Another Politburo official, Ma Xingrui, was probed too, Chinese state media reported in April.

Badminton chief Zhang Jun won two Olympic badminton mixed doubles gold medals at the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Games.

He joined the national team’s coaching staff after he retired in 2007, before becoming the CBA’s president in 2019.

Rumours had swirled when Zhang was not seen recently, with the hashtag “Badminton Association Chairman Zhang Jun Missing” garnering more than 55 million views on Weibo.

Published on Apr 29, 2026

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#Chinas #anticorruption #body #probes #badminton #association #chief

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राजा रघुवंशी हत्याकांड: पुलिस की चूक या साक्ष्य की कमी? सोनम चौथी आरोपी जिसको मिली जमानत

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The Raptors’ subtle adjustment that has the Cavs on the ropes in NBA Playoffs <div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs can be an overwhelming time for analysts. With eight series taking place, you can’t possibly keep up with and do thoughtful analysis on all of them. So, you need to narrow down which ones require the most focus.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">After the Cleveland Cavaliers took a 2-0 series lead over the Toronto Raptors, I thought I could put this series to bed. The Cavaliers only needed to win two of the final five games, the Raptors have struggled against top ten teams all year (7-22 against those groups, per Cleaning the Glass), and Toronto’s best spacer, Immanuel Quickley, was ruled out for the rest of the round.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Fast forward to today and the series is currently knotted up at two games a piece and the Raptors have completely flipped the script on the Cavaliers. The Cavs might be an 8.5-point favorite as they return home for Game 5 <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors-@-cleveland-cavaliers-35533345">according to FanDuel</a>, but it truly feels like this series is still up for grabs.</p></div><div><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">The Key Adjustment That Saved The Raptors’ Season</h2></p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">After two games of being demolished by James Harden and Donovan Mitchell in the pick-and-roll, the Raptors said, ‘hey, we were the fifth-best regular season defense and we are not going to stand for this anymore.’</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">In Game 1, the Raptors went with some pretty standard matchup assignments. RJ Barrett on Harden, Jamal Shead on Mitchell, Brandon Ingram on Dean Wade, Scottie Barnes on Evan Mobley, and Jakob Poeltl on Jarrett Allen. Juxtapose those matchups with what we saw at the start of Game 4: Barnes on Harden, Ja’Kobe Walter (now starting in place of Shead) on Mitchell, Ingram on Wade, Poeltl on Mobley, and Barrett on Allen.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">What this does is take away the pick-and-roll with Allen as the screener, as any time Harden or Mitchell try to initiate this action, the Raptors can nullify it with a simple switch – since Barrett, Barnes, and Walter are all long and athletic enough to handle a multitude of different player types.</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">So, if Harden and Mitchell want to hunt Poeltl (the weak link defensively in Toronto’s starting five), they have to use Mobley as a screener. This may not seem like a big deal, but look how little separation Mitchell is able to generate on Mobley screens:</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">The Raptors also did a great job of enhancing their gap help to clog up driving lanes, mitigate passing windows, and force Cleveland’s sketchier shooters to vanquish them (as a team, the Cavaliers shot just 25 perect from downtown in Game 4).</p></div><div><p class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup duet--article--standard-paragraph _1nfb3k4i _16w9vov1 _16w9vov0 ls9zuh1">Cleveland <em>should </em>still be able to pull this one out. They have home court advantage, superior closers, and a lot of fat they can cut out of their process (they had 18 turnovers in Game 4). But credit goes to Toronto for turning what should have been a clean sweep into an instant classic.</p></div> #Raptors #subtle #adjustment #Cavs #ropes #NBA #Playoffs

MLB Picks Today: Astros vs Orioles and Dodgers vs Marlins Best Bets | Deadspin.com  Apr 1, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) pitches against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images   How about a little East Coast-West Coast combo for our MLB picks today?Season Record 14-12-1, -0.42 UnitsAstros at OriolesAstros F5 (+102 BetRivers)It’s been quite the mess for Houston so far in 2025.Expected to compete for the AL West as always, they have instead fallen on hard times amid a raft of pitcher injuries. But this is an organization with an excellent record of developing arms, and they may have found one in today’s starter, Peter Lambert. You might recognize the name as he pitched parts of four seasons in Colorado from 2019 to 2024, never logging more than 89.1 IP in the majors and never finishing a season with an ERA under 5.36.Well, he took his talents (or at that point, lack thereof) to Japan last year and well, was just okay there too with a 4.26 ERA and 20.1% K%. The Astros brought him back and appeared to have unlocked something in the minors as he had a 1.84 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in three minor league starts, and now a 3.27 ERA in 11 IP with a whopping 33.3% K% and 17.7% SwSwr% over two starts in MLB. His fastball has gone up about 2 MPH over where he typically sat in his Rockies days, and he’s now added a cutter to his arsenal. Are his improvements for real? Well, the results look promising very early on.His Stuff+ is 94 if you’re into that sort of thing, which indicates he’s a shade below average.He does appear to have the upper hand tonight as he faces off against the Orioles Chris Bassitt. The well-traveled vet has gotten off to a brutal start in Baltimore, with a super ugly 6.75 ERA and 2.08 WHIP. His -2.70% K-BB% is the worst in MLB among starters who have logged at least 10 IP.The best I can say is he keeps the ball on the ground and his EV allowed is low so there’s always a chance all the contact he induces will go to his fielders. The Astros have one of the best offenses in the league though and they have a 120 wRC+ on the road this year and an identical 120 wRC+ vs. righties. The Orioles for their part have a 119 wRC+ at home, so it’s a pretty even battle at the plate. Give me the Astros as I’d rather take the unknown SP who looks great right now vs. the aging vet who looks absolutely cooked right now. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: betting  Marlins at DodgersSandy Alcantara Over 17.5 Outs Recorded (-107 DraftKings)The Marlins ace looked back to his Cy Young form through his first three starts as he logged 24.1 IP and the only two runs he allowed were in the 9th inning of the third start.He was just two outs away from a second straight complete game shutout, which makes him a regular Old Hoss Radbourne in today’s game. The last three outings have not gone so great, 17 IP, 6.35 ERA and 1.88 WHIP and he’s at the Dodgers tonight. But innings are what Sandy does. He induces a lot of grounders (48%) and has low whiff and walk and barrel rates.So in games where he’s not getting BABIP-ed around he’s extremely efficient. Let’s back on another Sandy Special today. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: betting   #MLB #Picks #Today #Astros #Orioles #Dodgers #Marlins #Bets #Deadspin.comApr 1, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) pitches against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

How about a little East Coast-West Coast combo for our MLB picks today?

Season Record 14-12-1, -0.42 Units

Astros at Orioles

Astros F5 (+102 BetRivers)

It’s been quite the mess for Houston so far in 2025.

Expected to compete for the AL West as always, they have instead fallen on hard times amid a raft of pitcher injuries. But this is an organization with an excellent record of developing arms, and they may have found one in today’s starter, Peter Lambert. You might recognize the name as he pitched parts of four seasons in Colorado from 2019 to 2024, never logging more than 89.1 IP in the majors and never finishing a season with an ERA under 5.36.

Well, he took his talents (or at that point, lack thereof) to Japan last year and well, was just okay there too with a 4.26 ERA and 20.1% K%. The Astros brought him back and appeared to have unlocked something in the minors as he had a 1.84 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in three minor league starts, and now a 3.27 ERA in 11 IP with a whopping 33.3% K% and 17.7% SwSwr% over two starts in MLB. His fastball has gone up about 2 MPH over where he typically sat in his Rockies days, and he’s now added a cutter to his arsenal. Are his improvements for real? Well, the results look promising very early on.

His Stuff+ is 94 if you’re into that sort of thing, which indicates he’s a shade below average.

He does appear to have the upper hand tonight as he faces off against the Orioles Chris Bassitt. The well-traveled vet has gotten off to a brutal start in Baltimore, with a super ugly 6.75 ERA and 2.08 WHIP. His -2.70% K-BB% is the worst in MLB among starters who have logged at least 10 IP.

The best I can say is he keeps the ball on the ground and his EV allowed is low so there’s always a chance all the contact he induces will go to his fielders. The Astros have one of the best offenses in the league though and they have a 120 wRC+ on the road this year and an identical 120 wRC+ vs. righties. The Orioles for their part have a 119 wRC+ at home, so it’s a pretty even battle at the plate. Give me the Astros as I’d rather take the unknown SP who looks great right now vs. the aging vet who looks absolutely cooked right now.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: betting

Marlins at Dodgers

Sandy Alcantara Over 17.5 Outs Recorded (-107 DraftKings)

The Marlins ace looked back to his Cy Young form through his first three starts as he logged 24.1 IP and the only two runs he allowed were in the 9th inning of the third start.

He was just two outs away from a second straight complete game shutout, which makes him a regular Old Hoss Radbourne in today’s game. The last three outings have not gone so great, 17 IP, 6.35 ERA and 1.88 WHIP and he’s at the Dodgers tonight. But innings are what Sandy does. He induces a lot of grounders (48%) and has low whiff and walk and barrel rates.

So in games where he’s not getting BABIP-ed around he’s extremely efficient. Let’s back on another Sandy Special today.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: betting

#MLB #Picks #Today #Astros #Orioles #Dodgers #Marlins #Bets #Deadspin.com">MLB Picks Today: Astros vs Orioles and Dodgers vs Marlins Best Bets | Deadspin.com  Apr 1, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) pitches against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images   How about a little East Coast-West Coast combo for our MLB picks today?Season Record 14-12-1, -0.42 UnitsAstros at OriolesAstros F5 (+102 BetRivers)It’s been quite the mess for Houston so far in 2025.Expected to compete for the AL West as always, they have instead fallen on hard times amid a raft of pitcher injuries. But this is an organization with an excellent record of developing arms, and they may have found one in today’s starter, Peter Lambert. You might recognize the name as he pitched parts of four seasons in Colorado from 2019 to 2024, never logging more than 89.1 IP in the majors and never finishing a season with an ERA under 5.36.Well, he took his talents (or at that point, lack thereof) to Japan last year and well, was just okay there too with a 4.26 ERA and 20.1% K%. The Astros brought him back and appeared to have unlocked something in the minors as he had a 1.84 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in three minor league starts, and now a 3.27 ERA in 11 IP with a whopping 33.3% K% and 17.7% SwSwr% over two starts in MLB. His fastball has gone up about 2 MPH over where he typically sat in his Rockies days, and he’s now added a cutter to his arsenal. Are his improvements for real? Well, the results look promising very early on.His Stuff+ is 94 if you’re into that sort of thing, which indicates he’s a shade below average.He does appear to have the upper hand tonight as he faces off against the Orioles Chris Bassitt. The well-traveled vet has gotten off to a brutal start in Baltimore, with a super ugly 6.75 ERA and 2.08 WHIP. His -2.70% K-BB% is the worst in MLB among starters who have logged at least 10 IP.The best I can say is he keeps the ball on the ground and his EV allowed is low so there’s always a chance all the contact he induces will go to his fielders. The Astros have one of the best offenses in the league though and they have a 120 wRC+ on the road this year and an identical 120 wRC+ vs. righties. The Orioles for their part have a 119 wRC+ at home, so it’s a pretty even battle at the plate. Give me the Astros as I’d rather take the unknown SP who looks great right now vs. the aging vet who looks absolutely cooked right now. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: betting  Marlins at DodgersSandy Alcantara Over 17.5 Outs Recorded (-107 DraftKings)The Marlins ace looked back to his Cy Young form through his first three starts as he logged 24.1 IP and the only two runs he allowed were in the 9th inning of the third start.He was just two outs away from a second straight complete game shutout, which makes him a regular Old Hoss Radbourne in today’s game. The last three outings have not gone so great, 17 IP, 6.35 ERA and 1.88 WHIP and he’s at the Dodgers tonight. But innings are what Sandy does. He induces a lot of grounders (48%) and has low whiff and walk and barrel rates.So in games where he’s not getting BABIP-ed around he’s extremely efficient. Let’s back on another Sandy Special today. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: betting   #MLB #Picks #Today #Astros #Orioles #Dodgers #Marlins #Bets #Deadspin.com

for the AL West as always, they have instead fallen on hard times amid a raft of pitcher injuries. But this is an organization with an excellent record of developing arms, and they may have found one in today’s starter, Peter Lambert. You might recognize the name as he pitched parts of four seasons in Colorado from 2019 to 2024, never logging more than 89.1 IP in the majors and never finishing a season with an ERA under 5.36.

Well, he took his talents (or at that point, lack thereof) to Japan last year and well, was just okay there too with a 4.26 ERA and 20.1% K%. The Astros brought him back and appeared to have unlocked something in the minors as he had a 1.84 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in three minor league starts, and now a 3.27 ERA in 11 IP with a whopping 33.3% K% and 17.7% SwSwr% over two starts in MLB. His fastball has gone up about 2 MPH over where he typically sat in his Rockies days, and he’s now added a cutter to his arsenal. Are his improvements for real? Well, the results look promising very early on.

His Stuff+ is 94 if you’re into that sort of thing, which indicates he’s a shade below average.

He does appear to have the upper hand tonight as he faces off against the Orioles Chris Bassitt. The well-traveled vet has gotten off to a brutal start in Baltimore, with a super ugly 6.75 ERA and 2.08 WHIP. His -2.70% K-BB% is the worst in MLB among starters who have logged at least 10 IP.

The best I can say is he keeps the ball on the ground and his EV allowed is low so there’s always a chance all the contact he induces will go to his fielders. The Astros have one of the best offenses in the league though and they have a 120 wRC+ on the road this year and an identical 120 wRC+ vs. righties. The Orioles for their part have a 119 wRC+ at home, so it’s a pretty even battle at the plate. Give me the Astros as I’d rather take the unknown SP who looks great right now vs. the aging vet who looks absolutely cooked right now.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: betting

Marlins at Dodgers

Sandy Alcantara Over 17.5 Outs Recorded (-107 DraftKings)

The Marlins ace looked back to his Cy Young form through his first three starts as he logged 24.1 IP and the only two runs he allowed were in the 9th inning of the third start.

He was just two outs away from a second straight complete game shutout, which makes him a regular Old Hoss Radbourne in today’s game. The last three outings have not gone so great, 17 IP, 6.35 ERA and 1.88 WHIP and he’s at the Dodgers tonight. But innings are what Sandy does. He induces a lot of grounders (48%) and has low whiff and walk and barrel rates.

So in games where he’s not getting BABIP-ed around he’s extremely efficient. Let’s back on another Sandy Special today.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: betting

#MLB #Picks #Today #Astros #Orioles #Dodgers #Marlins #Bets #Deadspin.com">MLB Picks Today: Astros vs Orioles and Dodgers vs Marlins Best Bets | Deadspin.com
MLB Picks Today: Astros vs Orioles and Dodgers vs Marlins Best Bets | Deadspin.com  Apr 1, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) pitches against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images   How about a little East Coast-West Coast combo for our MLB picks today?Season Record 14-12-1, -0.42 UnitsAstros at OriolesAstros F5 (+102 BetRivers)It’s been quite the mess for Houston so far in 2025.Expected to compete for the AL West as always, they have instead fallen on hard times amid a raft of pitcher injuries. But this is an organization with an excellent record of developing arms, and they may have found one in today’s starter, Peter Lambert. You might recognize the name as he pitched parts of four seasons in Colorado from 2019 to 2024, never logging more than 89.1 IP in the majors and never finishing a season with an ERA under 5.36.Well, he took his talents (or at that point, lack thereof) to Japan last year and well, was just okay there too with a 4.26 ERA and 20.1% K%. The Astros brought him back and appeared to have unlocked something in the minors as he had a 1.84 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in three minor league starts, and now a 3.27 ERA in 11 IP with a whopping 33.3% K% and 17.7% SwSwr% over two starts in MLB. His fastball has gone up about 2 MPH over where he typically sat in his Rockies days, and he’s now added a cutter to his arsenal. Are his improvements for real? Well, the results look promising very early on.His Stuff+ is 94 if you’re into that sort of thing, which indicates he’s a shade below average.He does appear to have the upper hand tonight as he faces off against the Orioles Chris Bassitt. The well-traveled vet has gotten off to a brutal start in Baltimore, with a super ugly 6.75 ERA and 2.08 WHIP. His -2.70% K-BB% is the worst in MLB among starters who have logged at least 10 IP.The best I can say is he keeps the ball on the ground and his EV allowed is low so there’s always a chance all the contact he induces will go to his fielders. The Astros have one of the best offenses in the league though and they have a 120 wRC+ on the road this year and an identical 120 wRC+ vs. righties. The Orioles for their part have a 119 wRC+ at home, so it’s a pretty even battle at the plate. Give me the Astros as I’d rather take the unknown SP who looks great right now vs. the aging vet who looks absolutely cooked right now. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: betting  Marlins at DodgersSandy Alcantara Over 17.5 Outs Recorded (-107 DraftKings)The Marlins ace looked back to his Cy Young form through his first three starts as he logged 24.1 IP and the only two runs he allowed were in the 9th inning of the third start.He was just two outs away from a second straight complete game shutout, which makes him a regular Old Hoss Radbourne in today’s game. The last three outings have not gone so great, 17 IP, 6.35 ERA and 1.88 WHIP and he’s at the Dodgers tonight. But innings are what Sandy does. He induces a lot of grounders (48%) and has low whiff and walk and barrel rates.So in games where he’s not getting BABIP-ed around he’s extremely efficient. Let’s back on another Sandy Special today. Our Current Best OffersChannel debug: betting   #MLB #Picks #Today #Astros #Orioles #Dodgers #Marlins #Bets #Deadspin.comApr 1, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) pitches against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

How about a little East Coast-West Coast combo for our MLB picks today?

Season Record 14-12-1, -0.42 Units

Astros at Orioles

Astros F5 (+102 BetRivers)

It’s been quite the mess for Houston so far in 2025.

Expected to compete for the AL West as always, they have instead fallen on hard times amid a raft of pitcher injuries. But this is an organization with an excellent record of developing arms, and they may have found one in today’s starter, Peter Lambert. You might recognize the name as he pitched parts of four seasons in Colorado from 2019 to 2024, never logging more than 89.1 IP in the majors and never finishing a season with an ERA under 5.36.

Well, he took his talents (or at that point, lack thereof) to Japan last year and well, was just okay there too with a 4.26 ERA and 20.1% K%. The Astros brought him back and appeared to have unlocked something in the minors as he had a 1.84 ERA and 0.95 WHIP in three minor league starts, and now a 3.27 ERA in 11 IP with a whopping 33.3% K% and 17.7% SwSwr% over two starts in MLB. His fastball has gone up about 2 MPH over where he typically sat in his Rockies days, and he’s now added a cutter to his arsenal. Are his improvements for real? Well, the results look promising very early on.

His Stuff+ is 94 if you’re into that sort of thing, which indicates he’s a shade below average.

He does appear to have the upper hand tonight as he faces off against the Orioles Chris Bassitt. The well-traveled vet has gotten off to a brutal start in Baltimore, with a super ugly 6.75 ERA and 2.08 WHIP. His -2.70% K-BB% is the worst in MLB among starters who have logged at least 10 IP.

The best I can say is he keeps the ball on the ground and his EV allowed is low so there’s always a chance all the contact he induces will go to his fielders. The Astros have one of the best offenses in the league though and they have a 120 wRC+ on the road this year and an identical 120 wRC+ vs. righties. The Orioles for their part have a 119 wRC+ at home, so it’s a pretty even battle at the plate. Give me the Astros as I’d rather take the unknown SP who looks great right now vs. the aging vet who looks absolutely cooked right now.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: betting

Marlins at Dodgers

Sandy Alcantara Over 17.5 Outs Recorded (-107 DraftKings)

The Marlins ace looked back to his Cy Young form through his first three starts as he logged 24.1 IP and the only two runs he allowed were in the 9th inning of the third start.

He was just two outs away from a second straight complete game shutout, which makes him a regular Old Hoss Radbourne in today’s game. The last three outings have not gone so great, 17 IP, 6.35 ERA and 1.88 WHIP and he’s at the Dodgers tonight. But innings are what Sandy does. He induces a lot of grounders (48%) and has low whiff and walk and barrel rates.

So in games where he’s not getting BABIP-ed around he’s extremely efficient. Let’s back on another Sandy Special today.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: betting

#MLB #Picks #Today #Astros #Orioles #Dodgers #Marlins #Bets #Deadspin.com

The Spanish football federation banned Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada for 13 matches on Wednesday after he punched Huesca player Jorge Pulido in the face.

The federation’s disciplinary committee said in a statement that the Argentina international and his club would also be fined. Andrada was sent off before he “attacked” Pulido during the second-tier derby last Sunday.

Andrada was handed a 12-match ban for the punch, while his initial red card carried an automatic one-match suspension. The punishment rules him out for the rest of the season and deals a blow to Zaragoza’s hopes in its battle to avoid relegation.

The 35-year-old, on loan from Mexican side Monterrey, shoved Pulido and was shown a second yellow card for the incident.

ALSO READ: FIFA opens talks on rule requiring clubs to field one homegrown young player during matches

Andrada then became enraged, running towards Pulido and hitting him, sparking a brawl on the pitch in stoppage time.

“The truth is I’m very, very sorry for what happened,” Andrada said afterwards.

“It’s not a good image for the club, for the fans, and especially not for a professional like myself. So, I’m very sorry.”

Huesca goalkeeper Dani Jimenez and Zaragoza’s Dani Tasende were also sent off after the brawl, with host Huesca holding on for a 1-0 win. Jimenez was banned for four matches and Tasende for two.

“We witnessed scenes unbecoming of this sport and which should never have occurred,” Zaragoza said in a statement on Sunday.

Published on Apr 29, 2026

#Real #Zaragoza #keeper #Esteban #banned #games #punching #Huesca #player #Jorge">Real Zaragoza keeper Esteban banned for 13 games after punching Huesca player Jorge  The Spanish football federation banned Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada for 13 matches on Wednesday after he punched Huesca player Jorge Pulido in the face.The federation’s disciplinary committee said in a statement that the Argentina international and his club would also be fined. Andrada was sent off before he “attacked” Pulido during the second-tier derby last Sunday.Andrada was handed a 12-match ban for the punch, while his initial red card carried an automatic one-match suspension. The punishment rules him out for the rest of the season and deals a blow to Zaragoza’s hopes in its battle to avoid relegation.The 35-year-old, on loan from Mexican side Monterrey, shoved Pulido and was shown a second yellow card for the incident.ALSO READ: FIFA opens talks on rule requiring clubs to field one homegrown young player during matchesAndrada then became enraged, running towards Pulido and hitting him, sparking a brawl on the pitch in stoppage time.“The truth is I’m very, very sorry for what happened,” Andrada said afterwards.“It’s not a good image for the club, for the fans, and especially not for a professional like myself. So, I’m very sorry.”Huesca goalkeeper Dani Jimenez and Zaragoza’s Dani Tasende were also sent off after the brawl, with host Huesca holding on for a 1-0 win. Jimenez was banned for four matches and Tasende for two.“We witnessed scenes unbecoming of this sport and which should never have occurred,” Zaragoza said in a statement on Sunday.Published on Apr 29, 2026  #Real #Zaragoza #keeper #Esteban #banned #games #punching #Huesca #player #Jorge

FIFA opens talks on rule requiring clubs to field one homegrown young player during matches

Andrada then became enraged, running towards Pulido and hitting him, sparking a brawl on the pitch in stoppage time.

“The truth is I’m very, very sorry for what happened,” Andrada said afterwards.

“It’s not a good image for the club, for the fans, and especially not for a professional like myself. So, I’m very sorry.”

Huesca goalkeeper Dani Jimenez and Zaragoza’s Dani Tasende were also sent off after the brawl, with host Huesca holding on for a 1-0 win. Jimenez was banned for four matches and Tasende for two.

“We witnessed scenes unbecoming of this sport and which should never have occurred,” Zaragoza said in a statement on Sunday.

Published on Apr 29, 2026

#Real #Zaragoza #keeper #Esteban #banned #games #punching #Huesca #player #Jorge">Real Zaragoza keeper Esteban banned for 13 games after punching Huesca player Jorge

The Spanish football federation banned Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada for 13 matches on Wednesday after he punched Huesca player Jorge Pulido in the face.

The federation’s disciplinary committee said in a statement that the Argentina international and his club would also be fined. Andrada was sent off before he “attacked” Pulido during the second-tier derby last Sunday.

Andrada was handed a 12-match ban for the punch, while his initial red card carried an automatic one-match suspension. The punishment rules him out for the rest of the season and deals a blow to Zaragoza’s hopes in its battle to avoid relegation.

The 35-year-old, on loan from Mexican side Monterrey, shoved Pulido and was shown a second yellow card for the incident.

ALSO READ: FIFA opens talks on rule requiring clubs to field one homegrown young player during matches

Andrada then became enraged, running towards Pulido and hitting him, sparking a brawl on the pitch in stoppage time.

“The truth is I’m very, very sorry for what happened,” Andrada said afterwards.

“It’s not a good image for the club, for the fans, and especially not for a professional like myself. So, I’m very sorry.”

Huesca goalkeeper Dani Jimenez and Zaragoza’s Dani Tasende were also sent off after the brawl, with host Huesca holding on for a 1-0 win. Jimenez was banned for four matches and Tasende for two.

“We witnessed scenes unbecoming of this sport and which should never have occurred,” Zaragoza said in a statement on Sunday.

Published on Apr 29, 2026

#Real #Zaragoza #keeper #Esteban #banned #games #punching #Huesca #player #Jorge

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