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Deadspin | Tarik Skubal, Tigers take aim at hot Braves Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) walks off the field for pitching change during the seventh inning against Milwaukee Brewers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal will take the mound on Wednesday night when his Detroit Tigers face the host Atlanta Braves and their top rookie pitching prospect. The Braves recorded a 5-2 victory Tuesday in the opener of a three-game series. It was Atlanta’s ninth straight win over the Tigers, who fell to 5-13 on the road this season. Atlanta has won 11 of its past 13 games overall. The left-handed Skubal (3-2, 2.72 ERA) will oppose Braves right-hander JR Ritchie (1-0, 2.57), who will make his second career start. Skubal had good stuff but received a no-decision against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday when he allowed four runs — three in the seventh inning without recording an out. When he returned to the dugout after being lifted in the seventh, he flipped over a small cooler and threw his glove. “A mentally challenging day for him,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He got dinged up a little bit at the end, but he pitched us pretty deep into the game.” Skubal has made only one career start against the Braves, in 2024 when he allowed five runs (four earned) over four innings and took the loss. Ritchie, 22, made his major league debut on Thursday against the Washington Nationals and yielded two runs on five hits — one of them a leadoff homer on Ritchie’s first pitch — with seven strikeouts in seven innings of a 7-2 victory. “Going into it, I wasn’t going to worry too much about the hitters,” Ritchie said. “I kind of wanted to let (catcher Drake Baldwin) take care of that, and he did a great job all day. Very communicative, him and (Braves pitching coach Jeremy Hefner), just, ‘Hey, go out there and throw your stuff.’ Talking between innings about adjustments, what we’re gonna do. They definitely made my life a lot easier.” Wednesday may be Ritchie’s last opportunity to start early this season. The Braves said Spencer Strider would not need another rehab start and would be returned to the rotation. That could come as soon as this weekend in Colorado. Detroit’s Kevin McGonigle had an infield hit on Tuesday to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. He is batting .347 during the streak. The Tigers had two players leave Tuesday’s game because of injuries. Starting pitcher Casey Mize exited in the third inning with a right groin strain, and center fielder Javy Baez had to be carted off the field after catching his right ankle under his body while trying to slide into first base to beat a high throw. Both will be evaluated on Wednesday. Atlanta activated right-hander Didier Fuentes when Dylan Lee went on the paternity list on Tuesday. Lee, who has made a team-high 14 appearances, likely will miss the entire series against Detroit. Fuentes pitched two scoreless innings on Tuesday night. Atlanta said shortstop Ha-Seong Kim will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Columbus this week. Kim signed a million, one-year contract as a free agent. He fell on some ice in Korea in January and injured the finger on his throwing hand. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Tarik #Skubal #Tigers #aim #hot #Braves

Deadspin | Tarik Skubal, Tigers take aim at hot Braves
Deadspin | Tarik Skubal, Tigers take aim at hot Braves Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) walks off the field for pitching change during the seventh inning against Milwaukee Brewers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, April 23, 2026. Two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal will take the mound on Wednesday night when his Detroit Tigers face the host Atlanta Braves and their top rookie pitching prospect. The Braves recorded a 5-2 victory Tuesday in the opener of a three-game series. It was Atlanta’s ninth straight win over the Tigers, who fell to 5-13 on the road this season. Atlanta has won 11 of its past 13 games overall. The left-handed Skubal (3-2, 2.72 ERA) will oppose Braves right-hander JR Ritchie (1-0, 2.57), who will make his second career start. Skubal had good stuff but received a no-decision against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday when he allowed four runs — three in the seventh inning without recording an out. When he returned to the dugout after being lifted in the seventh, he flipped over a small cooler and threw his glove. “A mentally challenging day for him,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He got dinged up a little bit at the end, but he pitched us pretty deep into the game.” Skubal has made only one career start against the Braves, in 2024 when he allowed five runs (four earned) over four innings and took the loss. Ritchie, 22, made his major league debut on Thursday against the Washington Nationals and yielded two runs on five hits — one of them a leadoff homer on Ritchie’s first pitch — with seven strikeouts in seven innings of a 7-2 victory. “Going into it, I wasn’t going to worry too much about the hitters,” Ritchie said. “I kind of wanted to let (catcher Drake Baldwin) take care of that, and he did a great job all day. Very communicative, him and (Braves pitching coach Jeremy Hefner), just, ‘Hey, go out there and throw your stuff.’ Talking between innings about adjustments, what we’re gonna do. They definitely made my life a lot easier.” Wednesday may be Ritchie’s last opportunity to start early this season. The Braves said Spencer Strider would not need another rehab start and would be returned to the rotation. That could come as soon as this weekend in Colorado. Detroit’s Kevin McGonigle had an infield hit on Tuesday to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. He is batting .347 during the streak. The Tigers had two players leave Tuesday’s game because of injuries. Starting pitcher Casey Mize exited in the third inning with a right groin strain, and center fielder Javy Baez had to be carted off the field after catching his right ankle under his body while trying to slide into first base to beat a high throw. Both will be evaluated on Wednesday. Atlanta activated right-hander Didier Fuentes when Dylan Lee went on the paternity list on Tuesday. Lee, who has made a team-high 14 appearances, likely will miss the entire series against Detroit. Fuentes pitched two scoreless innings on Tuesday night. Atlanta said shortstop Ha-Seong Kim will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Columbus this week. Kim signed a million, one-year contract as a free agent. He fell on some ice in Korea in January and injured the finger on his throwing hand. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Tarik #Skubal #Tigers #aim #hot #BravesDetroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) walks off the field for pitching change during the seventh inning against Milwaukee Brewers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, April 23, 2026.

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal will take the mound on Wednesday night when his Detroit Tigers face the host Atlanta Braves and their top rookie pitching prospect.

The Braves recorded a 5-2 victory Tuesday in the opener of a three-game series. It was Atlanta’s ninth straight win over the Tigers, who fell to 5-13 on the road this season.

Atlanta has won 11 of its past 13 games overall.

The left-handed Skubal (3-2, 2.72 ERA) will oppose Braves right-hander JR Ritchie (1-0, 2.57), who will make his second career start.

Skubal had good stuff but received a no-decision against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday when he allowed four runs — three in the seventh inning without recording an out. When he returned to the dugout after being lifted in the seventh, he flipped over a small cooler and threw his glove.

“A mentally challenging day for him,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He got dinged up a little bit at the end, but he pitched us pretty deep into the game.”

Skubal has made only one career start against the Braves, in 2024 when he allowed five runs (four earned) over four innings and took the loss.


Ritchie, 22, made his major league debut on Thursday against the Washington Nationals and yielded two runs on five hits — one of them a leadoff homer on Ritchie’s first pitch — with seven strikeouts in seven innings of a 7-2 victory.

“Going into it, I wasn’t going to worry too much about the hitters,” Ritchie said. “I kind of wanted to let (catcher Drake Baldwin) take care of that, and he did a great job all day. Very communicative, him and (Braves pitching coach Jeremy Hefner), just, ‘Hey, go out there and throw your stuff.’ Talking between innings about adjustments, what we’re gonna do. They definitely made my life a lot easier.”

Wednesday may be Ritchie’s last opportunity to start early this season. The Braves said Spencer Strider would not need another rehab start and would be returned to the rotation. That could come as soon as this weekend in Colorado.

Detroit’s Kevin McGonigle had an infield hit on Tuesday to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. He is batting .347 during the streak.

The Tigers had two players leave Tuesday’s game because of injuries.

Starting pitcher Casey Mize exited in the third inning with a right groin strain, and center fielder Javy Baez had to be carted off the field after catching his right ankle under his body while trying to slide into first base to beat a high throw. Both will be evaluated on Wednesday.

Atlanta activated right-hander Didier Fuentes when Dylan Lee went on the paternity list on Tuesday. Lee, who has made a team-high 14 appearances, likely will miss the entire series against Detroit. Fuentes pitched two scoreless innings on Tuesday night.

Atlanta said shortstop Ha-Seong Kim will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Columbus this week. Kim signed a $20 million, one-year contract as a free agent. He fell on some ice in Korea in January and injured the finger on his throwing hand.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Tarik #Skubal #Tigers #aim #hot #Braves

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Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) walks off the field for pitching change during the seventh inning against Milwaukee Brewers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, April 23, 2026.

Two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal will take the mound on Wednesday night when his Detroit Tigers face the host Atlanta Braves and their top rookie pitching prospect.

The Braves recorded a 5-2 victory Tuesday in the opener of a three-game series. It was Atlanta’s ninth straight win over the Tigers, who fell to 5-13 on the road this season.

Atlanta has won 11 of its past 13 games overall.

The left-handed Skubal (3-2, 2.72 ERA) will oppose Braves right-hander JR Ritchie (1-0, 2.57), who will make his second career start.

Skubal had good stuff but received a no-decision against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday when he allowed four runs — three in the seventh inning without recording an out. When he returned to the dugout after being lifted in the seventh, he flipped over a small cooler and threw his glove.

“A mentally challenging day for him,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He got dinged up a little bit at the end, but he pitched us pretty deep into the game.”

Skubal has made only one career start against the Braves, in 2024 when he allowed five runs (four earned) over four innings and took the loss.

Ritchie, 22, made his major league debut on Thursday against the Washington Nationals and yielded two runs on five hits — one of them a leadoff homer on Ritchie’s first pitch — with seven strikeouts in seven innings of a 7-2 victory.

“Going into it, I wasn’t going to worry too much about the hitters,” Ritchie said. “I kind of wanted to let (catcher Drake Baldwin) take care of that, and he did a great job all day. Very communicative, him and (Braves pitching coach Jeremy Hefner), just, ‘Hey, go out there and throw your stuff.’ Talking between innings about adjustments, what we’re gonna do. They definitely made my life a lot easier.”

Wednesday may be Ritchie’s last opportunity to start early this season. The Braves said Spencer Strider would not need another rehab start and would be returned to the rotation. That could come as soon as this weekend in Colorado.

Detroit’s Kevin McGonigle had an infield hit on Tuesday to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. He is batting .347 during the streak.

The Tigers had two players leave Tuesday’s game because of injuries.

Starting pitcher Casey Mize exited in the third inning with a right groin strain, and center fielder Javy Baez had to be carted off the field after catching his right ankle under his body while trying to slide into first base to beat a high throw. Both will be evaluated on Wednesday.

Atlanta activated right-hander Didier Fuentes when Dylan Lee went on the paternity list on Tuesday. Lee, who has made a team-high 14 appearances, likely will miss the entire series against Detroit. Fuentes pitched two scoreless innings on Tuesday night.

Atlanta said shortstop Ha-Seong Kim will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Columbus this week. Kim signed a $20 million, one-year contract as a free agent. He fell on some ice in Korea in January and injured the finger on his throwing hand.

–Field Level Media

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F1 rookie Arvid Lindblad on his first 3 races, where he needs to improve, and more <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">Last year, the Formula 1 grid saw several fresh faces, as some rookie drivers joined the grid.</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 year, Arvid Lindblad stands alone as the single rookie on the grid.</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">All the 18-year-old has done is impress through his first three races, scoring points in his debut at the Australian Grand Prix. Now, as the grid returns after an extended break, the Visa Cash App Racing Bulls driver is looking ahead to his first Miami Grand Prix, and building on a strong start to 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">Ahead of Lindblad’s first Miami Grand Prix, <em>SB Nation </em>sat down with the young driver to talk about the start of his F1 journey, where he needs to improve, and his first race in Miami.</p></div><div class="duet--article--article-body-component"><p><h2 class="duet--article--dangerously-set-cms-markup">Arvid Lindblad’s 2026 F1 season so far</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">Lindblad’s rookie season has consisted of just three races, but that is where our conversation began. How would he describe his season so far?</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">“I think it’s gone pretty well. I mean, obviously, Melbourne was the first race, Q3 points on debut was pretty cool. Japan, there were moments of that weekend that were really good as well,” began Lindblad.</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">”I’d sort of summarize it that there’s been quite a few good moments, that have been sort of confidence boosters for me, and sort of shown that I can do a good job. But there’s also been things that haven’t gone so well, which have highlighted the areas to improve,” continued Lindblad. “So I have confidence in myself [yet] I know I’ve still got areas to work on, which I think is a really nice place to be in, in the early part of my rookie year.”</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">As he mentioned, Lindblad finished in the points in his first F1 race, a strong P8 in his debut at the Australian Grand Prix. I asked the VCARB rookie to describe that finish for me.</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 was more than he could have imagined.</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 was pretty cool,” began Lindblad.</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">“I always dreamed of getting to Formula One, so to have that, that day itself, was very special. And to have my parents there as well that weekend was really cool.</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">“And then just the way the weekend went, Q3, points, even running P3 at one point on lap one was more than I could have ever imagined.”</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">Having scored points in his debut, I wondered if Lindblad had another big item that was next to cross off his F1 “to-do” list. A podium? A win?</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 rookie driver does have a goal, but it is not what you might expect.</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">“I don’t know. I mean, you would say the next sort of chronological step is to score a podium, but in the end, that’s not really something I’m consciously thinking about,” described Lindblad.</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">“In the end, that’s an outcome.</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">“I know that there’s a lot of things I can still work on,” outlined the driver.</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">“There’s a lot of things to improve, so I’m very much focused on that, and trying to continue to, to learn, to develop, and I know that if I do that right, then the outcomes, the results, will come with that, but it’s not something I’m sort of proactively thinking about.”</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 year ago, several rookies joined the grid on a full-time basis.</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">2026, however, is rather different as Lindblad is the only rookie on the grid. I asked the VCARB driver what it was like being the only rookie in F1 this 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">As he pointed out, being the fresh face on the grid has been something of a career path for him.</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">“I don’t know, it’s not really something I think about, to be honest. I mean, I’ve come very quickly through the ranks. In single seaters every year I’ve been in a new category, but even from earlier, you know, in karting, I’m always used to, as soon as I could go to the next category I did, so I was always the sort of the, the young guy, the new kid sort of on the block kind of thing,“ Lindblad said.</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">“I’m kind of used to this sort of feeling. Obviously, in F1 it’s different, but I’m used to that feeling of having been thrown in the deep end, having a challenge, having to kind of figure it out.“</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 discussion then turned to VCARB’s partnership with Mobil, and how that helps Lindblad and teammate Liam Lawson on the track.</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">“I mean, it’s a massive partnership with Mobil,” started Lindblad. “I’ve been learning a lot about it, and it’s been, it’s been really cool to see.</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">“I mean, obviously this year with the new engines, their involvement, their expertise, their help has helped massively to make sure that the first Red Bull engine is working in a really good way, I and the team are extremely grateful to them for that, and I also think it’s pretty cool that the experts that are doing our race fuel are also, you know, doing the fuel in the fuel stations.”</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">Fans can also join in on the fun this week in Miami. If you ever wanted to hop into a simulator and try to beat an F1 driver’s time, you can do so at the Mobil station at 18301 NW 27th Ave, Miami Gardens, on Wednesday, April 29, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern and Thursday, April 30, from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern.</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">Lindblad himself will be there on Wednesday, and he is looking forward to that event.</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">“Mobil is doing a fan event that I’ll be at later today, [with a] simulator, free merch, and, just nice interaction with the fans, so that’ll be really cool, and, hopefully people will enjoy it,” added the VCARB driver.</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">After a long layoff, F1 is back for this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.</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">Lindblad walked me through what his preparations have been for his first F1 race in Miami.</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’s been good,“ began the driver.</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">“Obviously it’s been a bit different because we’ve come off quite a long break, and then we’re straight in, kind of thrown in the deep end in the sense of, it’s a new track, sprint weekend, in the first race back. So [I tried] to do a lot of preparation on the sim, to get up to speed, understand the circuit, get my approaches, references, all that kind of stuff,” continued Lindblad. “Try to prepare in the best way possible, but you can’t, you can’t prepare for everything, so it’s still gonna be a challenge when they get out on track.</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">“But I’m looking forward to it.”</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 will also help is the decision by F1 to add some extra practice time to the single practice session this week. The Miami Grand Prix is an F1 Sprint Race weekend, meaning teams have just one practice ahead of F1 Sprint qualifying. But due to the extended break, and some rule changes implemented by the sport ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, that single practice session has been extended by 30 minutes.</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">Lindblad admitted that will help both him, and the team.</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">“Yeah, for sure it’s gonna help,” started Lindblad.</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">“I mean, obviously for me, as a rookie to get that a little bit more track time before we get into the sort of more competitive running, let’s say, for sure helps. Also for the teams as well, there have been changes on the on the rules and the regulations for this event, so to get that little bit of extra time just to sort of understand it and, you know, dial that all in, is really useful. Because maybe an hour sounds, I don’t know, long or short, but especially on a sprint weekend, it is really short,” continued the driver.</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">“Like in China, it’s a couple of laps that you build up, then you’re on the long run, then you’re immediately, on the soft, and before you know it, you’re into sprint quali.</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">“So just to get that bit of extra time will help with everything.”</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">As Lindblad looks ahead to Miami, and the rest of the season, he knows where it is he needs to improve.</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">“I think the biggest thing for me has just been, these cars are very different, especially on the power unit side,” Lindblad said to me.</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">“Obviously there’s a much bigger electrical component, than there has been in previous years, and just being able to maximize that in qualifying, still understanding the loopholes to extract more. But then again in the race, to be able to maximize it, to go as fast as possible, but more so, in battling,” continued the VCARB driver. “When to overtake, that you don’t just get passed immediately back. When you’re battling to use it in the right way. Overtaking or defending, using all the tools, the boost, all this kind of stuff. I think just really getting on top of that is an area that I’m working on, I’m sure everyone is as well, because that’s the biggest change, but I think that’s the biggest area of improvement that can come.”</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">Yet while he works on that improvement, he is definitely looking forward to his first race in Miami.</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">“I’m really looking forward to the weekend. It’s my first time here in Miami. I’ve heard a lot about the event, that it’s just an amazing weekend, so I’m really looking forward to that,” said Lindblad.</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">“I mean, even small stuff that our paddock is in the NFL stadium is, pretty nuts to think about.”</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 has been a season of firsts for young Arvid Lindblad, including points in his first F1 race.</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">Now we’ll get to see how he fares in his first Miami Grand Prix.</p></div></div> #rookie #Arvid #Lindblad #races #improve

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MI vs SRH, IPL 2026: Why is Mumbai Indians wearing black armbands against Sunrisers Hyderabad? <div id="content-body-70920991" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Mumbai Indians players will wear black armbands in its IPL 2026 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday.</p><p>The team will do so as a mark of respect to a support staff member’s daughter who has passed away. The franchise said that it would wear the armbands “in remembrance and solidarity with the family” ahead of the match.</p><p>MI is currently ninth in the IPL table, having won two of its first eight matches.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 29, 2026</p></div> #SRH #IPL #Mumbai #Indians #wearing #black #armbands #Sunrisers #Hyderabad

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A hamstring injury to Paris St. Germain’s Achraf Hakimi is expected to rule him out of the UEFA Champions League semifinal second leg against Bayern Munich next week, according to reports.

Hakimi went down injured late in the thrilling 5-4 win at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday but played out the full 90 minutes.

However, test results have revealed the right back suffered a hamstring tear, according to RMC Sport.

READ | PSG wins 5-4 in record-breaking UCL semifinal

The PSG vice-captain has played just 31 times for the club and missed close to two months of action due to an ankle injury in November.

In a match that will go down as an instant classic, PSG came from a goal down to lead 5-2 with two goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele ‌before Bayern struck twice in three minutes just before the hour to improve its chances for next week’s return leg in Munich.

Published on Apr 29, 2026

#PSGs #Hakimi #UEFA #Champions #League #semifinal #leg #due #injury #Reports">PSG’s Hakimi to miss UEFA Champions League semifinal second leg due to injury – Reports A hamstring injury to Paris St. Germain’s Achraf Hakimi is expected to rule him out of the UEFA Champions League semifinal second leg against Bayern Munich next week, according to reports.Hakimi went down injured late in the thrilling 5-4 win at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday but played out the full 90 minutes.However, test results have revealed the right back suffered a hamstring tear, according to RMC Sport.READ | PSG wins 5-4 in record-breaking UCL semifinalThe PSG vice-captain has played just 31 times for the club and missed close to two months of action due to an ankle injury in November.In a match that will go down as an instant classic, PSG came from a goal down to lead 5-2 with two goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele ‌before Bayern struck twice in three minutes just before the hour to improve its chances for next week’s return leg in Munich.Published on Apr 29, 2026 #PSGs #Hakimi #UEFA #Champions #League #semifinal #leg #due #injury #Reports

PSG wins 5-4 in record-breaking UCL semifinal

The PSG vice-captain has played just 31 times for the club and missed close to two months of action due to an ankle injury in November.

In a match that will go down as an instant classic, PSG came from a goal down to lead 5-2 with two goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele ‌before Bayern struck twice in three minutes just before the hour to improve its chances for next week’s return leg in Munich.

Published on Apr 29, 2026

#PSGs #Hakimi #UEFA #Champions #League #semifinal #leg #due #injury #Reports">PSG’s Hakimi to miss UEFA Champions League semifinal second leg due to injury – Reports

A hamstring injury to Paris St. Germain’s Achraf Hakimi is expected to rule him out of the UEFA Champions League semifinal second leg against Bayern Munich next week, according to reports.

Hakimi went down injured late in the thrilling 5-4 win at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday but played out the full 90 minutes.

However, test results have revealed the right back suffered a hamstring tear, according to RMC Sport.

READ | PSG wins 5-4 in record-breaking UCL semifinal

The PSG vice-captain has played just 31 times for the club and missed close to two months of action due to an ankle injury in November.

In a match that will go down as an instant classic, PSG came from a goal down to lead 5-2 with two goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele ‌before Bayern struck twice in three minutes just before the hour to improve its chances for next week’s return leg in Munich.

Published on Apr 29, 2026

#PSGs #Hakimi #UEFA #Champions #League #semifinal #leg #due #injury #Reports
Deadspin | Yankees RHP Elmer Rodriguez to make MLB debut against Rangers Mar 10, 2026; Clearwater, Florida, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Elmer Rodriguez (76) throws in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during spring training at BayCare Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images The New York Yankees are excited about Elmer Rodriguez’s major league debut on Wednesday afternoon. They also are enthusiastic about the prospect of capping a nearly perfect road trip with another win. Rodriguez, a 22-year-old right-hander, will be on the mound when the Yankees finish a nine-game journey Wednesday against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas. The Yankees are 7-1 on the trip after hanging on for a 3-2 victory over the Rangers on Tuesday night. Aaron Judge homered for the third straight game and ninth time in 16 games, and David Bednar survived a shaky ninth by getting a double play to cap a stellar night defensively. Judge has nine of his 12 homers this season in the past 16 games and tied Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami for the major league lead. Austin Wells homered and Cody Bellinger hit an RBI double as the Yankees became the third team in the majors with 20 wins, joining the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers. “A lot of good things to help us finish off that game, so an opportunity to finish off a great road trip tomorrow,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday. New York is 10-1 over its past 11 games after getting scoreless outings from Max Fried and Cam Schlittler in the opening two games of the Texas series. Those outings lowered New York’s team ERA to 3.11, and Rodriguez will join the rotation for at least two turns. In four starts for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he is 1-2 but also posted a 1.27 ERA and an 0.89 WHIP. In 21 1/3 innings, he has struck out 20 and walked seven. “He’s impressive,” Boone said. “I’ve really been impressed with a lot of our young guys that are kind of knocking on the door, Elmer included in that, about to be big-leaguers. Feel like they have a chance to be longtime big-leaguers. As well as being a talented pitcher, he seems to have a really good way and makeup about him that should serve him well.” Texas hopes its offense can support a strong outing from right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (2-4, 5.79 ERA) on Wednesday. The Rangers did not score while Jack Leiter and Jacob deGrom were on the mound in the first two games as they mustered seven combined hits off Schlittler and Fried before making late rallies. On Tuesday, Danny Jansen hit an RBI triple, and Josh Jung had an RBI single. Corey Seager ended the game by hitting into a double play with two runners on base and is hitting .189 over 24 games in April. Texas also went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and is 3-for-24 in that situation over its past three games. “The last inning we did a really good job; we had the right guys up at the right time,” Texas manager Skip Schumaker said of his team, which scored its two runs Tuesday in the ninth inning. “I thought we made a run at it towards the end. Just couldn’t cash in.” Eovaldi went 0-2 with an 11.42 ERA in his first two starts and 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in his next two. He has been tagged for eight earned runs in 11 innings during defeats to the Athletics and Seattle Mariners in his two most recent outings. Eovaldi is 6-6 with a 3.22 ERA in 24 career appearances (21 starts) against the Yankees, with whom he made 51 appearances and had a 23-11 combined record in 2015 and 2016. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Yankees #RHP #Elmer #Rodriguez #MLB #debut #RangersMar 10, 2026; Clearwater, Florida, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Elmer Rodriguez (76) throws in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during spring training at BayCare Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

The New York Yankees are excited about Elmer Rodriguez’s major league debut on Wednesday afternoon.

They also are enthusiastic about the prospect of capping a nearly perfect road trip with another win.

Rodriguez, a 22-year-old right-hander, will be on the mound when the Yankees finish a nine-game journey Wednesday against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas.

The Yankees are 7-1 on the trip after hanging on for a 3-2 victory over the Rangers on Tuesday night. Aaron Judge homered for the third straight game and ninth time in 16 games, and David Bednar survived a shaky ninth by getting a double play to cap a stellar night defensively.

Judge has nine of his 12 homers this season in the past 16 games and tied Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami for the major league lead. Austin Wells homered and Cody Bellinger hit an RBI double as the Yankees became the third team in the majors with 20 wins, joining the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers.

“A lot of good things to help us finish off that game, so an opportunity to finish off a great road trip tomorrow,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday.

New York is 10-1 over its past 11 games after getting scoreless outings from Max Fried and Cam Schlittler in the opening two games of the Texas series. Those outings lowered New York’s team ERA to 3.11, and Rodriguez will join the rotation for at least two turns.


In four starts for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he is 1-2 but also posted a 1.27 ERA and an 0.89 WHIP. In 21 1/3 innings, he has struck out 20 and walked seven.

“He’s impressive,” Boone said. “I’ve really been impressed with a lot of our young guys that are kind of knocking on the door, Elmer included in that, about to be big-leaguers. Feel like they have a chance to be longtime big-leaguers. As well as being a talented pitcher, he seems to have a really good way and makeup about him that should serve him well.”

Texas hopes its offense can support a strong outing from right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (2-4, 5.79 ERA) on Wednesday. The Rangers did not score while Jack Leiter and Jacob deGrom were on the mound in the first two games as they mustered seven combined hits off Schlittler and Fried before making late rallies.

On Tuesday, Danny Jansen hit an RBI triple, and Josh Jung had an RBI single. Corey Seager ended the game by hitting into a double play with two runners on base and is hitting .189 over 24 games in April.

Texas also went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and is 3-for-24 in that situation over its past three games.

“The last inning we did a really good job; we had the right guys up at the right time,” Texas manager Skip Schumaker said of his team, which scored its two runs Tuesday in the ninth inning. “I thought we made a run at it towards the end. Just couldn’t cash in.”

Eovaldi went 0-2 with an 11.42 ERA in his first two starts and 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in his next two. He has been tagged for eight earned runs in 11 innings during defeats to the Athletics and Seattle Mariners in his two most recent outings.

Eovaldi is 6-6 with a 3.22 ERA in 24 career appearances (21 starts) against the Yankees, with whom he made 51 appearances and had a 23-11 combined record in 2015 and 2016.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Yankees #RHP #Elmer #Rodriguez #MLB #debut #Rangers">Deadspin | Yankees RHP Elmer Rodriguez to make MLB debut against Rangers Mar 10, 2026; Clearwater, Florida, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Elmer Rodriguez (76) throws in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during spring training at BayCare Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images The New York Yankees are excited about Elmer Rodriguez’s major league debut on Wednesday afternoon. They also are enthusiastic about the prospect of capping a nearly perfect road trip with another win. Rodriguez, a 22-year-old right-hander, will be on the mound when the Yankees finish a nine-game journey Wednesday against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas. The Yankees are 7-1 on the trip after hanging on for a 3-2 victory over the Rangers on Tuesday night. Aaron Judge homered for the third straight game and ninth time in 16 games, and David Bednar survived a shaky ninth by getting a double play to cap a stellar night defensively. Judge has nine of his 12 homers this season in the past 16 games and tied Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami for the major league lead. Austin Wells homered and Cody Bellinger hit an RBI double as the Yankees became the third team in the majors with 20 wins, joining the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers. “A lot of good things to help us finish off that game, so an opportunity to finish off a great road trip tomorrow,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Tuesday. New York is 10-1 over its past 11 games after getting scoreless outings from Max Fried and Cam Schlittler in the opening two games of the Texas series. Those outings lowered New York’s team ERA to 3.11, and Rodriguez will join the rotation for at least two turns. In four starts for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, he is 1-2 but also posted a 1.27 ERA and an 0.89 WHIP. In 21 1/3 innings, he has struck out 20 and walked seven. “He’s impressive,” Boone said. “I’ve really been impressed with a lot of our young guys that are kind of knocking on the door, Elmer included in that, about to be big-leaguers. Feel like they have a chance to be longtime big-leaguers. As well as being a talented pitcher, he seems to have a really good way and makeup about him that should serve him well.” Texas hopes its offense can support a strong outing from right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (2-4, 5.79 ERA) on Wednesday. The Rangers did not score while Jack Leiter and Jacob deGrom were on the mound in the first two games as they mustered seven combined hits off Schlittler and Fried before making late rallies. On Tuesday, Danny Jansen hit an RBI triple, and Josh Jung had an RBI single. Corey Seager ended the game by hitting into a double play with two runners on base and is hitting .189 over 24 games in April. Texas also went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and is 3-for-24 in that situation over its past three games. “The last inning we did a really good job; we had the right guys up at the right time,” Texas manager Skip Schumaker said of his team, which scored its two runs Tuesday in the ninth inning. “I thought we made a run at it towards the end. Just couldn’t cash in.” Eovaldi went 0-2 with an 11.42 ERA in his first two starts and 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA in his next two. He has been tagged for eight earned runs in 11 innings during defeats to the Athletics and Seattle Mariners in his two most recent outings. Eovaldi is 6-6 with a 3.22 ERA in 24 career appearances (21 starts) against the Yankees, with whom he made 51 appearances and had a 23-11 combined record in 2015 and 2016. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Yankees #RHP #Elmer #Rodriguez #MLB #debut #Rangers

With the entire football world believing that Cleveland needed to use their two first-round picks on an offensive tackle and a wide receiver, the Browns did just that, sliding back a few spots and still drafting Utah’s Spencer Fano, and then adding Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion near the end of the first round. Cleveland was not done making picks that fans and analysts loved, as the team added Washington WR Denzel Boston and Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren on Day 2.

Of course, there is one rather important outstanding matter, and there is news on that front.

Who will be under center for the Browns this season?

According to a new report, none other than veteran Deshaun Watson has the “inside track” to the starting quarterback job in Cleveland as the offseason begins. Mary Kay Cabot at Cleveland.com wrote Wednesday morning that Watson “emerged from the Browns voluntary minicamp last week with an edge over Shedeur Sanders in the two-man quarterback competition — and has the inside track to be named the Browns QB1.“

For those who might be wondering yes, this is the same Deshaun Watson that last played in 2024, only made seven starts that season, and saw his year cut short due to an Achilles’ rupture. And the same Watson that during that season posted an Adjusted Net Yards per Attempt of just 3.7, and led the Browns to a 1-6 record. It’s also the same Watson who faced a series of sexual assault allegations in recent years.

And yet … there is a reason he might be their best option. Courtesy of RBSDM, here is a look at Quarterback Efficiency — a metric examining both Expected Points Added per Pass and Completion Percentage Over Expected — for all quarterbacks with 100 or more passing attempts a year ago.

See if you can spot the two Browns passers who fit that category last year: Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel:

Yes, right in the bottom left is where you find the two Cleveland rookies from last season, exactly where you do not want to be on this graphic.

So while the Browns might have “won” the 2026 NFL Draft, what lies ahead is much less certain.

Especially at quarterback.

#Deshaun #Watson #Shedeur #Sanders #Browns #starting #favorite #report">Deshaun Watson over Shedeur Sanders? The Browns have a starting QB favorite, per report In the minds of analysts and fans alike, the Cleveland Browns were one of the teams that nailed the 2026 NFL Draft.With the entire football world believing that Cleveland needed to use their two first-round picks on an offensive tackle and a wide receiver, the Browns did just that, sliding back a few spots and still drafting Utah’s Spencer Fano, and then adding Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion near the end of the first round. Cleveland was not done making picks that fans and analysts loved, as the team added Washington WR Denzel Boston and Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren on Day 2.Of course, there is one rather important outstanding matter, and there is news on that front.Who will be under center for the Browns this season?According to a new report, none other than veteran Deshaun Watson has the “inside track” to the starting quarterback job in Cleveland as the offseason begins. Mary Kay Cabot at Cleveland.com wrote Wednesday morning that Watson “emerged from the Browns voluntary minicamp last week with an edge over Shedeur Sanders in the two-man quarterback competition — and has the inside track to be named the Browns QB1.“For those who might be wondering yes, this is the same Deshaun Watson that last played in 2024, only made seven starts that season, and saw his year cut short due to an Achilles’ rupture. And the same Watson that during that season posted an Adjusted Net Yards per Attempt of just 3.7, and led the Browns to a 1-6 record. It’s also the same Watson who faced a series of sexual assault allegations in recent years.And yet … there is a reason he might be their best option. Courtesy of RBSDM, here is a look at Quarterback Efficiency — a metric examining both Expected Points Added per Pass and Completion Percentage Over Expected — for all quarterbacks with 100 or more passing attempts a year ago.See if you can spot the two Browns passers who fit that category last year: Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel:Yes, right in the bottom left is where you find the two Cleveland rookies from last season, exactly where you do not want to be on this graphic.So while the Browns might have “won” the 2026 NFL Draft, what lies ahead is much less certain.Especially at quarterback. #Deshaun #Watson #Shedeur #Sanders #Browns #starting #favorite #report

fans alike, the Cleveland Browns were one of the teams that nailed the 2026 NFL Draft.

With the entire football world believing that Cleveland needed to use their two first-round picks on an offensive tackle and a wide receiver, the Browns did just that, sliding back a few spots and still drafting Utah’s Spencer Fano, and then adding Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion near the end of the first round. Cleveland was not done making picks that fans and analysts loved, as the team added Washington WR Denzel Boston and Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren on Day 2.

Of course, there is one rather important outstanding matter, and there is news on that front.

Who will be under center for the Browns this season?

According to a new report, none other than veteran Deshaun Watson has the “inside track” to the starting quarterback job in Cleveland as the offseason begins. Mary Kay Cabot at Cleveland.com wrote Wednesday morning that Watson “emerged from the Browns voluntary minicamp last week with an edge over Shedeur Sanders in the two-man quarterback competition — and has the inside track to be named the Browns QB1.“

For those who might be wondering yes, this is the same Deshaun Watson that last played in 2024, only made seven starts that season, and saw his year cut short due to an Achilles’ rupture. And the same Watson that during that season posted an Adjusted Net Yards per Attempt of just 3.7, and led the Browns to a 1-6 record. It’s also the same Watson who faced a series of sexual assault allegations in recent years.

And yet … there is a reason he might be their best option. Courtesy of RBSDM, here is a look at Quarterback Efficiency — a metric examining both Expected Points Added per Pass and Completion Percentage Over Expected — for all quarterbacks with 100 or more passing attempts a year ago.

See if you can spot the two Browns passers who fit that category last year: Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel:

Yes, right in the bottom left is where you find the two Cleveland rookies from last season, exactly where you do not want to be on this graphic.

So while the Browns might have “won” the 2026 NFL Draft, what lies ahead is much less certain.

Especially at quarterback.

#Deshaun #Watson #Shedeur #Sanders #Browns #starting #favorite #report">Deshaun Watson over Shedeur Sanders? The Browns have a starting QB favorite, per report

In the minds of analysts and fans alike, the Cleveland Browns were one of the teams that nailed the 2026 NFL Draft.

With the entire football world believing that Cleveland needed to use their two first-round picks on an offensive tackle and a wide receiver, the Browns did just that, sliding back a few spots and still drafting Utah’s Spencer Fano, and then adding Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion near the end of the first round. Cleveland was not done making picks that fans and analysts loved, as the team added Washington WR Denzel Boston and Toledo safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren on Day 2.

Of course, there is one rather important outstanding matter, and there is news on that front.

Who will be under center for the Browns this season?

According to a new report, none other than veteran Deshaun Watson has the “inside track” to the starting quarterback job in Cleveland as the offseason begins. Mary Kay Cabot at Cleveland.com wrote Wednesday morning that Watson “emerged from the Browns voluntary minicamp last week with an edge over Shedeur Sanders in the two-man quarterback competition — and has the inside track to be named the Browns QB1.“

For those who might be wondering yes, this is the same Deshaun Watson that last played in 2024, only made seven starts that season, and saw his year cut short due to an Achilles’ rupture. And the same Watson that during that season posted an Adjusted Net Yards per Attempt of just 3.7, and led the Browns to a 1-6 record. It’s also the same Watson who faced a series of sexual assault allegations in recent years.

And yet … there is a reason he might be their best option. Courtesy of RBSDM, here is a look at Quarterback Efficiency — a metric examining both Expected Points Added per Pass and Completion Percentage Over Expected — for all quarterbacks with 100 or more passing attempts a year ago.

See if you can spot the two Browns passers who fit that category last year: Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel:

Yes, right in the bottom left is where you find the two Cleveland rookies from last season, exactly where you do not want to be on this graphic.

So while the Browns might have “won” the 2026 NFL Draft, what lies ahead is much less certain.

Especially at quarterback.

#Deshaun #Watson #Shedeur #Sanders #Browns #starting #favorite #report

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