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World Athletics president Coe vows to be ‘tough’ on athletes seeking nationality switch World Athletics president Sebastian Coe has told AFP he will remain “tough” on the issue of athletes switching nationality after his federation blocked a bid by top Jamaicans and Kenyans to move to Turkey.The 2024 Olympic men’s discus champion Roje Stona from Jamaica, and a quintet of Kenyans including former women’s marathon world record-holder Brigid Kosgei, were among the 11 targeted by lucrative offers from Turkey.“The concept is very simple, there should be a very clear understanding and philosophy that the country an athlete starts their career in is the country that they finish their career in,” Coe said in an interview on Friday ahead of the World Athletics Relays event in Botswana.“And for global championships to have meaning and to have understanding, people need to witness championships where you have national-based competitions,” he added.Coe said a World Athletics panel examined every request to switch nationality and he accepted in some cases there would be circumstances in which it was acceptable, such as marriage or “political intolerance”.But he said Turkey’s bid to recruit elite athletes from other countries by offering them financial packages in a bid to boost its medal count at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics was the kind of move that would always be rejected.ALSO READ: Kuldeep Kumar sets new national pole vault record in Bhubaneswar“If it is simply about wanting to move from one federation to another, that doesn’t fall into that criteria. We will remain tough,” Coe said.“It’s very important, most federations rely very heavily on government investment and government investment will dry up if those governments think that they are investing in talent programmes for other countries.”Letsile Tebogo, the 2024 Olympic 200 metres champion and the leading light of a talented crop of Botswanan sprinters, revealed in December that he has rebuffed offers to switch to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Tunisia.Botswana, a country of 2.5 million inhabitants which is largely desert, has experienced economic turbulence with the downturn of the global diamond market, which represents 30 percent of its GDP, but continues to inject funds into its successful athletics programme.Published on May 02, 2026 #World #Athletics #president #Coe #vows #tough #athletes #seeking #nationality #switch

World Athletics president Coe vows to be ‘tough’ on athletes seeking nationality switch

World Athletics president Sebastian Coe has told AFP he will remain “tough” on the issue of athletes switching nationality after his federation blocked a bid by top Jamaicans and Kenyans to move to Turkey.

The 2024 Olympic men’s discus champion Roje Stona from Jamaica, and a quintet of Kenyans including former women’s marathon world record-holder Brigid Kosgei, were among the 11 targeted by lucrative offers from Turkey.

“The concept is very simple, there should be a very clear understanding and philosophy that the country an athlete starts their career in is the country that they finish their career in,” Coe said in an interview on Friday ahead of the World Athletics Relays event in Botswana.

“And for global championships to have meaning and to have understanding, people need to witness championships where you have national-based competitions,” he added.

Coe said a World Athletics panel examined every request to switch nationality and he accepted in some cases there would be circumstances in which it was acceptable, such as marriage or “political intolerance”.

But he said Turkey’s bid to recruit elite athletes from other countries by offering them financial packages in a bid to boost its medal count at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics was the kind of move that would always be rejected.

ALSO READ: Kuldeep Kumar sets new national pole vault record in Bhubaneswar

“If it is simply about wanting to move from one federation to another, that doesn’t fall into that criteria. We will remain tough,” Coe said.

“It’s very important, most federations rely very heavily on government investment and government investment will dry up if those governments think that they are investing in talent programmes for other countries.”

Letsile Tebogo, the 2024 Olympic 200 metres champion and the leading light of a talented crop of Botswanan sprinters, revealed in December that he has rebuffed offers to switch to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Tunisia.

Botswana, a country of 2.5 million inhabitants which is largely desert, has experienced economic turbulence with the downturn of the global diamond market, which represents 30 percent of its GDP, but continues to inject funds into its successful athletics programme.

Published on May 02, 2026

#World #Athletics #president #Coe #vows #tough #athletes #seeking #nationality #switch

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World Athletics president Sebastian Coe has told AFP he will remain “tough” on the issue of athletes switching nationality after his federation blocked a bid by top Jamaicans and Kenyans to move to Turkey.

The 2024 Olympic men’s discus champion Roje Stona from Jamaica, and a quintet of Kenyans including former women’s marathon world record-holder Brigid Kosgei, were among the 11 targeted by lucrative offers from Turkey.

“The concept is very simple, there should be a very clear understanding and philosophy that the country an athlete starts their career in is the country that they finish their career in,” Coe said in an interview on Friday ahead of the World Athletics Relays event in Botswana.

“And for global championships to have meaning and to have understanding, people need to witness championships where you have national-based competitions,” he added.

Coe said a World Athletics panel examined every request to switch nationality and he accepted in some cases there would be circumstances in which it was acceptable, such as marriage or “political intolerance”.

But he said Turkey’s bid to recruit elite athletes from other countries by offering them financial packages in a bid to boost its medal count at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics was the kind of move that would always be rejected.

ALSO READ: Kuldeep Kumar sets new national pole vault record in Bhubaneswar

“If it is simply about wanting to move from one federation to another, that doesn’t fall into that criteria. We will remain tough,” Coe said.

“It’s very important, most federations rely very heavily on government investment and government investment will dry up if those governments think that they are investing in talent programmes for other countries.”

Letsile Tebogo, the 2024 Olympic 200 metres champion and the leading light of a talented crop of Botswanan sprinters, revealed in December that he has rebuffed offers to switch to Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Tunisia.

Botswana, a country of 2.5 million inhabitants which is largely desert, has experienced economic turbulence with the downturn of the global diamond market, which represents 30 percent of its GDP, but continues to inject funds into its successful athletics programme.

Published on May 02, 2026

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Deadspin | Jarren Duran, Jake Bennett help Red Sox knock off Astros <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28857066.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28857066.jpg" alt="MLB: Houston Astros at Boston Red Sox" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">May 1, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox left fielder Jarren Duran (16) runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Jarren Duran hit a three-run home run and Jake Bennett pitched well in his major league debut to propel the Boston Red Sox to a 3-1 victory over the visiting Houston Astros in the opener of their three-games series Friday night.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Bennett, who was called up from Triple-A Worcester on Friday to start in place of Garrett Crochet, allowed one run on five hits in five innings. He walked two and struck out three. Crochet was placed on the injured list Wednesday with shoulder inflammation.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Boston received four scoreless innings from four relievers after Bennett (1-0) was pulled. Carlos Correa doubled against Aroldis Chapman with two outs in the ninth, but Chapman got Yordan Alvarez to ground out to second to end the game. Chapman earned his sixth save.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>The victory ended Boston’s two-game losing streak, and its three-game home losing streak.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Correa had three hits, including his third home run of the season. Isaac Paredes and Yainer Diaz each had two hits for the Astros.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> </section><br/><section id="section-11"> <p>Houston starter Mike Burrows (1-4) took the loss. He surrendered three runs on eight hits in six innings.</p> </section> <section id="section-12"> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Roman Anthony collected three of Boston’s 10 hits. Anthony hit a double and singled twice. Trevor Story was 2-for-4, and Marcelo Mayer collected a single to extend his hitting streak to nine games.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>The Astros grabbed a 1-0 lead on Correa’s solo home run in the top of the third.</p> </section><section id="section-16"> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>Boston took a 3-1 lead in the bottom half of the third. After Carlos Narvaez walked and Caleb Durbin singled, Duran drove in both runners when he hit his second home run of the season.</p> </section><section id="section-18"> </section><section id="section-19"> <p>Houston had runners on second and third with two outs in the eighth, but Garrett Whitlock retired Cam Smith on a pop-up to first base.</p> </section><section id="section-20"> </section><section id="section-21"> <p>The loss dropped Houston’s road record to 4-13.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-22"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Jarren #Duran #Jake #Bennett #Red #Sox #knock #Astros

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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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