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Deadspin | World Cup draw takeaways: England, Croatia reunite in Group of Death

Deadspin | World Cup draw takeaways: England, Croatia reunite in Group of Death

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July 11, 2018; Moscow, Russia; Croatia defender Sime Vrsaljko (2) celebrates the 2-1 victory against England in front of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (1) in the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup 2018 at Saint Petersburg Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Groothuis/Witters Sport via Imagn Images

After months of anticipation, the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw on Friday gave us a much clearer picture of how next summer’s tournament — the first staged with a record 48 teams — will play out.

There still is the business of six qualification spots, four coming from Europe and two more from FIFA’s intercontinental playoffs, both set to be staged in March. But we now mostly know the group alignments, the potential paths and the storylines that are likely to captivate us for more than a month next summer.

Here are a few key takeaways:

Group of Death: Group L — England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

Co-host Canada’s Group B could become very formidable if Italy emerges from its playoff path. The same could be said of the USA’s Group D if Turkiye joins. And any of the three confirmed Group I teams (France, Norway, Senegal) conceivably could win that foursome.

But England’s Group L is likely the most difficult on paper. Ghana has a far better European-based talent pool to pull from than its No. 72 FIFA ranking currently suggests. Croatia and England are both teams that could reach a World Cup final. And Panama has consistently been one of the top four teams in CONCACAF over the past decade.

Group of Life: Group G — Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand

While Belgium still received Pot 1 status, it is clearly a national team program in generational transition, which will leave Egypt and Iran both dreaming of pulling off an upset or two and winning the group. Even New Zealand will think it has a shot to advance from its World Cup group for the first time.

Elsewhere, Argentina will feel it received a favorable draw in Group J (alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan), and Portugal and Colombia will like their chances to advance without incident from Group K that also includes Uzbekistan and an intercontinental playoff qualifier.

Best group games

Brazil vs. Morocco (Group C): A Brazilian side possibly moving on from Neymar faces a Morocco team with heightened expectations after becoming the first-ever African semifinalist in 2022.

Egypt vs. Iran (Group G): A potentially explosive encounter between two of the Muslim world’s biggest footballing forces that have relatively little competitive history between them.

Spain vs. Uruguay (Group H): A fascinating clash in styles between Luis de la Fuente’s modernized version of the Spanish tiki-taka and Marcelo Bielsa’s organized chaos.

France vs. Norway (Group I): A game that could feature arguably the world’s two best goal-scorers, France’s Kylian Mbappe and Norway’s Erling Haaland.

England vs. Croatia (Group L): The sides will meet for a fourth time at a major international tournament since 2004, with the most famous being Croatia’s extra-time victory in the 2018 World Cup semifinals.

More storylines

Deja vu all over again: In its first World Cup appearance in 28 years, Scotland will face two of the same group foes it drew in 1998, Brazil and Morocco.

Colonial tensions: 2022 World Cup finalists France faces one of its oldest former colonies for the first time since 2002, when Senegal pulled one of the all-time great World Cup upsets.

Revenge for Gijon: Algeria, 44 years later, gets its shot at revenge against an Austria side that some believed colluded with West Germany to eliminate the North Africans in 1982.

Italian Toronto takeover?: If the Azzurri win their playoff, they will face Canada in Toronto, a city that has 30% of Canada’s ethnically Italian population.

–Ian Quillen, Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Bryson DeChambeau denies PGA Tour talks, ‘committed to’ LIV solution Apr 10, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Bryson DeChambeau looks on from the second green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-Imagn Images Despite clear signs that the future of LIV Golf looks murky at best, Bryson DeChambeau continues to say he is committed to the 5-year-old upstart league, Flushing It Golf reported Friday. DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith remain some of LIV’s biggest stars, although their future in the league appears in doubt after it was revealed that the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund no longer will provide funding beyond this season. DeChambeau remains undaunted, saying he is not exploring a return to the PGA Tour at the present time “I’m working as hard as I can to find a solution,” DeChambeau told Flushing It Golf. “I’m committed to making team golf work in the best way possible. I think there’s a place for it in the ecosystem and I want to continue to grow the game across the world. That’s always been our mission, and it’s never been more true than now.” LIV is now working on a junior golf initiative, according to DeChambeau. “We’re building a bunch of junior golf events right now and each (LIV) team is looking to build junior golf academies,” he said. “That’s something that we’ve been working on for almost three or four months now. “We’re looking to host an event here coming up, probably in the next, I’d say, couple of months.” In June of 2022, DeChambeau joined LIV on a reported 5 million contract that is set to expire at the end of this season. He was reportedly seeking a 0 million deal to stay with LIV before the league’s funding issues were revealed. “We’re still working on a potential contract,” DeChambeau said. “I haven’t given up on that and I think there will be a solution. But as of right now, my job is to help make the league work after this year. I just feel like I have a responsibility. I’ve put a lot of effort into it. So that’s what I’m going to do, we’re going to make this work.” Even with reports that LIV has increased revenue streams in five years of operation, it is likely nowhere near enough to fund the league as it had been operating in its early years. “There’s a lot of moving parts like in any business,” DeChambeau told Flushing It Golf after he withdrew from last month’s event at Mexico City. “It’s a startup, right? And so there’s going to be times where we’re squeezed and punched. This is one of those moments. But I’m going to do everything in my power to make it work and I really see the value in franchise golf.” DeChambeau, 32, prevailed in a playoff in consecutive weeks in March by winning at both LIV Golf Singapore and LIV Golf South Africa. The two-time U.S. Open champion has won five individual LIV Golf titles. DeChambeau did have the opportunity to return to the PGA Tour earlier this year through the Returning Member Program but declined. That program was developed as Brooks Koepka departed LIV for his return to the PGA Tour earlier this year. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Bryson #DeChambeau #denies #PGA #Tour #talks #committed #LIV #solutionApr 10, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Bryson DeChambeau looks on from the second green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-Imagn Images

Despite clear signs that the future of LIV Golf looks murky at best, Bryson DeChambeau continues to say he is committed to the 5-year-old upstart league, Flushing It Golf reported Friday.

DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith remain some of LIV’s biggest stars, although their future in the league appears in doubt after it was revealed that the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund no longer will provide funding beyond this season.

DeChambeau remains undaunted, saying he is not exploring a return to the PGA Tour at the present time

“I’m working as hard as I can to find a solution,” DeChambeau told Flushing It Golf. “I’m committed to making team golf work in the best way possible. I think there’s a place for it in the ecosystem and I want to continue to grow the game across the world. That’s always been our mission, and it’s never been more true than now.”

LIV is now working on a junior golf initiative, according to DeChambeau.

“We’re building a bunch of junior golf events right now and each (LIV) team is looking to build junior golf academies,” he said. “That’s something that we’ve been working on for almost three or four months now. “We’re looking to host an event here coming up, probably in the next, I’d say, couple of months.”


In June of 2022, DeChambeau joined LIV on a reported $125 million contract that is set to expire at the end of this season. He was reportedly seeking a $500 million deal to stay with LIV before the league’s funding issues were revealed.

“We’re still working on a potential contract,” DeChambeau said. “I haven’t given up on that and I think there will be a solution. But as of right now, my job is to help make the league work after this year. I just feel like I have a responsibility. I’ve put a lot of effort into it. So that’s what I’m going to do, we’re going to make this work.”

Even with reports that LIV has increased revenue streams in five years of operation, it is likely nowhere near enough to fund the league as it had been operating in its early years.

“There’s a lot of moving parts like in any business,” DeChambeau told Flushing It Golf after he withdrew from last month’s event at Mexico City. “It’s a startup, right? And so there’s going to be times where we’re squeezed and punched. This is one of those moments. But I’m going to do everything in my power to make it work and I really see the value in franchise golf.”

DeChambeau, 32, prevailed in a playoff in consecutive weeks in March by winning at both LIV Golf Singapore and LIV Golf South Africa. The two-time U.S. Open champion has won five individual LIV Golf titles.

DeChambeau did have the opportunity to return to the PGA Tour earlier this year through the Returning Member Program but declined. That program was developed as Brooks Koepka departed LIV for his return to the PGA Tour earlier this year.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Bryson #DeChambeau #denies #PGA #Tour #talks #committed #LIV #solution">Deadspin | Bryson DeChambeau denies PGA Tour talks, ‘committed to’ LIV solution Apr 10, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Bryson DeChambeau looks on from the second green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-Imagn Images Despite clear signs that the future of LIV Golf looks murky at best, Bryson DeChambeau continues to say he is committed to the 5-year-old upstart league, Flushing It Golf reported Friday. DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith remain some of LIV’s biggest stars, although their future in the league appears in doubt after it was revealed that the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund no longer will provide funding beyond this season. DeChambeau remains undaunted, saying he is not exploring a return to the PGA Tour at the present time “I’m working as hard as I can to find a solution,” DeChambeau told Flushing It Golf. “I’m committed to making team golf work in the best way possible. I think there’s a place for it in the ecosystem and I want to continue to grow the game across the world. That’s always been our mission, and it’s never been more true than now.” LIV is now working on a junior golf initiative, according to DeChambeau. “We’re building a bunch of junior golf events right now and each (LIV) team is looking to build junior golf academies,” he said. “That’s something that we’ve been working on for almost three or four months now. “We’re looking to host an event here coming up, probably in the next, I’d say, couple of months.” In June of 2022, DeChambeau joined LIV on a reported 5 million contract that is set to expire at the end of this season. He was reportedly seeking a 0 million deal to stay with LIV before the league’s funding issues were revealed. “We’re still working on a potential contract,” DeChambeau said. “I haven’t given up on that and I think there will be a solution. But as of right now, my job is to help make the league work after this year. I just feel like I have a responsibility. I’ve put a lot of effort into it. So that’s what I’m going to do, we’re going to make this work.” Even with reports that LIV has increased revenue streams in five years of operation, it is likely nowhere near enough to fund the league as it had been operating in its early years. “There’s a lot of moving parts like in any business,” DeChambeau told Flushing It Golf after he withdrew from last month’s event at Mexico City. “It’s a startup, right? And so there’s going to be times where we’re squeezed and punched. This is one of those moments. But I’m going to do everything in my power to make it work and I really see the value in franchise golf.” DeChambeau, 32, prevailed in a playoff in consecutive weeks in March by winning at both LIV Golf Singapore and LIV Golf South Africa. The two-time U.S. Open champion has won five individual LIV Golf titles. DeChambeau did have the opportunity to return to the PGA Tour earlier this year through the Returning Member Program but declined. That program was developed as Brooks Koepka departed LIV for his return to the PGA Tour earlier this year. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Bryson #DeChambeau #denies #PGA #Tour #talks #committed #LIV #solution

Deadspin | Guardians look to handle Nick Kurtz, A’s in series opener Apr 30, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) hits an RBI double against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images Two teams that finished April with at least a share of the lead in their respective American League divisions go head-to-head to begin May when the Cleveland Guardians face the Athletics on Friday night in West Sacramento, Calif. Cleveland left-hander Joey Cantillo (1-1, 2.97 ERA) and Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn (0-0, 3.24) are the scheduled starters in the opener of the three-game series. The Guardians are seeking to repeat a series win earned in their first-ever trip to West Sacramento last June. To do so, they’ll have to deny the A’s a fourth consecutive series win. The Athletics took two of three from the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals to move atop the AL West at a season-best three games over .500. Leading the way has been 23-year-old Nick Kurtz, whose two-run, tie-breaking double in the second inning of Thursday’s 6-3 win over the Royals temporarily stole the headlines from a start in which he’s drawn a major-league-leading 33 walks. “When he got here, there was an advanced approach for his age,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said about his second-year first baseman after the win. “The main thing we’re seeing is … being patient, being selective, getting his walks, getting on base.” The Guardians limited Kurtz, who had just 37 games of major-league experience at the time, to a 2-for-11 series performance with one solo homer and one walk when they visited Sacramento last June. Kurtz exacted a measure of revenge a month later in a rematch series in Cleveland, going 7-for-12 with four doubles, a triple, a home run and a walk. He has never faced Cantillo in what will be a lefty-on-lefty matchup. Cantillo has allowed just seven home runs against left-handed hitters over 45 games in his three-year career. The 26-year-old is coming off his first loss of the season at Toronto, a hard-luck 5-3 defeat last Saturday in which he allowed three runs but just one earned in five innings. He has never faced the A’s in his career. Also a third-year big-leaguer, Ginn has just one inning of experience against the Guardians. That came last July 18 in Cleveland, when he entered the game in the fifth inning with the A’s down 7-1 and allowed one run. The A’s lost 8-6 after a late-inning rally fell short. In his most recent outing, Ginn was pulled in the fourth inning from a game the A’s led 2-0 at Texas last Sunday. The A’s went on to win 2-1, but he did not get a decision. He’ll see a Guardians team kicking off a seven-game trip after losing two of three at home to the Tampa Bay Rays. The club had Thursday off following a 3-1 victory in the series finale, which had them alone atop the AL Central before the Detroit Tigers won Thursday to draw even. Fans in West Sacramento will get their first look at Guardians prospect Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, three spots ahead of where the A’s selected Kurtz. Bazzana, a 23-year-old Australian, is still looking for his first big-league hit after going 0-for-6 with two walks in two games against the Rays, but he is confident that he’s ready for the big time. “I would’ve hoped by 2026 I was able to impact this team,” he told reporters during his debut series earlier in the week. “I’m feeling really strong and in a perfect place to really help the team win.” – Field Level Media #Deadspin #Guardians #handle #Nick #Kurtz #series #openerApr 30, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) hits an RBI double against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

Two teams that finished April with at least a share of the lead in their respective American League divisions go head-to-head to begin May when the Cleveland Guardians face the Athletics on Friday night in West Sacramento, Calif.

Cleveland left-hander Joey Cantillo (1-1, 2.97 ERA) and Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn (0-0, 3.24) are the scheduled starters in the opener of the three-game series. The Guardians are seeking to repeat a series win earned in their first-ever trip to West Sacramento last June.

To do so, they’ll have to deny the A’s a fourth consecutive series win. The Athletics took two of three from the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals to move atop the AL West at a season-best three games over .500.

Leading the way has been 23-year-old Nick Kurtz, whose two-run, tie-breaking double in the second inning of Thursday’s 6-3 win over the Royals temporarily stole the headlines from a start in which he’s drawn a major-league-leading 33 walks.

“When he got here, there was an advanced approach for his age,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said about his second-year first baseman after the win. “The main thing we’re seeing is … being patient, being selective, getting his walks, getting on base.”

The Guardians limited Kurtz, who had just 37 games of major-league experience at the time, to a 2-for-11 series performance with one solo homer and one walk when they visited Sacramento last June.

Kurtz exacted a measure of revenge a month later in a rematch series in Cleveland, going 7-for-12 with four doubles, a triple, a home run and a walk.

He has never faced Cantillo in what will be a lefty-on-lefty matchup. Cantillo has allowed just seven home runs against left-handed hitters over 45 games in his three-year career.


The 26-year-old is coming off his first loss of the season at Toronto, a hard-luck 5-3 defeat last Saturday in which he allowed three runs but just one earned in five innings.

He has never faced the A’s in his career.

Also a third-year big-leaguer, Ginn has just one inning of experience against the Guardians. That came last July 18 in Cleveland, when he entered the game in the fifth inning with the A’s down 7-1 and allowed one run. The A’s lost 8-6 after a late-inning rally fell short.

In his most recent outing, Ginn was pulled in the fourth inning from a game the A’s led 2-0 at Texas last Sunday. The A’s went on to win 2-1, but he did not get a decision.

He’ll see a Guardians team kicking off a seven-game trip after losing two of three at home to the Tampa Bay Rays. The club had Thursday off following a 3-1 victory in the series finale, which had them alone atop the AL Central before the Detroit Tigers won Thursday to draw even.

Fans in West Sacramento will get their first look at Guardians prospect Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, three spots ahead of where the A’s selected Kurtz.

Bazzana, a 23-year-old Australian, is still looking for his first big-league hit after going 0-for-6 with two walks in two games against the Rays, but he is confident that he’s ready for the big time.

“I would’ve hoped by 2026 I was able to impact this team,” he told reporters during his debut series earlier in the week. “I’m feeling really strong and in a perfect place to really help the team win.”

– Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Guardians #handle #Nick #Kurtz #series #opener">Deadspin | Guardians look to handle Nick Kurtz, A’s in series opener Apr 30, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) hits an RBI double against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images Two teams that finished April with at least a share of the lead in their respective American League divisions go head-to-head to begin May when the Cleveland Guardians face the Athletics on Friday night in West Sacramento, Calif. Cleveland left-hander Joey Cantillo (1-1, 2.97 ERA) and Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn (0-0, 3.24) are the scheduled starters in the opener of the three-game series. The Guardians are seeking to repeat a series win earned in their first-ever trip to West Sacramento last June. To do so, they’ll have to deny the A’s a fourth consecutive series win. The Athletics took two of three from the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals to move atop the AL West at a season-best three games over .500. Leading the way has been 23-year-old Nick Kurtz, whose two-run, tie-breaking double in the second inning of Thursday’s 6-3 win over the Royals temporarily stole the headlines from a start in which he’s drawn a major-league-leading 33 walks. “When he got here, there was an advanced approach for his age,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said about his second-year first baseman after the win. “The main thing we’re seeing is … being patient, being selective, getting his walks, getting on base.” The Guardians limited Kurtz, who had just 37 games of major-league experience at the time, to a 2-for-11 series performance with one solo homer and one walk when they visited Sacramento last June. Kurtz exacted a measure of revenge a month later in a rematch series in Cleveland, going 7-for-12 with four doubles, a triple, a home run and a walk. He has never faced Cantillo in what will be a lefty-on-lefty matchup. Cantillo has allowed just seven home runs against left-handed hitters over 45 games in his three-year career. The 26-year-old is coming off his first loss of the season at Toronto, a hard-luck 5-3 defeat last Saturday in which he allowed three runs but just one earned in five innings. He has never faced the A’s in his career. Also a third-year big-leaguer, Ginn has just one inning of experience against the Guardians. That came last July 18 in Cleveland, when he entered the game in the fifth inning with the A’s down 7-1 and allowed one run. The A’s lost 8-6 after a late-inning rally fell short. In his most recent outing, Ginn was pulled in the fourth inning from a game the A’s led 2-0 at Texas last Sunday. The A’s went on to win 2-1, but he did not get a decision. He’ll see a Guardians team kicking off a seven-game trip after losing two of three at home to the Tampa Bay Rays. The club had Thursday off following a 3-1 victory in the series finale, which had them alone atop the AL Central before the Detroit Tigers won Thursday to draw even. Fans in West Sacramento will get their first look at Guardians prospect Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, three spots ahead of where the A’s selected Kurtz. Bazzana, a 23-year-old Australian, is still looking for his first big-league hit after going 0-for-6 with two walks in two games against the Rays, but he is confident that he’s ready for the big time. “I would’ve hoped by 2026 I was able to impact this team,” he told reporters during his debut series earlier in the week. “I’m feeling really strong and in a perfect place to really help the team win.” – Field Level Media #Deadspin #Guardians #handle #Nick #Kurtz #series #opener

Deadspin | Cole Young, Mariners surging ahead of opener vs. Royals Apr 29, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Cole Young (2) hits a two RBI single against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images The Seattle Mariners found their mojo on the road. Now they’ll try to bring it back home. The Mariners just completed a 5-1 trip to St. Louis and Minnesota after losing eight of their first nine road contests and will host the Kansas City Royals on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series. The Mariners scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning Wednesday in a 5-3 win over the Twins. “A really good way to end the road trip,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “A nice 5-1 road trip; we’ll take that every time.” Cole Young’s two-run single up the middle with the infield drawn in put Seattle ahead on Wednesday. “That was a lucky, lucky hit,” said Young, a second baseman in his first full major league season. “I’m just happy I got the job done.” Young, 22, has six go-ahead or game-tying RBIs in the seventh inning or later this season, the most in MLB. “It’s just calming myself down and not trying to be someone I’m not,” Young said. “I’m not trying to be a hero in every, every situation. Just pass the baton. I’m just trying to get on base, and I feel like that’s helped me out a ton.” Young went 11-for-22 on the trip, with two doubles, a home run and eight RBIs. He has driven in at least one run in six consecutive games, the longest active streak in the majors. He is batting .286 this season, with three homers and 19 RBIs. “He doesn’t let the game speed up on him,” Wilson said of Young. “He’s got really good control of his emotion. The moment doesn’t seem too big for him, which is huge. And then being able to see the pitch, let it get deep enough and not chase. He’s not afraid to go the other way with it. He’s done it several times for us, and almost every time he has used the middle of the field and opposite field.” The Royals, who are in the American League Central cellar, fell 6-3 to the Athletics on Thursday in West Sacramento, Calif. Kansas City left 12 runners on base and went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. “We got to keep giving ourselves those opportunities and cash them in,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “We didn’t do that (Thursday).” Kansas City is 3-12 on the road this season, averaging just 2.6 runs a game there. “Move on, keep working. It’s a long season,” said Royals infielder Maikel Garcia, who homered Thursday. “We’re going to get a lot more chances with men on base. Just keep believing in ourselves.” Friday’s series opener is scheduled to feature Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (1-4, 5.00 ERA) against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (1-2, 3.86). Ragans is coming off his first victory of the season, 12-1 over the visiting Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. He allowed one run on five hits over six innings, with no walks and a season-high 11 strikeouts, one shy of his career-best. Ragans is 0-0 with a 2.53 ERA in three career appearances against Seattle, including two starts. Woo will try to bounce back from his worst start of the season, in which he gave up seven runs on nine hits in just three innings Saturday in St. Louis. He didn’t receive a decision as the Mariners rallied to win 11-9. Woo, who hadn’t allowed a home run all season until that point, gave up four homers to the Cardinals on a windy afternoon at Busch Stadium. He is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA in one previous start vs. Kansas City. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Cole #Young #Mariners #surging #ahead #opener #RoyalsApr 29, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Cole Young (2) hits a two RBI single against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

The Seattle Mariners found their mojo on the road.

Now they’ll try to bring it back home.

The Mariners just completed a 5-1 trip to St. Louis and Minnesota after losing eight of their first nine road contests and will host the Kansas City Royals on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series.

The Mariners scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning Wednesday in a 5-3 win over the Twins.

“A really good way to end the road trip,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “A nice 5-1 road trip; we’ll take that every time.”

Cole Young’s two-run single up the middle with the infield drawn in put Seattle ahead on Wednesday.

“That was a lucky, lucky hit,” said Young, a second baseman in his first full major league season. “I’m just happy I got the job done.”

Young, 22, has six go-ahead or game-tying RBIs in the seventh inning or later this season, the most in MLB.

“It’s just calming myself down and not trying to be someone I’m not,” Young said. “I’m not trying to be a hero in every, every situation. Just pass the baton. I’m just trying to get on base, and I feel like that’s helped me out a ton.”

Young went 11-for-22 on the trip, with two doubles, a home run and eight RBIs. He has driven in at least one run in six consecutive games, the longest active streak in the majors. He is batting .286 this season, with three homers and 19 RBIs.


“He doesn’t let the game speed up on him,” Wilson said of Young. “He’s got really good control of his emotion. The moment doesn’t seem too big for him, which is huge. And then being able to see the pitch, let it get deep enough and not chase. He’s not afraid to go the other way with it. He’s done it several times for us, and almost every time he has used the middle of the field and opposite field.”

The Royals, who are in the American League Central cellar, fell 6-3 to the Athletics on Thursday in West Sacramento, Calif. Kansas City left 12 runners on base and went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

“We got to keep giving ourselves those opportunities and cash them in,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “We didn’t do that (Thursday).”

Kansas City is 3-12 on the road this season, averaging just 2.6 runs a game there.

“Move on, keep working. It’s a long season,” said Royals infielder Maikel Garcia, who homered Thursday. “We’re going to get a lot more chances with men on base. Just keep believing in ourselves.”

Friday’s series opener is scheduled to feature Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (1-4, 5.00 ERA) against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (1-2, 3.86).

Ragans is coming off his first victory of the season, 12-1 over the visiting Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. He allowed one run on five hits over six innings, with no walks and a season-high 11 strikeouts, one shy of his career-best.

Ragans is 0-0 with a 2.53 ERA in three career appearances against Seattle, including two starts.

Woo will try to bounce back from his worst start of the season, in which he gave up seven runs on nine hits in just three innings Saturday in St. Louis. He didn’t receive a decision as the Mariners rallied to win 11-9.

Woo, who hadn’t allowed a home run all season until that point, gave up four homers to the Cardinals on a windy afternoon at Busch Stadium. He is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA in one previous start vs. Kansas City.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Cole #Young #Mariners #surging #ahead #opener #Royals">Deadspin | Cole Young, Mariners surging ahead of opener vs. Royals Apr 29, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Seattle Mariners second baseman Cole Young (2) hits a two RBI single against the Minnesota Twins during the ninth inning at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images The Seattle Mariners found their mojo on the road. Now they’ll try to bring it back home. The Mariners just completed a 5-1 trip to St. Louis and Minnesota after losing eight of their first nine road contests and will host the Kansas City Royals on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series. The Mariners scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning Wednesday in a 5-3 win over the Twins. “A really good way to end the road trip,” Mariners manager Dan Wilson said. “A nice 5-1 road trip; we’ll take that every time.” Cole Young’s two-run single up the middle with the infield drawn in put Seattle ahead on Wednesday. “That was a lucky, lucky hit,” said Young, a second baseman in his first full major league season. “I’m just happy I got the job done.” Young, 22, has six go-ahead or game-tying RBIs in the seventh inning or later this season, the most in MLB. “It’s just calming myself down and not trying to be someone I’m not,” Young said. “I’m not trying to be a hero in every, every situation. Just pass the baton. I’m just trying to get on base, and I feel like that’s helped me out a ton.” Young went 11-for-22 on the trip, with two doubles, a home run and eight RBIs. He has driven in at least one run in six consecutive games, the longest active streak in the majors. He is batting .286 this season, with three homers and 19 RBIs. “He doesn’t let the game speed up on him,” Wilson said of Young. “He’s got really good control of his emotion. The moment doesn’t seem too big for him, which is huge. And then being able to see the pitch, let it get deep enough and not chase. He’s not afraid to go the other way with it. He’s done it several times for us, and almost every time he has used the middle of the field and opposite field.” The Royals, who are in the American League Central cellar, fell 6-3 to the Athletics on Thursday in West Sacramento, Calif. Kansas City left 12 runners on base and went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. “We got to keep giving ourselves those opportunities and cash them in,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “We didn’t do that (Thursday).” Kansas City is 3-12 on the road this season, averaging just 2.6 runs a game there. “Move on, keep working. It’s a long season,” said Royals infielder Maikel Garcia, who homered Thursday. “We’re going to get a lot more chances with men on base. Just keep believing in ourselves.” Friday’s series opener is scheduled to feature Royals left-hander Cole Ragans (1-4, 5.00 ERA) against Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo (1-2, 3.86). Ragans is coming off his first victory of the season, 12-1 over the visiting Los Angeles Angels on Saturday. He allowed one run on five hits over six innings, with no walks and a season-high 11 strikeouts, one shy of his career-best. Ragans is 0-0 with a 2.53 ERA in three career appearances against Seattle, including two starts. Woo will try to bounce back from his worst start of the season, in which he gave up seven runs on nine hits in just three innings Saturday in St. Louis. He didn’t receive a decision as the Mariners rallied to win 11-9. Woo, who hadn’t allowed a home run all season until that point, gave up four homers to the Cardinals on a windy afternoon at Busch Stadium. He is 1-0 with a 1.69 ERA in one previous start vs. Kansas City. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Cole #Young #Mariners #surging #ahead #opener #Royals

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