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Chicago Cubs Should Be Panicking During Nine-Game Losing Streak | Deadspin.com   After ripping off two 10-game win streaks, things were looking bright on the north side to start the year in Chicago. Unfortunately for them, they aren’t in the NL Central of old; they’re competing in one of the toughest divisions in baseball. The Cubs have rattled off nine straight losses, quickly lost their hold on the division, and now find themselves battling for the final Wild Card spot.It’s only been 54 games for the Cubs, and they’re still four games over .500, but it might be time to start panicking. Going into this season, you were hoping to have one of the best rotations in the sport, but injuries have ravaged the Cubs, now missing Edward Cabrera, Matthew Boyd, Justin Steele, and Cade Horton. Timetables for potential returns feel quite uncertain, and the offense hasn’t been able to bail them out recently.Over their last 15 games, they are 2-13, and their offense has been among the worst in the sport. They’re averaging 2.8 runs per game and have been held to three runs or less in 12 of those 15 games.Predictions markets had the Cubs with a 63.7% chance of winning the NL Central just 17 days ago, but now sit at just 28%. The Brewers still only sit at a 50% chance to win the division, but they’ve opened up a 3.5 game lead on the Cubs and 2.5 game lead over the Cardinals. The whole division is at least 2 games over .500, there’s no easy games during inter-division play.A healthy rotation or bullpen would be incredible for morale but the lineup needs massive amounts of help. Pete Crow Armstrong, Nico Hoerner, Alex Bregman, Ian Happ, Dansby Swanson, Seiya Suzuki and Moises Ballestros have all been average to well below average months over the month of May, and I’m not sure we will see a ton of improvement.Chicago has been an incredibly streaky lineup for a while, and I still feel they overperform their expected stats by the time the season ends. I’m not sure I trust this team to catch a Brewers team that has been one of the best teams in baseball over the last two seasons.Just two weeks ago it felt like they might be a team that throws their hat in the ring for a Tarik Skubal type of arm, now they’ll be in a battle for a final wild card spot. I don’t think the reinforcements will come in quickly enough to salvage this season for the Cubs. Who would’ve guessed that the White Sox would be better suited to contend for a playoff spot for the city of Chicago.   #Chicago #Cubs #Panicking #NineGame #Losing #Streak #Deadspin.com

Chicago Cubs Should Be Panicking During Nine-Game Losing Streak | Deadspin.com

After ripping off two 10-game win streaks, things were looking bright on the north side to start the year in Chicago. Unfortunately for them, they aren’t in the NL Central of old; they’re competing in one of the toughest divisions in baseball. The Cubs have rattled off nine straight losses, quickly lost their hold on the division, and now find themselves battling for the final Wild Card spot.

It’s only been 54 games for the Cubs, and they’re still four games over .500, but it might be time to start panicking. Going into this season, you were hoping to have one of the best rotations in the sport, but injuries have ravaged the Cubs, now missing Edward Cabrera, Matthew Boyd, Justin Steele, and Cade Horton. Timetables for potential returns feel quite uncertain, and the offense hasn’t been able to bail them out recently.

Over their last 15 games, they are 2-13, and their offense has been among the worst in the sport. They’re averaging 2.8 runs per game and have been held to three runs or less in 12 of those 15 games.

Predictions markets had the Cubs with a 63.7% chance of winning the NL Central just 17 days ago, but now sit at just 28%. The Brewers still only sit at a 50% chance to win the division, but they’ve opened up a 3.5 game lead on the Cubs and 2.5 game lead over the Cardinals. The whole division is at least 2 games over .500, there’s no easy games during inter-division play.

A healthy rotation or bullpen would be incredible for morale but the lineup needs massive amounts of help. Pete Crow Armstrong, Nico Hoerner, Alex Bregman, Ian Happ, Dansby Swanson, Seiya Suzuki and Moises Ballestros have all been average to well below average months over the month of May, and I’m not sure we will see a ton of improvement.

Chicago has been an incredibly streaky lineup for a while, and I still feel they overperform their expected stats by the time the season ends. I’m not sure I trust this team to catch a Brewers team that has been one of the best teams in baseball over the last two seasons.

Just two weeks ago it felt like they might be a team that throws their hat in the ring for a Tarik Skubal type of arm, now they’ll be in a battle for a final wild card spot. I don’t think the reinforcements will come in quickly enough to salvage this season for the Cubs. Who would’ve guessed that the White Sox would be better suited to contend for a playoff spot for the city of Chicago.

#Chicago #Cubs #Panicking #NineGame #Losing #Streak #Deadspin.com

After ripping off two 10-game win streaks, things were looking bright on the north side to start the year in Chicago. Unfortunately for them, they aren’t in the NL Central of old; they’re competing in one of the toughest divisions in baseball. The Cubs have rattled off nine straight losses, quickly lost their hold on the division, and now find themselves battling for the final Wild Card spot.

It’s only been 54 games for the Cubs, and they’re still four games over .500, but it might be time to start panicking. Going into this season, you were hoping to have one of the best rotations in the sport, but injuries have ravaged the Cubs, now missing Edward Cabrera, Matthew Boyd, Justin Steele, and Cade Horton. Timetables for potential returns feel quite uncertain, and the offense hasn’t been able to bail them out recently.

Over their last 15 games, they are 2-13, and their offense has been among the worst in the sport. They’re averaging 2.8 runs per game and have been held to three runs or less in 12 of those 15 games.

Predictions markets had the Cubs with a 63.7% chance of winning the NL Central just 17 days ago, but now sit at just 28%. The Brewers still only sit at a 50% chance to win the division, but they’ve opened up a 3.5 game lead on the Cubs and 2.5 game lead over the Cardinals. The whole division is at least 2 games over .500, there’s no easy games during inter-division play.

A healthy rotation or bullpen would be incredible for morale but the lineup needs massive amounts of help. Pete Crow Armstrong, Nico Hoerner, Alex Bregman, Ian Happ, Dansby Swanson, Seiya Suzuki and Moises Ballestros have all been average to well below average months over the month of May, and I’m not sure we will see a ton of improvement.

Chicago has been an incredibly streaky lineup for a while, and I still feel they overperform their expected stats by the time the season ends. I’m not sure I trust this team to catch a Brewers team that has been one of the best teams in baseball over the last two seasons.

Just two weeks ago it felt like they might be a team that throws their hat in the ring for a Tarik Skubal type of arm, now they’ll be in a battle for a final wild card spot. I don’t think the reinforcements will come in quickly enough to salvage this season for the Cubs. Who would’ve guessed that the White Sox would be better suited to contend for a playoff spot for the city of Chicago.

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#Chicago #Cubs #Panicking #NineGame #Losing #Streak #Deadspin.com

Applying those tiebreakers to some of the standings you see above, the Netherlands currently sit atop these standings thanks to that third tiebreaker, and the two goals they scored against Japan.

Then we can look at the four teams that played in 1-1 draws: Brazil, Belgium, Qatar, and Portugal. The next tiebreaker, following points, goal difference, and goals scored, is the team conduct score. Those first three teams each have two yellow cards, while Portugal secured three yellow cards in their 1-1 draw with DR Congo. So Portugal drops out, and the other three remain tied, and are therefore sorted by FIFA Rankings for the moment.

The next tie we can look at is between Czechia, Ecuador, and Panama, teams that lost and have a goal differential of -1. Czechia scored two goals, so they slot into seventh place, leaving Ecuador and Panama fighting for the eighth and final spot (for the moment).

Again, it comes down to the team conduct score between Ecuador and Panama. Ecuador currently has one yellow, while Panama has two. Ecuador slots in as the eighth team, while Panama drops out.

#World #Cup #Thirdplace #standings #tiebreakers #explained">World Cup 2026: Third-place standings, tiebreakers explained  The 2026 FIFA World Cup will look a little different than previous installments.Starting with the size of the field.For this year’s World Cup, the field expanded to 48 nations, up from the previous number of 32. This means the field is divided into 12 four-team groups, and it also means that the knockout stage begins with the round of 32, and not the round of 16, as in previous World Cups.That also means that teams that finish in third place in a group could still advance.To complete the round of 32, in addition to the top two teams from each group, the eight best third-place teams will move on as well.Here, we will be tracking the standings among the third-place teams.World Cup third-place standingsHere are the latest third-place standings. Remember, the top eight advance to the round of 32.Note: These are the third-place standings following Czechia-South Africa on Thursday, June 18.How do World Cup third-place tiebreakers work?Here is how FIFA will stack the third-place teams for potential tiebreakers:If there are still ties after those four steps are applied, the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.Applying those tiebreakers to some of the standings you see above, the Netherlands currently sit atop these standings thanks to that third tiebreaker, and the two goals they scored against Japan.Then we can look at the four teams that played in 1-1 draws: Brazil, Belgium, Qatar, and Portugal. The next tiebreaker, following points, goal difference, and goals scored, is the team conduct score. Those first three teams each have two yellow cards, while Portugal secured three yellow cards in their 1-1 draw with DR Congo. So Portugal drops out, and the other three remain tied, and are therefore sorted by FIFA Rankings for the moment.The next tie we can look at is between Czechia, Ecuador, and Panama, teams that lost and have a goal differential of -1. Czechia scored two goals, so they slot into seventh place, leaving Ecuador and Panama fighting for the eighth and final spot (for the moment).Again, it comes down to the team conduct score between Ecuador and Panama. Ecuador currently has one yellow, while Panama has two. Ecuador slots in as the eighth team, while Panama drops out.  #World #Cup #Thirdplace #standings #tiebreakers #explained

Applying those tiebreakers to some of the standings you see above, the Netherlands currently sit atop these standings thanks to that third tiebreaker, and the two goals they scored against Japan.

Then we can look at the four teams that played in 1-1 draws: Brazil, Belgium, Qatar, and Portugal. The next tiebreaker, following points, goal difference, and goals scored, is the team conduct score. Those first three teams each have two yellow cards, while Portugal secured three yellow cards in their 1-1 draw with DR Congo. So Portugal drops out, and the other three remain tied, and are therefore sorted by FIFA Rankings for the moment.

The next tie we can look at is between Czechia, Ecuador, and Panama, teams that lost and have a goal differential of -1. Czechia scored two goals, so they slot into seventh place, leaving Ecuador and Panama fighting for the eighth and final spot (for the moment).

Again, it comes down to the team conduct score between Ecuador and Panama. Ecuador currently has one yellow, while Panama has two. Ecuador slots in as the eighth team, while Panama drops out.

#World #Cup #Thirdplace #standings #tiebreakers #explained">World Cup 2026: Third-place standings, tiebreakers explained

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will look a little different than previous installments.

Starting with the size of the field.

For this year’s World Cup, the field expanded to 48 nations, up from the previous number of 32. This means the field is divided into 12 four-team groups, and it also means that the knockout stage begins with the round of 32, and not the round of 16, as in previous World Cups.

That also means that teams that finish in third place in a group could still advance.

To complete the round of 32, in addition to the top two teams from each group, the eight best third-place teams will move on as well.

Here, we will be tracking the standings among the third-place teams.

World Cup third-place standings

Here are the latest third-place standings. Remember, the top eight advance to the round of 32.

Note: These are the third-place standings following Czechia-South Africa on Thursday, June 18.

How do World Cup third-place tiebreakers work?

Here is how FIFA will stack the third-place teams for potential tiebreakers:

If there are still ties after those four steps are applied, the teams still equal on points will be ranked according to the most recent FIFA World Rankings.

Applying those tiebreakers to some of the standings you see above, the Netherlands currently sit atop these standings thanks to that third tiebreaker, and the two goals they scored against Japan.

Then we can look at the four teams that played in 1-1 draws: Brazil, Belgium, Qatar, and Portugal. The next tiebreaker, following points, goal difference, and goals scored, is the team conduct score. Those first three teams each have two yellow cards, while Portugal secured three yellow cards in their 1-1 draw with DR Congo. So Portugal drops out, and the other three remain tied, and are therefore sorted by FIFA Rankings for the moment.

The next tie we can look at is between Czechia, Ecuador, and Panama, teams that lost and have a goal differential of -1. Czechia scored two goals, so they slot into seventh place, leaving Ecuador and Panama fighting for the eighth and final spot (for the moment).

Again, it comes down to the team conduct score between Ecuador and Panama. Ecuador currently has one yellow, while Panama has two. Ecuador slots in as the eighth team, while Panama drops out.

#World #Cup #Thirdplace #standings #tiebreakers #explained

The Messi family has confirmed that Lionel Messi’s father Jorge is currently ‘going through a health situation’ and that he is progressing favourably under medical supervision.

“The Messi family informs that Jorge Messi is currently going through a health situation.

At this time, he is under medical supervision, recovering and progressing favorably within the condition he is experiencing,’ said the statement.

Lionel Messi ensured that Argentina’s World Cup defense got off to a winning start by scoring a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria. He was visibly emotional after scoring the opening goal, and later said that he was crying for personal reasons unrelated to sport.

The statement also criticised misreporting of Jorge’s condition in the aftermath of the match, saying, “The family would also like to clarify that only Jorge’s immediate family has real and accurate information regarding his condition. Therefore, any version, statement, or information that does not come directly from the family and its official channels should not be considered valid or truthful.

At times like these, we ask for responsibility, prudence, and humanity. A person’s health and the peace of mind of their loved ones should not be the subject of speculation or irresponsible media attention.”

Published on Jun 18, 2026

#Lionel #Messis #father #Jorge #health #situation #confirms #family">Lionel Messi’s father Jorge going through ‘health situation’, confirms family  The Messi family has confirmed that Lionel Messi’s father Jorge is currently ‘going through a health situation’ and that he is progressing favourably under medical supervision.“The Messi family informs that Jorge Messi is currently going through a health situation.At this time, he is under medical supervision, recovering and progressing favorably within the condition he is experiencing,’ said the statement.Lionel Messi ensured that Argentina’s World Cup defense got off to a winning start by scoring a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria. He was visibly emotional after scoring the opening goal, and later said that he was crying for personal reasons unrelated to sport.The statement also criticised misreporting of Jorge’s condition in the aftermath of the match, saying, “The family would also like to clarify that only Jorge’s immediate family has real and accurate information regarding his condition. Therefore, any version, statement, or information that does not come directly from the family and its official channels should not be considered valid or truthful.At times like these, we ask for responsibility, prudence, and humanity. A person’s health and the peace of mind of their loved ones should not be the subject of speculation or irresponsible media attention.”Published on Jun 18, 2026  #Lionel #Messis #father #Jorge #health #situation #confirms #family

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