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DC vs GT, IPL 2026: Whether we win or lose upcoming games depends on Starc, says Capitals’ bowling coach Munaf Patel  Delhi Capitals’ bowling attack hasn’t yet allowed the absence of spearhead Mitchell Starc to be felt. The Australian left-arm pacer has been unable to join the team owing to a shoulder and elbow injury sustained during the home season Down Under.It hasn’t hindered DC from notching up two wins on the trot. In both performances, the bowlers played their part, bundling out Lucknow Super Giants for 141 and then restricting Mumbai Indians to 162 for six.Still, DC’s bowling coach Munaf Patel is under no illusion about his team being able to make do without Starc.“We have won two matches. So, people may think Starc’s absence is not being felt. But whether we win or don’t win in the coming games will depend on him. A big bowler is a big bowler. I don’t think there is a greater bowler than Starc in the IPL. There’s (Jasprit) Bumrah that Starc can be compared with.“Starc has a lot of experience. He swings the new ball at 140kmph-plus. I am following his injury timeline regularly and asking every day when he will return. There is no update yet,” Munaf told the media on Tuesday.While Starc is away, South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi has been doing a stellar job with his deadly off-cutters.“Ngidi has a good idea of bowling on different wickets,” Munaf observed. “He knows his variations. He is not the sort of bowler who tries to bowl at 150 kmph and gets hit. He stays within his limitations.”Published on Apr 07, 2026  #IPL #win #lose #upcoming #games #depends #Starc #Capitals #bowling #coach #Munaf #Patel

DC vs GT, IPL 2026: Whether we win or lose upcoming games depends on Starc, says Capitals’ bowling coach Munaf Patel

Delhi Capitals’ bowling attack hasn’t yet allowed the absence of spearhead Mitchell Starc to be felt. The Australian left-arm pacer has been unable to join the team owing to a shoulder and elbow injury sustained during the home season Down Under.

It hasn’t hindered DC from notching up two wins on the trot. In both performances, the bowlers played their part, bundling out Lucknow Super Giants for 141 and then restricting Mumbai Indians to 162 for six.

Still, DC’s bowling coach Munaf Patel is under no illusion about his team being able to make do without Starc.

“We have won two matches. So, people may think Starc’s absence is not being felt. But whether we win or don’t win in the coming games will depend on him. A big bowler is a big bowler. I don’t think there is a greater bowler than Starc in the IPL. There’s (Jasprit) Bumrah that Starc can be compared with.

“Starc has a lot of experience. He swings the new ball at 140kmph-plus. I am following his injury timeline regularly and asking every day when he will return. There is no update yet,” Munaf told the media on Tuesday.

While Starc is away, South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi has been doing a stellar job with his deadly off-cutters.

“Ngidi has a good idea of bowling on different wickets,” Munaf observed. “He knows his variations. He is not the sort of bowler who tries to bowl at 150 kmph and gets hit. He stays within his limitations.”

Published on Apr 07, 2026

#IPL #win #lose #upcoming #games #depends #Starc #Capitals #bowling #coach #Munaf #Patel

Delhi Capitals’ bowling attack hasn’t yet allowed the absence of spearhead Mitchell Starc to be felt. The Australian left-arm pacer has been unable to join the team owing to a shoulder and elbow injury sustained during the home season Down Under.

It hasn’t hindered DC from notching up two wins on the trot. In both performances, the bowlers played their part, bundling out Lucknow Super Giants for 141 and then restricting Mumbai Indians to 162 for six.

Still, DC’s bowling coach Munaf Patel is under no illusion about his team being able to make do without Starc.

“We have won two matches. So, people may think Starc’s absence is not being felt. But whether we win or don’t win in the coming games will depend on him. A big bowler is a big bowler. I don’t think there is a greater bowler than Starc in the IPL. There’s (Jasprit) Bumrah that Starc can be compared with.

“Starc has a lot of experience. He swings the new ball at 140kmph-plus. I am following his injury timeline regularly and asking every day when he will return. There is no update yet,” Munaf told the media on Tuesday.

While Starc is away, South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi has been doing a stellar job with his deadly off-cutters.

“Ngidi has a good idea of bowling on different wickets,” Munaf observed. “He knows his variations. He is not the sort of bowler who tries to bowl at 150 kmph and gets hit. He stays within his limitations.”

Published on Apr 07, 2026

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#IPL #win #lose #upcoming #games #depends #Starc #Capitals #bowling #coach #Munaf #Patel

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Deadspin | Reynaldo Lopez bids to change Braves’ fortunes vs. Angels <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-900/28611274.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28611274.jpg" alt="MLB: Kansas City Royals at Atlanta Braves" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Mar 28, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez (40) throws against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Mady Mertens-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>After a rare clunker from Chris Sale, the Atlanta Braves will turn to Reynaldo Lopez to try to snap the team’s three-game losing streak on Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Lopez (1-0, 1.64 ERA) struggled with velocity during spring training after missing most of the 2025 season with a shoulder injury. The right-hander, however, has eased any concerns about the shoulder in his first two starts, allowing just two earned runs and seven hits in 11 innings in his team’s wins over Kansas City and Arizona.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Lopez’s fastball was clocked in the 87-88 mph range in spring training, but he has increased that velocity by almost 10 mph in the regular season. The 2024 All-Star told MLB.com one of the reasons for the big difference was that he was working through some mechanical issues during the spring.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>“When you’re trying to fix something, you don’t throw as hard. That’s how you get hurt,” Lopez said. “It was rather simple. I think it was the left shoulder and the left hip just opening up a little early. So my focal point was just try and stay closed.”</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>So far, so good. </p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Lopez will face an Angels team that has a three-game winning streak and has had his number in the past. Lopez is 0-4 with a 5.79 ERA in 10 career appearances, including four starts, against Los Angeles.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>The Angels recorded a 6-2 win in Monday’s series opener, chasing an unusually wild Sale in the fifth inning. </p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>Zach Neto hit Sale’s first pitch of the game for a home run, and Jo Adell clubbed a two-run shot in the fifth to give Los Angeles a 6-1 lead. The Angels also scored three times in the fourth inning, parlaying two walks, two hit batsmen and two singles into three runs. Sale walked Logan O’Hoppe with the bases loaded to force in one run and also hit Yoan Moncada to force in another.</p> </section> <section id="section-9"> <p>That was more than enough for Los Angeles starter Jose Soriano, who struck out 10 while allowing one run on three hits over eight innings in another dominant performance. </p> </section><section id="section-10"> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>“Yeah, that was pretty insane,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “That’s a great lineup over there. They’re not punching out this year, and for Sori to come in and do that, it just speaks about the stuff and the execution.”</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>“It’s some the best stuff you’ll see in this league,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said. “You hate giving credit to opposing pitchers, but sometimes you have to. That was big-time stuff right there.”</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (0-1, 6.52 ERA), who has a 5.59 ERA without a decision in two career starts against Atlanta, will start on Tuesday for the Angels.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Kikuchi comes in off a 6-2 loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field last Wednesday, when he allowed five earned runs on six hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>Kikuchi, who also picked up a no-decision in a 6-2 win at Houston on March 27, will make his first home start of the season. The 2025 All-Star was much more effective at Anaheim Stadium last season, compiling a 6-3 record and 2.93 ERA in 16 starts compared with a 1-8 record and 5.04 ERA in 17 road starts.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-16"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Reynaldo #Lopez #bids #change #Braves #fortunes #Angels

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Deadspin | Research reveals Hall of Fame DT Steve McMichael had CTE <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-900/23904681.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/23904681.jpg" alt="NFL: Pro Football Hall of Fame-Class of 2024 Enshrinement" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Aug 3, 2024; Canton, OH, USA; A video is played of Steve McMichael during his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame at the enshrinement ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. McMichael was unable to attend in person. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Hall of Fame defensive tackle Steve McMichael was diagnosed with Stage 3 CTE by researchers studying his brain one year after his death at age 67. </p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>McMichael was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024 long after the physical effects of ALS had taken a grip on the once fearsome specimen who starred on the Chicago Bears’ dominant defenses in the mid-to-late 1980s. </p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>He is second on the team’s sacks list to Richard Dent with 92.5 and was a longtime running mate of beloved Bears defensive lineman Dan Hampton. McMichael moonlighted in professional wresting as “Mongo.”</p> </section><br/><section id="section-4"> <p>When McMichael was diagnosed with ALS in 2021 he and his family made contact with Chris Nowinski, co-founder and CEO of the Concussion & CTE Foundation. </p> </section> <section id="section-5"> <p>“Too many NFL players are developing ALS during life and diagnosed with CTE after death,” Misty McMichael, Steve’s wife, said in a statement released by the foundation. “I donated Steve’s brain to inspire new research into the link between them.”</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>CTE, chronic traumatic encephalopathy, can only be diagnosed posthumously and causes a wide range of symptoms. Nowinski studied the brain of former Bears defensive back and McMichael teammate Dave Duerson in 2011 after he committed suicide at age 50. He was diagnosed with CTE. Duerson was NFL Man of the Year in 1987.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>“Steve McMichael was known for his strength, toughness, and larger-than-life presence, but his final act was to give a piece of himself back to the sports community so that we might have a chance to save ourselves,” Nowinski said in a statement. “I appreciate all the former athletes, including many of Steve’s ’85 Bears teammates, who are raising funds and volunteering to participate in CTE research so we can create a brighter future for athletes everywhere.”</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Research #reveals #Hall #Fame #Steve #McMichael #CTE

Deadspin | Sabres stomp Blackhawks, wrap up Atlantic Division crown  Apr 13, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Jason Zucker (17) shoots the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images   Tage Thompson scored twice and Alex Tuch had a goal and assist as the Buffalo Sabres clinched the Atlantic Division title with a 5-1 victory against the host Chicago Blackhawks on Monday.  Buffalo (50-23-8, 108 points) recorded its fourth straight victory. The Sabres have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference behind the Carolina Hurricanes’ 111 points.  After snapping a 14-season playoff drought this month, Buffalo will open the postseason against either the Boston Bruins or the Ottawa Senators.  Ryan McLeod and Josh Norris also scored while Rasmus Dahlin notched two assists for the Sabres. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 15 saves.  Rookie Ryan Greene scored for Chicago, and Spencer Knight stopped 21 shots.  The Sabres outshot the Blackhawks 26-16. Chicago finished 0-for-5 on the power play compared to 0-for-2 for Buffalo.  The Blackhawks (28-39-14, 70 points) put a brief scare into the Sabres when Greene opened the scoring with a short-handed goal at 3:58 of the first period. With Sam Rinzel off for high-sticking, Greene took an Ilya Mikheyev pass off the rush, made a move in front and beat Luukkonen with a wrist shot just 14 seconds into the Buffalo man advantage.  Also sluggish at even strength in the early going, the Sabres tied the game at 19:02 of the first period. Josh Doan stole a Greene pass inside the Chicago blue line and fed the puck to Norris, who sent a wrist shot over Knight from the left circle.   Norris stretched his point streak to five games while Doan extended his to four.  Buffalo capitalized on another Blackhawks turnover at 13:00 of the second period to take the lead for good. Thompson, the club’s top scorer with 81 points, collected the puck near the goal line and scored after weaving through two defenders.  The Sabres made it 3-1 at 5:38 of the third. Dahlin found Tuch in the middle of the ice with a stretch pass, and Tuch’s shot glanced off Knight’s glove and into the net.  Thompson netted his 40th goal less than six minutes later, converting a one-timer from Dahlin.  McLeod capped the scoring at 18:35 of the third.  Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar wore a cage mask after leaving the team’s Saturday home loss to the St. Louis Blues early upon taking a puck to the face.  Chicago fell to 1-8-1 in its past 10 games.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Sabres #stomp #Blackhawks #wrap #Atlantic #Division #crownApr 13, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Jason Zucker (17) shoots the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

Tage Thompson scored twice and Alex Tuch had a goal and assist as the Buffalo Sabres clinched the Atlantic Division title with a 5-1 victory against the host Chicago Blackhawks on Monday.

Buffalo (50-23-8, 108 points) recorded its fourth straight victory. The Sabres have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference behind the Carolina Hurricanes’ 111 points.

After snapping a 14-season playoff drought this month, Buffalo will open the postseason against either the Boston Bruins or the Ottawa Senators.

Ryan McLeod and Josh Norris also scored while Rasmus Dahlin notched two assists for the Sabres. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 15 saves.

Rookie Ryan Greene scored for Chicago, and Spencer Knight stopped 21 shots.

The Sabres outshot the Blackhawks 26-16. Chicago finished 0-for-5 on the power play compared to 0-for-2 for Buffalo.

The Blackhawks (28-39-14, 70 points) put a brief scare into the Sabres when Greene opened the scoring with a short-handed goal at 3:58 of the first period. With Sam Rinzel off for high-sticking, Greene took an Ilya Mikheyev pass off the rush, made a move in front and beat Luukkonen with a wrist shot just 14 seconds into the Buffalo man advantage.


Also sluggish at even strength in the early going, the Sabres tied the game at 19:02 of the first period. Josh Doan stole a Greene pass inside the Chicago blue line and fed the puck to Norris, who sent a wrist shot over Knight from the left circle.

Norris stretched his point streak to five games while Doan extended his to four.

Buffalo capitalized on another Blackhawks turnover at 13:00 of the second period to take the lead for good. Thompson, the club’s top scorer with 81 points, collected the puck near the goal line and scored after weaving through two defenders.

The Sabres made it 3-1 at 5:38 of the third. Dahlin found Tuch in the middle of the ice with a stretch pass, and Tuch’s shot glanced off Knight’s glove and into the net.

Thompson netted his 40th goal less than six minutes later, converting a one-timer from Dahlin.

McLeod capped the scoring at 18:35 of the third.

Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar wore a cage mask after leaving the team’s Saturday home loss to the St. Louis Blues early upon taking a puck to the face.

Chicago fell to 1-8-1 in its past 10 games.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Sabres #stomp #Blackhawks #wrap #Atlantic #Division #crown">Deadspin | Sabres stomp Blackhawks, wrap up Atlantic Division crown  Apr 13, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Jason Zucker (17) shoots the puck against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images   Tage Thompson scored twice and Alex Tuch had a goal and assist as the Buffalo Sabres clinched the Atlantic Division title with a 5-1 victory against the host Chicago Blackhawks on Monday.  Buffalo (50-23-8, 108 points) recorded its fourth straight victory. The Sabres have the second-best record in the Eastern Conference behind the Carolina Hurricanes’ 111 points.  After snapping a 14-season playoff drought this month, Buffalo will open the postseason against either the Boston Bruins or the Ottawa Senators.  Ryan McLeod and Josh Norris also scored while Rasmus Dahlin notched two assists for the Sabres. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen made 15 saves.  Rookie Ryan Greene scored for Chicago, and Spencer Knight stopped 21 shots.  The Sabres outshot the Blackhawks 26-16. Chicago finished 0-for-5 on the power play compared to 0-for-2 for Buffalo.  The Blackhawks (28-39-14, 70 points) put a brief scare into the Sabres when Greene opened the scoring with a short-handed goal at 3:58 of the first period. With Sam Rinzel off for high-sticking, Greene took an Ilya Mikheyev pass off the rush, made a move in front and beat Luukkonen with a wrist shot just 14 seconds into the Buffalo man advantage.  Also sluggish at even strength in the early going, the Sabres tied the game at 19:02 of the first period. Josh Doan stole a Greene pass inside the Chicago blue line and fed the puck to Norris, who sent a wrist shot over Knight from the left circle.   Norris stretched his point streak to five games while Doan extended his to four.  Buffalo capitalized on another Blackhawks turnover at 13:00 of the second period to take the lead for good. Thompson, the club’s top scorer with 81 points, collected the puck near the goal line and scored after weaving through two defenders.  The Sabres made it 3-1 at 5:38 of the third. Dahlin found Tuch in the middle of the ice with a stretch pass, and Tuch’s shot glanced off Knight’s glove and into the net.  Thompson netted his 40th goal less than six minutes later, converting a one-timer from Dahlin.  McLeod capped the scoring at 18:35 of the third.  Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar wore a cage mask after leaving the team’s Saturday home loss to the St. Louis Blues early upon taking a puck to the face.  Chicago fell to 1-8-1 in its past 10 games.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Sabres #stomp #Blackhawks #wrap #Atlantic #Division #crown

England captain Ben Stokes says any suggestion he and coach Brendon McCullum are not aligned “is a massive overstatement”.

Were there disagreements between them during their Ashes debacle in Australia? Yes.

Was it any different than normal? No.

Stokes and McCullum have been in lock step since 2022, and they crashed and burned when they lost to Australia 4-1 last winter. Both men supported the other after being humbled, but the Ashes review threw up signs of tension.

Stokes wanted to play more conservatively, while McCullum wanted to double down on all-out attack.

Since the Ashes, Stokes has kept a low profile. When he and McCullum kept their jobs last month following the Ashes review, he posted on social media that he was happy to continue working with McCullum and the post-Ashes period had been the hardest period of his captaincy.

The captain has used an in-house interview with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to address his relationship with McCullum.

“Saying we weren’t aligned, I think, is a massive overstatement,” Stokes said.

“When you’re in a position of leadership along with someone else, if anyone thinks that you’re always going to agree on everything, then it’s just impossible. To me, that isn’t a healthy environment for sport, in particular. You need debate. You need discussions. Then you end up getting to the place you both want to end up getting to.

“As similar as Brendon and I are, we’re also dissimilar in other areas as well. We agree 95 per cent of the time on things, but those 5 per cent things that we might have different views on, we talk about them between each other and then we end up getting to the place where we want to get to.”

Stokes hasn’t played in the County Championship since breaking his cheekbone in a freak accident in pre-season training with Durham. But he’s set to return in May before New Zealand arrives in June for a Test series. Pakistan follows this summer, and Australia comes to England in 2027.

As was recommended in the Ashes review, England’s leadership will tweak what it does with the team, and Stokes has welcomed it.

“I’m very confident in mine and Brendon’s ability to be able to work together, because we’ve done it for such a long period of time now, but work together in a slightly different way,” he said.

“The main point of Brendon and me is our alignment towards winning things and making this team as good as they can be. That’s always been the thing since we started. It might just look a little bit different now than how that operates after four years of working together. Hopefully we’ll still be together at the end of 2027, winning what we want to win.”

Published on Apr 14, 2026

#Stokes #shuts #talk #rift #coach #McCullum #agree #cent #time">Stokes shuts down talk of rift with coach McCullum, says, ‘We agree 95 per cent of the time’  England captain Ben Stokes says any suggestion he and coach Brendon McCullum are not aligned “is a massive overstatement”.Were there disagreements between them during their Ashes debacle in Australia? Yes.Was it any different than normal? No.Stokes and McCullum have been in lock step since 2022, and they crashed and burned when they lost to Australia 4-1 last winter. Both men supported the other after being humbled, but the Ashes review threw up signs of tension.Stokes wanted to play more conservatively, while McCullum wanted to double down on all-out attack.Since the Ashes, Stokes has kept a low profile. When he and McCullum kept their jobs last month following the Ashes review, he posted on social media that he was happy to continue working with McCullum and the post-Ashes period had been the hardest period of his captaincy.The captain has used an in-house interview with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to address his relationship with McCullum.“Saying we weren’t aligned, I think, is a massive overstatement,” Stokes said.“When you’re in a position of leadership along with someone else, if anyone thinks that you’re always going to agree on everything, then it’s just impossible. To me, that isn’t a healthy environment for sport, in particular. You need debate. You need discussions. Then you end up getting to the place you both want to end up getting to.“As similar as Brendon and I are, we’re also dissimilar in other areas as well. We agree 95 per cent of the time on things, but those 5 per cent things that we might have different views on, we talk about them between each other and then we end up getting to the place where we want to get to.”Stokes hasn’t played in the County Championship since breaking his cheekbone in a freak accident in pre-season training with Durham. But he’s set to return in May before New Zealand arrives in June for a Test series. Pakistan follows this summer, and Australia comes to England in 2027.As was recommended in the Ashes review, England’s leadership will tweak what it does with the team, and Stokes has welcomed it.“I’m very confident in mine and Brendon’s ability to be able to work together, because we’ve done it for such a long period of time now, but work together in a slightly different way,” he said.“The main point of Brendon and me is our alignment towards winning things and making this team as good as they can be. That’s always been the thing since we started. It might just look a little bit different now than how that operates after four years of working together. Hopefully we’ll still be together at the end of 2027, winning what we want to win.”Published on Apr 14, 2026  #Stokes #shuts #talk #rift #coach #McCullum #agree #cent #time

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