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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 | Chargers great, college Hall of Famer Billy Ray Smith Jr. dies at 64  May 10, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers former linebacker Billy Ray Smith speaks as LaDainian Tomlinson listens at the Celebration of Life for Junior Seau at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images   Former San Diego Chargers linebacker and College Football Hall of Famer Billy Ray Smith Jr. died on Wednesday at age 64, his family announced.  “It is with profound sadness that we share the loss of our beloved Billy Ray Smith Jr., who passed away peacefully surrounded by family,” the family statement read. “Billy Ray faced his long journey with dementia caused by CTE with unmatched bravery, dignity, and strength.  “Billy Ray brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the world as a devoted father, husband, son, and loyal friend. On the NFL gridiron for a decade with the Chargers, and decades that followed in sports broadcasting, Billy Ray earned deep respect from teammates, colleagues, and fans, who he cherished in return.”  The son of Super Bowl champion defensive end Billy Ray Smith Sr., Smith Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps at Arkansas, where he was a two-time All-American for the Razorbacks before San Diego drafted him fifth overall in the 1983 NFL Draft.  He played his entire 10-year pro career for the Chargers, amassing 26.5 sacks, 15 interceptions and 13 forced fumbles in 126 games and earning a spot on the franchise’s 50th anniversary team in 2009.   “To know Billy Ray was to love Billy Ray,” Chargers owner Dean Spanos said in a statement. “Yes, he was a member of our 50th Anniversary team. Yes, he was a Charger for life, playing his entire 10-year career here. But he wasn’t merely a great football player. He was, truly, larger than life. Always smiling. Lighting up every room he walked into, infectious laughter. The kind of friend a friend should be. That was Billy Ray.  “When someone who brought so much positivity into the world leaves us, it’s hard to process. Hard to accept. That’s how I feel right now, and I know I’m not alone. Billy Ray loved his family, loved the Chargers, loved his teammates, loved his community and loved helping those in needs. And we all loved him back.”  After his playing career, Smith spent time as the sports director at San Diego’s ABC10 News, as a radio host in the area and as a broadcaster on college and professional football games.  He is survived by his wife, Kimberly Hunt, and their daughter, Savannah.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Chargers #great #college #Hall #Famer #Billy #Ray #Smith #diesMay 10, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers former linebacker Billy Ray Smith speaks as LaDainian Tomlinson listens at the Celebration of Life for Junior Seau at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images

Former San Diego Chargers linebacker and College Football Hall of Famer Billy Ray Smith Jr. died on Wednesday at age 64, his family announced.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the loss of our beloved Billy Ray Smith Jr., who passed away peacefully surrounded by family,” the family statement read. “Billy Ray faced his long journey with dementia caused by CTE with unmatched bravery, dignity, and strength.

“Billy Ray brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the world as a devoted father, husband, son, and loyal friend. On the NFL gridiron for a decade with the Chargers, and decades that followed in sports broadcasting, Billy Ray earned deep respect from teammates, colleagues, and fans, who he cherished in return.”

The son of Super Bowl champion defensive end Billy Ray Smith Sr., Smith Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps at Arkansas, where he was a two-time All-American for the Razorbacks before San Diego drafted him fifth overall in the 1983 NFL Draft.


He played his entire 10-year pro career for the Chargers, amassing 26.5 sacks, 15 interceptions and 13 forced fumbles in 126 games and earning a spot on the franchise’s 50th anniversary team in 2009.

“To know Billy Ray was to love Billy Ray,” Chargers owner Dean Spanos said in a statement. “Yes, he was a member of our 50th Anniversary team. Yes, he was a Charger for life, playing his entire 10-year career here. But he wasn’t merely a great football player. He was, truly, larger than life. Always smiling. Lighting up every room he walked into, infectious laughter. The kind of friend a friend should be. That was Billy Ray.

“When someone who brought so much positivity into the world leaves us, it’s hard to process. Hard to accept. That’s how I feel right now, and I know I’m not alone. Billy Ray loved his family, loved the Chargers, loved his teammates, loved his community and loved helping those in needs. And we all loved him back.”

After his playing career, Smith spent time as the sports director at San Diego’s ABC10 News, as a radio host in the area and as a broadcaster on college and professional football games.

He is survived by his wife, Kimberly Hunt, and their daughter, Savannah.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Chargers #great #college #Hall #Famer #Billy #Ray #Smith #dies">Deadspin | Chargers great, college Hall of Famer Billy Ray Smith Jr. dies at 64  May 10, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers former linebacker Billy Ray Smith speaks as LaDainian Tomlinson listens at the Celebration of Life for Junior Seau at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images   Former San Diego Chargers linebacker and College Football Hall of Famer Billy Ray Smith Jr. died on Wednesday at age 64, his family announced.  “It is with profound sadness that we share the loss of our beloved Billy Ray Smith Jr., who passed away peacefully surrounded by family,” the family statement read. “Billy Ray faced his long journey with dementia caused by CTE with unmatched bravery, dignity, and strength.  “Billy Ray brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the world as a devoted father, husband, son, and loyal friend. On the NFL gridiron for a decade with the Chargers, and decades that followed in sports broadcasting, Billy Ray earned deep respect from teammates, colleagues, and fans, who he cherished in return.”  The son of Super Bowl champion defensive end Billy Ray Smith Sr., Smith Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps at Arkansas, where he was a two-time All-American for the Razorbacks before San Diego drafted him fifth overall in the 1983 NFL Draft.  He played his entire 10-year pro career for the Chargers, amassing 26.5 sacks, 15 interceptions and 13 forced fumbles in 126 games and earning a spot on the franchise’s 50th anniversary team in 2009.   “To know Billy Ray was to love Billy Ray,” Chargers owner Dean Spanos said in a statement. “Yes, he was a member of our 50th Anniversary team. Yes, he was a Charger for life, playing his entire 10-year career here. But he wasn’t merely a great football player. He was, truly, larger than life. Always smiling. Lighting up every room he walked into, infectious laughter. The kind of friend a friend should be. That was Billy Ray.  “When someone who brought so much positivity into the world leaves us, it’s hard to process. Hard to accept. That’s how I feel right now, and I know I’m not alone. Billy Ray loved his family, loved the Chargers, loved his teammates, loved his community and loved helping those in needs. And we all loved him back.”  After his playing career, Smith spent time as the sports director at San Diego’s ABC10 News, as a radio host in the area and as a broadcaster on college and professional football games.  He is survived by his wife, Kimberly Hunt, and their daughter, Savannah.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Chargers #great #college #Hall #Famer #Billy #Ray #Smith #dies

Now it might be slightly less metal to then say, “so make me the highest paid player in baseball or I’m gonna be distracted on the field, $81 million is not enough for me I have expensive taste.” But I’m not a heavy metal expert! Band t-shirts are probably expensive, officially licensed ones at least, maybe you have to be rich to be a metalhead?

Either way, In a bitter contract dispute in 1998, Los Angeles saw Piazza as greedy and disloyal, and Piazza saw the Dodgers organization as calculating and disloyal, and the fans fickle. He also blamed Vin Scully for his “Greedy Mike” label and that right there turned this beef from soft supple meat that could in theory be easily squashed, to an everlasting gobstopper, flamin’ beef flavor.

Wait… that sounds kind of good.. Or at least interesting, in a weird 7-11-spiciest-chip sort of way? Not my intent with the metaphor, but Willy Wonka, hit me up.

#Dodgers #discovered #Mike #Piazza #despise">The Dodgers discovered Mike Piazza, then came to despise him  The fact that Mike Piazza is a metalhead really fits with this beef. I believe it’s quite metal to shake out your mullet and be like, “The Dodgers drafted me when no one else would, but f-you corporate ownership, I don’t owe you no debt of gratitude!”Now it might be slightly less metal to then say, “so make me the highest paid player in baseball or I’m gonna be distracted on the field,  million is not enough for me I have expensive taste.” But I’m not a heavy metal expert! Band t-shirts are probably expensive, officially licensed ones at least, maybe you have to be rich to be a metalhead?Either way, In a bitter contract dispute in 1998, Los Angeles saw Piazza as greedy and disloyal, and Piazza saw the Dodgers organization as calculating and disloyal, and the fans fickle. He also blamed Vin Scully for his “Greedy Mike” label and that right there turned this beef from soft supple meat that could in theory be easily squashed, to an everlasting gobstopper, flamin’ beef flavor.Wait… that sounds kind of good.. Or at least interesting, in a weird 7-11-spiciest-chip sort of way? Not my intent with the metaphor, but Willy Wonka, hit me up.  #Dodgers #discovered #Mike #Piazza #despise

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