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Deadspin | After February brawl, Hornets and Pistons set for late-season rematch  Feb 9, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (24) tries to hold the ball pressured by Detroit Pistons forward Paul Reed (7) and  guard/forward Ausar Thompson (9) during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images   The Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets face each other Friday for the first time in more than two months in a game that will likely draw the attention of both teams.  It will mark the first time the teams meet since a brawl that resulted in four player ejections and a later ejection of Charlotte coach Charles Lee.  The Pistons beat Charlotte 112-86 at home in December and claimed a 110-104 decision Feb. 9 in the brawl-marred game in Charlotte.  The Hornets (43-37) have been off since losing 113-102 on Tuesday night at Boston, ending a four-game winning streak.  Yet Charlotte continues to jockey for postseason position. It will be in the Eastern Conference’s play-in tournament at the very least, but there’s a chance to improve that status. The Hornets are 1 1/2 games back of sixth-place Toronto entering Thursday’s action.  The Pistons (58-22) are in better shape as they already have clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference, winning four of their last five games.  “I think we’re going to have a great practice and get ourselves ready to play a really tough (team), obviously, the No. 1 seed, in the Detroit Pistons,” Lee said.  Cade Cunningham led the Pistons in scoring in both prior games vs. Charlotte, averaging 27.5 points in those outings. Cunningham played Wednesday for the first time since March 17 after missing 11 games because of a collapsed lung. He notched a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists in a 137-111 home rout of the Milwaukee Bucks.  Detroit also had Isaiah Stewart back after missing nearly a month with a calf injury.  “There is no way to replicate NBA basketball other than playing NBA basketball, so it was great to have them back out there trying to catch a rhythm going down the stretch,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said.  Bickerstaff said Cunningham could be on a minutes restriction if he plays again Friday.   “Get him some reps,” Bickerstaff said of the importance of court time. “(How he feels through Thursday) will determine what happens vs. Charlotte.”  The February brawl was sparked by a confrontation between Detroit’s Jalen Duren and Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate in the third quarter. Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart, who joined the fray by coming off the bench, and Charlotte’s Miles Bridges were also ejected and suspensions were handed out.  With the playoffs beginning within a week or so, it figures that the behavior will be better from both teams.  Lee said the defensive intensity from Charlotte has been strong at times. He also liked the tempo the team played with in Boston.  “I thought the unselfishness offensively, the pace and execution were great for most of the game,” he said.  Guard LaMelo Ball has been heating up again for the Hornets. He tallied 36 points, including a season-best 23 in the first half, in the Boston game. He has scored 35 or more points in back-to-back games for the first time since doing so in three consecutive games in November of 2024.  The Hornets did have a backcourt glitch earlier this week with guard Coby White out of action because of groin soreness. He has averaged 17.2 points per game across the past month, so it would be a boost if he’s able to return with the Pistons in town.  Friday’s matchup with Detroit will mark the final home game of the regular season for the Hornets.  Detroit is 7-2 against the Hornets in the last nine meetings, splitting four clashes in Charlotte during that stretch.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #February #brawl #Hornets #Pistons #set #lateseason #rematch

Deadspin | After February brawl, Hornets and Pistons set for late-season rematch
Deadspin | After February brawl, Hornets and Pistons set for late-season rematch  Feb 9, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (24) tries to hold the ball pressured by Detroit Pistons forward Paul Reed (7) and  guard/forward Ausar Thompson (9) during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images   The Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets face each other Friday for the first time in more than two months in a game that will likely draw the attention of both teams.  It will mark the first time the teams meet since a brawl that resulted in four player ejections and a later ejection of Charlotte coach Charles Lee.  The Pistons beat Charlotte 112-86 at home in December and claimed a 110-104 decision Feb. 9 in the brawl-marred game in Charlotte.  The Hornets (43-37) have been off since losing 113-102 on Tuesday night at Boston, ending a four-game winning streak.  Yet Charlotte continues to jockey for postseason position. It will be in the Eastern Conference’s play-in tournament at the very least, but there’s a chance to improve that status. The Hornets are 1 1/2 games back of sixth-place Toronto entering Thursday’s action.  The Pistons (58-22) are in better shape as they already have clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference, winning four of their last five games.  “I think we’re going to have a great practice and get ourselves ready to play a really tough (team), obviously, the No. 1 seed, in the Detroit Pistons,” Lee said.  Cade Cunningham led the Pistons in scoring in both prior games vs. Charlotte, averaging 27.5 points in those outings. Cunningham played Wednesday for the first time since March 17 after missing 11 games because of a collapsed lung. He notched a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists in a 137-111 home rout of the Milwaukee Bucks.  Detroit also had Isaiah Stewart back after missing nearly a month with a calf injury.  “There is no way to replicate NBA basketball other than playing NBA basketball, so it was great to have them back out there trying to catch a rhythm going down the stretch,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said.  Bickerstaff said Cunningham could be on a minutes restriction if he plays again Friday.   “Get him some reps,” Bickerstaff said of the importance of court time. “(How he feels through Thursday) will determine what happens vs. Charlotte.”  The February brawl was sparked by a confrontation between Detroit’s Jalen Duren and Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate in the third quarter. Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart, who joined the fray by coming off the bench, and Charlotte’s Miles Bridges were also ejected and suspensions were handed out.  With the playoffs beginning within a week or so, it figures that the behavior will be better from both teams.  Lee said the defensive intensity from Charlotte has been strong at times. He also liked the tempo the team played with in Boston.  “I thought the unselfishness offensively, the pace and execution were great for most of the game,” he said.  Guard LaMelo Ball has been heating up again for the Hornets. He tallied 36 points, including a season-best 23 in the first half, in the Boston game. He has scored 35 or more points in back-to-back games for the first time since doing so in three consecutive games in November of 2024.  The Hornets did have a backcourt glitch earlier this week with guard Coby White out of action because of groin soreness. He has averaged 17.2 points per game across the past month, so it would be a boost if he’s able to return with the Pistons in town.  Friday’s matchup with Detroit will mark the final home game of the regular season for the Hornets.  Detroit is 7-2 against the Hornets in the last nine meetings, splitting four clashes in Charlotte during that stretch.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #February #brawl #Hornets #Pistons #set #lateseason #rematchFeb 9, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (24) tries to hold the ball pressured by Detroit Pistons forward Paul Reed (7) and guard/forward Ausar Thompson (9) during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets face each other Friday for the first time in more than two months in a game that will likely draw the attention of both teams.

It will mark the first time the teams meet since a brawl that resulted in four player ejections and a later ejection of Charlotte coach Charles Lee.

The Pistons beat Charlotte 112-86 at home in December and claimed a 110-104 decision Feb. 9 in the brawl-marred game in Charlotte.

The Hornets (43-37) have been off since losing 113-102 on Tuesday night at Boston, ending a four-game winning streak.

Yet Charlotte continues to jockey for postseason position. It will be in the Eastern Conference’s play-in tournament at the very least, but there’s a chance to improve that status. The Hornets are 1 1/2 games back of sixth-place Toronto entering Thursday’s action.

The Pistons (58-22) are in better shape as they already have clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference, winning four of their last five games.

“I think we’re going to have a great practice and get ourselves ready to play a really tough (team), obviously, the No. 1 seed, in the Detroit Pistons,” Lee said.

Cade Cunningham led the Pistons in scoring in both prior games vs. Charlotte, averaging 27.5 points in those outings. Cunningham played Wednesday for the first time since March 17 after missing 11 games because of a collapsed lung. He notched a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists in a 137-111 home rout of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Detroit also had Isaiah Stewart back after missing nearly a month with a calf injury.

“There is no way to replicate NBA basketball other than playing NBA basketball, so it was great to have them back out there trying to catch a rhythm going down the stretch,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said.


Bickerstaff said Cunningham could be on a minutes restriction if he plays again Friday.

“Get him some reps,” Bickerstaff said of the importance of court time. “(How he feels through Thursday) will determine what happens vs. Charlotte.”

The February brawl was sparked by a confrontation between Detroit’s Jalen Duren and Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate in the third quarter. Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart, who joined the fray by coming off the bench, and Charlotte’s Miles Bridges were also ejected and suspensions were handed out.

With the playoffs beginning within a week or so, it figures that the behavior will be better from both teams.

Lee said the defensive intensity from Charlotte has been strong at times. He also liked the tempo the team played with in Boston.

“I thought the unselfishness offensively, the pace and execution were great for most of the game,” he said.

Guard LaMelo Ball has been heating up again for the Hornets. He tallied 36 points, including a season-best 23 in the first half, in the Boston game. He has scored 35 or more points in back-to-back games for the first time since doing so in three consecutive games in November of 2024.

The Hornets did have a backcourt glitch earlier this week with guard Coby White out of action because of groin soreness. He has averaged 17.2 points per game across the past month, so it would be a boost if he’s able to return with the Pistons in town.

Friday’s matchup with Detroit will mark the final home game of the regular season for the Hornets.

Detroit is 7-2 against the Hornets in the last nine meetings, splitting four clashes in Charlotte during that stretch.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #February #brawl #Hornets #Pistons #set #lateseason #rematch

Feb 9, 2026; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (24) tries to hold the ball pressured by Detroit Pistons forward Paul Reed (7) and guard/forward Ausar Thompson (9) during the second half at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

The Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets face each other Friday for the first time in more than two months in a game that will likely draw the attention of both teams.

It will mark the first time the teams meet since a brawl that resulted in four player ejections and a later ejection of Charlotte coach Charles Lee.

The Pistons beat Charlotte 112-86 at home in December and claimed a 110-104 decision Feb. 9 in the brawl-marred game in Charlotte.

The Hornets (43-37) have been off since losing 113-102 on Tuesday night at Boston, ending a four-game winning streak.

Yet Charlotte continues to jockey for postseason position. It will be in the Eastern Conference’s play-in tournament at the very least, but there’s a chance to improve that status. The Hornets are 1 1/2 games back of sixth-place Toronto entering Thursday’s action.

The Pistons (58-22) are in better shape as they already have clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference, winning four of their last five games.

“I think we’re going to have a great practice and get ourselves ready to play a really tough (team), obviously, the No. 1 seed, in the Detroit Pistons,” Lee said.

Cade Cunningham led the Pistons in scoring in both prior games vs. Charlotte, averaging 27.5 points in those outings. Cunningham played Wednesday for the first time since March 17 after missing 11 games because of a collapsed lung. He notched a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists in a 137-111 home rout of the Milwaukee Bucks.

Detroit also had Isaiah Stewart back after missing nearly a month with a calf injury.

“There is no way to replicate NBA basketball other than playing NBA basketball, so it was great to have them back out there trying to catch a rhythm going down the stretch,” Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said.

Bickerstaff said Cunningham could be on a minutes restriction if he plays again Friday.

“Get him some reps,” Bickerstaff said of the importance of court time. “(How he feels through Thursday) will determine what happens vs. Charlotte.”

The February brawl was sparked by a confrontation between Detroit’s Jalen Duren and Charlotte’s Moussa Diabate in the third quarter. Detroit’s Isaiah Stewart, who joined the fray by coming off the bench, and Charlotte’s Miles Bridges were also ejected and suspensions were handed out.

With the playoffs beginning within a week or so, it figures that the behavior will be better from both teams.

Lee said the defensive intensity from Charlotte has been strong at times. He also liked the tempo the team played with in Boston.

“I thought the unselfishness offensively, the pace and execution were great for most of the game,” he said.

Guard LaMelo Ball has been heating up again for the Hornets. He tallied 36 points, including a season-best 23 in the first half, in the Boston game. He has scored 35 or more points in back-to-back games for the first time since doing so in three consecutive games in November of 2024.

The Hornets did have a backcourt glitch earlier this week with guard Coby White out of action because of groin soreness. He has averaged 17.2 points per game across the past month, so it would be a boost if he’s able to return with the Pistons in town.

Friday’s matchup with Detroit will mark the final home game of the regular season for the Hornets.

Detroit is 7-2 against the Hornets in the last nine meetings, splitting four clashes in Charlotte during that stretch.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #February #brawl #Hornets #Pistons #set #lateseason #rematch

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Florida AG to probe OpenAI, alleging possible connection to FSU shooting | TechCrunch<div> <p id="speakable-summary" class="wp-block-paragraph">Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DW6l_tJkTFu/">announced</a> on Thursday his office will investigate OpenAI for its alleged harm to minors, potential to threaten national security, and its possible link to a <a href="https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/crime/article304434411.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">shooting</a> that took place at Florida State University last year.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">“ChatGPT may likely have been used to assist the murderer in the recent mass school shooting at Florida State University that tragically took two lives,” Attorney General Uthmeier said in a video posted to social media.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">On the day of the FSU shooting last April, the suspect <a href="https://www.wfla.com/news/hillsborough-county/court-documents-show-florida-state-shooters-ai-chats-leading-up-to-the-attack/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">allegedly asked ChatGPT</a> how the country would react to a shooting at FSU, and what time it would be busiest at the FSU student union. These messages could potentially be used as evidence against the suspect in an October trial about the shooting.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">The attorney general cited further concerns about ChatGPT’s encouragement of suicide in certain instances, which have been documented in <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2025/11/23/chatgpt-told-them-they-were-special-their-families-say-it-led-to-tragedy/">multiple lawsuits</a> brought by families against OpenAI. He also mentioned his concern that the Chinese Communist Party could use OpenAI’s technology against the United States.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">“As big tech rolls out these technologies, they should not — they cannot — put our safety and security at risk,” he said. “We support innovation. But that doesn’t give any company the right to endanger our children, facilitate criminal activity, empower America’s enemies, or threaten our national security.”</p> <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram"/> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">He also called on the Florida legislature to “work quickly” to protect children from the negative impacts of AI.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">“Each week, more than 900 million people use ChatGPT to improve their daily lives through uses such as learning new skills or navigating complex healthcare systems,” an OpenAI spokesperson said in a statement to TechCrunch. “Our ongoing safety work continues to play an important role in delivering these benefits to everyday people, as well as supporting scientific research and discovery.” </p> <div class="wp-block-techcrunch-inline-cta"> <div class="inline-cta__wrapper"> <p>Techcrunch event</p> <div class="inline-cta__content"> <p> <span class="inline-cta__location">San Francisco, CA</span> <span class="inline-cta__separator">|</span> <span class="inline-cta__date">October 13-15, 2026</span> </p> </div> </div> </div> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">OpenAI added that it builds and continues to improve ChatGPT to understand user intent and respond in appropriate, safe ways. The company said it will cooperate with the Florida attorney general’s investigation.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">On Wednesday, OpenAI unveiled its <a href="https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/08/openai-releases-a-new-safety-blueprint-to-address-the-rise-in-child-sexual-exploitation/">Child Safety Blueprint</a>, which includes policy recommendations designed to improve children’s safety as it relates to AI. </p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">This action comes as chatbot makers face pressure to confront their potential role in creating child sexual abuse material (CSAM). According to a recent report from the <a href="https://www.iwf.org.uk/news-media/news/dangerous-ai-child-sexual-abuse-reaches-record-high-as-public-backs-clampdown-on-uncensored-tools/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow">Internet Watch Foundation</a>, there were over 8,000 reports of AI-generated CSAM in the first half of 2025, which represents a 14% increase year over year.</p> <p class="wp-block-paragraph">OpenAI’s blueprint recommends updating legislation to protect against AI-generated abuse material, refining the reporting process to law enforcement, and instituting better preventative safeguards against abusive uses of AI tools.</p> </div><script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>#Florida #probe #OpenAI #alleging #connection #FSU #shooting #TechCrunchChatGPT,OpenAI

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Indore News: वंदे मातरम पर सियासी संग्राम! पार्षद फौजिया शेख बोलीं- दबाव में नहीं गाएंगे

Deadspin | Struggling Blue Jays look to salvage series finale vs. Rays  Jul 18, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Shane Bieber (57) throws a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images   The Tampa Bay Rays will go for a four-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays Thursday afternoon that also would give them a split on their eight-game road trip.  The Rays, who opened the trip with four losses to the surging Boston Red Sox, won their third in a row against the Blue Jays with a 4-2 decision on Wednesday.  The game turned on three unearned runs in the sixth inning started by center fielder Daulton Varsho’s error on a flyball by Yandy Diaz that bounced off the heel of his glove.  The Rays are 8-1 this season against the Blue Jays, who fell 10 games below .500. Toronto sits last in the American Leagie East, 13 1/2 games behind the first-place Rays and 6 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot.  The Blue Jays have made six errors in the series, but their lack of hitting continues to be a problem and falls far short of making up for the sloppy play in the field. The Blue Jays have scored 10 runs in going 1-5 in the first six contests of their seven-game homestand.  “We talk about it every day,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “We talk about it a lot. We talked about it today, at length, with the guys. It’s tough. It’s tough because we’re better and they’re better than what’s going on right now on the field.”  Left-hander Ian Seymour (6-2, 4.79 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Rays. He is 2-1 with a 5.02 ERA in six career appearances (two starts) against Toronto He has four relief appearances versus the Blue Jays this season with a 4.50 ERA.  Toronto will turn to right-hander Shane Bieber (1-1, 5.70), who is 3-2 with a 3.27 ERA in seven career starts against the Rays.  Victor Mesa Jr. had two RBI singles for the Rays on Wednesday and the speedy Chandler Simpson was again prominent going 1-for-2 with a single, a walk, a sacrifice fly and two stolen bases.   Simpson was 4-for-5 with an RBI on Tuesday in Tampa Bay’s 12-2 win.  “When Chandler’s going, the havoc he’s creating — he got two hits (Tuesday) night, traditional hits, and then two hits with a routine ground ball to short and a tweener — not many guys in baseball can get hits like that, but he can,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “We’ve watched it all season long. He creates, like, a panic on defensive players, and really good ones. … Chandler hits it on the ground, and everybody’s having to move a lot faster than what they usually do.”  Players like Simpson provide some needed support to the lineup of Diaz, Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero.  “It’s very key,” Simpson said. “The big three, as you’d call it, they’re amazing and they’ve been superheroes the whole time. So if 5-9 can just help out a little bit and get them up to the plate as much as possible, it would be good for us.”  “I think that’s the biggest key of all,” Cash said. “Good offenses, they’re able to turn the lineup over.”  The Blue Jays recalled outfielder Yohendrick Pinango from Triple-A Buffalo and put Jonatan Clase on the injured list with left plantar fasciitis. Pinango started in left field Wednesday and was 1-for-2 before being replaced for a pinch hitter.  They also recalled right-hander CJ Van Eyk from Buffalo and optioned Lazaro Estrada to Triple-A.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Struggling #Blue #Jays #salvage #series #finale #RaysJul 18, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Shane Bieber (57) throws a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

The Tampa Bay Rays will go for a four-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays Thursday afternoon that also would give them a split on their eight-game road trip.

The Rays, who opened the trip with four losses to the surging Boston Red Sox, won their third in a row against the Blue Jays with a 4-2 decision on Wednesday.

The game turned on three unearned runs in the sixth inning started by center fielder Daulton Varsho’s error on a flyball by Yandy Diaz that bounced off the heel of his glove.

The Rays are 8-1 this season against the Blue Jays, who fell 10 games below .500. Toronto sits last in the American Leagie East, 13 1/2 games behind the first-place Rays and 6 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot.

The Blue Jays have made six errors in the series, but their lack of hitting continues to be a problem and falls far short of making up for the sloppy play in the field. The Blue Jays have scored 10 runs in going 1-5 in the first six contests of their seven-game homestand.

“We talk about it every day,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “We talk about it a lot. We talked about it today, at length, with the guys. It’s tough. It’s tough because we’re better and they’re better than what’s going on right now on the field.”

Left-hander Ian Seymour (6-2, 4.79 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Rays. He is 2-1 with a 5.02 ERA in six career appearances (two starts) against Toronto He has four relief appearances versus the Blue Jays this season with a 4.50 ERA.

Toronto will turn to right-hander Shane Bieber (1-1, 5.70), who is 3-2 with a 3.27 ERA in seven career starts against the Rays.


Victor Mesa Jr. had two RBI singles for the Rays on Wednesday and the speedy Chandler Simpson was again prominent going 1-for-2 with a single, a walk, a sacrifice fly and two stolen bases.

Simpson was 4-for-5 with an RBI on Tuesday in Tampa Bay’s 12-2 win.

“When Chandler’s going, the havoc he’s creating — he got two hits (Tuesday) night, traditional hits, and then two hits with a routine ground ball to short and a tweener — not many guys in baseball can get hits like that, but he can,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “We’ve watched it all season long. He creates, like, a panic on defensive players, and really good ones. … Chandler hits it on the ground, and everybody’s having to move a lot faster than what they usually do.”

Players like Simpson provide some needed support to the lineup of Diaz, Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero.

“It’s very key,” Simpson said. “The big three, as you’d call it, they’re amazing and they’ve been superheroes the whole time. So if 5-9 can just help out a little bit and get them up to the plate as much as possible, it would be good for us.”

“I think that’s the biggest key of all,” Cash said. “Good offenses, they’re able to turn the lineup over.”

The Blue Jays recalled outfielder Yohendrick Pinango from Triple-A Buffalo and put Jonatan Clase on the injured list with left plantar fasciitis. Pinango started in left field Wednesday and was 1-for-2 before being replaced for a pinch hitter.

They also recalled right-hander CJ Van Eyk from Buffalo and optioned Lazaro Estrada to Triple-A.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Struggling #Blue #Jays #salvage #series #finale #Rays">Deadspin | Struggling Blue Jays look to salvage series finale vs. Rays  Jul 18, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Shane Bieber (57) throws a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images   The Tampa Bay Rays will go for a four-game sweep of the Toronto Blue Jays Thursday afternoon that also would give them a split on their eight-game road trip.  The Rays, who opened the trip with four losses to the surging Boston Red Sox, won their third in a row against the Blue Jays with a 4-2 decision on Wednesday.  The game turned on three unearned runs in the sixth inning started by center fielder Daulton Varsho’s error on a flyball by Yandy Diaz that bounced off the heel of his glove.  The Rays are 8-1 this season against the Blue Jays, who fell 10 games below .500. Toronto sits last in the American Leagie East, 13 1/2 games behind the first-place Rays and 6 1/2 games out of a wild-card spot.  The Blue Jays have made six errors in the series, but their lack of hitting continues to be a problem and falls far short of making up for the sloppy play in the field. The Blue Jays have scored 10 runs in going 1-5 in the first six contests of their seven-game homestand.  “We talk about it every day,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “We talk about it a lot. We talked about it today, at length, with the guys. It’s tough. It’s tough because we’re better and they’re better than what’s going on right now on the field.”  Left-hander Ian Seymour (6-2, 4.79 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Rays. He is 2-1 with a 5.02 ERA in six career appearances (two starts) against Toronto He has four relief appearances versus the Blue Jays this season with a 4.50 ERA.  Toronto will turn to right-hander Shane Bieber (1-1, 5.70), who is 3-2 with a 3.27 ERA in seven career starts against the Rays.  Victor Mesa Jr. had two RBI singles for the Rays on Wednesday and the speedy Chandler Simpson was again prominent going 1-for-2 with a single, a walk, a sacrifice fly and two stolen bases.   Simpson was 4-for-5 with an RBI on Tuesday in Tampa Bay’s 12-2 win.  “When Chandler’s going, the havoc he’s creating — he got two hits (Tuesday) night, traditional hits, and then two hits with a routine ground ball to short and a tweener — not many guys in baseball can get hits like that, but he can,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “We’ve watched it all season long. He creates, like, a panic on defensive players, and really good ones. … Chandler hits it on the ground, and everybody’s having to move a lot faster than what they usually do.”  Players like Simpson provide some needed support to the lineup of Diaz, Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero.  “It’s very key,” Simpson said. “The big three, as you’d call it, they’re amazing and they’ve been superheroes the whole time. So if 5-9 can just help out a little bit and get them up to the plate as much as possible, it would be good for us.”  “I think that’s the biggest key of all,” Cash said. “Good offenses, they’re able to turn the lineup over.”  The Blue Jays recalled outfielder Yohendrick Pinango from Triple-A Buffalo and put Jonatan Clase on the injured list with left plantar fasciitis. Pinango started in left field Wednesday and was 1-for-2 before being replaced for a pinch hitter.  They also recalled right-hander CJ Van Eyk from Buffalo and optioned Lazaro Estrada to Triple-A.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Struggling #Blue #Jays #salvage #series #finale #Rays

It took us long enough, but six-plus years later, Lenny finally gets his own Secret Base video. Time and again, he found himself standing center stage during baseball’s oddest, most chaotic scenes. Sometimes he just happened to be there and passively observed the ruckus. Other times, he conjured it himself. Since “The History of Charging the Mound” is, above all else, a story about baseball chaos, it was inevitable that he’d find himself here.

Hope you enjoy his story as much as I did. As always, if you want more from this series, or more special projects like this, and get them as soon as they’re ready – check out Secret Base on Patreon. If you’re a member over there, then you would’ve gotten to see an uncensored butt in this video. Best sales pitch we’ve got.

#HISTORY #CHARGING #MOUND #EPISODE #LENNY #RANDLE">THE HISTORY OF CHARGING THE MOUND, EPISODE 6: LENNY RANDLE  Hello! I’m Jon. When Alex and I were piecing together the script for “The History of the Seattle Mariners” way back in 2019, our short Lenny Randle segment went through a couple of revisions. Although he only spent a small fraction of his career in Seattle, Lenny established himself as a Mariners legend, and we had to rein ourselves in from writing an extensive tangent covering his entire story.It took us long enough, but six-plus years later, Lenny finally gets his own Secret Base video. Time and again, he found himself standing center stage during baseball’s oddest, most chaotic scenes. Sometimes he just happened to be there and passively observed the ruckus. Other times, he conjured it himself. Since “The History of Charging the Mound” is, above all else, a story about baseball chaos, it was inevitable that he’d find himself here.Hope you enjoy his story as much as I did. As always, if you want more from this series, or more special projects like this, and get them as soon as they’re ready – check out Secret Base on Patreon. If you’re a member over there, then you would’ve gotten to see an uncensored butt in this video. Best sales pitch we’ve got.  #HISTORY #CHARGING #MOUND #EPISODE #LENNY #RANDLE

#HISTORY #CHARGING #MOUND #EPISODE #LENNY #RANDLE">THE HISTORY OF CHARGING THE MOUND, EPISODE 6: LENNY RANDLE

Hello! I’m Jon. When Alex and I were piecing together the script for “The History of the Seattle Mariners” way back in 2019, our short Lenny Randle segment went through a couple of revisions. Although he only spent a small fraction of his career in Seattle, Lenny established himself as a Mariners legend, and we had to rein ourselves in from writing an extensive tangent covering his entire story.

It took us long enough, but six-plus years later, Lenny finally gets his own Secret Base video. Time and again, he found himself standing center stage during baseball’s oddest, most chaotic scenes. Sometimes he just happened to be there and passively observed the ruckus. Other times, he conjured it himself. Since “The History of Charging the Mound” is, above all else, a story about baseball chaos, it was inevitable that he’d find himself here.

Hope you enjoy his story as much as I did. As always, if you want more from this series, or more special projects like this, and get them as soon as they’re ready – check out Secret Base on Patreon. If you’re a member over there, then you would’ve gotten to see an uncensored butt in this video. Best sales pitch we’ve got.

#HISTORY #CHARGING #MOUND #EPISODE #LENNY #RANDLE

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