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Deadspin | Guardians hope bats continue to come alive vs. Royals  Mar 28, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (52) throws against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Mady Mertens-Imagn Images   Fresh off series wins against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, the American League Central-leading Cleveland Guardians begin divisional play Monday when they welcome the Kansas City Royals for a three-game set.  Those two series wins came after splitting four games in Seattle to start the season against the Mariners, a team many expect to contend for the AL pennant this season.  “We had a tough way to start, and it doesn’t get easier,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said after his team won the tail end of Sunday’s doubleheader against the Cubs. “We have another tough week ahead of us, and I’m sure it doesn’t get easy after that. Every team in the big leagues is really good, but I couldn’t be more thrilled with where we are.”  Right-hander Tanner Bibee (0-1, 4.00 ERA) is slated to get the start in the series opener. He suffered the defeat in his last start, allowing just one run but lasting only four innings in a 4-1 Dodgers win on Tuesday in Los Angeles.  Bibee, 27, has fared well against the Royals. In eight career starts, Bibee is 4-0, with three of those victories coming in his last four starts against Kansas City. He has a 3.19 ERA against the Royals but has allowed 36 hits and 16 walks in 42 1/3 innings.  Offensively, the Guardians hope the bats that came alive late in Sunday’s second game against the Cubs can carry that momentum into Monday. After getting just one hit in a 1-0 loss in Sunday’s first game, the Guardians had just two hits in the first five frames of the nightcap.  However, they sent eight batters to the plate in both the sixth and eighth innings, allowing them to erase 3-0 and 4-3 deficits to win 6-5.  CJ Kayfus, who entered Sunday 0-for-10 on the season, recorded the Guardians’ lone hit in Sunday’s opener and followed that by coming off the bench to go 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs scored in the second game. That included his first home run of the season in the eighth inning to tie the game at 4.  Sunday’s action marked the first time the 24-year-old outfielder had played since last Tuesday in Los Angeles.   The Royals have lost three of their last four, with Sunday’s 8-5 home loss to the Milwaukee Brewers keeping them from claiming their second series of the season.  Veteran righty Michael Wacha (0-0, 0.00) gets the ball for the Royals on Monday. It will be just his second start of the season as manager Matt Quatraro’s team is using a six-man rotation.   Wacha threw six shutout innings on March 28 on the road against the Atlanta Braves. He allowed just three hits and a walk while striking out seven but did not get a decision.  Wacha is 2-2 in eight career starts against Cleveland, with a 2.49 ERA.  The Royals are hitting .251 for the season, but their best player, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., has struggled to his standards in Kansas City’s first nine games.  Witt’s hitting just .242 this season. A two-time 30 home run hitter and 2024 AL batting champ who led the league in doubles last season and triples in 2023, he also has not gotten an extra-base hit this season.  “He’s in one of those spots right now where it seems like he’s got two strikes every time he goes up,” Quatraro told MLB.com.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Guardians #hope #bats #continue #alive #Royals

Deadspin | Guardians hope bats continue to come alive vs. Royals
Deadspin | Guardians hope bats continue to come alive vs. Royals  Mar 28, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (52) throws against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Mady Mertens-Imagn Images   Fresh off series wins against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, the American League Central-leading Cleveland Guardians begin divisional play Monday when they welcome the Kansas City Royals for a three-game set.  Those two series wins came after splitting four games in Seattle to start the season against the Mariners, a team many expect to contend for the AL pennant this season.  “We had a tough way to start, and it doesn’t get easier,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said after his team won the tail end of Sunday’s doubleheader against the Cubs. “We have another tough week ahead of us, and I’m sure it doesn’t get easy after that. Every team in the big leagues is really good, but I couldn’t be more thrilled with where we are.”  Right-hander Tanner Bibee (0-1, 4.00 ERA) is slated to get the start in the series opener. He suffered the defeat in his last start, allowing just one run but lasting only four innings in a 4-1 Dodgers win on Tuesday in Los Angeles.  Bibee, 27, has fared well against the Royals. In eight career starts, Bibee is 4-0, with three of those victories coming in his last four starts against Kansas City. He has a 3.19 ERA against the Royals but has allowed 36 hits and 16 walks in 42 1/3 innings.  Offensively, the Guardians hope the bats that came alive late in Sunday’s second game against the Cubs can carry that momentum into Monday. After getting just one hit in a 1-0 loss in Sunday’s first game, the Guardians had just two hits in the first five frames of the nightcap.  However, they sent eight batters to the plate in both the sixth and eighth innings, allowing them to erase 3-0 and 4-3 deficits to win 6-5.  CJ Kayfus, who entered Sunday 0-for-10 on the season, recorded the Guardians’ lone hit in Sunday’s opener and followed that by coming off the bench to go 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs scored in the second game. That included his first home run of the season in the eighth inning to tie the game at 4.  Sunday’s action marked the first time the 24-year-old outfielder had played since last Tuesday in Los Angeles.   The Royals have lost three of their last four, with Sunday’s 8-5 home loss to the Milwaukee Brewers keeping them from claiming their second series of the season.  Veteran righty Michael Wacha (0-0, 0.00) gets the ball for the Royals on Monday. It will be just his second start of the season as manager Matt Quatraro’s team is using a six-man rotation.   Wacha threw six shutout innings on March 28 on the road against the Atlanta Braves. He allowed just three hits and a walk while striking out seven but did not get a decision.  Wacha is 2-2 in eight career starts against Cleveland, with a 2.49 ERA.  The Royals are hitting .251 for the season, but their best player, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., has struggled to his standards in Kansas City’s first nine games.  Witt’s hitting just .242 this season. A two-time 30 home run hitter and 2024 AL batting champ who led the league in doubles last season and triples in 2023, he also has not gotten an extra-base hit this season.  “He’s in one of those spots right now where it seems like he’s got two strikes every time he goes up,” Quatraro told MLB.com.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Guardians #hope #bats #continue #alive #RoyalsMar 28, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (52) throws against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Mady Mertens-Imagn Images

Fresh off series wins against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, the American League Central-leading Cleveland Guardians begin divisional play Monday when they welcome the Kansas City Royals for a three-game set.

Those two series wins came after splitting four games in Seattle to start the season against the Mariners, a team many expect to contend for the AL pennant this season.

“We had a tough way to start, and it doesn’t get easier,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said after his team won the tail end of Sunday’s doubleheader against the Cubs. “We have another tough week ahead of us, and I’m sure it doesn’t get easy after that. Every team in the big leagues is really good, but I couldn’t be more thrilled with where we are.”

Right-hander Tanner Bibee (0-1, 4.00 ERA) is slated to get the start in the series opener. He suffered the defeat in his last start, allowing just one run but lasting only four innings in a 4-1 Dodgers win on Tuesday in Los Angeles.

Bibee, 27, has fared well against the Royals. In eight career starts, Bibee is 4-0, with three of those victories coming in his last four starts against Kansas City. He has a 3.19 ERA against the Royals but has allowed 36 hits and 16 walks in 42 1/3 innings.

Offensively, the Guardians hope the bats that came alive late in Sunday’s second game against the Cubs can carry that momentum into Monday. After getting just one hit in a 1-0 loss in Sunday’s first game, the Guardians had just two hits in the first five frames of the nightcap.

However, they sent eight batters to the plate in both the sixth and eighth innings, allowing them to erase 3-0 and 4-3 deficits to win 6-5.

CJ Kayfus, who entered Sunday 0-for-10 on the season, recorded the Guardians’ lone hit in Sunday’s opener and followed that by coming off the bench to go 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs scored in the second game. That included his first home run of the season in the eighth inning to tie the game at 4.


Sunday’s action marked the first time the 24-year-old outfielder had played since last Tuesday in Los Angeles.

The Royals have lost three of their last four, with Sunday’s 8-5 home loss to the Milwaukee Brewers keeping them from claiming their second series of the season.

Veteran righty Michael Wacha (0-0, 0.00) gets the ball for the Royals on Monday. It will be just his second start of the season as manager Matt Quatraro’s team is using a six-man rotation.

Wacha threw six shutout innings on March 28 on the road against the Atlanta Braves. He allowed just three hits and a walk while striking out seven but did not get a decision.

Wacha is 2-2 in eight career starts against Cleveland, with a 2.49 ERA.

The Royals are hitting .251 for the season, but their best player, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., has struggled to his standards in Kansas City’s first nine games.

Witt’s hitting just .242 this season. A two-time 30 home run hitter and 2024 AL batting champ who led the league in doubles last season and triples in 2023, he also has not gotten an extra-base hit this season.

“He’s in one of those spots right now where it seems like he’s got two strikes every time he goes up,” Quatraro told MLB.com.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Guardians #hope #bats #continue #alive #Royals

Mar 28, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha (52) throws against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Mady Mertens-Imagn Images

Fresh off series wins against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, the American League Central-leading Cleveland Guardians begin divisional play Monday when they welcome the Kansas City Royals for a three-game set.

Those two series wins came after splitting four games in Seattle to start the season against the Mariners, a team many expect to contend for the AL pennant this season.

“We had a tough way to start, and it doesn’t get easier,” Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt said after his team won the tail end of Sunday’s doubleheader against the Cubs. “We have another tough week ahead of us, and I’m sure it doesn’t get easy after that. Every team in the big leagues is really good, but I couldn’t be more thrilled with where we are.”

Right-hander Tanner Bibee (0-1, 4.00 ERA) is slated to get the start in the series opener. He suffered the defeat in his last start, allowing just one run but lasting only four innings in a 4-1 Dodgers win on Tuesday in Los Angeles.

Bibee, 27, has fared well against the Royals. In eight career starts, Bibee is 4-0, with three of those victories coming in his last four starts against Kansas City. He has a 3.19 ERA against the Royals but has allowed 36 hits and 16 walks in 42 1/3 innings.

Offensively, the Guardians hope the bats that came alive late in Sunday’s second game against the Cubs can carry that momentum into Monday. After getting just one hit in a 1-0 loss in Sunday’s first game, the Guardians had just two hits in the first five frames of the nightcap.

However, they sent eight batters to the plate in both the sixth and eighth innings, allowing them to erase 3-0 and 4-3 deficits to win 6-5.

CJ Kayfus, who entered Sunday 0-for-10 on the season, recorded the Guardians’ lone hit in Sunday’s opener and followed that by coming off the bench to go 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two runs scored in the second game. That included his first home run of the season in the eighth inning to tie the game at 4.

Sunday’s action marked the first time the 24-year-old outfielder had played since last Tuesday in Los Angeles.

The Royals have lost three of their last four, with Sunday’s 8-5 home loss to the Milwaukee Brewers keeping them from claiming their second series of the season.

Veteran righty Michael Wacha (0-0, 0.00) gets the ball for the Royals on Monday. It will be just his second start of the season as manager Matt Quatraro’s team is using a six-man rotation.

Wacha threw six shutout innings on March 28 on the road against the Atlanta Braves. He allowed just three hits and a walk while striking out seven but did not get a decision.

Wacha is 2-2 in eight career starts against Cleveland, with a 2.49 ERA.

The Royals are hitting .251 for the season, but their best player, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., has struggled to his standards in Kansas City’s first nine games.

Witt’s hitting just .242 this season. A two-time 30 home run hitter and 2024 AL batting champ who led the league in doubles last season and triples in 2023, he also has not gotten an extra-base hit this season.

“He’s in one of those spots right now where it seems like he’s got two strikes every time he goes up,” Quatraro told MLB.com.

–Field Level Media

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Vatican: Francis stable, out of ‘imminent danger’ of death<img src="https://gdb.voanews.com/9637e9f0-f554-4997-0a41-08dd5c8b1668_cx0_cy3_cw0_w800_h450.jpg" /><br><div id="article-content"> <div class="wsw"> <p>The Vatican issued an update Saturday on the health of Pope Francis, who remains in Rome’s Gemelli hospital under the care of doctors, saying that while his prognosis remains “complex,” the pope is no longer in “imminent danger” of death.</p><p>On Friday, the Vatican’s Holy See Press Office announced that since Francis’ condition is now considered stable, barring any major developments, updates on his health will be less frequent. The 88-year-old pontiff has spent four weeks in the hospital and is receiving treatment for double pneumonia.</p><p>Medical bulletins from the pope’s doctors, which had been almost a daily occurrence since his admission to Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14, will be issued only when there is new information, the press office said Friday. The office emphasized that Francis’ recovery is progressing, but that it will require time to make sure the improvements continue.</p><p>This also means the Holy See’s daily morning update about how the pope spent the night will no longer be issued, which leaves only the evening news briefing for journalists.</p><p>The Vatican said that this is a “a positive sign” for the Catholic faithful, meaning that no news is essentially good news.</p><p>Francis is continuing his prescribed medical treatments, which included motor physiotherapy Friday. He alternates between noninvasive mechanical ventilation at night and high-flow oxygenation with nasal cannulas during the day, according to the Vatican.</p><p>Francis had part of a lung removed as a young man after a pulmonary infection and has in recent years battled recurring bouts of bronchitis.</p><p>On Thursday, the press office said Francis celebrated the 12th anniversary of his papal election surrounded by health care staff.</p><p>Part of the pope’s hospital stay comes during the Christian season of Lent. It is the annual 40-day period of prayer, fasting and almsgiving that begins on Ash Wednesday and ends at sundown on Holy Thursday. Lent began on March 5.</p> </div> <ul class="authors-highlights"> <li class="authors-highlights__item"> </li> </ul> </div>#Vatican #Francis #stable #imminent #danger #deathEurope, Americas, Pope Francis

When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.

The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.

The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.

That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.

On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.

Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.

But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.

I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.

One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.

Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.

In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.

There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.

I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.

Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.

#Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making">Larry Fitzgerald’s Hall of Fame induction is 25 years in the making  When I arrived to cover the Minnesota Vikings for the St. Paul Pioneer Press in 2000, it was clear I was dealing with a star-studded roster.The team boasted future Pro Football Hall of Famers; wide receivers Cris Carter and Randy Moss and defensive tackle John Randle. Plus, there were a ton of other stars including quarterback Daunte Culpepper, center Matt Birk and running back Robert Smith. The Vikings were loaded with star power.The talent around the team wasn’t relegated simply to the roster, however.That summer I first laid my eyes on a 16-year-old high school junior named Larry Fitzgerald Jr. The son of a local media member and close friend of Vikings’ head coach Dennis Green, Little Fitzy was a ball boy during training camp and on game days. It turns out, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. is very likely the most famous former NFL ball boy in history.On reporting date, fellow reporter Kevin Seifert pointed out Fitzgerald to me and said “that’s a bad man.” Seifert didn’t say that about any of the actual Vikings that day.Fitzgerald was already known as the best Minnesota high school prospect in years and he was considered one of the best high school players in the country. Seifert told me the buzz was that the kid was, no doubt, headed to the NFL in a half decade or so. Seifert was on the money. I’m not sure the Hall of Fame was mentioned or not.But this weekend of course, that’s exactly where Little Fitzy is headed. He will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Saturday as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.Fitzgerald will be remembered as one of the best and most productive wide receivers in league history after an incredible 17-season career with the Arizona Cardinals.I have a ton of memories of being around Fitzgerald, but there’s one that stands out among them all.One day after training camp, a nameless Vikings’ wide receiver camp body was getting extra work on a JUGS machine, catching balls. He was being tutored by Fitzgerald, who was showing this player how to properly approach the incoming ball. This was a child instructing a grown man an NFL team deemed good enough to attend training camp.Larry Fitzgerald Jr. was special even back then.In addition to his incredible natural football ability, Larry Fitzgerald Jr. stood out for his politeness and good nature. You could tell he was a good kid from the first time you met him.There was no I’m-going-to-be-a-star attitude. He was genuine and he worked his tail off with the rest of the ball boys. There was no entitlement. It was as if he was using his time around an NFL camp as an internship for his future. He passed with flying colors.I’ve always cherished following his career from his days at Pittsburgh in college to his days of dominating the NFL and I’ve enjoyed running into him over the years now and again.Enjoy Canton, Little Fitzy, you’ve earned it.  #Larry #Fitzgeralds #Hall #Fame #induction #years #making

Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.

TOSS

Tiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.

PLAYING XIs

Nellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky Bhasker

Tiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T Natarajan

Published on Aug 09, 2026

#TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings">TNPL 2026 Live: All-round batting display propels Nellai Royal Kings to 206/8  Follow Sportstar for extensive coverage of the tenth edition of the TNPL, from live scores and match reports to exclusive analysis and features.TOSSTiruppur Tamizhans won the toss and chose to bowl first.PLAYING XIsNellai Royal Kings: Athish SR(w), D Santhosh Kumar, Ajitesh Guruswamy, U Mukilesh, Rithik Easwaran, Sonu Yadav(c), Muhammed Adnan Khan, Ramalingam Rohit, Emmanuel Cherian, NS Harish, Rocky BhaskerTiruppur Tamizhans: Tushar Raheja(w), Amit Sathvik, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Mohamed Ali, Uthirasamy Sasidev, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore(c), M Mathivannan, S Mohan Prasath, R Silambarasan, Esakkimuthu A, T NatarajanPublished on Aug 09, 2026  #TNPL #Live #Allround #batting #display #propels #Nellai #Royal #Kings

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