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Deadspin | Josh Hart’s clutch shooting lifts Knicks over Celtics  Apr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) celebrates after hitting a three pointer late in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images   Josh Hart had 26 points and Jalen Brunson added 25 points and 10 assists as the New York Knicks extended their home winning streak to six games by beating the visiting Boston Celtics 112-106 Thursday night.  Boston (54-26) was within three points, 109-106, after a Nikola Vucevic basket with 35.6 seconds left, but a Hart 3-pointer extended the lead to six points with 15.2 seconds remaining. Hart made 5 of 7 3-point attempts, including two in the final minute.  New York (52-28), which can still catch Boston and finish as high as second in the Eastern Conference standings, received 16 points and 12 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns.  Jayson Tatum led Boston with 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. Payton Pritchard added 23 points and Baylor Scheierman finished with 20. Scheierman made 6 of 7 3-point shots.  Boston, which will play New Orleans on Friday night, didn’t have leading scorer Jaylen Brown, who sat out with left Achilles tendinitis. Brown entered Thursday’s matchup averaging 28.8 points, seven rebounds and 5.2 assists per game this season.   Each team led by as many as seven points in the opening quarter, which ended with Boston up 29-26. A 10-0 run gave New York a 33-29 lead in the second, and the Knicks were up 54-53 at halftime.  Towns made back-to-back baskets to put New York up 72-59 with 6:58 left in the third, but Pritchard capped a 9-0 run with a 3-pointer that handed Boston a 78-76 advantage. The Celtics had an 83-81 lead after three quarters.  The Celtics matched their largest lead on a Tatum three-point play that made it 92-85 with 8:22 left, but the Knicks scored the next seven points to tie the game 92-92. New York led 99-98 following a Towns 3-pointer with 4:35 remaining and had a 109-104 edge after a Hart 3-pointer with 42.9 to play.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Josh #Harts #clutch #shooting #lifts #Knicks #Celtics

Deadspin | Josh Hart’s clutch shooting lifts Knicks over Celtics
Deadspin | Josh Hart’s clutch shooting lifts Knicks over Celtics  Apr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) celebrates after hitting a three pointer late in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images   Josh Hart had 26 points and Jalen Brunson added 25 points and 10 assists as the New York Knicks extended their home winning streak to six games by beating the visiting Boston Celtics 112-106 Thursday night.  Boston (54-26) was within three points, 109-106, after a Nikola Vucevic basket with 35.6 seconds left, but a Hart 3-pointer extended the lead to six points with 15.2 seconds remaining. Hart made 5 of 7 3-point attempts, including two in the final minute.  New York (52-28), which can still catch Boston and finish as high as second in the Eastern Conference standings, received 16 points and 12 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns.  Jayson Tatum led Boston with 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. Payton Pritchard added 23 points and Baylor Scheierman finished with 20. Scheierman made 6 of 7 3-point shots.  Boston, which will play New Orleans on Friday night, didn’t have leading scorer Jaylen Brown, who sat out with left Achilles tendinitis. Brown entered Thursday’s matchup averaging 28.8 points, seven rebounds and 5.2 assists per game this season.   Each team led by as many as seven points in the opening quarter, which ended with Boston up 29-26. A 10-0 run gave New York a 33-29 lead in the second, and the Knicks were up 54-53 at halftime.  Towns made back-to-back baskets to put New York up 72-59 with 6:58 left in the third, but Pritchard capped a 9-0 run with a 3-pointer that handed Boston a 78-76 advantage. The Celtics had an 83-81 lead after three quarters.  The Celtics matched their largest lead on a Tatum three-point play that made it 92-85 with 8:22 left, but the Knicks scored the next seven points to tie the game 92-92. New York led 99-98 following a Towns 3-pointer with 4:35 remaining and had a 109-104 edge after a Hart 3-pointer with 42.9 to play.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Josh #Harts #clutch #shooting #lifts #Knicks #CelticsApr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) celebrates after hitting a three pointer late in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

Josh Hart had 26 points and Jalen Brunson added 25 points and 10 assists as the New York Knicks extended their home winning streak to six games by beating the visiting Boston Celtics 112-106 Thursday night.

Boston (54-26) was within three points, 109-106, after a Nikola Vucevic basket with 35.6 seconds left, but a Hart 3-pointer extended the lead to six points with 15.2 seconds remaining. Hart made 5 of 7 3-point attempts, including two in the final minute.

New York (52-28), which can still catch Boston and finish as high as second in the Eastern Conference standings, received 16 points and 12 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns.

Jayson Tatum led Boston with 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. Payton Pritchard added 23 points and Baylor Scheierman finished with 20. Scheierman made 6 of 7 3-point shots.


Boston, which will play New Orleans on Friday night, didn’t have leading scorer Jaylen Brown, who sat out with left Achilles tendinitis. Brown entered Thursday’s matchup averaging 28.8 points, seven rebounds and 5.2 assists per game this season.

Each team led by as many as seven points in the opening quarter, which ended with Boston up 29-26. A 10-0 run gave New York a 33-29 lead in the second, and the Knicks were up 54-53 at halftime.

Towns made back-to-back baskets to put New York up 72-59 with 6:58 left in the third, but Pritchard capped a 9-0 run with a 3-pointer that handed Boston a 78-76 advantage. The Celtics had an 83-81 lead after three quarters.

The Celtics matched their largest lead on a Tatum three-point play that made it 92-85 with 8:22 left, but the Knicks scored the next seven points to tie the game 92-92. New York led 99-98 following a Towns 3-pointer with 4:35 remaining and had a 109-104 edge after a Hart 3-pointer with 42.9 to play.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Josh #Harts #clutch #shooting #lifts #Knicks #Celtics

Apr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) celebrates after hitting a three pointer late in the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images

Josh Hart had 26 points and Jalen Brunson added 25 points and 10 assists as the New York Knicks extended their home winning streak to six games by beating the visiting Boston Celtics 112-106 Thursday night.

Boston (54-26) was within three points, 109-106, after a Nikola Vucevic basket with 35.6 seconds left, but a Hart 3-pointer extended the lead to six points with 15.2 seconds remaining. Hart made 5 of 7 3-point attempts, including two in the final minute.

New York (52-28), which can still catch Boston and finish as high as second in the Eastern Conference standings, received 16 points and 12 rebounds from Karl-Anthony Towns.

Jayson Tatum led Boston with 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. Payton Pritchard added 23 points and Baylor Scheierman finished with 20. Scheierman made 6 of 7 3-point shots.

Boston, which will play New Orleans on Friday night, didn’t have leading scorer Jaylen Brown, who sat out with left Achilles tendinitis. Brown entered Thursday’s matchup averaging 28.8 points, seven rebounds and 5.2 assists per game this season.

Each team led by as many as seven points in the opening quarter, which ended with Boston up 29-26. A 10-0 run gave New York a 33-29 lead in the second, and the Knicks were up 54-53 at halftime.

Towns made back-to-back baskets to put New York up 72-59 with 6:58 left in the third, but Pritchard capped a 9-0 run with a 3-pointer that handed Boston a 78-76 advantage. The Celtics had an 83-81 lead after three quarters.

The Celtics matched their largest lead on a Tatum three-point play that made it 92-85 with 8:22 left, but the Knicks scored the next seven points to tie the game 92-92. New York led 99-98 following a Towns 3-pointer with 4:35 remaining and had a 109-104 edge after a Hart 3-pointer with 42.9 to play.

–Field Level Media

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Bayern Munich to face Villa in lucrative Hong Kong pre-season friendly <div id="content-body-70846612" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Bayern Munich will play Aston Villa in an August pre-season friendly in Hong Kong, the German giants said on Friday, also announcing a match in South Korea.</p><p>Vincent Kompany’s perennial German champions will face South Korean team Jeju SK on August 4 and then fly to Hong Kong to meet Premier League Villa three days later.</p><p>Bayern and Villa met in last season’s Champions League, with Jhon Duran scoring the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win for Unai Emery’s side.</p><p>Spearheaded by England striker Harry Kane, Bayern tops the Bundesliga and beat Real Madrid 2-1 away this week in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal.</p><p>They have visited South Korea and Hong Kong once each previously.</p><p><b>ALSO READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/europa-league/ollie-watkins-brace-bologna-vs-aston-villa-europa-league-quarterfinals-porto-nottingham-forest-freiburg-celta-vigo/article70845987.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Watkins strikes twice for Aston Villa in 3-1 win at Bologna in Europa League quarterfinals</a></b></p><p>Bayern has South Korean international Kim Min-jae at the heart of its defence.</p><p>Villa, which has one foot in the semifinal of the Europa League, said on its website they “would hope to announce further fixtures in the far east in due course”.</p><p>Teams heading on pre-season tours will need to balance lucrative visits with player welfare, with the World Cup running from June 11 to July 19.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 10, 2026</p></div> #Bayern #Munich #face #Villa #lucrative #Hong #Kong #preseason #friendly

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Deadspin | LIV Golf touts ‘strong momentum’ despite New Orleans postponement  The LIV Golf logo and team flags at LIV Golf Dallas golf tournament in 2025. Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images   LIV Golf said the league looks forward to continuing its “strong momentum” despite postponing its New Orleans event scheduled for June amid questions about its future beyond 2026.  In a statement provided to Field Level Media on Wednesday, LIV said it intends to “explore” a potential fall event in Louisiana while citing summer heat, a crowded sports calendar and course conditions among the reasons for the postponement.  “In coordination with the Governor of Louisiana and Louisiana Economic Development, we have made the strategic decision to explore moving LIV Golf Louisiana to a new window later this fall,” the statement read. “This shift allows us to avoid the peak summer heat and the crowded global sports calendar while ensuring the course is in the championship condition our fans and players expect.   “We are grateful for the continued partnership and flexibility of the state of Louisiana as we work together to deliver a world-class debut this fall. Our team is focused on maintaining the strong momentum of the 2026 season and we look forward to sharing finalized dates in the near future.”  However, the postponement comes in the wake of reports that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is preparing to pull its funding for the league. LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil had promised employees in an email that the current season would go “exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle.”   However, the postponement of the New Orleans event scheduled for June 25-28 leaves a gap between LIV Golf Andalucia in Spain (June 4-7) and LIV Golf United Kingdom (July 23-26). The league is set to return to action with LIV Golf Virginia next weekend.  Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry’s statement on Tuesday confirmed reports that Louisiana has so far paid .2 million of a  million agreement. LIV “is expected to return all state incentive funds” totaling .2 million; the other  million was spent on improvements to the golf course, Bayou Oaks at City Park.  “We appreciate LIV’s good-faith efforts and look forward to maintaining our partnership as we continue conversations around an event later this year,” Landry said. “We are grateful for the work of our local partners and the collaboration that supported this effort.”  NOLA.com reported Monday that LIV was exploring a smaller, “exposition-style” event in New Orleans in the fall. The league’s team championship in late August is the last event currently scheduled, with the LIV Golf Louisiana event now listed at the bottom of the website’s schedule page without a date.   –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #LIV #Golf #touts #strong #momentum #Orleans #postponementThe LIV Golf logo and team flags at LIV Golf Dallas golf tournament in 2025. Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

LIV Golf said the league looks forward to continuing its “strong momentum” despite postponing its New Orleans event scheduled for June amid questions about its future beyond 2026.

In a statement provided to Field Level Media on Wednesday, LIV said it intends to “explore” a potential fall event in Louisiana while citing summer heat, a crowded sports calendar and course conditions among the reasons for the postponement.

“In coordination with the Governor of Louisiana and Louisiana Economic Development, we have made the strategic decision to explore moving LIV Golf Louisiana to a new window later this fall,” the statement read. “This shift allows us to avoid the peak summer heat and the crowded global sports calendar while ensuring the course is in the championship condition our fans and players expect.

“We are grateful for the continued partnership and flexibility of the state of Louisiana as we work together to deliver a world-class debut this fall. Our team is focused on maintaining the strong momentum of the 2026 season and we look forward to sharing finalized dates in the near future.”


However, the postponement comes in the wake of reports that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is preparing to pull its funding for the league. LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil had promised employees in an email that the current season would go “exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle.”

However, the postponement of the New Orleans event scheduled for June 25-28 leaves a gap between LIV Golf Andalucia in Spain (June 4-7) and LIV Golf United Kingdom (July 23-26). The league is set to return to action with LIV Golf Virginia next weekend.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry’s statement on Tuesday confirmed reports that Louisiana has so far paid $3.2 million of a $7 million agreement. LIV “is expected to return all state incentive funds” totaling $1.2 million; the other $2 million was spent on improvements to the golf course, Bayou Oaks at City Park.

“We appreciate LIV’s good-faith efforts and look forward to maintaining our partnership as we continue conversations around an event later this year,” Landry said. “We are grateful for the work of our local partners and the collaboration that supported this effort.”

NOLA.com reported Monday that LIV was exploring a smaller, “exposition-style” event in New Orleans in the fall. The league’s team championship in late August is the last event currently scheduled, with the LIV Golf Louisiana event now listed at the bottom of the website’s schedule page without a date.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #LIV #Golf #touts #strong #momentum #Orleans #postponement">Deadspin | LIV Golf touts ‘strong momentum’ despite New Orleans postponement  The LIV Golf logo and team flags at LIV Golf Dallas golf tournament in 2025. Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images   LIV Golf said the league looks forward to continuing its “strong momentum” despite postponing its New Orleans event scheduled for June amid questions about its future beyond 2026.  In a statement provided to Field Level Media on Wednesday, LIV said it intends to “explore” a potential fall event in Louisiana while citing summer heat, a crowded sports calendar and course conditions among the reasons for the postponement.  “In coordination with the Governor of Louisiana and Louisiana Economic Development, we have made the strategic decision to explore moving LIV Golf Louisiana to a new window later this fall,” the statement read. “This shift allows us to avoid the peak summer heat and the crowded global sports calendar while ensuring the course is in the championship condition our fans and players expect.   “We are grateful for the continued partnership and flexibility of the state of Louisiana as we work together to deliver a world-class debut this fall. Our team is focused on maintaining the strong momentum of the 2026 season and we look forward to sharing finalized dates in the near future.”  However, the postponement comes in the wake of reports that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is preparing to pull its funding for the league. LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil had promised employees in an email that the current season would go “exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle.”   However, the postponement of the New Orleans event scheduled for June 25-28 leaves a gap between LIV Golf Andalucia in Spain (June 4-7) and LIV Golf United Kingdom (July 23-26). The league is set to return to action with LIV Golf Virginia next weekend.  Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry’s statement on Tuesday confirmed reports that Louisiana has so far paid .2 million of a  million agreement. LIV “is expected to return all state incentive funds” totaling .2 million; the other  million was spent on improvements to the golf course, Bayou Oaks at City Park.  “We appreciate LIV’s good-faith efforts and look forward to maintaining our partnership as we continue conversations around an event later this year,” Landry said. “We are grateful for the work of our local partners and the collaboration that supported this effort.”  NOLA.com reported Monday that LIV was exploring a smaller, “exposition-style” event in New Orleans in the fall. The league’s team championship in late August is the last event currently scheduled, with the LIV Golf Louisiana event now listed at the bottom of the website’s schedule page without a date.   –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #LIV #Golf #touts #strong #momentum #Orleans #postponement

Deadspin | Braves bring historic pace into series finale vs. Tigers  Apr 29, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) celebrates after a walk-off two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers in the ninth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
   The Braves will look for their 11th straight win against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon when the teams play the finale of a three-game series in Atlanta.  Matt Olson and the Braves gut-punched the Tigers on Wednesday when the first baseman crushed a two-run walk-off homer in the ninth inning. Detroit hasn’t beaten Atlanta since June 12, 2023.  “When you have good years, you tend to have games like that,” Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said. “You look back and there’s always 10 or 12 games you won that you necessarily shouldn’t have. And we’ve had a few of those already. That’s a good sign.”  Atlanta owns a major-league-best 22-9 mark, its best start in 26 years. The Braves have not lost a series, going 9-0-1. The 1983 team went a franchise-record tying 10 straight series without a defeat to open the season. The 1889 and 1892 Boston Beaneaters also opened their seasons with 10 straight series wins.  “Like I said the other day, we’ve had innings where we’ve put up five, six and seven spots, so it kind of makes it feel like you’re in every ballgame when you feel like you can do that,” Olson said.  Atlanta will pit right-hander Bryce Elder (3-1, 1.95 ERA) against Detroit southpaw Framber Valdez (2-1, 3.41) in the series finale.  Elder, in his latest outing on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies, pitched seven innings and allowed three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two. The Braves eventually lost 8-5 in 10 innings.  Elder has made one career start against the Tigers, beating them last Sept. 19 by allowing one run — on a solo homer by Spencer Torkelson — in seven strong innings.   Valdez did not receive a decision when he faced the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. His control was shaky and he allowed two runs on four hits and five walks while striking out four in 4 1/3 innings. He threw 89 pitches, only 47 strikes.  Valdez is 1-1 with a 6.55 ERA in two career starts against the Braves, both while a member of the Houston Astros. He took a loss against Atlanta last Sept. 14 when he allowed five runs over four-plus innings.  Detroit rookie Kevin McGonigle went 2-for-4 on Wednesday and extended his hitting streak to 13 games, during which he has hit .358 (19-for-53). He has reached safely in his past 26 starts.  The Tigers had to put left-hander Casey Mize (right adductor strain) and shortstop Javier Baez (right ankle sprain) on the injured list on Wednesday. Detroit recalled lefty Emmanuel De Jesus and third baseman Jace Jung from Triple-A Toledo.  “Hopefully time heals that and (Mize) will continue with his arm-moving and things like that,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “Javy’s is a pretty significant ankle sprain, so I don’t know what that means in terms of a timeline.”  The biggest decision involves who will take Mize’s spot in the rotation, as the Tigers don’t have another day off until May 7.  The Braves announced that right-hander Spencer Strider, out all season with a left oblique strain, would make his first start on Sunday at Colorado.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Braves #bring #historic #pace #series #finale #TigersApr 29, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) celebrates after a walk-off two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers in the ninth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Braves will look for their 11th straight win against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon when the teams play the finale of a three-game series in Atlanta.

Matt Olson and the Braves gut-punched the Tigers on Wednesday when the first baseman crushed a two-run walk-off homer in the ninth inning. Detroit hasn’t beaten Atlanta since June 12, 2023.

“When you have good years, you tend to have games like that,” Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said. “You look back and there’s always 10 or 12 games you won that you necessarily shouldn’t have. And we’ve had a few of those already. That’s a good sign.”

Atlanta owns a major-league-best 22-9 mark, its best start in 26 years. The Braves have not lost a series, going 9-0-1. The 1983 team went a franchise-record tying 10 straight series without a defeat to open the season. The 1889 and 1892 Boston Beaneaters also opened their seasons with 10 straight series wins.

“Like I said the other day, we’ve had innings where we’ve put up five, six and seven spots, so it kind of makes it feel like you’re in every ballgame when you feel like you can do that,” Olson said.

Atlanta will pit right-hander Bryce Elder (3-1, 1.95 ERA) against Detroit southpaw Framber Valdez (2-1, 3.41) in the series finale.

Elder, in his latest outing on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies, pitched seven innings and allowed three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two. The Braves eventually lost 8-5 in 10 innings.


Elder has made one career start against the Tigers, beating them last Sept. 19 by allowing one run — on a solo homer by Spencer Torkelson — in seven strong innings.

Valdez did not receive a decision when he faced the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. His control was shaky and he allowed two runs on four hits and five walks while striking out four in 4 1/3 innings. He threw 89 pitches, only 47 strikes.

Valdez is 1-1 with a 6.55 ERA in two career starts against the Braves, both while a member of the Houston Astros. He took a loss against Atlanta last Sept. 14 when he allowed five runs over four-plus innings.

Detroit rookie Kevin McGonigle went 2-for-4 on Wednesday and extended his hitting streak to 13 games, during which he has hit .358 (19-for-53). He has reached safely in his past 26 starts.

The Tigers had to put left-hander Casey Mize (right adductor strain) and shortstop Javier Baez (right ankle sprain) on the injured list on Wednesday. Detroit recalled lefty Emmanuel De Jesus and third baseman Jace Jung from Triple-A Toledo.

“Hopefully time heals that and (Mize) will continue with his arm-moving and things like that,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “Javy’s is a pretty significant ankle sprain, so I don’t know what that means in terms of a timeline.”

The biggest decision involves who will take Mize’s spot in the rotation, as the Tigers don’t have another day off until May 7.

The Braves announced that right-hander Spencer Strider, out all season with a left oblique strain, would make his first start on Sunday at Colorado.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Braves #bring #historic #pace #series #finale #Tigers">Deadspin | Braves bring historic pace into series finale vs. Tigers  Apr 29, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) celebrates after a walk-off two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers in the ninth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
   The Braves will look for their 11th straight win against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon when the teams play the finale of a three-game series in Atlanta.  Matt Olson and the Braves gut-punched the Tigers on Wednesday when the first baseman crushed a two-run walk-off homer in the ninth inning. Detroit hasn’t beaten Atlanta since June 12, 2023.  “When you have good years, you tend to have games like that,” Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said. “You look back and there’s always 10 or 12 games you won that you necessarily shouldn’t have. And we’ve had a few of those already. That’s a good sign.”  Atlanta owns a major-league-best 22-9 mark, its best start in 26 years. The Braves have not lost a series, going 9-0-1. The 1983 team went a franchise-record tying 10 straight series without a defeat to open the season. The 1889 and 1892 Boston Beaneaters also opened their seasons with 10 straight series wins.  “Like I said the other day, we’ve had innings where we’ve put up five, six and seven spots, so it kind of makes it feel like you’re in every ballgame when you feel like you can do that,” Olson said.  Atlanta will pit right-hander Bryce Elder (3-1, 1.95 ERA) against Detroit southpaw Framber Valdez (2-1, 3.41) in the series finale.  Elder, in his latest outing on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies, pitched seven innings and allowed three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two. The Braves eventually lost 8-5 in 10 innings.  Elder has made one career start against the Tigers, beating them last Sept. 19 by allowing one run — on a solo homer by Spencer Torkelson — in seven strong innings.   Valdez did not receive a decision when he faced the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. His control was shaky and he allowed two runs on four hits and five walks while striking out four in 4 1/3 innings. He threw 89 pitches, only 47 strikes.  Valdez is 1-1 with a 6.55 ERA in two career starts against the Braves, both while a member of the Houston Astros. He took a loss against Atlanta last Sept. 14 when he allowed five runs over four-plus innings.  Detroit rookie Kevin McGonigle went 2-for-4 on Wednesday and extended his hitting streak to 13 games, during which he has hit .358 (19-for-53). He has reached safely in his past 26 starts.  The Tigers had to put left-hander Casey Mize (right adductor strain) and shortstop Javier Baez (right ankle sprain) on the injured list on Wednesday. Detroit recalled lefty Emmanuel De Jesus and third baseman Jace Jung from Triple-A Toledo.  “Hopefully time heals that and (Mize) will continue with his arm-moving and things like that,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “Javy’s is a pretty significant ankle sprain, so I don’t know what that means in terms of a timeline.”  The biggest decision involves who will take Mize’s spot in the rotation, as the Tigers don’t have another day off until May 7.  The Braves announced that right-hander Spencer Strider, out all season with a left oblique strain, would make his first start on Sunday at Colorado.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Braves #bring #historic #pace #series #finale #Tigers

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