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Deadspin | Kings hope physical play will help solve Avs in Game 2 Apr 19, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe (9) and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) fight during the third period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images The Los Angeles Kings believe they have a plan heading into Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round series against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night in Denver. After averaging 20.1 hits during the regular season, the Kings delivered 49 during the 2-1 loss to Colorado in Game 1 on Sunday afternoon. Los Angeles coach D.J. Smith believes they can turn it up a notch, however. “We’ve got to be more physical,” Smith said. “We’ve got to hit the D more, and I expect that in the next game.” The Kings played their type of game in the first matchup on Sunday, holding the high-scoring Avalanche without a goal through the first half of the game and pulling within one with 2:22 remaining. Still, they couldn’t get a second puck past Scott Wedgewood. “That’s the kind of game you can expect playing the Kings,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. “It’s a tight-checking team. What’d they play, 50-something one-goal games and low-scoring games? I’m comfortable with that. I think our team’s comfortable with that.” Colorado is comfortable with Wedgewood guarding the net as well. He led the NHL in save percentage (.921) during the regular season and has limited the opposition to one goal or fewer in his past five starts. “I thought he was fantastic,” Bednar said. “Did everything he needed to do. Obviously, bigger stakes, more emotion, but played the exact same way that he’s been playing for us all year.” The Kings missed two opportunities to score into a wide-open net during the game, crucial wasted chances against a team that led the NHL with 3.63 goals per game during the regular season. “I don’t think we can outscore them,” Los Angeles defenseman Mikey Anderson said. “We’re comfortable in the low-scoring games, so we’ve got to try and keep it tight, try and give them the least amount as possible.” Colorado got its first goal on Sunday from the top line of Nathan MacKinnon, Artturi Lehkonen and Martin Necas, but its second goal came from the fourth line of Logan O’Connor, Joel Kiviranta and Jack Drury. O’Connor did not have a goal in 13 regular-season games, but he could sense his line was gaining chemistry heading into the playoffs. “For us, our game translates well to the playoffs,” O’Connor said. “It’s a lot of simplicity and muck it up and just wear teams down.” The Kings scored their lone goal while on the power play and with their goalie pulled to create a two-man advantage. They’ll need to be even sharper on the power play come Tuesday. Surprisingly, the Avalanche had just the 27th-best power play during the regular season, one spot better than the Kings. “Whether it’s special teams or whatever, we’ve just got to bear down a little bit more on our chances,” Smith said. “I think we can get more pucks to the net and, again, I think we’ve just got to be a little meaner offensively.” Anderson realizes the difference between a win and a loss could come down to a friendly bounce or two. “They found a way to capitalize,” Anderson said of Colorado in Game 1. “So, we’ll watch it and figure out if we can change a few things and try to get better going into Game 2.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Kings #hope #physical #play #solve #Avs #Game

Deadspin | Kings hope physical play will help solve Avs in Game 2
Deadspin | Kings hope physical play will help solve Avs in Game 2 Apr 19, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe (9) and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) fight during the third period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images The Los Angeles Kings believe they have a plan heading into Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round series against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night in Denver. After averaging 20.1 hits during the regular season, the Kings delivered 49 during the 2-1 loss to Colorado in Game 1 on Sunday afternoon. Los Angeles coach D.J. Smith believes they can turn it up a notch, however. “We’ve got to be more physical,” Smith said. “We’ve got to hit the D more, and I expect that in the next game.” The Kings played their type of game in the first matchup on Sunday, holding the high-scoring Avalanche without a goal through the first half of the game and pulling within one with 2:22 remaining. Still, they couldn’t get a second puck past Scott Wedgewood. “That’s the kind of game you can expect playing the Kings,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. “It’s a tight-checking team. What’d they play, 50-something one-goal games and low-scoring games? I’m comfortable with that. I think our team’s comfortable with that.” Colorado is comfortable with Wedgewood guarding the net as well. He led the NHL in save percentage (.921) during the regular season and has limited the opposition to one goal or fewer in his past five starts. “I thought he was fantastic,” Bednar said. “Did everything he needed to do. Obviously, bigger stakes, more emotion, but played the exact same way that he’s been playing for us all year.” The Kings missed two opportunities to score into a wide-open net during the game, crucial wasted chances against a team that led the NHL with 3.63 goals per game during the regular season. “I don’t think we can outscore them,” Los Angeles defenseman Mikey Anderson said. “We’re comfortable in the low-scoring games, so we’ve got to try and keep it tight, try and give them the least amount as possible.” Colorado got its first goal on Sunday from the top line of Nathan MacKinnon, Artturi Lehkonen and Martin Necas, but its second goal came from the fourth line of Logan O’Connor, Joel Kiviranta and Jack Drury. O’Connor did not have a goal in 13 regular-season games, but he could sense his line was gaining chemistry heading into the playoffs. “For us, our game translates well to the playoffs,” O’Connor said. “It’s a lot of simplicity and muck it up and just wear teams down.” The Kings scored their lone goal while on the power play and with their goalie pulled to create a two-man advantage. They’ll need to be even sharper on the power play come Tuesday. Surprisingly, the Avalanche had just the 27th-best power play during the regular season, one spot better than the Kings. “Whether it’s special teams or whatever, we’ve just got to bear down a little bit more on our chances,” Smith said. “I think we can get more pucks to the net and, again, I think we’ve just got to be a little meaner offensively.” Anderson realizes the difference between a win and a loss could come down to a friendly bounce or two. “They found a way to capitalize,” Anderson said of Colorado in Game 1. “So, we’ll watch it and figure out if we can change a few things and try to get better going into Game 2.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Kings #hope #physical #play #solve #Avs #GameApr 19, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe (9) and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) fight during the third period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Kings believe they have a plan heading into Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round series against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night in Denver.

After averaging 20.1 hits during the regular season, the Kings delivered 49 during the 2-1 loss to Colorado in Game 1 on Sunday afternoon.

Los Angeles coach D.J. Smith believes they can turn it up a notch, however.

“We’ve got to be more physical,” Smith said. “We’ve got to hit the D more, and I expect that in the next game.”

The Kings played their type of game in the first matchup on Sunday, holding the high-scoring Avalanche without a goal through the first half of the game and pulling within one with 2:22 remaining. Still, they couldn’t get a second puck past Scott Wedgewood.

“That’s the kind of game you can expect playing the Kings,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. “It’s a tight-checking team. What’d they play, 50-something one-goal games and low-scoring games? I’m comfortable with that. I think our team’s comfortable with that.”

Colorado is comfortable with Wedgewood guarding the net as well.

He led the NHL in save percentage (.921) during the regular season and has limited the opposition to one goal or fewer in his past five starts.

“I thought he was fantastic,” Bednar said. “Did everything he needed to do. Obviously, bigger stakes, more emotion, but played the exact same way that he’s been playing for us all year.”


The Kings missed two opportunities to score into a wide-open net during the game, crucial wasted chances against a team that led the NHL with 3.63 goals per game during the regular season.

“I don’t think we can outscore them,” Los Angeles defenseman Mikey Anderson said. “We’re comfortable in the low-scoring games, so we’ve got to try and keep it tight, try and give them the least amount as possible.”

Colorado got its first goal on Sunday from the top line of Nathan MacKinnon, Artturi Lehkonen and Martin Necas, but its second goal came from the fourth line of Logan O’Connor, Joel Kiviranta and Jack Drury.

O’Connor did not have a goal in 13 regular-season games, but he could sense his line was gaining chemistry heading into the playoffs.

“For us, our game translates well to the playoffs,” O’Connor said. “It’s a lot of simplicity and muck it up and just wear teams down.”

The Kings scored their lone goal while on the power play and with their goalie pulled to create a two-man advantage. They’ll need to be even sharper on the power play come Tuesday.

Surprisingly, the Avalanche had just the 27th-best power play during the regular season, one spot better than the Kings.

“Whether it’s special teams or whatever, we’ve just got to bear down a little bit more on our chances,” Smith said. “I think we can get more pucks to the net and, again, I think we’ve just got to be a little meaner offensively.”

Anderson realizes the difference between a win and a loss could come down to a friendly bounce or two.

“They found a way to capitalize,” Anderson said of Colorado in Game 1. “So, we’ll watch it and figure out if we can change a few things and try to get better going into Game 2.”


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Kings #hope #physical #play #solve #Avs #Game

Sports news

Apr 19, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Kings right wing Adrian Kempe (9) and Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) fight during the third period in game one of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Kings believe they have a plan heading into Game 2 of their Western Conference first-round series against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday night in Denver.

After averaging 20.1 hits during the regular season, the Kings delivered 49 during the 2-1 loss to Colorado in Game 1 on Sunday afternoon.

Los Angeles coach D.J. Smith believes they can turn it up a notch, however.

“We’ve got to be more physical,” Smith said. “We’ve got to hit the D more, and I expect that in the next game.”

The Kings played their type of game in the first matchup on Sunday, holding the high-scoring Avalanche without a goal through the first half of the game and pulling within one with 2:22 remaining. Still, they couldn’t get a second puck past Scott Wedgewood.

“That’s the kind of game you can expect playing the Kings,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar said. “It’s a tight-checking team. What’d they play, 50-something one-goal games and low-scoring games? I’m comfortable with that. I think our team’s comfortable with that.”

Colorado is comfortable with Wedgewood guarding the net as well.

He led the NHL in save percentage (.921) during the regular season and has limited the opposition to one goal or fewer in his past five starts.

“I thought he was fantastic,” Bednar said. “Did everything he needed to do. Obviously, bigger stakes, more emotion, but played the exact same way that he’s been playing for us all year.”

The Kings missed two opportunities to score into a wide-open net during the game, crucial wasted chances against a team that led the NHL with 3.63 goals per game during the regular season.

“I don’t think we can outscore them,” Los Angeles defenseman Mikey Anderson said. “We’re comfortable in the low-scoring games, so we’ve got to try and keep it tight, try and give them the least amount as possible.”

Colorado got its first goal on Sunday from the top line of Nathan MacKinnon, Artturi Lehkonen and Martin Necas, but its second goal came from the fourth line of Logan O’Connor, Joel Kiviranta and Jack Drury.

O’Connor did not have a goal in 13 regular-season games, but he could sense his line was gaining chemistry heading into the playoffs.

“For us, our game translates well to the playoffs,” O’Connor said. “It’s a lot of simplicity and muck it up and just wear teams down.”

The Kings scored their lone goal while on the power play and with their goalie pulled to create a two-man advantage. They’ll need to be even sharper on the power play come Tuesday.

Surprisingly, the Avalanche had just the 27th-best power play during the regular season, one spot better than the Kings.

“Whether it’s special teams or whatever, we’ve just got to bear down a little bit more on our chances,” Smith said. “I think we can get more pucks to the net and, again, I think we’ve just got to be a little meaner offensively.”

Anderson realizes the difference between a win and a loss could come down to a friendly bounce or two.

“They found a way to capitalize,” Anderson said of Colorado in Game 1. “So, we’ll watch it and figure out if we can change a few things and try to get better going into Game 2.”

–Field Level Media

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Aston Villa to upgrade stadium next season ahead of Euro 2028 hosting <div id="content-body-70888702" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Champions League-bound Aston Villa will close one end of its stadium next season for construction to raise capacity above 50,000 before hosting European Championship games in 2028.</p><p>The club in Birmingham announced a faster timetable Tuesday to long-planned renovations for the North Stand that will cut stadium capacity to about 37,000 throughout next season.</p><p>Villa is well set in fourth place in the Premier League with five rounds left to qualify for the next Champions League, guaranteeing four home games in the main phase.</p><p>At Euro 2028 co-hosted across Britain and Ireland, Villa Park will stage four games including one in the round of 16. It hosted a quarterfinals game among four at the 1996 edition in England.</p><p>“By completing the works within a single season, the club will limit disruption to one campaign rather than extending it across two seasons,” Aston Villa said in a statement.</p><p>Villa Park has had crowds of 43,000 in the Premier League this season and 41,662 last week when coach Unai Emery’s team eliminated Bologna in the Europa League quarterfinal.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 21, 2026</p></div> #Aston #Villa #upgrade #stadium #season #ahead #Euro #hosting

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IPL 2026 — Spencer Johnson joins CSK squad ahead of MI clash <div id="content-body-70888923" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Spencer Johnson, the Australian left-arm pacer who had been signed as Nathan Ellis’ replacement ahead of the season, joined Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Mumbai on Tuesday ahead of its marquee clash against Mumbai Indians.</p><p>Johnson may be drafted into the XI for the injured Khaleel Ahmed for Thursday night’s clash.</p><p>CSK has had an underwhelming start to its season with just two wins from its opening six games. Injuries have further weighed down its hopes of fighting back.</p><p>In its previous match against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Ayush Mhatre suffered a hamstring injury which ruled him out of the remaining tourament.</p><p>The five-time champion is already without talisman M.S. Dhoni, who had been ruled out for two weeks even before the side’s first game. However, the 43-year-old is yet to feature in the tournament despite being a regular presence at the team’s practice sessions.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 21, 2026</p></div> #IPL #Spencer #Johnson #joins #CSK #squad #ahead #clash

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The shirt worn by Brazil great Pele ​when he scored twice in ‌the 1958 FIFA World Cup ​final has sold for USD 4.9 ⁠million at auction, becoming the most valuable piece of memorabilia ‌linked to the football legend, Sotheby’s said on ‌Thursday.

The number 10 ‌shirt, ⁠worn by the ⁠then 17-year-old as Brazil beat host Sweden 5-2 in Stockholm to win its first ‌world title, attracted 10 bids from more than five bidders, the auction house ‌said.

ALSO READ | FIFA World Cup trophy to arrive in style in bespoke Louis Vuitton trunk

The sale made it ​the second-most expensive football shirt sold at ⁠auction, behind the USD 9.3 million paid in 2022 for the shirt ‌worn by Diego Maradona when he scored his “Hand of God” goal for Argentina against England at the 1986 World Cup.

Pele, ‌who died in 2022 aged ​82, scored twice in the 1958 showpiece and ⁠remains the youngest player to score ⁠in a World Cup final.

The shirt ‌had previously sold at auction in 2004 for 70,505 ​pounds ($105,600), according to Sotheby’s

Published on Jul 17, 2026

#Peles #FIFA #World #Cup #final #shirt #sells #USD #million">Pele’s 1958 FIFA World Cup final shirt sells for USD 4.9 million The shirt worn by Brazil great Pele ​when he scored twice in ‌the 1958 FIFA World Cup ​final has sold for USD 4.9 ⁠million at auction, becoming the most valuable piece of memorabilia ‌linked to the football legend, Sotheby’s said on ‌Thursday.The number 10 ‌shirt, ⁠worn by the ⁠then 17-year-old as Brazil beat host Sweden 5-2 in Stockholm to win its first ‌world title, attracted 10 bids from more than five bidders, the auction house ‌said.ALSO READ | FIFA World Cup trophy to arrive in style in bespoke Louis Vuitton trunkThe sale made it ​the second-most expensive football shirt sold at ⁠auction, behind the USD 9.3 million paid in 2022 for the shirt ‌worn by Diego Maradona when he scored his “Hand of God” goal for Argentina against England at the 1986 World Cup.Pele, ‌who died in 2022 aged ​82, scored twice in the 1958 showpiece and ⁠remains the youngest player to score ⁠in a World Cup final.The shirt ‌had previously sold at auction in 2004 for 70,505 ​pounds (5,600), according to Sotheby’sPublished on Jul 17, 2026 #Peles #FIFA #World #Cup #final #shirt #sells #USD #million

FIFA World Cup trophy to arrive in style in bespoke Louis Vuitton trunk

The sale made it ​the second-most expensive football shirt sold at ⁠auction, behind the USD 9.3 million paid in 2022 for the shirt ‌worn by Diego Maradona when he scored his “Hand of God” goal for Argentina against England at the 1986 World Cup.

Pele, ‌who died in 2022 aged ​82, scored twice in the 1958 showpiece and ⁠remains the youngest player to score ⁠in a World Cup final.

The shirt ‌had previously sold at auction in 2004 for 70,505 ​pounds ($105,600), according to Sotheby’s

Published on Jul 17, 2026

#Peles #FIFA #World #Cup #final #shirt #sells #USD #million">Pele’s 1958 FIFA World Cup final shirt sells for USD 4.9 million

The shirt worn by Brazil great Pele ​when he scored twice in ‌the 1958 FIFA World Cup ​final has sold for USD 4.9 ⁠million at auction, becoming the most valuable piece of memorabilia ‌linked to the football legend, Sotheby’s said on ‌Thursday.

The number 10 ‌shirt, ⁠worn by the ⁠then 17-year-old as Brazil beat host Sweden 5-2 in Stockholm to win its first ‌world title, attracted 10 bids from more than five bidders, the auction house ‌said.

ALSO READ | FIFA World Cup trophy to arrive in style in bespoke Louis Vuitton trunk

The sale made it ​the second-most expensive football shirt sold at ⁠auction, behind the USD 9.3 million paid in 2022 for the shirt ‌worn by Diego Maradona when he scored his “Hand of God” goal for Argentina against England at the 1986 World Cup.

Pele, ‌who died in 2022 aged ​82, scored twice in the 1958 showpiece and ⁠remains the youngest player to score ⁠in a World Cup final.

The shirt ‌had previously sold at auction in 2004 for 70,505 ​pounds ($105,600), according to Sotheby’s

Published on Jul 17, 2026

#Peles #FIFA #World #Cup #final #shirt #sells #USD #million

Over the past few seasons, Tarik Skubal has been one of the best, if not the best, pitchers in the sport. Since 2023, Skubal has the second-lowest ERA among pitchers with at least 50 starts and ranks 9th in total strikeouts, despite having 13 fewer starts than every pitcher above him on that list. The two Cy Youngs are a culmination of his continued dominance, but now his upcoming free-agent decision looms large for the Detroit Tigers.

Skubal is a Scott Boras client. If you know anything about Boras guys, it’s not common for any of them to take team-friendly deals to stay in smaller markets, so this could very well be his final season in Detroit.

At this moment, the Tigers are 44-52, good for 4th in the AL Central, but are still only 3.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot. Detroit closed out the first half of the regular season strong, going 9-3, and got as close as 4.5 games of the Central division.

In a normal year, the season would be all but over for the Tigers, but fortunately they’re playing in one of the worst American Leagues we’ve ever seen. The trade deadline is August 3rd, so Detroit has five series to decide whether to make a playoff push or sell. Only one of those series is against a team over .500, and three of the other four series are against the three worst teams in the American League.

Detroit isn’t out of it yet

Detroit is finally getting healthier, and a playoff push isn’t out of the question, but that doesn’t make them a contender. Skubal and Casey Mize make one of the best 1-2 punches in baseball, but the lineup is terrible.

Last season blinded Detroit to a flawed lineup. Most of the lineup outperformed their expected stats and have plummeted back to Earth this year. Kevin McGonigle, Riley Greene, and Dillon Dingler are a very solid top of the order, and Gelyber Torres should return from injury soon, but I’m just not very sold on this team.

The return you can get on a guy like Skubal can change the long-term direction of your organization. Mason Miller was dealt at the deadline for four players who are now the first, fourth, and twelfth-ranked players in the Athletics farm system. Skubal would only be a rental, but if you could land a top 10-20 prospect in the sport, I think you have to do it.

Unless Detroit is going to shock the world and pay Skubal’s massive extension, I think the Tigers should start preparing for a world without their ace. This team’s not strong enough to contend and will only set themselves back if they hold on to Skubal.

#Tigers #Moving #Tarik #Skubal #Trade #Deadline #Deadspin.com">Why Tigers Should Consider Moving Tarik Skubal at the Trade Deadline | Deadspin.com Over the past few seasons, Tarik Skubal has been one of the best, if not the best, pitchers in the sport. Since 2023, Skubal has the second-lowest ERA among pitchers with at least 50 starts and ranks 9th in total strikeouts, despite having 13 fewer starts than every pitcher above him on that list. The two Cy Youngs are a culmination of his continued dominance, but now his upcoming free-agent decision looms large for the Detroit Tigers.Skubal is a Scott Boras client. If you know anything about Boras guys, it’s not common for any of them to take team-friendly deals to stay in smaller markets, so this could very well be his final season in Detroit.At this moment, the Tigers are 44-52, good for 4th in the AL Central, but are still only 3.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot. Detroit closed out the first half of the regular season strong, going 9-3, and got as close as 4.5 games of the Central division.In a normal year, the season would be all but over for the Tigers, but fortunately they’re playing in one of the worst American Leagues we’ve ever seen. The trade deadline is August 3rd, so Detroit has five series to decide whether to make a playoff push or sell. Only one of those series is against a team over .500, and three of the other four series are against the three worst teams in the American League.Detroit isn’t out of it yetDetroit is finally getting healthier, and a playoff push isn’t out of the question, but that doesn’t make them a contender. Skubal and Casey Mize make one of the best 1-2 punches in baseball, but the lineup is terrible.Last season blinded Detroit to a flawed lineup. Most of the lineup outperformed their expected stats and have plummeted back to Earth this year. Kevin McGonigle, Riley Greene, and Dillon Dingler are a very solid top of the order, and Gelyber Torres should return from injury soon, but I’m just not very sold on this team.The return you can get on a guy like Skubal can change the long-term direction of your organization. Mason Miller was dealt at the deadline for four players who are now the first, fourth, and twelfth-ranked players in the Athletics farm system. Skubal would only be a rental, but if you could land a top 10-20 prospect in the sport, I think you have to do it.Unless Detroit is going to shock the world and pay Skubal’s massive extension, I think the Tigers should start preparing for a world without their ace. This team’s not strong enough to contend and will only set themselves back if they hold on to Skubal. #Tigers #Moving #Tarik #Skubal #Trade #Deadline #Deadspin.com

looms large for the Detroit Tigers.

Skubal is a Scott Boras client. If you know anything about Boras guys, it’s not common for any of them to take team-friendly deals to stay in smaller markets, so this could very well be his final season in Detroit.

At this moment, the Tigers are 44-52, good for 4th in the AL Central, but are still only 3.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot. Detroit closed out the first half of the regular season strong, going 9-3, and got as close as 4.5 games of the Central division.

In a normal year, the season would be all but over for the Tigers, but fortunately they’re playing in one of the worst American Leagues we’ve ever seen. The trade deadline is August 3rd, so Detroit has five series to decide whether to make a playoff push or sell. Only one of those series is against a team over .500, and three of the other four series are against the three worst teams in the American League.

Detroit isn’t out of it yet

Detroit is finally getting healthier, and a playoff push isn’t out of the question, but that doesn’t make them a contender. Skubal and Casey Mize make one of the best 1-2 punches in baseball, but the lineup is terrible.

Last season blinded Detroit to a flawed lineup. Most of the lineup outperformed their expected stats and have plummeted back to Earth this year. Kevin McGonigle, Riley Greene, and Dillon Dingler are a very solid top of the order, and Gelyber Torres should return from injury soon, but I’m just not very sold on this team.

The return you can get on a guy like Skubal can change the long-term direction of your organization. Mason Miller was dealt at the deadline for four players who are now the first, fourth, and twelfth-ranked players in the Athletics farm system. Skubal would only be a rental, but if you could land a top 10-20 prospect in the sport, I think you have to do it.

Unless Detroit is going to shock the world and pay Skubal’s massive extension, I think the Tigers should start preparing for a world without their ace. This team’s not strong enough to contend and will only set themselves back if they hold on to Skubal.

#Tigers #Moving #Tarik #Skubal #Trade #Deadline #Deadspin.com">Why Tigers Should Consider Moving Tarik Skubal at the Trade Deadline | Deadspin.com

Over the past few seasons, Tarik Skubal has been one of the best, if not the best, pitchers in the sport. Since 2023, Skubal has the second-lowest ERA among pitchers with at least 50 starts and ranks 9th in total strikeouts, despite having 13 fewer starts than every pitcher above him on that list. The two Cy Youngs are a culmination of his continued dominance, but now his upcoming free-agent decision looms large for the Detroit Tigers.

Skubal is a Scott Boras client. If you know anything about Boras guys, it’s not common for any of them to take team-friendly deals to stay in smaller markets, so this could very well be his final season in Detroit.

At this moment, the Tigers are 44-52, good for 4th in the AL Central, but are still only 3.5 games back of the final Wild Card spot. Detroit closed out the first half of the regular season strong, going 9-3, and got as close as 4.5 games of the Central division.

In a normal year, the season would be all but over for the Tigers, but fortunately they’re playing in one of the worst American Leagues we’ve ever seen. The trade deadline is August 3rd, so Detroit has five series to decide whether to make a playoff push or sell. Only one of those series is against a team over .500, and three of the other four series are against the three worst teams in the American League.

Detroit isn’t out of it yet

Detroit is finally getting healthier, and a playoff push isn’t out of the question, but that doesn’t make them a contender. Skubal and Casey Mize make one of the best 1-2 punches in baseball, but the lineup is terrible.

Last season blinded Detroit to a flawed lineup. Most of the lineup outperformed their expected stats and have plummeted back to Earth this year. Kevin McGonigle, Riley Greene, and Dillon Dingler are a very solid top of the order, and Gelyber Torres should return from injury soon, but I’m just not very sold on this team.

The return you can get on a guy like Skubal can change the long-term direction of your organization. Mason Miller was dealt at the deadline for four players who are now the first, fourth, and twelfth-ranked players in the Athletics farm system. Skubal would only be a rental, but if you could land a top 10-20 prospect in the sport, I think you have to do it.

Unless Detroit is going to shock the world and pay Skubal’s massive extension, I think the Tigers should start preparing for a world without their ace. This team’s not strong enough to contend and will only set themselves back if they hold on to Skubal.

#Tigers #Moving #Tarik #Skubal #Trade #Deadline #Deadspin.com

Death, taxes, and speculation about Max Verstappen’s Formula 1 future.

The sport has been dominated in recent weeks by speculation over Verstappen’s future with Red Bull, keyed by some difficult sessions this season. After crashes during qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix and in the closing stages of the British Grand Prix — with Verstappen chasing a podium finish — it is confirmed that he cannot rise to the top two spots in the Drivers’ Championship standings by the summer shutdown, which comes after the Hungarian Grand Prix next weekend.

With that, according to multiple reports, a clause in his Red Bull contract can be triggered, giving him an out for the 2027 season.

Sprinkle in a dash of the general frenzy that is the F1 driver transfer market, and you have arguably the dominant story ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.

And despite his manager, Raymond Vermeulen, tamping down those rumors recently, the F1 world got a chance to hear from the driver himself on Thursday in the buildup to this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.

And Verstappen made it clear that his focus is elsewhere.

Mainly, on turning the season around, and his “future” driving for Red Bull.

“There’s nothing to say,” answered Verstappen when asked about the speculation during the FIA Press Conference on Thursday. “I don’t want to say yes and no, and this and that about my future. I said already many times that if there was something new, I would say it myself.”

The driver then addressed the recent struggles, as well as his efforts alongside the team to right the ship.

“Now we’re just looking to the future trying to fix current issues that we have on the car, but that’s an open discussion,” he said. “Yes, sometimes you get a little bit disappointed or upset after a race, but for example after Silverstone, you go home and you reset.

“On Wednesday I was back at the factory and then you prepare again for the weekends ahead. That’s how I’ve been operating in all the years together. And of course, some years are just a little bit more competitive than others, but in terms of my approach and how we work as a team, nothing really changes.”

Part of that process is a focus on the rear wing of the RB22. That component — the revolving design referred to as the “Macarena” wing in the media — has been identified as the reason for those two high-speed crashes from Verstappen in recent weeks. The driver called the situation “super dangerous” when speaking to the media after the crash in Silverstone, and the team will reportedly shelve the component for this weekend.

But in terms of his future beyond Spa, Verstappen remained adamant on Thursday.

“Red Bull are like a second family to me,“ added the driver.

Here at SB Nation we are talking F1 every hour, every day. Join the discussion at the new F1 Feed, a community for Formula 1 fans!

#Belgian #Grand #Prix #Max #Verstappen #focused #future #Red #Bull">Belgian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen is focused on the ‘future’ at Red Bull Death, taxes, and speculation about Max Verstappen’s Formula 1 future.The sport has been dominated in recent weeks by speculation over Verstappen’s future with Red Bull, keyed by some difficult sessions this season. After crashes during qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix and in the closing stages of the British Grand Prix — with Verstappen chasing a podium finish — it is confirmed that he cannot rise to the top two spots in the Drivers’ Championship standings by the summer shutdown, which comes after the Hungarian Grand Prix next weekend.With that, according to multiple reports, a clause in his Red Bull contract can be triggered, giving him an out for the 2027 season.Sprinkle in a dash of the general frenzy that is the F1 driver transfer market, and you have arguably the dominant story ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.And despite his manager, Raymond Vermeulen, tamping down those rumors recently, the F1 world got a chance to hear from the driver himself on Thursday in the buildup to this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.And Verstappen made it clear that his focus is elsewhere.Mainly, on turning the season around, and his “future” driving for Red Bull.“There’s nothing to say,” answered Verstappen when asked about the speculation during the FIA Press Conference on Thursday. “I don’t want to say yes and no, and this and that about my future. I said already many times that if there was something new, I would say it myself.”The driver then addressed the recent struggles, as well as his efforts alongside the team to right the ship.“Now we’re just looking to the future trying to fix current issues that we have on the car, but that’s an open discussion,” he said. “Yes, sometimes you get a little bit disappointed or upset after a race, but for example after Silverstone, you go home and you reset.“On Wednesday I was back at the factory and then you prepare again for the weekends ahead. That’s how I’ve been operating in all the years together. And of course, some years are just a little bit more competitive than others, but in terms of my approach and how we work as a team, nothing really changes.”Part of that process is a focus on the rear wing of the RB22. That component — the revolving design referred to as the “Macarena” wing in the media — has been identified as the reason for those two high-speed crashes from Verstappen in recent weeks. The driver called the situation “super dangerous” when speaking to the media after the crash in Silverstone, and the team will reportedly shelve the component for this weekend.But in terms of his future beyond Spa, Verstappen remained adamant on Thursday.“Red Bull are like a second family to me,“ added the driver.Here at SB Nation we are talking F1 every hour, every day. Join the discussion at the new F1 Feed, a community for Formula 1 fans! #Belgian #Grand #Prix #Max #Verstappen #focused #future #Red #Bull

dominated in recent weeks by speculation over Verstappen’s future with Red Bull, keyed by some difficult sessions this season. After crashes during qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix and in the closing stages of the British Grand Prix — with Verstappen chasing a podium finish — it is confirmed that he cannot rise to the top two spots in the Drivers’ Championship standings by the summer shutdown, which comes after the Hungarian Grand Prix next weekend.

With that, according to multiple reports, a clause in his Red Bull contract can be triggered, giving him an out for the 2027 season.

Sprinkle in a dash of the general frenzy that is the F1 driver transfer market, and you have arguably the dominant story ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.

And despite his manager, Raymond Vermeulen, tamping down those rumors recently, the F1 world got a chance to hear from the driver himself on Thursday in the buildup to this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.

And Verstappen made it clear that his focus is elsewhere.

Mainly, on turning the season around, and his “future” driving for Red Bull.

“There’s nothing to say,” answered Verstappen when asked about the speculation during the FIA Press Conference on Thursday. “I don’t want to say yes and no, and this and that about my future. I said already many times that if there was something new, I would say it myself.”

The driver then addressed the recent struggles, as well as his efforts alongside the team to right the ship.

“Now we’re just looking to the future trying to fix current issues that we have on the car, but that’s an open discussion,” he said. “Yes, sometimes you get a little bit disappointed or upset after a race, but for example after Silverstone, you go home and you reset.

“On Wednesday I was back at the factory and then you prepare again for the weekends ahead. That’s how I’ve been operating in all the years together. And of course, some years are just a little bit more competitive than others, but in terms of my approach and how we work as a team, nothing really changes.”

Part of that process is a focus on the rear wing of the RB22. That component — the revolving design referred to as the “Macarena” wing in the media — has been identified as the reason for those two high-speed crashes from Verstappen in recent weeks. The driver called the situation “super dangerous” when speaking to the media after the crash in Silverstone, and the team will reportedly shelve the component for this weekend.

But in terms of his future beyond Spa, Verstappen remained adamant on Thursday.

“Red Bull are like a second family to me,“ added the driver.

Here at SB Nation we are talking F1 every hour, every day. Join the discussion at the new F1 Feed, a community for Formula 1 fans!

#Belgian #Grand #Prix #Max #Verstappen #focused #future #Red #Bull">Belgian Grand Prix: Max Verstappen is focused on the ‘future’ at Red Bull

Death, taxes, and speculation about Max Verstappen’s Formula 1 future.

The sport has been dominated in recent weeks by speculation over Verstappen’s future with Red Bull, keyed by some difficult sessions this season. After crashes during qualifying for the Austrian Grand Prix and in the closing stages of the British Grand Prix — with Verstappen chasing a podium finish — it is confirmed that he cannot rise to the top two spots in the Drivers’ Championship standings by the summer shutdown, which comes after the Hungarian Grand Prix next weekend.

With that, according to multiple reports, a clause in his Red Bull contract can be triggered, giving him an out for the 2027 season.

Sprinkle in a dash of the general frenzy that is the F1 driver transfer market, and you have arguably the dominant story ahead of this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.

And despite his manager, Raymond Vermeulen, tamping down those rumors recently, the F1 world got a chance to hear from the driver himself on Thursday in the buildup to this weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix.

And Verstappen made it clear that his focus is elsewhere.

Mainly, on turning the season around, and his “future” driving for Red Bull.

“There’s nothing to say,” answered Verstappen when asked about the speculation during the FIA Press Conference on Thursday. “I don’t want to say yes and no, and this and that about my future. I said already many times that if there was something new, I would say it myself.”

The driver then addressed the recent struggles, as well as his efforts alongside the team to right the ship.

“Now we’re just looking to the future trying to fix current issues that we have on the car, but that’s an open discussion,” he said. “Yes, sometimes you get a little bit disappointed or upset after a race, but for example after Silverstone, you go home and you reset.

“On Wednesday I was back at the factory and then you prepare again for the weekends ahead. That’s how I’ve been operating in all the years together. And of course, some years are just a little bit more competitive than others, but in terms of my approach and how we work as a team, nothing really changes.”

Part of that process is a focus on the rear wing of the RB22. That component — the revolving design referred to as the “Macarena” wing in the media — has been identified as the reason for those two high-speed crashes from Verstappen in recent weeks. The driver called the situation “super dangerous” when speaking to the media after the crash in Silverstone, and the team will reportedly shelve the component for this weekend.

But in terms of his future beyond Spa, Verstappen remained adamant on Thursday.

“Red Bull are like a second family to me,“ added the driver.

Here at SB Nation we are talking F1 every hour, every day. Join the discussion at the new F1 Feed, a community for Formula 1 fans!

#Belgian #Grand #Prix #Max #Verstappen #focused #future #Red #Bull

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