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Deadspin | Mavs deny JJ Redick’s claim of incorrect MRI on Austin Reaves’ injury  Mar 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA;  Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) heads down court after a three-point basket in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images   The Dallas Mavericks have denied Lakers coach JJ Redick’s claim that their medical staff initially performed an MRI on the wrong part of Austin Reaves’ body, leading to a second MRI and a delayed diagnosis of his oblique injury.  Reaves, Los Angeles’ second-leading scorer at 23.3 points per game, had the MRI with the Mavericks’ staff over the weekend after sustaining a Grade 2 left oblique strain in the Lakers’ April 2 loss at Oklahoma City.  “Our medical team followed standard imaging protocols based on the information provided at the time,” the Mavericks said in a statement shared with multiple outlets. “There was no error in the scan performed.”  The Lakers announced on Saturday that Reaves will miss at least the remainder of the regular season. ESPN reported he’s expected to be sidelined four-to-six weeks.   “I don’t know where the chain of command lies with Dallas imaging, but they scanned the wrong area,” Redick said after a team practice in Dallas on Saturday. “So (the mistake was) not on our end. We made it explicit what was supposed to be scanned, but they scanned the wrong area.”  The Lakers (50-28) are also without league-leading scorer Luka Doncic (33.5 ppg) for the remainder of the regular season due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain with third-leading scorer (and 22-time All-Star) LeBron James (20.8 ppg) sidelined for Tuesday’s game vs. Oklahoma City due to management of his lingering left foot injury.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Mavs #deny #Redicks #claim #incorrect #MRI #Austin #Reaves #injury

Deadspin | Mavs deny JJ Redick’s claim of incorrect MRI on Austin Reaves’ injury
Deadspin | Mavs deny JJ Redick’s claim of incorrect MRI on Austin Reaves’ injury  Mar 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA;  Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) heads down court after a three-point basket in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images   The Dallas Mavericks have denied Lakers coach JJ Redick’s claim that their medical staff initially performed an MRI on the wrong part of Austin Reaves’ body, leading to a second MRI and a delayed diagnosis of his oblique injury.  Reaves, Los Angeles’ second-leading scorer at 23.3 points per game, had the MRI with the Mavericks’ staff over the weekend after sustaining a Grade 2 left oblique strain in the Lakers’ April 2 loss at Oklahoma City.  “Our medical team followed standard imaging protocols based on the information provided at the time,” the Mavericks said in a statement shared with multiple outlets. “There was no error in the scan performed.”  The Lakers announced on Saturday that Reaves will miss at least the remainder of the regular season. ESPN reported he’s expected to be sidelined four-to-six weeks.   “I don’t know where the chain of command lies with Dallas imaging, but they scanned the wrong area,” Redick said after a team practice in Dallas on Saturday. “So (the mistake was) not on our end. We made it explicit what was supposed to be scanned, but they scanned the wrong area.”  The Lakers (50-28) are also without league-leading scorer Luka Doncic (33.5 ppg) for the remainder of the regular season due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain with third-leading scorer (and 22-time All-Star) LeBron James (20.8 ppg) sidelined for Tuesday’s game vs. Oklahoma City due to management of his lingering left foot injury.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Mavs #deny #Redicks #claim #incorrect #MRI #Austin #Reaves #injuryMar 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) heads down court after a three-point basket in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Dallas Mavericks have denied Lakers coach JJ Redick’s claim that their medical staff initially performed an MRI on the wrong part of Austin Reaves’ body, leading to a second MRI and a delayed diagnosis of his oblique injury.

Reaves, Los Angeles’ second-leading scorer at 23.3 points per game, had the MRI with the Mavericks’ staff over the weekend after sustaining a Grade 2 left oblique strain in the Lakers’ April 2 loss at Oklahoma City.

“Our medical team followed standard imaging protocols based on the information provided at the time,” the Mavericks said in a statement shared with multiple outlets. “There was no error in the scan performed.”


The Lakers announced on Saturday that Reaves will miss at least the remainder of the regular season. ESPN reported he’s expected to be sidelined four-to-six weeks.

“I don’t know where the chain of command lies with Dallas imaging, but they scanned the wrong area,” Redick said after a team practice in Dallas on Saturday. “So (the mistake was) not on our end. We made it explicit what was supposed to be scanned, but they scanned the wrong area.”

The Lakers (50-28) are also without league-leading scorer Luka Doncic (33.5 ppg) for the remainder of the regular season due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain with third-leading scorer (and 22-time All-Star) LeBron James (20.8 ppg) sidelined for Tuesday’s game vs. Oklahoma City due to management of his lingering left foot injury.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Mavs #deny #Redicks #claim #incorrect #MRI #Austin #Reaves #injury

Mar 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) heads down court after a three-point basket in the second half against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Dallas Mavericks have denied Lakers coach JJ Redick’s claim that their medical staff initially performed an MRI on the wrong part of Austin Reaves’ body, leading to a second MRI and a delayed diagnosis of his oblique injury.

Reaves, Los Angeles’ second-leading scorer at 23.3 points per game, had the MRI with the Mavericks’ staff over the weekend after sustaining a Grade 2 left oblique strain in the Lakers’ April 2 loss at Oklahoma City.

“Our medical team followed standard imaging protocols based on the information provided at the time,” the Mavericks said in a statement shared with multiple outlets. “There was no error in the scan performed.”

The Lakers announced on Saturday that Reaves will miss at least the remainder of the regular season. ESPN reported he’s expected to be sidelined four-to-six weeks.

“I don’t know where the chain of command lies with Dallas imaging, but they scanned the wrong area,” Redick said after a team practice in Dallas on Saturday. “So (the mistake was) not on our end. We made it explicit what was supposed to be scanned, but they scanned the wrong area.”

The Lakers (50-28) are also without league-leading scorer Luka Doncic (33.5 ppg) for the remainder of the regular season due to a Grade 2 hamstring strain with third-leading scorer (and 22-time All-Star) LeBron James (20.8 ppg) sidelined for Tuesday’s game vs. Oklahoma City due to management of his lingering left foot injury.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Mavs #deny #Redicks #claim #incorrect #MRI #Austin #Reaves #injury

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Suryavanshi vs Bumrah — Much-awaited duel offers expected fireworks in Royal win against Mumbai Indians <div id="content-body-70837310" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Everybody knew. The moment the revised playing conditions for the rain-affected Rajasthan Royals-Mumbai Indians clash confirmed that only one bowler per team can bowl three overs, everybody nodded in agreement. Jasprit Bumrah is going to get three.</p><p>Why bother thinking?</p><p>The one other thing everyone knew, or rather expected, was the coming together of Bumrah and Vaibhav Suryavanshi.</p><p>The two had never faced off in a competitive setting. It was an intriguing prospect – this fearless teenage batter, taking the world by storm, going up against the most-feared bowler of this generation.</p><p>There was also a sense of curiosity. Would Suryavanshi treat the pace ace with reverence? Would Bumrah go extra hard at the 15-year-old?</p><p>It could have helped Suryavanshi’s cause that this was an 11-over shootout. But would we have played any differently if this were a longer game? Highly doubtful.</p><p>And after all the narrative-building, Bumrah and Suryavanshi did square off in the second over, right after Yashasvi Jaiswal had ripped apart Deepak Chahar in a 22-run over.</p><p>In all fairness, Bumrah’s first offering to Suryavanshi was a gift – an overpitched delivery that was in the batter’s hitting arc.</p><div class="inline_embed article-block-item"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">It’s not raining… it’s raining sixes! ☔</p><p>Vaibhav Suryavanshi takes on Jasprit Bumrah and sends it into the stands! 🚀<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RRvMI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#RRvMI</a><a href="https://t.co/tXEZWUihe7">pic.twitter.com/tXEZWUihe7</a></p>— Sportstar (@sportstarweb) <a href="https://twitter.com/sportstarweb/status/2041561199306002784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2026</a></blockquote></div><p>But what can’t be missed was the Royals’ opener’s intent. He had already shuffled into his hitting position. There was nothing half-measured about his much-talked-about bat swing. The contact and follow-through fell in place. The ball soared over the long-on fence and deep into the stands, while Suryavanshi looked on unbothered.</p><p><b>RELATED: <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/ipl/vaibhav-suryavanshi-jasprit-bumrah-two-sixes-first-over-maiden-face-off-rr-vs-mi-rajasthan-royals-mumbai-indians/article70835636.ece#google_vignette" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Vaibhav Suryavanshi smashes Bumrah for two sixes in one over in first-ever meeting</a></b></p><p>As the crowd erupted in applause, Bumrah walked back to his run-up mark with a smile on his face. Was it amusement or bewilderment? Or was it helplessness? One can never be sure.</p><p>Nevertheless, Bumrah’s reaction can probably be observed as an amalgamation of our collective thoughts on Suryavanshi.</p><p>It has been proven beyond doubt that he is an inexplicable talent who poses more questions than answers for all stakeholders.</p><p>As a teammate, a coach or a captain, how do you nurture his prodigious talents while insulating him from innumerable treasures and boundless fame that await him?</p><p>As an opponent, what do you do against this batter who strikes the ball with such relentless ferocity and could do it for two more decades?</p><p>As a viewer, how do you comprehend the fact that a kid born in 2011 is dominating world-class bowlers, tampering with one’s own sense of time?</p><p>Let’s keep the existential questions aside for now and circle back to the Bumrah-Suryavanshi mini-battle. Having been swatted away for a six, the MI pacer went to his go-to option for the second ball – a back-of-a-length off-cutter into the batter’s body.</p><p>Suryavanshi, though, was ready for it. He had put himself inside the line and then safely tucked it to the legside for a single – a bit of ‘smart and sensible’ cricket for the traditionalists.</p><p>Jaiswal would immediately return the strike to Suryavanshi. If there was a feeling that the teenager wasn’t going to take any further risks against Bumrah, it was to be proven wrong immediately.</p><p>Bumrah stuck to the same hard length. In fact, he had shifted the line further away from the stumps. But Suryavanshi was ready for it, again. A swivel pull, and the ball zooms over square leg for another six.</p><p>This was already in the realms of ridiculousness. This is ‘The Bumrah.’ And this 15-year-old is going after him without a care in the world.</p><p><b>ALSO READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/ipl/ipl-2026-rajasthan-royals-vs-mumbai-indians-rr-vs-mi-coach-mahela-jayawardene-comments-on-loss/article70836997.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">IPL 2026: ‘Difference was four sixes … we couldn’t find that,’ laments MI coach Jayawardene after loss</a></b></p><p>There were two more deliveries in this match-up. Both full-tosses. Both presumably attempted yorkers. Almost bafflingly, Suryavanshi failed to put both those easier pickings away.</p><p>And in the end, we get five balls from this battle – two sixes, one single and two dot balls. Dramatic enough to write about.</p><p>So we go back to the bigger question. What do you do with Suryavanshi? At least for one part, it is safe to assume that he has found himself in the right place.</p><p>Rajasthan Royals has, so far, encouraged and set him up to play his natural style of cricket. The team also has, through its High Performance Centre, allowed the youngster to train at an unrivalled standard, both in terms of quality and quantity.</p><p>For the other parts of the Suryavanshi conundrum, we will just have to wait and watch as it unfolds.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 08, 2026</p></div><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> #Suryavanshi #Bumrah #Muchawaited #duel #offers #expected #fireworks #Royal #win #Mumbai #Indians

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Badminton Asia Championships 2026: Ayush Shetty stuns World No. 7 Li Shi Feng to enter round of 16 <div id="content-body-70837318" itemprop="articleBody"><p>India’s rising star Ayush Shetty delivered a statement performance, upsetting World No. 7 and Hong Kong Open 2025 champion Li Shi Feng of China in straight games, 21-13, 21-16.</p><p>Despite the former World No. 3 Li’s strong start in both games, the Indian youngster dominated the later stages to advance to the pre-quarters. In the opening game, Ayush fought back early to level at 4-4, with Li holding a slight edge until 7-7. From there, the US Open 2025 champion seized control, overpowering the home favourite to take the game 21-13.</p><p><b>ALSO READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/badminton/badminton-asia-championships-2026-indian-results-mixed-doubles-rohan-ruthvika-ashith-amrutha-dhruv-tanisha/article70834226.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Badminton Asia Championships 2026: Dhruv-Tanisha pair keeps Indian challenge alive in mixed doubles</a></b></p><p>The second game followed a similar pattern, with Li initially applying pressure and leading into the mid-phase.</p><p>Ayush, however drew level multiple times before shifting gears at 13-13. The youngster surged ahead with six consecutive points, closing out the match 21-16 in 51 minutes.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 08, 2026</p></div> #Badminton #Asia #Championships #Ayush #Shetty #stuns #World #Shi #Feng #enter

Deadspin | Hot outfielders lead Nationals, Cardinals into decisive game    Apr 4, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA;  St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) receives congratulations from second baseman Thomas Saggese (25)  after he hits a grand slam in the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images   St. Louis outfielder Jordan Walker will look to continue his hot streak when the Cardinals and Washington Nationals meet in the rubber game of their three-game series Wednesday afternoon in the nation’s capital.  Walker homered for the second straight night and third time in four games Tuesday to help the Cardinals rally for a 7-6, 10-inning win.  He has four home runs in 11 games this season after it took him 73 games to reach that mark a season ago. The 23-year-old has driven in 11 runs, including eight in his past four games, and is batting .300 overall.  Washington has its own outfielder on a hot streak. James Wood had two hits and homered in his third straight game — a career first — for the Nationals on Tuesday. He also scored three runs, bringing his season total to 11.  St. Louis’ Michael McGreevy (0-1, 2.53 ERA) will oppose fellow right-hander Miles Mikolas (0-2, 14.46) in the series finale.  Mikolas, signed by Washington as a free agent in the offseason, played seven of the past eight seasons with the Cardinals, going 68-69 with a 4.16 ERA. He missed 2020 due to injury.   He has had a rough beginning to 2026. After allowing six runs (four earned) in his first outing, a 10-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs on March 28, he was shellacked for 11 runs on 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings by the Los Angeles Dodgers in Washington’s home opener last Friday. The Dodgers hit four home runs off of him in their 13-6 victory.  “Knowing Miles, the competitor he is, he was frustrated by it,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said of Mikolas’ start against the Dodgers. “But he’ll be fine. He’ll flush it, he’ll make his adjustments and we’ll fix this.”  Before joining the Cardinals, Mikolas pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief against them while with the San Diego Padres in 2012.  McGreevy tossed six shutout innings in a no-decision against the Tampa Rays in his first start on March 28, a 6-5 win in 10 innings. Last Friday, he took a 4-0 loss against the Detroit Tigers, giving up three runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.   According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, McGreevy worked on his hip movement leading up to that start in an effort to regain some lost velocity compared to 2025.  McGreevy never has faced the Nationals.  On Tuesday, Nathan Church hit a game-tying, two-run homer in the eighth inning for the Cardinals as they improved to 3-0 in extra inning games. Run-scoring doubles by Thomas Saggese and JJ Wetherholt in the 10th inning led to the win.   “They’re not gonna give in,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said of his team. “They’re going to play hard regardless of score, situation. I’m proud of these dudes for continuing to do that.”  Church snapped an 0-for-22 skid with his crucial home run.  “Just something over the plate and put a good swing on it,” he said. “That’s really all I was trying to do — simplify.”  Washington’s bullpen squandered a lead for the third straight game, though the Nationals came back to win on Monday. Washington relievers allowed five runs and six walks in 5 1/3 innings Tuesday.  “We want to win every night, and our offense is doing a tremendous job of putting up runs every single night,” Butera said. “I know our pitching is going to come along. They are going to get better, I know that. So, if our offense keeps doing what it’s doing and we get the pitching squared away, we are going to be in a good spot.”    -Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Hot #outfielders #lead #Nationals #Cardinals #decisive #gameApr 4, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) receives congratulations from second baseman Thomas Saggese (25) after he hits a grand slam in the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

St. Louis outfielder Jordan Walker will look to continue his hot streak when the Cardinals and Washington Nationals meet in the rubber game of their three-game series Wednesday afternoon in the nation’s capital.

Walker homered for the second straight night and third time in four games Tuesday to help the Cardinals rally for a 7-6, 10-inning win.

He has four home runs in 11 games this season after it took him 73 games to reach that mark a season ago. The 23-year-old has driven in 11 runs, including eight in his past four games, and is batting .300 overall.

Washington has its own outfielder on a hot streak. James Wood had two hits and homered in his third straight game — a career first — for the Nationals on Tuesday. He also scored three runs, bringing his season total to 11.

St. Louis’ Michael McGreevy (0-1, 2.53 ERA) will oppose fellow right-hander Miles Mikolas (0-2, 14.46) in the series finale.

Mikolas, signed by Washington as a free agent in the offseason, played seven of the past eight seasons with the Cardinals, going 68-69 with a 4.16 ERA. He missed 2020 due to injury.

He has had a rough beginning to 2026. After allowing six runs (four earned) in his first outing, a 10-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs on March 28, he was shellacked for 11 runs on 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings by the Los Angeles Dodgers in Washington’s home opener last Friday. The Dodgers hit four home runs off of him in their 13-6 victory.

“Knowing Miles, the competitor he is, he was frustrated by it,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said of Mikolas’ start against the Dodgers. “But he’ll be fine. He’ll flush it, he’ll make his adjustments and we’ll fix this.”

Before joining the Cardinals, Mikolas pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief against them while with the San Diego Padres in 2012.


McGreevy tossed six shutout innings in a no-decision against the Tampa Rays in his first start on March 28, a 6-5 win in 10 innings. Last Friday, he took a 4-0 loss against the Detroit Tigers, giving up three runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.

According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, McGreevy worked on his hip movement leading up to that start in an effort to regain some lost velocity compared to 2025.

McGreevy never has faced the Nationals.

On Tuesday, Nathan Church hit a game-tying, two-run homer in the eighth inning for the Cardinals as they improved to 3-0 in extra inning games. Run-scoring doubles by Thomas Saggese and JJ Wetherholt in the 10th inning led to the win.

“They’re not gonna give in,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said of his team. “They’re going to play hard regardless of score, situation. I’m proud of these dudes for continuing to do that.”

Church snapped an 0-for-22 skid with his crucial home run.

“Just something over the plate and put a good swing on it,” he said. “That’s really all I was trying to do — simplify.”

Washington’s bullpen squandered a lead for the third straight game, though the Nationals came back to win on Monday. Washington relievers allowed five runs and six walks in 5 1/3 innings Tuesday.

“We want to win every night, and our offense is doing a tremendous job of putting up runs every single night,” Butera said. “I know our pitching is going to come along. They are going to get better, I know that. So, if our offense keeps doing what it’s doing and we get the pitching squared away, we are going to be in a good spot.”


-Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Hot #outfielders #lead #Nationals #Cardinals #decisive #game">Deadspin | Hot outfielders lead Nationals, Cardinals into decisive game    Apr 4, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA;  St. Louis Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker (18) receives congratulations from second baseman Thomas Saggese (25)  after he hits a grand slam in the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images   St. Louis outfielder Jordan Walker will look to continue his hot streak when the Cardinals and Washington Nationals meet in the rubber game of their three-game series Wednesday afternoon in the nation’s capital.  Walker homered for the second straight night and third time in four games Tuesday to help the Cardinals rally for a 7-6, 10-inning win.  He has four home runs in 11 games this season after it took him 73 games to reach that mark a season ago. The 23-year-old has driven in 11 runs, including eight in his past four games, and is batting .300 overall.  Washington has its own outfielder on a hot streak. James Wood had two hits and homered in his third straight game — a career first — for the Nationals on Tuesday. He also scored three runs, bringing his season total to 11.  St. Louis’ Michael McGreevy (0-1, 2.53 ERA) will oppose fellow right-hander Miles Mikolas (0-2, 14.46) in the series finale.  Mikolas, signed by Washington as a free agent in the offseason, played seven of the past eight seasons with the Cardinals, going 68-69 with a 4.16 ERA. He missed 2020 due to injury.   He has had a rough beginning to 2026. After allowing six runs (four earned) in his first outing, a 10-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs on March 28, he was shellacked for 11 runs on 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings by the Los Angeles Dodgers in Washington’s home opener last Friday. The Dodgers hit four home runs off of him in their 13-6 victory.  “Knowing Miles, the competitor he is, he was frustrated by it,” Nationals manager Blake Butera said of Mikolas’ start against the Dodgers. “But he’ll be fine. He’ll flush it, he’ll make his adjustments and we’ll fix this.”  Before joining the Cardinals, Mikolas pitched 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief against them while with the San Diego Padres in 2012.  McGreevy tossed six shutout innings in a no-decision against the Tampa Rays in his first start on March 28, a 6-5 win in 10 innings. Last Friday, he took a 4-0 loss against the Detroit Tigers, giving up three runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.   According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, McGreevy worked on his hip movement leading up to that start in an effort to regain some lost velocity compared to 2025.  McGreevy never has faced the Nationals.  On Tuesday, Nathan Church hit a game-tying, two-run homer in the eighth inning for the Cardinals as they improved to 3-0 in extra inning games. Run-scoring doubles by Thomas Saggese and JJ Wetherholt in the 10th inning led to the win.   “They’re not gonna give in,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said of his team. “They’re going to play hard regardless of score, situation. I’m proud of these dudes for continuing to do that.”  Church snapped an 0-for-22 skid with his crucial home run.  “Just something over the plate and put a good swing on it,” he said. “That’s really all I was trying to do — simplify.”  Washington’s bullpen squandered a lead for the third straight game, though the Nationals came back to win on Monday. Washington relievers allowed five runs and six walks in 5 1/3 innings Tuesday.  “We want to win every night, and our offense is doing a tremendous job of putting up runs every single night,” Butera said. “I know our pitching is going to come along. They are going to get better, I know that. So, if our offense keeps doing what it’s doing and we get the pitching squared away, we are going to be in a good spot.”    -Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Hot #outfielders #lead #Nationals #Cardinals #decisive #game

Ashley Westwood doesn’t distinctly remember the last time he was in the dugout at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. “Would have been the final game of the season when we won,” he tells  Sportstar.

The ‘we’ here is Bengaluru FC, a club he helmed with distinction for three campaigns from 2013 to 2016 – winning the erstwhile I-League twice and the Federation Cup once – and the same club that he will return to this Saturday, albeit as the coach of Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League.

Westwood’s final match in the Garden City came exactly a decade ago, in April 2016, during a 2-1 win over Lao Toyota to seal a AFC Cup round-of-16 berth. Funnily, Westwood was sent off in that match. Ten days earlier, in his final home fixture in the I-League, BFC had beaten Salgaocar FC 2-0 to clinch a second National crown in three seasons.

“Bangalore is full of fond memories,” Westwood says. “Winning the league is one and there was an open-top bus ride after that which remains fresh. Christmas with the players, fancy dress, and then winning the league again in the third season…

“But what I remember the most is the 1-1 draw against Mohun Bagan in the final match of the second season… and lose the title. We could have won three out of three. I remember the disappointments more than the achievements, but success is always a fond memory.”

When Westwood took over, BFC was brand new. It was also his first full-time managerial job. But in three seasons, the franchise had become a benchmark – for both professionalism and achievement.

ALSO READ: India exits AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 despite beating Chinese Taipei

In fact, the Englishman’s final game was the 3-2 away win over Hong Kong side Kitchee that helped earn a maiden AFC Cup quarterfinal slot. Five months later, under Spaniard Albert Roca, BFC reached the final, a first for an Indian club.

“When we started, we didn’t have much,” Westwood recalls. “We had a very small playing squad, and but for some signings like Sunil Chhetri and Robin Singh, the rest were those who couldn’t get a club. Budget was also low. So growing a club from scratch is something that stands you in good stead.”

At Blasters too he has to start from scratch, but only results-wise. After seven contests, the outfit is 13th in a 14-team ISL (one point) compared to BFC’s joint-second position (14). Nonetheless, BFC-Blasters remains one of the fiercest rivalries, and Westwood will experience this first hand.

“I am well aware of the rivalry… between two of the biggest clubs in southern India. For me though, it is about getting our fans to enjoy some good football, regardless of who we play.

“But going back to an old club is always special. I did that many times as a player. Now I am going to do that as a coach.”

Published on Apr 08, 2026

#club #special #Westwood">Going back to an old club is always special: Westwood  Ashley Westwood doesn’t distinctly remember the last time he was in the dugout at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. “Would have been the final game of the season when we won,” he tells        Sportstar.The ‘we’ here is Bengaluru FC, a club he helmed with distinction for three campaigns from 2013 to 2016 – winning the erstwhile I-League twice and the Federation Cup once – and the same club that he will return to this Saturday, albeit as the coach of Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League.Westwood’s final match in the Garden City came exactly a decade ago, in April 2016, during a 2-1 win over Lao Toyota to seal a AFC Cup round-of-16 berth. Funnily, Westwood was sent off in that match. Ten days earlier, in his final home fixture in the I-League, BFC had beaten Salgaocar FC 2-0 to clinch a second National crown in three seasons.“Bangalore is full of fond memories,” Westwood says. “Winning the league is one and there was an open-top bus ride after that which remains fresh. Christmas with the players, fancy dress, and then winning the league again in the third season…“But what I remember the most is the 1-1 draw against Mohun Bagan in the final match of the second season… and lose the title. We could have won three out of three. I remember the disappointments more than the achievements, but success is always a fond memory.”When Westwood took over, BFC was brand new. It was also his first full-time managerial job. But in three seasons, the franchise had become a benchmark – for both professionalism and achievement.ALSO READ: India exits AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 despite beating Chinese TaipeiIn fact, the Englishman’s final game was the 3-2 away win over Hong Kong side Kitchee that helped earn a maiden AFC Cup quarterfinal slot. Five months later, under Spaniard Albert Roca, BFC reached the final, a first for an Indian club.“When we started, we didn’t have much,” Westwood recalls. “We had a very small playing squad, and but for some signings like Sunil Chhetri and Robin Singh, the rest were those who couldn’t get a club. Budget was also low. So growing a club from scratch is something that stands you in good stead.”At Blasters too he has to start from scratch, but only results-wise. After seven contests, the outfit is 13th in a 14-team ISL (one point) compared to BFC’s joint-second position (14). Nonetheless, BFC-Blasters remains one of the fiercest rivalries, and Westwood will experience this first hand.“I am well aware of the rivalry… between two of the biggest clubs in southern India. For me though, it is about getting our fans to enjoy some good football, regardless of who we play.“But going back to an old club is always special. I did that many times as a player. Now I am going to do that as a coach.”Published on Apr 08, 2026  #club #special #Westwood

India exits AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 despite beating Chinese Taipei

In fact, the Englishman’s final game was the 3-2 away win over Hong Kong side Kitchee that helped earn a maiden AFC Cup quarterfinal slot. Five months later, under Spaniard Albert Roca, BFC reached the final, a first for an Indian club.

“When we started, we didn’t have much,” Westwood recalls. “We had a very small playing squad, and but for some signings like Sunil Chhetri and Robin Singh, the rest were those who couldn’t get a club. Budget was also low. So growing a club from scratch is something that stands you in good stead.”

At Blasters too he has to start from scratch, but only results-wise. After seven contests, the outfit is 13th in a 14-team ISL (one point) compared to BFC’s joint-second position (14). Nonetheless, BFC-Blasters remains one of the fiercest rivalries, and Westwood will experience this first hand.

“I am well aware of the rivalry… between two of the biggest clubs in southern India. For me though, it is about getting our fans to enjoy some good football, regardless of who we play.

“But going back to an old club is always special. I did that many times as a player. Now I am going to do that as a coach.”

Published on Apr 08, 2026

#club #special #Westwood">Going back to an old club is always special: Westwood

Ashley Westwood doesn’t distinctly remember the last time he was in the dugout at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. “Would have been the final game of the season when we won,” he tells  Sportstar.

The ‘we’ here is Bengaluru FC, a club he helmed with distinction for three campaigns from 2013 to 2016 – winning the erstwhile I-League twice and the Federation Cup once – and the same club that he will return to this Saturday, albeit as the coach of Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League.

Westwood’s final match in the Garden City came exactly a decade ago, in April 2016, during a 2-1 win over Lao Toyota to seal a AFC Cup round-of-16 berth. Funnily, Westwood was sent off in that match. Ten days earlier, in his final home fixture in the I-League, BFC had beaten Salgaocar FC 2-0 to clinch a second National crown in three seasons.

“Bangalore is full of fond memories,” Westwood says. “Winning the league is one and there was an open-top bus ride after that which remains fresh. Christmas with the players, fancy dress, and then winning the league again in the third season…

“But what I remember the most is the 1-1 draw against Mohun Bagan in the final match of the second season… and lose the title. We could have won three out of three. I remember the disappointments more than the achievements, but success is always a fond memory.”

When Westwood took over, BFC was brand new. It was also his first full-time managerial job. But in three seasons, the franchise had become a benchmark – for both professionalism and achievement.

ALSO READ: India exits AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup 2026 despite beating Chinese Taipei

In fact, the Englishman’s final game was the 3-2 away win over Hong Kong side Kitchee that helped earn a maiden AFC Cup quarterfinal slot. Five months later, under Spaniard Albert Roca, BFC reached the final, a first for an Indian club.

“When we started, we didn’t have much,” Westwood recalls. “We had a very small playing squad, and but for some signings like Sunil Chhetri and Robin Singh, the rest were those who couldn’t get a club. Budget was also low. So growing a club from scratch is something that stands you in good stead.”

At Blasters too he has to start from scratch, but only results-wise. After seven contests, the outfit is 13th in a 14-team ISL (one point) compared to BFC’s joint-second position (14). Nonetheless, BFC-Blasters remains one of the fiercest rivalries, and Westwood will experience this first hand.

“I am well aware of the rivalry… between two of the biggest clubs in southern India. For me though, it is about getting our fans to enjoy some good football, regardless of who we play.

“But going back to an old club is always special. I did that many times as a player. Now I am going to do that as a coach.”

Published on Apr 08, 2026

#club #special #Westwood

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