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Deadspin | MLB roundup: Paul Skenes’ pitching gem carries Pirates past Padres Apr 7, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches against the San Diego Padres during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Oneil Cruz and Nick Gonzales each had clutch two-run hits to back up a gem by Paul Skenes and propel the host Pittsburgh Pirates to a 7-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday. Skenes (2-1) carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before allowing a one-out single by Fernando Tatis Jr. Throwing 87 pitches, Skenes gave up one run — a Xander Bogaerts homer in the seventh — on two hits in 6 1/3 innings and struck out six. He walked two and hit a batter. Rookie Konnor Griffin, Ryan O’Hearn and Henry Davis each had two hits for the Pirate, who erupted for five runs in the eighth off Adrian Morejon to cement their sixth win in the past seven games. Miguel Andujar had the only other hit for San Diego, which had scored 13 runs over its previous two games. Nick Pivetta (1-2) gave up two runs over five innings. Red Sox 3, Brewers 2 Trevor Story snapped a scoreless tie with a bases-loaded double in the sixth inning, Garrett Crochet took a shutout into the seventh and Boston held on for a victory over visiting Milwaukee. The Red Sox, who managed just three hits, converted three consecutive walks into three runs in the sixth off Jacob Misiorowski (1-1) for a 3-0 lead. Crochet (2-1) allowed two runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings. Aroldis Chapman finished with a scoreless ninth for his third save. In the seventh, the Brewers scored a pair when David Hamilton was plunked and pinch hitter Christian Yelich bounced into a run-scoring groundout. Misiorowski, who struck out the first five batters he faced and finished with 11 K’s, allowed three runs on two hits in 5 1/3 innings. Guardians 2, Royals 1 Brayan Rocchio delivered a tiebreaking RBI single with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, sending host Cleveland to a victory over Kansas City. Rocchio was 0-for-3 until facing John Schreiber (0-1) with runners at first and second in the ninth, poking a single through the right side. Lane Thomas came up cleanly with Rocchio’s hit but could not throw out CJ Kayfus at the plate. Cade Smith (2-0) earned the victory, striking out two in a 1-2-3 ninth. Guardians pitchers limited the Royals to one hit, a solo home run by Carter Jensen in the second inning. Orioles 4, White Sox 2 Gunnar Henderson hit a tiebreaking two-run home run in the eighth inning as visiting Baltimore rallied past Chicago. Blaze Alexander and Taylor Ward hit back-to-back one-out doubles in the eighth as the Orioles tied the game off Jordan Hicks (0-1) before Henderson gave them their first lead with his fourth homer of the season. Trevor Rogers delivered six innings of two-run work for Baltimore, and Yennier Cano (1-1) recorded the win. Chase Meidroth drove in a run and had two hits for the White Sox, who saw Shane Smith last just 3 2/3 scoreless innings in his start, striking out eight but walking five. Mets 4, Diamondbacks 3 (10 innings) Ronny Mauricio delivered the game-winning single in his first plate appearance for host New York, which beat Arizona in 10 innings. Brett Baty and Jared Young each delivered a sacrifice fly and Francisco Alvarez scored on an error for the Mets, who extended their winning streak to four games. Luke Weaver (1-0) retired all three batters in the top of the 10th. Adrian Del Castillo (two-run single) and Nolan Arenado (double) had RBI hits in the fifth for the Diamondbacks, who lost for the third time in five games. Paul Sewald (0-2) recorded just one out in the 10th. Reds 6, Marlins 3 (10 innings) Cincinnati — scoreless against Sandy Alcantara until the ninth inning — rallied to defeat host Miami. The Reds tied the score in the ninth on a two-out wild pitch by Anthony Bender, and they took control in the 10th on Nathaniel Lowe’s go-ahead RBI single and Matt McLain’s two-run double. Alcantara allowed just three hits — two singles and one double — plus two walks and two runs in 8 1/3 innings, striking out six. Miami started the ninth with a 2-0 lead, and both runs were scored while Bender was on the mound. Marlins center fielder Jakob Marsee, who entered the game batting just .105, went 2-for-4 with one walk, two runs and a career-high four stolen bases. Cardinals 7, Nationals 6 (10 innings) Thomas Saggese and JJ Wetherholt hit run-scoring doubles in the 10th inning and visiting St. Louis beat Washington. Saggese led off with a double off Cole Henry (0-2) to score automatic runner Masyn Winn with the go-ahead run. With two outs, Wetherholt doubled to right, scoring Saggese to make it 7-5. Jordan Walker homered for the second straight night and Church also went deep for the Cardinals. Nolan Gorman had three hits. James Wood homered for the third straight game for Washington, and Curtis Mead had three hits, including a home run. Rangers 3, Mariners 2 Nathan Eovaldi pitched six quality innings and Kyle Higashioka hit a go-ahead home run, rallying Texas to a win over struggling Seattle in Arlington, Texas. Eovaldi, making his 300th career major league start, picked up his first win of the season after two losses, allowing two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and a pair of walks. George Kirby (1-2) threw an eight-inning complete game for Seattle, which lost its fourth straight and its sixth in the past seven games. Cubs 9, Rays 2 Javier Assad threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings and Pete Crow-Armstrong and Moises Ballesteros hit late-inning home runs to seal Chicago’s win over Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg, Fla. Seven Cubs, including Crow-Armstrong and Ballesteros, had two or more hits as part of a 16-hit output. Nico Hoerner went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Assad (1-0), making his season debut after beginning the year in Triple-A Iowa, allowed just one hit and two walks. Mason Englert (0-1) was a spot starter for Tampa Bay after Drew Rasmussen was a late scratch for personal reasons. Englert took the loss, giving up four runs (three earned) on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. Yankees 5, Athletics 3 Amed Rosario gave New York the lead by hitting a three-run home run, his second of the game, in the eighth inning as the Yankees downed the visiting Athletics. Rosario also homered off A’s starter Aaron Civale in the second inning for New York’s first run. It was the veteran infielder’s third career multi-homer game. New York starter Cam Schlittler allowed his first three runs of the season, all in the third inning, scattering five hits over five innings. Nick Kurtz hit a two-run double and Tyler Soderstrom added an RBI double when the A’s had four hits in the third and took a 3-1 lead. Civale allowed two hits and one run over five innings before former Yankee Mark Leiter Jr. (0-1) took the loss. Rockies 5, Astros 1 Kyle Freeland pitched 6 1/3 strong innings, Willi Castro and Mickey Moniak homered and Colorado beat visiting Houston. Castro finished with three hits and three RBIs while TJ Rumfield singled twice for Colorado, which has won three in a row. Freeland (1-1) became the first Rockies starter to pitch into the seventh inning this season. He allowed one run on three hits. Antonio Senzatela threw 2 2/3 perfect innings to pick up his first career save. Christian Walker homered, one of just three hits for the Astros, who have lost three in a row. Mike Burrows (1-2) permitted three runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. Dodgers 4, Blue Jays 1 Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched an effective six-plus innings and visiting Los Angeles defeated Toronto. Yamamoto (2-1) allowed one run, five hits and one walk with six strikeouts in his first appearance back in the stadium where he was named World Series MVP last year after closing out Game 7. Alex Freeland had three hits for the Dodgers, who have won five in a row while the Blue Jays have lost six straight. Los Angeles took a 2-0 lead in the third against Kevin Gausman (0-1), who opposed Yamamoto in Games 2 and 6 of the World Series. Gausman yielded three runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings. Twins 4, Tigers 2 Ryan Jeffers doubled and drove in a pair of runs as Minnesota held on for a win over Detroit in Minneapolis. Luke Keaschall and Josh Bell added one RBI apiece for the Twins. Taj Bradley (2-0) continued his red-hot start to the season, limiting the Tigers to one run on six hits in 6 1/3 innings, Detroit’s Tarik Skubal (1-2) unraveled after four scoreless innings. He exited after giving up four runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. Kevin McGonigle went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #MLB #roundup #Paul #Skenes #pitching #gem #carries #Pirates #Padres

Deadspin | MLB roundup: Paul Skenes’ pitching gem carries Pirates past Padres
Deadspin | MLB roundup: Paul Skenes’ pitching gem carries Pirates past Padres Apr 7, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches against the San Diego Padres during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Oneil Cruz and Nick Gonzales each had clutch two-run hits to back up a gem by Paul Skenes and propel the host Pittsburgh Pirates to a 7-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday. Skenes (2-1) carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before allowing a one-out single by Fernando Tatis Jr. Throwing 87 pitches, Skenes gave up one run — a Xander Bogaerts homer in the seventh — on two hits in 6 1/3 innings and struck out six. He walked two and hit a batter. Rookie Konnor Griffin, Ryan O’Hearn and Henry Davis each had two hits for the Pirate, who erupted for five runs in the eighth off Adrian Morejon to cement their sixth win in the past seven games. Miguel Andujar had the only other hit for San Diego, which had scored 13 runs over its previous two games. Nick Pivetta (1-2) gave up two runs over five innings. Red Sox 3, Brewers 2 Trevor Story snapped a scoreless tie with a bases-loaded double in the sixth inning, Garrett Crochet took a shutout into the seventh and Boston held on for a victory over visiting Milwaukee. The Red Sox, who managed just three hits, converted three consecutive walks into three runs in the sixth off Jacob Misiorowski (1-1) for a 3-0 lead. Crochet (2-1) allowed two runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings. Aroldis Chapman finished with a scoreless ninth for his third save. In the seventh, the Brewers scored a pair when David Hamilton was plunked and pinch hitter Christian Yelich bounced into a run-scoring groundout. Misiorowski, who struck out the first five batters he faced and finished with 11 K’s, allowed three runs on two hits in 5 1/3 innings. Guardians 2, Royals 1 Brayan Rocchio delivered a tiebreaking RBI single with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, sending host Cleveland to a victory over Kansas City. Rocchio was 0-for-3 until facing John Schreiber (0-1) with runners at first and second in the ninth, poking a single through the right side. Lane Thomas came up cleanly with Rocchio’s hit but could not throw out CJ Kayfus at the plate. Cade Smith (2-0) earned the victory, striking out two in a 1-2-3 ninth. Guardians pitchers limited the Royals to one hit, a solo home run by Carter Jensen in the second inning. Orioles 4, White Sox 2 Gunnar Henderson hit a tiebreaking two-run home run in the eighth inning as visiting Baltimore rallied past Chicago. Blaze Alexander and Taylor Ward hit back-to-back one-out doubles in the eighth as the Orioles tied the game off Jordan Hicks (0-1) before Henderson gave them their first lead with his fourth homer of the season. Trevor Rogers delivered six innings of two-run work for Baltimore, and Yennier Cano (1-1) recorded the win. Chase Meidroth drove in a run and had two hits for the White Sox, who saw Shane Smith last just 3 2/3 scoreless innings in his start, striking out eight but walking five. Mets 4, Diamondbacks 3 (10 innings) Ronny Mauricio delivered the game-winning single in his first plate appearance for host New York, which beat Arizona in 10 innings. Brett Baty and Jared Young each delivered a sacrifice fly and Francisco Alvarez scored on an error for the Mets, who extended their winning streak to four games. Luke Weaver (1-0) retired all three batters in the top of the 10th. Adrian Del Castillo (two-run single) and Nolan Arenado (double) had RBI hits in the fifth for the Diamondbacks, who lost for the third time in five games. Paul Sewald (0-2) recorded just one out in the 10th. Reds 6, Marlins 3 (10 innings) Cincinnati — scoreless against Sandy Alcantara until the ninth inning — rallied to defeat host Miami. The Reds tied the score in the ninth on a two-out wild pitch by Anthony Bender, and they took control in the 10th on Nathaniel Lowe’s go-ahead RBI single and Matt McLain’s two-run double. Alcantara allowed just three hits — two singles and one double — plus two walks and two runs in 8 1/3 innings, striking out six. Miami started the ninth with a 2-0 lead, and both runs were scored while Bender was on the mound. Marlins center fielder Jakob Marsee, who entered the game batting just .105, went 2-for-4 with one walk, two runs and a career-high four stolen bases. Cardinals 7, Nationals 6 (10 innings) Thomas Saggese and JJ Wetherholt hit run-scoring doubles in the 10th inning and visiting St. Louis beat Washington. Saggese led off with a double off Cole Henry (0-2) to score automatic runner Masyn Winn with the go-ahead run. With two outs, Wetherholt doubled to right, scoring Saggese to make it 7-5. Jordan Walker homered for the second straight night and Church also went deep for the Cardinals. Nolan Gorman had three hits. James Wood homered for the third straight game for Washington, and Curtis Mead had three hits, including a home run. Rangers 3, Mariners 2 Nathan Eovaldi pitched six quality innings and Kyle Higashioka hit a go-ahead home run, rallying Texas to a win over struggling Seattle in Arlington, Texas. Eovaldi, making his 300th career major league start, picked up his first win of the season after two losses, allowing two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and a pair of walks. George Kirby (1-2) threw an eight-inning complete game for Seattle, which lost its fourth straight and its sixth in the past seven games. Cubs 9, Rays 2 Javier Assad threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings and Pete Crow-Armstrong and Moises Ballesteros hit late-inning home runs to seal Chicago’s win over Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg, Fla. Seven Cubs, including Crow-Armstrong and Ballesteros, had two or more hits as part of a 16-hit output. Nico Hoerner went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Assad (1-0), making his season debut after beginning the year in Triple-A Iowa, allowed just one hit and two walks. Mason Englert (0-1) was a spot starter for Tampa Bay after Drew Rasmussen was a late scratch for personal reasons. Englert took the loss, giving up four runs (three earned) on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings. Yankees 5, Athletics 3 Amed Rosario gave New York the lead by hitting a three-run home run, his second of the game, in the eighth inning as the Yankees downed the visiting Athletics. Rosario also homered off A’s starter Aaron Civale in the second inning for New York’s first run. It was the veteran infielder’s third career multi-homer game. New York starter Cam Schlittler allowed his first three runs of the season, all in the third inning, scattering five hits over five innings. Nick Kurtz hit a two-run double and Tyler Soderstrom added an RBI double when the A’s had four hits in the third and took a 3-1 lead. Civale allowed two hits and one run over five innings before former Yankee Mark Leiter Jr. (0-1) took the loss. Rockies 5, Astros 1 Kyle Freeland pitched 6 1/3 strong innings, Willi Castro and Mickey Moniak homered and Colorado beat visiting Houston. Castro finished with three hits and three RBIs while TJ Rumfield singled twice for Colorado, which has won three in a row. Freeland (1-1) became the first Rockies starter to pitch into the seventh inning this season. He allowed one run on three hits. Antonio Senzatela threw 2 2/3 perfect innings to pick up his first career save. Christian Walker homered, one of just three hits for the Astros, who have lost three in a row. Mike Burrows (1-2) permitted three runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. Dodgers 4, Blue Jays 1 Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched an effective six-plus innings and visiting Los Angeles defeated Toronto. Yamamoto (2-1) allowed one run, five hits and one walk with six strikeouts in his first appearance back in the stadium where he was named World Series MVP last year after closing out Game 7. Alex Freeland had three hits for the Dodgers, who have won five in a row while the Blue Jays have lost six straight. Los Angeles took a 2-0 lead in the third against Kevin Gausman (0-1), who opposed Yamamoto in Games 2 and 6 of the World Series. Gausman yielded three runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings. Twins 4, Tigers 2 Ryan Jeffers doubled and drove in a pair of runs as Minnesota held on for a win over Detroit in Minneapolis. Luke Keaschall and Josh Bell added one RBI apiece for the Twins. Taj Bradley (2-0) continued his red-hot start to the season, limiting the Tigers to one run on six hits in 6 1/3 innings, Detroit’s Tarik Skubal (1-2) unraveled after four scoreless innings. He exited after giving up four runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. Kevin McGonigle went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #MLB #roundup #Paul #Skenes #pitching #gem #carries #Pirates #PadresApr 7, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches against the San Diego Padres during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Oneil Cruz and Nick Gonzales each had clutch two-run hits to back up a gem by Paul Skenes and propel the host Pittsburgh Pirates to a 7-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday.

Skenes (2-1) carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before allowing a one-out single by Fernando Tatis Jr. Throwing 87 pitches, Skenes gave up one run — a Xander Bogaerts homer in the seventh — on two hits in 6 1/3 innings and struck out six. He walked two and hit a batter.

Rookie Konnor Griffin, Ryan O’Hearn and Henry Davis each had two hits for the Pirate, who erupted for five runs in the eighth off Adrian Morejon to cement their sixth win in the past seven games.

Miguel Andujar had the only other hit for San Diego, which had scored 13 runs over its previous two games. Nick Pivetta (1-2) gave up two runs over five innings.

Red Sox 3, Brewers 2

Trevor Story snapped a scoreless tie with a bases-loaded double in the sixth inning, Garrett Crochet took a shutout into the seventh and Boston held on for a victory over visiting Milwaukee.

The Red Sox, who managed just three hits, converted three consecutive walks into three runs in the sixth off Jacob Misiorowski (1-1) for a 3-0 lead. Crochet (2-1) allowed two runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings. Aroldis Chapman finished with a scoreless ninth for his third save.

In the seventh, the Brewers scored a pair when David Hamilton was plunked and pinch hitter Christian Yelich bounced into a run-scoring groundout. Misiorowski, who struck out the first five batters he faced and finished with 11 K’s, allowed three runs on two hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Guardians 2, Royals 1

Brayan Rocchio delivered a tiebreaking RBI single with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, sending host Cleveland to a victory over Kansas City.

Rocchio was 0-for-3 until facing John Schreiber (0-1) with runners at first and second in the ninth, poking a single through the right side. Lane Thomas came up cleanly with Rocchio’s hit but could not throw out CJ Kayfus at the plate.

Cade Smith (2-0) earned the victory, striking out two in a 1-2-3 ninth. Guardians pitchers limited the Royals to one hit, a solo home run by Carter Jensen in the second inning.

Orioles 4, White Sox 2

Gunnar Henderson hit a tiebreaking two-run home run in the eighth inning as visiting Baltimore rallied past Chicago.

Blaze Alexander and Taylor Ward hit back-to-back one-out doubles in the eighth as the Orioles tied the game off Jordan Hicks (0-1) before Henderson gave them their first lead with his fourth homer of the season. Trevor Rogers delivered six innings of two-run work for Baltimore, and Yennier Cano (1-1) recorded the win.

Chase Meidroth drove in a run and had two hits for the White Sox, who saw Shane Smith last just 3 2/3 scoreless innings in his start, striking out eight but walking five.

Mets 4, Diamondbacks 3 (10 innings)

Ronny Mauricio delivered the game-winning single in his first plate appearance for host New York, which beat Arizona in 10 innings.

Brett Baty and Jared Young each delivered a sacrifice fly and Francisco Alvarez scored on an error for the Mets, who extended their winning streak to four games. Luke Weaver (1-0) retired all three batters in the top of the 10th.

Adrian Del Castillo (two-run single) and Nolan Arenado (double) had RBI hits in the fifth for the Diamondbacks, who lost for the third time in five games. Paul Sewald (0-2) recorded just one out in the 10th.

Reds 6, Marlins 3 (10 innings)

Cincinnati — scoreless against Sandy Alcantara until the ninth inning — rallied to defeat host Miami. The Reds tied the score in the ninth on a two-out wild pitch by Anthony Bender, and they took control in the 10th on Nathaniel Lowe’s go-ahead RBI single and Matt McLain’s two-run double.

Alcantara allowed just three hits — two singles and one double — plus two walks and two runs in 8 1/3 innings, striking out six. Miami started the ninth with a 2-0 lead, and both runs were scored while Bender was on the mound.

Marlins center fielder Jakob Marsee, who entered the game batting just .105, went 2-for-4 with one walk, two runs and a career-high four stolen bases.

Cardinals 7, Nationals 6 (10 innings)

Thomas Saggese and JJ Wetherholt hit run-scoring doubles in the 10th inning and visiting St. Louis beat Washington.


Saggese led off with a double off Cole Henry (0-2) to score automatic runner Masyn Winn with the go-ahead run. With two outs, Wetherholt doubled to right, scoring Saggese to make it 7-5. Jordan Walker homered for the second straight night and Church also went deep for the Cardinals. Nolan Gorman had three hits.

James Wood homered for the third straight game for Washington, and Curtis Mead had three hits, including a home run.

Rangers 3, Mariners 2

Nathan Eovaldi pitched six quality innings and Kyle Higashioka hit a go-ahead home run, rallying Texas to a win over struggling Seattle in Arlington, Texas.

Eovaldi, making his 300th career major league start, picked up his first win of the season after two losses, allowing two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and a pair of walks.

George Kirby (1-2) threw an eight-inning complete game for Seattle, which lost its fourth straight and its sixth in the past seven games.

Cubs 9, Rays 2

Javier Assad threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings and Pete Crow-Armstrong and Moises Ballesteros hit late-inning home runs to seal Chicago’s win over Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Seven Cubs, including Crow-Armstrong and Ballesteros, had two or more hits as part of a 16-hit output. Nico Hoerner went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Assad (1-0), making his season debut after beginning the year in Triple-A Iowa, allowed just one hit and two walks.

Mason Englert (0-1) was a spot starter for Tampa Bay after Drew Rasmussen was a late scratch for personal reasons. Englert took the loss, giving up four runs (three earned) on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Yankees 5, Athletics 3

Amed Rosario gave New York the lead by hitting a three-run home run, his second of the game, in the eighth inning as the Yankees downed the visiting Athletics.

Rosario also homered off A’s starter Aaron Civale in the second inning for New York’s first run. It was the veteran infielder’s third career multi-homer game. New York starter Cam Schlittler allowed his first three runs of the season, all in the third inning, scattering five hits over five innings.

Nick Kurtz hit a two-run double and Tyler Soderstrom added an RBI double when the A’s had four hits in the third and took a 3-1 lead. Civale allowed two hits and one run over five innings before former Yankee Mark Leiter Jr. (0-1) took the loss.

Rockies 5, Astros 1

Kyle Freeland pitched 6 1/3 strong innings, Willi Castro and Mickey Moniak homered and Colorado beat visiting Houston. Castro finished with three hits and three RBIs while TJ Rumfield singled twice for Colorado, which has won three in a row.

Freeland (1-1) became the first Rockies starter to pitch into the seventh inning this season. He allowed one run on three hits. Antonio Senzatela threw 2 2/3 perfect innings to pick up his first career save.

Christian Walker homered, one of just three hits for the Astros, who have lost three in a row. Mike Burrows (1-2) permitted three runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Dodgers 4, Blue Jays 1

Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched an effective six-plus innings and visiting Los Angeles defeated Toronto. Yamamoto (2-1) allowed one run, five hits and one walk with six strikeouts in his first appearance back in the stadium where he was named World Series MVP last year after closing out Game 7.

Alex Freeland had three hits for the Dodgers, who have won five in a row while the Blue Jays have lost six straight.

Los Angeles took a 2-0 lead in the third against Kevin Gausman (0-1), who opposed Yamamoto in Games 2 and 6 of the World Series. Gausman yielded three runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Twins 4, Tigers 2

Ryan Jeffers doubled and drove in a pair of runs as Minnesota held on for a win over Detroit in Minneapolis.

Luke Keaschall and Josh Bell added one RBI apiece for the Twins. Taj Bradley (2-0) continued his red-hot start to the season, limiting the Tigers to one run on six hits in 6 1/3 innings,

Detroit’s Tarik Skubal (1-2) unraveled after four scoreless innings. He exited after giving up four runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. Kevin McGonigle went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #MLB #roundup #Paul #Skenes #pitching #gem #carries #Pirates #Padres

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Apr 7, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (30) pitches against the San Diego Padres during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Oneil Cruz and Nick Gonzales each had clutch two-run hits to back up a gem by Paul Skenes and propel the host Pittsburgh Pirates to a 7-1 victory over the San Diego Padres on Tuesday.

Skenes (2-1) carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before allowing a one-out single by Fernando Tatis Jr. Throwing 87 pitches, Skenes gave up one run — a Xander Bogaerts homer in the seventh — on two hits in 6 1/3 innings and struck out six. He walked two and hit a batter.

Rookie Konnor Griffin, Ryan O’Hearn and Henry Davis each had two hits for the Pirate, who erupted for five runs in the eighth off Adrian Morejon to cement their sixth win in the past seven games.

Miguel Andujar had the only other hit for San Diego, which had scored 13 runs over its previous two games. Nick Pivetta (1-2) gave up two runs over five innings.

Red Sox 3, Brewers 2

Trevor Story snapped a scoreless tie with a bases-loaded double in the sixth inning, Garrett Crochet took a shutout into the seventh and Boston held on for a victory over visiting Milwaukee.

The Red Sox, who managed just three hits, converted three consecutive walks into three runs in the sixth off Jacob Misiorowski (1-1) for a 3-0 lead. Crochet (2-1) allowed two runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings. Aroldis Chapman finished with a scoreless ninth for his third save.

In the seventh, the Brewers scored a pair when David Hamilton was plunked and pinch hitter Christian Yelich bounced into a run-scoring groundout. Misiorowski, who struck out the first five batters he faced and finished with 11 K’s, allowed three runs on two hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Guardians 2, Royals 1

Brayan Rocchio delivered a tiebreaking RBI single with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, sending host Cleveland to a victory over Kansas City.

Rocchio was 0-for-3 until facing John Schreiber (0-1) with runners at first and second in the ninth, poking a single through the right side. Lane Thomas came up cleanly with Rocchio’s hit but could not throw out CJ Kayfus at the plate.

Cade Smith (2-0) earned the victory, striking out two in a 1-2-3 ninth. Guardians pitchers limited the Royals to one hit, a solo home run by Carter Jensen in the second inning.

Orioles 4, White Sox 2

Gunnar Henderson hit a tiebreaking two-run home run in the eighth inning as visiting Baltimore rallied past Chicago.

Blaze Alexander and Taylor Ward hit back-to-back one-out doubles in the eighth as the Orioles tied the game off Jordan Hicks (0-1) before Henderson gave them their first lead with his fourth homer of the season. Trevor Rogers delivered six innings of two-run work for Baltimore, and Yennier Cano (1-1) recorded the win.

Chase Meidroth drove in a run and had two hits for the White Sox, who saw Shane Smith last just 3 2/3 scoreless innings in his start, striking out eight but walking five.

Mets 4, Diamondbacks 3 (10 innings)

Ronny Mauricio delivered the game-winning single in his first plate appearance for host New York, which beat Arizona in 10 innings.

Brett Baty and Jared Young each delivered a sacrifice fly and Francisco Alvarez scored on an error for the Mets, who extended their winning streak to four games. Luke Weaver (1-0) retired all three batters in the top of the 10th.

Adrian Del Castillo (two-run single) and Nolan Arenado (double) had RBI hits in the fifth for the Diamondbacks, who lost for the third time in five games. Paul Sewald (0-2) recorded just one out in the 10th.

Reds 6, Marlins 3 (10 innings)

Cincinnati — scoreless against Sandy Alcantara until the ninth inning — rallied to defeat host Miami. The Reds tied the score in the ninth on a two-out wild pitch by Anthony Bender, and they took control in the 10th on Nathaniel Lowe’s go-ahead RBI single and Matt McLain’s two-run double.

Alcantara allowed just three hits — two singles and one double — plus two walks and two runs in 8 1/3 innings, striking out six. Miami started the ninth with a 2-0 lead, and both runs were scored while Bender was on the mound.

Marlins center fielder Jakob Marsee, who entered the game batting just .105, went 2-for-4 with one walk, two runs and a career-high four stolen bases.

Cardinals 7, Nationals 6 (10 innings)

Thomas Saggese and JJ Wetherholt hit run-scoring doubles in the 10th inning and visiting St. Louis beat Washington.

Saggese led off with a double off Cole Henry (0-2) to score automatic runner Masyn Winn with the go-ahead run. With two outs, Wetherholt doubled to right, scoring Saggese to make it 7-5. Jordan Walker homered for the second straight night and Church also went deep for the Cardinals. Nolan Gorman had three hits.

James Wood homered for the third straight game for Washington, and Curtis Mead had three hits, including a home run.

Rangers 3, Mariners 2

Nathan Eovaldi pitched six quality innings and Kyle Higashioka hit a go-ahead home run, rallying Texas to a win over struggling Seattle in Arlington, Texas.

Eovaldi, making his 300th career major league start, picked up his first win of the season after two losses, allowing two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts and a pair of walks.

George Kirby (1-2) threw an eight-inning complete game for Seattle, which lost its fourth straight and its sixth in the past seven games.

Cubs 9, Rays 2

Javier Assad threw 5 2/3 scoreless innings and Pete Crow-Armstrong and Moises Ballesteros hit late-inning home runs to seal Chicago’s win over Tampa Bay in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Seven Cubs, including Crow-Armstrong and Ballesteros, had two or more hits as part of a 16-hit output. Nico Hoerner went 2-for-4 with two RBIs. Assad (1-0), making his season debut after beginning the year in Triple-A Iowa, allowed just one hit and two walks.

Mason Englert (0-1) was a spot starter for Tampa Bay after Drew Rasmussen was a late scratch for personal reasons. Englert took the loss, giving up four runs (three earned) on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Yankees 5, Athletics 3

Amed Rosario gave New York the lead by hitting a three-run home run, his second of the game, in the eighth inning as the Yankees downed the visiting Athletics.

Rosario also homered off A’s starter Aaron Civale in the second inning for New York’s first run. It was the veteran infielder’s third career multi-homer game. New York starter Cam Schlittler allowed his first three runs of the season, all in the third inning, scattering five hits over five innings.

Nick Kurtz hit a two-run double and Tyler Soderstrom added an RBI double when the A’s had four hits in the third and took a 3-1 lead. Civale allowed two hits and one run over five innings before former Yankee Mark Leiter Jr. (0-1) took the loss.

Rockies 5, Astros 1

Kyle Freeland pitched 6 1/3 strong innings, Willi Castro and Mickey Moniak homered and Colorado beat visiting Houston. Castro finished with three hits and three RBIs while TJ Rumfield singled twice for Colorado, which has won three in a row.

Freeland (1-1) became the first Rockies starter to pitch into the seventh inning this season. He allowed one run on three hits. Antonio Senzatela threw 2 2/3 perfect innings to pick up his first career save.

Christian Walker homered, one of just three hits for the Astros, who have lost three in a row. Mike Burrows (1-2) permitted three runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Dodgers 4, Blue Jays 1

Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched an effective six-plus innings and visiting Los Angeles defeated Toronto. Yamamoto (2-1) allowed one run, five hits and one walk with six strikeouts in his first appearance back in the stadium where he was named World Series MVP last year after closing out Game 7.

Alex Freeland had three hits for the Dodgers, who have won five in a row while the Blue Jays have lost six straight.

Los Angeles took a 2-0 lead in the third against Kevin Gausman (0-1), who opposed Yamamoto in Games 2 and 6 of the World Series. Gausman yielded three runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

Twins 4, Tigers 2

Ryan Jeffers doubled and drove in a pair of runs as Minnesota held on for a win over Detroit in Minneapolis.

Luke Keaschall and Josh Bell added one RBI apiece for the Twins. Taj Bradley (2-0) continued his red-hot start to the season, limiting the Tigers to one run on six hits in 6 1/3 innings,

Detroit’s Tarik Skubal (1-2) unraveled after four scoreless innings. He exited after giving up four runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. Kevin McGonigle went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs.

–Field Level Media

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Five NFL Quarterbacks Who Appear Poised To Win Starting Jobs In 2026 | Deadspin.com Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images It’s an easy year for predicting NFL quarterback competitions.As teams across the NFL landscape put a bow on voluntary OTAs this week before turning the page to mandatory veteran minicamps, quarterback competitions will begin to take form.This year, it feels like the quarterback competitions are a little bit more obvious than they’ve been in previous years. Let’s look at the obvious winners first, before we get into some of the more complex battles.Minnesota Vikings: Kyler MurrayThere’s no way that Murray signed with the Vikings in free agency without some sort of guarantee that he’d have an upper hand over J.J. McCarthy.The Vikings should probably give up on McCarthy, the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, who underwhelmed during his first season as the starter, throwing more interceptions than touchdown passes. Minnesota employed Justin Jefferson, the best receiver in the NFL. The Vikings should see if Murray could get Jefferson the football and turn his career around similar to Sam Darnold a few seasons ago.Indianapolis Colts: Daniel Jones Oct 19, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) speaks with head coach Shane Steichen in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images At the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, the Colts gave Anthony Richardson’s representatives permission to seek a trade.While Richardson could still be moved before Week 1 in mid-September, it feels like there aren’t many suitors for the 24-year-old quarterback. The Colts looked prime to finish as a top seed in the AFC before Jones ruptured his Achilles tendon last season. He’s a no-brainer QB1 in 2026, assuming he’s fully recovered.Atlanta Falcons: Tua TagovailoaKevin Stefanski just can’t help himself from starting quarterback controversies. He arrived in Atlanta with Michael Penix Jr. on his rookie deal after the Falcons selected the former Washington quarterback with the No. 8 overall selection in 2024.Injuries have complicated Penix’s outlook, clearing the way for the veteran Tagovailoa to start the season in Atlanta.The Falcons gave Stefanski a high price tag coaching contract to turn Atlanta around in a very winnable division. Expect the former two-time Coach of the Year to trust Tagovailoa over Penix.Las Vegas Raiders: Kirk Cousins Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The Raiders gave Cousins a five-year, 2 million contract, but the deal is essentially a one-year, fully guaranteed million contract. It’s split between the Raiders and Falcons, who had to release him after just two seasons. million is an expensive backup. The Raiders could decide to let the veteran start the first few games before turning the keys over to No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.Cleveland Browns: Shedeur SandersEven though all reports indicate that Deshaun Watson is ahead of Shedeur Sanders to start Cleveland’s quarterback competition, the Myles Garrett trade to the Los Angeles Rams should change some things.There’s no denying that the youth movement is underway in Cleveland, moving on from Garrett in favor of 25-year-old EDGE Jared Verse. That benefits Sanders, who is six years younger than Watson.Watson hasn’t played good football since 2020, and after three big injuries and two full seasons on the sideline, it’s impossible to expect the 30-year-old to return to form in the final year of the disastrous contract he received upon arriving in Cleveland. #NFL #Quarterbacks #Poised #Win #Starting #Jobs #Deadspin.comNov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

It’s an easy year for predicting NFL quarterback competitions.

As teams across the NFL landscape put a bow on voluntary OTAs this week before turning the page to mandatory veteran minicamps, quarterback competitions will begin to take form.

This year, it feels like the quarterback competitions are a little bit more obvious than they’ve been in previous years. Let’s look at the obvious winners first, before we get into some of the more complex battles.

Minnesota Vikings: Kyler Murray

There’s no way that Murray signed with the Vikings in free agency without some sort of guarantee that he’d have an upper hand over J.J. McCarthy.

The Vikings should probably give up on McCarthy, the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, who underwhelmed during his first season as the starter, throwing more interceptions than touchdown passes. Minnesota employed Justin Jefferson, the best receiver in the NFL. The Vikings should see if Murray could get Jefferson the football and turn his career around similar to Sam Darnold a few seasons ago.

Indianapolis Colts: Daniel Jones

Oct 19, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) speaks with head coach Shane Steichen in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesOct 19, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) speaks with head coach Shane Steichen in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

At the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, the Colts gave Anthony Richardson’s representatives permission to seek a trade.

While Richardson could still be moved before Week 1 in mid-September, it feels like there aren’t many suitors for the 24-year-old quarterback. The Colts looked prime to finish as a top seed in the AFC before Jones ruptured his Achilles tendon last season. He’s a no-brainer QB1 in 2026, assuming he’s fully recovered.

Atlanta Falcons: Tua Tagovailoa

Kevin Stefanski just can’t help himself from starting quarterback controversies. He arrived in Atlanta with Michael Penix Jr. on his rookie deal after the Falcons selected the former Washington quarterback with the No. 8 overall selection in 2024.

Injuries have complicated Penix’s outlook, clearing the way for the veteran Tagovailoa to start the season in Atlanta.

The Falcons gave Stefanski a high price tag coaching contract to turn Atlanta around in a very winnable division. Expect the former two-time Coach of the Year to trust Tagovailoa over Penix.

Las Vegas Raiders: Kirk Cousins

Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesAug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Raiders gave Cousins a five-year, $172 million contract, but the deal is essentially a one-year, fully guaranteed $20 million contract. It’s split between the Raiders and Falcons, who had to release him after just two seasons.

$20 million is an expensive backup. The Raiders could decide to let the veteran start the first few games before turning the keys over to No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders

Even though all reports indicate that Deshaun Watson is ahead of Shedeur Sanders to start Cleveland’s quarterback competition, the Myles Garrett trade to the Los Angeles Rams should change some things.

There’s no denying that the youth movement is underway in Cleveland, moving on from Garrett in favor of 25-year-old EDGE Jared Verse. That benefits Sanders, who is six years younger than Watson.

Watson hasn’t played good football since 2020, and after three big injuries and two full seasons on the sideline, it’s impossible to expect the 30-year-old to return to form in the final year of the disastrous contract he received upon arriving in Cleveland.

#NFL #Quarterbacks #Poised #Win #Starting #Jobs #Deadspin.com">Five NFL Quarterbacks Who Appear Poised To Win Starting Jobs In 2026 | Deadspin.com Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images It’s an easy year for predicting NFL quarterback competitions.As teams across the NFL landscape put a bow on voluntary OTAs this week before turning the page to mandatory veteran minicamps, quarterback competitions will begin to take form.This year, it feels like the quarterback competitions are a little bit more obvious than they’ve been in previous years. Let’s look at the obvious winners first, before we get into some of the more complex battles.Minnesota Vikings: Kyler MurrayThere’s no way that Murray signed with the Vikings in free agency without some sort of guarantee that he’d have an upper hand over J.J. McCarthy.The Vikings should probably give up on McCarthy, the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, who underwhelmed during his first season as the starter, throwing more interceptions than touchdown passes. Minnesota employed Justin Jefferson, the best receiver in the NFL. The Vikings should see if Murray could get Jefferson the football and turn his career around similar to Sam Darnold a few seasons ago.Indianapolis Colts: Daniel Jones Oct 19, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) speaks with head coach Shane Steichen in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images At the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, the Colts gave Anthony Richardson’s representatives permission to seek a trade.While Richardson could still be moved before Week 1 in mid-September, it feels like there aren’t many suitors for the 24-year-old quarterback. The Colts looked prime to finish as a top seed in the AFC before Jones ruptured his Achilles tendon last season. He’s a no-brainer QB1 in 2026, assuming he’s fully recovered.Atlanta Falcons: Tua TagovailoaKevin Stefanski just can’t help himself from starting quarterback controversies. He arrived in Atlanta with Michael Penix Jr. on his rookie deal after the Falcons selected the former Washington quarterback with the No. 8 overall selection in 2024.Injuries have complicated Penix’s outlook, clearing the way for the veteran Tagovailoa to start the season in Atlanta.The Falcons gave Stefanski a high price tag coaching contract to turn Atlanta around in a very winnable division. Expect the former two-time Coach of the Year to trust Tagovailoa over Penix.Las Vegas Raiders: Kirk Cousins Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The Raiders gave Cousins a five-year, 2 million contract, but the deal is essentially a one-year, fully guaranteed million contract. It’s split between the Raiders and Falcons, who had to release him after just two seasons. million is an expensive backup. The Raiders could decide to let the veteran start the first few games before turning the keys over to No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.Cleveland Browns: Shedeur SandersEven though all reports indicate that Deshaun Watson is ahead of Shedeur Sanders to start Cleveland’s quarterback competition, the Myles Garrett trade to the Los Angeles Rams should change some things.There’s no denying that the youth movement is underway in Cleveland, moving on from Garrett in favor of 25-year-old EDGE Jared Verse. That benefits Sanders, who is six years younger than Watson.Watson hasn’t played good football since 2020, and after three big injuries and two full seasons on the sideline, it’s impossible to expect the 30-year-old to return to form in the final year of the disastrous contract he received upon arriving in Cleveland. #NFL #Quarterbacks #Poised #Win #Starting #Jobs #Deadspin.com

should probably give up on McCarthy, the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, who underwhelmed during his first season as the starter, throwing more interceptions than touchdown passes. Minnesota employed Justin Jefferson, the best receiver in the NFL. The Vikings should see if Murray could get Jefferson the football and turn his career around similar to Sam Darnold a few seasons ago.

Indianapolis Colts: Daniel Jones

Oct 19, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) speaks with head coach Shane Steichen in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesOct 19, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) speaks with head coach Shane Steichen in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

At the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, the Colts gave Anthony Richardson’s representatives permission to seek a trade.

While Richardson could still be moved before Week 1 in mid-September, it feels like there aren’t many suitors for the 24-year-old quarterback. The Colts looked prime to finish as a top seed in the AFC before Jones ruptured his Achilles tendon last season. He’s a no-brainer QB1 in 2026, assuming he’s fully recovered.

Atlanta Falcons: Tua Tagovailoa

Kevin Stefanski just can’t help himself from starting quarterback controversies. He arrived in Atlanta with Michael Penix Jr. on his rookie deal after the Falcons selected the former Washington quarterback with the No. 8 overall selection in 2024.

Injuries have complicated Penix’s outlook, clearing the way for the veteran Tagovailoa to start the season in Atlanta.

The Falcons gave Stefanski a high price tag coaching contract to turn Atlanta around in a very winnable division. Expect the former two-time Coach of the Year to trust Tagovailoa over Penix.

Las Vegas Raiders: Kirk Cousins

Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesAug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Raiders gave Cousins a five-year, $172 million contract, but the deal is essentially a one-year, fully guaranteed $20 million contract. It’s split between the Raiders and Falcons, who had to release him after just two seasons.

$20 million is an expensive backup. The Raiders could decide to let the veteran start the first few games before turning the keys over to No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders

Even though all reports indicate that Deshaun Watson is ahead of Shedeur Sanders to start Cleveland’s quarterback competition, the Myles Garrett trade to the Los Angeles Rams should change some things.

There’s no denying that the youth movement is underway in Cleveland, moving on from Garrett in favor of 25-year-old EDGE Jared Verse. That benefits Sanders, who is six years younger than Watson.

Watson hasn’t played good football since 2020, and after three big injuries and two full seasons on the sideline, it’s impossible to expect the 30-year-old to return to form in the final year of the disastrous contract he received upon arriving in Cleveland.

#NFL #Quarterbacks #Poised #Win #Starting #Jobs #Deadspin.com">Five NFL Quarterbacks Who Appear Poised To Win Starting Jobs In 2026 | Deadspin.com
Five NFL Quarterbacks Who Appear Poised To Win Starting Jobs In 2026 | Deadspin.com Nov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images It’s an easy year for predicting NFL quarterback competitions.As teams across the NFL landscape put a bow on voluntary OTAs this week before turning the page to mandatory veteran minicamps, quarterback competitions will begin to take form.This year, it feels like the quarterback competitions are a little bit more obvious than they’ve been in previous years. Let’s look at the obvious winners first, before we get into some of the more complex battles.Minnesota Vikings: Kyler MurrayThere’s no way that Murray signed with the Vikings in free agency without some sort of guarantee that he’d have an upper hand over J.J. McCarthy.The Vikings should probably give up on McCarthy, the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, who underwhelmed during his first season as the starter, throwing more interceptions than touchdown passes. Minnesota employed Justin Jefferson, the best receiver in the NFL. The Vikings should see if Murray could get Jefferson the football and turn his career around similar to Sam Darnold a few seasons ago.Indianapolis Colts: Daniel Jones Oct 19, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) speaks with head coach Shane Steichen in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images At the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, the Colts gave Anthony Richardson’s representatives permission to seek a trade.While Richardson could still be moved before Week 1 in mid-September, it feels like there aren’t many suitors for the 24-year-old quarterback. The Colts looked prime to finish as a top seed in the AFC before Jones ruptured his Achilles tendon last season. He’s a no-brainer QB1 in 2026, assuming he’s fully recovered.Atlanta Falcons: Tua TagovailoaKevin Stefanski just can’t help himself from starting quarterback controversies. He arrived in Atlanta with Michael Penix Jr. on his rookie deal after the Falcons selected the former Washington quarterback with the No. 8 overall selection in 2024.Injuries have complicated Penix’s outlook, clearing the way for the veteran Tagovailoa to start the season in Atlanta.The Falcons gave Stefanski a high price tag coaching contract to turn Atlanta around in a very winnable division. Expect the former two-time Coach of the Year to trust Tagovailoa over Penix.Las Vegas Raiders: Kirk Cousins Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The Raiders gave Cousins a five-year, 2 million contract, but the deal is essentially a one-year, fully guaranteed million contract. It’s split between the Raiders and Falcons, who had to release him after just two seasons. million is an expensive backup. The Raiders could decide to let the veteran start the first few games before turning the keys over to No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.Cleveland Browns: Shedeur SandersEven though all reports indicate that Deshaun Watson is ahead of Shedeur Sanders to start Cleveland’s quarterback competition, the Myles Garrett trade to the Los Angeles Rams should change some things.There’s no denying that the youth movement is underway in Cleveland, moving on from Garrett in favor of 25-year-old EDGE Jared Verse. That benefits Sanders, who is six years younger than Watson.Watson hasn’t played good football since 2020, and after three big injuries and two full seasons on the sideline, it’s impossible to expect the 30-year-old to return to form in the final year of the disastrous contract he received upon arriving in Cleveland. #NFL #Quarterbacks #Poised #Win #Starting #Jobs #Deadspin.comNov 3, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

It’s an easy year for predicting NFL quarterback competitions.

As teams across the NFL landscape put a bow on voluntary OTAs this week before turning the page to mandatory veteran minicamps, quarterback competitions will begin to take form.

This year, it feels like the quarterback competitions are a little bit more obvious than they’ve been in previous years. Let’s look at the obvious winners first, before we get into some of the more complex battles.

Minnesota Vikings: Kyler Murray

There’s no way that Murray signed with the Vikings in free agency without some sort of guarantee that he’d have an upper hand over J.J. McCarthy.

The Vikings should probably give up on McCarthy, the No. 10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, who underwhelmed during his first season as the starter, throwing more interceptions than touchdown passes. Minnesota employed Justin Jefferson, the best receiver in the NFL. The Vikings should see if Murray could get Jefferson the football and turn his career around similar to Sam Darnold a few seasons ago.

Indianapolis Colts: Daniel Jones

Oct 19, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) speaks with head coach Shane Steichen in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn ImagesOct 19, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) speaks with head coach Shane Steichen in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

At the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, the Colts gave Anthony Richardson’s representatives permission to seek a trade.

While Richardson could still be moved before Week 1 in mid-September, it feels like there aren’t many suitors for the 24-year-old quarterback. The Colts looked prime to finish as a top seed in the AFC before Jones ruptured his Achilles tendon last season. He’s a no-brainer QB1 in 2026, assuming he’s fully recovered.

Atlanta Falcons: Tua Tagovailoa

Kevin Stefanski just can’t help himself from starting quarterback controversies. He arrived in Atlanta with Michael Penix Jr. on his rookie deal after the Falcons selected the former Washington quarterback with the No. 8 overall selection in 2024.

Injuries have complicated Penix’s outlook, clearing the way for the veteran Tagovailoa to start the season in Atlanta.

The Falcons gave Stefanski a high price tag coaching contract to turn Atlanta around in a very winnable division. Expect the former two-time Coach of the Year to trust Tagovailoa over Penix.

Las Vegas Raiders: Kirk Cousins

Aug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesAug 23, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Las Vegas Raiders helmet during a preseason NFL game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Raiders gave Cousins a five-year, $172 million contract, but the deal is essentially a one-year, fully guaranteed $20 million contract. It’s split between the Raiders and Falcons, who had to release him after just two seasons.

$20 million is an expensive backup. The Raiders could decide to let the veteran start the first few games before turning the keys over to No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

Cleveland Browns: Shedeur Sanders

Even though all reports indicate that Deshaun Watson is ahead of Shedeur Sanders to start Cleveland’s quarterback competition, the Myles Garrett trade to the Los Angeles Rams should change some things.

There’s no denying that the youth movement is underway in Cleveland, moving on from Garrett in favor of 25-year-old EDGE Jared Verse. That benefits Sanders, who is six years younger than Watson.

Watson hasn’t played good football since 2020, and after three big injuries and two full seasons on the sideline, it’s impossible to expect the 30-year-old to return to form in the final year of the disastrous contract he received upon arriving in Cleveland.

#NFL #Quarterbacks #Poised #Win #Starting #Jobs #Deadspin.com

SAN ANTONIO – The NBA’s defending champions required five regular season games and seven Western Conference Finals bashfests to suss out San Antonio’s Spurs, failed.

The Knicks needed but three quarters. Another dynamite fourth quarter from Knick hero Jalen Brunson gave New York its first Finals lead in a over a half-century on Wednesday night, toppling San Antonio 105-95 in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals.

That previous Finals advantage, a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1973 NBA Finals, was celebrated by Knick reserve center Phil Jackson on a beach at Malibu with an unnamed actress, according to Phil’s book ‘Maverick,’ Jackson “gobbling LSD for breakfast.”

Brunson (and Knicks coach Mike Brown, for that matter) appeared to show little instinct toward toward Phil’s breakfast of champions after Game 1, giving every indication these current Knicks keep these sainted Spurs in sensible range.

And within the same level as previous combatants. We worried over the Knicks faltering against stiff Western competition after facing Atlanta, Philadelphia and Cleveland in the previous three rounds (Eh, Woof, and Whatever). We shoulda concerned ourselves with whether or not San Antonio was ready for the team that only needed 14 outings to escape the East.

The visiting Knicks delicately primed past the restrictions of rust in the team’s first contest since May 25. New York was down 10 points in the second quarter and 14 in the third before colluding to surprise San Antonio in what the NBA calls “clutch minutes,” the final five minutes of a close game. Timing issues aside, it felt as if every second of Game 1 was crucially clutch, the utter and pristine picture of all-out NBA playoff basketball.

Brunson finished with 30 but was no angel on his way toward the mark, flinging lefty hopers over the arms of Victor Wembanyama, spinning out repeatedly on floaters and only using arms on in-and-out three-pointers. Those were practice legs, scrimmage flings, and Brunson (7-22 entering the third period, 5-9 from the floor in the final 12 minutes) needed every second surrounding him to re-locate his crouch.

Once the legs returned, though, over. Brunson’s corner three off a Mikal Bridges offensive rebound with 1:50 remaining gave New York a 97-95 lead, all the grasp it needed. Rust was absolutely an issue, for these visiting Knicks, now they’ll band together to earn a full endorsement deal with an anti-rust spray, we won’t name any brands because we’re not sponsored ourselves, but watch for “polyurethane resins” to be uttered by Jose Alvarado on an advertisement sometime this summer.

Alvarado helped keep the visitor’s wits throughout, his presence was badly needed in the second quarter when Brunson turned his ankle and left the game. Alvarado, perhaps buoyed by Brunson bounding over with both legs to complain to Scott Foster during the injury timeout, hit 3-of-3 from the field in his run, seven points, three defensive boards and an assist and a steal, because he’s Jose Alvarado.

Bothered by foul trouble, Josh Hart barely worked that second quarter. Josh made up for it.

In one of the finest three-point performances in NBA Finals history, Hart’s derring-do stole the home court advantage right out from Texas’ ten-gallon hat. Four steals and six assists from Hart, who covered all angles defensively while still sustaining his sniff for the passing lanes. His shot was off (1-5 from the field, 0-3 from deep) but he was in the right place in every other instance, a superior all-around performance, even if his jumper doesn’t go all the way around.

The home team failed to clasp past 100 points per 100 possessions, the Spurs missed three-quarters of their threes and wasted a four-turnover game, and 15-point first half from Julian Champagnie. Wembanyama was a force defensively but missed 16-21 field goal attempts on his way toward 26 points, a dozen boards and six turnovers, three blocks.

De’Aaron Fox clunked 3-13 from the field on one leg. The veteran developed good looks in the fourth quarter, missed, while Dylan Harper (16 points and seven rebounds through three quarters) watched from the bench. Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson, cherished Spurs veterans but a little hype in Game 1, somewhat charged, possibly caffeinated, 5-15 from the floor combined.

It was a learning experience. Fans talked themselves into shouting “Spurs in five” on the way out of the building in Game 1 and, yeah, it ain’t hard to see what’s under that hat. San Antonio does have a seven-and-a-half-foot center with skills, after all.

Yet New York proved none of this counts if the center in question is centimeters removed from what matters, the best attempt available, a Knick splash. New York missed 25-36 three-pointers in Game 1, but its concentration and approach was apparent from the rafters. If Wemby is slightly out of focus, dive to the rim as if the season depends on it. The Knicks are to be commended for maintaining a straight line to the rim anytime Wembanyama was bothered elsewhere, held or held up, New York launching the millisecond his fingertips were no obstacle.

These moments usually require hours to develop, entire games. The Thunder ran out of time, the Timberwolves rarely earned the pause, the Trail Blazers never even caught up to Central time. Yet New York kept its principles in place throughout Game 1 until these fundamentals found paydirt. Until the legs returned, finally out of Connecticut’s practice sweats for the first time in over a week.

The Spurs understand what they have to do now, yet that knowledge was in place well ahead of Game 1. It’s the connection which counts the most, and San Antonio must find out who its conductor is.

New York knows. This is Brunson’s team, the Villanova cats with two battling bigs. Karl-Anthony Towns put himself on the floor throughout Game 1, 18 points and 18 chestbumps with Wemby while defending Victor. Front-to-front stuff, too, the awkward kind.

KAT and Mitchell Robinson’s mystery finger were, in spite of Victor’ 12-13 mark from the free throw line, a bruise-in-waiting for Wembanyama to push through. The Knicks are thick up top and soulful down below and full of brains and wit throughout the middle.

The Spurs are running out of time to define their own personalities, as the showcase in Manhattan draws nearer. The younger team is capable, but can they hold in the face of a crew which doesn’t crack?

Kelly Dwyer covers the NBA at KDonhoops.com

#Knicks #figured #Spurs #faster #NBA #Finals">The Knicks figured out the Spurs faster than anyone else in NBA Finals SAN ANTONIO – The NBA’s defending champions required five regular season games and seven Western Conference Finals bashfests to suss out San Antonio’s Spurs, failed.The Knicks needed but three quarters. Another dynamite fourth quarter from Knick hero Jalen Brunson gave New York its first Finals lead in a over a half-century on Wednesday night, toppling San Antonio 105-95 in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals.That previous Finals advantage, a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1973 NBA Finals, was celebrated by Knick reserve center Phil Jackson on a beach at Malibu with an unnamed actress, according to Phil’s book ‘Maverick,’ Jackson “gobbling LSD for breakfast.”Brunson (and Knicks coach Mike Brown, for that matter) appeared to show little instinct toward toward Phil’s breakfast of champions after Game 1, giving every indication these current Knicks keep these sainted Spurs in sensible range.And within the same level as previous combatants. We worried over the Knicks faltering against stiff Western competition after facing Atlanta, Philadelphia and Cleveland in the previous three rounds (Eh, Woof, and Whatever). We shoulda concerned ourselves with whether or not San Antonio was ready for the team that only needed 14 outings to escape the East.The visiting Knicks delicately primed past the restrictions of rust in the team’s first contest since May 25. New York was down 10 points in the second quarter and 14 in the third before colluding to surprise San Antonio in what the NBA calls “clutch minutes,” the final five minutes of a close game. Timing issues aside, it felt as if every second of Game 1 was crucially clutch, the utter and pristine picture of all-out NBA playoff basketball.Brunson finished with 30 but was no angel on his way toward the mark, flinging lefty hopers over the arms of Victor Wembanyama, spinning out repeatedly on floaters and only using arms on in-and-out three-pointers. Those were practice legs, scrimmage flings, and Brunson (7-22 entering the third period, 5-9 from the floor in the final 12 minutes) needed every second surrounding him to re-locate his crouch.Once the legs returned, though, over. Brunson’s corner three off a Mikal Bridges offensive rebound with 1:50 remaining gave New York a 97-95 lead, all the grasp it needed. Rust was absolutely an issue, for these visiting Knicks, now they’ll band together to earn a full endorsement deal with an anti-rust spray, we won’t name any brands because we’re not sponsored ourselves, but watch for “polyurethane resins” to be uttered by Jose Alvarado on an advertisement sometime this summer.Alvarado helped keep the visitor’s wits throughout, his presence was badly needed in the second quarter when Brunson turned his ankle and left the game. Alvarado, perhaps buoyed by Brunson bounding over with both legs to complain to Scott Foster during the injury timeout, hit 3-of-3 from the field in his run, seven points, three defensive boards and an assist and a steal, because he’s Jose Alvarado.Bothered by foul trouble, Josh Hart barely worked that second quarter. Josh made up for it.In one of the finest three-point performances in NBA Finals history, Hart’s derring-do stole the home court advantage right out from Texas’ ten-gallon hat. Four steals and six assists from Hart, who covered all angles defensively while still sustaining his sniff for the passing lanes. His shot was off (1-5 from the field, 0-3 from deep) but he was in the right place in every other instance, a superior all-around performance, even if his jumper doesn’t go all the way around.The home team failed to clasp past 100 points per 100 possessions, the Spurs missed three-quarters of their threes and wasted a four-turnover game, and 15-point first half from Julian Champagnie. Wembanyama was a force defensively but missed 16-21 field goal attempts on his way toward 26 points, a dozen boards and six turnovers, three blocks.De’Aaron Fox clunked 3-13 from the field on one leg. The veteran developed good looks in the fourth quarter, missed, while Dylan Harper (16 points and seven rebounds through three quarters) watched from the bench. Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson, cherished Spurs veterans but a little hype in Game 1, somewhat charged, possibly caffeinated, 5-15 from the floor combined.It was a learning experience. Fans talked themselves into shouting “Spurs in five” on the way out of the building in Game 1 and, yeah, it ain’t hard to see what’s under that hat. San Antonio does have a seven-and-a-half-foot center with skills, after all.Yet New York proved none of this counts if the center in question is centimeters removed from what matters, the best attempt available, a Knick splash. New York missed 25-36 three-pointers in Game 1, but its concentration and approach was apparent from the rafters. If Wemby is slightly out of focus, dive to the rim as if the season depends on it. The Knicks are to be commended for maintaining a straight line to the rim anytime Wembanyama was bothered elsewhere, held or held up, New York launching the millisecond his fingertips were no obstacle.These moments usually require hours to develop, entire games. The Thunder ran out of time, the Timberwolves rarely earned the pause, the Trail Blazers never even caught up to Central time. Yet New York kept its principles in place throughout Game 1 until these fundamentals found paydirt. Until the legs returned, finally out of Connecticut’s practice sweats for the first time in over a week.The Spurs understand what they have to do now, yet that knowledge was in place well ahead of Game 1. It’s the connection which counts the most, and San Antonio must find out who its conductor is.New York knows. This is Brunson’s team, the Villanova cats with two battling bigs. Karl-Anthony Towns put himself on the floor throughout Game 1, 18 points and 18 chestbumps with Wemby while defending Victor. Front-to-front stuff, too, the awkward kind.KAT and Mitchell Robinson’s mystery finger were, in spite of Victor’ 12-13 mark from the free throw line, a bruise-in-waiting for Wembanyama to push through. The Knicks are thick up top and soulful down below and full of brains and wit throughout the middle.The Spurs are running out of time to define their own personalities, as the showcase in Manhattan draws nearer. The younger team is capable, but can they hold in the face of a crew which doesn’t crack?Kelly Dwyer covers the NBA at KDonhoops.com #Knicks #figured #Spurs #faster #NBA #Finals

KDonhoops.com

#Knicks #figured #Spurs #faster #NBA #Finals">The Knicks figured out the Spurs faster than anyone else in NBA Finals

SAN ANTONIO – The NBA’s defending champions required five regular season games and seven Western Conference Finals bashfests to suss out San Antonio’s Spurs, failed.

The Knicks needed but three quarters. Another dynamite fourth quarter from Knick hero Jalen Brunson gave New York its first Finals lead in a over a half-century on Wednesday night, toppling San Antonio 105-95 in Game 1 of the 2026 NBA Finals.

That previous Finals advantage, a 4-1 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1973 NBA Finals, was celebrated by Knick reserve center Phil Jackson on a beach at Malibu with an unnamed actress, according to Phil’s book ‘Maverick,’ Jackson “gobbling LSD for breakfast.”

Brunson (and Knicks coach Mike Brown, for that matter) appeared to show little instinct toward toward Phil’s breakfast of champions after Game 1, giving every indication these current Knicks keep these sainted Spurs in sensible range.

And within the same level as previous combatants. We worried over the Knicks faltering against stiff Western competition after facing Atlanta, Philadelphia and Cleveland in the previous three rounds (Eh, Woof, and Whatever). We shoulda concerned ourselves with whether or not San Antonio was ready for the team that only needed 14 outings to escape the East.

The visiting Knicks delicately primed past the restrictions of rust in the team’s first contest since May 25. New York was down 10 points in the second quarter and 14 in the third before colluding to surprise San Antonio in what the NBA calls “clutch minutes,” the final five minutes of a close game. Timing issues aside, it felt as if every second of Game 1 was crucially clutch, the utter and pristine picture of all-out NBA playoff basketball.

Brunson finished with 30 but was no angel on his way toward the mark, flinging lefty hopers over the arms of Victor Wembanyama, spinning out repeatedly on floaters and only using arms on in-and-out three-pointers. Those were practice legs, scrimmage flings, and Brunson (7-22 entering the third period, 5-9 from the floor in the final 12 minutes) needed every second surrounding him to re-locate his crouch.

Once the legs returned, though, over. Brunson’s corner three off a Mikal Bridges offensive rebound with 1:50 remaining gave New York a 97-95 lead, all the grasp it needed. Rust was absolutely an issue, for these visiting Knicks, now they’ll band together to earn a full endorsement deal with an anti-rust spray, we won’t name any brands because we’re not sponsored ourselves, but watch for “polyurethane resins” to be uttered by Jose Alvarado on an advertisement sometime this summer.

Alvarado helped keep the visitor’s wits throughout, his presence was badly needed in the second quarter when Brunson turned his ankle and left the game. Alvarado, perhaps buoyed by Brunson bounding over with both legs to complain to Scott Foster during the injury timeout, hit 3-of-3 from the field in his run, seven points, three defensive boards and an assist and a steal, because he’s Jose Alvarado.

Bothered by foul trouble, Josh Hart barely worked that second quarter. Josh made up for it.

In one of the finest three-point performances in NBA Finals history, Hart’s derring-do stole the home court advantage right out from Texas’ ten-gallon hat. Four steals and six assists from Hart, who covered all angles defensively while still sustaining his sniff for the passing lanes. His shot was off (1-5 from the field, 0-3 from deep) but he was in the right place in every other instance, a superior all-around performance, even if his jumper doesn’t go all the way around.

The home team failed to clasp past 100 points per 100 possessions, the Spurs missed three-quarters of their threes and wasted a four-turnover game, and 15-point first half from Julian Champagnie. Wembanyama was a force defensively but missed 16-21 field goal attempts on his way toward 26 points, a dozen boards and six turnovers, three blocks.

De’Aaron Fox clunked 3-13 from the field on one leg. The veteran developed good looks in the fourth quarter, missed, while Dylan Harper (16 points and seven rebounds through three quarters) watched from the bench. Devin Vassell and Keldon Johnson, cherished Spurs veterans but a little hype in Game 1, somewhat charged, possibly caffeinated, 5-15 from the floor combined.

It was a learning experience. Fans talked themselves into shouting “Spurs in five” on the way out of the building in Game 1 and, yeah, it ain’t hard to see what’s under that hat. San Antonio does have a seven-and-a-half-foot center with skills, after all.

Yet New York proved none of this counts if the center in question is centimeters removed from what matters, the best attempt available, a Knick splash. New York missed 25-36 three-pointers in Game 1, but its concentration and approach was apparent from the rafters. If Wemby is slightly out of focus, dive to the rim as if the season depends on it. The Knicks are to be commended for maintaining a straight line to the rim anytime Wembanyama was bothered elsewhere, held or held up, New York launching the millisecond his fingertips were no obstacle.

These moments usually require hours to develop, entire games. The Thunder ran out of time, the Timberwolves rarely earned the pause, the Trail Blazers never even caught up to Central time. Yet New York kept its principles in place throughout Game 1 until these fundamentals found paydirt. Until the legs returned, finally out of Connecticut’s practice sweats for the first time in over a week.

The Spurs understand what they have to do now, yet that knowledge was in place well ahead of Game 1. It’s the connection which counts the most, and San Antonio must find out who its conductor is.

New York knows. This is Brunson’s team, the Villanova cats with two battling bigs. Karl-Anthony Towns put himself on the floor throughout Game 1, 18 points and 18 chestbumps with Wemby while defending Victor. Front-to-front stuff, too, the awkward kind.

KAT and Mitchell Robinson’s mystery finger were, in spite of Victor’ 12-13 mark from the free throw line, a bruise-in-waiting for Wembanyama to push through. The Knicks are thick up top and soulful down below and full of brains and wit throughout the middle.

The Spurs are running out of time to define their own personalities, as the showcase in Manhattan draws nearer. The younger team is capable, but can they hold in the face of a crew which doesn’t crack?

Kelly Dwyer covers the NBA at KDonhoops.com

#Knicks #figured #Spurs #faster #NBA #Finals

The Sports Ministry is planning to create a dedicated National Coach Accreditation Board (NCAB) to improve the standards of coaching in the country and bridge the gap between demand and supply of resources.

The decision follows recommendations from the P. Gopichand-led Task Force’s submitted in January.

The NCAB will be tasked with, among other things, creating a National Coach Registry and preparation of Long Term Athlete Development-based coaching standards. The project is likely to be initially implemented in a couple of federations.

The ministry hopes it will lead to standardisation of coaching and better scientific support for athletes. “At the moment, there is absence of proper sports science and also reluctance on the part of coaches to accept and adopt new suggestions. We are also looking at better integration of coaching and sports science,” Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said during an interaction here on Thursday.

The ministry has also approved the conversion of Sports Authority of India’s existing training centre in Shillong into a specialised High Altitude Training Centre (HATC) at an estimated cost of ₹150 crore in partnership with the NSE Foundation.

The HATC, with a 450-athlete capacity, will have a dedicated sports science building, elite residential complex, indoor heated swimming pool and natural training trails. India currently has HATCs in Shilaroo, Uttarkashi and Ooty besides one in Leh catering to para athletes.

Published on Jun 04, 2026

#Sports #Ministry #plans #set #National #Coach #Accreditation #Board">Sports Ministry plans to set up National Coach Accreditation Board The Sports Ministry is planning to create a dedicated National Coach Accreditation Board (NCAB) to improve the standards of coaching in the country and bridge the gap between demand and supply of resources.The decision follows recommendations from the P. Gopichand-led Task Force’s submitted in January.The NCAB will be tasked with, among other things, creating a National Coach Registry and preparation of Long Term Athlete Development-based coaching standards. The project is likely to be initially implemented in a couple of federations.The ministry hopes it will lead to standardisation of coaching and better scientific support for athletes. “At the moment, there is absence of proper sports science and also reluctance on the part of coaches to accept and adopt new suggestions. We are also looking at better integration of coaching and sports science,” Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said during an interaction here on Thursday.The ministry has also approved the conversion of Sports Authority of India’s existing training centre in Shillong into a specialised High Altitude Training Centre (HATC) at an estimated cost of ₹150 crore in partnership with the NSE Foundation.The HATC, with a 450-athlete capacity, will have a dedicated sports science building, elite residential complex, indoor heated swimming pool and natural training trails. India currently has HATCs in Shilaroo, Uttarkashi and Ooty besides one in Leh catering to para athletes.Published on Jun 04, 2026 #Sports #Ministry #plans #set #National #Coach #Accreditation #Board

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