Deadspin | Phillies eager to end awful April on high note vs. Giants Apr 8, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Adolis García (53) walks off the field after lining out to San Francisco Giants left fielder Harrison Bader (9) in the to pot the eighth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images April will go down as a month that manager Rob Thomson and the Philadelphia Phillies would prefer to forget. With 11 losses in their last 12 games and only nine victories on the season, the Phillies are desperate for a win Tuesday when they host the San Francisco Giants in the opener of a three-game set. Philadelphia enters the week with a 9-19 record, matching the New York Mets for the worst mark in baseball. The Phillies’ run differential (-54) is by far the worst in the sport, putting Thomson on the hot seat if things don’t turn around quickly. “Well, that’s natural, right?” Thomson said of his job security. “It’s normal. And I’ve never worried about that in my entire career. … I don’t have time to think about it.” The Phillies snapped a 10-game losing streak Saturday with an 8-5 extra-inning victory over the Atlanta Braves. But the momentum didn’t last long, as they fell behind early in Sunday’s 6-2 series-finale loss. Aaron Nola allowed three runs in the first inning and three more in the second, and the Phillies’ bats managed only one hit (a single) in six innings against Chris Sale. “It’s not like the record is going to change overnight,” said designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, whose two-run homer in the eighth accounted for the Phillies’ offense on the day. “It’s going to be a continuous grind, and we’re ready for that. We know that there’s a long road ahead.” The Phillies’ attempted path to recovery will begin Tuesday with Jesus Luzardo (1-3, 6.91 ERA) on the mound. The left-hander has labored through the first month of the season, although he was able to limit the damage in his most recent outing. Despite allowing five hits and four walks in 4 2/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs last Tuesday, Luzardo gave up just one run in an eventual 7-4 defeat. Still, he expects more of himself after signing a five-year, $135 million contract extension in the offseason. “It’s very frustrating,” Luzardo said. “As a whole, we don’t feel like we’re doing the job that we need to do. … I think there’s been times that a lot of us think that we can pick up the slack, me included.” Luzardo, who is 2-1 with a 5.23 ERA in six career starts against San Francisco, will be facing a team that has turned things around following a slow start of its own. The Giants have won seven of their last 10 games after beginning the season 6-12. They have won three series in a row — against the Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins. In Sunday’s 6-3 triumph over Miami, San Francisco’s Casey Schmitt hit a go-ahead home run for the second straight game. “That’s what we’re here for: to drive in runs and be productive,” said Giants third baseman Matt Chapman, who walked and scored in the decisive seventh inning. “But we are a team, and Casey’s hot right now.” Landen Roupp allowed just two hits and three runs over 7 2/3 innings — a performance that Tyler Mahle (1-3, 5.26) would love to copy in Tuesday’s contest. Mahle is coming off a sparkling effort in last Wednesday’s 3-0 win over the Dodgers, as he gave up just three hits and two walks over seven innings. In four lifetime starts against Philadelphia, Mahle is 1-1 with a 2.41 ERA. He held the Phillies to three hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings April 8 in San Francisco, helping the Giants take two of three in that series. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Phillies #eager #awful #April #high #note #Giants

Deadspin | Phillies eager to end awful April on high note vs. Giants
Apr 8, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Adolis García (53) walks off the field after lining out to San Francisco Giants left fielder Harrison Bader (9) in the to pot the eighth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images

April will go down as a month that manager Rob Thomson and the Philadelphia Phillies would prefer to forget.

With 11 losses in their last 12 games and only nine victories on the season, the Phillies are desperate for a win Tuesday when they host the San Francisco Giants in the opener of a three-game set.

Philadelphia enters the week with a 9-19 record, matching the New York Mets for the worst mark in baseball. The Phillies’ run differential (-54) is by far the worst in the sport, putting Thomson on the hot seat if things don’t turn around quickly.

“Well, that’s natural, right?” Thomson said of his job security. “It’s normal. And I’ve never worried about that in my entire career. … I don’t have time to think about it.”

The Phillies snapped a 10-game losing streak Saturday with an 8-5 extra-inning victory over the Atlanta Braves. But the momentum didn’t last long, as they fell behind early in Sunday’s 6-2 series-finale loss.

Aaron Nola allowed three runs in the first inning and three more in the second, and the Phillies’ bats managed only one hit (a single) in six innings against Chris Sale.

“It’s not like the record is going to change overnight,” said designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, whose two-run homer in the eighth accounted for the Phillies’ offense on the day. “It’s going to be a continuous grind, and we’re ready for that. We know that there’s a long road ahead.”

The Phillies’ attempted path to recovery will begin Tuesday with Jesus Luzardo (1-3, 6.91 ERA) on the mound. The left-hander has labored through the first month of the season, although he was able to limit the damage in his most recent outing.

Despite allowing five hits and four walks in 4 2/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs last Tuesday, Luzardo gave up just one run in an eventual 7-4 defeat. Still, he expects more of himself after signing a five-year, $135 million contract extension in the offseason.

“It’s very frustrating,” Luzardo said. “As a whole, we don’t feel like we’re doing the job that we need to do. … I think there’s been times that a lot of us think that we can pick up the slack, me included.”

Luzardo, who is 2-1 with a 5.23 ERA in six career starts against San Francisco, will be facing a team that has turned things around following a slow start of its own.

The Giants have won seven of their last 10 games after beginning the season 6-12. They have won three series in a row — against the Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins.

In Sunday’s 6-3 triumph over Miami, San Francisco’s Casey Schmitt hit a go-ahead home run for the second straight game.

“That’s what we’re here for: to drive in runs and be productive,” said Giants third baseman Matt Chapman, who walked and scored in the decisive seventh inning. “But we are a team, and Casey’s hot right now.”

Landen Roupp allowed just two hits and three runs over 7 2/3 innings — a performance that Tyler Mahle (1-3, 5.26) would love to copy in Tuesday’s contest.

Mahle is coming off a sparkling effort in last Wednesday’s 3-0 win over the Dodgers, as he gave up just three hits and two walks over seven innings.

In four lifetime starts against Philadelphia, Mahle is 1-1 with a 2.41 ERA. He held the Phillies to three hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings April 8 in San Francisco, helping the Giants take two of three in that series.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Phillies #eager #awful #April #high #note #Giants

Sports news April 27, 2026

Apr 8, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Adolis García (53) walks off the field after lining out to San Francisco Giants left fielder Harrison Bader (9) in the to pot the eighth inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images

April will go down as a month that manager Rob Thomson and the Philadelphia Phillies would prefer to forget.

With 11 losses in their last 12 games and only nine victories on the season, the Phillies are desperate for a win Tuesday when they host the San Francisco Giants in the opener of a three-game set.

Philadelphia enters the week with a 9-19 record, matching the New York Mets for the worst mark in baseball. The Phillies’ run differential (-54) is by far the worst in the sport, putting Thomson on the hot seat if things don’t turn around quickly.

“Well, that’s natural, right?” Thomson said of his job security. “It’s normal. And I’ve never worried about that in my entire career. … I don’t have time to think about it.”

The Phillies snapped a 10-game losing streak Saturday with an 8-5 extra-inning victory over the Atlanta Braves. But the momentum didn’t last long, as they fell behind early in Sunday’s 6-2 series-finale loss.

Aaron Nola allowed three runs in the first inning and three more in the second, and the Phillies’ bats managed only one hit (a single) in six innings against Chris Sale.

“It’s not like the record is going to change overnight,” said designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, whose two-run homer in the eighth accounted for the Phillies’ offense on the day. “It’s going to be a continuous grind, and we’re ready for that. We know that there’s a long road ahead.”

The Phillies’ attempted path to recovery will begin Tuesday with Jesus Luzardo (1-3, 6.91 ERA) on the mound. The left-hander has labored through the first month of the season, although he was able to limit the damage in his most recent outing.

Despite allowing five hits and four walks in 4 2/3 innings against the Chicago Cubs last Tuesday, Luzardo gave up just one run in an eventual 7-4 defeat. Still, he expects more of himself after signing a five-year, $135 million contract extension in the offseason.

“It’s very frustrating,” Luzardo said. “As a whole, we don’t feel like we’re doing the job that we need to do. … I think there’s been times that a lot of us think that we can pick up the slack, me included.”

Luzardo, who is 2-1 with a 5.23 ERA in six career starts against San Francisco, will be facing a team that has turned things around following a slow start of its own.

The Giants have won seven of their last 10 games after beginning the season 6-12. They have won three series in a row — against the Washington Nationals, Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins.

In Sunday’s 6-3 triumph over Miami, San Francisco’s Casey Schmitt hit a go-ahead home run for the second straight game.

“That’s what we’re here for: to drive in runs and be productive,” said Giants third baseman Matt Chapman, who walked and scored in the decisive seventh inning. “But we are a team, and Casey’s hot right now.”

Landen Roupp allowed just two hits and three runs over 7 2/3 innings — a performance that Tyler Mahle (1-3, 5.26) would love to copy in Tuesday’s contest.

Mahle is coming off a sparkling effort in last Wednesday’s 3-0 win over the Dodgers, as he gave up just three hits and two walks over seven innings.

In four lifetime starts against Philadelphia, Mahle is 1-1 with a 2.41 ERA. He held the Phillies to three hits over 5 2/3 scoreless innings April 8 in San Francisco, helping the Giants take two of three in that series.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Phillies #eager #awful #April #high #note #Giants

IPL 2026: ‘For a first-time captain, Riyan Parag is doing a very good job,’ says RR’s Sandeep Sharma <div id="content-body-70913228" itemprop="articleBody">Being an Indian Premier League (IPL) captain is a tough job, and Riyan Parag has done a terrific job in his first year as Rajasthan Royals skipper to cope with the pressure, fast bowler Sandeep Sharma said on Monday ahead of a clash against Punjab Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh.“For a first-time captain, it’s a tough role, and he’s doing a very good job,” Sandeep said.The experienced fast bowler also noted that Parag doesn’t have the luxury of leaning on senior pros like Sanju Samson did with Jos Buttler and Ravichandran Ashwin when they were at Rajasthan Royals.“Riyan doesn’t have that same level of experience around him, but that can actually help him grow faster. He’ll learn a lot this season and come back as a much-improved captain in the future,” Sandeep said.This year’s IPL has seen massive scores, often pushing bowlers out of the game, but Sandeep remains optimistic. “Hitting ability has improved massively over the last four or five years, especially with younger players coming in with a different range. I think the next lot of bowlers will also bring something new, and experienced bowlers will have to keep evolving. Even today, if you execute your plans well – whether it’s yorkers, slower balls or targeting a batter’s weakness – you can succeed,” he added.<h4 class="sub_head">Room for improvement</h4>According to Punjab’s assistant coach Brad Haddin, the bowler’s role is to find ways to slow the scoring even as modern batters continue to push the limits.“From a coach’s point of view, you’re constantly trying to find ways to slow the game down – whether that’s through wickets or forcing batters into areas you want them to hit. Sometimes, you execute a perfect ball, and it still ends up in the stands. That’s just the power of the modern-day batter,” Haddin said.At the halfway mark, Punjab is the only unbeaten team, with six wins and one no result. Asked how the side is avoiding complacency, Haddin said the focus remains on improvement.“We’re lucky with this group. You watch them train: they all turn up, they know their roles, and they’re always trying to get better. That’s what we’ve enjoyed most as coaches – their appetite to improve,” he said.“The job’s not done. We’re halfway through the tournament, and it’s about playing your best cricket at the back end. There’s still a lot of room for improvement with bat, ball, and in the field. That’s what we’re most pleased with – yes, we’re playing good cricket, but there are still areas we can get better in,” Haddin added.The Australian also confirmed that fast bowler Lockie Ferguson, who joined the Punjab Kings squad late, will be available for selection against the Royals.Published on Apr 27, 2026</div> #IPL #firsttime #captain #Riyan #Parag #good #job #RRs #Sandeep #Sharma

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Miami football isn’t back yet, but it’s close

Plenty of discussion last winter was reserved for dissecting if the Miami Hurricanes were, in fact, back. For as the much of The U being back has been a topic, predating the 2025 Hurricanes’ run to the National Championship Game, what being back actually means can have vastly different definitions.

Surely, had Miami knocked off an unbeaten Indiana — and the Hurricanes came a Jamari Sharpe interception away from doing just that — it would have constituted The U being back. Right?

Well…

Miami’s run to the finale of last season’s College Football Playoff was remarkable; so, too, was it taking Indiana to the wire in a 27-21 classic, with the Hurricanes playing the Hoosiers closer than most of the national champions’ competition in the 2025 campaign.

That run was also unprecedented in the history of college football. Of course, there have been only two instances in which a team like Miami, which went 10-2 in the regular season and missed its own conference championship game, could win a national championship in such fashion.

The 2025 Hurricanes capitalized on the opportunities afforded them by a much different landscape than that which existed during the program’s roughly 20-year heyday, and that’s commendable. But it’s not comparable to that heyday, unofficially spanning from 1983 when the late legend Howard Schnellenberger coached The U to its first championship and ending on Ohio State’s improbable win in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl.

Incredibly, as we head into the silver anniversary of Miami’s last national championship, it’s been almost as long since a Hurricanes team won a conference title. That came in 2003, the program’s final season in the Big East, when The U shared the crown with West Virginia (albeit having survived a 22-20 struggle with the Mountaineers in the head-to-head matchup).

For context, Miami’s conference championship drought is going on five years longer than the span between its first national championship and last.

As a program-first ACC title continued to elude Miami, with losses to Louisville and SMU instead landing Virginia and Duke in Charlotte, the Hurricanes’ 2025 postseason run isn’t in the same category as the 2001 title won in dominant fashion by arguably the most talented collegiate roster ever assembled.

It’s not the 1987 or 1991 crowns when Miami ran the table, nor is it 1983 and 1989 when the Hurricanes rallied from regular-season losses to in-state rivals to finish on top. But 2025 could be the foundation on which Miami is back.

Although none of the 2026 Hurricanes when Miami was Miami, the mystique never faded. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr., Offensive MVP of last year’s Cotton Bowl, offered commentary on Adam Breneman’s “Next Up” podcast to this end:

“’Ive seen how great Miami was, seen the great players that they’ve had, and I could help Miami at least a little closer to that, and I’ve got one more year to do it,” Fletcher said. “I would love to do that.”

Fletcher and wide receiver Malachi Toney, both products of South Florida (Fort Lauderdale and Miami’s Liberty City), provide the 2026 Hurricanes with one of the nation’s most potent skill-position combos. And while Miami has no ACC championship experience, its quarterback does.

Adding ACC Championship Game MVP and the conference’s passing yards leader a season ago, Darian Mensah, sets up the Hurricane offense nicely. A key transfer likewise provides the pillar for Miami’s 2026 title outlook on defense, with Damon Wilson II coming to Coral Gables off of a nine-sack season at Missouri.

There’s plenty to like about Miami’s chances of returning to past glory in 2026 — and doing so in a fashion that unambiguously declares the Hurricanes as being back by any definition.

#Miami #Football #Poised #Return #College #Footballs #Elite #Deadspin.com">

Why Miami Football Is Poised to Return to College Football’s Elite | Deadspin.com Miami football isn’t back yet, but it’s closePlenty of discussion last winter was reserved for dissecting if the Miami Hurricanes were, in fact, back. For as the much of The U being back has been a topic, predating the 2025 Hurricanes’ run to the National Championship Game, what being back actually means can have vastly different definitions.Surely, had Miami knocked off an unbeaten Indiana — and the Hurricanes came a Jamari Sharpe interception away from doing just that — it would have constituted The U being back. Right?Well…Miami’s run to the finale of last season’s College Football Playoff was remarkable; so, too, was it taking Indiana to the wire in a 27-21 classic, with the Hurricanes playing the Hoosiers closer than most of the national champions’ competition in the 2025 campaign.That run was also unprecedented in the history of college football. Of course, there have been only two instances in which a team like Miami, which went 10-2 in the regular season and missed its own conference championship game, could win a national championship in such fashion.The 2025 Hurricanes capitalized on the opportunities afforded them by a much different landscape than that which existed during the program’s roughly 20-year heyday, and that’s commendable. But it’s not comparable to that heyday, unofficially spanning from 1983 when the late legend Howard Schnellenberger coached The U to its first championship and ending on Ohio State’s improbable win in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl.Incredibly, as we head into the silver anniversary of Miami’s last national championship, it’s been almost as long since a Hurricanes team won a conference title. That came in 2003, the program’s final season in the Big East, when The U shared the crown with West Virginia (albeit having survived a 22-20 struggle with the Mountaineers in the head-to-head matchup).For context, Miami’s conference championship drought is going on five years longer than the span between its first national championship and last.As a program-first ACC title continued to elude Miami, with losses to Louisville and SMU instead landing Virginia and Duke in Charlotte, the Hurricanes’ 2025 postseason run isn’t in the same category as the 2001 title won in dominant fashion by arguably the most talented collegiate roster ever assembled.It’s not the 1987 or 1991 crowns when Miami ran the table, nor is it 1983 and 1989 when the Hurricanes rallied from regular-season losses to in-state rivals to finish on top. But 2025 could be the foundation on which Miami is back.Although none of the 2026 Hurricanes when Miami was Miami, the mystique never faded. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr., Offensive MVP of last year’s Cotton Bowl, offered commentary on Adam Breneman’s “Next Up” podcast to this end:“’Ive seen how great Miami was, seen the great players that they’ve had, and I could help Miami at least a little closer to that, and I’ve got one more year to do it,” Fletcher said. “I would love to do that.”Fletcher and wide receiver Malachi Toney, both products of South Florida (Fort Lauderdale and Miami’s Liberty City), provide the 2026 Hurricanes with one of the nation’s most potent skill-position combos. And while Miami has no ACC championship experience, its quarterback does.Adding ACC Championship Game MVP and the conference’s passing yards leader a season ago, Darian Mensah, sets up the Hurricane offense nicely. A key transfer likewise provides the pillar for Miami’s 2026 title outlook on defense, with Damon Wilson II coming to Coral Gables off of a nine-sack season at Missouri.There’s plenty to like about Miami’s chances of returning to past glory in 2026 — and doing so in a fashion that unambiguously declares the Hurricanes as being back by any definition. #Miami #Football #Poised #Return #College #Footballs #Elite #Deadspin.com

mwasimuddin125 0

Miami football isn’t back yet, but it’s close
Plenty of discussion last winter was reserved for dissecting if the Miami Hurricanes were, in fact, back. For as the much of The U being back has been a topic, predating the 2025 Hurricanes’ run to the National Championship Game, what being back actually means can have vastly different definitions.
Surely, had Miami knocked off an unbeaten Indiana — and the Hurricanes came a Jamari Sharpe interception away from doing just that — it would have constituted The U being back. Right?
Well…
Miami’s run to the finale of last season’s College Football Playoff was remarkable; so, too, was it taking Indiana to the wire in a 27-21 classic, with the Hurricanes playing the Hoosiers closer than most of the national champions’ competition in the 2025 campaign.
That run was also unprecedented in the history of college football. Of course, there have been only two instances in which a team like Miami, which went 10-2 in the regular season and missed its own conference championship game, could win a national championship in such fashion.
The 2025 Hurricanes capitalized on the opportunities afforded them by a much different landscape than that which existed during the program’s roughly 20-year heyday, and that’s commendable. But it’s not comparable to that heyday, unofficially spanning from 1983 when the late legend Howard Schnellenberger coached The U to its first championship and ending on Ohio State’s improbable win in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl.
Incredibly, as we head into the silver anniversary of Miami’s last national championship, it’s been almost as long since a Hurricanes team won a conference title. That came in 2003, the program’s final season in the Big East, when The U shared the crown with West Virginia (albeit having survived a 22-20 struggle with the Mountaineers in the head-to-head matchup).
For context, Miami’s conference championship drought is going on five years longer than the span between its first national championship and last.
As a program-first ACC title continued to elude Miami, with losses to Louisville and SMU instead landing Virginia and Duke in Charlotte, the Hurricanes’ 2025 postseason run isn’t in the same category as the 2001 title won in dominant fashion by arguably the most talented collegiate roster ever assembled.
It’s not the 1987 or 1991 crowns when Miami ran the table, nor is it 1983 and 1989 when the Hurricanes rallied from regular-season losses to in-state rivals to finish on top. But 2025 could be the foundation on which Miami is back.
Although none of the 2026 Hurricanes when Miami was Miami, the mystique never faded. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr., Offensive MVP of last year’s Cotton Bowl, offered commentary on Adam Breneman’s “Next Up” podcast to this end:
“’Ive seen how great Miami was, seen the great players that they’ve had, and I could help Miami at least a little closer to that, and I’ve got one more year to do it,” Fletcher said. “I would love to do that.”
Fletcher and wide receiver Malachi Toney, both products of South Florida (Fort Lauderdale and Miami’s Liberty City), provide the 2026 Hurricanes with one of the nation’s most potent skill-position combos. And while Miami has no ACC championship experience, its quarterback does.
Adding ACC Championship Game MVP and the conference’s passing yards leader a season ago, Darian Mensah, sets up the Hurricane offense nicely. A key transfer likewise provides the pillar for Miami’s 2026 title outlook on defense, with Damon Wilson II coming to Coral Gables off of a nine-sack season at Missouri.
There’s plenty to like about Miami’s chances of returning to past glory in 2026 — and doing so in a fashion that unambiguously declares the Hurricanes as being back by any definition.

#Miami #Football #Poised #Return #College #Footballs #Elite #Deadspin.com">Why Miami Football Is Poised to Return to College Football’s Elite | Deadspin.com

Miami football isn’t back yet, but it’s close

Surely, had Miami knocked off an unbeaten Indiana — and the Hurricanes came a Jamari Sharpe interception away from doing just that — it would have constituted The U being back. Right?

Well…

For context, Miami’s conference championship drought is going on five years longer than the span between its first national championship and last.

There’s plenty to like about Miami’s chances of returning to past glory in 2026 — and doing so in a fashion that unambiguously declares the Hurricanes as being back by any definition.

#Miami #Football #Poised #Return #College #Footballs #Elite #Deadspin.com