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Deadspin | Report: Changing course, NWSL not expected to vote on schedule flip  May 24, 2025; Bridgeview, Illinois, USA; The logo of the National Women’s Soccer League at SeatGeek Stadium before the game between the Chicago Stars and the Kansas City Current. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images   A highly-anticipated vote this week by the NWSL Board of Governors on a calendar flip is now not expected to take place, according to a Monday report by CBS Sports.  On April 17, reports indicated that the board of governors would vote on the issue, but those went unconfirmed by the league.  Currently, the NWSL season runs from March to November. Top circuits in Europe start in late summer or early fall and end in late spring. MLS is making the transition to that format next season.  The NWSL board previously voted against a calendar shift in 2024, according to ESPN.  In a response to media inquiries, a league spokesman seemed to indicate the status quo regarding the schedule.  “The NWSL has been actively evaluating its competition calendar, including the potential to align more closely with the international soccer landscape,” a league spokesperson said in a statement to CBS Sports. “No decision has been made at this time. Any change of this magnitude will be thoughtfully considered and we are taking input from all key stakeholders.”  One of those stakeholder are the players, who responded through the NWSL Players Union a day after the April 17 ESPN report.   “We recognize the pros and cons of each and acknowledge that factors outside our control — including the Women’s International Match Calendar and limited control over facilities — are driving this conversation,” began the statement given to The Athletic.  “We remain concerned, however, that the issue is being framed around the wrong question. The right question is not whether the league should flip the calendar, but whether the right conditions exist to do so responsibly. Right now, they do not. The ability to navigate weather-related disruptions depends on consistent control over facilities and operational flexibility across clubs, and that standard has not been met league-wide.  “Our top priorities in any scenario are protecting and promoting Player health, safety, and performance. As a general matter, a majority of Players polled on this question currently oppose flipping the calendar.”  Although the NWSL has complete authority to alter the schedule to fall-to-spring, the league’s CBA with the union specifies that the league is required to provide the union at least one year’s notice.  Moreover, since many franchise are in the northeast and the schedule would include playing in winter months, the CBA would require the league to implement an “extreme cold policy.”  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Report #Changing #NWSL #expected #vote #schedule #flip

Deadspin | Report: Changing course, NWSL not expected to vote on schedule flip
Deadspin | Report: Changing course, NWSL not expected to vote on schedule flip  May 24, 2025; Bridgeview, Illinois, USA; The logo of the National Women’s Soccer League at SeatGeek Stadium before the game between the Chicago Stars and the Kansas City Current. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images   A highly-anticipated vote this week by the NWSL Board of Governors on a calendar flip is now not expected to take place, according to a Monday report by CBS Sports.  On April 17, reports indicated that the board of governors would vote on the issue, but those went unconfirmed by the league.  Currently, the NWSL season runs from March to November. Top circuits in Europe start in late summer or early fall and end in late spring. MLS is making the transition to that format next season.  The NWSL board previously voted against a calendar shift in 2024, according to ESPN.  In a response to media inquiries, a league spokesman seemed to indicate the status quo regarding the schedule.  “The NWSL has been actively evaluating its competition calendar, including the potential to align more closely with the international soccer landscape,” a league spokesperson said in a statement to CBS Sports. “No decision has been made at this time. Any change of this magnitude will be thoughtfully considered and we are taking input from all key stakeholders.”  One of those stakeholder are the players, who responded through the NWSL Players Union a day after the April 17 ESPN report.   “We recognize the pros and cons of each and acknowledge that factors outside our control — including the Women’s International Match Calendar and limited control over facilities — are driving this conversation,” began the statement given to The Athletic.  “We remain concerned, however, that the issue is being framed around the wrong question. The right question is not whether the league should flip the calendar, but whether the right conditions exist to do so responsibly. Right now, they do not. The ability to navigate weather-related disruptions depends on consistent control over facilities and operational flexibility across clubs, and that standard has not been met league-wide.  “Our top priorities in any scenario are protecting and promoting Player health, safety, and performance. As a general matter, a majority of Players polled on this question currently oppose flipping the calendar.”  Although the NWSL has complete authority to alter the schedule to fall-to-spring, the league’s CBA with the union specifies that the league is required to provide the union at least one year’s notice.  Moreover, since many franchise are in the northeast and the schedule would include playing in winter months, the CBA would require the league to implement an “extreme cold policy.”  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Report #Changing #NWSL #expected #vote #schedule #flipMay 24, 2025; Bridgeview, Illinois, USA; The logo of the National Women’s Soccer League at SeatGeek Stadium before the game between the Chicago Stars and the Kansas City Current. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

A highly-anticipated vote this week by the NWSL Board of Governors on a calendar flip is now not expected to take place, according to a Monday report by CBS Sports.

On April 17, reports indicated that the board of governors would vote on the issue, but those went unconfirmed by the league.

Currently, the NWSL season runs from March to November. Top circuits in Europe start in late summer or early fall and end in late spring. MLS is making the transition to that format next season.

The NWSL board previously voted against a calendar shift in 2024, according to ESPN.

In a response to media inquiries, a league spokesman seemed to indicate the status quo regarding the schedule.

“The NWSL has been actively evaluating its competition calendar, including the potential to align more closely with the international soccer landscape,” a league spokesperson said in a statement to CBS Sports. “No decision has been made at this time. Any change of this magnitude will be thoughtfully considered and we are taking input from all key stakeholders.”


One of those stakeholder are the players, who responded through the NWSL Players Union a day after the April 17 ESPN report.

“We recognize the pros and cons of each and acknowledge that factors outside our control — including the Women’s International Match Calendar and limited control over facilities — are driving this conversation,” began the statement given to The Athletic.

“We remain concerned, however, that the issue is being framed around the wrong question. The right question is not whether the league should flip the calendar, but whether the right conditions exist to do so responsibly. Right now, they do not. The ability to navigate weather-related disruptions depends on consistent control over facilities and operational flexibility across clubs, and that standard has not been met league-wide.

“Our top priorities in any scenario are protecting and promoting Player health, safety, and performance. As a general matter, a majority of Players polled on this question currently oppose flipping the calendar.”

Although the NWSL has complete authority to alter the schedule to fall-to-spring, the league’s CBA with the union specifies that the league is required to provide the union at least one year’s notice.

Moreover, since many franchise are in the northeast and the schedule would include playing in winter months, the CBA would require the league to implement an “extreme cold policy.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Report #Changing #NWSL #expected #vote #schedule #flip

May 24, 2025; Bridgeview, Illinois, USA; The logo of the National Women’s Soccer League at SeatGeek Stadium before the game between the Chicago Stars and the Kansas City Current. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

A highly-anticipated vote this week by the NWSL Board of Governors on a calendar flip is now not expected to take place, according to a Monday report by CBS Sports.

On April 17, reports indicated that the board of governors would vote on the issue, but those went unconfirmed by the league.

Currently, the NWSL season runs from March to November. Top circuits in Europe start in late summer or early fall and end in late spring. MLS is making the transition to that format next season.

The NWSL board previously voted against a calendar shift in 2024, according to ESPN.

In a response to media inquiries, a league spokesman seemed to indicate the status quo regarding the schedule.

“The NWSL has been actively evaluating its competition calendar, including the potential to align more closely with the international soccer landscape,” a league spokesperson said in a statement to CBS Sports. “No decision has been made at this time. Any change of this magnitude will be thoughtfully considered and we are taking input from all key stakeholders.”

One of those stakeholder are the players, who responded through the NWSL Players Union a day after the April 17 ESPN report.

“We recognize the pros and cons of each and acknowledge that factors outside our control — including the Women’s International Match Calendar and limited control over facilities — are driving this conversation,” began the statement given to The Athletic.

“We remain concerned, however, that the issue is being framed around the wrong question. The right question is not whether the league should flip the calendar, but whether the right conditions exist to do so responsibly. Right now, they do not. The ability to navigate weather-related disruptions depends on consistent control over facilities and operational flexibility across clubs, and that standard has not been met league-wide.

“Our top priorities in any scenario are protecting and promoting Player health, safety, and performance. As a general matter, a majority of Players polled on this question currently oppose flipping the calendar.”

Although the NWSL has complete authority to alter the schedule to fall-to-spring, the league’s CBA with the union specifies that the league is required to provide the union at least one year’s notice.

Moreover, since many franchise are in the northeast and the schedule would include playing in winter months, the CBA would require the league to implement an “extreme cold policy.”

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Report #Changing #NWSL #expected #vote #schedule #flip

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How can India qualify for FIFA U-17 World Cup after North Korea withdrew from Asian Cup? <div id="content-body-70915742" itemprop="articleBody"><p>India was handed a major boost for its FIFA Under-17 World Cup 2026 qualification hopes after the Democratic Republic of Korea withdrew from the U-17 AFC Asian Cup last week.</p><p>Korea DPR, also known as North Korea, was drawn with India, Australia and Uzbekistan in the U-17 Asian Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia between May 5 and 22. Nine teams from the Asian Cup will play in the World Cup, including host Qatar.</p><p>However, a late withdrawal from Korea meant only three teams will compete from the group.</p><h4 class="sub_head">How is that a boost for India’s World Cup hopes?</h4><p>The top two teams from each group will qualify for the U-17 World Cup. As a result, India will now need to finish in the top two from a pool of three teams to qualify for the World Cup.</p><p>India has two matches in the group stages:</p><ul class="article-body article-bullet-list"><li> India vs Australia </li><li> India vs Uzbekistan </li></ul><h4 class="sub_head">How can India qualify for the FIFA U-17 World Cup?</h4><p><b>Scenario 1: </b>India wins one match and draws/wins the other <b>(4 points or more) </b>— With at least four points, India will qualify.</p><p><b>Scenario 2: </b>India wins one match and loses another <b>(3 points) </b>— If the team India beat also loses its other match, India will qualify.</p><p>But if every team wins one match each, the teams will end up with three points each. Then the following criteria will be considered.</p><ul class="article-body article-bullet-list"><li> Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams; </li><li> Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams. </li><li> Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams; </li><li> If more than two teams were tied, and after applying all head-to-head criteria above, a subset of teams were still tied, all head-to-head criteria above were reapplied exclusively to this subset of teams; </li><li> Goal difference in all group matches; </li><li> Goals scored in all group matches; </li><li> Penalty shoot-out if only two teams were tied and they met in the last round of the group. </li><li> Disciplinary points (yellow card = 1 point, red card as a result of two yellow cards = 3 points, direct red card = 3 points, yellow card followed by direct red card = 4 points); </li><li> Drawing of lots. </li></ul><p><b>Scenario 3: </b>India draws both matches <b>(2 points) </b>— India will qualify if the third group–stage match ends with anything but a draw.</p><p>If Uzbekistan vs Australia ends in a draw, then all three teams end up with the same points. Then the following criteria will be considered.</p><ul class="article-body article-bullet-list"><li> Points in head-to-head matches among tied teams; </li><li> Goal difference in head-to-head matches among tied teams. </li><li> Goals scored in head-to-head matches among tied teams; </li><li> If more than two teams were tied, and after applying all head-to-head criteria above, a subset of teams were still tied, all head-to-head criteria above were reapplied exclusively to this subset of teams; </li><li> Goal difference in all group matches; </li><li> Goals scored in all group matches; </li><li> Penalty shoot-out if only two teams were tied and they met in the last round of the group. </li><li> Disciplinary points (yellow card = 1 point, red card as a result of two yellow cards = 3 points, direct red card = 3 points, yellow card followed by direct red card = 4 points); </li><li> Drawing of lots. </li></ul><p><b>Scenario 4: </b>India draws one match and loses the other <b>(1 point) </b>— The other match will have to be a draw, India will need to lose by a narrow margin and must score in its draw. Only then will India stand a chance to qualify.</p><h4 class="sub_head">Has India played in the FIFA U-17 World Cup before?</h4><p>India has played in the FIFA U-17 World Cup only once in 2017, when it qualified by default as the host. It is yet to qualify for the World Cup on merit.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 28, 2026</p></div> #India #qualify #FIFA #U17 #World #Cup #North #Korea #withdrew #Asian #Cup

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The Hottest Anti-AI Gadget Is a Cyberdeck<div><p class="paywall">In the years following the book’s release, a bro-y community of hobbyists has dabbled with their own wires and screens to create homebrew devices, frequently for <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8XOqrKBM5w" class="text link">hacking purposes</a> or on-the-go coding. Historically, decks have resembled a heavy-duty laptop, featuring a screen and small keyboard, often sleek, utilitarian, and housed in a Pelican briefcase to survive imagined, apocalyptic scenarios. One niche ham radio YouTuber, over a year ago, titled his <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMsRV6hZrxA" class="text link">tutorial video</a> “DIY Doomsday Cyberdeck EMAIL/TEXT without INTERNET” and, of course, included the “prepper” hashtag.</p><p class="paywall">What sets Tan’s cyberdeck apart is its aesthetic. Inside her refurbished clamshell purse, hardware-wise, is a Raspberry Pi single-board computer with a small keyboard and screen. All fairly standard stuff—the cyberdeck’s feminine shell and crafty details are what subverts expectations. “I’ve not seen anyone do a hyper-femme one before,” she says. Tan felt an appreciation for the tactical aesthetic previously established by the cyberdeck community, but she wanted to craft a version that felt more authentic to her style. “I’ve always been very anti-minimalist,” she says. “In my life, I want color, and I want everything that I own to convey that it’s me.”</p><p class="paywall">To make her mermaid cyberdeck less reliant on internet access, she has transferred heaps of files from her PC, uploading songs, books, maps, Wikipedia articles, and even some photos of her cats directly onto the device. When the custom mouse is connected, she can even run <em>Doom</em> on it.</p><figure class="AssetEmbedWrapper-iJvQnD cOWUYC asset-embed"><div class="AssetEmbedAssetContainer-fnduJP iaVSwI asset-embed__asset-container"><span class="SpanWrapper-kFnjvc eKnjjD responsive-asset AssetEmbedResponsiveAsset-gaAbQ hXaxHA asset-embed__responsive-asset"><picture class="ResponsiveImagePicture-jKunQM gjCCFj AssetEmbedResponsiveAsset-gaAbQ hXaxHA asset-embed__responsive-asset responsive-image"><img alt="Photo of Cyberdeck" loading="lazy" class="ResponsiveImageContainer-dkeESL cQPiWi responsive-image__image" srcset="https://media.wired.com/photos/69ebcad9abbfb24bd7bfb5e9/master/w_120,c_limit/Annike_Cyberdeck.jpg 120w, https://media.wired.com/photos/69ebcad9abbfb24bd7bfb5e9/master/w_240,c_limit/Annike_Cyberdeck.jpg 240w, https://media.wired.com/photos/69ebcad9abbfb24bd7bfb5e9/master/w_320,c_limit/Annike_Cyberdeck.jpg 320w, https://media.wired.com/photos/69ebcad9abbfb24bd7bfb5e9/master/w_640,c_limit/Annike_Cyberdeck.jpg 640w, https://media.wired.com/photos/69ebcad9abbfb24bd7bfb5e9/master/w_960,c_limit/Annike_Cyberdeck.jpg 960w, https://media.wired.com/photos/69ebcad9abbfb24bd7bfb5e9/master/w_1280,c_limit/Annike_Cyberdeck.jpg 1280w, https://media.wired.com/photos/69ebcad9abbfb24bd7bfb5e9/master/w_1600,c_limit/Annike_Cyberdeck.jpg 1600w" sizes="100vw" src="https://media.wired.com/photos/69ebcad9abbfb24bd7bfb5e9/master/w_1600%2Cc_limit/Annike_Cyberdeck.jpg"/></picture></span></div><div class="CaptionWrapper-bpPcvW iDPSlt caption AssetEmbedCaption-eZIMNW gMgneI asset-embed__caption" data-testid="caption-wrapper"><span class="BaseText-fEwdHD CaptionText-cQpRdU kRTNAB hbiMYj caption__text"><p>In addition to her mermaid-inspired cyberdeck, Tan also shared the construction of a deck featuring solar panels on TikTok.</p> </span><span class="BaseText-fEwdHD CaptionCredit-cUgOGk iQbGEh hRFzlA caption__credit">Courtesy of Annike Tan</span></div></figure><p class="paywall">Tan says the audience for her widely viewed TikToks are around three-fourths women. “A lot of people had the response, ‘Oh, I didn’t know you could make a computer like this. I thought it had to be a gray box, like every other Mac or Dell or whatever,’” says Ling Lu, a 28-year-old product designer and illustrator who lives in New York City. She was inspired by Tan’s videos to try to make her own whimsical gadget, the “<a data-offer-url="https://www.tiktok.com/@fishlooker_/video/7625667606153858322?_r=1&_t=ZP-95cwqzl46Bj" class="external-link text link" data-event-click="{"element":"ExternalLink","outgoingURL":"https://www.tiktok.com/@fishlooker_/video/7625667606153858322?_r=1&_t=ZP-95cwqzl46Bj"}" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@fishlooker_/video/7625667606153858322?_r=1&_t=ZP-95cwqzl46Bj" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">cyberduck</a>” audio journal, an avian-shaped recording device for personal use.</p></div><script async src="//www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>#Hottest #AntiAI #Gadget #Cyberdeckcomputer,diy,hacking,tiktok,trends,social media

Deadspin | Nationals aim to continue winning ways in finale vs. Blue Jays    Jul 28, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. (2) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a two run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images   The Washington Nationals will go for their fourth straight series win since the All-Star break when they host the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday afternoon.  Washington rebounded from a 3-2 setback Monday in the opener of the three-game series vs. Toronto with an 8-6 win on Tuesday.  “Obviously we understand meaningful games going into late July and August,” manager Blake Butera said after Washington’s sixth victory in the past nine games. “Each win just feels like it means more and more every time out.”  With an eight-game road trip through Atlanta and Philadelphia awaiting them, the Nationals will look to end their six-game homestand on a high note.   Toronto, which is 4-8 since the break, can earn a split of its six-game road trip with a win on Wednesday.  The Blue Jays will send rookie Trey Yesavage (4-5, 3.92 ERA) to the mound Wednesday against fellow right-hander Zack Littell (7-8, 5.17), who could be preceded by an opener.  Toronto has lost the last four starts by Yesavage, who is 0-2 with a 6.11 ERA during that stretch.   He gave up three runs on five hits over four innings in his team’s 6-4 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Friday. He tied his career high with nine strikeouts and walked one while throwing 93 pitches.  “I was getting ahead early. I think every batter I faced, I got to a two-strike count,” Yesavage said. “It’s just a matter of putting them away, which really drove up the pitch count.”  He has never faced the Nationals.   After allowing eight runs in a start against the Athletics on July 18, Littell worked behind an opener the last time out, with better results. He took the loss despite giving up one run on four hits over five innings Friday in a 3-2 setback to the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Littell is 2-0 with 4.68 ERA in six career games (four starts) vs. Toronto.  On Tuesday night, the high-powered Nationals offense used early walks and mid-game power to build an 8-3 lead before holding on late.  The Nationals got a team-record six walks in the first inning against Shane Bieber and back-to-back homers from Luis Garcia Jr. and Dylan Crews in the fourth. Crews has reached safely in 10 straight games, batting .314 (11-for-35) with three doubles, three homers, eight walks, nine runs and six RBIs during that span.  “It’s unbelievable,” said closer Clayton Beeter, who picked up his 11th save. “One through nine, I feel like everybody’s a tough out. Just talking to guys around the league, everybody’s respecting out lineup, and that’s good to see.”  George Springer’s three-run homer in the eighth inning trimmed Washington’s lead to 8-6. He is batting .333 (14-for-42) with two doubles, three homers, five runs and 11 RBIs since the All-Star break to raise his season average to .234.  Kazuma Okamoto hit his 24th homer of the season for Toronto. Teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr. exited the game in the fourth inning with right hamstring tightness after legging out an infield single in the third.  “He wanted to stay in,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said, “and it was just my call to be careful with him and not have anything worse happen.”  Schneider did not rule out Guerrero playing on Wednesday.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Nationals #aim #continue #winning #ways #finale #Blue #JaysJul 28, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. (2) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a two run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images

The Washington Nationals will go for their fourth straight series win since the All-Star break when they host the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday afternoon.

Washington rebounded from a 3-2 setback Monday in the opener of the three-game series vs. Toronto with an 8-6 win on Tuesday.

“Obviously we understand meaningful games going into late July and August,” manager Blake Butera said after Washington’s sixth victory in the past nine games. “Each win just feels like it means more and more every time out.”

With an eight-game road trip through Atlanta and Philadelphia awaiting them, the Nationals will look to end their six-game homestand on a high note.

Toronto, which is 4-8 since the break, can earn a split of its six-game road trip with a win on Wednesday.

The Blue Jays will send rookie Trey Yesavage (4-5, 3.92 ERA) to the mound Wednesday against fellow right-hander Zack Littell (7-8, 5.17), who could be preceded by an opener.

Toronto has lost the last four starts by Yesavage, who is 0-2 with a 6.11 ERA during that stretch.

He gave up three runs on five hits over four innings in his team’s 6-4 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Friday. He tied his career high with nine strikeouts and walked one while throwing 93 pitches.

“I was getting ahead early. I think every batter I faced, I got to a two-strike count,” Yesavage said. “It’s just a matter of putting them away, which really drove up the pitch count.”


He has never faced the Nationals.

After allowing eight runs in a start against the Athletics on July 18, Littell worked behind an opener the last time out, with better results. He took the loss despite giving up one run on four hits over five innings Friday in a 3-2 setback to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Littell is 2-0 with 4.68 ERA in six career games (four starts) vs. Toronto.

On Tuesday night, the high-powered Nationals offense used early walks and mid-game power to build an 8-3 lead before holding on late.

The Nationals got a team-record six walks in the first inning against Shane Bieber and back-to-back homers from Luis Garcia Jr. and Dylan Crews in the fourth. Crews has reached safely in 10 straight games, batting .314 (11-for-35) with three doubles, three homers, eight walks, nine runs and six RBIs during that span.

“It’s unbelievable,” said closer Clayton Beeter, who picked up his 11th save. “One through nine, I feel like everybody’s a tough out. Just talking to guys around the league, everybody’s respecting out lineup, and that’s good to see.”

George Springer’s three-run homer in the eighth inning trimmed Washington’s lead to 8-6. He is batting .333 (14-for-42) with two doubles, three homers, five runs and 11 RBIs since the All-Star break to raise his season average to .234.

Kazuma Okamoto hit his 24th homer of the season for Toronto. Teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr. exited the game in the fourth inning with right hamstring tightness after legging out an infield single in the third.

“He wanted to stay in,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said, “and it was just my call to be careful with him and not have anything worse happen.”

Schneider did not rule out Guerrero playing on Wednesday.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Nationals #aim #continue #winning #ways #finale #Blue #Jays">Deadspin | Nationals aim to continue winning ways in finale vs. Blue Jays    Jul 28, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. (2) is congratulated by teammates after hitting a two run home run against the Toronto Blue Jays during the fourth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images   The Washington Nationals will go for their fourth straight series win since the All-Star break when they host the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday afternoon.  Washington rebounded from a 3-2 setback Monday in the opener of the three-game series vs. Toronto with an 8-6 win on Tuesday.  “Obviously we understand meaningful games going into late July and August,” manager Blake Butera said after Washington’s sixth victory in the past nine games. “Each win just feels like it means more and more every time out.”  With an eight-game road trip through Atlanta and Philadelphia awaiting them, the Nationals will look to end their six-game homestand on a high note.   Toronto, which is 4-8 since the break, can earn a split of its six-game road trip with a win on Wednesday.  The Blue Jays will send rookie Trey Yesavage (4-5, 3.92 ERA) to the mound Wednesday against fellow right-hander Zack Littell (7-8, 5.17), who could be preceded by an opener.  Toronto has lost the last four starts by Yesavage, who is 0-2 with a 6.11 ERA during that stretch.   He gave up three runs on five hits over four innings in his team’s 6-4 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Friday. He tied his career high with nine strikeouts and walked one while throwing 93 pitches.  “I was getting ahead early. I think every batter I faced, I got to a two-strike count,” Yesavage said. “It’s just a matter of putting them away, which really drove up the pitch count.”  He has never faced the Nationals.   After allowing eight runs in a start against the Athletics on July 18, Littell worked behind an opener the last time out, with better results. He took the loss despite giving up one run on four hits over five innings Friday in a 3-2 setback to the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Littell is 2-0 with 4.68 ERA in six career games (four starts) vs. Toronto.  On Tuesday night, the high-powered Nationals offense used early walks and mid-game power to build an 8-3 lead before holding on late.  The Nationals got a team-record six walks in the first inning against Shane Bieber and back-to-back homers from Luis Garcia Jr. and Dylan Crews in the fourth. Crews has reached safely in 10 straight games, batting .314 (11-for-35) with three doubles, three homers, eight walks, nine runs and six RBIs during that span.  “It’s unbelievable,” said closer Clayton Beeter, who picked up his 11th save. “One through nine, I feel like everybody’s a tough out. Just talking to guys around the league, everybody’s respecting out lineup, and that’s good to see.”  George Springer’s three-run homer in the eighth inning trimmed Washington’s lead to 8-6. He is batting .333 (14-for-42) with two doubles, three homers, five runs and 11 RBIs since the All-Star break to raise his season average to .234.  Kazuma Okamoto hit his 24th homer of the season for Toronto. Teammate Vladimir Guerrero Jr. exited the game in the fourth inning with right hamstring tightness after legging out an infield single in the third.  “He wanted to stay in,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said, “and it was just my call to be careful with him and not have anything worse happen.”  Schneider did not rule out Guerrero playing on Wednesday.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Nationals #aim #continue #winning #ways #finale #Blue #Jays

Few expansion teams in the modern history of American sports have ever established an identity as quickly and successfully as the Golden State Valkyries. As they debuted in the WNBA last season, the Valkyries immediately became known as a nasty defensive team that shut off the paint, pressured the ball, and got back in transition. It was a formula that helped Golden State punch a ticket to the playoffs, break the league record for most wins by a first-year team, and earn Natalie Nakase Coach of the Year honors.

The Valkyries’ defense has only gotten better this season, and it’s turned them into one of the best teams in the WNBA. Golden State exits the All-Star break with the W’s second-best record at 19-8, including a recent nine-game winning streak. The Valks are No. 1 in defensive rating, and only the Lynx are within shouting distance.

At this point, the Valkyries are simply too good to settle for being an uplifting story. If they’re really going to compete for a championship, they have to address the other end of the floor. Golden State’s offense is middling, ranking No. 8 out of 15 teams in points per 100 possessions. The best thing you can say about the Valkyries’ offense is they limit turnovers, jack threes, and hit the offensive glass hard. That works for the regular season, but creation is king in the playoffs, and the Valkyries still don’t have a ton of it.

With the Aug. 2 trade deadline looming, the Valkyries have a golden opportunity to load up for a championship run, and there’s one name that makes a ton of sense.

Kelsey Plum is set to be an unrestricted free agent after this season, and she doesn’t intend to re-sign with the Los Angeles Sparks, according to WNBA insider Annie Costabile. Costabile reports that the Sparks haven’t shopped Plum, but they also can’t afford to lose her for nothing. Los Angeles is sitting at 10-16 on the year, and it sure feels like the only thing left to do this season is tank for JuJu Watkins ahead of the 2027 WNBA Draft.

Plum could be a perfect fit in Golden State. The Sparks will want future draft picks, and the Valkyries have all of theirs moving plus, plus an additional second-round pick from Seattle via the Flau’Jae Johnson trade. Golden State could seemingly send Kaila Charles, Tiffany Hayes, and a first-round pick or two to Los Angeles for Plum. In my mind, that would immediately make Golden State a real threat to win it all.

Why Kelsey Plum is perfect for the Valkyries

Plum has been out for the last month with a soft tissue strain in her left leg. If she can heal from that injury before the end of the regular season, she could give Golden State the halfcourt scoring and playmaking it desperately needs to make a deep playoff run.

Plum dropped 43 points in 37 minutes in an overtime thriller against Phoenix on June 13 in her third-to-last game before the injury that showed the full extent of her brilliance. At age-31, she still has plenty of burst as a ball handler to get into the paint and collapse the opposing defense. Though she’s only 5’8, Plum has always been a very good rim finisher at 64.7% within three-feet, per basketball-reference. She’s money in the short mid-range area too when she can’t get all the way to the rim, with an astounding 48% career field goal percentage from 3-10 feet.

Plum is also one of the league’s better three-point shooters. She’s making 38.3 percent of her triples on 9.6 three-point attempts per 100 possessions this year, which is an outstanding blend of both volume and accuracy. She has a super quick trigger on spot-up attempts, which makes her a valuable floor spacer when she doesn’t have the ball.

Golden State has been a terrible two-point scoring team this season, ranking dead last with a 47.8% field goal percentage inside the arc. Plum is making an absurd 63.6% of her twos in a small sample of 12 games this year. Her two-point scoring efficiency had fallen off a bit the previous two seasons, but she’s still good enough to help Golden State majorly in that department. She’s also a natural fit for a team leading the WNBA in three-point attempts this season.

Plum’s playmaking is still really good, too. While Veronica Burton has done an excellent job as Golden State’s de facto point guard this season, Plum is a more natural floor general who brings increased downhill scoring juice, which helps unlock the Valkyries’ drive-and-kick game. Plum has always blended scoring and playmaking at a high level, and that’s exactly what Golden State needs to take the next step offensively.

The issue for Plum has always been defensively. She’ll get targeted on that end because of her lack of length, and she can have issues fighting over a good screen. The Valkyries could insulate her defensively better than anyone, with two defensive monsters in Burton and Gabby Williams on the wings, plus a really good rim protector in Kiah Stokes inside. The Valkyries’ whole defensive system is geared toward shutting off the paint, and they have the bodies to keep Plum out of trouble.

Golden State has the cap space to re-sign Plum in the offseason. Even if they have bigger plans for the winter, Plum would make a lot of sense even as a rental. The championship picture in the W is pretty wide open with Napheesa Collier yet to play a game (though she’s returning soon) and the Aces aging a bit and also lacking depth around A’Ja Wilson.

The Valkyries are already so good that maybe they feel like they don’t need to take a big swing on an iffy defensive player like Plum who doesn’t really fit their identity. It’s just hard to win it all without real balance, and Plum would give Golden State the halfcourt offensive boost it needs to reach another level.

The Sparks already gave up the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft (All-Star Dominque Malonga) to get Plum, but it hasn’t worked out. They can’t afford to lose her for nothing. Golden State feels like the ideal partner with the trade deadline approaching.

#Kelsey #Plum #trade #Golden #State #Valkyries #sense #happen">Kelsey Plum trade to Golden State Valkyries makes too much sense not to happen  Few expansion teams in the modern history of American sports have ever established an identity as quickly and successfully as the Golden State Valkyries. As they debuted in the WNBA last season, the Valkyries immediately became known as a nasty defensive team that shut off the paint, pressured the ball, and got back in transition. It was a formula that helped Golden State punch a ticket to the playoffs, break the league record for most wins by a first-year team, and earn Natalie Nakase Coach of the Year honors.The Valkyries’ defense has only gotten better this season, and it’s turned them into one of the best teams in the WNBA. Golden State exits the All-Star break with the W’s second-best record at 19-8, including a recent nine-game winning streak. The Valks are No. 1 in defensive rating, and only the Lynx are within shouting distance.At this point, the Valkyries are simply too good to settle for being an uplifting story. If they’re really going to compete for a championship, they have to address the other end of the floor. Golden State’s offense is middling, ranking No. 8 out of 15 teams in points per 100 possessions. The best thing you can say about the Valkyries’ offense is they limit turnovers, jack threes, and hit the offensive glass hard. That works for the regular season, but creation is king in the playoffs, and the Valkyries still don’t have a ton of it.With the Aug. 2 trade deadline looming, the Valkyries have a golden opportunity to load up for a championship run, and there’s one name that makes a ton of sense.Kelsey Plum is set to be an unrestricted free agent after this season, and she doesn’t intend to re-sign with the Los Angeles Sparks, according to WNBA insider Annie Costabile. Costabile reports that the Sparks haven’t shopped Plum, but they also can’t afford to lose her for nothing. Los Angeles is sitting at 10-16 on the year, and it sure feels like the only thing left to do this season is tank for JuJu Watkins ahead of the 2027 WNBA Draft.Plum could be a perfect fit in Golden State. The Sparks will want future draft picks, and the Valkyries have all of theirs moving plus, plus an additional second-round pick from Seattle via the Flau’Jae Johnson trade. Golden State could seemingly send Kaila Charles, Tiffany Hayes, and a first-round pick or two to Los Angeles for Plum. In my mind, that would immediately make Golden State a real threat to win it all.Why Kelsey Plum is perfect for the ValkyriesPlum has been out for the last month with a soft tissue strain in her left leg. If she can heal from that injury before the end of the regular season, she could give Golden State the halfcourt scoring and playmaking it desperately needs to make a deep playoff run.Plum dropped 43 points in 37 minutes in an overtime thriller against Phoenix on June 13 in her third-to-last game before the injury that showed the full extent of her brilliance. At age-31, she still has plenty of burst as a ball handler to get into the paint and collapse the opposing defense. Though she’s only 5’8, Plum has always been a very good rim finisher at 64.7% within three-feet, per basketball-reference. She’s money in the short mid-range area too when she can’t get all the way to the rim, with an astounding 48% career field goal percentage from 3-10 feet.Plum is also one of the league’s better three-point shooters. She’s making 38.3 percent of her triples on 9.6 three-point attempts per 100 possessions this year, which is an outstanding blend of both volume and accuracy. She has a super quick trigger on spot-up attempts, which makes her a valuable floor spacer when she doesn’t have the ball.Golden State has been a terrible two-point scoring team this season, ranking dead last with a 47.8% field goal percentage inside the arc. Plum is making an absurd 63.6% of her twos in a small sample of 12 games this year. Her two-point scoring efficiency had fallen off a bit the previous two seasons, but she’s still good enough to help Golden State majorly in that department. She’s also a natural fit for a team leading the WNBA in three-point attempts this season.Plum’s playmaking is still really good, too. While Veronica Burton has done an excellent job as Golden State’s de facto point guard this season, Plum is a more natural floor general who brings increased downhill scoring juice, which helps unlock the Valkyries’ drive-and-kick game. Plum has always blended scoring and playmaking at a high level, and that’s exactly what Golden State needs to take the next step offensively.The issue for Plum has always been defensively. She’ll get targeted on that end because of her lack of length, and she can have issues fighting over a good screen. The Valkyries could insulate her defensively better than anyone, with two defensive monsters in Burton and Gabby Williams on the wings, plus a really good rim protector in Kiah Stokes inside. The Valkyries’ whole defensive system is geared toward shutting off the paint, and they have the bodies to keep Plum out of trouble.Golden State has the cap space to re-sign Plum in the offseason. Even if they have bigger plans for the winter, Plum would make a lot of sense even as a rental. The championship picture in the W is pretty wide open with Napheesa Collier yet to play a game (though she’s returning soon) and the Aces aging a bit and also lacking depth around A’Ja Wilson.The Valkyries are already so good that maybe they feel like they don’t need to take a big swing on an iffy defensive player like Plum who doesn’t really fit their identity. It’s just hard to win it all without real balance, and Plum would give Golden State the halfcourt offensive boost it needs to reach another level.The Sparks already gave up the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft (All-Star Dominque Malonga) to get Plum, but it hasn’t worked out. They can’t afford to lose her for nothing. Golden State feels like the ideal partner with the trade deadline approaching.  #Kelsey #Plum #trade #Golden #State #Valkyries #sense #happen

according to WNBA insider Annie Costabile. Costabile reports that the Sparks haven’t shopped Plum, but they also can’t afford to lose her for nothing. Los Angeles is sitting at 10-16 on the year, and it sure feels like the only thing left to do this season is tank for JuJu Watkins ahead of the 2027 WNBA Draft.

Plum could be a perfect fit in Golden State. The Sparks will want future draft picks, and the Valkyries have all of theirs moving plus, plus an additional second-round pick from Seattle via the Flau’Jae Johnson trade. Golden State could seemingly send Kaila Charles, Tiffany Hayes, and a first-round pick or two to Los Angeles for Plum. In my mind, that would immediately make Golden State a real threat to win it all.

Why Kelsey Plum is perfect for the Valkyries

Plum has been out for the last month with a soft tissue strain in her left leg. If she can heal from that injury before the end of the regular season, she could give Golden State the halfcourt scoring and playmaking it desperately needs to make a deep playoff run.

Plum dropped 43 points in 37 minutes in an overtime thriller against Phoenix on June 13 in her third-to-last game before the injury that showed the full extent of her brilliance. At age-31, she still has plenty of burst as a ball handler to get into the paint and collapse the opposing defense. Though she’s only 5’8, Plum has always been a very good rim finisher at 64.7% within three-feet, per basketball-reference. She’s money in the short mid-range area too when she can’t get all the way to the rim, with an astounding 48% career field goal percentage from 3-10 feet.

Plum is also one of the league’s better three-point shooters. She’s making 38.3 percent of her triples on 9.6 three-point attempts per 100 possessions this year, which is an outstanding blend of both volume and accuracy. She has a super quick trigger on spot-up attempts, which makes her a valuable floor spacer when she doesn’t have the ball.

Golden State has been a terrible two-point scoring team this season, ranking dead last with a 47.8% field goal percentage inside the arc. Plum is making an absurd 63.6% of her twos in a small sample of 12 games this year. Her two-point scoring efficiency had fallen off a bit the previous two seasons, but she’s still good enough to help Golden State majorly in that department. She’s also a natural fit for a team leading the WNBA in three-point attempts this season.

Plum’s playmaking is still really good, too. While Veronica Burton has done an excellent job as Golden State’s de facto point guard this season, Plum is a more natural floor general who brings increased downhill scoring juice, which helps unlock the Valkyries’ drive-and-kick game. Plum has always blended scoring and playmaking at a high level, and that’s exactly what Golden State needs to take the next step offensively.

The issue for Plum has always been defensively. She’ll get targeted on that end because of her lack of length, and she can have issues fighting over a good screen. The Valkyries could insulate her defensively better than anyone, with two defensive monsters in Burton and Gabby Williams on the wings, plus a really good rim protector in Kiah Stokes inside. The Valkyries’ whole defensive system is geared toward shutting off the paint, and they have the bodies to keep Plum out of trouble.

Golden State has the cap space to re-sign Plum in the offseason. Even if they have bigger plans for the winter, Plum would make a lot of sense even as a rental. The championship picture in the W is pretty wide open with Napheesa Collier yet to play a game (though she’s returning soon) and the Aces aging a bit and also lacking depth around A’Ja Wilson.

The Valkyries are already so good that maybe they feel like they don’t need to take a big swing on an iffy defensive player like Plum who doesn’t really fit their identity. It’s just hard to win it all without real balance, and Plum would give Golden State the halfcourt offensive boost it needs to reach another level.

The Sparks already gave up the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft (All-Star Dominque Malonga) to get Plum, but it hasn’t worked out. They can’t afford to lose her for nothing. Golden State feels like the ideal partner with the trade deadline approaching.

#Kelsey #Plum #trade #Golden #State #Valkyries #sense #happen">Kelsey Plum trade to Golden State Valkyries makes too much sense not to happen

Few expansion teams in the modern history of American sports have ever established an identity as quickly and successfully as the Golden State Valkyries. As they debuted in the WNBA last season, the Valkyries immediately became known as a nasty defensive team that shut off the paint, pressured the ball, and got back in transition. It was a formula that helped Golden State punch a ticket to the playoffs, break the league record for most wins by a first-year team, and earn Natalie Nakase Coach of the Year honors.

The Valkyries’ defense has only gotten better this season, and it’s turned them into one of the best teams in the WNBA. Golden State exits the All-Star break with the W’s second-best record at 19-8, including a recent nine-game winning streak. The Valks are No. 1 in defensive rating, and only the Lynx are within shouting distance.

At this point, the Valkyries are simply too good to settle for being an uplifting story. If they’re really going to compete for a championship, they have to address the other end of the floor. Golden State’s offense is middling, ranking No. 8 out of 15 teams in points per 100 possessions. The best thing you can say about the Valkyries’ offense is they limit turnovers, jack threes, and hit the offensive glass hard. That works for the regular season, but creation is king in the playoffs, and the Valkyries still don’t have a ton of it.

With the Aug. 2 trade deadline looming, the Valkyries have a golden opportunity to load up for a championship run, and there’s one name that makes a ton of sense.

Kelsey Plum is set to be an unrestricted free agent after this season, and she doesn’t intend to re-sign with the Los Angeles Sparks, according to WNBA insider Annie Costabile. Costabile reports that the Sparks haven’t shopped Plum, but they also can’t afford to lose her for nothing. Los Angeles is sitting at 10-16 on the year, and it sure feels like the only thing left to do this season is tank for JuJu Watkins ahead of the 2027 WNBA Draft.

Plum could be a perfect fit in Golden State. The Sparks will want future draft picks, and the Valkyries have all of theirs moving plus, plus an additional second-round pick from Seattle via the Flau’Jae Johnson trade. Golden State could seemingly send Kaila Charles, Tiffany Hayes, and a first-round pick or two to Los Angeles for Plum. In my mind, that would immediately make Golden State a real threat to win it all.

Why Kelsey Plum is perfect for the Valkyries

Plum has been out for the last month with a soft tissue strain in her left leg. If she can heal from that injury before the end of the regular season, she could give Golden State the halfcourt scoring and playmaking it desperately needs to make a deep playoff run.

Plum dropped 43 points in 37 minutes in an overtime thriller against Phoenix on June 13 in her third-to-last game before the injury that showed the full extent of her brilliance. At age-31, she still has plenty of burst as a ball handler to get into the paint and collapse the opposing defense. Though she’s only 5’8, Plum has always been a very good rim finisher at 64.7% within three-feet, per basketball-reference. She’s money in the short mid-range area too when she can’t get all the way to the rim, with an astounding 48% career field goal percentage from 3-10 feet.

Plum is also one of the league’s better three-point shooters. She’s making 38.3 percent of her triples on 9.6 three-point attempts per 100 possessions this year, which is an outstanding blend of both volume and accuracy. She has a super quick trigger on spot-up attempts, which makes her a valuable floor spacer when she doesn’t have the ball.

Golden State has been a terrible two-point scoring team this season, ranking dead last with a 47.8% field goal percentage inside the arc. Plum is making an absurd 63.6% of her twos in a small sample of 12 games this year. Her two-point scoring efficiency had fallen off a bit the previous two seasons, but she’s still good enough to help Golden State majorly in that department. She’s also a natural fit for a team leading the WNBA in three-point attempts this season.

Plum’s playmaking is still really good, too. While Veronica Burton has done an excellent job as Golden State’s de facto point guard this season, Plum is a more natural floor general who brings increased downhill scoring juice, which helps unlock the Valkyries’ drive-and-kick game. Plum has always blended scoring and playmaking at a high level, and that’s exactly what Golden State needs to take the next step offensively.

The issue for Plum has always been defensively. She’ll get targeted on that end because of her lack of length, and she can have issues fighting over a good screen. The Valkyries could insulate her defensively better than anyone, with two defensive monsters in Burton and Gabby Williams on the wings, plus a really good rim protector in Kiah Stokes inside. The Valkyries’ whole defensive system is geared toward shutting off the paint, and they have the bodies to keep Plum out of trouble.

Golden State has the cap space to re-sign Plum in the offseason. Even if they have bigger plans for the winter, Plum would make a lot of sense even as a rental. The championship picture in the W is pretty wide open with Napheesa Collier yet to play a game (though she’s returning soon) and the Aces aging a bit and also lacking depth around A’Ja Wilson.

The Valkyries are already so good that maybe they feel like they don’t need to take a big swing on an iffy defensive player like Plum who doesn’t really fit their identity. It’s just hard to win it all without real balance, and Plum would give Golden State the halfcourt offensive boost it needs to reach another level.

The Sparks already gave up the No. 2 overall pick in the 2025 draft (All-Star Dominque Malonga) to get Plum, but it hasn’t worked out. They can’t afford to lose her for nothing. Golden State feels like the ideal partner with the trade deadline approaching.

#Kelsey #Plum #trade #Golden #State #Valkyries #sense #happen

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