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Deadspin | Reynaldo Lopez bids to change Braves’ fortunes vs. Angels    Mar 28, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez (40) throws against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Mady Mertens-Imagn Images   After a rare clunker from Chris Sale, the Atlanta Braves will turn to Reynaldo Lopez to try to snap the team’s three-game losing streak on Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif.  Lopez (1-0, 1.64 ERA) struggled with velocity during spring training after missing most of the 2025 season with a shoulder injury. The right-hander, however, has eased any concerns about the shoulder in his first two starts, allowing just two earned runs and seven hits in 11 innings in his team’s wins over Kansas City and Arizona.  Lopez’s fastball was clocked in the 87-88 mph range in spring training, but he has increased that velocity by almost 10 mph in the regular season. The 2024 All-Star told MLB.com one of the reasons for the big difference was that he was working through some mechanical issues during the spring.  “When you’re trying to fix something, you don’t throw as hard. That’s how you get hurt,” Lopez said. “It was rather simple. I think it was the left shoulder and the left hip just opening up a little early. So my focal point was just try and stay closed.”  So far, so good.   Lopez will face an Angels team that has a three-game winning streak and has had his number in the past. Lopez is 0-4 with a 5.79 ERA in 10 career appearances, including four starts, against Los Angeles.  The Angels recorded a 6-2 win in Monday’s series opener, chasing an unusually wild Sale in the fifth inning.   Zach Neto hit Sale’s first pitch of the game for a home run, and Jo Adell clubbed a two-run shot in the fifth to give Los Angeles a 6-1 lead. The Angels also scored three times in the fourth inning, parlaying two walks, two hit batsmen and two singles into three runs. Sale walked Logan O’Hoppe with the bases loaded to force in one run and also hit Yoan Moncada to force in another.   That was more than enough for Los Angeles starter Jose Soriano, who struck out 10 while allowing one run on three hits over eight innings in another dominant performance.     “Yeah, that was pretty insane,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “That’s a great lineup over there. They’re not punching out this year, and for Sori to come in and do that, it just speaks about the stuff and the execution.”  “It’s some the best stuff you’ll see in this league,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said. “You hate giving credit to opposing pitchers, but sometimes you have to. That was big-time stuff right there.”  Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (0-1, 6.52 ERA), who has a 5.59 ERA without a decision in two career starts against Atlanta, will start on Tuesday for the Angels.  Kikuchi comes in off a 6-2 loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field last Wednesday, when he allowed five earned runs on six hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings.  Kikuchi, who also picked up a no-decision in a 6-2 win at Houston on March 27, will make his first home start of the season. The 2025 All-Star was much more effective at Anaheim Stadium last season, compiling a 6-3 record and 2.93 ERA in 16 starts compared with a 1-8 record and 5.04 ERA in 17 road starts.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Reynaldo #Lopez #bids #change #Braves #fortunes #Angels

Deadspin | Reynaldo Lopez bids to change Braves’ fortunes vs. Angels
Deadspin | Reynaldo Lopez bids to change Braves’ fortunes vs. Angels    Mar 28, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez (40) throws against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Mady Mertens-Imagn Images   After a rare clunker from Chris Sale, the Atlanta Braves will turn to Reynaldo Lopez to try to snap the team’s three-game losing streak on Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif.  Lopez (1-0, 1.64 ERA) struggled with velocity during spring training after missing most of the 2025 season with a shoulder injury. The right-hander, however, has eased any concerns about the shoulder in his first two starts, allowing just two earned runs and seven hits in 11 innings in his team’s wins over Kansas City and Arizona.  Lopez’s fastball was clocked in the 87-88 mph range in spring training, but he has increased that velocity by almost 10 mph in the regular season. The 2024 All-Star told MLB.com one of the reasons for the big difference was that he was working through some mechanical issues during the spring.  “When you’re trying to fix something, you don’t throw as hard. That’s how you get hurt,” Lopez said. “It was rather simple. I think it was the left shoulder and the left hip just opening up a little early. So my focal point was just try and stay closed.”  So far, so good.   Lopez will face an Angels team that has a three-game winning streak and has had his number in the past. Lopez is 0-4 with a 5.79 ERA in 10 career appearances, including four starts, against Los Angeles.  The Angels recorded a 6-2 win in Monday’s series opener, chasing an unusually wild Sale in the fifth inning.   Zach Neto hit Sale’s first pitch of the game for a home run, and Jo Adell clubbed a two-run shot in the fifth to give Los Angeles a 6-1 lead. The Angels also scored three times in the fourth inning, parlaying two walks, two hit batsmen and two singles into three runs. Sale walked Logan O’Hoppe with the bases loaded to force in one run and also hit Yoan Moncada to force in another.   That was more than enough for Los Angeles starter Jose Soriano, who struck out 10 while allowing one run on three hits over eight innings in another dominant performance.     “Yeah, that was pretty insane,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “That’s a great lineup over there. They’re not punching out this year, and for Sori to come in and do that, it just speaks about the stuff and the execution.”  “It’s some the best stuff you’ll see in this league,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said. “You hate giving credit to opposing pitchers, but sometimes you have to. That was big-time stuff right there.”  Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (0-1, 6.52 ERA), who has a 5.59 ERA without a decision in two career starts against Atlanta, will start on Tuesday for the Angels.  Kikuchi comes in off a 6-2 loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field last Wednesday, when he allowed five earned runs on six hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings.  Kikuchi, who also picked up a no-decision in a 6-2 win at Houston on March 27, will make his first home start of the season. The 2025 All-Star was much more effective at Anaheim Stadium last season, compiling a 6-3 record and 2.93 ERA in 16 starts compared with a 1-8 record and 5.04 ERA in 17 road starts.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Reynaldo #Lopez #bids #change #Braves #fortunes #AngelsMar 28, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez (40) throws against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Mady Mertens-Imagn Images

After a rare clunker from Chris Sale, the Atlanta Braves will turn to Reynaldo Lopez to try to snap the team’s three-game losing streak on Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif.

Lopez (1-0, 1.64 ERA) struggled with velocity during spring training after missing most of the 2025 season with a shoulder injury. The right-hander, however, has eased any concerns about the shoulder in his first two starts, allowing just two earned runs and seven hits in 11 innings in his team’s wins over Kansas City and Arizona.

Lopez’s fastball was clocked in the 87-88 mph range in spring training, but he has increased that velocity by almost 10 mph in the regular season. The 2024 All-Star told MLB.com one of the reasons for the big difference was that he was working through some mechanical issues during the spring.

“When you’re trying to fix something, you don’t throw as hard. That’s how you get hurt,” Lopez said. “It was rather simple. I think it was the left shoulder and the left hip just opening up a little early. So my focal point was just try and stay closed.”

So far, so good.

Lopez will face an Angels team that has a three-game winning streak and has had his number in the past. Lopez is 0-4 with a 5.79 ERA in 10 career appearances, including four starts, against Los Angeles.

The Angels recorded a 6-2 win in Monday’s series opener, chasing an unusually wild Sale in the fifth inning.


Zach Neto hit Sale’s first pitch of the game for a home run, and Jo Adell clubbed a two-run shot in the fifth to give Los Angeles a 6-1 lead. The Angels also scored three times in the fourth inning, parlaying two walks, two hit batsmen and two singles into three runs. Sale walked Logan O’Hoppe with the bases loaded to force in one run and also hit Yoan Moncada to force in another.

That was more than enough for Los Angeles starter Jose Soriano, who struck out 10 while allowing one run on three hits over eight innings in another dominant performance.

“Yeah, that was pretty insane,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “That’s a great lineup over there. They’re not punching out this year, and for Sori to come in and do that, it just speaks about the stuff and the execution.”

“It’s some the best stuff you’ll see in this league,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said. “You hate giving credit to opposing pitchers, but sometimes you have to. That was big-time stuff right there.”

Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (0-1, 6.52 ERA), who has a 5.59 ERA without a decision in two career starts against Atlanta, will start on Tuesday for the Angels.

Kikuchi comes in off a 6-2 loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field last Wednesday, when he allowed five earned runs on six hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings.

Kikuchi, who also picked up a no-decision in a 6-2 win at Houston on March 27, will make his first home start of the season. The 2025 All-Star was much more effective at Anaheim Stadium last season, compiling a 6-3 record and 2.93 ERA in 16 starts compared with a 1-8 record and 5.04 ERA in 17 road starts.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Reynaldo #Lopez #bids #change #Braves #fortunes #Angels

Mar 28, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Reynaldo Lopez (40) throws against the Kansas City Royals in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Mady Mertens-Imagn Images

After a rare clunker from Chris Sale, the Atlanta Braves will turn to Reynaldo Lopez to try to snap the team’s three-game losing streak on Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, Calif.

Lopez (1-0, 1.64 ERA) struggled with velocity during spring training after missing most of the 2025 season with a shoulder injury. The right-hander, however, has eased any concerns about the shoulder in his first two starts, allowing just two earned runs and seven hits in 11 innings in his team’s wins over Kansas City and Arizona.

Lopez’s fastball was clocked in the 87-88 mph range in spring training, but he has increased that velocity by almost 10 mph in the regular season. The 2024 All-Star told MLB.com one of the reasons for the big difference was that he was working through some mechanical issues during the spring.

“When you’re trying to fix something, you don’t throw as hard. That’s how you get hurt,” Lopez said. “It was rather simple. I think it was the left shoulder and the left hip just opening up a little early. So my focal point was just try and stay closed.”

So far, so good.

Lopez will face an Angels team that has a three-game winning streak and has had his number in the past. Lopez is 0-4 with a 5.79 ERA in 10 career appearances, including four starts, against Los Angeles.

The Angels recorded a 6-2 win in Monday’s series opener, chasing an unusually wild Sale in the fifth inning.

Zach Neto hit Sale’s first pitch of the game for a home run, and Jo Adell clubbed a two-run shot in the fifth to give Los Angeles a 6-1 lead. The Angels also scored three times in the fourth inning, parlaying two walks, two hit batsmen and two singles into three runs. Sale walked Logan O’Hoppe with the bases loaded to force in one run and also hit Yoan Moncada to force in another.

That was more than enough for Los Angeles starter Jose Soriano, who struck out 10 while allowing one run on three hits over eight innings in another dominant performance.

“Yeah, that was pretty insane,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “That’s a great lineup over there. They’re not punching out this year, and for Sori to come in and do that, it just speaks about the stuff and the execution.”

“It’s some the best stuff you’ll see in this league,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said. “You hate giving credit to opposing pitchers, but sometimes you have to. That was big-time stuff right there.”

Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (0-1, 6.52 ERA), who has a 5.59 ERA without a decision in two career starts against Atlanta, will start on Tuesday for the Angels.

Kikuchi comes in off a 6-2 loss to the Cubs at Wrigley Field last Wednesday, when he allowed five earned runs on six hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings.

Kikuchi, who also picked up a no-decision in a 6-2 win at Houston on March 27, will make his first home start of the season. The 2025 All-Star was much more effective at Anaheim Stadium last season, compiling a 6-3 record and 2.93 ERA in 16 starts compared with a 1-8 record and 5.04 ERA in 17 road starts.

–Field Level Media

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DC vs GT, IPL 2026: Whether we win or lose upcoming games depends on Starc, says Capitals’ bowling coach Munaf Patel <div id="content-body-70835251" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Delhi Capitals’ bowling attack hasn’t yet allowed the absence of spearhead Mitchell Starc to be felt. The Australian left-arm pacer has been unable to join the team owing to a shoulder and elbow injury sustained during the home season Down Under.</p><p>It hasn’t hindered DC from notching up two wins on the trot. In both performances, the bowlers played their part, bundling out Lucknow Super Giants for 141 and then restricting Mumbai Indians to 162 for six.</p><p>Still, DC’s bowling coach Munaf Patel is under no illusion about his team being able to make do without Starc.</p><p>“We have won two matches. So, people may think Starc’s absence is not being felt. But whether we win or don’t win in the coming games will depend on him. A big bowler is a big bowler. I don’t think there is a greater bowler than Starc in the IPL. There’s (Jasprit) Bumrah that Starc can be compared with.</p><p>“Starc has a lot of experience. He swings the new ball at 140kmph-plus. I am following his injury timeline regularly and asking every day when he will return. There is no update yet,” Munaf told the media on Tuesday.</p><p>While Starc is away, South Africa’s Lungi Ngidi has been doing a stellar job with his deadly off-cutters.</p><p>“Ngidi has a good idea of bowling on different wickets,” Munaf observed. “He knows his variations. He is not the sort of bowler who tries to bowl at 150 kmph and gets hit. He stays within his limitations.”</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 07, 2026</p></div> #IPL #win #lose #upcoming #games #depends #Starc #Capitals #bowling #coach #Munaf #Patel

#Messis #World #Cup #hat #trick #included #spectacular #goal #tournament">Messi’s World Cup hat trick is included most spectacular goal of 2026 tournament so far  Messi is back at the 2026 World Cup on the brink is his 39th birthday later in June. Somehow, he’s still as great as ever.Messi put Argentina up 1-0 on Algeria in the World Cup opener for both countries in the 16th minute of the match. The superstar took the ball down the center of the pitch and unleashed a rocket in the back of the net as only he can. Watch Messi’s breathtaking goal here:Right in the top corner! How does Messi do it?Watch an alternate angle here:Messi hasn’t been deterred by old age or spending his golden years playing in the MLS. He can still be as incredible as any player when he’s at his best, and this goal proves it.It’s such a joy to be able to experience Messi’s greatness even this late into his career. He really might be the GOAT, and he continues to prove it on the world’s biggest stage.Update: Messi added two more goals for his first ever hat trick in the World Cup.Here’s his second goal:We’ll never see another Leo Messi.  #Messis #World #Cup #hat #trick #included #spectacular #goal #tournament

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