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Deadspin | Twins pursue sweep of 4-game set against Tigers  Apr 8, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) hits a double during the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images   The Minnesota Twins already have secured their first series victory of the season.  Now they are eager to complete a four-game sweep.  Minnesota will aim for its fourth straight win when it faces the Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon in Minneapolis. The Twins are coming off an 8-6 win over the Tigers on Wednesday night, which followed a 4-2 victory on Tuesday and a 7-3 triumph in the series opener on Monday.  Meanwhile, Detroit is eager to stop an early-season slide.  The Tigers have lost eight of 12 games to start the season, including each of their past four contests. They are 2-7 on the road.  Detroit manager A.J. Hinch knows that something needs to change for his team, which has ambitions to win the American League Central and competing for the World Series after making the playoffs each of the past two years.  “Team-wise, you’re always pushing to play winning baseball,” Hinch said. “Right now, we haven’t done that. We’re trying to find ways to get back to our brand of baseball that produces those wins without overreacting.”  Colt Keith and Kevin McGonigle have fared well at the plate, but many Tigers hitters have struggled to open the season. Hinch acknowledged that players who have a slump at the start of the season receive disproportionate attention as someone who hits a midseason lull.  “It’s a tricky time when you look at guys coming out of the spring,” Hinch said. “They’re hot or they’re cold, or they run into some bad luck or don’t get something to fall, and there’s the psychology that comes with the big board putting your numbers up there.”   Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty (0-1, 7.56 ERA) will try to help his team avoid the sweep. He is looking to improve his command after issuing four walks in each of his first two starts of the season.  In his 2026 debut, Flaherty allowed three runs (two earned) in 4 1/3 innings in a loss to the San Diego Padres on March 29. He did not last any longer on Saturday in his start against the St. Louis Cardinals, who touched him up for five runs on three hits in four-plus innings.  Flaherty is 0-1 with a 4.37 ERA in four career starts vs. Minnesota.  Twins right-hander Mick Abel (0-2, 11.05 ERA) will try to bounce back from a turbulent start to the season when he gets the ball on Thursday.  Abel gave up five runs in 3 1/3 innings in a long-relief appearance against the Baltimore Orioles in his season debut on March 29. He allowed four runs in a four-inning start against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday.  Abel, 24, never has faced the Tigers in his brief career.  Twins manager Derek Shelton praised his players for their success so far against Detroit, especially for putting up eight runs on 10 hits in five-plus innings on Wednesday against two-time All-Star Framber Valdez.  “A four-game series, winning the first three against a team that’s a really good team in our own division (is great),” Shelton said. “Yeah, it was a little bit closer than we expected, but I was really proud of our group.”  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Twins #pursue #sweep #4game #set #Tigers

Deadspin | Twins pursue sweep of 4-game set against Tigers
Deadspin | Twins pursue sweep of 4-game set against Tigers  Apr 8, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) hits a double during the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images   The Minnesota Twins already have secured their first series victory of the season.  Now they are eager to complete a four-game sweep.  Minnesota will aim for its fourth straight win when it faces the Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon in Minneapolis. The Twins are coming off an 8-6 win over the Tigers on Wednesday night, which followed a 4-2 victory on Tuesday and a 7-3 triumph in the series opener on Monday.  Meanwhile, Detroit is eager to stop an early-season slide.  The Tigers have lost eight of 12 games to start the season, including each of their past four contests. They are 2-7 on the road.  Detroit manager A.J. Hinch knows that something needs to change for his team, which has ambitions to win the American League Central and competing for the World Series after making the playoffs each of the past two years.  “Team-wise, you’re always pushing to play winning baseball,” Hinch said. “Right now, we haven’t done that. We’re trying to find ways to get back to our brand of baseball that produces those wins without overreacting.”  Colt Keith and Kevin McGonigle have fared well at the plate, but many Tigers hitters have struggled to open the season. Hinch acknowledged that players who have a slump at the start of the season receive disproportionate attention as someone who hits a midseason lull.  “It’s a tricky time when you look at guys coming out of the spring,” Hinch said. “They’re hot or they’re cold, or they run into some bad luck or don’t get something to fall, and there’s the psychology that comes with the big board putting your numbers up there.”   Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty (0-1, 7.56 ERA) will try to help his team avoid the sweep. He is looking to improve his command after issuing four walks in each of his first two starts of the season.  In his 2026 debut, Flaherty allowed three runs (two earned) in 4 1/3 innings in a loss to the San Diego Padres on March 29. He did not last any longer on Saturday in his start against the St. Louis Cardinals, who touched him up for five runs on three hits in four-plus innings.  Flaherty is 0-1 with a 4.37 ERA in four career starts vs. Minnesota.  Twins right-hander Mick Abel (0-2, 11.05 ERA) will try to bounce back from a turbulent start to the season when he gets the ball on Thursday.  Abel gave up five runs in 3 1/3 innings in a long-relief appearance against the Baltimore Orioles in his season debut on March 29. He allowed four runs in a four-inning start against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday.  Abel, 24, never has faced the Tigers in his brief career.  Twins manager Derek Shelton praised his players for their success so far against Detroit, especially for putting up eight runs on 10 hits in five-plus innings on Wednesday against two-time All-Star Framber Valdez.  “A four-game series, winning the first three against a team that’s a really good team in our own division (is great),” Shelton said. “Yeah, it was a little bit closer than we expected, but I was really proud of our group.”  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Twins #pursue #sweep #4game #set #TigersApr 8, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) hits a double during the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins already have secured their first series victory of the season.

Now they are eager to complete a four-game sweep.

Minnesota will aim for its fourth straight win when it faces the Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon in Minneapolis. The Twins are coming off an 8-6 win over the Tigers on Wednesday night, which followed a 4-2 victory on Tuesday and a 7-3 triumph in the series opener on Monday.

Meanwhile, Detroit is eager to stop an early-season slide.

The Tigers have lost eight of 12 games to start the season, including each of their past four contests. They are 2-7 on the road.

Detroit manager A.J. Hinch knows that something needs to change for his team, which has ambitions to win the American League Central and competing for the World Series after making the playoffs each of the past two years.

“Team-wise, you’re always pushing to play winning baseball,” Hinch said. “Right now, we haven’t done that. We’re trying to find ways to get back to our brand of baseball that produces those wins without overreacting.”

Colt Keith and Kevin McGonigle have fared well at the plate, but many Tigers hitters have struggled to open the season. Hinch acknowledged that players who have a slump at the start of the season receive disproportionate attention as someone who hits a midseason lull.


“It’s a tricky time when you look at guys coming out of the spring,” Hinch said. “They’re hot or they’re cold, or they run into some bad luck or don’t get something to fall, and there’s the psychology that comes with the big board putting your numbers up there.”

Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty (0-1, 7.56 ERA) will try to help his team avoid the sweep. He is looking to improve his command after issuing four walks in each of his first two starts of the season.

In his 2026 debut, Flaherty allowed three runs (two earned) in 4 1/3 innings in a loss to the San Diego Padres on March 29. He did not last any longer on Saturday in his start against the St. Louis Cardinals, who touched him up for five runs on three hits in four-plus innings.

Flaherty is 0-1 with a 4.37 ERA in four career starts vs. Minnesota.

Twins right-hander Mick Abel (0-2, 11.05 ERA) will try to bounce back from a turbulent start to the season when he gets the ball on Thursday.

Abel gave up five runs in 3 1/3 innings in a long-relief appearance against the Baltimore Orioles in his season debut on March 29. He allowed four runs in a four-inning start against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday.

Abel, 24, never has faced the Tigers in his brief career.

Twins manager Derek Shelton praised his players for their success so far against Detroit, especially for putting up eight runs on 10 hits in five-plus innings on Wednesday against two-time All-Star Framber Valdez.

“A four-game series, winning the first three against a team that’s a really good team in our own division (is great),” Shelton said. “Yeah, it was a little bit closer than we expected, but I was really proud of our group.”


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Twins #pursue #sweep #4game #set #Tigers

Apr 8, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) hits a double during the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins already have secured their first series victory of the season.

Now they are eager to complete a four-game sweep.

Minnesota will aim for its fourth straight win when it faces the Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon in Minneapolis. The Twins are coming off an 8-6 win over the Tigers on Wednesday night, which followed a 4-2 victory on Tuesday and a 7-3 triumph in the series opener on Monday.

Meanwhile, Detroit is eager to stop an early-season slide.

The Tigers have lost eight of 12 games to start the season, including each of their past four contests. They are 2-7 on the road.

Detroit manager A.J. Hinch knows that something needs to change for his team, which has ambitions to win the American League Central and competing for the World Series after making the playoffs each of the past two years.

“Team-wise, you’re always pushing to play winning baseball,” Hinch said. “Right now, we haven’t done that. We’re trying to find ways to get back to our brand of baseball that produces those wins without overreacting.”

Colt Keith and Kevin McGonigle have fared well at the plate, but many Tigers hitters have struggled to open the season. Hinch acknowledged that players who have a slump at the start of the season receive disproportionate attention as someone who hits a midseason lull.

“It’s a tricky time when you look at guys coming out of the spring,” Hinch said. “They’re hot or they’re cold, or they run into some bad luck or don’t get something to fall, and there’s the psychology that comes with the big board putting your numbers up there.”

Tigers right-hander Jack Flaherty (0-1, 7.56 ERA) will try to help his team avoid the sweep. He is looking to improve his command after issuing four walks in each of his first two starts of the season.

In his 2026 debut, Flaherty allowed three runs (two earned) in 4 1/3 innings in a loss to the San Diego Padres on March 29. He did not last any longer on Saturday in his start against the St. Louis Cardinals, who touched him up for five runs on three hits in four-plus innings.

Flaherty is 0-1 with a 4.37 ERA in four career starts vs. Minnesota.

Twins right-hander Mick Abel (0-2, 11.05 ERA) will try to bounce back from a turbulent start to the season when he gets the ball on Thursday.

Abel gave up five runs in 3 1/3 innings in a long-relief appearance against the Baltimore Orioles in his season debut on March 29. He allowed four runs in a four-inning start against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday.

Abel, 24, never has faced the Tigers in his brief career.

Twins manager Derek Shelton praised his players for their success so far against Detroit, especially for putting up eight runs on 10 hits in five-plus innings on Wednesday against two-time All-Star Framber Valdez.

“A four-game series, winning the first three against a team that’s a really good team in our own division (is great),” Shelton said. “Yeah, it was a little bit closer than we expected, but I was really proud of our group.”

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Twins #pursue #sweep #4game #set #Tigers

This is Nelly Korda’s first chance at history.

To be clear, this week marks Nelly’s first opportunity to make history since last making some. When you are Nelly Korda this kind of things happens all of the time.

CHASKA, MINNESOTA - JUNE 28: Nelly Korda of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 28, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)

CHASKA, MINNESOTA – JUNE 28: Nelly Korda of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 28, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)
Getty Images

The LPGA Tour recognizes a Career Grand Slam as having won four different majors, but obviously there are five with the Evian becoming one back in 2013. This week marks that tournament and therefore opportunity for Nelly, and if she is unable to do it now she has a chance still at the Women’s British Open before this season’s majors are complete.

Nelly’s best finish at the Evian to date is T8 four years ago. She has the longest active streak of making the cut at major championships with 10, and she has only missed one at the Evian specifically once in 9 total starts.

Beyond the Career Grand Slam, a win this week would give Nelly the necessary points for inclusion in the LPGA Hall of Fame, and she would become the first player to be inducted since Lydia Ko in 2024. Needless to say there is a lot to play for.

For what it’s worth the folks at FanDuel have Nelly as the betting favorite at +440 with the next-closest challenger being Jeeno Thitikul at +1000.

It is going to be quite the week.

#Nelly #Korda #accomplish #Career #Grand #Slam #week">Nelly Korda can accomplish the Career Grand Slam this week  This is Nelly Korda’s first chance at history.To be clear, this week marks Nelly’s first opportunity to make history since last making some. When you are Nelly Korda this kind of things happens all of the time.CHASKA, MINNESOTA – JUNE 28: Nelly Korda of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 28, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images) Getty ImagesThe LPGA Tour recognizes a Career Grand Slam as having won four different majors, but obviously there are five with the Evian becoming one back in 2013. This week marks that tournament and therefore opportunity for Nelly, and if she is unable to do it now she has a chance still at the Women’s British Open before this season’s majors are complete.Nelly’s best finish at the Evian to date is T8 four years ago. She has the longest active streak of making the cut at major championships with 10, and she has only missed one at the Evian specifically once in 9 total starts.Beyond the Career Grand Slam, a win this week would give Nelly the necessary points for inclusion in the LPGA Hall of Fame, and she would become the first player to be inducted since Lydia Ko in 2024. Needless to say there is a lot to play for.For what it’s worth the folks at FanDuel have Nelly as the betting favorite at +440 with the next-closest challenger being Jeeno Thitikul at +1000.It is going to be quite the week.  #Nelly #Korda #accomplish #Career #Grand #Slam #week

CHASKA, MINNESOTA - JUNE 28: Nelly Korda of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 28, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)

CHASKA, MINNESOTA – JUNE 28: Nelly Korda of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 28, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)
Getty Images

The LPGA Tour recognizes a Career Grand Slam as having won four different majors, but obviously there are five with the Evian becoming one back in 2013. This week marks that tournament and therefore opportunity for Nelly, and if she is unable to do it now she has a chance still at the Women’s British Open before this season’s majors are complete.

Nelly’s best finish at the Evian to date is T8 four years ago. She has the longest active streak of making the cut at major championships with 10, and she has only missed one at the Evian specifically once in 9 total starts.

Beyond the Career Grand Slam, a win this week would give Nelly the necessary points for inclusion in the LPGA Hall of Fame, and she would become the first player to be inducted since Lydia Ko in 2024. Needless to say there is a lot to play for.

For what it’s worth the folks at FanDuel have Nelly as the betting favorite at +440 with the next-closest challenger being Jeeno Thitikul at +1000.

It is going to be quite the week.

#Nelly #Korda #accomplish #Career #Grand #Slam #week">Nelly Korda can accomplish the Career Grand Slam this week

This is Nelly Korda’s first chance at history.

To be clear, this week marks Nelly’s first opportunity to make history since last making some. When you are Nelly Korda this kind of things happens all of the time.

CHASKA, MINNESOTA - JUNE 28: Nelly Korda of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 28, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)

CHASKA, MINNESOTA – JUNE 28: Nelly Korda of the United States reacts on the 17th green during the final round of the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship 2026 at Hazeltine National Golf Club on June 28, 2026 in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)
Getty Images

The LPGA Tour recognizes a Career Grand Slam as having won four different majors, but obviously there are five with the Evian becoming one back in 2013. This week marks that tournament and therefore opportunity for Nelly, and if she is unable to do it now she has a chance still at the Women’s British Open before this season’s majors are complete.

Nelly’s best finish at the Evian to date is T8 four years ago. She has the longest active streak of making the cut at major championships with 10, and she has only missed one at the Evian specifically once in 9 total starts.

Beyond the Career Grand Slam, a win this week would give Nelly the necessary points for inclusion in the LPGA Hall of Fame, and she would become the first player to be inducted since Lydia Ko in 2024. Needless to say there is a lot to play for.

For what it’s worth the folks at FanDuel have Nelly as the betting favorite at +440 with the next-closest challenger being Jeeno Thitikul at +1000.

It is going to be quite the week.

#Nelly #Korda #accomplish #Career #Grand #Slam #week

The Egyptian football federation on Wednesday said it had asked for the officiating team who handled the Pharoahs loss 3-2 last-16 to Argentina to be thrown out of the World Cup.

“Hany Aburida, President of the Egyptian Football Federation, filed a complaint with FIFA, demanding an investigation into the French referee Francois Letexier… after the serious refereeing mistakes committed by the team of referees and double standards, which caused the Egypt team to lose the match and leave the World Cup,” said a statement from the federation.

On Tuesday evening, Letexes ruled out a Mostafa Ziko goal ruled out when Egypt was leading 1-0 after VAR intervened to spot a foul on Lisandro Martinez much earlier in the move.

A few minutes later, Ziko did put Egyptian 2-0 up and on the brink of a place in the last eight for the first time but there was further controversy in added time, after Cristian Romero and Lionel Messi had brought the champion level.

In the build-up to Argentina’s winner scored by Enzo Fernandez, Egypt believes it should have instead been awarded a penalty for a pull by Alexis Mac Allister on Hamdy Fathy.

“Aburida demanded the investigation of the entire team of referees, including the video technology referees, because of the blatant errors and insisting on not reviewing some of the footage that we believe are in favour of the Egyptian national team, and we see in it the Pharaohs’ right to a correct goal and a penalty,” said the Egyptian statement.

It added that the president had also “demanded the exclusion of the referee and the entire crew from the World Cup after investigating these mistakes and proving the crime of discrimination against the Egyptian national team”.

The statement echoed remarks by Egypt coach Hossam Hassan immediately after the game.

“I do not want to put it nicely and talk about hard luck. We have been cheated unfairly today, we have suffered injustice,” Hassan told journalists.

“We haven’t seen respect or fair play. There has not been respect or fair play.”

Hassan told BeIN: “Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champions in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running.

“In football, there are sometimes external factors that go beyond the technical aspects. The world champions received support at every level.”

Published on Jul 08, 2026

#Egypt #files #complaint #referee #controversial #FIFA #World #Cup #exit">Egypt files complaint against referee after controversial FIFA World Cup 2026 exit  The Egyptian football federation on Wednesday said it had asked for the officiating team who handled the Pharoahs loss 3-2 last-16 to Argentina to be thrown out of the World Cup.“Hany Aburida, President of the Egyptian Football Federation, filed a complaint with FIFA, demanding an investigation into the French referee Francois Letexier… after the serious refereeing mistakes committed by the team of referees and double standards, which caused the Egypt team to lose the match and leave the World Cup,” said a statement from the federation.On Tuesday evening, Letexes ruled out a Mostafa Ziko goal ruled out when Egypt was leading 1-0 after VAR intervened to spot a foul on Lisandro Martinez much earlier in the move.A few minutes later, Ziko did put Egyptian 2-0 up and on the brink of a place in the last eight for the first time but there was further controversy in added time, after Cristian Romero and Lionel Messi had brought the champion level.In the build-up to Argentina’s winner scored by Enzo Fernandez, Egypt believes it should have instead been awarded a penalty for a pull by Alexis Mac Allister on Hamdy Fathy.“Aburida demanded the investigation of the entire team of referees, including the video technology referees, because of the blatant errors and insisting on not reviewing some of the footage that we believe are in favour of the Egyptian national team, and we see in it the Pharaohs’ right to a correct goal and a penalty,” said the Egyptian statement.It added that the president had also “demanded the exclusion of the referee and the entire crew from the World Cup after investigating these mistakes and proving the crime of discrimination against the Egyptian national team”.The statement echoed remarks by Egypt coach Hossam Hassan immediately after the game.“I do not want to put it nicely and talk about hard luck. We have been cheated unfairly today, we have suffered injustice,” Hassan told journalists.“We haven’t seen respect or fair play. There has not been respect or fair play.”Hassan told BeIN: “Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champions in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running.“In football, there are sometimes external factors that go beyond the technical aspects. The world champions received support at every level.”Published on Jul 08, 2026  #Egypt #files #complaint #referee #controversial #FIFA #World #Cup #exit

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