Deadspin | Xander Bogaerts’ slam lifts Padres to 12-inning win over Rockies  Apr 9, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Colorado Rockies center fielder Jake McCarthy (31) is tagged out at second base by San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) as he tries to strech a single during the fifth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images   Xander Bogaerts belted a grand slam in the bottom of the 12th inning Thursday night as the San Diego Padres rallied past the visiting Colorado Rockies 7-3.  Fernando Tatis Jr. started the inning with a sacrifice bunt that moved automatic runner Jake Cronenworth to third. After Valente Bellozo (0-1) intentionally walked Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado to fill the bases, Bogaerts lined a 1-0 pitch into the seats in left for his second homer of the year.  David Morgan (1-0) pitched 1 2/3 hitless innings of relief to earn the win. Colorado got the go-ahead run to third in the top of the 12th, but Willi Castro was cut down at the plate on Brenton Doyle’s bouncer to Cronenworth at second.  Each team scored a run in both the 10th and 11th innings.  In the 10th, Tyler Freeman gave Colorado the lead with a one-out RBI single, but Machado lofted a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning to level the score.  In the 11th, both teams got RBI doubles from their backup catchers. Brett Sullivan put the Rockies up 3-2 with his hit into the right field corner, but San Diego’s Luis Campusano kept the game going with a two-out liner down the left field line.   Neither team’s starter or bulk reliever was around for the decision. Colorado’s Chase Dollander took over after Jimmy Herget pitched a 1-2-3 first inning and permitted a run on four hits and a walk over 4 1/3 innings, fanning three. San Diego’s Randy Vasquez gave up seven hits and a run in 5 2/3 innings, walking none and whiffing eight.  Vasquez’s only mistake was a low fastball to Doyle in the top of the third. The Rockies’ No. 9 hitter golfed it an estimated 408 feet over the wall in center field for his first homer of the year.  The Padres equalized in their half of the third. Freddy Fermin legged out an infield single with one out and reached third on Cronenworth’s single up the middle. Tatis lined a sacrifice fly to left that easily scored Fermin.  Colorado catcher Hunter Goodman was hit in the hand by a Vasquez pitch to start the top of the sixth and left the game later in the inning with a cut on his right middle finger.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Xander #Bogaerts #slam #lifts #Padres #12inning #win #Rockies

Deadspin | Xander Bogaerts’ slam lifts Padres to 12-inning win over Rockies
Deadspin | Xander Bogaerts’ slam lifts Padres to 12-inning win over Rockies  Apr 9, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Colorado Rockies center fielder Jake McCarthy (31) is tagged out at second base by San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) as he tries to strech a single during the fifth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images   Xander Bogaerts belted a grand slam in the bottom of the 12th inning Thursday night as the San Diego Padres rallied past the visiting Colorado Rockies 7-3.  Fernando Tatis Jr. started the inning with a sacrifice bunt that moved automatic runner Jake Cronenworth to third. After Valente Bellozo (0-1) intentionally walked Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado to fill the bases, Bogaerts lined a 1-0 pitch into the seats in left for his second homer of the year.  David Morgan (1-0) pitched 1 2/3 hitless innings of relief to earn the win. Colorado got the go-ahead run to third in the top of the 12th, but Willi Castro was cut down at the plate on Brenton Doyle’s bouncer to Cronenworth at second.  Each team scored a run in both the 10th and 11th innings.  In the 10th, Tyler Freeman gave Colorado the lead with a one-out RBI single, but Machado lofted a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning to level the score.  In the 11th, both teams got RBI doubles from their backup catchers. Brett Sullivan put the Rockies up 3-2 with his hit into the right field corner, but San Diego’s Luis Campusano kept the game going with a two-out liner down the left field line.   Neither team’s starter or bulk reliever was around for the decision. Colorado’s Chase Dollander took over after Jimmy Herget pitched a 1-2-3 first inning and permitted a run on four hits and a walk over 4 1/3 innings, fanning three. San Diego’s Randy Vasquez gave up seven hits and a run in 5 2/3 innings, walking none and whiffing eight.  Vasquez’s only mistake was a low fastball to Doyle in the top of the third. The Rockies’ No. 9 hitter golfed it an estimated 408 feet over the wall in center field for his first homer of the year.  The Padres equalized in their half of the third. Freddy Fermin legged out an infield single with one out and reached third on Cronenworth’s single up the middle. Tatis lined a sacrifice fly to left that easily scored Fermin.  Colorado catcher Hunter Goodman was hit in the hand by a Vasquez pitch to start the top of the sixth and left the game later in the inning with a cut on his right middle finger.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Xander #Bogaerts #slam #lifts #Padres #12inning #win #RockiesApr 9, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Colorado Rockies center fielder Jake McCarthy (31) is tagged out at second base by San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) as he tries to strech a single during the fifth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Xander Bogaerts belted a grand slam in the bottom of the 12th inning Thursday night as the San Diego Padres rallied past the visiting Colorado Rockies 7-3.

Fernando Tatis Jr. started the inning with a sacrifice bunt that moved automatic runner Jake Cronenworth to third. After Valente Bellozo (0-1) intentionally walked Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado to fill the bases, Bogaerts lined a 1-0 pitch into the seats in left for his second homer of the year.

David Morgan (1-0) pitched 1 2/3 hitless innings of relief to earn the win. Colorado got the go-ahead run to third in the top of the 12th, but Willi Castro was cut down at the plate on Brenton Doyle’s bouncer to Cronenworth at second.

Each team scored a run in both the 10th and 11th innings.

In the 10th, Tyler Freeman gave Colorado the lead with a one-out RBI single, but Machado lofted a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning to level the score.


In the 11th, both teams got RBI doubles from their backup catchers. Brett Sullivan put the Rockies up 3-2 with his hit into the right field corner, but San Diego’s Luis Campusano kept the game going with a two-out liner down the left field line.

Neither team’s starter or bulk reliever was around for the decision. Colorado’s Chase Dollander took over after Jimmy Herget pitched a 1-2-3 first inning and permitted a run on four hits and a walk over 4 1/3 innings, fanning three. San Diego’s Randy Vasquez gave up seven hits and a run in 5 2/3 innings, walking none and whiffing eight.

Vasquez’s only mistake was a low fastball to Doyle in the top of the third. The Rockies’ No. 9 hitter golfed it an estimated 408 feet over the wall in center field for his first homer of the year.

The Padres equalized in their half of the third. Freddy Fermin legged out an infield single with one out and reached third on Cronenworth’s single up the middle. Tatis lined a sacrifice fly to left that easily scored Fermin.

Colorado catcher Hunter Goodman was hit in the hand by a Vasquez pitch to start the top of the sixth and left the game later in the inning with a cut on his right middle finger.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Xander #Bogaerts #slam #lifts #Padres #12inning #win #Rockies

Apr 9, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Colorado Rockies center fielder Jake McCarthy (31) is tagged out at second base by San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) as he tries to strech a single during the fifth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images

Xander Bogaerts belted a grand slam in the bottom of the 12th inning Thursday night as the San Diego Padres rallied past the visiting Colorado Rockies 7-3.

Fernando Tatis Jr. started the inning with a sacrifice bunt that moved automatic runner Jake Cronenworth to third. After Valente Bellozo (0-1) intentionally walked Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado to fill the bases, Bogaerts lined a 1-0 pitch into the seats in left for his second homer of the year.

David Morgan (1-0) pitched 1 2/3 hitless innings of relief to earn the win. Colorado got the go-ahead run to third in the top of the 12th, but Willi Castro was cut down at the plate on Brenton Doyle’s bouncer to Cronenworth at second.

Each team scored a run in both the 10th and 11th innings.

In the 10th, Tyler Freeman gave Colorado the lead with a one-out RBI single, but Machado lofted a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning to level the score.

In the 11th, both teams got RBI doubles from their backup catchers. Brett Sullivan put the Rockies up 3-2 with his hit into the right field corner, but San Diego’s Luis Campusano kept the game going with a two-out liner down the left field line.

Neither team’s starter or bulk reliever was around for the decision. Colorado’s Chase Dollander took over after Jimmy Herget pitched a 1-2-3 first inning and permitted a run on four hits and a walk over 4 1/3 innings, fanning three. San Diego’s Randy Vasquez gave up seven hits and a run in 5 2/3 innings, walking none and whiffing eight.

Vasquez’s only mistake was a low fastball to Doyle in the top of the third. The Rockies’ No. 9 hitter golfed it an estimated 408 feet over the wall in center field for his first homer of the year.

The Padres equalized in their half of the third. Freddy Fermin legged out an infield single with one out and reached third on Cronenworth’s single up the middle. Tatis lined a sacrifice fly to left that easily scored Fermin.

Colorado catcher Hunter Goodman was hit in the hand by a Vasquez pitch to start the top of the sixth and left the game later in the inning with a cut on his right middle finger.

–Field Level Media

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Indian sports wrap, April 10: India’s compound mixed team enters bronze medal match at Archery World Cup Stage-1 <div id="content-body-70847062" itemprop="articleBody"><h4 class="sub_head">ARCHERY</h4><p><b>Indian mixed team in contention for medal</b></p><p>The Indian compound mixed team, consisting of Pragati and Ojas Deotale, kept its medal hopes alive by making it to the bronze medal match at the Archery World Cup Stage-1 in Puebla, Mexico.</p><p>India will meet USA, comprising Alexis Ruiz and Stephan Hansen, in the bronze medal contest.</p><div class="fact-box"><h5 class="main-title"> The results </h5><h5 class="sub-title">Recurve</h5><p> Team: Men: India (B. Dhiraj, Tarundeep Rai, Yashdeep Bhoge) lost to Spain 0-6 (first round); Women: India (Kumkum Mohod, Deepika Kumari, Simranjeet Kaur) bt Great Britain 5-1 (first round), lost to Türkiye 4-5 (shoot-off: 25-29) (quarterfinals); Mixed team: India (Kumkum Mohod, B. Dhiraj) got a bye (first round), lost to Brazil 3-5 (second round). </p><h5 class="sub-title">Compound</h5><p> Mixed: India (Pragati, Ojas Deotale) got a bye (first round), bt Chinese Taipei 155-151 (second round), bt Türkiye 154-152 (quarterfinal), lost to Denmark 149-157 (semifinal). </p></div><p><i>-Team Sportstar</i></p><h4 class="sub_head">GOLF</h4><p><b>Khalin Joshi wins Andhra Open by four-shot margin</b></p><p>Khalin Joshi fired a two-under 69 to win the Rs. 1 crore Andhra Open Golf Championship, sealing his seventh professional title in dominant fashion in Visakhapatnam.</p><p>The 33-year-old Bengaluru pro returned rounds of 68-68-70-69 to finish at nine-under 275, four shots clear of the field. The victory earned him Rs. 15 lakh and propelled him sharply up the 2026 DP World PGTI Order of Merit.</p><p>Joshi climbed from 55th to 12th on the Order of Merit, taking his season earnings to Rs. 18,13,875.</p><p>Chandigarh’s Akshay Sharma (70-70-74-65), a two-time Tour winner, fired a course-record six-under 65 in the final round to surge from overnight 13th to finish runner-up at five-under 279 at East Point Golf Club.</p><p>Saptak Talwar (70-74-68-68), the current DP World PGTI Rankings leader, finished tied third at four-under 280 alongside Dubai-based Yash Majmudar (71-69-69-71).</p><p>Chandigarh’s Ajeetesh Sandhu finished fifth at three-under 281, while Angad Cheema finished tied sixth at two-under 282 alongside Honey Baisoya, Rashid Khan and Manjot Singh.</p><p>The tour now moves to Hyderabad for the Rs 1 crore Boulders Classic from April 14 to 17.</p><p><i>– PTI</i></p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 10, 2026</p></div> #Indian #sports #wrap #April #Indias #compound #mixed #team #enters #bronze #medal #match #Archery #World #Cup #Stage1

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Deadspin | Braves bring historic pace into series finale vs. Tigers  Apr 29, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) celebrates after a walk-off two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers in the ninth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
   The Braves will look for their 11th straight win against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon when the teams play the finale of a three-game series in Atlanta.  Matt Olson and the Braves gut-punched the Tigers on Wednesday when the first baseman crushed a two-run walk-off homer in the ninth inning. Detroit hasn’t beaten Atlanta since June 12, 2023.  “When you have good years, you tend to have games like that,” Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said. “You look back and there’s always 10 or 12 games you won that you necessarily shouldn’t have. And we’ve had a few of those already. That’s a good sign.”  Atlanta owns a major-league-best 22-9 mark, its best start in 26 years. The Braves have not lost a series, going 9-0-1. The 1983 team went a franchise-record tying 10 straight series without a defeat to open the season. The 1889 and 1892 Boston Beaneaters also opened their seasons with 10 straight series wins.  “Like I said the other day, we’ve had innings where we’ve put up five, six and seven spots, so it kind of makes it feel like you’re in every ballgame when you feel like you can do that,” Olson said.  Atlanta will pit right-hander Bryce Elder (3-1, 1.95 ERA) against Detroit southpaw Framber Valdez (2-1, 3.41) in the series finale.  Elder, in his latest outing on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies, pitched seven innings and allowed three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two. The Braves eventually lost 8-5 in 10 innings.  Elder has made one career start against the Tigers, beating them last Sept. 19 by allowing one run — on a solo homer by Spencer Torkelson — in seven strong innings.   Valdez did not receive a decision when he faced the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. His control was shaky and he allowed two runs on four hits and five walks while striking out four in 4 1/3 innings. He threw 89 pitches, only 47 strikes.  Valdez is 1-1 with a 6.55 ERA in two career starts against the Braves, both while a member of the Houston Astros. He took a loss against Atlanta last Sept. 14 when he allowed five runs over four-plus innings.  Detroit rookie Kevin McGonigle went 2-for-4 on Wednesday and extended his hitting streak to 13 games, during which he has hit .358 (19-for-53). He has reached safely in his past 26 starts.  The Tigers had to put left-hander Casey Mize (right adductor strain) and shortstop Javier Baez (right ankle sprain) on the injured list on Wednesday. Detroit recalled lefty Emmanuel De Jesus and third baseman Jace Jung from Triple-A Toledo.  “Hopefully time heals that and (Mize) will continue with his arm-moving and things like that,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “Javy’s is a pretty significant ankle sprain, so I don’t know what that means in terms of a timeline.”  The biggest decision involves who will take Mize’s spot in the rotation, as the Tigers don’t have another day off until May 7.  The Braves announced that right-hander Spencer Strider, out all season with a left oblique strain, would make his first start on Sunday at Colorado.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Braves #bring #historic #pace #series #finale #TigersApr 29, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) celebrates after a walk-off two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers in the ninth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The Braves will look for their 11th straight win against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon when the teams play the finale of a three-game series in Atlanta.

Matt Olson and the Braves gut-punched the Tigers on Wednesday when the first baseman crushed a two-run walk-off homer in the ninth inning. Detroit hasn’t beaten Atlanta since June 12, 2023.

“When you have good years, you tend to have games like that,” Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said. “You look back and there’s always 10 or 12 games you won that you necessarily shouldn’t have. And we’ve had a few of those already. That’s a good sign.”

Atlanta owns a major-league-best 22-9 mark, its best start in 26 years. The Braves have not lost a series, going 9-0-1. The 1983 team went a franchise-record tying 10 straight series without a defeat to open the season. The 1889 and 1892 Boston Beaneaters also opened their seasons with 10 straight series wins.

“Like I said the other day, we’ve had innings where we’ve put up five, six and seven spots, so it kind of makes it feel like you’re in every ballgame when you feel like you can do that,” Olson said.

Atlanta will pit right-hander Bryce Elder (3-1, 1.95 ERA) against Detroit southpaw Framber Valdez (2-1, 3.41) in the series finale.

Elder, in his latest outing on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies, pitched seven innings and allowed three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two. The Braves eventually lost 8-5 in 10 innings.


Elder has made one career start against the Tigers, beating them last Sept. 19 by allowing one run — on a solo homer by Spencer Torkelson — in seven strong innings.

Valdez did not receive a decision when he faced the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. His control was shaky and he allowed two runs on four hits and five walks while striking out four in 4 1/3 innings. He threw 89 pitches, only 47 strikes.

Valdez is 1-1 with a 6.55 ERA in two career starts against the Braves, both while a member of the Houston Astros. He took a loss against Atlanta last Sept. 14 when he allowed five runs over four-plus innings.

Detroit rookie Kevin McGonigle went 2-for-4 on Wednesday and extended his hitting streak to 13 games, during which he has hit .358 (19-for-53). He has reached safely in his past 26 starts.

The Tigers had to put left-hander Casey Mize (right adductor strain) and shortstop Javier Baez (right ankle sprain) on the injured list on Wednesday. Detroit recalled lefty Emmanuel De Jesus and third baseman Jace Jung from Triple-A Toledo.

“Hopefully time heals that and (Mize) will continue with his arm-moving and things like that,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “Javy’s is a pretty significant ankle sprain, so I don’t know what that means in terms of a timeline.”

The biggest decision involves who will take Mize’s spot in the rotation, as the Tigers don’t have another day off until May 7.

The Braves announced that right-hander Spencer Strider, out all season with a left oblique strain, would make his first start on Sunday at Colorado.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Braves #bring #historic #pace #series #finale #Tigers">Deadspin | Braves bring historic pace into series finale vs. Tigers  Apr 29, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) celebrates after a walk-off two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers in the ninth inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
   The Braves will look for their 11th straight win against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon when the teams play the finale of a three-game series in Atlanta.  Matt Olson and the Braves gut-punched the Tigers on Wednesday when the first baseman crushed a two-run walk-off homer in the ninth inning. Detroit hasn’t beaten Atlanta since June 12, 2023.  “When you have good years, you tend to have games like that,” Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said. “You look back and there’s always 10 or 12 games you won that you necessarily shouldn’t have. And we’ve had a few of those already. That’s a good sign.”  Atlanta owns a major-league-best 22-9 mark, its best start in 26 years. The Braves have not lost a series, going 9-0-1. The 1983 team went a franchise-record tying 10 straight series without a defeat to open the season. The 1889 and 1892 Boston Beaneaters also opened their seasons with 10 straight series wins.  “Like I said the other day, we’ve had innings where we’ve put up five, six and seven spots, so it kind of makes it feel like you’re in every ballgame when you feel like you can do that,” Olson said.  Atlanta will pit right-hander Bryce Elder (3-1, 1.95 ERA) against Detroit southpaw Framber Valdez (2-1, 3.41) in the series finale.  Elder, in his latest outing on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies, pitched seven innings and allowed three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two. The Braves eventually lost 8-5 in 10 innings.  Elder has made one career start against the Tigers, beating them last Sept. 19 by allowing one run — on a solo homer by Spencer Torkelson — in seven strong innings.   Valdez did not receive a decision when he faced the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. His control was shaky and he allowed two runs on four hits and five walks while striking out four in 4 1/3 innings. He threw 89 pitches, only 47 strikes.  Valdez is 1-1 with a 6.55 ERA in two career starts against the Braves, both while a member of the Houston Astros. He took a loss against Atlanta last Sept. 14 when he allowed five runs over four-plus innings.  Detroit rookie Kevin McGonigle went 2-for-4 on Wednesday and extended his hitting streak to 13 games, during which he has hit .358 (19-for-53). He has reached safely in his past 26 starts.  The Tigers had to put left-hander Casey Mize (right adductor strain) and shortstop Javier Baez (right ankle sprain) on the injured list on Wednesday. Detroit recalled lefty Emmanuel De Jesus and third baseman Jace Jung from Triple-A Toledo.  “Hopefully time heals that and (Mize) will continue with his arm-moving and things like that,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “Javy’s is a pretty significant ankle sprain, so I don’t know what that means in terms of a timeline.”  The biggest decision involves who will take Mize’s spot in the rotation, as the Tigers don’t have another day off until May 7.  The Braves announced that right-hander Spencer Strider, out all season with a left oblique strain, would make his first start on Sunday at Colorado.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Braves #bring #historic #pace #series #finale #Tigers

Deadspin | Hunter Dobbins set for Cardinals debut vs. Pirates, Paul Skenes  Apr 28, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Hunter Dobbins (40) throws in the outfield before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images   Hunter Dobbins will go up against a formidable opposite number in his Cardinals debut on Thursday afternoon when St. Louis opposes the host Pittsburgh Pirates.  The 26-year-old right-hander will face the Pirates’ ace, reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes (4-1, 2.48 ERA).  St. Louis has won the first three contests of the four-game series after holding on for a 5-4 victory on Thursday night, which ended with Nathan Church leaping at the left field wall to snare Nick Gonzales’ long drive with a runner on.  Dobbins will be activated from the injured list to make a spot start with St. Louis in the team’s stretch of 17 games in 17 days. Dobbins has been on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis, where he went 3-0 with a 4.37 ERA in five starts.  The Texas Tech product is set to make his first major league appearance since last July, when he was a member of the Boston Red Sox and tore his right ACL during a fielding play. That injury and an elbow strain limited him to 61 innings as a rookie in 2025.  Dobbins will be trying to follow an outstanding start by Andre Pallante on Wednesday night, in which he allowed a run and five hits over six innings.  Dobbins went 4-1 with a 4.13 ERA, 17 walks and 45 strikeouts in 13 games (11 starts) for the Red Sox last year.  The Cardinals obtained Dobbins and two other pitching prospects when they traded Willson Contreras to Boston in December.  Dobbins faced only two of Pittsburgh’s current players last season. Jake Mangum singled against him as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays, and Ryan O’Hearn went 0-for-2 vs. Dobbins while playing for the Baltimore Orioles.   Skenes, who has 30 strikeouts and a 0.72 WHIP in 29 innings, is coming off a 6-0 win over the host Milwaukee Brewers on Friday in which he took a perfect game into the seventh. Jake Bauers’ two-out groundball single broke up the quest for perfection.  Skenes had to settle for seven innings of one-hit, scoring ball. He struck out a season-best seven, walked none and threw a season-high 93 pitches.  “That’s the best I’ve ever seen from anyone, I think,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said after the game.  Opponents are hitting .141 against Skenes this season. He held foes to a .198 average while winning NL Rookie of the Year in 2024 and a .199 average in his Cy Young campaign last season.  “I think sometimes we lose sight of the fact that he came up two years ago and he’s in his third season in the big leagues,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “He’s continuing to get better, which is amazing considering what he’s already done in the game.”  Even so, Skenes has yet to defeat St. Louis in his short career. Despite a 2.39 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 37 2/3 innings over six starts against the Cardinals, Skenes has a 0-4 record in those contests. St. Louis has only managed 27 hits with seven walks against him.  Though his try for a game-winning walk-off home run was foiled by Church, Gonzales did extend his hitting streak to 10 games with a single earlier Wednesday night.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Hunter #Dobbins #set #Cardinals #debut #Pirates #Paul #SkenesApr 28, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Hunter Dobbins (40) throws in the outfield before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Hunter Dobbins will go up against a formidable opposite number in his Cardinals debut on Thursday afternoon when St. Louis opposes the host Pittsburgh Pirates.

The 26-year-old right-hander will face the Pirates’ ace, reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes (4-1, 2.48 ERA).

St. Louis has won the first three contests of the four-game series after holding on for a 5-4 victory on Thursday night, which ended with Nathan Church leaping at the left field wall to snare Nick Gonzales’ long drive with a runner on.

Dobbins will be activated from the injured list to make a spot start with St. Louis in the team’s stretch of 17 games in 17 days. Dobbins has been on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis, where he went 3-0 with a 4.37 ERA in five starts.

The Texas Tech product is set to make his first major league appearance since last July, when he was a member of the Boston Red Sox and tore his right ACL during a fielding play. That injury and an elbow strain limited him to 61 innings as a rookie in 2025.

Dobbins will be trying to follow an outstanding start by Andre Pallante on Wednesday night, in which he allowed a run and five hits over six innings.

Dobbins went 4-1 with a 4.13 ERA, 17 walks and 45 strikeouts in 13 games (11 starts) for the Red Sox last year.

The Cardinals obtained Dobbins and two other pitching prospects when they traded Willson Contreras to Boston in December.


Dobbins faced only two of Pittsburgh’s current players last season. Jake Mangum singled against him as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays, and Ryan O’Hearn went 0-for-2 vs. Dobbins while playing for the Baltimore Orioles.

Skenes, who has 30 strikeouts and a 0.72 WHIP in 29 innings, is coming off a 6-0 win over the host Milwaukee Brewers on Friday in which he took a perfect game into the seventh. Jake Bauers’ two-out groundball single broke up the quest for perfection.

Skenes had to settle for seven innings of one-hit, scoring ball. He struck out a season-best seven, walked none and threw a season-high 93 pitches.

“That’s the best I’ve ever seen from anyone, I think,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said after the game.

Opponents are hitting .141 against Skenes this season. He held foes to a .198 average while winning NL Rookie of the Year in 2024 and a .199 average in his Cy Young campaign last season.

“I think sometimes we lose sight of the fact that he came up two years ago and he’s in his third season in the big leagues,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “He’s continuing to get better, which is amazing considering what he’s already done in the game.”

Even so, Skenes has yet to defeat St. Louis in his short career. Despite a 2.39 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 37 2/3 innings over six starts against the Cardinals, Skenes has a 0-4 record in those contests. St. Louis has only managed 27 hits with seven walks against him.

Though his try for a game-winning walk-off home run was foiled by Church, Gonzales did extend his hitting streak to 10 games with a single earlier Wednesday night.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Hunter #Dobbins #set #Cardinals #debut #Pirates #Paul #Skenes">Deadspin | Hunter Dobbins set for Cardinals debut vs. Pirates, Paul Skenes  Apr 28, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA;  St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Hunter Dobbins (40) throws in the outfield before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images   Hunter Dobbins will go up against a formidable opposite number in his Cardinals debut on Thursday afternoon when St. Louis opposes the host Pittsburgh Pirates.  The 26-year-old right-hander will face the Pirates’ ace, reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes (4-1, 2.48 ERA).  St. Louis has won the first three contests of the four-game series after holding on for a 5-4 victory on Thursday night, which ended with Nathan Church leaping at the left field wall to snare Nick Gonzales’ long drive with a runner on.  Dobbins will be activated from the injured list to make a spot start with St. Louis in the team’s stretch of 17 games in 17 days. Dobbins has been on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis, where he went 3-0 with a 4.37 ERA in five starts.  The Texas Tech product is set to make his first major league appearance since last July, when he was a member of the Boston Red Sox and tore his right ACL during a fielding play. That injury and an elbow strain limited him to 61 innings as a rookie in 2025.  Dobbins will be trying to follow an outstanding start by Andre Pallante on Wednesday night, in which he allowed a run and five hits over six innings.  Dobbins went 4-1 with a 4.13 ERA, 17 walks and 45 strikeouts in 13 games (11 starts) for the Red Sox last year.  The Cardinals obtained Dobbins and two other pitching prospects when they traded Willson Contreras to Boston in December.  Dobbins faced only two of Pittsburgh’s current players last season. Jake Mangum singled against him as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays, and Ryan O’Hearn went 0-for-2 vs. Dobbins while playing for the Baltimore Orioles.   Skenes, who has 30 strikeouts and a 0.72 WHIP in 29 innings, is coming off a 6-0 win over the host Milwaukee Brewers on Friday in which he took a perfect game into the seventh. Jake Bauers’ two-out groundball single broke up the quest for perfection.  Skenes had to settle for seven innings of one-hit, scoring ball. He struck out a season-best seven, walked none and threw a season-high 93 pitches.  “That’s the best I’ve ever seen from anyone, I think,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said after the game.  Opponents are hitting .141 against Skenes this season. He held foes to a .198 average while winning NL Rookie of the Year in 2024 and a .199 average in his Cy Young campaign last season.  “I think sometimes we lose sight of the fact that he came up two years ago and he’s in his third season in the big leagues,” Pirates manager Don Kelly said. “He’s continuing to get better, which is amazing considering what he’s already done in the game.”  Even so, Skenes has yet to defeat St. Louis in his short career. Despite a 2.39 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 37 2/3 innings over six starts against the Cardinals, Skenes has a 0-4 record in those contests. St. Louis has only managed 27 hits with seven walks against him.  Though his try for a game-winning walk-off home run was foiled by Church, Gonzales did extend his hitting streak to 10 games with a single earlier Wednesday night.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Hunter #Dobbins #set #Cardinals #debut #Pirates #Paul #Skenes

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