NFL mock draft: 2nd round projection with 49ers on the clock The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, and it did not play out according to expectations.Fernando Mendoza came off the board at No. 1 to the Las Vegas Raiders, which was expected, but the draft began to veer into chaos-land shortly thereafter. Perhaps the biggest surprise came at No. 13, when the Los Angeles Rams addressed the future, not the present, and selected Ty Simpson as the eventual heir to Matthew Stafford’s throne.However, there are still 225 slots remaining in the 2026 NFL Draft, culminating with the Denver Broncos currently set to draft Mr. Irrelevant at pick No. 257. Check out our list of the best players still available after Day 1 here. Now that the dust has settled a bit from night one, here is a look at how the second round could unfold, with some thoughts following the picks.PickTeamPlayerPositionSchool33San Francisco 49ers (via NYJ)Denzel BostonWRWashington34Arizona CardinalsGarrett NussmeierQBLSU35Buffalo Bills (via TEN)Zion YoungEDGEMissouri36Las Vegas RaidersEmmanuel McNeil-WarrenSToledo37New York GiantsJermod McCoyCBTennessee38Houston Texans (via WAS)Kayden McDonaldDTOhio State39Cleveland BrownsA.J. HaulcySLSU40Kansas City ChiefsGermie BernardWRAlabama41Cincinnati BengalsAvieon TerrellCBClemson42New Orleans SaintsColton HoodCBTennessee43Miami DolphinsChris BellWRLouisville44New York Jets (via DAL)Brandon CisseCBSouth Carolina45Baltimore RavensCashius HowellEDGETexas A&M46Tampa Bay BuccaneersJacob RodriguezLBTexas Tech47Indianapolis ColtsCJ AllenLBGeorgia48Atlanta FalconsLee HunterDTTexas Tech49Minnesota VikingsTreydan StukesSArizona50Detroit LionsT.J. ParkerEDGEClemson51Carolina PanthersEli StowersTEVanderbilt52Green Bay PackersAnthony Hill Jr.LBTexas53Pittsburgh SteelersChristian MillerDTGeorgia54Philadelphia EaglesEmmanuel PregnonIOLOregon55Los Angeles ChargersChase BisontisIOLTexas A&M56Jacksonville JaguarsGabe JacasEDGEIllinois57Chicago BearsR Mason ThomasEDGEOklahoma58San Francisco 49ersDerrick MooreEDGEMichigan59Houston TexansKeionte ScottCBMiami60Chicago Bears (via BUF)Sam HechtIOLKansas State61Los Angeles RamsChris BrazzellWRTennessee62Denver BroncosJake GoldayLBCincinnati63New England PatriotsJosiah TrotterLBMissouri64Seattle SeahawksRomello HeightEDGETexas TechSan Francisco adds a wide receiverDenzel Boston was a popular selection near the end of mock drafts, often to the Buffalo Bills to give Josh Allen more help on the outside, but the Washington wide receiver slid out of the first round entirely.The San Francisco 49ers might be glad he did.While the 49ers did make some additions at wide receiver, including Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, questions remain regarding Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings. In Boston, the 49ers are getting a ball-winning receiver on the outside, and in San Francisco, Boston gets a chance to learn from one of the NFL’s best in Evans.Arizona gets their quarterbackMight this be too early for Garrett Nussmeier? Perhaps. But as we argued earlier this week, the revelation that Nussmeier was dealing with a cyst on his spine, which was pressing on a nerve and causing significant pain and discomfort, changes his evaluation.Nussmeier is still an undersized quarterback prospect, but the timing, rhythm, and anticipation he showed at LSU, particularly when healthy, is a strong foundation for his NFL journey. He also might be an ideal fit for what we expect this offense to look like under new head coach Mike LaFleur.Tampa Bay gets their Lavonte David replacementLavonte David’s retirement created a big hole in the heart of the Buccaneers’ defense.Tampa Bay fills that with linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, whose play-making skills and nose for the football saw him finish fifth in Heisman Trophy voting. He might give up the occasional big play in pass coverage, but his run-stopping skills and athleticism are fantastic building blocks for an NFL career.Jermod McCoy’s slide ends in New YorkOn film alone, Jermod McCoy’s draft profile is among the best in this entire class.However, as we saw last year with Will Johnson, injury concerns pushed McCoy out of the first round entirely. At some point, a team is going to accept the injury risk, and we think that will be John Harbaugh and the New York Giants tonight. McCoy’s 2024 tape is close to elite, with excellent footwork and movement skills. His press technique could use some refinement, but what I love about McCoy when he is in press alignment is his patience. He does not panic, and that trait was on display on this interception against Alabama:It’s one thing to stay calm as a press corner with the ball at midfield, it’s another to do so with your feet near the goal line. But this is a fantastic play from McCoy, who stays patient, is strong with the jam, and then gets his eyes and hand to the football.DeMeco Ryans gets more defensive helpLast season, the Houston Texans defense was terrifying.Imagine that defense … improving?In this mock draft, not only do the Texans get Kayden McDonald, one of the top defensive tackles in the class and a player who was in Pittsburgh as a potential first-round pick, but they add one of our favorite players in Keionte Scott, a slot corner who can create havoc all over the field. Just watch him blow up this screen against Texas A&M in the college football playoff:Or time up this blitz against Louisville:Dropping him into this Houston defense? That’s just mean. #NFL #mock #draft #2nd #projection #49ers #clock

NFL mock draft: 2nd round projection with 49ers on the clock
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, and it did not play out according to expectations.
Fernando Mendoza came off the board at No. 1 to the Las Vegas Raiders, which was expected, but the draft began to veer into chaos-land shortly thereafter. Perhaps the biggest surprise came at No. 13, when the Los Angeles Rams addressed the future, not the present, and selected Ty Simpson as the eventual heir to Matthew Stafford’s throne.
However, there are still 225 slots remaining in the 2026 NFL Draft, culminating with the Denver Broncos currently set to draft Mr. Irrelevant at pick No. 257. Check out our list of the best players still available after Day 1 here. Now that the dust has settled a bit from night one, here is a look at how the second round could unfold, with some thoughts following the picks.
Pick
Team
Player
Position
School
33 San Francisco 49ers (via NYJ) Denzel Boston WR Washington
34 Arizona Cardinals Garrett Nussmeier QB LSU
35 Buffalo Bills (via TEN) Zion Young EDGE Missouri
36 Las Vegas Raiders Emmanuel McNeil-Warren S Toledo
37 New York Giants Jermod McCoy CB Tennessee
38 Houston Texans (via WAS) Kayden McDonald DT Ohio State
39 Cleveland Browns A.J. Haulcy S LSU
40 Kansas City Chiefs Germie Bernard WR Alabama
41 Cincinnati Bengals Avieon Terrell CB Clemson
42 New Orleans Saints Colton Hood CB Tennessee
43 Miami Dolphins Chris Bell WR Louisville
44 New York Jets (via DAL) Brandon Cisse CB South Carolina
45 Baltimore Ravens Cashius Howell EDGE Texas A&M
46 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jacob Rodriguez LB Texas Tech
47 Indianapolis Colts CJ Allen LB Georgia
48 Atlanta Falcons Lee Hunter DT Texas Tech
49 Minnesota Vikings Treydan Stukes S Arizona
50 Detroit Lions T.J. Parker EDGE Clemson
51 Carolina Panthers Eli Stowers TE Vanderbilt
52 Green Bay Packers Anthony Hill Jr. LB Texas
53 Pittsburgh Steelers Christian Miller DT Georgia
54 Philadelphia Eagles Emmanuel Pregnon IOL Oregon
55 Los Angeles Chargers Chase Bisontis IOL Texas A&M
56 Jacksonville Jaguars Gabe Jacas EDGE Illinois
57 Chicago Bears R Mason Thomas EDGE Oklahoma
58 San Francisco 49ers Derrick Moore EDGE Michigan
59 Houston Texans Keionte Scott CB Miami
60 Chicago Bears (via BUF) Sam Hecht IOL Kansas State
61 Los Angeles Rams Chris Brazzell WR Tennessee
62 Denver Broncos Jake Golday LB Cincinnati
63 New England Patriots Josiah Trotter LB Missouri
64 Seattle Seahawks Romello Height EDGE Texas Tech
San Francisco adds a wide receiver
Denzel Boston was a popular selection near the end of mock drafts, often to the Buffalo Bills to give Josh Allen more help on the outside, but the Washington wide receiver slid out of the first round entirely.
The San Francisco 49ers might be glad he did.
While the 49ers did make some additions at wide receiver, including Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, questions remain regarding Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings. In Boston, the 49ers are getting a ball-winning receiver on the outside, and in San Francisco, Boston gets a chance to learn from one of the NFL’s best in Evans.
Arizona gets their quarterback
Might this be too early for Garrett Nussmeier? Perhaps. But as we argued earlier this week, the revelation that Nussmeier was dealing with a cyst on his spine, which was pressing on a nerve and causing significant pain and discomfort, changes his evaluation.
Nussmeier is still an undersized quarterback prospect, but the timing, rhythm, and anticipation he showed at LSU, particularly when healthy, is a strong foundation for his NFL journey. He also might be an ideal fit for what we expect this offense to look like under new head coach Mike LaFleur.
Tampa Bay gets their Lavonte David replacement
Lavonte David’s retirement created a big hole in the heart of the Buccaneers’ defense.
Tampa Bay fills that with linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, whose play-making skills and nose for the football saw him finish fifth in Heisman Trophy voting. He might give up the occasional big play in pass coverage, but his run-stopping skills and athleticism are fantastic building blocks for an NFL career.
Jermod McCoy’s slide ends in New York
On film alone, Jermod McCoy’s draft profile is among the best in this entire class.
However, as we saw last year with Will Johnson, injury concerns pushed McCoy out of the first round entirely. At some point, a team is going to accept the injury risk, and we think that will be John Harbaugh and the New York Giants tonight. McCoy’s 2024 tape is close to elite, with excellent footwork and movement skills. His press technique could use some refinement, but what I love about McCoy when he is in press alignment is his patience. He does not panic, and that trait was on display on this interception against Alabama:
It’s one thing to stay calm as a press corner with the ball at midfield, it’s another to do so with your feet near the goal line. But this is a fantastic play from McCoy, who stays patient, is strong with the jam, and then gets his eyes and hand to the football.
DeMeco Ryans gets more defensive help
Last season, the Houston Texans defense was terrifying.
Imagine that defense … improving?
In this mock draft, not only do the Texans get Kayden McDonald, one of the top defensive tackles in the class and a player who was in Pittsburgh as a potential first-round pick, but they add one of our favorite players in Keionte Scott, a slot corner who can create havoc all over the field. Just watch him blow up this screen against Texas A&M in the college football playoff:
Or time up this blitz against Louisville:
Dropping him into this Houston defense? That’s just mean.
#NFL #mock #draft #2nd #projection #49ers #clock

Sports news nfl April 24, 2026

The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, and it did not play out according to expectations.

Fernando Mendoza came off the board at No. 1 to the Las Vegas Raiders, which was expected, but the draft began to veer into chaos-land shortly thereafter. Perhaps the biggest surprise came at No. 13, when the Los Angeles Rams addressed the future, not the present, and selected Ty Simpson as the eventual heir to Matthew Stafford’s throne.

However, there are still 225 slots remaining in the 2026 NFL Draft, culminating with the Denver Broncos currently set to draft Mr. Irrelevant at pick No. 257. Check out our list of the best players still available after Day 1 here. Now that the dust has settled a bit from night one, here is a look at how the second round could unfold, with some thoughts following the picks.

Pick	Team	Player	Position	School
33	San Francisco 49ers (via NYJ)	Denzel Boston	WR	Washington
34	Arizona Cardinals	Garrett Nussmeier	QB	LSU
35	Buffalo Bills (via TEN)	Zion Young	EDGE	Missouri
36	Las Vegas Raiders	Emmanuel McNeil-Warren	S	Toledo
37	New York Giants	Jermod McCoy	CB	Tennessee
38	Houston Texans (via WAS)	Kayden McDonald	DT	Ohio State
39	Cleveland Browns	A.J. Haulcy	S	LSU
40	Kansas City Chiefs	Germie Bernard	WR	Alabama
41	Cincinnati Bengals	Avieon Terrell	CB	Clemson
42	New Orleans Saints	Colton Hood	CB	Tennessee
43	Miami Dolphins	Chris Bell	WR	Louisville
44	New York Jets (via DAL)	Brandon Cisse	CB	South Carolina
45	Baltimore Ravens	Cashius Howell	EDGE	Texas A&M
46	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Jacob Rodriguez	LB	Texas Tech
47	Indianapolis Colts	CJ Allen	LB	Georgia
48	Atlanta Falcons	Lee Hunter	DT	Texas Tech
49	Minnesota Vikings	Treydan Stukes	S	Arizona
50	Detroit Lions	T.J. Parker	EDGE	Clemson
51	Carolina Panthers	Eli Stowers	TE	Vanderbilt
52	Green Bay Packers	Anthony Hill Jr.	LB	Texas
53	Pittsburgh Steelers	Christian Miller	DT	Georgia
54	Philadelphia Eagles	Emmanuel Pregnon	IOL	Oregon
55	Los Angeles Chargers	Chase Bisontis	IOL	Texas A&M
56	Jacksonville Jaguars	Gabe Jacas	EDGE	Illinois
57	Chicago Bears	R Mason Thomas	EDGE	Oklahoma
58	San Francisco 49ers	Derrick Moore	EDGE	Michigan
59	Houston Texans	Keionte Scott	CB	Miami
60	Chicago Bears (via BUF)	Sam Hecht	IOL	Kansas State
61	Los Angeles Rams	Chris Brazzell	WR	Tennessee
62	Denver Broncos	Jake Golday	LB	Cincinnati
63	New England Patriots	Josiah Trotter	LB	Missouri
64	Seattle Seahawks	Romello Height	EDGE	Texas Tech

San Francisco adds a wide receiver

Denzel Boston was a popular selection near the end of mock drafts, often to the Buffalo Bills to give Josh Allen more help on the outside, but the Washington wide receiver slid out of the first round entirely.

The San Francisco 49ers might be glad he did.

While the 49ers did make some additions at wide receiver, including Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, questions remain regarding Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings. In Boston, the 49ers are getting a ball-winning receiver on the outside, and in San Francisco, Boston gets a chance to learn from one of the NFL’s best in Evans.

Arizona gets their quarterback

Might this be too early for Garrett Nussmeier? Perhaps. But as we argued earlier this week, the revelation that Nussmeier was dealing with a cyst on his spine, which was pressing on a nerve and causing significant pain and discomfort, changes his evaluation.

Nussmeier is still an undersized quarterback prospect, but the timing, rhythm, and anticipation he showed at LSU, particularly when healthy, is a strong foundation for his NFL journey. He also might be an ideal fit for what we expect this offense to look like under new head coach Mike LaFleur.

Tampa Bay gets their Lavonte David replacement

Lavonte David’s retirement created a big hole in the heart of the Buccaneers’ defense.

Tampa Bay fills that with linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, whose play-making skills and nose for the football saw him finish fifth in Heisman Trophy voting. He might give up the occasional big play in pass coverage, but his run-stopping skills and athleticism are fantastic building blocks for an NFL career.

Jermod McCoy’s slide ends in New York

On film alone, Jermod McCoy’s draft profile is among the best in this entire class.

However, as we saw last year with Will Johnson, injury concerns pushed McCoy out of the first round entirely. At some point, a team is going to accept the injury risk, and we think that will be John Harbaugh and the New York Giants tonight. McCoy’s 2024 tape is close to elite, with excellent footwork and movement skills. His press technique could use some refinement, but what I love about McCoy when he is in press alignment is his patience. He does not panic, and that trait was on display on this interception against Alabama:

It’s one thing to stay calm as a press corner with the ball at midfield, it’s another to do so with your feet near the goal line. But this is a fantastic play from McCoy, who stays patient, is strong with the jam, and then gets his eyes and hand to the football.

DeMeco Ryans gets more defensive help

Last season, the Houston Texans defense was terrifying.

Imagine that defense … improving?

In this mock draft, not only do the Texans get Kayden McDonald, one of the top defensive tackles in the class and a player who was in Pittsburgh as a potential first-round pick, but they add one of our favorite players in Keionte Scott, a slot corner who can create havoc all over the field. Just watch him blow up this screen against Texas A&M in the college football playoff:

Or time up this blitz against Louisville:

Dropping him into this Houston defense? That’s just mean.

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#NFL #mock #draft #2nd #projection #49ers #clock

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Flying Tulip Adds Withdrawal Circuit Breaker After DeFi Exploits

Deadspin | Surging teams collide as Marlins visit Giants Apr 18, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fourth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Two teams that have ridden strong pitching to recent success will meet Friday night when the Miami Marlins open a three-game road series against the San Francisco Giants. Right-handers Sandy Alcantara (2-2, 3.06 ERA) of the Marlins and Adrian Houser (0-2, 5.40) of the Giants will kick off a series pairing a Miami team that’s won three of its past four games and a San Francisco club that’s prevailed in five of seven. The Marlins used Thursday as a travel day following a home series win over the St. Louis Cardinals. With starters Max Meyer and Janson Junk allowing just four hits and two runs over 10 1/3 innings, Miami took the book-end games of the three-game set 5-3 and 4-1. Junk was pitching so well that after Wednesday’s game, Marlins manager Clayton McCullough had to defend his decision to send in a reliever to start the sixth inning. McCullough said the available relievers provided beneficial matchups for Miami. “As good as Janson was pitching,” McCullough said, “our best path today to nail down a win was to go that route.” After a brilliant start to the season in which he allowed a total of just two earned runs and 10 hits over 24 1/3 innings in three starts, Alcantara has fallen victim to minimal support in his past two outings, during which his teammates have given him just two runs in each, both losses. He’s never won at San Francisco, going 0-3 in five appearances, four as a starter. For his career, the 30-year-old is 1-3 with a 2.95 ERA against the Giants over eight games (seven starts). The Marlins hope a healthy Esteury Ruiz can help ignite their offense. He is expected to make his season debut in San Francisco after having suffered a strained left oblique late in spring training. A fifth-year major-leaguer, Ruiz enjoyed his best season across the San Francisco Bay in Oakland, when he stole 67 bases and hit .254 for the Athletics in 2023. Acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for prospect Adriano Marrero in December, Ruiz will be asked to tap into his entire arsenal. He had a home run, a single, a walk and two runs in his final rehab outing at Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday. To make room on the roster for Ruiz, the Marlins designated outfielder Austin Slater for assignment. He spent the first seven-plus seasons of his career in San Francisco, where he was a fan favorite. In 593 games with the Giants, he hit .254, slugged 39 home runs and stole 47 bases. He hadn’t homered in 12 games for the Marlins this season and was hitting just .174 in his first season with them. The Giants won two of three games against the Dodgers but lost 3-0 on Thursday. Landen Roupp and Tyler Mahle pitched San Francisco to 3-1 and 3-0 wins, respectively, in the first two contests before Logan Webb was a hard-luck loser in the finale. Giants manager Tony Vitello said he was impressed by his team’s performance vs. the Dodgers and hopes for repeat efforts against the Marlins. “There’s a lot of firepower,” Vitello noted about the Dodgers after Thursday’s loss. “To hold the entire lineup down for three straight days is just not something you’d go to Vegas and roll the dice on.” Houser has yet to win in four starts in his first season with the Giants after spending last year with the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. He’s never lost to the Marlins, going 3-0 with a 3.22 ERA in five career outings, three as a starter. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Surging #teams #collide #Marlins #visit #Giants

#Deadspin #Surging #teams #collide #Marlins #visit #Giants">

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Apr 18, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fourth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Two teams that have ridden strong pitching to recent success will meet Friday night when the Miami Marlins open a three-game road series against the San Francisco Giants.

Right-handers Sandy Alcantara (2-2, 3.06 ERA) of the Marlins and Adrian Houser (0-2, 5.40) of the Giants will kick off a series pairing a Miami team that’s won three of its past four games and a San Francisco club that’s prevailed in five of seven.

The Marlins used Thursday as a travel day following a home series win over the St. Louis Cardinals. With starters Max Meyer and Janson Junk allowing just four hits and two runs over 10 1/3 innings, Miami took the book-end games of the three-game set 5-3 and 4-1.

Junk was pitching so well that after Wednesday’s game, Marlins manager Clayton McCullough had to defend his decision to send in a reliever to start the sixth inning. McCullough said the available relievers provided beneficial matchups for Miami.

“As good as Janson was pitching,” McCullough said, “our best path today to nail down a win was to go that route.”

After a brilliant start to the season in which he allowed a total of just two earned runs and 10 hits over 24 1/3 innings in three starts, Alcantara has fallen victim to minimal support in his past two outings, during which his teammates have given him just two runs in each, both losses.

He’s never won at San Francisco, going 0-3 in five appearances, four as a starter. For his career, the 30-year-old is 1-3 with a 2.95 ERA against the Giants over eight games (seven starts).

The Marlins hope a healthy Esteury Ruiz can help ignite their offense. He is expected to make his season debut in San Francisco after having suffered a strained left oblique late in spring training.

A fifth-year major-leaguer, Ruiz enjoyed his best season across the San Francisco Bay in Oakland, when he stole 67 bases and hit .254 for the Athletics in 2023.

Acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for prospect Adriano Marrero in December, Ruiz will be asked to tap into his entire arsenal.

He had a home run, a single, a walk and two runs in his final rehab outing at Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

To make room on the roster for Ruiz, the Marlins designated outfielder Austin Slater for assignment. He spent the first seven-plus seasons of his career in San Francisco, where he was a fan favorite. In 593 games with the Giants, he hit .254, slugged 39 home runs and stole 47 bases.

He hadn’t homered in 12 games for the Marlins this season and was hitting just .174 in his first season with them.

The Giants won two of three games against the Dodgers but lost 3-0 on Thursday. Landen Roupp and Tyler Mahle pitched San Francisco to 3-1 and 3-0 wins, respectively, in the first two contests before Logan Webb was a hard-luck loser in the finale.

Giants manager Tony Vitello said he was impressed by his team’s performance vs. the Dodgers and hopes for repeat efforts against the Marlins.

“There’s a lot of firepower,” Vitello noted about the Dodgers after Thursday’s loss. “To hold the entire lineup down for three straight days is just not something you’d go to Vegas and roll the dice on.”

Houser has yet to win in four starts in his first season with the Giants after spending last year with the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. He’s never lost to the Marlins, going 3-0 with a 3.22 ERA in five career outings, three as a starter.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Surging #teams #collide #Marlins #visit #Giants">Deadspin | Surging teams collide as Marlins visit Giants

Apr 18, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (22) delivers a pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers during the fourth inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Two teams that have ridden strong pitching to recent success will meet Friday night when the Miami Marlins open a three-game road series against the San Francisco Giants.

Right-handers Sandy Alcantara (2-2, 3.06 ERA) of the Marlins and Adrian Houser (0-2, 5.40) of the Giants will kick off a series pairing a Miami team that’s won three of its past four games and a San Francisco club that’s prevailed in five of seven.

The Marlins used Thursday as a travel day following a home series win over the St. Louis Cardinals. With starters Max Meyer and Janson Junk allowing just four hits and two runs over 10 1/3 innings, Miami took the book-end games of the three-game set 5-3 and 4-1.

Junk was pitching so well that after Wednesday’s game, Marlins manager Clayton McCullough had to defend his decision to send in a reliever to start the sixth inning. McCullough said the available relievers provided beneficial matchups for Miami.

“As good as Janson was pitching,” McCullough said, “our best path today to nail down a win was to go that route.”

After a brilliant start to the season in which he allowed a total of just two earned runs and 10 hits over 24 1/3 innings in three starts, Alcantara has fallen victim to minimal support in his past two outings, during which his teammates have given him just two runs in each, both losses.

He’s never won at San Francisco, going 0-3 in five appearances, four as a starter. For his career, the 30-year-old is 1-3 with a 2.95 ERA against the Giants over eight games (seven starts).

The Marlins hope a healthy Esteury Ruiz can help ignite their offense. He is expected to make his season debut in San Francisco after having suffered a strained left oblique late in spring training.

A fifth-year major-leaguer, Ruiz enjoyed his best season across the San Francisco Bay in Oakland, when he stole 67 bases and hit .254 for the Athletics in 2023.

Acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers for prospect Adriano Marrero in December, Ruiz will be asked to tap into his entire arsenal.

He had a home run, a single, a walk and two runs in his final rehab outing at Triple-A Jacksonville on Wednesday.

To make room on the roster for Ruiz, the Marlins designated outfielder Austin Slater for assignment. He spent the first seven-plus seasons of his career in San Francisco, where he was a fan favorite. In 593 games with the Giants, he hit .254, slugged 39 home runs and stole 47 bases.

He hadn’t homered in 12 games for the Marlins this season and was hitting just .174 in his first season with them.

The Giants won two of three games against the Dodgers but lost 3-0 on Thursday. Landen Roupp and Tyler Mahle pitched San Francisco to 3-1 and 3-0 wins, respectively, in the first two contests before Logan Webb was a hard-luck loser in the finale.

Giants manager Tony Vitello said he was impressed by his team’s performance vs. the Dodgers and hopes for repeat efforts against the Marlins.

“There’s a lot of firepower,” Vitello noted about the Dodgers after Thursday’s loss. “To hold the entire lineup down for three straight days is just not something you’d go to Vegas and roll the dice on.”

Houser has yet to win in four starts in his first season with the Giants after spending last year with the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. He’s never lost to the Marlins, going 3-0 with a 3.22 ERA in five career outings, three as a starter.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Surging #teams #collide #Marlins #visit #Giants

IPL 2026, RR vs SRH: Royals hope not to repeat mistakes from away leg even as Cummins returns to lead Sunrisers A fortnight is a long time in a fast-moving tournament like the Indian Premier League.Two weeks ago, the Rajasthan Royals was on top of the world, having won its first four IPL 2026 games. Around the same time, Sunrisers Hyderabad was floundering, having lost four of its five games.But, as the two teams come together at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday for the first game of the season in Jaipur, the narrative has transformed.Over their last three games, the Royals have tasted the bitterness of the law of averages, as their seemingly hypersonic top-order has screeched to a near halt.Consecutive failures by openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have denied the Royals an early launch, exposing their undercooked middle-order.Incidentally, the first team to apply the brakes on the Jai-Soorya duo was SRH, in their first meeting of the season in Hyderabad.Riding on four-wicket hauls from debutant pacers Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain, the Sunrisers had handed Royals their first defeat of the season.READ: The boy who asked for more: Behind the rise of Vaibhav SooryavanshiThe Royals then suffered another away defeat, to Kolkata Knight Riders, before recuperating with a hard-fought win against Lucknow Super Giants.Meanwhile, SRH has added two more wins to its kitty – against Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings – and now finds itself fourth in the table.Adding fuel to its momentum, full-time captain Pat Cummins has returned from injury and will make his first appearance of the season in Jaipur.For rival skipper Riyan Parag, IPL 2026 has been a mixed bag. With the bat, he has cut a sorry figure, aggregating just 81 runs from seven innings.But, on the leadership front, Parag has shone, marshalling his side adeptly to win five out of seven games and occupy the second spot in the standings.The sharpest tool at Parag’s disposal has been the express-pace duo of Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger. Rajasthan Royals’ Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger celebrate after winning against Lucknow Super Giants.
| Photo Credit:
PTI

Rajasthan Royals’ Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger celebrate after winning against Lucknow Super Giants.
| Photo Credit:
PTI
With their combined prowess with the new ball, Royals have claimed 18 wickets in the PowerPlay, the most by any team in IPL 2026.On Saturday, the Archer-Burger axis will look to unsettle SRH’s in-form opener Abhishek Sharma, who smashed a blazing hundred (135*) against Delhi Capitals in the last game.On the opposite corner, Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi would be on the lookout for payback against Hinge and Sakib.Both these early-game tussles and their outcomes could determine the course of Saturday’s game. The Jaipur crowd, which had to wait half a season to watch its team in flesh, would naturally be yearning for the game to swing the Royals’ way.Published on Apr 24, 2026 #IPL #SRH #Royals #hope #repeat #mistakes #leg #Cummins #returns #lead #Sunrisers — Rajasthan Royals’ Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger celebrate after winning against Lucknow Super Giants. | Photo Credit: PTI

#IPL #SRH #Royals #hope #repeat #mistakes #leg #Cummins #returns #lead #Sunrisers">

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A fortnight is a long time in a fast-moving tournament like the Indian Premier League.
Two weeks ago, the Rajasthan Royals was on top of the world, having won its first four IPL 2026 games. Around the same time, Sunrisers Hyderabad was floundering, having lost four of its five games.
But, as the two teams come together at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday for the first game of the season in Jaipur, the narrative has transformed.
Over their last three games, the Royals have tasted the bitterness of the law of averages, as their seemingly hypersonic top-order has screeched to a near halt.
Consecutive failures by openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have denied the Royals an early launch, exposing their undercooked middle-order.
Incidentally, the first team to apply the brakes on the Jai-Soorya duo was SRH, in their first meeting of the season in Hyderabad.
Riding on four-wicket hauls from debutant pacers Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain, the Sunrisers had handed Royals their first defeat of the season.
READ: The boy who asked for more: Behind the rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
The Royals then suffered another away defeat, to Kolkata Knight Riders, before recuperating with a hard-fought win against Lucknow Super Giants.
Meanwhile, SRH has added two more wins to its kitty – against Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings – and now finds itself fourth in the table.
Adding fuel to its momentum, full-time captain Pat Cummins has returned from injury and will make his first appearance of the season in Jaipur.
For rival skipper Riyan Parag, IPL 2026 has been a mixed bag. With the bat, he has cut a sorry figure, aggregating just 81 runs from seven innings.
But, on the leadership front, Parag has shone, marshalling his side adeptly to win five out of seven games and occupy the second spot in the standings.
The sharpest tool at Parag’s disposal has been the express-pace duo of Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger.
Rajasthan Royals’ Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger celebrate after winning against Lucknow Super Giants. | Photo Credit: PTI
Rajasthan Royals’ Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger celebrate after winning against Lucknow Super Giants. | Photo Credit: PTI
With their combined prowess with the new ball, Royals have claimed 18 wickets in the PowerPlay, the most by any team in IPL 2026.
On Saturday, the Archer-Burger axis will look to unsettle SRH’s in-form opener Abhishek Sharma, who smashed a blazing hundred (135*) against Delhi Capitals in the last game.
On the opposite corner, Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi would be on the lookout for payback against Hinge and Sakib.
Both these early-game tussles and their outcomes could determine the course of Saturday’s game. The Jaipur crowd, which had to wait half a season to watch its team in flesh, would naturally be yearning for the game to swing the Royals’ way.
Published on Apr 24, 2026

#IPL #SRH #Royals #hope #repeat #mistakes #leg #Cummins #returns #lead #Sunrisers">IPL 2026, RR vs SRH: Royals hope not to repeat mistakes from away leg even as Cummins returns to lead Sunrisers

A fortnight is a long time in a fast-moving tournament like the Indian Premier League.

Two weeks ago, the Rajasthan Royals was on top of the world, having won its first four IPL 2026 games. Around the same time, Sunrisers Hyderabad was floundering, having lost four of its five games.

But, as the two teams come together at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Saturday for the first game of the season in Jaipur, the narrative has transformed.

Over their last three games, the Royals have tasted the bitterness of the law of averages, as their seemingly hypersonic top-order has screeched to a near halt.

Consecutive failures by openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi have denied the Royals an early launch, exposing their undercooked middle-order.

Incidentally, the first team to apply the brakes on the Jai-Soorya duo was SRH, in their first meeting of the season in Hyderabad.

Riding on four-wicket hauls from debutant pacers Praful Hinge and Sakib Hussain, the Sunrisers had handed Royals their first defeat of the season.

READ: The boy who asked for more: Behind the rise of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

The Royals then suffered another away defeat, to Kolkata Knight Riders, before recuperating with a hard-fought win against Lucknow Super Giants.

Meanwhile, SRH has added two more wins to its kitty – against Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings – and now finds itself fourth in the table.

Adding fuel to its momentum, full-time captain Pat Cummins has returned from injury and will make his first appearance of the season in Jaipur.

For rival skipper Riyan Parag, IPL 2026 has been a mixed bag. With the bat, he has cut a sorry figure, aggregating just 81 runs from seven innings.

But, on the leadership front, Parag has shone, marshalling his side adeptly to win five out of seven games and occupy the second spot in the standings.

The sharpest tool at Parag’s disposal has been the express-pace duo of Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger.

Rajasthan Royals’ Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger celebrate after winning against Lucknow Super Giants. | Photo Credit: PTI

Rajasthan Royals’ Brijesh Sharma, Jofra Archer, and Nandre Burger celebrate after winning against Lucknow Super Giants. | Photo Credit: PTI

With their combined prowess with the new ball, Royals have claimed 18 wickets in the PowerPlay, the most by any team in IPL 2026.

On Saturday, the Archer-Burger axis will look to unsettle SRH’s in-form opener Abhishek Sharma, who smashed a blazing hundred (135*) against Delhi Capitals in the last game.

On the opposite corner, Jaiswal and Sooryavanshi would be on the lookout for payback against Hinge and Sakib.

Both these early-game tussles and their outcomes could determine the course of Saturday’s game. The Jaipur crowd, which had to wait half a season to watch its team in flesh, would naturally be yearning for the game to swing the Royals’ way.

Published on Apr 24, 2026

#IPL #SRH #Royals #hope #repeat #mistakes #leg #Cummins #returns #lead #Sunrisers

Deadspin | Cubs bring 9-game win streak into opener vs. Dodgers Apr 23, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) hits a walk-off single against the Philadelphia Phillies during the tenth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images The Chicago Cubs carry the longest winning streak in the major leagues into the opener of a three-game road series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night in a battle of division leaders. Chicago extended its winning streak to nine games with an 8-7 victory in 10 innings over the Philadelphia Phillies (nine straight losses) on Thursday. “A nine-game winning streak is unusual,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “You could say we’ve done it against teams that are struggling. But hopefully we are part of that. That’s what I would like to say, that we have made it tough on them.” Despite injuries that have thinned both the rotation and bullpen, Chicago — which is tied with Cincinnati for the National League Central lead — has thrived behind a strong defense. According to FanGraphs, the Cubs lead the majors in defensive runs saved with 12. Starting pitcher Cade Horton and reliever Porter Hodge are out for the season with UCL injuries. Closer Daniel Palencia (left oblique strain) and relievers Phil Maton (right knee), Hunter Harvey (right triceps) and Ethan Roberts (finger laceration) are on the 15-day injured list. Cubs left-hander Caleb Thielbar exited in the ninth inning Thursday after appearing to injure his leg. “It’s left hamstring tightness,” Counsell said. “He felt it tightened up on him when he was out there.” Michael Busch launched a three-run home run, and Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki each drilled a solo shot to pace an 18-hit Cubs attack on Thursday. Nico Hoerner leads the Cubs in batting average (.304), RBIs (22), hits (31) and doubles (seven). The Cubs are tied for fifth in the majors in homers with 32. “You have to hit home runs in this game to be a good offensive team,” Counsell said. “That’s for sure. I think we have been a well-rounded offensive group so far.” Right-hander Jameson Taillon (1-1, 3.97 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Cubs on Friday. In his last outing, he allowed one run on five hits over six innings, walking three and striking out four in a 4-2 win Saturday over the New York Mets. He is 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers — tied with San Diego atop the NL West — who will start right-hander Emmet Sheehan (2-0, 5.85) on Friday. Sheehan didn’t factor into the decision in his last start on Saturday despite allowing two runs on four hits over five innings in a 4-3 loss against the Colorado Rockies. Friday will mark Sheehan’s first career appearance against Chicago. The right-hander won his previous two outings this season before Saturday. “The last three outings, each of them Emmet has gotten better,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “(He’s had a) lot better quality of pitch making. The stuff. That’s something for us to build on.” Andy Pages leads Los Angeles in batting average (.337), hits (30) and RBIs (21). Max Muncy leads the Dodgers with eight homers. Los Angeles staved off a sweep by the San Francisco Giants with a 3-0 road win on Thursday. Former Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker signed a four-year, 0 million contract with the Dodgers in the offseason. Tucker started the series against the Giants in a 0-for-8 hole, was moved down to the cleanup spot and had two singles. “Being there is fine,” Tucker said. “Wherever I am in the lineup, I want to help the team win. It’s been a little bit of a grind.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Cubs #bring #9game #win #streak #opener #Dodgers

#Deadspin #Cubs #bring #9game #win #streak #opener #Dodgers">

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Apr 23, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) hits a walk-off single against the Philadelphia Phillies during the tenth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

The Chicago Cubs carry the longest winning streak in the major leagues into the opener of a three-game road series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night in a battle of division leaders.

Chicago extended its winning streak to nine games with an 8-7 victory in 10 innings over the Philadelphia Phillies (nine straight losses) on Thursday.

“A nine-game winning streak is unusual,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “You could say we’ve done it against teams that are struggling. But hopefully we are part of that. That’s what I would like to say, that we have made it tough on them.”

Despite injuries that have thinned both the rotation and bullpen, Chicago — which is tied with Cincinnati for the National League Central lead — has thrived behind a strong defense. According to FanGraphs, the Cubs lead the majors in defensive runs saved with 12.

Starting pitcher Cade Horton and reliever Porter Hodge are out for the season with UCL injuries. Closer Daniel Palencia (left oblique strain) and relievers Phil Maton (right knee), Hunter Harvey (right triceps) and Ethan Roberts (finger laceration) are on the 15-day injured list.

Cubs left-hander Caleb Thielbar exited in the ninth inning Thursday after appearing to injure his leg.

“It’s left hamstring tightness,” Counsell said. “He felt it tightened up on him when he was out there.”

Michael Busch launched a three-run home run, and Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki each drilled a solo shot to pace an 18-hit Cubs attack on Thursday. Nico Hoerner leads the Cubs in batting average (.304), RBIs (22), hits (31) and doubles (seven).

The Cubs are tied for fifth in the majors in homers with 32.

“You have to hit home runs in this game to be a good offensive team,” Counsell said. “That’s for sure. I think we have been a well-rounded offensive group so far.”

Right-hander Jameson Taillon (1-1, 3.97 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Cubs on Friday. In his last outing, he allowed one run on five hits over six innings, walking three and striking out four in a 4-2 win Saturday over the New York Mets.

He is 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers — tied with San Diego atop the NL West — who will start right-hander Emmet Sheehan (2-0, 5.85) on Friday.

Sheehan didn’t factor into the decision in his last start on Saturday despite allowing two runs on four hits over five innings in a 4-3 loss against the Colorado Rockies.

Friday will mark Sheehan’s first career appearance against Chicago. The right-hander won his previous two outings this season before Saturday.

“The last three outings, each of them Emmet has gotten better,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “(He’s had a) lot better quality of pitch making. The stuff. That’s something for us to build on.”

Andy Pages leads Los Angeles in batting average (.337), hits (30) and RBIs (21). Max Muncy leads the Dodgers with eight homers.

Los Angeles staved off a sweep by the San Francisco Giants with a 3-0 road win on Thursday.

Former Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker signed a four-year, $240 million contract with the Dodgers in the offseason. Tucker started the series against the Giants in a 0-for-8 hole, was moved down to the cleanup spot and had two singles.

“Being there is fine,” Tucker said. “Wherever I am in the lineup, I want to help the team win. It’s been a little bit of a grind.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Cubs #bring #9game #win #streak #opener #Dodgers">Deadspin | Cubs bring 9-game win streak into opener vs. Dodgers

Apr 23, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) hits a walk-off single against the Philadelphia Phillies during the tenth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

The Chicago Cubs carry the longest winning streak in the major leagues into the opener of a three-game road series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night in a battle of division leaders.

Chicago extended its winning streak to nine games with an 8-7 victory in 10 innings over the Philadelphia Phillies (nine straight losses) on Thursday.

“A nine-game winning streak is unusual,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “You could say we’ve done it against teams that are struggling. But hopefully we are part of that. That’s what I would like to say, that we have made it tough on them.”

Despite injuries that have thinned both the rotation and bullpen, Chicago — which is tied with Cincinnati for the National League Central lead — has thrived behind a strong defense. According to FanGraphs, the Cubs lead the majors in defensive runs saved with 12.

Starting pitcher Cade Horton and reliever Porter Hodge are out for the season with UCL injuries. Closer Daniel Palencia (left oblique strain) and relievers Phil Maton (right knee), Hunter Harvey (right triceps) and Ethan Roberts (finger laceration) are on the 15-day injured list.

Cubs left-hander Caleb Thielbar exited in the ninth inning Thursday after appearing to injure his leg.

“It’s left hamstring tightness,” Counsell said. “He felt it tightened up on him when he was out there.”

Michael Busch launched a three-run home run, and Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki each drilled a solo shot to pace an 18-hit Cubs attack on Thursday. Nico Hoerner leads the Cubs in batting average (.304), RBIs (22), hits (31) and doubles (seven).

The Cubs are tied for fifth in the majors in homers with 32.

“You have to hit home runs in this game to be a good offensive team,” Counsell said. “That’s for sure. I think we have been a well-rounded offensive group so far.”

Right-hander Jameson Taillon (1-1, 3.97 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Cubs on Friday. In his last outing, he allowed one run on five hits over six innings, walking three and striking out four in a 4-2 win Saturday over the New York Mets.

He is 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers — tied with San Diego atop the NL West — who will start right-hander Emmet Sheehan (2-0, 5.85) on Friday.

Sheehan didn’t factor into the decision in his last start on Saturday despite allowing two runs on four hits over five innings in a 4-3 loss against the Colorado Rockies.

Friday will mark Sheehan’s first career appearance against Chicago. The right-hander won his previous two outings this season before Saturday.

“The last three outings, each of them Emmet has gotten better,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “(He’s had a) lot better quality of pitch making. The stuff. That’s something for us to build on.”

Andy Pages leads Los Angeles in batting average (.337), hits (30) and RBIs (21). Max Muncy leads the Dodgers with eight homers.

Los Angeles staved off a sweep by the San Francisco Giants with a 3-0 road win on Thursday.

Former Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker signed a four-year, $240 million contract with the Dodgers in the offseason. Tucker started the series against the Giants in a 0-for-8 hole, was moved down to the cleanup spot and had two singles.

“Being there is fine,” Tucker said. “Wherever I am in the lineup, I want to help the team win. It’s been a little bit of a grind.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Cubs #bring #9game #win #streak #opener #Dodgers

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