R Praggnanandhaa dominates Anish Giri to bag win in FIDE Candidates 2026, Round 1; Divya, Vaishali claim draws

R Praggnanandhaa dominates Anish Giri to bag win in FIDE Candidates 2026, Round 1; Divya, Vaishali claim draws

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Round one of the FIDE Candidates 2026, which will determine the challenger for the World Championship, saw Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa defeat higher-ranked Anish Giri to begin his campaign on a high.

Praggnanandhaa stretched the contest deep into the endgame, steadily putting Giri under pressure. After nearly 40 moves, the Indian held a decisive advantage with a pawn advantage, effectively shutting down Giri’s chances.

In the most high-profile clash of the day, USA’s Fabiano Caruana trumped compatriot Hikaru Nakamura in a chaotic game that was longest one of the opening round.

Elsewhere in the Open section, Javokhir Sindarov beat Andrey Esipenko, while Wei Yi played out a draw against Matthias Bluebaum.

In the women’s section, the youngest participant of this edition, Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh, looked sharp in the opening phase, but Anna Muzychuk, who entered the tournament just a week earlier following Koneru Humpy’s withdrawal, kept her composure.

Muzychuk neutralised Divya’s aggression with timely exchanges. The game eventually ended in a draw, with neither player able to create a winning chance.

In another game, R Vaishali, playing in her second successive Candidates alongside her brother Praggnanandhaa, opted for a safer approach against Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva.

HIGHLIGHTS – Candidates Round 1

At the end of the middle game, Vaishali found herself in a sticky position, with the clock running down on her. But, the Indian GM found the right move with just seconds to spare to take the game into the add-on time of 30 minutes.

As pieces were gradually exchanged and the game transitioned into a major-piece endgame, the outcome became inevitable, with the players agreeing to a draw.

The all-Chinese contest between Zhu Jiner and Tan Zhongyi ebbed and flowed, with Zhu pressing early and Tan taking control in the middlegame by centralising her queen.

After 40 moves, the queens were traded, with Tan still two pawns up. Zhu then played Qe1 to consolidate before pushing forward with her remaining pieces, closing in on Tan’s king. The players eventually agreed to a draw.

Kateryna Lagno also managed a draw against Aleksandra Goryachkina.

The results (first round):

Javokhir Sindarov (Uzb) bt Andrey Esipenko (Rus); Matthias Bluebaum (Ger) drew with Wei Yi (Chn); R. Praggnanandhaa bt Anish Giri (Ned); Fabaino Caruana (USA) bt Hikaru Nakamura (USA).

Women: Divya Deshmukh drew with Anna Muzychuk (Ukr); R. Vaishali Rameshbabu drew with Bibisara Assaubayeva (Kaz); Aleksandra Goryachkina (Rus) Kateryna Lagno (Rus); Zhu Jiner (Chn) drew with Tan Zhongyi (Chn).

Published on Mar 29, 2026

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Deadspin | Report: Ravens’ Nnamdi Madubuike could return in ’26 Dec 15, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (92) is flagged for roughing the passer on New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images The Baltimore Ravens are optimistic that standout defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike could return this season from what was considered a career-threatening neck injury he suffered in Week 2 of the 2025 season, ESPN reported Tuesday. Per the report, Madubuike underwent neck surgery last week, with doctors telling the team that they thought he could return in 2026. Without him manning the defensive line last season, the Ravens defense was 24th in the NFL and had trouble pressuring opposing quarterbacks. The Ravens had just 30 sacks for 189 yards in 2025, a huge drop from 2023 (60 sacks, 454 yards) and 2024 (54, 318). Both the Ravens and Madubuike have been mum about his future since the injury, but it was known that the two-time Pro Bowl selection was taking part in Baltimore’s offseason workouts. A third-round draft pick by Baltimore out of Texas A&M, Madubuike has 30 career sacks and 69 QB hits in 78 games (66 starts). He also has 203 career tackles and two forced fumbles. “Not having Nnamdi this year was a horrible situation for our team,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said after the Ravens finished their season 8-9 and did not make the playoffs. “I think it affected us in different ways — in many ways. He is a great player, a great person, a special person.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Report #Ravens #Nnamdi #Madubuike #returnDec 15, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (92) is flagged for roughing the passer on New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

The Baltimore Ravens are optimistic that standout defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike could return this season from what was considered a career-threatening neck injury he suffered in Week 2 of the 2025 season, ESPN reported Tuesday.

Per the report, Madubuike underwent neck surgery last week, with doctors telling the team that they thought he could return in 2026.

Without him manning the defensive line last season, the Ravens defense was 24th in the NFL and had trouble pressuring opposing quarterbacks. The Ravens had just 30 sacks for 189 yards in 2025, a huge drop from 2023 (60 sacks, 454 yards) and 2024 (54, 318).

Both the Ravens and Madubuike have been mum about his future since the injury, but it was known that the two-time Pro Bowl selection was taking part in Baltimore’s offseason workouts.


A third-round draft pick by Baltimore out of Texas A&M, Madubuike has 30 career sacks and 69 QB hits in 78 games (66 starts).

He also has 203 career tackles and two forced fumbles.

“Not having Nnamdi this year was a horrible situation for our team,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said after the Ravens finished their season 8-9 and did not make the playoffs.

“I think it affected us in different ways — in many ways. He is a great player, a great person, a special person.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Report #Ravens #Nnamdi #Madubuike #return">Deadspin | Report: Ravens’ Nnamdi Madubuike could return in ’26 Dec 15, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike (92) is flagged for roughing the passer on New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images The Baltimore Ravens are optimistic that standout defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike could return this season from what was considered a career-threatening neck injury he suffered in Week 2 of the 2025 season, ESPN reported Tuesday. Per the report, Madubuike underwent neck surgery last week, with doctors telling the team that they thought he could return in 2026. Without him manning the defensive line last season, the Ravens defense was 24th in the NFL and had trouble pressuring opposing quarterbacks. The Ravens had just 30 sacks for 189 yards in 2025, a huge drop from 2023 (60 sacks, 454 yards) and 2024 (54, 318). Both the Ravens and Madubuike have been mum about his future since the injury, but it was known that the two-time Pro Bowl selection was taking part in Baltimore’s offseason workouts. A third-round draft pick by Baltimore out of Texas A&M, Madubuike has 30 career sacks and 69 QB hits in 78 games (66 starts). He also has 203 career tackles and two forced fumbles. “Not having Nnamdi this year was a horrible situation for our team,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said after the Ravens finished their season 8-9 and did not make the playoffs. “I think it affected us in different ways — in many ways. He is a great player, a great person, a special person.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Report #Ravens #Nnamdi #Madubuike #return

Chennaiyin FC’s wait for back-to-back victories in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 season, and for its first win over bottom-placed Mohammedan FC, continued after it played out a goalless draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Tuesday.

The conditions were demanding, but Chennaiyin’s evening was marked more by a lack of urgency than by the weather, as Mohammedan grew in belief and came away with a deserved point.

It was the visitor who asked most of the early questions in a game short on clear openings. Hira Mondal came closest to breaking the deadlock. After Makan Chothe cut the ball onto his left foot and delivered an inviting cross, Hira arrived at the back post and guided his effort goalwards, only for Mohammad Nawaz to get his fingertips to it and keep Chennaiyin level. Soon after, Mahitosh Roy’s cross from the left picked out Hira again, but this time he could not keep his header down.

While Chothe remained a lively outlet in attack, Mohammedan’s defence was equally committed. Juwel Mazumder produced a crucial goal-line clearance towards the end of the first half after Mandar Dessai, on for the injured Klusner Pereira, sent in a cross from the left that found Imran Khan, whose effort looked destined to test the goalkeeper.

ALSO READ | Owen Coyle: India should make use of more talents from overseas like Ryan Williams

Imran was Chennaiyin’s most industrious player, covering ground and trying to inject urgency into an attack that too often lacked conviction. Klusner’s debut, however, ended prematurely after he picked up a knock.

Mohammedan goalkeeper Padam Chettri looked uneasy in the opening exchanges, failing to gather the ball cleanly on more than one occasion. Chennaiyin did show brief promise in patches, with Imran linking up neatly with Chima before Maheson Singh was found in a dangerous area, but the latter’s heavy first touch took the ball away from him, and the move ended only in a corner.

The second half brought more frustration than fluency for the home side. There was a moment of encouragement when local youngster Prakadeswaran found space in the middle of the box, but the 19-year-old could not bring the ball under control, and the chance slipped away. It was a miss that summed up Chennaiyin’s evening, especially as some of its more experienced players struggled to impose themselves as well.

Mohammedan continued to threaten sporadically. Chothe cut inside and combined quickly before dragging a long-range effort over the bar.

Then, with about 10 minutes remaining, Irfan floated in a cross with the outside of his boot, but Chima failed to hit the target, mistiming his volley for the second time in the match.

In the end, Chennaiyin did not do enough to force the issue, while Mohammedan may feel that, with greater composure in front of goal, it could have taken all three points.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

#ISL #Mohammedan #holds #sluggish #Chennaiyin #goalless #draw">ISL 2025-26: Mohammedan SC holds sluggish Chennaiyin FC to goalless draw Chennaiyin FC’s wait for back-to-back victories in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 season, and for its first win over bottom-placed Mohammedan FC, continued after it played out a goalless draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Tuesday.The conditions were demanding, but Chennaiyin’s evening was marked more by a lack of urgency than by the weather, as Mohammedan grew in belief and came away with a deserved point.It was the visitor who asked most of the early questions in a game short on clear openings. Hira Mondal came closest to breaking the deadlock. After Makan Chothe cut the ball onto his left foot and delivered an inviting cross, Hira arrived at the back post and guided his effort goalwards, only for Mohammad Nawaz to get his fingertips to it and keep Chennaiyin level. Soon after, Mahitosh Roy’s cross from the left picked out Hira again, but this time he could not keep his header down.While Chothe remained a lively outlet in attack, Mohammedan’s defence was equally committed. Juwel Mazumder produced a crucial goal-line clearance towards the end of the first half after Mandar Dessai, on for the injured Klusner Pereira, sent in a cross from the left that found Imran Khan, whose effort looked destined to test the goalkeeper.ALSO READ | Owen Coyle: India should make use of more talents from overseas like Ryan WilliamsImran was Chennaiyin’s most industrious player, covering ground and trying to inject urgency into an attack that too often lacked conviction. Klusner’s debut, however, ended prematurely after he picked up a knock.Mohammedan goalkeeper Padam Chettri looked uneasy in the opening exchanges, failing to gather the ball cleanly on more than one occasion. Chennaiyin did show brief promise in patches, with Imran linking up neatly with Chima before Maheson Singh was found in a dangerous area, but the latter’s heavy first touch took the ball away from him, and the move ended only in a corner.The second half brought more frustration than fluency for the home side. There was a moment of encouragement when local youngster Prakadeswaran found space in the middle of the box, but the 19-year-old could not bring the ball under control, and the chance slipped away. It was a miss that summed up Chennaiyin’s evening, especially as some of its more experienced players struggled to impose themselves as well.Mohammedan continued to threaten sporadically. Chothe cut inside and combined quickly before dragging a long-range effort over the bar.Then, with about 10 minutes remaining, Irfan floated in a cross with the outside of his boot, but Chima failed to hit the target, mistiming his volley for the second time in the match.In the end, Chennaiyin did not do enough to force the issue, while Mohammedan may feel that, with greater composure in front of goal, it could have taken all three points.Published on Apr 21, 2026 #ISL #Mohammedan #holds #sluggish #Chennaiyin #goalless #draw

Owen Coyle: India should make use of more talents from overseas like Ryan Williams

Imran was Chennaiyin’s most industrious player, covering ground and trying to inject urgency into an attack that too often lacked conviction. Klusner’s debut, however, ended prematurely after he picked up a knock.

Mohammedan goalkeeper Padam Chettri looked uneasy in the opening exchanges, failing to gather the ball cleanly on more than one occasion. Chennaiyin did show brief promise in patches, with Imran linking up neatly with Chima before Maheson Singh was found in a dangerous area, but the latter’s heavy first touch took the ball away from him, and the move ended only in a corner.

The second half brought more frustration than fluency for the home side. There was a moment of encouragement when local youngster Prakadeswaran found space in the middle of the box, but the 19-year-old could not bring the ball under control, and the chance slipped away. It was a miss that summed up Chennaiyin’s evening, especially as some of its more experienced players struggled to impose themselves as well.

Mohammedan continued to threaten sporadically. Chothe cut inside and combined quickly before dragging a long-range effort over the bar.

Then, with about 10 minutes remaining, Irfan floated in a cross with the outside of his boot, but Chima failed to hit the target, mistiming his volley for the second time in the match.

In the end, Chennaiyin did not do enough to force the issue, while Mohammedan may feel that, with greater composure in front of goal, it could have taken all three points.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

#ISL #Mohammedan #holds #sluggish #Chennaiyin #goalless #draw">ISL 2025-26: Mohammedan SC holds sluggish Chennaiyin FC to goalless draw

Chennaiyin FC’s wait for back-to-back victories in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 season, and for its first win over bottom-placed Mohammedan FC, continued after it played out a goalless draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Tuesday.

The conditions were demanding, but Chennaiyin’s evening was marked more by a lack of urgency than by the weather, as Mohammedan grew in belief and came away with a deserved point.

It was the visitor who asked most of the early questions in a game short on clear openings. Hira Mondal came closest to breaking the deadlock. After Makan Chothe cut the ball onto his left foot and delivered an inviting cross, Hira arrived at the back post and guided his effort goalwards, only for Mohammad Nawaz to get his fingertips to it and keep Chennaiyin level. Soon after, Mahitosh Roy’s cross from the left picked out Hira again, but this time he could not keep his header down.

While Chothe remained a lively outlet in attack, Mohammedan’s defence was equally committed. Juwel Mazumder produced a crucial goal-line clearance towards the end of the first half after Mandar Dessai, on for the injured Klusner Pereira, sent in a cross from the left that found Imran Khan, whose effort looked destined to test the goalkeeper.

ALSO READ | Owen Coyle: India should make use of more talents from overseas like Ryan Williams

Imran was Chennaiyin’s most industrious player, covering ground and trying to inject urgency into an attack that too often lacked conviction. Klusner’s debut, however, ended prematurely after he picked up a knock.

Mohammedan goalkeeper Padam Chettri looked uneasy in the opening exchanges, failing to gather the ball cleanly on more than one occasion. Chennaiyin did show brief promise in patches, with Imran linking up neatly with Chima before Maheson Singh was found in a dangerous area, but the latter’s heavy first touch took the ball away from him, and the move ended only in a corner.

The second half brought more frustration than fluency for the home side. There was a moment of encouragement when local youngster Prakadeswaran found space in the middle of the box, but the 19-year-old could not bring the ball under control, and the chance slipped away. It was a miss that summed up Chennaiyin’s evening, especially as some of its more experienced players struggled to impose themselves as well.

Mohammedan continued to threaten sporadically. Chothe cut inside and combined quickly before dragging a long-range effort over the bar.

Then, with about 10 minutes remaining, Irfan floated in a cross with the outside of his boot, but Chima failed to hit the target, mistiming his volley for the second time in the match.

In the end, Chennaiyin did not do enough to force the issue, while Mohammedan may feel that, with greater composure in front of goal, it could have taken all three points.

Published on Apr 21, 2026

#ISL #Mohammedan #holds #sluggish #Chennaiyin #goalless #draw
Deadspin | Angels angle to re-ignite offense in rematch vs. Blue Jays Apr 20, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) takes a high pitch during the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images After scoring 62 runs over an eight-game stretch, the Los Angeles Angels have suddenly hit a wall offensively. The Angels bring a three-game losing streak into Tuesday night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Anaheim, Calif. Los Angeles has four runs on 14 hits since its last victory. Even more concerning is the fact Los Angeles has struck out 39 times in 27 innings. And 18 of those strikeouts were in a 5-2 loss Monday in the series opener against the Blue Jays. “You could say it’s just baseball,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “You could say we got really cold. I really think it’s the pitching that we faced.” Toronto starter Dylan Cease had 12 strikeouts in five innings, moving into the major league strikeout lead with 44 in the process. “I thought his stuff was pretty darn electric,” Suzuki said. “I thought the guys battled with him, tried to get something together, but that’s the way that sometimes it goes, you know?” Things don’t figure to get any easier on Tuesday night. Left-hander Patrick Corbin (0-0, 4.66 ERA) gets the start for the Blue Jays. He will be opposed by right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (2-0, 3.47). Corbin has been an Angel-killer over the years, compiling a 4-0 record and 3.52 ERA in seven career starts against Los Angeles, including 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA in four starts last season. He is 2-0 with a 4.80 ERA in three career starts at Anaheim Stadium and has 39 strikeouts in 38 2/3 career innings against the Angels. Kochanowicz is 0-0 with a 4.76 ERA in two career starts against Toronto. Toronto will be looking to match a season-high three-game winning streak after having to bus to Anaheim on Sunday night following a 10-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix. The Blue Jays’ plane for the flight to Orange County was sidelined with mechanical issues. Instead of waiting around for a replacement aircraft to make the long flight from Vancouver, the team voted to take a bus for the six-hour drive west while Cease caught a commercial flight to southern California. “I probably got an extra couple extra hours sleep compared to the guys,” Cease said. “Maybe not having to sit in an uncomfortable position for a long time (helped). A six-hour bus ride would have been like the minor leagues. It would have been fine, but I think flying was definitely a little better.” The long bus ride through the desert didn’t seem to bother Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Guerrero belted a 430-foot, two-run homer to dead center. He had three hits to lead the Blue Jays’ attack, extending his hitting streak to 11 games. “This is like my second house,” said Guerrero, whose father, Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, starred for the Angels from 2004-09. “I grew up here. I grew up watching my dad play here. … When I got here this morning, it brings me back memories.” The home run was just the second of the season for the younger Guerrero, who leads the American League with a .354 batting average. “I just tried to put on a good swing,” he said. “I’ve been hitting the ball hard, but to the ground. I just take it one day at a time and listen to my coaches.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Angels #angle #reignite #offense #rematch #Blue #JaysApr 20, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) takes a high pitch during the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images

After scoring 62 runs over an eight-game stretch, the Los Angeles Angels have suddenly hit a wall offensively.

The Angels bring a three-game losing streak into Tuesday night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Anaheim, Calif. Los Angeles has four runs on 14 hits since its last victory.

Even more concerning is the fact Los Angeles has struck out 39 times in 27 innings. And 18 of those strikeouts were in a 5-2 loss Monday in the series opener against the Blue Jays.

“You could say it’s just baseball,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “You could say we got really cold. I really think it’s the pitching that we faced.”

Toronto starter Dylan Cease had 12 strikeouts in five innings, moving into the major league strikeout lead with 44 in the process.

“I thought his stuff was pretty darn electric,” Suzuki said. “I thought the guys battled with him, tried to get something together, but that’s the way that sometimes it goes, you know?”

Things don’t figure to get any easier on Tuesday night.

Left-hander Patrick Corbin (0-0, 4.66 ERA) gets the start for the Blue Jays. He will be opposed by right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (2-0, 3.47).

Corbin has been an Angel-killer over the years, compiling a 4-0 record and 3.52 ERA in seven career starts against Los Angeles, including 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA in four starts last season. He is 2-0 with a 4.80 ERA in three career starts at Anaheim Stadium and has 39 strikeouts in 38 2/3 career innings against the Angels.


Kochanowicz is 0-0 with a 4.76 ERA in two career starts against Toronto.

Toronto will be looking to match a season-high three-game winning streak after having to bus to Anaheim on Sunday night following a 10-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix.

The Blue Jays’ plane for the flight to Orange County was sidelined with mechanical issues. Instead of waiting around for a replacement aircraft to make the long flight from Vancouver, the team voted to take a bus for the six-hour drive west while Cease caught a commercial flight to southern California.

“I probably got an extra couple extra hours sleep compared to the guys,” Cease said. “Maybe not having to sit in an uncomfortable position for a long time (helped). A six-hour bus ride would have been like the minor leagues. It would have been fine, but I think flying was definitely a little better.”

The long bus ride through the desert didn’t seem to bother Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Guerrero belted a 430-foot, two-run homer to dead center. He had three hits to lead the Blue Jays’ attack, extending his hitting streak to 11 games.

“This is like my second house,” said Guerrero, whose father, Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, starred for the Angels from 2004-09. “I grew up here. I grew up watching my dad play here. … When I got here this morning, it brings me back memories.”

The home run was just the second of the season for the younger Guerrero, who leads the American League with a .354 batting average.

“I just tried to put on a good swing,” he said. “I’ve been hitting the ball hard, but to the ground. I just take it one day at a time and listen to my coaches.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Angels #angle #reignite #offense #rematch #Blue #Jays">Deadspin | Angels angle to re-ignite offense in rematch vs. Blue Jays Apr 20, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) takes a high pitch during the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images After scoring 62 runs over an eight-game stretch, the Los Angeles Angels have suddenly hit a wall offensively. The Angels bring a three-game losing streak into Tuesday night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Anaheim, Calif. Los Angeles has four runs on 14 hits since its last victory. Even more concerning is the fact Los Angeles has struck out 39 times in 27 innings. And 18 of those strikeouts were in a 5-2 loss Monday in the series opener against the Blue Jays. “You could say it’s just baseball,” Angels manager Kurt Suzuki said. “You could say we got really cold. I really think it’s the pitching that we faced.” Toronto starter Dylan Cease had 12 strikeouts in five innings, moving into the major league strikeout lead with 44 in the process. “I thought his stuff was pretty darn electric,” Suzuki said. “I thought the guys battled with him, tried to get something together, but that’s the way that sometimes it goes, you know?” Things don’t figure to get any easier on Tuesday night. Left-hander Patrick Corbin (0-0, 4.66 ERA) gets the start for the Blue Jays. He will be opposed by right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (2-0, 3.47). Corbin has been an Angel-killer over the years, compiling a 4-0 record and 3.52 ERA in seven career starts against Los Angeles, including 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA in four starts last season. He is 2-0 with a 4.80 ERA in three career starts at Anaheim Stadium and has 39 strikeouts in 38 2/3 career innings against the Angels. Kochanowicz is 0-0 with a 4.76 ERA in two career starts against Toronto. Toronto will be looking to match a season-high three-game winning streak after having to bus to Anaheim on Sunday night following a 10-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks in Phoenix. The Blue Jays’ plane for the flight to Orange County was sidelined with mechanical issues. Instead of waiting around for a replacement aircraft to make the long flight from Vancouver, the team voted to take a bus for the six-hour drive west while Cease caught a commercial flight to southern California. “I probably got an extra couple extra hours sleep compared to the guys,” Cease said. “Maybe not having to sit in an uncomfortable position for a long time (helped). A six-hour bus ride would have been like the minor leagues. It would have been fine, but I think flying was definitely a little better.” The long bus ride through the desert didn’t seem to bother Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Guerrero belted a 430-foot, two-run homer to dead center. He had three hits to lead the Blue Jays’ attack, extending his hitting streak to 11 games. “This is like my second house,” said Guerrero, whose father, Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, starred for the Angels from 2004-09. “I grew up here. I grew up watching my dad play here. … When I got here this morning, it brings me back memories.” The home run was just the second of the season for the younger Guerrero, who leads the American League with a .354 batting average. “I just tried to put on a good swing,” he said. “I’ve been hitting the ball hard, but to the ground. I just take it one day at a time and listen to my coaches.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Angels #angle #reignite #offense #rematch #Blue #Jays

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