×
Ram Baboo, Manju Rani to lead Indian team for Race Walk World Team C’ships in Brazil  A 12-member Indian squad, led by Ram Baboo and Manju Rani, will compete in the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships in Brasilia, Brazil, on April 12.The other members of the Indian team are Sandeep Kumar, Hardeep, Sahil, Servin Sebasthiyan, Akshdeep Singh among men, and Payal, Priyanka Goswami, Mansi Negi, Munita Prajapati, Ravina among women.The athletes are leaving for Brazil on Thursday night after their visas were cleared late in the evening.“Yes, the team is leaving for Brazil tonight. The athletes have got their visas cleared,” a top official of the Athletics Federation on India (AFI) said.In this edition, there are no 20km and 35km race walking events. They are replaced by a new programme featuring the half marathon and marathon as well as 10km event for U20.In addition to competing as individuals, athletes also represent their nation, chasing team titles across the events.Each nation enters a small group of walkers in a race. In senior competitions, a team can include up to five athletes, but only the top three finishers actually count towards the team score.To be eligible for the team result, a country must have three finishers to make up a scoring team. If they do not, those athletes still count in the individual race, but the team is effectively out of contention.The team score is the sum of the finishing positions of the three scoring athletes.In junior events, the top two finishers of each country count towards the team score.
The Indian team
Men’s Marathon Race Walk: Ram Baboo, Sandeep Kumar
Men’s Half Marathon Race Walk: Hardeep, Sahil, Servin Sebasthiyan, Akshdeep Singh
Women’s Marathon Race Walk: Payal, Priyanka Goswami, Manju Rani
Women’s Half Marathon Race Walk: Mansi Negi, Munita Prajapati, Ravina.
Published on Apr 09, 2026  #Ram #Baboo #Manju #Rani #lead #Indian #team #Race #Walk #World #Team #Cships #Brazil

Ram Baboo, Manju Rani to lead Indian team for Race Walk World Team C’ships in Brazil

A 12-member Indian squad, led by Ram Baboo and Manju Rani, will compete in the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships in Brasilia, Brazil, on April 12.

The other members of the Indian team are Sandeep Kumar, Hardeep, Sahil, Servin Sebasthiyan, Akshdeep Singh among men, and Payal, Priyanka Goswami, Mansi Negi, Munita Prajapati, Ravina among women.

The athletes are leaving for Brazil on Thursday night after their visas were cleared late in the evening.

“Yes, the team is leaving for Brazil tonight. The athletes have got their visas cleared,” a top official of the Athletics Federation on India (AFI) said.

In this edition, there are no 20km and 35km race walking events. They are replaced by a new programme featuring the half marathon and marathon as well as 10km event for U20.

In addition to competing as individuals, athletes also represent their nation, chasing team titles across the events.

Each nation enters a small group of walkers in a race. In senior competitions, a team can include up to five athletes, but only the top three finishers actually count towards the team score.

To be eligible for the team result, a country must have three finishers to make up a scoring team. If they do not, those athletes still count in the individual race, but the team is effectively out of contention.

The team score is the sum of the finishing positions of the three scoring athletes.

In junior events, the top two finishers of each country count towards the team score.

The Indian team

Men’s Marathon Race Walk: Ram Baboo, Sandeep Kumar

Men’s Half Marathon Race Walk: Hardeep, Sahil, Servin Sebasthiyan, Akshdeep Singh

Women’s Marathon Race Walk: Payal, Priyanka Goswami, Manju Rani

Women’s Half Marathon Race Walk: Mansi Negi, Munita Prajapati, Ravina.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#Ram #Baboo #Manju #Rani #lead #Indian #team #Race #Walk #World #Team #Cships #Brazil

A 12-member Indian squad, led by Ram Baboo and Manju Rani, will compete in the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships in Brasilia, Brazil, on April 12.

The other members of the Indian team are Sandeep Kumar, Hardeep, Sahil, Servin Sebasthiyan, Akshdeep Singh among men, and Payal, Priyanka Goswami, Mansi Negi, Munita Prajapati, Ravina among women.

The athletes are leaving for Brazil on Thursday night after their visas were cleared late in the evening.

“Yes, the team is leaving for Brazil tonight. The athletes have got their visas cleared,” a top official of the Athletics Federation on India (AFI) said.

In this edition, there are no 20km and 35km race walking events. They are replaced by a new programme featuring the half marathon and marathon as well as 10km event for U20.

In addition to competing as individuals, athletes also represent their nation, chasing team titles across the events.

Each nation enters a small group of walkers in a race. In senior competitions, a team can include up to five athletes, but only the top three finishers actually count towards the team score.

To be eligible for the team result, a country must have three finishers to make up a scoring team. If they do not, those athletes still count in the individual race, but the team is effectively out of contention.

The team score is the sum of the finishing positions of the three scoring athletes.

In junior events, the top two finishers of each country count towards the team score.

The Indian team

Men’s Marathon Race Walk: Ram Baboo, Sandeep Kumar

Men’s Half Marathon Race Walk: Hardeep, Sahil, Servin Sebasthiyan, Akshdeep Singh

Women’s Marathon Race Walk: Payal, Priyanka Goswami, Manju Rani

Women’s Half Marathon Race Walk: Mansi Negi, Munita Prajapati, Ravina.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

Source link
#Ram #Baboo #Manju #Rani #lead #Indian #team #Race #Walk #World #Team #Cships #Brazil

Previous post

Deadspin | Alex Bowman (vertigo) cleared to return at Bristol <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28326500.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28326500.jpg" alt="NASCAR: DAYTONA 500" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Feb 15, 2026; Daytona Beach, Florida, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Alex Bowman (48) during the 68th running of the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Alex Bowman will return to the NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol Motor Speedway on Sunday after a bout with vertigo, Hendrick Motorsports announced Thursday.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Bowman, 32, has not driven the No. 48 Chevrolet since March 1 at Circuit of The Americas, where he first felt the symptoms and did not finish. He missed the past four races but now has been medically cleared, the team said.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>“We’re proud of Alex and the way he’s handled this situation,” Jeff Andrews, president and general manager of Hendrick Motorsports, said in a news release. “He’s put a lot of work into his recovery and followed the medical team’s plan every step of the way. From the outset, our goal was to prioritize his health and have him return when he was fully recovered and medically cleared. We’re looking forward to seeing Alex back in his race car this weekend.”</p> </section><br/><section id="section-4"> <p>Before a medical evaluation, Bowman drove on a road course in North Carolina, took part in a pit practice and went through simulator testing.</p> </section> <section id="section-5"> <p>Bowman said he is “grateful for the support” he has received from Hendrick Motorsports, his sponsor, fans and the medical team and is looking forward to driving Sunday in the Food City 500.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>“It’s been tough being out of the car, but we all wanted to make sure I was 100% ready before returning,” he said. “I feel really good, and I’m excited about being at the track with my team and getting back to racing.”</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Bowman has eight NASCAR Cup Series career wins and currently sits in 36th place in the Cup standings. He is in his ninth full-time season with the Hendrick team, joining upon the retirement of Dale Earnhardt Jr. after the 2017 season.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Alex #Bowman #vertigo #cleared #return #Bristol

Next post

Deadspin | UFL expanding to Oklahoma City in 2028 <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/26460972.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/26460972.jpg" alt="UFL: UFL Championship-DC Defenders at Michigan Panthers" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Jun 14, 2025; St. Louis, MO, USA; DC Defenders head coach Shannon Harris raises the UFL Championship trophy after defeating the Michigan Panthers in the 2025 UFL Championship at The Dome at America’s Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>The United Football League announced plans Thursday to launch a new team in Oklahoma City in 2028.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>“Oklahoma lives and breathes football, so bringing the UFL to Oklahoma City was an easy decision,” league co-owner Mike Repole said in a news release. “This is a state that shows up, cares deeply, and truly understands the game. From college powerhouses to Friday night lights, football runs deep here. We’re committed to building a franchise in OKC that the entire state can rally behind.”</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>UFL president and CEO Russ Brandon said another expansion market is planned to bring membership to 10 teams within two years. Repole has said his ultimate goal is to reach 16 teams by 2035.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-4"> <p>The spring football league kicked off its third season on March 27 with eight teams playing a 10-week regular season. The top four teams make the playoffs, with the championship game scheduled for June 13.</p> </section> <section id="section-5"> <p>The UFL’s current teams are the Birmingham Stallions, Columbus Aviators, Dallas Renegades, DC Defenders, Houston Gamblers, Louisville Kings, Orlando Storm and St. Louis Battlehawks.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>The Oklahoma City franchise will play in the MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium, a 10,000-seat venue currently under development downtown as a facility for soccer and other events.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>“Oklahoma City welcomes the UFL to our championship city!” said Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt said in the release. “We love sports and we love football, so we think this should be a great fit. We have always said that the MAPS 4 Multipurpose Stadium opens up new opportunities for our city, and this is a perfect example. We look forward to the UFL’s arrival in 2028!”</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #UFL #expanding #Oklahoma #City

Deadspin | Bryson DeChambeau denies PGA Tour talks, ‘committed to’ LIV solution  Apr 10, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Bryson DeChambeau looks on from the second green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-Imagn Images   Despite clear signs that the future of LIV Golf looks murky at best, Bryson DeChambeau continues to say he is committed to the 5-year-old upstart league, Flushing It Golf reported Friday.  DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith remain some of LIV’s biggest stars, although their future in the league appears in doubt after it was revealed that the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund no longer will provide funding beyond this season.  DeChambeau remains undaunted, saying he is not exploring a return to the PGA Tour at the present time  “I’m working as hard as I can to find a solution,” DeChambeau told Flushing It Golf. “I’m committed to making team golf work in the best way possible. I think there’s a place for it in the ecosystem and I want to continue to grow the game across the world. That’s always been our mission, and it’s never been more true than now.”  LIV is now working on a junior golf initiative, according to DeChambeau.  “We’re building a bunch of junior golf events right now and each (LIV) team is looking to build junior golf academies,” he said. “That’s something that we’ve been working on for almost three or four months now. “We’re looking to host an event here coming up, probably in the next, I’d say, couple of months.”  In June of 2022, DeChambeau joined LIV on a reported 5 million contract that is set to expire at the end of this season. He was reportedly seeking a 0 million deal to stay with LIV before the league’s funding issues were revealed.   “We’re still working on a potential contract,” DeChambeau said. “I haven’t given up on that and I think there will be a solution. But as of right now, my job is to help make the league work after this year. I just feel like I have a responsibility. I’ve put a lot of effort into it. So that’s what I’m going to do, we’re going to make this work.”  Even with reports that LIV has increased revenue streams in five years of operation, it is likely nowhere near enough to fund the league as it had been operating in its early years.  “There’s a lot of moving parts like in any business,” DeChambeau told Flushing It Golf after he withdrew from last month’s event at Mexico City. “It’s a startup, right? And so there’s going to be times where we’re squeezed and punched. This is one of those moments. But I’m going to do everything in my power to make it work and I really see the value in franchise golf.”  DeChambeau, 32, prevailed in a playoff in consecutive weeks in March by winning at both LIV Golf Singapore and LIV Golf South Africa. The two-time U.S. Open champion has won five individual LIV Golf titles.  DeChambeau did have the opportunity to return to the PGA Tour earlier this year through the Returning Member Program but declined. That program was developed as Brooks Koepka departed LIV for his return to the PGA Tour earlier this year.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Bryson #DeChambeau #denies #PGA #Tour #talks #committed #LIV #solutionApr 10, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Bryson DeChambeau looks on from the second green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-Imagn Images

Despite clear signs that the future of LIV Golf looks murky at best, Bryson DeChambeau continues to say he is committed to the 5-year-old upstart league, Flushing It Golf reported Friday.

DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith remain some of LIV’s biggest stars, although their future in the league appears in doubt after it was revealed that the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund no longer will provide funding beyond this season.

DeChambeau remains undaunted, saying he is not exploring a return to the PGA Tour at the present time

“I’m working as hard as I can to find a solution,” DeChambeau told Flushing It Golf. “I’m committed to making team golf work in the best way possible. I think there’s a place for it in the ecosystem and I want to continue to grow the game across the world. That’s always been our mission, and it’s never been more true than now.”

LIV is now working on a junior golf initiative, according to DeChambeau.

“We’re building a bunch of junior golf events right now and each (LIV) team is looking to build junior golf academies,” he said. “That’s something that we’ve been working on for almost three or four months now. “We’re looking to host an event here coming up, probably in the next, I’d say, couple of months.”


In June of 2022, DeChambeau joined LIV on a reported $125 million contract that is set to expire at the end of this season. He was reportedly seeking a $500 million deal to stay with LIV before the league’s funding issues were revealed.

“We’re still working on a potential contract,” DeChambeau said. “I haven’t given up on that and I think there will be a solution. But as of right now, my job is to help make the league work after this year. I just feel like I have a responsibility. I’ve put a lot of effort into it. So that’s what I’m going to do, we’re going to make this work.”

Even with reports that LIV has increased revenue streams in five years of operation, it is likely nowhere near enough to fund the league as it had been operating in its early years.

“There’s a lot of moving parts like in any business,” DeChambeau told Flushing It Golf after he withdrew from last month’s event at Mexico City. “It’s a startup, right? And so there’s going to be times where we’re squeezed and punched. This is one of those moments. But I’m going to do everything in my power to make it work and I really see the value in franchise golf.”

DeChambeau, 32, prevailed in a playoff in consecutive weeks in March by winning at both LIV Golf Singapore and LIV Golf South Africa. The two-time U.S. Open champion has won five individual LIV Golf titles.

DeChambeau did have the opportunity to return to the PGA Tour earlier this year through the Returning Member Program but declined. That program was developed as Brooks Koepka departed LIV for his return to the PGA Tour earlier this year.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Bryson #DeChambeau #denies #PGA #Tour #talks #committed #LIV #solution">Deadspin | Bryson DeChambeau denies PGA Tour talks, ‘committed to’ LIV solution  Apr 10, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Bryson DeChambeau looks on from the second green during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale-Imagn Images   Despite clear signs that the future of LIV Golf looks murky at best, Bryson DeChambeau continues to say he is committed to the 5-year-old upstart league, Flushing It Golf reported Friday.  DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cameron Smith remain some of LIV’s biggest stars, although their future in the league appears in doubt after it was revealed that the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund no longer will provide funding beyond this season.  DeChambeau remains undaunted, saying he is not exploring a return to the PGA Tour at the present time  “I’m working as hard as I can to find a solution,” DeChambeau told Flushing It Golf. “I’m committed to making team golf work in the best way possible. I think there’s a place for it in the ecosystem and I want to continue to grow the game across the world. That’s always been our mission, and it’s never been more true than now.”  LIV is now working on a junior golf initiative, according to DeChambeau.  “We’re building a bunch of junior golf events right now and each (LIV) team is looking to build junior golf academies,” he said. “That’s something that we’ve been working on for almost three or four months now. “We’re looking to host an event here coming up, probably in the next, I’d say, couple of months.”  In June of 2022, DeChambeau joined LIV on a reported 5 million contract that is set to expire at the end of this season. He was reportedly seeking a 0 million deal to stay with LIV before the league’s funding issues were revealed.   “We’re still working on a potential contract,” DeChambeau said. “I haven’t given up on that and I think there will be a solution. But as of right now, my job is to help make the league work after this year. I just feel like I have a responsibility. I’ve put a lot of effort into it. So that’s what I’m going to do, we’re going to make this work.”  Even with reports that LIV has increased revenue streams in five years of operation, it is likely nowhere near enough to fund the league as it had been operating in its early years.  “There’s a lot of moving parts like in any business,” DeChambeau told Flushing It Golf after he withdrew from last month’s event at Mexico City. “It’s a startup, right? And so there’s going to be times where we’re squeezed and punched. This is one of those moments. But I’m going to do everything in my power to make it work and I really see the value in franchise golf.”  DeChambeau, 32, prevailed in a playoff in consecutive weeks in March by winning at both LIV Golf Singapore and LIV Golf South Africa. The two-time U.S. Open champion has won five individual LIV Golf titles.  DeChambeau did have the opportunity to return to the PGA Tour earlier this year through the Returning Member Program but declined. That program was developed as Brooks Koepka departed LIV for his return to the PGA Tour earlier this year.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Bryson #DeChambeau #denies #PGA #Tour #talks #committed #LIV #solution

Deadspin | Guardians look to handle Nick Kurtz, A’s in series opener  Apr 30, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) hits an RBI double against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images   Two teams that finished April with at least a share of the lead in their respective American League divisions go head-to-head to begin May when the Cleveland Guardians face the Athletics on Friday night in West Sacramento, Calif.  Cleveland left-hander Joey Cantillo (1-1, 2.97 ERA) and Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn (0-0, 3.24) are the scheduled starters in the opener of the three-game series. The Guardians are seeking to repeat a series win earned in their first-ever trip to West Sacramento last June.  To do so, they’ll have to deny the A’s a fourth consecutive series win. The Athletics took two of three from the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals to move atop the AL West at a season-best three games over .500.  Leading the way has been 23-year-old Nick Kurtz, whose two-run, tie-breaking double in the second inning of Thursday’s 6-3 win over the Royals temporarily stole the headlines from a start in which he’s drawn a major-league-leading 33 walks.  “When he got here, there was an advanced approach for his age,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said about his second-year first baseman after the win. “The main thing we’re seeing is … being patient, being selective, getting his walks, getting on base.”  The Guardians limited Kurtz, who had just 37 games of major-league experience at the time, to a 2-for-11 series performance with one solo homer and one walk when they visited Sacramento last June.   Kurtz exacted a measure of revenge a month later in a rematch series in Cleveland, going 7-for-12 with four doubles, a triple, a home run and a walk.  He has never faced Cantillo in what will be a lefty-on-lefty matchup. Cantillo has allowed just seven home runs against left-handed hitters over 45 games in his three-year career.  The 26-year-old is coming off his first loss of the season at Toronto, a hard-luck 5-3 defeat last Saturday in which he allowed three runs but just one earned in five innings.   He has never faced the A’s in his career.  Also a third-year big-leaguer, Ginn has just one inning of experience against the Guardians. That came last July 18 in Cleveland, when he entered the game in the fifth inning with the A’s down 7-1 and allowed one run. The A’s lost 8-6 after a late-inning rally fell short.  In his most recent outing, Ginn was pulled in the fourth inning from a game the A’s led 2-0 at Texas last Sunday. The A’s went on to win 2-1, but he did not get a decision.  He’ll see a Guardians team kicking off a seven-game trip after losing two of three at home to the Tampa Bay Rays. The club had Thursday off following a 3-1 victory in the series finale, which had them alone atop the AL Central before the Detroit Tigers won Thursday to draw even.  Fans in West Sacramento will get their first look at Guardians prospect Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, three spots ahead of where the A’s selected Kurtz.  Bazzana, a 23-year-old Australian, is still looking for his first big-league hit after going 0-for-6 with two walks in two games against the Rays, but he is confident that he’s ready for the big time.  “I would’ve hoped by 2026 I was able to impact this team,” he told reporters during his debut series earlier in the week. “I’m feeling really strong and in a perfect place to really help the team win.”  – Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Guardians #handle #Nick #Kurtz #series #openerApr 30, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) hits an RBI double against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images

Two teams that finished April with at least a share of the lead in their respective American League divisions go head-to-head to begin May when the Cleveland Guardians face the Athletics on Friday night in West Sacramento, Calif.

Cleveland left-hander Joey Cantillo (1-1, 2.97 ERA) and Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn (0-0, 3.24) are the scheduled starters in the opener of the three-game series. The Guardians are seeking to repeat a series win earned in their first-ever trip to West Sacramento last June.

To do so, they’ll have to deny the A’s a fourth consecutive series win. The Athletics took two of three from the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals to move atop the AL West at a season-best three games over .500.

Leading the way has been 23-year-old Nick Kurtz, whose two-run, tie-breaking double in the second inning of Thursday’s 6-3 win over the Royals temporarily stole the headlines from a start in which he’s drawn a major-league-leading 33 walks.

“When he got here, there was an advanced approach for his age,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said about his second-year first baseman after the win. “The main thing we’re seeing is … being patient, being selective, getting his walks, getting on base.”

The Guardians limited Kurtz, who had just 37 games of major-league experience at the time, to a 2-for-11 series performance with one solo homer and one walk when they visited Sacramento last June.

Kurtz exacted a measure of revenge a month later in a rematch series in Cleveland, going 7-for-12 with four doubles, a triple, a home run and a walk.

He has never faced Cantillo in what will be a lefty-on-lefty matchup. Cantillo has allowed just seven home runs against left-handed hitters over 45 games in his three-year career.


The 26-year-old is coming off his first loss of the season at Toronto, a hard-luck 5-3 defeat last Saturday in which he allowed three runs but just one earned in five innings.

He has never faced the A’s in his career.

Also a third-year big-leaguer, Ginn has just one inning of experience against the Guardians. That came last July 18 in Cleveland, when he entered the game in the fifth inning with the A’s down 7-1 and allowed one run. The A’s lost 8-6 after a late-inning rally fell short.

In his most recent outing, Ginn was pulled in the fourth inning from a game the A’s led 2-0 at Texas last Sunday. The A’s went on to win 2-1, but he did not get a decision.

He’ll see a Guardians team kicking off a seven-game trip after losing two of three at home to the Tampa Bay Rays. The club had Thursday off following a 3-1 victory in the series finale, which had them alone atop the AL Central before the Detroit Tigers won Thursday to draw even.

Fans in West Sacramento will get their first look at Guardians prospect Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, three spots ahead of where the A’s selected Kurtz.

Bazzana, a 23-year-old Australian, is still looking for his first big-league hit after going 0-for-6 with two walks in two games against the Rays, but he is confident that he’s ready for the big time.

“I would’ve hoped by 2026 I was able to impact this team,” he told reporters during his debut series earlier in the week. “I’m feeling really strong and in a perfect place to really help the team win.”

– Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Guardians #handle #Nick #Kurtz #series #opener">Deadspin | Guardians look to handle Nick Kurtz, A’s in series opener  Apr 30, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) hits an RBI double against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images   Two teams that finished April with at least a share of the lead in their respective American League divisions go head-to-head to begin May when the Cleveland Guardians face the Athletics on Friday night in West Sacramento, Calif.  Cleveland left-hander Joey Cantillo (1-1, 2.97 ERA) and Athletics right-hander J.T. Ginn (0-0, 3.24) are the scheduled starters in the opener of the three-game series. The Guardians are seeking to repeat a series win earned in their first-ever trip to West Sacramento last June.  To do so, they’ll have to deny the A’s a fourth consecutive series win. The Athletics took two of three from the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals to move atop the AL West at a season-best three games over .500.  Leading the way has been 23-year-old Nick Kurtz, whose two-run, tie-breaking double in the second inning of Thursday’s 6-3 win over the Royals temporarily stole the headlines from a start in which he’s drawn a major-league-leading 33 walks.  “When he got here, there was an advanced approach for his age,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said about his second-year first baseman after the win. “The main thing we’re seeing is … being patient, being selective, getting his walks, getting on base.”  The Guardians limited Kurtz, who had just 37 games of major-league experience at the time, to a 2-for-11 series performance with one solo homer and one walk when they visited Sacramento last June.   Kurtz exacted a measure of revenge a month later in a rematch series in Cleveland, going 7-for-12 with four doubles, a triple, a home run and a walk.  He has never faced Cantillo in what will be a lefty-on-lefty matchup. Cantillo has allowed just seven home runs against left-handed hitters over 45 games in his three-year career.  The 26-year-old is coming off his first loss of the season at Toronto, a hard-luck 5-3 defeat last Saturday in which he allowed three runs but just one earned in five innings.   He has never faced the A’s in his career.  Also a third-year big-leaguer, Ginn has just one inning of experience against the Guardians. That came last July 18 in Cleveland, when he entered the game in the fifth inning with the A’s down 7-1 and allowed one run. The A’s lost 8-6 after a late-inning rally fell short.  In his most recent outing, Ginn was pulled in the fourth inning from a game the A’s led 2-0 at Texas last Sunday. The A’s went on to win 2-1, but he did not get a decision.  He’ll see a Guardians team kicking off a seven-game trip after losing two of three at home to the Tampa Bay Rays. The club had Thursday off following a 3-1 victory in the series finale, which had them alone atop the AL Central before the Detroit Tigers won Thursday to draw even.  Fans in West Sacramento will get their first look at Guardians prospect Travis Bazzana, the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft, three spots ahead of where the A’s selected Kurtz.  Bazzana, a 23-year-old Australian, is still looking for his first big-league hit after going 0-for-6 with two walks in two games against the Rays, but he is confident that he’s ready for the big time.  “I would’ve hoped by 2026 I was able to impact this team,” he told reporters during his debut series earlier in the week. “I’m feeling really strong and in a perfect place to really help the team win.”  – Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Guardians #handle #Nick #Kurtz #series #opener

Post Comment