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Red Sox Fire Alex Cora: What It Means for Boston’s Future | Deadspin.com One blowout victory wasn’t going to fix all of the problems the Boston Red Sox were having, though it still could serve as a springboard to better times after they started the season 10-17.On the other hand, maybe “springboard” is a poor choice of words, considering the Red Sox front office used a catapult Saturday on manager Alex Cora and several of his coaches after a 17-1 victory against the Baltimore Orioles.It certainly was funny timing for the front office to can the skipper, given the offense finally breaking out after a dreadful start, not to mention a strong performance by ace left-hander Garrett Crochet, who also had begun inconsistently. Of all days to do it. Sportsradar reported that it was the first time since 1887 that an MLB team fired the manager the same day their team won by at least 16 runs. Hey, maybe next time don’t score so much. It only draws attention.But the Red Sox must have been thinking about changing managers for a while. Cora, who led the Red Sox to a World Series championship as a rookie manager in 2018, was fired after failing to reproduce his initial success. Boston went as far as Game 6 of the ALCS in 2021, but never finished higher than second place in the AL East after Cora’s first season. The Red Sox currently are working on their third last-place finish since since 2022.Cora is often regarded as one of the best managers in the league when anyone takes a poll of players. Some media types have been trying to land Cora his next job, with the Philadelphia Phillies or New York Mets. Still, his reputation took a hit ever since he sat out the 2020 season as punishment for his involvement in the Houston Astros cheating scandal, when he was bench coach.Cora bears some responsibility for the Red Sox underachieving, as any manager would, though the organization’s dysfunction reaches well beyond the dugout. Craig Breslow has been the general manager since October 2023, meaning he’s responsible for a .500 season in 2024, the 89 wins and AL Wild Card berth in ’25, and what’s happened so far this season. Definitely a mixed bag.But the same goes for owner John Henry, who has been in charge for the organization’s entire golden era, which includes titles in 2004, 2007, 2013, and ’18. Those trophies alone should cement him as a local hero, but somehow they don’t. Henry has been criticized for appearing to lose interest in the Red Sox occasionally, preferring instead to dabble in Premier League Soccer, the NHL, NASCAR, music halls and whatever else that isn’t baseball. Many fans would prefer that he sell the baseball team.Red Sox payroll the past five seasons averages 12th or 13th in MLB. That’s in contrast to them having 17 payrolls in the top five or better in the 20 seasons before that. Henry definitely doesn’t put into the Red Sox what he used to, and it shows in the standings. No less damning, it just seems like few organizations do less with more than the Red Sox.Cora told the media he feels “happy” now that the ax has fallen, which feeds into outsider perceptions of organizational dysfunction being the bigger issue. It is possible the Red Sox golden era has ended, which means even the best managerial candidates will find themselves at the mercy of how focused ownership can stay on baseball. #Red #Sox #Fire #Alex #Cora #Means #Bostons #Future #Deadspin.com

Red Sox Fire Alex Cora: What It Means for Boston’s Future | Deadspin.com

One blowout victory wasn’t going to fix all of the problems the Boston Red Sox were having, though it still could serve as a springboard to better times after they started the season 10-17.

On the other hand, maybe “springboard” is a poor choice of words, considering the Red Sox front office used a catapult Saturday on manager Alex Cora and several of his coaches after a 17-1 victory against the Baltimore Orioles.

It certainly was funny timing for the front office to can the skipper, given the offense finally breaking out after a dreadful start, not to mention a strong performance by ace left-hander Garrett Crochet, who also had begun inconsistently. Of all days to do it. Sportsradar reported that it was the first time since 1887 that an MLB team fired the manager the same day their team won by at least 16 runs. Hey, maybe next time don’t score so much. It only draws attention.

But the Red Sox must have been thinking about changing managers for a while. Cora, who led the Red Sox to a World Series championship as a rookie manager in 2018, was fired after failing to reproduce his initial success. Boston went as far as Game 6 of the ALCS in 2021, but never finished higher than second place in the AL East after Cora’s first season. The Red Sox currently are working on their third last-place finish since since 2022.

Cora is often regarded as one of the best managers in the league when anyone takes a poll of players. Some media types have been trying to land Cora his next job, with the Philadelphia Phillies or New York Mets. Still, his reputation took a hit ever since he sat out the 2020 season as punishment for his involvement in the Houston Astros cheating scandal, when he was bench coach.

Cora bears some responsibility for the Red Sox underachieving, as any manager would, though the organization’s dysfunction reaches well beyond the dugout. Craig Breslow has been the general manager since October 2023, meaning he’s responsible for a .500 season in 2024, the 89 wins and AL Wild Card berth in ’25, and what’s happened so far this season. Definitely a mixed bag.

But the same goes for owner John Henry, who has been in charge for the organization’s entire golden era, which includes titles in 2004, 2007, 2013, and ’18. Those trophies alone should cement him as a local hero, but somehow they don’t. Henry has been criticized for appearing to lose interest in the Red Sox occasionally, preferring instead to dabble in Premier League Soccer, the NHL, NASCAR, music halls and whatever else that isn’t baseball. Many fans would prefer that he sell the baseball team.

Red Sox payroll the past five seasons averages 12th or 13th in MLB. That’s in contrast to them having 17 payrolls in the top five or better in the 20 seasons before that. Henry definitely doesn’t put into the Red Sox what he used to, and it shows in the standings. No less damning, it just seems like few organizations do less with more than the Red Sox.

Cora told the media he feels “happy” now that the ax has fallen, which feeds into outsider perceptions of organizational dysfunction being the bigger issue. It is possible the Red Sox golden era has ended, which means even the best managerial candidates will find themselves at the mercy of how focused ownership can stay on baseball.

#Red #Sox #Fire #Alex #Cora #Means #Bostons #Future #Deadspin.com

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One blowout victory wasn’t going to fix all of the problems the Boston Red Sox were having, though it still could serve as a springboard to better times after they started the season 10-17.

On the other hand, maybe “springboard” is a poor choice of words, considering the Red Sox front office used a catapult Saturday on manager Alex Cora and several of his coaches after a 17-1 victory against the Baltimore Orioles.

It certainly was funny timing for the front office to can the skipper, given the offense finally breaking out after a dreadful start, not to mention a strong performance by ace left-hander Garrett Crochet, who also had begun inconsistently. Of all days to do it. Sportsradar reported that it was the first time since 1887 that an MLB team fired the manager the same day their team won by at least 16 runs. Hey, maybe next time don’t score so much. It only draws attention.

But the Red Sox must have been thinking about changing managers for a while. Cora, who led the Red Sox to a World Series championship as a rookie manager in 2018, was fired after failing to reproduce his initial success. Boston went as far as Game 6 of the ALCS in 2021, but never finished higher than second place in the AL East after Cora’s first season. The Red Sox currently are working on their third last-place finish since since 2022.

Cora is often regarded as one of the best managers in the league when anyone takes a poll of players. Some media types have been trying to land Cora his next job, with the Philadelphia Phillies or New York Mets. Still, his reputation took a hit ever since he sat out the 2020 season as punishment for his involvement in the Houston Astros cheating scandal, when he was bench coach.

Cora bears some responsibility for the Red Sox underachieving, as any manager would, though the organization’s dysfunction reaches well beyond the dugout. Craig Breslow has been the general manager since October 2023, meaning he’s responsible for a .500 season in 2024, the 89 wins and AL Wild Card berth in ’25, and what’s happened so far this season. Definitely a mixed bag.

But the same goes for owner John Henry, who has been in charge for the organization’s entire golden era, which includes titles in 2004, 2007, 2013, and ’18. Those trophies alone should cement him as a local hero, but somehow they don’t. Henry has been criticized for appearing to lose interest in the Red Sox occasionally, preferring instead to dabble in Premier League Soccer, the NHL, NASCAR, music halls and whatever else that isn’t baseball. Many fans would prefer that he sell the baseball team.

Red Sox payroll the past five seasons averages 12th or 13th in MLB. That’s in contrast to them having 17 payrolls in the top five or better in the 20 seasons before that. Henry definitely doesn’t put into the Red Sox what he used to, and it shows in the standings. No less damning, it just seems like few organizations do less with more than the Red Sox.

Cora told the media he feels “happy” now that the ax has fallen, which feeds into outsider perceptions of organizational dysfunction being the bigger issue. It is possible the Red Sox golden era has ended, which means even the best managerial candidates will find themselves at the mercy of how focused ownership can stay on baseball.

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#Red #Sox #Fire #Alex #Cora #Means #Bostons #Future #Deadspin.com

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IPL 2026: In Kohli’s backyard, RCB holds all the aces against host DC <div id="content-body-70908673" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Delhi Capitals’ (DC) performance against Punjab Kings on Saturday in the Indian Premier League (IPL) had the fluctuations of a volatile stock market.</p><p>So wildly did it oscillate from the sublime to the ridiculous, as an exemplary batting effort to amass 264 for two — DC’s highest total in IPL history — was followed by a horror show with the ball and in the field. While the bowling appeared rudderless on a pitch that played better than expected, the malaise of dropped catches spread like wildfire, allowing Shreyas Iyer and Prabhsimran Singh to make merry with half-centuries.</p><p>Dispiriting as that was, Axar Patel’s men have little time to contemplate, given that they run into another formidable opponent in Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Monday.</p><p><b>READ</b> | <b><a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/ipl/krunal-pandya-bowling-2026-ipl-rcb-vs-dc-news-dinesh-karthik/article70909048.ece" target="_blank">Krunal changing the landscape of finger-spin in IPL: RCB’s Karthik</a></b></p><p>Besides Royal Challengers oozing with confidence after five wins from seven matches, Capitals’ task is compounded by the likelihood of the defending champion enjoying a lion’s share of the support. Virat Kohli, the one constant in RCB’s ever-evolving set-up, may no longer be living here, but residents of the national capital continue to exhibit fierce loyalty to a superstar whose formative years can be traced to the by-lanes of west Delhi.</p><p>More importantly, the 37-year-old is showing no sign of slowing down in white-ball cricket. Despite prolonged breaks from competitive cricket following his Test retirement last year, his impact for the southern franchise hasn’t dimmed in the slightest — 328 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 163.18 is proof.</p><div class=" article-picture center"><img src="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/ospozz/article70908686.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/58_RVM_7340.jpg" data-original="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/ospozz/article70908686.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/58_RVM_7340.jpg" alt="Delhi Capitals’ disappointing outing against Punjab was summed up by Karun Nair’s two drop catches of Shreyas Iyer." title="Delhi Capitals’ disappointing outing against Punjab was summed up by Karun Nair’s two drop catches of Shreyas Iyer." class=" lazy" width="100%" height="100%"/><div class="pic-caption"><figcaption class="figure-caption align-text-bottom"><p> Delhi Capitals’ disappointing outing against Punjab was summed up by Karun Nair’s two drop catches of Shreyas Iyer. | Photo Credit: RV MOORTHY </p><img class="caption-image" src="https://assetsss.thehindu.com/theme/images/SSRX/lightbox-info.svg" alt="lightbox-info"/></figcaption></div><p class="caption"> Delhi Capitals’ disappointing outing against Punjab was summed up by Karun Nair’s two drop catches of Shreyas Iyer. | Photo Credit: RV MOORTHY </p></div><p>The former skipper will be given company by Jacob Bethell at the top of the order. With Phil Salt yet to recover from injury, Bethell, who was drafted in for the last game, will get another chance to step up.</p><p>Other than that, RCB’s combination looks well-settled. The same cannot be said of Capitals, who are in desperate need of a win to shrug off Saturday’s erratic display.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 26, 2026</p></div> #IPL #Kohlis #backyard #RCB #holds #aces #host

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Shillong Lajong FC was held to a goalless draw by a resolute Dempo SC in its Indian Football League Championship Phase fixture at the SSA Stadium in Shillong on Sunday.

The result kept Shillong second in the table with 18 points, seven behind leader Diamond Harbour FC, while Dempo remained sixth with 10 points.

Shillong named an unchanged starting XI from its last match, while Dempo made two changes, with Sebastián Gutiérrez Atehortua and Vieri Colaco replacing Ariston Costa and Richmond Kwasi Owusu.

Shillong imposed itself from the outset, applying immediate pressure on Dempo straight from kick-off. Inside the opening minute, a long ball into the box created an early opening as Phrangki Buam rose to meet it, but the defence recovered in time to clear.

The host sustained a high tempo in the early exchanges, unsettling Dempo’s backline before the visitor slowed the pace and attempted to play out from the back.

Both sides showed a clear inclination to build through the flanks, with Buam and Ephraim Lalremtluanga stretching play for Shillong, while Saiesh Bagkar and Kapil Hoble looked to supply Gutiérrez and Marcus Leric Jr Joseph centrally.

Shillong’s sharpness in possession, aided by strong home support, translated into early control. In the eighth minute, Lamlallian found space in the final third and struck at goal, but Aubin Kouakou positioned himself well to block.

Dempo’s attempts to construct from deep led to repeated turnovers under Shillong’s high press, while Everbrightson Sana Mylliempdah tested Ashish Sibi with a skidding effort from distance that the goalkeeper handled securely.

ALSO READ: Atletico Madrid’s Barrios to miss Arsenal Champions League semifinal tie with thigh injury

The clearest opening of the first half came in the 34th minute when Kouakou lost possession, allowing Sana to break through on goal. Jose Luis Moreno Pena recovered with a well-timed sliding challenge to prevent the shot.

Shillong continued to threaten. In the 38th minute, Damaitphang Lyngdoh delivered a low cross across the six-yard area that evaded any finishing touch. Five minutes later, Buam’s shot from a tight angle was parried by Sibi before Lyngdoh struck the woodwork from distance.

Shillong resumed on the front foot after the interval, but Dempo produced a moment of quality in the 58th minute as Gutierrez connected cleanly with a first-time volley from a tight angle, forcing Ranit Sarkar into a sharp save.

The visitor came close again in the 67th minute from a set-piece, but Sarkar reacted well before Joseph fired over the bar from the rebound.

Shillong pushed hard for a breakthrough and came agonisingly close in stoppage time, when substitute Abelson Jachi forced a spill from Sibi and Kenstar Kharshong lifted the rebound over the goalkeeper, only to see his effort strike the crossbar.

Shillong’s inability to convert dominance into goals proved decisive. Despite registering 20 shots, including five on target, it could not breach a disciplined Dempo defence.

Published on Apr 26, 2026

#IFL #Dempo #frustrates #Shillong #Lajong #goalless #Championship #Phase #clash">IFL 2025-26: Dempo frustrates Shillong Lajong in goalless Championship Phase clash Shillong Lajong FC was held to a goalless draw by a resolute Dempo SC in its Indian Football League Championship Phase fixture at the SSA Stadium in Shillong on Sunday.The result kept Shillong second in the table with 18 points, seven behind leader Diamond Harbour FC, while Dempo remained sixth with 10 points.Shillong named an unchanged starting XI from its last match, while Dempo made two changes, with Sebastián Gutiérrez Atehortua and Vieri Colaco replacing Ariston Costa and Richmond Kwasi Owusu.Shillong imposed itself from the outset, applying immediate pressure on Dempo straight from kick-off. Inside the opening minute, a long ball into the box created an early opening as Phrangki Buam rose to meet it, but the defence recovered in time to clear.The host sustained a high tempo in the early exchanges, unsettling Dempo’s backline before the visitor slowed the pace and attempted to play out from the back.Both sides showed a clear inclination to build through the flanks, with Buam and Ephraim Lalremtluanga stretching play for Shillong, while Saiesh Bagkar and Kapil Hoble looked to supply Gutiérrez and Marcus Leric Jr Joseph centrally.Shillong’s sharpness in possession, aided by strong home support, translated into early control. In the eighth minute, Lamlallian found space in the final third and struck at goal, but Aubin Kouakou positioned himself well to block.Dempo’s attempts to construct from deep led to repeated turnovers under Shillong’s high press, while Everbrightson Sana Mylliempdah tested Ashish Sibi with a skidding effort from distance that the goalkeeper handled securely.ALSO READ: Atletico Madrid’s Barrios to miss Arsenal Champions League semifinal tie with thigh injuryThe clearest opening of the first half came in the 34th minute when Kouakou lost possession, allowing Sana to break through on goal. Jose Luis Moreno Pena recovered with a well-timed sliding challenge to prevent the shot.Shillong continued to threaten. In the 38th minute, Damaitphang Lyngdoh delivered a low cross across the six-yard area that evaded any finishing touch. Five minutes later, Buam’s shot from a tight angle was parried by Sibi before Lyngdoh struck the woodwork from distance.Shillong resumed on the front foot after the interval, but Dempo produced a moment of quality in the 58th minute as Gutierrez connected cleanly with a first-time volley from a tight angle, forcing Ranit Sarkar into a sharp save.The visitor came close again in the 67th minute from a set-piece, but Sarkar reacted well before Joseph fired over the bar from the rebound.Shillong pushed hard for a breakthrough and came agonisingly close in stoppage time, when substitute Abelson Jachi forced a spill from Sibi and Kenstar Kharshong lifted the rebound over the goalkeeper, only to see his effort strike the crossbar.Shillong’s inability to convert dominance into goals proved decisive. Despite registering 20 shots, including five on target, it could not breach a disciplined Dempo defence.Published on Apr 26, 2026 #IFL #Dempo #frustrates #Shillong #Lajong #goalless #Championship #Phase #clash

Atletico Madrid’s Barrios to miss Arsenal Champions League semifinal tie with thigh injury

The clearest opening of the first half came in the 34th minute when Kouakou lost possession, allowing Sana to break through on goal. Jose Luis Moreno Pena recovered with a well-timed sliding challenge to prevent the shot.

Shillong continued to threaten. In the 38th minute, Damaitphang Lyngdoh delivered a low cross across the six-yard area that evaded any finishing touch. Five minutes later, Buam’s shot from a tight angle was parried by Sibi before Lyngdoh struck the woodwork from distance.

Shillong resumed on the front foot after the interval, but Dempo produced a moment of quality in the 58th minute as Gutierrez connected cleanly with a first-time volley from a tight angle, forcing Ranit Sarkar into a sharp save.

The visitor came close again in the 67th minute from a set-piece, but Sarkar reacted well before Joseph fired over the bar from the rebound.

Shillong pushed hard for a breakthrough and came agonisingly close in stoppage time, when substitute Abelson Jachi forced a spill from Sibi and Kenstar Kharshong lifted the rebound over the goalkeeper, only to see his effort strike the crossbar.

Shillong’s inability to convert dominance into goals proved decisive. Despite registering 20 shots, including five on target, it could not breach a disciplined Dempo defence.

Published on Apr 26, 2026

#IFL #Dempo #frustrates #Shillong #Lajong #goalless #Championship #Phase #clash">IFL 2025-26: Dempo frustrates Shillong Lajong in goalless Championship Phase clash

Shillong Lajong FC was held to a goalless draw by a resolute Dempo SC in its Indian Football League Championship Phase fixture at the SSA Stadium in Shillong on Sunday.

The result kept Shillong second in the table with 18 points, seven behind leader Diamond Harbour FC, while Dempo remained sixth with 10 points.

Shillong named an unchanged starting XI from its last match, while Dempo made two changes, with Sebastián Gutiérrez Atehortua and Vieri Colaco replacing Ariston Costa and Richmond Kwasi Owusu.

Shillong imposed itself from the outset, applying immediate pressure on Dempo straight from kick-off. Inside the opening minute, a long ball into the box created an early opening as Phrangki Buam rose to meet it, but the defence recovered in time to clear.

The host sustained a high tempo in the early exchanges, unsettling Dempo’s backline before the visitor slowed the pace and attempted to play out from the back.

Both sides showed a clear inclination to build through the flanks, with Buam and Ephraim Lalremtluanga stretching play for Shillong, while Saiesh Bagkar and Kapil Hoble looked to supply Gutiérrez and Marcus Leric Jr Joseph centrally.

Shillong’s sharpness in possession, aided by strong home support, translated into early control. In the eighth minute, Lamlallian found space in the final third and struck at goal, but Aubin Kouakou positioned himself well to block.

Dempo’s attempts to construct from deep led to repeated turnovers under Shillong’s high press, while Everbrightson Sana Mylliempdah tested Ashish Sibi with a skidding effort from distance that the goalkeeper handled securely.

ALSO READ: Atletico Madrid’s Barrios to miss Arsenal Champions League semifinal tie with thigh injury

The clearest opening of the first half came in the 34th minute when Kouakou lost possession, allowing Sana to break through on goal. Jose Luis Moreno Pena recovered with a well-timed sliding challenge to prevent the shot.

Shillong continued to threaten. In the 38th minute, Damaitphang Lyngdoh delivered a low cross across the six-yard area that evaded any finishing touch. Five minutes later, Buam’s shot from a tight angle was parried by Sibi before Lyngdoh struck the woodwork from distance.

Shillong resumed on the front foot after the interval, but Dempo produced a moment of quality in the 58th minute as Gutierrez connected cleanly with a first-time volley from a tight angle, forcing Ranit Sarkar into a sharp save.

The visitor came close again in the 67th minute from a set-piece, but Sarkar reacted well before Joseph fired over the bar from the rebound.

Shillong pushed hard for a breakthrough and came agonisingly close in stoppage time, when substitute Abelson Jachi forced a spill from Sibi and Kenstar Kharshong lifted the rebound over the goalkeeper, only to see his effort strike the crossbar.

Shillong’s inability to convert dominance into goals proved decisive. Despite registering 20 shots, including five on target, it could not breach a disciplined Dempo defence.

Published on Apr 26, 2026

#IFL #Dempo #frustrates #Shillong #Lajong #goalless #Championship #Phase #clash
Deadspin | Dodgers, Cubs close series with potential pitching duel Apr 13, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski (70) throws a pitch against the New York Mets during the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images A resurgent Los Angeles Dodgers’ offense will take on the visiting Chicago Cubs in the rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday afternoon. The Dodgers snapped the Cubs’ 10-game winning streak with a 12-4 win on Saturday night. Teoscar Hernandez was 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs as Los Angeles racked up 14 hits. Hitless in his previous three games, Hernandez lined a two-RBI single up the middle in a six-run fourth inning. “I haven’t been on base for the last couple games, but it is OK, everyone goes through that,” he said. “Hopefully I can keep up doing that and be consistent with it.” Shohei Ohtani also snapped an 0-for-12 skid over his previous three games when he led off the game with an opposite-field single. Andy Pages, Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland posted two-hit games as the Dodgers scored in double digits for a major league-leading fifth time this season. The Cubs have scored in double figures in four games. Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said Max Muncy will be out on Sunday. The Dodgers third baseman felt sick yet still hit his ninth home run of the season, a two-run shot in the third. “Muncy wasn’t feeling well,” Roberts said. “We talked and said to him, give us what you got, three at-bats. That’s what we did and felt good about getting him three at-bats. Max will be down tomorrow and be back in there on Monday.” Left-hander Justin Wrobleski (3-0, 1.88 ERA) is slated to start for the Dodgers. He covered seven innings in his most recent start and earned the decision in a 12-3 road win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday, yielding one run on eight hits with three strikeouts. In his past three starts — all wins– he has allowed only two runs in a combined 20 innings. He never has faced the Cubs. “At the end of the day I am going out there and doing the same thing every time,” Wrobleski said. “That’s trying to fill the zone, create contact and see what happens.” Chicago’s scheduled starter is Shota Imanaga (2-1, 2.17), who earned the win when he surrendered one run on three hits over seven innings in his last start, a 7-4 home win against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday. The lefty is 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA on the road this season. In four career starts against Los Angeles, Imanaga has a 1-0 record with a 3.48 ERA. “I come to the field every day, whether it’s a start day or not, with the same responsibility,” Imanaga said. “I know if someone gets injured I can help cover them. We have a very tight circle with full support.” He has a stellar defense in the field — the Cubs are ranked No. 1 on FanGraphs with 17 defensive runs saved — and knows he can pitch to contact. “It helps with my confidence as well, knowing that behind me, the Cubs’ defense is the best of all 30 teams,” Imanaga said. “If I can control and avoid damage and extra-base hits, I know they are going to get outs. So it’s a big confidence booster.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Dodgers #Cubs #close #series #potential #pitching #duelApr 13, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski (70) throws a pitch against the New York Mets during the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

A resurgent Los Angeles Dodgers’ offense will take on the visiting Chicago Cubs in the rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday afternoon.

The Dodgers snapped the Cubs’ 10-game winning streak with a 12-4 win on Saturday night.

Teoscar Hernandez was 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs as Los Angeles racked up 14 hits. Hitless in his previous three games, Hernandez lined a two-RBI single up the middle in a six-run fourth inning.

“I haven’t been on base for the last couple games, but it is OK, everyone goes through that,” he said. “Hopefully I can keep up doing that and be consistent with it.”

Shohei Ohtani also snapped an 0-for-12 skid over his previous three games when he led off the game with an opposite-field single.

Andy Pages, Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland posted two-hit games as the Dodgers scored in double digits for a major league-leading fifth time this season. The Cubs have scored in double figures in four games.

Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said Max Muncy will be out on Sunday. The Dodgers third baseman felt sick yet still hit his ninth home run of the season, a two-run shot in the third.

“Muncy wasn’t feeling well,” Roberts said. “We talked and said to him, give us what you got, three at-bats. That’s what we did and felt good about getting him three at-bats. Max will be down tomorrow and be back in there on Monday.”


Left-hander Justin Wrobleski (3-0, 1.88 ERA) is slated to start for the Dodgers. He covered seven innings in his most recent start and earned the decision in a 12-3 road win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday, yielding one run on eight hits with three strikeouts.

In his past three starts — all wins– he has allowed only two runs in a combined 20 innings. He never has faced the Cubs.

“At the end of the day I am going out there and doing the same thing every time,” Wrobleski said. “That’s trying to fill the zone, create contact and see what happens.”

Chicago’s scheduled starter is Shota Imanaga (2-1, 2.17), who earned the win when he surrendered one run on three hits over seven innings in his last start, a 7-4 home win against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday.

The lefty is 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA on the road this season. In four career starts against Los Angeles, Imanaga has a 1-0 record with a 3.48 ERA.

“I come to the field every day, whether it’s a start day or not, with the same responsibility,” Imanaga said. “I know if someone gets injured I can help cover them. We have a very tight circle with full support.”

He has a stellar defense in the field — the Cubs are ranked No. 1 on FanGraphs with 17 defensive runs saved — and knows he can pitch to contact.

“It helps with my confidence as well, knowing that behind me, the Cubs’ defense is the best of all 30 teams,” Imanaga said. “If I can control and avoid damage and extra-base hits, I know they are going to get outs. So it’s a big confidence booster.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Dodgers #Cubs #close #series #potential #pitching #duel">Deadspin | Dodgers, Cubs close series with potential pitching duel Apr 13, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski (70) throws a pitch against the New York Mets during the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images A resurgent Los Angeles Dodgers’ offense will take on the visiting Chicago Cubs in the rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday afternoon. The Dodgers snapped the Cubs’ 10-game winning streak with a 12-4 win on Saturday night. Teoscar Hernandez was 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs as Los Angeles racked up 14 hits. Hitless in his previous three games, Hernandez lined a two-RBI single up the middle in a six-run fourth inning. “I haven’t been on base for the last couple games, but it is OK, everyone goes through that,” he said. “Hopefully I can keep up doing that and be consistent with it.” Shohei Ohtani also snapped an 0-for-12 skid over his previous three games when he led off the game with an opposite-field single. Andy Pages, Hyeseong Kim and Alex Freeland posted two-hit games as the Dodgers scored in double digits for a major league-leading fifth time this season. The Cubs have scored in double figures in four games. Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said Max Muncy will be out on Sunday. The Dodgers third baseman felt sick yet still hit his ninth home run of the season, a two-run shot in the third. “Muncy wasn’t feeling well,” Roberts said. “We talked and said to him, give us what you got, three at-bats. That’s what we did and felt good about getting him three at-bats. Max will be down tomorrow and be back in there on Monday.” Left-hander Justin Wrobleski (3-0, 1.88 ERA) is slated to start for the Dodgers. He covered seven innings in his most recent start and earned the decision in a 12-3 road win over the Colorado Rockies on Monday, yielding one run on eight hits with three strikeouts. In his past three starts — all wins– he has allowed only two runs in a combined 20 innings. He never has faced the Cubs. “At the end of the day I am going out there and doing the same thing every time,” Wrobleski said. “That’s trying to fill the zone, create contact and see what happens.” Chicago’s scheduled starter is Shota Imanaga (2-1, 2.17), who earned the win when he surrendered one run on three hits over seven innings in his last start, a 7-4 home win against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday. The lefty is 1-0 with a 1.64 ERA on the road this season. In four career starts against Los Angeles, Imanaga has a 1-0 record with a 3.48 ERA. “I come to the field every day, whether it’s a start day or not, with the same responsibility,” Imanaga said. “I know if someone gets injured I can help cover them. We have a very tight circle with full support.” He has a stellar defense in the field — the Cubs are ranked No. 1 on FanGraphs with 17 defensive runs saved — and knows he can pitch to contact. “It helps with my confidence as well, knowing that behind me, the Cubs’ defense is the best of all 30 teams,” Imanaga said. “If I can control and avoid damage and extra-base hits, I know they are going to get outs. So it’s a big confidence booster.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Dodgers #Cubs #close #series #potential #pitching #duel

Olympics and World championships medallist weightlifter Mirabai Chanu is set to miss the Asian Championships, to be held at Gandhinagar from May 12 to 17, due to a shoulder issue, according to reliable sources.

Mirabai had picked up the shoulder issue during the National Championships at Modinagar earlier this year. Even though she is on the path of recovery, there is strong apprehension that pushing her to cut weight for three competitions in five months to compete in 48kg may take a toll on the elite athlete.

Skipping the home Asian Championships will save Mirabai, who will turn 32 on August 8, some hardships in a packed calendar, studded with other important events such as the Commonwealth Games (where she will seek to win her third consecutive gold) and the Asian Games (where she is yet to open her account).

After the Asian Games, the ace lifter may aim at switching to 53kg for the World Championships, which is the first qualifying event for the 2028 Olympics, in October.

Published on Apr 26, 2026

#Mirabai #Chanu #Asian #Weightlifting #Championships">Mirabai Chanu likely to miss Asian Weightlifting Championships Olympics and World championships medallist weightlifter Mirabai Chanu is set to miss the Asian Championships, to be held at Gandhinagar from May 12 to 17, due to a shoulder issue, according to reliable sources.Mirabai had picked up the shoulder issue during the National Championships at Modinagar earlier this year. Even though she is on the path of recovery, there is strong apprehension that pushing her to cut weight for three competitions in five months to compete in 48kg may take a toll on the elite athlete.Skipping the home Asian Championships will save Mirabai, who will turn 32 on August 8, some hardships in a packed calendar, studded with other important events such as the Commonwealth Games (where she will seek to win her third consecutive gold) and the Asian Games (where she is yet to open her account).After the Asian Games, the ace lifter may aim at switching to 53kg for the World Championships, which is the first qualifying event for the 2028 Olympics, in October.Published on Apr 26, 2026 #Mirabai #Chanu #Asian #Weightlifting #Championships

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