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VIDEO | Jurel says Sooryavanshi’s fearless batting makes game “look easy”  Rajasthan Royals batter Dhruv Jurel on Friday said teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s fearless strokeplay not only dismantles opposition attacks but also boosts the confidence of his teammates, even as it tempts them to take more risks.The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi lit up the contest with a stunning 78 off 26 balls, powering RR to a comfortable six-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru while chasing 202.Jurel, who walked in at No. 3, said batting alongside the youngster creates a unique mix of confidence and pressure in the middle.“When I go in, he makes it look really easy. You walk in and he’s smashing every ball, so you start to feel like nothing is happening on the wicket. But inside, you know cricket isn’t as easy as he’s making it look,” Jurel said at the post-match press conference.The wicketkeeper-batter admitted that Sooryavanshi’s aggressive approach often pushes others to raise their own scoring rate.“When you walk in, there’s also that pressure — you feel like, ‘He’s doing it, I need to do the same.’ At the same time, it feels easier because you think the wicket is good if he’s batting like that. So it works both ways,” he added.Sooryavanshi’s whirlwind knock, which included a 15-ball half-century, set the tone early as RR raced to one of the fastest powerplay totals of the season.Jurel complemented the youngster with a fluent unbeaten 76, stitching together a crucial partnership that effectively took the game away from RCB.He said the momentum created by Sooryavanshi allowed him to play with more freedom.“We were around 65-70 after five overs, and I was just telling myself to cash in and make it count. From the other end, the way he bats is phenomenal,” Jurel said.Published on Apr 11, 2026  #VIDEO #Jurel #Sooryavanshis #fearless #batting #game #easy

VIDEO | Jurel says Sooryavanshi’s fearless batting makes game “look easy”

Rajasthan Royals batter Dhruv Jurel on Friday said teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s fearless strokeplay not only dismantles opposition attacks but also boosts the confidence of his teammates, even as it tempts them to take more risks.

The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi lit up the contest with a stunning 78 off 26 balls, powering RR to a comfortable six-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru while chasing 202.

Jurel, who walked in at No. 3, said batting alongside the youngster creates a unique mix of confidence and pressure in the middle.

“When I go in, he makes it look really easy. You walk in and he’s smashing every ball, so you start to feel like nothing is happening on the wicket. But inside, you know cricket isn’t as easy as he’s making it look,” Jurel said at the post-match press conference.

The wicketkeeper-batter admitted that Sooryavanshi’s aggressive approach often pushes others to raise their own scoring rate.

“When you walk in, there’s also that pressure — you feel like, ‘He’s doing it, I need to do the same.’ At the same time, it feels easier because you think the wicket is good if he’s batting like that. So it works both ways,” he added.

Sooryavanshi’s whirlwind knock, which included a 15-ball half-century, set the tone early as RR raced to one of the fastest powerplay totals of the season.

Jurel complemented the youngster with a fluent unbeaten 76, stitching together a crucial partnership that effectively took the game away from RCB.

He said the momentum created by Sooryavanshi allowed him to play with more freedom.

“We were around 65-70 after five overs, and I was just telling myself to cash in and make it count. From the other end, the way he bats is phenomenal,” Jurel said.

Published on Apr 11, 2026

#VIDEO #Jurel #Sooryavanshis #fearless #batting #game #easy

Rajasthan Royals batter Dhruv Jurel on Friday said teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s fearless strokeplay not only dismantles opposition attacks but also boosts the confidence of his teammates, even as it tempts them to take more risks.

The 15-year-old Sooryavanshi lit up the contest with a stunning 78 off 26 balls, powering RR to a comfortable six-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru while chasing 202.

Jurel, who walked in at No. 3, said batting alongside the youngster creates a unique mix of confidence and pressure in the middle.

“When I go in, he makes it look really easy. You walk in and he’s smashing every ball, so you start to feel like nothing is happening on the wicket. But inside, you know cricket isn’t as easy as he’s making it look,” Jurel said at the post-match press conference.

The wicketkeeper-batter admitted that Sooryavanshi’s aggressive approach often pushes others to raise their own scoring rate.

“When you walk in, there’s also that pressure — you feel like, ‘He’s doing it, I need to do the same.’ At the same time, it feels easier because you think the wicket is good if he’s batting like that. So it works both ways,” he added.

Sooryavanshi’s whirlwind knock, which included a 15-ball half-century, set the tone early as RR raced to one of the fastest powerplay totals of the season.

Jurel complemented the youngster with a fluent unbeaten 76, stitching together a crucial partnership that effectively took the game away from RCB.

He said the momentum created by Sooryavanshi allowed him to play with more freedom.

“We were around 65-70 after five overs, and I was just telling myself to cash in and make it count. From the other end, the way he bats is phenomenal,” Jurel said.

Published on Apr 11, 2026

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Deadspin | Diamondbacks pitchers fan 16 Phillies in 1-run victory <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-900/28702718.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28702718.jpg" alt="MLB: Arizona Diamondbacks at Philadelphia Phillies" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 10, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh (16) hits a three-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Ketel Marte and James McCann each drove in two runs as the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks posted a 5-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday in the opener of a three-game series.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Arizona’s Michael Soroka (3-0) settled down after a rough start to allow four runs, five hits and two walks in 5 2/3 innings. He struck out 10 for the second time this season, helping the Diamondbacks to their fifth win in six games.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Brandon Marsh hit a three-run home run for Philadelphia, which has lost three in a row. Phillies starter Jesus Luzardo (1-2) was charged with five runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings, walking three and striking out eight.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>After not scoring in its previous 20 innings, Philadelphia erupted for four runs in the first inning against Soroka.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Trea Turner led off with a single and advanced on Kyle Schwarber’s walk. Bryce Harper delivered a double to right to make it 1-0, and Marsh followed with an opposite-field blast over the left-field wall.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>The Phillies put two runners on with two outs in the fourth, but Soroka retired Turner to escape the jam. That set the stage for a five-run rally by Arizona in the top of the fifth.</p> </section> <section id="section-7"> <p>The first three hitters of the inning reached before Luzardo rebounded to strike out Jorge Barrosa. However, Marte followed with a two-run single and then Ildemaro Vargas’ base hit made it 4-3.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Two batters later, McCann laced a two-run double to right to put the visitors ahead by a run. McCann began the game on the bench but came on when Gabriel Moreno (lower back tightness) made an early exit. The veteran catcher was 1-for-15 before hitting his second double of the season.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>The Phillies did not threaten in the fifth, six or seventh innings against Soroka and relievers Jonathan Loaisiga and Juan Morillo. Morillo came back out for the eighth and struck out three batters, working around a two-out walk to Bryson Stott.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Paul Sewald allowed a two-out triple to Justin Crawford in the ninth before Turner flied out to end the ballgame. Sewald registered his fourth save.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>All nine Phillies fanned at least once as the Diamondback pitching staff struck out 16. Marsh and Alec Bohm went down on strikes three times apiece.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-12"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Diamondbacks #pitchers #fan #Phillies #1run #victory

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Deadspin | Bryan Reynolds’ homer the difference as Pirates blank Cubs <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-900/28700830.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28700830.jpg" alt="MLB: Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 10, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski (50) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs during the second inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Bryan Reynolds hit a two-run home run, Carmen Mlodzinski threw 5 1/3 scoreless innings and the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Chicago Cubs 2-0 on Friday afternoon.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Chicago starter Shota Imanaga held Pittsburgh hitless in his six-inning stint.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>The third pitch from Cubs reliever Caleb Thielbar (1-1) in the seventh was singled to right by Ryan O’Hearn. His next pitch left the yard off the bat of Reynolds to left field, bringing home what became the only runs of the game on his third homer of the season.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Mlodzinski allowed six hits while walking three and striking out two for Pittsburgh, which has won seven of its past nine games. Mason Montgomery (1-0) earned the win, striking out two batters in relief of Mlodzinski. The Pirates will search for their first series win over Chicago since September 2024 on Saturday.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Imanaga finished with a no-decision despite striking out nine batters and walking just one.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>Ian Happ had two hits and Carson Kelly had a single and three walks for Chicago. The Cubs had six hits and worked seven walks, but were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 runners.</p> </section> <section id="section-7"> <p>Chicago threatened in the fourth, as Happ and Seiya Suzuki laced a pair of singles and Kelly’s two-out walk loaded the bases. Mlodzinski escaped the jam, getting Moises Ballesteros to line out to left field.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Alex Bregman and Happ each singled to begin the bottom of the sixth, before Mlodzinski struck out Suzuki. Montgomery then replaced Mlodzinski after 81 pitches.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Montgomery struck out Pete Crow-Armstrong and walked Kelly to load the bases. The Pittsburgh reliever preserved the scoreless tie with an inning-ending strikeout of pinch hitter Matt Shaw.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Dennis Santana earned his first save of the season, striking out Dansby Swanson and Michael Busch as part of a perfect ninth.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Bryan #Reynolds #homer #difference #Pirates #blank #Cubs

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

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