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Six-sixes man Jaskaran Malhotra gives stop-start career a boost, and is now dreaming bigger

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

The USA batter is the fourth man to hit six sixes in an over in international cricket, after Gibbs, Yuvraj and Pollard

Daya Sagar11-Sep-2021As you would expect after equalling an international record previously achieved only by Herschelle Gibbs, Yuvraj Singh and Kieron Pollard, there are 4000-5000 unread WhatsApp messages on Jaskaran Malhotra’s phone. One of the first to congratulate Malhotra after he hit six sixes in an over for USA against Papua New Guinea was Pollard, who was also his captain at St Lucia Stars during the 2018 edition of the CPL.Like his more famous colleagues at the Stars from that year, like David Warner, Daren Sammy and Lendl Simmons, 31-year-old Malhotra aspires to play in the IPL one day, his early ambition of turning out for India having come to nothing. That said, there is pride and satisfaction of being a part of an improving USA outfit.Related

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  • Monank Patel replaces Saurabh Netravalkar as USA T20I captain

  • Barry Ganese smacks six sixes off an over

  • Six sixes in an over

  • Thisara Perera smashes six sixes in an over

“It’s quite amazing, really. I had not planned on any such thing when I went in to bat,” Malhotra told ESPNcricinfo about his innings of 173* (in 124 balls, with four fours and 16 sixes), also the first ODI century in men’s cricket for USA. “I entered the field with our team in a spot of bother, having lost three wickets for 29 inside the first ten overs. My first target was to just stay till the end. As the innings progressed, I got the confidence to play my shots.”In the final over (bowled by the unfortunate Gaudi Toka), once I was able to hit four sixes, that’s when the thought of six sixes first came in. I am grateful that I was able to equal this record.”Of the six sixes, which took USA to 271 for 9 and a 134-run win, Malhotra picked out the second as his best, having gone inside-out over cover. Shades of the third one Yuvraj had hit off Stuart Broad back in that 2007 T20 World Cup game there.And though there has been a surfeit of messages and calls since September 9, the one Malhotra has been waiting for hasn’t. “I know Yuvi (Yuvraj) will also be calling me soon. I am eagerly looking forward to that.”It’s a long way, that international fixture – his 13th across ODIs and T20Is – in Al Amerat from his formative years playing in Himachal Pradesh.”I captained Himachal Pradesh at Under-15 and Under-17 levels. I was also the most prolific domestic wicketkeeper-batter at Under-17 level. In fact, I was rewarded with a place among the 20 probables for the Under-19 World Cup in 2008, and was part of the NCA camp,” Malhotra said. “Unfortunately, I couldn’t make the final 16, which won the tournament under Virat Kohli.”Malhotra did, however, find a place in the Himachal Pradesh senior team, but never got a look-in at the first-class level. A chance encounter with cricket in the USA came after the 2010 domestic season in India, when he was visiting a relative in America, ended up playing in a local tournament while there, and did well.After that, there were invitations each year from cricket bodies in the USA, and simultaneously a drop in the likelihood of ever making it big in India.In 2014, Malhotra decided to make his move to the USA. Permanently.”I did dream of playing for India at the highest level, but playing for USA in international cricket has been very satisfying too,” he said. “Cricket here is on the right track, and with possible inclusion at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, it will give us a chance to take on the best on a global stage quite soon.”Besides this, we need to make the most of the qualifying rounds for World Cups in T20 and 50-over formats, so that we can get better exposure at the highest level.”

Freddie Freeman Had the Perfect Joke After Belting Game-Winning HR in 18th Inning

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Freddie Freeman was a World Series hero once again for the Dodgers on Monday night as his walk-off solo home run in the bottom of the 18th inning gave Los Angeles a thrilling—and exhausting—6-5 win over the Blue Jays. The Dodgers now lead the series 2-1 and will have Shohei Ohtani pitching in Tuesday night's Game 4.

Freeman, who hit a walk-off grand slam in Game 1 of the last year's World Series against the Yankees, sent the fans at Dodger Stadium into hysterics yet again when he blasted a 3-2 pitch over the wall in dead center to finally put an end to one of the best World Series games that has ever been played.

Here's that blast:

Freeman spoke with MLB Network's Lauren Shehadi moments after his heroic blast and he had a perfect joke, saying he almost had a home run a lot earlier in the game.

"I just missed one, I think it was like 22 innings ago…" Freeman said with a laugh.

Here's that interview:

Freeman's home run came six hours and 39 minutes after the game began. Both teams had a ton of opportunities in extra innings before the lefty finally put things away with another dinger that he will never forget.

Now it will be interesting to see how Ohtani will be able to bounce back in Game 4. He was a force once again in Game 3, hitting two more home runs and adding two doubles. While he didn't have to play the field, you have to think sleep might have come hard for him after that wild, and very long, night at Dodger Stadium.

Torcida do Águia de Marabá faz cantos homofóbicos contra o São Paulo

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

MatériaMais Notícias

Na derrota contra o São Paulo, pela partida de ida da terceira fase da Copa do Brasil, a torcida do Águia de Marabá fez cantos homofóbicos contra a a torcida tricolor.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoTorcedores detonam Caio Paulista em Palmeiras x Botafogo-SP e pedem volta ao São PauloFora de Campo02/05/2024Fora de CampoComentarista da ESPN detona preferência por James Rodríguez no São Paulo: ‘Futebol e suas injustiças’Fora de Campo02/05/2024São PauloJuan se redime e conduz virada do São Paulo sobre o Águia de Marabá na Copa do BrasilSão Paulo02/05/2024

➡️A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta!

– Viado, viado, torcida de viado – cantou a torcida do Águia de Marabá nas arquibancadas do Mangueirão.

➡️ Siga o Lance! São Paulo no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Tricolor

Pelos gritos homofóbicos contra a torcida do São Paulo, o Águia de Marabá pode ser punido com base no artigo 243-G, do Código Brasileiro de Justiça Desportiva: “Praticar ato discriminatório, desdenhoso ou ultrajante, relacionado a preconceito em razão de origem étnica, raça, sexo, cor, idade, condição de pessoa idosa ou portadora de deficiência”.

No final da última temporada, a Procuradoria do Superior Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva arquivou uma notícia de infração que denúnciava cantos homofóbicos registrados na torcida do Flamengo no clássico contra o Fluminense.

continua após a publicidade

➡️ Veja tabela com datas e horários dos jogos do Brasileirão

Uma das possíveis penas previstas no artigo é a exclusão da equipe da Copa do Brasil. Águia de Marabá e São Paulo voltam a se enfrentar no dia 22 de maio, no Morumbis. A equipe do técnico Luis Zubeldía pode perder por até um gol de diferença no jogo de volta que ainda irá avançar às oitavas de final do torneio.

Tudo sobre

Copa do BrasilSão Paulo

'We'll leave it out there' – Steven Smith on Jofra Archer confrontation

by csb10.top Uncategorized

Steven Smith played down his confrontation with Jofra Archer as nothing more than “good banter” after the latest instalment in their engrossing head-to-head battle. Smith raced to 23 not out off just nine balls to take Australia to an eight-wicket win at the Gabba, and was involved in a heated back-and-forth with England’s fast bowler picked up on stump microphones.On Test debut at Lord’s 2019, Archer hit Smith on the neck with a ferocious bouncer that knocked him off his feet, and ultimately ruled him out of the following Test due to concussion. But Smith has otherwise dominated their match-up in Tests: after Australia’s win in Brisbane, no bowler has bowled to Smith as much as Archer (33.2 overs) without ever dismissing him.With only 65 runs to defend, Archer charged in during Australia’s run chase and regularly hit speeds of 93mph/150kph in the quickest spell of the match. Smith decided to take him on in the knowledge that there were impending storms in the area, pulling the first ball he faced from Archer for four and then missing an attempted uppercut.

It was at that point that they exchanged words at close quarters. “Why play your shots when there’s no rush on the scoreboard?” Archer asked Smith. “[You] bowl fast when there’s nothing going on, champion,” Smith replied. Ben Stokes also exchanged words with Jake Weatherald immediately after, before umpire Sharfuddoula intervened.”I like it,” Ricky Ponting, the former Australia captain, said on Channel 7’s coverage. “Jofra’s finally come to life, six days into the series, when the second Test match is gone, he starts chirping. Too late for that, champ… Too late boys, you’ve had your chance for four days. You haven’t been good enough. It’s too late to start.”Smith hit the next two balls that Archer bowled to the boundary, top-edging a hook over wicketkeeper Jamie Smith for four before swivel-pulling a six over deep fine leg. Archer did not bowl another over, as Smith launched Gus Atkinson over deep square leg for six before an animated celebration with Weatherald.Asked about the exchange in the context of his history with Archer, Smith replied: “What history do I have with him?” When reminded of the blow at Lord’s six years ago, he said, laughing: “He was just bowling [at] good pace, and [I’m] not really too sure what he said and not sure what I said either – and it’s not really any of your business either, so we’ll leave it out there.”Jofra Archer and Steven Smith exchanged words•PA Photos/Getty Images

Smith explained that he saw his attacking intent as a “high-percentage” option, with a short boundary behind him, and said that the threat of rain had played a role. “I heard there’s a bit of a storm coming around,” he told Fox. “We obviously had a few behind us. It was a chance to just play a few shots.”He later added: “The adrenaline was pumping at the end there. Obviously, we didn’t need too many to win, and Jof was bowling pretty quick. I had a short boundary behind me, and I thought, ‘Why not just try to get up and under a few, and put a few in the stands?’ Fortunately, it hit the middle of the bat on a couple of occasions.”It was a huge win, obviously. It’s great to go two-nil up. It’s been a wonderful couple of weeks for the team. I think we’ve played some sensational cricket. We’ve identified moments in the game and made the most of them. It’s been good fun.”It was a frustrating Test match with the ball for Archer, who took a solitary wicket in 30 overs and had straightforward catches dropped off his bowling by Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse. His lightning-fast spell on the fourth evening stood in contrast to a drop-off in pace throughout Australia’s first innings, but Brendon McCullum said Archer had a “huge role” to play in the rest of the series.Related

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“Particularly with Jof, I think he has an ability to go up and down the gears and he feels he has a bit more control with his bowling when he slightly reduces pace somewhat,” McCullum told Channel 7. “But then there’s times where he’s got to let fly, and that’s always going to be the case. I guess he would love to have more impact so far in the series than he’s had, but I think he still has a huge role to play for us in the next little while.”I always stress that the message from the captain, the message from myself, [is that] you can’t come to this country and start sulking and feeling sorry for yourself when things haven’t worked out. You can’t have a glass jaw when you tour Australia. You’ve got to stand up, you’ve got to go again, you’ve got to wear a few on the way in, and you’ve got to head towards the target. That’s our job over the next nine days, to get ready for the next one.”

Liverpool player ratings vs PSV: Virgil van Dijk disaster-class condemns rotten Reds to another defeat in Champions League shocker

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Liverpool were condemned to another damaging, dreadful defeat as Arne Slot’s side were thumped 4-1 by PSV in a Champions League horror show at Anfield. The Reds' shambolic defence was exposed time and again, with captain Virgil van Dijk conceding an early penalty while Ibrahima Konate was at fault for the third as their season hit another depressing low.

Slot’s side made the worst possible start with just six minutes on the clock after Van Dijk needlessly raised his arm high above his head, referee Alejandro Hernandez rightly pointed to the spot and former Tottenham full-back Ivan Perisic sent Giorgi Mamardashvili the wrong way to hand the visitors the lead. But there was huge relief just 10 minutes later after PSV keeper Matej Kovar saved a fierce shot from Cody Gakpo, but only succeeded in palming the ball into Dominik Szoboszlai's path to fire home from 12 yards out. 

Anfield was briefly raucous as Slot’s side mounted wave after wave of attack in the first half, playing with a confidence and style that has been sorely missed for large swathes of the domestic season, with Gakpo, Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike all seeing shots saved by Kovar. 

But the home crowd was silenced 10 minutes into the second half after an inch-perfect through-ball from Mauro Junior found Guus Til running through the middle of Liverpool’s box to fire past Mamardashvili. And there was more punishment after a shocking error from Konate, who allowed a lofted ball to bounce under his feet, and PSV substitute Couhaib Driouech fired home after an initial shot which had rebounded off the post. 

Driouech completed the rout in time added on as boos rang out around Anfield following another diabolical performance which leaves them 13th in the league phase table with three games to play.

GOAL rates Liverpool's players from Anfield…

Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence

Giorgi Mamardashvili (4/10):

Returned to starting line-up after injury to Alisson, but will be wishing he had stayed on the bench after being left awfully exposed time and again by his defence. Was not at fault for any of PSV's four strikes.  

Curtis Jones (4/10):

Asked to cover in at full-back and was kept busy all evening by PSV's industrious attack. One of the few players in the back-line to not commit a howler.

Ibrahima Konate (3/10):

A number of question marks over his place in the team, and had a decent chance to score with a header from a corner saved in the second half. But it was his basic error, allowing the ball to bounce under his feet which let PSV in for their third. Was hooked with 10 minutes to go.

Virgil van Dijk (3/10):

Dreadful evening for the Liverpool captain after conceding a needless penalty and was shown a yellow card for a reckless challenge a few minutes later. Saw a header crash off the crossbar on the half-hour, but it was a poor evening for him.  

Milos Kerkez (4/10):

For the first hour was enjoying one of his better evenings, marshalling PSV's many attacks down the Liverpool left, and had his hands full up against Man. Will be disappointed he failed to match Til's run for PSV's second goal.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield

Alexis Mac Allister (5/10):

Played way too much of the game in his own half. Cut a frustrated figure when he made it into PSV's box after having a couple of penalty appeals waved away. 

Ryan Gravenberch (5/10):

Plenty of running, but not enough final product. Another Liverpool player who will need to do some soul searching after a flat performance.  

Dominik Szoboszlai (6/10):

Asked to move into midfield by boss Slot and the decision paid dividends as his run began the build-up to his equaliser. Ran non-stop all match, was there at the vital moment to break up play and was dangerous around the opposition box, too. 

AFPAttack

Mohamed Salah (4/10):

A shadow of his former self once again. Surviving on scraps and a virtual passenger for too much of the game.

Hugo Ekitike (5/10):

Given the nod in front of Isak and was a constant threat to PSV, but failed to take any of the chances that came his way. Worrying scenes after he signalled to the bench he was injured and was hobbled off after 60 minutes. 

Cody Gakpo (5/10):

Facing his boyhood club, the Dutchman was full of running and created a host of chances for the Reds, but will be ultimately frustrated by his performance.

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Getty Images SportSubs & Manager

Alexander Isak (4/10):

Slot said before the match that Isak was rested due to the number of minutes he's played, but was given his chance on the hour following the injury to Ekitike. Barely had a touch 

Federico Chiesa (4/10):

Came on to replace Konate with 15 minutes to go, but had little impact, creating little with his handful of touches. 

Arne Slot (3/10):

The Champions League had been a relative sanctuary among the carnage of the Premier League campaign, but the same deficiencies raised their head and he had no answer. Number one issue is the defence; it's a shambles, he must fix it. 

Shami, Akash Deep, Mukesh form strong Bengal pace attack for Ranji opener

by csb10.top Uncategorized

Mohammed Shami has been named in a strong Bengal squad for the start of the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season. Shami will be partnered by Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar and Ishan Porel in the pace department, with the squad captained by opener Abhimanyu Easwaran.Bengal had earlier named Anustup Majumdar as captain. But the late change is understood to have been made in consultation with Sourav Ganguly, the former India captain who recently took charge as president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB).Shami hasn’t played for India since featuring in the Champions Trophy in early March. Asked of his omission from the squad for the West Indies Tests, chief selector Ajit Agarkar had highlighted Shami’s lack of match time as one of the reasons.Related

  • Suryavanshi, still only 14, named Bihar Ranji Trophy vice-captain

  • Akash Deep: I was wondering 'how do I survive five Tests?'

So far, since the end of IPL 2025 in June, Shami has featured in just one first-class game, for East Zone in the Duleep Trophy. In that game, he sent down 34 overs across the two innings, picking up one wicket. In the second innings of that match, Shami didn’t bowl much on the final day in a game East Zone lost after conceding a big first-innings lead.The Ranji season is also an opportunity for Akash Deep and Mukesh to get back on the Test selection radar ahead of the South Africa series starting November 14.Akash Deep was part of the England tour in the summer, where he featured in three of the five Tests and starred with a ten-wicket haul in India’s win in Birmingham. However, since his return from England, Akash Deep has had to undergo rehab for a back injury that ruled him out of the Duleep Trophy. He has since passed a fitness test but was not picked in the squad for the ongoing series against West Indies.Mukesh was part of the India A tour of England in the summer, where he picked up three wickets in his only outing. He bowled in just one innings in the Duleep Trophy opener for East Zone before being examined for a hamstring injury. He has since cleared his fitness tests at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence.Bengal open their campaign against Uttarakhand at Eden Gardens on October 15. They are placed in Group C, with Assam, Services, Tripura, Railways, Haryana and Gujarat as the other teams.

Man Utd now join race to sign "dominant" defender likened to Virgil Van Dijk

by n8rngtd.top Uncategorized

Manchester United have joined the race to sign Borussia Dortmund centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck, and the Bundesliga club’s stance on cashing-in has now been revealed.

Man United have taken major strides over the past month or so, having taken 11 points from their last five matches, but it would be fair to say their defensive record still needs major improvement.

Ruben Amorim’s side have shipped 18 goals in their opening 11 games, the joint-highest number of any side above 16th in the Premier League table, failing to keep a clean sheet since the 2-0 victory against Sunderland at the beginning of October.

Both Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt have impressed in an attacking sense, with the former scoring the winner at Anfield, while the Dutchman recently received high praise from Rio Ferdinand, who said: “De Ligt’s been our best defender this season”

“I think he’s been outstanding for us. He’s even adding goals like the last-minute equaliser the other day.”

That said, Amorim clearly needs to tighten things up at the back, given the sheer number of goals his side have conceded, and the Red Devils have now set their sights on a new target.

Man Utd join race to sign Nico Schlotterbeck

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Man United have now joined the race to sign Borussia Dortmund’s Schlotterbeck, who is about to enter the last 18 months of his contract with the German club, meaning a bidding war could be on the cards.

Liverpool have also emerged as potential suitors for the centre-back, who has earned comparisons to Virgil van Dijk, in light of his composure under pressure, which has been on display in the Champions League.

Dortmund may need to cash-in due to their financial situation, as they are currently at risk of losing the 25-year-old on a free transfer, and there is no shortage of interest, with Barcelona currently believed to be leading the race for his signature.

The defender’s ball-playing ability, coupled with the fact he is left-footed, is said to make him perfect for Amorim, and the Dortmund star has earned high praise from former Premier League chief scout Mick Brown.

Brown said: “He’s a dominant centre-back, a regular for Germany, and a very defensive option who likes to win tackles, win headers and take charge of the back line.”

Impressively, the German is also very comfortable in possession of the ball, as displayed by his performance across some key passing and dribbling metrics over the past year.

Nico Schlotterbeck’s passing and dribbling statistics

Average per 90

Passes attempted

84.06 (97th percentile)

Progressive passes

7.43 (99th percentile)

Progressive carries

1.29 (89th percentile)

Successful take-ons

0.48 (92nd percentile)

Schlotterbeck is experienced at the top level, having amassed 22 caps for Germany and 35 Champions League appearances, and he could be the ideal option for Amorim at left centre-back.

What Man Utd plan to do to hijack Real Madrid's move for Marc Guehi

What Man Utd are ready to do to hijack Real Madrid's move for Marc Guehi

He could be a superb signing for the Red Devils.

By
Henry Jackson

Nov 4, 2025

تشكيل منتخب مصر أمام الرأس الأخضر وديّا.. مرموش أساسيًا

by h79snht.top Uncategorized

أعلن حسام حسن المدير الفني لـ منتخب مصر، عن تشكيل فريقه أمام الرأس الأخضر، في المباراة التي تجمع بين الفريقين ودياً استعدادّا لكأس أمم إفريقيا.

ويواجه منتخب مصر نظيره الرأس الأخضر في مباراة تحديد المركزين الثالث والرابع، في تمام الساعة السادسة مساء بتوقيت القاهرة، على ملعب هزاع بن زايد بالإمارات. 

طالع.. “عايز أعتزل دولي”.. تريزيجيه يكشف كواليس ليلة بكاء محمد صلاح في غرفة ملابس منتخب مصر

وكان منتخب مصر قد خسر في المباراة الماضية أمام أوزبكستان بهدفين دون رد، والتي أقيمت الجمعة الماضية على ملعب هزاع بن زايد. 

ويشارك منتخب مصر في دورة ودية بالإمارات، استعدادًا لكأس أمم إفريقيا رفقة منتخبات أوزبكستان وإيران والرأس الأخضر. تشكيل منتخب مصر أمام الرأس الأخضر

جاء تشكيل منتخب مصر أمام الرأس الأخضر على النحو التالي: 

في حراسة المرمى: محمد الشناوي.

خط الدفاع: رامي ربيعة، محمد حمدي، محمد هاني، أحمد فتوح.

خط الوسط: دونجا، مروان عطية، محمود صابر.

خط الهجوم: مرموش، طاهر محمد طاهر، مصطفى محمد.

Every American League Playoff Contender's Biggest Weakness

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

In a season where no teams are on pace to finish with 100 wins, the playoff picture feels quite muddled considering there are just 11 days left in the regular season.

That's especially true in the American League, as none of the three division titles have been clinched yet and the three wild-card spots are still up for grabs. We've witnessed Aaron Judge steer the New York Yankees to the top of the AL East once again, the Seattle Mariners fumble away a big lead to their AL West bullies in the Houston Astros, and the Cleveland Guardians pull away in the AL Central under the leadership of new manager Stephen Vogt.

There will be a new team representing the American League in the World Series this year, as the defending champion Texas Rangers are all but officially eliminated from playoff contention. So, what could prevent each contender from emerging from the AL bracket? Let's dive into each contender's biggest weakness.

New York Yankees

Current playoff spot: AL East leader
Biggest weakness: Bullpen

Holmes’s penchant for blowing leads has left the Yankees bullpen in flux. / Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images

The Yankees' high-leverage bullpen arms have been a big concern all season. Former closer Clay Holmes was demoted from his ninth-inning role earlier this month and has blown a league-high 11 saves—including two since his transition to a setup role.

Luke Weaver, Tommy Kahnle, Ian Hamilton and Marcus Stroman have combined for five saves since Holmes's demotion, but the Yankees don't really have a go-to reliever to set the table for whoever gets the ninth inning. And they certainly can't trust Holmes at this point.

Cleveland Guardians

Current playoff spot: AL Central leader
Biggest weakness: Starting rotation

Cobb has only pitched three games since being acquired at the trade deadline, but he could play an important role in a diminished rotation. / Jordan Johnson-Imagn Images

The Guardians arguably boast the best bullpen in all of baseball thanks to another dominant season from All-Star closer Emmanuel Clase, but the guys trying to get the game to the arm barn leave much to be desired. Cleveland's rotation ranks 24th in ERA (4.49) and 23rd in WHIP (1.32) this season, having scuffled amid injuries, poor performances, or both, from Shane Bieber, Triston McKenzie, Logan Allen and Carlos Carrasco.

Tanner Bibee should start the first game of a playoff series, but after that? Veterans Matthew Boyd and Alex Cobb, who last pitched on Sept. 1 and is still dealing with a right hand blister, have combined for 10 starts for Cleveland and yet are probably the best options.

Houston Astros

Current playoff spot: AL West leader
Biggest weakness: The Justin Verlander situation

Verlander has finally been showing his age this year. / Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

Remember in May when everyone thought the Astros' dynasty was over? Houston is playing its best baseball at the right time, much to the chagrin of the rival Mariners.

The Astros are still a team nobody wants to face in the playoffs and could easily make their eighth straight ALCS appearance this fall. But a big question lingering in Houston is around three-time Cy Young winner Justin Verlander. Is there a spot for him in the playoff rotation?

Framber Valdez should start the opening game of any playoff series, and Hunter Brown has been fantastic since the All-Star break (2.33 ERA). The Astros also have won all eight games Yusei Kikuchi has pitched since he was acquired from Toronto at the trade deadline. Meanwhile, Verlander owns a 5.20 ERA in 15 starts this season and hasn't posted a single quality start since May.

Does first-year Astros manager Joe Espada roll with the hot hands in his rotation? Or does he give the ball to a future Hall of Famer and two-time World Series champion who consistently shows up in the spotlight?

Baltimore Orioles

Current playoff spot: First AL wild card
Biggest weakness: Slumping offense

Rutschman is one of many Orioles struggling at the plate as of late. / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

An old baseball adage rings true for Baltimore: It's not who you play, it's when you play them. And right now, anyone playing the Orioles is having a pretty good time.

The O's have lost seven of their last 10 games and have failed to score more than three runs in all seven losses. Over the last 30 days, Baltimore ranks 29th in batting average (.204) and 28th in OPS (.624). The club's young, exciting core has struggled of late, as Adley Rutschman owns a .190/.289/.250 slash line over the last month and Jackson Holliday hasn't exactly secured himself a spot on the playoff roster.

Kansas City Royals

Current playoff spot: Second AL wild card
Biggest weakness: Bullpen

Erceg will likely be asked to carry K.C.’s bullpen in October. / Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Bobby Witt Jr. is a problem. And he'll be a problem for whoever the Royals face in the wild-card round. But the bullpen is a problem for those employed at 1 Royal Way in Kansas City.

The Royals' relievers rank 23rd in ERA (4.42) and 25th in WHIP (1.38) this season. Trade-deadline acquisition Lucas Erceg has been mostly steady since being promoted to the ninth-inning role, converting eight of 10 save opportunities, but former closer James McArthur is the latest reliever to hit the injured list, following veterans Hunter Harvey, Will Smith and Chris Stratton. Manager Matt Quatraro is running out of reliable options to work with in the late innings.

Minnesota Twins

Current playoff spot: Tied for third AL wild card
Biggest weakness: Starting pitching

Richardson (78) is one of several youngsters Minnesota could tab for a playoff start. / Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The Twins' ownership followed up its most successful season in two decades last year by significantly slashing payroll—and now the club is paying for it.

There's really no trustworthy option in the rotation behind ace Pablo Lopez. Joe Ryan is out for the season, Bailey Ober has been inconsistent after a fantastic start to the year, and the Twins' trio of youngsters—David Festa, Simeon Woods Richardson and Zebby Matthews—are so hot and cold it's tough to predict which one they'll call upon for a Game 3 start.

The bullpen hasn't been good, either, over Minnesota's current 10–19 slump since Aug. 18. Add that to lingering injuries for stars Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa, and a lot has to go right for the Twins to even match last year's playoff success.

Detroit Tigers

Current playoff spot: Tied for third AL wild card
Biggest weakness: Inexperience

Riley Greene leads Tigers regulars with a 136 OPS+. / Peter Aiken-Imagn Images

To even be on this list in late September is quite the accomplishment for Detroit, which hasn't made the playoffs since 2014 or finished a season over .500 since '16. The Tigers find themselves in the mix after winning the most games (33) in the American League since the All-Star break.

Detroit, however, is a young team—the third-youngest roster in MLB. Just one of their nine regular starting hitters has more than two years of MLB service time, and Matt Vierling represents the most playoff experience among Tigers batters with 15 postseason plate appearances for Philadelphia in 2022.

The Tigers are likely still a year away. But if they surpass the Twins or Royals, the pitching staff—namely, AL Cy Young front-runner Tarik Skubal—could make some noise in the postseason.

Seattle Mariners

Current playoff spot: 2.5 GB of third AL wild card
Biggest weakness: Offense

Rodríguez’s struggles this season have been emblematic of Seattle’s lineup. / Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

The Mariners built a World Series-caliber rotation, as Luis Castillo, George Kirby and Logan Gilbert are about as good as it gets for a trio of starters. Unfortunately, their offense isn’t of the same pedigree.

Entering Thursday's game, the Mariners rank dead last in baseball in batting average (.221) and 25th in slugging percentage (.373). Julio Rodriguez, a preseason favorite to take home the AL MVP, is finally finding his swing in September, batting .310 with seven extra-base hits in 16 games. But will it be enough?

Tammy Beaumont 81 trumps Suzie Bates 77 as Blaze win again

by h716a5.icu Uncategorized

Table-topping form continues with successful chase of 189 at Chester-le-Street

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay13-Jun-2025England’s Tammy Beaumont hit a magnificent 81 to lead The Blaze to a seven-wicket win over Durham in the Vitality Blast despite the best efforts of Suzie Bates.Durham were put into bat and lost an early wicket during their innings but Bates (77), who was well supported by Bess Heath (45), inspired them to 188 for 5, their highest T20 total.The chase of 189 got off to a bad start for The Blaze but the returning Beaumont, who combined with Kathryn Bryce (39) for a second-wicket partnership worth 118, supercharged the innings with a dominant performance and the visitors notched up the fourth win of their T20 campaign.The Blaze put Durham in to bat at a sun-soaked Banks Homes Riverside and got off to a good start as Cassidy McCarthy removed Leah Dobson for 6, with the opener caught on the leg-side boundary.Bates started well, showing plenty of aggression and she played a lovely shot on the off side for four off the bowling of McCarthy. The former New Zealand captain then hit Kirstie Gordon for three fours in her first over.The hosts reached 50 in the powerplay and Mady Villiers played a lovely shot, lofting a Kathryn Bryce ball to the boundary. Villiers continued to motor as she swept a Gordon ball to the fence, but she didn’t last much longer with Sarah Glenn getting her for 36 after she went for one hit too many and was caught on the leg-side boundary.Glenn struck again for The Blaze, bowling Durham skipper Hollie Armitage for 8, but Bates reached her half-century off 37 balls soon after.Bates then took a liking to the bowling of Georgia Elwiss as she hit her for back-to-back boundaries and Heath followed that up with two fours of her own. The Blaze pulled it back for a period, but Bates heaved a Kathryn Bryce ball to the legside boundary for four and Heath followed that up with an inventive scoop.Heath’s swashbuckling knock came to an end for 45, with Kathryn Bryce getting her and Bates fell for 77 two balls later.The Blaze’s chase of 189 got off to the worst possible start as Marie Kelly cut a Lauren Filer delivery straight to Sophia Turner at deep backward point, who produced a great catch. However, England opener Beaumont started well as she played a delightful shot through the on side for four.She backed that up with one that she whipped off her legs for four and she continued to motor as her side went to 50 in the powerplay.Beaumont then hit her first maximum of the innings as she heaved a Katherine Fraser delivery down the ground and she followed that up with a second, smashing a Katie Levick delivery over the long-off boundary which got her to fifty off 31 balls.Kathryn Bryce then joined in as she smashed a Villiers ball over the ropes and The Blaze went past three figures.Durham struck back with two huge wickets as Phoebe Turner bowled Kathryn Bryce for a well-made 39 and Beaumont followed soon after as Levick got her for 81.Elwiss and Heather Graham joined forces in the middle and Graham hit three consecutive boundaries from Villiers to relieve some pressure. Elwiss then launched a Sophia Turner ball for six down the ground and along with Graham she guided the visitors home with one over to spare.

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