With all of the playoff basketball going on, it seems like I’ve forgotten all about baseball. However, that’s not the case. I’ve still been monitoring it, and we’ve collected some cash on the few bets I’ve put out on the game lately. Today, I have a really strong look at the game between the Reds and Pirates that takes place in Pittsburgh.
The Reds are one of the best teams in baseball, which is not exactly something that I expected to write this season. They made the postseason last year, but considering the lack of moves in the offseason, I just didn’t expect them to be great.
What is probably the most surprising about the Reds is just how good they have been on the road this season. Last year, there wasn’t really any good road team. Those that were above .500, with the exception of the Astros, made the postseason.
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A Cincinnati Reds cap with a special logo is seen during a game against the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, on July 3, 2021. Cincinnati defeated Chicago 3-2.(Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
Today, the Reds look to keep that success going with Rhett Lowder on the hill. For the year, Lowder is 3-1 with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. He has made six starts for the year, with exactly half coming at home and on the road. He has an ERA a full run lower on the road than at home, allowing five earned over 17.1 innings. Four of those runs came in one game against the Marlins. The Pirates are hitting just 2-for-11 against Lowder in their careers.
The Pirates are better than they were last year, but not exactly a successful club at the moment. They are hovering around .500 for the season, which is about what they were doing last year. The team still needs to figure out hitting, but they are doing better than last year.
They lost five straight games before this series, losing one to the Brewers and four to the Cardinals. Maybe it was just a bad stretch, or maybe it is a sign of things to come. In those games, they allowed 35 runs and scored 18. That’s an average of seven allowed and 3.6 scored.
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Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Rhett Lowder pitches against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, on April 26, 2026.(Katie Stratman/Imagn Images)
Trying to get the Pirates back on track is Carmen Mlodzinski. For the year, he is 1-2 with a 4.13 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. He has been substantially better at home, but most of his opportunities have come on the road. He is pitching to a 1.69 ERA and allowed just two earned runs over 10.2 innings. His lone home start saw him go six scoreless innings and allow two hits and two walks. In his history, he has allowed just three hits in 27 at-bats against the Reds.
We have two starters today who are in better situations for them. Mlodzinski has been better at home, and Lowder better on the road. These are still small sample sizes, but it is a bit encouraging. The way the Pirates have been bleeding runs makes me concerned that the under will be toast. The Reds have been a bit all over the place with scoring and runs allowed.
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski throws a pitch during a game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, on April 21, 2026.(Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)
In this particular situation, I think it makes the most sense to back the under. Both teams have been playing higher-scoring games right now, but with these two hurlers, we should see fewer runs.
For more sports betting information and plays, follow David on X/Twitter: @futureprez2024
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) warms up on the field before kickoff, Dec. 14, 2025, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, as the Vikings prepare for a road matchup against the Dallas Cowboys late in the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images.
Weekly, we track Minnesota Vikings-themed items that are false, outrageous, or just didn’t work out as the masses expected. We call them nopedy nopes.
Minnesota’s post-draft rumor cycle has produced a few theories that need quick cleanup.
This week’s edition covers leaguewide power rankings, a seismic trade, and the search for a new general manager.
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Three Offseason Claims Need a Closer Look This Week
These are the post-draft nopedy nopes.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) celebrates with fans after the final whistle, Dec. 1, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, following a win over the Arizona Cardinals with Cashman acknowledging the crowd after a strong defensive performance late in the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
The Nopedy Nope: Your Minnesota Vikings are the fifth-worst team in the business, says NFL.com.
Eric Edholm ranked all teams after the draft, and he slapped the Vikings at No. 28 on his list.
After the surprise of the Caleb Banks pick wore off, the Vikings settled into a little groove with a few of their selections. Among the value picks I liked: LB Jake Golday, OT Caleb Tiernan, S Jakobe Thomas and CB Charles Demmings. Even a fullback in Round 5 didn’t offend me; if anything, it made me nostalgic.
I certainly understand Vikings fans could feel differently about it, given their personal investment in the team, but if Max Bredeson becomes the next C.J. Ham, it’s a good pick. This was not a year where fifth-round picks needed to be treated like military codes. Most of the same questions about Minnesota that existed last week still remain, although trading Jonathan Greenard both adds a worry and clears up cap space.
I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Vikes make a veteran addition or two in the coming months. They could use a center, a safety and maybe another receiver.
That’s brutal business for a team that had the NFL’s third-best defense last year, signed Kyler Murray in March, and has Justin Jefferson on the roster.
The Verdict: There’s just no way that Minnesota is the league’s fifth-worst team when it had the league’s third-best defense a season ago. Nopedy nope.
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The Nopedy Nope: Jonathan Greenard would not be traded this offseason. Good teams don’t get rid of top-tier EDGE rushers.
Interim Vikings boss Rob Brzezinski pressed the button on the Greenard trade a week ago, and ESPN’s Kevin Seifert tweeted, “Brzezinski and Kevin O’Connell were somber tonight in talking about the Greenard trade.”
And Brzezinski personally said about the swap, “This is not something we’re jumping around excitedly about, but we do feel like we did the best thing for the organization moving forward. We have just spent so much money the last several years that it’s not sustainable for us to move forward. Our salary cap situation has been very, very challenging. The value ends up being what the market will pay, you know.”
“Obviously, JG is a great player, and I’m sure people have a lot of opinions as far as what the appropriate value should be for him. All I can say is, considering everything we thought it was in the best interest of all parties. Again, people can judge whether or not it was fair or reasonable for a player of that caliber, and we understand that. But it’s what the market would pay, and ultimately, we thought it was best for all parties, and that’s why we decided to do it.”
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Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jonathan Greenard (58) celebrates a defensive stop with teammates during game action, Dec. 1, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, as the Vikings faced the Arizona Cardinals with Greenard bringing energy to Brian Flores’ defense in a momentum-swinging second quarter sequence. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
When the Greenard trade fodder kicked up, most scratched their heads, as serious playoff-contending teams hoard EDGE rushers. They don’t trade him. Ultimately, Greenard was too expensive at $100 million over four seasons, and Minnesota chose a deal that offered two 3rd-Rounders to replace him.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on Greenard lasting longer than two seasons in the Twin Cities.
The Nopedy Nope: The Vikings will make public the names of their general manager candidates.
The Vikings said they would begin a general manager search after the draft, and they weren’t kidding. It’s just that the process will be hush-hush.
Minnesota Vikings owners Leonard Wilf and Mark Wilf react on the sideline before kickoff, Oct. 2, 2022, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, as the Vikings prepared to face the New Orleans Saints in an NFL International Series game showcasing the league’s global expansion efforts. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
With the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft, our search for the next general manager of the Minnesota Vikings is underway. This will be a thorough and deliberate process led by ownership, with support from a small internal advisory committee of senior leaders.
We have also engaged respected firm TurnkeyZRG to assist in conducting a wide-ranging search that includes experienced football executives, emerging candidates and individuals with diverse professional backgrounds. Our focus is to identify a decisive leader with a clear vision for team building, strong communication skills and the ability to build alignment across an organization.
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Out of respect for all involved, we do not intend to publicly announce candidates and will provide further comment when the search is complete.
This is a new phenomenon for the Vikings. GM and coach searches are not usually conducted behind closed doors.
The Verdict: Nopedy nope on knowing Minnesota’s candidate pool for the next head boss.
The San Diego Padres are expected to come under new ownership soon.
On Saturday, the MLB franchise reached an agreement to sell a controlling interest in the team to an investor group led by Puerto Rican businessman José E. Feliciano and his wife, Kwanza Jones.
The family of late owner Peter Seidler, which makes up the Padres’ current ownership group, confirmed the deal. The decision to offload the team comes three years after Seidler’s death. John Seidler has served as the Padres’ chairman since his brother died.
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The deal will not become official until it receives league approval. Last month, it was revealed that the Padres have a valuation of $3.9 billion. Although a sale price was not specified in the announcement, given the valuation, the transaction is expected to set a record for the highest price paid for an MLB franchise, surpassing Steve Cohen’s 2020 acquisition of the New York Mets for $2.42 billion.
San Diego Padres’ Manny Machado, left, acknowledges the crowd after hitting a single, his 2000th career hit, during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Monday, July 7, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Orlando Ramirez)
Other members of the investor group were not named. In a joint statement, Jones and Feliciano “a unifying force” in San Diego and committed to building on the franchise’s foundation.
“The Padres are more than a baseball team; they are a unifying force in San Diego, rooted in community, connection and belonging. As life and business partners, and as a family, we are honored to lead this next chapter together. We have worked hard for everything we have achieved, and we have built it together. We see that same spirit in this team and its fans, and we know what it takes to win. We are committed to showing up, listening and earning the trust of this community while building on the strong foundation established by the Seidler family.”
The group added that its commitment encompasses both on-field success and meaningful community impact.
A general view of Petco Park during the game between the Detroit Tigers and the San Diego Padres on March 26, 2026, in San Diego, California.(Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
“This is about more than baseball — it’s about boosting the pride, energy, and connection that define the Padres, investing in community, deepening belonging and ensuring this team remains accessible and endures for generations. We are all in — with the goal of bringing a World Series championship to San Diego.”
Peter Seidler joined the Padres’ ownership group in 2012 when John Moores sold the team for $800 million to a group headed by Ron Fowler. Seidler took over and immediately endeared himself to San Diego’s fans with his aggressive financial backing of general manager A.J. Preller.
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The Padres have been a hot ticket for several years as San Diego’s only team in the four biggest North American sports leagues, ranking second in the MLB in attendance last season.
San Diego Padres players stand for the national anthem before Opening Day against the Detroit Tigers at Petco Park in San Diego, California, on March 26, 2026.(Meg McLaughlin/The San Diego Union-Tribune)
The Padres are off to a strong start, sitting second in the NL West at 19-13 entering Sunday afternoon’s finale of a three-game series against the Chicago White Sox. The team has made the playoffs in four of the past six seasons.
Feliciano is on track to become the second Latino owner in baseball, joining Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
Ok, here we go! The players are just being introduced to the crowd by human Energizer bunny, MC Rob Walker.
Wu Yize is first up. A great reception for the Chinese star, who Rob describes as a “lean, mean potting machine”. The chants of “Wuuuuuuuuu” go up from the crowd.
Shaun Murphy is then introduced – roars from the crowd as he strolls down the steps looking relaxed.
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The 2026 World Snooker Championship final is about to get underway.
(Reuters)
Luke Baker3 May 2026 13:13
Shaun Murphy v Wu Yize format
So, how will this final work? We’re in for a treat, with a best-of-35 contest lined up over the next two days – 18 frames is the target for victory.
Here’s the session times:
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1pm: Session one – 8 frames
7pm: Session two – 9 frames
1pm: Session three – 8 frames
7pm: Session four – 9 frames
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Luke Baker3 May 2026 13:09
Mark Allen’s moment of heartbreak defines Crucible semi-final classic for the ages
In a semi-final that looked set to be remembered for the farcical scenes that led to the longest frame in Crucible history, Mark Allen produced a defining moment so heartbreaking that the 100-minute marathon became a mere footnote.
Allen had one foot and four-and-a-half toes in the World Snooker Championship final when he potted a spectacular long pink while leading Wu Yize 16-15 and landed perfectly on the final black. Black on its spot, cue ball perfectly positioned – it’s a simple pot that Allen makes 100 times out of 100. Except on this one, most important occasion.
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Read Luke Baker’s full report from a semi-final of high drama:
Luke Baker3 May 2026 13:01
Shaun Murphy v Wu Yize
What a final we have in store here. Shaun Murphy is already a world champion, having won the title in 2005 but, 21 years on, he’s desperate to join an elite club by becoming a multiple world champion.
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He’s lost three finals since that 2005 triumph, so will it be fourth time lucky for the 43-year-old Englishman.
Standing in his way is 22-year-old Chinese wonderkid Wu Yize. A potting machine, Wu is trying to become just the second Chinese world champion, 12 months after Zhao Xintong made history as the first.
He’ll be fearless, especially after coming back from the brink to beat Mark Allen in the semi-finals, and given both men’s propensity for attacking snooker, this one should be a high-scoring thriller.
Wu Yize battled past Mark Allen in the semi-finals (Reuters)
Luke Baker3 May 2026 12:54
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The lucky underpants that won Shaun Murphy his first world snooker title
Shaun Murphy has revealed that a pair of lucky underpants helped him win his first World Snooker Championship title, yet it wasn’t him who was wearing them.
Murphy begins the final of the 2026 tournament against 22-year-old Wu Yizethis afternoon but his first world title came back in 2005, when he was a relatively unknown 22-year-old himself.
Having come through qualifying to reach the Crucible, Murphy blitzed the field with his attacking snooker, seeing off Chris Small, John Higgins, Steve Davis and Peter Ebdon before beating Matthew Stevens 18-16 in the final.
Twenty-one years later, the now 43-year-old has revealed the victory may have been down to his nephew Joshua, who was just a child at the time and ensured that his uncle kept winning by wearing the same underwear each day he was at the Crucible.
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Luke Baker3 May 2026 12:50
Shaun Murphy v Wu Yize
Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of the 2026 World Snooker Championship final between Shaun Murphy and Wu Yize.
After a hugely dramatic day of semi-final action, can the final live up to the same standard?
With the first round in the rearview mirror, it’s time for the conference semifinals of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The NHL announced the schedule for Round 2, with all games available on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
Here are the schedules for all second-round matchups (all times ET):
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Philadelphia Flyers Carolina leads series 1-0
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Game 1: Carolina 3, Philadelphia 0 Game 2: Philadelphia at Carolina, Mon. May 4 at 7 p.m. Game 3: Carolina at Philadelphia, Thurs. May 7 at 8 p.m. Game 4: Carolina at Philadelphia, Sat. May 9 at 6 p.m. *Game 5: Philadelphia at Carolina, Mon. May 11 at TBD *Game 6: Carolina at Philadelphia, Wed. May 13 at TBD *Game 7: Philadelphia at Carolina, Sat. May 16 at TBD
Buffalo Sabres vs. Montreal Canadiens/Tampa Bay Lightning Series tied 0-0
Game 1: Montreal/Tampa Bay at Buffalo, Wed. May 6 at 7 p.m. Game 2: Montreal/Tampa Bay at Buffalo, Fri. May 8 at 7 p.m. Game 3: Buffalo at Montreal/Tampa Bay, Sun. May 10 at 7 p.m. Game 4: Buffalo at Montreal/Tampa Bay, Tue. May 12 at TBD *Game 5: Montreal/Tampa Bay at Buffalo, Thurs. May 14 at TBD *Game 6: Buffalo at Montreal/Tampa Bay, Sat. May 16 at TBD *Game 7: Montreal/Tampa Bay at Buffalo, Mon. May 18 at TBD
Colorado Avalanche vs. Minnesota Wild Series tied 0-0
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Game 1: Minnesota at Colorado, Sun. May 3 at 9 p.m. Game 2: Minnesota at Colorado, Tue. May 5 at 8 p.m. Game 3: Colorado at Minnesota, Sat. May 9 at 9 p.m. Game 4: Colorado at Minnesota, Mon. May 11 at TBD *Game 5: Minnesota at Colorado, Wed. May 13 at TBD *Game 6: Colorado at Minnesota, Fri. May 15 at TBD *Game 7: Minnesota at Colorado, Sun. May 17 at TBD
Vegas Golden Knights vs. Anaheim Ducks Series tied 0-0
Game 1: Anaheim at Vegas, Mon. May 4 at 9:30 p.m. Game 2: Anaheim at Vegas, Wed. May 6 at 9:30 p.m. Game 3: Vegas at Anaheim, Fri. May 8 at 9:30 p.m. Game 4: Vegas at Anaheim, Sun. May 10 at 9:30 p.m. *Game 5: Anaheim at Vegas, Tue. May 12 at TBD *Game 6: Vegas at Anaheim, Thurs. May 14 at TBD *Game 7: Anaheim at Vegas, Sat. May 16 at TBD
Apr 15, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Dustin May (3) pitches against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Players and coaches are wearing number 42 in recognition of Jackie Robinson Day. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
Two teams trending in opposite directions meet when the St. Louis Cardinals aim for a sweep of their three-game series against the visiting Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.
St. Louis beat the Dodgers 3-2 on Saturday for their sixth straight win, while Los Angeles’ offense has gone quiet during its four-game losing streak.
Michael McGreevy tossed six scoreless innings on Saturday to help the Cardinals move a season-best seven games over .500 at 20-13.
“We’re going to give you hell when you play us,” McGreevy said. “There (were) a ton of expectations put on us in the offseason, and it’s been so freeing for the guys just to be able to show up and play.”
Jordan Walker hit his 10th home run of the season Saturday and is 6-for-8 with four RBIs in the first two games of the series.
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“It just feels nice that the work that I put in during the offseason is showing up here,” Walker said. “Now the main focus is just keeping it consistent, and it feels like I know what it feels like, so when I get (off track), just get back on.”
The Dodgers have gone five straight games without a home run and have hit a total of three homers in their past 11 games. Los Angeles also hit into four double plays in Saturday’s loss.
“It’s what every team is going to go through in baseball throughout the course of a season,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “I felt tonight, although it didn’t show for the first eight innings, I thought the intentions were better on balls in the hitting zone.”
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Los Angeles has been held to two runs or fewer in six of its last 11 games.
After opening the season on a tear at the plate, Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages has eight hits in his last 38 at-bats. He struck out twice Saturday.
“Just trying to focus on what I can do, not focus so much on the whole,” Pages said through an interpreter. “Just focus on taking good at-bats, doing good turns, not really trying to get too ahead of myself. Baseball is really hard. So offensively, there’s gonna be times where we’re not clicking, and that’s one of those times right now.”
Left-hander Justin Wrobleski (4-0, 1.50 ERA) will take the mound for the Dodgers. He won his fourth straight start last Sunday, allowing four hits over six solid innings in a 6-0 home win over the Chicago Cubs.
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Wrobleski, 25, has allowed two runs on 16 hits in 26 innings across his last four outings.
Pedro Pages is 4-for-6 with two homers against Wrobleski, who is 1-1 with a 5.79 ERA in three career games (two starts) versus St. Louis.
The Cardinals will counter with right-hander Dustin May (3-2, 5.28), who spent the first five-plus seasons of his career from 2019-25 with the Dodgers.
May, 28, gave up two runs over six innings in a no-decision against the Pittsburgh Pirates last Monday. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in each of his last four starts, going 3-0 in those outings. May is facing his former team for the first time.
Ulster welcome Exeter Chiefs to the Kingspan Stadium on Saturday evening (5:30pm) with a place in the EPCR Challenge Cup final on the line—and the bookmakers have them slight favourites at -2.
It’s a tight spread for a knockout game, but the team news from Richie Murphy suggests Ulster are going all-in to get the job done on home soil.
Big Guns Return at the Right Time
There are 14 changes from last week’s URC outing, which tells you everything about where Ulster’s focus has been. This is close to full strength—and it shows.
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Captain Iain Henderson returns to lead the side, partnering Cormac Izuchukwu in the second row. More importantly, the back row gets a serious lift with the return of Nick Timoney from injury, alongside David McCann and Juarno Augustus.
That trio gives Ulster real bite at the breakdown and ball-carrying power—something they’ve lacked at times this season.
Up front, Tom Stewart anchors the front row between Sam Crean and Tom O’Toole. It’s a solid unit, but it will need to stand up physically against a typically abrasive Exeter pack.
Midfield Power and Back Three Threat
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Ulster’s strength arguably lies in their midfield. Stuart McCloskey is back pulling the strings at 12, bringing his usual mix of direct running and distribution. Alongside him, Jude Postlethwaite continues to grow into the role at 13.
Out wide, Jacob Stockdale returns on the left, with Zac Ward—Ulster’s leading try-scorer this season—on the right. Add in Michael Lowry at 15, and there’s plenty of attacking spark if Ulster can get quick ball.
The half-back pairing of Nathan Doak and Jack Murphy will be key. Doak’s control and kicking game, in particular, could decide whether Ulster play this in the right areas.
Bench Impact Could Be Decisive
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Murphy has gone with a 5:3 split on the bench, signalling a clear intent to win the physical battle late on.
Eric O’Sullivan and Tom McAllister provide fresh legs in the front row, while Bryn Ward adds energy in the back row.
In the backs, Jake Flannery and Ethan McIlroy offer versatility and attacking threat if the game opens up.
In tight knockout matches, that depth often proves the difference—and Ulster look well covered.
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The Betting Angle: Is -2 Too Low?
A -2 handicap is about as tight as it gets. It’s essentially asking one question: do Ulster win the match?
Given the return of key players, home advantage, and Exeter’s patchy away form, the line looks slightly on the conservative side.
That said, semi-finals are rarely straightforward. Exeter will bring physicality, set-piece pressure, and enough experience to keep this close if Ulster don’t start well.
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The biggest risk for Ulster is discipline and game management. If they give Exeter territory or easy points, this turns into a dogfight quickly.
Verdict
Ulster have named a team capable of winning this—and more importantly, one built for knockout rugby.
With Henderson leading, Timoney back, and McCloskey carrying in midfield, they should have enough control and power to edge it.
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It won’t be pretty, and it won’t be comfortable—but it doesn’t need to be.
Joshua is set for the biggest payday of his career for the fight with Fury but the latter’s promoter, Frank Warren, has said the bout fight will not happen if Joshua loses to Prenga.
“There is a lot of pressure going into this fight but there’s also a lot of questions to be answered,” said Hearn. “Physically, mentally, fighting again at all and that’s why it’s needed.
“We want the best Anthony Joshua against Tyson Fury. We don’t want a guy that, ‘maybe he should’ve had a warm up fight – he wasn’t quite ready’.
“We want to be 100% ready for that fight and, if he is, he’ll beat him and he’ll knock him out.”
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Joshua’s was beaten by Daniel Dubois in his last fight before beating Paul and his last win against a recognised opponent came against Otto Wallin in December 2023.
“100%, I think there is no doubt about that,” said Hearn when asked if Joshua’s fight against Fury would be off he lost to Prenga. “There’s no doubt, and that’s the risk that we take.
“Even before the incident in Nigeria, we were always having this fight. Now he has been through that, we probably need this fight even more, if I’m honest.
“Now don’t get me wrong, the risk of that versus the pot of gold at the end, it is a risky game, especially when you are fighting a guy that not many people know about, has had 20 knockouts in 21 wins and has got absolutely nothing to lose.
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“We know it’s dangerous, but if you can’t beat that guy then you don’t really deserve to be in a ring with Tyson Fury.
“I think with AJ that is a fair assessment and he understands that as well.
“It’s not about trying to protect money here – ‘Oh we don’t want to take that fight because if we get beat we won’t get paid the money’.
“We have to look good in that fight because we want to beat Tyson Fury. We’ve got no interest in just turning up and taking the money.”
Nico O’Reilly expects the title race to go to the wire as Manchester City chase Arsenal.
City, trailing the Premier League leaders by six points but with two games in hand, need to win at Everton on Monday to keep the pressure on Mikel Arteta’s side.
Three successive wins — including a crucial victory over Arsenal — have given City a momentum they are determined to maintain.
O’Reilly, who has excelled in left-back and midfield roles this term, said: “We’re confident in ourselves. There are still a few games to go and it could go down to the last game.
“We’re going to try and win every game and score as much as we can. We’re going into every game trying to put a good performance in and win.”
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City moved top of the table on goals scored by beating Burnley last time out but FA Cup involvement and the league schedule have since allowed Arsenal to move back in front.
The Gunners now have the advantage of points on the board, but O’Reilly insists that has not affected City’s approach.
The 21-year-old said: “I’m feeling good and positive and ready for the last few weeks. Everyone is feeling good and we’re excited for the last few weeks of the season.”
O’Reilly has been one of the stars of City’s campaign, first establishing himself as a member of the back four before being handed opportunities in his more natural midfield position.
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He is among the leading contenders for young player of the year awards, but O’Reilly is focusing only on the immediate task.
“It would be a great achievement but there are still a few games to go and we’ll see what happens,” said O’Reilly, whose form also looks set to earn him an England World Cup spot.
“I just need to knuckle down and keep working hard.
“With all the games and how intense it is, I don’t think there’s much time to reflect yet. I think that’s when we have time off.”
Heading into the 2026 Season, 78 players who attended high schools in Montana have played or are currently playing in the NFL.
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