As usual, he looked dangerous with the puck, playing with pace and confidence. He was effective offensively, which wasn’t always the case in the playoffs during the talented winger’s five playoff runs with the Carolina Hurricanes. Necas set up Nazem Kadri’s power-play goal.
But his most revealing shift was in the final minute. With the Wild desperately pushing for a tying goal they probably needed to maintain a chance at winning this second-round series, Necas was on the ice for coach Jared Bednar, defending Colorado’s 3-2 lead. He read a rim-around in the defensive zone and beat Quinn Hughes to the puck inside the blue line, sidestepped the Minnesota star and passed to Avalanche linemate Nathan MacKinnon for an empty-net goal.
The move from Carolina at last season’s trade deadline has allowed Necas to grow (and get rich) and improve his reputation as a playoff performer — someone whose offensive game doesn’t shrivel when checking and intensity ramp up, someone who can be trusted defensively.
If the Avalanche eliminate the Wild in Game 5 here Wednesday, they will be halfway to the Stanley Cup. Maybe they’ll meet the Hurricanes in the final, which would be a pretty fabulous matchup.
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“I feel like it’s just different now,” Necas, 27, told Sportsnet before the series shifted to Minnesota for the weekend. “Obviously, we created some chemistry here with Nate. Last year was hard, but this year it’s different. Compared to Carolina, here I’ve got way more room to shine. Obviously, Carolina had their guys and, like, I’m not saying I wasn’t one of them. But here, I’m playing on the first line, so it’s a little different.
“Everybody looks at the (points) producing side, right? That’s what everybody looks at, but I’m feeling comfortable here. I love the big-time games. It’s the same thing that you guys were asking about for the Olympics; I was excited because I love those kind of moments and games. And I think that the playoffs, it’s the same. And as the rounds go longer and longer, I like it more.”
Necas finished fourth in scoring at the Olympics in February, leading Czechia with three goals and eight points in five games.
At mid-career, Necas has been a development story for the Avalanche.
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He had a breakthrough, 100-point season playing with MacKinnon and, mostly, winger Artturi Lehkonen. Gabriel Landeskog replaced the injured Lehkonen on the top line for Game 4.
Necas’ 38-goal season came after he signed an eight-year, $92-million contract extension in October. His previous highs were 28 goals and 83 points.
“Listen, some of the criticisms on Marty from his younger years prior to being here, they may have been valid,” Colorado coach Jared Bednar told reporters after Game 2 a week ago. “Marty and I talked about this. Just because something’s true one day doesn’t make it true the next, especially over time.
“Marty put in a lot of hard work to be a trusted player on our team defensively. It’s one of the talks we had when he got here, and a handful of times after that: if you’re going to play with Nate and play against the opposition’s best guys every night, I’ve got to be able to trust you. You can’t play there (just for) how good you are offensively, right? So he buys into that. The style of the players he plays with, it’s important that he’s on that line because he helps them a lot, and his game has grown. So, I think those criticisms now are invalid.”
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Through eight playoff games, Necas has one goal and nine points, and an 11-3 goal differential at even strength.
In Carolina, his points production during the playoffs fell to 0.51 points per game from 0.73 in the regular season. And although Necas rode the Hurricanes’ high tide on puck possession and was never a glaring liability defensively, his shots-for percentage relative to teammates was modest, and overall, he was a minus player in the playoffs.
“Absolutely, I think he’s definitely gotten more aware of what the moment calls for when you don’t have the puck,” Landeskog, the Colorado captain, said after Monday’s morning skate. “His defensive systems and just his checking ability has gotten better and better every month, really, throughout the season. So yeah, he’s definitely becoming a trustworthy player.
“I think he’s always been, obviously, a very talented player and super gifted. The way he thinks the game, and he’s able to execute at such a high speed, not everybody can do that. But now he’s adding kind of the checking mentality to it, and that checking mindset is what you need (in the playoffs) because the margin for error is so small this time of year. He’s done a great job, and continues to be a big factor for us.”
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Necas was unaware of what Bednar said about him earning trust — and dispelling the earlier knocks against him — until we told him.
“I agree with Bedsy; he helped me a lot in terms of defence,” he said. “You know, I’m going to be here for a long time, and I know that I want to play in all those situations. Obviously, I’m out there if we’re losing. But he’s been putting me out there when we’re winning, too, you know, when we’re trying to defend the lead. And obviously he has to have the trust in me to do that. So I’ve been trying to play better D. The whole coaching staff helped me a lot with it.
“It’s been cool, like, being the guy.”
Necas is one of them, for sure.
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• Tuesday was a travel day for the teams, which did not practise … After getting hit in the face by teammate Devon Toews’ clearance near the end of the second period on Monday, MacKinnon returned for the third period but declined to do interviews after the game. He did tell a couple of reporters, “I got lucky,” that it was the flat side of the puck that hit him on the nose and mouth. He did not require stitches.
“If he was going to be able to get out there, he was going to be out there,” Bednar said post-game of his superstar’s return. “I don’t think that was ever in doubt. I just felt for him because I just went through that. It doesn’t feel very good, so you’re just hoping that the guy’s OK. That’s the main thing, and then you feel for him because it sucks.”
Bednar missed two games behind the Avalanche bench in April after getting hit in the face by a deflected puck during a game against the Vegas Golden Knights.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) warms up near midfield following the national anthem before a road matchup against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field in Seattle on Dec. 22, 2019. Murray prepared for the NFC West contest during his rookie campaign as Arizona closed out the regular season against a familiar division rival in primetime conditions. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports.
It doesn’t quite have the flair of the NFL MVP award, but CBS Sports formally handed Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray the best case to win Comeback Player of the Year this week.
Minnesota’s new quarterback has a clear path to national buzz if the Vikings rebound in 2026.
Murray missed 12 games last season before the Arizona Cardinals dropped him like a bad habit. Now, the speedy 28-year-old is in Minnesota to get back on track.
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A Strong Vikings Season Could Put Murray in Awards Talk
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) goes through pregame warmups before facing the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field in Seattle on Nov. 24, 2024. Murray prepared for the NFC West road matchup as Arizona attempted to remain competitive late in the regular season against a familiar division rival in one of the league’s loudest stadium environments. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images.
Parker Loverich: Murray Has 50% Odds to win Comeback Player of the Year
Parker Loverich of SI.com sized up the NFL’s soon-to-be race for Comeback Player of the Year, and Murray led the way, in his estimation.
He explained, “Kyler Murray | 50% Chance. The ACL tear in late 2022 was serious, the kind of injury that takes a quarterback more than a full year to stop thinking about. Murray came back, got through the early awkwardness, and by 2025 was playing at a level that reminded people what he looked like before it happened.”
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“Unfortunately, last year in week 5 he suffered a season ending foot injury. After sitting out the rest of the season, Murray finds himself with a change of scenery in Minnesota. He has new weapons and a new home to try and revive his career. The market gives him 50%. The remaining half is split across a field that includes some genuinely strong cases.”
In addition to Murray and Mahomes, Micah Parsons (Green Bay Packers), Malik Nabers (New York Giants), and George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers) made the cut for Loverich.
The Case … Makes Sense
After stumbling to a 4-8 start in 2025, the Vikings somehow clawed their way back to a 9-8 finish. Just one more win — specifically, the Week 18 game against Green Bay when the Packers were resting starters — could have decisively altered the NFC North race.
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The most remarkable aspect of that turnaround was the quarterback play. The Vikings had the NFL’s fifth-worst quarterback production (by Dropback EPA) yet still finished above .500. The outcome was highly unusual; teams with such poor QB efficiency typically find themselves drafting in the top 10, firing their coaches, or both.
Despite this, Kevin O’Connell guided the Vikings to nine wins.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) stretches and warms up before a home matchup against the San Francisco 49ers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Dec. 17, 2023. Murray prepared for the divisional contest as the Cardinals hosted San Francisco during the final stretch of the regular season in the NFC West race. Mandatory Credit: Michael Chow-Arizona Republic.
Given the Vikings achieved nine wins with quarterback play ranked 28th in the league, their ceiling dramatically increases with Murray under center— provided he stays healthy and plays consistently. The team doesn’t require MVP-level football from him. Just solid, healthy quarterback play could easily propel this team to 11 or 12 wins.
In Arizona, Murray averaged roughly 4,000 passing yards, 600 rushing yards, and 30 cumulative touchdowns every 17 starts, so if he could do that on a poor franchise, generally speaking, he’ll have the opportunity to pop off further in Minnesota.
A nine-win team from the year prior, welcoming a usually productive Murray, indeed has all the makings for Comeback Player of the Year.
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Why Not MVP?
At the moment, he has +7500 odds to win the MVP award, wedged between Jaxson Dart (+7000, NYG) and Cam Ward (+8,000, TEN). Bleacher Report‘s Mo Moton even named Murray as one of his first-time winners who could tip the scales for the award in 2026 this week.
In 2024, when the Vikings employed Sam Darnold, he briefly nibbled at MVP consideration before his final two games went off the rails — in a bad away — as Minnesota finished the season with a 14-3 record. And when Darnold arrived in the Twin Cities, he was a punchline to jokes.
If Darnold could post MVP numbers in Minnesota, why not Murray? It’s not a likely outcome, but if Murray has a Comeback Player of the Year resume, that may also factor into the league’s MVP race.
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The Case for Mahomes
Loverich also named-dropped Mahomes as a Comeback Player of the Year candidate: “Kansas City went 6-11 in 2025 and missed the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. For a team accustomed to January football, that was a different kind of season. Mahomes had stretches where the sharpness was not there, the timing was off, and the offense looked like it was searching for answers.”
“A rough season capped off with an ACL and LCL tear late in the year. A full return to form in 2026, the kind of dominant season the league saw from him in past seasons, would generate serious award conversation. At 37%, the market is treating that scenario as probable, but the question of his timeline for return is what complicates this number.”
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) reacts following the AFC divisional round playoff game at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Jan. 21, 2024. Mahomes helped guide Kansas City through another postseason road victory as the Chiefs continued their playoff run in difficult winter conditions against the Buffalo Bills. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports.
If you care about the Comeback Player of the Year trophy, it could be a two-horse race between Murray and Mahomes, two passers back in the saddle after 2025 season-ending injuries.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Chelsea take on vs Manchester City in Saturday’s FA Cup final as both teams look to add to their hefty tallies in the competition.
The Blues, who have won the FA Cup eight times with eight different managers, are looking to make it nine in nine at Wembley with interim boss Calum McFarlane in charge. Chelsea beat Leeds 1-0 in their semi-final courtesy of Enzo Fernandez’s header.
Seven-time winners City, meanwhile, are in their fourth consecutive Cup final but have lost their last two against Manchester United and Crystal Palace. City edged past Championship side Southampton in the semi-finals with Nico Gonzalez scoring a late screamer to win the game.
City outclassed Chelsea in their last encounter, winning 3-0 at Stamford Bridge, but cause for optimism lies in McFarlane’s personal record against Pep Guardiola: in a match at the Etihad in January, Chelsea earned a 1-1 draw.
Follow the FA Cup final with The Independent
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When is the FA Cup final?
Chelsea vs Man City is due to kick off at 3pm BST on Saturday, 16 May at Wembley Stadium.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on BBC One, BBCiPlayer and the BBC Sport website. Coverage starts at 1:15pm.
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Coverage will also be on TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports Ultimate and HBO Max, starting at 9am.
Chelsea face Man City in the FA Cup final (Getty)
Team news
Levi Colwill and Reece James are close to full fitness and could feature in Saturday’s final. Alejandro Garnarcho, Pedro Neto and Robert Sanchez have also all trained this week after recent injuries and are in line to play at Wembley.
Rodri remains a doubt for City’s fourth Cup final in a row, while Josko Gvardiol will be in the squad after returning to action against Crystal Palace. James Trafford, City’s domestic cup goalkeeper, is set to play over No 1 Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Portugal enter the 2026 FIFA World Cup with strong ambition and a sense of destiny, as this tournament is widely expected to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s final appearance on the global stage. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner will be hoping to end his legendary World Cup journey by lifting the trophy in what could be a fairytale farewell.
Unlike previous editions, Portugal arrive with one of their most balanced and complete squads in recent memory. Under Roberto Martínez, the Seleção das Quinas now boast a well-rounded unit featuring elite talent across every department. The supporting cast includes PSG duo Vitinha and João Neves, along with Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, forming a midfield capable of competing with the best in the world.
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Portugal’s confidence is further boosted by their status as reigning UEFA Nations League champions, underlining their recent success on the international stage. There is a growing belief that this could finally be the year they reach their first-ever World Cup final.
They begin their campaign against DR Congo at NRG Stadium in Houston on June 17, a fixture they will be expected to control as they look to build early momentum.
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Decent qualification campaign
Portugal finished their qualification journey with a record of 4 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw, scoring 20 goals and conceding 7. Cristiano Ronaldo once again led the scoring charts with 5 goals, while João Cancelo and Nélson Semedo contributed creatively with 2 assists each.
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The campaign started strongly with three consecutive wins, placing them at the top of their group. However, a dip in form saw them drop points in the following two matches, putting pressure on their final game. Roberto Martínez’s side responded emphatically, dismantling Armenia 9-1 in a dominant display that sealed qualification in style.
Portugal’s Group K in FIFA World Cup 2026
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Portugal
DR Congo
Uzbekistan
Colombia
Ronaldo’s final chance at World Cup glory
Cristiano Ronaldo enters what is expected to be his final World Cup at the age of 41, now also known for his off-field influence but still widely regarded as the greatest goalscorer in modern football history. Despite his age, he remains a decisive presence for Portugal, driven by the pursuit of World Cup glory and the remarkable milestone of 1,000 career goals. Fans can still expect him to deliver moments of brilliance and continue doing what he has always done best, performing on the biggest stage.
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Meanwhile, João Neves represents Portugal’s next generation. Having been just 17 and watching the previous World Cup from home, he now plays a vital role at Paris Saint-Germain. Nicknamed the “little guy,” he has developed into an intelligent and composed midfielder who quietly dictates the flow of games and provides crucial balance in Portugal’s engine room.
Portugal schedule for FIFA World Cup 2026
FIFA World Cup 2026 Portugal schedule
Fixture
Date
Venue
Portugal vs DR Congo
Wednesday, June 17
NRG Stadium
Portugal vs Uzbekistan
Tuesday, June 23
NRG Stadium
Colombia vs Portugal
Saturday, June 27
Hard Rock Stadium
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Portugal Strengths
Portugal operate in a possession-based 4-2-3-1 system under Roberto Martínez, with a clear attack-first mentality. Their biggest strength lies in a world-class midfield capable of controlling tempo, dominating possession, and dictating the rhythm of matches. Once they establish control, they can move the ball quickly and efficiently, creating dangerous attacking transitions. The presence of lethal goalscorers further enhances their ability to convert dominance into goals, making them a constant threat in the final third.
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Portugal Weaknesses
Despite their attacking quality, Portugal’s main concern is defensive instability. The team is often vulnerable at the back and can be too easily broken down, leading to avoidable goals conceded. Another issue is inconsistency in wide areas, where wingers can struggle to maintain form and impact across matches. These defensive lapses and fluctuating performances on the flanks can disrupt their overall balance, especially against top-tier opposition.
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Portugal squad for FIFA World Cup 2026: Yet to be announced
Man United have given an update on Matthijs de Ligt after his prolonged absence due to an injury.
Manchester United have announced Matthijs de Ligt has undergone surgery to address a back injury. De Ligt was last in action for United against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on November 30.
Ruben Amorim initially suggested De Ligt would miss one game through injury, but the Dutchman has been absent since. United confirmed on Friday that De Ligt had successfully undergone an operation on his issue.
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De Ligt said: “Since November I have done everything, pushing myself in every session and exploring every option, to get back to doing what I love, playing football.
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“I am grateful to everyone who has supported me throughout a difficult period in my career. I remain as determined as ever to represent Manchester United and play in front of our incredible supporters as soon as possible.”
De Ligt returned to individual training on grass in the last week of April. United had said De Ligt remained upbeat and focused on returning to full fitness, but he will not play for the club again this season.
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The 26-year-old was in superb form in the first few months of the campaign and picked up United’s player of the month award in November. Before De Ligt’s injury, he’d played every minute in the 2025/26 Premier League season.
De Ligt’s injury has ended his hopes of making the Netherlands squad for this summer’s World Cup. The defender was already fighting for a place in the Netherlands squad before he suffered his injury.
Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez have started the bulk of games in central defence since Carrick’s appointment, but Martinez missed five games between February and March due to a calf injury.
Leny Yoro came into the side while Martinez was sidelined, but the Frenchman suffered a minor hip injury last month, which ruled him out of the 1-0 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
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Ayden Heaven started alongside Noussair Mazraoui in central defence against Chelsea that night. United are tracking centre-backs ahead of the summer transfer window, but strengthening other areas of the squad is the priority.
There’s just under one month to go before the 2026 World Cup kicks off. Even before the competition has begun, there’s been heartbreak; massive controversy over prices; heated discussions over referees; and heartbreak for someBut among all the nitty gritty, the biggest question remains: How do you actually win the World Cup?
In the newest episode of Copa Independent, Miguel Delaney and Lawrence Ostlere wrestle with exactly that. They are also joined by ACFC’s Adam Clery in his Copa debut to give his take.
For more World Cup analysis, tune in to Copa Independent – it won’t just get you feeling the World Cup, but thinking about it, too. Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Edidiong Umoafia has continued his impressive rise in weightlifting after winning one gold and two silver medals for Nigeria at the ongoing 2026 Senior African Weightlifting Championship in Ismailia, Egypt.
The Akwa Ibom-born star, who hails from Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, competed in the men’s 71kg category and added three more medals to Nigeria’s growing tally at the continental championship.
Umoafia is one of Nigeria’s leading weightlifters and has won several medals for the country at international competitions. He has also represented Team Akwa Ibom at major national events and swept all the medals in his weight category at the last National Sports Festival.
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Another Akwa Ibom athlete, Ruth Nyong, also impressed at the championship by dominating her category, further highlighting the state’s growing strength in weightlifting.
Nigeria’s team produced another strong performance on Thursday as the country won nine additional medals to remain top of the medals table at the competition, which also serves as qualification for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
In the women’s 77kg category, Liadi Taiwowon all three gold medals available, while Adedapo Adeleke secured three silver medals in the men’s 79kg category.
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Nigeria now leads the medals table with 14 gold and 12 silver medals, surpassing the country’s performance at the 2025 edition in Mauritius where Team Nigeria finished overall champions with 18 medals.
The medal haul is expected to increase as more Nigerian athletes are still scheduled to compete in Egypt.
TOKYO — Injured Premier League winger Kaoru Mitoma was left out of Japan’s World Cup squad on Friday when coach Hajime Moriyasu named his 26 players for the tournament starting next month in North America.
Captain and Liverpool defensive midfielder Wataru Endo and veteran fullback Yuto Nagatomo were included.
The 28-year-old Mitoma suffered a hamstring injury during Brighton’s 3-0 win over Wolves in the Premier League last weekend.
“The medical team assessed that it would be difficult for him to get back to fitness during the tournament,” Moriyasu said.
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Monaco forward Takumi Minamino also missed out after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in December.
In 2022 in Qatar, Japan won its group after upset victories over Germany and Spain before losing in the round of 16 on penalties to eventual semifinalists Croatia.
Japan is on a five-match winning streak heading into its final pre-World Cup friendly against Iceland in Tokyo on May 31.
The streak started last October with a 3-2 win over Brazil in Tokyo when the home side came back from 2-0 down to beat the South Americans for the first time.
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It was also the last time Japan conceded a goal. Japan also beat England 1-0 on March 31 at Wembley after defeating Scotland 1-0 at Glasgow three days earlier.
Japan qualified for its first World Cup at France in 1998 and co-hosted the event with South Korea in 2002. This year marks Japan’s eighth World Cup tournament in a row.
Goalkeepers: Zion Suzuki, Keisuke Osako, Tomoki Hayakawa.
Let the footballs fly. The Vikings began working out their newly acquired rookies last week at TCO Performance Center, and for the Vikings, that was a lot of them. They reportedly signed eight of their nine draft choices (with the exception of linebacker Jake Golday—whose “gold day” has been delayed). The Vikings had a plethora of undrafted rookies in camp and even signed a couple of them: LB Kamara Bangally from Kansas and DL Vilbert Smith Vilbert from North Carolina.
More importantly, the Vikings signed a free agent wide receiver, Jauan Jennings, formerly of the San Francisco 49ers, this past week. He signed a one-year deal worth of $8 million (with incentives allowing it to reach up to $13 million), and he will slide into the vacated WR3 slot. That is plenty of money for that position, but Jennings has size, skills and veteran experience and will help take some pressure off Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.
In addition, the Purple’s search for a new general manager has gotten underway with a list of names the Vikings’ ownership is seeking to interview. Plus, the team is headed to Mexico for an international game against the Niners this season, and Adrian Peterson learned that he will be put in the Vikings Ring of Honor this season. There is plenty of news coming out of TCO Performance Center, and the fellas at the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast—Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com, and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com—have got it all for you. Tune in and check it out. Skol!
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Joe Oberle is a veteran sportswriter/editor/reporter and has covered the Vikings since 2008. The author of three books, he … More about Joe Oberle
Washington Nationals pitcher Foster Griffin (22) is visited at the mound before being relieved in the fifth inning of the MLB National League game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Washington Nationals at Great American Ball Park in downtown Cincinnati on Thursday, May 14, 2026. The Reds led 2-0 after three innings. The Reds won 15-1.
The Washington Nationals will be glad to start fresh against the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night, one day after a debacle in Cincinnati.
Washington’s chance for a series sweep vs. the Reds and a bid to reach .500 for the season ended in a 15-1 loss to the Reds.
The Nationals now will host the Orioles and New York Mets on a seven-game homestand, starting with Baltimore on Friday night in the opener of the three-game Beltway Series.
Home has not been sweet for Washington, which is just 6-13 at Nationals Park.
The Orioles, who have won three of their last four games, will open a six-game trip that will conclude against Tampa Bay. Baltimore is 8-12 on the road.
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The series against Washington will feature pitching staffs that have two of the bottom five ERAs in the majors: 4.60 for the Orioles (26th) and 5.01 for the Nationals (29th).
On Friday, Baltimore’s Shane Baz (1-4, 5.48 ERA) will oppose fellow right-hander Zack Littell (1-4, 6.94), who could be preceded by an opener.
Baz has allowed four or more earned runs in five of his eight starts this season and 10 earned runs over 10 1/3 innings in his past two outings. Last Saturday against the Athletics, he took the loss after giving up five runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings. He walked three and struck out five in Baltimore’s 6-2 defeat.
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“You want to play better,” Baz said. “I think we’re doing the right stuff in between starts and game planning wise to have more success. So I’m just kind of turning the page and looking forward to the next one.”
Baz has yet to face the Nationals in his career.
Littell has worked behind an opener in each of his past two starts. Last time out, he worked innings three through six against the Miami Marlins on Saturday and gave up three runs (two earned) on five hits in his team’s 8-7 loss. After giving up 11 homers over four starts, he has allowed one home run in his last two outings.
Littell is 2-3 with a 2.77 ERA in 10 career games (eight starts) vs. the Orioles.
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On Thursday, Washington’s most reliable starter to date was torched as Foster Griffin gave up nine runs in 4 1/3 innings. The Nationals mustered only three hits against Chase Burns and the Reds’ bullpen.
The defeat marked the 15th straight time the Nationals have lost a game in which a win would have gotten them to .500.
“It’s not just the .500. You want to be contending,” Washington’s Jacob Young said. “And to be contending, you’ve got to be at least .500. … We’ve been teetering with it, of course. But if we can just catch a little momentum and win a few in a row, we can forget about that number and go the other way.”
For the Orioles, they got a strong start Wednesday from Kyle Bradish in a 7-0 win over the New York Yankees. Blaze Alexander had three hits and drove in two runs. Coby Mayo had two hits, including an RBI double, and Adley Rutschman homered and drove in three runs.
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“I think that’s what we’re capable of,” Baltimore manager Craig Albernaz said. “We’ve shown it. We’ve shown we can play a game like this. So, for our guys, it’s just anchoring to it, being consistent with it and being diligent with our work.”
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