Sports
New Viking Named Dark Horse for MVP Award
The Minnesota Vikings signed quarterback Kyler Murray in March, and three months later, some traction suggests he could be a dark horse for the NFL MVP award in 2026.
Vikings fans will be content with Murray playing well enough to reach the postseason and win a playoff game, two, or a few, but NFL.com insists that Murray cannot be ruled out of the MVP race.
Vikings’ Offense Gives Murray a Real Stat-Friendly Setup
Dan Parr: Murray Is an MVP Dark Horse
Parr of NFL.com sized up nine MVP dark horses, and Murray showed up on the list at No. 8, one spot ahead of Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson and seven spots below dark horse “frontrunner” Brock Purdy, the San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback.
He explained, “We saw what Kevin O’Connell did with a reclamation project two years ago, when he flipped the career arc of Sam Darnold by helping him become a Pro Bowl QB (and earn a few points in the MVP voting) in his lone season with Minnesota. Now I’m fascinated to see what the QB guru can do with Murray, who’s looking for the O’Connell bump after cratering in Arizona.”
“He still has to beat out 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy for the starting job, but if Murray’s able to tap back into the dual-threat ability that earned him consecutive Pro Bowl trips a few years ago (2020-2021), it shouldn’t be much of a competition. While it might not pop off every corner of the page, the supporting cast in Minnesota looks strong on paper, led by one of the league’s top players in WR Justin Jefferson.”
No Vikings — or any non-quarterback — has won the award since 2012. It’s time.
Parr continued, “If Jordan Addison and Jauan Jennings stay healthy, that could be a tough trio of pass catchers for defenses to match up against. The offensive line is solid, anchored by LT Christian Darrisaw. They’re not the most dynamic at tight end (T.J. Hockenson) or running back (Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason), but all in all, it’s a respectable group. Murray has demonstrated a propensity for making defenses look silly.”
“He was doing it not too long ago, albeit too infrequently. If O’Connell helps him unlock peak form, the Vikings could be surprise contenders in the NFC North, and the heat from the QB’s MVP campaign might turn snowmen into puddles across Minneapolis next winter.”
Well, the Career Production Is There
It might feel like a really bold take in June to proclaim Murray as an MVP candidate, but a peek under the hood of his career production shows that it wouldn’t be strange at all if he nibbled at contention.
Every starts 17, Murray averages this stat line:
— 3,997 Passing Yards
— 623 Rushing Yards
— 24 Passing TDs
— 6 Rushing TDs
— 12 INTs
— 67.1 Completion %
And those numbers are with sometimes poor Cardinals teams that were limited by suspect defense. If one assumes that Murray experiences a statistical bump upon arriving in Minnesota, well, his statistics would absolutely mandate MVP consideration, not unlike Darnold’s 2024 pit stop in the Twin Cities.
Just Stay Healthy?
Here’s the kicker for Murray to be truly viewed as an MVP candidate: his availability.
Since 2019, when Arizona picked Murray with the first overall pick, he has missed 26% of all games to injury. That percentage could be slightly inflated because of his “soft benching” by the Cardinals in 2025, or so goes the theory, but as a whole, Murray usually misses about a quarter of all starts.
It would be tricky for Murray to be classified as an MVP candidate while, for example, playing 13 games in 2026. He could miss a game or two, but MVP voters evaluate health as well, since availability is a factor in value.
Therefore, Murray has a mission: stay healthy, play efficiently in Kevin O’Connell’s offense, and let Brian Flores’s defense take care of the rest — as it usually does.
The Real Frontrunners
Back to reality, these are the true leaders in the MVP race with the regular season less than three months away:
- Josh Allen: +550
- Lamar Jackson: +650
- Justin Herbert: +1000
- Joe Burrow: +1000
- Patrick Mahomes: +1000
- Drake Maye: +1100
- Dak Prescott: +1300
- Caleb Williams: +1400
- Matthew Stafford: +1400
- Jordan Love: +1500
- Jayden Daniels: +2000
Maye and Stafford battled to the very end in 2025, with Stafford prevailing by a whisker. Sportsbooks believe Allen is due to win the award for a second time.
Murray was in the mix to win the MVP award in 2021, but the league ultimately honored Aaron Rodgers during his penultimate season in Green Bay.
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IND vs AFG: Shubman Gill wins first ODI series as captain; equals Rohit Sharma’s feat | Cricket News
NEW DELHI: Shubman Gill celebrated his first ODI series win as India’s captain after leading the team to a 3-0 clean sweep over Afghanistan. India completed the series whitewash with a dominant nine-wicket victory in the third ODI at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.The series win is a significant milestone for Gill, whose previous ODI assignments as captain against Australia and New Zealand had ended in defeats. Gill has also enjoyed an excellent run with the bat. After leading India to an innings-and-300-run victory over Afghanistan in the one-off Test, he followed it up by guiding the team to a 3-0 ODI series triumph.The 26-year-old finished as the highest run-scorer of the series with 238 runs in three matches at an average of 238.00 and a strike rate of 135.23. His tally included one century and one half-century.His performances earned him the Player of the Series award — the sixth such award of his ODI career.
Most Player of the Series awards for India in ODIs
Sachin Tendulkar – 15- Virat Kohli – 11
- Sourav Ganguly – 7
- Yuvraj Singh – 7
- MS Dhoni – 7
Rohit Sharma – 6- Shubman Gill – 6
Reflecting on the series, Gill was pleased with how India executed their plans.“A lot of the boxes are ticked. We spoke about keeping the intensity in the middle overs and some of the things that we also spoke about was how can we keep creating those opportunities in the middle overs as a bowling unit and as a batting unit, how can we keep pushing for the extra runs in the middle overs and I think a lot of those boxes were ticked.”India’s victory in Chennai was set up by Prasidh Krishna, who claimed his maiden ODI five-wicket haul with figures of 5/23, and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored an unbeaten 110.Gill praised Prasidh and fellow pacer Gurnoor Brar for their opening spell.“Definitely. I think the first spell bowled by Gurnoor (Brar) and Prasidh was outstanding. To see that kind of pace in those conditions was not easy. But I think they kept putting their effort and kept pushing. I mean, definitely you are tempted to give them that one extra over, but looking at the weather, I did ask them if they wanted to bowl that one extra over, but they were pretty exhausted.”India’s next challenge is a three-match ODI series in England from July 14 to 19. Gill believes the conditions there will provide useful preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup. “Going to England, the conditions would be a little bit more similar to what we get in South Africa, not quite similar, but still close to that. So the kind of combination that we would be looking to play there, hopefully we have all the players fit and ready, it is going to be another great series for us.”
SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. – Scottie Scheffler finally showed some emotion.
On the 14th hole at Shinnecock Hills on Saturday, the game’s best player roasted a drive 351 yards to the middle of the fairway but saw his approach bounce along and off the back of the green. That tends to happen here. But Scheffler hit a nifty pitch back up the slope and watched as it rolled into the cup for a birdie – the first of three in a row on his back nine – and he spent the entirety of the walk from the back of the green to the cup pumping his fist.
“At that point I’m still over par for the tournament, staring at a pretty tough up-and-down. So, to steal a shot there at least is a pretty good feeling. We’ve been battling for three days now, and yeah, at that point over par for the tournament, you can feel like it’s kind of slipping away. To steal one there was really nice,” Scheffler said.
It might be too little, too late, but we’ve got to Sunday at the U.S. Open and, perhaps, reached the intersection of divine intervention and great golf. You never know in this crazy game.
Alas, it will still be a tall mountain to climb – even for the game’s No.1-ranked golfer. He’ll be in the final pairing alongside leader Wyndham Clark who – despite a shaky 18th-hole bogey – leads by six shots.
“We’ve been battling hard for a few days, and I did a good job of keeping myself in the tournament. I’ll need a really nice round tomorrow if I’m going to try and catch Wyndham,” Scheffler admitted.
Clark’s six-shot lead on Scheffler, Sahith Theegala, Sam Stevens and Tom Kim is the fourth-largest 54-hole advantage in U.S. open history. Twenty-one times in major history, a golfer has held a lead of six shots or more heading into the final round and just once has that lead not been converted to a trophy.
“Scottie is the best player in the world, and he’s going to play probably really good. He always does, but it’s nice to have a six-shot lead on him. But really, I’m just going to keep approaching it the same way,” said Clark, whose effort on the greens has been the difference as he sits first in strokes gained: putting for the week and made over 50 feet of just par putts on Saturday.
“If I go out and execute and go through my process and hit the shots I know I can hit, I like my chances.”
This is Scheffler’s first crack at capturing the career grand slam, and he’s at least given himself a shot.
Sunday is father’s day. And it’s also his birthday.
“I think it’s appropriate to understand what’s at stake,” Scheffler said. “I’ve worked really hard for a long time to have a chance to win golf tournaments and to win major championships. I think understanding the moment and giving it your best shot is all part of the process.”
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Just play, we’ll handle the rest
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Scheffler could not have had a more disastrous start to his moving day at Shinnecock Hills, chopping out of the rough for his approach and needing to roll in a nine-footer to save bogey on his first hole. He then missed a six-footer for par on the par-3 2nd, and his day was slipping away from him as quickly as it had begun.
“Got off to a tough start today. I hit a decent drive there on 1. I got the worst lie I’ve seen from anybody all week that you couldn’t even advance really with a wedge. Ended up making a really nice bogey. Hit a couple of decent shots there on the second. Made another bogey. Just did my best to try and stay patient,” Scheffler said.
He steadied himself after that, making seven straight pars before making the turn. Scheffler then hit one of the tidiest approaches to No. 10 that we’ve seen all week, essentially a flop shot, he said, from about 70 yards away that ended up just seven feet from the hole – one of just 12 birdies on the hole for the day.
“I made a really nice birdie there on the 10th. That was a hole where it’s really hard to hold that green, so it was really nice to kind of steal a shot there,” Scheffler said.
Scheffler was the first golfer to get into the house in red figures through 54 holes after shooting a 1-under 69. He added an 11-foot birdie on the par-4 15th and then hit an incredible approach from 272 yards away to just 13 feet for an eagle on No. 16.
His day could have been better had he not missed a six-footer for par on his penultimate hole. But overall, and especially considering how he started, Scheffler was happy with his round – one of just two under-par efforts for the day.
“Proud of how we played on the back nine, and going into tomorrow, just continue to do what I need to do and try and execute,” Scheffler said.
So, history figures to be at stake one way or another on Sunday in the Hamptons.
Either Clark will have one of the largest collapses in major championship history or Scheffler, who leads the PGA Tour in final-round scoring average, will pull off his latest magic trick – and complete the career grand slam in his first attempt on a day he’s already being celebrated.
“This is why we practise and play, to have an opportunity to win golf tournaments,” Scheffler said. “And that’s what tomorrow is.”
Group F play continues on Sunday as Japan and Tunisia meet in a matchup of two teams looking to right different wrongs from Matchday 1. Japan twice rallied from a goal down to salvage a thrilling 2-2 draw against the Netherlands, while Tunisia was routed 5-1 by Sweden in a result that cost manager Sabri Lamouchi his job and brought in Herve Renard on short notice.
Kickoff is at 12 a.m. ET in Monterrey. The latest Japan vs. Tunisia odds from FanDuel Sportsbook list Japan at -230 (risk $230 to win $100) on the 90-minute money line, with Tunisia at +650 and a draw at +360. The over/under for total goals is 2.5. Before locking in any Japan vs. Tunisia picks or World Cup 2026 predictions, check out the Japan vs. Tunisia predictions from SportsLine’s Jon Eimer.
Eimer is a high-volume bettor who has vast knowledge of leagues and players across the globe. Since joining SportsLine, he has covered the English Premier League, Champions League, Serie A, the FA Cup, and much more. He’s been red-hot on his soccer betting picks in 2026, posting a 31-13-2 record and returning over $1,200 of profit on his Champions League picks. He also enters Saturday on a 19-9-2 run on World Cup picks, returning +460. Anyone wanting to follow his World Cup betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could see big returns.
Now, Eimer has studied Japan vs. Tunisia and just revealed his 2026 World Cup picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are several World Cup odds and soccer betting lines for Japan vs. Tunisia:
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Japan vs. Tunisia 90-minute money line |
Japan -230, Tunisia +650, Draw +360 |
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Japan vs. Tunisia over/under: |
2.5 goals |
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Japan vs. Tunisia spread: |
Japan -1.5 (+122) |
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Fubo (Try for free) |
Top Japan vs. Tunisia Coast predictions
After examining Tunisia vs. Japan from every angle, Eimer is going Over 2.5 total goals (+104). Eimer can’t say enough good things about Japan, calling them one of the teams he’s most excited to watch in this tournament and one he thinks will exceed expectations. Down a goal twice against the Netherlands, Japan answered both times, a response Eimer says “showed more fight and resilience in 45 minutes than we’ll see other teams play” anywhere else in this competition. He sees a roster full of attacking talent working together as well as any team in the field.
Tunisia, meanwhile, are a team in crisis, according to Eimer. The 5-1 loss to Sweden was historically bad, and the fallout off the pitch, including the non-mutual dismissal of Lamouchi, has left the squad trying to stabilize against the strongest team in the group. Eimer isn’t finding much to like on that side right now, and expects Japan to control this match and the Over to hit. See Eimer’s best bets for Japan vs. Tunisia at SportsLine, and you can bet the Over in Japan vs. Tunisia Coast at FanDuel here:
How to make Japan vs. Tunisia picks
After studying this matchup from every angle, Eimer has found some critical x-factors and locked in two other best bets that you absolutely need to see. You can head to SportsLine to see them.
So what are the best bets for Japan vs. Tunisia? Visit SportsLine now to see the best bets for Japan vs. Tunisia, all from expert on a 19-9 roll on WC picks, and find out.
Even on a Friday afternoon, the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage match between the United States and Australia brought in another impressive audience for Fox and Telemundo.
Fox revealed preliminary numbers on Saturday showing that the USMNT-Australia match averaged 14.781 million viewers, making it the most-watched Friday afternoon telecast on any network since the USMNT-England World Cup match on Black Friday in 2022 (15.38 million viewers).
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The USMNT’s 2-0 win over Australia made for the third-most-watched men’s World Cup group stage match. One of those matches was the USMNT’s first game of this World Cup vs. Paraguay, which averaged a record 18.037 million viewers (the preliminary number was 15.986 million).
Additionally, the USMNT-Australia telecast peaked at 19.169 million viewers (4:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET), which is even higher than the preliminary peak audience of 18.86 million reported for the USMNT-Paraguay match.
Telemundo’s preliminary numbers revealed an average audience of 5.9 million viewers for the USMNT-Australia match on the Spanish-language broadcast. The USMNT-Paraguay match had a preliminary number of 8.9 million viewers.
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Interestingly, the Brazil-Haiti match actually had a higher preliminary audience, averaging 6.3 million viewers.
In total, the Fox and Telemundo telecasts combined to average roughly 20.7 million viewers per the preliminary numbers. And as was the case with the USMNT-Paraguay data, the viewership total should rise once the final numbers are released.
The viewership numbers declined from the USMNT-Paraguay match, but that’s no surprise due to the time slot, even on a national holiday with Juneteenth. A Friday afternoon is not going to lead to better viewership numbers than a primetime audience would (USMNT-Paraguay began at 9 p.m. ET on the previous Friday, for example). As Awful Announcing’s Matt Yoder wrote, the USMNT’s schedule in this World Cup could’ve been more optimized for an American viewing audience.
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It’s also important to note that this is the first World Cup under the Big Data+ methodology, which has generally boosted live viewership of sporting events by roughly 15%.
USMNT’s final match in the group stage will be against Turkey on Thursday, June 25, at 10 p.m. ET. The USMNT has already clinched the top spot in Group D, while Turkey has already been eliminated. So, neither team has anything to play for but pride, and it will be interesting to see if that’s detrimental to the television ratings. And even if that happens, the viewership numbers for the USMNT’s to-be-determined match in the knockout stage on July 1 (8 p.m. ET) should more than make up for it.
The post USMNT-Australia delivers strong viewership across Fox, Telemundo appeared first on Awful Announcing.
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Match 1,000: Japan and Tunisia handed World Cup honour no two nations have ever received before | Football News
Nearly a century after the first World Cup games in Uruguay, Japan and Tunisia add their names to football history in landmark Monterrey clashWhen Japan and Tunisia walk onto the pitch at Monterrey Stadium on June 21, they will contest the 1,000th match in FIFA World Cup history, a landmark moment in a tournament that has spanned almost a century.From the inaugural World Cup in Uruguay in 1930 to Lionel Messi lifting the trophy in Qatar in 2022, the competition’s first 999 matches have produced some of the most memorable moments in sporting history. Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal, the theft of the Jules Rimet Trophy before the 1966 tournament, Zinedine Zidane’s infamous headbutt in his final professional match and countless other moments have all contributed to the World Cup’s enduring legacy.Now, Japan and Tunisia have been handed the unique distinction of contesting match number 1,000.The Group F fixture arrives at an important moment in both nations’ campaigns. Japan enter the match after a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in Dallas, while Tunisia are looking to recover from a heavy 5-1 defeat against Sweden in Monterrey. Beyond the points at stake, however, the occasion itself has become one of the defining storylines of the tournament.
A milestone nearly 100 years in the making
The journey to match 1,000 began 96 years ago in Uruguay when the FIFA World Cup opened with two games played simultaneously.One of those contests saw the United States defeat Belgium 3-0, helping launch a tournament that has since grown from a 13-team competition into a global spectacle featuring 48 nations and audiences stretching across every continent.As the tournament expanded, landmark matches became part of its own historical timeline.Match number 200 took place during the 1966 World Cup final, where England secured the only World Cup title in the nation’s history. Match number 900 arrived at the 2018 World Cup final, where France defeated Croatia to claim their second world championship.Several previous milestones have shared the spotlight with another fixture. The first World Cup match, as well as matches numbered 300 and 500, occurred simultaneously with another game taking place at the same time.Match 1,000 stands apart from those occasions.Japan and Tunisia will occupy the stage alone in Monterrey, ensuring the milestone belongs exclusively to one fixture and one occasion.
FIFA creates special celebration for historic occasion
FIFA has chosen to mark the landmark event with a series of special tributes, most notably through the match officials selected to oversee the contest.Romanian referee István Kovács has been appointed to take charge of the match, assisted by compatriots Ferencz Tunyogi and Mihai Marica. Costa Rican officials Juan Calderón and Juan Carlos Mora will serve as fourth official and reserve assistant referee respectively.All four on-field officials will wear commemorative patches displaying the words “Match 1000”, while FIFA has also commissioned a unique adidas referee kit specifically for the occasion.The shirt features gold detailing, gold sleeve stripes and a special patch incorporating both the FIFA World Cup trophy and the number 1,000. The commemorative shirt was formally presented to Kovács in front of his fellow officials before the match and will also be worn by assistant referees Tunyogi and Marica at Monterrey Stadium.
Romanian referee István Kovács poses alongside assistant referees Ferencz Tunyogi and Mihai Marica, and fourth official Juan Calderón, with the special Match 1000 shirt/ FIFA
FIFA Chief Refereeing Officer and Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, Pierluigi Collina, explained the thinking behind the initiative.“We decided to create a special match kit to celebrate this match,” Collina said. “It’s a nice one with some golden details, stripes and a patch with the trophy and the number 1,000 on it.”Collina also addressed Kovács’ appointment to the landmark fixture, stressing that the selection was based on the same criteria used for every World Cup match.“We selected the referee that we think is the best referee for this match. And of course, by coincidence, he is also appointed for the 1,000th match. So, for him, it is something extra – something special on top. Refereeing a FIFA World Cup match is always a huge privilege, it’s a great honour,” said the Italian, who officiated the 2002 World Cup final between Brazil and Germany during an illustrious refereeing career.“Certainly, becoming part of the history of football – part of the history of the FIFA World Cup, being appointed to and being on the field of play to officiate the match number 1,000 is definitely something extra.”
Kovács takes centre stage on a historic night
For Kovács, the appointment represents another major milestone in a career that has established him among Europe’s most respected referees.The 41-year-old Romanian was part of the officiating team at FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, serving as fourth official across eight matches. Although he gained significant World Cup experience during that tournament, the Japan-Tunisia clash will be his first assignment as the main referee at a FIFA World Cup.His selection for such a significant occasion reflects the trust FIFA has placed in him after years of officiating at the highest levels of European football.Collina stressed that the appointment was based on merit rather than symbolism, but acknowledged the additional historical significance attached to the fixture.For Kovács, becoming the referee of match number 1,000 ensures his name will permanently occupy a place within World Cup history.
Players and dignitaries embrace the occasion
The significance of the milestone has not been lost on those directly involved, Tunisia captain Ellyes Skhiri reflected on the historical weight carried by the fixture and the generations of players who have contributed to the tournament’s story.“Being able to take part in the 1,000th (FIFA) World Cup match is truly symbolic,” Skhiri said. “It makes you appreciate all the history of this competition – the greatest matches, the greatest players who wrote the most incredible chapters in (FIFA) World Cup history.”Japan head coach Hajime Moriyasu also spoke about the honour of participating in such a landmark occasion.“It is such an honor to be able to play the 1000th game in World Cup history,” Moriyasu said. “We want to make sure that it is going to be a brilliant game which is going to be worthy of the 1000th game.”The occasion has also attracted several high-profile guests.Japanese Princess Takamado is scheduled to attend the match, while FIFA President Gianni Infantino is expected to be present in Monterrey as the World Cup reaches one of its most significant numerical milestones.As Japan and Tunisia prepare to add their own chapter to the tournament’s story, they will do so with the knowledge that their match sits alongside some of the most famous moments the sport has ever produced. Nearly a century after the first World Cup kicked off in Uruguay, the competition’s 1,000th match offers another reminder of how far football’s greatest tournament has travelled and how much history continues to be written every four years.
The notion that one should approach information with a degree of skepticism is often valid, and this applies to the recent stewards’ report regarding Nitro.
While the report suggested that the colt’s ‘manners’ were the reason for his last-start defeat as favourite, trainer Peter Snowden has provided a different explanation for his fourth placing at Randwick over 1400m on June 6.
“There is nothing wrong with his manners, he’s a perfect gentleman,” Snowden confirmed.
“He had head gear and he pulled. All the talk was that we had him up close, we tried that and all he did was pull the whole way. That is not like him and there was a lot of merit in the run.”
The promising three-year-old is set to race in the Schweppes Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday, where he is the $3 favourite with bookmakers. Tommy Berry will be riding the son of Deep Field for the first time on race day, having partnered him in two barrier trials leading up to his winning debut.
“The visors have come off him and we’ve put the winkers on just to make him focus,” Snowden explained.
“He’s a lazy horse at home so just so he doesn’t switch off too much but certainly not to be pulling like last time. On the day he just pulled a bit, that’s all.”
Snowden also has Xidaki, a five-year-old gelding, returning from a lengthy spell for the Cactus Imaging Handicap (1200m). The horse is being considered for the Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at Sunshine Coast on July 4.
The blinkers are being removed from the five-year-old gelding, who is racing for the first time since January 10.
“He’s a very consistent horse but just last few preps have been just below that he normally does,” Snowden stated.
“So, I thought a good long spell might just bring back to his straps. I’ve been happy with his two trials but it does take a while to get them up to peak fitness after a long break. Unfortunately he has drawn a really bad gate (15) but I just want him to show us that eagerness and keenness that he had.”
Those interested in betting on Nitro’s upcoming race can check the latest racing odds at betting sites.
Sophia Dunkley paid tribute to powerhouse all-rounders Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson after England crept closer to the Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals with a 38-run victory over Scotland.
Dunkley stepped up with a fine 57, albeit after being dropped three times, as she filled in for the injured Nat Sciver-Brunt in front of a crowd of 11,419, a record for a women’s match at Headingley.
But at 141 for five after 17 overs, there was still work to do and Kemp and Gibson duly delivered by plundering 59, including 11 boundaries in the last 17 balls, to lift England to 200 for five.
Kemp’s 39 not out off 16 deliveries and Gibson’s unbeaten 30 off 11 lifted England to a total that was beyond Scotland’s reach as the tournament hosts wrapped up a third victory from three Group B games.
“It was an absolutely amazing partnership and those two are amazing at their roles,” Dunkley said. “Kempy’s got so much power down the ground and Gibbo can hit square. They’re a great combination.
“To have a partnership like that at the end gives us as a top-order a lot of confidence. We can set the game up and then we can go really hard at the back end if we need to, which is great.
“I think we’ve probably lacked a little bit of power at the back end and it’s nice to have some real six-hitters coming in and giving us some momentum.
“They’re such great all-round players and to see a performance like that is really special.”
England likely only need to beat one of the West Indies or New Zealand next week to reach the knockout stages after Dunkley played a key role in her first appearance of the tournament on Saturday night.
She found herself as the odd batter out, effectively nudged out of the XI by Alice Capsey finding form against India before the tournament and Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Amy Jones selected as England’s openers.
Sciver-Brunt reinjuring her left calf opened up a slot – with Charlie Dean taking on captaincy duties – and Dunkley will retain her spot at number three when England face the Windies at Lord’s on Wednesday.
“It’s never nice and it’s really disappointing,” Dunkley said after missing England’s first two games. “Obviously being here at a home World Cup, you bite your arm off to go and play for England out there.
“It’s been a little bit tough but we’ve got an amazing squad and a lot of depth. We’ve got a great, great squad to get into and it was nice to get out there today.”
Scotland were ragged in the field, with the three drops of Dunkley compounded by repeated errors on the boundary, and although they landed a few punches with the bat, they settled for 162 for seven.
“This was probably the biggest game of the tournament for us and we are just really proud of how we played,” said seamer Hannah Rainey.
“We gave away at least 20 runs in the field. We gave them too many. We didn’t hold ourselves to our standards and that’s how it went.”
Texas Tech’s Brendan Sorsby looks on during the spring football game, Friday, April 17, 2026, at Jones AT&T Stadium. For the first time this decade, we look to have a likely selection in the Supplemental Draft.
Months after transferring to Texas Tech from Cincinnati, quarterback Brendan Sorsby released a statement detailing his troubles with gambling addiction, including placing bets on his own team during his time at Indiana.
This admission led to a circus of punishments, injunctions, and countersuits that seem to have finally reached an ending, as Monday night, Brendan Sorsby declared for the 2026 supplemental draft. Sorsby had the potential to be a first rounder next year, and many teams may bite at the chance to use lower draft capital. Let’s take a look at some of the options.
New York Jets
Jan 27, 2025; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn speaks during his introductory press conference at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images
Though there has been smoke blown about Cade Klubnik being the future of the organization (I’ll believe it when he takes the field), the Jets otherwise don’t have a complete quarterback room. Though the rest of the team is built pretty well, with strong weapons and an exciting defense, the team has underperformed under Glenn. Glenn might look to a young signal caller to help build out the floor of his team.
Minnesota Vikings Though the Vikings still have a developing quarterback in JJ McCarthy and a strong veteran presence in Kyler Murray, both players have experienced recent career lows. O’Connell might be more interested in Sorsby, who is similarly athletic and toolsy to McCarthy, but has some better passing reps on recent tape. The writing could be on the wall for “Nine”.
The current Falcons’ quarterback room is a hospital ward. Between Penix’s long history of ACL injuries and Tagovailoa’s laundry list of concussions, the Falcons offense would just be happy if their quarterback can stand up straight. Sorsby could provide a clean bill of health to the room to stabilize the offense and make use of the talents of Bijan Robinson and Drake London.
The Cardinals are in a spot where they’re almost rebuilding, but also have a fair few chips pushed in on their defense. Where they’re haven’t put their money down is at the quarterback position, where their room is a combo of backup quarterbacks and a day two rookie. Sorsby and Beck have some similarities, but many view Sorsby as a guy with higher upside due to better tools. If they see Sorsby as a stronger candidate for eventual success, they may not give Beck a chance.
A bit of a shocker, as the Bucs have a quarterback who, to date, has played well. But contract talks aren’t going positively, and Tampa Bay may have an opportunity to change the narrative by snagging a talented young quarterback and letting Mayfield go after the season while stacking up offensive talent for Sorsby.
Atlanta Falcons
Arizona Cardinals
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jun 20, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Cincinnati Reds third baseman Sal Stewart (27) hits a two-run double in the third inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Rookie Sal Stewart drove in six runs, Spencer Steer hit a three-run home run and Cincinnati Reds rolled to a 10-2 rout of the host New York Yankees on Saturday afternoon.
After striking out 13 times against Cam Schlittler in the series opener and a season-high 17 times in Friday’s 5-0 loss, the Reds broke free on offense while improving to 6-11 since losing Elly De La Cruz to a strained right hamstring.
Stewart tied his career high in RBIs after also driving in six runs April 15 against the San Francisco Giants.
Stewart put Cincinnati ahead 2-1 with a two-run double in the third off New York’s Will Warren (7-2) and lifted a sacrifice fly in the fifth three batters after Ben Rice dropped shortstop Anthony Volpe’s throw to first base on rookie Edwin Arroyo’s grounder.
Stewart capped his productive showing with a bases-clearing double in the eighth off Ryan Yarbrough to extend Cincinnati’s lead to 9-1.
Steer hit a three-run homer in the fifth two batters after Stewart’s sacrifice fly. Steer hit his fifth homer in June, and 12th of the season, when he drove a 2-1 pitch into the left field seats. He entered the plate appearance with two hits in his previous 42 at-bats.
Arroyo had four hits and reached base five times as the Reds finished with 15 hits and went 5-for-16 with runners in scoring position.
Cincinnati starter Andrew Abbott (5-4) allowed Paul Goldschmidt’s homer in the first inning among five hits in five-plus innings. Abbott struck out six, walked three and won for the first time in his past five starts. New York had its best chance to stage a comeback in the fifth by loaded the bases following a two-out walk to Rosario. Abbott protected the five-run lead by getting a called third strike on Goldschmidt, who lost an ABS challenge.
Warren allowed six runs (two earned) on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander struck out eight and walked two.
The Yankees fell to 10-6 since losing Aaron Judge to a fractured right rib. New York went 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position while absorbing its most lopsided loss this season.
–Field Level Media
The year will be 2076.
The United States of America will be turning 300 years old.
And Giannis Antetokounmpo will still be in an awkward situation with the Milwaukee Bucks.
The first time we heard about Antetokounmpo being unhappy with the Bucks was back in 2025. After waiving Damian Lillard, the Greek Freak and his representation began conversations with the Bucks to evaluate his fit and future of the organization, which was struggling to support their superstar.
Fast forward to the end of June in 2026 and there’s still no resolution and the situation has gotten increasingly worse.
On Saturday morning, ESPN Milwaukee reported that Antetokounmpo doesn’t want to leave Milwaukee – he just wants to leave the Bucks.
This situation is all the way off the rails. Is he going to play for the Brewers? The Green Bay Packers? Probably not. So this is just another twist and turn in a rollercoaster ride that seemingly is never going to end.
Earlier this offseason, reports circulated that Antetokounmpo’s preferred destination was the Miami Heat. And you guessed it. They don’t really have enough assets to entice the Bucks to trade Antetokounmpo within the Eastern Conference.
Reports also indicate that Antetokounmpo could be intrigued by the Boston Celtics, who are evaluating the future of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown together. So far, a deal doesn’t sound close.
During a blowout loss in January, Antetokounmpo was booed by fans in Milwaukee. He booed them back. This is a situation that is well beyond unhealthy. But for some reason, neither end will let each other move on.
It’s actually pretty easy.
Antetokounmpo could expand the teams he’d be willing to be moved to. The Greek Freak doesn’t have a no trade clause, but his contract is expiring, and teams could be cautious to give up a big trade package for a 31-year-old rental.
On the other side, Bucks GM Jon Horst either needs to crap or get off the pot. The Bucks lost 50 games last season. They were 17-19 with Antetokounmpo. Trading a homegrown, championship-winning MVP isn’t easy. But getting a few young players and draft picks could at least help the organization get moving on turning the page.
Just ask Oklahoma City Thunder GM Sam Presti. Everyone was so focused on the four first-round picks he acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers for Paul George. But so far, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s two MVPs and one NBA title feel like the real prize of that trade.
These two sides can’t let this drag on all summer.
Bucks co-owner Jimmy Haslam admitted in May that the team was facing roster uncertainty and needed some clarity on Antetokounmpo’s future by the offseason.
Well, the offseason is here. The 2026 NBA Draft takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday. Free agency negotiations get started on June 30.
The window for a Giannis move is opening this week – and these two sides should finally agree to move on.
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