Devon Conway struck a composed half-century before a clinical bowling display powered New Zealand to a dominant 68-run win over South Africa in the second T20I at Seddon Park, Hamilton, on Tuesday, levelling the five-match series 1-1.After being sent in to bat, New Zealand posted a competitive 175/6, anchored by Conway’s 60 off 49 balls. The left-hander, who had a quiet T20 World Cup campaign, made the most of his opportunity with a controlled knock featuring five fours and two sixes. “It’s been a very quiet couple of months… it’s nice to come back and contribute,” Conway said after the match.Scorecard:New Zealand vs South Africa, 2nd T20INew Zealand got off to a brisk start, reaching 43 without loss in the powerplay, with Conway and Tom Latham setting the tone. However, the hosts found it difficult to accelerate in the middle overs as the pitch slowed down and became two-paced. Contributions from Nick Kelly (21) and Mitchell Santner (20) kept the scoreboard ticking, before a late flourish from Josh Clarkson, who smashed 26 off just nine balls, lifted the total.South Africa struggle in chaseIn response, South Africa never got going and were bowled out for just 107 in 15.3 overs. The chase unraveled early at 31/3, and despite a brief counter from George Linde, who top-scored with a quickfire 33, the visitors collapsed under sustained pressure.Pace duo Ben Sears (3/14) and Lockie Ferguson (3/16) were outstanding, exploiting the variable bounce and pace on offer. All 10 South African wickets fell to catches, underlining the effectiveness of New Zealand’s disciplined bowling.South Africa captain Keshav Maharaj admitted his side misread the conditions. “We thought the dew would play a factor, but the wicket got worse. New Zealand bowled really well and stifled us early,” he said.The result comes after South Africa’s seven-wicket win in the series opener and keeps the contest finely poised. With both sides fielding relatively inexperienced squads following the T20 World Cup, the series has offered opportunities for emerging players to step up.The third T20I will be played in Auckland on Friday.
Sunrisers Hyderabad find themselves in a tricky spot in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. They have lost two of their three games, and their much-famed batting line-up is yet to fire. The latest loss for the former champions came against Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday. SRH got off to a horrific start as they were reduced to 26/4 in 7.1 overs. Thanks to fifties from Nitish Kumar Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen, SRH recovered to score 156/9.
In reply, LSG captain Rishabh Pant scored 68* off 50 balls as they chased down the 157-run target in 19.5 overs. The winning run was scored by Pant as he hit Jaydev Unadkat for a boundary. Interestingly, before the ball could reach the boundary, LSG bowler Avesh Khan, in a moment of celebration, hit the ball back into the ground.
While there were calls on social media that Avesh’s act should have resulted in a ‘dead ball’, replays clearly showed that there was no fielder nearby and it was not a case of obstructing the field.
“But there is chatter that Sunrisers may write to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) over this episode and also a couple of other instances,” a report on Cricbuzz claimed.
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“Sources say the franchise is unhappy with the way Heinrich Klaasen was given out, caught at the boundary line by Phil Salt off Romario Shepherd in their opening match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Similarly, they are not too pleased with the way Abhishek Sharma was given out in their second match against Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens on April 2. It is understood that concerns have also been raised over Varun Chakravarthy’s catch off Blessing Muzarabani at deep square leg.”
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Pro wrestling star Trevor Lee signed a deal with Major League Wrestling (MLW) and will continue performing with the company as the Southern Crown champion.
Lee, who wrestled in WWE as Cameron Grimes, returned to MLW for sporadic appearances after he was released. He faced off against Mistico at MLW Eric Bischoff’s One Shot, appeared at Battle Riot VIII in January and a handful of Fusion tapings.
Trevor Lee gets the crowd riled up during a Major League Wrestling show.(Major League Wrestling)
He won the MLW Southern Crown Championship in a Bunkhouse Stampede match against Andrew Everett, Beastman, Diego Hill, Festus, Ikuro Kwon, Jesus Rodriguez, Josh Bishop, Matthew Justice and Paul Walter Hauser.
“I’m just excited to be able to really kind of do anything,” Lee told Fox News Digital. “You know, these past couple of years, I’ve been kind of waiting on a good opportunity and I feel like MLW is kind of presenting that opportunity. I really liked the ability to be able to work with CMLL (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre), to be able to work with New Japan.
“So, it’s really cool to see what’s going to come out of this.”
Lee is among former WWE wrestlers who have joined MLW over the last few years. Matt Riddle, Killer Kross, Scarlett Bordeaux, Shotzi Blackheart, Donovan Dijak, Bishop Dyer, Austin Aries, Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson, Priscilla Kelly and several others have all competed in WWE at one point or another.
It also helps that MLW founder Court Bauer has a WWE background as well.
“I think what really entices me to want to work with MLW is that they do have a great production,” Lee explained. “When you watch the product, it looks good. The crowds are big, the crowds are loud. That’s really kind of all you’re asking for, especially when you kind of take a step down.
“MLW isn’t WWE, but they’re not an indie either. They’re right there. So, it’s nice to be able to be at a place that can represent you well, show you well, and also give you a good batch of talent to work with as well with so many different companies that can come through there.”
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Lee, 32, said he wanted to keep showing the pro wrestling world that he can still perform at a high level.
Major League Wrestling’s Trevor Lee seen in action during a show.(Major League Wrestling)
“I just want to be able to show that I’m more than just like a comedy promo act. I can have these elite tier matches and that’s really what my goal is with MLW – to see how far we can go,” he said.
MONTE-CARLO, MONACO – APRIL 05: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain reacts during a media activity on day one of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters at Monte-Carlo Country Club on April 05, 2026 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Carlos Alcaraz has spoken about the growing presence of cameras at tournaments, saying players are being filmed too closely and too often.
Speaking on the issue, Alcaraz said:
“We don’t have much privacy in tournaments, & I think this is too much. We should have spaces where we can be alone without being filmed.”
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He acknowledged that fans enjoy behind-the-scenes access, but explained how it affects players:
“For the fans, it’s great. They love to see what happens behind the scenes, what we do, how the facilities are inside the tournaments. But for the players, it’s a bit strange because we no longer have a place to relax, as we are constantly thinking that there are cameras and everyone is watching us.”
Alcaraz also pointed to how close the coverage has become:
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“Having cameras so close, being able to see what we are seeing on our phones, seems excessive to me. Already, we don’t have much privacy in tournaments, and I think this is too much. We should have spaces where we can be alone without being filmed.”
His comments highlight a growing discussion around access and privacy in professional tennis.
It took a little bit of time, but Josh Sargent finally finds himself in a good place.
Sargent opened his MLS goal scoring account by netting the winner in Toronto FC’s come-from-behind 3-2 victory over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday at BMO Field.
The American forward decided the game in TFC’s favour when he scored via a header in the 85th minute off a corner kick after earning his first MLS assist on Richie Laryea’s opening goal for Toronto earlier in the second half.
Sargent’s man-of-the-match performance, highlighted by his two goal contributions, came after he failed to score or collect an assist through his first two appearances for the club last month.
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The native of Missouri, who has 29 caps for the U.S. national team, could hardly wipe the smile off his face when speaking to reporters after the game.
“Big relief. It’s been a while since I’ve scored. After I missed that first [scoring chance] in the first half, I was pretty frustrated. So, I would’ve been upset if I didn’t get a goal by the end of the game,” Sargent said. “Just very happy. Very happy that the fans have been so good and have been so supportive since I’ve gotten here. Great to get a goal and hopefully more to come.”
Before coming to Toronto, Sargent’s last appearance in a competitive match was for his former club Norwich City in early January.
He parted company with the English team on poor terms after putting in a transfer request, so Saturday’s stellar display was just what the doctor ordered for the American forward.
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It also allowed Toronto (3-2-1) to register back-to-back wins in MLS for the first time since the 2024 season while also extending its current unbeaten streak to four games.
“I would say I feel very good now. I think these types of things take time for sure. And as I’m sure all of you have seen, I’ve been through a lot the last couple months. So, I’d like to say that I’m in a good place for sure,” Sargent offered. “Very happy. My family has been very happy since they’ve gotten here. And again, we’re all very grateful for how well everyone has treated us since we’ve gotten here.
“I think getting to know guys on and off the field takes some time, but I’m very happy with where we’re at right now. I feel very good with everybody and have good relationships so far. So, I just want to keep building on that and improve those relationships even more.”
Coach Robin Fraser was full of praise for Sargent, who he felt had an overall strong game, aside from scoring his first goal and recording an assist.
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“I think Josh is good at everything that you need a forward to be good at. And we see bits and pieces of it every time we’ve seen him play and then we see more of it when we see more minutes,” said Fraser. “Obviously, his holdup play is excellent. He’s very tidy in tight spaces, but he also has really good timing as to when to get forward and decisions about how he can get himself in front of the goal.
“And then, obviously, the heading ability … If he gets opportunities, he’s extremely dangerous there. So, I feel like Josh is getting or settling in quite well and getting quite comfortable with his teammates and that sort of thing and the league. And I think we’ve only scratched the surface of what we’re going to see.”
Elsewhere in MLS this past weekend:
• Never count out the Vancouver Whitecaps – ever.
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Down 2-1 against the Portland Timbers on Saturday, the Whitecaps looked destined to suffer their second loss of the campaign before their hometown fans before being given a late lifeline in the form of a penalty decision in the 90th minute. Thomas Müller converted from the spot to draw Vancouver level and Sebastian Berhalter scored deep into injury time to lift the home side to a remarkable come-from-behind win.
The Whitecaps (5-1-0) are undoubtedly one of the best teams in MLS this season, picking up where they left off last year when they reached the MLS Cup final for the first time in franchise history.
• At the other end of the spectrum is CF Montreal (1-5-0), who sits in a tie for second-last place in the overall MLS table after suffering a humbling 3-0 road loss to the New England Revolution on Saturday. Montreal also has the second-worst defensive record in the league with 17 goals against.
Coach Marco Donadel might be worried about his job security after the club is off to one of its worst starts to a season, the lone caveat being that they have yet to play at home. This weekend’s home opener vs. the winless Philadephia Union gives Donadel a chance to get his team back on track and earn a much-needed win, while another loss might seal his fate.
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Editor’s note
John Molinaro is one of the leading soccer journalists in Canada, having covered the game for over 27 years for several media outlets, including Sportsnet, CBC Sports and Sun Media. He is currently the editor-in-chief of TFC Republic, a website dedicated to in-depth coverage of Toronto FC and Canadian soccer.
As major sporting events go, the Masters rarely disappoints.
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Even if the tournament itself doesn’t produce high-level drama, fans by the millions will tune in every year to soak in the unique atmosphere of Augusta National. But when the golf lives up to the aesthetics, as with Rory McIlroy’s emotional playoff win over Justin Rose last year, this weekend transcends sports.
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Though longtime favorites Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, who have eight green jackets between them, will not compete this year, the stars of the game will be out. In addition to McIlroy trying to repeat, Scottie Scheffler will try for his third win in five years and Jon Rahm will look to add a second Masters title, among many others.
The gatekeepers at Augusta National have continued to open up access for viewers, with coverage now starting hours before the traditional 3 p.m. ET broadcast start time of years past.
While additional viewing opportunities are always welcome for fans, the broadcast and streaming platforms are more varied than ever, especially with the introduction of a new outlet this year.
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The Sporting News has everything you need to know to soak up all the action and ambiance from Augusta this week, from practice rounds through the green jacket presentation. See below for the full day-by-day broadcast and streaming schedule.
Where to watch the Masters in 2026
Fans can watch the Masters across multiple TV and streaming platforms, including a new partner for 2026 in Prime Video.
Coverage begins Monday with “On The Range” on CBS Sports Network and continues Tuesday and Wednesday with live practice round coverage on the ESPN app, plus the beloved Par 3 contest Wednesday on ESPN platforms.
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The tournament proper tees off Thursday morning with live feeds of featured groups and holes, then the main broadcast begins in the early afternoon. Live broadcasts also will be available via Masters.com and the Masters app. See the full day-by-day television and streaming schedule below.
Minnesota Vikings offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw (71) lines up during first-half action against an NFC opponent, Dec 7, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The blindside protector continues working back into form following a major knee injury that impacted his availability and consistency during the season. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Minnesota Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw’s ACL recovery never unfolded cleanly in 2025, and according to head coach Kevin O’Connell, the 2026 offseason is trending much better.
O’Connell sounded upbeat, and Minnesota still has reason to plan carefully in late April.
All eyes have turned to Darrisaw’s recovery because if he encountered another roadbump, it would signal a grim outcome for the long haul.
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Darrisaw Update Puts Vikings Plans into Focus
LT1 sounds like he’s in a good spot.
A loose ball sparked chaos in the fourth quarter as Minnesota’s line scrambled to secure possession, with Christian Darrisaw diving into the pile after pressure forced a turnover. During the sequence on Dec 26, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; the Vikings battled the Rams at U.S. Bank Stadium, where Darrisaw ultimately recovered the fumble. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
O’Connell on Darrisaw
O’Connell was asked about Darrisaw’s ACL at the NFL’s league meetings last week, and he replied, “I do believe we’re at that point now. He’s having a really good offseason. And what that looks like, what his daily practice schedule and plan looks like, we’re going to do what we think is best to get Christian ready to play 17 games and feel at his absolute best to do so.”
“I was proud of the way Christian battled through the offseason and the recovery portion, but then it was frustrating for him at times because he did put in all that work, all that tireless work, that in his mind, ‘Hey, I want to move past this,’ But with an injury like that, sometimes time is truly the only thing that will ultimately get us to where we want to get to.”
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The Vikings signed a backup offensive tackle last month from the Buffalo Bills, Ryan Van Demark.
O’Connell added, “He’s so impactful. That is one position where I don’t think we put enough credence and weight into the impact of winning and losing every snap, every down in the NFL at that left tackle position.”
Our Janik Eckardt noted on Van Demark, the newcomer, last week: “In case of continued health struggles, the Vikings signed backup Ryan Van Demark from the Buffalo Bills. Last year, Skule signed a one-year, $2 million deal, and Van Demark was acquired for one season and $4.27 million. Given the contract value, Van Demark should be expected to be an upgrade.”
“The Vikings realized that they can’t afford to save money at that position, which makes sense given O’Connell’s comments about the left tackle’s importance. It remains to be seen if Darrisaw is fully ‘back’ or if we’re in store for another 2025. We’ll monitor his reps throughout the spring and summer.”
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The 2025 Outcome
Darrisaw lasted 10 games in 2025 after tearing his ACL in late October of 2024. During the build-up to last season, there wasn’t too much prominent paranoia that his recovery would bend poorly, but when the regular season arrived, the Vikings seemed to have Darrisaw on a willy-nilly pitch count. Sometimes he would play; in some games, the club would pull him in the 4th Quarter with the game on the line.
Minnesota shut him down, along with others like Jonathan Greenard, when playoff contention died, and all told, Darrisiaw missed 41% of games.
He’s the NFL’s fourth-highest-paid left tackle, so missing any time or battling a mysterious ACL recovery is overly noteworthy.
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The Money
Speaking of money, the Vikings extended Darrisaw in June of 2024, agreeing to a deal worth $113 million over four seasons, including $77 million guaranteed. They locked in the contract about one year early, capitalizing on a smaller market because the NFL’s salary cap resets annually, and the new biggest earner is usually the “highest paid x-position in NFL history.”
Christian Darrisaw sets his stance at the line, preparing to anchor the edge against a tough Philadelphia front in a primetime road environment. The matchup unfolded on September 19, 2022; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; as the Vikings faced the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field, highlighting Darrisaw’s role protecting the blindside in a hostile setting. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports.
It’s also worth noting that Darrisaw’s huge annual cap numbers haven’t kicked in yet: $27.9 million in 2027, $34.1 million in 2028, and $31.5 million in 2029. His deal, like many of its kind, featured an affordable cap number at the beginning of the extension, so it’s important for Darrisaw to heal this offseason properly and be “worth it” for the long haul.
Draft Clues?
Thankfully, the Vikings have an NFL draft in about two weeks, and that would be the place for Darrisaw-themed clues, if applicable.
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Minnesota has nine picks this go-round, with four in the Top 100. No one expects interim general manager Rob Brzezinski to draft an offensive tackle early — the Vikings have Darrisaw and Brian O’Neill, after all — but if he selected a tackle in the Top 100 it would spell more anxiety about Darrisaw’s long-term prognosis. Brzezinski basically has a chance to put his money where his mouth is: if no OTs are selected early, the Vikings believe Darrisaw’s ACL recovery is in a good place. The alternative would feel more foreboding.
Minnesota’s offensive front settles in before the snap as quarterback Donovan Jackson surveys the defense alongside Christian Darrisaw, coordinating protection at the line. The moment came on Sep 21, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; during a home matchup with the Bengals at U.S. Bank Stadium, emphasizing communication and timing in the Vikings’ offense. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
Overall, the Vikings are expected to target a defensive tackle, safety, or cornerback in Round 1, according to sportsbooks.
Darrisaw will turn 27 in June and was born two weeks before Justin Jefferson.
Last year newly minted Masters champion Rory McIlroy strode into the press building, took his seat and spoke directly to the group of assembled writers.
“I’d like to start this press conference with a question myself,” he said. “What are we all going to talk about next year?”
Everybody laughed. The subtext was clear: For a decade-plus, the biggest Masters story was some version of can Rory get it done this year? He’d famously blown a 63-hole lead in 2011. He’d famously completed the other three quarters of the career Grand Slam. He’d famously spent a decade winning everything in the sport except a major championship. By last year the Rory Story was the only Masters story — or at least that’s how it felt given how much bigger and how much weightier it felt with him in the mix.
So whose story now needs a green-jacket ending? To McIlroy’s question: Who are we supposed to be talking about now?
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There’s no logical successor to McIlroy, who teed it up at Augusta every year with a very specific pressure. He needed a Masters title to round out his resume — and was so good at golf that he and the rest of the golf world felt it would be a tragedy if he failed to do so. We knew the way we’d talk about McIlroy post-Masters would be radically different, if only he could just get across the line.
Everybody’s resume changes dramatically when they win a Masters, of course. But whose conversation changes the most? Using those two factors — gap in the resume plus the talent required to fill it — here are the five guys who need this Masters most.
Honorable mentions
Scottie Scheffler would catch McIlroy and Koepka at the five-major mark with a win but given the clip he’s been on — not to mention the recent birth of his second child — he does not “need” anything at the moment … Rory McIlroy will have plenty of attention on him but doesn’t “need” this one either, he deserves at least one Masters before we pile expectations on him again … Jon Rahm will be among the favorites but already has a Masters … our expectations for Brooks Koepka are currently in a safe, middling space … Chris Gotterup and Jacob Bridgeman lead the Masters first-timers, who should consider this year a free roll … Cameron Young gets a grace period post-Players, any strong form at Augusta would be a win … Collin Morikawa’s recent injury mean we’re pressing pause on the expectation game … Patrick Cantlay, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton, Russell Henley and Robert MacIntyre are among the top active players yet to win a major, so this would be massive, there’s just no clear sign this will be the week.
Anyway, you get the idea. It would be big for anybody. It would be just a little bigger for the following:
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5. Ludvig Aberg
Ludvig Aberg’s history at the Masters is short but sturdy. In 2024, his debut showing, he finished runner-up to Scheffler. In 2025 he actually had an even better chance to win; had he played his final three holes in one under he would have made it into a playoff, instead he finished bogey-triple and wound up seventh.
Does Aberg need a Masters? No. He’s still among the youngest top players on the PGA Tour and he remains ascendant. But also, of course he needs one! He’s been knocking on the door in big-time tournaments, letting the Players Championship slip away last month (and the Texas Open on Sunday). He’s still young but he’s not getting younger. At Aberg’s age (26-and-a-half) Jordan Spieth had three majors, Rory McIlroy had four, Tiger Woods had six. In fairness Brooks Koepka had zero, Phil Mickelson had zero and Scottie Scheffler had just snagged his first. So there’s plenty of time. But he comes in on form, which makes this a hell of a chance.
4. Xander Schauffele
There’s extra credit here for guys who have come close before, and on Masters Sunday in 2021 Xander Schauffele stood on Augusta National’s 16th tee at 10 under par — the eventual winning score — and made triple bogey.
No need to fixate on the negative, though. Schauffele’s on this list because he’s been the most consistent major championship performer of the last four years; since his last major missed cut at the 2022 Masters he’s played 15 majors and has won more times (twice) than he has finished outside the top 12 (once, a T28 at last year’s PGA). He also enters off third at the Players and T4 at the Valspar, suggesting his game is rounding into form at the right time.
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A Masters win would do something else interesting, too: it would give him a third leg of the career Grand Slam, setting up a U.S. Open at Shinnecock in which both Scheffler and Schauffele would be one win away from joining McIlroy in history.
Still, let’s see Schauffele pick off this one before we start giving him a U.S. Open, too.
3. Bryson DeChambeau
This is as much an upside play as anything; DeChambeau’s career would suddenly enter radically different territory if he added a green jacket to his two U.S. Open trophies. Going from two majors to three suddenly rarefies the air you occupy.
He should have an excellent shot at contending this year, too. He enters in strong form off two consecutive LIV wins, he’s finished T6 and T5 in his last two Masters starts and seems to finally have found some answers to a place that vexed him his first six tries as a pro. There’s also the matter of some unfinished business after he played alongside McIlroy on Sunday last year and faded with 75.
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DeChambeau’s resume is excellent. But to keep climbing the ranks of this generation’s best — and to continue bolstering his reputation as someone who can do it anywhere — he’d benefit greatly from a green jacket. (His YouTube channel would, too.)
2. Tommy Fleetwood
The best active player without a major is playing the best golf of his life. Last fall he won the Tour Championship, he won in India, he won at Bethpage. He’s logged four top 10s in five PGA Tour starts in 2026. He also has seven career top-fives in majors, most recently a T3 at the 2024 Masters.
East Lake was massive for Fleetwood. This represents the next step.
1. Justin Rose
Even McIlroy felt for Rose last year even as he vanquished him with a birdie on the first playoff hole.
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And while there was no sense that Rose “lost” the tournament — McIlroy was 14 under par for the tournament through 10 holes on Sunday, while Rose was 7 under, his charge was a wild and dramatic bonus — there is a more general sense that he should be part of this club. Rose is a major champ and an Olympic gold medalist. He’s also the only man to lose in two playoffs at Augusta National. It would be poetic if this year was his turn.
Does Rose “need” a Masters title? Not really. That’s the point of this piece, of McIlroy’s quip, of the current pro landscape entering this year’s first major. Nobody needs this one like he needed that one.
Mar 31, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Ryan Feltner (18) delivers a pitch against the Toronto Blue Jays in the third inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
Ryan Feltner had a scary moment in his first start of the season, but it wasn’t as frightening as the one the Colorado Rockies’ right-hander experienced three years ago.
Feltner took a line drive off his hip in Toronto on Tuesday and left the game after three innings with tightness in his right glute, but he won’t miss any playing time.
Feltner (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will make his scheduled start when Colorado faces the Houston Astros on Monday night in the opener of a three-game series in Denver.
Houston will send right-hander Cody Bolton (0-0, 3.00) to the mound.
It is a testament to Feltner’s mental fortitude that he didn’t have a big reaction to taking a liner off his hip. On May 13, 2023, Feltner suffered a fractured skull when Nick Castellanos, then with Philadelphia, hit him with a 92-mph liner behind his right ear.
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Feltner missed four months before starting two games that September and then made 30 starts in 2024, but injuries limited him to six outings last season for the Rockies.
He looked sharp in his three scoreless innings against the Blue Jays on Tuesday, giving up only one hit, one walk and striking out four.
“He pitched awesome,” catcher Hunter Goodman said. “He had command of all of his pitches. That was the best I have seen him throw this year, including spring training. I’m excited for his next few outings. I think he can build momentum off those.”
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Feltner has faced the Astros once in his career — on June 26, 2024, in Houston. He allowed four runs — two earned — on six hits over six innings and was the pitcher of record in Colorado’s 7-1 loss.
He will try to pitch the Rockies to their first winning streak of the season. Colorado salvaged the finale of a three-game series with Philadelphia on Sunday, 4-1.
Houston is coming off a disappointing 12-10 loss in 10 innings to the Athletics on Sunday and enter the series in Denver with some uncertainty. Astros ace Hunter Brown was slated to start Monday night but went on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain.
“He’s disappointed,” Houston manager Joe Espada told reporters on Sunday. “Never been injured, and this is new for all of us, so we’ll see. He didn’t sound concerned, which is good. But also, it’s new, right, so we’re going to let the doctors evaluate him and then we’ll see where we go from there.”
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Before deciding on Bolton — who pitched one scoreless inning in his lone career appearance against the Rockies in April 2024 — to start, the Astros were considering bringing up Jason Alexander from Triple-A Sugar Land.
Alexander last pitched Wednesday and would have been on four days’ rest.
Other options went away Sunday when Espada used Christian Roa, who was recalled from Sugar Land before the game, and AJ Blubaugh out of the bullpen. However, either could have served as an opener Monday night but would have been limited in innings.
Houston’s offense has been putting up runs heading into hitter-friendly Coors Field. The Astros, who had won five games in a row before losing two of the three games against the A’s, have scored 10 or more runs three times already this season. They have 21 in the last two games and are averaging 8.5 runs over the last eight.
Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Gabriel have trained before Tuesday’s Champions League quarter-final with Sporting.
Midfielder Rice, 27, left the England squad following a medical assessment during March’s international break and missed Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final loss to Southampton.
Brazil defender Gabriel, meanwhile, was forced off with a knee issue after taking a knock during the defeat on the south coast.
Both players were involved in first-team training at the club’s London Colney base on Monday before Mikel Arteta’s side travel to Lisbon for the first leg.
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Belgian winger Leandro Trossard also returned to training but Bukayo Saka was not involved after he also left the England camp early.
OTTAWA — Outside forces have been good to the Ottawa Senators but, more importantly, their inside forces have been even better.
“We want playoffs!” and “Brady, Brady!” chants punctuated the Canadian Tire Centre on Sunday during a monumentally important and convincing 6-3 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. The game was potentially a preview of a first-round matchup. As a result, as of Sunday’s end of business, the Senators sat one point ahead of their nearest rivals in a wild-card spot to make the playoffs.
Stars got to be your stars, and the Senators sure have good ones.
“You always think back to you being a kid, and you never expect that to happen ever in your life,” said Tkachuk, about the fans chanting his name. “And, yeah, I mean, it still brings a smile to my face.”
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The night before, Senators head coach Travis Green felt his best players didn’t play well enough against the Minnesota Wild in a deflating 4-1 loss. Well, their stars responded.
“You got to love playing in these types of games. You want players that step up when the stakes are the highest,” said Green.
At his best, Tkachuk has been the emotional leader and a driver of play for his team, and his play was elevated Sunday night with two goals in a must-win game.
In a memorable game several weeks ago, Tkachuk dropped the gloves off the opening face-off and then snatched a win against the New York Islanders with a goal in the final seconds of regulation. Now, the Senators have vaulted past the Islanders in the standings.
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The analytics back it up: Tkachuk is fourth in the NHL in expected-goals share (minimum 500 minutes played) at five-on-five. His line, along with Dylan Cozens and Ridly Greig, is first in the league in expected goals share amongst forward lines that have played at least 250 minutes.
The Sens captain has been criticized for his podcast, which can stir the waters among fans and in the locker room. And his coach admitted that No. 7 was fatigued after the Olympics. Nevertheless, the ol’ Brady was in gear Sunday with five hits.
Meanwhile, Stutzle’s goal on Sunday was peak German engineering.
“It was a superstar moment,” said Tkachuk.
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Since the 2024-25 campaign, Stutzle is 11th in wins above replacement, according to Evolving Hockey. We’ve said this before, but when a stat has Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Quinn Hughes, Nathan MacKinnon and Nikita Kucherov in the top 10, you know it’s indicative of superstardom.
Don’t forget the contributions by Sanderson, whose insertion into the lineup completely changes the dynamic of the Senators. Sanderson said he was rusty in his debut on Saturday against the Wild; not so much on Sunday, quarterbacking what had been a dormant power play to success while helping to keep one of the best shot-generating teams in the NHL to just 28 shots.
“He’s a Norris defenceman for a reason,” said Tkachuk. “When you have a top-five defenceman in the NHL back in your lineup, it just gives you a boost of energy.”
The Sanderson-Artem Zub pairing is legitimately one of the game’s best and gives the Senators a weapon most teams don’t have. The Senators sorely missed that for the previous month when their No. 1 defenceman was out with an injury.
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Among defensive pairs that have played over 400 minutes this season, the Senators have the top two pairs in terms of expected goals shared: Tyler Kleven and Jordan Spence are first, with Sanderson and Zub second. Given that Sanderson-Zub routinely matches up against the likes of McDavid and MacKinnon, that’s an indication of their effectiveness.
The Senators didn’t carry the play in most games without Sanderson; expect that to change now in Ottawa’s favour.
The stars may be aligning in Ottawa for a deep playoff run.
32 Thoughts: The Podcast
Hockey fans already know the name, but this is not the blog. From Sportsnet, 32 Thoughts: The Podcast with NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas is a weekly deep dive into the biggest news and interviews from the hockey world.
Resiliency: There’s a reason the Presidents’ Trophy winner rarely wins the Stanley Cup: they haven’t faced enough adversity.
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And, boy, have the Senators faced enough injuries, made-for-TV drama and on-ice adversity.
On Jan. 24, the Senators were 10 points out of a playoff spot; today, they are at a 71 per cent chance of participating in the fight for Lord Stanley, according to Moneypuck.com.
The out-of-town scoreboard has blessed the Senators lately. Before Sunday, the Senators had gone 1-3-1 yet maintained their playoff position because the Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings and the New York Islanders (now led by Pete DeBoer) have fallen off a Parliament Hill-sized cliff. Unlike the Senators, most of them have flawed teams who routinely get outshot most nights but get propped up by excellent goaltending.
“That’s a team that plays playoff hockey,” said Carolina’s Taylor Hall, talking about the Senators after Sunday’s game.
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For two months, it seemed like every Senator win was immediately followed by wins for the teams they were chasing. Their opponents’ plunge back to reality is a welcome relief.
Puck don’t lie: To do all of this while missing four of your top-six defencemen, and now three with Sanderson back, says how good this Senators team is.
“It’s been crazy. I think we’re a little bit cursed right now on the back end. But guys have been playing awesome,” said Sanderson upon his return.
The Senators have done well despite going up against a battle of attrition. Since Sanderson went down on March 7, the Senators have lost six defencemen to injury, including Sanderson until this weekend. In that time, they’ve gone 9-5-1, the ninth-best record since March 7.
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For a few worrisome moments on Sunday, it looked like Stutzle could be casualty after a nasty collision in the third, but he later returned. Stutzle did not speak to the media post-game because he was receiving treatment. But Green indicated Stutzle would be OK.
Plus, don’t think the drama surrounding Tkachuk and his podcast, and the unfortunate negativity surrounding Linus Ullmark’s mental health struggles haven’t made this season more draining than most seasons for the team.
The Senators can look to the 2023 Florida Panthers that got into the playoffs in the last game of the season, only to make the Stanley Cup Finals. The Senators sit high in every statistical analytic category, from shot share to expected goal share, and their goaltending and penalty kill are improving.
It all counts for nothing if the Senators don’t get in. If they do, you’d rather be a battle-tested warrior than a regular-season darling with few meaningful games down the stretch.
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Ullmark proves he’s ready:Ullmark played back-to-back nights on the weekend. After missing a game on March 28 to rest, some fans and hockey people were questioning his commitment to the team. Well, it’s clear he wants it. He’s now played in six of the Senators’ last seven games. Ullmark’s save percentage wasn’t great this weekend, but the Senators scored on themselves twice, so take that with a grain of salt. Ullmark is 25-12-8 this season. If Ullmark plays four of Ottawa’s remaining five games, he’ll have hit the 50-game benchmark for the first time in his career.
Stats of the night: The Senators have the 15th-easiest strength of schedule remaining, easiest than any of the teams chasing them. … The Senators have reached the 90-point threshold in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2006-07 and 2007-08.
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