MONTREAL — It was an ominous statement from Joe Veleno, though it wasn’t meant to be.
When the Montreal Canadiens forward said — just one day after Game 3 of this Eastern Conference Final — that the Carolina Hurricanes were applying so much pressure that it felt at times like they had six players on the ice, he was just trying to credit his opponents. There was no way of knowing to what extent he was also providing a window into his team’s psyche.
We didn’t pick up on it in the moment, either.
But the first 20 minutes of Game 4 revealed the damage done over the Canadiens’ first consecutive losses in these playoffs. They expected so much pressure that they buckled even when they weren’t under it, ultimately feeding the Hurricanes 10 scoring chances off turnovers and spotting them a 3-0 lead through the first period.
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“Not an easy team to play catch-up hockey against,” said Martin St. Louis after his Canadiens lost 4-0 to go down 3-1 in the series, extending their inexplicably bad post-season record at the Bell Centre to 2-6.
He made changes in the second period that he probably should’ve opted for in the first, and they led to more scoring chances.
But those disappeared in a third period that saw the Canadiens fumble in every zone before finally notching their first shot with 2:53 to go.
Fans chanted “shoot the puck” four minutes prior to that, with the Canadiens sitting on 15 after notching just 25 over their last two games combined.
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But the home team couldn’t oblige without first connecting as many as two passes in a row, and they had a hard time doing that from start to finish.
“I feel like we had players with the most space with the puck and we don’t skate enough, we pass it to a player with no space,” said St. Louis. “So, you kind of play into their pressure, and it’s a little bit of that.
“It’s just recognizing that, (with) the way they play, the guy with the most ice in space should take the ice, and we’re not playing fast enough when we have the puck with our feet. We’re not playing fast enough off the puck so we can kind of bypass the pressure, and they’ve got really, really good sticks.”
The Hurricanes have wielded them expertly to inflict a physical and mental toll the Canadiens might not be able to overcome.
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The collateral damage of two seven-game series has also unquestionably bubbled to the surface for them. Especially against a Hurricanes team that swept the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers through the first two rounds to earn an 11-day break — most of which was enjoyed while the Canadiens were still emptying the tank against the Buffalo Sabres.
“For sure (the rest) helps their style of game,” said St. Louis, and that resonated, if only because their style of game — 200-foot, man-on-man, high-pressure hockey — has been seen as impossible to sustain over an entire regular season plus playoffs.
Hence the Hurricanes losing 12 of 13 conference final games under coach Rod Brind’Amour prior to this year.
But the Hurricanes never had an 11-day break prior to this year, nor a lead in a conference final in their current era of success, and there’s almost surely a direct correlation between those facts when you consider how convincingly the Hurricanes have beaten the Canadiens since losing 6-2 in Game 1.
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In the process, they haven’t just exhausted an already-tired team; they’ve done the type of psychological damage that most will see as impossible to overcome.
So, how do the Canadiens repair it on time to prove most people wrong and at least bring this series back to Bell Centre for a chance to force Game 7?
“You’ve gotta be mentally strong. You’ve got to believe,” said St. Louis. “You’ve got to believe that you can actually do it. To me, I don’t doubt that I believe that we can do it…”
Alex Newhook said, “They make it hard on you to make plays and they try to collapse your space, but we have the skill and we have the team to be able to make plays through that,” making it clear he also still believes.
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So does Jakub Dobes, who made 39 saves on his 25th birthday and said, “It’s over, tomorrow is a new day, and we’ll get on a plane, prepare and show up with our best hockey for Game 5.”
Captain Nick Suzuki talked about how he and five of his Canadiens teammates toppled the Toronto Maple Leafs from down 3-1 in the first round of the 2021 playoffs before eventually making it to the Stanley Cup Final.
“You have to be super desperate,” he said. “(The Hurricanes have) obviously struggled in the conference final up to this point (in the past), and I think if we go over there and do a good job and bring our game, we can try to put some more doubt in their head.”
The Canadiens must clear their own minds first.
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They were clouded more than we thought in the lead-up to Game 4, and that showed as soon as the puck dropped.
The Canadiens immediately started giving it away and didn’t stop.
“I think we have to do a better job of recognizing when we do have a little bit of space,” said Mike Matheson, “using our feet to keep that space available so we can execute afterwards.”
That would lay the foundation for the Canadiens to rebuild their psyche, which was clearly damaged by the middle games of this series.
PARIS, FRANCE – MAY 27: Joao Fonseca of Brazil celebrates during their Men’s Singles second round match against Dino Prizmic of Croatia on Day Four of the 2026 French Open at Roland Garros on May 27, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by James Fearn/Getty Images)
Brazilian teenager João Fonseca is set to face his idol, Novak Djokovic at the French Open after his impressive comeback win in the second round.
The 19-year-old fought back from two sets down to defeat Dino Prižmić in a five-set battle, securing the first five-set victory of his young career.
Fonseca, currently ranked world No. 30, has quickly become one of the most exciting young players in tennis after winning the 2024 Next Gen Finals and continuing his rapid rise on tour.
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Now, he gets the biggest challenge possible, a match against 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Djokovic booked his place in the third round after defeating Valentin Royer.
Fonseca admitted it feels like a dream to face the player he grew up admiring, while Djokovic also praised the Brazilian teenager and the attention surrounding his rise.
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The clash between one of tennis’ greatest legends and one of its brightest young stars is now one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament.
Marvel Stadium will play host to Saturday’s
Round 12 AFL game between Western Bulldogs and
Collingwood Magpies. The game kicks off at 7:35 pm with Western Bulldogs heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Western Bulldogs vs.
Collingwood Magpies
game and give you our free tips and bets.
Together inside the Wildcard ladder positions to begin Round 12, the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood will attempt to secure an important victory at Marvel Stadium on Saturday night. Coming off a tough run of results, the Bulldogs bounced back to upset Melbourne 93-90 at Marvel on Sunday behind outstanding performances from Ed Richards (30 disposals, 773 metres gained, 10 clearances, three goals) and Marcus Bontempelli (29 disposals, 17 contested possessions, 10 score involvements, two goals). Elsewhere, Collingwood celebrated Scott Pendlebury’s record-breaking 433rd game by defeating West Coast 92-82 in front of 90,000 spectators at the MCG. However, the win came at a significant cost, with Jamie Elliott rupturing his ACL and Darcy Moore sustaining a hamstring injury. These sides played out a thriller when they last met, with Collingwood ultimately securing a 76-70 victory at the MCG in Round 2 of last year, although it should be noted that the Bulldogs were missing Bontempelli on that night.
The deadline to withdraw from the 2026 NBA Draft always has some drama. While several players made their intentions known well before Wednesday’s 11:59 p.m. ET deadline, others kept fans, coaches and NBA teams in suspense. Just over 25 minutes after the deadline passed, it was reported that Tounde Yessoufou was not only withdrawing from the NBA Draft but had also committed to St. John’s.
Yessoufou, a former five-star recruit, had a standout freshman season at Baylor but was considered a fringe first-round pick. Instead, he will take his talents to the Big East after averaging 17.8 points per game last season.
Arizona star forward Koa Peat was arguably the biggest name entering the week who hadn’t officially made a decision. Despite struggling to find his shot at the NBA Draft Combine earlier this month, Peat will stay in the draft, where he projects as a mid-to-late first-round pick. With Peat off to the NBA, Arizona is now on the clock to find his replacement.
Momcilovic will be the biggest free agent available on the open market. Kentucky, Louisville, Arizona, St. John’s, and almost any other school in need of shooting and star power will be interested in the best 3-point shooter in college basketball. Arizona is a logical fit for Momcilovic after Peat elected to stay in the NBA Draft.
The byproduct of NIL being such an integral component of college athletics is that the draft is thinning out on Day 2. Expect senior and International players to make up a majority of the picks in the second round this year and moving forward.
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Here are the biggest winners and losers for the deadline for players to make their NBA Draft decisions.
Winner: St. John’s makes a stunning addition after the deadline
The biggest winner of Wednesday (well, technically Thursday) has to be St. John’s. Shortly after the deadline passed, it was reported that Yessoufou had committed to play for St. John’s. Yessoufou was the No. 5-ranked player in the 247Sports transfer rankings and would’ve been one of the best players available in the transfer portal had he gone through the process after withdrawing. Yessoufou was likely going to be a late first-round pick, so coming back to school was viewed as the best option. Now, he has a chance to improve his stock ahead of the 2027 NBA Draft.
Winner: Retention is king for Duke, Illinois and Florida
The three biggest winners on the retention front this offseason have been Florida, Illinois and Duke. The Blue Devils have one of the deepest rosters in the sport after bringing back Cayden Boozer, Caleb Foster and Dame Sarr while also adding one of the best players available in the transfer portal: John Blackwell. Illinois is returning Andrej Stojaković, Jake Davis, Tomislav Ivišić, Zvonimir Ivišić and David Mirkovic after reaching the Final Four for the first time in 21 years.
But the biggest winner of the deadline was Florida. Reigning Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, Rueben Chinyelu, was the final piece of the puzzle for what has been a very good offseason on the retention front for Florida coach Todd Golden. Chinyelu, Thomas Haugh, Alex Condon, Boogie Fland and Urban Klavzar will all be back for the 2026-27 season. If the preseason poll were conducted this week, Florida would likely be the No. 1 team. The frontcourt of Chinyelu, Haugh and Condon is the best in the sport.
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Loser: Koa Peat stays in the draft despite shooting question woes
It’s no secret that the most seismic decision of the stay-or-go cycle was Peat. After having a solid freshman season at Arizona, his draft stock has slipped a bit after a lackluster shooting performance at the combine earlier this month. It’s not just the lack of shots going in that is cause for concern, but how Peat has appeared to alter his shot mechanics entirely. Peat is a bully-ball forward who shot 53.6% on 2-pointers, but the biggest knock on his game during his one-and-done season at Arizona was the shooting from outside of the paint. I still think Peat will be a first-round pick next month, but his stock is more of a mixed bag. He is the player who would’ve benefited the most from another season of college basketball, but you can’t knock someone wanting to take the next step.
Winner: Kentucky gets a reinforcement back
Kentucky’s offseason under coach Mark Pope has been under a microscope. Pope has had some well-documented misses this offseason, including Robert Wright III, Donnie Freeman and Tyran Stokes, the No. 1-ranked player in the 2026 recruiting class. Kentucky did pivot by landing Alex Wilkins and Zoom Diallo, but it was evident Pope needed a retention win. And that’s exactly what happened when Malachi Moreno withdrew from the NBA Draft days before the deadline. Moreno showed the most potential of anybody from Kentucky’s 2025 recruiting class after averaging 7.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. Moreno is a breakout candidate for next season and should have an expanded role. Keep an eye on him for the 2027 NBA Draft.
The theme of the NBA Draft in recent years has been the second round becoming more of an afterthought, with it being primarily made up of those without eligibility and International players. Most of that is due to NIL. If a player has the option of making seven figures by playing another season of college basketball or grinding through the G League as a second-round pick, it’s easy to see why the former is more enticing. It’s also notable that the second round of the NBA Draft is different from the second round of the NFL Draft. You routinely see agents work their magic to get players to preferred destinations in the second round, where a guaranteed contract is on the table. Or, you could see someone go undrafted and get a better deal as an UDFA than going to a random destination in the second round.
Winner: All-American guards return
There will be two players who earned CBS Sports All-American honors returning to college basketball this season. That would be Vanderbilt’s Tyler Tanner and Michigan State’s Jeremy Fears Jr., who both passed on staying in the draft. Tanner projects as an SEC Player of the Year candidate after a breakout season with Vanderbilt. Meanwhile, Fears will look to add to his career assist total after leading the nation (9.4) in assists per game. Retaining that talent should be viewed as a massive win for Michigan State and Vanderbilt.
Winner: Alabama does it again right before deadline
Last year, Alabama was an unexpected winner of the withdrawal deadline after Labaron Philon decided to return to school at the 11th hour. Amari Allen’s decision to return for his sophomore season at Alabama wasn’t as dramatic, but it should prove to be just as impactful. Allen was a projected late first-round pick if he stayed in the draft. However, after measuring a few inches shorter than his listed 6-foot-8 height at the NBA Draft Combine, a return to school seemed inevitable. Allen should benefit from more on-ball reps this season and is a name to know for next year’s draft.
Loser: Anyone who thought the transfer portal cycle was over
The transfer portal might have closed over a month ago, but it’s going to heat up now that the deadline has passed. Momcilovic will be the biggest name available because you can never have enough shooting. Momcilovic’s combination of star power and shooting will make him one of the highest-paid players in the sport. Buckle up.
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Winner: Lottery teams in the 2027 NBA Draft
There has been a lot of talk about the 2027 NBA Draft. I’m not here to sell it as a great class because it’s probably on the same level as the 2024 NBA Draft, which isn’t a compliment. However, with so many returners in college basketball, there is a greater chance we will see players improve their all-around game and make next year’s draft better than 2024.
Haugh is someone I had a top-15 grade on heading into the offseason. I thought Haugh would almost certainly declare for the draft because he is the ultimate Swiss Army Knife. The same can be said about UConn‘s Braylon Mullins, who would’ve been a top 25 pick if he stayed in the draft. Those are the two names I’m watching for next summer. If I had to guess who ends up being a top 10 pick from this year’s group of returners, it would be Haugh and Mullins. Another name to keep an eye on is USC‘s Alijah Arenas. He had a limited freshman season due to a knee injury. Arenas is someone who can crack the lottery next summer if everything goes well at USC.
Who’s staying and who’s going back to school?
Notable decisions from players deciding to stay in the NBA Draft or return to play college basketball next season.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup brings an expanded format featuring 12 groups, 48 teams, and 72 group-stage matches, setting the stage for one of the most diverse and dramatic tournaments in history. Hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the competition promises heavyweight clashes, debut stories, and potential upsets across all groups.
Having said that, with multiple groups expected to witness a proper fight for the top 2 places, here are the predictions for the group winners and runner-ups this year.
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Group A: Mexico to lead the home charge
Teams: Mexico, South Korea, Czechia and South Africa
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Mexico enter the tournament with the advantage of home support as one of the host nations. Despite inconsistent form, El Tri are expected to edge out South Korea and Czechia in a competitive group. South Africa could play the spoiler role, but Mexico’s familiarity with conditions gives them the upper hand.
Group B: Switzerland’s experience to prevail
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Teams: Switzerland, Canada, Qatar, Bosnia & Herzegovina
Group B looks balanced but slightly weaker on paper. Switzerland’s tournament experience and tactical discipline make them favourites to finish top. Canada, Qatar, and Bosnia & Herzegovina will compete closely, but Switzerland’s depth should see them through.
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Group C: Brazil expected to dominate
Teams: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
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Brazil are once again among the favourites and should comfortably top Group C. Morocco, however, could push them hard after their impressive recent rise. Scotland and Haiti are likely to struggle against the top two.
Group D: USA tipped to deliver at home
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Teams: USA, Turkey, Australia, Paraguay
The United States, boosted by home advantage and expectations, are strong contenders to win Group D. Türkiye could be their biggest challenger, while Australia and Paraguay add unpredictability but lack consistency at this level.
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Group E: Germany to steady the ship
Teams: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curacao
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Germany have struggled in recent tournaments but remain strong enough to top Group E. Ecuador may challenge, but Côte d’Ivoire and debutants Curaçao are expected to find the going tough.
Group F: Tight battle led by Netherlands
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Teams: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Group F is one of the most competitive groups. The Netherlands are favourites, but Japan and Sweden bring serious threats. Tunisia cannot be ruled out, making this a closely fought contest for top spot.
Group G: Belgium to edge Egypt challenge
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Belgium’s so-called “golden generation” may have faded, but they still possess enough quality to top Group G. Egypt is their closest rival, while Iran and New Zealand are expected to struggle against stronger opposition.
Group H: Spain and Uruguay headline battle
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Teams: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde
Spain are favourites to win Group H, but Uruguay under Marcelo Bielsa provide a serious challenge. Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde will look to compete but are unlikely to match the European and South American giants. However, with Saudi Arabia’s upset over defending champions Argentina last time, anything is possible with the team.
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Group I: France in toughest group
Teams: France, Senegal, Norway, Iran
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Group I is arguably the toughest group of the tournament. France lead the pack but face stiff competition from Senegal and Norway. Erling Haaland’s Norway had a decent qualifying campaign and could be the surprise package in this World Cup. Iraq are expected to be outmatched, making this a three-way battle at the top.
Group J: Argentina set for smooth passage
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Teams: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Defending champions Argentina should comfortably top Group J. Austria and Algeria will battle for second place, while Jordan face a tough debut campaign at the World Cup.
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Group K: Portugal vs Colombia showdown
Teams: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, DR Congo
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Group K is one of the most unpredictable. Portugal and Colombia are expected to fight for first place, with their head-to-head likely deciding the group winner. Uzbekistan and DR Congo could spring occasional surprises but are outsiders and most likely be the bottom two teams in the group.
Group L: England vs Croatia for top spot
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Teams: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
England and Croatia headline Group L in a repeat of their historic rivalry. England are slight favourites under Thomas Tuchel, but Croatia’s experience ensures a tight race for first place. Panama and Ghana will fight for respect and knockout hopes.
May 27, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Chicago Cubs left fielder Ian Happ (8) and relief pitcher Ethan Roberts (39) celebrate after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
Ian Happ drove in five runs and ignited a six-run seventh inning with a three-run home run that eventually helped the Chicago Cubs snap a 10-game losing streak with a 10-4 win over the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.
The Cubs last scored 10 runs in a game in their prior win May 15 before the losing streak began. The skid was the longest active losing streak in the majors and the longest for the Cubs since June 4-16, 2022. Chicago won for only the third time in its past 17 games.
Happ finished with two hits, marking his first multi-hit game since May 15. Happ’s 11th home run of the season off Pittsburgh reliever Yohan Ramirez (2-2) helped the Cubs break a 4-4 tie on the way to snapping the Pirates’ three-game winning streak.
Seiya Suzuki followed Happ’s homer with a single, then Michael Conforto belted his fourth homer of the season off Justin Lawrence to add two more runs. Michael Busch capped the frame with an RBI single.
Pirates starter Bubba Chandler allowed four runs on eight hits, walked two and struck out five over five innings. Bryan Reynolds had three hits, including a double.
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Brewers 2, Cardinals 1
Sal Frelick scored the go-ahead run on an eighth-inning error by St. Louis shortstop Masyn Winn as host Milwaukee rallied for a win and a series sweep.
Cardinals starter Dustin May (3-6) held the Brewers hitless through the first seven innings but didn’t retire either of the batters he faced in the eighth. Garrett Mitchell doubled and Luis Rengifo hit a bunt single before JoJo Romero replaced May. One out later, Christian Yelich’s RBI single tied the game 1-1 before Winn made the key error.
Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby (9-0) threw two scoreless innings, and Trevor Megill notched his sixth save with a scoreless ninth.
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Tigers 4, Angels 0
Spencer Torkelson had three extra-base hits, including a solo homer, and Detroit overcame two pitching injuries to blank visiting Los Angeles.
Kevin McGonigle had two hits and scored twice for the Tigers, who won for just the second time in 11 games. Detroit starter Casey Mize and reliever Kenley Jansen both departed due to groin injuries, though the extent of the ailments was unclear postgame.
Jose Soriano (6-4) gave up three runs on seven hits in five innings as the Angels had their four-game winning streak end.
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Guardians 3, Nationals 2
Chase DeLauter drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth and Gavin Williams notched his American League-leading eighth win as Cleveland beat visiting Washington
Williams (8-3) worked seven strong innings, allowing one run on three hits. Jose Ramirez poked a sacrifice fly to start the Guardians’ three-run fifth, which also featured RBI singles by DeLauter and Angel Martinez.
Miles Mikolas (1-4) did not allow an earned run in 3 2/3 innings, but took the loss due to a Curtis Mead error that led to two unearned runs. CJ Abrams went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base.
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Dodgers 4, Rockies 1
Shohei Ohtani (5-2) did not allow a hit over six innings on the mound and added a leadoff home run from the batter’s box as Los Angeles extended its winning streak to five games with a victory over visiting Colorado.
Ohtani and Will Klein held the Rockies without a hit through seven innings before Tyler Freeman singled to right field with two outs in the eighth against Tanner Scott. Kyle Hurt finished off the combined one-hitter with a perfect ninth inning to earn his first career save. Freddie Freeman also went deep in the opening inning before Andy Pages homered in the eighth.
Rockies starter Tomoyuki Sugano (4-4) gave up three runs on six hits over 4 2/3 innings in a duel of Japanese-born starters. Colorado scored its lone run in the fourth inning on a groundout by Willi Castro en route to its fifth loss in a row.
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Phillies 3, Padres 0
Cristopher Sanchez set Philadelphia’s franchise record for consecutive scoreless innings as it completed a three-game sweep of San Diego at Petco Park.
Sanchez passed Grover Cleveland Alexander’s mark of 41 innings, set in 1911. The left-hander finished seven innings, permitting six hits and no walks while fanning nine as he improved to 6-2. Sanchez has fired 44 2/3 straight scoreless innings.
Walker Buehler (3-3) took the loss, yielding two runs on three hits in 5 1/3 innings. It was the fourth straight loss for San Diego, which closed a nine-game homestand at 3-6.
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Yankees 7, Royals 0
Gerrit Cole (1-0) scattered four hits and struck out 10 over 6 2/3 stellar innings and Ben Rice had three RBIs as visiting New York completed a three-game sweep with a shutout victory over Kansas City.
The Yankees beat the Royals for the 14th straight time including playoffs. Rice and Paul Goldschmidt each had two hits and Ryan McMahon clubbed a two-run homer in the eighth for New York, which has won four straight.
Royals starter Noah Cameron (2-4) allowed two runs and four hits over five-plus innings. Maikel Garcia poked two of the Royals’ four hits as they dropped to 3-13 since May 10.
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White Sox 15, Twins 2
David Sandlin (1-0) pitched six innings of one-run ball in his major league debut and Munetaka Murakami homered for the third straight game as host Chicago blasted Minnesota.
An 18-hit attack propelled Chicago. Sam Antonacci and Randal Grichuk collected three hits apiece. Chase Meidroth hit a seventh-inning grand slam before Murakami followed with his 20th home run, tied for the American League lead.
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Twins lefty Connor Prielipp (1-3) sputtered in his seventh career start, allowing six runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Blue Jays 2, Marlins 1
Kazuma Okamoto hit a go-ahead home run in the sixth inning and Toronto defeated visiting Miami.
The Marlins outhit the Blue Jays 11-5 but stranded eight in going 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position. They also had four runners caught stealing. Otto Lopez went 4-for-4 with two stolen bases and the Marlins’ lone RBI. Eury Perez left after four scoreless innings with a right hamstring spasm. He had a season-best nine strikeouts.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. produced two of Toronto’s five hits. Miami pitching fanned 13 Blue Jays. Kevin Gausman allowed one run and six hits in five innings.
Mariners 9, Athletics 1
Rob Refsnyder and Julio Rodriguez hit three-run homers and Logan Gilbert pitched six scoreless innings as Seattle routed the Athletics in West Sacramento, Calif., to move into first place in the American League West for the first time this season.
Gilbert (3-4) allowed five hits. Rookie Colt Emerson had two hits, including a two-run triple, while Cole Young had two hits and scored three runs. The Mariners completed the sweep, outscoring the Athletics 22-4.
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Athletics starter Jeffrey Springs (3-6) allowed five runs (two earned) on six hits over five innings. Zack Gelof and Darell Hernaiz each had two hits for the Athletics, who got their only run in the ninth on a Jeff McNeil double play.
Diamondbacks 3, Giants 2
Geraldo Perdomo hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the seventh inning and visiting Arizona threw out two San Francisco players on the basepaths in a crazy eighth to hold on for a victory that completed a second consecutive three-game sweep between the National League West rivals.
Michael Soroka (7-2) limited the Giants to two runs and four hits over six innings. Ketel Marte finished with two hits of the Diamondbacks’ six hits, with Paul Sewald delivering a 1-2-3 ninth for his 14th save after Luis Arraez was picked off at second to end the eighth when representing the tying run.
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Arraez finished 3-for-4 with both San Francisco RBIs, while Willy Adames chipped in with a pair of doubles. Trevor McDonald (2-2) took a shutout one-hitter into the sixth inning, but gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits in 6 1/3 innings.
Red Sox 8, Braves 0
Connelly Early pitched seven scoreless innings and Jarren Duran homered for the second straight game to help Boston end a four-game losing streak by beating visiting Atlanta.
Early (5-2) limited the Braves to four hits and three walks. The Red Sox took command with a six-run fourth thanks to five singles and a pair of Atlanta errors. Duran had four of Boston’s 15 hits while Ceddanne Rafaela chipped in three to help snap a five-game home losing streak.
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Atlanta starter Bryce Elder (4-3) was pulled with one out in the fourth after allowing six runs (five earned) on nine hits. It marked the first time in 12 starts this season he allowed more than three runs. Jorge Mateo had two of Atlanta’s five hits.
Mets 4, Reds 2
Juan Soto hit his sixth homer in seven games and Carson Benge had a pair of two-out RBI singles to lead New York past visiting Cincinnati to avoid a sweep.
Benge and Soto each had two hits, helping the Mets score more than two runs for the first time in seven games while snapping a five-game losing streak. Jonah Tong (1-0) allowed one unearned run on three hits over 3 2/3 innings. Devin Williams walked the bases loaded in the ninth but struck out the final two batters to record his eighth save.
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The Reds fell for just the second time in seven games, stranding 17 runners on base. Nathaniel Lowe and Sal Stewart had RBI singles for Cincinnati, who saw starter Andrew Abbott’s (4-3) personal four-game win streak snapped after allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits over six innings.
Orioles 11, Rays 2
Gunnar Henderson hit the first of his two home runs in Baltimore’s five-run first inning as the Orioles beat visiting Tampa Bay to complete a three-game sweep.
Rookie Trey Gibson (1-0) tossed 5 2/3 innings and gave up one run on six hits for his first major league victory. Blaze Alexander drove in six runs with a single, a double and a home run, and Adley Rutschman added three hits, including two doubles.
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Hunter Feduccia had three hits for the Rays, who have lost four games in a row for the first time this season. Steven Matz (4-2) surrendered six runs on seven hits in three innings.
Astros 4, Rangers 3
Yordan Alvarez went 3-for-4 with two solo home runs, including a go-ahead blast in the eighth inning, and Houston beat Texas in Arlington, Texas.
Mike Burrows (3-6) allowed two runs on five hits over seven innings. He retired 20 of his final 23 batters to help Houston win for the fifth time in its last six games. With five homers in his last three games, Alvarez has moved into a tie atop the AL leaderboard with 20 homers.
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Joc Pederson also had two homers in a 3-for-4 performance for the Rangers. Jacob deGrom allowed two runs on four hits over six innings, but was denied his 100th career win for the third straight outing.
RR vs SRH Qualifier 2: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi shines as Rajasthan beats Hyderabad in Indian Premier League eliminator. (photo/AP)
Teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi took to social media and posted a three-word message on his instagram account following his match-winning heroics in the Eliminator against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Wednesday.The left-hander put on a brilliant display of six-hitting and scored 97 runs off just 29 deliveries. However, he narrowly missed out on Chris Gayle’s long-standing IPL record of the fastest century in the league – which still stands at 30 deliveries.After the match, the Rajasthan Royals opener posted pictures from his match-winning knock on his instagram with the caption, ‘hungry for more’.Sooryavanshi smashed five boundaries and 12 sixes during his astonishing innings with a strike rate of 334.48. With the help of his innings, RR posted a mammoth score of 243 for 8 before bundling out Hyderabad for 196 runs to secure a 47-run victory, and place in Qualifier 2.Royals will now face Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 2 for a spot in the final against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru.Sooryavanshi’s whirlwind knock drew praise and awe in equal measure from every corner.“What a phenomenal player Vaibhav is. Great entertainment young man! The IPL has a new six machine,” post former RCB star Chris Gayle on X. Incidentally, the teen sensation broke Gayle’s long standing record of most sixes in a single season during his brutal assault vs SRH yesterday.Sooryavanshi now has 65 sixes surpassing the tally of 59, held by Gayle for more than a decade.Praising Sooryavanshi’s maturity and calmness, AB de Villiers told Jiostar in the post-game show: “What stood out most about Vaibhav’s innings was his composure and clarity under pressure at just 15 years of age. Pat Cummins and SRH kept trying different plans, but he stayed completely locked into his own bubble throughout the innings. That level of game awareness in a knockout match is remarkable for someone so young.“With 680 runs, striking at 242.86, the current Orange Cap holder will be hoping to take his team to the final for the first time since 2022, with yet another impactful knock in the upcoming Qualifier 2 match against GT.
Man Utd are preparing to make Atalanta midfielder Ederson their first signing of the 2026 summer transfer window.
Manchester United are close to agreeing a deal to make Atalanta midfielder Ederson their first signing of the summer transfer window. United have been in talks to sign Ederson in a transfer worth around £38million.
United have planned to overhaul the midfield, but signing Ederson is not set to alter the club’s plan to sign a marquee Casemiro replacement.
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Ederson played in his homeland of Brazil until 2022 before a move to Italian club Salernitana. After six months with Salernitana he signed for Atalanta, where he has made 180 appearances.
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In 2023/24, Ederson won the Europa League with Atalanta, starting in the final as the Italian side won 3-0 against Bayer Leverkusen.
Ederson was rewarded with his first call-up to Brazil’s national team in May 2024, but he has not been selected by manager Carlo Ancelotti to represent his nation at this summer’s World Cup.
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The 26-year-old can play as a deep-lying midfielder or as a No.8, and he has built a reputation in Italy for his running power, averaging 10.6km per game in the Champions League this season.
United moved quickly to make Matheus Cunha their first signing of the summer window last year, announcing the deal on the first day of June, and Ederson is set to be the first new face through the door this summer.
The Reds are expected to focus on signing a replacement for Casemiro once Ederson’s transfer is completed, with Elliot Anderson sitting at the top of United’s midfielder shortlist.
Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira has admitted Anderson could be sold, but United are set to face stiff competition for his signature from Manchester City, who are thought to be in pole position.
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Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni is seen as a dream midfield signing at Old Trafford, while United are monitoring the situations of Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba and Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali.
Marcus Rashford’s future is up in the air following an impressive loan spell with Barcelona and the Man United star is set for imminent talks
Arsenal and Tottenham have both reportedly held talks over a potential swoop for Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford after an outstanding loan spell at Barcelona.
The Spanish giants have a £26m option-to-buy the England international permanently, but are keen to bring in another striker as well.
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Hansi Flick’s squad would favour another loan deal for Rashford, giving them financial flexibility to pursue another forward, with Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon close to joining Barcelona.
However, United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is understood to be keen on a permanent departure of the England international in an attempt to reduce the club wage bill.
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According to the Daily Mail,Manchester United and Rashford are due to hold discussions about his future this week, with the England star seeking clarity ahead of the World Cup.
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Rashford caught the eye with 14 goals and 14 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions for Barcelona, and he’s expressed his ambition to make the switch to the Nou Camp permanent.
Aston Villa have also reportedly explored signing Rashford this summer, following his impressive loan stint at Villa Park towards the end of last season. Barcelona are keen on Chelsea’s Joao Pedro, but the Blues have no intention of parting with the Brazilian.
Arsenal are believed to be looking for a winger this summer, as they aim to strengthen their attacking options after securing the Premier League title.
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However, Arsenal are likely to need to sell several first-team players, with the likes of Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Ethan Nwaneri and Ben White all being linked with departures from the Emirates Stadium.
Meanwhile, Tottenham are looking to strengthen their squad following a season in which they only narrowly avoided the drop on the final day.
Discussing his transfer plans for the summer, De Zerbi said: “Listen, we have a great relationship with Johan and Vinai and the whole board. I have no doubt, but it’s right because I came to start a new plan, a new project, and the plan was not in Sunderland.
“It was after Everton, staying in the Premier League. My target was very clear at the beginning. I gave all my best. I pushed to arrive at today. From today, we have to start to work.
“Look, my target when I came was today, to arrive today, after the last game and planning the next Premier League. I’m sure we have not to change too many players. It’s not right. It’s not right because we are lucky to have a lot of good players, a lot of good guys.
“I think we have to complete the squad in the best way, with the first level of players, with the right behaviour of the players, because now the qualities of the players are important, but more important is the spirit, the mentality of these players – and now the job starts.”
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jauan Jennings speaks with reporters after OTA practice, May 27, 2026, at the TCO Performance Center in Eagan, Minnesota. Jennings discussed joining the Vikings, adjusting to a new offense, and the talent surrounding him as Minnesota continued its offseason program with organized team activities during the spring. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
When I first began my NFL front office career back in the days of Bud Grant, Fran Tarkenton, and the Purple People Eaters, the only players I saw in the offseason were the new draft picks for a two-day rookie camp. I didn’t meet vets such as Tarkenton until the first day of training camp at Mankato State University in late July.
There were no OTAs or mandatory minicamps. Not even an organized team offseason strength-and-conditioning program for the veterans.
Times certainly have changed as the salaries for NFL players and coaches have skyrocketed compared to several decades ago. Only star players earned six-figure salaries back then, and many players had other jobs in the offseason to supplement their income.
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Minnesota’s Spring Workouts Could Tweak Multiple Position Groups
Today, with the minimum salary at $885,000 and the average salary over $3 million, players know they must be present and work hard to improve their craft and understanding of the playbook via the team’s offseason program, or they risk falling behind other players they may be competing with and other teams around the league.
Thus, OTAs and minicamps have taken on an important role in player/team development leading into training camp, which is expected to open the last week in July.
Here are the things I’ll be paying the most attention to during the 10 scheduled OTA sessions that wrap up the week of June 15, as well as the June 9-11 minicamp.
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Quarterbacks
We can expect to hear Kevin O’Connell praising all four QBs in his media sessions—Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer. O’Connell will say Murray is working hard and doing a great job picking up the system. He’ll say McCarthy looks stronger and has a great grasp of the offense, and Wentz has recovered from his shoulder surgery and brings vet savvy to the QB room. And that Brosmer is a talented work in progress.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy addresses reporters following OTA practice, May 27, 2026, at the TCO Performance Center in Eagan, Minnesota. McCarthy discussed the depth of Minnesota’s quarterback room, offseason training work, and building chemistry with veteran quarterback Kyler Murray as the Vikings continued organized team activities during the spring program. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
What O’Connell won’t say in May or June—and probably not until mid-August–is who his starting QB will be on September 13 when the Packers come to town for the regular season opener. He’ll continue to say it’s an “open competition,” which is what he should be saying at this early juncture.
We can speculate who the coaches are looking to start (almost certainly Murray if he stays healthy) based on who is taking the first reps with the other offensive starters at minicamp practices.
The opening couple of series in the first preseason game at the Giants on August 15 may tell us more. And certainly the August 19-20 joint practices with the Baltimore Ravens at the Vikings’ TCO facility should clinch it if O’Connell hasn’t officially announced his choice by then.
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As for OTAs this week and next week before minicamp, both Murray and McCarthy should get an equal number of reps with the starting offensive line, top wide receivers Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings, No. 1 tight end T.J. Hockenson, and the RB combo of Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason.
Wentz and Brosmer most likely will be throwing to the non-starters (and I want to see sixth-round running back Demond Claiborne flash his 4.37 speed out of the backfield this offseason or certainly in training camp and preseason games, and see if last year’s third-rounder Tai Felton can take a big step forward at wide receiver after a non-productive rookie season).
Defensive Line and Edge Rushers
Will first-rounder Caleb Banks participate at all in team drills before training camp as he continues his recovery from foot surgery? Almost certainly not, according to the intel we’ve heard. He is participating in classroom work and mental reps—perhaps in some walkthroughs—but he is not expected to hit the field until the start of training camp, which gives him two more months of rehab.
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We know Jalen Redmond will start on the D-line, and Banks is a likely starter if he’s healthy and quickly gets up to speed in training camp. It will be interesting to see if there are any clues in OTAs and minicamp about who has a leg up for the other starting spot among returnees Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins and Levi Drake Rodriguez, and third-round DT Domonique Orange.
The reality is that the best defensive lines have an effective rotation, and that’s surely what DC Brian Flores is hoping for from this young group, which could become a team strength.
Vikings linebacker Jake Golday appears during a Cincinnati Bearcats Football feature interview released on Aug. 8, 2024, as fall camp preparations intensified ahead of the college season. Golday discussed his development and role within the program while participating in a behind-the-scenes digital segment spotlighting Cincinnati’s linebacker room and offseason preparation process. Mandatory Credit: Cincinnati Bearcats Football-YouTube.
I’m intrigued by what the coaches do with second-round LB Jake Golday, who played defensive end and inside linebacker in college. I was opposed to trading a proven edge rusher in Jonathan Greenard unless the team did not believe he could stay healthy after his shoulder issues last season. Andrew Van Ginkel is a terrific player, but he’s had injury issues, and I like how Dallas Turner came on last season with a team-leading eight sacks. But who is going to be the third edge player in a rotation, or in the case of injury to a starter?
I want to see if the coaches give Golday some minicamp reps at OLB/Edge, after that was the indication when he was drafted. O’Connell says Golday is first learning the inside linebacker spot, where he would back up an excellent starting duo in Blake Cashman and Eric Wilson. But with Ivan Pace also here as a backup ILB, the best first-year impact for Golday would be as a rotating edge rusher who can drop into coverage (thus the athletic comparison between Golday and Van Ginkel). But we may not see that develop fully until later in training camp or on into the regular season.
Safeties and Third Corner
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Lots to dissect here. Will Harrison Smith return for his 15th season, which should be the hope for the coaching staff and team? If he’s indeed coming back, I’m sure the coaches would love to see him on the field at minicamp as the leader of the secondary.
How quickly can third-round safety Jakobe Thomas learn the defense and the demands of the safety positions? He’s supposed to be a smart and instinctive player. He then should be able to beat out Theo Jackson and Jay Ward for the third safety spot (which the Vikings utilize in their defense fairly often) and push Josh Metellus as the season goes on for the No. 2 spot unless Smith retires. Then the team has to hope Metellus and Thomas can be a solid starting duo.
At the third corner, I’ll be watching free agent signee James Pierre and speedy fifth-rounder Charles Demmings to see how they do in coverage against the Vikings’ elite wide receivers. And what’s up with now third-year corner Dwight McGlothern, who looked like a future star in 2024 training camp but has not yet pushed his way into a bigger role?
Reichard/Hekker/DePaola
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This will be more of a storyline in training camp and preseason games, but the departure of punter/holder Ryan Wright to the Saints in free agency forced the Vikings to sign 36-year-old Johnny Hekker to work as the punter and holder for all-pro kicker Will Reichard.
Aug 16, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings place kicker Will Reichard (16) lines up a field goal against the New England Patriots in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
There will be thousands of reps on field goals and extra points during OTAs, minicamp, and training camp, and the chemistry has to be great among Reichard, Hekker, and snapper Andrew DePaola, leading into the regular season, when there will be plenty of close games as usual. So we’ll see how this trio progresses in the next month.
Lots of reps for Brandel
The center spot will be a focal point when checking out the offensive line. Blake Brandel needs all the reps he can get as he takes over as the starting center, and we’ll see if seventh-rounder Gavin Gerhardt looks like a player who can push Brandel at some point and initially beat out Michael Jurgens (as backup center) in training camp.
The OTAs and minicamp are important for all the centers at a position that could be a problem this season.
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Jeff Diamond is a former Vikings GM, former Tennessee Titans President and was selected NFL Executive of the Year … More about Jeff Diamond
Manchester United are close to agreeing a deal to make Atalanta midfielder Ederson their first signing of the summer transfer window. United have been in talks to sign Ederson in a transfer worth around £38million, reports Steven Railston.
United have planned to overhaul the midfield, but signing Ederson is not set to alter the club’s plan to sign a marquee Casemiro replacement.
Ederson played in his homeland of Brazil until 2022 before a move to Italian club Salernitana. After six months with Salernitana he signed for Atalanta, where he has made 180 appearances.
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