By Stephen Vilardo, SuperWest Sports
Sports
USC Peaking at Right Time with Alijah Arenas in Top Form
Following their win over Indiana on Tuesday night, USC has won consecutive games and three of their last four, with the lone loss during that stretch a tough one-point game at Iowa.
Holding serve at home against an Indiana team ranked 30th in the NET was huge for the Trojans, a team sitting firmly on the NCAA Tournament bubble as February gets rolling.
And the importance of the win over another bubble team was not lost on Eric Musselman, who pointed out in the postgame that given the NCAA Tournament implications and Big Ten Standings, “This game is not worth one game.”
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from the victory was the play of Alijah Arenas. The five-star recruit with an NBA pedigree had his best game to date in the win over the Hoosiers. Arenas established new career highs with 29 points and six rebounds.
It was the first time in his five games played that he had cracked double figures in scoring. Perhaps more importantly, he played 37 minutes on Tuesday night.
Arenas made his Trojan debut on January 21 following a tumultuous 11 months in which he nearly died in a horrendous car accident, then had to rehab from a torn meniscus.
In his first four games with the Trojans, he averaged just 23.3 minutes per game. Getting a full run is a promising sign.
And for a USC team on the bubble, getting production from the talented guard as he finds his stride is huge.
Arenas is a bona fide scorer and playmaker who can create his own shot. Moving forward, opponents will have to pay even more attention to Arenas’s offensive prowess—and that should open things even more on the offensive end for the likes of Chad Baker-Mazara and Ezra Ausar.
Baker-Mazara is another guy who can create space for himself on offense. Ausar is athletic in the front court and has reached double figures in 20 of 23 games, including 12 in a row. Adding another scorer also allows Kam Woods to be a true point guard and really play to his strengths.
With Arenas hitting his stride, the Trojans have a chance to make a lot of noise down the stretch.
The lone East Coast trip remaining is the Penn State/Ohio State combo.
The Nittany Lions have been a disaster this season with just one Big Ten win and nine of their 10 wins on the season being Quad 4 wins. The Buckeyes offer SC a chance to steal a road game against another bubble team, albeit in a tough place to pick up a road win.
The rest of the slate sees just one road game, a trip to a sneaky good Washington team and the cross-town trip to UCLA.
USC could certainly solidify themselves as tournament locks before the calendar turns to March with visits from a pair of top 10 opponents in Illinois and Nebraska later this month. Even getting one of those would certainly erase doubt as long as the Trojans take care of their business.
With the firepower USC possesses, especially with a healthy and productive Alijah Arenas, this is a squad that could put together a run in March.
Simply making the big dance may not seem very ambitious once we reach mid-March.
writes about various topics for SuperWest sports, including stats and records, college sports, and motorsports. He also founded and runs the Sports and Entertainment Research Center (SERC).
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Normal (2026) is an American action film written by Derek Kolstad, directed by Ben Wheatley and dramatizing a story originally by Kolstad and Bob Odenkirk. Normal (2026) had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in late September 2025 and its US theatrical release on April 17, 2026. Normal (2026) is a story about a small-town sheriff who discovers a bigger criminal network, which leads to a series of violent incidents.
The film setting is a peaceful town that suddenly gets out of control with Normal (2026) mixing action with a multi-layered story about corruption, crime, and survival.
The movie features Bob Odenkirk as Sheriff Ulysses, alongside Henry Winkler as Mayor Kibner and Lena Headey as Moira, supported by a cast including Reena Jolly, Ryan Allen, Billy MacLellan, Brendan Fletcher, Peter Shinkoda, and Jess McLeod.
Who stars in Normal (2026)?
1) Bob Odenkirk as Sheriff Ulysses
Bob Odenkirk stars as the main character, Sheriff Ulysses, in Normal (2026). He is a well-known actor, writer, and producer who has won several awards, including Primetime Emmy Awards and has been nominated in most major categories several times. Odenkirk started his career as a writer for Saturday Night Live from 1987 to 1991.
He then moved on to work on The Ben Stiller Show, where he won an Emmy for writing. Besides, he was a writer for Late Night with Conan O’Brien and an actor in The Larry Sanders Show. Odenkirk became famous for his role as Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad and its spin-off Better Call Saul, for which he was nominated multiple times for the Emmy Awards.
Besides the TV-series, he has been a part of Fargo and was also recognized for a guest role in The Bear. In the movie industry, Odenkirk has featured in Nobody and its sequel, while also having supporting roles in Little Women and The Post.
Read More: Who was Nadia Farès married to? Children and all you need to know as French actress dies aged 57
2) Henry Winkler as Mayor Kibner
Mayor Kibner is portrayed by Henry Winkler in Normal (2026). Winkler is a seasoned actor who has enjoyed a lengthy career in television and film, earning multiple Emmy and Golden Globe awards. In the early phase of his career, Winkler gained recognition for his role as Fonzie in Happy Days, which was on air from 1974 to 1984.
This acting effort catapulted him to become a well-known figure on television. As a result, he diversified into both the media of film and television. You can see him in projects like Scream, The Waterboy, and Click.
Recently, he has been active on the small screen with roles in Arrested Development, Parks and Recreation, and Barry, the latter of which won him an Emmy Award. Besides acting, Winkler has also been a director, producer, and author. For example, he has written a children’s book series that is based on his own experiences.
3) Lena Headey as Moira
Lena Headey portrays Moira in Normal (2026). She is an English actress whose career has encompassed television and film, earning her international fame. Playing Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones is probably Headey’s best-known work, a character for which she received several Emmy nominations and garnered great critical praise.
Additionally, she starred as Queen Gorgo in 300, one of her many cinema appearances, and The Purge is another example. She enjoys a diversified filmography featuring a variety of action, drama, and fantasy titles.
The Brothers Grimm and Imagine Me & You are among her earlier films while quite recently, television productions include Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Not limiting herself to live performances only, Headey has lent her voice to animated series and video games.
Read More: Amazon prime confirms Jack Ryan: Ghost War’s May release date
The movie was released in theatres on April 17, 2026.
Edited by Sakshi Singh
One of the most eagerly awaited fixtures of the Premier League season is set to take place on Sunday, as league leaders Arsenal make the trip to face Manchester City in a high-stakes title showdown at the Etihad Stadium.
The result of this clash could have a significant impact on how the title race unfolds. A win for City would bring them within three points of Arsenal, with the added advantage of a game in hand. On the other hand, an Arsenal victory would extend their lead to nine points, creating a sizeable gap at the top. Even a draw would work in favour of the Gunners as they look to maintain control of the standings.
Manchester City head into the contest with strong momentum, currently on a three-match winning run that includes a triumph over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final, followed by convincing victories against Liverpool and Chelsea. Their recent form makes them slight favourites going into this encounter.
Arsenal, however, have hit a rough patch in recent weeks, losing three of their last five matches. Their struggles in front of goal have added to the concern, and they will be eager to respond with a composed performance as they chase a long-awaited Premier League title.
Manchester City Team News
Manchester City’s injury concerns are limited to their defense, with Pep Guardiola missing three center-backs ahead of Arsenal’s visit. Joško Gvardiol, John Stones, and Rúben Dias are all sidelined, so Abdukodir Khusanov is expected to line up alongside Marc Guéhi again on Sunday.
Nico O’Reilly had been a minor concern after coming off early in last weekend’s win over Chelsea, but Guardiola has confirmed the youngster is fit to play. As a result, the manager is unlikely to alter the lineup that won at Stamford Bridge, especially with the team benefiting from a free midweek after their Champions League exit.
Arsenal Team News
Arsenal would prefer to head to Manchester at full strength, but several key players are unavailable. Bukayo Saka is the most notable absentee due to an Achilles problem, while Mikel Merino remains sidelined with a long-term foot injury.
Riccardo Calafiori, Jurriën Timber, and Martin Ødegaard have all missed recent games, though Mikel Arteta has suggested that some could return for the clash at the Etihad. Noni Madueke, who was forced off early in midweek with a minor issue, is also in the mix to feature.
Kai Havertz may be brought into the starting lineup following another underwhelming display from Viktor Gyökeres, while Cristhian Mosquera is expected to keep his place at right-back.
Manchester City vs Arsenal probable starting eleven:
Manchester City starting 11: Donnarumma; Nunes, Khusanov, Guéhi, O’Reilly; Rodri, Silva; Semenyo, Cherki, Doku; Haaland.
Arsenal starting 11: Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapié; Zubimendi, Rice; Madueke, Eze, Martinelli; Havertz
Premier League League: Manchester City vs Arsenal Live Telecast and Streaming Details
When will the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal be played?
The Premier League clash between Manchester City and Arsenal will take place on April 19.
What time will the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal begin on April 19?
The match is scheduled to kick off at 9 PM IST.
What will be the venue for the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal?
Stamford Bridge Stadium will host the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal.
Where will the live telecast of the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal be available in India?
The live telecast of the match will be available on Star Sports network in India.
Where will the live streaming of the Premier League match between Manchester City and Arsenal be available in India?
Fans in India can stream the Manchester City vs Arsenal Premier League match live on JioHotstar.
Olympic silver medallist Matt Richardson stormed to two golds as Great Britain won nine medals, external at the Track World Cup in Hong Kong.
Richardson, who turned 27 on Friday, won the men’s sprint and anchored the sprint team to victory alongside Joe Truman and Harry Ledingham-Horn.
His latest success comes two months after he won the European title in Turkey.
Emma Finucane added more gold in the women’s sprint, and won silver in the team event with Rhianna Parris-Smith and Lauren Bell.
Finucane dominated the sprint event, securing a 2-0 win over Mina Sato in the final, and also won bronze in the women’s keirin.
Richardson took silver in Paris in 2024 while racing for Australia before switching to race for Great Britain.
Olympic champion Harrie Lavreysen of the Netherlands was only fifth in Hong Kong as Richardson beat Kaiya Ota of Japan in the final.
Erin Boothman, making her international track debut, won silver in the women’s madison alongside Maddie Leech, who also picked up silver in the team pursuit.
Jofra Archer struck with the first ball of the second innings to equal a record held by Mohammed Shami during Rajasthan Royals’ IPL 2026 match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Eden Gardens on Sunday.Opening the bowling for Rajasthan Royals, Archer bowled KKR opener Tim Seifert for a golden duck with the first delivery of KKR’s innings. With this, Archer now has five wickets on the first ball of an IPL innings, matching Shami’s record.He had also taken wickets on the opening ball in RR’s previous two matches — against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on April 10 and Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 13 — dismissing Phil Salt and Abhishek Sharma respectively.Wickets off the first ball of an IPL innings (most):
- 5 – Mohammed Shami
- 5 – Jofra Archer
Earlier, after winning the toss, Rajasthan Royals chose to bat. Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine combined to take five wickets and restricted RR to 155 for nine.It could have been worse for RR had KKR not conceded ground in the power play.Rajasthan made a strong start, reaching 63 without loss as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored at over 10 runs per over against the pace attack.The match changed after spin was introduced. Sooryavanshi hit Narine for a six off his second ball, but Narine followed it with five dot deliveries. Chakravarthy then dismissed Sooryavanshi with his fourth ball, completing his 200th T20 wicket. The batter was caught by Ramandeep Singh at deep midwicket.Rajasthan Royals slipped from a strong position to 118 for four in 15 overs, with the run rate dropping below eight.
The NFL draft will get cracking in four days, and with the event so close you can taste, we take one final look at the weekend rumor mill before showtime.
Minnesota has roster questions to solve, and the rumor mill keeps supplying new angles.
The Minnesota Vikings have a handful of roster needs in mid-April and nine picks to address them.
Three Late-April Storylines for the Vikings’ Next Moves
The Purple Rumor Mill for Sunday, April 19th.
Rumor: Don’t rule out a rookie punter for the Vikings.
Punter chatter has stayed quiet since Minnesota signed Johnny Hekker in March, but the team will still put in its rookie homework.
NBC Sports’ Ryan Fowler tweeted Thursday, “The Minnesota Vikings will hold a private workout with Elon punter Jeff Yurk tomorrow morning, per source. The FCS’ all-time leader in yards per punt and a two-time first-team FCS All-American, Yurk averaged 58.6 yards per punt at Hula a few months back.”
And there you have it. Minnesota provided a special teams clue for next Thursday’s draft. A punter is in play, even if the new guy might come from undrafted free agency.
Yurk likely won’t require a draft pick; he profiles as a post-draft addition through undrafted free agency. If Minnesota wants to stir competition at punter, Georgia’s Brett Thorson would enter the mix as the top prospect in the class. Some pundits expect Thorson to be picked in the middle rounds, believe it or not.
Rumor: The Vikings are a trade landing spot for cornerback Kenny Moore II.
Credible reporting suggested this week that the Indianapolis Colts would trade Moore II, and it didn’t take long for Minnesota to make the cut as a possible landing spot, courtesy of SI.com‘s Albert Breer.
Breer wrote, “As for potential landing spots, I think Dallas would be one, with the nickel being an important piece in new coordinator Christian Parker’s defense and the Cowboys having a hole after Jourdan Lewis’s departure to the Jaguars last year. The Vikings are another potential fit, with Moore’s versatility meshing, at least on paper, with how DC Brian Flores builds his defense.”
“Those teams being in the NFC should also make them likely suitors, assuming Indy would rather not help out a conference rival. Moore, who will turn 31 in August, is in a contract year, so that’ll drive down his value some. But if the price was a Day 3 pick on the higher end, and I had a need like Dallas and Minnesota, I’d probably do it.”
Do the Vikings need Moore II? Not really — unless the plan leans into a much deeper cornerback room than last year’s thin setup.
Right now, the group includes Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, James Pierre, Dwight McGlothern, and Zemaiah Vaughn. That unit could use a dependable CB4, but Moore II probably sits above that kind of role.
Rumor: Adam Thielen is eyeing the booth for his next career move.
Vikings.com’s Rob Kleifield reported Thielen’s next career path this week, noting, “Last month, the Vikings organization celebrated the amazing careers of C.J. Ham and Adam Thielen. This month, Thielen took a baby step toward what could wind up being a focus in his life after football. Thielen was one of 24 players who got ‘suited and booted’ for the NFL’s annual broadcasting and media workshop in Los Angeles last week.”
“Thielen was picked from a pool of 90 applicants, and he participated alongside the likes of LB Demario Davis and WR Brandin Cooks. Alumni of the workshop include All-Pro Maurice Jones-Drew, as well as Super Bowl Champions Jason McCourty and Jason Kelce. Thielen sounded hesitant about a career in media during his retirement ceremony, alluding to the frequent traveling, but he stated his desire to be involved with the game in whatever is next.”
This sounds right up Thielen’s alley, truth be told.
The Athletic’s Vic Tafur on the details of Broadcast Bootcamp: “It’s tough to get a spot at the workshop, which was first held in 2007. There were 90 applicants for 24 spots in this year’s program. Each player was asked to answer questions to make sure this is something he is serious about and then asked to submit reels.”
“Some players sent in old interviews at their lockers. They were told this was their chance to be their own content creator and their reels should reflect what they want to do in the space. After the reels were screened, players were ranked 1-90, with no clear-cut criteria.”
Kleifield even teased Thielen doing some Vikings draft content next week.
The New York Knicks made a good start to their playoff run, beating the Atlanta Hawks 113-102 to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
Jalen Brunson led the way with 28 points and seven assists, setting the tone early with 22 of those points coming in the first half. Karl-Anthony Towns took over after the break, finishing with 25 points, while OG Anunoby added 18. Josh Hart filled in everywhere, contributing 11 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
The Knicks were sharper at the free throw line, outscoring Atlanta 25-12, and made better use of their depth. Their bench gave them energy and helped them maintain control.
Defensively, New York tightened up as the game went on. The third quarter proved decisive, with the Knicks limiting the Hawks’ rhythm, forcing turnovers, and making scoring difficult. Even when Atlanta found success from three, they struggled to get consistent.
After the game, Hawks head coach Quin Snyder pointed out what his team needs to improve.
“The formula for us and our identity has been to run and move the ball… we need to do more of it.”
Game 1 goes to the Knicks, who now have the early advantage as the series moves forward.
Giants 4-round mock draft after blockbuster Dexter Lawrence trade with Bengals originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
With just days to go before the 2026 NFL Draft, the New York Giantspulled off a blockbuster trade with the Cincinnati Bengals that jettisoned star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence.
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The deal saw the Giants send Lawrence to the Bengals for the No. 10 overall pick, which was no doubt more than anyone was expecting them to get. Now, Big Blue stands armed with two first-round picks, with the other coming at No. 5 overall.
With needs on both sides of the ball, the Giants can now take care of the offense and defense with blue-chip prospects inside the top 10 of the draft later this week.
And that’s exactly what we have them doing in our new mock draft in the wake of the Lawrence trade with the Bengals.
Giants 4-round mock draft after Lawrence trade
Sonny Styles
Imagn Images
Round 1, Pick 5: LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan mentioned Styles as one of three players the Giants like with the No. 5 pick, and it’s not hard to see why.
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“Staying at No. 5, the three players who seem to be most squarely on their radar are Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles and (Ohio State safety Caleb) Downs,” Raanan wrote.
Styles is a freak athlete with sideline-to-sideline speed and great length. He’s a strong tackler, good in run defense and has shown elite skills in coverage after posting an 87.4 Pro Football Focus grade in that area last season.
The Ohio State product can wear the green dot and will be a leader in New York’s defense for a decade.
Round 1, Pick 10 (via CIN): WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
The Giants were one of the teams to attend Tyson’s workout, which was his last opportunity to quell fears about his injury history. By all accounts, Tyson did manage to do that.
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“I think Jordyn Tyson goes much higher than earlier expected,” ESPN’s Matt Miller said. “Teams are comfortable with the INJ history. Conversation for him starts at 5 but he’s off the board no later than 16.”
If not for his injury history, Tyson would likely be the undisputed No. 1 receiver in this class. The 6-foot-2, 203-pound pass-catcher can line up anywhere on the field, is a polished route-runner and can even block.
After losing Wan’Dale Robinson in free agency, the Giants need another weapon for quarterback Jaxson Dart across from star wideout Malik Nabers. Not only would Tyson check that box, he could very well provide an upgrade over Robinson.
Round 2, Pick 37: DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
kayden mcdonald
The loss of Lawrence will leave a void in the middle of the Giants’ defense, hurting both the pass-rush and run defense. Making matters worse, New York was already weak upfront, even with Lawrence on the roster.
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While McDonald isn’t much of a pass-rusher, he showed improvement in that area last season with a career-high three sacks. He really shines as a run defender, with the Ohio State product posting the best PFF grade in the nation in run defense.
Once viewed as a first-round pick, the belief is most teams now have him with a second-round grade because of his lack of pass-rush prowess.
That’s just fine for the Giants, as McDonald can provide the kind of boost to the run defense from Day 1 that New York needs.
Round 4, Pick 105: CB Tacario Davis, Washington
The loss of Cor’Dale Flott leaves the Giants with a big void after the team failed to adequately address the position in free agency, leaving a potential starting duo of Paulson Adebo and uninspiring free-agent signing Greg Newsome outside.
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After taking a step back in 2024, Davis rebounded with a strong showing after he transferred to Washington. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound cornerback gave up a passer rating of just 50.6 in coverage, notched a personal bests two interceptions and he showed out in the run game with an impressive PFF grade of 81.8.
Davis can offer some competition for Newsome on the boundary, and it’s not crazy to think he could win that competition in Year 1.
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Munich 2026 Final: Ben Shelton vs Flavio Cobolli preview, head-to-head, prediction, odds, and betting tips
Match Details
Fixture: (2) Ben Shelton vs (4) Flavio Cobolli
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Date: April 19, 2026
Tournament: Bavarian International Tennis Championships
Round: Final
Venue: MTTC Iphitos e.V. tennis club in Munich, Germany
Category: ATP 500
Surface: Clay
Prize Money: €2,561,110
Live Telecast: USA – Tennis Channel | UK – Sky Sports | Canada – TSN
Ben Shelton vs Flavio Cobolli preview
Second seed Ben Shelton will face off against fourth seed Flavio Cobolli in the final of the 2026 BMW Open on Sunday, April 19.
Shelton started his season with a quarterfinal run at the ASB Classic and followed it up with another quarterfinal finish at the Australian Open, where he lost to Jannik Sinner. He then went on to win the Dallas Open and reached the quarterfinals in Houston before arriving in Munich. There, he defeated Emilio Nava, Alexander Blockx, Joao Fonseca, and Alex Molcan 6-3, 6-4 to reach the final.
Meanwhile, Cobolli’s standout result this season is his title run at the Mexican Open. He also made the semifinals of the Delray Beach Open, losing to Sebastian Korda, but hasn’t had many other notable results. In Munich, he beat Diego Dedura, Zizou Bergs, Vit Kopriva, and Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-3 to set up a clash with Shelton.
Ben Shelton vs Flavio Cobolli head-to-head
Shelton leads Cobolli 3–2 in their head-to-head. Cobolli won their first two meetings in Geneva and Washington in 2024, while Shelton has taken the last three in Acapulco, the Canadian Open, and the Paris Masters in 2025.
Ben Shelton vs Flavio Cobolli odds
(Odds via BetMGM)
Ben Shelton vs Flavio Cobolli prediction
Shelton plays with clear intent. The serve sets the tone, the forehand follows, and he looks to finish points before rallies really take shape. When he’s confident, everything happens quickly and on his terms.
Cobolli is more about structure and balance. He moves well, absorbs pace, and is comfortable building points rather than rushing them. He’s willing to stay in rallies and wait for openings instead of forcing them.
The key is whether Shelton can keep control early. If he’s landing first serves and dictating with his forehand, Cobolli may struggle to settle. But if rallies extend, Cobolli’s consistency and movement can start to make things uncomfortable. The American’s firepower gives him the edge, but he’ll need to stay disciplined to avoid letting the match drift.
Pick: Shelton to win in straight sets.
Ben Shelton vs Flavio Cobolli betting tips
Tip 1: The match will have over 21 games.
Tip 2: Shelton to win at least one set with a score of 7-5 or better.
Edited by Pritha Ghosh
Apr 14, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser (17) reacts to an inside pitch during the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images There was a glaring lack of contact from Baltimore Orioles’ hitters on Saturday.
The Orioles had four hits — two of them homers — while striking out a stunning 16 times.
Baltimore will look to have their bats smack the ball more often in Sunday’s finale of a four-game series against the host Cleveland Guardians.
The Guardians have won two of the first three games, including Saturday’s 4-2 victory when right-hander Gavin Williams dominated the Orioles.
Williams struck out 11 in seven innings and allowed one run, three hits and one walk. He leads the majors with 40 strikeouts.
“That’s not the biggest goal for me,” Williams said of the strikeouts. “I’m just trying to help the team win games. It’s cool, but I don’t think it’s necessary to have to punch that many people out. I’m just trying to win games.”
Meanwhile, Baltimore’s Pete Alonso and Colton Cowser struck out in all four at-bats and Dylan Beavers fanned three times on Saturday.
That breeze inside the ballpark wasn’t necessarily coming from the nearby lake.
Orioles manager Craig Albernaz pointed to Williams’ dominance as the reason for Alonso and Cowser’s difficulties.
“They couldn’t see the breaking ball early enough to either make an adjustment or hold off on it,” Albernaz said.
Alonzo was the club’s marquee offseason acquisition and signed a five-year, $155 million contract. But so far, he has fizzled with a .208 average, two homers and eight RBIs to go with 26 strikeouts in 78 at-bats.
Cowser has yet to go deep and is batting .178 with 16 strikeouts in 45 at-bats. The fifth overall pick in the 2021 draft continues to struggle with big-league pitching. “Colton, he’s our guy, and he has to figure it out how he wants to approach guys and what he’s trying to feel,” Albernaz said. “But with Colton at the plate, he’s dangerous. He’s a guy where, if he’s not feeling great, he can still get one pitch and do damage on, and that’s something where we feel very confident in.”
Leody Taveras and Gunnar Henderson hit the homers for Baltimore’s runs.
All of Cleveland’s runs also came on homers on Saturday. Brayan Rocchio smacked a three-run homer and Bo Naylor hit a solo blast.
Rocchio said a more patient approach is paying off for him. He has three homers in 63 at-bats after having five in 344 at-bats in 2025. “That’s impressive for me, too,” Rocchio said. “Last year, I was struggling at hitting. Now I’m able to help the team with my at-bats and to see more pitches is pretty cool.”
Left-hander Joey Cantillo (1-0, 2.61 ERA) will start the finale for the Guardians.
Cantillo, 26, received a no-decision against the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday when he gave up two runs and five hits over six innings. Both runs came on solo homers.
Cantillo is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in four appearances (two starts) against Baltimore. Cowser is 2-for-4 with one strikeout against Cantillo. Left-hander Trevor Rogers (2-1, 3.04) will take the mound for Baltimore.
Rogers, 28, was roughed up by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday and took the loss. He gave up four runs and nine hits over 4 2/3 innings.
Rogers is 0-1 with a 5.79 ERA in two career starts against the Guardians. Rhys Hoskins is 9-for-21 (.429) with four homers off Rogers while David Fry (1-for-4) also has taken him deep.
–Field Level Media
By SuperWest Sports Staff
Atotal of 78 players from schools in the West have been taken in the Top 5 overall picks in the NFL Draft since it premiered in 1936.
USC leads the way with 20 top picks, followed by Stanford with 8, and Cal and Oregon with 7 each.
We have included UTEP on this list because, beginning in 2026, the Miners are playing in the Mountain West, and the City of El Paso is in a direct line with Albuquerque and west of Boulder, Fort Collins, and Cheyenne.
Here is a table of all the players from the region who have been drafted in the top five.
There is a breakdown by program at the bottom.
Top 5 Overall NFL Draft Picks for Programs from the West
| Year | Pick No. | Player | College | NFL Team | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | Travis Hunter | Colorado | Jaguars | WR/CB |
| 2024 | 1 | Caleb Williams | USC | Bears | QB |
| 2022 | 5 | Kayvon Thibodeaux | Oregon | Giants | DE |
| 2021 | 2 | Zach Wilson | BYU | Jets | QB |
| 2018 | 3 | Sam Darnold | USC | Jets | QB |
| 2017 | 3 | Solomon Thomas | Stanford | 49ers | DE |
| 2016 | 1 | Jared Goff | Cal | Rams | QB |
| 2015 | 2 | Marcus Mariota | Oregon | Titans | QB |
| 2013 | 3 | Dion Jordan | Oregon | Dolphins | DE |
| 2013 | 5 | Ezekiel Ansah | BYU | Lions | DE |
| 2012 | 1 | Andrew Luck | Stanford | Colts | QB |
| 2012 | 4 | Matt Kalil | USC | Vikings | OT |
| 2009 | 5 | Mark Sanchez | USC | Jets | QB |
| 2006 | 2 | Reggie Bush | USC | Saints | RB |
| 2005 | 1 | Alex Smith | Utah | 49ers | QB |
| 2003 | 1 | Carson Palmer | USC | Bengals | QB |
| 2002 | 1 | David Carr | Fresno St | Texans | QB |
| 2002 | 3 | Joey Harrington | Oregon | Lions | QB |
| 1999 | 3 | Akili Smith | Oregon | Bengals | QB |
| 1998 | 2 | Ryan Leaf | WSU | Chargers | QB |
| 1997 | 2 | Darrell Russell | USC | Raiders | DT |
| 1996 | 1 | Keyshawn Johnson | USC | Jets | WR |
| 1996 | 4 | Jonathan Ogden | UCLA | Ravens | OT |
| 1995 | 2 | Tony Boselli | USC | Jaguars | OT |
| 1995 | 4 | Michael Westbrook | Colorado | Redskins | WR |
| 1994 | 2 | Marshall Faulk | SDSU | Colts | RB |
| 1994 | 4 | Willie McGinest | USC | Patriots | DE |
| 1993 | 1 | Drew Bledsoe | WSU | Patriots | QB |
| 1992 | 1 | Steve Emtman | Washington | Colts | DE |
| 1991 | 2 | Eric Turner | UCLA | Browns | DB |
| 1990 | 5 | Junior Seau | USC | Chargers | LB |
| 1989 | 1 | Troy Aikman | UCLA | Cowboys | QB |
| 1985 | 5 | Duane Bickett | USC | Colts | LB |
| 1983 | 1 | John Elway | Stanford | Colts | QB |
| 1982 | 3 | Chip Banks | USC | Browns | LB |
| 1982 | 5 | Jim McMahon | BYU | Bears | QB |
| 1981 | 3 | Freeman McNeil | UCLA | Jets | RB |
| 1981 | 4 | Kenny Easley | UCLA | Seahawks | DB |
| 1980 | 3 | Anthony Munoz | USC | Bengals | OT |
| 1979 | 2 | Mike Bell | CSU | Chiefs | DE |
| 1979 | 3 | Jack Thompson | WSU | Bengals | QB |
| 1977 | 1 | Ricky Bell | USC | Buccaneers | RB |
| 1977 | 4 | Marvin Powell | USC | Jets | OT |
| 1977 | 5 | Gary Jeter | USC | Giants | DE |
| 1976 | 3 | Chuck Muncie | Cal | Saints | RB |
| 1976 | 5 | Mike Haynes | ASU | Patriots | DB |
| 1975 | 1 | Steve Bartkowski | Cal | Falcons | QB |
| 1974 | 2 | Bo Matthews | Colorado | Chargers | RB |
| 1972 | 2 | Sherman White | Cal | Bengals | DE |
| 1972 | 4 | Ahmad Rashad | Oregon | Cardinals | RB |
| 1971 | 1 | Jim Plunkett | Stanford | Patriots | QB |
| 1971 | 3 | Dan Pastorini | Santa Clara | Oilers | QB |
| 1971 | 4 | J.D. Hill | ASU | Bills | WR |
| 1969 | 1 | O.J. Simpson | USC | Bills | RB |
| 1968 | 1 | Ron Yary | USC | Vikings | OT |
| 1968 | 5 | Fred Carr | UTEP | Packers | LB |
| 1965 | 5 | Craig Morton | Cal | Cowboys | QB |
| 1964 | 3 | Charley Taylor | ASU | Redskins | WR |
| 1964 | 5 | Pete Beathard | USC | Lions | QB |
| 1963 | 1 | Terry Baker | Ore St | Rams | QB |
| 1962 | 3 | Merlin Olson | USU | Rams | DT |
| 1961 | 4 | Marlin McKeever | USC | Rams | LB |
| 1959 | 2 | Dick Bass | Pacific | Rams | FB |
| 1957 | 2 | Jon Arnett | USC | Rams | HB |
| 1957 | 3 | John Brodie | Stanford | 49ers | QB |
| 1956 | 1 | Gary Glick | CSU | Steelers | DB |
| 1955 | 1 | George Shaw | Oregon | Colts | QB |
| 1954 | 1 | Bobby Garrett | Stanford | Browns | QB |
| 1953 | 4 | Johnny Olszewski | Cal | Cardinals | FB |
| 1952 | 2 | Les Richter | Cal | Yanks | LB |
| 1952 | 3 | Ollie Matson | San Francisco | Cardinals | RB |
| 1949 | 5 | Stan Heath | Nevada | Packers | QB |
| 1947 | 4 | Cal Rossi | UCLA | Redskins | RB |
| 1942 | 3 | Pete Kmetovic | Stanford | Eagles | HB |
| 1941 | 3 | Norm Standlee | Stanford | Bears | FB |
| 1941 | 4 | Rudy Mucha | Washington | Rams | OG |
| 1938 | 4 | Whizzer White | Colorado | Steelers | TB |
| 1937 | 2 | Ed Goddard | WSU | Dodgers | RB |
Breakdown of Top 5 Picks by Program
| Top 5 Picks | School | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | USC | 2012, 2009, 2006, 2003, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1990, 1985, 1982, 1980, 1977, 1969, 1968, 1964, 1961, 1957 |
| 8 | Stanford | 2017, 2012, 1983, 1971, 1957, 1954, 1942, 1941 |
| 7 | Cal | 2016, 1976, 1975, 1972, 1965, 1953, 1952 |
| 7 | Oregon | 2022, 2015, 2013, 2002, 1999, 1972, 1955 |
| 6 | UCLA | 1996, 1991, 1989, 1981, 1947 |
| 4 | Colorado | 2025, 1995, 1974, 1938 |
| 4 | WSU | 1998, 1993, 1979, 1937 |
| 3 | ASU | 1976, 1971, 1964 |
| 3 | BYU | 2021, 2013, 1982 |
| 2 | CSU | 1979, 1956 |
| 2 | Washington | 1992, 1941 |
| 1 | Fresno St | 2022 |
| 1 | Nevada | 1949 |
| 1 | Ore St | 1963 |
| 1 | Pacific | 1959 |
| 1 | San Francisco | 1952 |
| 1 | Santa Clara | 1971 |
| 1 | SDSU | 1994 |
| 1 | Utah | 2005 |
| 1 | Utah St | 1962 |
| 1 | UTEP | 1968 |
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