Lucknow Super Giants’ captain Rishabh Pant, right, with Mohammed Shami (PTI Photo)
Mohammed Shami delivered a clinical spell to guide Lucknow Super Giants to a five-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad in Hyderabad, later explaining the tactical shift behind his success. The veteran pacer returned outstanding figures of 2 for 9 in his four overs, including a remarkable 18 dot balls, setting the tone early as LSG ripped through SRH’s top order. The hosts eventually recovered to 156 for 9, but the total never looked enough. Speaking after being named Player of the Match, Shami revealed that his decision to rely more on slower deliveries came from observing trends from the previous season. “Last year I was here, a lot of slower balls were bowled. That was in my mind, the bowlers and the opponents bowled a lot of slower balls, so I thought why not I try it too,” Shami said at the post-match presentation. His impact was immediate. Shami struck in the opening over to remove Abhishek Sharma for a duck and soon sent back Travis Head, leaving SRH rattled early. Ishan Kishan also fell cheaply, as the innings spiralled during the Powerplay. At 22 for 3 and then 26 for 4, SRH were staring at a collapse before Nitish Kumar Reddy and Heinrich Klaasen stitched together a crucial 116-run stand to revive the innings. Shami stressed that the victory was important after a setback in the previous game and spoke about the need to maintain rhythm and fitness through consistent cricket. “We are very happy because we had lost the previous match at home, so it was very important for us to win this match to build momentum. Once you get that start, the winning momentum continues. (on his preparation for this IPL) If you like cricket, and if you want to play at any level, then it is important to be in touch with the game,” Shami said. He also underlined the importance of preparation and adaptability, highlighting how staying match-ready helped him execute his plans effectively. “If you want to perform at a good level, it’s very important to maintain your fitness. First, you have to be fit then you can show your skill. Regarding domestic cricket, my plan was to be in touch with the game, so that I can be in the flow. That’s why I played all the matches. (on his changes to his bowling today) Without skill and without experience, nothing works. It’s about quickly adapting to the conditions and reading them is very important,” he added. Despite SRH’s late recovery, LSG stayed in control during the chase, with the skipper leading from the front with an unbeaten 68 to seal a comfortable win.
DOHA, QATAR FEBRUARY 16:
Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece is seen during a practice session with Carlos Alcaraz of Spain watched closely by his father Apostolos Tsitsipas, ahead of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex on February 16, 2026 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Stefanos Tsitsipas has reacted strongly to comments made by coach Goran Ivanišević, who described him as the most “poorly prepared player” he had seen.
Speaking about the situation, Tsitsipas made it clear he did not agree with how it was handled.
“I didn’t see any point in it. If it was a way of him pushing me into working harder and getting my shit together, it was definitely not the right tactic. I was really hurt.”
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He also said the comments came at the wrong time, especially given his condition.
“I never expected that a coach could do that to me, and the worst thing is what he said was not true. I was not fit because I had been injured. I hadn’t been practicing properly for over two weeks. It was like he kicked me when I was already down.”
The remarks have drawn attention to the relationship between the player and the coach, with Tsitsipas openly expressing disappointment about how the criticism was delivered.
With Pep Lijnders now watching on from the other side after playing such a key role during the Jurgen Klopp era at Anfield, it was strange to see him speak so passionately after full time.
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Speaking in his post-match press conference via ESPN, the Dutchman was asked about a major departure in Manchester City’s squad and he delivered a strong statement.
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Lijnders’ ‘end of story’ comment lands badly for Liverpool fans
After watching City dismantle us 4-0, our former assistant delivered a line that feels poignant.
He said: “Every good story comes to an end. I hope he enjoys the last months – there are only six weeks – and has a good farewell. He deserves all that attention as well.”
Those comments were aimed at Bernardo Silva, with our former staff member all but confirming he will leave at the end of the season.
With Pep Guardiola suspended, whether Lijnders was the man who was supposed to deliver this news or not – is hard to tell.
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Pressure builds as Liverpool look for response
What makes this even harder to take is the context in which those words arrived, coming immediately after a heavy defeat where City completely outplayed us.
At the same time, there is a growing sense that we need leadership and unity more than ever, especially with Arne Slot facing huge pressure ahead of the Champions League clash with PSG.
Right now though, all of that feels secondary, because performances like this only reinforce the feeling that we’re at a turning point, and how we respond in the next few weeks will define where this story goes next.
North Carolina Tar Heels football coach Bill Belichick was sued on Thursday over an alleged incident that occurred at his Massachusetts home in June 2024.
Painter Andrew Jackson sued Forty Five Fair Street LLC, a company managed by Belichick, in Nantucket Superior Court. Jackson said in his lawsuit that “construction practices created an unsafe work area for workers at the premises” and, because of that, he suffered injuries after a fall.
Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels looks on during the first quarter against the Syracuse Orange at JMA Wireless Dome on Oct. 31, 2025 in Syracuse, New York.(Bryan Bennett/Getty Images)
“As a direct and proximate result of the fall, plaintiff sustained serious bodily injuries including a severe right ankle injury, together with pain, disability, medical expenses, lost wages, and other consequential damages,” the lawsuit stated.
The filing added that Jackson received workers’ compensation benefits after the fall but “retains his rights to pursue this third-party negligence action against non-employer responsible parties.”
The lawsuit said that Belichick’s company should have made sure the construction site was in a safe-working condition.
North Carolina football head coach Bill Belichick and General Manager Michael Lombardi in action, looks on from the sideline vs TCU at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on Sept. 1, 2025.
(Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
“Defendant breached its duties by, among other things: a. causing, permitting, or allowing unsafe conditions to exist at the premises; b. failing to maintain the work area in a reasonably safe condition; c. failing to inspect the premises adequately; d. failing to remedy hazardous conditions it knew or should have known about; e. failing to warn Plaintiff of dangerous conditions; and f. otherwise acting negligently in the ownership, operation, management, supervision, maintenance, and control of the premises.”
Jackson is seeking nearly $300,000, according to the Nantucket Current, which first reported the lawsuit.
Fox News Digital reached out to Belichick’s representatives for comment.
North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Bill Belichick with the team before the game at Kenan Stadium. (Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)
Apr 25, 2024; Detroit, MI, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner poses with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the No. 17 pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
On March 25, the Minnesota Vikings submitted an application for an important annual event. According to the Minnesota Vikings team website, the team has submitted an application to host the 2028 NFL Draft.
Yes, I know the hype is building up toward the 2026 NFL Draft, but the thought of hosting a future NFL Draft is exciting in its own right.
Looking ahead, we are, at the time of writing this article (7:43 pm CT on Friday, April 3), just 20 days away from the 2026 NFL Draft beginning in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. And the 2027 draft will be in Washington, D.C.
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So, the question is, what would the experience be like for the Minneapolis-St. Paul, area for the NFL Draft? Let’s take a deeper dive into the idea.
Could the 2028 NFL Draft be Coming To Minnesota?
The festivities surrounding the NFL Draft are an economic boon to the host city. And Minnesota Sports and Events Executive Vice President of Business Development & Tourism Matt Meunier wants to bring a strong regional flair to Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Aug 3, 2023; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and team owner Ziggy Wilf talk at training camp at TCO Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
For the 2028 NFL Draft, Meunier’s submission likes his own location.
Per Meunier, “In terms of the location of the draft, the red carpet and all the ancillary events that go with hosting the draft, all those things are under evaluation by the league right now, so it’s to be determined, but what we can say is TCO Performance Center is a really viable option. We want to unite everybody with this event.”
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Ties of the 2028 NFL Draft to Minneapolis
Not only will the potential 2028 NFL Draft have football ties to the Twin Cities, but another major sporting event could bring action to Minneapolis.
As Meunier notes, “Flag football, youth football is going to continue to be more prominent as it relates to the NFL and leaning into 2028 and the L.A. [Olympic] Games, so there’s potential to stage some youth football and community legacy events out at TCO Performance Center, but in addition to that, every event Minnesota Sports and Events hosts, we’re really intentional about staging events throughout the region and downtown [Minneapolis].”
Apr 27, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; USC wide receiver Jordan Addison on stage after being selected by the Minnesota Vikings twenty third overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft at Union Station. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
And the team’s Executive Vice President of Public Affairs also noted that the event will bring in some major economic boom to the area.
As Lester Bagley notes, “The Vikings are vested and invested, and we will provide financial support, staff support, and organizational energy.”
Ties of the 2028 NFL Draft to the NFC North
Not only would the 2028 NFL Draft complete the cycle of major NFL events to come through the Twin Cities, but it would also complete the cycle of NFC North teams hosting an NFL Draft. Last year, the Green Bay Packers hosted the NFL Draft. 2024 was the year of the Detroit Lions hosting, and the Chicago Bears hosted in 2015 and 2016. And the Vikings also hosted the 2018 Super Bowl.
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The Confidence of the Owner to Host the 2028 NFL Draft
Now, a week after the application was submitted, the team’s owner feels fairly confident that Minnesota can land the event.
As Mark Wilf noted on a recent radio interview, “Minnesota and the business community, and the entire community, really comes out and supports the big events. We’re working with the league officials to try to figure out the venue, and we’re working hard to try to win the bid for the 2028 draft. Coming up, later in April, it’s going to be in Pittsburgh, and Washington next year. So, we’re shooting for Minnesota. We think we’ve got a great chance. We’re very supportive of making sure the bid is as top-notch as it can be, and hopefully bring another great event to Minnesota.”
So, the 2028 NFL Draft will be very intriguing to Minnesota fans. Right now, the bid is in submission. Now, the Vikings play the waiting game. Hopefully, the application will be approved.
Man Utd are on track to return to the Champions League next season and that could provide a huge boost to their finances.
06:00, 06 Apr 2026
There was a time when Manchester United could take Champions League football for granted. The prestige of European nights at Old Trafford was a given and the revenues the competition delivers were baked into the balance sheet.
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United enjoyed 18 unbroken years at Europe’s top table until Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement changed the course of history. Where once United were regulars in the knockout stages, qualifying for the competition is now a challenge.
There have been just six Champions League campaigns since 2013 and only one knockout tie since the spring of 2020. United are yet to play in the competition’s new format, which offers eight league phase games after eight different opponents.
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That should change next season. United are within touching distance of being back in the Champions League for the first time since a group stage exit in the final months of 2023. They will then have to learn the intricacies of navigating the group stage.
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But whatever happens, finishing in the top 24 of a 32-team league should be a formality. That would guarantee United at least 10 games in the competition, five of which will be at home. The Old Trafford bean counters will be delighted.
The absence from the Champions League has certainly hurt the balance sheet. United’s fall to eighth in the most recent Deloitte Football Money League was their lowest-ever position and it could fall further next year, with no European football at all this season and just 20 games at Old Trafford in all competitions.
The most recent financial results paint a contrasting picture. United’s revenues remain solid, and if they are back in the Champions League next term, they will likely post record-breaking numbers.
But in February, they increased their revolving credit facility to £400million, of which £185million is available. They also owe transfer fees of £422.1million to other clubs, of which £238million is due within a year.
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They also used a tool called transfer factoring recently, selling some of the transfer fees they were due to receive to lenders for an upfront payment of £39.4million, which helped pay off some of the credit facility. That could help fund some of this summer’s transfer business.
A return to the Champions League will clearly be a financial boost, easing any potential concerns there may be, as football finance expert Kieran Maguire explains.
“You’ll get a minimum of effectively £30million just for rocking up,” said Maguire. “Then it works out as €2million per match if you get a victory, €700,000 if you get a draw in terms of prize money. And on top of that, you’ve got gate receipts.
“You’re guaranteed four home fixtures, potentially could be seven to eight home fixtures. For a club the size of United, they should be looking to get £8million per match in gate receipts. So you’ve got a minimum of £30million from gate receipts, another £30million for participation. So that’s £60 million minimum. They’ll get the Adidas [kit supplier] bonus of £10 million, so that’s £70 million. And as you progress through the tournament, you can start adding the numbers.
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“I think there’s around about €150million for winning it last year. Now that was for a club with a fairly good UEFA coefficient, which United don’t have these days because they’ve not been as good as they have been, but even so, I think you’d be looking at €120million and of course if you win the tournament, you qualify for the next FIFA Club World Cup, which made Chelsea £80million. It really does ratchet up.”
Winning the Champions League might be a step too far for United to budget for at the moment, but the financial implications, especially under the new model, could have a big impact on the bottom line.
That will provide a healthy boost to the transfer kitty, as well as a great incentive to players to come to Old Trafford, but it might also allow United to stretch their wage budget at a time when some big earners are already likely to depart the stage.
“I think it not only helps in terms of being competitive, but also in being able to offer wages,” said Maguire. “I put some stuff out recently on Twitter. United always used to pay the highest wages in the Premier League and now they’ve fallen behind City and Liverpool. Which is, for a club of United’s stature, you wouldn’t expect.
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“It allows them to go into the market, and players want to play at the highest level. So not only can they afford to pay them, but they’ve got something to offer them from a non-financial perspective as well.”
One area it is unlikely to have much impact on is plans for the new stadium. United are talking to potential investors over helping fund a project that could cost in excess of £2billion and Maguire points to the example of Tottenham.
“I think the stadium issue is fairly well ring-fenced,” he explained. “If they are going to the debt market, Spurs borrowed a lot of money for their stadium, and they’ve never been guaranteed participation in the Champions League, and they still manage to borrow A) a lot of money and B) lots of money very cheaply.
“If Manchester United can show that we have addressed some of the shortcomings on the pitch that we’ve seen over the course of the last decade, it can only help in terms of the confidence of investors.”
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Apr 5, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox catcher Edgar Quero (26) and pitcher Chris Murphy (38) high five after the game against Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Davis Martin pitched six effective innings, leading the Chicago White Sox to a 3-0 win over the visiting Toronto Blue Jays to complete a surprising sweep Sunday afternoon.
Martin (2-0) allowed four hits and two walks. After Bryan Hudson and Jordan Leasure handled the next two innings, Chris Murphy pitched around a leadoff walk in the ninth to earn the save.
Austin Hays, Miguel Vargas and Lenyn Sosa each had RBI hits in the first four innings. Luisangel Acuna had a team-high two hits.
Ernie Clement had two hits for the Blue Jays, who were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position in losing their fourth straight. Eric Lauer (1-1) walked three and gave up three hits over his two-inning start, surrendering two runs.
Cubs 1, Guardians 0 (Game 1)
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Four Chicago pitchers limited host Cleveland to one hit as the visiting Cubs squeaked out a victory in the first game of a doubleheader.
Miguel Amaya’s single off Connor Brogdon (2-1) with one out in the eighth scored Dylan Carlson from second as the Cubs managed to win with just two hits. Carlson came on as a pinch-runner after Michael Conforto worked a leadoff walk. Caleb Thielbar (1-0) allowed one walk in 1 1/3 innings of relief to get the win. Daniel Palencia retired the side in order in the ninth to claim his first save of the season.
Cleveland’s struggles at the plate overshadowed a strong performance by Guardians starter Slade Cecconi, who also allowed just one hit. Cecconi struck out six and walked one during his six-inning stint.
Guardians 6, Cubs 5 (Game 2)
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Gabriel Arias’ RBI single highlighted a three-run eighth inning for Cleveland, which rallied to salvage the nightcap against Chicago.
CJ Kayfus went 2-for-2 with a pinch-hit RBI single in the sixth and a homer in the eighth. Parker Messick allowed one run over five innings, Shawn Armstrong (1-0) gave up the go-ahead homer but recorded the win and Cade Smith allowed a run in the ninth before stranding two runners in scoring position with a game-winning strikeout to record his third save.
Matt Shaw and Dansby Swanson each hit their first homers of the season for the Cubs, who saw starter Shota Imanaga allow one run on three hits over five-plus innings. Jacob Webb (0-1) was the losing pitcher, allowing three runs over a third of an inning.
Angels 8, Mariners 7 (11 innings)
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Nolan Schanuel’s sacrifice fly scored the winning run as Los Angeles edged Seattle in Anaheim, Calif.
Reliever Shaun Anderson (1-0) struck out Cal Raleigh with the bases loaded to end the top of the 11th. Adam Frazier went 3-for-4 with an RBI and crossed the plate with the winning run. Schanuel and Jorge Soler each drove in a pair of runs.
Chase Young clubbed a three-run homer to give Seattle a 5-4 lead in the fifth inning. Leo Rivas went 1-for-3 and drove in a pair of runs. Gabe Speier (0-2), the Mariners’ seventh pitcher of the game, took the loss.
Athletics 12, Astros 10 (10 innings)
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Brent Rooker clubbed a pair of home runs, including a three-run walk-off blast in the 10th inning that lifted the Athletics to a wild win over Houston in West Sacramento, Calif.
Elvis Alvarado (1-0), who retired the final two batters after Houston scored once in the 10th, earned the win. Tyler Soderstrom went 1-for-4, but scored three times and drove in three runs. Rooker finished with six RBIs.
Yordan Alvarez and Christian Walker clubbed two-run homers for the Astros and Cam Smith went 2-for-5 with 3 RBIs. Closer Bryan Abreu (0-1) took the loss, retiring only one of four batters in the A’s 10th.
Diamondbacks 6, Braves 5 (10 innings)
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Ketel Marte laced a walk-off double to propel Arizona to a victory and a series split against Atlanta in Phoenix.
Corbin Carroll went 3-for-4 with an RBI triple, while Ildemaro Vargas drove in two runs on a triple for the Diamondbacks. Taylor Rashi (1-0) earned his first career win, throwing a perfect top of the 10th in his season debut.
Drake Baldwin went 3-for-5 with his fourth homer and four RBIs for the Braves, who rallied from three deficits before coming up short. Joel Payamps (0-1) took the loss after throwing just one pitch, which Marte knocked to right to plate automatic runner Jorge Barrosa.
Rays 4, Twins 1 (10 innings)
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Richie Palacios clubbed a go-ahead two-run homer in the 10th inning as Tampa Bay claimed its first series of the season with a victory over Minnesota in Minneapolis.
Junior Caminero, who hit a solo homer in the fourth inning, later drove in the Rays’ fourth run on a walk. Kevin Kelly earned his second save in relief of Bryan Baker (1-0), who pitched a perfect ninth with two strikeouts.
In his second straight quality start, the Rays’ Nick Martinez yielded just a solo shot — the only hit against the right-hander — in six innings. He fanned four with a walk. Matt Wallner went deep for the Twins, who managed just three hits in their second straight setback.
Padres 8, Red Sox 6
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Jackson Merrill’s leadoff home run in the eighth inning broke a late tie and lifted visiting San Diego to a win over Boston.
Merrill went 3-for-5 with two RBI and three runs scored to lead the Padres, who banged out 12 hits and erased an early 4-0 deficit to claim the series. Jeremiah Estrada (1-1) was victorious following a scoreless inning of relief, and Mason Miller struck out the side to post his second save in as many days.
Wilyer Abreu (double, triple, RBI, two runs scored) and Masataka Yoshida (3-for-4, two doubles, three RBIs) combined for six of Boston’s nine hits. Tyler Uberstine (0-1) lost his major league debut for the Red Sox, allowing one run on three hits across 2 2/3 innings.
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Marlins 7, Yankees 6
Pinch hitter Graham Pauley lined a go-ahead two-run double with the bases loaded against Jake Bird (1-1) to spark a four-run eighth inning and Miami hung on for a victory over host New York after a rain delay of more than three hours.
Xavier Edwards, who drove in three runs, followed with a two-run single off Ryan Yarbrough which proved critical when Jazz Chisholm Jr. delivered a two-run double to cut the lead to one in the bottom of the ninth before J.C. Escarra struck out to end the game.
Ben Rice smashed a three-run first innings for the Yankees, who saw ace Max Fried allow his first three runs of the season over 6 2/3 innings after he tossed 13 1/3 scoreless in his first two starts. John King (1-0) recorded the win for retiring the final batter of the New York seventh after Chris Paddack followed the two openers with 4 2/3 innings of earned-run-free work.
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Pirates 8, Orioles 2
Braxton Ashcraft struck out a career-high eight and Ryan O’Hearn drove in four runs to lead host Pittsburgh to a victory over Baltimore.
O’Hearn and Oneil Cruz each hit two-run homers to help the Pirates complete a three-game sweep of the Orioles, and win their fifth in a row. Ashcraft (1-1) gave up an RBI double by Pete Alonso in the fourth, but limited the damage, tossing six innings without a walk. He allowed only four hits.
Taylor Ward led the Orioles at the plate with three hits and Jeremiah Jackson added an RBI single. Starter Chris Bassitt (0-2) lasted just two innings and allowed six runs on six hits.
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Dodgers 8, Nationals 6
Shohei Ohtani, Dalton Rushing and Teoscar Hernandez homered, and Los Angeles rallied to beat host Washington, completing the three-game sweep.
The Dodgers plated four runs in the eighth to take the lead for good. Former National Alex Call had two hits and scored twice. Jack Dreyer (1-0) pitched a scoreless seventh inning for the win and Edwin Diaz worked the ninth for his third save after starter Roki Sasaki was tagged for six runs over five innings.
James Wood had a three-run homer and Luis Garcia Jr. hit a two-run shot for the Nationals, who have dropped five straight. Cionel Perez (0-1) took the loss, spoiling a strong start from Foster Griffin, who allowed one run on five hits over five innings.
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Reds 2, Rangers 1
Elly De La Cruz singled home the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and Cincinnati edged Texas to complete a three-game sweep in Arlington, Texas.
De La Cruz had two hits and scored a run, and Will Benson had two hits for Cincinnati. Reliever Sam Moll (1-0) got the win, and Brock Burke struck out the side in the ninth for his first career save. Starter Chase Burns took a shutout into the seventh inning.
Joc Pederson homered for Texas, which scored four runs in the series and has dropped four straight. Robert Garcia (0-1) took the loss in relief.
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Mets 5, Giants 2
Pinch hitter Luis Torrens stroked a go-ahead two-RBI double in a four-run eighth inning, and visiting New York rallied to beat San Francisco.
The Mets strung together five straight one-out hits against a pair of Giants relievers to deliver a third straight win. Jorge Polanco got the uprising going with a one-out double off Keaton Winn (0-1), after which Luis Robert Jr. singled and stole second.
Stepping in for Jared Young, who had a 3-for-3 day going, Torrens then greeted Erik Miller with an opposite-field double to right to give New York the lead.
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Matt Chapman and Rafael Devers had consecutive RBI hits for the Giants to end Kodai Senga’s start. Senga struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings, while Logan Webb threw seven innings of one-run ball for San Francisco.
Rockies 4, Phillies 1
Former Philadelphia first-round pick Mickey Moniak hit two home runs and TJ Rumfield also went deep as Colorado salvaged the series finale of the three-game set in Denver.
Hunter Goodman had two hits and starter Tomoyuki Sugano (1-0) pitched six strong innings to earn his first win for Colorado. Victor Vodnik got the last three outs to earn his first save.
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Adolis Garcia homered and singled for the Phillies. Starter Taijuan Walker (0-2) struggled in his second start of the season, allowing four runs on seven hits in five innings.
Brewers 8, Royals 5
Gary Sanchez hit a two-run home run and William Contreras had two hits and two RBIs in visiting Milwaukee’s series-clinching win over Kansas City.
Brewers starting pitcher Kyle Harrison (1-0) picked up the win as he scattered three hits and two runs over 5 1/3 innings. Kris Bubic (1-1) took the loss for the Royals as he surrendered four hits and four runs over five innings.
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Trevor Megill picked up his third save of the season. Contreras was 2-for-3 with a run and two walks for Milwaukee. Maikel Garcia was 2-for-5 with a two-run home run and three RBIs, and Vinnie Pasquantino was 2-for-5 with two RBIs for the Royals.
Cardinals 5, Tigers 3
Ivan Herrera’s tiebreaking two-run single capped a four-run, fifth-inning outburst as visiting St. Louis topped Detroit.
Pedro Pages had an RBI single for the Cardinals, who salvaged the finale of a three-game series. St. Louis starter Kyle Leahy (1-1) gave up two runs and five hits in five innings. Riley O’Brien got the last three outs for his second save.
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Kerry Carpenter hit a two-run homer for Detroit while Spencer Torkelson reached base four times. Tigers starter Keider Montero (0-1) gave up three runs (two earned) and three hits in 4 1/3 innings.
The final game of the 2026 NCAA Tournament has arrived, and the college basketball world will set its sights on Indianapolis on Monday night for a fantastic finale as No. 1 seed Michigan takes on No. 2 seed UConn for the national championship. With 70 combined wins on the season, both teams have been among the top picks to compete for a title throughout much of the season and now get 40 minutes to fulfill that destiny.
For Dusty May and Michigan, a win would be a warning sign to the sport of what’s to come from the Wolverines under his watch. A Michigan program operating at peak efficiency can be among the most disruptive forces in a college basketball landscape that can often get familiar with its main characters. But teams like Houston, Florida, Duke, Arizona, Kansas or Purdue aren’t the ones still playing, and you get the feeling looking at how Michigan has navigated this quick turnaround under may that it has already jumped up into a tier to be taken seriously on a regular basis. A win would also snap a 26-year title drought for the Big Ten, which has not seen a current member win it all since Michigan State in 2000 (interestingly enough, in Indianapolis).
But the one main character of college basketball who is still playing, and stands in the way of that break through for Michigan and the Big Ten, is UConn.
Dan Hurley is pursuing his third ring in four years and the program is on the cusp of claiming its seventh national championship since 1999. That would leave UConn with the third-most titles all-time trailing only UCLA (11) and Kentucky (8). And it should be noted that the Huskies have won all seven of their championships since UCLA won its most recent in 1995.
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Yet this UConn team which exemplifies elite performance in the NCAA Tournament finds itself as an underdog in the national title game, a stage where the Huskies have yet to lose. That speaks to the greatness of Michigan and how well-constructed, well-rounded and well-coached the Wolverines have been all season and in this tournament.
The health status of key players for both teams threatened to throw a wrench into the matchup. Michigan star Yaxel Lendeborg was injured during the first half of the Wolverines’ national semifinal win against Arizona, but he returned to action and has indicated his plans to play in the title game after receiving treatment on his knee and ankle between games. UConn also has a major injury to note with Solo Ball suffering a foot injury in the win against Illinois. Ball was seen with a boot during media availability on Sunday, however neither player was listed on their school’s NCAA initial player availability report indicating thy will play in Monday’s game. For title contenders the phrase “next man up” becomes crucial to the pursuit of a title, but which team can get the most from its walking wounded or can supplement their production will have an edge in a game that could be decided at the margins.
Now that the stage is set let’s get into the picks. Since we have been in the habit of offering multiple picks from full tournament slates in this series, there are going to be multiple angles to entertain for this single game left in the 2025-26 season. But in addition to thoughts on the spread and the total, we have included more a traditional approach with straight up and against the spread selections via our Expert Picks panel.
The math says Michigan but the mood says UConn finds a way. The Huskies’ resilience through injuries and deficits throughout this tournament echoes the call of Dan Hurley for his teams to show the heart of a champion in the postseason. The Huskies are going to face a tough foe in Michigan’s front line, but they are coming into the game after facing another team with size in Illinois and passing the test. In fact, UConn’s tournament run has included three single-digit seeds from the Big Ten with Michigan being the fourth, and the Huskies had a strong showing defensively against all three teams. The key for UConn will be to get down into those final minutes within a couple of possessions, because if this pack of dogs smells blood they are going to be ready to deliver in crunch time. Michigan could win this thing by 10-15 points in a coronation moment for Dusty May and the Big Ten, but if it’s close I like the Huskies to not just cover the spread but close it out by cutting down nets.
As for the total points scored, the trends do favor lower-scoring games by the time we get to Monday night’s national championship. The under has gone 6-2 in the last eight national title games, which might be as much of a reflection on late-round fatigue as it is the football stadium setting of the Final Four. But here the reasoning is focused far more on the matchup, where as we mentioned earlier UConn has had some great game plans and execution three of its last four tournament opponents and Michigan has been absolutely stifling in its recent wins against Tennessee in the Elite Eight and Arizona in the Final Four. Any kind of shooting regression for UConn from 3-point range will lower output after the Huskies knocked down 12 3-pointers against Illinois, and of course any limitation for Yaxel Lendeborg lowers Michigan’s offensive ceiling as well. Picks: UConn ML +240, Under 144.5
Former Chelsea winger Joe Cole has responded to Chelsea being drawn against Leeds United in the FA Cup semi finals.
The Blues smashed Port Vale 7-0 at the weekend to go through to the semi finals of the competition, alongside Manchester City, Leeds, and Southampton.
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Chelsea have had a very favourable road to Wembley so far, and many will see this still as a pretty decent draw even though it is against Premier League opposition. They’ve managed to avoid Manchester City, and other than City, it looks like a really good chance for Chelsea to get silverware.
Leeds and Chelsea is a historic match, with a real rivalry between the two sides dating back to the 70s. There has been some nasty encounters between the two sides, so this is being billed as a mouth-watering semi final clash.
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Cole’s reaction to the tie
Joe Cole doing punditry for TNT Sports. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
In comments picked up by The Chelsea Chronicle, Joe Cole instantly responded with “ooh, that is feisty, 1970”, briefly mentioning the final 56 years ago on TNT Sports.
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I certainly expect it to be another feisty one, with both sides being up for it, or at least I hope Chelsea will be up for it.
In other news today…
After recent injury struggles, Chelsea attacker Cole Palmer says he is feeling much better now in news that will be very nice to hear for Blues fans. Palmer wore the captains armband for the club at the weekend, and they need him fit and firing.
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Palmer also says the 7-0 thrashing of Port Vale on Saturday night will give everyone a much needed lift going into a crucial run of games for the rest of the season.
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Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:
A Minnesota Vikings fan cheers from the stands, reacting to a key moment as crowd energy builds throughout the game Sep 23, 2012, at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during a matchup against the San Francisco 49ers that ended in a 24-13 Vikings victory with fans fully engaged in the home atmosphere. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-US PRESSWIRE.
Enthusiasm is jacked for the Minnesota Vikings in the 2026 NFL Draft, mainly because the franchise found a quarterback in Kyler Murray, the previously poor-drafting general manager has been removed from his chair, and the club has nine picks to spend. Nevertheless, like every year, a few nightmare scenarios lurk.
Several draft outcomes would leave Minnesota in a much worse spot after Round 1.
From bad to awful, consider the following list a worst-case scenario compilation for the Vikings at the end of the month.
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A Handful of Draft Outcomes Could Go Sideways for Minnesota
How livid would you be if these events transpired?
Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano speaks with reporters during media availability, discussing his performance and draft outlook Feb 28, 2026, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. Fano addressed questions from scouts and media while showcasing his preparation and experience during the NFL Scouting Combine process. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
Drafting an OT
Would it be fundamentally terrible to select an offensive tackle in Round 1? No, not at all. That spot is a premium position.
However, Minnesota jumping into a bed with Round 1 offensive tackle would forebodingly suggest a grim fate for Christian Darrisaw’s ACL. If the Vikings need a new tackle, it would mean they don’t trust Darrisaw for the long haul — or that Brian O’Neill’s days are numbered.
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Picking an OT is not a popular sentiment right now in the mock-draft community, but it would cause head-scratches among fans if it came to fruition.
Reaching for a Round 2 Player
A dirty little secret about last year’s draft for the Vikings? Their 1st-Rounder, Donovan Jackson, lived at No. 39 on the Consensus Big Board, and Minnesota drafted him at No. 24. While the working theory suggests the Houston Texans would’ve grabbed Jackson via the following pick after Minnesota, it still reached for a guy that most draft heads pegged as a 2nd-Rounder.
Jackson has worked out so far in Minnesota, and nobody really regrets the pick. But reaching for 2nd-Rounders should not be the new normal.
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For example, if you hear on Thursday, April 23rd, “With the 18th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings select …. cornerback Chris Johnson, San Diego State,” that will mean Minnesota picked the draft’s 42nd-best player on the Consensus Big Board at No. 18.
That’s not the ideal scenario.
An example: in March, A to Z Sports‘ Tyler Forness mock-drafted Georgia linebacker C.J. Allen to Minnesota, explaining, “Linebacker isn’t at the top of the needs for the Vikings across the board, but it’s one long-term need. They don’t have a linebacker signed to the roster after the 2026 season, with Blake Cashman set to be a free agent. Allen has all of the ability to thrive in Brian Flores’ defense and can be eased into the role.”
Allen is a fine prospect, but picking him 18th is a reach.
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Trading Too Far Down
On the other hand, while trading down with a team at No. 18 might be smart — the Vikings can probably get a 2nd-Rounder or 3rd-Rounder by moving down 10-15 spots — they must avoid getting too cute.
Minnesota Vikings safety Lewis Cine goes through pregame warmups, preparing for action and working through drills Aug 20, 2022, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The young defensive back focused on readiness ahead of a preseason matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
For instance, a trade down to No. 28 is fine. Let’s do it. A trade down to No. 45 is not good business. Interim general manager Rob Brzezinski must thread the needle if he trades down, adding another Top 100 pick but still staying in Round 1 or at the Top of Round 2.
There’s a risk of stockpiling five or six players from the draft’s Top 10 — but not landing a blue-chip 1st-Rounder.
The Lewis Cine trade from four years ago is a good (bad?) recent example.
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Our Brevan Bane wrote this week, “It is my belief that the Vikings should double-up in the secondary with their first two selections. They also hold the 49th overall selection in the second round, where someone like D’Angelo Ponds or Chris Johnson could be available.”
“Corners are very hard to predict, as we thought there would be plenty taken in the first round last year, when in reality, there were only 2.5 (.5 being Travis Hunter) taken. The first true CB, Jahdae Barron, wasn’t taken until pick 20 by Denver.”
Drafting Ty Simpson at No. 18
The Vikings don’t need a quarterback from this draft. They just don’t.
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Some, like former NFLer Chase Daniel, have suggested that Minnesota should take a flyer on Simpson in Round 1, even if Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy are attached to the roster. Daniel is wrong; Murray and McCarthy are enough for Minnesota to determine in 2026 if it has a franchise quarterback.
Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson drops back to pass during first-half action, scanning the field against Indiana Jan 1, 2026, at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California. Simpson operated within the offense during the College Football Playoff quarterfinal, testing the Hoosiers’ defense in a high-profile postseason matchup. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Additionally, the upcoming draft class stinks for quarterback talent, and if Murray and McCarthy don’t pan out, the 2027 draft class is much deeper at the position. The Vikings shouldn’t reach for a quarterback just because McCarthy hasn’t fully blasted off yet.
In fact, there’s a decent chance that Murray plays so well that the franchise considers him the quarterback for the long haul.
Apr 5, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; LA Clippers guard Darius Garland (center right) shoots against Sacramento Kings guard Devin Carter (22) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Kawhi Leonard scored 26 points and John Collins added 25 as the Los Angeles Clippers moved into eighth place in the Western Conference standings with a 138-109 road victory over the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
Darius Garland and Kobe Sanders each scored 17 points, while Kris Dunn and Jordan Miller added 13 each as the Clippers (40-38) ended a two-game losing streak while winning their fourth consecutive road game.
Los Angeles has the same record as the Portland Trail Blazers but now owns the eighth spot in the standings via tiebreaker by winning two of the three games between the teams. Los Angeles will visit Portland on Friday.
The No. 7 and No. 8 teams in the standings meet in the play-in tournament for a chance to advance directly into the playoff field while the ninth and 10th teams have to win two play-in games.
Devin Carter scored 21 points and Nique Clifford added 18 as the Kings saw a two-game winning streak come to an end. Maxime Raynaud scored 11 points with 15 rebounds for Sacramento (21-58), which has struggled with injury issues this season but has managed to go 7-8 since March 8.
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The Clippers opened the game with a 42-point first quarter and took a 71-59 lead at halftime by shooting 56.5% over the first two quarters. After leading by as many as 19 points in the first half, Los Angeles took its first 20-point lead with 7:53 remaining in the third.
The Clippers went into the fourth quarter with a 107-79 lead and were never threatened the rest of the way.
Collins came off the bench for Los Angeles after starting the previous nine games, while Dunn was effective in his first start over the last eight games.
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Leonard increased his franchise-record streak of consecutive 20-point games to 54.
The Clippers finished 53.3% from the floor and 20-of-41 (48.8%) from 3-point range while the Kings shot 52.9% overall, 28.1% from outside the arc and committed 20 turnovers.
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