Marlins bring 4-game losing streak into matchup against the Cubs

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:41:39 GMT

Marlins bring 4-game losing streak into matchup against the Cubs Miami Marlins (16-17, third in the NL East) vs. Chicago Cubs (16-16, third in the NL Central)Chicago; Saturday, 2:20 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Marlins: Bryan Hoeing (0-1, 6.23 ERA, 1.62 WHIP, six strikeouts); Cubs: Drew Smyly (3-1, 2.83 ERA, .91 WHIP, 29 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cubs -175, Marlins +149; over/under is 9 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Miami Marlins, on a four-game losing streak, play the Chicago Cubs.Chicago has gone 9-8 at home and 16-16 overall. The Cubs have the top team batting average in the NL at .269.Miami has a 16-17 record overall and a 6-8 record on the road. The Marlins are 10-1 in games when they did not give up a home run.Saturday’s game is the fifth time these teams meet this season. The Marlins are up 3-1 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Nico Hoerner has a .309 batting average to lead the Cubs, and has six doubles, a triple and two home runs. Cody Bellinger is 11-for-38 with two home runs and four RBI over the last 10 games.Jorge So...

Mets bring 1-0 series advantage over Rockies into game 2

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:41:39 GMT

Mets bring 1-0 series advantage over Rockies into game 2 Colorado Rockies (12-21, fifth in the NL West) vs. New York Mets (17-16, second in the NL East)New York; Saturday, 4:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Rockies: Austin Gomber (2-4, 7.57 ERA, 1.68 WHIP, 19 strikeouts); Mets: Tylor Megill (3-1, 4.11 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 23 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Mets -230, Rockies +190; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The New York Mets host the Colorado Rockies, leading the series 1-0.New York has gone 7-6 at home and 17-16 overall. The Mets are 12-2 in games when they have more hits than their opponents.Colorado is 12-21 overall and 5-12 in road games. The Rockies have a 9-3 record in games when they scored at least five runs.Saturday’s game is the second time these teams meet this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Pete Alonso has three doubles and 11 home runs for the Mets. Brett Baty is 11-for-30 with three doubles and two home runs over the last 10 games.C.J. Cron leads the Rockies with six home runs while slugging .468. Elias Diaz is 12-f...

Brewers look to stop 5-game slide, play the Giants

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:41:39 GMT

Brewers look to stop 5-game slide, play the Giants Milwaukee Brewers (18-14, second in the NL Central) vs. San Francisco Giants (14-17, fourth in the NL West)San Francisco; Saturday, 7:15 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Brewers: Colin Rea (0-2, 4.79 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 18 strikeouts); Giants: Alex Cobb (1-1, 2.43 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 33 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Giants -172, Brewers +146; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Milwaukee Brewers, on a five-game losing streak, play the San Francisco Giants.San Francisco is 8-7 in home games and 14-17 overall. The Giants are 8-2 in games when they have more hits than their opponents.Milwaukee has a 9-8 record in road games and an 18-14 record overall. The Brewers have gone 13-5 in games when they record at least eight hits.The teams meet Saturday for the second time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Wilmer Flores has three doubles, six home runs and 11 RBI for the Giants. LaMonte Wade Jr is 9-for-29 with a double, a triple and four home runs over the last 10 games.Rowdy Tellez leads the B...

Diamondbacks face the Nationals with 1-0 series lead

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:41:39 GMT

Diamondbacks face the Nationals with 1-0 series lead Washington Nationals (13-19, fifth in the NL East) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (18-14, second in the NL West)Phoenix; Saturday, 8:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Nationals: MacKenzie Gore (3-2, 3.77 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 39 strikeouts); Diamondbacks: Tommy Henry (1-0, 6.52 ERA, 1.66 WHIP, four strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Diamondbacks -145, Nationals +124; over/under is 9 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Arizona Diamondbacks bring a 1-0 advantage into the latest game of the series against the Washington Nationals.Arizona has a 9-6 record in home games and an 18-14 record overall. The Diamondbacks are 8-2 in games when they did not give up a home run.Washington is 13-19 overall and 7-7 on the road. The Nationals have a 6-14 record in games when they have given up at least one home run.Saturday’s game is the second meeting between these teams this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Christian Walker has seven home runs, seven walks and 25 RBI while hitting .272 for the Diamondbacks. Corbin Carroll ...

Dodgers take on the Padres looking to stop road slide

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:41:39 GMT

Dodgers take on the Padres looking to stop road slide Los Angeles Dodgers (19-14, first in the NL West) vs. San Diego Padres (18-15, third in the NL West)San Diego; Saturday, 8:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Dodgers: Dustin May (3-1, 3.15 ERA, .99 WHIP, 23 strikeouts); Padres: Blake Snell (1-4, 5.59 ERA, 1.76 WHIP, 33 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Padres -115, Dodgers -104; over/under is 8 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Dodgers travel to the San Diego Padres looking to stop a three-game road losing streak.San Diego has an 18-15 record overall and a 10-9 record in home games. The Padres have gone 13-2 in games when they record eight or more hits.Los Angeles has a 7-8 record on the road and a 19-14 record overall. The Dodgers have gone 12-4 in games when they hit two or more home runs.The matchup Saturday is the second time these teams match up this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Xander Bogaerts has four doubles and six home runs while hitting .283 for the Padres. Fernando Tatis Jr. is 14-for-47 with two doubles and three home runs o...

‘We were locked in’: How Celtics stayed poised to overcome electric 76ers crowd in Game 3 win

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:41:39 GMT

‘We were locked in’: How Celtics stayed poised to overcome electric 76ers crowd in Game 3 win PHILADELPHIA — Jayson Tatum stuck to his routine.The Celtics star wasn’t on the court moments before Friday night’s Game 3 here at Wells Fargo Arena. Not even Joel Embiid’s MVP ceremony made him stray from his usual regimen, when he goes to the back of the arena after the final pregame buzzer sounds and before the national anthem is played.“Nothing different today,” Tatum said. “I could hear it. They had it on the TV and I saw it.”The Celtics knew and expected what was coming Friday night in Philadelphia. The 76ers hadn’t played a home game in almost two weeks, and they were coming back with home-court advantage in a playoff series against a rival. That would typically be enough for their passionate fanbase to be juiced. Add Embiid’s MVP ceremony to the equation, and there was enough energy to blow the roof off.The cheers were piercing and deafening. The ceremony was emotional.It didn’t affect the Celtics.“They’ve been here before,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said.“We were locked in...

Trudeau, Simon arrive at coronation along with other Canadian dignitaries

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:41:39 GMT

Trudeau, Simon arrive at coronation along with other Canadian dignitaries LONDON — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Gov. Gen. Mary Simon and their spouses are among the Canadian delegation who have entered Westminster Abbey to witness the coronation of King Charles III.The Canadian contingent also includes astronaut Jeremy Hansen, who is set to travel to the moon next year as part of the Artemis mission.Hansen is carrying the Canadian flagAstronaut Jennifer Sidney-Gibbons is also on the Canadian guest list.A drizzle fell in London as the guests arrived.Indigenous leaders are also due to be in attendance, including Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald.This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 6, 2023.Morgan Lowrie, The Canadian Press

Ukraine downs Russian hypersonic missile with US Patriot

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:41:39 GMT

Ukraine downs Russian hypersonic missile with US Patriot KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s air force claimed Saturday to have downed a Russian hypersonic missile over Kyiv using newly acquired American Patriot defense systems, the first known time the country has been able to intercept one of Moscow’s most modern missiles.Air Force commander Mykola Oleshchuk said in a Telegram post that the Kinzhal-type ballistic missile had been intercepted in an overnight attack on the Ukrainian capital earlier in the week. It was also the first time Ukraine is known to have used the Patriot defense systems. “Yes, we shot down the ‘unique’ Kinzhal,” Oleshchuk wrote. “It happened during the night time attack on May 4 in the skies of the Kyiv region.”Oleshchuk said the Kh-47 missile was launched by a MiG-31K aircraft from the Russian territory and was shot down with a Patriot missile.The Kinzhal is one of the latest and most advanced Russian weapons. The Russian military says the air-launched ballistic missile has a range of up to 2,000 kilometer...

King Charles III leaves palace on journey to coronation

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:41:39 GMT

King Charles III leaves palace on journey to coronation King Charles III and Camilla, the queen consort, have started their short ride in the gilded Diamond Jubilee Coach from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey, where they will be anointed and crowned in a ceremony steeped in history.They are being escorted by the Sovereign’s Escort, comprising of about 160 soldiers on horseback. The Household Cavalry Mounted Band is leading the military procession.It’s a much smaller procession than the one planned for the return route from the abbey, when some 4,000 troops will feature in a spectacular display of pageantry.The state coach Charles and Camilla are travelling in was created in 2012 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th year on the throne. The procession will take about half an hour. Canadian delegation arrives at Westminster AbbeyPrime Minister Justin Trudeau and Gov. Gen. Mary Simon arrive at Westminster Abbey ahead of Coronation.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau along with Governor General Mary Simon have arrived at...

Kiszla: If Nuggets guard Jamal Murray tries to play hero ball vs. Suns superstar Devin Booker, this series won’t turn out well for Denver

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:41:39 GMT

Kiszla: If Nuggets guard Jamal Murray tries to play hero ball vs. Suns superstar Devin Booker, this series won’t turn out well for Denver PHOENIX – With a basketball game to be won, Nuggets guard Jamal Murray wrestled with his foolish pride. He lost, because a strong man’s worst enemy can be his own stubborn ego.Obsessed by a desire to prove himself the equal of Phoenix superstar Devin Booker, Murray not only got soundly beaten in one of those classic battles of one-upmanship that make pro basketball such compelling theater, Denver lost its ironclad grip on this playoff series.“We expected a win,” Murray said Friday, taking full responsibility for a 121-114 loss to the Suns. “I put that one on me.”Well, give the feisty Nuggets guard credit for recognizing the problem.Despite his team-high 32 points, the problem was Murray. He tried to do too much, bless his ever-defiant heart. He attempted to turn a team game into an individual duel against Booker.It proved to be a losing proposition in Game 3. And it could be a mistake deadly to Denver’s championship aspirations going forward.With everything from red-glaring ro...