MatériaMais Notícias

Torcedores do ABC foram abordados pela Polícia durante a partida do Mais Querido contra o Santa Cruz-RN, pelo Campeonato Potiguar, no último sábado (6). O motivo, porém, é um tanto peculiar: os alvinegros estavam acompanhando a partida “escondidos” em colina ao lado do Estádio Manoel Dantas Barretto, o Barretão.

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Durante a transmissão, era possível ver um grupo de torcedores do ABC assistindo à partida em local inapropriado, em cima de um morro ao lado da arquibancada. Já próximo do final do jogo, a Polícia chegou e abordou os presentes no local, o famoso “baculejo”. Não há informação sobre possíveis detidos.

Antes mesmo da partida, boa parte da torcida do ABC vinha criticando os preços dos ingressos para o setor visitante. As entradas para o duelo fora de casa, no Barretão, custavam entre 50 (meia-entrada) e 100 reais (inteira).

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Além do inconveniente com os torcedores, o ABC saiu derrotado por 2 a 0 diante do Santa Cruz-RN. O jogo foi válido pela semifinal da segunda fase do Campeonato Potiguar. Com o resultado, o Mais Querido não tem mais chances de ser campeão do estadual neste ano.

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ABC-RN

TORONTO — More than an hour after his season ended in a heartbeat and winter took hold, Ernie Clement sprawled in his chair in the Blue Jays’ clubhouse, still in full uniform, nursing a Labatt Blue. His sliding shorts featured a hole in the right knee. His eyeblack stickers barely clung to his cheeks. His eyes brimmed with tears. 

He struggled to reckon with his loss. Not of Game 7, in which the Blue Jays fell, 5–4, in a shocking, back-and-forth, 11th-inning defeat to the Dodgers. Not of the World Series, which they at one point led three games to two, and on Saturday were two outs away from clinching. What hurt most, he realized, was that he wouldn’t get to come to work tomorrow. 

“Even if we’d won,” he mused, “I’d still be sad that it was over.”

That was the message the Blue Jays repeated over and over in their quiet clubhouse as Saturday night bled into Sunday morning. 

“Everybody loves each other in here,” said center fielder Daulton Varsho. “We enjoy being around this group, and that’s probably going to be the most hurtful thing.”

That they were so close only makes it worse. 

“It took them seven games to beat us,” said Kevin Gausman, who started Games 2 and 6. “I think if we play tomorrow, we beat ’em, but we’re not playing tomorrow.”

They had so many chances for a different ending. They loaded the bases with two outs in the second. They had runners on first and second with one out in the fourth, and a runner at third with no outs in the fifth. They loaded the bases with one out in the ninth, and they had runners at the corners with one out in the 11th. But they could not come through with a hit to put the Dodgers away, and the Dodgers clawed back with solo homers in the eighth, off Trey Yesavage, who started Games 1 and 5; in the ninth, off closer Jeff Hoffman; and in the 11th, off Game 4 starter Shane Bieber. 

“I feel for everybody in here,” said Clement. “We grinded so hard. I’d go to war with Jeff Hoffman every day of the week. I want him on the mound. I want Biebs on the mound. Those are guys who I would take a bullet for. And 99 times out of 100 those guys get the job done. Obviously, this wasn’t our night here. But I feel for those guys so much.”

The core has been here for a while, but it took them some time to grow into a team that understood its responsibility to its fan base and to one another. A year ago, nearly the same roster finished 74–88. That club did not lack talent, its members say, but it lacked accountability. 

“We had too many excuses built in,” pitcher Chris Bassitt said earlier this week. “We had too many issues internally. We had too many people complaining, including myself, about the way things were being run or handled and things like that.

“And as a group, it’s a maturing process. Everyone wrote us off, obviously, after last year, and rightfully so. I don’t discredit that. But the reality is that I think we’ve learned a lot from that. We learned that all those stupid things that we were doing or saying or whatever—it’s not gonna happen. So we [stopped] that this year.” They would spend the period after losses making excuses and then trying to do too much. They struggled to choose an identity or an approach. When things went wrong, they panicked. They didn’t know who they were.

This year they knew: They were an old-school team. They chased innings on the mound and contact at the plate. Their pitchers would take strikeouts when they could and their hitters were happy to homer, but they tried not to make those outcomes the focus of every plate appearance. They trusted one another. They won 94 games and the American League pennant. 

Even 366 days ago, when he was handing out candy in his neighbor’s driveway while the Dodgers celebrated their last title, manager John Schneider believed that team could grow into this team. In some ways, that’s what made this group so special, and what made the end so hard: It was basically the same group. 

They made additions, of course, but always with an eye not just toward talent but also toward temperament. They signed righty Max Scherzer and outfielder Anthony Santander in part because those players are adults who do things the right way. 

“It would be easy to kind of knee-jerk react to last year,” said Schneider. “I don’t think [general manager Ross Atkins] did, I don’t think I did, I don’t think we did. I’m thankful for that. You trust people and you trust that what you’re preparing for is right. Players have to go do it, and they have answered the bell.”

Even when their bodies didn’t want to allow them to. Second baseman Bo Bichette sprained his left knee in early September and spent the next seven weeks racing through rehab to get back in time. He knew a further injury could cost him in free agency, which he will reach on Sunday. “It’s the World Series,” he said before Game 6. “None of that stuff really matters.” DH George Springer, 36, took a similar approach when he hurt his right side on a swing during the 18-inning Game 3 loss; he could barely walk, and he was still recovering from knee and wrist injuries after being hit by pitches this month, but he went 5-for-10 in Games 6 and 7. 

After Game 7, Schneider held his first team meeting of the year. “I said thank you,” he said. “I said thank you probably about 10 times.” First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the face of the franchise, told each teammate individually that he was proud of him.

Bassitt, who will become a free agent on Sunday, was asked if he had learned anything from this team that he hoped to take wherever he ends up. 

“I think it’s hard to replicate true love,” he said. As for himself, he said, through tears, “You never know, but I would love to have another shot with this group.”

Of course, it won’t be this group. In addition to Bassitt, Bichette and Scherzer will be free agents, and Bieber carries a $16 million player option. 

None was sure after the game what the future held for them, although Bichette said, “I’ve said I wanted to be here from the beginning,” and Scherzer said, “There’s no way that was my last pitch.”

This was Scherzer’s seventh major league team, but he said it had meant as much to him as any of them. “Me being 41 years old, I never thought I could love baseball so much,” he said, choking back tears. “I’m just so proud of everybody. My love for the game is so strong because of their love for the game.”

Clement loves the game, and he loved this team. So as his friends hugged and said goodbye and gathered their belongings, there he sat at his locker. He wasn’t sure when he would shower and get dressed. He didn’t want to leave. 

The Danny Röhl era at Rangers begins.

Having been unveiled on Monday, the 36-year-old has not had a lot of time to prepare for his first match in charge, which will be Thursday night’s Europa League tie with Brann.

The Gers travel to Bergen having lost five consecutive European matches, currently pointless in the league phase, following defeats at the hands of Genk and Sturm Graz.

Hosts Brann, meantime, narrowly lost their Europa League opener 2-1 against Lille, Hamza Igamane on target for the hosts in Northern France, but then beat Utrecht 1-0 on home turf earlier this month, Sævar Atli Magnússon the match-winner, so will fancy their chances of another scalp.

Rangers though cannot allow that to happen if they’re to get back in the hunt for a place in the knockout stages, so what lineup should Röhl pick as he aims to leave Norway with all three points?

What Rangers supporters should expect from Danny Röhl

Despite his youthfulness, a year younger than defender Leon Balogun who departed in the summer, Röhl has plenty of high-level experience as a coach.

He worked under Ralph Hasenhüttl as an assistant at RB Leipzig and Southampton, before also being an assistant manager at Bayern Munich to Niko Kovač and then Hansi Flick, joining the latter in charge of the German national team at the World Cup in Qatar.

His first head coach role took him to Hillsborough, overseeing 89 matches in charge of EFL Championship crisis club Sheffield Wednesday, saving the Owls from relegation in his first season in charge, before they finished 12th last year, despite being run into the ground by owner Dejphon Chansiri.

In terms of tactics, as outlined in a piece by the Coaches’ Voice, Röhl ‘utilised a variety of formations’ during his time in Yorkshire, regularly switching between a back three and a back four, noting that in build-up play his ‘central defenders split quite wide’, labelling this a ‘key feature’ of his team.

They go on to note that there would always be a double pivot in front of the back-line, with width provided by wing-backs, allowing wide-attackers to penetrate centrally, making them as much of a goal threat as possible.

Thus, expect Röhl to be quite fluid with his formations, while also making regular changes to his starting lineups, especially considering this is the first of six matches on his agenda in the next 17 days, but we’re going to give predicting his first XI a go!

Rangers predicted XI vs Brann

During Russell Martin’s disastrous tenure, as well as under caretaker boss Steven Smith on Saturday, Rangers have always operated out of a back four.

Thus, in search of defensive stability, many are forecasting Röhl will instantaneously switch to a back three, but who would benefit from this change in shape?

Well, Nasser Djiga would for starters, simply because a third centre-back is needed.

John Souttar and deadline day signing Derek Cornelius have formed an encouraging partnership in recent weeks, while Wolves loanee Djiga has started just two of the last seven matches, not exactly endearing himself to his new supporters by being sent off against Dundee during his home league debut.

Meantime, at wing-back, Jayden Meghoma, on loan from Brentford, is the only natural left-back at the club, but has really struggled, so the vastly more experienced Max Aarons could fill in on that side, despite being naturally right-footed.

On the opposite flank, there has been debate for many years about captain James Tavernier’s defensive acumen, but one cannot argue with his attacking output, considering he is the club’s joint-top scorer this season with five, taking his tally to 135 for the club against Dundee United at the weekend, and a wing-back role could help him get back to his best.

The importance of a midfield duo in Röhl’s system has already been alluded to, so luckily for him Rangers’ best player last season was Nicolas Raskin, back in the team now and playing week in and week out, after a falling out with Martin earlier in the campaign that really saw supporters turn against the manager.

Alongside, none of Joe Rothwell, Connor Barron, Thelo Aasgaard nor Lyall Cameron appear particularly appetising options, if we’re being totally honest.

Thus, Röhl will hope to have Mohamed Diomandé available, after the Côte d’Ivoire international sat out the weekend draw due to a knock, but is expected to be available for the trip to Bergen.

Raskin and Diomandé as a pair certainly boast the athleticism and on-ball quality to be able to dominate matches, even at a high level.

Scout Emir has certainly been impressed by the Ivorian, noting that he is “relentless in duels” while also constantly showing for the ball under pressure, concluding that he is becoming the “complete midfielder”.

Lastly, in attack, Djeidi Gassama will certainly be in the line-up, considering he made 81 appearances for Röhl when the pair were together at Sheffield Wednesday, while he is Rangers’ joint-leading scorer this season with five, all of which have come in Europe, thereby hoping for more of the same in Norway.

The Frenchman has already shown that he can link up well with fellow new recruit Oliver Antman, the pair combining to score the third goal during a demolition of Viktoria Plzeň during Champions League qualifying, the clear high point of Martin’s ill-fated tenure.

Lastly, despite splashing £10m to sign Youssef Chermiti, thereby making him the club’s second-most expensive signing of all-time, it’ll surely be Bojan Miovski leading the line, the North Macedonian looking to add to his two goals for the club to date.

Rangers predicted XI vs Brann
Position	Players
GK	Jack Butland
CB	John Souttar
CB	Derek Cornelius
CB	Nasser Djiga
RWB	James Tavernier
CM	Nicolas Raskin
CM	Mohamed Diomandé
LWB	Max Aarons
RW	Oliver Antman
LW	Djeidi Gassama
ST	Bojan Miovski

They may not have shown it very much this season, currently pointless in the Europa League and sixth in the Scottish Premiership, but Rangers do boast some good players.

So, if Röhl can turn them into a functioning team, results will exponentially improve for sure, of that there is no doubt.

Former Rangers star reveals similarity between Danny Rohl and Walter Smith

He’s delivered his verdict…

By
Tom Cunningham

Oct 21, 2025

It seems that the Everton bubble has now well and truly burst under David Moyes.

Only one meagre win has been picked up in the Premier League by the Toffees across their last five contests in the demanding division, with Tottenham Hotspur applying a lot more salt to the Merseyside outfit’s wound when humbling them 3-0 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday evening.

Micky van de Ven’s quickfire double would kill the contest in the first half, before Pape Matar Sarr made sure of the three points when his late effort beat Jordan Pickford.

Unfortunately for Everton, Beto forgot to pack his shooting boots again, leading the line for his out-of-form side, with the number nine cutting an isolated figure once more.

Why Beto may be dropped

To his credit, he did try to acrobatically beat Guglielmo Vicario in the second half after a quick run forward by Iliman Ndiaye found him in space. Unfortunately, as is his luck at the moment, the Italian pulled off a jaw-dropping save to preserve his clean sheet.

That means the ex-Udinese attacker’s goalless run of form in the Premier League now stretches to six straight matches, with this audacious effort on goal his only real memorable contribution during the 3-0 defeat.

Indeed, Beto would only amass 14 touches of the ball during his 66-minute stint on the pitch, with the aforementioned Pickford even coming in with more, having tallied up a far greater 36 come the full-time whistle.

Even when the ball was at his feet, he did very little with it, with just four accurate passes accumulated, away from the imposing 6-foot-4 attacker, also only winning two of the six duels he went in for, as he let his side down aerially.

Van De Ven would have no trouble in the air; on the other hand, as his two headers sealed all three points for Thomas Frank’s very effective visitors.

While the commanding Dutchman stood out as a major positive both in attack and in defence for Spurs, Everton looked regularly ropey themselves when push came to shove defensively, with this underperformer at the back now fearing for his first-team spot, alongside a goal-shy Beto.

The 4/10 Everton flop who must now be dropped

It will certainly worry Moyes in the Toffees dug-out that his side haven’t kept a clean sheet in league action since facing off against Aston Villa in the middle of September.

To try and remedy his team’s ongoing defensive issues, the Glaswegian could be prepared to drop Vitaliy Mykolenko, who endured another torrid evening in the Premier League against Frank’s rampant away side.

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

58

Accurate passes

27/38 (71%)

Accurate crosses

0/3

Successful dribbles

0/1

Possession lost

19x

Tackles won

0/1

Clearances

3

Ball recoveries

3

Total duels won

3/10

Dribbled past

2x

The more you read into the table above, the more damning Mykolenko’s poor day at the office becomes, with the Ukrainian full-back failing to register a single accurate cross, a single successful dribble, or a single successful tackle won across his disastrous 90 minutes.

To pile on the misery even more, the out-of-sorts number 16 also managed to lose possession a costly 19 times down the left flank across the entire duration of the 3-0 loss, while only 30% of his duels were also won. Safe to say, he won’t be looking back on his sixth Premier League start of the season with much glee.

Moyes could well have seen enough to be convinced to drop his 4/10 defender – as was the low post-match rating handed to him by Liverpool World’s Will Rooney – for Everton’s next league contest versus the top-flight’s biggest surprise package of the season so far in Sunderland, with the adaptable James Garner a potential candidate who could replace him, alongside summer recruit Adam Aznou.

It’s clear from Everton’s overall showing that things have become alarmingly stagnant and quick, as Moyes looked dejected when speaking to the media after the game.

He will surely be hoping for a much-improved performance from his downtrodden team at the Stadium of Light at the start of next month, as Beto and Mykolenko are both potentially moved out of his starting XI plans.

Everton scouts spotted watching "incredible" striker with 42 goals in 49 games

This would be a sensational piece of business.

ByHenry Jackson Oct 24, 2025

West Ham are scouring the market for a new striker as Niclas Füllkrug prepares to depart the London Stadium in January, and a former Tottenham forward has now entered their radar.

Nuno Espirito Santo has called upon Callum Wilson and Lucas Paqueta to play the striker role in Fullkrug’s latest injury absence, but even once the Germany international returns, he won’t be donning Claret and Blue for long.

The 32-year-old’s disappointing spell at the London Stadium is set to end after just 18 months, with trusted sources like Fabrizio Romano confirming that Fullkrug plans to seek a new challenge as soon as the transfer window reopens.

Discussions have already been initiated and the player’s representatives are said to be in contact with potential suitors from Germany and beyond.

Fullkrug has made just 27 appearances for West Ham since his arrival on a four-year contract in August 2024, scoring only three goals, with his first season heavily disrupted by two long-term injuries that saw him miss a combined 28 games for club and country.

Niclas Füllkrug’s missed games for West Ham and Germany — 2024/2025
Injury	Missing from	Missing until	Games missed
Achilles tendon	08/09/2024	02/12/2024	16
Hamstring injury	11/01/2025	01/04/2025	12

Romano revealed in his GiveMeSport newsletter this week that West Ham are hopeful of finding a striker who would be a better fit than Füllkrug, with the club already considering options.

West Ham have Man United’s Joshua Zirkzee on their list of targets, with the Dutch striker struggling for regular opportunities under Ruben Amorim. The Hammers are also reportedly quite interested in signing Ivan Toney on loan as the England striker looks to battle his way back into Thomas Tuchel’s squad.

Nuno’s side explored the possibility of signing Real Madrid’s Endrick on loan too, but the Brazilian teenager is now on the verge of a move to Lyon instead.

Reports in Italy suggest AC Milan striker Santiago Gimenez will cost around £21 million to sign in January, amid reports that West Ham are keen on handing the Mexico international a fresh start in the Premier League after a tough time at the San Siro.

While January is a notoriously difficult window, the east Londoners do have options on the table, and one of them is now former Tottenham striker Troy Parrott.

West Ham eyeing former Tottenham striker Troy Parrott

According to Turkish media, West Ham are eyeing a move for Parrott amid his scintillating Eredivisie campaign so far, as Fullkrug also ‘prepares to leave’.

The Republic of Ireland international left Spurs permanently in 2024 to join AZ Alkmaar in a deal worth just under £7 million, and he’s since found a new home in the Netherlands.

Parrott’s racked up 13 goals in 14 appearances for AZ already this season, with six of them coming in the Dutch top flight.

The 23-year-old has also fired them to third in the table and four wins from their last five games, with Parrott’s form now attracting West Ham’s attention as AZ make his price tag known.

They want at least £26 million to consider parting company in January, and such a fee would mean they make a near-quadruple profit off hs sale.

Parrott heroically guided his country to the World Cup play-offs after scoring a hat-trick in their 3-2 qualifying win over Hungary on Sunday.

It’s turning out to be quite the year for him, and a return to London could be on the cards if he wills it and West Ham are prepared to pay AZ’s asking price.

Arguably one of the best sights in football is seeing a world-class winger in full flow. Whether it be through speed or skill, there are plenty of top-quality wide men in today’s game, including 2025 Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele.

In the past, we have been graced with the brilliant skills of Ronaldinho and crossing ability of David Beckham, but who is the best winger in football today?

Ranking factors

To help rank the wingers in order, we have considered the following criteria:

Current form – how well a player has been performing Importance to their teams – how influential they are to their team Role – how unique their skillset is Reputation – what others are saying about them 15 Rafael Leao AC Milan and Portugal

One of the fastest wingers around in the game today is AC Milan star Rafael Leao, who has been called one of the players Ronaldinho most enjoys watching.

Tammy Abraham has even said that Leao “has no idea how good he is”, and he has wowed on the left wing, contributing with double figures for goals and assists in 2024/25.

Serie A

2022

Nations League

2025

Italian Super Cup

2025

Taca da Liga

2018

14 Rodrygo Real Madrid and Brazil

With Real Madrid’s squad filled with world-class stars such as Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo is sometimes forgotten about in Spain.

However, Jude Bellingham labelled Rodrygo as “the most gifted player in the squad” and a “pleasure to play with”, so he must be doing something right at the Bernabeu. Neymar is also a big fan of his fellow countryman, calling him a “joke” in 2025.

Champions League

2022, 2024

La Liga

2020, 2022, 2024

Copa del Rey

2023

FIFA Club World Cup

2023

UEFA Super Cup

2022, 2024

FIFA Intercontinental Cup

2024

Spanish Super Cup

2020, 2022, 2024

13 Luis Diaz Bayern Munich and Colombia

Luis Diaz has both the speed and the skill to leave defenders for dead and is already catching the eye at new side Bayern Munich.

Diaz, who left Liverpool in 2025, won his first Premier League title before leaving Anfield, and, according to Danny Murphy, has “gone under the radar”. His defensive work ethic has also been praised, and in the final third, he can come up with something special out of nothing.

Premier League

2025

Liga Portugal

2020, 2022

Categoria Primera A

2018, 2019

FA Cup

2022

League Cup

2022, 2024

Taca de Portugal

2020, 2022

Copa Colombia

2017

Community Shield

2022

Portuguese Super Cup

2021

Colombian Super Cup

2018

12 Nico Williams Athletic Club and Spain

After coming through the Athletic Club academy, Nico Williams has made a huge impact in La Liga and with Spain and is now regarded as one of the top left-wingers around. At the age of 23, Williams looks destined to move from Bilbao at some point, but did sign a new contract in 2025.

Jose Mourinho has even revealed that he prefers Williams to Barcelona star Lamine Yamal, calling the Athletic Club star “unique” and “wonderful” – high praise from an iconic manager.

European Championship

2024

Copa del Rey

2024

11 Bradley Barcola PSG and France

Bradley Barcola arguably goes under the radar slightly at Paris Saint-Germain due to the sheer amount of attacking talent at the Parc des Princes, but the 22-year-old enjoyed his best ever season in 2024/25.

Called “unstoppable” by Luis Enrique, Barcola has hit double figures for Ligue 1 goals and assists for the first time in his career, which has resulted in his Transfermarkt valuation rocketing to €70m.

Ligue 1

2024, 2025

Champions League

2025

Coupe de France

2024

French Super Cup

2024, 2025

10 Desire Doue PSG and France

Another exciting attacking PSG star is Desire Doue, who, on the right-hand side, has been making a name for himself all across the world.

In French, Doue means ‘gifted’, and the teenager has been living up to his name, with some even calling him the next Neymar due to his ability to stand defenders up, slow the play down before going past them with a piece of skill.

Ligue 1

2025

Champions League

2025

French Super Cup

2025

9 Mohamed Salah Liverpool and Egypt

Many would argue that Mohamed Salah would have been top of this list earlier in 2025, however, the Egyptian King has gone off the boil at Anfield in 2025/26.

The Liverpool star extended his Anfield stay and produced record numbers for goals and assists in a 38-game Premier League campaign, winning his second title with the Reds as a result. Arne Slot called Salah “outstanding” recently, but at 33, Salah may well be getting past his prime.

Champions League

2019

Premier League

2020, 2025

Swiss Super League

2013, 2014

FA Cup

2022

League Cup

2015, 2022, 2024

FIFA Club World Cup

2020

UEFA Super Cup

2019

Community Shield

2022

8 Jeremy Doku Man City and Belgium

Jeremy Doku has been a standout player for Manchester City in 2025/26, terrorising full-backs with his explosive speed, agility and dribbling qualities.

The Belgian’s display in a 3-0 win over Liverpool was unbelievable, and if it wasn’t for a certain Erling Haaland, you could say Doku would be the first name on the teamsheet under Pep Guardiola.

7 Michael Olise Bayern Munich and France

After swapping Crystal Palace for Bayern Munich in 2024, Michael Olise has taken his game to the next level with the Bundesliga giants, hitting double figures for league goals and assists for the first time in his career in 2024/25.

Olise “could be as good as anyone” and, according to Didier Deschamps, the Bayern star has a “lot of qualities and has progressed a lot”, so he could get even better over the coming years. His Transfermarkt valuation now sits at a career-high €100m.

Bundesliga

2025

6 Khvicha Kvaratskhelia PSG and Georgia

After starring for Napoli for over two-and-a-half years, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia sealed a big-money move to PSG in 2025 and is so far proving to be worth the €70m fee.

The two-footed winger can play on either side and has helped PSG to another Ligue 1 title and a Champions League triumph. Kvaratskhelia is not just brilliant in attack, but the Georgia star also does a “titanic defensive job” with a “relentless” attitude in tracking back, something which doesn’t go unnoticed.

Ligue 1

2025

Champions League

2025

Serie A

2023

Russian Cup

2019

Major League Baseball presents a full slate of Saturday baseball on June 29th, and we are sticking with some tried and true sluggers. 

The best hitter in baseball, Aaron Judge, has already hit 30 home runs before July, and Saturday is a great opportunity to jump on this prop. Judge will hit indoors against the Blue Jays in Toronto, who have an inconsistent Chris Bassitt on the mound, setting up nicely for him to go deep in this divisional showdown. 

Find out how I’m attacking the home run prop bet market on Saturday. 

Best MLB Home Run Prop Bets for Saturday, June 29thAaron Judge (+260)Jake Cronenworth (+630)Royce Lewis (+370)Aaron Judge

I know, it’s chalky, but Judge is a threat to go yard against any pitcher at any time, and the price is right for a homer on Saturday. 

Judge, who leads the big leagues with 30 big flys already this season, draws a favorable matchup against Chris Bassitt and a lackluster Blue Jays bullpen. 

Bassitt isn’t getting many chases by batters this season, 17th percentile, but has done a good job of limiting hard contact, especially by right handed hitters. Lefties usually do better against Bassitt, he has allowed seven homers against southpaws and only one against right handers, but that’s giving us a better price than usual on Judge. 

This season, the AL MVP favorite has hit 23 of his 30 homers against righties with a .700 slugging percentage.

Jump on this price for Judge to crack one yet again. 

Jake Cronenworth

While Red Sox starter Tanner Houck has thrown himself in the Cy Young race with his fine play, Cronenworth presents a tough test. 

The Padres first baseman is a monster against right handers, hitting .286 with a slugging percentage of .521 while hitting 11 of his 12 homers. 

Houck has been fantastic this season, predominantly a groundball pitcher, but that’s generating some value on Cronenworth to go deep with the wind blowing out at 14 miles per hour. 

Royce Lewis

Lewis has quickly emerged as one of the best hitters in baseball, crushing 10 home runs in less than 100 at bats this season while hitting .289 with a slugging percentage of .699. 

He has eight of his 10 home runs against righty pitchers, and now will face Bryce Miller, who is due for a serious step back as the season wares on. Miller has an xERA of 4.34, far higher than 3.90 with a fifth percentile barrel percentage. Lewis has been on a tear all season, finding the sweet spot often in at bats, and with Miller’s looming regression, I’ll grab the slugger to go deep. 

Of course there is India vs Pakistan, but there is also a lot more to look forward to in the UAE

Shashank Kishore07-Sep-202515:43

Can Afghanistan make the final of the Asia Cup?

The Asian Cricket Council (ACC) can be criticised for many things. Like having Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in a brutal group of death, or missing the chance to ride the wave of cricket’s surging popularity in Nepal.But they have often nailed one key aspect: moulding their flagship competition to suit the needs of the cricket calendar. So, two years after its 50-over edition, the Asia Cup returns in 2025 as a T20 competition, aiming to be a lead-in to next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka.September in the UAE can be brutal, but the ACC doesn’t have full control over the timing, or the venue. India are the official hosts, but they have once again turned to the UAE, just as they had during the pandemic years with the IPL and the T20 World Cup.Related

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• It's showtime as winless Hong Kong take on wounded Afghanistan to kick off Asia Cup

While geopolitics continues to cast its shadow, the fixture everyone is already marking out on their calendars is, of course, India vs Pakistan, the tournament’s perennial centrepiece. And if history is anything to go by, the players will bring intensity and not animosity.From Shaheen Shah Afridi presenting Jasprit Bumrah with a gift for his newborn son to Babar Azam publicly backing Virat Kohli during his slump, the camaraderie has often been warmer than the political climate. But in today’s social media age, where jingoism thrives, will the players be as comfortable sharing a laugh or a joke, a hug or a handshake?Saturday evening could have provided a peek: the teams trained side by side at the ICC Academy in Dubai but kept to their halves, with barely a passing interaction. Perhaps it was just scheduling; perhaps it was something else.The ACC, though, has been mindful of the commercial and cultural importance of the contests. The prospect of the sides playing each other at least twice, perhaps thrice, is tantalising. Amid occasional calls for boycotts, the larger picture, which includes India’s ambitions of hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the Olympic Games in 2036, makes these clashes hard for them to avoid.If history is anything to go by, Indian and Pakistani players will bring intensity and not animosity•Associated PressNone of this has dimmed the enthusiasm of the general fan. Tickets for the two big clashes on September 14 and 21, have been bundled with a few other matches. Not even the seemingly steep prices [starting 1400 AED] have been a deterrent. Every single corporate box is taken, some believed to be by those who once vehemently called for a boycott.While all this brings the typical hype and drama surrounding the contest, the personnel are vastly different. No Babar or Mohammad Rizwan for Pakistan; no Kohli or Rohit Sharma for India. Pakistan are unheralded, and are testing the waters with a young team under Salman Agha. India are regrouping in the format after the T20Is against England at home in January, keen to pitch tent for their World Cup defence.Afghanistan, perhaps more at home in the UAE than anyone else, are now genuine contenders, and not underdogs. Stars like Rashid Khan, Mohammad Nabi, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Naveen-ul-Haq live and train here. Their spin-heavy attack is built for these conditions, and their confidence, despite the abject defeat to Pakistan in the tri-series final, should be sky-high.Sri Lanka may be the defending champions in the T20 format – they beat Pakistan in the 2022 final – but the team that lifted the trophy under Dasun Shanaka looks markedly different today. The recent collapse for their second-lowest T20I total against Zimbabwe has underlined the growing pains of a side in transition.They are still searching for a finisher who can also bowl, and there’s heavy reliance on Pathum Nissanka with the bat. Their X-factor remains their bowling, though. Maheesh Theekshana’s mystery and Matheesha Pathirana’s slingy pace should be more than a handful, but how they are used could determine their fate in a tough group.Bangladesh are navigating life after their golden generation. With no Shakib Al Hasan, Mushfiqur Rahim or Tamim Iqbal, and Mustafizur Rahman not quite the enigma he once was, they are recalibrating with a younger, power-hitting mindset. The tournament is both a test and an opportunity for this new-look squad.20:37

Do Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav make the all-time Asian T20 XI?

Outside of the Test nations, the story is as much about the Associates – three of them this time.Oman are piecing things back together after a pay crisis nearly derailed their progress, even coaxing veterans out of retirement to compete. Hong Kong are battling under-preparation. Having been forced into indoor nets for months, they have relied on a two-week crash course in Dubai under new coach Kaushal Silva. UAE are aiming for more than just participation this time. With increased investment and ILT20 exposure, there’s a push to develop more local talent. Captain Muhammad Waseem leads that charge, alongside emerging power-hitter Alishan Sharafu, mentored by Andre Russell and already making waves.So, the subplots are rich and the stakes high. Can Afghanistan turn potential into silverware? Can Pakistan find rhythm in chaos? Will India experiment or play their first-choice XI in a tournament they are touted to win? Can the Associates land a meaningful blow on the giants?The pitches could be slow and the crowds partisan. Politics may loom large, but when it comes to box-office cricket, nothing tops India vs Pakistan, or Pakistan vs Afghanistan, perhaps even Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh.Over to the Asia Cup to provide the perfect stage.

The Dodgers captured their second consecutive World Series title on Saturday night after a thrilling 11-inning Game 7 vs. the Blue Jays.

Los Angeles has grown its roster in the past few years to build the powerful championship team it has become. Two players who are new to the team are starting pitchers Tyler Glasnow (joined in 2024) and Blake Snell (joined in ‘25). Glasnow now has two World Series titles (he didn’t compete in the postseason last year due to injury), while the two-time Cy Young award winning Snell just secured his first one.

Funny enough, the two pitchers were teammates on the Rays in 2020 when Tampa Bay faced the Dodgers in the World Series, which Los Angeles ended up winning. They both ended up in Los Angeles and now have World Series rings of their own after failing with Tampa Bay.

While celebrating in the locker room at Rogers Centre on Saturday, Glasnow dropped a hilarious, but somewhat cringey, line about players who have lost to the Dodgers in any previous World Series.

“If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, baby!” Glasnow said, followed by high-fiving Snell.

Both pitchers made relief appearances in Game 7. Glasnow pitched 2.1 innings, throwing two strikeouts and giving up three hits and one run. Snell appeared in the eighth and ninth, striking out two batters and giving up one walk and one hit. The Dodgers went on to win 5-4 in the 11th inning.

A group of youngsters with tremendous potential and a fantastic comeback story

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Feb-2020Annabel Sutherland (Australia)
She was uncapped when called up to Australia’s T20 World Cup squad, the selectors not afraid to take a punt on her. On her debut, against England in the recent tri-series, she hauled Australia into a Super Over with some powerful striking, 22 off 11 balls, and it was probably a mistake that she wasn’t used for the extra over with the ball: Sutherland can hit a splice-jarring length and the feeling is that there are a few more kphs to come as she continues to develop. When conditions allow, Australia won’t be afraid to go after opposition with pace at this tournament and Sutherland could play a role there. Nigar Sultana (Bangladesh)
After Salma Khatun, Jahanara Alam and Rumana Ahmed, Bangladesh can rely upon Nigar Sultana to deliver for them. Nigar is Bangladesh’s highest run-getter in T20Is in the last two years with 604 runs at 24.16. Her last innings in this format was a century against Maldives in the South Asian Games in December. She could become a surprise package because, according to many, she is strong technically, and can survive strong bowling attacks. Sarah Glenn (England)
Legspinner Glenn earned her maiden call-up for England only in November, for both limited-overs series against Pakistan in Malaysia. She caught the selectors’ attention playing for Loughborough Lightning in last year’s Kia Super League, especially when she returned 3 for 25 against Lancashire Thunder, all three strikes those of top-order batters. Among them was Harmanpreet Kaur, bowled for a golden duck. Glenn has claimed nine wickets from six T20Is since, including 3 for 28 from her four overs in the tie with Australia, which England won in the Super Over. She also took 4 for 18 from eight overs in an ODI against Pakistan, just her third international outing. Shafali Verma goes downtown•Getty ImagesShafali Verma (India)
Had the Australians featured in the 2019 Women’s T20 Challenge, chances are that Verma, only 15 years old at the time, may not have been a straightforward inclusion in the starting XI, let alone pip England’s Danni Wyatt to open for Mithali Raj’s side in the three-team competition. The buzz Verma whipped up on that May afternoon in Jaipur with her flamboyant 31-ball 34 hasn’t subsided. Raj’s T20I retirement and Verma’s power-driven, fearless strokeplay put an end to India’s search for a stable, quick-firing opening partner for Smriti Mandhana as she became India’s youngest T20I debutant in the home series against South Africa in October. The following month, on the tour of the Caribbean, Verma became the youngest Indian – male or female – to score a T20I half-century. Although still somewhat vulnerable to bouncers, when Verma gets cracking, even a feted pace attack as Australia’s can seem toothless. Jess Kerr (New Zealand)
Her younger sister Amelia has been impressing with her all-round performances over the last few years, and now, it’s Jess’ chance to shine in the international circuit. She made a splash in the latest edition of the women’s Super Smash by picking up 20 wickets in 11 matches – the most in a season – breaking Amelia’s record of 19 to help Wellington Blaze to the title. That paved the way for her international call-up and the 22-year-old medium pacer made her debut in the home series against South Africa. She was part of just two ODIs and two T20Is in the series but she made an impression with her frugal spells, especially in the fourth T20I where she finished with figures of 2 for 17 in New Zealand’s win. Syeda Aroob Shah (Pakistan)
A 16-year-old legspinner from Karachi, Aroob started out as a net bowler and broke into the Pakistan emerging team only last year after a productive Women’s One-Day Championship, where she finished as the leading wicket-taker with 14 strikes in five matches at 12.36. She was elevated to the international arena soon after and handed a debut during the home series against Bangladesh where she made a mark with 2 for 37. Despite limited success against England in Malaysia, she is regarded as a major hope for the future. As well as the conventional legbreak, she bowls a very good flipper. Nondumiso Shangase
At just 21, allrounder Shangase not only found herself captaining the KwaZulu Natal women’s side and being accepted in South Africa’s national academy, but also becoming the first black African woman to score a century for her province. The following year, she made her debut for the South African senior side in a T20I series against Pakistan and six months’ later, was rewarded with her first trip abroad on a tour to India. Though she bats low down in the order and is used primarily as an offspinner, there’s no doubt she could find herself promoted, especially in a tournament where flexibility is key to success. Shangase is a natural athlete, having played netball and football at school, before choosing cricket. Kavisha Dilhari attempts a sweep•Getty ImagesKavisha Dilhari (Sri Lanka)

It is her fearlessness at age 19 that has caught the Sri Lankan cricket establishment’s attention. Hailing from the same southern village as Lasith Malinga, Dilhari is primarily an offspinner, though one with serious batting potential as well. She excelled at the age-group levels, and although she’s only played ten internationals so far, she has turned heads with her brave bowling and strokemaking, once executing an outstanding over-the-head scoop against India in a tight match situation. She is among the young players that Sri Lanka has invested heavily in, in the squad for this tournament. Chanida Sutthiruang (Thailand)
Named the ICC Emerging Player of the Year, Sutthiruang has been central to Thailand’s success in last year’s qualifying tournament as she was the leading wicket-taker with 12 at 5.66, which included figures of 4 for 13 against Namibia when Thailand defended 99. A product of the Under-19 programme, she made her debut in 2012 and has become a key cog in the team. Overall, in her T20I career, she has taken 42 wickets at 8.73. She is known for her ability to gain substantial swing with the new ball. Lee-Ann Kirby (West Indies)
At 32, Lee-Ann Kirby isn’t a young gun, and made her debut as far back as in 2008 – a year before the inaugural Women’s T20 World Cup was played. She neither batted or bowled on debut, and was later overlooked for 12 years. But, of late for Trinidad & Tobago in domestic cricket, she has been pulling off the double duty of opening both the batting and bowling. In June 2018, she claimed 2 for 21 with her medium-pace and struck a 31-ball 46 to thump Windward Islands. She has extended her rich domestic form in the Courts Women’s T20 Grand Slam. Kirby had told that she had given up hopes of an international recall after being ignored for over a decade. Now that she’s finally back in the mix, can she make it count?