It was already shaping up to be a stacked day for our fantasy SP rankings, then two doubleheaders (Twins-Orioles, Braves-Indians) added two more games -- and one more ace -- to the mix. Of course, on DraftKings and FanDuel, the second games of the doubleheaders aren't on the slates, so if you were looking to take a chance on Touki Toussaint or use Trevor Bauer, you're out of luck. There's more rain in the forecast for Royals-Yankees and White Sox-Tigers (both early), but chances are you weren't going to use at least three of those four pitchers in season-long leagues or MLB DFS contests. Still, it never hurts to double-check the weather reports before finalizing lineups.The real dilemma today might be which ace(s) to pay up for. Early, you have Mashario Tanaka (vs. Royals), Jose Berrios (@ Orioles), Corey Kluber (vs. Braves), and Jameson Taillon (vs. Giants) [and Zack Greinke (@ Cubs) and Yu Darvish (vs. D-backs), if you still count them]. Max Scherzer (@ Marlins) and Charlie Morton … [Read more...] about Today’s Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Starting pitchers for Saturday
Kyrie Irving says Celtics ‘have come a long way’ after beating Pacers again
Kyrie Irving says the Celtics' impressive start to the NBA playoffs proves how far they have come as a team after a difficult regular season.The Celtics had to settle for the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, but a 104-96 road win over the Pacers on Friday put them 3-0 up in their first-round series. Related News NBA playoffs wrap 2019: Raptors hold off Magic; Celtics extend lead over Pacers Russell Westbrook 'a man of his word,' Thunder teammate Paul George says Jaylen Brown had 23 points, while Irving had 19 along with 10 assists to follow up his game-high 37-point performance in Game 2.Indiana led 61-59 at halftime, but the Celtics seized control with a 9-2 run to close out the third quarter and they led the rest of the way."We have come a long way," Irving told reporters after the game. "We started off pretty horribly this season, we just had time to figure it out."We're all making sure we're giving each other confidence and doing the little things to ensure we … [Read more...] about Kyrie Irving says Celtics ‘have come a long way’ after beating Pacers again
Nick Saban to have hip replacement surgery so he can coach Alabama for ‘a lot more years’
Alabama's Nick Saban is set to undergo hip replacement surgery Monday because he wants to coach "for a lot of more years" and he "doesn't want to be in position where" he can't do that."If I was a normal guy, I would wait and not do this right now," Saban told USA Today. "Whenever things like this come up, I want to be aggressive and proactive to try and get it taken care of. We'll certainly do that, and we've got really good people to do it."Saban, 67, first addressed the issue after the Crimson Tide's spring game last week. He called his hip "bothersome" and said he would seek further evaluation from doctors."I never noticed my hip at all until the first day of spring practice," Saban said. "I ran out on the field, and it felt like I got a hip flexor. It didn't feel like it was some injury or something like that, but it never went away and it actually kept almost getting worse."Saban explained that certain activities make the pain worse (like climbing stairs and running), while other … [Read more...] about Nick Saban to have hip replacement surgery so he can coach Alabama for ‘a lot more years’
Former Viking Matt Birk is co-founding a Catholic high school in Burnsville
When Matt Birk announced his retirement from football six years ago, the Baltimore Ravens center and former Minnesota Viking did not hold a news conference at the team facility. He chose a library at a Baltimore elementary school as the place to say he was leaving the game he first played as a kid growing up in St. Paul. “I’ve enjoyed playing football. But as much as playing football, I’ve enjoyed doing this,” the 14-year NFL veteran said, referring to his community service with children through his HIKE Foundation. Birk took questions from a class of students who sat legs crossed and looked up at the big man who helped bring the city a Super Bowl win a few weeks earlier. A boy in the back asked Birk why he’s retiring. “Well, I’m old,” Birk said, drawing high-pitched laughs. “I have six kids, and it’s just time. I just feel like it’s time to do something else.” Birk, now 42 with two more kids and living in Mendota … [Read more...] about Former Viking Matt Birk is co-founding a Catholic high school in Burnsville
Why Sheffield truly is the ‘home of snooker’ as World Championship gets underway
As the world’s top players returned to Sheffield for the annual end-of-season showpiece – the World Snooker Championship – the city was once again given the tag as the ‘home of snooker’. The sport’s top 16 ranked players have been joined by 16 qualifiers to compete for the tournament’s biggest-ever prize pot of £2.2 million, with the winner taking home £500,000. But, as they all gathered for the annual event, they all said it was about so much more than that, with the Crucible Theatre still providing something magical to the tournament.It is something which players, staff and fans have found hard to describe – what is it that makes Sheffield and the theatre itself so special?The Crucible, along with colleagues at Sheffield Council, fought off competition from other countries, including China, where the sport’s popularity is growing at an incredible pace in 2016 to keep snooker in the city until … [Read more...] about Why Sheffield truly is the ‘home of snooker’ as World Championship gets underway