Lizelle Lee set a new record for the highest score in the WBBL with a monstrous 150 not out off 75 balls against Perth Scorchers at the SCG.Lee’s innings, which included a 51-ball century, contributed an astonishing 73% of Hurricanes’ total and also included a world record 12 sixes. Both Lee’s score and sixes tally eclipsed the previous marks set by Grace Harris with her 136 not out last season. Overall, it was the fifth-highest score in all women’s T20s and the highest in a Full Member nation.Coming into the match, Lee had a high score of 38 in five WBBL innings this season. “It’s one of those days, I won’t say everything came off the middle because it didn’t, but things just went my way,” she said. “Coming through a little dip like that, having the support of the group and family was incredible.”To further emphasise Lee’s dominance, a stand of 114 off 65 balls for the third wicket included just 14 off 19 balls from partner Elyse Villani. The innings was rounded out by an unbroken partnership of 73 off 39 balls alongside Heather Graham. It all came after Hurricanes had lost two wickets in consecutive deliveries against Chloe Ainsworth to leave them 16 for 2 in the third over.Lee was given a life on 63 when spilled at backward point as Ainsworth returned to the attack. The figures of the Scorchers quick, who had got through two overs before Lee hit turbo charge, stood out amid the carnage as she finished with 2 for 17.Lee opened her sixes count with back-to-back blows off Ebony Hoskin in the fourth over and broke the record by sending the same bowler for further consecutive sixes in the last. For Hoskin, who finished with 0 for 53 from four overs, it was a quick comedown after her final-over heroics against Melbourne Renegades.Hurricanes’ 203 was their second-highest total in the WBBL. Scorchers never threatened to get close after an awful start where they lost Sophie Devine first ball and also saw Chloe Piparo run out in the opening over.
As everyone expected it to be, this summer has been nothing short of a whirlwind for Chelsea.
Alongside their incredible performances at the Club World Cup, which they are a game away from winning, the Blues have been as busy as ever in the transfer window.
The likes of Liam Delap, Joao Pedro and Jamie Gittens have all joined Enzo Maresca’s side before preseason has even begun, and it looks like they might want to add one more forward to the mix in Hugo Ekitiké.
Hugo Ekitike for Frankfurt.
The French dynamo has been linked with the West Londoners for quite some time this summer, and it looks like the club might be making another sale to free up funds for his £85m price tag, and no, it’s not Noni Madueke.
Why Chelsea want Ekitike
It might sound rather simplistic, and it probably is, but it’s undeniable that one of, if not the main reason Chelsea want to sign Ekitike this summer is his output.
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For example, in 48 appearances last season, totalling 3644 minutes, the former Paris Saint-Germain prospect scored a mammoth 22 goals and provided 12 assists to boot.
That means the 23-year-old averaged a goal involvement every 1.41 games, or every 107.17 minutes, which is the sort of productivity that could fire Maresca’s men up the table.
Appearances
48
Minutes
3644′
Goals
22
Assists
12
Goal Involvements per Match
0.70
Minutes per Goal Involvement
107.17
On top of his brilliant ability to score and assist goals, the “next Mbappé,” as journalist Graeme Bailey once dubbed him, also has some impressive underlying numbers to his name.
For example, FBref ranks him in the top 4% of forwards in Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty expected goals plus assists, progressive carries and successful take-ons, all per 90.
Overall, Ekitike looks to be a complete and seriously dangerous forward who’d undoubtedly improve Chelsea, but due to his massive price tag, the club might have to make some sales before signing him.
Fortunately, that seems to be what they are doing, as, alongside Madueke, one of their attackers is nearing the exit.
The Chelsea star set to leave
The big exit story regarding Chelsea over the last week or so has undoubtedly been that of Madueke’s.
After all, it is yet another example of Arsenal buying a player the club do not mind losing, and for a massive fee of around £52m.
However, while the Englishman has understandably caught all the headlines, he’s not the only attacker who looks set to leave.
At least, not according to a recent report from Portugal that has claimed João Félix is nearing a return to his former club Benfica.
The report has revealed that following positive talks with the player and his camp, the Liga Nos giants are working on a deal to bring him back to Lisbon on a permanent deal.
The final price the Blues will receive for the player is being kept under wraps per the story, but some reports suggest it could be around €20m – £17m.
Although that isn’t a lot, removing his £130k-per-week wages will help the signing of new talents like Ekitkie.
Appearances
20
21
Goals
7
3
Assists
2
1
Goal Involvements per Match
0.45
0.19
The former Atlético Madrid ace only joined the West Londoners for £45m last summer, but following an underwhelming first half of the campaign in which he produced nine goal involvements in 20 games – four of which came in the Conference League – he was sent to AC Milan on loan.
Unfortunately, the Viseu-born ace struggled to make much of an impact at the San Siro as well, and ended his stint there with just four goal involvements in 21 games.
Ultimately, it is a shame that it hasn’t worked out for the Portuguese international, but this deal feels like the right move for all parties involved.
He gets the chance to reignite his career, Benfica get their hands on someone who could still be special, and Chelsea can recover some money to spend elsewhere.
More dispensable than Madueke: Chelsea star agrees personal terms to leave
Celtic are enjoying a hard-earned break during the off-season, but they may now have an opportunity to offload one star who has recently made an impact under Brendan Rodgers, according to a report.
Celtic set to alter defensive line this summer
The reigning Scottish Premiership champions are usually slow starters in the window, taking a measured approach before deciding where they need to strengthen ahead of the new campaign. Nevertheless, the world already knows that the complexion of their backline will change significantly once Kieran Tierney arrives at Celtic on a free transfer from Arsenal.
With the Scotland international’s emotional homecoming taking pride of place, his compatriot Greg Taylor could opt to leave Parkhead amid interest from Greek giants PAOK.
Formerly of Kilmarnock, the 27-year-old has a two-year deal on the table that is said to be a significant upgrade on his current terms at Celtic, potentially spelling the end to his extremely successful six years in Glasgow.
It remains to be seen if Taylor will accept a new challenge elsewhere. He is still someone the club want to keep around, though they have already started to seek out potential contingency options.
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Peterborough United’s Harley Mills is a Celtic target and the Bhoys have reportedly made an approach for the youngster, indicating that any incoming figure to replace Taylor may be of a youthful mould.
From the outset, Rodgers appears to have settled options in the middle and on the right-hand side of his backline. Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and Auston Trusty are established figures and are expected to be around next term.
However, peripheral figures may depart to make room for new blood and Celtic may now have an opportunity to offload one of their fringe stars.
Celtic defender Maik Nawrocki could now exit Parkhead
According to wSzczecinie.pl, Celtic defender Maik Nawrocki could join Pogon Szczecin on loan for the forthcoming campaign despite his growing rapport with supporters due to some encouraging displays of late.
Brought in for £4.3 million back in 2023, the former Legia Warsaw man has struggled for consistent minutes in Glasgow, making only 18 appearances across two seasons in green and white.
Maik Nawrocki’s Celtic statistics in 2024/25 – Scottish Premiership (Fotmob)
Pass accuracy
95.7%
Successful passes
308
Duels won
17
Tackles won percentage rate
100%
Recoveries
11
Dribbled past
1
Labelled “very highly-rated” by Rodgers after joining the club, there has clearly been a breakdown somewhere along the line that has led to limited appearances for the Bremen-born man.
Injuries haven’t helped his case, though many would argue he has been value for more starts at times throughout the campaign. Either way, a return to his homeland would offer that luxury if he were to stay fit.
In turn, Celtic would surely be expected to secure cover at centre-back, unless Stephen Welsh is re-integrated into the first-team squad upon his return from a loan spell at KV Mechelen.
Manchester City now want to sign a “world-class” £67m full-back, and he could join alongside Rayan Ait-Nouri this summer, according to a report.
City making progress in Ait-Nouri pursuit
Man City have set their sights on signing a new left-back this summer, with Pep Guardiola perhaps not overly convinced by Josko Gvardiol and Nico O’Reilly, and there has been a recent update in their pursuit of Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Ait-Nouri.
Indeed, reliable reporter David Ornstein has now revealed that City “expect” to complete a deal for the Algerian this summer, although there is still work to be done before they are able to strike an agreement with their Premier League rivals.
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Ait-Nouri’s arrival would leave Guardiola fairly well-stocked at left-back, given that Gvardiol and O’Reilly featured in that area regularly throughout the 2024-25 campaign, but a new report has suggested the manager could be keen to bring in another full-back who can play on both flanks.
According to GiveMeSport, Man City now want to sign Juventus’ Andrea Cambiaso, with the Italian being shortlisted by Guardiola, who has also personally requested the defender in the past.
Manchester City managerPepGuardiolabefore the match
It could be difficult to agree a deal for Cambiaso, with his current employers making it tricky to enter talks, but the full-back, who was valued at £67m back in the January transfer window, remains of interest to the Blues.
Guardiola’s side are confident about sealing the arrival of Ait-Nouri, but the Juventus star could join regardless of whether they complete a deal for the Wolves man, given he can play in a back four or five on both sides of the defence.
Cambiaso putting in "world-class" performances for Juventus
The 25-year-old is particularly impressive in an attacking sense, as highlighted by his dribbling ability, which is important for City, considering they are likely to be the main aggressors in the majority of the Premier League games they play next season.
Journalist Zach Lowy has also been left particularly enamoured by the Italy international’s ability to create chances for his teammates in the past, singling him out for praise last April.
That said, with Gvardiol and O’Reilly already on the books, and the move for Ait-Nouri seemingly advancing well, there are doubts over whether the full-back would be a necessary signing for Man City.
£67m is a huge asking price for any player, and it may be wise to invest the money into other areas of the squad, perhaps between the sticks, having been keen on signing an Ederson replacement for quite some time, and City have a number of options in mind.
Heading into their contest at the Emirates Stadium, Newcastle United were still riding high off beating Chelsea 2-0 in the ongoing race to finish inside the Premier League’s Champions League spots.
However, the Magpies swiftly returned to reality after losing 1-0 to Mikel Arteta’s Gunners, meaning only point now separates Eddie Howe’s Toon from seventh placed Nottingham Forest. Unfortunately, only the top five are allowed a seat around Europe’s elite table.
Therefore, Newcastle will have to get back to winning ways at home to David Moyes’ Everton to cement a spot, with a number of underperformers very much at risk of being dropped from this crucial tie.
37
19
14
4
71
37
20
6
11
66
37
19
9
9
66
37
19
9
9
66
36
19
8
9
65
37
19
8
10
65
Newcastle's biggest underperformers vs Arsenal
Newcastle just didn’t enter into this contest away from home with the same clinical edge they showed against Enzo Maresca’s Blues, as wasteful finishing ruined their day throughout. In short, it was obvious they missed Alexander Isak who was ruled out through injury,
Come the end of the finely poised clash, Newcastle actually bettered the hosts in terms of shots, but Arsenal just displayed more self-control in crunch moments, particularly when Declan Rice’s latest stunner proved to be the difference-maker between the two teams.
The visitors just didn’t have this same composure in their locker, with Anthony Gordon a real letdown throughout in the attacking areas, leading to the ex-Everton winger finishing the game with no efforts attempted on David Raya’s net. On top of this, a misjudged dribble from the Liverpool-born attacker would culminate in Rice firing home.
Moreover, Harvey Barnes would only muster up 14 touches of the ball down the opposing left channel on a quiet day at the office from the former Leicester City man, whilst Jacob Murphy would also fail to provide a spark down the wings when failed to register an accurate cross.
But, the most anonymous body perhaps just started for the final time donning the famous black and white stripes.
4/10 dud must never start for Newcastle again
Newcastle were, of course, hindered on their travels by 27-goal machine Isak being injured, but Howe would have hoped those in reserve would step up to the mark in the Swede’s costly absence.
Instead, Callum Wilson really struggled leading the line for the Magpies throughout, resulting in the 33-year-old being hooked by his manager just after the hour mark.
Minutes played
64
Goals scored
0
Assists
0
Touches
17
Shots
0
Accurate passes
8/8 (100%)
Successful dribbles
0/2
Total duels won
0/7
It hasn’t exactly been a standout season for Wilson away from his struggles in North London – with only one goal coming the former AFC Bournemouth striker’s way – but even this dire showing on the big stage against Arteta’s men felt like a low, especially as his St. James’ Park future hangs in the balance.
Across his forgettable 64-minute stint, Wilson failed to register a single shot on the Arsenal goal, failed to complete a single dribble to test the Gunners defence and further failed to win a solitary duel from seven attempts.
Newcastle striker Callum Wilson
Just off this showing alone, Wilson is unlikely to be kept around past this season, particularly when there are promising young talents such as William Osula at Howe’s disposal in the striker department.
Osula came on in place of the 33-year-old veteran actually, and whilst he too didn’t test Raya, he did valiantly win two duels for the cause.
Therefore, the future may well lie with Osula now over persisting with a waning Wilson, with Chronicle Live journalist Lee Ryder equally displeased with the ageing forward’s performance when dishing out a low 4/10 rating his way.
Cursing his team’s careless finishing at the full-time whistle, Howe will pray he has Isak available again for the vital final day contest.
If he isn’t though, you would anticipate that Osula will be thrown into the deep-end, with Wilson now potentially exiting St James’ Park on a whimper.
Newcastle could sign "legendary" Isak replacement for £27m
Newcastle could lose Alexander Isak this summer amid interest from elsewhere.
Nottingham Forest are ready to pay a massive £75 million to sign one of Europe’s most sought-after players this summer, according to a new report.
Nottingham Forest slip-up against Everton
After only narrowly escaping relegation last season, Nottingham Forest have been enjoying an extremely fruitful 2024/25 campaign.
With just six Premier League games left to play, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are currently third in the table, firmly on course for qualification for next season’s Champions League.
There hopes of qualification, however, took a minor dent at the weekend as they slipped to a surprise 1-0 defeat at the hands of Everton, who walked away from the City Ground with all three points thanks to a last-gasp goal from midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Speaking after the game, Espirito Santo was highly critical of his side’s display.
“The performance was not good,” said the Portuguese head coach, as per BBC Sport. “Last minute of the game, from an offensive corner we conceded so we are disappointed but in terms of the game, we were not good. Everton were dominant.”
“Everton made problems for us so it was a tough one. were not able to do the things they normally do. Everyone felt we were not comfortable. The defense was fantastic for us and today we felt the boys It is in our hands and we have to bounce back.”
Nottingham Forest ready to pay £75m for Cunha
Despite their strong season, if Forest are to qualify, and compete, in next season’s Champions League, they’ll no doubt need to add further quality to their squad, particularly in the final third.
Wolverhampton Wanderers' MatheusCunhaduring the warm up
One man the club and owner Evangelos Marinakis are particularly keen to add to their ranks over the summer is Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha.
The Brazilian has been Wolves’ star player this season, playing a vital role in their likely Premier League survival, scoring 13 goals – many of them long-range beauties – and registering four assists.
Games played
26
Goals
13
Assists
4
Progressive carries
3.9
Progressive passes
4.7
Shots on target
1.5
Pass accuracy
70%
Take-ons completed
2.1
According to reports from Spain, Forest are now ready to pay as much as £75 million to secure Cunha’s services, but will face stiff competition from all of Arsenal, Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, who are willing to do the same.
The publication adds that it’s also unclear whether Cunha would be open to leaving Molineux, having only signed a contract extension in February.
Speaking about the 25-year-old back in November, former Premier League defender turned pundit Micah Richards described him as “absolutely sensational.”
“He’s the one who can unlock the doors. He finds the little pockets of space and makes the right decisions at the right times,” said Richards. “He’s always scanning where he needs to be and always plays the right pass. He is so key in what Wolves are trying to do. He is the best at everything.”
Flintoff worked with Lawes on a Lions training camp and has since signed him in the Hundred
Matt Roller04-Apr-2024Tom Lawes was only two years old when England won the 2005 Ashes but has still been struck by Andrew Flintoff’s “aura” while being coached by him – a series of interactions he described as “surreal”.Lawes, the highly-rated young allrounder, earned a call-up to England’s Lions programme through his performances for Surrey last season, taking 39 wickets at 19.76 as they won the County Championship for the second season in a row. It gave him the chance to work with Flintoff for three weeks at a November training camp in the UAE.”That was quite a surreal experience,” Lawes told ESPNcricinfo. “Him and Swanny [Graeme Swann] were out in Abu Dhabi with us and did quite a lot. I did a little bit of bowling work with Fred and it was just really cool to ask questions. The stories he’s got are unbelievable and the experiences that he shared were invaluable, really.”He’s cool. He’s obviously got that aura – as he would – about him. But he’s genuinely the friendliest, nicest, most approachable guy. I got on really well with him, asked lots of questions. He was like, ‘I’m here for as much or as little as you need’. He’s really understanding, really good to talk to and I really enjoyed working with him.”Lawes has no memories of the 2005 series that marked the pinnacle of Flintoff’s career, his 402 runs and 24 wickets earning him the inaugural Compton-Miller medal. But he grew up watching the ubiquitous DVD box-set: “I don’t remember watching him when I was three years old… [but] I’ve watched it millions of times, and I know about it.”Flintoff has been increasingly involved with England’s white-ball teams•Ashley Allen/Getty ImagesHe clearly made a positive impression: last month, Flintoff’s Northern Superchargers signed Lawes on a £50,000 contract, picking him ahead of a recent England international in Richard Gleeson. It is a major show of faith in a player who has only made nine professional T20 appearances.”Fred dropped me a message saying he was buzzing to have me,” Lawes said. “It was a really nice feeling; a little bit out of the blue. I didn’t really know what was happening, and then to be able to work under him again… that will be really cool. I’m really happy with that.”He was an unused member of Oval Invincibles’ title-winning squad last season, and is hoping for more exposure to white-ball cricket this summer. “I want to contribute more in the Blast for Surrey to start with and then hopefully, because I didn’t get a run-out in the Hundred last year, I’d love to put in a few performances this year.”Related
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More immediately, Lawes is part of a Surrey squad hoping to win their third consecutive Championship title – a feat last achieved by Yorkshire in the 1960s. “If I can match my performances from last year – or maybe even contribute a little bit more with the bat – I’d be really happy,” he said. “I’m trying to be as close to a genuine allrounder as I can.”When Lawes first came into the Surrey team “he shocked everyone,” recalls Ollie Pope, five years Lawes’ senior at Cranleigh School. “Everyone knew he had talent, but the pace he bowled with and the control he had as well was seriously impressive. He’s the exact kind of bloke you want in your team. He’s young but he’s confident and he always wants the ball.”When Burnsy [Rory Burns, Surrey’s captain] takes the ball off him, he’s always like, ‘Come on, give me one more’. He’s definitely one that you could easily see playing for England in the next few years as well. He’s got the pace and the skills… he’s got everything you need.”Lawes wheels away in celebration•Getty ImagesLawes made a solitary appearance for England at Under-19 level but the ECB have tracked him closely, particularly since he broke into the Surrey side two years ago. He believes that his main strength is his versatility: he has generally played as one of five seamers, often as second or third change, and has often found success with the surprise yorker that is becoming his trademark.Pope believes that Lawes’ next task is to develop the skills that will help him thrive away from home. A bruised heel limited him to playing one of the Lions’ three ‘Tests’ against India A at the start of the year, in which he bowled 15 wicketless overs. “I felt like I held my own, but that I had more to give,” he said.The entire tour took place in Ahmedabad, with matches staged at the cavernous Narendra Modi Stadium. “It was a cool experience, but quite intense just being in one place and not travelling around the whole time, and just playing cricket,” Lawes reflected. “It’s a ridiculous stadium. I think they shut it, so there was literally no-one there: it was just echoes.”There should at least be a thousand or so hardy fans at Emirates Old Trafford on Friday, when Surrey start their Championship season against Lancashire. “It’s the same as last year: starting afresh. The goal is to go again, and we’re all keen and eager to get going.”
Great keeper, good mate, straight talker – that’s just a few things the former Australia player has been
Ian Chappell27-Feb-2022″Is Rod Marsh an epileptic?” The phone call came at about 11.30 am in Sydney.It was former Queensland and Australian ODI player and now Bulls Masters boss Jimmy Maher. The answer was an emphatic no.The next call was concerning. “Rodney has actually had an attack in the car,” said Maher. “His heart stopped beating for several minutes before the hospital got it started again.”Related
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Seventy-four-year-old Marsh is the best Australian keeper I’ve seen and he has been a good mate since we played together in the 1970-71 Test side.He covered more territory standing back than any keeper, and while this was a great asset, it could also be a source of frustration. When Tony Greig edged Gary Gilmour’s awayswinger in the World Cup semi-final at Headingley in 1975, it was headed to my right.It never reached me.”Listen you fat bastard, catches on my right are mine,” I told him during the celebration. That’s one reason our friendship endured: we both made our points clearly.I was once asked who was the better keeper, Marsh or Ian Healy. It was an easy answer: “Have a look at their hands.”Marsh’s hands, despite years of collecting the ferociously fast Jeff Thomson and the extremely quick Dennis Lillee, are untarnished. If you look at that Headingley catch and then the diving leg-side one where he caught Clive Lloyd, you’ll understand about the territory he covered standing back.I awarded Marsh the dubious nickname of Iron Gloves during his Test debut at the Gabba. I’d just read about the poor-fielding Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Dick Stuart, who was nicknamed Iron Glove. It seemed like an appropriate name to anoint Marsh with – he dropped a couple in his first game. Years later, when Marsh claimed the world record for most dismissals by a keeper the laconic Doug Walters informed him: “Marshy, if you’d taken ’em all in your first Test, you would’ve claimed that record four games ago.”It was after Marsh’s first Test that former Australian opener and renowned journalist Jack Fingleton approached me at Sydney airport. “What’s this cove Marsh like?” he asked.I replied, “He’s a good bloke. He can bat, and don’t worry about the first Test, he can keep,” I answered. “Why do you ask?””Well,” replied the fastidious Fingleton, “he just threw his suit carrier in the luggage rack on top of my deer-stalker. I told him, ‘Marsh, my hat’s under there,’ Fingleton continued, “and he replied, ‘It can only improve the hat.'”Marsh famously poaches a Chappell catch at Headingley in the 1975 World Cup semi-final•Patrick Eagar/Getty ImagesI thought to myself that the debutant had a sense of humour, but I only said: “Jack, he’s all right. You’ll enjoy a game of golf with him.”We won that game of golf a few years later, thanks to Marsh’s skill with the clubs.Like all excellent teams, we had not only a very good wicketkeeper but a smart one.Marsh thought that if you were the incumbent, you should improve by doing the job all the time. He improved a hell of a lot, especially against spin. He was naturally very good standing back. As captain, he let me know how the quicks were hitting his gloves, and he was never short of an idea. He also told me the truth and that helped me learn a lot about captaincy.”You’re an idiot,” he told me, with an unprintable word before “idiot”, between overs at Old Trafford in 1972. He reckoned it was a seamers’ paradise and I had two spinners bowling. That warned me I was captaining like it was Adelaide Oval and I had to adjust my thinking to the ground we were actually playing on.Following his playing days, we’ve stayed in touch. He enjoyed a very successful career as head coach at both the Australian and England academies and has been a selector for both countries, as well as chairman of the Australian panel. He was director of coaching at the ICC’s Global Cricket Academy in Dubai, and has been an administrator as well.Whatever the job, he has given it his all, and he told the truth. You always know where you stand with Rod.He has a stalwart family in wife Ros, boys Paul, Daniel and Jamie and their wives and families. He’s a widely admired character and I received numerous encouraging messages when Rod fell ill. Their gist was the same: “He’s a tough bugger, he’ll pull through.”I’m hoping so, because he was a first-class teammate and remains an excellent friend.
For the Mariners, winning the longest winner-take-all game in MLB history was one thing. Winning a game 48 hours later will be quite another.
During its surreal 3–2 victory over the Tigers on Friday to close out the American League Division Series, Seattle burned through seven pitchers en route to its first American League Championship Series since 2001. On Sunday, the Mariners will head east to open the ALCS against the Blue Jays.
Seattle announced Saturday that Bryce Miller—its starter in Game 4 of the ALDS—would start Game 1.
Miller, 27, pitched 4 1/3 innings against Detroit on Wednesday. He gave up two earned runs on four hits while striking out two, taking a no-decision in a 9–3 defeat.
The Texas A&M product struggled this regular season after a good 2024. In 18 starts, he went 4-6 with a 5.68 ERA and 74 strikeouts in 90 1/3 innings. He will oppose Toronto pitcher Kevin Gausman.
If Mariners fans have heard it once, they've heard it a thousand times: Seattle is the only MLB franchise never to have reached the World Series.