Sports
Mariners craving consistency entering series with White Sox
May 2, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Emerson Hancock (26) throws against the Kansas City Royals during the fifth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images A pair of right-handers with stellar ERAs but few victories will face off on Friday as the Chicago White Sox host the Seattle Mariners in the opener of a three-game series.
Seattle’s Emerson Hancock (2-1, 2.59 ERA) and Chicago counterpart Sean Burke (2-2, 2.72) know what it takes to keep their teams afloat, though receiving consistent run support has been another story.
After winning two of his first three starts, Hancock enters on a streak of four consecutive no-decisions despite allowing eight earned runs in 24 innings over that span.
On Saturday, he had a career-best 14 strikeouts over seven innings while allowing one run with no walks, but the Mariners lost to visiting Kansas City 3-2 in 10 innings.
“Things happen. It’s just the game,” said Hancock, whose lone start against the White Sox came in 2024 when he allowed two runs over seven innings of a no-decision. “The good thing is, we’ve got another day tomorrow.”
Burke was similarly dazzling on Saturday, scattering four hits and one walk with eight strikeouts over six shutout innings at San Diego. The Chicago bullpen finished off the shutout to hand Burke the win.
In his previous outing on April 26, Burke delivered 7 1/3 shutout innings of bulk relief in a 2-1 loss over 10 innings against the Washington Nationals. Burke brings a streak of 14 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings into the game.
To White Sox manager Will Venable, the key for Burke on Saturday was “just a lot of strikes.”
“(It) was the slider early,” Venable said. “Got a ton of swing and miss. Had a really nice fastball that got him through the back end of his start.”
Burke will be making his first career appearance against the Mariners.
Seattle and Chicago both enjoyed off days Thursday. A day earlier, the Mariners used six shutout innings from Bryan Woo, a Julio Rodriguez home run and three Cole Young hits to defeat the Atlanta Braves 3-1.
The Mariners dealt the Braves their first series loss this season.
“You definitely want to build on it,” Woo said. “I think that’s the only thing really that we’re looking for now, is just consistency. We’ve seen some really good stretches, and the next series would just kind of lose that momentum a little bit. We’ve got to start piecing some games together, piecing some series together.
“Obviously, we still have a long ways to go, but just finding that rhythm and consistency series to series.”
Chicago has started to channel consistency of its own. The White Sox have won six of nine as they return to Rate Field for a nine-game homestand.
Still, the White Sox are looking to pick up the pieces after losing two straight games to the Los Angeles Angels to finish 3-3 on a West Coast road trip.
Chase Meidroth had two of Chicago’s four hits in an 8-2 loss Wednesday. Colson Montgomery doubled for the only extra-base hit.
“We are in a really good spot,” Venable said after the defeat. “Go out West and get three wins against the Padres and these guys, it’s good overall and a couple of those losses were really hard-fought games. Today got away from us a little bit.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Norris Trophy finalists: Cale Makar, Rasmus Dahlin, Zach Werenski
Apr 16, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) during the first period against the Seattle Kraken at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar was named a Norris Trophy finalist for the sixth consecutive season on Thursday.
A two-time winner of the award (2021-22, 2024-25), Makar is joined by Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin and Columbus Blue Jackets star Zach Werenski as finalists.
The award is presented annually to the defenseman voted the best at his position by the Professional Hockey Writers Association. A winner will be announced at a later date.
Makar, 27, totaled 79 points (20 goals, 59 assists) and a plus-32 rating in 75 games this season.
Dahlin, 26, recorded a career-high 74 points (19 goals, 55 assists) and a plus-18 rating in 77 games this season. He is a first-time finalist and would be the first member of the Sabres to win the award.
Werenski, 28, is a Norris Trophy finalist for the second straight season. He had 81 points (22 goals, 59 assists) in 75 games in 2025-26.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Vikings request interviews for GM candidates
Aug 26, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders general manager Dave Ziegler reacts during the game against the New England Patriots at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The Minnesota Vikings reportedly have identified at least two external candidates for their general manager vacancy.
NFL Network reported that the team has requested interviews with assistant general managers Dave Ziegler of the Tennessee Titans and Terrance Gray of the Buffalo Bills.
Vikings vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski has served as the interim GM since the team fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after four years on the job.
Ziegler joined the Titans in 2025. He was the general manager of the Las Vegas Raiders from 2022-23 and worked in New England’s front office from 2013-21, winning three Super Bowls with the Patriots.
Gray has been with the Bills since 2017 and was promoted to assistant GM in May 2025. He worked as a college scout for the Vikings from 2006-16, overlapping with Brzezinski.
–Field Level Media
Sports
IOC lifts restrictions on athletes from Belarus
Jan 19, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; The Olympic rings flag at Centennial Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Athletes from Belarus have been reinstated by the International Olympic Committee Executive board after they were banned from competing under the country’s flag following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The decision, which was announced by the IOC on Thursday, does not pertain to athletes from Russia.
Belarus was suspended by the IOC from sending athletes into international competitions after the country was used as a staging ground for Russian troops before the war against Ukraine began.
“(The IOC) must uphold its mission to preserve a values-based and truly global sporting platform that provides hope to the world,” the organization said in a statement Thursday. “… The IOC reaffirms that athletes’ participation in international competition should not be limited by the actions of their governments, including involvement in a war or conflict.”
Belarus was not allowed to have an official Olympic contingent at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics and the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
In addition to Olympic competitions, Belarus athletes had been forced to participate as individual neutral athletes at various other international competitions.
The IOC also is expected to come to a decision soon on either ending or extending Russia’s suspension.
“Belarus is in good standing and complies with the Olympic Charter,” the IOC said. “Whilst (Russia) has held constructive exchanges with the IOC on its suspension, it remains suspended while the IOC Legal Affairs Commission continues to review the matter.”
–Field Level Media
Norris Trophy finalists: Cale Makar, Rasmus Dahlin, Zach Werenski
Report: Vikings request interviews for GM candidates
