Entertainment
Minnesota Twins Clinch AL Central Title With 8-6 Win Over Angels
MINNEAPOLIS — After celebrating on the pitch and before popping bottles in the clubhouse, Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli addressed his team with the following words: “Congratulations, enjoy it, but there’s still work to be done.”
Friday night’s 8-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels gave the Minnesota Twins the AL Central crown.
Alex Kirilloff hit a home run and drove in three runs, and Minnesota held on late to claim its third division title in five years under Baldelli.
Baldelli stated, “We have much work to do.” However, tonight, we have joy. Tomorrow, we return to business.”
Pablo López (11-8) allowed three runs and five hits over six innings while striking out seven for the Twins. Jhoan Duran surrendered a run in the ninth but secured his 27th save by retiring Brandon Drury on a grounder with full bases.
“We came into today in charge of our own destinies,” said López. “We knew we didn’t need to check the scoreboard to see who was losing. We were aware that we had to win the contest. This is precisely what we did. Even when I wasn’t performing at my best, the offence picked me up immediately.”
After squandering an early 3-0 advantage, Kirilloff’s 10th home run broke a 3-3 tie in the sixth inning, and the Twins triumphed for the sixth time in eight games. Kirilloff became the twelfth Twins player this season to hit 10 or more home runs, establishing a club record.
With lines from a recent college football game still visible at Target Field, the crowd was anxious to celebrate the Twins’ extended fall. It is their 15th postseason appearance since the Washington Senators relocated to Minnesota and became the Twins in 1961.
Friday night’s 8-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels gave the Minnesota Twins the AL Central crown.
The injured shortstop is expected to be ready for the postseason. “It means a lot,” he said. “The first one to be held in Minnesota is truly unique. These are the objectives you set for yourself when you join a new team, and this is just one of them.”
Of course, Minnesota has yet to fare well in the postseason. The Minnesota Twins have lost 18 consecutive postseason games, including 13 to the New York Yankees.
Minnesota had not won a postseason game since 2004 when Johan Santana pitched a 2-0 victory in the Division Series opener in New York. Under Baldelli, the Twins were routed in two games in a first-round series against the Houston Astros in 2020 and three by the Yankees in the 2019 Division Series.
These Twins are acutely aware of their current drought. During a postgame interview broadcast over the stadium’s loudspeakers, Kyle Farmer vowed a playoff victory.
“Of course, why not?” The farmer stated. “If you don’t believe it, then you shouldn’t play.”
However, this team believes it is unique, partly because of the pitching and depth it has developed.
The Twins added four runs in the seventh inning, punctuated by RBI doubles from Farmer and Jorge Polanco.
“We did a lot of different things to build this club, and the team is really gelling,” Baldelli said, drenched in beer and champagne as he watched his team celebrate. “If you glance behind you, you will notice some gelling occurring. This is what you desire to see.”
Friday night’s 8-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels gave the Minnesota Twins the AL Central crown.
John Davis Daniel (0-1) suffered the defeat in relief of starter José Suarez. Daniel was recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake earlier in the day, and in his second career major league appearance, he allowed three runs over four and one-third innings.
With Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani on the injured list, Los Angeles has lost eight of its last nine games, concluding another disappointing season. Logan O’Hoppe launched his 12th home run of the season in the eighth inning, a two-run shot.
“I want my guys to see that,” said Angels manager Phil Nevin of the Twins’ celebration of their division championship. “I truly do. That is where we want to be! Without a doubt. We have a solid young nucleus. And I noticed, yeah, I spotted O’Hoppe and (Zach) Neto and those guys out there looking at that.”
Friday night’s 8-6 victory over the Los Angeles Angels gave the Minnesota Twins the AL Central crown.
It is appropriate that López, acquired from Miami in a spring trade for Luis Arraez, was the winning pitcher for the Twins. This season, he has been a starting rotation member that has led the way for Minnesota.
López, who could start Game 1 of the postseason, rebounded after surrendering five runs in a loss to the Chicago White Sox in his previous start. His career-high 228 strikeouts rank second in the American League, behind only Toronto’s Kevin Gausman (232), and his 3.61 earned run average ranks tenth in the league.
Trout took strokes off a tee before the game to return from a left hamate fracture before the end of the season. … Left-handed pitcher Aaron Loup was placed on the 15-day injured list with a strained left shoulder, concluding his season with a 2-3 record and a 6.50 ERA in 55 games.
Infielder Royce Lewis was placed on the 10-day injured list because of a strained left hamstring. Lewis has a batting average of 309 and 15 home runs and is prepared to return for the postseason.
Upcoming RHP Minnesota’s Sonny Grey (8-7, 2.80 ERA) starts Saturday afternoon. Grey ranks second in the American League in ERA, behind New York’s Gerrit Cole (2.75). The Angels had yet to name a starting pitcher. The team will likely employ an opener, with LHP Kenny Rosenberg (5.48 ERA) serving as the primary pitcher.
SOURCE – (AP)
(VOR News) – The “Merc with a Mouth” will return to the big screen in Deadpool & Wolverine this weekend, and his contribution to Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe extends beyond his R rating.
“Deadpool & Wolverine,” the third standalone feature film featuring Ryan Reynolds as the regenerative reprobate, is expected to gross between $160 million and $180 million in its opening weekend at the domestic box office.
The movie has already surpassed the greatest number of ticket pre-sales in 2024, according to data provided by Fandango. It is anticipated that it will break numerous records during its opening weekend.
Most noteworthy among these accomplishments is the most successful premiere for an R-rated film in history, as well as the largest domestic opening of 2024.
Disney and Pixar’s “Inside Out 2” has achieved the highest opening of the year with a total of $154.2 million, as per the data provided by Comscore.
Additionally, the first “Deadpool” film has achieved the highest début for any R-rated feature film with a total of $132.4 million.
Mike Bowers, the president and CEO of Harkins Theatres, a theatre corporation located in Arizona, stated, “I am confident that this will be the largest R-rated film to ever be released if it is released.” Furthermore, it is already one of the most successful presale films in the annals of our company.
“Deadpool & Wolverine” was initially rated R because of its trailer.
It is also the 34th Deadpool & Wolverine film to be released under the Marvel Cinematic Universe banner. The two Deadpool films that preceded it, both of which were rated R, were produced and distributed by 20th Century Fox.
The reintroduction of the X-Men and Fantastic Four into the broader Marvel catalogue was the consequence of Disney’s acquisition of the corporation in 2019.
Similar to other Marvel Cinematic Universe films, “Deadpool & Wolverine” is benefiting from the enthusiasm of its audience.
Audiences are anxious to view the film during its opening weekend in order to prevent spoilers. Disney has maintained the confidentiality of the majority of the film’s content, and only a limited number of press screenings have been conducted prior to the film’s release.
Bowers anticipates that individuals will continue to return for additional viewings in the weeks following the film’s premiere.
He made the observation that “this is a film that there is so much happening, so many jokes and funny sequences that no one is going to be able to eat just one, you know, they’re going to be back.”
Ellis Jacob, the president and chief executive officer of Cineplex, the largest cinema theatre operator in Canada, echoed Bower’s viewpoint. Jacob asserted that “Deadpool & Wolverine” is replete with Easter eggs and that viewers will revisit the film to attempt to locate them all.
Furthermore, he stated that a substantial number of moviegoers are purchasing tickets for premium screenings, such as IMAX, Dolby, and ScreenX, which are more expensive.
Additionally, Marvel has collaborated with movie theatres to grant licenses for items such as collector popcorn tubs and drink containers, which the theatre operators anticipate will be in high demand.
Historically, concessions have been the most profitable revenue source for movie theatres, and the presence of limited-edition products can result in even greater sales of food and beverages.
” Deadpool & Wolverine” is an essential Marvel release.
Shawn Robbins, Deadpool & Wolverine the inventor and owner of Box Office Theory, announced that Disney had “slowed down the pace” and had scheduled fewer films in the series that has dominated the global box office for over a decade. Box Office Theory is also associated with Robbins.
He stated that Disney is making an effort to correct the course after a series of theatrical errors and poor box office performance, as well as a flood of streaming content that overwhelmed even the most devoted fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Robbins pointed out that “in the end, despite the fact that this is a Marvel movie, it may be viewed equally as a midsummer action comedy that stars personalities and brands that are loved by both die-hard fans and casual viewers.”
The fact that Reynolds and Jackman have both made a name for themselves in Deadpool & Wolverine popular culture and have maintained a cordial relationship through interviews and social media makes them an ideal pairing.
Likewise, there is genuine curiosity regarding the first R-rated film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and whether it will retain the qualities that made the first two Deadpool films and [Jackman’s 2017 Wolverine film] Logan so successful.
SOURCE: CNBC
SEE ALSO:
Netflix Has A Plan To Keep You Paying For Your Subscription
Stormzy and Maya Jama split up ten years after becoming “madly in love.”
Britney Spears Has A Message For Ozzy Osbourne After He Called Her Dancing ‘Sad’
Turner Sports hopes to continue its long-standing relationship with the NBA.
On Monday, Warner Bros. Discovery informed the league that it will match Amazon Prime Video’s $1.8 billion annual bid. Turner has had an NBA package since 1984, and games have been broadcast on TNT since the network started in 1988.
“We studied the offers and accepted one of them. This will allow fans to continue to experience our unequaled coverage, including the greatest live game productions in the business and our legendary studio shows and talent, as we build on our proven 40-year commitment for many more years,” WBD stated. “We submitted our matching paperwork to the league today.” We are looking forward to the NBA completing our new contract.”
Warner Bros. Discovery Informs NBA It Will Match Amazon Prime Video’s Offer To Carry Games
The NBA Board of Governors approved the league’s 11-year media rights deals with Disney, NBC, and Amazon Prime Video on Tuesday at its meeting in Las Vegas. WBD received all three contracts on Wednesday, beginning the five-day clock for deciding whether to match.
The new deals, for $76 billion, will begin with the 2025-26 season and entail a game being shown or streamed nationally every night during the second half of the season.
The Prime Video package would have offered games on Thursday night after it finished carrying NFL games. The other nights were Friday and Saturday.
TNT would air games on Thursday, with the other nights being streamed on Max.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav warned at an RBC Investor Conference in November 2022 that Turner and WBD “don’t have to have the NBA.”
Warner Bros. Discovery and the league could not negotiate an agreement during their exclusive bargaining period, which ended in April. Zaslav and TNT Sports Chairman/CEO Luis Silberwasser have recently announced that they intend to match one of the agreements.
“During our four-decade collaboration with the NBA, we have consistently provided exceptional coverage for basketball fans. WBD stated that they behaved in good faith to offer strong proposals that were fair to both parties throughout exclusive and non-exclusive negotiations to maintain their long-standing collaboration. “Regrettably, the league notified us of its intention to accept other offers for the games in our current rights package, leaving us to proceed under the matching rights provision, which is an integral part of our current agreement and the rights we have paid for under it.”
NBC and WBD would alternate broadcasting one of the conference finals series. ESPN and ABC will continue to broadcast the league’s top package and will host conference finals and the NBA Finals each year.
According to people familiar with the negotiations, Amazon’s offer contained a mechanism for paying many years in advance into an escrow account, which many thought would be difficult to match. However, WBD has informed the league that it has the financial resources to do so.
“The Ringer’s” Bill Simmons originally mentioned the Amazon provision on “The Town” podcast.
People talked to the AP anonymously because they were not at liberty to discuss such serious topics.
Warner Bros. Discovery Informs NBA It Will Match Amazon Prime Video’s Offer To Carry Games
WBD pays $1.4 billion per season under the existing nine-year contract, which expires after next season.
WBD is making a large financial investment, but it is necessary. Without the NBA, it would have struggled to charge its present subscriber fees to cable and satellite companies.
Retaining the NBA would also ensure that the popular “Inside the NBA” show will continue. Charles Barkley was dismissive of WBD’s negotiation position and did not believe it would match. Barkley revealed at the end of this season that he planned to retire following the next season.
SOURCE – (AP)
Celebrity
American Who Made Social Media Threats Against Taylor Swift Detained Ahead Of German Concert
BERLIN — An American man who made threats against Taylor Swift on social media was seized before her first concert in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, and will be held in custody until her gigs there end, authorities said Thursday.
swift | AP news Image
American Who Made Social Media Threats Against Taylor Swift Detained Ahead Of German Concert
According to police, the accused stalker, a 34-year-old whose name has not been disclosed, had a ticket to Taylor’s concert at Gelsenkirchen’s Veltins-Arena on Wednesday. They stated that he was detained at event admission checks because an early assessment could not completely rule out a risk.
According to police, the man threatened Taylor and her partner on social media. They say he was detained after receiving tips from the event’s organizers.
The American superstar will perform in Gelsenkirchen on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday as part of her Eras tour. According to authorities, a local court has ordered that the suspected stalker be detained until Saturday.
They went on to say that Swift and the audience were always safe. The event drew approximately 60,000 people on Wednesday evening and went off without incident.
American Who Made Social Media Threats Against Taylor Swift Detained Ahead Of German Concert
Before the concerts, Gelsenkirchen temporarily renamed the town “Swiftkirchen” and honored the singer on a “Walk of Fame” dedicated to local luminaries.
Taylor has plans to perform in two more German cities after Gelsenkirchen: Hamburg and Munich.
SOURCE | AP
-
World2 weeks agoFormer President Trump Survives Being Shot at Pennsylvania Rally
-
Tech4 weeks ago
Huawei Launches 5G-A Pioneers Program at MWC Shanghai 2024: Paving the Way for a Connected Future
-
Tech4 weeks ago
ChatGPT Answers Undiscovered Questions and Outperforms Students.
-
Sports4 weeks ago
NBA Draft: Kyle Filipowski Withdraws Unexpectedly From The First Round
-
News4 weeks ago
US Supreme Court Rejects Drug Deal that Protects the Sackler Family
-
Health4 weeks ago
US Health Agency Issues Dengue Virus Infection Warning
