Being a home plate umpire at the major league level isn't the easiest job in the world and mistakes are often made thanks partly to pitchers throwing really nasty stuff these days and, well, the element of human error.
The latter of that was on display during Wednesday's Diamondacks-Rangers game in Arlington when Derek Thomas messed up something that should be easy for home plate umpires to keep track of—the count.
Arizona's Adrian Del Castillo was up in the fifth inning with two runners on. Thomas then rang him up on a called strike, only to quickly realize that was just the second strike of Del Castillo's at-bat. Thomas quickly corrected himself and let everyone know that it wasn't a strikeout.
The announcers had a good laugh over this:
Del Castillo lined the next pitch to right field for a hit and then Thomas redeemed himself by making an easy call at home plate as Ketel Martel was thrown out trying to score.
Still, you have to think Thomas might hear a thing or two from his umpiring buddies over that glaring mistake on what was strike two.
England quick blows The Blaze away with stunning all-round display in Oval eliminator
ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay27-Jul-2025Issy Wong starred with bat and ball as Birmingham Bears doused the hopes of The Blaze with a 20-run victory in the Vitality Blast Final’s Day Eliminator at the Kia Oval.Wong blasted 59 from 38 balls including two sixes, sharing a stand of 64 with Sterre Kalis 45 as Birmingham piled up 163 for 8, Sarah Glenn returning 3 for 29.Wong wasn’t done, ripping out Tammy Beaumont and Kathryn Brice for ducks off successive balls on her way to 4 for 14. Millie Taylor backed her up 3 for 20, becoming the competition’s leading wicket-taker in the process as The Blaze were bowled for 143 despite 53 from Georgia Elwiss.Wong was promoted to No. 3 following the early dismissal of Davina Perrin for 1. The speedster cracked her first ball straight for four before being given out lbw only to be reprieved on review. Wong would make the most of that let off powering the only two sixes of the innings over long-on and midwicket and playing wristy cuts to third and point in a gem of a half-century.Meg Austin made less use of being dropped at cover by Kirstie Gordon, reaching 14 before being brilliantly run out by quick work from Ella Claridge.Kalis was slowly into stride before successive fours of Heather Graham gave her innings some impetus. Wong and Kallis share 64 for the third wicket before Glenn struck twice in successive balls, Wong caught by Bryce at cover and the dangerous Laura Harris falling first ball to a grab in the deep.Glenn would return to clip Kallis’s off bail and thereafter it needed Emily Arlott to muscle a few fours to get the target over eight an over.Inspired by her batting Wong produced a devastating opening over, bowling England opener Tammy Beaumont with a beauty which nipped between bat and pad before a rapid lifting ball followed The Blaze’s leading-scorer Kathryn Bryce and took the glove through to wicketkeeper Natasha Wraith.Marie Kelly and Elwiss counterattacked with a flurry of boundaries, the sweep and the cut in evidence as 27 came from overs four and five. The 50-partnership came up in 29 balls, but the return of Arlott brought the breakthrough as Kelly (35) sliced to Perrin backward of point.Spinners Taylor and Hannah Baker applied the squeeze and pressure told when Heather Graham chipped one back to the former. Wong returned to dismiss Sarah Bryce caught at long leg and Taylor bowled Claridge as the rate spiraled.Glenn launched Surenkumar for a huge straight six, but Taylor spreadeagled her stumps and though Elwiss completed a half-century with her eighth four she was stumped next ball as the task became too much.
Lamine Yamal has been crowned La Liga Player of the Month after a sensational November in which the 18-year-old produced goals, assists and match-winning performances that powered Barcelona to a perfect month in the league. His three goals and three assists established him as the competition’s leading creator, reaffirming his return to form after an injury-ridden start.
Yamal wins La Liga Player of the Month award
Yamal delivered a dominant run of form across Barcelona’s four La Liga fixtures in November, scoring against Elche, Celta Vigo and Deportivo Alaves while adding two assists in the Catalan side’s emphatic win over Athletic Club. Yamal’s standout moments included a two-assist display on Barcelona’s return to Camp Nou and another goal-and-assist performance against Alaves to close out the month.
Yamal's decisive impact in each fixture reinforced the sense that he had fully rediscovered rhythm and confidence after a previously difficult period. The 18-year-old explosive contributions helped Barcelona win every league match during the month, propelling him past rivals including Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann in the final vote for La Liga's Player of the Month for November.
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Yamal helps Barcelona get back on top of La Liga standings
Barcelona’s strong domestic form was driven in large part by Yamal’s resurgence, placing the Catalans at the top of the La Liga table after 15 rounds. His performances helped calm concerns following a difficult El Clasico loss, which left them five points off Real Madrid, and demonstrated his ability to shoulder responsibility at a critical moment.
Yamal bagged six goals and assists in four games
Yamal’s final November tally of three goals and three assists extended his league-leading creative total to eight assists, underlining a level of productivity rare for a player still in his teens. He had already shown flashes of elite output earlier in the season, but November marked his most consistent stretch yet, with decisive contributions in every match.
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Yamal crucial for Barcelona's crucial winter period
Barcelona now prepare for a tricky away trip to Real Betis, where Yamal’s creativity will again be central to their approach against a top-five opponent. His form will also be crucial as the club shifts focus back to the Champions League, hosting Eintracht Frankfurt in a match vital to maintaining momentum across competitions.
Bangladesh, who swept Afghanistan 3-0 in the T20I series, will go into the ODI series high on confidence
Mohammad Isam07-Oct-2025
Big picture: a rare ODI face-off after deluge of T20Is
Bangladesh and Afghanistan will have to fight the same adversary in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday: rustiness.Afghanistan last played an ODI eight months ago, in the 2025 Champions Trophy, and even that game was washed out, so they have played just two ODIs this year. Bangladesh have played six, but the last one was in July. Not as bad as their opponents, of course, but they have lost four of these games and won just one.This irregularity in playing ODIs affects how the XIs are chosen.Afghanistan have dropped Fazalhaq Farooqi, Gulbadin Naib and Noor Ahmad based on their Asia Cup – in the T20 format – performance. Hashmatullah Shahidi continues to lead, with Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran and Sediqullah Atal forming the batting core.Azmatullah Omarzai is their ODI star with bat and ball, so he will have to shoulder a significant workload. Rashid Khan and Mohammad Nabi will lead the bowling attack, alongside newcomers like Bashir Ahmad and Abdollah Ahmadzai, who made their T20I debuts earlier this week.Related
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Simmons happy with Bangladesh's 'exciting, aggressive' style
Bangladesh, meanwhile, have a squad that’s based on their big-picture plan for the 2027 ODI World Cup. It means Mehidy Hasan Miraz continues as captain, with Najmul Hossain Shanto back in the picture. There will be hope that some of the batters bring their T20I form into the ODI arena. Tanzid Hasan and Saif Hassan looked good in the recent 3-0 win against Afghanistan and will be relied upon.The battle will be between Towhid Hridoy, Jaker Ali, Shamim Hossain and Nurul Hasan for the three middle-order spots. Taskin Ahmed and Mustafizur Rahman will lead the bowling attack, while it will be interesting to see whether Rishad Hossain and Tanvir Islam are both picked in the XI or not.Bangladesh would like to ride on the momentum of the T20I series sweep, while Afghanistan must get out of their five-match losing streak across formats. It is likely to be a closely fought series, but the rustiness could mean a lot of errors – in the planning and in the field – as they go adjusting to the format.
Form guide
Afghanistan WLWWW Bangladesh LWLLLRashid Khan will depend a lot on Azmatullah Omarzai in either innings•Associated Press
In the spotlight: Azmatullah Omarzai and Saif HassanAzmatullah Omarzai has scored 896 runs and taken 31 wickets in the last two years in ODIs. No wonder he is currently No. 2 in the allrounders rankings. Omarzai will bat in the lower-middle order to provide cushion as well the finishing touches, and also play as the second seamer. He was one of the few to show good form in the T20Is against Bangladesh, although he would be disappointed with the way he got out in the third game in Sharjah, a wild swing that ended in a top edge that was taken by the backward point fielder.Saif Hassan will be the most anticipated ODI debutant for Bangladesh in a long time. His scintillating form in T20Is in the last two months has forced the selectors to bring him into an ODI set-up that’s crying out for a fresh approach. Saif’s attacking shots are great to watch, but as he showed in the third T20I on Sunday, he can also be clever: he played out a maiden over from Rashid Khan knowing it was the legspinner’s last and went on to score an unbeaten 38-ball 64 to take Bangladesh home.Darwish Rasooli is likely to get into the playing XI•AFP/Getty Images
Team news: middle-order changes in the offing
Darwish Rasooli is likely to get into the XI while either Nangeyalia Kharote and AM Ghazanfar is expected to join the attack. Bashir could make his ODI debut.Afghanistan (probable): 1 Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), 2 Ibrahim Zadran, 3 Sediqullah Atal, 4 Rahmat Shah, 5 Hashmatullah Shahidi (capt), 6 Darwish Rasooli, 7 Azmatullah Omarzai, 8 Mohammad Nabi, 9 Rashid Khan, 10 Nangeyalia Kharote, 11 Bashir AhmadSaif is likely to open the innings with Tanzid, while Nurul will fight for a place with Hridoy. Mohammad Naim has not reached UAE yet due to visa issues. Parvez Hossain has been added to the ODI squad as a back-up batter. Nurul Hasan is likely to keep wicket in the first ODI.Bangladesh (probable): 1 Tanzid Hasan, 2 Saif Hassan, 3 Najmul Hossain Shanto, 4 Towhid Hridoy, 5 Mehidy Hasan Miraz (capt), 6 Nurul Hasan (wk), 7 Jaker Ali, 8 Tanzim Hasan Sakib, 9 Taskin Ahmed, 10 Tanvir Islam, 11 Mustafizur RahmanNurul Hasan will have to fight for his spot•AFP/Getty Images
Pitch and conditions: bat first, win the game?
The side batting first has won four out of the last five day-night ODIs at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. The average score batting first in these matches is 274. The forecast in Abu Dhabi is of extreme heat, with some breeze expected in the evening.
Stats and trivia
Afghanistan and Bangladesh are tied 2-2 in the bilateral series stakes, although it’s the latter that leads 11-8 overall
Nabi is the only survivor of the first ODI between Bangladesh and Afghanistan, held in 2014 in Fatullah
Tanvir Islam’s five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka in Bangladesh’s previous ODI series was the first five-for by a Bangladeshi spinner in two-and-a-half years.
In both of his first two MLB seasons, Paul Skenes has posted a sub-2.00 ERA. This is a feat many pitchers dream of and Skenes has already accomplished this twice.
At 23 years old, Skenes is the youngest MLB pitcher since 1985, when 20-year-old Dwight Gooden posted a 1.53 ERA, to come in below 2.00. Skenes's achievement is something that shouldn't go unnoticed.
However, the reigning NL Rookie of the Year was critical of his ERA when speaking after Wednesday night's game. They do say you are your own biggest critic.
"I'm actually worse than I was last year," Skenes said, via ESPN. "It was 1.96 last year. I'm 1.97 this year. Just got to be better. No, it's cool. I don't come into the year with any numerical goals."
Skenes is the top contender for winning the NL Cy Young Award this season, and with the stats he put up this season, it's completely understandable why. Across 187.2 innings pitched in his sophomore season, Skenes threw 216 strikeouts (tied for third-most in the league) and notched a 0.95 WHIP. His ERA and WHIP from this season are numbers the Pirates haven't seen in over 100 years—his ERA is the second-best behind Wilbur Cooper's 1.87 in 1916 and his WHIP is the second-lowest in franchise history behind Babe Adams's 0.90 in 1919.
Arsenal have now joined Real Madrid in the race to sign a “powerful” midfielder from a Champions League club, it has been revealed.
Gunners join race for another new midfielder
Mikel Arteta strengthened his squad considerably in the summer transfer window, with Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard arriving to bolster the midfield options, and the Spain international has made a flying start to life in the Premier League.
There have been suggestions that Zubimendi has already established himself as one of the best midfielders in the top flight, having formed a partnership with Declan Rice, with the duo creating three big chances between them in the 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.
With the likes of Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze and Martin Odegaard also on the books, Arteta appears to be well-stocked in both defensive and attacking midfield areas, but the north Londoners have now joined the race to sign a Serie A star.
That is according to a report from Spain, which states Arsenal are now monitoring Juventus midfielder Khephren Thuram, who has an asking price of €70m (£61m), amid interest from a number of Europe’s biggest clubs.
Real Madrid and Liverpool are also in the race for Thuram, who has established himself as an important player since arriving at the Serie A club in the summer of 2024, and it could be difficult to get a deal done.
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He’s a rising star.
ByTom Cunningham Oct 26, 2025
Indeed, considering the midfielder has emerged as an important player and remains under contract until 2029, it could be tricky to tempt Juventus into a sale, but there is certainly interest on the Gunners’ behalf.
"Powerful" Thuram impressing in the Serie A
The France international, who Arteta is a huge fan of, has impressed considerably since returning to the country of his birth, catching the eye with his dribbling skills and ability to score goals and create chances for his teammates over the past year.
Statistic
Average per 90 (past year)
Non-penalty goals
0.15 (83rd percentile)
Successful take-ons
1.34 (95th percentile)
Progressive carries
2.60 (94th percentile)
Assists
0.15 (79th percentile)
Scout Ben Mattinson has also suggested the 24-year-old is a well-rounded midfielder, describing him as “balanced”, while praising the maestro for his “powerful carrying”, “physicality” and “quick feet.”
The Italy-born maestro, who has 13 Champions League appearances to his name, clearly has the talent to succeed at the Emirates Stadium, but there is no pressing need for Arteta to bring in a new midfielder anytime soon.
With Zubimendi showing his class ever since his arrival, Norgaard on the books as a back-up option, and Rice continuing to impress, chipping in with four goal contributions in the Premier League so far this season, the Arsenal boss already has plenty of top-quality options to choose from.