"The Detroit Tigers have acquired catcher Cameron Rupp from the San Francisco Giants Jack Morris Jersey , according to a report from Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press. Rupp, 30, previously played for the Philadelphia Phillies, where he hit .234/.298/.407 in 296 games.Rupp was originally drafted by the Phillies in the third round of the 2010 amateur draft. He hit well in the minors, posting solid on-base percentages in his first few years in their system. He made his MLB debut in 2013, when he appeared in four games for the Phillies. He did not receive significant playing time until 2015, when he hit .233/.301/.374 in 81 games. His numbers improved somewhat in 2016, when he managed a 98 OPS+ in a career-high 419 plate appearances.Despite hitting a combined 30 home runs between 2016 and 2017, Rupp did not appear in the majors last year. He played for three different organizations, all at the Triple-A level, before the Giants signed him on January 24.Defensively, Rupp is nothing to write home about. He was one of the worst pitch framers in baseball in 2017, finishing just ahead of former Tigers catcher James McCann with -13.0 framing runs. Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) views him similarly, at -10 DRS in the 2016 and 2017 seasons.Rupp could possibly be in the mix for a backup job at the major league level, but odds are he will serve as minor league catching depth. His acquisition could mean good things for Bobby Wilson, an excellent pitch framer and defender currently signed to a minor league deal, or it could just be a move to help bolster depth throughout the organization. The Tigers will carry Grayson Greiner and John Hicks on their 25-man roster, but could opt for a third catcher if needed.The return for Rupp has not yet been revealed, though odds are the Tigers did not pay much for the veteran backstop. We will update this article when more information becomes available on the deal. Kyle Wright and Sandy Alcantara Michael Fulmer Jersey , two well-regarded pitching prospects, will duel tonight in Atlanta."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Talking Chop User’s GuideTalking Chop PodcastAround the NL EastBaseball Analysis PrimerBraves go for five in a row in rookie righty showdownNew,65commentsKyle Wright and Sandy Alcantara, two well-regarded pitching prospects, will duel tonight in Atlanta.EDTShareTweetShareShareBraves go for five in a row in rookie righty showdownBill Streicher-USA TODAY SportsIf you like pitching prospects (you monster), this might just be the game for you. Two highly-regarded right-handed pitchers will go toe-to-toe tonight, as the Braves seek their fifth win in a row.Representing the home team, Kyle Wright will get the nod. Wright had a dreadful time in his first career start, which game during the season’s third game in Philadelphia. The Braves were swept as Wright fretted and labored, allowing three runs while failing to complete the fifth. More concerning than all of that was his 5/4 BB/K ratio, which doesn’t include a hit-by-pitch on his last batter of the game. Wright also got lucky on balls in play in the game (.372 wOBA to a ghastly .464 xwOBA), so basically — he’d like to have a mulligan for it, is the general idea. But, Wright remains well-thought-of, with (perhaps eventual?) expectations of above-average performance. He ranked #39 on Fangraphs’ pre-2019 top prospect list.Sandy Alcantara has perhaps a lesser pedigree (#127 on the same list, and only a 50 FV to Wright’s 55), but has had more major league exposure and considerably more success to date. Acquired by Miami as part of the package that sent Marcell Ozuna to St. Louis, he made seven major league starts at the tail end of 2018, and straight-up dominated the Rockies in his first start of 2019. That performance against Colorado was nothing short of stellar: eight innings Leonys Martin Jersey , only three batters faced over the minimum, four hits, zero walks, and six strikeouts. He got a little lucky with balls in play (.150 wOBA on a .203 xwOBA), but make no mistake, he was dominant. That was actually the second consecutive dominant start for Alcantara, as he finished his 2018 with a flourish of seven one-run innings with a 10/2 K/BB ratio against the Mets. But, that’s just one side of his prospect pitcher-ness, as in the two outings before that, he lasted only a combined eight innings and managed just six strikeouts to 11 walks, with a K/BB ratio below 1.0 in both starts.For those unfamiliar with Alcantara (which Braves fans may be, given that he’s never pitched against them), he’s somewhat of an odd duck pitching-wise. He throws very hard: his fastball averages 96 mph or so, which is akin to a top-ten mark in baseball among starters (not quite deGrom/Syndergaard territory, but not too far off). But, he’s never been a huge strikeout or whiff guy, as he doesn’t get much movement on his pitches:The squiggly-bordered shapes above are league-average movement patterns for each pitch — you can see that his fastballs are harder than average and his other stuff is slower than average, but motion-wise, his curveball and slider break less both horizontally and vertically than average http://www.tigersfanproshop.com/authentic-joe-jimenez-jersey , while his other pitches don’t have much beyond the ordinary aside from some slight arm-side run. Combine this with a relatively infrequent zone rate that dovetails neatly with the fact that he’s a hard-throwing, raw pitcher, and the lack of whiffs makes more sense. Alcantara attempted to remedy this by doing something innovative in his start against the Rockies, throwing primarily sliders rather than his fastball. It worked, but with the Braves capable of rolling out a fairly lefty-heavy lineup, we’ll see if he comes up with something different. Projection systems expect Alcantara to be something like a fourth starter (< 1.5 fWAR/200) this year, and the Braves will certainly take a performance commensurate with that over him continuing his success into tonight’s game.For his part, Kyle Wright should have a much easier time with the Miami offense than he did in Philadelphia. The Marlins are a bottom-ten team, so far, in both runs scored and wRC+, while the Phillies are top five in both; the Phillies are also top ten in xwOBA while the Marlins are 20th. This game could hinge on whether he or Alcantara are able to rein in their peripherals effectively, so let’s hope that he can do so while the Braves’ newfound patience and Alcantara’s lack of strike-throwing leads to baserunners and grooved pitches galore.Game InfoMiami Marlins @ Atlanta BravesApril 6, 20187:20 pm EDTSunTrust Park, Atlanta, GATV: Fox Sports SoutheastRadio: 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan, Rock 100.5, Braves Radio Network
ATLANTIC CITY Justin Grimm Jersey , N.J. (AP) Resorts Casino Hotel and DraftKings on Wednesday received approval to become the first companies to offer online and mobile sports betting in New Jersey.The state Division of Gaming Enforcement gave approval to the casino and its Boston-based online partner to launch an invitation-only version of mobile sports betting, which will undergo several days of testing before becoming fully available. Requests for invitations to participate can be made at draftkings.com.A launch was expected to happen Wednesday afternoon or evening.The companies won a heated race to be first to market with mobile and online sports betting, which is widely seen as the most promising segment of the nascent sports betting market. New Jersey regulators are considering mobile applications from several other companies and could soon approve additional online providers.Four casinos and two horse tracks currently offer in-person sports betting.Resorts officials declined to comment on Wednesday’s launch, which came hours after Harrah’s became the fourth Atlantic City casino to offer sports betting: A Frank Sinatra impersonator asked Luck to be a lady as he bet on the New York Yankees, and an Elvis impersonator thanked the clerk very much for handing him a similar bet slip.Harrah’s started taking sports bets two days after its sister property, Bally’s, did, joining the Borgata, Ocean Resort, Bally’s and two horse racing tracks http://www.royalsfanproshop.com/authentic-ryan-goins-jersey , the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park.”I did one with my heart and one with my head,” said James Prendergast, of Washington Township in Warren County. ”My heart bet on the (New York) Giants to win the Super Bowl, and my head bet on the (Houston) Texans.”Longtime Harrah’s customer Alan Kallman, of Monroe Township, placed the first sports bet at Harrah’s, putting $25 on the Yankees to win the World Series – after his wife talked him out of betting on the Boston Red Sox.”There’s a saying, Alan: Happy wife, happy life,” said Kevin Ortzman Blaine Boyer Jersey , Atlantic City president of Caesars Entertainment, which owns Harrah’s, Bally’s and Caesars.Ortzman said Bally’s sports book ”has met our expectations” during its first two days of operation, but he would not say how much in bets it had taken in.New Jersey won a U.S. Supreme Court case in May clearing the way for all 50 states to offer sports betting should they choose to do so.—Follow Wayne Parry at http://twitter.com/WayneParryAC This time it was Eduardo Rodriguez struggling on the mound"That brought us to the bottom of the fourth, and Rodriguez was falling back into the pattern we saw early in the game. The lefty was nibbling again and couldn’t finish anyone off. Healy started the inning off with his second double of the game and Tom Murphy drew a four-pitch walk. That brought up Drew Moore, who worked a tough eleven-pitch at bat, but ended it with a huge double play. There was a runner on third, but suddenly Rodriguez was one out from escaping the inning. Dee Gordon benefited from some good luck, though, as Devers was playing in on the grass and Gordon poked a little bloop just over Devers’ glove for an RBI single to break the tie. Gordon then moved over to third on a stolen base and a throwing error — it was a tough error on Blake Swihart http://www.royalsfanproshop.com/authentic-ryan-goins-jersey , who made a fine throw that wasn’t held onto by Brock Holt — but he was stranded there.After the Red Sox failed to take advantage of a pair of infield singles and stranded two more runners in the fifth, Rodriguez came back out despite being at 86 pitches. Cora wasn’t kidding about wanting length in this game and was willing to push his starter to get it. That strategy did not pay off. Rodriguez didn’t get any favors from his defense as the inning started with Moreland failing to hold on to a fairly easy throw from Bogaerts (it was a little high, but clearly should have been caught) for an error. That was followed by a base hit before Bruce came through with the dagger, blasting a three-run shot on a first-pitch fastball. Just like that, it was a four-run lead for Seattle. Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty ImagesRodriguez stayed in to walk a batter and get a fly out before Heath Hembree came in to take his place. The righty had a solid day out of the ‘pen, allowing a pair of singles but nothing else as he recorded five outs.Tyler Thornburg came out next for the Red Sox to start the seventh with Boston still trailing 6-2. He needed 25 pitches but got through a scoreless inning in which he allowed just one baserunner on a walk.The eighth belonged to Hector Vel谩zquez, and he tossed a great 1-2-3 inning to finish off a second consecutive very strong day for the Red Sox bullpen.Meanwhile, the Red Sox offense managed just two singles between the sixth and eighth innings before getting something going in the ninth. There, they got a single from Christian V谩zquez and a two-out walk from Benintendi to bring up Mookie Betts. It seemed he had ended the game with a ground out, but Moore’s throw sailed over the first baseman. That scored a run Melky Cabrera Jersey , and suddenly Rafael Devers came up representing the tying run. He’d slap a ground ball to the right side that ate up Moore, scoring another run and putting runners on the corners for J.D. Martinez. Once again, it was Moore at the center of the action as he butchered another ground ball to allow another run to score. Suddenly, it was a one-run game with runners on the corners, two outs and Xander Bogaerts at the plate. He couldn’t get the bat off his shoulder, though, striking out looking on three borderline pitches to end a wild inning and the game.Boston will look to reverse this recent trend with the series finale on Sunday. They’ll be sending Rick Porcello to the mound in search of a deep outing while the Mariners will counter with Wade LeBlanc. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 PM ET.BOXCourtesy of Fangraphs
"David Stearns does the unexpected one more time Carlos Santana Jersey , and the month of January has become his magic month. Unless you dwell in caves, you know that the Brewers struck a trade for Christian Yelich and signed Lorenzo Cain last January. This year it is happening again. Yasmani Grandal signed a one-year contract for $18.25 million to join the Brew Crew. The Brewers are absolutely in “go-for-it” mode. The next step could be the signing of a second or third baseman.In whom might the Brewers be in heavy pursuit? One infielder off that market is Brian Dozier, who signed a 1-year, $9 million contract with the Washington Nationals. Even with that signing, the number of options in play for Stearns and Company is plentiful. In fact, there is more supply than demand, especially since Washington, Oakland, San Diego, Minnesota, and possibly Colorado (Daniel Murphy may play first base and leave an opening at second) have filled their infield needs.Free Agent Options:The most likely route for the Brewers to take is to sign a free agent from the large pool on the market. Just some of the options are:Mike Moustakas: Could the Moose be on the loose again in Miller Park in 2019? Of all the options available http://www.philliesfanproshop.com/authentic-pat-neshek-jersey , he has the most power. His power should translate to Miller Park more than it did in Kaufman Stadium, even though that was not the case in a small sample in 2018. He has tremendous postseason experience that would be valuable for a 2019 run to playoff contention. We know he gels in the Brewers clubhouse, and has the California Strong affiliation and friendship with Christian Yelich, Ryan Braun, and Mark Attanasio’s son, Mike as well as his connection to Lorenzo Cain while with the Royals. This option might be about more than just performance for David Stearns. It might be about team chemistry and competitive makeup.Jed Lowrie: It looks like Lowrie will not be back for Oakland in 2019 with the acquisition of Jurickson Profar and Franklin Barreto waiting in the wings. Not many second basemen have been as productive at the plate as Jed Lowrie over the past couple of years. He slashed .267/.353/.448 with 23 home runs and a 122 wRC+ in 2018. Milwaukee has been connected to Lowrie, and this is another player Stearns is familiar with because of his former role in Houston. There is a real possibility in this acquisition.D.J. LeMahieu: At 30 years old, the former Rockies second baseman has won a batting title and demonstrates strong contact skills (12.6%-14.1% K% past three years). His slash in 2018 was .276/.321/.428. He would look good in a Brewers uniform, but he would likely require a longer term contract than Stearns is willing to give.Josh Harrison: Another versatile player, Harrison can play anywhere. He has been a Brewers nemesis, and bringing such a player to Milwaukee would be satisfying. Harrison had a great year in 2014 Will Middlebrooks Jersey , and has been an above average player (1.2-2.6 WAR) from 2015-2017. The Brewers have shown interest.Marwin Gonzalez: Quite possibly the best utility player in the sport, Gonzalez is 29 years old and can play anywhere on the field including a competent shortstop. He is also a pretty good hitter. His 2018 slash was .247/.324/.409 at that was with a slow start. His 2017 was fantastic as his wRC+ was 144 and was a 4 win player. David Stearns is familiar with Gonzalez from his Astros days. Asdrubal Cabrera: The only thing this guy does is produce with the bat (wRC+ 120 in 2016, 112 in 2017, and 111 in 2018). He can play second, third, and shortstop (if we squint real hard). He is not a strong defender. Getting Cabrera on a one year deal might be a perfect bridge to Keston Hiura. There are other free agent options that the Brewers could consider, such as Neil Walker, Derek Dietrich, and Logan Forsythe. There might be an outside chance of a trade for the player Stearns is pursuing, such as Whit Merrifield, Jason Kipnis http://www.philliesfanproshop.com/authentic-pat-neshek-jersey Jersey , or Joe Panik. Maybe the chatter of “heavy pursuit” isn’t real. The Brewers could quite possibly go into the season with a platoon of Hernan Perez and Cory Spangenberg. However, if Stearns and company are really in heavy pursuit of an infielder, another January surprise could be very exciting.Baseball statistics courtesy of Fangraphs DETROIT (AP) — Cleveland Indians starter Mike Clevinger will miss at least six weeks with a back muscle injury.The Indians placed the right-hander on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Monday. He was pulled from Sunday’s 3-1 victory against Toronto after five innings and 75 pitches.The team announced Tuesday that Clevinger has strained his teres major, a muscle in his upper back. Manager Terry Francona said it would be six to eight weeks before he picks up a ball and resumes pitching activity.Clevinger is 1-0 and has not allowed an earned run in 12 innings over two starts this season, striking out 22. The 28-year-old was 13-8 with a 3.02 ERA last season.The Indians called up righty Nick Wittgren, a reliever from Triple-A Columbus. The 27-year-old Wittgren was acquired in a trade with Miami on Feb. 4 and made eight relief appearances this spring with Cleveland, posting a 3.86 ERA.
In what is one of the closer votes we’ve had in a while Gregor Blanco Jersey , Jose Siri edged out Shed Long by a total of four votes.Obviously elections are important (hint, hint) and it’s important for everyone to turn out.Remember, you can’t complain if you don’t vote.Ok, well, that’s not really true but whatever.Jose Siri will probably start the year in AA to see if he can get on to a hot start before moving on to AAA Louisville.Well, that’s what I would do anyway.On to number #8. Shed Long, 23, 2BHighest 2018 Level: AA (Pensacola)Eye-Poppingest Fact: 57 walks against 123 strikeouts in 522 plate appearances. .261/.353/.412 line.Most Worrisome Fact: Can he stick at 2B? He was a bit streaky during the season with a slight drop in powerAlias(es): Shed My Pants, Tool Shed, Shedric Von Long In The DrawersBB-Ref PageShed Long has been a guy that’s been hanging around for a while, and it’s funny because he’s the oldest guy on the list so far. He was drafted in the 12th round of the 2013 draft as a catcher. The catcher thing didn’t work out, obviously, but he’s athletic enough to play 2B. Ever since becoming a pro Shed has shown the ability to get on base while providing some very nice pop from a middle infielder position. He’s also good for 15-25 steals a year it seems. The one weakness that has always followed Long was if he has the glove to stick at 2B because otherwise he’d probably have to become a corner outfielder. His bat doesn’t play as well there.Long had a relatively strong 2018 even if it was sort of underwhelming based on previous seasons. He also represented the Reds in the Arizona Fall League where he had a .644 OPS because he showed pretty much no power but had a OBP of .333. I’m also for some reason thinking that Shed had missed a small amount of time with an injury? Possibly a wrist injury? I can’t bring myself to do the research on it. Either way, Shed Long is a pretty dang good prospect to have kicking around in the Reds system at this point http://www.giantsfanproshop.com/authentic-evan-longoria-jersey , and for a lot of teams he’d be in their top five. I’d expect him to start in AAA.Vladimir Gutierrez, RHP, 23Highest 2018 Level: AA (Pensacola)Eye-Poppingest Fact: 3.82 K/BB ratio, 8.9 K/9, 2.3 BB/9Most Worrisome Fact: 4.35 ERA in 147 innings and was pretty hittableAlias(es): Vlad Goots, Gootius Maximus, The CountBB-Ref PageVladimir Gutierrez was an international signee ($4.75 M bonus) from the 2016 class where the Reds paid a whole bunch of money to some base ballers. I don’t want to go in great detail on those signings because they’re super controversial but Vladimir Gutierrez was not controversial. He is a small guy (6’0, 190lbs) and profiled much like Raisel Iglesias when he was signed. Gutierrez is also considered to be one of the more polished pitchers in the Reds system, and his name has been brought up briefly in trade rumors.Gutierrez has had a rather up and down professional career so far. Scouts laud him for his control and breaking pitches. His fastball isn’t super overpowering (low to mid 90’s, but has touched as high as 98) but it has decent movement and he can control the pitch. The problem with it so far is that it gets hit well. He also has a curveball that grades out at 60 and a change up at 50. If you go based on his peripherals Gutierrez looks really good and some of his blips are probably just maturation and feel. There has also been some concerns about his endurance at the ends of games and near the end of the season. He did pitch 147 innings in 2018, and as long as he can limit the real bad games the sky is the limit for this kid. His start to the 2018 season was about as bad as it could get with an ERA of 5+ in April and 7+ in May, but he settled down well in the Summer months. I think there’s a real good shot that he starts the year in AAA.TJ Friedl, OF, 23Highest 2018 Level: AA (Pensacola)Eye-Poppingest Fact: .381 OBP over 570 plate appearances in A+ and AAMost Worrisome Fact: .100 ISOAlias(es): TJ Of The Hill Friedl Duane Kuiper Jersey , Frield Day, You Got A Friedl In MeBB-Ref PageAt this point, I think everyone is aware that TJ Friedl came to the Reds as a undrafted Free Agent after some weird mix up in the 2016 draft. Basically, he was playing in an All-Star circuit, didn’t have an agent, and no one knew he was eligible to be drafted. Once it was figured out he was eligible to be drafted, the Reds threw the largest amount of money at him to sign him. I think it was something like $700,000 or so but don’t quote me on that. It’s also not like the Reds were throwing money around. They were the only team that could offered that much because of rules.Regardless, the only thing Friedl has done since signing with the Reds is get on base, and he definitely did that in 2018. Friedl was putting up a super impressive season with Daytona (.405 OBP, .817 OPS) before being promoted to Pensacola and holding his own (.359 OBP, .719 OPS). Scouts like Friedl because of his dependability and because he’s a bit scrappy. He plays a good center field, and can reliably play all over the outfield, and as long as he gets on base he’ll find himself in the big leagues sooner rather than later. There could be a bit of controversy putting him on the voter list so early because he does lack that big prospect ceiling. But http://www.giantsfanproshop.com/authentic-evan-longoria-jersey , he’s also one of those players that shows reliable skills that could make him a starter or at least a 4th outfielder type. Honestly, he’s probably one of my favorite prospects in the system so he’s getting a favoritism boost.Mike Siani, 19, OFHighest 2018 Level: Rookie (Greeneville)Eye-Poppingest Fact: .288/.351/.386 slash line over 205 plate appearances.He’s like really good at playing the defense. Most Worrisome Fact: .98 ISO and he didn’t pick up many steals. Alias(es): Mike Trout Siani, Mike Salami, Say It Ain’t SianiBB-Ref PageWhen picking the new guy to put on the list I kept thinking to myself, “Don’t pick the young guy that’s in lower level rookie ball.Just don’t do it.”Well, I did it and I’m not ashamed.I’m gonna dream big on this kid because he’s got some killer tools in his arsenal.Mike Siani was considered a high potential draft pick that should have went earlier than the 4th round but a lot of teams figured he’d go to college.However, the Reds threw some big money at him ($2,000,000) which almost no youngster turns down.It’s real fun to see what the Reds do with their draft bonus pool money.They’ve been pretty creative.What is exciting about Siani is that Mike Trout is his favorite player so of course he’s going to turn into Mike Trout.Definitely.Siani is lauded for being one of the best defensive center fielders in not only last year’s draft but probably in all of minor league baseball at any level.He’s got legit, plus skills across the board sporting great range, an amazing arm (90+ MPH pitcher in high school), and a nifty glove.Scouts believe that he’ll also probably keep his above average speed.The only knock on him is that scouts were mixed on how well he would hit.He’s not a real big guy right now Derek Holland Jersey , but there is some belief he could put on twenty pounds or so without losing a step. In 2018, he was promoted to hit against college aged hitters and fared pretty well (see the Eye-Poppingest Facts).He didn’t hit for really any power but showed a mature approach at the plate that I don’t think many expected.Obviously, his talents are in the field but if he can continue to hit (and find some power) he’s going to be a top prospect in no time.The smart bet would be that he starts the year in instructional league and then starts the year in Billings.However, I’d be real interested to see if the Reds are more aggressive and just let him sink or swim in Dayton.They did the same thing pretty much with Taylor Trammell and that worked out pretty good. CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Indians want Trevor Bauer in their postseason rotation.The next step will come Friday night against the Boston Red Sox in his first appearance since breaking his right leg last month.Indians manager Terry Francona said Bauer will pitch a “couple of innings” and then throw in the bullpen to increase his pitch count.Francona wants Bauer to make two additional starts during the regular season. The right-hander is expected to start Tuesday against the Chicago White Sox and will likely pitch again the last weekend of the season in Kansas City.“To give him a chance to start, we felt like he needed to have three outings,” Francona said. “So this was the way to do it. Getting him back is great. His goal and ours is to see if he can start.”The Indians hope Bauer can build up his pitch count by the time the Division Series begins Oct. 5. Using him as a reliever is another option.“Having him in the bullpen is still really positive,” Francona said. “We asked him for his honesty on how he is feeling and we’ll give him our feedback. But this was the best way to do it.”Bauer has been sidelined since he was struck on the lower leg by a line drive off the bat of Chicago’s Jose Abreu on Aug. 11. He was diagnosed with a stress fracture of his right fibula.Bauer has gone through a rigorous throwing program to return from the injury. He began by playing catch from his knees while wearing a walking boot. Bauer gradually progressed to throwing off the mound and faced hitters Tuesday in a three-inning simulated game.“He’s got himself in a position where he’s jumping right into games,” Francona said. “Where you don’t have to worry about his arm. He’s giving himself every chance possible by the way he attacked his rehab.”Bauer is 12-6 with a 2.22 ERA in 25 starts and was named to his first All-Star team.Francona said rookie Shane Bieber will relieve Bauer in Friday’s game. Mike Clevinger, another candidate for the postseason rotation, will start Saturday.Corey Kluber will start on Monday and Saturday of the final week to line up for Game 1 of the Division Series.
NFL’s catch rule solved Dwayne Haskins Jersey , and he’s ensured that the process has begun.
The commissioner said at his annual Super Bowl news conference Wednesday that he personally sees that rule as the most obvious to address.
Asked about the scrutiny that NFL officiating came under this season, Goodell said ”on the catch/no catch rule, we need to find a rule we think will address that. We certainly need to get this rule right so everyone can appreciate.”
Goodell recently spent three hours with former players, including Pro Football Hall of Famers, going over 150 plays. He said there were many good ideas offered, but as for the specifics of what should be a catch, there was little consensus.
”There were a lot of people with different perspectives and lot of disagreement in the room,” he said.
So the competition committee will dive into not only this rule, but perhaps refining the rulebook.
”I would like to start back, instead of adding to the rule, subtracting the rule. Start over again and look at the rule fundamentally from the start. Because I think when you add or subtract things you can still lead to confusion. These rules are very complex; you have to look at what the unintended consequences are of making a change, which is what the competition committee, in my view, does so well and with so much thought.
”Clearly Brian Burns Jersey , the catch/no catch has had a lot of discussion. I won’t tell you there won’t be controversy (in the future), but we need to get to a better place.”
He added that there were more video replay interruptions in 2017 ”and I think we can look at that. How do we make the game more attractive with less stoppages is one of the things we focus on. How do we use replay to ensure correcting obvious mistakes but making sure it doesn’t interrupt the flow of the game.”
Goodell noted that in his 36 years working in the NFL, officiating always has been in the spotlight. Recently, because of advances in technology, the attention has ratcheted up significantly.
Goodell revealed that the league has hired an independent investigator to look into claims of sexual and racial misconduct in the workplace against Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson.
Former U.S. attorney Mary Jo White will lead the investigation. White has led similar investigations in other fields, including a recent one at the University of Rochester.
Richardson stepped away from day-to-day operations after allegations surfaced and is seeking to sell the team. The NFL has said it didn’t pressure Richardson to sell based on the allegations.
Goodell said he wants the team to remain in Carolina and believes most of the other owners do, as well.
”I am sure that is a question many of our owners will ask,” Goodell said of the Panthers staying in Charlotte under new ownership.
He also:
-announced that the Rams will play a home game in Mexico City against the Chiefs. Until the new stadium in Los Angeles is ready in 2020, the Rams are likely to spend one home game a year elsewhere.
-reiterated his stance that it’s not the NFL’s place to get involved in whether Colin Kaepernick gets a chance with another team. ”Clubs have to make their own decisions as far as who’s on their roster,” he said.
Kaepernick, who sparked the protests involving the national anthem early in the 2016 season, wasn’t signed for the 2017 season following his release in San Francisco.
The comments from Goodell came a day after Philadelphia Eagles receiver Torrey Smith said Kaepernick not getting a chance with another team ”kind of falls in the category of an injustice in itself.”
As it relates to roster decisions, Goodell said the NFL won’t ”get involved in that in any way.”
-referred to the recently created owners/players committee on social justice when asked any questions about protests during the national anthem, expressing optimism the NFL and its players are on the proper path.
-said he was aware of the plans to relaunch the rival XFL in 2020 http://www.panthersfootballauthentic.com/greg-little-jersey-authentic , but had been too busy to look at details. Goodell emphasized that the NFL constantly looks at spring football options if they will improve opportunities to reach the NFL.
—
There is little doubt about the fact the NFL is one of the most entertaining sports leagues around the world. After all, it is the only major football league on the globe. And, let’s just say that football is a rare sport that involves two things fans everywhere love to watch. The first aspect is physicality. While sports like hockey and lacrosse certainly have a robust physical side to them, they can’t be compared to football. On a football field, most plays can only stop when someone is brought down to the ground, which is often done through violent tackles. Of course, turnovers and scores are other ways to end a play, but that is beside the point. The second aspect that attracts sports fans to football is the beauty of the game. Yes, despite being one of the sports that takes the heftiest physical toll on its athletes, there is a beauty to football that is seldom found in other games. The strategy and skill required to play this game are sometimes otherworldly.But even as those traits inside the field are enough to entertain millions of fans around the world, there is another side to football that is as entertaining as it gets. The best part about it is that it originates from the fans themselves. Aren’t we glad that we have the Internet these days? Aren’t we glad that we have a way to give people an opportunity to make memes about the ridiculous things that happen to NFL teams and players? Yeah, we are glad for those. And we separated 15 savage NFL memes that you will love and know have some truth to them.
Saints left tackle Terron Armstead and Carolina guard Trai Turner each had been listed as questionable for Sunday’s NFC wild-card game after both were unable to play in their teams’ regular-season finales a week earlier.
Armstead was limited in practice this past week as he worked his way back from a thigh injury that sidelined him last week at Tampa Bay. Turner is returning from a concussion that forced him out of three games.
Panthers offensive tackle Matt Kalil also is available to play after being listed as questionable with an illness Friday.
Inactive for the Saints are: defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad, DE Kasim Edebali, offensive lineman John Fullington Renell Wren Jersey , center Cameron Tom, receiver Austin Carr, running back Jonathan Williams and tight end John Phillips.
—
Orioles reliever Darren O’Day has opted for season-ending surgery to repair a left hamstring injury.
Showalter said surgery gives O’Day ”a lot better chance of it not being an issue again. And that’s important.”
The 35-year-old O’Day has struggled with injuries this season, missing a month with a hyperextended elbow before being sidelined for good after hurting his hamstring on June 26.
The side-armer is 0-2 with a 3.60 ERA in 20 games. He was placed on the 60-day disabled list on Friday.
Showalter says O’Day has not finalized the time and place of the procedure.
A result so stunningly one-sided Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger stood in the locker room on that gray October afternoon only half-jokingly wondered if he still had ”it.”
Throwing five interceptions T.J. Hockenson Jersey , two of which the Jaguars returned for momentum-swinging, confidence-sapping touchdowns, will do that.
Yet Roethlisberger insists he’s not out for revenge in the rematch on Sunday when the Jaguars (11-6) visit Heinz Field in the divisional round with a trip to the AFC title game on the line.
There’s too much at stake for him to settle some sort of personal vendetta.
Or so he says.
”I’ll play anyone in the postseason,” Roethlisberger said.
Only Jacksonville isn’t ”anyone.” Not anymore. Not after the NFL’s top-ranked defense proved that breakout performance three months ago was a sign of things to come.
The Jaguars don’t play a particularly pretty brand of football. They also don’t particularly care.
Doubt them all you want. Mock their offense at your leisure.
Last they checked, there will be 24 teams watching the playoffs this weekend and Jacksonville isn’t one of them.
”We’ve just got to score one more point than they do,” Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles said.
”It doesn’t matter who scores it, where it comes from, how we do it, what it looks like, we score one more than them and I’m happy with how we did it.”
Bortles and the other 52 guys on the roster might be the only ones.
The Steelers (13-3) entered the season as one of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl.
Despite a fall filled with drama (much of it self-created) Pittsburgh was really only pushed around once. By the Jaguars.
Take Jacksonville lightly at your peril, something the Steelers found out on Oct. 8.
”Some people come in thinking a team may be easier by their record or tougher by their record, but we know that can’t be on our mind,” Pittsburgh running back Le’Veon Bell said.
”I think that kind of got us in the first game because the Jacksonville Jaguars, they’re normally not a good team but those guys got players this year. They’ve been making plays.”
If the Jaguars can do it for another 60 minutes, they’ll reach the NFL’s final four for just the third time in franchise history.
Yes, really.
Some things to look for as the Jaguars try to pull off a second stunner against a team that believes its season is destined to end with a trip to Minneapolis for the Super Bowl.
AB’s BACK: Pittsburgh All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown is expected to play after missing the final 2+ games of the regular season with a left calf contusion. Brown practiced all week, though he was sent home on Friday because of an illness.
Brown caught 10 passes for 157 yards in the first meeting with Jacksonville and his return means all of Pittsburgh’s ”Killer Bs” will be ready to go.
LEONARD’S LEAP: Jaguars rookie running back Leonard Fournette hammered the Steelers for a season-high 181 yards in October, including a 2-yard touchdown leap and a 90-yard sprint to the end zone in the final two minutes that sealed it. Fournette’s production has dipped in recent weeks. He’s only averaged higher than 3.9 yards per carry once over the past eight weeks, though Bortles doesn’t think Fournette has smacked into the rookie wall.
”There has obviously been some hiccups and bumps in the road with different things,” Bortles said. ”It’s not on him, it’s on guys up front, it’s on me getting us in the right play, receivers blocking. It’s on everyone.”
CHILL OUT DUDE: Temperatures are expected to be in the teens at kickoff, a decided departure for the Jaguars.
While Jacksonville coach Doug Marrone downplayed the elements, Bell believes he has an advantage when the mercury drops.
A year ago against Miami in the wild-card round, he pounded the Dolphins for 167 yards and two touchdowns as the temperature hovered around 17 degrees.
”It definitely affects guys who are tackling,” Bell said. ”That’s why when it’s cold outside I take a lot of pride because I know guys don’t want to tackle.”
COACH SHAY: Injured Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier spent some time at the team’s facility this week, getting around in a wheelchair while recovering from spinal stabilization surgery last month following a hit against Cincinnati that left his lower body motionless.
Shazier’s presence has provided the Steelers with a boost, and while his football career is likely over, he remains intent on finding a way to contribute. Shazier, who would get to work as early as 6 a.m. to break down film when he was playing, is now serving as equal parts advance scout and motivational speaker.
”He loves football so much,” guard David DeCastro said. ”It’s amazing to see and just to have the attitude he has after all he’s been through man, it’s pretty impressive. I don’t know if I’d be able to do the same.”
—
Sofia Goggia used what she called her best ever downhill run to lead an Italian sweep of the podium at a women’s World Cup race on Sunday.
Racing from a lowered start due to fog in the upper part of the hill Will Harris Jersey , Goggia sped down the bumpy Karnten-Franz Klammer course in gutsy style, beating the field by more than a second.
”I have never skied so strong and consistent in my whole life in a downhill,” said the Italian after landing her third career victory. Last year, Goggia won both test events on the hill for the Pyeongchang Olympics.
”The snow I found here was exactly the same as in South Korea,” said Goggia, who timed 1 minute, 4.00 seconds to beat Federica Brignone by 1.10 and Nadia Fanchini by 1.35.
”I am super happy for the podium because it’s kind of an Italian party,” she said, adding that her thoughts were with teammate Elena Fanchini. Nadia’s older sister had to end her season to get treatment for a tumor.
”The victory is for me, for Elena, for Italy. We always have Elena in our thoughts,” Goggia said.
Tiffany Gauthier of France missed the podium by 0.14 to finish fourth for a second straight day, matching her career best result.
Avoiding the risk of getting injured a month before the Olympics, American standout Lindsey Vonn held back throughout in a cautious run and was more than three seconds off the lead in 27th.
Due to poor snow conditions, the mandatory training run before a downhill was canceled in the last few days and was held on Sunday morning, two hours before the race.
It was the first time in the 51-year-history of the World Cup that the Italian team took the top three spots in a women’s downhill.
The result came one day after Brignone won a super-G on the same hill. She also won a giant slalom in Lienz two weeks ago.
”I love Austrian slopes. Most of the time there are difficult conditions. I like it when it’s icy and bumpy,” said Brignone, who briefly considered skipping the season because of a persistent groin problem.
Recovered from breaking an arm and hurting her spine in a crash a year ago, Fanchini got her first podium since winning in La Thuile, Italy, in 2016, which was her second win in an injury-marred career. She also placed fifth in the super-G.
Goggia praised Fanchini because ”she has suffered so much during her career with all the injuries but she never gave up. Sometimes a fifth or third place means more than a victory.”
Through Brignone as translator, Fanchini said she never thought she would ”come back so strong” from the injury.
”Emotionally it was a tough moment for my family,” she said, referring to Elena’s illness. ”Finishing third and fifth here, that is a dream.”
In sharp contrast to the aggressive runs by the Italians, Vonn had a disappointing showing.
”I really had no grip on the ice, felt like I was skiing on marbles,” said the American, who placed ninth in Saturday’s super-G. ”This course takes a lot of aggression and like really willing to risk everything. And I am just not willing to risk everything right now. I have been waiting eight years for the Olympics.”
Vonn added she was ”not necessarily disappointed in my result as it doesn’t matter right now. What matters is that I am healthy and that I didn’t end my season this weekend. Otherwise, you know, let’s just forget about the whole weekend.”
The women’s World Cup continues with more speed races in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, next weekend.
The underdog Philadelphia Eagles are having fun with the media frenzy leading up to the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots. They’re staying relaxed Zach Brown Jersey , loose and won’t be intimidated by their opponent’s incredible success.
Three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson on Wednesday donned masks that resembled the ones WWE star Rey Mysterio and other luchadores wear in the ring.
”This was a gift from Mexico so I can have super powers all week,” Cox said about the green mask featuring an Eagles logo.
”I’m just having fun right now. We know why we’re here. We can’t come into this all uptight. You have fun when it’s time to have fun and get serious when it’s time to get serious.”
Johnson and defensive end Chris Long pulled out German shepherd masks and wore them off the field and in their interviews after the Eagles beat Atlanta in the divisional round. The Eagles (15-3) were the first No. 1 seed to enter their first playoff game as an underdog.
The city, which has always had an underdog personality, embraced the masks. Johnson and Long then turned it into a charitable venture . They created underdog T-shirts that were sold with all proceeds going to the Philadelphia school district’s not-for-profit arm.
The Eagles were underdogs again in the NFC championship game and routed the Vikings 38-7. They’re in the same spot against the Patriots, who are 4+-point favorites on Sunday.
But these Eagles don’t fear Bill Belichick, Tom Brady or New England’s dynasty. Johnson called Brady a ”pretty boy” and made it clear he’s not bothered by the hype.
”I definitely respect him and all that he’s done in this league,” Johnson told The Associated Press. ”I’m not going to go into the Super Bowl worshipping this man and make him more than what he is. No disrespect.
”As far as bulletin-board material, they can put it on their nightstands for all I care, in their bathrooms Kyler Murray Jersey , I don’t care. I don’t think you need any motivation to play in the Super Bowl. They know that.”
Brady and Belichick have led the Patriots to five Super Bowl titles, including two of the past three seasons. They beat the Eagles 24-21 in the big game 13 years ago.
Philadelphia players respect the duo’s accomplishments, but aren’t going into the game already defeated. Several players were part of a 35-28 upset win at New England in 2015. The Eagles were a losing team under Chip Kelly that season, but still went on the road and knocked off the 10-1 Patriots.
That won’t matter when the teams meet for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Still, it’s a confidence-booster for some guys.
”I think when you’ve been playing for a long time, you’ve had games where you’ve played unbelievable players and unbelievable coaches,” All-Pro center Jason Kelce said.
”To me, this isn’t any different. These guys have been more consistent throughout the years, but this is the NFL. You play good players every week. There’s good coaches you go against every week. I don’t think you look at this any different than the fact that this is just another game. You see what they do really well and how you can defend it.”
—
AP NFL website: The Detroit Tigers fired pitching coach Chris Bosio Byron Murphy Jersey , saying he made insensitive comments to another employee of the team.
”I have to take seriously what the comments were,” Tigers general manager Al Avila said, declining to give details. ”And, the action we took was appropriate.”
The Tigers promoted bullpen coach Rick Anderson to replace Bosio. Roving pitching instructor A.J. Sager will be the team’s bullpen coach until Triple-A Toledo pitching coach Jeff Pico takes his place next week.
Avila said Bosio made the comments recently and they were brought to Avila’s attention Tuesday. Avila decided Wednesday to terminate Bosio’s contract after the team investigated the situation and spoke to all of the people involved.
Avila said what Bosio said violated team policy and his contract, though Avila otherwise spoke highly of Bosio’s job performance.
”He definitely was a good pitching coach,” Avila said.
Tigers right-hander Alex Wilson said he and teammates heard rumors of what had taken place.
”We’re sorry to everyone that it affected,” Wilson said. ”It’s not a good day here. It’s a sad day. But we’re going to move forward, and hopefully this brings us closer than we’ve ever been.”
Bosio, a former major league pitcher Andy Isabella Jersey , was in his first season as Detroit’s pitching coach after serving in the same role for six years with the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs didn’t renew Bosio’s contract after last season and hired Jim Hickey to replace him, reuniting manager Joe Maddon with his pitching coach in Tampa Bay.
The 55-year-old Bosio was 94-93 over an 11-season career, mostly as a starter, with Milwaukee and Seattle. The right-hander threw a no-hitter in 1993 for the Mariners against the Boston Red Sox.
Bosio was hailed for his work with the Cubs’ pitchers, helping them have the lowest ERA in the major leagues from 2015 through 2017. Chicago won the 2016 World Series and reached the NL Championship Series last year and three years ago with Bosio as its pitching coach.
His first job in the majors was in 2003 as the pitching coach for Lou Piniella in Tampa Bay. He also has worked as a pitching coach in the minor leagues and an advance scout for the Brewers, who named him interim pitching coach in 2009.
Friday after missing two months because of a strained right hamstring.
Garcia was in the lineup for Game 1 of Chicago’s doubleheader against the Oakland Athletics – his first appearance since April 23. He was off to a slow start with a .233 average and four RBIs in 18 games after hitting .330 and driving in 80 runs last year while making his first All-Star team.
Garcia also hurt his right knee taking a swing while he was on the DL Zach Gentry Jersey , prior to going on a rehab assignment. But now that he is healthy, he hopes to get on a roll.
”My knee is good,” he said. ”My hamstring is good. I have no pain in my body right now. I feel great, great and focused and trying to compete every single day.”
Manager Rick Renteria said he had no hesitation starting Avisail Garcia and returning utility player Leury Garcia in the opener of the doubleheader despite the soggy conditions. He said neither player would start Game 2, though they would be available off the bench.
Renteria also said there would be no limitations on them after Friday. Leury Garcia was starting in left field in his first appearance since May 23.
The White Sox also optioned infielder Jose Rondon to Triple-A Charlotte, and designated outfielder Trayce Thompson for assignment on Friday.
—
Madison Bumgarner isn’t easily impressed in pregame warmups.
Thursday night was different.
”I don’t put a lot of stock into the bullpen before the game, but today I could tell that the stuff was picking up a little Chris Lindstrom Jersey ,” the 2014 World Series MVP said.
Bumgarner pitched eight innings of three-hit ball for his first win this season, Mark Melancon earned his first save in a year and the San Francisco Giants beat the San Diego Padres 3-0.
”It was the Madison we know,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said.
San Francisco won for the fourth time in five games and sent the last-place Padres to their fifth straight loss.
Bumgarner (1-2) struck out eight and walked two in his best start since coming off the disabled list. He also drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly.
”It was the type of game we’ve seen so many times from him,” Bochy said. ”We needed it because their guy pitched well, too.”
Bumgarner outdueled Tyson Ross (5-5), who gave up one run and four hits in seven innings. Ross struck out three and walked three.
Bumgarner began the season on the DL with a broken pinkie on his pitching hand sustained in his final spring training start when he was hit by a line drive. The ace left-hander was 0-2 with a 4.67 ERA in three previous outings since being reinstated.
Bumgarner’s sacrifice fly scored Pablo Sandoval in the fifth. Sandoval singled leading off the inning and Joe Panik followed with a double.
It was the fourth time in his career Bumgarner made a scoreless start and had the game-winning RBI, tying Stephen Strasburg and Fernando Valenzuela for the most such games by any pitcher in the last 40 years, according to STATS.
The Padres’ best scoring chance came in the fifth, when Jose Pirela was thrown out at home trying to score from second on Manuel Margot’s one-out double to deep right field. Giants catcher Buster Posey tagged out Pirela after a perfect relay from Andrew McCutchen and Panik.
”We had one chance offensively and we ran through a stop sign, which took away that one opportunity,” Padres manager Andy Green said.
Melancon, who started the season on the DL with a right elbow flexor strain Kendall Sheffield Jersey , pitched the ninth for his first save since June 20, 2017.
DROUGHT BUSTER
Bumgarner was winless in his six previous starts against the Padres. He was 0-4 with a 4.73 ERA during that stretch.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Padres: OF Wil Myers (left oblique strain) and Maton (right lat strain) were reinstated from the 10-day DL, and RHP Colin Rea (right shoulder strain) was activated from the 60-day DL. … OF Franchy Cordero (right elbow bone spur) was transferred to the 60-day DL and RHP Phil Hughes (right rhomboid strain) was placed on the 10-day DL. … OF Franmil Reyes was optioned to Triple-A El Paso. … RHP Bryan Mitchell (right elbow impingement) had an MRI on Wednesday that showed inflammation in the affected area but no ligament damage, Green said. Mitchell is expected to start throwing in four or five days.
Giants: SS Brandon Crawford was reinstated from the paternity list and was in the starting lineup. … INF Kelby Tomlinson was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento. … RHP Hunter Strickland (broken right pinkie) will have more X-rays in two weeks to determine if two pins he had surgically inserted on Wednesday can be removed. The 29-year-old reliever was injured when he punched a door in frustration after a blown save against Miami on Monday. … RHP Johnny Cueto (right elbow inflammation) will throw 40 pitches in a rehab start with Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday. … RHP Jeff Samardzija (right shoulder tightness) threw 73 pitches in his second rehab start with Sacramento.
UP NEXT
LHP Clayton Richard (6-6, 4.31 ERA) will make his team-leading 16th start for the Padres. He’s 5-2 with a 3.04 ERA over his last eight. Giants RHP Chris Stratton (8-4, 4.22) hasn’t allowed a run over 13 2/3 innings in two career starts against San Diego.
The strength of a contending club often isn’t determined by who plays every day Dwayne Haskins Jersey , but who plays only every few days. Or every few weeks. Or even every few months.
Friday night game in Cincinnati with two injured starting outfielders, Lorenzo Cain and Christian Yelich, then lost the other starter, Ryan Braun, to lower back tightness in the seventh inning.
But manager Craig Counsell plugged in exactly the right pieces, and a spare outfield group that probably should be called “The Replacements” keyed an 8-2 victory over the Reds.
How’s this for a couple of fills-in, who did nothing except fill up the box score: Keon Broxton was 3-for-4 with two homers, four RBIs, a run stolen by some alert baserunning and an exceptional sliding catch.
And Hernan Perez, who came in after Braun was hurt, contributed a two-run double to start a five-run ninth inning.
“They (the Brewers outfield) have been the workhorse of this team, so I’ve got to come in and fill their spot while they’re down. It was a good night,” said Broxton, who played in only his third game this season.
Because their bench came through yet again — on Thursday night, part-time starter Eric Thames hit his third consecutive game-winning homer against the Reds — the Brewers can assure them of winning the four-game series by taking Saturday’s game at Great American Ball Park.
“It speaks to our depth again … we’ve had a couple of games like that where (bench players) make meaningful contributions David Long Jersey ,” Counsell said. “With Yelich down, we’re counting on Keon, so it’s got to be a good feeling for him.”
The last-place Reds had won nine of 10 coming in to the series, but still can’t seem to solve the Brewers, who have won seven of eight games against Cincinnati. Milwaukee owns the National League’s best record at 48-33.
“These guys have been battling all year and they’re in a good spot right now, so I’m trying to do my best to keep them right there,” Broxton said.
Milwaukee will send out right-hander Jhoulys Chacin (6-3), who has lost his last two decisions, on Saturday to face Reds right-hander Tyler Mahle (6-6), who has won his last three decisions during a span of six starts.
“We’ve got to play better. … Their pitching kind of stifled us the last two nights,” Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman said. “We’ve got to turn it back on … crank it up again with our bats.”
Yelich sat out with a lower back issue. He’s listed as day to day — and so Broxton made his second start since being recalled from Triple-A Colorado Springs on Tuesday.
Broxton had an RBI single in the second against Sal Romano (4-8), then hit the first of his two homers to make the score 2-0 in the fourth. Then, with Milwaukee up 2-1 in the eighth after reliever Michael Lorenzen’s homer for the Reds, Broxton appeared to be caught off third by Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart.
But he eluded a tag by falling down, then scored as Orlando Arcia distracted the Reds by allowing himself to be tagged off second.
Broxton finished quite an evening’s work with a two-run homer in the ninth and a stretched-out catch of Scooter Gennett’s drive into the right-center field gap with two runners on base.
“He’s been up and down (from the minors) a little bit http://www.losangelesramsteamonline.com/bobby-evans-jersey , but he’s very talented,” Riggleman said of Broxton, who hit only .220 while spending most of last season with Milwaukee. “He can do a lot of things — he can hit with power, he can run and he plays great defense.”
The Reds didn’t do much against Brewers starter Chase Anderson, who limited them to one other hit besides Lorenzen’s homer in six innings, and relievers Josh Hader, Jeremy Jeffress and Dan Jennings.
Now, the Brewers would like to get Chacin straightened out. His ERA jumped from 3.18 to 3.82 as he gave up eight runs, nine hits and five walks in 4 1/3 innings during an 8-2 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. Chacin is 2-3 in nine career games against the Reds. He didn’t get the decision during a 6-5 Brewers win on April 30.
In Mahle’s only previous start against the Brewers, Thames beat him with a two-run homer in a 2-0 Milwaukee win on April 18.
Antonio Senzatela’s most important pitch came early.
Senzatela worked out of a first-inning jam en route to throwing seven scoreless innings in his first start of the season, Nolan Arenado hit his National League-leading 22nd home run and the Colorado Rockies beat the San Francisco Giants 8-1 on Tuesday night.
Colorado’s Charlie Blackmon had three hits, including his first homer since June 20. Trevor Story had an RBI triple for the Rockies, who have won five of their last six games.
D.J. LeMahieu added a run-scoring double for Colorado, which has beaten the Giants in 14 of the past 16 games at Coors Field dating to Sept. 7, 2016.
Senzatela Greg Gaines Jersey , recalled earlier in the day from Triple-A Albuquerque, struck out four and walked none while limiting the Giants to three hits but two of them came in the first inning. He got out of the two-on, two-out jam by retiring Pablo Sandoval, getting him to pop-out on a 2-0 changeup.
”To get out of that inning with a zero, stranding those runners, was huge,” Senzatela said through a translator. ”I settled down pretty nicely and I’m glad I gave the team a chance to win.”
Arenado said Senzatela’s ability to work out of first inning trouble helped set the tone for the rest of the game.
”Getting out of that first inning with no runs was huge,” Arenado said. ”I feel like sometimes we always give up a run in the first and lately they haven’t. He was just great, pounding the zone, throwing strikes getting ahead of guys. It was awesome. Our pitching in general lately has been huge for us and I think that’s why lately we have been playing better.”
Senzatela started in the spot vacated by struggling Jon Gray, who started for the Rockies in their season opener but was optioned to Albuquerque last weekend.
Senzatela (3-1) made the team out of spring training and began the season in the Rockies’ bullpen before being optioned on May 2 to Albuquerque, where he went 3-1 with a 2.15 ERA in eight starts prior to his recall. As a rookie last season, Senzatela had most of his success as a starter, going 10-5 with a 5.03 ERA in 20 starts.
Chris Stratton (8-6) went 5 2/3 innings and allowed eight runs on 11 hits, including Blackmon’s solo shot in the first inning as well as Arenado’s three-run drive.
”His fastball command wasn’t real sharp tonight Christian Wilkins Jersey ,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. ”Fastballs missed their spots there. That’s usually his forte, he commands it so well. He threw some good fastballs to Arenado and the changeup stayed in the middle. He wasn’t real sharp with his command. He threw strikes but he needed to work the edges.”
The Giants broke through for a run on Alec Hanson’s RBI single in the eighth off reliever MikeDunn.
The Giants were trailing 3-0 when Arenado broke the game open in the fifth with a three-run homer. Stratton walked LeMahieu to start the inning and Blackmon singled before Arenado drove a 3-2 offering over the left-center field wall.
GIANTS NEMESIS
Arenado has driven in 90 runs in 100 career games against the Giants, the second most among active players. Matt Kemp leads with 93 career RBIs against the Giants. Said Arenado: ”I think they bring out the best in all of us. They bring out the best in me – three World Series rings and they’ve always been one of the top tier teams in our division. It’s always a tough place to play and I always want to beat them because I always feel like they’ve beaten us in the past, a lot.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Giants: The team’s starting rotation is nearing full strength again. Manager Bruce Bochy said that RHP Johnny Cueto is slated to be reinstated from the 60-day disabled list on Thursday, when he’s scheduled to start against the St. Louis Cardinals. Cueto was placed on the DL, retroactive to April 29, because of a right elbow sprain. RHP Jeff Samardzija is slated to start Saturday’s game against St. Louis after being reinstated from the 10-day DL. Samardzija went on the DL after leaving a May 30 start against Colorado following one inning due to tightness in his pitching shoulder.
Rockies: RHP Chad Bettis has gone on the 10-day disabled list with a blister on his right middle finger. Bettis left his last start on Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers after three innings because of the finger injury. Senzatela was recalled from Albuquerque to fill Bettis’ roster spot and started Tuesday against the Giants in the place of RHP Jon Gray, who was optioned Saturday to Albuquerque.
UP NEXT
Giants: LHP Andrew Suarez (3-4, 4.18 ERA) is coming off a strong outing in which he allowed one run on seven hits over six innings in a 2-1 win against Arizona.
Rockies: LHP Tyler Anderson (5-3, 4.23 ERA) has gone 1-3 with a 5.26 ERA in eight previous starts at Coors Field this season.
There is a good reason for that as many of those receivers are the best in the NFL today. Some of these recievers include Odell Beckham Jr http://www.brownsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-sione-takitaki-jersey , Mike Evans, Sammy Watkins, Brandin Cooks, and many more as you will soon find out in this article. Ultimately, when it is all said and done, this will probably go down as the greatest wide receiving draft class of all time.Despite the fact that this is a great receiving class, it does not mean we should ignore the rest of the draft, as there were some great players drafted in other positions. Like every draft Sheldrick Redwine Jersey , some teams made the right draft choices and some made very poor choices (hint hint: Cleveland Browns). To be fair, some of these choices looked good on draft day, but circumstances such as injuries have forced many to question the selections two years later.In the end, sometimes you just never know with the draft and luck plays a big factor in many cases. The uncertainty of the draft is what makes it fun to go back and look at the first round and see how teams would change their picks if they had the chance. For instance, we all know Tom Brady would be taken number one overall if we had a re-do of the draft. Players such as Antonio Brown and Richard Sherman would be taken much higher than the 6th and 5th round round, respectively.Now it is time to shift focus back to the 2014 draft. Yes, it may have only been two years ago, but it is already at the point where some teams wish they had a mulligan on the draft and could go back in time to change their pick. Therefore http://www.brownsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-austin-seibert-jersey , it is natural for us to do a re-drafting of the first round in the 2014 NFL Draft. WASHINGTON — A pair of old friends will reconnect when the Boston Red Sox visit the Washington Nationals on Monday night.
Former teammates Rick Porcello (9-2, 3.60) of the Red Sox and Max Scherzer (10-4, 2.04) square off for the first time in the opener of a three-game series.
Porcello and Scherzer spent five seasons together with the Detroit Tigers, reaching the 2012 World Series before losing to the San Francisco Giants.
Since leaving Detroit, Porcello won the 2016 American League Cy Young Award and Scherzer is making a strong case for his third straight National League Cy Young. Both have been aware this matchup was coming.
“Looking forward to it. We’ve been texting back and forth,” Porcello told the Boston Globe. “We’ve had a good time with it and I’m sure we’ll both get a kick about going against each other once the game starts.”
Scherzer is looking for his first win since June 5, though he’s pitched well enough to win each of his past four starts, allowing two earned runs or less in each outing. The Nationals are 1-3 in those starts and were shut out in each loss.
“I think everybody’s been punched in the face before of not having success Trysten Hill Jersey ,” Scherzer told The Washington Post after his last start, a 1-0 loss to the Marlins. “This is the big leagues; they are going to keep coming down your throat and keep attacking you.”
Scherzer, Washington’s only dependable starter of late, is 4-4 with a 6.05 ERA in 10 starts versus Boston.
Porcello allowed four runs on eight hits in 5 2/3 innings last time out in a no-decision against the Angels.
He’s 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA in his lone start against Washington, an eight-inning effort in April of 2015.
The Nationals (42-40) squandered an early 3-0 lead in Philadelphia on Sunday and fell 4-3 in 13 innings on Andrew Knapp’s pinch-hit walk-off home run as Washington dropped a second straight weekend series to their division rivals.
Washington managed only four hits in eight innings against the Philadelphia bullpen in the finale.
“Offensively, we’ve got to do more,” outfielder Adam Eaton told The Post. “That’s plain and simple. We score early and then we can’t coast. We can’t take our foot off the accelerator. We got to keep going.”
The Nationals are now 6-15 in their past 21 games and fell six games behind Atlanta in the NL East.
In each of their last nine losses, they’ve scored three or fewer runs.
Boston (56-29) finished a three-game series against the Yankees on a forgettable note Sunday night, getting routed 11-1 behind starter David Price as New York blasted six home runs, including three by Aaron Hicks.
Price allowed eight runs on nine hits in 3 1/3 innings.
The Red Sox dropped two of three and travel south percentage points behind the Yankees in the AL East.
Fittingly enough Josh Allen Jersey , too, since he’s about to face a Cincinnati Reds pitching staff — mainly, reliever Michael Lorenzen — that is doing some pretty historic things themselves. Only with their bats and not their arms.
The 22-year-old Peralta is 3-0 with a 1.59 ERA in his first four major league starts, including two in which he has struck out 10 or more and allowed only one hit. He’s the first pitcher in baseball’s live-ball ERA to do that, and the first Brewers pitcher to have two such games in a career.
How good has Peralta been? He has permitted more than two hits in only one of the four starts. In 22 2/3 innings, he has allowed only seven hits and struck out 35.
Peralta is the first major league pitcher since at least 1908 to give up three hits or fewer and strike out at least five in each of his first four career games.
“His stuff looks electric from center field, and you can see that in the swings and takes and called strikeouts,” Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich told reporters after Peralta pitched seven shutout innings of one-hit ball to beat the Kansas City Royals 5-1 on Tuesday. “He’s been great every time he goes out there, and hopefully that continues.”
Peralta is doing it without an overpowering fastball, like so many other young pitchers are today. He’s throwing his four-seam fastball at an average velocity of 91.2 mph, or about what an average starter threw 15 years or so ago.
“He’s got a high spin rate and the ball just kind of jumps at you, even though it’s 92 mph,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.
If the last-place Reds can get to Peralta on Sunday at Great American Ball Park — and no team has yet — they would split a four-game series in which they lost the first two games.
Cincinnati bounced back from a 3-2 deficit Saturday with an eight-run seventh inning powered by a pinch-grand slam from Lorenzen off a Jacobs Barnes fastball and went on to win 12-3 for its 10th victory in 13 games.
Pinch-hit grand slams are rare enough. But by a pitcher?
What’s even more remarkable is Lorenzen also homered Friday night during an 8-2 Brewers victory, and he homered in his previous at-bat before that while pinch hitting against the Chicago Cubs on June 24.
“I love playing baseball,” Lorenzen said. “Every day, I look forward to contributing in some form.”
That’s three homers in the last three at-bats for Lorenzen, who’s quickly becoming the National League’s bullpen equivalent of the Angels’ multi-dimensional Shohei Ohtani.
Lorenzen is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in 15 games, and he’s 4-for-6 at the plate. He’s the first pitcher with multiple pinch homers in a season since Brooks Kieschnick in 2003 — and he has done it in only a week.
“The guy’s swinging the bat really well, that’s for sure,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. “We treat him as a position player. Obviously, we’ve got to make some adjustments … he’s swinging it well.”
Then there’s this: No Reds pitcher had hit a grand slam in 59 years, or since Bob Purkey in 1959, until starter Anthony DeScalfani did it June 23 against the Cubs. Now, Reds pitchers have hit grand slams twice in eight days.
Lorenzen’s homer was more than enough for the Reds to overcome Eric Thames‘ 14th home run against them in the two seasons and his fourth this season — the first three of which were game-winners.
Only two of the Reds’ 15 hits Saturday were for extra bases — Lorenzen’s homer and a Scooter Gennett double — but they were 8-for-16 with runners in scoring position.
Peralta will go up against veteran right-hander Matt Harvey (3-5), who has recently given the Reds a glimpse of his former dominating self with the New York Mets. He has won each of his last two starts Josh Oliver Jersey , giving up three runs in 12 2/3 innings, after going 0-3 in his previous four starts.
A pair of rookies helped the Giants get their weekend in Arizona off to a winning start.
Andrew Suarez pitched six strong innings, Austin Slater had a pair of RBI doubles and San Francisco beat the Diamondbacks 2-1 on Friday night.
Suarez (3-4), a 25-year-old left-hander, gave up a run, scattering seven hits in his first win in five starts. The left-hander struck out five and walked two.
Five of the singles Suarez allowed were infield hits, including one that died halfway down the third-base line, an inch or two off the chalk.
”It was just weird,” Suarez said of the infield hit spree. ”I’ve never seen it like that. But it worked out thankfully. It could have been way worse and they’d have scored five or six runs.”
Suarez is among the young pitchers who are filling in well for the Giants while the veteran starters work their way back to health.
”We have difficult decisions the way these kids are throwing,” San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said. ”As I said so many times, they’re doing what you’d hope they would do, is make the decision tough.”
Slater, recalled from Triple-A Sacramento four times this season – most recently last Saturday – doubled in a run off Patrick Corbin in the second and knocked in the go-ahead score off Andrew Chafin (1-3) in the seventh. Slater http://www.jaguarsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-quincy-williams-ii-jersey , who entered the game 4 for 15 in the majors this season, also singled.
He’s become accustomed to the back-and-forth trips to Sacramento.
”The first couple of times up and down it’s easy to lose focus,” Slater said, ”but for me, I see it as a way to try to prove a point, that I was here to stay.”
One of these trips, after a few more of these nights, he may be right.
Will Smith pitched a perfect ninth for his first save since April 13, 2014. San Francisco relievers retired the last 12 batters they faced.
Chafin, relieving Corbin in a 1-1 tie, walked Brandon Crawford, who scored from first when Slater doubled to the right-center gap.
Corbin limited San Francisco to a run on four hits, striking out five and walking one in six innings Ryquell Armstead Jersey , but left with his second straight no decision. In his previous outing, Corbin blanked Pittsburgh on three hits for seven innings and matched his career strikeout best with 12. Corbin last won on June 5 at San Francisco.
”Patrick was great today,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. ”He did everything we asked him to do. Would have sent him back out there in the seventh inning to get couple of hitters but we decided to pinch-hit for him. Unfortunately, one of the hazards of the National League game, but he did a great job and gave us a chance to win the game.”
The NL West-leading Diamondbacks opened a 10-game homestand after an 8-2 trip.
The Giants took a 1-0 lead in the second. Buster Posey led off with a single and took second when Chris Owings bobbled the ball in center. Slater brought Posey home with a one-out double.
The Diamondbacks finally got to Suarez tied it in the sixth. Ketel Marte led off with a double to the fence in right-center. Owings was called out on a groundout to third on a close play. Arizona challenged and the call was overturned after a video review, leaving runners at first and third and no outs. Jake Lamb’s sacrifice fly to left brought home Marte and made it 1-all.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Giants: RHP Johnny Cueto (right elbow strain) made his second rehab start Friday night for Triple-A Sacramento.
Diamondbacks: CF A.J. Pollock (fractured left thumb) made his first rehab start, with Triple-A Reno.
HIRANO’S MARK
Yoshihisa Hirano set a Diamondbacks record with his 25th consecutive appearance without allowing a run, getting the final two outs of the seventh inning. The Japanese right-hander broke the previous record of 24 shared by Brandon Lyon (2008) and J.J. Putz (2012).
It’s tied with Shigetoshi Hasegawa of Seattle (2003) for second-longest streak in the majors by a Japanese-born pitcher. Koji Uehara of Boston had 27 straight scoreless appearances in 2011.
UP NEXT
Giants RHP Derek Rodriguez (2-1, 3.82 ERA) makes his sixth major league start. San Francisco has won four of his previous five. Arizona RHP Shelby Miller (0-1, 12.27) makes his second start since returning from Tommy John surgery in the second game of the three-game weekend series.
The move, made retroactive to June 24, was announced before the Royals’ road game Wednesday against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Royals say Grimm has right shoulder impingement syndrome.
Grimm’s most recent outing came Saturday Justin Layne Jersey , when he allowed a game-winning single to Carlos Correa with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 12th of a 4-3 loss to Houston.
Manager Ned Yost says he first heard about Grimm’s injury earlier this week. Grimm (1-3), who is making his second trip this year to the DL, would be eligible to return on July 4 against Cleveland.
Adam (0-1) is returning for another stint in the majors, with a 4.70 ERA in 14 games earlier this season with Kansas City.
—
At the halfway point of the season, some teams are looking like world-beaters and getting ready for the playoffs (i.e. Zach Gentry Jersey , Chiefs and Rams) and other teams are already looking forward to the 2019 NFL Draft (i.e., Giants and 49ers). No matter what team you root for, however Joey Bosa Jersey , it's always fun to do some very premature speculating on who your team will be selecting with their first round pick next April. The 2019 draft class is stocked to the brim with talented defensive lineman and offensive lineman. It's not a quarterback rich draft class unlike last years which featured Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield, Josh Allen and Josh Rosen all being selected within the top-10.Surely there will be a few quarterbacks that rapidly rise of draft boards due to exceptional performances at the scouting combine or their university's pro-day. But for the most part this coming draft will be dominated by future defensive stars. For purposes of this mid-season mock draft Dwayne Haskins Jersey , the draft order is determined by each team's record at the mid-season point (approximately week 8). This mock draft also does not account for potential trades, although trades are all but certain to happen. This mock-draft does take the time to specifically evaluate each teams strengths and weaknesses in order to determine which player they should select. So who is your team picking in 2019? Maybe they will pick up their next franchise changing wide-receiver or the future captain of their defense? It's the midpoint of the season so let the speculating begin. Feel free to leave comments of who you would draft instead for your favorite team.
Trophy will be handed out for the 50th time. It truly is a trophy that takes a collective unit to win. Sure http://www.arizonacardinalsteamonline.com/byron-murphy-jersey , having a great quarterback may be the most important ingredient to getting one, but you still need a running game, great pass protection, sure-handed receivers, a stout defense and reliable special teams. You also need a helluva coach to give your team the edge over 31 other teams.However through the Super Bowl's history some less deserving players have slipped through the cracks to get themselves a ring.There are truly hundreds of players that could have made this list Andy Isabella Jersey , but I tried not to only use bench players who never played a second and keep a nice mix of starters as well as backups.Some might not agree with everyone on this list as a couple of them are somehow in the Hall of Fame despite having well below average career numbers and some downright awful statistical seasons.Anyhow, there was no way to fit everyone deserving so feel free to add a comment with anyone we missed or anyone you think should have made the list of top 20 worst players to win a Super Bowl.With that said, let's begin! Failure in the NFL is inevitable. It's simply too competitive of a league to have everybody succeed, even on a limited basis. Moreover, a sizable portion of the busts in the league are actually players who were supposed to be productive over the long-term. Their careers didn't pan out the way that they wanted them to Alexander Mattison Jersey , and that much has been obvious. However, their NFL career is only one chapter in their lives, and eventually they've been all forced to move on, one way or another.Needless to say, some handle it better than others. While failure in the NFL is something that they won't forget for the rest of their lives http://www.vikingscheapshops.com/cheap-authentic-dru-samia-jersey , the ones who are able to compartmentalize it usually fare much better during their post-professional football career. The ones who don't, generally are bound to have some kind of problems, as the mental toll of being a draft bust can create many internal issues that are difficult to resolve. Let's take a look at some notable examples of both, and why they may have gone in the direction they did.Ranked below are 8 NFL draft busts doing well for themselves, and 7 who are doing terribly.
With the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft Bobby Okereke Jersey , the Dallas Cowboys selected running back Ezekiel Elliott from Ohio State University. Dallas Cowboys and secured their future for many years to come. He led them to a 13-3 record during his rookie season, just one year removed from a 4-12 year that most fans want to forget about.However, after losing a battle with the NFL to remove his six game suspension to zero, Ezekiel Elliott wound up sitting out from week nine to week 14. When he left, they were 4-3 but ended up going 3-3 during his suspension including losing three straight games. The Cowboys missed him last year and wound up 9-7.But that is not a big surprise anymore for Dallas fans. Mediocrity has become the norm in Texas, especially following a 11+ win season. You would have to go back to the days of Michael Irvin Khari Willis Jersey , Emmitt Smith, and Troy Aikman to find consecutive seasons of double digit wins, in 1996. Since then, any time they win 10 or more, they find themselves grabbing nine or less the following year.It all has to do with decisions made by Jerry Jones and his front office staff. From the bad draft picks to the insane free agent signings, those bad decisions have cost the Dallas Cowboys more than their fans will ever admit.Let's take a look at the 20 Worst Players in Modern Cowboys History. In line for his first win in more than two months Josh Allen Jersey , Zack Wheeler had to watch as the New York Mets bullpen turned a five-run lead into a two-run deficit.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a tiebreaking two-run home run in the eighth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays rallied to beat the struggling Mets 8-6 on Tuesday night.
”Wheeler threw a gem,” said Mets reliever Anthony Swarzak, who allowed three runs. ”We should have won this game.”
Yangervis Solarte hit a game-tying three-run home run off Robert Gsellman in the seventh before Gurriel Jr. went deep off Tim Peterson (1-1) in the eighth as the Blue Jays won for the 11th time in 14 home games.
”A couple of pitches that we didn’t quite execute, and they put them out of the park,” New York manager Mickey Callaway said.
The Mets have lost 11 of 13.
John Axford (2-1) pitched 1 2/3 innings to earn the win. Tyler Clippard got the final out for his sixth save in 10 opportunities, stranding runners at first and second.
Wheeler allowed two runs and three hits in 6 1/3 innings but was denied his first victory since April 29 at San Diego.
”He did great job tonight Jawaan Taylor Jersey ,” Callaway said. ”Obviously deserved a better fate than he got.”
Wheeler pitched seven scoreless innings against Pittsburgh in his previous start but the Mets lost 5-3.
”This is a good little stretch right now and hopefully I can keep it going,” Wheeler said.
Asdrubal Cabrera and Devin Mesoraco each hit two-run home runs for the Mets. Wilmer Flores added a solo shot.
Cabrera connected against Blue Jays right-hander Marco Estrada in the first and Mesoraco homered off Jake Petricka in the second.
Estrada was removed after 12 pitches because of a sore left hip. He faced three batters and got one out. Estrada allowed two runs and one hit.
”His left hip has been bothering him a little bit,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. ”It was bothering him in his last start but it was worse tonight.”
X-rays were negative. Estrada was undergoing an MRI following the game.
Petricka replaced Estrada and pitched 2 2/3 innings.
Mets outfielder Jose Bautista went 1 for 2 with a single and three walks in his first game in Toronto since leaving the Blue Jays at the end of last season, ending a 10-year run north of the border.
The crowd of 24,010 gave Bautista a standing ovation before his first at bat. The two-time home run champion took off his batting helmet and acknowledged both the fans and the Blue Jays dugout before drawing a five-pitch walk and scoring on Cabrera’s 15th homer.
”Great to be recognized, great to acknowledge the fans and great to know they feel good I’m back and wanted to recognize me Josh Oliver Jersey ,” Bautista said.
Bautista made a diving catch to retire Russell Martin for the final out of the second but was charged with a two-base error in the seventh when Randal Grichuk’s single skipped past him and rolled to the wall.
”I was actually going to try to make a play at first,” Bautista said. ”It was a good one to make an attempt, but the ball bounced a little higher than expected.”
Kevin Plawecki replaced Mesoraco at catcher in the seventh. Mesoraco was struck on the helmet by the carom when Travis was hit by a pitch in the fifth. Mesoraco was hit again by a swing in the sixth.
Callaway said Mesoraco passed concussion tests but would be monitored overnight.
TUNED IN
The Blue Jays played Bautista’s old walk-up music, Usher’s ”OMG,” before his first at bat. ”That caught me by surprise,” Bautista said.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mets: OF Yoenis Cespedes (right hip) felt fine after running a series of sprints Monday Deandre Baker Jersey , manager Mickey Callaway said. It was the first time Cespedes had run since leaving a minor league rehab game June 9. … RHP Noah Syndergaard (right index finger) and LHP Jason Vargas (right calf) faced each other in a simulated game at the Mets’ spring training facility in Florida Tuesday. Syndergaard threw 50 pitches and Vargas threw 65.
Blue Jays: RHP Seunghawn Oh (flu-like symptoms) was not available. … Minor league 3B prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (left knee) has resumed batting practice and is expected to participate in infield drills this weekend. Guerrero Jr. is working out at Toronto’s spring training facility in Florida.
UP NEXT
Mets RHP Corey Oswalt (0-1, 9.82) faces Blue Jays RHP Marcus Stroman (1-5, 6.02) in Wednesday’s series finale. Oswalt made his major league debut against Miami on June 29, allowing six runs in 2 2/3 innings. Stroman won for the first time this season in his previous outing, pitching seven innings against Detroit.
Jack Flaherty and four relievers combined on a four-hitter, Matt Carpenter homered and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 5-0 on Sunday night.
Brebbia (1-1) worked around two hits in a scoreless sixth inning to earn his first major league win. Austin Gomber, Jordan Hicks and Bud Norris each pitched a hitless inning to finish the shutout. It ended the Cardinals’ season-high four-game losing streak and prevented the Cubs from getting their first series sweep in St. Louis since Sept. 13-15, 2010.
”It’s definitely nice to get a win for sure,” Brebbia said. ”What’s really nice is we got a win against the Cubs in the division Greedy Williams Jersey , in what I think is a tight division right now so that’s probably the best part.”
Flaherty allowed just two hits while striking out seven in five innings, but he walked three and hit two batters and was pulled after throwing 97 pitches. He escaped a jam in the third inning when he struck out Kris Bryant with the bases loaded to keep the game scoreless.
”I was able to battle and execute when I needed to,” Flaherty said. ”I threw a lot of pitches in a short amount of time. I was hoping to go deeper, but that’s how it goes sometimes.”
Harrison Bader, Tommy Pham http://www.brownsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-sione-takitaki-jersey , and Marcell Ozuna each singled to open the sixth inning and load the bases. Pham’s single extended his hitting streak to a National League-best 11 games to chase Jose Quintana (6-5) from the game.
Bader scored the game’s first run when Yadier Molina grounded into a double play and Jedd Gyorko’s RBI single drove in Pham to make it 2-0.
Quintana was charged with the two runs and four hits in five-plus innings in his 200th career major league game.
”I felt pretty good,” Quintana said. ”I had all my stuff.”
Carpenter hit his 10th home run of the season and second of this series in the seventh inning off Brian Duensing to push the lead to 3-0.
Molina had an RBI double in the eighth, moved to third on Yairo Munoz’s infield single and scored on shortstop Addison Russell’s throwing error on the play.
Cubs shortstop Javier Baez left the game with a left elbow contusion after being hit by a pitch from Flaherty in the top of the third inning. Baez, who leads the team with 14 home runs, was replaced by Russell.
”I’m fine. Just really sore Sheldrick Redwine Jersey ,” Baez said. ”He got me really good. Right on the elbow.”
Chicago manager Joe Maddon was content with taking two of three in St. Louis.
He had reporters listen to a minute of the Meat Loaf song, ”Two out of Three Ain’t Bad,” before starting his press conference.
”We’ll take two out of three any day of the week, especially in this ball park,” Maddon said. ”We played well. We just didn’t get any hits tonight.”
BABY CUBS
The Cubs announced the signing of draft picks OF Brennen Davis (62nd overall) and RHP Paul Richan (78th overall) prior to Sunday’s game.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Cubs: RHP Yu Darvish (right triceps tendinitis) will throw a simulated game on Tuesday at Wrigley Field.
Cardinals: RHP Greg Holland will travel with the team to Philadelphia after tossing a scoreless inning Saturday night on a rehabilitation assignment with Double-A Springfield.
UP NEXT
Cubs: RHP Tyler Chatwood (3-5 http://www.brownsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-austin-seibert-jersey , 4.12) opposes Dodgers RHP Kenta Maeda (4-4, 3.61) as Chicago opens a a three-game series against Los Angeles on Monday. Chatwood has issued a major league-leading 58 walks.
Cardinals: RHP Miles Mikolas (7-2, 2.43) starts the opener of a three-game series in Philadelphia as St. Louis starts a seven-game trip. He will be opposed by Phillies RHP Nick Pivetta (4-6, 4.25).
—
Mets right-hander Noah Syndergaard has been prescribed more rest after getting a second opinion on a strained ligament in his index finger.
Manager Mickey Callaway said Syndergaard’s right finger is ”tender to the touch.” Syndergaard, on the disabled list retroactive to May 26 Trysten Hill Jersey , was examined Tuesday in New York. There is no immediate timetable for his return.
Callaway added that Syndergaard likely will need a rehab start. The Mets had hoped he could get back this week, but Syndergaard will miss his third straight turn in the rotation.
Seth Lugo again will take his place when New York begins a four-game series Thursday at Arizona.
Syndergaard is 4-1 with a 3.06 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings as one of the Mets’ aces, along with Jacob deGrom.
There have been no shortage of injuries to key players throughout the year http://www.ravenscheapstores.com/miles-boykin-jersey-cheap , as top draft picks like Jamaal Charles have been lost for the season with a torn ACL, while other premier players such as Eddie Lacy, who while remaining healthy (relatively speaking), is not producing at the level that anybody expected of him when they drafted him.The football season is brutal and your fantasy teams outlook can change drastically week to weekand you need to have the depth or the knowledge to prepare for when disaster strikes. For every key injury, opens up the spot for a new player, sometimes an unknown, to come in and make an impact that can end up saving your fantasy season.With the NFL fantasy season nearly over, it is also intriguing to get insight on some of the second year players and see their growth through the NFL. Quarterbacks like Blake Bortles and Derek Carr http://www.coltscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-bobby-okereke-jersey Jersey , who were sometimes serviceable as fantasy options last year, are now players that have helped save many smart fantasy owners seasons.Everyone knows who the top players are in the NFL. That is not always how you are going to win at fantasy football. It's about looking at the matchups and trying to predict who had a flukey week and who had production that you feel is sustainable throughout the season.No matter what position of your team got decimated from injury this year (because they all got hit), there were players on the waiver wire that would have helped change your season if you had been able to get to them quicker.Always keep your eyes peeled to the injury reports and the depth charts from around the league and you may just find the next stud who is going to help save your fantasy season. Shin-Soo Choo said he cares much more about getting on base multiple times each game than circling the bases.
Then, he proceeded to do both.
Choo reached base for the 41st straight game with a first-inning walk, tying the major league high this season, and also hit one of Texas’ five Texas home runs in the first three innings of the Rangers’ 11-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Friday night.
Rougned Odor, Robinson Chirinos and Nomar Mazara homered in a seven-run second inning. Joey Gallo and Choo went deep in the third as the Rangers won for the 10th time in 12 games.
Choo matched the streak that the Philadelphia Phillies’ Odubel Herrera put together March 30-May 19.
”Honestly, I don’t feel anything special Noah Fant Jersey ,” Choo said afterward. ”I’m just happy for winning the first game of a three-game series.”
Yovani Gallardo (2-0), making his third start since joining Texas on June 17, retired his first 10 batters and allowed all three runs on four hits and one walk in 7 1/3 seven innings. Gallardo struck out seven.
The 32-year-old who grew up in nearby Fort Worth is in his second stint with the Rangers after being released by Milwaukee in March and designated for assignment by Cincinnati in April.
Gallardo spent two months with Texas’ Triple-A Round Rock affiliate before being called up and credits the pitch clock in the minors for helping him.
”Grab the ball and go,” said Gallardo, who won 13 games for Texas in 2015. ”Not allowing myself and the hitter to think about things.”
Dylan Covey (3-3) allowed four homers and nine runs in 2 1/3 innings.
”They’re a hot team right now,” Covey said. ”Just not a good one for me.”
Choo greeted White Sox reliever Chris Volstad with his 15th homer of the season to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. He’s hitting .333 during the on-base streak with 52 hits and 38 walks.
The only Texas batter in the starting lineup without a hit was Adrian Beltre, whose 3,105 career hits rank 21st in major league history.
”Hopefully, the guys are continuing to improve, catch the ball a little bit more consistently and just continue to learn and get better,” Chicago manager Rick Renteria said.
PITCHING NO SWEAT FOR SOX’S DAVIDSON
Chicago outfielder Matt Davidson made his first pitching appearance since high school in the eighth inning. He retired all three batters he faced, closing with a strikeout of Odor, and was mobbed upon reaching the dugout.
”I know it sounds cheesy, but it was a dream come true,” Davidson said.
DRAW IN FIRST GAME OF STRIKEOUT DERBY
Gallo and Chicago’s Yoan Moncada each fanned twice. That allowed Gallo to maintain his one-strikeout lead over Moncada atop the major leagues Drew Lock Jersey , 116-115.
Rangers batters lead the American League in strikeouts with 783, followed by the White Sox with 774.
SHORT HOPS
White Sox 3B Yolmer Sanchez, who turned 26 on Friday, was held out of the lineup for precautionary reasons after sustaining a left quad contusion Thursday. Sanchez could return Saturday. … Choo’s on-base streak is the longest since Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman reached in 46 straight games in 2016. … Covey’s ERA in five career innings against Texas is 25.20.
TRAINER’S ROOM
White Sox: RHP Miguel Gonzalez (shoulder) was recalled from his rehab assignment because of discomfort during a side session following Sunday’s start. Gonzalez will be re-evaluated.
Rangers: LHP Martin Perez (right elbow) will make his second rehab start on Saturday for Double-A Frisco. Perez struck out nine and allowed only two singles in five innings Monday for Single-A Hickory.
UP NEXT
White Sox LHP Carlos Rodon (1-2) will seek his second consecutive win on Saturday. Rodon worked eight innings to match a career high and allowed just two runs to Oakland on Sunday. Rodon will face Rangers RHP Bartolo Colon (4-5), whose 244 career wins are one short of Dennis Martinez’s record for the most by a native of Latin America.
NFL season Quinnen Williams Jersey , front offices will now begin looking ahead to next offseason, and start to figure out how they'll upgrade their roster. Free agency is always one of the most popular methods, and we are beginning to get a sense who and who isn't going to be re-signed by their incumbent teams. As usual, tons of players are going to be hitting the open market come this March, and there will be plenty of high-profile signings along the way. We can begin to predict a few of them now.Inevitably though, there will be signings that crash and burn early. Every team thinks they're getting a productive player at the time they ink the contract, but reality has a way of making itself clear very early on. Free agency has a way of making players look more appealing than they really are http://www.cowboyscheapauthenticstore.com/trysten-hill-jersey-cheap , and many teams are invariably fooled by the intrigue these new players present. Let's see who fits the bill for that in the upcoming 2018 offseason.Ranked below are 15 NFL free agents who will end up being disappointments in the 2018 season. WASHINGTON — The Boston Red Sox will look to get a jump on the day and complete a sweep of the Washington Nationals Wednesday morning at Nationals Park.
The Nationals, hosting their traditional 11:05 a.m. July Fourth game, will try to avoid dropping their fifth straight game and falling below .500.
Boston (58-29) won for the seventh time in its last nine games Tuesday night, getting three-run homers from Eduardo Nunez and Xander Bogaerts, and a two-run shot from J.D. Martinez in an 11-4 rout.
The Red Sox took an early 3-0 lead on the Nunez homer in the second inning, pulled away with a six-run fifth and saw Martinez cap the offensive explosion in the ninth. Martinez drove in four runs, increasing his major league-leading RBI total to 71.
“Just a good day Jachai Polite Jersey ,” Martinez told mlb.com. “We came out, we kept the bases occupied, pretty much gave ourselves a chance where we kept passing the baton and getting the next guy up. Had a big hit from Bogey there early in the game, and everyone pretty much kept feeding off that.”
Washington (42-42) matched Boston’s hit total (12) but couldn’t string them together or produce them at crucial moments. The Nationals remained seven games behind Atlanta in the NL East.
Washington’s Tanner Roark (3-10) saw his June struggles bleed into July as he allowed nine runs on 10 hits in seven innings while preserving a tired bullpen. After the Nationals closed to within 3-2 in the fourth, Roark was tagged in the fifth.
“If these guys would give our lineup a chance, we’ll start winning some games because we are playing better,” Nationals manager Dave Martinez told mlb.com regarding the big inning. “I see that. We came back and scored two runs Chuma Edoga Jersey , and the energy was great. We go back out there, and they come back and score six runs, and everything just goes dormant again.
“They didn’t quit, but here we go, scratching and clawing again, trying to get back in the game, and it’s tough. It’s tough for the boys.”
Washington’s hopes for salvaging the finale rest with right-hander Erick Fedde (1-3 Trevon Wesco Jersey , 6.00 ERA), who is replacing injured Stephen Strasburg in the rotation. Fedde picked up a win in his previous start despite allowing five runs and eight hits in five innings of a 17-7 win over the Phillies on Friday.
“My stuff wasn’t great today,” he told MASN.com. “But days like those it’s really nice when your team puts up 17 runs. I’ll take that. Hopefully next time when the games are close, I can be the one to keep it close.”
Wednesday will be Fedde’s first career appearance against Boston.
Boston left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez (9-3, 4.11) will try to snap a two-start slump Wednesday morning. Last time out he gave up five runs on seven hits — including two home runs — in six innings of an 8-1 loss to the Yankees on Friday. It was his second straight loss after winning six straight starts.
“I missed a couple pitches down the plate and they made an adjustment,” Rodriguez told the Boston Herald. “No matter who you face, if you miss on the plate that’s what happens.”
Rodriguez has never faced the Nationals.
The Nationals may get some offensive help Wednesday with the possible return of first baseman Matt Adams (fractured finger) Shareef Miller Jersey , who went 0-for-3 in a rehab game Tuesday night for Double-A Harrisburg.
Well Chuma Edoga Jersey , friends, it’s that time of year again and while plenty of people are looking forward to the Super Bowl, it’s between a dynasty franchise frequently accused of cheating and a shouting, crotch-grabbing couple of egomaniacs. but each team deserves to be there.The Seahawks boast one of the greatest defenses the league has ever seen, while the Patriots have been dominant for over ten years, but have had a recent stretch of bad luck in the Super Bowl. Tom Brady and Russell Wilson will face off, a pocket passer in his late thirties versus a 26 year old scrambler on the verge of a huge raise (whether he wins or not).No matter how good the matchup is however, plenty of people hate both teams and as is the story every year, millions will tune in as excited for the commercials as they are for the game. The Super Bowl is that rare yearly occasion when fans aren’t repulsed by ads but are actually drawn to them. This is the reason paying $4.5 million for 30 seconds is still seen as a decent investment for companies.In 2015’s lineup of products willing to chuck money includes more of the usual, as BMW, Coca Cola http://www.newyorkjetsteamonline.com/trevon-wesco-jersey , Pepsi, Doritos, brewers, insurance companies, other auto manufacturers, a couple of tech related companies, and even Avocados from south of the border have thrown down for ad time. Weight Watchers has too, which is interesting. Overall, the ads seem to be saying: “drive a car everywhere, drink some soda, eat some junk food, wash that down with some beer Alexander Mattison Jersey , spend some money on tech, insure all the crap you just bought and make sure you sit on the couch and keep watching. After all this you’ll look like a walrus, but don’t worry, there’s a company for that too.”The last several years have produced some solid commercials, but since the late 70’s, the Super Bowl’s monumental hype has produced some of the most memorable commercials in television history. Here is our list of the most memorable Super Bowl ads of all time.The Budweiser ad “Wassup” gets an honorable mention and while it is memorable, it is memorable for being the most God-awful irritating thing about 1999-2000. As every NFL season continues to pass, it is as if we are granted a whole plethora of new rivalries to follow. This is very easy to understand because of the fact that football players are extremely competitive by nature. If this was not the case, the league would instantly be incredibly boring and far easier to predict. It is truly fascinating to see these player rivalries because a lot of the time, they are actually very good friends off the field. However, divisional rivalries and playoff matchups can create feuds between players that will never entirely resolve on the field. It is as if players are entirely different individuals while suited up in uniforms than when they are living normal lives.With all that has been stated thus far, in this article http://www.minnesotavikingsteamonline.com/dru-samia-jersey , we will be looking at eight best friends in the NFL and eight frenemies as well. Some of these relationships are easily predictable due to social media and/or their interactions on the field, but there are also others that will actually surprise you. However, at the end of the day, it is essential to remember that these players are all aiming to achieve the same goal: becoming Super Bowl Champions. This, in return, is what ultimately can create a significant divide amongst these fantastic superstars. However, as fans, we seem to only gain an even higher level of entertainment from this fact.Nonetheless, let’s take a look at the eight NFL friendships and eight NFL player relationships that can deemed as being frenemies!
Houston Astros catcher Brian McCann finally got to a point that something had to be done to try to fix his troublesome right knee.
McCann had arthroscopic surgery Tuesday after going on the disabled list for the second time this season http://www.bengalscheapstore.com/renell-wren-jersey-cheap , and the third time in less than a year, because of knee discomfort.
Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow told MLB.com and the Houston Chronicle during a 5-3 win at Texas that the team was optimistic that the surgery would resolve the issue that kept recurring. While not specific about the procedure or a timetable, the GM said he’d expect McCann back in September to get ready for October.
Manager A.J. Hinch said before the Astros’ 5-3 win at Texas that he and McCann had a long conversation about the knee problems when the team played in Tampa last weekend.
”It’s just continually the same issue over and over with his right knee,” Hinch said. ”One of the options is surgery, and he went back to Houston to take care of it.”
Catcher Tim Federowicz Michael Jordan Jersey , who made two starts earlier this season when McCann was on the DL, was promoted from Triple-A Fresno.
Max Stassi was the Astros’ starting catcher Tuesday night against the Rangers. Hinch said Stassi would get the bulk of the catching during McCann’s absence.
But Stassi never got behind the plate against the Rangers. He was hit by a pitch on his right (throwing) wrist while batting in the first inning. He stayed in the game to run, but Federowicz went to catch when the Astros took the field.
X-rays were negative, but Stassi has a bruised wrist and was considered day to day.
Shortstop Carlos Correa, who has been out since June 26 because of lower back soreness http://www.raidersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-hunter-renfrow-jersey , also was back in Houston. He is eligible to come off the DL as early as Friday, though Hinch wasn’t sure if Correa would be ready to play then.
”He’s been reporting to Minute Maid (Park) every day and working with our people there,” Hinch said. ”The good news is that everything has been a step forward. The uncertainty is still we haven’t done any baseball activities yet, so we don’t know how that’s going to impact his timeline until we get home.”
McCann missed nine games during his first DL stint this season before being activated June 8, the last time Houston played at the Rangers.
He was also on the DL for 11 days last August because of right knee soreness before the Astros went on to win their first World Series title. McCann played in all seven World Series games.
His latest DL move was retroactive to Monday Zach Brown Jersey , a day off for Houston.
McCann has hit .206 with five homers and 17 RBIs in 50 games this season. He was in a 1-for-26 slump before going on the DL for the first time this season on May 29. He hit .171 (7-of-41) with one homer and three RBIs in his 13 games in June after returning from the DL.
Stassi has hit .255 with seven homers and 22 RBIs in 49 games for the Astros. Federowicz hit .328 with six homers and 22 RBIs in 38 games at Fresno.
”I have a lot of confidence in Stassi and Fed, both with major league time,” Hinch said. ”They’re comfortable, they know our pitchers, they know our program Shareef Miller Jersey , our preparation, all things that make me feel really good about going into each particular game.”
—
Big names change National Football League teams each offseason. It’s the nature of the sport and of a competition that utilizes a hard salary cap for the structuring of rosters. Veterans look for last paydays before they are forced into retirement, and younger players looking to cash in on prior success sometimes find those opportunities with new employers. Then, there are the instances that involve individuals past their primes realizing that Father Time has finally caught up with them and that they should retire. Every all-time great destined to have his day in Canton and in the Hall of Fame eventually has to hang the cleats up. There’s no avoiding it. While we don’t see as many superstars traded in any given NFL year as in leagues such as the NBA and MLB, a football team may pull the trigger on such a deal to avoid losing a player for nothing during a future offseason. Landing even a fifth- or sixth-round pick for somebody who is not part of a franchise’s long-term plan is better than watching that athlete sign for another team as an unrestricted free agent. Smart trades Devin Bush Jersey , transactions that involve young talent and other valuable assets, can help an organization rebuild and, maybe, go from existing as a losing team to one capable of competing for a playoff spot in under 12 months.
17.05.2019 11:40
Forum Statistiken
Besucher
