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For the Chicago Cubs Buccaneers Game Jerseys , the last few days have felt like Christmas in July.
The team has won five games in a row and will try to stretch it to six on Wednesday afternoon in a Fourth of July matinee.
“Everything is believable,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon told reporters when asked about his team’s recent hot streak. “We believe in everything right now. Santa Claus is absolutely true.
“When you get to that point and you get that kind of confidence, you don’t want to do anything to nick it.”
Chicago (48-35) has climbed 13 games above .500 to match its high-water mark. The Cubs have a chance to set a new high when they host the Detroit Tigers (38-49) in the finale of a two-game series at Wrigley Field.
All of the Cubs’ five wins during the streak have been in come-from-behind fashion.
“One of our concepts is to score first,” Maddon said. “One of our concepts is to win the inning. But I think this is maybe the residue of our starting pitching not being what it probably is. We’ve given up more runs early from our starters that we didn’t anticipate happening.
“But it’s a tightly knit group. They’re there to pick everybody else up. So, OK, they’ve scored a couple runs. There’s no quit. The chatter in the dugout is great, all that stuff is outstanding. I just think that the come-from-behind component right now is based on our starters not pitching to their capabilities yet.”
That said, the Cubs will look for a solid start from left-hander Jose Quintana (6-6, 4.31 ERA) in his 17th start of the season. The 29-year-old has allowed three earned runs or fewer in nine of his past 12 starts.
In 18 career starts against the Tigers, Quintana is 5-5 with a 4.37 ERA. The Colombia native has walked 26 and struck out 82 in 111 1/3 innings.
The Tigers will counter with veteran left-hander Francisco Liriano (3-4, 3.99 ERA), who is scheduled to make his 13th start of the season. The burly southpaw carries a career record of 105-103 with a 4.14 ERA in 335 career games.
More than a few teams could be scouting the 34-year-old Liriano as the trade deadline approaches. He is coming off a quality start against the Toronto Blue Jays but has not logged a victory since April 17 against the Baltimore Orioles.
In 14 career starts against the Cubs, Liriano is 5-4 with a 3.27 ERA. He most recently faced the club in 2016 Authentic Ryan Jensen Jersey , when he posted an 0-2 record with a 7.63 ERA in three starts with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays.
The Tigers could turn to a six-man rotation in the next couple weeks, which is fine with Liriano.
“I think that would work,” Liriano said recently to mlive.com. “It wouldn’t bother me at all. I don’t know about any other guys. (Blaine) Hardy has been doing a great job, so it’s hard to put him in the bullpen with the way he’s throwing the ball right now. I think that’s a great idea.”
Injured Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (shoulder) is not expected to play Wednesday. He is hitting .280 with nine home runs and 36 RBIs in 66 games this season.
Working the phones and making shrewd picks that addressed the present and future needs of the Baltimore Ravens, Ozzie Newsome conjured one final fascinating draft for a team that has relied on his intuition since its inception.After making six trades and selecting 12 players, Newsome declared Saturday night: "The Baltimore Ravens are a better football team after the past three days."
Newsome is stepping down as general manager after this season. He has owned the final say in the Ravens' draft room since 1996, when he chose future Hall of Famers Jonathan Ogden and Ray Lewis in the first round.
The 2018 draft may not turn out to be as successful, but coach John Harbaugh 鈥?who'd heading into his 11th year with Baltimore 鈥?wouldn't bet against it.
"I told Ozzie just as we finished this thing up, I feel like this is his best draft since I've been here," Harbaugh said. "Heck, maybe the best ever."
Denying last month that he was carrying any nostalgic feelings into the draft, Newsome insisted he was focused solely on filling holes on a team that's missed the postseason for three straight years.
He did just that. For trivia buffs out there, his final draft pick was at defensive end: Zach Sieler of Ferris State in the seventh round.
His work done Paul Worrilow Jersey Eagles , Newsome was about to hang up the phone when he realized the significance of the moment.
"Yes, it was emotional," he acknowledged. "The kid told me he was going to make me proud."
Newsome will be succeeded by assistant GM Eric DeCosta. This may have been Newsome's final draft, but his work is not done.
"Even though there's a finality with that, there's not finality for what I'm going to continue to do with the Baltimore Ravens," he said.
Newsome was at his finest this week. He moved back twice in the first round before selecting South Carolina tight end Hayden Hurst at No. 25, providing quarterback Joe Flacco with a downfield threat from the slot.
Then, Newsome made a bold move that ultimately will determine the success of this draft. He swapped three picks to choose at No. 32, where he snapped up Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson, the multifaceted 2016 Heisman Trophy winner.
The Ravens insist Flacco will remain the starter this season, but it might be hard to resist for long the temptation of playing an athlete who accounted for 119 touchdowns in three college seasons.
On Day 2, after two more trades, Newsome turned his attention back to the 2018 Ravens by taking right tackle Orlando Brown Jr. 鈥攚hose father played with Baltimore 鈥?and tight end Mark Andrews of Oklahoma.
For his last day as Baltimore's draft guru Tre'Quan Smith Color Rush Jersey , Newsome had eight choices. Each was made with intense consideration, as always.
"A lot of work has gone into this, starting back last June," Newsome said. "I really, really feel very good about this class and how it came to be."
Some items of note from the Ravens draft:
HERE'S THE CATCH: The theme of this offseason for Baltimore has been to overhaul the receiving corps, and Newsome continued the process in the draft.
After signing free agent receivers Michael Crabtree, John Brown and Willie Snead in recent weeks, Newsome collared two tight ends in the draft and on Saturday used two straight picks on receivers: Jaleel Scott of New Mexico State in the fourth round and Jordan Lasley of UCLA in the fifth.
Scott and Lasley both topped 1,000 yards receiving last season and each scored nine TDs.
ON THE DEFENSIVE: After using the first two days of the draft to improve the Ravens' offense, Newsome turned his attention Saturday to the other side of the ball.
He selected Alabama cornerback Anthony Averett at 118th overall, UCLA inside linebacker Kenny Young at No. 122 and Texas safety DeShon Elliott at 190 and then, finally, Sieler.
HOLD THAT LINE: Extending his effort to make life easier for Flacco Dorance Armstrong Jr. Jersey Elite , Newsome attempted to shore up the offensive line in the draft.
After the Ravens lost right tackle Austin Howard and center Ryan Jensen during the offseason, they grabbed a few potential replacements.
In addition to Brown, the Ravens took tackle Greg Senat from Wagner, a 6-foot-6, 305-pounder who also played on the basketball team. In the seventh round, Newsome again tapped his alma mater, selecting Alabama center Bradley Bozeman.
STILL NEED: The Ravens are fine with running back Alex Collins but hoped to find at least one backup in the draft.
DeCosta said that just as Baltimore was ready to pounce, another team stepped in and took the Ravens' choice.
"There will be more opportunities for us," he said.
.SUNRISE Rams Cheap Jerseys , Fla. — The Boston Bruins clinched a playoff berth, and just how motivated they will be to beat the host Florida Panthers on Thursday night at the BB&T Center remains to be seen.
The Florida Panthers, on the other hand, are fighting for their hockey lives. They must win their three remaining games — home-and-home with the Bruins sandwiching a contest against the Buffalo Sabres — and hope that either the Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils or Philadelphia Flyers stumble the rest of this week.
“We have to win out,” Panthers winger Jonathan Huberdeau said. “We have to win every game.”
Meanwhile, the Bruins (49-18-12) are locked in a fight with the Tampa Bay Lightning for first place in the Atlantic Division. Both teams have 110 points, but Boston has one game in hand.
On Tuesday night, the Bruins were embarrassed in a 4-0 loss at the Lightning. It was Boston’s second straight defeat — and that is not the way a team wants to head into the playoffs.
Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask has had a great season with a 2.32 goals-against average and a 34-12-5 record. But his performance on Tuesday against Tampa Bay was not his best.
“Two goals from distance — he’s been better (in other games), and I think he would be the first one to say that,” Boston coach Bruce Cassidy said. “The second goal might have been through traffic. But the first one simply can’t go in.
“We didn’t score … so it might not have mattered.”
So there you have it: A desperate Panthers team that needs to win and hope for help to make it as an Eastern Conference wild-card playoff team competing against a Bruins squad that is already in but wants to be sharper as it prepares for the postseason.
The Panthers are coming off their most dramatic game of the year, a 2-1 home win over Nashville Predators, a team with the best record in the NHL.
With the Panthers clinging to that 2-1 lead, Nashville pulled its goalie for an extra attacker during the final three minutes. Panthers center Aleksander Barkov had a chance at an empty-net goal to ice the game, but his shot hit the post.
Given a reprieve Cheap Richard Rodgers Jersey , Nashville turned up the pressure. Incredibly, the Predators scored with 0.3 seconds left as Filip Forsberg tapped in a loose puck. But after a dramatic video review, it was ruled that Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo had stopped the puck before Nashville’s Viktor Arvidsson spun him around with his stick.
Goalie interference was the call, and Luongo — naturally — agreed.
“At first, I wasn’t sure what happened,” Luongo said. “But once I saw the replay, the puck was between my legs. (Arvidsson) pitch-forked me. As he spun me around, the puck came loose.
“(The puck) was definitely under me. It was between my legs and covered. Once he spun me around, the puck came out. It’s pretty clear.”
Luongo, who turned 39 on Wednesday, gave a shout out to the replay crew after beating Nashville in career game No. 999
“I was happy they made the right call,” he said. “It would’ve been upsetting if it would’ve been ruled a goal. (During the review), I was trying not to snap if they allowed the goal. That’s what I kept telling myself.”
Boston still has a shot to overtake Nashville in the race for the Presidents’ Trophy, trailing by three points with a game in hand.
For Thursday’s game, one player to watch is Florida’s Colton Sceviour Authentic Cody Latimer Jersey , normally a bottom-six forward. In the Panthers’ past two games, however, he made a third-period, game-winning play in each. He got a hit and an assist that led to the winning goal against the Carolina Hurricanes and scored the winning goal against Nashville.
Florida is relatively healthy. Boston, meanwhile, will be without defenseman Brandon Carlo (ankle) and winger Anders Bjork (shoulder). In addition, two key players, winger Rick Nash (upper body) and center Riley Nash (ear), are questionable.
CLEVELAND — There is no team Edwin Jackson enjoys facing more than the one he will face Saturday afternoon at Progressive Field. The 34-year-old right-hander will be on the mound for the Oakland A’s, facing a Cleveland Indians team Jackson has beaten 10 times in a row.
It’s been more than 10 years since Jackson lost to Cleveland. The last time, and the only time, he lost to the Indians was on Aug. 17, 2007, when Jackson was pitching for Tampa Bay.
Since then, Jackson is 10-0 against the Indians. In 16 career appearances against Cleveland http://www.cowboysauthorizedshops.com/authentic-mike-white-jersey , Jackson is 10-1 with a 2.76 ERA. His 10 wins against the Indians match his most victories against any opponent. He has also beaten Pittsburgh 10 times.
Jackson’s 10-game winning streak against Cleveland is the longest by any pitcher against the Indians since Charlie Hough won 13 in a row from June 30, 1984, to April 4, 1988.
If all that wasn’t impressive enough, Jackson’s record in eight career appearances at Progressive Field is 5-0 with a 1.90 ERA.
The A’s signed Jackson to a minor league contract in early June, and called him up to the majors on June 23. He is 1-0 with a 2.13 ERA overall this season after making two starts for Oakland.
“Based on the way he was available and the way he’s been able to pitch for us it’s a surprise, but he’s always been able to do that a little bit with the sinker and the four-seamer,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said, according to USA Today.
“Now he just manipulates a little bit more and the off-speed stuff with the changeup speed and the slider. It really keeps you off-balance.”
Jackson’s last start was against the Indians, and it resulted in a 7-2 victory in Oakland on June 30. He pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on two hits, with six strikeouts.
The Indians will start ace Corey Kluber on Saturday. Kluber (12-4, 2.64 ERA) started the season very strong, but has had a couple of tough outings over his last four starts. In his first 14 starts, Kluber was 10-2 with a 1.99 ERA. However Authentic Sebastian Janikowski Jersey , in his last four starts he is 2-2, with a 5.95 ERA.
Kluber’s last start was a 9-3 win over Kansas City on Monday, a game in which Kluber pitched six innings, giving up three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and no walks.
In two starts against the A’s last year Kluber was 1-0 with a 2.03 ERA. In eight career appearances, including seven starts, against Oakland he is 2-4 with a 2.66 ERA.
The Indians won the first game of the series 10-4 Friday night. In the last two meetings between the two teams Cleveland has outscored Oakland 25-7.
The Indians on Friday designated for assignment reliever George Kontos to clear a roster spot for pitcher Carlos Carrasco, who was activated off the disabled list and started Friday’s game.
The Indians will be adding another player in the not too distant future. The team has signed outfielder Melky Cabrera to a minor league contract as an eventual replacement for outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday with a left calf strain.
“It’s a significant strain. He’s going to miss considerable time,” said Indians manager Terry Francona.
Cabrera played 17 games with the Indians earlier this season, hitting .207. He was designated for assignment on June 14. He had three hits Thursday in his first game at Triple-A Columbus.
“Three hits in his first game is pretty phenomenal,” Francona said. “We want to let him get his legs under him, but when he signed he knew he wasn’t going to stay (at Columbus) forever. So at some point we’ll have to make a decision (on how to add Cabrera to the major league roster).”
.President and CEO Mark Murphy said the outlook for the Packers remains strong as the NFL's only publicly owned team released its 2018 financial statement on Monday. The Packers announced a profit from operations of $34.1 million Kemoko Turay Jersey Elite , a steep decline from $65.4 million a year earlier. Expenses soared 11.9 percent, from $376.1 million to $420.9 million, a byproduct of player salaries, coaching changes and travel costs. Revenue increased just 3.1 percent from $441.4 million to $454.9 million.
"The NFL continues to be very popular nationally," Murphy said. "There's been a lot talked about with ratings that have gone down, but, really, relative to ratings overall, the league remains very strong. The fan interest and support remain strong for both the league and us. Our strong, stable financial position has allowed us to invest in the team through contracts for players and coaches, our facility, the stadium, the fan experience and community Customized Kansas City Chiefs Jerseys , and making sure the franchise stays strong for the future."
Revenue from national sources rose by 4.9 percent, due to built-in increases in the national TV package. Local revenue grew by a scant 0.8 percent. A 7-9 record - the team's first losing season since 2008 - hurt the bottom line.
"This is the first year since 2008 that we were not in the playoffs, and I think that had an impact on us," Murphy said. "We didn't have a home playoff game and some of our visitation numbers were down a little bit. We don't see that as a negative trend."
The Packers made several big changes during the offseason. Murphy picked Brian Gutekunst to replace longtime general manager Ted Thompson, and coach Mike McCarthy replaced defensive coordinator Dom Capers with Mike Pettine and offensive coordinator Edgar Bennett with Joe Philbin.
Plus, quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be back after missing half of last season with a broken collarbone. Murphy said he senses a renewed level of enthusiasm from fans, with the team kicking off its 100th season with the start of training camp on July 26.
"Certainly, having Aaron healthy is a part of that, but I think some of the changes we've made coaching staff as well as the draft and players we've added, I think people are excited for the season," Murphy said. "You add on top of that the 100 seasons, it should, knock on wood Curt Schilling Jersey , be a good year."
RODGERS WATCH
Rodgers, who is under contract through the 2019 season, told NBC Sports over the weekend there is "some merit" in working out a "nontraditional contractual agreement." Murphy wouldn't get into specifics but said: "Obviously, he's an important player. He wants to be here and want him to be here. When both sides have a common interest, you get deals done."
PLAYER PROTESTS
In May, league owners agreed to a policy that requires players to stand if they are on the field for the national anthem but allows them to stay in the locker room if they prefer. The NFL Players Association last week filed a grievance against the league for imposing a policy that is "inconsistent" with the collective bargaining agreement and "infringes" on player rights. Murphy said he was hopeful of a resolution.
"I've had a lot of conversations with our players," he said. "We really want to put the focus on the underlying issues and we realize our players are patriotic, they don't disrespect the flag, they don't disrespect the country. We're really looking at the underlying issues of racial discrimination, police brutality. We've had discussions with players about putting resources toward some of the causes."
NEXT CBA
Murphy said he also hopes the CBA, which will expire after the 2020 season, can be extended. He said the NFL doesn't have the guaranteed money seen in NBA contracts, though "over the last 10 years or so Adidas Brad Marchand Jersey , a higher percentage of the players' money is guaranteed."
"To me, the best thing about our collective bargaining agreement is the rookie pay is under control. We've got a system in place that I think is working well. More of the money is going to the veterans, who deserve it and have earned it. There were times under the old agreement that the highest paid players in the league were rookies at their positions, which was crazy."
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats never gave former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel a chance to start, but they're giving him the opportunity to succeed elsewhere.On Sunday, TSN's Duane Forde reported that the Tiger-Cats have traded Manziel to the Montreal Alouettes, who are desperate for a quarterback after falling to a brutal 1-4 record to start the season.Johnny Manziel to Montreal is a done deal. Expect an announcement shortly.— Duane Forde (@DuaneFordeTSN) July 22, 2018Here is THE TRADE: Hamilton sends QB Johnny Manziel, OT Tony Washington and OL Landon Rice for DE Jamaal Westerman, WR Chris Williams and 2 first-round picks in 2020 and 2021. #CFL #donedeal— David William Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) July 22, 2018After being out of football for two years, Manziel signed a two-year contract with Hamilton in May. But 29-year-old quarterback Jeremiah Masoli has performed just fine, and the Tiger-Cats are second in the East Division with a 2-3 record.Adding Manziel will certainly do a lot for the Alouettes from a public relations standpoint. He was a media darling during his days at Texas A&M Brian O'Neill Jersey Elite , and was drafted with the 22nd pick by the Cleveland Browns in 2014.However, Manziel battled well-documented behavioural issues off the field. This included struggles with alcohol addiction, arrests and a domestic violence investigation. Manziel also broke Cleveland curfew rules and was often spotted partying during the season. He also didn't take his job seriously in Cleveland, which caused the team to release him in the 2016 offseason.But in February, Manziel appeared on Good Morning America and opened up about his struggles with alcohol and bipolar disorder. Manziel said that he no longer drinks and has since been committed to resuming his football career. Known for his dual threat style of play, Manziel will have the chance to turn around a long-struggling Alouettes team that has missed the playoffs in three consecutive years. And if he can succeed in the CFL, Manziel just might set himself up for another chance in the NFL.Hamilton was doing just fine without Manziel, but the Alouettes desperately needed a quarterback. Now, Manziel has the opportunity to turn around his football career in one of Canada's top cities..SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (9-7)
OPEN CAMP: July 26 Authentic Joe Thornton Jersey , Virginia Mason Athletic Center, Renton, Washington
LAST YEAR: Seattle missed postseason for first time since 2011 and injuries and depth issues caught up with aging core. Once-vaunted defense took significant step back and offense that had been best at running was downright dreadful. Seattle had one rushing TD last year by running back and QB Russell Wilson again spent large portions running for his safety. That Seattle won nine games and was in playoff conversation into late December was remarkable.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: Rookie RB Rashaad Penny, WR Brandon Marshall, WR Jaron Brown, TE Ed Dickson, OL D.J. Fluker, DT Tom Johnson Youth Preston Brown Jersey , DT Shamar Stephen, rookie DE Rasheem Green, LB Barkevious Mingo, rookie LB/DB Shaquem Griffin, K Sebastian Janikowski, K Jason Myers, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, offensive line coach Mike Solari Dallas Goedert Eagles Jersey , defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: RB Eddie Lacy, WR Paul Richardson, TE Jimmy Graham, OL Luke Joeckel, DE Cliff Avril, DE Michael Bennett, SS Kam Chancellor, CB Richard Sherman Calvin Ridley Falcons Jersey , offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, offensive line coach Tom Cable, defensive coordinator Kris Richard.
CAMP NEEDS: Happy Earl Thomas is good place to start. Thomas held out from offseason activities and has said he will not take part in team functions until contract situation is addressed. Thomas' deal expires after season. Who will be Seattle's No. 2 wide receiver? Tyler Lockett, now fully healthy after broken leg suffered late in 2016? Veteran Brandon Marshall after injury-filled 2017? Seattle must also find pass rush after departures of Bennett and Avril. Frank Clark can't do it alone.
EXPECTATIONS: Different than they've been since first couple years of Pete Carroll's tenure. Seattle clearly decided to refresh locker room this offseason. Gone are big personalities of Sherman and Bennett. Also gone: lots of talent, a void that may not be filled immediately. There is optimism about Seattle's rookie class, but for first time since 2013 Seahawks don't go into season as one of favorite.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have released veteran running back Chris Ivory, who was ineffective and then inactive late in the season.Ivory averaged 3.4 yards a carry, finishing with 382 yards and a touchdown last season. He was inactive for four of Jacksonville’s final five games. The Jaguars used versatile running back T.J. Yeldon and speedster Corey Grant down the stretch to give rookie workhorse Leonard Fournette breaks.
Cutting Ivory will save the Jaguars $3.6 million in salary-cap space in 2018.
Ivory has 4 Marquis Haynes Color Rush Jersey ,852 yards and 28 touchdowns in eight seasons with New Orleans, the New York Jets and Jacksonville. He topped 1,000 yards with the Jets in 2015 and then signed a five-year, $32 million contract with Jacksonville.
The Jaguars also parted ways with defensive back Jarrod Harper, running back I’Tavius Mathers and receiver Larry Pinkard.
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It’s just one of several recent posts by Newton Joseph Noteboom Color Rush Jersey , most of which include him working out or showing off his chiseled six-pack abs.
The league’s 2015 MVP enters his eighth NFL season anxious to push the Panthers deeper into the playoffs after an 11-5 regular season ended with a first-round playoff loss to New Orleans last season.
Newton was in a jovial mood Thursday night as the team held its first training camp practice at Wofford College as new owner David Tepper looked on from the sideline. The quarterback led ”the wave” with the crowd and laughed it up with teammates during breaks in practice.
”It’s just nice to see him be Cam and have a lot of life and have a lot of energy and enthusiasm,” Panthers tight end Greg Olsen said on check-in day on Wednesday. ”When he’s like that, he’s at his best.”
It helps that Newton doesn’t have to worry about rehabbing an injured shoulder as he did last summer.
Newton missed all of minicamp and OTAs in 2017 after rotator cuff surgery on his throwing shoulder following the 2016 season. He was back to throwing at training camp last year, but developed soreness after five practices.
Not wanting to chance any setbacks, the Panthers only allowed Newton to throw two passes in the preseason games.
Newton made it back for the start of the regular season and played in all 16 games. He struggled statistically, completing just 59.1 percent of his passes with 22 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, but it’s difficult to pin that on Newton or his shoulder.
Injuries to the offensive line and wide receiver position often left the former Heisman Trophy winner running from defenders after being flushed out of the pocket, desperately trying to find an open option.
Panthers general manager Marty Hurney addressed the need for playmakers at the wide receiver position this offseason by trading for Torrey Smith, signing free agent Jarius Wright and drafting rookie D.J. Moore in the first round.
”I thought you saw a lot of energy out of our offense in minicamp,” Hurney said. ”You just don’t know, but you want to see it come together.”
Newton is also adapting to a new offensive scheme after the Panthers fired Mike Shula and replaced him with Norv Turner. Running back Christian McCaffrey said Turner and Newton ”have really bonded” so far this offseason.
”Cam’s been throwing it really well. He has been making great reads and I think he’s just as excited as anybody for the season,” McCaffrey said.
Coach Ron Rivera said what excites him the most about Newton is the simple fact that he’s healthy and Authentic Justus Annunen Jersey , as Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess said, ”is ready to rock.”
That has allowed him to work through some of the intricacies of Turner’s offense during OTAs and minicamp.
”Going into this camp, I think we’re already ahead with him,” Rivera said.
Newton didn’t talk to reporters following the completion of the team’s first practice at Gibbs Stadium, instead spending time signing autographs before heading in for team meetings. But he did post ”you know I’m ready” in a recent Instagram video.
”I think that’s the understatement of the year to say that him being out there makes a big difference, right?” said Olsen, who missed more than half of the 2017 season with a foot injury.
”Just his presence on the field. Having a full OTAs and minicamp with him and then getting some work done with him this summer and just seeing how good he’s feeling and moving around and training and throwing a lot, and now being able to do a full training camp – those are all stark contrasts with where we were at this point last year. One would hope that that’s a good sign for us.”
Newton is betting on it.
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The Marlins overtook the Mets on the scoreboard and in the standings Saturday.
And for the second game in a row, Miami beat New York with a rookie pitcher making his first major league start.
Brian Anderson hit a two-run homer off Jacob deGrom and the Marlins climbed out of last place in the NL East by rallying past the reeling Mets, 5-2.
”We’re not in last place? Awesome,” said J.T. Riddle, whose scratch RBI single put Miami ahead to stay.
The Mets (32-48) lost for the 10th time in 11 games and fell into last place for the first time this year. They finished 5-21 this month for the worst June in franchise history Leighton Vander Cowboys Esch Jersey , and they’ve plummeted from 10 games over .500 to 15 under at an earlier date than any team in major league history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
”It was not the goal when we came in,” deGrom said. ”This is the complete opposite. Nobody’s happy with that.”
Meanwhile, the rebuilding Marlins (34-50) went 14-14 in June, their best month this season.
They seem to get better as they get younger. Pablo Lopez (1-0) allowed two runs in six innings in his major league debut less than 24 hours after Sandy Alcantara won his first big league start Friday. Both are 22.
The last time two pitchers on the same National League team earned wins in their first career starts in consecutive days was in 1967 when Gary Nolan and Mel Queen did so for the Reds, according to Stats LLC.
DeGrom took a 2-0 lead into the sixth, but Anderson’s fifth homer tied it. Riddle beat out a dribbler to the first baseman for a two-out RBI hit that put Miami ahead.
”I thought that swinging bunt was foul,” deGrom said. ”I should have gone over there and got it.”
Another fielding lapse cost the Mets in the seventh. J.T. Realmuto hit a two-run double after an error by shortstop Amed Rosario prolonged the inning.
Drew Steckenrider pitched a perfect eighth, and Kyle Barraclough earned his eighth save with a 1-2-3 ninth. Steckenrider has thrown 15 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings, and Barraclough has thrown 20 2/3 – two more reasons the Marlins are on the rise.
”We’re gaining some type of identity as to what kind of games we need to play to win,” manager Don Mattingly said. ”We’re not going to outslug anybody. We’re going to have to pitch and play defense and scratch for runs.”
The Mets’ runs came on solo homers against Lopez. Jose Bautista hit his fifth of the year, his third with the Mets. Todd Frazier added his ninth.
DeGrom (5-4) Christian Kirk Jersey Cardinals , who departed after six innings trailing 3-2, fell to 1-4 in his past five starts despite allowing only 15 runs. His ERA, lowest in the majors coming into the game, rose to 1.84.
”I am definitely frustrated,” he said. ”I’m tired of losing.”
ROOKIE PITCHERS
Lopez was the 17th rookie and 12th rookie pitcher used by Marlins, both most in the majors.
”As soon as I stepped out of the dugout, I just kept looking up in the stands, and they were so big, all the way up to the sky,” the Venezuelan right-hander said. ”This is where I wanted to be. I just needed to calm myself down.”
Four pitchers have made their first major league start against New York this year, and they’ve combined to go 3-0 with an ERA of 1.57. But at the moment, the Mets are having trouble beating anybody.
”It’s difficult right now Jeremiah Attaochu Color Rush Jersey ,” first-year manager Mickey Callaway said. ”I know the players are feeling it. I know the fans are feeling.”
EFFORT ISSUE?
Mets pinch-hitter Jose Reyes appeared not to run out a grounder to short in the seventh.
”It looked like that to us, too,” Callaway said. ”I went to talk to Rey-Rey, and he said he felt something out of the box and he was scared he was going to pull something. He kind of pulled up halfway. I thought that maybe he was frustrated, but he felt something coming out of the box.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mets: RHP Noah Syndergaard (finger) and LHP Jason Vargas (calf) are expected to start against each other in a simulated game next week at Single-A Port St. Lucie.
UP NEXT
Mets LHP Steven Matz (3-5, 3.69), who has thrown 13 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings at Marlins Park, is scheduled to start the series finale Sunday against RHP Dan Straily (3-3, 4.82).
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The Latest on NBA free agency (all times EDT):
8 p.m.
Mike Scott is headed West to the Clippers.
The unrestricted free agent forward has agreed to a one-year deal Adam Boqvist Blackhawks Jersey , according to a person with knowledge of the agreement who spoke on condition of anonymity because it remains unsigned.
Scott averaged 8.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and shot 40 percent from 3-point range as a reserve in his first season with the Washington Wizards.
– Reporting by AP Sports Writer Beth Harris in Los Angeles.
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6:55 p.m.
Utah didn’t let Dante Exum get away.
The Jazz locked up their third internal free agent of the summer Tuesday, agreeing to terms with Exum on a three-year extension that will be worth around $33 million. The extension was confirmed to The Associated Press by a person with knowledge of the agreement, speaking on condition of anonymity because it remains unsigned.
Exum has been limited to a total of 80 regular-season games over the past three seasons. He averaged 8.1 points and 3.1 assists last season for the Jazz.
– Reporting by AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds in Miami
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5:35 p.m.
Utah has kept another of its internal targets, with restricted free agent Raul Neto agreeing to a two-year extension.
Neto’s decision was confirmed Tuesday by a person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal remains unsigned, with the NBA’s offseason moratorium in place until Friday.
The news comes one day after the Jazz and Derrick Favors also agreed on a two-year contract.
Neto averaged 4.5 points and 1.8 assists per game last season for Utah, which is still seeking a deal with its third in-house free agent – Dante Exum.
– Reporting by AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds in Miami
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5:25 p.m.
Tyreke Evans had plenty of suitors, and decided to sign with the Indiana Pacers.
A person with knowledge of the negotiations says Evans has agreed to a one-year deal that will be worth $12 million for next season. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the contract cannot be signed until Friday at the earliest.
Evans is a proven scorer, and expanded his 3-point ability last season as well. He spent last year with Memphis, averaging 19.4 points per game.
For his career, Evans has averaged 16.5 points in stints with Sacramento, New Orleans and the Grizzlies. He also had meetings with Golden State and Oklahoma City, among others, before choosing the Pacers.
– Reporting by AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds in Miami
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4:35 p.m.
Jeff Green is heading back to Washington, the city where he played college basketball at Georgetown Cheap Customized Green Bay Packers Jerseys , joining the Wizards to provide some front-court help.
A person familiar with the deal tells The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday that Green agreed to a one-year contract for the veteran’s minimum of $2.4 million. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the move cannot become official until after the NBA’s free-agency moratorium is lifted Friday.
Washington needed to add some big men after trading away starting center Marcin Gortat and losing backup power forward Mike Scott to free agency.
The Wizards play in the same arena that Green played most of his home games in while with the Hoyas, who he led to the Final Four in 2007.
Green, who turns 32 in August, spent last season with the Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers. He has played 10 NBA seasons with six teams, averaging 13.2 points and 4.6 rebounds.
He missed the 2011-12 season because of open heart surgery.
– Reporting by AP Sports Writer Howard Fendrich in London.
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2:35 p.m.
Michael Carter-Williams is on the move again, this time to the Houston Rockets to add some backcourt depth behind MVP James Harden and Chris Paul.
A person involved in the negotiations says Carter-Williams agreed Tuesday to a one-year minimum deal. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal is unsigned.
Houston will become Carter-Williams’ fifth team in six seasons. He was a backup in Charlotte last year, averaging 4.6 points per game.
He was the NBA’s rookie of the year for Philadelphia in 2013-14 when he averaged 16.7 points per game. But his scoring average has dropped each year since.
– Reporting by AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds in Miami.
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9:30 a.m.
Avery Bradley is staying with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Bradley has agreed to sign a two-year contract with the Clippers after free agents can begin making deals official on Friday, according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because neither side was commenting publicly until the league’s offseason moratorium ends.
Yahoo Sports, which first reported the agreement, said the contract will be worth $25 million.
Bradley played in 46 games last season between the Detroit Pistons and the Clippers. He was traded to the Clippers in January as part of the Blake Griffin deal, then made only six appearances with Los Angeles before being shut down with a hernia.
For his career, Bradley has averaged 12.3 points in 459 NBA games.
– Reporting by AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds in Miami
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LeBron James walked into his final interview of the NBA Finals with one last surprise: A dark brace on his right hand, covering an injury he’s hidden for a week.
”Pretty much played the last three games with a broken hand,” James said.
The cause: He punched something after Game 1 of the finals, his frustration having obviously boiled way over when the Cleveland Cavaliers let the series opener against the Golden State Warriors get away amid late-game miscues and one overturned call that left him seething.
The injury was never disclosed Raiders Authentic Jerseys , and James played basically every minute for the rest of the series and put up great numbers.
James didn’t get the only reward he still seeks from the game of basketball. There will be no parade for him this year, no ring, no banner ceremony. All James has now is a few weeks to think, a few weeks to ponder his next move.
With that, the watch is on. What will LeBron James do next?
”I have no idea at this point,” James said.
This ending – a loss – was inevitable: For as good as James was this season, his Cavaliers were not good enough. No one gave them a chance to beat the Golden State Warriors, for obvious reasons. And the ending was a sweep, the second of James’ career in the NBA Finals and perhaps a most unceremonious end to his time in Cleveland.
The final on Friday night was Golden State 108, Cleveland 85. The Cavaliers probably should have won Game 1 and had a great chance to win Game 3, but there’s no doubting who the better team is.
The Warriors are better. James knows that.
The Warriors are smarter. James knows that, too.
He scored 23 points in Game 4, by far his lowest-output game of the series. The Cavs led briefly in the first half, but it was over shortly after halftime. James was subbed out for Cedi Osman with 4:03 remaining, shook hands with a few of the Warriors players on his way to the bench Authentic Anthony Averett Jersey , and walked off the court shortly after time expired.
”He’s a bad boy, and I love having him on our team,” Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said. ”He fights and competes to the end. Sometimes you can give everything you’ve got and still come up short. I thought that’s what our group of guys did in this series.”
It’s entirely possible that James left the floor Friday night knowing he was wearing a Cavaliers uniform for the last time.
But it’s hard to envision a scenario where James knows where he’s going – if anywhere.
Houston and the Los Angeles Lakers are oft-mentioned as possible James destinations – but since they’re in the Western Conference that would mean potentially dealing with the Warriors earlier in the playoffs. He could go to Philadelphia and join an up-and-coming team, albeit one now dealing with front-office questions after the resignation of Bryan Colangelo in a Twitter-use scandal. He could return to Miami, a place he still loves.
Thing is, there’s no obvious choice.
His decision will be based on what his family wants and where he can win.
”My family is a huge part of whatever I’ll decide,” James said.
Even if the Lakers landed James and another top-flight player like a Paul George this summer, it’s still hard to see them being ready to overtake the Rockets and Warriors out West. Philadelphia might be on the cusp of contending in the East, but doesn’t seem like a championship club yet. Houston may seem like the move, though it’s anyone’s guess how a James-Chris Paul–James Harden trio would work.
All that’s clear is this: Cleveland isn’t winning another NBA title anytime soon with a roster that looks like the one it had in this series.
And James wants more rings. That’s why he spends well over $1 million a year to tweak and hone his body. That’s why, in his 15th NBA season, he was as dominant as ever.
He is showing no signs of fading – yet.
But he’s 33. Father Time is undefeated. James’ window of greatness will close, someday.
”I think maybe the greatest testament to LeBron is that five years ago he was one of the top five players of all time,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. ”From five years ago until now, it seems like he’s 10 times better http://www.coltsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-nyheim-hines-jersey , because he’s added so much skill to his game.”
James can leave without owing Northeast Ohio anything. He came back. He brought Cleveland an NBA title. He has given the city so much. Still, James will never forget the infamous letter that Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert penned when he left for Miami in 2010.
Whether he stays or goes, it’s now the summer of LeBron again.
Many free-agent moves around the league after July 1 will be held up while teams wait to see what James does. His decision, whatever it is, could mean Kevin Love gets traded. His decision, whatever it is, could decide whether Lue returns as coach. His decision, whatever it is, will dictate if Cleveland is a contender next season or a tanker. There really isn’t any in-between.
It’s all up to James.
How the league looks a year from now hinges in so many ways on what he decides a few weeks from now.
”We’ll see what happens,” James said.
With that, he was gone. Cleveland can only hope he comes back.
—
.
Stanton, Aaron Hicks and Kyle Higashioka each homered and New York went ahead early and hung on to beat the Atlanta Braves 8-5 on Tuesday night.
Stanton was shaken up after crashing into the right field wall chasing after Nick Markakis‘ seventh-inning home run. He knocked padding off the base of the wall, and the team’s training staff ran out to check on New York’s prized offseason acquisition a pitch later. Stanton remained in the game, made a leaping catch later in the inning, then slugged his 20th home run of the season in the eighth.
”That’s par for the course, that’s baseball,” Stanton said. ”If you get subbed in, you usually get the ball the first time, so, something like that happens, expect it.”
Stanton’s homer gave New York some breathing room after the Braves crept on its early lead. His two-run shot off Evan Phillips made him the 11th player to reach 20 homers in each of his first nine major league seasons. Phillips was making his major league debut.
New York is a major league-best 32-13 at home. The Yankees improved to a majors-best 21-6 against left-handed starters and remain a game behind Boston for the best record in baseball.
Aaron Judge had two hits and a walk, and he stole two bases for the first time in his career. Hicks also walked twice as New York drew eight free passes.
Markakis and Ender Inciarte each hit two-run homers for Atlanta, which ended a four-game winning streak. The Braves remain atop the NL East but fell behind the Brewers for the best record in the NL.
A night after Atlanta rookie Ronald Acuna Jr. barely cleared the wall to give Atlanta an 11-inning victory Cheap Taron Johnson Jersey , the Yankees took advantage of their cozy stadium.
Hicks continued his home run binge by hitting Sean Newcomb’s 95 mph fastball two rows into the right field stands for his 15th of the season and a 2-0 lead in the first. Hicks has hit nine home runs in his last 17 games.
”He’s put together a really good season for us and right now, he’s at a really, really good place in the batter’s box,” Boone said.
Newcomb (8-3) stood on the mound shaking his head after the ball carried over the fence. The left-hander allowed five runs in 2 2/3 innings in the shortest start of his career. Newcomb had posted three straight quality starts but threw a career-high 111 pitches his last time out.
”Balls kind of get sucked up out there, so that’s frustrating,” he said.
New York scored twice in the third without a hit. Newcomb walked the bases loaded, then walked Brandon Drury to force in a run. Luke Jackson relieved, but he walked Higashioka for another run. Newcomb’s five walks matched a career high.
”He was just having a hard time controlling everything,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said.
Staked with a six-run cushion, Yankees starter Domingo German tired in the fifth. After Johan Camargo walked, Inciarte crushed a curveball into the stands for his sixth of the season.
Rookie Ozzie Albies homered on the next pitch to draw Atlanta within three. Freddie Freeman and Markakis hit consecutive singles to end German’s night. Atlanta hit back-to-back homers for just the third time this season.
A.J. Cole, reinstated off the disabled list earlier in the day, struck out Tyler Flowers with the bases loaded to end the threat. Since being acquired from Washington on April 23 LeSean McCoy Bills Jersey , Cole (2-0) has allowed one earned run in 14 2/3 innings.
In the eighth, Chasen Shreve relieved with runners on first and second and one out and retired Inciarte and Albies to preserve a one-run lead.
Aroldis Chapman threw a scoreless ninth for his 23rd save. The hard-throwing closer was used in three straight games for the first time this season.
HAILEY’S HANDS
Eight-year old Hailey Dawson threw out the ceremonial first pitch with her 3D printed hand created by students at UNLV. Dawson was born with Poland Syndrome, a rare birth defect that left the youngster without the three middle fingers on her right hand. She has been on a quest to throw a first pitch for each MLB team.
HOMERING HIGASHIOKA
Higashioka became the third player in franchise history to homer for his first two big league hits, joining Alfonso Soriano (1999-2000) and Joe Lefebvre (1980).
TRAINER’S ROOM
Yankees: INF Gleyber Torres (right hip stiffness) was held out of the starting lineup. The sensational rookie ”stiffened up” Monday night, according to manager Aaron Boone, but entered as a defensive replacement in the eighth. … RHP Masahiro Tanaka remains scheduled for a rehab start with Triple-A Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on Wednesday. Boone is hopeful Tanaka will throw between 65 and 75 pitches. … C Austin Romine (left hamstring) was held out of the starting lineup for a third straight night
UP NEXT
LHP CC Sabathia (5-3, 3.02 ERA) pitches the series finale for New York. Sabathia allowed just seven earned runs over five starts in June (1.93 ERA) and is 3-1 in four starts against Atlanta. He’s opposed by Julio Teheran (6-5, 4.21 ERA), who gave up eight runs in 4 1/3 innings in his only appearance against New York on Aug, 30, 2015.
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Takkarist McKinley should be next in the line of the second-year breakout players on the Atlanta Falcons' defense.
He knows he needs to be healthy to make that next step and now he's trying to move past another shoulder injury.
McKinley has had surgeries on both shoulders the last two years 鈥?the right following his 2016 season at UCLA and the left following his 2017 rookie season with the Falcons.
A new problem, a bruised right shoulder, has prevented the second-year defensive end from participating in team drills for most of the start of training camp. He again was limited to individual drills on Monday.
The Falcons say there's no structural problem Authentic Weston Richburg Jersey , but McKinley's status is uncertain for Atlanta's preseason opener at the New York Jets on Friday night.
McKinley said Monday he's never happy "when you're not out there on the field. When I play football, I'm not trying to be on the sideline, I'm trying to be out there on the field."
Coach Dan Quinn said "Takk" could be cleared for full participation on Tuesday, so he hasn't been ruled out for the game against the Jets.
The Falcons likely will take a cautious approach with McKinley, the 2017 first-round pick whose health is a key to continued improvement by the defense.
He had six sacks as a rookie backup in 2017. The Falcons hope he can earn a starting job and emerge as another player who makes significant progress in his second year.
"It will happen with Takk," Quinn said Monday. "We'll see that jump from him."
McKinley said Quinn has talked with him about how the team's other projected starting defensive end, Vic Beasley Jr., led the NFL with 15 1/2 sacks in 2016, his second season. Quinn also told McKinley about safety Keanu Neal and linebackers Deion Jones and De'Vondre Campbell earning Pro Bowl honors in their second seasons and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett also breaking out in his second year.
"But just because they had a good second year don't guarantee that I'll have a good second year," McKinley said. "The sophomore slump is a huge thing.
"Obviously I'm trying to be on the good side, not the slump side. It's one of those things where you've got to prove yourself to be better."
McKinley actually proved a lot as a rookie. After his six sacks in the regular season, he added two more in the playoffs.
"Looking back I should have had at least 13 sacks if I had finished," he said Fred Warner Color Rush Jersey , adding he missed opportunities when he would "reach out with your arms instead of wrapping up."
Adrian Clayborn led the Falcons with 9 1/2 sacks last season before signing with New England. Clayborn's departure opens the way for McKinley and Beasley, now a full-time end after spending time at outside linebacker last season, to be the starting ends.
Even when he's not on the practice field, McKinley said he's preparing for the bigger workload as a starter.
"When I'm not there on 11 on 11, I'm trying to stay in shape and do things inside to get me prepared for the reps I'm going to have this season," he said. "That's probably the biggest thing, just understanding that I'm going to be playing more."
NOTES: Former six-time Pro Bowl receiver Chad Johnson visited practice and posed for a photo with Falcons receivers Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu and Calvin Ridley. ... The Falcons have ruled out PK Matt Bryant (undisclosed injury) and OT Ty Sambrailo (right hand) for the preseason opener. Bryant, 44, was on the field during part of the practice. Quinn said Bryant "is coming along quickly but he's not there yet."
.Artemi Panarin scored a beautiful goal 6:02 into overtime to give the Blue Jackets a 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals on Thursday night in the first-round playoff series.
Panarin won it after Columbus lost Josh Anderson to a game misconduct Guillermo Heredia Seattle Mariners Jersey , Alexander Wennberg with an apparent head injury and captain Nick Foligno after taking a puck to the face.
None of that seemed to faze a team accustomed to overcoming injuries and digging out of deficits.
”In the playoffs, you find a little bit of extra energy,” said Blue Jackets forward Thomas Vanek, who scored from Wennberg’s spot on the power play and had an assist. ”That tonight was one of those games where we talked to each other, we pumped each other up, we felt good and it never felt like we were going to lose this one.”
Maybe the Blue Jackets didn’t, but they didn’t make it easy on themselves Jaguars Game Jerseys , falling behind 2-0 on power-play goals by Evgeny Kuznetsov scored on Anderson’s five-minute major penalty for boarding and injuring Washington’s Michal Kempny. Not letting the game snowball out of control allowed Columbus to claw back in it with Wennberg’s goal in the second and then Vanek’s on the power play early in the third.
Vanek scored with Tom Wilson in the penalty box for charging Wennberg, a play the Capitals forward took responsibility for shifting the game in the Blue Jackets’ direction.
”That cost us the game,” Wilson said. ”That’s a critical moment. I’ve got to be better. Maybe pass up on that hit. We’ve got the lead there, so maybe a big hit’s not needed.”
Foligno took a slap shot from Jakub Jerabek to the face just under his left eye 10 seconds after Vanek’s goal, making a gaping hole on the Columbus bench until he returned. Even though Devante Smith-Pelly scored to give the Capitals a lead 5:12 into the third, the Blue Jackets kept grinding away and didn’t let the game get away despite being under-manned.
”There was no panic on the bench there,” coach John Tortorella said. ”I think players enjoy that. It’s not a big deal to them when they lose players. They’re happy because they get on the ice quicker and more often. We just stayed with it.”
Norris Trophy-contending defenseman Seth Jones made things happen to send the game to overtime in the building where father Popeye spent two of his 11 NBA seasons. Jones drew a tripping penalty on Andre Burakovsky that Washington coach Barry Trotz called unnecessary Authentic Tremaine Edmunds Jersey , almost put the puck in his own net on the delayed penalty and then scored off a pass from Panarin on the ensuing power play with just 4:26 left in regulation.
That set the stage for Panarin to drive around fellow Russian Dmitry Orlov before going backhand to forehand and beating Philipp Grubauer top shelf to give the Blue Jackets their first series lead in franchise history in their fourth opportunity.
”Big goal for our team,” said Panarin, whom Columbus acquired in a trade from Chicago last summer after lacking finish in its series defeat to Pittsburgh. ”I’m happy because it was a hard game and a big win.”
It’s a big loss for the Capitals after Grubauer allowed four goals on 27 shots. Trotz gave Grubauer the nod over 2016 Vezina Trophy winner Braden Holtby to start Game 1 but said afterward he’d consider his goaltending options ahead of Game 2 Sunday in Washington.
”Philipp’s body of work has been good,” Trotz said. ”I thought he was fine. We’ll sit down and re-evaluate all the goals, evaluate our team and where we’re at and go from there.”
There’s no such controversy for Columbus, which got 27 saves on 30 shots from two-time Vezina winner Sergei Bobrovsky in his most recent chance to put his playoff struggles in the past. Bobrovsky bounced back from allowing a soft goal to Kuznetsov and stopped 10 of the other 11 shots he faced on the penalty kill.
”That’s the team effort,” Bobrovsky said. ”You just have to stay focused and play your game no matter what.”
NOTES: Trotz said Kempny Oren Burks Color Rush Jersey , whose head hit the glass on Anderson’s hit from behind, would be re-evaluated Friday. … Wennberg never returned after his hit from Wilson. … Foligno missed a few shifts after he said Jerabek’s shot cracked his visor into his face. … Panarin had three points in one game after recording just one in the Blackhawks’ first-round loss via sweep last season. … Kuznetsov’s goals 29 seconds apart are the fourth-fastest on the power play by the same player in Stanley Cup playoff history. … Washington went to overtime for the seventh time in its past 14 playoff games. … Capitals C Jay Beagle missed the game with an upper-body injury. Trotz continued to call his fourth-line center ”day-to-day.”
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AP Sports Writer Howard Fendrich contributed to this report.
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Bruins center Patrice Bergeron was back on the ice for Game 5 of Boston’s first-round playoff series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Bergeron missed the Bruins’ 3-1 Game 4 victory Thursday with an undisclosed injury. The Bruins lead the series 3-1 lead and can advance with a victory. If Toronto wins, Game 6 is Monday at Air Canada Centre.
Bergeron participated in the morning skate at Warrior Ice Arena and said he was optimistic, but had to sell it to the medical staff. Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy thought Bergeron ”looked good” during the skate.
After totaling 30 goals and 33 assists during the season, Bergeron had five assists in the first three games of this series. Bergeron is impressed with how his team played during his absence.
”It speaks a lot to both the depth that we have and guys always find a way to step up,” he said. ”It’s something we’ve been through many times this year, so I was definitely confident. But Authentic Byron Maxwell Jersey , at the same time, you’re always a lot nervous when you’re not playing.”
.The team announced on Thursday the signings of running back Isaiah Crowell and kicker Cairo Santos.
Crowell Youth Brandon Parker Jersey , who had agreed to terms as free agency opened Wednesday, comes to the Jets on a contract for three years and $12 million.
He will help replace veteran Matt Forte, who recently retired. Crowell had 3,118 yards rushing and 21 TDs with 96 catches for 770 yards and a score in his four seasons with the Browns. He hasn't missed a game in his NFL career, and his durability and age 鈥?he's 25 鈥?made him an attractive option for the Jets.
Crowell spent his first four seasons in Cleveland after signing with the Browns as an undrafted free agent out of Alabama State in 2014. He ran for 853 yards and two touchdowns last season, and caught 28 passes for 182 yards.
New offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates will likely use Crowell as a complement to veteran Bilal Powell and second-year back Elijah McGuire in New York's running game.
Crowell shared carries with Duke Johnson the past two seasons, but averaged nearly 4.5 yards per carry during that span. He reunites with quarterback Josh McCown, who played with him with the Browns.
Crowell was also involved in some controversy while in Cleveland. He was frustrated last December when coach Hue Jackson gave him just two carries after a 59-yard run at Baltimore. Crowell liked some tweets from fans critical of Jackson, but the two then spoke and later insisted things were fine between them. Crowell also talked last season about wanting to get a contract extension .
The running back also apologized and donated a game check to a police charity in 2016 after he posted a graphic anti-police image on his Instagram page after the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile.
Crowell began his college career at Georgia and was selected as the SEC freshman of the year, but was dismissed from the football team the following offseason after a few legal and disciplinary problems. He enrolled at Alabama State and played his last two college seasons there before declaring for the NFL draft.
Santos signed a one-year contract with the Jets, who were in need of a kicker after Chandler Catanzaro signed with Tampa Bay as a free agent.
Santos, the NFL's first Brazilian-born player, had been with Kansas City since 2014 before being released early last season. He kicked in two games for Chicago before being placed on injured reserve with a groin injury.
Santos has converted 84.1 percent of his field-goal attempts, along with 96.2 percent of his extra points in his career.
The native of Sao Paul was signed by the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent out of Tulane. He was solid in his first three years with Kansas City, but struggled with injuries last season.
Santos injured his groin during training camp and was forced to sit out the preseason, but was ready for the season opener. He reinjured his groin in Week 3 Youth Vinny Curry Jersey , was placed on IR and then waived by the Chiefs four days later. Santos joined the Bears a few weeks later and kicked in two games before again hurting the groin and landing back on season-ending IR.
"I still believe I'm the same successful kicker I was when I was playing in Kansas City," Cairo told the team's official website . "I needed a franchise that would believe in me that I will be that same kicker. By the way I've been treated by the New York Jets, that's how they see me. Those are my goals: to come in, have a good year and hopefully remain here for a long time. I think we're aligned in those goals and, one step at a time, I pray that we'll get there."
The Jets have been busy during the first two days of free agency . In addition to signing Crowell and Santos, they also re-signed McCown and safety Terrence Brooks, and added former linebacker Avery Williamson. New York has also agreed to terms on deals, according to multiple reports, with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, cornerback Trumaine Johnson and center Spencer Long 鈥?but the team has not yet announced those moves.
TORONTO — The Toronto Raptors have spent a season creating franchise history, including a team-record 59 wins, in finishing first in the Eastern Conference for the first time.
They will be trying to overcome some of their history Saturday as they open their first-round playoff series with the Washington Wizards at the Air Canada Centre.
The Raptors are 1-12 all-time in the first game of a playoff series. Their only Game 1 victory came May 6, 2001, in in the Eastern Conference semi-finals at Philadelphia.
This will be the eighth time the Raptors have homecourt advantage to start a playoff series.
Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan is aware of that, but also said his team has been particularly good at home this season. At 34-7 at the ACC this season Tyquan Lewis Jersey Elite , the Raptors tied the Houston Rockets with the best home record in the league.
“We’ve been great at home all year,” DeRozan said. “It’s definitely something we took more pride in than ever and I think it showed. With that, we’ve got that confidence this time around more than ever. Like I said, it’s one of those moments to where we feel like when we are on our home floor, anything’s possible, and our swag is at an all-time high.”
The Wizards (43-39) and the Raptors (59-23) split four games this season, but Washington guard John Wall missed all four meetings between the teams because of knee surgery.
In three regular-season games against the Raptors in 2016-17, Wall averaged 25 points, 10.3 assists and 5.7 rebounds.
“We haven’t played with John against them,” said Wizards guard Tomas Satoransky. “We’re not scared. We respect them. There’s some positive aspects from this season.”
“We’ve got John back,” Wizards guard Bradley Beal said. “There’s no excuse for us not to go out there and get the job done.”
“They’re a good team,” Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas said. “We’re not underestimating them, and we know it’s going to be hard playing against them. We know they are tough, physical playing team. We’re ready, we know how we’re going to play and we’re going to play well, play hard.”
The Wizards lost five of six games to end the regular season Authentic Tarik Cohen Jersey , including their finale against the Orlando Magic on Wednesday. Although they struggled all season with under .500 teams, like the Magic, they defeated nine playoff-bound teams after the All-Star break.
“I’m more than excited,” Beal said. “This is where players are made and everybody’s trying to fight for the same goal. It’s always fun and it gets very interesting this time of the year.”
Wizards center Jason Smith suggested it might be better to face Toronto in the first round than the Philadelphia 76ers, who ended the regular season on a 16-game winning streak.
“We are looking forward to the matchup with Toronto,” Smith said. “I, personally, am a little relieved to not have to go against the hottest team in the league, Philly. That’s not a team we want to see. We don’t match up well with them. We might have split the season series, but they are the hottest team right now and they don’t have Joel Embiid and that’s a little scary.”
The Wizards swept the Raptors in four straight games in the playoffs in 2015.
“The guys that were here three years ago know what it was like to get swept,” DeRozan said. “It wasn’t a great feeling at all. You learn from your mistakes, you understand how to be better. To have another opportunity to compete with these guys again, it’s definitely going to be fun. It’s always one of those scrappy, competitive games, and it’s (the kind of) games you want to be part of. To have the opportunity against a great team in the Wizards, it should be fun.”
The Wizards finished eighth in the East Adidas Jeff Skinner Jersey , 16 games behind the Raptors.
“Just because they’re an eighth seed, we are not going to look at them like they’re an eighth seed, because we understand what this team is capable of,” DeRozan said. “That’s a great challenge, and for us, it’s a challenge that we are definitely looking forward to.”
Toronto has had one of the better benches in the NBA this season, but one of the keys to the reserves, guard Fred VanVleet, injured his shoulder in the loss to the Miami Heat Wednesday and likely will be a game-time decision.
Raptors guard Lorenzo Brown, who was on a two-way contract, has been signed to a standard NBA contract and is eligible to play in the playoffs.
Wizards forwards Otto Porter Jr. (mild calf strain) and Mike Scott (concussion protocol) are questionable for Game 1.
Wizards guard Jodie Meeks is out for the playoffs despite indications that he will appeal a 25-game suspension for violating the league anti-drug program.
Free-agent guard Ty Lawson has been signed by the Wizards and will be eligible for the postseason.
.Drew Doughty watched other playoff games this season and couldn’t believe that George Parros http://www.coltsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-tyquan-lewis-jersey , the NHL’s discipline czar, had suspended him for a head shot.
”I saw four hits last night that deserved more than that,” the Los Angeles Kings defenseman said.
Doughty’s one-game suspension was the first of several in the first round for a hit to the head of an opponent. Toronto’s Nazem Kadri got three games and Winnipeg’s Josh Morrissey and Nashville’s Ryan Hartman got one game each. Washington’s Tom Wilson and Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov were among those who got off without significant punishment.
The criticism, from Columbus to Colorado and from New Jersey to Los Angeles, was loud enough that the NHL’s department of player safety put out a video last week explaining its reasoning for suspending Doughty and Hartman but not Kucherov or Predators center Ryan Johansen.
”The illegal check to the head rule is often misunderstood or misstated,” the league said in the video. ”Illegal checks to the head and legal full body hits often look similar at first glance because the difference between legal and illegal can be a matter of inches in a sport that moves fast.”
Discontent over the goalie interference rule has been grabbing headlines for weeks, but the head shot discussion carries far more serious implications for a league still grappling with how best to protect its players. What’s acceptable has evolved from the early days of hockey through Scott Stevens’ then-legal crushing blow on Eric Lindros in 2000 to today, where checks to the head are parsed frame-by-frame to determine if a line was crossed. The NHL, too, is still facing a federal class-action concussion lawsuit filed by former players alleging it failed to warn them about the health risks associated with head injuries.
Meeting with Associated Press Sports Editors last week, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman insisted there was nothing new about the subject. Asked about player safety, Bettman said Parros is off to good start in the former enforcer’s first season as vice president of player safety. He said he is proud of player safety’s transparency in the form of videos detailing the reasons for suspending a player.
”Sometimes we get accused of splitting hairs, but that’s exactly what they have to do,” Bettman said. ”I think he’s reached the appropriate conclusion when it’s been a hockey play that doesn’t transcend the rules and I think he’s been appropriately punitive in cases where it warranted it. There’s never going to be a shortage of critics of what they do.”
Doughty, a finalist for the Norris Trophy as the league’s top defenseman, said he hit Vegas forward William Carrier’s shoulder first before his head in Game 1. Kings coach John Stevens added: ”As long as I’m on the earth Youth Jonathan Allen Jersey , I’m going to agree to disagree with that decision.”
The league video emphasized that an illegal check to the head concerns a player’s head being the main point of contact, not the first point of contact. Based on experience, the league said, a player’s head snapping back on these kinds of hits indicates significant head contact.
Los Angeles general manager Rob Blake, who worked under Brendan Shanahan in the department of player safety from 2010-2013, said it’s a tough job while at the same time reiterating the organization was unhappy with the suspension of Doughty. Columbus GM Jarmo Kekalainen was upset forward Josh Anderson was ejected from Game 1 against Washington for boarding Michal Kempny and called a hit to the head of Alexander Wennberg from Washington’s Tom Wilson that got only a minor penalty ”dangerous.”
Wilson was not given a hearing or suspended. Wennberg missed Games 2, 3 and 4 and the hit was not included in the NHL’s explanation video.
Columbus coach John Tortorella didn’t want to weigh in on the lack of punishment for Wilson, a common refrain across the NHL because nothing can be done after the fact. For a more specific reason, Bettman doesn’t weigh in on suspensions because any appeals go to him. He does look at suspension videos before they are issued.
”I watch as a fan to make sure they make sense,” Bettman said. ”I want to make sure the videos we send out are clear.”
”I think player safety as a whole has done an extraordinarily good job of changing the culture,” Bettman said.” We have players not making certain types of hits anymore. We have players who are more accountable for their conduct and understand it and I believe that they’ve been consistent.”
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AP Sports Writer Teresa M. Walker in Nashville, Tennessee, and Sports Deputy Editor for Newsgathering Howie Rumberg in New York contributed.
The Tampa Bay Lightning understand what it takes to be successful in the Stanley Cup playoffs.”You need your best players to be the best players, and they rose to the occasion,” coach Jon Cooper said Saturday after the top seed in the Eastern Conference beat the New Jersey Devils 3-1, ending their first-round series in five games.
”People are going to look at this series and say: `Oh Rashaad Penny Jersey , 4-1. Tampa took it to them.’ Anybody that was actually watching these games knew clearly that’s not what happened in this series,” Cooper added. ”It was fought from the drop of the puck to the end. We just happened to get big goals at the right time.”
Nikita Kucherov scored his 27th career postseason goal and Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 26 shots for the Lightning, who advanced to a second-round matchup against either the Boston Bruins or Toronto Maple Leafs.
Kucherov, the NHL’s third-leading scorer during the regular season with 100 points, had five goals and five assists in the five games, setting a franchise for points in a playoff series. He also tied Vincent Lecavalier for second-place on the club’s all-time postseason scoring list.
”I thought he elevated (his play) throughout the series, no question,” Cooper said of the 24-year-old, two-time All-Star, who has 27 goals and 25 assists in 50 career playoff games.
”He’s an extreme competitor,” New Jersey coach John Hynes said. ”When you look at a guy like Kucherov, he has talent but he’s not a perimeter player. He’s very strong on the puck, he competes hard, he’s got good hockey sense. He’s the type of offensive player you need to have success if you’re going to have a chance to win the Stanley Cup.”
Mikhail Sergachev became the youngest player in Lightning history to score a playoff goal and Ryan Callahan, back in the lineup after missing the previous two games with an upper-body injury, sealed it with an empty-netter for the Atlantic Division champions with 1.7 seconds remaining.
”Feels great JK Scott Color Rush Jersey , especially at home in front of our fans,” Kucherov said. ”I think we played well defensively, and teams that play well defensively move forward.”
Tampa Bay won the first two games at home before splitting a pair of the road, returning to Amalie Arena after Kucherov had two goals and an assist to key a 3-1 victory in Game 4
The right winger’s sizzling shot past goalie Cory Schneider put the Lightning up 2-0 at 12:27 of the third period of the clincher.
The 19-year-old Sergachev, meanwhile, became the youngest player in franchise history to score a playoff goal, giving the Lightning a 1-0 lead in the first period.
Schneider did all he could to give the Devils a chance to extend their first playoff appearance since 2012.
The goalie, who lost his starting job after being injured in January, stopped 35 of 37 shots, including Tyler Johnson’s breakaway that kept New Jersey within striking distance after Kyle Palmieri trimmed Tampa Bay’s lead to one goal with three minutes left.
Will Butcher and Taylor Hall assisted on the only goal for New Jersey, which played without injured defenseman Sami Vatanen.
”I felt good and enjoyed playing, but at the end of the day I didn’t get the job done,” said Schneider, who replaced Keith Kinkaid during Game 1 and started the last four games. ”I didn’t extend the series, and I didn’t get us the win, so a little bit for naught.”
New Jersey kept it close Daniel Kilgore Jersey Dolphins , killing off four consecutive penalties in the second period, when the Lightning outshot the Devils 18-4 but couldn’t expand its one-goal lead.
Schneider had two more saves early in the third as Tampa Bay sputtered on a fifth power-play opportunity.
”We have to stay out of the box better than we did tonight,” Hynes said. ”It sometimes disrupts the flow of the game, but I think if you look at the penalty kill, those guys played their hearts out. I thought Cory was fantastic. . Those guys kept us right in the game, right to the end.”
Notes: The Lightning was 0-for-10 on the power play in Games 4 and 5, yet won both games. … Vatanen, New Jersey’s top defenseman, was injured during the opening period of Game 4 when he was checked high by Kucherov. The Devils also played without RW Stefan Noesen, who was scratched with a lower-body injury. … Callahan (upper body) returned after missing Games 3 and 4. ”It’s always tough watching your team play, especially in the playoffs,” he said. ”To be able to get back out there and play was big.”
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