Dein erstes Forum » Blue Jays closer gig after blowing back-to-back save

FIVE QUICK THOUGHTS ON RAPTORS/NETS-GAME 2 1. MATCHUPS: Its really fun to watch both head coaches move around the chess pieces and create situations where they get their better players in scenarios where they have the supposed upper hand. Its fascinating stuff to key in on and its the essence of NBA hoops. Been impressed with both coaching staffs preparation and attention to detail. Plays out of timeouts from both sides have been well scripted and the amount of details flying around in both huddles is evident. As a former coach, I really enjoy and respect this aspect of these games. 2. LANDRY FIELDS: Totally agree with this move and I said it the other day. Hes the most capable defender that they have in the Joe Johnson matchup due to his size, strength, athleticism, smarts and overall range. Hes a guy you can play for a possession or two at the four-spot as well to match Paul Pierce. He made a big impact on Tuesday night in spite of not scoring. Ive said it many times before - yes, he has limitations but hes a winning player that does the little things that teams must have to get over the hump. A true pro just like so many of the guys on both of these teams. 3. TURNOVERS: Toronto has 40 in just two games - at home! To be tied 1-1 in the series after that youve got to feel really fortunate. You do that on the road and this series will be over quick. Nets defence in the half court has been sensational. Multiple help and amazing communication and coverages. Raptors must realize that the Nets are incredibly help-conscious and play on that and look to create their help and then get rid of the ball quick to the next guy and keep them on the run and prevent them loading up on the guy with the ball. Must be a whole lot tougher with the ball and play through contact. Not going to get the whistle-deal with it and be that much better. It can be done. Move the ball side-top-side and make the defence cover. Better spacing, screening, ball and player movement and inside-out play are imperative. 4. BENCH USAGE: Jason Kidd goes with 11 guys and Dwane Casey with eight. Different styles. Considering that both teams didnt play from Saturday afternoon until Tuesday night and you would think you would load up your starters minutes, yet Jason Kidd wants his team all in on every possession defensively so no plays off. No right or wrong answer here, just interesting to watch the points of emphasis on both sides play out. 5. CROWDS (both inside and outside ACC): Wow! My goodness, I have goose bumps just typing this. Im so proud of the fans and feel so happy for them that theyre getting to experience this. Blown away by the enthusiasm and atmosphere. Toronto is making a major statement that its a major league hoops town and that this country is embracing this sport more and more each day. The singing of the Canadian national anthem by the fans is awesome - it chokes me up. Been working as a Raptors broadcaster for the past 16 years and have seen all of the good and all of the not-so-good. Your loyalty to the Raptors and the growth of the sport are truly appreciated. Im so fortunate to be a part of it. This has been remarkable to watch develop over the years. Enjoy - you deserve it. Bob Griese Youth Jersey . During halftime, Love told The Associated Press he would receive treatment Saturday night and hoped to play Monday night against Houston. "I knew that my quad was bothering me pretty bad so I went out there and tried to move around a little bit and it just wasnt quite right," Love said. Jason Taylor Youth Jersey . Greece was on the wrong end of a 3-0 rout to Colombia in its first game of the tournament. They surrendered a goal in just the sixth minute of the contest, and despite some promising attacking play, failed to crawl back into the match. Japan, on the other hand, struck first in its match with Ivory Coast, with Keisuke Honda putting his side into the lead in the 16th minute. http://www.authenticdolphinspro.com/Ryan-fitzpatrick-dolphins-jersey/ .A. Happ. The Toronto Blue Jays will be looking to improve the starting rotation ahead of next season and pitchers like Happ have a chance to show they belong as the disastrous 2013 campaign draws to a close. Larry Csonka Dolphins Jersey . 5 Trade Deadline is drawing closer and teams will be deciding on whether to buy or sell. Nat Moore Dolphins Jersey . The struggling New Orleans Pelicans were simply overmatched. Crawford hit seven 3s on his way to 24 points, and the Clippers beat the Pelicans 123-110 on Monday night. "We understand what we do well. If we all do what we do well, well make our team stronger," Crawford said.Trouble in the Reds outfield, the Blue Jays rotation could have a new look, an interesting catcher option in Colorado and injuries to Davis, Kipnis, Cain and more. INJURIES - Reds RF Jay Bruce is facing knee surgery for a torn meniscus and it could cost him a month of playing time. Chris Heisey, who has shown some pop (43 home runs, .736 OPS in 1218 career plate appearances) takes over in right for the Reds. - The Reds are also missing LHP Tony Cingrani, who has shoulder tendinitis, but Cincinnati can get away with a four-man rotation for the time being. - A torn tendon in his right hand leaves RHP Brandon Morrow on the 60-day DL, giving J.A. Happ a chance to return to the rotation. Happ has been rocked in three relief appearances this year, so it may not be long before Marcus Stroman gets his turn. Stroman, a 2012 first-round pick, has been recalled from Triple-A Buffalo, where he was 2-2 with a 1.69 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 36 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings. Stroman starts in the bullpen but figures to be next in line for a rotation opening. - With 1B Chris Davis on the DL due to a strained oblique, Steve Pearce is getting regular playing time for the Orioles. Pearce has done little (.222 AVG, .556 OPS) in 27 plate appearances this year, but since joining the Orioles in 2012, he has seven home runs, 29 RBI, a .253 average and .748 OPS in 248 plate appearances. - A strained hamstring has put White Sox CF Adam Eaton on the DL, giving Jordan Danks a shot at some regular playign time. In 300 career plate appearances, Danks is hitting .207 with a .606 OPS and a dozen stolen bases, so he hasnt clicked in the bigs yet, but had a respectable .772 OPS in four seasons (1566 plate appearances) at Triple-A. - Indians 2B Jason Kipnis is out with a strained oblique, and the Tribe has turned to 21-year-old Jose Ramirez. Ramirez doesnt have any power to speak of, but hit .308 with a .765 OPS and 75 stolen bases, in 1172 minor-league plate appearances. - Need a catcher? While Rockies C Wilin Rosario deals with a viral infection, consider Jordan Pacheco, who is the primary backup in Colorado. Pacheco had played primarily first and third base with the rockies, but, prior to this season, had seen action at catcher in 22 of 213 career games. This year, Pacheco has caught in 10 games, and is hitting .278 with a .769 OPS. He hasnt hit enough to have value as a corner infielder, but as a catcher? Thats a different story. - Tigers RHP Anibal Sanchez is on the DL due to a laceration on his finger, giving LHP Robbie Ray (3-2, 1.53 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 21 K, 29 1/3 IP at Triple-A) a turn in the Detroit rotation. Ray was acquired from Washhington as part of the Doug Fister trade in the offseason.dddddddddddd. - A run-in with a kitchen knife has sent Giants RHP Matt Cain to the DL, opening up a spot in the rotation for Yusmerio Petit, the 29-year-old who has a 3.31 ERA in 73 1/3 innings with the Giants since 2012. - Angels 3B David Freese suffered a broken finger on the weekend, leaving the hot corner in the hands of Ian Stewart, the one-time top prospect who has power (hit 25 HR in 2009), but is hitting .186 with seven home runs in 396 plate appearances since the start of 2011. - Twins RHP Mike Pelfrey is sidelined with a groin problem, giving Samuel Deduno a chance to return to the starting rotation. Dedunos strikeout rate has improved, working out of the bullpen this year, though hes also giving up more base-runners than he did last season, when he was 8-8 with a 3.83 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 18 starts for the Twins. GOOD ADDS (Available in at least 40% of TSN leagues) Jhonny Peralta, SS, St. Louis - 7 HR, 15 RBI, .222 AVG, 13 R, 108 AB (Available: 48.6%) Omar Infante, 2B, Kansas City - 2 HR, 19 RBI, .282 AVG, 13 R, 110 AB (Available: 49.5%) Todd Frazier, 3B, Cincinnati - 5 HR, 18 RBI, .269 AVG, 17 R, 3 SB, 97 AB (Available: 40.6%) Chris Young, CF, N.Y. Mets - 2 HR, 9 RBI, .273 AVG, 10 R, 3 SB, 55 AB (Available: 95.8%) Juan Francisco, 1B, 3B, Toronto - 3 HR, 6 RBI, .277 AVG, 8 R, 47 AB (Available: 98.7%) Corey Kluber, RHP, Cleveland - 2-3, 3.60 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 48 K, 45 IP (Available: 82.4%) Travis Wood, LHP, Chicago Cubs - 2-3, 3.35 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 37 K, 37 2/3 IP (Available: 86.1%) Jonathon Niese, LHP, N.Y. Mets - 2-2, 2.20 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 24 K, 32 2/3 IP (Available: 77.0%) CLOSER NOTES - Sergio Santos has lost the Blue Jays closer gig after blowing back-to-back save appearances. Aaron Loup is the short-term option there, while Casey Janssen is due back from injury soon. - After being removed from the closers role, Angels RHP Ernesto Frieri may be about to reclaim the job from sidearmer Joe Smith. Frieri ha worked four perfect relief outings since he was bumped from the job. - The lonely Houston Astros closer job is being split, by Anthony Bass and Chad Qualls. As if one couldnt handle all those opportunities. - Oaklands Jim Johnson has pitched 10 1/3 IP since he was knocked out of the closers job, but that stretch has put him at the head of the committee which includes Luke Gregerson and Sean Doolittle. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. ' ' '