Kritik und Lob » ams said. I believe in relationships

SAN DIEGO -- Theres too much at stake for the San Francisco Giants on Saturday night for Madison Bumgarner to be, well, Madison Bumgarner.While their National League West title chances fade with every Los Angeles win -- the Dodgers magic number is two -- the Giants are locked in a three-way battle for the two National League wild-card berths with the New York Mets one game ahead and the St. Louis Cardinals one-half game behind.The Padres should be easy prey for any playoff bound team, except for the fact that San Diego has won seven of its last eight games against the Giants -- a fact that has had much to do with San Franciscos second-half plunge.Also, Bumgarner has not had the greatest career marks against the Padres (10-7, 3.27 ERA in 27 games and 26 starts) and at Petco Park (4-5, 3.87 ERA in 13 games and 12 starts).On Saturday night, however, the 27-year-old left-hander attempts to become the third-youngest Giant to win 100 games.This should be Bumgarners game to win, unless ...In his last start, for example, Bumgarner decided to take on the Dodgers Yasiel Puig while apparent cruising to a victory in Los Angeles. Well, the wheels fell off that one in a loss for the Giants after Bumgarner had departed.The Giants certainly dont need a repeat performance Saturday night, although Bumgarner has already been party to one ugly incident at Petco Park this season.On May 18, Bumgarner stared down Wil Myers after striking out the Padres main threat in the third inning. Myers offense was glancing up at the video board to check the velocity and the replay. When he noticed Bumgarners reaction, Myers said: Cmon man, dont stare me down. A benches clearing face-off ensued. Bumgarner later said: I just wanted to be mad for a second.Bumgarner and Myers made up later in the game when the pitcher reached first.Now theres a rematch, and Myers is one of the few Padres holdovers from that May 18 lineup that Bumgarner faced. Two nights ago, the 25-year-old Myers was the veteran of a Padres lineup that numbered six rookies.Bumgarner is 14-9 with a 2.57 ERA. He ranks third in the majors in ERA and strikeouts (241). Bumgarner needs four more strikeouts to pass Cy Seymour as the Giants single-season record holder. Seymours record of 244 has stood for 118 seasons.Bumgarner is 2-2 with a 3.18 ERA against the Padres this season. He was 2-0 in the first half with a 1.72 ERA as the Giants beat the Padres nine straight times. He is 0-2, 4.97 in the second half.Starting for the Padres Saturday night will be right-hander Jarred Cosart, who is 0-3 in eight starts for the Padres with a 5.45 ERA. He will be facing the Giants for the first time as a Padre.Tyler Flowers Jersey . Both players have lower body injuries that will keep them out of the lineup until at least January 31, which is the first game they can be activated from IR. David Justice Braves Jersey . -- Jonathan Drouin gave Halifax the boost it needed to edge host Sherbrooke Phoenix 3-2 in a shootout in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. http://www.baseballbravesproshop.com/josh-donaldson-braves-jersey/ . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. Josh Donaldson Braves Jersey . President of baseball operations Larry Beinfest was fired Friday after 12 years with the Marlins. The move came as the team neared the end of its third consecutive last-place season in the NL East. Babe Ruth Jersey . The 19-year-old Olsen played 34 games with the Kelowna Rockets of the WHL this season. In that time, hes recorded 17 goals and 17 assists with 36 penalty minutes.ESPN 300 cornerback Jamyest Williams has committed to South Carolina.The No. 37 ranked prospect is the highest ranked commitment for the Gamecocks since the 2011 class when No. 1 ranked Jadeveon Clowney also chose South Carolina.It was personally a hard decision to choose between (Georgia defensive coordinator) Coach (Mel) Tucker and (South Carolina defensive coordinator) Travaris Robinson, Williams said. I believe in relationships and I believe I have the best relationship with T Rob.Williams committed to South Carolina over Georgia with Clemson, Ohio State and Tennessee also in the mix.The commitment gives coach Will Muschamp and Robinson the No. 4 ranked cornerback in the country. It also gives South Carolina an extra recruiter at the talent-loaded Grayson hiigh school in Logansville, Georgia.ddddddddddddilliams has four teammates ranked as ESPN 300 prospects and three others ranked as three-stars, including five-star athlete DeAngelo Gibbs.I am most definitely going to start recruiting them, Williams said. Ill just tell them its a great opportunity for all of us to go in and compete in the SEC.The commitment adds to an already excellent recruiting class for South Carolina, ranked No. 17 overall, now with seven ESPN 300 commitments. That includes receiver Shi Smith, defensive lineman M.J. Webb and athlete Hamsah Nasirildeen. Williams gives the Gamecocks 21 total commitments in the class. ' ' '