Kritik und Lob » son - Blue Jays RF: Rusty Staub - Ex

MIAMI -- Its a matchup for the Marlins Park marquee -- Jose Fernandez vs. Clayton Kershaw in a battle of All-Star pitchers.But given the Miami Marlins recent slide out of primary contention for a National League wild-card playoff berth, perhaps this marquee should be shifted off Broadway.Because of the recent slump by the 69-71 Marlins, Fridays matchup may be bigger for Kershaws Los Angeles Dodgers. This will be the first start off the disabled list for Kershaw, who hasnt pitched since June 26 due to a back injury.If the three-time Cy Young Award winner is indeed the Kershaw of old, it would be hugely positive news for the Dodgers (79-60), who lead the San Francisco Giants by five games in the battle for the NL West title.Kershaw, a 28-year-old lefty, was dominant this year before his injury, posting an 11-2 record with a 1.79 ERA.For his career, Kershaw is 125-58 with a 2.39 ERA. He is the type of pitcher who can push the Dodgers -- if everything breaks right -- a long way in the 2016 postseason.But, to get back to a point in which Kershaw flat-out dominates opponents, he said he will need some time.At this point, its more of a pitch-count deal, making sure I can contribute and not just kind of go out there, Kershaw told media members earlier this week. Were still working the kinks out.Kershaw said that it helps that its after Sept. 1, and the Dodgers -- like all teams -- have an expanded roster and more relievers available in case he doesnt last long on the mound.When hes right, Kershaw features two-seam and four-seam fastballs, ranging between 91 and 95 mph, and mixes in a nasty curve and an even nastier slider.Kershaw will match up against Fernandez, who is four years younger but is already a two-time All-Star and one of the best right-handers in the game.Fernandez is 13-8 with a 3.03 ERA this season. For his career, he is 35-17 with a 2.62 ERA. Fernandez truly shines is at Marlins Park, where he is almost unbeatable at 27-2.Fernandezs home-road splits have become even more pronounced this year. He is just 3-6 with a 4.46 ERA on the road but is 10-2 with a 1.91 ERA at home.Kershaw, meanwhile, is 4-1 with a 2.29 ERA on the road this year.Fans at Marlins Park should be prepared for a show because Fernandez has immense pride and wears his emotions on his uniform sleeves. He will no doubt be jacked up to face a pitcher of the caliber of Kershaw, six-time All-Star and the NL MVP in 2014.I think Jose enjoys these big matchups, Marlins shortstop and fellow Cuban native Adeiny Hechavarria said in Spanish. He belongs in a group with the best pitchers in the league, but I still think he wants to prove it, and thats good.Fernandez will also try to prove himself at the plate, a role he relishes. He is a very good hitting pitcher, as his .273 batting average this season proves.In 128 career at-bats, Fernandez has four doubles, one triple and two homers, and the Dodgers cant take him lightly with a bat in his hands.Most of the time, though, the Marlins will let their real hitters take their chances against Kershaw, and that lineup of batters has received a boost this week as several players have returned from injuries.First baseman Justin Bour (ankle) and outfielder Marcell Ozuna (wrist) returned to the starting lineup on Wednesday. Right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (groin) came back on Tuesday but only as a pinch-hitter.Maybe Marlins manager Don Mattingly will give Stanton -- perhaps the most feared power hitter in the NL -- his first start since the injury on Friday against Kershaw, adding to what would be a crowded marquee.The Marlins, who trailed the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals by five games entering Thursday nights action, can certainly use the boost that Stantons bat could provide.Fake Basketball Jerseys . Perhaps Carroll was so prepared for a break because he believes there is very little the Seattle Seahawks need heading into the off-season. "I dont see anything that we need to add. We just have to get better," Carroll said. Fake Basketball Jerseys Authentic . -- On the field, it was business as usual for Jameis Winston and No. https://www.fakebasketballjerseys.com/ . PAUL, Minn. Custom Basketball Jerseys . Laudrup revealed Thursday he was notified of his dismissal in "the briefest of letters which gave no reasons why such hasty and final action was deemed necessary. Cheap Basketball Jerseys . Rinne played two periods in his first game since left hip surgery in early May. Gabriel Bourque scored 3:07 into the second period and Austin Watson tallied 5:15 later for Nashville.What do these three guys all have in common? Manny Lee, Luis Sojo and Nelson Liriano. Well they all played second base for the Blue Jays in 1990, the year before the team traded for Roberto Alomar, getting Robby and Joe Carter from San Diego for Tony Fernandez and Fred McGriff. The Blue Jays second base situation now is much as it was then, with no definitive No. 1 guy. Some days its Maicer Izturis, others its Emilio Bonifacio or Munenori Kawasaki or even Mark DeRosa. Im not suggesting there is another Robby Alomar out there on the open market and readily available, but it pretty clear that by the off-season, the Jays have to explore all possibilities. Seattle has basically handed over its second base job to rookie Nick Franklin. That has led them to move the incumbent Dustin Ackley to centre field. Maybe thats a better position for him or maybe by the end of the year, hell be pushing to play second for another organization. Texas has an interesting situation with 31-year-old veteran Ian Kinsler and 20-year-old rookie Jurickson Profar. Kinsler doesnt seem too keen about switching positions to make room for Profar at the keystone and the Rangers cant afford to be without his bat and abilities out of the leadoff slot. Kinsler is also under contract through 2017, with an option for 2018 worth a guaranteed $62 million. Profar has occasionally played second, but more often third base, and this past weekend he even started in left field. He is a superior defensive player to Kinsler but hasnt settled in as a major league hitter yet. The Rangers have shown no inclination to want to trade him, but maybe in the off-season Texas might be persuaded to get a big bat what with Nelson Cruz heading for free agency. The Blue Jays could also go from within, and try to move Brett Lawrie to second. Alex Anthopoulos himself said earlier in the year when Brett was rehabbing from that muscle injury in his rib cage, that Lawrie just might be better defensively at second than he is at third, which would be saying a lot. The dream choice would be Houstons 55" sparkplug Jose Altuve, who was the Astros MVP last season, and made the All-Star team to boot. Hes also capable of being a lead-off hitter. Altuve is such a fan favourite though, its difficult to see the Astros parting with him. Home Run Heaven Rogers Centre used to be regaarded as a middle of the pack ballpark when it came to hitting home runs.dddddddddddd But through Sunday, it has surrendered a Major League-leading 131 homers through 46 games or 2.85 per game. The Red Sox Mike Napoli has hit the longest home run of the season to date at 472, at Rogers Centre back on May 1. Nobody has any definitive explanation for why the Dome has suddenly become a home run haven, but it could go hand-in-hand with the struggles of the Blue Jays starting pitching. The Jays of course have some prime power hitters in Jose Bautista and Edwin Enacarnacion just to name two. Setting Targets Lefty Darren Oliver told J.P Morosi of Foxsports that he believed the Blue Jays had to be five games over .500 by the end of this month to have a chance at making the post-season. Well, they are two games under right now, which means the Jays would have to go 13-6 over their final 19 games in July to hit Olivers target. Canadian Angle The New York Post is getting its readers to vote for the All-Time greatest Mets team, to be unveiled in conjunction with the All-Star Game next Tuesday at Citi Field. They listed five candidates at each position in the starting eight. Though it likely wont happen, there is either a former Expo or Blue Jay up for every spot. C: Gary Carter - Expos 1B: Carlos Delgado - Blue Jays 2B: Edgardo Alfonso - briefly Blue Jays 3B: Hubie Brooks - Expos SS: Jose Reyes- Blue Jays LF: Cliff Floyd - Expos CF: Lee Mazzilli/Mookie Wilson - Blue Jays RF: Rusty Staub - Expos As I mentioned, this likely wont be the final team, three of four of them could make the final cut, though. Sans Stoppers Cleveland is just two-and-a-half games back of Detroit in the A.L. Central and is closer to a Wild Card spot than the Blue Jays. Yet surprisingly the Indians are tied with Boston for the fewest saves in the American League through this past Saturday with 17, and were tied with Baltimore with the most blown saves with 16. West Coast Struggles Its hard to believe how far Josh Hamilton has tumbled from the final month of last season, to signing with the Angels to now. Last year he set an all-time record with 11 million All-Star votes. This year he didnt even come close to being chosen. Hes on pace to hit .221 for the season with 20 homers and 56 runs batted in. ' ' '