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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Just in case the four-day All-Star break isnt enough to jar the Tampa Bay Rays from the worst slump in their history, they will have a few lineup tweaks as the return Friday for a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles at Tropicana Field.Im not going to lie. This All-Star break has been tough, said Rays manager Kevin Cash, eager from a distraction after losing 22 of 25 games entering the break.You look at the standings, you read how far back we are. Weve got a long road and were going to need to play better baseball. I think that starts by putting a goal of winning as many series up front coming out of the break as possible.As early as Fridays game, the Rays are expected to get back Gold Glove center fielder Kevin Kiermaier, a catalyst in the field and on the bases, where he had six steals and 15 extra-base hits before missing 45 games with a fractured hand.The Rays also optioned backup catcher Hank Conger, hitting just .194 with 10 RBI in 124 at-bats, to Triple-A Durham, with Luke Maile taking his place as Curt Casalis backup. Maile, 25, had 35 at-bats last season and hit just .171, but he should be an upgrade defensively.And in one more move, the Rays signed reliever Kevin Jepsen, who was released by the Minnesota Twins, the same team that acquired Jepsen from the Rays at the trade deadline last year.Jepsen was sharp last season with a 2.33 ERA but struggled in Minnesota this year with a 6.16 ERA. Still, hes seen as more dependable than the Rays current options. Theyll likely send down two relievers to make room for Jepsen and Kiermaier on Friday.The Orioles (51-36), leading the American League East, are looking for a different kind of upgrade. They could pursue a key addition in the next two weeks before the trade deadline, most likely to bolster their starting rotation with a replacement for struggling Ubaldo Jimenez.Help is right here in this group. We are not coveting other peoples players, Orioles manager Buck Showalter told reporters about not needing a trade at the deadline. Every answer we need to have is in here.Baltimore won four of five going into the All-Star break, with two wins from Chris Tillman, who is 12-2 and will start Saturday against the Rays. Kevin Gausman is 1-6, however, and Yovani Gallardo (3-1), Fridays starter, hasnt been reliable, either.The Orioles are where they are in part because of a major-league-best 137 home runs -- a ridiculous 28 from Mark Trumbo, another 22 from Chris Davis and 19 from Manny Machado. Its enough to have them 15 games above .500 at the break, but they might need more pitching if they want to be more than a division winner. Wholesale Orioles Jerseys . Hazard cut in from the left and scored with a swerving right-footed shot for ninth goal of the season, which proved to be enough for the victory despite Chelseas forwards again lacking a cutting edge up front. Baltimore Orioles Pro Shop .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings will try to extend their winning streak to a season-high seven games when they visit the Edmonton Oilers for Sundays clash at Rexall Place. https://www.cheaporioles.com/ . The Vancouver coach and an announced sellout crowd of 18,910 watched in dismay as the Canucks lost 7-4 to the New York Islanders on Monday night by squandering a 3-0 lead in the third period. Stitched Orioles Jerseys . "It doesnt get any better than that," Giambi said. "Im speechless." The Indians are roaring toward October. Giambi belted a two-run, pinch-hit homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give Cleveland a shocking 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night, keeping the Indians up with the lead pack in the AL wild-card race. Orioles Jerseys 2020 . Aside from the trilogy main event title fight, there are a number of intriguing matchups in the heavyweight, welterweight and lightweight divisions. BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Encouraging as it might appear, Sabres general manager Tim Murray isnt overly impressed by the big jump Buffalo made in the standings last year.Going from rock bottom to respectability isnt considered a mean feat when taking into account Buffalo still finished 23rd despite a 12-win and 27-point improvement. Its not as if the Sabres could have been much worse after finishing last in each of the previous two seasons.We should be getting better, Murray told The Associated Press. When we stop getting better, then weve done something wrong.The hard part now is for the Sabres to evolve another step and start resembling contenders to end a five-season playoff drought -- the longest in franchise history.It doesnt happen overnight, Murray said. We think were much improved from last season. But we have to prove that on the ice. Well see.After spending his first 18 months gutting Buffalos high-priced, aging roster to rebuild the team from scratch, Murray is placing his faith in the young lineup that began showing signs of promise last season.Forward Ryan OReilly emerged as an on- and off-ice leader in his first season after being acquired in a trade from Colorado. And the Sabres young crop of draft picks made an immediate impact with Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart combining for 47 goals 98 points.Murray raised expectations by making two significant offseason additions by signing forward Kyle Okposo to a seven-year, $42 million contract, and acquired defenseman Dmitry Kulikov in a trade with Florida.That gives you a boost of energy, excitement with some of the high-quality players that we brought in, defenseman Josh Gorges said. We expect a lot of big things out of our group.The Sabres confidence is bolstered by how the team began jelling in the second half last season, its first under coach Dan Bylsma. After opening 19-26-4, Buffalo closed 16-10-7.Kulikov had no reservations being traded to Buffalo after seeing the team improve last year.I feel like all the pieces are in place right now said Kulikov, who went through a few rebuilding phases during his first seven seasons in Florida. When youre talking rebuild, I dont think its about our team. I think our team has already passed that point. And we need to show it and get off to a good start.A number of things to watch out for as the Sabres preepare to open the season hosting Montreal on Oct.dddddddddddd13:ROCKIN ROBINGoalie Robin Lehner is ready to establish himself as a bona fide starter now that hes healthy after two injury-shortened seasons. Acquired for a first-round draft pick from Ottawa in June 2015, Lehners first year in Buffalo was sidetracked 30 minutes into the season opener when he hurt his left ankle.He went 5-9-5 in 21 games, and his previous season in Ottawa was shortened because of a concussion.Lehner spent the summer working out and was notably slimmer upon reporting for training camp.It doesnt matter how good of a summer Ive had, Ive got to go out and perform, Lehner said. I know what I can do. Im not eager to prove anyone wrong or right.ENNIS RETURNSTyler Ennis is eager to return after missing the final four months of the season sidelined by a concussion. Entering his eighth season in Buffalo, the speedy, diminutive forward is the teams longest serving active player. Hes a three-time 20-goal-scorer who is being counted upon to fill a top-six role.AT AN IMPASSEDefenseman Rasmus Ristolainen remains unsigned . Hes a restricted free agent and coming off a season in which he led Buffalo in averaging more than 25 minutes of ice time, and led the teams defensemen with 41 points (nine goals, 32 assists).In a sign of good faith, Ristolainen reported to training camp last week after representing Finland at the World Cup of Hockey. Though pleased to have Ristolainen on the ice practicing, Murray doubted his presence in Buffalo would speed up contract talks.KANE WATCHForward Evander Kane is coming off a tumultuous offseason. He faces numerous charges for allegedly grabbing three women by the hair and neck in separate instances during an altercation at a downtown Buffalo bar in June. The 25-year-old is also being sued by a 21-year-old woman claiming he seriously injured her during an attack in his hotel room in December.ROOMIESEichel and Reinhart have decided to move in together after establishing an on- and off-ice bond last year.We room together on the road as well, so were pretty familiar with each other, Reinhart said. Eichel spent his rookie season living with forward Matt Moulson and his family. ' ' '