kubbel » whos moved into Reyes leado

TORONTO - For months weve been hearing all about their impossibly difficult early-season schedule. Paulo Orlando Royals Jersey . Through 34 contests, the Raptors have had the most difficult slate of games in the Eastern Conference, according to Basketball-Reference.com. Theyve played 19 on the road and 16 against winning teams, both tied for most in the East. They have seen both conference finalists, Miami and Indiana three times. In spite of it all, Toronto is right where Dwane Casey had cautiously hoped they would be; at sea level. "These five games are a crucial stretch of games here at home for us," Casey said ahead of Wednesdays 112-91 victory over the Pistons, a win that got Toronto back to the .500 mark. "Its a very crucial time." Following another daunting road trip, capped off by disappointing but expected losses to the Heat and Pacers, the Raptors schedule finally begins to ease up. Wednesdays meeting with Detroit was the first of four straight against losing teams. Four of their next five are at home and only two of the remaining 12 contests in January come against opponents that went into Wednesdays games with winning records. Casey had spoken about using recent tests against the leagues best as a measuring stick for his emerging team but these upcoming few weeks may tell him more about where they stack up in the Eastern Conference. They must continue to win the games they should. Taking care of the Pistons, one of the Easts talented disasters, was a promising first step. Toronto coughed up an 11-point second-quarter lead in what turned out to be an ugly opening half for both teams. DeMar DeRozan and Amir Johnson combined to shoot 0-of-16 while the team was outscored by 16 points in the paint, outworked by another physical frontline. Lucky to be down only four at the break, the Raptors adjusted going into the second half, where they outscored the visitors 62-37. "We pretty much said, this is a must-win game," Johnson maintained. "We have to go out and take it and we did that." Although they shot just 41 per cent from the field, the Raptors knocked down 11 three-pointers, including five from Terrence Ross, who had 17 points on the night. Toronto improved to 8-2 on the season when connecting on 10 or more three-balls. Kyle Lowry led the team in scoring with 21 to go along with nine assists, Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas both added double-doubles and DeRozan finished with 19 points, 13 of which came from the free throw line. "We knew it was going to be a grind it out game and thats something were learning to do," Casey added. "Theres no pretty games in the NBA, its a mans league," he continued. "To win in this league, to win in the Eastern Conference especially - I found out in my three years in it - its a mans [conference]. Its a hit, knockdown, drag out [conference] and the strong survive. Were learning how to do that." The Raptors were a different team coming out of the locker room after intermission. They bested the Pistons in the paint - Detroit leads the league in that category - out-rebounded them and imposed their will on a struggling team that has now lost six in a row. After eight lead changes in the first half, there was just one in the second and it was all the Raptors needed to seize control. "Theyre must-win games," Johnson said. "Theyre all home and we need to win those games just to stay at the top of our division. Theyre must-win games and weve got to come out and play hard." With Brooklyn on deck, followed by games against the woeful Bucks and Celtics, the Raptors have to continue to do just that. Theyve got to seize this opportunity. Although Toronto is just 1-5 facing the Pacers and Heat this season, theyre 11-5 against the rest of the conference. Sitting just one game out of third place in the East - after the Horford-less Hawks upset Indiana on Wednesday - the Raptors are now in a position to validate their recent success. They can separate themselves from the heap of mediocrity theyll be facing throughout the duration of the month of they will end up blending in with them. "Theres no reason for any of us to be content or satisfied or be able to be happy about [where we are]," Casey preached. "Weve got to play like a hungry team. Weve got to continue to grow, weve got to continue to have the underdog attitude because thats where we are. " "Were nowhere near an established program. Im not kidding myself, I know what an established program is all about and were not there yet. We have a lot of growth to do with our core group of guys." Kelvin Herrera Jersey .S. - Nova Scotias Mary Fay guaranteed at least one more match and a shot at the Canadian junior curling championships final on home ice. Alex Gordon Royals Jersey . According to TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger, the Maple Leafs have trade offers on the table for the 26-year-old, but none have been deemed acceptable by the team. http://www.authentickcroyalsprostore.us/Alcides-Escobar-royals-jersey/ . DArnaud hit one of three doubles for the Mets as they took a 4-0 lead in the first. Then the catchers seventh home run of the season broke the game open in the fifth. The 41-year-old Colon (10-8) retired the first 20 batters in his last outing Wednesday against Seattle, eventually allowing two runs on three hits in 7 1-3 innings in a 3-2 win.TORONTO – The absence of Jose Reyes from manager John Gibbons lineup is forcing the skipper to do some less than desirable juggling. The star shortstops injury has been mitigated, somewhat, by the surprising offensive contribution of his replacement, Jonathan Diaz, but the bottom of the order remains subpar in an offence heavy division. Then theres the number two spot in the order, vacated by Melky Cabrera, whos moved into Reyes leadoff role. Colby Rasmus has occupied the bridge to Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion since Tuesday night in Tampa Bay. Hes off to a slow start this season with just two hits in 22 at-bats (.090), striking out at a 40 per cent clip (10 times in 25 plate appearances). The sample sizes are small and the Jays believe Reyes will return on April 16, the day hes eligible to come off the disabled list, or soon after. Still, manager John Gibbons has considered something he did last year for part of the time Reyes was down, bumping up Bautista and Encarnacion in the lineup. "We thought about it," said Gibbons. "Right now we want to kind of split the lefties up as much as possible, as far apart as we can. Colbys had some success in that two-hole in the past. Right now, the way hes swinging its not ideal but, like I said, I think hes close." For his career, Rasmus has struck out in 24.2 per cent of his plate appearances. Thats not an ideal number for a top of the order guy and its why the Jays, when healthy, dont use him there. "Hes going to strike out," said Gibbons. "Thats the kind of player he is. Hes going to have some strikeouts. But I think hes real close." "I dont ever like living with strikeouts," said hitting coach Kevin Seitzer, who says he speaks to Rasmus daily. "I think theres a way to patch things up, patch up holes and get yourself into a position with a mindset and an approach to where it gives you a better chance to barrel it up and not be vulnerable in certain counts, certain pitches, certain locations." It may surprise you to learn Rasmus has played more games batting second, 239 times in his career, than in any other spot in the order. It isnt close, either. Hes hit fifth 138 times, his second-most frequeent spot in the order. Ian Kennedy Royals Jersey. Rasmus former manager, Tony La Russa, often hit him second. Those two are linked for their infamous falling out, although that wasnt related to Rasmus spot in the lineup. Seitzer is working with him on an adjustment related to where Rasmus hands start when the pitcher comes set. Previously, Rasmus had been starting his hands away from his body, effectively out and over the plate. He now starts with his hands closer to his body. "Hes not comfortable with it because its new," said Seitzer. "He hit all winter and all spring and I kind of had to let him go with his thing, getting to know him and getting used to him and then seeing what happens once the season starts. Were working on making adjustments. Hes just got to get himself in good position to give himself the best chance." The hitting coach wants the player to see the adjustment through. "I dont care where guys start their hands as long as they get to their launch position in time, on time, every time. Thats the only chance you have to hit big league pitching," said Seitzer. HAPPS REHAB START J.A. Happ was scheduled to make a rehab start for the Single-A Dunedin Jays on Saturday evening, weather permitting. Happ is on the disabled list, back dated to March 26 so hes eligible to return on April 10, with back inflammation thats plagued him since early in spring training. ROSTER MOVE The Jays designated right-hander Jeremy Jeffress for assignment after Friday nights game. The intention was to recall Chad Jenkins from Triple-A Buffalo. In fact, the Bisons had issued a press release to that effect. Turns out Jenkins isnt eligible to join the Jays until April 10 because, as a player optioned to the minor leagues, hes required to spend 10 regular season days in the minors. In Jenkins place is Marcus Walden, whose contract was purchased and the player added to the 40-man roster. Walden, a 25-year-old right-hander, was a ninth round selection of the Jays in the 2007 draft. To be clear on the option rule: there is an exception to the 10-day window for players recalled due to injury. Erik Kratz is an example. He was recalled when J.A. Happ was placed on the disabled list. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '