oehler (9-10, 3.87). ' ' 'ior, and two asterisks denote

Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Wednesday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. All times EDT:- CLEVELAND -- Corey Kluber gets the chance to become the first pitcher since Mickey Lolich in 1968 to win three World Series starts when the Cleveland Indians try again to close out the Chicago Cubs in Game 7. Major league ERA leader Kyle Hendricks is set to start against him. Game starts 8:08 p.m.- Sidebar on the World Series MVP.- Who will end their drought? Postgame commentary on Game 7 of the World Series between the Chicago Cubs, seeking their first title since 1908, and the Cleveland Indians, who havent won it all since 1948.- ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. -- Theres one player still alive who appeared in the 1945 World Series, when the Chicago Cubs reached Game 7 before losing to Detroit. Ed Mierkowicz, who played for the victorious Tigers, looks back.- The NFLs NFC is so wide open that a Thursday night meeting between Atlanta and Tampa Bay could wind up having some significance when the playoff races conclude.- CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Cam Newton is expected to discuss his phone call with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell when he meets with the media. Newton complained after Carolinas last game that he didnt feel officials were protecting him in the pocket.- FRISCO, Texas -- As Dallas rookie quarterback Dak Prescotts winning streak grows, Jerry Jones keeps modifying the answer for what happens when Tony Romo is ready. The latest change from the Cowboys owner and GM: Dallas should stay with the hot hand, and Romo is fine with it.- Auburn and LSU played the last weekend of September. Both coaches were feeling heat. The game was ugly with a bizarre ending. The next day LSU fired coach Les Miles with a 2-2 record, and Auburn and Gus Malzahn were feeling fortunate to have that same record. Now both SEC West Tigers are very much in the race not only for a conference championship, but maybe even a spot in the College Football Playoff.- The Southeastern Conference enters its final month of the regular season and seven of the leagues 14 teams are still in realistic contention for a spot in the leagues championship game. Heres a look at the road each team must face as it tries to make it to Atlanta.- The Big 12 is a longshot to return to the playoff this season, and the conferences championship game isnt resuming until next year. Still, the Big 12 has to determine a champion to represent the league in the Sugar Bowl against an SEC team, and fill the rest of its bowl spots.- STORRS, Conn. -- UConns womens basketball team is not favored to win a fifth straight national title this season, but talk of the dynastys demise may be a bit premature.- PARIS -- Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray are in action at the Paris Masters, where the Briton has a chance to overtake his Serb rival at the top of the ATP rankings. Djokovic opens his bid for a fifth title at the indoor tournament against Gilles Muller while Murray takes on Fernando Verdasco.- ARCADIA, Calif. -- California Chrome will try to cap an undefeated year with a victory in the $6 million Breeders Cup Classic this weekend at Santa Anita. The 5-year-old has overcome volatile ownership and injuries since winning the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Preakness to become North Americas richest thoroughbred in history. Custom Arizona Diamondbacks Nike Jerseys . Then the Pacers gave Oladipo and his Orlando teammates the cold shoulder. Paul Georges buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter spurred a 21-4 run, finally sending Indiana past the Magic 97-87 in a tougher-than-expected opening night matchup. Custom Detroit Tigers Nike Jerseys . NBA officials ruled the court unplayable in the Bucks final exhibition game on Oct. 25 because players were slipping, and the game was cancelled midway through the first period. https://www.custombaseballnikejerseys.com/?tag=custom-tampa-bay-rays-nike-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. Custom Baseball Jerseys China . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. Custom Minnesota Twins Nike Jerseys . Coach Mike Munchak says Fokou stretched ligaments in his left knee Oct. 13 against Seattle, which could keep out up to five weeks even though the linebacker didnt need surgery. In this edition of my Big Board: A?Big 12 running back and MAC wide receiver who put up monster numbers in 2016 make their debuts, and a speedy Pac-12 wideout jumps into the top 20.A reminder: General scouting reports on these players wont change week to week unless my overall evaluation changes. Ill simply be updating performance notes and providing updates on key matchups to come.One asterisk denotes a junRory McIlroy has admitted he does not expect to retain his Race to Dubai crown this week, despite having an outside chance of denying Henrik Stenson. McIlroy heads into the season-ending DP World Tour Championship fourth in the standings behind Stenson, Danny Willett and the in-form Alex Noren, but a win could be enough to be crowned European No 1 for the third straight year if the top three struggle at the Jumeirah Golf Estates. Rory McIlroy says hes more concerned about ending the year as the world number one, rather than winning the Race to Dubai title. However, the world No 2 would require Stenson to finish outside the top 45 in the elite 60-player field, with Willett not making the top five and Noren finishing lower than second. McIlroy pipped Willett to the overall title with a dramatic victory over Andy Sullivan in the event last year, but he has effectively ruled out his chances of overhauling Open champion Stenson, who is also a two-time champion in the event. Victory in the FedExCup capped an excellent PGA Tour season for McIlroy Mathematically I can win, but its not going to happen, said McIlroy, when asked about his Race to Dubai hopes. I wouldnt hold my breath. I think the three guys that are ahead of me are playing very good golf, especially the two Swedes, Henrik and Alex.Alex with what hes done over the past few weeks, Henrik has had a fantastic year, and so has Danny, obviously... I dont expect those guys to play badly this week. Im just concentrating on trying to win the golf tournament and if I can do that, Ill be very happy. Rory McIlroy needs an unlikely set of results to retain his Race to Dubai crown McIlroy did not help his cause by opting to pull out of the Turkish Airlines Open earlier this month due to safety fears, but he reiterated that he was comfortable with that course of action.Im very happy with my decision, he added. Ive been here for the last couple of weeks and Ive done a bit of practice, enjoyed myself. So, no, no regrets at all. McIlroy believes Henrik Stenson will be crowned European No 1 McIlroy also insisted he was satisfied with his 2016 campaign overall, despite not managing to add to his four major titles, although he did claim the FedExCup for the first time after winning the Deutsche Bank Championship and the Tour Championship. Six months half price Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch Man Utd v Arsenal on Saturday and get the first six months half price Asked to rate his season, he said: Its been good, Ive won a couple of things that I hadnt won before. I won the Irish Open, which a huge thing personally for me. It mightnt be the biggest tournament in the world, but personally to me in my mind, it is one of the biggest I play all year.That was nice to be able to knock that off - and to win the FedExCup, as well, was big. That was something that I hadnt won before, and to win that, and in the fashion that I did, and winning two of the last three Play-off events over there, that was very satisfying. McIlroy with the Race To Dubai and DP World Tour Championship trophies last year My play in majors was disappointing, missing the cut at the US Open and the PGA. I had a top five at The Open but that was soon forgotten because of what Henrik and Phil did.But majors aside, I feel like its been a pretty good, consistent year. But going into next year, Id like to think that my performances in the majors are going to be better. Live European Tour Golf November 17, 2016, 8:00am Live on Get Sky Sports Get a Sky Sports pass McIlroys top priority this week is to regain the world No 1 ranking from Jason Day, which he will do if he emerges victorious over the Earth Course for the third time.Its a big incentive for me, said the 27-year-old. Its been a while since Ive been in that spot. I know if I win this tournament, Ill finish the year at world No 1. So its a big incentive for me to try and get that back, and it would be nice to have that little bit of momentum going into next year.Watch the DP World Tour Championship live on Sky Sports 4 HD from 8am on Thursday.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this Saturday and get the first six months half price! Also See: R2D contenders/permutations Rory wants Christmas No 1 Shots of the week Golf live on Sky Sports 4 Stitched USA Soccer Jerseys .com) - The Chicago Blackhawks aim for their third three-game winning streak of the season when they host the struggling Edmonton Oilers in Sundays battle at the United Center. Fake USA Soccer 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. https://www.cheapusasoccer.com/ . But the quarterback hopes to stay involved in football after officially calling it quits Tuesday. "Id love to look at those opportunities as they arise," Pierce said in an interview from his Winnipeg eatery. Cheap USA Soccer Jerseys . In what the team had called a retirement, Ryan said Thursday that he is resigning as chief executive of the Rangers in a move effective at the end of this month. USA Soccer Gear .J. -- Marty Brodeur beat the Pittsburgh Penguins yet again. MIAMI -- Clayton Kershaw spent the bulk of the evening in the dugout, wearing a blue Dodgers jacket, chatting with teammates and chomping down on a wad of pink bubble gum.He didnt win his comeback game.Still, the NL West leaders were happy just to have their ace back.Sidelined since June 26 with a mild disk herniation, Kershaw started and pitched three innings in the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-1 loss to the Miami Marlins on Friday night.You try to look at the positives, I guess, said Kershaw, who reported no physical problems afterward. I got to pitch again. Thats always fun.Kershaw was more than outdueled by Marlins ace Jose Fernandez (14-8), who tossed seven shutout innings and tied a career high by striking out 14.Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was thrilled afterward.For Clayton to be back on the mound, I think thats a win for us, Roberts said. Fernandez was good, but the No. 1 thing was Clayton got out of this feeling pretty well. We didnt expect him to be in midseason form anyway.Kershaw (11-3) threw 66 pitches, 46 for strikes. He gave up two runs and five hits, struck out five and walked none, his ERA rising just a bit from 1.79 to 1.89. He allowed a home run to J.T. Realmuto in the first, and an RBI single to Chris Johnson -- off the glove of leaping second baseman Chase Utley -- in the second.We did a pretty good job of making him pitch, said Marlins manager Don Mattingly, the former Dodgers skipper.Kershaw wasnt overjoyed with the outing, the three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2014 NL MVP shrugging off notions that it was essentially a rehab or spring start to get his arm ready for the stretch run.Its not spring training for anybody else so its not for me, either, he said. Weve got to beat the Giants. Weve got to win this division. Im thankful for what the guys did while I was gone. They played unbelievable. Theyre still playing unbelievable. I want to be a part of that.Miami improved to 5-0 against the Dodgers this season.Yasmani Grandal hit his 25th homer in the ninth for the Dodgers, who tried to rally against Fernando Rodney before A.J. Ramos came in and closed it out for his 33rd save.ddddddddddddFernandez was simply dominant, improving to 4-0 all-time against the Dodgers and 28-2 at Marlins Park. There have been 12 games in the majors this season when a pitcher has struck out 14 or more, and no one else has more than one of them.His 102nd and last pitch -- one that fanned Yasiel Puig for No. 14 -- hit 98 mph.It seems like thats all I do lately. I cant pass 14, Fernandez said.Kershaw gave up some hard-hit balls, but the most important element of the outing for the Dodgers lefty was this: When tested physically, he passed.Fernandez lined a low offering right back up the middle in the second inning, sending Kershaw spinning 180 degrees and leaving him looking at second base with his left leg outstretched like a hockey goalie making a pad save. And in the third, Kershaw pounced off the mound to field Yelichs nubber, then spun to make the throw to first and fell back somewhat awkwardly.Neither instance seemed to bother him.We all held our breath a little bit, Roberts said.THE DONMattingly is the third skipper in the last half-century to start 5-0 against the Dodgers -- the team he managed from 2011-15. He joined Jack McKeon (with the Padres in 1988) and Sparky Anderson (with the Reds in 1970).CELEBRATING PERFECTIONIt was the 51st anniversary of the only Dodgers perfect game, Sandy Koufaxs 1-0 gem against the Chicago Cubs. Dennis Martinez -- who pitched a perfect game for Montreal at Dodger Stadium in 1991 -- threw out one of Fridays ceremonial first pitches.TRAINERS ROOMDodgers: OF Andre Ethier (broken right leg) could make his season debut this weekend. ... Kershaw will start at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday, back in his regular spot in the rotation.Marlins: OF Giancarlo Stanton, limited to pinch-hitting duty, struck out with the bases loaded to end the fifth.UP NEXTThe series continues Saturday with LHP Rich Hill (11-3, 1.94 ERA; 8-0 in his last 10 starts) going for the Dodgers against RHP Tom Koehler (9-10, 3.87). ' ' 'ior, and two asterisks denote a redshirt sophomore for the 2016 season.1. *Myles Garrett, DE, Texas A&MGarrett has had a frustrating season, hampered by a high ankle sprain he suffered in late September. The injury has taken away some of the explosion that makes him such a promising talent. But when hes on -- the way he was against UTSA in mid-November, when he had 4.5 sacks --?hes?a brilliant, natural pass-rusher.?The injury shouldnt affect GGarretts draft status, as long as it doesnt linger past January.dddddddddddd At 6-foot-5, 265 pounds, he has the length, strength and ability to bend the edge. I think hes a top-five lock in April.2. *Leonard Fournette, RB, LSUFournette, too,?hasnt had an ideal season, as he has struggled with a gimpy ankle and missed four games. Dont worry about him, though. Fournettes really special when hes healthy. At 6-1, 235 pounds, he has?an incredible combination of size, speed and power that can make him look like a varsity player hanging with the JV. Mileage was a concern heading into the season, so the ankle injury?could benefit him in NFL scouts eyes. He had a whopping 300 carries in 2015, and he has only 129 this season. ' ' '