Ärzte-Ecke » Stroman to be quick with his pace. Fi

REGINA -- For two memorable seasons the Canadian Air Force was synonymous with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The formidable trio of Canadian receivers -- individually known as Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg and Andy Fantuz -- will share the field at Mosaic Stadium one more time on Sunday. This time though one of them will be wearing enemy colours when the 101st Grey Cup kicks off. Getzlaf and Bagg still represent the Roughriders but Fantuz will be flying in the opposite direction as a member of the Tiger-Cats after he signed with Hamilton as a free agent in February, 2012. "Obviously Andys a friend of a bunch of guys on the team and hes a great player in this league, but we havent talked once all week and I think were going to be waiting until after the game," Getzlaf said following the Riders walkthrough Saturday morning. Sundays game will be the first in over three years that Getzlaf, Bagg and Fantuz have played together in Regina. Bagg suffered a season-ending knee injury on Oct. 17, 2010, that, unbeknownst to anyone at the time, signalled the end of an era. The bum knee kept him out of the entire 2011 season as well, and Fantuz left to Hamilton before the 2012 season as a free agent. As a group they flew under the radar in their debut, playing together for the first time on Oct. 25, 2008. Fantuz had four catches for 62 yards and a touchdown, while Getzlaf caught two balls for 28 yards and Bagg had one grab for 22 yards in a 55-9 rout over the Edmonton Eskimos. The trio gained prominence over the next two years, combining for 5,234 yards receiving and 30 touchdown catches, and helping Saskatchewan to the Grey Cup in 2009 and 2010, before being grounded for good. Together, they stood very tall. Divided, at least one of them is now guaranteed something they couldnt achieve as a team -- a Grey Cup ring. "I was talking to Rob Bagg earlier today and he was telling me how he was just 23 back in 2009 in his first Grey Cup," said Saskatchewan quarterback Darian Durant. "It was my first year starting also. We were just young pups, running around like a chicken with its head cut off, not realizing the moment. We were just out there playing. "But now we understand whats at stake, we understand what it takes to get the job done and I just like the vibe of the team." For the starting receivers on Sunday that vibe is a little less Canadian but arguably no less talented, fuelled by the speed and elusiveness of Weston Dressler, the increasingly sure-handed Getzlaf, a reliable short threat in Bagg, the big-play capability of Taj Smith and the addition of surefire Hall of Famer Geroy Simon in the off-season. The Roughriders celebrated three 1,000-yard receivers in 2013 for the first time in 20 years, with Getzlaf, Dressler and Smith all cracking the threshold. "These guys, I think theyre more mature now and they still have that mindset of Dont quit," said Riders head coach Corey Chamblin. "And thats one of the things that attracted me to this team and that Ive always liked about this team. Thats the biggest thing, I think theres a growth process there. "I also thought about today, I can remember when (Getzlaf) was younger and he was like third on the list for us to cover, and now hes one of those guys that needs to be first on the list to cover because hes grown so much." Adbert Alzolay Cubs Jersey . A night later, he was back to help lead a rout of the Detroit Pistons. John Wall had 20 points and 11 assists, and Beal scored 10 of his 15 points during the second quarter as Washington pulled away for a 106-82 victory on Saturday. Kris Bryant Cubs Jersey . With the Pirates in the thick of the race in the NL Central, the timing couldnt be better. Liriano struck out a season-high 11 in seven innings to win consecutive starts for the first time this season and Pittsburgh beat the San Francisco Giants 3-1 on Tuesday night. https://www.cheapcubs.com/1310t-alec-mills-jersey-cubs.html . The South Africa international, who rejoined the club last month on loan from Tottenham, opened the scoring in the sixth minute with a powerful shot into the roof of the net. Ron Cey Jersey . -- Aaron Rodgers looked fine on the practice field Thursday. Carlos Zambrano Jersey . Spezza scored a power-play goal with 5 minutes left and Stephane Da Costa had the other two goals to lead the Ottawa Senators to a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night.TORONTO – Marcus Stroman grinned at the recounting of that aha moment in his last start. It was the fifth inning and his Blue Jays were leading Texas 2-0. Stroman had struck out Rougned Odor and induced a groundout from Robinson Chirinos. Hed gone to a full count with on-base machine Shin-Soo Choo. The 3-2 pitch was a sinking fastball. The opposing reactions told the story. Stroman turned, struck a pose with a glare and retreated to the dugout. Choo looked flummoxed at the plate, staring back at the umpire with confusion. This reporter, from an angled vantage point, wondered if Choo disagreed with the call. He didnt. The pitch had cut the heart of the plate. He was confused. "Just something Ive been working on," said Stroman of the sinker. It must be nice. When Stroman throws fastballs, theyre predominantly four-seamers. He can "spin" the ball with the best of them, as baseball people say in reference to his devastating array of curveballs and sliders. Stromans changeup continues to develop. By the time hes through, Stroman could be a five-pitch guy. More importantly, in the immediate, is Stromans barreling onto the scene not just as a piece of the starting rotation but as a frontline guy. The sample size is small but take a look at four of Stromans last five starts, excusing the hiccup he had on a Wednesday afternoon in Anaheim earlier this month. On June 23 at home against the Yankees: Eight innings, one earned run on three hits, a walk and seven strikeouts. This start was made more impressive by the fact the Yankees were the first team to see Stroman for a second time and the first had been less than a week earlier when he struggled in the Bronx. On June 28 at home against the White Sox: Six and two-thirds innings, two earned runs on two hits, two walks and six strikeouts. Stroman wasnt physically on the mound when a run against crossed. He left the game with a 2-0 lead, two on and two outs in the seventh. Dustin McGowan promptly entered and gave up a three-run home run to Dayan Viciedo, saddling Stroman with a no-decision in a game the Jays would eventually lose 4-3. On July 4 on the road in Oakland: Seven innings of scoreless ball on three hits, three walks and seven strikeouts. The offence didnt score any runs that day and the Jays eventually lost, 1-0. July 19 at home against the Rangers: Seven innings of scoreless ball, four hits allowed and five strikeouts. Do the math and in those four starts, with Stroman still physically in the game, hes allowed one run in 28 2/3 innings. Stroman, whose self confidence has been repeatedly discussed, is willing to admit to some surprise at how well things have gone since he returned to the big leagues and entered the rotation.dddddddddddd "Yeah, absolutely," said Stroman. "Its definitely been a ride. Its been extremely fun. Its definitely gone a lot better, because its my first year and I feel really settled in and I feel like I belong." Dont mistake the confidence for arrogance. The 23-year-old knows he has plenty to learn and hes willing to listen. Two veteran teammates in particular have taken Stroman under their wings. One is a pitcher, Mark Buehrle. The other is a hitter, Jose Bautista. Having a guy with 15 straight seasons of 10 or more wins and another with two-time 50-plus home run credentials in your corner doesnt hurt. "Anything from mentality, anything from preparation to, hey, what would you throw in this count, to this hitter or what are you trying to do in this certain situation with guys on base? Just picking their minds like that and theyre more than happy to help out," said Stroman. "Bautista being awesome this year; hell come up to me out of nowhere, even during a game, and say, hey, when Im hitting this is what Im looking for, this is what I see, and this is how Im adjusting in-game and this is how you should attack hitters." Bautista sidled up to Stroman after his commanding performance against the Rangers. The superstar offered some praise. He also suggested areas in which Stroman could improve. Dont leave the kid satisfied. Bautista repeatedly reminds Stroman to be quick with his pace. Fielders appreciate a pitcher who gets the ball back from the catcher and immediately toes the rubber. Stroman has gone from potential trade bait to an irreplaceable member of the staff. Hes making general manager Alex Anthopoulos look good for being hesitant to part with the Duke alumnus. "To be honest, obviously its just rumours and you dont know whats true, whats not," said Stroman. "It wasnt unsettling at all. I was just focused on getting here and dominating and pitching like I know I could. Trades are something thats a part of the game and its not something that can rattle you if you over-think it." Dont worry about Stroman wilting under the brighter lights of important September baseball. If the Blue Jays hang in the division and wild card races, hell be looking forward to getting the ball every fifth day. "Zero intimidation factor. Im pretty confident," said Stroman. "Thats where I want to be. The bigger the moment, I feel like the bigger I get up for the games and the better I play." ' ' '