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Ronaldos last good chance to win a trophy
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SAN DIEGO -- Chris Sale can admit it now: He was a little too in love with the strikeout. B.J. Finney Jersey .He led the American League last year with 274. But all those long counts cost him.I wanted to pitch more innings, get deeper into the games, the Chicago White Sox ace said Monday after he was announced to open the All-Star Game for the American League.As a starting pitcher, thats really the name of the game, is getting as deep into the game while giving your team a chance to win at the same time, he said.San Franciscos Johnny Cueto will start for the National League on Tuesday as the All-Stars return to San Diego for the first time since 1992.A 27-year-old left-hander, Sale is 14-3 with a 3.38 ERA and leads the major leagues in wins. He has 123 strikeouts -- third in the AL -- and just 26 walks in 125 innings. Batters are hitting .225 against him.In the past, he was a little bit more of a power pitcher, the Chicago Cubs Ben Zobrist said. If hes hitting spots a little bit more, that might change our ability to drive the ball.Cueto, a 30-year-old right-hander who left Kansas City to sign with the Giants last offseason, tops NL pitchers in victories. He is 13-1 with a 2.47 ERA, striking out 115 in 131 1/3 innings. He has won 10 consecutive decisions since an April 21 loss to Arizona.His path to the starting nod became clearer when Clayton Kershaw and Noah Syndergaard got hurt, Stephen Strasburg pulled out of the game because of a recent disabled list stint and Madison Bumgarner was ruled out because he started Sunday.I was just happy to be participating in the game, Cueto said through a translator. But Im very happy.Cueto impressed New York Mets manager Terry Collins with a two-hitter for Kansas City in Game 2 of last years World Series, the first complete game by an AL pitcher in the Series since Jack Morris in 1991.That was the best outing Ive ever seen him have, Collins said.Jake Arrieta of the Cubs was on track to get the honor, going 11-1 with a 1.74 ERA through mid-June. But he lost three of his last four starts heading into the break.The last three outings, I havent pitched very well, he said. If I had took care of business, I probably would have been the starter or considered a little more highly.AL manager Ned Yosts batting order has Houston second baseman Jose Altuve leading off, followed by Angels center fielder Mike Trout, Baltimore third baseman Manny Machado, Boston designated hitter David Ortiz, Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer, Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts, Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez and Boston left fielder Jackie Bradley Jr.Collins has Cubs second baseman Ben Zobrist leading off, followed by Washington right fielder Bryce Harper, Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, San Diegos Wil Myers at designated hitter, San Francisco catcher Buster Posey, Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, Miami center fielder Marcell Ozuna, Colorado left fielder Carlos Gonzalez and Cubs shortstop Addison Russell.Ozuna and Gonzalez are replacements for the Cubs Dexter Fowler and the Mets Yoenis Cespedes, who are hurt.Yost said Corey Kluber, Cole Hamels, Aaron Sanchez and Jose Quintana will follow Sale to the mound.The AL will be the home team for the game at Petco Park because this is the second straight year of at least four in which the NL will host the All-Stars. The AL has a 10-3 advantage since the All-Star Game has determined home-field advantage in the World Series.Its vitally important, said Yost, whose Royals swept the first two games at Kauffman Stadium last year. Weve got a room full of tremendously talented players and if we win this game its going to affect somebody or somebodies in that room. Wholesale Steelers Jerseys China .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. Darrius Heyward-Bey Jersey .2 billion agreement with Rogers Communications for the leagues broadcast and multimedia rights. http://www.cheapsteelersjerseysonline.com/?tag=david-decastro-jersey-online ;. It says Pocklingtons lawyer filed the appeal Friday in a California court. CTV Edmonton also says Pocklington gave a $100,000 cash deposit as part of the conditions of his bail, and that he will be out on bail until his appeal is heard. PARIS -- Somehow, a classic encounter between Germany and Italy is not the main attraction of the quarterfinal-stage at the European Championship.Icelands next act in what is already one of the most surprising stories in European Championship history is the match thats drawing most attention.Can the team, which surprised so many by beating England 2-1 in the round of 16, do the same to host France when they meet at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis?The island nation of just 330,000 people has undoubtedly taken the spotlight from all the others in the final eight, including Wales, which other times would be basking in its underdog status. And its overshadowed other themes, such as Cristiano Ronaldos quest for an elusive first title with Portugal.Heres a look at how the Euro 2016 drama is peaking after what most concede to have been a lackluster group stage:---MANIC MONDAYA truly memorable day in European Championship history whetted appetites for the quarterfinals.Two-time defending champion Spain lost to an Italian team thats defied its old reputation for dour, defensive play.That was just a warm-up act.Icelands 2-1 victory over England is one of the most surprising results in European Championship history. After all, as England great Gary Lineker quipped on Twitter, Iceland has more volcanoes than professional soccer players.---ICE, ICE, BABYNext up for Iceland: France in its national stadium on Sunday. Now, home fans are starting to believe their team can replicate the Euro 1984 and 1998 World Cup teams by winning on home soil.But, given what happened to England, and others, French fans will likely be a little wary now about the match that concludes the quarterfinals.Iceland, in its first appearance at the European Championship, has other achievements to brag about. The team also drew 1-1 with Portugal, daring to celebrate to the seeming annoyance of Ronaldo.Then came the late drama of Icelands last two group games against Hungary and Austria; the global discovery of national TVs hysterical match commentator; culminating in the delicious upset of England.---GERMANY CRUISINGQuietly, ominously, Germany cruised into the quarterfinals without conceding a goal.Italy coach Antonio Conte says the 2014 World Cup winner is the best team in France, which is part-truth and part-psychological.If one team can intimidate Germany, its Italy.Italys 2-1 win in a Euroo 2012 semifinal extended a tradition of German losses that includes World Cup semifinals in 2006 and 1970, and the 1982 World Cup final. Vance McDonald Jersey. Italy has played two top-class teams at Euro 2016 -- Belgium and Spain -- and comfortably won both 2-0---GOLDEN YEARSIf not now, then when for Belgium?A so-called golden generation is finally shining ahead of playing a Gareth Bale-inspired Wales that is united and must not be underestimated.Belgium failed to impress at the 2014 World Cup when tamely losing a quarterfinal to Argentina, and its inhibited play in losing to Italy in the first game of the group stage looked more of the same.Since then, Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne have starred in three straight wins -- the combined score, 8-0.However, how good were those opponents? Ireland, Sweden and Hungary all came through the Euro 2016 playoffs and would not have qualified under the old 16-team format.Wales need not fear Belgium in Fridays match after they advanced through the same qualifying group. Wales drew 0-0 in Brussels, then won 1-0 at home with Bale scoring.Belgium is unlikely to be short of fans. After all, the match takes place in Lille, near the Belgian border. And Hazard is a local hero, having started out his career in the city.---CRISTIANOS QUESTAt 31, this is likely Ronaldos last good chance to win a trophy with Portugal, an achievement that could propel him to another Ballon dOr over great rival Lionel Messi.Now at his seventh finals tournament, Ronaldo came closest at his first, but the Euro 2004 host lost in the final to Greece.A quarterfinal against Poland and a so-far misfiring Robert Lewandowski is an offer Portugal would surely have taken before the tournament. Belgium or Wales await the winner.---GETTING BETTEREuro 2016 picked up welcome momentum in a round of 16 spread over three days, each one having its own distinct character.Saturdays slow start slumped to a dire end; on Sunday, the big boys roughed up the underdogs; Monday peaked with two compelling dramas.The first half of the tournament was memorable mostly for the fans: A happy, noisy and friendly majority, but with nasty outbreaks of fighting and flare-throwing.The final two weeks needs to be remembered for the quality of the games and the goals. 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