and others we werent. But thats our league. The best co-ordinators have had 500-yard games against them. But you

A look at whats happening all around the majors Thursday:---SLUGGING IT OUTJose Bautista and the Toronto Blue Jays have slugged their way back to the AL Division Series, and now they get an opponent clearly not afraid to swing back. The Jays and Rangers open a rematch of last years ALDS, which included Bautistas homer and emphatic bat flip in Game 5. The celebration irked Texas, and second baseman Rougned Odor punched Bautista in the face following Bautistas hard slide the last time the teams met on May 15. Toronto right-hander Marco Estrada and Texas lefty Cole Hamels will pitch in Game 1.HELLO OLD FRIENDIndians manager Terry Francona is entering his seventh postseason, but hes yet to get a task quite like this -- competing against his former team. Boston and Cleveland begin their ALDS, pitting Francona against a close friend in Red Sox manager John Farrell and former players like David Ortiz and Dustin Pedroia. I dont think Id want to ignore it, Francona said Wednesday of his ties to the Red Sox. Theres a lot of history there, a lot of people I really care about. But Ive been here four years. Its not a bad thing when you move on. Sometimes its just time to move on. Bostons 22-game winner Rick Porcello starts Game 1 against Cleveland righty Trevor Bauer.KEYSTONE DECISIONDaniel Murphy still hasnt revealed whether hell be ready for Game 1 of Washingtons NLDS against the Dodgers on Friday. Murphy is recovering from a strained muscle in his buttocks and hasnt played since Sept. 17. The second baseman worked out with teammates, running the bases while taking live batting practice and grounders on Wednesday. Afterward, he said he felt really good, and Nationals manager Dusty Bakers said hes moving around with more confidence.ROBO-CALLRobot umps could be coming to the major leagues ... one day. Commissioner Rob Manfred said at Citi Field on Wednesday that he can envision a day when mechanical umpires could be tested to call balls and strikes. As technology continues to improve and those sorts of adjustments can be made real time, that technology will become more feasible for use on the field, Manfred said. I dont believe we are there yet. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys . At a news conference Tuesday where it was thought that the fiery Schallibaum may be shown the door after a dismal finish to the Major League Soccer season, team president Joey Saputo said no decision has been made on whether the Swiss Volcano will be back in 2014. Wholesale Maple Leafs Jerseys . McCarthy, a player who played some games in the second tier for Wigan at the start of this season, would go on to shine inside Evertons midfield, outplaying the man he was brought in to replace, on one of the grandest stages in English football. On Saturday, it was fitting that Manchester Uniteds most recent dagger into the chest was delivered by Frenchman Yohan Cabaye, a wonderfully gifted central midfielder who put on an outstanding effort for Newcastle at Old Trafford. http://www.cheapmapleleafsjerseys.com/ .com) - Yankee Stadium is the home of the Bronx Bombers, but on Sunday afternoon it will open its gates to host the latest addition of the Hudson River Rivalry. Cheap Maple Leafs Jerseys .C. -- Kemba Walker and the Charlotte Bobcats got off to a fast start, and the Sacramento Kings were never quite able to catch up. Cheap Maple Leafs Jerseys China . The parade and rally were held to celebrate the Saskatchewan Roughriders 45-23 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday in the CFLs championship game. MONTREAL -- It has been two years since the Montreal Alouettes have been to the Grey Cup game. That wouldnt be unusual for most Canadian Football League teams, but it hasnt happened to the Alouettes since 2000. And general manager Jim Popp doesnt want three in a row. "We won our division last year, we didnt win our playoff game, but weve been right there," Popp said. "We all felt we should have been in five straight Grey Cups." The Alouettes were first in the East Division at 11-7 last season but were beaten at home in the division final by the eventual Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts. But it wasnt that defeat that sparked a big change in Montreal. Rather, it was coach Marc Trestman finally landing his dream job as an NFL head coach with the Chicago Bears. Trestmans departure after five years brought in former U.S. university coach Dan Hawkins. Like his predecessor, Hawkins enters the CFL with no experience of the 12-man game. The difference is that this time he will be well-supported with a staff of 11 co-ordinators and assistants. Among them is former Winnipeg head coach Doug Berry, who was hired as Hawkins senior adviser and who could likely step into the top job if needed. The main job will be to bring consistency to the defence and special teams. The offence is almost unchanged from a year ago, except for the addition of 35-year-old receiver Arland Bruce III to replace the departed Brian Bratton. It all hinges on the health of quarterback Anthony Calvillo, the leagues all-time passing leader who turns 41 on Aug. 23. Calvillo is hardly slowing down. He wasnt fast to begin with. And last season he topped, 5,000 yards passing for the seventh time, completing 333 for 5,082 yards, 31 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He is coming off surgery to his non-throwing shoulder but looked sharp in the pre-season. The team signed free agent Quinton Porter as insurance, but the veteran pivot asked for his release when it became clear he wouldnt get the back-up role ahead of third-stringer Josh Neiswander and impressive newcomer Tanner Marsh. Calvillo has his offensive line intact and his solid array of tall receivers in S.J. Green, Jamel Richardson and Brandon London. Adding Bruce was a bonus. They will start the season with both incumbent running back Brandon Whitaker and new signing Jerome Messam out with injuries. Chris Jennings, who filled in after Whitaker blew out a knee last season, is to start the campaign but the multi-skilled Whitaker is expected back soon. The offence was not an area of concern for Montreal. Perhaps their biggest problem last season was special teams, where they gave up too many long returns and couldnt get their own return game going. The result was weak field position at both ends. With new special teams co-ordinator Ray Rychelski in place, they hope speedy Noel Devine will break more long returns this season. Last year, special teams was only one of former coach Andy Bischoffs many duties. "I dont know if it was the philosophy or we neeeded to get better personnel-wise, but for whatever reason, we were getting big field position changes," said Popp.dddddddddddd "We didnt seem to get the returns and we seemed to give up big returns. "The coaching was good, but there was something not clicking." "Coach Rays approach is different. Its more like NFL teams. Its very direct. Well see what results we get." There were changes in the defensive backfield with the signing of veteran cornerbacks Byron Parker and Geoff Tisdale. Dwight Anderson and Seth Williams are gone. The biggest change may be moving bruising tackler Kyries Hebert from safety to outside linebacker, his natural position. Canadian Shea Emry remains at middle linebacker with Chip Cox also back, and with the versatile Marc-Olivier Brouillette slotting in wherever hes needed. Rookie Mike Edem, drafted third overall from the University of Calgary, has been impressive at safety, flanked by returning defensive backs Billy Parker and Jerald Brown. The team has also gone back to a four-man line and signed the spirited Ejiro Kuale from Toronto to play rush end along with veteran John Bowman. Scooter Berry and Alan Michael Cash return at tackle, and Moton Hopkins is back after missing a year with a blood clot in a leg. Popp wants stability on defence after going through a succession of defensive co-ordinators in recent years. Each one changed the system so that new players were needed to fit the co-ordinators style. Jeff Reinebold is out, and the new co-ordinator is Noel Thorpe. "With coaches, co-ordinators and philosophies, that there hasnt been the consistency we had on offence," said Popp. "Youre trying to find a coach that maybe fits the personnel better. "That was thought out much better this time around. Reinebold is a very good coach, it just didnt work. We were very good some weeks and others we werent. But thats our league. The best co-ordinators have had 500-yard games against them. But you want consistency, not a roller coaster." "The system is simplified. In the system that had evolved, there were a lot of checks and changes and when there are always new people in, everyones not always on the same page and it becomes difficult. In this system, there are less adjustments. Theres a lot more man coverage. Usually that will spell out less mistakes." Popp hopes better special teams and defence will bring the Alouettes back to the Grey Cup game, where theyve been eight times in 13 years, winning in 2002, 2009 and 2010. It will be the 18th season since the team returned to Montreal in 1996 after a 10-year hiatus and theyve had winning records every year but two -- 9-9 in 2001 and 8-10 in 2007. In that span, theyve never missed the playoffs. "Weve been at a high level, and the question is whether we stay at that level or drop a notch down," said Popp, who has been GM for all that time. "But those are the two areas that, if we can be better, well already be a better team." ' ' '