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It was the one question being asked over and over at Whitecaps training this past week. Matt Moore Womens Jersey . A question that was repeatedly posed last season, and the season before that and in the 2011 campaign before that. "Why do the Whitecaps struggle so badly on the road?" Ive asked many players and team officials and fellow pundits that same question over the last three years, yet no one can really give a definitive answer. Searing heat, humidity and altitude are often mentioned. Youd think crossing time zones would be really hard on players, except that the Whitecaps managed three wins and a draw from five eastern trips last year alone. Theyve actually exhibited more road futility in the West. Playing surfaces can be unique in makeup and dimension but not drastic. Penalty areas are the same size, as are the goals, and yet the visiting team always seems to start the game with a statistical disadvantage. Some Las Vegas oddsmakers give MLS home teams a half goal advantage which represents a 10% edge, higher than any other Major North American Sport. Coach Carl Robinson pointed out this week that teams who are great at home, usually get into the playoffs. But teams that collect points away are usually comfortably in the playoffs by the time autumn rolls around. Nigel Reo Coker suggested that team spirit and camaraderie are the keys to success no matter where you play, and that this 2014 squad is capable of replicating its thrilling 4-1 win over New York away from BC Place. Whitecaps supporters, who are showing up to more and more away games, just want a team that looks and plays similarly no matter the venue; something Martin Rennie couldnt come to grips with over his 2 seasons. No venue has been a bigger obstacle for the Whitecaps than the one they visit on Sunday, when they play Chivas USA; co-tenants of the Stub Hub Centre with the LA Galaxy. In nine contests there, the Whitecaps have but one win, and two draws. Theyve scored just five times in Carson, while allowing 15 goals. With four games in SoCal this season (representing 11.7% of their entire schedule) taking more of those available 12 points might help reverse a trend that has seen the club win just seven out of 52 games away from Vancouver. http://www.authenticdolphinsshop.com/Game-Matt-Moore-Miami-Dolphins-Jersey-Womens-Nike-Nfl-8-Aqua-Green-Home-75 . The 38-year-old, a two-time All-Star, had been relegated to part-time duty and was batting .208 in 24 at-bats for the last-place Angels (6-14). Dan Marino Jersey . That led me to go back and look at the years Halladay and Hamels were drafted. Oddly enough, they were both chosen 17th overall in the June draft; Halladay in 1995 and Hamels in 2002. The player drafted immediately ahead of Halladay was pitcher Joe Fontenot by the San Francisco Giants. He was later one of three prospects traded to the Marlins for closer Robb Nen, who went on to save 206 games over the next five years before calling it a career with 314 total saves.DETROIT -- Jim Leyland is as impressed with the Texas Rangers as he was during last years playoffs. "Theyre such a tremendously solid team in all areas -- starting pitching, defence, bullpen, offence," the Detroit manager said Friday. "Theyre a very good team, top to bottom. They have a lot of nice weapons, they have a lot of versatility. Theyre very good -- and we are, too." Friday night was supposed to be the second game of a four-game set between the Rangers and Tigers at Comerica Park, but it was called after a 25-minute rain delay before a single pitch was thrown. The teams will play a day-night doubleheader Saturday. Rick Porcello (1-0) of Detroit will face Matt Harrison (2-0) of Texas in the day game. That was supposed to be the matchup Friday. On Saturday night, Detroit ace Justin Verlander (1-1) takes the mound against Neftali Feliz (1-0). The Rangers beat Detroit 10-3 on Thursday night in the first meeting between the teams since Texas beat the Tigers in six games in last years AL championship series. The Tigers (9-4) acquired Prince Fielder in the off-season, hoping to build on that ALCS appearance. Verlander will take the mound Saturday night, five days after throwing 131 pitches in a complete game victory at Kansas City. Feliz will try to outpitch Verlander. The Texas right-hander saved 72 games over the last two seasons, and hes been sharp so far after moving to the rotation. Feliz has a 2.25 ERA after two starts this year. "Hes obviously not coming out there full barrel anymore, like you do when youre coming in to close the game out. Starting the game, youve got to pace yourself," Leyland said. "But hes obviously got tremendous stuff." Texas slugger Mike Napoli has five homers, nine hits, seven runs and 10 RBIs in his last four games. He couldnt do any more damage Friday night because of the rainout. "Its something you cant controol," Napoli said. Dannell Ellerbe Jersey. "Well go do the split doubleheader tomorrow and start with game one and go from there." Fridays rainout means Texas reliever Scott Feldman will likely make a spot start Wednesday at home against the New York Yankees. Feldman has thrown only 2 1-3 innings this season. He pitched 1 1-3 innings Thursday night. "I was able to see some hitters up there, so thats always nice to get into some games," Feldman said. "Id rather be pitching more, but Im just getting my work in when I can." Texas has won seven straight games and is off to a major league-best 11-2 start. Napoli has homered in four straight games, and he isnt the only Ranger on a tear lately. Josh Hamilton is hitting .426 with five homers, and the starting rotation is 9-0. The Rangers stole four bases Thursday, although they also ran into a couple outs early in the game. Craig Gentry stole second and tried to reach third when a throw bounded into left field. He was thrown out. "Thats the way we play -- he just misjudged what he saw," manager Ron Washington said. "Im not going to blame him for misjudging what he saw because I dont want him to get tentative." NOTES: The Tigers on Friday acquired RHP Zach Miner from the Kansas City Royals for cash. Hes joining Double-A Erie. Miner, who turned 30 last month, appeared in 157 games for the Tigers from 2006-09, including 35 starts. He had surgery on his right elbow in May 2010 and signed a minor league deal with the Royals before last season. Now hes back in the Detroit organization. "His versatility I thought was his biggest asset," Leyland said. "He could go short, he could go long, he could start." ... Texas 2B Ian Kinsler was set to be the designated hitter Friday, with Michael Young playing 2B. Washington says he doesnt want Young to become "too stale just DHing." ' ' ' |
