| Biggest keys for today's ALDS openers and Albert Chen: ALDS Preview: A rookie may have a major role in Rangers-Rays |
|
|
|
|
• The Rays managed to keep things exciting during their off-day on Thursday by naming top pitching prospect Matt Moore their Game 1 starter. That is a gutsy and, best I can tell, unprecedented move given the fact that the 22-year-old Moore has appeared in just three major league games, only one of them a start, and thrown just 9 1/3 major league innings.There's no real parallel for this in recent major league history. Francisco Rodriguez had thrown just 5 2/3 innings across four games for the 2002 Angels before becoming a key part of their bullpen in the postseason, but he not only didn't start, he didn't close either, serving as Troy Percival's set-up man. [Read the full article] ROME (AP) -- Scheduling problems with other Italian clubs were threatening to derail plans for Kobe Bryant to play for Virtus Bologna during the NBA lockout.Bologna President Claudio Sabatini had told an Italian radio station Friday the deal was "95 percent done," and a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press that Bryant would be paid $3 million for the opening 40 days of the Italian league season - a period of about 10 games.Bologna has requested to play five of its opening 10 games at home. A few other teams, however, don't want to change their schedules to accommodate the Los Angeles Lakers' star."With great surprise, Virtus Basketball notes that, due to the negative view of some clubs, it's not possible to go forward with the 10-game agreement, therefore putting in serious doubt the economic deal behind the plan to bring Kobe Bryant to Italy," a statement on Bologna's website said. [Read the full article] INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Curtis Painter will make his first NFL start at quarterback for the Colts Monday at Tampa Bay.Kerry Collins is still recovering after suffering concussion-like symptoms last Sunday against Pittsburgh, and his status is uncertain for Monday's game. Coach Jim Caldwell says Collins won't practice Friday, and he will be evaluated on Saturday.Painter has mostly struggled during his three years with the team, but he directed the Colts to a game-tying touchdown against Pittsburgh before Ben Roethlisberger led the Steelers to a game-winning field goal.Regular starter Peyton Manning isn't expected to return until at least November as he recovers from neck surgery. Indy signed Dan Orlovsky to the active roster this week to provide depth.Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. [Read the full article] 
|