had never even won a main-draw match on the WTA Tour outside | Forum

TORONTO -- In an attempt to complete a three-game sweep of the World Series champion Kansas City Royals, the Toronto Blue Jays are counting on a continued return to form from Marcus Stroman on Wednesday. John Smoltz Jersey .A sweep wouldnt make up for losing the American League Championship Series to the Royals in six games last October, but it would be a good first step.The Blue Jays are in a tight race in the American League East, which they won last year. And they also have to keep in mind the AL wild-card spots, which Kansas City might be fighting for, too. It is far in the future, but games played now could influence those played down the stretch in September.The Royals (43-40) lost 8-3 to the Blue Jays on Tuesday. Kansas City is trying to find ways to win on the road, where it is 16-29 after dropping the first two games of the series at Rogers Centre.Stroman (6-4, 5.08 ERA) has something to prove, too. In his past 10 starts, he is 2-4 with a 6.36 ERA, despite a decent start in his most recent outing. He has shown some improvement after pitching coach Pete Walker worked at lowering his hands in his windup and making a few other slight adjustments to simplify his delivery.Last Friday, Stroman allowed one run in 6 2/3 innings in Torontos 19-inning loss to the Cleveland Indians. He struck out six and recorded 10 outs on ground balls, a sign that his sinker is staying down.I felt good, Stroman said. The work thats been going on between starts is starting to pay off.Stroman is 1-0 with a 1.50 ERA in one regular-season start against the Royals. He also won Game 3 of the ALCS against the Royals despite allowing 11 hits, one walk and four runs in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out one in Torontos 11-8 win.The Blue Jays right-hander will be facing Royals right-hander Ian Kennedy (6-7, 4.04).Kennedy has allowed 20 home runs this season. Surprisingly, that is not the most on the pitching staff. Chris Young, who allowed four homers Tuesday, leads the majors with 26 long balls allowed.Kennedy has allowed at least one homer in each of his past six starts. Young tied the club record by allowing at least one homer in a 13th consecutive start Tuesday.Kennedy took the loss Friday when the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Royals 4-3. He allowed six hits (including one home run), three walks and three runs in five innings. He had eight strikeouts but battled his command.Early on, it just felt like it was a struggle to get on top of the ball, Kennedy said. My hand was under it a little bit. My fastball was good. My breaking ball wasnt as good as it was last start. It was kind of a constant grind. Thats what it felt like.He has one career start against Toronto, and he allowed one hit and one run on Sept. 13, 2007, when he was with the New York Yankees. It was his third major league start.Kennedy is 3-6 with a 5.37 ERA in 10 road starts this season. Adeiny Hechavarria Braves Jersey . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. Braves Jerseys China . Wall made the comment in a speech to a Regina business crowd that included Lesnar. The U.S. wrestler and retired mixed martial artist says he was visiting his brothers farm in Saskatchewan and decided he wanted to hear what the premier had to say. https://www.cheapbraves.com/813o-peter-moylan-jersey-braves.html . But Bourque, who has missed three games with a lower-body injury, wont be in the lineup when the Habs travel to Buffalo to take on the Sabres on Wednesday. QUEBEC CITY -- French teenager Oceane Dodin captured her first WTA Tour tournament with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Lauren Davis in the final of the Coupe Banque Nationale.Dodin, 19, had never even won a main-draw match on the WTA Tour outside the Grand Slams before the Quebec City tournament began.She is the first teenager to win a title this year, according to the WTA Tour. Bobby Cox Braves Jersey. With the win, Dodin also cracked the top 100 in the rankings for the first time.Davis is now 0-2 in finals this year, having also finished as runner-up in Washington in July. ' ' '