three-hole where hell have the platoon advantage over Mar

DETROIT -- The Detroit Lions looked like they were headed down a familiar, disappointing path.Detroit dropped to 1/3 this month, playing poorly enough to allow weak Chicago to beat it. The Lions lost seven of their first eight games last year, leading to a front-office shake-up and the offensive coordinator losing his job, and some were wondering whether coach Jim Caldwell on his way out.Detroit then knocked off unbeaten Philadelphia and ended Los Angeles three-game winning streak this October.That has gotten the attention of the Washington Redskins.Theyre 3-3. Youre not used to a Detroit team having that type of record, Washington defensive end Ricky Jean Francois said. Most people are used to them having losing records. Now they dont because theyre getting their `move and groove about things back. Matt Stafford is the guy who understands the game. So if they need a win, believe me, he can get the job done.Stafford , who will be playing in his 100th game Sunday, is just 45-54 since being drafted No. 1 overall in 2009. In Detroits last two wins, he moved the team down the field to set up winning kicks late in each game.Here are some things to watch when the Redskins (4-2) aim to extend their winning streak to five games against the Lions:COUSINS COMES HOMERedskins quarterback Kirk Cousins, a Michigan native and former Michigan State star, will make his first NFL start in Detroit, a place that held special meaning to him growing up because it is the site of the states high school championship games.We always talked as high school football players and as kids, playing at Ford Field, Cousins said. Never even considered being able to do it as a professional player.Cousins has thrown eight touchdowns and three interceptions during Washingtons streak.NOT TOO TIGHTThe Lions have struggled all season to cover tight ends and they will be challenged to reverse the trend regardless of who plays the position for the Redskins. Even though Jordan Reed was ruled out for a second straight week with a concussion, 32-year-old Vernon Davis scored last week and had 50-plus yards receiving for the second time this season. The last time Davis played the Lions, he was with San Francisco and scored twice in the 2012 matchup.We got our hands full, Detroit safety Rafael Bush acknowledged. We understand that. Vernon Davis is still very, very fast and explosive. Whether Reed plays or not, we have to pay attention to Vernon because he can be a threat.STINGY SCHEMEWashington has not allowed a second-half touchdown in four games or a touchdown of any kind in seven quarters. Ryan Kerrigan led a five-sack effort against Philadelphia. Washington has thrived on defense despite not forcing turnovers the way it did earlier in the season.Were not giving up the big plays and the touchdowns and the momentum-swinging type plays, coach Jay Gruden said.JUST FOR KICKSRedskins kicker Dustin Hopkins is 15 for 16 on field goals this season. He missed a 58-yard kick into the wind that Gruden said he shouldnt have attempted. Gruden trusted Hopkins enough to try a 50-yarder against the Eagles.We dont blink sending him out there, Gruden said.Detroits Matt Prater has missed only one of his 10 field-goal attempts, a 43-yard kick at Green Bay. He made winning kicks in the last two games and had one in Week 1 at Indianapolis, giving him 11 in his career with two or fewer minutes left or in overtime. The 10-year veteran said having go-ahead kicks followed up by victory-sealing interceptions, as happened against the Rams and Eagles in consecutive weeks, was unusual.Ive never had that happen in back-to-back weeks like that, Prater said.INJURY REPORTThe Redskins will be missing one and possibly two of Cousins top targets. Reed is out and wide receiver DeSean Jackson (shoulder) is listed as questionable. Jackson said he thinks hell be able to play. The banged-up Lions will have to line up for at least a second straight game without four key players: tight end Eric Ebron (ankle, knee), linebacker DeAndre Levy (knee, quadriceps), defensive tackle Haloti Ngata (shoulder) and running back Theo Riddick (ankle). They also may have to find another offensive lineman to fill in for Corey Robinsons role as an eligible receiver, lining up as a blocking tight end. Robinson was ruled out against the Redskins with an ankle injury.---Online:AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL coverage on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Nike Roshe One Norge .ca! Hi Kerry, Heres an interesting one. I know its common knowledge that all players are responsible for their sticks. We witnessed that when Zack Kassian hit Edmontons Sam Gagner in the face after a missed check. Nike Sf Air Force 1 Norge . -- Ohio States Urban Meyer has never had any issue acclimating to the biggest stages in college football. http://www.airforce1norge.com/ .875,000, avoiding arbitration. Clippards deal Monday means all eight Nationals players who filed for arbitration wound up settling before a hearing. Air Force 1 Hvit Norge . -- Yogi Ferrell orchestrates pretty much everything in Indianas offence. Nike Blazer Norge . Bryzgalov stopped 25 shots on Saturday in the Oklahoma City Barons 4-1 victory over the Abbotsford Heat. The Oilers signed Bryzgalov to a one-year $2 million contract last Friday after shedding payroll by dealing defenceman Ladislav Smid to the Flames. Weve finally made it to the weekend of the trade deadline, where every hug sets Twitter buzzing with a trade rumor. Keep that in mind with David Ortiz?--?its just what he does. With the weather really heating up, teams schedule fewer day games on Saturday, so were looking at a truncated, four-game afternoon slate. The pitching on the evening docket lacks an ace, but for some, that makes DFS more fun, if not challenging. We accept that challenge, so to help you make sense of a tricky Saturday, here are the Daily Notes.PitchingEliteRegression is a funny thing. To be clear, this is regression in the statistical sense where something out of the players control regresses to the mean. Its unfortunate regression has morphed into meaning play worse since that clouds the message when regression is discussed in the practical sense.Jake Arrietas 2015 Cy Young campaign was buoyed by an eight percent home run per fly ball rate (HR/FB), well below the league average. Its generally accepted that all hurlers will cluster around an 11 percent mark. If youre below, you likely incurred some good luck, tempered by the park factor of your home park.This season, through June 22, Arrieta allowed just three homers on a five percent HR/FB. Since then, he has surrendered five long balls on the heels of a 19 percent HR/FB clip, raising his seasonal level to 9 percent HR/FB. Theres nothing wrong with Arrieta; hes simply the victim of some regression with respect to home run rate.Well, Arrietas walk rate is up from last season, but if his 2016 homers allowed were more evenly distributed over the past four months, no one would be concerned. The bottom line is if youre in a seasonal league with Arrieta as your ace, theres nothing to worry about. This doesnt guarantee a stellar stretch run, only that theres nothing in the numbers to lose sleep over.On Saturday, Arrieta is the clear top DFS option on a short slate, despite facing a Seattle Mariners squad that handles righties effectively. It just seemed more important to spend a little time discussing the Cubs righty in a big-picture sense, based on some of the concerns expressed by his owners in traditional leagues.SolidLeading off the solid tier may be a surprise, but it shouldnt be if you check the numbers and consider the matchup. Anthony DeSclafani may not have a dominant strikeout rate, but he doesnt beat himself with the walk and is facing a weak San Diego Padres club that offers strikeout upside with a 25 percent whiff rate against right-handers. The Cincinnati Reds righty is in play for all DFS formats.Scott Kazmirs ranking may also look oddly high, but this is another case of a favorable opponent driving the score. On the road versus southpaws, the Arizona Diamondbacks carry a league average weighted on base average (wOBA) along with a whopping 27 percent strikeout rate under those conditions, the second highest mark in the league. This feeds right into the Los Angeles Dodgers leftys impressive 9.6 K/9. In addition, the Snakes are among the least patient squad in the league which helps ease the risk that sometimes Kazmir struggles with control. This combination renders the left-hander as a nice GPP option.Justin Verlander is another candidate for those looking to take down a DFS tournament. The Detroit Tigers host the powerful but strikeout-prone Houston Astros in Comerica Park. The venue is a little more hitter-friendly than perceived but its still a better place to pitch than Minute Maid Park. The veteran right-hander is having a strong July, allowing two runs or fewer in all five starts, tossing at least seven frames in three.Pedestrian middle relievers may have more wins than Julio Teheran, who has managed a scant three victories for the punchless Atlanta Braves despite pitching to an impressive 2.71 ERA. Perhaps Saturday will bring win No. 4 as the right-hander draws the equally offensively-challenged Philadelphia Phillies. Jeremy Hellickson is scheduled to oppose Teheran, but is allegedly on the trading block which would benefit Teheran as the replacement would certainly be a downgrade. Teheran is already in play for DFS. If Hellickson is scratched, the spot is even better.Continuing the theme of high-strikeout potential, Jaime Garcia leads the St. Louis Cardinals into South Beach for a date with the Miami Marlins. The Fish fan at a 23 percent pace versus southpaws, adding Garcia to the growing list of GPP candidates.Why stop now? Jameson Taillon takes the hill in Miller Park to challenge the Milwaukee Brewers and their bloatted 26 percent whiff rate versus righties.dddddddddddd The Pittsburgh Pirates rookie right-hander has tossed six frames his last three outings -- fanning 16 over those 18 stanzas -- so hes capable of taking advantage. Adding intrigue to this contest is Jonathan Lucroy and Ryan Braun, who?are potential hug recipients, which would weaken an already soft lineup.There are a few more hurlers in the solid tier but theyre not set up as well for DFS action. If you have questions on anyone not featured, please post your query in the comments or send a Tweet to @ToddZola.StreamersDespite sporting a 2.25 ERA over his last six outings, Hellickson is owned in only 41 percent of ESPN leagues. Hes not especially dominant with 26 punchouts in those 38 frames, but hes not hurting himself with only five walks. If you can get him out of your lineup in the event hes traded, Hellickson is in play against the anemic Atlanta Braves.Theres some risk since the Colorado Rockies hit righties decently even on the road, and have added a lefty in David Dahl, but if you need a late-week win, Bartolo Colon is in play.Those waiting for the complete turnaround from Drew Smyly appear to be facing disappointment. However, the New York Yankees dont hit lefties very well and are incurring a big park downgrade in Tropicana Field, so the Tampa Bay Rays?southpaw is in play for this home affair.Facing Smyly is Nathan Eovaldi, so if you need some strikeouts, the Yankees righty is a solid choice facing a Rays club that whiffs at a 24 percent clip when facing a right-hander.AvoidWeve got a trio of arms registering a projected Game Score of 45 or below that are automatic avoids in Reynaldo Lopez, Yovani Gallardo and Martin Perez. Of course, your team situation trumps the score, so if using one of these risks is necessary to win, do what you have to do. Additionally, Tommy Milone against the Chicago White Sox and Hector Santiago facing the Boston Red Sox look to be in for a long day, or an early shower.HittingIt seems to be all or nothing with the Boston Red Sox. On paper, Saturday sets up to be an all-in affair with southpaw Hector Santiago on the bump in Angel Stadium. Even in a venue that suppresses homers, Santiago has allowed 12 long balls in 51 frames. Granted, hes been throwing better lately, but that feeds into the hit-or-miss nature of the Red Sox in general. Mookie Betts and Dustin Pedroia will be in their usual table-setting spots, enjoying the platoon bump along with Xander Bogaerts in the three-hole. Then it gets tricky, as you need to choose between Ortiz and Hanley Ramirez. This looks like a spot to go with the platoon edge in Ramirez, though Big Papi has hit lefties well, thus, is a viable play that can even be termed contrarian.The Pittsburgh Pirates are beginning to get rolling, and with a nice park upgrade in Miller Park, theyre in play versus righty Chase Anderson of the Milwaukee Brewers. The Bucs are especially solid as a contrarian stack since theyre mostly right-handed. John Jaso and Gregory Polanco are the standard options since they swing lefty at the top of the order. Its using Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte and Jung Ho Kang that afford the stealth differentiation from other entries.The Kansas City Royals are thrilled to have Lorenzo Cain back, inserting him into the familiar three-hole where hell have the platoon advantage over Martin Perez as the defending World Series champions visit Arlington. Alcides Escobar and Cheslor Cuthbert are strong plays, especially in cash action. If youre looking to stack Royals, Kendrys Morales and Salvador Perez are the choices with more power potential.Most likely to hit a home run: Joey GalloExactly half of the slates 30 scheduled starters sport a HR/9 of 1.4 or greater. If the balls arent flying out of the yard on Saturday, theres something amiss. Of the bevy of possible culprits, Ian Kennedy will take the ball in hot and humid Globe Life Park which does no favors for his 2.1 HR/9. Lets give the nod to the kid that swings so hard in case he hits the ball, and call on Gallo to do the honors.Most likely to steal a base: Nori AokiDespite the extended dont worry treatment extended to Arrieta, one thing he has never done well is control the running game. Aoki is back on top of the Seattle Mariners lineup, and while hes only 4-for-11 on the season when attempting thievery, he has seen Arrieta enough to take advantage. ' ' '