Neo Workxx » opponents to shoot 43.7 percent.

LOS ANGELES -- After nearly getting no-hit and watching one of their most popular players traded Thursday, the Los Angeles Dodgers now get the privilege of facing the Chicago Cubs, owners of the best record in baseball.The teams square off in a three-game series beginning Friday at Dodger Stadium.The Dodgers took two of three from the rival San Francisco Giants the past three days, but Matt Moores gem in the series finale stood out more than the wins. Moore pitched 8 2/3 innings of no-hit ball before a Corey Seager bloop single ruined the bid in a 4-0 San Francisco victory.The trade of well-liked catcher A.J. Ellis to the Philadelphia Phillies for catcher Carlos Ruiz hours stunned many in the Dodgers clubhouse before the game, but first baseman Adrian Gonzalez said the distraction didnt affect the performance on the field.I think we were ready to go and played our best, said Gonzalez, who had his 17-game hitting streak snapped in an 0-for-3 effort.Southern California native Mike Montgomery (1-1, 2.77 ERA) will face the Dodgers for the first time in his career while making his second start for the Cubs. Montgomery delivered in impressive fashion in his first start on Saturday at Colorado, taking a no-hitter into the fifth inning before departing after allowing a solo homer to Nick Hundley.Overall, Montgomery is 1-0 with a 0.87 ERA in his past five games.Montgomery, who was acquired by Chicago from the Seattle Mariners on July 20, has made 19 career starts in the majors, compiling a 5-7 record with a 4.34 ERA.Cubs catcher David Ross will be playing in his final series against Los Angeles. Ross, who is retiring at seasons end, started his major league career with the Dodgers in 2002.Im just excited about going back to where it all started, Ross told the Chicago Tribune. Being on the West Coast was different for a guy being from Florida. The whole California thing was just different than how I was raised and how things are out here.The Cubs (81-45) were off Thursday after completing a sweep of the San Diego Padres on Wednesday. Chicago has won eight of its past 10 games. The Cubs captured three of four from Los Angeles in a series May 30-June 2 at Wrigley Field.Bud Norris will start for the National League West leading-Dodgers (71-56). Norris last pitched in relief on Monday at Cincinnati, where he gave up for a run on two hits in two-thirds of an inning.Norris (6-10, 4.69 ERA) last started Aug. 19 against the Reds, allowing six runs on seven hits in 3 2/3 innings and taking the loss as the Dodgers fell 9-2. He struck out three and tied a season high with four walks.Since joining the Dodgers on June 30, he is 3-3 with a 5.67 ERA.Norris last faced the Cubs on June 10 as a member of the Atlanta Braves, allowing one run on four hits with six strikeouts and no walks in seven innings, earning the win in the Braves 5-1 victory.For his career, Norris is 5-5 with a 3.39 ERA in 12 career games (11 starts) against the Cubs. Air Max Pas Cher Livraison Rapide . Here are his mid-season NBA awards. MVP: (KEVIN DURANT-Thunder) - Has been sensational this season and more importantly, the most consistent player in the league. Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level. Air Max Belgique Pas Cher . -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.airmaxpascher.be/ . Still, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke thought taking him out before the fifth inning was an unusual move. "Im looking up at the board and hes got two hits given up and one run, and Im taking him out after the fourth inning," Roenicke said. Air Max Pas Cher En Ligne . Clarkson had been dealing with an elbow injury in early January and will be out of action for at least one week. He has three goals and five assists through 36 games with the Leafs this season. Air Max Pas Cher . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. MILWAUKEE -- Giannis Antetokounmpo has a new contract extension and likely a lot more responsibility once the Milwaukee Bucks open the season.The athletic, 6-foot-11 matchup nightmare will start with a full season as a full-time ball-handler. Its the latest step forward for a fourth-year player who has come a long way from the raw 19-year-old rookie from Greece picked 15th overall by the Bucks in 2013.Since Giannis has arrived, he has done everything he can possibly do to become the best player he could become, general manager John Hammond said. We have full faith and confidence in Giannis (that its) not going to stop.Antetokounmpo averaged 16.9 points, 7.7 rebounds and 4.3 assists last season. He really took off after the All-Star break when coach Jason Kidd had him take over running the offense.Antetokounmpo finished with five triple-doubles over the seasons final two months. The Bucks rewarded him in September with a four-year extension worth $100 million.The young forward has grown up in Milwaukee, where Hammond even taught him how to drive a few years back. Antetokounmpo and fellow forward Jabari Parker have shown that they have the maturity to handle the spotlight of being franchise cornerstones.Parker, who is in the third year of his rookie deal, figures to get an extension a year from now.The thing we focus on is just to win. We win games, everything else will take care of itself, Antetokounmpo said.Parker is well-spoken and passionate about social justice issues. He is focused and intense, but quieter than Antetokounmpo in front of the microphones after a game.Antetokounmpo alternates between smiles and scowls on the floor. Hes always up for a laugh, just like at his first preseason meeting with reporters in September when he cracked this knock-knock joke:Whos there? reporters answered.Obama, Antetokounmpo said, referring to the President.Obama who?Oh by myself, replied Antetokounmpo in song, to the tune of the Eric Carmen ballad, All by Myself .Other story lines and things to watch this year in Milwaukee:MIDDLETON DOWNThe Bucks hopes of a playoff berth took a hhit when starting shooting guard Khris a href(equals)https://apnews.ddddddddddddcom/989fa2eba...monthsMiddleton tore his left hamstring/a during a workout on Sept. 20, just hours after Antetokounmpo signed his extension. The teams leading scorer, Middleton (18.2 points) has blossomed into an all-around player. He could be back by mid-March, with a month left in the regular season for a potential playoff push.OUTSIDE SHOTOutside shooting was a weakness last year, and that was with Middleton in the lineup. The Bucks hope new additions Matthew Dellavedova (39.8 percent 3-point shooting), Mirza Teletovic (41.2 percent) and Tony Snell (35.1 percent) hit from behind the arc to create more space for Antetokounmpo and Parker to make plays around the basket.DEFENSE RETURNSKidd wants to revert back to the defense that his team played in 2014-15, when the Bucks allowed 97.4 points per game and allowed opponents to shoot 43.7 percent. Milwaukee allowed 103.2 points on 45.4 percent shooting last year. The Bucks length and athleticism can create problems for opponents on both ends of the floor.TO THE POINTAntetokounmpo might handle the ball up the floor, but he probably wont be guarding opposing point guards. Thats where Dellavedova, who was with Cleveland last year, becomes an important piece. Entering his 17th season, guard Jason Terry is on the roster to provide veteran guidance.IN THE PAINTThe Bucks have three big men with distinct skill sets to play in the paint. Miles Plumlee returned to Milwaukee as a restricted free agent on a four-year, $52 million deal. Kidd likes the energy and hustle that Plumlee provides. John Henson has a lefty hook shot but is better known for defense. Greg Monroe is more of a back-to-the-basket scorer, but could be on the trade block. Kidd plans to continue to adjust according to situation and matchups.---Follow Genaro Armas at: https://twitter.com/GArmasAP ' ' '