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Were a little over two months until the start of 109th World Series, so its as good a time as any to think about some of the match-ups wed like to see. For starters, how about the Red Sox and Dodgers? This would be the perfect match-up in the wake of last years massive nine-player deal that brought L.A. the likes of Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett and Carl Crawford and saved the retooling Red Sox $250 million in salaries. The Dodgers, after a terrible start, now lead the NL West and are the hottest team in baseball. And after dropping all that payroll, the BoSox were able to overhaul themselves in the offseason - bringing in John Farrell as manager and adding players such as Mike Napoli, Stephen Drew, Jonny Gomes, Ryan Dempster and Shane Victorino. These teams havent met in the World Series since 1915, when the Sox beat the olf Brooklyn Dodgers. How about Pittsburgh and Detroit? The Pirates have gone from a 20-year playoff drought to having the best record in baseball. The Tigers, meanwhile, havent won the World series since 1984 and have dropped their last two appearances - in 2006 to St. Louis and 2012 to the Giants. It would also be a full circle World Series for Tigers skipper Jim Leyland who managed the Pirates in 1992 - the last time they made the playoffs. Atlanta and Boston would have some great historical overtones. Before Atlanta and before Milwaukee, the Braves were based in Boston. In fact, they came within a game of meeting Boston in the 1948 World Series. Trouble was, Cleveland knocked off the Sox in a one-game sudden death playoff for the American League title. Then Cleveland went on to beat the Boston Braves in the World Series, the last time the Indians won the "Fall Classic." Texas against St. Louis could be special. It would be a re-match of their epic seven-game duel just two years ago. Texas was twice within a strike of winning its first World Series, only to have the red birds rally to pull it out. The As and the Dodgers? Why not? Its the 25th anniversary of Kirk Gibsons iconic home run off Dennis Eckersley that propelled the Dodgers to that 1988 World Series victory. A meeting this time around would also feature the two Cuban sensations, The Dodgers Yasiel Puig and Oaklands Yoenis Cespedes. Why not Arizona vs. Tampa Bay? It might already be too late for the D-Backs, but if nothing else youd have the novelty of the last two expansion teams playing each other. Arizona won its only Fall Classic in 2001 over the Yankees in that emotional series in the wake of 9-11. The Rays made it to the World Series in 2008, but lost to the Phillies. The Reds vs. the Red Sox would feature a rematch of one of the greatest World Series of all time - the 1975 classic of 38 years ago. The Reds - one of the greatest teams ever - won the series in seven, but it will forever be remembered for Carlton Fisks home run down the left field line in Game 6. Cleveland and Cincinnati would feature an all-Ohio matchup, while Cleveland and Pittsburgh would feature two teams on long futility streaks. If Washington wasnt so far out, it would be great to see the Nationals play Baltimore, because the two cities are so close and their fans have such a rivalry. At the start of the season, I predicted a Detroit-Washington World Series. Then as recently as a couple of weeks ago, I did a reset and picked the Dodgers and the Rays, But after watching L.A. take Tampa apart over the weekend, Im hoping that doesnt happen. So I can go back to my pick at the top of the column - the Dodgers and the Red Sox. Watching John Farrell win a World Series in his first year in Boston might be a little too tough for Blue Jays fans to take. So it must be the Dodgers to win, with skipper Don Mattingly finally getting his due after nearly getting fired earlier this year. If you didnt catch it live or on the net, Ken Griffey Jr. gave an incredibly heart-felt speech when he was inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame on Saturday Night. He spoke for 25 minutes and the entire ceremony went on for about an hour. One line in particular caught my attention. Griffey noted how proud his was, that one man, the Mariners late great play by play voice Dave Niehaus called his very first home run and his last. That is a team milestone that would seem unlikely ever to be touched. Another milestone of note - the Yankees Alfonso Soriano came up with his 2,000th hit on Sunday. It was a home run off the Tigers Justin Verlander. Soriano is th 274th player in history to get 2,000 hits. The man immediately ahead of him now is former Blue Jay Shawn Green at 2,003. Cheap Lions Jerseys .C. -- Todd Fiddler scored a hat trick, including the overtime goal, as the Prince George Cougars survived an 8-7 win against the Kamloops Blazers in Western Hockey League play Sunday. Custom Lions Jersey China . Vettel was 0.168 seconds faster than Red Bull teammate Mark Webber around the Suzuka circuit. Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg was two tenths of a second off Vettel. "The car balance is decent, but I think we can still improve," Vettel said. http://www.customlionsjersey.com/ . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. Cheap Custom Lions Jersey . -- Jimmy Walkers first PGA Tour trophy came with a special gift tucked inside. Lions Jerseys China . 31, the CFL club announced Monday. The team also has yet to decide on the future of Doug Berry, who began the season as a consultant to the head coach but took over the offensive co-ordinators duties in July. IOWA CITY, Iowa -- With a win and some help from Minnesota, 17th-ranked Nebraska will play for a Big Ten title next week.But the Cornhuskers (9-2, 6-2 Big Ten, No. 16 CFP) will have to find a way to beat Iowa on the road Friday without knowing what they have at quarterback.Starter Tommy Armstrong Jr. missed last weeks game with a hamstring injury. Backup Ryker Fyfe broke his non-throwing wrist after helping Nebraska beat Maryland 28-7 in Armstrongs absence. The Huskers third-stringer is Zack Darlington, a wide receiver forced to take practice snaps as a signal-caller so the program can preserve Patrick OBriens redshirt.The hope for Nebraska is that Armstrong will be healthy enough by Friday to give it a go. But hamstrings can be tricky, and facing one of the Big Tens best defenses with a banged up second-stringer wouldnt be easy, either.Well need our best defense for sure. Its going to be physical, Nebraska coach Mike Riley said on Monday. I also think we have to rally offensively and have a nice plan. Well have all the other parts ready to go.Iowa (7-4, 5-3) is set at quarterback with senior C.J. Beathard. But the Hawkeyes had to overcome major issues in the passing game in recent wins over Michigan and Illinois, throwing for just 146 yards in the last two weeks.Iowa survived thanks largely to a revived defense led by star cornerback Desmond King and Josey Jewell , arguably the best linebacker in the Big Ten.For once, weather shouldnt be an issue for this annual late November matchup. But, as usual, defense will likely decide a series in which 28 points or less has been enough to win in four of the last five meetings.Here are some of the keys to follow as the Huskers look to stay alive in the Big Ten West title chase.GO GOPHERS!Even with a win, Nebraska will need Minnesota to beat No. 5 Wisconsin to move onto the championship game next week in Indianapolis.dddddddddddd The Badgers will be at home on Saturday, and theyre 15-point favorites.1,000-YARD HAWKEYES?Iowa running backs Akrum Wadley and LeShun Daniels Jr. have 861 and 855 yards, respectively, and are in a healthy competition to see which one of them can get to 1,000 first. Thatd be pretty cool if both of us get it. I think one of us probably gets it, Daniels said. I think its doable. But Nebraskas rush defense is stingy, allowing just 130 yards a game.BIG TURNAROUNDAt 9-2, Nebraska already has made a four-win improvement in its regular-season record from last season. With a win over Iowa, the Huskers would join the 1899 and 1961 teams as the only ones to make a five-win improvement from one season to the next.IOWAS DEFENSEThe Hawkeyes havent allowed a point in their last 70 minutes of playing time and are allowing just 18.6 per game, which is fourth-best in the Big Ten. Iowa has had to lean on its defense because its offense is 121st nationally with just 326.5 yards per game. The objective is having at least one more point than your opponent. Weve been able to do that two weeks in a row, so thats been a real team effort, Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz said.PINK IS FINE FOR BIG REDNebraska had no plans to redecorate Kinnick Stadiums visiting locker room to cover its notorious pink walls. Michigans equipment staff did a makeover before the Wolverines Nov. 12 visit, putting up maize and blue pictures, flags and phrases. Iowa won 14-13.I dont think that that worked out so well for Michigan, Riley said.---AP College Football Writer Eric Olson contributed to this report.---More college football at www.collegefootball.ap.org ' ' '