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KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Cleveland Indians could end their regular season Sunday against the Kansas City Royals after 161 games.Or they could play a makeup game Monday in Detroit if it has playoff ramifications for either or both clubs.But this the Indians do know for sure: They will be playing Thursday in the American League Division Series against the Boston Red Sox.Indians manager Terry Francona said its not that tough balancing the finish of the regular season and knowing the playoffs are ahead.Its kinda nice in the fact that even though theyre playing, it could mean home field, but its not life or death if we lose, Francona said. So it gives the guys a little bit of a mental break, which I think is good. You dont want to take too much (off) because its hard to turn that button on, but I think our guys have handled it pretty good.While Francona managed the Red Sox to two World Series championships, he does not want the series against Boston be about him versus his former club, but keep the focus on the players.The one thing I think I need to be cognizant of is the players have worked so hard to, both sides, to get to this, Francona said. I cant let my personal feelings ever get in the way of or take away from what theyve done. So, whatever my feelings are need to remain my feelings and let the players, like I said, theyve worked so hard for this. It needs to be about them.Francona named Trevor Bauer his starting pitcher for the series opener Thursday while staff ace Corey Kluber, who has not pitched since Sept. 26 at Detroit and leaving after four innings with quadriceps tightness, starts the second game Friday.Kluber will throw a bullpen session Sunday and an extended mound session Tuesday. Francona said he did not think it would fair to the team or Kluber to ask him to pitch Thursday and possibly on short rest for the fifth game of the ALDS if necessary.In fact I know its the right thing for everybody, Francona said. I dont think its fair for Kluber to have him sit for 10 days and have him pitch two games in four days. He certainly wanted to. I kind of -- again not just me, but talking to everybody -- I just took it out of his hands, Now he can prepare for Game 2. He can do that without the anxiety and worry of rushing.Francona jokingly had one message for Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz, who has announced this is his final year.I wish Ortiz would consider retiring early, but I dont see that happening, Francona said.With Carlos Carrasco on the 60-day disabled list (broken finger) and Danny Santana out since Sept. 9 with a forearm strain, the Indians rotation is shallow entering the postseason. With the injuries, Bauer emerged as the starter for the opener after beginning the year in the bullpen.Hes had some ups and down, like everybody pretty much, Francona said. I think he relishes whats ahead of him. Obviously, hes going up against a good lineup, but I think hell be OK.The Royals, who start right-hander Ian Kennedy on Sunday in their season finale, try to snap a three-game slide. They need a victory to finish with a winning record for the fourth straight year.Weve talked about it, said utility player Whit Merrifield, who made a costly fielding error leading to three unearned runs in the eighth inning of the Indians 6-3 victory Saturday. Weve talked about needing a win this series. We have one more chance at it. Well come here tomorrow and be ready to go.The Royals, however, have lost 13 of 18 to the Indians this year and have been outscored by 32 runs.Right-hander Josh Tomlin, who has not pitched in six days, will be the Indians starter. This will be his 17th career start and 22nd career appearance against the Royals. He is 7-4 with a 4.24 ERA in his 16 starts.And if the Indians play Monday, Francona said he has no idea who would start.Some of it may depend on what the games for, Francona said. Well see. Some of it will depend on who pitches tomorrow (Sunday) and how much.Milwaukee Brewers Pro Shop .C. - The Carolina Hurricanes have placed backup goalie Anton Khudobin on injured reserve with an unspecified lower-body injury. Custom Milwaukee Brewers Jerseys . Westbrook has missed 27 games since having a procedure on Dec. 27 to deal with swelling in his injured right knee — the third operation on the knee in nine months. https://www.cheapbrewers.com/ .C. -- Al Jefferson joked that he feels he can score from anywhere on the court. Brewers Jerseys China . Hargreaves began his career in 2008 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and has played with the Edmonton Eskimos and last season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Milwaukee Brewers Shirts . Ivanovic was leading 7-5, 1-0 when Hantuchova withdrew after falling 0-40 behind in the second game. The match started slowly for Ivanovic, who surrendered her first two serves as Hantuchova took a 5-3 lead.Another year, another set of players with sky-high expectations entering the NBA season.But whether its because of injuries, a lack of chemistry with new teammates or simply a dip in play, expectations dont always come to fruition. Take Pelicans forward Anthony Davis, who entered last season as our No. 1 overall player. While he still produced at a very high level, it wasnt nearly the leap we thought hed make in his second season in New Orleans. For example, his promising long-range game declined, and he shot 30 percent from beyond the 3-point line. Part of the problem was the limited help he got from the lackluster lineup around him.What players being hyped this season wont come close to their potential in 2016-17? Our experts give their picks for whom to avoid in drafts.Kemba Walker, PG, Charlotte HornetsWalkers a fine player, but Im a little concerned about how the return of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist might crowd the floor after Walker benefited from improved spacing to get to the basket more last season. And Im very concerned about two surgeries on the meniscus in his left knee in the past two years. So Id rather let someone else take their chances with Walker this season. - Kevin PeltonMarc Gasol, C, Memphis GrizzliesGasol has played in 59 or fewer games in two of the past three seasons and has consistently played heavy minutes in the process, and there is legitimate concern he could be wearing down. I have no question about Gasols ability to produce when hes on the court, I just think the inherent risks of injury and erosion for this big man arent appropriately baked into his draft cost this fall. Its one of those situations where Im fine being wrong about it, because Id rather chase younger centers at cheaper prices such as Myles Turner and Nikola Jokic. - Jim McCormickChandler Parsons, SF, Memphis GrizzliesThis summer, the Memphis Grizzlies made a huge bet on Chandler Parsons knees, signing him to a 4-year, $95 million deal. Id advise you to be less optimistic. Parsons has had multiple knee surgeries. Worse yet, Parsons had microfracture surgery -- once regarded as a death sentence for an NBA players career -- which mostly gets performed when little to no cartilage is left in the knee.?While this procedure undoubtedly has improved in recent years, the fact that it was necessary to perform would already scare me. I would not be surprised if Parsons not only misses lots of games, but also sees his production decline because of constant knee pain. - Jeremias EngelmannBradley Beal, SG, Washington WizardsI like Beal as a player, but in fantasy he leaves much to be desired, and he is as injury-prone as just about any young guard in the game. The numbers tell the story: Beal has played 73 games or less in all four of his NBA seasons and has eclipsed 63 games only once. Thats a major problem, and it makes him too risky of a pick at the stage in the draft where hes being selected (around No. 60).Even when healthy, Beal isnt a big contributor in any category other than points.dddddddddddd Surprisingly, he has yet to average two 3-pointers per game in a season, and his career field goal percentage of 42.6 percent also leaves much to be desired. Add in his averages of around one steal and three assists per game, and Beal is someone who continues to be overhyped based on name recognition and the lofty expectations that greeted him when he entered the league. - Joe KaiserAl Horford, C, Boston CelticsHorford is one of my most-selected players of the past 10 years. His value is sneaky, in that much of it is buried in efficiency versus attention-grabbing volume. As a Hawk, he always went a round too late. Now hes a Celtic. Coming off a summer in which his free-agent deal was perhaps the second-most high-profile in the NBA, hell go a half-round to a round too early. - John CreganKyle Lowry, PG, Toronto RaptorsLowry is just one of those guys who has rarely appeared on any of my fantasy teams, and this season will be no different. Ive always faded him more than most people, because he has been susceptible to injuries and has shot under 42 percent throughout his career. People caught lightning in a bottle last season, when he missed just five games and racked up career-high numbers, but Im not expecting him to repeat last seasons performance now that he is 30 years old. Id gladly take him if he falls far enough, but that never seems to happen ... and I doubt that will change this time around. - Tom CarpenterAny Pelican not named Anthony DavisThe Pelicans have weapons on offense. Tyreke Evans, Jrue Holiday?and Buddy Hield look promising. The problem is, all of them, including Davis, have issues staying healthy. Last season, the?Pelicans started 42 lineups, by far the most in the NBA. Their top lineup -- Omer Asik, Davis, Evans, Eric Gordon?and Holiday -- did not play a single game together last season.With the losses of Gordon and Ryan Anderson, the spacing on the floor wont be as good, and teams are likely to clog the paint and double-team Davis.Not to mention, players such as Asik, currently the starting center, and Dante Cunningham, the starting small forward, are known for their defense and not so much their offensive prowess. Hield could be there for 3-pointers and maybe free throw percentage, but everyone else is a large question mark. - Matthew WittynghamJoel Embiid, C, Philadelphia 76ersYou might have seen the training video everyone was talking about this offseason. He sure looks back to his old self, no? But Im not sold, not until I see Embiid, who has missed nearly two years with injury, in five-on-five action on the court. And even if hes back to 100 percent, he still has to fight for time with Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel for frontcourt touches. Embiid possesses immense skill and ability, so for the sake of basketball fans, I hope Im wrong. - Greg Rosenstein ' ' '