LOS ANGELES -- Back in spring training, Joe Maddon cornered Jake Arrieta for a frank conversation about his workload during the upcoming season.Maddon knew Arrieta would be upset any time he got lifted early, especially after tossing 229 innings for the Chicago Cubs on his way to winning the NL Cy Young Award in 2015.But understand its going to pay off in the latter part of the season, Maddon counseled his ace. Our intention is to play deeply into October and possibly November this year.Maddon knew Arrieta might just feel invincible after shouldering the burden of huge innings while compiling a 1.77 ERA. He didnt want the right-hander thinking he could pitch that much every year.Arrieta bought into Maddons plan, and its gotten him to the NL Championship Series with 197 1/3 innings and a 3.10 ERA.Im in a much better place, Arrieta said Monday before the Cubs worked out. Going through that last year has prepared myself as well as the rest of the guys mentally for a longer run this year, and weve been able to handle the moments mentally a lot better as well as physically.With the series tied 1-1, Arrieta starts for the Cubs against Los Angeles Rich Hill on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.Arrieta threw his first career no-hitter in the venerable ballpark on Aug. 30 last year in a game that began shortly after 5 p.m., the same starting time as Game 3. Shadows can creep between the mound and home plate at that hour, which Arrieta believes favors the pitchers.I really think it can be difficult to pick up spin, he said. From a pitching perspective, you want to be aggressive early because of the fact that it is a little more difficult to pick up some rotations and spin on pitches when the shadows kind of in between and then it starts to creep out to the mound.In his no-hitter last year, a 2-0 victory, Arrieta struck out 12 and allowed two baserunners -- one on an error and the other via walk.Its going to be a little different feel, but at the same time, for the most part, its just about the same lineup, he said. You try to tackle them accordingly. Use some knowledge that I have from the past to kind of help me tomorrow. But its just another game on a big stage.The mound is a place Arrieta feels comfortable. He complemented the Dodgers ground crew for creating a consistent surface that gives him confidence in his positioning and footing.When youve been in these situations before, it makes it a lot easier just to kind of take that deep breath, focus on your execution and go from there, he said.Hill follows Clayton Kershaw as the second straight left-hander to start for the Dodgers in the NLCS, and he draws inspiration from the three-time Cy Young Award winner.Hes got the stuff, right? You cant argue that, Hill said. But then theres another level of that competitiveness that comes out where if youre on the other side and youre down on one knee, hes going to put you away. Thats something that when I see that, you just never quit, you never give up, you continue to attack.Hill had a 2.12 ERA during the regular season allowed a combined five runs in seven innings starting Game 2 of the NL Division Series against Washington and returning on short rest in the decisive Game 5.Now, Hill returns on regular rest and manager Dave Roberts said the finger blisters that have bothered the left-hander this season are not an issue.With Richie, its an inning-by-inning thing, so well just keep our fingers crossed, Roberts said. Because all things being equal, the blister holds, I really, really like our chances.Hill hasnt thrown more than 93 pitches since being acquired from Oakland in August. The blisters have affected how often he starts and how long he pitches.The Dodgers will have to find a way to beat the Cubs without Kershaw, who has worked overtime in these playoffs and isnt expected to be available for the next three games in Los Angeles.Roberts confirmed rookie Julio Urias is set to start Game 4 on Wednesday, followed by Japanese rookie Kenta Maeda, who has allowed seven runs over seven innings in two postseason appearances. http://www.ravensrookiestore.com/Ravens-Kenneth-Dixon-Jersey/ . -- Nathan Pancel scored twice as the Sudbury Wolves defeated the North Bay Battalion 4-2 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.ravensrookiestore.com/Ravens-Mike-Wallace-Jersey/ . Roman Josi had a goal and an assist to lead the Predators to a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Monday night. http://www.ravensrookiestore.com/Ravens-Nico-Siragusa-Jersey/ . What general manager Dave Nonis called "short and productive" negotiations ended with Kessel signing a US$64-million, eight-year contract on Tuesday. http://www.ravensrookiestore.com/Ravens-Cj-Mosley-Jersey/ . Burke is expected to miss two to three months after breaking a finger in the teams third preseason game. Tinsley, a 10-year veteran, spent the last two seasons in Utah, where the point guard averaged 3. http://www.ravensrookiestore.com/Ravens-Brandon-Williams-Jersey/ . Then the Pacers gave Oladipo and his Orlando teammates the cold shoulder. Paul Georges buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the third quarter spurred a 21-4 run, finally sending Indiana past the Magic 97-87 in a tougher-than-expected opening night matchup. HOUSTON -- Before all the offseason renovations and before Brock Osweiler became the new hope for the Texans offense, a different quarterback sought that job.Tom Savage wanted to be the starter and thought hed get that opportunity. That changed with the arrival of Osweiler in free agency, but Savage is not pouting about it. In fact, he has tried to help.Coach is going to make decisions, Savage said. Hes got to feed his family as well. Hes going to do whatever he thinks is best for this team. I cant worry about that. I have to go to there and try and make this team as good as possible, and make the team, to be honest with you.Savage is competing to be the backup quarterback, and as he does it, he said he has put any ego completely aside. Hes sharing what he knows with Osweiler and his knowledge has helped the starting quarterback in his quest to learn his new offense quickly. Even without being the starter, Savage is helping to stabilize a position thats been volatile in Houston for several years.It takes a while for that position, coach Bill OBrien said. The only thing Tom needs is an opportunity. Tom is a good football player and hes put a lot of time in to get to where he is right now.Savage came to the Texans as a project, a fourth-round pick, 135th overall, out of Pittsburgh.He backed up Ryan Fitzpatrick and Ryan Mallett during the 2014 season. He played only once, entering a game against the Indianapolis Colts because Fitzpatrick broke his leg. He struggled, and spent the offseason haunted by his performance. Savage also suffered a knee injury in that game.He entered the 2015 offseason ready for another chance, this time backing up Brian Hoyer and Mallett. But Savage suffered a shoulder injury and went on season-ending injured reserve before Week 1.His shoulder actually healed long before the season ended, but injured reserve meant Savage wasnt available. He watched as the Texans needed four different starting quarterbacks to get through the season. And when that season ended with a 30-0 playoff loss to the Kansas City Chieffs, Savage declared his intention to be the Texans starter in 2016.ddddddddddddThey can draft 12 quarterbacks, Savage said in January. I am going to be ready to go. . I am not up there (in the front office). I dont make those decisions. So all I can do is be ready to compete.Two months later, the Texans dealt Savage another blow by signing Osweiler. But when Osweiler invited him to Arizona for a set of player-led workouts with their receivers, Savage didnt hesitate to accept.Im a Houston Texan; I want this team to win, Savage said. So Im going to do whatever I can to help out, whether thats go out there and talk with him, talk some shop, give him little tidbits about the offense, or go out there and play a game.He joined receivers DeAndre Hopkins, Cecil Shorts, Keith Mumphery and Jaelen Strong for workouts at Arizona State. More than any of the receivers could, he helped Osweiler get a head start on the intricacies of the Texans offense.Hes a guy that you want in your corner, Osweiler said. I really cant say enough. Tom is a tremendous teammate.The simple fact that he could help a newcomer showed progress in his understanding of the offense, and that work continues now.Game notes Outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney missed his third consecutive day of practice on Tuesday. Just giving him a couple days off, OBrien said. I wouldnt make too much of it. Clowney has been hampered by injuries since entering the NFL. He had groin surgery in June of 2014, a month after being drafted first overall, then a concussion during that years training camp that caused him to miss two preseason games. He suffered a lateral meniscus tear in the Texans season opener, and that injury required arthroscopic knee surgery and then microfracture surgery. In 2015, Clowney missed games with ankle, back and foot injuries. The foot injury, a Lisfranc sprain, caused him to miss the Texans regular-season finale and their playoff game. Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China Stitched Jerseys China Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Store Youth NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys Discount NFL Jerseys Wholesale NFL Camo Jerseys Wholesale NFL White Jerseys Wholesale NFL Camo Jerseys White NFL Jerseys Cheap Camo China NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Jerseys NFL China ' ' '