Wigan Vikings prepare for Wigan test Chester named Wakefiel

PITTSBURGH – Brett Lawrie started at second base as the Blue Jays ventured into a National League Park for the first time this season. Adidas Deerupt Hombre Baratas . Both Lawrie and his manager agree it isnt preferable. What it is: a consequence of a game played without the designated hitter. "Im a third baseman," said Lawrie. "Im not a third base/second base guy. Im a third baseman and thats my position. Im not necessarily going over there thinking Im going to be Chase Utley tonight. Im just going to try to make the routine play and roll a double play if we can. "Its for the team and if it gives us a chance to win than thats how it has to be." "All were trying to do is win a game," said manager John Gibbons. Lawrie has appeared in one game, for just one inning, at second base this season. He started six games at second base last season when the Jays briefly considered a position switch. His longest tenure at second base came over two seasons in Milwaukees farm system, when he played 231 games at the position at Single-A and Double-A. He approached the evening as if he was playing a permanent exaggerated shift, which sees Lawrie shift over to the right side of the infield against noted left-handed pull hitters. "Im not uncomfortable about it," said Lawrie. "Im a third baseman. I dont necessarily like going across the diamond and playing second base because Im not a second baseman. Im here to play third base but if it helps the team, thats what Im here to do." The position change is temporary while the Jays trudge through Pittsburgh and Philadelphia and it wont be daily. Gibbons expects Lawrie to return to third base on Saturday as Francisco retreats to the bench when the Pirates go a left-hander, Francisco Liriano. "We win more games when we score more runs," said Gibbons. "Weve been giving up runs. A lot of its based on what Franciscos done since he got here. We didnt know what we had but hes hit pretty well. Its one bat, a short right field wall and we think we need some production. Well give it a try and if it doesnt work well move on from that. "It would be no different if Adam Lind was here," said Gibbons. "Youd try to get his bat in the lineup and itd probably be Eddie over at third, you know." With the demotions of Ryan Goins and Jonathan Diaz in recent days, it appears the Blue Jays are veering away from the all-glove, no-bat options, willing to trade a bit of defence for improved offence. Friday nights defensive alignment falls in line with the previous decisions. "Even with the great defence were still below .500 so its not like were sitting there, five games over and you could say ... you know what I mean," said Gibbons. STIFF QUADRICEPS SIDELINES NAVARRO The Blue Jays recalled catcher Erik Kratz from Triple-A Buffalo and optioned right-hander Chad Jenkins to the Bisons on Friday. Kratzs recall was necessitated by Dioner Navarros stiff right quadriceps muscle, which he injured late in Thursdays win at Kansas City. "It was the first time Ive ever felt anything in my quad," said Navarro. "Ive had problems with my hamstrings before; nothing with my quads so it was kind of strange." Navarro is listed as day to day. He didnt play on Friday and isnt scheduled to be in Saturdays lineup anyway with R.A. Dickey due to pitch. "Were going to be really careful with it," said Navarro. JANSSEN INCHING CLOSER Casey Janssen threw another bullpen session on Friday and pronounced himself ready to go out on a minor league rehabilitation assignment. Hell join Double-A New Hampshire in time for its game on Monday against Binghamton. No return date has been set but Janssen will need multiple appearances, including on back-to-back days. RAIN DELAYS LINDS RETURN TO GAME ACTION Adam Lind was supposed to play in an extended spring training game on Friday in Dunedin, Florida, but the game was rained out. Gibbons says Lind took ground balls indoors and will be in game action on Saturday, weather permitting. The hope is for Lind to return in the middle of next week, possibly when the Blue Jays play host to the Philadelphia Phillies. Adidas Ultra Boost España . It was a day that saw England slump off a World Cup field once again battered and bruised. This time there was no red card to wonder about, no goalkeeping error or individual mistake. They were thoroughly beaten by something they have nothing of – genuine world class ability. Adidas Falcon baratas . So it was understandable if he was a little shaky early in his return to the Texas Rangers rotation. He spent most of the outing searching for his best stuff, but still managed to shut down the struggling Minnesota Twins offence. http://www.baratasnmd.com/adidas-nmd-cs2-baratas.html . "I met her, I think, a week ago. We went to a Norwood hockey store and picked her out some gear.The three big prizes are only given out in August, September and October, so is it too early to take any notice of the Super League table? Well, I guess it depends if youre a half-full or half-empty person.Most clubs have 18 Super League games remaining and while an optimistic fan might say their team have the potential to pick up 36 points, the reality is that your team will need a minimum of 20 points to finish in the top eight when we enter the next stage of the competition. But that looks a long way off for some teams. It is habits and mindset, not time or games, that become the problem to the teams in the lower half of the league table.Easter is a hugely significant milestone in the season and teams need to stay in contention to give themselves a chance when the weather starts to improve. Go on then: If Widnes finish in the top four I will be their mascot for a match! Phil Clarke The champions have started the season in a similar way to how Chelsea began the Premier League last August. Just one win in the opening five games puts them under huge pressure this week. The Giants currently sit above the Rhinos on points difference and it is unusual to see the most consistent team of the last three seasons struggle as much as they have.Huddersfields performance against Hull KR impressed me and I am certain they will win more than 50 per cent of their remaining games. Next up they have Catalans, Wakefield and Salford and I think that they will pick up six points. However, it is the top of the league that intrigues me most. Widnes and Warrington have in effect swapped places with Leeds and Huddersfield. How have they done it? Barrie McDermott has been impressed by Widnes performances in 2016 Well you could say the Wolves have bought better players. They have the two favourites to win the Man of Steel in Chris Sandow and Kurt Gidley. New players like Tom Lineham and Joe Westerman have added to the squads ability, plus you could argue that they underachieved in 2015 and are more where they should be this campaign.But how do you explain that the Vikings are top of the table? Playing one more than most of the others helps but their squad of players has remained virtually the same. Stefan Marsh, Corey Thompson, Denis Betts and Joe Mellor look ahead to Widnes trip to Wigan on Thursday Widnes have doubled the number of league points after six rounds compared with last year but perhaps more impressively, they have played the best rugby and provided the most entertainment. Adidas Ultra Boost 4.0 Comprar. Admittedly, two of their wins have been against the bottom two teams but they have also beaten Leeds and Huddersfield in convincing fashion. Those wins did come when their opponents had several injuries but timing is everything in life and they had theirs spot on when they beat Hull last week. Sky Live: Wigan v Widnes Joe Mellor says Super League leaders Widnes will be out to make a statement The Vikings have now scored 39 tries in six games and in Corey Thompson they possess a player who could finish the season with the top try scorer award. In addition to him, they have Chris Houston in the second row and Setaimata Sa, but none of those players were big-money signings and I suppose you have to give credit to the coach.From what I see and hear, along with Daryl Powell, Denis Betts is the best coach in the competition and the teams improvement is a reflection of his ability, intelligence and experience. However, their game against Wigan on Thursday will be by far their hardest challenge of the season and perhaps the first time they have faced a top-four team with a healthy squad to choose from. The Warriors will be too strong for the Vikings and we will see them as a mid-table team.I am scared of making any predictions about where Widnes will finish in 2016. I have seen what Gary Lineker said about Leicester City and dont want to strip down to my underwear! I still think that if they finish in the top eight after 23 rounds they will have done remarkably well but I am still not convinced that they will be able to do that.Go on then: If Widnes finish in the top four I will be their mascot for a match!Join the Men United March Join the Sky Sports rugby league team as they walk from York City FC to Elland Road One of the greatest things about working with Sky Sports is the opportunity to meet people from other sports, to share stories with them and learn from them. Well, next week gives me the chance to do that in a different way. On Tuesday, March 22, Brian Carney, Bill Arthur, Barrie McDermott and I will be joining Jeff Stelling from Soccer Saturday on the Men United March.We are linking up with Jeff for one of the 10 days in which he will walk from Hartlepool United to Wembley, and you can join us too. Its all in aid of Prostate Cancer UK, a charity that the rugby league department at Sky have supported for the last four years after some of the team were affected by it.You may have noticed some of us wearing the little badge on screen. Its called the Man of Men, and the entire Leeds Rhinos squad wore them when they attended the Sports Personality awards at the end of last year - with Kevin Sinfield clinching the runners-up award. Jeff Stelling is walking 10 marathons in 10 days Anyone can take part in this great walk, you just need to register at www.menunitedmarch.org. If you come along you can talk rugby with us, football with Chris Kamara, Charlie Nicholas and Ray Wilkins, or just have a laugh up front with Jeff and the other walkers. Sinfield and Eddie Hemmings aim to be at Elland Road as we complete the 29-mile trek from York. It is a rugby section of this walk as we pass through the home of last terms domestic treble winners.It is a long way I know but its for a great cause and it will be a great laugh. We get to stroll through some beautiful Yorkshire countryside and listen to some stories that dont get told on television.If you cant make the walk but want to support Jeff and the rest of us then visit www.menunitedmarch.org or text JEFF to 70004 to donate £3. Also See: Sky Live: Widnes v Wigan Vikings prepare for Wigan test Chester named Wakefield coach Leeds v St Helens: Key battles ' ' '