Hard und Software » Peter OBrien struck out and Casilla escaped

Even after a dramatic Dota 2 offseason filled with roster swaps and retirements, the dust still hasnt settled since the conclusion of The International 6. Theres been precious few international LANs to gauge the performance of the new lineups, and there are still a good number of unknowns going into the 2017 season. The Boston Major set at the Wang Theatre will be the venue to quell doubts and establish the tone of the 2017 season. After so many of the traditional favorites fell to new faces in the Boston qualifiers, a new balance of power has arisen in Dota 2. If you havent watched any Dota since August, a lot has changed.Still, theres been just enough interregional play and major LANs to start drawing lines. Whos a favorite for the title in Boston? Who will need to make some miracles happen?1. Wings GamingThe reigning champs of The International, Wings Gaming were one of the few teams to stick together in the offseason, and for good reason. No other squad looks as consistent or solid as Wings. Watching recent matches, you would think a day hasnt passed since August, as key players like Chu shadow Zeyu and Zhang Faith_bian Ruida continue to put up impressive performances. Wings have been humbled a couple times in the months since TI6, falling to EG at The Summit 6 to finish third, but its still hard to bet against them. Even in losses, teams have to work uphill to earn the victory against this team, and you can never really count these five out of any match.2. Evil GeniusesQuestions about Evil Geniuses capability without Peter ppd Dager may have been exaggerated, as Andreas Cr1t- Nielsen has stepped up to the captains role with aplomb. Evil Geniuses have been one of the most consistent teams coming out of the offseason, winning the MarsTV Dota 2 League 2016 Autumn and finishing third at The Summit 6. Even in a single-elim, best-of-three format, EG have a history of excelling. This squad is 9-1 in Game 3 situations, and have only been swept 2-0 three times in the last couple months. A solid bet for a top-three finish in almost any tournament, and certainly for the major.3. Virtus.ProEven a few weeks ago, I would have questioned placing Virtus.Pro so high. After The Summit 6 though, theres little doubt in anyones mind that VP are going to be a team to beat in Boston. Virtus.Pro are aggressive, in the way most CIS-region squads are known for, but their offensive-oriented mindset masks crisp, clean execution. This team clicks together like few others do, with well-timed rotations and pristine team fights. The fact that VP was under-the-radar for so long makes it a challenge for most teams to adjust as well; analysts and coaches will likely be picking apart VPs Summit matches in a hurry to dissect the team before Boston. VP may be a qualifier team, but its one of the most daunting matchups for any team bar-none headed into the main event.4. OGThough the green dream looked shaky, theyve since got their feet underneath themselves and started to sync up, most notably at The Summit 6. Rookie mid-laner Anathan ana Pham was a big question mark, as he was filling some big shoes on the roster while veteran mid Gustav s4 Magnusson was working up confidence in the offlane. Both have since proven their mettle in their respective roles, and as the team begins to shake some of its nerves, OG may prove to be a force to be reckoned with again. For now, theyre still in the upper-tier, but just outside the top three.5. Newbee After a low placement at The International, Newbee have since bounced back and looked competitive in their precious few interregional tournament appearances. Though Newbee have not competed in any significant international LAN in the last few weeks, you cant discount the talent and prowess already shown, even within the Chinese region. Undefeated runs in brackets are not uncommon for this team when playing other Chinese squads, and under captain Hu Kaka Liangzhi, theres no question that Newbee will be a strong contender in Massachusetts.6. Team NPThe trend of pro players forming their own organization has been fairly successful in the past year or so, and Team NP is the newest poster child for it. Made up of many talented North American pros, this team harkens back to the glory days of Cloud9 Dota 2, and not just because of lineup similarities. The balance of baffling brilliance and unpredictability of this team is something to watch, and keeps every NP game exciting from start to finish. Where other teams might need consistency headed into Boston, Team NP may need just the opposite; surprise picks, aggressive play and executing specific lineups has worked well for NP in the past, and could mean the difference between finishing in or out of the top three.7. EHOMEA more recent success story to hail from China, EHOME have had mixed results in recent LAN showings. A few losses to some upper-tier teams have snubbed EHOMEs runs early, but in-game, this team shows promise. The talent of players like Wang old chicken Zhiyong can lead to some explosive matches for the team, but the sticking point will be consistency. EHOME need reliable showings, and to avoid major lane implosions, which have allowed teams to steal away the game early from EHOME in the past.8. Digital Chaos The runner-up at TI6 has had a few stumbles in the months since August. Precious few LAN matches have doubled those concerns, as its sole pre-Boston appearance at The Summit 6 resulted in a less-than-desirable fifth-sixth finish. There may be too little data to determine whether DC has truly deteriorated from its top-two finish, but as it stands, Digital Chaos are not a clear favorite for the top spot at Boston, and given results from the Summit, barely cuts into the top eight.9. Team Faceless Made up of veterans and fresh faces, Team Faceless have some of the most potential of any qualifier team headed into Boston. Led by Daryl iceiceice Koh Pei Xiang, eyes should be on Dominik Black^ Reitmeier in the hard carry role. Not only one of the best Anti-Mage players outside of BurNIng, Reitmeier has been a playmaker for this team in the carry role. Having already pulled off some significant upsets in the SEA region, the team looked a little less promising at The Summit 6, landing in the bottom two at the tournament. Still, potential exists here for Faceless to make a run in the tournament, as one of the most promising dark horses among the qualifier teams.10. Ad Finem Hailing from Greece, Ad Finem have tried and failed twice to make the cut for a major: Manila, and again for TI6. Third time seems to be the charm for Ad Finem though, finally making it into Boston, and this team looks like a promising candidate for some upsets in the main event bracket. These are five talented players who have stuck it out since the teams inception in 2015, and most recently took games off NP and FDL. Ad Finem might be easy to overlook, but thats more than likely an advantage here, as this EU squad took a qualifier spot over lineups like Team Liquid and Secret while flying under the radar.11. LGD Forever Young Despite securing a first-place finish over top Chinese teams to get into Boston, more recent results have cast some shadows on LGD Forever Youngs chances for the top. A strong showing in the group stages of the Dota 2 ACE Provisional tournament was followed by a quick two-and-out exit from the bracket, courtesy of Vici Gaming J. Never count out captain Zhang xiao8 Ning, who earned his title of Director 8 for a reason. LGD.FYs Boston hopes will rest on the captains shoulders, and though it may not look promising, Zhang has captained TI-winning squads before, so anything is possible for this uneasy lineup in Boston.12. MVP Phoenix A top team at most international LANs, MVP Phoenix have had some trying times as of late. After losing key players to Team Secret in the offseason, MVP didnt look quite like the team that took fifth-sixth at TI6. The recent substitution of Lee Forev Sang-don back onto the team is the X-factor, as the teams Boston hopes will rest squarely on his shoulders in the one-role core position. MVP Phoenix could once again pull off an incredible LAN run, like it often does at major Valve events, and make a real contest for a top spot. Given recent performances in the SEA region, though, its hard to do anything more than speculate what-ifs.13. Warriors Gaming UnityA surprise to anyone not well-versed in the region, WG Unity came out of the SEA qualifiers looking solid, edging out Fnatic and Mineski to take the second spot. In the past, this team had some impressive wins on its resume, including several over Execration. It remains to be seen if this team has the talent needed to edge out other competitors, but going off its SEA performances, WG Unity could be looking at some quality wins coming into Boston.14. Complexity A team that looked promising coming into Boston, especially in a highly competitive North American region, recent incidents have introduced a lot of variables into coLs Boston prospects. The sudden departure of Justin jk Rosselle shook up the Complexity lineup, and now there is some ambiguity as to whether new sub Jaron monkeys-forever Clinton or offlaner David Moo Hull will fill Rosselles spot. The team has exhibited the ability to compete at a high level, and to take teams like EG and NP to full sets, but with so many question marks and unknowns, its hard to know what version of Complexity will show up in Massachusetts.15. Execration What was one of the more surprising direct invites to the Boston Major, Execration certainly looked strong out of the gate coming into the 2017 season. After a third-place finish in the TI6 wild cards, the team seemed promising after beating a few of its uppermost interregional opponents, a status boosted further by a direct invite to Boston. But while Execration can take games off other SEA teams, this lineup struggles against international competitors. A recent second-place finish at ROG Masters masks the fact that Execration didnt face a team that had been to a major or International until the grand finals, where it got swept 3-0 by Team Secret. Even within the region, Execration has often fallen to teams like WG Unity and Fnatic. Despite their status as direct invite, Execration doesnt have much on their resume to assure theyll make a dent in the Boston bracket.16. Invictus Gaming Vitality The second-place qualifier for the Boston Major from the Chinese region, Invictus Gamings Vitality lineup has had precious few triumphs this season besides the qualifier win. Besides emerging victorious to make it to Boston, Vitality has otherwise fallen to many other Chinese competitors, including a last-place finish at the Nanyang Cruise Cup and only one win overall at the MarsTV Dota 2 League 2016 Autumn. This team has often floated around the middle of the pack in regional LANs, but Vitality will need to seriously up its game and focus to make it past the first round of eliminations in Boston. Jaromir Jagr Jersey .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. Jake Guentzel Jersey . -- Nathan Pancel scored twice as the Sudbury Wolves defeated the North Bay Battalion 4-2 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. https://www.cheappenguinsjersey.com/1041q-ed-olczyk-jersey-penguins.html . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. Dave Burrows Jersey . Numbers Game looks into the Canadiens securing the services of Thomas Vanek in a trade with the New York Islanders. The Canadiens Get: LW Thomas Vanek and a conditional fifth-round pick. Bryan Rust Jersey . And follow TSN.ca right through Deadline Day for all the updates. From Pierre LeBrun While Anaheim GM Bob Murray said earlier this season he was not going to trade Jonas Hiller despite the fact hes an unrestricted free agent on July 1, some sources have told TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun that Murray might be willing to move another goalie. PHOENIX -- Johnny Cueto started the night with a bad stomach ache and ended it with his 12th victory of the season.With help from a cast of reserves filling in for the injured and the weary usual starters, Cueto settled down after a rocky start and the San Francisco Giants beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-4 on Friday night.He was pretty sick, manager Bruce Bochy said. His stomach was bothering him. I didnt know if we were going to have to get him after the first or second inning. He just wasnt doing well.Cueto (12-1) allowed four runs in the first three innings and none in the next four.He said he started feeling ill while warming up in the bullpen.I felt like throwing up, Cueto said through an interpreter. ... I never thought of not starting. I didnt feel well. My legs were weak and I felt like I was probably going to faint, but the trainers gave me liquids and just helped get me stronger.After about the fourth inning, Cueto said, he started feeling better.With several usual starters on the disabled list, catcher Buster Posey having the night off (after 20 straight games) and center fielder Denard Span a late scratch with a stiff neck, the Giants depth shone through.Conor Gillaspie fell a home run shy of the cycle, Trevor Brown doubled in two runs , Grant Green singled in two more and Jarrett Parker homered as the Giants improved to 5-0 at Chase Field this season.This organization has done a tremendous job of bringing not just good baseball players but quality people and quality teammates, Gillaspie said. Thats something thats very noticeable from every guy they bring up.Gillaspie, playing at third with Mike Duffy on the 15-day disabled list, has been on a tear. Hes batting .460 (17 for 37) n his last 37 at-bats. He tripled in the first inning, doubled and scored in the fourth and singled and scored in the sixth.They are tied with the Chicago Cubs for most victories in the National League with 51.Welington Castillo and Jake Lamb homered for the Diamondbacks. Lamb hit a home run in his third consecutive game for the first time in his career.Cueto allowed seven hits in seven innings and struck out nine wiith no walks while improving to 8-0 on the road.dddddddddddd He joined the Cubs Jake Arrieta as the only 12-game winners in the National League.The Diamondbacks had runners at first and third with no outs against closer Santiago Casilla in the ninth. But Yasmany Tomas hit into a double play, Phil Gosselin walked, pinch-hitter Peter OBrien struck out and Casilla escaped with his 18th save in 22 tries.Shelby Miller (2-8) allowed six runs and eight hits in six innings and took the loss. He is 0-6 at home, where the Diamondbacks are 13-29.San Francisco took the lead with two runs in the sixth. Parker and Gillaspie singled and, with two outs, Brown doubled down the right field line to bring both home and put the Giants up 5-4.Arizona manager Chip Hale was asked whether he considered walking Brown with Cuetos spot up next.The pitcher and the catcher know the pitcher is on deck so they are trying to pitch, not give him a `cookie, Hale said. I think the pitch was supposed to be way out and it kind of leaked back over and he did a great job hitting it down the right-field line.Miller said Brown hit a good pitch.Basically staying away, Miller said. In my eyes it was a perfect pitch. It might have been a little on the plate but not a bad pitch by any means.The Diamondbacks jumped on Cueto for three runs in the first inning. Doubles by Jean Segura and Paul Goldschmidt scored one, then Castillo hit Cuetos 3-2 pitch into the seats in left center to bring home two more.TRAINERS ROOMGiants: RHP Matt Cain (right hamstring strain) will pitch in an Arizona Fall League game on Saturday.Diamondbacks: RHP Zack Greinke will miss his next scheduled start on Monday (sore left oblique) but no decision has been made on whether to place him on the DL.UP NEXTGiants: RHP Jeff Samardzija (8-5, 3.91 ERA), looks to rebound from his Tuesday night start, when he allowed six runs in six innings.Diamondbacks: LHP Patrick Corbin (4-6, 4.99) takes the mound for Arizona in the second game of the three-game series. ' ' '