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Which players have most affected this years pennant races? Here are some of the top surprises and disappointments that help explain where we are as we head into September.SURPRISESBoston Red Sox: Rick PorcelloThe right-handers first season in Boston was a huge disappointment as he went 9-15 with a 4.92 ERA. This year, hes 17-3 with a 3.23 ERA. Yes, win-loss record is dependent on run support, but six games below .500 to 14 games over .500 is a 20-game swing. That obviously overstates his actual value. But in the same number of innings as last year, Porcello has allowed 34 fewer runs, even though offense has gone up leaguewide, and that has been worth 3-4 additional wins for the Red Sox. Dexter Williams Womens Jersey . Miller reached right to deflect Mikhail Grabovskis attempt with just over 2 minutes remaining in regulation, and then made two more saves in the shootout Sunday to give the Sabres a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals. Darnell Savage Jr. Youth Jersey . Instead of dwelling on the negative, Oates focused on what was good about the clubs recent play. It worked. http://www.packersrookiestore.com/Packers-Aaron-Rodgers-Jersey/ . Coach Tom Thibodeau says the former MVP will probably start travelling with the team in the next few weeks. Rose tore the meniscus in his right knee at Portland in November and was ruled out for the remainder of the season by the Bulls. Jace Sternberger Packers Jersey . A lawyer for MLB, Matthew Menchel, confirmed Wednesday the league dropped its case against Biogenesis of America, its owner Anthony Bosch and several other individuals. The lawsuit had accused Biogenesis and Bosch of conspiring with players to violate their contracts by providing them with banned performance-enhancing substances. Bart Starr Packers Jersey . The 18th player to shoot 60 on the tour, Jamieson settled for par on the final hole when his 15-foot birdie chip grazed the edge of the hole and stayed out. After opening with rounds of 66 and 73 to make the cut by a stroke, he had 11 birdies in the bogey-free round.VANCOUVER -- Kelly Olynyk isnt upset that he wasnt invited to the NBA draft in New York. The Canadian college basketball star watched the proceedings on TV with 30-40 friends and family at his Kamloops, B.C., home as he was drafted 13th overall by the Dallas Mavericks and immediately traded -- as part of a pre-arranged deal -- to the Boston Celtics. "I was definitely thinking about going," Olynyk, 22, said Friday, a day after the festivities. "The NBA invites about 15 people, and I didnt end up getting invited. So I didnt end up going. But I think it worked out better that way. "It was really fun to spend it here, back in Kamloops, with friends and family and people who have supported me my whole life. It was really nice, and real special, to be able to enjoy that and see how overjoyed people were for me and how proud and happy they were for me." Olynyk added: "Its special. Being a little kid, its a dream. Its every kids dream after touching a basketball. Its another door thats opened, another journey in your life." The seven-foot forward is looking forward to joining the storied Celtics as they go through significant transition with Kevin Garnett and other stars likely to be traded. Coach Doc Rivers has already moved to the Los Angeles Clippers. "Itll be different," said Olynyk. "The franchise, I wouldnt say its rebuilding, but its definitely remodelling. Itll be interesting to see how everything pans out. "Hopefully, it creates an opportunity for me. I just have to go in there and make the most of my opportunity." Olynyks selection in the draft came after he made the difficult decision to red-shirt in his third year of collegiate eligibility with the Gonzaga Bulldogs. In most cases, first-year players red-shirt to prepare for the college game. But, after receiving limited playing time as a sophomore, he sat out a season to develop physically while also working on his skills. That time spent honing his abilities helped Olynyk improve his game greatly and he became Gonzagas team leader after another Canadian, Robert Sacre of North Vancouver, B.C., had moved on to the NBAs Los Angeles Lakers. "It was tough becausee, as a player, you always want to play," said Olynyk.dddddddddddd "And its tough sometimes just watching (games), because youre not able to be out there helping your team. ... It was definitely really good for me learning a new step and really good for my development. "It allowed me to really work on my body and work on my game and really excel and take those things to the next level. I think it was vital in my development and my success this year. I definitely developed more of an inside game, which is huge. I didnt have a very versatile inside game." Olynyk averaged 17.8 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 63 per cent from the field as Gonzaga earned the No. 1 NCAA ranking late in the season, marking the first time the small Spokane, Wash., university had achieved the mark. He was also thrilled to be part of an NBA draft where University of Nevada-Las Vegas freshman Anthony Bennett, a Brampton, Ont., native, became the first Canadian to be selected No. 1 overall. The Cleveland Cavaliers surprise choice of Bennett came a year before Thornhill, Ont., native Andrew Wigginss anticipated first overall selection. "Its huge," Olynyk said of Bennetts selection. "Its an unbelievable accomplishment for Canada and Canadian basketball, especially with it never being done before. I cant be happier for him. "Hopefully, I get a chance to play with him in the national team or something along those lines. Hopefully, we can repeat it next year with Wiggins. ... I think (basketball in) Canada is still on the rise. Theres a lot of younger kids coming up who have a lot of potential and could (have) the same opportunity." Olynyk, who was born in Toronto, got weaned on hoops in the 1990s while his father Ken coached the University of Toronto Varsity Blues and Canadian junior mens national team while also serving as a visiting coach with the NBAs Raptors for a season. The family moved to Kamloops when Kelly was 12. He hopes to help Canada qualify this summer for next years world championships and then advance to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. "If I have an opportunity to play with the national team, Id love to," he said. ' ' '