Die Macht » regular season from here.ddd

CHICAGO -- Terry Francona is on the verge of ending another long World Series drought.Call him Mgr. October.Clevelands maestro of a manager, who has pushed all the right buttons this season and especially over the past few weeks, moved closer to capturing his third Series title as the Indians beat the Chicago Cubs 7-2 in Game 4 on Saturday night to take a 3-1 lead.Francona is the one who guided the Boston Red Sox around the Curse of the Bambino in 2004, helping them to their first title in 86 years. He led them to another three years later.And now hes got the resilient Indians on the edge of taking their first World Series in 68 years.The 57-year-old would never take any credit for Clevelands success, but the Indians wouldnt be where they are if not for Francona, who improved to 11-1 in World Series games.The guy everyone calls Tito -- his dads name -- claims he doesnt have a crystal ball. But he certainly seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to setting his lineup, pulling pitchers at just the right time and keeping his players focused.Following Clevelands 1-0 victory in Game 3, a chess match with Chicagos Joe Maddon which he called one of the most agonizing games of his managerial career, Francona made the difficult decision of not starting first baseman Mike Napoli in Game 4.Hes like the heart and soul of our team, Francona said beforehand. It bothers me to sit him, a lot.Francona played Carlos Santana at first instead, and the move panned out when he homered leading off the second inning against John Lackey. Francona has been forced to be creative with his lineup during the three games at Wrigley Field, where the Indians have had to play by National League rules and couldnt use their designated hitter.He took a risk by starting Santana in left field for Game 3 even though the former catcher had played just four innings in his career in left. It worked, though, as Santana caught the only ball hit his way on a night when the wind was blowing out in Wrigley.That was probably the funnest moment of the game, Francona said of Santanas catch in the first. I was going crazy in the dugout. Then I thought I better cool it because there might be another one that finds him.None did, and Francona made several more astute moves in the first Series game at Wrigley in 71 years. He pulled starter Josh Tomlin in the fifth and ace reliever Andrew Miller came in and shut down the Cubs. And when Millers turn came up to bat, Francona sent in pinch-hitter Coco Crisp, who drove in the games only run.Of course he did.Francona also got a little lucky.He made so many double switches that he ran out of position players, and was going to have to bat Game 4 starter Corey Kluber.He almost used some guys that werent on the roster, joked Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway. I mean, theres no better manager in all of baseball than him. He thinks of everything at every moment. Ive learned so much from him. Its fun to watch him do it during the game. Hes gonna use everyone in the right situation to have the most success they can possibly have, and youre seeing the results of it.Francona knew just what to do with Kluber on Saturday night.Miller was throwing in the bullpen when Anthony Rizzo doubled leading off the sixth. Miller, who has been virtually unhittable in the postseason, was ready but Francona stayed with Kluber and he promptly retired the next three batters.Its been like that all month as the Indians, who have been overlooked despite running away with the AL Central, swept Boston, beat Toronto in five games and are now a win away from their first title since 1948.That Cleveland team was managed by Lou Boudreau, who was also the clubs starting shortstop.Francona laughed before Game 4 when he was asked if he was ready to play short.Im just trying to handle managing, he said. That will be enough.Its been more than that.Air Max Plus Tn Australia .ca NBA Power Rankings, ahead of the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs. Vapormax Sale Australia . With their top three point guards and Kobe Bryant all sidelined by injury, the Lakers signed Marshall out of the D-League on Friday before their home game against Minnesota. http://www.vapormaxaustraliashoes.com/air-vapormax-2019-australia.html . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night. Nike Air Vapormax Plus Cheap . Inter president Erick Thohir says in a club statement on Wednesday that Vidic is "one of the worlds best defenders and his qualities, international pedigree, and charisma will be an asset. Air Vapormax 97 Sale . -- Ohio States Urban Meyer has never had any issue acclimating to the biggest stages in college football.The third weekend of the college football season didnt fully eliminate playoff contenders, but it created a bit of separation for the teams most likely to be in the conversation down the stretch. The potential for a playoff party crash from the Group of Five improved somewhat, and a pair oof Big Ten road victories vaulted two conference contenders into our countdown of the 10 teams most likely to win out the regular season from here.dddddddddddd ' ' '