Die Macht » Tenn. -- The Nashville Predators are exp

ARLINGTON, Texas -- The only thing left on the table for the Texas Rangers in the regular season is the best record in the American League.That quest for home-field advantage through the AL postseason took a hit in the series opener against the lowly Milwaukee Brewers.The fourth-place team in the National League Central rocked the AL West champs 8-3 Monday night.The loss knocked Texas (92-65) a half-game back of red-hot Boston (92-64) in the race for the top mark in the Junior Circuit. The Rangers are a half-game up on Cleveland (91-65).The Red Sox take an 11-game winning streak into Tuesday nights game with the New York Yankees. Texas and the Brewers square off in the second of three games at Globe Life Park.Rangers left fielder Carlos Gomez did his part in the series opener against his former club. Gomez, who went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs, is making the most of his second chance since being waived by Houston.Its a big opportunity, he said. They signed me and gave me basically the everyday job. Just go to left field. Youre my left fielder. How I started in Houston, and then to come here and lead off and play left field, they saw something the other team didnt see. Its a big opportunity. Its a blessing to be on a winning team.The Brewers know all too well what Gomez can do. He was a two-time All-Star (2013-14) with Milwaukee before being traded to the Astros last season.With his season, I think theyre trying to get to confident place, Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. It looks like theyre getting him there, so hes going to be an important player for them in the playoffs.Texas has to deal with Jonathan Villar, who homered twice Monday and drove in a career-high five. The second baseman had been 3-for335 this month before stinging the Rangers with three extra-base hits.I needed it because this month has been a little bit bad, Villar said. I want to finish strong.The Rangers, only 5-6 in their last 11, send struggling right-hander A.J. Griffin (7-4, 4.94 ERA) to the mound. Griffin matched the shortest outing of his career on Sept. 20 by lasting just 1 2/3 innings and allowing three earned runs against the Los Angeles Angels.He has gone 3-3 with a 6.32 ERA over his last nine starts.If anything, Texas hasnt been hurt by Griffins ineffectiveness. The club has won four of five and eight of his last 11 starts since July 24. Griffin is facing the Brewers for the first time since 2013.Milwaukee counters with Jimmy Nelson (8-15, 4.50) in his 32nd start of the season. The right-hander last started Sept. 21 against Pittsburgh in a 4-1 loss, going five innings and allowing four runs on six hits.He was 5-3 with a 2.88 ERA in his first 11 starts and is 3-12 with a 5.65 ERA in his last 20. The club is 12-19 in his starts. Nelson has never faced the Rangers. Wholesale Sabres Jerseys . The 31-year-old Spain midfielder hasnt played since Madrid lost in the Copa del Rey final to Atletico Madrid in May due to back and foot injuries. Stitched Sabres Jerseys . As he recorded his 23rd and 24th points of the evening, a segment of the sellout Air Canada Centre crowd expressed their appreciation for the Raptors point guard with a smattering of MVP chants. https://www.cheapsabres.com/ . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night. Buffalo Sabres Shirts . Nigeria beat surprise package Ethiopia 2-0 in the second leg of their playoff for a comfortable 4-1 aggregate victory. Victor Moses converted a 20th-minute penalty after an Ethiopian handball, and Victor Obinna made certain of Nigerias place in Brazil with his powerful free kick in the 82nd at UJ Esuene Stadium. Sabres Jerseys 2021 . Despite dominating possession, Schalke needed an own goal from Nicolas Hoefler for the breakthrough a minute before the interval. The Freiburg midfielder misjudged Jefferson Farfans corner and bundled the ball into his own net. NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Nashville Predators are exploring a long-term plan of major improvements to Bridgestone Arena designed to extend the life of the building.In a presentation detailing potential improvements, Predators officials said the plan is to create a conversation around the opportunities for development of enhancements and revenue generators for the arena, which opened in December 1996.The Tennessean reported that the NHL team released the report Thursday at a Nashville Sports Authority meeting.ddddddddddddThe plan includes improvements to food options, additional places for fans to meet outside their seats and better technological integration. Potential upgrades discussed in the report include having a second ice sheet on site plus wider concourses and additional bathrooms and entry gates. ' ' '