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Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Friday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. All times EST:- The college basketball season begins Friday night, highlighted by four ranked teams in a Honolulu doubleheader: No. 10 Arizona vs. No. 12 Michigan State (7 p.m.) and No. 3 Kansas vs. No. 11 Indiana (9 p.m.).- College basketball teams set a high last season by taking 35 percent of their shots from beyond the 3-point line, a number that could rise this season.- With TV ratings down for the NFL this season, its been popular to point to a supposedly decreased quality of product. The AP talks to current and former players about what changes theyd like to see.- College football features only one game this weekend matching ranked teams -- No. 25 Baylor at No. 9 Oklahoma. But possible upsets abound.- TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- In Friday nights lone Top 25 game, No. 20 Florida State plays at home on a Friday night for the first time since 1957. The Seminoles face Boston College and running back Dalvin Cook. Game starts 7:30 p.m.- COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The United States plays Mexico in a World Cup qualifier with political overtones days after the presidential election. This is an opener of the final round of qualifying from CONCACAF. Game starts 8 p.m.- The oldest rivalry in soccer resumes when England plays Scotland in a World Cup qualifier. Other notable matches on a busy night across Europe include France vs. Sweden and World Cup champion Germany vs. San Marino.- NEW YORK -- UFC 205 boasts Conor McGregor on a Madison Square Garden card Saturday night that brings one of the biggest mixed-martial arts events to New York.- AVONDALE, Ariz. -- Joe Gibbs Racing lays it all on the line this weekend at Phoenix International Raceway, where three of its drivers are vying for two spots in the championship race.- OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Los Angeles Clippers, with an NBA-best 7-1 record, play Russell Westbrook and the Thunder. Oklahoma City is 6-2 and the only team to beat the Clippers this season. Game starts 8 p.m.- There was a time when the NBA Development League was viewed as an outpost to be avoided at all costs. The D-League opens its 16th season Friday and has grown dramatically.- CHICAGO -- Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals visit Jonathan Toews and the Chicago Blackhawks for a marquee matchup. The Capitals and Blackhawks split two games last season. Game starts 8:30 p.m.- PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico -- Chris Kirk leads by a stroke entering the second round of the OHL Classic. The former University of Georgia player has two top-10 finishes in three starts in the new PGA Tour season. Wholesale Kevin Durant Shoes .com) - The Montreal Canadiens embark on their first road trip of the season as they head out west to battle the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. Kevin Durant Shoes From China . The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling "puts an end to my dreams of being a top player," the 27-year-old Troicki said in a statement. "I worked my entire life for it, and it has been taken away from me in one afternoon by a doctor I didnt know," said Troicki, whose ranking peaked at No. https://www.kevindurantshoescheap.com/ . The Barrie Colts defenceman, who impressed many with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the top-ranked skater in the February rankings. He has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games with the Colts this season. Kevin Durant Shoes Deals . LOUIS -- Roman Polak was celebrating even before Alexander Steen scored the winning goal in Saturdays 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Kevin Durant Shoes Outlet .Y. -- Knicks coach Mike Woodson said Wednesday that J. Saturday sets up very well for DFS players. Theres a three-headed monster at the top of the rankings, with Jose Fernandez, Jake Arrieta and Chris Sale all toeing the rubber for their respective teams, and there are plenty of high-upside options available in the lower tiers. So settle in and lets get to it.PitchingZach McAllister was named as the Cleveland starter for Saturday, the team announced.Lucas Harrell will start for the Braves, according to the team.EliteWith Clayton Kershaw on the shelf with a back injury, is Jose Fernandez now the best pitcher in the National League? You could certainly make a case for him. Hes been absolutely lights-out. The right-hander has allowed more than one run just once in his last nine starts, and his 13.1 K/9 is tops in baseball -- and its not even close. A matchup against the Braves, who are the worst team in baseball against righty pitching (75 wRC+), looks to be very, very lopsided. In fact, when Fernandez faced Atlanta last week, he spun seven shutout innings of one-hit ball. The Braves might make more contact than most teams. However, when youre whiffing 38 percent of the batters you face, you plan on double-digit strikeouts in every start, no matter the opponent. There are other elite options to consider on Saturday, but Fernandez will be the toughest to fade.Much has been made of Arrietas climbing walk rate. After issuing just 48 free passes in 33 starts in 2015, hes already allowed 40 walks in 16 starts this season, including nine in his last two starts combined. Then again, Arrietas 2.10 ERA is still top-five in baseball, his 55 percent ground-ball rate is right in line with last year and his 9.7 K/9 (which includes an 11.1 K/9 over his last 10 starts) is a career best, so lets not overreact. Hes still an ace. Hes also set up very well on Saturday with a road tilt against the Mets, who are below average against righties and fan at a 23 percent clip. With Fernandez and Sale both pitching in the afternoon, Arrieta is the top cash-game option for the late slate.The final head in the aforementioned three-headed monster is Sale, who draws a road start against Houston. While the left-hander isnt missing nearly as many bats as years past, hes still in a great spot to rack up Ks on Saturday, as the Astros are whiffing 25 percent of the time versus southpaws, the highest rate in the American League. And despite a lineup that features plenty of right-handed thump, the Astros have actually been below average against lefties this season. If anything, Sale looks to be an intriguing GPP play, as Fernandez and Arrieta figure to have higher ownership.SolidJustin Verlander hit a speed bump his last time out, as the Indians thumped him for eight runs, including four homers, in just 4 2/3 innings. The right-hander will hopefully have an easier path to success on Saturday. A road game against the Rays has Verlander matching up with a lineup that averaged the fewest runs per game in the AL in June and whiffs at a bloated 25 percent clip versus righties. It wouldnt be a surprise to see the former Cy Young winner net his fourth double-digit K game of the season.Drew Pomeranz also finds himself in a favorable spot, as the Padres play host to the Yankees. The Bronx Bombers strike out just 17.7 percent of the time against southpaws, the second-lowest mark in baseball, so this isnt necessarily a high-upside matchup for Pomeranz and his 10.4 K/9 rate. That said, the Yankees have also been the least productive offense in the AL against lefties this season (85 wRC+), putting the 27-year-old in the cash-game conversation.Joe Ross doesnt carry the strikeout upside of the names above him, but thats OK. His road matchup against Cincinnati still makes him a very appealing SP2 in cash games. The Reds are one of baseballs worst offense against right-handed pitching, fanning 23 percent of the time and putting up an 80 wRC+.Although he still doesnt look like the ace of old, Adam Wainwright has been better of late. Good enough to at least be in the DFS discussion, which wasnt the case earlier this season. Despite a 5.04 ERA on the season and a lackluster 6.7 K/9, the right-hander has put up a much-improved 3.51 ERA over his last eight starts to go along with an 8.0 whiff rate. With the Breewers in town, Wainwright figures to find success against a Milwaukee lineup thats well below average against righty pitching and fans 24 percent of the time.ddddddddddddRich Hill is set to return to the mound on Saturday after being sidelined for a month with a groin injury. After pitching three-plus innings in a rehab start for High-A Stockton on Monday, the lefty could be kept to a pitch count on Saturday, which limits his cash game appeal. However, Hill is facing a Pirates team that strikes out 24 percent of the time against left-handed pitching and was the worst offense team in baseball in June (82 wRC+), so theres enough upside here for tournament play.StreamersIn nine starts this season, Danny Duffy owns a 3.33 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 10.7 K/9. However, hes somehow still available in 62 percent of ESPN.com leagues. He should be snatched up for Saturdays matchup against the Phillies, who are truly awful against lefty pitching, sporting an MLB-worst 60 wRC+ to go along with a 24 percent strikeout rate. Duffy is also in play as a DFS tournament option.A matchup against the power-heavy Orioles could scare some owners away from James Paxton on Saturday. Some hesitancy is warranted, but consider that the Os are only middle-of-the-road versus left-handed pitching this year, whiff at a 23 percent clip, and suffer a big park downgrade going from Camden Yards to Safeco Field. For his part, Paxton has shown big strikeout upside this season (10.6 K/9) and sports a 2.75 ERA in 95 career innings at Safeco. Theres some risk here, but theres also plenty to like. The 27-year-olds ownership sits at just 25 percent.AvoidMany of Aaron Nolas numbers are still terrific - 9.8 K/9, 2.2 BB/9, 56 percent GB rate - but his recent struggles have me steering clear for the time being. He hasnt made it out of the fourth inning in any of his last four starts, and his ERA in that stretch went from 2.65 to 4.45. The Royals offense isnt overpowering by any means, but they dont strike out enough to justify rolling the dice here. Wait until Nola straighten things out before spending any cap dollars on him.HittingWith soft-tossing righty Tyler Wilson taking the hill for Baltimore on Saturday, Mariners bats are definitely in play. Wilson holds a 4.89 ERA as a starter this season, doesnt miss bats (4.7 K/9) and allows plenty of hard contact (32 percent). Safeco Field suppresses power, but left-handed bats Leonys Martin, Seth Smith, Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager all still carry plenty of appeal.The Rangers are in a good spot to do some damage against Tyler Duffey on Saturday. Not only does the right-hander sport a 7.68 ERA over his last seven eight starts, but hes been hammered at Target Field this year (7.71 ERA). While Duffey has shown reverse splits this season (.374 wOBA allowed to right-handed bats), Im comfortable using both righty and lefty Rangers hitters in this one.Doug Fister has been pretty effective for the Astros this season, but left-handed hitters have still gotten the best of him, evidenced by the .373 wOBA and 11 homers theyve cracked in 46 innings. The White Sox lineup is right-handed heavy, so this isnt necessarily a stacking opportunity, but lefty swinger Adam Eaton and switch-hitter Melky Cabrera are both on the map for Saturdays DFS action.Jimmy Nelson has had trouble with left-handed bats in his career, and the Cardinals have multiple lefty sticks that can make him pay. Matt Carpenter is nearly always a top play, while Brandon Moss and Matt Adams, depending on whos in the lineup, bring nice upside to the table, as well. Kolten Wong could also be an option if hes hitting high in the order.Most likely to go yard: Ian DesmondDuffey has struggled against right-handed batters this season, and Desmond has hit 10 of his 14 homers off righties. Look for him to make it 11 of 15 on Saturday.Most likely to swipe a bag: Curtis GrandersonIts not easy reach base against Arrieta, but he doesnt hold runners on well when they do. Plus, the rightys recent walk issues havent helped. The Mets arent a big running team, but Granderson (assuming hes back in the lineup) will look to test him if he gets on. ' ' '