Day: February 19, 2017

Great expectations: Indians eye Series title after ’16 run (Sports Betting News)Great expectations: Indians eye Series title after ’16 run (Sports Betting News)

As rain showers move through the area, Cleveland Indians pitchers Perci Garner, left, Shawn Morimando, second from left, TIm Cooney, second from right, and Adam Plutko, right, run through their exercises at the Indians baseball spring training facility, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017, in Goodyear, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Above the small cactuses and flowering plants dotting the concrete-blocked plaza outside the doorway to Cleveland’s training complex is a new sign that serves as both a reminder and motivator. The Indians have some unfinished business. One swing away from beating the Chicago Cubs in an epic World Series last year, the Indians, who pumped up their payroll to nearly $130 million by winning baseball’s offseason with the surprise signing of free-agent slugger Edwin Encarnacion this winter, have their sights set on a return to the postseason – and this time winning it all.

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No. 11 Wisconsin beats No. 23 Maryland 71-60 in Big 10 tilt (Sports Betting News)No. 11 Wisconsin beats No. 23 Maryland 71-60 in Big 10 tilt (Sports Betting News)

Wisconsin's Ethan Happ (22) shoots between Maryland's Jaylen Brantley, left, and Michal Cekovsky during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017, in Madison, Wis. (AP Photo/Andy Manis)

Nigel Hayes was in vintage form, going strong to the hoop. Bronson Koenig returned from a leg injury to provide a jump-shooting boost off the bench. No. 11 Wisconsin played like it was fighting to get into the NCAA Tournament, even if the Badgers are virtually guaranteed to be playing into mid-March.

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Rangers slip past Capitals for 2-1 win (Sports Betting News)Rangers slip past Capitals for 2-1 win (Sports Betting News)

New York Rangers' Chris Kreider, left, tries to score past Washington Capitals goalie Philipp Grubauer during the second period of the NHL hockey game, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers handled the challenge of facing one of the league’s top teams. Mats Zuccarello scored a third-period goal and Lundqvist made 31 saves in the New York Rangers’ 2-1 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday. Ryan McDonagh scored in the first period for New York, which has won seven of eight overall and five in a row at home.

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Rangers slip past Capitals for 2-1 win (Sports Betting News)Rangers slip past Capitals for 2-1 win (Sports Betting News)

New York Rangers' Chris Kreider, left, tries to score past Washington Capitals goalie Philipp Grubauer during the second period of the NHL hockey game, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers handled the challenge of facing one of the league’s top teams. Mats Zuccarello scored a third-period goal and Lundqvist made 31 saves in the New York Rangers’ 2-1 victory over the Washington Capitals on Sunday. Ryan McDonagh scored in the first period for New York, which has won seven of eight overall and five in a row at home.

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No. 24 Butler defense shuts down DePaul in 82-66 win (Sports Betting News)No. 24 Butler defense shuts down DePaul in 82-66 win (Sports Betting News)

Butler forward Tyler Wideman (4) celebrates a basket with guard Tyler Lewis (1) and forward Andrew Chrabascz (45) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against DePaul in Indianapolis, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Suddenly, the Butler Bulldogs have figured things out. It’s even hard for coach Chris Holtmann to find faults right now. Nate Fowler scored 15 points, Kelan Martin added 14 points and eight rebounds and No. 24 Butler took advantage of two big scoring runs to blow out DePaul 82-66 on Sunday for its first back-to-back wins in almost a month.

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Golf: Johnson jumps clear at Riviera, closes in on world number one (Sports Betting News)Golf: Johnson jumps clear at Riviera, closes in on world number one (Sports Betting News)

February 19, 2017; Pacific Palisades, CA, USA;  Dustin Johnson hits from the tenth hole tee box during the continuation of third round play in the Genesis Open golf tournament at Riviera Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

(Officialsportsbetting.com) – Dustin Johnson, bidding to take the world number one ranking, surged to a five-stroke lead after the third round of the weather-plagued Genesis Open on a busy Sunday. The long-hitting Johnson stayed on course for his first top ranking with a sizzling round of seven-under 64 at the famed Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles. The world number three quickly went back to work as officials tried to cram the tournament’s final 36 holes into a long day of play.

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