Join us » Super Villains take on the Celtics.

Right now, the American League standings are all about offense.The ALs top five teams in runs scored -- Boston, Toronto, Cleveland, Baltimore and Texas -- are also the five teams that would be in the playoffs if the season ended now. Its no shock that a high-scoring offense can lead to more wins, but the Red Sox and Rangers in particular are in this position despite middling performances on the mound.Texas and Boston have allowed the fourth- and fifth-most runs in the AL. Perhaps that will change now that Yu Darvish of the Rangers is back from the disabled list -- and after the Red Sox traded for All-Star Drew Pomeranz in an attempt to bolster their starting rotation.That move was an indication that Boston isnt comfortable simply trying to outslug teams all season.I still think that -- and weve seen it ourselves -- when we face good pitching, good pitching is likely to shut down good hitting, Red Sox manager John Farrell said. I dont see that changing.Despite leading the league in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging, the Red Sox are a couple games behind first-place Baltimore in the AL East. Texas, meanwhile, has lost nine of its last 12 and now leads Houston by only 4 1/2 games in the AL West. The Rangers had a double-digit advantage toward the end of last month.The race in the East could be especially intriguing. Baltimores team ERA of 4.31 isnt much better than Bostons 4.38.When you look at, whether its Baltimore or us or other clubs, youre looking at starting rotation ERA probably in the bottom half, so I think it speaks volumes to the number of runs that can be put up on a more consistent basis than some other clubs, Farrell said. But I would like to think that the most complete team is the one that emerges to advance.Here are a few other developments from around baseball:AT THE BOTTOMThere were no 100-game losers in either of the past two seasons, but a whopping four teams are on pace to reach that mark right now. Atlanta (on pace for 106 losses), Minnesota (103), Cincinnati (102) and Tampa Bay (100) are the top candidates for baseballs worst record in 2016.The Rays snapped an eight-game losing streak with a win over the Orioles on Sunday. Tampa Bay had lost 24 of its previous 27.FANTASY FOCUSPomeranz now presents quite a conundrum for fantasy owners. Hes a left-hander who has left San Diego to pitch in front of the Green Monster in Boston -- while also switching leagues. But theres a good chance hell have more run support now.Pomeranzs departure left room in San Diego for Edwin Jackson, who resurfaced Sunday for his first start since 2014. Jackson held San Francisco hitless until the seventh inning.LINE OF THE WEEKPerhaps the most surprising line of the week belongs to Pittsburgh star Andrew McCutchen. He was the only player to go 0 for 8 in his teams 18-inning victory over Washington on Sunday.The best line, however, was turned in that same day by Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets, when he threw a 1-hitter against Philadelphia.---AP Baseball Writer Mike Fitzpatrick contributed to this report. Randy Coffield Jersey Retro . Malkin got tangled up with Detroits Luke Glendening early in the third period and his left skate took the brunt of collision with the boards behind Pittsburghs net. Bryce Callahan Jersey Retro . Q: Team Canada announces their Olympic roster three weeks from today. Who is general manager Steve Yzerman watching? LeBrun: Over the last 48 hours, hes taken in the home-and-home between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche with Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene being the obvious targets. https://www.cheapjerseyslines.com/taylor-decker-jersey-retro/ . Denis Coderre, the former federal MP who was elected mayor on Nov. 3, has drawn the ire of some Montreal Canadiens. During last nights game he tweeted: "Hello? Can we get a one-way ticket to (minor-league) Hamilton for David Desharnais please. Brandon Weeden Jersey Retro .ca. Hey Kerry, big fan of yours, just finished reading your book. I think that we all saw the Canucks/Flames line brawl just after puck drop. It was obvious that something was about to happen, even to the referees because the fourth lines were on to start. Alfonso Boone Jersey Retro . -- Lou Brocks shoulder-to-shoulder collision with Bill Freehan during the 1968 World Series and Pete Roses bruising hit on Ray Fosse in the 1970 All-Star game could become relics of baseball history, like the dead-ball era. The weekends are a time for getting out into the world and seeing friends and family; but youll miss all the action if you do that.There are only seven rounds remaining in the NFL season, and things are starting to heat up; in the NBA, meanwhile, every team is still filled with optimism about their chances during this season.So how can you be expected to catch up for coffee with friends when your team is on the TV?Heres what you do; fill up the coffee pot, buy plenty of snacks, set your TV to ESPN and invite your friends over. That right there is killing two birds with one stone.With so much action on, here are the cant-miss games this weekend.NFLNew Orleans Saints vs. Carolina Panthers - Friday, ESPN @ 12.25pm (AEDT)Week 11 of the NFL season kicks off with a Thursday night showdown between two teams fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Saints emerged victorious, 41-38, the last time these sides met, back in Week 6, but what can we expect this time around?With the Saints possessing the worst pass defense in the league and the Panthers the eighth worst, expect both Drew Brees and Cam Newton to rack up the passing yards and put plenty of scores on the board.Both sides are coming off tough losses and will be hungry to get over the line. Can the Panthers salvage anything from this painful season or will the Saints march on towards a Wildcard spot?ESPN Pick: Brees to outgun Newton in an epic. 38-34Odds: Carolina $1.54 v New Orleans $2.50Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs -- Monday, ESPN RedZone @ 5am (AEDT)The Chiefs pulled off a miracle last week against the Panthers, scoring 17 points in the final quarter to steal one on the road by three points, 20-17. The Bucs had a much easier week against the lacklustre Chicago Bears, taking the points with a comfortable 36-10 win.Jameis Winston is coming into his own as a starting quarterback for the Bucaneers, but he will need to be on top of his game if he wants to get past the Chiefs. Winston has thrown 10 intercepts this season and the Chiefs defence -- with Marcus Peters and Eric Berry having a combined seven intercepts -- will be ready should one ball be thrown out of place.Kansas City are a tough unit to score against, and things could be bleak for the Bucs inside Arrowhead Stadium if Winston isnt on his A game from the opening kick.ESPN Pick: Chiefs D to cause mayhem. 23-13Odds: Tampa Bay $3.55 v Kansas City $1.30Baltimore Ravens vs. Dallas Cowboys -- Monday ESPN RedZone @ 5am (AEDT)The league-leading Cowboys welcome the Ravens into their home, and the hosts rookie sensations, Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, will look to continue their stellar seasons.With Elliott leading the charge, the Cowboys average the most rushing yards per game in the league (161) but theyve never come up against a side like the Ravens.Possessing the No. 1-ranked rushing defence in the league, and also the fifth-ranked passing D, the Ravens smother teams and punish them relentlessly. Will the Cowboys put morre reliance on Prescott to throw big numbers or can Elliott get beyond the Ravens defensive line?Were about to find out what happens when an unstoppable force (Cowboys/Elliott) meets an immovable object (Ravens defense)?ESPN Pick: Prescott to air it out in a battle.dddddddddddd 17-13Odds: Dallas $1.30 v Baltimore $3.55NBAPhiladelphia 76ers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves - Friday, ESPN2 @ 12pm (AEDT)This is a battle of up-and-coming stars, two teams with young incredible talent squaring off against each other.Philly fans have been trusting the process for a long time now, and, unfortunately, this season hasnt been any easier. Joel Embiid looks terrific, but things are still bleak in the City of Brotherly Love - where fans await the return of Ben Simmons.Minnesota on the other hand have a young core that is extremely fun to watch, and the signs all point towards a bright future. With Andrew Wiggins is starting to develop his offensive skill set and Karl Anthony-Towns is seemingly able to do it all; how will the 76ers cope?Can Brett Brown and his team grab their second win of the season or will the Wolves prove their process is the far superior product?ESPN Pick: Wiggins and Towns to carry the Wolves. 104-90Odds: Minnesota $1.12 v Philadelphia $6.30Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics - Saturday, ESPN @ 12pm (AEDT)Game one of the Saturday double header sees the self-anoinyed Super Villains take on the Celtics.Golden State are the No. 1 target for every other team in the league; theyre the biggest baddest wolf in the land, and everyone else wants to take them down. The Celtics never back down from a fight, and they will look to take it up to the Warriors.The Warriors have seemingly found their groove since losing to the Lakers, scoring at astronomical heights. Theyre averaging 119 points per game with the big four pouring in 89 points per game during that span.Can the Celtics stop the juggernaut or will the Warriors continue on their merry way?ESPN Pick: Boston love to cause an upset and will do so here. 117-111Los Angeles Clippers vs. Sacramento Kings - Saturday, ESPN @ 2.30pm (AEDT)The Clippers have been the best team in the league this season, opening with a 10-1 record and a streak of seven wins as they go up against the often dysfunctional Kings.The Kings DeMarcus Cousins is one of the most skilled big men in the game, and he can turn games almost single-handedly, but his frustration can get the better of him. Will the Clippers look to get under his skin and throw him off or will they just rely upon their weapons to get the job done?Chris Paul is leading the charge and Blake Griffin is back in full health, so this looks like a one-sided affair; but the Kings are such a difficult puzzle to understand that they could just pull off the upset.ESPN Pick: Clippers are rolling and dont look like stopping. 113-89 NBA markets: ' ' '