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ARLINGTON, Texas -- Theres still more than a month remaining in the regular season, but the American League West could be all but decided in the next two weeks as the Texas Rangers play the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros for the next 10 games.Texas owns an 8 1/2-game lead over both teams heading into Mondays game against the Mariners. The Rangers have a chance to add even more ground between it and the Mariners when the three-game set starts at Globe Life Park.Texas, which has its biggest division lead since July 3, will start the series with one of its top pitchers going as right-hander Yu Darvish (4-3) gets the nod.Darvish has pitched in enough big games to know not to put too much pressure on this start.I know this is an important game for all of us on the team, Darvish said. I just try and focus on what I can do to try to take it just as any other game.Darvish is coming off a start in Cincinnati that was more notable for his hitting than his pitching. He homered against the Reds but didnt figure in the decision as he allowed five runs (three earned) in his six innings. He struggled with his command, walking five.While the walk total was one shy of his career high in a game, Darvish wasnt alarmed by it.I didnt throw many breaking balls in the bullpen sessions between the starts, Darvish said. I think it was just one of those days so I didnt do anything special to work on the curveball.Mondays game will also mark the third time Darvish has squared off against Hisashi Iwakuma (14-9) in his career. Darvish said theres no added importance about matching up against another Japanese start and that its more important to beat the Mariners.The game will mark just the 12th start for Darvish in his first season back from Tommy John surgery and the right-hander feels good about where hes at.I think Im in a better position than I expected. Looking around at other guys who have had Tommy John surgery compared to some of the guys who are struggling, I think Im in a better place than I was expecting, he said.While playing big games late in the season is nothing new for Texas, its a big deal for Iwakuma and the Mariners.Seattle hasnt been to the postseason since 2001, so still being in contention as the games wind down is a step forward.That was the goal when we all (arrived), a new regime kind of in Seattle, coming on board to play meaningful games in September, first-year manager Scott Servais said. I think were going to play meaningful games in September. How meaningful? Thats another level. Thats where we want to get to.Getting to that point where our fan base feels it, theyre tied to us every day, thats what September baseball is all about. Were close, were not there yet. We need to finish up here and get into Texas and see where that leads us.Dylan DeMelo Jersey . John Lucas, signed as a mentor for rookie Trey Burke, showed he can score if required, scoring 12 points of his 16 points in the second quarter as Utah built an 18-point lead. Mikkel Boedker Jersey . After taking two big hits this week -- losing at home and dropping back-to-back games for the first time all season -- Indiana struck back by playing its most complete game of the year. http://www.senatorssale.com/authentic-bobby-ryan-senators-jersey/ . Barcelona also left injured defenders Carles Puyol, Javier Mascherano and Jordi Alba out of its squad for the trip to Glasgow. That means that Marc Bartra will probably start again in the centre of the defence alongside Gerard Pique. Christian Jaros Senators Jersey . Clarke was injured while practicing on the Doha Golf Club range after the pro-am on Tuesday. The Northern Irishman arrived at the course on Wednesday hoping to start, but after hitting a few balls on the practice putting green Clarke advised officials he was not fit to play. Daniel Alfredsson Senators Jersey . Barcelonas entertaining victory ensured the defending Spanish champions retained their share of the league lead with Atletico Madrid two rounds ahead of their meeting in the capital. Real Madrid needed a late goal by substitute Jese Rodriguez to earn a 3-2 victory at Valencia to stay in third place and three points behind its title rivals.Veteran swingman Joe Johnson reached an agreement with the Utah Jazz on a two-year, $22 million deal Friday, according to multiple reports.The agreement was first reported by Turner Sports.Johnson, 34, gives the up-and-coming Jazz a proven scorer and level-headed veteran as they try to climb the ladder in the Western Conference.A 15-year veteran and seven-time All-Star, Johnson entered free agency regarded as one of the top veteran perimeter players available. He averaged 12.2 points per game and shot 38 percent from 3-point range while playing with the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat last season.Johnson joined the Heat in March after he received a buyout from the Nets in the final season of a six-year, $126 million contract he initiially signed with Atlanta during the 2010 offseason.dddddddddddd Johnson chose the Heat last spring over multiple suitors, including Cleveland, Atlanta and Oklahoma City, and was expected to draw interest from several teams entering free agency.?Although no longer the prolific scorer he was for much of his career, Johnson still scored in double figures in 11 of 14 playoff games as the Heats starting small forward. He said last spring that he hoped to play another two or three seasons before contemplating retirement.Information from ESPNs Michael Wallace and The Associated Press was used in this report. ' ' '