LeBron-like player given his ability to make everyone around him bette

PITTSBURGH -- The Cincinnati Reds play the Pirates in Pittsburgh on Friday night in the start of a weekend series between clubs in contention for a wildcard playoff spot, but the clubs stories lately have not been all that similar.The Reds have won all six of their series since the All-Star break, each time by taking two of three games. It is their first streak of six straight series wins since 1999.Including a series win against Chicago followed by getting swept by the Marlins just before the All-Star game, Cincinnati has won seven of its past eight series.Its been a good run really since Chicago before the break, with that little hiccup in Miami, Reds manager Bryan Price said, according to mlb.com. Since then, its been winning series and playing good ball, playing better defense, pitchers throwing strikes, a little bit deeper with some of our starts, which really helps the bullpen, and getting healthier. A lot of good things are happening.The Reds beat St. Louis 7-0 Thursday to take that series -- you guessed it -- 2-1. It was their fourth shutout this season, second in their past six games and third in their past 16 games.The Pirates, meanwhile, are 2-3-1 in series since the break, including getting swept in Milwaukee and dropping two of three to Atlanta, the worst team in the league, this week.They are trying to find the right combinations and parts, something that has been ongoing all season. Pittsburgh this week not only made a few moves at the trade deadline -- right-hander Ivan Nova will start Saturday in his Pirates debut -- but manager Clint Hurdle also made a noteworthy move seemingly born of frustration and desperation.Hurdle benched center fielder and former National League MVP Andrew McCutchen for the full three games of the series at Atlanta that ended Thursday night with a 5-2 loss.The hope was that McCutchen would benefit from taking a step back, not picking up a bat or taking the field for a few days. He is batting a career-low .241, including a current 5-for-27 showing, and has gotten just five of his 43 RBI since July 15.Hes tried a lot of things, Hurdle told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. This mans fought. Hes done early work, late work, side work, video work. Nothings worked.McCutchen, who presumably will be back in the lineup Friday against Cincinnati, wasnt thrilled with the tactic, but he did not want to make waves.If I had my choice, Id be in there, McCutchen told the Tribune-Review. But Im all for my team, all for my teammates, so thats the reason Im not going to mope about it.McCutchen also was one of the players left reeling by moves Pittsburgh made that were broadly interpreted as being rooted in financial concerns rather than boosting the clubs postseason chances this year. Among other things, the Pirates shipped Mark Melancon, one of the sports top closers, to Washington.There is some confusion, McCutchen told the Tribune-Review. Some things that feel like, Why? What was the reasoning behind some of our moves? Thats the biggest thing.We understand (management) is not our job. We understand its not what we do. We play. But there are some things that Im sure for all of us, kind of blew us away. Where we are (mentally) is just like, Dang. Wow. Thats crazy. You know?In addition, the Pittsburgh rotation has been in some disarray beyond the trades, partly because of injuries but also because of shaky performances that have led to skipped starts and stretches in the bullpen by starters. One, Jeff Locke, spoke out about a lack of consistency with his role after he spent more than a week in the bullpen.Friday, rookie right-hander Jameson Taillon (2-2, 3.52 ERA) will make his ninth major league start, first against the Reds. He has had a couple of hiccups that might be expected of a young pitcher, but overall has shown promise when healthy. He has not allowed a walk in his past four appearances and has been charged with seven earned runs in those 24 innings. Pittsburgh has won four his past five starts.Taillons counterpart Friday will be Reds right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (6-0, 2.93 ERA), who has eight quality starts in 10 appearances, including a six-inning, one-run performance Saturday against San Diego. Nike Air Max 1 Sverige . -- Whether Jeremy Hill deserves a prominent role in LSUs offence this early in the season is a matter for debate. Nike Off White Sverige . Colin Wilson had two goals and an assist, and Mike Fisher scored a goal and helped set up two others in the Predators 6-4 victory over the Red Wings on Monday night. http://www.reaairmaxsverige.com/air-max-90-rabatt.html . -- Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings was selected Monday to his second straight Pro Bowl, while guard Kyle Long made it after a solid rookie season. Air Max 200 Herr . -- Jacksonville wide receiver Cecil Shorts will likely be a game-time decision whether hell play Sunday in the Jaguars home game against the San Diego Chargers. Nike Air Max Billigt Rea . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. PHILADELPHIA -- Sixers rookie Ben Simmons, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, has drawn a lot of comparisons to Cleveland Cavaliers superstar LeBron James.Both playmaking forwards share an agent. Now, they even weigh the same.Simmons told reporters on Monday at 76ers media day that he has gained around 33 pounds since leaving LSU and is about 250 -- also James listed weight.Im a lot stronger [now], said Simmons, who was listed at 240 pounds while at LSU but said Monday that he weighed 217 before the June 23 draft. Im at the point where I want to cut down a little bit and play at a nice weight. Physically just being out there, guys are a lot stronger than in college, but Im also a lot stronger than I was in college, so its just about taking hits and bumps or whatever it is and finishing at the rim.The key to his weight gain, Simmons says, has been eating well, lifting weights and working hard.Shaquille ONeal recently said Simmons, 20, is a LeBron-like player given his ability to make everyone around him better -- especially with his passing skills. Simmons and James worked out together, along with Dwyane Wade, during the summer.They were good. They get in the gym and work. They dont play around, Simmons said of James and Wade.Asked specifically about James impact on him, Simmons said: I think just being around [LeBron] and learning from his habits and what he does has just helped me overall. Hell be one of the first guys in the gym every day -- it doesnt matterr what day it is.dddddddddddd I think hes done a lot for me, and helped me with his experiences.Simmons, a 6-foot-10 point forward, averaged 19.2 points, 11.8 rebounds and 4.8 assists during his only season at LSU before declaring for the draft.His potential seems limitless. But he also recognizes that he has a long way to go before he can be considered in the same class as James, a four-time MVP and three-time champion.Ive just got to put in the work and see what happens, Simmons said. Theres a lot of things people can say, but if I dont put in the work, its not going to mean anything.Simmons, though, has struggled with his jump shot. In six Summer League games, he shot only 32.2 percent.Ive been working on my shot a lot. I can shoot the ball. Im not really worried about that, he said.Simmons brushed off questions about personal goals like winning Rookie of the Year by saying he just wants to work hard and get better every day.Even though hes young, he hopes to lead in some ways. The Sixers are looking for Simmons to help turn things around. The franchise has lost 199 games over the last three seasons -- including a 10-72 finish in 2015-16.He is looking forward to finally making his NBA debut after training camp and the preseason.I think its still surreal for me, Simmons said. I think it will finally hit me once I step on the court. ' ' '