We have a long way to go, but they played hard today for

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Cleveland Indians are in a strange predicament after their game Thursday at Detroit was rained out.While the Indians have already clinched the American League Central, they are still contending for the best AL record and home-field advantage. The Tigers are still in the hunt for a wildcard spot in the playoffs.But after a four-hour plus delay with more than six inches of rain pouring on the field, the game was called. It will be made up Monday in Detroit if necessary for postseason ramifications.While the Indians close out the regular season (maybe) with three games this weekend in Kansas City, they could wind up playing Monday.I think wed like to talk to everybody Monday, Indians manager Terry Francona said about picking the 25-man playoff roster. Were supposed to have an optional workout but we might be here playing. Well try, for the players sake well try to have decisions made so we can tell everybody whats going on.The revised rotation has left-hander Ryan Merritt making his first major league start Friday at Kansas City. He was slated to start Thursday. Right-handers Trevor Bauer, Saturday, and Josh Tomlin, Sunday, will remain in their slots. Right-hander Adam Plutko was originally scheduled to start Friday, but Merritt will replace him.If we were to play Monday, that would actually be a better day for Tomlin to pitch, because it gets more closer, less time in between (starts), Francona said. But if we dont know, were not going to gamble on it. Well see. Unless we knew wed probably have a bullpen day. If they went into their game Sunday and they werent sure there was going to be a game, were not going to hold Tomlin out. Weve got to worry about ourselves.While the Indians know they are in the postseason, the 2015 World Series champion Royals are aware they will not be in the playoffs for the first time in three years. They were mathematically eliminated on Wednesday.The Royals have been riddled by injuries to key players this season, including All-Stars Mike Moustakas, Alex Gordon, Wade Davis and Lorenzo Cain missing significant time. If they were healthy all season, the Royals might be back in the postseason.There is really no playing the what-if game, Royals manager Ned Yost said. It doesnt do you any good.The Royals will start right-hander Yordano Ventura for the series opener Friday. Ventura has won three of his past four decisions at Kauffman Stadium, where he is 7-4 with a 4.31 ERA and opponents batting .248 off him. Ventura gave up 10 hits, matching a season high, in four innings in a no-decision against Detroit in his previous start.Ventura is 5-2 with a 3.56 ERA since Aug. 1. Prior to that, he was 6-9 with a 4.88 ERA.Merritt went 11-8 with a 3.70 ERA in 24 starts with Triple-A Columbus. He has made three relief appearances with the Indians, allowing one run and three hits over six innings. Merritt, 24, was a 16th-round draft pick in 2011 out of McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas, where he was a junior college All-American. Cheap Air Max 2018 .C. -- Manny Malhotra had two goals and an assist, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. White Air Max 2018 On Sale . JOHNS, N. http://www.wholesaleairmaxsale.com/ . -- Al Jefferson found a groove just in time for the Charlotte Bobcats. Cheap Air Max 2018 Sale . Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey last Sunday. The fine is the fourth this season for Goldson. He was fined $30,000 for a hit on the New York Jets Jeff Cumberland in Week 1. Mens Air Max 2018 Grey . NBA officials ruled the court unplayable in the Bucks final exhibition game on Oct. 25 because players were slipping, and the game was cancelled midway through the first period. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- Jalen Coleman-Lands and Maverick Morgan scored 18 points apiece to lead six players in double figures and Illinois beat Division II McKendree 112-65 on Tuesday night.The game was a strong response from Coleman-Lands, who struggled in the first two games of the season.It feels good (to get my shot going), especially with the last two games, Coleman-Lands said. My teammates just do a good job of trusting me. Its just about repetition and getting ready for the next game.Michael Finke had 17 points, on 8-of-10 shooting, and eight rebounds and Tracy Abrams was 5-of-5 from the field with four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points and six assists. Aaron Jordan scored 11, including three 3s, and Mike Thorne Jr. had 10 points and 10 rebounds.Illinois (3-0) opened the game with a 7-0 run, including five points by Finke, and never trailed.Coleman-Lands hit 3-pointers on three-consecutive possessions to make it 21-10 with 12:28 left in the first half and the Illini led by double figures the rest of the way.The Illinois bench outscored McKendrees reserves 59-23 and shot 56 percent from the field, including 16 of 28 (57 percent) from 3-point range.Illinois head coach John Groce was proud of his teams performance given his teams sloppy play in the first two games.They responded today, Groce said. We have a long way to go, but they played hard today for a lot longer and I liked the attitudes and vibes on our team. That was a good step in the right direction.Nate Michael, son of former Illinois basketball player Tom Michael, led the McKendree (1-0) with 255 points.dddddddddddd The game served as an exhibition for Bearcats.Tuesday was a moment that Michael said hell never forget.It was a dream come true, Michael said. Growing up just down the road here, having season tickets when my dad worked here . I just wish we played a little bit better here. We definitely enjoyed ourselves, and this will help us in the future.BIG PICTUREIllinois: The Illini played the way they should against a Division-II team. Illinois will play two more relatively easy games before facing No. 19 West Virginia in the NIT Season Tip-Off on Nov. 24.McKendree: The Bearcats had a good idea of how the game was going to go before the ball was even tipped. Theyll return to regular competition Saturday.STAR WATCHAfter scoring a career-high 40 points against Northern Kentucky on Sunday, Malcolm Hill was limited to three points.FRESHMAN STANDOUTTeJon Lucas got some early playing time after starter Tracy Abrams got into foul trouble. The freshman guard took advantage of the opportunity, finishing with nine points and six assists.HIGHLIGHT REELColeman-Lands took a break from draining shots in the second half when he assisted Maverick Morgan on a behind-the-head pass.UP NEXTIllinois hosts Detroit on Friday night as part of the NIT Season Tip-Off tournament.McKendree returns to regular-season games Saturday when the Bearcats host Crowleys Ridge on Saturday night.---More AP college basketball: http://collegebasketball.ap.org ' ' '