.[Thursday] is not an elimination game or a deciding game,

MIAMI -- The Miami Marlins and Cincinnati Reds are teams headed in opposite directions, but they do have at least one thing in common.Developments on Friday have both organizations looking for possible reinforcements.The Marlins (45-41) are looking for a fifth starter after announcing earlier in the day that they were demoting Justin Nicolino to the minors for the second time this season.Meanwhile, the Reds are likely looking for a temporary second baseman while veteran Brandon Phillips recovers from a hairline fracture on his left hand. He suffered the injury when he was hit by a pitch on Friday night in Miamis 3-1, series-opening win.Phillips could try to play with the injury, but more will be known on Saturday in the middle game of a series between the teams that concludes on Sunday.Nicolino was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans, a move that was no surprise because he was 0-5 with a 6.31 ERA in his past 10 major league starts.His spot in the rotation will come up again after the All-Star break, on July 19.Were looking for the best alternative, Marlins manager Don Mattingly said of the Nicolino spot in the rotation. Were not committed to Nico getting the next start. We dont have to make that decision right now. Were trying to find the right combination of guys to win games.Among the trade possibilities are Julio Teheran of the Atlanta Braves, but that would require Miami to send back significant minor league talent. The problem there is that the Marlins farm system is thin at the moment.Other starters who may be available include San Diegos Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross, Philadelphia Jeremy Hellickson, Minnesotas Ervin Santana, Oaklands Rich Hill and Tampa Bays Drew Smyly.Oaklands Sonny Gray and Tampa Bays Matt Moore are other potential targets.Meanwhile, for the Reds, Jose Peraza stepped in and played second base after Phillips was hit by a Jose Fernandez changeup in the seventh inning.Peraza, a 22-year-old from Venezuela, will apparently get the first shot at second base if Phillips is unable to play with the injury. Peraza originally signed with the Atlanta Braves six years ago and made his major league debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season.He has battled hamstring injuries and was acquired by the Reds this past December. After starting the 2016 season at Triple-A Louisville, Peraza made his Reds debut on May 13.Now he may step into a larger-than-expected role.In Saturday game, Miami will start left-hander Adam Conley (5-5, 3.65 ERA). He is 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA against the Reds, making his only appearance against Cincinnati last season.The Reds will counter with left-hander John Lamb (1-5, 5.43 ERA). It will be his first appearance against the Marlins. The Reds have lost his past three starts and nine of his 12 for the year. Taylor Rapp Jersey . -- Gus Malzahn finally had his day in Fayetteville. Orlando Pace Jersey . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. http://www.ramsrookiestore.com/Rams-Aaron-Donald-Jersey/ . LOUIS -- The New Orleans Saints looked like a team playing out the string. Darrell Henderson Rams Jersey . Laudrup revealed Thursday he was notified of his dismissal in "the briefest of letters which gave no reasons why such hasty and final action was deemed necessary. Robert Woods Youth Jersey . Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan scored shootout goals, and backup goalie Cam Talbot earned his second win in two nights as the Rangers shook off a late tying tally and beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 Monday night. The Big Ten placed three teams in the top five of The Associated Press college football poll for the first time in 56 years, setting up a No. 2 vs. No. 3 matchup for Ohio State and Michigan.Alabama was a unanimous No. 1 in the poll released Sunday. The Buckeyes were No. 2 and Wolverines No. 3. They meet in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday in a game with Big Ten and national championship implications.Clemson is No. 4, and No. 5 Wisconsin gives the Big Ten three of the first five for the first time since Nov. 7, 1960, when Minnesota was No. 1, Ohio State was No. 3 and Iowa was No. 5.Louisville dropped eight spots to No. 11 after getting trounced by Houston, which jumped in at No. 18.The 113th meeting of Michigan and Ohio State will mark the 11th time the rivals will both be ranked in the top five and the first since 2006, when they had their only 1-2 matchup. The Buckeyes won that game 42-39 in Columbus to earn a spot in the BCS title game.Alabamas Nick Saban won his 41st game while coaching a No. 1 team, passing Ohio States Woody Hayes and Florida States Bobby Bowden for the most victories with a top-ranked squad.Houston began the season ranked No. 15 and made its way to No.dddddddddddd 6 as it started 5-0. Losses to Navy and SMU knocked the Cougars from the rankings, but they surged back in after beating the Cardinals 36-10 at home. Those conference losses will keep Houston out of the American Athletic Conference championship game, but the Cougars are the AACs only ranked team this week.Tennessee moved back in at No. 24.While Houston and Tennessee moved back into the poll, Troy dropped out after losing to Arkansas State after making its?first appearance in the rankings last week.?San Diego State again spent just one week in rankings. Since 1977, the Aztecs are 0-4 as a ranked team.Elsewhere, No. 13 Florida moved up eight spots after narrowly slipping past LSU with a late goal-line stand.No. 9 Colorado, No. 10 Oklahoma State and No. 12 USC all moved up three spots.Meanwhile, No. 19 West Virginia fell nine spots after losing to Oklahoma. And?No. 21 Utah dropped 10 spots after a last-second loss to Oregon.Information from The Associated Press was used in this poll. ' ' '