game is essentially geared toward the fans. Delabar won with 9.6 million votes. The right-hander is 5-1 with a 1.74 ERA in 37 appearances for the Blue Jays. The Braves and Blue Jays had partnered

CHICAGO -- Javier Baez is putting on quite a show for the Chicago Cubs. And he just might be turning these playoffs into his personal stage.Whether hes hitting a game-winning home run or making some spectacular defensive play, Baez has been hard to miss in these playoffs. And hes a big reason why the Cubs are in the NL Championship Series for the second straight year.Ive got a job to do, Baez said. Im not surprised. I know what I can do. I know what this team can do. Im just having fun right now and obviously trying to win.It must be fun to be Baez these days.The Cubs came into the postseason with the best record in the majors and their sights set on their first championship since 1908.They knocked out San Francisco in four games in the NL Division Series in no small part because of Baezs play at the plate and at second base. They open the NLCS against the Dodgers at Wrigley Field on Saturday, and if they take out Los Angeles, a franchise defined more by curses and heartbreak will go to the World Series for the first time since 1945.On a team loaded with stars, Baez has been putting on quite a show in the postseason.He hit the winning home run off Johnny Cueto in the opener against the Giants and the go-ahead single in the ninth in Game 4.On defense, playing mostly second base, it was as if the Baez highlight reel was on a nonstop loop with no shortage of diving stops and lightning quick tags.Even when he was chewing gum in the dugout Baez managed to amaze. Take this gem from Game 4 of the NLDS.The gum popped out after Baez put it in his mouth, but what happened next was about as impressive as any play he made in the field. He juggled it a few times, finally snagged it with his right hand. Baez pointed at a trainer as he was about to put it back in his mouth, then looked the camera, and grinned.I saw the camera, Baez said. I didnt know if he got it or not, but I caught it.No surprise.After all, the 23-year-old Baez has been catching just about everything that comes his way this season. And if thats not enough, he also hit .273 with 14 homers and 59 RBI in 142 games.Thats a big jump considering he struck out 95 times in 213 at-bats .169 after he debuted for the Cubs in 2014. But his swing is more compact now. He closed his stance and cut down the big leg kick he had when he first arrived.Now, hes looking like a breakout star.Manager Joe Maddon noticed the potential watching Baez in winter ball in Puerto Rico, right after he was hired two years ago.Everybody was talking about his hitting and the fact that he needed to hit better at the plate and be more selective, he said. And I was, `OK, I get that. I was impressed by everything else that he did. Sometimes we get caught up on somebodys weaknesses and dont glorify their strengths. I mean, his strengths are pretty outstanding.Baez was taken by the Cubs with the ninth pick in the 2011 amateur draft and worked his way through the minors as a shortstop. But with Addison Russell there, he has become a super-utility player.That could change down the line, depending on the moves the Cubs make. But they are relying on him to play multiple positions -- and to play them as well as anyone.Baez just might be the best defensive second baseman, shortstop and third baseman on the team. And considering Russell could win a Gold Glove, thats saying something.When the Cubs believe more balls will be hit to the right side, they put Baez at second. When they think the left side is where the action will be, he might start at third. And when Russell needs a breather, well, who better than Baez to fill in at shortstop?You have to get used to being flexible, not knowing what the lineups gonna look like and just jumping in there and being ready to help and do whatever you can, said Ben Zobrist, who has built his career around playing multiple positions. And hes done a great job of that this year. Theres been days he hasnt played. And theres been days he has. And theres been days hes come in mid-game or late in the game for defensive purposes. Whatever role they put him in this year, hes done really well and hes had a great attitude about it. DeAnthony Thomas Jersey . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night. James Hurst Jersey . Boucher previously coached the Tampa Bay Lightning and had a 97-78-20 record over two-plus seasons. He was dismissed by the team last March after the Lightning struggled in the lockout-shortened season with a 13-18-1 record. http://www.customravensjersey.com/custom-sam-koch-jersey-large-2233d.html . Down by seven with 90 seconds left in regulation, thats where they looked comfortable. Jim Leonhard Jersey .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. Steve Smith Sr. Jersey . Canada is now down to its 22-player limit, although but players wont be registered until Christmas Day. Changes could still be made as a result of a suspension or injury. So much for Puig-mania sweeping the country. Give this contest to Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman. Freeman and Toronto reliever Steve Delabar won the fan voting for the final spots in next weeks All-Star game, meaning Los Angeles Dodgers sensation Yasiel Puig is likely headed for a few days off after a terrific stretch to begin his major league career. Freeman set a record with 19.7 million votes, and Puig was second. Major League Baseball didnt release the vote total for Puig, but said the Cuban defector also surpassed the previous record for the final vote of 15.6 million for Shane Victorino in 2009. "Its unbelievable," Freeman said. "Im kind of speechless. I wouldnt be here without the fans and I just saw that its 19.7 million votes. Its incredible and its just a dream come true." Freeman was taking ground balls during batting practice before Atlantas 6-5 victory over Cincinnati on Thursday night when general manager Frank Wren called him over and told him about his first All-Star selection. The slugger had three hits and four RBIs against the Reds and is batting .313 with nine homers and 60 RBIs in 79 games. "I never, ever thought that I would make one," Freeman said. "I just wanted to get to the big leagues, and when I got here I just wanted to win ballgames. All-Star games were not on my mind. "To win this is just beyond me." Puig wont get to play in the July 16 game at Citi Field in New York unless he is added as an injury replacement. The outfielder is batting .394 with eight homers and 19 RBIs heading into Thursday nights home game against Colorado, helping the Dodgers shoot up the NL West standings followwing a slow start.dddddddddddd "I dont have my head down at all," Puig said through an interpreter before the game. "I want to congratulate Freddie Freeman for winning the vote. Im happy for everyone who voted. I have to keep playing. Hopefully the best things come out for this team for the future." Puig has been in the majors for only five weeks, leading some to question whether he belongs on the NL team. "If he can continue to do what hes doing over seasons, then were going to see a lot of Yasiel," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "How good you are really is measured over time." The final vote for the AL team also had its share of controversy, with Tigers manager Jim Leyland nominating five middle relievers for the spot. There was some talk about whether the list should have included more high-profile players, since the All-Star game is essentially geared toward the fans. Delabar won with 9.6 million votes. The right-hander is 5-1 with a 1.74 ERA in 37 appearances for the Blue Jays. The Braves and Blue Jays had partnered up in the process, asking fans to vote for each others player. The other players on the list included righties David Robertson of the Yankees, Joaquin Benoit of the Tigers, Koji Uehara of the Red Sox, and Tanner Scheppers of the Rangers. Freeman and Puig finished ahead of San Francisco outfielder Hunter Pence, Washington shortstop Ian Desmond, and Los Angeles first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. MLB said a record 79.2 million votes were cast between the two leagues, easily cruising past the previous record of 68.6 million from 2009. Votes were cast through text message, Twitter and MLB.com. ' ' '