SEATTLE -- In their only six games played against non-playoff contenders since the All-Star break, the Seattle Mariners went 5-1 while inching back into the postseason picture.That might be a good omen for a team that is about to see the softest part of its schedule.The Mariners (59-53) have one more game against a fellow wild-card hopeful, the Detroit Tigers (61-52), before embarking on a 16-game stretch that features five opponents all at or below the .500 mark.The Oakland As, Los Angeles Angels, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox have already shipped off high-end talent such as Aroldis Chapman, Carlos Beltran, Jonathan Lucroy, Rich Hill and Josh Reddick, so Seattle might have a chance to make a move in the wild-card race.Before any of that can happen, the Mariners play the final game of a Detroit series that could affect the AL playoff picture.Seattle took the first two games of the series, including a memorable, 15-inning marathon that lasted 4 hours, 51 minutes on Tuesday night. Both teams were so strapped for pitchers that they had to use a starter in the extra frames, and the bullpens wont have many arms available for Wednesday.The Mariners gave up a run in the top of the 15th inning Tuesday, then scored twice in the bottom of the inning for a 6-5 win.That was crazy, Seattle third baseman Kyle Seager said after the Mariners rallied twice to win their fifth consecutive game -- a season-best streak.The final game of the series features two of the games greatest pitchers of the past decade.Detroit right-hander Justin Verlander (12-6, 3.52 ERA) and Seattle right-hander Felix Hernandez (6-4, 3.55 ERA) have combined for 17 Opening Day starts, 2,321 strikeouts, 12 All-Star appearances and two Cy Young Awards -- but they have pitched in the same game only twice, each earning a win over the other. The last time they squared off was in April 2009, when Verlander and the Tigers beat the Mariners 6-3.Hernandez, 30, goes into the game with a little bit of momentum after rebounding from a rough first inning to pitch eight innings his last time out, Friday against the Angels. He is starting to round into form after a stint on the disabled list from May 28-July 19.Verlander, meanwhile, is pitching as he did in his prime. Over his past seven starts, the 33-year-old veteran is 5-0 with a 1.85 ERA.Verlander is always amped to pitch against fellow aces.Whether its him versus (the New York Mets Noah) Syndergaard or him versus Chris Sale (of the White Sox), his concentration goes up to another notch, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said after Verlander outdueled Syndergaard on Friday. He wants to beat that guy. Even though they dont actually face each other in the American League, he wants to beat that guy or walk off the field with the lead.Both starters will have even more on their shoulders as a pair of overworked bullpens try to piece it together for the final game of the series. Both teams ended up using eight pitchers in Tuesdays game. Every available bullpen arm pitched at least one inning -- except Tigers closer Felix Rodriguez, who got just two outs while allowing the tying and winning runs in the 15th.Penny Hardaway Jersey . -- Mike Smith never saw his first NHL goal go in. Penny Hardaway Suns Jersey . The home side created most of the chances but struggled to break down Braunschweigs resilient defence, resulting in the Bundesligas 1,000th scoreless draw. http://www.officialsunsfanstore.com/steve-nash-suns-jersey/ . Schenn scored the game-winning goal and added two assists to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames at the Scotiabank Saddledome on Tuesday. Jamal Crawford Suns Jersey . -- Patrick Reed got an early start in golf. Charles Barkley Suns Jersey . The No. 1-ranked Nadal tweaked his back warming up for the Australian Open final, which he lost almost four weeks ago in a major upset against Stanislas Wawrinka. His first stop after the layoff is the clay in Rio as he tests the back and tries to stay healthy for the French Open in three months.Conor McGregor’s rematch against Nate Diaz is still not official but remains the preferred fight for the Irishman’s team.The UFC featherweight champion stepped up two weight divisions earlier this month but lost by submission to Diaz, who was a short-notice replacement for Rafael Dos Anjos.A potential rematch with Diaz has been suggested for the milestone UFC 200 event in July, held at Las Vegas brand new arena, but McGregors striking coach Owen Roddy has insisted that they havent been approached yet. If he beats Jose Aldo again, what does that really say? Frankie Edgar? That could possibly be the one. Rafael Dos Anjos? I dont think he wants the fight. McGregors coach Owen Roddy I havent heard it from Conors mouth yet so its just speculation at the moment, Roddy exclusively told Sky Sports. It seems to be the case but its not 100 percent yet.If he does what we have planned now, he can beat Diaz on the second occasion. It makes for the most exciting fight.If he beats Jose Aldo again, what does that really say? Frankie Edgar? That could possibly be the one. Dos Anjos? I dont think he wants the fight.But if Conor goes back and puts Diaz away, that would be amazing. Owen Roddy (right) is the man behind McGregors KO wins McGregor & Rousey: What now? How will UFC star duo react to defeat? McGregor, the 145lbs champion, was due to challenge for Dos Anjos 155lbs belt until the Brazilian withdrew, to be replaced by Diaz. Concerns about Diazs short-notice weight cut meant the hastily arranged fight was set at a 170lbs limit.Despite Diaz being ranked at No 6 in the lightweight (155lbs) division, Roddy insists McGregors team have no problem with revisiting welterweight (170lbs).He said: Its looking like 170 again but that isnt confirmed. Conor probably wants to prove it was a small mistake and he slipped up. I saw claims that the issue was fighting above his weight, but realistically Conorr walks around at the weight he was fighting at on that night.dddddddddddd Roddy insists weight isnt an issue for McGregor But everything still has to be confirmed. Until it is, its up in the air. Conor will get the offers, and it will be basically whatever he wants. Hell put it to [head coach] John Kavanagh, who gives his opinion, and we go from there. Ill go with whatever Conor wants because I really do believe he beats everybody. I dont care who they put in front of him in those weight categories.Confidence from the Irish camp stems from a belief that McGregor was comfortably beating Diaz until tiring in the second round, leading to his downfall.Roddy, responsible for McGregors striking training, thinks a few minor adjustments would result in another knockout victory. McGregor landed plenty of early punches against Nate Diaz He was winning the fight but punched himself out, Roddy said. He was trying to force the finish. He was landing his shots but, because Diaz was able to take them, Conor was throwing higher and higher combinations and got exhausted. The tables turned.Conor is smart, he read it very well. He believed he was trying to knock him out with every punch and was putting too much behind every shot. If we get him to only put power behind certain shots, he should reserve his energy more.In the build-up to the fight we had him moving a lot more but he didnt seem to do it because he was landing his shots and wanted to put the guy away. In the training, we had Conor counter-striking. Because he was landing so early, he got himself tired. If we stick to popping shots and moving, I think hell put Diaz away. McGregor v Diaz talking points Five things we learnedAlso See:McGregor & Rousey: What now?New York ban liftedMcGregor v Diaz: Talking pointsDiaz submits McGregor ' ' '
