ST. LOUIS - The St. Louis Cardinals acquired John Lackey for a moment just like this. The right-hander will try to give the Cardinals the upper hand in their National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, as the set shifts to Busch Stadium for Game 3. Lackey was acquired from the Boston Red Sox at the non-waiver trade deadline and struggled a bit, going 3-3 with a 4.30 ERA in 10 starts. After dealing with a tired arm, Lackey did end the year strong, allowing just three earned runs over his final two starts, spanning 14 1/3 innings. He does bring an impressive postseason resume with him, one that has two World Series titles on it, including one last year that saw him win the deciding game for the Red Sox against the Cardinals. Im at the point of my career where being in the postseason and having the opportunity to win championships is definitely the most important thing, Lackey said. I take pride in trying to pitch well at this time of year, and Ive been fortunate to be on some good teams that had that opportunity. Lackey has pitched in 19 postseason games (16 starts) and is 6-5 with a 3.03 ERA. We were very happy to bring him into our club, Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. We had a real good idea what we were going to get -- a veteran presence, a guy who knows what hes doing, knows how to go about and use his stuff, and just another starter to be ... in a leadership role and a voice for the rest of our staff. And hes been all of the above. Hes come out and pitched well, hes competed and kept us in games, and hes a gamer. Hes a competitor. Hes a guy that we like to watch compete, especially on this kind of stage. Los Angeles, meanwhile, will hand the ball to lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu, who hasnt pitched since Sept. 12 because of a couple of injuries. The Korean hurler has battled back problems, not to mention a shoulder issue that was addressed with a cortisone shot. When he takes the hill on Monday it will be only his fourth start since Aug. 13. Overall, I feel really good, Ryu said through an interpreter. Compared to the last time I had this injury, I actually took the mound a few more times. I tried to make sure I didnt do too much or too little. I feel very confident right now. My arm feels really good. My shoulder feels really strong. And I have a pretty good feeling Ill be able to put in a good game tomorrow. Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly stated that Dan Haren, who has already been named the Game 4 starter, would be the first pitcher out of the bullpen should Ryu get injured again. Im thinking that theres very little, almost zero percent chance that the injury is going to come back tomorrow, Ryu said. Im not even thinking about it. I dont think its good for my psyche to think that way. I threw a few bullpen sessions and I went 100 percent, I felt great in all those sessions, I dont foresee a reason why I would feel anything tomorrow. When healthy, Ryu was solid, going 14-7 with a 3.38 ERA in 26 starts. Still, he was limited to only 152 innings this season. After St. Louis roughed up probable NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw in Game 1, Los Angeles evened the series on Saturday, as Matt Kemps leadoff blast in the bottom of the eighth lifted the Dodgers to a 3-2 win. Like Bostons Carlton Fisk in the 1975 World Series, Kemp pleaded with the ball while it was in the air, calling for it to stay fair, then celebrated around first base when it complied. St. Louis had tied the game in its half of the eighth on a two-run home run from Matt Carpenter, who was the hero of the Cards Game 1 win with four RBI. To face Kershaw and Greinke and get a split, thats what we were after, said Carpenter. Carpenter is 4-for-8 in the series with two homers, two doubles and six RBIs. He is now tied with Carlos Beltran (2013) and Daniel Descalso (2012) for the third-most RBI in an NLDS in Cardinals history. TSNs Game Notes: * The Cardinals Matt Carpenter is 4-8 with 4 extra-base hits and 6 RBI in the series (the rest of the team is 11-59 with 3 XBH, 6 RBI). * John Lackey has a 1.93 ERA in 11 career appearances (10 starts) against the Dodgers, his 2nd-lowest ERA against any team hes faced more than once. * Hyun-Jin Ryu opposes Lackey for the Dodgers. He allowed 3 hits in 7 scoreless IP against the Cardinals in Game 3 of last years NLCS. Los Angeles took four of the seven regular season matchups between these clubs this season. St. Louis and Los Angeles have met four times in the playoffs (1985, 2004, 2009, 2013) and the Dodgers won only one series, sweeping the Cards in three games in the 2009 Division Series. Los Angeles was 0-3 at Busch Stadium in last years playoffs, shut out twice. The Dodgers scored two runs and totaled 16 hits in 31 innings with no homers. B.J. Hill Jersey . -- Peyton Manning is the only player in this Super Bowl who has won the big game. Olivier Vernon Jersey . Both had to wait out a rain interruption lasting nearly five hours before taking comprehensive third-round victories to join Carling Bassett-Seguso (1983, 1986), Patricia Hy-Boulais (1996-97) and Daniel Nestor (1999) as Canadians who made it into the second week of a major. http://www.officialnewyorkgiantsfootball...n-jersey-womens. In fact, with a few improvements, this could very well be a decent team over the next few seasons. I will go into more detail when digging into the Canucks Off-Season Game Plan, which will be coming earlier this year since they are part of the non-playoff contingent, there are some reasons to think this is a favourable situation for President of Hockey Operations Trevor Linden and whomever he selects to be the new general manager. Evan Engram Jersey . 5 Trade Deadline is drawing closer and teams will be deciding on whether to buy or sell. Phil Simms Jersey . -- New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft wanted to keep Logan Mankins with the team for a long time.BEREA, Ohio - On any given day, Josh Gordons size, speed and agility separates him from others on the field. Hes that rare talent, the player everyone notices. Hes standing out for another reason. Gordon is awaiting another possible NFL suspension for reportedly failing a drug test, a violation that could cost the Pro Bowl wide receiver a full season. But while his future remains cloudy, Clevelands young star is doing all he can to improve his dazzling skills. After gliding over the middle on Tuesday, Gordon leaped to snag a pass before tucking the ball away and sprinting from a defender. If hes burdened, Gordons hiding it well. "Hes showing up every day as the No. 1 receiver, hes not showing up as a guy whos uncertain about his future," said wide receiver Nate Burleson. "Thats all he can do right now, is go to work as if hes our No. 1 because he is." Arguably Clevelands best player, Gordon could be facing a lengthy suspension for marijuana use. The 23-year-old was suspended two games last season for violating the leagues substance-abuse policy and still led the league in yards receiving. The league has not commented on Gordons status. He complicated his situation last week when he was ticketed for speeding and a passenger in his car was cited for marijuana possession. Gordon is scheduled to appear in Berea Municipal Court on Wednesday. Browns first-year coach Mike Pettine believes the uncertainty is weighing on Gordon. It has to be. "I cant imagine that it wouldnt," Pettine said. "It would be human nature." Gordon politely declined an interview request. He entered the league with a history of substance-abuse issues. Gordon is known to have failed at least three drug tests in college, but the Browns were willing to overlook his past when they selected him in the second round of the supplemental draft in 2012. His risky behaviour has jeopardized his career, but the Browns insist they will stick by him. Pettine acknowledged some frustration in not knowing Gordons status. "Until we hear from the league, were going to be business as usual," he said. "At this point, there is nothing to act on. Everyone can sense the frustration, and its a difficult thing. But until it happens, we have a plan in place for all eventualities but were still in a holding pattern." While the Browns wait, Pettinne said Gordon has not let the uncertainty affect his performance.dddddddddddd "He comes out and works hard, puts in a days work, solid in the classroom," Pettine said. "When hes in the building, hes been solid. Its not the first guy in the league to be like that where when hes in the building hes great and has some issues, for whatever reason due to circumstances, when hes out of the building. Im not a stranger to situations like that." The Browns signed Burleson, a 12-year veteran, as a free agent to provide leadership to Clevelands group of young receivers. Burleson hasnt spoken with Gordon specifically about his situation, but has been providing any support he can. "I just do the same thing I was doing before the news came out," Burleson said. "Help motivate him, him and the other guys. Im here as a guy who, one, can show young guys how to be a professional athlete on and off the field and two, try to motivate them in different ways. "Hes so gifted and so talented that its hard to coach greatness. Its hard to motivate greatness." Burleson played with Randy Moss in Minnesota and Calvin Johnson in Detroit. He knows what a superstar wide receiver looks like and believes Gordon has what it takes to be one of the best. Like everyone associated with the Browns, Burleson is eager for a positive outcome for Gordon. "That type of talent you want on the field, whether its at practice or game day," Burleson. "You only get so many guys every few years that redefine the position and hes one of those guys. Hes not your traditional receiver. Theres Calvin and theres Randy, these guys were hit with that special stick and God blessed them with attributes you can only create in video games. "For him to miss any time, its a loss for everybody in general, fans especially. The hope is that hes on the field." Pettine believes the Browns have a good support system in place to help Gordon, and the league has been proactive in helping troubled players. However, theres a shared responsibility. "There has to be a willingness on the other side," he said. "Sometimes they get the message and its too late. In all my time in the league, theres always going to be a handful of guys that just dont get it." ___ AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '