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Josh Gordon ruled out of the dress rehearsal game Thursday night vs. the Eagles

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Gordon won't play vs. the Eagles.

BEREA, Ohio -- Hue Jackson has ruled Josh Gordon out of Thursday night's dress rehearsal game against the Eagles at FirstEnergy Stadium.

"No, Josh is not playing this Thursday night. No,'' Jackson said. "That's for sure."

Gordon returned from his treatment program at the University of Florida, but hasn't yet been cleared to practice. His return to the field will be a collaborative decision on the part of his medical team, the NFL, the Browns and Gordon.

He's currently on the active/non-football injury list, which permits him to attend meetings and conditioning sessions, but not practice.

Jackson said it's possible Gordon can begin practicing after this game, in which the starters often play into the third quarter to prepare for the opener.

Jackson said Gordon might play the preseason finale in Detroit Aug. 30th despite the fact most or all of the starters could rest that game.

"I would not be opposed to it,'' he said.

Jackson said he's hopes to get Gordon "up and running'' by the opener Sept. 9 against the Steelers, and receiver Jarvis Landry said there's no doubt in his mind Gordon will play in that game.


ESPN says it had nothing to do with bogus Tweet: Indians' Trevor Bauer apologizes

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Trevor Bauer issued an apology to ESPN for accusing them of airing a fake tweet about his treatment and recovery timetable for a stress fracture to his right leg. Watch video

BOSTON -- Indians right-hander Trevor Bauer has apologized to ESPN for saying it treated a bogus tweet as fact regarding his timetable and treatment for a broken right fibula.

ESPN, after inspecting its news platforms, says the tweet never appeared on any of them.

On Saturday, Bauer requested a retraction from MLB Network and ESPN after he said the two sports networks treated a fake tweet about him as if it was fact. MLB Network issued a retraction on Saturday.

An ESPN spokesman said Monday that it found no evidence that they ever used the tweet.

"Erroneously, some people believed it was on ESPN," said David Scott of ESPN's public relations department. "We have no evidence of that."

Here is what Bauer tweeted on Saturday after the Indians announced the he would be sidelined for four to six weeks with a stress fracture of the right fibula. He suffered the injury on Aug. 11 after he was hit by line drive off the bat of Jose Abreu at Guaranteed Rate Field.


Bauer was responding to this tweet by Michael Baumann of The Ringer:

Bauer, in his apology, said he was told by friends and Twitter followers that MLB Network and ESPN both aired the fake tweet. He ended his 35 second cellphone video by saying, "I want to set the record straight and apologize to ESPN for wrongly accusing them of broadcasting this misinformation."

Hue Jackson says Jarvis Landry's block wasn't dirty

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Jackson says Landry's block wasn't illegal and that he led with his shoulder.

BEREA, Ohio -- Hue Jackson defended Jarvis Landry's block on Carlos Hyde's TD run, saying it wasn't dirty.

"There was not a flag,'' said Jackson. "It was a touchdown. That's all I can say. I think that Jarvis apologized if anybody got hurt. At the same time, this is football. It was not a penalty. Those things happen to our guys. It's football."

Jackson said he'd tell Landry to do the same thing over again the next time.

"He has to block,'' said Jackson. "His job is to block and make it legal. It was a legal block. I think he did his job."

Jackson said the block was legal because "he did not lead with his helmet. He hit with his shoulder."

Another NFL offensive coach reviewed the play and also told cleveland.com Landry didn't lead with his helmet and that the block was legal. He said the cornerback should've realized he'd be blocked and noted that Landry even get his body in front and was "doing his job.''

Two Bills defenders took exception to the block on on rookie cornerback Taron Johnson, calling it "dirty'' "B.S." and "ridiculous.''

Johnson, who was slow to get up, said Landry later apologized to him, according to ESPN. He walked off the field with trainers, but later returned to the field.

"Landry, he's a good receiver, physical guy, but some of those plays that he has -- Aaron Williams, Taron, I'm pretty sure he has other ones -- I just think they're dirty," Bills linebacker Lorenzo Alexander said Sunday, via ESPN. "Coming from the outside of the box in, the league needs to do a better job of calling penalties on those types of plays.

"Obviously defenders get called all the time on stuff that is probably less egregious than that. If we're going to protect our football players, we need to protect everybody, not just offensive guys.''

He added, "It was dirty at the end of the day, and that's how I feel about it."

Bills safety Micah Hyde said, "To me, that's B.S. You can't do that. All you have to do is get into position, screen him off. He doesn't have to come in and try to kill anybody."

Browns left guard Austin Corbett praised the block, which helped spring Hyde.

"That's awesome,'' he said. "A lot of people don't give receivers credit for wanting to block. They just think if I don't catch the ball, then whatever. But that kind of shows the mentality that he has the culture that he's bringing into that room. He's laying his body on the line for our team, and he's going to make plays at the same time. That's all you can ask for. Coming in here with that type of player and that leadership, it's just been so awesome. As a rookie, it's everything I could ask for."

Corbett also defended the block.

"Nah, I mean it's football,'' he said. "You know? I'm sure it would go the same way if they did it to one our guys, and it's all perspective. But that's football and it's the nature of the game we play. That's just a guy making a play."

Austin Corbett settling in at left guard on Browns shuffling offensive line

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Corbett is getting used to facing a little more size on the interior of the line. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Sure, all the focus has been on Joel Bitonio moving from left guard to left tackle. Lost in the talk of that, though, is rookie Austin Corbett making the move Bitonio made when he came into the league, from guard to tackle.

"It's a lot more physical on the inside, for sure," Corbett said on Monday. "I remember against the Giants, that was my first time going up against 350 (pounds)-plus. That's just a lot of man, so it's different in that sense."

Corbett opened his career with the Browns as a potential option to replace Joe Thomas at left tackle. He spent chunks of the spring and the early days of camp working at left tackle, usually behind Shon Coleman, who was getting first-team reps there.

It didn't take long, though, for the Browns coaching staff to decide to go nuclear at the position and move Bitonio from his familiar left guard spot to left tackle. That meant Corbett, who replaced Bitonio at left tackle at Nevada, would move into the now vacant left guard position.

Corbett said that his first few reps at guard seemed fast, which made him want to rush things. The patience he learned playing tackle, though, has helped him overcome that.

"It's gotten to the point where it's not as fast as I once thought it was," Corbett said. "I still have time, I still have the patience, I think kind of coming from tackle has helped me understand that patience, so it's just a matter of you've got to set back, be able to get your read on it, your hands have to be a lot quicker and you can't give up any ground at the same time."

Corbett noticed the difference from preseason Game No. 1 vs. the Giants and Game No. 2 vs. the Bills.

"In that first game I was just out there trying to play and make sure that I was doing everything I can to not get beat," he said. "You know, OK, this guy is 350, I've got to get after him, and you really don't. You still gotta have that patience and if you get too aggressive, everyone is just too good they are going to swim over, swipe you whatever it is and you're going to get beat."

Center JC Tretter said it can take time to adjust to having a new player next to him, especially a rookie, but he said Corbet is always looking to learn and is willing to ask questions of the veterans around him.

"Austin's a really bright kid, so he picks things up," Tretter said. "You tell him one time, and he's got it, which is really nice to work with. So he's done a really good job."

Tretter's not kidding, by the way. Corbett said he was a public health major with a medical school emphasis. Corbett talked about how he was trying to get a 4.0 GPA at Nevada while playing football.

"I got a handful of them," Corbett said. "A couple I didn't get."

One thing Corbett will get a handful of now that he's working on the inside is very good interior pass rushers.

"He is just going to have to understand there are some really dynamic 3 techniques in this league, one being (Bengals DL) Geno Atkins," head coach Hue Jackson said. "Going every day, sometimes Myles (Garrett) end up down in there. Larry Ogunjobi ends up in there. I think it is tough. At the same time, those guys have to battle, and I think that is what he is trying to understand. Every week is going to be different."

This week, it's Fletcher Cox and the Eagles defensive front, the same defensive front that made the play against Tom Brady that ultimately won them a Super Bowl.

"Their front across the board is real solid and that's a solid defense altogether," Corbett said, "and so now it's going to be good, we're getting a lot of reps together with the ones. It's just going to be a good test for the whole team."

The Browns' stated goal since the draft has been putting the five best offensive linemen on the field. We know that includes Bitonio, Tretter, right tackle Chris Hubbard and right guard Kevin Zeitler, who is currently out with an injury. Corbett is working to establish himself in that group.


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FedExCup Playoffs 2018: Tee times for The Northern Trust

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Check here for tee times for the PGA Tour's The Northern Trust 2018, the first event in the FedExCup Playoffs.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Tiger Woods, Marc Leishman and Tommy Fleetwood comprise one of the notable groups for Rounds 1-2 of the PGA Tour's The Northern Trust 2018 this week in New Jersey. The Northern Trust is the first of four events in the FedExCup Playoffs.

Among other notable groups: Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas and Brooks Koepka; Patrick Reed, Phil Mickelson and Tony Finau; Justin Rose, Bubba Watson and Jason Day; and Ryan Armour, Chez Reavie and Brendan Steele.

Johnson, Thomas, Koepka, Rose and Watson finished Nos. 1-5 in the FedExCup "regular-season'' standings.

The field of 125 will be cut to 100 after The Northern Trust; to 70 after the Dell Technologies Championship; and to 30 after the BMW Championship. The top 30 play in the TOUR Championship.

Johnson is ranked No. 1 in the world. His PGA Tour season features three victories among 10 Top-10's.

Thomas has won three times this season, including the final WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Akron.

Koepka won two majors this season -- the U.S. Open and PGA Championship. He went back-to-back at the U.S. Open.

Rose has won twice this season; Watson, three times.

No. 11 Mickelson, 48, won WGC-Mexico Championship 2018, his first victory since British Open 2013.

No. 20 Woods, 42, tied for sixth at U.S. Open 2018 and was runner-up at PGA Championship 2018. He owns five Top-10's this season but zero victories; the most recent of his 79 PGA Tour titles occurred at WGC-Bridgestone 2013.

No. 37 Armour, a Silver Lake native and a former standout at Walsh Jesuit and Ohio State, has experienced a career revitalization in his early 40's. After a missed cut in the 2017-18 PGA Tour season opener, Armour won the Sanderson Farms Championship three weeks later. It was his his first career PGA Tour title (in his 105th start) and secured his card through the 2019-20 season.

In July, Armour finished second at the Quicken Loans National. Most recently, he finished tied for eighth at the Wyndham Championship, which ended Aug. 19.

Armour owns nine Top-25's and has earned $2.41 million this season, the latter more than double his career earnings prior.

Hard Knocks with the Cleveland Browns: How to watch Episode 3

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The Browns get their third episode of Hard Knocks on Tuesday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - HBO's Hard Knocks continues Tuesday at 10 p.m. with the third episode documenting training camp with the Cleveland Browns.

To watch the show when it airs, you need to receive HBO from your cable/satellite television provider. The show is also available on the HBO NOW app, which is  $14.99/month but has a one-month free trial.

However, Hard Knocks isn't normally available on the app until 11 p.m. on Tuesdays, after the original broadcast is complete.

Get the best Browns news and perspective in your inbox at lunch time every weekday. Sign up for our Browns newsletter.

Don't miss the latest cleveland.com sports podcasts right here at cleveland.com/podcasts.

When will Browns win first game to open Bud Light fridges?

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An online oddsmaker - taking note of the Bud Light 'Victory Fridges' - predicts when the Cleveland Browns will win their first game this season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - At least one oddsmaker took note of the recently announced promotion Bud Light is sponsoring for the 2018 Cleveland Browns season.

The beer maker announced last week it is installing locked "Victory Fridges" in Greater Cleveland. Wireless technology will unlock the fridges the moment the Browns win their first game. The last time the team won was Dec. 24, 2016.

Bud Light isn't saying where specifically the fridges will be located, only that a couple will be in FirstEnergy Stadium and the rest will be in various places where fans gather - and where you have to be 21 or older. But considering Bud Light is a mainstream beer you can count out local craft breweries.

(Here's the story on Bud Light's promotion)

MyTopSportsBooks.com has set odds on when that initial victory will happen to open those fridges:

Week 1 - Sunday, Sept. 9 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: 2/1.

Week 2 - Sunday, Sept. 16 at New Orleans Saints: 6/1.

Week 3 - Thursday, Sept. 20 vs. New York Jets: 2/1.

Week 4 - Sunday, Sept. 30 at Oakland Raiders: 13/2.

Week 5 - Sunday, Oct. 7 vs. Baltimore Ravens: 8/1.

Week 6 - Sunday, Oct. 14 vs. Los Angeles Chargers: 16/1.

The website - which reviews online sports-betting sites - also is predicting the Browns' 2018 season win total at six games.

The site says the odds that the Browns will go winless in 2018 are 750/1.

The 'Victory Fridges' story picked up a lot of traction in national media last week, even making its way to the Late Show with Stephen Colbert:

The Browns are 1-1 in preseason and have two exhibition games remaining: 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, against Philadelphia and 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, at Detroit.

Collin Sexton, Deandre Ayton tie as Rookie of the Year picks in peer vote

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The Cavaliers' Collin Sexton tied No. 1 overall pick DeAndre Ayton as the predicted NBA Rookie of the Year in a vote by their peers. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cavaliers' Collin Sexton tied No. 1 pick Deandre Ayton as the predicted NBA Rookie of the Year in a vote by their peers.

Sexton, whom the Cavs drafted eighth overall in June, and Ayton of the Phoenix Suns each received 18 percent of the 36 votes cast by rookies at an NBA rookie event and collected by NBA.com. Fifteen players received at least one vote.

Ohio State's Keita Bates-Diop was voted the steal of the draft -- the Timberwolves selected him in the second round (48th overall). Trae Young was voted the best rookie shooter and Chicago's Wendell Carter Jr. was predicted to have the best pro career (13 percent).

Among the rookies, 29 percent said LeBron James is their favorite player.

Sexton, 19, came to the Cavs after one season as Alabama's point guard. He averaged 19.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists for the Cavs at the NBA Summer League tournament in Las Vegas last month. He was named an All-Summer League first teamer.

Players were not allowed to vote for themselves or their teammates.


Gamblers in Vegas are putting their money on the Browns

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According to an ESPN report, bettors are placing their money on Cleveland to win the AFC North, the AFC Championship or even the Super Bowl with the hopes of a big pay day.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns have won just one game over the last two seasons, but they're becoming a popular bet in Las Vegas.

Wait, what?

According to an ESPN report, bettors are placing their money on Cleveland to win the AFC North, the AFC Championship or even the Super Bowl with the hopes of a big pay day.

At 60-to-1 odds at MGM sportsbooks, the Browns are a hot pick to win the Super Bowl, attracting more bets than the Atlanta Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars-- all playoff teams last season.

At Caesar's Palace, the Browns winning the division is a safer bet at 7-1. They're a 20-1 shot to win the conference and the over/under for the team's win totals is 5.5. Most gamblers are reportedly taking the over.

"There are more bets on the Browns to win the AFC North than the other three teams combined," a sportsbook manager at Caesars Palace told ESPN. "Only the Raiders and Steelers have more bets to win the AFC [than the Browns]. The public likes the Browns, and I'm not sure why."

Want to place a bet online? The action is even more lucrative on Bovada. According to oddshark.com, the Browns are a +1200 ($100 bet wins $1200) to win the AFC North, +2500 to win the AFC and +7500 to win the Super Bowl.

If you still need convincing either way, the Browns host the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles in the third preseason game, traditionally the dress rehearsal for the season on Thursday.

AP 2018 Preseason All-American Team: Ohio State's Nick Bosa named to the first team

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Nick Bosa earned first team AP preseason All-American honors on Tuesday.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The preseason honors for Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa keep coming.

Tuesday, the Associated Press named him as a preseason first team All-American.

Bosa is the only active player on Ohio State's roster with a tree in Buckeye Grove, which he got after being named a first team All-American by the AFCA following last season.

No Ohio State players made the second team. Voting for the AP All-American team was only for the first team. The second team was comprised of the players who did not garner enough votes to make the first team.

See the full list here. Get caught up on which Ohio State players have been named preseason All-Americans by different publications.

Final thoughts on Urban Meyer investigation with decision days away: Podcast

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Doug, Bill and Tim discuss the Urban Meyer investigation with a decision days away.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State's Board of Trustees will meet on Wednesday to discuss the findings of the university's investigation involving Urban Meyer. Soon after that -- that day or in the days following -- President Michael Drake will make his final decision regarding Meyer's future with the program.

On this episode of our Buckeye Talk Podcast, we're giving our final thoughts on the investigation, answering some of your questions and predicting what we think will happen.

You can always submit questions via Twitter to the @BuckeyeTalkPod account. You can also now submit questions, comments and complaints via email to BuckeyeTalkPod@gmail.com.

Before listening to the podcast below, make sure to subscribe to Buckeye Talk at any of these places:

Buckeye Talk on iTunes

Buckeye Talk on Google Play

Buckeye Talk on Stitcher

* Buckeye Talk on Spotify

Josh Gordon to practice 'very soon' and Steelers game is still the goal, Hue Jackson says

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Gordon is set to practice 'very soon' and Hue Jackson still plan to get him 'up and running' by the Steelers game.

BEREA, Ohio -- Hue Jackson said Josh Gordon is set to return to practice "very soon" and the goal is still to get him ready for the opener against the Steelers Sept. 9.

Gordon has already been ruled out of Thursday night's third preseason game against the Eagles, which is considered the dress rehearsal game. But he could be back in practice on Saturday, the next session after that game, and play in the preseason finale against Detroit Aug. 30.

Gordon, who's on the active/non-football injury list, must first be cleared to practice by his medical team, and his timeframe for returning to the playing field is a collaborative effort of the NFL, Gordon's doctors, and the Browns, a league spokesman told cleveland.com

"The most important thing for Josh is let's make sure he's in great shape, in a great place,'' said Jackson. "Let's keep being where he's been since he's been here, which has been outstanding, and keep moving him forward.''

He reiterated that the Steelers game is the goal.

Gordon returns to Browns, vows to put sobriety first

"As I said, there's a chance against Detroit at the end,'' said Jackson. "It'd be great. If not, my real goal is can we get him up and running by the time we play Pittsburgh. I think that's really important."

Tyrod Taylor said he's eager to work with Gordon again. "He's definitely excited'' to be back," Taylor said Tuesday. "He's ready to get back on the field and we're ready to see him back out there."

Taylor said he was able to to build chemistry with Gordon in the spring and hopes to pick up where he left off. He said he believes Jarvis Landry and Gordon "will be very special.''

He's found Gordon to be engaged and eager to pick up where he left off in the spring before he headed to a treatment program at the University of Florida.

Baker Mayfield nails his John Dorsey impression during Browns rookie show

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Mayfield could win an Oscar for his Dorsey impression.

BEREA, Ohio -- Baker Mayfield brought the house down with his John Dorsey impression during the rookie show on the last day of Browns training camp Tuesday.

Decked out in his trademark Dorsey sweatshirt and Air Dorsey sneakers, Mayfield sat at Dorsey's desk with his feet up and delivered a message to the players, chomping on his gum Dorsey-style all the while.

"Hello this is John Dorsey,'' Mayfield said. "How ya doing' buddy boy? Playing in the National Football League is a blessing. It's a privilege. Not many people get to do it. Ya know what I mean, buddy boy? That's good stuff, huh? Yeah. That's good stuff. It takes dedication.

"You know what else takes dedication? Being a Cleveland Brown. See, being a Cleveland Brown is way more than just playing football. It's about being an elf. It's about coming to work every day with your hard hat and your Air Dorseys, and your sweater. And you strap on those shoes, and you go to work. I do it every day. Don't be scared.''

Mayfield: 6 reasons Browns fans should be excited

The only things missing were a few 'you-know-whats' a 'kemosabe.'

Mayfield even has the walk down pat.

The performance drew rave reviews from teammates such as Danny Vitale, who tweeted, "This Rookie show had to be one of the best ever done.''

Browns QB Baker Mayfield launches line of signature underwear

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Mayfield's signature underwear isn't on sale yet, but fans can sign up for a chance to win a free pair at psdunderwear.com.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Heisman Trophy winner. No. 1 overall draft pick. Now, Baker Mayfield can add underwear model to his resume.

The Browns rookie quarterback introduced his own line of underwear from PSD on Tuesday. The boxer briefs come in two varieties: Browns stripes or Sooners crimson.

In a photo shoot promoting the line, Mayfield recreates a scene from "The Hangover" with a live tiger.

He isn't the first Cleveland athlete to peddle undies. Cavaliers star Kevin Love has a deal with Saxx Underwear and former Cav Kyrie Irving has his own line at PSD as well.

Besides PSD, Mayfield has endorsement deals with Nike, New Era and Bose.

His signature underwear isn't on sale just yet, but fans can sign up for a chance to win a free pair at psdunderwear.com.

A post shared by PSD Underwear (@psdunderwear) on

Ohio State basketball 2018-19 schedule: Who will the Buckeyes play in year two under Chris Holtmann?

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Here's who and when Ohio State will play in its second season under head coach Chris Holtmann

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Big Ten released basketball schedules for conference play on Tuesday. Here's who and when Ohio State will play in its second season under head coach Chris Holtmann. A reminder that the Big Ten is moving to a 20-game conference schedule this year.

* Nov. 1 vs. UNC Pembroke (Exhibition)

* Nov. 7 at Cincinnati

* Nov. 11 vs. Purdue-Fort Wayne

* Nov. 15 at Creighton

* Nov. 18 vs. South Carolina State

* Nov. 20 vs. Samford

* Nov. 23 vs. Cleveland State (St. John Arena)

* Nov. 28 vs. Syracuse

* Dec. 2 vs. Minnesota

* Dec. 5 at Illinois (United Center, Chicago)

* Dec. 15 vs. Bucknell

* Dec. 18 vs. Youngstown State

* Dec. 22 vs. UCLA (United Center, Chicago)

* Dec. 29 vs. High Point

* Jan. 5 vs. Michigan State

* Jan. 9 at Rutgers

* Jan. 12 at Iowa

* Jan. 18 vs. Maryland

* Jan. 23 vs. Purdue

* Jan. 26 at Nebraska

* Jan. 29 at Michigan

* Feb. 2 vs. Rutgers

* Feb. 7 vs. Penn State

* Feb. 10 at Indiana

* Feb. 14 vs. Illinois

* Feb. 17 at Michigan State

* Feb. 20 vs. Northwestern

* Feb. 23 at Maryland

* Feb. 26 vs. Iowa

* March 2 at Purdue

* March 6 at Northwestern

* March 10 vs. Wisconsin


Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox lineups for Tuesday night, Game 125

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Rookie Shane Bieber makes his first career start against the Red Sox on Tuesday night at Fenway Park.

BOSTON -- Here are the starting lineups for Tuesday night's game between the Indians and Red Sox at Fenway Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

INDIANS

SS Francisco Lindor.

LF Michael Brantley.

3B Jose Ramirez.

DH Yandy Diaz.

1B Yonder Alonso.

RF Melky Cabrera.

2B Jason Kipnis.

C Yan Gomes.

CF Greg Allen.

RHP Shane Bieber, 6-2, 4.37.

RED SOX

RF Mookie Betts.

LF Andrew Benintendi.

DH J.D. Martinez.

SS Xander Bogarts.

1B Mitch Moreland.

2B Ian Kinsler.

3B Edwin Nunez.

C Sandy Leon.

CF Jackie Bradley Jr.

RHP Nathan Eovaldi, 5-4, 3.62.

UMPIRES

H Brian Knight.

1B Jeremie Rehar.

2B Gerry Davis, crew chief.

3B Pat Hoberg.

Tyrod Taylor believes Josh Gordon and Jarvis Landry will be 'very special' together

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Taylor is eager to have Josh Gordon back on the field opposite Jarvis Landry. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Tyrod Taylor has eagerly awaited the Josh and Jarvis Show, and now it's almost here.

By Saturday, Josh Gordon could be back on the practice field starting opposite Jarvis Landry, just like it was in OTAs and minicamp with the two Pro Bowlers.

It's a pairing of the 2017 NFL receptions leader (112) in Landry with the 2013 receiving yards leader (1,646) in Gordon, and Taylor expects them to make some beautiful offense together.

"I think they'd be very special,'' said Taylor, who will play at least a half against the Eagles on Thursday night. "Two different skill sets but very talented at what they do. Josh is one of the faster guys in the league and one of the bigger receivers in the league, so he's definitely a very talented receiver.

"You don't really run across guys like that often on teams. And, of course, Jarvis, you've seen him day in and day out how he competes and what he brings to the table, so we're looking forward to having those guys on the field together. It puts defenses in a bind for sure."


Taylor has seen a focused and upbeat Gordon since he returned Saturday from his treatment program at the University of Florida.

"He's definitely excited,'' said Taylor. "He wants to be with the team, but he had to do what was best for him. He's ready to be back on the field, and we're ready to see him out there on the field. We know what type of playmaker he is and the things he's done while he's played has been phenomenal. So we're looking forward to get that type of talent back on the field."

Baker Mayfield is also thrilled to have Gordon back, both from a personal and professional standpoint.

"It means that he took care of his business off the field and he's back with us,'' he said. "That's great to see. Anytime you have a guy like that, his presence around the building - the excitement, the potential that he has - it's something that's great for our team, not just our offense. Happy about that. Right now, we're just taking baby steps. He's going to ease back into it. We're going to have some competition and I'm excited about that."

Taylor, who will continue to get all of the first-team reps, will strive to pick up where he left off with Gordon before the receiver left the team after minicamp.

Gordon returns to the Browns, vows to put sobriety first

"Just continue to keep talking through things, meeting and during walk-throughs or during practices, just making sure that he's seeing some of the same things we're seeing from the quarterback perspective,'' said Taylor.

He envisions working overtime with Gordon once the receiver is cleared by his medical team, and coach Hue Jackson said his goal is to get Gordon "up and running'' by the opener against the Steelers Sept. 9.

"Being able to spend time after practice getting ready for the opener -- if that's the scenario that plays out for us -- then that would be awesome,'' Taylor said.

The return of Gordon marks another episode in the receiver drama that has taken center stage, from Gordon's pre-camp announcement that he'd miss the beginning of camp to the trade of Corey Coleman to Antonio Callaway's brush with the law to the visit from Dez Bryant. In the meantime, Taylor has learned the tendencies of a host of young wideouts.

"I kind of dealt with that last year,'' he said, referring to the Bills' trade of receiver Sammy Watkins on Aug. 11. "It's not something that you want to go through, but, at the same time, it's the nature of the business. Guys have stepped up to the opportunity and went out there and competed and they're still doing it."

With Callaway likely out for the Eagles game with a groin injury and Gordon not practicing yet, Taylor has relied heavily on Landry, who caught a 24-yard pass in Taylor's two-minute drill Tuesday. He's also developed good timing with third-year pro Rashard Higgins and rookie Damion Ratley, and throws often to David Njoku and Duke Johnson.

"As we wrap up camp today, guys have competed and that's the main thing that I've seen each and every day,'' he said.

Once Callaway and Gordon get back on the field and Taylor has a full complement of skill players, the offensive prospects look promising.

"It can be very good,'' Taylor said. "But it boils down each week to execution and us going out there and winning our one-on-one matchups, of course on the outside, with me getting the ball to those guys. Just execution across the board.''

He'd still love to add Dez Bryant, although a source has told cleveland.com that Bryant is no longer a priority of the front office.

"Of course, I'd love to have him here, and if they see fit for him to come here, I'm all behind it,'' Taylor said. "But I'm confident with those guys we have in our receiving room as well as on the team.

"The guys that we have here now are doing a phenomenal job and competing each and every day, and that's what I like to see out of those guys."

Top performer, top rookie and biggest question as Browns training camp ends: Berea report

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Mary Kay Cabot and Dan Labbe take a look back at Browns training camp. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns wrapped up training camp on Tuesday. Mary Kay Cabot and I took a look back at the 18 practices and two preseason games and talked about:

  • Who was the top performer?
  • Who was the top rookie?
  • What is the biggest question coming out of camp?

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Encarnacion could be activated Thursday, Goody gets more tests, Chisenhall not close: Indians injury update

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Manager Terry Francona gave an update on several injured Indians before Tuesday night's game against Boston.

BOSTON -- Manager Terry Francona said Edwin Encarnacion could be activated on Thursday when the Indians conclude this four-game series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Encarnacion was placed on the disabled list on Aug. 11 with a bruised right hand and swollen left biceps. His last game was Aug. 10 when he felt pain in his left biceps during his first trip to the plate against the White Sox.

"He's doing good," said Francona. "I don't think we'll activate him Wednesday, but Thursday seems like a real possibility. We'll just take it day by day. He's doing so good that we want to do the right thing.

Francona said Encarnacion no longer feels pain in the biceps and the bone bruise on his right hand "is getting better every day. When you watch him hit, he looks like Edwin, which is good."

Encarnacion was hit on the right hand by Yankee reliever Chad Green on July 15 and has been dealing with the injury ever since. The biceps injury was the result of Encarnacion compensating for the bone bruise by taking his right hand off the bat late in his swing.

The news was not so promising on right-hander Nick Goody, who has been on the disabled list with a sore right elbow since May 4. Goody will be examined by Dr. Keith Meiser on Thursday. Dr. James Andrews, the noted elbow surgeon, will be consulted as well.

Goody has been rehabbing at the team's spring training complex in Goodyear, Ariz. Francona said Goody felt pain in his elbow as he prepared to throw in simulated games.

"So, we'll have more news on him in a couple days," said Francona. "Hopefully, it's not something that big, but you start to worry."

Goody has made 12 appearances with the Indians this year.

Outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall, who made the last trip with the Indians, has reported to Goodyear to work with the medical staff on his strained left calf.

"He just didn't feel like he was ready to make the next step," said Francona. "So, we thought if he went to Arizona, he could get more hands-on stuff done, especially when we're traveling here. We'll see how it goes. He's probably not as close as we had hoped."

Chisenhall has been on the disabled list since July 3.

Right-hander Cody Anderson, who had Tommy John surgery in March of 2017, has advanced to bullpen sessions in Goodyear after being shut down earlier this year. Francona said Anderson could be pitching in games sometime by the end of August.

"Supposedly, his bullpens have been really good," said Francona. "It's just going to be a little hard. Say there's a week left in somebody's season (one of the Tribe's minor league teams). . .bringing him here, that would make you a little nervous, a guy coming and pitching in a Major League environment. So, we're going to have to figure something out."

Closer Cody Allen gets three outs the hard way as Cleveland Indians 'hold on for dear life'

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Closer Cody Allen faced six hitters in the ninth inning Monday night, allowed a run, but preserved a 5-4 win to earn his 25th save.

BOSTON - The ninth inning can be a rabbit hole for a closer. Once he dives in, seeking three outs, there's a chance he may not make it out the other side.

Cody Allen took the plunge Monday night at Fenway Park. He had a 5-3 lead thanks to homers by Melky Cabrera, Michael Brantley and Greg Allen. Six batters later he surfaced with a 5-4 save.

When did he know he was going to come out the other side?

"When Kinsler popped up," said Allen.

That would be Boston second baseman Ian Kinsler, who sent a soft fly to left on a 3-2 pitch to end the game with runners on first and second and the Boston crowd screaming for a come-from-behind victory.

Manager Terry Francona was asked if he'd ever seen a stress-free ninth inning by the visiting team at Fenway Park.

"I don't know if I've seen it," said Francona, who managed the Red Sox for eight years. "It's probably happened. This place can get electric. A guy throws ball one and it feels like it's bases loaded. That's part of being here."

As for the Tribe's win in the opener of this four-game series between division leaders, Francona said, "That's what is called holding on for dear life."

Allen, 25-for-28 in save situations, was facing the top of the Boston lineup. He got to see the middle as well.

Mookie Betts, who leads the big leagues with a .344 (143-for-416) average, opened the inning with a double. Andrew Benintendi, hitting .346 (46-for-133) over his last 34 games, walked. Mitch Moreland sent a grounder to second baseman Jason Kipnis, who flipped to Francisco Lindor for the force at second, but Moreland beat Lindor's relay to first to put runners on the corners.

That brought J.D. Martinez to the plate. Martinez leads the big leagues in homers and extra base hits, but Allen retired him on a pop up to first.

So he was almost out of the rabbit hole, right? Wrong.

Xander Bogaerts sent a slow roller down the third baseline that Jose Ramirez let roll, praying it would go foul. It stayed fair as Betts scored from third to make it 5-4.

So it came down to Kinsler, who has faced Allen more than any other Boston player because of his time with the Tigers. Allen won the duel this time, but Kinsler has a .286 batting average against him.

"That's an extremely long, talented lineup," said Allen. "So it's constant pressure that they're putting on a opposing pitcher and opposing defense. Then you add Fenway Park, ninth inning - it can be a lot.

"We definitely knew what we were coming into. We've played here quite a few times. There are a lot of guys who have been through it. We played here in the postseason in 2016. You're coming into hostile territory."

Allen was asked how he would describe the life of a closer. He said, "That (just completed game). If you can breathe a sigh of relief after throwing 28 pitches and 20 of them were questionable and eight were good."

There's this, too, about being a closer. Before he talked to reporters, Allen was being kidded by Carlos Carrasco. He said Allen was making him nervous in the ninth inning. Allen laughed and said, "Hey, you've been around here for seven years. You should be used to it by now."

At the front end of the game, Corey Kluber started the way Allen started the ninth. He allowed three runs in the first two innings before turning off the faucet. While Allen admitted feeling the Fenway buzz, Kluber treated it like just another game.

"He's the definition of an ace," said Allen. "He gives up three early. I think his pitch count was at 40-something after two. You look up in the seventh inning and he's held them right there and we have lead.

"The moment never seems to get too big for him."

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