The Original Game » l Division title the primary objective for the

WASHINGTON -- Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy, who hasnt started a game since Sept. Angels Jerseys China . 17 because of strained buttocks, on Thursday said hes confident that hes ready for the NLDS.I felt really good out there, Murphy said after Thursdays workout. Harvey [Sharman], the trainer, put me through a good workout and kind of tapered it down a little bit today, just a little bit of a recovery day. But it was good to hit the bases, and I felt really good.The National host Game 1 of the best-of-five NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday. First pitch is 5:38 p.m.Murphy, 31, has made only three pinch-hit appearances since Sept. 17, going 0-for-3, but he expects to be in the lineup Friday.I feel confident right now, said Murphy, who finished second in the National League with a .347 average. Im going to try everything I can to be in there. These guys, my teammates, have really grinded and its been fun to watch while Im out. I want to be in there, want to be in the fire with them.Dusty Baker thinks Murphy will be in there.He looked pretty good, Baker said. He says hes ready, so therefore we think hes ready. He did about everything you could do simulating the game, everything but slide, but yeah he looked pretty good.Although Baker has yet to confirm who will follow Game 1 starter Max Scherzer in Saturdays Game 2, the Nats skipper did reveal several details about his teams NLDS roster.Rookie infielder Wilmer Difo, who appeared in just 31 games but is a speedy switch-hitter who can play multiple positions, has made the roster. Rookie catcher Pedro Severino, a right-handed hitter, will start Game 1 against lefty Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw.Baker, whose club faces an LA team thats loaded with lefty hitters, also said hell carry three southpaw relievers for the series.Washington won the NL East with a 95-67 record, while the Dodgers won the NL West with a 91-71 mark.? Fred Lynn Jersey Large . Woodson said during a radio interview Thursday that the Knicks Carmelo Anthony doesnt get the same calls as other superstars. Custom Fred Lynn Jersey . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. http://www.customangelsjersey.com/ . -- Brandon Jennings made the most of his first game with the Detroit Pistons on Sunday night. BLACKSBURG, Va. -- Justin Fuente arrives as Frank Beamers successor at Virginia Tech with an offensive background that has Hokies fans excited, and with lofty expectations.Last season at Memphis, Fuentes offense was steered by 6-foot-7 quarterback Paxton Lynch, the 26th player selected overall in the NFL draft, and hes not yet certain who will fill that role for the Hokies. The contenders are Brenden Motley, who showed dual-threat ability in six starts last season, and transfer Jerod Evans. He has no major college experience, but threw for 38 touchdowns against just three interceptions in just eight games before being sidelined with a wrist injury last year at Trinity Valley Community College in Texas.Motley, a fifth-year senior, was inherited, while Fuente also recruited Evans when he was at Memphis.Fuente has expressed no desire to rush before making a decision, and thats fine with the contenders.Im a team-first guy, Motley said. I know Rod is a team-first guy. If thats what coach wants to do, thats fine with me.Revered defensive coordinator Bud Foster is still around calling the defensive shots. He is looking to rebuild a defense that disappointed last season, especially in its inability to stop the run.Last year was very poor according to our standards, Foster said as camp got started. We are going to get back to that. I dont feel any pressure. When coach (Fuente) and I first started talking, he told me that I wouldnt have to play perfect defense anymore. I told him that he doesnt know me very well from that standpoint.In the offseason, several linemen in the defensive mix bulked up and got faster. With potential phenom Tim Settle in better shape and still weighing in at above 320 pounds -- and several other linemen having added weight and muscle -- Foster is optimistic.It is hard to play perfect, he said of the defense overall, but we are looking forr excellence. Wholesale Custom Angels Shirts. ere are some things to watch at Virginia Tech this season:OPENING DAYThe Fuente era begins with a home game against Liberty, and the Hokies would do well to perform in a way that gives them a good feeling heading into Week Two. Thats when they will play Tennessee of the SEC at Bristol Motor Speedway, a long-anticipated matchup where 150,000 or so fans are expected to be in attendance.RECEIVER SHORTAGEIn Isaiah Ford and Cam Phillips, Virginia Tech has one of the best tandems of receivers in the ACC. Fuente likes to play fast and shuttle in lots of players. That has put pressure on young receivers to learn fast, although tight end Bucky Hodges and fullback Sam Rogers are also very capable pass-catchers.LINEBACKER DEPTHFoster has several young players that he has high expectations for, and in a defensive scheme that feeds a lot of the playmaking to the linebackers, he will need several of them to be ready to prove that his expectations are warranted quickly.KEY GAMESThe matchup with the Vols is huge and has been hyped as such. But with a Coastal Division title the primary objective for the year, the Hokies games at division rivals North Carolina on Oct. 8, at home on a Thursday night against Miami on Oct. 20 and at Duke of Nov. 5 will have the most to say about their prospects.PREDICTIONThe Hokies have limped into bowl eligibility several times in recent years, leading to the change at the top. But Fuentes fast-paced system is much different that the conservative approach Beamer preferred, and while it may take some time to hit their stride, theres too much talent not to go bowling again.---Online:The APs college football page: www.collegefootball.ap.org---Follow Hank on Twitter: www.twitter.com/hankkurzjr ' ' '