said Buehrle. “Hitters in fastball counts are sitting on fas

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HOUSTON -- New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi wont need long to decide his future. Wrapping up his sixth season with the Yankees at the end of a three-year deal, Girardi said Sunday he wants to discuss his future with his wife and three school-aged children. "Its not my personality to drag things out," said Girardi, speaking before Sundays season finale against Houston. "Ive always been a guy that likes to know what Im going to do the next day." Girardi replaced Joe Torre after the 2007 season and says he hadnt thought about whether he would be managing his last game for the Yankees. He says he would be up for the challenge of getting to the Yankees back to the playoffs. The fifth-youngest manager in the majors, Girardi turns 49 on Oct. 14. He was out of managing for a year after leading the Florida Marlins in 2006, when he was selected NL Manager of the Year despite a 78-84 record. Girardi said his family has not pushed him one way or another. "Weve talked about it, but well sit down and actually have a real pow-wow around the dinner table probably is what well do," he said. "And then well go from there." The Yankees made the playoffs in all 12 years under Torre before missing in 2008, Girardis first season, and this year. Theres plenty of roster uncertainty with the retirement of closer Mariano Rivera and left-hander Andy Pettitte, and Derek Jeter and Mark Teixiera dealing with injuries. One area that will be settled this winter: how much of Alex Rodriguezs 211-game suspension will stick. "Theres no challenge that really scares me that I would ever shy away from," Girardi said. "So that has very little impact on its whatsoever." Jonathan Quick USA Jersey . 1, 2013) - L.P. Dumoulin picked up right where he left off with Sundays Pintys presents the Clarington 200. Patrick Kane USA Jersey . -- Torii Hunter would gladly trade his 17-game hitting streak for a long winning streak, something the Los Angeles Angels will need to catch the first-place Texas Rangers in the AL West. www.usateamhockeyjersey.com/jimmy-howard-usa-jersey/ . Barcelona had to come from behind to stay within 10 points of Real Madrid, easily answering the Spanish leaders 4-0 rout of Racing Santander one night earlier with a pure display of the football that has crowned it the worlds best team. The undoubted star was Messi, who chipped goalkeeper Diego Alves after being put through by Sergio Busquets for his 27th league goal, 42nd in all competitions and 146th for Barcelona -- and in his 200th appearance for the club. Derek Stepan Jersey . -- Ryan Getzlaf and Jonas Hiller propelled the Anaheim Ducks into the second half of their season with the NHLs best record and ample reason to think they could get even better in the new year. Derek Stepan USA Jersey . Ferrer also won on the hard courts at the City of Arts and Sciences in 2008 and 2010. He lost the final in 2005 when the tournament was played on clay.TORONTO - Edwin Encarnacion will take batting practice before Fridays series opener against the Orioles, a crucial test for his ailing left wrist. After hitting off a tee on Thursday afternoon, the Blue Jays slugger is confident of an imminent return to the lineup. “Maybe Saturday, maybe (Friday), depends on how I feel,” said Encarnacion. Encarnacion last played on Saturday in Minnesota. After the game, an 11-2 win over the Twins, he was seen entering manager John Gibbons office with his wrist wrapped in ice. The pain intensified over the past couple of weeks. Encarnacion is hitless in his last 12 plate appearances (0-8 with three walks and a sacrifice fly.) Encarnacion has already secured a second-consecutive 100-RBI season. With 36, he is four home runs shy of a second-straight 40-home run year. Rasmus feeling good Day by day, Colby Rasmus is ramping up his workouts and baseball activities in anticipation of a weekend return against Baltimore. “Feeling good; the body feels good,” said Rasmus. “I think Im getting over the soreness a little bit, getting back on the turf and amping up the swings. Like today, I took pretty much game speed swings and it felt good so well go from there.” Rasmus went on the disabled list on August 11 with a strained left oblique. He suffered a setback during rehabilitation, which is common with his type of injury. “Its definitely a tough injury because its hard to tell,” said Rasmus. “Its something you use everyday so its hard to shut those muscles down to let them heal. I told myself when I got hurt and I was going down there that Im going to try to take a mental break. That way if I was able to come back Id be fresh.” Its expected RRasmus will get the bulk of the playing time in centre field when he returns.dddddddddddd. Gibbons will use the other two outfield spots to parcel out playing time to Anthony Gose, Rajai Davis, Moises Sierra and Kevin Pillar. Buehrle on Albers Mark Buehrle watched closely as Canadian lefthander Andrew Albers started for the Twins against the Blue Jays on Sunday. The two have been compared due to their low-velocity, finesse styles. “He throws more fastballs than I do,” said Buehrle. “He throws a bit harder. Similarities: It seems like he works quick; he was pumping, filling up the strike zone, getting strikes early. Guys were kind of off balance and thats the name of the game. It doesnt matter how hard you throw, its keeping guys off balance and then hitting your spots and as far as that aspect goes, I think he did pretty well.” Buehrle stressed that his observations were based only on Albers start against the Jays. He hasnt seen footage of Albers other work. “His off-speed, his curveball, it seemed like he didnt throw many for strikes,” said Buehrle. “Whether they were bouncing them in the dirt or throwing them too high ,it just seemed he wasnt too consistent with the curveball. But everything else, its just about location. Again, from sitting in the dugout I couldnt see if he was missing spots, hitting location wise, but the way he was keeping guys off balance, its just keep on attacking the strike zone.” Any advice for Albers? “When its a fastball situation, throw something else,” said Buehrle. “Hitters in fastball counts are sitting on fastballs so just have confidence to throw those other pitches in those situations.” ' ' '