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DETROIT -- The Cleveland Indians arent interested in coasting to the finish line.The American League Central Division champion Indians will wrap up their season series with the host Detroit Tigers on Thursday afternoon -- weather permitting -- before moving on to Kansas City to close out their regular season.Detroit winds up in Atlanta, where it will continue its fight for a wild card playoff berth in a National League city. That means Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez will only be able to pinch-hit.But typical Midwest autumn weather could mess things up.Detroit and Cleveland managed to eke out five innings Wednesday night with the Tigers waiting 72 minutes to learn they had pulled out a 6-3 win thanks to Miguel Cabreras three-run home run through a hard rain with one out in the fifth.The weather forecast for Thursdays isnt much better.Ive learned to take forecasts with a grain of salt, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said. Its an inexact science, much like bullpen usage.Everyone will do everything they can to avoid a rained out game because if it had playoff implications Cleveland would have to return to Detroit on Monday for a makeup.I know theyre going to try, manager Terry Francona of Cleveland said. If we dont play, wed have to come back here on Monday if need be. Im sure theyre going to try and play, even though the forecast isnt very good.If the game didnt have any ramifications you wouldnt play it, Ausmus said. That happened last year. We had a game rained out with Cleveland. We only played 161 games last year.If it had an impact on the playoff race, they would absolutely have to play the game.Francona is trying to line up his pitching and get his regulars tuned up for whatever playoff fate awaits them. Attaining the best record in the league for home field advantage throughout the playoffs is still a doable feat.We talked about it the other day as a team, kind of like how we wanted to approach it, Francona said. I understand that some guys need rest and thats what well do.On one hand it gives some of the younger guys a chance to play, which is good. But regardless of who plays or how much, you always play the game right.That way you dont have to concern yourself about (raising your level of play). You dont just turn the button on and off; thats hard to do. Then when it comes times for the playoffs to start, then you dont have to worry that you kind of went 80 percent, because thats hard to do.Detroit will start one of its precious young starters, left-hander Daniel Norris (3-2, 3.59 ERA) while Cleveland will send out one of its September call-ups, southpaw Ryan Merritt (0-0, 1.50 ERA).Merritt made 24 starts in Triple-A, going 11-8 with a 3.70 ERA. The 16th-round selection in the 2011 draft has been up with the Indians three times this season, pitching just six innings spread over three relief appearances with one run allowed.This will mark his first appearance against Detroit.Norris, on the disabled list twice this season, will be making his third start against Cleveland this season. He is 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA against the Indians this year and 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA against Cleveland over three career starts. Francisco Lindor Jersey . The 29-year-old Baines has established himself as one of the top attacking full backs in the country and was the subject of two bids from United during the last off-season. Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that keeping Baines at the club is a "massive boost and exciting for the future" because he brings "maturity and football knowledge in a very specialized position on the pitch" and an "infectious and positive influence to the rest of the squad. Nick Wittgren Indians 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.indianssale.com/indians-joe-carter-jersey/ . PAUL, Minn. Danny Salazar Jersey .C. -- Manny Malhotra had two goals and an assist, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. Brad Hand Indians Jersey . -- Running backs Darren McFadden and Rashad Jennings were back at practice for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday despite being hampered by hamstring injuries. FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- The Atlanta Falcons continue to protect their NFC South lead by finding productive replacements for injured starters.The latest evidence of the teams depth came in Sundays 38-19 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Fill-in starters Matt Wile and Jalen Collins and backup receiver Taylor Gabriel were three players highlighted by coach Dan Quinn on Monday as playing crucial roles in the win.The Falcons (7-4) will take a one-game lead over Tampa Bay into this weeks game against Kansas City (8-3).Collins, a second-round pick in 2015, is in the spotlight as the replacement for star cornerback Desmond Trufant, who has missed two straight games with a shoulder/pectoral injury that could end his season.Atlanta players have accepted the likelihood that Trufant is facing season-ending surgery.That loss is truly significant, but we have got guys behind him like Jalen Collins, defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux said after Sundays game. We also have a lot of young guys behind him as well that are ready to compete. I dont think the drop-off will be too big. We have got guys that are hungry.Quinn challenged Collins and cornerbacks Robert Alford and Brian Poole to defend Arizona receivers close to the line. Collins shared the team lead with six tackles, including one for a loss, against Arizona.I really appreciated him competing, Quinn said of Collins Monday. ... He had difficult matchups on a number of good players and he just kept responding. Were anxious to see where he goes, but for me his arrow is certainly trending up.Quinn said the team would add another defensive back this week if Trufant is placed on injured reserve.Wile excelled in his NFL debut as regular punter Matt Bosher missed the game with a hamstring injury. Wile averaged 58 yards on two punts and had toouchbacks on each of his seven kickoffs.ddddddddddddQuinn, who acknowledged last week he was nervous about having a punter with no NFL experience making the start, applauded Wiles debut.When your opportunity comes, you go nail it, Quinn said.Gabriel didnt start but had four catches for 75 yards , including two touchdowns on screens which showcased his speed.Rookie tight end Austin Hooper had two catches and Levine Toilolo also had a catch as tag-team replacements for Jacob Tamme, who was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury during the teams bye week.The team also weathered a wave of injuries at linebacker early in the season. Sean Weatherspoon was placed on IR while DeVondre Campbell missed four games and Deion Jones missed one game.Quinn said it is important to recognize the value of every backup.Thats why we push each guy to take them as far as we can, knowing when your opportunity is called, youre ready to answer, he said. Thats one of the best ways to demonstrate earning respect from your teammate. Heres my opportunity, Im going to go nail it.Game notes Quinn said DE Adrian Clayborn, who left the game with a knee injury, will see a doctor this week. An update on Clayborns status is expected on Wednesday. ... Following his review of the game film, Quinn said he hopes S Keanu Neal is not fined for a hit on Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald that drew an unnecessary roughness penalty. Both players lowered their helmets before the contact. I thought it was a very clean hit where hes hitting the strike zone exactly where we want him to, Quinn said of Neal.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '