DETROIT - As of now, Max Scherzer is the only pitcher representing Detroits starting rotation on the American League All-Star team. Adidas Continental 80 Heren . Hed like to help change that. Scherzer is lobbying fans to support teammate Rick Porcello in the online vote for the ALs final spot. The 25-year-old Porcello threw back-to-back shutouts recently to put himself on the fringe of the All-Star roster, but hes not a member of the team yet. "We need our fans to really show up and vote for Rick," said Scherzer, who started the All-Star game last year and eventually won the Cy Young Award. "Come on fans, vote for Rick." With or without an All-Star invite, Porcello is developing into the pitcher many thought he could be after the Tigers drafted him in the first round in 2007. He made his debut as a 20-year-old, winning 14 games in 2009. Since then, hes been a consistent presence in the rotation, but hes never been able to match the 3.96 ERA he posted as a rookie. Until this year, perhaps. Porcello is 11-5 with a 3.53 ERA so far, helping the Tigers remain in first place most of the season despite Justin Verlanders struggles and Anibal Sanchezs brief injury problems. The candidates for the final All-Star spot in the AL are all pitchers: Porcello, Dallas Keuchel of Houston, Corey Kluber of Cleveland, Garrett Richards of the Los Angeles Angels and Chris Sale of the Chicago White Sox. "Obviously, it would be awesome to be able to go, but at the same time, it doesnt take anything away from how well I feel like Ive pitched the first half," Porcello said. "Im proud of the work Ive done the first half." Porcello set a career high with 142 strikeouts last year, but thats never been his calling card. He succeeds when hes able to keep the ball down — with a career groundball percentage of 53.1. "Hes throwing strikes at a really high rate," Scherzer said. "Hes not walking guys, which is always a recipe for success. His offspeed pitches have really sharpened up. ... Hes always had the sinker. Nothings changed in the sinker, its what hes doing with his other offspeed pitches that allows him to be more effective." Immediately after being included in the final vote for the All-Star team, Porcello allowed seven runs Sunday night in a loss to Tampa Bay. Not an ideal audition on national television. But before that, Porcello had a 25-inning scoreless streak. "Weve said all along the key for him is being down with his sinker," manager Brad Ausmus said. "When it gets up, it gets flat and you see more flyballs." "He made the adjustment, he actually started getting the ball down in the zone. He got some groundballs, a couple of them found holes and ended up being hits but he got the groundballs he was trying to get," Ausmus said. Detroit has three players in the All-Star game at the moment: Scherzer, Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez. Ausmus had been hoping Porcello and second baseman Ian Kinsler would get in as well from the AL Central leaders. "Its tough when you have that many guys on one team with the All-Star game roster rules, its tough for all of them to make it," Ausmus said. "But if Rick can win, we get four out of five and who knows what can happen between now and the All-Star game, maybe Kins gets on there as well. All of them were deserving." NOTES: Cabrera said he was invited to participate in the All-Star home run derby, but hell sit out because he doesnt want to mess with his swing. "Im going to enjoy watching," he said. Adidas NMD Belgie . -- The Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets will forever be tied together for making the same spectacular misjudgment on budding NBA sensation Jeremy Lin. Adidas NMD R1 Dames .com) - Coming off a pair of tough losses last week, the Syracuse Orange will try to put an end to their first losing skid of the season when they pay a visit to the Maryland Terrapins at the Comcast Center on Monday night in Atlantic Coast Conference action. http://www.nmdbelgie.com/kopen-yeezy-boost-700-sale.html .com) - Stanley Johnson had 18 points and No.gareth.wheeler@bellmedia.ca (@WheelerTSN) As far as first impressions go, new-look Toronto FC delivered with rave reviews against the rave green of the Sounders in Seattle Saturday. A 2-1 victory in a tough venue against a difficult opponent eases potential early season tension. There was nervous energy among many Toronto FC staffers and front office making the trip west how their considerable investment would come together from the get-go. Its just one victory and theres a marathon ahead, but this one impressive, combative victory has kept the narrative positive. A disappointing performance/loss would have brought out same old TFC critics. Its one thing to make headlines; its another to keep them. The buzz is real. Theres a whole lot to like re-visiting Torontos season opening win. Here are five thoughts on the victory. 1) Defoe MLS Player of the Week – A dream debut brace by Jermain Defoe earned MLS Player of the Week honours, global headlines and most importantly three points. This is what Major League Soccer wants from their star, big money designated players: results and instant eye balls. TSN did big numbers on television and radio boding well for this weekends home opener against DC United (TSN 1050 Radio/TSN). Defoe did what top goal scorers do – three meaningful touches and two goals in the first 24 minutes set the tone. He didnt have to be a big part of the proceedings to leave his mark. The Sounders dominated possession to the tune of 68%. Defoe was a factor every time he was on and around the ball. Unlike ever before, TFC can be a danger on the counter with a proven difference maker in front of goal. Superior possession will come for Toronto. There were six new players in the starting XI and the difficulty playing on turf against a quality side cannot be understated. A consistent effort keeping the ball on the deck will be essential for Defoe to become an absolute force. His movement off the ball is slick and his ability to play off the back shoulder of a defender was key on the first goal. Based on initial returns, its not too much to expect upwards of 20 goals on the season from Defoe. Forget the long, high ball – give Defoe the service and reap the rewards. 2) Bradley Man of the Match – Defoe may have won Player of the Week, and its understandable, but we on the radio side crowned centre-midfielder Michael Bradley Man of the Match. Thats not to downplay Defoes contributions. Goal scorers get the glory. Bradley set the tone. Bradleys performance was all action, all over the field and of the highest quality. Bradley fell deep in defence in the early stages, recognizing the need to help his back-line as the three Sounders attacking midfielders were finding themselves in dangerous positions finding space between TFCs back and midfield four. After the first ten minutes and with the shape solidified, Bradley started flying about the pitch, putting all kinds of high pressure on the ball. He was winning tackles, forcing mistakes and maintaining a high tempo. Bradley, alongside Jonathan Osorio won the battle in the middle of the park and allowed the two TFC strikers to remain high and a constant nuisance on the counter. The American International is strong and quick, and not to be overlooked, his distribution was outstanding at CenturyLink Field. His deadball striking, whether on corners or free kicks, was spot on. Nothing was wasted. Many MLS analysts were quick to say Toronto over-spent bringing Bradley back to North America and chastised the club for paying so much for a central midfielder. For TFC, its about winning football matches. With Bradley dictating the tone, they are in good stead. A standout performance, through and through from Torontos number four. 3) Nelsen Adjustments – The superior work-rate of his players was the bright spot in an otherwise frustrating first year for head coach Ryan Nelsen. Theres no question Nelsen is a natural leader and his players willl play for him. Adidas NMD Goedkoop. The tactical side is where many raise questions about his approach. Game one of season two was a very astutely coached match by the manager, pulling the proper strings throughout. Nelsens team will sink or swim in a 4-4-2 formation. Other than a hectic spell towards the end of the first half, Nelsen kept both strikers in high, trusting his team shape. It worked. Nelsen switched Alvaro Rey from left to right wing with Jackson moving to the other side 10 minutes into the match to find proper balance and match-ups. It was an important change both defensively and attack-wise. The shifty Spaniard Rey exposed the inexperience of young left-back Dylan Remick finding space down the flank. Jackson proved a better match as well against the talented DeAndre Yedlin, who didnt get down the wing nearly as much as Remick. The move stabilized the midfield, particularly in attack. A wide-open Jackson down the left served as a decoy on the 1-0 goal, and Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei denied Rey after running wild down the right flank. Nelsen got his substitutions bang on as well. Fresh legs of Andrew Wiedeman came on in the 63 for Dwayne De Rosario, not sacrificing or changing the shape in the team. The Sounders continued to press down their left flank, so a fatigued Rey (who was on a caution) made way for right-back Bradley Orr in the 65 minute, shifting Jackson back to the left, and Mark Bloom into the midfield. Bloom and Orr struggled with the constant Sounders attack, but it was the right call to make. And Ashtone Morgan as a late change killed the clock and was a no-brainer. Nelsens formation relies on a strong spine, and the players down the middle of the park shined for their manager. It is just one game, but a criticism-free match for the Nelsen is well deserved. These are important games in the early stages, as much for the players as the manager to reinforce confidence and develop proper role definition in the team. 4) Canadian Quality – 20-year old Canadian centre-back Doniel Henry played his 50th game in MLS and was absolutely solid. Henry continues to grow into his footballing body and has every quality necessary to excel at this level and beyond. Henry showed superior patience to last season and was consistently in good positions of support, winning critical balls in dangerous areas. His partnership with captain Steven Caldwell is all-important to sustained success. Previously mentioned centre-midfielder Osorio was likewise influential alongside Bradley. There is a smoothness and confidence to the 21-year old. Multiple times he was seen barking instructions to more experienced players, understanding the responsibility in the position he plays. The service on Defoes opener was superb, looking off Yedlin before sliding a perfectly weighted ball through to Defoe. Jackson was the easy pass, Defoe was the right one. Osorio playing at this level softens the blow of losing Matias Laba through trade to Vancouver. 5) Depth Discussion – Gilberto (hip flexor) and Jeremy Hall (hamstring) didnt make the trip to Seattle, but its concerning how little proven depth TFC has at present time. Bloom looked out of sorts in the midfield. Canadian midfielder Issey Nakajima-Farran is set to join the team and may add some quality down the wing, that remains to be seen. If he cant, TFC is paper-thin at the outside midfield positions. Where to play De Rosario is another question. When Gilberto returns, does De Rosario serve as a third striker? Or does he move back into the midfield? For all the effort Wiedeman brings, its unclear whether he can be a consistent scoring threat. General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko insists the team has flexibility against the cap. If so, the team will be on the lookout for help in midfield and attack. Toronto FCs Home Opener from BMO Field airs this Saturday on TSN and TSN 1050 Radio. Television - 4pm pre-match/430pm kick-off. Radio - 330pm pre-match. ' ' '