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PITTSBURGH -- Pitcher Jake Arrieta and catcher Miguel Montero?arent the only Chicago Cubs players who want to move past the spring training feel to the final days of the regular season -- they are just the most vocal.Both bristled Wednesday night at the decision to remove Montero from the game while Arrieta was still pitching. The Cy Young Award winner had just given up three runs to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fourth inning when manager Joe Maddon pulled Montero in favor of Willson Contreras.Maddon said it was a predetermined move to give the rookie Contreras an inning with Arrieta in case that combination is together in a postseason contest. Arrieta wound up giving up three more runs in the fifth.They all knew what was going to happen before that game, Maddon said Thursday afternoon. There were no surprises. And theres been no surprises.But thats not what Arrieta indicated earlier in the day during his own radio show on ESPN 1000 in Chicago.Going into the game, I was really unaware we were going to go with a catching change, Arrieta said.Maddon shot back in his take on Arrietas night, in which he gave up a season-high 10 hits.I dont think it was attributable to a spring training attitude as much as the Pirates had a good approach last night, Maddon said.Even general manager Jed Hoyer chimed in, also on ESPN 1000.Its a difficult balance, Hoyer said. We mostly get it right, maybe yesterday [Wednesday] we didnt.In the long run, the disagreement probably will matter little as the regular season has just three days left, which means only three more days of meaningless games.Its a little weird at this time of the year to be doing that, Ben Zobrist said. I understand. I get it. Were preparing for something else than today. Its odd because [normally] at this time of the year, youre playing one game at a time and pushing.In other words, teams normally are not treating games like its a second spring training. To be fair, even the players who want to play more get what Maddon is trying to do. The strategy may prevent shortstop Addison Russell from getting to 100 RBIs, but he wasnt about to get upset.It would be nice to have the starters out there doing their thing, Russell said. People getting rest is OK and giving the bench guys a chance to see how they handle the pressure is good, too.When informed some players were griping about the atmosphere that Maddon laid out to them after they clinched a playoff spot, the manager had an answer ready to go.Were 7-2 in our last nine games, so I dont see any kind of negative pattern right there, Maddon said before Thursdays 1-1, six-inning tie with the Pirates.Furthermore, Maddon wont change much in the final three games in Cincinnati. Hes not pushing anyone more than he has over the past couple of weeks.The relief pitchers are still going to be choreographed, Maddon said. The team on the field, guys [will get] three to four at-bats. Its still going to be scripted.That might not be great news to hear for a regular starter, but that doesnt mean its the wrong move.Its been a little weird here knowing these games dont matter for either team, but at the same time they matter for the individuals to get their work in, Zobrist said. Its a place nobody is usually in.Its new for all of us. They have to do the best job they can to keep everyone healthy and at the same time keep everyone sharp. Thats a difficult task.As for spring training, the Cubs already have had one. They dont need another. Its time to get serious again.It does feel like spring training, Zobrist said. We want to get away from that as quick as we can and get back to playing competitive baseball.NFL Jerseys China . 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Nike NFL Jerseys Outlet . -- Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Alrdridge were again the go-to duo for the Trail Blazers against the Kings.Of the hundreds of thousands of pairs of eyes which will be on Aidan Sezer on Saturday night, perhaps the most interested will be Laurie Daley.Not just because Sezer will be running onto AAMI Park for Canberras NRL preliminary final in the lime green jumper Daley helped make famous, but because hell possibly be sizing him up for a blue one as well.The Raiders clash with Melbourne for a spot in the grand final isnt just another important chapter in Canberras feel-good story - it also shapes as a defining moment in Sezers career.After seeing the writing on the wall at Gold Coast following the Titans (ultimately ill-fated) decision to chase Daly Cherry-Evans, Sezer moved to the nations capital and, within 12 months, has been a driving force in their run to within touching distance of the Provan-Summons trophy.Earlier in the year, eighth Immortal Andrew Johns hailed Sezer and Raiders playmaking partner Blake Austin as his picks for the NSW State of Origin halves combination.NSW coach Daley however argued that the pair, neither of whom had played finals before this year, were too inexperienced for the Origin arena at that stage of their careers and wanted to see them get some big-game experience under their belt.So, having been told by Daley whats standing between Sezer aand a coveted sky blue jumper, the Raiders No.dddddddddddd7 gets his chance.Hes got a right to say that - hes the coach of NSW. Its been good, Ive got a bit of experience in the finals now, Sezer told AAP.Ive think Ive played enough first grade for people to know what I can do. I think the self-satisfaction that Ive put in a good performance for the boys who I train beside, thats probably the biggest thing, not to prove anything to anyone else.His maiden season under Ricky Stuart hasnt been without its ups and downs - he copped a fractured eye socket in his sides first-round match with Penrith and missed four games after undergoing surgery.At the time, he refused to leave the field, believing he was right to go on despite suffering limited vision. He even asked the trainer to cut his eye - like Sylvester Stallones Rocky character - so he could regain full vision.It was that act of stoicism that set the tempo for the Raiders season and why hes so highly regarded in the dressing room.It was swelled up and I couldnt see out of it, Sezer said.But were paid to do this job and Id probably have to break my leg before Id let the guys take me off. ' ' '