TORONTO – The Blue Jays wrapped up a nine-game homestand with a 7-4 win over Milwaukee on Wednesday afternoon and afterward, boarded a plane for the long flight to Californias Bay Area. It will be in Oakland, on Thursday night, where the club begins a 10-game, pre-All-Star Break road trip which will be a grind, both in terms of miles logged and quality of opponents. After four with the Athletics, the Jays travel down the pacific coast for three with the Angels and then across the southern part of the continent, concluding with three against the Rays in St. Petersburg. Then comes the Midsummer Classic in Minneapolis, where general manager Alex Anthopoulos expects trade discussions will begin to heat up. “We still have a month. A lot can change,” said Anthopoulos. “We started out June 5-0 and obviously we did play well down the stretch. I think you reassess at the All-Star Break and this trip will be part of it. As long as youre in the hunt is probably an important way to look at it. Knock on wood; unless we go on a long streak where we dont win some games and our competition goes on a streak, as long as youre still within reach, then its going to be a battle.” The Blue Jays approach the break in a unique position, legitimate contenders for a playoff spot for the first time in a generation. The lineup is veteran laden, built to win now. Jose Bautista is 33 years old, turning 34 in October. Edwin Encarnacion 31 and so is Adam Lind. Yet, theres understandable hesitancy to part with pieces viewed as part of the future core, including star pitching prospect Aaron Sanchez, whos now toiling at Triple-A Buffalo. Anthopoulos wades into unfamiliar territory but he approaches this deadline no different than those previous, willing to make any trade to improve his ballclub. There are no untouchables. He wont divulge priority areas so as to not create a competitive disadvantage in trade talks. The bullpen and an additional infielder, be it a second or a third baseman (Brett Lawrie can play the other spot), should be points of emphasis. He would be willing to acquire a third baseman. “Lets say theres an all-star calibre player, a great player, there, I think wed be open to doing that,” said Anthopoulos. “That makes the team better. But I dont want to make that a story. Thats not the plan. Were not close to doing that. Were not actively pursuing that. Bretts our third baseman. Hes got the positional flexibility to play all over the place.” The starting rotation has been a pleasant surprise this season. Mark Buehrles 10 wins and 2.50 ERA have led the way. J.A. Happ, with seven more effective innings on Wednesday, has solidified himself after missing the start of the year injured and returning out of the bullpen. Drew Hutchison has run hot and cold but is a promising young pitcher. Marcus Stroman has fit in well and R.A. Dickey is logging innings even though the results have been mixed. The organization believes Sanchez, 23, has turned a corner with the Bisons after struggling for parts of this season with his command. Hes changed his arm slot slightly, staying better on top of the ball as a result. Anthopoulos didnt deny Sanchez could contribute to the Blue Jays down the stretch. “To me, if he can do it again, Im convinced that they got him right on track and hell be ready if we have a need,” said Anthopoulos. HOFFMAN AND PENTECOST SIGN The Blue Jays locked in their two first-round picks from last months amateur draft. General manager Alex Anthopoulos confirmed that Jeff Hoffman (ninth overall), a 21-year-old right-handed pitcher out of East Carolina University and Max Pentecost (11th overall), a 21-year-old catcher who attended Kennesaw State University, signed for their bonus slot. Hoffman cashes in slightly more than $3-million; Pentecost comes in just shy of $2.9-million. Hoffman underwent Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery in May. Its club policy that no pitcher appear in a competitive game until at least one year after the procedure was completed. Hoffman is in Florida, in the early stages of his rehabilitation. Pentecost is in Dunedin, getting back into baseball shape after his college season ended about a month ago. Pentecost is waiting for his passport and when it arrives, hell report to the Blue Jays short season affiliate in Vancouver. Charles Tillman Jersey . Advancing to the Champions League quarterfinals should be a formality after Lionel Messi scored a penalty and Dani Alves added a late second to secure a commanding 2-0 advantage over City in the round of 16 on Tuesday. Ken Kavanaugh Jersey . -- Ben Brust scored 19 points to lead six Wisconsin players in double figures as the No. http://www.custombearsjersey.com/custom-...arge-2386t.html. The Canadian Luge Association officially named seven athletes to the 2014 Olympic team Tuesday. Edney, will lead teenagers John Fennell and Mitchel Malyk into their first Games in mens singles. Tristan Walker and Justin Snith will represent Canada in doubles, while Gough, will be joined by Kimberley McRae in womens singles. Ed Brown Jersey . PETERSBURG, Florida – Its been almost seven years since the Blue Jays last won a series at Tropicana Field. Gale Sayers Jersey . "Ive still got it," Seattles ace said with a sly grin. Riding that fastball carrying a little more zip, Hernandez took a shutout bid into the ninth inning as the Mariners beat the Los Angeles Angels 3-1 on Wednesday night. On the verge of a brilliant shutout and first complete game since Aug.MANCHESTER, England - It wasnt so long ago that Arsenal vs. Manchester United was one of the marquee matches in the Premier League season, a fixture that went a long way to deciding which team won the title.Now, it pits two sides struggling to even get in the top four.Arsenal is sixth and 20-time English champion United is seventh heading into Saturdays game at Emirates Stadium, with both clubs having had a tough start to the season mainly because of injury problems and suspect defending.They have already been cut adrift by Chelsea, which is the unbeaten leader after 11 games and showing the kind of form that is making pundits wonder whether it can go through the season without losing.Here are some things to know about the upcoming matches in the Premier League on its resumption after the international break:___UNITEDS INJURIESManchester United manager Louis van Gaal is counting the cost of the recent batch of international games, with goalkeeper David de Gea (dislocated finger), defender Luke Shaw (unspecified) and midfielders Angel Di Maria (ankle), Daley Blind (knee) and Michael Carrick (groin) joining an already-lengthy injury list at Old Trafford.Van Gaal has been unfortunate with injuries since taking over in the off-season, with his defence regularly short of its best players and Colombia striker Radamel Falcao starting just three times following his expensive loan move from Monaco.United said Thursday that 12 members of its squad are carrying injuries.Van Gaals side hasnt won any of its five away matches in the Premier League this season.___WELBECK FACES OLD TEAMDanny Welbeck will look to show United was wrong to sell him on transfer deadline day this summer when he lines up for Arsenal against his old club for the first time.The England striker has scored five goals in 12 games for Arsenal since leaving his boyhood team, where he rarely got a start or was played out of position on the left wing.Personally I have been surprised by his technical capacity, the way he understands the game, his work rate, Arsenal midfielder Mikel Arteta said. I rate him more now than I used to and this is a good sign because noormally the opposite is true when you watch a player on a daily basis.ddddddddddddWhile Welbeck and fellow summer signing Alexis Sanchez, who has scored six goals in his last four league starts, have been the positives for Arsenal this season, the defence remains a worry for manager Arsene Wenger.Arsenal has thrown away a lead in its last two matches, drawing 3-3 against Anderlecht in the Champions League after being 3-0 ahead and conceding two late goals to lose 2-1 at Swansea in the Premier League.___NO STOPPING CHELSEAChelsea is turning the title race into a procession, with only surprising Southampton in touching distance of the leaders ahead of their home match against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.Chelsea holds a four-point lead and has played arguably its four toughest matches — away games at Everton, Liverpool, and the two Manchester clubs — without losing. Its biggest title rival, defending champion Man City, is eight points behind in third.We dont have the title in the bag, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said. We are trying to win with every game that is possible but there will be still a long way to win the title.Top scorer Diego Costa should be refreshed after being rested by Spain over the international break.___LIVERPOOLS ATTACKING WOESLiverpools strikeforce was the main reason why the team finished second in the Premier League last season. This time round, its proving Liverpools biggest issue.In the absence of the injured Daniel Sturridge since early September, Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini — the other three strikers in the squad — have not scored a goal between them in the league.Like Arsenal and Man United, Liverpools objective is simply finishing in the top four to secure a place in the Champions League, but it is currently in 11th place.Balotelli injured his hamstring on international duty with Italy and is a doubt for Liverpools match at Crystal Palace on Sunday.___ELSEWHERELooking to maintain its stunning start, Southampton goes for a fifth straight win when it visits Aston Villa on Monday. Man City hosts Swansea while fourth-place West Ham is away to Everton. ' ' '