ent or 85. Im a full-speed guy so right now Im trying to get that full-speed mentality.Watkins and Taylor are

ARLINGTON, Texas --Yu Darvish goes back to the mound Friday to open a three-game series against slumping Detroit seeking his first victory since June 3.The Texas right-hander is winless in five starts since coming off a second stint on the disabled list July 16 despite a 2.73 ERA and .216 opponents batting average during that stretch. Darvish (2-3, 2.78 ERA) did not factor into the decision in the Rangers 5-3 victory over Houston on Sunday.Darvish went a season-high seven innings and gave up no runs on five hits while striking out eight against the Astros for his fourth consecutive quality start. He has struck out at least eight batters in four of his past five turns and has gone more than six innings in his past two.Darvish is 0-1 with a 2.33 ERA and 23 strikeouts in his last three starts. In his career against Detroit, he is 5-0 with a 3.60 ERA in five starts, though he hasnt faced the Tigers in more than two years.The last four games I feel like Ive pitched really well so what Im focusing on right now is to keep pitching like I have, Darvish said.Darvish might be licking his chops.The Tigers, losers of four straight games, managed six runs in 33 innings while being swept by Seattle. With Cameron Maybin (sprained thumb) hurting and Nick Castellanos (broken left hand) out of the lineup, Detroits offense has suffered.Were aware of whats going on, Justin Verlander told the Detroit Free Press after a 3-1 loss Wednesday in a game featuring Verlander and Felix Hernandez. We are aware of losing some key pieces. Hopefully its short-term rather than long-term. But weve got enough guys to plug the holes. Ive got faith in every one of these guys.We cant get down about the guys that arent there for you. Weve got to win with what weve got right now.The Tigers counter with right-hander Anibal Sanchez (6-11, 5.88 ERA), who turned in his best start of the season in his most recent outing, going eight innings for the first time in 2016 and limiting the Mets to one run on four hits while striking out 10 and not walking a batter in a no-decision.Sanchez is 1-0 with a 2.70 and 17 strikeouts in his last three starts.Reliever Justin Wilson has allowed runs in six of his last eight appearances.It happens to everybody, Detroit manager Brad Ausmus said. Even the best are going to have bad stretches, unfortunately it costs you games a lot of times. Thats the nature of the position, the nature of the role they have in the bullpen.The series also features the return of Ian Kinsler, his first appearance in Texas since the retirement of Prince Fielder, the primary components of the blockbuster between the teams in 2013. 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Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Taylor Jones Jersey . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Bills receiver Sammy Watkins doesnt need to wait two weeks to show his surgically repaired left foot is fully healed.Bursting into a wide grin, Watkins proclaimed hed be ready if the regular season opened this weekend.Oh, I mean, Id score a couple of touchdowns, Watkins said after practice Monday.With just under two weeks to go before Buffalo opens the season at Baltimore on Sept. 11, Watkins is brimming with confidence after saying he feels no after-effects from spending the past two days practicing at full speed.Ive done knocked two days out and my foot feels fine, he said. Its right where it needs to be.And thats a big step in the right direction for the Bills and their top receiver, who had two screws inserted into his foot to repair a stress fracture in April.The Bills have been cautious in limiting Watkins workload since he was cleared for practice three weeks ago. He sat out Buffalos first two preseason games before appearing in just two series at Washington on Friday. Coach Rex Ryan has already ruled out Watkins and many other starters from playing in the Bills preseason finale at Detroit on Thursday.Though he would have preferred more playing time to re-establish his chemistry with quarterback Tyrod Taylor, the third-year player said hes trying to make up for it in practice.Waatkins said hes staying on the field for six and seven consecutive plays as opposed to the first three weeks, when he would head to the sideline after a play or two.ddddddddddddGetting full-speed reps really helps me, he said. It doesnt help me when I go out there and do things 80 percent or 85. Im a full-speed guy so right now Im trying to get that full-speed mentality.Watkins and Taylor are attempting to pick up the prolific pace they enjoyed in closing last season. In his final six games, Watkins combined for 35 catches for 679 yards and six touchdowns.Watkins says hes over the hurdle of fearing he might re-injure the foot.I think its really mental, he said. Youre healed. Its not going to break, snap or anything like that. Just go play fast.Hes also focused on regaining his physical approach, something he cant always simulate in practice.Ive got to get back nasty, Watkins said.Game notes WR Marquise Goodwin practiced on a limited basis for the first time since hurting his head in practice on Aug. 23. ... Starting LT Cordy Glenn practiced for a second straight day after missing three weeks with a left ankle injury.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '