ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The two starting pitchers who will face each other when the Seattle Mariners and the Los Angeles Angels begin their three-game series Monday night at Angel Stadium share much in common.Both came to their respective teams through mid-season trades this year and are veterans at their craft. But while the Angels Ricky Nolasco is completing his 11th major-league season, the Mariners Ariel Miranda is a 27-year-old rookie.Miranda is one of the numerous Cubans who defected in recent years to pursue their goal of playing in the major leagues. Before leaving his homeland last year, the Havana-born left-hander spent seven seasons in Cubas top league, the Serie Nacional, where he began his career at 18.Miranda signed with the Baltimore Orioles in May 2015 and made his major-league debut this year on July 3. Ironically, the left-hander began his major-league career by facing the Mariners, who scored three runs on four hits against him in just two innings of relief. Nevertheless, Seattle apparently was impressed enough with Miranda to acquire him four weeks later for left-hander Wade Miley.The Cuban left-hander demonstrated why the Mariners placed their faith in him during his last start Wednesday night against the Texas Rangers, who had averaged 8.1 runs in their previous 10 games. Miranda conceded just one hit and one walk while compiling four strikeouts in his first five innings before leaving after six and earning his second consecutive victory, 8-3.Miranda had a chance to pitch shutout baseball, but a two-out error prolonged the top of the sixth inning and allowed Carlos Beltran to hit a three-run home run. After issuing a walk to the first batter he faced in the seventh, Miranda left after throwing 91 pitches, his second-highest total this season.Miranda really got on a nice roll, Seattle manager Scott Servais told MLB.com. That was probably as crisp and smooth as weve seen him work since hes been here, and against a really hot-hitting team.Nolasco, meanwhile, finally earned his first win with the Angels by pitching a four-hit shutout with seven strikeouts against the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 31. The victory came a full month after the Minnesota Twins dispatched the right-hander in a four-player trade for left-hander Hector Santiago.In the past three weeks, Nolasco has shown sparks of excellence. On Aug. 20, he issued no walks and retired 12 consecutive New York Yankees between the second and sixth innings of a 5-1 loss. On Aug, 26, Nolasco pitched five shutout innings before the Detroit Tigers scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to rally for a 4-2 win.Then in his first start after the shutout, Nolasco took a perfect game into the sixth inning and permitted just one hit through seven innings before conceding two runs in a 3-2 loss to the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday.What made him so strong through the first seven unraveled in the eighth, Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia told MLB.com. He was getting ahead of hitters and mixing in all his pitches. Ricky is better than his record indicates. Hopefully, hell pitch with some consistency, like weve seen. Cheap Denver Nuggets Jerseys . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. 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Considering that his team has been without star guard Russell Westbrook and with the free agent departure of sharpshooter Kevin Martin, hes had to carry the majority of the load to not only keep his team afloat but more importantly, at an elite level.Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has praised the clubs decision to back down over the issue of increased ticket prices next season. The clubs owners, Fenway Sports Group, released a statement on Thursday revealing a turnaround in their decision to raise some ticket prices to £77 next season.Instead, prices will now be frozen for the next two years, with the most expensive remaining at £59. The statement, which was signed by owners John W. Henry, Tom Werner and Mike Gordon, also included an apology for the upheaval that caused many fans to walk out of Anfield in the 77th minute of the 2-2 draw with Sunderland on Saturday. Liverpool fans protested against high ticket prices during the FA Cup Fourth Round replay against West Ham Klopp hopes the release of the statement will now defuse tensions between supporters groups and the clubs boardroom. I think that in the world of football its not too easy to be the owner of a club and to prove that you are really interested in the club, said Klopp, speaking at a press conference ahead of Liverpools Premier League trip to Aston Villa on Sunday. Klopp: Their reaction was a clear reaction, it was a sign and hopefully its proof of their real interest in this club I know it, Ive been here for four and a half months and I know our owners as people.dddddddddddd They really care about the club and the interests of the supporters and things like that.The reaction was a clear reaction and a clear sign. Hopefully its understood as proof of their real interest in this club and all the things around the club. Im really fine with it and I think its a good thing. 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