PITTSBURGH, Pa. Jan Oblak Jersey . - Edinson Volquezs renaissance began with a simple game of catch. During his brief session with Pittsburgh Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage on that January day at the teams training facility in Florida, the talented but erratic right-hander listened as Searage outlined a plan to help the 31-year-old regain the form that once made him an All-Star. He felt wanted, Searage said. That builds trust. Ten months later, Volquez will try to repay that trust by sending the Pirates into the NL Division Series for the second straight year when he starts Wednesday nights wild-card game against San Francisco. Facing Mr. Reliable The Giants will counter Volquez with Madison Bumgarner, who has been the face of consistency over the past three years. Bumgarner ranks second in NL wins and third in the NL in strikeouts, innings pitched and quality starts since 2011. The raucous scene that awaits Volquez at PNC Park is in stark contrast to his ignominious exit from San Diego last summer, when the floundering Padres released him after a miserable stretch in which his ERA ballooned to 6.01. Its kind of sad a little bit, Volquez said. You feel like your career is over. He ended 2013 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he showed minor improvement before hitting the free-agent market. But most teams hardly seemed interested in signing a pitcher who spent a half-decade struggling with his command and composure. Yet he found a home in Pittsburgh, where the clubhouse has become an Ellis Island of sorts for players looking to regain something theyve lost. A year ago it was left-hander Francisco Liriano, who signed with the Pirates and put together a 16-8 season that included a victory over Cincinnati in the wild-card game. Liriano and Volquez are good friends, and while the $5 million flier Pittsburgh took on Volquez to be a back-of-the-rotation guy raised eyebrows, he remained confident he could make the changes necessary to become competitive. People (who) know about baseball, they knew I was really close to getting ready to go, Volquez said. Searage tweaked Volquezs delivery. Pirates catcher Russell Martin worked with him to set a steady pace during games, often hustling to the mound when Volquez starts working too quickly. When Volquez gets out of rhythm, his mechanics run amok. Early on he couldnt control it. He had elbows and knees flying all over the place, Searage said. Now hes able to control it better. Thats the biggest thing between a major leaguer and a minor leaguer a€” they basically have the same stuff, but it all comes up to (their mental approach). Volquez responded by going 13-7 with a 3.04 ERA in a team-high 32 starts, the lone constant in a rotation that saw Liriano, Gerrit Cole and Charlie Morton spend a significant amount of time on the disabled list. Volquez went 5-0 with a 1.64 ERA in his last 11 starts, his consistency one of the main reasons the Pirates sent Cole to the mound in the regular-season finale against Cincinnati in a last-ditch bid to win the NL Central. Cole was brilliant but Pittsburgh lost 4-1, putting its hopes of an extended playoff stay in Volquezs maturing hands. Curve Control Only two NL starters (A.J. Burnett, Adam Wainwright) used the curveball more than Volquez (25.9% of all pitches) this season. For the Giants, Bumgarner uses his curveball on 14 per cent of his pitches. Its the biggest start of his career, but Volquez isnt exactly sweating it. He spent Monday laying around his house napping. On Tuesday he traded jokes with other Latin players before playing long toss and shagging flies during batting practice. Ive got to pitch my game and be myself, he said. Its unlikely it can go any worse than his other post-season start. The Philadelphia Phillies tagged Volquez for four runs in 1 2-3 innings during Game 1 of the 2010 NL Division Series when he played for Cincinnati. Phillies starter Roy Halladay threw a no-hitter that day to start a three-game sweep. Four years later, Volquez faces another formidable task: beating a team that thrives this time of year. The Giants have captured two World Series titles this decade, including a resilient run in 2012 when they won six elimination games on their way to the championship. Most of the core that celebrated with a champagne shower after sweeping the Tigers in the World Series two years ago remains intact, including left-hander Madison Bumgarner. The 25-year-old is coming off a solid regular season in which he went 18-10 with a 2.98 ERA. He lost his only start against Pittsburgh, giving up five runs in four innings on July 28 at AT&T Park. The vibe will be decidedly different this time around on the other side of the country. And thats just fine by Bumgarner. Hes been here before, and so have most of the other guys in the San Francisco clubhouse, including his manager. I dont know whats going to happen, but youre going to see guys who are comfortable playing in this type of game, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. Theyre all about winning. I dont think theyll be affected by any kind of element or environment. Including whatever Volquez might have in store. He hardly resembles the enigma who could never find his footing in San Diego. Now hes flourishing in Pittsburgh with a chance to cement his transformation from lost cause to something else entirely. Hes become a complete pitcher, Searage said. His evolution of becoming a major league pitcher has been nothing but forward. Another important step awaits. Volquezs improvement First 14 Starts Past 17 Starts ERA 4.67 1.85 HR Alowed 11 6 K rate with RISP 16% 24% Volquez Pitch Selection vs RHB vs LHB Fastball 57.4% 52.9% Changeup 14.3% 23.9% Curveball 28.2% 23.2% Axel Werner Jersey . With timely hitting and good pitching, the Marlins are one win away from sweeping the slumping Houston Astros. Thomas Partey Jersey . The 155th edition of the Plate for Canadian-foaled three-year-olds, the oldest continuously run stakes race in North America, will be televised live on TSN in HD (High Definition) in a special presentation from 4:30 – 6:00 pm ET. Post time is 5:38 pm. http://www.socceratleticomadridonline.us/Diego-Costa-Atletico-Madrid-Jersey/ . Last year, Matt Kuchar closed with a 4-under 68 to beat Kevin Chappell by two strokes for his second win of the 2013 season and sixth of his career.Who is going to win promotion from the Championship? We look at the contenders and get expert analysis from Danny Higginbotham. With just over a month of the season to go, theres still little to separate the sides competing for the top six places, and the race hots up with a full schedule of matches on Tuesday night.Former Stoke, Southampton and Sunderland defender Higginbotham looks over the sides gunning for automatic promotion and gives his take on the play-off race... Its tight at the top with the end of the season on the horizon BurnleySean Dyches side have soared to the top of the table on the back of an unbeaten run in the league that stretches back to Boxing Day. They may have a potentially decisive home clash with Middlesbrough on April 19. Burnley currently lead the way in the Championship Remaining fixtures: Cardiff (h), Leeds (h), Birmingham (a), Middlesbrough (h), Preston (a), QPR (h), Charlton (a).Last six results (most recent first): DDWWWWHIGGINBOTHAMS VERDICT: I think they are the best equipped side, they can mix it more than any of the other teams. I did their game against Brentford a couple of months ago and they were incredible in the first half.Some people would say they were fortunate against Brighton at the weekend but they got a last-minute equaliser and that shows they dont know when they are beaten. That is so important for teams at the top of the league. Burnley were denied a goal in their top-of-the-table clash against Brighton They have Andre Gray, the highest goalscorer in the league, and they are on a phenomenal run. Sean Dyche has been there and done it and they have 15 players who have been promoted from the Championship so they have plenty of know-how too.MiddlesbroughBoro have recovered from defeats at relegation-threatened Rotherham and Charlton with victories over Hull and QPR to boost their automatic promotion hopes. They could be level on points with leaders Burnley if they win their game in hand. Middlesbrough have a game in hand on most of their rivals Remaining fixtures: Huddersfield (h), Preston (h), Reading (h), Bolton (a), Burnley (a), Ipswich (h), Birmingham (a), Brighton (h).Last six results: WWLLWLHIGGINBOTHAMS VERDICT: Their biggest problem has been against the teams that are lower down the table like Rotherham and Charlton. Aitor Karanka wants to be defensively strong but you look at the players they have going forward like Downing, Stuani, Rhodes and Nugent, they are so impressive.I think he should allow them to play with a bit more freedom. We saw that against QPR when they got three goals and there was a point in the second half where they looked untouchable and absolutely fantastic. Middlesbrough boosted their promotion hopes with a 3-2 win at QPR on Friday It will be interesting to see how they go because they havent got much experience of getting promoted. We saw what happened last season (when they lost in the play-off final), but no doubt if they can keep things going like they did against QPR they will be up there because of the players they have in the team.BrightonThe Seagulls have lost the fewest games in the Championship - five - but have drawn 15 times, a record only matched by QPR. They finish the season with games against Derby and Middlesbrough. Brighton are challenging for automatic promotion Remaining fixtures: Birmingham (a), Nottingham Forest (a), Fulham (h), QPR (h), Charlton (a), Derby (h), Middlesbrough (a).Last six results: DWWDDWHIGGINBOTHAMS VERDICT: Everybody keeps writing them off, but you cant go on the runs they have had without thinking they can go the distance. Their problem last season was too many loans, but they have a lot more permanent players now so there is more togetherness and Chris Hughton has tweaked the system which has been very important. Watch highlights of the clash between Brighton and Burnley They would prefer to have more wins under their belt, but I dont think they will go anywhere. Nicolas Gaitan Jersey. There is the least pressure on them in the top six, they havent spent much money and there wont be big expectations around Brighton.HullA 4-0 victory over Bristol City at the weekend was welcome relief for Hull after a five-match winless run in the league. They have a game in hand on most of their promotion rivals and six of their last eight matches are against teams in the bottom half. Steve Bruce has won promotion from the Championship before Remaining fixtures: Derby (a), Huddersfield (a), Wolves (h), Reading (a), Leeds (h), Brentford (h), Bolton (a), Rotherham (h).Last six results: WLDDLDHIGGINBOTHAMS VERDICT: Steve Bruce has a lot of experience in the team and I think they could get automatic promotion. They have players who can score and defensively they are very experienced. Hull returned to winning ways with a convincing victory over Bristol City Steve has done it before, but the pressure is on them. Having come down from the Premier League there is huge pressure on them to be successful. They do have goals in the side but havent scored much recently - before Saturday they had only scored two or more in one of their previous 10 games, so Steve will want that to improve.Getting out of leagues is all about scoring goals, defences keep you in the league, to get out you want goalscorers.Who else will make play-offs and wholl miss out? While Sheffield Wednesday and Derby currently occupy the final play-off places, they have Cardiff and Ipswich hot on their heels, with Birmingham and Preston a bit further back. Derby have won just two of their last six matches while Sheffield Wednesday have won their last three to enhance their play-off hopes. Higginbotham thinks Cardiff could challenge for a top-six finish HIGGINBOTHAMS VERDICT: I still think Burnley and Hull will get automatic promotion but Cardiff are on a fantastic run and they could challenge for a top-six place. Birmingham will still believe with a game in hand and Derby could be the ones that really suffer because of that. I fancy Boro to go one better than last year and get to the play-off final and put the heartache behind them. If they do end up in the play-offs I think they could be successful this time. English football permutations What could happen this week across the leagues? Betting Burnley and Middlesbrough are unsurprisingly Sky Bets favourites for the title at 5/6 and 6/4 respectively, while the duo are odds-on for promotion at just 1/7 and 2/9. Hull are considered the biggest threat to top spot at 8/1 despite needing to win their game in hand to catch third-placed Brighton, who are 14/1 to lift the trophy, while the rest of the league are all but dismissed.The Tigers are also shorter odds to go up at 5/6 to the Seagulls price of 6/4, while Derby (3/1) and Sheffield Wednesday (4/1) follow in the betting. As for those looking to break into the play-off places, Cardiff are the favourites to do so at 5/2 with the Football League sponsor and 16/1 for promotion, with Ipswich (15/2), Birmingham (18/1) and Preston (33/1) all up against longer odds for a top-six finish. We take a look at the on-loan players from Premier League clubs who impressed in the Football League last month. Who are you tipping for promotion to the Premier League? Leave a comment if youre reading on skysports.com or tweet us @SkyFootball...Watch all the Championship goals as they go in Soccer Special from 7.30pm on Tuesday evening or follow our live blog on www.skysports.com and via the Sky Sports apps. Also See: English football permutations WATCH: Football League goals Bruce frustrated after draw Blackburn 3-0 Fulham Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '