DETROIT -- That sweet swing is still there. No matter how banged up Miguel Cabrera has been, hes always a threat to hit the ball where nobody can catch it. Its the rest of his duties that have looked more and more painful. Those jogs out of the batters box became progressively slower -- and although Cabrera helped the Detroit Tigers win the AL Central for a third straight year, even they cant be sure what to expect from their best hitter in the post-season. "Hes not 100 per cent," manager Jim Leyland said. "Hes been playing in a lot of pain. Hes a real tough guy. I think if anybody knew the pain hes playing in, they probably wouldnt believe it." After winning the Triple Crown in 2012, Cabrera was even better for much of this season. By the end of August, he looked well on his way to one of the American Leagues best offensive seasons of the last 50 years. His final numbers were still terrific -- a .348 average with 44 homers and 137 RBIs -- but toward the end, a number of nagging problems began to add up. "It doesnt matter right now," Cabrera said. "Youve got to be ready to play. Go out there and play hard." Cabrera missed a game in early July with a bad back, and on July 22 against the Chicago White Sox, he exited early with what the team said was a sore left hip flexor. After missing four games, the star third baseman homered in his first at-bat July 27 against Philadelphia. That began a remarkable pattern in which Cabrera would miss time because of one injury or another -- but still put up staggering numbers when he did play. He was bothered by a strained lower abdomen, but after missing a few days in early August, he came back to help Detroit sweep a key four-game series at Cleveland. Then he homered in all three games of a road series against the New York Yankees, twice off Mariano Rivera. The first homer off Rivera was the most memorable -- a tying two-run shot in the ninth inning that came while Cabrera was still hobbling after fouling two balls off his left shin in the at-bat. The Tigers ended up losing, but it was still one of the highlights of the season. Then on Aug. 20, Cabrera aggravated a strain in his groin, abdominal and hip area. He kept playing, never going on the disabled list, but his numbers finally dipped a bit. At the end of an Aug. 26 game against Oakland, Cabrera was hitting .359 with 43 homers and 130 RBIs. Since then, hes hit .284 with only two extra-base hits in 25 games. Now the Tigers enter the AL division series against the Athletics hoping their slugger has had enough time to work through his various ailments. "Every day we can give Miggy off and let him rest his groin is a good thing," said right-hander Max Scherzer, who will start Game 1 on Friday. The abdominal and groin issues have probably been most apparent when Cabrera has been running the bases. Getting from home to second even on a hard-hit ball has looked like more of a challenge for him lately. Of course, it should be noted that the Tigers were in control in the Central throughout September, clinching the division title in the fourth-to-last game of the season. Detroit didnt need Cabrera at full speed. "The injury is still there," Leyland said. "I think some days its worse than others." After the Tigers clinched, Cabrera had four hits in a two-game span at Miami. "This time of year it gets late real fast, but I really like the way hes swinging the bat right now," Leyland said. "I think his timing is back pretty darn good." Cabrera hopes so. He may end up winning a second straight MVP award despite his slow September, but what matters now is whether he is healthy enough to help Detroit return to the World Series after the Tigers made it there and lost in 2012. "Im feeling good. Im feeling ready to go," he said. "No time to think what happened in the past. We need to keep positive and try to be ready to play." Jack Butler Jersey . -- Navy football player Will McKamey, who has been hospitalized since collapsing at practice three days ago, has died while in a coma. Mike Wagner Womens Jersey . The win puts Arsenal four points clear of Everton in fourth place with two games to play in the Premier League, a position which would qualify the club for Europes top competition for the 17th straight year. http://www.steelersrookiestore.com/Steelers-Jack-Lambert-Jersey/ . "Yeah, [I heard them]," he said. "They made me miss the free throw." A year ago, Lowrys post-game antics may not have been so well received but what was snide and snarky is now endearing quick wit. Lynn Swann Youth Jersey . JOHNS, N. Carnell Lake Womens Jersey . Mars announced Saturday that the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers will join him as part of his halftime show. Super Bowl halftime performers often have collaborators.El Paso, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Demario Richard posted four touchdowns and Kweishi Brown came up with a key late interception as No. 15 Arizona State held on to take out Duke, 36-31, in the Sun Bowl. Richard racked up just 63 yards of total offense, yet crossed the goal line twice on rushes and twice more on Taylor Kelly passes for the Sun Devils (10-3). Kelly finished 24-of-34 for 240 yards, while Jaelen Strong led all receivers with 103 yards on seven receptions. Anthony Boone completed only 15 of his 31 attempts for 193 yards, two scores and that late pick for the Blue Devils (9-4). Jamison Crowder also threw a TD pass and racked up 102 yards on seven catches while also recording a 68-yard punt return score. Isaac Blakeney, Shaquille Powell and Johnell Barnes each posted a touchdown reception in defeat. Powell also totaled 117 yards on 29 carries. Boone found Barnes for a 14-yard score with 10:10 to play and Duke pulled to 30-24. On the Blue Devils next drive, punter Will Monday hit Barnes for 30 yards to the ASU 20, on 4th-and-11, then a potential interception by Damarious Randall at the three on the following snap was overturned since the ball hit the ground. A reprieve given, Duke didnt waste the chance as Blakeneys 12-yard TD catch from Crowder on 4th-and-2 plus the extra point gave it a 31-30 edge with 5:03 to play. Kalen Ballage took the momentum right back, when he returned the kick 96 yards to the Duke 4, and on the next play Kelly hit Richard for the go-ahead score. The BBlue Devils received the ball on their own 29 and quickly moved to the red zone.dddddddddddd. However, Boones bid for the end zone on 3rd-and-10 from the ASU 14 was picked off by Brown. Kelly knelt on three straight plays to run off the remaining time. Richards 9-yard run capped ASUs first drive of the contest, then Zane Gonzalez added a 28-yard make on its ensuing possession. Duke got on the board when Ross Martin converted a 40-yard try late in the first quarter before Gonzalez made a 38-yarder just over two minutes into the second. Richard broke through again and hit the end zone from 1 yard out midway through the second and the Sun Devils led 20-3, though the Blue Devils came right back on a 14-yard Boone-to-Powell connection. Duke clawed back within three as Crowder returned a punt 68 yards, but had an interception on ASUs next drive overturned by replay and failed to score for the remainder of the half. Richards 11-yard TD catch provided a 27-17 edge for the Sun Devils early in the third quarter and Gonzalez capped another ASU drive with a 47-yard boot and 13-point margin heading to the fourth. Game Notes Arizona State has won at least 10 games in consecutive seasons for the second time in program history, following a four-year stretch from 1970-73 ... Richard matched Woody Greens school bowl record of four TDs, set in the 1972 Fiesta Bowl victory (49-35) over Missouri ... Duke totaled 400 yards of offense to 392 for ASU. ' ' '