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Canterbury coach Des Hasler bit back at his sides critics, brushing off claims theyre shaping as NRL also-rans.The Bulldogs are right in the mix, placed fourth with four regular rounds to play but have copped criticism after unconvincing wins over strugglers St George Illawarra and Newcastle in the last fortnight.While Hasler attributed those performances to the opposition and also difficult conditions on Saturday in Newcastle, legends Darren Lockyer and Brad Fittler cast doubt over their title credentials.Lockyer said he believed they were out of the running and too inconsistent while Fittler said they were winning ugly and getting home on the back of some individual brilliance.However Hasler, whose side has won six of their last seven matches, pointed to their position on the ladder as proof of their credentials.Winning ugly, what does that mean? Were winning games when we need to, Hasler said.Obviously at the same time its a pretty tight comp.Theres three sides fighting for third and fourth and how many sides are fighting it out for sixth, seventh and eighth spot?I think thats a good thing.The Bulldogs have lost just three games since round 10 in May with all of those defeats coming against sides in top four contention - North Queensland (fifth), Cronulla (second) and Canberra (third).They are also third in the league for completions and fourth for metres made, illustrating theyre capable of executing and dominating their opposition.Asked about suggestions they werent in the hunt, Hasler was blunt: Well were in fourth place. .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. .com) - Manchester City midfielder David Silva is expected to miss the next four weeks because of a calf problem. . -- The Bishops Gaiters are showing they belong among the countrys top varsity football teams. . -- Mike Smith never saw his first NHL goal go in. . Brandon Morrow allowed five runs on six hits over three innings. He struck out two, walked one and hit a batter. Edwin Encarnacion had a two-out, bases loaded two-RBI double in the third inning. CLEVELAND -- The Latest on the World Series (all times local):8:30 p.m.Once again, Indians manager Terry Francona is torn on what to do in left field.The good thing is that Carlos Santana isnt an option.Francona was forced to start Santana, his regular designated hitter, twice in left at Wrigley Field, where Cleveland had to play under National League rules. Santana more than held his own in Games 3 and 5.I was really proud of him, Francona said of Santana, who had only played four innings in left in his career before Game 5. Hes come a long way. Took a lot of work in that four- or five-day span for him to be out there, and I thought it was pretty cool. Ill be glad that we can DH somebody though.Francona is now trying to decide whether to play Coco Crisp or Rajai Davis in left for Game 6 against Chicago right-hander Jake Arrieta. Davis had two hits and stole three bases in Game 5.Francona said hes leaning toward Crisp but wants to discuss it first with bench coach Brad Mills.---8:15 p.m.Cubs manager Joe Maddon anticipates closer Aroldis Chapman will be available for another long outing in Game 6.Chapman threw 42 pitches in Game 5, getting the first eight-out save of his major league career.I dont know that we could do what we did yesterday, necessarily. But Ill talk to him tomorrow, Maddon said Monday. Hes a pretty strong guy. Beyond that I dont think weve overused him to this point. Im just talking about the latter part of the season as well as the playoffs, hes been in pretty much a little dabs, not the lengthy moment like you saw yesterday. Ill check with him tomorrow. Ill definitely listen to what he has to say. Im betting that he would probably think that he would be good for two innings, I would imagine tomorrow.---8:15 p.m.Rookie catcher Willson Contreras is set to start in Game 6, with Jake Arrieta on the mound for the Chicago Cubs.David Ross, a 39-year-old in his final big league season, started Games 1 and 5 along with pitcher Jon Lester. Contreras started Games 2, 3 and 4.Willsons done a great job. He caught Jake well in Cleveland a couple days ago, Cubs manager Joe Maddon said.Contreras is hitting .071 (1 for 14) in the Series, and Ross is 1 for 4. Lester could enter a Game 7 in relief.Youd have to make a decision how you want to utilize that if you actually put Jonny in the game, who you want catching Jon in that moment, Maddon said. So theres a lot of little subplots going on.---6:55 p.m.With the Chicago Cubs successfully fighting off elimination by Cleveland, World Series Game 5 attracted its most television viewers in nearly two decades.Chicagos 3-2 win Sunday was watched by 23.6 million on Fox, the network said Monday, attracting a 13.1 rating and 21 share.Kansas Citys Series-clinching, 12-inning victory over the New York Mets in Game 5 last year received a 10.0/17 and 17.2 million viewers. This years Game 5 rating was the highest since Floridas 6-4 win over the New York Yankees in 2003 received a 13.2/21, and the viewership was the most since 24.2 million tuned in for Floridas 8-7 victory oover the Indians in 1997.dddddddddddd.Spanish-language coverage of Game 5 on Fox Deportes drew 342,000 viewers and the digital telecast on Fox Sports Go 136,000, raising the total to 24.1 million.The first five games have averaged an 11.0/19 and 19.3 million viewers, up from an 8.7/16 and 14.7 million last year.---6:40 p.m.The Indians will have a personal piece of their past at Game 6.Eddie Robinson, the last living member from Clevelands 1948 World Series title team, will be at Progressive Field on Tuesday night as the Indians try to win their first championship in 68 years.The 95-year-old Robinson was the starting first baseman on the 48 team, which featured Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller, Larry Doby, who broke the AL color barrier, shortstop/manager Lou Boudreau and pitcher Bob Lemon.Robinson is making the trip from Fort Worth, Texas, to see the Indians try to close out the Chicago Cubs. He batted .300 with six hits in the 48 Series and drove in Clevelands fourth run in Game 6 when the Indians beat the Boston Braves to win the championship.---5:30 p.m.Cleveland Indians right fielder Lonnie Chisenhall should be available for Game 6 after being stricken with a stomach bug on Sunday.Chisenhall was sent back to the team hotel before Game 5 at Wrigley Field on Sunday after complaining about not feeling well. Cleveland manager Terry Francona said Monday that Chisenhall was able to make it back to the stadium before the first pitch and could have entered as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning of Sunday nights 3-2 loss if the pitchers spot had come up.Chisenhall is just 1 for 13 in the Series.---2:30 p.m.Chicago Cubs fans hopes that the team can still win it all are still very much alive.Many are planning trips to Cleveland for Game 6 of the World Series on Tuesday after the Cubs survived elimination Sunday night against the Indians.A StubHub spokesman said Monday that about 27 percent of the tickets being sold on the site for Tuesday went to credit cards associated with Illinois Zip codes.Barry Rosenthal was at Sunday nights 3-2 win over Cleveland. He says hes going Tuesday and was always confident the Cubs would win in seven games.Longtime Cubs fan Ed Koenig says he cant go. But he suspects people are working on their coughs so it wont be a total surprise to their bosses when they call in sick.---2:20 p.m.The NBA has moved up the start time for Tuesday nights Cleveland Cavaliers game because of the World Series.The game against Houston at Quicken Loans Arena will now begin an hour earlier at 6 p.m. EDT.The champion Cavaliers requested the change to avoid an extended overlap with Game 6 of the World Series, which starts at 8:08 p.m. at neighboring Progressive Field.The Cleveland Indians lead the Chicago Cubs 3-2 and can win their first World Series since 1948. In June, the Cavaliers defeated Golden State in Game 7 of the NBA Finals to end the citys championship drought after 52 years. ' ' '
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