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RIO DE JANEIRO -- A public shaming at the Olympic Games isnt pretty.After the scandal of state-organized Russian cheating and Olympic officials spineless response, it perhaps was only a matter of when, not if, a Russian athlete in Rio would be booed and blamed.Olympians and fans are disgusted. Understandably so. Revelations that Russian officials erased doping positives, flushed away dirty urine samples and gave cheats a clean bill of health are sickening. So, too, was the International Olympic Committees refusal to ban Russia outright from the Rio de Janeiro Games.But swimmer Yulia Efimova is a poor poster child for Russias deceit.Yes, the 24-year-old is Russian. And, yes, she did positive in 2013 for a banned steroid, DHEA. That doesnt, however, automatically make her a doper. Three arbitrators, none of them Russian, who heard Efimovas case and banned her from competition for 16 months were clear about that.They ruled that she clearly was not intentionally cheating and she did not intend to enhance sport performance.Instead, they determined, Efimova was negligent. The legal supplement she bought at a store near her home in California contained DHEA. It even said so on the label. But Efimova naively believed the store clerk who told her the product was OK and did not read the label herself, they determined.Foolish, then, but not Lance Armstrong.The arbitrators noted that Efimova impressed them as sincere and honest and appropriately remorseful for her mistake. She did not seek to blame others for her rule violation and she accepted responsibility for her actions.These all-important nuances got drowned in the Olympic pool.The Cold War-ish narrative of a feisty 19-year-old American, Lilly King, striking a blow for clean athletes by staring down and beating the Russian was too appealing to let all the facts get in the way.Another U.S. swimmer, Cody Miller, even went so far as to liken his teammates defeat of Efimova in the 100-meter breaststroke to the movie Rocky IV, where Sylvester Stallones boxer knocks out juiced-up Soviet monster Ivan Drago.BOOOOM!! Miller tweeted. AMERICA PREVAILS!!Get a grip.Howard Jacobs, the California lawyer who represented Efimova in her 2014 case heard by the doping panel for swimmings governing body, FINA, says ire against her is misplaced.Its not that everyone who tests positive is evil, he said in a phone interview. There are very few athletes who take the time to understand anti-doping until they are actually thrown into an anti-doping case because of a mistake that they make.For the record, FINA also cleared Efimova for the six times meldonium was found in her drug-test samples in February and March this year. The Latvian-made heart drug was routinely taken by East European athletes before the World Anti-Doping Agency banned its use at the start of the year. But the science behind the ban was incomplete and WADA subsequently issued new guidelines allowing athletes to be cleared in some cases.FINA said the amount of meldonium in Efimovas samples was very low and that its doping panel concluded that she wasnt at fault.WADA could have challenged FINAs decision and appealed but did not, judging that the federation handled the case correctly.Those are the rules.Efimovas rivals may not like them. They may not like her. But should they ever run afoul of those same rules, theyll also want a fair shake and likely be on the phone to lawyers like Jacobs.When they hear stories about contaminated supplements, they think its all BS, he said. They dont believe it until it happens to them.If swimmers need a target, they should aim at FINA instead. The federation awarded Russian President Vladimir Putin its highest honor, the FINA Order, in 2014 for what it gushed was his great contribution to strengthen the fraternity between nations, improve the lifestyle and education of the youth in Russia and promote a healthier society.That coziness, always inappropriate, now looks just horrible in the wake of the Russian state-sponsored doping scandal.The next time King takes to the Olympic pool -- she and Efimova race in 200-meter heats on Wednesday -- it would be good to hear her take a stand on that.---John Leicester is an international sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at jleicester(at)ap.org or follow him at http://twitter.com/johnleicesterCheap NBA Jerseys . -- About a third of the way through the regular season, the Washington Wizards are at . Collin Sexton Jersey . Tests earlier this week revealed a Grade 2 left hamstring strain for Sabathia, who was hurt in last Fridays start against San Francisco. Its an injury that will require about eight weeks to heal. He finished a disappointing campaign just 14-13 with a career-worst 4. http://www.cheapcavaliersjerseysauthentic.com/ . The Masters champion and winner of last weeks Australian PGA has a three-round total of 14-under 199 at Royal Melbourne. "Im in a really good position for tomorrow," Scott said. Cheap Cavaliers Jerseys Authentic . -- Vincent Lecavalier got everything but the desired result in his return to Tampa Bay. Wholesale Cavaliers Jerseys . -- An ugly goal by Nick Bonino helped the Anaheim Ducks overcome the defensive-minded Phoenix Coyotes on a night when their ragged power play continued to struggle.Friday offers an intriguing mix of proven top-of-the-rotation pitchers, Francisco Liriano returning to the American League for the first time since 2012, and Tim Lincecums second career start in his home state of Washington. Fridays Daily Notes is here to provide you with the pitchers and hitters to target -- and the ones to avoid as well.PitchingEliteNoah Syndergaards projected game score is beginning to reflect a small slide in skills as well as failing to go as deep into games as earlier in the season. Though, to be fair, his skills are still exceptional and part of the reason for a lower projected game score than usual is a challenging road tilt against the Detroit Tigers. There arent any other elite arms to recommend over Thor, so using him in cash games is understandable but more of a risk than usually incurred.SolidTruth be told, Syndergaards mound foe, Justin Verlander, lines up better for cash play, especially on sites where the win isnt as important. Granted, the New York Mets have added Jay Bruce to their already mostly left-handed lineup and get to use a designated hitter, but overall, Verlander faces a less daunting task than his counterpart. Verlander isnt without risk himself as he has been mixing in the occasional stinker amid a string of solid efforts. Still, Verlander has tossed at least seven innings 13 times, failing to last at least six innings only four times this season, which is what you want from your cash game pitcher.Jon Lester didnt have a good July, recording a 7.36 ERA and 1.77 WHIP. The veteran southpaw looks to kick off his August on a high note as he returns to a place he called home for a couple of months as the Chicago Cubs?take on the Oakland Athletics. There isnt a lot of strikeout upside as the hosts whiff at a stingy 17 percent clip with a lefty on the hill, but Lester should keep run scoring to a minimum so hes in play for cash action.Jeremy Hellickson was thought to be on the move at the trade deadline, but he remains with the Philadelphia Phillies, at least for now. The resurgent righty will take the hill in Petco Park, facing a San Diego Padres club that whiffs at a bloated 25 percent pace against right-handers. This makes Hellickson one of the top options in all formats on a busy Friday night of DFS action.Jameson Taillon has tossed four straight six-inning outings without issuing any free passes, fanning 22 over those 24 innings. The 24-year right-hander is in a good spot to keep the roll going as the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Cincinnati Reds in an NL Central tussle. The visitors already weak lineup not only lost Jay Bruce but is taking a big park hit in PNC Park. This puts Taillon in play as a DFS cash or GPP option.Pop quiz, what team leads the league in run scoring over the past month? If you guessed the Minnesota Twins, youve been paying excellent attention. If you knew that, you also are probably aware that Blake Snell enjoyed a stellar July, boasting a 2.76 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP, supported by a dominant 10.1 K/9. Something has to give in Tropicana Field on Friday night as one of the leagues hottest offenses squares off with a pitcher on a roll. This makes Snell an intriguing GPP option for those looking to avoid dealing with Brian Dozier, Joe Mauer and the white-hot Max Kepler.Can a 24-year old have a revenge game in his third career start? Braden Shipley made his Arizona Diamondbacks debut against the Milwaukee Brewers and was lit up pretty good in Miller Park, giving up six runs and eight hits, including three homers in 5 1/3 innings. The rookie rightys second start was much better as he tossed six scoreless in Dodger Stadium. Now Shipley gets the Brewers again, this time in Chase Field, putting him in the mix for GPP play, facing a club that fans at a healthy 26 percent pace versus righties.StreamersAs will be discussed in a bit, theres a litany of arms to avoid, which doesnt leave many streaming options meeting our unofficial criteria of checking in with a game score between 46 and 52 with less than 50 percent ownership in ESPN leagues. If theres someone that isnt discussed that piques your interest, please use the comments below and Ill help you out. Alternatively, shoot me a tweet to @ToddZola if the answer takes fewer than 140 characterrs.dddddddddddd.Francisco Liriano sits exactly at 50 percent ownership so he makes the cut for his first outing with the Toronto Blue Jays. At home, the inconsistent lefty will be a huge risk, but on the road hell often be in play. Friday presents such an opportunity as the lefty will take on the Kansas City Royals in Kauffman Stadium. It doesnt hurt that Lirianos mound foe is Dillon Gee so run support shouldnt be an issue.Despite pitching well lately, Ervin Santana has not reaped the benefits of his clubs new-found offensive prowess, at least not in terms of wins. Santanas draw isnt easy as hell face Snell, but the Minnesota Twins right-hander should rack up some whiffs without too much danger of a ratio blow-up.Christian Friedrich is only owned in 3 percent of ESPN leagues so hes probably available for his Petco Park outing against the Philadelphia Phillies. Aaron Altherr has injected some life into Phillys lineup but overall, its still a below-average unit.AvoidOur ranking system lands five pitchers as automatic sits as they have a game score 45 or below. It should be noted that one of the quintet is David Phelps, entering the Miami Marlins rotation to take the hill in Coors Field. That must have been an interesting conversation. Phelps, come into my office, I have some good news and some bad news.Despite scuffling lately, the Chicago Cubs should be able to get things in gear facing Dillon Overton in O. Co Coliseum. The Oakland Athletics southpaw has surrendered nine homers in only 18 1/3 innings.The Miami Marlins lineup might not be deep, but its top-heavy enough to sit Jorge De La Rosa in Coors Field.HittingFor those of us who really enjoyed watching Tim Lincecum in his prime, its painful to seeing him get battered with the Los Angeles Angels. The Seattle Mariners have a great chance to pad their hitting numbers with a tilt in Safeco Field. Anyone with a stick in their hands is a threat in the box against the current incarnation of Lincecum so dont get hung up on platoon splits. Robinson Cano, Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seager are the high-end options. Adam Lind, Seth Smith and Nori Aoki are down a level with Mike Zunino in play as well.Its going to be hard to fade Giancarlo Stanton and Marcell Ozuna as theyll face De La Rosa in Coors Field. Other Miami Marlins in play include Martin Prado, J.T. Realmuto and possibly Chris Johnson, who has been playing first base against southpaws.Martin Perez has a tall task in store as hell face the Houston Astros in Minute Maid Park. Righty swingers have been pulverizing Perez, putting George Springer, Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa front and center among the top tier. This could be the setup Alex Bregman needs to jump-start his early malaise with Carlos Gomez, Evan Gattis and Tyler White in the mix as well.The St. Louis Cardinals welcome Matt Carpenter back in their home affair with the Atlanta Braves in Busch Stadium. Joining Carpenter as solid choices against righty Joel De La Cruz are Brandon Moss who also has the platoon edge along with Stephen Piscotty and Matt Holliday, despite lacking the advantage. Lefty Greg Garcia has been playing regularly with Carpenter out, but he might be in the lineup, too.Finally, the Toronto Blue Jays arent as daunting outside of Rogers Centre. However, facing Dillon Gee and his 1.7 HR/9 are in play, despite a Kauffman Stadium affair. With so many other options, using a Jays mini-stack could be fruitful. Choose a couple from Jose Bautista, Josh Donaldson, Edwin Encarnacion, Michael Saunders and Troy Tulowitzki, who returned to the lineup Thursday.Most likely to hit a homer: Giancarlo StantonOn a slate like this, perhaps we should be looking for the most likely to hit more than one homer. Its going to be fun watching Stanton take hacks in Coors, beginning Friday night against De La Rosa.Most likely to steal a base: Cameron MaybinJon Lester gets a reprieve as theres no one on Oakland lined up to take advantage of his yips throwing to first. Instead, lets pick on another hurler who struggles keeping runners close and call on Maybin to do some running with Syndergaard toeing the Comerica Park rubber. ' ' '