Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka believes his side are in a stronger position to challenge for automatic promotion from the Sky Bet Championship than they were last season. Boro missed out on the chance to go top when they lost 2-1 at Blackburn on Tuesday night, while a run of just three wins in their last nine league games has seen them slip to third in the table, albeit one point behind leaders Burnley with a game in hand.The Teessiders play host to Wolves at the Riverside Stadium on Friday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm. Tuesday was another game less, Karanka told the clubs official website. Were in a good position.Last season, we were worse off than we are now.We have a good game against Wolves on Friday so Im calm because I trust this squad and we have to keep going.Middlesbrough, who lost 2-0 to Norwich in last seasons play-off final, are also level on points with second-placed Hull with 13 games remaining. Aitor Karanka is in confident mood ahead of Fridays game Midfielder Grant Leadbitter is doubtful after being forced out of the midweek defeat with a hamstring injury, so either Adam Clayton or Gaston Ramirez could return to the starting line-up.Karanka will be without central defender Daniel Ayala, who has missed the last five matches due to an ankle injury.Wolves boss Kenny Jackett is hoping his side can build on last weeks home win against Derby, which halted a seven-game run without a win.The Midlanders are 13th in the table and Jackett has called for consistency between now and the end of the season. Highlights of Blackburns 2-1 win against Middlesbrough in the Championship I think theres a lot to build on there in terms of performances, both individually and as a team, he told the clubs official website.Were 12 off the play-offs and 14 off the relegation places, and thats where we are.Finishing this season very strongly is something Im determined to do.Weve had spells where weve been looking a good team, and with the addition of X, Y and Z we could go on to be one of the better sides.But weve also had spells where weve looked like were just going to fall away and be heading towards the bottom. Highlights of Wolves 2-1 win over Derby at Molineux in the Sky Bet Championship Midfielder James Henry could return to contention after missing the last three games due to a hamstring injury, while Jackett may recall winger Rajiv van La Parra.Van La Parra was left out of the squad last week after being booed off by Wolves supporters in the recent defeat at Brentford for inflammatory comments he recently made on social media about his wages.Mike Williamson (hamstring) and forward Michal Zyro (broken foot) are closing in on returns but are not likely to feature.Watch Middlesbrough v Wolves live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm on Friday. Or watch for £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV. Cheap MLB Jerseys China . At a Manhattan federal court hearing, attorney Jordan Siev said his law office has gotten more evidence nearly every day to support its lawsuit accusing MLB and Selig of going on a "witch hunt" to ruin Rodriguezs reputation and career. He said the defendants went "way over the line. Wholesale MLB Jerseys . Ancelotti says Ronaldo has recovered from a hamstring injury but "but he doesnt feel comfortable yet so we wont risk him." Madrid is third in the Spanish league, six points behind leader Barcelona, going into Saturdays game against Valladolid. http://www.cheapbaseballjerseysfromchina.com/ . However, he did make them miss him a little less. Cundiff, who had the unenviable job of replacing Dawson last season, agreed Thursday to a one-year, $1. Cheap MLB Jerseys Store .ca NFL Power Rankings, overtaking the Denver Broncos and remaining ahead of NFC competition San Francisco, Carolina and New Orleans. Stitched Nike Baseball Jerseys . LOUIS -- Valtteri Filppula assisted on three of Tampa Bays four goals, and the Lightning beat the St. CINCINNATI -- The Milwaukee Brewers are solidly in fourth place in the National League Central and were eliminated early from the playoff chase. But, their starting rotation is looking to build some momentum heading into the offseason.Over their past 21 games, Brewers starters have posted a 2.92 ERA with 39 earned runs allowed in 120 2/3 innings since 8/22. The 2.92 ERA led all of baseball for that period entering Mondays games.Those numbers looked more impressive prior to Monday night when Wily Peralta allowed three first-inning runs. But, collectively as a group, Brewers starters have been on a roll.Whats impressive is that they have it in them, its confidence for them, manager Craig Counsell said. You want to get them to the point where theyre consistent through the whole year. When you pitch like that, you can have good stretches (as a team).Right-hander Matt Garza will try to continue the positive stretch on Tuesday, when he faces the Reds in the second of three games at Great American Ball Park.Garza is making his 17th start of the season and second against Cincinnati. He was sharp his last time out against the first-place Chicago Cubs, allowing one run on three hits with five Ks in six innings of a 2-1 Brewers win.You have a bunch of guys pitching like that, you feel like you have a chance to win every night, Counsell said. Thats pretty much the way its been (even though) its an individual story in a lot of ways.Garza has had mixed results against the Reds in his career, going 4-4 with a 5.04 ERA IN 13 starts. At Great American Ball Park, its been about the same story with a 2-2 mark and 4.dddddddddddd.08 ERA in seven starts.The Reds will counter with right-hander Dan Straily, who has been among the pleasant surprises for them this season. Strailys story is worth telling again.He was waived and traded by three teams during Spring Training. Injuries opened up a spot in the bullpen for Straily who soon found a home in the starting rotation where he has shined.Straily has made 10 starts in which hes allowed three or fewer hits, a single-season franchise record and second most in the major leagues behind Cubs ace Jake Arrieta, who has 11. Opponents are hitting just .224 against him, ninth best in the NL.Hes quite familiar with the Brewers having faced them already twice this season. In his career, Straily is 1-0 with a 1.35 ERA in three appearances against Milwaukee.Straily went 6-0 with a 1.98 ERA in his first eight starts after the All-Star break.Cincinnati likely will be without center fielder Billy Hamilton whos still nursing a strained left oblique that has kept him out of action since Sept. 3.He still has some soreness, manager Bryan Price said. Its better, but he wont do any trunk rotational activities until thats out of there.The Reds have won four straight games and four of their last five games against Milwaukee.In 132 career games against the Brewers, Reds first baseman Joey Votto is batting .315 (146-463) with 27 homers and 90 RBI. His 27 homers and 90 RBI are his most against any opponent. ' ' '