Certain scenarios are meant for certain people, and the one that has developed in Londons 02 Arena at the ATP World Tour Finals seems tailor made for Stan Wawrinka.Should Wawrinka beat No. 1 Andy Murray in straight sets Friday, and Kei Nishikori defeat 0-2 Marin Cilic, the year-end championships will be denied that much-anticipated showdown between Murray and Novak Djokovic. It would also open the door for Djokovic to reclaim the top ranking.In fact if this scenario transpires, Murray will be out of the tournament before the semifinals. Among the possibilities if that happens is a rematch of the Djokovic-Wawrinka US Open final.Early in the week, after Wawrinka plodded his way through a desultory first-round loss to Nishikori, the chances of something like this being in play were remote. Not any longer, especially in light of Wawrinkas display of firepower Wednesday evening in a 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3) win against Cilic.I think the level was really high, Wawrinka told reporters after that match. Im happy with many things tonight -- the way I was mentally on the court, the way I was moving. I think I was moving great. I had some good defense, some long rallies. I mixed a lot with my game in general.When Stan the Man, aka Stanimal, is living in HappiStan, its time for everyone else, including Djokovic, to be afraid. Thick as a linebacker, Wawrinka is bearish in more ways than one. He tends to hibernate for significant periods, but when he comes out of his den, and the scent of a nearby meal sets his nose quivering, its time to climb the nearest tree.Wawrinka has never been No. 1, but he can play like the No. 1. It tends to happen in critical matches on the biggest stages.Im very far from being No. 1, Wawrinka said for perhaps the 2,700th time at the pretournament news conference. Referring to tennis Big Four, he added, If you look at their records, theyre playing in the final of every tournament they play, so its not something Im thinking about now.But rest assured, Wawrinka is something theyre thinking about. He not only belted Djokovic off the court in the last US Open final, he ruined the same guys day in the French Open final of 2015.Wawrinka also hammered Murray in straight sets at the Tour Finals last year. Murray leads the head-to-head by a very slender 9-7 edge, but there is so much pressure on him in London that he might have to take hits off an oxygen tank instead of a sports drink on changeovers when he plays Wawrinka.Pundits have tried to shoehorn Wawrinka into the Big Four ever since he belted his way to the 2014 Australian Open title (he beat Djokovic in the quarters and Rafael Nadal in the final), then backed it up during the ensuing months. Some have tried to expand the quartet into a Big Five including Wawrinka, but hell be the first to shun the honor. Hes humble and realistic. Hes also a creature who needs to hibernate.Besides, life is much more fun in HappiStan if Wawrinka can avoid the pressures and hassles that accompany everyday life. Wawrinka has a deft way of staying under the radar despite having, in every respect, the profile of a cargo plane.Nobody has taken Wawrinka very seriously at this tournament, and thats somewhat understandable. He won just one match in two fall Masters 1000 events. The only bright spot after that stunning upset of Djokovic in Arthur Ashe Stadium was a final in Moscow, where Wawrinka lost that to ATP #nextgen upstart Alexander Zverev.The sluggish opener against Nishikori in the O2 suggested that sometime in early October, Wawrinka decided to just mail it in. But its a mistaken assumption. This is just Wawrinkas way. He showed Wednesday that he hasnt licked and stamped the envelope just yet.Im here to try to enjoy, Wawrinka said, tacitly acknowledging that he doesnt want to fire expectations -- or put pressure on himself. Its still always a dream for me to be here. Im trying to enjoy; Im trying to do the right thing; Im trying to fight as much as I can to stay alive on the tournament.Because of his build, Wawrinka is only as good as his movement on that day. Thats a difficult factor to control. Wawrinka was moving poorly and mentally out of it Monday against perhaps the worst guy to face under those conditions, Nishikori.On Wednesday, the gum on his shoes turned into wheels. I know I can beat every player, Wawrinka said, when asked if he intends to compete for the top ranking now that applications are again being accepted. But I need to do it more often in the year if I want to think about that. But three Grand Slams in three years is something that I didnt expect. Im very happy with where I am now.Welcome to HappiStan. Beware if your name is Murray or Djokovic. Custom Nike Tampa Bay Rays Jerseys . Oyama had six birdies and two bogeys at Kintetsu Kashikojima in the event also sanctioned by the Japan LPGA Tour. "I have been having this neck ache thats been affecting my golf recently," Oyama said. Custom Nike Washington Nationals Jerseys . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. https://www.customnikebaseballjerseys.com/ . Detroit and Boston are deadlocked, 1-1, and Tigers manager Jim Leyland could be forgiven if he was caught rationalizing instead of dissecting how his club could blow a 5-1 lead late in Game 2. Wholesale Custom Nike Baseball Jerseys . Luis Suarezs double powered Liverpool to a 4-0 victory over Fulham, and Southampton easily overcame Hull 4-1 to continue the south coast clubs impressive start to the season. Liverpool and Southampton sent Chelsea down to fourth place as the west London club was held to 2-2 at home. Cheap Custom Nike Baseball Jerseys . Newcastle dominated in the early stages but City weathered the storm and then raised its game in extra time. Negredo broke the deadlock from close range after a simple move in the 99th minute before Dzeko took the ball round goalkeeper Tim Krul to seal the victory in the 105th. MINNEAPOLIS -- Dallas Keuchel and the Houston Astros were given a welcomed do-over.The Minnesota Twins had their strong start washed away.The Astros-Twins game was postponed Wednesday night by rain that came in the top of the third inning and never quit, and Major League Baseball finally made the decision after a 2 1/2-hour delay.The game will be reset Thursday night as the second half of a doubleheader, following the regularly scheduled afternoon game. That means the 5-0 lead the Twins took off Keuchel, including Brian Doziers leadoff home run, has been erased.You get off to a good start against a good pitcher and youve got your best guy out there and youve just got to wipe it off the slate, Twins manager Paul Molitor said, with a hint of weariness in his voice. Unfortunate. Good for them.After the Twins tagged the 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner with four runs in the second, sending 10 batters to the plate as dark clouds rolled in and lightning flashed in the distance, the skies opened up and the fans hurried for cover.Twins starter Ervin Santana left the mound with a disappointed look with one out and a big lead in the third as the umpires waved the players off the field and the grounds crew hustled to retrieve the tarp. White umbrellas, designed to look like baseballs, were conveniently given away to the first 10,000 customers who entered.You never know how its going to end, but well take the restart, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said.The Astros, who began the day four games behind in the crowded AL wild card race, have gone 41-27 since May 22. Thats the third-best record in the major leagues since then. Part of the problem during the slow start was Keuchel, who is a mere 7-11 with a 4.56 ERA this season.He was coming off a three-hit shutout of division-leading Texas in his last turn, another sign he was getting back in a groove.Felt good. Felt like it was an extension of the last start. Next thing I know, theres five runs on the board, Keuchel said. So thats disappointing.Dozier hit what would have been his 24th home run of the season. Then the Astros let Keuchel downn with errors by third baseman Alex Bregman and shortstop Carlos Correa, leading to two unearned runs.ddddddddddddIll take this mulligan and hopefully come back next start hot, Keuchel said.PITCHING DECISIONSAstros RHP Chris Devenski will move from the bullpen to start the makeup game. LHP Kevin Chapman will be recalled from Triple-A Fresno as the 26th player for the night.LHP Tommy Milone, who was recently moved into relief after making 11 starts earlier this season, will take the mound for the Twins. LHP Andrew Albers will be brought up from Triple-A Rochester as the 26th player.TRAINERS ROOMAstros: RHP Luke Gregerson, who started the season as the closer, threw an aggressive bullpen session without trouble for his strained left oblique muscle. Hes eligible Friday to come off the DL, but Hinch said the decision has not yet been made. The team could have Gregerson throw again before activating him.Twins: RHP Trevor May was placed on the DL before the game with a lower back strain, an aggravation of an injury that cost him 23 games earlier in the season. May, who has a 4.89 ERA in 42 1/3 innings and leads relievers with 59 strikeouts, will see a specialist Thursday for further evaluation.TRY AGAINTwins rookie RHP J.T. Chargois, who was recalled from Triple-A Rochester to fill in for May, has returned for redemption with his 67.50 ERA. In his major league debut June 11 against Boston, Chargois gave up five runs while recording only two outs.Chargois, who was picked for the All-Star Futures Game, had a 1.29 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 35 innings for Rochester.I wanted to pick up where I left off, he said. I wanted to prove that was a mistake.UP NEXTThe Astros will send RHP Doug Fister (10-7, 3.47 ERA) to the mound for the first game Thursday. He has allowed only one run over 12 innings in two August starts. Rookie RHP Jose Berrios (2-2, 8.31 ERA) will pitch the first game for the Twins, his third turn since being called up for his second stint in the majors. ' ' '