It takes expert planning and a full-time job to take care of Michael van Gerwen, Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson and Adrian Lewis away from the oche. Ahead of the Premier League Darts play-offs on Thursday at 7pm, live on Sky Sports 2 HD, we asked Sky Sports expert Wayne Mardle to lift the lid on the unheralded but vital job of the helper to a darts player.Who are these little-known folk? Michael van Gerwen Michael van Gerwen hits a 164 checkout against Phil Taylor Mardle said: He has a manager called Will, and you very rarely see Michael anywhere without him.Its a comfort blanket. Michael has reached sports superstardom because hes so good and so recognisable. His little bald head is never going to be mistaken, is he?Hes recognised left, right, and centre so Michael needs someone to say: Were just having a meal, can you come back later? Michael van Gerwen almost pulled off a nine-darter against compatriot Raymond van Barneveld Not everyone is in the mood to say yes for a photo. Sometimes, youre having trouble parking the car, you cant find the parking machine and theres a group of lads stopping you for an autograph. Thats what Will is for.It just takes a little bit of pressure off and allows Michael to be as good as he can possibly be.Phil Taylor Watch the winning leg as Phil Taylor defeated Barney Mardle said: Phil has Bob Glenn, who is more of a right-hand man than a manager. Its easier, if youre driving somewhere, to sleep than do the driving yourself so Phil lets Bob do it.Its the silly things. If Phil fancies a nice salad somewhere, Bob will find a nice bistro and sort it all out. Theres not much to worry about if you have one of these aides. Phil Taylor confirmed a play-off spot with a 7-2 win against Robert Thornton Phil likes to be somewhere three hours before he plays so, if theres traffic, Bob works that out accordingly.Bob doesnt care if hes there 10 minutes before the start, but he knows Phil might get agitated if he doesnt get perfect preparation.Bob has been friends with Phil for a long time, and its all about trust. Youve got to know that your man is in your corner.Gary AndersonMardle said: He has a manager and people around him but Gary looks after himself. He and his wife Rachel like doing things together as much as they can. Watch the moment Gary Anderson got his numbers horribly wrong! Hes more family orientated, but some other people need to be looked after. Lewis, for example, needs someone. Adrian LewisMardle said: Lewis has Keith Deller looking out for him, not just financially. Hes making sure that everything they do runs smoothly. Watch Adrian Lewis hit a nine-darter! Keith has known Adrian since he join the PDC in 2003. They just struck up a relationship.Youve got to like someone, then you have to trust them. Unlike Bob and Phil, Adrian has Keith as his manager - very much a professional relationship.Watch the Premier League Darts play-offs from The O2 Arena on Thursday at 7pm, Sky Sports 2 HD. Also See: MVG quickfire quiz On Sky TV Prem Table Sky Live: PL Darts play-offs Cheap Shoes Websites . -- Damian Lillard and LaMarcus Alrdridge were again the go-to duo for the Trail Blazers against the Kings. Cheap Shoes USA .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. http://www.discountshoescheap.com/ . -- Josh Sterk scored once and set up two more as the Oshawa Generals edged the visiting Belleville Bulls 3-2 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Wholesale Fashion Shoes . -- Anaheim Ducks defenceman Luca Sbisa will be out at least six weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand. Cheap Shoes Nike . Kuznetsov, who was selected by the Capitals in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, has been playing for his hometown team Chelyabinsk Traktor of the KHL. LOS ANGELES -- Hyun-Jin Ryus rust showed in his return to the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation after 640 days away dealing with surgery and injuries.The South Korean left-hander lost 6-0 to the San Diego Padres in his season debut Thursday night, allowing six runs and eight hits in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked two, with his velocity dipping to about 86 mph as the game went on.At the start, Ryu was throwing in the 89-91 mph range.The biggest part was getting him out there and it was a victory in itself, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. Up until the fifth inning where he ran out of gas and velocity started to slip, I thought he threw the ball well.Another test is Friday when the Dodgers find out how Ryu came out of his first major league start since Sept. 12, 2014. He had shoulder surgery the following May, causing him to miss all last season.Overall, I felt really great, Ryu said through a translator. My shoulder felt really great. I didnt see any issues.Ryu (0-1) was reinstated earlier Thursday from the 60-day disabled list. His struggles extended an unwelcome streak for Dodgers starters, with none of them going seven innings since May 14 except for now-injured ace Clayton Kershaw.Still, Ryu adds another piece to the Dodgers tattered rotation, with Brandon McCarty recently returned and Brett Anderson expected to follow after the All-Star break.We have so much quality depth in our rotation, Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis said. Well see Hyun-Jin of 2013-14 really soon. Hes going to be a huge weapon for us in the second half.Drew Pomeranz has been big for the Padres in the first half of the season. He tossed two-hit ball over seven innings and Melvin Upton Jr. homered leading off the game.Pomeranz (8-7) struck out six and walked two in his third straight start of seven innings with one run or less. The left-hander has 26 strikeouts in his last 27 innings.Rookie All-Star Corey Seager of the Dodgers went 0 for 4 with two strikeouts, ending his 19-game hitting streak, which was the longest in the National League this season.Alexei Ramirezs RBI double extended the Padres lead to 3-0 in the fouurth.dddddddddddd They tacked on three runs with two outs in the fifth on Yangervis Solartes RBI double and Alex Dickersons first career triple to deep right. Yasiel Puig misplayed the ball, which went over his head, and then he missed the cutoff man, making it 6-0 and chasing Ryu.He misplayed it a little bit, Roberts said. Could he have made the play? Yes. Is it an easy play? No, its not.HIT IT HERESeager has a tall task in the first round of the Home Run Derby during All-Star festivities next week. The rookie takes on Baltimores Mark Trumbo, the top seed and current major league leader with 26 homers. Seager ranks second among major league rookies with 17 homers. Hes flying his family from North Carolina to San Diego to watch.Hes going to be nervous and there are some guys who get shut out, Roberts said. Theres a lot of pressure. Youre kind of like a man on an island out there.DODGERS MOVESLos Angeles recalled RHP Carlos Frias from Triple-A Oklahoma City for his second stint on the active roster this season. He was recalled June 19-21 but didnt appear in a game. The reliever pitched last Sunday for OKC against Nashville, allowing one run and one hit in 1 2/3 innings for his third win of the season. ... They designated OF Will Venable for assignment and will send LHP Luis Avilan to OKC.TRAINERS ROOMPadres: RHP Tyson Ross (shoulder inflammation) had a rehab bullpen session pushed back after twisting an ankle while in his room exercising Wednesday. An X-ray was negative. He is resting the ankle and expected to throw in the next few days. ... 2B Cory Spangenberg (hamstring) and 2B Jemile Weeks (hamstring) are progressing in their rehab in Arizona and expected to begin playing minor league rehab games by the middle of next week.UP NEXTPadres: RHP Andrew Cashner (3-6, 4.42 ERA) makes his second start since being reinstated from the DL.Dodgers: LHP Scott Kazmir (7-3, 4.37) is 1-0 with a 4.37 ERA in four career starts against the Padres while limiting them to a .217 average. ' ' '