Sports: Red Wings Start a New Era Tonight
The Red Wings launch a new era with the opening of Little Caesars Arena tonight in their regular season opener against the Minnesota Wild. Jimmy Howard will begin his ninth full NHL season as the Wings’ goalie, and will play in his 402nd game, with a chance to record his 200th win tonight.
Pistons
The Pistons lost their first exhibition game at Little Caesar’s Arena Wednesday night, as they fell to the Charlotte Hornets, 108-106.
The Pistons jumped out to a 63-45 halftime lead and led by 20 at one point. Things changed in the second half. Coach Stan Van Gundy says the game gave his players a chance to see what quick passing and good defense can do, and also what the result of not doing those things can be.
The Pistons had seven players score in double figures. Andre Drummond had 16 points, which included a 6 for 8 night from the free-throw line. He added 15 rebounds. Avery Bradley scored 14 points.
Pistons point guard Reggie Jackson missed the game due to right thigh muscle soreness. He's listed as day-to-day.
Detroit will host the Atlanta Hawks in another pre-season game on Friday night.
MLB
The Arizona Diamondbacks tripled four times to beat the Colorado Rockies, 11-8 in the NL wild-card game. Paul Goldschmidt slammed a three-run homer in the first inning, but the D-Backs blew a 6-0 lead after ace Zach Greinke allowed four in the fourth. In the 7th, relief pitcher Archie Bradley hit a two-run triple. Another two-run triple by centerfielder A.J. Pollock sealed the win. The D-Backs will play the West Division Champion Dodgers on Friday night.
The Yankees will play the Indians in a best of five starting tonight. Trevor Bauer will start for the Indians. The Yankees will counter with Sonny Gray.
The Red Sox play the Astros in Houston this afternoon at 4. Justin Verlander will start for Houston against Boston's Chris Sale.
The Nationals host the World Champion Cubs on Friday night. Kyle Hendricks will start for the Cubs in Game 1. But the Nationals aren’t sure who will start. Ace pitcher Max Scherzer was expected to throw a bullpen session Wednesday after tweaking a hamstring in his last start over the weekend, but that plan was scrubbed.
Tigers Manager Search
The Detroit Tigers plan to interview Chicago White Sox bench coach Joe McEwing for their manager position. They also plan to talk to former Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez, who is considered to be the front-runner. The Tigers have already interviewed current coaches Omar Vizquel and Dave Clark and also plan to talk to hitting Coach Lloyd McClendon. Tiger’s general manager Al Avila said the search should last into late October, or perhaps longer depending on when teams are eliminated from the playoffs.
Flames Sign 45-year old Jagr
The Calgary Flames have officially signed 45-year-old Jaromir Jagr to a one-year contract. The five-time NHL scoring champion didn't miss a game while playing for Florida last season, where he had 16 goals and 46 points.
College Football
Michigan State plays the Wolverines Saturday night in Ann Arbor. It’s the first time in a ten years that coach Mark Dantonio and the Spartans have gone into the game as the clear underdog against the Wolverines. Seventh-ranked Michigan is allowing the fewest yards per game in the nation. Coach Mark Dantonio hits the airwaves to talk about it Thursday at 7pm on 95.3 WBCK. 95.3 WBCK will bring you the game at 6pm on Saturday. Michigan fans can hear it on 104.9 the Edge.
Western Michigan plays Saturday afternoon at Buffalo. The Broncos are 3-2.
KCC Volleyball
The KCC Volleyball, 15-4, and 8-3 in conference play, play their final home game of the season tonight against KVCC at 6:30pm at the Central Fieldhouse.
Michigan Softball
Michigan has agreed to a contract extension with longtime softball coach Carol Hutchins through the 2022 season. Hutchins is the winningest coach in NCAA softball history, with a career mark of 1,527-491-5. She is also the winningest coach in the history of Michigan athletics.
NCAA Transfers
An NCAA committee is developing a proposal that would eliminate a school's ability to essentially block an athlete from transferring. The NCAA says the Division I Council could introduce legislation as early as January. An idea to allow some undergraduate athletes to switch schools and be immediately eligible to compete will not be considered.
High School Games This Week
This Friday, 95.3 WBCK will bring you the game between Battle Creek Central and Mattawan. Join Jim Hughes and Danny Trayer for the game at 6:35pm this Friday. On Saturday, we’ll have another game, as St. Phillip hosts Tekonsha.
Friday, October 6th
Mattawan at Battle Creek Central, 6:35pm on 95.3 WBCK
Lakeview at Loy Norrix
Coldwater at Harper Creek
Pennfield at Hastings
Jackson Northwest at Marshall
Athens at Pittsford
Bronson at Reading
Gull Lake at Kalamazoo Central
Union City at Homer
Delton at Kalamazoo United
Maple Valley at Perry
Olivet at Stockbridge
Concord at Quincy
Bellevue at Waldron
Saugatuck at Galesburg-Augusta
Saturday, October 7th
Mt. Clemens at Climax-Scotts
Tekonsha at St. Philip - 1:06pm on 95.3 WBCK.
Lions
The Lions, at 3-1 are on top of the NFC Central and host the Carolina Panthers this Sunday.
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