Detroit Tigers v Chicago White Sox
(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
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The Tigers were off Monday, getting their first day off in a span of 18 straight games.  They start a two-game series with the Marlins in Detroit tonight.  Mike Pelfrey is set to start tonight's series opener on three days’ rest, after a long relief appearance.  After the series with the Marlins, the Tigers head out for an 11 game trip in Tampa, Cleveland and Toronto.

The Cleveland Indians still own a five-game lead over Kansas City in the American League Central after running their winning streak to 10 games.  The Indians ripped the Braves 8-3 in Atlanta.  The Tigers and White Sox are tied for third place, 7 ½ games behind first place Cleveland.

Tiger Stadium Field

Construction has officially started at the former site of Tiger Stadium in Detroit that's being redeveloped into a youth sports facility and Detroit Police Athletic League headquarters. Crews began tearing up grass on Monday.  The new $20 million, 2,500-seat stadium will be named for hometown sports hero Willie Horton.

All-Star Voting

Voting for the 2016 MLB All-Star Game ends this Thursday and the Tigers on the ballot need some votes. As of last Tuesday, the last ballot update, Miguel Cabrera trailed Eric Hosmer for the selection at first base, Victor Martinez was fourth at designated hitter, and Ian Kinsler and Nick Castellanos were both fifth. You can vote at MLB.com and Tigers.com and submit up to five ballots in a 24-hour period. The All-Star game is July 12 in San Diego.

Bombers

The Battle Creek Bombers fell to the Rockford Rivets, 4-3 at Rivets Stadium Monday night. The Bombers trailed 3-0 early on, but rallied back to tie the game in the fifth, before falling, 4-3. Tommy Parsons started and gave up three runs (two earned) on seven hits, walking two and striking out eight. Max Ritchie took the loss for the Bombers, as he falls to 0-4.  With the loss the Bombers fall to 14-15 on the year. The Bombers will be back in action Tuesday night against the Rivets at 7:35 as they look to split the two-game set in Rockford.

Lions-Pro Football Focus

Pro Football Focus, the website that tries to objectively look at every aspect of the game says Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford is one of the five most overpaid players at his position.  The list also includes Joe Flacco, Eli Manning, Tony Romo, and Colin Kaepernick.   Pro Football Focus has already predicted that the Lions will have the worst record in the NFL next season and they left Pro Bowl defensive end Ezekiel Ansah off their list of 101 best players in the league.

Wings Sign Miller

The Detroit Red Wings have re-signed forward Drew Miller to a one-year deal.  The 32-year-old Miller will make $1.025 million, plus up to $350,000 in bonuses. Miller has 51 goals in seven seasons with the Wings.

DTE Park Announced in Detroit

DTE Energy today will break ground for a new public park in downtown Detroit. The 1.5-acre park across the street from DTE's headquarters is part of a broader effort to improve the city's downtown and link it to the Red Wings' arena that is currently under construction.

Hockey Hall

The  Hockey Hall of Fame has some new members.   Center Eric Lindros, goaltender Rogie Vachon and right wing Sergei Makarov have been elected to the Hall, along with the late coach and executive Pat Quinn.  Lindros scored 372 goals in a 13-season NHL career that was cut short by numerous concussions.  Vachon had 51 shutouts over 16 seasons with Montreal, Los Angeles, Detroit and Boston. The 70-year-old Vachon waited 30 years before finally receiving enough votes to be elected.  Makarov was a standout for the Soviet national team playing in  in 424 NHL games.

Olympic Basketball

Former Spartan Draymond Green, Kevin Durant and Carmelo Anthony are among the 12 players who have been selected to represent the U.S. men's basketball team at the Rio Olympics.   Durant and Anthony are the only players selected by USA Basketball with previous Olympic experience.  The U.S. roster doesn’t include any Pistons.   Rounding out the squad are Klay Thompson,  Harrison Barnes, Kyle Lowry,  DeMar DeRozan, Kyrie Irving,  Paul George,   Jimmy Butler,  DeMarcus Cousins and DeAndre Jordan.

Tennis

Top seed and two-time defending Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic was among the first-round winners at the All-England Club on Monday.  Tuesday's Centre Court schedule begins with top-ranked and defending-champion Serena Williams before second seed Andy Murray plays his opening-round match.

Messi Quits Soccer Team

Some fans, players, and even Argentina's president want Lionel (lee-ah-NEHL') Messi to reconsider. Other supporters on Monday were simply sad that he's quitting the national team at age 29. Messi shocked his native country with his abrupt resignation from international soccer after Chile defeated Argentina 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the Copa American final on Sunday. His decision was announced hours after he missed a penalty kick in the title game. Messi never won an international tournament with Argentina.

Swimming

Two Michigan swimmers have qualified for the finals in their events at the U.S. Olympics swimming trials in Nebraska. Miranda Tucker of Plymouth finished fourth in her semi in the 100-meter breaststroke while Ali DeLoof of Grosse Point finished second in her semi in the 100-meter backstroke.

Soccer

Iceland has pulled off one of the biggest surprises in the history of soccer's European Championship, leading England's coach to announce he was leaving.  Iceland has reached the quarterfinals by scoring a pair of goals early in the first half of a 2-1 triumph against England.  Iceland will take on host France.

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