Sports: Verlander Pitches Tonight

(Sources include the Michigan Radio Network, Associated Press)

Tigers

The Tigers were off Monday and host Pittsburgh for three games starting tonight.  Justin Verlander starts after missing his last start with a stiff back.  Broadcast time is at 6:40 p.m.

Alfredo Simon will get the nod tomorrow and Kyle Ryan will pitch in Thursday afternoon's series finale.   The Tigers are three games over .500.  The Royals and Twins lost last night, so they’re six games back in the AL central.

Tigers Get Utility Player

The Tigers obtained veteran infielder Alexi Casilla from the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday for a player to be named later or cash.  The 30-year-old Casilla is a career .247 hitter in nine seasons with the Twins and the Orioles.  He’ll be assigned to Triple-A Toledo.

All Star Game

The Tigers still have one player leading in balloting for the American League All-Star team. The Kansas City Royals have five.   The starters for both the American League and National League teams will be announced at 7:30 p.m. Sunday on ESPN.  Miguel Cabrera has almost 11.6 million votes at first base. Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer is second in the voting with more than 9.1 million votes.   Jose Iglesias is second among shortstops and Yoenis Cespedes is fourth among outfielders.

Women’s Soccer

Team USA will clash with Germany in the semifinals of the Women's World Cup tonight at 7:00 p.m. in Montreal.  Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday will return for the U.S. after both missed the last match due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Germany has scored more goals than any team in the tournament with 20.  The Americans have been sharp on defense with goalkeeper Hope Solo turning in four straight shutouts.  The US has only allowed one goal in the entire tournament.

Bombers

The Bombers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 4-3 win over the Kalamazoo Growlers in 13 innings.  Christian Helsel singled, moved to second on an error and  scored on a sacrifice fly by Lin Li.   Battle Creek finishes the first half of the season at 13-22, tied for 7^th in the 9-team South Division.  The Bombers hit the road today and take on the Rochester Honkers on Wednesday in Minnesota.

NHL Hall Inductees

Former Detroit Red Wings teammates Sergei Federov and Nicklas Lidstrom are among the NHL Hall of Fame Class of 2015.  In his 20-year NHL career, all with the Wings, Lidstrom won the Stanley Cup four times and the Norris Trophy for the league's top defensive player seven times.  Federov spent 13 seasons with Detroit, winning three Stanley Cups.  Former NHL players Phil Housley and Chris Pronger will also be inducted November 9 in Toronto.

MSU’s Valentine Gets Olympic Tryout

Michigan State senior guard Denzel Valentine is one of 22 players to be invited to training camp for team USA men's basketball team. The 12 players selected for the team will represent the United States at the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto beginning July 21.

Pistons’ Monroe Meeting with Five NBA Teams

It looks like Pistons forward Greg Monroe will be looking to sign with another team.

Monroe told the Baton Rouge Advocate that he expects to meet with five teams in free agency this week and could seek a short-term deal that allows him to negotiate a new deal after the NBA salary cap explodes in two seasons. Monroe says he’ll meet with the Celtics, Knicks, Bucks, Lakers and Trail Blazers and is looking "at a two-year deal plus an option."  The Cavaliers' LeBron James and Kevin Love, plus the Grizzlies' Marc Gasol are all unrestricted free agents, but widely expected to stay with their respective teams.

Dwyane Wade will become a free agent Wednesday, and his 12-year stay with the Miami Heat could be ending.  Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge is another big name with the possibility of moving.  Other unrestricted free agents in play are DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews, Danny Green and DeMarre Carroll.  Restricted free agents including the Bulls' Jimmy Butler, Warriors' Draymond Green, Spurs' Kawhi Leonard and the Bucks' Khris Middleton.