The Oakland Press Blogs: Open Book: A Sports Blog

Michigan, MSU hold key to Detroit's bowl success

I have always maintained that when given a choice, Michigan and Michigan State should play in the Little Caesars Bowl at Ford Field. It'd be great for the local economy. It would go from lukewarm media coverage to intense media coverage locally. Obviously, ticket sales would grow.
However, in truth, both have avoided the bowl like the plaque. There is a stigma attached to it.
It's when one of the teams is 4-4 late in the season, "The only place they are going to go is the Motor City Bowl (former name)...."

Bowls in Detroit: Empty seats say a lot:

I can see hell freezing over before Michigan plays a bowl game in Detroit. George Perles, a member of the board of trustees at MSU, and the Spartans' former coach with distinction, runs the bowl. Yet, the Spartans understand they can't win by playing in his bowl. Michigan fans would be insufferable in their mocking of it.
Subsequently, the bowl battle cry of MSU fans everywhere when their team is roughly .500 is, "Anywhere warm."
Detroit in December hardly qualifies.
That's why I am curious the Lions reportedly want to add a bowl game for Ford Field. It will only truly work if they get a big-name program from the Big Ten (Ohio State, Nebraska, Penn State would also do). Not Northwestern or Purdue (who have played in the Little Caesars Bowl).
I respect Mid-American Conference football. It is a vastly underrated entity, but honestly it is under the radar. An outdoor game at Comerica Park (a possibility raised for the Little Caesars Bowl should it be kicked out of Ford Field for another bowl) would be a difficult sell in this area. So would two college bowl games in Detroit when one already seems be at the bottom of the food chain, despite solid sponsorship from Little Caesars.

Detroit Red Wings, momentum arm-in-arm in dismantling of Blackhawks

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/05/21/sports/doc519ae52478517072484813.txt

Drew Miller, Jimmy Howard and Red Wings rolling

Why are the Detroit Tigers suddenly losing? Two reasons

Verlander: Figuring it out

- They are missing Austin Jackson. He not only keys the top of their batting order, but is the Tigers' best defender at a premier position, center field. Last season in May and early June, Jackson went on the disabled list, as well. The Tigers were 8-13 in the games he missed. In 2012 overall, the Tigers were 80-57 when Jackson played. When he didn't, they were 8-17. This season, the Tigers are 3-5 since Jackson went on the DL with a hamstring pull. Two of those victories were at home against lowly Houston.
- The Tigers' starting pitching, their great strength, was awful over the weekend. Facing a strong lineup in a hitter-friendly ball park, Justin Verlander, Anibal Sanchez and Doug Fister didn't pitch well at all. We'll see how Max Scherzer, who is 5-0, but with an ERA pushing four, does in a pressure start against a streaking team, the Indians, on the road Tuesday. Verlander gets his shot at turning it around in a pressure start Wednesday vs. AL Central leading Tribe. Verlander has not pitched well at Progressive Field in Cleveland. His career numbers there: 7-10, 5.38 ERA, 1.339 WHIP. Should be interesting.

Replay of live chat Monday on Red Wings-Blackhawks, Tigers issues, Calvin Johnson and Lions. We do this every Monday live at 1 p.m. You participation in the chat is welcome:

Detroit Red Wings prove crest on sweater can mean everything

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/05/19/sports/doc519970d001be9741924723.txt

Henrik Zetterberg: Has gained greatness as Red Wings captain

Red Wings show why they are legitimate Stanley Cup contenders

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/05/18/sports/doc5197f14e44fbc499391447.txt

Red Wings: Saturday win reason to believe

Questions Red Wings must answer in Game 2 vs Blackhawks

My column: http://theoaklandpress.com/articles/2013/05/17/sports/doc51966610dc6d6608790659.txt

No disasters, but Detroit Tigers still have their issues

Sparky Anderson's 40-game mark legacy will live in infamy in Detroit sports lore. I kind of laugh about it having been around him daily the last 10 years he was the Tigers' manager. That's because it was no more than a deflector away from the way the Tigers performed during the opening weeks of a given season.

Austin Jackson: Missed

When the 40-game mark would actually arrive, Sparky would then go into how you'd know more about his team at the All Star break. At the All Star break, then it would be you really wouldn't know much until Sept. 1. On Sept. 1, it would be, "That's why they play 162 games...and 162 games don't lie."
Still, the Tigers, 22-16, will reach the 40-game mark this weekend during a road trip to Texas. Unlike most years, it isn't a question whether the Tigers will be a contender this season. Barring the totally unforeseen, they will be in contention.
But there are still issues. Here a few of them.
- Top clubs go on the road and beat other top clubs. So this road trip to Texas this weekend will be a litmus test for the Tigers. They didn't pass one recently at Washington. The Rangers have revamped their club after last year's collapse and are formidable. They sure aren't the Astros, the club the Tigers have been beating up on. This could be a preview of a postseason series. How, starting with tonight's classic Justin Verlander-Yu Darvish pitching matchup, will the Tigers respond?
- I see no issues with the Tigers' lineup, although they will miss Austin Jackson until he comes back. There had been some questions about a right-handed outfielder to platoon with Andy Dirks, but Matt Tuiasosopo has been a tremendous find for the Tigers. He has sound fundamental hitting mechanics and a live bat.
- The Tigers starting rotation is the best in baseball, but their bullpen is shaky. Jose Valverde's last outing was better. We should know more about him after trips to Texas and Cleveland. Al Alburquerque has been a huge disappointment.
- Jim Leyland is a tremendous manager. If the Tigers win a World Series on his watch, he will end up in the Hall of Fame. But he starting to get into his "Everybody has to play" mode. It can be a bit much. And Don Kelly pinch hitting for Tuiasosopo when he was 3-for-3? Those type of things don't help the Tigers.