Detroit, MI
Steve Yzerman Drops Major Truth Bomb On Playoff Aspirations
The Detroit Red Wings were active this offseason, trying to make their team better for 2023-24. Detroit swung trades for star goal-scorer Alex DeBrincat and veteran defenseman Jeff Petry. And they added a whole crop of free agents including J.T. Compher, Justin Holl, and Shayne Gostisbehere.
This flurry of activity has many fans believing the Red Wings are in playoffs-or-bust mode this season. However, that’s not exactly the case. Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman recently addressed this idea at the West Michigan Sports Commission in Grand Rapids. “We would love to make the playoffs (this season),” Yzerman said, via Detroit Hockey Now. “But is it playoffs-or-bust? Internally, no.”
Yzerman went on to explain that Detroit certainly wants to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season. However, there is more to their vision than simply making the playoffs. And that vision remains Yzerman’s priority right now.
“The moves we’re making along the way aren’t necessarily designed toward, ‘Oh my god, we gotta make the playoffs this year, or playoffs-or-bust,’” the Red Wings general manager said. “We’re trying to build a nucleus of a young team that’s going to be together for a long time that can compete in the playoffs for the Stanley Cup, and we’re sticking with that path.”
The Red Wings last made the Stanley Cup Playoffs back in 2016. They bowed out first round to the Tampa Bay Lightning in just five games. Since then, Detroit has attempted to rebuild its roster and return to its former glory.
This past season saw the team finish on 80 points, their best season since 2016. And they have a core of players in place with Dylan Larkin, Moritz Seider, and Lucas Raymond. They also boast one of the NHL’s best prospect pipelines.
Yzerman insists he doesn’t feel any extra pressure. However, Detroit fans are insisting on playoff hockey sooner rather than later. And these cries will only get louder if the team fails to make the cut once again this season. Let’s see how much progress the Red Wings can make during the upcoming campaign.
Detroit, MI
Romulus residents welcome opening of Sheetz convenience store
(CBS DETROIT) — Neighbors near the only Michigan Sheetz store welcome the addition to their community and believe expansion is good for state.
“It makes my life a whole lot easier and I love it,” said Wendy Drew, who lives half a mile from the first Michigan Sheetz store. “I use a lot of gas and it’s always cheaper there than the two other gas stations we have.”
However, every community isn’t keen on the proposed expansion of up to 80 new locations of the Pennsylvania-based chain of convenience stores.
Earlier this week, the Middle East and Northern African Chamber of Commerce (MENA) held a panel for independent gas station owners who are concerned about the large chains ability to undercut their prices.
“Sometimes you need competition like that,” said Robert White, who lives near the Romulus location. “You have to play the game.”
“The other two gas stations near me are ridiculous,” said Drew. “And my truck takes a lot of gas. I like Sheetz.”
Detroit, MI
How to Watch Orlando Magic vs. Detroit Pistons on Saturday, November 23
ORLANDO, Fla. – After a three-game west coast trip, the Orlando Magic have returned home. They’re set to square off with the Detroit Pistons Saturday night for a one-off home game before again hitting the road. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET inside the Kia Center.
The Magic went 2-1 out west, with wins over Phoenix and the LA Lakers sandwiching a loss to the Clippers Wednesday night. Franz Wagner’s game-winner sealed a signature 119-118 win over the Lakers last time out, bringing a Hollywood ending to his 37-point, 11-assist night.
Detroit is no stranger to a thriller either. Their last time out, the Charlotte Hornets took them to overtime and, with the help of Brandon Miller’s 38 and LaMelo Ball’s 35, defeated the Pistons 123-121.
Who: Orlando Magic (10-7) vs. Detroit Pistons (7-10)
What: NBA regular season game
When: Saturday, November 23, 7 p.m. ET
Where: Kia Center, Orlando, Florida
TV: FanDuel Sports Network Florida, FanDuel Sports Network Detroit, NBA League Pass
Radio: 104.5 The Beat, Magic Audio Network, SiriusXM
Point Spread: Orlando -10.5
Last Meeting: Orlando 113, Detroit 91 on March 3, 2024
Orlando Magic
Detroit Pistons
Jamahl Mosley, Orlando Magic: Mosley tipped off his fourth NBA season as a head coach this season, all of which having come with the Magic. He’s 113-150 in the regular season all-time, and 3-4 in the playoffs. Before Mosley was named the head coach of the Magic, he was an assistant with Dallas, Cleveland, and Denver. He’s a Colorado alum, and played four years of professional basketball in Mexico, Australia, Finland and South Korea.
J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit Pistons: Bickerstaff is in his first season as the Pistons head coach after being let go by the Cavaliers at the end of the 2023-24 season. He got four full seasons with the Cavaliers and led Cleveland to two consecutive playoff appearances in his final two. He also had part of a fifth season after taking over as interim coach during the 2019-2020 season. Throughout his coaching career, he’s been a head coach in Houston and Memphis, as well as an assistant in Cleveland, Memphis, Houston, Minnesota and Charlotte. He;s won 262 games as a head coach in the NBA.
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Detroit, MI
Detroit Tigers Ace Breaks Down Unconventional Path to Postseason
The Detroit Tigers were able to have an incredible season in 2024, and arguably the most impressive feat for them was the performance of their ace all season long.
It was an incredible 2024 campaign for the Tigers, as they snapped a lengthy playoff drought and won the American League Wild Card Series against the Houston Astros.
In the middle of the summer, it didn’t look like either of those things were going to happen. At the trade deadline, Detroit traded away most of their talented impending free agents as most teams who are out of contention generally do.
However, the Tigers went on to be one of the best teams in baseball in the second half of the season, and rode that momentum right into the playoffs.
One of the main reasons for the success down the stretch was the performance of Tarik Skubal. The American League Cy Young award winner was simply phenomenal every time he got the ball to start a game, and he was the clear choice for the award.
Recently, the southpaw spoke about how the team playing better in the second half of the year helped him win the award. Also, he spoke the unconventional way Detroit went about managing their pitching staff around him.
“That was a blessing. When I was given the ball every fifth day, I think everyone expected to win,” Skubal said to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. “and that’s something I take a ton of pride in. I’m trying to be the same guy and put my team in a position to win every fifth day, and we’ll figure out the other three, four days in between. I think it speaks to what we did. We were able to do those things and probably gave A.J. (Hinch, manager) some long nights, but he was good for it.”
Skubal finished up the season with a 18-4 record, 2.36 ERA, and 228 strikeouts, which led the league.
From start to finish, it was a great campaign, as in his worst month of the season, he only posted a 3.05 ERA.
The southpaw is very much a team player and really passes all the credit along to those around him. Now, after a great run into the playoffs, the Tigers will be hoping to do that again and get even further in 2025.
With their talented lefty leading the way, they know that they will be a favorite to win against pretty much anyone when he is on the mound.
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