Detroit Sports Links 3/27/2013
By Matt Snyder
March 25, 2013; Jupiter , FL, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Rick Porcello (21) delivers a pitch against the Miami Marlins during the spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. Detroit defeated Miami 6-3. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
Rick Porcello Wins Fifth Starter Spot, Drew Smyly To Pitch In Relief For Tigers – Motor City Bengals
"Rick Porcello in the rotation seemed like a no-brainer to me all along, but I was completely unsure with what they’d do with Drew Smyly. Keeping him in the bullpen is probably the best move for bullpen quality and stability, but I don’t think it’s the best move for his future development and starting pitching depth."
Detroit Lions To Host Darrius Heyward-Bey For Free Agency Visit – SideLion Report
"The Lions don’t need Heyward-Bey to come in and be the primary receiving weapon the Raiders expected when they took him with the seventh overall pick in 2009. Calvin Johnson has that role locked down in Detroit. DHB’s job would be to compliment Megatron as the team’s second deep threat on the outside. Titus Young was supposed to be that guy but his epic flameout leaves the Lions with another need at wide receiver."
Pistons Win Battle (For Lottery Balls) Against Timberwolves – Life On Dumars
"This isn’t the paralyzing sub-mediocrity we’ve seen the past couple of seasons, or the malaise of the Teal Era. This is genuine worst-team-in-the-league caliber play from the Pistons, who got absolutely embarrassed (again) by double digits (again) at homeThis time, however, the team laying the smack down was the Minnesota Timberwolves — a team that, coming into tonight, was a mere game and a half better than Detroit. Granted, the T-Wolves had Andrei Kirilenko back, which allowed Minnesota to limit Mickael Gelabale to mop-up minutes. But let’s be real, Kirilenko’s presence or Gelabale’s absence didn’t decide this game."
Pavel Datsyuk’s Magical Mystery Tour – Octopus Thrower
"A few weeks ago, I remember watching Datsyuk during the second period – really watching him and all his intricacies – and thinking to myself, “We’ll be okay until Datsyuk leaves.” Because for every piece that’s missing on this team, for every piece that needs to be fixed, the Russian is the one part that has remained consistent."
Duke And Michigan State History: Tom Izzo Versus Mike Krzyzewski – Spartan Avenue
"When these two squads meet the history favors Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils. They have a 7-2 winning record against the Spartans including one last season on a neutral court (Madison Square Garden). You may remember this meeting, this is when Coach K became the winningest coach of all time at 903 wins, passing his mentor Bob Knight (902)."