Tigers Fall in Season Opener – Saturday Sports Wrap

MLB

The Detroit Tigers opened their COVID-19-shortened 2020 season with a 7-1 loss to the Cincinnati Reds last night. Matthew Boyd gave up four runs over five innings, and took the loss. C.J. Cron’s fourth-inning homer accounted for Detroit’s only run. The Tigers collected just three hits.

The Tigers play at Cincinnati again this afternoon. Ivan Nova will start against Luis Castillo. Pregame coverage begins at 4:45 on 99.3 The Lift.

The Milwaukee Brewers got three singles from Orlando Arcia, but nothing else, as they began their season with a 3-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs. Brandon Woodruff allowed two runs over five innings, and suffered the loss.

The Crew will play at Wrigley Field again this afternoon. Corbin Burnes will pitch against Yu Darvish.

The Toronto Blue Jays have finally found a home for the season. After having been barred from hosting games at the Rogers Centre, the Jays finally decided to use their Triple-A affiliate’s facility in Buffalo. Some of Toronto’s early home games will need to be played on the road, as upgrades are made to Sahlen Field to comply with Major League Baseball’s COVID-19 requirements.

NFL

The National Football League and the NFL Players Association have agreed on salary revisions and COVID-19 protocols for the upcoming season. The deal paves the way for training camps to open next week. As previously reported, there will be no preseason games. To help offset team losses because of the pandemic, the salary cap will be lowered for the next four seasons. The number of players teams can keep on their practice squads has been increased from 12 to 16.

Players who wish to opt out of the 2020 season must do so by August 3rd. Those who do will receive $350,000 if there is a medical justification, or $150,000 if it’s their choice. Kansas City Chiefs guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has become the first to withdraw. Duvernay-Tardif is the only NFL player who is also a doctor.

The Green Bay Packers have signed former University of Cincinnati tight end Josiah Deguara. He was their third-round pick in the recent NFL draft. All of Green Bay’s selections have now agreed to contracts.

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