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We are always told that companies have nothing to do with inflation, but of course they do. Once prices start inflating and consumers willingly pay the prices, they are naturally going to jack some of them up more to see how far consumers will go.

It's been so long since we were watching the standings in September.

Since we just celebrated the 1984 Tigers this weekend, what a perfect time to get a series win from the Padres, just like in 1984!!

On a certain level, I would love to make the playoffs just to see us do an pitching opener and win the game. That would make baseball pundit heads explode all winter long.

I thought part of the pull for Fetter to Detroit was that was the only location he was interested in. Obviously goals and ambitions can change over time. Hopefully he still has that hometown pull. Keep in mind Nieves and Lund as well. This stretch post all star game should really have elevated their collective status within the baseball industry. They ain’t spending much on player payroll. Maybe the coaching payroll (which we don’t know about) is due for a bump?

Yeah, I don't expect them to pull it off, but the fact that they've made it an improbable possibility is fun.

I don't suppose UPS has ever been a big sponsor?

maybe give him a pass on taking the very first pitch of the day, but he better not take any more middle-middle at 94.

Tyler Holton listed as starter for tonight.

I won't be booing Stafford this time around. His kids though, fair game.

I'm curious to see where they go with it this year. Last year, some of the stuff they unveiled was obviously planned (e.g., the throwback helmet being debuted on Monday Night and then brought back in the Week 18 game against Minnesota that turned out to be meaningless), but other stuff seemed to come up as they went (e.g., introducing streamers and fireworks into the rafters for week 18 and the playoffs). Likewise, they brought in some new aspects like the electronic wristbands (featured in the video) that were really, really cool. Introduced on Monday Night, and then again for the playoffs. And then rally towels for the Divisional Round. I'm a much bigger fan of rally towels than I am the 3rd down signs, because the signs just obstruct everyone's view. They've come a long way from the days of 2021, where every game was a 1pm start and half the upper bowl was empty by the time they won a game. Lots of opportunities this season: Sunday Night against the Rams, Monday Night against the Seahawks, Thanksgiving against the Bears, Thursday Night against the Packers............ An NFC Conference Championship Game? I hope they continue to get creative and introduce new pieces to keep fans screaming.

Carping from Kelly?

Not only the rhetoric, but just that he can speak about real life in ways Trump just doesn't have any experience about and Vance has lost any remembrance of. Another one the other day was someone put up a clip of Harris in a kitchen and she cracked an egg into the mixing bowl with one hand. How can middle American not love a pol who can also crack an egg one-handed?

One second thought though - to be fair there is nothing wrong with trying to shame people into more socially responsible behavior, that's actually not a bad role for the gov, and if it works a little it is a better long term outcome than more market regulation would be in places where it's not really a good idea.

Hoping the Fetter Effect kicks in with Ty. Would be nice to get contributions from him, too. The MLB innings and coaching that he and Hurter are getting this season should hopefully expedite their ability to contribute next season. I’ve been particularly impressed with Hurter—throws strikes and seems to be confident out there.

The Tigers are 15-5 in the last 20 games, best in all of baseball, and are 5 games back of a WC spot and will have to overtake either the Royals or Twins (or both) to make it. The Red Sox are 4.5 games back, but the Tigers won the season series and therefore have won the tie breaker if they end up with identical records. Let's assume Baltimore wins one of the WC spots, that leaves 2 spots open for the Twins, Royals, Red Sox, Tigers, and Mariners. How confident are you in the Tigers actually making the post-season? Baseball Reference: https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/2024-playoff-odds.shtml 12.9% making the playoffs, 1.2% winning the pennant, 0.6% winning the WS. FanGraphs: https://www.fangraphs.com/standings/playoff-odds 7.3% making the playoffs, 0.1% winning the WS.

Especially if the game were on MLB network and Costas did the game. He’d spend the whole game talking about it. He doesn’t understand that most of the viewers have been paying attention all year but in his case it’s the first game he’s seen all year.

I hope Vice President Kamala Harris crushes these sick ****s. https://www.newsweek.com/kroger-executive-admits-company-gouged-prices-above-inflation-1945742 Kroger Executive Admits Company Gouged Prices Above Inflation A top company leader at Kroger has admitted during an antitrust trial the company gouged prices on select items above inflation levels.

Let’s do this for Declan went out to my group text before the game.

8 series to go; 3 games each; 24 total; 12 at home; 12 on the road; 4 series against contenders; 4 against non-contenders win 2 of 3 every time; that 86 wins, probably enough for WC Skubal starts 5 fives more times last 3 against CWS could be Ace up their sleeve 7.6% chance

They're currently at 7.6% which is still a major long shot but less than a week ago they were only about 1%. I wonder what it would've been if not for that Kyle Lewis HR today? That was a real killer.

What is becoming incredibly obvious, to me, is that we have one of the greatest pitching coaches in modern baseball history. Seriously. Not only have they cobbled together something with 2 or 3 starters, but it's been good, it's been run nearly flawlessly. But the other thing is that you see guys with so so numbers in the minors come up and they are pitching better than expected and he's got a lot to do with that. I have already seen his name mentioned for the White Sox managerial job and you know he is going to be one of the hot names this offseason. Let's hope he pulls a Ben Johnson and stays.

It is really infuriating how much Netanyahu has been able to elide any sort of scrutiny for politicking and back-channeling with Trump when actual lives are at stake. It gets exhausting calling out the failures of the press, but this is another one

My preview as I see it... The NFL is a week-to-week league, where player health determines as much as overall roster talent does. Injuries/Game Statuses: Obviously we won't know player statuses for sure for another week or so, but right now it is looking like the Lions will be without Brodric Martin (on IR), Iffy Melifonwu, and maybe DJ Reader, though I wouldn't completely count him out just yet. Sewell has not practiced since rolling his ankle, but Campbell said he is optimistic that he will be back for the Rams. I'd be shocked if he doesn't play. Everyone else who was injured during the offseason, including Reynolds, LaPorta, Gibbs, Zeitler, Arnold, CDIII, and Rakestraw practiced on the last walkthrough before cutdowns, and are presumably 90% or better for week one. In an ideal world, all of those guys are 100% and you have no injuries at all, but that was never going to be a reality on a Dan Campbell led team. We are about as good as you could hope for heading into week one. The Rams on the other hand... Their starting LT Alaric Jackson is suspended for two weeks, so he won't be there. Their starting RT Rob Havenstein hasn't practiced in about a month with an ankle injury, and seems likely to be out, though McVay said he is "hoping" he will recover enough to be out there. Two of their backup tackles are starting the season on IR. Reserve Joe Noteboom (who has no experience at LT and was replaced as the starting RG in 2023 after earning a 52.3 PFF grade), Warren McClendon (a 2023 5th round pick who has only recorded five career snaps), and AJ Arcuri (who spent all of 2023 on the practice squad) are the only three remaining tackles on the roster as of today. Our old friend Jonah Jackson is likely to play after missing most of camp with a shoulder injury, but it sounds as if they will have him playing center, while sophomore Steve Avila remains at left guard. Their initial plan was to have Avila slide to his college position of center and have Jackson at LG, but I'm guessing Avila has not developed enough at center for them to trust him starting there, particularly with the depleted line as it is. Jackson only ever played center here on an emergency basis. On the bright side for the Rams, their RG Kevin Dotson is just chilling. Outside of their offensive line woes, Tyler Higbee is starting the season on the PUP and Puka Nacua has been dealing with a knee injury in camp but is expected to be fine for week one. Roster Evaluations: As far as overall roster goes, as we all know the Lions remain mostly intact on offense, with the lone departure being Josh Reynolds. Jamo is expected to fill the WR2 role while the WR3 role remains a question mark for now. With an otherwise healthy cast of weapons around Goff, I think they'll make do just fine until one of Tim Patrick, Allen Robinson, or maybe even DPJ steps up. On defense, the front seven will look nearly identical to how it did in the playoff game, with the additions of Marcus Davenport and James Houston on the edge opposite Hutch. I expect that defensive line to feast on the depleted offensive line of the Rams and force Stafford out of the pocket, which he doesn't love to do at age 36. The secondary is completely overhauled from the playoff game. Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, and Kindle Vildor are the only remaining players who were here in the secondary 8 months ago. That said, the rookie debuts of Arnold and Rakestraw may not be as memorable as Branch's was last year. Between Nacua and Kupp, I think Stafford will have some success downfield, if his offensive line can give him some semblance of protection. For the Rams, their offense looks similar to last years. I've already discussed their offensive line, but they also added Blake Corum in the draft. It remains to be seen what kind of role he will have as a rookie. On defense, they lost one of the greatest of all time in Aaron Donald. They sought to replace him in the draft with DE Jared Verse and DT Bradon Fiske. Those two have massive shoes to fill. They'll be in for a challenge against Detroit's veteran offensive line. The Lions weren't the only ones to overhaul their secondary in the offseason, as the Rams acquired Darious Williams, Tre'Davious White, and Kamren Curl in free agency. Game Plans: I think the Lions will have the same game plan they've had since Dan Campbell took over. Control the ground attack on both sides of the ball. There are going to be two rookies on the Rams defensive line. Bully them into submission as a welcome to the NFL. Impose your will, 4-7 yard gains at a time. Mix in the short yard, high percentage passes to ASB and LaPorta, particularly if the Rams drop defensive backs into the box. Try to get Jamo in space on a few over the middle. On defense, don't allow the offensive line woes divert you from what has won you games in the past. Whether it's Kyren Williams or Blake Corum on the ground, focus energy first on stuffing that. Don't give an inch. When you force Stafford into 3rd and longs, bully the depth on both sides. Look for Davenport and McNeill to have big games if they try to double Hutchinson. I expect Hutch will float though, and they will put him in positions to succeed around the edge. For the Rams, they are going to try to pick on the new-and-improved secondary. Terrion Arnold will need to tread water. I expect they will not have a lot of five or seven-step drops in the playbook, but rely on quick outs to Nacua and Kupp. Anzalone and Campbell will also need to have good games in coverage or they're just going to dink and dunk down the field how the Seahawks did with Geno Smith last year when they had a depleted offensive line. Recap and Prediction: I think these are two really good teams. Both should make the playoffs and either could win the NFC with the right breaks in the playoffs. But... at least for week one... the wrong breaks are hitting the Rams. In 2022, when the Rams went 5-12, a major reason why was their offensive line. They addressed it in the 2023 offseason, and they improved dramatically. One converted 3rd and goal in wildcard weekend and it was probably them facing the 49ers in the NFCCG instead of the Lions last year. Their offensive line in week one will look far more reminiscent of 2022 than 2023. When the Lions are 'on' their game plan, they can beat anybody in the NFL. And they should be able to run the ball and stuff the run against the Rams. The Rams are still well coached and they will be ready; McVay is 6-1 in week one games with the Rams, with an average margin of victory of 16 points across those six wins. All the same, I expect the Lions to win this rematch. Lions 31 Rams 23

Going to see Jack White Sunday.............. Radio is not the highest-paying gig, but it does have some cool perks.

Regarding Chet Lemon.... I suggest every Tiger fan read that article in the freep. It's very moving. My wife has patients like that. She told me of one who could only say the word 'Ohio'. She knew what she wanted to say and could think it.... but it came out as "ohio".