20 Predictions for Detroit Sports in 2019

If you’re familiar with the Chinese zodiac, you know that 2019 is The Year of the Pig.

Oink oink!

With the smell of bacon and ham sandwiches and cute pink noses and curly tails in mind, here are 20 bold predictions for Detroit sports in 2019.

1. The Pistons narrowly miss the playoffs after winning 38 games.

2. Out of the playoff race, the Red Wings trade veteran goalie Jimmy Howard to the Devils.

3. A month into spring training the Tigers trade Nicholas Castellanos to the Dodgers for a pair of prospects.

4. Veteran defenseman Niklas Kronwall announces he will return to Sweden to play professional hockey in his home country in 2019-20.

5. On April 1, the Tigers sign 41-year old Brandon Inge as their backup catcher, welcoming a polarizing athlete back to Detroit.

6. The Lions fire offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter and replace him with former Dolphins’ head coach Adam Gase.

7. Tigers announce that Jack Morris and Kirk Gibson will share color commentary duties on TV in 2019. Dan Dickerson moves from radio to television for play-by-play.

8. The Pistons shake up their roster by trading Reggie Bullock to the Sixers for former #1 pick Markelle Fultz.

9. The Lions draft Michigan defensive lineman Rashan Gary in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft.

10. Lefthanded pitcher Daniel Norris announces he’s retiring from baseball to “live with the caribou in Alaska.”

11. Miguel Cabrera makes a comeback from injury and earns an All-Star selection.

12. The Tigers trade closer Shane Greene to the Yankees at the July deadline.

13. Michael Fulmer returns from knee surgery but struggles to stay healthy in 2019. He wins less than ten games.

14. Justin Verlander admits that he would consider finishing his career back in Detroit.

15. The Green Bay Packers hire former Lions’ coach Jim Caldwell.

16. The Ilitch family announces the formation of a new Detroit sports media network to broadcast Tigers and Red Wings games starting in 2021. The network will also provide mobile apps, streaming content, and partner with the Pistons on coverage of the NBA.

17. Outfielder Christin Stewart is the Tigers’ rookie of the Year after a solid first season at the plate.

18. Kerryon Johnson becomes the first Detroit running back to lead the league in rushing since Barry Sanders.

19. After his team gets off to a strong start in the 2019-20 season, Dwane Casey signs a two-year extension with the Pistons. Detroit will have the best record in the Eastern Conference at the 2020 All-Star Break.

20. Former Detroit manager Jim Leyland is elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in December via the veterans committee.