The Knee Jerks Podcast - July 13, 2026

Detroit sports podcasters Greg Eno, Big Al Beaton, and Nick Milanovich are The Knee Jerks!

Traditionally, this is the slowest sports period of the year. But there is still plenty on the docket this week.

The Detroit Tigers hit the All-Star break with a 44-52 record, good for 4th place, 6.5 GB in AL_Central and 3.5 GB (but 7 teams to leapfrog) in the wild card.

3 Tigers made the AL All-Star roster - Riley Green (starting in LF), C Dillon Dingler and ROY candidate SS Kevin McGongigle. McG is the the youngest Tigers' AS since Mark Fidrych in 1976.

Also named to the AL roster as a "Legends Pick" was injured SP Justin Verlander. JV then announced this would be his final year, as he plans to retire at season's end.

On the Tarik Skubal front, Bob Nightengale reported that Skubal badly wants to remain with the Tigers for the rest of the season and has no interest in being traded. He's also on record saying he wants the Tigers to be buyers at the deadline. 

At the University of Michigan, big changes.  Head basketball coach Dusty May, admitting he was tired of NIL deals and the recruiting grind, left for the NBA to coach the Dallas Mavericks. May's top assistant Mike Boynton Jr., who spent 7 seasons as HC at OK St (Cade Cunningham played for him), was at first named interim coach, but was then given a 2-year deal to be Michigan's hoop boss.

Meanwhile. after a long, expensive investigation, with results expected to be released Thursday, it's reported the university is preparing a buyout package for long under fire AD Warde Manuel. 

We seem to have 2 stalemates in town. Pistons C Jalen Duren has yet to sign a new contract extension as the market for his services has seemingly dried up. He could still sign a 1-year qualifying offer which would make him a FA after the season, 

On the other winter team, Red Wings C Dylan Larkin, who asked to be traded, is still a Wing, He may be one for some time to come. Reportedly, Larkin has not expanded his 3 team wish list and GM Steve Yzerman has yet to receive a trade offer he feels worthwhile. 

It's reported the Wings are likely losing Patrick Kane in FA, along with his 16 G and 51 P. 

In FA, the Red Wings signed 33-year-old winger Viktor Arvidsson to a 2-year, $10 million deal. 21 of his 25 goals with Boston last season came 5 v 5, which was a massive weakness for Detroit.

Detroit also signed 27-year-old G Daniil Tarasov to a 1-year, $2 million contract. In 33 games for the Panthers last  season, he posted a 13-15-3 record with a 3.05 GAA and a .895 S%. He is expected to backup starter John Gibson, with top G prospects Michal Postava and Trey Augustine sharing duties in Grand Rapids.

The Wings also traded a 2027 7th round and 2029 3rd round pick to Vegas for checking forward Keegan Kolesar, who will slot in as a 4th line grit guy.

In the World Cup, the USMNT, despite ALL THE HYPE, once again was knocked out in the round of 16, losing 4-1 to Belgium. More and more, it appears making the knockout round, but moving no further, is the USMNT ceiling. 

As always, we play Greg's Birthday game and name our respective Jerk of the Week!

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