5 sports storylines to watch this week

1. Cincinnati looks to cool off Hotlanta: Bronson Arroyo gets the call tonight as the Cincinnati Reds welcome the NL East leading Atlanta Braves for a three-game set. Arroyo (2-3, 3.95 ERA) is coming off a tough-luck 2-1 loss to St. Louis. He threw 78 pitches in seven innings. Unfortunately, one of those was a two-run homer in the sixth. Braves starter Paul Maholm (3-3, 3.08) wouldn't mind a little more run support himself. He's allowed two runs or less in four of his six starts, but doesn't have the record to show it.

2. Dutch Lions look to restore the roar: The Dayton Dutch Lions look to snap a two-game losing streak when they host Phoenix on Saturday at Miami Valley Hospital Stadium in Beavercreek. The Lions (2-2) lost to Charleston Battery 1-0 on a penalty kick this past Friday. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

3. Softball showdown: The Piqua Indians look to put a dent in Greenville's softball supremacy when they play a pair of games today and Tuesday, both at 5 p.m. Piqua is 18-3 overall and 8-0 in the GWOC. Not bad for a team that won just seven games in 2012. Greenville, 20-4 and 8-0, reached the Division II state title game last season. Piqua hosts today and Greenville returns the favor on Tuesday.

4. Batter up!: The GWOC Central baseball title could be settled in the next couple days when Centerville and Northmont collide. Centerville (20-1 and 8-0) leads the division by one game. Northmont (17-4 and 7-1) has a chance to pull even when the Thunderbolts host today. Centerville hosts the rivalry game on Tuesday. Both are 5 p.m.

5. Start your engines: It may not be the month-long celebration it once was, but May means the Indianapolis 500. The Month of May kicks off on Saturday with the first day of practice. The cars are scheduled to take the historic 2.5-mile track from noon to 6 p.m. The third annual Celebration of Automobiles starts the day at 10 a.m. at the Pagoda Plaza. Dario Franchitti returns as the defending champ.

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