Sunday: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at New Hampshire (1:00 PM ET, TNT): The Sprint Cup Chase for the Cup is drawing closer. After today, there will only be seven more races until the 10-race chase for the Sprint Cup. Getting your points and great finishes is becoming more and more important, so NASCAR gets into the spotlight here today. As everybody knows, the Chase takes the final 10 racers and pits them against each other in the final 10 races to determine the champion. Several high profile racers remain out of the Top 10 at this point, including Carl Edwards, Kyle Busch, and Jeff Gordon. Kyle Busch holds the pole position today, so it will be interesting to see if he can pull out a victory and help his cause towards entering the Top 10.
Monday: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. Detroit
Tigers (7:00 PM ET, ESPN, ESPN3, FS Detroit, FS West): Some of the best talent in Major League Baseball will
all be on the field on Monday evening, and we’re not talking about last week’s
All-Star Game. No, this time it’s the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim traveling
to The Motor City to take on the Detroit Tigers. Both of these teams in the
offseason made big splashes, Anaheim grabbing C.J. Wilson and Albert Pujols,
and Detroit taking on Prince Fielder. Depending on who you ask, all these
players have been vital to their team’s successes, or lack thereof. The Angels
also possess possibly the best player in baseball, and that’s center fielder
Mike Trout. Trout’s been an absolute stud since coming up on April the 28th,
and is my AL MVP after the halfway point. Nonetheless, if you’re not doing
anything tomorrow night, why not settle in and watch a potential postseason
preview? Rick Porcello takes the mound for the Tigers, and the Angels’ Ervin
Santana will oppose him.
Tuesday: San Francisco Giants vs. Atlanta Braves
(7:10 PM ET, MLB Network, SportSouth, CSN-Bay Area): In a rematch of the 2010 NLDS, two teams that have
been rolling as of late take on each other in what could prove pivotal in their
own successes and in the NL Playoffs race. The Giants currently hold a .5 game
lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, and the Braves hold a lead
for the second Wild Card spot and are three games behind the first place
Washington Nationals. Hotlanta is certainly hot, having won seven of ten,
including six games in a row going back to the All Star Game. That could be
seven in a row if they win today against the Mets. The pitching matchup is less
than stellar (Jair Jurrjens versus Barry Zito), but this could be a very good
game in a great series nonetheless.
Wednesday: St. Louis Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Brewers
(2:10 PM ET, FS Midwest, FS Wisconsin): Tough to imagine a matchup pitting teams that aren’t in first place
being something to watch for. It is though, and why you ask? This could
potentially be Zack Greinke’s last start as a Milwaukee Brewer. There’s rampant
trade talk featuring the ace right-hander that has him leaving the Brewers
after being traded there in the offseason before the 2011 season. Greinke has
been dominant this season, and possibly pitching like the best pitcher in
baseball. He has yet to lose a home start, so that is something to take into
account as well. He’ll go up against another notable name, Adam Wainwright, who
has not been as great as some expected him to off of Tommy John Surgery. The
2011 NLCS rematch will be fun to watch, and Brewer fans may, sadly for them,
get to see their last taste of Zack as well.
Thursday: The Open Championship (5:00 AM ET, ESPN): One of the best traditions in all of sports tees off
this Thursday. The Open Championship is set to begin its 152nd edition, and
there is all sorts of hype going into this one. Once again, there is the
ever-famed question: Is Tiger Woods back? We have been asking this question
after Woods has come closer and closer to once again winning a major
championship. He continues to excel at minor tournaments, but the monkey is
still appearing and latching onto his back. At Royal Lytham & St. Annes
Golf Club, I am unsure of whether or not that will continue, but we’ll see. The
field brings together assorted contenders as well, and as always, it should be
an environment that carries with it a tough wind and cool temperatures. You’ll
want to tune in all weekend to see it.
Friday: Atlanta Braves vs. Washington Nationals (7:05
PM ET, MLB Network, SportSouth, MASN): This one is a regional contest and is MLB Network’s Friday night game
(along with the less superior San Francisco-Philadelphia matchup, but we’ll
discuss that again shortly) and if the week turns out right, could see someone
else in the NL East in first place. As previously noted, the Atlanta Braves
area bout as hot as it gets, and by this time they could be set to takeover the
National League East Division. To do so however, they’ll need some help from their
fellow NL allies, and then take on the high and mighty Washington Nationals.
They’ll be led by their ace Stephen Strasburg on Friday evening, who may be on
his way down since his innings limit is drawing closer. This could be a good
one, so if you’re not in the area to see it, try to be. It’s my MLB.tv Game of
the Week.
Saturday: San Francisco Giants vs. Philadelphia Phillies (4:05 PM ET, FOX): The Philadelphia Phillies have been less than stellar this year, and that’s noted by their record, and the fact that they currently sit in last place. One bright spot for the team has been pitcher Cole Hamels, who has been electric all season. He too, like Greinke, has been the subject of trade rumors almost all season. The Phillies recently extended an offer out to him to keep him, and there’s talk that if he does not agree to terms, he’ll be traded and test free agency in the offseason. This could be Philadelphia’s last chance to see him, and his opposition has been dominant as well. Matt Cain, NL All-Star starter, and perfect game-thrower, will oppose him on the mound as the Giants look to maintain their first place position.
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