It's that time of the week again. Your handy dandy viewing guide for all that is sports (and more!). I was able to get out to two Washington Nationals games this week which was fun and I highly suggest getting out to see your favorite team this summer. There is nothing better than sitting back and relaxing at the old ball game.
Things are just beginning to ramp up in the sports world. There aren't too many slow weekends left so make sure you get that honey-do list done, hit up the craft fairs, take the kids to the amusement park go visit the relatives and whatever else will buy you an uninterrupted fall and winter in the man cave.
Here's what I suggest you watch this weekend:
10: The Dark Knight Rises
Yes I realize this isn't technically a sport. There's a scene of a stadium blowing up though I believe. I just watched The Dark Knight last night to prepare myself and even though I may not make it to see the new one this weekend I will certainly get out there as soon as possible. Christopher Nolan has taken the campy, often over the top Batman series to a much seedier, darker world and I for one thoroughly enjoy the change of pace. Heath Ledger one upped Jack Nicholson as The Joker and Christian Bale has been excellent save for his way too deep voice. I am all set to block out a 3 hour time frame to wrap up this trilogy.
9: San Francisco Giants at Philadelphia Phillies
The Phillies have one foot in the grave for the season. At 10 games out from the wild card, it is imperative that they string together some wins over the next ten days...like 9 of 10 at worst. The Giants on the other hand are playing solid, yet unspectacular baseball and find themselves on top in the N.L. West. Friday's starter Tim Lincecum is not the reason why. Outside of two good starts against the AAAA caliber Houston Astros and the then injury riddled LA Dodgers he has been downright horrid. Saturday features a spectacular battle between Matt Cain and Cole Hamels while Sunday is a turn back the clock day for Athletics fans as Barry Zito and Joe Blanton lock horns.
8: Miami Marlins at Pittsburgh Pirates
Two words: Andrew McCutchen. If you had McCutchen as the NL MVP front runner on July 20th, pat yourself on the back. He is flat out carrying the Pirates and worth the price of admission alone. Not to mention PNC Park is gorgeous. If you can go there live, do it. If you have to settle for watching it in stunning, crystal clear HD on television, that is okay too. If that doesn't do it, just watch to see what foolish thing Ozzie Guillen will do this weekend.
7: New York Yankees at Oakland Athletics
If you read this you are well aware of two things: I love the Oakland Athletics and hate, despise, loathe, resent and abhor the New York Yankees. Right now both teams are playing very well. Even so, the Athletics need 3 wins out of the four games to keep their momentum going and convince themselves (and management) that something special might be happening in the Bay Area (no I'm not talking about you Giants fans). The Yankees are virtual locks for the playoffs as they are already counting their magic number in the A.L. East. Let the Athletics have some fun this weekend Yankees, you can just beat them in the playoffs.
6. USA Men's Basketball vs Argentina
This might be the stiffest test for the USA leading up the the Olympics. Of course it may mean that they only win by 20 or 25 rather than 30+. The only real talk about this version of the 'Dream Team' is whether they are good enough to take on the 1992 team in a virtual match up. It would certainly be interesting especially if you add components like Derrick Rose, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh and Dwight Howard. That debate is for another day, but sit back and enjoy LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Durant do work this weekend.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers at New York Mets
The Dodgers are getting healthy just in time and the Mets are falling apart at just the wrong time. Even though New York salvaged the finale on Thursday against Washington, it doesn't erase the six game losing streak that the win snapped. Matt Kemp homered, Clayton Kershaw pitched well and Los Angeles might just be turning a corner just as San Francisco was starting to build a cushion out west. Along with the return of Andre Either and rumors of the impending acquisition of Ryan Dempster from Chicago this weekend could be the beginning of another hot stretch for the Dodgers. Without a series win this weekend, the Mets could turn into sellers just as fast as they were considered buyers.
4. Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers
There are three divisional series this weekend with the first place team taking on the second place team. This one is the only one where I feel the second place team is the heavy favorite. Not only are they at home, the hotter of the two teams right now, but I think they are the better of the two teams as well. The Tigers have their ace, Justin Verlander, going on Friday. The White Sox counter with their ace, Chris Sale, on Saturday. Sunday there should be 1000 runs or so scored. This division is only separated by 1.5 games and my guess is it will be closer on Monday.
3. Atlanta Braves at Washington Nationals
4 games in 3 days. A 3.5 game spread between the 1st place Nationals and 2nd place Braves. Stephen Strasburg on Friday. A doubleheader on Saturday. What more do you want?? I can't think of much more fun way to spend a weekend in the nations capital. To think that its possible although highly unlikely that the Nationals could be sitting with a 7.5 game lead in late July is unfathomable. Of course they could also be out of first place by the time you go back to work on Monday and fans will probably shift their focus to RGIII and the Redskins real quick.
2. Texas Rangers at Los Angeles Angels
The last of the 1 vs 2 divisional match ups might have the largest gap between the two teams, but it is the one I think will be the most heated. The Angels have Weaver, Santana and Haren lined up as they try to inch closer to the Rangers for the division crown. The Rangers will counter with Holland, Darvish and Harrison and this should make for a great weekend of pitching against two of the best offenses in the league. The two teams have finished first each of the last five years and this year should be no different. They also get the Sunday night nationally televised game on ESPN and the world will get to watch Trout and Trumbo up close and personal.
1. The British Open
My stance on Majors in golf is no secret. I'm a sucker for tough courses making the worlds best golfers look like amateurs. The British Open (of The Open if you will) is different because of the added element of the weather. You never know what the conditions will be like from hour to hour, much less day to day. The Americans are looking to win their 4th consecutive major and overall there have been 15 consecutive different winners of Majors. Oh and Tiger Woods is tied for 6th after the first round. It should be fun and if I'm not playing baseball on Sunday, I'll be glued to the final 18 holes.
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Yesterday I finally got to see Gio Gonzalez pitch live and in person. I never saw him for the Athletics (shame on me) but finally saw him here in DC. It didn't go so well. It was about 400 degrees in Washington and the early start (12:30) always sucks for a pitcher. It was obvious that Gonzalez struggled with his command as when he missed out of the zone he walked a batter and when he missed in the zone he gave up home runs. It was his shortest outing of the year and that coupled with another strong outing by Mets starter R.A. Dickey, it made for a long, sweaty day for Nationals fans.
While I haven't been to too many of the new ballparks I do see plenty of them on television and from what I see my rankings for top five parks are:
1: Camden Yards (Baltimore)
2: PNC Park (Pittsburgh)
3: AT&T Park (San Francisco)
4: Wrigley Field (Chicago)
5. Nationals Park (Washington)
Honorable mention to Great American Ball Park and Busch Stadium
Nowhere on my list will you ever see the O.co or the Oakland Coliseum or whatever it will be named next season. I've been there once, and it's ugly. Not to mention how staying in that stadium has cost the A's from retaining their young talent over the last decade as well. Please move to San Jose...soon.
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