The Lineup: Wednesday, September 18

Author:
Mike Bebernes
Publish date:
Sep 18, 2013

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

If your tap water runs brown, maybe taste it first. Send any suggestions to SI.TheLineup@gmail.com. (Bold indicates a national broadcast. All times Eastern.)

Pregame Reads

Maybe coaches flying off the handle should be expected, says Will Leitch of Sports on Earth.
Aaron Gordon of The Classical explains the evolution of regrettably massive HD Screens at NFL games.
So what is Johnny Manziel's NFL potential? SI's Greg Bedard did some reporting, rather than just wild speculation.

Starter

MLB Rangers vs. Rays, 7:10p.m. (ESPN)

These two teams seemed destined for a Wild Card sudden death game. Then Texas started a head-first slide down the standings. Perhaps the man pictured above, who ran onto the field in his underwear, was trying to create an ill-advised spark with his tighty whities.

Reserves

MLB

Twins vs. White Sox, 2:10p.m.

Angels vs. Athletics, 3:35p.m.

Braves vs. Nationals, 7:05p.m.

Marlins vs. Phillies, 7:05p.m.

Padres vs. Pirates, 7:05p.m.

Yankees vs. Blue Jays, 7:07p.m.

Mariners vs. Tigers, 7:08p.m.

Orioles vs. Red Sox, 7:10p.m.

Giants vs. Mets, 7:10p.m.

Cubs vs. Brewers, 8:10p.m.

Reds vs. Astros, 8:10p.m.

Indians vs. Royals, 8:10p.m.

Cardinals vs. Rockies, 8:40p.m.

Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks, 10:10p.m. (ESPN)

Soccer

MLS: L.A. Galaxy vs. Metapan, 10:00p.m. (Fox Sports 2)

Copa Mexico: Estudiantes Tecos vs. Toros del Celaya, 12:00p.m.

Copa Mexico: Tuzos del Pachuca vs. Tiburones Rojos del Veracruz, 7:55p.m.

NCAA Women's: North Carolina vs. Florida State, 8:00p.m.

UEFA Champions League: Barcelona vs. Ajax, 2:30p.m. (Fox Sports 1)

Barca was absolutely embarrassed by Bayern Munich in last year's semifinals, losing 7-0 on aggregate. Their quest for redemption is bolstered by new addition Neymar, who has struggled to find chemistry with Lionel Messi, but has shown flashes of how scary good this team could be when they finally click.

Basketball

FIBA Eurobasket

Spain vs. Serbia, 11:20a.m. (ESPN3)

France vs. Slovenia, 2:50p.m. (ESPN3)

Volleyball

NCAA Women's: UC Irvine vs. USC, 10:00p.m. (ESPN3)

MMA

Countdown to UFC 165, 8:00p.m. (Fox Sports 1)

The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate, 10:00p.m.

The Fox preview script for this episode describes Ronda Rousey as "seemingly walking a very fine line between blowing a gasket and bawling her eyes out with her face smashed into a pillow." There is a scheduled fight between two contestants, and there may also be an impromptu battle between the coaches as well.

Video: All new Ultimate Fighter episode airs Wednesday

Live with Kelly and Michael: Guest Mike Tyson (Check listings)

Inside the NFL, 9:00p.m. (Showtime)

The Challenge: Rivals II, 10:00p.m. (MTV)

The League, 10:30p.m. (FXX)

Deep Bench

FIFA Beach World Cup, Paraguay vs. Ivory Coast, 9:48p.m. & Senegal vs. Ukraine, 11:18p.m. (ESPN3)

Beach soccer is stupidly entertaining. Not only does the format allow for a ridiculous set of crazy trick plays and awesome goals, but the traditional hierarchy of beach sport dominance is sometimes subverted. Case in point: defending champion Russia.