The Lineup: Wednesday, October 9

Author:
Mike Bebernes
Publish date:
Oct 9, 2013

Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

YOLNVL= You Only Live Not Very Long. Send any suggestions to SI.TheLineup@gmail.com. (Bold indicates a national broadcast. All times Eastern.)

Pregame Reads

Alabama football is still haunted by its racial past. Thomas Lake tells about it in a stirring longform story for SI.
Slate assigns each state its own signature sport and puts together an awesome map to go along with it.
SI's Pete Thamel wonders what happened to the once-dominant University of Texas athletic program.

Starter

MLB Playoffs Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 8:07 (TBS)

The feel-good story of the year hangs in the balance, as the Pirates risk having their season of redemption come to an end. Things are so emotional in Pittsburgh that Monday's loss solicited an apology letter from a luchador-mask-wearing fan who felt he didn't give enough energy in the stands.

Reserves

NHL

Chicago Blackhawks vs. St. Louis Blues, 8:00p.m. (NBC Sports)

Montreal Canadiens vs. Calgary Flames, 8:00p.m.

Ottawa Senators vs. L.A. Kings, 10:30p.m.

NBA Preseason

New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics, 7:30p.m. (NBA TV)

New Knick Metta World Peace grabbed the microphone to interview his teammates at the team's media day. It's probably unnecessary to mention that things got a little bit weird. Just look at expression on the interviewees' faces when Metta asks them, "What's your favorite toe?' or, "Does this have a purpose in life, you know, why is it called a banana? What is its real purpose?"

MLS

Houston Dynamo vs. Sporting KC, 8:30p.m.

Seattle Sounders vs. Vancouver White Caps, 10:00p.m.

San Jose Earthquakes vs. Colorado Rapids, 10:30p.m.

Soccer

Brazil League: Cruzeiro vs. Sao Paulo, 8:45p.m. (ESPN3)

NCAA Women's Volleyball

Georgia Tech vs. Clemson, 7:00p.m. (ESPN3)

Oklahoma vs. Kansas, 7:30p.m. (ESPN3)

LSU vs. Texas A&M, 9:00p.m. (ESPNU)

MMA

UFC Fight Night: Demian Maia vs. Jake Shields, Prelims- 5:00p.m. Main Event, 7:00p.m. (Fox Sports 1)

Researching this fight caused me to stumble upon that strange YouTube account with the mispronounced names. Be careful with these clips -- they are a wormhole from which you may not return.

The Ultimate Fighter: Team Rousey vs. Team Tate, 10:00p.m. (Fox Sports 1)

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

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

Boundless, 10:00p.m. (Esquire)

There has been some recent controversy about white folks appropriating the culture of Kenya's Maasai warriors. Simon will have a much more legitimate claim to kinship if he finishes this 46-mile race through the blistering Serengeti.