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The Lineup: Saturday, June 15

Harry How/Getty Images

Harry How/Getty Images

How to not get lost in the television weeds. (All times Eastern.) 

Starter

NHL  Stanley Cup Finals, Game 2: Boston Bruins vs. Chicago Blackhawks, 8:00p.m. (NBC Sports & NBC Live Extra)

Wednesday's marathon was the highest-rated Stanley Cup Finals Game 1 in 16 years. The combination of a shift from network to cable and the low likelihood of three more overtimes may result in the biggest ratings drop in an even longer time.

Reserves

Golf U.S. Open Round 3, Noon (NBC)

It's either "Will Phil Mickelson finally win the US Open title that has eluded him for so long?" or "Will Tiger Woods finally cement his comeback with a Major victory?" Pick your tired-narrative poison.

MLB Detriot Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins, 7:15 (Fox: Regional)

Big-swinging (and big-boned) sluggers Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder are SI's cover boys this week. It's because they're worth watching. (Synergy!)

fielder-cabrera-cover

NCAA Baseball College World Series:Mississippi State vs. Oregon State, 3p.m. (ESPN2) 

To quote Derek2844 from the ESPN.com conversation about this game: "Also PAC12 fans quit bragging about how the PAC12 has all these CWS titles lol You only have 16 and 12 of them are from USC lol so no your no that great of a conference, your just riding along on the history of USC Baseball from the 40's, 50's, and 60's lol." That quote alone is enough reason to tune in lol.

SoccerConfederations Cup, Group Stage: Japan vs. Brazil, 2:30p.m. (ESPN & ESPN3: West Coast only)

With all of the strife going on, is Brazil ready for the World Cup? This dress rehearsal will be a nice test. It features each of the winners of the six global soccer federations. (At least, it does now that all of the teams have decided to show up.)

SoccerUEFA Under 21 Championship, Semifinals: Spain vs. Norway, 11:30 & Italy vs. Netherlands, 2:15 (Live on ESPN3, re-airs on ESPNU starting 5:00p.m.)

Just think how satisfying it'll be to smugly say that you've been a fan of Spanish striker Rodrigo for years when he wins the Golden Boot in 2018.

SoccerWomen's International Friendly: South Korea vs. USA 7:p.m. (ESPN3)

I saw Hope Solo in NYC's East Village a couple months ago. Her arm looked, just as it does in this picture from the USWNT Pinterest feed, like she was in the early stages of cyborg transformation.

Hope

She'll be out of the lineup again today, but that shouldn't be a problem. The USWNT's previous opponent, Canada, forced backup Nicole Barnhart to make exactly zero saves in a 3-0 U.S. win.

Deep Bench:

Lacrosse Major League Lacrosse: Boston Cannons vs. Charlotte Hounds, 7:00 p.m. (ESPN3)

Programming executive 1: "I've got it! What this virtually unknown league of a niche sport needs is a national broadcast of a game between two of its middling franchises."

Programming executive 2: "Damn right that's what it needs. Can we schedule it to go head-to-head with the Stanley Cup and U.S. Open?"

Programming executive 1: "Not only can we do that—we can also make it only available online."

Programming executive 2: "You say "can". Me? I say "should."

Programming executive 1: "Will."

So that's happening. Of course, any sport that involves dunks is always worth watching.

lax

Tips, suggestions, criticisms? Send them to SI.TheLineup@gmail.com