The Lineup: Wednesday, August 28

Author:
Mike Bebernes
Publish date:
Aug 28, 2013

Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
UFC

I bet Rex Ryan wishes he was answering Tebow questions again. Send any suggestions to SI.TheLineup@gmail.com. (Bold indicates a national broadcast. All times Eastern.)

Pregame Reads

The New York Times closes out its exploration of ESPN by showing how the network protects its own interests.
Jane McManus of ESPN writes about a new tennis phenom, 17-year-old Haitian Victoria Duval.
Richard Sherman—the NFL player—thinks NFL players are getting shortchanged by paltry preseason paychecks.

Starter

Sport UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann, 8:00p.m. (Fox Sports 1)

Fox Sports One is boasting a ten-fold increase in viewers over the previous networks Speed, Fuel and Fox Soccer. Even more important are massive boosts in desirable demographic of young men. A lot of that success can be credited to Fight Night. Young men like to watch people get kicked in the head. Who would have thought?

Reserves

MLB

Orioles vs. Red Sox, 7:10p.m. (ESPN)

Baltimore slugger Chris Davis said he's rooting for Miguel Cabrera to win the Triple Crown. Only to do that, Cabrera would have to pass Davis in the home run chase. Davis also said he hopes Boston's starter John Lackey throws a perfect game tonight and wishes the best of luck to the guy hitting on his wife in the stands.

Cubs vs. Dodgers, 3:10p.m.

Rangers vs. Mariners, 3:40p.m.

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

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

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

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

Angels vs. Rays, 7:10p.m.

Indians vs. Braves, 7:10p.m.

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

Astros vs. White Sox, 8:10p.m.

Reds vs. Cardinals, 8:15p.m.

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

Padres vs. Diamondbacks, 9:40p.m.

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

This game isn't on national TV, but one does not pass up the opportunity to show the class residing in the stands at Target Field.

WNBA

Washington Mystics vs. Atlanta Dream, 7:00p.m. (NBA TV)

Tennis

U.S. Open Early Round Play, 1:00 p.m. & 7:00p.m. (ESPN2 & ESPN3)

Soccer

Spanish Super Cup: Barcelona vs. Athletico Madrid, 4:55p.m. (ESPN3)

Lionel Messi missed the first matchup, which ended in 1-1 draw. He's healthy again, meaning today offers the first chance to see Messi starting alongside Brazilian super-striker Neymar. This is a solid chance to see why they call it the beautiful game.

CONCACAF Champions League: Heredia vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 10:00p.m.

UEFA Champions League Qualifying: AC Milan vs. PSV Eindhoven, 2:30p.m. (Fox Sports 1)

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

The Challenge idea factory may be running a little bit dry. Last week's elimination challenge was the Oklahoma drill. A drill run by just about every high school football team in the country. Look for future eliminations to be decided by a heated battle in the three-man weave.

Transfer Market

Patrick Dempsey: Racing Le Mans, 10:00p.m. (Discovery)

McDreamy becomes McDrivey in the first episode of this miniseries that follows the Grey's Anatomy star's attempt to qualify for the 24-hour endurance road race. Hopefully he doesn't catch a glimpse of those hypnotic baby blues in the rear view and careen into an embankment.