Guardians, White Sox Face Off in AL Central Clash
Happy Friday! After two days of exciting WNBA playoff action, we get a day off today before things heat up again over the weekend. That doesn’t mean it will be a quiet sports day, though. MLB division races are starting to reach the stretch run, NFL preseason Week 2 is in full swing and the Little League World Series is just getting started.
Here’s what I’m watching today.
A quick note: Due to COVID-19, sports schedules are fluid and subject to change.
MUST WATCH:
Chicago White Sox at Cleveland Guardians
David Richard/USA TODAY Sports
The AL Central race is extremely competitive with around six weeks to go in the regular season, as the Guardians, White Sox and Twins are all in the mix to claim the top spot and earn a trip to the postseason. Cleveland is not to be underestimated despite coming into the campaign with low expectations, as a career year from José Ramírez and big contributions from youngsters including Andrés Giménez have propelled this club into contention. And while the White Sox have been disappointing all season long, they’re still in the thick of things and have the talent to make a run. This series is a big one.
7:10 p.m. ET, Bally Sports Great Lakes/NBC Sports Chicago, watch on fuboTV
READ MORE:
- MLB Power Rankings: Guardians Secure Road Wins, Shake Up Summer Rankings (Will Laws)
- The White Sox Are Suffering the Consequences of Doing Nothing (Will Laws)
- Don’t Underestimate Jose Ramirez and the Guardians (Tom Verducci)
LINEUP:
• BMW Championship | It’s the second round of the second leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs. Will Zalatoris won last weekend in Memphis to position himself well in the competition, but we’ll see who can climb the leader board today to be in contention this weekend. All day, ESPN+, 3 p.m. ET, Golf Channel, watch on fuboTV
• Little League World Series | The third day of action from Williamsport is headlined by Japan’s tournament debut, which comes at 5 p.m. today. Teams from Japan have won the world championship five times since 2010. Games at 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. ET, ESPN, watch on fuboTV
• Carolina Panthers at New England Patriots | Baker Mayfield saw the first snap, but Sam Darnold led a touchdown drive as the Panthers’ QB competition continued into the first preseason game. But neither QB will play tonight, according to coach Matt Rhule. 7 p.m. ET, NFL Network, watch on fuboTV
• Toronto Blue Jays at New York Yankees | Everything that could go wrong in August has for the Yankees, who put Clay Holmes on the IL earlier this week in the latest blow to a team that has lost five straight series and has dealt with multiple key injuries. Will things start to turn around this weekend against the Blue Jays? 7:05 p.m. ET, Apple TV+
HIDDEN GEM:
Houston Texans at Los Angeles Rams
The defending champion Rams didn’t use many starters in Week 1 of the preseason, but still found a way to beat their crosstown rival Chargers. Meanwhile, the Texans got a sharp opening outing from Davis Mills and plenty of flashes from rookie RB Dameon Pierce, who could be a fantasy football sleeper and challenge for the starting job. These two organizations are in very different places heading into this season, but that’s part of what makes preseason football fun.
10 p.m. ET, NFL Network, watch on fuboTV
Think we missed something worth watching? Reply to guide@si.com and let us know what we should be looking out for and why.
Happy streaming!
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