Events to Watch
Confederations Cup Final » U.S. vs. Brazil, Sunday, 2 p.m., ESPN
The reward for the U.S. ending Spain’s 35-game unbeaten streak? Playing Brazil, a team the Americans are 1-13 against all time, in the Confederations Cup final. The Americans have looked like a completely different team since losing to Brazil 3-0 earlier in the tournament. U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra returned to solidify the defense in the shutout of Spain. But the Americans will have their hands full with an explosive Brazil team featuring Kaka and Luis Fabiano.
MLB » Mets at Phillies, Friday-Sunday
The Mets have more money on their DL than on their 25-man roster. But thanks to contributions from unlikely heroes – starting pitchers Livan Hernandez and Fernando Nieve are a combined 8-2 this season – New York is still battling atop the NL East. The Phillies have helped the Mets by struggling greatly at home (13-22). This series kicks off a 10-game homestand for Philadelphia.
PGA Tour » AT&T National, Thu.-Fri. (3-6 p.m., GOLF); Sat. (3-6, CBS); Sun. (3-6:30, CBS)
In case you haven’t heard, Tiger Woods is coming back into town. Field took a late hit with no Ernie Els, but plenty of star power still makes this a bright field. Always a hoot to watch the local contingent with Steve Marino.
MLB » Dodgers at Padres, Friday, 10:05 p.m., MLB.TV
Manny Ramirez makes his return to the Dodgers after his 50-game suspension for a PED. L.A. has not struggled without the superstar slugger, but continued their solid pace when Manny was sparking the lineup. While there is no national TV on this yet, we’re pretty sure SportsCenter will be all over this one.
Player to watch: Tommy Hanson, Atlanta Braves • SP
The Braves’ 22-year-old is pitching like the NL Rookie of the Year. In four career starts, he is 3-0 with a 3.13 ERA and has not allowed a run in the last 14 innings pitched. The righty’s name was involved in trade talks for Padres ace Jake Peavy in the offseason, but the Braves are glad they hung on to their top prospect. The years of Glavine, Maddux and Smoltz have past but the Braves might have found the tandem of the future. Fellow starter Jair Jurrjens — 23 years old, 2.89 ERA — and Hanson could head the next big rotation in Atlanta. The rookie goes for his fourth win Sunday against Brad Penny and the Red Sox.
Bold predictions
Ricky Rubio won’t buy a parka » The 2009 NBA Draft didn’t go the way the 18-year-old Spanish point guard had hoped, and after the way his camp handled the predraft circuit – visiting very few teams, not including the Minnesota Timberwolves — expect a similarly hard line until he finds a situation in America that he prefers. Rubio will end up in a bigger NBA market or he might just choose to remain in Spain — as was strongly hinted by his father, Esteban – where an approximate $4 million buyout still stands between he and the NBA. But there’s no doubt that Rubio’s best position won’t be alongside Jonny Flynn, who Minnesota drafted one spot behind him. Of course, the Washington Wizards will also be forever entangled with Rubio, too. They’ll try desperately to avoid second thoughts after missing a chance on taking him after trading away the fifth pick, and those emotions that will be exacerbated by ongoing turmoil over his immediate future.
AT&T National trophy lands on Tiger’s shelf » Third tournament will be the charm for Tiger Woods. After finishing seven back in the event’s inaugural year in 2007 and having to sit out with torn knee ligaments last year, Woods will finally claim the trophy of his own tournament. Sure maybe this isn’t that bold, as Tiger is the favorite in most events he plays, but Congressional’s Blue Course has been tough on the world’s best. All the additional responsibilities that Tiger has to take care of as sponsor of the event could make it difficult to have enough juice left at the end of those hot, humid July days. However, Tiger finished four back in the U.S. Open field a week ago after a horrid 4-over first round. Think that sits well with the big dog? We don’t think so, either.
Big Papi is back » For the first two months of the season, critics had fun trying to think of new nicknames for “slugger” David Ortiz — Big Popout, Big Sloppy or The Dominican Hole. He started the season in his longest homerless slump of his career, but the gap-toothed smiling DH we know and love is back. In June, Ortiz hit .310 with 6 homers and 16 RBI. His season totals still look pathetic — .216, 7 HR, 34 RBI, .309 OBP — but at least now he has more home runs than pitcher Josh Beckett (1). Expect Big Papi’s power to stay for the remainder of the season, his recent numbers to neutralize his horrible start and for manager Terry Francona to place Ortiz back in his usual No. 3 hole in the Red Sox lineup.
5 up and down
5 Up
Lucas Glover After no finishes higher than 20th in his first 11 majors, 29-year-old claims soggy, prolonged U.S. Open at Bethpage Black.
Tyler Hansbrough Called undersized and overrated, but UNC forward gets last laugh at NBA draft, picked 13th overall by Indiana.
Lleyton Hewitt Australian beats Juan Martin del Potro at Wimbledon to end 11-match losing streak vs. top-five opponents.
Landon Donovan Complete performance in 2-0 upset of Spain cements status as best current American soccer player that’s not a goalie.
NBA Eastern Conference Draft day trades of Shaquille O’Neal, Vince Carte make the East top-heavy and a big-time draw next season.
5 Down
Maria Sharapova Coming off shoulder surgery, 2004 Wimbledon champed bounced in second round by Gisela Dulko.
Spain soccer Defeat to U.S. ends 35-match run without a loss, record 15-game win streak.
Spain basketball Ricky Rubio falls to fifth in NBA Draft; one of two point guards drafted by Minnesota; doesn’t like cold weather.
Blake Griffin The only sure thing in the 2009 NBA Draft goes to the most cursed team in league history.
Chicago Cubs Latest slump compounded by International Baseball Federation announcing that Geovany Soto tested positive for marijuana.
