As Euro 2008 has finished, the sporting eyes turn to the 4th of July holiday weekend in the United States and the finish of Wimbledon in Europe.
As Interleague play finally finishes, some of the traditional rivalries return to baseball this week. In the early week series, American League East division rivals Tampa Bay and Boston square off in a battle for first place. In the AL Central, the White Sox host last place Cleveland and the second place Twins host Detroit. And in the AL West, the Angels head to Oakland as the top two teams in the division play an important series.
Starting on Thursday, the Red Sox and Yankees will start a four game series in which New York has its opportunity to get back in the AL East race. Saturday’s game will be on Fox. ESPN will have the series finale on Sunday night.
In the National League, the Mets have a chance to get back in the East division battle when it takes on Philadelphia. The Dodgers and Giants will also renew their rivalry this weekend.
Wimbledon starts off the quarterfinals in both the Gentlemen’s and Ladies’ singles on Monday and ESPN2 and NBC will combine for live and same day coverage. ESPN2 will start its coverage each day at 7 a.m. NBC takes over at 10 a.m., Monday-Wednesday, then at noon for the women’s semis on Thursday and then noon again on Friday for the men’s semis. Then on Saturday and Sunday, it’s Breakfast at Wimbledon at 9 a.m. for the Ladies and Gentlemen’s Finals, respectively. If you’re looking for online coverage, ESPN360 simulcasts ESPN2’s coverage each day. NBCSports.com will also be streaming its coverage through the finals (major props for that).
NASCAR heads to its traditional 4th of July weekend race at Daytona, the Coke Zero 400 which TNT carries Saturday night starting at 6:30.
Indy Car will be in New York for something called the Camping World Indy Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. ABC has the race on Sunday.
Formula 1 fans have the British Grand Prix to watch this Sunday as well.
The PGA Tour heads to Congressional in Maryland for the AT&T National. Golf Channel and CBS combine for the coverage.
The LPGA will be playing the P&G Beauty NW Arkansas Championship which CBS carries during the weekend.
The U.S. Olympic Trials continue as the swimming and track & field teams will continue to be selected. USA Network will have late night coverage of the track & field trials on Monday, Thursday and Friday. Swimming fans can watch the trials every night from 8-9 p.m. starting tonight and all the way through next Sunday on either NBC or USA. Steaming online coverage can be seen also on NBCOlympics.com.
And that is your week ahead in sports.
