SUN 11
A’s at White Sox (1:10 p.m., Ch. 9): It’s Harold Baines Day at Guaranteed Rate Field, with a pregame ceremony in honor of the Hall of Famer starting at 12:15. The first 20,000 fans who enter the ballpark get their very own Baines Hall of Fame plaques. They’re only replicas, but don’t let that stop you from standing on the concourse and making a speech.
Cubs at Reds (12:10 p.m., NBCSCH): Is Jon Lester really the Cubs’ “weakest link”? That’s what he called himself after his last start, a four-inning, 11-run debacle against the A’s. Hopefully, the big guy will at least try to pull himself together for this one.
MON 12
Astros at White Sox (7:10 p.m., NBCSCH): Phew! The Sox won’t have to face Justin Verlander in the opener of a three-game series. Phew! Gerrit Cole won’t be on the bump, either. Who’ll get the ball for the have-it-all ’Stros? Just some bum named Zack Greinke.
WED 14
Cubs at Phillies (6:05 p.m., Ch. NBCSCH): What a nice treat for Cole Hamels to pitch for the first time at Citizens Bank Park as a visitor. It’ll be even sweeter if he lasts longer than three innings. The lefty’s last outing in Cincinnati wasn’t “weakest link” bad, but it was plenty brutal.
Little League Softball World Series championship game (9 p.m., ESPN): Tune in as two teams of 11- and 12-year-olds put girl power on full display. And that’s just with their nonstop, mega-decibel chants from the dugouts.
THU 15
Raiders at Cardinals (7 p.m., ESPN): You don’t want to miss a chance to see Arizona rookie Kyler Murray, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, sling the pill around. Also: Someone needs to invent a drinking game that involves watching the Raiders play and predicting what coach Jon Gruden will spaz about on the next episode of “Hard Knocks.”
FRI 16
Bears at Giants (6:30 p.m., Fox-32): A little more Mitch Trubisky. A little more Khalil Mack. A little more David Montgomery would be mighty fine, too. A little more spice in the game plan, maybe? Job 1: Stay healthy, fellas. Job 2: No missed 43-yard kicks unless you really want to work at the post office.
Sparks at Sky (7 p.m., The U Too): Don’t look now, but it’s just the hottest team in the league. No, not the Sparks.
SAT 17
Cowboys at Rams (9 p.m., NFL Network): Can’t beat two star-powered teams from Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, even if it is a meaningless game in which the starters won’t play much, everybody watching from home will change the channel before the end and the only final tally non-gamblers might care about is the injury count. Wait, wasn’t that every Pro Bowl for about 35 years?
