SUN 13
Yankees at Astros, Game 2 (7:08 p.m., FS1): Superstar hitters, up and down each lineup. If the Yankees have a little more firepower with the bats, the Astros can claim the edge with their starting pitching. The cream has risen to the top in the American League, and now it’s the least these teams can do to give us another seven-game classic like the ALCS — won by championship-bound Houston — in 2017.
MON 14
Lions at Packers (7:15 p.m., ESPN): In 2017, the Lions swept the season series for the first time in 26 years. So what happened in 2018? The Lions up and did it again. Matter of fact, they’ve won three of the last four at Lambeau Field — which just plain must drive Aaron Rodgers all kinds of crazy, don’t you think?
Oilers at Blackhawks (7:30 p.m., NBCSCH, NHL Network): The words “must win” and “October” belong together in baseball, for sure. In football, sometimes. Certainly not in hockey, but clearly the Hawks can’t afford to let a seven-game homestand go to pieces. James Neal, Leon Draisaitl and some guy named Connor McDavid are off to a binge-scoring start for Edmonton.
TUE 15
CONCACAF Nations League: USA at Canada (6:30 p.m., ESPN2): This is a brand-new competition of little, if any, renown, which seems just about perfect for an American men’s side that has done utterly nothing to distinguish itself of late. But, hey: border war in Toronto!
WED 16
Cardinals at Nationals, Game 5 (Time TBD, TBS): Yeah, yeah — “if necessary.” And it better be necessary, or else we’re going to want our money back. Sheesh, even the Cubs could’ve slogged out onto the field four times and stolen a game from either of these teams. OK, maybe not against the Redbirds at Wrigley Field in September, but still.
THU 17
Hawks at Bulls (7 p.m., NBCSCH, NBA TV): Ladies and gentlemen, your preseason finale. Do the Bulls have a starting point guard? Is there a promising role for rookie Coby White? Is Jim Boylen the next Gregg Popovich, or at least the next Nick Nurse? (Answer key: maybe, hopefully and let’s not even talk about it.)
Chiefs at Broncos (7:20 p.m., Fox-32, NFL Network): All at once, Bears fans can rue the day the team didn’t draft Patrick Mahomes and long for the defensive magic that existed with Vic Fangio as coordinator. Considering Fangio’s early record as a head coach, he might be doing some longing, too.
FRI 18
Ohio State at Northwestern (7:30 p.m., FS1): Ryan Field will be packed to the gills with Buckeyes fans because that’s just how this thing works. A victory for the Wildcats would be the biggest of Pat Fitzgerald’s career. In related news: not happening.
SAT 19
Rockford at Wolves (7 p.m., My 50): It’s the back half of a home-and-home for the Wolves against the rival IceHogs, with worlds colliding; Rockford is, of course, a Blackhawks affiliate. Also: It’s Pride Night at Allstate Arena, raising money for the Center on Halsted community center. Good stuff.
