MLB » Astros at Brewers, Fri. (FSN-HD, 6:05 p.m.), Sat. (FSN, 5:05 p.m.), Sun. (FSN-HD, 12:05 p.m.)

The NL Central is all tied up near the top, with the Cardinals and Cubs as likely choices to take the division crown. Lurking just a few games back are the Brewers and the Astros and this three-game series could determine the pretender from the contender— if there is one.

World Cup qualifier » United States at Mexico, Wednesday, 4 p.m., Telemundo/mun2

The chance for redemption after a horrific 5-0 Gold Cup final loss is here for the U.S., except the stakes are higher as each team seeks to move a step closer to the 2010 World Cup. The Mexicans have never lost to the U.S. at Azteca Stadium, which will host a sellout crowd of more than 100,000.


ATP Masters Series Rogers Cup, Montreal, Mon.-Sun. (ESPN2, Fri., 7-9 p.m., Sat. 7-11 p.m., Sun. 1:30-4 p.m.)

Rafael Nadal will make his return to the court after more than two months out due to tendonitis in his knees. He hasn’t played since a fourth-round loss in the French Open on May 31, and needs the tune-up as the U.S. Open, the only Grand Slam event he has never won, starts Aug. 31.

Story Lines


1. The Jake Peavy trade will swing the AL Central title » They each have a middle-of-the pack offense. They each have excellent rotations. But the ultimate difference between the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central this season will be the addition of star pitcher Jake Peavy. The White Sox aggressively pursued their man and finally got him at the Major League Baseball trade deadline. That move trumps Detroit’s addition of starter Jeff Weaver. Now, it’s simply a matter of waiting for Peavy’s health to return. The 28-year-old — who won 92 games in eight years with the Padres — still is recovering from a torn tendon in his right ankle. But he threw a bullpen session last week — about 50 pitches — and will spend the next three weeks rebuilding his arm strength. Peavy hasn’t pitched since June 8. But if he can get back in late August, he still will have time for about six starts — enough to help Chicago to the division title.


2. Michael Crabtree will sign with the 49ers » The juicy story here isn’t whether Crabtree, the 10th overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, will sign and play in San Francisco this year. No football player, no matter how talented, will sit out his entire rookie season over a contract dispute. At least not if he truly cares about his career. No, what really interests us is the point when Crabtree, arguably the greatest receiver in college football history, tells his clown cousin to shut his mouth. David Wells (no, not that David Wells), Crabtree’s cousin and adviser, told reporters Thursday that Crabtree was prepared to sit out the 2009 NFL season. Wells, citing Darrius Heyward-Bey’s $38M deal with Oakland, says Crabtree “wants fair market value.” The 49ers, in a statement, said they do not negotiate through the media. In response to this whole mess, Crabtree’s agent, Eugene Parker, told ESPN: “I don’t know where this came from, but no such threat has been made.” Either Parker is being left out of the loop or Wells is an idiot running his mouth. We’re going with the latter.

3. The Nationals will play .500 ball in August » So far this season the Nats haven’t had much to hang their hats on, but a recent win streak and sweep of the Marlins makes this look like — by far — the most promising month of the season. Washington already has as many wins as they did in April (5) and play some favorable opponents the rest of the month. After their weekend series against the Diamondbacks, the Nats head to Atlanta, who they have played tough this season (4-5). Then they play a slumping Reds team that, entering this weekend, has managed only four wins since the All-Star break. The difference in Washington has been the consistent production at the plate and a much-improved bullpen. With a hot August, maybe the Nats could catch the Royals to prevent having the worst record in baseball for the second straight season.

Player to watch

Adam Wainwright • SP • Cardinals

As the Cubs and Cardinals slug it out in the National League Central over the final two months, the biggest St. Louis advantage is clear. And no, it’s not Albert Pujols. Instead, it’s a vicious one-two punch at the top of the rotation. Everyone knows Chris Carpenter is an elite pitcher — when healthy. But how about Adam Wainwright? The 27-year-old began his career as an effective reliever for the 2006 World Series champs. Then he had a nice year as a starter (3.70 ERA), was better in 2008 during an injury-shortened season (3.21 ERA) and has saved his best for 2009. Wainwright had 12 wins entering Saturday night’s start at Pittsburgh and a career-low 2.79 ERA. He doesn’t overpower with a fastball. But Wainwright has one of the sport’s best curveballs. And against the Cubs this season, Wainwright is 3-0 with a 2.43 ERA in 29 1/3 innings.

Five Up

1. Brandon Roy » A deserved max contract means he can build a new house — or castle — in Portland.

2. Buick Open » Exuberant crowd made the goodbye at Warwick Hills all the more difficult to stomach.

3. Pedro Martinez » With outings like that from Cliff Lee (1R, 6H, 9K in his Phillies debut), window dressing is a sweet role.

4. Kenny Cooper » American striker unshackles himself from MLS with long-expected move to Europe, joining 1860 Munich.

5. Archie Manning » If there isn’t a sports father hall of fame, there should be, and he should have his own wing.

Five Down

1. Michael Crabtree » Sitting out a season is a nuclear option, which means: don’t do it. Remember Mike Williams?

2. Julio Castillo » Thirty days in jail and three years’ probation for injuring a fan during a baseball melee. Sounds about right.


3. Philadelphia Eagles » Quickly growing training camp injury list smells like last summer at Redskins Park.

4. Curt Onalfo » Former D.C. United assistant coach gets surprising axe in Kansas City after 6-0 loss to Dallas.

5. Rashard Lewis » A 10-game steroid suspension is nothing. The stink on Orlando’s run to the NBA Finals will take longer to wear off.