THis YOU GOTTA SEE
THE WEEK AHEAD in sports . . .
SUN 7
United States vs. Netherlands, women’s World Cup final (10 a.m., Fox-32)
Don’t you dare overlook the reigning European champs. Danielle van de Donk is both gloriously named and gloriously skilled as a playmaker. Lieke Martens is a former FIFA world player of the year. Geez, this is scary! But not really. Who are we kidding? It’s the U.S. women’s world, and everyone else is just living in it.
Cubs at Sox (1:10 p.m., ch. 9, NBCSCH)
It has been a great first half for the under-.500 Sox. It has been a horrible first half for the above-.500 Cubs. Ain’t life a kick in the catcher’s mask?
All-Star Futures Game (6 p.m., MLB Network)
Sox fans don’t know when outfielder Luis Robert and infielder Nick Madrigal are going to get to Chicago, but how does the fifth inning sound? We kid. Check out both studs and a pair of Cubs hopefuls, right-hander Adbert Alzolay — remember him from way back last week? — and catcher Miguel Amaya.
MON 8 All-Star Home Run Derby (7 p.m., ESPN)
No Sox or Cubs are in the field this year, but who’s complaining? Brewers superman Christian Yelich is the first National Leaguer in a decade to hit the 30-homer mark before the break. Cubs pitchers see Pirates first baseman Josh Bell in their nightmares. Our pick to click: Blue Jays rookie Vladimir Guerrero Jr. We hope to be that strong and talented when we turn 20.
wED 10 Hornets vs. Bulls, Las Vegas Summer League (4 p.m., NBA TV)
A run-in with his old team in Vegas? Hornets owner Michael Jordan wouldn’t miss it for the world. Well, maybe he’ll skip the game if the blackjack tables are running hot. But enough about Jordan, who wasn’t even that good at basketball, when you really think about it. We see you, Coby White!
fri 12
Pirates at Cubs (1:20 p.m., NBCSCH)
Sometimes all it takes is a chance to hit the reset button. A nice hot streak to start the second half would calm everyone’s nerves a little.
Sox at A’s (9:07 p.m., NBCSCH)
Tue 9
MLB All-Star Game (6:30 p.m., Fox-32)
There will be ample opportunity for Chicago baseball fans to cheer, with three Cubs (Javy
Baez, Willson Contreras and Kris Bryant) and three Sox (Lucas Giolito, Jose Abreu and James McCann) in uniform in Cleveland. Free advice: Considering the Cubs and Sox will be playing each other to end the first half, their six All-Stars ought to consider carpooling from Guaranteed Rate Field to Cleveland. May we suggest a sensible minivan? Is the real Lucas Giolito already standing up? Can James McCann possibly keep up his pace? Can this team keep the arrow pointed up for another 2½ months? Let’s play ball.