This Weekend in Sports: NASCAR at the Brickyard and UFC on Fox 8
The upcoming sports calendar features NASCAR drivers returning to a legendary track and the UFC's lightest warriors clashing for a championship belt. Here's what to watch this weekend:
Friday, July 26
Tampa Bay Rays at New York Yankees
Yankee Stadium, Bronx, N.Y.; 7:05 p.m. (ET) on SUN, WWOR-TV
The red-hot Tampa Bay Rays (60-42) travel to Yankee Stadium with hopes of pushing the defending American League East-champion New York Yankees (53-48) farther away from them in the division standings. The second-place Rays will send Chris Archer (5-3, 2.76) to the mound to face a Yankees lineup still plagued by injuries. New York counters with ace C.C. Sabathia (9-8, 4.37), who has given up a career-high 23 home runs already this season.
Saturday, July 27
Los Angeles Angels at Oakland A's
O.Co Coliseum, Oakland, Calif.; 3:05 p.m. (ET) on Fox
The Los Angeles Angels (47-52) visit the the American League West-leading Oakland Athletics (59-42). Already 11 games out of first place, the Angels hope Garrett Richards (2-4, 4.66) can stifle Oakland batters like Yoenis Céspedes, Josh Donaldson and Brandon Moss. The Athletics will hand Tommy Milone (8-8, 4.18) the ball against a powerful Los Angeles lineup featuring Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Mark Trumbo.
UFC on FOX 8: Demetrious Johnson vs. John Moraga
KeyArena, Seattle; 10 p.m. (ET) on Fox
UFC flyweight champion Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson puts his title on the line against challenger John Moraga. Johnson has consistently decisioned his opponents in the lightweight class, and Moraga has established himself as a scrappy, skilled fighter. Bouts on the undercard include Jake Ellenberger vs. Rory McDonald and Robbie Lawler vs. Bobby Voelker.
Sunday, July 28
Samuel Deeds 400 at The Brickyard
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis; 1:20 p.m. (ET) on ESPN
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series leader Jimmie Johnson will take to the track of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to defend his title at the Brickyard. Johnson has a commanding 56-point lead on second-place Clint Bowyer. Carl Edwards sits in third, 73 points off the lead and one point ahead of fourth-place Kevin Harvick. Dale Earnhardt Jr. rounds out the top five in the standings.
Gold Cup Championship — United States vs. Panama
Soldier Field; Chicago; 4 p.m. (ET) on Fox
Landon Donovan and Chris Wondolowski lead the U.S. Men's National Team against Panama in the championship of the Gold Cup. The Americans have won a team-record 10 straight games. Panama defeated Mexico, 2-1, to reach the final. U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann could be suspended for the final after being ejected in the 87th minute of the team's win over Honduras on Wednesday an altercation with the referee.
St. Louis Cardinals at Atlanta Braves
Turner Field, Atlanta; 8:05 p.m. (ET) on ESPN
The National League Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals (61-37) face the N.L. East-leading Atlanta Braves (57-44) on 'Sunday Night Baseball.' Shelby Miller (10-6, 2.77) takes the mound for the Cardinals against Braves hitters Freddie Freeman and Justin Upton. Atlanta will send Kris Medlen (6-10, 3.78) out to face Yadier Molina, Allen Craig and Matt Carpenter, who are first, second and fourth, respectively, among the N.L.'s batting average leaders.