4th Of July Weekend Sports TV Guide
By Ryan Mayer, CBS Local Sports
The 4th of July weekend is upon us. Many of you out there have today off as we celebrate America throughout the weekend. Hopefully, the weather holds out wherever you are and you're spending the holiday outside grilling. But if Mother Nature isn't cooperating or if you're just a huge sports nut and need something to watch each day, here's a quick viewing guide to some of the top sports events to watch tomorrow and Sunday.
Saturday July 4th
11:05 AM San Francisco Giants vs. Washington Nationals
To paraphrase Wedding Crashers: Hot dogs, apple pie and baseball that's what America does! Here's a great way to start your morning on Saturday with two of baseball's top teams playing in the nation's capital. Bryce Harper and Buster Posey bring plenty of star power in the batter's box while the two starting pitchers? Madison Bumgarner vs. Stephen Strasburg. Bumgarner is having another very good season (8-4 2.99 ERA) while Strasburg has struggled (5-5 5.49 ERA) but certainly still brings intrigue with a high 90's fastball. The rare morning start time is critical here because it will lessen the amount of remote control work you'll have to do at....
12:40PM Nathan's International Hot Dog Eating Competition
An American tradition. Honestly, is there anything more American than watching somebody stuff their face with as much food as possible as fast as they can? The always fun game of "Will somebody lose it?" is integral in watching this. Also, it helps make you feel better about scarfing down those 3 hot dogs yourself a little later because "Hey at least it's not 60".
7:05 PM New York Mets vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
First let me acknowledge the big gap in times here. Look, I'm fully expecting you'll (I'm sure your family is to) be spending at least part of, if not the entire afternoon with some kind of get together. So c'mon after you get done with Nationals-Dodgers get outside! Then after you've gorged yourself on as many hamburgers and hot dogs as you can, settle down on the couch and enjoy a marquee pitching match-up. Mets ace Matt Harvey goes up against Dodgers #2 Josh Greinke in this one.
Sunday July 5th
1:35 PM Cleveland Indians vs. Pittsburgh Pirates
This suggestion comes on the pitching match-up. Danny Salazar goes for the Tribe (7-3 3.80 ERA) in the midst of a bounce back season for him. Pittsburgh will send Gerritt Cole to the hill who's been sparkling this season (11-3 2.20 ERA). Bonus points here for the rivalry between the two cities. Plus, let's be real you need something to while away the time on Sunday before the main event and this is the best game available.
7:00 PM USA vs. Japan FIFA Women's World Cup Final
Can we summon Bruce Buffer for this one?
The rest of these events have just been the undercard. This is for national pride. To prove we are the best in the world in women's soccer. Against the team that crushed our dreams in 2011. Fire up the USA chants and kick back with friends or hit your local watering hole to cheer on the US ladies in search of their 3rd World Cup.
There's some good sports events going on this weekend for all you sports nuts out there. Enjoy them. And let's get the chant started early: "USA, USA, USA"
Ryan Mayer is an Associate Producer for CBS Local Sports. Ryan lives in NY but comes from Philly and life as a Philly sports fan has made him cynical. Anywhere sports are being discussed, that's where you'll find him. Agree/Disagree? Thoughts, comments, complaints? Email or tweet him.