14 games played, by sport.
MLB The marquee game is the Tampa Bay Rays at the New York Yankees, a getaway day tilt in the Bronx with the Rays clinging to their playoff positioning down the stretch. Also watch San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Dodgers, where the heart of the Dodgers order will look to feast if the Padres starter can't keep his WHIP in check. With Milwaukee Brewers at Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves hosting the Cincinnati Reds also on the slate, expect at least one bullpen implosion or walk-off before the night is done.
NFL Monday Night Football gives you the marquee game: the New York Giants head to SoFi Stadium to face the Los Angeles Rams, with Los Angeles favored by six and a half and the total sitting at 47.5. The Rams are trying to bounce back after dropping their opener, while the undefeated Giants want to prove they can win a shootout instead of just leaning on garbage-time stats. Watch the line of scrimmage early — if the Giants can't move the ball on early downs, expect a lot of third-and-long snaps and the Rams to control time of possession in the red zone.
NHL Preseason hockey is just getting going, but keep an eye on the Colorado Avalanche visiting the Winnipeg Jets, since Colorado is one of the few clubs with a win already banked. If you want star power on the penalty kill and power play both, the Edmonton Oilers head into Winnipeg the next night too, so it's a good stretch to watch for an early snipe from the slot or a highlight-reel OT winner. Nothing is truly at stake yet with everyone finding their legs, but these early reps are how you spot which goalies are seeing pucks well and which power plays look dangerous heading into the real season.
WNBA The marquee tilt is Minnesota Lynx at Indiana Fever, top seed against the reigning attendance darlings in a pick'em that could shape home court for the playoffs. Right behind it, Los Angeles Sparks at Las Vegas Aces gives the defending juggernaut Aces a chance to keep stacking buckets against a Sparks squad that just can't buy a win lately. Don't sleep on Atlanta Dream at New York Liberty either — Atlanta's the slight road favorite, and if the Liberty's guards get cooking from deep it could turn into a splash-fest with a dagger three in crunch time.