Five Things You Need to Know for this weekend (July 14-15)

5 Things You Need to Know in Sports

 

Here is a look at some of the more important events this weekend, from July 14-15, in the world of sports and gaming. This will be a daily feature on atswins.com, offering a brief look at the top 4 important matchups of the day along with a look at future odds.

 

1)NY Mets at Atlanta, 4:05pmET, R.A. Dickey (12-1, 2.40 ERA) vs. Tommy Hanson (10-5, 3.71 ERA), Saturday

This is a huge game in the NL East for both teams and a big series. Both are scrambling for wild card spots and could catch the Nats if they fall. R.A. Dickey was the best pitcher in the NL in the first half until his last three starts. Hanson has been a top pitcher for the Braves. The Mets are 1-4 in Dickey's last 5 starts vs. Braves. The Braves opened as a -121 favorite and the total is 7.5. 

2)LA Angels at NY Yankees, Jered Weaver (10-1, 1.96 ERA) vs. Ivan Nova (10-3, 3.92 ERA), 1:05pmET,  (TBS), Sunday

Two of the best three teams in the American League get together as the Angels hope to push the Rangers in the West, while the Yankees are trying to pull away in the AL East. . Jered Weaver is having another great year, posting a 10-1 record and looks like the favorite for the Cy Young. Nova isn't overwhelming but the Yankees usually win when he pitches.

3)NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: The Lenox Tools 301, 1pmET (TNT) on Sunday

The Sprint Cup Series heads to Loudon, New Hampshire for the 19th Cup race on Sunday,  July 15 at 1pmET for the Lenox Tools 301 from the New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Last year, Ryan Newman won the road race as he started on the pole. He led a race-high 119 laps, including the final 71 and beat his teammate, Tony Stewart, to the finish line by 0.8 seconds. Newman has won here three times including his first during his 2002 rookie season. Jimmie Johnson is the 5-1 favorite to win this race. 

4)U. S. Senior Open Golf (NBC), John Deere Classic (CBS) (Sat-Sun)

The British Open is next week so there are just a few big names at the John Deere Classic, which has been won by Steve Stricker three times. After round one from Illinois, Stricker was four shots back of leader Troy Matteson (-10). The tournament will be broadcast on CBS starting at 3pm. At the U.S. Senior Open, Tom Kite is 5 under 65 on Thursday to lead Bernhard Langer and Lance Ten Broeck by one shot. The Open is being played at Lake Orion, Michigan. The tournament will be televised on NBC at 3pm.

5)Odds to Win British Open

Here are the latest odds from Bovada to win the British Open, which starts next week from Royal Lytham St. Anne, Lytham St Annes, Lancashire. The favorite is Tiger Woods at 13-2, followed by Lee Westwood at 12-1. Last year's winner was Darren Clarke of Ireland, who is struggling this year, is 125-1.