This Weekend in Sports: Wimbledon, MLB Action and Euro 2012

The most prized tournament in tennis, a clash of Major League Baseball division leaders and Europe crowns its football champion. Here’s what’s happening this weekend in sports:

Friday, June 29

Wimbledon

All England Club, Wimbledon, London, England; 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. (EDT) ; ESPN-TV; Through July 8



The Championships started earlier this week in London. On the men’s side, Rafael Nadal’s shocking upset loss to Lukas Rosol on Thursday means the French Open champ is out very early. Both No. 1 Novak Djokovic and No. 3 Roger Federer will be in action during Friday’s third round in London. In the women’s draw, No. 1 Maria Sharapova had a tough match last time out against Tsvetana Pironkova, but she’s still a favorite to get to the finals next weekend.

Chicago White Sox at New York Yankees

Yankee Stadium, New York, NY; 7:05 p.m. (EDT); YES-, CSN-TV

American League division leaders duel in the second of a four-game series in the Bronx. The Chicago White Sox (40-35) led the AL Central by 2.5 games over Cleveland as of Thursday afternoon. They’ll throw rookie right-hander Jose Quintana (2-1, 1.25) at the Yankees’ dangerous lineup. Quintana hasn’t allowed a run in his last 16 innings of work. Beset by injuries to pitchers Andy Pettitte and CC Sabathia this week, New York (46-28) starts rookie Adam Warren (0-0), who makes his major league debut on Friday night.

Saturday, June 30

Detroit Tigers at Tampa Bay Rays

Tropicana Field, Saint Petersburg, FL; 7:15 p.m. (EDT); FOX-TV

Two American League teams who have underachieved thus far in 2012 meet as part of the FOX ‘Baseball Night in America’ on Saturday. Rick Porcello (5-5, 4.71) looks to get the Tigers (36-39) a bit closer to the White Sox in the AL Central. Tampa Bay (40-35) counters with Alex Cobb (3-4, 4.73), who must find a way to keep Detroit’s Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera from doing damage.

NASCAR Quaker State 400

Kentucky Speedway, Sparta, KY; 7:45 p.m. (EDT); TNT-TV

Fifth-place Tony Stewart and seventh-place Clint Bowyer closed in on Sprint Cup leader Matt Kenseth last week. They’ll look to continue their upward trend in Kentucky this Saturday night. Defending race champ Kyle Busch may have a say in the outcome, as well.

Sunday, July 1

Euro 2012: Italy vs. Spain

Euro Olimpiyskyi, Kiev, Ukraine; 2:30 p.m. (EDT); ESPN-TV

Italy faces defending champion Spain in the final of the European Championships at Kiev, Ukraine. The game is a rematch of the teams’ 1-1 draw that opened play in Group C. Italy is led by Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli, who scored twice in the 2-1 semifinal win over Germany. Spain counters with Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos, among others.

New York Mets at Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA; 8:05 p.m. (EDT); ESPN-TV

After spending much of 2012 with baseball’s best record the Los Angeles Dodgers (43-33) found themselves tied with the San Francisco Giants for the NL West lead on Thursday morning after a recent 2-8 swoon. Los Angeles will send Clayton Kershaw (5-4, 2.74) to the mound on Sunday night to battle the upstart Mets (40-36), who are still very much alive in both the NL East and the Wild Card races. New York starts Dillon Gee (5-6, 4.42) who has lost three of his last four decisions.