Monday sports preview: Races heating up

GAME OF THE DAY: LA Angels at Seattle Mariners, 7 p.m. Of course, ESPN chose Yankees-Tigers over this game for Monday Night Baseball, so no national TV.

The teams enter this three-game series with the Angels holding a two-game lead in the division, so add that with me being an Angels homer, and of course I’m picking this one as my Game of the Day.

While Seattle’s been blessed with good health this season, the Angels haven’t been, but have played great anyway. Lookout Landing is reminding people not to overreact after one Mariner loss.

OTHER BIG MLB GAMES:

New York Yankees at Detroit Tigers, nationally televised on ESPN2, 4 p.m. Can you believe that both of these teams wouldn’t be in the playoffs based on today’s standings? Babes Love Baseball has an excellent interview with Magglio Ordonez. Also, Detroit’s Jair Jurrjens is now on the DL — check out Bless You Boys for a great reaction.

New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies, 4 p.m. The Mets somehow let a 44-year old fat guy get an infield hit against them on Sunday in a loss to the Dodgers. But the Mets still have a six-game lead over the Phillies in the NL East.

Minnesota Twins at Cleveland Indians, 4 p.m. The Twins have won five in a row, but remain 5.5 games behind the Indians in the AL Central. So this is kind of a big series for them.

Arizona Diamondbacks at San Diego Padres, 7 p.m. The top-two teams in the NL West go at it (AZ has a three-game lead). Despite losing yesterday, the Padres still hold a three-game lead in the NL Wild Card, and their fans still seem to like Milton Bradley.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays at Chicago White Sox, 11 a.m. I mention this dreadful game only because it’s nationally televised on WGN. White Sox fans aren’t happy this season, and shouldn’t be.

OTHER SPORTS:

NFL Preseason, Cincinnati Bengals at Atlanta Falcons, 5 p.m., nationally televised on ESPN.

International Basketball: USA vs. Mexico, 8 p.m., nationally televised on ESPN2. This is the first game of the 2nd round.