Sports fans are in for a treat later tonight as we’ve lined up a pair of blockbuster games that will no doubt tickle your fancy. Opening festivities tonight is the much-anticipated showdown between the American League and National League in the 2015 MLB All-Star Game. Then, Canada and Costa Rica square off in a mouth-watering Gold Cup clash.
Read on below for a quick breakdown of these two high-quality ballgames and while you’re at it, you can check out our sleeper picks for the 144th British Open.
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American League vs. National League (7:30 PM ET)
Line: American League (+106) at National League (-116); total: 7.0 – view all MLB lines
[sc:MLB240banner ]The American League All-Stars will head to the Midsummer Classic with momentum on their side as they have won the previous two All-Star games. A quick first-inning start helped the American League seize a 5-3 victory in last year’s All-Star game. Expected to lead the AL offense tonight is the red-hot Albert Pujols. He is second in the majors in homers this season with 26 to his name.
That being said, the National League is expected to provide a stiff challenge as it has the majestic Bryce Harper on its side tonight. The three-time All-Star is second in the majors in home runs (26) and RBIs (61) thus far this season.
Win or go home. That’s the grim reality facing Canada right now as it heads to its final Gold Cup group match with Costa Rica. The Canadians sit at the bottom of the team standings with just a solitary point and the pressure is definitely on the home side to deliver that all-important victory.
That being the case, the Canadians will fancy their chances of advancing tonight as they have fared extremely well in their home field of late. Canada has not been beaten at BMO Field since a 2-0 defeat to Peru in 2010. The Canadians have gone 6-0-4 there since and have won their last four outings in Toronto.
They will have their work cut out for them, however, against a Costa Rica side that is ranked 41st in the world. The three-time CONCACAF champions have managed to grab just two points in the group stage following disappointing draws against Jamaica and El Salvador.
Costa Rica is 2-1-2 in its last five matches against Canada.
