8 can’t-miss sports events to watch this weekend

If you thought we’d be out of sports in late July, think again. This weekend graces us with all sorts of competition all over the sporting landscape, which will allow us a brief respite from the sweltering, unkind, armpit-sweating, soul-crushing heat.

College football is around the corner, NFL training camps will open soon, and this weekend we have one of the best events in golf to keep us company. Life is good.

All times Eastern.

The 2017 British Open is underway at Royal Birkdale in golf’s third major of the season. This will be THE event to lounge around all day in front of, and the schedule is so kind in that regard. NBC is showing live coverage from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday and 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, giving you the chance to still get out of the house and enjoy the night after sporting all day.

It’s an NL Central matchup on Sunday Night Baseball with the Cardinals and Cubs facing off at 8 p.m. on Sunday on ESPN. Both teams are in dire need of division wins, and this is the kind of series that could have a major impact on whether either team can challenge the division-leading Brewers down the stretch.

USA is in the semifinal of the Gold Cup, facing Costa Rica. Every fiber of our beings is hoping for another incredible USA vs. Mexico final, and this is the stage setter. The game vs. Costa Rica starts at 10 p.m. on Saturday night, over on FS1.

NASCAR is heading to the Brickyard on Sunday at the Speedway in Indianapolis. Martin Truex Jr. looks to continue his incredible form, but Jimmie Johnson is on his heels and has four career wins at the Brickyard. Coverage begins at 2 p.m. on NBC.

5. CYCLING

The Tour de France ends this weekend, with Chris Froome all but certain to finish as champion. Coverage begins at 8 a.m. Saturday on NBC Sports and wraps up from the Avenue des Champs-Élysées on Sunday starting at 10:30 a.m., also on NBC Sports.

Seattle is hosting the WNBA All-Star game for the first time since 2001, and it’s a chance for the sport’s brightest stars to shine — except two. Sadly, Brittney Griner and Elena Delle Donne had to withdraw due to injuries, but it’s still going to be a great game to watch. Coverage begins at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday on ABC.

UFC Fight Night is on Saturday starting at 8 p.m. on FOX. The main event features Chris Weidman vs. Kelvin Gastelum, with both fighters hoping to use this fight as a stepping stone for a title shot.

8. Swimming

Discovery’s Shark Week begins Sunday night at 8 p.m. with Michael Phelps racing a great white shark. SHARK AIN’T PLAYED NOBODY.

* The British Open is the best event in golf.

* It’s naive to think Colin Kaepernick would be closer to game day if he had a fade instead of a fro.

* The NBA’s new two-way contracts aren’t as good for players as you think.

* The Panthers stunningly fired their GM right before NFL training camps open. Former Panthers OL Geoff Schwartz explains why.

* This 61-year-old is desperate to make an NBA roster. Meet Calvin Roberts.

* Verne Lundquist says he’ll miss your college town but won’t miss traveling to it

* Steven Godfrey has the inside story on Hugh Freeze’s ouster at Ole Miss and how it fits neatly into the program’s bumpy two decades.

Have a good weekend. Be safe. Make fun summer decisions!