Canadian Sports Week in Preview

Can you feel it? The end of summer is around the corner. But just as summer begins to wind down, the sports calendar ramps up, like a guardian angel shielding you from post-summer depression.

So let's take a look at whats on tap for the next week in the Canadian Sporting universe.

YA, TENNIS!

The Rogers Cup (Men's) - Toronto - through Aug. 10:

Tennis is an extremely underrated sport in Canada, or at least it's underrated by the average Canadian. Part of that is probably due to fact we haven't ever had a "local boy" to cheer for (sorry, Daniel Nestor. Nobody respects Doubles for some reason.) And another part is the yearly tradition of Tennis' biggest stars "sitting out" the Rogers Cup.

Both trends seem to be ending, though. Milos Raonic and Vaclav Pospisil have had unprecedented success of Canadians on the Men's side of things. And of the "Big 3" (Nadal, Federer, Djokovic) only Nadal managed to weasel his way out of playing in the Great White North this year - which could be caused in part by the aforementioned success of Ranoic and co., making Toronto more of a "destination".

Anyway, with the increased competition, don't expect a miraculous Canadian championship run at the Coupe De Rogers. Raonic, the brightest of the bunch by far, has a powerful serve that could carry him deep in the tournament, but just as we saw at Wimbledon, it likely won't be enough to take out a Djokovic or Federer.




The Rogers Cup (Women's) - Montreal - through Aug. 10:

Here's where the best shot for a hometown champion comes. Eugenie Bouchard is the fast rising star in women's tennis, and if it wasn't for the Summer of Wiggins, she'd already be an even bigger story here in her home nation.

But a win in Montreal would rocket her to the too of the Canadian Athlete Power Rankings (which I do plan on writing, eventually.) I've written about it earlier, but Eugenie is primed to become the darling of the tennis world. She has both a work ethic and sense of humour which are nearly unmatched - she just needs that signature win to put her over the top.

(Of course, as I write this, she's close losing her first round match against someone who shouldn't be beating her. In that case... Go Serena?)

Big Series' for the Blue Jays (Orioles & Tigers) - Toronto - through Aug 10:

The Toronto Baseball Club has sort of reminded me of the of the tides of Lake Ontario lately.  Record goes up, record goes down - you can't explain that. A dominant May, followed by a wonky June, coming out like gangbusters after the All Star break, then blowing three in a row against the scrappy but undermanned Astros. 

As I sit here writing, Mark Buehrle is being spanked around by the scary-good lineup of Baltimore. If that trend continues for the next 2 and 1/2 games, then I really do not like their chances against noted Blue Jay destroyers Miggy Cabrera, David Price(!) and the rest of the Tigers.

Like it or not, these 6 games are going to be crucial for both the Jays playoff chances and their confidence. I will be watching intently and fearfully. 

PGA Championship - Louisville, KY - Aug. 7-10:

The PGA Championship ha always struck me as somewhat deceitful. How can it be the championship? It's not at the end of the season. It's not the most prestigious event. I guess it pays the most, but still - quit trying to be something you're not, PGA Championship.

Meanwhile, Canadian Graham Delaet sits 28th on the PGA money list. That's really all there is to know about Graham Delaet. I'd love to see him shock the world, but at this point it's about as likely as the Jays winning this game I'm watching.

NFL Preseason week 1 - across America - Aug 7-10:
Ahhh yes, that cherished time of year is finally upon us. No longer will Sundays be used 'being productive' or 'leaving the couch' because Football is back. It may be preseason, where backup QBs and 3rd string wide-receivers are the stars of the show as they battle to simply make the roster. BUT IT'S STILL FOOTBALL. The announcers, the intro songs, the contact, the pace, the 11 hours of nothing but screen-watching and food-eating - it's all so beautiful. I really wish it lasted all year.

I'll eventually write a full Canada-centric NFL season preview, but in the meantime, I guess you can

CFL Week 7 - across Canada - Aug 7-10:

I'm sorry, CFL. I really do believe in what your going for - a successful Canadian Pro league of anything. I know you've got years of history and legions of passionate fans behind you. I know, technically, you're football.

But you're one down and, ohhh, 7 teams short of a real Professional Football league.

Two-down football is too choppy and disjointed. The talent level of the league can't really sustain the high-flying, gun-slinging football that should be a product of those two available downs, because anyone good enough to successfully do that is going to go to the big leagues.

Nine teams does not make a league. I would argue 10 teams doesn't even make the cut. I understand that business can be tough for pro sports up here, but the fact that the CFL hasn't been able to cobble together 12 consistent franchises is surprising and sad.

Watch the CFL if you're feeling patriotic, but as an entertainment product, it just doesn't do it for me.

Editor's Note: Both Eugenie and the Jays lost as I wrote this. If the trend continues, I'll swear off blogging about everything except Eli Manning.