Weekend sports watch guide: MLB playoff push, WNBA semis, Alabama-Georgia, Lamar vs. Mahomes - The Athletic

The weekend features a loaded lineup of high-leverage sports events, including WNBA semifinals, MLB playoff races, NFL showcases, college football games, Premier League matches, and the Ryder Cup. This compilation highlights key games with significant implications across various sports.

In the WNBA, both semifinal series are tied entering Friday's action, reflecting the league's most-watched season ever. The Indiana Fever have overcome multiple injuries, including to Caitlin Clark, to secure a first-round upset and now hold home-court advantage against the Las Vegas Aces, led by MVP A'ja Wilson. Games 3 and 4 are set for Indiana's Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Lynx, known for top offensive and defensive ratings, face the Phoenix Mercury, who recently staged a record-breaking playoff comeback to tie the series.

MLB's playoff race is intense, particularly in the AL Central where the Detroit Tigers have experienced a historic collapse. After leading the division for 184 days and holding a 9.5-game advantage at the start of September, the Tigers are now tied with the Cleveland Guardians, who have won 17 of their last 20 games. Key series, such as Tigers vs. Red Sox and Guardians' final games, will decide the division winner, with Cleveland controlling the tiebreaker.

Other notable events include the NFL with marquee matchups like Lamar Jackson versus Patrick Mahomes and Micah Parsons' return to Dallas on "Sunday Night Football." College football offers ranked SEC and Big Ten games with College Football Playoff gravity. The Premier League features Manchester City against Arsenal, spotlighting Erling Haaland's prolific scoring after his recent Champions League record. The Ryder Cup adds to the weekend's contentious international competition.