Week Ahead

THURSDAY 10/2
NL Division Series: Dodgers at Cubs
It's October, which means Chicago has two opponents—whoever it's facing in the playoffs, and history. Ace Carlos Zambrano (14--6) goes to the mound for tonight's Game 2 against Los Angeles, which will start its top winner this year, Chad Billingsley (16--10). In their only trip to Wrigley Field this season the Dodgers were swept in three games.
TBS 3 p.m.

Samsung World Championship
This LPGA event is invitation only, but there hasn't been much suspense this season about who the first name on the list would be. World No. 1 Lorena Ochoa (right) will be trying to win the championship for the third year in a row in Half Moon Bay, Calif.; standing in her way are the Tour's other 17 top money winners in 2008. By Ochoa's standards she's slumping: Her win at the Navistar Classic on Sunday was her first in eight events.
Thursday-Friday, Golf Channel 6:30 p.m.; Saturday, NBC 12:30 p.m.; Sunday, NBC 4 p.m.

SATURDAY 10/4
No. 4 Missouri at Nebraska
It's still early in the Heisman race, but Tigers QB Chase Daniel (left) is on the short list entering Mizzou's first Big 12 game of the season. In his first four games—all wins—he completed 76% of his passes and averaged 353 yards.
ESPN 9 p.m.

SUNDAY 10/5
Patriots at 49ers
New England has had two weeks to mull its 38--13 loss to the Dolphins in Week 3, the Pats' first regular-season defeat since December 2006. Avoiding their first losing streak in 23 months won't be easy. The 2--2 49ers are off to their best start since 2002, and this year's squad may be inspired by a reminder of the franchise's glory days. Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young will have his number 8 retired today.
CBS 4 p.m.

MONDAY 10/6
Rock Paper Scissors Championship Even in this high-tech era some people make a good living with their hands. The winner of this event, which was held in June in Las Vegas, took home $50,000 and represented the U.S. in the international championship held in Beijing in August.
FSN 9 p.m.

SI PICK OF THE WEEK

SATURDAY 10/4
Lightning vs. Rangers
When free agent rightwinger Radim Vrbata (above) signed with Tampa Bay in July, he got three years, $9 million and a free ticket to his home country. The retooled Lightning—Vrbata is one of 14 new players, and new coach Barry Melrose will be behind the bench—and Rangers will open the NHL season in Prague. Two-and-a-half hours later the league's Euro road trip continues: 2007 Hart Trophy winner Sidney Crosby and the Penguins will face the Senators in Stockholm. Rematches of both games happen the following day.
Check listings