Pirates: The Pittsburgh Baseball Club continues its post-All-Star Game road trip with the first of three games in Houston's Minute Maid Park, which should provide an inviting target to the unexpectedly vibrant offense (4.84 runs/game).

Did you know: Led by Nate McLouth (19) and Jason Bay (19), the Pirates had six players hit 10 or more home runs before the All-Star break -- a first in team history. The previous high was five, accomplished in 1977 and 2006.

To watch: 8:05 p.m., FSN Pittsburgh.

The hot arm: Pirates pitcher Paul Maholm, who is 4-1 with five no-decisions since May 20, matches pitches with Houston's Roy Oswalt in a pitching matchup whose quality is better than its numbers. Oswalt is just 7-8 this season, but owns a 119-62 career record.

Did you know: Maholm had worked at least six innings in 13 consecutive starts through his 5-3 loss to Colorado July 17. He is 26-17 in his career in games in which he works at least six innings.

To watch: 8:05 p.m., FSN Pittsburgh.

Look out, Philadelphia: It appears there's going to be a race in the National League East, after all. The New York Mets, who had pulled within a game of Philadelphia thanks to a recent 10-game winning streak, play the second of a three-game series vs. the Phillies at Shea Stadium. Key? They meet only five more times after this series.

Did you know: In a stretch from July 8-12, Mets pitching did not allow their opponent more than three hits in any game.

To watch: 7 p.m., ESPN.

Senior British Open: The kids had their turn at Royal Birkdale. The game's over-50 set takes center stage when their Open tees off at Troon.

Did you know: Defending champion Tom Watson has won the senior version of the claret jug three times to go with five originals. Yes, that's eight British Open championships. What's more, all but one have come on the links-style Scottish courses of which Troon is one.

To watch: Noon, TNT.

Goose call: Baseball's party with its past did not end at Yankee Stadium. It merely moved up the road to Cooperstown, where the Hall of Fame welcomes Goose Gossage, left, in a full weekend of festivities. Also in this year's class: Longtime Pirates owner Barney Dreyfuss, More, Page A-1.

Did you know: Gossage and Kent Tekulve shared a Pirates bullpen in 1977, going a combined 21-10 with 33 saves. To watch: Induction, 1:30 p.m. Sunday, ESPN Classic.

The Brickyard: It has been 15 years since the famed Indianapolis speedway opened its gates to the NASCAR stocks. Qualifying for the annual summer jewel now known as the Allstate 400 at The Brickyard is today, with the race tomorrow.

Did you know: Series leader Kyle Busch has seven wins in the season's first 19 races. Since 1980, only Dale Earnhardt (8) won more in that span.

To watch: Qualifying, 10 a.m. today, ESPN2; race, 1 p.m. tomorrow, ESPN.

Happy New Year! For some, the new year begins when the TVs and portable fridges are unloaded outside Rooney Hall, signaling the start of another Steelers training camp. Well, toot your horns and let loose with the confetti. Players report today.

Did you know: The Steelers open the season six weeks from today.