Play it forward: Oct. 5-11 on your L.A. sports calendar

MONDAY

If they'd just play this indoor deal out on Madden '10, email us the scores and highlights, and save it somewhere on YouTube, we wouldn't have to keep a tally of all the Brett Favre references, including this one. The over/under is 6 billion. Half of them, from Chris Berman on any ESPN pregame shows.
NFL: Green Bay at Minnesota, ESPN, 5:30 p.m.

TUESDAY

Then, they tear up the pieces of Metroturf to play a play-in baseball game, a day later than they'd have liked to settle this AL Central mess.
MLB: Game No. 163: Detroit at Minnesota, 2 p.m., TBS.

Oh captain, their captain: The Sharks announced that last week that Rob Blake will be the team's Big C this season. Coach Todd McLellan took the title away from Patrick Marleau before training camp -- Marleau took much of the heat after the Sharks, who had the best record in the NHL last season, lost in the first round. Then he nearly came to the Kings in an off-season trade Blake, of course, is a former Kings captain. Somehow, this all makes sense to someone.
NHL: Kings vs. San Jose, Staples Center, 7:30 p.m., FSN West. Also this week: Kings vs. Minnesota, Staples Center, Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Kings at St. Louis, Saturday, 5 p.m., FSN West.

WEDNESDAY

Joe Torre vs. Tony LaRussa. Manny Ramirez vs. Albert Pujols. Chris Carpenter vs. Randy Wolf. See any real lopsided matchups there yet? Neither Ramirez (.143, 0 HRs, 9 Ks) nor Pujols (.222, 1 HR, 4 Ks) did much damage against the other team when they met seven times during the regular season (with the Cards winning five of them).
Baseball: NLDS Game 1: Dodgers vs. St. Louis, Dodger Stadium, 6:30 p.m., TBS, 790-AM. Also: Game 2 is Thursday at Dodger Stadium, either 3 or 6:30 p.m.; Game 3 is Saturday at St. Louis, 3 p.m. Broadcast team: Dick Stockton and Bob Brenly.

Sorry, Mr. Giambi, but you have to let Todd Helton play in this one. The Rockies can't afford another spot in the lineup with a bunch of strikeouts.
Baseball: NLDS Game 1: Colorado at Philadelphia, 11:30 a.m., TBS. Also: Game 2 is Thursday in Philadelphia, 11:30 a.m.; Game 3 is Saturday in Denver, 6:30 p.m. Broadcast team: Brian Anderson and Joe Simpson.

See what A-Rod did in his last regular season tuneup: 2 HRs, 7 RBI. In one inning. You say he never produces in October? Tell that to Kate Hudson. Bring on the AL Central champ and let's get this finally started. The Yankees have the call: They can start today or Thursday. Here's one scenario:
Baseball: ALDS Game 1 Tenative: Detroit or Minnesota at N.Y. Yankees, 3 p.m., TBS or Thursday at 3 p.m. Also: Game 2 will be Friday in New York, 3 p.m. regardless of Game 1 start. Broadcast team: Chip Caray and Ron Darling.

Phil Jackson has intimated he may skip this one -- the first of eight meaningless Lakers games before the regular season starts. "Is it televised?" he asked. Why, yes, it says so here:
NBA exhibition: Lakers vs. Golden State, Anaheim Honda Center, Channel 9, 7 p.m.

That Fever from Indiana has WNBA title fever, up two games to one over the Mercury of Phoenix for the women's professional hoops title. It's a best of five. It's best that way.
WNBA Finals: Game 4: Phoenix at Indiana, 4:30 p.m., ESPN2. Also: Game 5 is possible is Friday, 6 p.m., ESPN2

THURSDAY

Mike Scioscia delicately gives the ball to John Lackey for the playoff opener against the Red Sox, then to Jered Weaver, and he holds back lefties Scott Kazmir and Joe Sanders for games three and four at Fenway Park. Does that make sense? With the Monsta inviting those right-handed hittas? It makes as much sense as the Red Sox's postseason dominance over the Angels in recent years. Let Terry Francona try to explain it to Sciosh.
ALDS Game 1: Angels vs. Boston, Angels Stadium, 6:30 p.m., TBS. Also: Game 2 is Friday in Anaheim, 6:30 p.m.; Game 3 is Sunday in Boston. Broadcast team: Don Orsillo and Buck Martinez.

Unlike the Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup doesn't make American fans go goofy for golf. Especially when the final day comes up against the NFL. But this could be an opportunity for Barack Obama to show up and improve his sports Q-rating after last week's sour performance for Chicago in the Olympics.
Golf: Presidents Cup Day 1, San Francisco's Harding Park Course, noon to 5 p.m., Golf Channel. Also: Friday's Day 2, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Golf Channel; Saturday's Day 3, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Channel 4; Sunday's Day 4, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Channel 4.

FRIDAY

How fabulous -- If the blimp shot over the "Giant Ash Tray" (as Jack Nicholson used to call it) looks familiar, it's because it is. Does Jack get his old seat back?
NBA exhibition: Lakers vs. Golden State, Forum, Channel 9, 7 p.m.

SATURDAY

Suddenly, the Ducks from Corvallis have shown up to play this season. Which uniform they'll unveil for this one is always a treat. Or trick. Or triumph. The Bruins have some sourdough taste left in the mouths from last week's trip to Stanford.
College football: UCLA vs. Oregon, Rose Bowl, 12:30 p.m., Channel 7

One heck of a SEC double header, with the operative question: Will Tebow play?
College football: Alabama at Ole Miss, Channel 2, 12:30 p.m.; Florida at LSU, Channel 2, 5 p.m.

SUNDAY

A day after Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s 35th birthday, he'll take a spin in Fontana as part of thise Chase thing that NASCAR folks seem all geared up about.
NASCAR Sprint Cup: Pepsi 500, at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Channel 7, 12:15 p.m. (prerace at 11:30 a.m.)

Said CBS NFL studio analyst Boomer Esiason about Raiders QB JaMarcus Russell on Sunday morn: "I don't want to beat a dead horse here, but it's come to my attention that he has been fined heavily already for being overweight and for being late to meetings. And, he's already missed one meeting. I'm telling you right now, the other 52 guys on that roster are looking at Tom Cable. They're looking at Al Davis, and they're saying 'We deserve better than this.' ... He is holding them back. Even though there's not a great alternative, there has to be a change at quarterback, especially if he plays poorly today against a banged up Houston defense." Then, Russell went out and led the Raiders to a depressive 29-6 loss, completing 12 of 33 passes for 0 TDs and 128 yards. Will Russell be around to celebrate his 35th game with the Raiders sometime next season?
NFL: Oakland at N.Y. Giants, Channel 2, 10 a.m.; New England at Denver, Channel 2, 1 p.m.; Indianapolis at Tennessee, Channel 4, 5:15 p.m.