1) “Masters of Illusion” return, 9 p.m., CW. Two reality shows have ended and CW lightens up on Thursdays. At 8 and 8:30 p.m., it has “Conners” reruns from 2021. At 9, this show is back from a five-month pause. In a brisk half-hour, Dean Cain (shown here) introduces magicians Chipper Lowell, Reza, Eric Eaton. Joel Meyers, Adam Wylie and Trigg Watson.
2) Baseball, 7 p.m. ET, Fox. The Giants and Cardinals meet at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Ala., honoring the Negro Leagues. Rickwood was built in 1910 for minor-league ball and added a Negro League team from 1920-60. Willie Mays played there while still in high school; others includes Satchel Paige and Charley Pride, later a country-music star.
3) “Elsbeth,” 9 p.m., CBS. In most episodes, the major guest star is a murder suspect. In this one – one of the best – she’s the victim. Linda Lavin, 86, has a brief and impressive role as the all-knowing head of a big-money condo building; Jane Krakowski plays a sleek real-estate salesperson.
4) “Young Sheldon,” 8 p.m., CBS. Sheldon is struggling in Germany, in the rare position of knowing less than his classmates. Back home, his grandma has a chance to expand her illegal casino, post-tornado. That’s followed by a “Ghosts” crisis, when a restaurant funder backs out. And on “Fire Country” (10 p.m.), a family refuses to flee from a wildfire.
5) U.S. Olympic trials. The swimming trials are at 11 a.m. on Peacock, 7 p.m. on the USA Network and 8 on NBC; diving is during the day on Peacock and 9:15 p.m. on NBC. On Friday, track-and-field begins.