Sports Roundup: Watchdog, plus minor league baseball
Weekend Watchdog: Triple Crown or not?
He’s the last Triple Crown winner, a fact mentioned in stories numerous times over the past 30 years.Only Animal Kingdom has the power to relegate Affirmed to the history books this year. First, he has to win the Preakness Stakes from Pimlico Saturday on NBC. Coverage starts at 4:30 p.m., and by 6:30 p.m. we should know if there’s still a chance at a Triple Crown in 2011.
Versus shows the fillies running the Black Eye Susan Stakes Friday. Continue reading “Weekend Watchdog: Triple Crown or not?” »
Sports Roundup: Lots of baseball
Tides drop Syracuse : Troy Patton gave the Tides 4.0 innings of emergency relief Thursday and led the Norfolk Tides past the Syracuse ChiWeekend Watchdog: No Lakers, No Celtics?
The Lakers didn’t make the NBA Western Conference Finals – is that allowed?
The two-time champions exited the playoffs Sunday after being swept by Dallas.
The Celtics’ season ended Wednesday. The Heat scored the last 16 points of the game to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
The teams with the most NBA championships are on the sideline the rest of the way.
Who will join the Mavericks and Heat in the conference finals? Thursday, the Bulls try to close out their series in Atlanta. The tip is 8 p.m. on ESPN.
Friday, Memphis hosts Game 6 of its series with Oklahoma City. Results from those contests will determine rest of the weekend schedule.
The top two seeds in the NHL’s Eastern Conference have been ousted, leaving Boston and Tampa Bay to battle for a Stanley Cup Final berth. They start their series Saturday at 8 p.m. on Versus.
Out west, Vancouver hosts Game 1 Sunday at 8 p.m. on Versus. Either San Jose or Detroit – who play their Game 7 Thursday at 9 p.m. – will be the opponent.
The Red Sox visit the Yankees this weekend – guess what’s ESPN’s Sunday game of the week? FOX has Saturday baseball in prime time. Games include Giants at Cubs, Dodgers-Diamondbacks and ….Red Sox-Yankees.
Sunday afternoon, TBS has the Phillies visiting Atlanta.
The Nationals are in Atlanta Thursday on MASN, then host Florida this weekend – Friday and Sunday on MASN2, and Saturday at 1 p.m. on MASN.
The Orioles face Seattle Thursday on MASN2, before heading to Tampa Bay for a series with the Rays on MASN (MASN2 Saturday at 4 p.m.).
NASCAR visits the Monster Mile this weekend, with the Sprint Car racers on FOX Sunday at 1 p.m. The Nationwide race takes the track Saturday at 2 p.m. on ESPN.
The PGA tour hits TPC Sawgrass and its famous 17th hole for the Players Championship this weekend. NBC has coverage Saturday and Sunday starting at 2 p.m.
The D.C. United face Colorado Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on Comcast, while ESPN2 shows Seattle-Portland Saturday at 11 p.m.
Comcast has SEC baseball Friday at 7 p.m., with Vanderbilt going against Florida. Saturday, it’s ACC action at 1 p.m. with Miami at Virginia followed by Tennessee-LSU at 4 p.m.
It’s a big weekend for conference softball tournaments. The ACC crowns its champion Sunday at 1 p.m. on Comcast, while ESPN2 has the Big East final Saturday at 5 p.m.. The SEC title game is on ESPN Saturday at 8 p.m., after a first-round game between Alabama and Mississippi State Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
The NCAA lacrosse tournament starts this weekend. ESPN2 has Johns Hopkins vs. Hofstra Saturday at noon, and ESPN offers North Carolina against Maryland Sunday at 1 p.m.
Weekend Watchdog: No Lakers, No Celtics?
The Lakers didn’t make the NBA Western Conference Finals – is that allowed?
The two-time champions exited the playoffs Sunday after being swept by Dallas.
The Celtics’ season ended Wednesday. The Heat scored the last 16 points of the game to advance to the Eastern Conference finals.
The teams with the most NBA championships are on the sideline the rest of the way. Continue reading “Weekend Watchdog: No Lakers, No Celtics?” »
Weekend Watchdog: Horsepower
You like your horsepower with four legs or four wheels? Saturday is for you.
In the afternoon, you have the running of the Kentucky Derby on NBC, starting at 4 p.m. Lots of horses start but only one leaves Kentucky with a chance to win this year’s Triple Crown.
In the night, FOX shows the NASCAR race from Darlington.
That ought to rev your engine for Mother’s Day.The horsepower in Kentucky gets featured on Versus in the days leading up to the big event. The fillies have their race – the Kentucky Oaks – Friday at 5 p.m.
Before the flag drops for the Southern 500, the Nationwide racers will go Friday at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN2.
The second round of the NBA playoffs continues this weekend with doubleheaders each day. Friday, ESPN shows Game 3 of the Bulls’ series with Atlanta at 7 p.m., followed by the Lakers-Mavericks.
Saturday, ESPN has Game 3 of the Thunder-Grizzlies series from Memphis at 5 p.m., then ABC offers the Heat at Celtics at 8 p.m. Sunday’s it’s back to Dallas for the Lakers-Mavericks at 3:30 p.m. on ABC. Game 4 of the Bulls vs. Hawks will be at 8 p.m. on TNT.
The NHL continues its second round, starting Thursday at 8:30 p.m. with Game 4 of Vancouver-Nashville on Versus. Friday, the Sharks take on Detroit at 7 p.m., followed by the finish of the Flyers’ game with Boston.
The Capitals were supposed to be playing Game 5 Saturday. Instead, they’re off to the golf course after another disappointing playoff run. Later Saturday, the Predators head to Vancouver for Game 5 on Versus at 8 p.m.
Sunday, NBC has Game 5 from Philadelphia (if necessary) at 3 p.m. and Game 5 from San Jose will be on Versus at 8 p.m. – if the Red Wings win Game 4.
The Orioles make a rare national TV appearance this weekend, hosting Tampa Bay at 1:10 p.m. on FOX. Other parts of the nation get the Twins at Red Sox and Reds-Cubs. The Orioles-Rays games on Friday and Sunday are on MASN after a Thursday afternoon special in Kansas City.
ESPN’s Sunday game features the Braves at Phillies. TBS shows the Yankees at Texas Sunday at 2:05 p.m.
The Nationals play at Philadelphia Thursday on MASN, then head to Florida for the weekend.
The PGA tour hits Charlotte this weekend, with the Wells Fargo championship on CBS Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.
Comcast has C-USA college baseball this weekend, with Rice facing Houston at 7:30 p.m. Friday, 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m.. From the SEC, LSU visits Alabama at 7:30 p.m.
The NCAA crowns its men’s volleyball champion this weekend. Thursday, Southern California faces UC-Santa Barbara at 7 p.m. on ESPN2, followed by the Big Ten battle between Ohio State and Penn State. The winners go for the title Saturday at 7 p.m.
ESPN2 offers the MLS Saturday night, with New York at Los Angeles at 11 p.m.
SEC softball gets the coverage Saturday at noon on ESPN, with Florida meeting Tennessee. Sunday at 1 p.m., it’s off to the Big 12 for Texas taking on Missouri.
Weekend Watchdog: Horsepower
You like your horsepower with four legs or four wheels? Saturday is for you.
In the afternoon, you have the running of the Kentucky Derby on NBC, starting at 4 p.m. Lots of horses start but only one leaves Kentucky with a chance to win this year’s Triple Crown.
In the night, FOX shows the NASCAR race from Darlington.
That ought to rev your engine for Mother’s Day.The horsepower in Kentucky gets featured on Versus in the days leading up to the big event. The fillies have their race – the Kentucky Oaks – Friday at 5 p.m. Continue reading “Weekend Watchdog: Horsepower” »
Weekend Watchdog: Sports for the Easter basket
Easter Sunday means NASCAR Sprint Cup takes a rare week off. But other sports continue their marches.
The second weekend of the NBA playoffs starts Thursday with Game 3 from Philadelphia (against the Heat at 8 p.m.) and Portland (against Dallas at 10:30 p.m.) Friday, ESPN offers a pair of games starting at 7 p.m. – Celtics vs. Knicks, then Lakers at Hornets – while the Hawks play the Magic at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.Saturday, TNT has the afternoon doubleheader starting at 2:30 p.m. The Pacers host Chicago in Game 4 of that series, followed by the Mavericks at Portland. ESPN shows a pair of games, with the Spurs taking on Memphis at 7:30 p.m. then Thunder and Nuggets play at 10.
ABC has an Eastern Conference doubleheader on Sunday. The 76ers host the Heat at 1 p.m., then it’s Celtics-Knicks. TNT has coverage starting at 7 p.m. with the Magic at Hawks, then the Lakers take on the Hornets.
Then it’s a week of “if necessary, while the NHL enters the “if necessary” zone this weekend. Thursday, Versus starts coverage at 7 p.m. with Game 4 of the Canadiens and Bruins. Chicago made Game 5 necessary with a win Tuesday, and will face Vancouver Thursday in the nightcap.
Friday, it’s necessary for Versus to find some programming – Detroit won in four straight. From the West Coast, the Predators go against the Ducks in Game 5. There’s four games on the Saturday schedule. NBC shows the Capitals against Rangers in Game 5 at 3 p.m., with three other games on Versus – Lightning at Penguins at noon, Canadiens-Bruins at 7 p.m. and the Kings facing the Sharks at 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, Versus has Game 6 of the Flyers-Sabres series – if it makes it that far.
The NL Central battle between Cincinnati and St. Louis take centerstage this weekend, on FOX Saturday afternoon and ESPN Sunday night. FOX also shows the White Sox at Tigers and Braves-Giants, while TBS has the Dodgers at Cubs Sunday afternoon.
The Orioles face Minnesota Thursday on MASN, then the Yankees visit for the weekend.
The Nationals have a Thursday afternoon game in St. Louis on MASN, then head to Pittsburgh for a series with the Pirates on MASN2.
ACC baseball gets coverage on Comcast Friday, as Miami visits North Carolina at 7 p.m. Saturday, Virginia hosts N.C. State at 1 p.m. and Louisiana-Monroe visits Middle Tennessee. ESPN2 offers Alabama against Florida Saturday at 8 p.m. and LSU-Vanderbilt battle Sunday at 3 p.m.
Since it’s Easter weekend, the Nationwide Series goes it alone – racing from Nashville Saturday at 3 p.m. on ESPN.
The PGA tour heads to Hilton Head for the Heritage this weekend, with coverage of the final two rounds on CBS at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
D.C. United plays New York Thursday at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.
MASN has Saturday lacrosse, with Yale visiting Georgetown at 1 p.m. Comcast has the ACC women’s lacrosse championship at 1 p.m., followed by the men’s title tilt at 3:30 p.m.
For an SEC softball doubleheader, it’s Alabama vs. Friday Saturday at 6 p.m. on ESPN2 and Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN.
Weekend Watchdog: Sports for the Easter basket
Easter Sunday means NASCAR Sprint Cup takes a rare week off. But other sports continue their marches.
The second weekend of the NBA playoffs starts Thursday with Game 3 from Philadelphia (against the Heat at 8 p.m.) and Portland (against Dallas at 10:30 p.m.) Friday, ESPN offers a pair of games starting at 7 p.m. – Celtics vs. Knicks, then Lakers at Hornets – while the Hawks play the Magic at 8 p.m. on ESPN2.Saturday, TNT has the afternoon doubleheader starting at 2:30 p.m. The Pacers host Chicago in Game 4 of that series, followed by the Mavericks at Portland. ESPN shows a pair of games, with the Spurs taking on Memphis at 7:30 p.m. then Thunder and Nuggets play at 10. Continue reading “Weekend Watchdog: Sports for the Easter basket” »
Weekend Watchdog: Let the long postseason begin
When the NFL playoffs begin, Tuesday Morning Quarterback mournfully notes that there’s only 11 more games left.
You can’t count the number of games in the NBA and NHL postseasons.
The two-month long marches to championship began in the NHL Wednesday and start Saturday in the NBA.
The Capitals, top seeds in the Eastern Conference, got things going Wednesday against the Rangers – a come-from-behind overtime victory. Game 2 is set for Friday at 7 p.m. on Comcast, and NBC has Game 3 in New York Sunday at 3 p.m.
NBC shows Game 2 between Phoenix and Detroit Saturday at 1 p.m.
Versus has the majority of the ice hockey action, starting Thursday at 7 p.m. with Montreal at Boston. The Kings at Sharks is the nightcap.
Friday, Versus shows the Capitals-Rangers nationally before heading west for the Blackhawks against the Canucks. Saturday, it’s another dose of Canadiens-Bruins and Kings-Sharks, starting at 7 p.m.
Chicago, the 2010 Stanley Cup champion, hosts Vancouver on Sunday at 8 p.m.
The NBA show begins Saturday on ESPN. The Pacers visit the top-seeded Bulls at 12:30 p.m., then ABC gets LeBron, D-Wade and the gang against the 76ers at 3:30 p.m.
ESPN returns to the action at 7 p.m. when the Hawks meet Orlando, followed by Dallas hosting Portland.
The other four series start on Sunday. ABC features the Hornets at Lakers at 3:30 p.m, and TNT has the rest – Memphis-San Antonio at 1 p.m., Knicks facing the Celtics at 7 p.m. and the Thunder hosting Denver at 9:30 p.m.
Basketball and ice hockey – on TV almost every night for the next two months.
NASCAR goes to Talledega this weekend. FOX has the Sprint Cup race Sunday at 1 p.m. while the Nationwide race is Saturday on ESPN2 at 3 p.m.
Versus has the Grand Prix of Long Beach Sunday at 3:30 p.m.
The Yankees get another appearance on ESPN’s Sunday night baseball, hosting Texas at 8 p.m. Early in the day, the Red Sox and Blue Jays meet on TBS.
FOX offers three contests on Saturday afternoon – Twins vs. Rays, Angels at White Sox and Mets visiting the Braves.
The Nationals have a Thursday contest against Philadelphia on MASN2, then Milwaukee comes to town for a three-game series on MASN.
The Orioles close out their series with the Yankees Thursday on MASN, then continue the road trip at Cleveland on MASN2.
Comcast offers a pair of college baseball games Saturday – Florida State at Virginia Tech at 1 p.m. and Vanderbilt visits South Carolina at 7 p.m. Sunday, there’s more SEC baseball as Florida takes on Georgia at 1 p.m.
ESPN2 shows Vanderbilt-South Carolina Sunday at 1 p.m.
The PGA tour heads west this weekend for the Valero Texas Open. CBS has coverage Saturday and Sunday starting at 3 p.m.
MLS has Chicago visting Portland Thursday at 11 p.m. on ESPN2.
ESPN2 offers SEC college softball Saturday at noon, with Tennessee facing LSU. Sunday on ESPN, Oklahoma plays Missouri at 4 p.m.
More sports at VaSportsOnline.com
Weekend Watchdog: Let the long postseason begin
When the NFL playoffs begin, Tuesday Morning Quarterback mournfully notes that there’s only 11 more games left.
You can’t count the number of games in the NBA and NHL postseasons.
The two-month long marches to championship began in the NHL Wednesday and start Saturday in the NBA.
The Capitals, top seeds in the Eastern Conference, got things going Wednesday against the Rangers – a come-from-behind overtime victory. Game 2 is set for Friday at 7 p.m. on Comcast, and NBC has Game 3 in New York Sunday at 3 p.m. Continue reading “Weekend Watchdog: Let the long postseason begin” »
Mike Judge: Time for a summer hiatus
Column by Mike Judge
WeekendWatchdog.blogspot.com
I’m going to take a break from the Watchdog for the next few weeks while I enjoy summer vacation with my sons.
I hope to resume weekly updates as football season rolls around at the end of August.
You know your summer sports. Here’s your links. Continue reading “Mike Judge: Time for a summer hiatus” »
