Run for the Roses

The first Saturday in May looms. As does only horse race most Americans know.

The Kentucky Derby takes the stage late Saturday afternoon, with 20 horses vying for the first Triple Crown since 1978. Two minutes after the race starts, only one will have a chance to join the great horses of the past.

If you like to watch the fillies, the Kentucky Oaks will be held Friday at 5 p.m. on Bravo.

For more speed on an oval, NASCAR brings its horsepower to Richmond. FOX has the Sprint Cup race Saturday at 7:30 p.m. after the Nationwide crew goes Friday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.

Also, the IRL will be in Kansas Saturday on ABC.

The NHL goes into its second round this weekend, starting Thursday with Detroit visiting San Jose on Versus. Friday on Versus, Pittsburgh starts its series against Montreal.

NBC has a pair of games set for the weekend - the Flyers-Bruins Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and Montreal at Pittsburgh Sunday at 2 p.m.

Versus has the first game of Vancouver-Chicago Saturday at 8 p.m., then Game 2 from San Jose Sunday at 8 p.m.

The NBA playoffs continue with a pair of Western Conference Game 6s Thursday on TNT. The Spurs try to finish off the Mavericks at 8 p.m., then the Suns look to end the Blazers' season in Portland.

Friday on ESPN, it's the Hawks vs. Bucks at 7 p.m., then the Lakers try to win at Oklahoma City at 9:30 p.m. The Nuggets hope to stay alive in Utah at 10 p.m. on ESPN2.

The conference semifinals begin Saturday when the Celtics visit Cleveland on TNT. Time will be announced closer to tipoff, along with other games on the weekend.

The Orioles host Boston this weekend on MASN, while the Nationals visit Florida on MASN2.

The Mets and Phillies get national coverage twice this weekend, on FOX Saturday afternoon and Sunday night on ESPN. The other choices on FOX will be Astros-Braves and Rangers-Mariners. The White Sox visit the Yankees Sunday afternoon on TBS.

Tiger Woods and the PGA tour will be in Charlotte this weekend. CBS has coverage at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The D.C. United host the Red Bulls Saturday at 4 p.m. on Comcast.

Comcast brings you college baseball throughout the weekend. Friday, it's LSU vs. Florida at 8 p.m. Saturday, it's ACC play between Georgia Tech and North Carolina State at 1 p.m., then off to the SEC for Georgia-Vanderbilt at 7 p.m. Sunday, there's more SEC play with Mississippi and Mississippi State at 2:30 p.m.

ESPN joins the diamond fun, showing LSU-Florida Sunday at 1 p.m.

ESPN has some Southeastern Conference softball on the schedule, with Georgia-LSU Thursday at 8 p.m. and Tennessee-Alabama Saturday.

MASN offers college lacrosse Saturday at 2 p.m. when Bellarmine faces Ohio State.

ESPN2 continues showing spring college football, featuring Oregon Saturday at 5 p.m.

I feel a draft

Are you ready for three nights of Mel Kiper Jr.? ESPN and the NFL hope so.
The NFL draft will now spread across three days, starting Thursday at 7 p.m. with the first overall pick.
The second and third rounds take place Friday starting at 6 p.m., and the final four rounds kick off 10 a.m. Saturday. Then it's three months of mini-camp news and signing questions before the preseason gets underway.
The postseason continues in the NBA and NHL this weekend. TNT has the top seeds in each conference in action Thursday - Cleveland visits Chicago at 7 p.m., followed by the Lakers' visit to Oklahoma City - the Thunder's first-ever home playoff game.
Friday, ESPN has a doubleheader - Boston at Miami at 7 p.m., then the Mavericks vs. Spurs. And ESPN2 adds Denver at Utah at 10:30 p.m.
There's four games Saturday, starting with Orlando at Charlotte at 2 p.m. on TNT. TNT also has Phoenix-Portland at 4:30 p.m., then it's off to ESPN for two more games - Hawks at Bucks at 7 p.m., with the Lakers at Oklahoma City in the nightcap.
Sunday, ABC has an afternoon doubleheader - Boston-Miami at 1 p.m., then Cleveland-Chicago. TNT returns to the scene at 7 p.m. with the Mavericks visiting the Spurs, and closes the night with Denver at Utah.
In the NHL, all eight series stood at 1-1 after two games. The Capitals hope to close out the Canadiens Friday in Game 5 on Comcast.
Versus starts Thursday at 7 p.m. with Pittsburgh looking to put away Ottawa. Game 4 of Chicago-Nashville follows, then Game 5 of the Colorado-San Jose series. Friday, it's Game 5 of the Canucks-Kings at 10 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday's slate depends on what teams fight off elimination. The Kings and Canucks split their first two games, so Game 6 is currently set for Sunday at 10 p.m.
NBC has games on the schedule Saturday - Predators at Blackhawks - and Sunday - Game 6 of the Coyotes at Red Wings.
For early season baseball, the Orioles close out their road trip in Boston on MASN, while the Nationals host the Dodgers. All three Orioles' games are on MASN, while the Friday and Sunday Nationals games are on MASN2.
FOX, hoping to avoid another 20-inning Saturday game, goes with the Yankees at Angels or Mariners at White Sox. Sunday afternoon, TBS shows the Cubs at Brewers and the ESPN Sunday night game features the Braves visiting the Mets.
Comcast has three college baseball games on the schedule for Saturday. Miami vs. Florida State starts the day at 1 p.m., folllowed by Kansas State facing Missouri and Tennessee-Vanderbilt at 7 p.m.
The PGA tour visits Louisiana for the Zurich Classic, with play on CBS starting at 3 p.m. both days of the weekend. The Senior PGA will be at the Libery Mutual Legends of Golf Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. on CBS.
After a makeup Monday in Texas, NASCAR heads to Talledega. The Sprint Cup races Sunday at 1 p.m. on FOX, after the Nationwide race Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on ABC.
Comcast has both ACC lacrosse finals Sunday, with the women's contest at 1 p.m. and the men crowning their champion at 3:30 p.m.
ESPN2 shows MLS soccer between Seattle and Dallas Thursday at 8 p.m., and the Penn State spring game Saturday at 2 p.m.
There's Big 12 softball Sunday at 3 p.m., with Missouri facing Texas A&M.

Playoff time

The long winter of regular season play is over. It's playoff time in the NHL and NBA.
Versus started the NHL coverage Wednesday, and Thursday it's the Capitals' turn to shine. They play Montreal in Game 1 at 7 p.m., (local coverage on Comcast) then it's the L.A. Kings at Vancouver at 10 p.m.
Game 2 of the Penguins-Senators starts Friday's action. The Red Wings visit Phoenix at 10 p.m., and in between Versus shows parts of the Nashville-Chicago and Colorado-San Jose games.
Game 2 for the Caps and Canadiens is Saturday at 7 p.m., again followed by Kings-Canucks. Sunday, the Penguins and Senators have Game 3 at 6:30 p.m., with Nashville-Chicago and San Jose-Colorado closing out the night.
NBC also gets into the NHL action, with Boston at Buffalo Saturday at 1 p.m. and Phoenix-Detroit Sunday at 3 p.m. The first round goes through April 28, or until eight teams win their series.
The NBA gets the postseason started Saturday with four games. Chicago at Eastern Conference top-seed Cleveland starts the action at 3 p.m., then it's off to ESPN for the rest of the night. Milwaukee visits Atlanta at 5:30 p.m., then it's Miami-Boston and Utah at Denver.
Sunday, the Lakers start their run against the Oklahoma City Thunder at 3 p.m. TNT has the next three contests - Charlotte-Orlando, San Antonio against Dallas and the Trail Blazers facing the Suns.
The best-of-seven opening series can continue through May 2.
The Orioles head west to face Oakland on MASN2 Friday and Sunday. The Nationals host the Brewers Friday night and in the daytime Saturday and Sunday.
The Mets' visit to St. Louis will be the ESPN Sunday game of the week, along with one of the FOX choices Saturday afternoon. Other choices are White Sox at Indians and Dodgers-Giants. TBS will show the Rays at Red Sox Sunday afternoon.
NASCAR heads to Texas for the weekend - the Nationwide race Saturday on ESPN2 at 3:30 p.m. and Sprint racers go Sunday at 3 p.m. on FOX. The IndyCar crowd is in California, with the green flag dropping at 4:15 p.m. Sunday.
The PGA tour heads to Hilton Head this weekend, with the Heritage on CBS at 3 p.m. both days. The Senior PGA tour is on NBC this weekend (Saturday at 4 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.), with the Outback Pro-Am.
The Family Circle Cup tennis tournament will be on ESPN2 throughout the weekend, with coverage starting at 1 p.m.
To tide you over until fall, ESPN has the Alabama Crimson Tide spring football game Saturday at 3 p.m.
Comcast has ACC baseball Saturday at 1 p.m., with Clemson visiting Georgia Tech. Sunday at 1 p.m., it's North Carolina's game at Miami. ESPN2 goes with SEC baseball Friday, with Georgia facing Arkansas.
MASN has college lacrosse Saturday night, with Albany at UMBC.
ESPN2 offers MLS action Thursday, with Philadelphia at Toronto at 7 p.m.
ESPN's Sunday includes Big 12 softball, with Texas against Oklahoma at 3 p.m.

Tiger's back

There's a golf tournament this weekend in Augusta, Ga. Ho-hum.
Tiger Woods is playing. How many cameras can be pointed at him? It started Monday with his press conference. Thursday, he and the rest of the field begin the Masters.
ESPN has afternoon coverage Thursday and Friday, starting at 4 p.m. How convenient that Tiger's playing in the next-to-last group Thursday, so he'll be playing live most of the program.
CBS gives the full coverage throughout the weekend, beginning Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. As the sun sets on the azaleas, someone will slip on the green jacket.
Spring also means the start of baseball. The Orioles have their home opener Friday at 3 p.m. against the Blue Jays, and the series continues through the weekend.
The Nationals, who opened at home against the Phillies, visit the Mets this weekend.
FOX has its' first Saturday game of the week at 3 p.m. Fishersville will likely see the Yankees at Rays, with Cardinals at Brewers and Rangers-Mariners going to other parts of the country.
TBS opens its Sunday afternoon schedule with the Yankees at Rays, and the Cardinals and Brewers battle Sunday at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
The NCAA's Frozen Four takes place this weekend in Detroit. RIT faces Wisconsin Thursday at 5 p.m. and Boston College meets Miami of Ohio at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN2. The winners go for the championship Saturday at 7 p.m. on ESPN.
The NHL closes its regular season, and NBC shows the Bruins at Capitals Sunday at 12:30 p.m. The Capitals face Atlanta Friday on Comcast.
Comcast also offers late night hockey Thursday, as Vancouver visits San Jose.
NASCAR has Saturday night racing this weekend, with the green flag dropping in Phoenix at 7:30 p.m. ESPN has the Nationwide race starting Friday at 9:30 p.m. The IndyCar crowd will be in Alabama Sunday at 3 p.m. on Versus.
The NBA reaches its final weekend also, with TNT's final Thursday doubleheader - Cleveland at Chicago at 8 p.m., then the Lakers at Denver. ABC's Sunday doubleheader features Orlando at Cleveland at 1 p.m., then the Trail Blazers visit the Lakers.
The Wizards visit Boston Friday on Comcast-plus and host Atlanta Saturday on Comcast.
Virginia Tech hosts Miami in college baseball Saturday at 1 p.m. on Comcast.
With three weeks until the Kentucky Derby, NBC shows the Bluegrass Stakes and Arkansas Derby Saturday at 5 p.m.

Opening Day and Final Four

It's a weekend where sports seasons change.
Saturday, you'll be watching the Final Four on CBS.
Sunday, it's off to Fenway Park for the first game of the major league baseball season - Yankees at Red Sox.
And Monday, it's Official Opening Day and One Shining Moment night.
Starting with the NCAA, Saturday has a pair of 5th seeded teams battling in the first semifinal - Michigan State vs. hometown team Butler at 6:07 p.m. The nightcap features West Virginia against Duke, with the winners going for the championship Monday at 9 p.m.
The women start their Final Four Sunday on ESPN. Will the Connecticut women complete another perfect season? They play Baylor at 9:30 p.m., after Stanford takes on Oklahoma. The women cut down the nets Tuesday.
And don't forget the NIT - North Carolina plays Dayton Thursday at 7 p.m. on ESPN for that championship. UNC last won the NIT in 1971, the days of one NCAA bid per league.
On the diamond, ESPN and ESPN2 will combine to show five games on Monday. ESPN starts at 1 p.m. with the Cardinals at Reds, then the Cubs visit Atlanta at 4:10 p.m. ESPN2 starts with the Indians at White Sox at 2 p.m., followed by Giants-Astros and Twins-Angels.
MASN has the Nationals' home opener against the Phillies Monday at 1 p.m.
Before teams head north, ESPN shows the Yankees and Orioles Friday at 1 p.m. MASN has the Red Sox's exhibition visit to Washington Saturday at 4 p.m.
TNT offers its' NBA doubleheader Thursday, with the Magic visiting the Mavericks at 8 p.m., followed by Portland-Denver. ESPN offers the Hawks visiting Cleveland Friday at 8 p.m., then the Jazz visiting the Lakers.
ABC has a Sunday doubleheader, starting with Cleveland at Boston at 1 p.m. The Spurs visit the Lakers at 3:30 p.m.
The Wizards host the Bulls Friday at 7 p.m. and Nets Sunday at 6 p.m. on Comcast.
The Capitals open April by hosting Atlanta on Comcast, then visit Columbus Saturday. NBC offers Detroit vs. Philadelphia Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
The PGA tour is in Houston for the Shell Open Saturday and Sunday on NBC.
The NASCAR Sprint Cup is off for Easter. Hope they enjoy the day, since it's three and a half months until the next open weekend (July 18th). The Nationwide tour does run, visiting Nashville Saturday at 4 p.m. on ESPN.
Comcast brings some SEC baseball Sunday, with Georgia visiting LSU at 1 p.m.
MLS has a doubleheader Thursday on ESPN2 - Real Salt Lake at Houston at 9 p.m., followed by Chivas USA at L.A.
As we close in on Kentucky Derby time, NBC shows the Santa Anita Derby Saturday at 5 p.m.