Moving to Wordpress

Blogger went down for a day this week.
Time for an experiment.
I'm moving this blog to Weekendwatchdog.wordpress.com.

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 lost to the Heat Wednesday, watching Miami score the last 16 points of the game. The teams with the most NBA titles are on the sideline the rest of the way.
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 it's 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.
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.
The ACC crowns its softball champion Sunday at 1 p.m. on Comcast.

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.

Drafting for the picket line

We have a 2011 NFL schedule. Thursday, we have the 2011 NFL draft. Will we have a 2011 NFL season on time?

Ask the lawyers about the coming season. Until then, the NFL draft opens Thursday on ESPN and NFL Network. There's plenty of questions due to the lockout, but nobody locks out Mel Kiper Jr.

It's one round of picks Thursday night at 8, two more on Friday starting at 6 p.m. and the final four rounds Saturday beginning at noon.
Then it's back to the negotiating table. And more waiting for fans.
The Capitals advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs, and begin play Friday at 7 p.m. on Comcast and Versus. Game 2 against the Lightning is set for Sunday at 7 p.m.
The second round begins Thursday on Versus, with the Predators visiting Vancouver at 9 p.m. The second West semifinal begins Friday at 10:30 p.m. with Detroit heading to San Jose.
NBC shows the opener of the Bruins-Flyers series Saturday at 3 p.m., and Game 2 from San Jose Sunday at 3 p.m. Versus has the second game from Vancouver Saturday at 9 p.m.
In the NBA playoffs, there's a pair of Game 6 contests on TNT Thursday - Lakers at Hornets at 8 p.m., followed by Dallas at Portland. ESPN has Game 6 between San Antonio and Memphis Friday at 9 p.m.
Saturday's schedule? Depends on who wins Thursday. The first East semifinal kicks off Sunday at 3:30 p.m. when the Heat take on the Celtics.

NASCAR heads to Richmond for the weekend, with the Sprint Cup race Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on FOX. The Nationwide racers take the track Friday for the Bubba Burger 250 on ESPN2.
For a more exotic locale, the IndyCar drivers are in Sao Paulo Sunday at noon on Versus.

FOX Saturday baseball goes early this week, with the Mets visiting the Phillies at 1 p.m. Other games in the time slot are Angels at Rays and the Cardinals taking on the Braves. The Mets and Phillies meet again Sunday at 8 p.m. on ESPN, while the Yankees host the Blue Jays in the afternoon on TBS.

The Orioles play the Red Sox Thursday on MASN, then go to Chicago this weekend on MASN2. The Nationals are home this week, with the Mets on MASN2 Friday and Giants in town Friday through Sunday on MASN.
Comcast has ACC baseball this weekend, with Florida State at Miami Saturday at 7 p.m. Saturday afternoon at 1, Georgia Tech visits Clemson.
Comcast goes to the Sun Belt Saturday at 4 p.m. for Arkansas-Little Rock taking on Louisiana-Lafayette.
ESPN2 has SEC baseball between Arkansas and Georgia Saturday at 1 p.m. and Auburn-South Carolina Sunday at 3 p.m.
ESPN showcases college softball Saturday at 8 p.m., with Oklahoma facing Texas.

The PGA tour visits New Orleans this weekend, with CBS providing coverage Saturday and Sunday starting at 3 p.m.

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.

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.

A tradition unlike any other

Amen Corner.

The Azaleas.

The walk to the 18th green.

It's time for the Masters.

CBS has its coverage Saturday and Sunday, through the winner's interview at Butler Cabin.  And don't forget the late-night highlights Thursday and Friday after your local news.

ESPN gets to show the first two rounds, starting Thursday and Friday at 3 p.m. Don't miss the honorary starters on the tee early Thursday morning.

Another rite of the spring is the start of baseball.
The Yankees and Red Sox have their first series of the season this weekend, so they get coverage Saturday afternoon on FOX and Sunday night on ESPN. The Phillies' visit to Atlanta is the other game on FOX Saturday, and the TBS game Sunday afternoon.

The Orioles close out their first home series Thursday, facing Detroit at 7 p.m. on MASN2. They then host Texas for the weekend on MASN2.

The Nationals play Florida Thursday at 7 p.m. on MASN, then visit the Mets on MASN - Friday at 4 p.m., Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.

On the other end of the schedule, the NBA and NHL are winding down. TNT has its final Thursday regular season doubleheader, with the Celtics at Chicago at 8 p.m. followed by the Trail Blazers taking on the Jazz.

The Bulls visit Orlando Sunday at 1 p.m. on ABC, while the Celtics face the Heat at 3:30 p.m.

At the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, the Wizards visit Boston Friday at 7 p.m. on Comcast. and host Atlanta Saturday on Comcast-plus.

The Capitals close out the regular season against the Panthers Saturday at 7 p.m. on Comcast. Versus fills the schedule with a bunch of contests - Thrashers at Rangers Thursday at 7 p.m. and Blackhawks against Red Wings Friday at 8 p.m. NBC has the rematch Sunday at 12:30 p.m. in the regular season finale.

Having withdrawal from the Final Four? This weekend the NCAA offers the Frozen Four on ESPN. Notre Dame faces Minnesota-Duluth at 5 p.m., followed by Northern Michigan against North Dakota. The winners battle Saturday at 8 p.m. for the championship.

NASCAR heads to Texas for the weekend. FOX has the Sprint series drivers Saturday at 7 p.m., while the Nationwide racers hit the track Friday at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

ACC college baseball gets coverage on Comcast Saturday at 1 p.m., with Boston College taking on Duke. Sunday, Comcast goes to the SEC for Auburn at Kentucky.

LSU spring football gets coverage on ESPN Saturday at 4 p.m.
The tennis tour hits South Carolina this week, with ESPN2 showing the Family Circle Cup Thursday through Sunday starting at 1 p.m. each day.
Virginia hosts North Carolina in college lacrosse Saturday at noon on ESPN.

MASN shows the Illinois Derby Saturday at 5 p.m.