The Watch Draws Nearer...

Happy Friday one and all. I hope the month of April is treating you well. All kinds of theories, conspiracies, rumors and overall observations from behind these eyes which I now pass on to you.

Someone told me this and I was dumbfounded. Tonights game with the Mavericks and Spurs will feature a referee with the last name of Crawford. This might not bode well for Dallas if you like to spot a trend. In 16 games that Mr. Crawford has refereed, the Mavericks proceeded to lose 15 of those times. The argument about whether or not a referee can affect an outcome of a game gets bandied about at this time of year within the play-offs. 

Remember that Dallas is a #4 market. San Antonio has the smallest market of any NBA team. Using that rationale, you would think David Stern would want a team from a city (that just hosted an All-Star game to over 100,000 fans) to make it to the next round. I refuse to believe the conspiratorial speak. I will however be watching the action among friends come game time. 

The weatherman is calling for stormy weather to hit North Texas later this day. I wonder if the same can be said after an abysmal 3-6 road trip for the Texas Rangers. Might we be hearing calls for Ron Washington to get the ax? Remember it was a year ago in Motown when Texas began it's season 9-18 and the rumors began to circulate. The Rangers turned it around until September's collapse.

 The question being tossed locally is whether or not Wash outlasts the Mavericks playoff run. I'm not a betting man but I'll say both go on the same day. How's that? By my count, the Rangers have already blown five games in late relief. There are injuries galore beginning with Ian and Salty. I'm not sold on the starting five of Harden, Feldman, Harrison, Wilson, and Lewis. CJ Wilson has pitched grittier as a starter. 

The Rangers may be good enough to win the West. I still say keep an eye on the Mariners, especially after Cliff Lee gets into the rotation as a buffer for Felix Hernandez. Maybe they catch a break with the Tigers in town for 4. I will be there Sunday with a friend and take it all in.

Much as I love baseball, with all the off field stuff going on with ownership and a still not completed deal with Tom Hicks and Chuck Greenberg, I refuse to drink the Kool-Aid. I also don't believe that Franky or Neftali are the answer for the closing duties. I predict the 'bullpen by committee' approach will anoint a new closer messiah for the Rangers. My guess will be someone like a Chris Ray. Time will tell.

Happy Game 3 watching this night wherever you may go. Ill be amongst friends in the Colony vicinity. This will be fun win or lose. Can't believe the Byron Nelson draws nearer as well. This year the week before Memorial Day Weekend. A great yearly experience for yours truly.

Make it a great weekend!

Over and out in Big D.

Mr Will