Thomas Gase Guide: Drafting up your sports viewing schedule
"Simpsons" fans are well aware of the exploits of McBain, the Arnold Schwarzenegger wannabe in search of the very same target Las Vegas Raiders fans have their eyes on.
"Mendoza!"
Yep, that's right, the NFL Draft is this Thursday, and although the Raiders have an uphill battle larger than the hills of the NFL draft city of Pittsburgh, there's only one right pick for Las Vegas.
"Mendoza!"
The Raiders need a quarterback like a drought needs rain or Popeye needs spinach. Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman-winning quarterback from NCAA champion Indiana, is the only pick to make. Since the Raiders last made the Super Bowl in 2003, the franchise has gone through 22 starting quarterbacks. That's basically one new one a year until you realize Derek Carr was the starter for about eight of those seasons.
So yeah, the Raiders really need a new signal caller that can stay in that spot for around 10 years.
The last time the Raiders had the No. 1 pick, it didn't go well. The franchise selected JaMarcus Russell out of LSU. Once again, the Raiders needed a quarterback at the time very badly, but all the scouting reports were terrible. Some said at the time he could throw 60 to 80 yards on one knee. If you're a Raider fan, when is it you want to see your quarterback throwing on one knee? Who cares? Can he throw 10 yards while standing up straight?
The answer to that question was yes, but it would be picked off. Call him a "bust" to his face, and Russell says he'll bust you up. Fair enough.
Then there was the first-round pick of Henry Ruggs III. He had a lot of speed, but not at the combine. He drove his Chevy Corvette at 156 miles per hour in a residential area (how is that even possible?), crashing and killing a lady and her dog in Las Vegas. Ruggs was released by the Raiders an hour later.
So stay tuned to the NFL draft this week, because the Raiders could take Mendoza, or they might select Bo Jackson, Howie Long, or Kathy Bates from "Waterboy." It's a big mystery! We're on the edge of our seats!
The draft isn't the only big deal going on this week. There are plenty of local sports, from the Giants playing the Dodgers to the NHL and NBA playoffs. So let's get going!
Tuesday
The Dodgers visit San Francisco for the first time this season at Oracle Park, so come down and see Shohei Ohtani not only hit, but possibly start Wednesday night's game on the mound. The Dodgers enter Monday just a half-game ahead of the San Diego Padres. The Giants, meanwhile, will need to win at least two of the three games to consider themselves in contention. The Giants entered Monday trailing the Dodgers by 6.5 games. They are also a paltry 3-7 at home this season. That needs to improve.
The Athletics are on the road this week after losing two of three games to the lowly Chicago White Sox. The A's are in Seattle, which has also struggled this year, with a mark of 10-13 entering Monday. Tuesday's matchup is at night, while Wednesday is a matinee.
In local sports, head out to Benicia High School for a baseball game against Clayton Valley, but only if the rain stays away. If not, head to the school's volleyball match against Berean Christian at night. American Canyon is also playing well, with an 8-0 league record. On Tuesday, the Wolves take on Vintage at home.
The NBA playoffs continue on Tuesday, with the Dr. J vs. Bird matchup of the Philadelphia 76ers at the Boston Celtics for Game 2. That starts at 4 p.m., while an hour later the Portland Trail Blazers visit San Antonio for Game 2, and two hours after that the Houston Rockets visit the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2.
Maybe hockey is your game instead of basketball (it should be). Then you're set with the Montreal Canadiens taking on Tampa Bay in Game 2 at 4 p.m., followed by Boston at Buffalo at 4:30 p.m. and later games of Utah at the Las Vegas Knights at 6:30 p.m. and the Los Angeles Kings at the Colorado Avalanche at 7 p.m.
Wednesday
The Giants and Dodgers play at night once again, but there are day games like Toronto at the Los Angeles Angels and others.
After those games are done, head to local contests like Vallejo taking on Salesian in baseball, Bethel hosting Swett in baseball, and Vallejo hosting Richmond in softball. Later that night, St. Patrick-St. Vincent High boys volleyball team hosts Berean Christian.
The NHL and NBA playoffs also continue in the afternoon, so after the local games are done, sit on the couch and watch Dallas play Minnesota in hockey for Game 2 at 6:30 p.m., along with Edmonton and Anaheim at 7 p.m. In basketball, the Oklahoma City Thunder take on Phoenix at 6:30 p.m. If you don't want to watch the local contests, check out the Detroit Pistons hosting the Orlando Magic in Game 2 in Detroit. The Pistons lost Game 1, with the Magic being the only road team so far to win the opener.
Thursday
The Dodgers and Giants play a matinee this day, so get yourself to the 10 a.m. ferry from Vallejo to San Francisco and watch a ball game.
Then keep faking that cold so you don't have to go into work until Friday and watch some more local contests like Vallejo at St. Patrick-St. Vincent or Benicia hosting College Park in softball.
Or stay at home and watch the first round of the NFL Draft. After the Raiders pick, it's the New York Jets' turn to see what great college football player is poised to be doomed by the selection of a team that hasn't been in a Super Bowl since 1969. That was the year we sent a man to the moon. We have since sent a few people back there. The Jets haven't gone back to the Super Bowl.
Ouch.
The Arizona Cardinals pick third, while the Titans pick fourth, the New York Giants are fifth, and the Cleveland Browns are sixth. The Giants also pick 10th, so they have the opportunity for a good draft.
The 49ers pick 27th, so it's hard to say who their first pick will be. Thankfully, it will not have to absolutely be an offensive lineman - San Francisco finally took care of business and signed Trent Williams to a deal on Monday morning. With Williams' days numbered, the 49ers might still go with a lineman.
At the same time the draft is going on, occasionally look in to see how the Los Angeles Kings are doing in Game 3 of the playoffs against the Colorado Avalanche, along with the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins Game 3 of their series. Carolina visits Ottawa in Game 3 at 4:30 p.m.
In the NBA, the Knicks visit Atlanta for Game 3 of that series, while Minnesota hosts Denver and Toronto hosts Cleveland.
Friday
The Giants continue their homestand with the first game of a three-game set against Miami, while the Athletics travel to Arlington for a three-game set against the Texas Rangers. The Yankees travel to Houston, and the Phillies travel to Atlanta for an important series during the weekend starting that night.
Locally, I would head to see St. Pat's host Richmond in baseball, while in softball, Bethel hosts Swett, and American Canyon hosts Casa Grande. St. Pat's has its regular season volleyball finale that night, a home contest against St. Mary's.
The NFL draft continues with the second and third rounds starting at 4 p.m., the same time the NHL playoffs continue with Montreal hosting Tampa Bay for Game 3. Vegas heads to Utah for a Game 3 at 6:30 p.m., while Edmonton visits Anaheim at 7 p.m.
In the NBA, watch Boston at Philly at 4 p.m., while the Lakers visit Houston for Game 3 at 5 p.m. and Portland hosts San Antonio at 7:30 p.m.
The weekend
The NFL Draft continues on Saturday with rounds four through seven. See who Mr. Irrelevant is. There have been some good ones over the years, including Vallejo native Demetrius Davis and current 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. Tom Brady was chosen in the sixth round almost 30 years ago, so these late rounds are also important.
If it's not the draft, tune into a bunch of NHL and NBA playoff games. In hockey, Carolina at Ottawa is at noon, while the best afternoon game is likely Dallas at Minnesota at 2:30 p.m., although Pittsburgh at Philly at 5 p.m. would also be great for Pennsylvania natives.
On Sunday, start your day watching Game 4 matchups like Cleveland visiting Toronto at 10 a.m. and the Rockets hosting the Lakers at 5:30 p.m.
In hockey, watch the Kings host the Avalanche at 1:30 p.m. and finish your long day with Edmonton and Anaheim at 6:30 p.m. Both of those are Game 4 matchups.
If the playoffs aren't your thing, watch the Kansas City Royals host the Los Angeles Angels for the Sunday Night Game of the Week on NBC at 4:30 p.m. later that day.
To watch
"Untold: Jail Blazers" on Netflix (to watch before or after the Blazers face the Spurs in this year's playoffs)
Read
"Coop: The Making of a Showtime Lakers Legend" by Michael Cooper with Jacke Uitti (for the Lakers vs. Rockets series)
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