Sports Agenda For Thursday (4/7/11)

Big Story:
Cue the freaking out by Heat fans over a loss to the Bucks. It's not a big deal and may turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

The Heat are currently a 3 seed in the Eastern Conference. But, they're only a half-game behind the Celtics. If the Heat win tomorrow and Sunday over the Celtics, they can probably clinch the 2 seed.

Why is that important? Because the Heat would be matched up with the 76ers in the first round. That's an easy series for the Heat on their way to a second-round series with the Celtics. But, if the Heat lose and end up a 3 seed, they're likely matched up with the Knicks. That's tough out in the first round and then the Heat have to get by the Celtics in the second round and Bulls in the Conference finals.

So while Wednesday night's loss wasn't major, here's hoping the Heat can put it together in their last three games and capture a 2 seed.

Heat: (next game Friday vs. Charlotte Bobcats)
They lost to the Bucks and they've lost to the Cavs. It's the end of the year, and trust me, the stars are shutting it down for the playoff run.

Their seeding will be key though. If they stumble into the playoffs and play the Knicks in round 1. Brutal!

Marlins: (vs. Nationals 7:10 p.m. Fox Sports Florida)
So the Marlins have improved their record to 3-2 on the season and are looking for their first series sweep in 2011 as they take on the Nationals tonight at Sun Life.

Chris Coghlan went off last night going 4-5 with 3 doubles and 3 runs scored.

Chris Volstad struggled through 5 innings, giving up 3 earned runs. But the bullpen entered the game and gave up only 2 hits in the last 4 innings. Who'd have thunk the bullpen could pull that off. Not only that, they did it on only 59 pitches and 34 were strikes.

Oh yeah, Hanley Ramirez is hitting .190 for the season….FYI….that's the same average the entire Boston Red Sox has in 2011. So it could be worse.

Panthers:
The Panthers season is almost mercifully over. They have two games left against the Lightning and Capitals to close out the year.

They are now all alone in last place in the Eastern Conference. Or, they're a few games better than the Dolphins were last year.

Remember, fan appreciation night is Saturday against the Capitals. Also, I hear they're planning Die Hard night next year with free admission to anyone who was actually alive the last time the Panthers advanced to the second round of the playoffs….I kid, but I love Harry Doyle in Major League.

Dolphins:
I'm beginning to really think the Dolphins may avoid a running back in the first round. But, I'm not sure there is a guard worth picking at 15. I'm leaning towards them trading down in the first round if they can. There should be some good players around them right then and if they go down and pick up a 2nd round pick, it's a win.

Assuming they move down, I'm thinking if they go running back, they may go after Mikel Leshoure of Illinois. He may sneak into the bottom of the first round as he's moving up draft boards.

Still, I think the Fins' biggest needs are at guard/tackle and at tight end.

Here's a thought, the Fins could do their homework on Kyle Rudolph of Notre Dame and like him near the end of round one. If they trade down once or twice and pick up more picks, then they could draft Rudolph..if he's healthy, and move for guards and running backs in rounds 2-3.

Rudolph would fill a glaring need over the middle for Chad Henne to have a security blanket when Marshall is double-covered.