Just got done watching a replay of Dontrelle Willis’ outing Tuesday night (I was at the Red Wings game) and it was impressive. He has quieted down his delivery from back when he was with the Marlins. I do still think the odds are against him, but that sure was a good sign he might be able to turn it around. Hadn’t really seen any tangible proof of it before Tuesday.

Random Thoughts

- The Red Wings will probably sweep Chicago, but the Blackhawks are really going to be good in the future. They have tremendous speed. Next season, they will be the biggest threat to the Red Wings. And it won’t be as frauds like the Sharks.

- Hosted a radio show Monday night with Lions defensive end Cliff Avril. Seems like he has a pretty good head on his shoulders. Obviously, he has speed and he did have five sacks a rookie last season. He might turn out to be the edge rusher the Lions have been missing for eons.

- All you need to know about the American League, and why the Tigers will be in contention this season, is that the Rangers had won seven straight games entering Tuesday and have an excellent overall record. The Rangers aren’t that a good of a club, but who, honestly, in the American League is? It’s one of those parity years. Postseason spots are up for grabs, even for clubs as flawed as the Tigers and Rangers.

- I still see the Nuggets beating the Lakers in seven games.

My column in Wednesday's Oakland Press about Game 2 of the Red Wings-Blackhawks series:
http://tinyurl.com/oxwlnk
My column in Tuesday's Oakland Press about how the Red Wings live up to their Original Six status - and the Blackhawks don't:
http://tinyurl.com/qps5lf