DAE On Demand

The biggest question surrounding the Tampa Bay Rays may finally have an answer — the new stadium is moving forward! Rays CEO Ken Babby joins TKras on The Drive following the approval of the roughly $2.3 billion new ballpark project in Tampa. With both the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County signing off, what happens next? When will the shovels officially hit the ground? What needs to happen before construction begins? Is September truly the target for groundbreaking? And what does the timeline look like to have the Rays in their new “Forever Home” for Opening Day 2029?

The Bucs are entering 2026 with expectations — but just how high should they be? TKras is joined by Scott Reynolds of Pewter Report to break down the ceiling for this Tampa Bay Buccaneers team. Is a playoff appearance enough, or should this roster be competing for the NFC South and making noise in January? And perhaps the biggest question of all: What is the standard for Todd Bowles in 2026? After last season’s disappointing finish and with Bowles entering the year under pressure, what does he need to accomplish to prove he is the right coach to lead this team forward? Scott Reynolds brin

Here are five TKras-style titles leaning into the Rays’ recent success and the question of whether Freddy Peralta has unlocked something since arriving in Tampa Bay. Peralta just delivered six innings of one-run ball with seven strikeouts against the Mets, retiring the final 13 batters he faced.

Nick Wize and Tim Barnard cover a loaded Wednesday edition of The Nick Wize Show, reacting to Todd Bowles naming inside linebacker as the Buccaneers’ deepest position group, discussing the latest with Emeka Egbuka and Jalen McMillan, and breaking down Caden Fordham’s surprising 24-hour journey from making the 53-man roster to being released. The guys also tackle their 2026 college football predictions for the most overrated and underrated teams, National Champion, Coach of the Year and Heisman winner, play College Football Price Is Right with The Drive producer Chris Mathis, and welcome Bucs radio voice Tony Castricone to discuss Week 1, injuries and Tampa Bay’s roster. Plus, Nick and Tim debate Freddy Peralta’s recent dominance, Patrick Zalupski’s plans to make the Rays a bigger-spending franchise, whether fans will pay more for that investment, Richard Sherman’s belief that the Bucs could run away with the NFC South, and some of the most forgettable player-team combinations in NFL history.

Nick Wize and Tim react to Richard Sherman saying the Buccaneers have the best chance to run away with the NFC South, then have some fun naming players who became easy to forget after brief stops with certain teams — including Le’Veon Bell’s time in Tampa Bay. Plus, Nick recaps Todd Bowles calling inside linebacker the deepest position group on the Bucs and debates whether that’s really Tampa Bay’s strongest room.

Pup talks about becoming the leading vote-getter to captain the 2026 USF Bulls, including the emotional moment he called his dad to share the news. He also gives us an inside look at the Bulls’ wide receiver room, the impact of defensive coordinator Josh Aldridge, and which defensive teammates are standing out heading into the season. Pup breaks down how USF is preparing for FIU, what makes Army such a unique challenge, and what he thinks of the massive QB JJ Kohl. Plus, he opens up about his relationship with USF legend Derrick Brooks. An inside conversation with one of the leaders of the 2026 Bulls!

Freddy Peralta has given the Rays two straight outstanding starts, and Nick Wize is starting to get excited — with one major warning. Nick and Tim debate how much we can take from Peralta’s recent success before seeing him face a legitimate playoff contender, before turning their attention to Patrick Zalupski’s vision of making the Rays one of MLB’s biggest spenders. Nick wants the investment in the roster, but asks the uncomfortable question: if player spending goes up, are Rays fans willing to spend more at the ballpark, too?

Nick Wize continues reacting to Todd Bowles’ appearance with TKras and his surprising choice of inside linebacker as the deepest position group on the Buccaneers roster. Nick takes calls and reads texts from Bucs fans who weigh in on Bowles’ answer, before shifting to the wild roster journey of Caden Fordham — making Tampa Bay’s initial 53-man roster, only to be cut the very next day after the Bucs claimed a Chiefs cornerback off waivers.

The Tampa Bay Rays are back in action and the newly brought in Fastball Freddy was absolutely dealing, the UGA football team can't cover at all, and so much more!

The Rays CEO talks all things Rays stadium deal and the steps it takes to move forward with the Rays stadium deal!

The Bucs kept Fordham on the 53 man roster, and then not much later after, they claimed a CB from Kansas City and had to cut the UDFA!

The Tampa Bay Rays make the headlines, and so does an NFL Hall of Famer

Can the Rays be done trotting out certain pitchers, cause one of the guys after last nights poor outing has seen enough!