Sports Day Tampa Bay

The Tampa Bay Rays finally have a World Series moment. Ben Williamson's Baltimore chop over the first baseman ended a 12-inning Game 4 and cut Milwaukee's lead to 3-1, and Rick and Steve (who was at the Trop) take it from the top. Brewers rookie Cooper Pratt led off the 12th with a home run, the first rookie ever to hit an extra-inning homer in a World Series, and Ian Seymour was the one who gave it up. But Milwaukee, sending out pitchers who hadn't thrown in 12 days, let the Rays back in: Joey Ortiz committed an error to start the inning, Junior Caminero reached and limped from first to third, Cedric Mullins pinch ran, Johnny DeLuca delivered a bases-loaded tying single up the middle, and Williamson (who had been waiting with a helmet for five innings) ended it. The hosts break down the pinch-running choices, the Brewers fans who looked ready to party and ended up stunned, and why a game like this might loosen up a Rays team that looked tight.They look ahead to tonight's Game 5, with Jacob Misiorowski on the mound for Milwaukee and the Rays deciding between an opener and a bullpen game (Steve guesses Steven Matz). They talk about Caminero's leg, Kevin Cash saying he's fine, the importance of putting the "three aircraft carriers" back at the top of the order, and a run-scoring drought in which the Rays have scored in just seven of 39 innings and had a crooked number in only two of them. They credit Tyler Wells and Griffin Jacks (who might have been left in one batter too long), the diving catches from DeLuca and Chandler Simpson, and Rick and Steve discuss Richie Palacios' throws from second base. Rick says nothing like this has been done before, which Steve points out was true until Boston did it in 2004, and both agree the pressure would shift squarely onto the Brewers if the Rays win one more at home.The second half takes a turn into Tampa Bay itself: Milwaukee fans filled the Trop (a thousand cases of Miller and Coors Light went through Ferg's in a single day), and the hosts respond to national critics who rip the market. Steve notes that roughly 60,000 Wisconsin transplants live in the Tampa metro, that the Rays, Lightning, and Bucs are young franchises in a young market, and that the real problem is transit and traffic (he spent an hour getting to the Trop and an hour and a half getting home). After a sponsor break, they praise the former Rays who turned up for Game 4 (Evan Longoria threw out the first pitch, with Chris Archer, Zach Eflin, Taj Bradley, and Tyler Glasnow in the stands), predict a big contract for Freddy Peralta, and then switch to the Bucs: Baker Mayfield's glove, the Colts' fire sale (Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner are gone, and Jonathan Taylor may be next), the Panthers' trip to Green Bay on Thursday night, a must-win game against Atlanta, and a Sunday night date in Chicago.SegmentsRays win Game 4 in 12 innings: the walk-off and how it happenedCooper Pratt's home run, Ian Seymour, and Milwaukee's miscuesCaminero's injury, pinch-running decisions, and Cash's benchMilwaukee fans in the Trop and the rally-towel mix-upResilience: why this Rays team can still believeGame 5 outlook: Misiorowski, who starts for the Rays, and Rasmussen's restThe run drought and defense behind the pitchersPalacios' throwing and a mental-block storyBrewers fans take over: Ferg's, Wisconsin transplants, and Tampa Bay's fan reputationTraffic, I-275, and getting out of the TropBoston 2004 and a first for everythingWorld Series ratings and the game within the gameSponsor: Breitling Boutique, International PlazaFormer Rays in attendance and Freddy Peralta's coming paydayBucs back at practice: Baker's glove, the Colts' fire sale, and the road ahead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

All three Tampa Bay teams had early leads over the weekend, and two of them blew it. Rick, who watched from Carolina, says none was bigger than the Rays' in World Series Game 2 in Milwaukee, where they jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning (including a Liam Hicks blast) with Drew Rasmussen on the mound, and still lost by one run. Rick and Steve go through what went wrong: Rasmussen was behind in counts and not himself, Chandler Simpson couldn't hold onto a diving catch, Jonathan Aranda let a ball through his legs and missed a foul pop-up, and Ian Seymour gave up a game-tying solo homer to the bottom of the order. Steve also takes issue with the decision to send Hicks home on a play that wasn't close, while the Rays were looking for any extra run. With the Rays down 0-2 and both losses by one run, they weigh whether Kevin Cash's decision to push Rasmussen back to Game 2 backfired, why Milwaukee's bullpen is the difference, and why they're counting on Freddy Peralta and the atmosphere at Tropicana Field in Game 3 tonight.After a sponsor break, the show turns to a Bucs win that Rick says was every bit as dominant as it was unlikely. Tampa Bay beat the division-leading Panthers 43-13 in Carolina, and when Rick asked Todd Bowles afterward "Where has this been?", they got to the highlights: a second quarter with a pass touchdown, a rushing touchdown, a field goal, a defensive touchdown, and a special teams touchdown (only the second time in NFL history, after Bowles' 2018 Jets); Yaya Diaby's three-sack hat trick; Al-Quadin Muhammad's strip-sack that Calijah Kancey ran back for a touchdown; a blocked extra point returned for two points by Zyon McCollum; and 258 rushing yards, including 102 from Bucky Irving, 88 from Kenneth Gainwell, and a 46-yard touchdown run from Sean Tucker. Bryce Young, who started the day with MVP chants, finished 14 of 27 for 163 yards with two interceptions, and he was sacked five times. They also discuss how the Bucs ran the ball 30 times in 40 first-half plays, the division math with Atlanta coming to town and the Panthers at Green Bay on Thursday night, and the one thing that stings: if the Bucs hadn't blown the Steelers game, they could be playing for first place.Baker Mayfield returned with the glove designed with help from the Rays, went 7 for 11 for 64 yards, and didn't have to do much, though Steve and Rick weren't thrilled that he called his own number at the goal line and tried to block on a run play. The Lightning get a rundown, too: Nikita Kucherov passed Steven Stamkos to become the franchise's all-time leading scorer on Saturday night, the team went 1-1-1 on a road trip through Vegas, Colorado, and Utah, and they now have some rest, with Victor Hedman and Zemgus Girgensons both day-to-day. The show closes with a look at tonight's Game 3, the first World Series game in Tampa Bay in 18 years.SegmentsThree Tampa Bay teams, three early leads, two blownRays blow a 4-0 lead in World Series Game 2The defensive misplays, the Hicks send, and Ian Seymour's homerDown 0-2: Cash's Rasmussen decision, Milwaukee's bullpen, and the Trop advantageFreddy Peralta and the must-win Game 3Sponsor: Breitling Boutique, International PlazaBucs crush the Panthers 43-13: Where has this been?Yaya Diaby's hat trick, Muhammad's strip-sack, and Calijah Kancey's touchdown258 rushing yards and the blocked extra pointBryce Young's rough day and the NFC South mathNext up: the Falcons and the Steelers what-ifsBaker Mayfield's return, the glove, and staying healthyLightning: Kucherov passes Stamkos and the road tripHedman, Girgensons, and Lightning special teamsWorld Series Game 3 tonight at the Trop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rays have landed in Milwaukee for the World Series, which begins Friday, and Rick and Steve start by sizing up a matchup between two teams that have never won it all. They revisit how the Rays went 1-2 against every NL Central opponent early in the season, why Tampa Bay isn't favored, and a stat from Hard Rock Bet that Tampa Bay has had six championship-round appearances since 2020, more than any other city. Rick reflects on how far the franchise has come from displacement at Steinbrenner Field and a rebuilt Trop to the sport's biggest stage, and the hosts debate whether the Brewers' eight days off will cause rust. They also wonder if Junior Caminero's long-awaited homer will be the start of one of his streaks.The pitching plan is a big topic. Jacob Misiorowski (16-5 with 252 strikeouts) is expected to open for Milwaukee, and Rick wants Drew Rasmussen to match him. Steve makes the case for starting Nick Martinez in Game 1, giving Rasmussen an extra day of rest in Game 2, and saving Freddy Peralta for Game 3 at the Trop, where he has been spectacular. Rick says he has plenty of faith in Martinez. They also point out how rested the bullpen is, with Brody Hopkins, Griffin Jax, Steven Matz, and Cole Sulser all needing work, and remind everyone that winning one of the first two games on the road would put the Rays in great shape for three at home. They remember the loudest moments at the Trop, from the Kiermaier-Adames-d'Arnaud relay against Houston to the crowd pop on the final out of the ALCS, and Rick explains why this series should be a treat for fans who love the strategy of baseball.In a mailbag question from Craig in Vegas, the guys discuss whether Yandy Diaz's number should be retired. Steve rattles off the numbers (second in team history in on-base percentage, tied for second in batting average at .291, third in hits, fifth in runs, doubles, and home runs) and they debate the difference between the Rays Hall of Fame and retiring a number, with Evan Longoria, Carl Crawford, and Ben Zobrist as points of comparison, and compare it to which Lightning players will get numbers retired. After a note on $881 average secondary-market ticket prices, they turn to the Bucs: Baker Mayfield practiced with a glove on his throwing hand and looked accurate, though the velocity wasn't there, Emeka Egbuka is in concussion protocol with a foot injury, and about 20 players are on the injury report (five with illness). They also react to the viral stat that the Lightning are the last Tampa Bay pro team to win at Raymond James Stadium, the Lightning's 6-2 win in Vegas behind Andrei Vasilevskiy, Nikita Kucherov's tying Stamkos for the franchise points record (1,137 in 194 fewer games), the case that Kucherov is the greatest Lightning player ever, Mike Evans' injury, and the Chris Godwin question: Rick looks at his lack of targets and wonders whether the Bucs should consider trading him before next week's deadline.SegmentsRays arrive in Milwaukee for the World SeriesThe Rays' history against the NL Central and the Brewers' rest"Champa Bay": six championship rounds since 2020Caminero's homer and whether he stays hotMisiorowski vs. Rasmussen and the Game 1 starter debateBullpen rest and the 2-3-2 formatThe Trop's loudest momentsWhy this World Series is a strategy lover's dreamMailbag: should the Rays retire Yandy Diaz's number?Ticket prices and World Series revenueBaker Mayfield returns to practice with a gloveBucs injury report and the Carolina gameLightning's last-win-at-Raymond-James statLightning beat Vegas 6-2; Kucherov ties Stamkos and the greatest-Lightning-player debateMike Evans and the Chris Godwin trade questionSponsor: Breitling Boutique, International Plaza Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Tampa Bay Rays are headed to the World Series for the third time in franchise history after beating the Cleveland Guardians 7-3 in ALCS Game 6, and Rick says he's never been around a team that surprised him more. Steve was at the Trop and takes Rick through the moment Junior Caminero's home run (off Cade Smith's splitter, the first homer Smith has allowed on that pitch in 884 thrown, down the line off the foul pole) made it 5-1 and turned the building into a party. They laugh about his 38.66-second home run trot, his stop at home plate to point at Randy Arozarena in the crowd and strike the "Randy pose," and the way Andy Freed said it was "out counting time" on the radio. Then things got dicey: Tyler Wells walked a run in and hit a batter to make it 5-3 with the bases loaded, before Kevin Kelly shut the door, and Yandy Diaz's home run in the bottom of the eighth put it away. They also salute Taylor Walls' smart double play, Richie Palacios (the team leader with 35 two-out RBIs this season), and ALCS MVP Freddy Peralta, who allowed one earned run in 12 innings in the series. Rick is convinced the Guardians hit Diaz on purpose after his guarantee comments, and Steve questions the decision in an elimination game.The guys look ahead to a Brewers series they both think will be a joy to watch: two teams that win with pitching, defense, contact, and moving runners, the first World Series since 1980 between two franchises that have never won it, and a matchup between the two best teams in baseball. They go through the Rays' improbable path, from DraftKings' preseason win total of 77 or 78 to a 3.2 percent chance at the ALCS from FanGraphs, plus the fact that 17 of the 26 players in the dugout Monday were acquired in trades and only four (Aranda, Seymour, Simpson, and Walls) were originally signed or drafted by the Rays. They sort out the World Series pitching order (Peralta can't pitch Game 1 on short rest, and Steve likes Nick Martinez, then Drew Rasmussen, then Peralta), talk about the new ownership group and Stu Sternberg, and discuss Aaron Boone returning for a tenth season with the Yankees, Cade Smith's tie with Brian Baker for the league lead in saves, and a boat parade for St. Petersburg.At the end, the hosts turn to a few other topics: the 49ers beat the Commanders to go 6-0, but Mike Evans left with an Achilles injury; Jalon Daniels' fourth-down throwaway in the red zone; Baker Mayfield practicing Wednesday while Todd Bowles stays noncommittal about the starter; and the Lightning playing late tonight in Vegas, with puck drop at 10:45.Segments:Rays beat the Guardians 7-3 to win the ALCSCaminero's home run and the Randy Arozarena poseA shaky eighth: Tyler Wells, Kevin Kelly, and Yandy Diaz's knockout homerTaylor Walls' glove, Richie Palacios' clutch hitting, and Freddy Peralta's MVP seriesWhy Cleveland ran out of pitching and who delivered for the RaysWorld Series preview: Rays vs. Brewers and the rotation orderHow the Rays built this team: trades, Kyle Snyder's coaching, and long oddsMemories of the 2008 World Series and Rich McKay's adviceAaron Boone's return and the New York reactionBoat parade, the Rowdies' title, and Dave Wills49ers beat the Commanders; Mike Evans injuredBucs QB outlook and the Lightning in VegasSponsor: Breitling Boutique, International Plaza Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rays lost ALCS Game 3 in Cleveland 3-2, and Rick says their offense is in a bad place: three hits, 13 strikeouts from a team that rarely strikes out, and a "big three" of Yandy Diaz, Jonathan Aranda, and Junior Caminero that still hasn't shown up. Caminero struck out four times, and Rick and Steve wonder whether his shoulder is bothering him after the collision with Johnny DeLuca or whether he's simply pressing in his first real postseason, chasing pitches he normally lays off. They credit Gavin Williams and Cleveland's pitching and defense, note that Griffin Jax held the Guardians to three runs through five innings (which most people would have taken), and point out that Chandler Simpson's stand-up triple briefly gave Tampa Bay a 2-1 lead. With rain in the forecast and the Rays needing at least one win in Cleveland to get back to the Trop, the hosts even discuss how a rainout could line up Drew Rasmussen for Game 4. Meanwhile, the Brewers finished off the Dodgers with a 6-4 win, and Rick calls Milwaukee the quietest 100-win team ever and one that will be tough for anyone in the World Series.Rick also returns to last night's debate about whether Tampa Bay is a bad baseball town. Neither LCS game was sold out (the Dodgers were about 7,000 seats short of their announced crowd), and he wonders why only the Rays got criticized. He points out that Tampa and Hillsborough County leaders committed roughly $2 million to a ballpark, and says you can't judge fandom on attendance or tell people how to spend their money.On the Bucs, Baker Mayfield tried to throw after Wednesday's practice and it didn't go well, so he's out for Sunday and Jalon Daniels will make his third straight start against Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers. Rick thinks Baker will return at Carolina, but argues that the Dallas win means little if the Bucs can't follow it with one against Pittsburgh. They discuss T.J. Watt, Todd Bowles' calling Rodgers a "nightmare," how the Bucs could rattle him the way they did in the 2020 NFC Championship Game, why Jacob Parrish and Zyon McCollum are playing great, and whether the Bucs can finally win at home. Then it's a quick look at the Broncos' overtime win over the Seahawks, a happy night for the Lightning (Victor Hedman wins it in overtime against the Kraken, Steve flags that they blew two third-period leads and went 0-for-3 on the power play, and they're now 9-0-2 all-time against Seattle), and a college football weekend loaded with ranked matchups, including Florida at Texas and Florida State at Miami.Segments:Rays lose ALCS Game 3 3-2: three hits and 13 strikeoutsCaminero's struggles and the Rays' "big three"Game 4 rain possibilities and the need to win one in ClevelandBrewers sweep the Dodgers; the World Series outlookNeither LCS game sold out: Rick's defense of Tampa Bay baseball fansBucs-Steelers preview: Baker Mayfield is out, Jalon Daniels starts againStopping Aaron Rodgers and winning at homeBroncos beat the Seahawks in overtimeLightning beat the Kraken in overtime: Victor Hedman's winnerLightning schedule: Canucks Saturday and a Western Conference runCollege football weekend: Florida at Texas, FSU at Miami, and a stacked slateSponsor: Breitling Boutique, International Plaza Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We have a series. The Rays beat the Guardians 3-1 in ALCS Game 2 to even the best-of-seven at one game apiece, and Rick and Steve walk through a nervy night at Tropicana Field. Parker Messick, the Plant City native, kept the Rays in check and got a couple of double plays until a pair of Rays challenges overturned one, Chandler Simpson (back in the lineup) beat out a high chopper, Victor Mesa hustled to third when nobody covered it, and Jose Ramirez let a Ben Williamson grounder skip through his legs for a 1-0 lead. Liam Hicks then ripped a slider to center for a 3-0 advantage. Freddy Peralta did the rest, throwing the fastest pitches of his career with more than 70 percent fastballs, working out of traffic with a changeup he couldn't control, and extending a run in which he has won eight straight starts and allowed one run or none in every outing. Brian Baker earned his 34th consecutive save, and Steve has the stat of the night: the Rays are 89-0 when leading after eight innings this season, including the postseason, a mark only eight other teams since 1900 have matched.A big chunk of the show is Rick's defense of Kevin Cash against after-the-fact criticism of his lineup choices, from the Chandler Simpson-against-lefties debate to Taylor Walls' glove, plus whether the Game 1 decision to send Rasmussen out for the seventh had anything to do with Blake Snell (Steve and Rick both say no). They look ahead to Game 3 in Cleveland on Thursday at a 6 p.m. start, why the 2-3-2 format makes that game so important (the team that wins it takes the series about 70 percent of the time), the odd choice of Griffin Jacks over Nick Martinez to start it, and how much the Rays miss Shane McClanahan. They also trade views on who closes if Baker is unavailable (Kevin Kelly, Cam Boozer, a high-velocity Hopkins, or Ian Seymour), why the "big three" bats of Yandy Diaz, Jonathan Aranda, and Junior Caminero still haven't broken out, a Mutombo-style finger wag, and the cost of postseason tickets and what that means for the crowd (and whether Game 6 on Monday could start at 5 p.m.).Then it's the Bucs. The President was set to attend Sunday's Steelers game and isn't now, which has Rick relieved about traffic and security, and Mike Alstott gets some love as one of the most popular athletes in the area after hyping the Trop crowd. The big question is Baker Mayfield: he'll try to throw this week, Todd Bowles says Jalon Daniels is the starter "right now," and Rick explains why a competitor like Baker doesn't want to watch someone else do his job, while also noting that Daniels got away with a near-disastrous throw in Dallas that would have been a pick-six had it not been dropped. The show closes with the Lightning's 4-1 loss at the Rangers (outscored 9-2 by New York in two games but undefeated against everyone else), their four-game win streak ending, and a schedule that's all Western Conference teams for the rest of October.Segments:Rays beat the Guardians 3-1 to even the ALCSHow the Rays scored: Messick's double plays, Simpson's infield hit, Ramirez's error, Hicks' two-run singleFreddy Peralta's fastball-heavy night and his streakDefending Kevin Cash: lineup decisions, second-guessing, and Rasmussen in Game 1Game 3 preview: Griffin Jacks, the 2-3-2 odds, and the absence of McClanahanThe Rays' pitching development and Brian Baker's 89-0 perfection after eight inningsWho closes if Baker is out, and where the big three bats standFan experience: ticket prices, attendance, and the Game 6 start timeBucs vs. Steelers preview: no presidential visit, Mike Alstott's popularity, Team Tampa BayBaker Mayfield's attempt to return and Jalon Daniels' near-mistake in DallasLightning fall 4-1 at the Rangers and look aheadSponsor: Breitling Boutique, International Plaza Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rays open the American League Championship Series tonight at Tropicana Field against a Guardians team that came back from 0-2 to beat the White Sox, and Rick and Steve break down the matchup. Cleveland's payroll is lower than Tampa Bay's, the Rays went 5-1 against the Guardians this year (including three shutouts), and Drew Rasmussen takes the ball in Game 1 with the team having won his last 13 starts. They talk through the 2-3-2 format, Shane McClanahan being shut down for the rest of the season, whether Ian Seymour becomes the fourth starter or follows an opener, why Junior Caminero hasn't exploded in the playoffs yes, and Mark Topkin's story on how many Rays and Guardians have crossed between the two organizations, from Kevin Cash and Stephen Vogt to Yandy Diaz and Richie Palacios. Steve picks the Rays in six. They also check in on a Brewers-Dodgers NLCS Game 1 that was tight in the eighth, a Dodgers team chasing a third straight World Series, and the looming lockout and payroll debate, with Rick offering a "bucket list" reason to get to a postseason game.Then it's the Bucs' mini bye week. Rick and Steve revisit Todd Bowles owning the fourth-and-1 decision from Thursday (and the 99-yard Dallas drive that followed), then turn to a Sunday of head-scratching coaching decisions: the Eagles kicking off to the Jaguars' returner with 11 seconds left in London, and a Commanders-Giants 27-27 tie in which Washington let the clock expire in field goal range in overtime. At 1-4 the Bucs still sit in a winnable NFC South, with the Steelers coming to Tampa, Baker Mayfield trying to play through his thumb injury, and Bowles saying Jalen Daniels is the plan. Rick also gives them a "puncher's chance" against Aaron Rodgers.The hosts also celebrate Mike Evans' big night for the undefeated 49ers (seven catches, 114 yards, a touchdown and a two-point conversion at Seattle with a cracked rib) and what it says about the receivers the Bucs have now. In college football, Florida gets beaten badly by South Carolina, Texas and LSU both lose, and Georgia gets past Alabama. They close with the Lightning's 5-3 win over the Islanders behind Brandon Hagel's three goals, tonight's game against a Rangers team playing without Igor Shesterkin, and the week ahead.Segments:Weekend recap and ALCS Game 1 preview: Rays vs. GuardiansPayrolls, the Dodgers' third-straight World Series bid, and Cleveland's comeback on the White SoxGame 1 and the pitching plan: Rasmussen, McClanahan's absence, and Ian SeymourCaminero, Jose Ramirez, and the Rays-Guardians crossover storyBrewers-Dodgers NLCS Game 1, the lockout debate, and a "bucket list" postseason gameBucs mini bye week and Bowles' fourth-and-1 decisionSunday's coaching gaffes: Jaguars-Eagles in London and the Commanders-Giants tieThe Bucs at 1-4: the NFC South picture, Steelers preview, and Baker Mayfield's thumbMike Evans' big night with the 49ersCollege football: Florida, Texas, Georgia-Alabama, and LSULightning beat the Islanders 5-3 and host the RangersSponsor: Breitling Boutique, International Plaza Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Tampa Bay Rays are headed to the American League Championship Series after sweeping the Yankees with a 4-3 win in Game 3 at Yankee Stadium, and Rick says the only downside is that they can't pop champagne in the Bronx a third time this year. The Yankees never led in the series. Rick and Steve break down the finish: a lineup tweak that sat Chandler Simpson but got Ryan Vilade's home run, Victor Mesa Jr.'s no-doubt two-run bomb off a lefty, a patchwork bullpen that held on (Griffin Jax, Cam Boozer, Kevin Kelly, Bryan Baker, and a calming visit from Kyle Snyder), and a Volpe "home run" that was overturned for fan interference. They also explain how a team picked to finish last in the AL East have won 101 games so far by bringing bunting back (a Wall Street Journal story says the Rays had more bunt attempts than any team in 10 years), playing the deepest outfield in baseball, and finding value on the margins. From there: Rays vs. the White Sox or Guardians on Monday at the Trop, a possible World Series against the Dodgers or Brewers, a 34-page MLB lockout memo (no Christmas cards to players after Dec. 2), and a comparison to Jeffrey Maier in 1996.The second half turns to the Bucs, who are 0-4 and headed to Dallas for Thursday Night Football with Jalon Daniels making his second start in four days. Baker Mayfield and Antoine Winfield Jr. are out, kicker Chase McLaughlin (9-for-9) is nursing a hip and leg injury but expected to play, and the Cowboys are averaging 30 points per game with CeeDee Lamb piling up targets. Rick and Steve discuss what Daniels needs to do better (reading blitzes and setting protection), why special teams can't cost them again, and why Rueben Bain Jr. could be the game-wrecker the Bucs need.Timestamps:0:35 – Rays sweep the Yankees; no more champagne at Yankee Stadium1:12 – Yankees never led the series; Rays clinch there for the second time in 15 days1:52 – ALCS opponent: White Sox or Guardians, with Game 1 Monday at the Trop2:11 – Third ALCS in franchise history: 2008 Red Sox, 2020 Astros3:16 – Chandler Simpson on the bench, Vilade's home run, Mesa's two-run blast4:04 – Yankees lineup change leaves Ben Rice out of the ninth4:31 – Rays bullpen: Griffin Jax, Boozer, Kelly, Baker, and Kyle Snyder's mound visits6:06 – Victor Mesa Jr.'s two-run bomb off a lefty7:21 – Bryan Baker's rise from "B bullpen" to leading the majors in saves9:01 – A team picked to finish fifth in the AL East9:41 – Rays bring fundamentals back to baseball: bunting, stealing, hit-and-run11:32 – Winning on the margins: pitching, defense, speed13:07 – The new ownership group and the Rays' AL East champion T-shirts14:20 – How the Rays' deep outfield positioning is changing baseball15:17 – Volpe's "home run" overturned: fan interference17:12 – Kevin Cash sticks with Jax for another inning18:21 – Lightning off to a decent start; three TVs needed for Thursday night19:12 – NLCS: Dodgers advance, Brewers up 3-1; salary cap talk looms19:58 – MLB's 34-page lockout memo: no Christmas cards after Dec. 221:05 – Fan interference and the 1996 Jeffrey Maier comparison22:49 – Rays' 101 wins; World Series would start on the road24:34 – White Sox, the Pope, and a Popemobile bullpen cart26:36 – Sponsor: Breitling Boutique, International Plaza27:37 – Bucs at Cowboys preview: Chase McLaughlin's injury, Baker and Winfield out29:36 – Jalon Daniels handling the noise in his second start on a short week31:31 – A louder road environment; Cowboys' high-scoring offense and shaky defense32:40 – Reuben Bain Jr. as a game-wrecker34:48 – Special teams and a fair evaluation of Daniels' first start36:36 – How Green Bay saved its blitzes for the final drive38:05 – Rain in Tampa and the flight to Dallas38:49 – Contending with CeeDee Lamb, and what a Bucs win would change40:05 – Alabama-Georgia weather and wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rays are one win from the ALCS after a 5-2 victory over the Yankees in front of a second straight Tropicana Field sellout, and Rick calls it an "infomercial" for why Tampa Bay won the AL East: Yankee chaos on the bases (four errors, maybe five, three in the first inning alone), patient at-bats that chased Cam Schlittler after two strikeouts, and a four-run fifth capped by Richie Palacios' eight-pitch, two-run single off a lefty. Steve has the stat of the night: Ben Rice, Cody Bellinger, and Wells are a combined 5-for-20 in the series while the rest of the Yankees lineup is 0-for-38. Rick and Steve also salute Freddy Peralta, a "tremendous" Ian Seymour (nine outs), and a bullpen that's fully rested for Game 3 at Yankee Stadium, note that teams up 2-0 in a best-of-five series have won roughly nine times out of ten, and look ahead to a possible ALCS against a surprising White Sox team, with the Brewers lurking in the National League and a looming lockout debate over competitive balance. The Lightning also improved to 2-1 with another home win, this one over the Flyers, outshooting Philadelphia 36-14.Then the Bucs news turns grim: Antoine Winfield Jr. has a cracked rib and will miss two to four weeks, just as the team heads to Dallas on a short week to face a Cowboys offense averaging 30.5 points per game with Jalen Daniels making his second start in four days. Rick runs through the injury report and explains why the receivers can't get open (Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin are both slot types without a true outside threat like Mike Evans), compares it to other teams' number ones getting 14-plus targets every week, and notes the Bucs have played 10 straight one-score games and are 2-8 in them. From there, Rick takes a hard look at Jason Licht's recent draft classes round by round and wonders aloud if the roster is simply "not that talented," whether the Glazers knew it, and what the Todd Bowles hot seat looks like if the Bucs fall to 0-5. They also debate when a mid-season firing would even happen, why interim coaches are a bad idea, and what history says about teams that start 0-4 (only the 1992 Chargers recovered to make the playoffs).Segments:Rays go up 2-0 on the Yankees: chaos on the bases, Palacios' big hit, and the bullpenWhy the Rays' style works, plus Game 3 preview (Nick Martinez vs. Max Fried) and ALCS possibilitiesLightning beat the Flyers 36-14 in shots and look ahead to Minnesota and a New York road tripWinfield's cracked rib, Bucs injury report, and the Thursday night test in DallasWhy the Bucs' receivers can't get open and what Zach Robinson's offense is missingA round-by-round look at Jason Licht's drafts: is this roster talented enough?Todd Bowles' job security, in-season coaching changes, and the 0-5 scenarioSponsor: Breitling Boutique, International Plaza Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Lightning's season opener went about as sideways as a game can go: a 5-1 loss at Madison Square Garden capped by Igor Shesterkin becoming the first goaltender in Rangers history to score a goal, while Tampa Bay finished 0-for-7 on the power play. Rick and Steve dig into why it wasn't as alarming as it looked — Victor Hedman's comfortably accepted a smaller role (and dropped weight going gluten-free to stay fast at 18 seasons in), John Carlson is still adjusting from running Alex Ovechkin's power play in Washington to feeding Nikita Kucherov in Tampa, and hockey's a "flow sport" that's brutally hard to simulate in the preseason. The Lightning still own the NHL's third-best season-opening winning percentage all time, and they get a schedule edge Saturday against a Capitals team playing the second half of a back-to-back.From there, it's a deep look at Jalen Daniels' first career start — the first rookie quarterback to play anywhere in the league this season, despite going undrafted. Rick traces how the Bucs got here (Teddy Bridgewater's disastrous relief outing last year, Jake Browning's poor camp this summer) and argues Daniels doesn't need to be great against a genuinely bad Packers team that can't run or stop the run; the defense and Chase McLaughlin's perfect kicking can carry him. A mailbag question floats Daniels as a potential Marty St. Louis-style undrafted success story, and the guys note the historical case for not rushing rookie quarterbacks, with nine of the ten passers drafted this year still holding a clipboard. The back half previews a jam-packed Tampa Bay weekend — Rays-Yankees ALDS Game 1 at the Trop, the Lightning's home opener, USF hosting Temple for a shot at a first-ever conference title, and Florida traveling to Missouri — plus a quick look at Cleveland's Deshaun Watson turnaround under Todd Monken.Timestamps:0:08 – Lightning season-opener recap: 5-1 loss at the Rangers, a historic goalie goal, 0-for-7 power play3:22 – Victor Hedman's accepted role change, revamped diet, and his 18th season5:39 – Lightning's historic season-opening record; Saturday's schedule edge over Washington6:46 – Power play struggles: John Carlson adjusting from Ovechkin's power play to feeding Kucherov9:00 – Why "flow sports" like hockey are harder to simulate in the preseason11:50 – Sponsor: Breitling Boutique, International Plaza13:16 – How the Bucs got here: Teddy Bridgewater's rough relief stint and Jake Browning's camp struggles16:13 – Jalen Daniels: the first rookie QB to start anywhere in the NFL this year, despite going undrafted18:16 – Context: the last team to start 0-4 and make the playoffs was the 1992 Chargers19:51 – Why Daniels doesn't need to be great — Green Bay's offense and run defense are a mess22:32 – Chase McLaughlin's perfect season and the "just be you" message for Daniels25:36 – Mailbag: Could Daniels become the next Marty St. Louis-style undrafted success story?26:03 – Why most of this year's ten drafted rookie QBs are sitting behind veterans30:37 – What a Daniels win (or two) would really mean once Baker Mayfield returns31:38 – MLB's wild-card format gripe: Rays drawn into a best-of-three with the Yankees34:44 – A loaded Tampa Bay weekend: Rays, Lightning, USF and the Rowdies all home Saturday39:09 – Cleveland's Deshaun Watson turnaround under Tom Monken42:09 – College football weekend: Florida at Missouri, USF hosts Temple for a shot at a first conference title Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Joe Flacco, Jameis Winston, and Jimmy Garoppolo all off the table, the Bucs' plan B for replacing Baker Mayfield is Brett Rypien — signed to the practice squad, not the active roster — while undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels makes his first career start Sunday against Green Bay. Rick Stroud lays out a sobering stat: since 2024, rookie quarterbacks are a combined 56-89, and the backup quarterbacks who've actually won games around the league this season (Case Keenum, Mac Jones, Carson Wentz, Drew Locke) all share one thing Daniels doesn't have — real NFL experience. Rick and Steve debate, half-seriously, whether a Bucs fan should even want a win right now given a stacked, quarterback-heavy draft class, before agreeing there's too much season left and too bad a division to consider punting on it. They also dig into where the blame really lies for Tampa Bay's offensive collapse — Baker's tendency to extend plays into sacks and holding penalties, Zach Robinson's predictable play-calling, an offensive line that isn't as bad as it looks — and note the one thing working: Chase McLaughlin hasn't missed a field goal all year. A mailbag question revisits why Mike Evans really left for San Francisco, and Rick makes the case that Evans saw a closer path to a Super Bowl elsewhere as his own mortality became real after his first-ever injury-shortened season.The back half looks ahead to a jam-packed week: MLB's wild-card round (Yankees leading Boston, Padres and Braves both winning thrillers), the NHL's opening night, and the Lightning's regular-season opener Thursday at the Rangers, plus a scheduling headache with the Rays' ALDS Game 1 and the Lightning's home opener both landing Saturday night. Rick and Steve also mark the sixth anniversary of Tampa Bay's first boat parade and pitch (not entirely jokingly) a stadium renovation tribute to Tom Brady's Super Bowl trophy toss.Segments:Jalon Daniels named starter; what backup-quarterback history says about his chances against Green BayIs the offensive line really the problem, or is it Baker Mayfield and play-calling?Mailbag: Why did Mike Evans really leave for San Francisco?MLB wild card round recap: Yankees-Red Sox, Padres-Cubs, Braves walk-off winNHL season opens; Lightning open Thursday at the Rangers, home opener collides with Rays ALDS Game 1Sixth anniversary of Tampa Bay's first championship boat paradeSponsor: Breitling Boutique, International PlazaTimestamps:0:09 – Bucs' backup QB plan revealed: Brett Rypien to the practice squad, Jalen Daniels named starter2:27 – Why experienced backups matter: Case Keenum's big Monday night4:15 – Rookie QBs are 56-89 since 2024; should a Bucs fan want a loss right now?7:00 – Is the offensive line really the problem, or is it Baker Mayfield and play-calling?16:23 – What Daniels has going for him: 50+ college starts, calm demeanor17:36 – Backup QBs went nearly undefeated this weekend; the risk the Bucs took at QB222:46 – Sponsor: Breitling Boutique, International Plaza24:13 – Sixth anniversary of Tampa Bay's first championship boat parade28:33 – Mailbag: Why did Mike Evans really leave for San Francisco?33:22 – Mailbag: Where does the blame fall for the Bucs' offensive struggles?39:12 – MLB wild-card recap: Yankees-Red Sox, Padres-Cubs, Braves walk-off win40:10 – NHL season opens; Lightning-Rangers Thursday, Saturday scheduling conflict with Rays ALDS Game 1 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rick Stroud doesn't mince words: the Bucs' 0-3 loss to Minnesota is the doomsday scenario come to life. Baker Mayfield left with a bloodied, dislocated thumb on his throwing hand after holding the ball too long on a desperate fourth-down conversion attempt, and now undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels — who struggled even in preseason snaps against real competition — is set to become QB1 for a stretch that includes Green Bay and a short week in Dallas. Rick and Steve dissect just how ugly the game itself was on both sides (both offenses managed roughly 25 total yards in the second half), question why Zach Robinson's offense keeps ignoring receivers like Ted Hurst after a 40-yard touchdown catch, and openly wonder how much the Bucs are missing Mike Evans' size and catch radius. They also debate whether the Glazers would ever consider an in-season coaching change (Mike Tomlin's name comes up, mostly hypothetically), and note the silver lining: the Bucs haven't played a single divisional game yet and remain just one game out of first in a wide-open, mediocre NFC South.The mood brightens considerably from there. The Rays wrapped a historic 162-game season with Junior Caminero playing all 162 games and hitting 40-plus homers in each of his first two full seasons, and Rick and Steve preview the layoff before the ALDS, including bullpen and rotation questions that hinge on whether they draw the Yankees or Red Sox. They also look ahead to a jam-packed weekend: the Lightning's regular-season opener at the Rangers, Saturday's home opener against Washington coinciding with the Rays' first playoff game, and a loaded college football slate topped by Florida's statement win over Ole Miss and USF's 4-0 start under Brian Hartline.Segments:Bucs fall to 0-3; Baker Mayfield's hand injury and the shift to undrafted rookie Jalen DanielsBreaking down two dreadful offenses and the special-teams punt-return touchdown that decided the gameIs this a Todd Bowles problem or a talent problem? Coaching-change speculation and the "mini-bye" scenarioRays close a historic regular season — Caminero's 162-game, 40-homer year — and preview ALDS rotation questionsWeekend preview: Lightning open at the Rangers, Saturday's dual home openers, Florida's big win over Ole Miss, USF at 4-0Sponsor: Breitling Boutique, International Plaza Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rick Stroud borrows his own Tampa Bay Times line to open the show: rookie edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. now has a groin strain to go with his shoulder issue, and after two games he still hasn't recorded a stat that matters. Rick and Steve debate how much grace a struggling rookie deserves — pointing to Hall of Famers like Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, and John Lynch, who all had underwhelming first seasons — while also flagging that Josiah Trotter (shoulder) and Anthony Nelson both missed practice too, suddenly thinning out a group that looked deep on paper. They dig into the Bucs' league-worst pass rush (three sacks in two games), debate whether Todd Bowles will finally bench a struggling Alex Anzalone or Antoine Winfield Jr., and note a telling business signal: the Bucs are already selling discounted season tickets mid-season. A listener mailbag question on GM Jason Licht's job security prompts Rick to lay out the case for and against, with a looming three-game, 11-day stretch (Vikings, Packers, at Cowboys) framed as the real referendum on the season.On a happier note, the Rays are settling in after their AL East-clinching celebration in New York, resting regulars and mapping out their ALDS pitching plan (Rasmussen, Martinez, and Peralta as the likely top three, with Shane McClanahan probably limited to relief work if he's back at all). Rick and Steve also preview tonight's Lightning-Panthers preseason rematch, with both sides looking to avoid a repeat of last year's line-brawl classic, and count down to next week's regular-season opener in New York.Segments:Rueben Bain Jr.'s groin strain and shoulder issue, and the case for patience with struggling rookiesBucs' NFL-worst pass rush and whether lineup changes (Anzalone, Winfield Jr.) are comingMailbag: Is GM Jason Licht's job safe if the season craters? Plus, discounted season tickets as a warning signRays resting regulars post-clinch, mapping ALDS rotation plans around Rasmussen, Martinez, and PeraltaLightning host the Panthers in preseason rematch; season opener a week awaySponsor: Breitling Boutique, International Plaza Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.