Sports Day Tampa Bay

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. Guardians Payrolls, the Dodgers' third-straight World Series bid, and Cleveland's comeback on the White Sox Game 1 and the pitching plan: Rasmussen, McClanahan's absence, and Ian Seymour Caminero, Jose Ramirez, and the Rays-Guardians crossover story Brewers-Dodgers NLCS Game 1, the lockout debate, and a "bucket list" postseason game Bucs mini bye week and Bowles' fourth-and-1 decision Sunday's coaching gaffes: Jaguars-Eagles in London and the Commanders-Giants tie The Bucs at 1-4: the NFC South picture, Steelers preview, and Baker Mayfield's thumb Mike Evans' big night with the 49ers College football: Florida, Texas, Georgia-Alabama, and LSU Lightning beat the Islanders 5-3 and host the Rangers Sponsor: Breitling Boutique, International Plaza Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Bucs are finally in the win column. Tampa Bay went into Dallas on a short week with an undrafted rookie quarterback and came away with its first road victory in 347 days, and Rick says it may have saved their season. Jalon Daniels was 19-of-25 for 189 yards and a touchdown (110.2 rating) and added 23 yards on the ground, but the star was Bucky Irving, who ran for a career-high 165 yards, including a 72-yard career long, as the Bucs rushed for about 240 as a team. The defense, playing without Antoine Winfield Jr., held the NFL's second-highest-scoring offense in check with three takeaways, constant pressure on Dak Prescott (no sacks, but 42 forced attempts), and just 50 rushing yards allowed by Dallas. Emeka Egbuka finally got involved, special teams didn't cost them a game, and Chase McLaughlin made all of his kicks. Rick and Steve also dig into the 14 penalties, Todd Bowles' controversial fourth-and-one call that nearly cost them, the Cowboys' shaky defense, and a surprising question: could Baker Mayfield be back when the Bucs host the Steelers after nearly 10 days off? They look at an NFC South where nobody has more than two wins and no one has played a division game yet, why Rick thinks Atlanta, New Orleans, and Carolina (with Bryce Young playing at an MVP level) are all beatable, and how the Bucs can claw back to .500. Then it's a busy sports night: the Lightning beat the Wild 3-2 to go 3-0 on their homestand as Dennis Hildeby makes his first start and John Carlson ends a 0-for-14 power play drought with two goals; USF falls at UTSA for a second straight loss under first-year coach Brian Hartline; and the Guardians force a Game 5 against the White Sox, with the Rays waiting for the winner on Monday. The hosts close with the story behind Jalen Daniels' mom joining his Prime interview, his foundation helping kids afford youth sports, and why the cost of youth sports has gotten out of hand. Segments: Bucs beat the Cowboys: why this might have saved their season Jalen Daniels' second start and Bucky Irving's huge night The defense dominates without Antoine Winfield Jr. 14 penalties, Todd Bowles' fourth-and-one decision, and the Steelers game ahead Could Baker Mayfield return? The NFC South picture without a division game played USF falls at UTSA; Brian Hartline's first-year growing pains Lightning beat the Wild 3-2 and head to New York Guardians-White Sox Game 5 and the Rays' ALCS wait Jalen Daniels' mom, his foundation, and the cost of youth sports Sponsor: 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 Stadium 1:12 – Yankees never led the series; Rays clinch there for the second time in 15 days 1:52 – ALCS opponent: White Sox or Guardians, with Game 1 Monday at the Trop 2:11 – Third ALCS in franchise history: 2008 Red Sox, 2020 Astros 3:16 – Chandler Simpson on the bench, Vilade's home run, Mesa's two-run blast 4:04 – Yankees lineup change leaves Ben Rice out of the ninth 4:31 – Rays bullpen: Griffin Jax, Boozer, Kelly, Baker, and Kyle Snyder's mound visits 6:06 – Victor Mesa Jr.'s two-run bomb off a lefty 7:21 – Bryan Baker's rise from "B bullpen" to leading the majors in saves 9:01 – A team picked to finish fifth in the AL East 9:41 – Rays bring fundamentals back to baseball: bunting, stealing, hit-and-run 11:32 – Winning on the margins: pitching, defense, speed 13:07 – The new ownership group and the Rays' AL East champion T-shirts 14:20 – How the Rays' deep outfield positioning is changing baseball 15:17 – Volpe's "home run" overturned: fan interference 17:12 – Kevin Cash sticks with Jax for another inning 18:21 – Lightning off to a decent start; three TVs needed for Thursday night 19:12 – NLCS: Dodgers advance, Brewers up 3-1; salary cap talk looms 19:58 – MLB's 34-page lockout memo: no Christmas cards after Dec. 2 21:05 – Fan interference and the 1996 Jeffrey Maier comparison 22:49 – Rays' 101 wins; World Series would start on the road 24:34 – White Sox, the Pope, and a Popemobile bullpen cart 26:36 – Sponsor: Breitling Boutique, International Plaza 27:37 – Bucs at Cowboys preview: Chase McLaughlin's injury, Baker and Winfield out 29:36 – Jalon Daniels handling the noise in his second start on a short week 31:31 – A louder road environment; Cowboys' high-scoring offense and shaky defense 32:40 – Reuben Bain Jr. as a game-wrecker 34:48 – Special teams and a fair evaluation of Daniels' first start 36:36 – How Green Bay saved its blitzes for the final drive 38:05 – Rain in Tampa and the flight to Dallas 38:49 – Contending with CeeDee Lamb, and what a Bucs win would change 40:05 – Alabama-Georgia weather and wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Can the Tampa Bay Rays sweep the Yankees in ALDS Game 3 tonight? Rick Stroud (Tampa Bay Times) and Steve Versnick preview Rays-Yankees, then break down Bucs at Cowboys on Thursday Night Football. The Rays lead the Yankees 2-0 and can book a trip to the ALCS tonight at Yankee Stadium. Rick and Steve explain why the Rays' pressure style has worked all season, from a Yankees lineup with just five hits in the series to the best defensive outfield in the Statcast era. They also react to the New York tabloids' "Errors Tour" headline, talk about Max Fried's wife being due any day while he stays on to pitch Game 3, and dig into what makes this Rays team so fun to root for, including a possible ALCS against the surprising White Sox. Then it's on to the Buccaneers. After talking with Jalon Daniels and Zach Robinson, Rick lays out how a winless Bucs team on a short week can beat Dak Prescott and the Cowboys (hint: it starts with Rueben Bain Jr.), why Chase McLaughlin's hip and groin injury explains the skipped 65-yard field goal, and why the 0-4 Bucs are still alive in a weak NFC South. 0:00 Rays can sweep the Yankees tonight in ALDS Game 3 1:21 "Errors Tour": the New York tabloids roast the Yankees 2:38 Why the Rays can finish it: Nick Martinez vs. Max Fried 4:02 Max Fried's wife is due any day: would you pitch? 9:07 How the Rays handle a hostile Yankee Stadium 10:51 A pro-Rays crowd at the Trop: "first team to lose two home games on the road" 11:42 Rooting for the team where you live (and the ones you grew up with) 16:27 The Yankees' errors stat that hasn't happened since the Halladay no-hitter 17:31 Why the Rays have the best outfield defense of the Statcast era 19:25 How the Rays put constant pressure on a defense 20:17 How this team compares to the 2008 World Series Rays 21:56 New owners, Stu Sternberg, and the Dungy-Gruden parallel 24:52 A magical season: trade deadline moves and a team with no agendas 26:09 White Sox, the Pope, and the salary cap debate 28:56 Sponsor: Breitling Boutique, International Plaza 30:07 Bucs: Jalen Daniels and Zach Robinson ahead of Thursday night 33:15 Dallas' elite offense vs. its porous defense 35:16 The Bucs' wild card: Reuben Bain Jr. 37:26 Chase McLaughlin's injury explains the skipped 65-yard field goal 39:05 NFC South math: why 0-4 isn't over 42:32 CeeDee Lamb, Dak Prescott, and a crowded Tampa Bay Thursday night 43:14 Wrap-up and sponsor 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 bullpen Why the Rays' style works, plus Game 3 preview (Nick Martinez vs. Max Fried) and ALCS possibilities Lightning beat the Flyers 36-14 in shots and look ahead to Minnesota and a New York road trip Winfield's cracked rib, Bucs injury report, and the Thursday night test in Dallas Why the Bucs' receivers can't get open and what Zach Robinson's offense is missing A 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 scenario Sponsor: Breitling Boutique, International Plaza Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.