A Delight for Fans at Dodger Stadium
Fred, Art, and Laura Snoke are charmed by Shohei Ohtani and his dog, Decoy, who teamed up to throw out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium. Further cementing his superstar status, Ohtani hit a home run for his first at-bat. Is he a lock for MVP or does Aaron Judge have slightly better odds? Will the injury crisis in the MLB, affecting pitchers and other indispensable players in the leadup to October, change the way the game is played? And is the University of Michigan in danger of losing its National Championship title?
Turf Wars
Fred, Art, and Laura Snoke wonder if and when the NFL will take a page out of professional soccer’s playbook and mandate grass fields over artificial turf. Could the prestigious World Cup 2026 in North America be the agent of change to protect players? Where has Justin Herbert landed in the fantasy football ratings? Do the Braves have a chance without Spencer Strider? Is Chris Taylor the answer to help the Dodgers rally? And should athletes venture into political discourse like Steph Curry did at the DNC?
What’s New, Aaron Rodgers?
Fred, Art, and Mark are shaking their heads over Aaron Rodgers’ fluctuating position on the Covid vaccine. Will there ever be a straight answer from him and is this another factor preventing him from integrating with the team? Does Sean McVay have a career change in mind? Has Michael Harris II’s comeback given the Atlanta Braves the means to catch the Phillies? And with the Dodgers pitching staff being decimated by injuries and Walker Buehler struggling after his return, can the perennial powerhouse overcome its pitching woes?
Drama, Drama, Everywhere
Fred, Art, Mark, and sports historian Matthew DiBiase weigh in on their candidates for the Cy Young Award. After allowing just one run in 28 innings, is Dylan Cease the top pick? Which underdog MLB team claimed the number one spot in USA Today’s Sports Weekly power rankings? Will TNT’s new show featuring Bronson Balholm deflect some attention from the battle between TNT and Amazon for Thursday night NBA rights? And how will the NFL resolve their dilemmas with Justin Herbert and CeeDee Lamb
Will the New NFL Rule Kick Out the Kickers?
Fred, Art, and Laura Snoke debate the new NFL kickoff rules as teams are hurriedly trying to incorporate the changes and put them into practice for the upcoming season. Will the rules be an improvement or fall flat? How will the rookie quarterbacks fare, and are Caleb Williams, Bo Nix, and all of the class of ‘24 ready to lead? Can traditional sports media keep up with the juggernaut of the streamers? And how many trips to the podium will Simone Biles and Katie Ledecky make in Paris?
Decisions and Redemption
Fred, Art, and Mark prognosticate about politics, pitching, and penance. Will Mark Kelly be named the Democratic VP? How many pitchers can the Dodgers go through in one season and how will the Braves cope with the loss of their two top arms? Where is Dylan Cease going to call home after the trade deadline? Should Pete Rose, the subject of a new HBO documentary, be forgiven? And with the Summer Olympics set to begin in Paris, is Simone Biles ready to reclaim her gymnastics title?
Predictions for MLB Postseason Possibilities
Fred and Art forecast which MLB teams have a likely shot at the postseason now that the All-Star game has ushered in the second half of the season. Are the Phillies, with their powerful pitching staff led by Ranger Suárez, emerging as World Series contenders? Is Garrett Crochet a potential trade chip to help the struggling White Sox? Could Clayton Kershaw be available to pitch before the end of the season? And what advantages will Russell Westbrook bring with him in his move to Denver?
Player Safety Should Be Job One
Fred, Art, and Mark hope that ALS sufferer Steve Gleason’s appearance at the ESPYs and the NFL’s new safety measures are just the beginning of more precautions to reduce the number of traumatic head injuries across heavy-contact sports. What other steps should be taken? Do the Dodgers need to bring in yet another pitcher, with Clayton Kershaw still on the injured list? Is Aaron Nola the Phillies’ secret weapon to challenge the Dodgers for the NL pennant? And what special fan will cheer on Simone Biles at the Olympics?
Can the Dodgers Get Out of Their Pitching Predicament?
Fred, Art, and sports historian Matthew DiBiase are worried about the state of the Dodgers pitching staff, as injuries have made a serious dent in their rotation. After putting out big money for Tyler Glasnow and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, many fear that isn’t enough to bring in the wins. Should LA acquire one more arm before the trade deadline? Is Caitlin Clark opening doors for bigger WNBA salaries? And after paying Jayson Tatum over $300 million, what is the price tag on the World Champ Celtics?
Aaron Rodgers Passes on the Jets’ Minicamp
Fred and Art wonder if Aaron Rodgers has decided to discount the team-first mentality required for success in the NFL. Rodgers skipped the New York Jets’ offseason minicamp, raising concerns about his commitment and foreshadowing his leadership style. Will this behavior affect team chemistry? Aaron Judge is the American League frontrunner for the MLB’s Most Valuable Player, but the field is much wider for the National League. Is Mike Trout in the running? And how could Elgin Baylor be excluded from the Laker’s Top Five all-time greats?
