Golfers Have a Rough Course Ahead in the U.S. Open
Fred, Art, and Laura explore the possibility that underdogs are going to end up being top dogs as several championship titles are at stake. Will J.J. Spaun, a diabetic golfer from East L.A. who has already overcome many obstacles to rise from 800th in the world, surprise everyone on the U.S. Open’s brutal Oakmont course, or will it be Norway’s Viktor Hovland? Can Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s stellar performance help Oklahoma City’s Thunder triumph over Rick Carlisle’s more seasoned Indiana Pacers in the NBA Playoffs? And is this the year that the Stanley Cup goes home with our neighbors to the North?
Revelations and Other Surprises
Fred, Art, Mark, and Laura are amazed to learn that former MLB outfielder Eric Anthony is the son of Dodgers legend Willie Davis, who himself found out only after Davis had passed away. How will this change their legacies? Andrew Luck, amongst other NFL players, is retiring before age 30 due to CTE worries, as more retired players are dealing with long-term health issues. What does this early retirement trend mean for professional football’s future? And with the dramatic transformation of amateur athletics into a commercialized enterprise, highlighted by Duke’s Cooper Flagg reportedly earning $28 million in endorsement deals, is the NIL extending into high school sports?
A Pitching Crisis for the Dodgers
Fred, Art, Laura, and Matthew DiBiase question the wisdom of the Dodgers’ acquisition of Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, given their injury histories, now that they’re sidelined and there’s only one ace left in the rotation. Will trade options be on the horizon? Can the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by coach Mark Daigneault, keep up their momentum as they face a lengthy layoff before the Finals in June? And just how much has the Indiana Fever’s attendance been impacted by basketball phenom Caitlin Clark’s injury?
Today’s NCAA – Stuck in a Mess It Can’t Get Out Of?
Fred, Art, Mark, Laura, and sports historian Matthew DiBiase wonder how college athletics could have become such a tangled web in the last several years. Has the NCAA lost control of amateur sports? Could Mark Emmert have foreseen the potential upheaval from changing the rules? Will Rick Carlisle’s Indiana Pacers emerge as the dark horses in the NBA playoffs after delivering a heartbreaking defeat to Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks? And can any NFL franchise match Kansas City’s sustained excellence without a Patrick Mahomes-caliber quarterback?
Is College Football at a Crossroads?
Fred, Art, Mark, and Laura are surprised that Nick Saban and President Trump have entered debates about NIL and transfer portal reforms in college football. Could the sport eventually split into separate tiers with elite programs creating their own division? MLB financial strategies face scrutiny as the Dodgers’ billion-dollar payroll with deferred payments from stars like Shohei Ohtani raises eyebrows. Will MLB eventually revise contract deferral rules? Does the release of veteran Dodger catcher Austin Barnes emphasize that baseball is very much a business? How will the crucial Knicks-Celtics playoff matchup pan out? And is Giannis Antetokounmpo truly considering Los Angeles as his next destination?
The NBA Playoffs Heat Up
Fred, Art, and Laura marvel at the marked uptick in ratings for the NBA playoffs over previous years. Which former player is New York Knicks’ Jalen Brunson being compared to with his clutch performance? Will this postseason reenergize the fanbase? Can the change of ownership, a brand-spanking-new stadium, and quarterback Jayden Daniels increase the momentum of the Washington Commanders? Will surprise Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty run in the Preakness? And why did Mike Tirico leave the Derby telecast so suddenly?
151st Run for the Roses Promises Surprises
Fred and Art handicap the 151st Kentucky Derby, which runs Saturday with Journalism favored from the eighth post. Could $2,500 purchase Chunk of Gold shock the racing world from the 19th position? Aaron Judge dominates MLB statistical categories as the Yankees continue their offensive barrage. Is the power surge across baseball due to Commissioner Manfred quietly allowing a livelier ball this season? With former Dodger Gavin Lux remaining a defensive liability for Cincinnati despite hitting over .330, should the Reds limit him to DH duties despite his hot bat? And will Denver and Nikola Jokić derail the Clippers’ playoff hopes once again?
Potential NBA Western Conference Final for L.A.?
The team is back together as Fred, Art, Mark, and Laura look for a potential Lakers-Clippers Western Conference Finals with J.J.Redick’s Lakers bolstered by major contributions from Austin Reaves and a seemingly rejuvenated LeBron James, while Kawhi Leonard’s health raises the Clippers’ hopes across town. In the East, Indiana has emerged as a surprising challenge to Boston’s dominant path. And as the NCAA grapples with transfer portal chaos, exemplified by the UCLA-Tennessee quarterback swap involving Nico Iamaleava, will the NFL draft provide clarity on polarizing prospects like Shedeur Sanders?
Off the Bench and Back in the Game!
Fred is back and more fantastic than ever! He and Laura contemplate Cooper Flagg’s crucial decision between returning to Duke for another championship run or entering the NBA draft as a projected top pick. Could his choice to forgo millions signal a new trend in college basketball? Aaron Rodgers remains unsigned as NFL teams hesitate to commit. Will any franchise gamble on the aging quarterback despite vacancies in New Orleans and Pittsburgh? The Dodgers are battling defensive issues as the season gets into full swing. Is Max Muncy’s struggling defense at third base a temporary problem or a season-long concern? And why is Juan Soto raising eyebrows in New York?
Is Horse Racing on the Decline?
Fred, Art, Mark, and Laura predict an uncertain future for horse racing amid diminishing purses and animal welfare concerns at racetracks like the iconic Santa Anita. What ethical reforms need to be adopted as it struggles to persevere? Could NHL commissioner Gary Bettman’s new international competition format help hockey challenge basketball’s popularity? Will Alex Bregman or Rafael Devers play third base for Boston? And how can baseball maintain its national appeal with ESPN losing its MLB package and only a handful of teams realistically competing for championships?