Ballzy

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss [1:43] the Cowboys’ inability to pull out a winnable game on the road in Philadelphia. Kevin and David [25:30] take a look at Dak Prescott’s culpability. The guys marvel over the Rangers’ ability to turn their regular-season weaknesses — bullpen and road issues — into strengths in the playoffs. Kevin says the difference between this World Series team and the Rangers’ previous iterations was the World Series experience of Corey Seager, Nathan Eovaldi and, specifically, Bruce Bochy. Evan outlines the next steps for the Rangers and [45:40] David tells us why the Mavs are off to such a good start.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, David Moore and Evan Grant [7:40] discuss the Rangers’ Game 3 win over Arizona in the desert, giving them a 2-1 lead in the World Series. They analyze possible pitching matchups. How will Bruce Bochy deploy Jon Gray, suddenly their most important pitcher? Also, will Max Scherzer and Adolis Garcia be available for the rest of the series? If not, who replaces them? [27:35] David gives a master’s class in the Cowboys’ offense, detailing down to the second what happens and how Dak Prescott adjusts to it. Kevin says the Eagles have done just enough to win games, and David notes that this will be only the second time Dak and Jalen Hurts have gone head-to-head in a burgeoning rivalry. [49:00] And before they hit the door, Kevin and David discuss the impact rookie Dereck Lively II has already made on the Mavs.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, David Moore and Evan Grant [00:55] discuss the Rangers’ third trip to the World Series and the impact on the sports market. Evan outlines potential pitching matchups and analyzes whether Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi will be enough to win another seven-game series. [31:11] Kevin says Houston’s a baseball town now, but the Cowboys will keep that from happening in Dallas-Fort Worth. David said Jerry Jones better worry about the Rangers’ ability to at least chip away at the Cowboys’ lead. The guys discuss bad losses in the NFL and where the Cowboys rank coming off the bye week and also talk [55:28] about the prospects for the Mavs and Stars as their seasons crank up.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, David Moore and Evan Grant [3:41] discuss a big weekend for Dallas sports fans, starting with the Rangers’ 2-0 lead over the Astros in the ALCS. Evan goes over all the numbers demonstrating the difficult road ahead for Houston, while Kevin says the key from here on out is if the Rangers’ bullpen can at least hold serve with the Astros’. [30:38] David notes the Cowboys responded well from a humiliating defeat at the hands of the 49ers, beating the Chargers, 20-17, on the road. The bye week comes at a good time, with the Rams up next to set up a critical meeting with the Eagles, losers to the Jets, of all teams.

SportsDay insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore [1:13] discuss the worst Cowboys loss in the history of their storied rivalry with the 49ers and the fallout. The gap has only widened between the two NFC rivals. Has the team lost faith in Mike McCarthy? Dak Prescott? How they respond to a difficult Monday night game on the road against the Chargers will be telling, Kevin says. David calls it a “crossroads.” [28:07] Going into Tuesday’s Game 3 against the Orioles, the Rangers can count on a vastly improved defense this season, the most underrated aspect of their success, Evan says. The guys discuss the influence of Evan Carter on the rest of the lineup as it becomes more selective. [49:35] And Kevin waxes poetic over an exciting Texas-OU game capped off, as usual, by an exquisite Fletcher’s corny dog.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss [00:30] whether it was a good idea for the Rangers to pop corks after clinching the playoffs before Sunday’s final game. They also make their predictions on how the Rangers handle Tampa Bay in the Wild Card Series. [28:25] David says the Cowboys are better prepared for the 49ers than they were in either of their last playoff exits, though Kevin says their red zone issues can be traced to the makeup of the roster. In other words, not enough size in skill positions. [44:28] And Kevin and David riff on another disastrous road game by the U.S. in the Ryder Cup as well as the CFP ramifications for Texas-OU, the greatest annual sporting event in Texas.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, David Moore and Evan Grant discuss [2:10] whether the Rangers will win the division. Kevin says the recent resurgence by Jose Leclerc and Jonathan Hernandez may be enough to carry what has been a woeful bullpen. Evan even says it could make them unbeatable. [24:18] The Insiders discuss the Cowboys’ stunning loss to the Cardinals. David puts first blame on the defense, while Kevin says the offense still lacks identity and maybe misses Zeke Elliott, who’s coming back to town Sunday. [47:04] And in the potpourri segment, Kevin and David discuss the Mavs, Kevin outlines Texas’ hopes and Evan acts bored.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore [2:15] discuss the rising expectations for the Cowboys because of their defense after two games. Kevin says because of Micah Parsons, the best Cowboy since at least Larry Allen, national pundits are more likely to believe in the Cowboys’ Super Bowl chances. The guys also talk about how the Cowboys exemplify complementary football, and this is what Mike McCarthy was talking about when he got criticized for what he wanted to do in the off-season. [18:52]  Evan puts the excruciating numbers to the greatest bullpen failure in history and how that impacts the Rangers’ playoff chances and how this season will be remembered. [36:02] And the fellas marvel at the $100 million SMU raised the week after announcing its pending move to the Atlantic Coast Conference as well as the impact Deion Sanders continues to make in his short time at Colorado.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss the [1:15] Cowboys’ big opening win over the Giants on the road. Kevin asks David if the Cowboys’ have ever had a pass rush this good. David notes the last time the Cowboys started with a win this big and where that led. (Hint: It was pretty super.) [27:20] Suddenly, after all the gloom and doom, the Rangers are back in the playoff chase. Evan sets up what a playoff rotation might look like and how that affects the bullpen. Kevin wonders if it could impact the closers. [47:05] And Kevin beguiles the guys with tales of Tuscaloosa as the fellas try to determine what a win over Alabama means in the great scheme of things.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, David Moore and Evan Grant discuss [3:18] the Cowboys’ opener on the road Sunday against the Giants. Kevin and David think computer models are shortchanging the Cowboys at nine wins. Kevin also gives Mike McCarthy credit for taking advantage of what the Cowboys’ personnel does best: run the ball and play defense. [23:24] Evan provides the limited alternatives at Bruce Bochy’s disposal to fix his bullpen, one of the worst in club history. Evan even suggests bringing up Evan Carter to replace Leody Taveras in center. [51:54] And the guys discuss the undeniable impact Deion Sanders already has made at Colorado, which doesn’t excuse the post-game pressers.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss [3:10] the Cowboys’ acquisition of Trey Lance and the impact on the roster this season. David details what new rules this year may allow for activating quarterbacks on game day and what’s reasonable to expect of Lance. [25:15] Evan discusses the Rangers’ first win after the eighth inning this year in Monday’s comeback and puts it into perspective. [45:10] And Kevin celebrates SMU’s imminent move to the ACC, even as Evan and David rain all over the Mustangs’ parade.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington and David Moore [2:15] discuss the impact to date from the bottom of Will McClay’s last draft, led by Deuce Vaughn, and what still needs to come from top pick Mazi Smith. Kevin and David also argue the merits of the starters getting preseason playing time. [29:45] Kevin and Evan Grant mull the Rangers’ losing streak and not one but two blown saves by the bullpen in Monday’s loss to Arizona. Kevin says it’s time for Aroldis Chapman to take over the ninth from Will Smith, with Jose Leclerc jumping ahead of Smith in the pecking order, too. Evan says it’ll be a fight from here on out to hold onto first place.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss [00:13] Dirk Nowitzki’s Hall of Fame induction and his place in the pantheon of Dallas sports icons. [14:15] Evan and Kevin discuss the impact of Max Scherzer, Jordan Montgomery and Chris Stratton on the pitching staff as well as the changing of the guard among Rangers’ prospects and how internal competition has changed the dynamic. [32:48] David explains how Zack Martin and Jerry Jones resolved the All-Pro guard’s holdout, and Kevin and David make big predictions for the littlest Cowboy of them all, Deuce Vaughn.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore [3:00] discuss the question of what to do about Cowboys kickers. Kevin wonders if it was really a good idea to give up on Brett Maher. David says they ought to draft a kicker every year. Meanwhile, Zack Martin’s fines keep climbing in his holdout. David says the Cowboys almost surely have to cave. [16:24] Evan gives the breakdown, so to speak, on Josh Jung’s thumb and how the club’s depth has allowed it to overcome injury after injury. That depth of talent, along with a three-ring manager, deep-pockets owners and an aggressive GM, is the perfect storm of events that Rangers fans have never enjoyed, Kevin says, and bodes well, Evan adds, for the future of the state’s baseball rivalry.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore [2:45] discuss the Rangers’ wild deadline activity, and Evan ranks it among the most significant in his 25 years covering the team. If all goes right, Kevin says, the last three months of the season will dictate who got the best Met: the Rangers with Max Scherzer, or the Astros with Justin Verlander. Kevin and Evan also discuss the lineup. Corey Seager’s imminent return and a surging Mitch Garver should help. David and Kevin [34:15] discuss whether Zeke Elliott really has a future with the Cowboys, and why Jerry Jones keeps pretending he does. David says he expects Zack Martin’s holdout to continue despite the mounting fines. He also says this might be the most well-balanced Cowboys team that has gone to camp in a couple of decades.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss [1:25] the start of Cowboys training camp. David outlines priorities of who should get new deals after Trevon Diggs and Zack Martin. Kevin wonders how high CeeDee Lamb wants to go. And Evan asks if Jerry Jones said anything crazy in his opening remarks. Meanwhile, the Rangers’ struggles in Houston suddenly puts their first-place hold in the West in jeopardy. [22:50] Evan and Kevin discuss whether Chris Young should go all in on Shohei Ohtani, or if he should spend his assets on multiple needs, namely the bullpen?

With Kevin away accepting a fancy sportswriting award, Evan and David are left to fumble through [3:50] while worrying over the Rangers’ sudden lack of production in key situations. And while we’re at it, there are maybe a half-dozen Rangers under All-Star Game consideration. Is a huge All-Star delegation what this team needs as it readies for a second-half challenge? [34:21] David has a hot take on the Mavs’ magic of draft day — basically that it shouldn’t have been allowed to happen. And, as always, we ponder: Should the Mavs bring Kyrie back?

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss [00:15] the Rangers’ recent swoon and what they did to pull themselves out. Evan credits the hitting coaches for individualistic approaches, while David lauds Bruce Bochy’s leadership. Kevin says Chris Young needs to put his heel on the throat of the rest of the AL West by making deals to shore up the pitching. [23:55] Kevin and David analyze the lack of direction that has left the Mavs at a crossroads this offseason. They also discuss what the Mavs might do if they keep the 10th pick. [39:12] And the guys talk about Norm Hitzges’ pending retirement and the sports media landscape in Dallas.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss the topics of the day, starting [4:12] with a bad loss for the Rangers in extra innings Monday. Kevin notes that for the second game in a row Rangers starters couldn’t find the strike zone, a strong point all year. Evan defends Bruce Bochy’s approach but concedes they need to get better at small ball. [25:52] David poses three questions the Cowboys must answer in training camp, then adds a fourth as a bonus. [43:02] And Denver’s first NBA title begs the question: If the Nuggets can do it with one Euro superstar, why can’t the Mavs?

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss [1:58] the topics of the day, starting with the news that Rangers ace Jacob deGrom will miss the rest of this season and most of next year after elbow surgery. Evan outlines the Rangers’ response. Kevin says the acquisition of a closer remains the top priority, but Evan says the market won’t shake out for at least another month. Despite the loss, Kevin says the Rangers’ surprising play has raised the bar. Just making the playoffs is no longer good enough. [26:38] David gives us a sense of what the Cowboys are doing with the offensive line in minicamp, and the guys discuss the fact that Jerry Jones says he won’t add anyone to the Ring of Honor this fall. [44:10] And, holy cow, the PGA Tour-LIV merger!