Ballzy

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!

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss [4:58] the Stars’ humiliating 6-0 loss to Las Vegas and how much it colors a season that ended with a Western Conference finals run. [17:40] Going forward, Kevin wonders if Pete DeBoer needs to follow league trends and go with a tandem goalie instead of putting so much on Jake Oettinger. Evan crunches the numbers and comes up with the fact that the Rangers are historically good ... and still just three games ahead of the Astros. Can the Rangers sustain what they’ve built so far? [36:41] David explains why DeAndre Hopkins might have been a good fit before the Cowboys signed Brandin Cooks, but not now. And, what, exactly, constitutes a balanced offense?

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss [1:05] the Stars’ chances of getting back in the Western Conference finals against Las Vegas. David says they’ve got to get their power play going, and Kevin says he wouldn’t be surprised if the series goes back to Vegas 2-2. [8:04] Evan outlines another collapse by the Rangers’ bullpen while Kevin pounds the table for Chris Young to make a trade ahead of the deadline. [37:04] Kevin and David discuss what the Mavs should do with the 10th pick of the draft: Trade or keep it? And what’s the plan beyond that? [1:04:23]  Bonus: Evan provides an early projection of what the Rangers could do in the MLB draft.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore [3:20] discuss the Stars moving to the Western Conference finals against Las Vegas. David says everything rides on Jake Oettinger, while Kevin thinks the Stars need to ramp up their intensity level. [12:10] Evan analyzes the impact of Corey Seager’s return to the lineup, and the guys debate the biggest surprises of the Rangers’ spring: Ezequiel Duran or Jonah Heim? [38:05] On the schedule release, Kevin says Week 5 against San Francisco will set the fans’ mood until the playoffs. The guys also make their way-too-early win projections for the Cowboys.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss the topics of the day, [8:54] starting with the Rangers’ resiliency when things (e.g., the bullpen) go wrong. Ezequiel Duran and Leody Taveras are two prime examples of what’s gone right. Evan says the Rangers have tinkered with Taveras’ stance, and the results are obvious. Kevin says Duran may have plugged two spots: left field and a backup to Corey Seager at short. David says it’s OK that Micah Parsons is training away from the team, at least for now. [32:30] Kevin worries that too much work at defensive end could wear down Micah’s considerable athletic traits, which is why the Cowboys have tried to make the defense more “Micah-friendly,” David says. [45:40] In the ever-popular potpourri segment, the guys talk this week’s Byron Nelson tournament and wonder if the Stars can bounce back from an awful Game 3 against Seattle.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss [2:00] the ins and outs of last week’s NFL draft, rendering their favorite and least-favorite Cowboys picks. David tells us one of the Cowboys’ other options in the first round, where they took Mazi Smith instead. [30:38] Evan gives a worst-case scenario if Jacob deGrom is out for long. Kevin likes Evan’s suggestion of a Lance Lynn reunion but wants Evan Carter to take his time in Double-A and Triple-A. [54:10] The guys give their Stars predictions against the Kraken, and Evan goes one further, projecting the Stanley Cup rep from the West. Hint: Think local.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, David Moore and Evan Grant get ready for this week’s NFL draft by discussing whether the Cowboys will stay put at 26 (consensus: probably) and what they’ll do. [3:15] Each of our insiders picks a player for the Cowboys, with David ranging widest. [25:13] Evan describes the implosion in the back of the Rangers’ bullpen. Kevin thinks Chris Young needs to find a closer before the deadline, answering a years-old question, before it sinks the morale of a contending club. [46:20] David notes that Mark Cuban is finally seeing the same scrutiny that Jerry Jones has endured for years. And the guys decide that the Stars, with the best goalie, are the better team, but they can’t let the Wild push them around anymore.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss [2:51] the Stars’ opening playoff loss to the Wild and the repercussions from the injury to Joe Pavelski. Kevin says the Stars are better but the Wild is tougher, leading to a rant about what’s wrong with hockey. [13:06] He then talks about what else MLB needs to do while Evan gives injury updates on Jacob deGrom and Jon Gray. [40:12]  David provides most likely scenarios for the Cowboys with the 26th pick and tells us whether they need to worry about positional needs.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss [2:49] the Mavs’ finishing debacle. David wonders if the commissioner could take away the Mavs’ hard-earned first-round pick as a penalty for tanking. Evan says the Kyrie Irving deal blew up in the Mavs’ faces because they didn’t win in a weakened West. [22:35] Kevin says the fact that Jake Odorizzi is out for the season and no one’s hardly noticed says everything about the job Chris Young did putting this Rangers roster together. Evan wants to see the guys down on the farm ready to jump in for spot starts this summer, and they’re not off to good starts. [44:48] David breaks down some of the top prospects and the Cowboys’ potential interest come the NFL draft at the end of this month. And, if Bijan Robinson is available at 26, the guys say the Cowboys should take him. Take that, Tim Cowlishaw!

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore lead off a chock-full podcast with the Mavs’ predicament this week: Go all out for a scant chance of making the playoffs, or tank to keep their first-round pick? David argues that an MVP candidate should never agree to tanking. Kevin prefers any chance at all at Victor Wembanyama over a botched playoff bid. [18:15] The guys discuss the remarkable women’s championship game at American Airlines Center and the controversy over Angel Reese’s dis of Caitlin Clark in the waning moments of LSU’s historic victory. [37:52] Evan explains why Rangers hitters have struggled the last two games after scoring 27 runs in their first two against the Phillies. But he still likes their makeup. Kevin notes how Bruce Bochy’s command of the bullpen has already come into play. [54:55] And David tells us that moving Terence Steele to guard isn’t a done deal, or anything more than just discussion at this point.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington and Evan Grant discuss Rangers opening day on Thursday, [10:50] from the opening ceremonies to the last man on the roster. Evan says the Rangers have never had an ace like Jacob deGrom, not in the last 40 years, anyway. Kevin wonders if Ezequiel Duran has played too well to be a trade chip. [31:40] Kevin and Evan take sides on their favorite coach in the women’s Final Four this week. Hint: Kevin’s right. The guys also make their picks on the men’s side, where Kevin says the tournament game has changed. [50:48] The Mavs’ No. 1 problem isn’t making the playoffs, Kevin says, it’s finding out why Luka’s unhappy. And the insiders finish with thoughts about the Cowboys’ offensive line and what it means for the draft.

With Kevin Sherrington on vacation, [2:00] Evan Grant and David Moore have a nice relaxed visit to break down what the Rangers still have to answer in the final days of spring training, what’s gone right in Arizona and how excited the World Baseball Classic has left us. Speaking of excited, [19:40] we dive into something completely foreign: The Cowboys giving fans hope with their moves in free agency and the trade market. We ponder Zeke Elliott’s legacy in Dallas and whether his performance declined or the running back position changed on him. And finally, [35:50] we stop everything down to consider the relative level of excitement the Mavs are generating these days. Well, two out of three wasn’t bad.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, David Moore and Evan Grant look at the rosters of the Cowboys and Rangers and where both clubs go from here. [4:00] Evan says only a handful of questions remain about the Rangers’ roster with two weeks left in spring training. Jacob deGrom’s debut Monday calmed Rangers fans and excited Rangers teammates and officials. [ 31:59] David says the Cowboys need a veteran wide receiver, but not Odell Beckham Jr. at $20 million a year. And he won’t get that money anywhere, David says. [50:37] And Kevin sends up his white flag for the Mavs. Because Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic have played so little together and the team has lost last year’s chemistry, neither Kevin nor David likes their playoff chances.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, David Moore and Evan Grant discuss the big topics of the day, [3:42] starting with what the Rangers do in the outfield now that everything else seems pretty much wrapped up. Kevin thinks Adolis Garcia would be a nice temporary fit in center if the Rangers decide to keep Clint Frazier. Evan explains the pluses and pitfalls of it all. [26:55] The guys make their cases for Cowboys free agency. Evan wants the Cowboys to sign a veteran wide receiver. Kevin says David wins the day by suggesting Bobby Wagner at linebacker. [46:26] In the potpourri segment, the insiders outline Mark Adams’ demise from Coach of the Year to coach-out-the-door. They also wonder when Luka Doncic grows up and stops barking at refs.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington and Evan Grant rehash spring training memories. Kevin’s least favorite: The time he had to spend the night in his rental car because Evan turned off his hearing aids.  [17:33] Kevin wonders if Martin Perez might still be the Rangers’ best pitcher. If he is, Evan says, the season has either been an utter success or complete collapse, no in-between. Evan says Chris Young’s experience as a pitcher gives the Rangers’ organization a different perspective and maybe a different horizon.  [47:35] Kevin proposes the Cowboys trade for Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey, thus making up for not drafting him in 2016. He also wishes Luka Doncic happy birthday and says the best gift he can get is more schooling from Jason Kidd. 

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss recent top local stories, starting with the buzz from NBA All-Star weekend. [00:40] The All-Stars love the Mavs’ addition of Kyrie Irving, Kevin notes, but players always appreciate the addition of stars. Will the move have organizational impact? David says, not so much. [19:49] Evan goes over the Rangers’ left-field situation and the impact of a platoon. [38:12] David tells us why the Cowboys should place the franchise tag on running back Tony Pollard. Kevin says that’s fine, as long as they add a banger to play a little bully ball. [1:00:28] And, last but not least, the guys rate sub sandwich shops in Surprise, Ariz., the home of Rangers spring training.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, David Moore and Evan Grant are joined by Mavericks beat writer [00:12] Callie Caplan to discuss the home debut of Kyrie Irving in a 124-121 loss to Minnesota. Callie tells us that Kyrie’s addition has energized the Mavs’ roster and brings a different gear. Losing two games in a row in the final seconds, the latest because Kyrie and Luka Doncic couldn’t decide who should take the last shot, isn’t necessarily a bad thing, David said. It shows they’re both willing to accommodate the other. [16:31] Evan tries to correct Kevin when he says shortstop and second base were “black holes” for the Rangers the first couple months of last season, but Kevin sticks to his assertion. [38:03] And the guys debate the merits of a Super Bowl marred by a bad ending yet leaves us quantifying where Patrick Mahomes ranks in the pantheon of all-time quarterbacks.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore [2:53] discuss the national sports news of the week: the Mavs’ controversial acquisition of Kyrie Irving. David calls it an even bigger risk than Roy Tarpley. Evan says he’s conflicted about what he concedes is a good basketball move. Kevin expects Irving to be on his best behavior, because he doesn’t have any more leverage. [25:35] Evan gives his five topics of spring for the Rangers. [47:50] The guys make their Super Bowl picks and discuss the elevation of Brian Schottenheimer to Cowboys offensive coordinator.

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss [7:09] the overhaul of the Cowboys’ offensive staff and what it means for quarterback Dak Prescott. Evan says the fortunes of Dak and Mike McCarthy are now intertwined. Kevin says that if Dak has another year like the last one, chances are neither will be back in 2024. Evan tells us [29:10] that Corey Seager has never looked happier as a Ranger, using an elephant metaphor in the process and prompting Kevin to ask if Seager’s behind all the shenanigans out at the Dallas Zoo. The guys seem eager to get to the bottom of the mystery. [40:42] David describes an NBA culture in which it’s OK for an opposing coach to chirp at an opposing superstar, even if it results in Luka Doncic going off for 53 points. David and Kevin discuss the limited options for the Mavs before the trade deadline and what that portends for their playoff hopes as well as Luka’s contentment.