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Munaf Manji and Mackenzie Rivers talk all things NBA. 📉 Utah Jazz Over 18.5: Historically, teams with sub-19 win totals go over (7–0); Mack projects 24.5 wins. 🧓 Phoenix Suns Under 31.5: Losses of Beal and Durant, and a negative age curve led Mack to project 27 wins. 🧠 Toronto Raptors Over 35.5: Brandon Ingram's addition and an underrated core led Mack to declare this his best bet. 🔥 San Antonio Spurs Over 42.5: With Fox and Wemby together, Mack sees a 4-point net rating boost—his boldest pick. 🏀 Milwaukee Bucks Under 44.5: Aging roster and lack of support for Giannis pushed Mack to declare it his best under bet. 🧨 Cleveland Cavaliers Over 55.5: Top-three age-aligned stars and high net rating make them Mack’s favorite high-end over. 🎯 Houston Rockets Over 55.5: Kevin Durant’s addition boosts win projection to nearly 58; strong depth and motivation. ⚠️ Boston Celtics Under 44.5: Loss of Tatum, net rating decline, and lack of a center project only 38.6 wins. 💤 Oklahoma City Thunder Under 62.5: Only four teams ever had higher totals; eight of eleven 60+ win teams went under. 📈 Chicago Bulls Over 32.5: Despite losing names, young pieces like Giddey and White elevate their projection to 37.5. Utah Jazz (18.5 wins): Mack calls this total historically low, noting all previous teams with sub-19 win totals went over. He projects a minimum of 24.5 wins despite Utah's trades of Clarkson and Sexton. Washington Wizards (20.5 wins): Munaf likes the mix of veterans (McCollum, Middleton, Smart) and young players (Cam Whitmore, Clayton Jr.). He predicts 23–25 wins. Brooklyn Nets (21.5 wins): Despite a lean roster, Mack expects their East competition to be weak enough to go over. Projected net rating yields 27 wins. Charlotte Hornets (25.5 wins): Mack sees strong age-curve improvement from Ball, Miller, and Bridges. LaMelo's health remains the biggest question. Phoenix Suns (31.5 wins): Loss of Durant and Beal and age-related decline lead Mack to project 27 wins and call this his best “anti-fun” under. New Orleans Pelicans (32.5 wins): Munaf bets under due to Zion's fragility and lack of depth. Mack slightly disagrees, projecting 34 wins and a lean over. Chicago Bulls (32.5 wins): Despite shedding DeRozan and LaVine, Mack sees internal growth and new talent (Giddey, Bouzelis) pushing them near 37.5 wins. San Antonio Spurs (42.5 wins): Mack projects a 4-point value gain from Fox-Wemby synergy. Predicts 47 wins; names this among his top overs. Toronto Raptors (35.5 wins): Brandon Ingram's arrival and net rating trajectory boost this team’s projection above market expectations. Mack's top Eastern Conference over. Milwaukee Bucks (44.5 wins): Aged core, bad defense, and poor depth led Mack to confidently declare under—his top fade of the season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Seidenberg and Steve Fezzik talk NFL, CFB & MLB. NFC West Breakdown (0:05 - 7:38)Steve Fezzik rates Rams as undervalued due to injuries in 2023 and elite coach-QB pair (McVay, Stafford). Rams scored just 367 points, but projected to exceed 415.5. He ranks Rams > Niners > Cardinals > Seahawks and critiques Seattle’s overestimated line at 8.5 wins. AFC West: Raiders Hype and Chip Kelly’s Return (8:40 - 12:47)Scott argues Raiders will outperform expectations with Geno Smith at QB and Chip Kelly calling plays. Brock Bowers and Jacobi Meyers' 2023 stats under poor QB play now see potential boost. Fezzik calls them a solid 7-win team, citing Chip's run-heavy offense and late-season schedule. Chargers + Broncos Outlook (14:26 - 17:52)Chargers predicted under due to conservative play style despite defensive strength. Broncos' RJ Harvey (20-1) is seen as an Offensive ROY sleeper with potential 1,000-yard volume workload. Denver expected to open with strong home field edge vs rookie QB-led Tennessee. NFC + AFC South: Buccaneers, Saints, Panthers, Colts (20:56 - 30:02)Baker Mayfield and Tampa Bay touted for 425.5 points and playoff upside. Saints viewed as NFL’s worst team with lowest point total (331.5). Panthers could finish second with healthier defense. CJ Stroud’s growth keeps Texans atop AFC South; Titans with Cam Ward expected to struggle. NFC North Analysis: Lions Dip, Vikings Value (41:15 - 48:53)Lions projected to decline from 15-2 due to tougher schedule. Fezzik prefers Minnesota over 8.5 wins and calls them well-coached with undervalued rookie QB. Bears and Caleb Williams seen as “no football IQ” with no upside. Packers and Lions projected to vie for wildcard spots. AFC North Projections (49:22 - 52:08)Fezzik sees Pittsburgh breaking Tomlin’s no-losing-season streak. Browns mocked as dysfunctional and unbackable. Ravens to soar past 452.5 points due to loss of Tucker and new 3rd-down aggression. Baltimore expected to win division handily over Bengals and Steelers. AFC + NFC East Takes (54:00 - 59:51)Buffalo favored for best record due to light travel and home-heavy schedule. Jets, Dolphins seen as regression candidates. In NFC East, Washington’s 9-4 close-game record is flagged as unsustainable. Giants +7 in Week 1 vs. Commanders considered a top dog bet. Betting Contest Strategy (1:12:13 - 1:14:10)Fezzik discusses approach to new Westgate CFB contest: use late-week line moves, never take stale numbers, and incorporate top cappers like AJ Hoffman. Warns about overvaluing early entries and stresses value of “perfect info”. CFB Futures – Clemson, Penn State, Heisman (1:17:25 - 1:21:22)Clemson praised for returning 80% of roster, Cade Klubnik Heisman potential, and winning the ACC. Penn State seen as top-5 team with NFL defense, Drew Allar breakout season, and Jim Knowles as key coaching hire. Both teams backed for national title contention. MLB Second Half – Astros, Phillies, Red Sox (1:33:35 - 1:36:06)Phillies and Astros identified as best bets post-ASB due to strong pitching and key players returning. Toronto flagged for regression due to inflated record. Brewers noted as most profitable team YTD. Fezzik and Scott favor Red Sox over Blue Jays in wild card chase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will Doctor gives you the sharpest card for the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush -Discussing top 10 on odds board at Open -4 matchups -2 t10's -2 futures outrights, 1 outright added -Sleeper, 3 R1 three balls, lineups -Scoring, best bet For the latest on the world of golf, follow Doc on X @drmedia59 🏌️‍♂️ Chris Gotterup’s rise: Won Scottish Open after going into the final round tied with Rory McIlroy; 2-under front and back on final day despite being put on the clock. 🌦️ Weather forecast: Wind gusts up to 25mph Thursday; mild rest of the week with possible showers—advantageous for accurate drivers and strong iron players. 📊 Rory McIlroy’s readiness: Opened at 8-1; sharper than 2019; recent finishes of 19th (U.S. Open), 6th (Travelers), and 2nd (Scottish) show peak form. 🧠 DeChambeau a fade: Lacks adaptability for windy, changing conditions and fescue greens; poor performance history across the pond. 🏅 Adam Scott analysis: Opened 80-1; gained strokes off the tee and with irons last week; even par on moving day cost him a top finish. 💥 Top matchups: Picks include Fleetwood, Hovland, and Schauffele over DeChambeau; Sink over Zach Johnson based on recent senior tour performance. 📈 Statistical sleepers: Christopher Reitan for top 20 (6-1) with positive strokes gained across tee and greens; Matt Fitzpatrick and Russell Henley picked for top 10. ⛳ Xander Schauffele: Opened 28-1; 68 straight cuts made; sharp driving accuracy and irons, slightly off on putting lately. 💸 Best bet: Anton Rosner to finish top Frenchman at 3-1; consistently outperforming other French golfers in the field. 🧩 Rory added as outright: Based on recent performance surge and favorable conditions, Doctor adds him as a single outright bet at 8-1. (0:14–0:45) Will Doctor opens with high energy, introducing Week 29 of PGA season, featuring the final major: the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush. (0:46–2:00) Weather outlook: Mild to moderate wind; rain Thursday morning and possibly over the weekend; favorable for experienced links players. (2:01–10:20) Chris Gotterup's win: At Scottish Open, played consistent 4-under final round. Beat top players, despite on-course time pressure, proving his form with strong ball striking and length. (10:21–15:40) Adam Scott and Harry Hall recap: Both underwhelmed slightly; Hall opened hot but collapsed on the weekend, while Scott played consistent but lacked a weekend push. (15:41–20:30) Robert McIntyre: Poor Scottish performance, especially in driving, but historically capable at Portrush. Holds a 40-1 ticket from December, still seen as viable. (20:31–30:00) Rory McIlroy analysis: Missed 2019 cut at Portrush due to nerves. Now enters in top form—2nd at Scottish, strong all-around stats—favorable pick over Scheffler and Rahm. (30:01–40:00) Picks and fades: Scheffler passed on due to putting woes on fescue. Rahm inconsistent with putter and driving accuracy. DeChambeau faded for scientific playstyle and poor Open track record. (40:01–50:00) Additional odds board picks: Fleetwood, Schauffele, and Hovland analyzed for iron play and putting form. Shane Lowry and Morikawa criticized for inflated odds despite lack of results. (50:01–60:00) Matchups and sleeper: Fleetwood/Hovland/Xander all picked over DeChambeau. Sleeper is Christopher Reitan for top 20. Best bet: Anton Rosner top Frenchman. (60:01–end) DraftKings lineup and first-round picks: Rory, McIntyre, Henley, Fitzpatrick, Scott, and Reitan chosen. Three-ball first-round matchups favoring Oosthuizen, McCarty, and Reitan over lesser competitors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Munaf Manji and Griffin Warner talk all things MLB. The 2025 MLB season has reached its midpoint, and this comprehensive analysis covers every division with in-depth insights, team trajectories, betting odds, and trade deadline expectations. In the National League West, the Dodgers hold a firm lead despite recent struggles, with the Diamondbacks falling apart due to injuries and shifting into sell mode. San Diego and San Francisco trail closely but have struggled with consistency. The NL Central has turned into a race between the Cubs and Brewers. The Cubs benefit from the easiest second-half schedule and are positioned to buy key players, while the Brewers boast bullpen strength and recent form despite a tougher road ahead. The Mets and Phillies lead a tense NL East battle, separated by just half a game, with both teams healthy and ready to spend at the deadline. Meanwhile, the Braves' collapse due to poor road performance has effectively eliminated them from contention. In the American League, the Astros control the AL West, built on elite pitching and a dominant bullpen, while Yordan Álvarez’s return could be pivotal. Seattle is competitive but lacks offensive consistency outside of Cal Raleigh. The Rangers struggle on the road but remain in the wild card hunt. The AL Central is ruled by the Tigers, who lead by 11.5 games with the best record in MLB. Other division teams like the Twins, Guardians, and Royals trail far behind and show little sign of catching up. The AL East is a four-team war among the Blue Jays, Yankees, Red Sox, and Rays. The Blue Jays dominate at home but are vulnerable on the road. The Yankees are aggressive buyers with deep pockets, while Boston’s win streak thrust them into the race before a brutal post-break schedule. Tampa Bay has cooled off and may fade. Baltimore, once hyped, is now out of the conversation. Player performance and team value are heavily discussed, such as the Astros' closing combo of Hader and Abreu, the Mariners’ unexpected offense, and concerns over Mookie Betts and the Dodgers' injuries. Betting odds provide deeper context. Dodgers and Tigers lead World Series projections, but analysts recommend the Astros (10:1), Blue Jays (20:1), Padres (28:1), and Mets (9:1) for better returns. These teams combine talent with upside and have the potential to strengthen at the deadline. The episode ends by highlighting key second-half questions: Can underperformers bounce back? Will top teams stay healthy? Who will be the most aggressive buyers? And which wild card hopefuls will surge? The next two months promise a thrilling path to October baseball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former MLB Pitcher Josh Towers and Scott Seidenberg look at the standings and stats around baseball here at the All Star Break with BEST BETS for the remainder of the season. At the 2025 MLB All-Star break, the Inside Pitch podcast with Scott Seidenberg and Josh Towers delivers a sharp, numbers-driven midseason analysis. They highlight which teams are outperforming or underperforming expectations based on actual wins versus Pythagorean projections. The Toronto Blue Jays lead the AL East with a 55–41 record but are five wins ahead of their expected total, signaling potential regression. The Yankees are six games below their expected record, indicating possible value in the second half. Injuries and returning players also dominate discussion—Luis Garcia and Christian Javier returning to the Astros’ rotation is likened to acquiring top talent at the trade deadline. Luis Gil’s rehab performance could also bolster the Yankees. Boston’s young squad, led by Garrett Crochet and Roman Anthony, is positioned to make a late push if they acquire key pieces like a veteran first baseman or another starter. Win total bets discussed include taking the under on Toronto’s 89.5 projection and over on Houston’s 92.5 due to an easy remaining schedule. The Brewers emerge as the most profitable team in baseball for bettors, returning over $1,300 if wagered on every game. Milwaukee also boasts a 72% win rate as favorites. Advanced pitching stats suggest strong Cy Young cases for Zach Wheeler and long-shot Christopher Sanchez in the National League, while Crochet and Scooble are nearly even statistically in the AL race. Aaron Judge is unanimously favored to win AL MVP, outpacing competitors like Cal Raleigh in nearly every offensive metric. Shohei Ohtani's recent return to pitching enhances his case for NL MVP. The Phillies are picked to win the NL East, with three pitchers having 10+ quality starts, a key measure of reliability. For the postseason, the Yankees, Astros, and Tigers are favorites in the AL, while the Dodgers and Phillies are expected to meet in the NLCS. The Red Sox and Blue Jays are likely Wild Card teams, though the latter are expected to regress. Arizona is projected to fade down the stretch, likely trading veterans like Suarez, Naylor, and perhaps Gallen, and their under-79.5 win total is recommended. Despite offensive firepower, the Diamondbacks’ pitching struggles make them unreliable. Meanwhile, Milwaukee and Chicago are competing in the NL Central, and both are top betting values. Overall, listeners are encouraged to buy into the Yankees, Red Sox, and Astros for the second half, and fade teams like Toronto and Arizona. Josh and Scott also touch on key upcoming matchups, strategic deadline considerations, and award markets—recommending Sanchez for NL Cy Young at 20:1 and Crochet at +240 in the AL. They close by predicting the ALCS will feature the Astros and Yankees, while the NLCS will likely be a showdown between the Dodgers and Phillies, pending injury returns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Munaf Manji and Griffin Warner break down the MLB Friday card and much more. ⚾ Shane Smith all-star start: Despite being less favored than Cannon, Smith offers betting value due to Logan Allen’s vulnerability. 📈 White Sox Friday performance: They're 5-1 SU and ATS on series-opening Fridays at home, suggesting a trend-based edge. 🔥 Dean Kremer at home: He boasts a 2.37 ERA in 6 Baltimore appearances, indicating potential value despite Griffin’s Marlins lean. 📉 Carlos Rodon's struggles: Yankees have lost 4 of his last 5 starts, with 3 BBs in each of the last two games. 🧊 Tariq Skubal’s home dominance: 9-1 at home, 2.00 ERA, 23 Ks in his last 14 innings. 💥 Milwaukee’s post-Dodgers sweep: While hot, the Brewers may be ripe for a letdown against feisty Nationals. 🔄 Doubleheader betting strategy: Bet game one; if lost, hedge on the same team in game two expecting a split. 📊 McCullers’ home ERA: 24 earned runs in 19 IP at home vs. just 1 on the road—fade him in Houston. 🚫 Pirates’ road slugging woes: Only .306 slugging on the road; reinforces under trend in Paul Skenes starts. 🧪 Max Scherzer caution: Aging and injury-prone; look to back A’s and the over vs. Blue Jays in West Sacramento. Guardians vs. White Sox Game 1: Shane Smith starts for Chicago, Logan Allen for Cleveland. Griffin leans White Sox due to skepticism of Allen and Chicago’s Friday performance (5-1 SU and ATS). Marlins at Orioles: Cabrera (MIA) vs. Kremer (BAL). Cabrera has been strong on the road (4-2 SU), Kremer has a 2.37 ERA at home. Munaf leans Orioles; Griffin is tentative due to Baltimore’s recent DH and Cabrera's improved base-stealing prevention. Cubs at Yankees: Rodon struggles lately (6 ER vs. Mets), while Flexen is an uncertain bullpen piece. Yankees' team total over is suggested due to Cubs’ offensive slump and Rodon’s 3.25 ERA at home. Rockies at Reds: Chase Burns looks to rebound from a brutal Boston start. Rockies’ Marquez is inconsistent. Betting leans toward Reds team total over or passing altogether. Rays at Red Sox: Rasmussen limited to ~2 innings. Dobbins is solid at Fenway (3.22 ERA). Rays as small dogs are interesting despite using bullpen-heavy strategy. Mariners at Tigers: Luis Castillo (SEA) vs. dominant Skubal (DET). With Skubal 9-1 at home, Munaf leans under; Griffin backs Mariners +1.5 due to line value. Nationals at Brewers: Priester vs. Parker. Griffin warns of Brewers’ letdown after sweeping Dodgers, but doesn’t trust Parker. Munaf likes Brewers -1.5 despite potential trap. Astros vs. Rangers: Jack Leiter vs. Lance McCullers. Despite travel fatigue, Munaf fades McCullers’ horrific home stats (24 ER in 19 IP), backing Rangers and over 8. Pirates at Twins: Skenes vs. Joe Ryan. Skenes gets little support from weak Pirates offense (.306 SLG on road). Under 7 or 3.5 F5 is recommended. Dodgers at Giants: May vs. Logan Webb. Dodgers slump (lost 6 straight), but priced strangely. Griffin leans Giants, pending possible line movement favoring LA for better value. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Munaf Manji and Griffin Warner break down the MLB Thursday betting card. 🎙️ On July 4th week’s MLB slate, Munaf and Griffin methodically dissected eight games, highlighting strong betting angles. The standout pick was Griffin’s confidence in the White Sox (+118) against Cleveland due to Logan Allen's decline and Chicago’s solid home series starts. Munaf emphasized the Yankees-Mariners over (total 9), based on Marcus Stroman’s home game trend (13 of last 14 home starts went over). The Orioles, despite being underdogs, gained value with Charlie Morton's resurgence and David Peterson’s road struggles (Mets 1–7 in Peterson road starts). Several games showed questionable favorites (e.g., Colin Rea for Cubs, Walker Buehler for Red Sox), prompting dog or over bets. Spencer Strider’s dominance was respected, but skepticism loomed over Atlanta's market overvaluation. Patrick Corbin’s road favorite status was labeled a “fade.” Padres gained favor against Arizona's crumbling bullpen, despite Eduardo Rodriguez's strikeout potential. 📉 Mets' Road Struggles: They're 1–7 in David Peterson's road starts this season. 🔥 Charlie Morton's Rebound: After early struggles, Morton is pitching strongly for the Orioles, providing a live home dog edge. 🏡 Twins at Home: With a 26–18 home record, they're a profitable target against inconsistent away teams like the Cubs. ⚾ Stroman Yankee Overs: 13 of his last 14 home starts went over the total, making Yankees over bets a hot trend. 🧱 Cubs Overvalued: Public perception often overrates the Cubs, skewing lines in their favor even when performance dips. ⚔️ Eduardo Rodriguez Road Woes: A 7.03 ERA in night games and inflated road ERA makes him a fade against Padres at home. 💥 JP Sears Vulnerability: High HR rate and weak park factors make Sears risky against Atlanta, even if Braves are overpriced. 📈 Red Sox Scoring Surge: They've scored double digits in 4 of their last 6 wins, with Alex Cora calling it “the deepest lineup we've had in a while”. 🛑 Logan Allen Fading: Cleveland has lost Allen’s last three starts; he’s showing severe road splits (4.23 ERA on the road). 🐟 Marlins Rising: Quiet but impactful improvement through rookie call-ups; Cal Quantrill’s vulnerability at Great American Ballpark offers betting value. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The discussion kicks off with the implications of the 'big, beautiful bill' on gambling taxes. The team navigates the complex landscape of gambling taxation and recent legislative changes. NFL matchups and point spreads are debated, especially focusing on the Bills versus Dolphins. Insights into NBA win totals highlight trends and underdog teams. Humorous anecdotes about celebrity golfers add a light touch, while Vegas vibes bring in food recommendations and tourism insights, making for a lively sports chatter!

Will Doctor gives you the sharpest card for the Scottish Open -Discussing top 8 on odds board -1 t5, 2 t20, Top Scot -3 outrights (55/1, 70/1, 90/1) -Sleeper, 2 lineups, scoring, best bet For the latest on the world of golf, follow Doc on X @drmedia59 ⛳ Scottish Open Course: Renaissance Club, favorable prep for Open Championship with scoring dependent on wind and weather. 🌬️ Forecast: Tame conditions—sunny, low 70s, minimal wind—should boost low scores but remain unpredictable due to North Sea proximity. 🎯 Scheffler's Odds: +450 despite no Scottish/Open win—has 3 top 10s overseas but no putting success across the pond. 🔥 Rory's Form: 2 top finishes at Scottish recently, sharp putting and strong driving, no weaknesses noted. 🔎 Fleetwood's Ups & Downs: Positive mindset and past top 6s here, but 34th last year; tops +115 to finish top 20. 🤝 Morikawa's New Caddy: Billy Foster joins, excellent for short game; skepticism remains on immediate impact. 📉 Jason Day's Decline: 111th in SG approach last week; fashion & injury woes adding concern. 🎲 Thorb's Collapse: Missed top 20 by 1 shot after double on 17th; finished 21st despite superb ball-striking. 🎰 Graesserman's Pick: Solid 2024 form and past Scottish performance suggest strong value at 90-1. 📈 DFS DraftKings Lineup: Headlined by McIntyre, Scott, Hall; balanced approach targeting reliable past performers. [0:24 - 1:15 | Will Doctor]: Introduces the podcast and sets up Scottish Open analysis, emphasizing sharp picks and betting angles for Week 28. [2:58 - 1:06:05 | Will Doctor]: Reviews historical finishes: Schauffele’s win in 2022; McIlroy’s 2023 clutch victory over McIntyre; McIntyre’s 2024 win. Key takeaway—Renaissance suits top-tier, creative players under pressure. [Brian Campbell Analysis]: Campbell won after odds of 350-1, previously considered luckiest winner. Averaged only 281 yards off tee but had pinpoint approach and putting. Joins six multi-winners this season. [Thorbjørn Olesen Review]: Dominant Sunday run ruined by double on 17. Still gained almost 6 strokes on approach and 14th in SG off-the-tee, but negative short game metrics kept him out of contention. [Champ & Lawrence]: Both flashed early but faded. Champ's wedge game cost him; Lawrence's approach fell off dramatically. [Jason Day]: Withdrawals due to illness and injuries marred recent form. Poor showing at Deere; dressed poorly due to Malbon deal, which Will criticizes humorously. [Jackson Coyvon vs Quade Cummins]: Coyvon finished T11; 2nd in SG putting. Poor irons but dominant flatstick led to matchup win. [Top Picks]: Rory McIlroy: Top 5 (+187) Fleetwood: Top 20 (+115) McIntyre: Top Scot (+115) Aaron Rye: Top 20 (+200), citing superb history at Renaissance [Outright Winners]: Adam Scott: 55-1, recent top 12/30s with excellent across-the-pond short game Harry Hall: 70-1, hot putter, now elite ball striking Max Graesserman: 90-1, trending upward, loves calm links conditions [Final Bets & Forecast]: Predicts -19 as winning score; best bet is Max Graesserman top 20 (+275). DFS picks emphasize balance and upside with McIntyre, Scott, Hall, Rye, Graesserman, and Perez. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former MLB Pitcher Josh Towers and Scott Seidenberg talk about the latest news in Major League Baseball with a look ahead to Best Bets in the market. The July 7 episode of The Inside Pitch with Scott Seidenberg and Josh Towers centered on the midseason shakeups in MLB, notably the firing of Nationals manager Davey Martinez and GM Mike Rizzo. Martinez's quote deflecting blame from coaches—“It’s never on coaching”—was harshly criticized by Towers, who emphasized the crucial role of coaching in player development. This led to a broader discussion on leadership accountability and the challenges of managing a young roster with high expectations. The hosts evaluated the Nationals' outlook following the firings. With a 37–53 record and 72 games remaining, Seidenberg questioned the team’s ability to reach their 68.5 win total, citing the fifth-toughest remaining schedule and looming trade possibilities. Towers countered that the team has foundational talent like Gore and Wood but agreed the over/under is razor-thin. They discussed interim manager Miguel Cairo and speculated on potential trade departures such as Josh Bell, Jake Irvin, and Mike Soroka, though Skenes and McCutcheon were deemed untouchable. The All-Star roster reveal sparked debates on snubs and systemic bias. Towers pointed out how dominant middle relievers like Drew Pomeranz get overlooked despite elite performance. They applauded the Home Run Derby format and early participants (Acuña, Wood, Cal Raleigh), with Seidenberg already looking to handicap the bracket once the field is announced. Pete Alonso and Kyle Schwarber have opted out, and the hosts emphasized the edge held by experienced derby hitters. The conversation shifted to awards betting. Joe Espada’s odds for AL Manager of the Year dropped from 50:1 to 38:1 after Seidenberg’s tip, bolstered by Houston’s 55–35 record and 15 players on the IL. Towers praised their 32–14 home record and resilience without stars like Yordan Alvarez. They questioned why AJ Hinch remains a heavy favorite despite similar adversity being handled better in Houston. Pitching excellence featured heavily. Zach Wheeler’s near-perfect game—12 Ks, no walks, 108 pitches—was dissected play-by-play. Towers highlighted his sequencing: late fastballs inside followed by slow curves to disrupt timing, calling it a clinic in in-out, soft-hard pitch selection. Tarik Skubal and Paul Skenes were also celebrated for dominance and control. Skubal's K/BB ratio and Skenes' consistency paralleled deGrom's early Mets years, where low run support undermined elite outings. The Pirates became the first MLB team to record back-to-back three-game shutout sweeps both for and against—a historic anomaly. This led to a broader debate on whether the Pirates should trade Skenes. Towers warned doing so would cause fan revolt and questioned the club’s long-term willingness to build around him. Comparisons were made to past wasted rotations including Cole, Liriano, and Burnett. Power rankings closed the show. Tigers ranked first for Towers, followed by Astros and Dodgers. Seidenberg backed the Astros’ form and praised DeGrom’s consistency, calling first-five bets with him and Skenes reliable. Strikeout prop strategies were discussed, with Sanchez’s seven-game quality start streak singled out. Finally, the hosts previewed the coming All-Star Break special, which will feature full Home Run Derby betting breakdowns, midseason awards, and second-half predictions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices