Lightning Strikes In Tampa. Are They Cup Bound? Celtic Sloppiness/Warrior 'D' Evens Up Finals. Angels Freefall/Braves Shake Hangover? Swiatek/Rafa Win Subpar French Open. Latest NFL Retirements

I'm feeling a little feisty today as I share my thoughts, opinions and analysis on the latest in what's happening in the world of sports. On deck:

(4:15) The Tampa Bay Lightning showed some championship DNA as they pulled out a much needed last second win in Game 3 to get back in the series vs. the Rangers. Will they draw even to bring the series back to New York tied? More importantly, what will convince me that the Lightning are back to their usual Cup winning selves as they try to go for a three-peat? In the West, the Avalanche are in a great position as they look to sweep the Oilers in a Game 4 tonight and make it to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 21 years. Can they do it?

(17:20) We are two games into the NBA Finals as the series shifts to Boston come Wednesday night. The Celtics were able to steal Game 1 with a 4th quarter barrage of 3-point shots. Game 2 was quite the opposite as the Warriors had another overwhelming 3rd quarter, but did not give back the lead the way they did in Game 1. I'll break down what took place over the first couple of games and what to possibly expect as we get to the middle of this series and beyond. Also, some news coming out of Utah as Jazz coach, Quin Snyder steps down from his eight year tenure with the team. Their franchise player, Donovan Mitchell, wasn't too happy about the news. Is there damage control that needs to be done between their star player and the front office?

(32:32) Quite a bit has happened in baseball over the past few days. I'll start with the Angels as their free-fall has them in an eleven game losing streak. The latest loss to the Phillies was a back breaker as they blew two big leads late. What does this mean for the manager, Joe Maddon? Does he survive? Considering former Phillie manager Joe Girardi was let go on Friday. They have hit the skids and may not be long for any pennant race before July 1st. Watch out for the Atlanta Braves as they look to be over their World Series hangover. The Padres win 3 of 4 in Milwaukee as the Cardinals have inched closer to the top of the NL Central with winning 3 out of 4 themselves in Chicago against the Cubs. The Mets salvaged a split with the Dodgers in LA as they got out of dodge with a wild 5-4 victory on Sunday. And the Red Sox have heated up as they're back to .500 after a sluggish start.

(44:48) The French Open concluded with a thud as the #1 women's player in the world, Iga Swiatek defeated Coco Gauff as she's now won the first two Grand Slams of 2022. And Rafael Nadal coasted to his 14th French Open win and 22nd Grand Slam overall in convincing fashion at Roland Garros. CORRECTION: I mentioned that Iga Swiatek has won the first two Grand Slam tournaments of 2022. Ash Barty won the first major (The Australian Open) back in January.

(49:07) You had four players retire from the NFL this past week. Frank Gore, the NFL's 3rd all time leading rusher. Alex Mack, the longtime center of the Browns, Niners and Falcons. Stephon Tuitt, defensive end of the Steelers and journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, which leads to...

(51:33) ...my Hero and Zero of the Week.

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Celtics Toughness, Warriors Experience/Curry's Legacy Headline NBA Finals. Rangers Roll Into Conf. Finals. Mets Tough Trip, Soto's Future In WSH? Gauff's Big Opportunity. Rams Donald Retiring?

There will be no June swoon when it comes to me delivering my thoughts, opinions and analysis on the entire sports landscape as the mid-week podcast has lots to indulge in. On deck:

(4:52) Game 1 of the NBA Finals commences this evening. I'll have all of the juicy storylines, Stephen Curry's legacy if he wins, key matchups and prediction of who'll be the last team standing in capturing the Lawrence O'Brien Trophy, crowning an NBA champion in 2022.

(24:25) The upstart Rangers have had a phenomenal week. First up, winning a Game 7 on the road in Carolina where they tempered the Hurricanes to a soft breeze. Then, in Game 1 of the Conference Final, they put the hammer down on the Lightning to a 6-2 win in their best of seven series. Do the Rangers have what it takes to dethrone the two time champs? Or will the Lightning bounce back with all of their experience and know how to get back to a third straight Stanley Cup? Out West, it was a wild shootout in Denver as the Avalanche prevailed 8-6 in Game 1 vs. the Oilers. Can we expect to see this type of offensive output throughout the series? Also, what matchup would the NHL really want for a Stanley Cup Final showdown in two weeks?

(37:56) Baseball turns the calendar into June as I briefly highlight Lou Gehrig Day, as we remember his life and address ALS, the condition that the Iron Horse succumbed to many years ago. As for the game itself, the next eleven days will be an interesting stretch for a Met team that is 35-17 and have beaten the pulp out of their division foes (i.e. Phillies, Nationals) over the past week. Now, they head West to Southern California for games in Los Angeles, San Diego and Anaheim as this will be their toughest stretch to date. How will they fare? What could we possibly expect? The Nationals GM, Mike Rizzo, has declared that his star player, Juan Soto, will not be traded as he's looking to build around his only asset. Is that a bluff? Are they going to fork over a potential $400-$500 million dollar contract? And Josh Donaldson is unhappy as he did not get the support of his team following his comments toward White Sox SS Tim Anderson. Could this be the beginning of chemistry issues in the clubhouse?

(47:32) Coco Gauff has made it to the semifinal of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in her career. There is a possibility that she may face the #1 women's player in the world in Iga Swiatek. What could this opportunity mean for the 18 year old, not just in tennis, but as a household name State-side if she goes on to win the French Open? Also, Rafael Nadal had an epic win vs. his longtime rival, Novak Djokovic. The stage is set for him to win his 14th French Open. Can he do it?

(52:17) Is Rams DT Aaron Donald flirting with the idea of retiring, as he mentioned in a recent podcast that he would be "at peace" if he wasn't offered a contract extension. Could he step down? Will he play this year? Sadly, there were a couple of untimely deaths in the league this week. One with a current player (CB Jeff Gladney) and a former player (RB Marion Barber) as I discuss in detail.

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Celtics Survive Game 7 Thriller! Rangers-Canes Wrap Up 2nd Rd. EDM-COL Finals Preview. Gabe Kapler Won't Stand For Anthem. MLB Haves & Have Nots. Novak-Nadal Epic Matchup At French Open?

As we commemorate the soldiers who have fought and perished for our freedom in this country on this final Monday of May, I close out the last podcast of the month with plenty of intriguing sports talk with plenty of thoughts, opinions and analysis. On deck:

(4:50) After a brief introduction on what to expect for the podcast, including a moment on the Indianapolis 500, the unexpected magic carpet ride that is the 2021-2022 of the Boston Celtics has taken them to the NBA Finals. I'll do a deep dive on the punch gut of a loss in Game 6 at home and the nailbiting, closing minutes as they hung on for dear life in winning a Game 7 in Miami. I'll discuss what the Heat are missing from their potential championship roster and a recap of the Warriors win over the Mavericks in the Western Conference Final as Luka Doncic searches for a sidekick to take his team to the next level.

(29:21) There's a Game 7 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs second round as I'll preview who'll come out on top between the Rangers-Hurricanes and face the two-time defending champion Tampa Bay Lightning. Who do I think will be the better Eastern Conference Final matchup? I'll preview what should be a monster Western Conference Final between Edmonton and Colorado and the two #1 overall picks of 2013 & '15 (Nathan MacKinnon & Connor McDavid, respectively)

(39:35) Memorial Day is the first viewpoint to take a look at the entire landscape throughout Major League Baseball. First question is: why isn't every team playing on this major holiday? Second, the big news in the sport over the past few days was Giants manager, Gabe Kapler and how he will not stand for the National Anthem, due to the senseless act and horror of what took place in Uvalde, TX last Tuesday. Is he wrong for doing so? Plus, how the AL & NL is shaping up roughly 50 games in as I'll detail the have and have nots so far this season.

(55:13) The French Open has entered the second week of competition. The women's side isn't that intriguing. Although, Coco Gauff could possibly make a run to a final. On the men's side, a heavyweight matchup awaits tomorrow in the quarterfinal as Novak Djokovic will face off against 13 time French Open winner, Rafael Nadal. Who will come out on top? There are still plenty of great players alive in the tournament (i.e. Carlos Alcaraz, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Daniil Medvedev and Alexander Zverev) as they'll go at it to see who'll win the second Grand Slam of 2022.

(58:58) To wrap up, my Hero and Zero of the Week.

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Steve Kerr's State Of The Union. Celtics On Verge Of Finals? Lightning Half Way To 3-Peat. TB Rays Identity As They Host Yanks. French Open Update. Indy 500 Memories. A Colin Kaepernick Sighting?

On the eve of the Memorial Day Weekend, my mid-week pod will bring you up to speed on all that's going on in the sports world. On deck:

(4:24) I usually have my Hero & Zero of the Week segment on Monday, but today, I give a hero shout out to Warriors coach, Steve Kerr. For voicing his thoughts on the senseless and tragic shooting outside of San Antonio on Tuesday that left 19 children and four adults dead at an elementary school. I'll spend a couple of minutes sharing my thoughts on whether or not this could be a turning point for our country when it comes to gun control.

(11:42) The Warriors weren't able to complete the sweep over the Mavericks on Tuesday night. They have a chance to punch their ticket to the NBA Finals with a win tonight. Will Dallas extend the series? Does Golden State wrap it up? Meanwhile, the Celtics have put themselves in position to seal the deal at home and participate in their first NBA Final since 2010. They climbed out of a 2-1 hole to win the last two games with suffocating defense and big production from their two stars (Jayson Tatum & Jaylen Brown). Can the Heat stave off elimination and bring the series back to South Beach for a Game 7? Will the Celtics put the finishing touch on Miami as they limp into Boston for Game 6?

(24:01) How about the Tampa Bay Lightning? They're looking like the team to beat, not just in the East, but the entire league. Can they and will they three-peat? The Rangers & Hurricanes are deadlocked at 2-2. Can the Rangers breakthrough and win on the road? Will Carolina continue its home dominance? St. Louis comes from behind in Game 5 to win in OT vs. Colorado. Can they push the Avalanche to a seventh game? And the Oilers are one win away from beating the hated Flames. Is Edmonton about ready to move on to the Conference Finals? Or does Calgary have what it takes to extend this series another game or two?

(36:33) As baseball heads into the holiday weekend, the Yankees and Rays will meet for the first time this season with four games down in Tampa. Do we really know the identity of this Rays team? Is this a litmus test for a team that's played very well against the Yanks over the past few years? As for the Mets, they suffered a brutal loss after another tremendous comeback in losing their first series on the road in San Francisco.

(44:25) I'll update the latest from the French Open as two top seeded women (Naomi Osaka & Barbora Krecjikova) have been ousted from the tournament.

(46:04) The Indianapolis 500 is set to take place on Sunday. I'll take a trip down memory lane to discuss that dating back to my childhood.

(47:06) A workout is scheduled for former Niners QB, Colin Kaepernick as the Las Vegas Raiders will give him a look. Does he have an actual shot to make a roster in the months to come?

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If you'd like to contribute to the production of the podcast, please visit my Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/TheJAYREELZPodcast

Many thanks for all of your love and support.

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Warriors On Cusp Of Finals. An Ugly Heat-Celtics Series. NHL's Panthers: Frauds? Oilers In Driver's Seat? Donaldson Dustup Fuels Yanks-White Sox. Thomas's Epic Comeback Wins PGA. French Open Preview

Here to deliver all that the sports world has to offer, you’ve come to the right place to get my opinions and analysis as we kick off the week with a loaded podcast. On deck:

(4:15) The NBA postseason has been anything but great, even good, for that matter. As evidenced by two Conference Finals that has one on the brink of conclusion (the Warriors taking a 3-0 series lead) and the ugliness of Games 2 & 3 between Miami & Boston. Game 3 did get interesting in the final few minutes, but I'll tell you why that game was tough to take if you're a Celtic fan? With both series potentially over by Wednesday night, there may be a case where you'll have EIGHT days between then and the start of the NBA Finals on June 2nd, which the league is privately holding their collective breaths.

(19:45) What happened to the Florida Panthers? The President's Trophy winner of the regular season could be out of the playoffs as early as tonight, as the Lightning have a commanding 3-0 lead in their best of seven series. Will they have any fight, or show some pride to avoid a sweep? The Battle of Alberta has the Edmonton Oilers in favor with a 2-1 series advantage. Are they in the driver's seat to win over their hated rival Flames? The Avalanche have a leg up on the Blues as they won Game 3 in St. Louis, which has led to a little controversy regarding Avs center, Nazem Kadri. He ran into Blues goaltender, Jordan Binnington, who is now lost for the remainder of the series. Kadri has received death threats from people out in social media because of this incident. How will this impact the Avalanche remains to be seen? And the Rangers have gotten themselves back in the series as the scene shifts to Madison Square Garden with a win over the Hurricanes.

(32:33) The White Sox and Yankees went at it over the weekend, where sparks flew between Yankees 3B Josh Donaldson and White Sox SS Tim Anderson. Donaldson's remark toward Anderson caused an uproar on the field and in the postgame of alleged racist undertones toward the shortstop, where Donaldson was pleading his case. Did Donaldson cross the line? Was it offensive? Should Donaldson be suspended for his actions? Albert Pujols hit two home runs yesterday to bring his all time number to 683. Will he catch or surpass Alex Rodriguez for fourth place in his quest to hit 700 for his career? I'll revisit the Max Scherzer injury as the Mets try to hold down the fort until his return, which could also coincide the return of Jacob deGrom in late June/early July. The Padres have played very well without Fernando Tatis Jr. and Blake Snell. They come off of a sweep of the Giants in San Francisco as they're just a half game back in the NL West behind the Dodgers. I'll take a trip throughout the major leagues and assess what's happening as we're starting to see some separation between the haves and have nots.

(47:41) The second golf major (PGA Championship) of 2022 was completed over the weekend. In dramatic fashion, Justin Thomas wins in a playoff vs. Will Zalatoris. The toughest loss of all was Mito Pereira who had the competition won, but double bogeyed on the 18th hole nullifying him of winning the PGA. Combine that with a furious comeback by Thomas. It was a not so great tournament but it did deliver a thrilling end as he wins his second PGA in his career.

(51:54) There's already been an upset at the French Open as Naomi Osaka was ousted in the first round. I'll preview both the men's and women's side as to who has a run in them to make it to a final. Although the men's bracket is puzzling as you have Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and young upstart, Carlos Alcaraz all on the same side to where one of those three could potentially not make it to a semifinal match, let alone a final.

(56:21) In closing, my Hero and Zero of the Week.

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, Spotify, Luminary, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you'd like to contribute to the production of the podcast, please visit my Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/TheJAYREELZPodcast

Many thanks for all of your love and support.

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Celtics/Mavs Look To Even Up Series. NHL's 2nd Round: Battle Of Alberta/Florida, Rangers Psyche? Judge/Yankees Torrid Stretch, Scherzer On Shelf? Tiger/Scheffler: A PGA Preview

Back on the scene for a mid week pod to bring you up to speed on all that's going on in the sports world. On deck:

(4:16) The Conference Finals have begun in the NBA as the Warriors and Heat jump out to 1-0 series leads. Will the Mavericks and Celtics get the equalizer? Can they come back and even each series down 0-2? The evolution of the Heat's Jimmy Butler as a top player in the league. I'll have answers to the questions above and lots more as we get a bit closer to an NBA Final.

(17:28) The second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs commenced on Tuesday night as we've already had a couple of thrilling overtime games as the Hurricanes come back late in the third period and win in the extra frame vs. the Rangers. What will that do to the psyche of a team with a young goaltender in Igor Shesterkin? The Blues couldn't upset the Avalanche as they lose in OT. The Battle of Alberta should be a barnburner, as evidenced by a 9-6 shootout win for the Flames. And The Battle of the Sunshine State goes to Tampa Bay as they win Game 1 as they look to go on a deep run and defend their two time Cup winning status. Can the Panthers win this series if they were to go down 0-2? Plus, my thoughts on the new Islanders coach, Lane Lambert. I'll share what they really need as they go into the offseason looking for reinforcements to get back to the postseason next year.

(32:45) I've been singing the same tune when it comes to baseball over the last few podcasts, but the Yankees continue to mash and run roughshod over the American League as they could potentially be 20 games over .500 before they've played their 40th game of the year. Aaron Judge has been the story as he has his sights set on a monster season and a monster payday when it's all said and done. So far, that's coming up roses on his part. What does this mean for the Yankee front office when the time comes to pony up? On the other side of town, the Mets are dealing with some health issues regarding their pitching staff. In particular, free agent prize Max Scherzer, as he had to remove himself from the game last night. Should the Met fan start to worry? I'll also check the landscape of the sport and deliver the latest of what's going on as we're eight days away from Memorial Day weekend.

(42:11) The PGA Championship begins today at Southern Hills in Tulsa, OK. How will the weather and golf course play out over the next four days? Does Tiger Woods have a shot to win or stay close to the top of the leaderboard? What about #1 player in the world, Scottie Scheffler? Can he win back to back major tournaments? I'll predict who'll raise the trophy come Sunday evening and also get into the recent demise of defending champion, Phil Mickelson, who is not participating due to some personal issues swirling around him.

(50:33) Unfortunately the Preakness will have no buzz on Saturday as Derby winner, Rich Strike has withdrawn from the race. I have a theory as to why they're holding back this horse from attempting to chase history.

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CP3, Suns Set With Epic Playoff Flop. Celtics Dethrone Champs. Conference Final Preview. Leafs Foiled Again As NHL 1st Round Concludes. MLB Roundup. NFL Holiday Schedule Stinkers. Rich Strike Bows Out

I'll cap off an exciting and loaded sports schedule over the weekend as the latest podcast arrives! On deck:

(4:38) After a brief review of a big sports week that lies ahead (i.e. PGA Championship & Preakness, I'll dive in on the two Game 7's in the NBA yesterday. The shocker being what took place in Phoenix as the Dallas Mavericks eviscerated the Suns on their home floor, sending them into the offseason with lots of questions and not enough answers. The legacy of Chris Paul takes a huge hit as his teams have blown another 2-0 series lead, with countless other foibles on the back of his playoff basketball card. What about Devin Booker? DeAndre Ayton? The Mavs deserve some credit as well as Luka Doncic had a close out game on the road in a big spot that he couldn't dream of. Then there are the Celtics, as they came back from a 3-2 series deficit to blow the game wide open in the second half as they move onto another Conference Final in a 'Bubble Rematch' against the Miami Heat. I'll preview the NBA's Final Four with predictions and what would be the sexiest Finals matchup that ABC/ESPN is hoping for?

(29:31) The Stanley Cup Playoffs have been thrilling, to say the least. Five Game 7's over the weekend as I discuss the following: the Flames overcoming the heroics of Stars goalie, Jake Oettinger. The Rangers 3-1 series comeback leading to the OT winner by Artemi Panarin over the Penguins. The Hurricanes hang on to win a close hard fought seventh game against the Bruins. And then you have the Maple Leafs. Another first round exit. Another massive disappointment as they lose at home to the two time defending champion, Tampa Bay Lightning. Will there be wholesale changes in Toronto? We cannot forget the President's Trophy winning Florida Panthers as they escape with a series win, thanks to Carter Verhaeghe's heroics in the final three games. Which sets the stage for a preview of the second round as I'll predict who'll win between the Battle of the Sunshine State (Tampa Bay-Florida), Battle of Alberta (Edmonton-Calgary), St. Louis-Colorado and NY Rangers-Carolina.

(43:51) As for the MLB, the Yankees continue to fire on all cylinders, but it's their pitching that has been a surprise (i.e. Nestor Cortes) as they have the best record in the sport at 25-9. Their nemesis, the Astros have also been hot as a team that contend in the American League. The Mets finally lost their first series of the year as the Mariners take two of three, with the Cardinals coming to town after brushback pitches and fireworks a few weeks back. Will we see more of the same this week? The NL Central is led by the Brewers and a very competitive NL West led by the Dodgers as all teams in that division is at .500 and above. What about the achievement the Reds had over the weekend? They pitched a no-hitter and LOST! Although it doesn't count, as I'll explain further.

(51:14) The NFL schedule was released on Thursday and I have a gripe about the Thanksgiving and Christmas Day slate which isn't going to make the egg nog or pumpkin pie go down any smoother. We'll have a Super Bowl LV rematch at Tom Brady will go at it against Patrick Mahomes in early October in primetime.

(58:01) Kentucky Derby winner, Rich Strike, will not race in the upcoming Preakness on Saturday. I have a theory as to why, which is a shame because the sport needs any good press it can get. And without the horse with the long odds who won at the Derby, the second leg of the Triple Crown takes a huge hit.

(1:00:23) In closing, my Hero and Zero of the Week.

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Many thanks for all of your love and support.

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Celtic Meltdown/Why The NBA Needs A Game 7? Lightning On The Brink/Leafs Playoff Demons, Six Game 7's? Yankees Rolling/Guardians COVID Issue. NFL Schedule/Brady's Mega FOX Deal

Another mid week podcast to get you to the weekend as I'll share my thoughts on all that the sports world has to offer. On deck:

(3:23) The Bucks-Celtics series has been quite a battle, as evidenced by a Game 5 that went down to the wire. The Celtics face extinction in Milwaukee. Will they prevail? How about the other series that are 3-2 to date? Can the Mavericks, Sixers & Grizzlies after their annihilation over Golden State push it to a Game 7? Which leads to a commentary on why the NBA NEEDS a Game 7 in this round, especially if it's Bucks-Celtics. I'll also talk about the passing of former Pistons & Bucks center, Bob Lanier who died at the age of 73.

(23:44) It's quite possible that the two time defending Stanley Cup Champion Tampa Bay Lightning could be ousted from the postseason as early as tonight. The Toronto Maple Leafs with their baggage of recent playoff misery can send the champs off on an early vacation. If not, they'll have the cloud of another Game 7 and a chance to erase some of the first round demons on Saturday night. How will impact the Leafs? Will Tampa survive and extend the series to a decisive seventh game? I'll also recap the other storylines in this first round including, the Flames rebound to take a 3-2 lead over the Stars. The Rangers were able to stave off elimination vs. the Penguins and they may be without Sidney Crosby as he suffered an injury. Will they be able to overcome him being out of the lineup? The Panthers resiliency. The Hurricanes hold serve at home again. The Blues look to clinch vs. the Wild. Are the Kings primed to upset the disappointing Oilers? Is there a housecleaning in order if they're unable to upend the Kings? This first round has the chance to produce seven Game 7's. Will it happen? Plus, my thoughts on the shocking decision by Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello on the firing of coach Barry Trotz.

(41:17) In baseball, things are mostly low key, but there were some stories that I can highlight. The Yankees have the best record in baseball (22-8). There was another no hitter, this time by Angels Reid Detmers. Justin Verlander was flirting for his fourth no hitter, but fell short. The Guardians dealing with COVID and the Brewers Christian Yelich ties a major league mark for cycles in a career.

(49:04) The NFL schedule will be released tonight. I'll discuss the Monday night doubleheader matchup on Sept. 19 that I do not like. And then there's Tom Brady signing on as an analyst/ambassador to a mega 10 year/$375 million dollar contract with FOX. Is Brady ready for the broadcast booth? How do we know if he is?

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, Spotify, Luminary, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

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Many thanks for all of your love and support.

Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.

Listen to "Celtic Meltdown/Why The NBA Needs A Game 7? Lightning On The Brink/Leafs Playoff Demons, Six Game 7's? Yankees Rolling/Guardians COVID Issue" on Spreaker.

Suns/Heat Feeling Pressure? Warriors/Bucks Push For 3-1 Leads. Bruins Comeback, Panthers/Rangers On The Brink? Rich Strike's Improbable Derby Upset. Canelo No-Show? Tennis's Next Great Star!

Brace yourselves sports fans. This is a jam packed, fast paced sports podcast to get your week off and running. I have tons to delve in as the sports world has much to offer on the latest episode. On deck:

(3:24) The Suns and Heat have given back 2-0 series leads to the Mavericks and Sixers respectively. Will both teams be able to thwart the underdogs and move onto a conference final? Do the Mavs or Sixers have the means to pull off an astonishing upset? Can Chris Paul bounce back from two subpar games? Is Joel Embiid's return enough to put them over the top? The Warriors ran the Grizzlies out of the gym on Saturday night, and in the process, the Grizz will be without their best player Ja Morant in Game 4. Does Memphis have any shot of winning in an enormous swing game in this series? Was Jordan Poole's tug on Morant's knee a dirty play? Also, can the Bucks take a commanding lead in their series against Boston with a win tonight? Will Jayson Tatum rebound from a nightmare game. A lot of intrigue has taken the second round by storm as the NBA playoffs march on.

(26:13) The Stanley Cup Playoffs has gotten off to a great start. We already have a team that's come back from an 0-2 deficit in the Boston Bruins. Will they have enough to overtake the Carolina Hurricanes and steal this first round series? The Florida Panthers have a lot to answer as their season could be on the brink with a pivotal Game 4 in Washington, down 2-1. Same could be said for the Rangers as they're staring at a 3-1 series possibility. What about their young, high prized draft picks? (Kaapo Kakko and Alexis Lafreniere) The Rangers are hoping for more of a contribution in order to extend this series as far as they can go. Plus, Tampa gets back in the win column to tie up their series with Toronto. The Kings also even their series with the Oilers. Are the Flames in trouble vs. the Stars? Colorado is the only team in cruise control as they're on the verge of a sweep? And the Blues and Wild looks like it's going to go to a Game 7 as expected as I'll cover all that's happening on the ice as we get deeper into this first round.

(39:39) I'll take a look at the MLB landscape as there have been some injuries to reports (i.e. Marcus Stroman, Zach Wheeler) but with the first month of the season completed, I'll recap what's happening on the diamond as the Mets continue to win series and have the biggest division lead in the sport as of today, the Twins, White Sox, Angels & Astros have played well, the Brewers and Cardinals are holding it down in the NL Central and the NL West has been competitive to date.

(46:14) The Kentucky Derby provided an all time upset as Rich Strike, a horse that was filling in as an alternate for the scratched Ethereal Road at 80-1, wins over heavily favored horses Epicenter and Zandon to finish the first leg of the Triple Crown. Does Rich Strike have a shot to win at the Preakness? Is he a one-hit wonder?

(51:40) Canelo Alvarez was surprisingly dominated by Dmitry Bivol on Saturday night in a WBA super light heavyweight fight. Was that expected from a guy who only lost one other fight previously in his career?

(53:46) Charles Oliveira defeated Justin Gaethje in UFC 274, but did not come out with the belt as the lightweight champion. Why was that the case?

(55:47) The next great tennis star has arrived. Carlos Alcaraz, an 18 year old Spaniard had an impressive run at the Madrid Open winning his fourth title of 2022. Who he beat in the process? You'll have to listen for yourself as this is a guy we'll have to pay attention to on the tennis circuit for years to come.

(58:13) In closing, my Hero and Zero of the Week.

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, Spotify, Luminary, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you'd like to contribute to the production of the podcast, please visit my Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/TheJAYREELZPodcast

Many thanks for all of your love and support.

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Listen to "Suns/Heat Feeling Pressure? Warriors/Bucks Push For 3-1 Leads. Bruins Comeback, Panthers/Rangers On The Brink? Rich Strike's Improbable Derb" on Spreaker.

Leafs Psyche, Favorites Respond & Physical Hockey In Cup Playoff Review. 76ers/Harden Limp Home, Draymond's Antics. MLB's First Month. NFL's Love For London. Kentucky Derby Preview

Prepping you for a big sports weekend as I'll review and preview everything that's going on in the world of competition. On deck:

(3:37) The Stanley Cup Playoffs are off to a flying start as there may be a theme with teams having tough Game 1 losses (i.e. Oilers, Lightning, Wild) bouncing back with victories to even their series. Can the same be said about the Panthers and Rangers tonight? With the Lightning evening up their first round series with the Maple Leafs, it'll be interesting to see how the Leafs respond in Tampa because of their lengthy snakebit track record in the postseason. Is the pressure starting to mount for Toronto? I'll review what took place throughout the sport over the first three days, including some chippiness in Calgary and Toronto as you know, I have quite a bit to say about rough, physical play during the playoffs.

(20:25) The NBA is well into the second round and there's not a lot of drama with half of the remaining series. Sixers-Heat and Mavericks-Suns look to be quick series although both the Sixers and Mavs haven't had a chance to defend home court. Then there's the James Harden narrative that he's not the same player that he once was. Is there truth in that? As for the Bucks-Celtics, Jaylen Brown redeems himself from an awful Game 1, gets the series even as they head to Milwaukee for the weekend. Same for the Grizzlies as they get the equalizer over the Warriors. It's been a testy first two games with Draymond Green in the middle of it all. I'll explain why he needs to pipe down as his antics on and off the court have grown tiresome.

(31:20) The baseball season is almost a month in. I'll take a look at some surprises and disappointments so far as we're about 28-30 games into this campaign. And a big series upcoming for the Phillies. Is manager Joe Girardi in hot water? And thank God for Mets owner, Steve Cohen. I'll explain why.

(41:36) I'll touch on some NFL news and notes (Saints signing Tyrann Mathieu. Ryan Tannehill's mental issues after the playoff loss to Cincinnati) but the NFL schedule makers have released the five games that are played overseas in London, Germany and Mexico. Are those games that yours truly are looking forward to?

(49:22) The beginning of the Triple Crown season starts on Saturday as the Kentucky Derby kicks off the first leg at Churchill Downs. I'll share who is the favorite to win and what horses to look out for as the 148th Run for the Roses draws near.

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, Spotify, Luminary, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you'd like to contribute to the production of the podcast, please visit my Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/TheJAYREELZPodcast

Many thanks for all of your love and support.

Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.

Listen to "Leafs Psyche, Favorites Respond & Physical Hockey In Cup Playoff Review. 76ers/Harden Limp Home, Draymond's Antics. MLB's First Month. NFL's" on Spreaker.

Sports - ProfessionalJason NazarioMay 5, 2022Sports, Sports Talk, Sports Podcast, Podcast, Podcasting, The JAYREELZ Podcast, NHL, Hockey, Stanley Cup Playoffs, NBA, NBA Playoffs, Basketball, MLB, Baseball, NFL, Football

A Lightning 3-peat? Leafs Playoff Demons Lead NHL 1st Round Preview. Celtics Get Smacked, Grizzlies Fall Short In NBA 2nd Round. Bauer's Harsh Suspension. The Anti-Winners/Losers Of NFL Draft

As we turn the calendar to May, the sports world will kick up a few notches and so will the latest episode as I have plenty to review and preview with all that's happening. On deck:

(3:25) I'll start off with a little synopsis of what lies ahead in the month of May when it comes to the sports calendar (i.e. PGA Championship, Kentucky Derby & Indianapolis 500)

(5:23) We can finally zero in on a Stanley Cup Playoff run as I'll preview the top storylines heading into the opening round (i.e. Tampa's chances to three-peat? Will Colorado & Florida's regular season success translate in the postseason? The end of the Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang era in Pittsburgh? Also, the Toronto Maple Leafs quest for a deep playoff run), as well as, going through each of the first round series and predict who'll move onto the Conference Semifinals.

(34:41) The first round of the NBA playoffs went out like a lamb, instead of a lion. I'll get into the Timberwolves record implosions in the fourth quarter (and most of the series for that matter), Chris Paul's perfect night in New Orleans and the Jazz going out with a whimper vs. Dallas. I'll look back as the second round begun yesterday with a stifling Bucks performance in Boston and the Warriors hanging on to steal Game 1 in Memphis. Plus, a preview of Sixers-Heat and Mavericks-Suns, with discussion around James Harden as he's going to have to carry a huge load in the first few games with MVP candidate Joel Embiid out for possibly three games.

(49:31) MLB has suspended former Dodger pitcher Trevor Bauer two years for his actions in regards to sordid details coming from an affair he had with a woman in Los Angeles. Was the punishment over the line? Does he ever pitch again? The Yankees have ripped off nine wins in a row. The Mets continue to win series (including a combined no-hitter vs. the Phillies) Does that carry the same weight as your standard no-hitter?

(56:55) I've never been one to get into the winners and losers of a particular NFL draft, but I'll go through who did well (Jets, Eagles) and who didn't (Patriots, Cowboys) for starters. I'll share my thoughts on the Steelers drafting a QB right in their own backyard at Pitt (i.e. Kenny Pickett) and how come they didn't draft an offensive lineman? Also, why the draft NEEDS to be back at Radio City Music Hall in New York City?

(1:06:45) To close out, my Hero and Zero of the Week.

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, Spotify, Luminary, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you'd like to contribute to the production of the podcast, please visit my Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/TheJAYREELZPodcast

Many thanks for all of your love and support.

Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.

Listen to "A Lightning 3-peat? Leafs Playoff Demons Lead NHL 1st Round Preview. Celtics Get Smacked, Grizzlies Fall Short In NBA 2nd Round. Bauer's Har" on Spreaker.

Sixers Sliding/Doc Rivers Under Pressure? Mets Brushback Opposition As I Temper Fan Expectations. NHL Postseason Looms. NFL Draft: Little To No Build Up Or Fanfare

Back to close out the month strong as I have quite a few things to touch on when it comes to what's happening in the world of sports. On deck:

(4:06) As the first round of the NBA playoffs comes to a close, the most intriguing storyline is whether or not that the Sixers have what it takes to move onto the next round and avoid a seventh game and epic collapse in the process. Will Coach Doc Rivers get to seal the deal and move onto the Conference Semifinals? Or will history be made as we've never seen a team come back from a 3-0 series lead? And what about Rivers's comments regarding blowing 3-1 series leads in the past as coach of the Orlando Magic and LA Clippers? Plus, the rest of the postseason landscape where we have the Suns (with the possible return of Devin Booker), Mavericks and Grizzlies on the cusp of moving on.

(24:42) The Mets have gotten off to a tremendous start, but they have been the target of opposing pitchers as their lineup has been hit more by pitches than any other team in the majors. It boiled over in St. Louis as tempers flared and the benches cleared. Will there be any affect when they meet again at Citi Field in three weeks? Also, a word to the Met fan that although the first 20 games have been magnificent, but let's not call this a 'special season' just yet.

(37:48) NHL fans rejoice! The season concludes tomorrow. Not a lot of interest or drama heading down the stretch as we have our 16 teams that have qualified for the postseason. I'll get into it more on Monday as I'll review the top storylines and first round matchups as the run for the Stanley Cup begins next week.

(41:00) Tonight, the NFL draft commences. The next three days will be filled with rumors, trades, reaches and surprises. I'll take a look at what some teams may do in a first round that doesn't have a lot of buzz. Will some of the quarterbacks discussed (Pitt's Kenny Pickett & Liberty's Malik Willis) get chosen or fall out of Round 1?

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, Spotify, Luminary, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you'd like to contribute to the production of the podcast, please visit my Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/TheJAYREELZPodcast

Many thanks for all of your love and support.

Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.

Listen to "Sixers Sliding/Doc Rivers Under Pressure? Mets Brushback Opposition As I Temper Fan Expectations. NHL Postseason Looms. NFL Draft: Little To" on Spreaker.

Sports - ProfessionalJason NazarioApril 28, 2022Sports, Sports Talk, Sports Podcast, Podcast, Podcasting, The JAYREELZ Podcast, NBA, NBA Playoffs, Basketball, MLB, Baseball, NHL, Hockey, NFL, NFL Draft, FootballComment

Nets Housecleaning On Deck? Can Pels/T-Wolves Pull Off Upsets? Will Ovechkin Miss Playoffs? Miggy's 3K Hits, Unruly Yankee Fans. NFL Flexes Christmas Day Muscle (AGAIN!)

Fasten your seatbelts as I have a fiery, upbeat and passionate podcast to kick off your week as there's lots to share on what the sports world has to offer. On deck:

(4:34) It's been a not so great playoff to date for the Brooklyn Nets as they're one loss away from being swept out of the postseason. I know it may be a bit premature, but there needs to be an organizational evaluation as their season is on the brink. What does owner Joe Tsai do? Should Steve Nash be fired? Do you re-sign Kyrie Irving to a max deal? The Ben Simmons fiasco. The drama never stops with this franchise. Where does it go from here? I'll shed a little light on this and everything that's taken place during this first round, including, can the Pelicans and Timberwolves pull off big upsets? Also, the inconsistency of Chris Paul, a coach fired in Charlotte and Chet Holmgren entering the draft is a mistake, in my opinion.

(34:22) We're finally into the final week of the NHL season. There's an interesting storyline developing in DC as Capitals star winger, Alexander Ovechkin left yesterday's game with an upper body injury. Will he be out of the lineup come playoff time? With a furious wild card race out West between Dallas, Nashville, Vegas and Vancouver, who has the upper hand in making it into the dance? And the hockey world lost another legendary player as former Montreal Canadiens great, Guy LaFleur passed away late last week at the age of 70.

(45:00) Baseball celebrates yet another milestone as Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera becomes the 7th player to 3,000 hits and 500 home runs. Although there was a delay longer than normal (I'll explain) and also get into his career to date as a sure fire first ballot Hall of Fame player. I'll also get into the disgraceful act by the Yankee fans on Saturday with Cleveland Guardians outfielder Myles Straw. White Sox OF Eloy Jimenez will miss a lot of time for a second straight year with a hamstring injury. Will that set the Sox the back in the AL Central? I'll take a look at the MLB landscape as we're two plus weeks into the baseball season.

(55:24) The NFL schedule won't be released until May 12th, but word came out that not one, not two, but THREE games are on the Christmas Day docket this year. They are The Shield (aka NFL) for a reason as they continue to bulldoze and dump on the other leagues (in particular the annual NBA Christmas schedule) as the high and mighty continue to flex their muscles as the dominant sport that everyone loves to follow. I'll get into my displeasure of that...

(59:29) ...and finish off with my Hero and Zero of the Week.

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, Spotify, Luminary, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you'd like to contribute to the production of the podcast, please visit my Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/TheJAYREELZPodcast

Many thanks for all of your love and support.

Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.

Listen to "Nets Housecleaning On Deck? Can Pels/T-Wolves Pull Off Upsets? Will Ovechkin Miss Playoffs? Miggy's 3K Hits, Unruly Yankee Fans. NFL Flexes" on Spreaker.

Sports - ProfessionalJason NazarioApril 25, 2022Sports, Sports Talk, Sports Podcast, Podcast, Podcasting, The JAYREELZ Podcast, NBA, NBA Playoffs, Basketball, MLB, Baseball, NHL, Hockey, NFL, Football, The Hero and Zero of the WeekComment

Suns/Bucks At Early Crossroads? Nova's Jay Wright Surprising Retirement. NHL's West Wild Card Chase? Freeman Haunts Braves In Reunion. NFL WR's (Deebo, Kupp) Search Big Checks

Another milestone as the podcast has reached the 250th episode plateau. Join me as I'll share all that the sports world has to offer. On deck:

(3:42) The NBA playoffs have took a bit of a turn with the two representatives of last years' Finals teams. Suns G Devin Booker and Bucks F/G Khris Middleton will be out of the lineup for at least a couple of games in their first round series due to injury. Is there a chance of a first round upset with both of those guys out? I'll also cover the rest of the postseason landscape. Luka on the mend with a possible Game 3 start in Utah? Do the Nets have a chance to come back in their series with Boston? What about the Hawks? Is Memphis back on track to take a lead vs. Minnesota?

(21:47) Villanova Wildcats basketball coach Jay Wright, surprisingly retires from coaching as he passes the torch to former assistant Kyle Neptune. Will the university skip a beat with Wright no longer on the sideline?

(24:57) The NHL is a little more than a week away from concluding their regular season. There isn't much drama going on, but you have a couple of races in each conference that could determine seeding (in the East with Tampa/Boston and Pittsburgh/Washington) or possibly elimination (Dallas, Nashville, Vegas, Vancouver) as I'll dissect and monitor as to who may make it? And who may not?

(33:04) MLB is two weeks into their season. Over the past few days, we had Freddie Freeman facing his former team (same for Braves Kenley Jansen). Max Scherzer's fast start as he's 3-0. The woes of Gerrit Cole as his start has been the opposite of the Mets starter, but it was Aaron Boone's comments on his struggling ace that had me aggravated! The impressive debut of Reds P Hunter Greene. The unveiling of Tom Seaver's statue at Citi Field. And the coverage of Apple TV as they'll be streaming games throughout the year. Is it anything to write home about?

(40:10) The wide receivers in the NFL have made a ton of money this offseason (i.e. Stefon Diggs, Tyreek Hill and Devante Adams) but there are two in the league that are taking different approaches to getting their big payday. 49ers Deebo Samuel is requesting a trade and Rams Cooper Kupp wants a fair deal for him and the team. How will these scenarios play out? And what are the Browns doing with Baker Mayfield? Why are they taking their time in trading their former quarterback?

(46:45) The All England Club at Wimbledon made a staunch decision to not let any Russian or Belarusian players participate in their tournament come late June. Which means, one of the top ranked men's players in the world (Daniil Medvedev) will not be a part of the festivities. Was this a rash decision? Could they have waited it out? Could you blame them?

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, Spotify, Luminary, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you'd like to contribute to the production of the podcast, please visit my Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/TheJAYREELZPodcast

Many thanks for all of your love and support.

Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.

Listen to "Suns/Bucks At Early Crossroads? Nova's Jay Wright Surprising Retirement. NHL's West Wild Card Chase? Freeman Haunts Braves In Reunion. NFL W" on Spreaker.

Sports - ProfessionalJason NazarioApril 21, 2022Sports, Sports Talk, Sports Podcast, Podcast, Podcasting, The JAYREELZ Podcast, NBA, NBA Playoffs, Basketball, MLB, Baseball, NHL, Hockey, NFL, FootballComment

Celtics-Nets Thriller Highlight NBA Round 1 Weekend. Hot Mets Start Leads To Early Test. Remembering Mike Bossy/No Drama In NHL Wild Card Chase. Notable NFL Signings

Sports talk delivered the way it should be. Passionate, fiery, spirited, knowledgeable and entertaining as well as the latest installment of the podcast is ready for consumption. On deck:

(3:01) The NBA postseason is off and running. Not a stellar weekend overall, but you had the two play-in games (Atlanta-Cleveland, New Orleans-LA Clippers) that were entertaining. And then the epic Game 1 showdown between Brooklyn-Boston which proved to be the highlight of the eight games on Saturday and Sunday. I'll dissect the key moments in that game, what the long term affect could be for both teams in this series and beyond and go around the Association to fill you in on all of the Game 1's as the road to the NBA Finals has begun.

(31:38) The Mets have gotten off to a very good start winning their first three series, going 7-3. Upcoming is an early season test as the San Francisco Giants invade Citi Field for three games to see where they stand against one of the better teams in the NL. The Braves will visit Chavez Ravine and see an old face in a new uniform (i.e. Freddie Freeman) as they meet for the first time since last years' NLCS. Angels manager, Joe Maddon made a strange move in a game vs. Texas as he always tries to 'outsmart' his opponent, but they're off to a good start in this early part of the season.

(39:51) The NHL is down to its final week and a half of games, but the sport lost a legendary scorer on a championship dynasty as Islander great, Mike Bossy, passed away due to lung cancer at the age of 65. I'll touch on some of the highlights of his wonderful career and bring you up to speed if there is going to be any drama in the wild card or division races as we get to the homestretch.

(45:38) Football wraps up the final segment as there was a couple of notable signings (CB Stephon Gilmore to Indy and WR Sammy Watkins to Green Bay) And a terrible incident involving Cowboys CB, Kelvin Joseph as the league has to deal with more news off the field than on.

(49:09) In conclusion, my Hero and Zero of the Week.

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, Spotify, Luminary, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you'd like to contribute to the production of the podcast, please visit my Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/TheJAYREELZPodcast

Many thanks for all of your love and support.

Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.

Listen to "Celtics-Nets Thriller Highlight NBA Round 1 Weekend. Hot Mets Start Leads To Early Test. Remembering Mike Bossy/No Drama In NHL Wild Card Ch" on Spreaker.

Suns, Nets, Harden & The Opening Of The NBA Playoffs. Kershaw Robs Us Of Perfection. Vlad Jr.'s Exploits. NHL's Wild Card Homestretch. Derek Carr's No-Trade Clause? Baker Disrespected?

The upcoming holiday weekend has plenty of sports on the docket. I'll share what lies ahead and look back as to what's transpired as I take you through the universe on all that's happening. On deck:

(2:48) The NBA Playoffs are on the horizon as we're just about through the play-in tournament. I'll dissect all that has taken place to this point, what to expect in the final play in games (i.e. ATL-CLE & NO-LAC) tomorrow night and peek in on the opening weekend playoff slate, with predictions of who'll win. As well as, some very intriguing storylines circling around the Phoenix Suns, the Brooklyn Nets and James Harden & the Sixers.

(39:09) Dodgers P Clayton Kershaw pitched an absolute gem vs. the Twins where he was perfect through seven innings. I'll explain why he robbed us of a potential historic moment? The exploits of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (and why he should've won the MVP over Shohei Ohtani last year?), the slow start for Yankees P Gerrit Cole and how the Mets bounced back nicely after a typical brutal loss on Monday to win a series in Philadelphia.

(49:05) The NHL is getting into the homestretch of their regular season. The Avalanche and Panthers have played at a torrid clip recently and could be on a collision course to a Stanley Cup Final. There's still plenty of hockey to be played as I'll review which teams are still in the hunt for the wild card in each conference as we're just fifteen days away from the conclusion of the 82 game schedule.

(53:30) Derek Carr signs an extension with the Las Vegas Raiders, but a no-trade clause? Also, Baker Mayfield just can't shut up as he said recently on a podcast that he's been 'disrespected' in Cleveland. Where will he be shipped to? And when?

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, Spotify, Luminary, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you'd like to contribute to the production of the podcast, please visit my Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/TheJAYREELZPodcast

Many thanks for all of your love and support.

Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.

Listen to "Suns, Nets, Harden & The Opening Of The NBA Playoffs. Kershaw Robs Us Of Perfection. Vlad Jr.'s Exploits. NHL's Wild Card Homestretch. Derek" on Spreaker.

Scheffler Master-ful As Tiger & The Field Struggle. Early NBA Play In/Playoff Storylines. Aaron Judge's High Risk/High Reward Year! Haskins Death Shocks NFL. NHL's Matthews Record Setting Pace

It's time to set the stage for another huge sports week upcoming, but there was plenty to review over this past weekend as the latest installment of the podcast is ready for consumption. On deck:

(2:43) The Masters did not live up to its billing over the weekend, but #1 ranked golfer of the world Scottie Scheffler sure did and then some. He wins his first ever green jacket as he cruises to victory. I'll recap how the contenders weren't able to keep up with Scheffler, as well as, what Tiger Woods did over the weekend. Will we see Tiger participating in another major tournament in the near future?

(16:22) The NBA season has finally concluded! It's time to get set for playoff (well, at least, play in) basketball. I'll go through the schedule as the #7 seeds will play #8 and #9 will play the #10 seeds in each conference. I'll discuss the carnage in LA as coach Frank Vogel has been given his walking papers. I'll tell you who should've gotten the ax instead of the head coach as the Lakers were mismanaged and vastly underachieved. Plus, some storylines heading into the week regarding injuries (i.e. Luka Doncic, Stephen Curry & Ben Simmons, Jamal Murray and Gordon Hayward) the availability of Sixers Matisse Thybulle vs. Toronto. And a big thank you to Nikola Jokic as he saved me from going under .500 in my over/under win totals for the year.

(28:59) The main story out of the weekend in the MLB was the non-contract extension to Yankees RF, Aaron Judge. Was GM Brian Cashman performing damage control to the fans and the media by addressing full details of the contract? Is Judge at risk for betting on himself through his walk season? The Mets had an eventful weekend in Washington winning three out of four. How the team is taking their lead behind their manager, Buck Showalter? The fallout between Freddie Freeman and Ronald Acuna Jr. The Pirates signed one of their prized prospects. Plus, former Padres pitcher Chris Paddack gets traded to Minnesota. Was that a good move by San Diego?

(41:18) The NFL mourns the loss of former Washington/Pittsburgh QB Dwayne Haskins as he died on Saturday after being hit by a truck on a Florida highway. How did this happen? Could this have been prevented? Sadly, there were a couple of other deaths in the sport from players of yesteryear. (Cowboys Hall of Fame Tackle, Rayfield Wright and Oilers/Giants running back, Gary Brown) A re-signing in Baltimore (DE, Calais Campbell), Bruce Arians stepping down for Todd Bowles in Tampa and a new stadium to be built in Buffalo. Guess who has to take the brunt of the paying for most of that?

(50:50) The Maple Leafs Auston Matthews has had a tremendous goal scoring run. He's flirting with the 60 goal mark, but the bigger question is, can he do this when the money is on the line in the postseason? I'll also touch on the wild card races, especially out West, where we're down to the final two and a half weeks of the regular season.

(53:58) To wrap up, my Hero and Zero of the Week.

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, Spotify, Luminary, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you'd like to contribute to the production of the podcast, please visit my Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/TheJAYREELZPodcast

Many thanks for all of your love and support.

Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.

Listen to "Scheffler Master-ful As Tiger & The Field Struggle. Early NBA Play In/Playoff Storylines. Aaron Judge's High Risk/High Reward Year! Haskins" on Spreaker.

A New Era Of The Pod Begins With The 2022 MLB Preview. Will Tiger Prowl At Augusta? A Masters Preview. Kansas's Historic Comeback To A Title! NFL OT Rule For Playoffs & Signings

The time has arrived! A double dose of yours truly moving forward as I entertain and inform the masses on all that's going on in sports! On deck:

(3:10) The 2022 baseball season is here! I'll go through all of the divisions, share my over/under selections, a preview of my beloved Mets and who'll make it to the World Series? A surprising prediction that you won't want to miss as we're about to raise the curtain on another year of hardball.

(40:49) Tiger Woods is the top story as The Masters commences today. Does he have a shot to be at or near the top of the leaderboard come Sunday? I'll preview all of what may take shape in Augusta and my prediction as to who will win the first major golf tournament of 2022.

(49:30) I'll recap what was a thrilling NCAA Tournament and Championship Game as the Kansas Jayhawks win in historic fashion. Trailing by 15 points to upend the North Carolina Tar Heels to secure the second title for coach, Bill Self. Should Carolina fans be happy with how the tournament played out? Or bitter because they fell a basket short?

(53:15) I'll touch on some NFL news including the new overtime rule in the postseason, how the Rams payroll is stretched thin with another big signing and Stefon Diggs gets extended in Buffalo as the NFL Draft is three weeks away.

(58:29) And I'll introduce a new social media platform as another avenue for you to follow that'll tie into the podcast for everyone to enjoy.

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, Spotify, Luminary, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you'd like to contribute to the production of the podcast, please visit my Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/TheJAYREELZPodcast

Many thanks for all of your love and support.

Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.

Listen to "A New Era Of The Pod Begins With The 2022 MLB Preview. Will Tiger Prowl At Augusta? A Masters Preview. Kansas's Historic Comeback To A Title" on Spreaker.

A Big Podcast Week Leans Into UNC Triumph, Coach K's Exit, Kansas Primed For Title. Lakers: Biggest Disappointment Ever? Mets Concern For Jake/Max. A COL-FLA Cup Final? Tiger To Play At The Masters?

The first full week of April ushers in a new era of the podcast as yours truly is primed and ready to deliver it all for YOU, the casual or diehard sports fan. On deck:

(4:35) I begin with a synopsis of the reasons why I've expanded the podcast to twice a week.

(8:40) I'll also discuss my sojourn to Northern California (San Francisco/Bay Area) as I detail my experience in celebrating another birthday. The beauty of being a sports fan living in the Pacific time zone. I shout out a couple of dear friends who were vital in making our stay pleasurable, but this theme does have a connection with sports. Including, my purpose and responsibility to you the listener, for navigating the podcast in a new direction moving forward.

(18:36) Which leads me to the Final Four this past weekend. Kansas continues to roll in this tournament, while the Mike Krzyzewski era ends against their arch rivals in North Carolina. I'll break down what I was able to see (hence the previous segment), the bitter end of Coach K's career and preview tonight's title game as the Tar Heels try to upend the top seeded Jayhawks. I'll throw some bouquets at the Women's NCAA Champion South Carolina Gamecocks, who ran right past UConn for their second title in five years.

(32:06) I'll stick with hoops as we can put an epitaph on the Lakers embarrassingly underachieving season. Is this the most disappointing season in sports history for a team that had championship aspirations? Does Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks have what it takes to make a deep playoff run? Why is Joel Embiid making it all about his MVP candidacy this late in the season? I'll dissect what the latest is happening throughout the Association and introduce who the 2022 Hall of Fame recipients are as we've entered the final week of this long regular season.

(49:45) Is the sky falling for the Met fan like myself? With Jacob deGrom on the shelf for a minimum of four weeks with shoulder tightness and prized free agent, Max Scherzer dealing with hamstring tightness, the Mets could get off to a slow start. Will deGrom's health ever improve? Will he be the pitcher that he once was? Plus, the signing of Albert Pujols comes full circle in St. Louis as he signs a one year deal with the Cardinals to close out his career.

(57:55) Could we have a potential 1996 Stanley Cup Final rematch between Colorado & Florida? They are the two best teams in each conference as of this moment. I'll go around the ice to bring you up to speed on the NHL landscape. (The Lightning's chances to three-peat. Are the Islanders still alive for a Wild Card spot? The Flyers handling of Keith Yandle's iron man streak. And the unfortunate passing of the Senators owner, Larry Melnyk)

(1:05:21) Will Tiger Woods make it all the way back from a near fatal car accident 14 months ago to participate in the first major golf tournament of 2022? That'll be the biggest question leading up to Thursday's tee time as the Masters will commence in Augusta.

(1:10:18) To conclude, I'll have my Hero and Zero of the Week. And a heads up on another social media platform that I'll jump into for the very first time come later this week.

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, Spotify, Luminary, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you'd like to contribute to the production of the podcast, please visit my Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/TheJAYREELZPodcast

Many thanks for all of your love and support.

Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.

Listen to "A Big Podcast Week Leans Into UNC Triumph, Coach K's Exit, Kansas Primed For Title. Lakers: Biggest Disappointment Ever? Mets Concern For Ja" on Spreaker.

An Epic Final Four Review & Preview! Chiefs Vulnerable As Tyreek Traded To MIA? Celtics Uprising/Title Contenders? Yanks Judge: Offer By Opening Day? Mickelson Skips Masters

The final podcast of the month (and the quarter of 2022) sets up a huge sports week with lots of intriguing storylines abound as Episode #244 delivers on all that's happening and then some. On deck:

(5:27) The Final Four is set! You couldn't have predicted a better Semifinal Saturday as Duke will go up against hated rival in North Carolina. While Kansas will try to slay some demons as they have another date with Villanova with a national championship on the line. I'll cover how these teams got here, sprinkle in some disappointment with Gonzaga, Arizona and the cinderella St. Peter's Peacocks in Jersey City and look ahead to both matchups, the big takes from each game and the history of each school as it'll culminate in a national title.

(33:10) There were two big tranactions that transpired in the NFL last week with Matt Ryan going to Indianapolis. Does he have anything left? Then the Kansas City Chiefs send Tyreek Hill in a package for a plethora of draft picks to Miami. Are the Chiefs not as invincible with this move? What does this mean for Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa? Will he able to produce with the pieces now put in place for him to succeed? And with the loss of another wide receiver in Green Bay, how does this affect Aaron Rodgers as the Pack try to make another run at a Super Bowl?

(41:40) Break up the Boston Celtics. They've been on a tremendous run since January. Are they a threat to come out of the East? Kyrie Irving can finally play in home games as the vaccine mandate has been lifted in New York City. Will he be able to build enough continuity to close out the regular season on a high note? What about Ben Simmons? Is he close to returning in the lineup? As for the Lakers, they're holding onto dear life to make the postseason. And the Suns continue to rise high and shine bright as they look to get back to the Finals.

(53:13) The NHL still has a bit more than a month to go to conclude their schedule. I'll provide an update throughout the league, including the Wild Card chase in each conference as we'll see if there'll be any drama as we approach the homestretch on this marathon of a season. I'll also share my thoughts and experience on the new UBS Arena, home of the NY Islanders, as I had a chance to take in a game there recently.

(59:54) Baseball will be in our consciousness soon enough as the new year begins in ten days. The big question of the moment in the sport. Are the Yankees going to offer a lucrative contract to pending free agent outfielder, Aaron Judge, before Opening Day?

(1:02:32) With the Masters a week and a half away, Phil Mickelson has bowed out of the tournament for the first time in almost 30 years. Will this do him some good?

(1:04:22) And in closing, a different installment of my Hero and Zero of the Week!

Please subscribe, leave a rating and post a review on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spreaker, Stitcher, Spotify, Luminary, Amazon Music and iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts.

If you'd like to contribute to the production of the podcast, please visit my Patreon page at: www.patreon.com/TheJAYREELZPodcast

Many thanks for all of your love and support.

Intro/outro music by Cyklonus.

Listen to "An Epic Final Four Review & Preview! Chiefs Vulnerable As Tyreek Traded To MIA? Celtics Uprising/Title Contenders? Yanks Judge: Offer By Ope" on Spreaker.