Balls and Sticks

Episode 51: He's 6'8" Every Shift

Wed, 24 Jul 2019 01:39:56 +0000

What's been happening lately with free agency (1:32), the restricted free agents (14:15), and trades (12:30). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!

Episode 50: My My, How Can I Resist You

Sun, 23 Jun 2019 23:52:52 +0000

Congratulations to the Blues on winning the Stanley Cup (0:26), recent free agency signings (2:11) and trades (7:25), recapping the draft (15:33) and the draftees' walkup songs (24:32). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!

Episode 49: Hockey Is (Not) For Everyone

Mon, 03 Jun 2019 10:49:25 +0000

The Stanley Cup Final (1:30), the Bruins-Barstool incident (4:15), Worlds wrap-up (9:05), what's happening at the combine (11:15), this summer's RFA class (21:42) and UFA class (27:34). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!

Episode 48: The Carousel of 200 Hockey Men

Fri, 10 May 2019 11:33:04 +0000

The carousel of hockey men continues (1:08), Blues-Sharks (4:33), Hurricanes-Bruins (10:40), Worlds preview (15:00), women's hockey (26:21). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!

*Friends, we are so sorry for the minor audio quality issue during this episode!*

Episode 47: Wild Card Chaos Squad

Thu, 02 May 2019 10:26:23 +0000

Second round series (1:45), U18 Worlds (12:47), Men's Worlds (15:06), overall thoughts on playoffs (21:13). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!

Episode 46: Playoff Beards Are Coming

Wed, 17 Apr 2019 11:39:19 +0000

Slava Voynov (1:12), new coaches (5:33), the AHL playoffs (7:22), women's Worlds (8:40), playoff beards (10:52), playoff suspensions (12:44), the playoff series in the East (15:34) and the West (26:46), our rookie of the week: Cale Makar (33:23). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!

Episode 45: The Championship Belt of Collusion

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 11:28:18 +0000

The "championship belt" of arbitration (2:00), the end of the MLB-Cuba agreement (4:32), the decrease in Opening Day payrolls (6:06), previewing some teams in the AL (10:27) and the NL (20:37). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!

Episode 44: Playoff Preview

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 11:28:24 +0000

Fired coaches in Florida and Buffalo (1:10), mourning the playoffs without Connor McDavid (4:25), the rise in scoring across the league (7:23), the draft lottery (9:17), previewing the playoff series in the East (11:40) and the West (20:53). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!

Episode 43: Dead on Arrival Playoff Gritty

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 11:41:30 +0000

The end of the CWHL (0:27), other league news (5:43), the playoff race (9:33), NCAA hockey (13:46), the race for the Calder trophy (18:47). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!

Episode 42: Baseball's Back, Alright

Thu, 28 Mar 2019 11:31:43 +0000

Meg's trip to Florida for Spring Training (0:49), Hannah's passionate defense of Mike Trout (3:11), the Japan Opening Series (5:27), the offseason's biggest signings and extensions (7:00), service time manipulation (18:03), upcoming rule changes (20:50), Hannah's hot takes (28:26). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!

Episode 41: We Hart Hockey

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 12:09:12 +0000

Questionable ownership comments coming out of Edmonton (0:28) and Ottawa (5:10), the current state of the playoff race (7:38), our Rookie of the Week: Jordan Binnington (14:02), some thoughts on the Hart Trophy (17:45). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!

Episode 40: Sisterhood of the Traveling Puck

Wed, 20 Mar 2019 11:27:04 +0000

Our recent trip to Chicago (1:26), catching up with the Sabres and the Leafs (9:48), our thoughts on the Lightning (12:01), other teams in the playoff race (15:25), checking in on prospects and playoff hockey in other leagues (20:22). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!

Episode 39: Nobody Got That Bread

Tue, 26 Feb 2019 11:52:22 +0000

A full discussion of the trade deadline (0:47), some recent Department of Player Safety decisions (25:50), John Tortorella (28:45). Follow @hburry92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!

Episode 38: Rants and Raves

Tue, 19 Feb 2019 11:55:28 +0000

Rants and raves: Edmonton (2:25), Buffalo (12:10), Toronto (21:30), back to Buffalo (23:00), waiting for the trade deadline (24:15). Follow @hburry92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!

Episode 37: Draft Prospect Update

Tue, 12 Feb 2019 01:49:18 +0000

Randy Carlyle's firing (0:30), Auston Matthews' new contract (3:04), latest injuries and news (9:20), updates on top draft prospects (14:02), how the standings are looking (23:45). Follow @hburry92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!

Episode 36: Buyers and Sellers

Tue, 05 Feb 2019 11:39:16 +0000

Catching up with every team in the league: Pacific (1:13), Central (11:12), Metro (19:12), Atlantic (26:56), rookie of the week: Carter Hart (34:14). Follow @hburry92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!

Episode 35: The One With All the Haircuts

Tue, 29 Jan 2019 11:29:19 +0000

The female hockey players at the All-Star Game (3:21), more positive moments from the weekend (9:28), Peter Chiarelli's firing (14:45), some predictions for the second half (19:17), the top power play units from the first half (29:14). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!

Episode 34: A Free-For-All

Tue, 22 Jan 2019 11:45:10 +0000

The latest 2019 draft rankings (6:04), Dylan Strome and our rooting interests on the Hawks (10:30), the recent developments in Edmonton (16:43), modern cap management (26:00), the chances for a lockout in 2020 (33:00). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!

Episode 33: Lucky > Good

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 12:11:25 +0000

Rick Nash (0:40), Sergei Bobrovsky (1:50), the current status of the West (4:40) and the East (7:00), how the Islanders (9:13) and Canadiens (12:20) are finding success, Hannah's current attitude toward the Sabres (15:15), Meg's latest data on pulling goalies (19:35). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!

Episode 32: Oooh We're Halfway There

Tue, 08 Jan 2019 11:59:22 +0000

Wrapping up World Juniors (0:25), shaking our heads at Edmonton (4:04), Elias Pettersson's injury (7:35), the Sabres Skill Challenge and Leafs Next Gen game (8:50), ways to make the All-Star Game more fun (12:55), an update on the league standings (18:20), our Rookie of the Week: Miro Heiskanen (25:33). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!

Episode 31: Happy New Year!

Tue, 01 Jan 2019 15:09:31 +0000

The Tyler Seguin/Jamie Benn situation (0:55), how Dylan Strome's doing in Chicago (8:38), the All-Star Game captains (12:51), recent winning and losing streaks (19:53), World Juniors (22:55), our top five hockey moments of 2018 (25:54), team resolutions for 2019 (32:00). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!

Episode 30: Ups and Downs

Tue, 18 Dec 2018 12:15:34 +0000

Unfortunate situations with the Blues (0:25), the Sabres (3:50), and the Flyers (7:30), best hockey dogs on Instagram (10:16), individual goal songs (14:00), our top 10 teams (18:16), the increasing ice time for forwards (26:13), our bottom seven teams (29:15). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!

Episode 29: Yetis, Curses, and the Hockey Gods

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 11:52:08 +0000

The NHL's 32nd team (0:35), teams that finally seem to be figuring it out (7:30), teams that are for some reason still hanging on (11:20), teams that are competing to #LoseforHughes (15:08), Buffalo and Toronto (19:08), the initial World Juniors rosters (26:18). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!

Episode 28: We're Baaaaack

Tue, 04 Dec 2018 12:34:49 +0000

The Willy Nylander signing (1:32), the Strome trade (4:55), who's been bitten by the injury bug in the NHL (10:30), recent coach/GM firings (12:30), checking in on the division races (16:27), Hannah's reaction to Buffalo's winning streak (25:21), the Leafs' recent luck (28:38), an update on the Calder race (35:46). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!

Episode 27: The Anniversary Pod

Tue, 20 Nov 2018 14:03:29 +0000

Tom Wilson (0:45), two one-for-one trades (2:53), latest major injuries (4:06), stat of the week: expected goals (8:10), notes and thoughts on the Pacific (11:33), the Central (18:34), the Metro (21:14), the Atlantic (25:02), Hannah's rookie of the week: Rasmus Dahlin (33:10). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!

Episode 26: The Hot Seat

Tue, 13 Nov 2018 12:54:53 +0000

The situation in Ottawa (0:30), coach firings in LA and Chicago (2:49), hockey being disappointing (8:11), updates on the NHL concussion lawsuit (12:13), latest injuries (13:26), teams that have been trending up and down lately (15:12), Toronto and Buffalo news (30:48), prospect of the week: Ty Smith (34:27). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!

Episode 25: Keepin' It 1000

Tue, 06 Nov 2018 02:44:15 +0000

NHL headlines (0:30), the most intriguing teams in the Pacific (11:05), Central (15:37), Metro (19:50), Atlantic (23:41), Hannah's rookie of the week: Elias Pettersson (30:55). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!

Episode 24: Love and Protect Your Goalies

Tue, 30 Oct 2018 11:28:51 +0000

Weed in the NHL (2:57), unionized athletes crossing the picket line in Boston (5:16), goalie equipment changes (7:30), John Tortorella's thoughts on how the game is changing (10:14), a brief run through the divisions and Hannah's hot take for who will win the Cup (16:45), rookie(s) of the week and the NHL-CHL agreement (31:17), when NHL teams are pulling their goalies (40:09), NWHL update (43:42). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!

Episode 23: Is It Too Early to Panic?

Tue, 23 Oct 2018 11:08:54 +0000

Updates and injuries (0:33), initial thoughts from each division (7:06), Meg's prospects of the week: Jack Hughes and Cole Caufield (23:40), how scoring chances are defined (28:07). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!

Episode 22: The Personalities Are Coming

Tue, 16 Oct 2018 11:59:19 +0000

Early indications that more players are actually showing their personalities this season (1:48), on-ice updates from around the league (8:00), Hannah's rookie/prospect of the week: Brady Tkachuk (17:08), data on when teams should and do pull their goalies (19:55), welcoming fans onto the Beauts bandwagon (24:20). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!

Episode 21.5: Championship Series Preview

Fri, 12 Oct 2018 11:00:52 +0000

Previewing the NLCS between the Dodgers and the Brewers (1:07) and the ALCS between the Astros and the Red Sox (9:08). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!

Episode 21: Hockey's Back, Baby

Tue, 09 Oct 2018 11:05:26 +0000

The Tom Wilson suspension (1:48), Hannah's reaction to Captain Jack (6:34), Meg's thoughts on Nylander (8:26), early impactful injuries (15:02), goals galore (16:57), early season overreactions (20:19), the beginning of the NWHL season (26:42). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!

Episode 20.5: Say Something Nice - Rivalry Edition

Fri, 05 Oct 2018 11:04:32 +0000

The tiebreakers and Wild Card games (0:54), our thoughts going into the ALDS as friends and rivals (7:28), ALDS preview: Meg makes the case for Cleveland (11:35) and Hannah does the same for the Astros (19:45). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!

Episode 20: Postseason Positivity

Tue, 02 Oct 2018 11:11:05 +0000

The current state of the playoff picture (1:37), recent headlines in baseball (6:00), reasons why each team can win it all: the Red Sox (8:17), the Yankees (10:25), the A's (11:50), the Braves (15:30), the Cubs (17:30), the Brewers (18:56), the Dodgers (21:10), the Rockies (23:15). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!

Episode 19E: Let's Do That Hockey - Atlantic

Fri, 28 Sep 2018 11:23:08 +0000

Previewing the Atlantic: Detroit (0:37), Florida (3:55), Boston (5:20), Tampa (7:00), Montreal (8:04), Ottawa (9:07), Toronto (11:48), Buffalo (16:02). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!

Episode 19D: Let's Do That Hockey - Metro

Thu, 27 Sep 2018 10:55:14 +0000

Previewing the Metro: Washington (0:39), Pittsburgh (2:45), Philadelphia (6:30), Columbus (8:35), Carolina (11:15), New York Islanders (13:35), New Jersey (17:46), New York Rangers (19:43). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!

Episode 19C: Let's Do That Hockey - Central

Wed, 26 Sep 2018 10:58:00 +0000

Previewing the Central: St. Louis (0:48), Chicago (2:45), Nashville (5:03), Colorado (7:21), Minnesota (8:45), Dallas (10:44), Winnipeg (12:30). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!

Episode 19B: Let's Do That Hockey - Pacific

Mon, 24 Sep 2018 20:36:05 +0000

Previewing the Pacific: San Jose (1:15), Anaheim (4:00), Las Vegas (5:15), Arizona (6:58), Calgary (9:19), Edmonton (11:30), Los Angeles (14:48), Vancouver (16:20). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!

Episode 19A: Let's Do That Hockey - Intro

Mon, 24 Sep 2018 01:39:46 +0000

Samson Reinhart and the rest of the RFAs (1:15), the Max Domi-Aaron Ekblad fight (3:55), our trip to Toronto and Buffalo for two preseason games and our impressions after seeing the Sabres and the Leafs (7:56), an encounter with a terrible Leafs fan in Buffalo (14:41), our final takeaways (19:00). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!

Episode 18.5: Baseball Grab Bag

Thu, 20 Sep 2018 10:39:58 +0000

The division races (0:30), checking in on Trevor Bauer and Aaron Judge (7:07), the AL Cy Young race (9:13), Mike Trout's possible contract extension (16:30), a bunch of weird stories from around the league (20:38). Follow us on Twitter!

Episode 18: Winter is Coming

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 11:28:51 +0000

All the hockey headlines from around the league, including Erik Karlsson (1:00), Tyler Seguin (3:08), Austin Watson (4:08), Robin Lenher (7:05), new captains (10:25), RFA signings (11:46) and the biggest question facing each team in the Eastern Conference (13:09). Follow us on Twitter and see the associated blog post here!

Episode 17.5: Waiting for October

Thu, 13 Sep 2018 11:14:37 +0000

The issue of service time (3:00), latest news in the AL (6:11), division races in the NL (11:45), important elbow-related news (14:09), fun statistical updates on the Astros' pitching staff and Mike Trout and Jacob deGrom (16:12), our hot take of the week (22:32). Follow us on Twitter!

Episode 17: Final(ish) Countdown

Tue, 11 Sep 2018 10:53:04 +0000

The Max Pacioretty trade (1:00), Nate Schmidt's suspension (6:03), Blake Wheeler's extension (8:12), Noah Hanifin's contract (10:00), the biggest question facing each team in the Western Conference (11:26), early career progression (27:42). Follow us on Twitter and see the associated blog post here!

Episode 16.5: Hope Springs Eternal

Thu, 06 Sep 2018 11:41:25 +0000

Our thoughts on fan policing and bandwagon fans (0:58), our experiences as as female sports fans (9:11), the role of suffering and hope in sports (16:30). Follow us on Twitter and see the associated blog post here!

Episode 16: Dark Clouds and Silver Linings

Tue, 04 Sep 2018 10:37:11 +0000

Sixty seconds per NHL team: reasons to be pessimistic about last year's playoff teams (1:10) and reasons to be optimistic about teams that missed the playoffs (16:10). Follow us on Twitter!

Episode 15.5: The Wild Wild West(s)

Thu, 30 Aug 2018 10:48:18 +0000

How the August 31 deadline works (0:20), the AL East and Central (4:45), the AL West (7:18), the National League (9:25), our case for Jacob deGrom (10:45), why we love Players' Weekend (14:50), our stat of the week: pitch framing (19:45). Follow us on Twitter and follow us on Instagram!

Episode 15: Breaking Free

Tue, 28 Aug 2018 10:38:19 +0000

#KarlssonWatch is back (1:05), our picks for next year's breakout players (3:53): Andreas Johnsson (4:30), Casey Mittelstadt (5:15), Dylan Strome (5:45), Travis Konecny (8:19), Alex Galchenyuk (10:08), Ty Rattie (11:52), Jordan Eberle (12:52), more on Mittelstadt because we just can't resist (14:22), our excitement over the season starting (16:11), more power play analysis (17:20). See this episode's associated blog post here, follow us on Twitter, and follow us on Instagram!

Episode 14.5: Bad Pitches and Good Tweets

Thu, 23 Aug 2018 01:34:19 +0000

The Acuña/Ureña situation (0:32), the best thing on baseball Twitter last week (3:07), the ever-tightening battle in the AL West (5:00) and the rest of the division races (7:23), the update everyone's been waiting for on Mike Trout (9:10), why advanced stats belong in TV broadcasts (9:35), our heartwarming stories of the week (11:37), did you know Meg likes cycling? (15:23).

Episode 14: Winner Winner Buffalo Chicken Dinner

Tue, 21 Aug 2018 11:20:04 +0000

The losers (2:18) and winners (10:40) of the offseason (featuring Vancouver, Washington, Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton, New York, Buffalo, Toronto, and St. Louis), an analysis of last year's top power play units (15:28). See this episode's associated blog post here, follow us on Twitter, and follow us on Instagram!

Episode 13.5: Back to Basics

Thu, 16 Aug 2018 10:35:20 +0000

Cleveland's need for a new team name (0:30), our stance on bat flips (5:06), an update on all the injuries plaguing baseball and the state of the division races (7:05), our stat of the week: the slash line (19:30). Follow us on Twitter and follow us on Instagram!

Episode 13: The Young Guns

Tue, 14 Aug 2018 10:50:39 +0000

Meg's hockey-heavy weekend (0:32), an update on the recent NHL headlines (3:53), incoming rookies who could compete for the 2019 Calder (9:50), a debate over which of last year's rookies will score the most points next year (24:04). See this episode's associated blog post here, follow us on Twitter, and follow us on Instagram!

Episode 12.5: We Need the NHL Season to Start

Thu, 09 Aug 2018 10:30:08 +0000

Why we need hockey season to start ASAP (0:22), the result of William Karlsson's arbitration hearing and how other teams might follow the "Vegas model" (5:06), recent signings of John Gibson and Mark Stone (11:30), the crop of unsigned RFAs (16:00), Hannah's reaction to the Jeff Skinner trade (21:23). Follow us on Twitter and follow us on Instagram!

Episode 12: The Good, the Bad, and the Injured

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 15:14:56 +0000

Jim Thome's HOF induction (1:30), Meg's reaction to the Osuna trade (3:34), LeBron James' new school (10:15), recent success from Bryce Harper (14:15) and the Red Sox (16:30) and the Oakland A's (18:35), recent impactful injuries (20:05), how Collin McHugh has put together such a successful season as a reliever (22:52) with our stat of the week: BABIP (27:03). See this episode's associated blog post here, follow us on Twitter, and follow us on Instagram!

Episode 11.5: Team North America 2018

Fri, 03 Aug 2018 11:26:53 +0000

Recent free agency updates (1:10), selecting a 2018 version of Team North America (6:45): defensemen (8:32), forwards (10:16), our indulgent picks (15:16), and goalies (18:14). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod and follow us on Instagram @ballsandstickspod!

Episode 11: Millennials are Killing Baseball

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 10:47:05 +0000

An update on the divisional races and recent trades (2:01), Mike Trout and Rob Manfred's comments (6:25), declining attendance in baseball (11:50), the new trend of position players pitching (20:23), Meg says something nice about the A's (22:18), our heartwarming story of the week (24:21). See this episode's associated blog post here, follow us on Twitter, and follow us on Instagram!

Episode 10.5: Looking Shifty

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 10:17:35 +0000

The trade that bolstered Cleveland's bullpen (1:21), the rapid rise in popularity of the shift (3:30), the arguments for and against the shift (5:50), how hitters are (or aren't) adjusting to the shift (7:09), is the shift on its way to being outlawed? (11:53), our stat of the week: ultimate zone rating (18:56). See this episode's associated blog post here, follow us on Twitter, and follow us on Instagram!

Episode 10: Hit Me Baby One More Time

Tue, 24 Jul 2018 11:01:57 +0000

The (lack of) NHL offseason headlines (0:30), our differing opinions on fighting in the NHL (2:24), the decline of the enforcer (5:34), what the old guard thinks of fighting (9:30), the downsides of "hits" as a statistic but how we can use it anyway (11:16). See this episode's associated blog post here, follow us on Twitter, and follow us on Instagram!

Episode 9.5: Previewing MLB's "Second Half"

Thu, 19 Jul 2018 10:50:48 +0000

Our favorite moments from the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game (0:46), Josh Hader (5:42), where things stand in the NL (8:25) and the AL (15:14), the strangest walk-off of the year (29:22), our current MVP and Cy Young predictions (31:23), stat of the week: weighted runs created (34:01). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod and on Instagram @ballsandstickspod!

Episode 9: Surviving the NHL Offseason

Tue, 17 Jul 2018 11:00:32 +0000

Recent goalie signings (2:40), how Kucherov's extension might affect #KarlssonWatch (7:01), updates on the unsigned restricted free agents (10:35), other players and teams who could be on the move (15:35), the strange situations with Panarin (17:55) and Pacioretty (21:42), Hannah's primer on women's hockey (26:55) and our thoughts on if there will ever be a woman in the NHL (37:38), our heartwarming story of the week (42:25). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod and on Instagram @ballsandstickspod!

Episode 8.5: O Captain! My Captain!

Thu, 12 Jul 2018 01:47:07 +0000

Offseason updates (0:55), Meg's grievances with how people talk about captains in the NHL (4:30), current captainless teams in the league (10:26) including the Sabres (13:28) and the Leafs (19:08). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod and on Instagram @ballsandstickspod!

Episode 8: Hey Now, You're an All-Star (Balls)

Tue, 10 Jul 2018 10:52:35 +0000

The All-Star Game selections (1:15) and snubs (10:05), the headlines in the NL (18:30), the status of the AL division races (24:19), our stat of the week: wOBA (35:20). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod and on Instagram @ballsandstickspod!

Episode 7.5: Is it Better to be Lucky than Good? (Balls)

Thu, 05 Jul 2018 13:56:10 +0000

Our quick recap of the NL (0:28), the most interesting team in the AL East: the Rays (5:40), new baseball darling Willians Astudillo (9:14), Hannah's update on the Tribe and her mixed feelings on Trevor Bauer (10:15), Meg's update on the Astros (12:50), the Mariners and their pythagorean win-loss record (16:23), Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout (20:10), a recap of our minor league road trip featuring Tim Tebow (22:14). Follow us on Instagram @ballsandstickspod and on Twitter @ballsnstickspod!

Episode 7: Tavares Talk (Sticks)

Wed, 04 Jul 2018 14:26:10 +0000

Meg's euphoria over the John Tavares signing (0:50), Carter Hutton going to Buffalo (7:52), what's happening in Vancouver? (10:00), St. Louis making moves (13:40), Hannah's #GiveJackTheC campaign (18:20), other headlines from the opening of free agency (20:15), the drama of offer sheets (25:10). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod and Instagram @ballsandstickspod!

Episode 6: The Year of the Rasmus

Mon, 25 Jun 2018 11:00:19 +0000

The recent rash of injuries in baseball (0:30), the state of the MLB division races (2:55), the unbelievable season Mike Trout is having (9:35), Bryce Harper's slump (15:00), the NHL Draft (22:05), the trades that have happened so far this offseason (36:05), where we think John Tavares will end up (47:40), Samson Reinhart's contract situation (55:50), the Toronto Marlies winning the Calder Cup (61:30), the World Cup (63:40). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod!

Episode 5: We Have to Disagree About Something

Sun, 17 Jun 2018 23:25:56 +0000

Our end-of-season all-hockey special: picks and predictions for the NHL Awards (1:00) including the emergence of our new Connor McDavid feud (2:20), the NHL Draft and Hannah's excitement over the Sabres picking first (23:48), the results of own own mock draft of current American players (30:30). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod!

Episode 4: Give Us the DH or Give Us Death

Mon, 11 Jun 2018 01:35:37 +0000

Washington's celebrations with the Stanley Cup (1:15), our favorite moments of the NHL playoffs (3:30), updates on the Tribe (10:20) and the Astros (13:15), the state of the AL division races (17:10), Shohei Ohtani's injury (23:00), happenings in the NL and the resurgent Rockies (27:53), our stat of the week and our arguments for the designated hitter (34:15), Hannah says something nice about Steve Kerr and mourns the end of the Cavaliers' season (40:55). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod!

Episode 3: There's a Stat for That

Mon, 04 Jun 2018 01:24:06 +0000

Hannah's trip to the Trop to see the Rays use their "opener" (0:40), updates on the Astros (4:50) and the Tribe (6:15) and the rest of MLB (8:24), a quick explanation on ERA and its drawbacks as a statistic (11:30), our thoughts after the first three games of the Stanley Cup Final (15:08), the Toronto Marlies' performance in the Calder Cup and why that's a good sign for the Leafs (24:14), what is a Marlie anyway? (26:40), Hannah's emotional struggle with the Cavs against the Warriors in the NBA Finals (30:30), nice things we made ourselves say about Steph Curry and Tom Wilson (36:50). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod!

Episode 2: A New Name on Lord Stanley's Cup

Mon, 28 May 2018 13:35:45 +0000

Our Stanley Cup Final preview pod: why we're excited about this matchup (1:50), senior superlatives for the Golden Knights (3:30), the divisiveness of Tom Wilson (9:15), Win Lose or Draw for Vegas (14:00) and Washington (18:15), the juicy "sports narratives" of this series (21:55), our official podcast prediction for who will win the Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe (24:10), nice things we made ourselves say about Braden Holtby and Andre Burakovsky and Alex Ovechkin (27:30). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod!

Episode 1: All Aboard the Vegas Train

Mon, 21 May 2018 01:02:01 +0000

How we decided to root for Vegas over Winnipeg (1:13), our sports fandom philosophy (3:30), our new favorite player Jonathan Marchessault (4:40), our thoughts on the Tampa-Washington series (7:34), Brett Connolly and the story of the puck girl (10:20), how we'd rank the final four teams by the attractiveness of their players (14:20), the Astros vs. Tribe series (16:33), the feud between Trevor "Tyler" Bauer and the Astros pitching staff (20:10), the current statistical leaders in baseball (24:13), the resurgence of Bartolo Colon and the surprising success of the Braves (26:40), the current status of the NBA finals (30:34), our hatred of certain commercials in the Stanley Cup Playoffs (32:40), nice things we made ourselves say about Connor McDavid and Brad Marchand (34:44), beware loud anguished noises (35:30). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod!

Episode 0: Welcome, Everything is Fine

Thu, 17 May 2018 02:33:14 +0000

Why we decided to start this podcast (1:00), our fandom origin stories for both baseball (1:50) and hockey (6:25), the joy of winning a championship after tanking (7:45), the current state of the Tribe (8:35) and the Astros (10:45), our initial thoughts on the Stanley Cup playoffs (13:58), the pluses and minuses of rooting for Vegas (16:28), Patrik Laine's beard and the rest of the Jets (19:00), a detour to discuss Hannah's love of Canada (19:27), Winnipeg's impressive yet terrifying whiteouts (20:27), our favorite playoff beards of the season (21:08), our playoff predictions (23:04), advocating for NHL naptime (25:38), Jacob Trouba's delightful dog (26:05), our rooting interests in the NBA playoffs (26:43), nice things we made ourselves say about Aaron Judge and Laine (30:53). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod!