Four Quarters

Ohtani's season ended a couple weeks ago, but the Angels just wrapped up their regular season (with no playoffs ahead of them). We talk about some minor updates about the knee surgery Ohtani had a couple weeks ago and then take a step back to look at how his sophomore season went overall in 2019 as a one-way player.

Then we do a speed round of the Angels overall season, the freshly announced firing of manager Brad Ausmus after only one year (and rumors of Joe Maddon being hired in his place), as well as our suggestions for upcoming free agents that Billy Eppler should pursue in the offseason to fill spots they need.

We'll be back in Spring Training 2020!

You can also click below for Pros and Cons, our other (non-baseball) podcast, which we'll still be doing in the offseason: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pros-and-cons/id1450368529

There was breaking news on Thursday, out of nowhere, that Ohtani was going to have season-ending knee surgery the next day on Friday (we were as shocked to hear as you are). With no indication of this throughout the year, this was an unfortunate way to end the year. But we look at why it actually may not be the worst situation and the positive side of his recovery to come leading up to next season.

Additionally, we give an update on the Angels season (officially out of wild card race, other injuries, Mike Trout to likely be MVP, and Tyler Skaggs further aftermath).

We'll have one more episode after the baseball regular season finishes at the end of the month to recap Ohtani's 2019 overall, so stay tuned for that.

The All-Star break happened this week. After a few days off, today marks the 2nd half of the season beginning. We talk about how Ohtani's done so far since coming back in early May, hitting for the cycle, getting a dinger on his 25th birthday, MLB not even offering him an invite to participate in the Home Run Derby this year, and more. Also, we talk about the latest updates with the Angels and look at the tragic passing of Angels pitcher, Tyler Skaggs, who died on July 1st at 27 years young and was a key part of their team and helped Ohtani with his transition to the U.S.

Kawhi Leonard did it. He led the Raptors to the golden trophy. The Warriors and their dynasty could not stay together this year without KD, and later, Klay Thompson. The West is also heating up for next year already as AD gets traded to the Lakers right after the Finals ends. This is the season finale of the NBA, and also of Four Quarters.

In a historic first MLB matchup in America between Yusei Kikuchi and Shohei Ohtani, two young baseball stars from Japan from the same region and high school, the two faced off for the first time in an MLB game. Being that Ohtani is only hitting this year, it was strictly a pitcher (Kikuchi) vs. hitter (Ohtani) matchup. The bats won the battle by a landslide, as did the Angels overall. They destroyed Kikuchi. We talk about the details of the game, as well as Ohtani's first month back after returning to playing following getting Tommy John surgery in the offseason. Plus, how the Angels have been doing so far in their first couple months.

The conference finals have wrapped up and Kawhi, Drake, and the Toronto Raptors have emerged victorious against the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis. Now, they'll go onto face the almighty Warriors so Drew gives his opinion on who he thinks is going to win. Also, LeBron's son made an Instagram and is wildly popular already.

Drew brings on special guest Jack Sommer to talk about the latest in the NBA Playoffs - including how even without KD, the Warriors have polished off the Portland Trailblazers in a 4-0 series victory. Also the Bucks and Raptors are tied up 2-2, a series which has the Kawhi/Giannis matchup but also a heavy Drake presence. Finally, they talk about NBA Draft and trade theories (particularly of the Knicks and the Pelicans).

Is Kawhi's crazy buzzer beater a bigger shot than Dame's? Which of the Curry brothers will prevail on the West Coast? Did the Knicks get screwed in the NBA Draft Lottery by not getting the #1 Zion pick? These are all questions Drew looks at this episode while he gives his predictions for the Conference Semifinals that are now off to their start.

THE BOY IS BACK! Finally, Ohtani was activated to play again this week. We talk about what that means, how he did in his first series back, predictions for this season from here on, how the Angels are doing, and other Shohei related news.

As the Conference Semifinals near their end, Boston is the first to be eliminated (4-1) at the hands of the Milwaukee Bucks and Giannis. Elsewhere in the East, the 76ers are on the brink of elimination to the Raptors and Kawhi. Over in the West, both series have been tight. Drew breaks it all down. Plus, the Lakers and Tyronn Lue not agreeing on a coaching contract and other thoughts on their offseason.