Locke'd In Baseball

After spending a week on the IL with a non-COVID-related illness, Luis is back for a jam-packed podcast. The Astros went through a challenging part of their schedule and went 7-2, the boys discuss why they are winning and their postseason prospects. The Orioles went 14-12 in June and all of a sudden there is optimism in Baltimore. Luis and William compare Baltimore's rebuild to others (like PIT, CIN and DET) and pick which team will contend the soonest. They also talk about Freddie Freeman's awkward return to Atlanta, Juan Soto turning down another massive contract offer, San Diego's City Connect uniforms and more. Weekly superlatives are given out as well.

Armand re-joins the podcast on his summer break and the boys record poolside in Calabasas, CA. They discuss Kyrie Irving opting into his $37M player option for next season and possible trade options for the Nets. They also talk about potential landing spots for Kevin Durant if he were to force his way out of Brooklyn. They then break down the NBA Draft, its winners and losers and some picks/fits they liked. 

It's Luis's birthday and the boys are excited for an outstanding slate of baseball this week. Since it feels like no one outside of the New York teams have separated themselves this season, they go through and determine which teams can actually win the World Series. They then discuss the up-and-coming Cleveland Guardians. What has gone right for them this season? What makes them so exciting? Should they make a move at the deadline to push for the division and a playoff run? William then gives a College World Series update, before the two go through their Weekly Awards.

William is joined by college roommate and fellow basketball junkie Josh Mullenix to discuss the Golden State Warriors winning their fourth NBA title in eight years. The two discuss where Steph Curry stands in the pantheon of all-time greats, the other Warriors contributing pieces, if the Warriors are a dynasty, and where they go heading forward. They also analyze the Finals from Boston's perspective. What went wrong for them? What happened to Jayson Tatum? Will they make it back? The two wrap the podcast by breaking down some of the top prospects in Thursday night's NBA Draft, and also some later first-round guys that have the potential to pop.

The boys are back for another podcast recapping the week that was in MLB. After discussing Luis's blown lead to William in fantasy baseball, they break down Atlanta's win streak and what changed for them. They then discuss the Dodgers' struggles and if there is a bit of complacency in Los Angeles. They touch on the College Baseball tournament and the Jazz Chisolm story that came out this week, before getting into Weekly Awards.

Joe joins the podcast to discuss the NBA Finals through two games. Can Curry keep carrying the Warriors without a true number two scoring option? What defensive adjustments did Golden State make in Game 2? Why does Draymond Green get special treatment from the refs? What do the Celtics have to do to turn it around in Boston? They then discuss the Orlando Magic and what they should do with the number one overall pick in this month's draft. The two break down the Magic franchise and their outlook moving forward. They end the podcast with some quick-hit topics, including Quinn Synder & Donovan Mitchell, Phil Knight's bid to buy the Blazers, the NHL Playoffs and LIV Golf.

Link to website: https://www.thecriticscornerpodcast.com/

William opens this week's podcast with a rant about the ending of the Michigan-Louisville game before Luis talks about some of the awful umpiring lately. The two discuss if robotic umpires are needed. They then voice their frustrations about the struggling Angels and their lack of leadership. The Phillies fired Joe Girardi this week, so the two break down that team and whether or not they can turn it around this season. They close the podcast with their weekly awards.

William and Luis are back to recap a wild week in Major League Baseball. In one of the stranger stories in recent memory, Tommy Pham slapped Joc Pederson during batting practice. The boys react, take sides, and ultimately talk about how this story is getting way too much publicity. They then break down the Minnesota Twins' season and debate whether or not they can contend for a division crown. What is wrong with Byron Buxton? Is the pitching good enough? They then discuss the sleeper Arizona Diamondbacks and their Wild Card chances. They wrap with their weekly superlatives, including some similar faces in the Team of the Week.

Die-hard St. Louis Cardinals fan Alden Caraway joins Luis & William to discuss the Cardinals' up and down season. They break down every aspect of the Cardinals, why it feels like they can be so much better than they are, and what the ceiling is for this team moving forward. They then go around the league discussing the previous week of action. They list their players of the week, team of the week, Pushing P team, and much more.

Joe joins the podcast to recap another fun NBA Draft Lottery. The two discuss potential landing spots for some of the top prospects in this year's draft, winners and losers from the lottery, and some funny subplots from last night's broadcast. Then, the two break down Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, a 118-107 Heat victory that featured Jimmy Butler taking over and scoring 41 points. Can the Celtics win without Marcus Smart? What are some things to look for during the rest of the series? They also discuss the Suns' shocking Game 7 to Dallas, preview the WCF, and the rise of "Luka Legend." They wrap the pod with some brief NHL Playoffs chatter and talk about the current state of Minnesota sports.