Scoops Sports Network

We talk about Jordan Hicks, the return of Albert Pujols and the game tonight against the Oakland A's which brings Stephen Piscotty back to St. Louis. Flaherty starts tonight and we discuss the last time you saw him when he was picked off at 2nd to end the game. We also get an update on Alex Reyes. Listen here:

It all comes down to the Cards Cubs rivalry and in, Ben Fred's words, there will be a lot of digested fingernails. We talk about Joe Madden's future in Chicago and how it compares to what was Matheny's role. The Cubs front office has made many moves and they expect to win with those players on the team now.

Ben Fred says this will be postseason baseball before the postseason starts. The Cardinals have to at least get the spit series which has proven tough at Wrigley this year. How will Wacha do in a place that he hasn't done so well in?

How about re-signing of Ozuna? What are the thoughts on Dylan Carlson and the timing of him joining the bigs?

The Mizzou football game against South Carolina this weekend could be interesting. Does Kelly Bryant make a difference in the result? Ben Fred says the Tigers need to minimize the self-inflicted wounds.

We talk MLS stadium and the next big reveal. Time is ticking for the ownership group to get the ball rolling. Also, the slow-build of the team's operations side. Does Dan Flynn play a part?

Blues preseason has started. What stands out? How is the new practice facility helping?

We've got a lot to talk about with Ben Frederickson of the Post Dispatch. What are his thoughts on the return of Albert to St. Louis? Dan thinks baseball has done a disservice to St. Louis in not having Anaheim visit our city until now. Ben agrees. We talk about the warm-hearted response Pujols will get from the fans tonight. How will Yadi stall? How will Wacha react on the mound? We get into a lot more on Albert here.

What about the Cardinals in Ben's opinion? What about the game ending last night with Flaherty getting picked off second? Ben Fred disagrees with pitchers pinch running. He says the lack of competition has been a very serious issue. If Oquendo says they need a "kick in the butt", what does that mean for the club? Is Goldschmidt getting out of his rut?

Dan said Ben Fred's article on the parade and Pietrangelo was incredible and emotional. Ben Fred gives us the eye-watering details. It's a must listen.

Also, listen here for Dan's take on how the Blues win affects the entire city and how it relates to MLS coming to town. What does Ben Fred say about Kavanaugh and Kindle Betz at the parade? How should the region look at this city-wide celebration in terms of approving the MLS team?

In this week's "Tony Talk" the topic is Albert Pujols. His exit from St. Louis and his return to Busch this weekend. What Mark McGwire said to Tony about Albert in the Spring of 2001. Also, the myth that Pujols only made the team because of a Bonilla injury.

We talk to Brian Walton about Alex Reyes' outing last night, the road to the big leagues for Ravelo, Tommy Edman and the first half of the minor leagues. We also get into the All-Stars named in the minors. Listen here:

We talk over the road trip with John Mozeliak. We also visit with him about the return of Alex Reyes, what it will be like to have Albert Pujols in town, his thoughts on Dakota Hudson and more. 

In this week's "Tony Talk", Tony talks about the Blues Stanley Cup win, what sports can do for a city, his parade memories, also stories about his Dad as we approach Father's Day.  Plus, how John Grisham became a F.O.T. (friend of Tony)

The Blues are the Stanley Cup and NHL Champions. What was it like in Boston at and after the game? Ben Fred tells us all about it. At what point in the game did he think the Blues might have it? What did Ryan O'Reilly's dad tell the media about him as a kid? Dan talks about his dad and his passion for the Blues. What would he have thought about the win? What does Dan remember about his dad's love for the sport?

Ben Fred has had to learn about the game and the fan-base pretty quickly over the last few years. As a kid growing up in Sedalia, MO, he wasn't accustomed to the Blues or hockey in general. He has learned that the fans are insanely loyal, edgy for good reason and that this win is so very sweet for them. Cathartic is the word Ben Fred used to describe this outcome for the Blues. He says the parade on Saturday will be amazing.

After the game on Wednesday, Ben Fred learned that Ryan O'Reilly was playing with cracked ribs. He also learned that ROR's nickname was Snoot as a kid, meaning trouble-maker. It was that they chanted repeatedly while in a family embrace on the ice after the game. Ben also witnessed Tarasenko's facetime from Yadier Molina. He said Tarasenko wants nothing to more than to win hockey games and be with his family. Bobby Plager played bartender and handed out Bud Lights to everyone who would let him. Pat Maroon scolded his brother about Cup etiquette.

Because the press sits next to The Black Aces, the players who don't dress for the game, Ben Fred could tell when a big play was coming. He says those guys know the game so well that a buzz would start ahead of something notable. Ben tells about some of those names that may not have started a playoff game but contributed a ton to the team. He says Jake Allen stand out for one.

Pat Maroon became the team's ambassador and lent a voice to the anti-Kroenke movement. Between the fans at Enterprise, at Busch, in Miami listening to Gloria at the Cardinals game and Phish covering Gloria over the weekends, it's hard to believe that the Rams tried to argue that the fanbase in St. louis didn't care. Ben Fred tells us why he thinks Maroon embraced his role on the team and why he will now be an STL legend.

So what's next for Berube, Binnington and the team? Listen here:

The day has come and a champion will be decided tonight. We talk to Chris Hrabe about the Blues last game of the season in Boston. We talk about the way the Blues have played on the road and if it will matter tonight. Listen here:

Brian Walton of thecardinalnation.com talks to us this morning about the draft picks. Who has been signed and who hasn't? We also talk about those names in the minors that are teetering on the edge of the bigs. Nolan Gorman, Daniel Ponce de Leon, Dylan Carlson and the newest call-up, Tommy Edman. What about the "shift" in the minors? Listen here for inside #scoops.