Covino & Rich - Boone's Lineup, Covino Back in Ours

Summary

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The Dan Patrick Show

Episode: Covino & Rich – Boone's Lineup, Covino Back in Ours
Date: October 2, 2025
Host Network: iHeartPodcasts and Dan Patrick Podcast Network

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Overview

This episode, featuring Covino & Rich (Steve Covino and Rich Davis), dives into the chaos and controversy of October baseball, with a heavy focus on the Yankees' postseason woes, manager Aaron Boone's decision-making, and the impact of analytics on the game. Returning from vacation, Covino unleashes his frustrations about the Yankees’ performance, Boone’s lineup choices, and the broader trend of data-driven management in sports. The conversation is fast, passionate, and takes detours into pop culture, other MLB playoff scenarios, NFL news, and the intersection of gut instinct and analytics in sports.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Covino Returns & Yankees Meltdown

• Covino kicks off by thanking Rich for covering while he was away and quickly turns to his frustration with the Yankees’ latest postseason failure.
  • “I’m back and I’m angry … That’s why. The Yankees stay. That’s why. And they got to redeem themselves today. I hate Aaron Boone, I hate Weaver, I hate Bregman’s face …” (03:18, Covino)
• Setting the Scene: Covino is broadcasting in his Yankees–Mexico Diablos hat, fresh from a trip to Mexico in time for Hispanic Heritage Month.

2. Bad Bunny & The Super Bowl Halftime Show

• Debates pop culture backlash: They address social media outrage about Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl performer.
  • “If you’re not happy about Bad Bunny, that’s okay. It doesn’t make you racist. It could make you just a rock fan.” (06:50, Covino)
  • “It is extreme, though, you’re right, that if you insinuate that you don’t like the Bad Bunny choice, there is almost like a weird … ‘That’s racist.’ I just don’t like – it’s not my thing.” (07:26, Rich)
• Covino adds: “I’m not happy about the choice, but I’m not mad about it either. Is he worthy of it? Absolutely.” (07:41, Covino)

3. MLB Postseason: The Analytics Debate Heats Up

Main Episode Focus (Starts ~09:00)

• Rich quizzes Covino about Yankee manager Aaron Boone’s controversial choices in game one of the wild card series, including taking out a cruising Max Fried and sitting two power hitters (Chisholm and Ben Rice).
  • “Aaron Boone doesn’t wear the nuts, that’s why … But he’s not in charge: analytics. That’s why.” (09:45, Covino)
• On analytics in the postseason:
  • “You’re letting nerds ruin baseball.” (15:10, Covino)
  • “Analytics don’t work in a three-game playoff because that’s the average of a 162-game season. Right. It’s not going to work in that little series.” (16:46, Covino)
• Player/Gut vs. Data: Multiple times, the crew laments managers making decisions based solely on data, not gut or “intangibles,” especially in high-stakes playoff games.

4. Yankees Lineup and the Fallout

• The mystery of the missing bats:
  • “The Yankees benched 57 home runs and 145 RBI by leaving Chisholm and Rice out of the lineup. How do you do that in a three game series?” (15:10, Covino)
• Rich’s satire:
  • “You’re lucky the Dodgers are facing a righty tonight. Because if you’re facing a lefty, you might want to sit Ohtani, right?” (15:58, Rich)
  • Covino: “Never. Absolutely never.”

5. Bullpen Mishaps and Missed Opportunities

• On Boone’s pitching moves:
  • “Boone made the moves and they didn’t come through … Giancarlo Stanton was in a big moment and the biggest heartbreak of the night is you have the bases loaded with no outs and you can’t push one run across. That’s disgusting.” (17:16–18:45, Covino)
• Historic futility:
  • “Yankees are the first team in MLB postseason history to have bases loaded with nobody out in the bottom of the ninth and not score a run and lose the game.” (51:06, Covino)

6. Broader MLB Playoff Landscape

• Quick roundups of other MLB series: Guardians, Padres, Dodgers, and Reds all get mentions; the state of various Game 3’s and standout performances like Shohei Ohtani's home runs are covered.
  • “Looks like baseball’s giving us exactly what we want … Padres, Cubbies, likely game three tomorrow. Tigers, Guardians, game three tomorrow. … The only one that won’t be, the Dodgers just going to embarrass the Reds tonight.” (26:59, Rich)

7. NFL Headlines & Injuries

• Rich raises the classic question of whether repeated injuries on a single team are "just bad luck" or the fault of poor training staff, citing the banged-up 49ers before Thursday Night Football.
  • “Does it fall on them at some point?” (36:32, Rich)
• Other teams’ woes and QB news: brief updates on the Browns (benching Flacco), Commanders, Chargers, Cardinals, and more come up via Nicole Garcia’s news segment.

8. Robert Saleh–Liam Cohen Sideline Skirmish

• A quick, lighthearted recap of a sideline spat erupts into movie quotes and laughter.
  • “Robert Saleh is the type of guy that could break you in half … I think he said, I will find you, and I will kill you. Something like that. Some sort of Liam Neeson.” (38:00, Covino & Rich)

9. Dodgers & ‘Contagious Hitting’

• Covino admires the Dodgers’ relentless offense but notes concern about bullpen struggles:
  • “Their hitting so contagious, it makes me want to vomit … problem is the bullpen comes in.” (42:06, Covino)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Covino’s Analytics Rant
  “You’re letting nerds ruin baseball.” (15:10, Covino)

• On postseason management:
  “Analytics don’t cover intangibles. Do they have it in the moment? Are they in a good zone? That’s why you put Weaver in there and he blows it.” (16:27, Covino)

• On missing big bats:
  “The Yankees benched 57 home runs and 145 RBI by leaving Chisholm and Rice out of the lineup. How do you do that in a three game series?” (15:10, Covino)

• On Bad Bunny Super Bowl controversy:
  “If you’re not happy about Bad Bunny, that’s okay. It doesn’t make you racist. … We’ve also seen some racist people on social media.” (06:50–07:06, Covino)

• On Yankee fans’ heartbreak:
  “Yankees are the first team in MLB postseason history to have bases loaded with nobody out in the bottom of the ninth and not score a run and lose the game.” (51:06, Covino)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment/Topic | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------|-------------| | Covino returns, unloads on Yankees | 03:14–04:16 | | Bad Bunny/Super Bowl halftime debate | 06:40–08:57 | | MLB playoff chaos: Analytics vs. Gut | 09:05–18:54 | | Yankees benching Chisholm & Rice | 14:01–16:09 | | Analytics in playoffs, “ruining the game” | 15:10–16:53 | | Dodgers bullpen discussion | 22:26–24:14 | | NFL injuries & training staff | 35:03–36:41 | | Robert Saleh sideline fight | 37:09–38:41 | | Historic Yankees ninth inning stat | 51:06–51:35 | | Shohei Ohtani two-HR highlight | 52:11–53:01 |

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Additional Running Jokes & References

• Rich’s repeated “flippy dip” sports terminology for pitching changes (11:25, 11:30).
• Mocking the prevalence of memes for low-seeded playoff teams.
• Classic ribbing between Yankees and Mets fans; Mets’ woes always finding airtime.

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Tone & Language

The show is characterized by:

• Playful sports fan banter: Sarcasm, quick-witted put-downs, and running jokes.
• Frustration with data-driven baseball: Particularly from Covino, blending humor (“letting nerds ruin baseball”) with real exasperation.
• Broad, inclusive sports fandom: References to both MLB and NFL news; personal anecdotes and pop-culture quips lighten the mood and make it accessible for casual listeners.

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For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode delivers a passionate, comedic, and surprisingly nuanced look at how analytics are reshaping baseball’s postseason drama—through the lens of a Yankees fan’s heartbreak and a dynamic sports radio crew. The discussion also touches on NFL injuries, training staff, pop-culture events, and the universal agony of watching your team fall short for reasons that feel as much about spreadsheets as skill—making it a relatable, insightful listen for sports fans of all stripes.

Transcript

[Nicole Garcia]

This is an iHeart podcast.

[Steve Covino]

Hey, this is Matt Jones and I'm Drew Franklin and this is NFL Cover Zero.

[Rich Davis]

We're just here to try to give you an NFL perspective a little bit different.

[Steve Covino]

Did you see the Colts pretzel? That was my other big takeaway from that game. What was that?

[Rich Davis]

Oh my. We think NFL coverage should be informative and entertaining.

[Steve Covino]

And twice a week that is exactly what you're going to get.

[Rich Davis]

Listen to NFL Cover 0 with Matt.

[Steve Covino]

Jones and Drew Franklin on the iHeartRadio.

[Rich Davis]

App, podcasts or wherever you get your podcast. I'm Dan, he's Ty. Hello. And we're the solid verbal College football Podcast. Tune in for previews, recaps, bits you won't hear anywhere else and all the emotional support you need as a college football fan. Join us all season long as we ride the roller coaster of this ridiculous sport. Listen to the solid verbal college football podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. We don't just love college football, Ty, we live it. The NFL is rolling. That's right. And you should be listening to NFL Daily as we march along to Super Bowl 60. It's in the name NFL Daily so you'll have fresh content in your feed all season long. Join me, Greg Rosenthal, in an all star cast of co hosts for previews and recaps of every single game. NFL Daily will keep you up to date with everything you need to know so you can sound smooth, smarter than all your friends. Listen to NFL daily on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited ends 2826 open to legal residents of the 50 US states and DC 18 and over. For complete details, how to enter prizes and official rules, visit toyotasgamedaygiveaways.com I'm Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, host of the Psychology Podcast. Here's a clip from an upcoming conversation about how to be a better you.

[Steve Covino]

When you think about emotion regulation, you're not going to choo an adaptive strategy which is more effortful to use unless you think there's a good outcome. Avoidance is easier. Ignoring is easier.

[Rich Davis]

Denial is easier.

[Steve Covino]

Complex problem solving takes effort.

[Rich Davis]

Listen to the Psychology podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Nicole Garcia]

It may look different, but native culture is alive. My name is Nicole Garcia. And I'm Burn Sage. Burn Bridges. We aim to explore that culture.

[Steve Covino]

Somewhere along the way it turned into.

[Rich Davis]

This full fledged award winning comic shop.

[Nicole Garcia]

That'S Dr. Lee Francis IV who opened the first native comic book shop. Explore his story along with many other native stories on the show. Burn Sage, Burn Bridges. Listen to Burn Sage, Burn bridges on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Steve Covino]

Hey, thanks for listening to the Covino Enrich podcast.

[Rich Davis]

Be sure to catch us live every.

[Steve Covino]

Weekday from 5 to 7 Eastern, 2 to 4 Pacific on Fox SP Sports Radio.

[Rich Davis]

Find your local station for Kavito and [e-mail] or stream us live every day on the iHeartRadio app by searching FSR. All right.

[Steve Covino]

I first want to say thanks to everybody for holding it down the past few days, especially you, Rich Davis. No. And I'm back and I'm angry. I'm back everybody. Cuz the Yankees stay. That's why. And they got to redeem themselves today. I hate Aaron Boone. I hate Weaver. I hate Bregman's face. I hate you. But not you. Fox Sports Radio Nation. Covino and Rich. I'm actually happy to be here broadcasting live from the Fox Sports Radio studio. If you miss any of today's show, you want to catch the podcast, search Covino and Rich wherever you get your podcast. 5 stars because anything less is uncivilized. Let's be rocking out hump day and.

[Rich Davis]

You can see us do our [e-mail] kobeknownrich FSR. We're live streaming right now.

[Steve Covino]

Live streaming. Big dreaming. I got my Yankees hat on right here. My Yankees Mexico Diablos hat because I just came back from Riviera Maya from Mexico.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah.

[Steve Covino]

And it's Hispanic Heritage Month, so Happy Hispanic Heritage Month. Moncy Bolanos Balanos. Let the music take you over.

[Nicole Garcia]

Oh, that was nice and in harmony.

[Steve Covino]

That was lovely here hanging out with us. And we reap all the benefits, of course. We got super producer Danny G. Hey, Danny G. Hey, Happy Wednesday, Iowa. Sam always bringing the fun and of course spots on the videos with midweek major today, the biggest stories in the world of sports and pop culture. We're going to talk LaMar Jackson, some NFL, maybe some Aaron Rodgers. We got Mike's Wednesday words of wisdom. But first and first mostly I hope you had a Red Sox, Tigers, Cubs, Dodgers sort of night last night.

[Rich Davis]

I mean how about a guardians type of day? That's old news, buddy boy. That series is tied up. 1 1. Good for them. And the Padres, they're about to tie this series up. If all stays according to what's doing right now. Three nothing pods.

[Steve Covino]

I hope I hope, I hope it goes further for them, for the Yankees, for the fun of baseball.

[Rich Davis]

I think we're going to say, I think we're going to see three game threes. I think the Dodger just outpower.

[Steve Covino]

That would be dope.

[Rich Davis]

The Reds, I think that's the only sweep you'll see. And it just proves that at least the Mets would have been a more formidable opponent. Even though the Mets stink to it. Just like this is just a warm up for you guys.

[Steve Covino]

Isn't it wild though that so far in this current format, teams are 18 of 20 if they win the first game. Oh yeah, I think it's like 90% or something ridiculous. Yeah, it's. It's tough. But hey, it's October baseball.

[Rich Davis]

You know that 18 out of 20 is 90%. Yeah, you said I think it's like 90%. That's exactly 9 out of 10 times.

[Steve Covino]

18 out of 20. There you have it. Thank you.

[Rich Davis]

Good job, Rich.

[Steve Covino]

Rich Davis.

[Rich Davis]

Well, I mean I do have my.

[Steve Covino]

TI82 on the mental mathematician.

[Rich Davis]

I do have my Mr. Professor calculator.

[Steve Covino]

Yeah. So I hope your team is winning. I hope you're enjoying the go season post season as it officially begins. It's the first of the month. The legend of the rent is way past due. It's time to buy some Halloween candy. You. And it's time to get ready for some postseason baseball.

[Rich Davis]

Don't yawn in October.

[Steve Covino]

Why?

[Rich Davis]

You know what happens when you yawn in October, right?

[Steve Covino]

No, tell us what you say.

[Rich Davis]

A ghost decides to anyway have its way with you. So hey, enjoy October.

[Steve Covino]

You know what happens during Hispanic Heritage Month, right? Because it's another 15 days every time you go on. Bad Bunny has his way with you.

[Rich Davis]

I do love how. And by the way, people are still.

[Steve Covino]

Happy about Bad Bunny. I just want to make. Because I haven't been here the past few days. If you're not happy about Bad Bunny, that's okay. It doesn't make you racist. It could make you just a rock fan.

[Rich Davis]

That's all it could make you a fan of.

[Steve Covino]

Racist. I'm just a rock fan.

[Rich Davis]

Could make you just a fan of hip hop or pop or something else.

[Steve Covino]

But it doesn't mean you. But we've also seen some racist people on social media. Yeah, yeah, yeah. No. Oh, you could be racist. And I'm not hating, I'm just stating. It doesn't mean you wear Oakleys and trucker hats and you're a Karen or a Darren.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah.

[Steve Covino]

It could just mean yeah, Metallica would have Been cool and I'm not the biggest fan, and that's okay. I understand what the NFL's doing.

[Rich Davis]

Again, though, it is very extreme. We talked about it the other day. But it is extreme, though. You're right that if you insinuate that you don't like the Bad Bunny choice, there is almost like a weird, like, what are you, racist? That's racist. I just don't like.

[Steve Covino]

You know what I mean?

[Rich Davis]

It's not my thing.

[Steve Covino]

I'm here to say that. Steve Cavino. I'm always stating this because I'm half Mexican, right? So that's Hispanic, last I heard. I'm not happy about the choice, but I'm not mad about it either. Is he worthy of it? Absolutely. We've been hearing about, hey, newsflash, he performed with JLO and Shakira. He's already done this super bowl halftime, so he's been famous, internationally known to rock the microphone for years.

[Rich Davis]

And by the way, if you're mad about anything regarding a halftime show, get a life. Mad about it. Imagine, Motzi, imagine, like, you have so little going on your personal life, professional life, marriage, dating, kids, work, that. That you're. Imagine being genuinely, like, mad about it.

[Nicole Garcia]

Like, must be nice. Must be nice if that is what you're mad about.

[Rich Davis]

Bummed, right?

[Steve Covino]

Those are good problems.

[Nicole Garcia]

Those are good, easy problems to have.

[Steve Covino]

So I'm not hating, I'm just stating that Bad Booty, it doesn't make you a racist. You could just simply be a Rock fan like I am. And I'm not hating on. On Bad Bunny. I hope he has a great performance, and I hope NFL reaches their. Their mission of gaining more international fans. That's clearly what's going on. And that's okay. And it was perfectly stated, Rich, by you in my absence. But I did want to make it clear that not everybody's a racist because they're not pumped about it.

[Rich Davis]

Like I said the other day.

[Steve Covino]

Racist.

[Rich Davis]

Like I said the other day. It's. I'm just really excited. Happy Gilmore's caddy has come a long way.

[Steve Covino]

Yes, absolutely. I mean, great for him.

[Rich Davis]

I know we're having fun talking about Bed buddy and other things, but can we talk about how your Yankees blew it yesterday? I. Listen, I know I owe you a ton of money because your Yankees were so much more dominant than the Mets this year. Put that aside. I'm not rooting against your Yanks. But last night, Max Freed's rolling. That's.

[Steve Covino]

He's rolling like limpis, getting nearly 2000s.

[Rich Davis]

I'm gonna. I'm gonna present a few things, and then I'm gonna hand it over to the number one Yankee fan I know. But I have a few questions. I just want to get out. Why take out Max Freed? And when I hear cabino. Wait. I said, let me pros my questions.

[Steve Covino]

I'm gonna forget them all.

[Rich Davis]

You like my kids?

[Steve Covino]

Can I answer one at a time?

[Rich Davis]

No, because it's. I just want you to be able to.

[Steve Covino]

No, because I think I can say this because Aaron Boone doesn't wear the nuts. That's why. Okay. And I like AAR Boone. I'm not an Aaron Boone hater. There's a lot of people, a lot of Yankee fans that love to trash Aaron Boone. I like the guy. I'm not one of them. But he's not in charge analytics.

[Rich Davis]

That's why it's the postseason. So I'm not saying there's a time where you do push your guys and it's the postseason. Like the whole, like, let's hold back, holding back. That's. That's not what postseason baseball or any sport is about. Like, that's. It's the postseason.

[Steve Covino]

Yankees, three game series, no less. You got to go all out Yankees.

[Rich Davis]

I mean, he was at 102 pitches. But since when is a hundred pitches like this? Like a guy will, you know, like, he's like, it's a gremlin after midnight. Don't feed it after midnight. If Max Freed is cruising, pitch count is relative. Right. Is it a laboring 102 pitches, or is he cruising 102 pitches? To me, it felt like he was cruising 102 pitches.

[Steve Covino]

Why you let him get to a point where he's in a jam?

[Rich Davis]

And by the way, it was only like a decade ago where a hundred pitches was what you let a guy hit when he was coming off of a rehab start or something. Hundred pitches went from. That's the number you don't want to push to. To your aces playoff limit.

[Steve Covino]

Yeah. Alex Cora pushed it to the limit and made all the difference.

[Rich Davis]

Can I tell you how many chances.

[Steve Covino]

When your dude is in a zone like that? Did it look like he was laboring a little bit in the past few winnings? Yes, but I think you let him finish out that inning.

[Rich Davis]

Winners know how to finish.

[Steve Covino]

Yeah.

[Rich Davis]

Max Freed, I think, is a winner. So let me ask you this.

[Steve Covino]

Well, he was asked at the end of the game, like, did you still have gas in the tank? And he said yes. So that's all I need to know. What about Left him in.

[Rich Davis]

What about on the flippy dip of it? Yeah, I said flippy dip.

[Steve Covino]

Well, that's the proper sports term, I think.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah. On the flippy dip a bit crochet, 117 pitches. And isn't the fun fact his 117th pitch?

[Steve Covino]

I call it Sergio flippy dip.

[Rich Davis]

It's isn't. That was his fastest pitch. So crochet was dealing and they left him in to get through seven and two thirds. So that right there is the difference. All right, question number two for you, Mr. Yankees fan.

[Steve Covino]

Well, let me answer number one.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah.

[Steve Covino]

Analytics Aaron Boone just playing it safe, thinking that Freed was laboring, but really Freed had gas in the tank. You let him get to a point where he needed some relief. I don't think he needed it at that point. So that's the answer, number one.

[Rich Davis]

Question two, Was Aaron Judge, you know, the MVP runner up, in my opinion, was he not moving fast to that ball in a non hustle move or is he just not there? Is he just physically really not ready? Arm, legs, everything. Like he looked like he dilly dallied to that base hit. And Red Sox leg got a double when that was a. That was a single. That was a single right field.

[Steve Covino]

It was a hustle play. It was a smart play. Knowing that Aaron Judge came throw the way he used to because he's coming off an injury, he threw that ball back 73 miles per hour. If he'd thrown it 83 miles per hour like he did previously, just 10 miles per hour more, he would have been out of second. But again, it wasn't a matter of Lally gagging.

[Rich Davis]

Well, do you remember?

[Steve Covino]

It was. It was a matter of just not having that gun and the Red Sox seizing the moment and taking advantage of it. I give props to the Red Sox for playing to their advantages.

[Rich Davis]

Monsieur Danny G. Did it feel like it was a little lollygagging? Not just to throw, like just getting to the ball like, you know it did.

[Nicole Garcia]

But I understand what Covino is saying. It's more like we know he can do it. So it's hard to believe that he was just lollygagging. I think it has more to do with he can't do it and he made the right the smart play.

[Rich Davis]

And what did your Dodger say in the postseason last year? We're going to expose the Yankees and their lack of fundamentals and hustle at times, right?

[Nicole Garcia]

Yes.

[Steve Covino]

It was about putting the ball and play and letting them beat themselves.

[Nicole Garcia]

It was a lot about that.

[Rich Davis]

Now the last question now this is the most important one. I listen to you talk about the Yankees every day off of the air, more than on the air. I mean Cavino's the most die hard guy. Watches 162 games. He could be out to a nice dinner with his girlfriend and he's got his phone watching the Yankees, you know, in June, game 70 something.

[Steve Covino]

It's my only joy. Rich, let me have it.

[Rich Davis]

Well, I hope your joy extends beyond today. You talked last week, Danny G. Do you remember Cavino saying, bro, impact player. I'm going to call it now. Yo Ben Arros, Ben Arros, Ben Rice or Ross. And you doing your little scooping ball thing. Yo, not in the starting lineup. And everyone's laughing because you were all about yo Ben Rose, Ben Rose, Rice.

[Steve Covino]

Oh, there were two Yankees that should.

[Rich Davis]

Have been and a guy that didn't even want to show his face to the reporters after the game because he was probably aggravated. You know a 30, 30 guy, you leave a 30, 30 star star out of the lineup. Where was Jess Chisholm stars? Where was Ben Rice? I asked because talk about getting way too cute. I, yeah, I wrote it down here. Yankees getting cutesy. I know Ahmed Rosario because he was a Met. I know he went on to play for the Guardians, maybe even the Nationals.

[Steve Covino]

Rosario beat it with him.

[Rich Davis]

So Rosario, when I saw him in the box score, I was like, oh, am I looking at the right game?

[Steve Covino]

Simple answer.

[Rich Davis]

He had 30 at bats for the Yankees this year and you put him in game one of the wild card. What are you doing, Aaron Boone?

[Steve Covino]

Simple answer, not the right answer. I don't agree with it, but I can answer the question now. To back up Rich's point, The Yankees benched 57 home runs and 145 RBI by leaving Chisholm and Rice out of the lineup. How do you do that in a three game series? The answer is simple. Analytics. You're letting nerds ruin baseball.

[Rich Davis]

Danny, you got.

[Steve Covino]

It's the lefty crochet is a dominant, dominant lefty pitcher. So they were going lefty, righty matchup. So the Yankees were stacking their right handed bats and taking Jazz Chisholm and Ben Rice out of the lineup as a result. So that's really it. That really answers the question because even I'm scratching my noggin. Rosario barely started a game for the Yankees all season, but he's there because he's a right handed hitter in that moment and he's not a bad defensive replacement.

[Rich Davis]

You're lucky that the Dodgers are facing a righty tonight. Because if you're facing a lefty, you might want to sit Ohtani, right?

[Steve Covino]

Never. Absolutely never.

[Rich Davis]

How do you expect to win with.

[Steve Covino]

Two of your biggest bats out of the lineup? It's a travesty. No, you're right. Former Yankee Clint Frazier tweeted this. Leave it up to the dorks to F. He put the whole word the game up. Just use your eyes and make a lineup with your gut. Ben Rice and Jazz Chisholm are too.

[Rich Davis]

Good to sit out a must win playoff game.

[Steve Covino]

And I couldn't agree more. And here's why. Analytics don't work well. Two reasons. It's an obvious one, but I'll give Big Mike the credit because he did point this out. Mike, who runs this place, he has wisdom, man. We'll discuss that later. Never heard of them. When dealing with analytics, they don't work in a three game playoff because that's the average of 162 game season. Right. It's not going to work in that little series.

[Rich Davis]

You think Big Mike came up with this thought?

[Steve Covino]

No, I'm just giving point number one. Point number two. Analytics don't cover intangibles. Do they have it in the moment? Are they in a good zone? And that's why you put Weaver in there and he blows it.

[Rich Davis]

I don't know that.

[Steve Covino]

He's just not in the moment right now. And that.

[Rich Davis]

Do they have a hot bat? Are they coming out of the bullpen with their last couple appearances?

[Steve Covino]

They struggle in these type of pressure moments. It doesn't cover the human element. And that's what's ruining the game. And that's why Boone is making these decisions. And it's not just Boone. It's your stupid Mets. And it's your Dodgers too, Danny Jean. You know it. And that's your problem with Dave Roberts. Oh, yeah, yeah. Except you know, the players step up now. Am I mad at Aaron Boone?

[Rich Davis]

Yes.

[Steve Covino]

Do I hate the Yankees?

[Rich Davis]

Yes.

[Steve Covino]

Well, I love them after today. I hope so. But the truth is it's both to blame. And when I say both to blame, I mean Aaron Boone and his stupid analytics. I think he blew the game by taking Freed out and having that weak ass lineup in there and not making certain moves when I thought they should have been made. I thought you should pinch run Goldschmidt in the ninth. To be honest, when he had Dominguez still on the bench.

[Rich Davis]

Wait, you mean Goldschmidt who has cinder blocks for feet? Exactly. Like.

[Steve Covino]

And I get that run really didn't matter, but puts some Pressure on that sweaty A hole. Chapman, who I can't stand, and Bregman and his stupid face. I hate the Red Sox. So I think Boone blew it, but I also think that the bull pen and Big G blew it.

[Rich Davis]

Don't blow it, Boone.

[Steve Covino]

Yeah, so don't blow it, Boone. I hate to give you the boring answer, like, hey, man, you blame the players or do you blame the manager? It's both. Boone made the moves and they didn't come through. So yeah, Weaver stunk it up. Giancarlo Stanton was in a big moment. And the biggest heartbreak of the night is you have the bases loaded with no outs and you can't push one run across. That's disgusting. Unless they change it up quick, they're going home tonight. So I wanted to vomit last night. That's really it.

[Rich Davis]

I get it.

[Steve Covino]

I'm so upset about it. But it wasn't just about the Yankees. But everyone's talking about analytics today and it really is what's ruining the game. And last night was a classic example of that.

[Rich Davis]

I mean, ruining the game is extreme. Ruining these macros.

[Steve Covino]

It is.

[Rich Davis]

It's the micro versus the macro. And when I say micro, I don't mean your favorite dirty jobs guy.

[Steve Covino]

I love micro.

[Rich Davis]

And I'm not talking about micro. I'm not talking about micros and spots. Talking about his macros and micros in his diet. What about my pet crow? My crow. I said this joke like a week ago.

[Steve Covino]

Sam, play a rim shot on yourself.

[Rich Davis]

He doubled down. I almost.

[Steve Covino]

I applaud the fact that he told.

[Rich Davis]

That bad joke twice. He's like a standup comic book. I can't help. He's like, oh, that didn't work at chuckles. Let me try it at laughers down the block.

[Steve Covino]

So let me try it on a radio network.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah, yeah. We only have 350 affiliates. So I look at it like analytics.

[Steve Covino]

Don'T work in the playoffs.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah, over 162 games, analytics will work. Right? But in, that's the big picture. That's the macro. In the micro. When you talk about a three game series, Kavino's right. Who's swinging a hot bat, who's cold out of the bullpen. Where's their head up in these moments?

[Steve Covino]

You know, there's always a guy like Volpe, for example. I guarantee you analytics would have said, sit this guy out of the game. But he's great in the playoffs and he came in big yesterday. Home run. Another single when it mattered.

[Rich Davis]

Like, who makes that call, by the way? And I asked that because even though my Mets have nothing to do right now, because they're irrelevant, a lot of people are speculating. Carlos Mendoza was not fired because he wasn't even the guy really making decisions. So how do you fire a guy that wasn't even making the lineup?

[Steve Covino]

Do you think that it's the revenge of the Nerds?

[Rich Davis]

Do you think it's. Do you think it's your boy Aaron Boone, or do you think Cashman is making the phone call before the game and he's like, no, I talked to him.

[Steve Covino]

It's a team of goobers.

[Rich Davis]

You think Steinbrenner's in Cashman and everyone's calling and saying, we talked to the nerds, Aaron.

[Steve Covino]

Yes.

[Rich Davis]

And what did they say, Scott?

[Steve Covino]

What was the name of their bands? What was the name of that band that they had in Revenge of the Nerds with that corny synthesizer song?

[Rich Davis]

Did they have electric violin?

[Steve Covino]

Yeah, they didn't have a name, though. They didn't have a name. They were just the Trilams. Yeah, they call them up and they're like, here's what we think you should do based on statistics. And that's why you get the results that you got. If Aaron Boone would just take a stand. I don't believe he did in that moment. I believe that Freed had more in him. I think you let him finish out that inning, then you start the next inning with Weaver. You might have a different story. But here's the thing. It's a bunch of would haves, could haves, because if it works out, it looks smart.

[Rich Davis]

But that's what sucks about it. I just think it's. It's wild though.

[Steve Covino]

But you don't sit jazz and, and rice. And that's why Jaz ignored the media yesterday. And it was a bad look. And Boone responded to that. He said, yeah, I saw it, but all I need for him to do is kick some ass today. And yeah, this is what they do.

[Rich Davis]

Hey, nerds.

[Steve Covino]

Yes, this is it. This is exactly what I wanted. Thank you. This is what they're doing right now, calculating.

[Nicole Garcia]

Oh, it says here that.

[Steve Covino]

It says, play Austin Wells against crochet.

[Rich Davis]

Hey, nerds. But Ahmed Rosario's only have 30 at bats for the Yankees. Oh, you gotta go righty, lefty. Matchup.

[Steve Covino]

Oh, it says here in the analytics, Rosario is much better against the left handed pitcher. Yeah, but Rosario hasn't played at all this year.

[Rich Davis]

Ben, right here.

[Steve Covino]

That's why it sucks. That's why you're not using your gut and your instinct and that's ruining the game. And I hate to sound cliche, because I know I'm not the first guy to say that, but yesterday was the prime example of what we're talking about. If you were sitting there wondering why, that made no sense. That's why.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah. Hey, let me ask Monty and Danny G. Who I know were watching their Dodgers last night. Dodgers who are just outclassing the Reds 100%. But was there a party that's like, while we did score 10 runs and this team is stacked and they're a. While they're a World Series favorite, I'm sure. Is there a party that's like, well, that bullpen's not going to fly against the Phillies or the brewers or the Yankees or the Red Sox?

[Steve Covino]

Like, I think, you know, you don't even have to ask us.

[Nicole Garcia]

It just seems to me like.

[Rich Davis]

But. But I'd only imagine, like, who's the guy you bring in all the time? Hold on. Don't tell me. I gotta. I gotta. I gotta call my. It's the guy that I'm always like, why do they keep bringing this guy in? Because I don't watch the Dodgers the way you.

[Steve Covino]

You forgot about him when he had to turn around and go back to the bullpen.

[Rich Davis]

Remember Vessia? Yes.

[Nicole Garcia]

I knew it was going to be Vessia.

[Rich Davis]

Why do you guys love Vessia? Why does Dave. Why do you guys keep going to Vessia?

[Steve Covino]

He's inconsistent. There's been times where he'll close games out or at least he'll set it up very nicely. I know they make that phone call to those nerds again and they go back to that control room and they're listening to that music and they're like, says here Vessia.

[Nicole Garcia]

Absolutely. I think that's a big part of it. And what Danny G. Said, his WHIP.

[Rich Davis]

Is under one and his ERA was three. But I just feel like Vessi. In key spots, there are guys, like, there are inning eaters and there's guys that. In key spots.

[Steve Covino]

There have been bigger culprits in the Dodgers bullpen than Vessia. Dude, we saw in the eighth inning yesterday.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah, there was a point where the game was never in danger, but there was a point where I'm like, well, the Reds are a grand slam away from being like, within a run, you.

[Nicole Garcia]

Know, the tying run on deck.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah, yeah.

[Steve Covino]

You know, you know, why not feeling that? Because Roberts was just wanting to eat those innings up. Yeah. He didn't want to waste the both. He didn't want to waste she in either. You saw she.

[Rich Davis]

Dodger fans were like, just. Just put.

[Steve Covino]

She had in first. But they didn't want to do that. They wanted to try to eat up some of those innings.

[Rich Davis]

And it was the right move because ultimately.

[Nicole Garcia]

Because they won.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah. Because moving forward, you're going to use your key guys and actually some of your starters will move to the pen and those long relief situations. But when you're beating the lowly Reds, who I can't make fun of because they're better than my lowlier Mets, I.

[Steve Covino]

Think it's kind of nice to see the Reds in the playoffs.

[Rich Davis]

I don't know. It is.

[Nicole Garcia]

They're just happy to be there.

[Rich Davis]

I don't think it's nice. Terry Francona is a G, but the Reds stink. The Reds don't deserve to be bad.

[Steve Covino]

They're not.

[Nicole Garcia]

They're not that bad.

[Rich Davis]

They don't deserve to be there.

[Steve Covino]

They do.

[Nicole Garcia]

Your Mets were a dumpster fire.

[Rich Davis]

So if my Mets were that, why are you mad at them? I would say the same thing.

[Steve Covino]

No, actually, I disagree with you. They deserve to be there. They got there.

[Nicole Garcia]

They got there and yeah, your Mets should have been there.

[Rich Davis]

I'm not saying the Mets should be there. They blew it. But I'm saying any team that's 83 and 79, four games over.500 after 162 doesn't really deserve to move on in any level. This is bad.

[Steve Covino]

This is practice charity. They are there because they have that record record.

[Nicole Garcia]

Yeah.

[Steve Covino]

They're outside like, they did it as sort of some sort of like, sympathy.

[Nicole Garcia]

That was the Diamondbacks record the year that they went.

[Rich Davis]

You ever see the. You ever see the movie? I believe it's Grown Ups or Grown Ups too. And there was like a water park scene. Is like two hotties in bikinis and like one nerd girl. And people use it as a meme.

[Steve Covino]

No. Weren't they. Yes, I know they were. The daughter.

[Rich Davis]

Was it the daughters? Like someone had. Someone in Grown Ups has like three daughters and two are smoke shows and one's like a nerd. Yeah, that to me, like, that's like Schneider. Rob Schneider's character, Rob Schneider. He has two hot daughters and one like, yeah, sweet Robbie Schneider. Well, if that meme, which we've all seen, it's like Phillies, Dodgers. And then the nerdy, like, unworthy daughter is the Reds. What about the two dragons that look all fierce and then there's like the weird looking one that's like, got the weird. You ever see the goober face? They have all these memes. You ever see the one? It's like a fitness competition. It's like ripped, oiled up, like hunky dudes and one like guy with a dad bod.

[Steve Covino]

Oh, you mean your phone, wallpaper, paper?

[Rich Davis]

No, my last pool party.

[Steve Covino]

Yeah, no. I don't know. I mean, look, that was another weird game of analytics and I hate to bore you with that word in this conversation, but it's a matter of here's what's ruining baseball. Even though it's very close, very tight and very exciting all at the same time, I don't think anything's ruining it. I think analytics are ruining the game because you're losing that gut feeling, that gut move, the manager doing his job, you're leaving it to the nerds. It's not helping the game. Nerds don't belong there in this situation, not in these small time three game series that we're seeing. But it's also a matter of players not coming through. So yes, both could be true. Analytics suck and certain players suck in big moments. And we'll see if it happens any different in a half hour from now for the New York Yankees. Let's hope so. Well, it looks like right now the Padres are in the lead.

[Rich Davis]

So it looks like baseball's giving us exactly what we want because we're, we're looking at the first two series are going to game threes tomorrow. Unless of course, the Cubbies have a comeback over the last seven outs of the game. But right now, Dylan C. Started it, came out early. I don't know if they're trying to save him for an emergency situation. He threw 60 something pitches. So Padres, Cubbies, likely game through tomorrow. Tigers, guardians, game three tomorrow. Hopefully for you, Yankees, Red Sox, game three tomorrow. The only one that won't be the Dodgers just going to embarrass the Reds tonight just to make me feel better about it.

[Steve Covino]

And by the way, here's my hot. I know you don't come here for hot takes, you just come for our riches. Hot buns, I know you're not here for the hot takes, but my hot take is I just don't like Alec Bregman's face. I think he's stupid. I don't like his stupid face. But my point in bringing that up.

[Rich Davis]

I don't think you would like your face either.

[Steve Covino]

You can't let that guy, you know, the guys that you can't let be you, right? You know that heading into the game, he's the guy that we can't let beat us and then you let him beat you. Can't let that happen again tonight.

[Rich Davis]

Not. Well, we'll talk a little more Wild card, but of course it's NFL. We're talking week five. I'm an AFC north theory we're going to get to Thought you had a Peter north theory. No, not for this show.

[Steve Covino]

That's what I hear.

[Rich Davis]

And we're going to talk some 49ers only because I don't know if anyone's actually suiting up on Thursday. We'll get to more NFL, some baseball all coming up. Kavino and Richards.

[Nicole Garcia]

There'S nothing like sinking into luxury. @washablesofas.com you'll find the Annabe sofa which combines ultimate comfort and design at an affordable price. And get this, it's the only sofa that's fully machine washable from top to bottom. Starting at only $699. The stain resistant performance fabric, slipcovers and cloud like frame duvet can go straight into your wash. Perfect for anyone with kids, pets or anyone who loves an easy to clean spotless sofa. With a modular design and changeable slipcovers, you can customize your sofa to fit any space and style. Whether you need a single chair, loveseat or a luxuriously large sectional, Annabe has you covered. Visit washablesofas.com to upgrade your home. Right now you can shop up to 60% off storewide with a 3030 day money back guarantee. Shop now at washablesofas.com add a little to your life. Offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply.

[Steve Covino]

Hey, this is Matt Jones and I'm Drew Franklin and this is NFL Cover Zero.

[Rich Davis]

We think NFL coverage should be informative and entertaining and twice a week that.

[Steve Covino]

Is exactly what you're going to get. We're just here to try to give.

[Rich Davis]

You an NFL perspective a little bit different.

[Steve Covino]

Did you see the Colts pretzel? That was other big takeaway from that game. What was that? Looks like something that should not be sold.

[Rich Davis]

Oh my.

[Steve Covino]

So that was my other big Colts takeaway.

[Rich Davis]

Sold that. Yes.

[Steve Covino]

Might want to go back at the Colt Stadium. Yeah, I might want to go back.

[Rich Davis]

To the drawing board on that. Yeah, I thought the shape we had with pretzels was working pretty well. It's worked for generations.

[Steve Covino]

We're just here trying to enjoy it. We hope you all will join us throughout the year. And let's go. I hope I'm as youthful as Pete Carroll is at his age. He's a young 73.

[Rich Davis]

He is a young 73.

[Steve Covino]

He is split, Brian. I wouldn't fight him.

[Rich Davis]

I would listen NFL Cover Zero with.

[Steve Covino]

Matt Jones and Drew Franklin on the.

[Rich Davis]

Iheartradio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast. I'm Dan, he's Ty. Hello. And we're the Solid Verbal College Football Podcast. College football season is here and you know what that means. Your team is going to break your heart three times probably before Halloween.

[Steve Covino]

Uh huh.

[Rich Davis]

But fear not, the Solid Verbal will be right there with you through every soul crushing loss and impossible comeback. Join us all season long, all year long, as we ride the rollercoaster of this ridiculous sport. Whether you're a die hard fan or a casual observer, we'll help you make sense of all the chaos and and of course celebrate the madness. Tune in for previews, recaps, bits you won't hear anywhere else, and all the emotional support you need as a college football fan. We don't just love college football, Ty, we live it. Listen to the Solid Verbal College Football podcasts on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Nicole Garcia]

Culture Eats Strategy for breakfast, I would.

[Rich Davis]

Love for you to share your breakdown on pivoting.

[Nicole Garcia]

We feel sometimes like we're leaving a part of us behind when we enter a new space, but we're just building.

[Rich Davis]

On A recent episode of Culture Raises Us, I was joined by Valisha Butterfield, media founder, political strategist and tech powerhouse for a powerful conversation on storytelling impact and the intersections of culture and leadership.

[Nicole Garcia]

I am a free black woman who worked really hard, hard to be able to say that.

[Rich Davis]

I'd love for you to break down why it was so important for you to do seed.

[Nicole Garcia]

You can't win at something you didn't create.

[Rich Davis]

From the Obama White House to Google to the Grammys, Malicious Journey is a masterclass in shifting culture and using your voice to spark change.

[Nicole Garcia]

A very fake capital driven environment and society will have a lot of people tell half truths.

[Steve Covino]

I'm telling you, I'm on the energy committee.

[Rich Davis]

Like if the energy's not right, we're not doing it, whatever that it is. Listen to Culture Raises us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Nicole Garcia]

Betrayal Weekly is back for season two with brand new stories. The detective comes driving up fast and just like screeches right in the parking lot. I swear I'm not crazy, but I.

[Rich Davis]

Think he poisoned me.

[Nicole Garcia]

I feel trapped. My breathing changes.

[Rich Davis]

More money, more money, more money.

[Nicole Garcia]

And I went white. I realized, wow, like he is Not a mentor. He's pretty much a monster. New stories, new voices, and shocking manipulations. This didn't just happen to me. It happened to hundreds of other people. But these aren't just stories of destruction. They're stories of survival, of people picking up the pieces and daring to tell the truth.

[Rich Davis]

I'm gonna tell my story, and I'm.

[Nicole Garcia]

Gonna hold my head up. Listen to Betrayal Weekly on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Yeah.

[Rich Davis]

Let the rhythm take you over.

[Steve Covino]

Monty Balanos is with us today. Balanos. Do you know that, Iowa Sam asked me, Moncy, if I got Montezuma's revenge while I was in Mexico.

[Rich Davis]

He's full of, like, ridiculous puns today. Yes. Oh, I can't.

[Steve Covino]

And I said, no, Sam, I did not get Monsie Zuma's revenge.

[Rich Davis]

That's such, like, an 80s thing. Like, don't. Don't drink the water. I think it's still a thing in other countries. I don't think everything's filtered. And, you know, I don't know.

[Steve Covino]

Maybe it just depends.

[Rich Davis]

My sister went to Colombia, and she said she wasn't right for a week after that, my sister went to Columbia. Oh, geez.

[Steve Covino]

So that's Iowa Sam. We got Danny G. Super producer Danny G. Pumped about his Dodgers on the phones at 87799 on Fox. Of course, Monsie's a big Dodgers fan as well. She's here with your updates in a few minutes. We got Mike's Wednesday words of wisdom. Your chance to win some prizes if you could repeat it verbatim. And midweek. Major. The biggest stories in the world of sports and pop culture. We decide here on the show if those stories are mid, like the kiddos say, weak or chopped or whatever they're saying nowadays, or major.

[Nicole Garcia]

Definitely major.

[Steve Covino]

So I'm Covino. It's good to be back. That's rich.

[Rich Davis]

You know, we'll talk more baseball later. I do want to ask, like, when you see a team in any sport struggling with injuries and conditioning, struggling, do you ever say, oh, it's coincidental, or is it? Or is it always in your mind the problem of the training staff?

[Steve Covino]

Huh? Well, it depends. Does it seem to be an issue, like, with your Mets for years and years and years?

[Rich Davis]

I'm Talking about the 49ers. Your Mets are just cursed as we go into Thursday Night Football. Could be Ricky Pearsall, Juwan Jennings, Brock Purdy. That point spread went from four and a half to six and a half to now seven and A half. This was supposed to be an NFC west battle here in LA Thursday night. It was supposed to be what people watch because everyone assumes the Dodgers are going to wrap it up tonight and tomorrow. You don't have to worry about Dodger baseball out here in Los Angeles. Rams, Niners, that's a good Thursday night game. Two, three and one teams. And now it looks like the 49ers are going to take an L. Unless, of course, Mac Jones and Christian McCaffrey control everything and they, you know, control the clock instead of trying to. That defense Robert Sal has got his work cut out from with that Rams offense.

[Steve Covino]

Like, I don't know, like 49ers might be ass or buns, as the kids say.

[Rich Davis]

I don't know. That's a lot of. That's a. Do you realize how depleted that team is? IUke's not back for a while.

[Steve Covino]

So your theory is the training staff, is that what you're saying?

[Rich Davis]

Does it fall on them at some point?

[Steve Covino]

Like, yeah, I mean, we've seen that before. Something in conditioning isn't right or could. It might not be right.

[Rich Davis]

I hate when those primetime games, even when it's not my team, I hate when it looks like such a great matchup on paper and then it happens and you're like, oh, key players are injured, so it loses. Its like primetime pizzazz. Thursday night was supposed to be a good one, so we'll see. Maybe the Niners could hang in there. Only time will tell. Going to be a defensive obstacle for Robert Sala, who, by the way, did you see he was fighting with the Jags head coach? Is that over yet or what?

[Nicole Garcia]

Are they.

[Steve Covino]

Yeah.

[Rich Davis]

Do they hug it out?

[Steve Covino]

Salah said he thinks he chose the wrong words.

[Rich Davis]

Stealing signs, right? Yeah. Du ball. When you saw those two fighting, if you don't know what we're talking about. After the Niners Jags game, defensive coordinator and former jets head coach Robert Sala and the Jags head coach Liam Cohen, we're having words. And Robert Salah is the type of guy that could break you in half. And Liam Cohen's the type of guy that, like, is a nerd.

[Steve Covino]

I wouldn't mess with Salah. So to me, he reminds me of emotep.

[Rich Davis]

So when Liam Cohen is like, keep my name out of your mouth, I think Robert Sala, I don't even know if he needed some John Boy lip reading. I think he's like, I will break you. Didn't he say something like, almost Ivan Drago?

[Steve Covino]

Like, yeah, something like, I'll Break you in half.

[Rich Davis]

I'll break you in half.

[Steve Covino]

What? Is that really what he said? I must break you.

[Rich Davis]

I must break you.

[Steve Covino]

That's what people were saying that were trying to read his lips. Did he say if he dies, he dies?

[Rich Davis]

Yeah.

[Steve Covino]

Wow.

[Rich Davis]

But I just thought that's hardcore. Wasn't one side accusing the other of sign stealing?

[Steve Covino]

Yeah.

[Rich Davis]

Robert Salad said maybe he used the wrong words. But saying that there's certain teams that are picking up on signals. Listen, it's not sign stealing if it's legally done. If you're just picking up on other teams cues and stuff, that's just, I think part of any game. Right. Like when a guy's on second base.

[Steve Covino]

When a guy's on second base.

[Rich Davis]

Have you seen guys balk on purpose just to move the runner from second to third in a non key situation? Just because it's like to me, if.

[Steve Covino]

You'Re so easily giving it up, whether it be baseball or football. Yeah. It's just part of the game.

[Rich Davis]

Get a more complex system. I don't know the intricacies. I just thought it was funny that. And they're like Liam Cohen said, like keep my name out of your mouth. And then Robert Sala, I think did say something to the effect of I must break you.

[Steve Covino]

I think he said, I will find you and I will kill you. Something.

[Rich Davis]

Something like that.

[Steve Covino]

Some sort of Liam Neeson.

[Rich Davis]

Robert Salah could have pulled. You see that viral clip with a bouncer who's gonna probably end up in jail, headlocked that kid and put his head through a car window.

[Steve Covino]

No.

[Rich Davis]

Were you still traveling back?

[Steve Covino]

Yeah, I was. I was. Robert Salah.

[Rich Davis]

What happened now?

[Steve Covino]

I was doing the backstroke in a cenote when I.

[Rich Davis]

You know what? I'll show you that during the break. Maybe I'll post on our Instagram story. But right now it's time to go to Monty for an update.

[Steve Covino]

Oh, you mean bologna.

[Nicole Garcia]

It goes. Let the update take you over for Bolanos. That's how it goes. Thank you to Jonas Knox for that one.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah.

[Nicole Garcia]

So guys, we've got October baseball. Yes, October baseball. The Guardians have forced a game three. They outscored the Tigers already six to one, scoring five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, capped off by a three run shot from Bo Naylor. So game three tomorrow for sure. Is that second? Two greatest words in sports. Game seven. But then it's game three, not game five. Game three.

[Rich Davis]

Game three.

[Nicole Garcia]

Game three is more exciting. Yes. Because anything can happen. Anything can happen. Especially in the wild card. So who is also likely going to have another Game 3, likely Padres and Cubs, because San Diego is up right now. 3, 0. It is the bottom of the eighth inning. Manny Machado. Yes, a game three. Manny Machado with a two run shot extending San Diego's lead. And of course, we still have two more game threes, Red Sox and Yank. That's at six Eastern. Reds and Dodgers. That is at nine Eastern. News out of the NFL, other than the 49ers have nobody playing on Thursday against the Rams. The Browns are benching quarterback Joe Flacco, starting rookie Dylan Gabriel for Sunday's game in London against the Vikings. And Joe Flacco is still going to be the backup. Commander's head coach Dan Quinn confirmed that quarterback Jaden Daniels has been medically cleared to return. He's going to be a full participant in today's practice. And Chargers head coach John Harbaugh announced that Joe Alt, with that high ankle sprain, is doubtful to play this week. Cardinals running back Trey Benson underwent arthroscopic surgery on his meniscus. He's going to be out about four to six weeks. Back to you guys.

[Rich Davis]

Of course he is. He's on my fantasy.

[Nicole Garcia]

Of course. Of course he is. I got chopped. Kavino.

[Steve Covino]

What do you mean?

[Nicole Garcia]

From the Guillotine League.

[Rich Davis]

I got chopped. Wait, so we have two losers on this show?

[Nicole Garcia]

You do. And you know what? We're the prettier losers.

[Steve Covino]

That's right.

[Nicole Garcia]

Of this show.

[Steve Covino]

So. Hell yeah.

[Rich Davis]

So, pretty little losers.

[Nicole Garcia]

Pretty little losers.

[Rich Davis]

Guillotine.

[Steve Covino]

Monty.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah, I got you.

[Nicole Garcia]

That's me.

[Steve Covino]

Sorry to hear that, monsieur.

[Rich Davis]

Thank you.

[Nicole Garcia]

It's okay.

[Rich Davis]

What was your problem? Who did you have? Cavino had Josh Allen. And the one week Josh Allen put up no numbers. Cavino got knocked out.

[Nicole Garcia]

Yeah, I lost by like two points. But I think lad McConkey has been. Was really, really quiet and he was one of my higher picks and it just. And then I think I also have Baker Mayfield in that league and he was all right. I know. By like two points.

[Rich Davis]

Nice knowing you in the league. Give us your 40 bucks. Yeah. Later, Mons. Good talking to you, buddy. Yeah. Three nothing. Cubbies down to the Padres right now.

[Steve Covino]

No, I like the battling. I like the battling going on. I doubt the Reds are going to have the same fate, but it'd be cool.

[Rich Davis]

You know, I mentioned something yesterday.

[Steve Covino]

Nothing against your Dodgers. I think the Dodgers got it in the bag. You know what's odd about them, too? They're hitting so contagious, it makes me want to vomit. I feel like that tasker Hernandez sees the ball like a beach ball in the playoffs show. Hey, doing big things in big moments, everyone starts hitting. It's gross. The problem is the bullpen comes in.

[Rich Davis]

And walking the opposing batters becomes contagious.

[Steve Covino]

No, but it's so.

[Rich Davis]

No but.

[Steve Covino]

Yeah, but if they can get a 6, 7 run lead in every game.

[Rich Davis]

Well, the problem is is that we talk about it. There's a lot of teams in Major league baseball that have a good top of the lineup. Even non playoff teams we've talked about, like my Mets with Lindor and Soto and Pete and Yankees and Padres and Tigers. Everyone's, everyone's got a good few at the top. I just hate the fact that the Dodgers, you get to the bottom of that lineup and it's like, like Edmond, Will Smith, like guys that could still.

[Steve Covino]

Be tell that they just see the ball so well and they make such good contact when they're in their zone. And it feels like they're in their zone right at the right time. Right where they left off in the postseason last year because those bats were hot last night. So good luck to the Reds if they could even steal one just to make it exciting. I think the Dodgers are going to win either way.

[Rich Davis]

I know we got a break, but yesterday when you weren't here, I talked about how there's gotta be something like all these injuries in football and baseball have to be almost because. And this wasn't a high thought. So I don't want to repeat myself too much, but players have just gotten too big, strong and fast where their bodies aren't like they just can't handle the speed, size and strength of the games. Right.

[Steve Covino]

You know what it makes me think of when you love this reference because I bring it up a lot. When Daniel Jones had that breakaway and his body just couldn't keep up with what his mind wanted to do.

[Rich Davis]

Yeah, like, because I was just saying.

[Steve Covino]

Remember when he fell on himself, the.

[Rich Davis]

Relie, the reliever on the Padres just threw 103 mile an hour fastball followed by a 90 mile an hour slider. Like, how is a hitter. Do you adjust to 103 mile an hour fastball and then a 90 mile an hour cutter? And then how is that guy's. You know this guy's going to get Tommy John in the next like year or so.

[Steve Covino]

Yeah. Bodies can I handle so much, man?

[Rich Davis]

All right, well, so much more. Covino and Rich hanging on Fox Sports Radio next.

[Nicole Garcia]

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[Steve Covino]

Hey, this is Matt Jones and I'm Drew Franklin and this is NFL Cover Zero.

[Rich Davis]

We think NFL coverage should be informative and entertaining and twice a week that.

[Steve Covino]

Is exactly what you're gonna get. We're just here to try to give.

[Rich Davis]

You an NFL perspective a little bit different.

[Steve Covino]

Did you see the Colts pretzel? That was my other big takeaway from that game. Looks like something that should not be sold.

[Rich Davis]

Oh my.

[Steve Covino]

So that was my other big Colts takeaway. They sold that?

[Rich Davis]

Yes.

[Steve Covino]

Might want to go back to the.

[Rich Davis]

Colorado at the Colts stadium.

[Steve Covino]

Yeah, I might want to go back.

[Rich Davis]

To the drawing board on that. Yeah, I thought the shape we had with pretzels was working pretty well for generations.

[Steve Covino]

We're just here trying to enjoy it. We hope you all will join us throughout the year. And let's go. I hope I'm as youthful as Pete Carroll is at his age. He's a young 73.

[Rich Davis]

He is a young 73.

[Steve Covino]

He is spry. I wouldn't fight him.

[Rich Davis]

I would listen NFL Cover 0 with.

[Steve Covino]

Matt Jones and Drew Fr on the.

[Rich Davis]

Iheartradio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast. I'm Dan, he's Ty. Hello. And we're the Solid Verbal College Football Podcast. College football season is here and you know what that means. Your team is going to break your heart three times probably before Halloween.

[Steve Covino]

Uh huh.

[Rich Davis]

But fear not, the Solid Verbal will be right there with you through every soul crushing loss and impossible comeback. Join us all season long, all year long, as we ride the rollercoaster of this ridiculous sport. Whether you're a die hard fan or a casual observer, we'll help you make sense of all the chaos and of course celebrate the madness. Tune in for Previews, recaps, bits you won't hear anywhere else, and all the emotional support you need as a college football football fan. We don't just love college football, Ty. We live it. Listen to the solid verbal college football podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Nicole Garcia]

Culture Eats strategy for breakfast.

[Rich Davis]

I would love for you to share your breakdown on pivoting.

[Nicole Garcia]

We feel sometimes like we're leaving a part of us behind when we enter a new space, but we're just building.

[Rich Davis]

On a recent episode of Culture Raises Us. I was joined by Valisha Butterfield, media founder, political strategist and tech powerhouse for a powerful conversation on storytelling impact and the intersections of culture and leadership.

[Nicole Garcia]

I am a free black woman who worked really hard to be able to say that.

[Rich Davis]

I'd love for you to break down why it was so important for you to do seed.

[Nicole Garcia]

You can't win at something you didn't create.

[Rich Davis]

From the Obama, from a White House to Google to the Grammys, Malicious Journey is a masterclass in shifting culture and using your voice to spark change.

[Nicole Garcia]

A very fake capital driven environment and society will have a lot of people tell half truths.

[Steve Covino]

I'm telling you, I'm on the energy committee.

[Rich Davis]

Like, if the energy's not right, we're not doing it, whatever that it is. Listen to Culture Raises us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Nicole Garcia]

Betrayal Weekly is back for season two with brand new stories. The detective comes driving up fast and just like screeches right in the parking lot. I swear I'm not crazy, but I.

[Rich Davis]

Think he poisoned me.

[Nicole Garcia]

I feel trapped. My breathing changes.

[Rich Davis]

More money, more money, more money.

[Nicole Garcia]

And I went white. I realized, wow, like, he is not a mentor. He's pretty much a monster. New story, new voices and shocking manipulations. This didn't just happen to me. It happened to hundreds of other people. But these aren't just stories of destruction. They're stories of survival, of people picking up the pieces and daring to tell the truth.

[Rich Davis]

I'm gonna tell my story and I'm.

[Nicole Garcia]

Gonna hold my head up. Listen to Betrayal Weekly on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Steve Covino]

It's the first of the month postseason go season. Spooky season has begun. As I always say, make sure you take your trip to City Field. Isn't that a Spirit Halloween.

[Rich Davis]

You know.

[Steve Covino]

Go to Spirit Halloween and get something early or else you're going to be generic baseball player. You don't be Aaron Smudge for Halloween, do you?

[Rich Davis]

So let me tell you this.

[Steve Covino]

You don't want to be the weakest guy at the Halloween get something.

[Rich Davis]

Now you know how our parents fall for AI stuff all the time.

[Steve Covino]

Yeah.

[Rich Davis]

My mom will send me clips and I'm like, mom, are you serious? And by the way, if you missed yesterday's show we played, will Rich's mom know Heard it. Which is so much fun. You can catch that on the pod. Will your boomer parents know the answer to things? I'll tell you what they.

[Steve Covino]

You know what's interesting about that game? I've been working with Rich for 20 years. I don't think Rich's mom knew me when she saw me in the lobby the other day. So, Steve, she's like, is that you? I'm like, yeah, it's me, Marianne, when I look different.

[Rich Davis]

So my mom sent me a picture of Citi Field with a spirit Halloween sign. And she's like, richie, is this true? I'm like, yes, Mom. They turned Citi Field into a costume shop.

[Steve Covino]

My point wasn't to make a bad joke about Citi Field. It's about getting a costume early, buying some Halloween candy early. Cause no one wants your weak ass circus peanuts, your big orange peanuts. No one wants your leftover fruit. No one wants your penn in a cellophane wrapper. And don't be the weak ass house that's not participating. Have some fun this holiday season.

[Rich Davis]

Nothing worse than when you walk your kid around trick or treating and they knock on a door like no one answers. Like one day, weak house. Give my kid a little Kit Kat or something.

[Steve Covino]

Anyway, and being post season go season Rich, let me just give you one crazy stat before the play of the day, all right? I saw this in a meme, so it has to be true. It's actually from the athletes. If you're wondering how rare the Yankees ninth inning was last night, it's because it never happened before. The Yankees are the first team in MLB postseason history to have bases loaded with nobody out in the bottom of the ninth and not score a run and lose the game. It was kind of gross.

[Rich Davis]

Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.

[Steve Covino]

Kind of gross.

[Rich Davis]

I'm so sorry to hear that.

[Steve Covino]

I'm not saying that anyone should have sympathy for the Yankees or Yankees fans or meme to, but it was wild to see last night, so they deserve to lose. You can't win the game with one run.

[Rich Davis]

Well, not against the Red Sox. Your dude, your pal Chappie Araldis. Chapman.

[Steve Covino]

Yeah.

[Rich Davis]

Who is the owner, by the way? The record fastest pitch ever thrown in Major league baseball history. 105.8 miles an hour. Had his way with you guys.

[Steve Covino]

Yeah, he did.

[Rich Davis]

Really did. He owns the Yanks.

[Steve Covino]

But guess what? It's not our tire act play of the day.

[Rich Davis]

What is?

[Steve Covino]

Shohei Ohtani hit two bombs on a one one. Ohtani hits powering ball deep right field.

[Rich Davis]

He flips the bat and watches it fly three quarters of the way up the pavilion. Just a mammoth blast for his second home run. And the Dodgers are pouring it on in game one. I know where that ball landed. Right in my buddy's Andy seat. My buddy hit me. Up he goes. I went to get a coffee because the game was sort of out of out of reach. I step away and everyone in the section goes, the ball landed where you were. Which is the worst feeling. That's courtesy of AM570 Dodgers Audio Network. That was our tire rack play of the day. Tire Rack's been helping customers find the right tires for how, what and where they drive ship fast and free. Backed by free road hazard protection, convenient installation options, all@ Tire Rack.com the way Tire buying should be.

[Steve Covino]

The only thing worse than your buddy Andy's story is when you leave the party. And that's when all the hot chicks come.

[Rich Davis]

Usually does.

[Steve Covino]

Yeah.

[Rich Davis]

The girls never came. All right, so, hey, listen, we got more coming up here on Cavino Rich. We got Mike's words, wisdom. We'll talk some NFL spots midweek major, all right here on Fox Sports Radio. Don, go anywhere.

[Steve Covino]

Hey, this is Matt Jones and I'm Drew Franklin, and this is NFL Cover Zero.

[Rich Davis]

We're just here to try to give you an NFL perspective a little bit different.

[Steve Covino]

Did you see the Colts pretzel? That was my other big takeaway from that game. What was that?

[Rich Davis]

Oh, my. We think NFL coverage should be informative and entertaining.

[Steve Covino]

And twice a week, that is exactly what you're going to get.

[Rich Davis]

Listen NFL Cover Zero with Matt Jones and Drew Franklin on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts.

[Steve Covino]

You get your podcast.

[Rich Davis]

I'm Dan. He's Ty. Hello. And we're the Solid Verbal College Football Podcast. Tune in for previews, recaps, bits you won't hear anywhere else, and all the emotional support you need as a college football fan. Join us all season long as we ride the roller coaster of this ridiculous sport. Listen to the solid verbal college football podcasts on the iHeartRadio radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. We don't just love college football, Ty.

[Steve Covino]

We live it.

[Rich Davis]

The NFL is rolling. That's right, and you should be listening to NFL Daily as we march along.

[Steve Covino]

To Super Bowl 60.

[Rich Davis]

It's in the name NFL Daily so you'll have fresh content in your feed all season long. Join me Greg Rosenthal in an all star cast of co hosts for previews and recaps of every season single game. NFL Daily will keep you up to date with everything you need to know so you can sound smarter than all your friends. Listen to NFL daily on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Steve Covino]

No purchase necessary.

[Rich Davis]

Void where prohibited. Ends 28:26 Open to legal residents of the 50 US states and DC 18 and over. For complete details, how to enter prizes and official rules, visit toyotasgamedaygiveaways.com I'm Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, host of the Psychology Podcast. Here's a clip from an upcoming conversation about to be a better you when.

[Steve Covino]

You think about emotion regulation, you're not going to choose an adaptive strategy which is more effortful to use unless you think there's a good outcome. Avoidance is easier. Ignoring is easier.

[Rich Davis]

Denial is easier.

[Steve Covino]

Complex problem solving takes effort.

[Rich Davis]

Listen to the Psychology podcast on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Nicole Garcia]

It may look different, but Native culture is alive. My name is Nicole Garrett and on Burn Sage, Burn Bridges we aim to explore that culture.

[Rich Davis]

Somewhere along the way it turned into this full fledged award winning comic shop.

[Nicole Garcia]

That's Dr. Lee Francis IV who opened the first native comic book shop. Explore his story along with many other native stories on the show Burn Sage, Burn Bridges. Listen to Burn Sage, Burn bridges on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an iHeart podcast.