PMT DB
PMT DB
Addison Russell and Dan Haren on Cubs Playoff Hopes and Ghost Stories
We have reached the best time of the year: October baseball is in full swing and the NFL is starting to separate the contenders from the pretenders. Big Cat and PFT are gearing up for a massive weekend of sports, though Hank is a little more concerned with the fact that Terry Francona is currently coaching circles around the rest of the American League.
The Cubs' Quest for Glory
Big Cat is officially in playoff mode, which means he's oscillating between extreme confidence and crippling fear regarding the Cubs. To help calm the nerves, Addison Russell joined the show to discuss the vibes in the clubhouse. While Big Cat is still playing the "what if" game regarding last year's injury, Addison is keeping it simple and focused on the fun.
Big CatThe Bears will cover +4.5 against the Colts because Indianapolis is jet-lagged after playing in London
I have the Bears. Plus four and a half... the Colts is not a bad choice... They're jet lagged. Yeah. Exactly. First team ever to go to London and not elect to have a bye week after.
Addison RussellWe're confident in the guys we're going into battle with and if we do the same thing as the regular season, things might turn out pretty good
I don't see that at all happening. I know that we're confident in the abilities that we have. I know that we're confident in the guys that we're going into battle with, so I think we do the same thing that we do during the regular season, and things might turn out pretty good.
Beyond the baseball talk, Addison gave us a glimpse into the team dynamics, noting that while Tom Ricketts is the owner, the real intimidation factor comes from the front office.
Addison RussellI want to play the Mets in the postseason for revenge
Definitely I would like to play the Mets... i didn't miss out on this series i would like to play them again. okay i i agree i'd like a little revenge as well
He also confirmed one of the most important truths in baseball: some of these road hotels are absolutely terrified of things that go bump in the night.
Addison RussellThe Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee is haunted
The Pfister Hotel is haunted.
Dan Haren's October Wisdom
Former MLB All-Star Dan Haren returned to the program to give a pitcher's perspective on why Madison Bumgarner is a postseason monster. He's genuinely worried for the Cubs if they have to go back to San Francisco for a deciding game against Mad Bum. Dan also addressed the current state of the Cubs' rotation, specifically the erratic control of Jake Arrieta compared to the steady rise of Kyle Hendricks.
Dan HarenJake Arrieta is spraying his fastball around more than usual and is cause for worry
I'm a little worried about the way he's throwing the ball. It seems a little wild... he just seems kind of spraying his – it seems to me he sprays his fastball around a little more than usual... it's led to him getting into more like two and three, one counts.
Dan HarenKyle Hendricks will do really well in the postseason
Kyle Hendricks obviously had an unbelievable season. The playoffs are a different beast... Should I be worried at all about that? No, he will do. He's going to do really well... he's added a little bit to his arsenal... He's going to be good.
Dan also managed to catch PFT in a classic journalist trap regarding a certain Dodgers ace. Despite their friendship, Dan didn't hesitate when asked who he'd want on the mound with the season on the line.
Dan HarenIn a one-game win-or-die scenario, Clayton Kershaw is the best choice
if you had one game to win and you could have your pick of, let's call it Scherzer, Arrieta, and Kershaw, who are you taking? Kershaw, no doubt. Yeah, but you're friends with him. Yeah, so.
NFL Week 5 and the First Ever Roast
Before heading off to Chicago and Cleveland respectively, the guys locked in their gambling picks with the help of Larry the Goldfish. While Larry is currently on a legendary heater, PFT and Big Cat are trying to claw their way back to .500. Big Cat is breaking his own rule about betting on the Bears, citing a very specific travel disadvantage for Indianapolis.
PFT CommenterThe Browns will cover the spread against the Patriots in Week 5
So I did not take the Cardinals. So you're a Larry Fitzgerald this week? I am a big-time Larry Fitzgerald. I'm swimming with the Fitzgerald. But you didn't take the Cardinals. I didn't take the Cardinals. So instead of that, I'm going to take the Browns against the Patriots. I'm going to have them covering.
We also debuted the Friday Roast of Pardon My Take, where Hank read 5-star iTunes reviews that were mostly just fans calling Big Cat fat and PFT a homeless woman who smells like pee. It’s important to stay grounded when you're the number one sports podcast in the world.
Segments and Stingray
Stingray Steve called in to give us a Category 4 update on Hurricane Matthew and deliver his legendary call of the week, which featured a classic "Bye-bye, semi-holes" parting shot at Florida State.
In Sabermetrics, PFT highlighted the Phoenix Suns' revolutionary new strategy. Forget points and rebounds; the real key to victory is team chemistry measured by physical contact.
PFT CommenterA basketball team's quality is directly correlated to how many high fives they give
Earl Watson, the head coach... Earl the Pearl says that they're going to start tracking players' high fives... Naturally, the more high fives you give, the better you are.
Finally, Joe Buck's recent revelations about hair transplants led to a very serious "As A White Guy" segment where Big Cat stood up for the rights of male announcers everywhere.
Big CatThe pressure for male TV announcers to have full heads of hair is messed up
Joe Buck has come out and said that he was addicted to hair plant surgery and almost lost his career... I think that's fucked up, the pressure that we put on our male announcers to look good for the camera. Always be looking good.
Hopefully, Big Cat catches that Sammy Sosa kiss from Addison in the bleachers this weekend.
