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The Caps Are Stanley Cup Champions, Dan Haren and Belmont Picks With Randy Moss

Friday, June 8, 201821 takes

The Washington Capitals are Stanley Cup Champions. PFT went to Game 5 and we recorded the show immediately after the game with his thoughts from Vegas ( - ). Ovi raising the Cup, TJ Oshie talking about his father, and all the moments from a historic night ( - ). NBA Finals talk and Kevin Durant had the scowl of the Century. Julian Edelman got popped for PED's but he's our friend so we don't believe it ( - ). One of our oldest recurring guests, Dan Haren, joins the show to talk baseball, Hank's theory about the seams being raised being true, and the time he tried to impress Kobe into shooting around with him at the gym ( - ). Randy Moss joins the show to give us his Belmont Picks and tell us who you should be betting on as Justify tries to win the Triple Crown ( - ). Segments include Stay Woke, Uhhh Ya Think for Nick Saban, and listener Roasts.

Dan Haren and Randy Moss on Capitals' Cup, Belmont Picks, and NBA Finals

The Washington Capitals are Stanley Cup champions, and the world is a different place. PFT recorded this show from a hotel room in Las Vegas, still buzzing from seeing Alex Ovechkin finally hoist the trophy. It was a life-affirming moment for D.C. sports fans, and while Big Cat was happy for his friend, he couldn't help but point out that the novelty might wear off quickly.

Loss
Jun 8, 2018
#8549
Big CatBig Cat

The Washington Capitals will win the Stanley Cup again next year

The only reason you're going to feel like it was lame is because the Caps are probably going to win again next year, and you're going to be like, we're used to this, right?

The St. Louis Blues won the Stanley Cup in 2019; the Capitals were eliminated in the first round.

PFT isn't worried about the future because he's convinced the days of D.C. sports heartbreak are officially over.

Loss
Jun 8, 2018
#8548
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The Washington Capitals dynasty has already begun

The dynasty has already begun.

The Capitals did not win another Stanley Cup in the following seasons, failing to form a dynasty.

The guys also broke down the Vegas side of things, specifically the pre-game entertainment. While the atmosphere was electric, PFT is convinced that the Golden Knights' late-series collapse can be traced back to a specific musical choice that messed with the team's energy.

Void
Jun 8, 2018
#27055
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The Imagine Dragons performance placed a curse on the Vegas Golden Knights

I told you there was a curse, man [the Imagine Dragons curse]. They need to exercise those demons, and I think the only way they can do that is by writing a song with us.

The Golden Knights indeed lost four straight games to the Capitals after Imagine Dragons performed prior to Game 2, though the 'curse' is a humorous narrative.

NBA Finals and the Durant Scowl

The NBA Finals are looking like a funeral for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Kevin Durant essentially ended the series with a deep three and a snarl that signaled a shift in the league's power structure. PFT is ready to officially hand over the crown, even if it feels a little dirty.

Loss
Jun 8, 2018
#8550
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The torch has passed from LeBron James to Kevin Durant as the league's best player

I think Torch goes directly to Kevin Durant. I don't see how you can make the argument that it's LeBron's league anymore.

LeBron James won the NBA title and Finals MVP with the Lakers in 2020, proving the league was still very much his at points after this.

Big Cat pointed out that while KD is the one hitting the daggers, Steph Curry is the real genius of the operation. By allowing other superstars to join his team, Curry has created a situation where he gets all the rings with none of the blame when things go sideways.

Void
Jun 8, 2018
#8551
Big CatBig Cat

No one in sports has it better than Steph Curry right now

It's actually a perfect, no one has it better in sports than Steph Curry right now. [He invites superstars to his team], Philly will love Joel Embiid more than they will love LeBron. And LeBron will take all the heat if things go south.

This is a subjective evaluation of a player's situation and legacy management.

As for LeBron's future, the speculation is reaching a fever pitch. PFT has some very specific thoughts on where the King won't be heading, starting with a refusal to believe LeBron would ever move to the same conference as the Warriors dynasty.

Loss
Jun 8, 2018
#27056
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

I don't see any scenario where LeBron James signs with a team in the Western Conference

I don't see a world where LeBron goes out to the West. Well, you know, Klay and Steph Curry and Draymond are still on that Warriors team.

LeBron James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference less than a month later on July 1, 2018.

Dan Haren on Pitching and Kobe

Recurring guest and pitching strategist Dan Haren joined the show to discuss the Diamondbacks' success and the state of modern baseball. The conversation took a turn into the "Stay Woke" territory when Haren confirmed a long-standing theory from Hank about the physical makeup of the baseball itself.

Win
Jun 8, 2018
#8553
Dan HarenDan Haren

Hank is correct: MLB baseball seams are 9% bigger than in previous years

I saw an article in, I think it was The Athletic, that they tested baseballs. And the biggest difference between baseballs from, I think it was this year or last year, and say 2013 or 14, was the seams were 9% bigger. Hank is right. Hank is actually right.

Multiple independent studies and MLB's own commissioned reports confirmed that the baseballs changed during this period, including seam height and drag.

Haren also shared some incredible stories about his post-retirement life, specifically his interactions with Kobe Bryant at the gym. Despite being an All-Star pitcher, Haren realized very quickly that the Mamba Mentality doesn't include acknowledging other professional athletes if they aren't on Kobe's level.

Void
Jun 8, 2018
#8555
Dan HarenDan Haren

Kobe Bryant is not the GOAT and he thinks he's too smart

I'm a big Lakers fan, but I don't think Kobe's the GOAT. Kobe bugs the shit out of him. He thinks he's so smart. That's what really bugs me, is he thinks he's really smart.

The GOAT debate is subjective.

Belmont Stakes with Randy Moss

With Justify looking to capture the Triple Crown at the Belmont Stakes, horse racing expert Randy Moss stopped by to give the listeners an edge. While the public is all over the favorite, Moss warned that the grueling schedule of the Triple Crown might finally be catching up to the horse.

Loss
Jun 8, 2018
#8557
Randy MossRandy Moss

Justify may be running low on energy heading into the Belmont Stakes

In the Preakness, he wasn't quite as good as he was in the Kentucky Derby... Energy level might be getting a little bit low. He really needed that wire to come up when it did in the Preakness... How much he's got left in the tank is the big question.

Justify won the Belmont Stakes to secure the Triple Crown, proving he had enough in the tank.

If you're looking to make some actual money on the race, Moss suggested looking at the horses that skipped the Preakness to stay fresh. He highlighted a few names that could spoil the party for Justify and provide a massive payout for anyone brave enough to bet against the favorite.

Loss
Jun 8, 2018
#8558
Randy MossRandy Moss

Hofburg and Vino Rosso are the best horses to bet on to beat Justify

I think the two best horses to be betting on in this Belmont are Hofburg and Vino Rosso... Ten of the last 18 years, the Belmont has been won by horses that ran on Kentucky Derby weekend, skipped the Preakness, and waited for the Belmont to be rested.

Justify won the race. Hofburg finished 3rd and Vino Rosso finished 4th.

For the true degenerates looking for a longshot to fill out their Superfecta, Moss threw out a name that has been dealing with bad luck but has the pedigree to handle the Belmont's distance.

Loss
Jun 8, 2018
#27059
Randy MossRandy Moss

Free Drop Billy is a strong longshot bet to finish in the Belmont Stakes superfecta

There's another horse in there that fits that profile that's probably going to be 20-1. His name is Free Drop Billy... I think he's got a good shot to be part of, let's say, the Superfecta at a big price.

Free Drop Billy finished 9th out of 10 horses in the 2018 Belmont Stakes.

We wrapped up the week with a classic edition of Uhhh Ya Think for Nick Saban's lake-bathing habits and a round of listener roasts that cut deep into the cast's insecurities.

Hopefully, PFT survives the weekend in D.C. without eating too much horse poop.

stanley-cupwashington-capitalsnba-finalslebron-jamesmlbhorse-racingbelmont-stakes

More Takes

Loss
Jun 8, 2018
#8552
Big CatBig Cat

Julian Edelman is likely innocent of PED use because his Call of Duty stats were consistent

I've played Call of Duty with Julian Edelman multiple times... and I never noticed any performance that was out of the ordinary. Usually his kills to death ratio was pretty consistent throughout. No big spikes. So from where I'm sitting, probably didn't do it.

OpinionFootballHotSarcastic
Edelman served a 4-game suspension for PEDs; his appeal was denied.
Loss
Jun 8, 2018
#27057
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

Julian Edelman's positive PED test was a false positive

I say all signs point towards a false positive at this point. If he had been on PEDs, his quick twitch thumbs probably would have gotten a little bit faster and you would see more focus [in Call of Duty].

OpinionFootballMediumSarcastic
Edelman's appeal was denied and he served a four-game suspension for violating the league's PED policy.
Void
Jun 8, 2018
#27058
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

The Pardon My Take interview with Theo Epstein in early 2017 caused the Cubs to fail in their title defense

If we had a general manager... like Theo Epstein, and we talked to him, do you think that there would be a little bit of dissent in the Cubs clubhouse... and maybe they play a little less hard that year and maybe not win the World Series again?

While the Cubs lost in the 2017 NLCS after winning in 2016, attributing it to a podcast interview is satirical.
Push
Jun 8, 2018
#8554
Dan HarenDan Haren

The Arizona Diamondbacks will play the Boston Red Sox in the World Series

D-Backs, Red Sox.

The Red Sox won the World Series, but they played the Dodgers. The Diamondbacks finished 3rd in their division and missed the playoffs.
Win
Jun 8, 2018
#8556
Dan HarenDan Haren

Clayton Kershaw is not finished as an elite pitcher

Neither [done or finished]. Come on. I'm a Kershaw fan, even though I work for the D-backs... I never count that guy out. He works too hard.

Kershaw continued to pitch at a high level, making multiple All-Star teams and winning a World Series in 2020.
Win
Jun 8, 2018
#27060
Randy MossRandy Moss

Call to Mind is the top horse to bet in the Belmont Gold Cup

The horse's name is Call to Mind, M-I-N-D, Call to Mind, number one in the Belmont Gold Cup tomorrow. I don't know what the price is going to be... but there's another horse if you want to hook that one up in some exotics.

Call to Mind won the 2018 Belmont Gold Cup Invitational Stakes on June 8, 2018.
Loss
Jun 8, 2018
#8559
Randy MossRandy Moss

Gronkowski the horse does not have much of a chance in the Belmont Stakes

We talked to the trainer, and he doesn't even know what to expect... It's like he's been going up against Class A pitching, and now he's got to go against the Yankees. So you have no idea what to expect. Big, nice, good-looking horse. I don't think he has much of a chance.

Gronkowski actually finished a surprising 2nd in the Belmont Stakes, nearly pulling off the upset.
Win
Jun 8, 2018·Stay Woke
#8560
PFT CommenterPFT Commenter

LeBron James will NOT sign with the New York Knicks or Miami Heat

I am officially reporting lebron james will not be going to the new york knicks... I'm going to report that LeBron James will not be returning to the Miami Heat.

LeBron James signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Win
Jun 8, 2018·Stay Woke
#27061
HankHank

LeBron James will not sign with the Boston Celtics

You can officially take LeBron out of the Celtics running. Now that this Edelman story's come out, the Boston sports media doesn't need a story... so you can officially take LeBron out of the Celtics running.

LeBron James did not sign with the Celtics; he signed with the Lakers.
Void
Jun 8, 2018
#8561
Big CatBig Cat

A cup becomes a bowl once it is wider than it is long

I think it's when it's wider than it is long. When it becomes a chode. When it's a chode, it's a bowl.

This is a subjective matter of terminology.

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