StribSports Daily Delivery

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a huge night of live sports. The Timberwolves still can't beat the Mavericks, the Wild won in Marc-Andre Fleury's farewell game in Pittsburgh and Minnesota United earned a shootout victory in its playoff opener. After that, it's a flurry of guests: Randy Johnson on Gophers football, Chip Scoggins on a great high school tale, Chris Carr on high school sports coverage changes at the Star Tribune and Ben Goessling on big Vikings news.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a big Tuesday in Minnesota sports. The Wild and veteran goalie Marc-Andre Fleury get a chance to play Pittsburgh, while the Timberwolves face the Mavericks for the first time since the Western Conference Finals. 5:00: Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand to break down some concerning film. What's up with Jordan Addison? How can the Vikings replace Christian Darrisaw? And what happened to the pass rush against the Rams? 29:00: Jon Marthaler helps set up Minnesota United's best-of-three MLS playoff series. It could very well come down to penalty kicks against Real Salt Lake. 41:00: Are we headed for a World Series sweep?

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the big stories over the weekend. The Wolves, Reusse contends, haven't been very impressive in starting with a 2-1 record. More troubling is head coach Chris Finch sticking with a tight rotation that doesn't include any young players through three games. Plus it was a significant day for the Vikings even though they didn't play. Chicago lost on a last-second miracle and Packers QB Jordan Love exiting Green Bay's victory with a groin injury. And after some Gophers football praise, it was time to shine a little light on the Wild and Loons.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Vikings' second loss in a row after a 5-0 start, this time 30-20 to the Rams. The defense again allowed four touchdowns while the offense didn't run enough plays to get into a groove in the second half. A missed call on a facemask dashed any slim hope of a rally, but it was about No. 8 on the list of why the Vikings lost. 9:00: Phil Miller joins Rand for a breakdown of what should be a busy Twins offseason. Their ownership situation is in flux, their TV situation is new and their roster is uncertain. 30:00; The Wolves rallied for a nice win and the Wild kept rolling.

Host Michael Rand spends the bulk of the show with two guests, starting with Star Tribune Vikings writer Ben Goessling. As rumors spread that the Vikings were hoping to trade for Rams QB Matthew Stafford -- someone they will face tonight on Thursday Night Football -- Goessling dug into both the viability and the likelihood of such a move. Verdict: Zero chance, according his source, but that doesn't mean the Vikings won't look to add another piece before the trade deadline. 18:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly debate segment. They get into their level of concern after the Wolves' opener, a big game for Sam Darnold and how many wins it will take for the Gophers football program to call this a successful season. 37:00: A sweep for Gophers volleyball.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves' 110-103 loss to the Lakers, a lackluster affair from Minnesota that was troubling even if we keep it in perspective. Julius Randle put up decent numbers but was a clumsy fit in the first half. Mike Conley Jr. might have played his worst game in a Wolves uniform. It's just one of 82, but it was not a good one. 10:00: Randy Johnson joins the podcast to break down Big Ten football and set up a big game for the Gophers against Maryland on Saturday. 21:00: Six-man football? Chip Scoggins explains in his Football Across Minnesota feature. 28:00: The Wild keep rolling and the Vikings look to rebound.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand has one wish for Minnesota basketball fans: That they are able to enjoy a grievance-free Timberwolves season. If you are bitterly clinging to a call that didn't go the Wolves' way at the end of Game 2 against Dallas last year while simultaneously feeling grieved about the foul called against the Lynx on Sunday, some perspective might be helpful. 8:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand for a review of the film after the Vikings' first loss of the season. Minnesota made a lot of big plays but not enough little ones. Sam Darnold missed some throws and the defense was burned for touchdowns on four straight Detroit possessions. 30:00: Vikings poetry always soothes the soul. 44:00: The Wild are rolling, but the schedule gets tougher.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which for the most part was a Sunday full of heartbreak. The Lynx came within a few seconds of their fifth WNBA championship, but a missed layup by Napheesa Collier and a questionable sequence leading to game-tying free throws by New York led to an overtime win for the Liberty. Reusse dismisses the idea of complaining about the referees and instead says the Lynx should have won big had they made a few shots. The Vikings, meanwhile, lost on a last-second field goal to the Lions. It was another game where one play either on offense or defense would have turned the outcome. Minnesota is still 5-1, but the NFC North is suddenly up for grabs. Plus thoughts on the Wolves and Minnesota United.

Host Michael Rand gives his thoughts on the Vikings' 31-29 loss to Detroit which knocked Minnesota from the ranks of the unbeaten teams and sent the NFC North into chaos.

On a special standalone episode of Daily Delivery, host Michael Rand and Star Tribune Timberwolves beat writer Chris Hine get you set up for the Wolves season that starts Tuesday against the Lakers. On the agenda: How are the newcomers fitting in? The Wolves had seven players listed among ESPN's top 100. What does that tell us about this year's team? Are they built better for the regular season or for the playoffs? And how do they fit into a crowded Western Conference?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Vikings vs. Lions game Sunday, viewing it through the lens of ESPN's Football Power Index. Though Minnesota is the only undefeated team in the NFC, the index says the 4-1 Lions are the NFL's best team. That defines the stakes for Sunday's showdown at U.S Bank Stadium. Plus the baseball playoffs have been both compelling and frustrating. 12:00: Star Tribune Lynx writer Kent Youngblood joins Rand to set up Friday's critical Game 4 of the WNBA Finals at Target Center. Minnesota is down 2-1 in the series after Wednesday's heartbreaking loss. 19:00: Fantasy football picks return. 27:00: Bring on the NBA season and great expectations for the Wolves.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the tense and ultimately heartbreaking Lynx loss to the Liberty in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals on Wednesday at Target Center. The Lynx led most of the game, but a late New York rally and huge baskets in the final two minutes turned the momentum and outcome in an 80-77 final. Now the Lynx trail 2-1 in the best-of-5 series with Game 4 set for Friday at Target Center. Plus Rand spends a little time on the Wolves' preseason game and two good signs. 11:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly Daily Delivery Debate segment. On the docket: Who would even want to buy the Twins? Is Minnesota United primed for a deep playoff run? And will four NFC North teams make the playoffs? 26:00: The Vikings' injury report is concerning.

Introduction: On a jam-packed edition of the show, host Michael Rand starts with an encouraging game from the Wild punctuated by their first-ever goalie goal by Filip Gustavsson. Plus the Vikings traded for a familiar veteran running back. 8:00: Chip Scoggins joins to talk about his visit with Gophers QB recruit Jackson Kollock, and Randy Johnson follows with a look at the current team led by veteran Max Brosmer. 26:00: Hear from head coach Dawn Plitzuweit and two members of the Gophers women's basketball team about the benefit of experience. Plus the Gophers are attending the pivotal Game 3 of the WNBA Finals tonight at Target Center, where the Lynx need to get off to a better start in order to win.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a look at the emotional toll of the Timberwolves and Knicks trade, which we got a glimpse of with Donte DiVincenzo's return to Madison Square Garden on Sunday. It's going to take a little time for the new Wolves to get acclimated. Plus Rand reads a letter from a listener taking Patrick Reusse to task about Twins fans. 8:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand to dissect players trending up and down at the bye. 27:00: A boost for the Vikings offensive line and more of the same for the Jets.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse and host Michael Rand look back at a busy few days in Minnesota sports, starting with Reusse's take on the Twins being for sale. He finds a mediocre fan base in the middle of it all. From there, a bunch of topics are in play: The Lynx coming home tied 1-1 in their WNBA finals series; the Wild having some of the same problems they faced last year already this year; the Wolves having a feisty preseason game in New York; and P.J. Fleck's Gophers suddenly looking to be on an upswing.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Minnesota Lynx, who rallied from 15 points down midway through the fourth quarter to defeat the New York Liberty 95-93 in overtime of Game 1 of the WNBA Finals on Thursday. They had just a 0.8% chance to win the game at one point, but they persevered to pull off one of the greatest wins in Minnesota sports history. 7:00: The Wild earned a 3-2 win over Columbus in their opener Thursday, the kind of victory they will need more of this season. 11:00: La Velle E. Neal III on Twins ownership, Sam Darnold and Bill Guerin. 29:00: Vikings fans are made at Kirk Herbstreit.

On a true emergency breaking news edition of the podcast, Star Tribune columnist and former longtime Twins beat writer La Velle E. Neal III joins host Michael Rand to break down Thursday's stunning news that the Pohlad family is selling the Twins after 40 years of ownership. Why now? What does it mean for the team? And should fans be happy?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Lynx, who open the WNBA Finals tonight at New York. Minnesota won three out of four against the Liberty this season, but New York seems to think those games weren't representative of how this series will go. Can the underdog Lynx win a fifth WNBA title? Plus drama elsewhere in New York, where the Jets fired their coach. Is Aaron Rodgers in the middle of it all? 8:00: Star Tribune Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan joins the show to preview Minnesota's season. The Wild host Columbus in the opener tonight. Their roster is largely the same as it was last season. They have one too many goalies. Can they figure it all out in time to make the playoffs and keep their best player happy? 29:00: The Wild are in year two of a five-year plan? Really?

On a special edition of the podcast, host Michael Rand is joined by Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins to talk about Chip's recent series on how Minnesota's best pro athletes prepare on gameday. They'll talk about Harrison Smith swearing by pickle juice, Brock Faber eating the same thing all the time and Wil Trapp taking showers in total darkness. Plus other quirks, tips and strategies from the routines of Napheesa Collier, Pablo Lopez, Rudy Gobert and Kendall Coyne Schofield.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Lynx and their dominant 88-77 victory over Connecticut in Game 5 of the WNBA semifinals on Tuesday. A team that has been underestimated all season is now in the finals. You'll hear from head coach Cheryl Reeve and superstar Napheesa Collier. 10:00: Rand digs into the Twins' new TV deal with Major League Baseball. 17:00: Star Tribune Gophers writer Randy Johnson joins the show to look back at a huge win over USC and to preview Saturday's game at UCLA. 27:00: How much time will Aaron Jones miss?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts a multi-country show with an opening segment from the Dublin airport where he talks about a few travel adventures as well as thoughts on the Twins' TV situation and the big Lynx Game 5 Tuesday at Target Center. 8:00: Rand is joined by Vikings fans and friends from London for final thoughts on the 23-17 victory over the Jets that improved their record to 5-0 on the season. Keith Richotte is first up with a live and on location recording of Vikings poetry, while an 8-year-old steals the show again. 25:00: Podcast bragging rights are given.

Michael Rand and Patrick Reusse talk about the big weekend in sports. Rand is in London for the Vikings' win over the Jets while Reusse has all the insights from back in Minnesota.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand runs through a bunch of season-ending correspondence from Twins fans, finding some key themes. They largely are angry about ownership and specific in-game decisions. Some of them are willing to let their displeasure be known with their wallets. And yet some are grateful to have baseball in Minnesota. 13:00: Star Tribune writer Chris Hine joins Rand for a more thorough breakdown of the now official trade of Karl-Anthony Towns to the Knicks. 35:00: Sports editor Ryan Kostecka joins Rand for their weekly fantasy football segment. Rand has had the upper hand the last two weeks, but there's always another chance. 45:00: Kirk Cousins is enjoying Kirk-tober.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a big question about the Vikings. How were all of our predictions (at least so far) wrong about them? Statistical models and the eye test suggested this was maybe a seven-win team. So far, they're 4-0. Rand asked Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell what he saw in this team that the rest of us were missing, and the answer gets to the heart of their success. 10:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for the weekly Daily Delivery Debate segment. They get into three big topics: Was Twins owner Joe Pohlad's message strong enough after a disappointing end to the season? Are the Lynx going to get past Connecticut? And who got the best of the Karl-Anthony Towns trade? 32:00: Minnesota United is back in the MLS playoffs.

Introduction: It must be October because there is a lot to talk about right now. The biggest local live story was the Lynx, and host Michael Rand started with their 77-70 must-have victory over Connecticut in Game 2 of the WNBA semifinals on Tuesday. The series goes back to Connecticut tied 1-1 and feels destined to go the full five games. Rand also took note of a report that the Twins fired hitting coach David Popkins. Was the hitting coach really to blame for this year’s collapse? 9:00: Gophers football beat writer Randy Johnson joins the show to talk about the botched off-side call on the onside kick Saturday and how the Gophers move forward from here. 19:00: Jon Marthaler on Minnesota United, which is peaking at the right time as the playoffs get near. 30:00: Chip Scoggins on Randy Shaver. 37:00: Too soon on those playoff graphics, NFL.

Introduction: In a packed episode, host Michael Rand starts with what could have been an awkward Timberwolves media day but instead was one that provided some clarity and closure on the Karl-Anthony Towns era. Players were able to talk about the weekend's blockbuster trade, with veteran Mike Conley Jr. offering key perspective. Plus the Big Ten admitted it made a mistake on Saturday and immediately changed how it officiates on-side kicks. Too bad it can't change the outcome for the Gophers. 9:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand to review the film and engage in three hot takeaways from Sunday's win over the Packers. Sam Darnold for MVP? It's not out of the question. 25:00: Vikings poetry, four of them to match the team's 4-0 record. 36:00: Remembering Pete Rose.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at one of the newsiest weekends in Minnesota sports that either of them can recall. On top of the Vikings improving to 4-0 with a win over the Packers at Lambeau Field, we had the end of the Twins' 2024 collapse, the Gophers losing in controversial fashion at Michigan and the Lynx dropping Game 1 of their series against Connecticut. But they started with the unexpected news: Karl-Anthony Towns, a nine-year mainstay for the Timberwolves, was traded to the Knicks right before the start of training camp. Reusse and Rand both like the move more than KAT fans might.

Special Delivery! Takeaways from a big win at Lambeau for 4-0 Vikings

Introduction: Host Michael Rand devotes two segments to the Twins, who are on the brink of elimination after another frustrating chain of events Thursday. The Royals and Tigers both had late-inning heroics to win their games, while the Twins missed several chances and fell 8-6 in 13 innings to the woeful Marlins. 9:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand for a big-picture look at the Twins. There's plenty of blame to go around, but for Scoggins it starts with ownership. If the Pohlad family isn't going to invest more in the team, is it time to think about selling? 19:00: Star Tribune sports editor Ryan Kostecka joins for a look at this week's fantasy football matchups. Rand beat him in their head-to-head sleeper pick competition a week ago, but it's always on to the next one. 32:00: The Vikings and Packers rivalry is always best when it's a little spicy and both teams are good.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Lynx, Twins and Gophers volleyball. All three had big victories of varying degrees on Wednesday. The Lynx advanced in the playoffs by sweeping Phoenix, perhaps ending Diana Taurasi's career in the process. Napheesa Collier tied a WNBA playoff record with 42 points and set a league playoff record with 80 points in the two games. The Twins, meanwhile, gathered themselves for a night and handed the Marlins their 100th loss of the year. Can Minnesota gain ground on Thursday? And the Gophers earned a thrilling five-set win over Wisconsin. 13:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly Daily Delivery Debate segment. In focus: Concerns about the Twins in 2025 and beyond, shifting expectations for the Vikings and Brett Favre. 32:00: Favre and Tommy Kramer were diagnosed this week with serious conditions linked to football. Kramer's message on X is one that demands our attention.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins, who continue to stagger down the stretch of an increasingly lost season. On Tuesday they fell 4-1 to the 99-loss Marlins and now sit two games behind Kansas City and Detroit in the wild card race with five games to play. They don't seem to have any answers, and fans are toggling between anger and apathy. 12:00: Star Tribune Gophers football writer Randy Johnson joins Rand off of a rough outcome against Iowa. Up 14-7 at halftime, the Gophers ultimately fell 31-14. Now they have to play at Michigan, another team that could expose their flimsy run defense. 22:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins checks in with his Football Across Minnesota feature. 28:00: A Packers dilemma against the Vikings, and the thing the Lynx must do tonight.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins, who continue to frustrate fans as they head into the final week of the season. Two listeners vented via email -- one about the Twins' roster moves and another about their lack of power recently -- and Rand responded. Plus a bleak outlook for Gophers football as P.J. Fleck's team looks to move on from the Iowa loss. 9:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand to break down film from Sunday's 34-7 victory. Along the way, Rand has three very spicy hot takeaways -- including a declaration about running back Aaron Jones that Krammer couldn't quite stomach. 30:00: Vikings poetry is becoming a love-fest. 45:00: Jayden Daniels is the real deal.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which encompassed both extreme highs and lows. The highs: The Vikings moved to 3-0 with a 34-7 trouncing of the Texans. Minnesota is playing like one of the best teams in the NFL, which even the optimistic Reusse has to admit is even a surprise. It's time to start believing in this team, and the same can be said of the Lynx. They got a good test from Phoenix but prevailed to take Game 1 of their playoff series on Sunday. The lows: The Twins were swept in a disastrous doubleheader and sit on the outside of the playoff race looking in with six games left. And the Gophers football team turned a 14-7 halftime lead into a lopsided loss to rival Iowa.

Host Michael Rand hopped on a live postgame breakdown after the Vikings' 34-7 victory Sunday.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with three different notions of 50/50 clubs. The Twins have slid back to a coin flip chance to reach the playoffs and are now tied with Detroit in the wild card race after another walk-off loss Thursday. The Vikings have changed perceptions and risen up to a coin flip chance to be a playoff team. And Shohei Ohtani achieved a remarkable, never-been-done feat -- 50 homers and 50 steals in a season -- with a remarkable game Thursday. 9:00: Star Tribune WNBA writer Kent Youngblood joins Rand in advance of the playoffs. The Lynx finished the regular season 30-10, wildly overachieving compared to external expectations. The postseason starts Sunday. Can the Lynx win their fifth championship? 28:00: Fantasy football picks with Star Tribune sports editor Ryan Kostecka. 39:00: The sadness of Bryce Young.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a frustrating night for the Twins and their fans. After taking a 4-2 lead in extra innings of a vital game against Cleveland, the Twins fell 5-4 and say their wild card lead trimmed to a half-game over Detroit. The seeds for the loss were planted before Wednesday. How long you want to go back probably determines who you think is to blame for the season. 14:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand on the Daily Delivery debate to hash out three subjects. Who is to blame if the Twins miss the playoffs? Regardless of money, would you rather have Kirk Cousins or Sam Darnold right now? And which NFL rookie QB will throw the most touchdown passes this season? 34:00: Minnesota United lost at home; the Lynx are gearing up for the playoffs.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Lynx, who locked up the No. 2 seed in the WNBA playoffs with a dramatic win on a long last-second three-pointer by Bridget Carleton on Tuesday at Connecticut. The Lynx are 30-9 and will have home-court advantage for two rounds of the playoffs, assuming they knock off No. 7 Phoenix in the first round. 7:00: The Twins grabbed a much-needed 4-1 win in Cleveland. They had to expend a lot of bullpen energy to get there, but with just 11 games left in the season and their wild card lead over Detroit sitting at just 1.5 games, they need to seize on any opportunity to get a victory. 12:00: Star Tribune Gophers football writer Randy Johnson joins the show to set up Iowa week. Saturday at Huntington Bank Stadium probably won't be as wild as last year's invalid fair catch game, but we should expect it to be close and low-scoring. 24:00: Chip Scoggins on Chip Lohmiller, former kicker and now a fire chief. 30:00: Tennessee is passing the increased cost of college sports onto its fans, which shouldn't surprise anyone.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with Monday Night Football, where Kirk Cousins and the Falcons were gifted a chance that they took full advantage of in rallying to defeat the Eagles 22-21. Before Cousins' final TD drive, he had played a steady but unspectacular game that he was likely to lose. Now he's a hero and has erased some of the narrative that emerged after a rough first week in Atlanta. The whole game felt like the 2021 Vikings playing against themselves. 8:00: The Twins lost a Pablo Lopez start when Griffin Jax couldn't lock down a late lead. The Twins are fading fast, and they might be trying to stop the bleeding with a castoff that another playoff team didn't want. 12:00: Andrew Krammer joins Rand for a film review of the Vikings' win over the 49ers and three hot takeaways. Rand thinks this Vikings offensive line is the best in a long time. 30:00: Vikings poetry is very positive this week. 44:00: The Lynx have plenty at stake in a huge game tonight.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for an overwhelmingly positive episode of the podcast. They start with the Vikings, who improved to 2-0 with a statement victory over the 49ers. By winning 23-17 in a game that wasn't even as close as the score would indicate, the Vikings are proving Reusse correct. He liked them as a playoff team before the season started, but he was in the minority with that opinion. They could contend for an NFC North title in what might end up being just an OK division. The Twins saved their weekend by rallying from a 2-0 hole to defeat the Reds 9-2. Brooks Lee had two big hits, keeping Minnesota's lead in the wild card race at 2.5 games. Now they head out on a seven-game road trip to Cleveland and Boston. A big Pablo Lopez start looms Monday. And the Lynx scored a convincing win over WNBA-leading New York. Minnesota is still in the running for the league's top seed and solidified their hold on the No. 2 spot. That plus Saturday wins by the Gophers football team and Minnesota United made for quite a weekend.

Daily Delivery host Michael Rand went live with his instant reaction to the Vikings' 23-17 victory over the 49ers on Sunday. Here is the playback of that session.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a bizarre story about Twins minor league catcher Derek Bender, a sixth-round draft choice this past summer, who was reportedly released from the organization for tipping pitches to help an opponent. While his motivation is not 100% clear, ESPN reported that Bender had told teammates he was was ready for the season to be over. 6:00: Star Tribune high school sports writer Cassidy Hettesheimer joins Rand to discuss her story on Elk River's unique offense that fools both defenses and camera operators. 14:00: The introduction of a fantasy football segment with Star Tribune sports editor Ryan Kostecka. 28:00: Another concussion for Tua Tagovailoa and a big weekend in Minnesota sports.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand details a night of mostly good news for the Twins, who won 6-4 over the Angels to take the series. Royce Lewis and Brooks Lee broke out of slumps with two-run doubles, the bullpen held up nicely and the Twins announced postgame that Byron Buxton will be activated from the injured list Friday. The concern remains with the starting pitching. Zebby Matthews didn't go past the fourth inning. Rookies are slated to make nine of the Twins' final 16 starts this year. 10:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for a new segment called The Daily Delivery Debate. This week's topics: What was the Twins' biggest pitching blunder this season? Should the Lynx want to face Caitlin Clark in the playoffs? And how do we rank the four NFC North teams after one week of the NFL season? 31:00: A zombie Pac-12 is emerging, while even more concern is out there about Kirk Cousins.

On a jam-packed episode, host Michael Rand starts with the Twins, who defeated the Angels 10-5 on Tuesday. They snapped a four-game losing streak, which had bookends of Pablo Lopez starts, and broke out of a slump at the plate. Their secret? The return of the Rally Sausage, that spiced meat talisman that brought the Twins out of their funk earlier this year. Its return leads to a question, though: Why did it ever leave? Plus Rand looks at the Lynx, who won for the 11th time in 12 games since the break. Can they hold onto the No. 2 seed? 11:00: Star Tribune Gophers football writer Randy Johnson joins the show to set up Minnesota vs. Nevada on Saturday and to spin ahead to the Big Ten opener against Iowa a week from now. 20:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins goes into detail on his Football Across Minnesota feature. The fourth season debuted this week with a story of football revival at St. Paul Johnson and a life-saving effort at Minnesota-Duluth. 27:00: There is cause for alarm with Kirk Cousins. And is it too easy to kick a field goal in the NFL these days?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins, who came off a 2-5 road trip hoping they had solved some of their recent woes but fell flat once again in a 6-2 loss to the Angels at Target Field. Their wild card lead is down to three games over three different teams with 18 to play. They will put their faith in Pablo Lopez tonight and their hope in the near-term return of Carlos Correa, who says he is close to coming back. 7:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand for a review of the film from the Vikings' 28-6 victory over the Giants. There were defensive stars all over the field, while Sam Darnold had an excellent debut. Rand has three hot takeaways for Krammer, including one big one about Darnold. 24:00: Award-winning Vikings poetry is back and better than ever. 41:00: Do we need to recalibrate the NFC North? What about the Jets and Aaron Rodgers?

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joined host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. They got into the Vikings, but first they had to tackle the Twins. After a 2-5 road trip, including a sweep at Kansas City, the Twins are reeling. Manager Rocco Baldelli said their approach in the series against the Royals was "unprofessional," but that's probably just code for what Reusse and Rand can plainly see: they aren't very good right now, with injuries and underperformance playing key roles. The Vikings, meanwhile, opened the season with an impressive 28-6 victory over the Giants. New York is probably one of the five worst teams in the NFL, but if the Vikings can maintain Sunday's formula -- offensive balance and defensive strength -- they might be as good as Reusse thinks and better than Rand thought they would be. Kirk Cousins had a clunker of a debut in Atlanta, by the way. They touched on the Lynx and Gophers near the end of the show.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with Shaquille O'Neal's bizarre assertion this week that Rudy Gobert is the worst active player in the NBA. It might have generated the attention Shaq craves in our warped media world, but it also lost him a decent amount of credibility. Gobert's measured response was perfect. Plus Rand resists the urge to say Thursday's Twins win was the most important one of the season, but it was pretty significant. 14:00: Twins fan and Minneapolis man Tony Voda has traveled the country watching games and snagging baseballs. He's nabbed more than 2,000 of them over the years. But on a recent trip to a Dodgers game in Los Angeles, he learned an important lesson from a big one that got away. 31:00: Five things Rand wants to see Sunday from the Vikings opener.

Introduction: Twins infielder Royce Lewis has had a charmed existence when he's been on the field as an MLB player, but things have taken a turn lately. Since announcing that he doesn't "do that slump thing" in mid-June, Lewis is hitting just .228. And this week Lewis has been vocal about not liking even occasional action at second base, which is where he started in Wednesday's 9-4 loss to Tampa Bay. Combined with Byron Buxton getting ejected from a minor league rehab game, it hasn't been the most mature week for two of the Twins' best players. 10:00: Star Tribune Gophers reporter Marcus Fuller joins host Michael Rand for a look at the Gophers volleyball team, which went through growing pains in Keegan Cook's first season as head coach but looks to be ready to resume a place of dominance this season. 29:00: Will the Vikings be able to run the ball this year?

Introduction: The Twins continue to falter, but their competition in the wild card race has been even worse. Boston has lost nine of its last 12. The Royals have lost seven in a row. Add it up and the Twins still have a 95% chance of reaching the postseason. If they do, they won't have an obvious choice for a Game 3 starter in a winner-take-all wild card series. Maybe rookie David Festa, who pitched well again in a 2-1 loss to Tampa Bay on Tuesday, is the best option? 9:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the Gophers football team's disappointing opener against North Carolina. Every Big Ten team (yes, the other 17) except the Gophers won their first game, but Minnesota looked flat on offense. Plus they look at the Vikings and big questions heading into the season. 37:00: The Vikings' depth chart clarified some things for Rand.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand on a jam-packed edition of the show after a holiday weekend. The weather was perfect all weekend for the state amateur baseball tournament, and Reusse took advantage with a trip to Jordan. Reusse and Rand also got into Minnesota Star Tribune colleague Mark Craig's excellent piece on former Vikings coach Mike Zimmer in which Zimmer spared nobody in recalling the ending in Minnesota. It didn't make Zimmer look very good, but it was compelling reading. Plus thoughts on the Twins, who course-corrected with two straight wins, and the Gophers volleyball team's upset of No. 1 Texas.

Introduction: Your bleary-eyed host Michael Rand returned home from the Gophers' 19-17 loss to North Carolina on Thursday night, grabbed a few hours of sleep, then tried to make sense of it at the start of today's show. The best way to describe it: There were very few figurative fireworks in a close but uninspiring game. And the literal fireworks at the end, mistakenly shot off when Minnesota missed a potential winning field goal in the final seconds, were a fitting end to it all. 9:00: Dana Wessel, a radio morning show personality on 93X as well as a movie expert (and friend of Rand), joined the podcast for a fun segment on the best kids sports movies of the 1990s. Which ones hold up the best and should be shown to the next generation? 40:00: It's a big weekend for Pablo Lopez and the Twins.