StribSports Daily Delivery

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins, who lost again and are 1-5 on this homestand. Manager Rocco Baldelli attributed their recent slide to one of many streaks they've had this season. The Twins and their fans better hope he's right because any help for a sagging roster has been slow to come, if at all. The Lynx are going in the other direction, though, surging into second place in the WNBA and looking every bit like a title contender. 9:00: Rand welcomes in the Star Tribune's Jim Paulsen for part of Thursday's football feast. Paulsen gives insights into his Dream Team of the top high school football players in the entire state of Minnesota and sets the stage for Thursday's first big slate of games. 22:00: Randy Johnson provides the second helping of football, getting listeners ready for Thursday's Gophers football opener against North Carolina.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a look at the much-maligned top part of the Vikings' 2022 draft class now that Lewis Cine has been cut. There's no doubt that the Vikings missed on Cine, Andrew Booth and Brian Asamoah, among others. But it was interesting to look back at the consensus at the time of the draft. A lot of smart folks thought the Vikings had done well. 10:00: Gophers women's basketball coach Dawn Plitzuweit joined Rand and Gophers writer Kent Youngblood at the State Fair to preview the upcoming season. You'll learn what Plitzuweit likes about this year's team and what stat she loves the most. 34:00: The Twins lost again, and the Royals pulled even with Cleveland. Have we been focused on the wrong AL Central foe?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with Monday's storm-interrupted 10-6 loss to Atlanta, the Twins' sixth setback in their last eight games. Bailey Ober has been terrific almost all year, but he gave up nine early runs before the skies opened up. The pressure will be on rookie Simeon Woods Richardson on Tuesday to get the Twins, who are suddenly in third place in the AL Central, back on track. Rand also identified the four areas of the Vikings roster that he is most concerned about at the start of the season. Roster cutdowns are coming Tuesday, and Minnesota could use some depth in a few different areas. 14:00: Taylor Heise, Kelly Pannek and Nicole Hensley, all standouts from PWHL Minnesota's championship team this season, joined Rand on the Minnesota Star Tribune stage at the State Fair. They talked about the highs and lows of the season, what it means to be a pro hockey player and what they can do for a Year 2 encore. 37:00: Rand is back at the fair for a couple more interviews Tuesday. Come say hi.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included another late blown lead Sunday by the Twins. Are the wheels starting to fall off for a team with injury woes and shaky pitching depth, or was this just a bad week? The news for the Lynx was much happier this week, as they defeated Las Vegas twice and Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever once. Minnesota is looking like a true WNBA title contender, a status solidified by its showing over the weekend. Plus Reusse and Rand get into some town ball, a Minnesota team that won a championship and the Minnesota State Fair.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a Vikings question that has been on his mind for months. There are numerous similarities between Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, including their draft year (2018) and career trajectories. Mayfield had a bounceback season in 2023 and re-established himself as an NFL starter. Rand looks inside the numbers to see if Darnold is a candidate to do the same with the Vikings in 2024. 14:00: Star Tribune Twins writer Phil Miller saw all the highs and lows of the Twins' recent 4-3 road trip. He joins the show to offer perspectives on the trio of rookie pitchers in the starting rotation as well as injury timelines for Minnesota's ailing stars. 38:00: It's a big weekend in Minnesota sports.

Introduction: In an offbeat edition of the podcast, host Michael Rand spends some time with the Fremont Avenue Wiffle Ball League, a collection of kids in south Minneapolis who have had a great summer playing on their backyard field. You'll hear their story and maybe spark some memories of your own. 15:00: Rand talks with third-year Timberwolves player Josh Minott, with a twist. Their entire conversation is based on prompts that Rand pulled from captions Minott put on his own social media posts. The hope is that it provides a window into Minott's worldview. 23:00: The Twins and Lynx keep defying odds, with two big wins Wednesday showing how they both define the notion of a true team.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with two of the biggest Minnesota sports stories of the day. The Twins held leads of 3-1 and 5-3 but ultimately lost 7-5 to the Padres, the second time during a three-game losing skid that their bullpen has melted down late. The difference between the relief staffs for Minnesota and Cleveland is the most glaring gap in the AL Central race. Plus Rand lauds Brian Flores for speaking up about evolving as a coach and person. 13:00: Star Tribune Lynx writer Kent Youngblood joins the show to break down Tuesday's trade for Myisha Hines-Allen to bolster their frontcourt. It's a huge week for the Lynx, who face Las Vegas twice and then Caitlin Clark's Indiana Fever on the same night Maya Moore's jersey is retired. 33:00: Gophers bowl projections? In August?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with comments made by Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa about his former head coach and current Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. Tagovailoa was critical of Flores coaching style, particularly in contrast to current coach Mike McDaniel, and said of Flores, "You have a terrible person telling you things that you don't want to hear or probably shouldn't be hearing, you're going to start believing that about yourself." Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell was asked about it on Monday, and Flores figures to be asked about it Tuesday. Rand also dissects the Twins' 5-3 loss to the Padres on Monday. Rookie Zebby Matthews got into trouble with two uncharacteristic walks, but it was a strike that hurt him the most. 12:00: Soccer writer Jon Marthaler joins Rand to talk about the roster shakeup for Minnesota United. The Loons brought in several players during the recently completed transfer window. Combined with a schedule that has had United off for more than three weeks, it gives them an air of mystery when MLS play resumes Saturday. 32:00: Mike Gundy wants to focus on football, an increasingly difficult task.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand on Monday's edition for a look back at the weekend in sports. The Twins won three of four in Texas and trimmed Cleveland's division lead to two games. Even with a disappointing loss Sunday, three nice wins have the Twins in good shape on a tough road trip. They have also silenced a lot of critics of manager Rocco Baldelli. The Vikings won another preseason game. More importantly, they signed standout veteran corner Stephon Gilmore. If they have good health, the Vikings have the makings of a pretty good defense. And Reusse discusses his recent column on the Lynx and his approach to the State Fair.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with two emails from listeners. Shane is blaming himself for J.J. McCarthy's injury because of a parallel his life to Teddy Bridgewater's injury eight years ago. And Bob thinks the Twins have missed some critical chances to close the gap on Cleveland even though they had a strong overall homestand and good win Thursday in Texas. 13:00: Star Tribune Gophers football writer Randy Johnson gives us the latest on running back Darius Taylor's hamstring injury and goes game-by-game through the entire 12-game schedule with Rand. 36:00: The Lynx are back and didn't miss a beat; the Wolves are being treated (correctly) as one of the NBA's top teams.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand toward the end of the week instead of at the start. Rested up from a rustic trip into the Woods, Reusse has all sorts of thoughts on whether the banged-up Twins can sustain their momentum on a tough upcoming road trip. Reusse and Rand also get into the impact of J.J. McCarthy being out for the season and the consideration that it might just be one of "those" years for the Vikings. And the Lynx return to action Thursday after a monthlong Olympic break.

Star Tribune Vikings writer Ben Goessling joins host Michael Rand for a quick rundown of the bad news that came Minnesota's way on Wednesday. First, then Vikings announced that quarterback J.J. McCarthy's meniscus tear will require a season-ending surgery, an outcome that wasn't surprising but is still a buzzkill for this season. Goessling and Rand analyze the impact of that news. Plus receiver Jordan Addison left Wednesday's joint practice in Cleveland on a cart. Though coach Kevin O'Connell said that the injury is to Addison's ankle and doesn't appear serious, it was not the scene anyone needed after the McCarthy news.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand notes the debut of Twins pitcher Zebby Matthews and just how much Minnesota is relying on young throwers drafted in the middle-to-late rounds by Derek Falvey. Is this the arrival of the much-anticipated Falvey pitching pipeline? And if so, how will Matthews, David Festa, Bailey Ober and Louie Varland fare down the stretch of a pennant race? Rand also makes two big points about J.J. McCarthy's injury and its impact on this year's Vikings. 14:00: Rand welcomes in Star Tribune reporter Jeff Day, who wrote the story of the week about a dispute over a house on Lake Minnetonka that has former Viking Chad Greenway as a key character. Plus Rand and Day talk about their favorite subject, the Timberwolves. 37:00: Another significant injury, this time with the Gophers football team.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with Monday's double dose of concerning news. After a very encouraging Saturday preseason debut, Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy was held out of Monday's practice with a sore knee. And in the midst of an 8-3 win over the Royals on Monday, Byron Buxton had to leave the game with a hip problem. Even without knowing the timetables for either injury, that's not the news anyone wanted. 13:00: "Higher" by Creed became an unofficial anthem of the Vikings during a winning streak last year. On today's show, Creed guitarist Mark Tremonti joins Rand to talk about that phenomenon and other aspects of the band as they prepare to play Treasure Island on Saturday. 26:00: The Jets are being the Jets.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins, who took the first two games of their showdown with Cleveland and had the Guardians on the ropes before dropping Saturday and Sunday's games. It wasn't a disaster, but it definitely was a missed opportunity for the Twins as they still sit 3.5 games back heading into another big series vs. Kansas City. Plus Rand puts a bow on the tremendous Paris Olympics. 10:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand to dissect Saturday's preseason opener against the Raiders. Sam Darnold looked efficient. Rookie J.J. McCarthy made some electric plays after an early interception. The defense has some holes in the secondary but more depth within the front seven. And Minnesota won a preseason game for the first time since 2019. 37:00: A new Aaron Rodgers book dredges up some old wounds.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Vikings announcing how they will divide up playing time for their quarterbacks in Saturday's preseason opener. Sam Darnold will start, but rookie J.J. McCarthy will get a lot of time on the field as well. It will be the beginning of a journey, and perhaps the start of the McCarthy hype in earnest. 9:00: Rand talks to Star Tribune Twins writer Bobby Nightengale Jr. during a newsy week. Starting pitcher Joe Ryan is injured, and the Twins will have to lean even more on their young pitchers in a critical series this weekend against division-leading Cleveland. Plus the ongoing absence of Carlos Correa and the hot streak from Matt Wallner. 31:00: Rand has memories of former Minnesota-Duluth hockey coach Mike Sertich, who died Thursday at age 77.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes a look at the increasingly perilous pitching depth for the Twins. Steady starter Joe Ryan had to leave Wednesday's game with a triceps injury and is almost certain to miss some time. Minnesota, which wasn't able to add any starting pitching help at the trade deadline, could be leaning more than ever on young arms at a crucial point in its season. 10:00: Rand is joined by Rick Sutton, the former head coach of the Mankato West football team. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who this week became the Democrat nominee for Vice President, was an assistant coach on the 1999 squad that won the Class 4A state title. Sutton recalls the history of that team and what Walz was like as a coach. 28:00: It's always a good time to be thinking about Naz Reid.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with an update in the AL Central, where the Twins' five-game winning streak ended in part because of a rough Pablo Lopez outing, the Guardians were rained out and now have two doubleheaders this week and the White Sox finally won after 21 consecutive losses. Also, a listener alerted Rand to a message sent by the Twins to season ticket holders about direct-to-consumer viewing options for 2025. 9:00: Star Tribune summer sports intern Cassidy Hettesheimer joins Rand to talk about her experience getting to know the Twin Cities and our sports scene. She's been doing a lot of Olympics coverage and catches us up to speed on what to watch for the rest of the way in Paris. 28:00: The Vikings have no problem listing a starting quarterback. It's the backup that they won't tell us about.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand wants to be frustrated, still, that the Twins didn't improve their starting pitching at the trade deadline. But rookie David Festa is making it harder on him with each strong outing. Festa threw five shutout innings against the Cubs on Monday, helping the Twins to their fifth consecutive victory. If the Twins make the postseason, is there a chance Festa could be a factor? 9:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand for a look at the Gophers football team and the Vikings. How many games will each of them win this season? Will the Vikings learn to run more? Will the Gophers throw more? And how much do we want to see J.J. McCarthy during Saturday's only home preseason game? 34:00: A big day for Timberwolves players at the Olympics.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joined host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included the Twins extending the White Sox misery. After Minnesota swept Chicago at Target Field, the White Sox have now lost 20 consecutive games and have a season record of 27-87. With help from their inept AL Central foes, the Twins moved within 4.5 games of division-leading Cleveland with a showdown looming soon. Plus Reusse and Rand talked about the Olympics and a young Minnesotan rising up the ranks of the auto racing world, while Reusse got to tell some fun stories along the way.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a look at the Vikings and Gophers football teams. Both squads professed a desire for more offensive balance last season, with the Vikings looking to run more and the Gophers looking to pass more. But limited personnel and old habits led to more of the same for both Kevin O'Connell and P.J. Fleck. Is there hope for a different outcome in 2024? 11:00: Star Tribune Twins writer Phil Miller joins Rand to talk about Bally Sports North being back on Comcast, but at a higher pricing tier. Will sports fans stick with it after three months off the air? Plus an examination of the Twins' tepid trade deadline moves and a Carlos Correa update. 34:00: The Olympics have been great.

Introduction: After a couple of days off during which host Michael Rand rediscovered the brief joy of one good hole of golf, he is back with thoughts on Bally Sports North being back on Comcast. It's a sigh of relief for Minnesota sports fans, particularly those who have been missing the Twins and Lynx this summer, but the new pricing tier is $20 more per month if you want to watch now. Will fans pay it, or will the Twins, Comcast and Bally Sports North pay the price? 10:00: Star Tribune Gophers football writer Randy Johnson joins the show to catch us up to speed on the first week of practice. The strengths of the Gophers appear to be on the offensive and defensive lines, but a tough schedule will challenge P.J. Fleck's team. 30:00: A defining year for Aaron Rodgers' legacy.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included the conclusion of the 3M Open. Reusse was impressed by the leader board by the end of the golf tournament, even if the heat was a little much. The Olympics are off to a strong start and Minnesotans are right in the middle of it with Anthony Edwards helping the U.S. men's basketball team defeat Serbia and Suni Lee qualifying for the women's gymnastics all-around finals. The Twins keep winning two out of every three games, but their approach to the trade deadline might leave fans (as well as Rand) frustrated. And Reusse loves the old smoking section on airplanes much more than Vikings training camp.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand highlights some of the key things said by P.J. Fleck on Thursday at Big Ten football media day. Rand finds Fleck to be honest about how to find joy in the moment during a transformational time in college football, but he also thinks Fleck is trying to control the narrative if he wants us to think 2023 wasn't a disappointment. 9:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Ben Goessling joins Rand for a comprehensive update from a busy first week of training camp. The main story line is the emotion of the week, punctuated Friday with the funeral for cornerback Khyree Jackson. They also discuss the positional battles at camp, including the all-important one at quarterback. 39:00: The Twins are taking a different approach to the trade deadline.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the news that the Twins might soon be back on Comcast, at least according to a progress report given by an attorney for Diamond Sports. Rand's sense is that if Bally Sports North returns to Comcast, however, it will be on a higher pricing tier and that Twins fans will have to pay more than before. The bigger question remains: What will be the Twins' local TV solution in 2025 and beyond? Plus another Max Kepler walk-off, a key Vikings injury on the first day of camp and Jordan Addison's first comments since his arrest. 16:00: Mike Wierzbicki, a senior associate AD with the Gophers, talks to Rand about a special triumph for Minnesota. The Gophers were one of just two schools in the country to have players selected in the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB drafts this year. 29:00: You might have missed it, but the Olympics started.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a look at the Twins and the trade deadline. With one week left to make deals, the Twins are targeting pitching. That's a common goal for a lot of teams, but it is particularly important for the Twins as they try to navigate the final two months of the season (and, they hope, the playoffs). 9:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand as they talk through why the Vikings aren't being tough enough (at least publicly) with wide receiver Jordan Addison. Plus Scoggins makes the case that this is a big year for Sam Darnold, while they also get into some Gophers football talk as well. 38:00: Christian Darrisaw's extension and the return of a popular Viking.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with comments from Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah on the eve of training camp. Addressing the media in the wake of the death of Khyree Jackson and Jordan Addison's arrest, both key Vikings decisionmakers exhibited empathy. But in the case of Addison, are they being tough enough? Rand doesn't think so. Speaking of accountability, Aaron Rodgers doesn't seem to want any. And the Twins finally got a win against a good team. 14:00: Soccer writer Jon Marthaler joins Rand to talk about Minnesota United's streak-busting victory and key additions the Loons are in the process of making during this transfer window. 34:00: The Arena League played its championship game where? And Dean Evason gets a second chance.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. The big story was Joe Mauer's induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Reusse was on the scene in Cooperstown, N.Y., and offers his perspectives on the Mauer's big weekend and remarkable career with the Twins. Plus Reusse and Rand get into the Twins' disappointing two-game sweep at the hands of the Brewers, which continued a season-long trend of struggling against MLB's top teams. And thoughts on the British Open as well as the Vikings as they prepare for training camp.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand takes note of Minnesota United's hopes of improving during this transfer window, a concerning injury to Dawson Garcia and an update from the Wolves in Summer League action. 7:00: Star Tribune Twins writer Bobby Nightengale Jr. joins Rand for a look at the Twins at the All-Star break. With a 54-42 record, they are in good shape to compete for a playoff spot. Whether they can catch Cleveland or secure a Wild Card berth largely will depend on position player health and the return to form of Pablo Lopez. Will they add anything at the trade deadline? And is anything new on the TV front after updates from Commissioner Rob Manfred? 30:00: Speaking of the Twins on TV, a listener sounds off on the whole situation.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with two teams going in opposite directions. The Lynx won a matinee to enter the Olympic break 17-8, which includes a 3-2 mark without injured star Napheesa Collier. Meanwhile, Minnesota United remained winless in its last nine matches. Surrendering two late goals on set pieces to a subpar D.C. United squad in a 3-2 loss Wednesday might have been the worst of the nine. 9:00: Star Tribune Wolves writer Chris Hine joins the show fresh off a long stint in Las Vegas to talk about the impact of Minnesota's young players, Anthony Edwards' continued rise on Team USA and yet another trip to Chanhassen. 27:00: ESPN ranked the top 100 pro athletes since 2000. How many Minnesotans were on the list?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand was not impressed with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred's comments Tuesday about where things stand with the league's TV situation. By telling teams it is up to them to decide whether to either sign up to be distributed and produced by MLB or continue with the regional sports network model, MLB is admitting it doesn't yet have a viable product or solution. If the landscape really won't be sorted out until a new national contract is negotiated in 2028, that's a long time to wait. 9:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand ahead of Joe Mauer's induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame this weekend in Cooperstown, N.Y. Neal shares some Mauer stories and insights, while he and Rand also get into this year's Twins and Vikings receiver Jordan Addison. 36:00: It is a great day to be a Star Tribune subscriber.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with Knicks owner James Dolan's scathing letter to the league's board of governors complaining about several aspects of a reported new 11-year, $76 billion media/TV deal. Dolan, representing the large-market Knicks, worries that the NBA is moving toward a national broadcast model that will render regional sports networks "unviable." What might that mean for Minnesota sports and the Wolves? 9:00: Star Tribune Gophers sports writer Marcus Fuller joins Rand to talk about two main subjects. First, Fuller sheds more light on Gophers AD Mark Coyle's comments to the Board of Regents last week about the future economic model within the athletic department. Fuller also gives an update on the Gophers men's basketball team's offseason, among other things. 38:00: Two listeners have keen observations.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which frankly didn't have a lot of great news for Minnesota sports fans. The Lynx lost to Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever on Sunday, showing they will struggle as long as Napheesa Collier is out. The game was a huge success from a business standpoint, with a sellout crowd and gate revenues topping $1 million helped greatly by a pro-Clark contingent. Vikings WR Jordan Addison was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving in California, the second straight offseason he's had a significant incident with a vehicle. And the Twins lost their final game going into the All-Star break and are dealing with a handful of minor injuries to major players.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand begins with an appreciation segment on Willi Castro, the super utility man for the Twins who was named to the All-Star team Thursday as an injury replacement. He's played quite capably at five different positions and in all 93 games this year for the Twins, who quite honestly would not be where they are (53-40) without him. 6:00: Soccer writer Jon Marthaler joins Rand for a look at Minnesota United, which has struggled with depth in losing six games in a row. With the MLS transfer window coming up next week and players returning from international competition, where do the Loons stand? Plus they speculate about candidates for the top U.S. men's soccer job and name some guys. 35:00: Wolves back?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the suddenly and remarkably consistent Twins, who have won two out of three games in six consecutive series, needing to win the third game of the series each time to achieve the feat, and have also homered in 28 straight games. That sort of run would be good news in the postseason, but this isn't: a listener points out that if the season ended today, it would be Twins at Yankees for three games in October. Plus Rand gets into comments from Gophers AD Mark Coyle about the future of college athletics. 12:00: Star Tribune Lynx writer Kent Youngblood has some good perspective on Napheesa Collier's injury and the Lynx's success (so far) without her. He also previews Sunday's big game against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever at Target Center. 28:00: The NBA is playing with Monopoly money, and the U.S. men's soccer team officially needs a new manager.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Lynx, who earned an impressive 82-67 win at Los Angeles on Tuesday thanks in large part to a perfect 4-for-4 shooting night from three-point range by Bridget Carleton. It was Minnesota's second straight win without injured star Napheesa Collier, and their win total (16) has already reached preseason expectations for the whole year. 7:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand to vent frustration about the ongoing absence of Bally Sports North on Comcast. It's been more than two months since subscribers to the largest cable carrier in the state could see Twins broadcasts, and there is no immediate relief in sight. Plus Scoggins and Rand get into a recent list of 36 teams in the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB that have never won a championship. 36:00: Football isn't far away. The Yankees are struggling.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand has an early appreciation for Twins rookie Brooks Lee, who has the more RBI (eight) through six games of his career than any player in franchise history and who has the second-most hits (11) in that span, trailing only Kirby Puckett. Small sample sizes are dangerous, but Lee absolutely looks the part. Once (if) Royce Lewis gets healthy, can you imagine what these two players might do for the next several years? 9:00: Star Tribune Timberwolves writer Chris Hine joins Rand from Las Vegas to break down USA Basketball's camp and the upcoming Summer League. Anthony Edwards isn't shying away from his potential role in the Olympics and as a budding face of the NBA. Meanwhile, it's a huge offseason for several young Wolves players. 32:00: On Paul George and the feeling of being disrespected.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included another series win for the Twins -- this time over Houston, one of the other hottest teams in baseball. The Twins keep stacking up good performances, even if they only had one All-Star named to the AL team. Jose Miranda continued his torrid summer with 12 hits in 12 straight at bats, tying a decades-old MLB record. Reusse and Rand also talked about the horrific and tragic death of Vikings corner Khyree Jackson in a car accident over the weekend. And they finished with some talk of the Timberwolves, including Reusse not quite being sure what Anthony Edwards was talking about this weekend regarding Team USA. Plus a Reusse soccer rant.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a nightmare scenario for the Lynx, who lost to Connecticut on Thursday and saw star Napheesa Collier leave in the third quarter with a left foot injury. We don't know the extent of the injury yet, but depending on the length it could impact Collier's chances of playing in the Olympics as well as the hopes for the Lynx this year. Plus Rand sizes up the NBA's Western Conference and likes where the Wolves are positioned after some key moments in free agency. 12:00: Minneapolis Paralympic athlete Chuck Aoki joins the show to talk about the upcoming games starting in late August in Paris. Aoki, 33, is hoping to help the U.S. wheelchair rugby team earn gold. He also is a huge Minnesota sports fan and has some early scouting on Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy. 28:00: The Twins are rolling, and Jose Miranda is playing a big part.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the latest bad piece of injury news for budding Twins star Royce Lewis, who had to leave Tuesday's 5-3 victory over Detroit with left groin tightness. Even the usually optimistic Lewis sounded downtrodden after the game, with another injury threatening to derail yet another promising season. Plus Rand notes the departure of Kyle Anderson from the Wolves to Golden State and what it might mean for their playing style. 10:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins the show to talk with Rand about five big subjects: the future of U.S. Soccer, the Wild's free agency moves, the Loons' recent swoon, the Wolves' offseason and what the Twins should do with Max Kepler. 34:00: An NFL mock draft rant.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand breaks down the Wild's signing of forward Yakov Trenin to a four-year, $14 million deal on the opening day of free agency Monday. He's the type of solid player that doesn't move the needle in terms of excitement, but he will help the Wild. The problem is Minnesota doesn't have enough money to spend to shore up other critical areas of need. Plus Rand notes the Wolves' new deal for big man Luka Garza. 10:00: Bobby Nightengale from the Star Tribune Twins beat joins the show after a 6-3 road trip that saw the Twins continue to settle into an extended stretch of good play. Of particular note: Dominant performances from Byron Buxton and Pablo Lopez. 33:00: A disappointing Copa American for the U.S. should mean the end for coach Gregg Berhalter.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included another good showing from the Twins. They won all three series during a 6-3 road trip and look very little like the team that struggled at the beginning of the season. As we turn the calendar to July, are we ready to say the Twins are good? Plus Reusse and Rand weigh in on the NBA and NHL drafts. The Wolves and Wild achieved the improbable when they both made first-round picks that fans and pundits agreed were among the best in their respective leagues. But both will likely be sitting out free agency. And they wrapped up the U.S. gymnastics trials, while Reusse found a couple things to rant about.

Host Michael Rand starts with a recap of the NBA draft. Even though the Wolves ended up making a series of roster-clearing and salary-dumping moves Thursday and didn't use a second-round pick, they were the big winners this week. By getting two likely immediate rotation players in Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr., they not only helped themselves but also re-imagined how teams will build rosters under the new collective bargaining agreement. Plus Rand has thoughts on the Twins and Lynx. 9:00: Star Tribune Wild writer Sarah McLellan joins Rand to preview the NHL draft and to look ahead to an interesting series of decisions for the Wild. They don't have much payroll flexibility, but they must improve after a disappointing result last year. 31:00: Team USA came unglued against Panama.

In this bonus edition of Daily Delivery, host Michael Rand catches up with two honored guests from this week's Star Tribune All-Metro Sports Awards. First up is Timberwolves big man Luka Garza, who shared wisdom about basketball and life (plus of course Caitlin Clark) in an on-stage Q&A with Rand during the award show. Plus Rand had a chance to have an extended conversation with Mark "Dolo" Harris, who was honored with the Difference Maker award at the ceremony.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand breaks down a huge night at the NBA draft for the Timberwolves, who dealt away their 2031 first round pick to obtain the No. 8 pick Wednesday. They used that to take Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham, then later chose Terrence Shannon Jr. at No. 27. It was a big swing for both the present and the future. 10:00: Jeff Day and Naila-Jean Meyers from the Star Tribune join Rand ahead of four huge days of gymnastics at Target Center. The U.S. women's and men's Olympic teams will be decided after the U.S. trials, with the biggest names in the sport competing in Minneapolis. 41:00: A nice win for the Twins and a big debut set for Thursday.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Lynx, who took a 94-89 win over New York in the title game of the Commissioner's Cup. Though the victory doesn't count in the standings, it was the seventh in a row for the Lynx. Players pocketed $30,000 each for the victory, and the Lynx served notice about their place in the league. Plus Rand gets into another frustrating Twins loss and a bad stretch for Minnesota United. 9:00: Star Tribune Timberwolves writer Chris Hine joins Rand ahead of the NBA draft, a two-night affair that starts Wednesday. The Wolves have picks No. 27 and 37. Can they nab their point guard of the future with what they have to work with? 31:00: Two giants of Minnesota hockey are headed to the Hall of Fame.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand looks at the 14 coaches in Timberwolves history and has a hard time complaining much about current coach Chris Finch, who just signed an extension Monday that will keep him in Minnesota for the next four seasons. It's a coaching list filled with forgettable seasons. Finch, on the other hand, has built something very good here. 7:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand for a look at the payroll questions facing the Wolves and Wild as well as what both teams might do in their respective drafts this week. Plus a dissection of the Twins near the midpoint of their season. 35:00: Florida denies Edmonton's chance at history.

After a week off, the podcast returns with host Michael Rand and Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse catching up on all they missed. They start with the Twins, who Reusse boldly says are better than they were a year ago even if we haven't figured them out yet. More starting pitching depth and quality will be a key to unlocking their true potential this season. From there, it is quite a journey from flooded ballparks to gymnastics to big spending in college athletics to Reusse's radical solution for the aging Williams Arena. Plus a little NBA and NHL draft talk as well.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins, who won again Thursday with a familiar recent formula. Carlos Correa has been on fire at the plate, and he delivered three more hits in a 6-2 win over Oakland. Joe Ryan, the Twins' best starting pitcher all season, added seven strong innings. The Twins need that from their elite players, and they have been delivering lately. Plus Rand gets into the Falcons' penalty for tampering with Kirk Cousins and Trevor Lawrence's big new deal. 8:00: Star Tribune Gophers men's basketball writer Marcus Fuller joins the show to talk about another offseason with a lot of roster turnover. Can a senior-heavy team filled with holdovers and newcomers find chemistry quickly next season? Plus Fuller has thoughts on new college sports rules and the NBA draft. 36:00: Rand implores the Wolves to pick a rotation-ready player in the draft.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand wonders if Boston, which just took a 3-0 NBA Finals lead on Dallas with a road win Wednesday, could be the model for the Timberwolves to follow. The Celtics had a very good roster last year, but they shook things up with two big trades that have them on the cusp of a title. Does Minnesota need a similar approach this offseason after reaching the Western Conference finals? 7:00: Bobby Nightengale joins Rand for a look at the Twins, who had a 17-run outburst against Colorado in a win on Wednesday. They've been stuck in a cycle of up and down this year, mostly based on their competition. As the summer rolls along and they start considering what it might take to win in the playoffs, what spots need to be shored up the most? 30:00: Aaron Rodgers just doesn't want to be there.