OverDrive - OverDrive - April 17, 2026 - Hour 2 - Mike Johnson/Keegan Matheson

Episode Date: April 17, 2026

Join Bryan Hayes, Jamie McLennan and Jonas Siegel for Hour 2 on OverDrive! TSN Hockey Analyst Mike Johnson joins to dive into the Maple Leafs' future, Mats Sundin's possible role for the team and the Stanley Cup Playoffs matchups. MLB.com Blue Jays Reporter Keegan Matheson tees up the Blue Jays and Diamondbacks' matchup and Bryan gives his FanDuel Best Bets.

Hour 2 Overdrive continues, powered by Fanduel, bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score. Brian Hayes, Jamie Noodles, McClennan, Jonas Siegel. And here from the athletic, J's D-backs tonight, wraps, calves tomorrow. You got day one of the Stanley Cup playoffs tomorrow. You got a great golf tournament going on this weekend. Beautiful weather outside. Everything's great. Everything's great in Toronto.

Yeah, beautiful weather. Hold on a second. You said it's supposed to snow on Sunday. Well, I'm talking about right now. I mean, today it's like this is patio weather. I'll bet you Boston Pizza on fronts rocking right now. Probably. Rocking right now, as it should be.

But interesting news out of Vancouver, I guess not surprising necessarily, but Patrick Alvin, their GM fired. Jim Rutherford stays on. Rutherford is the president, and he's going to run the operation moving forward. But it's just been a year of exits in Vancouver. I mean,

when you look at Quinn Hughes wanting out, they trade him. Rick Tocke it a year ago deciding I don't want to be a part of this. You know, they've really got to figure it out. And obviously the Leafs aren't far behind. Calgary feels like they have a plan, right? Like they've got a plan in their building. They're not necessarily close. But they have a plan.

They won last night, noodles. You were so right. I laughed though because they called up some guy that, and listen, I know goaltending or I tried to know it. And I'm like, who the hell is that starting for them? It was a Russian guy, like, I can't even pronounce his name, but I was, and he's standing on his head. The shots were 11-2 in the first period, LA. And then L.A., I know what happened between the second and third between L.A. and Calgary.

They looked at the score and they saw that Anaheim won. So they're like, we're done. We're playing Colorado. Then Calgary won in the third. And it kind of messed with both things. Calgary, they don't need those two points. They didn't need them. Right.

it's a draft position. So, you know, Calgary, yeah, I know, I hear you. And they need, like a lot of people focused on Vancouver winning the lottery here. Calgary needs a lottery win too. Yep, absolutely. Like obviously the Leafs need, like, that's the crazy thing.

Now, they hold onto their picks this year and into the future. The Leafs, it's a very different story. But as it was pointed out to me and I'm sure many others last night, with Calgary winning last night, they finish a point behind the Leafs. Rangers are point behind the leaves. Both of those teams held the tie break on the Leafs. So if the Leafs at any point over the course of the season

just lost one point, they would be in third last and guaranteed to keep the back this year. A little bit of important. Them battling back against Anaheim, you just had to win that game. Going into Boston had to win that game. They're trying to make the playoffs. Yeah, yeah, you had to do it. Can I start Mike with a question about that?

Yes, okay, let's bring them in. Here's Mike Johnson, our TSN Hockey Analyst, running here on the Maple Toyota hotline. Go ahead, Jonah. So, Mike, an interesting hypothetical with that top five protection. If the Leafs keep it this year, the next two picks they don't control. So there's like, you could make the argument. It's like, well, would you rather just give it up this year knowing it's going to be,

let's say it's the six pick? Or would you rather not have it, I guess, keep it potentially. One of the next two years goes to Philly. in 27 or 28. Does that make it any sense to where I asked that? I'm confused. Not at all, but I know what you're asking. That was a terrible question.

Yeah, it was. The answer is, depending on what they do, Jonas, because if they are planning to strip it down and rebuild, right from the trash, then they are better giving up this pick and keeping one of the next two years. Absolutely.

Because those picks will be bad and they'll need them later. if they're going to retool, then you take this one and then you trust that you'll be somewhere worst case scenario picking middle of the pack, and then that wouldn't be as bad. Sort of depends on the direction.

We've talked about this before, but in many ways, what happens with this pick kind of forces their hand. If they earn the bottom five and they keep it, they're forced to retool. They're forced to try to be good again

the next couple years because you can't play two years bottom five in league and give those picks to Boston. in Philly. That would be insanity. But then you could be... Even though like big picture, it might be what you should do,

but you can't afford to do it. So, yeah, I think, I know what you're saying, and it might have been better to have finished eighth and given this one up and have, you know, not have to give up the next two. But if they keep this one, then it almost directly tells you what they have to do

going in the next year, which is not bottom out, means try to be good again. But it might be out of their hands. Like, what if the conversation was just terrible anyway? Or like what if Matthews is like, you know what? Like I don't like this plan. I'm out. But even what if you have Matthews and you're still one of the worst teams in the league? That's also true.

Like that this is the concern that I have because I understand that thinking I think is very appropriate and I would guess very accurate in terms of the way the Maple Leafs will approach it. They might approach it this way anyway. I mean, Keith Pally basically told everyone they're going to try to retool and get back on the horse, which I'm okay with that. It was an awful season. One horrendous season. Last year they were what they.

were the years before that. So I understand why you would have that viewpoint. And I'm talking collectively, everyone thinking, try to just be good again next year. But if you start running your organization where the goal is not, we need to win a Stanley Cup, the goal is we can't hand Boston and Philly a first peg, then you're dead. You're dead anyway. Because, Johnny, you're a Trontanian. You remember the 90s. You remember the late 80s. When they traded that, that Lindrosh pick away, they were making deals to make sure that they didn't hand over the first overall

pick. Because they were that bad. They were that bad. And it wasn't about a big picture plan. It was like, we're going to get so embarrassed here. We're going to hand Eric Lindross over to New Jersey. We can't do that. And then they cost themselves even more problems for years because they got so obsessed

with their own ineptitude in the past as opposed to actually having a big picture plan. So, I don't know. I guess. I guess. what I'm saying is the deals are done. They're awful trades in retrospect. They're killing them.

But you got to do what's right for the big picture of the organization. That's where I stand on it. Go ahead, Johnny. You're not wrong. Hey, you asked me this before. I told you, which would I do? The better play is to take it down. And if that means trading away really good players,

that means five, seven years of four finishes, whatever? sure but I don't think they don't want to do that I don't think the owners are going to want to do that I think there is a sentiment that maybe with Austin here you know we want to him to stay he won't want to do that I mean you say what if Austin's not down with that plan there's only two plans try to be good next year try to be bad next year yes

of the two which one does Austin likely want to do he's not going to say like oh yeah you know what I don't like this be good next year I think we should bottom out and like let's hang in for that for a couple years, my last two years of this contract. So he's more likely to be on board, and it does matter in some capacity.

But hey, what they should do in a vacuum, which you and I like to talk about, you're right, but they're not in a vacuum. And I think two years of Boston being reminded as Boston picks whatever, that DuPont kid,

like, that will haunt them more than they are willing to take on. plus the financial stuff, plus the TV, all those other factors that are not just about hockey right now, which people will hate, but that is a business, that is the reality.

And I think because of all those things, you put them together, the logical conclusion is even if it's not in the best Stanley Cup winning interests of the organization, they're probably going to go down that road anyways. And the reality is it doesn't matter about the lottery balls. They are not keeping two of the next three first round picks. Correct.

Those are gone. It's done. One's going to Boston. One's going to Philly. And I am curious if you can spin it. Let's say Matthews doesn't want to be a part of the future. We're speaking hypothetically, but he's like I don't like where this is going. I feel like I need a change.

If they win the lottery and then they make that deal and bring in high-end picks, I think it could soften the next two years of losing the picks. But you've got to win the trade. somehow or at least tie the trade. That's the part I think is underrated. He's going to have control of where he wants to go. That team knows he has control. Why is that team giving you everything that you want?

Well, because he's still Austin Matthews and he's got two years left. I know, but I know he wants to come here. I know, but you could, the Leafs could say, that's great. Good for you. You can sign him in two years. Look, we're not just trading him because he's decided this. Like, I'm not just going to, I'm not going to take a terrible trade because Austin has decided I want out.

I mean, I think Vancouver got some. a real good hall for Quinn Hughes. Those play, they're two- those are all kind of lottery tickets, aren't they? I think the BM kid, is it BM? Bium, yeah. Bume? I think he's going to be a player. Bium, yeah.

One of us got it, right? Yeah, I know. I've butchered his name ten times. I, I but... Let me throw this out at you noodles. Let me throw this out at you. Let's say the least win the lottery, okay? Yeah. And reluctant to pick a team. But let's say Utah

is a team that some people might connect with Matthews. You can get Tija Ginnla and Gavin McKenna in one summer. Do you know that? No, I'm speaking hypothetically. But he's a prospect for the Utah mammoth. You would get Tija Ginla and something and more for Austin Matthews if he was willing to go there. Like Jonas, I know you say it's a hard deal to make and the leverage

points and all that. But let's not act like the team acquiring Austin Matthews would not be incentivized to go get him now. They don't want to wait two years. They are pretty good now. They want him in the fold as soon as they can. But if I'm Austin Matthews, I want there to actually be talent. But there is. Keller's there in Coombe and in, we just saw this with Panarin.

Like, he was like, I'm going to go to that team. And Aaron is not. Now he's expiring. I know, but I see your point. Like those kids, like, do you think we're both probably right? I think it's probably. I hear you. But Matthews, I don't think is sitting there saying, wow.

a ginla could be a really good player in three or four years. If I'm going here, I'm ready to rock right now. Right. But there was some thought. We have this conversation all the time guys though, right? Like, why would someone, if Quinn Hughes wanted to go to Jersey,

why would Quinn Hughes force Jersey to give up all their good at young assets when he's going to get there anyways? Because like, wait a second, I want those assets to play with or to be traded for other guys I can't play with. And it's always in the middle. They don't, the players are never quite that patient to say, well, I'll just wait the two years and make the smarter move for the franchise depth. And the franchise is never so patient to say, well, we're not going to trade anything

because we're going to wait the two years, so we have everything back. There's always a meeting in the middle where the player gets a little antsy, team gets a little antsy. And Hayes, I go what you're saying. Like, if you do well in the lottery and you can get a high-end player, and then you can trade your best player to get a bundle of prospects and picks and a couple pretty high-end ones. It would soften. And you would also have other first-round picks,

presumably in the next two drafts, just not your own, which could fall wherever, depending on where Austin Matthews or William Yelander, Matthew Nyes, or whoever you're talking about, might go. These are all interesting hypotheticals. Austin controls the process. And I think he will make, he'll make the call you want him to make yesterday.

He'll make that call next. January. That's your The same as Quinn Hughes then, basically. Yeah, I think I think the copper bowl is quite I think Quinn Hughes went into this year in Vancouver saying, I like Vancouver,

I want to be good here, open mind if we are, but if we're not, I don't, it's not for me. And I don't know if it's quite so cut and dry for Austin, but I think there is an element of that, especially because like Vancouver almost embarrassingly was trying to be good this year, they were that bad.

But if the Leafs clearly are going in the direction of not being good, I get why a 29-year-old would say, maybe I should look at different options for my year 30 to 30-60 to the H.L. Try to win a couple. Sure. And now, according to Jim Rutherford today, he's,

Quinn Hughes was leaving regardless. That's what he had to say. It didn't matter. And then he doubled down and said, and that's not the, like, he kind of like threw a drag bun to everybody else, too, going on and while that,

he's not the only American guy who might be leaving type of thing. or paraphrasing, but he did say that, did he not? Yeah, do we have the clip? Let's play the clip. Here's Rutherford on Quinn Hughes, his exit, and what else? It could mean for American players playing on Canadian teams. I've known for some time that Quinn was not staying in Vancouver. And I've known before this season started, for that matter.

It's one of the reasons why we signed the guys, the garlands, the Bessers, the Demko's that had relationships with him, hoping for a little bit of a chance right down to the end that he would decide to stay here. But I don't think that was ever in the cards. Some people think Quinn left here because the team wasn't any good. He was leaving anyways, okay? And the best example I can give you is Matthew Kachuk. He was in Calgary. they had a good team. He wanted to go back to the U.S. and he went.

And this is not going to be the last guy in Quinn Hughes that decides he's going to leave. What do you make of that, Johnny? Interesting. I mean, he was pretty definitive. Then he, I think the last thing he said, well, I don't think he was going to stay. I'm like, that wasn't quite as definitive as he was never going to stay.

So I don't know wordplay there. You know, Matthew Kachuk is an interesting situation. And yeah, there will be American players. And then you think about Brady, you think about Austin, you think other prominent American players that are in Canadian markets that maybe have had rumbles about them in some capacity. But there's also American players that do want to stay. And there's also Canadian players that might want to come.

Like every market has their own push and pull factors and every player has their own individual stuff. So I think this sweeping Americans don't want to play in Canada. I don't think that's really quite true. each individual has their own. Now, if people have their druthers, would most players, all things be equal, I'll go for less taxes,

slight warmer weather, and slightly easier day-to-day operations because of attention? Yeah, the majority of players would probably pick that. But I beg to differ that if Vancouver was challenging for a division title, that Quinn Hughes would not still be on Vancouver and not be really quite open a sign of the extension.

I think it's all quite easy to say, well, it's not because we're not good. He was going anyways when you're not good. You know, Matthew was different. Matthew was different. They were good with that line. But that was a one-off. That's not everyone. And also, the way Matthews has worked out

won't be the same for everyone. Not everyone's going to go to a team that immediately goes to three Stanley Cups and wins two of them. They may go to a place and it stinks. They hate it there. And so there's, you know, Matthews is the aberration. And I don't know if it's going to be entirely the norm. Right.

With Mike Johnson or TSN hockey analyst, what do you make of this report that Matt Sundin is in town and talking to the Leafs and could play some sort of a role? It won't be the GM, but possibly a role with the front office. So, I mean, obviously, I play with Matt's. I've been right with my line mate for a while, four years we were together. He has strong. We don't know Matt's.

Like, I don't think the public or even the media, has a sense of who Matt's is as a person which maybe may not matter but what his thoughts are about hockey he just over in Sweden doing his thing he has a young family and he loves life over there I've had a couple moments to kind of sit down

and you know shoot the breeze with him a little bit he's got some thoughts guys like he has some opinions and they're not weak about what beliefs need to do what the organization should do going forward and I was a little surprised to hear them like I had no idea that you've

felt sort of this strongly and sort of this dialed in and what was going on. So I don't think you should give great players jobs because they're great players. But if they're great players can use their experience playing somewhere and knowing what sort of it takes to be your very best and then translate that into useful information and a management capacity, yeah. I would be fascinated to see that because after talking to them for an hour at the Olympics or wherever, I would want to hear what he has to say and what changes he might think they make. And I'm not just talking about, you know, trading for this guy or that guy, but just that article

that came out about how all this sort of stuff around how the Leafs run and treat people and the vibe around the room and changing discounts and costs and all that stuff, I think he would have a positive impact on the organization with regards to that kind of thing if he were to be back here. I agree. I don't think there's a downside to it if you're bringing him in in the role as an advisor or somebody who wants to be involved to how much he wants to be involved. And I think you need a win right now if you're the Leafs organization. But wait, Nudos. Can I ask you about that? Go ahead.

Don't you want the person you're going to hire to hire his or her staff? Like, why are you going to now hire somebody else who's like kind of on the side and like, Here's your advisor. Okay, but I'll give you an example. There's lots of good hockey people that are advising teams all over the league. But I don't know how much they want to be involved. I don't know if Matt Sundeen, like you say, lives in Sweden, young family, probably, I mean, he's a leave through and through. From an optic standpoint, there's no downside to it.

It's Matt Sundeen. People love him in the city. like I said recently the Leaves need a win right now just on paper just that that's what I'm saying but to your point Johnny if he can bring value to the organization you're not making him and paying him six million dollars as the president what you're doing is saying we you know if you're Keith Pelly you're using a resource that knows that played that knows the city that knows the game and might have a differing opinion outside of some of the hockey observers he's talked to I think it's a win

And again, not as your president and not as your general manager, as somebody who could advise who's smart in the room. And to me, I don't see there's any downside to it. Unless, Jonas, your point is well made, though. Like, if he's viewed at a Pelly guy and then it's sort of the pipeline to the big boss, which he wouldn't. But you mean, like, there's some sort of disconnect. Or if he gets frozen out, you bring in Matt's fanfare, get your... get your wind noodles and all of a sudden like Matt's leaves in two months because everything he says gets tossed in the garbage can because he's not one of the people who actually makes the decisions guys. You know, there is that sort of dynamic you'd have to be concerned with.

I think Matt's would sort of have the respect. And Matt's also understands about the sanctity of the organization, like the team of which he would be part of, the management capacity versus the executives, which I don't think he has much interest in being part of. So, but I, Jonas, your point is well made. I mean, we talk about this at length. Presidents, GM, staff, coach. That's how it flows. That's what the org chart looked like.

That's how the hiring should go because you need everyone to fall, not in line, but it has to be cohesive with a plan that they all work and complement each other. Yeah. All right, Johnny, we're into the playoffs now. So we know all eight rounds are set. All the matchups are set. Of the lower seeds, we're talking kings, wild, mammoth, ducks, ruins, Canadian, senators, flyers. Which lower seed team would you put the most action on to win their series?

Well, I mean, Minnesota, I suppose, but they hardly feel like a lower seed, right? They're so close. And with the health of Dallas and Haskin and hints, I would be curious about that. But as far as like the real dogs, you said no one's been giving any shine to Utah. I've been on them for a month. Like I think, I said for length, whoever they play in that first round,

if they're wild card one, it's a toss-up series. If they get goaltending from Vemelka, that is the good variety, not the bad variety, they can beat Vegas. 100% they can beat Vegas. So Utah,

I'm curious about, I think Philly Pitt, in Philly with Ladar noodles, the way they're playing right now. I know Pitt scores a bunch, but that's interesting. and then not pandering to Canada. I think Ottawa, in the east,

I would put Tampa as the best team in the playoffs. I feel like I might have to put Carolina, but I don't want to. I think Ottawa might be the second best team right now in the east. The way they're playing, if Allmark is decent and net, getting help on the back end. So, you know,

I could go deep and put action on Ottawa to get to the conference final pace, not just win a round, but win multiple rounds. and go deep. I think they have that in them. Now, they can also lose in six. Like,

like, absolutely. I'm not, they're not a favorite. It would not be, I would not be shocked if they lost, but I would not be shocked if they won. I think they are good enough to go,

they're good enough to go deep. Yeah. And they got a great draw. Like, you know, Pittsburgh and Philly have been a great story, but if you can get past Carolina, I think they'd be favorites in the second round. Yeah.

Freddie Anderson. Yeah. Short leash, though. I think it's a short leash, I'm stunned that it's, I'm stunned they don't go Bussy in game one and then go to the veteran in game two if it doesn't go well. Like that you're going to turn to Bussy if it goes poorly when it's 1-1 or you're down to 1 and now you're going to the kid,

not kid, but the guy with no one experience in the playoffs. I thought they would just, in case it doesn't go well, seem to make more sense to go from Bussie to Anderson than vice versa. But yeah, like you have to like, you know, you can't. be intimidated by that matchup if you're Ottawa. You're like, no, we can handle this and they can. Yeah. I'm with you on that. I think Montreal

it's different because of Tampa's history, right? Like they have an aura to them, which they've earned. But Montreal, if Dolbish plays well, they can score. They've got, there's something about that team,

man. Like, I'm curious how they look in the playoffs. Like, Tampa's going to try to intimidate them a little bit. You try to play heavy. Can they fight through that? I'm curious because they got a lot of talent on that team. I think their best players can though. Yeah. Right. I think Suzuki's history, Cofield's history, Hudson's history, who are the three guys you're probably going to target say, let's go try them. Let's see how they deal with it. They've all been good in the playoffs. They all have. And I don't think you're pushing them out

of a game. And Slokovsky's a monster. Demidoff's a monster. Like I don't think they're, you know, they're not really anybody else to sort of target specifically. And Tampa, you're right Hayes. I just said that the favorite in the East, they're not as good as they once were. They're just not as deep. And Victor Headman if he plays or if he doesn't, he's not the same. Like, JJ Moser is their best defenseman.

Now, they have great Jonas underlying defensive numbers. Like some of the backs of the league are in Tampa. And I know this. Like, John Cooper has done an amazing job there. But JJ Moser is their best team. So, if they can just, you know, Montreal

can get through this, then Montreal, if Montreal beats Tampa, Montreal would probably be the favorite to go to the cup. If they can get through Tampa in round one. Do you think that you think you'll see Fowler? And I'll tell you my opinion in a second, but do you think we'll see Fowler? Not

unless things are going poorly. I mean, if they get through, I know Dolbich is emotional. I know he rides a roller coaster at times. But he's been good. Like, he's been really, really good. So he's, he doesn't have a short leash. I think I think, you know, he'd have to play poorly, not just them lose two games,

he would have to play poorly in two games in a row for that to consider it. What concerns me about Doebus is what you exactly said. He's emotional. You go back and watch the game against Philadelphia the other day where Meachshkhov scored his 20th. Watch Dobish, like, slam his stick, kick his legs in a row. Like smack the fuck away. Like I watched a game not that long ago where they had, they were defending. ending a lead.

And their defensemen, I think it was Matheson. Like, Matheson, a veteran, fired it towards the open net and missed and icing. Dobish skated out and was yelling at him. I thought Matheson was going to sucker him. And all I could think about is, like, the goalie is so emotional. How is that going to go in a playoff round if Tamp, Corey Perry is going to be pressing his buttons. You know that Hagle, like, that's what worries me for Dobush. I think he's a very good goaltender.

He needs to keep it in check so that he doesn't allow himself to get off his game. I hope Fowler gets him. Go ahead. Go ahead, Johnny. Yeah, well, he's smooth. I've talked to Marty about this, Marty San Luis. And he's like, he doesn't try to corral the emotional fluctuations in Dovish. He's like, no, that's who he is. I'm not going to try to make him, I'm not going to neuter him emotionally because that's what makes him good.

So we'll see how it plays out. I don't know. I mean, Fowler, I think we all believe he's the guy, right? Like, he's such a good goalie. Whether he's ready for it this year or not, who knows. But the haves are set up everywhere. They're just good sort of everywhere right now and going forward. I do think the Dobson injury, sort of underrated impact on them. He played with Matheson.

They were their number one D.E. pair. He is the right shot that they now don't have in their defensive core other than Alex Carrier, who's not nearly the defender he is. that hurts but you know no headman so I mean I guess you know

each team can deal with it it's yeah they're good they play them tough they saw I saw beat them a couple weeks ago in Tampa straight up Tampa yeah that's not not an easy draw

for Tampa in fact Tampa would look at this and say that might be the hardest draw in the Eastern Conference is Montreal for Tampa in the first round absolutely get started this weekend enjoy it Johnny we'll do it early next week all right fellas have a good weekend

we'll talk then You got it. Mike Johnson joining us here on the Maple Toyota Hotline. Red Tag Days are here. Check out the Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Tundra pickup trucks. Both available as hybrids visit Maple Toyota near Canada's Wonderland and the Maple Auto Mall. All right. Jay's in action tonight. You know recap what's going on down at the RBC Hilton Head and look ahead to a crazy weekend coming up. Jay's in action. Raptors in action. Stanley Cup playoffs.

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Best bets later in the hour. We've got a great golf tournament this weekend. Fitsy loves this track. He's playing great. We'll recap our picks from earlier this week. And Raptors in action tomorrow, NBA playoffs, and Stanley Cup playoffs. and the Jays are in action tonight down in Arizona, where Braden Fisher is going to get the bowl.

They're going with an opener tonight instead of Eric Lauer. It's how bad I guess Lauer's been to get an update on why this is happening and what happens with Lauer in the future. Let's head down Arizona here's MLB.com reporter. Big part of what we do at TSNN here on overdrive here is Kegan Matheson. Keegan, what's going on here? Fisher over Lauer tonight. What do you make of it?

It's an interesting one, guys. I'm almost surprised we didn't see this a bit earlier. a way to shake up someone. And if you're going to open up for someone, I would rather tell Eric Lauer. I'm using an opener in front of him than tell Max Scherzer that. So good start. And ideally what you're looking for here, guys, is to get through those one, two, three, four hitters. Like the real big dogs at the top of the lineup.

And what you are doing is trying to give Eric Lauer a softer landing spot. You're trying to get him away from the big ones the first time through. and then he comes in and faces the 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and maybe goes once more through that order. We'll see how this works, guys. There are a million variables in this rotation already with guys coming back, guys who have not looked good. Shures are definitely included. We'll see how that looks tomorrow. But this is just another one, guys.

This rotation is a complete mess right now. And I can't believe we're saying that because we spent all of March and most of February talking about them having too much good pitching. So it's wild to see this already at this point. Yeah, it has rapidly approached, and you're right, about it being easier to say this to Lauer than Scherzer. But Scherzer hasn't been great either, Keegan. Like, if they're making this decision with Lauer, it's because they realize it's desperate. They can't, they're not slugging right now. We'll get to that momentarily.

But they have aspirations of winning, obviously. And I guess what I'm getting to is, like, how long is the leash for Scherzer? If they're doing this with Lauer, Scherzer goes out and gets blown up tomorrow. why does he get a start guaranteed in five more days? That could get uncomfortable really quickly, especially Hayes. We're still talking about forearm tendonitis and all of this. And two things can be true at the same time.

And I think that is what's been lost with the Max Scherzer discourse. Okay? He's a Hall of Famer. Yes. And yes, it was really cool when he had a good start in Seattle and yelled at John Schneider on the mound. That was great. I think it's erased from people's minds

that he had a five-fammer. plus ERA last season. And this season has not started out good. That still needs to be acknowledged, and it has just not been. It's surprised me how people talk about this situation. I think it should be more of a talking point. Yes, Lauer has struggled early on. He also had the flu, and it looked like he lost 20 of his 190 pounds overnight.

So I give the guy a break for another start or two. But Scherzer, when you're dealing with this forearm issue especially, that's making me nervous. Now, ideally, he's past it, and we can see him work through this and have his full health. But I'm not sure how that happens with a forearm. It's going to be a big one this weekend because you savage is coming back. Patrick Corbin looked good enough yesterday, certainly more than good enough. And then Jose Berrios is going to be coming back pretty soon after you savage. You're going to be getting healthy arms back.

They've said from the beginning, the best five guys are going to start. And that is how you need to behave if you are trying to be a World Series contender. Keegan, how does the bats get going? Maybe the advice is being played over these speakers, fellas. If you're looking for your baggage, I can tell you which carousel is on at the beautiful Phoenix Arena. Fellas, I landed in Phoenix at the exact same time as the president. Do not recommend it. So I'm just kind of hunkering down in the airport.

Let me tell you, fellas. And then I'll get to the lineup, guys. But I got into the Uber the moment they shut down the roads, put in about 40 minutes in an Uber, not a single rotation of the tires. and I had to say to the guy, listen, I'm just going to get out of your car now, man. I don't care if I pay for it. It's on the company, but I'm going to pop back in the airport here. So we're hanging out luggage side right now.

It's a bit of a debacle, but it's not all glamour and adoration on the road, fellows, you know, but the lineup right now, they need extra base hits. John Schneider said it, and he's dead right. They need extra base hits. This looks like the 2024 lineup. This looks like the group that was trying to hit four singles in a row and score one run that way. It's a lot cooler and it's a lot easier

if you hit home runs, if you drive the ball. Not a lot of players are doing that right now, guys. Davis Schneider, I think, is doing a good job. Hazer Sanchez is doing a good job of that right now. But Vlad, he isn't. He's not getting anything to hit, and he's getting walked a lot, pitched around a lot.

You don't have barger, you don't have George Springer there. It's been awfully tough, and there's not nearly enough extra base power happening right now. So, Kagan, you brought it up, I was going to ask you about Vladi, I think five extra base hits so far. So is it just he's not being pitched to because there's no protection around him? Or is there something you're seeing with him? Protection is a good one to focus on there because the, let's focus guys on the spots on the lineup that are different every single time.

Right? It's the number two and the number four spot. It's either side of Vladdy over and over again. And they're always going to pitch around Vladie no matter what. You want to be careful. You don't want to get turned into a highlight. real. But when you don't have the protection, when you don't have that consistent threat around him, and when you don't have runners on, then you can be really careful. Then you can really make sure

you don't end up on Sports Center that night as the pitcher who just got taken 500 feet by Vladdy. There's just no threat. There's no pressure around Vladdy right now. And I don't want to give him an excuse because great hitters need to find ways to hit no matter what. Barry Bond wasn't getting a pitch in the strike zone and he still did what he did. Okay. You know, you know, need to find a way to do what this team needs. But right now, there's just no added pressure. Pitchers are allowed to work around Vladie if they walk them, whatever. That's probably a best case scenario sometimes when you're facing him. But there's just not enough happening on either side, number two or number four. But Keegan Mathis and Jay's Diamondbacks tonight,

and the injuries are well documented. Kirk being out, Springer, out, barger out. That's your one four, five hitter from opening night. The issue is the two-hitter opening night with Nathan Lucas, and he is literally the worst bat in baseball right now. Like they can't even play him. And then Okamoto, who I think hit six or seven opening night, is really, really struggling. So that is a part.

I'm just adding to what you're saying here with, you know, Vladi, Vlad has got to be better. Again, the extra base hits, he's only got one home run. He's got to be better. He's got to produce more. in bigger situations. But Springer, Kirk, Barger out, Lucas Unplayable,

Okamoto, really, really struggling. Santander. And Santander, who was never part of the program, but you're right. It's been a while since I heard that name. It's a good point. It's a good point. I mean, like, if they didn't have Jesus Sanchez here,

like, we've reached that point, Kegan. We're like, they're putting guys in the lineup in, like, prime positions that were not even talking points three weeks ago. Exactly. Guys, listen, I don't want to wish away the six weeks I get to spend on Clearwater Beach every spring, but what am I doing down there? You know, everything we've talked about has completely flipped.

It's amazing to be talking about Jesus Sanchez as one of the most important bats. We spent so long talking about Barger, about Varsho, who has been good, about Okamoto, maybe getting that offense rolling quick and early. I never expected Nathan Lucas to be at this point right now. You know, Nathan Lucas is such a sturdy, rock-solid professional bats. Like, he's not going to be an all-star or a superstar, but he was put in the lineup so often last year because he's sturdy. He's reliable. And that's just not happening.

And when you have Kaz Okamoto's contract, you get a few more opportunities than the guy earning close to the minimum. So that's going to be tough on Nathan Lucas. He is going to feel that squeeze. And you also need to think, guys, Springer's coming back. Varsho is coming back. That's going to happen soon. And if Nathan Lucas is not producing, someone like Lenin Sosa is probably more worthy of a roster spot at that time.

They have a ton of outfielers already. He is now the guy that could feel that squeeze, and I think it's getting more obvious. Well, enjoy your Uber drive if you can get it. That's going to be tough. That whole city is going to be bedlam, man, I would think, for the next 24 hours. Anyway, stay safe, buddy. And get to that park and enjoy Arizona while you can.

We'll see, fellas. I might just get on a plane back. It's still TBD, but it's been great talking. Okay, good catch-in-you-again next week. See you guys. There is Keegan Matheson, MLB.com. I forgot about that. Trump's out there.

I don't know what he's doing out there, but that's always crazy. You get a president in town. It's going to cause a lot of problems. Absolutely. Yeah, he's going to have a tough time to get to the park until the motorcade goes through. Have you guys ever been in one of those? This is completely way off topic, but the U.S. Uber maybe think of it.

Have you ever been in one of those Waymos where there's no driver? Yeah. I didn't do it. We were in San Fran for the Super Bowl. I was not doing it. Not doing it. I'm a people person. Is that right?

Yeah, I'm an eye test guy. Like, did it show up and you're like, nah? Well, they're everywhere in San Francisco. They're everywhere. It drove up. Like, my first one was in Phoenix a couple years ago, and I was at the Best Buy, and it drove up and picked me up. But I have, like, I've told you,

guys this i have a tesla i've used full self-driving all the time i drove me to detroit and back the other day yeah i find that what's that mean so ridiculous you just press like it just what do you do you press the button you punch in where you're going and it drives you there safer than a human put it that way but what are you doing well you're you have to pay attention but that that on the way to detroit i watched on the way home i watched emminton play buffalo that night i had it on my phone right What? Yeah. This guy's just, yeah, he's just driving around watching hockey games.

You're going to pay attention. But wait, so are you paying attention or you're not? Well, you pay attention to, I do it on the highway. It was driving 128 on the highway, and you could put it on different modes, right? There's Mad Max. Put it on Oilers mode. No, that night I just happened. I called the game, and what happened is my flight got canceled.

I had to drive to Detroit and called the game and drove back. So you charge and away you go. It's the full self-driving is insane. It is insane how advanced those cars are. I'm sure they are. I don't trust them at all. Not even remotely. You can be sitting at, you come out of the Best Buy, you can press summon,

your car will drive up to you. I know. But then some, it's going to get hacked at some point and noodles is going to be flying down to 401. That thing's going to be. Some guy's going to drive me into a wall or something. It gets hacked. I don't know.

I mean, again, the Waymo's, Jonas, a couple years ago, I actually filmed it because it was weird. I got in the back seat and it just drove me right to my hotel. Does it talk to you? Like, does it say, hi, Jamie? Wouldn't that be annoying if they bothered you if it was a Waymo that started bothering you? So what are you doing in town? Yeah. How was your day?

Shut up, Waymo. No, it comes on and it says you are being filmed, but you can still sing. If you want, you can put music on, whatever. You can ask it. Put some music on, rock and roll, and it'll come on. Like they're so advanced now. It's crazy, crazy stuff. Yeah, they're all over San Francisco.

Yeah. And that's not an easy driving city. No, but they're... Yeah, it's very difficult, but they're ever worse. I like your stanchase. Yeah, people. Yeah, absolutely people. I like it both ways.

I'll still drive. I have no problem with it, but I use self-driving sometimes just to take the edge of. You're looking out for you on the roads. Oh, Oilers on a power play. Self-driving. Not that I was watching. I just happened. to be watching. You know what it was

is I was driving home late, so it was a Western game was all. That's what it was. I hear you. I got you. I got you. All right, the overdrive PGA picks brought you by Taylor Made. Feel the straight distance, feel the forgiveness, and feel the confidence as you step into every shot. Learn more about the brand new

QI Max Irons at Tailormadegolf.ca. I am on Sheffler, who is having a decent, decent week. Actually, no, sorry, ozone Sheffler. I was going to say, I am on Fitzpatrick. Now I'm pretty sure I sent a text with Sheffler. Did I miss something, Doogie?

And O said, no, he's not allowed to have him. Yeah, that's what it was. He took it. That's what it was. That's so gutless. I love how Doogie just sits back there and doesn't tell me that. I'm like, I'm on Sheffler, and I'm reading this because I was away on Wednesday. It doesn't matter.

I'm on Morikawa and he's currently, or I'm on Fitzpatrick and he's leading the tournament. He's at 14 under. That's all you really need to know. I'm also on Ludwig. He's at 9 under. I can't believe you'd allow O'd Gah to G. just take him. That's how the snack bar works, right? You just reach it and grab what you want.

Yeah, I guess so. That's on duty to run a tighter ship. I mean, Morikawa's having a good one. Can'tley's having a good week. All my guys are basically in the hunt. All of O's stink, because he's not here today. He took advantage of me not being here on Wednesday. He's not here today.

Overdrive PJ picks brought you by Taylor Made. Feel the straight distance. Feel the forgiveness and feel the confidence as you step into every shot. Learn more about the new QI Max Irons at Taylor Made Golf dot CA. All right, Best Betts coming up. Recap in a busy afternoon. Looking ahead to what will be a great weekend. Rappler's Cavs tomorrow. Jays in Action, Stanley Cup playoffs, great golf tournament overdrive continues up on YouTube live. I'm Luke Wilson. Join me each week for Film Never Lies. Since retiring

from the NFL, I've had a lot of my mind and now got my own show. If you're tired of lazy takes, if you want honest conversations, join us each week. Film Never Lies available on all TSN platforms and the IHeart Radio app. Mail it in Friday is brought to you by Boston Pizza. This playoffs, BP, is summoning the hockey gods to tilt the ice in Canada's favor. Join us and feast like a hockey god on our new playoff menu. See you for Puckdrop at your local BP. All right, Millen Friday, brought you by Boston Pizza. Canada's favorite sports bar. This playoffs, BP is summoning the hockey guys to tilt the ice in Canada's favor. Join us and feast like a hockey god on our new playoff menu. See you for Puck Drop or your local BP.

By Monday, the Senzel played. have played. Edmonton's game on Monday's game one for Edmonton. And see, Drysaddle was on his usual line today at practice. That place, the roof will fly off if he comes out

for warm up, no helmet. That place would go crazy Monday night. How are we feeling about the Canadian team? I was going to ask you guys, is there one player like you're looking forward to seeing most, like maybe not just Canadian teams, but like playoff wide? Is it Mitch Marner and Vegas? I mean, he crossed my line towards.

I just was thinking about that. Yeah. Like, I'm interested to see that. Like, I'm interested to see some of the HABs, like, Demadov. But, like, is there one guy for you where you're like, I kind of want to see what that looks like? I mean, the team I cover a lot in Ottawa, like, I'd love to see Jake Sanderson, what he, you know, I think there's a few guys that could really break out there. And now that they've kind of been through it before.

But the problem is, is that might, that series might be a snoo- That might be two one games, right? 15 shots a piece. Both teams play really, really tight. So I don't think it's going to be 35 shots each. I think it's going to be two one games, overtime games, that type of stuff. But Star Power, I can't wait to see it throughout the league starting tomorrow. For me, I've got, I always go back to McDavid, like in the playoffs.

Oh, yeah. You know, he signed a contract, and he basically said, pay me whatever, we got to win. They've had an up and down season. I think they've got a really good first-round matchup. It doesn't guarantee anything, but I think they should be able to take advantage of Anaheim. And then I think buildings like Buffalo back in the playoffs. Like what does that look and sound like, right?

What does the Bell Center sound and look like? What is obviously in Ottawa? What are they going to sound and look like when they return for game three? Best Bet's Powered by Fando. Make your picks and assemble the same game parley in seconds on the Fando's Sportsbook gap. Leaning Carolina in game one. I don't think Ottawa will be shell-shot. Remember last year the Leafs dismantled them game one.

I don't picture that. But I think Carolina's been load managing and waiting, and they're going to be ready to go. I think it'll be a really good, tight game, but I'm leaning Carolina. Svetnikov, three plus shots on goal. Brady Kachuk, three plus shots on goal. There's your same game parlay.

Paying plus 470. Best bets powered by Fanduel. Same game parlay is available for every Stanley Cup playoff game on the Fandwell Sportsbook app. Please Play, 15 plus, physically located in Ontario. All right, Raptors, game one tomorrow in Cleveland. Jay's in action, Stanley Cup playoffs, golf this weekend. It's a beautiful thing. Snow on the weekend's going to be awesome.

Can't wait for it. All right, thanks to everyone behind the scenes for helping out. We appreciate it. Everyone for tuning in today, TV, radio, podcast, web, and of course up on YouTube live. Enjoy your evenings. Enjoy your weekends. We're back Monday at 4 p.m. We'll chat then.

Mail it in Friday is brought to you by Boston Pizza. This playoffs, BP, is summoning the hockey god. to tilt the ice in Canada's favor. Join us and feast like a hockey god on our new playoff menu. See you for PuckDrop at your local BP. I'm Luke Wilson. Join me each week for Film Never Lies. Since retiring from the NFL, I've had a lot of my mind,

and now I've got my own show. So if you're tired of lazy takes, if you want honest conversations, join us each week. Film Never Lies, available on all TSN platforms in the IHeart Radio app.