PTI - MLB Wild Card Comes to a Close

Episode Date: October 2, 2025

Michael Wilbon and Frank Isola discuss the MLB Playoffs, the SEC, and the Edmonton Oilers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey, sports fans, the ESPN app has all of ESPN all in one place. The ESPN app is your home to thousands of live events, ESPN shows, and originals across every ESPN network and service. And now you can check if you already have ESPN Unlimited as part of your TV package for no additional calls. Visit activate.esPN.com to learn how to access your account or sign up, then start streaming in the ESPN app. It's all of ESPN all in one place. Sign up or activate now. Pardon the interruption, but I'm Mike Wilbon. It's National Poetry Day, Frank. You got one for us?

I'm Frank Isola. I sure do. You kind of put me on the spot. Let's see. Faces are red, they also go blank, but most of them smile when they see Phil and Frank. How about that? Oh, okay.

All right, you freestyling, huh? Is that the deal here? Is that what's up? Call JZ. Maybe I could be performing at half-time. I'm very impressed. I'm not putting you on half-time. That's not.

I was rhyming. I couldn't do that. Welcome to PTI. Tony has the day off. And who we hope, like many others, is having a meaningful Yom Kippur. So I'm joined by our great friend, the host of the starting lineup on Sirius XM Radio, Mr. Frank Isola. That's poetry. That's poetry.

There we go. That was very nice. We're going to start with the New York Yankees forcing a deciding game three in their series. With the Boston Red Sox tonight, a day after riding the pine, Jazz Chisholm made a diving stop that kept runs from scoring in the 7th. Then in the 8th, he raced home from first on an Austin Well single to give the Yankees a 4-3 win. Game 3 is tonight, Frank.

What do you make of how we got here? And to whom are you giving any edge, if anybody? Yeah, well, jazz certainly saved the season last night. What I love about it from the Yankees standpoint, they're always kind of waiting around to hit a home run. Here was, they're winning a game because of their defense, what Jazz did in the field in the seventh inning. And then how about he gets a seven-pitch walk?

He's on first with two out. And then he scores because he's running on a three-two pitch and scores on a single. The Yankees actually manufactured runs. And they won because of their defense, their relievers were outstanding in the seventh, eighth, and ninth. And that's why they're even in this series. I don't think tonight's going to be easy,

because I trust Alex Bregman of the Red Sox, and Chapman is rested, so that could be a factor as well. But give the Yankees credit, as opposed to just waiting around and hit a home run. They actually manufactured a run last night when they needed to, and they played some solid defense when they needed to. Well, that game was so tight.

You know, in a couple of key at bats, I mean, Judge and Stanton just, you know, were handled. Yeah. Let's say what happened. So if you're going to wait around for a home run, it's going to be likely for, from one of those two guys. And they weren't up to it in that moment,

but they got another chance tonight. Of course, in Yankee Stadium, all three games in this wild card round are in one ballpark. And so I looked at, Frank, I don't see an edge. I just don't. These two have been added too long. It's Hatfields, McCoys, it's Celtics Lakers. It's too long.

You know, it's too long. There's too much history. There's so much back and forth. And I think that even at a time where you can walk into a clubhouse and you and I've done this, and current day players aren't always familiar with the rivalry and the history of it, that is not the case with the Yankees and the Red Sox. Let me wander out on the limb and say that. So I don't see an advantage.

I don't know that there's any kind of game we can predict. You know, we've seen tight games so far. I would love to see another one. That game last night was so dripping in drama. I was on a flight from Washington and Chicago, and I had old-fashioned direct TV on the plane, and I was able to see it. And I found myself screaming out loud,

particularly when Story hits the home run to tie it at three after the Yankees. They're going ahead. It's like, oh, my God, that's what Yankees' Red Sox should be. And why would we not think it's going to be like that tonight in the decider? Yeah. And when Story came up in the seventh inning with two on, I'm thinking he's going to get a hit the way that he was hitting the ball. Yeah.

crossed that one to center field. Luckily for the Yankees, it was caught. The monkey wrench tonight, though, Mike, is he got two rookies going for the Red Sox. This isn't Pedro against Andy Pettit in a deciding game. So you just wonder, listen, either one of these guys, they could really start to build a pretty good reputation for themselves.

I just wonder in a situation like this, if one of them struggling early, how quickly did they get the hook? We could be looking at a big bullpen game for perhaps both teams. That's why for me, Chapman at the end, you know, they brought him in the eighth. I think, again, you'll probably see that if that's the situation, calls for it. The Yankees look like they might have gotten to, but you guys talked about it yesterday. I mean, when he needed to get out, he struck out two with the bases load in the ninth inning.

All right, let's move to the National League where the Dodgers cruised past the Reds and into the divisional round. Starter, Yoshinobu, Yamamoto pitched into the seventh, and rookie starter turned reliever. How about that? Roki Sasaki closed the door with a door with a regional round. one, two, three, ninth, sealing the eight four win. So, Mike, how do the Dodgers look to you as they head towards Saturday's game one in Philadelphia? I don't know. I mean, it's like they had a scrimmage. Inter-squad scrimmage would have been tough in the Reds, as it turns out. So I don't know. I'm not going to judge them against the Reds and then say, aha, that's going to inform me

as to what they're going to do against Philly. No, it isn't. Because Philadelphia, the Phillies have what I think is the best lineup. In all, of baseball, American or National League. And so here's the bigger problem, immediate problem to me, for the Dodgers, Frank. And, you know, let me not be phony about this. I root for the Dodgers. I'm going to be rooting for the Dodgers in this next series. But the Dodgers bullpen has an ERA in two games against the Reds of 10 plus.

I think it's 10.38. Come on now. That is not going to get it done against a murderer's row lineup like the Phillies are to try out there. So I don't know what this means for the Dodgers. I don't think anything that happened in these two games translates to what we're going to see in the next series unless the Phillies are rusty. And I know I'd rather, and they're going to have days off, the Phillies are not going to

get back in a real baseball rhythm until the next series if they advance past the Dodgers. So maybe that hurts Philadelphia. But that bullpen, man, what I've seen that bullpen in two days does not give me a lot of faith. And the Dodgers. Yeah, and last year, you know, you think about the Phillies. That game won against the Mets. They were arrested. What happened?

Zach Wheeler seven innings, one hit. They go to their bullpen. Everything blew up, and the Phillies end up getting knocked out in four games. You know, if you're the Philadelphia Phillies, you win, you win. You win. During the regular season. And who comes to town that you have to beat? You have to beat the Dodgers.

I get it. They, you know, you finish three wins better than them. But who do you trust here? Come on, Mike. Muki Betts, Shohei Otani, Freddie Freeman. These guys have a tendency to deliver. And the rotation is set up for the Dodgers. Because of the travel days built in, you know, you're going to get Otani in game one.

You'll get Blake Snow will pitch seven innings the other night. And then you get Yamamoto, who will be about on a week long rest. And he pitched into the seventh last night. He pitched, you know, when he got out of that, you know, bases loaded, no-out situation. So if I'm Philadelphia, I get what you're saying. But they had a great lineup last year, too. And, you know, you talk about the Dodgers bullpen. The Dodgers bullpen had more blown saves in the second half of the season.

season than any team in the major league. That's my point. But Mike, in September, their bullpen was actually better than Philadelphia's, believe it or not. So it's going to come down to that. Last year, Philly's bullpen betrayed them. We'll see if it happens this time around as well. Frank, we're real quickly to put a period on this. When Shohay was out there, give it up nothing for five innings, he then goes out of the game,

and his bullpen gives up like nine runs. Yeah. So even, you know, you can get great starting. and nobody, well, very few pitchers are going to go beyond seven. And so we don't know the show hey, he's going to do that because he hadn't done it. No. Bullpen, man, it's interesting. Interesting series coming up on both sides.

Let's move to Lane Kiffa's proclamation that dynasties are dead in the SEC. The coach of fourth-ranked old mistole reporters that NIL and the Transfer Portal will keep programs like Alabama from stockpiling talent like they want. did. Said Kiffin, quote, if a team in the bottom half is down for a couple of years, they won't stay down for long anymore because they can go by and fix their problems. Close quote. You agree with Kiffin on this, Frank? You know, I would also add the expanded playoff as well because you have to win more rounds to, you know, repeat as a national champion. So you think about Nick Sabin, six titles over his time in Alibat 07 to 2021. And then, of course, Kirby Smart, they go back to back

at Georgia. Those are like your most. recent, I guess you would call them, dynasties. What I love about Lane Kippen, he likes to stir it up. He likes to say provocative things. And to me, this all goes back to last year because he wanted nine and three, either Alabama, Ole Miss or South Carolina to get into the playoffs ahead of Indiana and SMU. What he's, and what I think he's doing, he's really lobbying. If you read a lot of his comments, he's lobbying to get four teams from the SEC into that playoff. He's right. You know, it's going to be difficult with NIL. He brought up, he told the story about being on in Alabama practice, they would say, go look at the outside linebackers. He'd watch them.

He would say there's six of them that could all be first round picks. She used to have a chance to kind of develop guys. You know how this works now, Mike? It's the same way in basketball. If I'm not playing my first year, guess what I'm doing? I'm departing and somebody else is going to pay me to go play for them. So that's part of it. It's not provocative. It's not provocative at all. He's not. He's right. They're not going to be any more dynasties. First of all, there are no weak programs in the SEC. like there might have been even 25, 30 years ago. Because you can go into the portal and you can originally with Alabama or Georgia.

And you can come out with them a couple of years later when they're older and bigger and stronger and more mature. No, Frank, he's right about this. It doesn't mean that a school won't have a run, but it's going to be harder to sustain that run, right? And other schools, look at Vandy. Yeah. Vandy right now is a real threat to Alabama tomorrow, Saturday, I'm sorry.

And we didn't think that before, but with NIL and there's other money, there's going to be other ways of compensating, not just NIL, but money's plural and the transfer portal. And kids being recruited aren't going to be stockpiled. Lane Kiffin is 100%. And Mike, remember, too, the conference got better by adding Texas and Oklahoma. How about having to go on the road and try to win there as well? More teams. We're taking a break. But when we come back, what should we watch for in tonight's game between the Ninas and Rams?

We're going to ask Booger McFarlane. We're also going to ask him why the Packers' defense has fallen off so much. Yeah, college football particularly is in all the college sports in a crazy place. Pardon the interruption is presented by the refreshing taste of twisted tea, hard iced tea. Please drink responsibly. Part of Happy Hour. You are watching Part of the Interruption, presented by Twisted Tea, hard ice tea, part of Happy Hour. Week 5 of the NFL kicks off tonight, which makes it a perfect time for a visit from our great friend, ESPN NFL and college football analyst, Booker McFarland.

And, Book, we're going to start with, of course, tonight's game, 49ers, Rams, the vaunted and maybe even impressive NFC West. What are you looking for in this game? Well, it's a couple of things. Number one, the 49ers are really, really banged up. Mack Jones is going to start. You got no George Kittal. How are they going to perform without some of their top weapons? I think Kyle Shanahan is going to have to do one of his most masterful coaching job just to get this team to compete. And then on the other side, I think this will be a welcoming party for America to see who I think is a top five receiver. And that's pooking the court. Like we talk about Jamar Chase and Justin Jefferson. And we talk about all the great. receivers. How many times do we mention Pooka Nacour? He deserves to be mentioned, and I think

he gets his spotlight tonight. Amazon Prime. It's going to be a national game. Everybody's going to get to see what I think is a top five receiver, and his name is Pooka Nacu. If you've never heard of him, tune in and watch him. He's going to do it a little bit differently. He's going to run reverses. He's going to run every route on the route free. And here's the thing I love about in Wilbon. He's a physical dude. He could have played for the 85 bears. Wow, 85 bears. That's high. I like that. I praise right there.

Let me ask you about another team of the NFC. The Packersburger, they look so good early on with Michael Parsons. Now they're two and two. Why has Green Bay's defense falling off? See, that's kind of a trick question there, Frank, because you would think they've fallen off. Think about this. Aside from the Cowboy game, they're giving up 13 points a game, which is absolutely outstanding. I think in the Dallas game, they ran into a hot quarterback in Dad Prescott.

That Prescott is on fire. He's playing the game at a high left. He's not only going to do what he did to the Green Bay Packers, I think he's going to do it to a lot of other teams. That's how good Dak Prescott is playing. But I don't think anything is wrong with the Packer defense. I think giving them 13 points a game, if they do that all season long, they're going to be mentioned right there with the 85 Bears. I think on the back end, if they can tighten up the coverage just a little bit, those pass rushes up front are really close. Michael Parsons was all over Dak Prescott. He was a half a second away. Rashon Gary, those

and Van Ness, those guys are going to be right there. I think we're going to see this defense continue to dominate because when they don't play a guy who's on fire like Dak Prescott, they've been pretty good this year so far, giving up only 13 points a game. All right, the Browns quarterback situation is something we've been talking about for months. They've decided to go with Dylan Gabriel against the Vikings. The Vikings have Brian Fores, terrific defensive coordinator.

What do you make of that decision by the Cleveland Browns? I like it. I mean, who are we going to wait around for? for like the little rascals. Like, this is pro football. It doesn't matter who the coordinator is on the other side. You got to go against somebody. So I get it.

Brian Flores is tough. But think about this. Guess what? Jackson Dart made his appearance and his debut against Jim Harbaugh. Yeah. And the mighty charger defense, how did Jackson Dart do? They won the football game. So I think he's going to go out.

I think the ball is going to come out quick. He's a rhythm and timing quarterback. It's going to be quickly. It's going to be precise. It's going to be accurate. and you're going to see Jerry Judy and some of those guys be able to run after catch. But I like the idea. It's pro football.

We're not going to wait around for the little rascals or for the perfect team for him to go against. He's getting paid. He's a professional football player. It doesn't matter who's on the other side. I like the Browns ripping the bandaid off and putting the rookie out there. All right, we're not going to let you get away without going to college football. I gave you a shout out earlier this week because I was stupid wrong to suggest that Georgia was going to thrash. Alabama couldn't beat them at all, and you got it right, and you were certain about it.

So I'm going to stay with Alabama and ask you if the tie should be on upset alert against a Vanderbilt team, which stunningly they have sort of struggled against, and what you think will happen also in Florida State, Miami? I'm going to put this one right in your wheelhouse, Wilbon. Years ago, they asked Charles Barkley what he thought about Angola, and he simply said, I don't know much about Angola, but Angola in trouble. I think Vanderbilt is going to be in trouble. for two things. Number one, I think what happened last year in Nashville when the Commodores upset Vanderbilt. I think that's going to get Alabama's attention. And number two, they're going to be

at home. This game is not on the road. And so I think Alabama is going to be out to prove a point. I think we thought the demise of Alabama after they lost the Florida State, that's been over-exaggerated. They came back. They beat Georgia. I think everything is all right in Tuscaloosa. And I think they beat the Vanderbilt Commodores by 14 plus. As far as the Seminoleville, in the hurricanes. I think Miami could be in trouble. I think Florida State has this young quarterback. His name is Thomas Costellanos. And if you remember

in the offseason, he told us, hey, Alabama doesn't have Nick Sabin and save him, and they went out and beat the Crimson Tide. I think you're looking at a situation where this quarterback is going to bring some gravitas to the table. Like, he's going to get this team ready to go. They're at home again.

Miami's going on the road. And let's be honest, I'm not as big a believer in Carson Beck as most people. I think Florida State keeps this game closer than most people think. And if Thomas Costellanos can make a couple of plays down the stretch, Florida State can pour not only one upset, but this will be the second upset in Do Camel Stadium. Wow.

I learn my lesson. I'm not going against you again, Buck. I will tell you this as we wrap up. I'm old enough to have been sitting in the audience that day 33 years ago when Charles Barkley uttered that famous line about Angola. Booker, thanks, man. We appreciate it. Wow.

Anytime, man. Appreciate it, guys. We'll take one last break, but coming up, could Albert Pooholz return to the majors as a skipper? And the Ravens look like they'll be out, they'll be without some major players this weekend. How about Booger quoting your guy, Charles Barkley? Pretty good. Accurately, it's one of the great lines of all times.

Pardon the Interruption is presented by the refreshing taste of twisted tea, hard iced tea. Please drink responsibly. Part of Happy Hour. Time to get happy, people. Happy 65th birthday, Glenn Anderson. We all recognize Oilers, legends, Wayne Gretzky, Martin Messier, Grandfure, and Yari Curry. But how about a little love for their fellow Hall of Famer Anderson?

He won six cups. Five with Edmonton, one with the Rangers. Anderson was a four-time all-star, scoring 498 goals, Frank, in the regular season. another 93 in the playoffs. Wow. The one that he went with the Rangers, they were basically the New York Oilers. You had Esotikinen on that team,

Craig McTavish, Kevin Lowe, Messier. Unbelievable. What a career Glenn Anderson had, though. Incredible player. Happy anniversary. Uh-oh. Bucky Dent. Yeah.

On this day, 47 years ago, Dent hit the three-run Homer over the monster to help the Yankees beat the Red Sox in a tiebreaker game, earning him the Nick. name throughout New England of Bucky Bleep and Dent. That home run was only Dent's fifth that season, and he hit just 40 over his 12-year career.

Dent later managed the Yankees for parts of the 89 and 90 seasons. I remember coming home from school just in time for that. I still could hear the late great Bill White saying deep to left, he's not going to get it. It's a home run. I got to meet Bucky Dent when he was coaching with the St. Louis Carlin. I had an assignment in Pittsburgh, hung out with him for a few hours. He told great stories, great Yankees stories. He didn't start his career with the White Sox.

I saw him play on the south side. Happy trails to the Angels managerial opening. League sources tell the Athletic that Future Hall of Fame are Albert Huohost is the leading candidate to follow around Washington, who was sidelined mid-season after heart surgery and interim, Ray Montgomery. The Angels finished 72 and 90 this season, this season. Their 10th straight season under 500, pool hosts who played a decade in Anaheim and didn't really leave on the best of terms would be the Angel's sixth manager in nine seasons.

He has some managing experience already, winning a Dominican Winter League title as manager this past season. Mike, if he gets the job, where do you put him on that list with great players turn manager? You know, you have Pete Rose, Frank Robinson, Rogers Hornby, Walter Johnson. You've got to go a long way to be good at him running out of show. We got to get to the big finish, Frank. Lamar Jackson did not practice for a second straight day with a hammy. What do you make of that? Yeah, I don't think he's going to play.

Kyle Hamilton also missed practice. Duke has reportedly agreed to extend basketball coach John Shire, another two seasons, into 2031. Does that make sense? Yeah, follow Mike Shishke's impossible. He has done that, it seems. One final four appearance in three years. The players, the great high school players keep coming. Yes, he's earned it, it seems to me.

Ed Orgeron tells WafB he's ready to coach again. Your thoughts. Why would he want to do that? He got a $17 million buyout hasn't coached since 2021 at LSU. Kaelan Clark, back to Fisha Collier, in her agent interview with reporters today. What's your reaction? The commissioner of that sport, I mean, it's got to really make a tough decision. I mean, maybe out sooner than later.

Last one, Nashville won the U.S. Open Cup. Is that significant? It's their first trophy with Matthew McConaughey. of Austin FC in attendance. But you know what, the winning goal? Questionable penalty kick. I didn't like the call. We're out of time.

Thanks for watching. I'm Frank Isol. I'm Mike Wil Bond. We're back on ESPN tomorrow, knuckleheads.