November 12, 2025 • 37 mins
We discuss what the best move for the Dodgers bullpen will be for 2026. Sign a big time closer? Hope for better health and performance from incumbents? Ryan Kartje from the LA Times joins us to talk about the #80 controversy from this past weekend with USC and their upcoming matchup against Iowa on Saturday. Is tonights Lakers-Thunder game a litmus test?
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
Now all right, we continue on Fred Rug and Rodney
Pete on AM five to seventy LA Sports. As we
continue Rodney in our one, and if you miss it,
you can check the podcast. Kevin will put it up
the minute we get off the air. Just get the
free iHeartRadio app. Stream the show wherever you go, live
twenty four hours a day, AM five to seventy LA Sports.
(00:23):
You can take us wherever you go. Just put us
in your pocket, keep us close to your heart because
we're always up there and we're always always talking. Now,
we talked about the Dodger outfield situation in our one.
Here's another thing, and the question becomes, what are the
Dodgers doing? Are they gonna make moves because they want
(00:44):
to or are they gonna make moves because they need to?
And there's a distinct difference. Do they want to do something?
They can do whatever they want, but what do they need?
And what is more important? My feeling is need is
more important than what. Let's start with that. So in
number one, we kicked around Cody Bellinger coming back, who
would be more affordable than a Kyle Tucker, And we
(01:07):
also talked about Ryan wore the twenty seven year old
outfielder Brandon Gome says, that's it. He can't do anything
else in Triple A. I mean he's done on the miners.
He's done what he can do. It's time for him
to move up, move out, but he can't go back there.
So he's a possibility too if they don't make a
move in the outfield. But now let's talk about the
pitching staff and the bullpen, and I guess it depends
(01:31):
on the year as to what you need more. Coming
into last season, well, you had to solidify that starting staff.
You had to make sure because you remembered what happened
the year before when everybody got hurt and the bullpen
was great. So they did and it worked. Now this
year you're going, whoa, we need a closer because of
(01:54):
what happened. Our bullpen fell apart. Why because everybody got hurt?
Same deal, reverse it. So now it's do you want
to fix the bullpen or do you need to fix
the bullpen? Really those are the questions. And if you
need to fix the bullpen, how are you going to
fix it? Yeah, so there were reports that sware Az
(02:17):
out of San Diego could be available. Yeah, he's a
free agent, big time, big time. Yeah, I can't remember.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
What do you want?
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Forty million over four years or sixty million over four years,
something like that, all right, And they can do that
because they acquired Mason Miller from the A's and they've
now got a closer. It throws one hundred and two
miles an hour. That guy's a complete big thunt. He
can throw, he can throw.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
The problem is the thread that the thing is with
anything in sports, it's so fluid, and it's year by year,
like you just you just ran it down. You know,
one year it's the bullpen's got the issue, and the
next year it's the starting pitching he's got the issue,
and then you do things accordingly. But I think the
(02:59):
way they set it up for their starting pitching with
the Dodgers, it wasn't a one year fix for starting pitching.
This is a multi year fix. They are if I'm
looking at this right, and I haven't gone through the numbers,
but they've got a number of guys still locked up.
But they are set for at least the next three
years when it comes to starting pitching. Would that be
(03:22):
safe to say? Right? Bullpen issue? Look, they relied on
the bullpen to get them through and win the World Series,
which they won against the Yankees that year because starting
pitching was flawed, which is why they did in the
offseason what they did and solidified that. So now as
(03:44):
you go through this year and you look up and
go starting pitching was our strength and bullpen was the problem.
Do you do an overhaul of the bullpen? That's the
thing that you've got to really look yourselves in a
mirror and go, do we need to do an overhaul
or or was this year for Tanner Scott just an
aberration and he will get back to form. Was this
(04:06):
year for the entire bullpen aberration? Or will they get
back to form? And do you need to do a
complete overhaul of the bullpen and bring in two to
three more guys, Because remember, there are certain guys that
were injured that didn't even play a factor, that were
key components of your bullpen.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
The year before.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Grattarol Michael Kolpek, who was off and uninjured this past
year never could get it going. So there are a
number of guys that are still down there in that bullpen.
And then not to mention the efforts that we got
from the Jack Dryers and Roboleski's and those guys who
(04:48):
will play a complete role in the bullpen going forward.
So is it are you looking at this as We've
got the guys already, so we don't really need need
to address the bullpen because first of all, guys were hurt. Secondly,
you know, guys in an off year. But we got
(05:12):
enough guys out there that we trust and believe in
that we don't need to go crazy in the bullpen
or on the pitching staff. Let's just focus on that outfielder. Okay,
that's fair question. Only one question with that, by the way,
just one. Do you need a closer? That's the only question.
Do you think Tanner Scott will be able to come back?
It's simple yes or no. And by the way, you
(05:33):
don't know, nor you don't know. You don't know for sure,
but I think I think yes that yeah, you feel
confident with that. And if he's not, though, Fred, if
he's not, then I think there are enough guys that
can step into that role that can be efficient for
you. You're gonna give Tanner Scott all the rope, all the
leniency that you need to see if he gets it back.
(05:55):
If he doesn't, I believe Michael Kopak is still in
and under contract. Right, Alex Vesi is coming back. You
you've got uh, you know, Roboleski, You've got a number
of guys that could potentially Gratols coming back. You got
a potential number of guys that could step into that
(06:18):
role if Tanner Scott doesn't get back to the reason
why they they signed him in the first place. So
I don't think you need to go out and say, Okay,
we need to go spend you know, eighteen million a
year on a closer. I don't think they need to
do that.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
I'm not sure when Evan Phillips is coming back, but
he's another one, Yes, exactly, He's coming back at some point.
Now it comes down to how effective will they be? Really,
that's the only question. Do you know you want somebody?
You won't know that until you get into the season.
That you won't know that, that's right. You don't know
that in March.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
You don't know that in February when they starting in
the spring training. You won't know until you get into
the season. Will they be effective? Now you've seen what
Evan Phillips can do and key roles, and he was
very effective for them and played major role for the
Dodgers and their success, got injured, missed the season. He's
(07:16):
coming back. You know, we we we love the Bozuka.
He was on our show. You know you love the Bozuka.
You know, will he get back to form? You won't
know until he starts pitching again and again.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
I went.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
Yes and again, Tanner Scott, I gotta believe that them winning,
despite the fact that he was not a vital role
coming out of that pen is motivated him to a
level where he is going to come back with a vengeance.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
Whether that, you know, turns into success or not. But
I just I gotta feel like that the mentality of
him is, Okay, they paid me this money, they won
despite me not being that contributor factor that they thought
I was gonna be. I got to come back and
be dominant. I think it's lit a fire under him,
(08:11):
and so we'll see how that goes. But you won't
know until you get into the season. And do you
go risk spending money out there before you actually know.
Let me tell this guy into the mix. What about
Blake trying to.
Speaker 3 (08:28):
Boom another one another one?
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Is he done? Do you think he's done or do
you think that it was just a he had an
off year in an off stretch. You know, I think
he you know, he's still what is Blake trying He's
got to be what mid thirties or thirties, something like that.
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
I don't know if he's done, but I won't know.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
I won't know until we get into the season next year. Right,
But I think you've got enough arms out there to
say we can we can weather that storm and figure
out who's who are guys going to be coming out
of the pen. You've got enough arms that you've seen
in the past that can be effective with Evan Phillips,
Blake Tryning. You know the history of Tanner, Scott, Michael Kopek,
(09:19):
what he did in the year previous to this past
one in coming out and being a guy that nobody
really thought about. And then let's not forget what we're
gonna do with Will Climb, right, Will Clein's another one.
And then on top of that, Fred, are we done
with Bobby Miller? Are we gonna find this? Are we
(09:40):
gonna find a spot for him?
Speaker 1 (09:41):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Rever Ryan's coming back by the way River Ryan's coming back.
I mean, you've got enough on your roster that I
don't think you've got to really go, oh my god,
we got to have a closer. So Edwin Diaz is
out for you, I wouldn't because I think he's going
to command too much. He's going to command way too
much to get him somebody that is on the verge,
(10:06):
somebody that is right there that just was missing.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
That closer.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
I think is going to offer him a boatload of money,
and I don't think the Dodgers need to do that.
I think he's still got some I think he's still
got a couple more years left of being dominant like
he was with the Mets. And if I'm the Mets,
I don't let him go. I'm the Mets' I'm keeping
(10:33):
him around. And because you better have somebody better coming
through that door than him. Right that gate open and
they played that music, it was, you know, more often
than not, it was lights out, And he was doing
this thing when he was healthy. And he's still throwing
you know, one hundred and two hundred and three with
(10:54):
with the dominant cutter. So I just I don't know
if I'm the me that's he's such a he's such
a dominant pitcher when he is on that I don't
know if I can let him go walk out the
door unless it's crazy numbers that somebody comes in and says,
I'm Cincinnati or Cleveland or you know, one of these
(11:16):
teams to say, this is the only thing that we're
missing Seattle, who was right there, goes, we just need
a bona fide closer. Let me go get Let's go
get Edwin Diaz.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
Can I toss one more name in real quick? Yeah,
Devin Williams. Devin Williams. Oh see, here's my another one,
another one. But here's my concern. Before last year, I
would have said, go get him one hundred percent, go
get him, because he's really very good. I thought one
(11:47):
of the top closers in the game. Very Okay, he
goes to the Yankees and has a worse year than
Tanner Scott. Yeah, I mean he looked awful, so much
so they didn't even want to close. They didn't even
let him close, that's how bad he was. Now he's available.
So if you're the Dodgers and you think, well I
(12:09):
can fix anything, that's not a problem for us. We'll
figure it out. If you believe that, and you can
take a flyer, because I don't know who's gonna pay
that guy after what he went through last year. I mean,
he's got to prove he can pitch again, and he
probably will. He just had a terrible, terrible, terrible year.
If you're the Dodgers, you can take a flyer on that.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
Guy and get him for cheap.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
Yes, why not, That's what I'm saying.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
If you can get him for cheap, and it's like
a you know, a resurrection project that he is willing
to say, Look, I gotta get fixed. I had a
bad year. I'm willing to take a lot less to
kind of get back into that upper echelon of money closers.
(12:57):
And I get a chance to go close for the Dodgers.
I'm gonna take a haircut to go do that. Because
after this year, I signed a one year deal. I
pitched for the Dodgers. All of a sudden, they're gonna
back the truck up for me. He gets the tail
Hernandez one year deal. Yeah, yes, yes, prove yourself again.
(13:19):
Prove yourself and then we'll go from there and allow
the best team in baseball. As many have said, not
just us. But the players have said I came here
to get fixed. I came here so they could fix
what little mechanical or whatever emotional thing that I needed
to get fixed. That's why I came to the Dodgers.
(13:40):
Come here for that and go lights out. And now
you write your own ticket. If I'm him, I'm thinking Dodgers.
Where do I sign?
Speaker 3 (13:48):
I don't know. You can offer me some Randy's donuts
and I'll sign.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
I'll sign with you guys to get me back on
track because I know I'm gonna win, right right. I
know I'll be in position to do something great. I
do know that. Yes, see, so I would take a
flyer on him one year. You know what, you know,
we're good for it. Come on in here and then
(14:14):
let's see what happens. I would do. I would take
a one year flyer on him. I would not sign
Edwin Diaz, which means sign Edwin Diaz tomorrow, but.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
I will do it right now. I think he's different
than Edwin Diaz. Edwin Diaz has obviously done it for
years and would require I think more. At this point
in his career, Edwin Diaz is gonna want a three
year deal. At least right at least at least so
whereas I think Devin Williams can he you can get
him for a one year deal as a like you
(14:44):
mentioned a tale a Taiale deal. Go prove yourself again
and we'll we'll see We'll see you in twenty twenty seven.
Speaker 1 (14:59):
Okay, what is the most surprising team in town to
date this year? Let's start in the fall. What is
the most surprising team in town? We will talk about
it next.
Speaker 4 (15:11):
Hello, Rogan and Rodney. Listener, did you know AM five
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(15:32):
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Speaker 2 (15:36):
Oh yes, let's keep it moving on a hump day, Rodney, Pete,
Fred Rogan, come on, Freddy, let's go baby.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
Come on you you know what I'm thinking and you're
probably reveling this. This is right in your wheelhouse. Oh,
I'm thinking USC football is the most surprising team in
town this fall? Yeah, I am am, I wrong, surprising
team in town in town? Well, yeah, yeah, I mean
(16:09):
I could see that, I could see that.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
I don't I don't know if I would say surprise.
I really wouldn't, because I expected them to be pretty good.
I expected them to have, you know, and they have
the most probably the most challenging schedule that they've had
since they've been in the Big Ten this year, and
(16:34):
they've been in every single game and very well, you know,
the Notre Dame got away from late. But I think
they have a or have had an opportunity to win
every single game and could be very well be undefeated
at this point. You know, Illinois game was a nip
(16:54):
and tuck. It had had to lead with less than
two minutes to go and let that one get away
from him. Notre Dame, you know, had him on the
ropes for a minute and Notre Dame kind of ran
away with it.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
But I think that they are.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
They got some some big ones coming up, though, Frett,
starting with this weekend.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
So we will see, we will see. Well.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
Ryan Carty, who covers USC in the Big Ten for
The Times, joins us. Ryan, how are you, Ryan? You're there?
We got you now. We got sorry about that, No problem.
I just asked Rodney, I said, is us see the
most surprising team in town this fall? He said, they're good,
(17:39):
but not surprising. Are they surprising you?
Speaker 5 (17:44):
I would say that's a that's a good answer. I
would say just the nature of U c l as
season has been pretty surprising, just uh, you know, depending
on the week. But but no, I wouldn't call this surprising.
What doesn't surprise me, especially is that this is a
team that we can't be totally certain about anything. You know. Obviously,
(18:09):
the offense, as soon as you're ready to say it's
the best offense in college football, you know, there are
a couple of games where things look inconsistent. The quarterback
doesn't look as good as soon as we think the
defense looks great. You know, has a great game against Michigan,
suddenly really struggles to stop anything on the ground. So
it's it's been inconsistent and that is not surprising to me.
(18:32):
That's kind of been the case since lecon Riley took over.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Yeah, I would agree exactly with that. You know, they
had they gone back to South ben and beaten them,
you know very well, they could easily be undefeated at
this point, we can say ifs allid day long, but
very well could be had the ball or had the
lead with less than two minutes against Illinois back there
after not playing so great for three quarters, but had
(18:56):
the lead and Illinois goes down and goes for the
win and wins it. So yeah, not quite surprising, But
we're going to find out. We're going to find out
in the next few weeks because as much as we
thought the middle of the road and that gauntlet that
everybody talked about them going through with Michigan, Illinois and
Notre Dame back to back to back these next few
(19:18):
weeks because Iowa, Iowa, there's no slouch Iowa obviously, you know,
they played Oregon down to the wire. They they had
Indiana on the ropes as well. They are a very good,
well coached football team. And I'm like thankful that we
play them at home because that's a tough place to
play up there in Iowa. But this is a critical,
(19:40):
big time game where I think that people don't realize
how good Iowa is. What about you, Ryan, how do
you feel about this game this weekend?
Speaker 5 (19:49):
Well, in just first off, complicating matters is the fact
that it's supposed to be raining during the game, which
kind of plays into Iowa's hands just given their.
Speaker 3 (19:59):
Style of play.
Speaker 5 (20:01):
But you know, Iowa is a strange team in that,
you know, their passing offense is one of the worst
in college football, and yet their offense still manages to
score at a decent clip. And I think you can
kind of point to just their their way of controlling
the ball and playing great special teams and timely defense
(20:25):
and you know, all the boring stuff that you you know,
doesn't really get a ton of attention. I always always
been good at that sort of thing, and that's where
USC maybe has struggled in a lot of ways, and
certainly Lincoln Riley has struggled in terms of coaching against
or in situations like that. But that said, you know,
(20:46):
if USC is able to play the game it wants
and you know, just gets it's a passing attack off
the ground early and you know it is able to
have a sharp jade mayava throughout the game, and then
the wrong game kind of takes it from there. You know,
this they could win by three touchdowns. I wouldn't rule
that out, But that said, you know, if this becomes
(21:06):
an ugly game, it's I think it's anyone's game, just
like last week. You know, I think in a an
normal situation, Oregon probably beats Iowa nine times out of
ten and not ten times out of ten. But you know,
just the circumstances of that game whereas such that Iowa
was always going to be ready to take advantage in
those situations. So that makes this game kind of interesting.
(21:29):
And I do think it is going to be a
close one, and you know, partially because every USC game
is a close one.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
So right in this game where we're gonna have two
guys with the same number lining up next to each other, Oh.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
Here you go.
Speaker 5 (21:43):
I think Lincoln realizes he's probably used up that for
the season. Now, could you could question whether it was
right to use that against Northwestern? But you know, it's
it's been done.
Speaker 2 (21:58):
What's your take on it, Ryan, because you know obvious
see the big Tennis weigh in and and said, the
officials got it right. But the letter of the law,
what do you understand it to be? From what us?
He did?
Speaker 5 (22:11):
You know, I personally thought at the time that it
was it was legal. I was in that, you know,
I think you can bend yourself into knots with the
semantics of it to a point where I think, if
you know, if lawyers are involved, like, maybe this isn't
actually illegal. Now that said, I like, obviously he was
(22:35):
trying to bend the rules and deceive deceived Northwestern I think,
like was it Bush League? Like, oh, yeah, for sure,
But coaches do that stuff all the time. I mean
I I honestly I respect it to a degree. So
if the rules aren't written as such to accommodate that
(22:57):
or to lead to a penalty, then it's all yours
to take advantage. And you know what, it worked and
Lincoln Riley doesn't have to pay any consequences.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
Well when you want to. When you talk about Lincoln Riley, though,
there are whispers now that he could be up for
some major job openings. What do you think about that?
I mean, given his body of work at USC, do
you think his name would be kicked around for big
job openings? And do you think he would go? And
(23:29):
if he went, do you think USC would say thank
you very much?
Speaker 2 (23:33):
And here's the door.
Speaker 5 (23:36):
Well, first off, I don't think he's going anywhere now.
He has said in the past at Oklahoma that you
know he wasn't planning on going anywhere and then immediately
left to you come to us. But that said, this
really just strikes me as more of an agent led situation.
(23:59):
I mean, the chatter really started with like one random
comment on a podcast, you know, by someone who who
knows the college football landscape. But that said, like, it's
always important, especially this time of year, to remember like
who who has the leverage here, and like who's benefiting
(24:22):
from this information being out there? And I do think,
like you know, I wouldn't doubt that Lincoln Riley, if
they continue to win, is gonna ask for more money
at USC and potentially another extension. Now I have no
idea how USC will handle that if it were to
come to it, but I don't think he's going anywhere.
(24:43):
So but if you know, if Florida or someone were
to sweep in or swoop in with a gigantic offer,
you know, I don't know that USC is going to
bend over backwards to you know, make him the highest
fake coach in college football. But you know, they again,
there's a lot of In the next three games, I
(25:03):
think a lot can change, So we'll see, like where
the reputation of Lincoln Riley stands, you know, if they're
the number sevent team in the College Football playoff rankings.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
Yeah, I mean that that to me is the big test.
Speaker 1 (25:18):
And like I mentioned that, you know, the middle of
the season, that Michigan Illinois Notre Dame stretch was very important,
but this stretches feels more important right now because people
are slowly thinking that USC could be in the mix,
but they got to win this weekend. I think this
weekend is more important than the Oregon game only because
(25:43):
the narrative has been can USC handle physical football in
the Big Ten? And they've shown that they can with
victories over obviously over over Michigan, Michigan State, and and
doing some of the things that people didn't think they could.
But this game this weekend against Iowa, to me, is
(26:05):
the biggest game of the season, including the Oregon game.
Speaker 3 (26:08):
The Oregon can go anyway, you know, Oregon.
Speaker 2 (26:10):
We know all can get on a roll and roll
up forty points on you in a hurry, especially up there.
But this game against Iowa is so important. I think
for USC to make any kind of statement, what do
you think?
Speaker 5 (26:25):
I think the important distinction here is like with Iowa,
I expect them to win this game. I don't like.
I think it is a bad sign if they lose
this game, and you know, certainly the season and the
narrative could turn quickly if that were to happen now
in Oregon, Like, that's a game.
Speaker 1 (26:45):
I before the.
Speaker 5 (26:45):
Season, I would have never expected them to win that game. Now,
I think Oregon is a bit flawed. I wouldn't rule
it out. But it's been a long time since USC
has won at Austin. Its supposed to be raining there too,
so so you know, I think both are huge games.
(27:07):
But I do think like in terms of you know,
you have to get to win this weekend, I mean
you have to get to win in from here and
out to make it into the playoffs, but just in
terms of showing progress as a program, like we need
to see them win this game just for the overall
season to look like.
Speaker 1 (27:28):
A step forward.
Speaker 5 (27:29):
If that make sense.
Speaker 1 (27:31):
It does make sense, all right, Ryan Kartchy, thank you
so much for joining us. Really appreciate the insight today.
Speaker 5 (27:37):
Of course, anytime all Right.
Speaker 1 (27:39):
Covers USC in the Big ten for the LA Times,
is it a big game? Is tonight a big game? Well,
we'll try to figure that out.
Speaker 4 (27:56):
Make am five to seventy LA Sports a preset before
you playug in your phone. Presets in the iHeartRadio app
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Speaker 2 (28:09):
Talk Ice, Ice, Baby, Rodney, Pete, Fred Rogan on a
hump day, Come on, Freddy, let's go all right, Well
we come back after the top of the hour.
Speaker 1 (28:19):
We're gonna play a piece of audio I've just stumbled across.
David Bassey is a national hero. That's all I can say.
David Bassey is a national hero, national hero, national gone
from not just a Dodger hero, an LA Sports hero,
but a national hero, national hero. And we will have
(28:39):
that for you when we come back after the top
of the hour. All right, So does this game mean anything?
Does this game mean anything? Lakers in Oka, se Lakers
off to a surprising start. Okc is ten and one,
My bad eleven and one. Okase, he's eleven and one
and Lakers are off to a pretty good start. So
(29:00):
you look at this and you go, Okay, this is
a showdown between two of the top teams in the West.
Is it a showdown at all? Or is it another
game in November as the Lakers just continue to move
forward until Lebron gets back and everybody's healthy.
Speaker 3 (29:22):
What day is it, right, what day is it?
Speaker 2 (29:25):
It's the.
Speaker 1 (29:27):
November twelve, the twelfth of November. No, this game doesn't matter. No,
it's not a big game. And then you mentioned Lebron's out.
You know Lakers, Yes, they've got off to a good start,
but this is not one of those critical games that
you look up and go, oh, this is a must win,
(29:49):
or this is going to define a season, or this
is a critical moment in the season.
Speaker 2 (29:54):
We're in November. I don't think they're I don't think
there are many must win or critical games prior to
Christmas thread. So no, this is not.
Speaker 1 (30:07):
I agree, I agree, I agree hundred percent.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (30:13):
The more you do this, the more you realize what
matters to what doesn't. Now, if you're buying a ticket
to a game in any arena, you want your team
to win, and that is critical. You're not going to
a game where they're not going to win, right, You're not.
You're not going to show up at a game where
you think, well, it doesn't really mean much, hopefully they win.
So yeah, you're paying to see them win. But in
(30:33):
the big picture, no, not really. It's not a litmus
test of anything. It's not a showdown. It's not a
litmus test. You don't you do, if possible, not want
to lose because that can bite you later in the season.
That's fair to say you don't want to lose, but
you certainly don't want to get blown out either. And
you don't want to get blown out.
Speaker 2 (30:54):
You can't get blown out, I mean losing, you know,
ever want to lose, but lou if you if you
happen to lose, you you don't want it to be
ugly or you get blown out, because then then there
is some takeaway from it.
Speaker 1 (31:09):
Yeah, but you know, really, if you could, if you
really cut to the chase, how much takeaway even if
you get blown out tonight, how much takeaway is there? Again,
it's only takeaway because people will talk about it, right
until you play your next game. Yeah, and until you
play them again.
Speaker 2 (31:29):
Correct.
Speaker 1 (31:29):
If you're gonna get blown out, do it tonight. If
you're gonna get tagged, do it tonight. I can't see
that happening. And it will be interesting, you know, Sga
and Luca, So that'll be fun. It'll be fun to watch.
Just do the Lakers have enough? That's all because I'll
tell you this too. Okay, see can run the table.
(31:51):
They're eleven and one, they can be twenty one and
one at the end of the day. Too many wins
during the regular season doesn't assure you of anything nothing.
Sometimes you're so exhausted when you get to the playoffs
you can't do anything right. I can guarantee you right now.
And I missed on my UCLI prediction where I said
(32:12):
they'd only win two games all year. Yeah, yeah, I
miss on that one. But I can guarantee you this.
Speaker 2 (32:17):
You didn't predict the firing, and you didn't predict all
the motivations that they had after that, So it's hard
to predict what's going on.
Speaker 1 (32:24):
But yeah, you know, I'll predict this. Okay, See, we'll
lose more than one game this year. I'll say, you
know what, that's a stretch fit. I feel very confident
in saying that. So if that's the case, you're playing
in November, it'll be fun to watch. But I don't
think it's an indication of anything. You're right, Rodney, and
(32:45):
you know what, you know when you what did you
say it starts really after Christmas. Okay, you know, I'm
gonna say it starts Famas Day. Really Christmas Day, it's
kind of where it really starts. Those said on Christmas
Day are the ones that first of all, people start
to pay attention to and then it's just like the
real start of the season to me, Yeah, except nobody
(33:06):
will watched those games because the NFL's on. So because
the NFL took care of that, you know what, I
think the season really starts February.
Speaker 2 (33:16):
February. So that's when you think after the super Bowl
or before the super Bowl, or that weekend or I'm
just saying our weekend when we hit February, No, before
all start weekend.
Speaker 1 (33:26):
Okay, when we hit February. Now, the games matter, So
you're saying before that, so before even before super Bowl
because you know, all since the purposes super Bowl is
going to drowned out anything NBA as we lead into
the playoffs in January, So really does it matter? Well,
(33:49):
I'm saying records start to matter. Then you gotta be
within striking distance then okay, okay, you know you can't
be twenty two games back. That's gonna be bad. But
you know, if you're a game or two back, you're
three out. That's fine because now it starts to matter.
Now you've got to turn it up. Now you got
(34:09):
to head into the latter part of the season and
the playoffs. So I don't know if there were any
litmus tests before.
Speaker 2 (34:17):
Then, No, no, And the only one, as you mentioned,
is if you're you're slipping, and you're sliding and you're
starting to dip again, you get it turned around in February,
because if you don't, then it's the beginning of the end.
(34:37):
You start thinking about lottery picks. Yeah, that's exactly right.
Speaker 1 (34:42):
Yeah, you're closing in on the trade deadline. Then you
have to get it together and you have to figure
it out. So it'll be fun tonight. But is it
a litmus test?
Speaker 2 (34:51):
No?
Speaker 1 (34:52):
Is it a gigantic game? No, it really isn't. Who's
the bigger for Lakers are for Okay, see probably bigger,
Probably bigger for Okac. See if they can keep winning
like that, Lakers just need to continue to get better.
Lakers need to execute, Lakers need to keep doing what
(35:13):
they're doing. If something if it goes sideways or something
comes off the rail, off the rails Tonight you fix
it because you're playing well, the system works, everybody's bought in,
you're engaged. So I mean if the Lakers beat them, yeah,
they can celebrate. I think it's more for Okac. Let's
see if they can just keep winning, how long before
they lose another game until I could be the night.
(35:36):
Honestly could be the night.
Speaker 2 (35:40):
I think it's bigger for the Lakers to show that
they are. You know, people looked at them for this
start that they have. Oh, the Lakers are gonna be
pretty good. They don't even have Lebron and they still winning.
And can they continue this because once they get Lebron back,
they're going to be that much better. So this is
this is how we're gonna measure ourselves. If the Lakers
(36:02):
get a win against Okay, see, I think this is
huge for the Lakers. But if they get blown out,
it's like going back to Lakers can't play with the
big boys right yet?
Speaker 1 (36:15):
And I just don't Yeah, I just don't think you
can make that determination yet. That's all. We just look
at it a little differently. I just don't think you
can even make that determination. They need to play with
the big boys. One, they need to play with the
big boys tonight. I think they just have to keep
doing what they've been doing. Okay, David Vassei is an
(36:43):
international phenom. He is he's a force of nature to
be reckoned with. So let's talk about that next. And
also a look some sour grape some sense in sour grapes, Rodney,
and I'm surprised it's coming from this guy.
Speaker 3 (37:00):
Oh,
Now all right, we continue on Fred Rug and Rodney
Pete on AM five to seventy LA Sports. As we
continue Rodney in our one, and if you miss it,
you can check the podcast. Kevin will put it up
the minute we get off the air. Just get the
free iHeartRadio app. Stream the show wherever you go, live
twenty four hours a day, AM five to seventy LA Sports.
(00:23):
You can take us wherever you go. Just put us
in your pocket, keep us close to your heart because
we're always up there and we're always always talking. Now,
we talked about the Dodger outfield situation in our one.
Here's another thing, and the question becomes, what are the
Dodgers doing? Are they gonna make moves because they want
(00:44):
to or are they gonna make moves because they need to?
And there's a distinct difference. Do they want to do something?
They can do whatever they want, but what do they need?
And what is more important? My feeling is need is
more important than what. Let's start with that. So in
number one, we kicked around Cody Bellinger coming back, who
would be more affordable than a Kyle Tucker, And we
(01:07):
also talked about Ryan wore the twenty seven year old
outfielder Brandon Gome says, that's it. He can't do anything
else in Triple A. I mean he's done on the miners.
He's done what he can do. It's time for him
to move up, move out, but he can't go back there.
So he's a possibility too if they don't make a
move in the outfield. But now let's talk about the
pitching staff and the bullpen, and I guess it depends
(01:31):
on the year as to what you need more. Coming
into last season, well, you had to solidify that starting staff.
You had to make sure because you remembered what happened
the year before when everybody got hurt and the bullpen
was great. So they did and it worked. Now this
year you're going, whoa, we need a closer because of
(01:54):
what happened. Our bullpen fell apart. Why because everybody got hurt?
Same deal, reverse it. So now it's do you want
to fix the bullpen or do you need to fix
the bullpen? Really those are the questions. And if you
need to fix the bullpen, how are you going to
fix it? Yeah, so there were reports that sware Az
(02:17):
out of San Diego could be available. Yeah, he's a
free agent, big time, big time. Yeah, I can't remember.
Speaker 2 (02:24):
What do you want?
Speaker 1 (02:24):
Forty million over four years or sixty million over four years,
something like that, all right, And they can do that
because they acquired Mason Miller from the A's and they've
now got a closer. It throws one hundred and two
miles an hour. That guy's a complete big thunt. He
can throw, he can throw.
Speaker 2 (02:39):
The problem is the thread that the thing is with
anything in sports, it's so fluid, and it's year by year,
like you just you just ran it down. You know,
one year it's the bullpen's got the issue, and the
next year it's the starting pitching he's got the issue,
and then you do things accordingly. But I think the
(02:59):
way they set it up for their starting pitching with
the Dodgers, it wasn't a one year fix for starting pitching.
This is a multi year fix. They are if I'm
looking at this right, and I haven't gone through the numbers,
but they've got a number of guys still locked up.
But they are set for at least the next three
years when it comes to starting pitching. Would that be
(03:22):
safe to say? Right? Bullpen issue? Look, they relied on
the bullpen to get them through and win the World Series,
which they won against the Yankees that year because starting
pitching was flawed, which is why they did in the
offseason what they did and solidified that. So now as
(03:44):
you go through this year and you look up and
go starting pitching was our strength and bullpen was the problem.
Do you do an overhaul of the bullpen? That's the
thing that you've got to really look yourselves in a
mirror and go, do we need to do an overhaul
or or was this year for Tanner Scott just an
aberration and he will get back to form. Was this
(04:06):
year for the entire bullpen aberration? Or will they get
back to form? And do you need to do a
complete overhaul of the bullpen and bring in two to
three more guys, Because remember, there are certain guys that
were injured that didn't even play a factor, that were
key components of your bullpen.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
The year before.
Speaker 2 (04:28):
Grattarol Michael Kolpek, who was off and uninjured this past
year never could get it going. So there are a
number of guys that are still down there in that bullpen.
And then not to mention the efforts that we got
from the Jack Dryers and Roboleski's and those guys who
(04:48):
will play a complete role in the bullpen going forward.
So is it are you looking at this as We've
got the guys already, so we don't really need need
to address the bullpen because first of all, guys were hurt. Secondly,
you know, guys in an off year. But we got
(05:12):
enough guys out there that we trust and believe in
that we don't need to go crazy in the bullpen
or on the pitching staff. Let's just focus on that outfielder. Okay,
that's fair question. Only one question with that, by the way,
just one. Do you need a closer? That's the only question.
Do you think Tanner Scott will be able to come back?
It's simple yes or no. And by the way, you
(05:33):
don't know, nor you don't know. You don't know for sure,
but I think I think yes that yeah, you feel
confident with that. And if he's not, though, Fred, if
he's not, then I think there are enough guys that
can step into that role that can be efficient for
you. You're gonna give Tanner Scott all the rope, all the
leniency that you need to see if he gets it back.
(05:55):
If he doesn't, I believe Michael Kopak is still in
and under contract. Right, Alex Vesi is coming back. You
you've got uh, you know, Roboleski, You've got a number
of guys that could potentially Gratols coming back. You got
a potential number of guys that could step into that
(06:18):
role if Tanner Scott doesn't get back to the reason
why they they signed him in the first place. So
I don't think you need to go out and say, Okay,
we need to go spend you know, eighteen million a
year on a closer. I don't think they need to
do that.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
I'm not sure when Evan Phillips is coming back, but
he's another one, Yes, exactly, He's coming back at some point.
Now it comes down to how effective will they be? Really,
that's the only question. Do you know you want somebody?
You won't know that until you get into the season.
That you won't know that, that's right. You don't know
that in March.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
You don't know that in February when they starting in
the spring training. You won't know until you get into
the season. Will they be effective? Now you've seen what
Evan Phillips can do and key roles, and he was
very effective for them and played major role for the
Dodgers and their success, got injured, missed the season. He's
(07:16):
coming back. You know, we we we love the Bozuka.
He was on our show. You know you love the Bozuka.
You know, will he get back to form? You won't
know until he starts pitching again and again.
Speaker 1 (07:30):
I went.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
Yes and again, Tanner Scott, I gotta believe that them winning,
despite the fact that he was not a vital role
coming out of that pen is motivated him to a
level where he is going to come back with a vengeance.
Speaker 1 (07:51):
Whether that, you know, turns into success or not. But
I just I gotta feel like that the mentality of
him is, Okay, they paid me this money, they won
despite me not being that contributor factor that they thought
I was gonna be. I got to come back and
be dominant. I think it's lit a fire under him,
(08:11):
and so we'll see how that goes. But you won't
know until you get into the season. And do you
go risk spending money out there before you actually know.
Let me tell this guy into the mix. What about
Blake trying to.
Speaker 3 (08:28):
Boom another one another one?
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Is he done? Do you think he's done or do
you think that it was just a he had an
off year in an off stretch. You know, I think
he you know, he's still what is Blake trying He's
got to be what mid thirties or thirties, something like that.
I don't know.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
I don't know if he's done, but I won't know.
Speaker 2 (08:54):
I won't know until we get into the season next year. Right,
But I think you've got enough arms out there to
say we can we can weather that storm and figure
out who's who are guys going to be coming out
of the pen. You've got enough arms that you've seen
in the past that can be effective with Evan Phillips,
Blake Tryning. You know the history of Tanner, Scott, Michael Kopek,
(09:19):
what he did in the year previous to this past
one in coming out and being a guy that nobody
really thought about. And then let's not forget what we're
gonna do with Will Climb, right, Will Clein's another one.
And then on top of that, Fred, are we done
with Bobby Miller? Are we gonna find this? Are we
(09:40):
gonna find a spot for him?
Speaker 1 (09:41):
I don't know.
Speaker 2 (09:42):
I don't know.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Rever Ryan's coming back by the way River Ryan's coming back.
I mean, you've got enough on your roster that I
don't think you've got to really go, oh my god,
we got to have a closer. So Edwin Diaz is
out for you, I wouldn't because I think he's going
to command too much. He's going to command way too
much to get him somebody that is on the verge,
(10:06):
somebody that is right there that just was missing.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
That closer.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
I think is going to offer him a boatload of money,
and I don't think the Dodgers need to do that.
I think he's still got some I think he's still
got a couple more years left of being dominant like
he was with the Mets. And if I'm the Mets,
I don't let him go. I'm the Mets' I'm keeping
(10:33):
him around. And because you better have somebody better coming
through that door than him. Right that gate open and
they played that music, it was, you know, more often
than not, it was lights out, And he was doing
this thing when he was healthy. And he's still throwing
you know, one hundred and two hundred and three with
(10:54):
with the dominant cutter. So I just I don't know
if I'm the me that's he's such a he's such
a dominant pitcher when he is on that I don't
know if I can let him go walk out the
door unless it's crazy numbers that somebody comes in and says,
I'm Cincinnati or Cleveland or you know, one of these
(11:16):
teams to say, this is the only thing that we're
missing Seattle, who was right there, goes, we just need
a bona fide closer. Let me go get Let's go
get Edwin Diaz.
Speaker 1 (11:27):
Can I toss one more name in real quick? Yeah,
Devin Williams. Devin Williams. Oh see, here's my another one,
another one. But here's my concern. Before last year, I
would have said, go get him one hundred percent, go
get him, because he's really very good. I thought one
(11:47):
of the top closers in the game. Very Okay, he
goes to the Yankees and has a worse year than
Tanner Scott. Yeah, I mean he looked awful, so much
so they didn't even want to close. They didn't even
let him close, that's how bad he was. Now he's available.
So if you're the Dodgers and you think, well I
(12:09):
can fix anything, that's not a problem for us. We'll
figure it out. If you believe that, and you can
take a flyer, because I don't know who's gonna pay
that guy after what he went through last year. I mean,
he's got to prove he can pitch again, and he
probably will. He just had a terrible, terrible, terrible year.
If you're the Dodgers, you can take a flyer on that.
Speaker 3 (12:31):
Guy and get him for cheap.
Speaker 1 (12:33):
Yes, why not, That's what I'm saying.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
If you can get him for cheap, and it's like
a you know, a resurrection project that he is willing
to say, Look, I gotta get fixed. I had a
bad year. I'm willing to take a lot less to
kind of get back into that upper echelon of money closers.
(12:57):
And I get a chance to go close for the Dodgers.
I'm gonna take a haircut to go do that. Because
after this year, I signed a one year deal. I
pitched for the Dodgers. All of a sudden, they're gonna
back the truck up for me. He gets the tail
Hernandez one year deal. Yeah, yes, yes, prove yourself again.
(13:19):
Prove yourself and then we'll go from there and allow
the best team in baseball. As many have said, not
just us. But the players have said I came here
to get fixed. I came here so they could fix
what little mechanical or whatever emotional thing that I needed
to get fixed. That's why I came to the Dodgers.
(13:40):
Come here for that and go lights out. And now
you write your own ticket. If I'm him, I'm thinking Dodgers.
Where do I sign?
Speaker 3 (13:48):
I don't know. You can offer me some Randy's donuts
and I'll sign.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
I'll sign with you guys to get me back on
track because I know I'm gonna win, right right. I
know I'll be in position to do something great. I
do know that. Yes, see, so I would take a
flyer on him one year. You know what, you know,
we're good for it. Come on in here and then
(14:14):
let's see what happens. I would do. I would take
a one year flyer on him. I would not sign
Edwin Diaz, which means sign Edwin Diaz tomorrow, but.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
I will do it right now. I think he's different
than Edwin Diaz. Edwin Diaz has obviously done it for
years and would require I think more. At this point
in his career, Edwin Diaz is gonna want a three
year deal. At least right at least at least so
whereas I think Devin Williams can he you can get
him for a one year deal as a like you
(14:44):
mentioned a tale a Taiale deal. Go prove yourself again
and we'll we'll see We'll see you in twenty twenty seven.
Speaker 1 (14:59):
Okay, what is the most surprising team in town to
date this year? Let's start in the fall. What is
the most surprising team in town? We will talk about
it next.
Speaker 4 (15:11):
Hello, Rogan and Rodney. Listener, did you know AM five
seventy LA Sports has a wide range of LA Sports
podcasts shows like petros in Money. We are streaming man
Dodger Talk with David Vasse, the Dodger Podcast of Record,
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Just go to AM five to seventy LA Sports on
(15:32):
the iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 2 (15:36):
Oh yes, let's keep it moving on a hump day, Rodney, Pete,
Fred Rogan, come on, Freddy, let's go baby.
Speaker 1 (15:45):
Come on you you know what I'm thinking and you're
probably reveling this. This is right in your wheelhouse. Oh,
I'm thinking USC football is the most surprising team in
town this fall? Yeah, I am am, I wrong, surprising
team in town in town? Well, yeah, yeah, I mean
(16:09):
I could see that, I could see that.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
I don't I don't know if I would say surprise.
I really wouldn't, because I expected them to be pretty good.
I expected them to have, you know, and they have
the most probably the most challenging schedule that they've had
since they've been in the Big Ten this year, and
(16:34):
they've been in every single game and very well, you know,
the Notre Dame got away from late. But I think
they have a or have had an opportunity to win
every single game and could be very well be undefeated
at this point. You know, Illinois game was a nip
(16:54):
and tuck. It had had to lead with less than
two minutes to go and let that one get away
from him. Notre Dame, you know, had him on the
ropes for a minute and Notre Dame kind of ran
away with it.
Speaker 3 (17:05):
But I think that they are.
Speaker 2 (17:08):
They got some some big ones coming up, though, Frett,
starting with this weekend.
Speaker 3 (17:12):
So we will see, we will see. Well.
Speaker 1 (17:16):
Ryan Carty, who covers USC in the Big Ten for
The Times, joins us. Ryan, how are you, Ryan? You're there?
We got you now. We got sorry about that, No problem.
I just asked Rodney, I said, is us see the
most surprising team in town this fall? He said, they're good,
(17:39):
but not surprising. Are they surprising you?
Speaker 5 (17:44):
I would say that's a that's a good answer. I
would say just the nature of U c l as
season has been pretty surprising, just uh, you know, depending
on the week. But but no, I wouldn't call this surprising.
What doesn't surprise me, especially is that this is a
team that we can't be totally certain about anything. You know. Obviously,
(18:09):
the offense, as soon as you're ready to say it's
the best offense in college football, you know, there are
a couple of games where things look inconsistent. The quarterback
doesn't look as good as soon as we think the
defense looks great. You know, has a great game against Michigan,
suddenly really struggles to stop anything on the ground. So
it's it's been inconsistent and that is not surprising to me.
(18:32):
That's kind of been the case since lecon Riley took over.
Speaker 2 (18:35):
Yeah, I would agree exactly with that. You know, they
had they gone back to South ben and beaten them,
you know very well, they could easily be undefeated at
this point, we can say ifs allid day long, but
very well could be had the ball or had the
lead with less than two minutes against Illinois back there
after not playing so great for three quarters, but had
(18:56):
the lead and Illinois goes down and goes for the
win and wins it. So yeah, not quite surprising, But
we're going to find out. We're going to find out
in the next few weeks because as much as we
thought the middle of the road and that gauntlet that
everybody talked about them going through with Michigan, Illinois and
Notre Dame back to back to back these next few
(19:18):
weeks because Iowa, Iowa, there's no slouch Iowa obviously, you know,
they played Oregon down to the wire. They they had
Indiana on the ropes as well. They are a very good,
well coached football team. And I'm like thankful that we
play them at home because that's a tough place to
play up there in Iowa. But this is a critical,
(19:40):
big time game where I think that people don't realize
how good Iowa is. What about you, Ryan, how do
you feel about this game this weekend?
Speaker 5 (19:49):
Well, in just first off, complicating matters is the fact
that it's supposed to be raining during the game, which
kind of plays into Iowa's hands just given their.
Speaker 3 (19:59):
Style of play.
Speaker 5 (20:01):
But you know, Iowa is a strange team in that,
you know, their passing offense is one of the worst
in college football, and yet their offense still manages to
score at a decent clip. And I think you can
kind of point to just their their way of controlling
the ball and playing great special teams and timely defense
(20:25):
and you know, all the boring stuff that you you know,
doesn't really get a ton of attention. I always always
been good at that sort of thing, and that's where
USC maybe has struggled in a lot of ways, and
certainly Lincoln Riley has struggled in terms of coaching against
or in situations like that. But that said, you know,
(20:46):
if USC is able to play the game it wants
and you know, just gets it's a passing attack off
the ground early and you know it is able to
have a sharp jade mayava throughout the game, and then
the wrong game kind of takes it from there. You know,
this they could win by three touchdowns. I wouldn't rule
that out, But that said, you know, if this becomes
(21:06):
an ugly game, it's I think it's anyone's game, just
like last week. You know, I think in a an
normal situation, Oregon probably beats Iowa nine times out of
ten and not ten times out of ten. But you know,
just the circumstances of that game whereas such that Iowa
was always going to be ready to take advantage in
those situations. So that makes this game kind of interesting.
(21:29):
And I do think it is going to be a
close one, and you know, partially because every USC game
is a close one.
Speaker 1 (21:36):
So right in this game where we're gonna have two
guys with the same number lining up next to each other, Oh.
Speaker 2 (21:42):
Here you go.
Speaker 5 (21:43):
I think Lincoln realizes he's probably used up that for
the season. Now, could you could question whether it was
right to use that against Northwestern? But you know, it's
it's been done.
Speaker 2 (21:58):
What's your take on it, Ryan, because you know obvious
see the big Tennis weigh in and and said, the
officials got it right. But the letter of the law,
what do you understand it to be? From what us?
He did?
Speaker 5 (22:11):
You know, I personally thought at the time that it
was it was legal. I was in that, you know,
I think you can bend yourself into knots with the
semantics of it to a point where I think, if
you know, if lawyers are involved, like, maybe this isn't
actually illegal. Now that said, I like, obviously he was
(22:35):
trying to bend the rules and deceive deceived Northwestern I think,
like was it Bush League? Like, oh, yeah, for sure,
But coaches do that stuff all the time. I mean
I I honestly I respect it to a degree. So
if the rules aren't written as such to accommodate that
(22:57):
or to lead to a penalty, then it's all yours
to take advantage. And you know what, it worked and
Lincoln Riley doesn't have to pay any consequences.
Speaker 1 (23:07):
Well when you want to. When you talk about Lincoln Riley, though,
there are whispers now that he could be up for
some major job openings. What do you think about that?
I mean, given his body of work at USC, do
you think his name would be kicked around for big
job openings? And do you think he would go? And
(23:29):
if he went, do you think USC would say thank
you very much?
Speaker 2 (23:33):
And here's the door.
Speaker 5 (23:36):
Well, first off, I don't think he's going anywhere now.
He has said in the past at Oklahoma that you
know he wasn't planning on going anywhere and then immediately
left to you come to us. But that said, this
really just strikes me as more of an agent led situation.
(23:59):
I mean, the chatter really started with like one random
comment on a podcast, you know, by someone who who
knows the college football landscape. But that said, like, it's
always important, especially this time of year, to remember like
who who has the leverage here, and like who's benefiting
(24:22):
from this information being out there? And I do think,
like you know, I wouldn't doubt that Lincoln Riley, if
they continue to win, is gonna ask for more money
at USC and potentially another extension. Now I have no
idea how USC will handle that if it were to
come to it, but I don't think he's going anywhere.
(24:43):
So but if you know, if Florida or someone were
to sweep in or swoop in with a gigantic offer,
you know, I don't know that USC is going to
bend over backwards to you know, make him the highest
fake coach in college football. But you know, they again,
there's a lot of In the next three games, I
(25:03):
think a lot can change, So we'll see, like where
the reputation of Lincoln Riley stands, you know, if they're
the number sevent team in the College Football playoff rankings.
Speaker 2 (25:15):
Yeah, I mean that that to me is the big test.
Speaker 1 (25:18):
And like I mentioned that, you know, the middle of
the season, that Michigan Illinois Notre Dame stretch was very important,
but this stretches feels more important right now because people
are slowly thinking that USC could be in the mix,
but they got to win this weekend. I think this
weekend is more important than the Oregon game only because
(25:43):
the narrative has been can USC handle physical football in
the Big Ten? And they've shown that they can with
victories over obviously over over Michigan, Michigan State, and and
doing some of the things that people didn't think they could.
But this game this weekend against Iowa, to me, is
(26:05):
the biggest game of the season, including the Oregon game.
Speaker 3 (26:08):
The Oregon can go anyway, you know, Oregon.
Speaker 2 (26:10):
We know all can get on a roll and roll
up forty points on you in a hurry, especially up there.
But this game against Iowa is so important. I think
for USC to make any kind of statement, what do
you think?
Speaker 5 (26:25):
I think the important distinction here is like with Iowa,
I expect them to win this game. I don't like.
I think it is a bad sign if they lose
this game, and you know, certainly the season and the
narrative could turn quickly if that were to happen now
in Oregon, Like, that's a game.
Speaker 1 (26:45):
I before the.
Speaker 5 (26:45):
Season, I would have never expected them to win that game. Now,
I think Oregon is a bit flawed. I wouldn't rule
it out. But it's been a long time since USC
has won at Austin. Its supposed to be raining there too,
so so you know, I think both are huge games.
(27:07):
But I do think like in terms of you know,
you have to get to win this weekend, I mean
you have to get to win in from here and
out to make it into the playoffs, but just in
terms of showing progress as a program, like we need
to see them win this game just for the overall
season to look like.
Speaker 1 (27:28):
A step forward.
Speaker 5 (27:29):
If that make sense.
Speaker 1 (27:31):
It does make sense, all right, Ryan Kartchy, thank you
so much for joining us. Really appreciate the insight today.
Speaker 5 (27:37):
Of course, anytime all Right.
Speaker 1 (27:39):
Covers USC in the Big ten for the LA Times,
is it a big game? Is tonight a big game? Well,
we'll try to figure that out.
Speaker 4 (27:56):
Make am five to seventy LA Sports a preset before
you playug in your phone. Presets in the iHeartRadio app
now available with Apple car Play and Android Auto. Just
another easy way to listen to LA's best sports.
Speaker 2 (28:09):
Talk Ice, Ice, Baby, Rodney, Pete, Fred Rogan on a
hump day, Come on, Freddy, let's go all right, Well
we come back after the top of the hour.
Speaker 1 (28:19):
We're gonna play a piece of audio I've just stumbled across.
David Bassey is a national hero. That's all I can say.
David Bassey is a national hero, national hero, national gone
from not just a Dodger hero, an LA Sports hero,
but a national hero, national hero. And we will have
(28:39):
that for you when we come back after the top
of the hour. All right, So does this game mean anything?
Does this game mean anything? Lakers in Oka, se Lakers
off to a surprising start. Okc is ten and one,
My bad eleven and one. Okase, he's eleven and one
and Lakers are off to a pretty good start. So
(29:00):
you look at this and you go, Okay, this is
a showdown between two of the top teams in the West.
Is it a showdown at all? Or is it another
game in November as the Lakers just continue to move
forward until Lebron gets back and everybody's healthy.
Speaker 3 (29:22):
What day is it, right, what day is it?
Speaker 2 (29:25):
It's the.
Speaker 1 (29:27):
November twelve, the twelfth of November. No, this game doesn't matter. No,
it's not a big game. And then you mentioned Lebron's out.
You know Lakers, Yes, they've got off to a good start,
but this is not one of those critical games that
you look up and go, oh, this is a must win,
(29:49):
or this is going to define a season, or this
is a critical moment in the season.
Speaker 2 (29:54):
We're in November. I don't think they're I don't think
there are many must win or critical games prior to
Christmas thread. So no, this is not.
Speaker 1 (30:07):
I agree, I agree, I agree hundred percent.
Speaker 2 (30:12):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (30:13):
The more you do this, the more you realize what
matters to what doesn't. Now, if you're buying a ticket
to a game in any arena, you want your team
to win, and that is critical. You're not going to
a game where they're not going to win, right, You're not.
You're not going to show up at a game where
you think, well, it doesn't really mean much, hopefully they win.
So yeah, you're paying to see them win. But in
(30:33):
the big picture, no, not really. It's not a litmus
test of anything. It's not a showdown. It's not a
litmus test. You don't you do, if possible, not want
to lose because that can bite you later in the season.
That's fair to say you don't want to lose, but
you certainly don't want to get blown out either. And
you don't want to get blown out.
Speaker 2 (30:54):
You can't get blown out, I mean losing, you know,
ever want to lose, but lou if you if you
happen to lose, you you don't want it to be
ugly or you get blown out, because then then there
is some takeaway from it.
Speaker 1 (31:09):
Yeah, but you know, really, if you could, if you
really cut to the chase, how much takeaway even if
you get blown out tonight, how much takeaway is there? Again,
it's only takeaway because people will talk about it, right
until you play your next game. Yeah, and until you
play them again.
Speaker 2 (31:29):
Correct.
Speaker 1 (31:29):
If you're gonna get blown out, do it tonight. If
you're gonna get tagged, do it tonight. I can't see
that happening. And it will be interesting, you know, Sga
and Luca, So that'll be fun. It'll be fun to watch.
Just do the Lakers have enough? That's all because I'll
tell you this too. Okay, see can run the table.
(31:51):
They're eleven and one, they can be twenty one and
one at the end of the day. Too many wins
during the regular season doesn't assure you of anything nothing.
Sometimes you're so exhausted when you get to the playoffs
you can't do anything right. I can guarantee you right now.
And I missed on my UCLI prediction where I said
(32:12):
they'd only win two games all year. Yeah, yeah, I
miss on that one. But I can guarantee you this.
Speaker 2 (32:17):
You didn't predict the firing, and you didn't predict all
the motivations that they had after that, So it's hard
to predict what's going on.
Speaker 1 (32:24):
But yeah, you know, I'll predict this. Okay, See, we'll
lose more than one game this year. I'll say, you
know what, that's a stretch fit. I feel very confident
in saying that. So if that's the case, you're playing
in November, it'll be fun to watch. But I don't
think it's an indication of anything. You're right, Rodney, and
(32:45):
you know what, you know when you what did you
say it starts really after Christmas. Okay, you know, I'm
gonna say it starts Famas Day. Really Christmas Day, it's
kind of where it really starts. Those said on Christmas
Day are the ones that first of all, people start
to pay attention to and then it's just like the
real start of the season to me, Yeah, except nobody
(33:06):
will watched those games because the NFL's on. So because
the NFL took care of that, you know what, I
think the season really starts February.
Speaker 2 (33:16):
February. So that's when you think after the super Bowl
or before the super Bowl, or that weekend or I'm
just saying our weekend when we hit February, No, before
all start weekend.
Speaker 1 (33:26):
Okay, when we hit February. Now, the games matter, So
you're saying before that, so before even before super Bowl
because you know, all since the purposes super Bowl is
going to drowned out anything NBA as we lead into
the playoffs in January, So really does it matter? Well,
(33:49):
I'm saying records start to matter. Then you gotta be
within striking distance then okay, okay, you know you can't
be twenty two games back. That's gonna be bad. But
you know, if you're a game or two back, you're
three out. That's fine because now it starts to matter.
Now you've got to turn it up. Now you got
(34:09):
to head into the latter part of the season and
the playoffs. So I don't know if there were any
litmus tests before.
Speaker 2 (34:17):
Then, No, no, And the only one, as you mentioned,
is if you're you're slipping, and you're sliding and you're
starting to dip again, you get it turned around in February,
because if you don't, then it's the beginning of the end.
(34:37):
You start thinking about lottery picks. Yeah, that's exactly right.
Speaker 1 (34:42):
Yeah, you're closing in on the trade deadline. Then you
have to get it together and you have to figure
it out. So it'll be fun tonight. But is it
a litmus test?
Speaker 2 (34:51):
No?
Speaker 1 (34:52):
Is it a gigantic game? No, it really isn't. Who's
the bigger for Lakers are for Okay, see probably bigger,
Probably bigger for Okac. See if they can keep winning
like that, Lakers just need to continue to get better.
Lakers need to execute, Lakers need to keep doing what
(35:13):
they're doing. If something if it goes sideways or something
comes off the rail, off the rails Tonight you fix
it because you're playing well, the system works, everybody's bought in,
you're engaged. So I mean if the Lakers beat them, yeah,
they can celebrate. I think it's more for Okac. Let's
see if they can just keep winning, how long before
they lose another game until I could be the night.
(35:36):
Honestly could be the night.
Speaker 2 (35:40):
I think it's bigger for the Lakers to show that
they are. You know, people looked at them for this
start that they have. Oh, the Lakers are gonna be
pretty good. They don't even have Lebron and they still winning.
And can they continue this because once they get Lebron back,
they're going to be that much better. So this is
this is how we're gonna measure ourselves. If the Lakers
(36:02):
get a win against Okay, see, I think this is
huge for the Lakers. But if they get blown out,
it's like going back to Lakers can't play with the
big boys right yet?
Speaker 1 (36:15):
And I just don't Yeah, I just don't think you
can make that determination yet. That's all. We just look
at it a little differently. I just don't think you
can even make that determination. They need to play with
the big boys. One, they need to play with the
big boys tonight. I think they just have to keep
doing what they've been doing. Okay, David Vassei is an
(36:43):
international phenom. He is he's a force of nature to
be reckoned with. So let's talk about that next. And
also a look some sour grape some sense in sour grapes, Rodney,
and I'm surprised it's coming from this guy.
Speaker 3 (37:00):
Oh,
Roggin And Rodney News
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