SportsBeat KC

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Can local underdogs K-State, Mizzou and KU show some bite on Saturday? Oct 15, 2021

Show notes

When it comes to conference play, Kansas State, Missouri and Kansas are on the bottom — KSU and KU in the Big 12, MU in the SEC.

Maybe that changes this weekend as Wildcats, Tigers and Jayhawks play at home?

All three are underdogs: Mizzou against Texas A&M (-9), Kansas State versus Iowa State (-6) and KU against Texas Tech (-16). But all have reason to feel positive about this weekend, too. We discuss the games with beat writers Kellis Robinett, Lila Bromberg and Jesse Newell on today’s episode of our daily SportsBeat KC podcast.

Story links:

Farmageddon game between Kansas State-Iowa State continues to grow as a rivalry

Missouri Tigers football vs. Texas A&M: FIve things to know, betting line, TV

Kansas Jayhawks football vs. Texas Tech: FIve things to know, betting line, TV

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Ready or not, Kansas City’s World Cup bid is on deck Oct 13, 2021

Show notes

Sporting Kansas City, KC NWSL, the U.S. Men’s National Team, Kansas City’s 2026 World Cup bid, we talk about it all on today’s SportsBeat KC with The Star’s soccer reporter Shaun Goodwin.

The women’s team is coming off one of its best results of the season, a scoreless draw with Portland. They continue their excellent play at Legends Field. Sporting KC looks to stay in the hunt for the MLS Western Conference title. The U.S. men’s national team is in action tonight, and is the World Cup coming to Kansas City? Peter Vermes weighs in.

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KC NWSL, Portland show unity during Sunday’s game. Then KC extends home unbeaten streak

Sporting Kansas City’s Felipe Hernandez suspended for betting on MLS matches

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Young arms will dominate Royals staff next season. Should they add a veteran? Oct 12, 2021

Show notes

Youth was served when it came to Royals pitching in 2021. Two years earlier, the club got 113 starts from pitchers who were 26 and older. This season, it was 51. And the Royals became the first team in major league history to have five players start games in the major leagues from the same draft class (2018) for the team that drafted them.

We break down what this all means for next season with beat writer Lynn Worthy on today’s SportsBeat KC. We also take a look at the Royals bullpen future, which looks promising after solid seasons by their top three arms.

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Royals hang hats on young pitching, individual improvement at end of 2021

Even in loss, Royals’ Kris Bubic finishes strong

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Talking Chiefs the day after their worst home loss of the Andy Reid era Oct 11, 2021

Show notes

It’s not often that beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell and columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian talk about a lopsided Chiefs loss. But that’s where we are Monday on SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast.

The Chiefs were crunched 38-20 by the Bills at rainy Arrowhead Stadium Sunday night. Issues that have plagued the Chiefs at every turn this season only intensified against Buffalo. Bad defense and turnovers were killers. But the Chiefs’ offense and Patrick Mahomes looked out of sync, too. All credit to the Bills.

The Chiefs dropped to 2-3, so now what? Is the division title out of reach? Are the problems fixable?

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Chiefs take it on the chin vs. Buffalo. Some takeaways

Five things that stood out about the Chiefs’ loss to the Bills

Chiefs are still capable but their aura of invincibility has left the chat

Chiefs: We haven’t seen it this bad in years

Chiefs report card: They might have to repeat a grade after this performance

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Can the Chiefs’ defense keep up with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills? Oct 08, 2021

Show notes

Last year’s AFC Championship Game participants meet Sunday night in a Week 5 battle at Arrowhead Stadium, and there’s plenty on the line for the Chiefs and Bills. After consecutive losses, Kansas City got back on track at Philadelphia last weekend and is eager to prove it remains the AFC favorite.

Buffalo was the Chiefs’ top competition in the conference last season, and the Bills are out to prove they’re finally capable of beating the two-time AFC champions.

So many storylines: Through four games, both sides have been terrific on offense, and Buffalo’s defense is the NFL’s best rated. The Chiefs have added wide receiver, former NFL standout Josh Gordon, to their roster. And on and on it goes.

We discussed all of this on Friday’s SportsBeat Live stream with beat writers Herbie Teope and Sam McDowell and KC Star sports columnists Sam Mellinger and Vahe Gregorian. That conversation is presented here as today’s SportsBeat KC podcast.

Story links:

Ideally, here’s how Josh Gordon fits into Chiefs’ offense

Chiefs’ keys to victory vs. Bills, by Herbie Teope

Nick Bolton, Chiefs hope Willie Gay Jr., can help a defense that’s been a “little bleedy”

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Mizzou, K-State and Kansas could all use a conference-play do-over Oct 07, 2021

Show notes

The losing trends on the gridiron continue at Missouri, Kansas State and Kansas. Conference play hasn’t been good for any of them. The Wildcats gave great effort in falling to Oklahoma. The same cannot be said for Mizzou against Tennessee and KU against Iowa State.

College beat writers Lila Bromberg, Kellis Robinett, Jesse Newell and Gary Bedore break down the teams they cover —all three are 0-2 in conference play — as the midway point of the season approaches.

With basketball around the corner, the Jayhawks held their annual Late Night scrimmage last week. We hear why the top performer of the night wasn’t part of the action.

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“Kind of like fall camp again:” Eli Drinkwitz explains Missouri Tigers football changes

Here’s what stood out about Jayhawks basketball roster from Late Night

These issues have Chris Klieman’s attention as K-State works to improve shaky defense

Watch this KU student sink a three-pointer to win $5,000 from Bill Self

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Hear what USWNT’s Vlatko Andonovksi has to say about NWSL sex scandals Oct 06, 2021

Show notes

The world’s best women’s soccer league is enduring a crisis.

In a recent investigative report by The Athletic, players alleged that another former longtime coach, Paul Riley of the North Carolina Courage, used his power and influence to sexually harass players, and in one instance coerced a player into having sex with him. Riley was fired after the report was published.

The NWSL shut down all games last weekend and the league’s commissioner resigned. U.S. Women’s National Team coach Vlatko Andonovksi spoke about the scandal at Children’s Mercy Park on Tuesday and said he’s concerned about the future of the league. You’ll hear from him on this episode of The Star’s daily sports podcast, SportsBeat KC, along with soccer writer Shaun Goodwin.

We discuss plenty of other soccer topics as well, including the contract extension for Sporting KC captain Johnny Russell, the announcement that KC NWSL will play its home games at Children’s Mercy Park next year, and more.

Story links:

Amid crisis in women’s soccer: USWNT Coach Vlatko Andonovksi condemns breach of trust

KC NWSL Coach Hue WIlliams addresses NWSL scandal

USWNT Coach Vlatko Andonovksi on NWSL scandals: “I worry about the league that I love”

Sporting KC captain, 100 games played and a new contract. Johnny Russell is here to stay

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The season of Salvy and breaking down other Royals position players Oct 05, 2021

Show notes

Another Royals season is in the books. Their final record of 74-88 marks the most victories for the club since 2017, and their winning percentage falls in the top half for the franchise since 2000.

This season was dominated by one player, Salvador Perez. He became the first Royal to lead the American League in home runs and RBIs.

On today’s episode of SportsBeat KC, The Star’s daily sports podcast, beat writer Lynn Worthy breaks down the Royals’ position players, starting with their All-Star catcher.

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Here’s why Salvador Perez’s season was one of the best in MLB history

Bobby Witt Jr., picks up two minor-league player of the year awards

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Starting to get a little offensive about the Chiefs’ defense Oct 04, 2021

Show notes

There was plenty to celebrate with the Chiefs’ 42-30 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Andy Reid won his 100th game as the Chiefs’ head coach, Patrick Mahomes threw five touchdown passes, three to Tyreek HIll, and the Chiefs ended a two-game losing streak,

But oh, that defense. The Chiefs had to keep scoring because the Eagles did, too. The difference? Philly settled for three field goals.

The Chiefs’ defense consumed the bulk of our post-game conversation Sunday with Herbie Teope, Sam McDowell, Vahe Gregorian and Sam Mellinger — and you. The show started as a SportsBeat Live stream and is presented here as a SportsBeat KC podcast.

Story links:

Five things that stood out about the Eagles victory over the Chiefs

Chiefs grades: Good stuff happens when maximizing touchdowns, minimizing turnovers

Sam Mellinger: That was better but Chiefs effort won’t beat the best teams

What we learned as Chiefs beat Eagles 42-30

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Why this slow start is unlike the previous one for the Chiefs Oct 01, 2021

Show notes

Not to worry. This sluggish start for the Chiefs is nothing like the last one, six years ago. That season, the Chiefs started 1-5 before finding their rhythm all the way to their first playoff victory in more than two decades.

This team is better than that one was and gets a chance to prove it on Sunday in Philadelphia. The Star’s coverage team of Vahe Gregorian, Sam Mellinger, Sam McDowell and Herbie Teope tackles the issues facing the Chiefs, and also why Josh Gordon was a good signing as well as Andy Reid’s health scare from last weekend.

Today’s SportsBeat KC podcast show started as a SportsBeat Live stream and is now presented in audio form.

Story links:

Tyrann Mathieu identifies Chiefs’ defense biggest issue. At least it’s correctable

Here’s how Chiefs can avoid third straight loss

Chiefs scheme: This recent trend has been killing the Chiefs and it’s un-Andy Reid-like

Chiefs-Eagles prediction: What will it take to end losing streak?

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