The Lead

Latest Episodes:

Starting Five: LSU Spoils Caitlin Clark's Coronation Apr 03, 2023

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Plus: KD shows why he makes the Suns the most dangerous team in the West. And a new spooky pitch has MLB hitters running in fear.

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The Keys To The Boston Bruins’ Unexpected Greatness Mar 31, 2023

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The Boston Bruins have been making history this season. After becoming the fastest team in NHL history to rack up 50 wins, they might soon break the record for total points in a season. But what makes their success so incredible is the fact that almost no one saw it coming -- in fact, many people predicted they would miss the playoffs. Today, we break down the keys to Boston's unexpected greatness.

Guest: Fluto Shinzawa, The Athletic

Read Fluto's full breakdown of the B's success here.

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5 Bold Predictions (And A Beer Rec) For The MLB Season Mar 29, 2023

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Major League Baseball Opening Day is Thursday, and the upcoming season begins with a lot of intriguing questions: Can the Astros repeat as World Series champs? What feats will we see from Shohei Ohtani (and Mike Trout) in Ohtani's final year before free agency? And, what does baseball’s wave of new rules mean for our experience watching the game? Today, the forecast for what 2023 could look like — with five bold predictions for the upcoming year.

Guest: Eno Sarris, The Athletic

Read the full story here

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Starting Five: A Final Four No One Expected Mar 27, 2023

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Plus: Iowa’s maestro guides the Hawkeyes to its first Final Four in 30 years. And the Seahawks bring in an old stalwart to solidify their defense.

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How The World Baseball Classic Became Must-See TV Mar 24, 2023

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The World Baseball Classic, a tournament that many fans once viewed as a bunch of meaningless exhibition games, captivated the world over the past two weeks and culminated with an epic showdown between the two best players in the game. Today, how the WBC went from an afterthought to the best thing to happen to baseball in ages.

Guest: Nick Groke, The Athletic

Read more of Nick's WBC coverage here.

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The NFL Draft’s Most Intriguing Prospect Mar 22, 2023

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With five weeks to go until the NFL Draft, there’s one player who’s arguably the most polarizing and intriguing prospect in the entire field: the dual threat quarterback out of the University of Florida, Anthony Richardson. Richardson wowed during his lone season as a full-time starter with the Gators, and at the NFL Combine, but the questions about how he’ll perform at the next level won’t go away. Today, we take a closer look at Richardson's tantalizing ceiling, and terrifying floor. Plus, the story of his not-too-distant past — as an aspiring firefighter.

Guest: Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic

Read the full story here

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Starting Five: ‘Mr. March’ Masterminds Another Upset Mar 20, 2023

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Plus: One of college basketball’s most storied programs misses the Sweet Sixteen for the first time in over a decade. And Trea Turner catches fire at the WBC.

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Strippers and Kidney Donors: A Sports Radio Icon's Complicated Legacy Mar 17, 2023

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Angelo Cataldi became Philadelphia's most popular sports radio personality by giving voice to the joys and frustrations of Philadelphia sports fans. And, along the way, he even saved a life or two -- literally. But his show was also criticized for being homophobic and misogynistic, and an event he founded, "Wing Bowl," eventually became a drunken public party that many Philadelphians despised. Today, we trace Cataldi's unlikely rise to radio stardom, and the complicated legacy he leaves behind.

Guest: John Gonzalez

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March Madness Preview: Beware Of The Wild West Mar 15, 2023

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The NCAA tournament is finally here, which means that for the next three weeks, our lives will be consumed by college basketball’s biggest stars, its most surprising teams, and — hopefully — a bunch of buzzer beaters along the way. Today, we break down the favorites, surprises and some of the biggest storylines to follow in the men’s NCAA tournament, including an incredibly daunting West Region featuring Kansas, UCLA, UConn and Gonzaga — and the controversy surrounding top overall seed Alabama.

Guest: Eamonn Brennan, The Athletic

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Starting Five: It’s ‘Sho-Time’ At The WBC Mar 13, 2023

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Plus: It’s time to fill out those office brackets after another Selection Sunday. And the Rams keep their ‘remodel’ going by sending a former-All Pro’s talents to South Beach.

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