Zolak & Bertrand

Latest Episodes:

Red Sox Complete 4-Game Sweep Over Baltimore // Watering Down The NFL // Labor Day Overrated? - 9/7 (Hour 2) Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

(00:00) Tim McKone and Matt McCarthy react to the Red Sox 4-Game sweep over the Baltimore Orioles over the weekend. The guys offer their biggest takeaways from the weekend.
(11:15) McKone and McCarthy pay tribute to the late Dolly Parton. They pivot to some College Football talk from over the weekend. Are sports in general too watered down?
(28:23) Is the NFL becoming too watered down? McCarthy continues to make his case. Callers weigh in.
(37:00) McKone and McCarthy breakdown the significance of Labor Day. After deliberation, Labor Day is clearly overrated as a holiday.

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The Likelihood Vrabel-Russini News Breaks Before Kickoff // Are You Surprised Gonzalez Hasn’t Been Extended Yet? // Mike Vrabel Press Conference - 9/7 (Hour 1) Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

(00:00) Tim McKone and Matt McCarthy begin this fine program on a Labor Day with speculation surrounding Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini story. With Opening Kickoff looming Wednesday night,
(11:38) McKone and McCarthy give their opinions on the Christian Gonzalez contract impasse
(17:05) Mike Vrabel Press Conference LIVE. The guys continue to react to the Gonzalez situation. Are the Patriots taking advantage of Gonzalez? Is Robert Kraft willing to pay Gonzalez top of the market value?
(35:31) More discussion on the Gonzalez situation. McCarthy thinks Gonzalez hasn’t tried the holdout approach as of yet to apply more pressure on the Patriots.

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Massachusetts Border Wars // Who Makes The Red Sox Playoff Roster? // Today's Takeaways - 9/4 (Hour 4) Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

(00:00) Joe Murray and Matt McCarthy - in for Zolak & Bertrand - field calls on everything mentioned in the show. McCarthy continues to set the boundaries for the Cape, excluding Wareham. Murray recalls setting his own boundaries between Dedham and Hyde Park.
(17:46) McCarthy confirms he is not related to Felger. Murray poses a "Would You Rather?". They settle on projecting who makes the initial 26-man playoff roster for the Red Sox.
(27:05) A caller gets Joe Murray to yell at him. The guys discuss Payton Pritchard's role on the 2026-27 Celtics. Murray has a take on ownership in the NBA relating to the new Celtics ownership.
(35:49) Today’s Takeaways

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Does UNC Regret Hiring Belichick? // Belichick’s Fall From Grace // The Beginning of Cape Cod Debate - 9/4 (Hour 3) Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

(00:00) Joe Murray and Matt McCarthy get into the UNC investigations, following an impressive victory overseas in their season opener. Is Bill Belichick on the hot seat? Is UNC attempting to build a case against Belichick to get out of the contract?
(16:23) Murray and McCarthy go to the callers. The guys continue to harp on the Belichick-UNC dysfunction. McCarthy equates Bill Belichick to Rick Pitino minus the college success.
(28:16) The guys go to a loaded phone lines. Calls range from everything discussed on Belichick, Red Sox and Patriots concerns and a debate about the beginning of Cape Cod.

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Rutschman Steps Up in Return to Baltimore // Fallout From Yankees Series Loss // Projecting The Red Sox Playoff Roster - 9/4 (Hour 2) Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

(00:00) Joe Murray and Matt McCarthy recap the Red Sox series opening win against the Orioles. McCarthy stands by and defends the Adley Rutschman trade.
(11:50) Murray and McCarthy discuss the fallout from the Red Sox losing 3 out of 4 to the Yankees, and ultimately the season series. Should fans be worried about the Red Sox heading into the postseason?
(22:43) Jonathan Papelbon thinks Ranger Suarez should be left off the playoff rotation. The guys react and offer their opinions on the rotation and their biggest concerns with the lineup.

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Albert Breer Joins The Show // Is There Urgency To Get Gonzalez Extension Done Before Week 1? // Chances Gonzalez Plays Week 1 - 9/4 (Hour 1) Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

(00:00) Joe Murray and Matt McCarthy - in for Zolak & Bertrand - are joined by Albert Breer, Sr. NFL Reporter for the MMQB for the first hour of the show. How does the Christian Gonzalez contract dispute get resolved? Plus, initial reaction to Beetle’s alma mater getting an upset victory over Rutgers to open the UMass football season.
(12:22) Murray, McCarthy and Breer continue the discussion on Christian Gonzalez and his looming contract extension. Is there any urgency to get the extension done before Week 1? Does the Gonzalez sour negotiation impact Drake Maye’s extension talks next year?
(26:16) The panel reacts to Stephon Gilmore comments made on yesterday’s program pertaining to the Gonzalez situation. Are you surprised that Gonzalez hasn’t escalated his dissatisfaction to holdout status?
(34:29) The guys deliberate over who is going to be the Kings of the AFC East: New England or Buffalo? Final segment with Bert Breer as they discuss all things Patriots heading into the NFL Season.

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Reaction to Mike Vrabel press conference // Your phone calls // Today’s Takeaway - 9/3 (Hour 4) Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

(00:00) Zolak and Bertrand, with Joe Murray filling in, react to Mike Vrabel’s press conference.
(08:57) We take your phone calls on everything we’ve discussed so far.
(23:04) Today’s takeaway.

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Stephon Gilmore joins the show // Christian Gonzalez contract talk // Chris Tierney calls in - 9/3 (Hour 3) Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

(00:00) Zolak and Bertrand, with Joe Murray filling in for Beetle, rehash their Christian Gonzalez thoughts.
(12:47) Stephon Gilmore joins the show to touch on the Christian Gonzalez situation.
(25:58) The crew welcomes Revolution player Chris Tierney.
(33:58) This or that!

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Phil Perry joins the show // Christian Gonzalez contract situation // Week 1 at Seattle preview - 9/3 (Hour 2) Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

(00:00) Zolak and Bertrand, with Joe Murray filling in for Beetle, welcome NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry to the show.
(10:59) We look ahead to the Patriots’ Week 1 matchup at Seattle.
(21:49) The crew takes your wonderful phone calls with Reiss.
(28:30) Hour No. 2 wraps up with Perry’s final thoughts before Week 1.

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Red Sox lose series vs Mariners // Dianna Russini Investigation // Success for Patriots in 2026? - 9/3 (Hour 1) Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

(0:00) Zolak and Bertrand, with Joe Murray filling in for Beetle, react to the Red Sox losing their series to the Mariners.
(9:13) We react to The Athletic publishing its investigation about Dianna Russini’s ethics.
(20:50) The crew shares what a successful season for the Patriots would look like.
(32:43) The first hour concludes with a discussion about rock songs.

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