A troubling opener for Wolves, big win for Wild and opportunities for Vikings and Gophers

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the World Series, which ended Wednesday after the Dodgers rallied for a 7-6 win over the Yankees. Mookie Betts keyed the win with a great hustle play, but the entire series was just a meeting between two high payroll teams in an inequitable system. 8:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their debate segment. Can the Vikings turn their season back around on Sunday? Does MLS need a different overtime format? And what if two games had gone differently for the Gophers football team? 27:00: The WNBA has a problem.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a huge night of live sports. The Timberwolves still can't beat the Mavericks, the Wild won in Marc-Andre Fleury's farewell game in Pittsburgh and Minnesota United earned a shootout victory in its playoff opener. After that, it's a flurry of guests: Randy Johnson on Gophers football, Chip Scoggins on a great high school tale, Chris Carr on high school sports coverage changes at the Star Tribune and Ben Goessling on big Vikings news.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a big Tuesday in Minnesota sports. The Wild and veteran goalie Marc-Andre Fleury get a chance to play Pittsburgh, while the Timberwolves face the Mavericks for the first time since the Western Conference Finals. 5:00: Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand to break down some concerning film. What's up with Jordan Addison? How can the Vikings replace Christian Darrisaw? And what happened to the pass rush against the Rams? 29:00: Jon Marthaler helps set up Minnesota United's best-of-three MLS playoff series. It could very well come down to penalty kicks against Real Salt Lake. 41:00: Are we headed for a World Series sweep?

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the big stories over the weekend. The Wolves, Reusse contends, haven't been very impressive in starting with a 2-1 record. More troubling is head coach Chris Finch sticking with a tight rotation that doesn't include any young players through three games. Plus it was a significant day for the Vikings even though they didn't play. Chicago lost on a last-second miracle and Packers QB Jordan Love exiting Green Bay's victory with a groin injury. And after some Gophers football praise, it was time to shine a little light on the Wild and Loons.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Vikings' second loss in a row after a 5-0 start, this time 30-20 to the Rams. The defense again allowed four touchdowns while the offense didn't run enough plays to get into a groove in the second half. A missed call on a facemask dashed any slim hope of a rally, but it was about No. 8 on the list of why the Vikings lost. 9:00: Phil Miller joins Rand for a breakdown of what should be a busy Twins offseason. Their ownership situation is in flux, their TV situation is new and their roster is uncertain. 30:00; The Wolves rallied for a nice win and the Wild kept rolling.

Host Michael Rand spends the bulk of the show with two guests, starting with Star Tribune Vikings writer Ben Goessling. As rumors spread that the Vikings were hoping to trade for Rams QB Matthew Stafford -- someone they will face tonight on Thursday Night Football -- Goessling dug into both the viability and the likelihood of such a move. Verdict: Zero chance, according his source, but that doesn't mean the Vikings won't look to add another piece before the trade deadline. 18:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly debate segment. They get into their level of concern after the Wolves' opener, a big game for Sam Darnold and how many wins it will take for the Gophers football program to call this a successful season. 37:00: A sweep for Gophers volleyball.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves' 110-103 loss to the Lakers, a lackluster affair from Minnesota that was troubling even if we keep it in perspective. Julius Randle put up decent numbers but was a clumsy fit in the first half. Mike Conley Jr. might have played his worst game in a Wolves uniform. It's just one of 82, but it was not a good one. 10:00: Randy Johnson joins the podcast to break down Big Ten football and set up a big game for the Gophers against Maryland on Saturday. 21:00: Six-man football? Chip Scoggins explains in his Football Across Minnesota feature. 28:00: The Wild keep rolling and the Vikings look to rebound.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand has one wish for Minnesota basketball fans: That they are able to enjoy a grievance-free Timberwolves season. If you are bitterly clinging to a call that didn't go the Wolves' way at the end of Game 2 against Dallas last year while simultaneously feeling grieved about the foul called against the Lynx on Sunday, some perspective might be helpful. 8:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand for a review of the film after the Vikings' first loss of the season. Minnesota made a lot of big plays but not enough little ones. Sam Darnold missed some throws and the defense was burned for touchdowns on four straight Detroit possessions. 30:00: Vikings poetry always soothes the soul. 44:00: The Wild are rolling, but the schedule gets tougher.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which for the most part was a Sunday full of heartbreak. The Lynx came within a few seconds of their fifth WNBA championship, but a missed layup by Napheesa Collier and a questionable sequence leading to game-tying free throws by New York led to an overtime win for the Liberty. Reusse dismisses the idea of complaining about the referees and instead says the Lynx should have won big had they made a few shots. The Vikings, meanwhile, lost on a last-second field goal to the Lions. It was another game where one play either on offense or defense would have turned the outcome. Minnesota is still 5-1, but the NFC North is suddenly up for grabs. Plus thoughts on the Wolves and Minnesota United.

Host Michael Rand gives his thoughts on the Vikings' 31-29 loss to Detroit which knocked Minnesota from the ranks of the unbeaten teams and sent the NFC North into chaos.