Biggest reasons for Vikings concern and optimism; Twins bullpen meltdowns

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, an episode that naturally begins with the Vikings' 22-6 loss to the Falcons. Minnesota was dominated from start to finish, and an offense led by second-year QB J.J. McCarthy has a lot of work to do. Plus the Lynx rolled in Game 1 of the playoffs, the Gophers football team had its own disappointing loss and the Twins get a token mention at the end.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Lynx, who ended a dominant regular season in near-perfect fashion. The beat Golden State by 19 to set up a playoff rematch after going 4-0 vs. the Valkyries this year. Napheesa Collier hit a statistical milestone that should cement her MVP case. 9:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins for the weekly debate segment, focusing on the Kirill Kaprizov contract situation and the QB pecking order among 2024 NFL draft picks. 27:00: Green Bay looks good; get ready to stay up late for football.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a report Wednesday that Kirill Kaprizov turned down an eight-year, $128 million contract extension offer from the Wild that would have been the richest deal in NHL history. How much of that is just negotiations, and where does this leave the Wild and their franchise player? 10:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand for a review of the film from Monday's 27-24 win over the Bears. How did the Bears stop J.J. McCarthy early, how did he adjust, and what should we think about the Vikings' defense? 33:00: An interestingly big game for the Lynx tonight.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a reminder that the Twins have a loaded farm system, at least according to minor league rankings. Their best prospect, outfielder Walker Jenkins, is already at Class AAA St. Paul at age 20 and spoke to reporters on Tuesday. The Twins and Lynx lost, but we don't need to worry about that for different reasons. 8:00: Randy Johnson joins to talk Gophers football ahead of the schedule stiffening with a trip to Cal. 22:00: Award-winning Vikings poetry is back. 36:00: How to feel about J.J. McCarthy and a big stretch for Minnesota United.

Introduction: After spending most of Monday night's postgame podcast talking about J.J. McCarthy and his ability to lead the Vikings back to a 27-24 win, host Michael Rand tries to get into a lot of non-QB topics at the start of Tuesday's show. Among them: injury concerns, special team standouts and Jordan Mason's ability. 15:00: Star Tribune Twins writer Phil Miller joins Rand to discuss his recent interview with pitcher Joe Ryan, who lamented that the Twins didn't re-sign Sonny Gray two offseasons ago. How did the conversation come about, and what does it say about the future of Ryan and the Twins? 31:00: J.J. McCarthy had a happy homecoming, and so did Royce Lewis.

Host Michael Rand breaks down the Vikings' 27-24 win over the Bears immediately after the game Monday night.

Star Tribune Vikings writer Ben Goessling joins host Michael Rand for a deep preview of the Vikings' opener Monday night against the Bears. What will the Vikings defense do without Harrison Smith? Should we expect more from the run game? How will J.J. McCarthy look? And how has McCarthy's life prepared him for this moment? 33:00: Sam Pepper, executive producer of the "ManningCast," joins Rand to talk about what goes into the alternate Monday night broadcast. Plus a special guest on Monday's opener, Randy Moss, that you won't want to miss.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand went to bed with the Twins up 7-4 after six innings Thursday night and had one thought: I wonder how they are going to blow this one? Turns out a variety of factors led to their demise again in an 11-8 loss. Plus the Lynx lost to the Aces, who are the hottest team in the WNBA right now. 10:00: Chip Scoggins joins Rand to talk Vikings and Gophers football. In focus: The three players on offense and defense who mean the most to the Vikings, and the increase in talent with the Gophers. 36:00: The NFL season has begun.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with another Twins bullpen meltdown, which has told a lot of the story of their post-deadline swoon. Guess that is what happens when you trade away your five best relief pitchers. 7:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for a Vikings and NFL focused debate segment. What are the biggest reasons to be optimistic and pessimistic about the Vikings? 30:00: J.J. McCarthy and the odds.

Host Michael Rand starts with a bleak night during a bleak stretch for the Twins. They had a pitifully small crowd at Target Field. The woeful White Sox drubbed them 12-3. David Festa was shut down for the year. And 90 losses grows more likely every day. 10:00: Are the Vikings headed for a regression? 15:00: Randy Johnson on Gophers football. 29:00: A big-time recruit for Gophers women's basketball.