Balls and Sticks: Recent Episodes
Balls and Sticks
The sports podcast with a side of good vibes, from a couple gals who are sick and tired of only hearing the male perspective on sports.
What's been happening lately with free agency (1:32), the restricted free agents (14:15), and trades (12:30). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!
Congratulations to the Blues on winning the Stanley Cup (0:26), recent free agency signings (2:11) and trades (7:25), recapping the draft (15:33) and the draftees' walkup songs (24:32). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!
The Stanley Cup Final (1:30), the Bruins-Barstool incident (4:15), Worlds wrap-up (9:05), what's happening at the combine (11:15), this summer's RFA class (21:42) and UFA class (27:34). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!
The carousel of hockey men continues (1:08), Blues-Sharks (4:33), Hurricanes-Bruins (10:40), Worlds preview (15:00), women's hockey (26:21). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!
Friends, we are so sorry for the minor audio quality issue during this episode!
Second round series (1:45), U18 Worlds (12:47), Men's Worlds (15:06), overall thoughts on playoffs (21:13). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!
Slava Voynov (1:12), new coaches (5:33), the AHL playoffs (7:22), women's Worlds (8:40), playoff beards (10:52), playoff suspensions (12:44), the playoff series in the East (15:34) and the West (26:46), our rookie of the week: Cale Makar (33:23). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!
The "championship belt" of arbitration (2:00), the end of the MLB-Cuba agreement (4:32), the decrease in Opening Day payrolls (6:06), previewing some teams in the AL (10:27) and the NL (20:37). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!
Fired coaches in Florida and Buffalo (1:10), mourning the playoffs without Connor McDavid (4:25), the rise in scoring across the league (7:23), the draft lottery (9:17), previewing the playoff series in the East (11:40) and the West (20:53). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!
The end of the CWHL (0:27), other league news (5:43), the playoff race (9:33), NCAA hockey (13:46), the race for the Calder trophy (18:47). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!
Meg's trip to Florida for Spring Training (0:49), Hannah's passionate defense of Mike Trout (3:11), the Japan Opening Series (5:27), the offseason's biggest signings and extensions (7:00), service time manipulation (18:03), upcoming rule changes (20:50), Hannah's hot takes (28:26). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!
Questionable ownership comments coming out of Edmonton (0:28) and Ottawa (5:10), the current state of the playoff race (7:38), our Rookie of the Week: Jordan Binnington (14:02), some thoughts on the Hart Trophy (17:45). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!
Our recent trip to Chicago (1:26), catching up with the Sabres and the Leafs (9:48), our thoughts on the Lightning (12:01), other teams in the playoff race (15:25), checking in on prospects and playoff hockey in other leagues (20:22). Follow @hburrito92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!
A full discussion of the trade deadline (0:47), some recent Department of Player Safety decisions (25:50), John Tortorella (28:45). Follow @hburry92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!
Rants and raves: Edmonton (2:25), Buffalo (12:10), Toronto (21:30), back to Buffalo (23:00), waiting for the trade deadline (24:15). Follow @hburry92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!
Randy Carlyle's firing (0:30), Auston Matthews' new contract (3:04), latest injuries and news (9:20), updates on top draft prospects (14:02), how the standings are looking (23:45). Follow @hburry92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!
Catching up with every team in the league: Pacific (1:13), Central (11:12), Metro (19:12), Atlantic (26:56), rookie of the week: Carter Hart (34:14). Follow @hburry92 and @meghanmhall on Twitter!
The female hockey players at the All-Star Game (3:21), more positive moments from the weekend (9:28), Peter Chiarelli's firing (14:45), some predictions for the second half (19:17), the top power play units from the first half (29:14). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!
The latest 2019 draft rankings (6:04), Dylan Strome and our rooting interests on the Hawks (10:30), the recent developments in Edmonton (16:43), modern cap management (26:00), the chances for a lockout in 2020 (33:00). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!
Rick Nash (0:40), Sergei Bobrovsky (1:50), the current status of the West (4:40) and the East (7:00), how the Islanders (9:13) and Canadiens (12:20) are finding success, Hannah's current attitude toward the Sabres (15:15), Meg's latest data on pulling goalies (19:35). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!
Wrapping up World Juniors (0:25), shaking our heads at Edmonton (4:04), Elias Pettersson's injury (7:35), the Sabres Skill Challenge and Leafs Next Gen game (8:50), ways to make the All-Star Game more fun (12:55), an update on the league standings (18:20), our Rookie of the Week: Miro Heiskanen (25:33). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!
The Tyler Seguin/Jamie Benn situation (0:55), how Dylan Strome's doing in Chicago (8:38), the All-Star Game captains (12:51), recent winning and losing streaks (19:53), World Juniors (22:55), our top five hockey moments of 2018 (25:54), team resolutions for 2019 (32:00). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!
Unfortunate situations with the Blues (0:25), the Sabres (3:50), and the Flyers (7:30), best hockey dogs on Instagram (10:16), individual goal songs (14:00), our top 10 teams (18:16), the increasing ice time for forwards (26:13), our bottom seven teams (29:15). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!
The NHL's 32nd team (0:35), teams that finally seem to be figuring it out (7:30), teams that are for some reason still hanging on (11:20), teams that are competing to #LoseforHughes (15:08), Buffalo and Toronto (19:08), the initial World Juniors rosters (26:18). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!
The Willy Nylander signing (1:32), the Strome trade (4:55), who's been bitten by the injury bug in the NHL (10:30), recent coach/GM firings (12:30), checking in on the division races (16:27), Hannah's reaction to Buffalo's winning streak (25:21), the Leafs' recent luck (28:38), an update on the Calder race (35:46). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!
Tom Wilson (0:45), two one-for-one trades (2:53), latest major injuries (4:06), stat of the week: expected goals (8:10), notes and thoughts on the Pacific (11:33), the Central (18:34), the Metro (21:14), the Atlantic (25:02), Hannah's rookie of the week: Rasmus Dahlin (33:10). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!
The situation in Ottawa (0:30), coach firings in LA and Chicago (2:49), hockey being disappointing (8:11), updates on the NHL concussion lawsuit (12:13), latest injuries (13:26), teams that have been trending up and down lately (15:12), Toronto and Buffalo news (30:48), prospect of the week: Ty Smith (34:27). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!
NHL headlines (0:30), the most intriguing teams in the Pacific (11:05), Central (15:37), Metro (19:50), Atlantic (23:41), Hannah's rookie of the week: Elias Pettersson (30:55). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!
Weed in the NHL (2:57), unionized athletes crossing the picket line in Boston (5:16), goalie equipment changes (7:30), John Tortorella's thoughts on how the game is changing (10:14), a brief run through the divisions and Hannah's hot take for who will win the Cup (16:45), rookie(s) of the week and the NHL-CHL agreement (31:17), when NHL teams are pulling their goalies (40:09), NWHL update (43:42). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!
Updates and injuries (0:33), initial thoughts from each division (7:06), Meg's prospects of the week: Jack Hughes and Cole Caufield (23:40), how scoring chances are defined (28:07). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!
Early indications that more players are actually showing their personalities this season (1:48), on-ice updates from around the league (8:00), Hannah's rookie/prospect of the week: Brady Tkachuk (17:08), data on when teams should and do pull their goalies (19:55), welcoming fans onto the Beauts bandwagon (24:20). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!
Previewing the NLCS between the Dodgers and the Brewers (1:07) and the ALCS between the Astros and the Red Sox (9:08). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!
The Tom Wilson suspension (1:48), Hannah's reaction to Captain Jack (6:34), Meg's thoughts on Nylander (8:26), early impactful injuries (15:02), goals galore (16:57), early season overreactions (20:19), the beginning of the NWHL season (26:42). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!
The tiebreakers and Wild Card games (0:54), our thoughts going into the ALDS as friends and rivals (7:28), ALDS preview: Meg makes the case for Cleveland (11:35) and Hannah does the same for the Astros (19:45). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!
The current state of the playoff picture (1:37), recent headlines in baseball (6:00), reasons why each team can win it all: the Red Sox (8:17), the Yankees (10:25), the A's (11:50), the Braves (15:30), the Cubs (17:30), the Brewers (18:56), the Dodgers (21:10), the Rockies (23:15). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!
Previewing the Atlantic: Detroit (0:37), Florida (3:55), Boston (5:20), Tampa (7:00), Montreal (8:04), Ottawa (9:07), Toronto (11:48), Buffalo (16:02). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!
Previewing the Metro: Washington (0:39), Pittsburgh (2:45), Philadelphia (6:30), Columbus (8:35), Carolina (11:15), New York Islanders (13:35), New Jersey (17:46), New York Rangers (19:43). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!
Previewing the Central: St. Louis (0:48), Chicago (2:45), Nashville (5:03), Colorado (7:21), Minnesota (8:45), Dallas (10:44), Winnipeg (12:30). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!
Previewing the Pacific: San Jose (1:15), Anaheim (4:00), Las Vegas (5:15), Arizona (6:58), Calgary (9:19), Edmonton (11:30), Los Angeles (14:48), Vancouver (16:20). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!
Samson Reinhart and the rest of the RFAs (1:15), the Max Domi-Aaron Ekblad fight (3:55), our trip to Toronto and Buffalo for two preseason games and our impressions after seeing the Sabres and the Leafs (7:56), an encounter with a terrible Leafs fan in Buffalo (14:41), our final takeaways (19:00). Follow Hannah and Meg on Twitter!
The division races (0:30), checking in on Trevor Bauer and Aaron Judge (7:07), the AL Cy Young race (9:13), Mike Trout's possible contract extension (16:30), a bunch of weird stories from around the league (20:38). Follow us on Twitter!
All the hockey headlines from around the league, including Erik Karlsson (1:00), Tyler Seguin (3:08), Austin Watson (4:08), Robin Lenher (7:05), new captains (10:25), RFA signings (11:46) and the biggest question facing each team in the Eastern Conference (13:09). Follow us on Twitter and see the associated blog post here!
The issue of service time (3:00), latest news in the AL (6:11), division races in the NL (11:45), important elbow-related news (14:09), fun statistical updates on the Astros' pitching staff and Mike Trout and Jacob deGrom (16:12), our hot take of the week (22:32). Follow us on Twitter!
The Max Pacioretty trade (1:00), Nate Schmidt's suspension (6:03), Blake Wheeler's extension (8:12), Noah Hanifin's contract (10:00), the biggest question facing each team in the Western Conference (11:26), early career progression (27:42). Follow us on Twitter and see the associated blog post here!
Our thoughts on fan policing and bandwagon fans (0:58), our experiences as as female sports fans (9:11), the role of suffering and hope in sports (16:30). Follow us on Twitter and see the associated blog post here!
Sixty seconds per NHL team: reasons to be pessimistic about last year's playoff teams (1:10) and reasons to be optimistic about teams that missed the playoffs (16:10). Follow us on Twitter!
How the August 31 deadline works (0:20), the AL East and Central (4:45), the AL West (7:18), the National League (9:25), our case for Jacob deGrom (10:45), why we love Players' Weekend (14:50), our stat of the week: pitch framing (19:45). Follow us on Twitter and follow us on Instagram!
KarlssonWatch is back (1:05), our picks for next year's breakout players (3:53): Andreas Johnsson (4:30), Casey Mittelstadt (5:15), Dylan Strome (5:45), Travis Konecny (8:19), Alex Galchenyuk (10:08), Ty Rattie (11:52), Jordan Eberle (12:52), more on Mittelstadt because we just can't resist (14:22), our excitement over the season starting (16:11), more power play analysis (17:20). See this episode's associated blog post here, follow us on Twitter, and follow us on Instagram!
The Acuña/Ureña situation (0:32), the best thing on baseball Twitter last week (3:07), the ever-tightening battle in the AL West (5:00) and the rest of the division races (7:23), the update everyone's been waiting for on Mike Trout (9:10), why advanced stats belong in TV broadcasts (9:35), our heartwarming stories of the week (11:37), did you know Meg likes cycling? (15:23).
The losers (2:18) and winners (10:40) of the offseason (featuring Vancouver, Washington, Ottawa, Montreal, Edmonton, New York, Buffalo, Toronto, and St. Louis), an analysis of last year’s top power play units (15:28). See this episode's associated blog post here, follow us on Twitter, and follow us on Instagram!
Cleveland's need for a new team name (0:30), our stance on bat flips (5:06), an update on all the injuries plaguing baseball and the state of the division races (7:05), our stat of the week: the slash line (19:30). Follow us on Twitter and follow us on Instagram!
Meg's hockey-heavy weekend (0:32), an update on the recent NHL headlines (3:53), incoming rookies who could compete for the 2019 Calder (9:50), a debate over which of last year's rookies will score the most points next year (24:04). See this episode's associated blog post here, follow us on Twitter, and follow us on Instagram!
Why we need hockey season to start ASAP (0:22), the result of William Karlsson's arbitration hearing and how other teams might follow the "Vegas model" (5:06), recent signings of John Gibson and Mark Stone (11:30), the crop of unsigned RFAs (16:00), Hannah's reaction to the Jeff Skinner trade (21:23). Follow us on Twitter and follow us on Instagram!
Jim Thome's HOF induction (1:30), Meg's reaction to the Osuna trade (3:34), LeBron James' new school (10:15), recent success from Bryce Harper (14:15) and the Red Sox (16:30) and the Oakland A's (18:35), recent impactful injuries (20:05), how Collin McHugh has put together such a successful season as a reliever (22:52) with our stat of the week: BABIP (27:03). See this episode's associated blog post here, follow us on Twitter, and follow us on Instagram!
Recent free agency updates (1:10), selecting a 2018 version of Team North America (6:45): defensemen (8:32), forwards (10:16), our indulgent picks (15:16), and goalies (18:14). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod and follow us on Instagram @ballsandstickspod!
An update on the divisional races and recent trades (2:01), Mike Trout and Rob Manfred's comments (6:25), declining attendance in baseball (11:50), the new trend of position players pitching (20:23), Meg says something nice about the A's (22:18), our heartwarming story of the week (24:21). See this episode's associated blog post here, follow us on Twitter, and follow us on Instagram!
The trade that bolstered Cleveland's bullpen (1:21), the rapid rise in popularity of the shift (3:30), the arguments for and against the shift (5:50), how hitters are (or aren't) adjusting to the shift (7:09), is the shift on its way to being outlawed? (11:53), our stat of the week: ultimate zone rating (18:56). See this episode's associated blog post here, follow us on Twitter, and follow us on Instagram!
The (lack of) NHL offseason headlines (0:30), our differing opinions on fighting in the NHL (2:24), the decline of the enforcer (5:34), what the old guard thinks of fighting (9:30), the downsides of "hits" as a statistic but how we can use it anyway (11:16). See this episode's associated blog post here, follow us on Twitter, and follow us on Instagram!
Our favorite moments from the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game (0:46), Josh Hader (5:42), where things stand in the NL (8:25) and the AL (15:14), the strangest walk-off of the year (29:22), our current MVP and Cy Young predictions (31:23), stat of the week: weighted runs created (34:01). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod and on Instagram @ballsandstickspod!
Recent goalie signings (2:40), how Kucherov's extension might affect #KarlssonWatch (7:01), updates on the unsigned restricted free agents (10:35), other players and teams who could be on the move (15:35), the strange situations with Panarin (17:55) and Pacioretty (21:42), Hannah's primer on women's hockey (26:55) and our thoughts on if there will ever be a woman in the NHL (37:38), our heartwarming story of the week (42:25). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod and on Instagram @ballsandstickspod!
Offseason updates (0:55), Meg's grievances with how people talk about captains in the NHL (4:30), current captainless teams in the league (10:26) including the Sabres (13:28) and the Leafs (19:08). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod and on Instagram @ballsandstickspod!
The All-Star Game selections (1:15) and snubs (10:05), the headlines in the NL (18:30), the status of the AL division races (24:19), our stat of the week: wOBA (35:20). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod and on Instagram @ballsandstickspod!
Our quick recap of the NL (0:28), the most interesting team in the AL East: the Rays (5:40), new baseball darling Willians Astudillo (9:14), Hannah's update on the Tribe and her mixed feelings on Trevor Bauer (10:15), Meg's update on the Astros (12:50), the Mariners and their pythagorean win-loss record (16:23), Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout (20:10), a recap of our minor league road trip featuring Tim Tebow (22:14). Follow us on Instagram @ballsandstickspod and on Twitter @ballsnstickspod!
Meg's euphoria over the John Tavares signing (0:50), Carter Hutton going to Buffalo (7:52), what's happening in Vancouver? (10:00), St. Louis making moves (13:40), Hannah's #GiveJackTheC campaign (18:20), other headlines from the opening of free agency (20:15), the drama of offer sheets (25:10). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod and Instagram @ballsandstickspod!
The recent rash of injuries in baseball (0:30), the state of the MLB division races (2:55), the unbelievable season Mike Trout is having (9:35), Bryce Harper’s slump (15:00), the NHL Draft (22:05), the trades that have happened so far this offseason (36:05), where we think John Tavares will end up (47:40), Samson Reinhart’s contract situation (55:50), the Toronto Marlies winning the Calder Cup (61:30), the World Cup (63:40). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod!
Our end-of-season all-hockey special: picks and predictions for the NHL Awards (1:00) including the emergence of our new Connor McDavid feud (2:20), the NHL Draft and Hannah's excitement over the Sabres picking first (23:48), the results of own own mock draft of current American players (30:30). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod!
Washington's celebrations with the Stanley Cup (1:15), our favorite moments of the NHL playoffs (3:30), updates on the Tribe (10:20) and the Astros (13:15), the state of the AL division races (17:10), Shohei Ohtani's injury (23:00), happenings in the NL and the resurgent Rockies (27:53), our stat of the week and our arguments for the designated hitter (34:15), Hannah says something nice about Steve Kerr and mourns the end of the Cavaliers' season (40:55). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod!
Hannah's trip to the Trop to see the Rays use their "opener" (0:40), updates on the Astros (4:50) and the Tribe (6:15) and the rest of MLB (8:24), a quick explanation on ERA and its drawbacks as a statistic (11:30), our thoughts after the first three games of the Stanley Cup Final (15:08), the Toronto Marlies' performance in the Calder Cup and why that's a good sign for the Leafs (24:14), what is a Marlie anyway? (26:40), Hannah's emotional struggle with the Cavs against the Warriors in the NBA Finals (30:30), nice things we made ourselves say about Steph Curry and Tom Wilson (36:50). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod!
Our Stanley Cup Final preview pod: why we're excited about this matchup (1:50), senior superlatives for the Golden Knights (3:30), the divisiveness of Tom Wilson (9:15), Win Lose or Draw for Vegas (14:00) and Washington (18:15), the juicy "sports narratives" of this series (21:55), our official podcast prediction for who will win the Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe (24:10), nice things we made ourselves say about Braden Holtby and Andre Burakovsky and Alex Ovechkin (27:30). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod!
How we decided to root for Vegas over Winnipeg (1:13), our sports fandom philosophy (3:30), our new favorite player Jonathan Marchessault (4:40), our thoughts on the Tampa-Washington series (7:34), Brett Connolly and the story of the puck girl (10:20), how we'd rank the final four teams by the attractiveness of their players (14:20), the Astros vs. Tribe series (16:33), the feud between Trevor "Tyler" Bauer and the Astros pitching staff (20:10), the current statistical leaders in baseball (24:13), the resurgence of Bartolo Colon and the surprising success of the Braves (26:40), the current status of the NBA finals (30:34), our hatred of certain commercials in the Stanley Cup Playoffs (32:40), nice things we made ourselves say about Connor McDavid and Brad Marchand (34:44), beware loud anguished noises (35:30). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod!
Why we decided to start this podcast (1:00), our fandom origin stories for both baseball (1:50) and hockey (6:25), the joy of winning a championship after tanking (7:45), the current state of the Tribe (8:35) and the Astros (10:45), our initial thoughts on the Stanley Cup playoffs (13:58), the pluses and minuses of rooting for Vegas (16:28), Patrik Laine's beard and the rest of the Jets (19:00), a detour to discuss Hannah's love of Canada (19:27), Winnipeg's impressive yet terrifying whiteouts (20:27), our favorite playoff beards of the season (21:08), our playoff predictions (23:04), advocating for NHL naptime (25:38), Jacob Trouba's delightful dog (26:05), our rooting interests in the NBA playoffs (26:43), nice things we made ourselves say about Aaron Judge and Laine (30:53). Follow us on Twitter @ballsnstickspod!