StribSports Daily Delivery

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.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the long weekend in sports. As we wait unnecessarily one more week for a Vikings game, at least we have Bill Belichick to laugh at. Plus the Twins bullpen predictably loses another game and the Gophers are getting ready for their second game.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with two big opening night college football wins. The Gophers handled Buffalo 23-10, with QB Drake Lindsey looking the part. And St. Thomas won 35-13 over a team to which it lost 64-0 a year ago. Plus a blockbuster NFL trade involving the Packers. 15:00: Strib Varsity's Joe Christensen joins Rand to talk more about his recent story on Moorhead athletics. 26:00: The Lynx let one get away.

Introduction: It's been a heavy last couple of days, and it still feels a little weird to talk about sports. 4:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins host Michael Rand for the Daily Delivery debate. In focus: the Adam Thielen trade, Twins in a cornfield and expectations for the Gophers football team. 23:00: What might be next for the Vikings, the Twins' starting pitching has been bad lately and are the Lynx getting a playoff preview in their game tonight?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with breaking news Wednesday morning that the Vikings have acquired Adam Thielen from the Panthers. It's a reunion for the two sides. Thielen figures to add experience and dependability to a team that needed it. 7:00: Three Lynx players joined Rand out at the Minnesota State Fair, and a good time was had by all. 19:00: Randy Johnson joins Rand to break down the Gophers football season. 33:00: The Twins won in dramatic fashion, with Mickey Gasper as one of the unlikely heroes.

Ben Goessling joined Michael Rand on Tuesday shorty before 3 p.m., and they took a bunch of listener questions and then talked through Vikings roster cuts when they were announced.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins, who were blown out again while Joe Ryan struggled again. It has to be hard to get up for games down the stretch of a lost season. With the way the Twins are playing, though, should we expect more of the same next year? 7:00: Andrew Krammer joins Rand for a breakdown of the Vikings' quarterback reshuffling and a look ahead to moves they will make to get their roster down to 53 players on Tuesday. 28:00: One position has been solved: punter.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included a shakeup at backup quarterback for the Vikings. They traded shaky option Sam Howell to the Eagles and signed veteran Carson Wentz. Will they now trade for a wide receiver? Be ready for whatever happens, Reusse said, because decisionmakers will always lie about their intentions. Plus inauspicious Twins debuts for Mick Abel and Taj Bradley, two of the young pitchers acquired at the trade deadline. And a strong return from Napheesa Collier of the Lynx.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a frustrated Twins fan who wants to see a Twins prospect added to the major league roster. It's all about the young players now, and maybe we will see some of their recently acquired pitchers this weekend. Plus the Vikings have a backup QB quandary. How important is it? 10:00: Jon Marthaler joins Rand to break down Minnesota United's various additions during this MLS transfer window. Where is the club positioned now, and who might they still lose to other leagues? 33:00: The Lynx lost, but I'm not sweating it.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the week's most surprising news, with the Vikings trading veteran starter Harrison Phillips to the Jets for a pair of sixth-round picks. It's the kind of move that only makes some sense in retrospect, with the Vikings having a logjam on the defensive line and perhaps wanting cap space to upgrade other positions like wide receiver. 7:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for the Daily Delivery Debate. In focus: The best path forward for the Twins, the biggest key to future success for the Wolves and what makes a rivalry. 30:00: A personal knuckleball story.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the three ways things could go for the Twins in 2026. All of them involve scenarios that have an element of wishing to them. 10:00: Chip Scoggins joins Rand to break down the Gophers football team and its chances in 2025. 34:00: Don't assume the Lynx are on a collision course with the Liberty in the WNBA Finals.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a sad anniversary of sorts for the Twins, which nobody celebrated on Monday. That marked one year since their loss to the Rangers that started a one-year slide that left them grasping for answers as to what went wrong. 10:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Ben Goessling joins Rand to dive into some big questions about quarterbacks and wide receivers. 40:00: Max Brosmer's perspective and the Lynx running away with things.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joined host Michael Rand for a look back on the weekend in sports. The Twins won Sunday after losing three straight to Detroit as we approach the dog days of a lost season. Will there be any shakeups after the year now that we know the Pohlad family is keeping the team? The Vikings' backup QB situation is a mess, which is good for former Gophers QB Max Brosmer. He has a real chance to make the team. Plus the Lynx keep on winning without Napheesa Collier.

Introduction: In a jam-packed show, host Michael Rand starts with Division III golfer Jimmy Abdo, who has advanced to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Amateur. Ranked No. 4,292 in the amateur golf rankings, Abdo is doing Gustavus proud. He plays in his quarterfinal match Friday. Plus J.J. McCarthy had his best day of camp and the Twins lost a frustrating one to the Tigers. 12:00: Strib Varsity reporter Jim Paulsen joins Rand to break down his latest project, ranking the top 25 Minnesota high school athletes of the last 25 years. 30:00: An opening loss for Gophers soccer and the NBA schedule is out.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with his observations after watching Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy during joint practices Wednesday with the Patriots. His main takeaway: the thing we want to know about McCarthy the most is a thing we cannot know yet. 8:00: Rand begins his project with the Gophers soccer team. Mariah Nguyen is his guest as the Gophers prepare to open their season Thursday vs. BYU. 30:00: It's going to get worse for the Twins before it gets better.

Phil Miller and Michael Rand break down Wednesday's surprising news.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Vikings pass-catching group, which seems rather thin to start the season. It led him to a conclusion: This needs to be a much bigger year for T.J. Hockenson than 2024 was for the Vikings tight end. Plus the Twins got creamed in New York, Part Infinity. 10:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for a debate about missed Twins opportunities, Wild offseason priorities and J.J. McCarthy. 31:00: A new home for high school sports.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand looks at the Star Tribune's recent story on declining Target Field attendance and picks out three moments that really cost the Twins. The Yankees, of course, have played a role in their misery -- and continued to do so on Monday. 12:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Emily Leiker joins Rand to talk about all the big moments from Saturday's preseason opener and to set up a big week ahead for quarterback J.J. McCarthy. 31:00: A very veteran addition for the Wild?

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joined host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. The Twins took two of three from the Royals in their first home series since trading 10 MLB players. They are starting to win back some fans, it seems, with a younger roster led by Luke Keaschall. The 22-year-old rookie hit a walk-off homer to win Sunday's game.. Meanwhile, J.J. McCarthy had an effective but not spectacular series Saturday in a preseason win over the Texans.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a look at the 10 traded former Twins players. How have they fared in their first week with their new teams since the trade deadline? Plus a good listener question about minimum payrolls in MLB. 9:00: Star Tribune intern Shelby Swanson joins Rand to dissect all the latest Lynx news, including the injury to Napheesa Collier and the addition of DiJonai Carrington. 34:00: Some tough injury news for an ex-Gophers football player.

Introduction: The Vikings arrived at a clear choice in 2025 with their QB pecking order. It's second-year player J.J. McCarthy's team. But they had other options at various points. How are Daniel Jones, Aaron Rodgers and others faring in training camp so far? Plus Twins fans are intrigued by their new-look team. 11:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly debate segment. In focus: Will the Twins make more pitching trades this offseason? How will the Vikings fare without Jordan Addison? And is there a silver lining with the Napheesa Collier trade? 31:00: The Twins were right about Jorge Alcala. And the Wolves' preseason schedule is out.

Host Michael Rand starts with Luke Keaschall's dramatic return to the Twins' lineup, DiJonai Carrington's strong debut in a Lynx victory and the long-awaited three-game suspension for Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison. 9:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand to talk about a big 10-day stretch coming up for J.J. McCarthy, the dominance of the Vikings' defense and the need to beef up depth at wide receiver. 28:00: A big sports media deal.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Vikings' plan for QB J.J. McCarthy in the preseason. Rand urges you to watch what the Vikings do more than listen to what they say. Plus an injury update on Lynx star Napheesa Collier. 10:00: Star Tribune Twins writer Bobby Nightengale joins Rand to dissect some of the biggest post-deadline questions. Namely: What is the mindset of the current team and how might any of this affect the sale of the Twins? 33:00: Another Cullen is joining the Gophers men's hockey team.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the big stories in sports. It's their first show together since the Twins traded away 10 players at the deadline, a move that will have reverberations on the franchise for years to come. Plus a big Lynx trade, but perhaps not the one we wer expecting.

Host Michael Rand starts with grades for each Twins move and an overall mark as well from a shocking trade deadline. Later, he welcomes in La Velle E. Neal III for a dissection of some of the biggest moves, including Carlos Correa.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with thoughts on J.J. McCarthy and Kevin O'Connell, who sound a lot like each other when breaking down the Vikings' offense. That's not a bad thing at all. Plus a good win for the Lynx over New York. 10:00: Phil Miller joins Rand to break down a very strange and newsy day for the Twins. They confused one player. They enraged another. And then they traded their star closer. That about sums it up in a season that has gone off the rails. 33:00: A Leagues Cup win for Minnesota United.

Introduction: The Twins' trade deadline chatter featured a curveball as reports have emerged that Houston is considering trying to trade for shortstop Carlos Correa. What would that look like for the Twins and Correa, who has a no-trade clause in the six-year, $200 million deal he signed before 2023? 8:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand to break down what he has seen so far at Vikings camp. Plus some talk about the Twins' long-term plan. 27:00: Lynx vs. Liberty was a great but controversial WNBA Finals last year. Those same teams will play four times in the next few weeks.

Introduction: On a Twins-heavy show, host Michael Rand starts with Monday's dramatic walk-off win after a thunderstorm, which was preceded by the first pre-deadline trade by the Twins. They sent out Chris Paddack and Randy Dobnak, undoing two of the more regrettable moves of the Derek Falvey regime. 10:00: Bobby Nightengale joins Rand to break down the Twins' big picture outlook. Why did this season go off the rails? Look at player development first, Nightengale says. And who else might be traded before Thursday's deadline? 31:00: The pads are popping at Vikings camp and the Gophers got a goalie recruit.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, starting with another disappointing series for the Twins. They're 50-55 after losing two of three to the last-place Nationals, and it's enough to ask where the big plan went off the rails. Plus Reusse and Rand get into the 3M Open, Vikings training camp and the Lynx while offering a send-off for departing colleague Jerry Zgoda.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins and a general ambivalence toward what they should do at the trade deadline. Plus a new wrinkle in the college sports pay-for-play discussion. 8:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Ben Goessling joins Rand to break down what we have seen so far at training camp. What are some of the best positional battles? Are the Vikings being underrated? And just how much is on J.J. McCarthy's shoulders? 36:00: Closing thoughts on the Vikings.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a rough Twins loss. After rallying to take the lead on the Dodgers, Minnesota needed just one more strike to win. But instead, a series of events led to a 4-3 loss that oddly calcified how Rand thinks of them this season. 8:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins the show for the weekly debate segment. 26:00: J.J. McCarthy's leadership and big money in the NFL.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Vikings, who open training camp Wednesday coming off a 14-3 season and a productive offseason. One NFL pundit even says the Vikings have the very best front seven in the NFL. That plus an upgraded offensive line should make Minnesota feel a lot better about life in the trenches this season. 10:00: Star Tribune Gophers football writer Randy Johnson joins Rand from Las Vegas to preview the upcoming season and set up all the changes ahead in college football. 22:00: The Twins got it done, strangely, with the bases loaded. And the Lynx won, too, thanks in part to a Diamond Miller free throw binge.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a 5-2 Twins loss that had plenty of interesting subplots early and late. But the sum of the nine innings reinforced what we have learned through 100 games this season: The Twins just aren't good enough this year. 8:00: Star Tribune summer sports intern Shelby Swanson joins Rand to break down all the big Lynx storylines. They're 20-4 coming out of the All-Star break, and they are dominating headlines. Will that all add up to a championship? 43:00: Old Twins friend Rich Hill is still at it.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included an embarrassing series for the Twins at the hopeless Rockies. After Minnesota won just one of three games, their path forward this season is clear. And Reusse questions whether the people making decisions for the Twins are all that smart. Plus a look ahead to Vikings training camp. Spoiler alert: Reusse thinks the Vikings will be pretty good, but he still misses Mankato. And golf will soon take over the Twin Cities.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the large contingent of Cubs fans at Target Field, the Twins' predictable Thursday loss and a great Twins broadcast experiment. Plus the Lynx bounced back from a loss and utilized their bench in a good win Thursday. 7:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand for a deeper look at the budget implications of the Gophers paying athletes $20.5 million this season. 28:00: Joan Beringer has only played one Summer League game, and he already set a record.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with another good Twins win during an impressive stretch. It would have been just their luck this season to lose Byron Buxton during Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Cubs, but luckily X-rays were negative after he was hit on the hand by a pitch. Can they keep things rolling? Plus the Lynx lost, but they have no time to dwell on it with another game today. 9:00: Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for the Daily Delivery debate. In focus: Re-examining Twins pitcher Simeon Woods Richardson, determining Terrence Shannon Jr.'s ceiling with the Wolves and deciding what we think of Kirk Cousins. 28:00: The Gophers athletic budget has a considerable shortfall.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with an appreciation for the U.S. Open Cup, a soccer tournament this year featuring 96 teams from all levels of soccer in this country. Minnesota United earned a spot in the semifinals with a win Tuesday, and Rand has a history lesson about past Open Cups. Plus a strong win for the Twins, who are trying to make a surge before the All-Star break. 11:00: NBA podcaster Dane Moore joins Rand to break down the Timberwolves offseason, what to watch for in Summer League and more. 45:00: Chet Holmgren just got paid.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with new comments from former Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins on the new season of "Quarterback." He said he might have chosen to stay in Minnesota last year if he had known the Falcons would draft a QB and admitted he played through an injury in Atlanta. He doesn't come off as well as he might think. 8:00: Rand welcomes in Twins Daily co-founder Nick Nelson for a conversation about where the Twins stand. Who are the biggest successes and disappointments? What should they do at the trade deadline? Can Matt Wallner start hitting again? 32:00: The quarter-century Timberwolves team.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included an entertaining three-game series at Target Field. The Twins won two of three from the Rays and Byron Buxton is an All-Star, though the news beyond that isn't too rosy for Minnesota. Plus the Lynx are 17-2 and could be on the verge of adding another very good player to their roster. And print deadlines aren't what they used to be, but the Wild are cooperating by not doing much of anything in free agency.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a Twins win fueled by a strange rule and large dose of luck. Bailey Ober's trip to the injured list, though, hovers over any good news. Plus a Red Panda update and the thing Kirk Cousins has done as well as any NFL player. 9:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand to debate the Wild's mild offseason, three Twins players to trade and where the Wolves stand in the West. 26:00: Are the Wolves part of the Kevin Durant trade after all?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Lynx game Tuesday at Target Center, which was bad on multiple fronts. Not only did Minnesota lose 74-59 in the Commissioner's Cup final to a Caitlin Clark-less Indiana team, but also legendary halftime act Red Panda was injured during a performance. Plus thoughts on Nico Sturm to the Wild and another loss for the Twins. 10:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand to talk through how the Gophers are going to distribute $20.5 million to athletes, payments that can start this week. And they have some Wolves thoughts as well. 31:00: The Celtics are raiding the end of the Wolves bench and the Bucks have moved on from Damian Lillard.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with two Monday trades. The Wild obtained Vladimir Tarasenko, taking on a $4.75 million cap hit for one season after a down year for Tarasenko in Detroit. Can the Wild revive his career? The Wolves, meanwhile, received a second-round pick and future trade flexibility from the Hawks in a sign-and-trade for Nickeil Alexander-Walker. It's clear which Minnesota team was dealing from a position of strength. 11:00: Star Tribune veteran sportswriter Kent Youngblood reflects on a long career as his retirement approaches at the end of the week. He also breaks down the 14-2 Lynx heading into the Commissioner Cup final against Indiana on Tuesday. 31:00: Joe Ryan, the one Twins starter you trust, is pitching Tuesday.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which started with the Twins dropping the last two games of their series in Detroit. As the Twins tread water, Reusse wants to know when they are going to have a true phenom step up. Plus the Wolves retained Naz Reid and Julius Randle but might have more up their sleeve. And the Wild finally have money to spend, but are there any players out there to get? And the Lynx keep on winning. Will they get to face Caitlin Clark on Tuesday?

Introduction: Host Michael Rand weaves together his overscheduling error and the Twins' modest two-game winning streak and concludes that, like any good dad would, we needed the rain. 8:00: Star Tribune Wild beat writer Sarah McLellan joins Rand to break down a busy offseason. The Wild traded away Frederick Gaudreau on Thursday, a move that was both practical and symbolic. They have five picks in the draft that starts tonight, plus a lot of cap space in a tight free agent market. 34:00: The Wolves made a couple moves that made sense for the future.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the NBA draft, where the Wolves took 18-year-old French big man Joan Beringer with the 17th pick of the first round. He's a project but a defensive-minded one at that. What you think of the pick is in the eyes of the beholder. 9:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly debate segment. In focus: Are the Wild going to be able to upgrade at center? Will the new Wolves owners get the arena debate right? And can the Twins get out of their funk? 35:00: Good results for both Minnesota United and the Twins.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins and some novel ideas to shake them out of their funk. Plus the Lynx lost for just the second time all season, reinforcing the value of Napheesa Collier. 9:00: Star Tribune Wolves writer Chris Hine joins Rand for a breakdown of the team's ownership change. How will new owners Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez run the team? Plus a look at this week's draft, free agency and any hints of other big moves ahead. 32:00: The Frost made defense a priority in the PWHL draft.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Gophers football program landing the top recruit in Minnesota for the third straight year. This time it was Roman Voss, who picked the Gophers over several premier programs, including Alabama. Plus some good news for St. Thomas and the new Timberwolves owners. 10:00: Star Tribune columnist Jim Souhan joins Rand for a conversation about the excellence of the Lynx and the free-fall of the Twins. 31:00: Derek Falvey is trying to reassure us.

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which did not include any wins for the Twins. They sit at 37-40 after being swept by the Brewers, and their pitching staff is in shambles. Reusse argues that now is the time for the Twins to deal some of their best relief pitchers. Plus reaction -- more or less relief -- to news that Kevin Durant wound up in Houston instead of Minnesota. And a look ahead to NBA and NHL drafts and free agency.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Pacers' blowout win over Oklahoma City in Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Thursday. We've seen enough in this series to make some declarations about what the Timberwolves can learn from Indiana as the series heads to a Game 7. Plus the Twins ended their losing streak in a big way. 10:00: Boys basketball recruiting expert Ryan James joins Rand to break down how he compiles player rankings and share some players to watch over the summer and beyond. 30:00: Streaming overtakes cable and satellite.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with a curiosity about why analytics projections have the Vikings as a middle-of-the-pack team in the NFL this season. Plus another Twins loss has them below .500. 12:00: La Velle E. Neal III joins Rand for their weekly debate segment. In focus: Chris Finch and the NBA Finals, Twins as buyers or sellers and Florida supplanting Minnesota (OK not really) as the State of Hockey. 37:00: Jaire Alexander is signing with the Ravens for a small amount of money and the Lakers are getting sold for a large amount of money.

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with another close loss for the Twins, this time 6-5 at the Reds. They have lost their last seven one-run games in falling to .500, and many culprits have surfaced. Plus the Lynx defeated the Aces but will have to watch Napheesa Collier's back injury. 8:00: Jon Marthaler joins Rand for a look at Minnesota United at roughly the halfway point of the MLS season. Where do the Loons stand? 28:00: Chris Finch isn't watching the NBA Finals, and Florida is once again the state of hockey.