Le Batard & Friends Network Lebatard & Friends

Today’s word of the day is ’debut’ as in first career start as in Paul Skenes as in the Pittsburgh Pirates as in top prospects. Skenes made his first start against the Cubs and it was insane. One of the worst pitching innings in baseball happened after Skenes was removed. (8:11) Kodai Senga injury update! (14:30) The Yankees are heating up. Aaron Judge is heating up. Panic down. (17:00) Seth Lugo is performing at an elite level for the Royals. Who saw that coming? (21:50) The Knicks lost both road games to the Pacers. The Pacers blew them out the water in Game 4. Woof! (28:20) The Denver Nuggets have tied up the series vs the Minnesota Timberwolves. Can not count them out! (36:13) Review: Love Lies Bleeding. (39:50) The Suns have hired Mike Budenholzer to a huge contract. Another giant contract given away by Mat Ishbia. Why is he doing this? (44:20) Did anyone know the NBA draft lottery was yesterday? Atlanta Hawks are the draft lottery winners! A 3% chance and they did it! Sorry Pistons fans… another year another stinker and another loss in the lottery! (50:30) NPPOD. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charlotte and Amin work through a Celtic's loss at home while Boston players dismiss their superteam status. Wait, what was that noise during Luka Doncic's press conference? Nevermind that, Charlotte and Amin preview game 3 of Knicks vs Pacers and Timberwolves vs Nuggets. And Ben Stiller, if you are watching, please come on the show. After Charlotte uses her investigative skills to try to find the food cart where Charles Barkley gets his street meat, co-host Al Gorithm joins the show to suggest topics for Charlotte and Amin to discuss. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s word of the day is ’full support’ as in Frank Vogel as in Mat Ishbia as in the Phoenix Suns as in Kevin Durant as in Devin Booker. Vogel gets fired after one season. Signed a monster contract and that’s that. Booker and Durant keep cycling through coaches. What is happening? (12:30) So You Wanna Talk to Samson!? Someone asked me about the Hornets hiring an ast. coach from the Celtics who are in the playoffs. (18:23) We have a Patrick Beverley update. (20:00) Netflix in on Christmas? Netflix in on the NFL? Oh boy… remember when they didn’t want live sports? (29:21) Review: Monkey Man (35:40) NPPOD. (38:50) The St. Louis Cardinals have lost their way. (46:40) Is it time to trade Mason Miller? Will the Athletics get the best deal now? What is the trade value of a closer?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It appears that, as a (crumbling) society, we have arrived at Peak Roast. With Tom Brady, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and Taylor Swift all recording their own versions of diss tracks. And the viral messages are both conspicuous and — even better — concealed. So, are Swifties and Rap Geniuses the same? Is it impossible to be a pop star if you’re old? Are fish just a gateway pet? Also: compliment competitions, beta or betta, Charlotte’s Mario impression, and why octopuses are ideal sex partners.
Further reading:
Justin Timberlake’s Air of Desperation (Esther Zuckerman)
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The crew discusses how their taste in food is changing particularly when it comes to macaroni and cheese. Jessica also describes how she likes her Cobb salad, how much traffic sucks no matter the time of day and Jeremy goes in on Brightline's price hikes.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jalen Brunson left the game with an injury in the first half, but wait, there's more; he came back to dominate the Pacers in the second half. Is it safe to say the Knicks may be running their players too hard with the Brunson and Anunoby injuries? Amin and Charlotte are not surprised Jokic won the MVP, but they believe there are plenty of runners-up who could've been number 1...hint hint: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Lastly, Amin and Charlotte shake their magical 8-ball to predict what future NBA outcomes are most likely to happen, and Anthony Edwards, being the face of the NBA, is at the top of that list.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices