Happy Father's Day guys! I'll listen to you guys during my run as usual.

Just listened to the episode and, as always, great job guys! You're right , I got it wrong with saying World Club Cup instead of Club World Cup. My Spanish brain playing tricks there. Anyway, it's on its way and answering about the countries participating, this is the list:

• Brazil: Palmeiras, Botafogo, Flamingo, Fluminense.
• USA: Inter Miami, Seattle Sounders, LAFC.
• Argentina: Boca Juniors, River Plate.
• Germany: Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund.
• England: Chelsea, Man City.
• Portugal: Porto, Benfica.
• Spain: Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid.
• Italia: Inter Milan, Juventus.
• Mexico: Monterrey, Pachuca.
• Egypt: Al-Ahly.
• France: PSG.
• New Zealand: Auckland City.
• Tunisia: Esperance.
• Japan: Urawa Reds.
• South Korea: Ulsan HD.
• South Africa: Mamelodi Sundowns.
• Morocco: Wydad AC.
• UAE: Al Ain FC.
• Saudi Arabia: Al Hilal.
• Austria: Salzburg.

So, in summary, 20 countries and 32 teams. Each continent had a number of spots allocated

• Europe: 12
• South America: 6
• Africa: 4
• Asia: 4
• Caribbean, Central and North America: 4
• Oceania: 1
• Hosting country: 1

They got their tickets to participate based on winning the continental top contest in the last four years. Then, once the champions were qualified, rest of teams will qualify depending on their continental ranking and up to a maximum of 2 teams per country. There is an exception in South America, as 4 Brazilian teams have won Copa Libertadores in the last 4 years. This is the reason why they have more teams than any other country.

Today I will post a summary of the first round in the group phase.

Happy Father’s Day to @Undisciplined, @grayruby, and all the other stacker fathers!

Summary of Podcast Transcript

This podcast episode covers a wide range of sports topics, primarily focusing on hockey, basketball, baseball, football, and some emerging sports events. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key discussions:

1. Stanley Cup Finals (Hockey):
   • The hosts discuss Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers, with Florida leading 3-2 in the series. They express frustration over the referees calling too many penalties, advocating for letting the players play unless the infraction is egregious.
   • The series is described as highly competitive and physical, with three games going into overtime. The Panthers are portrayed as a tough, playoff-built team with an aggressive style, while the Oilers are noted for their resilience and high-powered offense.
   • Specific players like Brad Marchand (Panthers) and Connor McDavid (Oilers) are highlighted for their performances. The hosts also discuss goaltending challenges for the Oilers, particularly with their backup goaltender starting after a blowout loss.
   • Predictions lean towards Florida closing out the series at home in Game 6, though Edmonton’s potential to push it to Game 7 is acknowledged.
2. NBA Finals and Playoff Challenges:
   • The conversation shifts to the NBA Finals, focusing on the series between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder (OKC), which is tied. The Pacers are praised for their team play and depth, while OKC’s defense and reliance on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) are noted.
   • The hosts discuss individual performances, strategic adjustments, and the high level of basketball being played. They also touch on a playoff points challenge, where picks for MVP and series outcomes could determine the winner among the participants.
   • There’s speculation on whether the Pacers or OKC will return to the Finals in future seasons, with OKC seen as more likely due to their young core, while the Pacers’ return depends on sustaining their current momentum.
3. Super Bowl Market and Predictions:
   • The hosts mention activity in a Super Bowl prediction market, despite it being eight months away. They discuss buying and selling shares for teams like the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, and Philadelphia Eagles, with some playful strategizing about market moves.
4. MLB and Aaron Judge’s Performance:
   • Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees is a major focus, with his exceptional stats highlighted: a .390 batting average, .485 on-base percentage, and an OPS of 1.265. His OPS+ of 248 indicates he’s 148% better than a replacement-level player.
   • A striking statistic is shared: Judge could have 200 consecutive at-bats with no hits, walks, or hit-by-pitches and still maintain a league-average OPS. His current pace projects a 13.3 WAR (Wins Above Replacement), a figure not seen since 1877.
   • Historical MLB losing streaks are also discussed, with the 1889 Louisville Colonels holding the record at 26 games (or 31 by the 1875 Brooklyn Atlantics pre-MLB). The hosts express surprise at the relatively low number compared to other sports.
5. NFL and Rookie Contracts:
   • The hosts touch on NFL topics, including unusual delays in signing second-round rookie contracts, with only two of 32 signed, likely due to demands for guaranteed money following precedents set by early second-round picks.
   • Issues with the Cincinnati Bengals are discussed, particularly their reluctance to pay defensive players like Shamar Stewart, a rookie holding out, and Trey Hendrickson, who seeks a new contract or trade. Concerns about the Bengals’ focus on offense over defense and offensive line are raised.
6. Other Sports and Contests:
   • The episode briefly covers the Club World Cup in soccer, a new international club competition, and a U.S. cricket league with quirky team names like the San Francisco Unicorns.
   • They also discuss fantasy football draft boards, roster changes for teams like the Las Vegas Raiders, and expectations for the upcoming NFL season, particularly in the competitive AFC West.
7. Miscellaneous:
   • The hosts engage in lighthearted banter about sports betting strategies, bracket challenges, and personal anecdotes. They also mention community interaction on platforms like Nostra and Fountain, encouraging listeners to comment and support the podcast.

Overall Tone and Themes:
The podcast is conversational and enthusiastic, blending detailed sports analysis with humor and personal insights. Key themes include the competitiveness of playoff series, standout individual performances, strategic predictions, and historical sports trivia. The hosts also emphasize community engagement and the unpredictability of sports outcomes.

Speaking of defense in the NBA finals, I was watching this video earlier today. It's quite good and thought I'll share it. (From Thinking Basketball, one of your favorite channels @Undisciplined).

Man, this series had been so good. I'm hoping for 7 games so we get to see this high level of basketball the maximum number of times.

Regarding my pick in the points contest, I didn't make my pick to win. I would have picked Pacers+Hali if I wanted a chance to win, especially someone else with high points had already picked OKC+SGA. I just wanted to be right, and I thought OKC+SGA was the right pick. I thought Pacers had a small chance to win, but never knew their defensive game would step up big time like this. At this point, after what we all witnessed, I still think OKC will win the chip, but I think the Pacers have a much greater chance than I originally thought. They continue to surprise me, and I'm loving what I've been seeing. Just great basketball at play. What a great time to be a basketball fan.

I don't follow baseball, but I was surprised to hear the Aaron Judge stats. To say he is head and shoulders better than everyone else is an understatement. Probably two body lengths better or something like that. Awesome to hear about greatness even in a sport that I don't follow and am not very interested in.