StribSports Daily Delivery

On Part II of Thursday's Daily Delivery podcast, host Michael Rand and Star Tribune Timberwolves beat writer Chris Hine break down the run Minnesota has been on in the playoffs. After sweeping the Suns, the Wolves moved on to Denver and took the first two games of that series. The most impressive feat -- winning 106-80 in Game 2 without Defensive Player of the Year Rudy Gobert -- galvanized the Wo...

Introduction: In part one of Thursday's huge lineup, host Michael Rand looks at what has been powering the Twins, who have won 14 of their last 16 games -- including a 6-3 win on Wednesday -- to improve to 21-15 overall and just 2.5 games back in the AL Central. A big part of it is the hitting of Ryan Jeffers, who is fourth in the majors in slugging percentage. And Chris Paddack won his fourth dec...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand revisits the arc of Rudy Gobert's career. He won three Defensive Player of the Year awards in Utah, then didn't even get a vote for the all-defense team last year in his first season with Minnesota. Now he's won DPOY for the fourth time, along with completely changing the defensive culture with the red-hot Wolves. Plus Jamal Murray gets hit with a $100,000 fine. 7:0...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand goes deep on Monday's dominant 106-80 Timberwolves victory in Denver that gave Minnesota a commanding 2-0 lead coming back to Target Center for Friday's Game 3. The defense was suffocating even without Rudy Gobert, while the Nuggets lost their composure and seem discombobulated. This is an unfamiliar feeling for Minnesota sports fans, and the joy is contagious. 14:0...

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which of course starts with the Timberwolves' impressive Game 1 conference semifinal victory over the Nuggets. Anthony Edwards was tremendous, as was the defense. It puts Denver in a must-win situation going into Game 2 on Monday. Reusse and Rand also get into the Twins' 12-game winning streak,...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand sets up the second-round playoff series between the Wolves and Nuggets through the eyes (and quotes) of Karl-Anthony Towns. It's been a nine-year journey for KAT to get to the second round, and it's a lesson in continuity. 11:00: Star Tribune Twins writer Phil Miller joins Rand to discuss three compelling story lines. The Twins have won 10 games in a row, and the co...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand breaks down the Twins' 10-game winning streak, which has come from a balance of improved contributions up and down the lineup, timely pitching and -- let's be honest -- weak opponents. Can the Twins keep it going against better teams? And how much will Byron Buxton's latest knee injury and the dispute between Comcast and Bally Sports dilute the good news? 11:00: Har...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with some big news for local sports fans. Comcast announced Tuesday night that it was dropping Bally Sports channels, including Bally Sports North, after the sides were unable to reach a contract agreement. BSN disappeared from customers' TVs late Tuesday, and if this impasse is permanent it will have a massive impact on Minnesota sports fans. 10:00: Jeff Day...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand gets right into things with Star Tribune columnist La Velle E. Neal III on a number of subjects. Neal was at the Vikings draft party last week and reports on the enthusiasm of the fan base after first-round picks of J.J. McCarthy and Dallas Turner. Rand and Neal also break down how the Wolves dismantled the Suns and what a series against Denver will look like, while...

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand after a stretch that could only be described as wildly optimistic. Even a curmudgeonly veteran columnist had to agree that times are good in Minnesota sports. They started with the Timberwolves, who finished off an extremely impressive sweep of the Suns with a Game 4 win late Sunday in Phoenix. Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns wer...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand recaps the first round of the NFL draft, which saw the Vikings get Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy without having to give up any other first round picks aside from No. 11. That was a huge win for the Vikings, who not only got their quarterback of the future but also nabbed edge rusher Dallas Turner while retaining their 2025 first-round pick. It was also a very confusing...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand comes to a rather important conclusion as we prepare for the first round of Thursday's NFL draft. The Vikings, on the clock at No. 11 and very likely to move into the top 10, are on the verge of making the most important draft pick in franchise history. No pressure, though. 7:00: Star Tribune columnist Chip Scoggins joins Rand to talk about the Timberwolves, who hav...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand talks through another dominant Timberwolves victory in the playoffs, putting Minnesota up 2-0 in its series over Phoenix. Jaden McDaniels (25 points) looked like the best player on the court during a 105-93 win at Target Center, while the Wolves' balance was a big story all night. Can they keep it going when the series shifts to Phoenix? 10:00: Star Tribune Vikings...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins, who had the pleasure of playing the White Sox on Monday. A 7-0 victory over hapless Chicago could be the start of an early season turnaround. One emailer, who didn't like all the negativity on Monday's show with Patrick Reusse, sure things it will be. Plus Rand gets into the latest Gophers men's basketball departure into the world of the trans...

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which started (of course) with the Timberwolves' dominant Game 1 victory over the Suns in Saturday's playoff opener. Great coaching and big-time performances told the story. Can the Wolves do it again in Game 2 on Tuesday? Reusse and Rand also got into the Twins, who stand at a dismal 7-13 after...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the end for the Wild. A disappointing season came to a fitting end Thursday with a 4-3 loss to Seattle. The Wild were neither good enough to make the playoffs nor bad enough to truly rebuild. Now the question is whether what figures to be a similar roster next year can get out of that murky middle. Also, the Gophers women's basketball team landed a key t...

Host Michael Rand starts with the Twins, who lost again in Baltimore to fall to 6-11. They are missing three of their most important players, and it is showing. Can they take advantage of a more forgiving schedule in the next 13 games -- including seven against the woeful White Sox -- to get their season turned around? Star Tribune Wild writer Sarah McLellan joins Rand. The Wild's season ends Thur...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand at least isn't the only one who has noticed the Twins just aren't very good right now. Manager Rocco Baldelli offered a frank assessment of the team's myriad woes after Tuesday's 11-3 loss at Baltimore dropped them to 6-10 on the season. It's not time to panic yet, but it certainly is time to be concerned. 9:00: Rand welcomes in Tom Curran from NBC Boston to talk ab...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand breaks down the two biggest stories from Monday night -- the Lynx drafting Alissa Pili of Utah No. 8 overall and the Twins losing at Baltimore 7-4. The Lynx gained a dominant offensive player who should bring an infusion of talent. The Twins, meanwhile, are getting far too little from second-year players they were counting on this season. 9:00: Rand welcomes in Ben...

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports, which included the least-desirable scenario for the Timberwolves. They were routed by Phoenix for a third time this season, a loss that locked them into a playoff series with those same Suns. Will a stellar season end with a first-round playoff exit? Plus Reusse and Rand get into the latest big...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand looks at Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah's comments two weeks before the NFL draft and finds someone who is looking to create leverage by trying to convince the league that Minnesota isn't locked in on one quarterback. How much that is true -- and how well he can convince teams -- remains to be seen. 6:00: Star Tribune columnist Jim Souhan checks in from Augusta where...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand starts with the Timberwolves' loss at Denver on Wednesday, which likely will keep them from getting the No. 1 seed in the West. While playoff matchups are still up in the air, the Wolves' offense was again a concern in this game. It underscored the need for Karl-Anthony Towns to return and contribute. 8:00: The Twins' win over Los Angeles felt important on Wednesday...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand start with a game-heavy rundown. The Wolves got 51 points from Anthony Edwards in a win over Washington on the same day they announced they will soon get Karl-Anthony Towns back from injury. And they have a massive game Wednesday in Denver that should determine the No. 1 seed in the West. The Wild, meanwhile, were officially eliminated from playoff contention while...

Introduction: Host Michael Rand looks at the Twins offense through eight games, finding a team that is second to last in runs per game at 2.88 and struggling to sustain rallies. There are multiple reasons for the poor start at the plate, but the net effect is a team that is now 3-5 and not looking very dangerous at the plate. 11:00: Star Tribune Vikings writer Andrew Krammer joins Rand for a look...

Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse joins host Michael Rand for a look back at the weekend in sports. Women's basketball again took center stage, with South Carolina capping an undefeated season by outlasting Iowa and Caitlin Clark in Sunday's NCAA title game. Iowa advanced after a controversial offensive foul helped it defeat UConn in the semifinals. On the men's side, Purdue and UConn will off...