Episode 440: A Potentially Horrible Night

This week on The Underdog:

• Opening & Phillies Recap (00:41–07:30)
  Chris and Matt open the episode reflecting on Philadelphia sports emotions. They recap the previous night’s Phillies win over the Dodgers, focusing on Bryce Harper’s home-run drought, solid offensive output versus Yamamoto and Kershaw, and pitching confidence in Christopher Sanchez. They note Phillies’ +114 underdog status at the oddsmakers, and Harper’s +320 home-run odds. Matt jokes about betting winnings funding a $1,500 LAB putter.

• Philly Sports Triple Threat Night (07:30–15:00)
  Discussion shifts to the rare night featuring Phillies, Eagles, and Flyers all playing. Matt worries about “a perfect storm of sadness” if all three lose. The Phillies’ World Series odds rank sixth among seven remaining teams, but Chris notes those odds would improve dramatically with a win over the Dodgers. They discuss late start times, home routines, and free-agent outlooks — mentioning Ranger Suárez, Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, and Harrison Bader.

• Phillies Player Talk & Roster Moves (10:00–14:30)
  The duo debates center-field stability (Bader vs. Marsh vs. Rojas) and whether Brandon Marsh fits better as a corner outfielder. They recall draft-era comparisons for Mickey Moniak (Steve Finley, Christian Yelich). Chris jokes about Bader’s photos and appearance while praising his defensive reliability.

• Future Lineup Speculation (13:20–14:30)
  They float the idea of Rhys Hoskins returning at first base with Harper moving back to right field, but note Hoskins’ poor Brewers season (.237 avg, 12 HRs). They joke about parlaying a Phillies World Series win and a Harper multi-homer night for riches.

• NFL Focus – Eagles vs. Giants Preview (15:02–20:00)
  The second half shifts to the Eagles at Giants Thursday night matchup. Line movement at the oddsmakers from Giants +7.5 to +7 worries Chris. Key injuries: Darius Slayton and Malik Nabers (out), Jackson Dart making his 3rd NFL start, and Eagles missing Landon Dickerson and possibly Jalen Carter or Nakobe Dean (both questionable). Matt notes Grant Calcaterra’s injury and jokes about the team uniforms.

• NBA Tangent – Kawhi & the Clippers (17:30–20:00)
  They detour to discuss Kawhi Leonard’s rumored demand for Lakers ownership stake, Jeanie Buss’s rejection, and potential punishment for the Clippers. Chris reveals the 2026 NBA All-Star Game will be hosted by the Clippers at the new Intuit Dome, humorously connecting it to timing of any disciplinary action.

• Pop Culture & TV Talk (20:00–28:00)
  Conversation drifts to films and shows: Juana Man, Like Mike, and Eddie; reality series The Traitors (UK, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland); and Taskmaster’s comedic chaos. They share laughs over show hosts, Paul Henry’s gravitas, and comparisons to Whose Line Is It Anyway.

• Film Chat – “Playdate” and Upcoming Releases (26:00–29:40)
  They preview the Kevin James–Alan Ritchson action comedy Playdate, comparing its tone to Vacation Friends. Cast shoutouts include Sarah Chalke, Alan Tudyk, Isla Fisher, and Steven Root. Matt also mentions Charlie Hunnam’s dark Netflix film about Ed Gein.

• Final Segment – Eagles, Giants & Philly Odds (29:40–END)
  Returning to football, Matt says the Eagles “should smash” but predicts frustration. He jokes that “SEC is harder than the NFL.” They calculate implied lines: Eagles heavy favorites, Phillies slight underdogs, Flyers +185 moneyline underdogs at the oddsmakers. The over/under for Philly team wins that night is set at 1.5.

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