Hour 2 - Mariners Drop A Heartbreaker To The Padres, The Case To Draft Jadarian Price, Blue 88

The Mariners' heartbreaking 7-6 loss to the Padres in the ninth inning, despite a six-run lead and a dominant offensive performance, becomes the emotional centerpiece of this episode. Mike Salk, celebrating his 50th birthday, recounts the painful irony of watching his team implode just as he was immersed in a heartfelt video tribute from friends and family. The discussion pivots to a fierce debate over in-game decisions: while Salk defends Dan Wilson’s choice to bring in closer Andres Munoz with a four-run lead—calling it a 'definitive yes'—he acknowledges the execution failures that followed. The real controversy, however, is the decision to use right-handed reliever Jose Ferrer against left-handed hitter Jackson Merrill, a move Salk argues was not justifiable given Merrill’s 200-point OPS advantage against lefties. The episode then shifts to the NFL Draft, where Salk makes a bold, data-driven case for the Seahawks to select Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price with the 32nd overall pick, arguing that the gap between elite and average running backs is wider than the gap between top defensive ends—making the position undervalued and worth a first-round investment. He frames this as a strategic bet on a 'home run hitter' with elite upside, especially given Seattle’s running-heavy identity and the short career arc of running backs.