Starkey & Mueller

PM Team FULL Show 4-30-26

The Pirates have closed the book on April and even at a .500 record, they are in last place of the NL Central. How would we grade the first full month of the season? Pirates insider Jason Mackey joined the show. We know a bad Paul Skenes outing is an outlier, but what are some of the real problems the Pirates have? Jason isn’t overly concerned about Dennis Santana, but thinks that could just be switching the closer role around every other day. Bubba Chandler has been disappointing thus far. How much longer can they wait on Marcell Ozuna to turn things around? Jason said they have fallen short of the goal so far, even as a .500 team through April. We knew the Pirates defense wouldn’t be good, but is there any shot it improves? The guys have some concern with Bryan Reynolds, who is known for slow starts. Skenes Soundbites – What did Paul Skenes say after today’s game?

The Pirates have been swept by the Cardinals at PNC Park and have lost 5 in-a-row. What are the biggest issues? They had their opportunities to win and scored some runs in the series, but were they hollow scores? JJ Wetherholt hit 2 HR in his hometown, including a leadoff homer off Paul Skenes today. Are we already starting to see the Buccos’ season crumble? Fans sound off following the Pirates’ 5th straight loss. Manager’s Minute – What did Don Kelly say to the media after today’s game?

Steve Palazzolo from the 33rd Team joined the show. The early 2027 mock drafts have Drew Mestemaker going to the Steelers – Steve expects people to know about him in the upcoming college football season. Steve got into the portal movement a little bit and what can be at stake for Mestemaker if he turns Oklahoma State back into a relevant program. Steve likes the tools for Max Iheanachor, but pointed out that he has plenty to clean up. Steve really likes the Germie Bernard pick. Steve didn’t give a ton of praise on Drew Allar, but he’s always been one of the guys that votes to always take a QB. He admitted he would have waited another round or so on Allar because he never took that next step in college. Steve thinks the Steelers got really good value on Gennings Dunker at 96th overall. How impactful will Kaden Wetjen be on the Steelers roster? Steve loved the Eli Heidenreich selection as their final pick. Did Steve know anything about Gabe Rubio? As much as Steve likes Heidenreich, he hopes people temper the C

The Penguins season came to an end last night after Cam York netted the game-winner for the Flyers to take the series in 6. The guys are frustrated with how the season went down, even though the team greatly surpassed expectations. Did the series loss to the Flyers ruin their storybook season? Is there any appreciation for what Dan Muse and company accomplished this year? It also could be the last chapter in the book for the Big 3. The Penguins only totaled 11 goals in 6 games against the Flyers after having one of their best offensive outputs of the Sidney Crosby era during the regular season. Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo from the PG joined the show. Ray gave his best explanation of the Steelers handing down the seldom-used UFA tender on Aaron Rodgers. What is the relationship like between Rodgers and the team? Ray thinks it’s a way for the team to protect themselves if Rodgers does pull back from Pittsburgh. Ray still believes it’s about a 75% chance Rodgers signs. What happens if a team more equippe

Pirates insider Jason Mackey joined the show. We know a bad Paul Skenes outing is an outlier, but what are some of the real problems the Pirates have? Jason isn’t overly concerned about Dennis Santana, but thinks that could just be switching the closer role around every other day. Bubba Chandler has been disappointing thus far. How much longer can they wait on Marcell Ozuna to turn things around? Jason said they have fallen short of the goal so far, even as a .500 team through April. We knew the Pirates defense wouldn’t be good, but is there any shot it improves? The guys have some concern with Bryan Reynolds, who is known for slow starts.

The Pirates have been swept by the Cardinals at PNC Park and have lost 5 in-a-row. What are the biggest issues? They had their opportunities to win and scored some runs in the series, but were they hollow scores? JJ Wetherholt hit 2 HR in his hometown, including a leadoff homer off Paul Skenes today. Are we already starting to see the Buccos’ season crumble?

KDKA TV’s Bob Pompeani joined the show. Bob gave his thoughts on the end of the Penguins season and noted that it was ‘weird’ that Sidney Crosby was quick in & out after the game last night. Pomp believes Evgeni Malkin will be back next season. Will Kris Letang be back to complete the Big 3? The guys asked Bob about a few others that may or may not be back. Would Geno actually go to the Caps if the Penguins don’t re-sign him? Bob pondered Alex Ovechkin coming to Pittsburgh. How will Aaron Rodgers react to the UFA tender laid down by the Steelers?

Steve Palazzolo from the 33rd Team joined the show. The early 2027 mock drafts have Drew Mestemaker going to the Steelers – Steve expects people to know about him in the upcoming college football season. Steve got into the portal movement a little bit and what can be at stake for Mestemaker if he turns Oklahoma State back into a relevant program. Steve likes the tools for Max Iheanachor, but pointed out that he has plenty to clean up. Steve really likes the Germie Bernard pick. Steve didn’t give a ton of praise on Drew Allar, but he’s always been one of the guys that votes to always take a QB. He admitted he would have waited another round or so on Allar because he never took that next step in college. Steve thinks the Steelers got really good value on Gennings Dunker at 96th overall. How impactful will Kaden Wetjen be on the Steelers roster? Steve loved the Eli Heidenreich selection as their final pick. Did Steve know anything about Gabe Rubio? As much as Steve likes Heidenreich, he hopes people temper the C

Steelers insider Ray Fittipaldo from the PG joined the show. Ray gave his best explanation of the Steelers handing down the seldom-used UFA tender on Aaron Rodgers. What is the relationship like between Rodgers and the team? Ray thinks it’s a way for the team to protect themselves if Rodgers does pull back from Pittsburgh. Ray still believes it’s about a 75% chance Rodgers signs. What happens if a team more equipped to win a championship loses its QB before mandatory minicamp? How does Drew Allar work into the fray? Ray explained how the QB competition could shake out, especially for the backup role.

The Penguins season came to an end last night after Cam York netted the game-winner for the Flyers to take the series in 6. The guys are frustrated with how the season went down, even though the team greatly surpassed expectations. Did the series loss to the Flyers ruin their storybook season? Is there any appreciation for what Dan Muse and company accomplished this year? It also could be the last chapter in the book for the Big 3.

PM Team FULL Show 4-29-26

Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t blown away by the tape he watched on Drew Allar while at Penn State. Ben admitted to not watching a ton of Penn State football, but when he did watch, Allar didn’t ‘jump off the page’ at him. How much of the failures for Allar at Penn State were on James Franklin more than the QB himself? Out of guys that got drafted in the middle rounds, what is the likelihood a guy becomes a franchise QB? Are guys that get picked in those spots based more on traits than anything else? ALL ACCESS w/ Aditi – Aditi is being inducted into her high school Hall of Fame tonight. Is there another team out there that really wants Aaron Rodgers? Aditi can’t figure out what the play is from the Steelers because it will do nothing but antagonize Rodgers. What are the Steelers getting in Drew Allar? The guys gave Aditi half credit for predicting Makai Lemon to the Steelers, since that is clearly who they wanted. Donny Football Debrief – It appears Deshaun Watson has the ‘inside track’ to be the Browns QB1.

The projections are currently showing that Pittsburgh lost money from NFL Draft weekend, per reports. It seemed like everything went over with rave reviews from outsiders, but that didn’t tell the full story. A lot of local businesses shared that they did not get anywhere near the crowds they anticipated. What was it like outside of the North Shore bubble? Was it the case of a lot of cities being within a day-trip driving distance to Pittsburgh? The hotel business reportedly got hit big time last weekend. Other cities have seen big returns in previous years of hosting the draft. How did fans feel about the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh? Good? Bad? Reviews were mostly positive. Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk joined the show. Mike joked with Poni about quitting on Monday. Mike described the newest move between the Steelers and Aaron Rodgers as a ‘swing & a miss.’ What does it mean? Mike said it’s mostly so Rodgers can’t wait around and latch onto a team that loses its QB in the middle of the season, like

Game 6 tonight in Philly after the Penguins have won back-to-back games to stretch the series to 6. Does it all end tonight? Donny called ‘Pens in 7’ before Game 5. Poni got on board after that game. Chris thinks the fairytale falls short. Are they feeling the pressure in Philadelphia? Is there some doubt in Arturs Silovs? Sidney Crosby had the stare down working from the bench the other night. Would it sting less if the Penguins lost an OT classic? Are fans feeling the Penguins completing the comeback? Former Penguin Tyler Kennedy joined the show. TK doesn’t think the Penguins will get sucked into a fight tonight if things are jockeying early in the game. What’s it like being in that mindset before a game like this? Tyler is happy to hear the Penguins were ‘all business’ in their morning skate. He said if the Penguins win the game tonight, the series is over, and they will win it in 7. TK talked about the dirty tactics from the Flyers over the years. Are the Flyers a little bit distracted right now and i

93.7 The Fan Sports Director Jeff Hathhorn joined the show. Jeff was battling the noise in Philly as the Penguins are getting set for Game 6 against the Flyers. Jeff doesn’t have a ton of doubt in Arturs Silovs after back-to-back winning performances. Jeff reacted to Kris Letang turning his game around at the right time. Jeff thinks the Penguins resurgence is absolutely a thanks to Sidney Crosby and his demeanor. Jeff thinks Anthony Mantha steps up tonight and has a big early goal. Jeff thinks we see a Game 7.

ALL ACCESS w/ Aditi – Aditi is being inducted into her high school Hall of Fame tonight. Is there another team out there that really wants Aaron Rodgers? Aditi can’t figure out what the play is from the Steelers because it will do nothing but antagonize Rodgers. What are the Steelers getting in Drew Allar? The guys gave Aditi half credit for predicting Makai Lemon to the Steelers, since that is clearly who they wanted.

Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t blown away by the tape he watched on Drew Allar while at Penn State. Ben admitted to not watching a ton of Penn State football, but when he did watch, Allar didn’t ‘jump off the page’ at him. How much of the failures for Allar at Penn State were on James Franklin more than the QB himself? Out of guys that got drafted in the middle rounds, what is the likelihood a guy becomes a franchise QB? Are guys that get picked in those spots based more on traits than anything else?

Mike Florio from Pro Football Talk joined the show. Mike joked with Poni about quitting on Monday. Mike described the newest move between the Steelers and Aaron Rodgers as a ‘swing & a miss.’ What does it mean? Mike said it’s mostly so Rodgers can’t wait around and latch onto a team that loses its QB in the middle of the season, like we saw with Phillip Rivers last season. Mike said the whole thing doesn’t make sense. Mike believes this is an indication that the Steelers don’t really know if Rodgers is coming back. Mike said the Steelers are still in a tough spot because their plan at QB mostly stinks. We rekindled the Rodgers to the Broncos conversation because on the same day the Steelers made this chess move, the Broncos announced that Bo Nix needs another surgery on his ankle. Is Mike Vrabel really going to resign from the Patriots and could Mike Tomlin be his replacement? Mike reminded us that the Patriots would need to talk to the Steelers before they speak with him about the hypothetical head coach

The projections are currently showing that Pittsburgh lost money from NFL Draft weekend, per reports. It seemed like everything went over with rave reviews from outsiders, but that didn’t tell the full story. A lot of local businesses shared that they did not get anywhere near the crowds they anticipated. What was it like outside of the North Shore bubble? Was it the case of a lot of cities being within a day-trip driving distance to Pittsburgh? The hotel business reportedly got hit big time last weekend. Other cities have seen big returns in previous years of hosting the draft.