Darren Smith - Interviews

Matt Vasgersian on why the Red Sox might have real issues, why he thinks the Dodgers could be even better than last year and why strange things seem to happen to the Padres with Bob Brenly in the booth. 

LA Times NBA columnist Dan Woike on Russell Westbrook's spectacular night, the top prospects in the NBA draft, why the worst spot to pick in this draft is fourth and why there's league-wide reveling in the Lakers failures. 

ESPN's Rick Sutcliffe on why Manny Machado is a player "you can't take your eyes off of" and why he thinks the Padres should have waited to bring Fernando Tatis up. 

Warriors beat reporter Mark Medina on which team Golden State would prefer to face in the first round and why Lebron James and the front office are more to blame for the Lakers failures than Luke Walton. 

Padres beat reporter AJ Cassavell discussed Matt Strahm's lowered velocity, if the team could look to a bullpen day and if Hunter Renfroe has become a backup outfielder. 

Sports Business Journal's Daniel Kaplan discussed the AAF'S suspended operations, why it's unlikely that the league ever comes back and why Carolina Panthers owner Tom Dundon ever got involved in the first place. 

Kevin Harlan on why getting to the Final Four has as much value as being champion, the back story of Texas Tech head coach Chris Beard and why college players like Zion Williamson are about to be a thing of the past. 

NFL senior writer Will Brinson on why the NFLPA doesn't have incentive to have their players in the AAF, the changes to the NFL's instant replay and Sean Payton's influence. 

Padres catcher Austin Hedges discussed a winning opening series over the Giants and the support of the fans, why Chris Paddack lived up to expectations, his own fashion faux pas and the real reason for Wil Myers' hot start. 

Padres owner Peter Seidler discussed the thrill of the opening day win, why he loves the edge Manny Machado has brought to the team and why bringing up Tatis was a no-brainer, baseball decision.

Padres beat reporter AJ Cassavell on the Machado's purposeful mentorship of Fernando Tatis Jr, why Luis Urias needed to have a better spring and what outfielder could be on the way to the minors to make room for a starting pitcher.

Major Garrett discussed the Padres opening day win over the Giants and a changing culture in San Diego and the NL West. 

Raiders inside Scott Bair on the the different side of Antonio Brown, Jon Gruden's comments about Khalil Mack and Jordy Nelson , if Derek Carr is their QB of the future and his tempered excitement over the Padres. 

Trevor Hoffman discussed his excitement for Padres opening day and the amount of talent, including Fernando Tatis Jr., on the 2019 team. 

Giants skipper Bruce Bochy discussed preparing for his final season as manager, why the players want to prove the procrastinators wrong and what adding a player like Manny Machado can do to a team. 

MLB Networks' Harold Reynolds on why the Padres made the right decision in starting with Fernando Tatis Jr, and why the Padres have a high-character, top-three player in the game with Manny Machado. 

Keith Law on why Fernando Tatis Jr. will  have an early impact on the Padres, why Matt Strahm and Franmil Reyes are two of his breakout candidates and why the Padres can catch the Dodgers. 

Pedro Gomez on why MLB players don't see free agency the way they used to, why he thinks it will be the Dodgers and Rockies in the NL West and why the Padres, despite questions on their rotation, are trending in the right direction. 

AJ Cassavell on the uncertainty of the #4 starter, why Fernando Tatis wasn't a lock to be the starting shortstop if he made the team, how the Padres will manage Paddack's innings and why carrying Mejia and Hedges can be beneficial to both. 

Padres pitching coach Darren Balsley on why he's seen everything he needs to see from Chris Paddack, why he sees a lot of Jake Peavy in him, why expectations are high for a very young pitching staff and why he's been impressed with Eric Lauer