Bucs Have A Humbling Day in Jacksonville, and the Rays' Lose But Maintain 3.5 Game Lead

Bucs Have A Humbling Day in Jacksonville, and the Rays' Lose But Maintain 3.5 Game Lead

Author: Tampa Bay Times August 26, 2026 Duration: 38:36

Rick Stroud reports live from Jacksonville after a joint practice the Bucs would rather forget — Baker Mayfield admitted afterward that "if this was a full game, I don't think we would have come out on the winning side," and Chris Godwin, in his tenth year, called out the team for getting out-physicaled by Liam Cohen's Jaguars. Rick and Steve break down what went wrong, why a wake-up call now beats one in Cincinnati, and the real bright spots buried in a rough day: Tristan Wirfs back in full pads and moving well, Rueben Bain Jr. continuing to wreck practice reps, and Benjamin Morrison finally getting through a complete practice for the first time in ages. They also preview Friday's preseason finale against the Jaguars and the roster crunch coming this weekend as the Bucs cut from 90 to 53.


On the Rays, Tampa Bay's AL East remains at 3.5 games after a 4-1 loss to Detroit, with Rick and Steve digging into the tiebreaker math that still favors the Rays down the stretch, a remarkable stat line from an opposing starter who didn't get a single swing-and-miss in over 80 pitches against Tampa Bay's contact-heavy lineup, and what the Rays need from their rotation to hold on. They close with a tribute to Dolly Parton, who died at 80.


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For a daily dose of Tampa Bay sports talk that feels like a conversation with the most plugged-in friends you have, there's Sports Day Tampa Bay. This weekday podcast from the Tampa Bay Times is anchored by award-winning journalist Rick Stroud and co-host Steve Versnick, who bring a newsroom's rigor and a fan's passion to each episode. Instead of just rehashing scores, they dig into the nuances behind them-the strategy shaping the Buccaneers' defense, the roster decisions facing the Rays front office, or the playoff mentality driving the Lightning. The discussion naturally spans the full spectrum of local teams, including USF athletics, providing context that often gets lost in quick headlines. What you'll hear is analysis grounded in decades of institutional knowledge and reporting access, offering a perspective that turns the day's news into a deeper understanding of the games and the people who play them. Tune in each morning for this essential, insider-focused update that has become a routine for fans who want more than the highlight reel.
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Rick Stroud is joined by Tom Jones to reminisce about old Press Box stories of the past. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.