Overview of PMS 2.0 1514 - The Italians Save Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, Team Italy/Royals 1B Vinnie Pasquantino, Mark Schlabach Previews The Players Championship, JJ Watt, & AJ Hawk
Pat McAfee (ESPN) hosts a wide-ranging episode covering the biggest sports headlines on March 12, 2026 — led by World Baseball Classic drama as Team Italy’s upset win over Mexico keeps Team USA alive; an interview with Italy/Royals 1B Vinnie Pasquantino; golf coverage ahead of The Players Championship with Mark Schlabach; and NFL/college football free-agency and coaching developments with guests JJ Watt and AJ Hawk. The show mixes serious news, betting chatter, and Pat’s trademark live reactions and humor.
Key segments & guests
- Vinny Pasquantino (Team Italy / Kansas City Royals 1B)
- Long interview about Italy’s World Baseball Classic run, dugout espresso ritual, team culture and lineage, and going undefeated in pool play.
- Mark Schlabach (ESPN — golf coverage)
- Quick Players Championship update: Scottie Scheffler struggling, Tommy Fleetwood, Viktor Hovland, Colin Morikawa withdrew after one hole with back issues.
- JJ Watt
- Free agency takeaways, reactions to Max Crosby deal fallout, thoughts on NFL team-building and big offseason moves.
- A.J. Hawk
- Commentary on free-agent quarterbacks, Matt Patricia’s Ohio State success, NFL personnel moves and the second‑chance narrative for QBs.
Main topics & takeaways
- World Baseball Classic (WBC)
- Italy beat Mexico in a pivotal game; Vinny Pasquantino hit three home runs ("three bingos"/“three donginis”) and energized the tournament.
- Italy’s dugout espresso machine (as a team ritual) became a viral/character moment; Pasquantino describes the espresso setup and team identity.
- Team USA avoided elimination, advances to quarterfinals vs. Canada (Friday). Pat and guests urge bettors/fans to expect a dominant US performance but acknowledge WBC unpredictability.
- Dominican Republic and Venezuela delivered highlight-reel baseball and electric atmospheres — WBC is being treated like a World Cup rather than March exhibition games.
- MLB/National interest in baseball
- WBC has re-engaged casual fans; Pat and guests emphasize how the tournament’s energy is revitalizing baseball interest.
- Free agency & NFL roster news
- Max Crosby medical/contract fell through: controversy about how teams handle physicals/escrow; perception problems for the Ravens organization, relief for Raiders (Trey Hendrickson signing), and wider implications for trust in free agency.
- Bradley Chubb signed a multi-year deal with the Buffalo Bills — important pass-rush addition for Buffalo.
- Kyler Murray released by Cardinals; visiting multiple teams (reported visit to Minnesota) — strong possibility of fresh start and varied quarterback carousel.
- Mike Evans signed with the 49ers — major veteran WR move for Shanahan’s offense.
- Landon Dickerson re-signed with Eagles (2-year revised deal) — big OL retention for Philly.
- College football coaching / college pay
- Matt Patricia signed as Ohio State defensive coordinator with one of the top college DC deals — signals big-money trend for top college assistants and potential NFL-to-college coach movement.
- Golf — The Players Championship (TPC Sawgrass)
- Scottie Scheffler struggling with swing; Tommy Fleetwood, Maverick McNealy and Viktor Hovland among leaders.
- Colin Morikawa withdrew early with a back issue; Rory McIlroy’s status (back concerns) is a watch item ahead of Augusta.
- Miscellany & entertainment
- Burnley ownership / JJ Watt banter (owner life stories and match frustrations).
- Weekly humorous riffs: Pat’s betting mistakes, pop culture detours, and recurring studio bits.
Notable quotes & moments
- Pat on Italy saving baseball for American viewers: “The Italians saved Team USA… Baseball has been delivered.”
- Pasquantino on Italy’s dugout vibe and espresso: “We had some wine, had some beer… we’re just pumped. The espresso came from 2023… it makes great coffee.”
- On the Crosby medical fallout: Guests call it unprecedented at that scale — “It made everybody look bad… this can’t become the regular.”
- AJ Hawk on player reinventions: “There is a massive amount of credence to be put into somebody getting a fresh start somewhere new.”
- Mark Schlabach blunt on Scheffler: “He’s been struggling with the swing… he needs to tighten up.”
Action items / what to watch next
- World Baseball Classic: USA vs. Canada — quarterfinal (Friday). Key watch: pitchers announced, lineup performances (Judge, Harper, lineup depth), and whether Team USA finally runs away with it.
- The Players Championship (TPC Sawgrass): monitor Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy (injury watch), Tommy Fleetwood and Viktor Hovland over the weekend; Morikawa update.
- NFL free agency follow-ups:
- Max Crosby situation: watch for official resolutions, any league response or future negotiation changes.
- Watch for MLB/NFL dominoes: Chubb’s impact in Buffalo, Trey Hendrickson to Raiders, Kyler Murray’s destination (Vikings/Rams), and other big defensive signings.
- College football coaching market: Matt Patricia at Ohio State — implications for recruiting and potential NFL/college staff movement.
Quick episode timeline (high-level)
- Opening: Pat’s WBC reaction and recounting his own at-bat vs. Clayton Kershaw.
- Deep dive: Italy vs. Mexico recap and Pat’s betting error.
- Guest: Vinny Pasquantino — dugout espresso, team culture, pool play reaction, Q&A from callers.
- Baseball roundups: Dominican Republic/Venezuela excitement, WBC format comments.
- NFL/Free agency segment: Max Crosby fallout, Trey Hendrickson, Bradley Chubb to Bills, Lamar/Jackson context.
- Guest: Mark Schlabach — Players Championship update, Morikawa withdrawal.
- Guest block: JJ Watt and A.J. Hawk on free agency, QB moves (Kyler, Tua, Geno, Malik Willis), Matt Patricia, and coaching/roster impressions.
- Closing: Banter, show bits, and reminders about upcoming sports schedule.
Practical takeaways for fans & bettors
- WBC is volatile — national favorites can stumble in pool play; watch pitching matchups, late-inning strategy and run-differential rules when betting.
- Injury and physicals can derail big free-agent deals (Crosby): monitor team medical transparency and contract structures (escalators, guarantees).
- In golf, monitor day‑to‑day health (back issues for Morikawa/Rory) and who’s hot early — it matters for fantasy/golf betting.
- For NFL watchers: second-chance players (Kyler Murray, Daniel Jones, Malik Willis) can radically change outcomes depending on fit and coaching.
— End of summary.