Hot Takedown - podcast cover

Hot Takedown

FiveThirtyEight, 538, Neil Paine, Geoff Foster, Sara Zieglerwww.espn.com
Hot Takedown is the weekly sports podcast from FiveThirtyEight. On it, the crew uses numbers to dissect the week in sports, taking down some silly hot takes in the process.
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Episodes

The Whole Show's A Rabbit Hole

A better approach to EPL Fantasy, the density of champions in the WNBA, a search for NASCAR road course ringers and an appreciation for X Games events, past and present.

Aug 06, 201954 min

"Mets In Perpetual Chaos"

Hot Takedown looks at the MLB trade deadline and Lyndsey D'Arcangelo from The Athletic joins to discuss the WNBA. Plus, a Rabbit Hole on temper tantrums.

Jul 30, 201955 min

"Zeke Should Hold Out"

The role of analytics in the depreciation of NFL running backs and a Rabbit Hole that might make you wary of your ballpark seat assignment.

Jul 23, 201944 min

"Good Luck Betting On The 2019-20 NBA"

Nate Silver joins to discuss our 2019-20 NBA model. We look ahead to the British Open and dive into the unlikely tie break scenarios at Wimbledon and the Cricket World Cup.

Jul 16, 201959 min

"We Want Infinite All-Star Rosters"

The team assesses the MLB All-Star Game and is joined by Travis Sawchik to discuss his new book, The MVP Machine. Plus, a Rabbit Hole on New York ticker-tape parades.

Jul 09, 201949 min

"The Knicks Need To Grow Up"

This week, Hot Takedown discusses all the drama around NBA free agency, the merits of competitive eating and changes to World Cup scoring.

Jul 02, 201942 min

"Is The USWNT As Good As We Thought?"

This week our crew looks at the quarterfinal matchup between the USA and France in the Women's World Cup, NBA free agency and a Rabbit Hole into sports boardgames.

Jun 25, 201948 min

"Survival Of The Takiest"

We dive into the hottest takes of the NBA finals and analyze our Women's World Cup model. In the latest edition of "Get Off My Field", Sara demands more glowing objects.

Jun 18, 20191 hr 1 min

"Serena Should Win Every Slam"

Hot Takedown discusses the upsets in the women's French Open and the strategies of the convoluted MLB draft, and our Rabbit Hole champions the Women's College World Series.

Jun 04, 201948 min

"#WarriorsIn4"

Nate Silver joins to discuss why our model favors Toronto in the NBA Finals. Plus, Tottenham's improbable road to the Champions League final and a Rabbit Hole on figurines.

May 28, 201947 min

"Bottom Line: Pay Women The Same"

Hot Takedown talks to author Caitlin Murray about USWNT's lawsuit for equal pay in advance of the Women's World Cup. Also, we get lost in disastrous baseball.

May 21, 201940 min

"The Raptors Need To Be Better"

This week, Hot Takedown evaluates the NBA and NHL conference finals. Plus, our Rabbit Hole tracks the players who made the most rosters over their careers.

May 14, 201941 min

"The Red Sox Should Be Fine"

The crew examines promising performances by the Red Sox and a tight Premier League title run with Mike Goodman of StatsBomb. Plus, our Rabbit Hole explores good luck totems.

May 07, 201939 min

"The Giants Drafted A Backup QB"

Hot Takedown checks the data behind Giants controversial no. 6 draft pick. ESPN's Kirk Goldsberry joins to discuss his new book, SprawlBall. Plus, a Rabbit Hole on horses.

Apr 30, 201942 min

"The Rockets Can Beat The Warriors"

Nate Silver joins the podcast to talk about the second round of the NBA playoffs. We also discuss Kyler Murray and the NFL draft and Nate rants about home runs in the MLB.

Apr 23, 201936 min

"Tiger Will Catch Jack"

The Hot Takedown team gathers to assess upsets in the NBA playoffs, Tiger's historic win at the Masters and our Rabbit Hole dives into other great comeback stories.

Apr 16, 201932 min

"Giannis Is Clearly The MVP"

Hot Takedown gathers to discuss the end of March Madness and debate who will become the NBA MVP. Plus, it's Masters week and our Rabbit Hole goes back to 1908.

Apr 09, 201944 min

[AUDIO FIXED] Michigan State Beat The Best

Our upload earlier this week made Geoff sound like he was in a tunnel of sound. This fixes that. We talk NCAAM, MLB opening weekend, and our Rabbit Hole of the week.

Apr 03, 201946 min

"Michigan State Beat The Best"

Hot Takedown is buzzing with reactions to the March Madness Final Four. Plus, MLB opening weekend brought surprises and our Rabbit Hole of the Week has us feeling old.

Apr 02, 201946 min

"Get That Extension While You Can"

The Hot Takedown crew reacts to a flurry of MLB extensions and make our predictions for the season. We debate NBA prospects for Williamson and Morant, plus an ode to Gronk.

Mar 26, 201938 min

"Conference Tournaments Are Meaningless"

This week, Hot Takedown previews the NCAA tournaments and make our Final Four picks. We also take stock of the NFL free agency and discuss strange NCAA mascots.

Mar 19, 201946 min

Episode Zero

The podcast where the hot sports takes of the week meet the numbers that prove them right or tear them down.

Mar 13, 20193 min

"The Steelers Are Better Off Without AB"

Hot Takedown is back! This week, we tackle Antonio Brown's trade to the Raiders, the Mets going for it in the NL East and our Rabbit Hole of the week.

Mar 12, 201932 min

WWJD (What Will James Do?)

We're in The Lab to wrap up the season while discussing what makes these Warriors different from other NBA "dynasties" and where LeBron James should play next season.

Jun 11, 201849 min

Get Your Brooms Ready

The whole gang is back in the Lab to discuss what a potential sweep will do for the Warriors "dynasty" and LeBron's legacy. We also re-evaluate Finals MVP candidates and more.

Jun 07, 201843 min

About That Block

Neil and Kyle are in The Lab to dissect the crazy ending to Game 1. We discuss JR's blunder, highlight what the Cavs did right and wonder what more LeBron has to do.

Jun 01, 201823 min

Run It Back...Again...And Again...

First, we're in The Lab to break down what went wrong for Houston and Boston and then we look ahead to Cavaliers vs. Warriors: Part IV.

May 29, 201845 min
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