ROR’ING ‘ROUND AUGUSTA (4.14.25): McIlroy finally gets his green jacket

On this week’s episode of THE WINDOW Podcast, Matt Russell (@mrussauthentic on X) opens the show discussing THE MASTERS, and a rare situation where cheering for someone or some THING superseded a by-the-rules bet. Until it led to one.

Matt tells the story of how he eventually bet on Rory McIlroy after spending Sunday trying to balance the concept of the ‘heart hedge’. 

Matt talks about how decades of betting on team sports has pulled him away from being a fan of the brand (as already-rich owners bleed everything they can out of the teams’ fans), but how his love of golf has shifted his concept of fandom towards those he believes are earnestly self-aware, playing that game for the big money they earn with results, while seeming to try to make the game better for those who consume it.

Then, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are imminent. Matt reflects on last week’s piece about the three most important things for handicapping playoff hockey. 

Why even-strength play is more under the microscope in the postseason, how scoring talent can be measured, and searching for at least a hint as to who might be the hot goalie to start the playoffs. Matt breaks down how he’s building team ratings off of those three elements to create a projected series win probability for eight upcoming previews.

Lastly, Matt details the content plan for the Stanley Cup Playoffs:

• Series previews for every matchup

• In-Series betting updates, as necessary 

• Double the podcasts, reflecting on game results

It’s time to head to THE WINDOW, let’s go!

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