Blair Witch Podcast: USA-Venezuela to Face-Off in the WBC Final, Joe Davis Stops By

Opening Day is right around the corner. Buster Olney and Jesse Rogers discuss some of the storylines playing out at Spring Training while the World Baseball Classic wrapped up. The Rangers’ Wyatt Langford looks great, the Braves’ offense needs to get right and the Blue Jays are slow-playing Trey Yesavage. Then, Jesse shares his predictions for division and award winners, and his wild card teams. Next, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora stops by to talk about his thoughts on the World Baseball Classic, Wilyer Abreu looking sharp, which manager called him to talk about Roman Anthony, if the Red Sox have enough power in their lineup, and how he’s handling the back end of the rotation. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Welcome 0:56 Phillies sign Cristopher Sanchez to 6-year deal 5:26 Rangers Wyatt Langford looks great 8:04 Braves offense needs to perform 10:31 Blue Jays holding out Trey Yesavage 11:00 Making predictions for the 2026 MLB season 11:29 AL East 13:18 AL Central 14:19 AL West 15:41 AL Wild Card Teams 17:39 NL West 17:45 NL Central 18:28 NL West 18:49 NL Wild Card Teams 19:52 Are Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani MVP Locks? 20:54 Picking against Paul Skenes or Tarik Skubal for Cy Young? 21:30 Rookie of the Year picks 23:33 Red Sox Manager Alex Cora joins the show 24:02 Cora’s thoughts on the World Baseball Classic 28:39 Wilyer Abreu’s breakout performance at the WBC 30:09 Getting calls from other managers about Roman Anthony 32:14 Outlook on the 2026 Boston Red Sox 35:26 Other Headlines: Boston 2B Marcelo Mayer makes the team  36:16 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Follow The Baseball Tonight Podcast on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHeL6O-A-ASmSMwbSCFvPKEq1Cslo_lrw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FG6xCcd338SgZjZ9urHRI Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-tonight-with-buster-olney/id137699414 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Venezuela earns its first World Baseball Classic title, defeating Team USA 3-2 in a dramatic final game. Buster Olney and Tim Kurkjian discuss what a fun tournament this edition of the WBC was, Venezuela taking down the United States and Japan on its way to a championship, the celebration that ensued, which players shined, the United States’ failure to get the offense going, and what they would change about the World Baseball Classic going forward.  0:00 Venezuela beats USA 3-2 in WBC final 3:57 Eugenio Suarez has another big moment 6:25 Bryce Harper finds his swing 7:49 Cubs allow Daniel Palencia to pitch 9:05 Wilyer Abreu is a breakout candidate in 2026 11:04 Eduardo Rodríguez came up big 11:56 Nolan McLean was spinning it 13:55 Luis Arráez walks to get the late rally going 14:49 How did manager Omar López and Mark DeRosa perform? 16:06 What would you change about the WBC? 21:43 Milwaukee Brewers Preview 23:11 Headlines 23:44 Kansas City Royals Preview 25:06 Bleacher Tweets w/ more on Cubs OF Seyia Suzuki’s injury CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Follow The Baseball Tonight Podcast on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHeL6O-A-ASmSMwbSCFvPKEq1Cslo_lrw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FG6xCcd338SgZjZ9urHRI Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-tonight-with-buster-olney/id137699414 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The World Baseball Classic final is set: The United States will face Venezuela for the championship. FOX play-by-play voice Joe Davis joins Buster to discuss Venezuela beating Italy 4-2 to advance to the final, Aaron Nola starting for Italy, Venezuela putting the ball in play, what Venezuela and the United States need from their starting pitchers in the final, and which final adjustments Team USA manager might make to the lineup. Then, Buster previews the San Francisco Giants and the Boston Red Sox. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.  0:00 Joe Davis 13:45 San Francisco Giants preview 15:05 Other headlines 15:35 Boston Red Sox preview 16:51 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Follow The Baseball Tonight Podcast on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHeL6O-A-ASmSMwbSCFvPKEq1Cslo_lrw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FG6xCcd338SgZjZ9urHRI Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-tonight-with-buster-olney/id137699414 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Team USA wins a tight World Baseball Classic semifinal 2-1 over the Dominican Republic. Buster Olney and Dave Schoenfield link up following the game to discuss the bad strike call that ended the game, Team USA's outstanding bullpen, the Dominican Republic's missed opportunities, Junior Caminero hitting another bomb, Julio Rodriguez and Aaron Judge making outrageous defensive plays, Red Sox fans salivating over Roman Anthony, USA manager Mark DeRosa making the right move starting Gunner Henderson, and whether Italy or Venezuela has a better shot against the Americans in the WBC final on Tuesday. 0:00 Dave Schoenfield & Buster recap USA-DOM 24:19 New York Yankees preview 25:44 New York Mets preview 26:57 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Follow The Baseball Tonight Podcast on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHeL6O-A-ASmSMwbSCFvPKEq1Cslo_lrw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FG6xCcd338SgZjZ9urHRI Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-tonight-with-buster-olney/id137699414 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What makes LoanPark Depot in Miami so loud? Alden Gonzalez and Buster Olney investigate the parties on the concourse. Plus, Mark DeRosa’s rough few days as manager of Team USA, the Americans avoiding embarrassment with help from Italy, if they believe Randy Arozarena and Cal Raleigh are cool, and a look at the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals. Then, Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch stops by to talk about the tough decisions ahead of him with a deep outfield, his conversations with Tairk Skubal as Skubal decided to play one game for Team USA, his advice for managers dealing with the media, and who in his life keeps him honest on the job. Later, Buster previews the Cincinnati Reds, the Texas Rangers and the Philadelphia Phillies. Finally, Buster answers your WBC questions during Bleacher Tweets. ⁠WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE⁠ 0:00 Alden Gonzalez 22:32 Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch 34:37 Cincinnati Reds preview 35:57 Texas Rangers Preview  37:14 Philadelphia Phillies Preview 38:32 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tarik Skubal will not pitch again for Team USA in this World Baseball Classic. Buster Olney and Hembo discuss his decision, the flack he’s getting for it and if Mark DeRosa should’ve publicly defended Skubal. Then, the guys discuss Cal Raleigh refusing to shake Seattle Mariners teammate Randy Arozarena during USA-Mexico, the Phillies signing Jesus Luzardo, and which number Bryce Harper should chase this season. Then, Scott Boras joins the show to talk about his client Tarik Skubal’s decision to not pitch again in the WBC, Skubal’s emotions after pitching in his only planned start for Team USA, what he likes about A.J. Hinch’s communication with Skubal, if he advised Skubal to bring his Cy Young awards to his arbitration hearing, and Skubal’s emotions after wining the case. Next, Buster previews the Minnesota Twins. Later, Buster answers your personal and WBC questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Hembo 21:33 Scott Boras 38:26 Minnesota Twins Preview 40:01 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What was your favorite moment from the first weekend of World Baseball Classic action? Buster and Eric Hosmer discuss. Plus, Manny Machado mentoring breakout start Junior Caminero on the Dominican Republic, and should Tarik Skubal pitch another game for the U.S.? Then, Tim Kurkjian talks about what gets him fired up about the WBC, Kyle Schwarber’s home run against Great Britain, a high schooler forcing Aaron Judge into a double play, and his thoughts on the Tigers, Red Sox and Yankees after visiting Spring Training. Plus, Buster previews the Atlanta Braves and the St. Louis Cardinals. Later, Buster answers your WBC questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Eric Hosmer 18:38 Atlanta Braves Preview 19:53 Tim Kurkjian 38:39 St. Louis Cardinals Preview 39:45 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ESPN released its 2026 Top-100 ranking of MLB players, and somehow Shohei Ohtani wasn’t the unanimous No. 1 pick? Buster, Jesse Rogers and ESPN.com MLB editor Liz Finny share their reactions to the top-100 list, including Mike Trout’s absence. Then, the gang drafts their top players in the league, and things go sideways at pick No. 2. Next, Buster and Jesse discuss injuries to Jeremy Peña and Hunter Greene, Jesse’s reporting on Team USA and the World Baseball Classic, and how MLB should handle contracts of players testing positive for PEDs. Then, MLB VP of On-Field Strategy Joe Martinez stops by to talk about how the ABS Challenge System is working so far to start Spring Training. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Rank 2026: ESPN's Top-100 MLB Players 8:06 Drafting the best players in MLB 14:30 Jesse Rogers on Team USA 21:11 MLB VP of On-Field Strategy Joe Martinez on ABS Challenges 31:48 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Atlanta Braves’ outfielder Jurickson Profar was suspended for the entire 2026 season, leaving the Braves in a hole as the season nears. Buster Olney, Karl Ravech and Eduardo Perez discuss. Plus, what is the level of concern for Roki Sasaki, their takeaways after a day with the Detroit Tigers, and who they’re picking to win the World Baseball Classic. Then, Hembo stops by to talk about the most important pitching skill in an ABS world, why he’s betting on a MacKenzie Gore breakout with the Texas Rangers, the star who’s hiding in plain sight and his WBC pick. Later, Buster previews the Seattle Mariners. Finally, he answers a listener question during Bleacher Tweets 0:00 Karl Ravech & Eduardo Perez 20:55 Hembo 36:38 Mariners preview 38:03 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Cardinals extend manager Oliver Marmol, Tarik Skubal has high praise for Tigers’ prospect Kevin McGonigle, and the World Baseball Classic is about to begin. Buster Olney and David Schoenfield discuss. Plus, the guys draft World Series hopefuls that have the best chances of unseat the Los Angeles Dodgers. Then, Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer stops by to talk about how his perspective on the WBC has changed, recruiting Alex Bregman, what to expect from Pete Crow-Armstrong after a tough second half of 2025, and why Michael Busch is one of the league’s most underrated players. Later, Buster previews the Cleveland Guardians and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Finally, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 David Schoenfield 9:45 Non-Dodger Contender Draft 20:19 Cubs GM Jed Hoyer 37:01 Headlines 38:15 Cleveland Guardians preview 39:39 Pittsburgh Pirates preview 40:51 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEET Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices