Ranking the top World Series candidates most likely to dethrone the Dodgers 🤔

Paul “Hembo” Hembekides and Buster Olney play a game of “Trend or Blip,” looking at the Marlins, Rays and Rangers. Then, they discuss why Aaron Judge is the rising tide that lifts all boats for the Yankees, the most obvious trade-deadline match, how bad is this American League — historically speaking, and more on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s slog of a season. Then, Buster talks to longtime pro Rick Monday about snatching the American flag from field-invading protesters in 1976. Later, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game. And finally, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Welcome 3:01 Hembo 4:13 Blip or Trend: Marlins 5:28 Blip or Trend: Yankees 7:10 Blip or Trend: Rays 9:16 Blip or Trend: Rangers 10:19 Blip or Trend: Cubs 11:39 Yankees sorely miss Aaron Judge 13:39 What happened to Austin Riley? 17:39 Bo Bichette back to Toronto? 25:50 Historically bad American League 28:50 Rick Monday saves the American flag 43:07 Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game 44:33 Bleacher Tweets: PCA vs. Shohei Ohtani 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

Tim Kurkjian and Buster Olney discuss the Red Sox sweep of the Yankees and if Boston can dream about the postseason, the Mets firing manager Carlos Mendoza and what it means for the GM David Stearns, why the Angels firing GM Perry Minasian probably won't change much in Anaheim, the Tigers falling out of playoff contention and looking likelier than ever to trade Tarik Skubal, Junior Caminero raking the Rays to the AL's best record, why Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is baseball's biggest mystery, and the Rangers losing Wyatt Langford. 4:01 Tim Kurkjian 24:16 Bleacher Tweets 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

Buster Olney is joined by Jorge Castillo and Alden Gonzalez as they take a deep dive into the top World Series contenders and debate which team has the best chance to dethrone the Dodgers as World Series champions. Plus Sarah Langs and Todd Radom join! 0:00 Welcome + Thursday recap 2:50 State of the Dodgers, injuries + Shohei Ohtani greatness 8:39 Will the Dodgers land Tarik Skubal? 13:20 Atlanta Braves 15:40 New York Yankees 20:29 Seattle Mariners 23:02 Philadelphia Phillies 25:45 Milwaukee Brewers 30:07 Tampa Bay Rays 31:47 Toronto Blue Jays 32:25 San Diego Padres 33:22 Chicago Cubs 35:46 Sarah Langs Plays the Numbers Game 37:11 Todd Radom's best American baseball moments Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Paul “Hembo” Hembekides and Buster discuss the continued strangeness around Rafael Devers refusing to leave the game after being pinch run, Devers calling the situation a “misunderstanding,” Buster Posey not addressing it with the team, the Kansas City Royals’ Jac Caglianone finding his own, the Cincinnati Reds’ Chase Burns keeping the riverboat afloat, why the Seattle Mariners are the biggest challenger to the New York Yankees in the American League, and if New York Mets’ ace Freddy Peralta is worth the big money he wants. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Welcome 3:54 Paul “Hembo” Hembekides 5:52 Rafael Devers drama continues 13:35 Jac Caglianone summer 16:00 Chase Burns is the best tunnel baller in MLB 18:13 Buy Mariners stock now 24:24 Should the Mets pay Freddy Peralta big money? 27:22 Bleacher Tweets 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

ESPN.com’s David Schoenfield joins Buster Olney to discuss Rafael Devers’ tantrum after being pinch run, the reality that MLB owners are ready to shut down the sport, the Marlins sweeping the Giants, Kyle Tucker being dropped to seventh in the Dodgers’ lineup, Kyle Schwarber’s three-homer Saturday, a fun series between the October-bound Brewers and Braves, if the Orioles are still alive and the Tigers hanging around in the Al Central. Then, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol stops by to talk about Jordan Walker as an NL MVP candidate, JJ Wetherholt’s enthusiasm, Dustin May finding his stuff, and which player he hates to game plan against in the box. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Welcome 0:23 Top of the First 3:23 ESPN’s David Schoenfield joins 4:37 Rafael Devers’ tantrum 10:31 Marlins sweep Giants 11:33 MLB owners’ latest draft overhaul 17:22 Kyle Tucker struggling 19:58 Kyle Schwarber hits three homers 22:46 Orioles take series vs. Dodgers 25:08 Tigers hanging around in AL Central 26:45 Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol joins 28:37 Jordan Walker NL MVP candidate? 31:28 JJ Wetherholt’s enthusiasm  32:32 Dustin May finds his stuff 34:23 Cardinals contending for postseason 36:47 Toughest player to game plan against 39:53 Bleacher Tweets 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

ESPN MLB analyst Doug Glanville joins Buster Olney to discuss the San Francisco Giants listening to trade offers on Rafael Devers, Matt Chapman and Willy Adames, what it’s like to play in the league while being the subject of trade rumors, and whether the Tigers, Red Sox, Mets, Orioles and others should buy or sell at the deadline. Then, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game. Plus, Todd Radom on Left O’Duol, the man who opened the door for Japanese players coming to America. Finally, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Welcome 2:43 ESPN MLB analyst Doug Glanville joins 3:55 E:60’s “Return of the Clowns” premieres on Juneteenth 6:22 San Francisco Giants are listening on big players 6:56 How players handle trade rumors 14:05 Buy or Sell: Detroit Tigers 16:03 Boston Red Sox 17:00 Texas Rangers 17:58 Minnesota Twins 19:14 Baltimore Orioles 19:45 New York Mets 21:31 Miami Marlins 22:08 Cubs need a cut-up 25:02 The Numbers Game with Sarah Langs 26:06 Todd Radom on Lefty O’Doul, quiz 33:07 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

Washington Nationals manager Blake Butera joins Buster Olney to discuss CJ Abrams leading the All-Star voting for NL shortstops, his team’s offense racking up runs, leadership from his young core and adjusting to life as a new dad. Then, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers stops by to talk about why the Cubs need to loosen up, incoming makeovers for the Giants and Mets, why the White Sox have staying power, the Cardinals continue to amaze and confuse, and if Nick Kurtz is the AL MVP frontrunner with Aaron Judge injured. Later, ESPN injury expert Stephania Bell does a deep dive on hamate bone injuries after José Ramirez and Vinnie Pasquantino get bad news. Finally, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 3:02 Washington Nationals Manager Blake Butera 16:36 ESPN’s Jesse Rogers joins 17:47 Is the Cubs’ clubhouse too tight? 25:10 The Giants are open for business 29:29 Mets barreling toward a makeover 32:29 White Sox have staying power 33:28 Can’t figure out the Cardinals 35:01 Nick Kurtz new AL MVP frontrunner? 35:38 ESPN injury expert Stephania Bell joins 36:28 The key to Tarik Skubal’s rapid return 39:57 José Ramirez, Vinnie Pasquantino break hamates 44:23 Theory on why hamates keep breaking 51:57 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

Tim Kurkjian joins to talk about Jacob Misiorowski's latest historical performance: a 15-strikeout complete-game 1-hitter. Buster and Tim also discuss Tarik Skubal's return and what that means for the Tigers, the white hot White Sox, and Pete Crow-Armstrong's correlation to the Cubs' success. Braves All-Star first baseman Matt Olson then joins to discuss one of the most underrated parts of his game: his arm. He also shares a surprising story about the closest he's come to missing a game during his iron-man streak and is wise enough to not share some inside secrets of his batting approach to Cam Schlittler. 0:00 Top of the First (Logan Webb, White Sox, Las Vegas) 2:21 Jacob Misiorowski's complete game 6:09 Tarik Skubal returns 7:35 Jose Ramirez's injury 9:07 Spencer Strider's injury 10:07 Yoshinobu Yamamoto's 1-hitter, White Sox win series 11:18 Cubs dependence on Pete Crow-Armstrong 12:55 Matt Olson's laser arm 15:35 Closest to missing a game 20:38 Returning to Silver Slugger form 24:59 Michael Harris II's breakout season 26:37 Mauricio Dubon's impact on Atlanta 27:56 Views on Walt Weiss' tackle on Soler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Yankees pitcher and AL Cy Young frontrunner Cam Schlittler joins the show to discuss his mindset, his epic postseason debut against the Red Sox last year, how he learned to hit 100 mph, and he shares a great story about how Aaron Judge helped him in a time of need. Jorge Castillo then joins to discuss Schlittler's dominance, the storybook walk-off home runs from Bryce Eldridge and Braden Montgomery, the Cardinals surprising season, and if Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns is on the hot seat. Plus Sarah Langs and Bleacher Tweets! 0:00 Welcome 0:51 Cam Schlittler joins 1:43 Postseason game against the Red Sox 3:00 Memories of being drafted by the Yankees 5:35 First time hitting 100 mph 8:15 The key to his 3-pitch fastball arsenal 9:19 Aaron Judge being a good captain 11:08 Giancarlo Stanton's role 12:11 A Massachusetts native playing for the Yankees 14:08 Jorge Castillo joins, Cam Schlittler's dominance 17:02 Bryce Eldridge walk-off Grand Slam 22:31 Braden Montgomery walk-off home run in debut 25:26 Jordan Walker's impressive year for St. Louis 27:27 Trade Deadline Outlook 30:18 The State of the Mets: Is David Stearns' job safe? 38:47 Sarah Langs plays the numbers game 39:47 Bleacher Tweets (Orioles, Australia) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We begin with Braden Montgomery hitting a spectacular walk-off home run in his MLB debut. Hembo then stops by to discuss the crazy Athletics-Brewers game from Monday, the Red Sox woes, why Alex Bregman is doing so poorly at Wrigley Field for the Cubs, how Ohtani's two-way season this year exceeds any season of Babe Ruth's, and more. Eduardo Perez then joins to preview the best MLB prospects in the College World Series starting on ESPN this weekend, why Las Vegas will be an even worse ballpark for pitchers than Coors Field in Denver, Cristopher Sanchez's claim to best pitcher in baseball, and the Red Sox questionable organizational philosophies. 0:00 Braden Montgomery walk off home run 2:00 Hembo joins the show 3:07 Nick Kurtz's amazing season 7:03 Red Sox failures 10:36 Alex Bregman can't hit at Wrigley 13:56 Shohei Ohtani's historic season 16:30 Corbin Carroll is a triples machine 18:30 Carson Benge is thriving 20:47 Best MLB prospects to watch at the College World Series 27:18 Why Las Vegas will ruin Athletics pitchers 33:07 Cristopher Sanchez's dominance 36:30 Red Sox organizational dysfunction 43:40 Bleacher Tweets (Julio Rodriguez, Manny Machado) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices