Special Talent: Cubs Built on Defense; Kyle Tucker Booed; Potential Ohtani Opt-Out?

Paul “Hembo” Hembekides and Buster Olney discuss Shohei Ohtani looking physically uncomfortable swinging the bat and why he should stop pitching this season, Arte Moreno selling the Los Angeles Angels to Stan Kroenke and how the team is already in better hands, why they were right about Bryce Harper all along, the Hall of Fame case for Paul Goldschmidt, the scourge of position players pitching, and a warning: spin the Cubs at your own peril. Then, Todd Radom stops by to talk about why we see so many home run robberies, and administer the weekly quiz. Plus, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game. Finally, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Welcome 3:14 Hembo joins 5:29 Shohei Ohtani isn’t right 7:50 Angels sold to Stan Kroenke 12:30 Hembo was right about Bryce Harper  14:53 Position players pitching is a scourge 18:24 Cubs mashing breaking balls 22:14 HOF case for Paul Goldschmidt 25:16 Todd Radom joins 26:38 Why so many HR robberies? 30:29 The Quiz 31:56 Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game 32:04 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

Jesse Rogers and Buster Olney discuss whether MLB should reseed the playoffs after the Wild Card round, what is keying Pete Crow-Armstong’s MVP run, if the Cubs pitching staff can find its swing-and-miss, a potential Shohei Ohtani pivot to the bullpen, Aaron Judge’s possible return next week, the Red Sox radio broadcast stirring the rivalry pot and Kete Marte being booed in his return. Then, Atlanta Braves great and Hall of Fame Chipper Jones stops by to talk about reuniting with teammates in Cooperstown, what he sees when watching PCA, how he would approach hitting Jacob Misiorowski and the infamous “Eric Gregg Game” in Game 5 of the 1997 NLCS. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 4:20 Should MLB reseed the playoffs? 7:07 Limits on position players pitching? 9:46 Pete Crow-Armstrong “Mike Trout vibes” 12:18 Cubs lead the league in HR hit, HR given up 14:05 Could Shohei Ohtani pivot to relief? 16:02 Details on Aaron Judge’s return 18:46 Red Sox radio crew stirs the pot 23:26 Ketel Marte returns to boos 26:06 Chipper Jones joins 29:24 What he’s seeing from PCA at the plate 35:56 How he would approach Jacob Misiorowski 37:14 “The Eric Gregg Game” 51:19 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

Tim Kurkjian and Buster Olney discuss their colleague Karl Ravech signing off the ESPN airwaves for the final time, why the Los Angeles Dodgers need Shohei Ohtani’s bat more than his arm, Pete Crow-Armstrong’s five home run weekend, the Atlanta Braves’ heater, the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox possibly setting up for a Wild Card series in the Bronx, and which teams will grab the third Wild Card spots in the American and National Leagues. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Top of the First 4:34 Tim Kurkjian joins 5:04 Karl Ravech signs off 8:52 Should Shohei Ohtani shut it down on the mound? 12:19 Ohtani’s knee for a RHP is a red flag 14:59 Pete Crow-Armstrong pulls ahead in NL MVP 17:40 Braves on 7-game win streak 20:56 Yankees take season series vs. Red Sox 22:55 Max Scherzer 9th on all-time K list 25:08 Sal Stewart locking up NL ROY 27:58 Third NL Wild Card team? 30:39 Third AL Wild Card team? 32:41 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

Welcome back to the Baseball Tonight Podcast with Buster Olney! On today’s episode, Buster is joined by ESPN Producer and Researcher for “Get Up!” Paul “Hembo” Hembekides to discuss why the Mariners’ weak strength of schedule at the and of the season should lead them into the playoffs. We’ll also discuss why the Red Sox have a historically great outfield duo in Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela. We’ll also hear from ESPN’s MLB prospect and farm system expert Kiley McDaniel on why the Brewers came in at number 1 in his latest farm system rankings, and why beauty is in the eyes of the beholder when it comes to teams’ player evaluations. All this, plus we play the numbers game with Sarah Langs, and Buster answers your questions in Bleacher Tweets. Timecodes:  0:02 Welcome, Top of the First  2:53 Hembo joins the show! 3:34 Cooper Pratt benched for lack of hustle 7:32 Mariners fighting for a playoff spot 10:33 MLB has a competitive balance problem 15:00 Red Sox are playing great defense 19:01 Sal Stewart is an RBI machine 21:37 Andrew Painter stepping up 24:42 Mike Trout, Ernie Banks & Walker Johnson shared stat 28:42 Sarah Langs plays the numbers game  30:24 who topped Kiley McDaniel’s farm system rankings? 32:07 Did the Brewers offer enough for Tarik Skubal? 34:28 Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder when it comes to player value 42:17 The Angels take a big step forward in the rankings 46:05 Why do the Orioles' prospects constantly stall?  50:11 What direction are the Mets heading?  58:05 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alden Gonzalez joins to talk about how the WBC champion Venezuelan team is aiding recovery efforts and reacting to the devastating June earthquakes. He also talks about what Padres fans can expect from their new owners, and gives an update on Shohei Ohtani's pitching status. Diamondbacks beat writer Nick Piecoro then joins to discuss the bizarre Ketel Marte situation and where the Diamondbacks go from here. 0:00 Intro 2:48 Venezuelan earthquake recovery with Alden Gonzalez 9:59 Reaction to Padres new owners' first press conference 14:18 How much money will the new owners spend? 16:17 Shohei Ohtani pitching update 19:04 How much does NL MVP drive Ohtani's return? 21:47 Timeline of Ketel Marte saga with Nick Piecoro 29:39 Manager Torey Lovullo's strategy in handling Marte Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Buster Olney recaps all of the fun from the Little League Classic, culminating with the Braves exciting win over the Brewers. Eric Hosmer then joins to go in-depth on the Ketel Marte saga and what's next for him and the Diamondbacks. They also discuss Kade Anderson's impressive debut, the latest in the PCA-Ohtani NL MVP race, the Dodgers pitching rotation and Skubal's first win, the Yankees injury setbacks, and the hottest team in baseball - the Kansas City Royals. We cap it off with Bleacher Tweets: Is Buster's real name, 'Buster?' 0:00 Little League Classic recap, Phillies walkoff 5:10 Hosmer joins, LLWS memories 8:45 The Ketel Marte saga evolves 16:18 Aaron Boone's management of George Lombard Jr 18:35 Kade Anderson's impressive debut vs Cubs 20:17 AL Wild Card drama 21:56 PCA vs Ohtani, NL MVP race 23:34 Dodgers pitching update, Skubal's first win 29:02 Yankees latest injury setback 30:57 Royals are hottest team in baseball 34:11 Bleacher Tweets: Tatis, Buster's real name Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jorge Castillo and Buster Olney discuss what is going on with the Dodgers and Mark Walter, why Walter needs cash, the real reason the Dodgers are all-in on this season, how Shohei Ohtani should leverage the situation, Yankees pitcher Max Fried heading to the IL, if Aaron Judge can be Aaron Judge in October, and Mets owner Steve Cohen speaking to the media about a disastrous season. Then, Hembo stops by to talk about whether an American League team with a sub-.500 record will make the postseason, how to improve an already very good challenge system in MLB, nobody watching Orioles slugger Pete Alonso mash, Braves ace Chris Sale entering a new stratosphere, how Pete Crow-Armstrong’s season is even better than Hembo realized, and why every dynasty needs a Max Muncy. Then, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Welcome 3:00 Jorge Castillo joins 3:38 What’s going on with Mark Walter and the Dodgers 5:35 Dodgers all-in because of overall uncertainty? 8:26 Dodgers’ off-field advantages could be trimmed 10:38 Shohei Ohtani should use this as leverage 14:27 Yankees Max Fried to the IL 16:06 Will Aaron Judge be ready for October? 18:45 Mets owner Steve Cohen speaks on rough season 20:30 Cohen says he’s committed to GM 23:38 Hembo joins 23:54 Will a sub-.500 AL team make the postseason? 27:57 Orioles Pete Alonso home run ruled foul 30:01 Challenge system works, how to make it better 34:56 Alonso is hitting, no one cares 37:55 Braves Chris Sale entering a new stratosphere 41:26 Pete Crow-Armstrong’s crazy play at Wrigley 44:34 Max Muncy enhancing his Dodgers legend 49:28 George Lombard Jr. is a top-6 shortstop already 50:08 Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game 51:20 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

Jesse Rogers and Buster Olney discuss Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson’s oblique injury, how the Cubs are built on defense, the Brewers making a statement, what’s wrong with Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes, Kyle Tucker’s ugly season continuing, and how the Mark Walter situation potentially lead to Shohei Ohtani opting out of his contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Then, Eduardo Pérez talks about how the St. Louis Cardinals are headed in the right direction, how the labor situation plays into the Seattle Mariners’ decision on promoting Kade Anderson, and why the San Diego Padres are more dangerous than you think. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 WELCOME 0:46 TOP OF THE FIRST 03:55 JESSE ROGERS JOINS THE SHOW 04:15 DANSBY SWANSON TO THE IL WITH OBLIQUE INJURY 06:11 CUBS IDENTITY BUILT AROUND DEFENSE 09:00 PIRATES RESTING ACE PAUL SKENES 11:16 BREWERS MAKE STATEMENT VS. DODGERS IN LA 14:58 DODGERS SLIDING: CAN THEY TURN IT ON IN OCTOBER? 16:26 SHOHEI OHTANI RAMPING UP THROWING BULLPEN SESSIONS 19:18 KYLE TUCKER GETS BOOED AT HOME 24:10 WILL MARK WALTER REMAIN AS PRINCIPAL DODGERS OWNER? 28:25 EDUARDO PÉREZ JOINS 29:37 EDUARDO HAS A SPECIAL TALENT 32:17 CARDINALS ARE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION 37:38 HOW BIG OF A DEAL IS DANSBY SWANSON’S INJURY? 39:33 MARINERS WEIGHING THE DECISION TO PROMOTE KADE ANDERSON 43:55 THE PADRES ARE MORE DANGEROUS THAN YOU THINK 46:33 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

Welcome back to the Baseball Tonight podcast with Buster Olney. On today's show, Buster is joined by Tim Kurkjian to discuss Joshua Baez's epic debut performance for the Cardinals. Jacob Misorowski going toe to toe with the World Series favorites, and why the Cubs' defense might be the best we've ever seen. We'll also discuss what Shohei Ohtani might do with the unique opt-out clause he has in his contract, and if the Dodgers should be worried. All this, plus Buster answers your questions in the latest edition of Bleacher Tweets. 00:00 Open, Sunday recap 3:00 Tim Kurkjian joins the show 6:00 Joshua Baez has an epic debut for the Cardinals 9:48 Jacob Misiorowski goes off against the Dodgers 13:25 Should the Dodgers keep Edwin Diaz as their closer? 15:05 How good is the Cubs' defense? 19:02 Should the Mariners promote Kade Anderson now? 22:47 Will Shohei Ohtani opt-out of his contract? 28:12 Bleacher Tweets; Francisco Lindor, Mariners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Buster Olney recaps the nostalgic Field of Dreams game and another blown save for Edwin Diaz. Jake Peavy then joins to discuss how the Brewers should approach Jacob Misiorowski's workload down the stretch, Paul Skenes' slump, how the Dodgers should line up their postseason rotation, the Tigers sudden surge into playoff contention, and why the Padres are the Dodgers biggest threat. Then Hembo hops on to also discuss Will Smith's importance to the Dodgers, why the Yankees haven't had someone like George Lombard since the 1970s, Skenes' struggles, and Julio Rodriguez's down year. Plus Sarah Langs and Bleacher Tweets! 0:00 Welcome 0:55 Field of Dreams Game 2:33 Another blown save for Edwin Diaz 3:53 Jake Peavy joins 5:17 Brewers management of Jacob Misiorowski 7:00 Paul Skenes' slump 10:17 Dodgers postseason rotation outlook 12:43 Max Scherzer catching Verlander in career Ks 14:12 Tigers playoff chances after dealing Skubal and Mize 18:30 Biggest threats to Dodgers 22:09 Hembo joins, Buster's questionable dance moves 26:58 Will Smith's importance to the Dodgers 29:40 George Lombard Jr.s' impressive first week with the Yankees 33:44 Paul Skenes' struggles 37:27 Positional evaluation 41:47 Julio Rodriguez's slump 45:39 Sarah Langs plays the numbers game 47:03 Bleacher Tweets: Mariners, Alfonso Soriano Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices