Gawking: The Tampa Bay Rays are One Win Away from the World Series

WORLD SERIES RECAPS UP THE MORNING AFTER GAMES Buster Olney previews the 2026 World Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays. Brewers broadcaster Jeff Levering and Rays play-by-play voice Andy Freed join Buster to discuss their pennant-clinching calls, keys to the World Series, Jacob Misiorowski vs. Junior Caminero, their late-broadcast partners Bob Uecker and Dave Wills, World Series fever gripping Milwaukee and Tampa Bay, and the similarities between Brewers manager Pat Murphy and Rays manager Kevin Cash. Then, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game. Later, Hembo stops by to talk about salary cap architect Hal Steinbrenner and the latest on the MLB labor negotiations, the most impressive thing about Rays’ run, if there is reason to worry ahead of Misiorowski’s Game 1 start, the differing pitching strategy between the teams, home field advantages, and World Series predictions. 0:00 Welcome 1:10 Brewers broadcaster Jeff Levering & Rays broadcaster Andy Freed 1:31 Calling a team on a World Series run 6:20 World Series key for Milwaukee 7:59 World Series key for Tampa Bay 10:40 Jacob Misiorowski vs. Junior Caminero 12:37 Freed remembers longtime Rays announcer Dave Wills 15:53 Levering remembers Hall of Famer Bob Uecker 19:40 World Series fever in Milwaukee, Tampa Bay 23:52 Brewers manager Pat Murphy is a character 25:09 Rays manager Kevin Cash is Tampa Bay man 28:36 Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game 30:19 Hembo joins 31:52 Latest on MLB labor talks 36:12 Most impressive thing about Rays run 39:03 Jacob Misiorowski in Game 1 41:27 Pitching strategies 43:46 Historically good home teams 45:59 Brewers, Rays economically efficient 48:35 World Series predictions 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

WORLD SERIES PREVIEW COMING THURSDAY (10/22) NEW EPISODE AFTER EVERY WORLD SERIES GAME Jesse Rogers is at Tropicana Field, chatting with Buster after the Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Cleveland Guardians in the ALCS, advancing to the World Series. They discuss Junior Caminero’s moment, Yandy Diaz’s leadership, another appearance from Fastball Freddy Peralta, keys to a Rays-Milwaukee Brewers World Series, and what to make of the New York Yankees’ announcement that Aaron Boone is returning. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Welcome 0:20 Recap: Rays beat Guardians, advance to World Series 6:07 Jesse Rogers joins from The Trop 7:43 Junior Caminero’s moment 8:38 Yandy Diaz’s coup de grâce 9:26 Freddy Peralta wins ALCS MVP 10:46 Key moment: Richie Palacios at-bat 11:56 Chandler Simpson creates chaos 13:17 Cleveland Guardians’ season is over 15:36 Keys to Rays-Brewers World Series 19:18 Will Freddy Peralta pitch in Milwaukee? 21:11 Aaron Boone back as New York Yankees manager 22:11 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

Eduardo Pérez is wheeling his one-man clown car around Progressive Field when joining Buster Olney to discuss the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians in Game 5 of the ALCS. They discuss how Drew Rasmussen controlled the strike zone with three different fastballs, Yandy Diaz and Jonathan Aranda stepping up, Junior Caminero looking eager and overwhelmed, Taylor Walls’ defense, if baseball will be played in Cleveland again in 2026, whether the week off for the Milwaukee Brewers will help or hurt them before the World Series, and the conversations that will be had between Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Welcome 0:30 Recap: Rays beat Guardians, lead ALCS 3-2 4:16 Eduardo Pérez joins 4:30 Drew Rasmussen dominates 7:30 Rasmussen’s three effective fastballs 10:34 Top of the Rays lineup 12:44 Junior Caminero 15:03 Taylor Walls’ defensive inspiration  18:43 Guardians ALCS Game 6 outlook 20:14 Brewers are off for almost a week 22:03 Could Shohei Ohtani move to the bullpen? 24:31 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

David Vassegh and Buster Olney convene following the Milwaukee Brewers sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS to punch their ticket to the World Series. The guys discuss the Brewers thoroughly drumming the Dodgers, Milwaukee’s vicious bullpen, a tough offseason awaiting Los Angeles. Then, Eduardo Pérez is one man clown car on the streets of Cleveland as he meets Guardians fan who has a message for Buster. Plus, he talks about the Guardians taking a 2-1 lead over the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALCS after a 3-1 Game 3 victory. Petey Halpin’s big home run and bat flip, Gavin Williams with another stellar start, potential bad weather for Game 4, pressure on the Rays, and José Ramírez’s confidence. Later, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game. 0:00 Welcome 0:47 Recap: Brewers beat Dodgers, advance to World Series 4:32 Recap: Guardians beat Rays, lead ALCS 2-1 6:11 David Vassegh joins 6:37 Dodgers dynasty is over 7:54 Buster: They got their a** kicked 8:55 Dodgers emotionally, physically drained 10:29 Brewers bullpen is vicious 11:47 Tough offseason decisions await 13:52 Questions facing Shohei Ohtani 17:05 Labor talks loom 18:30 Will Tarik Skubal stay in L.A.? 19:09 Eduardo Pérez is a one man clown car 20:08 Petey Halpin’s big home run  21:23 Pete Halpin’s bat flip 22:24 Gavin Williams doesn’t mess around 23:52 Guardians bullpen is a force 25:00 Potential bad weather for Game 4 26:02 ALCS Game 4 preview 26:59 Pressure is on the Rays 28:18 José Ramírez’s confidence 32:01 Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game 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

David Schoenfield and Buster Olney convene following the Milwaukee Brewers’ 6-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers to take a 3-0 NLCS lead. They discuss Jake Bauers and Garrett Mitchell hitting back-to-back home runs off Blake Snell, Jackson Chourio’s first pitch jack, if Dave Roberts made the right move keeping Snell in the game, and whether the Dodgers are more banged up than we think. Then, Eric Hosmer stops by to talk about Shohei Ohtani avoiding the bench, the Guardians-Rays ALCS shifting to Cleveland and moving up first pitch due to weather, and the postseason grind as a player. 0:00 Welcome 0:25 NLCS Game 3 Recap: Brewers beat Dodgers 4:20 David Schoenfield joins 4:35 Brewers a win away from World Series 6:30 Jake Bauers cementing legacy 8:06 Jackson Chourio’s star keeps rising 10:17 Did Blake Snell stay in too long? 12:55 Brewers defense shines 14:07 Robert Gasser is precise 14:53 Dodgers more banged up than we think? 17:49 Eric Hosmer joins 20:15 Shohei Ohtani stays in lineup 24:34 ALCS Game 3 Preview: Guardians-Rays 30:30 Postseason grind as a player 33:11 Dealing with outside influences  36:38 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 are in the Tropicana Field press box following the Tampa Bay Rays’ 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians to tie the ALCS at 1-1. They get into Freddy Peralta throwing heat all night, José Ramírez’s critical defensive error, and if weather will impact ALCS Game 3 in Cleveland. Then, future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols stops by to talk about what he’s seeing in Shohei Ohtani during his postseason struggles, if this is the Brewers’ breakthrough year, and Junior Caminero. 0:00 Welcome 0:44 Shohei Ohtani will play in NLCS Game 3 1:58 Recap: Rays beat Guardians, tie ALCS 1-1 3:36 Jesse Rogers & Buster at The Trop 3:54 Fastball Freddy Peralta 7:36 José Ramírez’s critical mistake 10:33 How to describe José Ramírez’s walk? 12:08 Possible bad weather in Cleveland? 14:11 Albert Pujols joins 16:48 What Pujols sees in Ohtani’s injury  25:00 Is this the Brewers’ breakthrough year? 28:25 José Ramírez’s swagger 33:02 ALCS prediction 34:09 Chip on Junior Caminero’s shoulder 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 chat after the Milwaukee Brewers’ 7-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers to take a 2-0 series lead in the NLCS. They discuss the Brewers’ bullpen dominating, knocking Yoshinobu Yamamoto out of the game early, William Contreras coming up big, and if they would bench Shohei Ohtani. Then, Buster and Jesse Rogers are in The Trop press box following the Cleveland Guardians’ surprising 7-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays to take a 1-0 series lead in the ALCS. They get into José Ramírez’s continuing tear, the Guardians finding a home run ball, Cleveland’s trade deadline acquisitions making an impact, and whether ALCS Game 2 is a must-win for the Rays. 0:00 Welcome 0:24 Recap: Brewers beat Dodgers 4:30 Recap: Guardians beat Rays 5:54 Tim Kurkjian joins 6:20 Brewers take 2-0 NLCS lead 7:10 Milwaukee bullpen is nails 10:32 Jake Bauers’ 12 pitch AB vs Yoshinobu Yamamoto 15:03 William Contreras comes up big 15:44 Kurkjian thinks it can still go 7 games 17:35 Would you bench Shohei Ohtani? 20:36 Jesse Rogers & Buster at The Trop 21:02 Guardians surprise Rays, take 1-0 ALCS lead 22:48 José Ramírez continues tear 23:49 Cleveland’s bullpen, diversifying offense 26:00 ALCS Game 2 preview: Parker Messick vs. Freddy Peralta 27:25 Guardians’ trade deadline additions 28:22 Junior Caminero OK after collision 29:46 Must win for the Rays? 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

David Schoenfield and Buster Olney convene following the Milwaukee Brewers taking a 1-0 lead in the NLDS after beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1. They discuss Brice Turang’s early home run, a mediocre day from Jacob Misiorowski, the Dodgers failing to hit with runners in scoring position, the ALCS between the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians, Cleveland lining up its pitching, and Junior Caminero being the key to the whole series. Then, Paul “Hembo” Hembekides stops by to talk about the Guardians taking down the Chicago White Sox in Game 5 of the ALDS, José Ramírez powering the Guardians, the Rays’ home field advantage, and ALCS and NLCS predictions. 0:00 Welcome 0:31 Recap: Brewers beat Dodgers 2-1 3:29 David Schoenfield joins the show 3:41 Brewers 1-0 lead over Dodgers 4:30 Brice Turang’s early home run 5:20 Jacob Misiorowski’s mediocre day 7:05 Brewers depth shined 10:33 Dodgers offensive struggles 14:47 Tampa Bay Rays-Cleveland Guardians ALCS preview 16:55 Guardians lining up pitching 19:29 Ties between Rays-Guardians 20:41 Junior Caminero is the ALCS key player 21:53 Hembo joins 22:33 Guardians defeat White Sox in ALDS 25:26 Rays are well-rested for Guardians 27:00 José Ramírez powered Guardians 28:20 Rays home field advantage  30:47 Brewers-Dodgers are best teams in baseball 33:51 Brewers-Dodgers predictions 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 joins Buster Olney from Rate Park following the Cleveland Guardians’ Game 4 win over the Chicago White Sox, forcing Game 5 in the ALDS. The guys discuss the 15 combined pitchers used in Game 4, another huge night from José Ramírez, and the White Sox on the ropes after starting the series 2-0. Then, Alden Gonzalez stops by after watching Brewers-Padres in San Diego. They talk about the Padres falling short again, the Los Angeles Dodgers facing the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLCS, what’s next for the New York Yankees, and the radical changes proposed by MLB as labor discussions continue with the players. Later, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game. Finally, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Welcome 0:29 Guardians beat White Sox, force ALDS Game 5 4:07 Jesse Rogers joins 4:37 Guardians come back 0-2 5:20 15 combined pitchers used 7:02 18th and final game between these teams 9:00 White Sox will need pitching answers 10:00 José Ramírez with another huge night 11:01 White Sox now on the ropes 12:03 Winner advances to play Rays in ALCS 13:08 Alden Gonzalez joins 13:26 Brewers beat Padres in tight NLDS 15:10 Padres fall short again 20:41 Dodgers-Brewers NLCS preview 26:27 Yankees swept by Rays, what’s next for New York? 31:09 MLB proposes 154-game regular season 36:19 Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game 38:53 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

Jessica Mendoza joins Buster Olney following the Los Angeles Dodgers eliminating the Atlanta Braves in Game 4 of the NLDS. They discuss Andy Pages’ critical hit, the Dodger bullpen passing its first test, the potential NLCS starting rotation, Shohei Ohtani’s struggles, and the Braves’ 2026 season. Then, Jesse Rogers joins from Rate Field to talk about the Cleveland Guardians beating the Chicago White Sox in Game 3 of the ALDS. They get into the atmosphere at the ballpark, José Ramírez tearing it up, Jo Adell sparking the team, and a lookahead to Game 4. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.  0:00 Welcome 0:33 Brewers advance to NLCS 1:02 Dodgers advance to NLCS 1:58 Rays advance to ALCS 4:47 Guardians force ALDS Game 4 5:30 Jessica Mendoza joins 5:48 Dodgers defeat Braves in NLDS 6:35 Andy Pages pivotal hit 8:05 Dodgers bullpen looked good 9:08 Yoshinobu Yamamoto ultimate foxhole guy 10:44 Potential Dodgers NLCS rotation 12:26 Shohei Ohtani struggles 13:14 Successful season for the Braves? 14:15 Jesse Rogers joins 14:52 Guardians beat White Sox 16:02 Tough day for White Sox bullpen 17:13 José Ramírez tore it up 18:22 Jo Adell sparked the Guardians rally 19:58 Cade Smith pitches two innings 21:46 Guardians-White Sox ALDS Game 4 preview 17:58 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