Let's Argue: Pete Alonso Hits 300th HR at Citi Field; Jesús Luzardo to IL; AL MVP Race is Messy

The final week of the regular season is here! Buster gives us everything at play in these final few days as several Playoff spots are still up for grabs in the AL Central and AL West. David Schoenfield then joins the show to break down the Guardians/White Sox race: he states why Cleveland can make some big noise in the postseason and analyzes the crumbling White Sox pitching staff. They then take a look at the Rays dominance, Aaron Judge's latest IL stint and what it means for the Yankees, the Padres September surge, the AL West race, and the Dodgers return to dominance. 0:00 Latest news: Bregman hit with foul ball, Padres roll 4:20 Playoff outlook, where we stand with 1 week left 7:04 Guardians-White Sox AL Central race 15:46 Rays playoff forecast 17:03 Aaron Judge back on the IL, will he play again this year? 23:08 Rays home dominance 24:23 Padres are hottest team in baseball 26:37 AL West race coming down to the wire between Rangers and Astros 27:46 Dodgers are back on track 28:52 Bleacher Tweets, why owners don't want Brewers/Rays World Series Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jesse Rogers joins to recap the wild White Sox-Guardians series that saw the AL Central lead change for the first time since July 4. He discusses Cleveland's postseason chances, the White Sox collapse, the tight AL West race, the case for a unanimous PCA NL MVP vote, and why the Brewers have their eyes set beyond the Cubs. Hembo then joins to talk about Sandy Alcántara's unique feat, Jesús Luzardo's injury and what that means for the Phillies, why the Brewers didn't trade for Tarik Skubal, the Yankees historic pitching staff, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto's crazy season. Plus Sarah Langs and Bleacher Tweets! 0:00 Intro 1:05 Dodgers clinch NL West; White Sox, Red Sox, Padres win 4:16 White Sox-Guardians series with Jesse Rogers 6:25 Cleveland is scary in the postseason 8:55 White Sox pitching staff is crumbling 10:22 Tommy Pham's surprise impact 13:11 White Sox season a success if they miss playoffs? 14:16 Astros-Rangers AL West battle 15:00 PCA unanimous MVP case 17:37 Brewers are better positioned than last year 19:50 Hembo joins, Sandy Alcántara's feat 22:26 The impact of Jesús Luzardo's injury 23:43 Blake Snell's injury; Dodgers showing cracks 25:54 Yordan Alvarez should be AL MVP 28:11 Yankees might have their best pitching staff ever 30:25 Why the Brewers didn't trade for Tarik Skubal 33:11 Skubal's best trait 35:28 Yoshinobu Yamamoto is out-of-this-world 38:34 Sarah Langs plays the numbers game 39:40 Bleacher Tweets: PCA, Brewers/Cubs rivlary Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David Schoenfield and Buster Olney discuss the Phillies body blow with Jesús Luzardo heading to the IL, the Brewers winning a fourth straight NL Central, the poetry of Pete Alonso’s 300th career home run at Citi Field, and a slew of possible managerial and front office changes in 2027. Then, Jorge Castillo stops by to talk about Alonso’s return to New York and miffed Mets fans, if Bo Bichette will opt-out of his contract, the state of baseball in Puerto Rico, and Aaron Judge’s first week back. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Welcome 4:55 David Schoenfield joins 5:37 Guardians-White Sox battling in AL Central 7:30 Phillies Jesús Luzardo to IL 9:41 Brewers win fourth straight NL Central 12:53 Orioles Pete Alonso hits 300th career HR 16:10 Possible managerial & front office changes 16:11 Mets need new manager in 2027 18:51 Still Alex Cora to Philadelphia smoke 19:53 Will the Mariners retain Jerry Dipoto? 22:57 AL MVP race between Àlvarez, Caminero, Schlittler 27:36 Jorge Castillo joins 27:51 More on Pete Alonso’s return to Citi Field 35:02 Will Bo Bichette opt-out of his contract? 47:50 State of baseball in Puerto Rico 47:22 Evaluating Aaron Judge first week back 48:18 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 Pete Alonso’s return to Citi Field and if the Mets regret letting him go, whether Mike Elias will lead the Orioles again in 2027, Dodgers rookie Josue De Paula stepping up, Aaron Boone advocating for Cam Schlittler as an AL MVP candidate, Tony Vitello’s first season as an MLB manager, and Justin Verlander set to make one more start for the Tigers. Then, voice of the Cleveland Guardians Tom Hamilton stops by to talk about Cleveland’s sustained success, if they have the best rotation in the big leagues, players stepping up in José Ramírez’s absence, and the Chicago White Sox’s ascension. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Welcome 0:42 Top of the First 3:43 Tim Kurkjian joins 5:57 Pete Alonso returns to Citi Field 8:36 Will Mike Elias return as Orioles president? 13:34 Dodgers Josue De Paula stepping up 16:07 Yankees Cam Schlittler for AL MVP? 21:37 Giants Rafael Devers season ends early 23:20 Grading Tony Vitello’s first season as manager 24:37 Justin Verlander to make one more start 28:05 Tom Hamilton joins 29:28 Guardians sustained success 32:18 Best rotation in the league? 33:55 Wild AL playoff race 34:59 Steve Kwan is Steven Kwan again 37:20 Travis Bazzana’s relaxed approach 39:09 Chase DeLauter’s unusual swing 40:21 White Sox’s ascension 41:53 Most likely AL World Series winner 43:39 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

NEXT PODCAST OUT TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 15 David Schoenfield and Buster Olney discuss the Dodgers’ promotion of top prospect Josue De Paula, what it signals about Shohei Ohtani’s injury, Aaron Judge unhappy that he was pulled early in his first two games back, Elly De La Cruz’s crazy assist and what’s next for the Mariners. Then, Braves analyst Peter Moylan stops by to talk about why the Brewers are the team to beat in the National League, the Dodgers bleeding, Kyle Schwarber on pace to lead the league in homers, and why Chris Sale is the ultimate teammate. Next, Buster and Michael Kay share their memories of 9/11 on the 25th anniversary and reflect on what baseball meant after the tragedy. Later, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game. Finally, a listener shares a personal 9/11 story during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Welcome 2:26 David Schoenfield joins 3:08 Dodgers promote top prospect Josue De Paula 6:08 More concern: Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani? 7:03 Judge unhappy he was pulled early 8:40 Elly De La Cruz’s crazy assist 12:11 What’s next for the Mariners? 16:41 Braves analyst Peter Moylan joins 16:11 How players are feeling at the end of the season 19:03 Shohei Ohtani's injury 21:30 Brewers are team to beat in NL 23:12 The Dodgers bleed 24:07 Most important for the Braves headed into October 25:19 Kyle Schwarber hits 484th career HR 26:40 Chris Sale is the veteran teammate Braves needed 28:04 Buster & Michael Kay on baseball after 9/11 28:59 “We didn’t know if baseball would continue” 30:20 Mets legend Al Leiter shows up at Kay’s door 33:19 Everyone was rooting for the Yankees 34:33 Kay struggling to be himself during broadcasts 36:59 What baseball’s return meant to people 40:03 George W. Bush’s World Series first pitch 41:40 Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game 42:43 Special edition of 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 discuss Yankees slugger Aaron Judge returning, what New York can expect, if Judge and Shohei Ohtani can start hitting before the postseason, Ohtani not expected to pitch again in 2026, Jesús Luzardo’s domination of the Braves, and umpire Doug Eddings going fashion police on Cardinals pitcher Hancel Rincon. Then, Hembo stops by to talk about why the Phillies are the most dangerous team in a three-game series, the White Sox becoming the first team this season with three 30 home run hitters, whether the Giants should trade or build on Rafael Devers, and what Roman Anthony does at the plate that no other Red Sox hitter can replicate. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Welcome 0:10 Top of the First 3:55 Tim Kurkjian joins 4:50 What can the Yankees expect from Aaron Judge? 6:00 Should MLB reseed after the Wild Card?  9:55 Shohei Ohtani most likely won’t pitch again in 2026 12:14 Will Judge or Ohtani hit again before the postseason?  14:38 Jesús Luzardo dominates Braves  17:41 Ump calls out Hancel Rincon for sideways cap 22:38 Hembo joins 23:25 Braves-Phillies rivalry 24:26 Scariest potential NL Wild Card team 26:19 White Sox have three 30 HR hitters 29:06 Rafael Devers: Building block or trade piece? 34:39 Roman Anthony’s return is what the Red Sox needed 38:48 Padres catcher could make history 41:15 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

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