De-Developing Greatness: John Smoltz on the Braves; Gary Cohen on the Mets; NL West Chatter

Shohei Ohtani has a historic night and blows a hole in the usual Friday podcast. Buster checks in to share his thoughts on Ohtani’s 50/50 season. Then, Karl Ravech discusses the Brewers winning the NL Central, crossroad moments for the Mets and Tigers, and the Orioles losing their mojo. Next, YES play-by-play voice Michael Kay stops by to talk about the pressure on the Yankees heading into the postseason, the health of the team, and Juan Soto’s future. Later, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game with Heliot Ramos and Tory Lovullo. Finally, Todd Radom shares this week’s Ballpark & Beyond, and administers the quiz. CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 8:26 Karl Ravech 25:57 Michael Kay 38:42 Sarah Langs 45:13 Todd Radom 54:20 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Kurkjian and Buster discuss one of the dumbest games Tim has ever seen, the state of the Padres and Astros, Victor Robles’ error on the base path and not doubting Shohei Ohtani. Then, Hembo returns from paternity leave to talk about why he’s not worried about the Phillies’ playoff seed, the wildly disappointing Giants, offseason targets for the Tigers and what exactly happened to the Orioles. CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 10:26 Tim Kurkjian 30:41 Hembo 51:56 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jorge Castillo and Buster discuss the strange controversy around Gerrit Cole and the Red Sox, Luke Weaver emerging as a star and what’s considered a successful season for Aaron Boone. Then, Nathalie Alonso stopped by to talk about her new book Call Me Roberto! Later, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game. CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BleacherTweets 10:11 Mookie Betts mic’d up 12:59 Jorge Castillo 30:32 Nathalie Alonso 43:09 Sarah Langs 49:39 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.J. Hinch and Buster discuss whether the word “playoffs” is said in the Detroit clubhouse, a Parker Meadows grand slam changing momentum for the team and how Tarik Skubal handles success. Next, Karl Ravech talks about the Braves starting to take on water, Aaron Judge’s struggles and Shohei Ohtani's size. Plus, Todd Radom shares the Ballpark & Beyond. Later, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game. CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 8:18 A.J. Hinch 19:30 Karl Ravech 35:16 Todd Radom 46:00 Sarah Langs 56:31 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Smoltz and Buster discuss Smoltz hanging out with fellow Hall Of Famers, the Braves fighting for a playoff spot and the sport suffering from the loss of starting pitching. Then, Mets broadcaster Gary Cohen talks about the NL MVP race, the perceived weakness of the Mets, the most complete teams in baseball and Pete Alonso. Later, Alden Gonzalez on Francisco Lindor putting the team on his back and if the NL West has the three best teams in the league.  CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 10:05 John Smoltz 30:14 Gary Cohen 46:36 Alden Gonzalez 58:18 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buster shares his thoughts on Justin Verlander after chatting with him throughout the weekend. Then, Jeff Berry on the Giants extending Matt Chapman and how it’s part of a larger shift in the sport. Later, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game with Verlander, Marco Vientos and Parker Meadows. CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 7:36 Buster on Verlander 11:46 Jeff Berry 30:50 Sarah Langs 37:48 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Royals GM J.J. Piccolo and Buster discuss mobilizing the front office after Vinnie Pasquantino broke his hand, Michael Wacha, and the future of starting pitching. Then, David Schoenfield on the Giants paying Matt Chapman, how the Chapman signing impacts Alex Bregman’s market, Francisco Lindor doing something every night and Clay Holmes getting booted from the closer role. Plus, Todd Radom shares the Ballpark & Beyond and administers the quiz. Later, Sarah Langs and Lawrence Butler play The Numbers Game. CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 5:32 Royals GM J.J. Piccolo 21:54 David Schoenfield 30:47 Todd Radom 41:36 Sarah Langs 49:30 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buster reviews the state of the division races in the final month of the regular season. Next, Sarah Langs talks about more of Shohei Ohtani’s magnificence and plays The Numbers Game with Dave Roberts and Teoscar Hernandez. Then, Tim Kurkjian on contenders for NL Rookie of the Year, the Mets hanging in the wild card picture, and the Dodgers’ rotation issues. Later, NESN’s Lou Merloni stops by to share his thoughts on Red Sox. CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 8:07 State of the division races 10:07 Sarah Langs 17:38 Tim Kurkjian 35:24 Lou Merloni 48:58 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rich Hill and Buster discuss Rich returning for his 20th MLB season with the Red Sox, why he chose Boston and coaching his son’s little league team. Then, Jeff Berry compares Michael Wacha and Tyler Glasnow, and asks if front offices should follow the Royals’ model. Later, Sarah Langs talks about Shohei Ohtani and his dog decoy. Plus, Gerrit Cole and Pete Alonso assist with The Numbers Game. Finally, Todd Radom shares the Ballpark & Beyond and administers the quiz. CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 6:23 Rich Hill 21:40 Jeff Berry 40:41 Sarah Langs 48:13 Todd Radom 58:38 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Kurjian and Taylor Schwink discuss how many teams Tim thinks could win the World Series, the Astros’ recent cool-off and what he’s excited to watch in September. Then, Jesse Rogers on MLB’s idea to implement a 6-inning minimum on starting pitchers, the White Sox destined for infamy, and who the Cubs should target in an offseason trade. Next, Kiley McDaniel ranks the best players at every age from 16 to 25 and shares his thoughts on the Rookie Of The Year races. Finally, David Schoenfield stops by to answer your Bleacher Tweets. CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] TWEET THE SHOW: #BLEACHERTWEETS 7:15 Tim Kurkjian 16:46 Jesse Rogers 29:11 Kiley McDaniel 41:29 Bleacher Tweets with David Schoenfield Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices