Talkin' Baseball (MLB Podcast) - History Making Weekend Leaves New Team Atop!

Episode Date: September 15, 2025

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/TALKINBASEBALL and get on your way to being your best self.Download the DraftKings Sportsbook app and use promo code JMBASEBALLGet a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility at https://indeed.com/baseballReserve your spot for Talkin Baseball LIVE: https://partiful.com/e/mteG8mvNBie4EHUbijdI Coach Trev and Talkin Jake are BACK discussing the witch that has propelled the Mariners into first place in the West, What the Yankees-Red Sox series showed us, Phillies and Brewers commanding the National League, what’s happening to the Dodgers bullpen and more! 0:00 Intro3:00 AL Burn7:00 AL Standings12:40 Angels / Mariners17:20 Etsy Witch in Seattle21:50 Yankees / Red Sox24:00 Caballero / Volpe25:50 White Sox / Guardians26:50 Orioles / Blue Jays32:05 NL Burn37:00 NL Standings39:35 Rangers / Mets46:00 Royals / Phillies48:50 Reds / A’s50:00 Diamondbacks / Twins52:35 Dodgers / Giants54:00 Dodgers bullpen55:50 Standout Performances1:04:00 En Fuego1:10:45 Batters who are struggling1:14:15 IL Update1:17:00 Awards  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hello and welcome to talking baseball. We got two weeks running. We have literal witchcraft in the Pacific Northwest. Couple young guys getting the plug for the end of the year. We're going to plug. Let's talk long. Shane Bieber. Routy to last.

Yeah. Hello and welcome to Talking Baseball. I'm Jake Storelli. At Talking Jake on social media. That is Trevor Plouffe. At Trevor Plouf on social. social media. That's Bobby Seraco producing his buns off as we are in the final throws of the season. We had a couple teams feel like they're back from the dead. The

Diamondbacks are in the standings. Get ready for that. The Reds might not be. And the two powers in the AL that have now emerged, Toronto looks unstoppable. And so do the Seattle Mariners, a lot of ball to yuck, coach. How are you? Jakey boy, I'm doing great. It's good to be here on this Monday morning. I love this point of the season. It's interesting to me. I'm not, you know, we're not a math pod whatsoever. So I keep seeing all these standings. Hey, you know, D-backs, two and a half games out, two games back, but 12 games left. So the odds are so bad. But to me, I'm like, anything can happen here. So being the computers are beefing, a little bit of Buster-only beef on the side.

It's a beautiful day. I just, I love it. I'm in my element right now. I got a ton of energy. And I'm seeing you tomorrow, big boy. Yeah, I was going to say there was a little extra juice, and I just realized that's our, that's our brotherly. We're going to fight or fuck each other. And yeah, I don't, there's something going on with the short kings of baseball right now.

It's going to be the former. It's going to be the former. You know, Buster's calling out Jom on the Chapman, not aiming his fastball. And Kenny Ars, you know, looking like Derek Henry out there and like kind of flexing on it. I don't know. I just a cruel world out there, you know, a guy that I used to respect. Oh, yeah. Coming at me, coming at Jim.

And if he comes at you, that might be it. That's the last way. I think he knows. I think he knows he could go out. you guys. He knows not to come for the champ. So, yeah, there's that. We've got, I mean, you don't see a lot of this on talking baseball. We've got a posthumous letter from Bob Euker for the Brewers.

Like this little weekend in baseball had a ton going on. The spotlight is on every Mets game right now and what that does in the National League. obviously Cody Clemens will be talked about. I think we sink our teeth into it, Coach. Let's do it. Coach, I mentioned it. Literal witchcraft in Seattle. As they, four games sweep the Los Angeles, Angels.

The starting pitchers and every pitcher was punching out tickets. Brian Wu with 13th. That puts him in second place. George Kirby, put up 14 strikeouts, Bryce Miller. How about that? He had 11, and J.P. Crawford's all over, and Cal Raleigh's tying Mickey Mantle for Switch hitting home runs, and they have a witch.

The Etsy witch, a Mariners fan paid 20 bucks. They haven't lost since that happened. Some things are bigger than baseball. Speaking of, the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees teed up for three, and how about the New York Yankees? winning a series against a good baseball team. They just finished off a two-week stretch where they took on four contenders. They went seven and five.

They couldn't survive Garrett Crochet in that final game. But the Yankees changing how their fans are feeling. The Cleveland Guardians are back in the mix. I thought they were out of this season, and here they are. Check them out in the standings after they swept the White Sox. Okay. Tanner is a vibe with the complete. league game shut out. Treves Parker Messick just cannot stop getting people out. And then they finish it off

with some Bo Nailer. Big Christmas is back in the mix, and so are the Cleveland Guard Dogs. The Toronto Blue Jays are inevitable. They sweep the Baltimore Orioles, including a walk-off sack fly in that second game. They go down in every game just to come back. I'm starting to think it's a secret thrill of theirs. And they did that in all of these games. George Springer and Alejandro Kirk with three hits in that final game. Chris Bassett with a solid start as Toronto sweeps. The Arizona Diamondbacks took two out of three from the twins. Might hear more about them in the NL segment because they are in the mix.

They win. They could have swept this without Cody Clemens. How's your three home or day for the kid? Not bad. Rocket. Snakes come back. They win the next two. won an extra is James McCann getting his hands in.

And then maybe the What Is You Doing Baby of the Week? The Cincinnati Reds get swept by the athletics. Oh no. They get shut out in the first game as Carlos Cortez. Sure, another young hitter. He has a two-homer game. Nick Kurtz hit a ball that's still going. Longest homer of the year, 497?

That doesn't feel right. then they get the sweep done that Cincinnati couldn't really afford that right now. How about the athletics showing some fight late in the year? That is what happened in the American League. Did you see the Nick Kurtz Homer? Yes. I mean, it's like when everything lines up perfectly. Pits right down the middle, Nick Kurt's getting extension,

putting that big old body into it. That is going to be a high testosterone spring training next year. Like all these young guys that are now tasting themselves a little bit, like that, we might have to get down there. It's just, man, I don't, I agree. I mean, I've watched them play a bunch this year. And they do. They have a collection of position players that are awesome.

And that's it. It's it, dude. You love Jacob Lopez. Jacob Lopez every once in a while twirls the pilt. I don't know what they're going to do, Jake. I don't know how they're just going to magically create pitching. there, but the offense is awesome. And that was the athletics talk

everyone was looking for. All right. Do you want the standing spot? Because I got them. And we're trying to keep this show a little high and tight today. Coach Trev has to take over for Chris Rose today on baseball today. Jolly Olive filling in. Check that out if you want. But here are the

standings in the A.L. East. As you mentioned, the Blue Jays, standing on Binnis. 87 and 62, they're four games up. Essentially, they're like, They're going to win the ALEs barring some insane meltdown. I can't guarantee it yet, but they're close. Where do I find the magic numbers?

I'm the standings guy. I've been looking, coach. I found myself, there's a lot of times I'm not good with words. There's sometimes I am good with words. Me trying to explain magic number to someone this weekend was tragic. Because how do you explain? Your wins versus the team's losses, that's it. Right.

losses. The closest team's two-you losses and each one counts as one. They're different. I don't know. I don't know. I got uncomfortable.

Okay. I don't know either. Don't know what the magic number is. It's getting close, though. Blue Jays are going to be popping champagne shortly. I'm assuming a playoff spot celebration, which I kind of,

you know what? I enjoy a little playoff spot celebration when there's still more to work for. It's usually just a little champagne toast. It's so classy. Blue Jay's magic number at 10. Okay, there you go. 87 and 62 for them, 83 and 66 for the New York Yankees, 82 and 68 for the Red Sox.

At the bottom of the division, the race 73 and 76 and the Orioles 69, nice and 80. In the Central, another team that's going to be pop and champagne very shortly. The Detroit Tigers, a six and a half game lead. Now the Guardians are gone on the little run here. They close the gap, if you will. think the gap is too wide at this point of the season, 85 and 65 for the Tigers, 78 and 71 for the guard dogs, dead even, 75 and 75. The Royals are making their Cancun plans.

Shout out Vinnie P. 65 and 84 for the twins. No vacation for you. We're starting practice day one of the off season. Yes. 57 and 93 for the White Sox more on them later. Spankings for them. Spankings aren't even a thing anymore, huh?

No. I never got spanked either. I probably should have. Yeah, I didn't really get spanked. I definitely have people my age that that was in the mix. But again, I don't want to say tastefully. I don't know. Sometimes I want to spank my kids, but I don't.

I think that's out. Okay, it's out. The Mariners. Holy schnikes. Look at this. We're talking about witchcraft. I got a story for you coming up. 82 and 68.

They now have a one game lead over the Houston Nationhals. And all the mean things. I said about the Mariners like, are they going to miss the playoffs with all these cool things happening? You can kind of say the same thing about the Astros. You were leading the AOS for almost the entire season and now you're close to being out of the playoffs. 81 and 69 for them. The Rangers are 79 and 71. Their three games back in the division. Nice round numbers for the A is 70 and 80. And then the Los Angeles Angels 69, nice and 81. In the wild card in the American league right now the Yankees are holding the top spot the Red Sox had the second spot and the

Ashos hanging on to the third spot now the Rangers only two games back the Guardians as I mentioned crushing it are two and a half games back those are the only teams in the mix and if the season ended today the Blue Jays and the Tigers would have the buy and the Houston Ashos would have to go into Seattle and play I don't think Seattle wants that and the Red Sox would have to to go to the buggy down Bronx and play the Yanks. And those are your standings in the American League. Well done, coach. Totally got the Blue Jays magic number wrong.

It's five to be in the playoffs. I believe it's 10, nine or 10 to win the AL East. It's a difficult thing, coach. That's why I can't find them on the internet. And the website, I just ended up. I shot free ad to start, playoff status.com. I think I went there too.

I'm about 90% Jimmy made this. website this morning. Like, I'm, I'm pretty sure this was just a side project of his. Hey, uh, real ad, indeed. Uh, if you are looking to grow your business, indeed is the right place to hire. If you need someone today or maybe even yesterday, you can find amazing candidates fast. It's easy just use indeed with sponsor jobs. Your post jumps to the top of the page for your relevant candidates.

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Just go to Indeed.com slash baseball right now. support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indeed.com slash baseball. Terms and conditions apply hiring. Indeed is all you need. Coach Trev, let's get into beautiful Seattle because I want to talk the ball and you've now teased your witch story twice

that I think, let's do a little ball and then we'll witch. You mentioned Seattle might not want Houston and there's layers to that. There's years of layers to that that I'm interested in. But I don't think anyone wants to go to Seattle right now. Some of their at-home stats are crazy. They've won nine straight games,

and they are 23 and 6 over their last 29 home games since the All-Star break. Then nobody wants that, and it feels like their starting pitching is peaking, and Cal Raleigh is going nuts. And your guy, Tito Polo, Polanco, won't stop hitting extra base hits. it feels like it's all coming together in the Pacific Northwest.

It really does. And the, you know, the tongue and cheek comment I made about the Astros really has to do with one person in particular. It's just Yordon. I love Yordaunt so much. She's obviously very scary for any team, in particular the Mariners have some, you know, they remember what he's done to that team. But I agree with you. I think right now, and I'm going to ask this question to Jolly Olive later today, you know,

is this team, like when they're going well, like we could talk about the pitching performance they had in, in this series. But when this team is firing on all cylinders, the way that they're doing right now, I think they could be the most complete team in baseball. And, and, you know, there's a few teams you could say that about, but they're one of them. And you have to feel really good about that. Now, they're on this streak. You can talk about the Etsy witch, which is hilarious to me. But in the end, I think it's, you know, Marinus fans for a long time where, you know, I kept saying, everything's gone right.

They're like, oh, the starting pitching, you know, they were injured early in the year. It hasn't been that good. Dude, this team has pitching. They have timely hitting. They can play defense. They have a back end of the bull up and they can get it done. It's just they're a really, really fun team to watch. I think every single person, oh, not every single person.

A lot of people, oh, Julio Rodriguez. We got to just stop talking about him the way we talk about him. He's come on like a bad out of hell in the second half like he always does. They're fun to watch I will say this We talked about the pitching staff 24 innings pitched 43Ks for the starters in this series

I just watch the Angels play Bad team Like a bad team But the Mariners did exactly What they're supposed to They win the first game They walk off That's great

Then they handle the next games Fairly easily And they just kind of get the job done I'm very happy for Mariners fans. I'm happy for the actual team themselves to go this long and to

string together baseball like this at this point in time to regain a lead at the top of the AOS. It's just awesome. Yeah, and we got on the YouTube right now, Bobby's showing the Mitch Garver home run that helps them secure one of the wins in this

series. And I really loved his quote after because I, you know, one of the running jokes that used to be more on baseball Twitter is about the DVD. And it's a throwback to when teams would win the World Series and you'd buy their, like, the team DVD. Like, that's just kind of what you did. That Mitch Garver says, that's what championship teams do.

You never know who's going to do it that night. It could be Cal. It could be Julio. Those are the usual suspects. But it could be Leo. It could be myself. You never know. And Mitch Garver, the way he hit that home run was, A, just kind of a sick

pimp job, like a pimp job without. pimping it and then he did pimpe it. I don't need Mitch Garver kind of throwing Leo Revis under the bus like that. He could have just said it could be those guys, it could be me. He threw Leo in the mix. But man, right now the Mariners got a pretty nice DVD going.

Well, I think that what he said is true though. I mean, that's the mark of a good team is you've got guys stepping up, you know, when they get put in these situations. So yeah, it was Leo with the 13th inning walk off Johnny and then the next night it's Harry Ford you know walk off sack fly and then it's Mitch Garver with the go-ahead homer like those aren't the guys you name on the Mariners when you start

talking about offense but that's what good teams do like they have these guys step up so whether that is as we're showing the Etsy witch or not I don't know all I know is that Seattle's thriving right now and I'm very happy because that is one of the more fun atmospheres in baseball when the team is going well, and I'm assuming it'll be that way if they're hosting a playoff series. So, yeah, if you're fighting blind right now, it appears that Steve Blackburn, a Mariners fan, paid an Etsy witch to fix the Mariners, who at the time had lost four in a row in six of seven games. And since then, I believe it was a 1599 for a spell to get their action.

by the way. I'm just throwing that out there. A fair, like, I think that's a fair price. Like, if I'm the witch, I'm up in the price. I think that witch's price is going up. Like a hundred bucks for a spell seems like, that's easy. Oh my God. I mean, the amount

that certain fans would pay to give their team a nine game win streak. She should switch fan bases and go to New York. The desperation in New York she could raise her prices tenfold. I would not be surprised if this Etsy witch is going to have a lot of baseball fans invest in a couple of spells.

I may do that later this program. I'm interested. Do we need to become Etsy witches? Like, how about if Shohei, like, if something happens, Shohei goes over. We could just like Etsy witch it in Japan and be like, hey, guys, what do you want to pay to get Shohei out of this slump? Let's see. Okay, yeah, I'm on or Etsy right now. I might brew something up.

What's your witch story? You've got me a little nervous. No, it's not that bad. So, AAA International League, we would play, God, I guess who was it that was in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania we used to play? Was that where we stayed when we played Scranton? Are Scranton in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania close to each other?

We used to stay in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. might have been playing the Phillies. We might have been playing the Yankees. I forget who it was. But Bethlehem, Pennsylvania is a very small town that's got a lot of history in it, like a lot of the East Coast does. And part of their history, I think, is like, is some witchcraft. Okay.

Because I walked down the downtown strip there one day. This is years ago. This is probably 2009. And there was like a store. And it was like, okay, what is this store? This is interesting, kind of dark, whatever it was. It ended up being like some sort of spiritual witchcraft store. I was intrigued, Jake.

The hotel we stay at is haunted. There's a witchcraft store. I just, you know, I think fall was approaching. I said, I'm going to go check this out, get in the mood a little bit. I go in there. What do I see? A bunch of potions. And this is about the time that Olivia and I started dating.

I was like, man, I really liked this girl. So I bought some love potion. and this is actually it's true i went home and olivia and i like sat in a room and we like lit a candle and we applied this like love potion and just like you know kind of like they said to do like on the wrists or something like that and we kind of did some something like this and for people on podcast and i'm like rubbing my wrists together that's what we did uh and here olivia and i are uh you know 25 years later is that that's not right matt 15 years later 16 years later

Going strong And maybe Maybe it's just love But also maybe it was the witch's potion I just know I can't stand up right now Thinking about that whole scene My God It was

It was intimate It feels like Trev I mean sometimes Sometimes you get You know slightly protective of your personal life You just talked about you and live

With a candle Rubbin love potion on each other. What happens? That's spell. I mean, it happened. It happened. At least twice.

Shout out to your kids. So that's powerful stuff with you and live. And now with the Seattle Mariners. And yet, there's a little baby asterisk on that whole thing. That's like, the angels are ass. They just fell to the last place in the West. The A's jumped them. Crazy.

Imagine calling the Angels twin series. Try not to. Because I was watching the Yankees and the Red Sox play, Coach Trev. And again, this stretch of baseball that Yankee fans have, Yankee fans were hurt by this team. Another summer of just tragic, horrible baseball to watch. Then they run into the Nationals in the White Sox, and they handle their business there in a big way,

that they came up into this four series against playoff teams. They walk away seven and five. which, again, people go look at expanded standings and just, I think a new stat we want to add coach Trev is not only win-win-loss record against teams above 500, but win-loss record against teams that are playoff teams. Because I think there would be even more of a drastic gap there that for the Yankees to finish this off in Boston, they came into the series 2 and 8 against the Red Sox this year to win the first two games with some strong pitching, some strong offense,

and just playing good baseball felt Yankees fans needed this. Yeah, and you had this Boston rotation lined up the exact way they wanted it. So to go and do that, I think, is really important. I get a sense of Yankees fandom probably more than I should between you, Joe's, Jimmy, and everybody else that's a fan at our company. So I did feel the pressure mounting during this stretch. And then, yeah, this was a nice one for you guys to go take the series. I do have more on this series coming up later in the pod.

So I did want to, again, I mentioned we're going to go kind of quick through this. I wanted your take on it. And I think we can kind of. Yeah, I think the only other thing that's of note, if you're someone that really cruises the baseball internet and you track Yankee stuff, you know that Anthony Volpe has been involved in a lot. lot of internet content, for lack of a better way to put it. He has been out with a shoulder thing that he got a quarter zone shot for or whatever.

They also said that Caboero, who leads the ale in short-solone bases and they traded for at the deadline, he's been starting all of these games and the defense at shortstop feels sharp, which that's supposed to be Volpe's calling card. but Caballero seems to be checking that box. The stolen bases, the at-bats feel different, that that was, the Yankees fans were in a weird spot because it was like, we like, if you go around the horn, we like almost every position at this point,

except shortstop. And now that's kind of changed, too, that it's part of the reason Yankee fans are feeling a lot different right now. Thinking about Jose Cabellar being the Yankee shortstop is awesome. just an absolute pest and we've been talking about this guy for for so long and how he would give

we talked about when he was with the race oh my gosh this guy is going to crush the Yankees give him fits you guys were terrified of him now he's your starting shortstop essentially Boone said day to day we're going with our shortstop decisions doesn't sound like it I mean that's

sounds like you found your guy it seems like it it's going to be interesting to see how they treat Volpe if they start considering him healthy or is this just going to ride? I don't know. Can I say some of O'Polpe? I feel like it's not his fault. Like, yeah, he's like he has been playing well, so that's his fault. But he's not the one riding himself into the lineup, dude. Yeah. And they've just handled, they've handled him differently than anybody else. And that's kind of part of the problem.

And it's kind of like, why. And it's kind of, okay, the injury happened in May. So how much of it is linked to that. I don't know. I don't know. But those are some good talking Yanks fodder if you guys want to check that out. Trev, I think the final... Because we'll end up talking some debacks in the NL.

I guess the guardians are back in the mix. They sweep the white socks. There's, again, a lot of teams have been doing that. And then the Blue Jays just deserve more flowers, but in a weird way, it feels like the same flowers. Like they have these awesome comebacks and they have these just at bats and innings that they just pass the baton

that makes them unstoppable. The Blue Jays MLB leading 46th comeback. Crazy. No, they can do that. With the Guardians, I know they swept the white socks, quick on them. Pitching has been great.

Tanner Bybee with the shutout, 10Ks there. We know they can play defense. They moved to a six-man rotation because they had a bunch of games in a row. I think it was 17 games, 17 days. I think they have an off day to day, but then seven games in six days after today.

So they moved to the six-man rotation. They've been killing it. I think it's best rotation in baseball since they did that. I wanted one play brought up because this ended the game on Sunday. And Brian Rokio moved to second base from shortstop. Look at this play to end the game. That was first and third. The run, the game's tied if he doesn't make that play.

Play that again, Bobby. this guy is so fun to watch I mean that's that's a real full extension dive right there gets up and fires an absolute strike that's just that's just good ball man I feel like whenever I talk about the Guardians I always pointed to this guy Rokio's like defensively getting the job done

he's had some big hits I don't know man there he's fun to watch well and Trev it's probably not a conversation for now but it's like okay does Cleveland scout these guys or does Cleveland coach these guys or a little bit of everything? Because, like, how can all of these players keep coming out of the same system

that, like, hey, you know, he wasn't at shortstop on that play because Arias is over there. And Andres Jimenez came from them. And Lindor, like, I don't know. I don't know. Like, that's what you need to play for them. And it makes game-winning plays.

Defense matters. The nerds so missed it. The Durds believe the defense. I don't think they miss defense, but I think we as a society need to pay more attention to like fun defense at place. And not just like home run robberies. Those are like awesome. But like let's get back into the intricacies of a middle infield. We've gotten away from like badass, middle infield combos.

Yeah. Need that. Like that is two guys working in tandem up the middle together. I think I've said this in the show before, but let me reiterate it. There's nothing more beautiful in sports. And there's like a relationship there and a familiarity that only comes from a bunch of reps together. And I hope we get back to that. We're trying to push starting pitching.

Our guy Bobby Manfred wants the matchups, the big showdowns. What about the middle infielders? We need some love. I'm glad you're representing them. I want to look at one thing about the blue jays. Again, are about the pop champagne. They've been awesome. Shout out David Popkins, my guy.

She gets to let go by the twins and then goes and wins the ALE East. That's nice. Shane Bieber with a nice start. I'm looking at his last starts. Okay. He's been great. One hiccup against Cincinnati. But what a nice pickup for them.

Yeah. Did not think that was going to happen. I was not on that train. and great pickup. And by the way, the Orioles came into this series hot. I think they were 8 and 1 in June. And, like, Toronto, it just doesn't matter right now. The year George Springer's had,

we've talked about it a decent amount on this show. Love that for him, Connecticut, Connecticut dude. And, yeah, they are going to win the AL East. They're essentially five games up on the Yankees with two weeks to play. That it would have to be cataclysmic. I want people to start thinking about the tiebreaker as a half of the game. It's not one game. Yeah, I'm not with you on that.

I'm not with you on that because we're all going to play the same amount of games. Yeah, but the tiebreaker, if you finish one game back, it doesn't automatically make you tied. Correct. If you finish tied, it separates you by a half of a game. So you can't make up a game, but it could be the difference. That's it. It's a half game.

I see what you're saying, but it's the same thing. Don't say that. Don't answer to say yes, sir. Just say, yeah, you're right. Yes. Hey, how about, do you want to go into Toronto? How about you bring 50 and 25 at home? Bring that love potion out east. Let's have a week this week. No, man, I don't want to go to Toronto. I don't want to go to Seattle. 10th sweep of the season, 46, 46 comeback victory.

they got three hitters batting 300 or better. Toronto's going to be out of their dome. Remember when they first? Was it when they first started the wild card game and Toronto had that playoff game where everyone was the drunkest human on the planet? And everyone was like, whoa. Is this legal?

I know. The Canadians were like, yeah, well, hockey's coming. So it was me. Yes. It was you. Sitting at Earls, drinking beers before we head over to. Is it called the Roger Center? probably.

I've never been. I'd like to. Oh my gosh. I know, right? It's a really big miss for me. They've redone it. It's changed a ton. I'd love to stay in that hotel.

Watch a game from there, get the love potion out. I never did that. Is that why you want me to come out there? Love potion, hotel, baseball. We're just saying buzzwords for the algorithm. All right. Hey, yeah, D-Backs and Reds are part of the story, but it's part of the story in the N-N-Swear.

so let's get over there. The Sandiet Fernando! The Padres, they hosted the Rock Pile for four, and they took three out of four, as teams do against the Rockies, if not four out of four. How about the Rocks hold and serve in that second game, a little fortitude to win four to two? Kyle Farmer in the mix, you know Trev likes that.

Otherwise, it's a lot of Padres. Jackson Merrill is back in hitting baseballs a long way. Mani turned on one in signature. fashion as well. Big Gavin Sheets hit in that final game. I don't know. Good team versus one of the worst teams to ever play baseball. The Phillies took two out of three from the Kansas City Royals. They took the first two games.

Bryce Harper. I cannot wait to hear Trev talk about Walker Bueller talking about the ABS system if we can incorporate that. It doesn't look like the stadium is big enough for Kyle Schwerber. And it's because it's not. And also, Salvador Perez. 300,000 RBI, statue guy. Kansas City not getting talked about in the playoff picture as much.

The Texas Rangers and the Mets maybe played the most exciting baseball this weekend. DeGrom returns to City Field and he gets the most first inning run support he's ever gotten. That was kind of crazy to see as they went nuts on young Jonah Tong. The next day, Rangers win three to two. late Wyatt Langford with the RBI single in the ninth. Mets bounced back to salvage the series in Extra. He's a big strong guy. Alonzo in the right center.

Mets salvage. Astros take two out of three from the Braves. Zach Cole, how's your debut, kid? First pitch out of the park. Three hits four RBI Day as they get to win the first game. They followed up Christian Walker to Dead Center to win the series. But the Braves and Ozzy Albies Knock around Framber a little bit

And get that final day win The Milwaukee Brewers How's your magic number of zero And it happens in magic fashion They win in 10 innings A 9-8 game As Brewers as Brewers gets Free Look Cherio and Contreras

In the 9th to send it to extras And then of course Mona Monasterio With the walkoff in the 10th Oh I see you Caleb Durbin Cardinals win that final game. Cubbies take two out of three from the raise and unfortunately that's that's kind of what's been happening for the race. Ian Hap is a ballplayers ball player three hits in the first game, two

hits in the last game, two homers in the series. Common Arrow keeps homering. He's sneaking up on 50. I think he's got 44. I'm not sure if he's going to get there. Cubs, they take two out of three. The Marlins take two out of three from Detroit Tigers and one of the bigger scares of the weekend is Terrick Scoobal has to come out of the game. came back negative. It's looking like he's going to make his next start. So that's the bigger news for the Tigers. And hey, how about a little fish love? Alcantara seven innings two earned. Joey Weamer is back.

Joey Weaver. Hitting home runs. Why not? Troy Johnson. Have a day. So disrespectful. Sexy fish. Miami takes two out of three.

Nats take two out of three from the Pirates. Did you watch? I don't know. Bubba Chandler, bounce back start. McCutcheon got a hit. I liked that. The final series in the National League, it's your Best Western Road Warriors, brought to you by Best Western Hotels and Resorts.

Life's a trip, make the most of it at BestWestern.com. The Dodgers, after dropping the first game and another Patrick Bailey Grand Slam walkoff, they come back to put up double digits in the next two games. You know Shohei was involved. You know Freddie was hooking balls down the line. Michael Confordo with a couple big days at the office.

The Dodgers scored 10-plus runs in consecutive games at Oracle Park for the first time since 2018. They are 18 and 10 against San Francisco since the start of 2022. And Yamamoto, hello. They are your best Western Road Warriors. give me some standings, Coach Treff. That a boy. You really are disrespectful.

Joey Weamer. You Buster Only. It's just his name. I love Joey Weamer. I do have the standings, Pop. I'm going to get him for you right now in the NL East. This is also almost over. Their magic number has to be like two.

I think it's like one, actually. For the Phillies. Philly's one. It's one. 89 and 61 for them. They're 12 games up on the New York Metropolitan's where 77 and 73. The Marlins, 70 and 80. The Braves, 66 and 83 in the national, 62 and 87.

I got to start reading these other teams. They're not in it. They're gone. Wow. The Brewers, five and a half games up on the Cubs. 91 and 59 for them. That's the best record in baseball. 85 and 64 for those Cubs, 74 and 75 for the Reds.

One game under 5 for them, but don't think I can talk about them. 73 and 77 for the Cardinals, 65 and 85 for the Pirates. The Dodgers, a two and a half game lead over the Padres. They're sitting at 84 and 65, 82 and 68 for those fathers. 75 and 74 for the Giants, 75 and 75 for Dalton Snakes and the Rockies, 41. in 109 in the National League Wildcard. Things are still

interesting. I'll say that. The Cubs have the number one seed basically locked up. The Padres, the number two seed, basically locked up. And then it's the Mets hanging on for dear life. Now, the odds will tell you that they're like

pretty much in the postseason. And I understand like again, we don't have a lot of games. They're one and a half games up on those giants who are, you know, playing a lot better ball as of late, Justin Verlainter with the freaking Reeboks, man. Should have had those on all season long, JV. Oh, my God. And then the snakes, two games back.

I will talk about you, Reds. They're two and a half games back. So, like, it's still up in the air. If the season were to end today, the Milwaukee Brewers and the Philadelphia Phillies would have a buy. And the Mets would have to go to L.A. and the Padres would have to go to Chicago. Those are the standings in the National League. Nobody better, coach.

And it looks like in Bethlehem, PA, the only mythical shop I'm seeing is, what is it, into the mist? I don't know if that rings any bells. A long time ago, Coach. I feel like which stores, they're there for a little bit, then they move on.

Right. That's kind of the lifestyle. Yeah. Great stuff, Coach Trev. Let's do a little NL. God, that NL playoffs still very, very exciting. I think we have to do, you said before the show, that this was the most exciting ball of the weekend.

Rangers and Mets, the DeGrom return. Crazy that they put up one of the more crooked numbers you could put up in a first inning on young Jonah Tong as DeGrom goes out and throws seven innings three earn after that. And these Rangers, man, It's cool. It's cool listening to the broadcast and the excitement in their voice. Like, I realize they're not in DVD mode yet because they're still outside of the playoffs

that this journey of this season has still been a little disappointing. They take the first two games and it just, they have a little bit of Mariners light that it's like, okay, here's Cody Freeman, here's Michael Helman, Dylan Moore with the Pinchit, former Mariner. that they continue to go that, yeah, some of these playoff odds, it's hard to process it with them and the Mets.

It is. And this is an interesting series for me, just because Mets throwing three rookies out there versus at least the first two games, a couple old dogs in DeGrom and Patrick Corbyn. I'm very curious if the Mets do get in. I have this question teed up for Jolly, over one and a half rookies pitch in the wild card series.

Like McLean is going to start. Yeah. And then do one of the other two guys, Sprote or Tong, get a start? I'm just curious to see how that all sets up. Game one, yeah, they take it to Tong early on. Two-thirds winnings pitch, six earned runs. And you mentioned Jacob de Grom does his thing. Game two was awesome.

The Rangers come back against the bullpen. So, you know, you got Edwin Diaz being brought in into the eighth. He walks a guy. Rowdy Tellez hits the freaking go-ahead, or excuse me, the game-tying, round roll double. And then there's some sloppy play, which we've seen kind of seen from the Mets during this time. Francisco Alvarez gets called for the catcher's interference, which is tough. It's like walks at the end of these games, when you're trying to close something out, walks and like free base is like a catcher's interference just can't happen. And Carlos

Mendoza kind of had some choice words after the game about that. But yeah, like it's, it's, There it is right there. That's a sack fly right there. This is the thing about the Rangers. We mentioned all these young guys who, like, on the season, aren't having great years. Like Michael Hellman's one guy who's put up good numbers, but a bunch of the other guys that are coming up late.

They're just like in these spots doing it, but you're having a bunch of guys. Again, taking the reins when their number is called upon. Rowdy pinch hit right there, great or bad against, you know, one of the best relievers in the game. just an absolute rocket. That's what he does, though.

Yeah. Like if you, you know, don't throw something over the middle plate, he can hit you. And then White Langford quietly has had just an incredible season. I feel like we haven't talked about him a ton, but, you know, it's been consistent.

And now, you know, when their Rangers are making a playoff push, he's, he's been, you know, right in the thick of it. So this is a really, really fun Rangers team that I do hope

makes it to the postseason. I think they get, miscategorized a lot. They are a team that pitches. I feel like we always talk about the Rangers, man, they can slug the ball, they got these guys. It really hasn't been that way this year. The pitching has been what's kept them in the race this long. Yes, and this feels a little obnoxious with the baseball that was played,

but I want to see the next chapter so bad because the Rangers, they had won six in a row before losing that last game. the Mets had lost eight in a row. So we're talking about playoff percentages and everything. If you keep losing at that rate, the percentage of you making the playoff is zero. That's not going to happen, but it's just how is water going to find its level?

Are they going to be one of these teams that kicks into gear, and now we're going to be talking about the Mets on a six-game win streak or something? I don't know. I just know we keep playing in the NL wild card, what's going to be the amount of wins to get. get you in and I think I might lower the number. I think I was at 87. I think it's 85. Like with the way the Mets are limping, with the way the Giants, D-backs are back in the mix a little bit.

Interested to see how the pressure of the pressure of feeling potentially, I don't want to say blowing a season, but kind of, these Mets were in first place for a long time. and they welcome the Padres into town that it's kind of must watch baseball. Texas, I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. Are they playing Houston?

Yes, this is it right now. One of those two teams, I feel like it's going to be the end of their season this series. If you look at overall, like, team stats for the Rangers. Again, right now, Simian's not there. Seeger is not there. They've dealt with some injuries as of late. 25th in OPS, Jake,

in the big leagues. 25th and OPS. It's not what you expect out of this team. But their starters, first in ERA, first in whip. Relievers, fourth in whip. Like, pretty much the exact opposite of what I feel like a lot of people thought about this team coming into the year. Yes.

And you're right. They've three versus Houston, and then it's Miami. in Minnesota. So this Texas, if Texas handles their business against Houston, like I think they're in it. It currently has them with a 30% playoff odds. They got lighter and Kelly going up against Houston. Those guys have been really, really good for them. It's, I would love to see Jacob McGone pitching the playoffs, too, for the Rangers. I mean, we're kind, we're getting really close to it. I mean,

though his Wednesday start, depending what happens in those first two games, is massive for what the rest of this Texas Ranger season could be. Let's go Matt. In the National League, I guess, God, that series has the double implication. I guess which of, do any of these others really jump off? I know this is being a little rude, because obviously everything matters to you.

if they're your favorite team. But I guess what series do you instinctually like jump to here? I said in the AL recap, essentially the royal season is done. Philly is to take two or three from them. They're kind of coasting now. So we don't really have to dive deep into that.

The Walker Breeler stuff was funny. He has a nice start. He also fits that clubhouse of just these brazen, like alpha dudes. It's like that's, Dave Dombrowski is just, cultivating alphas. Yes. He had something to say about the ABS.

He says he doesn't like it because he feels like veteran pitcher should have a bigger strike zone. I'm fine with that. Do veteran hitters get a bigger, a smaller strike zone? Okay. Huh? Good counter, Trevor. Well, that's how it has been. He's not wrong about that.

That's just how it has been for years and years and years. You know, the veteran can stare in. He can say some things to an umpire that a rookie can't say. And that's a thing that umpires freaking love, dude. If you're a rookie and you're saying some stuff to them, they will throw it right back in your face, how long you've been up here? It's like, what?

What does that matter? Why does that matter? Why does that matter? Yeah. Anyways, that's why he's saying that, because it's always been that way. Here's my thing. I wouldn't mind it if like a pitcher,

pitchers get pitches when they are around the strike zone. That's the truth. that the guy keeps dotting up a fastball that's like three or four inches off the plate, eventually he's going to get the call. Very few umpires

stick to their guns with that. Like they'll start getting calls. That's the whole thing. Another thing from that series, quick, Aaron Nola, I talked about on last start, had a great,

previous to this start, great start, kind of like a bounce back, just what he needed and he mixed his pitches up a lot better, like started to throw in the sinker more. On Sunday,

up against the Royal, 16th's pitch, six earned runs. he went back to the pitch mix that he'd been doing the rest of the season and I don't know why. Right. Like the sinker has been statistically your best pitch

and you're getting away from it. He did it. Like I don't understand. Like we just go back to your start, I believe it was on the 8th of September. Look at your pitch mix. Four pitches over like 15%. You've got to do that.

Simple. Simple game. That's my analysis. Shout out Vinny P. Got to 30 and 100. We love that. And Salvy. Um,

Giants or Diamondbacks? Are you in it all? Like, Giants, Diamondbacks, Reds, this is the conversation we've been doing for a little bit. Like who can be the outsider coming in? The Reds, I mean, that, that sweep really hurts, man. That sweep really hurts. They're below the Diamondbacks right now in the standings.

I, again, I don't know the percentages, but I know that it's not good for the Reds. And they had a chance there, man. They went in. They had their pitching lined up. They had Singer. They had Green. They had Ladolo.

but that's just like not an easy place to go play. It just, I mean, not play to pitch. Because you're going to go bang, like that, the A's pitching staff, as I mentioned, not, not good. So you can go in there and put up some runs, but you're also going to give up some runs as we saw. I mean, the A is not only, you know, play in a park where runs are going to happen,

but they have a pretty damn good offense. And we saw that. But, yeah, I mean, effectively, that that was their chance to really solidify themselves in this race. And I think they did the exact opposite. I think they solidified themselves out of the race. Kind of. And that's, Trev, I mean, a team that it feels like since the trade deadline,

we've just ignored, the Diamondbacks have a homestand. It's Giants, Phillies, Dodgers, so that's tough. They have two off days in between so you can reset that bullpen, although I don't know if that can help what's going on in that snake's bullpen. But like, just look at this. Like, think about the Giants' excitement we've had recently. They're teeing it up for three. It's Galen, Erod, and Fott,

versus Tang, Seymour, and JV. Like, we could be, I don't know. I don't know what we'll be saying by the end of the week, but the Diamondbacks could very much be a part of this season in the postseason. And then what are we going to be saying? And then we're going to be pissed they traded Gino and Naylor? Like, I don't know.

Weird sports sometimes. It is a weird sport. Corby and Carroll has put the team on his freaking back. He's almost one dotting it on the year, I believe. What is his OPS? I was looking at this the other day. Let me get it up. Corbyn Caryl OPS.

Top of my head. I'm going 962. Yeah, it's in the 9 somewhere. Oh, 879. You got me high. Is he really? Yeah. Oh, man.

There was a list he was on. He's top 10 in the NL OPS-Wise. I thought it was higher than that. 879 is freaking high. OPSS plus with stolen bases. He's got 28 of those. He's about to hit 30-30. So 30 homers,

28 stolen bases, scored 101 runs. He's back to doing Corbyn Carroll things, those big old shoulders. You know I love the shoulders. I do. Yeah, look, look, it's two weeks to go.

They're down two games. There's a two and a half games. I just read the standings. I think they're two. They're two games. They are 500. My gosh. And they have that gauntlet of a schedule.

Crazy. And so, okay. They're playing, you said the Dodgers, the Phillies. Giants, Giants, Phillies, Dodgers. At home. Season on the line.

Holy Snikes. Right? All right. Keep going, Blaze Alexander, my guy. Right? Blaze it, baby. Treve, let's keep on going. because in some awards,

I think we're going to hit a couple of these series. We'd, well, especially, especially one. Oh, I mean, Dodgers Giants. I don't think I have an award from that. But I feel like that should be discussed. Sure. Awesome pitching matchup. Game 1, JV has just been crazy, efficient and good.

As of late, I mentioned, he switched to the old school rebucks. I want to know where those were Because every baseball player has like Boxes of stuff left over from seasons You get so much stuff Cleats especially him Right you know a guy like that

I'm assuming these were in storage somewhere Whether that's at his house or a storage unit He's got a big enough house probably just One of his many homes that Justin Bertha has He just one day was like I'm gonna dust these bad boys off I can't find the story on it but since he's been wearing him, it's been incredible.

Someone could find the story, let me know, but him and Yamamoto go toe for toe. That's not even a thing. To toe to toe. To toe, too, toe. Yes, not toe for toe. That's a dangerous game. To toe to toe.

And then we get another Tanner Scott just, yeah, dude. One o heater to Patrick Bailey liftoff. A great win for the Giants right there. And then the Dodgers offense just explodes for the next two games. That's kind of what they can do, man. I mean, I don't think we're going to sit around here. I don't think the Dodgers pitching is going to bring them to a championship this year.

You might have some good starts from some guys. They have some guys that can start. The bullpen still isn't shambles. I'm sorry, dude. It has been bad all year long. All these guys they brought in with crazy track records. and I respect track records, but it just hasn't been that way. So they're going to have to score a ton of runs

and then just kind of ride that like, please, please, please, please don't blow it. Mentality, that's what it's going to be for the Dodgers. Look at this Homer. Oh, my God. Right. I mean, that's just with how much Tanner Scott's getting hit, it just feels like a lack of fear. Like, I don't know if he was throwing too many strikes,

but it looks straight, man. and I don't know what's changed. If there's something mechanically or not, I don't think he's tipping pitches, or though, I mean, they better, they better figure some stuff out. I don't know what they're going to do at the end of games. I do not know,

but if you score 13 and 10, you're probably going to win. Hey, Oscar, kicking into gear. Michael, he started getting going. He's going. Conforto with two weeks hitting 333, like Freddie looking like Freddie. So, yeah,

I mean, they're going to be in a wild card series. That's nuts. And Fordo was the Dodgers Volpe. Oh, I know. They kept playing them. It was very, very bad. Now a sudden, yeah, it hits a homer off JV. Has a good third game as well going three for four.

That'd be a nice little insurance policy for them. Michael Conforto Career 78 OPS. So it's a little different. Have you seen the beginning of a season? I did. I did. That's tough. It's a tough game, Trev.

You and I know. Players. None of these other short media guys. Let's keep on moving to standout performances. It's time for standout for performances. Stand out performances. Stand out performances. This guy stood out for Trev.

I don't know if I know where you're going, Trev, but you might be going with Draft Kings. You know, my sports book. Today's episode is brought to you by Draft Kings. The NFL's rolling. If you're looking to bet a touchdown, that's an easy one. Do it at Draft Kings. A winner.

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Where are you going, coach? I'm going to go with a guy. We talked to other team a little bit about defense. We talked about pitching. But I always say this. I love a story of brothers, especially in the big league. So I'm going bow nailer. Wow.

On Sunday, two for three, a double, a homer. Three runs driven in for. a surging Guardians team that needs offense in any way they can get it and Bo Nailer showed up there, got the victory there as they get the sweep. Again, I know

it's against the White Sox, but we don't talk about the Nailer Brothers facing off in the postseason enough. I really, really would enjoy if somehow, some way, we got a Guardians Seattle matchup and it's bro versus bro. You ever seen that movie,

brothers, like Jake Jillon Hall and who else is it? Toby McGuire. Oh, I don't know. Yeah, the guy comes back from war. They think he's dead. Is the wife with the brother? Oh. I know the movie Four Brothers. That's an awesome movie.

Oh, that's a good one too. That's a great movie. I actually... Who going to take on the champ? That's a great scene. Okay. Anyways, Victor Sweet. Glad we talked about that. Yeah, the Nailer Bros are kind of badass. Isn't there another one coming to, though?

I think so. I think we looked that up one day. Sophia Vergara and Four Brothers. Anyways. Good standout. Miles Nailer is in the Astros, Athletics Organization. They got position players. They know what they're doing.

Barely know her. Canadians. Yeah. I do that one. Hey. Well, Trev, I'll pick us right back up. You know, we talked about Texas Rangers a lot. We talked about Seattle a lot.

We didn't talk a ton about Houston who they won two games against the Atlanta Braves. And, man, a standout performance is a rookie debut. Jimmy yells it every time he sees a rookie debut. He says, swing as hard as he can at the first pitch, because why not? You're in the show. Like, make it count.

Zach Cole got called up by the Houston Astros. First pitch he saw, a little cutter, which a bad cutter is just a hitable fastball. Zach Cole leans on it. He ends up getting hits in his next two at bats as well. Three for four on the day. Homer, four RBI. His family was in the stands, which was awesome. But Trev, it's one of my favorite clips from the weekend,

and I guess I want to get your feedback on it if maybe I'm getting two J.K. emotional on it. But did you see his double A teammates just going nuts over their guy? I think Bobby's got the clip. It's, um, again, maybe I'm over romanticizing it and it's just, I don't know, a group of 22 year old guys that get hyped over

anything. But the way they were hyped for their boy was pretty special. It is awesome. There's always an interesting feeling around the clubhouse because all those guys want to be in his position. So you see guys, when you see a teammate get called up and you're sitting you know in triple a or double a whatever it is it's always like damn okay like if it's your boy you're happy for him um you're gonna root for the guy but there's always a sense like in the back of your mind like shoot like what do i got to do like i want that to be me

uh and then there's special guys that nobody thinks that way and they just cheer for you and maybe he's one of those guys but it's um it's a it's an interesting dynamic man it's not always just like yeah it's our boy it's I always like that. Well, I think the other, he got called straight up from AA. So I think we've got more of the youth and the innocence around it. And, yeah, man, I don't know. I think from their reaction, I think Zach Cole is a well-liked guy. I think there was some genuine just excitement for a dude there that you can't replace. And by the way, it's that time of year, Trev, going back to Evan Carter,

getting the call for Texas and bringing on the scene. The Giants just called up Bryce Eldridge. Yep. So, like, we are in that, it's this weird new element of baseball that nobody knows what to do with, but it feels like teams are saving, like, some of their top talent to not get overexposed throughout the year. Like the Mets hole pitching staff right now. Bryce Eldridge getting called with two weeks left. Like, I don't know.

If you thought he was going to provide something, wouldn't you've called him up just a little earlier? I don't know. I don't think Eldridge has been doing great at AAA. And then they had Dom Smith just got injured. So they had a hole and now they were able to fill it. Story of your life. I have a similar experience. I just remember this.

Luke Hughes, my Australian brother. Like one of my best friends in baseball, we came up together. He got called up before me. He hits a Homer first pitch. I believe it was against Scherzerzer in Detroit Oppo. Don't hold me to Scherzer, but I know it was in Detroit. And that was a weird feeling for me. You were jealous.

I'm just being honest, man. I wanted to get called up. And all of a sudden, my boy, and he was, like, crushing the ball that year, just, like, hitting homers out of nowhere. Weird feeling, though, happy for him, jealous of him. You know, I don't know. It's, those are true human feelings. I do want to say this about, you mentioned the debut, like, might as well swing it. Here's Luke Hughes.

I had a boy. On the freaking spot, and it was Scherzer. Top of the third. Go get it. He was a menace that year. all of a sudden he was strong but all of a sudden he just started hitting bombs bro didn't really have a position unfortunately for my guy lukees but shout out birth australia shout out um your first day in the big leagues man we need to do some some research on this i want to know like exit velos from your first day in the big leagues because there's just extra juice you got extra juice the adrenaline is there your adrenaline might never be higher You know, obviously there's playoff games and all of that.

But, like, I think there's so much pressure in the playoff games that maybe it takes down your adrenaline a little bit. A debut, it's just, like, magical. There's not a lot of pressure on you, especially when you're coming up in September. So the adrenaline is there. Man, you can hit the, you get up to a big league park. You're getting pearls thrown to you. You just feel like an absolute monster. Okay.

That's all I got. That's great. That's what I was asking. man Carlos Cortez Ian Hap feels like he can stand out with the best of them

Randy Vasquez Tanner Gordon Treve I'm hoping we're going to see some of these guys on En fuego Dark nasty's on Fuego That means I'm on fire baby

Like Waco Thank you In Fuego We're going to start off with My Guy Guy I had a guy guy in Kyle Farmer who now plays for the Rockies.

Now my new guy got, although I don't think he likes me as much as Kyle Farmer did. Cody Clemens. Yes, that Cody Clemens, Roger's son. He's been so good for the Twins this year. Seven for 13, a double three homers, seven runs driven in. He became the 11th Twins player to record a three homer game in the 14th instance in Twins history. His three homer game was the first since Miguel Sineau did it on May 18, 2021.

I never had one, people. I know what everybody's wondering. Not only did Cody Clemens do this in this series against the debacks. If you go back one series against the Royals, he had a ball 461 over the batter's eye in Kansas City. And we were like, damn, bro. All right. Salvador Perez, four for 13, three homers, eight runs.

Yes, he hit his 300th career homer, 1,000th career RBI. He's the eighth primary catcher to hit 300 career home runs. Six of the other guys in the Hall of Fame. Michael Conforto, we mentioned he was getting hot. Five for 10, a homer, five runs driven in. He's raised his average at 200 above the Mendoza line. The first time it's been that since April 19th.

He went nine for 18 with two homers and seven runs driven in in six games at Oracle Park this year. Aaron Judge also getting hot at the right moment. Five for 10, two homers, two runs driven in in the series. Nico Horner, we didn't talk about him. Probably should have. because he's having an absolute week and a season. 11 for 23 on the week, 478 average, 3 doubles,

a triple, three runs driven in. In September, he's just been bawling. He's sitting 396 to raise his average to 299. He's close to catching, who is it, Trey Turner, leads the NL and batting average at 305. Trey's out right now, not sure when he's going to come back, so it'll be interesting to see if he can catch him. But Nico's really done a ton of damage with runners in scoring position.

362 batting average this year. It's the highest in the NL with runners in scoring position. That's kind of when you want to hit the most. Right. And he's doing it. Very contact-oriented. Love us, some Nico Horner. Bryson Stott, 9 for 21 on the week.

Two homers, four runs driven in. You mentioned my guy, Jorge Polanco, 11 for 28, Jake. 10 doubles? Yeah. six runs driven in. He had three doubles and has doubles in seven straight. He had three doubles in a game. He has doubles in seven straight games

that ties the Mariners record. Not sure if the witch specifically tied those into her spell. Not sure. Harrison Bader has just been an absolute menace, style king, postseason hero, trade deadline, locked up the center field, badass dude. 16 for 33 for him on the week. doubles a homer four runs driven not enough credit goes to him for being a leader but he is

some of the best footwork in all of the outfield in majorly baseball matt olson not going to say it seven for 20 uh three homers four runs driven he's seen eight plus pitches and 35 played appearances this season that's most in majorly baseball it means you're seeing pitches taking good at badge jake and that was who was in fuego trev fantastic work uh fantastic work. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Workplace stress is now one of the top causes of declining mental health. With 61% of the global workforce experiencing higher than normal levels of stress to battle stress, most of us can't wave goodbye to work, but we can start small with a focus on wellness.

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BetterHelp can provide access to mental health professionals with a diverse variety of expertise. Unwind from work with BetterHelp. Our listeners get 10% off their first month at BetterHelp.com slash talking baseball. That's BetterHelp, H-E-L-P dot com slash talking baseball. Trev, couple things there. forgot that Bader was on the Phillies for a second

when you mentioned Walker Bueller and the Alpha situation. Quick scan of the 26-man Phillies roster and how many alphas are on the team. Let's see. I'm going one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine. I, an easy nine. That's a lot. League average alpha's three.

Probably three. I don't want to name names because I don't want anyone to be offended by it. But tough to say David Robertson's not an alpha. Aging alpha. The best kind. That's kind of this program. Okay, Tref. Great, great.

Great and fuego. What else was I going to say? Dude, Polanco, seven straight games. What do you like to say? Bookend? Yeah. He's bookending the season. The bread.

He's having a bread season. A bread season, yes. And I'm glad we highlighted Horner. He, a big double against Ucetta that helped them win the game. And he just helps win you games. Yes. That's nice to have. Are the Cub just going to go on this, like, magical run?

Cade Horton, ride him. Dude, you talked about Rizzo last episode. How about his day? I told everyone Eddie Vedder is a Cubs fan. Did you see him out there with Rizzo. Rizzo got a home run ball off his hand, which kind of got to squeeze that, coach. I can't, I dropped the foul ball,

Dodger stayed him with a glove, so I can't. This is tough, bare hand up there. You know, he's had some pops, you know. There's a pops had been out. And look, oh, Ian Hap, here's the money ball, buy more people beer. Is there anyone more pro? I don't think so.

Let me tell you who's struggling. How about that? A lot of youth on this list. It's a long season, Trev. Drake Baldwin, the young Braves catcher, 5 for 39 right now. OPS of 250 on pitches in the heart of the plate the last 14 days. Those are the ones you got to do the damage on. Thickneck Josh Young.

It feels like he's been here all year. 462 plate appearances this year No sac flies or no sacrifices One of three players Interesting Kind of tough Leave yourself up 7 for 452 is also tough

In his last couple weeks Nolan Jones Six for 37 He was the Rocky's future for a little bit He's floating around with Cleveland right now Ellie de la Cruz God Cincinnati 8 for 49

34 strikeouts lasting three pitches the most in the NL coming at you. That's tough, huh? Don't like that. The worst, the worst feeling. You're so embarrassed after a three-pitched strikeout? The only one that I, and again, we played at different scales, the only thing that hurt me more than that, a foul out used to crush me. Oh, everyone hates a foulout was the absolute worst.

Do you run? Do you not run? Now you're half jogging. When you run out a foul ball, you're just like this is... It's tough. This is the worst. Gunner Henderson, six for 37. It comes for everyone this sport.

Batting 154 on pitches in the strike zone over the last two weeks. Second lowest in the AL. What's he... Let me, overall numbers. Oh. That's just, what do you got? Because I just looked it up. Top of my head, I would guess like a 810 OPS.

789 OPS Slug is down a little bit this year On base percentage on par with career average 16 homers 62 runs driven in Still four and a half war plays defense We know what he does

Down year in your four and a half war Yeah That ain't bad That ain't bad I mean it was nine last year That's really good That's I mean more than double We say those guys

To tell you what's going on Nine's more Nine's more than double four Four and a half is exactly half of nine Oh I thought you said four flat My bad Okay Was he nine flat?

No he's nine one So you're actually right Okay Okay So I'm the asshole Take that Buster Here's good In just the final note

Jimmy loves Buster So we're laughing at all of this Like Baseball history short This is the thing this is what I really believe, man. Right. All the guys that we grew up with,

I grew up with Busterall. I'm just getting a little older, a little more ornery. We'll be there. Like, we'll be like some AI kid. It's not going to be a real kid, obviously. It's me an AI kid. I'm going to be so mad at him when I'm older.

I get a little more ornery. Now I'm just happy and exuberant, full of life. I, you keep saying ornery, and I start thinking of that love potion. and I don't know. That's two different words, bro. The I.L. Let's keep things down for a little bit.

Jose Alvarado out for Philly for the rest of the year. And a reminder, he was ineligible for the postseason anyways with his PED band, so he gone. Brennan Bernardino out for the Boston Red Sox, lefty arm for them. Andrew Chaffin on the halos. Him and Travis Darno. Out for the seat. where we're at people. Lance McCullors, Jr., your guy, right-hand soreness,

expected to miss end of regular season and then TBD. Your guy, David Morgan, for San Diego, some right shoulder inflammation. So many of these are like, we're going to check in at the end of the year, we'll see. Dom Smith, like you mentioned, right, hammy out through the regular season. Will Smith for the Dodgers, circle that one. He first got hurt on September 3rd.

They didn't think it was going to be going this long. So obviously something to track. Mason win out for the season torn meniscus. Hate that. Owen Casey, the Big Cubs outfield prospect, got kind of slid tackle by PCA and ends up going into the wall after a nice catch. That's a tough one.

Jake Fraley out for the year. It's that Chase Dallender. Tough. The good news is Life finds a way and people come off the aisle. Brendan Donovan will get in these final two weeks of the season. Tyler O'Neill for Baltimore. Adolice Garcia, if he can find it for a couple weeks.

Jose, show me your cat. Jose, your kitty on Detroit. Wow. Miss that body. Justin Lawrence twirling it for Pittsburgh in their bullpen. Let's start everyone's week. Awards are brought to by our talking. baseball live show from D.K. at Riggly. That's right. Wednesday, September 24th,

we're heading back out. We were there earlier this year. Myself, Jolly Olive and Joe's McFly. Talking some baseball with the people at the Draft King Sportsbook at Riggly before the game. We're going to talk playoffs, baseball trivia, and just hanging out with the people, because that's what we're best at. And then we're going. Cubs Mets, 640 game. What was that? Jake. The event starts at 5 p.m. Central Time. You can reserve a spot by clicking the link. It's free. So you just let us know if you're coming. That'd be great. 5 p.m. Central Time, Wednesday, September 24th, D.K. Sportsbook at Wrigley Field. Trev, what do you got? I'm going with the History repeats itself award. I was looking up like, what's the definitive quote, like those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it? There's like a bunch of quotes. quotes out there. There's like a Mark Twain. There's a Carl Marks. People have been saying this for a long time. So this, it's sort of a history repeats itself award and also a what is you

doing baby award. I'm kind of on that train right now. And this one goes to the Chicago White Sox, because we're looking at a reincarnation of the 2016 Chris Sale trade. That is what we are seeing. And if you don't remember, Chris Sale with the White Sox, just an amazing start to his career. Seven years there to a three on the dot ERA. Just All Star, All Star, All Star, All Star, All Star. They trade away. They get Yuan Mancada. Who else did they get?

I got it up right here. Moncada. It was Copac. It was me. It was Yoncada. It was Victor Diaz, Alexander Basabe. Michael Copick and Yohan Moncada. Now, I don't really understand why the White Sox did that deal at the time.

I guess you could say, hey, like, they weren't going to re-sign them. Don't know why you can't resign the guy. Don't understand that aspect, Jerry. But they let him go. What happens in the following years to the White Sox? They must have, they got these awesome players back, these top prospects. They must have made the playoffs a bunch, right? Yeah.

No. No. 17, no, 18, no, 19, no, 2020, no. 2021, they made the playoffs. And then we thought it was going to be the birth of the Chicago White Sox. It wasn't. It just wasn't. Now we're doing the exact same thing.

We're seeing Garrett Crochet. Or by the way, what happened in 2018 with the Red Sox who Chris Dale got traded to? They won the World Series. Won a lot. Yeah, they did it. we're seeing the same thing with Garrett Crochet. He gets traded for

I got to get it up again. Kyle Teal. Some and some, some, some, some, some, whoever it is. I don't know, people. Chase Midroth, your guy. Chase Midroth, vibes guy.

Kyle Teal, good player, Wickleman Gonzalez, Braden Montgomery, okay? Great. Chicago White Sox. Is the future bright? Probably not.

dude it's just we're seeing history repeat itself not a good year for the white socks you know what it's been a good year for garer crochet in the red socks man i got him pick going to the world series he's phenomenal why why are the white socks doing this again why did they do that again you just saw it play out and there's so many similarities between garret crochet and chrisale it was right there in front of you why are we so enamored with prospects. You got a guy, one of the best starting pitchers in all of baseball. You know what the hardest thing to have in baseball is great starting pitching. It just isn't available, dude. And you got a guy. Why are we giving him away again? Why is history repeating

itself? What are they, what are they think is going to happen? They think Chase Midroth and Kyle teal are going to steer them into the next white socks resurgence that doesn't happen ever like what are we doing I know they got some nice players Colson Montgomery great I can't even name another one I'm sorry I can't

and I'm a twins fan have you called White Sox games this year I don't think I called any White Sox games this year I might have early on but I can't remember all I'm saying is I don't understand why they would make this trade again. It was essentially the exact same trade that they saw blow up in their face.

Yom Akata is playing for the Angels right now, just the most laxadaisical third base I've ever seen played in my life. So what was the thought process behind them trading Garrett Crochet? I just need to know. In White Sox fans, tell me how you feel.

In Red Sox fans, you've got to be like, this is the best thing ever. We're doing this again? it's a what is you doing baby award it goes to the white socks i just don't hug your prospects don't fall in love with prospects man because the big leagues is just different and you need dogs on your roster and you're giving away dogs not even dogs you're giving away the alpha dog and i don't like it and i don't know why it's happening so i don't know i just thought about that

when I was watching Garrow Crochet pitch. I'm like, this is just the exact reincarnation of Chris Sale and what are the white socks doing? It sucks. Sucks for the fan base. I don't care who you get back, man. I just, are they thinking back? They're trying to recoup Fernando Tatis Jr.

Because they acquired James Shield and gave him away. Are they trying to make up for that? Is that what it is? I just, for my life, I can't understand it. It's interesting because I remember when the new GM came in And it was like, well, his first task is going to be trading crochet And you know, we do have this weird thing within sports We're just like, okay, you're a bad team

You have a good player trade away that good player Bringing prospects and it is a little bit how baseball works But it's also if it's someone young and as good as crochet If he would have been He traded him when he was 25 or 25 or 26 years old Exactly. That if you're if you are willing, if he was willing to sign with the White Sox, which from every report, I think he just

wanted the contract. I don't think he had any qualms with the White Sox. Maybe he did. Like, maybe there's stuff we don't know about contracts he turned down. But I don't know. I think if you, the contract he got offered with the Red Sox, if he got offered that with the White Sox, I want to be surprised if he signed. And if you're the White Sox, you're going to spend what, the next eight years hoping to find Garrett Crochet. So I get what you're saying, and White Sox fans, you know, hey, I hope Teal and Midroth and Radham Montgomery, I hope they're a big part of the future,

and maybe it's egg on our face if they're all studs, but you still want a crochet. I just, yeah, I don't, I don't understand it. I don't. Yeah. Yeah. Great stuff, Trev. I don't know.

It was on my mind, Jake. Sorry to bring it to show down a little bit. No, man. I'm glad you can speak your mind in this program. You know what? I debated giving jazz an award because over his 162 games with the Yankees, he's been 48, 48 homers, 48 stolen bases, which is insane.

Wow. Yeah, at the time that was, you know, when he got traded, it was like, oh, Yankees, jazz, I don't know. He's, he's been amazing. He's been one of the best second baseman in baseball. You know, I think I've given this guy kind of an award earlier this year, maybe not, but I'm just going to give out the, I'll keep filming the DVD award.

I talked about it before with the Mariners, how they feel like they have a DVD going right now. That's a pretty damn good one. The Toronto Blue Jays have a pretty good DVD going right now for their World Series. Phillies always have the Alpha DVD going on. We didn't talk about them much this episode. We should always be talking about them.

The Milwaukee Brewers. We talked magic numbers. We talked clinching. Pat Murphy has been one of our biggest conversation pieces this season. And every time he gets brought up, I try to drive home how cool Bob Euker was. Like he was doing Tonight Show with Carson. He's in movies.

He was everywhere. He's Bob Euker. And the fact that he was a baseball guy. guy is good for baseball in our society. Passed away in January. And during the brewers, you know, popping bottles, like they're going to the postseason, a letter from Bob Euker, and I don't know, I'll play us out with it because it's Pat Murphy reading a letter from Bob Euker.

Talk about, you talk about alphas, like the way that Pat Murphy demands the room's attention and Bob Euker demands respect in that organization. it's kind of powerful stuff. So Bobby's got that. I got a letter today from you. Howdy, boys? Never a doubt. You would get this invitation.

You did it by believing. Really miss you guys, and I wish I was there. Things are good, the God Almighty pick me to be on his team up here. I'll beat it on the third catcher. I told Rob you could stop it. I mean, it keeps going and it's a very nice note. Hey, go check it out on your own time today when you want.

A little weird, like a letter from the afterlife, kind of. But Bob Yucer A, dropping that third catcher joke. Amazing. And, dude, like if you're a Milwaukee Brewers fan that you've never had a World Series with everything this team, is about and they're wearing yuk on the sleeve like everyone should be rooting for your team and that's how this sport works if not it's hard to not be rooting for the brewers DVD this year yeah yuk is awesome man uh i get to work next to cori provis when i call twins games he spent a ton of

time with yuker uh he worked beside him and he's like uh he's just told me countless stories just like stunts that you play just like the day to day what kind of man he was and I just have a ton of respect for him and everything that he means. I love the note from the afterlife. Like how badass is that? Not too many guys can pull that off. I tell you.

Like here's a letter. Read this when they make the playoffs. And it just makes a ton of sense. And I, that would like kind of like, it got me going. The first time I heard Murph read that, cured up a little bit like it's real it's an emotional thing like he means a lot to Milwaukee he

means a lot to that team you talk to those guys man who had any uh interactions with him and it's just positive and i don't know man that's there is talking you want to talk about Etsy witch you you're talking about yuk pulling some strings up there i'll take yuk over the etzy witch i will too all day all day uh thank you everyone Hope you enjoy your baseball week. Might be some funk this week. We're figuring it out as we go. Go check out Jolly Olive on baseball today.

Can he handle that? Jake sucks. Don't be jealous. He put together a great burn when you were gone. Okay. It's a warehouse week. It's a warehouse. It's a warehouse.

There's no friends. I think I'm just going to be happy. Go lucky. It's me. It's Peter Moylan. It's you. It's Bobby Golf. It's devil's lettuce.