Talkin' Baseball (MLB Podcast) - How the MLB Trade Deadline Made These Teams Stronger

Episode Date: August 5, 2026

Check out the new JM MLB Glitch collection here! https://shop.jomboymedia.com/discount/TBGLITCH73110OFF?redirect=/collections/mlb-glitch&utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBGLITCH73110OFF Use code talkin50off at http://factormeals.com/talkin50off to get 50% off and 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year — and using our link helps support the show. #Factor #ad Book your next trip at https://www.bestwestern.com Visit https://betterhelp.com/TALKINBASEBALL to see real customer reviews and find out if BetterHelp is right for you. https://fanaticsmarkets.onelink.me/3MFw?pid=jomboy&af_dp=fanmarkets%3A%2F%2Fhomepage&af_channel=partnerships&c=jomboy_fmx&af_ad=youtube&af_web_dp=https%3A%2F%2Ffanaticsmarkets.com%2F%3Fpid%3Djomboy%26c%3Djomboy_fmx%26af_ad%3Dyoutube%26utm_source%3Djomboy%26utm_medium%3Dreferral%26utm_campaign%3Djomboy_fmx%26utm_content%3Dyoutube   Coach Trev and Talkin’ Jake give their post deadline power rankings! Do you agree or disagree with where they put your team?   Event contracts carry risk of total loss and changing prices. Not good  for all investors. Not available in all states. Must be 21+. See Important Disclosures in Fanatics Markets app. Customers are introduced to Crypto.com by Paragon Global Markets, LLC, d/b/a Fanatics Markets IB, an Introducing Broker registered with the CFTC and a Member of the NFA.   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. Trade deadline has passed, which means power is power. Where do we stand the rest of the way? Let's talk ball. Jeff Hoffman. Will Middlebrooks. Oh. 2013, not the wall. Just foul. Just foul. Those seats in left field and Fenway that are just foul.

Hello and welcome to Talking Baseball. by Fanatics Markets, where fans trade on sports. Fanatics Markets available now on the app stores. I'm Jake Storelli. That is Trevor Plouffe. Rob Seraco producing Dalton Feeley in the lab with us as we live in a post-deadline world. We're here. There's no more trades to announce.

It's over. We can't even daydream anymore. Is Ellie de la Cruz for sale? No. Tyler Stephenson wasn't either. So the teams are the teams, although we are going to have to catch up at some point because a lot of young guys are getting looks now. A shortstop for a team I follow closely might change their math equation a little bit. We'll talk about that going forward.

Coach Trev, live from beautiful Lake Minnetonka. Where are you? Yeah, Lake Minnetonka. I've heard that about your Yankees before. A young shortstop, he's the heir parent. He's going to be there forever. think we've done that. No, you've never done that? Okay. I don't think, no. Um, what else was I going to say out there? Uh, shout out, Middlebrook. You let me some BP passes today. That's

why I went with him. And I think, you know what? I think it was a double off the wall. He popped it up, but got enough of it. Went to review. Hit the line over there. We couldn't tell. Yeah. Sure. Oh, I, the other question I had was, we're done with like waiver claims. That still exists, right? Just in a different world, like a different. That still exists. It's just, pure waivers. Like we used to have waiver trading and now it's just straight up, you can add a guy if you want. But there's no

return for him? Like I think your guy McCutcheon, I don't believe so. We got to get on that. They've changed the rules a bunch. Bobo, please look that up. I think there is still some stuff after the deadline. Your guy McCutcheon, who I know that's basically the only player you track in Major League Baseball because he's your guy. I know he got released. So we'll see.

There'll be a couple random vets that pop up on teams in the coming weeks. That'll be one of those kind of, he's on that team, that little shock feeling, Trevor Plouffe on the A's. Power is power. We've wondered how to do our power rankings this year. It's so funny at the beginning of the year, what it turns into. And my God, a team like the Boston Red Sox,

who have been playing out of their domes right now. Where do they fall in the Pantheon? I think we're going to have a fun convo with that. We do. I mean, this is a little obvious, but the tops and the bottoms of the list sort out decently as we've been through two-thirds of the season. But we do have some tiers lined up

because you and I, that's kind of where it's at at this point of year, that you're going to have teams. It's hard to say that I think the Rangers are fifth. Like, if you're not going to get any of that on this show. But you are going to get what we're looking at as some of the differences between the top teams. So with that, coach, I think we dive in. I mean, I'm ready to go. I think, did we have a different number one?

Is that what I heard before this episode started? We do not, Coach Trev. I think there's a clear consensus number one. We are not clickbait media. The Dodgers are number one. they probably could have been without scubel, and they added scubel. Talk about the Dodgers a little bit.

If we're doing power rankings and we don't talk about the Dodgers enough, this should be the moment. What do you want to know about them? I mean, they are just sneaky setting themselves up for October. It's what we say all year long where like the regular season is just about getting through it, trying to maintain health for October.

This time, a little different at the deadline. you bring in Terrick fucking scubel. Excuse my language. It's, they truly are like they're the bad boys of baseball. They are. Every other team knows that they're the best run organization. Yes,

they have a financial advantage. So you can talk about them doing things the right way. And you could also say, hey, they got more money than people. And both sides will be right. And so you can love them, you can hate them, but they're the best team by far. And truly, over the next two months, all they're going to be trying to do is slot their rotation up, line it up, get Otani healthy, and kind of probably figure out lanes for their bullpen.

That's like the other thing, I guess. And that's it. They are ready to go. I'm curious, like, what I'm thinking for the Dodgers is, what's the postseason lineup for their pitching? Like that's how crazy the Dodgers are. That's what they've become. And yeah, I really don't know what else there is to say. I don't think we see any of like their top prospects, the ones they didn't trade.

I think their team is kind of the team that's on the field right now. We'll see some guys coming back from injury. And that's about it. I don't know what else there is to say. No, you know, like Dodgers question marks at this point, like, you know, if they're catching situation gets weird. Like right now it's fiducian rort vet. Obviously they have guys above that. And Will Smith's been out for a while now. Again, when you're looking for Dodgers talking points, maybe there's something there.

The only ironic point, Trev, this is the Dodgers probably worst stretch of the season. Three and seven in their last 10, eight and 12 in their last 20, 500 over their last 30 games. The bullpen has slipped up a little bit. Yeah, again, baseball comes for everyone. I think last year the Dodgers had a tough August, but they are building up for something. We're getting Snell and Glass Now rehab updates that they're building up for October.

They get to build up for October. And then in that bullpen, I mean, you know, Roki, who I know has turned a big glove Rokey. Is he going to go back to that? You know, it kind of was Eureas' role for the Dodgers, that he was kind of their starting pitcher during the season. And then if they needed a closer or three innings in the playoffs, they had that.

Edwin Diaz is back for them. Power is power. They're the two-time defending champs. No one should be mad. People will be mad. I think there's only one team that has an argument to actually be mad, and they want us to put the Dodgers at top

because they don't want our respect, Treff. I do want to, I looked at Will Smith because originally August 7th was his return date, and then there was some quotes yesterday, I believe it was. Dave Roberts talking about Will Smith. It's day to day. I know Will is anxious to get back out there,

but there still has to be a progression in games played. I just don't see it before three or four weeks. Yeah. They don't care. Yeah. It's just one of those, you know, playoffs get tight quick that if Will Smith comes back and he has a rough month

and now you're in a five-game playoff series, you know, again, these are, right now their catcher would be. be batting, or the current Dodgers catchers batting ninth, fiduciia, who they just traded for, behind Tommy Edmund, NLCS MVP, Tay Oscar. Kyle Tucker right now is batting six making, I think he makes a bill. I think it's just one billion per year. I'd have to double check the contract. Uh, yeah, our social team is doing a video. Who starts game one, Yamamoto or Scoobel? Like, yeah, Dave Roberts, manage it up. Figure it out, Dave. Who would you say? I said,

I said Yamamoto. I like it. I'm there. I'm there. I'm there, yeah. He's the guy. Today's episode is sponsored by Best Western Hotels and Resort. Summer baseball means it's road trip season, driving out to catch a series in a city you've never been, or fly out there just to watch your team play, hopefully win. When you make those trips where you can stay,

can either add or take away from the experience. Best Western gets it. 4,000 hotels worldwide. They built a network that puts you close to the action. Locations near the stadium, easy parking. There's breakfast, a reliable home. home base in between the action, so all the energy goes toward the game itself and not logistics. The wins never guaranteed, but a great stay is this summer.

Best Western is giving guests a thousand bonus points, plus a chance to win 250,000 bonus points. Book more of what matters most. Life's a trip. Make the most of it at bestwestern.com. No additional purchase necessary for sweep, see bonus points, terms and conditions, and sweep rules for details. Trev, as I alluded to, there's one team that has an argument. These were I think we had easy one-toes.

because they do have a better regular season record. It's the Milwaukee Brewers. First team to 70 wins. Up on the Dodgers by a game and a half currently, which, hey, hopefully, or I shouldn't say hopefully. Sorry, Dodgers fans. But there's a lot of the league that's hoping that could matter if they get home field advantage.

And they've been the best regular season in baseball the last two years now. It didn't matter last year. They had the best record in baseball last year. But, yeah, I mean, they had, I would say an interesting deadline. Rumored to be in on Scoobel and all the people who said they didn't really even offer anything,

they've been, I mean, there's stuff out there that they offered a significant package. So they were trying to go after him. Hey, what do you think of their deadline? I know we talked about Bone Naylor and that's probably a next year move. They brought in four Major League arms,

which to me, I don't know what to do with that. I don't know either. I mean, Dustin May is, you know, I think he's had some really, really bright spots this year. We know the arm talent is there. He seems like

a Brewer's guy. So we'll kind of see how, in what role he's going to be in there. Jojo Romero, proven lefty out of the pens. And Sotella, we'll see what they do with him. I don't know. They're adding to what's already a strength

in their run prevention. We've talked about the Brewers a ton this year. You like everything they have going for them. We like the way they play baseball. They defend well. They run the bases. They pitch. They were in the market for a right-handed bat and really didn't get that. Like, what does that team look like with the Taylor Ward? It'd be interesting to see.

But, yeah, I mean, they're going to play their game, and is it going to be enough? Basically, like, they're looking at this as like them versus the Dodgers. You know, there's some other teams that could come and they'd have to maybe get through them before. Phillies, Cubs, Braves, you know, you look at them, they have a chance. But I feel like right now the Brewers are like, they have the Dodgers. their crosshairs and that's what they're focused on. Yeah, part of me wonders if their deadline strategy, this is pure speculation, is just like, hey, we brought in these four arms.

Like maybe arms get hot like bats and they're like, hey, two of these guys should enter the postseason on fire. We don't know if that's May and Sensitella. I don't know if that's Romero and Hoyer. I don't know where it bounces, but I don't know. I mean, adding forearms to the equation to the team that we never doubt what they do with arms. It was not what we expected

from the Brewer's deadline. We always kind of are like, are they going to add that hitter? Instead, they added four more arms to, you know, one of the scariest staffs in baseball. I think that a lot of it is Jacob Mizorowski protection as well. You know, we're going to limit

his innings as we get to the postseason. We need someone to pick up those inings. So that makes sense to me as well. Yeah, I don't know. I think they are clearly the second best team in baseball right now. They go at it a different way than the Dodgers do, but still, you know,

top five OPS in the game. You know, we talk about their offense a lot, but they're getting the job done right now. Yeah. You know, the one thing I keep saying is they need more pop, they need more pop,

but like, maybe they don't. I don't know. In a series where everything lines up and they're, they're getting that big hit. They're moving the runner over. They're doing that, and it works,

and they can beat anybody. Last year, it got exposed. a little bit in the NLCS, but a different series could provide a different result. It's just, I mean, you know how the playoffs work, man. Pitching's really, really good.

Usually we say this type of offense, like, I want this type of offense. You're not going to string together three hits. Like, we've got to move guys, do this. It really is about getting the timely hit that didn't do that last year. You love some homers out of them, but I mean, they're legit, dude. Like, they've done everything right.

Yeah. And some just funny comps with them. Dodgers are fourth and run, Brewers are fifth. Both high on-base teams. And another thing, I mean, the Brewers pitching top to bottom is wild because it is every year. The Dodgers defense, that's obviously one of the things that people don't talk about a lot, but they grade out fantastic defensively, better than the Brewers. So we'll see if it's lining up for these two teams to meet again. Everything right now is pointing that direction.

The final for the top tier of teams Okay, that was nice The final for the top tier of teams We had the top five as the same exact teams Which then goes to the Rays, the Braves And the Chicago Cubbies So you had the Rays, Cubs, and Braves I had Braves Cubs race

So this, A, those teams start sounding alike a little bit But I guess in those three, what differences do you see or what do you like? Well, I mean, Chicago would not have been up here for me without the trade deadline that they had. Okay. So I think that is what I'd want to start with is, you know, they go from a ravaged rotation to now bringing in Gospin, who I think in a better environment, as far as like, you know, winning this year gets a little pep in his stuff. I think he could be better than he was in Toronto. Clay Holmes, I think, is an absolute perfect fit for this team. I think everyone kind of feels that way.

You bring in Zephrajan, you bring in Braxton, Gareth. They really fortified the pitching, and that's what they needed to do. Look out because Shoda has been great, too. And so is Matthew Boyd. They've pitched extremely well as of late. So now you're talking about, okay, like, this is looking like a little bit deeper. This rotation seems to work now. We'll see how it goes with those additions.

But the offense is dynamic. They play great defense. They kind of do everything right. But again, I think I would have had the Cubs probably more towards the 10 area if they didn't acquire those pitchers and the amount of starters they did. Like if they only got Clay Holmes or they only got Gossman, I don't think I'd have him ranked this high. But the fact, they brought him both of those guys plus.

Like, Zephyrjan, like I feel like nobody talks about him, but he strikes people out. Batting average against really low, like a really nice ad for them right there. So I'm in on the Cubs. They're my biggest jump because of the deadline, I think. Yeah, I've been with the Cubs throughout the year. I got yelled at them last power rankings

because it was right before they started losing a ton. Shout out to my Marlins fans as well. But like the Cubbies for me, it's the top to bottom. it's yes, the deadline they have matters and, you know, getting pitchers back. And by the way, just talking baseball legend showed him in Aga, because remember they declined his three-year extension before the year that turned into a one-year qualifying offer.

And it was like, hey, Shoda is now pitching that he's going to clear that two-year contract that he would have gotten. That's, we're going to have a lot of time to talk about things like that. I just believe in the Cubs, man. and like two guys that are supposed to be, I don't know, what makes the cookie crumble for the Cubs, Horner and Bregman didn't have big first halves. And it feels like they're starting to kick into gear.

And it feels like this team did have a scary time where it's like, wait, is this season going to really get away from us? With that deadline they just had, that make sure their pitching will be there. And the up and down in that lineup, I just believe in it. I do. And it's for them, I mean, kind of Dodgers light. It's like, who are your pitchers going to become a playoff series?

Is it Gossman? Is it Boyd? Is it Peterson, I'managa. I mean, who's going to be? They have a full, they literally have a full Major League pitching staff on their aisle. I know I've talked about that a lot, and I usually get to a, I usually get to a fourth starter and I'm like, I don't know if you'd want him. I mean, there were, Kate Horton, Clay Holmes,

Justin Steele, Edward Cabrera, Ben Brown. That would be a great TPP starting five. And that's before you get to a bullpen with Palencia, Milner, Miller, Mayton, Martin, too many M's. Yeah, it's going to be very interesting to see what they have ready for them when it's time.

Shota Imanaga last nine starts state. Can I interest you in a 209 ERA? Yeah, you can. Can I interest you in that? Yeah. I like his, I like how he pitches. Kevin Alcantara, that guy can play for me. I don't know what it turns into. I know they just sent him down. But that's a tall boy that can hit like that. I guess that's how you and I met. Say Assad's name. In any role. He'll be in a big inning in the postseason.

Of course you will. won't know how they got there, but Javier Assad will have the game on the line. And he might just, they might just roll the damn two ball. I guess talk some rays because we each have them as our top AL team. Three is a little rich for my blood when I'm looking at the Braves and the Cubs. But I do like their deadline and I like their formula, dramatic comeback win last night. I just have to look at one thing because I want to know why you're lower on them. I mean, they're six and three against your yanks.

Is it hate? I don't know. No, I'm just an NL believer. I went top four NL. I think those teams are better. I do like the raise. I do like the raise deadline a ton. Like, you know, Freddie Peralta has a track record.

Can they get them on track? I'm not sure. It's a bi-low type thing for them, which is fine. I believe in them being able to do something with him. They needed some depth. McClanahan on the I.L. right now. But the rotation is it's an interesting

rotation because I feel like if these guys are right, they're, you know, some of the best in the game. Like, Drew S. Mewiston has been filthy. Nick Martinez can be filthy. Griffin Jacks, you know, I think if you're going to rely on him in the posies, I'm interested about that. Ian Seymour has been

fantastic. So like they have the pitching. I think the biggest thing for them is being able to elongate the lineup. bringing in Liam Hicks for Miami's a big, I feel like it's a very underrated trade for this. Because we talk about, you know, they have a top three and all this,

but then you start to look at their lineup, put him in at 808 OPS on the year, 128 OPS plus, you know, he adds pop, he drives in runs. So he's a guy again, who I think is just, if they have the guys at, like,

the bottom of their lineup, if it's Valé, if he hits, if our late night Johnny Luca hits, and like they get the timely hitting, I think that they have a chance to compete with anybody. If those guys don't, that's kind of where my hesitation is with the race, but they've been able to do it so far this year,

so you have to give them the benefit of the doubt. Second and batting average, only 15th in run scored. Yeah. It will be interesting to see their approach come to postseason because we talk about this game and it comes down to, there's a hint of luck, and there's a hint of what goes on with that 3-2 pitch.

And, you know, the Rays are going to have that. Like, if they have a couple guys at the bottom that are flipping the lineup, and it's Aranda, Comanero, Diaz, Hicks with the ability to drive and runs, you don't want, didn't you run into an ex-teamate or someone on the road this year that, like, was obsessed with the race and, like, them flipping the lineup? Did I dream that? I don't know. I mean, that's been my biggest thing this year, just because,

if you look at offenses around the league, it's very difficult to find one that it's like up and down you feel good about. So it's like, yeah, what are your seven through nine hitters doing? What kind of the bats are they giving? Every time I watch a team and those guys are just automatic outs, you're not winning series that way. You're just not.

Yeah. Tell everyone who showed up at Joe Mowers Lakehouse last night. Oh, World Series champion. Yeah. Brian Dozier. BD. Power. Put the ball on the team.

Why did you bring him out of the stadium? Because power is power. And then Braves fans, you might not love this segment. Me and Trevor both said the Braves have been a little bit of a blind spot. Like they got out to that amazing spot. They were running away with the NLEs. Then it looked like teams might be coming. It looked like the Marlins and the Phillies might be coming.

The ships kind of ride it a little bit. And I would love to get Braves fans' reactions. I know they didn't love their deadline. But it's a sneaky 19 and 11 since the start of July. Like, we know the Braves. I think it's kind of a lackluster moment where we could be sitting here saying like, ooh, Jacob de Grom game two for the Braves. And now we're not saying that.

I don't know. I don't know. They're in a weird spot for me right now. you if you're a Braves fan you like the random outfield that random that's that's not nice but you like when they bring in some outfield help at the deadline that's you know that's kind of been their calling card 2021 i gotta get a picture of me and a j mentor yeah and for Braves fans to to print out and put on their wall just two 2021 legends yeah uh lane thomas comes over my assumption is that allows dubon to play short for them is that is that right? So that's kind of like two moves in one for them. Yeah, they have flexibility. I mean, Thomas, you'd like to think he's going to be verse lefties only.

I mean, he's a guy that's gotten run versus both sides, but it gives them a major league option. They brought in four major league option bodies. Like Hassan Kim has found a way off the IL. Can he not not even hit on the interstate? He was hitting on the O state. Do we have a term for that? I know our guy Jim Jarvis is there.

I know that. We know you got Jimmy baseball. Yeah. I mean, look, yeah, I think for a while, you know, they were struggling. Their offense was not clicking, and it has been lately. And that's, I feel like, you know, you can talk about a well-rounded baseball team because they are. But I do think this team goes as far as the offense goes.

Like if they're running hot, not a lot of teams are going to be able to stack up against them. Yeah. And I, team numbers as a whole, I, it's. seventh and run scored a seventh and starting pitching ERA and the bullpen ERA is there too that like okay uh and i do think if we do this playoff style and you if you shrink the braves down and like chris sale's still a bad bad man like i uh the back end of their bullpen put some respect on dylan lee's name they can i think they can put it together i think it's a franchise that feels

like they belong there that man we haven't fully started daydreaming of these nl play playoffs yet, but the Braves showing back up. The Brewers trying to show that last year isn't how they're going to be. Obviously, the Dodgers, and as we come up on the other NL powerhouses. But this top five, we had everything the same. I think this is where some people either might turn the audio up or turn the audio off. The next tier, we have it labeled six through eight. We both had the Phillies at eight.

Okay, Phillies. They joined the party. The party slowed down. We love Dombrowski. Six, seven, the term of the year. It's going to be one of those, like, New Year's. They add it to Webster Mariam's Dictionary or something that we've just ruined our society. You have the Red Sox at six.

I have the Yankees at six. And then we both have the reverse at seven. So Trevor, tell me why the Red Sox are more powerful than the Yankees. Well, power is powers. It's been the best team over the last six weeks, whatever it's been, five weeks. They don't lose baseball games. They just went into L.A. and swept the Dodgers, man.

Yeah. And you could talk about the Dodgers, playoffs only, whatever. It's still to be able to go do that. I don't know, man. I, they added at the deadline, um, crochet is going to come back at some point. He's not even fact that the thing, though,

the thing about this is, not even factoring him in to my power rankings right now and I still have them at six because I just feel like they have the pitching to get it done their offense can get red hot and then you bring in adly rushman where which is one of your blind spots in your offense at the catcher position you get him for controllable years you add another like really good option in the bullpen with eric miller so not only are you winning pretty much every baseball game that you're playing right now, but you're adding to this roster that I think can kind of do anything. They can hit homers. They can defend. They can, their starting pitching is really, really good. Left-handed heavy, sure. But getting the job done.

And I like the back end of their bullpins. Like what's, what's kind of like not to like about the Boston Red Sox right now? Whereas you're Yankees, I think have some holes right now. Until those holes get. Oh, boy. Until those holes get fit. I can't put the Yankees over the Red Sox right now, not the way the Red Sox have been playing. Look, if Aaron Judge comes back is a freaking monster like always, if John Carlos Stanton comes back and they have to figure out what they're going to do with Ben Rice and Luis Garcia Jr.

And they have that much depth. Okay, I understand it. But, you know, I listen to you guys talk about your team all the time. You're always disappointed. How can you put the Yankees over the Red Sox right now when the Red Sox are playing this well? Jimmy with a legendary trade deadline episode what the Yankees did or did not do

our guy George Lombard Jr. Did he turned some heads last night and that's been a glaring thing for the Yankees going back to Dede Grigorious at this point. It was one game. He's a kid. Let's see what happens. Red Sox 24 and 3 since July 3rd.

Is that good? Yeah. That's amazing. I guess with that, like the Red Sox having one of the best runs we've seen in the talking baseball era, 24 and 3. Yanks still are two games up on them. Like the Red Sox haven't caught them yet. Maybe they will buy this.

That's not fair, bro. They were so bad. Yes, and the Yanks played good that there's a lot of season left. I don't think the Red Sox are going to keep winning at a 24 and three pace because no team has ever done that. Maybe I'm wrong. and I died and welcome to hell. And by the way, as we talk about injuries with these teams,

you mentioned the Yankees, clear. Judge, Belly, Stanton, all those guys. Carlos Rodon is throwing right now, Clark Schmidt. The Red Sox crochet, I just looked it up. It was short toss, and okay, if that guy gets on a mound in any fashion, watch out. You know who took some batting drills the other day? Roman Anthony siding, which a lot of. A lot of Boston fans have been wondering where that young man has been

that could lead to some electric action down the start. I think you're right, Coach Trev. I just do think that, you know, sometimes we get caught up. The Dodgers are built so well that when they have their injuries, they just kind of still survive in advance and we're just like, okay, let me know when you're back. The Yankees aren't built that well that they're going to need judge. They're going to need belly. they're going to need Stanton.

And, hey, they added pieces. It just wasn't the pieces we've thought. And the other thing with their pitching that gets overlooked, third and starting pitching ERA, second in bullpen ERA. So although we're yelling at Cloud, and I do have some fear about our playoff formula, because I don't look at that bullpen, and I'm like, how am I getting through six, seven, eight innings?

There's guys that have been doing it this year, and they deserve credit. I don't know how I'm going to feel about them in October until I see them in October. So I really, the Yankees starting pitching has been amazing. Garrett Cole is back. Ryan Weathers has been shoving. That it's still in here.

The platoonness of the lineup is freaks me out because we've never seen a good Yankee team do that. I don't know. I think the Yanks have more winning coming. and I think the Red Sox have to slow down, but maybe I'm just wrong, and maybe that's Yankees' blinders. If you guys get your full compliment of players back,

I'll think about this differently, but right now they're not there, and the Red Sox are going on this, this is historic run, you know, and when I saw them play earlier on, they were the other team. They were the opposite of what they are right now. There's a bunch of outs at the bottom of the lineup,

but Caleb Durbin has turned his season around. Rafael is, like, just having he's insane I love him his season's crazy dude yeah have they not

locked him up yet he they did that's right I figured they did yeah he's he's part of that career eight years 50 with an option for 2032 he gonna be there

that's a yes oh all right 808 OPS from Ceydon this year and he's really really turned it on as of late leads the ALE and doubles how about that

I think he didn't he didn't he had three homers in that Dodger series just putting it on them. Dahlin just threw up the four. So, bring you back to what year was that?

2017. Red Sox Dodgers? Yeah. 18. Who was 17? The Astros? Battle of Mookie Best. That was Astros Dodgers.

U. Darvish, one of the all-time pitchers, really struggled to get out of the first inning. Could have been anything. That was some Yank socks kid. again, the last tier two, which a three-team tier, is the Phillies. You know, we had, we had Shelfion in the trade deadline. I think it's pretty straightforward. Like, is this going to work or is it not that I, what do you have to have?

Former Philly. Former Philly, yeah, the offense still kind of scares me. And then the defense is a question. They're trying to figure that out. Luis RISE definitely helps. Someone pointed out that it's really funny. how if you look at their lineup, Kyle Shore,

where the guy that bangs the ball all around the baseball field and he's batting lead off while Louisa Rise, contact-oriented guy with no pop is hitting fourth. That's where we're at in baseball right now. Times have definitely changed.

I love that. It's great. Yeah, but for them, it's like, can this offense figure it out? These guys are struggling, man. I don't know if it's age or not. I know this roster is getting up.

there, but some of the guys you expect to be there, you know, season long stats, not very good. So they really need Harper. They really need Schwer, but they need their, they're very much a top heavy lineup. And I worry that if those guys get shut down with some good pitching, that we kind of see this team sputter a little bit. They have the pitching to get it done, especially if you pair that rotation down to a top three in like a five game set. You figure it out on a seven game set back in the bullpen love. But I think for me it's the offense. And like I want to believe in it. I love the players.

It's a fun team. I believe in them probably too much. But it does scare me. It does scare me that this offense could go ice cold. Little four game win streak right now. And again, it's a long season. Like the things we've thought about different teams at different points, the Phillies with guys in different positions, Andrew Painter gets called back up like, God, if they could have someone give a fight every fifth day, that would help the bullpen, which has some tough numbers that we all know it's in there. It's just how much can they get it going the rest of the way. This episode is sponsored by Factor. The stretch run is here. The games keep coming and somewhere in a pack schedule. Eating well is usually the first.

thing to go. Factor makes it easy to fix all of that. Their meals are chef-crafted, dietitian designed, ready in two minutes, no prep, no cleanup. So even the busiest days, eating real food is achievable. Every week, there are over 100 menu options. New meals, salmon burgers, shredded pork, collard greens, plus add-ons like pumpkin-flavored cheesecake and protein shakes. Let's eat real. Head to factorneals.com slash talking 50 off. Use code talking 50 off to get 50% off and one free breakfast item per box for one year. While supplies last until 10.31.26, that's code talking 50 off at factor meals.com. Where we enter a new Trev. Tier. Oh, God. Where we enter a new tier Trev.

Jesus. We have a reverse order situation where I believe we have four teams from 9 through 12, Trevor, we have the same teams just in reverse order. The Mariners, who you were getting hype about on the trade episode, the Chicago White Sox, the Padres, and the D-BACs. So what that means is you and I are one spot apart from the White Sox and the Padres, which that is what it is. But that means the Mariners, you have them at nine. Oh, I left out D-BACs.

Excuse me. I saw him perk up over there. that the Mariners, I think, are one of the hot teams to discuss here for where you have them on the list. And then White Sox Padres D-Backs, again, this is definitely a tier because these are teams that deserve respect, but also what have they done? I don't like when you say D-backs. You don't. You're saying D-Bags. The Arizona Diamondbacks.

Thank you, thank you. I'll start with the Mariners. I'm a believer in this team. Sometimes I do feel like I get a little bit, what's the word I'm looking for, the term I'm looking for, a recency bias. I'll see these teams play.

They'll play well right in front of my eyes. But I really have been, I don't think the Mariners, this is a case for that. The Mariners, to me, are still one of the most complete rosters in all of baseball. I really believe that.

They have clearly enough starting pitching. go toe to toe with anybody in baseball, but they're starting pitching. The back end of their bullpen has some incredible arms. You're talking about Ferrer, who we got to a little bit, but he's been great. You know, lefty throws, you know, high 90s sinker ball, doesn't give up homers. You got to love that. And then, you know, senior smoke out there. They have a compliment of people in their bullpen that I think can match up really well with any team.

So the pitching is taken care of. I think this team's fantastic in that right. It's been the offense and not, it's been the lack of production from their main guys. Everybody else around this team has been very, very good. And I've said this on the show. People have heard me say it, but I truly believe that Cal is one like, Hey, Cal, why don't you try getting in your back hip a little more? Something like that.

One swing away from getting back to where he needs to be. I truly, truly believe that. His numbers are over on the year horrible. Wow. But it could click like that. Naylor's been going. He's looking a lot better. And Julio has such a track record of turning it on in the second half that I believe those guys

will or at least get to like 75, 80% capacity. And that's all they really need because everybody else around them has been awesome. Top to bottom, I think this could end up being one of the. better lineups in baseball, which I don't think a lot of people, I think I'm probably going to get a lot of shit for that because they haven't been a great lineup overall. But I truly think that if those guys get going, they're going to have at least a one through, I mean, yeah, one through nine. Like, I like what they're throwing out there. I truly do. So Brandon Donovan's back. They trade for Taylor Ward. and I just think that this is a team

that if you're looking to buy low on a team it's now they're still three games under 500 four four games under five buy not financial advice but also go buy low on the Mariners get some good odds right now

they are if you want to do division if you want to do sprinkle some World Series stuff I like this team a lot So, as I mentioned, you have them at 9, I have them at 12. They are still my highest AOS team. Sitting at 55 and 59, they're just walking a tight rope right now.

Because, Trevor, I agree with everything you said, man. You see it. You see it. And, like, Cal, you know, there's been a couple swings recently. You hope that changes. And Donovan and Ward. and like the fact that Cole Young and Canzon have happened. Cole Young is a fucking baller, dude.

He's got a little bit of that Corbyn Carol, just I'm a beast. Randy Rosarena is having a fantastic year and I say nobody's talking about him. Amazing season. I think he was their only all-star this year. I mean, the whole conversation was like six pitchers. And now that's gone. They trade away Louise Castillo, fifth and starters. or excuse me, eighth and starter ERA, fifth and bullpen ERA.

I guess for me, Treve, this is scary in the American League where it's still there. And dude, you're absolutely right. Like we're waiting for that light bulb. We're waiting for the eight and two. We're waiting for the, God, if they go on a Red Sox type run, they enter the conversation of scariest team in the American League. It's August 5th and they haven't shown that. that I guess where I'm at is this team feels like it has a little

2023 San Diego. This team feels like it has a little, was it 24 Cardinals that kind of everyone was looking around the clubhouse staring at each other like, wait, why aren't we good? It's, Trev, in a game that, in a sport that it's just hard to win every day, they've got two more versus Detroit. They play Tampa for three. They got a Tampa Yankees stretch at the stadium.

If they're just, if one or two series go wrong, you're now closer to 10 games under 500. And man, it's just a tough hole to dig yourself out of. But all of that is to go with saying, if it goes on, they're the scariest team in the AL. Yeah, I mean, I'm banking on that. And if anybody wants to like a Tolkien baseball, If you want to put this out on your socials, it's, it's Gandalf,

Gandalf the white coming down the mountain at Helms Deep. And that's Cal, put Cal Raleigh's face on that. If he comes in, saves the season, gets back on track, starts hitting some homers. That's what it'll be. Yeah. I mean, this is, this is, we don't do clickbait. We don't do like shock value. But I feel like even where you have them ranked, I think a lot of people, be like,

with the Mariners? Yeah. Yes. Like, I don't feel great about having them at 12. But I feel great about having them where I'm at. Because I feel like I'm going to be vindicated by the end of the season. I hope you are, big dog. Where's AI at?

Can any of the programs be like, can you yell into a phone, put Cal Raleigh's face on Gandalf, walking down a build, walking down reverse Mordor or whatever Trev just said. And we can get that. Reverse more door. I don't know. Something about that felt. Helms deep. Helms deep, excuse me, I'm sorry.

I have the Padres at 10, almost a similar story to, well, who am I like that? Oh, to like the Cubs. Okay. Without their deadline, I'm not ranking them 10. I'm not. I'm not giving them that. But you bring in two, like, I mean, how did they get,

how did they get Mize and Robbie Ray? how did this team get them? A lot of people were looking for starting pitching. Sad DeBacks fan next to me, not happy. Right? And they didn't have to give up more a home? No. So like I'm wondering how that happened.

All I hear about is the cupboard is bear in San Diego. They can't. What? They just went out and got arguably the two best pitchers traded at the deadline. and they needed it more than anybody. The rotation was a shell, you know, a shell of what it, you know, could be they're getting,

I'll get, well, Pavetta actually, I saw a video, he exited this rehab start. Yeah. Did you see that? Yeah, and his contract can get voided if he doesn't pitch. Yeah, that's, that's, I feel really, really bad for him,

working your way back, and then all of a sudden that happens. And then, yeah, if you're a Padres fan, you're banking on him coming back to kind of fortify the rotation as well. That doesn't happen. Best Fives you can send to Nick Povetta,

but yeah, without those moves, I would not have them there. They put themselves in a position going into the deadline where they won games. They won eight of ten and put themselves back, okay, now we can be buyers, and they went out and bought. So best bullpen and baseball. And then you added to a rotation, and now it's kind of, let's go. Let's go on a run here. Yeah, I agree with all of the. that and that's with the caveat of like the offense has to go go. We saw the

Fernando non-homer thing for a while. Machado started to go in the second half. He slowed down Jackson Merrill. A couple games there that yeah, I mean they're they were bottom of a lot of offensive stats and the offense were up to 20th in homers, 21 and runs. Like can we keep chipping away at that? Because dude, we start talking where the NL can get scary again. And this This goes back to talent on the field, preseason expectations. If you did the NL, the scariest it could be, it's Brewers, Dodgers, Braves, it's Cubs, Phillies.

And then I think the honest answer is San Diego, even though Arizona has been a better team than them this season. San Diego's 8 and 2 in their last 10. And we've just seen this whole story. We've seen that from Slam Diego. Camerena! Like the whole, we're actually buying and getting players that if they're the last team in that National League dance,

that's as stacked as a playoffs as you could put together in the National League, in my opinion. Yes. Boom. Where are we going now? I guess teams that, an American team that deserves loved, and I kind of screwed this on the way in, is that you and I had the White Sox flipped. The Chicago White Sox, I put them in my top 10.

Again, I like their deadline. I like that we kind of had a part in, part out in the bullpen. We brought in Luis Castillo. I'm not sure of what version it is. Funny, Bailey, foolish Bailey did Wake and Jake with him, did a tier list of the trade deadline. And he noted how his weird brain works. He was like, every time Luis Castillo's gotten traded, he's gotten off to a great start. So maybe there's something in the analytics there, a little change of scenery.

We talked about their offense. I'm still not buying your twins yet. I'm still not buying your guardians yet. I guess there is still a little bit white socks by default for me, which I don't know if that's right. Yeah, I mean, I also obviously have them as my first team in the AL Central. The Castillo move is like, I want to see it play out. I think that's where I'm at.

They needed some help there. Veteran type pitcher, I guess you could say. So they bring him over Davis Martin. I think he got hit around. Was it last night or the night before? So like some of those guys, they got up to really, really good starts in their rotation have come back to life.

I've been saying I love Sean Burke the entire time. He's been their best pitcher. So there's, the rotation is interesting. That's why you bring in Luis Castillo. There are times where I feel like they can look really, really good and then I guess it's up and down for them and that's kind of not what you want in your rotation you want it to be more consistent but they have a fun team kind of a I think they can

score runs in a bunch of different ways I think if you look up and down their lineup it's pretty long they can flip it over for the guys at the top so yeah like I I like the way they play baseball and they do have that kind of the feeling around them I thought that they would kind of run away with the central more than they have. Although what is their lead right now? Three games over Cleveland. I think they're just, I think they're a better overall team than Cleveland and Minnesota,

but they haven't been able to really pull away yet. Yeah, I'm a fan. How far can this team go in the playoffs? I don't really know. It would have to be like a magical run, because I feel like it has kind of felt like that, especially early on in the season with this team. So I don't know what that says about my belief in them.

I do think they're the best team in the Central. But overall, I'm like, again, I think it's going to have to take something really fun for Chicago to truly be a contender. And I think you could say that about every team going forward. This episode is brought to you by our new MLB glitch collection. These are the ones, people. I've actually had our White Sox one hanging out behind me. all episode and team that you know that's close to me, the snakes. It's just a sick shirt.

Like, this is going in the mix. And I think that's the highest compliment I can give these. Even if you're not a fan of the team, you're going to see a team shirt that you're like, oh, shoot, I got to add that. I got to add that. Scan the QR code on screen, head straight to our store for 10% off our new glitch collection. And there's a link in the description. Yeah, and that's where, as we say.

start chewing through the rest of this list kind of quicker. I know the D-BACs get skipped over a little bit, Badalts kind of okay with that. Corbyn Carroll's in worst lump of his career. Your guy, Gabrielle Moreno! Paternity list, congrats. We love that, but, you know, come back, please, say D-BACs fans. And luckily, James McCann has turned into Prime Albert Pujos a little bit.

He is just mauling baseballs. That here's your D-BAC's rotation as of right now. Sorry, Dalt. Listed as E-Rod, Mitch Brat, Cole Drake, Merrill Kelly, and Brandon Fah. Why don't we bring D-Dalt in to talk D-backs quick? Give him 90 seconds to do it. He looks sad and not excited, but absolutely.

Yeah, I want to hear it. Thanks, Bobo. Well, first, this is a massive series currently. They're playing the Padres in a four-game set. They split the first two. far. And now the Padres are going to face Mitch Bratt and Cole Drake, two rookies that they got in the Merrill Kelly trade last year.

Look, the offense, it's like most teams, as you guys say, are always on the show. It's usually the top three to four guys carry a lineup and then you figure out the rest. The Eback's lineup right now. Corby and Carol Katelmarte, too, going struggle bust a little bit. With Gabby being out on paternity leave, congrats Gabby. The void was definitely felt yesterday in the lineup. down 8-0 before they had a little bit of a comeback. But long story short on the snakes,

they turned themselves into contenders after the All-Star break, put themselves on a buyer spot rather than a selling spot. You know my thoughts on what I wanted the dimebacks to do during the deadline. They, I guess, missed out on a couple opportunities. Mike Hazen said it. I think this is a proper rank, and I think they're like in the 10 to 14 range. The offense has to come alive.

They play the Dodgers after this Padre set. So this week of baseball can really determine, hey, are they true contenders in this in this season? Or are they pretenders? Go dahl, go snakes, is what I'd say. Who went over there, Newt Bar, right? Lars. Made his debut yesterday, 0 for two. Helps against right-handed pitching.

They needed that. Two walks. Yeah. Okay. And if in this hypothetical, Kepler can't play in the postseason, if they get there because of the PED suspension, he would be like that replacement. That was part of logic. That makes sense.

That makes sense. Tim Tawa Power. James McCann, 15 RBI's 8 games. I don't know. Albert Pool Hall's Part 2. What was I going to say? He tied the Diamondbacks record for most consecutive games with an RBI. Gonzo, Goldie, McKinth.

Debated as a Friday award. I'm not here. Go Juan Murillo go. Brandon Garcia. Just all storyally. The next big time reliever in my opinion. He's a stud. Oh, okay.

Yeah. That's huge. From the left side. I don't know if I saw him throw. Brandon Garcia. He's like our new puck. Justin Martinez. He's coming back in a couple weeks.

Hopefully he pitched in, I think, high a yesterday. Ammo. One scoreless ending, two Ks. I don't know. I'm excited. Hitting 100. Be excited. Be excited.

Let's get some of those D-back playoff feels going again. Thanks, guys. D feels. All right, Trev, this is kind of the last section I think we're really going to get lost in because after this, things start to fall apart a little bit, or the next tier, if you will. Teams 13 through 18. We had all of the same teams.

They're just Jumbalaya. Because they are Jumbalaya. It's the Pirates. It's the Twins. It's the Astros. It's the Guard Dogs. It's the Rangers. And it's the Marlins.

So I get maybe of these teams, which one do you like to make the playoffs the most? Of these teams, which ones do you like the most? What do you see? I put, I had the pirates at 13 and this is a little bit of like, hey man, like, I'm happy you guys did what you needed to do. Because really, they've, they have proved me wrong with that lineup continuing to hit. I, when I saw them, I said, hey, it's really like, there's a lot of outs in that lineup. But I believe they're second in all of baseball and run scored behind the nationals. And, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, and, kind of surging forward. So the lineup is real. The starting pitching has a chance to be very real. There's been some ups

and downs there with Skeens, with Bubba Chandler, you know, but I think you lock it in and you have a good start by Skeens. You got Jared Jones doing his thing. You got Ashcraft doing his thing. Like, they can have a legit scary

rotation. They needed bullpen help in the worst way. Could not finish games. That's been there, kill all year long. And now you went out and look, Camila Duval. You didn't like him with the Yankees. I feel like he still has stuff. And maybe a change of scenery is what he needed.

Some guys don't like playing in New York. That's just how it is. They got idiots like you yelling at them all the time. Luke Weaver comes over. You got to love that. So they addressed their need. They addressed their need, I think in a big way. And if that, if you can say, hey, all they really needed with some bullpen help,

They got pullpen help. So I'm hoping right now, you know, they're sitting, what's, let me see, where are they sitting? Standings-wise, it's not a recap app, so don't have them at the ready, guys. I'm sorry. They're 57 and 58 right now. They are three and a half out of the last wild card. By the way, the NL wild card is kind of taken off on them. I gave them this ranking just because of what they did at the devil.

Yeah, I don't love their deadline, but there's a little bit of salt. in there admittedly. I know the bullpen has been a weakness. I don't know what DeVall will do. The things Chris Rose said about Kirby 8s were shocking. It's always been a Lake Backer show. And Weaver, hey, he's probably the best reliever traded and Mason Montgomery's throwing 102 now. They have arms in the back. I've always said that. They just, they walk people, they put people on base and come back to bite them. I get it. I, even. if the bullpen trends up, I could see the offense trending down. Third and runs, fourth in OPS.

Right now, as Merlin has taken the cleanup spot, crazy, how he got off, he slowed down a little bit. Right now, as I'm looking at the second half of that lineup, I'm asking some questions. And, dude, I just, for me, the train never left the station this season. It's been around 500 or slightly below 500 the whole year. I wanted them to go a little further before the season. And, hey, talent-wise, I do get it.

I was impressed when I was seeing what their offense was putting together on a day-and-day-out basis that, hey, if that bullpen gets really hot, you could be right. And they brought in guys that can help get that bullpen really hot. I just think it's a brutal division. Like, I look at the teams they play, and I wonder, you know, for them to get really hot, you got to start. I see Boston coming up on their calendar at Miami,

and I don't know if they're a better team than Miami, because without one horrific two-week stretch, they're not a better team than Miami, to be honest, but Miami also sold that, yeah, I just, I can't get behind Pittsburgh till I see it. Like, they've got two more with Milwaukee, and, hey, as much as you could say, what if they win those two games, and they're above 500?

What if they lose them? And now they're looking, like, we're hitting that point of the season that I just, I can't sink my teeth into them. As you mentioned, I guess in that grouping, Astros, I put them at 13 next to Seattle, which again, that was kind of a coin flip for me. Houston currently has the division.

And I believe what Yorda is doing, when someone's doing something special, I feel like that picks up the rest of the team. Like if you're an Astros ball player and it's almost like, hey, if I can help Yordaun a little bit, I think we win? I think that matters that Houston was the next slot for me that they would currently be in the playoffs.

There's obviously a lot of, you know, still some old warriors with a lot of battle scars on that Houston team. And they have gone a couple pitchers back from injury that, you know, if they're telling themselves the whole off-season speech, like we won 87 games last year and we didn't have Yordon, well, now you got him. And he's a beast. that I think of these teams.

They're my playoff team. I mean, you got to give credit to the, I mean, you got to give credit to them. Where are they at there? Are they three games over? Yes, three games over first in the West. And we both had the, we both had the Mariners so far above them in the rankings.

A little bit of Houston Astros disrespect. I have them one game apart. You do not. Where do you have the Astros? I have them 12 and 13. I have them back to back belly to belly because I can't tell those scenes. I have them. I have them disrespected.

You, yes. So don't lump me in with your disrespect, please. Okay. I can't really see. I have our picture up here. I can't really see your rankings whatsoever. That's fine. They don't want to see you.

I'm just looking at mine right now. Yeah. Interesting trade deadline for them. You know, they get Varshot. They give Aragetti away. You know, they've been looking for a center fielder for a while.

We know what Varsho can provide. There are times where he can get super hot offensively. He's going to play a good defense out there. I'm interested to see the Astros. At this point, I just say, I believe in them because they win all the time. They've become, in my opinion, the last couple of years, like the Guardians, where it's just like they're just going to win baseball games. And you kind of have to believe in them until they prove you otherwise.

As you mentioned, yeah, didn't make the playoffs last year by a tiebreaker. Tigers make it in with 87 wins. they don't make it in with 87 wins. But this team, yeah, I mean, the playoff rotation, Hunter Brown, then you got Javier, like Lambert, Renele Blanco, like it's, you know, I think it's below, you know,

I think if you look at the rosters, I'm taking the Mariners over this roster. But it hasn't played out that way on the field. I like the bullpen here. I think I'm a little weary of the starting pitching and then Yordon can carry a fucking offense, dude. Yeah. Who in their pitching staff

is gonna like get hot? You guys could have had Trevor freaking Larnick on your team. I know. For a reliever. You had the twins at 14. I had them at 18, I believe. Tell me why I'm a fool. This is probably me being just like,

hey, I believe in this team because I'm biased. for being honest. But look, this is another team. I'm giving them a pat on the back because they addressed their biggest glaring need. The bullpen has been better in July, but they went out and got guys. I mean, they went out and got Jeff Hoffman.

And again, there is some numbers out there. If you like expected numbers, where Jeff Hoffman's the fifth best reliever in all baseball. Like, he still strikes people out at an alarming rate. We'll see how it goes. Dean Kramer is going to give them some innings because they got a couple guys in the rotation that are young that haven't really pitched full seasons. So that's what he's going to do.

Back end of the rotation, give them some innings. Minter comes in, does his thing. I don't know. They've just been like whenever you count this team out, they've figured out ways to get wins. They've been on like a series win like streak, man, where they're like 10 and 3 in their last 13 season. series. Tough, tough one in Seattle, battle back for a couple of different games there. I don't know, all of these teams to me in this region, they're all sitting right around 500, a little bit below 500. Where you want to rank them is just kind of up to you. I'm giving

the teams that went and did something at the deadline that I felt was impactful. I gave them the nod, and you really could put these teams anywhere. Royce Lewis getting hot, by the way. Royce Walker Jenkins getting the call. Text the owner. I don't know, man. Okay. He should already been up here. When Buck went down, it should have been Walker Jenkins up. There are a much better team when they can have our guy, the cry baby.

Ryan cried. They're in shortstop. But what did I just say? I don't know. Oh, yeah. Royce Lewis getting smoking hot. Dude, don't let Royce Lewis take this team to the fucking playoffs. When his swing is right, man, that's still a fun.

one to watch. It's just like, it feels like he's swinging a bigger bat. Yeah, we talked about it. He's swinging Birch now. Oh, okay. Shout out to Birch Smith. Guards. Chris Rose doesn't want to talk him. We don't want to talk about him. A lot of people love their deadline. I like it more than I thought. Yeah. And I, again, when we're talking, and I guess this is the BS of it all, of these teams that are in this hodgepodge, my Texas Rangers, like to lightly torture me. Like if there's a steady base, it's the Cleveland Guardians that they're probably going to

persevere through this. It's just the same old story for them though. Like they tried to make adjustments to their offense, but that's where their season lives or dies. Like can they score enough runs? Joe Adel, you know, I think he's going to play all the time. Chris Rose says he doesn't hit right.

He's well enough. So they're just going to platoon him. Interesting. Nate Lowe, like at, the last, like a last second buzzer be meter for them at the trade deadline. I think it will be impactful. And then they added to a starting pitching,

their starting pitching depth with, which I think was already very deep to begin with, especially if you're talking Cleveland Guardians, Messick and Gavin Williams, and then you put Foster Griffin behind them, then you got, you know, whoever you want, B, Kantio, who's been great. Like, they're a scary team, man.

They do all the things, all the things right. they just need somebody to go in there and hit the ball out of the ballpark and have some big swings for them and they brought a couple guys and they can do that. If you can delete two weeks of the season, which a lot of teams have bad two weeks, but the Marlins two weeks are worse than any other teams. I have them at 15. I still have a little bit. I still have just a little bit of stock because if you take out those two weeks,

are they at nine? Are they at 10 on this list? I realize you'd have to take away every team's worst two weeks and try to erase it. And they traded Liam Hicks, which if we're going to be complimentary of it, that hurts. They did bring in, they brought in what, Vodnik and they didn't trade away some pitching,

which we thought they would, that, I don't know, I'm not quitting on my Marlins. No, I just think that, you know, they probably have a tougher path to the playoffs than other teams. they're on par with the pirates. I don't think too much separates these teams. There was a time, yeah, when the Marlins were super, super hot,

we're like, okay, this could be really for real. It ended up being, I think, kind of like an anomaly of the season when they were going that hot. But I wouldn't separate them by a time both of those teams. I do think that the National League getting to the playoffs is going to be a little bit tougher than the American League. that's a pretty obvious statement there. And then as far as the deadline,

that's kind of how I did my rankings. I weighed the deadline pretty heavily. This is a, like a, they didn't really go up or down type down. I would, I would point the arrow a little bit down before being honest,

and that's why I had them at 18. It's fair. It's fair. I see Pete Fairbanks has kicked into gear for them. That was kind of missing for a little bit, that if they can get that on the back end, we'll see there there nobody wants to play the marlins nobody wants to play the marlins and that's kind of maybe you hang your hat on that like okay like you don't want to play spoiler though

if you're a marlins fan like you want to be in the dance they could they have the ability to go on a run but i think you can say anything you could say that about any of these teams from 13 to 18 and this is where the season does get to start to get sick oh fun dog day fun they got the angels this weekend so if they could take care of their business against them which lot of teams have. Then they got three versus Pittsburgh, where you got two teams staring down the barrel of like... That'll be a fun one.

Right? That's fun for you, me, Dahl, and Rob. Some people, less fun. This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. More than 6 million people have used BetterHelp globally, and the consistent feedback from real users says a lot about the why. BetterHelp therapists have at least three years and a thousand hours of hands-on experience and hold all required certifications across a range of mental health specialties.

You can see what people are actually saying at betterhelp.com slash reviews. It's updated every day. Answer a few questions and then you get matched with a therapist based on your needs. Switch at any time if it's not the right fit. The people who've used it speak for themselves. See the reviews, see what stands out and see if BetterHelp is right for you. Visit BetterHelp.com slash talking baseball. It's BetterHelp.com slash talking baseball.

Trev, that was kind of our last juicy tier because we talked about it. In those teams, we're splitting the atom a little bit more with how it goes. The next one, tier's 19 through 24, where we're starting to get, it's desperate. We're a bad week away from it's over.

It's the Cardinals, Blue Jays, Nationals, Tigers, Orioles, Reds. I think I got everyone in there. That the one team that you and I were the most different on, that I think can be one of our last conversations is the Blue Jays. You know, you've talked about how you waited the deadline. And I guess for me, that's where I kind of did a head tilt, because they sold, but they also bought, like that I think the Blue Jays front office is still,

hey, yes, Kevin Gossman went. We got a deal. We couldn't turn down. He was a rental. But we're bringing in this Soriano guy who's got all the stuff in the world. And maybe that clicks. And Varshot didn't set the world on fire for us. We hate to see Varsho go.

but we still have bodies here that with that final AL spot, I don't think they think they're DED dead, even though they might be. It's the worst offense in baseball, Jake, which is crazy. It's crazy to say that about the team that just took the Dodgers to game 7, 9th inning of the World Series. And their calling card was a long lineup.

Amazing. and David Popkins, 30th and OBP, OPS, and runs, 29th in homers, 27th and stolen bases. I'm sorry, man. I like what they did with their pitching. I do. Soriano and Arigetti to go along with you Savage and Cease think it's great. That hasn't been their problem, Jake. It hasn't.

It's been the offense. and now Vladdy's got some stuff going on with the back. He's been very disappointing this year. If they decide to shut him down and say, hey, man, chalk it up to a World Series hangover, 2026. Thanks for coming and supporting this team. We'll see you in 2027, where I really believe they'll compete again. Like, they'll be very good in 2027.

They just, they've struggled, man. They've struggled. I guess for me, as we start getting in this range, Like the Orioles had felt broken. Oh, my God, they're a game and a half out of the playoffs. That is nuts. And this is where trade deadline and overrating it could get scary. Because I know looking at the Tigers and Orioles and being like,

wow, they sold it Tigers on a four-game win streak, cheese and biscuits. Troy Melton looking. Yeah, it's the wild card in the AL is insane. I guess that's where I gave the Blue Jays a little bit of points that their front office still believes they're there. They're players. Right now, if you are 500, you're in the postseason. From this tier, I have the Tigers as the one team that can make a run.

I know you traded schoolable, but, you know, I think trading Mize too, that was tough. I knew that obviously that was going to happen. So the pitching staff has thinned out quite a bit. But if there's one team from this tier that I think could go on a run and still kind of make the playoffs, I'm picking Detroit. They still have... They traded Scoobel. God, damn, man.

I don't know. I say that. I'm trying to make myself believe in it right now, but... Dude, if they get into the dance and Scoobel and Mize are pitching well elsewhere, that's... Yeah, I mean, very similar to the Blue Jays. This could be a really good team in 2027. They have... I know you're...

you're not the biggest run differential guy. It's the third best run differential in the AL. They're a game away from the second best. The Red Sox have them by one run. You just traded away your two best pitchers. That's nuts. Didn't really do anything to improve your lineup whatsoever. Is they your hope going to be up at all this year?

No. No, we're not doing that. Max Clark is. Why start the clock? Max Clark is up. Very cool. Like to see it. Very cool. That makes us sound cool. Nats, again, they sold away And they're trending the wrong way

Same with our St. Louis Cardinals who had a fun way And now that seems like it's out I can't believe how close the Orioles are to the playoffs That was jarring It was jarring Oh my God Like one of these teams could easily make the dance Fifty-five and 58 has you a game and a half hour

I have the Reds above the Blue Jays at 23 they had a chance, I think, to really capitalize on a seller's market and they didn't. Yeah. So they traded Nathaniel Lowe to Cleveland and that's basically what they did. Out on the Reds. I mean, they've been horrific. They had a chance, man. Yeah.

After that, coach, it's the dead. It's the walking dead. It's the dead. You and I were aligned with 25, 26, 29, and 30. Royals Giants at 25-26. Rocky's Angels, the Angels, the worst team. Insane.

The New York Mets being as bad as they are needs to be talked about more, I think. Yeah, everyone got over it because it's like, oh, they do this every year, huh? Say his name. Uncle Steve. Nope, the other guy works for us. The olive?

Yeah. The dirty martini? Yeah. made me put him three in my preseason power rankings. Now I got him at 27. Okay. I don't know about. Now I got him at 27.

Made him. I trust Jolly Olive and it backfired. So I'll never trust him again. It's fair. I think that's a fine way to live. Athletics. Will me once. Shame on me.

Shame on you. I don't know what that's saying is. I'm like George Bush right now. You did great. Oh, nice. Yeah. Strategry. Some people say,

I would do well in a political scene, I think. I think so. I'd have to pick a side, which is tough for me, because I don't really have a political side. No. Maybe we start a new side, man. Independent. Never wins, though.

You never win if you're independent. No. Who was I taught? I think me and Floorball, former roommate Jeff, we're talking politics because that's a strength of his. I think Canada has like five parties and people come out of all the ones. So I don't know. Maybe that's too many parties.

It's a lot of party and too many five, five, what? I don't know. It could also be wrong. Sometimes Jeff shoots from the hip, but he's usually not. He's kind of locked in on things. I think if I just ran for president, I don't really want to win. Gosh, that seems like a miserable job. Seems bad.

It seems not fun. You know, and then I just parlay that into a reality. TV gig, boom. Although Don attends a lot of sporting events, which that seems kind of cool. Yeah, but then you make it bad for the other people going. I don't know. Like certain times. If I'm Don or if I'm just the president, I just show up way before everybody else.

I'll just sit there. No, I would show up late. Oh, no, no. Because, no, I want the security detail to be like gone by the time everyone really shows up. I'll show up to an empty freaking venue and go out and shoot some hoops on the court before and then let everyone kind of get in. You went to a, you went to Madison Square Garden when Dawn was there.

It was a nightmare, right? Yeah, it wasn't a nightmare, but it was definitely like, what are we doing? I think if you gave Barry O. some truth serum and he'd be like,

wait, you can get to go to all these sporting events? Like, I think Barack would have been lighting up some more games. So that was a little talk in politics at the end of this. Dahl on the research for this show. I just confirmed five Canadian political parties. So shout out to Jeff and Dahl on that.

And like we said, I think for these tier lists, I think there's only so much that's wide open for debate as the season starts to sword. I am interested, man, that up until about Team 24, you can still have actual kind of hope, which is nuts. And I guess that's what they wanted with the new wild card. two biggest disappointments in baseball right now. Obviously the Mets are one.

Blue Jays are probably two. Three is a debate. Might be the San Francisco Giants. Royals Giants is a... Royale. Brother Jeff. Royals have been just under the radar the whole year. Vinnie P. came to me and said,

what are you doing, ranking us 22nd in baseball? And here I am checking in. 25th. moved you down. I don't. Go Twinsgo. I don't like any. I don't like our last couple minutes.

Let's get you out on the lake, Coach Trev. Everyone, let us know where we were right, where we were wrong with our power rankings. Trevin Jollander on Friday, annual fantasy football golf trip. I need to win. I need to win because you won your tournament.

Rob won his tournament. So, God, I got to bring home the bacon. otherwise I'm bringing up the rear. Because it's Wednesday before we send you out, you know, it's Fanatics Markets time. We tell you about a couple games that are going on tonight. How about Casey Meise's debut? Dalt mentioned it.

Wearing that Padres uniform. Man Machado! Three hits yesterday, eight wins in their last 10 games against Mitch Bratt, who I don't have the full scouting report, coach. Six career start looking for his first win. Podger's offense as you mentioned, they've been kind of going five or more runs in four to last five games and the Debex offense in a little slump.

But they have been playing well. Yeah. 15 and 7 last 22. And then yeah, this is one of those. My guy Corey Provost was talking about tiebreakers with the twins. And this is one of those games. You know, if the team ends up tied at the end of the season, head to head is the first tiebreaker, currently tied.

four to four, so a massive potential for a wild card tiebreaker. Pseudo playoff game between two NLS teams. And if we're going to do NOS for Dahl, it's time to talk. Twins, Royals, my Noah Cameron versus your Dean Kramer. Interesting one. Noah Cameron pitched really well against the twins in his last start. The Royals have had the twins number this year for some freaking reason, seven and four against them.

So they've already won the season series. although I don't think they'll be in the realm of tiebreaker stuff going on there. I'm curious to see what Dean Kramer brings to the table in a new uni. You have to apologize to him still. Twins kind of trending down a little bit, O and 3 in August so far. They keep getting to 500. They'll get over one game, then they'll get back under 500. We need a run.

Twins, let's go on a run. I'll see you, Milwaukee. Check it all out on Fanatics markets available now in App Store. Contracts carry risk of total loss and changing prices. Not good for all investors. Not available in all states. Must be 21 plus see important disclosures in Fanatics Markets of App. Customers are introduced to crypto.com by Paragon Global Markets LLC, DBA, Fanatics Markets, IB,

and introducing broker registered with the FTC and a member of the NFA. All right. See you, Coach Trev. Have fun. Going crazy low. Come on. Crazy low. Just don't swing hard.

No. It's kind of one of the golf secrets. Tempo. Tempo. Tempo. Tempo. Oh, yeah. There's that little... Find the slot. Scat?

Find the little scat. Shame on... Oh. Shame on you. Go to fool me. We can't get fooled again. Yeah. George W. at the buzzer.