Talkin' Baseball (MLB Podcast) - Juan Soto is Great Again & Rangers Have CHANGED This Baseball Season | 661

Episode Date: May 12, 2023

Use code TALKIN for $20 off your first SeatGeek order. https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TALKINFind the game’s future stars at https://www.topps.comGo to https://blastmotion.biz/talkin_b2c and enter code TALKIN at checkout to save $10For a free one year supply of Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs with your first purchase go to: https://athleticgreens.com/BASEBALL ++++Timestamps:0:00 Being Honest About Our Feelings Today!7:45 National League Recap13:00 Luis Arraez Chasing .400, Marlins Calling Up Eury Perez24:20 Buying any SF Giants Stock?32:40 American League Recap38:25 The A's Pitching is a BRUTAL Watch40:30 Orioles are ACTUALLY Good, Beat the Rays49:30 Julio Rodriguez SLUMPING53:00 Rangers Have Changed This Baseball Season1:01:10 Interleague Recap1:02:45 Twins Haven't Hit1:05:55 Kenley Jansen Records 400th Save1:12:35 Joey Wiemer1:15:05 Juan Soto1:24:20 Injury Updates1:27:40 Jamie Lannister Award: Mitch Keller1:33:45 No Buyer's Remorse: Nathan Eovaldi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 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 a top prospect on the way. We had some losers put together a big week, and now you got some losers talking baseball. Let's do it. Hello and welcome to talking baseball, presented to you by Seatgeek. Make sure you download the Seat Geek app. We're always presented by Seat Geek.

Go watch a game, or you know what? Some people go to the games to check out the new, sultry sideline reporter for your Minnesota twins Trevor Plouf, a big week coming up go see him or go see anywhere where baseball's being played or any event.

Trev, you'll like this because you know this is a side of me that the people don't fully know. I'm starting to get my concert season itch. I need a weird night. I need to let the weirds out. 70,000 events, Seatgeek every day. Download the app. Code Talk $20 off your first purchase at Seekek.

Link in the description. Trevor Goof. How are you, my good man? Under the comments of our, or I forget, I tweeted out today, I was like, what do the people want to hear about? Because it's a funky episode. A lot of losing teams won this week. No crazy big topics, some goods.

And you know what someone said? They said, just make sure you dance in the intro. because that's when they know. So Trevor dance and ploof, how are you? I feel like I always dance in the intro, and I take a few swings, and I end with a bunt, because I believe the bunt is still an important part of baseball. Just ask the royals.

Yes. Walking off on a bunt. God, I love that. Some people need to bunt in this game. I think you're going to hit your way out of a slump. No, you bunch your way out of a slump. I've always said that. Yeah.

But you're right. and let me just be honest with the people because I think this is going to be honest pod today I'm feeling a certain way I came here I told Jake I told Beaver your boy is stressed a little bit like some new things are happening for me yes I will be in the dugout

with a suit on talking baseball LA Anaheim I'm a little nervous about that dude I've never done it I've been talking to these people and I'm like hey can you give me some info because I'm flying blind here. I'm like, what are my responsibilities?

I don't, I'm going to do great. I know that. I'm stressed, but I'm still confident. So if you're in L.A. or Anaheim and you come to the game, even if you're not a Twins fan, or especially if you're a Twins fan, come say hi. Like, make me feel better. Because I am a little nervous. And, you know, I don't get that way that often.

So I think that's what's freaking me out. a little bit, Jake. People would have been shocked. If we had the cameras rolling 10 minutes ago, you were kind of nervous. I had to be, like, serious. Which are not our two lanes. Your high T. ploof.

I'm Jake the goof, La Looche. Like, um, and I think what we'll do is, Trev, like a lot of people do, especially the people that tune into this. They use baseball as their therapy. It's on every day. Throughout the summer,

there's a couple off. days. 7 p.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m. Man, your twins, my yanks in interesting spots. Uri Perez, I'm excited to watch that guy pitch, absolute freak show. I also forgot, you know, we had a couple guys hit some milestones. We love a good milestone in baseball. A big time closer, if you know, you know. Someone also commented they were like, Jake's speaking pattern is so weird.

how he goes quiet to soft. Like there's not a rhythm or rhyme to it. Like some, I think some people in the profession have like a rhythm with that that's supposed to be effective and I just kind of guess along the way. So I don't know.

I guess I'm just going to try to be loud so people can hear me. I don't know what you're talking about. I feel like you're always loud. That's what I thought. Like I'm kind of a quiet speaker. I know that. It makes me upset sometimes

because I'm like, project your voice, man and that's what goes on to my head but for you i feel like you know you're you're pretty pro about it's gonna be a lot of honesty today that's what it sounds like i think we just need to break it all now man you know what i mean flows you know a sequence episode if you will about my feelings oh leo rodriguez in his feelings a little bit trev trev it is a friday up that means we start with some National League Baseball and that National League Baseball is brought to you by Tops Bowman.

Trev, we got a video. Did it come out? I know how Maddie Mas working on it the other day. I think very soon if it isn't. Very soon. Jerry Blevins' appearance in there. Bowman Baseball. Tops. These are the guys. Since the end of World War II, they've been cranking out these cards.

and man, top prospects, rookies, veterans. It's as fun and exciting as a hobby as you can get into. And each year there's a new class. Drew Jones. Did I see you pull that, Trev? Did I see Trevor Proof? Yeah. Not only a first bowman, but a first bowman, Chrome.

Whoops. That thing's in a hard case. Drew Jones, do your thing, player. I liked, Drew Jones commented on the video. It was you and your youngans. And he was like, nice pack. Jacob Barry, Justin Crawford, Spencer Jones, all of the game's future stars.

And with 2023 Bowman Baseball, they're available at hobby shops, retailers, and tops.com. So go click the link. If you like baseball, there's a chance you like this. It's a fun hobby. Treve, you're kind of deep in that world. Uh, yes. I mean, I love opening packs with the kids. It's fun. It's like, um, you know, for them, they like the excitement of what are we looking for? It's like a treasure hunt. And for me, it's cool. I just, I like, I remember opening cards and seeing like my first bowman and, you know, my rookie cards and stuff. That kind of is a little bit nostalgic for me at times. Do you have like all your cards?

Like not like. Right. In a set somewhere. But I'm sure I do. Like I have boxes of cards and, um, um, You know, people always, you know, when you sign for guys, the guys, the autograph hounds, because I'm going to call them hounds, because that's what some of them are. A lot of times are like, hey, I'll sign these two, give me that one. And they would. They didn't care. So I have most of them. Okay.

I'm sorry, that sounded mean, but sometimes you got to be that way. It's an honest episode. We're honest today. Maybe we'll be honest about some teams, because it's middle of May. I'll tell you what. We've learned stuff. My Yankees cannot hit. Let's do the National League.

Great Bowers. Trev, a team that can do a little bit of everything every year. Your Los Angeles Dodgers that you'll be covering in a couple days. They got off to a tough start. Some unearned runs for Tony G. And then a big brew crew inning as Joey shows his Weamer, Willie Adomas, hits the three run, Yacker behind Freddie P. But after that, it's all Dodgers.

They take two out of three. Clyton Kershaw. Yep, Will Smith, Freddie Freeman. You can talk about them pretty much every episode, can't you? Man, how about that? Devin Williams has the pitch in a non-save? That was unique. Mookie Betts is the best ever.

And he stayed in an Airbnb because he's scared a ghost. We'll dive into that because that's a Trevor Plouffe topic. The Arizona Diamondbacks. Lose two out of three to the Marlins? say quah? The famous Gallon, jazz chisholm trade. Gallin drops it on the table

because that's all he knows as the snakes win the first game. But the following two, go to the fishies, including Jazz Chisholm. Two stolen base, gets on base three times in that middle game. Hazu Sanchez,

with a big game in the finale there. Jorge Soler, my goodness. Solair power. When he runs into one, it's a little different, ain't it? AJ Puck fish bullpen. Big game in that final one. Louisa Rives, by the way, hitting 420.

My goodness. Erie Perez? Colorado Rockies are hot. Eight and two in their last 10. Kelsey's Winger's Rocks are on a little bit of a heater, and they did it against the pirates. And man, Mitch Keller. How about these nuts?

Stop their losing. streak, but it was the only game. Complete game, shut piece for him. Otherwise, Rodolfo Castro. I see in that first game. Charlie Blackman still does it, Trev. How about that? And then some good pitching by Colorado on that last day.

The boys are bopping. Brent and Doyle. The kid is doing stuff for them. Hey, good vibes for the rocks. Interesting vibes in Chicago. The Cubs drop two or three to the Cardinals. The Cardinals trying to dig out of their hole, and the Cubs kind of digging themselves a hole.

They drop under 500. They salvaged that last game. Jack Flaherty bounced back start. Five innings, three earned. Wilson Contreras, his return. We talked about this in the midweek a little bit. I don't know, two teams trying not to lose games instead of trying to win games.

That's how that feels. And then the San Francisco Giant, Trev, they've been twirling the pill a little bit, but they lose two out of three to the Nats, man. Weird week in baseball. This Casey Schmidt kid for them, all he does is hit homers, I guess. But on the Nats, man, Lane Thomas with the big series, Joey Manessus, friend of the pod, Josiah Gray.

He might be the real deal, man. Yeah, giants are pitching, but they lose this. And then the Mets, we talked about them a lot in the midweek. They lose two out of three to the Cincinnati Reds. They fight in that first game. Can't get it done. There's Justin Verlander. Hello, old friend.

Seven innings pitch. One earned run. But the Reds get it done. And Kevin Hergett. It's a three-inning save in that last game. He's a baseball nerd. He used to work at SIS, Sports Info Solutions. That's where Trev got his defensive help.

So we got a baseball nerd getting saves. the Reds win a series against the Mets. And that's what happened in a funky National League week. Trev, in that National League, the Atlanta Braves, you'll hear about them in the Inter League, 25 and 12, best record in the NL, second best record in baseball, yep. Your second place, Miami Marlins, Trevor Plough.

19 and 19. They'll take it. Phillies are 18 and 19. The New York Mets are 18 and 20. The Nats are 16 and 21. Hey, for some of the struggling teams around baseball, that's not bad Nats. And they got some young guys, Alex Call.

The pirates remain on top of the central, 21 and 17. Brewers are a half game back behind them. Both of them have been struggling. As have the Cubs at 18 and 19. Reds are 16 and 21. Cardinals 13 and 25. The Dodgers are 23 and 15. Snakes behind them, two games above 500.

Padres are 500. Giants are 17 and 20, and the rocks are 16 and 22. Trev, what topics in the National League are you jazzed up to talk about? I do want to talk about the Marlins and kind of what they're doing. I was sitting at 500 ball, we kind of know what their team identity is. they got one guy that can hit it. And he's hitting. He's hitting enough for two guys.

Is it 420 or is it 430? I mean, every time I look, it's somewhere around there. I think maybe one day, it might not be today, but we need to start talking about Luis Arise and like his quest for a 400 season. Like this shit's no joke, right? Like this is something that could actually happen. If you watch him hit, you understand like he has incredible,

incredible bat to ball skills. and he ain't hitting the ball as hard as everybody in the building but he can find holes with the best of them and I think come July I think we need to give them a few months because look

it's still pretty early but like come like end of June let's just say end of June if this guy is still anywhere close I think it should be a very very big deal in the baseball world because we haven't seen it and I mean how many years

Bebs can you look that up Last time of somebody hit 400 or chased it? Yeah. Hit 400. It's got to be Ted Williams and fucking 70 years ago. I don't know. Like, think about that, dude. Before World War II.

So, yeah. And Arise just wrapped up a, I believe, a 13 game hitting streak. And he's at 398 now. That's, he got hits that many games in a row. And it's still dry. So it's very hard. He said 398 right now? Right now.

Okay. I love that for him. So their team identity is not offensive. They're not offensive. We understand that. In fact, you know, I have the stats up right here. They're 29th in run scored, 24th in Homer, 26 in OPS. 14th and average, but we'd buy Louisa Rice.

But they can always pitch the ball. And it seems like, man, like, you know, I know they traded for a rise using some of that pitching depth. They sent Lopez over to the twins and they got one guy. I think they probably maybe should consider doing that again. But they said, no, Trev, you don't know what you're talking about. We're just going to keep adding pitchers. We're going to bring up our guy from Doubled.

This guy, Yuri Perez. And if you haven't seen him, he's every hitter's nightmare, six, eight. Throws a hundred. He has a filthy changeup to go along with a couple of other. the breaking balls. And it seems like they're kind of leaning into this pitching in defense type stuff. At 19 and 19, are we considering them a playoff contender? The Fangraph's website does not.

Only has them at a 23.9% to make the playoffs. But here they are sitting in second place in the National League East. And I'd tell you this much, not many people would have guessed that at the beginning of this season, especially with the Mets and Phillies sitting right behind them. It's exciting if you're a fish fan, which I know, you know, people are probably giggling at that a little bit. Why? There's a fish fan out there.

There's a ton of fish fans. And you've heard me go on my rant, how they don't lean into their Latin community in Miami more. I don't get it because it's, Miami's a wild place. Like, it's split. Like, if you didn't know, you could. think you're in like a different country and it's beautiful. And by the way, the people in Miami,

speaking of beautiful people, my goodness. Whoa, horny Jake. Stay in the fight. Like, I know that sounds a little like ride in a peloton. But seriously, man, like, if you've got a rise who, BPD pointed out, he was hitting 420, nice. Four games ago, he has three, four one-hit games and then a no-hit game and now he's under 400.

So to hit 400, it's absolute insanity. Insane, dude. Jorge Soler, I mean, it gets boosted by a two-home or day, but he's got an OPS in the eights, which, you know, he's had some seasons where he's kind of a coin flip, right? So let's say you get a good coin flip from Soler this year. All right. Jazz Chisham, let's go, dude.

Yeah. MLB the show cover, like you're that. guy, be that guy, and the longer you stay in the fight. And Yule Gariel, what can he give you a hot month? Uh, uh, Jesus Sanchez, De La Cruz, like Gene Seguera, Joey Wendell. I don't know. Don't say his name like that. I don't know. Um, Joy Wendell would strangle you with his bare hands. That's the goal. That's the goal. Fucking bare hands. That's the dream. Um, you've got the young pitching. Sandy, Lizarro, Cabrera is having a nice year. Braxton Garrett has given them some starts. Yuri Perez now joining the party that they've had guys in their bullpen be good. I feel

like we haven't always said that about some of the Miami teams. Their numbers as a team aren't great, but puck has been good. Floro, Scott, Brazzoban, your guy. Is it enough for us to be like, hey, just step it up, guys, because the starting pitching hasn't been what we're accustomed to. and there's a couple guys on the shelf there. They got rid of Lopez. Sandy hasn't been his typical dominant self. Lazzardo's been good for them. Sandy will be fine.

I hope he hasn't, you know, overtext his arm. Obviously, we know he likes to throw a lot of endings. He still looks really good. The results just haven't been there. I fully believe in this guy, obviously. You know, he's a Sigh-Young winner. Okay. Edward Cabrera, got to get it going.

Now we bring in Yuri Perez. Now, if you can go Lazzardo, Sandy, Perez, one, two, three, that's the makings of a very, very good rotation, depending on how Perez does. But I'm assuming he's going to be all right. His arsenal is just really good. And he has really good control of his body for as big as he is, as tall as he is.

Why'd you do that? Don't, don't. He's huge. He's 6'8. Do you think he's proportional? He's a big boy. And Trevor, I was going to tee you up for this before because you have said it before, but like,

I'll let you phrase it how you want, but guys like that, it's like changed your mindset as a young baseball player that, like, maybe I won't be a Hall of Famer because this dude's a 6-8 freak show, and I don't know if I can hit him. That's, I mean, it's, it's exactly like that. When you get into pro ball, there are some guys who, you know, some guys have all the tools and you're just wowed by them but then every once in a while you'll get a guy

and I'm not talking just specifically about Perez here I'm just saying that you get into professional baseball a lot of good players there some guys like if their one tool is power well it's crazy to watch them hit I remember watching Wilson Ramos hit BP and I'd never see anyone hit the ball like that before

and like he could do some other things, but like mainly the stew was there to mash baseballs. And you just don't typically, I mean, you're playing high school ball or college ball. You just don't see players like that. Then all a sudden it happens. You know, you just don't see six, eight dudes throwing freaking pills up there too often. So when you do, it is a little eye opening and you do say, oh, shit, like, what do I have to offer? I would always think that like, what the fuck do I? I'm a well-rounded baseball player. All right. Like, I had nothing special. But you have to figured things out.

But yeah, that guy, I've talked about this many times of the show, a pitcher looking like him. That was my nightmare. I would, like, I never wanted an off day. If I saw him on the mound, I might be like, hey, Skip, like, you got one for me today? Like, can I just kind of kick it? Maybe pinch it later.

Right. When he's out of the game. They bring in that lefty reliever. But I hope this, look, man, you bring up a guy from double A. That's something that, I applaud the Marlins for. Like, are we, are we going to do something here?

We've talked about this team for the last three years. You, not many teams have this type of pitching. I know it hasn't been great this year, but we've seen flashes. Like, are they going to pull the trigger on another trade? Do they have somebody else thing called to provide a spark for that offense? Or Solair, can he do it and start to go off and be the power force? Chisholm comes and all of a sudden, you know, we're looking at a team here sitting in second place and we're talking about wild card dreams and get them into a series with those pitchers and

you never know what happens? Is that what we're talking about in Miami? Or is this going to be another one of those seasons? We're like, dang, like, seems like they're just kind of wasting a way down there. Yeah, I guess I believe in baseball magic. So like if Yuri Perez comes up and he provides a spark and he's giving you a good start every fifth day. If Arise is chasing 400, like, people might think I'm goofing or gaffing about it, but that can bring energy to the ballpark every night, like someone being that special. And that's where I end up circling jazz chisholm, because I'm like, be a part of that.

Be the all-star, like, enter the MVP race, kid, like, be special. And that's a tough ask. That's a massive ask. And I guess that's where at the end of the day, the Mets have been in a funk. Um, the Phillies take the regular season half seriously that I'm, when I put all of it in the bucket, I stay in the fight, Marlins, and give yourself a chance, but I'm, I'm not going to start drinking Marlins Kool-Aid. I think once you see your press start, you're like, oh, there's that Kool-Aid.

You know, I love me, uh, it's a good flavor. You know I love me a freak. You do. All right, Trev, I mentioned it was kind of a funky, National League National League week. That's great. A little speech and petty coming out. Nats took two out of three from the Giants.

The Reds. They beat the Mets. You know, we just kind of talked about the fish a little bit. I guess of these kind of, some of the lesser National League teams up into this point. I think that's a fair way to put it. And I even think one of the teams that got beat, the Nats took down the Giants.

I don't know. We always have a soft spot for the Giants and they've been pitching and, you know, going back to our favorite coaching staff, Rockies are being special. Are you drinking a little Giants' Kool-Aid? Is it happening? This is what I'll say about the Giants.

When did they win 107 games? Is that 2021? 21, yes. 2020. Definitely wasn't in 2020. If you remember what happened in 2020, What the heck are we doing? I'm stunk.

Didn't play 100 games to win. Oh my God. Talk about nightmares. Yuri Perez on the mound and reliving 2020. Okay. The Giants, man. And I'm happy for those other teams.

They're playing good ball. The Reds are kind of smashing the ball a little bit. You know, some of the starters have been okay. Like I'm still kind of waiting on. Hunter Green has actually been all right. You know, he's got the stuff. You can do it. Your rocks also smashing the ball around.

They're kind of, you know, they took it to the pirates a little bits. The Giants for me are a team that are just two years removed from 107 wins. Last year didn't go their way. What did they end up right on 500, I think, last year? They've got some guys twirling it for them that makes me kind of believe in them. And right now the record isn't great. great, they're 17 and 20. They have to, they're fighting an uphill battle against the Padres who have been sputtering,

but I still have a better record than them, the upstart Diamondbacks, if you will, that are really fun to watch. They do have some, they kind of play all around baseball. You could talk me into a Diamondbacks playoff team. You really could. Jake Snakes, T. Ploof Snakes. I could see it happening. But the Giants for me are a team that remain sort of an enigma because you got these like

trio of starting pitchers that have been really good for them. Logan Webb, who just signed the contract extension, I've been doing it for a couple years now. He's kind of like, if you talk about him, Descalfani and Alex Cobb, he has the third worst numbers out of them, but you expect him to, you know, continue to do what he's good. His numbers are still good. But Cobb and Descalphani have just been really, really good. And I always talk, I just talked about it with the Marlins. When you have those top three guys going for you. Every series, one of those guys is going to pitch, essentially. It just gives you a chance to stay in ball games.

The bullpen hasn't been great for them. I think offensively they can get the job done through a couple of different ways. I'm buying it a little bit. I'm buying it a little bit. I think of those teams you mentioned, I could see the Giants kind of just hanging in there, hanging in there, hanging in there, and making a move. We know who they were in on in the off season. and they want to make moves.

Like this franchise is a franchise that's proud and it wants to be, you know, be, you know, what they have been in the NOS for a long time. They don't want it to be Padres Dodgers, Diamondbacks. Like, they think that they should be at the top of the, like, them and the Dodgers. That's the rivalry. That's what they think it should be it.

And, you know, 2021 it happened. Last year it didn't. I could buy into the Giants. It's it. Trev, we're looking for substance this time of year because, you know, we're not even, we're like 40 games in, not even for these teams, which again, in baseball, you could have a 500, 40 games and it doesn't affect anything. Like the Dodgers. That's, we'll play 40 games of 500 ball this year. Probably worse. Like, every team in baseball will have stretches like that because it's a brutal sport that. I'm laughing at our Marlins talk a little bit because, you know, if the Philly, go out and sweep them, like, they're not playing, but the Phillies would jump up to second

and the Marlins would go to fourth. So it's like, we're still in that early part of the season for what matters. And those three starting pitchers that are shoving for San Francisco, that can matter. Because their bullpen hasn't been great. And that 21 Giants team that was really good,

I think they had the number one bullpen. So if they can sure up some things on them. And there's guys back there that can, There's dudes. Obviously. There's dudes that, you know, them being 28th and ERA and WIP, like, you need to change that because that's, that's not good, but that also can change with the guys that they have, that the Giants are fourth in home runs. I was going to ask you that. I was going to ask you that question. You like that? You're already on it, though. And some of the guys doing it.

We talk about this all the time on this show. You need to have a lineup with some depth. That's Jakey Analytics right there. The more good hitters you have in your lineup, the better. Yes. Yes. Seven dudes right now with an OPS plus over 100, including Cabo Blank. My guy. Cabo Blake, huh?

Late Night Le Mans is absolutely crushing the ball. 951 OPS, good for a 161 OPS plus. He has seven homers on the year. Your young prince, Tyro. Yeah, man. Six homers on the year. 889 OPS. J.D. Davis is doing it.

Yaz is on the I.L. But he was going off. Jock Peterson, your favorite hitter in all of baseball. 11. OPS plus, Wilmer Flores and Blake. These dudes are getting it done. Conforto, who, you know, they paid a lot of money to come play ball there. He's going to get it going to.

He's got a track record. So, like, all of these things add up. And I'm just telling the people right now. I think we are telling the people right now. Don't be surprised if the Giants go on a little run here. They got Alex Cobb

throwing like 99 miles an hour. Yeah, he's throwing like 91 mile per hour splitters. You're like, what's going on here? Cobb? Coaching. I think we're just sending out a warning to baseball fans.

Don't be surprised with the Giants going to run and cause a little bit of havoc in the NOS, which we thought was going to be Dodgers' Padres. Dodgers have done their thing. Podgers are floating around

there. I fully expect them to go as well. But we talk about all these other divisions and how freaking good they are. ALE East, oh my God. The NL. West might end up being one of the better divisions than all the baseball. When you got Dodgers, Padres,

Giants, Diamondbacks, rocks are going now. But don't say we didn't warn you. Mitch Hanigur has only played 13 games with the Giants. He's back. That's a guy who's had a positive OPS plus the last, since, 2017.

So I don't know, Treve, I guess you brought this up and I wasn't super interested, but you have me intrigued. You have me leaning up in my chair a little bit. And we're obviously the hottest manager in the game. Gabe Capo. Oh. You said manager.

Oh. We love us a Kai Correa. So, I don't know. You have me more interested than I think. But Trev, think about some of the things. the teams we've talked about, we're, you know, we're talking giants, we're talking Marlins, like this is, you know, Dodgers and Padres are still there. The snakes have been three games better than the giant. Like, there are eight or nine teams in each East and West Division,

A.L and NL that has, like, the hope. And I don't know. And all that being said, hey, shout out to my Nats fans. You guys wanted a little love because you just beat this team. And you have young guys doing it. So, like, this Nationals season has been more fun than I think their fans would have thought coming into the year. So I love that for them. I don't know. Any other topics you want to hit in the NL, Trev? Your Dodgers took care of business.

The brew crew have been struggling. That's kind of all I've got. I'm ready to move on. AL, baby. Helps cards. Trevor. ploof in your American League.

Let's hit them with the big one, baby. White Sox Royals. Royals take three out of four. We're winning series in Kansas City. The punt, as Trevor mentioned. The bunt is back, baby. White Sox fans are digging into an even darker place. I saw some tweets that were like, whoa, like,

you are broken and I get why. Royals ain't won a lot of series this year, but they put up 12 in the first game, nine in the third, and like Trev said, that game-winning, but that's Royals baseball. Vinny Pasquintino,

he's really good. So is Melendez, I think. And Brady Singer gets a nice start, which I was drinking, I was all in on him to start the season. It might be back. That game they won, Giolito, trade deadline.

Watch out. Trev, you watched a lot of this series, and you said you kind of weren't sure why, but the Tigers take two out of three from the guard dogs, competing for second place in the AL Central. Tigers win the bread games. Erod. We talked about him last time.

Seven inning shut. The game, the Guardians win. Nice pitchers duel. Lorenzen and Bieber was pitching except for Ahmed Rosario. He puts up a 4-for-4 in that game. Go, Tigers, go. We get a Riley Green game. Hobby Baez with the glove and the twig.

Sure. Why not, Tigers? Why not us? It's our year. Hey, maybe the best baseball that got played this week happened in Camden Yards. And the Orioles take two out of three from the race. Tell me these games didn't matter to the birds. And a little playoff baseball he tried.

have 304-2-2-1. You know, two of the best offenses in baseball, surrounded by pitching. Rays won that first game, McClanaghy. Oh, I pumped that into my veins. But Baltimore does enough in the final two. Rushman, Austin Hayes.

I love it, man. Orioles have the third best record in baseball. Second in the ale. You just, I still don't think we're talking about them enough. of these damn rays, but maybe that's right, because the rays are monsters. Anyways, that's just a Yankees fan in his feelings. But I wasn't in my feelings for three nights, Trev, because the Yankees got to play the Oakland Athletics, and my God, it's a different tier of baseball.

Yankees put up double digits the last two games. They called up and sent down AAA pitchers to burn in this series. I mean, it's a different level of baseball than pretty much every team around the league. Volpe gets his first Grand Slam. They wonder if that's going to get them going. I mean, it felt like an episode of Whose Line is it anyways? The points didn't matter.

Playing Oakland this year is bizarre. Houston, here's a team. Trev, they might be doing that climb I talked about. They take two out of three from the halos after dropping the first. Framber alert. Framber and Otani, he out duels. Showtime. And then Christian Javier with a really good game in the last one. Pena. Maldonado with a big homer. How about it? When he's helping, that's just bonus points for the Houston Astros. They're coming, people. You just know.

A team that people are starting to, I don't want to say raise eyebrows, but the Seattle Mariners, they drop two or three to the Rangers. They win the bread games. John Gray and Logan Gilbert going toe to toe in that first game. Rangers get it done because they've sneaky got it done all year. Dane Dunning with a big start in the last one. He just got thrown into the rotation. Feels like that kind of year.

George Kirby, your favorite player, Trev. He drops it in that second game to get them the win. Ulios been struggling. Seattle, getting proud. close to the panic button. They just want to hear you say those magic words treb. And that's what happened in the American League. Hmm.

He's not going to say him, people. He won't say them. I might. I fucking might. Rays are 30 and 9. Your last team without double digits in the lost column. The Tampa Bay raise. Orioles are 24 and 13.

Sox kid. 22 and 16, or Jays are 21 and 16. Yanks, 21 and 18. Three games above 500, that'll get you last place in the ALEs. The Twinkies, 21 and 17. Tigers are in second place, baby. 17 and 19. They benched by us, Trev.

That was it. Guardians, what is we doing? 17 and 20, White Sox, no thanks. Royals, one game, behind the white socks. Rangers are 23 and 14. They've been great. Angels are 20 and 18.

The Astros a game above 500 at 19 and 18. Mariners a game below in Oakland, man. 8 and 31. I know you've been on some tough ones, Trev, but that's... Sheesh. Sheesh. What's the topic in the American League you want to talk about? Was it that bad?

Treve, yes, man. You've been like, you've been like, this was, this was just not baseball, not Major League baseball. Really? Because I don't like when people say that. I'm like, if you're in the big leagues, you're a big league ball player, but you're saying this was just

a different type. There's a kid side of it that I don't, the pitching, how about that? Like, Trev, they had, what was the staff, BPD? And the first or second game, the Yankees, I think it was after game two. They threw those two guys that I think maybe one pitch got to 93 miles an hour.

The, they had their fastest fastball was 92.8, I believe. And the Yankees team had 91 pitches faster than that in the game. Like, I don't know, man. Like, I love, obviously what Rooker's done this season, that shouldn't be put behind. I always love watching L'Oriano. Bladay gave them a couple big games. I think in their lineup, I see young guys and a couple vets like mixing it up. The pitching really makes it tough for them to be competitive.

Yes. Like they need, they're starting to get into some trouble and getting hit a little bit, and they can't go to the bullpen because they can't go to the bullpen every game. Every game. You know? So some of these young pitchers have to eat it for five or six innings. Then they get sent down to the miners because they need fresh arms.

And that's tough. I've been there, man. That's not a fun way to show up to the park. And it makes what Brent Rooker is doing even more impressive because, dude, it's just, it's difficult to stay focused when you know you're about to get your, you know what pushed in. I think I know. Trev, I think the best baseball this week was played in Baltimore,

Raysos. These have been the two best teams in the American League. There's an argument they've been the best two teams in baseball, but Braves fans will get mad at you for that. I don't know, on Monday's episode, we talked about kind of little snaps for the Orioles because they played a good series against the Braves. Orioles fans sounded off in the comments

We thank you Please always sound off in the comments And they're like, no, we're past moral victories, dog And I think Do I think this series at home meant a little more to them than the raise? I do. I think so.

Like, I just do. And they go and get it. Maybe because the rays just don't care. The rays don't care about other teams. That's how I feel. Yes. You know, with playing in the organization, watching these guys play, understanding how Kevin Cash, you know, sets the vibe there.

They don't care about other teams. They don't care who they're playing. They're all the raised organization wants you to do as a player is be yourself and do what you do well. We've constructed a roster. This is what they'll tell you. We've constructed a roster that we think is really good, as long as everyone just does what they do well.

That's it. Don't worry. If you're a power hitter, don't worry about getting on base. Go smack the thing around. We get other guys to get on base. If you're a guy that, you know, plays defense, don't worry about your offense. We got it covered. Yeah. So I agree with you in that sense. Obviously, they understand what, you know, the wins and loss column represents and they have to win games. and they understand like series like this can be a little tougher than when they face those A's. But for the most part, they just stick to what they do well. But I'm happy for the Orioles because you're right. Austin Hayes, even after they won that Wednesday game to take the series, he talked about that.

Like this is, they want people to know this is for real. I think in one run, one run games right now, they're eight and four. And this, I think they played the, who'd they play before this? They played the Braves? I think it was Braves, yeah. So think about that. They had a Braves raise stretch and they end up coming 500 out of that. They're three and three.

And a lot of those games were close. Yes. But, you know, Hayes mentioned after that last game, like we're learning how to play in these tight games to minimize mistakes and just keep plugging because that's, that's how you do win those games. You just avoid, you avoid when you get into trouble for, pitchers or a defense. You get a bunch of runners on base. Like, hey, like, one run's okay to give up. Let's not give up that crooked number.

And you start to play like that. You start to minimize damage. It allows you to feel better offensively when you get up there, not having to chase big types of runs. But they've been impressive, man. Like, I felt coming into this season with the Orioles, it still was like a prove it type of year. It doesn't feel that way anymore. And the starting pitching that we still talk about, they're doing. enough, man. Like Kremmer, who was not great to start the year

in his last two series, he's won both games. He's brought his ERA down a bunch. He just had two good starts. Like, they're getting the job done enough. The bullpen's been great. Like, they're doing just enough on the starting pitching side to win games. Offensively, they're clicking. They got guys that can do a bunch of different

things in that lineup. And I think this is sort of a statement series for them. The race, hottest team in baseball. Best record baseball comes into your house. Win the first game. Three no. Three zero. McClanahan shoves.

To win the next two games, that's big. And that first game was coming off of the extra innings Braves' loss, which, you know, that can't feel good. No, man, I'm all about the birds. And, you know, another part

of it, we talk about those 2015 Royals that ruined some of your career stats. Canoe and Bautista coming in for the final nine outs, like that matters. Like to be able to shut down a team like the race whose OPS is in the high eights. And to end a game like that and not, you know,

not be scared at each pitch thrown. Like, no, if we do our thing, you're done. It matters. And I mean, some of the stats, Baltimore's 24 and 13 short, one short of their best 37 games start. All of those teams went on to win 98 games. They're being overshadowed by the Reyes a little bit. And yeah, like you said, the Reyes kind of don't care.

We're 30 and 9. We're going to go on. And by the way, the next night, that little SpongeBob moments later or whatever the hell it is, they wrecked the Yanks last night because that's what they do. And watching a Rosarena play in Franco, Fucking Siri's got lollipops in his hair because he doesn't give a shit. He looks like he's going to a rave every game.

What's up with that? You're the Yankees? You guys can't have beards? Siri's got lollipops in his hair and he's dancing on the sideline. Like, he looks like he should be with you and Jess at a res concert. I'm ready.

I'm ready. That sounds like a great time. Sounds like a good. Siri seems like a good time. He's got, dude, series. give them those special lollipops. I might do a Jake down on it because he's got double cat scratch

in each eyebrows. He's got, I think, eight necklaces. Like the... Chokers. Two lollies in the hair. Like, they don't give a fuck. And I don't think the Orioles do either, bro.

They're spitting water on the field. They're celebrating everything. Kyle Gibson's in there being, like guys we're all good right he's like what a oh my gosh like they have a vibe to them a certain vibe the birds do and i i just i want it to continue all here i want to be in here in september being like holy shit the orio show oh there it is oh my god for people on audio only we're looking at a picture of syri now he just oh he's got the berry bond's earrings in yep He's got the Jake's Doriali choker necklace with the big gold chain.

Also, I'm counting four, I believe. Looks like at least two of them. He's eating a lollipop while having two in his hair. Okay. Back to the birds in September. If we go back and we're like, dude, this team is 195 games. Holy psychies. I think that means they probably pick the starting pitch rep.

I know people I just said, they're doing. enough, they gotta make a move, right? They gotta make a move. Whether it's bringing someone up from their, from their organization or at the trade deadline, I think they're in a position now that's going to force the hand. And that's the best position

that you can be in as a team. When you know going into the trade deadline, we're going to add. Because we're there, and they have to add. It's a good feeling to have. Yeah, it'll just be, if you're a contending team, you add at the deadline, right? Whether that's one middle reliever,

whether that's a starter, whether that's an impact bat, I think for them it will be interesting to see what that is, because they're obviously not going to compromise their youth movement. That it'll be interesting to see their team needs because you'd assume a starting pitcher. And by the way, I think Buster, one of the baseball kings, just wrote about how valuable Erod could be at this deadline if he continues what he's doing.

I don't know if I'm Erod and I could pitch with that left field. I bet I'd figure some things out. But the other note is if Erod keeps pitching like his, he is, he's going to be wanted by a lot. I mean, yeah, he's got two more years of control after this year. Erod's, I don't know what they're going to do with him. The Tigers have a, you know, they're in second place. They might go win the goddamn central, Trev.

They will not. There's one team. that's going to win the Central. It's the St. Paul Saints. They're going to come up from AAA. They're going to relegate the A's and bring the Saints up. St. Paul Saints. Anyways.

Go birds, man. Trev, I think the other, you know, before we get to some IL, because I think we're going to talk about your Twinkies there a little bit. I think the A.L. West, just a quick, a quick Zoom. We don't watch every game, people. It's literally impossible. You know your team better than us. Here's what I do know.

West Coast happens late. It is late. I've been getting sleepy lately. I'm there. The Rangers have been one of the best teams in baseball up until this point. There's some numbers that show they've been unlucky. We believe in coaching. Every person they seem to throw out on the mound will give them efforts.

They bang. Meanwhile, the angels, we've given them credit for hanging around. they more or less survive an Astro series. The Astros are now above 500 with their injuries. Mariners are a game below. Julio's been really struggling, and I guess with all of that laid out, where does your brain jump to?

And the other thing I wanted to ask you was, have you been around or I guess maybe played against, like a true superstar? Like Julio is, you know, a true superstar. The ball comes off as bat different. He's as athletic as it can be. Have you been around? around or seeing a true superstar like really struggling because some of his numbers are tough.

So you hit me with a curb all, really struggling. I never saw Joe Maurer struggle. And he was one of the guys I consider the true superstar. He was just, he was just a better player than everybody else on the field. He could just do things. They were so easy. He really just never struggled. We would joke about that all the time. It's like, this is funny. I talked about that big old jumbo tron in Milwaukee and how sometimes they'll just put like a little stat that says like, you know, Ofer is last 19 and they'll just butter knife in a bad way

and it cut you deep with that butter knife. Someone sent me a picture of, I forget who it was, but they did it to him in Milwaukee, just some random stat that he was Ofer. I chuckled at that. But they would try to do that to Mauer and they couldn't find him.

The guy was hidden 300 in every situation that you could think of. It doesn't matter. It was 300, 300, 300. We just like, Joe, how the fuck does it feel? To just never struggle. So I guess, I mean, look, I've been around Byron Buxton a lot. Yeah.

Yeah, I played on a couple different teams, superstars. Well, hey, let's, to be fair, Buxton's not the craziest comparison. Like, I think right now people might tilt their head because, you know, Julio is next and all that. But Buxton was next. Buxton was a top, what, five prospect? You can get out of whack with your mechanics very quickly as a hitter.

The guys that stick to their mechanics and are consistent with them, that's a rare breed, man. Just like go, if you have a favorite player, a favorite hitter that you like to watch, go to each year and just compare videos. Like, things are going to look different, dude. certain guys like Joe Mower never changed you know like certain guys are just consistent with how they set up and that's just what they do but most guys make a lot of adjustments and they have to because that's just baseball and pitchers you know they make adjustments on you and we know that

whole song and dance uh byron you know i saw him struggle many times and a lot of it was he was in his own head about his mechanics uh you know he's getting told too many things uh about what to do hit the ball in the ground i heard people say byron we need you to put the ball in the ground more use your speed that's not exactly what you want to hear because that is not going to produce much for you finally he got to a point where they just said we need you to get it get you into a consistent launch like get you ready to launch and that's what you see him do now he's kind of like preset his back hip He's got his hands where he needs to be And for him now, it's only about pitch recognition and going.

Julio, if we're talking on Julio and his struggles, he hasn't hit the fastball well this year, which I think will turn around. He's still hitting the ball hard, but he's chasing. And when he is getting those fastballs that he used to crush early in the count last year, he just hasn't really been hitting them.

So he's moved down in the lineup a little bit and Cerberus had some quotes about, you know, it's sometimes with a young hitter, it's nice to have him settle into a game. Batting lead up, bro, let's go. You know, you don't have time to see the pitcher to calm down, the energy is there, like you still got all that adrenaline going. When you're hitting down further down in the lineup, you know, I think he's hitting six or something like that.

It gives the ball game a chance to settle down a little bit. You know, first inning comes up, you see guys, you see pitches, you just kind of get into the rhythm of the game instead of just being thrown out there right away. I don't think he's going to stay at that part of the lineup. I just, he's too valuable. He will get going. I assume he'll be back at the top of the lineup, you know, whether it's a month or whether it's two weeks or a week. It doesn't matter. I think it's a timing thing for him, which is when most hitter struggle, it's a timing thing. Yeah, and I know he had a back injury. You always, you always wonder if what, how does that actually feel? You know, could be something, could be nothing.

Yeah, man, I don't know. Mariners fans, the one game they win is behind your guy, George Kirby. Best ever do it. Saw some of the Seattle George Kirby memes after that, and I did enjoy that a lot. So good job, Seattle fans. Yeah, man, I don't know. It's an eerily similar AL to NL conversation.

It's just a lot of good time. teams in the east and the west, man, that I, you know, going back to that 40-game stretch speech I gave earlier, like every team in Major League Baseball will have a 500 or worse 40-game streak in a season. You know, well, the Angels, Mariners, and Astros are all separated by a game and a half right now that they're just looking for it to go. And in that same, if you're going to lump all of them together. What the Rangers has done has been impressive because they technically, the luck rating on baseball reference,

which is just how different your record is from Pythagorean theorem, which goes off of run differential purely, which again, you know, a couple 10-0 blowouts, you can cook the books a little bit there. But they have the Rangers as the unluckiest team in baseball, and they're 23 and 14, man. Like, they, the Orioles have changed my scope on them as a team. where the Rangers are at,

they've affected the course of this season. Like, they're a problem. The quickest snapshot I'll give teams or like, if you want to go and just a synopsis of how a team is doing, I like to look at like bullpen and starter whip. How many people are on base? Where do you rank in that category?

Starting pitchers for them. And again, like DeGrom's pitched a little bit, but this has been mostly without Jacob de Grom. Fourth and whip. I question this rotation. I said it's got some guys, like, you know, some veteran dudes. Like, it just kind of depends on how they're going to perform.

They've done it, man. Nathan Evaldi, who I think we should probably talk about a little bit right now, extend to that scoreless inning streak, 28 plus scoreless. He's a dog. They're relievers. Seventh and whip.

In all the baseball. keep guys off the bases and you're going to do well because that offense is doing enough their second and run scored fifth and OPS and this is without Corey Seeger so I thought this was like a Frankenstein

ish team a bunch of guys just thrown together is it gonna mix was Frankenstein a success Dr. Frankenstein's monster now we're talking was he a success people always forget

that and then idiots like me who I think might even be a worse part of the equation reminding people that it was Frankenstein's monster I'd say yes I think Frankenstein was a success like the monster came to life right like we didn't know what was going to happen after but if we didn't grab that Abby normal brain I think what did happen after what's the story of Dr. Frankenstein

he did the mash he did the monster mash oh man we got to look that up well the Rangers this team that has been three thrown together through free agency and trades and what have you. They look like the real deal. In a very tough division,

the angels are playing well. They are. The Astros are about to go. Altuva's taking rehabit bats. I think he's going to be the spark that gets them going. I understand they've had some injuries to the pitching stat. It doesn't matter. They're going to be there.

The Mariners are going to be just fine. I'm not going to say anything about you guys being bad. Treves. It ain't going to have. happen. You guys are fine. Julio will be fine. You have George Kirby on your staff. You'll be fine. Rangers have been doing it. They look like the real deal. It looks sustainable, Poppy. Some of these teams that have got the fast starts don't want to name names. It doesn't look sustainable. The Rangers, it does look sustainable. It really does.

Trev, there's a lot of season left and there's going to be prospects that jump on the seam. be trades, guys that are hurting now, that'll be back, like all slumps and hot. Just because you mentioned him the other day, and I saw it pop up on my feed, Jack Flaherty's last two double A starts have been clean. Six innings with a zero, and then five. Jack Flaherty. The last two double-off starts? Excuse me.

Jack Lider. Thank you. Jack Lider. Because, yeah, I remember you checked out the other day, and the stats weren't good, but sometimes things click, and especially with minor leagues and special players. I don't know. I don't know.

We don't have to do that dance now, but, man, Dane Dunning gives them a performance. Their lineup. Adolice is a star. So is Haim. They're doing it. Hey, I think they're like sixth and average, eighth in homers. Like, they are like, it's all happening.

Yes. Not a one-trick pony. They're second in runs. That's good. I was off them. So, like, hand up. I didn't see it happen. I still don't.

Like, the Orioles completely shook me. I'm all in. Like, I think they may be the second best team in the AL. Rangers, I still don't know because I, again, Houston's going to rejoin this party. Seattle took a little bit to click last year, if I remember correctly. Angels are always a wild card.

Like, I'm not, I like what they're, doing, they've changed the whole formula of the American League. I still don't know exactly what it means yet, but I'm not selling. I'm not selling. Um, Trev, you want to do a little IL? Let's do it, Poppy. Like how much you're calling me Poppy today, if I'm being completely honest with you. And Trev, your twins faced off with my Padres. And they took two out of three. I know you said they've been struggling with the twigs, but they get enough done. Max Kepler, a couple extra base hips, including a homer, Pablo Lopez, he's been good. Kiroloff, walk off single, Joey Gallo with a good day at the ballpark.

The game, San Diego won. Waco was good. Wansoto four-hit day. You might hear a little bit about that coming up. The Braves and the Red Sox, they split a two gamer. But had something kind of memorable happen. Kenley, 400 saves. We'll talk about that. We love a historic king. The Phillies bust out the broomsticks. Two games against Serrano.

And that last game did go to extra innings, 10th inning. So that's kind of that. Castellanos, Nola, and Bohm. Yep. Zach Wheeler and Harper in that second game. Edmundo Sosa He scores Bo Bichette's throwing error We can't do that

And honestly that's what happened in the aisle There's a lot of two gamers A lot of two gamers Trev, your twins I'll let you run Because you are a twins Beat reporter, what happened here? People are mad that we just say

We talk too much about the twins You know what? I don't care. It's my show, people. Are you kidding me? Yes, they have not been swinging the bat well all year long. They have not been hitting with runners in scoring position. They've made a few moves that, you know, they're trying to spark the offense a little bit.

They brought Kirilloff up. And if he is, well, he was coming off of injury. But if he can be the guy who they think he can be, he can be a difference maker in that lineup. He has the game winning hit, pulls a ball down the line in extras. They get the job done there. the other guy Kyle Farmer comes back off the aisle as well Remember he got hit in the face Yes he takes Jose Miranda's spot

Miranda I still believe is a big part of the twins future there But he hadn't been you know performing as well as they thought And they needed to make a move he ends up going down to Triple A and Farmer comes up it's a bomb Up Darvish A little instant offense right there They're still waiting on Coray to get it going He's been hitting the ball hard

he had a big hit yesterday I think it was tied 3 3. He put him up fire 3 with a double. They look good man like they pitch they pitch we all know that whether it's their starting pitching

which has been great their bullpen at some guys that can really do it Brock Stewart remember the name Jake we're not going to mess that one up anymore he got out of a he put himself in a jam

got out of it that's what he does bro he's like who's the guy that would chain himself in a barrel and go over like the Niagara Falls. Houdini? Yeah.

Nice. I knew that one. That's what he does. Just gets out of weird situations all the time, dude. But they look good. Padres, Bob Melvin, not happy with his team. Says any more tenacity. I had this exact same talk with my youth team after the game.

I said, you guys really like to pay attention in like the fifth and sixth innings when, you know, times are tough. Like, let's have that. in the first four innings. So like, you know, let's change that from the last few endings to the first few innings and see how the ball games change for us, right? Bob's not happy with the tenacity there, but, you know, twins look good.

Soto's getting it going a little bit for the, for the Padres. But they're still kind of just, you know, are they pulling like a Phillies where they're just like, ah, we don't really care about the regular season? They better start Karen. Yeah, I've got a little Padres talk coming. And, I mean, Hater technically blew another save with the automatic runner in this game.

And, you know, the Mookie Betts game from Sunday Night Baseball. So, like, you know, we could easily be talking about how hot the Padres are. Like, you know, I think we're all in on Hader. And Soto going. Again, you might hear more about that in a minute. Trev, again, this was one of our bigger notes as like topics this week. Kenley gets saved number 400. I guess for me, it's, I mean, it's a crazy number when you just see how few guys have that.

And it's pretty unreal. Like, you know, we all know this kind. If you're a baseball fan, you know the story of Kenley. He was a catcher. He gets on the mound. He's one of the, just a big dude. He throws mostly one pitch. And I don't know.

He had this reputation. for years is like when people would shit talk the Dodgers like he's he's part of the problem like he's fucking disgusting um he gets his 400 safe i've always hated that how dodgers fans treated him and kershaw to be honest with you i've talked about this a little bit on baseball today but you know like kenley hasn't been great in world series pretty much every other part of the season he's been great excellent hall of famer in my book same thing with Kershaw. I had a few postseason struggles

and everyone wants to write them up. This guy's like probably the best picture of our generation. Quentin Kershaw, go look the numbers up, people. So I've always had a problem with how Dodgers fans talked about those two guys because they have been excellent. Kenley, you know, to me, you know, 400 saves. It's a big number.

And I think that's what's most impressive is being able to be in that role for that long. We know how, we know the turnover in bullpins. like guys are you're a closer for three years and then or maybe maybe three years like you're a high leverage guy for a few years and then things happen that's just how it goes but

some of these dudes have figured it out can leave I mean essentially you know he's added a few pitches but we know about the cutter those are a lot for him to be able to sustain his level of play for that long I think is the biggest thing especially starting pitching that late, but just figuring it out, man.

And, like, he can be absolutely dominant at times. And you really don't think about him as, like, this big, bad closer with the crazy repertoire. Like, it's not what you think, but he can dominate just as well as anybody equipped with a hundred mile an hour fastball. You know, you think about, like, a manual class A and these guys that just have absolutely filthy stuff. Kenley, maybe he doesn't show up on the radar gun like that, but it's a very difficult to bat. He knows how to pitch. He knows how to use that cutter in a bunch of different ways.

I think the longevity is the thing that really sticks out to me. And in that role, it's so volatile for him to be able to do it that long. It's awesome, dude. Led the league in saves last year, 10 years after getting the closer job with the Dodgers. he's been great for the socks. Trev, I will do two quick things with you. How much money has Kenley Jansen made playing baseball? Oh, she.

Because we got a little insight into his basement, but I want to hear your guess first. We did get a little insight into his basement. I think me and him and Cole Tucker are probably going to start jamming. Okay, so he got a pretty big, I think it's like $120 million. 135. Okay. That's a nice hunk of coin

and what we were alluding to. I would like some of that. The fellas got him a bass guitar with 400 engraved in it for the amount of saved. So yeah, I bet Kenley's basement jam out with your clam out down there, Treff. Was it fretless though, bro?

Are you just letting the vibes play? Or do you have frets? I don't want to be constrained. I don't know what the fuck I'm talking to. Yeah, you kind of lost me, to be honest. Okay. Trev Can we go?

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super easy to use. It just goes on the bottom of the bat. They're pretty cool tech, Trev. When you sent that video, I do love the blast motion. Teddy uses it. We have it in our backyard here. And I think he swings harder than you. I'm pretty sure. I have to go check the metrics here. When you sent that over, Jake, were you serious? Or was it like, this is funny, Jay? I knew you'd be pretty disappointed by the numbers put up on the scoreboard. I was sad I won. Okay, okay.

I was sad I won. I'm happy that you weren't serious about that. But I will. Listen, here's my thing. I love playing with the blast motion. It does give you instant feedback. I will put it on my bat today.

Set my bad up because you have to set your bat up and it goes to your specific bat, which I think is really cool, makes the readings that much more precise. I will do it and see what I get. And I won't funny business it. Okay. You might beat me. I'm in tennis shape right now, bro. I'm in tennis shape.

Trev, I, you know, let's not start casing ourselves a little over an hour in. Your bat speed is pretty cool. Like, you're, the, uh, Zoe texted us late night last night in our blitzball chat because you had a blitzball game last night. And Zoe sent a clip of you, you get in your hands through with the blitzball bat, and it's pretty nice. You'll check that game out. Yeah.

One of the bigger challenges I've faced in the warehouse, that's on our JM Warehouse YouTube channel. And yeah, I got my hands through a little bit. My barrel was finding it. Couple guys in standout performance. Got their hands through the ball, Trev. And it looks like you had a late audible, so I'll let you run.

I did because I was going to go Mitch Keller. friend of the show via Cole Tucker so I keep my eye on him quite often I think he's going to get my award today let's just get everything in the open I was going to give the moms an award today because I love moms, hot moms are the best loving moms

but I don't think I'm going to do that I'm going to give it to Mitch Keller so I did change it and I gave it to someone who I think needs a little pep talk that's why I did it okay we talked about Milwaukee and the freshmen and how they were sustaining Milwaukee in that division. Now, one of the freshmen is hurt.

The others have not really been performing the way they did to start the year. But we got my guy here, Joey Weamer. Went two for three with a double, a homer. He had four ribbies. That was on Monday. And if we talked with the Phillies, or excuse me, the Brewers kind of like, you know, on that little decline there, they're in a really bad division.

We need guys like this to step up. So Joey, not to put pressure on you, buddy, but you're a good player. Fast twitch muscles, big, strong dude, just be yourself. A couple more days like this, we'll start talking about the freshman again. And bro, you can be class president

of that freshman class. Think about that. So hopefully he takes this, runs with it. I want to see the Brewers be good this. year. I do. I want to see them ad of the Devon. I don't want to see him trading people away like they did last year. Just watch a special on that. Devin

Williams talking about how it impacted the clubhouse. We don't want that this year. So Joey, do your thing, man. Monday, you had a good game. Let's keep it up. Central. Sometimes we're tough on you. Sometimes Trev is the only wall between me, Jimmy, BBD, and the good people of the Central.

The Pirates, still in first place. They are one in nine in their last 10. It took a Mitch Keller shutout that was going to be your standout performance. That's their only win. The brewers are two and eight in their last 10 in that second spot. So yeah, man, the Central, let's figure it out. Let's figure it out. And maybe it's the kids for Milwaukee that can spark them. I'm going to go with a kid too, Trev, that we forget he's a kid. He's, oh my God, he's 24. Juan Soto.

Juan Soto for the Padres, Trevor. He's 24? He's 24 years old. That's nuts. That's nuts. Remember we're talking about he's going to get 500 million? You think that's still an option? If he keeps doing what he's doing, Trev, because I'll tell you this much.

Our guy Juan Soto got off to a slow start About 11 games ago He was hitting 183 With a 689 OPS And we were talking about how like For me it officially started hitting like a weird meter Like why is this guy since he's been in San Diego Just not been about it

And like he's They're doing the whole Sunday night baseball thing About him in the pitch clock and how much that's changed his routine. And Trev, in the last 11, including his four-hit performance that helped lead them to a victory over the twins, 425, a 566 on base,

a 1.3-4-1 OPS, two homers, 13 walks to eight strikeouts, along with eight doubles. On the season, Trevor, and again, it's just that reminder that it feels like we're in it. He's now 256 batting average, a 4-14 on base, and an 888 OPS. He's leading the National League in walks, which he's done twice previously in his career. And if the bad man is back, which is his open.

PS Plus on the season is now a 151, which he's a career 157, although his career high is a 217. San Diego will go because all the talk we get into about managers and players and blah, blah, blah. If you've got, if Juan Soto starts playing like Juan Soto again, the Padres wins will start to come because they also have Machado and Bogart's and Tatis. And I don't know, if I'm a San Diego fan, I think. I just let out like a big exhale because I kind of needed these two weeks, man. I, uh,

when you watch this Padre's team, all you think is, it's just a matter of time. It's just a matter of time. And I think that's kind of, it's going to happen. It's the right take to have. Like this team is going to go, Juan Soto will pick it up.

I don't know if he, I don't, the contract thing I don't really even care about. Um, but he's, he's getting that that Juan Soto confidence back. You know, and I'm not going to say he ever lost confidence fully, but it wasn't the same type when you watched Juan Soto hit. I think he's getting that back.

Like the, just the way he looks in the box is a little bit more confident. He's, the shuffle is getting more, more intense, all that good stuff. I was impressed with the way they played, even though that they took the L against my twins. Twins are one of the best teams in baseball. Don't worry about it, Padre. fans, no big deal. I fully expect them to just

to be there. This is a 95 win team. I hope he runs. I hope he goes nuts and we're talking about him MVP style and what that lineup can truly be. It's what we dreamed of, right?

It's the Tati's suspension and why hasn't Soto clicked in his 81 games with San Diego? I'm in on the Padres because I mentioned some luck before. I think they've also, I think they're 0 and 4 in extra innings this year. Which again, that's, you know, is what it is.

But I think it's enough of note in this small sample that 10% of their games have been extra inning losses. I do the math right there? Yeah. Hell yeah, Jake. Nice. So, yeah, sorry to the guys who missed it. your George Kirby

Framber Jordan Diaz 3 ding-dong day for those A's But Trev You'll get to hear about some other guys Who have been going off in

Dirt nasty's on Fuego That means I'm on fire, baby Like Waco Well, you just talked about this guy Juan Soto 7 for 10 This is for the series People against my twins

Three games, 7 for 10 four doubles a homer, two RBI, two runs, four walks. That's a two dot oneer. Glaber Torres against the ace. Five for 12 with two doubles and two homers for a 1.5. Dansby Swanson. Talk about a pickup, man. Six for 13 against those Cardinals, a five doubles and a homer.

So all six hits went for extra bases. That's amazing for a 1.5. For the week of May 5th through May 11, Dane Dunning, hand does he throw with quick. Zirite. Yes, he is. We know that. 11 innings pitched.

Only eight hits. Only two earned runs. Eight Ks. He was used as a relief pitcher early on in the season, but since the Grom's gone down, he's got those starts. Love that.

Jonathan India for this week. Love him. He's got it going on, man. You like him. He does. He makes you a little jealous. No. No, I'm happy.

You get a little jealous of the flow guys. You can be honest. No, no, I don't get jealous. I get happy. Canny bunt? I'm happy for the... I know he can bunt. I know.

He's a dog, baby. 10 for 21 in this week. Four doubles, two homers, five ribbies for a 1.4. He also stole two bases. Will Smith can be on this. Every single... Talk about underrated players.

Yeah. He might be the best catcher in baseball. Sorry, Adley. Sorry People are going to be mad at that one Sorry, Who am I missing? Sorry, Sean Murphy

I'm not sorry You guys are all working. All of you are the best catcher in baseball Seven for 16 Two doubles, two homers, four ribbyes, six walks for a 1.5 For two weeks,

it just keeps going people. Is there any more than, okay, for two weeks. April 28th through May 11, Nick Prado? Yeah, Royals up. Kansas City Royal?

let's freaking go. 16 for 40. That's a 400 average. Three doubles, two homers, 12 ribbies for a 1.1 over two weeks. Love that. How about Bryce Miller?

Seattle, starting pitching like you read about. Two games started. By the way, they're the first two starts of his career. He has 12 innings pitch with only four hits and one earn run, 15 Ks.

George Kirby, who? Yeah, I said it. How about a release? on this. Jason Adams. Jason Adam. There's no S there. A relief pitcher. Four Tampa. Four saves. Seven in his pitch.

Seven hits. No earned runs. You did give it three runs. Let's go defense. 13Ks in that. And that, my friends, who's in Fuego? Yeah, Trev. You can do it another time. Pasquintino's been going nuts. Wits having a solid year. Salvi is Salvi. Prado giving them that effort, 24 years old, okay, first round pick. Are we going to talking Royals real quick?

I just, they're 5 and 5 in their last 10, let's go. Trevor, when you get a chance and you watch a comparison of the Royals to the A's this year, because I think for the first month of the season, they were kind of in the same bucket, like the two teams bringing up the rear. I don't think they are. I think the Royals are going to start playing a little bit of a better brand of baseball. And yeah, it's just the efforts they can get from a Grinky or a Keller. Like, they have four MLB starting pitching right now.

And the Oakland guys, I hope a couple of the young guys turn out to be. But yeah, it's different. And I'm glad the good people of Kansas City are getting to see some winning baseball recently. MJ Melendez is one of the guys that hits the ball hardest in all the big leagues. Go check out the stats. Percentage and Max Velo. Also 24 years old. Trevor.

Great stuff. Our little IL update. Who's on the IL? Clevenger, Ray's Penn. That was a funky play. He goes on the aisle. Max Fried. Is Max OK?

Have you talked to Maximus? No structural damage. He has already had Tommy John years ago. No structural damage, but they are shutting them down for two to four weeks, I believe, just to rest it. Okay. Tough for the Braves right there. Tough for Max. Jose Alvarado, Austin Slater from your Giants.

Yarbhi, that was a scary one. Ureus for Baltimore. He's a guy for them, but they've also got other guys. So a couple guys were waiting to hear on. Luriano had a weird play into the wall. Nico Horner, man, he has been so good for those cubbies. Their last 20 hasn't been too pretty. They kind of need him.

Cinderguard, Dubon, who is good for Houston. Sanz Atella for Colorado. Hate that. Go rocks. Kepler, Lake Camp, you got the update sideline boy? I thought they just pinched ran for him. They brought him Michael A. Taylor. but they're calling it a cramp.

But knowing what that feels like, I don't know, man. It could just be like a really small strain. Sometimes you just feel it just go like this. Just pinch a little bit. But no updates that I know of yet. They're calling it a cramp. He's been doing it. Big Aaron Judge came back for the Yankees.

Okay. Travis Darno. Jan Goams back for the Cubs. So that's the IL segment that brings. brings us to just makes everything right in the world, doesn't it? Remember how I was stressed?

Now I'm not stressed anymore. Treve, BBD, send him the sound clip. I need, I need Treve listening. One day we're going to have the video. We filled Kelsey doing this in the warehouse.

We're like, hey, we're going to use this instead. It was unreal. Because it was like spot on too. She's like, that would take that we always play that's not just like a one hit one. That Kels could do that on demand.

Hell, if you see her at a game, scream at her. say it. And scream for some greens, some athletic greens, AG1. All great athletes like Trevor and myself have one thing in common. Take care of our bodies. Trev treats is like a temple, no sugar. Get that out of here.

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That's athletic greens.com slash baseball. You know there's a link in the description. Trevor, you said you wanted me to go first in awards. you still want me to? I think I might have to go first. Okay. I might have to dip. See Rosie's always waiting for me.

Let's try to finish the show. I don't want to go quick, though, because I have an award now that I'm pretty proud of. So I'll go. This is going to be not a Tolkien baseball. This is going to be a Marteen baseball. We're talking Game of Thrones, people. Whoa.

Okay. Jamie Lannister, widely known as, one of if not the greatest warriors, fighters in any part of the world. Okay? That's when he had two hands. Did he kill the Mad King? Or am I confused in that?

The Kingslayer. King Slayer. He is the Kingslayer. Jamie Lannister. Famously, he had two hands and was unstoppable. No one wanted to go up against Jamie Lannister. And boy, isn't he like one of the best characters in that show? Some of the best character development you'll see in a TV show. Yes, you hate him, then you love them.

Well, he's captured by the Starks, I believe, and they end up chopping off one of his hands. Now, that's tough to wield a sword and be the best fighter with one hand. It just doesn't really happen. But Jamie's like, bro, I got, people are coming from my neck all the time. I've got to figure some things out. so he teams up Sir Braun who also

one of the greatest characters my guy and they get to work and they don't do it in front of everybody they go down by the ocean where nobody can hear the swords clanging and banging around and Jamie says

teach me how to fight with one hand and boom they end up going at it and all of a sudden Jamie's like I'm back like I don't know if I'm like back when I had two hands, but I'm back. And I guess the point of all this is, sometimes you got to

look yourself with the mirror and say, I got to make an adjustment. I got to go to work. Now, our guy, Mitch Keller, who famously friends with Tocuck, who were famously friends with. So that means that Mitch, bro, you got me, whatever you need. I'm here for you. I enjoy watching and pitch. We talk about the Pirates struggles a little bit. We just talked about how he was going to be on my standout

performance for what he did. And what he did was amazing. He went, nine innings pitched, a complete game, four hits, zero earned runs, one walk,

eight Ks on Monday. And I'm not talking about that start in particularly. I'm talking about Mitch Keller and the work that he's put in. There was a graphic put up, I believe it was May 8th,

2022. Mitch has seen in 2019, tough year. 2020 in those five starts, pretty good year. 2021, really, really bad.

They put him in the bullpen and his family who's watching the game, he comes out of the bullpen for the first time. And there was a graphic put on the television, and I'm getting to it right now.

Sorry, guys. Winning percentage, 241, worst. ERA, 6.12. worst. Opponents average, 306, worst. Whip, 1.7, worst. ERA plus, 70, worst. Now, I'm taking all this, I have to mention from a Stephen Nesbit article, so go check it out. I don't want to steal everything from it. But Mitch decided to make some changes after seeing that, okay? He said, I need to start throwing hard again. And he goes and starts working with somebody, and they develop this

this mantra and again I have to find it because it's so good it's like tilt something drive hold on I'm messing this up I'm so sorry people are so much to read here you were running so beautifully

I was I'm messing it up right now now I'm freaking stressed again it's so good hit the awards button beats I like reading Trevor blue stuff he's got a lot of good tapes he doing it keep tasting them

I can't find it awesome it's me. Anyway, just go read the freaking article. He goes and makes adjustments, starts throwing hard again. Then he decides, you know what, throwing hard's not good enough. So he starts throwing a sinker.

And then he's like, you know what? I'm not getting lefties out at the clip that I want to get him out. So he starts throwing a cutter. And then he's like, you know what? I need another pitch. So he starts throwing a sweeper. All of a sudden, this dude in the last, you know, 18 months, has developed all of these pitches.

He throws six pitches now. His sweeper is one of the best in the big leagues, but he only throws it like 15% of the time because he's doing other things well. He changed his pitch arsenal around. He's changed his career around. This dude's about to get paid. He went and put the work in, made the adjustments.

He had a graphic put out. It was similar to getting your hand chopped up. He was the worst starting pitcher in baseball. According to a ton of different stats. But he decided to, work at it, got better, made changes, and all of a sudden we're getting shut out performances like this, a payday on the horizon, they're talking about a contract extension in Pittsburgh. This is the stuff that gets me fired up. So Mitch Keller, you are, Jamie Lannister. You did have

your hand cut off, but you did elicit some help like Sir Braun help Jamie, and now you're reaping the benefits. Congrats to you, my friend. I don't have an award name for you, but you get my award. congratulations. And now I'll taste other dudes. I mean, Jamie Lannister. I'm exhausted. Powerful stuff, Trev.

I, uh, that was so beautiful. I'll keep my mind high and tight. I'm going to go with the No Buyers Remorse Award. It's a guy you mentioned, we mentioned in passing that deserved a little more. It's Nathan Evaldi for your Texas Rangers.

He was one of the free agent contract. tracks this year that we did, like, yeah, you know, let's see. And he's, I think I like it. Like, you know, he's going from Fenway and, you know, he's two years removed. We like him, but will it for sure work? Who knows? He's 33 right now. It's baseball, right?

Travin, 2021, he led baseball in FIPP. We are FIP guys. We love FIP to a degree. He is now leading Major League Baseball in FIP again. And just a reminder, people, why ERAs. is sexy and not sexy sometimes, and it's probably why we deserve to give those Philly pitchers a little bit of more love.

Where you pitch matters, Fenway runs score. It's just how it works. The Vegas over under. Check Fenway games. It's higher than your average game because runs get scored there because they put a giant wall in left field.

53.1 innings pitch. He's leading the AL. The ERA is down to 2-7. He's leading the American League in FIPP. And Trev, guess what? Fastball still sitting 96 faster than your Major League fastball. He's 33. He got called up when he was 21. He was kind of enigmatic up until kind of age 27, 28. Then sometimes the light bulb goes off for pitchers and it starts to click. Trev, he might have a few more years in the tank.

Remember when he was going to be done after Boston ran him out there for seven extra innings in a World Series game? and we're like, yeah, arm's going to fall off. Guess what? It still works. And he's part of the problem in Texas. He's probably been a top three pitcher. Fangraphs has him as the number three best pitcher in baseball this year. So, again, a little more Rangers love and a little more Nate Dog love.

Because when he's locked in, it's awesome to watch. Yes. When he is locked in, I put him in like the same category as like a David Robertson. Like this guy has just been a good pitcher for a long time. time. Now, has he had some spurts where things have gotten away from him? Sure. But like when he's on, he can be that dominant. And he's shown it. I mean, 28 and whatever innings pitched scoreless. Not a fun at bat. Faced him many times. Power arm, but can finesse if he needs to. And the Rangers, man, they continue to impress. Look at us talking about the Rangers so much.

Two years ago or last year, this never would have happened. 28 scoreless. Yeah, nine innings, eight innings, eight point two innings, no runs in any of them. That's nuts. Last three starts. That's big boy stuff.

And he's kind of, you know, Nate of all the... One of them's Oakland. He is Texas. He's from Texas. He's kind of like a throwback power pitcher a little bit. Nolan Ryan. Trev,

baseball today. I have to pee. I almost stopped mid-episode. And you know I don't like to do that. Thank you, everyone. Enjoy your weekend of baseball. We're excited to see you Monday and whatever the baseball gods give to us this weekend.

Jick sucks. Really good play by Darren Baker making the rounds on the internet this morning. I was skeptical. It was really nice. Go watch that. Just haven't really seen it. Dusty's boy.

That was straight up athleticism, reaction. It's back. in the game. Jose Siri. Ikely Taylor, Nick Gordon and Centerfield laying out for one. They'll be over.