Talkin' Baseball (MLB Podcast) - Mariners are Making Their Playoff Push! | 703

Episode Date: August 18, 2023

Use code TALKIN for $20 off your first SeatGeek order. https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TALKIN This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://betterhelp.com/TALKINBASEBALL and get on your way to being your best self.++++Timestamps:0:00 Superstars ONLY3:00 American League Recap8:20 Seattle is RIGHT There12:40 Rangers Win, Angels are a Disaster17:25 Twins-Tigers Split23:15 National League Recap29:20 DJ Stewart35:30 DBacks Righting the Ship37:20 Dodgers SWEEP Brewers46:25 Interleague Recap55:30 Rays Beat Giants1:02:00 Astros Beat Marlins1:05:45 Braves End the Yankees1:09:25 Padres Beat Orioles1:15:55 Red Sox LOSE to the Nats1:20:10 Phillies-Jays Split1:22:40 Guardians-Reds Split1:24:40 Chicago Split1:27:10 Grayson Rodriguez1:29:35 Zack Gelof1:34:20 En Fuego1:38:40 BBD Simulator Stimulator 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.

Oh, baby. Hello and welcome to talking baseball. The Dodgers can't lose. Julio Rodriguez is hot as the son. Jose Siri is producing the show. It's front office. Let's go. Got you with the left feet, but hello. Squared around on me. And welcome to talking baseball. Episode 703. I called it a front office show. That's not true. This is the clubhouse show. A bunch of clubbies kids getting the ball. balls together ready for the big game. Jose Siri does not give a you-know-what. This one's brought to you by C-Geek.

As always, use code talking. Get $20 off your first order. Go to a game. See Shohei Otani, pitch for the Angels. Or not pitch for the Angels. Maybe we just hit. He's on triple crown pace. Jake is gone.

I don't even know where he's at, Beavers. I have no clue. This guy travels more than anyone. I know. He's like a freaking Delta pilot just going places. He's in some Virginia Mountain. I don't know what it's about. He is going to get eaten alive in the Appalachians.

Let me tell you that right now. James was supposed to be on the show. He had some stuff that he had to commit to. So it's just me and Bebers and Jose Siri. Bebers, what's up, man? How are you? Not bad. Not bad.

Heard people, you know, last week we got this pairing together. And they were calling it the superstars only. And I put a little lead in my pencil. I'm happy to get that together again. I wouldn't mind doing every Friday just you and I. You know, I love the youth. I steal your youthful energy and I put it into my own body. I actually need that this weekend.

We've got some things going on. But a lot of good baseball, as we were looking over the sheet and talking about what we're going to do for the show, we noticed, hey, man, this is a massive inner league show. There's nine inner league series. A lot of them, two gamers, some fun ones to go along. As I mentioned in the open, the Dodgers are so hot. Juli Rodriguez is so hot.

Frayantatez Jr. is so hot. A lot of good ball being played. I don't know. I guess we'll get right into it. I think so. I think so. Yeah. Before we hit the first league, we mentioned it off the top.

But today's episode in the whole show is always sponsored by Seek. They are a ticketing app that makes buying tickets super simple. I mean, you listen to the first. show you know what they're about. With over 28 million download, Seekek is the number one rated ticketing app. More than the 70,000 events every single day.

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That's $20 off your first purchase with promo code talking. And there's a link in the description you can click to download the app. I'll say hit that music, dude. And of course, we are. starting off in the American League where the Seattle Mariners went into Kansas City. They took three of four from the Royals. It was not easy, though. The Royals won the first game seven to six before the Mariners took the next three.

But again, these were all late inning. Comebacks are holding off the opposing team in that first game. Seven, six Royals, like I mentioned, Bobby Witt Jr. with the inside-the-park home run. Sal Perez with the three-run home. Julio had a massive day. It actually put the Mariners ahead before the walk-off bun by Dairon Blanco in the ninth inning. It was beautiful. That was followed, or excuse me, proceeded by a Sal Perez RBI sack fly to tie the game, Blanco with the walk-off bun.

So that was awesome. After that, it was the Mariners doing what they had to do. Tie France, find a two-run single in the center in the 10th inning. to go up 10 to 8 on the Royals in that game. The Royal's took care of business next two games. Or excuse me, the Mariners took care of business next two games to win three out of four. We're kind of going to get into this one, talk about Julio a little bit. So that's all I'll do on the burn.

Moving on to the next game. Next series, excuse me, Los Angeles. Angels went into Texas. The Rangers took two or three from them because that's probably what should happen at this point. They won the first game 12 to nothing, had to face more position players. They've done that more than any other team in all of the big leagues this year. The second game, they won seven to three before losing on Wednesday, two to nothing. Reed Detmer took a no-hitter into the eighth inning of that game.

The Angels won that one, two to nothing. A lot of good offensive performances by the Rangers in the series because that's exactly what they do. And then again, Shohei Otani showing up in that last game. He's got the most homers in the AL. He's on Triple Crown Watch. We'll check that out. Rangers take two or three. And then the last series in the American League was a two-gameramerameric split between the Detroit Tigers.

In my Minnesota Twins, twins win the first game. Five to three, Matt Walner, the Minnesota Moose, hits a grand slam. Overshadows Miguel Cabrera's last homer ever at Target Field. The Tigers won the next game eight to seven. Maeda got roughed up a little bit. Actually, Reese Olson did as well. split the two-game set, Spencer Torkelson, freaking two homers against Minnesota,

and that's it. That's all that happened in the AL, and I'm having Siri talk to me. As I'm talking to you, I can't hear anything. What is going on? Trev, great job. Your standings in the AL, working east to west. Orioles lead the east, 74 and 47.

They're two games up on Tampa. a little narrower than it was a couple days ago. Toronto is 7.5 back of Baltimore, 5.5 back of Tampa, if you're doing the math at home. Boston and the Yankees in that order, taking up the rear. Hanks below 500, by the way, might come up later a little bit, but no reason to dwell.

In the Central, your twins, of course, leading the way. Cleveland's four and a half back of them. Detroit, in third eight games back of the twins. White Sox and Royals, you're out, you know that. The Rangers still lead the West. They're two and a half up on Houston. Mariners, you know, leaming, is that a word? In the background, they're six-back of Texas.

Angels, you're starting to be a little bit out, out, below 500 A's. You know what your deal has been all year. In the wild card, the three teams holding position in the AL are Tampa, Houston, and Houston's three games up on. Toronto for that last spot. Seattle's just a half game back, though, of the birds. Boston, three and a half back. And the next closest team is the Yankees,

six and a half back. So no. No. Angel's your seven back of a playoff spot. Those are the A.L. standings. I want to let everyone know that while I was doing that burn, I had Siri from my MacBook talking in my ear about some nonsense the entire time.

I don't know how it got started. I don't like it. Please don't do that again to me, computer, because I couldn't hear a dang thing. We got through it, though. Got through it. You couldn't tell. You mentioned Seattle, half game back of Toronto for that last wildcard spot. They take care of business in this series.

They go into Kansas City. And look, Kansas City has some ballplayers. Sometimes they play some inspire ball. In fact, this series was really close. But Seattle takes care of business. We've talked about their easier schedule going forward. And we talked about Julio Rodriguez needing to get it going for them, along with some other guys.

He's crushing the ball. We're going to talk about him later in the show. But this is exactly what the Mariners needed to do going into Kansas City. And like I mentioned, first couple of games were interesting. Kansas City answers back in the first game. We get the walk-off bump by Dairon. Blanco, excuse me, the crazy inside the park homeward by Bobby Wood Jr. Sal Perez actually started the game off with a three-refer.

run Homer. Seattle had to come back in this game. They end up taking the lead and then the Royals finished them off. But then after that, it was all Seattle in the series. And again, they had to do this to maintain pace, Beaver's. Yeah, these games probably a little closer than Mariners fans wanted by final score. But yeah, you sweat it out a little bit, but that's the result you're looking for when you're getting four against this game. Kansas City Royals team at this point in the year. Seattle does their job, and they're right there for a playoff spot. Still another series with Kansas City, I think, this season after this, and they still got

some against Oakland. So schedule, for the most part, is in their favor. Seattle has got to be feeling pretty good right now, not dead. Shout out Brady Singer in their first game, took a no-no late into the game. He's done that a couple different times in his career, September 10th, 2020, which is his eighth big big league start. He was four outs from a no-hitter. And then this one, I have it, I took a no-hitter into the seventh inning. And again, the Royals had a five-nothing lead.

They blow that lead, have to come back and win it in the last inning, which was nice for them. after that, like I mentioned, or we mentioned, all these games are a little bit closer than Seattle would want to, but that's kind of the ball that they play, and they had some guys come through that they've needed to come through offensively. Ty France in the second game, like I mentioned, he had the big hit to get them up by two runs. There was a seven-run fourth inning in this game for Seattle.

Eugenio Suarez, Thai France, Taska Hernandez, and Josh Rojas, all home runs. in that inning, which is a nice one to have. If you're trying to beat the Royals and you get down early, you end up hitting four homers in that inning. That's a nice one to have. Tesker Hernandez in the third game, had the tie-breaking sacrifice fly in the eighth inning.

Julio just kept going off and off. And I want to talk about him, but I think we're going to talk about him more in Fuego. True. Yeah, I mean, he's a guy they specifically needed to go to get the whole engine moving, and he has. He's been going. It's good for Julio, good for the Mariners.

In the last game, Matt Bresh, I recorded this fourth save, taking over some of the late-inning responsibilities. Him and Munoz doing that with Seawal being traded. I believe he was the one in the ninth in the first game, so he kind of gave it up there, then followed it up with a nice series. and that's really what happened Seattle is right where they need to be

Cal Raleigh I think is the second fastest or fastest mariner to 50 homers in franchise history which is nice to see and not the guy you would have you would have expected but I like it yeah it is good and that's it

get on the Mariners take care of business man. And Bobby Wood Jr. is going off too. He's a special player, man. Yeah, he's going to be a problem. Moving on, the Rangers take two or three from the Angels. I don't think we need to spend a lot of time on this. It was a bludgeoning the first game, 12 to nothing. The Rangers

win that one. Seven to three in the second game. Again, just very, just great performances all around from the Rangers. Shurzurgoe sevenings pitched. no earned runs in the first game. Then you have all the usual suspects. Simeon has a homer. Adelis Garcia has a homer.

Grossman. How about that? Continuing, two for four, two doubles. Mitch Garber, who filled in for Jonah Haim, who I believe is back. He was two for three in that first game and filled in admirably for Jonah as he was out. So shout out to my guy, Mitch Garver,

former sequence guest. Corey Seeger, three for four. with two homers in the second game. A nice start by Jordan Montgomery. I mean, this is why you go out and get those guys at the trade deadline to bolster your starting staff. You have Scherzer doing that. You have Montgomery doing what he's doing.

And then, like I mentioned, the third game, Reed Detmer takes the no-no into the eighth. Showy, it's the homer. They win that one to two, nothing. But Rangers also taking care of business against the Angels here to maintain their lead in the AOS with Houston kind of still breathing down their neck a little bit, Beaver. Yeah, you certainly can't take any lead you have on Houston for granted if you're Texas, so good job, you know, taking care of your business. And the more interesting angle is just how bad it's been for the Angels since they went all in.

They're 6 and 13 since July 28th. Gialito has not quite put it together there yet. Leone has an ERA in the 4 since coming over, you know, that's not going to make a huge difference. Cronin Gritchick, and, albeit small sample sizes, it's only been less than two weeks, but, you're less than three weeks, but their WRC pluses are in the 50s

since coming over to L.A. and, you know, just every move they made hasn't worked, has been bad so far, and it has not resulted in winning, and just a very different vibe than two, three weeks ago. like we all were hoping they'd make the push. Yeah, the Rangers have their best start in 120 games in franchise history. That's got to feel good for Rangers fans.

I guess we'll talk a little bit more about Reid Detmer's. He did throw a no-no last year. I saw him throw against the twins earlier this year. This guy has no hit potential every time he steps on the mound. Like if he can... He's got that kind of stuff. I think it's the third time through the order. he gets a little shaky if I remember my my notes correctly from back way back when but when

he's got it going he's got crazy swing and miss stuff which helps in these no hit bids Marcus simeon ended up ending this one for him but another great outing for him and you know what's been obviously a very disappointing as you mentioned season for the angels then especially since the trade deadline it's just been it's been tough man it's really been tough for them but he's you know him and otani have been bright spots for sure yeah they have some pieces that you're long term excited about it all a lot hinges on otani sticking around for a while but i do like a lot of the young pitching they have detmer's like he feels like a guy if he has his a stuff he is a candidate to throw a no hitter or any given start um trying to find some time through the order

numbers but uh but yeah i i do like him the overall number numbers kind of have never been great. Last year he had a 377. That was his best year. You know, this is smallest sample size as he's a young guy. But when you watch him, it kind of, it's Blake Snellis. Blake Snell-ish, where it's like about control and about command and getting ahead of hitters. And, you know, he'll get the pitch count up there because of that. but when he's right, it's really nasty. Yeah, even this year, it's got to figure out the third time through.

He gets better the second time through compared to first time facing guys, but the third time through opponents have a 938 OPS and about 104 plate appearances this season. So a lot of pitchers have that problem. Yeah, that is true. That is a statistic that hurts a lot of guys. the final series, as we're going through these pretty quickly,

in the American League, only three, like I mentioned, and same with the NL. The Detroit Tigers split with the twins. Twins win the first game, five, three Tigers, eight, seven in the second game. Young guys for the twins continue to do it. Walner hits the Grand Slam. Royce Lewis is back in the lineup. He goes one for three with an RBI to get the job done. Bailey Oberg, kind of has a bounce back start.

Only five innings pitch, but two and runs. This one was fun because Miguel Cabrera did hit the homer, and it was a freaking laser, and I kind of like seeing that. I don't know. It didn't affect the game for the twins in a negative way because Walner did his thing. So I'm happy to see McGee, you know, have one final blast there at Target Field,

although I pose this question to Jolly on baseball today, and I'm going to give it to you now, Beaver. Okay. Miguel Cabrera, obviously, one of if not the best right-handed hitter I've seen. I guess people are always going to point to Pujols. I just saw way more of Cabrera, but I'll give Pujols and Cabrera.

You know, they're both this incredible right-on- Of the generation, they're a 1-A, 1B. Yeah. So of all the places that he played Beavers, with, you know, let's just say 100 played appearances, I think that's what I did yesterday. Where do you think he has the lowest OPS? Where he struggled the most.

For him, struggle is relative. Trying to think of a big ballpark that maybe would have kept him in and then that Comerica's the biggest one, right? Let's say Minnesota and say, I believe in you and your twins. No, that's not. That's a bad one. Yeah, it's a bad. He got a lot of opportunity to figure that place out.

I believe you had like an 895 OPS at Target Field. That might be his worst of any field. I don't know. Two surprising ones for me. With the 100-plated appearance caveat, it's actually the Rogers Center in Toronto. Really? He only had around a 700 OPS.

And then if you go back, it's actually Petco. He has less than 100-plated appearances there, but I believe his OPS is in the fives for Petco. Everything else besides those, Those are like above average like 770. Like this guy just didn't miss, man. And probably those those Petco ones. I'm assuming those are like early days.

Marlins still was. He wasn't quite Miguel Cabrera yet. And in the last game, Detroit Tigers, they win that one. What was the score? It was eight to seven. A bunch of the young guys have gone off. And I've watched the Tigers play a little bit more this year as I'm doing the Twins game. They have some fun guys, man.

And like, I, I, I, I, like. Like the way they play baseball, the roster just isn't really there yet. So it's interesting to watch them play because you see flashes of almost like brilliance out there on the field, but it's not consistent enough at all. Riley Green goes three for four in that second game. Torkelson two for five with two homers. He's crushing the ball right now. I'm sure we'll talk about him later.

And Kerry Carpenter also had a homer. And then my guy Matt Veerling was two for five with an RBI in that second game. But again, there's good baseball out there. It's just not consistent enough. And the twins, they split this series. They just can't. They can't run away from the Guardians. The Guardians are trying to give them the division.

And the Twins just can't really do it. So let's go. Come on, twins. Twins, just get right. Maybe one more like full hot streak to just lock it up, lock it up. And you'll be feeling pretty good. Yeah, Tigers, they have some top end talent that if it gets sorted out,

I know some of those guys have been injured for a while on the pitching end of things. There's things to watch for there. Erod seems to like it. I don't know. I'm looking at Will Vest's baseball reference headshot for the first time, and it's just, that's a tough pick. They should have let him redo that.

Yeah, Torkelson, I know all year has been sort of teetering with an OPS Plus above and below 100, so, hey, goal for the rest of this season. get that to finish above. Yeah, he looks like a guy that just like needs to do what he's doing now, which is just go on a torrid stretch and kind of just like feel like he's the man. Now, once you do that a couple times, it's like, okay, I'm here. I'm capable of this.

Good enough to play here. Yeah, 100%. Will Vess baseball reference picture. It's not the greatest picture I've ever seen, but like, maybe that's just what he looks like, Bieber. I don't know. Yeah, I don't know. A little, just some cross-out.

stuff going. I would have let him, I would have given him a few options, which maybe they did. Yeah, and I know Torkelson, early on, like the first full year in the show didn't go great, and I think it was a slower start this year,

but there's a butter knife to be done that he's been just consistently producing for a lot of this season. So Tigers fans, I think, are mostly happy with what they've gotten this year out of him. And a little bit I see on Twitter. an extra or like a

semi lead character in an old Western and wouldn't have to go into hair and makeup at all just like it's ready some cowboy clothes on and you're ready

yes since May OPS and the sevens are better every month and he's having a toured August so go tour go

I like his swing too he's feeling it right now good all right I think trying to move on to the National League, another three game recap. Oh yeah.

And we are going to start off in New York as the Pirates went in to face the Mets and the Mets take two out of three. They win the first game seven to two. They win the last game, eight to three. The Pirates win the meat game in the sandwich. Seven to four.

Cookie Carasco goes three innings pitched in the first game, walks three, two earned runs. but the Mets do enough offensively. Brandon Nimma with the homer, Daniel Vogobach with a homer, Jollyalli's favorite player, Francisco Lendorgo's 2 for 3 with a double.

A couple runs there. He got to 20 homers and 20 stolen faces. That's the first Mets to do that since 2008. You gotta love that. Pirates win the second game, delay with a two-run double and a six-run seventh inning for the Pirates. They took a 7-to-1 lead

on a Jack Swinsky, I walk. Conor Joe hit by pitch, a pass ball to Baguera and then delay the his thing before a Brian Reynolds triple. That's a big inning. That's how you get the job done. Like I mentioned, the Mets won the last game, 8 to 3. Tyler McGill. Five innings pitch, two earned runs. Pete Alonzo with the homer. DJ Stewart, get you two homers, big dog. They win that one, eight to three. They take two. A three from the Pirates, a little bit too late in tank season is on. That's a jolly said. So maybe this isn't a great result for the Mets. But they win two out of three, take it from the Pirates. In the second series, Jake's

snakes go into Colorado and take two of three. Now the Rockies won the first game, six to four before the dimebacks won the next two, eight to five and nine to seven. Merrill Kelly has a good start in that first game. He goes six in these pitch with two earned runs, but Zeke Tovar goes three for four. Brennan Rogers has two ribbies and Charlie Blackman goes two for three as the Rockies win the first game. The second game, Manciplite opens the game for Arizona as they went eight to five.

Tommy Fam has a big game. Lordus Correale Jr. goes two for five. And Christian Walker, this guy's a stuck. One for four with the homer. He has two RBIs there. He had a homer in the first game as well. He had two homers, excuse me, in that first game.

He's going off. Bebeck's win in the last game, 9 to 7. Gomber for the Rockies gets roughed up. Five and a third with six earned runs right there. And I think I got this mixed up. Christian Walker had two homers in the third game, not the first game.

Because he's a stud. Kyle Lewis, how about him? Two for four in that third game. Corbyn Carrow also two for three as the dimebacks take care of business. They're holding court. They're right there in the mix of it at Beavers. They take two or three from the rocks. And in the last game, this one was a.

tough one for the brookery. They get swept by the Dodgers. The Dodgers just can't lose right now. It goes 6-2, 7-1-1-0 and some really fun good pitching matchups in this one. Houser versus Bobby Miller. Miller out duels him. Six-dings pitch, one earned run. Luki Betts goes two for four in that game with the Rivey as the Dodgers just kind of take that one in an easy fashion. Seven-one in the second game. Kershaw comes back, five innings pitched, one earned run. up against Wade Miley, who gave up three earned runs in five innings. It's not a bad start, but the Dodgers. Pitching staff has been really, really good, especially this series.

And again, the Dodgers win the last one. One-nothing. That was the fun start for me. That was Burns versus Lynn. God, that's really fun. Seventy's pitch for Burns, no earned runs. Seventy's pitch for Lance Lynn, no earned runs. That's what we're talking about.

And this is the Austin Barnes game. It's a solo shot in the eighth inning to put the Dodgers. up and when you're getting contributions by Austin Barnes first homer of the season for him you know something's going well they're winners of 11 straight they sweep the series and that

is what happened in the National League. A quick one quick one other just quick set of three big IL coming up today your NL standings. Nine series in the IL. 9. Woo! A lot of two gamers

Ural's standings Atlanta is 12 and a half games up on the Phillies which normally when you got that big a gap It means that next team isn't in a playoff position They are They're 12 and a half up on the Phillies Who are 66 and 55 Braves are sneaking up on their 80th win

Miami 16 and a half back of Atlanta FATS back of Atlanta Mets and Nats, nope Brewers They lead the Central two games up on both the Cubs and the Reds. Pirates, 10 and a half back, Cardinals, they are in last in the Central.

In the West, Dodgers are 74 and 46 leading the way, 10 and a half up on San Francisco, 13 up on Arizona, 17 up on the Padres. In the wild card, Phillies, Giants have the top two spots, and then we have a three-way tie by games back, for the final wild card spot between the Cubs, Marlins, and Reds.

Cubs have played two fewer games, so their winning percentage is higher, so technically they would have the spot right now. They have that tiebreaker if the season ended today. More on that soon. D-backs, you're just a game back. Padres are five back, trying to get all the way back into the mix.

We'll see. We'll see. Mets your seven back. 10 years below 500. Those are your going to know standings. All right. All right. First series, we don't have to go too in depth here.

It's the Pirates at the Mets. Again, Mets take two out of three. Both these teams are out of it. Both these teams probably don't want to win a ton of series. Yeah, I think from up above, I don't know if winning is what's most important the rest of the way. There was a, I watched one kind of full game, I guess was the last game of this series.

And it, for a while, felt like two teams not trying to win. Or certainly not putting their bodies on the line. The players are trying to hit. And you get to this point of the season and you're out of it. It's just, it's daunting, man. You see the six weeks ahead of you. You understand, you know, what that means for you and your career. And I think that's when guys start to play a little bit more selfishly.

And there's some young guys getting tastes and, or guys who are doing. who've been journeymen who are just like trying to get some numbers and get a deal for next year. 100% 100%. Um, you know, shout out Francisco Lendor. I mentioned he went 2020. It's the third time in his career. He's done that. He did it in 18 and 19 for Cleveland.

Uh, now he does it again for the meds. And that's no small feet, man. 20 stolen bases, 20 homers. That's, if you can consistently do that, you're a dang good ball player. Yeah, I know, uh, I know the steals are going to be up across the board, but it's still. 20 is still a number that sticks out. We'll see where that lands as we get used to these rules.

But when door goes, man, he's cool. DJ Stewart has a two-homer day on the last game of this set. He's a fun watch. Just sucker for that kind of body. Okay. I like that. I like that from you. He had a good quote.

They asked after the game, like, oh, what motivates you? Because obviously they're not pushing for a playoff spot at this point. He's a guy who hasn't bounced around. He's gone. to Mets, but he's a guy, you know, fighting for, for spots and stuff. And he mentioned, you know, I've got a young daughter. Diapers motivate me.

I got to pay for that. So, no, man, I don't know how far we want to get into this because we still have a lot of show left. But I, like, you get to a point. And I hope people, like, realize this. For a guy like DJ Stewart, I don't know what he's made in his career. I guess we can, you want to get that up? I can look into that. as I'm talking about it.

You know, it's, it's, you play ball in high school, you play ball in college, then you get drafted and you don't really make any money in the minor leagues. And then, you know, you get to the big leagues and everyone thinks, oh, he got to the big leagues, he made it, he's rich. That is just not the case. Because you have to think about this. Like, you're not making good money in the minor leagues at all. Even if you, I mean, you're just not making.

enough money really to sustain the lifestyle to be traveling around having a rent here, rent back home, all that stuff. So you have to perform at the big level for a long time to really make enough money where it's like you have a big head start in life or you're financially set. Very few guys actually get financially set for the rest of their lives playing baseball.

That's why when you have the opportunity to make some money to be able to give you that chance, You have to be, you've got to be selfish about it. The window is so small and it's so difficult to get to that point where you actually do make that money. So guys like this, DJ Stewart, which his career earnings are. He's made in Major League salaries. It looks like he's nearly eclipsed 1.5 mil.

He's a guy, you know, he was a first round pick. So he does have the bonus there that three and a half mil total in pro ball. But yeah, that's not... Over how many years. He's 29 years old, was drafted in 2015. So we're approaching... Nine years. Yeah.

So even if we do that, and people just bear with me, because I know I'm talking about millions here. We're talking about all this stuff, but I kind of want to put it into perspective. And sure, on the whole... In pro ball? Yeah. Sure, on the whole, that is still more than most normal people, yes,

make over nine years. The signing bonus obviously helped that out a lot. But I would tell you this, like I don't think that DJ Stewart is set for life for money. No, he, as things lie right now, not a guy who doesn't have to work again.

Yeah, you got to pay taxes on that money. And you have to, like I said, it becomes, it can be an expensive lifestyle to live because you are doing your rent here. Most likely you have some sort of rent or mortgage back home. And yeah, it's just when you see guys like just fighting at the end of the years like this to put up those counting stats, I don't know, it just, it resonates with me a little bit because I think about this all the time with my own career.

Like it could have, I could have easily not have had like a good streak in 2012 and then like maybe been on a different team where I didn't get the opportunities and like everything just is completely different. So there's like this little moment in time where you got to turn it on and it can completely change your life. and so you'll see a lot of guys at that stage where they're trying to like flip the switch so they can take the next step I guess get that a little more get some get just a guaranteed deal for next year there's a lot of guys

when we we get labor potty a lot on this show hopefully we don't have to for a little while you know these are the types of guys we're talking about and guys who get even less time than this so obviously we know about the guys who make now 40 million a year I don't know if that whole segment's

going to resonate with our fan base but I just I don't know I'm trying to paint a little bit of perspective on stuff like this anyways Mets take 2 out of 3 and then we move on to the next series and Dimebeck's having to do this you got to take 2 or 3 from the Rockies

if you want to stay within the race they got back over 500 with this series win kind of the usual suspects doing the thing for them in these games holding court keeping pace is exactly what they need to do I don't know if we need to get too far into this series no just you know snaps for for the debacks they're uh this is what you had to do you're back involved

um since the losing streak they've played a good brand they've won five out of six they can get back on track and stay involved and pretty much no matter what this has been a win of a season for the franchise, but it'd be great to keep it relevant, and they are doing that. A couple of guys they traded for got the job done. I mentioned Tommy Fam. He had an RBI double in the second game. Paul Seawald got in a little bit of trouble,

loaded the bases, one out in the ninth, but he retired the final two batters to get his 24 save on the season. And then I messed this up in the burn, but Christian Walker and the third game had his two homers he's a stub man 28 homers on the year

it's just a good hitter now the snakes have 31 come from behind victories it sounds like a lot to me yeah it feels like that's got to be up there like that they were trailing 7 to 6 in the top of the eighth inning but then

Christian Walker said I got you guys hits the two run homer to put him ahead Yeah, he's fun. He's a lot of fun. He's a really good player. Both sides of the ball. That's good stuff. The last series in the National League

was the Dodgers and the Brewers. And I love, first of all, this is an aesthetically pleasing series. I think these are two really good baseball teams that go about things differently, completely different payrolls. I would say that the brewers aren't as gifted on their roster as the Dodgers, but still find ways to win games except for this series.

They didn't win any of the games because they scored three runs in three games. The Dodgers starting pitching has been really, really good in August after it struggled in July. I mentioned Bobby Miller. Looks like he's kind of figured things out. he'll be a part of the rotation going forward for sure. Clayton Kirshod does his thing. And then Lance Lynn has been insane since coming back. And I don't know when we're going to get into this Dodgers talk,

but I sent the tweet out yesterday to our talking baseball chat about all the guys that they brought over at the deadline who have just soared. And it's been every single one of them. I'm assuming these numbers are right. Are we getting played here? Because it kind of seems like we're getting played. Even you said, I'm getting my tinfoil hat on because this doesn't seem right.

They're nine for nine. And these include guys that came over before this season. Oh, this is also before the year. You're right. Yeah. So, you know, J.D. Martinez, who, I mean, the year before he did not have a bad year, but he, but the homers are up with J.D.

Martin. The homers are up. All that numbers. Hayward, the numbers are way up. For Jason Hayward. He had a 555 OPS Lash or 808 OPS this year. Keitha, or excuse me, David Peralta is next.

6.52 OPS last year, 727 OPS this year. Kika Hernandez goes from Boston where we had a 599 OPS, and he has an 805 OPS with a Dodgers and 60 at bats. Onjohnster Menace comes over.

He had three homers and 385 at bets. Now he has three homers and 51 at bats for the Dodgers. The list keeps on going, man. And what's funny about the Dodgers is I saw something yesterday. Eric Crats was talking on his show about why the Dodgers are this way and why he thinks it's not just scouting and drafting. It's the way they treat their minor leaguers. And they essentially try to treat their minor leaguers like big leaguers, give them all the information, feed them correctly. Now, that's not going to do anything for these guys here that we're talking about, but as an organization as a whole, they just do things better. I talked to Brian Dozier when I was with him in Minnesota from ours Hall of Fame deal,

and he couldn't stop talking about the Dodgers. And this is a guy that played for twins, um, nationals, Dodgers. And I believe he also didn't play with San Diego in the big leagues, but it was with the organization. Yeah. Got a Mets taste. I believe he's with the Mets a little bit too. Always forget about Brian Dozier with the Mets. Seven games in the COVID year with the Mets.

So he couldn't stop talking about how good the Dodgers organization is. And the things he would mention was there's just the communication about what they want you to do and what you do well. Like everyone hears that all the time. He talks about, you know, there's a lot of coaches per player. So you always feel. like you have someone to talk to about certain things. And he just,

he says the way they relay the information to you is better. It's not just like, here's a packet of all the info, you know, go ahead, do what you got to do. It's like they explain it to you and they're able to just get the best out of guys, whether that's pitch mix or repertoire or changing your grip for a pitcher or

throw this pitch less, throw this pitch more. Maybe your arm slot needs to be here. they just seem to they can identify guys who they know they can improve. And they've shown that here, man. Yeah, I mean, every,

seems like basically every big league level acquisition in the last year has, as, it's been night and day for the most part, especially, I mean, especially on the pitching end recently, Lance Lynn, he's got a two ERA since coming over. He was having his worst season as a big leaguer. Like even the homers have been way down from what he was given up. Man, they've got the sauce there, man.

They've won't 11 in a row, Beaver's. They're fully, fully going all year. And we've said this on the show before, but all year it was like, oh, they're quietly just being good again. And since the break or specifically since August, they've fully, fully gone. Beavers, not too long ago, we were talking about the Diamondbacks in first place

and we're like, okay. They had like a decent lead and we were talking about how like, all right, Dodgers don't really care. They just want to get in the dance. They're fine. They're 10 and a half up on the Giants, 13 up on the Diamondbacks right now.

What happened? Dude, the team, they don't get into real ruts. They, like even, Even when they're starting pitching struggled, they can win games. Here you are. There are a team that's been there and done that. Yeah, for Milwaukee on this end,

we talked about a bunch of the Dodgers. Milwaukee's end of this one, you got beat by the better team, essentially. He really did. And again, three runs and three games, you're not going to win many series, and you probably will get swept. That's what happened here.

Nice start by Burns. He's been really, really good, especially as of late but you just got you ran into the Dodgers at the wrong time essentially you came in during a hot streak it's very hard to beat this team when they're going the way they're going right now

yeah they would have obviously loved to get at least one in here they're another first place team good it was a good time to get a little litmus test in see what another first place team will do but uh yeah I think they'll they'll take a few lessons home from this

They're smart organization. Austin Barnes with the solo shot to put him up. I guess Nomar, I watched a clip. Nomor Garcia Parr called it before the game. So I think Austin Barnes is going to hit his first homer of the season. And he did. How about that? Go, Noamar, go.

One other thing I wanted to mention from this. Oh, yeah, Mark Kana. It's his first homer with the Brewers, I believe, against Clayton Kershaw. Added apart, Mark. I always like shouting him out when we can. He's a good guy. Really good.

guy. All right, that's the National League. We covered the American League three games. The National League three games. Now we got the big, big, meaty beef rib of a recap with the inner league. Is it brought to us by somebody? The Interleague recap and this

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The Inner League And here we go, Beavers Oh boy I think I'm going to go past the music We are starting in San Francisco The Rays came in to visit This feels like playoff baseball even though they're in different leagues, interleague, like I said,

aesthetically pleasing. The Rays take two or three, and this one was kind of a, I don't want to call it a snooze fest, but not too many close games here. The Rays take the first game 10 to 2. They take the last one, 6 to 1, and in the middle, the Giants won that one, 7 to 0. Glass now with a nice start in game 1.

He goes six in his pitch with one-earned run, Harold Ramirez, Christian Betancourt, and our guy, our producer, Jose, Siri, all have nice games offensively as the Rays. win that one. 10 to 2. Tyler Glassstone with throwing some cheese. He actually breaks Fettincourt strings of his mitt on a fastball because he is

like a movie, essentially. Giants win the second game, 7 to nothing. Conforto goes three for four. Wimmer Flores and Tyro Estrada, both Homer and that one. Interesting here, the Giants use three openers. They are just, it's interesting what they're doing with their starting pitching. It's why I mentioned

Gabe Kapler as one of the front runners for NL manager of the year because of what he's had to navigate with his pitching staff. They win this one seven to nothing. And then the raised take the last one, six to one, behind a great start by Aaron Savale. Excuse me. Josh Lowe gets it going for the Tampa Bay raise. Is this where Luke rarely hit the inside the park? Comer, I think it is.

That one was a lot of fun. Randy Rosa Rain, of course, goes two for five with a double and a run scored. Rays take two or three from the Giants. Moving on, Houston Astros go down to Miami, and they take two or three. The Marlins won the first game, 5 to 1 before the Astros won the next two, 6-5 and 12 to 5. In the first game, Framber Valdez goes 7 and 2 thirds in his pitch. He's cruising until Miami's decided to start hitting Homer, Solera,

Luisur, and Josh Bell go back to back to back in that game to get the job done for the Marlins, Houston's offense, got stymied by Dalton Feeley's favorite pitcher, Braxton Garrett. He goes five innings pitch with zero earned runs. But then it was all Astros from then on out. Christian Javier, he goes four and two-thirds going up against Johnny Quedo. Neither of these guys have their best stuff.

They both grew up four earned runs, but the Astros do it because Kyle Tucker is Kyle Tucker. He goes two-and-four of the homer. Chas McCormick also homers in that game, along with the a nerd Diaz. They get the job. And in the last game, Justin Verlander, he gets roughed up a little bit. Five innings pitch with four earned runs.

He goes up against Jesus Lazzardo, who he gets roughed up. Three and two-thirds innings pitch, five earned runs. But the Astros just bang the ball to save Verlander. Chas McCormick, two for three with a homer. Alex Bregman, two for five with a homer. Kyle Tucker does it again because, of course, he does. He has three ribbies with a homer in that game. They win that 12 to 5.

Astros are a wagon. Miami holding on for deer life there in the N-O-Wild card race. Astros take two of three. Moving on, your Yanks. Oh my goodness. Bebers. I can't wait to just go in depth on this one.

They get swept by the Braves in Atlanta. This was the nail in the coffin for many Yankees fans. I follow a lot of them. 11-3 Braves. 5-0-0-Braves. 2-0-0. What did I say about scoring 3? three runs in a three-game set.

It's not going to be good for you. And like the Brewers, you got swept. Clark Schmidt, two-and-third innings pitch, eight earned runs in the first game. That ain't going to get it done. Luis Severino, four-eings pitch, three-runs in the second game. That ain't going to get it done.

Randy Vasquez. Three and a third, two earned runs. Doesn't matter. The Braves are a wagon. The Yankees are essentially dead in the water here. They get swept. The Yankees get swept by the Braves. my goodness, what year are we in

1996? I have a hat. I have a hat from that World Series, I think. I don't know what happened. Anyways, we'll get more into that series. Beaver's going to tell us all about it. The next series, Baltimore, the Orioles go down into San Diego. The Padres take two or three here, and they need it that bad Beavers. They're five games back right now as we stand.

Orioles win the first game, four to one, behind a really nice start by Grayson Rodriguez. You Darvish goes seven-nings pitch. That one, he ends up passing Hideo Nomo for most strikeouts by a Japanese pitcher in big league history? Gotta love that. Padres won the next two games. 10 to 3, Flaherty gets roughed up, and that start for the Orioles. They win the second game, excuse me, the third game, 5 to 2.

Blake Snell does his thing. Gary Sanchez with the grand slam against Flaherty as they score five runs off him in the first inning. And then Fernando Tautice does his thing in the last game. Three for four. he also steals home. Trent Grisham play some good defense. He hits a homer in that third game. Padres are still right there.

I'm not willing to give up, even though they're under 500, even though I just called your Yankees dead. For some reason, I still think the Padres can do it. They take two or three from the Orioles. Moving on, this one's going to be quick. Oakland A's versus the St. Louis Cardinals, I believe it's the two worst records in each respective league.

It's close if it's not. The Cardinals take two of three. They win the first two games, 7-5, and then 6-2 before the A's. Blank them, 8-0 in the last game. Paul Blackburn, with a really nice start for the A's there. Sevennings pitched zero earned runs. This one is kind of a snooze fest for me. We'll go over it quickly, but that's it for now.

Cardinals take two or three. Moving on. This one was a tough one, a little mini, What Is You Doing, baby? The Red Sox. We're trying to stay in contention for that wild-car spot behind the Mariners. They lose two out of three to the Nationals, who actually have been playing really good baseball as of late. Red Sox won the first game, five to four before the Nationals win the next two. Six, two, and ten to seven.

James Paxton with the night start in the second game. Mackenzie Gore matches him, but he gets injured. Chris Sale, Patrick Corrin, square off in the last game. Sale goes four and a third innings pitch with two earned runs, three runs overall. in the first game Tristan Casas continues to hit 2 for 4 with 2 ribbies Pablo Reyes 2 4 with a double

and a run scored Red Sox win that one like I said before the Nationals and Joy Menesis and Josiah Gray and oh he pitched in the first game Who am I missing? CJ Abrams went off They take 2 or 3 we got to get through this people

next series Philadelphia Phillies Played 2 game against the Blue Jays and they split Blue Jays won the first game, two to one. You say Kukuche and Zach Wheeler go up against each other. They both have strong lines. Wheeler goes seven innings pitch for one and run.

You say Kukuchase been on fire. He goes six innings pitch with one earned run. The Blue Jays get the first one. Nine four for the Phillies and the second one, Bryce Harper, a couple of homers. Kevin Gossman gets roughed up a little bit there. Five and a third, seven runs, only five earned. Nola's been getting hit around two, man. I'm kind of worried about that.

I want to say I'm not worried about Nola, but I'm a little worried about Nola. He goes five innings pitch with four earned runs as they split the series. Two more here in the Interleague set. Cleveland Guardians go into Cincinnati for the Ohio Bowl. They split this two game. Guardians win the first one, three nothing. Behind a nice start by Logan Allen.

Graham Ashkuff gives up three earned runs in seven innings. The Reds cannot find offense. They lose three nothing. In the second game, to get the split, they went seven to two. They rough up Cindergarde a little bit. Four and thirds innings pitch for six earned runs. There, and Andrew Abbott continues to do his thing. Five innings pitch, two earned runs.

A split between the Guardians and the Reds. And the last series, another two-game set, another cross-town rivalry. White Sox versus the Cubs at Wrigley Field. White Sox win the first game, five to three on a La Pantara Homer there. Kyle Hendricks goes six innings, three earned runs in the field. first game. It's not enough. White Sox

win five to three Cubs. Walk it off to get the series split. They went four to three as Chris Morrell hits the walkoff. We'll get into it. But that's what happened in the inner league. And that was a long one. And now my throat is dry. My mouth is dry. Beers.

That's fair. Basically it's a doubled up. Inner league. Woo-wee. Again, we're going to go through these pretty quickly people because some of them matter and some of them don't. That's the game. Tampa Bay Rays versus the Giants.

Again, this one kind of, there was not many close games. I like this matchup a lot. Glassdale does this thing in that first game, and a bunch of guys hit. Rays just come into town and say, hey, here we are, 10 to 2 victory in the first game. Giants don't care in the second game. They answer back.

They win at 7 to nothing, Bebers. Rays can't find any options. offense in that game going up against Jacob Junis and the rest of the San Francisco Penn. They couldn't find anything. And then Savale, who's been thank goodness they traded from. I know they

had the trade away a big prospect, but because of the injuries the rays have had, they're able to continue to have somewhat of a regular pitching staff that can save this bullpen. Savale is part of that now, six teams pitch, zero earned runs.

And they get what they need done. offensively. You have anything from this series that you want to touch on? Yeah, I mean, Savali, the second they acquired him, and that felt like such a Ray's get, and he had a great year in Cleveland, too, before it, but yeah, he feels

like kind of the quintessential Ray, they will turn him, they will max out his potential, because that's what the Ray's do with kind of everybody. But, yeah, I thought that was kind of an instant match that I was upset. I hadn't thought about before the trade went through.

and he showed it a little bit against a good team in San Fran. And this matchup's kind of sneaky, aesthetically pleasing. Yeah, it is. It is. Although, like, I'm on record as saying the Rays have some of the worst uniforms in the big leagues. They're just so plain and so brutal. They don't do anything for me. The colors match up, but the Rays' Unis as a whole, just don't do it for me.

They could use their next, like, revamp of that. They need a revamp in the worst way, viewers. But I like their color scheme next to the Giants' color scheme, which I didn't think I would think about until I saw these two on paper. Yeah. Go Giants Go. This is a team that, you know, they just kind of, I know they lost this series,

but they find ways to win games. I don't know if we're talking about Patrick Bailey later on in the show. We have a whole section devoted to him in our notes about his defense and about what he's done for this team, what he's meant to this team. I was aware of, you know, what he was doing defensive. You just watched any of their games. Like he's, he can throw the ball, man.

And he throws like this like little sidearm kind of Johnny that I think is perfect to throw runners out because you're constantly leading the guy tagging further up the line. So if you just get rid of the ball and you allow and you allow the second baseman or shortstop, time to make an adjustment on it, give them a visual, get it out early so they can make an adjustment, you can go up the line, that's how you're going to get a lot of guys caught stealing because you can tag up in the leg or up in the cleat. And if you're up the line enough, his hand's not going to be there. I feel like that happens a lot with him. As he throws that sidearm ball kind of just tails right back into the runner and allows the person field the ball

just to go get it and apply the tag right away instead of waiting for that ball at the bag and trying to swipe, you know, right there. It's like you just get the ball, drop your glove down. You're going to hit a big body part there. The legs are the biggest part of the body. You're going to tag something. You're going to tag something. Yeah, that's the way you would kind of want it to, you'd want it to go that way if you're,

if you're receiving. It's definitely interesting because you hear that about it and that doesn't sound that crazy and then you you watch a couple montages of him throwing guys out and you're like oh that does look different and you're a little surprised that that's not that's not the way they teach it like it's not the

quintessential he looks more like an infielder playing catcher but then he gets back there and the frame rate is really good he's stealing strikes he's doing everything that needs to be done you know the pitcher's ERA with him behind the plate is I think almost like two full runs

better than when they have my guy Blake Sable behind the dish so I think you know I don't always know what that means I know pitchers like to throw to certain guys and maybe you call a different game but he's obviously we've talked about him many times but he's done a really really nice job there

and you and it seems like the Giants winning formula is to have a catcher. Yeah I can help them. They clearly value that position being just stable and a plus for them. It makes sense when you think about it because forever we've been told

that that's like the most important position. Maybe prioritize that. Giants schedule watching a little bit. They're in the middle of what on paper is kind of like a brutal stretch that they've so far mostly handled. They go 500 against Rangers and Rays, which you'll take that.

Or no, they lost both sets, but they're not getting swept. And then important stretches here. Braves, Phillies, Braves. So take care of your business there. And then they get three against Sinci at home, which I imagine will matter to them, since he's a team competing for a wild card spot with them,

as is Philly earlier. And then the Padres, who even if you're out on them, they're not a team you enjoy playing. So those will be tough wins on paper. Got a game plan, right? Then the Cubs, and then the schedule lightens up a bit. But they're in the middle of a big, important stretch in their season. So maybe if you tick that up just a little bit,

get some wins in Atlanta. Good luck. They, this will kind of finalize where they're at in their season, I would guess. Obviously, anything can happen. They're in a good spot. So reinforce that during this time. The Astros go down into Miami.

They take two or three. And that first game I mentioned, it was the homers getting the job done for the Marlins, which is just like not their type of baseball. They can hit for average, but they cannot slug. This game, they did it. It was Bell, Soler, and Louisa Rice.

Soler actually got to 30 homers. So snaps for him. That's always a nice little milestone to get to. And then the Astros kind of came to play. Kyle Tucker showed up like he always does. So good. And they end up winning the next two games. Even kind of get past a rough Verlander start because they're just hitting enough.

That's the scary thing about this Astros team is they can beat you in so many different ways, Bieber. They can out pitch you when the pitching isn't great and they know they have to score a bunch of runs. They got guys they can hit three run homers with the best of them. Kyle Tucker is just constantly raising the price tag constantly raising the price tag. Every freaking beautiful swing this man takes he's raising it up. They have like,

the Astros are going to have a problem. They have like just too many good players going down into the stretch. So they have to figure it out. I like what they're doing with Hunter Brown. They're trying to limit his innings. so he actually came into in relief in the second game

because they're going to use him in that role and then skip his next start to make sure he's fresh and to limit his innings. He's still going to pitch. He's still in the big leagues, but it's a creative way for them to get him a little bit of rest.

And they're a team that we've seen come playoff time, kick a guy to the bullpen, especially a young starter, I don't know if that specifically is going to be their plan with Brown. He's been so good. Maybe they do want him to start a game and just keep him fresh. But prep them a little bit for that role if that's what they end up wanting him to do. They do things the smart way pretty much every time.

Almost too smart. It's gotten them in trouble before. Actually, that's the dumbest thing they've ever done. Yeah. Last game Like I said Verlander didn't have his best stuff Didn't matter because the Astros got out

Got off to a 5-0 lead Because they hit a bunch of homers in the first inning So you didn't have to be as sharp Here's a stat for you Justin Verlander is a 103-0 When giving five or more runs of support That's actually a crazy step Yeah

Like one time you didn't Like just ruin it Like five runs That's nice. That's a good day. Every pitcher signs up for that every time. But 103 and O? That's a lot of opportunities to do it.

And five runs. Yes, that's a lot. Every pitcher would sign up for that every time they start. But it's not like a crazy number. No. You would think like, oh, insurmountable. Like even like seven.

Insane. That's awesome. The Ashos doing their thing. Another note from this series, Bernie Williams performed a guitar rendition of the national anthem because that's what he does. We had this game on. We had the six TVs set up, but we were watching the Yankees, and this was one of them. And at one point, we just looked down and we're like, is that Bernie Williams in the Marlins booth right now? And it was.

He actually looks really good. I'm sure he does. Next series, this one's going to be a tough. one for you, Bebs. The Braves sweep the Yankees. Give me your take on this one. I mean, honestly, there's not much to say. Good team beat, the struggling team.

Just say bad to him. They're bad. They've been bad for a while now. Clark Schmidt feel for him. This was a homecoming performance for him. He's been one of the brightest spots for the Yankees. His struggles through, mid-ish-May well-documented this year,

but he had really figured it out the last several months. He's been the Yankee's second-best starter, and he's given them innings and all that. So everybody was kind of excited for him to get this start at home and get a real test against a formidable offense. And there's a reason that offense is formidable. They tagged him. It wasn't a good start, his first real dud in months.

And the rest of the way, the Yankees just don't hit. The offense just has not been good enough. We can talk about is that, is that them not having enough fight? Is that them not having enough talent? It's probably some column A, column B. There's judge had quotes this series about the team not really showing up. And then the next day talked about how they're just a hot stretch away.

So I don't know who in the Yankees got to them. But it's a, this, the Yankees go below 5. latest in a season they've been below 500 literally in my life. This felt like nailing the coffin. You're below 500. You were swept by a good team that, you know, the Yankees came in hoping to make a statement. They made a statement.

They made a statement. It wasn't great. You're going up against the Braves who most people consider. you know, 1A, 1B best team in baseball. You're going up against Nicky Lopez, who's been incredible for them since he's come over. You're going up against Austin Riley, who leads the big leagues with 21 extra base hits and is second with 13 home runs since the All-Star break. The Braves rotation actually has not been great since the All-Star break, but doesn't matter

because their offense is a wagon and they're able to overcome some bad starts. This is... I think you said it. This is good team. First bad team. Good team beat a bad team. Yeah, I know on talking Yanks, the show we do about the Yankees.

We talked after this set. We're like, I think this is kind of our pivot point where we're no longer, rest of the way, going to be talking about, like, worst Yankees team of our life, or most disappointing Yankee team of our life. We got to pivot to doing some actual analysis and talking about the guys

and figuring out what this team will be moving forward because there's stuff to learn when you watch the team even if they aren't pushing for a World Series right now. The Yankees conversation is going to be different and I don't know how much more about them you're going to hear on this program after this set. I mentioned the starters have not been up to snuff for the brave since the All-Star break,

the last seven games they've had four shutouts so yeah do with that what you will people braves fans i'd uh i would have optimism because i'm i'm a max free believer and and i believe in most of their guys but i'm sure a lot of them are telling themselves well we got to face the yankees a lot of fun moving on let's let's let's talk about some different baseball here uh the orioles go into san diego padres take two or three they needed to do that uh and what i'll call an aesthetically pleasing series. I like the orange going up against the yellow. I think that's all right. A little bit of fall. Looks like fall kind of colors in this series. I don't mind that.

I feel that. I'm picking up what you're putting down. Gracer Rodriguez, who we're going to talk about more later in the show. Believe Beavers, you're going to do that. He has a really nice start in that first game. And the Orioles offense does enough. Ryan O'Hern with the Homer, he's been one of the better hitters for the Orioles. Then Gunner Henderson. It's a double down the left field line. Nice, pretty swing there. And that's really all

the offense they needed. Second game, freaking Padres open it up against my guy Flaherty. I mentioned that Gary Sanchez, Grand Slam. His final line, Flaherty's is three innings pitch, seven runs. Podgers get a nice start from Waka there, five innings pitch, no runs. They kind of just walks through that second game, 10 to 3. And then the last one, Snell, doing his dang. thing, man. Every single time he goes out, six innings pitch, two and runs, they get to Kremmer enough, they went at five to two, Tatease steals Homer in this game, Grisham hits a home run. You see in series like this, just how good this Padres team can be, how exciting they can be, making plays defensively, having good starting pitching, good timely hitting, making things

happen on the base pass. Jake Croninworth had a hell of a snag there at first base. Um, there's just a lot to like about this team. Um, but then, you know, they'll just go in really bad ruts and spells where their offense doesn't stream together hits and they don't hit with runners in scoring position. But if things all click, this, this can be such a good team. Yeah, we've been saying the same thing all year. The talents there. They're, you've got kind of all three facets of the game. You'd want to be good. You have a rotation you mostly trust. A lineup that is intimidating. You have a bullpen you mostly trust, I think. I haven't checked the stats in a minute.

Let's see. They've got to be blowing it somewhere. But yeah, they're not a team you'll want to face. Just the record has not reflected that, but they're something about them. They just are alive. Like if I told you right now, okay, everyone's equal. Start with an O&O record. And you have the Padres, the Diamondbacks, the Marlins, the Reds, and the Cubs,

which is essentially what we're considering the race for the last NO wildcard spot, right? Yeah. Like, wouldn't the Padres be like one of the first choices from those teams? Yeah, it feels like they'd be the family feud first choice, maybe some people. Oh, the casual first choice? I think so. A little bit. And for you, a man that is co-hosting one of the greatest baseball shows to ever be done, what do you think?

Who would you pick there? Those five teams? They would be. Potters would get picked pretty early in the process. The way the Cubs have been playing for a while, and I believe in their lineup and a lot of their guys, they might be the first team, I'd say, as getting that last spot. but I would If they were an even record from this From right now

What I would predict the rest of the way Would be I would I would pick the Padres over The Reds and D-backs Right now Just Because even even the guys on the Padres Some of them have been there and done that

Made playoff runs and All that most of them have Oh boy With this team Oh boy I mean I agree I think it might be Cubs

There might be I think I might go Padres one to be honest with you i it's such an interesting this this is this wild car wild card race is going to be so fun um because you have like you know the different cast of characters you have the podres you like probably should be there with what they did in the offseason and then and the money they have into their roster and some of the names uh and then a bunch of other teams there's like playing kind of the new brand of baseball you know young kids coming up taking advantage of the

disengagement rule like stealing bags like fun young teams with some really young superstars. It's going to be a really fun race. Yeah, they're they've been fascinating all year. The silver lining on them just as a whole is basically everybody is fully locked up. Like this is the crew you'll have and sometimes

having a year like this long term when a group going to be together that can help and you get more comfortable with each other as it goes. So I don't know. So the Orioles keep going. Yeah, they still have. You didn't get swept.

Didn't get swept. I believe a two-game lead in the East. Right now you're the one seed. Yes. The one seed in the AL. The next ones are going to go quick. A's at St. Louis. We're probably going to skip

over here. Cardinals take two or three. Anybody we need to mention here? I don't know. Goldie hits a homer. Jordan Walker has a nice game in the first one. Goldie just had a good series here. I'm going to be talking about Zach Gullof in a little bit.

We can probably skip this one. Shout out Lawrence Butler. My guy hits his first homer with the A's. I DM him quite frequently now. He's a stud. Bigger picture for off-season topic. Cardinals will be after some starting pitching this winter. Shocker. Three. Three of them. Yep. Okay. I mean, hey, look, the Rangers did it. So why can't the Cardinals do it?

Go by our rotation. Next series is a little bit of a, what is you doing? Baby, like I mentioned, the Red Sox who are trying to keep pace with the Mariners, they lose two out of three. This is more on the Nationals playing good baseball, I think, than the Red Sox playing bad baseball. They've kind of like been pretty hot, I believe. The Nationals, are there some stats in here that I saw about them going off? I mean, in general, we did our over under episode. They're, you know, barring something crazy. It seems like they're going to cruise past their over under line.

They've won 13 of 16 at home. They're 20 and 13 since July 8th. That was my birthday. 20 and 13 since what? July 8th. There we go, Nats. playing a decent brand of ball they're like yeah

they're a game behind the Mets right now oh that's so awesome you know for them Khybert Ruiz does his thing CJ Abrams has been getting it going I think a lot of people are really enjoying watching him play enjoying Menesis has a five ribby day

um not much to go in here I still I still fully believe in this Red Sox team as well but they got some some ground to make up now. Because the Mariners are kind of soaring. They are three games behind the Mariners,

three and a half games behind Toronto, but still very, very doable. Very doable. You're the trailing team in this race, but definitely in play. I do just think the Red Sox will be playing compelling baseball down the stretch. That said,

Boston fans, I'm certain you wish you got at least one more in this set because two out of three to the Nats, I know we've just said some nice things about them and how they've played well for a month, month and a half now. But that's a team you go into that series wanting to win. Yankees have them coming up next week. Nationals, just in general, I think the young guys that they,

that Nats fans are interested in have all given them what they want. They're creating the optimism. that I think Nats fans are looking for between Abrams and Gore and Josiah Gray I think has been struggling of late but on the year he's been good. The guys that were important for this season and the franchise's outlook have largely done what you want.

Now, Trevor Story went hitless in this series for the Red Sox. I want to look at what his game log looks like. It can't be very many games. This is what is second series back, maybe 30. Yeah. 31 at bats this year. I had a 4-4-4 game, August 13th against Detroit.

Another good game, August 11th versus Detroit. Okay, he's just getting his footing done. That's going to help the Red Sox out a lot once he gets the stick going. Yeah, it's still very early in his process. But this all, you know, it's not bad. Playing, he's only played shortstop, too, last year. zero shortstop played. So he's back in a position

he's comfortable. Shout out Luis Arias, first career grand slam. Shout out CJ Abrams, who got to 30 stolen bases on the year. Joins some fun players to steal 30 bags. I'm going to list them off right now. It is T. Turner, who did it four times. Alfonso Soriano, DeNard Span, and

T. Plush, Niger Morgan. That's a blast from the past. familiar with T. Plush and Niger Morgan? Like, you remember all those things he did. Yeah, he was, he was a wild man. And actually, the Nats record is better than we said it updated after the last game, 14 of 17 at home, 21 and 13 since July. Damn.

So I was a game off. I'm sorry. He plush, dude. That's a blast in the past for me. He's a great game. He was in a fall league together. Yes. He was a name that popped up on the, when we deep dove on that team.

Yeah. Okay, the last three series here are all two games. I believe they all got split. So we'll go through these quickly. Phillies split with the Blue Jays. A nice pitching matchup in game one, Wheeler versus Kikuchi. Kukuchi's been nasty. Wheeler's is nasty. Whitmerfield scores two runs for the Blue Jays. They went two to one. And then the second game, Harper kind of goes off. Him and Jake Cave. Harper has the two homers. It was his, First multi-home run game of the season. We've talked about his lack of slug this year. This is exactly what the Phillies need to get going. They win that second one nine for it. Again, Nola, not a great start, not a great year so far. The numbers are not there. Kevin Gossman, who was lights out coming into this game.

You got hit a little bit. And that's what scares you about this Phillies team is They don't give a shit who's on the mound. At any given moment, they can put up seven, eight, nine, ten runs. And that's why they're scared because they can mix that with some really good starting pitching from time to time. That team, again, another team you just aren't going to enjoy facing if you've got yourself lined up against them in a playoff set. Yeah, both these teams going to. be in the playoffs we think

Toronto holding on to that last spot am I right now the last spot I believe right now they still possess the final spot they are yes but they're half game half game up on the Mariners I think have I think have the more favorable schedule

and slightly better juice going that'll be a good race another team I'm like man you guys just need to go you're too good Kevin Biggio how about that gets hit in the foot with bases loaded to put the go-ahead run there. That's kind of a heartbreaker if you're a Phillies fan.

Blue Jays, 24 and 12 in Interleague play after that first game. Okay. I don't know if it was on this show we mentioned. You said Kuchy? I don't think it was. I think that was on baseball today. I think so. He has 13 starts of one or fewer runs allowed, leads the big leagues in that category.

Yeah, he's putting together his best big league season. That's nice to see. Guardians at Reds. Guardians won the first game. Stephen Kwan, Jose Ramirez, both have nice games offensively. Logan Allen does his thing. In the second game, the Reds win that one seven to two. McLean goes three for five with a homer.

Stuart Fairchild goes two for four with the homer. T.J. Fradle has some nice catches. And goes three for five with three runs scored as they win that one. In convincing fashion, they take Sindigard and Abbott does his thing. So they split that series. Again, Guardians are just like going to be 500. Twins need to take advantage of that. They have not done that yet.

Guardians are still in play for the AL Central, even though they're not really giving their best full effort. Yeah, they have some talent. They've got, they're in play there, but it feels like top down, not going for it. I don't know why. It's weird, and they have, their pitching has been great. It's all young pitchers because that's exactly what you'd expect from Cleveland.

That's what they do. Since the All-Star break, best ERA in the big leagues, 2,7, 3, and it's been a lot of rookies. They traded away, Sevali. And then Curry coming into it. And I don't know, man. Cleveland fans get mad at me because they think I'm not really talking about their team correctly, but I believe I am

and they're just not willing to admit it. I know these guys are young. I know that they're going to have innings limits and that's their organization's way of handling it. Fine. I just... It largely works for the franchise, so who am I to fully doubt it?

But it feels like you have opportunities. Shouldn't just kind of punt on it, which is from an outsider, feels like Cleveland is doing. Sure. And the last series, White Sox Cubs, they split. I mentioned

Law Pantara hits a freaking bomb, has some stuff to say to the Rigby crowd about it. They win the first game, five to three. They look like they're going to sweep this one, Beaver's. And then Chris Morel says, nah, I'm good, walk off three-run Homer. He goes nuts. He goes nuts.

Awesome. And that was, you know, the White Sox had a chance to sweet because Clevenger goes 70s pitch as you earned runs, but not enough. Magical, pinch hit, home run, and then Chris Morel doing his thing. The Cubs seem to have some sort of that magic that teams need to go on these runs like they've gone on.

Yeah, they're a... That was a big one. You don't want to get swept, even if it's a two-game set. Don't want to get swept. by the White Sox when you're the Cubs trying to lock down a playoff spot and they get they get a big one out of out of Christopher Morel who is a joy to watch. He is a joy to watch. Another person that's been really, really good for the Cubs who like probably doesn't get enough love and had a big series and a big outing. And this one was Michael Former, a 165 ERA over his last 30 appearances as the setup man for the Cubs.

I mean, that's, we talk about all the time what I want in my team. team if I'm building a roster. I want a bunch of Cubans. Love me some Cuban ball players. I want some veterans on that team. I need a good clubhouse. Then I want some young fast guys. You know what else I want?

What else you want? A back end of the bullpen. I can trust. When we get leads, I want you three guys to go just finish the game. And honestly, I don't even care what order it happens.

Do we need a closure, guys? Can we just do a three-headed thing and we'll mix a match? That's what I want. Cubs have that right now, and Fulmer's a big part of that. Yeah, that's awesome. 20 of 30 games in the second half, Beaver's the Cubs have won. Sheesh.

Yeah, Fulmer figured it back out again. He after, you know, comes over from Detroit this offseason, right? And he, it was a slow start for him. He was getting hit around early, but he is fully locked in from June on. He's been lights out for them. So that's been a big part of their. turn around. Holy schnike.

We did it. We got through the Interleague. Now it's time to enter the second half of the show. And that always starts off with

Standout performance. Beaver's, I'll let you go first. Trev, I have a standout that I'm pretty excited about.

I'm going to our Baltimore. Baltimore and Padres' series. Padres win two out of three, the one game they lose. Monday. Grayson Rodriguez, seven innings pitched, three-hitter, one earned run. Believe it was just a little solo shot.

One walk, six K's, gets the win. Only throws 95 pitches, so it was efficient as well. And this is a little more all-encompassing. He struggled in his first taste of the big leagues, as many do. uh in his six starts since coming back up in July 35.2 innings pitched he's got a 330 a 2.9 5.5 FIP opponents are hitting 195 against him for 517 OPS they're not slugging only giving up the one homer and that was this week uh even even you can butter knife even further uh because that first start was I think five innings four earned you're not going to brag about that it's got a

two three five er a in the last five starts 30 innings pitch so He's a guy that has figured it out. We've talked a lot about the clear weakness, identity-wise, of this Orioles team is not having the front-end rotation talent. And Grayson is, we always thought, the plan is to have him develop into that. But he might be just about there. He's been really doing it. Gotta imagine he's in their playoff plans a little bit.

he has been as you mentioned with all those stats absolutely lights out as of late and you're totally right you know we always talk about this orio's team and hey man they need these starters and you know he didn't start out great this year he's obviously turned it on um this orio's team is very very fun to watch and gracing you're right grace ron riguez if they do make a deep run postseason wise he's 100% going to be a part of it. For me, who you got? Where were you when Zach Gullough made his

major league debut? That's what I want to know, Beaver's. Do you know? Where were you on July 14th? July 14th? Ooh, I think we were back from Seattle at that point, right? We were. This was the first series after the All-Star break. I was

there at the game when he made his debut. And it was him and Soderstrom. They made it together and Gulloff was kind of like the afterthoughted. A lot of people were looking at Soderstrom and saying, okay, this guy's going to be it, he's going to be the guy and he looked good too, but Gullof has been absolutely incredible to start his big league career. On Wednesday, 816, he went 4 for 5 with two doubles, two ribbies, a run, and a stolen

base. His line on the year is absolutely nuts. 294, 353, 633 for a 986 open. A 176 OPS plus. In 109 at Bat, Bieber, he's already racked up 1.4 baseball reference war. He's got eight homers,

seven stolen bases. It's really been, it's fun to watch. He's listed as 6-2. He doesn't look 6-2. I was just about to say, how tall is this, dude? He wears the high pants.

So I think maybe that cuts him off a little bit. But what I see and what I've seen from Zach is an absolute athlete out there. He's got all the fast-twitch muscles. He does everything quickly. Everything seems powerful. And to start your career,

the way he started this career, especially when you're on a team like the A's. Now, for him, he knows he's going to be playing. So, you know, at a certain point, you know, you feel good about that, hey, doesn't matter if I struggle or not. I'm probably still going to get at bats.

But this guy hasn't struggled at all. I mentioned all the numbers that he has. They're incredible for anybody to have those, but especially a 23-year-old rookie to come up and do the things he's done is really impressive. He's actually went to high school in Delaware. So shout out Delaware. Delaware guy.

Yeah. You know, I have some fun facts about Zach Gelloff. He, uh, he has a brother in the, Dodgers system. He's going to be a stud too. Both of them were the 60th overall picking the draft second rounders. So I'm calling a little funny business there. But yeah, A's Dodgers, that's fun.

The two Gell-off boys from Delaware. And they have something in common with me. We're all Jewish athletes. Oh. My guys. He's part of the tribe. He's in the tribe, baby. So Jake and Zach Gelloff, big fan of you guys.

I'm buying a lot of stock. You're kind of carrying us for a bit. I need to add that to my dream roster. Some Cuban ballplayers. I need a Jewish ballplayer. You need one. One of my favorites growing up with Sean Green. And so, like, I'm in for that.

I'm in for that. You need to mix in. Learning his name was Jake was also a little funny business. is Zach's brother. Jake was in the room with me when I found that out. That freaked me out. It was right after we did all the Jake shoutouts on this show. So, I don't know, another Jake on the way.

I love the Jewish religion. I do. I grew up with a ton of Jewish friends who were always welcoming and inviting me over to all the Jewish holidays, which there kind of are a lot. There's a lot of them. And so I'm fond of it. A lot of people out here that,

I know, have like kind of like mixed parents. They do the, they do Jewish religion, uh, holidays and also celebrate Christian holidays. So like, I'm like, how does that work for you guys? Just get everything. The tree and the menorah, you can do both. Apparently wasn't, that wasn't me. You weren't allowed to do that. Oh, yeah.

We picked aside. A lot of other guys we could have mentioned, Gary Sanchez, uh, he had the, the, the grand, slam against Flaherty, Harold Ramirez, had a big game for the race, Rosario, Simeon, Babuitt, Jr., Marcelo Zuna, Riley Green. All those guys could have mentioned, but they weren't.

Some of them are coming up. Some of them are coming up. And the next part of our show is... Dirt Nasty's on Fuego. That means I'm on fire, baby, like Waco. I love doing Fuego, because we get to highlight the guys we need to highlight. Some of these guys we've already talked about

like Christian Walker, 6 for 11 in the series with the four homers, 22 homers against Colorado with 13 being at Coorsfield. He's tied with Max Muncie for the most homers of any active visiting player at Coorsfield since 2018. That's a butter knife stat if I've ever heard one. But Christian Walker is a absolute stud. Julio Rodriguez has been going off

and he single-handedly won them. four-game set. 12 for 21, three doubles a homer. He had 11 runs batted in in the series. He had 12 hits, like I mentioned, in that four-game set, that set a franchise record for any series. He's the first Seattle player with at least 20 homers in each of his first two seasons. You could go on and on about this guy.

He's a stud. DJ Stewart outfielder for the Mets, four for six. Only two games played in this one, but three of those were homers. He wants to buy diapers for his kids. for the week of August 11th through August 17th. Riley Green mentioned him a little bit. 10 for 22, two doubles, two homers, seven ribbies. How about Nelson Velasquez for the Royals?

He goes eight for 23. Four of those hits were homers, five ribbies, nine career homers and 214 at bats with Chicago Cubs. He has four already in only 23 at bats with Kansas City just a week after being acquired. and your old friend Eraldus Chapman had a nice week four games pitched in four innings pitched

no runs, two hits, 8Ks, in his last 21 innings pitch he's only allowed an earned run in one of those appearances so 21 games he's only allowed an earned run in one of those appearances has a 129 ERA and 40Ks in those 21 innings pitch

he's holy crap looking like primer rolled us holy snikies good job Rangers on going out and getting him early on any team could have had this guy he was on the royals for god's sake everyone knew he was being traded at some point what were teams thinking not going out and getting this guy yeah team like that that was fully out of it like you knew they were going to trade their dudes call him up oh my okay for the two weeks august third through august 17 Brian Reynolds of the Pittsburgh Pirates 19 for 61 six homers 10 rick That's a one daughter over that time. Max Scherzer, another guy. Hey, great job, Rangers. You went out and did it.

Three games started within that time frame. 20 innings pitch, four earned runs for a 1.8 ERA and a 0.8 whip. He's a stud. How about Luis? Or excuse me, not Luis Urius. Julio Urius for the Dodgers. He had a bad July. But in these three games, the last three games,

18 innings pitch, three earned runs, 22Ks for a 1-5. ERA. He had a 623 ERA in July and only has a 1-5 in August. So he's turned things around. And that, my friends, is whose Enfuego. You want to the IEL real quick? Before we get into the last section of the show. Injury updates. Start with the bad stuff. Place on the IL. Stephen Matz. Uh, G. Mani-Mas Choi. He's a fun guy. Mani Marco goes on the aisle J.J. Bladay, Willie Castro for your Twinkies. Ozzy Albies, that one you get noticed for. But they've got Nikki Lopez just ready to step in and never get out again.

That's some funny business. Tom Murphy in Seattle. Nolan Gorman hits the IL. Mets, you lose Mark Viantos. That's a guy you wanted to watch the rest of this year. Returning from the IL. Aaron Hicks, Charlie Blackman. Nice.

A couple outfielder's I like. Jordan Romano gets back for Toronto That's big Hunter Harvey's back for the Nats Michael Waka That's not going to be important for the Padres Royce Lewis returns I like that you like that Oh

Kittridge comes back too That's guy I haven't gotten to think about in a while And those are your big injury updates Nice Beers hit the awards button real quick just for fun Awards Shout out Kelson Casey I think it's a package deal now

We just got a shout out case. By law. Why not? By law. Always shouting out case. I believe they're both together in Colorado. The Instagram stories are correct. Seems like they're having a good week.

That's fun. Newly weds. What's not fun about being a newlywed? We aren't doing awards today because it is Friday. It's August 18th. We got Bebbers on the main mic. So that means one thing and one thing only. It is the stimulator.

simulator and please Bieber's hit that freaking Oh it's bombed. Oh my goodness and I think we've got some good matchups here so I can't wait to see what you'd do. We are going to start off in the American League as the Twins

host the Blue Jays in a wild card matchup. Who do you got moving on from that? I'm in on the Twins baby. They not only win their first playoff game in two decades, They get their first series win. Two wins.

In a couple decades. I like that. Two wins. Stay in the American League. The other wild card matchup, Tampa Bay hosting the Houston Astro. How about your wild card matchup? Ooh, Astros. Astros moving on to face Baltimore.

We'll move over to the National League side now. There are some teams tied, but the Cubs have the tiebreaker here. So they will be in Milwaukee. to take on the brew crew in a wild card set. Who moves on there? It's the brew crew. Milwaukee says we are the toast of the town. They take that one.

Now, Philly host the Giants in a wild card matchup to face the Braves. Who wins that one? Who gets to face the Atlanta Braves? It's Philly. Wow, I thought you were going to go with the Giants there. Surprise me. I was almost ready to write that down, but she went Philly.

Okay, so now, back to the American League. We have Minnesota. They go down to Texas for the divisional series. Who wins that one? It's the Texas Rangers. Texas moves on to take my twins out. Staying in the AL, it's Houston. Matching up against Baltimore, the number one seed.

These are two orange teams. Houston season begins in the ALCS. Houston, moves on and we got an all Texas CS. In the AL, back to the NL. Milwaukee has to travel to face the Dodgers in L.A. Who moves on to the NLCS? I think we just got a taste of it and it's the Dodgers.

Yeah, I'd agree with that one too. Philadelphia goes into Atlanta. Big series. Who moves on to face the Dodgers? Philly with a stunner. Wow. All that work for nothing, Braves. Too much resting. All right. Two big Cs is here.

I like the way this is matched up in the A.L. Texas hosts the Houston Astros. Rangers make it. The Texas Rangers get to the World Series. And who are they matching up against L.A. hosting the Phillies? It's the Dodgers. The Dodgers are inevitable. Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers World Series.

The winner of the 2023 World Series is a few years ago. World Series was played in Texas. The Dodgers got to win a World Series in Texas. They would love to do that again, celebrate in the same place. But it is the Texas Rangers. Winning the World Series. The Texas Rangers, your 2023 World Series champs. My goodness.

What a way to enter the weekend, Devers. Let's have a good weekend, everybody. Unbelievable. The Rangers shock the world. Expectations changed. Chick sucks. I believe Jake we back on Monday for the show. I appreciate people.

I know we've been kind of inconsistent with all of the hosts, but we're doing our best over here in the dog days of August. Me and Beavers are animals. Thank you to Jose Siri. Great work, Jose. Producing. Way to go. Great work. We'll see you guys on Monday. Subscribe if you want.