Talkin' Baseball (MLB Podcast) - Recapping the First Week of Baseball + More Extensions! | 996

Episode Date: April 4, 2025

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Hello and welcome to talking baseball. The most impressive teams of the first week of the season, maybe the worst team. We got a ton of extensions and let's talk ball this first week. We're so bad. Going to Cubs opening day today? Show to us. Rep Butler. Hello and welcome to talking baseball presented you by seat geek.

Go see your team. Come out to beautiful Wrigley today. and come say hi to Little Poppy. You can hear it in my voice. We'll talk about it a little bit if you have no idea. We flights got broke and out and employees in a van driving overnight to get to Chicago for our live show with Jolly. Jolly, the only person that never sat in the front seats while we were driving back, never drove or took the life card chair. Anyways, go to see geek.

use code talking 2025 go to a game baseball is back i cannot wait to see the good people of chicago today wherever you are wherever their seats are use talking 2025 save 10% off your next set of tickets at seeke talking 2025 coach i need my guy how are you you do need me we face time last night after the live show me you and ila she hates jolly as well it's just yeah i can get it, man, you know, but happy you guys are there safe. I'm excited for you to go to Rigley. Obviously, is a beautiful place. I do want the people to know. I offered last night to send you some money, $200 to go buy Ian Hap, his ball of wine that I've owed him for five years. And you said no. Yes. So it's kind of on me, but also kind of on you now. You share the

burden. So shame. Shame on you. You put a little bit of blood on my hands. But it was also 10 p.m. in Chicago after I literally didn't sleep the night before. So I'm going to go and pick out a bottle of nice wine for you and a half. I can't pick out a bottle of nice wine. I don't know what time they stop selling booze. And what am I going to do with it? I'm going to show up to the gate on opening day and be like, no, I know Ian. You've got a breathless.

You're going in the clubhouse. That's why we're recording at 5.30 a.m. Pacific time. You know what, coach, it's time. We got to start talking ball. with the people. Nobody wants to hear the sob story. You know what I'm saying? Then let's talk.

Now we're over yesterday in the weekend. We're on a live show and have a good time with the people. And again, like we've told everyone this year, we're going to try some new segments. We're going to try a different approach. This one, the first week is here.

We have two teams that are clearly playing over their skis that I think they deserve love. Or maybe they're not because the Dodgers are undefeated and the Padres. And then we'll circle up the Atlanta Braves, who I think you and I, during TPPs and getting ready for the season, we were like, yo, wait, the Braves are back.

They have had the worst start to the season that could possibly happen, literally wins and losses wise, jerks and pro far wise. Let's get there in a second. Coach Trev, you're my West Coast guy. You are selling us on California for no reason right before we started recording me and rob were just kind of like what is this Dodgers are undefeated shell hey with the walkoff and

they're the best on a lot of fronts and meanwhile this Padres team that they didn't get a lot of their offseason work done until late we're getting sucked into my snakes the Giants should probably be mentioned in this segment but they ain't undefeated like the two bad boys out west so with that if you want Dodgers or Padres coach Yeah, I mean, obviously this is about as good as it can happen for both of those teams. I think Padre's fans are obviously very excited because, yeah, during the off season, there was a lot of talk about what's going on with this team.

Oh, my gosh, we owe a bunch of money. Ownership is in shambles, you know, who's going to be the control person. We were kind of focusing on almost all the wrong things. There was some trade rumors out there. But the entire time, and we said this on the show, like the roster is still there. They still have superstars on this team. They still have a bunch of guys that can play ball. The Dodgers, for all the shit they talked about the Yankees in the postseason,

do you remember what they said about the Padres? They felt like that was their World Series. Like that was the team that they had to beat. So, like, we just got completely swept up in a bunch of BS stories. When in reality, if you look at this team, I mean, they're locked up. Like, they have a squad there. that's actually going to be there for quite some time. Some of the pitching maybe isn't going to be there.

But they've come off and just, they've been great. There's no doubt about it. We can talk about a little bit later. We'll talk about the Jackson Merrill extension and what he's been able to bring to the club. But Tatis is one dotting it. Jackson's one totting. Gavin Sheets, who you might talk about later, is one dotting it.

Jake Croninworth with an OPS in the 900s. I mean, they have a squad. And the bullpen's absolutely filthy. Like, they have a ton of guys they can bring in high leverage situations. So talk what you want about the starting pitching. And some of these guys aren't, you know, maybe guys that you talk about, like the way you were with the Philly staff. But the job has been getting done. The Dodgers, on the other hand, they feel absolutely inevitable.

And the game against the Braves where Shohay walked him off. You know, I believe they were down five nothing at one point. But it just didn't. You just knew. You just knew. something was going to happen. And the Braves tried everything that they could do to win that game.

Max Muncie comes up big. Shohay hits the big homer. And for them, they really haven't even played like great baseball yet. I don't think the Dodgers. You know, they've had some good starting pitching. Most of the guys Roki struggled a little bit, but their pitching has been good.

Offensively, they've been all right. Like, Mookie's been a stud. And then Shohay has done his thing. But I think they're still I think there's still room to grow for the Dodgers, which is kind of crazy. We talked about them in our TPPs and whatever their over-under was, 103 and a half. What did we take? Do we take the over or the under on that?

Rob's saying over, which I would have gotten wrong just because I remember 103. I think we both looked at the roster and were like, oh, yes. Like, okay. They are, this is without Freddie. He's on the I.L. Like there's just, they have reinforcements coming back. We saw Dustin May come back and looked absolutely nasty. People, it's just the, the amount of weapons the Dodgers have, it's, it's unheard of.

So we have these two teams who we just talk about who are absolutely, you know, busing out of the gate and who have the Braves played on the road. It's these two teams who've gotten off to great starts. So like, this is almost like, what came first, the chicken or the egg? Like, are these teams undefeated because they're really good? Or are they undefeated because they played the Braves? Are the Braves winless because they're bad? Or are they winless because they play these two teams that are really hot?

I think the answer is like somewhere kind of in the middle there. Braves have been absolutely atrocious offensively. They are one, is it one for 34 with? runners in scoring position to start the year. Is that with the number? That's not what you want. One for 35 entering Wednesday night. There are one for 35.

That's insane. That's how you go 0 and 7. And now there's never been a postseason team that started 0.7, Jake. And this team, can you imagine, like, this Braves team is a collection of players. Like, forget about jerks and pro far and all of that. like even without him. You know, we're hoping to Kuna

comes back and is who he is. Strider needs to come back, all these things. Can you imagine them not in the place? I really can't. Like, I thought they were a lock to make the playoffs, Jay. Last year got closer than we realized

with the Braves, Mets, final day of the season. That was with two major injuries. Right, but I guess our baseball brains let us, like, Austin Riley and Matt Olson weren't themselves last year. Like they had very nice seasons for a lot of Major League baseball players

for where Matt Olson and Austin Riley set the bar. Ozzy Albi's got her last year. And I guess the thing for the Braves that's getting me is we've given them credit as one of the pitching teams. And a lot of people are in on Schwellenbach. And it seems right. Like he looks gross. Grant Holmes's hair.

I kind of can't deal with it. That's seven. an O hair that's not O and seven hair, which again, shouldn't be a reflection on him. Just how many times have we talked and said the NL's a beast? And once we actually got in there this year, it was even more of a beast. And I, dude, I want to talk a little San Francisco Giants because they're, I labeled them my dirty little secret team. They're out winning some games.

And it's, you look at the pitching and I guess here's the difference. The Dodgers, you said, And Mookie Betts is going. Will Smith is banging the ball around the yard. Like, let's get a daisy pedal, Will Smith. Keep it up for a few more. Everywhere you look on the Dodgers, there's high-end talent that, you know, I know Muncie took a little bit to click and get going.

He's got a couple big swings. And the scary thing for me is how many games of the Dodgers won that they were down 1020-0? Like normally, even if you're a great team, that phases you a little bit, right? Like, oh, here comes their bullpen. and they are unfazed. And like, it was what you were saying. Have they played great baseball yet?

I don't know. It may be, but it's overshadowed by the fact, here comes Shohei in the ninth, and don't put that change up reachable. And it was, and it's a walkoff and inevitable. Great call by our guy, Stephen Nelson, that I guess the Dodgers, for me, once we had that realization,

you see a lot of great teams. They don't always have, bullpen, rotation, and lineup. They could be the best at all of that. We're probably going to say that a lot this year. For me, the Padres, dude, did iron sharpen iron? Did we get bored with the offseason too quickly? The Yankees who got crushed for World Series Game 5, bro, can't field, can't catch the ball.

What's going on? The Padres had them 2-1. They were about to do it. Their division rival, them down for two days. And I think the Pavetta signing at the end, some of these depth signings for the Padres that we didn't know how it was going to go. I mean, Gavin Sheets, when we saw him on a team profile in projection, you're like, okay, we could do the, hey, get some white socks off of you and, you know, this guy was a good prospect. You could do that with every

pro baseball player. I don't know. The him Hayward chipping in, is that more important for the Padres or the fact that their dudes are dudes. Because the only one who's not really going is riots, but he showed some signs at the end of the series. For as good as the Dodgers and the Padres have been, we haven't even really talked about the Giants who are five and one or have been errorless through the six games. We know what their defense can do.

They're about as solid as a ball club as you can have. So I want to get into them a little bit. But Jake, I want you to do something for me. Just give me a guess on what you think the Atlanta Braves team OPSs. The Atlanta Brave, slow start to the season, team OPS 621. 485. No.

Coach, they're hitting 151, 251, 251, 234 for a grand total of 485, right above my twins, who are just abysmal offensively right now, and they have a 534 OPS. So things just haven't gone their way offensively. know. Like we haven't even talked about Renaudo Lopez going on the IL. So maybe look, we I don't know, man. We had two big

injuries last year with Acuna and Strider. Still made the playoffs with 89 wins. This year we're going to get Acuna back. I think in May. That's what they're saying. Strider's on his way back. But now you have Jerks and ProFar who was suspended for 80 games for testing

positive for a masking agent, which you know brings into question a lot of things that he's done in the past. So that's be considered one big see you later. And then yeah, Renauda Lopez now. So is this going to be a continual thing?

Like if this like a Cooney has to come back and save this team. Is that the narrative? Like that shouldn't be that way. This lineup is littered with good players. It shouldn't feel that way. But right now that's kind of how we're feeling. It's funny that we end up spinning

had an optimistic way a couple weeks ago where for me, I was, hey, if the Braves get off to a 500 start and it's May 15th and here comes Ronald and Strider's back, you almost get two instant baseball adrenaline hits that it's like, hey, whenever we go through this, again, a normal good team, let's keep the Dodgers aside right now. A normal good baseball team has like two great months and then you can be 500. the rest of the way and that's you can win 92 games that way. So for the Braves, that was almost the spin zone. A lot of stuff went bad last year and they're going to get these two studs back. You never thought 0 and 7 and I guess it's still early enough that, man, they could win tonight and they have a party and it's, it's off. Here come the Braves. Let's start winning some games.

Maybe the Dodgers and Padres are really good and that's who they played. and the season just got started, and Rice LaGlacios gets got by show. It could have obviously went different quick, but this NL is loaded, and you can't tell Braves fans, you shouldn't be panicking. But at some point, we've got to start winning ball games. There's a lot of good NLT.

If we are saying, go Giants, Wilmer Flores is bopping the ball around the park. if another NL team joins the dance, which we didn't even really dream of, you know, two and a half central teams, the San Francisco Giants, whoever else it is,

if they join the party, that means there's a third NL team that's not going to the postseason that thinks they're a World Series team. Yeah, I mean, I want to get into the Giants a little bit, and it's a great point by you.

And we talked about it all off season. There's only six spots to go in the NL. And that's, you know, then you look at the NL and it's like, okay, well, there's three division winner. So then there's just three spots left. And there's a lot of teams vying for that. There's four teams over 500 in the NOS right now.

And like I understand it's a week into the season. But these are four teams we, at least three teams we fully expect to be there, especially with the Padres the way they started. But I think that the giants were one we kind of were on the fence about. And I really do believe they've been kind of hard to like project. over the last couple years. And I want to give them credit. And then they kind of, you know,

I feel like they've been middling. And then this offseason, obviously, they go out and swing big, get Willie Adomas there. And things have just been really working out for them. Again, they really haven't been crushing the ball or playing their best ball offensively, but they're run preventing. And again, their bullpen has been lights out,

and they've been getting the pitching. And they just, they're winning games. They're getting the hit when they need to get the hit. They're moving. runners. Like I said, they're, they're run preventing. So now you can dream like Elliot Ramos. That was a guy that, you know, we looked at last year and obviously it was a stud. And I think you and I are both on the same page and we're like, okay, go do it again. Like, let's see what you can do. Can't just like, anoint these guys after one year. We've seen it too many times. But if he's a dude,

that changes the entire, you know, way we look at the giants. And right now he's one. dotting it. Zhang Hu Li has got an 825 OPS playing in center field. That's the kind of production that you just don't see too much in center field these days. So, you know, those guys are studs. Then we're talking about a Giants team that has to be in the discussion for a playoff spot.

I mean, Jordan Hicks looks absolutely nasty. He's out of a bunch of V-Lifted his fastball, although that was kind of the case last year as well. Enoseres has a great article out right now about some of the guys that have ticked up in their stuff and he is one of them, although it tailed off a little bit last year, but they just seem to, I think they have, going back to 2021, we used to talk about the Giants coaching staff. Do you remember that? No, 1007 games. I do think, yeah, I do think they have a very, I think they are very good at finding, not weaknesses,

but a place where improvements can happen. And we're kind of seeing it in real time here. So the Giants deserve a huge shout-out. N.L. West looks to be a beast. And then for the Braves, I'm going to say it right now, Jake. It's April 4th, their own seven. Okay. Stock market is the real stock market.

Here we go. In shambles. Tariffs everywhere. Just like I'm telling the people right now on the other side, like probably a good time to buy. I'm buying Brave stock. I'm buying it. Give me Ronald Lacuna back in May. Let him run off a 19 and 6 month.

And then we'll talk about them. I guarantee they'll be in the race. It's 0 and 7. No teams made the playoffs. I don't give a shit about that. I don't care. You know, this is baseball where crazy things happen all the time.

Ask Jason Stark about how crazy baseball is. Or Tim Kirchin, get those guys excited about how crazy baseball is. I'm buying Brave stock. There's just no. way the offense continues to be like this. The pitching staff definitely taking a hit right now, but

reinforcements are on the way. I got the brays being in the race, Jake. I'm not out on them. Right before the season, I can't believe I'm using stocks as an example, because as you know, my portfolio is mostly one silver stock. I bought just

to get the reaction. The playoffs are expanded. So when you say a stat, like a no team has ever gone and seven, it's like, well, now we got more spots. So that number can change really quick, especially with the Braves team. Trev, some people don't believe it. I guess for you, it's a lot easier because there's really no dog in the fight.

When we got to it and we're doing our preseason prediction episode, like we're about to do opening day, you and me, hey, let's pick the actual playoff teams. If we got to do it, what do we got? You and me didn't have the Mets in the postseason. And that's nothing to do with their offseason or their previous year where they went six games with the Dodgers in the NLCS. And then they got one Soto. They brought in some arms that we discussed of how much you like them for the rotation necessarily. But also with that Brewer's lineage and what they're trying to do, it's just a long way of saying the NL's loaded, Braves.

Don't let this linger too long, man. Because Houston, how many times last year do we do? Is Houston dead? Is Houston dead? They weren't. They turned it around. The AL is a little different. That division's a little different.

Bravo's have to start going. And I guess for me, and maybe this is where they're getting hurt, for the other teams for who's done great, who hasn't, Toronto Blue Jays should get a little shout out. They're five and two. You know how big I've been on that for them. your guy Bobauchette this year. A massive season for him trying to keep Vladie,

the whole Toronto thing. Andres Jimenez is a slugger now. Everyone was laughing. He was bad in cleanup. He's in the ball around the park. When you do the teams struggling out of the gate or in this first week, like Dalton just putting together a sheet for us

has the three and four Red Sox, the three and four Astros. And it's like, that's a week of baseball. That's nothing. Oh, and seven, that's something. It's a little bit different. Yeah, the NL is a beast. And I think you're ready for our little fire,

a little burn pop. Trev, I am, and it's all brought to you by where we are right now. Best Western baby. Where we currently are is awesome. We're steps away from Wrigley, walking distance. We went there for our live event last night.

We're going to be there in a minute. Me and Rob are not ready. I think we'll just get out in front of that. If you've watched enough talking baseball, you know how my voice works. You know how our crazy overnight travel was. Best Western, when we got here, they were set up for us. The hotel has been the safest place I've been for two days now. And that's not shots fired at Chicago.

That's just a mental status for us. What about on the way, stopping at another base? Best Western. Yes. Best Western fingerprints all over this trip. There is some 3 a.m. footage of us at a Best Western in the middle of Pennsylvania that if that comes

out, I don't care of you though. It'll be good supplemental footage. Whatever life sends your way when you're traveling. Your flight gets canceled and you have to drive halfway across the country. Best Western was our next two stops.

Go check out Best Western. Wherever you are, there's probably a Best Western round because they've got 4,000 hotels worldwide. Life's a trip. Make the most of it at bestwestern.com. Best Western.com. In the beautiful National League, we obviously start with the Kansas City Royals. They played the Milwaukee Brewers and the Brewers. They end up taking two out of three. The last one comes in extra Calragans, Freddie Peralta.

That last game, buckle up. get back after it after everyone was just rocking their slow forcing fastballs. I think they were averaging 88 mile per hour on their heaters for a little bit. They finally lock in in these final two games. And how about our guy, Bryce Terang, with a clip we're going to watch in a little bit. That's Brewers baseball. They're back. They take two out of three.

The Cincinnati Reds and the Texas Rangers played three. You guys know I'm in on both of these teams. The Reds, they take the first game. Knock around Kumar Rocker. Brady Singer. What a debut for him. A little Reds history going on. Seven innings, one hit.

But the Texas Rangers come back, Trev. 1-0, 1-0. A little football action. Nathan of Balty. Welcome to this nine innings pitch. Zero earned runs. Crazy. Jack Lider and Hunter Green.

That'll put some lead in your pencil. I think Jack Lider through a 199-mile. per hour pitch and it was the 53rd fastest pitch of the day. Hunter Green is a sick puppy. It wasn't enough for them today again is the Texas Rangers. Get a nice series win. The Mets take two out of three from the Marlins.

The Marlins have been pesky this year walking off the Pirates, but the Mets win the bread games. David Peterson with a nice start in that first game and they put up 10 runs. Pete Alonzo is a big, strong guy. No joke. And then they win the series on that. final day. Conor Julesby makes you and I laugh because we think of the old white socks infielder, but he's thrown some nice innings for the Marlins, happy for him. Otto Lopez,

I think he's good. That's what's going on in Miami. Mets, get a serious one on the board. Angels Cardinals, sure, angels take the first two in extras. How's your burger? There'll be more dumb and dumber references coming later. 5-4-9-7 and 11 that's a day. Cardinals salvage the series of Sonny Gray gives them the innings. He gets knocked around a little bit, but the offense and how about Ivan Herrera with your first ever three Homer catcher gay in Cardinals history?

Guards Padres, you kind of know what they did. The Padres have yet to lose. They sweep Chris Rose Guardians. The Guardians never score more than two runs in a game. Meanwhile, the Padres scored more than five in each of them. Quick math. That means the Padres sweep. Michael King's looking good.

Jackson Merrill got an extension. going to talk extensions in a minute. Padres, good series for them. Dodgers swept the Braves. Shoha Hottani, it's unbelievable. Tyler Glassnow, our guy, Trev, that's one of those Dodgers. He just kind of stopped talking about him and like, if he's healthy, he'll win the Sai Young. That's still true, and he's still on that team, and he looked incredible. Michael Comforto was home around. Philly sweep the Rockies, and that feels obvious that this point. Rocky's never score more than one run, bad formula. Max Kepler, Treb, getting DMs about him from Philly girls. Yep. You were on that one first. And Mundo Sosa, when they're getting

contributions from those other guys, Kyle Schwerber with a nice little check swing. That is what happened in your national. I try to tell people in Philly and our social team used such a bad picture of Max. It was just not a good picture. And now, yes, I'm getting flooded on my socials. Oh my gosh, Max Kepler. You're welcome, Philadelphia. Let me give you the standing spot. We'll start out east where those Phillies are at top of the division, 5 and 1. The Marlins in second place, 4 and 3. Mets 3 and 3.

Nationals are 1 in 5 in Atlanta, as we mentioned, 0 and 7. And the central cardinals, top of the central back where they need to be. 4 and 2. Cubs are 5 and 4. Milwaukee, 3 and 4. The Reds. Let's go, Reds, 2 and 5. The Pirates, 2 and 5. Nick Gonzalez, our guy, friend. fractured his ankle on a swing and a

crazy homer oh my goodness um out west this division the only one with four teams above 500 Dodgers eight and no podre seven and no giants five and one snakes four and three and the rockies one and five thank you coach good to be back baby let's do there's been a flurry of extensions since the season started which i feel like it used to be a rush right before the you'd get that pop and agents and guys getting it done and, you know, a hype kind of not spring, coming out of spring trend. You just signed one of your guys for the next six, seven years. Trev, they just kept coming.

And it's, it's every level. Ketel Marte that we talk about as the best second baseman in the game right now. He already had kind of a player-friendly extension. Snakes lock that up. Jackson Merrill, as I mentioned, he is going to be in San Diego for a long time. time in nine years, 135 are some of the numbers there. Christian Campbell, we talked about it and sometimes our radar's right, sometimes our radar's wrong.

If it got to the point that they're willing to say we're talking extension with Christian Campbell, you better get that done if that's now out in the open. So, Treve, I was fascinated to get your thoughts on the way you phrased it was like each of these extensions represent something a little differently that tell me about it. I think so. We'll start with the Diamondbacks and Cotel Marte. Obviously, you know, we just talked about it. He's one of the best second basements and all of baseball.

Very dynamic. It's had a couple of like extremely great seasons last year was incredible. Basically, you know, we kind of, he already was under control, which is interesting to me because a couple, I mean, actually all of them, these guys were under control for multiple years. So it wasn't really a pressing need. That's why I'm saying there's not ultimate. ulterior motives, but there's different reasons why clubs will do this. For Cotel Marte, so now it runs through 2030, there's a player option through 2013.

There's $46 million in deferred money. There's incentives. There's all these things. What I think is happening now is the snakes have pushed their budget quite a bit, going out and getting Corbyn Burns, you know, a couple of their guys through arbitration earning some big bucks here. So the payroll is up there. And this could tell Marte extension over the next three years saves them $10.1 million,

five million alone this year, which, you know, okay, does that seem like a ton in relation to a $200 million dollar payroll? No, but it gives them a little bit of financial flexibility at the trade deadline, you know, to go out and get a reliever, to go out and get, you know, maybe swapsies with some. somebody, eat some money, and go get a player for the future. You know, we know Zach Gallen, Merrill Kelly are a free agents after this year. So there's all, there's, it's just wiggle room, I think, is what this is for. Now, obviously, they want Catea there. He's an excellent player. They want him to be a diamond back for life. So he's earned this. But, you know, usually when you

have two or three years left of control, there's different reasons why you would extend on top of that. So I think that's kind of what I'm looking at here with Catelle-Marté. They have started to sign a bunch of guys trying to get cost control. We're talking about Brandon Fott five years 45. Justin Martinez signs the five-year-18. Perdomo gets four years 45. So they're trying to kind of lock these guys up, cost control, to understand what their payroll will be in the future so they can make smart and sound decisions. I think, I think, you know, we talk about

other organizations a lot, but I think the Diamondbacks have done such a good job of developing, trading, signing. They're in such a good spot with their organization that they're able to do stuff like this. This is,

again, it's not just for money manipulation, because Catel Marte is that kind of player, but they trust and know their players so well. Like, yeah, let's, let's get this guy locked in for three more years, and then we'll create some financial flexibility. I love it for the snakes.

And this is your club, man. You should be very happy with where they're standing at now, Jake. Sometimes basic can work. I think I prove that every day. The snakes, they sign their short stuff, Perdomo. Like, hey, yeah, the power numbers are probably not going to be there, but everything they ask of him, he does. He flips the lineup.

He plays good defense. racked up war in limited action last year. We locked up the shortstop. I remember coming into the season. We talked Jordan Waller and what's the next move for the snakes? How are they going to involve? Like is Perdomo trade bait? No, that guy's beloved.

He is our shortstop. Set it and forget it. Hey, that young pitcher that got a ton of playoff memories and then has established himself as a major league starter, he's going to be around. And our wipeout reliever, that relievers are always tricky. because, okay, let's say if something went horribly wrong for the snakes this year, well, for one of the NL teams, they're going to have to sell and they didn't want to sell this year.

And if there's a reliever that's available, think about, dude, we did Mason Miller trade talk. And anyone that was an athletics, actual fan was like, fuck off. No, just because we're bad and he's really good. You can't just have them. The snakes have taken care of a lot of that. And if they had won one of their losses this week, we probably just would have been talking about them in the segment of teams that are off to a great start.

The NLS is stacked, the NL is stacked. And the snakes are running a dream org right now, which I guess there's a little bit of a segue into the Padres that they were the dream org. They weren't. And now it feels like they're back. I want to go say one more thing about the snakes before we get to the Jackson Meryl extension.

What you talked about is, right. I mean, you start locking these guys up and it feels like they have an identity. Tori Lavello is awesome for that team. Here's what he had to say. I think it makes a statement that we believe in the core group of players. We've identified a very special bond that happens between everybody on this team and it means we're going to be together for a long time. They like the group of players they have, Jake. It's like not every organization can say that. In fact, I don't know, six or seven throughout the league can say we're really happy with the players that we have at the Major League roster.

Like they're set. They feel great. They like the depth they have with the upper miners. Like, Dinbacks are in such a good spot. In San Diego, 7 and O, seems like they're in a really good spot too. They lock up Jackson, Merrill. And good for this guy, man. Obviously, we know the story.

I don't know if he's like a last minute roster edition last year. I don't know if that's how you would phrase it, but you could just say he won the job and they put this short stuff in center field and all he did was go out there and bang and play great defense in center field. And so he, this guy has absolutely earned every single penny of this. And, you know, for him, it's a nine year, $135 million extension. It starts next year and it runs through 2034. So I believe they

have five years of free agency. I mean, this is like, this is, I'm not going to say Padre for life because who knows how long this guy wants to play, but it's Padres for most of your life. of your career. And it's exactly where he wants to be. He feels like he's found a home. And we've talked about the podgers. They've also locked up a bunch of guys. They have their core and they like their core.

And to me, this one is, yeah, it's just cost control. Like, let's get these guys that understand what the salary is going to be. Jackson Merrill playing center field doing what he can do. The comps can probably, they can get a little crazy. So they save a little money in arbitration. They have them locked up through free agency. And this can be the guy that carries on the torch of, you know, household names for the Padres. I mean, they, I think more than anybody, more than any franchise, not more than any franchise,

but one of the franchises that really needs to reward their fan base is the San Diego Padres. And I think this is kind of part of it, too, rewarding your fan base, you know, saying, hey, we're going to have this guy that you guys really love for a long time. We're not going to let him go. We're not going to let him test free agency for a long time. So, I mean, if you're looking at the roster right now, Jackson Merrill, Mani Machado, Tateas, and Bogartes are all signed through 2033. Cronenworth is extended.

Like, there's just a bunch of guys there that are going to be there that are going to be the core of that team. That's a fun group of players, man. I can't wait to see Mani Machado in his old age. Like, I don't know. What kind of players that guy going to be? I'm very excited for that. but Jackson Merrill is kind of like that guy, Jake. Like, right?

I don't know what else there is to say about him. He stepped up in every way possible last year, and now he gets the bag. And honestly, I'm very excited for him. Padres fans, you have to be on Cloud 9. Yeah, seeing that all those players are good through 2034, is like, okay, wait, that's a real year coming up. again there probably there could be a tough side of that you just said what what does a

older thicker manny machado look like i don't know does he go across the diamond does he does he have like an ozuna d h run in him no idea i bet he figures it out because he's manny machado if you're the podres the jackson merrill press conference was badass him he was kind of jackson merrill was like almost depicting it like i know i might be losing money which when you're taking $135, that's pretty wild. But that's also where Jackson Merrill is, dude, from that rise that you're talking about, wait, he made the team to, oh, he's a stud,

to now him and Jackson Churio, it felt like Merrill ran it the whole year. It felt like Churio snuck up on him a little bit. He already has his pre-extension thing done. Something with this offseason, and Jackson Merrill got more in love by the baseball community. And for me, it was a little weird at first because it was like, well, what has changed this off season? He's getting compared to Freddie Freeman?

Like, I want to do that to a lot of kids. And if you were to get compared to Freddie Freeman's stick, you can play center field like that. Awesome for Padre's fans. You know, kind of what I was alluding to, this is actually crazy. you know there's more and more stuff coming out of these extensions about like what the process was like AJ Preler says they've been trying to extend this guy as far as two years ago when he would have been in single A in A ball that's that's insane and he actually has a really good quote kind of alluding to what I was talking about

says we're continuing to add the core group of guys that are going to bring a championship to San Diego different stages of their careers, different age brackets. But I think we just want to make sure, and this is what I was talking about, that when the fans of San Diego buy a ticket, they know who they're going to come see, they know they're going to see excellent, they know they're going to see something special. I mean, dude, your GM comes out and says that about your team. You're very excited. And again, I think that the way they show up to the ballpark, they deserve extensions like this.

They deserve investment into the ball club. and man, the more and more I think about it, like this team's not going anywhere. Like they got to replenish the pitching, I guess, because they're going to lose King and Cs after this year. I mean, maybe, maybe they end up signing back. But Ryan Cohen made actually a really good point about this. And I don't say that very often.

That guy is, you know, he was talking about AJ Proler. All these trades they've made. We know he's a wheel and an deal and he's doing all these things. Never once. obviously did jackson merrill was he like on the table like they identified him in single a as a guy that they wanted to be in the organization trying to extend him and that's not easy to do to be able to single out a guy and say this is going he's our guy a lot of times you do that and the

guy sucks like a lot of the times he sucks they knew jackson merrill was good they knew he was something special whether it was his demeanor whether it was some data to back it up but they were right about it and now he's going to be there for the foreseeable future. And I was just going to say, and I was going to preface it with my, oh, this isn't Yankees, Jake. I was going to do like, yeah, and okay, with all of that, Christian Campbell gets signed. He's, he's awesome. He's had a great start to his MLB career. It's the same concept, right?

Hey, with everything we just had there, let's say Christian Campbell is a guy and he's about to put up a great first MLB season with an 800 OPS and he's blocked that Red Sox second job that has been loose for a little bit. That extension can look great today. Like what if what if he's this year's Jackson Merrill? And you just signed him for, what was it, eight years 60? No, he's a stud. And we've heard all off-season. and into spring training about how much they like this guy. And, you know, there's a couple other prospects they like, but Christian Cannell makes the freaking team as a second baseman.

And he's showing why, you know, he doesn't look overmatched whatsoever at the Bigby level. The bat speed is there. He's absolutely mashing fastballs. And here comes the extension. And this is, again, this is another team that's kind of understanding, it's not the new age of baseball. That doesn't make sense at all. Strike that from the record.

But they're understanding how to run a team. There are times where you got to go make a big splash and free agency, Alex Bregman, but that doesn't come unless you have developed players and a core of guys that are controllable, contributing at the big level. Now, last year it was Williore Abreu and Jaron Duran. This year it's going to be Christian Campbell, probably Roman Anthe, maybe Marcel O'Meyer, like Tristan Kosses has come up and done a good job. So like they've put themselves in a position to be able to go sign those free agents like Bregman,

to go trade for crochet and extend him as well. this year. And now they're starting to lock up their young guys. And it's just like, you add all that up. And now you're looking at the next six, seven years with the Red Sox, you know who the team is. They trust in this team. And again, like as a fan, that's like, that's all you can really hope for. They've extended Christian Campbell now, which we'll get into that a little bit more. But crochet six years 170, Brian Bello, that was in 2024, or Rafael in 2024, Devers in 2024, and Garrett Whitlock in 2023. Like they've just, they've established this core.

So it's, it's a fun time to be a Padres fan. It's a fun time to be a Red Sox fan. And it's a fun time to be a Diamondbacks fan. These are all organizations that are kind of right, I feel like, on the same trajectory. You know, they've had some past success, although the. Red Sox have been iffy, but I really like them. Diamondbacks World Series, Padreys making noise in the playoffs, and I think they're on their way up, all three of these organizations.

Should we have given Heim a little more time? Some of these guys are Heim guys. Where's He's He's taking over where? He's St. Louis. He's like, He's taking over St. Louis next year, yeah, that's right. The GM in training, he's just ramping up the minor leagues this year while Mo wraps.

up whatever's going on. I kind of a little love that for him. Just in the dirt and the grime. Just get it. Dirt and grind gets me going. You know that. Hey, I think Trev, we've got our first in Fuego coming up this year. Some pitchers who shoved awards and all that that we're going to see.

Some of these NL teams mention more in a little bit. Chew through some AL. Let's go, Pop. It's brought to you by Draft Kings. The weather is warming up, which means it's time to head to your favorite ballpark and cheer on your home team. Or watch from your couch. Place bets with Draft Kings. The live betting, if you haven't seen the options yet, from pitch speed to ball, strike, foul.

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They win 9-0-0. Martine Perez twirls one, but the Minnesota twins are back, baby. They win the series. Thai France, Ryan Scheffer, sure, if they're contributing, that's nice. Harrison Bader having some adventures in left field, but also swinging the stick a little more than the good people in Minnesota. Speaking of Minnesota, ah, Harrison Bader, the twins, they get a nice series win. Is it maybe? Tambay Rays, they take two out of three from the Pittsburgh Pirates. A couple teams here.

Winning series and losing series, the Rays win the first two games. Drew Rasmussen, Shane Bosk. That's that raise pitching that can really be there for him. Unfortunately, Paul Skeens, is it Schenness? That's what Joseph McPly was saying the other day. The best pitchers won this series, along with Jake Mangum's four for, board day. Brandon Lout has a big day at the ballpark. O'Neill Cruz, that left center power is real, but the Pittsburgh Pirates lose to the race.

Blue Jays, sweep the gnats. We probably should have given them more love before. They are off to a nice start of their season. Bowden Francis hits the ground running this year, an important piece for them. Easton Lucas, not super in my book, but that's baseball, baby. He twirls five innings of one hit ball for them. And I told you earlier, Andres Jimenez has been swinging the bat. My guy Alejandro Kirk with a good game,

whenever I see George Springer with back-to-back two hits game, back-to-back Homer games, that's big for them. Blue Jays, okay, let's stay in the fight. You heard a lot about our San Francisco Giants earlier. You might not have realized the team on the other side was the Houston Astros. Trev told you about Jordan Hicks. That fastball is up to 110 now. Logan Webb, seven innings of one earned baseball,

and somehow we're bored with that. And then they knock around Framber Valdez on the last day. Ramos, how huge he's been for them. Wilmer Flores off to a massive start to the season. Giants in the mix. Tigers take two out of three from Seattle. They took the first two games. Tigers jumped them.

They put up a 6-0 lead in that first game. One against Logan Gilbert in the second game. Everyone loves Logan Gilbert, but can't predict baseball. Mariners get a few off scoble. They win on getaway day to get it done. Cubs sweep the A's. I'll let Trevor Plouf tell the people that he might have a, we might all be making money in Sacramento because 18 to 3, 7 to 4, and 10 to 2.

The ball is flying there, and the Cubs are flying, baby. The city is feeling it. They are back above 500. The opening weekend in Japan, that didn't exist to them. In America, they are balling out and winning baseball games this year. Say a Suzuki. God, it's a baseball reference you should look at because he can really hit. Brent Rooker also so good.

Red Sox take two out of three from the Orioles after dropping the first game. Cedric Mullins. looks great this season. Tyler O'Neill had a four-hit day against his old mates, but then the new extension for Crochet, Aidenings Claim. Trevor's story, we haven't even

dreamt of that one yet. Bregman and Kossus on that final day. Sox kid. D-backs and Yankees, a lot of eyes on me if we're being real right now. D-backs, they win the first two games. Yankees, Devin-Williams, Paternity League, we love that.

We didn't love instead of Luke Weaver coming out, Mark Lider Jr. came out and gave up the Grand Slam to Gino. Suarez is on one this year, picking up where he left off last year. Yankees, they salvaged the set. Carlos Carrasco, the Yankee. That's still a little odd for a lot of people, I think. Yanks almost blow it late. They hold on nine to seven.

And that's what happened in the Americans. Coach. Cookie Carasco, Carlos Santana, just still playing and doing well. I love it. That's called longevity people. I got the standings for you in the AL. We'll start out east Toronto. As you mentioned, a great start to their season after that sweet.

My guy Tyler Heinem and putting in work. We're actually going to highlight the Blue Jays for a second straight award. So Toronto stand up five and two for them, Yanks 4-2, Tampa Bay Rays, 4-2, Baltimore and Boston, both sitting at three and four apiece. Then it's the AL-Send. A bunch of guys paying homage to old coach, uh, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24, 24, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland, Indians, Detroit Tigers, Kansas, City, Royals. And then the twins bring up the rear at two and five.

Half game back, though, Jake, of that division. Yeah. And then out west, the Rangers, a nice start to their season, five and two. How about the angels? We haven't given them any credit, but they're four and two right now. There's some fun baseball being played up. there. Mike Trout looks good. Okay. The Astros, three and four. The Mariners three and four, and the A's two and five. And those are your standings in the American League.

Trev, me and Rob get a lot of bad text from you. You sang, we were like, hey, we're going to be at the draft game sports book. They don't have casino games there, but you assume they did. You texted, hey, put a little money on two four. And I was like, wow, that's, that was a nice text I also told you this is my new not gambling advice right

just saying I don't know let's look at the numbers sometimes the books are a little slow to react they don't want to overreact I would look at the lines the over under for run scored at Sutter Park

there in Sacramento because right now the ball seems to be absolutely flannel I know Sayez Suzuki's a strong dude the balls he was hitting there We're pretty telling. Off the batters I like that is nuts. So I would look into that if I was a gambling man.

Why not all of us do it together and find out? Treb, I think we should hop over. I'm excited. The talking baseball segment that's always been a fan favorite, that's always kind of stood out in the show is, what's that intro? We are back with In Fuego. It's brought to you by Corona, the official survasive talking baseball.

Run it, coach. Dirk nasty's on Fuego. That means I'm on fire, baby, like Waco. There's nothing better than in Fuego, especially early on in the season. Sayas Suzuki just mentioned seven for 15, three homers, nine runs driven in on the series. How about Jake Mangum? Wish that G and the M were switched around a little bit. Eight for 12, two doubles, four runs driven in.

How about three stolen bases in the series? C.J. Abrams, this is a guy that I've, you know, I've been shouting out. I like him for a long time. He actually made a really nice play, diving up the middle. So check out his defense this year, Nats fans. Hopefully it's better on routine ground balls. Five for 12, two doubles, two homers, three runs driven in. Riley Green, five for 13, two doubles, two homers, three runs driven in.

How about for the week, though? How about for the week, Jake? A Eugenio Suarez, six for 24. Yeah, six hits. That's not great. That's a 250 batting average. Five of them were for homers. One was a double.

So all six have been for extra base. It's 11 runs driven in. He's one dot-tuing it, people. And then there's Aaron Judge, not using the torpedo bat. 10 for 24. He's got five homers. He's got 15 runs driven in. He's the first player in MLB history to slug at least five homers,

or at least 15 runs driven in. in his team's first six games of the season. Anytime you're first in NLB history, that's pretty good. He also recorded this 500th career extra base hit in 999 games, 320 homers, 175 doubles in five triples over his career. Only Joe DiMaggio and Lou Gehrig reached 500 extra base hits in fewer games amongst Yankees switching leagues. Chicago Cubs outfields.

Kyle Tucker, he's good. They traded for him. 11 for 29, four doubles, four homers, 10 runs driven in. Lars Neutbar, your favorite player, 10 for 24, two homers, five runs driven in, and Jason Adam. We're getting a pitcher in there. That's what we do. We talked about this Padres bullpen.

Four games during the week, three holds, four and a third inning pitch. Not a hit. Only two walks, seven Ks for the point four, six whip, and that is Susan Fuego. Cubs fans have a beautiful thing going right now. where Kyle Tucker, they brought him in, gun for hire.

He's our guy for this year. There's that little bit of nervousness like, hey, we can't fully fall in love with this guy because if he goes and takes 400 mil somewhere else, that'll sting. But Kyle Tucker's Kyle Tucker. Ian Hap, who now wheel him a bottle of wine, which I can't believe I've been lumped into this predicament. He's beloved three straight gold gloves. He signed that extension a couple years ago. Ian Hap has connections to the Cubs team that won the world.

series like he's the guy handsome he's good at everything when you and me put that together one day we're like oh shit like ian hap laughs at us and hap looks at me and he's like i'm funnier and stockier than him somehow and he looks at you and he's like i'm better at baseball and it's like fuck yin hap why you have to cut us like that but it's because he's fucking ian hap and then from the same level or like and then pete crow armstrong is the young stud that everyone's obsessed with because he has all five tools and the Cubs romance with their current outfield is really tough to

beat. Awards! All right, I am going to go, I had a viral video last year. I don't know if it was viral, but a lot of people reacted to it. And it was my hatred towards the never bunt crowd, where I basically said,

I think we're at a point now. We've gotten so far away from bunting for base hits and sacrifice bunting. I kind of understand getting away from that. But there's still a place for it in the game, especially nowadays, Jake, like I said on the video, I don't think teams know how to defend the bunt anymore. So I think it can be a very advantageous play in today's game. In 2003, there were 786 bunt hits in Major League Baseball.

Over the last four years, we've been right in like the 300 numbers, so basically cut by 60% I mean, maybe I'm not a math guy. But we've taken a lot of the bunting out of the game. And again, I will emphasize this as much as possible. I think now is the time, like, to turn the tide on that and start bunting again because guys just don't know how to defend it. Now, it's not as easily as just saying, hey, let's do it because you have to practice

bunting. It's not, you know, guys are throwing hard and, you know, if you don't practice something, obviously it's not going to come easy. I think early on in the season, we're seeing some teams understanding what I saw last year that it is advantageous to do it. Now we can start out with the Blue Jays.

They had a game where they bunted three different times, and afterwards, Snyder was talking about how they had a bunt competition in spring training. So they're getting after it. Will Wagner put down two bunt. One was one for a base hit, and the other one was a sack bunt

that ended up causing an air and causing ruckus along the base pass. They had another sack punt later in the game in extra innings. So, like, this was something they emphasized. The Cardinals put up a bunch of runs. We talked about Ivan Herrera, hitting three homers. Before that, it was Victor Scott the second,

and Mason Winn laying down consecutive drag buntz for base hits to load the bases. So, like, they're putting traffic on the base pass, you know, causing pressure on the pitcher and reaping the benefits of it. So again, I think we're seeing maybe an understanding of this and really to showcase why I want people to bunt more. Let's go to the end of the Brewer's Royals game.

I kind of have to set this situation up. Bryce Terang is up. He's already 0 for 5. Let's stop the video, Robbie. He's already 0 for, I think it was 0 for 5. It could have been 0 for 4. He's 0 in the game. First and third, he comes up,

and there's one out and all they have to do is score the runner from third base. Now, before this, Quattaro comes out for the Royals and seemingly has a meeting about strategy, like what they're going to do. And when that's happening, Pat Murphy calls over Tereng and says something to him. So you kind of like understand like, hey, like first and third, one out, a guy that can run, like the bunt is obviously in play here. If you get it down first and third, it's very hard to defend. but here I think the royals absolutely zude this and I want to kind of go over it so run the video show the play rob

here it is and it's a perfect bum like I don't know if they were going to do anything to defend this anyway but I want to go to where we get to the slow mo and I want you to stop it um when we show the defensive alignment keep going it's a really nice bun it's a really nice bun so right here you need to stop it. Okay. So first and third, we have Jonathan India at third base. We have Sal Perez at first base. I believe it's Kevin Bigio at second base as, by the way, Michael Massey's slow. I didn't know that. He got pinched ran for, didn't have that in my book. Kevin Bizio is at second base. So you have a lefty on the mound, first and third. Basically what you're telling yourself is you can't let Bryce Terrain be the last batter of the game. Like you just have to get to the next.

hitter. That's all it is. So whether that means he's safe at first, you have bases load, and you're facing TRIA, whatever, like at least you're moving on in the game. So here's the first thing. This is the first pitch. They didn't even attempt to pick off to first base to see if he was going to bunt. Or if that doesn't work, you might even throw a pitch out first pitch to see if he's going to bunt. Because you know this is in play. And if you know he's going to bunt, then you can make your adjustments. Jonathan India needs to be five steps in from where he started. Now, it looks like to me they made the decision on this that Sal was not going to crash here, which in my opinion is the wrong play. Like he has to be like Anthony

Rizzo level close to home plate. That's to field this ball. But they're having Cabin Bigio, it looks like, run from second base to the first baseline. And that's going to be where he fields the ball and the pitcher should have dead on. But here's a thing. They don't plan for this at all. They're in just regular straight up infield in right here you have to be in tight and they're not doing it so run the video now you're going to see obviously it's a great bun but watch biggio come in like he's going to the line you're never going to get the guy at home there everybody has to crash if he hits one by you hits one by you but any bunt right here they were going to score so this is exactly what i'm talking about they had a meeting talking about strategy and they still couldn't defend this bunt was it a great

bunt, yes. But even if it wasn't, even if it was a mediocre bunt, that run was going to score. They just haven't practiced this at all. You're telling me you're going to have Cabin Bigio run in from second base to try to defend the first baseline on a bunt. Like, that's crazy to me. Like both those corner infielers have to be five steps in front of the base. The pitcher has to charge in as soon as he lets go with the ball, or else the game's going to be over. And the game was old. So like, bunting needs to be back. Until defenses can figure

it out again, we got to do it. We're seeing it early on in the season. So I don't know what my award is called. The Bunts are back award, I guess. But that's a prime example of what I've been talking about where teams just don't understand fundamentally how to defend the bun. Trev, I laughed the first time I saw that video

because it looks like the Royals controller turns off for a second. It's like, hey, fellas, if you're in, that means you've got to be prepared to come in. Like, that's, you're going to do that. And even really break in. Like, how do you say Kevin Vigio go guard the first baseline? That's what it looks like to me, right? He's charging in running right there?

It really doesn't make sense. And maybe that's, maybe there's something that's maybe Bryce Tering has only dragged bump past the pitcher. That was part of the scouting report. We don't have. I don't think so. I think the bigger thing, Triv, I was going to jump to, and it was a little bit of a Jakey, I'm about to say something that I don't have actual information on.

But I was going to say, with the bunt and putting pressures on teams, I was going to say, you know, and there's probably a lot of third baseman that maybe they were a shortstop and maybe they've moved around and they haven't actually dealt with situational baseball at that level. And then I'd laugh when I started thinking about it, that it's Jonathan India at third, who's played a lot of second base. and didn't grade out too well. It's Alvarez at first who's getting a stat to, but for his catching, that bunting or putting the ball in play

or whatever makes you not have an analytic spasm, I think there's some good data to be had if you know that the former catcher is at first base and the former second base was at third base, that yeah, maybe forcing them to make some action, you could put yourself in a really good spot. That's a great point. We're seeing guys play all over the field now.

Like we're just trying to plug guys in and thinking they can do it. It's a great point. India has basically zero experience fielding bunts at third base. So, yeah. And there's a big lefty on the hill. You know, he doesn't care about bunts. You think these pitchers care about buns? They don't.

They hate bunts. They hate when people bun against you. That alone should tell hitters you need to do it more. I'm going to ask any analytics person, maybe it's like leverage index or something like that, but also maybe there's something to like a bunt in a high pressure situation leads to more problems or benefits. Like there's got to be something there. I would say that's old data, whatever they had where teams could defend the bunn. Right.

Also that. No, they can't. I'll tell you, just a little ricochet from the three true outcomes era of baseball. there's one or two guys on each team that you should look at and be like, they don't have to punt. Pete Alonzo doesn't need to know how to bunt. Salvador Perez doesn't need to know how to bunt. Almost everyone else, it should be a tool in your tool bag,

and we just flew into bunt's bad. I don't need to bunt, me good. And I don't know, maybe we, maybe we're just A-Rodd now. But a good bun has a place in baseball, And it feels dumb that we have to feel embarrassed saying that. Trev, I'll bring us home. I'll be in high and tight. I referenced it earlier.

You know, referencing dumb and dumber becomes a little more boomer each day as that movie is getting closer to 30 years than anything else. But iconic movie, I said I was going to come back to it. And I'll give that John Denver's really Full of it award. Just an iconic scene. The boys are driving in. maybe this is full circle for me. Just went on a huge van trip to survive.

We're waking up in different parts of the country. Dumb and dumber then. And they're like, wait, I thought the Rocky Mountains would be a little rockier. I don't know that Rocky's rotation would be a little rockier. The best rotation in baseball, it's your Colorado Rockies. Kyle Freeland Shubb sends a tell a bed. Didn't break nine hit zero earned runs. Feltoner solid.

Vermont Marquez, remember when he was kind of the like, hey, if this guy didn't pitch at Gorge, it just be a good starting pitcher. 1-35 ERA out of the Rockies rotation the first time through. They're not walking anyone, Trev, which you mentioned,

what you like that? More than likely, this turns into a fun first week of baseball snap. I don't know how many times we're going to be able to talk about the Rocky's rotation without it being the trade deadline and like actually he'd be a good fit here rocky's starting pitching very rare opportunity to talk about that and that john ben took full of it about the rock she's supposed to be rocky he's having to just shove it i love it um

bend don't break i don't know if that's really the i guess that is what's happening sensitateles give up 19 hits he's got a whip in the twos but he's got a zero eras maybe that's we're getting rid of the ERA stat. That's all that matters. All that matters. Don't look at the bullpen stats. Just only look at the starting pitcher stats right now. No need.

Coach, everyone listening. Thank you guys so much. You can tell I'm battling. Rob Sherato has been asked to produce two shows the past two days and two of the three bags we brought to produce those shows did not make it. So we really had to piecemeal this together. Shout out to Rob.

Thank you guys for appreciating and loving the show. Make sure you share, comment and all that. And if you've got a following up opening day or if I see you in Chicago today, love you. Let's do it. We'll see it Monday. Winds are coming hot.

We're going to get hot.