Talkin' Baseball (MLB Podcast) - Talkin' Baseball's April-August All-JM Team | 537

Episode Date: September 7, 2022

Use code TALKIN for $20 off your first SeatGeek order. https://seatgeek.onelink.me/RrnK/TALKIN Get 15% off your first order by going to https://cutsclothing.com/baseball If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/LA/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visit http://ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA). 21+ (18+ NH/WY). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA(select parishes)/MI/NH/NJ/ NY/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. New customer offer void in NH/OR/ONT-CA. $200 in Free bets: New customers only. Valid 1 per new customer. Min. $5 deposit. Min $5 wager. $200 issued as eight (8) $25 free bets. Ends 9/19/22 @ 8pm. Early Win: 1 Early Win Token issued per eligible game. Opt in req. Token expires at start of eligible game. Min moneyline bet $1. Wagering limits apply. Wagers placed on both sides of moneyline will void bet. Ends 1/8/23 @ 8pm ET. See terms at sportsbook dot draftkings dot com slash football terms. Timestamps: 0:00 Intro 6:00 AL 1B 11:55 AL 2B 16:30 AL SS 18:10 AL 3B 21:25 AL Catcher 26:15 AL Outfield 33:18 AL DH 35:55 AL UTIL 37:05 AL SP 42:24 NL 1B 43:25 NL 2B 47:20 NL SS 50:40 NL 3B 55:03 NL Catcher 57:10 NL Outfield 1:07:10 NL DH 1:12:05 NL UTIL 1:13:50 NL SP Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hello and welcome to talking baseball. It's all JM team. There's one month to go, people. Let's get it. My goodness, my people, Trevor Ploof's people, welcome back to talking baseball with less than a month to go in the regular season. And we're giving out pedals today and potentially a daisy in one month. from now as we talk about the best of the best trev you love players you are a players guy it's players

only and we are highlighting the best of the best in this episode and only one month to go in the regular season pluffy you know i told you before the show this is my favorite episode to do i love gassing up dudes talking about who's doing well and you're right look we're coming down to the nitty-gritty. This is going to go April through August. And then we add in that September month, that October week. This is the separator month. Let's go into August. Let's tell people what happened. Who's killing it? We think there's a few big discussions here. Some guys have ran away with it. But this, like I said, Jake, I love doing these episodes. A.L. Catcher has become a really fun one.

And, man, there's just so many dudes. To put it together for a whole year is so tough. And we've got some guys hard charging because maybe they had a slow first half. Adley Rushman. How are you, kid? And man, even giving some love to some guys, you know, we haven't mentioned Adelis Garcia a lot this year. Having a really nice year for Texas.

I don't think he's getting a pedal. Nice ball player, though. what I like about our system here is it does give guys a chance throughout the year to showcase, hey, I had a good month or I had a bad month and then I picked it up. Like you can either tail off or like you said, you could pick up steam throughout the year. And when you get a pedal in August, that means you put together pretty much a complete season. Because like you said, this isn't incorporating April through August. This isn't just an August award.

This is people that it put the stats up all throughout the year. I think that's important when we talk about, you know, who's doing what in the league. Well, let's do it, Trev. And this is all brought to you by Seat Geek. They're the Geeks of Seats. We are the Geeks of Baseball. That's what people call us. Me, Trev, Beeps, Jommer, like you guys are geeks.

But we know our stuff. And so does Seat Geek. They're the Geeks of Seats. Download the app. It's crazy easy to use. And with Code Talking, you'll get $20 off your tickets at Seat Geek, your first purchase.

Code Talking on the Seat Geek app. Go watch some of these dudes. He got one month to do it. And then that postseason baby. Ooh, Trevor. Show Hey O'Tonnie doesn't get any awards for us, right? He can win. Like, he's just out.

He's out. He is. better than our team, I guess, right? Like, we don't have a thing for him. There's just his own award. I mean, technically there's a util spot now. Is he not utility? He'd win that every year.

Yeah. Last year, he got the Silver D.H. And this year, he might be in that conversation for starting pitcher. I haven't looked that far ahead. Maybe he's back in the conversation at D.H. As well, haven't looked that far ahead. We might just have to make the Show Hey, Otani Award. I think that's cool.

And you know what? The thing that we do well is we're okay. We make adjustments to trying to figure this thing out. We don't know what to do with Shohay Otani. Nobody knows what to do with this guy, okay? Like war does not understand how to calculate Shohai Otani. I've been diving deep on this guy because I'm in this judge versus Otani thing. We talk about it on baseball today.

We talk about talking baseball. You know, like there's a gap in war between Judge and Otani. but I really believe after reading stuff and hearing how they calculate it, it's not meant for a pitcher that hits. Right. It's not meant for that. Like, he's broken war, essentially.

It's impossible to fully account for a guy who is two roster spots in one spot. In my head... He's not going to be in this. He's not going to be in this. This is basically all I'm saying. In my head, it seems like we're landing on that there might be a best two-way player

in each league award. And I feel like Shohei could be all over that, potentially. Let's see how the rest of the year figures out. I know Marwin Gonzalez pitched a clean outing the other day. So let's- Nick Gordon just got in the game. Gordon, you love Nick Gordon. He gave a lot of runs, though.

Nick, what are you doing, bro? He looked like me in the alumni game. Oh, God, Tre. I'm blanking on the guy. I know there's some position player on, I think, an AL team that's pitched seven times this year. I mean, we'll put him against O'Tonnie. I saw Cody Clemens struck out O'Tonnie the other day.

That's got to count. Yeah, so he's automatically, yeah, he's there. Trev, let's jump to the American. Where are we dropping, bro? We're dropping to the American League. First base position. We have it on top of our sheet. We are a cron pod.

Sometimes I want to start catcher. Maybe we'll round out the infield of catcher. The AL team this year. Anthony Rizzo, remember the home run leader in April? to Thai France, your boy, Trev, to Thai France, to Vlad Guerrero Jr. Thai got banged up,

and then he was coming out of it a little bit. Vladito caught up to him with Pop. And now, the guy that I think we were debating with him, I think we had a three-way split last time. And now Jose Abraeu is 309, 386, with an 8-4 OPS. This is, again, through August. And then Vladitos, 285, 351, a 504 slug.

So he really, 27 homers to the 14 homers for Abraeu. And they have the same amount of doubles. So, Trev, I know with Bebs as the equalizer today, you know, you and I will have to reveal our cards at different times. But I guess what's jumping out to you about the first base position? well I think right now you mentioned tie France you know he had a rough little patch there he is getting it going these are through August

he's right outside of this so I don't think he's getting our award today Louisa Rice who's played quite frequently at first base I think it's better suited for the utility role so I don't think he's in the focus here I think it's down to two guys and it's a brayu and flad and really the numbers are kind of similar as you go through it a brayu's you know going to get on base at a little higher clip Gladys and outslug him a little bit.

The OPSs are separated by, you know, 840 to 850. Gladdy's got him in homers, like I said, because he's out slugging him. It's really, I think, comes down to who plays a little bit better defense. And right now, Abraeus kind of got my lean. You know, I have a little bit of an affinity for him, playing against him for those years and just seeing the bat that he puts up. I think Vladdy's a hell of a first base, but I think I'm going to lean to Brayu here.

It's an interesting case, man. Both of these guys, when we got these stats, the same amount of games played at first base with a couple DH days mixed in. For me, Trev, and I mean, you know, talk about putting your kid on the stand and picking between your folks early on.

I like the homers in the RBI from Vlad. 27 homers almost double Jose Abrae's home run total and 19 more RBI. I know RBI is a stat that's faded out because you need to be in a position to drive in those runs and the midsocks haven't been about that. But to me, that's still important. That means you're doing it. And with those home runs, I mean, it's double. Like part of the infatuation with Judge this year is how much he's out homering the American League.

For him to be out homering Jose Abraeu by almost double, Ty France has 18. I think I'm going with Flattito. So unless I was persuasive enough, I think we need to kick it to the big, beautiful baby. I said what I said. He said what he said. I said what I said. I love everything Jose I Bray who brings to a baseball team

their numbers are very close and in really everything but the slug which does I think break the tie for me I'm gonna go Vladie they strike out at more or less the exact same rate Jose walks a little more like it's noteworthy but same number of doubles they've played the same amount I don't think the difference in batting average or defense makes a big enough difference. I mean, on the batting average front, Jose Brayu, his babs, almost 60 points higher than Vladis.

I don't know if it feels like a little good luck, bad luck on either end. I don't know how far to adjust, but overall, the slug, I have to lean Vladdy. when you're had by that much on the homers. I'm okay with that. I had the wrong stuff for the defensive metrics anyway, so either of them aren't going to be flashing the leather too much. And I thought that was a little strange for Brayu to do it. Although he can do it.

I blindly assumed, because we have war in front of us, I don't have defensive specific metrics, but I assumed that difference in war came largely from defense, which maybe he is better. I don't know. I think for a, Bray used 35. Right. I think that you got to take that into consideration a little bit.

I'm fine with you. I'm fine with you taking Vladie, though. I get it. This was a little 1A, 1B. And man, when it comes to all J.M team, I just want to be back here in a month. Or maybe it's after the season saying, we got the right guys.

So whoever it is, these guys are 1A1B right now. Tie France. Easily. I wouldn't mind just sneaking up. kid. So the first base position in the AL for the All-JM team is still up for battle for that last month. We had a lot of guys last year, at least a handful. Like Kyle Tucker comes to mind a few guys that snuck in, didn't get a pedal all season until the end. Kyle Tucker is one of them. At second base in the American League, we have seen an old friend take over Jose Altuve has had

the second base position for the last three months. First month was Andres Jimenez, as we were still learning who the young ball player was, you know, arguably the focal point of the Jose Reyes trade. Jose Reyes, Jesus, Jake. Francisco Lindor, it's not, it's not 2008 anymore, kiddo. Yeah, I'm going to say, where are we now in the simulation? The shortstop for the Mets, Reyes.

Jimenez and Trev he is back in the conversation and in a big way. F war likes Jimenez over Altuve. The power numbers have almost caught up. Altuve still with the homers and the doubles, I suppose, but Jimenez has him and stolen bases. I think defensively, Jimenez has announced himself as one of the better players in the league. The other guys that deserve mention are some of our util guys, DJ LaMayhew, who's been tough lately. He's had an injury.

Luis Arias, who won last month. And watch out for Marcus Simeon after a slow start this year. He is starting to go, he's a 2020 guy right now. So second base, Trev, where do your eyes jump? I think I'm leaning Andre Semenis. I really like watching him play. I also love Jose Al-Tuvae. I've talked about him many times

trying to clear this guy's name to no avail because people still boo him greatly. But watching Jimenez play and understanding kind of like where he's at and what he can do all over the field. I think he does play a better second base right now

than Jose Al-Tuvae defensively. So for that reason, I'm going to lean Andres. Trev, I'm with you. Where Jimenez's stats have gotten this year and what he's provided to Cleveland on both sides of the ball, 302, 366 and 854 OPS from this kid? You know, someone coming into the year, you're probably like,

okay, you know, good speed, good defense, let's see. I mean, he's taking it to an incredible level. that I mean with a with a big month are we going to be talking about him potentially going for like batting title i don't know i don't know but the fact that his power numbers 15 home runs 60 rbi i'll tuve is killing him in runs but i think that's tied to more so the guys that hit behind altouvae watch andres himena's defensive highlights i mean yeah that kid is special and it's game changing and i I think you're right. Al Tuve is good, but I don't think, I don't think defensively people are looking at Al Tuvei as a guy that can almost break your back with the play that they're going to make out there. So I think it's Jimenez. El Tuve can still pick it and play well at second base.

But Andres, you know, got the age on him, got the youth on his side. He's out there playing all over the place. He also has him installed bases. Yep. 15 stolen bases through August for Andres. Altuve has 12 stolen bases. If Andres could get the walk percentage up a little bit, that's when he takes the next step from really good ball player to great ball player.

That's the one step that usually separates those guys is the walk rate. Get the walk right up, bring the K rate down a little bit. And the next step is he could be the next Jose Altuve. And by the way, he's racking up war and he just turned 24. So that patience at the plate, that could be on its way soon. And man, pairing him up with a guy we might talk about at third base in a little bit. Cleveland, the guardians have something. The guardians have something going on.

If they could keep their pitchers from punching stuff and getting out of the, you know, season, they'd be all right. What are they doing? What are you doing? Don't punch with your hands. Pitchers. The mound? You're going to beat up the earth? It's a tough one.

It's clay, bro. Maybe us humans are already beating up the earth, man. Just became a late night up. Shortstop. Congrats, Andres Jimenez. Short stop. I think this is a quick one. There is someone hard charging.

A name, I don't think we've talked about, too much. Xander Bogart's won the past two months. He's been great. Tim Anderson had it in May and April. J.P. Crawford, obviously, to start the season. Zander's been rolling the contract year.

I'm still giving him the lean, Trev, but a guy who got paid paid this offseason, Corey Seeger, are you kidding me? Broke his lefty home run record for shortstop. 29 homers this year. I know Judge has kind of thrown everything out the window, but 29 homers this year is still a big number

coming from the shortstop position, finding his way, 4.2 F-war. I think there's a Seeger conversation. I think Xander still clips him, no? This one's easy for me. I think Xander's got it. Some of the numbers are just kind of on his side. Too much for me to ignore.

I love that Seeger's making it a thing. come win it in September, bro. But right now this is this is Anders Award. Congrats, Andrew Bogart's. Go collect a big old contract this offseason. God, that's sweet.

Love that for him. Correa and Ahmed Rosario listed on the sheet. Correa's numbers looking okay. Creeping back up. Finish strong, kid. Go twins, right? Third base. Trevor position, you're fond of.

There are guys that we have constantly talked about as we've done this. Jose Ramirez in April and April and May. Devers through June and July. Those guys have been linked up since we've started the All-JM team. Alex Bregman has entered the conversation as he's start to go nut job. And even your boy, Eugenio Suarez, getting some love on the sheet, Travis. as his RBI total begins to climb. I still think there's an easy answer,

but I'll let you go. I'm going to give my vote to Jose Ramirez. I think he's just kind of done pretty much everything a little bit better than every other candidate here. If you hear Tito talk about Jose Ramirez, that's when you start to understand just like kind of the impact that he's had on the Guardians' organization. which is really cool.

He's been doing it for a long time too. Bregman charging hard. He's looked great. And again, like, yeah, if he could go off in September last week in October, like maybe he's got a case. But right now, it's Jose Ramirez and everybody else.

And Eugenio, just chill, bro. Yeah. Like six RBIs in games. Like, you don't need to do that. Two's fine. Alex, but, yeah, no. Ramirez is the guy here, for sure. Bregman in the second half, 41 games, 322, 397, a 994 OPS.

Yeah, he's found it. Alex Bregman has found it and gotten it going. And I think the cool part is he told, he told Enosaris like, oh, I'm about to go nuts, dude. And he did. And, you know, sometimes players, players are always going to say that about themselves. But when you believe it and you're healthy and your swing feels right, and you do it. He's got to be feeling really good. Devers, 32 games in the second half. 202-273 is 620 OPS from Rafa. That's, you don't, you never expect it from him, because when he's right,

it's so beautiful. Yes. But congrats to Jose Ramirez. He is the vote. Again, I know nobody really cares about RBI, but guess what? Compare RBI to everyone else. He's got 106. Who doesn't care about RBI? People are out because it's an opportunity-based thing. We need a new stat that's... We can't fully control it. We need a new stat that's like RBI conversion percentage or something like that.

You can't fully control shit on a baseball field when you're playing offense. It's true, Trev. That's kind of life, you know? Baseball is life, bro. Similar to batting average. It fell kind of all the way out and starting to creep back into... Oh, no, this is... This still has value.

Runs are good. We're figuring out where everything should land as a baseball society. Jose Ramirez reclaims his throne at third base, which makes around the horn Vlad, Jimenez, Bogart's Ramirez. That's pretty good. And behind the dish, Trev, I tease this one. My thick king, Alejandro Kirk, had taken over the catching position

because he was dominating offensively. Like even some of his, you know, defensive, I guess lack of skill on some of the defensive side of the ball. What Alejandro Kirk was doing as an offensive catcher, it was still kind of a no-brainer. And a lot of those stats are still there. He's still hitting. But boy, has Sean Murphy started to go? And he's kind of your two-way guy with Adley Rushman getting it going. and my guy Jose Trevino does deserve a shout-out

for what he's done this year, but he's kind of below what we're currently talking about. So I don't think we're talking Rushman now. I think we're talking Rushman next month, but Sean Murphy may have caught in and passed Alejandro Kirk. Alejandro is not getting this catcher's award for me. 66 games at catchers. Adly Rushman already has more games than him at Catcher.

I think this is now a decision. Do we say, okay, Sean, since you've been up, your numbers, your counting stats are going to be better because you played more games, 96 out of 119 games at catcher for Sean Murphy. But Adleys, like, caught him in a lot of different numbers, bro. So I have to think, like, do I want to give it to Sean just because he's been up all year? Or, like, that's not Adley's fault that he wasn't up all year. Right?

Gosh, dang, this is tough. You know what? I'm going to go first because I want to make it tough on you, okay? I'm going to give this to Adley Rushman. I think he's done enough. And what that damn team has done since he's been up has persuaded me. Like he is a legitimate leader, a legitimate leader coming up at his age. And like the numbers are like pretty dang similar, man.

Like I said, some of the counting stats are going to be there for Murphy because he's played more games. But I'm going Adley, man. This is a tough one. It's where all jammed team gets. really tricky because I, you know, I don't, in a way, Sean Murphy shouldn't be penalized for Adley Rushman not being called up. And, you know, Sean Murphy has, you know, 50 more hits. And he's, and he's got, you know, more than double the runs batted in, which I've complimented. And he's got 17 homers to the eight homers. And by the way, he's, he's been slugging. 30 doubles from

Sean Murphy. His slugging is 4.51, which is higher than Alejandro Kirk's. So, yeah, I mean, when you're talking, Sean Murphy has 30 more games behind the dish than Kirkie. And that's, you know, almost, if I'm penalizing Alejandro Kirk

for not playing his games by the dish, for Rushman, I unfortunately have to treat it the same situation that Sean Murphy is my pick through August. And I think in October, Adley Rushman can catch him, but I can't anticipate that.

Like, I would love to, but it's the whole point of doing this. So I think for AL from April through August, my pick is Sean Murphy. The stimulator? I respect it. I respect it. I respect you. Basically, for the reasons you said, between these two, I have to go. go Sean Murphy.

I think there's time for Adley to make us have a real gut check moment after the season. But, uh, yeah, the difference in games right now is still, still so big. I hate to punish Adley for it. It's not his fault, but it's, it's what happened. You didn't get to start until May, dude. And man, Sean Murphy had it in April. I forgot about that. That was controversial at the time.

Jonah Heim claimed it in May, which was a lot of the similar conversation. Kirkie ran away with it the last two months. Through August, Sean Murphy reclaims the catching throne in the American League. Another spot that is up for sale. And yeah, man, if I was buying stock, I mean, Adley Rushman, are you kidding me? I think that guy's going to get himself some pedals. What a beast, man. If he gets...

What a beast. That a-le-catching position. Trev to the outfield. Yes. I know you used to play out there. We now, as you've talked about adjusting our format, we need a center fielder because we show respect to the position that way.

In the corner of the outfield, it can be a center fielder because we believe they have the acumen to do it, but you need one center fielder and the two best outfielders after that. Mike Trout has been A.L. Centerfielder the whole time. The whole time. Potential Silver Daisy coming his way.

The other sides, last month, Julio Rodriguez got in with Big Aaron Judge. Big Aaron Judge has been at it for two months. He got beat out by Jordan Alvarez one month. who was in the outfield. Stephen, Kwan, and Taylor Ward were involved in this at a certain point. And so was Kyle Tucker. The outfield gets a little crazy, a little kooky. I mean, and where this again starts to get crazy,

I mean, Aaron Judge is on this team. 8.3F4, he's going for the home run record. The guy has still played a lot of center field. he's also played a bunch of right field where this guy is going to be there and I think and Trev I don't know not to overstep my boundaries

but I think Mike Trout would be still the center fielder as he continues to have a 954 OPS and Judge and Wright I think Judge is going to be in right field he just hasn't he's played 64 out of

127 games you know through August in center field. So he's kind of out in that regard to me for centerfielders. If we're just mentioning a center fielder, it has to be either Trout or Julio. Trout's played 86 of 91 games in center field, and Julio's played every single game. These play 113 of them, center field.

Now, if it's between those two guys, Trout's going to take it home for me. He just, his numbers are just too good. He is in line for the Silver Dasey this year. people forget about Mike Tray, a little bit of layoff this year, then you got Shohei doing his thing, then you got the Angels being the Angels.

Go look at his numbers, people. They are still there looking righteous. So for me, it's Mike Trout and Centerfield. Then I don't think we need to have a discussion about right field or the other outfield spots. Judge is one of them. So Mike Trout for me, Centerfield, judge one of the other outfielers that we have, obviously.

I agree. And it's people, I know you're appreciating what Aaron Judge is doing. He's chasing the home run record. The runs, the RBI are there. And by the way, still playing 64 games in center field for that dude is insane. It's insane. It's part of the story.

Trout is a lock, and I don't think it's really conversational. Trev, the third spot is, and I think this is where we landed last month. I think there's a Julio Rodriguez, Byron Buxton, Kyle Tucker. conversation. Kyle Tucker sneakily approaching the 2020 club. You know, some other guys. Stephen Kwan is putting together a great year and he also might win the gold glove in left field.

Julio had it last time. He still has the power and the stolen bases with your boy Buxton sneaking back in the game. I think I'm still Julio, but I don't know. I could be talked into something else if You're feeling persuasive today. Byron's out slugging everybody, all the rest of the outfielders, by far. The on base percentage is tough for me at 306.

That's about where I was career, and I know I didn't get on base a lot. So I think I might have to fall Buxton for that. Now, Julio's not lighten the world on fire getting on base, 326 through August, and neither is Kyle Tucker at 337. This is tough. 23 stolen bases, so Julio, or Julio leads all of those. those three guys in that. Buxon's not going to steal any bases right now.

He's nursing legs. So six stolen based on the year. Tucker has surprised me. I didn't know he had 19 through August. It's going to be a 2020 guy. Right. Shoot, man. So right now for me,

it's between Julio and Kyle Tucker for this spot. And their numbers are basically identical. So similar. Basically identical. Would you picture those guys as such different ballplayers, but the stats? come out pretty similar. I'm voting Kyle Tucker

from my last spot. I love it watching that guy play. I love Julio too, man. I love it. But Kyle Tucker, you got my nod this month. Trev, I think I'm with you, man. I was about to say the same words. I mean, a tick. He's got him a tick in OPS. He's got him a ticking on base. And yeah, just because some of it feels different, Kyle Tucker plays a high level defensive outfield. I know I'm not sure exactly where the numbers with Julio. I doubt he plays a bad one with how athletic that guy is.

I think it's Kyle Tucker. And he's a huge part of what Houston does and a guy that probably deserves a lot more recognition and love. And that's part of the reason we've done this. So Julio Rodriguez clipped Kyle Tucker in July. Kyle Tucker had it through June and now Kyle Tucker comes

back and gets it. I know Julio missed some time. He was out. He had that time missed. He got hit in the hand, I believe, and he had a little I-L stint, so that probably hurt some of his counting stats. Because I remember last time, his stolen base numbers kind of ended the conversation last time. But Kyle Tucker, I mean, that's impressive.

That's impressive. A guy that, you know, you still think of probably a few Astros before you get to Kyle Tucker. If you needed me for the tiebreaker, I also was going to go Kyle Tucker. Their numbers very, very close, and I think he gets the edge on a couple more games played, but he's also walked nearly double the rate and struck out 10% less often. So I think between those, he gets the edge of it, but it's so close. Mariners fans, sound off.

You will. In the comments. You always do. All right, Trev, the DH position, piggying back off of that Kyle Tucker and Houston team. I think our guy Yordon is holding on. Now his competition is Buxden who we just talked about, who even Yordaun after having a tough month,

his number still just eclips. Buxton, Alejandro Kirk. And even that Shohey Otani guy, who now has entered the chat. I mean, he has 30 homers. His OPS is about 100 points lower than Yordawn's, because Yordaun is kind of nuts. I guess it's a conversation.

I don't know, Treff. Yorgon's taken the D.H. Award for us. I don't think there's any conversation. What he's put together, this season he's put together, has been very, very special. We've been talking about him for a long time. There's no secret about Yordaun.

anymore this guy is one of the premier hitters in all of baseball he got the massive contract i love show hey he should probably win our utility ward but like i said before the start of the show we just don't know how to quantify show hey so he just doesn't get anything sorry show hey you'll get nothing for me yordawn wins the d h yordaunt keeps it yeah i mean the numbers are still insane uh it was a down august which uh a little surprising to look at those numbers but yeah he's in a different world than Bucks and Kirk and even still Otani although Otani seems to be getting warm and if Yordaun stays

close he could come he could come for that D.H spot I mean 30 homers what a freak what a freak what was J.D. Martinez doing in May that we gave it to him over Yordaun so well Yordaun made it for left field it was that no A.L. Leftfielder stepped up Yordaunt at least at the time Okay, I feel better now.

I feel better now. So Yordon is going for a silver daisy. It would be a very unique one. There'd be like a different colored pedal representing. It'd be like a, I don't know, there's got to be flowers that have a different colored petal. It would be like a lopsided something. Yeah, there's a lot of flowers in my time on this earth. What was that?

All sorts of flowers. All sorts of flowers? I said there's a lot of flowers on this earth. That's what I've learned. Does Liv have a favorite flower? Do you have a go-to get her something? She is my flower, my Egyptian flower. Yeah, you're right.

That's true. Util, Trev, as we're, we still figure out the position. Luis Arayas has won it as we initiated it last month. DJ LaMayhew is in the conversation. He's kind of been on the struggle bus lately. He's been banged up. War still likes DJ The pure stats themselves

The batting average The on base and the OPS It's still a rise for me And I don't know if I have to twist your arm on that No I'm going to give it to my guy Luis for sure I love watching him play I think he still is leading the American League Or all of baseball

With a 318 batting average Which is you know Say what you want about batting average Still pretty cool if you can lead to lead in it. The dude knows how to hit. He broke up Dylan Ceases, no hitter. I guess that was in September, so I can't give him credit for that. But he's my guy. Luis de Rize, congratulations. Two times in a row, you've won the Utility Ward pedal. Yeah, he just hits, man. He just hits. And him in him in Bogartz currently battling it out for that AL batting title. As we record this, Bogart's

but that could change by the time this episode is even out. Your AL pitcher, it's been Logan Gilbert, Martin Perez throwing that cutter, Sugar Shane McClanahan, and then the old man, Justin Verlander, had claimed it as of last month. The pitcher has always been an afterthought on the All-JM team, which is kind of hilarious.

So Treve, I know our guy, JV, he pulled up. with the calf, but he was rolling before that. McClanahan has also gotten banged up. Cease and Gossman have been around the whole time, even a little Framber alert. For me, I was going to say it's still Verlander. Let me see. I think, yeah, I mean, the start that he came out of

was August 28th. for me it's still Verlander. His ERA is 1-84 and he's got the most inning pitched out of that crew except for for Framber but I think he's in a different league

than Framber so I think it would still be JV for me. This is all over the place. If you look at F4 at Supports of Gossman and I think he's leading the all of base ball in FIP, which I think that is probably what's attributing to that. The regular old stats, I mean, you could look at JV for that. You could look at McClanahan for that.

McClanahan has a 0.86 whip through August, which is just ridiculous. Dylan C's doing what he's been doing, striking out everybody. This is really tough for me. I don't really have a lien here. I love what Framber's been able to do with it I'm going to make BPD come to the rescue here UNJV, right? I did

I'm well hold on bro I didn't tell you who I picked okay I'm still thinking about it it's very very tough you can't go wrong here that's the thing

I'm gonna go cease and maybe there's a little bit of recency bias of watching him just carve up my twins but I just like watching that dude throw the ball so I'm going cease 190Ks I think I'm with you Trev oh

baby ironically I hate to be mad at Verlander for that one more for leaving one start kind of early but I think you'd make make the endings pitched? They'd be right there with each other if that didn't happen

and that does matter to me. I'm excited to see how this all shakes out. A lot of top end talent. I almost went Framber. The 22 consecutive quality starts, that does something for me, bro. I think that's what's beautiful about our all-jM team

and having a panel here picket is the fact that we value different things in our ballplayers. I love the fact that you know framers are going to go out there and give you a chance to win the game you could say that about most of these guys too but to be able to do it that many times in a row is I think you deserve a nod for that but cease is so dominant right now and you're a dominant guy i like it i like it um dylan cease has been incredible this whole season it feels like he hasn't gotten the accolades he deserves maybe these white socks and him can finish

it off down the stretch as he joins the all-j-j-m team, the AL team through August, Murphy, Guerrero Jr., Jimenez, Bogatz, Jose Ramirez, Aaron Judge, Mike Trout, Kyle Tucker, Gordon Alvarez, Dylan Cis, and Luis Erez, which leads us into our National League presented to you by Draft Kings and People. The first NFL Sunday is, here.

And Draft King Sportsbook, an official sports betting partner of the NFL is giving new customers. A can't miss offer. Celebrate the return of the NFL season. You can bet just $5 and get $200 in free bets. Instantly. Instantly.

Download the Draf King Sports. We have now and use promo code John Boy to get $200 in free bets. And that's instantly when you place a $5 bet this Sunday. That's code John Boy, only at Draft King Sportsbook and official sports. spending partner of the NFL. Minimum age and eligibility restrictions apply.

See show notes for details. All right, Daddy Trev, the National League as we head around the horn. We'll start with the first base position, which luckily for you and I remains an easy one. Because although Freddie Freeman is hitting at a crazy rate, and although Christian Walker is on the board, with 30 ding-dongs. Paul Goldschmidt still remains the best player from the National League this year.

We can give it to Paul E.G.? Yes. Okay. Okay. Congrats to Ball Goldschmidt. Who has won it in every month except April when? Eric Hosmer, Red Sox Great, won it for the San Diego Padres. Treff.

What were his numbers? What were his numbers? We got to talk about this. He was hitting. He was hitting, dude. He'd be hitting in April. He'd be hitting in April. And now he has a change of scenery.

Trev, second base, Tommy Edmund. Oh, my God. Tommy Edmund. April, May, June. The guy was racking up war. But the hitting numbers were starting to slip. And young Gavin Luxe eclipsed him through July. this year at second base.

I mean, you want to get all sorts of weird with this conversation. Jeff McNeil is in the mix for what he's been doing. Tommy Edmund is in the mix for this and the util. Jake Croninworth, Gavin Lux. It's been a messy second base position. If Jeff McNeil is eligible, I think he's got my vote in 824 OPM. from this cat? How many games at second base?

He won the utility spot last year. So we need to find out how many games he played at second base. That does mean something. One of those two guys is going to win the utility award, either Tommy Edmund or Jeff McNeil. McNeil, this includes some September, but 85 games at second, 31 and left.

One at third, four and right. Gavin Lux has really turned it on for the Dodgers. He's been excellent for them. You know, Dave Robert says this guy, like, he's not a prospect anymore. People have to stop looking. This guy is a legitimate Major League baseball player making a difference for the best team in baseball down the stretch. So we have to talk about Gavin Lux. But I think overall body of work right here, I think McNeil has to get at second base because he's done the same thing.

He's stabilized a position for one of the best teams in all the baseball. His numbers, the counting stats, even some of the other numbers are just a tick better. So I'll give it to McNeil for second base. Yeah, we're in lockstep, man. Yeah, everything is just a tick better than Gavin Lux. And yeah, that's the ability with the util in second base allows Jeff McNeil to go there. Uh, congrats. Jeffrey,

tough break. Is he a Jeffrey? Everyone just calls him Jeff McNeil. I'm sorry if he's not, but he's out of him, right? He's not a Jeffrey. Like, you see that guy. It's not a Jeffrey right there. I felt weird saying it.

I take it back. I'm sorry to everyone. Baseball reference says full name Jeff McNeil. So. Yeah, no. And he's not a Jeffrey at all. Like, I felt gross doing that. As just a Jake.

He came out of the woman. He's like, you name me Jeffrey? No, let's just chop the rea off, baby. Yeah. That's, uh, and that's kind of what he does with that bat, that axe handle. His Wikipedia also, just Jeff. Okay. Well, now the grossness felt right.

The grossness. Just a Jake. You can appreciate that. Jeff is such a strange name. Such a strange name. People that go GEO with it. Like, think about it. Yeah.

A lot of names are bizarre. Like, Jeff is the same thing as like Zed. Yeah. Like in the same world. Jeff Passon? Oh. Oh, boy. Now, Jeffrey Dahmer goes by Jeffrey.

That's maybe... Okay. Okay. Maybe edit that out. I don't know what that is. No, that stays. And so does. That's staying in, okay.

Jeffrey Dahmer. I don't, didn't he eat people? Sorry to all our Jeffries. Yeah. Or was that the Donner Pass? Donner Pass. They all ate each other. Jeffrey Dahmer.

Might have just killed people? I'm not laughing BVD, you get on that I usually have my serial killer stuff ready to go I believe this next one is a doozy Trev I just

I got National League shortstop position I got I had to take a deep breath because Frankie Lindor had it the first two months Mr. Smile Mr. Met

Trey Turner has had it the last two months and all this he was a cannibal he was a cannibal? Yeah. Oh, wow. It says that before serial killer on his Wikipedia.

I knew that for some reason. Damn. And Trev, if you're a war person, these guys basically have the same exact war. I mean, Swanson and Lindor, where their numbers are at is scary similar. Trey Turner, he's got the OPS bump, the batting average with a little more pop

and the stolen bases. I feel like that's kind of what ropes us in. All of these guys kind of deserve to be rewarded, but there's only one all-JM-NL shortstop. And they're all on excellent teams doing it when you're... I mean, a shortstop is an anchor, essentially, for a baseball team. And for these guys to be doing it on these teams really is special. And these are three of the better players than all of baseball.

We'll talk about Francisco and Dorr, what he's done for the Mets. Great. Danzy Swanson really turning it on, proving a lot of people wrong about him, which I love. But Trey Turner is my guy. I've said this multiple times. I like watching Trey Turner almost more than anybody else

in all the big leagues play. I just like the way he plays. And defensively, he's been caught up in a little bit of like the metrics don't like him, but like the eye test is there. So he like made a switch because he said, you know, all I have to do is take a few steps over here

and the metric started like me again. He's figured it out a little bit with that. That's a little cat and mouse game. But I'm going to give Trey Turner my vote for this for this month. And it's because... If you really look at the numbers, Jake, he's edging him just a little bit in every single line. It's because he's the right one, man.

You know, whether you're batting average on base or slugging, I mean, pure hits, pure RBI. Pure stolen base is like, kind of however you slice it up, he really should get the knot. I do think the defensive numbers like Frankie and Dan's Bay a little bit more. But it's Trey, it's Trey as he,

man, two guys who are going to get paid paid. I mean, are Trey Turner? And one guy who's already got paid paid paid. Are Trey Turner and Dansby Swanson both free agents this off season? What? I mean... I've said this about Trey Turner before, too. And maybe Dansby's the same way.

These guys, their bodies and the way they play, like it looks like they're going to age well. They look like they're 24 out there playing the game instead of whatever they are. I think both of them are approaching 28, 29. Athletic, healthy. Not bad to look at. Congrats to Trey Turner.

He remains on top. but man, got to be careful because Dansby, Orland Door could come and snag that so easily. On the hot corner, speaking of snagging it, I mean, look at this beautiful disaster of three of the best. It's pretty close.

It's closer than I thought it was going to be. Three of the best players in baseball, Nolan Aeronado, Mani Machado, and Young Thick Austin Riley. Austin Riley took down Mani Machado last month. Otherwise, Manny had it the whole way. I know young thick started going nuts, and I do think, I think our guy, Mani, had a mid-month, for lack of a better term. But now that we are back in the numbers. I'm making you go first on this one. You know, third base is close to us. I always laugh when I say that,

because you had a couple more days in the show than me. This is easy for me, unfortunately. It's Nolan Aeronado. He's my favorite defensive third baseman all time with maybe a poster I had a Brooks Robinson growing up. But the fact that his offensive numbers are in lockstep with Manny and Austin Riley, or better, it's Nolan Aeronado for me.

He's been going off lately. You know, like you said, you had Mani Machado, Mani Machado, Mani Machado, then Austin Riley take him over in August and in July. I remember saying that in July, Nolan was catching these guys. And Austin Riley had a big one. In August, Nolan had a 1.1 OPS. He slugged seven.

29 in August 9 homers. That's him up and steal a pedal right there. So Aeronado gets my vote as well. Congratulations. You are the winner for third base in the National League. And by the way, again, can't drive this home enough. He just had a 1.1 for August. He's got an OPS that's 30 points higher than Young Thick in Mani Machado.

And I think he plays the best defensive third base ever. So for that, and by the way, Mani Machado might be top five or ten defensive third baseman all time if I had to write down the list. And what he's doing is also crazy. The third baseman around baseball, I've given weird speeches about it before, but it's as stacked of a position. I think that we've seen since kind of, you talk about it, that generation of third baseman in the early, Is that what we talk about? I think 2010, we really just started to see a lot of really, really good third baseman coming to league. We're talking about Mani Machado.

We're talking about Aronado. We're talking about Justin Turner. We're talking about Jose Ramirez, Josh Donaldson, Trevor Plouf, Mike Moustakis, just to name a few. You know, I like when you call him Malibu Mike. And Nolan just texting to play golf He's ready On the whole I think the triple slash

Just a little better for Nolan And everyone else They're all right there The pure power numbers All right there Strikes out way less And his babips Way lower than the others

If you want to get a little nerdy with it And nerdy and dirty I mean he He hit nine homers in the month That's how he overtook Munchado in the slug department. Like you said, this is why I love this award. You can have

you can be close, be close, be close, and have a massive month and all of a sudden your overall numbers jump and then now you got the pedal. And now it's Nolan's to lose. Yeah. In September. And cards playing some important games, Padres playing some important games. Braves? Are you kidding me? So yeah. Yeah. That's awesome. Just looking at those three guys

stats is pretty badass to look at. Treve the catcher position for the all-JM team. It went J.T. Realmudo. I think it was a little bit of a respect award that he got it then. Wilson Contreras just went nuts with the stick early on in the summer that he had it through May and through June. And then J.T. Realmudo came back. He was part of the reason that these Phillies.

kept it going without Bryce Harper. If you're a war person, he's got a better war by about two points. His OPS, the same realm as Will Smith and Wilson Contreras. 17 stolen bases by J.T. Realmudo. I mean, that's a very real number. Look around baseball. That's crazy. I mean, that's more than Francisco Lindor and Dan.

who we were looking at before. And we probably should have mentioned that with Tommy Edmund before 26 swipes for him. But J.T. Real Mudo. And, you know, those other guys, I think Smith and Contreras fall into D.H. days a little more than J.T. He's the guy behind the dish for me. I agree with you. The 17 stolen bases, I did not know he was doing that this year. Sneaky 17 for J.T.

And when the slash lines are as close as this, I think, That has to make a difference. JT defensively is really good as well. Whenever they do some pop time highlights on him, it's pretty incredible, man. I love watching that guy catch. Is he the best catcher in baseball right now? I'm glad he's back.

Like for years he was considered that, and then the conversation kind of went away. And if he can finish off the campaign, I think he's back kind of one-one. Kind of back-one. Well, he's got the Daisy, or the pedal, excuse me. Excuse me. For this month.

Congrats to J.T. Real Nudo as that rounds out, the all-JM infield. The outfield, Brandon Nimmo has been rolling in center field throughout the year. Mookie Betts has been there recently. Last month, Juan Soto had it before that. Chihuahua going back early in the season. Ian Hap and Say a Suzuki. Holy cow With Bryce Harper

Let's go center field first Bryce Harper's had DH locked up Let's go to center Oh shit I got mine I don't even I like I have it Please

No disrespect to Brandon Nimmo Who's having a very Very fine season Oh boy There's a guy And just we talked about this Last month We said he's got a chance

To surpass Nimmo Michael Harris Harris's second Has surpassed Brandon Nimmo what this guy's been able to do coming up as a freaking rookie he's almost matched his F-4 he's got a 3-7 F-4 to Nimos 3-9 okay everything else batting average uh OPS um I mean even some of the counting stats are getting there with him he's got more homers than Nemo 22 doubles to Nemos 25 in about 40 less games 16 swipes 16 swipes Nemo zero I couldn't this guy is

This guy is right in front of us, and he got paid. We love that for the Braves and for him. He's becoming one of the better center fielder's in all the baseball. So Michael Harris has my vote. The kid is lights out defensively. Nimmo's been great this year defensively, too, but I think what Harris provides is kind of a fear factor defensively. I think people may be surprised coming from the Adley Rushman,

Sean Murphy, conversation, but Catcher is a little different because of the physicality and being back there every day. That was part of the reason I had Murphy. And a lot of Murphy's numbers were in line with Adleys. Michael Harris's numbers are better. They are better. And he's been doing it since he's gotten the call. I hate to do it because Nimmo's been there all year,

trying to get the vaunted silver daisy I think he is ousted from the center field position by Michael Harris too and man I mean what else do you say the kids stats are out of this world an 8509 OPS 13 homers and 16 steals

what and Jake the same thing we talked about with Andres Jimenez look at the walk percentage look at the K percentage. The walk percentage is not there. So the on-base percentage at 344. You can dream upon that walk percentage

getting to around like a 10 instead of a 5%. And then we're talking to he's like a 360 to 370, the OVP guy, the OPS shoots up. There's more in the tank for Michael Harris second as well, which I think is really exciting for Braves fans. Congratulations, Mike. He's 21 years old. And he wasn't even like,

the top prospect for the Braves. It was like, oh, he's a quick riser. I think Braves fans knew about him. He wasn't a prospect that, like, other fans know about. I mean, congrats. Michael Harris-Duce. Congrats to Braves fans. And sorry to the rest of the league.

Kishesh. Trev, there's another guy we don't need to talk about. His name is Mooky Betts. Yeah, he's good at baseball. The Wars and the Sixes. you know, whether you like home runs or defense or base running or anything, Mookie's got it for you. Unbelievable how far he has turned it back on.

Trev, the final outfield spot that Juan Soto had won last month, we try not to be biased. I think our guy Ian Hap has returned to the chat in this conversation. I mean, I'm seeing Dalton Varshot's name pop up, which I don't know about all that, because I think it's a different territory. Canna in the mix. Marcana, hey, trying to replace.

I mean, Nimmo actually should be in the conversation again with some of his stats he's racked up. Yeah, this comes down to Happer Nimmo for me for the last spot here. So Soto's out for you. Because that OPS still. Yeah. still plays. I think he,

I think Soto is out for me. I think it's, I think it's, I think it's a nimo in Hap right now. I mean, for my money. You can't, you can't take Soto out though.

You can't take him out. You can't take him out. I don't know what the fuck I'm talking about. He's got a 20% walk rate, which is obviously a product of, well, him, he's really good. And then also playing in Washington

for the first half. Oh man. Happer and I had, this contentious relationship right now because I own this bottle of the wine. Right. But I can't let that cloud my judgment. He's got Nimmo in homers. He's got Nimmo in doubles.

He's got Nimmo in RBI. He's got Nimmo and stolen bases. He's got Nimmo in games played. Better OPS. So now I guess it's Hat versus Soto for me. I'm going to you in half and make you make the decision. I mean, it's excruciating. Ian Hap.

Wands's counting stats are better than everyone's. I mean, everyone's. The on-base percentage is crazy. He's out-slugging Hap. OPS, he's got Hap by like 80 points. That's all OBP, man. I know, I know. And there's a value to OBP

when it is Wonsoto, you know? Like that's Yeah. It's not like he's going up there and just hoping for a walk. It's more so pitchers are walking him to not pitch to him because he's got nine more homers than Hap. He scored 20 more runs than Hap, which again, there's some offense stuff there,

and I get it, I get it, I get it. I'm going Soto and kicking a beeps. It hurts to have to do this. I love all these people. but I can't deny the counting numbers and it's the other slash lines. I have to go Soto. I'm fine with that.

I think Nimmo is hurting right now. He could have still been in line for a silver daisy in a big month of September. He could have done it. But instead, he's out. He should get some credit for being a centerfielder, even though he's not getting the, center field pedal this month.

I think I'm still Soto over him too. I'm starting to understand why voters struggle, man. I mean, the name value that Juan Soto provides with that on base percentage and with the homers compared to Nimmo. I mean, Nimmo's best trade is is on base percentage, which Soto's got him by 50 points. So, I mean, brutal. Brandon Nimmo, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

As we record this on Jerry Blevins' birthday, I mean, it's just messed up. Oh, baby. It's just messed up. But this NL team is loaded. Real Mudo, Goldie, McNeil, Turner, Aronado Soto, Harris, Betts. Before we get to the DH and the U-Till,

starting pitcher in U-Till, we have a couple more cuts to be made. And that was a pun, people, because let me tell you, about cuts closing. There's no one I know who has more style than professional athletes, Treve, when they're off the field, and they've let me in on the secret. It's cuts.

Every cut shirt is designed to provide a perfectly tailored fit, and they're insanely comfortable. Plus, cuts has all the essentials for looking sharp, like T's, hoodies, polos, and more so you can look great, no matter the occasion. You'll see these guys wearing cuts, Bryce Harper, Walker Bueller, Mariano Rivera,

who Trevor Plouf faced, and I think you've got some cuts, Trev. I would love to have some cuts if you want to send some out to me. Because you were in the, so they're naming some show guys and you were in the, okay, we can get you some cuts. Nicky Cass does cuts. I think he's a cuts guy too.

But I don't know. It makes the biceps look real nice. They snug in the right places, if you know what I mean. They make it easy to mix and match styles and colors so you can find your perfect style. The short sleeve crew neck, the long sleeve Henley. The quality is there, people. Join hundreds of thousands of men who have already made the simple decision to elevate their wardrobe with cuts. Get 15% off your first order by going to cutsclothing.com slash baseball.

That's cutsclothing.com slash baseball. baseball get 15% off. The designated hitter position, Trev, in the National League, the first year ever. Big Vogi jumped out of the gate, snagged it. He's playing somewhere else. Still in the NL. Bryce Harper grabbed it as he went nuts and he was limited mostly to the DH. He was out for a while.

He still kind of retained it. He's come back. I mean, it's either him or the Contreras brothers. Like, what's going on? What? The DH is a different position than we thought it was going to be. We thought that teams were just going to use a bunch of boppers and say, you know what? Let's put a guy there.

Pitchers don't have to hit anymore. Let's put a banger in that position. That's not how it happens, man. It's like it's rest days. It's all sorts of. different type of hitters are doing it. There's a lot of catchers that are D-Hing on their off days. How many, Beaver's, my internet is so bad here.

How many D.Hs days has Wilson Contreras had? Wilson Contreras as a D.H. He's had a few. He mixes it almost 40 games. 68 games behind the plate, 37 games as a D.H. He's out for me. No. It's not enough for me.

Can I tell you what I think keeps Bryce, and I know it felt a little yucky because he was out for so long, well, A, let me remind the people of some of the numbers. Bryce Harper has a $589 slugging this year. A 985 OPS. 323-395 is insane. 15 homers. The counting stats...

Counting stats are still there for Bryce. Wilson has him in home runs by six, and that's a significant number. Everywhere else is even. And how about this? Bryce Harper comes back. He misses July. He comes back for a week in August, six games, 381, 500 on base, and 976 OPS. No recovery period.

No, I'm figuring it out. He came back for that final week of. of August added to his stats. I'm sorry Contreras, bros. If the counting stats were completely different, like Harper still has more doubles than those guys. The homers are comparable, especially the Homer rate is in his favor.

You know, runs an RBI, like, you know, comparable. But again, the rate means something. I'm going to go Bryce Harper here. I think he did enough to have himself hold on to the DH position and now that he's back and like you mentioned he cut his freaking rehab stint short because he's like I just let me put me back in the big leagues

I'm so good I don't give a shit about the minor leagues he's doing it again I think I think again because there's not a lot of just primary DHS in the NL because they still haven't figured out how to freaking use it Bryce gets my nod

as well he continues it and now he's still on pace for the Silver Dase you know Voguey had it for He had it Right Vogue had it So I'm still going to

Bryce The fact that Bryce didn't play A game in July And he didn't Lose the July Pedal He came back

MASH for a week in August Like the numbers Are still better than everyone else He plays more DH than everyone else Which at that position You know Those rules get a little funky

but it's just, I mean... It'd be weird to move off him now. William Contreras kind of has the better numbers, but he's only played 74 games. Wilson Contreras, he's getting hurt in this catcher split, but that's all J.M. You know? And Harper's numbers are so, so good that I...

I feel okay with it. If Contreras, you're right. If he had a couple more in the counting, If he was 10 homers up, that's significant. I mean, six homers. Bryce Harper should be leading any counting stance when you're talking about a guy that's paid 70 games compared to 107 games.

He missed 52 games. And he's got him in. And he's still right there in the lead and all of those numbers. Double stolen bases. Bryce Harper retains. The Util spot, I think. think we said this guy's name and he won the last one. There is an interesting competitor from My Snakes and Dalton Varshot,

because that guy gets behind the dish for you, which is straight, nutty. I do think, and we valued this last time, Tommy Edmund, the defense he plays. We talked about Andres Jimenez before. This guy's, wherever he is on the field, he is a problem for you with the 26 stolen bases. Last time we saw him, the OPS had dropped. We saw a six, and that really freaked me out. It's back in the sevens with the stolen bases, with the defense.

I believe Tommy Edmund should retain the National League Utility Man spot. I'm there. I already said it. Tommy Evans, my guy. I do appreciate a catcher that can play other positions as well. Don't let that, like, you know, slide or fall under the radar. Fly under the radar. What am I talking about?

about. Plays catcher in the center field. That's awesome. But give me Tommy Eben in the utility role. I think that, dude, if I'm a manager and I got a bunch of Tommy Ebbins running around for me, you'd make it work.

You'd win games. He's made some crazy defensive plays, bro. And he's just trying to catch up to Aeronado and, like, competing with him back and forth. That's a good game for him to play. Do not. He's made some nasty plays.

Do not put it on the ground against St. Louis. You got a bad chance of it getting through. And Jack Flared he's back Uh-oh. Bird gang. Trev. Tommy M.

I've been ran around in the center field at least once this year. We're going to fall into another messy disaster to end it. The All-JM starting pitcher from the National League. The bad man has been the bad man all year. Sandy. He has gotten clipped a little bit recently.

Again, these numbers are through. August and he still has the innings pitched. The ERA is incredible. I know your guy Max Fried is sneaking up. The FIP loves some Nola. It loves a couple of these other guys. Is there an... Zach Gowan is on a...

He can't give up a run if he wanted to. Look at Webb. Who do you see? I was going into this thinking, Sandy. I knew there were going to be some guys that were close, but Nola, to me, if you're looking at some of these numbers, they're outpacing Sandy a little bit.

He's got more strikeouts. I know that doesn't mean a lot. Sandy goes deeper into games and he gets early contact so he can go deeper into the games. But Noah's only 15 innings behind him, which I guess is a significant margin. The whips are identical.

0.97 for Nola. 0.98 for Sandy. Nola walks less people per 9. I think Max Fried has to be. in this discussion as well. Oh, buddy. I'm gonna go Nola. Oh, God.

I'm gonna go Nola. You're still on the second most innings and at least on a list that we've seen. 185 for Sandy, 170 for Nola. You know, the record, who cares? He's 9 and 11. Nola's hilarious. Nola's got my vote.

Trev. Before complete games, do those matter? Nola's got two. Anna shut out. That ERA gap is so big. But the whip and the FIP is right there. The Phillies defense definitely doesn't help Nola. That ballpark doesn't help Nola.

Carlos Rodon deserves a shout-out. What are his numbers? Sheesh. Trevor. Do what you got to do, big boy. If we give this to Aaron Nola. Are you agreeing with me a little bit? If we give this to Aaron Nol.

I think we're canceled. I think it's just over. So right now I'm looking at, and I don't know if this is through August or whatever. I think this is up to date. So September's in this a little bit. Rodon has the lowest FIPP at 234, then 3 to 249, then Nola at 271,

then Wheeler at 297, then Sandy at 306. I don't know if that does anything for you. Sandy got hit his last start, but it was in September. You're going Nola. I picked Nola, yes, sir. Aaron Nola, for the record. Aaron Nola.

Not his brother. Not Austin. It's a catcher. I can't. I can't do it. I mean, I'm an ERA guy. I know there's ballpark factors and defense factors and all of that. but I mean the ERA being a point and a half down

I'm going Sandy I like it Mebers? Emotionally drained Can't go wrong To end the show Can't go wrong with any of the guys we've We've talked about

But uh Yeah, I mean, that ERA gap just is too much to deal with. Other than that, they are so close. Nola has almost as many innings. The only other guy who gives as many innings start, each and every start as Sandy. I'd love to be able to give him credit for being on the, of the guys who talked about for being on the team

that's playing the most games that matter. I do have to go Sandy But God is it closer That I thought it was going to be Six minutes ago I'm fine with that Obviously Sandy you're the best I kind of want to come no la

For now it's Sandy I think Nola I don't think it's gonna finish Sam I don't think it's gonna finish Sandy And I think that's the part that's hurting me Because man Give your pig buddy Zach Gowan

Hot Talk about Max free I won't leave the table on a heater From Pablo to Joe Musgrove To Sandy to Sandy to Sandy The NL team finishes JT Real Nudo

Paul Goldschmidt Jeff McNeil Trey Turner Nolan Aeronato Juan Soto Michael Harris The second Luckey Betts Bryce Harper And Sandy Alcantara

With Tommy Who wins this game? Who wins this game? I would take... Bill and C. versus Sandy. I would take the National League. And I'm traditionally an AL guy. How many lefties we got on the NL squad?

Juan Soto, Michael Harris, Bryce Harper, Tommy Evan's Switch. Jeff May Neal's not Switch, right? Lefty. He's lefty. Lefty slap. The NL has a real, real nice team. I mean, both are good, man. But, yeah, Aaron Judge and Mike Trout

in your freaking outfield. A lot of thump in that age. I'd take the NL, too. I'd say sound off in the comments and you guys normally do on this one, so we can't thank you enough. Friday recap episode. Thank you guys.

Man. I just realized we had no mariners on this. list. We're dead. We're dead. We're dead in the water. Paul's Leo is so close. J.P. Croft. You got Adam Fraser too. Yes. Maybe we'll get to that Friday. White Sox. A.O. Central Favits now? Did I do it again? Or did I do it again?