The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz - Postseason Trivia Draft Fail?! + Adnan Virk’s MLB Playoff Predictions | Pitch Clock

Episode Date: October 8, 2026

On this episode of The Pitch Clock, the guys face off in a high-stakes "Postseason Decades" baseball trivia draft covering hits, home runs, and RBIs across MLB history. Plus, MLB Network's Adnan Virk joins the show straight from the airport to preview the Division Series, break down the dominant Tampa Bay Rays, and analyze if the Milwaukee Brewers can pull off the ultimate postseason upset. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey, it's Jeremy and I'm walking into the studio right now before we record our interview with Adnan. So our cold open is a quick update. You may know this, you may not. We do not record all of pitchclock at the exact same time. And so we recorded our game a few days ago. Why does that matter? Because since then, Kike Hernandez has a couple of hits, including a homer. Muki Betz may or may not have a couple of hits.

It is worth noting that the numbers you are going to hear for the totals of some of these players in our trivia game are not exactly what they are right now today. Does it actually impact the result? No. We did the math. We double-checked. Or Gabe did. Hopefully he's right this time. But all of that math will not influence the result. Please do not yell. We will have visual cues. cues when the numbers are slightly different. Enjoy this episode of the pitch clock. Please don't yell at us. Welcome to the pitch clock. Here's the pitch.

A two-part baseball segment. Combining a nostalgic baseball trivia game and an interview with an expert. This is the pitch clock. Ooh, baby. Yeah. That's how I feel right now because we are in the swing. of the MLB playoffs. We've got Adnan Virk joining us momentarily

to talk about everything that happened previously in the wild card round. Now as we're getting into the division series here, and I'm coming off a win. What felt like a potentially season saving win because we had a wild swing at the top of last episode. If you didn't watch, make sure you go see.

I've got my two-game lead as opposed to a tie. But we've still got about five weeks, six weeks to go here. We'll see as we narrow down when we finally get to the end of this. But Gabe, we got a game to play. What do we got? We got postseason decades. All right.

Flip your page. Let's check it out. Well said. 90s. 90s, 2010s, and 20s. You guys are going to draft again. You're going to pick one player from each decade. Three rounds, three different criteria.

Oh, boy. You will know the criteria right before the round. Oh, this is fun. Okay. I mean, it kind of would be nice to know all the criteria. No, I kind of like that. It would be nice. It would be nice.

I like this. I'm going to go through names for the audio. Audio listeners at home. 90s. We got no ma'am. Brady Anderson, Ken Kemeniti, Sandy Alamar, Tino Martinez, Devin White, David Justice, and Roberto Alamar. Devin White.

Devon. Dude. Don't do this. It is Devon White. Sorry, running through things quickly. 2000s. Lance Berkman. Carlos Beltran

Tram Tram Tron David Eckstein Johnny Damon Darren Erstad BJ Upton Jim Edmonds and Reggie Sanders 2010s Delman Young Pablo Sandoval Eric Hosmer

Miguel Cabr David Freeze J.D. Martinez Francisco Lindor and the 2020s Kike Hernandez Mookiee Betts Jose Al Tuvae

Cody Bellinger Corey Seeger Danes Bonson Yuli Gouriel and Randy Orozovina I love how rattled you were after that Devon Yeah it literally

changed everything I said Bell Treon and then Exstein, I knew was Eckstein, but I second guess myself to say X-Dien, which is not what his name is. You got K-K-Rite, thank you for that. Well, just to let you know, these are numbers from that era

only. It's not grand total of whole season, just the era. Okay, just that decade. We got it. And then we're going to add up the score at the very end. Okay. Talk to me. So what's our first category? And do I go first this round, at least? Like, I'll go first round

and third round. Maybe I go first, I won last week. Sure. We want to decide that together. Terrific. Your first category, let's keep a simple. Home runs. 90s, postseason home runs.

I'm going to go with... God, there's one obvious answer. Tino Martinez. Five. Oh. Boy. And just so you know, I got this information from Stathead. So, yeah, we've actually got this information.

Yeah, if it's wrong, blame that. No more. Seven. Man. Who was number one on that? So those guys are now undraftable. Those guys are undraftable for the other categories. Correct.

And since it doesn't matter because home runs won't be a category again, at least I don't think. Can you tell us who the best answer would have been? David Justice. Yeah. He had 10. That was who I was between. That sucks.

All right. I don't know if I like knowing that, though, because he could do RBI next one. And now all of a sudden. Did it mess everything up? No. Okay. Total bases. You see where I'm going here. Yeah, 2000s. We have...

I'm going... Ooh, this is... There's three guys that stand out to me. Should go with David X-Dex. Yeah, I'm going Carlos Beltron. 11. Okay. I really want to say Darrenertstad, because I know he had a couple of really good post-season but I'm going to go Jim Edmonds.

13. Did I make a good choice there? Yes, you did. Damn it. No! Um, who would have been the best answer? Jim Edmonds. 2010s were still going postseason home runs.

Boy, this is more difficult than I thought it would be. I'm going to take Pablo Sandoval. Six. Damn it. That's not enough. Oh, there's another guy. J.D. Martinez. Yep, that's...

Also six. Oh, thank God. Who was the best on this list? David Freeze. 10. Really? Damn. I thought that was there just because we remember an iconic moment,

not because he actually had that many home. Man, good for him. And the 2020s. Now, this is more complicated. And there's a name on this list. It's also interesting because there's some, like, weird crossover here with... Just pick a name.

All right. I'm doing... Hey, we have a show to do. We're supposed to talk. We're supposed to think things out. The listening audience loves this part, right? Right? Right?

Um... I will take... Randy Roserena. 12. Oh, boy. Okay. Cody Bellinger. Six.

Damn. I can always tell by Gabe's face. It's a huge swing. So we're totaling these totaling these totaling. rolls up like for all three rounds or is it like there's a winner of this round winner of that no no we're going to total up i was up what four there and you game yeah so i'm up by two at the end of that round is randy a resorana the best answer on that list uh no cori seger really wow 16 wow holy cow i guess with i was dodgers and the rangers because they won that world series

that's who i was thinking of adnan virk is here for this episode of the pitch clock he's joining us from an airport as he goes from one flight to the next. He's in the middle of flight. It's the effort that he's willing to put in to spend this time with us on the pitch clock. So if you hear any other random voices behind him, that's just because of the type of effort

that he puts in. Adnan, thank you for being here, my friend. Of course, Jeremy. I was like, no matter what, we need to talk baseball, this is too important to both of us, especially with these games, the excitement that's been all around them.

So, yeah, Winnipeg to Toronto, quick layover before I get back to Jersey. I'm happy to shot our favorite part of the season. Yes, absolutely. And for those of you who are looking for a recap, David and I already spent a little time this morning. That's David Samson, of course, of nothing personal. We had a crossover with the pitch clock.

Recap some of last night's games. It was a lot of fun. So make sure that you've either listened to that or watch that over on the Levitart show YouTube page because Adnan and I are mostly going to look forward, but Adnan, I do want your thoughts here. So I'm going to ask you for one sentence from each game from last night.

I'm going to go through each series. Okay? So for each of these games that went down last night on Wednesday, let's just one sentence, Guardians White Sox. Jose Ramirez finally steps up. It's been a big story just how the handmae bone injury has been a problem for him. Two for five, triple, fantastic defensive play.

Jose Ramirez is the star that he is. Cleveland extends. Okay, a colon and a couple of commas in there on that one sentence. I want to go now. Let's go Braves Dodgers. Dodgers too good. There you go. As much more succinct than that one.

Braves' offense, completely listless. Completely in that Dodgers pitching is so good. All right. Now we go Yankees race. Thankfully, Ray's did not have a porous showing defensively, raised pitching too strong. Victor Mason, Jr., how about that?

Told you, there'd be a former Marlon who played a biggest act. I told you. I told you it happened. Also, my goi, if you really think about it as well. And then finally, Padres Brewers. Again, Padre's offense, just listless. Brewers' bullpen, formidable.

That's right. So now we look ahead at tonight's game. We got the White Sox and the Guardiansons. They're the only series left. We got a game for in Chicago. Parker Messick on the hill for those guardians. The fans behind you very excited about this. Adnan, let's talk about this.

White Sox Guardians, who comes away the winner and why? Yeah, people here at Pearson International Airport definitely buzzing about this series specifically. Parker Messick has had such a great year, Jeremy, because he's going to get votes for the Siyang and also for rookie of the year. The guy's a load out there. And all along, I thought Cleveland's starting pitching was the strength of the series and why Cleveland would win. But I'm loving the fact that the White Sox are in it. I've said all along, if the White Sox pull this off, you're going to see a mass rush of converts to Catholicism because clearly Pope Leo has blessed this team. And just Just imagine, just imagine, Jimmy.

We get White Sox in the World Series. You got Obama throwing at the first pitch game one, Pope Leo in game two. It would be unbelievable. I really want to see it, but I want more baseball. So I want Cleveland to win game four. I say Messing dominates. And also, let me get the White Sox winning game five.

That's what I want to see. I'm going to wheel it to happen. Round two, RBI's. Ah, so this is going to swing. Okay. All right. So it is RBI. I like that then.

My turn? Yeah, damn it. David Justice. Shoot. 42. No. This sucks. You asked for it.

Ah, no. Sandy Alamar. 28. Damn it. This is garbage. Who was the best answer on that list? David Justice. You.

I'll go Lance Berkman. 26. Okay. I'm going Johnny Damon. 30. Yes. All right. All right.

Inching back. That's okay. I'm not going to ask any more questions about who's the highest on whatever list. Shut your mouth. David Freeze. Yeah. 36. No.

God, Gabe. Didn't we ask if RBI? I like use that as an example. You literally use it as an example. Um, uh, between these two guys, who do I go with? I'm just, I'm going to, I'm going to, I'm going to Miguel Cabrera. 26. Yeah, you loser.

I'm so angry. I am going to go. with... I can't believe this. Corey Seeger. God, this is ridiculous. I can't believe this is...

I can't believe this. I can't believe this. I can't believe this in such a specific way. I can't believe it because you use it as an example. I can't believe I set it up so that I would go first not in every single round, but just every other round. For no reason. I was just trying to be as fair as I could be.

Like, oh, I should get an advantage, but not all of the advantage. And then, Gabe, Gabe, how do you not stop me from asking those questions to get any answers? How do you not stop me? That's bad producing. This is ridiculous what you've done. Good producing, I think. Okay.

Well, shoot. Now you're not going to curse. Yeah, I feel crazy. Al-Tuve. 27. God, what a disaster. What a disaster. So that first game home runs, I was down two.

I total won 31 in this second round. So I am up 29 going into the third round. You got the White Sox or the Guardians advancing when it comes to the ALCS. They're going to take on the raise who ultimately sweep the New York Yankees. And my question for you really is, does it even matter who they're going to play? Are the raise just too good for whoever their opponent is? Yeah, this series was such a great example. It's just raised baseball.

Like, first off, an underappreciate starting pitching stuff. Like Drew Rasmussen might be a top three pitcher. certainly the American League and in all of baseball. The guy was awesome and just shoved in game one, completely shut down the Yankees. You know, Nick Martinez has had an amazing season, the age of 35, first-time All-Star. Brian Baker closed down all three games. That's like Dennis Eckersley style. When the closure comes in, you go, it's game over.

And then this offense, which is so unharalded, like, yeah, you can focus on Junior Kimanero and Yandi Diaz and Jonathan Ronda. But it's these other players that step up. It's your Ryan Belage. It's your Victor Mesa. It's just timely hitting from these guys. they're so pesky and so relentless and they just put the ball in play.

This is not an aberration that they won 98 games. They're the best in the American League. They're sound defensively. They're well managed by Kevin Cash. I think the raise win no matter what. I'd be really surprised they're not in the world service. I would be shocked if anyone pulled off the upset.

And the thing that really makes them so good is like you mentioned, their pitching is so consistent. Their pitching is so elite. And whether it's a starter or a guy out of the bullpen, they're versatile. It doesn't really seem to matter. which type of lineup they face. That's something that is a huge credit to the raise in their coaching staff and their front office is an ability to maximize their pitchers and turn them into the best versions of themselves.

And when you see a match up with a team like the White Sox or the Guardians, it feels like they will overmatch those teams and ultimately be one of the three low payroll teams from the American League to ultimately advance to the World Series. But we've got a juggernaut, Adnan. I'm so happy to get to wrap with you here because this is something we've been looking, forward to since basically the day the season started. You got the Brewers who were the best team in baseball. You got the Dodgers who were the back-to-back World Series champions and most people believe to be the actual best team in baseball. They're going to be the favorite. They're the juggernaut. The Brewers somehow is the best team in baseball with the Syung on the hill in game one are going to feel like they have to pull off an upset. I mean, holy cow,

this is what we all wanted? We got a juggernaut. What's the X factor here? Like what are you looking at as we head into this series? and really, let's be real pull for the Brewers. Yeah, I'm with you, dude. I'm bubbling over with enthusiasm. If you do not have a dog in the race, how are you not cheering for the Spilwaukee Brewers team? They haven't won the pennant since 82.

They've never won the World Series. They've got little brother syndrome, like you wouldn't believe it. I spoke to my buddy out of me who called that series for his podres. And he said, you know, I had like old ladies shaking their fists at the boot. Like, now do you believe? And I'm like, you won 103 games. Nobody is discrediting you. We all know you're very, very good.

the question is can you beat the Dodgers? That is a legit question. And we saw how you scored three runs in the NLCS year ago. So that's really going to be the challenge. So I'm praying it happens, dude. I'm a little bit concerned because I love Ms so much, as does anybody who's a baseball fan. He only went four innings in that game one start, idiot pitches.

And the reason why afterwards is that Pat Murphy was just like, he just thought his command was off a little bit. I'm like, Pat, no matter what, we need Ms. to go deep. I don't care if you don't think he's at his best. that we need two outstanding starts from Ms. I want like Sandy Kofak, 65 World Series type stuff out of MIS. I want to be great.

And then I want Logan Henderson, who has allowed three runs or less in 25 straight starts, remarkable consistency. No matter what, this guy does not get lit up. He might not go seven innings, but he's going five plus,

three runs or less. That's very good. Now I get worried after that, the Robert Gassers bullpen games, what do we get? Although Brewer's bullpen, my hot take was Brewer's bullpen better than the Padres bullpen,

which nobody would have thought. Sandy goes bullpen gets all the claim Milwaukee's was better in the regular season. They were better in the playoffs. And I mean, God, Trevor McGill, as Sean Casey said to me, it looks like a serial killer from the land of Dahmer. That guy comes in the game. You're like, oh, my God, I do not want to face him.

Those are some uncomfortable at bats. But all that being said, how can you deny the Dodgers are like the overwhelming favorite? Like, I get thinking that Braves Dodgers series when it was 1-1, I was okay. So that's pretty good for Atlanta. Chris Sale in game three, Tyler Mallon, game four. Oh, wait, L.A.'s got Yamamoto in game three. Like, I think they're going to be fine.

And that's exactly what happened. And now I've been Diaz looks fine. Tanner Scott's figured it out. So the other thing is Freddie Freeman, as you know, had a lack of slug this season. Still hit for average, but issues of power. What happens in the playoffs? No problem.

Down and in, two homelands for Freddie Freeman. Powers back. I'm good to go. So listen, the Dodgers, I think in all like that are going to win this series in six. But like you, I am praying beyond praying. For the good people of Wisconsin, for Laverne and Shirley, for cheese curds, for everything that is holy in life. I want the Brewers to win this thing in seven.

to vanquished the Galaughters. Nothing would make me happy. Nothing. I'm pulling so hard for Milwaukee. I just, the reason I wanted is, God, the brand of baseball

between the Brewers and the Rays would be a blast. Although obviously the Dodgers and Rays would be a fun contrast of styles. Yeah, contrast of styles, a contrast of payrolls,

a contrast of narratives around them. And that's what you're getting here in this series as well. And it's so funny, you referred to Trevor McGill and said he looks like basically the land of Dahmer. Earlier today, Aaron Ashby was referred to as the guy who you could see in the movie theater with the trench coat.

It sounds like this brewer's bullpen is full of weirdos. And you know what? They're really effective. I actually think ultimately Aaron Ashby may be the key to this series because his left-handed arm out of that bullpen, a guy who really has a rubber arm can pitch every single day facing those lefties in Otani in Freeman. Max Muncie who just hit his 19th postseason home run. These are going to be some key at bats throughout the course of the series. Obviously, Jacob Mizorowski has about as much pressure on him as a Cy Young Award.

I mean, obvious Cy Young Award winner that's headed his way. As a young, Cy Young Award winner, as I can really remember going into a series like this one, it is going to be a blast. By the time we speak next, we'll be headed into game four of that series in game three of what I predict to be, ultimately the White Sox and the Rays. I know you feel the same way. Hope they pull it off in five. Adnan, thank you for taking the time.

sitting next to that woman, I believe speaking French in the airport. We appreciate you, my friend. And we will see you here next week on the pitch clock. I wish I was still bilingual, but grade nine French is where I tapped out, Jeremy. And one last stop for the breweries. We focused so much in LA Star Power. But I'm really hoping, listen, William Contrero said that a huge go-ahead home run. He's a monster.

Bryce Terang had 100 RBIs this year. And every year you and I say, wow, this guy became a star. Jackson Churiel has become a star so far this postseason. I hope those three guys step up big time. and that's why Milwaukee wins. Yep. Terang really needs to because Contreras and Trurio have done their part thus far. They need a lot out of terrain.

Maybe a moment from the guy wearing the sea in Christian Yelich. We'll see if that happens. Hey, everybody, make sure to watch Adnan in all of the places that he is by his book, Sinophile. It's great. He's the best. Adnan, thank you so much for joining me again. And hey, can't wait to talk to you.

Well, I mean, let's be real. We're going to talk throughout all of this. But I can't wait to talk to you next week on the air. I was going to be texting throughout the playoffs. That's right. talking on the air next week as well. This was awesome, buddy. Cannot wait.

You're the best. I guess we'll go into the last round. Gabe was better. Total bases? I swear to God. I swear to God, Gabe. If I don't, oh my God. What is?

Slugging percentage? What is it? Hits. Hits. Okay. Okay. I'm going with Roberto Alamo. 68.

68. That feels like a lot, but I don't know how many a lot is. I'll go with Devin White. God, I hate you. 55. I will go with Darren Erstad. 40. Okay.

Eckstein. 49. Thank you. No. I love how you can tell Gabe's rooting for me by his energy. God, it sucks. I'm so mad. I'm so mad about this.

Especially because I was going to take Eckstein, and that would have made it really close. Instead, I'm now down 25 going into this final couple of years. Yeah, he's like, 32. And if I'm right, he's like 49. Yep, there it is. God, you jerk. Yeah, I feel bad from last week. I feel bad.

No, no, there's no feeling bad in baseball. You could just have favorites, Gabe. You don't have to have reason. This sucks. I don't even remember who got taken. Okay, relax, Jamie. Delman Young, Eric Hosmer, Prince Fielder, and Francisco Lendor in the 2010s, who had the most hits? I'm going to go either Lindor or Fielder, whatever one you don't go with.

Okay, I'm going Hosmer. 34. Damn it. That worked perfectly. Lindor. 24. Yeah, he's 24.

24. Yeah, disappointed. Yeah, disappointed. You could tell. All right, I need to win by 15 in this final round. One answer last. I need 15 or 16 more hits. Yes.

Than Chris. 17 more work, too. There are four names left on this list in the 2020s. Dansby Swanson, Yuli, Kiki, her name. Mookie Betz. Mookie Betz. That's the highest number?

Oh, boy. Okay, now is it possible. Oh, Lord. Now, this is good here. Is it possible to get within 50, or did he just win? It's kind of, it's good, I don't want you to, maybe. No, just go. Okay.

Kiki. That's who I was going with otherwise. 60. Let's go. I win. We're back, baby. Let's. A three-point swing.

Why'd you have to tell him about the home run? Gabe, you could celebrate.