Baseball Connection

Kent Emanuel pitched 8.2 strong innings for the Astros - in relief! Emanuel was called upon to make his MLB debut when Jake Odorizzi exited the game after just one batter. He did not disappoint. Fernando Tatis launched two more bombs, but the Dodgers rallied back to avoid their 3rd straight loss. The A's extended their win streak to 13 games. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Jacob deGrom was getting "M-V-P" chants at Citi Field as he did it all in the Mets victory over the Nationals. J.A. Happ carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning for Minnesota. Tatis and Stanton both launched 2-homer attacks - will that be the spark they each need to get on a roll? All this (and more) on today's episode.

David Peralta led the way for the D-Backs in a slugfest with the Reds. The Twins are calling up Alex Kiriloff and Nick Gordon (a former guest on this show)! Ryan Weathers made a statement with 5+ innings of one-hit ball as the Padres defeated the Dodgers. All this on today's episode.

After it seemed like a certainty that they'd lose, Oakland squeaked out a victory to keep their streak alive. Offense was the theme in yesterday's game, and the usual suspects were at it for both the Twins and A's. Could this be Freddie Freeman's last year as a Brave? All this on today's episode.

Corbin Burnes has been the best pitcher in the National League so far. Burnes carries a 0.37 ERA an MLB-record 40:0 strikeout-to-walk ratio through his first 4 starts. The A's swept a doubleheader en route to their 10th straight win. Pitching has led the way for Oakland during this streak. Ohtani shook off some rust in his return to the mound. All this on today's episode.

There have been some notable developments early in the season. The Red Sox offense is rejuvenated - they lead the Majors in OPS. The Padres offseason moves are paying off as they lead the Majors in ERA. Bryce Harper is quietly putting up strong numbers... again. The best 1-2 punch in baseball is Mitch Haniger and Ty France? All this (and more) on today's episode.

After stumbling out of the gate to begin the season, the A's have ripped off 8 straight wins. Chapman and Olson are both hitting well and the starting pitchers have figured it out. The Yankees have lost 5 in a row, but it's too early to hit the panic button. Shane Bieber can't be stopped. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Steven Matz has been a pleasant surprise for the Blue Jays this season. Although he was acquired to be a back of the rotation piece, Matz has looked like a front-line starter early in the year. Tyler Glasnow and the Rays continue to torment the Yankees. Jacob deGrom tied his career high with 14 strikeouts against the Rockies. All this (and more) on today's episode.

In what was the best game of the young season thus far, we saw a playoff-like battle between the Dodgers and Padres. Tatis returned with a big home run, benches cleared after a hit-by-pitch, and both teams exchanged clutch hits. LA won the series-opening thriller in 12 innings. The Dodgers showed that their roster depth can't be matched right now.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is off to a hot start this year. He could be on the verge of the breakout we've been waiting for. Don't be surprised though - he's always been this talented. The Padres might activate Fernando Tatis off the injured list as early as today. Fortunately for them, it's a quick turnaround considering the initial scare with this injury.

Carlos Rodon flirted with perfection for 8+, but he was still able to etch his name in the history books with the 20th no-hitter in White Sox history. Rodon is the first pitcher to throw a no-hitter within two years of Tommy John Surgery. There will be more experiments with rule changes in the Atlantic League this season. Will we see them in the MLB soon? All this (and more) on today's episode.

Shane Bieber and Lucas Giolito faced off in a pitcher's duel that was as advertised. They tossed nine and seven shutout innings, respectively. The Cubs and Brewers will probably be feuding all season long. Tempers flared in Milwaukee as Willson Contreras was plunked by a Brewers pitcher yet again. Trevor Bauer was sharp in his home debut and the Red Sox won their 7th straight. All this (and more)...

Don't look now, but the Angels are atop the AL West for the first time since 2018. Shohei Ohtani continues to tear the cover off the ball and Mike Trout is casually doing Mike Trout things. Byron Buxton's breakout is here. All this (and more) on today's episode.

JD Martinez smacked 3 home runs en route to the Red Sox sixth consecutive victory. The is the third different team that Martinez has clubbed a hat trick with. The Phillies defeated the Braves after Alec Bohm was ruled safe on a controversial call at the plate. Vintage Kershaw led the Dodgers to victory over the Nationals in a duel with Max Scherzer.

The Padres offense is rolling. Trent Grisham, Hae-Seong Kim, and Jake Cronenworth led the way in their victory over the Rangers. The Yankees continue to shuffle their pitching staff around - they optioned Domino German down to the alternate site. The Braves and Red Sox have put together nice win streaks since stumbling out of the gate. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Joe Musgrove has thrown the first no-hitter in Padres franchise's history. It's only fitting that Musgrove, a local product, was the one to the franchise drought. This is no fluke performance either - he's been stellar on the mound since last year and his advanced metrics look solid as well.

Mike Trout is doing his thing, as he homered for the third consecutive game to continue his strong start to the season. Lance Lynn put the White Sox on his back in their home opener. Lynn tossed a complete game shutout with 11 strikeouts against the Royals. Did Trevor Bauer already get caught cheating? MLB is investigating suspicious baseballs from his last start? All this (and more) on today's ep...

As the early favorite for Comeback Player of the Year, Trey Mancini made his home debut today. He received a warm welcome back from the Orioles fans in attendance after missing last season due to stage 3 colon cancer. In the same game, Eduardo Rodriguez picked up the win for Boston in his first appearance since 2019. James Paxton might need Tommy John. Akil Baddoo is doing big things. All this (an...

The Padres may have dodged a bullet. Fernando Tatis Jr. will not need surgery as of now and he will address his shoulder injury through rest and rehab. They won't be able to replace him, but the Padres have solid middle infield depth. Clayton Kershaw turned in a vintage outing in Oakland. George Springer and Eduardo Rodriguez are primed to make their season debuts tomorrow. All this (and more) on...

Jacob deGrom turned in 6 shutout innings in his season debut, but his efforts were thwarted by the Mets bullpen - a script we've seen far too often. Dustin May earned the Dodgers' 5th rotation spot, but he looks like another ace back there. Fernando Tatis' injury history must be causing some concern in San Diego. Coors Field will host the 2021 All-Star Game after MLB pulled it out of Atlanta. ALl...

Shohei Ohtani showed off his rare two-way skills by blasting a moonshot home run (115 mph exit velo & 451 feet) and pitching with high octane velocity (101 mph). The Astros made a statement by sweeping the A's to begin their season 4-0. Houston's lineup is clicking on all cylinders. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Yermin Mercedes became the first player in the modern era to collect a hit in 8 straight at-bats to begin a season. Jose Berrios and Corbin Burnes were locked in a pitcher's duel. Why do the Reds and Cardinals hate each other so much? All this (and more) on today's episode.

Taking the mound in his Dodgers debut, Trevor Bauer flirted with a no-hitter across 6.2 innings with 10 strikeouts before he ran out of steam. Jazz Chisholm flashed his tools for the Marlins. He's their starting 2B this season so we'll get a good look at what made him a highly touted prospect. Blake Snell looked sharp for the Padres. All this (and more) on today's episode.

David Fletcher is locked in as the Angels' primary second baseman now. He has agreed to a 5 year extension worth $26 million. In many ways, Fletcher is a prototypical second baseman. The Nats continue to find positive COVID tests, so their weekend series is postponed. MLB has pulled the All Star Game out of Atlanta after a recent Georgia voting law was passed.

The Nationals get to play in front of their fans for the first time since being crowned champs in 2019. Darvish makes his first start in Padres brown. Which matchups are you looking forward to as we kick off the 2021 season?