Baseball Connection

George Springer led the way with 2 HRs as the Astros took a commanding 2-0 lead over the A's. Giancarlo Stanton is healthy, and he's letting his bat do all the talking. His homers weren't enough, however, as the Rays evened up the series. Acuna is not sorry for pimping homers. Imagine making your MLB debut in the playoffs. All this (and more) on today's episode.

The Astros' offense came to life yesterday in a 10-5 victory over the A's to take Game 1 of the ALDS. Houston tallied 16 hits and their core bats (Correa, Springer, Bregman, Altuve) combined to go 11-18 with 6 runs scored and 8 RBIs. The Yankees simply outplayed the Rays in their series opener. Giancarlo Stanton's late grand slam was the heavy blow. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Francisco Cervelli is retiring after a 13-year career. Cervelli was an above-average player, but a long string of injuries (mostly concussions) nagged him throughout his career. The Phillies are getting a new GM. It's been a disappointing two years in Philadelphia as they are still seeking a return to October. All this (and more) on today's episode.

With the Division Series starting soon, let's take a look at every team's pitching staff and how they'll arrange things. There are no off days in this best-of-five round. Will teams without a rotation depth get exposed? All this on today's episode.

Bob Gibson's 1968 season is arguably the greatest season ever pitched. Gibson passed away at the age of 84 but his legacy will stand forever. The Marlins and Padres are moving on. All this on today's episode.

With a barrage of late home runs, the Padres stormed back to defeat the Cardinals. Tatis and Myers each went deep twice and Machado added one of his own. Clayton Kershaw was dominant against the Brewers. Kershaw racked up 13 K's across 8 shutout innings as the Dodgers advanced to the NLDS. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Make it 18 straight playoff losses for the Minnesota Twins. What will it take for the Twins to get over the hump? The Rays did it all in their dominant two-game sweep of the Blue Jays. The Indians couldn't hold a lead against the Bronx Bombers. Oakland punched back, so the A's and White Sox will play a win-or-go-home Game 3 today. All this (and more) on today's episode.

The Yankees pounced on Shane Bieber on their way to a 12-3 victory in Game 1 of their Wild Card series. This wasn't the pitcher's duel everyone anticipated, but Gerrit Cole held up his end of the bargain. Lucas Giolito was dominant in the White Sox victory and Blake Snell led the Rays over Toronto. The Twins have now lost 17 consecutive playoff games. All this on today's episode.

Jose Ramirez and Freddie Freeman capped off stellar regular seasons by winning AL and NL Player of the Month awards, respectively. Trevor Bauer and Chris Bassitt took home the honor for pitchers. Who won for relievers and rookies? All this on today's episode.

The 16-team playoff field is set. It all begins on Tuesday with a best-of-three Wild Card round. Will the Marlins' magic continue? Is an early exit in the picture for the Yankees, or can their big bats overpower the Indians' elite pitching staff? All this (and more) on today's episode.

As we enter the final day of the regular season, there are still several potential possible playoff scenarios. DJ LeMahieu is set to win his 2nd career batting title. Jacob deGrom is touching 102 mph now. Where did this velocity boost come from? All this (and more) on today's episode.

For the first time in 17 years, the Miami Marlins have clinched a playoff berth. The Reds have also snuck in, but are we sleeping on their chances to go deep into October? Ronald Acuna Jr blasted the longest home run we've seen this season. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Yadier Molina will go down as one of the best defensive catchers of all time, but he also notched his 2000th career hit last night. Molina is a lifetime Cardinal and has built a strong case for the Hall of Fame. Royals icon Alex Gordon will retire at the end of the season. Gordon had a successful 14-year career that saw him win 7 Gold Gloves and a World Series title - all with the Royals. All this...

Both Cy Young Awards might be coming to the state of Ohio. Shane Bieber and Trevor Bauer put finishing touches on what could be crowning seasons for both pitchers. Kenta Maeda has proved that he is an ace. Tampa Bay clinched the AL East. All this (and more) on today's episode.

With less than a week to go, several teams are still in the playoff hunt - thanks to MLB's new playoff format. Some races will go right down to the wire and very few teams can rest now. Where does each contender stand at this point? All this on today's episode.

Move over, Houston. The Oakland A's have clinched the AL West. As we enter the final week of the regular season, there are close postseason races to watch and individual accolades that are yet to be secured. We take a look at Alejandro Kirk, the 5'8", 265 lbs catcher for the Blue Jays. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Although the Red Sox farm system has churned out several quality hitters over the years, they haven't developed a solid pitcher in a very long time. Tanner Houck is looking to change that - he stifled the Yankees in his second career start. In what might have been his final home game with the Astros, George Springer hit two home runs. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Justin Verlander is getting Tommy John surgery. Verlander will miss the rest of the season and most likely all of next year. At 37, the future Hall of Famer might have thrown his final pitch with the Astros, but he wants to pitch for many more years. J.A. Happ led the Yankees to their 10th straight victory. The White Sox look dangerous. All this (and more) on today's episode.

The Minor Leagues are a rite of passage on a baseball player's journey to the MLB. Not for Garrett Crochet. Crochet made his MLB debut just 3 months after being drafted, and he never pitched in Minors. Albert Pujols is now alone at #5 on the all-time HR list after passing Willie Mays. Zach Plesac threw an immaculate inning. All this (and more) on today's episode.

The Bronx Bombers are firing on all cylinders. The Yankees hit 6+ homers in a game for the 3rd straight night. The White Sox and Rays clinched postseason spots. Josh Donaldson was ejected after homering and kicking dirt onto home plate in frustration with an earlier call. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Some milestones were accomplished last night as Gerrit Cole secured his 100th career win and Ryan Braun hit his 350th career home run. Might we be seeing the final moments of Ryan Braun's career? The NL Central race is tight. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Everything seems to be clicking for the White Sox this year. Rookie right-hander Dane Dunning has been sharp this year and he's making a strong case to be at the front of their postseason rotation. Luke Voit has created some space in the HR leaderboard as he went deep twice in the Yankees' rout of the Blue Jays. All this (and more) on today's episode.

The Padres made a statement with a 7-2 victory in their series-opening game against the Dodgers. San Diego is now 1.5 games within the Dodgers in an NL West race that should go down to the wire. Mike Minor and Trevor Bauer turned in dominant outings for their clubs. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Alec Mills tossed a no-hitter against the Milwaukee Brewers. Mills joins Lucas Giolito of the White Sox as the second Chicago pitcher to throw a no-hitter this year. A former 22nd rounder who was thrust from the bullpen to the starting rotation due to a teammate's preseason injury, Mills was one of the unlikeliest candidates to make history. Albert Pujols tied Willie Mays for 5th on the all-time H...

Ian Anderson is filling a void that was formed in Atlanta when Mike Soroka was injured and out for the year. The rookie right-hander continues to dominate at the big-league level, and could be a future young ace. Jose Abreu and Tim Anderson collected 4 hits apiece as the White Sox routed the Tigers. Should both players be getting serious MVP consideration? All this (and more) on today's episode.