Baseball Connection

Ronals Acuna Jr. is the early frontrunner for NL MVP, thanks to his elite power-speed skillset. The new rules have made it easier to steal and Acuna is taking full advantage. The Orioles earned another comeback victory as the AL East continues to be a dogfight. Yandy Diaz and Nolan Gorman stayed hot with HRs. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Freddie Freeman joined the 300 HR and he did it in grand fashion. The Cardinals blasted 7 HRs including 2 each from Willson Contreras and Nolan Gorman. Aaron Judge wrapped up a big series in Toronto where he homered 4 times. Mike Trout's slump is over and we also discuss the Red Sox upcoming visit to a longtime friend in San Diego. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Wednesday featured walk-off hits across the league, including Kyle Tucker hit a walk-off single to give Houston their 4th consecutive win. Danny Jansen (Blue Jays) and Pete Alonso (Mets) blasted walk-off homers. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Rangers prospect Kumar Rocker will be having Tommy John surgery. Rocker's career has been full of twists and turns the early going, but his future remains bright. Justin Verlander was booed off the mound in his Mets home debut as the Rays jumped on him early and often. Aaron Judge silenced boos in Toronto by hitting a huge go-ahead blast in the 8th inning. All this (and more) on today's episode.

A new week brings a new set of Power Rankings. Tampa Bay remains on top but there's been a shakeup. A surprise team joins the Top 5. The Guardians are winning close games - Josh Naylor hit a go-ahead homer in the 8th inning for the third straight game. Ronald Acuna Jr. is playing at an MVP level again. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Julio Urias has answered the Dodgers' challenge to be their ace. Bryce Miller looks very comfortable in the Major Leagues. He's now thrown 19 innings through 3 starts with a 0.47 ERA. Why are the Astros struggling to gain momentum? All this (and more) on today's episode.

The Orioles have been fun to watch this year and that continued on Friday when Cedric Mullins hit for the cycle. Randy Arozarena has been one of the best outfielders in the AL this season. Can Nolan Arenado turn his season around? All this (and more) on today's episode.

Casey Schmitt is off to a hot start with the bat in his first 3 MLB games. Known for his glove, Schmitt has made a strong statement in the early going. Nathan Eovaldi tossed 8.2 scoreless innings against the Athletics. Eovaldi has the longest scoreless streak in baseball. Tampa Bay is the best team in baseball. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Casey Schmitt is known for his glove but he wants us to know that he can hit too. Schmitt went deep in the second at-bat of the MLB debut. He might be the Giants' shortstop of the near future. A's rookie Jordan Diaz hit 3 home runs against the Yankees. Grayson Rodriguez and Adley Rustchman have a strong connection dating back to the early minor leagues and they're reunited at the MLB level. All th...

Willson Contreras made his return to Wrigley Field for the first time as a Cardinal. Contreras got a warm welcome back but that quickly turned into boos after the game got underway. Contreras had a big day at the plate, leading the Cardinals to a 3-1 win. Masataka Yoshida is the talk of town in Boston. He's been the best rookie in baseball so far. The AL West looks very different this year with Te...

The Rays are baseball's top team right now. They're playing in a cutthroat AL East but still manage to stand in a league of their own. Sophomore slumps are common and both of last year's Rookie of the Year winners are slowly breaking out of theirs. The Mariners have introduced baseball to a young talent  named Bryce Miller. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Legendary Oakland Athletics pitcher Vida Blue passed away at the age of 73. Blue won MVP in his age-21 season and was part of an Athetics dynasty. The White Sox are showing some signs of life after a rough April but they'll have to do without Eloy Jimenez for 4-6 weeks. Matt Harvey announced his retirement. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Fernando Tatis hit 2 home runs off Clayton Kershaw and Yu Darvish tossed 6 2/3 innings with 1 earned run as the Padres beat the Dodgers. Randy Arozarena continued his hot start to the season with a home run and the Rays improved their home record to 18-2. Chris Sale looked vintage and Masataka Yoshida has a 15-game hitting streak. All this (and more) on today's episode.

The Dodgers staged a late comeback and stunned the Phillies. Bryce Harper bounced back and went 3-3 with a double and two walks. Shohei Ohtani notched his 500th career strikeout. Wander Franco knows how to have fun. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Bryce Harper returned to the Phillies lineup on Tuesday. He'll need some time to readjust. Bryce Miller carried a no-hitter into the seventh en route to a 10-strikeout performance in his MLB debut. Miller is the Mariners' #2 prospect. Bryce Elder continued his strong season for the Braves as he lead Atlanta to a 6-0 victory over Miami. The Orioles' bats have been strong this year but not their def...

Bryce Harper could rejoin the Phillies as early as Tuesday. He would be doing so with no minor league rehab games. Does this strategy make sense considering Harper also missed Spring Training? The White Sox losing streak finally came to an end. Andrew Vaughn's walk-off 3 run homer capped a 7-run comeback. All this on today's episode.

The first month of the season is in the books. Who would the All-Star starters be if the All Star Game was today? It turns out that 7,300 feet of elevation will do wonders for slugging percentages. The Padres and Giants combined for 11 HRs in a slugfest in Mexico City. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Jason Heyward had himself a fine day for the Dodgers on Friday with 2 hits, 2 RBIs, and strong defense. How long will the Mookie Betts shortstop experiment last? Nick Castellanos' home run robbery was the highlight of the night during the World Series rematch in Houston. It's time to stop beating around the bush and recognize baseball's best hitter. All this (and more) on today's episode.

The Pirates are the biggest surprise in baseball. They have the best record in the NL at 18-8 and are beating tough opponents. How did they get here? Shohei Ohtani came close to hitting for the cycle in the same game he was the starting pitcher. Ohtani's bat has been heating up lately. Marquee matchups are on the schedule this weekend. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Bryan Reynolds and the Pirates agreed to an 8-year, $106.75 million extension. After years of trade rumors, Reynolds has found a deal to his liking and will stay in Pittsburgh for the foreseeable future. The Astros beat the Rays, ending Tampa Bay's home win streak. Jarred Kelenic is still mashing. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Masataka Yoshida hit 2 HRs including a grand slam.... in one inning. Vlad Jr. and Kevin Gausman lifted the Blue Jays over the Yankees. Gausman racked up 11 strikeouts as his dominant season continues. The Pirates won their 7th straight game by sweeping the Reds. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Adolis Garcia went 5-5 with 3 HRs and 2 doubles as the Rangers routed the A's 18-3 on Saturday. The A's are the worst team in baseball this year and it's going to be a long year in Oakland. There is one slugger who continually mashes against Red Sox pitching and he shows no sign of slowing. Bryce Harper's return might be coming sooner than expected. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Shohei Ohtani tossed a gem on Friday night as he lowered his MLB-best ERA to 0.64. It's been 11 years since we've seen an MLB perfect game. We'll have to keep waiting. Drew Smyly flirted with a perfecto but it was broken up by a swinging bunt in the 8th inning. Pete Alonso's power and Joey Lucchesi's strong return to a big league mound lifted the Mets. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Liam Hendricks announced that he is cancer free. The White Sox closer will now begin ramping up towards a return to the mound. The Mets will have to navigate Max Scherzer's 10-game suspension by relying heavily on David Peterson and Tylor Megill. Mookie Betts made his first MLB start at shortstop. What can't Mookie do? All this (and more) on today's episode.

Max Scherzer was ejected for a foreign substance violation on Wednesday. Scherzer says he was using a legal substance (rosin). MLB will review the situation and determine if Scherzer will get a 10-game suspension. Don't look now but Brandon Nimmo leads the NL in WAR. Fernando Tatis Jr. is making his return to San Diego. All this (and more) on today's episode.