Giants Talk: A San Francisco Giants Podcast

On this episode of Balk Talk, Jessica Kleinschmidt answers your fan questions, including topics if the A’s will retain their free agents, if the MLB should keep the universal DH and who are some under-the-radar stars in baseball. Plus, what is the best ballpark food? (1:30) Best A’s team under Billy Beane (4:00) Should the MLB ban the shift and keep the DH? (8:10) Will the A’s re-sign their free a...

On this episode of Balk Talk, Jessica Kleinschmidt is joined by MLB writer and insider Mark Feinsand to discuss MLB’s upcoming free agency, including if the A’s will re-sign some of marquee their players and if the Giants will pursue pitcher Trevor Bauer. Plus, they talk about the best players available and how the Giants might be gearing up for the future. (1:10) How will free agency look this ye...

On this episode of Balk Talk, Jessica Kleinschmidt is joined by Giants Insider Alex Pavlovic to discuss the start of MLB free agency, including who is the best available player and which players the Giants should target. Plus, the duo looks at the Giants roster and break down how successful San Francisco can be next season. (1:10) Who is best available player? (4:50) Giants ideal free agent target...

On this episode of Balk Talk, Jessica Kleinschmidt is joined by former MLB manager Buck Showalter to discuss a number of different things, including the success of small market teams, Mike Yastrzemski’s run with the Giants and the youth movement in baseball. Buck also breaks down his infamous walk of Barry Bonds with the bases loaded. (5:50) Can Oakland be successful with low payroll? (11:29) Show...

On this episode of Balk Talk, Jessica Kleinschmidt is joined by Gary Sheffield Jr. to discuss how baseball has changed over the years, if MLB players need to be more outspoken and how media affects sports. Plus, could steroids fix the MLB’s injury problem? (4:43) How has baseball changed over the years? (9:28) Do MLB players need to be more outspoken? (13:12) Could steroids solve MLB’s injury prob...

On this episode of Balk Talk, Jessica Kleinschmidt is joined by Giants Insider Alex Pavlovic to discuss if the MLB should keep any of the new rule changes, how the Giants should move forward, and Hunter Pence’s legacy in San Francisco. They detail some free agents the Giants could sign and share their weird observations from the 2020 MLB season. (1:05) Pavlovic discusses his surprise about the 202...

On this episode of Balk Talk, Jessica Kleinschmidt is joined by the NBC Sports Bay Area's A's Analyst Dave Stewart to break down the A’s disappointing ALDS loss to the Houston Astros and Oakland’s mentality throughout the playoffs. They discuss the impact of not having Matt Chapman and share their thoughts on hitter’s celebrations and bat flips. (2:05) Stewart explains what went wrong for the A’s...

On this episode of Balk Talk, Jessica Kleinschmidt is joined by ESPN Broadcaster Boog Sciambi to discuss the 2020 MLB season, his extensive broadcasting career and how he uncovered A’s Manager Bob Melvin’s funny superstition. Plus, Boog discusses his admiration for Giants broadcast duo, Kruk and Kuip. (2:29) Sciambi on the differences in this 2020 MLB season (7:20) Sciambi details his broadcast ca...

On this episode of Balk Talk, Jessica Kleinschmidt is joined by NBC Sports Bay Area writer Dalton Johnson to break down the disappointing end to the Giants' season and detail some positives for the team moving forward. They also preview the A’s Wild Card Series matchup against the Chicago White Sox before wrapping the show by sharing their 2020 MLB playoff predictions. (2:29) Giants fall short of...

On this episode of Balk Talk, Jessica Kleinschmidt is joined by NBC Sports Bay Area writer Dalton Johnson to discuss the upcoming MLB playoff scenarios. They examine the chances the A’s and Giants have at making a deep run and reflect on both teams' successful seasons. (1:40) Yastrzemski’s impact on the Giants (7:58) Impressions from Kapler’s first season in San Francisco (14:40) What team should...

On the newest episode of Balk Talk, Jessica Kleinschmidt is joined by former A’s pitcher and current NBC Sports A's analyst Dallas Braden. They discuss who should pitch for the A's postseason run, why the team is so much fun and the potential match-up against the Houston Astros. (3:36) Braden shares the secret to the A’s success (10:19) Braden explains Basset’s recent dominance (15:45) Braden disc...

On this episode of the Balk Talk Podcast, Jessica Kleinschmidt is joined by Giants Insider Alex Pavlovic to discuss the latest news around the team, including the recent COVID-19 scare and an injury update for key players. Plus, they discuss Gabe Kapler’s positive impact on the Giants and the secret to Mike Yastrzemski’s great season. (1:00) Discussing Giants’ COVID-19 scare (4:50) Giants postseas...

On the latest episode of the Balk Talk, Jessica Kleinschmidt is joined by MLB.com’s Sarah Langs to discuss Mike Yastrzemski’s break-out season, the A's exciting season, and her highlights from the MLB season. A’s outfielder Stephen Piscotty and his father Mike join to discuss their search to find a cure for ALS and their upcoming event in the fight against ALS. (5:12) Langs background and passion...

On this episode of Balk Talk, Jessica Kleinschmidt is joined by former MLB players Ty Kelly and Matt Paré to discuss their time in the league, life outside of baseball and the challenge of creating content in today’s digital world. Plus, hear what it was like to play in the Giants farm system and learn from Giants great Buster Posey. (4:25) Paré, Kelly explain what they are up to after baseball (1...

On this episode of Balk Talk, Jessica Kleinschmidt is joined by Orioles play-by-play announcer Melanie Newman to discuss the 2020 MLB trade deadline, Mike Yastrzemski’s breakout season and being a role model for a younger generation. Then, Dave Stewart stops by to break down the latest trades in the MLB and the behind-the-scenes details of the trade deadline. (3:40) Newman discusses the MLB trade...

On this episode of Balk Talk, Jessica Kleinschmidt is joined by current Chicago White Sox and Bay Area native Evan Marshall to discuss his MLB career, his baseball fandom growing up and his love for the San Jose Sharks. Plus, hear a breakdown of the 2020 MLB trade deadline! (2:10) Recapping the MLB Trade deadline (8:25) Marshall on White Sox's young talent (10:33) Have bullpens gained more respect...

On this episode of Balk Talk, Jessica Kleinschmidt is joined by current Cleveland Indian and former San Francisco Giant and Oakland Athletic Cameron Rupp. They discuss the current state of the MLB, learning from Buster Posey and being a mentor to younger MLB players. (1:09) MLB players protest in wake of Jacob Blake shooting (9:10) Rupp reveals his favorite type of music (13:43) Rupp explains how...

On this episode of Balk Talk, Jessica Kleinschmidt discusses the first half of the 2020 MLB season and breaks down some of the key stories from the league. Plus, Jessica shares her mid-season award choices for the National and American League. (2:26) MLB season progressing through COVID-19 (5:26) A’s-Astros rivalry (11:06) Who should win NL MVP? (16:53) Who is the best pitcher in MLB? (20:07) Will...

On this episode of Balk Talk, Jessica Kleinschmidt is joined by Dalton Johnson to discuss some examples of how the unwritten rules of baseball have caused controversy, including with Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. and A’s outfielder Ramon Laureno and decide if these rules are good or bad for MLB. Then, Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley stops by to talk about his new teammate Madison Bumgarner an...

On this episode of the Balk Talk Podcast, Jessica Kleinschmidt is joined by MLB catcher and first overall pick from the 2019 MLB Draft Adley Rutschman. They discuss the 2019 MLB Draft, Adley’s experience facing MLB pitching for the first time and his experience flirting with "The Bachelor" star Madison Prewett. (5:37) Differences between the 2019 and 2020 MLB Draft (11:02) Rutschman discusses how...

On the latest episode of the Balk Talk Podcast, Jessica Kleinschmidt is joined by Dalton Johnson to discuss this weekend’s series between the Giants and A’s and key players for both teams who have seen early successes this season. Plus, Brandon Crawford and Brandon Belt stop by to discuss the younger talent in the Giants organization and what the future holds. (1:36) Favorite Giants vs. A’s moment...

On this episode of Balk Talk, Jessica Kleinschmidt is joined by two Oakland Athletics: Third baseman Matt Chapman and closer Liam Hendriks, to discuss the A’s organization and how their team chemistry has helped them become more successful. Plus, the duo breakdown their MLB careers and play a round of This-or-That. (4:28) Chapman reveals who the best 3rd baseman is in MLB (9:10) Chapman details hi...

On this episode of Balk Talk, Jessica Kleinschmidt is joined by Giants insider Alex Pavlovic to discuss Mike Yastrzemski’s hot start and the decision he made to kneel for the national anthem. Then, we play an interview from February when Jessica and Alex talked to Mike Yastrzemski about his MLB breakthrough in 2019 and playing in Oracle Park before ending playing a game of ‘This-or-That.’ (1:24) W...

On this episode of Balk Talk, Jessica Kleinschmidt is joined by fellow NBCS Bay Area writer Dalton Johnson to discuss the news around the MLB, including Mike Yastrzemski’s hot start and some surprises from early in the season. Then NFL Networks' Adam Rank joins the show to break down his MLB fandom and share how 49ers fans have treated him since his infamous 3-13 season prediction from last year....

On this episode of the Balk Talk Podcast, Jessica Kleinschmidt is joined by former MLB pitcher and World Series champion Joba Chamberlain to discuss the current events in MLB, including the Marlins’ COVID-19 outbreak and the shortened season. Plus, Joba reveals his thoughts on the recent rule changes in baseball and shares why he never liked pitching in Fenway Park. (5:37) Chamberlain shares how M...