Japan Baseball Weekly

Steven Moya of the Buffaloes is the guest, we discuss Orix and some of the highlights from series from both leagues during Week 2, talk about running into outs on the bases, corona clusters, hit one note and then handle some BayStars-related HighHeat.

Brandon Laird of the Lotte Marines is the guest, we take a look at some of the highlights from Opening Day and the first weekend of the season and finish up with a discussion on the impact the no-extra-inning rule might have on pitching staffs this season.

Former Hanshin Tigers star Matt Murton is the guest and we handle some HighHeat before dear friend and longtime fellow writer Jason Coskrey of the Japan Times joins the show as we take a team-by-team look at of the Central League in the annual prediction special.

Travel-restricted pitcher Zach Neal of Seibu is the guest and we handle some HighHeat before dear friend Claudio Rodriguez joins us for a team-by-team breakdown of the Pacific League in the prediction special.

Former Yakult closer and current Swallows adviser Tony Barnette joins to discuss the offseason additions to the roster, we look at the trade between Yakult and Yomiuri, the list of Opening Day starters and tackle some HighHeat.

Greg Boomer Wells is the featured guest, we discuss some of the stars of spring training, look at the import passport issues for a number of teams then finish with a couple of notes and a HighHeat comment.

New Chunichi Dragons outfielder Mike Gerber is the guest, we dive into the return of Masahiro Tanaka to the Rakuten Eagles, discuss the opening of camps, minus many import players who are caught in the travel restrictions amid the pandemic, the suspension of Ikuhiro Kiyota of Lotte and re-retirement of Tsuyoshi Shinjo and close with the HighHeat segment.

On our first show of our 11th year, Lotte reliever Frank Herrmann is the guest, we discuss Tomoyuki Sugano and his return to the Giants after a failed posting attempt, the Hall of Fame, Coach Kuwata, notes and some HighHeat.

Former Yakult closer Tony Barnette, currently an adviser with the Swallows, is the guest, we discuss the MVPs in the Pacific and Central leagues, other awards, a couple of free-agent acquisitions, the DH rule and one note.

Hawks pitcher Carter Stewart Jr. is the guest, we talk about SoftBank winning its fourth consecutive Japan Series title, discuss some free agents and players expected to be posted, touch on Chunichi lefty Yudai Ono winning the Sawamura Award, offer our favorite moments of the season and handle some HighHeat.

SoftBank Hawks left-hander Matt Moore is the guest, we look at the first two games of the Japan Series, highlight some of the free agents and their decisions, discuss Daisuke Miura officially taking over as manager of the DeNA BayStars, touch on a few of our favorite individual titles and handle some fantastic HighHeat.

Chunichi Dragons hitting coach Alonzo Powell is the guest, we talk about the SoftBank Hawks winning the Pacific League Climax Series in a sweep, try to map out a possible path for the Yomiuri Giants to topple the Hawks in the Japan Series, touch on Hayato Sakamoto reaching 2K hits and mention a number of other notes.

Zach Neal of Seibu is the guest, we talk about the Lions, the Pacific League playoff race, the Dragons finish in the top three in the Central League, the ROYs in each league, Hayato Sakamoto reaching 2,000 hits, some notes and some HighHeat.

Hawks slugger Wladimir Coco Balentien is the guest, we discuss SoftBank winning the Pacific League pennant and the Yomiuri Giants taking the Central League title, look at the hottest and coldest teams of October in the Mini Trax segment, touch on the draft, the Hanshin exodus and then handle some HighHeat.

BayStars reliever Spencer Patton is the guest, we discuss DeNA skipper Alex Ramirez stepping down from Yokohama, look at what’s left of the league races, focusing on Yudai Ono and the Dragons taking control of second place in the Central and the push for second in the Pacific, then touch on the Hisashi Iwakuma retirement and other notes.

JBW Listeners take center stage as we feature your HighHeat questions, then discuss what remains in the pennant races in the Pacific and Central leagues, talk about Giants ace Tomoyuki Sugano and his so-called record, which came to a halt this past week, and hit a few notes.

Beisbol Japones guru Claudio Rodriguez is the guest, we talk about the increasing Latin influence in NPB and the Alex Ramirez rumor before taking a brief look at the coronavirus outbreak among Lotte players, the Pacific League race, hit one note and handle a pair of HighHeat questions.

Yakult adviser Aaron Guiel is the guest, we take a quick look at the Swallows, discuss the hot and cold teams in NPB in the Mini Trax power rankings segment, hit on a number of pitchers who have switched roles and handle a pair of HighHeat questions.

Tyler Higgins of Orix is the guest, we discuss the Buffaloes, look at the Pacific League playoff race, take a quick glance at the Giants playoff rotation, talk about the corona cluster breakout on the Hanshin Tigers and handle a HighHeat question.

You the listeners are the featured guests, via HighHeat questions and comments, we look at the Giants as they head toward the Central League pennant, talk about the fledgling Eagles and touch on Yudai Ono’s recent streak of six complete games.

First-year SoftBank left-hander Matt Moore is the guest, we look at the Hawks, talk about the Pacific League race – not much to debate in the Central League – then discuss the huge milestone Giants manager Tatsunori Hara surpassed last week, look at a pair of careers that have been revived and handle some HighHeat.

Second-year right-hander Zach Neal of Seibu is the guest, we look at the Lions, talk about the Pacific and Central league races, hit on the retirement announcement from Hanshin reliever Kyuji Fujikawa and touch on the subtleties of the balk rule.

First-year Hiroshima utility man Jose Pirela is the guest, we discuss the Carp, look at the hottest and coldest teams of August in our Mini Trax power rankings segment and handle a couple of high-quality HighHeat questions.

First-year Nippon Ham righty Drew VerHagen is the guest, we discuss skipper Norifumi Nishimura stepping down as manager of the Orix Buffaloes, look at the Pacific and Central league races and talk about the notion of unwritten rules in Japanese baseball.

Second-year reliever Alan Busenitz of Rakuten is the guest, we talk about the Eagles, look at the Yasuhiro Ryan Ogawa 29-out no-hitter against DeNA, examine the early candidates for league MVPs and rookies of the year, touch on Hideki Kuriyama of Nippon Ham recording his 600th managerial victory and handle some HighHeat.