The Payoff Pitch

Your only source for semi-video-game-baseball-related content draws to a close for Season 5! Good news, we're a focus group today! We're here to tell you about the many, many hits and misses of MLB The Show 25. But how will it look on the Nintendo Switch 2? Totally forgot they existed, that's on us. Also, we could expect a lawsuit over the name of a new feature, so let's give it a better name. Her...

Season 5 is drawing to a close as the High Council convenes to discuss the Finest Hour of MLB The Show. If there's one thing that we're not, it's Extreme. Is everyone is a New York Yankee? Guys! We guessed right on something! Also; big fans of reducing, reusing, and recycling. Nick: Salesperson of the Year? Bonus: Playing on a TV is never the move. ------ Music: "You're The Dummy" by Derek Clegg B...

Your favorite podcast you're least likely to admit to being a fan of finally returns! Sure, why not remind us of so many failures? Pay your respects to the greats. They say timing is everything and ours is terrible. Gatekeeping, so much gatekeeping. Also, the All-Star Game happened! Hey, can someone tell us who is in charge of pitch repertoire? Bonus: As promised, we dive in on the Color Storm. --...

The High Council is summoned once again to make their Final Demands for MLB The Show 26. OK, that can't be a coincidence, right? Take it away, now give it back, no wait, take it away again. Are we sure about Moonshot? Also, there's a serious collection crisis. Everyone is playing the same position, and nobody seems to mind. Bonus: We did just fine at the Weekend Classic. ------ Music: "You're The...

As the First Inning draws to a close, the High Council meets to discuss The Good, The Bad, and The Broken of MLB The Show 25. Demands are being made for 2026. RIP to Conquest, you were too beautiful for this world. It's Nerf'd or it's nothing. Also, you probably shouldn't be cutting corners. We're really bad with names. Hey, we know those guys! Bonus: We find the best Two for Tuesday. ------ Music...

Season Five is upon us as your Favorite Podcast's eighth most liked podcast of 2024 kicks off MLB The Show 25 with a bang! It's an all new The Show. The strike zone is very wrong. It's just Baseball Dungeons and Dragons. So we're Next Gen- ish now? Also, the real Ambush Hitting. We're going back to school. And we're about to be owed some royalties. Bonus: It turns out Slugging percentage is hard t...

Your favorite podcast is back to cover everything in Season 2 and we mean everything . 83 days or 83 weeks? Sometimes we get caught up on the disrespect. We're not falling for these mind games. Less of a grind or more XP? Also, Wrong Place Raffy. Swimming in shallow pools. Shared IP or great idea? Bonus: We have our first ever guest! Music: Gaston A-P from Pixabay Michael on Twitter: @michaelgoldb...

84 days later, we're wrapping up Set 1 the only way we know how. We didn't even close to the million. Being a Cubs fan sure is expensive this year. Not one, but two surprises for us? The Math continues to not Math. Also, is anybody listening? Please support the San Diego Legal Defense Fund -- it's probably a thing. Bonus: It's so hard to say goodbye to 21. Music: Gaston A-P from Pixabay ------ Mus...

Season 4 finally arrives with a bang! MLB The Show 24 is off to... a... start and we have feelings and opinions. Getting you up to speed on everything. Hey, new year, same Anthony Rizzo demands. We interrupt this podcast to fanboy over 300. Plus, more of the hot dogs you love. And everybody loves to recycle. Bonus: We decided to grade MLB The Show 23 anyway. Music: Gaston A-P from Pixabay ------ M...

The penultimate of Season 3 sees your favorite electronic sports baseball video game podcast discussing a surprisingly high number of 99 overalls. OK, but how many is too many? We can't figure out how someone doesn't get a 99. I'm sorry, is Jonathan playing The Show again? Hot Take: This system isn't broken, but it does need some work. Also, shocker, Nick has a problem with some of the Finest Seri...

Your favorite Electronic Simulation Baseball Video Game Podcast is back to do the Choose Your Own Adventure we didn't choose last time! We weigh in on the appeal of Sets Collections 1, 2, and 3. The Show Cover Curse. We're still waiting on 99 overall Anthony Rizzo. The Boss Baby is back and what a difference a year makes. Also, how much would you pay for MLB The Show on Nintendo Switch? And we hav...

We're hosting a Choose Your Own Adventure as we select from one of two shows! One of our favorite cards makes their debut so we naturally have to compare and contrast. Reddit has opinions about everything and so do we. Also, Why won't this card series just die? And everyone's a winner. Bonus: Five pitches might be too many, but ten pitches for this guy isn't enough. ------ Music: "You're The Dummy...

The world's most powerful MLB The Show podcast returns to dig through the massive glut of Set 2 cards. We demand a card that was already delivered. We have a real problem with some of these nicknames. Wrestling vs Zelda? Yeah! Also, we're not mad, we're just disappointed. Put some respect on their names. Bonus: Why not, let's just make it a guessing game. ------ Music: "You're The Dummy" by Derek...

A podcast you've familiarized yourself with is back and we're discussing player Charisma. Go ahead and put a ring on it, San Diego. You want to know what really grinds our gears? Is this too many cards? Also, we have a problem with the Set program design. Plus, we don't like fonts. Bonus: We finally have a jingle and there's some ad space available. ------ Music: "You're The Dummy" by Derek Clegg...

Your favorite video game's favorite podcast's third closest rival is back and focused on Storylines. Is this the best thing Sony San Diego has ever produced? (Spoiler: Yes, and it's not even close.) Would you rather play in New Jersey or Philadelphia? Trouble with the Curve. We're in it for a collector's hat. Also, we're starting a GoFundMe to buy the game. Bonus: Rowdy Tellez: Friend of the Pod....

Your favorite video game's favorite podcast returns for its third season! There's a lot to unpack in this episode as we cover everything we know leading up to the launch of MLB The Show 23. The hype train is in full force. Storylines is going to be amazing, we just know it. Will Jonathan still play '21? There are "Legends" and then there are Legends. The World Baseball Classic is coming. Bonus: we...

Season 2 comes to a close as the guys discuss the final two "... of the Franchise" Featured Programs. We have a focus group mentality. Why'd you quit? The highs and lows of '22. Please put some respect on it. Who's going to be the big Legend for '23? Also, we got the Greatest Card of All Time until it wasn't? Bonus: Cleveland has a hot dog with Fruit Loops and someone ate it. ------ Musi...

The Supreme Council has much to discuss in this episode. Like, so much stuff has happened since the last one. Getting ready for all the "... of the Franchise" programs. There are some really sad card choices. Retro Finest Andrew McCutchen is bae. Also, someone wants The Show to be tougher. Bonus: Pack Odd Math is a scam. ------ Music: "You're The Dummy" by Derek Clegg Bluesky: @ThisIsThePayoff Twi...

Hey, we're all friends here and it's finally time to cover Postseason Roy Halladay (but not his friends). The Future of the Franchise is full of improvements. We'd bench the Raphel Devers Player of the Month card for who ? Also, Finest George Brett is expensive, what's the plan to pay for it? Thanks, SDS! No, seriously, thank you. Bonus: We finally reveal our walk-up music. Bangers one and all. --...

The High Council convenes to reflect on the Spring Cleanup program. Oh, we have thoughts on the Hitting Engine fiasco. Also, it's all downhill from here. We need tempered expectations. Does anyone have the time? Anthony Rizzo: Player of the Month? Bonus: It's all a hype machine. ------ Music: "You're The Dummy" by Derek Clegg Bluesky: @ThisIsThePayoff Twitter: @ThisIsThePayoff TikTok: @ThisIsThePa...

Season 2 is in full swing as we reflect on the Faces of the Franchise Program. Is it possible it can be both good and bad? Meet Mark Trout? The MLBTheShowCompanionApp is the best way to save your marriage. Early feedback on MLB The Show on Nintendo Switch is what? Bonus: What's the greatest Comic Book movie? ------ Music: "You're The Dummy" by Derek Clegg Bluesky: @ThisIsThePayoff Twitter: @ThisIs...

Your favorite podcast's favorite podcast returns for Season 2! The guys get together to introduce the revamped format of The Payoff Pitch. Let's take some time to discuss some of the changes made to MLB The Show. Shohei seems pretty generous. Are those guys really legends? Bonus: How about we sneak in the best and worst of 21? ------ Music: "You're The Dummy" by Derek Clegg Bluesky: @ThisIsThePayo...

The long sabbatical comes to an end as the High Council convenes to discuss Team Affinity 5. So are these cards actual good? Did Nick's Finest investments pan out? Hint: We might still be stub rich. A Mike Trout power move. Awards Szn is coming. Bonus: What would come on a Nick Style Dog? Also, we have a famous fan. Like, really famous. ------ Music: "You're The Dummy" by Derek Clegg Twitter: @Thi...

The guys finally decide to discuss the 8th Inning Program. Tough choice in the Boss Pack? Sure are a lot of Finest Series cards. Willie Mays at First Base? Also, Buster Posey, professional back-up. How athletic do you need to be to play Third? Bonus: Is Jonathan really hosting the show? ------ Music: "You're The Dummy" by Derek Clegg Twitter: @ThisIsThePayoff Twitch: GitGudNick Email: payoffpod@el...

The final big payoff from September is here and the guys are very disappointed with the Player of the Month program. Was this the best they had to offer? Who will make The Squad? Also, we're working remote now. And we'll have a guest host next week. Don't get too excited. Bonus: Yadier Molina is here and why isn't his defense better? ------ Music: "You're The Dummy" by Derek Clegg Twitter: @ThisIs...