Monday Mojo

Episode 85: The Seattle Mariners kick off a huge week with two series against two of the top teams in the American League right now in the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers. In this week's episode, Max and Sobba discuss the M's recent turn around including J-Rod's hot bat, Geno saving the day over the weekend and a stellar stretch of pitching from both the bullpen and starting rotation. Sobba also gets compared to a current player in the M's lineup while Max has an interesting encounter at T-Mobile Park. (PS: Due to some scheduling conflicts we had to release this episode after the first game against the Yankees on Monday this week)

Episode 84: Regardless if you're a fan or not of the moves Jerry Dipoto has made for the Mariners during his tenure with the franchise, you have to give him props for always giving back to the fans. In this week's episode, Sobba gets rewarded by Jerry with the ultimate tickets for the Mariners road series against the Atlanta Braves. Sobba shares his epic experience at Truist Park which includes meeting George Kirby's parents and a front row seat next to the M's dougout. Max and Sobba also preview a big homestand against the Pirates and Athletics this week 

Episode 83: Max returns from a much needed vacation in Mexico to join Sobba this week as the Mariners look to build on some momentum against the Boston Red Sox and Atlanta Braves. After coming off a series win against the Detroit Tigers, Max and Sobba breakdown the recent lineup change of bumping J-Rod down to the three-hole and whether it's right move going forward. Plus we continue to ride the Bryce Miller train as the rookie continues to dominate on the mound. Max also shares a once and a lifetime experience with dolphins during his trip. 

Episode 82: Just like the Seattle Mariners, it's been chaotic for Monday Mojo due to some scheduling conflicts but we still got you covered this week. Zweifel and Sobba take over the hosting duties and highlight a crazy stretch of baseball for the Mariners which includes three comeback victories, a dominate performance from the starting pitching while the hitting woes continue. Should the Mariners shake up the lineup? Monday Mojo answers that question along with giving major kudos to the highly touted Bryce Miller who already looks like a staple in the M's starting rotation.

Episode 81: The 2023 Mariners are still battling some growing pains after losing Robbie Ray for the season, a continued lack of production from the DH slot, and bullpen woes. However, the M's have a chance to get back on track this week with an upcoming 3 game series against the cellar dweller Oakland Athletics and a home series with the Houston Astros. In this episode, Max and Zweifel vent out their frustrations with the team's 12-16 start while Sobba reels it back with his weekly optimism on why Mariners fans shouldn't panic just yet. 

Episode 80: The Seattle Mariners are still working to find their identity this season after a 10-12 start. While the team is starting to show flashes of greatness with Teoscar Hernández and Jarred Kelenic each hitting a pair of bombs over the weekend against the Cardinals, the Mariners are struggling in the DH spot. In this week's episode Sobba, Zweifel and Evan discuss how the team can fix the DH slot, Kolten Wong's continued struggles, and why J.P. Crawford is due for a big week against the Phillies in the city of Brotherly Love. 

Episode 79: The Mariners enter this week riding a 4-game winning streak thanks to Jarred Kelenic who's the hottest player in the MLB right now. Monday Mojo salutes the Waukesha, WI native in this episode as we dive into his 4-straight home run stretch, a game saving diving catch and more. Plus La Piedra's dominance on the mound, Kolten Wong's slow start to the season and Jesse Winker's return to T-Mobile Park this week. The boys also toast to Sobba's next adventure in Charleston, SC.     

Episode 78: The 2023 Seattle Mariners are starting to look like the team many fans have been waiting for. The M's take 2/3 and earn their first series win of 2023 over the weekend in Cleveland. In this week's episode, Max, Sobba and Evan break down what's been clicking for Jarred Kelenic, what's going on with Kolten Wong, Teoscar Hernández pimping missiles and preview the Cubs and Rockies upcoming series.  

Episode 77: The Mariners kick off the 2023 season with a disappointing 1-3 home series loss to the Cleveland Guardians. Despite the slow start, Monday Mojo did take away some positives from the first series which includes Luis Castillo's brilliant Opening Day outing, the top of the M's lineup delivering and the strong support from Mariners fans at the Electric Factory. Max and Chris also preview the next series against Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Angels.

Episode 76: As the great Bruce Buffer would say, "It'ssss Time!!!" Mariners regular season baseball returns with some high expectations in 2023. After coming off their first playoff appearance in 21 years and a tough ALDS loss to the Astros, the M's are hungry to make a deep postseason run this season. Something the franchise and Mariners fans haven't had in a while. In this episode, Monday Mojo reveals which 'Ners' players will have a breakout season and how many wins the team will achieve in 2023.

Episode 75: Max falls victim to Sobba's newest purchase in this week's episode. With the 2023 season just around the corner, Monday Mojo also debates the MLB Top 100 list which includes 4 players from the 2023 Mariners roster. We also give our top 5 players on this year's team. Plus Max does his homework with the World Baseball Classic by updating us on the tournament with some fun facts. 

Episode 74: The Monday Mojo Podcast has returned to document what could be a historic 2023 season for the Seattle Mariners. The franchise is coming off its first postseason run in  21 years with some key new additions including Teoscar Hernández, Kolten Wong, and AJ Pollock. In this episode, Max, Sobba and Zweifel discuss Jarred Kelenic's early success in Spring Training, Evan White's role in 2023, the new MLB rule changes and each give their breakout player for the Mariners this upcoming season. 

Episode 73: Monday Mojo revisits some key storylines from the Seattle Mariners' offseason which includes talented Mariners play-by-play broadcaster Aaron Goldsmith's future with the team. According to multiple media reports, Goldy is a finalist to join the St. Louis Cardinals broadcasting team. Plus with Felix Hernandez set to be inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame, we each give our favorite King Felix moment. Max, Sobba and Zweifel also get into a heated argument over whether the Mariners lineup will be more productive in 2023 compared to last season. 

Episode 72: Mariners President Of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto joins Monday Mojo this week. Dipoto has been the main architect of building the Mariners into a playoff contender. In this episode, Jerry talks about the Mariners culture heading into this upcoming season, the trading process, striking out Scott Servais during his playing days in the MLB, celebrating with M's fans after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the A.L. Wild Card and plenty more.  

Episode 71: Monday Mojo returns for Season 3 to recap a busy offseason so far for our beloved Seattle Mariners. In this week's episode, Max, Sobba and Zweifel evaluate how the newly acquired Teoscar Hernández and Kolten Wong each fit in the Mariners' clubhouse. The group also addresses a major concern from Mariners fans on why the franchise hardly spent money in free agency. Plus a huge announcement on booking our biggest interview on Monday Mojo. 

Episode 70: Season 2 comes to an end at the Monday Mojo sports desk and we're proud on what the Mariners accomplished this season. After a week of reflecting, Max, Sobba and Evan finally open up about the tough ALDS loss to the Houston Astros, being inside T-Mobile Park for the first playoff home game in 21 years, who the M's should target in free agency and Jesse Winker's role with the Mariners in 2023. 

Episode 69: On the verge of elimination, the Seattle Mariners are still confident they can rewrite the script in this American League Division Series against the Houston Astros. Despite trailing 2-0, the M's return home to a sold out crowd at T-Mobile Park this weekend with a chance to even up the series and force a Game 5 back in Houston. In this episode, Max and Sobba vent out their frustration on Yordan Alvarez being an unstoppable hitting machine for the Astros, takeaways from the first two games in Houston and why the Mariners aren't finished yet. 

Episode 68: The Seattle Mariners keep the 2022 season alive after sweeping the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL Wild Card Series. In this week's episode, Max, Sobba and Zweifel try to put into words how the M's overcame one of the largest deficits in postseason history. Max and Sobba share what the environment was like inside T-Mobile Park at the Mariners' Watch Party during the comeback. Monday Mojo also continues the trend of giving our 3 keys to defeating the Houston Astros in the AL Division Series.

It's finally here Mariners fans, the quest to bring home the first World Series title in franchise history to the Pacific Northwest!! In this emergency episode, Max, Sobba and Zweifel each give their three keys to defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2022 American League Wild Card Round. 

Episode 67: After 7,648 days your Seattle Mariners have clinched a playoff berth! It's the moment Monday Mojo has been waiting for since we started this podcast a year ago. In this week's episode, Sobba, Zweifel and Evan celebrate Cal Raleigh's pinch hit walk-off home run to send the M's into the postseason, the Mariners clubhouse being the biggest party in Seattle, the best Wild Card position and more. 

Episode 66: Carl from Barstool Sports joins Monday Mojo this week to get a sense of the Seattle Mariners culture. (Interview begins: 00:20:13) Barstool Carl is a blogger and host of the 'Starting 9' Podcast featuring MLB legend Jake Arrieta. In this interview, Carl talks with Chris and Max about the Mariners being set up to finally be a contender, the glory days of being a M's fan in the 90s, the national media's perspective on Seattle and the best Wild Card scenarios.

Episode 65: Zweifel returns from vacation and joins Sobba this week to talk about the recent slump the Mariners are in. Though the M's are dealing with a growing list of injuries, Sobba and Zweifel spin the positive wheel on why the team can still rebound and make a run in October. With a postseason berth pretty much a lock for the Mariners, both hosts share which of the three AL Wild Card spots is the best scenario, can anyone slay the Houston Astros dynasty in the AL West. Jesse Winker's future in Seattle is also a hot topic of discussion this week. 

Episode 64: The Mariners respond to one of their biggest tests of the 2022 season, taking 2/3 from the defending World Series champions: Atlanta Braves. In this week's episode Max and Chris celebrate the biggest win of the season thanks to a home run showcasing from Julio Rodriguez and Eugenio Suarez. We also make the pitch for Swaggerty to see more action in left field, while toasting to a 99.8 percent chance to end the drought. 

Episode 63: The Mariners are clicking at the right time after winning 7 straight games including two road sweeps against Detroit and Cleveland. The Mariners enter this week as the top team in the AL Wild Card race with a 99% chance at making the postseason. Max and Chris talk Cal Raleigh's hot bat, our dominate pitching staff and preview the upcoming homestand against the Chicago White Sox and Atlanta Braves. 

Episode 62: Chris Egan and Joel Knip from KING 5 Sports join us this week to talk about the Mariners' final push to end a 20-year playoff drought. With 42 games left in the MLB regular season, the M's have a 94.2% chance of reaching the postseason. Egan and Knip both give their takes on how Scott Servais should manage this roster in October, Julio's extension, Mitch Haniger's future in Seattle, and Ichiro being inducted into the Mariners Hall Of Fame.

Episode 61: We won't hit the panic button on the Mariners just yet after the team struggled to pick up a very winnable series against the Oakland A's. But there are some question marks surrounding the team as it gears up for the final stretch of the regular season. In this week's episode Sobba, Zweifel and Max talk Ty France's recent slump, should the Mariners ease up on Logan Gilbert's innings and why the MLB is still well behind the NFL when it comes to technology. Monday Mojo also celebrates an entertaining sweep against the Angels. 

Episode 60: Despite a tough series loss in Texas, Monday Mojo is still thrilled with where the Mariners stand in the AL Wild Card Race right now. Entering this week, the M's hold the second Wild Card slot. This ball club also has a great chance to build on their lead this week with two series against the cellar dweller Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim and the Oakland Athletics. Other topics on the discussion table include Kyle Lewis' status for the rest of this season, Marco Gonzales' struggles and where the MLB should build a new ballpark for games similar to the 'Field Of Dreams Game.'

Episode 59: After taking the season series from the New York Yankees for the first time since 2002, we decided to treat our listeners with a mid-week present by bringing on our guy Jason Churchill from the 'Baseball Things Podcast.' We dive into everything Mariners fans want to hear about the team right now from locking up J-Rod to an extension, Jarred Kelenic's timeline for developing, why the M's are in the driver's seat to make the playoffs and more. 

Episode 58: The 2022 Mariners prove they can compete with the best of the best in the MLB after winning their first series against the Yankees (70-39) in the Bronx since 2016. In this week's episode Zweifel, Sobba and Max evaluate Luis Castillo's first start with the Mariners, how the M's rotation shapes up now and who the team should release or send down to the minors once Julio and D-Mo return. We also have an announcement about new merchandise dropping soon!

Episode 57: Walter Ford who was drafted No. 74 by the Mariners in the 2022 MLB Draft joins us this week. (Interview begins: 00:24:53) Ford talks about his transition from being one of the top pitching prospects in high school to starting his career with the Mariners organization. Ford also reveals how his nickname "The Vanilla Missile" originated. Prior to the interview, Sobba, Zweifel and Max discuss the M's outbidding the Yankees and some of the other top teams in baseball to land the highly talented Luis Castillo from the Reds. 

Episode 56: It wasn't the start Mariners fans were hoping to see after the All-Star Break, but the team remains in the front of a tight AL Wild Card race. In this week's episode Max, Sobba and Zweifel can only tip their caps to Houston's starting pitching for shutting down the Mariners lineup all weekend. Monday Mojo also talks Julio Rodriguez's wrist injury, his breakout performance in LA and why the Mariners shouldn't overlook the Rangers this week. 

Episode 55: The Seattle Mariners enter the 2022 MLB All-Star Break as the hottest team in baseball! The club holds the longest winning streak heading into the Mid Summer Classic in MLB history (14). In this week's episode Max, Sobba, and Zweifel chop up Julio's grand slam, Mariners' dominate bullpen, and if the team should trade for Juan Soto. Monday Mojo also previews J-Rod's chances of winning this week's Home Run Derby and Ty France's 2022 All-Star bid. 

Episode 54: Just when you think it's about time to give up on the 2022 Seattle Mariners, the team pulls you right back to the edge of your seat. The boys are buzzing right now after winning 8 straight games and sweeping two series against San Diego and Toronto. In our first in-person recording, Max, Sobba and Zweifel share their wild experience at T-Mobile Park yesterday featuring two bombs from Carlos Santana and Julio Rodriguez finding out for the first time he's headed to Hollywood for the 2022 MLB All-Star Game. Sobba also gives a tip to M's fans who want better seats during the game. 

Episode 53: The Mariners respond to their critics and wrap up a successful homestand featuring two series wins against Baltimore and Oakland. On this Fourth Of July episode Sobba and Zweifel give kudos to Julio Rodriguez for winning AL Rookie Of The Month for the second time, Robbie Ray making some necessary adjustments and the rest of the M's starting rotation for keeping the team in winnable games. We also preview two crucial road series against the San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays this week.

Episode 52: A new rivalry has formed in the AL West after haymakers were thrown on the diamond between the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels Of Anaheim. In this week's episode, Max, Sobba and Zweifel decide who won the brawl, does this help the team plus a breakdown of a much needed 5-1 stretch on the road for the squad. The fight also brings back some not so fond memories for Sobba. 

Episode 51: The Seattle Mariners enter their most important week of the 2022 season. The M's are coming off a dreadful homestand featuring a speechless five home run outing from Mike Trout, bullpen struggles and the million dollar question: Why can't the Mariners capitalize with runners in scoring position? Max, Zweifel and Sobba give their take on if the Mariners should make some changes which starts with Scott Servais' future.

Episode 50: A tough series loss to Boston has Sobba reaching his boiling point with the Mariners. This leads to a long rant about the M's struggling to build a winning streak and lack of run support in 2022. However, Zweifel brings it back to reality that the team has won four of its last five series and explains why the Mariners can make up some ground this week against the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels at T-Mobile Park. 

Episode 49: Are the Mariners starting to turn the corner in 2022? The M's have won three straight series including two crucial comeback victories in Texas thanks to Eugenio Suárez. Max, Zweifel and Evan discuss whether the team can keep this momentum going into Houston this week. We also discuss Robbie Ray's struggles, when Justin Upton could get called up to Seattle, and Kyle Lewis in concussion protocol.     

Episode 48: Veronica Hernandez who serves as the General Manger for the Modesto Nuts (Single-A Affiliate of the Mariners) joins us this week. Hernandez shares her rise in Minor League baseball. From starting out as a Sports Marketing intern to becoming the first Latina General Manager in the MILB. Hernandez also reveals which players M's fans should keep an eye on in Modesto. (Interview begins: 00:41:10) Max, Sobba, and Zweifel also recap another up & down week from the M's but has the team found a spark in the lineup with Kyle Lewis returning?

Episode 47: It's an emotional week for Max, Sobba and Zweifel as they try to digest why the Mariners are struggling right now. While the M's have lost five of their last six games, Monday Mojo is optimistic they can turn it around which starts with a three game home series against the Oakland Athletics. We also discuss the new acquisition of Justin Upton, Steven Souza Jr.'s wild conspiracy theories, and some of our favorite movies. 

Episode 46: Max and Zweifel return from vacation and celebrate with Sobba and Evan a much needed series win for the Mariners against the New York Mets. Monday Mojo reacts to Jesse Winker and Paul Sewald taunting Mets fans, Julio Rodriguez making strides at the plate, Jarred Kelenic being sent down to Tacoma (AAA). We also preview an important close out of the current road trip featuring the Toronto Blue Jays and Boston Red Sox. 

Episode 45: With Zweifel and Max both on vacation, our producer Evan Baron gets called up to make his co-hosting debut with Sobba in this week's episode. While the month of May hasn't been a strong start for the Mariners so far, there are some bright spots to be excited about. The M's best pitching prospect, George Kirby lives up to the hype after throwing 6 scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and zero walks in his MLB debut over the weekend. Kyle Lewis is also destroying baseballs during his rehab assignment in Triple-A. Sobba and Evan also bring back 'Picks To Hit' but with a fun twist.

Episode 44: It's only fitting that #44 Julio Rodriguez hits his first career MLB home run which reaches the same number of episodes recorded on Monday Mojo. Schwabe, Zweifel and Sobba recap an up and down road trip in Florida featuring another trip to the injured list for Mitch Haniger, Jarred Kelenic's early season struggles and Logan Gilbert's dominance on the mound. Monday Mojo also makes a live bet on how many home runs J.P. Crawford hits this season. Plus a free ticket giveaway to J.P. Crawford Bobblehead Night. 

Episode 43: The pieces are starting to finally fall in the right place for the Seattle Mariners as the team caps off a thrilling 7-2 homestand including a sweep of the Kansas City Royals over the weekend. In this week's episode, Monday Mojo goes fanboy on Ty France who's the hottest hitter in the MLB right now, Julio Rodriguez bouncing back after getting hosed by the umps, ranking the M's starting rotation and how the outfield situation plays out once Kyle Lewis and Mitch Haniger return. Sobba also calls out M's fans for leaving games early. 

Episode 42: The Seattle Mariners feed off a rowdy and supportive home crowd for their first series win of the 2022 season against the Houston Astros. Sobba, Schwabe dive into the opening night vibe at T-Mobile Park and what fans can enjoy at the ballpark this season. Monday Mojo also talks about Matt Brash's strong start, when Julio Rodriguez will smash his first career MLB home run, and how the M's stack up against the Texas Rangers this week. 

Episode 41: A new era of Seattle Mariners baseball is now underway with the start of the 2022 regular season. With addition of some key free agents and top prospects, the expectations are high for the Mariners to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2001. Sobba, Max and Zweifel explain why M's fans shouldn't panic after splitting a 4 game series with the Minnesota Twins and what the team can improve on heading into two big series against the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros this week. 

Episode 40: Chris Egan from KING 5 joins Monday Mojo to make his pitch to Mariners fans on why 2022 is going to be a fun season in Seattle. Egan spent time covering the Mariners in Spring Training and brings some insight on the development of Julio Rodriguez, Jarred Kelenic, Matt Brash and more. He also shares how the key additions of Eugenio Suárez, Jesse Winker, Adam Frazier, and Robbie Ray can help this team reach the postseason for the first time since 2001. Plus predictions on the M's win total in 2022. 

Episode 39: Jason Vass joins Monday Mojo this week and it's hands down one our favorite interviews we've conducted since we launched the pod. Jason is likely the biggest fan of "The Kid" with a memorabilia collection worth over $421,000 and climbing. He shares his story of how becoming a fan of Ken Griffey Jr. saved his life and what inspires him to buy anything Junior related even driving an extra 500 miles to pick up a customized Ken Griffey Jr. vending machine.

Episode 38: The Mariners add some much needed 'pop' to the lineup after trading for two former All-Star sluggers in Eugenio Suárez & Jesse Winker. In this episode, Sobba and Zweifel explain why these two players might be a better fit in Seattle than a Trevor Story or Kris Bryant and where the Mariners now rank among the contenders in the American League. The guys also talk M's Spring Training which includes Julio Rodriguez throttling a baseball in his first game and Jarred Kelenic's mindset for 2022. 

Episode 37: After a painful 99 days, the MLB lockout is FINALLY over! The players and owners reach a deal on a new collective bargaining agreement which means it's time to rally behind the Mariners for the upcoming 2022 season. Sobba, Max and Zweifel discuss which side won the deal, do the new rules and expanded playoff help or hurt the sport. We also breakdown who Mariners' GM Jerry Dipoto should target next in free agency. 

Episode 36: Today marks one year since the Monday Mojo podcast launched and we can't thank our listeners enough for the support! So we decided to celebrate by bringing back Jason Churchill from Prospect Insider and the host of the 'Baseball Things' podcast. Churchill shares his insight on where the MLB players and owners stand in the dreadful lockout and if the 2022 season is now in jeopardy. We also chat about the chances of Kris Bryant signing with the M's, what else the team needs to address this offseason, when the Mariners plan to call up Julio Rodriguez and much more.