Join baseball experts Chris Begg and Jason Willow every Wednesday for a weekly podcast that dives into the latest news, updates, and developments in MLB. From game scores to player stats, the hosts offer insightful analysis and lively commentary on all things baseball. Special guests will join on some weeks, bringing their expertise to the conversation. Whether you're a die-hard fan or new to the sport, tune in to stay up to date and join the conversation with Begg and Willow.
(3:12) Yankees Closer Problems(9:21) Lance McCullers Jr. Return to the mound after 915 days(12:21) Jacob deGrom sets record(16:47) Triston Casas Injury(20:24) Matt Brash Returns(24:32) Ketel Marte & Royce Lewis Return(29:24) Jake Burger(35:22) PCA vs Corbin(42:43) Most Influential Bathroom Fixture Ever
(1:47) Baby Season(3:22) Dodgers Stadium Olympic Bid (7:15) Jazz Chisolm Suspension(10:43) Prospect Call-Ups | Chandler Simpson(14:50) Nick Kurtz(16:56) Triston McKenzie DFA (19:14) Luis Arráez Injury(23:44) Ronald Acuna Jr. Social Media (32:35) Are Big Contracts Worth?
(3:36) Quick Hits (13:24) Near No No (16:57) WBC News(23:03) Early Look at the Standings
(3:00) Quick Hits(37:40) Buy or Sell?
31:03 BOLD Takes
(7:44) Brett Gardner(10:33) Liam Hicks(12:27) Signings & Extensions(26:30) Injuries(31:49) Mookie Update(35:41) White Sox Selling Already?(38:28) Jays Signing Vlad(48:21) Paul Skenes Card
(1:05) Red Sox Camp(4:05) Spencer Torkelson(6:00) Joey Gallo(8:55) IL John Grey, Royce Lewis(11:16) Mookie Betts Absent in Tokyo(12:39) Japan Series(15:04) PREDICTIONS(15:48) AL EAST(24:23) AL CENTRAL(33:33) AL WEST(45:19) AL MVP(48:28) AL CY YOUNG(51:15) AL ROTY(57:13) NL EAST(1:10:19) NL CENTRAL(1:24:12) NL WEST(1:36:30) NL MVP(1:39:13) NL ROTY(1:42:09) NL CY YOUNG
(00:46) Injuries(10:25) Contracts(20:51) AL PredictionsÂ
(7:13) ABS System(14:35) Who Benefits More?(16:21) Devers-Bregman Debate(27:39) Marcus Stroman (35:06) Yankees DH Hole(38:30) Drake Baldwin in for Sean Murphy?(40:46) Pete Rose HoF(48:02) Spring Training vs Regular Season
(3:46) Pete Alonso(11:09) Salary Cap, Work Stoppage(21:58) New Rules for '25(28:27) Signings
(3:59) HOF (9:24) Lucky 11-Year-Old (15:52) Jays (20:16) Jays Rotation Top 10? (22:22) Rays, Orioles, Padres (31:00) Tigers (38:23) MLB fires umpire Pat Hoberg
5:10 - Brent Rooker 11:32 - Justin Verlander 14:21 - Jeff Hoffman 18:55 - Roki Sasaki 23:43 - More Signings & Trades 29:44 - Yankees Fans Banned 32:16 - Where Are They Going?
(4:27) Quick Hits (5:07) Diamondbacks (18:41) Nationals (22:12) Gleyber Torres (27:41) Pete Alonso (33:21) Teoscar Hernandez
(1:41) Trades and Signings (32:54) A Legend Passes Away (38:00) Jays & Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (43:42) Draft Changes (45:04) College Eligibility Rules Change (50:15) MLB Releases Report on Pitcher Injuries
TIMESTAMPS (1:59) Yankees (7:33) Jays (17:00) Rangers (20:19) Tucker vs Soto (27:40) Cubs (28:47) Garrett Crochet (34:07) A's (41:11) Draft Lottery (45:17) Rule 5 Draft
(5:06 ) Quick Hits
(31:13) Rumour Mill
TIMESTAMPS (5:57) World Series Recap (13:24) Gold Glove Winners (19:10) Ball-Strike Challenge System (23:03) Alex Kirilloff Retires (24:43) Contract Options
TIMESTAMPS (1:02) Quick Hits – R.I.P. Fernando Valenzuela (2:20) Dodgers to pursue Juan Soto (6:40) Rangers Rebuilding? (10:23) Ohtani's 50/50 HR Ball Sold (12:39) Ohtani Injury (14:26) Chicago White Sox to Move? (16:29) Rays (18:15) World Series Talk IG: @oppotaco @otubaseball YT: @oppotaco. @hyungcho
(1:43) Rays Need a Home (4:16) White Sox for Sale (9:58) Playoffs (26:37) World Series Predictions (29:32) Qualifying Offers
(3:36) Quick Hits
(8:35) Quick Hits IG: @oppotaco @otubaseball YT: @oppotaco.
(1:14) Playoff talk (3:46) Double Triple Crown (8:28) Oakland A's (11:02) Ohtani (12:39) Chris Sale Back Spasms (13:30) Jose Ramirez shy of 40/40 (15:36) Vladdy 199 hits (17:54) Buster Posey Giants (21:00) Fall League Roster (23:17) All Star Game Team Jerseys (26:35) Bobby Witt Jr. (28:09) Playoff Predictions
(1:40) Quick Hits OHTANI 50/50 (5:11) Homerun/Stolen Bases Milestones (12:15) David Bell fired (14:21) CJ Abrams gets sent down (18:30) White Sox ties record (21:47) Final Oakland Colosseum Game (25:54) Jackson Jobe Call up and Playoff Picture (34:54) Skenes NL Rookie of the Year?
(6:01) Quick Hits - Ohtani to Pitch in Playoffs? (11:36) Jacob deGrom Returns (13:24) Bowden Francis (19:06) Luis Arraez (23:44) White Sox (28:44) Derek Bender tipping pitches
(4:21) Quick Hits, Matt Chapman Signing (7:11) Elvis Andrus Retires (8:32) Rays No. 5 prospect Chandler Simpson 100 bags (12:00) Bo Bichette all in (14:49) Judge vs Witt for MVP (18:14) Ohtani 50/50 (20:31) Whit Merrifield HBP Outrage (28:31) Standings and Ball talk
(5:21) Quick Hits - Votto (9:12) Perry Minasian (11:50) Shohei Ohtani (16:07) Jordan Montgomery (20:32) Mariners (22:34) Dylan Crews (25:07) Danny Jansen (27:06) Aaron Judge (28:35) Rafael Devers (29:40) $24Million Ruth Jersey IG: @oppotaco @otubaseball YT: @oppotaco.
(3:42) #58 + OTD (11:10) Quick Hits, Austin Riley IL (13:41) Chris Sale (14:40) Aaron Judge #300 + How many more? (18:00) Players' Weekend, Little League World Series (29:17) Starting Pitcher Minimums? (35:45) Trivia IG: @oppotaco @otubaseball YT: @oppotaco.
TIMESTAMPS (4:39) #57 + OTD (14:04) Quick hits - White Sox Losing Streak (17:19) Elly De La Cruz 20/50 Club (19:17) Trout Injury (22:08) U18 World Cup Qualifiers IG: @oppotaco @otubaseball YT: @oppotaco.
TIMESTAMPS (2:00) #56 + OTD (12:07) Mason Miller Injury (14:30) Ricky Tiedemann Tommy John Surgery (16:17) Kodai Senga Calf Injury (17:48) White Sox (20:11) Trades (Jazz) (24:43) Isaac Paredes, Christopher Morel (27:54) Orioles (30:49) Jason Adam (35:22) Randy Arozerena (37:18) Yimi Garcia, Justin Turner (39:06) Danny Jansen (44:28) Cardinals, Dodgers, White Sox (47:54) Kikuchi to Houston IG: @oppotaco @otubaseball YT: @oppotaco.
(2:34) #55 + OTD (10:26) Quick Hits, Draft (14:27) Rays Stadium (16:39) 2025 World Tour (18:21) Jacob Wilson IL (20:27) Aroldis Chapman HOF? (24:03) Ozzie Albies breaks hand (25:12) Max Fried out (25:26) JRod IL (26:40) MLB Trading Draft Picks? (33:01) HOF Inductions (34:47) Main Event Rankings of Potential Trades
(1:13) #54 + OTD (14:35) Quick Hits, All Star Game, David Fletcher, Dodgers IL (18:58) Futures Game, (27:12) A's looking hot? (31:32) Mason Miller hitches ride with Philly (33:34) All Star (40:06) Draft (45:02) Trey Yesavage (45:49) Draft continued
TIMESTAMPS (1:26) #53 + OTD (9:45) Quick Hits - Denzel Clarke Cycle (11:35) José Miranda Record + Twins (14:04) College Baseball Drama (Texas) (20:08) All Star Game & Home Run Derby (36:06) MLB DRAFT TOP 10 IG: @oppotaco @otubaseball YT: @oppotaco.
(1:50) #52 + OTD (9:52) Quick Hits RIP WIllie Mays (13:31) AAA games ABS Challenge System (17:19) Orelvis Martinez PED (20:49) Jays 70 Pitch Inning (21:58) Max Scherzer (22:34) Rangers and Astros (24:54) Christopher Sanchez Extension (28:56) Edwin Diaz Ejected for sticky substance (33:04) J.D. Davis (34:58) Injury Report (35:56) All Star Game Voting
TIMESTAMPS (7:50) Quick Hits, Most Overrated Player (9:45) Jose Abreu (11:19) Daniel Vogelbach (12:04) Jays, Playoff Picture, Wild Card, Market (17:48) Mookie Fracture (21:31) Gerrit Cole Returns (22:48) Gambling News (27:11) Jackson Holliday (27:54) Red Sox Record (29:36) College World Series
(1:08) #50 + OTD (10:03) Quick Hits (15:09) Blue Jays (23:49) Drew Thorpe (25:52) Reds (35:30) All Start Ballot Predictions IG: @oppotaco @otubaseball YT: @oppotaco.
(3:27) #49 + OTD (11:32) Quick Hits (12:42) Negro League Stats, Josh Gibson (20:07) Should other leagues be recognized also? (26:04) Mets to cut Jorge Lopez (28:45) Darryl Strawberry (29:57) Players sent down to AAA (32:30) Call Ups (33:53) Tucupita Marcano Betting Allegations (37:23) Gerrit Cole Rehab Start (38:17) Future Skills Contest (43:46) This week's Series Matchups (46:08) Injury Report
(1:00) - Happy Memorial Day + #48 + OTD (8:34) - Acuna Jr. (13:24) - White Sox, Luis Robert (15:08) - Verlander (16:00) - WBC Venues (18:50) - Robo Umps (23:44) - East West Classic (26:23) - Fanatics Agreement with Perfect Game (36:26) - College Baseball Power 5 Multi Billion Dollar deal (46:03) - Niagara Baseball IG: @oppotaco @otubaseball YT: @oppotaco.
TIMESTAMPS (2:02) - #47 + OTD (8:37) - Begg's Quick Hits in the DR (12:28) - Real Quick Hits (Paul Skenes) (15:44) - David Fletcher Gambling Investigation (17:34) - Ronel Blanco Foreign Substance Suspension (21:01) - Edwin Diaz Closer (25:35) - Injuries (28:31) - Alek Manoah (29:00) - Elly De La Cruz (31:04) - NAIA Baseball
TIMESTAMPS (1:06) - #46 & OTD (11:42) - Quick Hits, Catcher Interference (16:22) - Ohtani Movie? (18:49) - Paul Skenes (23:51) - Alek Manoah (25:33) - Mike Trout DH (29:40) - Rich Hill (33:52) - Injuries (38:06) - Standings Rundown IG: @oppotaco @otubaseball YT: @oppotaco.
Clark and Hyung welcome the hosts of The Oppotaco Podcast Chris Begg and Jason Willow – both former pro-baseball players as well as card collectors – to help kick off MLB Opening Day.Begg and Willow share some of their MLB predictions including MVP picks, home run leaders, and Cy Young candidates. Then they all discuss whether any of those players are worth buying to invest in or to just collect as a card for the PC. They also go over the top 6 prospects/rookies this season and go over the value of some of their rookie cards to see if they'd buy, sell, or hold.
TIMESTAMPS (2:16) - #44 & This Day on Baseball (9:12) - Tosoni's 13 year debut anniversary (17:13) Quick Hits: Holliday, Acuna Jr., Cueto, Rafaela, Tyler O'Neill, J.D. Martinez, City Connect Jerseys, and more. (31:40) Pete Alonso (33:11) Ohtani Rapsodo (40:37) - Tosoni on Canadian Junior National Team in Florida IG: @oppotaco @otubaseball YT: @oppotaco.
TIMESTAMPS (8:21) Quick hits Injury report (11:58) Debuts (14:55) Red Sox Guardians (16:05) Braves (17:04) Jac Caglianone (21:25) Jordan Montgomery Debut Giants (26:11) Main event (Buying or Selling Hype?) IG: @oppotaco @otubaseball YT: @oppotaco.
Happy Jackie Robinson Day! TIMESTAMPS (0:55) #42 + This Day on Baseball (8:15) - Quick Hits Start w Injuries (10:44) - Jackson Holliday (12:21) - Naylor bros (12:43) - New Signings - Yariel Rodriguez, Nick Lodolo, Yulieski Gurriel (15:40) - Salvador Perez 250th homerun (17:53) - McCutchen 300th homerun (21:10) - Kyle Bradish Rehab (21:42) - Tommy Pham (25:13) - Ohtani (32:15) - Interview with Hyung Cho (33:03) - OTU BASEBALL (40:50) - What to expect from Program (45:05) - Making of OTU with Begg and Willow (48:38) - Baseball Economics (52:21) - Collaborating as a Team (55:01) - Overcoming Logistical Hurdles (1:04:04) - FREE Infield Curriculum taught by Willow (1:04:44) - GIVEAWAY IG: @oppotaco @otubaseball YT: @oppotaco.
TIMESTAMPS (2:07) #41 + This Day on Baseball (7:52) Pitch Count Discussion (21:32) QUICK HITS (22:55) Oakland (29:15) - Ceddanne Rafaela (32:25) - Hank Aaron Day (36:19) - MAIN EVENT - Pitch Clock leading to Pitcher Injuries (49:39) - Other theories behind pitcher injuries (56:55) - Begg working with young pitchers (59:07) - Elbow Development IG: @oppotaco YT: @oppotaco.
TIMESTAMPS (0:00) Introduction and Excitement for the New Season (1:45) The number 40 (10:12) QUICK HITS Injuries and Suspensions in Baseball (18:10) Will Smith's Contract Extension with the Dodgers (22:10) Crochet's Impressive Performance Against the Braves (28:05) Low Attendance Numbers at the Coliseum (30:21) Notable Performances by Tyler O'Neill and Corbin Burns (32:46) The Pirates' Surprising Start (34:47) MLB Suspensions (47:50) First No-Hitter of the Year (51:19) Creative Alternate Identities and Jerseys in Minor League Baseball
(11:02) Quick Hits (20:21) Ohtani News (24:32) Predictions: Division Winners, League Winners, (38:24) World Series Matchup (41:35) Stolen Base Leader (50:00) AL and NL Home Run Leaders (53:36) AL and NL Batting Title (1:00:30) AL and NL Reliever of the Year (1:04:35) AL and NL Rookie of the Year (1:20:00) AL and NL MVP IG: @oppotaco YT: @oppotaco.
Takeaways Injuries to key players, such as Gerrit Cole, Devin Williams, and Danny Jansen, could have a significant impact on their respective teams. The signing of JD Davis by the A's after his arbitration case with the Giants highlights the changing dynamics between teams and agents. The spring breakout games showcased impressive performances from players like Spencer Jones, Xavier Isaac, Jace Jung, Ceddanne Raffaella, Jordan Lawlar, and Marcelo Mayer. The possibility of Shohei Ohtani playing in the outfield raises questions about the risk involved and the impact on his performance as a pitcher. Overall, the spring breakout games were a success, despite some issues like hit batters and outfielders struggling with routine fly balls. TIMESTAMPS (5:06) #38 (13:42) QUICK HITS (34:14) SAM SHAW (34:30) Introduction and Childhood Memories (37:24) Playing in the Big League Environment (40:41) Playing with Other Canadians (43:36) The Importance of Speed in Baseball (45:30) Meeting Joey Votto and other Jays (49:10) Emphasis on Base Running (55:33) Impressions of Spring Training (58:26) Draft Experience and Becoming a Blue Jay (60:24) Becoming a Blue Jay (61:48) Being a Blue Jays Fan (63:16) The Importance of Winning (64:47) Favorite Blue Jays Players (67:06) Impressive Players (68:03) Facing Challenging Pitchers (69:30) Underrated Players (70:55) Learning from Dom (72:18) Trusting Yourself (74:43) Signing Baseball Cards (81:10) Autograph and Rookie Card (84:48) Balancing Work and Play