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Take 10 with Tim – June 26, 2026 @ 9:15 am.1.We had a trade on Wednesday night with the Cubs acquiring David Peterson from the Mets for minor leaguer Cole Mathis – Cole Mathis profile is at the end of the notes.a.Is this the first sign of the Mets throwing in the towel?b.If so, give me the top 3 players the Mets will trade before the deadline?c.Will Lindor or Soto be one of those players?d.Good move for the Cubs?e.Who gets Peterson's starts in New York? Tong?f.Kodai Senga – Yuk – moved to the bullpen.2.It's been a month since Dylan Crews returned. He's hitting .212 with five home runs and two stolen bases. Remarkably, he's walked twice in 124 plate appearances and is sporting a .250 OBP. a.We will look at his baseballsavant data as well.b.What do Dynasty League managers do and are you still all-in or starting to lose confidence in him?3.Related. I started with my Draft Preview yesterday and wrote up the first 15 players I would take in a FYPD. Roch Cholowsky, the long-time favorite of everyone to go #1 in FYPD (and by MLB teams as well) reminds me a bit of Crews. Can't miss college hitter with power – but unlike Crews, he doesn't have much speed. When I was writing up my notes, I kept thinking of Crews, and maybe a little of Corey Seager. If you're picking #1 in a FYPD, do you pick the safe guy in Cholowsky, or do you go with somebody with more explosive tools but with more risk?4.The discussion of Shane Bieber was on our list last week but we talked to much and never got to him. I asked, would you start Shane Bieber given the drop in velo he was showing in his rehab. Now, we have a game under his belt and it wasn't great = 3.2 IP, 9 hits, 4 ER, 3 HR, 2K/0BB. His fastball wasn't any better at 91.9 mph and he's throwing his cutter more to try and compensate.a.How are you treating him for the next few starts? Starting him because he's Shane Bieber, looking at matchups, or on the bench? He has Texas at home on Sunday.5.One of our Pateron members reach out about Jakob Marsee and whether he should be a keeper for next season. I did a full breakdown on him and will share, but wanted to get your take on what has to be a disappointing season for where you had to take him in fantasy leagues.6.A few Rookies starting to show their stuff – Fact of Fictiona.Jac Caglianone – 14 home runs, but striking out a lot and a .352 BABIP is propping up his .275 BAb.TJ Rumfield – 12 HR, .275 BA, and a 47K/28BB, 15% K-Rate c.Bryce Eldridge – 130 AB, 6 HR, .285 BA, 34K/21BB – 22% K-Rated.Foster Griffin – 91.1 IP, 3.15 ER, 4.09 xERAe.Gage Jump – 35.1 IP, 2.04 ERA, 35K/10BB. 3.71 ERA at home, 0.49 away. Overall, 2.94 xERA7.What hitter are you targeting for this weekend's FAAB?8.What pitcher are you targeting for this weekend's FAAB?Cole Mathis (3B/1B)Highest Level: High-A ETA: 2028 Fantasy Ceiling: Corner InfielderLast Updated: 06/25/2026Tools Summary: Polished power bat whose real test begins at Double A.Cole Mathis, the Cubs' second round pick in 2024, lost most of his first professional season to Tommy John surgery and was limited to just 25 games in 2025. Chicago sent him back to Low A to open 2026, and while he's older than the competition, he's performed exactly as a polished college bat should. The approach is mature, the power is real, and he's made a clear effort to elevate — sometimes a bit too intentionally — but the results speak for themselves as fly balls continue turning into home runs. After 14 games, he earned a promotion to High A, where the home run output dipped but the underlying metrics remained strong.The Mets saw enough and acquired him in late June in exchange for David Peterson. From a development standpoint, it's essentially a wash — both organizations do a solid job with hitters.The pedigree and strength have always been part of the projection, but fantasy managers should stay measured. Given his age and the level, he should be producing. The real test comes once he reaches Double A, where we'll learn whether the contact skills and swing decisions hold up against better sequencing and velocity. If they do, the power will play.
Fantasy Baseball Live – June 21, 2026 @ 3 pm.Microsoft Teams:Segments 1 and 2 – Review the games of the dayAdditional Observations/Questions:1.I know Zac Gallen was once a pretty good pitcher, but last year was tough. After a few good starts at the beginning of the season, his ERA in May and June is 7.76, with 35 strikeouts in 51 innings. Why are people still holding on to him? His name?2.Elmer Rodriguez gets a spot start against the Tigers tomorrow with Cole's start being pushed back. Are you going to start him if you have him? I'm assuming you will not be picking up?3.Jackson Holliday leaves Saturday's game with a groin. I'm assuming you need to grab someone in case he hits the IL.a.Were we wrong on Holliday this season or has the hamate injury be at the root of his problem? .200/.286/.388 slash line with 4 home runs and 3 SB.4.Got a note from a Patreon member who was surprised at the power that Travis Bazzana is showing. I always thought he was a 15 home run guy and I'm sticking with that – 89.1 mph EV and 12 degrees of leverage is supportive of that – maybe he can grow into a bit more. Good speed and can really hit. I think he's a very good player – high floor. 15-20 type of player with a .280+ BA and .350 OBP. BTW, the defensive metrics do not look very good with him. a.What say you?5. Manny Machado – 13 HR, 1 SB, .178 BA or Tatis Jr. – 2 HR, 18 SB, .282 BA. Who would you rather have for the ROS.6.Jordan Lawlar – I just don't know what to say. It's just not happening. He's joining the Buxton/Acuna camp of not being able to stay healthy. Although they are great players, and Lawlar has never played enough to know.Segment 3 – Waiver ReportSegment 4 – Closer ReportClose
Arizona Diamondbacks at St. Louis Cardinals by Tony T. Arizona is batting .251 in their past six games with a .338 OBP. Saint Louis is batting .291 in this period with a .424 slugging percentage. Kelly, in his past five starts, has an ERA of 5.97 and .544 slugging percentage. Pallante's numbers are worse on the road. Both bullpens are in poor recent form. Arizona is 8-3 to the over on the road against winning teams.
Take 10 with Tim – June 19, 2026Microsoft Teams:1.We are approaching the halfway mark of the season (45% completed), so let's draft the first round of the 2027 Draft based on what we know today.1)Bobby Witt Jr. (Tim)2)Shohei Ohtani (Rich)3)Juan Soto (Tim)4)James Wood (Rich)5)Aaron Judge (Tim)6)Elly De La Cruz (Rich)7)Jacob Misiorowski (Tim)8)Pete Crow-Armstrong (Rich)9)Yordan Alvarez (Tim)10)Nick Kurtz (Rich)11)Jose Ramirez (Tim)12)O'Neil Cruz (Rich)13)Paul Skenes (Tim)14)Tarik Skubal (Rich)15)Corbin Carroll (Tim)16)Julio Rodriguez (Rich)2.Andrew Painter was optioned back to the minor leagues. The performance was pretty awful with a 7.20 ERA and only two more strikeouts than runs earned runs – Yikes.a.For Dynasty League managers, are you still all-in? He still has minor league eligibility in some leagues. Does that play a role in whether you cut him or not?3.It's been a month since Dylan Crews returned. He's hitting .189 with four home runs and two stolen bases. Remarkably, he's walked twice in 100 plate appearances and is sporting a .230 OBP. a.We will look at his baseballsavant data as well.b.Similar to Painter, what do Dynasty League managers do and you still all-in or starting to lose confidence in him?4.There's no timeline for Ronald Acuna returning to game action, except Walt Weiss saying – “he's a long from returning”. Let's look at his injury history.a.82 games played in 2021, 119 in 2022, 159 in 2023, 49 in 2024, and 95 in 2025. That's 64 games a year or 40% of the games – in 5 years. Why are people still taking this guy in the first round? I get the potential, but this run makes Byron Buxton look Ripken-esque. What am I missing?5.Shane Bieber looks ready to go, although his fastball only averaged 91.8 (T 93). He's never thrown hard, but he's also soon to be 32. Are you starting him immediately after his activated from the IL?6.The Mariners are supposedly going to a piggyback scenario. If I have it right, they will take their six starters and stick to a five man rotation, but players will take turns starting innings (1 – 4) and (5 – 8). I guess, sometimes the starter will go 5, but who knows. If you have Mariners' pitchers, what do you do?a.Two of the best pitchers in the minor leagues are Ryan Sloan and Kade Anderson. Both are shoving it in Double-A and look nearly ready. How on earth do they get a shot?7.What hitter are you targeting for this weekend's FAAB?a.Cooper Pratt 8.What pitcher are you targeting for this weekend's FAAB?a.Shane Drohan
Cleveland Guardians at Houston Astros by Tony T. The Pick Cleveland is batting .217 against right-handed starters with a .358 slugging percentage. Astros at home have an OBP of .310 with .402 slugging percentage. Bibee on the road carries an ERA of 4.54. Imai has shown recent improvement in his past four starts. Both bullpens in good recent form in the last month. Houston is 10-6 at home facing AL teams that average 4.4 runs per game or fewer with a +4.6-unit return. Play Houston -121.
Mark and Mat dive deep into the Tampa Bay Rays' struggles on their West Coast road trip, debate the future of baseball marketing, celebrate Evan Longoria's upcoming number retirement, and share a historic tale about Lou Piniella and Bill Gates.Rays on the West CoastThe Rays' disappointing road trip to California — struggling offense, solid pitchingThe challenges of East-to-West travel and time zone adjustmentsThe third-worst team defense over the last 17 days, offset by strong pitching performancesTaylor Walls & the Shortstop DilemmaTaylor Walls' career slugging percentage at an all-time low (.280 SLUG), with zero home runs on the yearMat's criticism: Walls plays like a power hitter instead of embracing his true skill setCarson Williams tearing it up in Durham (7 HRs), but still working through strikeout issuesThe Wander Franco-shaped hole in the lineupJunior Caminero – All-Star Ballot LeaderCaminero leads AL third basemen in All-Star voting at just 22 years oldDiscussion of his defensive miscues vs. his elite offensive potential (top 3 in isolated power, OBP, and wRC+ among AL 3B)Mat compares his development arc to Jason Heyward under Bobby CoxShohei Ohtani & the Dodgers SeriesDrew Rasmussen's strong outing — only one run allowed (a solo Ohtani homer)Ohtani's record-setting bad day on the mound — giving up four consecutive hits in one inning, something he'd rarely if ever doneMat and Mark make the case that MLB is severely under-marketing Ohtani compared to stars in basketball and footballBaseball's Marketing ProblemWhy doesn't baseball have a defining brand partner (like Nike/basketball or Adidas/soccer)?Mat's pitch: a Lululemon × MLB collab to bring women into the sportThe need for MLB to leverage podcasters like Jomboy and platforms like Joe Rogan to grow the gameThe see-through jersey debacle and the World Baseball Classic uniform failuresEvan Longoria Number RetirementLongo Weekend coming up mid-July at Tropicana FieldHis walk-up music (Tantric) will be played live at the eventCareer stats: 1,986 games, 342 HR, .804 OPS, .333 OBPReflections on what might have been had injuries not slowed him downMat advocates for a Longoria statue or plaque at the new Rays stadiumWomen's BaseballMark's summer schedule: USA Women's National Team in Rockford (July 21–25), Cardinals in St. Louis (July 26–30), and the inaugural Women's Pro Baseball League season in Springfield, IL (September)Interview highlights: Ryan Woodward (International Women's Baseball Center) and Merrie Fidler (AAGPBL)Mat's vision for the Women's Pro Baseball League: barnstorming-style tournaments in MLB stadiums (Rogers Centre, Tropicana Field), a Green Bay Packers community-ownership model, and year-round momentum buildingLou Piniella & Bill GatesLou donated his $50,000 attendance bonus to Metro United Way in SeattleBill Gates matched it — and started showing up in Lou's office to suggest lineup changesGates gave Lou a lineup one night, it worked… and the guys joke that's the secret origin of the Rays' analytics departmentMark's call: Lou Piniella belongs in the Hall of Fame — 1,800+ wins as a manager, still overlookedRays Prospect UpdatesMichael Forret (P): Promoted to AAA; 7 IP, 7 K, 2 ER in first start — MLB debut may be imminentEmilien Pitt (2B): Promoted to AA; 400+ OBP at nearly every minor league level, walks more than he strikes outJohnny DeLuca: Expected back from rehab by the weekendJacob Melton: Rehabbing at rookie level, showing positive signsConnor Hujsak: Added to AAA rosterOther NotesAlex Faedo, Tampa native, mentioned in connection with the Tampa Baseball MuseumRays return to Tropicana Field on FridayThanks for listening! Fingers crossed for a winning streak.Remember to like and subscribe to BaseballBiz On Deck. You may also find BaseballBiz on Deck, on YouTube at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at baseball biz on deck dot com. Also you can find Mat @matgermain.bsky.social or Mark at baseballbizondeck@gmail.com and BaseballBiz On Deck with Facebook social
Detroit Tigers at Houston Astros by Tony T. Detroit is batting .222 in their past 27 games with a .391 slugging percentage. Houston is batting .224 in their past 27 games with a .301 slugging percentage. Teng's numbers are better at home. Both bullpens are in outstanding recent form. Tigers' bullpen has a day of rest with the postponement on Sunday. Detroit is 11-7 to the under on the road facing an AL team with a .330 OBP or lower.
Tampa Bay Rays at Los Angeles Angels by Tony T. Rays are batting .254 on the road with an OBP of .329. Angels are hitting .218 at home with a .346 slugging percentage. Jax numbers are better on the road. Soriano in his past five starts has an ERA of 5.53 with a WHIP of 1.62. Rays are 28-11 facing an AL team with a slugging percentage of .400 or lower with a +16.4-unit return.
Mark's Birthday Surprise at the Ballpark Mark celebrates a milestone birthday with a surprise family reunion organized by his wife Karen. The whole family attended a Tampa Bay Rays vs. Miami Marlins game at LoanDepot Park (Marlins Park), where Mark got a "Grand Slam" scoreboard shoutout, a birthday button, and a slice of chocolate cake delivered to his seat behind the dugout. Special thanks to Lou Schiff for his help with this nightTampa Bay Rays RecapThe Rays are 5-5 in their last 10 games but have swept all AL East opponents.Drew Rasmussen delivered back-to-back dominant starts: 9 Ks in 7 innings (87 pitches) vs. the Marlins, followed by 13 Ks in 7 innings (97 pitches) vs. the Red Sox - 22 strikeouts over two games.The Rays beat Boston 7 - 5, overcoming a shaky eighth inning.Yandy Díaz is on fire in June: .444 AVG, .475 OBP, 1.058 OPS - the hosts discuss Yandy's impact on younger hitters like Junior CamineroAaron Judge's injury opens a window for the Rays to take the AL East division crown outright, potentially reducing playoff risk.Mat breaks down how the Yankees' and Blue Jays' health issues shift the competitive landscape.Mike Trout's FutureWill Trout pull a "Ray Bourque" & join a contender to chase a World Series ring?Mat predicts he lands with the Dodgers; Mark dreams of Trout joining Randy Arozarena and Julio Rodríguez on the Seattle Mariners.Softball's "River" Rule Mark shares a curiosity from John Boy Media's YouTube channel: a women's softball rule where a batter crowding the plate in a certain zone (the "river") is NOT awarded first base after being hit by a pitch.Ken Babby & the Rays in the Community Mark attended an Embarc Tampa quarterly leadership meeting featuring Rays CEO Ken Babby. Highlights include Babby's background at The Washington Post's digital division (working alongside Steve Jobs on iPad rollout), his ownership of the Akron RubberDucks and Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, and his commitment to diversity - the Jumbo Shrimp were the only minor league team with a black general manager. That GM is now joining the Rays organization. The team also has upcoming community events including an Evan Longoria tribute night and a Juneteenth celebration.Sports, Community & Belonging Mat reflects on how championship runs — like the Blue Jays' World Series wins and the Montreal Canadiens' recent playoff run — unite cities across all cultures and backgrounds. The hosts discuss the undervalued economic and social impact of sports franchises on their communities.Women's Baseball in the SpotlightThe hosts preview a busy summer for women's baseball in Illinois.Women's Baseball World Cup Group Stage — Coming to Rivet Stadium in Rockford, IL (capacity ~4,000). Six teams, three games per day, USA plays the night game. Finals are set for 2027, also in Rockford.All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) reunion events.Baseball For All (founded by Dr. Justine Siegel) — grassroots tournaments and camps that have become pipelines to the Women's Pro Baseball League.Women's Pro Baseball League — launching in August in Springfield, IL.Guest interview with Ryan Woodward of the International Women's Baseball Center, discussing the Women's Baseball Heritage Trail (historic stops across the US and Canada) and the World Cup group stage.Tampa-Area Baseball ShoutoutsSt. Leo University wins the NCAA Division II Softball Championship.University of Tampa Spartans win the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship — a three-peat! Mark gives a special tribute to the late Tony Saladino, whose grandson Nico Saladino played on the previous UT championship team.Remember to like and subscribe to BaseballBiz On Deck. You may also find BaseballBiz on Deck, on YouTube at iHeart Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, and at baseball biz on deck dot com. Also you can find Mat @matgermain.bsky.social or Mark at baseballbizondeck@gmail.com and BaseballBiz On Deck with Facebook social
Atlanta Braves at Chicago White Sox by Tony T. Atlanta is batting .247 against left-handed starters with a .422 slugging percentage. White Sox has an OBP of .331 against lefty starters with a .424 slugging percentage. Perez on the road has an ERA of 4.25 with .486 slugging percentage against. Kay's numbers are worse in his night starts with an ERA of 5.61 with .434 slugging allowed in seven starts. Braves are 22-10-2 to the over on the road. White Sox are 18-6-2 to the over in their past 26 games.
St. Louis Cardinals at New York Mets by Tony T. St Louis is batting .285 in their past five games with a .453 slugging percentage. NY is hitting .244 with an OBP of .290 in their past four games. Cardinals' bullpen allowed 3 runs in their past 19 innings. Mets are 15-16 at home with a -11.2-unit loss. St Louis is 13-5 as a road underdog of +100 to +150 with a +10.6-unit return.
Kansas City Royals at Minnesota Twins by Tony T. The Pick: KC is batting .225 on the road with a .347 slugging percentage. Twins bat .271 at home against the division with a .409 slugging percentage. Cameron in his five-day games carries an ERA of 6.15 with .518 slugging percentage against. Prielipp numbers are better at home. Bullpens are weak on both sides. Royals are 2-14 against left-handed starters with a -14.5-unit loss and 0-9 on the road with a -9.6-unit loss. Twins are 14-9 at home facing an AL team with an OBP of .330 or lower with a +6.1-unit return. Play Minnesota -105.
Cincinnati Reds at St. Louis Cardinals by Tony T. The Pick: Cincinnati is batting .230 in their past six games. Cardinals in this period hit .288 with a .360 OBP. Lowder on the road has an ERA of 6.65 with WHIP of 1.66. McGreevy at home carries an ERA of 3.13 with WHIP of 1.05. Reds bullpen on the road carries an ERA of 5.24. Cardinals' bullpen in the better recent and season form. Cincinnati is 2-13 against the division with a -11.1-unit loss and 0-10 on the road with a -10-unit loss. Cardinals have won five of seven with a +2.9-unit return. Play St Louis -132.
Athletics at Houston Astros by Tony T. The Pick: Athletics are batting .223 in their past six games with a .301 OBP. Astros in this period hit .262 with a .446 slugging percentage. Astros bullpen in the better recent form. Athletics are 1-3 on the road when lined at -100 to -150 with a -2.6-unit loss. Astros are 10-5 at home against losing teams with a +5.3-unit return. Play Houston -105.
Take 10 with Tim – June 5, 20261.Let's take a look at the standings2.FYI – Corbin Burnes hurt his shoulder during his rehab and now is unlikely to pitch this season.3.Revisiting Sandlin vs. Jump. Both came up together, and Sandlin outpitched Jump in the first game, but Sandlin got it handed to him in game two, and Jump pitched 7 strong innings for the win.a.Who do you take for Game 3?4.Justin Verlander is expected back this weekend. He has a favorable matchup against the Mariners.a.Do you dare?5.TJ Friedl was taken as the 60th outfielder off the board and is now back in Triple-A after hitting .179 with two home runs. Noelvi Marte gets another shot.a.What happened to Friedl?b.Any interest in Marte?6.What happened to these guys? Do you see them bouncing back over the next four months or was their 2025 an outlier1)Michael Busch (CHC, 13th 1B) – 34 home runs in 2025, 6 so far this season2)Jackson Merrill (SD, 14th OF) – He's hitting .206 with five home runs and 10 SB. His runs scored are always down. 3)Bo Bichette (NYM, 10th SS) – The power is targeting 15 for the year, which was about what he did in 2026. But, he's hitting .226 with a brutal .280 OBP. He's still swinging at nearly every first pitch.i.Plus, is this what $42 million annually gets you? Really? That's the third highest on-field salary in 2026.4)Masyn Winn (STL, #27 SS) – He was on a lot of sleeper list – 2 HR, 5 SB, and a .235 BA is not what was expected.5)Matt Chapman (SF, #11 3B) – 21 HR and 9 SB in 2025. He has 2 home runs and 0 SB with a .236 BA. He did have three hits yesterday.6)Steven Kwan (Cle, #37 OF) - .209 BA, 1 HR, 2 SB – BRUTAL!7)Lawrence Butler (ATH, #36 OF) – 3 HR, 4 SB, and a .161 BA. I'm not sure why he's still in the Major Leagues.8)Geraldo Perdomo (AZ, #9 SS) – Breakout in 2025 with 20 HR, 27 SB, and a .290 BA. This season, he has 3 home runs and is hitting .223.7.Believe it or not, we are 42% of the way through the season, and it feels like a good time to get your predictions on CY, MVP, and ROY. Mine are listed.a.Please provide a pick for CY, MVP and ROYi.AL: CY – Rich – Cam Schlitter; Tim – Gavin Williamsii.AL MVP – Yordan or Witt Jr.; Tim – Ben Riceiii.AL ROY – Should have been Murakami – Maybe Okamoto or you default to Kevin McGonigle; Tim - Okamotoiv.NL: CY – Cristopher Sanchez; Tim - Sanchezv.NL MVP – Shohei Ohtani; Tim - Samevi.NL ROY – Konnor Griffin – might be a stretch and deserves to be below, I just think he flies by everyone; Tim – Carson Bengeb.Please provide a stretch pick for each category.i.AL: CY – Parker Messick; Tim – Will Warrenii.AL: MVP – Mike Trout; Tim – Miguel Vargasiii.AL: ROY – Sam Basallo – I think he has a huge second half; Tim – Payton Tolleiv.NL: CY – Shohei Ohtani – Braxton Ashcraft will get more votes than Paul Skenes; Tim – Chase Burnsv.NL: MVP – Oneil Cruz; Tim – Jordan Walkervi.NL: ROY – Carson Benge – has a huge second half; Tim - JJ Wetherholt8.What hitter are you targeting for this weekend's FAAB?a.Arroyo or Marte9.What pitcher are you targeting for this weekend's FAAB?a.Alex Lange
Fantasy Baseball Live! – May 31, 2026Segments 1 and 2 – Review this weekend's gamesAdditional Discussion Points1.Finally, Tatis gets on the board with his first home run.a.Over/Under 20 home runs for the season2.Kumar Rocker had a strong game on Saturday – 6.0 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER, 2K/3BBa.He has a 3.54 ERA but his xERA is 4.55. He's also only striking out 7.5 per nine. Is he anything more than a number four/five starter?3.Lucas Erceg has been awful this week and not much better over the past two. He completely imploded yesterday – giving up five hits and 3 ER, taking a blown save and the loss.a.There has to be someone better in Kansas City to grab for saves. Tell us who?4.Mike Trout hit his 14th home run and has pushed his average to .241 with an impressive .412 OBP. Is there any chance he gets moved at the deadline to try be on a team that at least wins a playoff game?Segment 3 – Waiver WireSegment 4 – Closer ReportClose
Chicago Cubs at St. Louis Cardinals Start Time and TV Start Time: 7:15 PM ET TV Network: MLB.TV, MARQ, Cardinals.TV The Pick: Chicago is batting .233 against right-handed starters with a .381 slugging percentage. St Louis is batting .231 against left-handed starters with a .295 OBP. Both bullpens are in great recent form. Cubs are 3-1 to the under on the road when favored by -125 or higher. Play Chicago and St Louis under 8.
Los Angeles Angels at Tampa Bay Rays by Tony T. Start Time and TV Start Time: 7:10 PM ET TV Network: MLB.TV, ABTV, Rays.TV The Pick: LA is batting .211 in the last month with a .353 slugging percentage. Rays in this period are hitting .268 with a .338 OBP. Urena on the road has an ERA of 5.23 with .489 slugging percentage against. Martinez, in his four home starts, carries an ERA of 1.14. Rays are 18-6 to the run line at home with a +14.6-unit return. LA is 2-5 to the run line on the road facing a starter that allows 0.5 home runs per start or fewer with a -5.8-unit loss. Play Tampa Bay on run line -1.5 runs at +120.
Miami Marlins at New York Mets by Tony T. Start Time and TV Start Time: 7:10 PM ET TV Network: ESPN Unlimited, MLB.TV, Marlins.TV, WPIX-11 The Pick: Miami is batting .252 against right-handed starters with a .330 OBP. Mets are hitting .231 against right-handed starters with a .359 slugging percentage. Meyer in his past five starts carries an ERA of 1.76. Peralta's numbers are not as good at home. Both bullpens in good recent form. Mets are 4-8 at home against losing teams with a -9.4-unit loss. Play Miami +113.
Milwaukee Brewers at Houston Astros by Tony T. Start Time and TV Start Time: 8:10 PM ET TV Network: MLB.TV, Brewers.TV, SCHN The Pick: Brewers is hitting .256 with an OBP of .329 in the last month. In this period the Astros bat .232 with a .296 OBP. Astros bullpen on the road has an ERA of 5.33. Milwaukee is 9-3 as a road favorite of -100 to -150 with a +5 unit return. Astros are 3-7 at home against winning teams with a -3.8-unit loss. Play Milwaukee -117.
Fantasy Baseball Live! – May 24, 2026Segments 1 and 2 – Review the weekend gamesAdditional Notes:1.With the struggles of Steven Kwan this season, Travis Bazzana has been moved to the leadoff spot.a.What is your assessment of him so far this season?b.When do we pull the trigger on Steven Kwan and throw him on the waiver wire – he's hitting .199 with 1 home run and 2 SB. Granted, he also has a .224 BABIP, so I would expect a correction. But the xERA is still only .223. Yikes!2.Kevin Alcantara is getting another shot. He can't hit, but there is speed and power. Your thoughts.a.BTW, quietly Spencer Jones was demoted last week. The fanfare of a demotion is never the same as that of a promotion.3.So it's not Franklin Arias at shortstop, the Red Sox are turning to Marcelo Mayer and his .216 batting average and .286 OBP. a.I really missed on this one. The bat speed is clearly there – ranking in the top quartile of the leagues, but his 87 mph EV and 9% of loft is making him an easy out. Makes great contact, it's just weak.i.Your thoughts?4.Gerrit Cole returned and the velo was spot on. The swing miss of his secondary stuff was not quite there but overall he looked good.a.Your thoughts?5.Cristopher Sanchez has pitched 37.2 of scoreless innings. How is that possible? He's also pitching extremely deep into games. Just dominant.6.Jonah Tong quietly got the call but it appears he will pitch out of the bullpen.a.Any interest?7.Taj Bradley is back, touching 100 mph and shoving it. On Saturday, he pitched 5 innings of one run ball, striking out 7.8.Zack Wheeler has been dominant since returning from TOS. I thought pitchers didn't come back very well from that? Segment 3 – Waiver WireSegment 4 – Closer ReportClose
St. Louis Cardinals at Cincinnati Reds by Tony T. Start Time and TV Start Time: 1:40 PM ET TV Network: MLB.TV, MLB Extra Innings | Away: Cardinals.TV | Home: Reds.TV The Pick St Louis is batting .243 against right-handed starters with a .327 OBP. The Reds are hitting .251 against left-handed starters with a .496 slugging percentage. Singer's numbers have been better at home Cardinal's bullpen on the road has an ERA of 4.41. The Reds are 8-3 against left-handed starters with a +5.7-unit return. Play Cincinnati -112.
New York Mets at Miami Marlins by Tony T. Start Time and TV Start Time: 1:40 PM ET TV Network: MLB.TV, MLB Extra Innings | Away: SNY | Home: Marlins.TV The Pick NY is batting .221 on the road with a .351 slugging percentage. Marlins hit .249 with a .328 OBP. Mets bullpen performs well on the road and the Marlins pen performs well at home. Mets are 11-18 on the road with a -9.9-unit loss. Miami is 10-3 in their home day games with a +6.9-unit return. Play Miami +101.
Seattle Mariners at Kansas City Royals by Tony T. Start Time and TV Start Time: 2:10 PM ET TV Network: MLB.TV, MLB Extra Innings | Away: Mariners.TV | Home: Royals.TV The Pick Seattle is batting .220 on the road with a .357 slugging percentage. KC is batting .245 against righthanded starters with a .316 OBP. Seattle bullpen in good form in their past 27 games. Mariners are 16-8-1 to the under on the road. Royals have gone under in six of seven. Play Seattle and Kansas City under 8.5.
Athletics at Los Angeles Angels by Tony T. Start Time: 9:38 PM ET | TV: MLB.TV The Pick Athletics are hitting .260 against right-handed starters with a .422 slugging percentage. Angles are hitting .203 at home with a .312 slugging percentage. Severino, in his past five starts has an ERA of 3.00. Soriano in his past five starts carries an ERA of 5.00. Athletics bullpen has performed well on the road. Angel's pen allowed 19 runs in their past 18 1/3rd innings. LA is 11-22 against right-handed starters with a -10.1-unit loss. Athletics are 9-5 on the road facing an AL team with a .330 or lower OBP. Play Athletics -105.
New York Yankees at New York Mets by Tony T. Game Summary The Subway Series gets a strong pitching matchup with Weathers showing the higher strikeout ceiling, while Peralta brings a solid ERA but slightly more walk risk. The Pick Mets have hit .226 on the season with an OBP of .293. Yankees have an OBP of .329 and .429 slugging percentage. Yankees bullpen has been outstanding on the road. Mets are 1-4 at home facing a team with a bullpen WHIP of 1.35 or lower with a -5.8-unit loss. Play Yankees -104.
Cincinnati Reds at Cleveland Guardians by Tony T. Game Summary Cleveland has the stronger starting-pitching edge with Williams bringing a high strikeout rate and better overall profile. Cincinnati needs Singer to keep the ball in the park and work ahead in counts. The Pick Cleveland is batting .213 against right-handed starters with a .343 slugging percentage. Reds are in good recent hitting form. Williams in his past five starts has an ERA of 4.68. Reds are 9-2 on the road facing an AL team with a .330 or lower OBP with a +8.8-unit return. Cleveland is 2-3 at home against winning teams with a -2.1-unit loss. Play Cincinnati +145.
Take 10 with Tim – May 15, 2026 @ 9:15 – 45 minutes to an hour.1.God help us, but Zebby Matthews looked great yesterday. It was the Marlins, but a line of 7.0 IP, 4 hits, 0 ER, 5K/1BB is pretty awesome. a.What are you doing about him?b.I've held onto him in a couple of Dynasty Leagues, but I think this is a sucker setup.2.The kids are getting called nearly every day.a.On Tuesday, A.J. Ewing was promoted to “save the Mets' season”. Well, the Mets win their first series against the Tigers, and Ewing is 3 for 6, with a home run, a stolen base, 4 walks, and 3 strikeouts.i.I actually have him in all 10 Dynasty Leagues (I think) and started him where I could. What's your take?b.Henry Bolte also gets the call and looks to get plenty of playing time for the Athletics.i.What's your take?c.Order the following for the rest of the season - Waldschmidt, Ewing, Eldridge, and Henry Bolt3.Zach Cole has been on fire since you recommended him on Sunday. Well done! Thoughts for the rest of the season.4.Cal Raleigh hit the IL, a day after breaking a 0-36 hitless streak. Fantasy managers can't be happy with his season – he has seven home runs, but it's come at a cost of a .161 BA and a brutal .243 OBP. Now, he hits the IL with an oblique issue.a.Let's dig into his season to see if we can figure out what's going on.5.Robby Snelling – just brutal. He started one game, looked ok and now hits the IL with a left UCL sprain. That might explain this season's poor control. a.I think it's odd how many pitchers get the call and then seem to go out with an elbow issue. It almost makes you think they know there is a problem but don't speak up until they get on the MLB roster. Yeah, I know this is all conspiracy stuff, but it happens a lot.6.Max Fried hits the IL, and as of this writing, we don't know how long he'll be out. Gerrit Cole is getting close, more once he gets into shape instead of getting his arm stretched out. I heard a bit of grumbling this week in Somerset. Anyway, I don't think Elmer Rodriguez gets another start. Your thoughts?a.Speaking of the Yankees, Jose Caballero hits the IL, and Anthony Volpe is back. Will he be somebody who interests you this weekend?7.Ohtani seems to be having a better year as a pitcher than as a hitter. With the decision to rest him on pitching days and to assume a few more days off during the season, do you think this time off, coupled with being relegated to DH, will push him down in next year's draft?8.Jacob Wilson hits the IL with a shoulder issue, and it sounds like it will be more than 10 days. Darell Hernaiz gets a shot. Is he worth grabbing?9.What hitter are you targeting for this weekend?10.What pitcher are you targeting for this weekend?
The Cardinals are 24-17 with the fifth best record in baseball. Power rankings have them in the top 10. The playoff odds just passed Cincinnati. So we ask the question: are they actually good, or are we about to get burned again?The offense is legit. The bullpen has stabilized. The defense is elite. And the pitching, somehow, has a 2.62 ERA in May, third best in MLB. Michael McGreevy in particular is doing something fascinating, and Ben breaks down a stat called Location+ that might explain why he keeps outperforming his underlying numbers.Jordan Walker just turned 24 and is a top-20 player in baseball by fWAR, top 10 by offensive WAR alone. JJ Wetherholt is tied with him at 1.8 fWAR to lead the team. We talk about why Walker shouldn't exist at that size and speed, why JJ's power has been the biggest rookie surprise, and the trade deadline question looming over everything.Plus: the Pozo situation has gotten absurd, Lars Nootbaar starts his rehab assignment Friday, George Soriano's slider and changeup are becoming elite, Rainel Rodriguez is climbing prospect lists at 19, Brian Torres has a .453 OBP at Triple-A and deserves a look, and Ben ran the Rockies 5K, puked mid-race, high-fived Dinger, and then had a 9am beer.On the league side: the Guardians traded for Patrick Bailey, the CBA negotiations have started, Bobby Cox passed away at 84, and we debate whether you'd ever vote a reliever for the Cy Young.Have a question or comment for the show? Text or leave us a voicemail at: (848) 48-BIRDS (848-482-4737)Talking About Birds is listener supported on Patreon. Support the show and join our private discord server at: www.patreon.com/talkingaboutbirds.
The Chicago Cubs are off to one of the best starts in franchise history — multiple 10-game win streaks, leading MLB in OBP, wRC+, and WAR, and the best defense in baseball. Are they real World Series contenders who can beat the Dodgers and Braves? Plus, we break down why Junior Caminero is already a superstar at just 22 years old — 45 HR last season, 10 HR already in 2026, and looking like a future MVP. And the Houston Astros continue to be the most unlucky team in baseball — 16 players on the IL this year after setting the record for most injured team in MLB history in 2025. What's going on with this injury curse? Full MLB Power Rankings + Team of the Week breakdown included. Chapters: 0:00 Intro 1:39 Are the Cubs World Series contenders? 5:20 Junior Caminero is a superstar 8:46 Bad luck Houston Astros 13:04 MLB Power Rankings 22:44 Team of the Week 27:43 Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ben Rice Is the Best Hitter in Baseball?! Murakami Leads MLB in HRs + Cardinals Surprise Ben Rice has taken over the Yankees, the former platoon hitter is now dominating with a 219 wRC+, leading MLB in OPS, SLG, and OBP while hitting .327 with 10+ homers. Is he the best hitter in baseball right now? Munetaka Murakami is a STUD. The White Sox believed in him when no one else would, now he leads all of MLB with 13 home runs in his first 32 career games (3rd-most ever) and has a 159 OPS+. The St. Louis Cardinals are one of the biggest surprises in baseball at 20-14 in a rebuild year! Jordan Walker has completely figured it out. How? Plus: Latest Power Rankings (Yankees climb. Dodgers drop.) Team of the Month highlights (Ohtani, Mason Miller, Aaron Judge, Yordan Alvarez & more) Chapters: 0:00 - Intro 0:55 - Munetaka Murakami 4:53 - Cardinals hot start 9:20 - Ben Rice is a star 12:13 - Power Rankings 25:58 - Team of the Month 33:34 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Send us a message! (or visit outloudbible.com/contact to start a conversation)Contact me and let me know: (1) how has OBP helped you in your relationship with God?(2) what you'd like to see in the next season of the podcast(3) questions about the Bible We start the Book of Revelation and set our hearts on its main purpose: revealing Jesus Christ as the risen King who will win the final victory over sin and death. We read Revelation 1 to 3 aloud and let Jesus' letters to the seven churches search our lives with both warning and hope. • inviting listener feedback as we near the end of the first Bible read through • how the podcast has helped your relationship with God and sharing testimonies • what to expect in Revelation as prophecy and as a revelation of Jesus • John's exile on Patmos and why Revelation is written • the blessing of reading prophecy aloud and hearing and obeying it • Jesus walking among the lampstands and knowing His churches • the repeating pattern in the seven letters: praise, correction, call to repent, promise to conquer • personal reflection prompts from Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea At outloudbible.com, you can find free resources to help you study the Bible. And while you're there, send us a message to say hi, or start a conversation about having us at your church or event. If Outloud Bible has been a valuable part of your understanding of the Bible, please consider supporting the ministry by visiting outloudbible.com.Support the showCheck out outloudbible.com for helpful study resources, and to discover how to bring the public reading of God's word to your church, conference, retreat, or other event.
Mark and Mat recap the Tampa Bay Rays' series against the Pittsburgh Pirates (a 2-1 series loss for the Rays), dig into minor league depth, the stadium situation, &preview the upcoming series vs. Cincinnati Reds.Rays vs. Pirates Series RecapRays dropped rubber match, losing series 2-1 after executing two consecutive sweepsGame 2 (Rays win): Epic 13-inning rain-soaked comeback at PNC Park — one of the best games of the early seasonShane McClanahan and Drew Rasmussen each had rough outings, giving up 4+ runs; both struggled to shake off walks mentallyCaminero's 103 mph blast off Wilbur DotelPitcher mental focus — from Pedro Martinez, Roger ClemensPNC Park & the PiratesPNC Park's beauty & setting along the three riversThe Pirates have gelled with new additions including Spencer Horowitz, Brandon Lowe, and Marcell OzunaOffense & Small BallThe Rays have scored 5+ runs in 9 of their first ~22 games — surprising for a team not expected to produce offensivelyChandler Simpson highlighted: one of MLB's lowest strikeout rates, top-30 defensive rating (FanGraphs), and fastest-improving outfielderLineup restructuring (Junior in the 2-hole, Aranda and Diaz behind him) is creating consistent pressure on opposing pitchersOutfield Depth & Cedric MullinsConcerns about Mullins' defense center fieldMat predicts Jacob Melton (Durham) will be the starting CF by JuneJohnny DeLuca an optionDeep look at the Rays' stacked outfield pipeline: Theo Gillen, Austin Nover, Taitn Gray (18-year-old hitting 110 mph exit velo in A-ball), Brendan SummerhillCatching SituationNick Fortes - his growing confidence & leadershipHunter Fiducia still finding his footingDom Keegan (bat looks MLB-ready, arm a question mark) potential mid-season callupMinor league catchers to watch: Nathan Fluellen (A+: .316/.381/.711) and Caden Bodine (A-ball: .380/.446 OBP) — both putting up remarkable early numbers Adding bullpen catchers with a system-wide catching focusAAA Depth ConcernsThe Durham Bulls' pitching depth is thinHopkins & Boyle - working through mechanical issuesStarters (McClanahan, Rasmussen, Martinez, Matz) need to stay healthyMatz & Martinez now look like competitive assets rather than trade chipsUpcoming: Rays vs. RedsTerry Francona returns to face his former bench coach Kevin CashThe NL Central is legitimately competitive top-to-bottom — Reds (13-8), Pirates (13-9), Brewers & Cardinals (12-8), Cubs (11-9)Mat argues Tampa should be framing the stadium situation as an Orlando vs. Tampa battle, not a public vs. private money debateRays StadiumKen Babby quote: "Should this commitment ultimately not be achievable, we would have no choice but to evaluate alternatives…there will be no shortage of potential options."Mat's proposed solution: city receives naming rights revenue until the public loan is paid back, then it transfers to the teamBoth hosts frustrated by what feels like a predetermined outcome ("shadow theater")Positive Note to CloseTampa Baseball Museum at a Little League home run derby — a reminder of what baseball is really aboutOptimism about the Rays' small-ball shift; shoutout to Josh Weaver for his early-season predictionNotable Mentions: Chandler Simpson, Jacob Melton, Caden Bodine, Nathan Fluellen, Taitn Gray, Nick Fortes, Dom Keegan, Shane McClanahan, Drew Rasmussen, Ramiro Caminero, Cedric Mullins, Brandon Lowe, Marcell Ozuna, Terry Francona, Kevin Cash, Ken Babby
The guys discuss if this year's Orioles offense can finish top 10 in OBP this season.
St. Louis Cardinals latest news surrounding standout player Jordan Walker as he has had a great start to the MLB season. Jordan Walker leads the St. Louis Cardinals in batting average and home runs so far in the 2026 MLB Season - the host and producer of 101 ESPN's BK and Ferrario break down if they are buying or selling Jordan Walker's play for the Cardinals. JJ Wetherholt is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about names among St. Louis Cardinals rookies, as his impressive start to the 2026 MLB season highlights his potential as a future cornerstone in the Cardinals lineup. The rookie infielder has delivered strong early Cardinals stats, showcasing a disciplined approach at the plate with a solid on-base percentage and consistent contact that has boosted the St. Louis Cardinals offense. BK and T-BONE break it all down on The Redbird Report!
St. Louis Cardinals latest news surrounding standout player Jordan Walker as he has had a great start to the MLB season. Jordan Walker leads the St. Louis Cardinals in batting average and home runs so far in the 2026 MLB Season - the host and producer of 101 ESPN's BK and Ferrario break down if they are buying or selling Jordan Walker's play for the Cardinals. JJ Wetherholt is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about names among St. Louis Cardinals rookies, as his impressive start to the 2026 MLB season highlights his potential as a future cornerstone in the Cardinals lineup. The rookie infielder has delivered strong early Cardinals stats, showcasing a disciplined approach at the plate with a solid on-base percentage and consistent contact that has boosted the St. Louis Cardinals offense. BK and T-BONE break it all down on The Redbird Report!
The St. Louis Cardinals are shocking MLB fans with their HOT START to the season
The St. Louis Cardinals are shocking MLB fans with their HOT START to the season
The White Sox Podcast's Spring Training Podcast-pa-looza rolls on as White Sox Reporters Connor McKnight and Brooke Fletcher join Chuck Garfien for their annual Season Predictions Show. The crew dives into big-picture projections, including how Munetaka Murakami's power could translate, what to expect from Colson Montgomery's production, and where the offense might stack up across the league. They also analyze key trends like the team's performance in one-run games, debate who could lead the club in OBP, and highlight the most impactful offseason addition and a potential breakout sleeper. To wrap things up, each guest delivers a bold prediction for the season, setting the stage for what could be a fascinating year on the South Side.
Happy Kokomo Mailbag Friday! Let's start with your Apple Podcast Review questions (3:15). ... When to use gut instinct vs. ADP (9:30). ... Is Brandon Woodruff a good case for a Spencer Strider bounce back (19:25)? ... Next up, your email questions (27:11)! ... What changes when using OBP and SLG (31:23)? ... Who to target with the fifth pick in the draft (40:40)? ... Who gains or loses value with quality starts as a category (44:44)? ... Any love for Daylen Lile (47:12)? ... How to react to stolen base inflation (50:20). ... We wrap up with a bunch of Konnor Griffin questions (59:02). Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/FantasyBaseballToday Download and Follow Fantasy Baseball Today on Spotify: https://sptfy.com/QiKv Follow our FBT team on Twitter: @FBTPod, @CPTowers @CBSScottWhite, @Roto_Frank Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/fantasybaseballtoday Sign up for the FBT Newsletter at https://www.cbssports.com/newsletters/fantasy-baseball-today/ To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
The Royals lose another member of their 2015 Championship team and what do the Royals need to accomplish at Spring Training?Rany Jazayerli (Co-Founder Baseball Prospectus/@Jazayerli) and Soren Petro (Sports Radio 810-WHB, 810whb.com/@SorenPetro) are talking…- Remembering Terrence Gore.- Lugo, Bergert and Bubic throwing free and easy!- Carter Jensen looks like an everyday catcher.- Lucas Erceg is getting the K's.- Can Jac Caglianone take the next step?- Has the power returned for Blake Mitchell?- Can Issac Collins keep his OBP up?
Fantasy Baseball Live – January 25, 2026 – 3:00pmMicrosoft TeamsSegment 1 – News and Notes1.The Braves get bad news this week as Ha-Seong Kim suffered a hand injury and will miss at least the first half of the season. Are the Braves really going to battle with Mauricio Dubon at shortstop?a.If so, how much does his value increase?2.The White Sox finally trade Luis Roberts – moving him to the Mets IF/OF Luisangel Acuna and RHP Truman Pauleya.The deal felt a little light for me, but maybe Roberts is more famous than good, posting a sub .300 OBP the last two seasons. He did steal 33 bases in 2025. i.Does this give him a new lease with a chance to produce the 38-20 season he did in 2023, or was that just an outlier?ii.Acuna is slated to start in center field and if true, I'm assuming his draft value goes up?1.Stat line for 2026: AB, HR, SB, and BAiii.Let's compare the Mets lineup to the Dodgers.3.The Mets also acquired Freddy Peralta and Tobias Myers from the Brewers for SS Jett Williams and RHP Brandon Sproat.a.WOW – huge trade as the Brewers once again move an ace pitcher with one more year of team control. However, unlike their 2024 deal to the Orioles for Corbin Burnes, they get two high-end prospects. Thoughts on the deal?b.Does Sproat start the season in the Brewers rotation? If not, when do you see him up?c.How long until Williams is in Milwaukee to either play shortstop or center field?4.The Rangers acquired MacKenzie Gore for five prospects – SS Gavin Fein, RHP Alejandro Rosario, 1B Abimelec Ortiz, SS Devin Fitz-Gerald, and OF Yeremy Cabreraa.This one is a quantity deal for the Nationals as only Ortiz is near-ready for the big leagues. What do you think of the deal?Segment 2 – Fantasy Questions of the NL WestLos Angeles Dodgers1.Andy Pages is a divisive player coming into 2026. He looked pretty good during the season, but in the playoffs, he was awful. He's the 29th outfielder off the board. Too high, too low, or just right?2.Does Dalton Rushing get enough at-bats to be rostered in 2026? His ADP is 403 (27th round).3.Hyesong Kim didn't play much last season, but is penciled into the starting second base position entering the 2026 season. Over/Under 30 home runs/stolen bases in 2026?a.His ADP is 443 – 39th second baseman off the board.4.One fallout of the Edwin Diaz signing is that Roki Sasaki will not start the season as the closer. He's listed as the Dodgers' 6th starter. He's the 79th pitcher off the board; let's call it a Top 60 pitcher. Does that feel good to you? Too high, too low?a.We will look at other pitchers going around where his is going.5.Give me a sleeper in the organization (minor or majors)San Diego Padres1.Jackson Merrill – 2026 stat line – AB, HR, SB, and BA2.Ramon Laureano finally broke the stigma of not being able to hit right-handed pitching. He posted the same batting average against both arms and hit 15 of his 24 home runs against right-handed pitching. After the trade to San Diego, he kept on hitting – 9 home runs in the last two months.a.Are you buying this breakout?b.The NBFC really isn't as he's the 55th outfielder off the board.3.I think I recall you willing to take a flyer on Sung Mun Song. Is that still your take?4.Joe Musgrove will cost you an 18th-round pick. Are you interested?5.Give me a sleeper in the organization (minor or majors)San Francisco Giants1.Bryce Eldridge is listed as the starting DH in San Francisco. Will this play out?a.Over/Under 400 ABs in 20262.Will Drew Gilbert get enough playing time to make a difference in 2026?3.Luis Matos hit eight home runs in 57 games last season. He makes great contact with solid exit velocity and launch angle data. There's even average speed?a.Is he a little undervalued with an ADP of 600?4.Landen Roupp (417) or Kai-Wei Teng (627). Who would you rather draft in a Draft and Hold League?5.Give me a sleeper in the organization (minor or majors)Close
Send us a textWant to win more high school games without a big budget or a data team? We break down a practical roadmap for using analytics that fits into a busy coach's life, from what to track in a notebook to the in-game decisions that swing close contests. The message is simple: ask better questions, measure what matters, and teach your players the why behind every choice.We start by replacing old offensive habits with clearer metrics. On-base percentage becomes the north star for lineup construction, and quality at-bats turn plate appearances into teachable moments. You'll hear how to use hash marks and weekly leaderboards to reward hard contact, walks, and two-strike wins so players focus on approach, not just batting average. Then we tackle pitching the right way: trade ERA for strikeouts, walks, WHIP, and competitive pitches. Protect arms with pitch counts and rest rules, and use simple review sessions to connect pitch selection and results to real adjustments.Tech doesn't have to be expensive to be effective. A smartphone delivers powerful video feedback for swings and deliveries. A basic radar gun keeps development honest and celebrates real velocity gains. Free stat apps provide spray charts and tendencies you can use for smarter positioning and scouting. We translate data into decisions you can trust: when bunting actually pays, who should really lead off, why your best hitter often belongs in the two-hole, and how to beat the third-time-through penalty with a prepared bullpen plan.The heart of the episode is culture. Share the numbers openly, explain decisions with clear math, and praise the right habits even when luck cuts against you. Players learn faster, stay confident longer, and grow into baseball thinkers who can compete at the next level. If you're ready to blend old-school grit with modern clarity, hit play, grab a notebook, and start tracking OBP and QABs this week. Subscribe for more coaching strategies, share this with a coaching friend, and tell us which metric you'll implement first.Join the Baseball Coaches Unplugged podcast where an experienced baseball coach delves into the world of high school and travel baseball, offering insights on high school baseball coaching, leadership skills, hitting skills, pitching strategy, defensive skills, and overall baseball strategy, while also covering high school and college baseball, recruiting tips, youth and travel baseball coaching tips, and fostering a winning mentality and attitude in baseball players through strong baseball leadership and mentality.Support the show Follow: Twitter | Instagram @Athlete1Podcast Website - https://www.athlete1.net Sponsor: The Netting Professionals https://www.nettingpros.com
The Royals have quietly increased payroll again this offseason. Have they gone as far as they can go?David Lesky (Publisher - Inside the Crown/@DBLesky), Les Norman (Former Royals OF/Author - Teaching the Tools of Hitting) and Soren Petro (Sports Radio 810-WHB, 810whb.com/@SorenPetro) discuss the Royals payroll and more… - Are the Royals at their Payroll limit?- Do they need to trade payroll?- Will Kris Bubic be moved?- Was not signing Hunter Harvey a mistake?- Have the Royals added enough OBP?- Does their bullpen have enough K's?⁃ Where are the position battles looming?
===== MDJ Script/ Top Stories for December 19th Publish Date: December 19th Commercial: From the BG AD Group Studio, Welcome to the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast. Today is Friday, December 19th and Happy Birthday to Al Kaline I’m Keith Ippolito and here are the stories Cobb is talking about, presented by Times Journal South Cobb mayors speak on accomplishments, future Jaha Howard wins runoff for Georgia Senate District 35 Cobb County staff trade desk work for Christmas carols Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on saturated fats As well as Shane Delancey the Director of the Christmas Tradition at the Strand Theatre All of this and more is coming up on the Marietta Daily Journal Podcast, and if you are looking for community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe! Now here is Shane Delancey the Director of the Christmas Tradition at the Strand Theatre BREAK: THE STRAND STORY 1: South Cobb mayors speak on accomplishments, future Three mayors, three cities, and a lot to reflect on. Austell Mayor Ollie Clemons, Mableton Mayor Michael Owens, and Powder Springs Mayor Al Thurman gathered at the Riverside EpiCenter to talk about 2025 wins and what’s next for 2026 during the State of South Cobb event. Clemons? He’s proud of Austell’s bold move to raise the millage rate for the first time in decades. “It’s about reinvesting in our community,” he said, pointing to plans for downtown revitalization and hiring a city manager—finally. Owens celebrated Mableton’s new departments and leadership team, calling 2025 a year of “building the foundation.” Next year? It’s all about community engagement and growth. Thurman highlighted Powder Springs’ shiny new city hall and parking garage, plus job-creating developments. His focus for 2026? Sustainable growth and leaving a legacy of leadership. STORY 2: Jaha Howard wins runoff for Georgia Senate District 35 Jaha Howard pulled off a narrow win Tuesday night, defeating fellow Democrat Roger Bruce in the runoff for state Senate District 35. Unofficial results show Howard, a dentist and former Cobb school board member, edging out Bruce with 51.9% of the vote to Bruce’s 48.1%. The seat, which covers parts of Cobb and Fulton counties, was left open when Jason Esteves stepped down to run for governor. Howard credited his win to personal outreach—hundreds of phone calls, he said, to build trust. “People want to feel heard,” he said. Bruce’s campaign struggled with name recognition, especially in Cobb. STORY 3: Cobb County staff trade desk work for Christmas carols Glover Park got a dose of holiday magic Tuesday, thanks to Cobb County’s newest choir, “Cobb County Sonic Sound” (or, as they like to call themselves, “CoCo SoSo”). Led by Dr. Jatunn Gibson, head of the county’s Public Services Agency, the group—decked out in festive sweaters and holiday flair—belted out classics like “Joy to the World” and “White Christmas.” Oh, and they’ve got their own band too, all county employees. Between songs, they performed skits about elves saving Christmas. “It’s all about fun and camaraderie,” said Grace Williams, a choir member. “We’re connecting beyond work—and it’s a blast.” We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.799.6810 for more info. We’ll be right back. Break: Villa Rica Wonderland Train STORY 4: Jason Gaines named Mableton Citizen of the Year Jason Gaines didn’t see it coming. This week, he was named the 2025 Mableton Citizen of the Year at the South Cobb Area Council meeting, and the surprise left him, well, a little speechless. “It just warms my heart,” Gaines said. “To know the work I’ve done is appreciated like this—it’s humbling.” Gaines, who’s the director of planning at Croy Engineering and chairs the Mableton Development Authority Board, was honored by Mayor Michael Owens. “Jason’s been a force,” Owens said. “His expertise and passion have shaped this community at such a critical time.” The guy’s résumé? Stacked. Leadership programs, board memberships—he’s everywhere. STORY 5: Anderson steps down as Walker football coach TJ Anderson pulled off something close to miraculous in 2025. With just 23 players—yes, 23—he guided Walker through a grueling 10-game season. The Wolverines finished 2-8, but they still earned a spot in the Class A-AAA Private state playoffs. Unfortunately, injuries piled up, and the team had to decline the bid. “We had to make the best decision for our kids,” Anderson said, reflecting on the tough call. But that season? It was his last. Anderson announced on X that he’s stepping down as Walker’s head coach after three years. “It’s been a journey,” he wrote, thanking the community and his family. BRAVES: Ha-Seong Kim is staying put in Atlanta—at least for another year. The 30-year-old shortstop signed a one-year, $20 million deal with the Braves on Monday, locking him in as the team’s starter for 2026. Not bad, considering he turned down a $16 million option just last month and walked away with an extra $4 million. Kim joined the Braves late last season, claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay on Sept. 1. He made an immediate impact, hitting .309 with a .372 OBP, three homers, and 12 RBIs in his first 19 games. Sure, he cooled off at the end—1-for-19 in the last five games—but the Braves clearly see his potential. Kim’s journey hasn’t been without bumps. Injuries sidelined him for much of 2025 with the Rays, where he hit just .214 in 24 games. But let’s not forget—this guy won a Gold Glove with the Padres in 2023 and has 84 career stolen bases. The Braves are betting on a bounce-back. And if Kim can channel his San Diego form, he could be a 3-4 WAR player. High hopes, but hey, the talent’s there. I'm Keith Ippolito and that’s your MDJ Sports Minute. And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on saturated fats We’ll have closing comments after this. Break: INGLES 8 Signoff- Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Marietta Daily Journal Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at mdjonline.com Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Produced by the BG Podcast Network Show Sponsors: www.ingles-markets.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
CTL Script/ Top Stories of December 19th Publish Date: December 19th Pre-Roll: From the Ingles Studio Welcome to the Award-Winning Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast Today is Friday, December 19th and Happy Birthday to Al Kaline I’m Chris Culwell and here are the stories Cherokee is talking about, presented by Times Journal Sawnee EMC announces a balanced rate approach for 2026 Northside Hospital Cherokee named one of the best in U.S. for maternity care School board honors retiring Chief of Staff Mike McGowan Plus, Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on saturated fats As well as Shane Delancey the Director of the Christmas Tradition at the Strand Theatre We’ll have all this and more coming up on the Cherokee Tribune-Ledger Podcast, and if you’re looking for Community news, we encourage you to listen and subscribe! Here is Shane Delancey the Director of the Christmas Tradition at the Strand Theatre Commercial: THE STRAND STORY 1: Sawnee EMC announces a balanced rate approach for 2026 Sawnee EMC has some good news for its members heading into 2026—most will see their monthly bills drop slightly in January compared to December. It’s not a huge change, but hey, every little bit helps, right? Here’s the deal: the Board of Directors voted to lower the Wholesale Power Cost Adjustment (WPCA) by $4.72 per month for accounts using 1,500 kWh. At the same time, they approved small increases to base charges—about $2 to $3 per month. The net result? A $2 monthly savings for most members using 1,500 kWh. For those using less energy, the savings will be smaller, but still there. Sawnee says it’s committed to keeping rates affordable and only making changes when absolutely necessary. Serving over 203,000 accounts across seven counties in north Georgia, they also offer energy-saving tips, rebates, and incentives to help members cut costs. Questions? Call 770-887-2363 or visit www.sawnee.coop. STORY 2: Northside Hospital Cherokee named one of the best in U.S. for maternity care Northside Hospital Cherokee just snagged a big honor—it’s been named one of the nation’s top hospitals for maternity care by U.S. News & World Report. The “High Performing” rating puts it in the top 10% for uncomplicated pregnancies, making it one of only seven hospitals in Georgia to earn the distinction. Last year, nearly 3,000 babies were born at the Canton hospital, which also holds a Level III maternal care verification. Christina Roberts, director of women’s services, called the recognition a testament to their “high-quality, compassionate care.” Oh, and it’s not just maternity—Northside Cherokee also excels in 15 other areas, from cancer surgeries to heart failure care. STORY 3: School board honors retiring Chief of Staff Mike McGowan After nearly 30 years with the Cherokee County School District, Mike McGowan is hanging up his hat—and the farewell was as heartfelt as you’d expect for someone who’s been a cornerstone of the district. At his final school board meeting last week, McGowan, CCSD’s first-ever chief of staff, was showered with gratitude, stories, and a few tears. Here is Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis and several school board members thanking McGowan for his service to CCSD. VO CLIPS From “hall monitor” to “everybody’s best friend,” McGowan’s legacy is clear: he made things better—for students, staff, and the entire community. We have opportunities for sponsors to get great engagement on these shows. Call 770.874.3200 for more info. We’ll be right back. Break: Ingles Markets 8 STORY 4: Names approved for new Cherokee High School athletic facilities Tommy Baker Field isn’t going anywhere—at least in name. Cherokee County’s school board made it official on Dec. 11: the new Cherokee High School’s football field will still be called Tommy Baker Field, while the stadium itself gets a fresh name, Warrior Stadium. For Cherokee’s athletic director Jeremy Adams, keeping the name alive wasn’t up for debate. The original Tommy Baker Field, home to the Warriors for 70 seasons, was named in 1958 after Tommy Baker, a student who passed away tragically in 1957. His legacy? Still strong. BRAVES: Ha-Seong Kim is staying put in Atlanta—at least for another year. The 30-year-old shortstop signed a one-year, $20 million deal with the Braves on Monday, locking him in as the team’s starter for 2026. Not bad, considering he turned down a $16 million option just last month and walked away with an extra $4 million. Kim joined the Braves late last season, claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay on Sept. 1. He made an immediate impact, hitting .309 with a .372 OBP, three homers, and 12 RBIs in his first 19 games. Sure, he cooled off at the end—1-for-19 in the last five games—but the Braves clearly see his potential. Kim’s journey hasn’t been without bumps. Injuries sidelined him for much of 2025 with the Rays, where he hit just .214 in 24 games. But let’s not forget—this guy won a Gold Glove with the Padres in 2023 and has 84 career stolen bases. The Braves are betting on a bounce-back. And if Kim can channel his San Diego form, he could be a 3-4 WAR player. High hopes, but hey, the talent’s there. I’m Keith Ippolito and this is your tribune ledger sports minute. STORY 5: Tanner Place in Canton will soon welcome its first residents Come January 1, the first families will finally move into Tanner Place, a long-awaited affordable housing community in Canton. The ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday wasn’t just about opening doors—it was about honoring a legacy. Pat Tanner, the neighborhood’s namesake and a former Canton City Council member, stood alongside her 98-year-old mother, Ozella Tanner, as she cut the ribbon. “This is humbling,” Tanner said, her voice full of emotion. “We knew this city needed safe, decent housing, and today, we’ve made that happen.” Tanner Place replaces 39 old units with 70 new ones, funded through state tax credits, HUD vouchers, and local contributions. Mayor Bill Grant called it “money well spent,” noting it’s the first new public housing in Canton in over 50 years. CHA Director Jacquelyn Loberg said 18 units are ready now, with more to follow in January. This project is just the beginning—next up, the redevelopment of Oakside Drive. And now here is Leah McGrath from Ingles Markets on saturated fats Commercial: We’ll have closing comments after this. COMMERCIAL: VILLA RICA WONDERLAND TRAIN SIGN OFF – Thanks again for hanging out with us on today’s Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast. If you enjoy these shows, we encourage you to check out our other offerings, like the Cherokee Tribune Ledger Podcast, the Marietta Daily Journal, or the Community Podcast for Rockdale Newton and Morgan Counties. Read more about all our stories and get other great content at www.tribuneledgernews.com Did you know over 50% of Americans listen to podcasts weekly? Giving you important news about our community and telling great stories are what we do. Make sure you join us for our next episode and be sure to share this podcast on social media with your friends and family. Add us to your Alexa Flash Briefing or your Google Home Briefing and be sure to like, follow, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Produced by the BG Podcast Network Show Sponsors: www.ingles-markets.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
With the hot stove seemingly too cool at the moment, hosts Geoff Pontes and Dylan White bring some holiday heat with our latest installment in the dynasty positional ranking series. This week we breakdown a loaded outfield group with some of the top talents in the game. We talk you through the top 25 and some names to targets as sleepers.(2:30) Why Juan Soto over Corbin Carroll?(5:00) Why Julio Rodriguez over Aaron Judge?(7:30) Do you discount Jackson Chourio in OBP leagues?(10:30) Laying out Tatis, Acuna and Kyle Tucker(13:30) Who makes the biggest jump in 2026 between Wyatt Langford, James Wood and Roman Anthony?(17:00) Weighing risks with Yordan Alvarez, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Jackson Merrill(22:00) Ranking the power hitters(26:00) Aggressive ranking of Edward FlorentinoCashAppDownload Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/hap8idx8 #CashAppPod. Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App's bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Direct deposit and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures.Our Sponsors:* Check out Progressive: https://www.progressive.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Graham Doty and Chris Lee have a great conversation with Kentucky baseball coach Nick Mingione after the completion of fall practice in 2025. Topics include: Mingione believes 2025 was the best coaching job the staff has done since it's been at Kentucky. The Wildcats fought through a shortage of bullpen arms that cost Kentucky a bunch of games late in the season. But the Wildcats fought through adversity, pieced together an offense with some new faces contributing late in the year and then had a nice run to finish second at the Clemson Regional. Kentucky's pitching staff, minus Belmont transfer Will Pryor (who'll miss 2026 with an injury) threw 575 2/3 innings and stands to be one of the most experienced in the conference. The Wildcats return one of the league's best starting arms in Ben Cleaver and have some other durable, rotation-ready options in Nate Harris and Western Kentucky transfer Jack Bennett. Shortstop Tyler Bell could be one of the country's top players this season. Hear how Mingione lauds Bell's work ethic and leadership. The Wildcats brought in a banner transfer class that includes outfielder Scott Campbell Jr. (11 HR, 21 SB at South Carolina Upstate), outfielder Jayce Tharnish (7 HR, 32 SB) and catcher Alex Duffy (.463 OBP, 17% walk rate). Mingione speaks about the role of his Christian faith in coaching and leading a program as well as in fatherhood. GAMETIME SIDEKICKS Use promo code SE16 for 20% off! http://www.gametimesidekicks.com/ YEARLY CO Use promo code SE16KIT for a free sizing kit! https://yearlyco.com/ ROKFORM Use promo code SEC25 for 25% off! The world's strongest magnetic phone case! https://www.rokform.com/ JOIN OUR MEMBERSHIP Join the "It Just Means More" tier for bonus videos and live streams! Join Link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv1w_TRbiB0yHCEb7r2IrBg/join FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Twitter: https://twitter.com/16Southeastern ADVERTISE WITH SOUTHEASTERN 16 Reach out to caroline.bellcow@gmail.com to find out how your product or service can be seen by over 200,000 unique viewers each month! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this week's new material, we compare a team signing a low-OBP player to the girl you were crushing on choosing the only suitor you would have had her avoid (not that it was up to you, but also not that the universe isn't cruel that way), all of which may turn out to be a tortured political metaphor. Then we return to 2016 for the Dodgers at third base, the tragic and not-at-all funny tale of Giants pitcher Bugs Raymond, and a lot of talk about Yoenis Cespedes falling off a horse. The Infinite Inning is a journey to the past to understand the present using baseball as our time machine. America's brighter mirror, baseball reflects, anticipates, and even mocks the stories we tell ourselves about our world today. Baseball Prospectus's Steven Goldman shares his obsessions: history from inside and outside of the game, politics, stats, and Casey Stengel quotations. Along the way, we'll try to solve the puzzle that is the Infinite Inning: How do you find the joy in life when you can't get anybody out?
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