David, Justin and James look toward Shohei vs Judge over the next few days in New York. Coney highlights the trend of so much young talent being given a chance by their respective teams. The trio talks about the best parts of Astros catcher Martín Maldonado being mic’d up on Sunday Night Baseball. Which pitcher’s “minor injury” has you worried more: Jacob deGrom or Corbin Burnes? What is right with Gerrit Cole, and what is wrong with Sandy Alcantara? Plus, contract extensions, rosin rules, and the reality over Giancarlo Stanton.

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00:00 INTRO

03:22 The Opener

06:30 Mic'd up players

10:56 Jacob deGrom hurt? Corbin Burnes injury

14:57 Two pitchers get big extensions!

19:46 Gerrit Cole/Sandy Alcantara

28:13 Rosin rules

33:12 Yankees and Giancarlo Stanton

47:17 OUTRO

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David, Justin and James are joined by HOF pitcher & FOX Sports analyst John Smoltz, who touches on the evolution of the strike zone, the starter/closer dynamic, Shohei Ohtani and whether he actually hates the current game of baseball. The crew dives into the latest and best pitch by Ohtani, who is must-watch two weeks into the season and why the Rays and Dbacks are playing well. Later, how long is the leash on Clarke Schmidt in the Yankees rotation, and what are the Yankees saying by whom they’re playing in the outfield?

00:00 INTRO

02:43 The Opener

06:31 Shohei Ohtani

09:31 Appointment viewing?

13:55 John Smoltz interview

45:14 Yankees

55:48 OUTRO

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David, Justin and James explain what jumps out to them from MLB’s opening week, what matters after a small sample size and what big trends may subside as the season progresses. The crew wonders if the Rays could be an elite pitching force even without Tyler Glasnow. They touch on certain pitching injuries to start the season, Kodai Senga’s debut, the Phillies rough start and David gives a refresher on the sweeper. The hosts and Dan Rourke discuss some Yankees topics, including Aaron Hicks’ comments to The Athletic and what intrigues them about the Bombers so far.

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00:00 INTRO

00:55 Rule changes one week in

04:09 Is this the best rotation in baseball?

07:19 Which is the bigger injury?

13:07 Kodei Senga's MLB debut

16:12 What matters most?

24:40 The sweeper pitch!

28:33 Pitch timer talk

32:20 Yankees

50:34 OUTRO

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David, Justin and James get you set for the very start of the season by giving their juiciest opening day pitching matchups. Once the games actually begin, David believes the balanced schedule is going to be just as big a topic as the new rules. The crew looks at three makeshift starting rotations for the Braves, Dodgers and Yankees to begin the season. Plus, surprise pitching staffs, Cy Young picks and a look at who will throw the fastest pitch in 2023. Producer Dan Rourke hops on to talk Yankees baseball. Each host touches on health concerns and the one thing they’re most paying attention to with the Bombers this season.

00:00 INTRO

01:14 The Opener

04:57 Injured pitching staffs

10:38 Best Opening Day matchups

14:34 Will THIS be the fastest pitch thrown this year?

17:52 Surprise pitching staff for 2023?

22:30 Cy Young predictions

29:37 Yankees season preview

52:07 World Series picks!

55:19 OUTRO

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David, Justin and James look back at everything that made this year’s WBC the coming-out-party for the tournament, and what MLB can do to build on that momentum. Is there added pressure on the Angels to make the playoffs based on what we just saw from Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout? What does the Dodgers rotation depth look like in the wake of the latest Tony Gonsolin injury? Who are the trio’s picks for most important starting pitcher in the AL/NL East divisions? In their Yankees talk to close the show, each host “pounds the table” for one team-related item for 2023.

00:00 INTRO

00:22 Japan beats USA to win WBC

02:42: WBC overview

08:03 Impact of the injuries in the WBC

13:42 Star of the WBC?

23:23 Pressure on the Angels now?

27:34 Rule tweaks

33:31 AL/NL East pitchers

46:12 Yankees

56:45 OUTRO

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David, James and Justin react to Team USA’s victory over Canada and wonder if anything can be done for American baseball fans to show the kind of energy we’ve seen from other countries in the World Baseball Classic. Was Mike Trout’s 3-run home run in the 1st inning the most meaningful homer he’s going to hit in 2023? The hosts touch on the WBC style of play and the best stories from the tournament thus far. The trio wonders whether Trevor Bauer could find himself back in a MLB uniform this time next year. All three hosts give their most important starting pitchers in the AL & NL Central divisions. Finally, producer Dan Rourke joins the crew for some Yankees chatter. Which recent injury for the Yankees is most concerning? Do these injuries intensify trade talks or halt them? 

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00:00 INTRO

02:31 The Opener

08:08 Team USA

13:58 WBC style

16:16 Mike Trout

21:24 Best story from the WBC?

25:53 Trevor Bauer

27:39 Ranking AL/NL Central pitchers

36:39 YANKEES

51:03 OUTRO

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David, Justin and James go over the gamesmanship they’ve observed with the pitch clock and whether it should lead to rules being tweaked. They feel not everything Max Scherzer is doing with the pitch clock is correct. The trio discusses how a six-man rotation would affect a starter’s routine. Each host gives their most important starting pitcher in the AL West and NL West. David believes Anthony Volpe is ready to be the Yankees shortstop on opening day while James makes a case for more time in AAA. The hosts give their biggest surprise players for the Yankees in 2023.

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David, Justin and James are joined by the people who put the new rules in motion for 2023, Raúl Ibanez (MLB Sr. VP of On-Field Operations) and Joe Martinez (MLB VP of On-Field Strategy). The guests discuss what has stood out over the first week of games with new rules in place, whether tweaks will be made in-season, whether we can expect more rules in the near future and plenty more. The crew discusses PitchCom and how several pitchers are now controlling the game from their belt loops. Lastly, the hosts discuss whether Anthony Volpe can and will make the Yankees opening day roster. 

00:00 INTRO

00:52 The Opener

06:45 Joe Martinez and Raul Ibanez

31:22 Yankees talk

40:27 OUTRO

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David, Justin and James are scratching their heads wondering why we are hearing from so many MLB owners at the start of spring training, which should only produce happy thoughts. David pays tribute to the late Tim McCarver, who was on the call for David’s perfect game in 1999. The crew each gives one starter and one reliever who they believe has the most to prove in 2023. The hosts respond to why MLB has decided to create its “economic reform committee.” They discuss how Mets owner Steve Cohen is beginning to ingratiate himself into baseball operations, and later, touch on the arbitration process and approach that seemingly went over the line as it relates to Brewers star Corbin Burnes. Finally, is Aaron Judge actually part of the Yankees left field solution? Could a new pitch for Clarke Schmidt put him in position for a starting rotation spot?

00:00 INTRO

04:23 The Opener

09:45 Pitchers who need to prove themselves in 2023?

17:53 MLB creates "Economic Reform Committee"

24:05 Steve Cohen speaks

27:16 What's next for Max Friend and Corbin Burnes?

36:54 Aaron Judge playing left field this year?

43:16 Clarke Schmidt's new pitch

46:45 OUTRO

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Fresh off his Chiefs Super Bowl win, David is back with Justin and James and they react to the PECOTA projections that were released just before recording. In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, each host gives the one pitch he has a crush on. The gang then reacts to the extensions given to Yu Darvish and Christian Javier, and whether new Astros GM Dana Brown will copy the model he worked with in Atlanta by signing Houston’s young, core-players to team friendly extensions. The hosts touch on the crackdown of position players pitching, the adversity in front of the Rays and whether we need to temper expectations with the Yankees starting rotation in the wake of Nestor Cortes’ injury. Now that Derek Jeter has entered the broadcasting world, Justin asks whether we’ll see Derek Jeter calling Yankee games in 2023.

00:00 INTRO

02:59 The Opener (PECOTA Projections)

08:17 Pitch crush?

12:53 Yu Darvish and Cristian Javier get extensions

19:08 Astros find their GM

22:20 New rules update

31:17 Rays' Spring Training situation

35:00 Nestor has a grade 2 hamstring strain

41:18 Jeter joins FOX

44:24 OUTRO

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