Who's Better Baseball: Recent Episodes
Just Baseball
Each episode of Who's Better Baseball aims to answer a very simple question. Who is better at baseball? Whether it is comparing two players or teams, or just simply evaluating players who have improved, Who's Better will spotlight who is thriving in Major League Baseball in a fun, debate oriented way.
New York Mets and Atlanta Braves finally punch their ticket to the postseason as the Arizona Diamondbacks clinch an opportunity to spend more time with friends and family.
Hosts Ryan Finkelstein (@FinkelsteinRyan) and Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) get you ready for the four different Wild Card Series on tap this week.
Plus, what is the best Game 1 matchup: Tarik Skubal vs. Framber Valdez OR Cole Ragans vs. Corbin Burnes?
Watch and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trEdF54KJS0
MLB Postseason begins in a little more than a week and the American League has a tight race for the final Wild Card following a Detroit Tigers sweep of the Kansas City Royals.
The National League is in the same boat with the Arizona Diamondback, New York Mets and Atlanta Braves battle for the final two spots. Which club has the most difficult remaining schedule and will that put them on the outside looking in?
Plus, hosts Ryan Finkelstein and Patrick Lyons break down the best Wild Card Round matches they would most like to see in the 2024 MLB Playoffs.
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kMQ_Q9OJrY
Aaron Judge has the AL MVP locked up, but the rest of the awards for MLB are still up for grabs. How open is the window for Francisco Lindor to take away the NL MVP from Shohei Ohtani? Has Jackson Merrill emerged as the NL Rookie of the Year favorite over Paul Skenes?
Hosts Ryan Finkelstein and Patrick Lyons break down the latest in the awards races and how the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers are once again the favorites in each league.
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TszLHkHbtA
Francisco Lindor has led the Mets into the playoff mix this year with a career-year at age-30. Currently leading the National League in fWAR, does Lindor have a case to be the MVP over Shohei Ohtani this year?
In this episode of Who's Better Baseball, host Ryan Finkelstein is joined by Just Baseball's two BBWAA member, who will each have an award vote this season.
Ryan makes the case to the voters on why Lindor is more deserving of the MVP over Ohtani.
The final stretch of the 2024 MLB season has arrived and there's a lot at stake with a little over six weeks left to play. Which divisions own the best pennant races and which players have a chance at immortality with the Triple Crown?
Hosts Ryan Finkelstein and Patrick Lyons break down whether the AL East (Yankees and Orioles) or AL Central (Guardians, Royals and Twins) has the best race.
Plus, can Tarik Skubal and Chris Sale winning the pitching Triple Crown in the AL and NL respectively? And if Marcell Ozuna pulls an upset to win the NL Triple Crown for the first time since 1937 (Joe "Ducky" Medwick), will Shohei Ohtani and a potential 50/50 season be left without the NL MVP?
Watch and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YkO_Bl4pto
Shohei Ohtani: still the clear favorite for NL MVP? A field of stars are aiming to take down the Los Angeles Dodgers DH. Ketel Marte, Elly De La Cruz and Francisco Lindor are the best bets to get it done in the National League.
Plus, Ryan Finkelstein (@FinkelsteinRyan) and Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) debates over who's better:
Bobby Witt Jr. or Gunnar Henderson?
New York Mets or Atlanta Braves?
Seattle Mariners or Houston Astros?
Watch live and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRILCqIOKjw
The 2024 World Series was settled at this year's MLB trade deadline. But who exactly made the most of their wheeling and dealing?
Did favorites like the New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers do enough? Which teams were most disappointing in their transactions?
And which players were most surprisingly not traded?
Hosts Ryan Finkelstein (@FinkelsteinRyan) and Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) break down the July 30 deadline moves from every angle.
Watch on YouTube and subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9sF4j6Ye9o
Paul Skenes vs. Aaron Judge came to fruition, as did Mason Miller vs. Shohei Ohtani. But how did the rest of the All-Star Game and Home Run Derby fare in terms of excitement?
Hosts Ryan Finkelstein (@FinkelsteinRyan) and Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) break down all of the action from the Midsummer Classic before discussing which All-Stars could get dealt before the July 30 trade deadline.
Watch and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1_fCRi2XTM
Paul Skenes to start for the National League? Gunnar Henderson to win the Home Run Derby? And what about a Mason Miller and Bryce Harper matchup?
Hosts Ryan Finkelstein (@FinkelsteinRyan) and Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) break down all the top storylines of the Midsummer Classic.
Plus, should MLB implement a rookies vs. sophomores Home Run Derby? What changes need to be made for next year's All-Star Game festivities in Atlanta?
To watch and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78rjKUNkQLU
Shohei Ohtani or Aaron Judge. Who's the best hitter in baseball? The answer may surprise you.
The Houston Astros and Minnesota Twins have climbed back into their division races. Will they catch the Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Guardians, respectively, to win each division?
Hosts Ryan Finkelstein (@FinkelsteinRyan) and Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) also discuss what would happen if MLB created a Home Run Derby relay. Which trio of sluggers would win it all?
Watch and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Zv8w0Xpdyk
All-Star Game finalists for Phase 2 have been announced. Who should be starting at each position in the American and National League?
Plus, what does Shohei Ohtani need to become the NL MVP this year? The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar would become the first DH to ever win the award. Does he need a 40-40 season? To win the Triple Crown?
Hosts Ryan Finkelstein (@RyanFinkelstein)and Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) break down the Chicago Cubs collapse in the NL Central and determine if the New York Mets can track down the Atlanta Braves in the Wild Card standings.
Watch and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1mCAjvZ2xk
MLB trade deadline is a little more than a month away and only a handful of teams have zero chance at the postseason. Which AL and NL teams are the most interesting to watch as they fight for October?
Will the New York Mets be buyers or sellers? Do the St. Louis Cardinals need to be aggressive? And did the owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates or Boston Red Sox suggest they need to improve the offseason via trade?
Hosts Ryan Finkelstein (@FinkelsteinRyan) and Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) draft their favorites to make a push in the Wild Card race and determine how badly the world needs a Paul Skenes vs. Aaron Judge matchup in the 2024 All-Star Game.
To watch and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWI6ksg6kNQ
With the Los Angeles Dodgers' Mookie Betts sidelined for a few months with a broken hand, what's the impact? Do the Dodgers have in-house options at shortstop? Does this increase the likelihood of acquiring Bo Bichette from the Toronto Blue Jays?
Plus, will the MVP race in the National League look different now? Does Bryce Harper of the Phillies and Francisco Lindor of the Mets deserve a second look?
Hosts Ryan Finkelstein (@FinkeltsteinRyan) and Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) discuss if the Mets are for real and some of the lesser known recognized option for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game.
Watch and comment on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQ-87LScMBQ
Fernando Tatis Jr. and Bryce Harper have been elevating the San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies, respectively. Does either man have a case to challenge Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers for National League MVP?
Hosts Ryan Finkelstein (@FinkelsteinRyan) and Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) also break down why the 2024 World Series could come down to only four teams.
Plus, the AL West has two clubs with large payrolls that need to figure out a lot over the final 3.5 months of the season. Are the Texas Rangers the better bet over the Houston Astros to get right?
Watch and subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whosbetterbaseball
Voting for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game is live and Bryce Harper against Freddie Freeman highlights the top positional battles. Will fans of the Philadelphia Phillies stuff the ballot for Harper's first time at first base?
Plus, José Ramírez vs. Rafael Devers for AL third base, Will Smith vs. William Contreras as NL catcher and Adley Rutschman vs. Salvador Perez as AL catcher.
Hosts Ryan Finkelstein (@FinkelsteinRyan) and Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) also gauge their concerns for Atlanta making a deep postseason run and discuss how the Cincinnati Reds have surged into the National League Wild Card race.
Aaron Judge was the Player of the Month in May in the AL and the New York Yankees have secured the best record in all of MLB this week. Have the Yanks become the new favorite for taking home their first World Series since 2009?
Plus, Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates continues his historic run and the Toronto Blue Jays unveil their new City Connect uniforms in memorable fashion.
Hosts Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) and Clay Snowden (@Clay_Sno) also look ahead to another slate of games in Major League Baseball.
To watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3J4XRTguzOw
The New York Mets are in the headlines again for all the wrong reasons. After Francisco Lindor's uncompetitive at-bat earlier in the week, Jorgé Lopéz goes wild and tosses his mitt into the stands. Are the Metropolitans the most dysfunctional team in all of MLB?
Plus, full-season projections show a lot of historic seasons on the horizon. Will the Orioles' Gunnar Henderson keep pace with 50+ home runs? Can Elly De La Cruz still push for 100 stolen bases? Will the Philadelphia Phillies finish with over 110 wins?
Hosts Ryan Finkelstein (@FinkelsteinRyan) and Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) also discuss the top 10 best bargain free agent signings from this past offseason.
Watch and Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=270EOKTrd8E
Top 10 Best Value Bargain Free Agent Signings So Far in 2024 by Ryan Finkelstein
The Cleveland Guardians and Kansas City Royals are both on pace for 100 wins in the AL Central. Which one has the best chance to cross the century mark?
With Ronald Acuña Jr. done for the season, what will Atlanta do next? Should they be concerned about missing the playoffs with the Philadelphia Phillies poised to win the NL East now?
Plus, hosts Ryan Finkelstein (@FinkelsteinRyan) and Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) look at three clubs who become very active at the trade deadline this summer: New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays.
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLNb2_Z463s
The MLB All-Star Game always features new superstars. Which youngsters will start for the first time for the American and National Leagues? Is Ranger Suárez more likely to be chosen by manager Dave Roberts or will Tarik Skubal be the choice by Bruce Bochy in the AL?
Hosts Ryan Finkelstein (@FinkelsteinRyan) and Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) discuss the top starting pitchers in each league who could earn the honors of opening the Midsummer Classic in Texas this summer.
Plus, the boys draft players who will be first-time All-Star starters this year.
To watch and support on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SvTr6g5M_g
Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts have been the best two players in the National League so far this season. In the American League, you can make the case for both Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. Could New York and Los Angeles go 1-2 in voting for the Most Valuable Player?
Plus, hosts Ryan Finkelstein (@FinkelsteinRyan) and Patrick Lyons (@PatrckDLyons) discuss who's better among NL Central youngsters: Elly De La Cruz of the Cincinnati Reds or Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates?
To watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whosbetterbaseball
Teams are showing more flexibility with making early trades before July -- Luis Arráez to the San Diego Padres, for example -- and several clubs could begin wheeling and dealing as early as this week.
Would the Houston Astros dare deal Alex Bregman? Which middling NL West club -- Arizona, San Diego or San Francisco -- could survive a selloff? Do the Marlins have anything else to offer?
Plus, which NL Central is in worse shape this season: St. Louis Cardinals or Cincinnati Reds.
Chris Sale is off to a fantastic start to the 2024 season with the Atlanta Braves, but is he the runaway favorite to be this year's NL Comeback Player of the Year? Could Tyler O'Neill of the Boston Red Sox and Carlos Correa of the Minnesota Twins challenge New York Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodón?
Plus, hosts Ryan Finkelstein (@FinkelsteinRyan) and Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) discuss the most underrated players in baseball, Kyle Tucker. Just how good many player are definitively better than the Houston Astros' 27-year-old slugger? The answer will surprise you.
Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7XSbr8OdO0
The MLB trade deadline may still be nearly three months away, but the Luis Arráez trade to the San Diego Padres has expedited the conversation. Plus, with Robbie Grossman headed back to the Texas Rangers, we started thinking: could we see some old faces reunite with their former clubs?
Hosts Ryan Finkelstein (@finkelsteinryan) and Patrick Lyons (@PatrickDLyons) discuss some trades that would make the season a bit more exciting in the second half.
Could Justin Verlander return to the Detroit Tigers? Would the Miami Marlins be willing to deal Jazz Chisholm Jr.? Is it that obvious that Kenley Jansen will go back to the Los Angeles Dodger? And what destination could be intriguing for Alex Bregman?
Plus, we take a look at the latest World Series odds. Who's the outright favorite to win a ring? Which team is a bargain? And who should have much longer odds after their rough start?
On today's show, hosts Ryan Finkelstein and Patrick Lyons each draft their picks for the five best shortstops in baseball who are currently 25 years old or younger.
Who is the best in the game, Bobby Witt Jr, Gunnar Henderson, or Elly De La Cruz?
Is CJ Abrams or Anthony Volpe the headliner of the next tier?
They discuss all of this and more, as each drafts their teams.
Mike Trout appears to be back and better than ever, even without Shohei Ohtani. Juan Soto is in another new location, but is the Bronx and the New York Yankees where he'll win his first MVP Award?
Patrick Lyons and Kevin Henry discuss who's the best player in the American League, which club in the AL East has the least issues and which players have had deceiving stat lines so far (lucky and unlucky).
For more audio content, listen and subscribe to the Who's Better Baseball anywhere you can find podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whos-better-baseball/id1667996878
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Hosts Ryan Finkelstein and Patrick Lyons discuss who has the best rivalry in Major League Baseball today.
They also look into some slow starts this year both from pitchers and hitters and break down who will bounce back soon to be better.
Hosts Ryan Finkelstein and Patrick Lyons discuss the latest in baseball, from injuries to a couple of White Sox stars, to Trevor Story on the shelf.
Also with so many pitchers on the IL who's the next crop that gets elevated in 2024?
Which managers are on the early hot seat?
Who will be the best of the three rookie studs named Jackson.
Who's Better: the Yankees or the Orioles?
Now through more than a week of the MLB season, who are some of the best young stars who are making a name for themselves in 2024?
Hosts Ryan Finkelstein and Patrick Lyons break down the best up-and-coming players in each league.
Also, they touch on the latest in the Tommy John epidemic, with both Shane Bieber and Spencer Strider now dealing with elbow injuries.
As well, as discussing which AL Central team looks better right now, the Detroit Tigers or the Kansas City Royals?
Hosts Ryan Finkelstein and Patrick Lyons will discuss the following topics on the latest edition of Who's Better Baseball!
Which Teams Are Best Prepared to Shake Off Their Rough Start?
Who Will Be Better in 2024: Pirates or the Brewers?
Who’s Hot Start is Real: Tyler O’Neill or Michael Conforto?
Early Returns Have Been Great on MLB's Converted Relievers
Who's Better: Shota Imanaga or Yoshinobu Yamamoto?
Is Mookie Betts the best player in Major League Baseball?
How Are the New Aces in New Places Faring So Far?
How Good Can the New York Yankees Be?
Will Shane Bieber be a top trade chip at the deadline?
How Much Does Royce Lewis' Injury Hurt the Twins?
Hosts Ryan Finkelstein and Patrick Lyons answer all of these questions and more as they react to the first weekend of baseball during the 2024 season.
Hosts Ryan Finkelstein and Patrick Lyons go through each division in Major League Baseball and break down which teams improved the most this winter.
Which division will be the best in Major League Baseball during the 2024 season?
Hosts Ryan Finkelstein and Patrick Lyons go through all six divisions and discuss which will be the best this year.
There has been a lot of debate about whether Major League Baseball's new playoff format is fair, or if it makes things too easy for their Wild Card teams. With a Texas Rangers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks World Series, the question is if this format is the best thing for baseball.Host Ryan Finkelstein breaks down his latest article on why there is no problem with the current playoff format, but how a few small tweaks can make it even better.https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/fixing-what-isnt-really-broken-mlbs-new-playoff-format/
Bryce Harper proclaimed that teammate Bryson Stott is the best second baseman in baseball. Where does he really rank among the MLB's best?Host Ryan Finkelstein breaks down a rough list of the top second basemen in baseball right now and how Stott trails behind players like Jose Altuve, Marcus Semien and Ketel Marte at his position, yet still finds himself among the top 10 in the game.Read the full article: https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/could-bryson-stott-really-be-the-best-second-basemen-in-mlb/
If the Philadelphia Phillies advance past the Braves again, all three Wild Card teams that made it to the divisional round will have advanced to the Championship League Series.Why are they finding so much success under the new playoff format and do changes have to be made?Host Ryan Finkelstein breaks down why these teams have advanced and why history tells us that this format is yielding no different results than what we saw previously.
The Texas Rangers have pulled off two upsets so far in the playoffs and have done so in convincing fashion, sweeping both the Tampa Bay Rays and the Baltimore Orioles.Now heading towards a potential ALCS matchup against their division rival, the Houston Astros, can the Rangers keep this rolling and advance to the World Series?Host Ryan Finkelstein breaks down his article on the Rangers advancing to the ALCS and what it would take for them to keep winning moving forward.Check out the full article here: https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/texas-rangers-too-dominant-to-be-underdogs-anymore/
The Arizona Diamondbacks are set to face of their division rival the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are heavy favorites in the NLDS. Led by the presumptive NL Rookie of the Year Corbin Carroll, the D-Backs will look to topple a Dodgers team that features two MVP candidates in Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. Does Arizona really have a chance to pull off the upset?Hosts Ryan Finkelstein and Elijah Evans break down what would have to happen for the Diamondbacks to make it out of the NLDS.For the full written series preview: https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/nlds-playoff-preview-arizona-diamondbacks-vs-los-angeles-dodgers/
The Texas Rangers are riding some momentum after beating the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALWCS and now get their chance to topple another AL East giant in the Baltimore Orioles.Can Jordan Montgomery and Nathan Eovaldi pitch the Rangers past the Orioles and into the ALCS?Hosts Ryan Finkelstein and Elijah Evans give a full series preview on the Texas Rangers vs. Baltimore Orioles.https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/alds-playoff-preview-texas-rangers-vs-baltimore-orioles/
Last year, the Philadelphia Phillies upset the Atlanta Braves in the NLDS and went on to play in the World Series. Can they do it all again this year?In a great NLDS rematch, we will again see these two NL East rivals go head-to-head in a grudge match that could decide who will represent the NL in the World Series this year.Host Ryan Finkelstein previews the series between the Braves and Phillies.For a full written preview of the series: https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/nlds-playoff-preview-atlanta-braves-vs-philadelphia-phillies/
While the Minnesota Twins have advanced in the playoff for the first time in 21 years, they still are 21 years removed from their last appearance in the ALCS. Is this the year they get it done?The task will be tough as the team standing in their way is the Houston Astros, who have made it to the ALCS in each of the last six seasons, advancing to the World Series four times during that span.Host Ryan Finkelstein breaks down his full series preview on Twins vs. Astros and why the underdog just might win out this year.Read the written preview here: https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/alds-playoff-preview-minnesota-twins-vs-houston-astros-2/
The Milwaukee Brewers are set to host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Wild Card round. Who is going to come out victorious?With Corbin Burnes giving the Brewers a massive edge tonight in Game 1, Milwaukee is the clear-cut favorite to take this series. Particularly because they are playing at home. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks could have the edge if the series goes three games, with Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly set to pitch the final two games.Host Ryan Finkelstein breaks down the series and which team is better suited to win and advance to the NLDS.
The Miami Marlins are heavy underdogs against the Philadelphia Phillies in their Wild Card series matchup, but you never count anyone out in October.Host Ryan Finkelstein breaks down if the Marlins can pull off the upset on a Phillies team that is supposed to represent the biggest threat to the Atlanta Braves in the National League.
The Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins have two of the best pitching rotations in all of the playoffs, but only one will make it past the Wild Card round.Who will be the team that survives the best-of-three?Will it be the Blue Jays, who will throw a 1-2-3 of Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios and Chris Bassitt, or will it be the Twins who have Pablo Lopez, Sonny Gray and the home-field advantage?Host Ryan Finkelstein previews the series between the Blue Jays and Twins.
The Texas Rangers are set to square off with the Tampa Bay Rays in a Wild Card matchup between two of the best teams in baseball this year.Both the Rangers and Rays failed to lock up the division they led early on this season, but still find themselves in the playoffs and ready to make some noise.Host Ryan Finkelstein breaks down which of these two teams is better suited to make a deep run and previews their head-to-head matchup in this Wild Card round.
Walking off the Rangers last night kept the Mariners squarely in position to make the playoffs in an AL race that can still go any direction. Host Ryan Finkelstein breaks down their chances and all the other playoff implications in a crazy American League West/Wild Card race.https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/seattle-mariners-fighting-for-their-lives-against-the-texas-rangers/
Freddie Freeman and Matt Olson will always be linked together due to the Braves free agent decision of a few years ago, but this season, we have seen each first baseman perform at their absolute best. Olson has led the league in homers, Freeman has led the league in doubles and each player has posted a season that would be worthy of an MVP if not for having teammates who were even better.Still, the question remains, did the Braves make the right decision on Freeman and who is the best first baseman in baseball now and moving forward?If you want to read about this debate, here is the full article: https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/who-has-been-better-in-2023-matt-olson-or-freddie-freeman/
Who has the best playoff rotation in the American League this season?Host Ryan Finkelstein breaks down his power rankings of the best AL playoff rotations and compares them to the latest article written at JustBaseball.com on the subject.Do the Minnesota Twins have the edge with their playoff rotation, or are the Seattle Mariners better?Which team in Texas has the better rotation, the Astros or the Rangers?If the Toronto Blue Jays find their way into the dance, can they take it all the way?Ryan answers all those questions and more.Also if you want to check out the full written power rankings, you can find them here: https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/power-ranking-who-has-the-best-playoff-rotation-in-the-al/
With two weeks left in the season, the NL Wild Card race is really coming down to the wire, with five teams still vying for the final two spots. Who is going to make it out of the race and which teams would stand the best chance to make a run in the playoffs?Host Ryan Finkelstein is joined by Elijah Evans to discuss the NL Wild Card race between the Chicago Cubs, Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins, Cincinnati Reds and San Francisco Giants.
The San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds have faced each other this week in a matchup of two NL Wild Card foes. Who would ultimately make the more dangerous playoff team? Host Ryan Finkelstein breaks down each facet of these teams to decide which one would be the tougher opponent if they snuck into the final Wild Card spot and who is more likely to get into the dance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Baltimore Orioles have been counting on Grayson Rodriguez to break through at the MLB level this season and it seems like that has finally happened, as the former top prospects is on a roll lately. Can Rodriguez be a frontline starter for the Orioles come October. Host Ryan Finkelstein is joined by Harrison Bruns to discuss his article for Just Baseball on Rodriguez and how he is finally figuring it out for the Orioles. https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/grayson-rodriguez-is-putting-it-together/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Seattle Mariners have been the hottest team in baseball since the All-Star break, going from out of the playoff picture entirely, to just a game out of first place in the AL West! Can Seattle complete the improbable comeback, will the Texas Rangers hold onto the division they have led all year, or will the Houston Astros end up winning the division they have owned for years? Hosts Ryan Finkelstein and Elijah Evans break down who is going to come out on top in this division down the stretch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Separated by just a game in the NL Wild Card race, who has the better chance to make the playoffs, the Cincinnati Reds or the Chicago Cubs? Host Ryan Finkelstein is joined by Clay Snowden to discuss who is the better team right now between these NL Central rivals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With less than 50 games left in the season, some of the MLB awards races are all but sewn up, while others will be fascinating to watch down the stretch. Host Ryan Finkelstein looks at the odds on each award race and makes his pick on who to bet on for the MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year in each league. To read the full article on the MLB awards odds: https://www.justbaseball.com/betting/mlb-award-odds-who-are-the-favorites-to-win-in-2023/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Detroit Tigers made only one trade at the deadline, as they failed to take advantage of the seller's market, where pitching was netting teams great returns. Between failing to trade Eduardo Rodriguez, or anyone out of their bullpen, the Tigers missed an opportunity to improve their farm system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Baltimore Orioles have been one of the best teams in baseball this year and are currently the favorites to win the AL East.
Did they do enough at the deadline to take advantage of that opportunity though, as they only added Jack Flaherty and Shintaro Fujinami?
Host Ryan Finkelstein is joined by Harrison Bruns to discuss his article for Just Baseball on if the Orioles did enough at the deadline.
https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/did-the-baltimore-orioles-add-enough-at-the-trade-deadline/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Los Angeles Angels made the decision to go all-in at the trade deadline, hoping to make one push for the playoffs before Shohei Ohtani hits free agency in the offseason. Since the deadline, the Angels have all but fallen out of the Wild Card race, dropping each of their last six games. Did they mistake in keeping Ohtani and buying so aggressively when they could have reset their franchise by trading him instead? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The New York Mets and Chicago White Sox were among the top sellers at the MLB trade deadline, bringing life into their farm systems. Between Luisangel Acuna, Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford, the Mets got a haul of top 100 talents. With Edgar Quero being the headliner, the White Sox flip mostly rentals for three quality arms and their catcher of the future. Which team made out better at the deadline? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers have been two of the biggest buyers so far ahead of the trade deadline, with both teams looking to push their chips into trying to win in the AL West. The Angels have added Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Randal Grichuk and C.J. Cron to try to win around Shohei Ohtani. Meanwhile, the Rangers have swung trades for both Max Scherzer and Jordan Montgomery to slot into their rotation. Which team is better suited to make a run this year and who has made out better in these trades? Host Ryan Finkelstein is joined by Elijah Evans to discuss what is setting up to be a wild race in the AL West down the stretch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Chicago White Sox have already capitalized on the seller's market at the trade deadline in a significant way, but haven't even moved their best trade chip yet. After originally calling Cease untouchable, the White Sox may have a change of heart now and could use him to turn their farm system into one of the very best in all of baseball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Los Angeles Angels are going all-in to win with Shohei Ohtani this year, as they have announced that they will not be moving him and followed up that announcement with a trade. Lucas Giolito is now an Angel, bolstering their rotation for the playoff push. Host Ryan Finkelstein is joined by Clay Snowden as they discuss the Angels decision to continue to build around Ohtani, and their all-in approach to win now, regardless of the cost. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With a week left before the trade deadline, the Chicago Cubs are pushing back into the playoff race, just five games out of a Wild Card spot. Will the Cubs buy into this roster at the deadline, or be sellers to move some of the best pieces on the market, Marcus Stroman and Cody Bellinger? Read the full breakdown on the Cubs trade deadline guide: https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/chicago-cubs-trade-deadline-guide/
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Between guys like Shohei Ohtani, Dylan Cease and Blake Snell potentially being on the move, we could see a very exciting MLB Trade Deadline this year. Who are the best 10 players that could be on the move? Host Ryan Finkelstein breaks down his latest article for Just Baseball, where he ranks the top players in trade rumors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Any conversation about Shohei Ohtani has to begin with the unprecedented nature of who is and what is capable of in the game of baseball. We have simply never seen what we are witnessing from Ohtani and likely never will again.
Due to his exceptional play and the current state of affairs for his team, a rare opportunity is about to present itself to GMs around the game of baseball. We could see the greatest rental in the history of professional sports hit the open market.
Which teams would be best-suited to land Ohtani at the trade deadline?
Host Ryan Finkelstein breaks down his five landings spots for the greatest rental in MLB history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With the amount of teams still looking to contend, this is shaping up to be a seller's market at the trade deadline. Teams like the St. Louis Cardinals have already announced themselves as sellers, where they could trade anything from expiring pitchers like Jordan Montgomery and Jordan Hicks, to a superstar like Nolan Arenado. The star-studded, Mets and Padres could either chose to become sellers or buyers, while teams like the Cubs and White Sox take advantage of their pitching to sell big.
Host Ryan Finkelstein, along with Elijah Evans, breaks down the latest Just Baseball article on which teams will most take advantage of this seller's market at the deadline: https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/who-will-take-advantage-of-sellers-market-at-the-trade-deadline/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In 2001, voters were so swept up in Ichiro Suzuki's sensational debut season that they failed to see who really deserved the AL MVP award, Jason Giambi. Host Ryan Finkelstein takes you back in time 22 years to an MVP race for the ages that has been forgotten to history. If you want to read the full article on this story: https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/why-ichiro-suzuki-should-have-never-won-the-2001-al-mvp/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The 2023 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby features a star-studded field that includes Pete Alonso, Luis Robert Jr., Vlad Guerrero Jr. Mookie Betts, Julio Rodriguez and more. Who will be the one who rises above the rest and actually wins the tournament? Host Ryan Finkelstein is joined by Elijah Evans to discuss the field and make their picks for each HR derby matchup and who is the best bet according to the odds to win it all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The San Diego Padres are in the midst of a dissapointing season, where making the playoffs could be a longshot. Could they do the unthinkable and trade Juan Soto a year after acquiring him? Host Ryan Finkelstein breaks down why the Padres should take advantage of a weak trade market and re-build their farm by trading both Soto and Josh Hader at the deadline. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Gunnar Henderson has shaken off a slow start to his season to really come alive over the past month, and is once again one of the favorites to win American League Rookie of the Year. Host Ryan Finkelstein is joined by Harrison Bruns to discuss his recent article on Gunnar's success lately and what it would take for him to take home the ROY award. For the article: https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/gunnar-henderson-is-back-in-the-rookie-of-the-year-conversation/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Health has always been the issue when it comes to Corey Seager, but when on the field this year, no shortstop has been more productive. Host Ryan Finkelstein breaks down Seager's incredible play this season and how he could finally be considered the best shortstop in baseball if he can stay on the field. https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/corey-seager-might-just-be-the-best-shortstop-in-baseball/
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The Los Angeles Angels are all-in on trying to win right now, in hopes of keeping Shohei Ohtani in free agency. After adding Eduardo Escobar and Mike Moustakas in June trades, it has been made clear that the Angels intend to do whatever it takes to make the postseason. That could mean buying big at the deadline. What pieces can they look to add and will it be enough in a very competitive AL Wild Card race? Hosts Ryan Finkelstein and Elijah Evans discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Cincinnati Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks have been two of the biggest surprise teams in baseball. Both teams find themselves in first place, led by budding superstars in Elly De La Cruz and Corbin Carroll, who were both top overall prospects in all of baseball. Host Ryan Finkelstein is joined by Elijah Evans to discuss which of the two teams has the better chance to make a run this season and which has brighter future moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Seattle Mariners are getting great pitching so far this season, but have not gotten nearly the production they have needed from their starting lineup offensively. Host Ryan Finkelstein is joined by Lyle Goldstein of the Marine Layer podcast to discuss what has gone wrong with the Mariners so far this season and what they can do to turn things around. They also discuss three potential trades that Seattle could make to add another bat into the middle of their lineup. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Shohei Ohtani has been on fire over his last 19 games played, smashing 12 home runs to take the league lead. Is he becoming the best hitter in all of baseball? Host Ryan Finkelstein breaks down his latest article for JustBaseball.com, where he discusses Ohtani's ascension to be the best hitter in the game today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Baltimore Orioles have started off the season red-hot and are looking to make a push for the playoffs. With a great lineup and bullpen in place, all they need to add is an ace to put them over the top. Just Baseball's managing editor Ryan Finkelstein is joined by Harrison Bruns to discuss the Orioles rotation right now and where they can improve moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Corbin Carroll, Wander Franco, Julio Rodriguez and Spencer Strider are just a few of the best young players in Major League Baseball who have been signed to pre-arbitration extensions over the last two years. Just Baseball's managing editor Ryan Finkelstein is joined by Elijah Evans to discuss his recent article ranking each of the 15 pre-arb deals from the last two years and which he felt was the best in all of baseball. To read the full article, click here: https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/ranking-every-pre-arbitration-extension-from-past-two-years/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Pittsburgh Pirates have been one of the top stories in baseball this year, led by the return of a franchise great, Andrew McCutchen. Host Ryan Finkelstein is joined by Joey Peterson to discuss his latest story for Just Baseball about McCutchen and the Pirates resurgent season. Are the Pirates the team who has the best chance to topple the Brewers in the NL Central this year, or does the promotion of Elly De La Cruz give the Reds the better puncher's chance? https://www.justbaseball.com/mlb/2023-has-been-more-than-a-swan-song-for-andrew-mccutchen/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bo Bichette is off to a fantastic start this season, hitting over .330 with 14 home runs. Even better he has turned things around defensively and is no longer grading out as a subpar shortstop. Meanwhile Wander Franco is pacing baseball in fWAR, showcasing his five-tool potential in Tampa Bay. Host Ryan Finkelstein revisits Just Baseball's top 10 list of shortstops heading into the season and where things should stand now midseason. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Minnesota Twins is currently leading a division that no one seems to want to pull away and win. In the AL Central, there are four teams that could conceivably make the postseason. Between the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Guardians failing to meet expectations, the Detroit Tigers lengthy rebuild and the Twins failing to really grab a decisive division lead, the Central is the definition of a crapshoot. Host Ryan Finkelstein and Elijah Evans discuss who will make it out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices