Foul Ball Area: Recent Episodes
Foul Ball Area
The World Series begins tonight and it's shaping up to be a good one! The Yankees take on the Dodgers in a battle of MLB heavyweights, reigniting an old rivalry of two of the most successful teams of all time. We'll get to see the likely MVPs Shoehi Ohtani and Aaron Judge go toe-to-toe as they hope to bring a championship back to their team. Billy Parvatam joins us again this year as we discuss what to expect in this series and make our picks for who will be crowned champions.
We've gotten through two rounds of the 2024 MLB Postseason and there are two more to go! The NLCS starts tonight when the Mets take on the Dodgers in Los Angeles. MVP frontrunner Shohei Ohtani looks to lead his team to the World Series against Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso.
On the AL side, the Cleveland Guardians will take on the New York Yankees in another heavyweight matchup, featuring stars like Aaron Judge, Juan Soto and Jose Ramirez. Can Cleveland keep their season going, or will the Yankees make it to their first World Series since 2009?
We're counting down the days to the end of the 2024 regular season, and several teams across Major League Baseball have clinched their postseason spot. The Brewers were the first team to do so, winning the NL Central and proving nearly everybody wrong. A few more teams followed suit later in the week, setting up the first pieces of the playoff picture.
Shohei Ohtani cemented his MVP front-runner status with a historic night, going 6-for-6 and becoming the first player to have a 50/50 season. What other stat chases are we watching as the season winds down?
We're back this week with another episode of Foul Ball Area and we've got a couple of interesting topics to discuss. As the season winds down, some teams that are contending for the postseason are struggling. Which of these World Series hopefuls should be the most worried as the playoff field becomes more clear?
Plus, we've seen plenty of exciting moments in the 2024 season, but which player stands out as the most exciting player in MLB? Is it Aaron Judge with his unreal power or Shohei Ohtani with the potential for a historic 50/50 season? Or another player altogether stealing the show?
Aaron Judge is putting up phenomenal numbers for the Yankees this season, leaving us with two questions: how many home runs will he hit and is he better this year than he was in 2022? Trey thinks he'll slow down and get some rest towards the end of the regular season, but Matt is hoping for a new AL record by the end of September. Plus, Juan Soto is having a remarkable season as well and would be in the MVP conversation if Aaron Judge wasn't doing what he's doing.
And, two once proud organizations are struggling this year, with the White Sox the first team to 100 losses and the Cardinals practically giving away tickets. What's next for these teams?
We're back this week after a short summer break, and we're breaking down everything you need to know in the baseball world! Aaron Judge became the fastest player to reach the 300 home run mark this week, hitting the milestone in a 10-2 win over the White Sox. Judge reached 300 homers in 955 career games, shattering the previous record of 1,087 games, set by Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner. He also reached the mark 400 at bats quicker than Babe Ruth. Where will Judge end up on the all-time home run list by the time he retires?
Plus, the Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds are playing a game at Bristol Motor Speedway next season in what promises to be one of the most unique atmospheres in MLB history. And, Virginia's own Will Wagner - son of Billy Wagner - shines in his MLB debut.
The 2024 All-Star Game has passed and it was another exciting weekend for baseball fans. The underdog Teoscar Hernandez won the Home Run Derby on Monday, which came down to the final swing against Bobby Witt Jr. Rookie phenom pitcher Paul Skenes faced Aaron Judge in the All-Star Game on Tuesday in a matchup that we were all looking forward to. And so much more happened over the last week that we break down on today's episode.
Plus, with the All-Star Game over, it's time to look forward to the upcoming trade deadline and which players could be on the move this year.
The College World Series came to a close on Monday with the Tennessee Volunteers winning their first title in program history. UT beat Texas A&M in three games to win the title, and the loss upset A&M's coach so much he left the team to take the head coach job at Texas. This week's coaching drama is sure to add another spark to the Texas-Texas A&M rivalry this fall on the football field.
The first round of All-Star votes were released this week, and two players already have starting spots. Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper received the most votes in their respective leagues, giving them each a starting spot on the roster for the 2024 All-Star Game. Who else is in the running to start this year's midsummer classic?
Plus, if you could immortalize one baseball announcer using AI, who would you choose?
The baseball world lost a legend this week when Willie Mays passed away at 93 years old. The Hall of Famer is one of the greatest players of all time and is arguably the best player in MLB history. He won two MVPs, was a 24-time All-Star and crushed 660 home runs during his illustrious career. We take some time to reflect on his legacy on today's episode.
Mays was honored Thursday night when the San Francisco Giants took on the St. Louis Cardinals at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama. Rickwood is the oldest professional ballpark in the United States and was the longtime home of the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro Leagues. Thursday's game was a perfect time to reflect on the contributions that Negro Leagues players made to the game of baseball.
Plus, in the Yankees are still playing very good baseball, and they just got their ace back as Gerrit Cole returned from injury this week.
The NCAA Super Regionals are here and we've got one team from the Commonwealth looking to make it to Omaha. The Virginia Cavaliers host Kansas State this weekend in Charlottesville after making it out of their regional last weekend. VCU and JMU each fought hard, but both teams came up just short of making it to the second weekend.
Plus, the Yankees and Braves each had players of the month in May, but one team is looking a lot better than the other right now. How will the season continue to unfold for each of our favorite teams?
We've reached Memorial Day Weekend, which means we're about two months into the MLB season. This gives us plenty of evidence to see how teams really look this season and how we can expect the division races to shake out. Which teams are contenders and pretenders at this point? Which players have a legitimate shot at winning individual awards?
Plus, conference tournaments are well underway in NCAA baseball. Which teams from the Commonwealth still have a chance to make a run in the national tournament?
We're about a month into the 2024 MLB season, and there are some surprising temas at the top of their divisions and in the Wild Card spots. Can teams like the Reds, Mariners and Tigers hold onto their playoff hopes through an entire season, or are they just having luck at the beginning of the year? Will the Braves and Yankees run their respective divisions after their hot starts, or are they due for a falloff at some point in the year? Plus, Elly De La Cruz is playing like an MVP candidate, and a quick update on Virginia Tech and UVA baseball.
We're just three weeks into the 2024 MLB season, but this year has already produced some big surprises. Teams that we didn't expect to do well are leading the divisions. MVP-caliber players are off to slow starts. So which teams and players have us shocked at this point?
Plus, Mike Trout is back to looking like Mike Trout - he leads the league in home runs and has already matched his stolen base total from the past three seasons combined. Can he lead to Angels to success with his level of play?
Federal authorities have released an affidavit detailing their investigation into Shohei Ohtani's former translator, and it looks like Ohtani had no involvement in the gambling scandal at all. Text and phone call records are pretty incriminating for Ippei Mizuhara, who is now accused of stealing more than $16 million from Ohtani. Mizuhara is expected to appear in court this week for an arraignment, and we'll follow the case as it develops further.
Plus, star pitchers Shane Bieber and Spencer Strider are on the IL with elbow injuries. What's the catalyst behind the rise in pitcher injuries this year? Is it the pitch clock, or the longer-term issue of an uptick in velocity?
We're through one week of the 2024 MLB season, and there's been plenty of action. Lots of home runs, MLB debuts and even a no-hitter. We break down a few opinions on the first week of games and debate whether they're overreactions or reasonable. Plus, the Oakland A's will play the next three seasons in Sacramento, the latest drama in their saga of leaving Oakland. And, which new ballpark foods would we try this year?
Opening Day is just 24 hours away! With the season coming up, we take this week to preview the American League in 2024 and predict which teams will make the postseason. How good will the Yankees be with Juan Soto? Can the Rangers repeat their success from last year? Will we see a dark horse team come out of the AL Central? We answer all these questions and more on today's episode!
The first games of the 2024 MLB season are just a day away with the Seoul Series coming up tomorrow morning. With the Padres and Dodgers about to start the season, we though we'd take this time to go over our picks and predictions. We pick our division winners, NL Pennant winner and predict how many wins each team will end up with. Did we get them all right? Let us know your thoughts!
As we get deeper into Spring Training and closer to Opening Day, we're seeing more and more pitchers go down with injuries. This week, reigning AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole received news that he'll miss 1-2 months with an elbow injury. Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams will miss 3 months with stress fractures in his back. Where do these teams go to fill those holes in their pitching staff?
Plus, Dylan Cease finally gets traded. What we think of the deal that sends him to the Padres. And, a look at the week in college baseball around the Commonwealth.
We're another week closer to the start of the 2024 MLB season and we've got a lot to talk about around the league. MLB's brightest young stars are playing in a new initiative this year called Spring Breakout. The series will consist of 16 games from March 14-17 featuring each team's top prospects, including players like Jackson Holiday, Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews.
Plus, the Oakland A's have released renderings for their future stadium in Las Vegas, and the internet has some thoughts. And, another week of college baseball is in the books with an exciting weekend of series coming up.
A lot has happened around the baseball world over the past week. We've got Spring Training games to break down, Shohei Ohtani making his Dodgers debut and a week of college baseball to recap. The biggest news this week? Cody Bellinger re-signs with the Cubs on a three-year, $80 million deal, much less than we expected for him. Plus, Danville has a new team this year in the collegiate Old North State League. Get ready to cheer on the Dairy Daddies this summer.
We have a full slate of Spring Training games this weekend, but some of the biggest stars around MLB are still free agents. Can guys like Blake Snell and Cody Bellinger find a team before Opening Day? Plus, MLB Network released its full list of the Top 100 players in MLB. Which teams had the most players in the Top 10 or on the list overall?
The 2024 college baseball season is upon us! We have a full slate of game starting this afternoon to usher in the season, including some big matchups across the Commonwealth. To help us get ready and break down what we can expect from the Virginia Tech Hokies this year, we're joined by the voice of Hokies baseball, Evan Hughes.
A lot has been happening around MLB this week. Multiple players have received massive contract extensions, including Bobby Witt Jr., who got an 11-year, $288 million contract from the Royals. Astros second baseman Jose Altuve also got a 5-year extension, all but guaranteeing he'll finish his carer in Houston. Plus, Las Vegas mayor Caroyln Goodman said on a podcast this week that the A's plan to move to Vegas doesn't make any sense. Will the A's change course and stay in Oakland?
And, with the Kyle Shanahan and Christian McCaffrey in the Super Bowl this weekend, we're taking a look at some of the best father-son duos in MLB history. Who tops the list?
Big news around MLB this week as the Baltimore Orioles have an agreement to sell the team. Owner John Angelo will be selling the franchise to a private equity group led by Baltimore native David Rubenstein. Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr. is also involved in the group. What does this mean for the future of the team's payroll?
Plus, there are a lot of free agents remaining, enough so that you could put together a pretty good team of them. We went through the best remaining free agents and weighed how many games they could win in an MLB season. Spoiler alert: They'd win one of the six divisions.
The Baseball Hall of Fame class of 2024 has been announced, and Trey and I agree everyone who made it in deserves it. Joe Mauer and Adrian Beltre are getting in on their first ballot, while Todd Helton finally made it in on his sixth ballot. But there were still some names that were left off, like Billy Wagner, Gary Sheffield and Andruw Jones. Will these guys make it in next year?
Plus, we take a look at some possible candidates for the 2025 class, with some intriguing names coming onto the ballot for the first time. And, Anthony Rendon wants to shorten the season, but he hasn't even played half a season since signing with the Angels. Is he the right person to speak out in favor of a shorter schedule?
This week has been a big one in the sports world, with several legendary coaches either retiring or moving on from their current teams. One of those is Bill Belichick, widely regarded as the greatest head coach of all time in the NFL. So we set out to determine who the Bill Belichick of MLB is. Is there a current manager that has reached his level of success, or do we have to look way back throughout the history of baseball?
Plus, the Dodgers are still making moves and we have some national broadcasts already scheduled for next season.
It's our first episode of 2024, which means it's time to look ahead and come up with new year resolutions. But we're not talking about ourselves. We're thinking about what MLB teams and the league overall would like to accomplish in 2024.
Plus, some big names are still available on the free agent market. Where can we expect the reigning NL Cy Young winner to land this offseason. And, the Braves make a surprising move, that we're not really sure how we feel about.
Christmas is just a few days away, so we though we'd take this time to go over our Christmas wish lists. On today's episode of the podcast, we talk about things we'd like to see our favorite teams do this offseason and next season, and some things we'd like to see happen across all of Major League Baseball. What's on your baseball wish list this Christmas?
Plus, the All-MLB teams were announced last weekend, Yoshinobu Yamamoto has met with the Yankees multiple times, and MLB is bringing some more rule changes in 2024.
The wait is over. Shohei Ohtani, the biggest name in this year's free agent class, has signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The two-way player signed a historic 10-year, $700 million deal that will see $680 million in deferred payments. Ohtani made it clear that he wants to win, and thinks the Dodgers are his best shot. The Dodgers are going all in as well, trading for Rays' ace Tyler Glasnow and extending him on a 4-year deal.
Plus, Michael Wacha signs with the Royals, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is meeting with several teams, and Max Scherzer will miss the first half of 2024.
We're through the Winter Meetings and the hot stove is heating up. Juan Soto has been traded for the second time in two years, this time ending up with the New York Yankees. His impact is sure to be a significant one as he rounds out the Yankees outfield, which now also includes Alex Verdugo.
The biggest free agent of the offseason has yet to find a new team, but all signs point to that happening soon. Will Shohei Ohtani stay in LA and sign with the Dodgers, or is he heading to Toronto to ink a deal with the Blue Jays? Stay tuned...
The 2023 BBWAA awards have been announced, and there are no surprises. Trey went 8-for-8 in his award predictions, correctly predicting the rookies of the year, managers of the year, Cy Young winners and MVPs. We saw a lot of unanimous winners this year, with Gunnar Henderson and Corbin Carroll each earning all 30 first place votes for Rookie of the Year. Gerrit Cole won his first Cy Young by unanimous vote. And for the first time ever, both league MVPs were unanimous decisions.
Plus, the Oakland A's are officially moving to Las Vegas, after a - get this - unanimous vote by the 30 MLB owners.
We're just one week into the offseason and we've seen a lot of moves already. Craig Counsell has left the Brewers to become manager of the Cubs and Ron Washington is getting another shot at managing, this time with the Angels. Plus, the award finalists and Silver Slugger winners have been revealed.
Free agency is also underway, although we haven't seen any big moves yet. Trey and I make our predictions this week on where we think the top free agents will end up. Will Shohei Ohtani stay in California, and which teams will be getting premier starting pitchers this offseason. Tune in for our thoughts!
The Texas Rangers are World Series champions for the first time in franchise history. The Rangers beat the Diamondbacks in 5 games to clinch the championship and make history. Corey Seager has etched his name alongside some all-time greats, while Nathan Eovaldi put on a historic postseason performance. Trey and I break down everything you need to know from the series and what to look forward to this offseason.
The World Series is upon us! The Arizona Diamondbacks will face off against the Texas Rangers for baseball's ultimate prize. Will the Dbacks keep the chaos going for four more wins and come away with their second championship? Or can the Rangers' powerful offense keep up the momentum to win their franchise's first ever title?
We teamed up with our good friend Billy Parvatam for today's episode as we break down what we've seen in the postseason so far and what we can expect for this year's Fall Classic.
The NLDS and ALDS are over and we are down to the final four teams in the MLB Postseason. The Phillies have knocked out the Braves in the NLDS for the second-straight year, and Matt has a lot of thoughts on the disappointing playoff performance from Atlanta. Plus, the Dodgers and the Orioles get swept in their division series, bringing some serious questions about the current playoff format. Why are the Astros the only team who can figure out how to win after having a week off due to the first-round bye?
Looking ahead, we have a Lone Star State showdown in the ALCS between the Ranger and Astros. On the NL side, we'll see the red-hot Diamondbacks take on the surging Phillies. Who will come out on top and make it to the World Series?
We've made it through the regular season and into the 2023 postseason! The field of 12 teams is set and the Wild Card round gets underway this afternoon with four exciting matchups. Tune in as we discuss what to watch for in each series and give our picks for every round all the way through the World Series. Will the Astros become the first team since 2000 to repeat? Can the Dodgers find their way back on top of the baseball world? Do the young Orioles have what it takes to make a championship run. We answer all these questions and more.
Plus, some pretty significant players are retiring now that the season is over, and a few managers around the league won't be returning next year.
We're just a week and a half away from the end of the 2023 regular season, and there's still a lot to be decided. The AL and NL Wild Card races are extremely tight with several teams vying for the final spot in each league. The AL West is another exciting race to watch, with the Astros, Mariners and Rangers all within half a game of each other. To make things even more exciting, the Mariners play the Astros and Rangers over the next week. Which team will come out on top and earn a better seed for the postseason? Can all three teams end up in the playoffs?
The 2023 MLB regular season is coming down to the last couple of weeks and there's a lot still to be decided. One division race that's already been claimed? The NL East. The Atlanta Braves have won the division for the 6th straight season, even after the Phillies and Mets reloaded their rosters this past offseason. Now the Braves need to focus on winning the top seed in the NL and turn their attention to the postseason.
While the NL East is wrapped up, other divisions look like they might come down to the wire. The Rays are in Baltimore this weekend, and the two teams are separated by just one game. The AL West is a three-team race between the Astros, Rangers and Mariners. Which teams will end up on top of their divisions when we flip the calendar to October?
We have just over one month left in the regular season and teams are desperate in their push to make the postseason. The Reds and Guardians each picked up several players off waivers this week to help them in their quest for the playoffs. Many of these players are coming from the Angels, who have officially given up on the season.
Plus, the Braves and Dodgers have a huge four-game series this weekend in Los Angeles. The four MVP frontrunners go head-to-head in a matchup of the two best teams in the National League. What can we expect when these teams take the field?
Things just can't go right for the Los Angeles Angels. After announcing that they would hold onto Shohei Ohtani at the trade deadline and try to make the postseason this year, the team has struggled to put wins together on the field. Those struggles got even worse this week when Ohtani has a torn UCL and may have to undergo his second Tommy John surgery. He's done pitching for this year, and this impacts from his injury could negatively affect his upcoming free agency. As if that's not enough, Mike Trout made his way back into the lineup for one day before being put back on the Injured List.
Plus, the Yankees avoid a historic losing streak, Stephen Strasburg is set to retire, and we try the Immaculate Grid again.
The New York Yankees are playing .500 baseball this season, which for most teams would be a mediocre year, but by their standards it's historically bad. The Yankees haven't been under .500 at this point in the season since 1995, and they haven't finished a season under .500 since 1992. Do you place the blame on manager Aaron Boone or GM Brian Cashman? What changed does the team need to make this offseason in order to get back on track. We break down the Yankees' struggles and other news around MLB on today's episode.
The trade deadline has come and gone and we've got a lot of faces in new places. Tune in to this week's episode as we break down all of the moves that happened on Tuesday and give our thoughts on which teams had the best and worst deadlines. Plus, a few moves didn't pan out for various reasons. What would the results have been if players waived their no-trade clauses?
We're a little under two weeks away from the trade deadline, and there are a lot of questions that we're waiting to see get answered. Will the Cardinals deal their star sluggers after a disappointing season? Could Juan Soto be on the move at the deadline again? And the big one - will Shohei Ohtani be traded? The Angels are coming off a sweep of the Yankees and are back above .500, but they have a lot of ground to make up. If they keep winning over the next week, the decision to trade Ohtani or not will be a tough one.
Tune in today as we break down all of these questions and more.
The All-Star break is over and it's time to get back to regular season baseball! Tune in to this week's episode as Matt goes over everything that happened this past weekend, from the MLB Draft to the electric Home Run Derby to the first NL win at the All-Star Game since 2012.
Plus, with the return to regular season baseball comes the looming trade deadline. Which stars will be on the move this year? Could Shohei Ohtani get traded from the Angels at the deadline? Tu
The Los Angeles Angels have surprised us all this year and stayed in contention for the AL Wild Card race up to this point. Unfortunately, luck had to catch up with them and they're now dealing with injuries to Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani and Anthony Rendon. What does this mean for the future of the team? Will they trade Ohtani at the deadline if they're no longer in contention for a playoff spot?
Plus, the Home Run Derby bracket has been revealed and we think we'll see a repeat winner this year. And, the MLB Draft gets underway this Sunday. Which players from Virginia do you need to keep an eye on?
What a week in baseball! The LSU Tigers beat Florida in three games to win the College World Series championship, and what a series it was. All two weeks in Omaha was packed full of exciting games and great matchups, including an intense few games between LSU and Wake Forest, but in the end the best team one.
Shifting over to Major League Baseball, the All-Star starters have been announced for the 2023 midsummer classic in Seattle. Four Rangers players made the starting lineup for the AL while three Braves and three Dodgers will be representing the NL in the starting lineup.
Plus, Domingo German pitched the 24th perfect game in MLB history the other night against the Oakland A's. Yes, Oakland is a historically bad team, but this is still an amazing feat. It's only been done 24 times ever, and we haven't seen one since 2012. Tune in for all that and more on today's episode!
The field for Omaha is set! The 2023 Men's College World Series features the favorite, some expected teams, and a few surprises. Matt's championship pick of Arkansas didn't even make it out of the regionals, while Trey's pick, Wake Forest, has been dominant in every game so far. The Demon Deacons have scored double digits in all but one game and haven't lost yet.
UVA is back in Omaha for the sixth time in program history, all since 2009. The Cavaliers have looked good as well so far, and they'll look to make another championship run when things get underway.
Plus, Oakland A's fans stage a reverse boycott, we're seeing a lot of injuries across MLB, and Shohei Ohtani is still doing things only he can.
The Road to Omaha begins today! NCAA Regionals get underway at noon and we're following two teams from the Commonwealth as they try to make it to the College World Series. UVA is hosting a regional in Charlottesville, but they've got a tough road ahead of them with East Carolina coming to town. Can the Cavaliers make it back to Omaha?
George Mason is in a regional for the first time since 2013, but they also have their work cut out for them. The Patriots will be in the Winston-Salem regional, hosted by No. 1 overall seed Wake Forest. Follow along with us as we see if George Mason can pull ofr the major upset.
Plus, Aaron Judge is still crushing home runs, the Braves are struggling as of late, and the AL East is still the dominant division in baseball.
Conference tournaments are underway in college baseball and we're keeping an eye on each team from the Commonwealth that's competing this week. Which teams have a real shot at a title, and which teams will see their seasons come to an end?
Plus, Trea Turner had a terrific World Baseball Classic, but he hasn't been able to replicate that success in the MLB season so far. It took him nearly two months to match the same amount of home runs he hit in six games in the WBC. Can he turn things around going forward?
And, Gerrit Cole makes history with his 2,000th career strikeout. Which players are the only two to reach this milestone faster than he did? Find out on today's episode.
Trey and Matt both have birthdays this week, so we decided to look at which baseball players they share birthdays with. Some surprising names show up, including a good amount of Hall of Famers.
Plus, Ronald Acuna Jr. and Aaron Judge are having great weeks, hitting monster home runs for their teams. Could Acuna keep it up all season and earn his first MVP award? Can Judge help the Yankees get into first place in the incredibly tough AL East?
As we continue making our way across the Commonwealth and covering our state's college baseball teams, we head to Charlottesville for a look at the Cavaliers' 2023 season. Greg Madia of The Daily Progress joins us to discuss the ups and downs of the season, the star players UVA has and their chances at hosting a regional. Tune in for an in-depth discussion of the season so far and a preview of this weekend's series against Louisville.
We've made it to May, which means we're over a month into the 2023 MLB season. Major League Baseball named the Players of the Month for April, and we can't help but agree. Ronald Acuna Jr. is having a phenomenal start to the season, leading in several offensive categories. Gerrit Cole is looking like the pitcher the Yankees paid for when they signed him, and he is pretty much carrying the team right now with all of their injuries.
Plus, which surprising teams would be in the playoffs if the season ended right now? And Alabama's baseball coach is fired over "suspicious betting."
As we get deeper into the college baseball season, some teams are facing critical stretches that could make or break their year. One of those teams is JMU, which hasd a solid season in their first year as a Sun Belt team, but they've got a tough road stretch coming up that will really test them. To break down the season so far and preview what's coming up, we talk with Curt Dudley, Director of Broadcast Services Emeritus at JMU about what he's seen from the team this year, plus a few stories from the early days of his career.
We're now a few weeks into the 2023 MLB season and we've seen some very hot starts. The Rays won their first 13 games of the season and made history practically every night along the way. Their offense has powered them so far, but now that they're playing some tougher teams, how long can they keep it up?
The Braves are off to another strong start, with multiple winning streaks throughout the season so far. Sean Murphy is making an immediate impact in Atlanta, and Matt Olson is providing plenty of power.
Plus, Shohei Ohtani and the Angels visit New York, a quick college baseball update and the future of baseball in Richmond.
We're a week into the 2023 MLB season and we've seen plenty of great baseball already. But also a lot of bad baseball. That means it's time to overreact to this very small sample size of games and let you know how we're feeling this early in the season. Are our preseason predictions in jeopardy? Is there a dark horse candidate for MVP? Is the Mets' season already over? We break down all the scenarios that we could see happening based on just a few games.
It's finally here! Opening Day of the 2023 MLB season has arrived. Pat yourself on the back for making it through the winter and then settle in to listen to all our bold predictions for how this year will shake out. Will the Astros repeat as World Series champions? Will the Braves continue their hot streak in the NL East? And will Shohei Ohtani ride his momentum all the way to an MVP award and playoff berth? We make our picks for all the playoff spots, awards, and out-of-this-world possibilities. It's baseball. Anything can happen. And we're so excited to get started.
The World Baseball Classic has come and gone, and what a tournament it was. From the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico playing in pool play, to Mexico making the semifinals, to the U.S. and Japan battling it out for the championship, it was the best thing to happen to baseball in a long time. And we got our dream matchup with Shohei Ohtani pitching to Mike Trout with the championship on the line. We break down everything that happened over the past two weeks, plus what we hope to see in 2026 during the next tournament.
As we get deeper into the 2023 college baseball season, we're continuing to cover teams around the Commonwealth. We're excited today to be joined by Jon Manson from A Sea of Red to help us break down what we've seen from the Liberty Flames so far, and what we can continue to expect. Is this the year Liberty finally wins the ASUN tournament? Do they have what it takes to make a deeper run in the NCAA Tournament? We talk with Jon about the expectations the team is facing and how they've handled them on the field up to this point.
Plus, the World Baseball Classic is underway! Who will take home the crown. We break down what to expect, and when we could see an Ohtani vs. Trout matchup.
We're just under a month away from the start of the 2023 MLB season and that means it's time for some season previews. On this week's episode of the podcast, we name our top 10 active players across Major League Baseball, with some honorable mentions. Who will be included? Who will come out on top? Who is the most controversial player to be ranked?
Plus, we review the past week in college baseball across the commonwealth, with teams like Virginia Tech and UVA putting on strong showings over the weekend. And Old Dominion is of to a hot start.
One week of college baseball is in the books and it's been a good one for some teams across the Commonwealth. Virginia Tech started the season 3-1, going on a three-game win streak after losing the first game of the season at College of Charleston. The Hokies' offense has come alive, scoring in the double digits the last three games. Meanwhile, No. 19 UVA is a perfect 4-0 to get the season started.
Over in Major League Baseball, there seems to be some drama in the Padres clubhouse as Manny Machado has announced plans to opt out of his contract after the 2023 season. Machado signed a 10-year, $300-million contract in 2019 and is reportedly looking for $400 million this time around.
Plus, does Trey really think the Angels should trade Mike Trout? Tune in to find out.
The Virginia Tech baseball team is set to kick off their 2023 season at the College of Charleston this weekend, and we're excited for it! The Hokies are coming off a historic 2022 season that saw them win the ACC Regular Season Championship and host the first ever NCAA Super Regional in Blacksburg. The team lost some key players to the MLB Draft over the offseason, but they have a lot of great players ready to go for 2023.
Here to help up break down what we can expect this year is the voice of Hokies baseball, Evan Hughes. Tune in as we preview this weekend's series, some of the top ACC series of the season, and what we expect from individual players in Blacksburg.
Christmastime is here! As we get ready for the holidays, we're thinking about Christmas wishlists and considering what various MLB teams and players might want for Christmas.
Plus, Carlos Correa has another new team, the Braves lose another home-grown player and the Yankees have a new captain. Tune in for a festive episode of the podcast as this wild offseason continues.
In the time since our last episode, the free agent market has blown up. Record contracts are being signed, MVPs and Cy Young winners are on the move, and franchise stars are saying goodbye to the only team they've ever known.
We break down every major move that's happened and how they'll look when next season rolls around.
On this week's episode of the podcast, Trey and I look back at our over/under predictions from before the season and see how wrong (or right in some cases) we were.
Did we correctly predict how many games the Orioles, Pirates, and Blue Jays would win? Were we way off on how many games the Mets and Red Sox would win? Tune in to find out if you should trust us for predictions.
Plus, Jose Abreu has found a team for next season, Justin Verlander could be on the move, and a big star is hanging it up after next year.
We're back with a new episode this week detailing everything you need to know for the beginning of the offseason. We recap the major award winners and debate whether there were any surprises or if they were all deserving.
Plus, free agency is underway, and there are a lot of big names this year. Where will Aaron Judge land? Or Cody Bellinger and Justin Verlander?
Tune in for all of our offseason predictions, and a surprise appearance from Mariah.
We have a World Series champion! The Houston Astros have won their second championship in franchise history, beating the Phillies 4 games to 2.
Jeremy Pena continues his historic rookie season, winning World Series MVP. He is the first rookie position player to win the award, as well as the first rookie to hit safely in each of the first six games of a World Series.
Framber Valdez was lights out on the mound for the Astros, pitching 12.1 innings and giving up just two runs while striking out 18 batters.
Four Astros pitchers combined to throw a no-hitter in Game 4, the first in World Series history since 1956.
And lastly, manager Dusty Baker solidifies his Hall of Fame resume by winning his first World Series championship.
Tune in for all of our thoughts and analysis on a historic World Series on this week's episode.
The first two games of the World Series have delivered on the excitement so far, and we're pumped up for Game 3! The Phillies managed to come back from a five-run deficit to win Game 1, and Framber Valdez put on a show on the mound in Game 2. Now tied up 1-1, the series heads to Philadelphia where the atmosphere is sure to be electric.
Plus, managers are getting hired left and right around the league, setting up some intriguing teams for next season.
The 2022 World Series is set, and it's an interesting one. We have the Astros making their fourth appearance in the last six years after sweeping the Yankees in the ALCS. And from the National League, the Phillies will make their first appearance since 2009 after they beat the Padres 3-1 in the NLCS. Bryce Harper is playing on another level right now, but the Astros haven't missed a beat since the end of the regular season.
We break down the World Series matchup, plus Trey laments the end of the Yankees' postseason run on today's episode.
The NLCS and ALCS are finally set! The Yankees/Guardians series went a little longer than expected, but the Yankees were able to pull off the victory and they're back in the ALCS to face the Astros, again.
We had a great round of division series matchups, other than the Braves losing to the Phillies, and Trey and I are even more excited for these League Championship Series.
In the AL, we have a rematch between the Astros and Yankees, who have played each other multiple times in the ALCS in recent years. And in the NL, we have two teams that are hungry for playoff success. Will the Padres win their first World Series, or will the Phillies return to the top of the baseball world?
It's going to be a great week of baseball, and we have it all broken down for you here.
The Wild Card round gave us some great series over the past weekend, and now we're set up with some really intriguing Division Series. Tune in today as we break down everything that happened in the first round, and what we can expect this week.
The Postseason is here!
We're pumped for this year's playoffs and all the storylines they bring. Will Albert Pujols go out on top? Can the Mets make a deep postseason run? Will the Yankees finally get ring number 28?
Plus, this year brings a new playoff format, featuring a Wild Card round. The top two seeds in each league get a bye, which could work out well for resting pitchers, but could it cool down the bats?
We break down everything you need to know on today's episode.
The regular season is coming to an end, and it's an exciting one! The Braves just swept the Mets in Atlanta to take a two-game lead in the NL East with three games to go, plus they now own the tiebreaker.
Aaron Judge hit his 61st home run of the season last week, tying Roger Maris' AL and Yankees team record.
The Mariners hit a walk-off home run on Friday to send them to the postseason for the first time in 21 years.
There's a lot of exciting baseball happening right now, and there's only one playoff spot left up for grabs. Can the Phillies hang on to the last NL Wild Card spot, or will the Brewers overtake them in the last three games?
Albert Pujols has made history! The Cardinals slugger has hit his 700th career home run, joining only Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron and Barry Bonds in the 700 Home Run Club. Pujols hit two homers on Friday night against his former team in Los Angeles to hit the milestone.
Meanwhile in the AL, Aaron Judge is still sitting at 60 home runs, one shy of tying Roger Maris' record. He's got 10 games left, so that should be plenty of time to break the record.
Tune in for all the home run talk, plus a look at the postseason races with just a week and a half to go.
Aaron Judge and Albert Pujols are each two home runs away from hitting their milestones. Judge has 59 home runs this season, two shy of Roger Maris' AL record of 61. Pujols has 698 career home runs, two shy of becoming the fourth player in MLB history to hit 700.
Can they both do it? We think so.
Plus, Ozzie Albies returned from injury only to get hurt again, Spencer Strider set a new record, and the Dodgers are playing at an insane level this season.
The regular season is winding down and we've still got our eyes on some stat races around the league. Albert Pujols is three home runs away from 700, Aaron Judge is six home runs away from 61, and Mike Trout has homered in seven straight games.
Plus, the division races are shaping up, but the Wild Card races are still open. Tune in for everything you need to know this week in Major League Baseball.
The Atlanta Braves are in first place for the first time this season! With a win over the A's, the Braves move into a tie with the Mets for first place in the NL East. That division should be the most exciting to watch for the rest of the season, but there are plenty of other races to watch as well.
Will Aaron Judge reach 61 home runs? Will Albert Pujols reach 700 career home runs? Can Paul Goldschmidt win the NL Triple Crown? All things that we're keeping an eye on as the season winds down. Plus, who is the AL MVP this season?
David Driver joins us on today's episode of the podcast to break down his new book that he wrote with Lacy Lusk "From Tidewater to the Shenandoah, Snapshots of Virginia's Rich Baseball Legacy."
The book gives a look at the history of baseball in Virginia and stories of today's baseball lifers in the state. It breaks them all down by region, and gives a detailed description of baseball in the Commonwealth.
Albert Pujols is the hottest player in baseball right now. With 6 home runs in his last 7 games, he's now just 7 home runs away from 700. He would become only the 4th player in MLB history to reach that mark if he's able to get there.
He says this year is it for him, and he doesn't plan to come back next season, so the pressure is on in the final month and a half for him to get to 700. Can he do it?
Plus, we've got another Subway Series going on this week. The Yankees took the first game of the two-game set, and Aaron Judge hit his 47th home run of the season. Can they get hot again and win game two before they head out west? This series could set the tone for the rest of their season.
What a week we've had around Major League Baseball. One of the bright young stars in the game got handed an 80-game suspension after testing positive for PEDs. Fernando Tatis Jr. will miss the rest of this season, and the first month or so of next season, dealing a major blow to the Padres' postseason hopes.
Plus, Walker Buehler will undergo season-ending surgery, ending his chances of a return to the Dodgers' rotation. How will that affect them as they head into the postseason? They're still the best team in baseball without him, but postseason baseball is a whole different animal, and they'll miss having him on the mound.
Tune in for all that and more on today's episode!
One week after the trade deadline, some top contenders around the league are struggling. The Padres are on a five-game losing streak, the Yankees just snapped a five-game losing streak, and the Braves lost 4 of 5 games to the Mets this weekend.
Can all of these teams get back on track as the season winds down? Do we need to be worried about any of them making the postseason? We break down how each of them will fare as the playoff races begin to heat up.
The baseball world lost a legend this week. Vin Scully, the iconic broadcaster who called 67 seasons of Los Angeles Dodgers baseball, passed away at age 94. We take some time on today's podcast to remember him and everything that he means to this game that we love.
Tuesday was the Trade Deadline, and it was an extremely active one. The Padres are the winners in the Juan Soto sweepstakes, getting him and Josh Bell for six players. The Yankees and Braves were each busy, and plenty of smaller moves happened throughout the league. We break it all down and go through our winners and losers at this year's deadline.
We've made it past the All-Star break and there have been some great games in the few days since then. Aaron Judge is continuing to mash the ball and play at an MVP level. The Mariners are continuing to make a run at a Wild Card spot this postseason. And the rumors are continuing to swirl around Juan Soto's trade status.
Tune in to today's episode for our analysis on all of these topics, plus the outlook on the AL and NL East division races.
Stop us if you've heard this one before: A generational talent playing for the Washington Nationals is likely going to leave the team for a huge contract, but not before they give the fanbase some excitement by winning the Home Run Derby.
Juan Soto is following in Bryce Harper's footsteps, winning this year's Home Run Derby just days after turning down a 15 year, $440 million contract. Should he have taken the deal? You could make an argument either way. But one thing is clear - he likely won't be staying with the Nationals long-term.
We break down everything you need to know about the Soto situation, plus what to expect in tonight's All-Star Game on today's episode.
We're already halfway through the 2022 MLB season! It's hard to believe, but it's true. With the midseason point, comes some midseason updates. On today's episode, we look at potential award winners, including MVP and Cy Young awards. Plus, we go over some of the teams that have disappointed us and which teams have surprised us at this point.
And, the All-Star Game is coming up in just one week! We go over some of the highlights on the roster, who got snubbed, and what we're looking forward to in the Home Run Derby. Tune in for all that and more on today's episode!
Freddie Freeman made his return to Atlanta this weekend as a member of the Dodgers, and it was a very emotional series. Freeman got a standing ovation, got his World Series championship ring, and made it clear he still wants to be in Atlanta. Now, he's fired his agent, and rumors are swirling that he didn't even know about a final contract offer from the Braves. We break down all the latest from the drama of this weekend.
Plus, Shohei Ohtani is making his own case for AL MVP and he's starting to catch up to Aaron Judge in the race. Can he repeat the magic of last season? We look at the case for each player and how they're doing as we get closer to the midseason point.
Virginia Tech's historic baseball season has come to an end. The Hokies lost in a three-game Super Regional against Oklahoma, ending their hopes of a College World Series berth. But the team is young and has a lot of talent, and there's hope for success in the future. We look back on the season they had, how they fared in the postseason, and the College World Series field as it comes together.
Plus, the top things we saw this week, MVPs of the week, and various other MLB news and notes.
Virginia Tech continues to make history on the diamond! The Hokies are headed to their first ever Super Regional in program history - and they'll host it in Blacksburg!
Virginia Tech went 3-0 in its regional last weekend, moving on to host Oklahoma this coming weekend. Trey and I break down how well the offense looked, and what we can expect when they take on the Sooners.
Plus, the Braves are on a 5-game win streak, the Yankees are still the best team in baseball, and more sign-stealing in Houston.
NCAA Tournament baseball is back in Blacksburg for the first time since 2013! The Hokies have claimed the No. 4 seed in the tournament and they're hosting a regional featuring Gonzaga, Wright State and Columbia.
As we get ready for a full weekend of excitement, Trey Lyle sits down with the voice of Virginia Tech baseball, Evan Hughes, to preview what we can expect, at English Field. Tune in!
This past weekend was a big one in Blacksburg as both the Hokies softball and baseball teams continue their historic seasons. Virginia Tech softball is advancing to the NCAA Super Regionals after winning their regional, defeating Kentucky twice on Sunday to come out victorious.
Meanwhile the baseball team is fresh off a sweep of Duke and has clinched their first ever ACC Coastal division title, and the top seed in the ACC Tournament.
Plus, a few things happened in Major League Baseball this week as well. We break it all down on today's episode of Foul Ball Area.
It's been a wild week in baseball and we really mean that. Anthony Rendon is hitting home runs left-handed, the Pirates won a game without getting a hit, and Albert Pujols made his pitching debut at 42 years old. Quite the strange week in baseball.
Plus, Virginia Tech wins a series against No. 7 Louisville, vaulting the Hokies up to No. 3 in the D1Baseball.com rankings. How far can the Hokies go in the postseason? Will they be hosting a regional in Blacksburg? All that and more on today's episode.
We've over a month into the 2022 regular season, and we're starting to get a better look at how things will shake out this year. The Braves are starting to play like the talented team they are. Mike Trout is still playing like the best player in baseball. And Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer are still at the top of their game even in their mid-30s. It's been a great month of baseball, and there's a whole lot more to come this year.
We've made it through one month of the 2022 MLB season and things are starting to shape up. The Yankees are on a 10-game win streak, the Mets and Blue Jays have yet to lose a series, and Ronald Acuna Jr. is back in the Braves lineup.
Plus, some news on the suspension front. Trevor Bauer has been suspended two seasons for violating MLB's domestic violence policy. We give our thoughts on the punishment, and whether he'll ever pitch again in MLB.
It seems like all the big news from this past week happened over the weekend. And none of it is really any surprise. Angel Hernandez continues to be the worst umpire in the league, making terrible calls at home plate and throwing players out for ever questioning him. And Yankees fans continue to act poorly towards opposing players, throwing trash on the field at Myles Straw after they won against the Guardians on Sunday. Tune in for our thoughts on that and much more on today's episode!
We're over a week into the 2022 MLB season now and there is a lot more to talk about than last week! Clayton Kershaw was perfect through 7 innings before being pulled because of a pitch count. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Shohei Ohtani are heating up. Plus, we give the best thing we saw this past week and our MVPs of the week. Tune in!
We're through the first weekend of the 2022 season and it's been a great one! There's been some exciting moments from the past few days, and we're going over all of them in today's episode.
We go through our top moment of the weekend, our way-too-early MVPs, and our overreactions from the first weekend. Tune in!
With just one day to go until Opening Day, Trey and I are back with our 2022 American League predictions. We go through each division and make our picks for who will make the playoffs, and ultimately win the World Series. Plus, we make some awards predictions, with some not-so-surprising picks. Tune in to get ready for the 2022 season!
Opening Week is here! We're just days away from the beginning of the 2022 regular season, which means it's time to make our predictions for this year. Trey and I go through each National League division, giving our win total predictions and which team we think will take the crown in each one.
Can the Giants recreate their success from last year? Are the Mets actually going to be good this season? Tune in and find out which teams we are picking to see success this year.
We're just one week away from Opening Day! I'll be honest, I didn't even realize we were that close, but it's approaching fast. There's been a bit of news over the past week, such Albert Pujols returning to the Cardinals, which we all agree is a good move. Plus, the Nationals released their City Connect jerseys, and we have split opinions on them.
In our first episode back since the lockout ended, Trey and I recap everything that's happened since then, including all the big free agency moves. And yes, I am very sad about Freddie Freeman signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but at least the Braves got a solid replacement in Matt Olson. And now that the Dodgers lineup is even more stacked, are they the surefire favorites in the NL this year?
Plus, the Phillies have made some big moves in free agency. Can they make a run at the NL East this season? A lot of questions to be answered, and we're excited to run through all of them.
We've officially reached the point in the MLB lockout where games are being canceled. The players and owners couldn't come to an agreement by Tuesday evening, resulting in the first two series of the season getting canceled. Where do we go from here?
At least we have college baseball going on. And Virginia Tech is off to a hot start, sitting at 7-0. They've got another home series this weekend and a midweek game against ECU before they head on their first road trip next weekend. How long can they keep up their winning ways?
Plus, Richmond City Council approved nearly $2 million for renovations of The Diamond, but the Flying Squirrels still hope for a new stadium. The timeline they're giving before baseball leaves Richmond for good.
We're continuing our ranking of the top MLB players of all-time this week! Last week we gave you numbers 10-6, and this week we're revealing our top 5 players. Are there any hot takes, or controversial picks? Or do we get them all right?
Plus, MLB owners and players still seem to be far from any kind of agreement on collective bargaining, but the threat of missing games could speed things up. The latest on the lockout.
ESPN recently released their list of the top 100 MLB players of all-time, so we figured we'd get in on the fun. We give our thoughts on ESPN's list (and which players they clearly overrated or underrated) before giving our top players of all-time.
This week, we're revealing Nos. 10-6, and next week we'll name our Top 5 players of all-time. Tune in to see which players we think are the greatest to ever play the game.
The Baseball writer continue their trend of barely letting anyone into the Hall of Fame in 2022. This year's class - David Ortiz. And while he deserves to make it into the Hall, his selection has a lot of fans riled up. How can you let one player connected to steroids in, but not guys like Barry Bonds or Roger Clemens. And by the way, those two are out of chances after this was their last year on the ballot.
We have a spirited debate on today's episode, as Trey says let them in, while Matt isn't ready to let the steroids users into the Hall yet. Plus, we break down potential candidates for the Class of 2023. Tune in!
We're blessed this week with another big news item that happened, in the offseason where nothing happens. Jon Lester announced his retirement from baseball, bringing a close to one of the better careers we've seen over the past couple decades. Lester is a five-time All-Star, and won three World Series during his playing days, including the Cubs' 2016 championship.
While he's a proven winner on the field, I don't know that his stats add up to Hall of Fame level. Trey and I discuss whether or not he can make it in to Cooperstown one day. Plus, we talk about the lockout, and when we could see it come to an end. Tune in!
One of the best reporters in the business was fired this past week - for his criticism of MLB commissioner Rob Manfred. MLB Network decided not to bring back Ken Rosenthal, who is right up there with Jeff Passan as the best insiders in all of baseball. This is a really bad decision on their part, and one that shows Manfred can't take a little criticism, even when he deserves it.
Plus, with 10-day contracts becoming all the rage in the NBA right now, we discuss which baseball players we would like to see come back to the league on a similar style of contract. Who would you like to see make a comeback?
Happy New Year's Eve! We're back with a new episode today and we have some New Year's resolutions on tap! What do the Braves need to do to be better in 2022? Or the Angels? Or MLB as a whole? We've got it all covered on today's episode. Plus, some actual pretty big news has happened in the past two weeks, with players retiring and managers being hired. We break it all down for you.
After a busy couple of weeks, Matt and Trey are back at it with another episode of the podcast. We had good reasons for missing the last few weeks - a wedding, vacation, surgery - but we're back and ready to roll into the rest of the offseason.
Tune in today for a breakdown of some of the biggest moves that have happened so far this year, and what could still come, if the lockout ever ends. Plus, we go over our over/under predictions from this past season and see who got the most right in the National League. Tune in!
Awards season continues with the four major awards being given out this week. We've already seen the winners of Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, and Cy Young awards. Now all that's left is MVP.
Plus, some big hot stove news already as some free agents are staying put, and some are making moves. We go through all the big news you need to know at this point in the offseason.
The offseason is here and that means one thing: Awards.
It's almost time for all of the 2021 awards to be announced, and we're making our predictions on who we think will take home the hardware. Was Vlad Jr.'s season good enough to beat Shohei Ohtani for AL MVP? Was Max Scherzer's second half of the season strong enough to beat out Corbin Burnes for NL Cy Young? We'll find out in a couple days, but for now, take a listen for who we think will win each major award.
The Atlanta Braves have won their first World Series since 1995! You know Matt is a huge Braves fan, and Trey was rooting for them through their postseason run. We spend this week's episode looking back at the 2021 postseason, the Braves regular season, and the magical run they had to claim this championship.
The postseason is here! The 2021 playoffs get underway with the American League Wild Card game tonight between the Yankees and the Red Sox. Gerrit Cole takes the mound against the Red Sox powerful offense, while Nathan Eovaldi will face the Yankees' sluggers.
Wednesday presents another exciting matchup as the Dodgers host the Cardinals in the NL Wild Card game. Aces Max Scherzer and Adam Wainwright will take the mound looking to advance to the NLDS.
Trey and I break down each of these matchups and give our predictions for this year's Wild Card games on today's episode of the podcast. Tune in !
We're bringing back Mornings with Matt as we get closer to the end of the regular season and the beginning of the playoffs! On today's episode, Matt goes over the top things to watch this week in MLB, including the NL West division race and the race for the AL Wild Card. What are you keeping an eye on this week?
We're about two weeks away from the end of the 2021 regular season, and there are some very exciting playoff races to keep an eye on right now. The teams atop the NL West are separated by just one game, and they each have important series coming up. Will the Giants surprise everyone and come out on top, or will the Dodgers show their strength and win their 9th straight division title?
Plus, three teams from the AL East are all vying for the AL Wild Card race. Can the Yankees stop the surging Blue Jays and hang on to make the postseason? All of this discussion and plenty more on today's episode!
The 2020 Hall of Fame class was inducted in Cooperstown this past week, which got us thinking - which players could end up in the Hall next year? Newcomers on the list include Ryan Howard, Prince Fielder and Tim Lincecum, among many others. Then of course there are the holdovers from previous years like Barry Bonds, Curt Schilling and Scott Rolen. Trey and I go through some of the players with the best cases and determine whether or not we think they will end up in the Hall of Fame.
Plus, the wild card races are heating up in each league, with the Blue Jays making a run at the Yankees' position as the second AL Wild Card team. Can the Yanks hold on to that spot or will Toronto over take them by the end of the season? All that and more on today's episode!
The Mets have been one of the more intriguing stories of the 2021 MLB season. From all the moves they made during the offseason, to being in first place at the halfway point, to their August collapse, they've provided plenty to talk about. Now that they're in the news with their recent thumbs down antics, the players are taking it to a whole other level. Trey Lyle sat down with Mets fan and co-host of The Drive on ESPN Blacksburg Andrew Alix to talk about life as a Mets fan.
Plus, the Giants have finally fallen from their might position atop the NL West, although it didn't last long. The Dodgers took a half-game lead in the division on Wednesday, but the Giants' win over Milwaukee on Thursday brought the teams to a tie. Who will come out on top at the end of the season? All that and more on today's episode!
The Yankees are on a roll, winning 12 straight games and taking over the top Wild Card spot in the American League. But do they have what it takes to overcome the Rays, or will they have to fight off the A's to hold on to their current situation?
Meanwhile in the National League, the Padres have fallen out of Wild Card contention, with the Reds taking their place as the second team. Can the Padres fight their way back into a postseason spot, or are they finished? We discuss all of these questions and more on today's episode.
We're nearing the end of August and both the Braves and the Yankees are playing really good baseball. Neither Trey nor I thought our teams would have a shot at the postseason after the way their seasons started, but things are looking up, and they may just be the hottest teams in baseball at the moment.
Plus, MLB has reportedly given the players union its first Collective Bargaining Agreement proposal, and it's got some interesting details. We go into what we think of the proposal, and whether or not it would be good for the game. All that and more on today's episode!
The New Market Shockers just won their first Rockingham County Baseball League championship in team history! I caught up with head coach Nolan Potts for a special episode of the podcast to discuss what this championship means to him and the team, how he guided them along the way and what to expect in the future. Tune in!
Miguel Cabrera is an all-time great player and a lock for the Hall of Fame once he retires. The Tigers' slugger is nearing 500 career home runs, which will put him in elite company. But where does he rank among all-time right-handed hitters? We answer that question on today's episode of the podcast.
Plus, which other active players have a realistic shot at reaching 500 home runs? There are a few out there, but only some that we think are guaranteed to do it. All of that and more on today's episode!
Trade Deadline day is upon us! Join us on today's episode of the podcast as Trey and I go over all the big names that have been moved already and who else could be on the trade block before 4 p.m. today.
We go over some of the latest rumors, like Max Scherzer and Trea Turner possibly being dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a haul of prospects. Plus, Trey is pretty happy with the Yankees' moves in the past 48 hours, as they've brought in a couple of left-handed bats in Joey Gallo and Anthony Rizzo. All of that and more on today's episode!
Tune in to this week's episode of the podcast as Matt and Trey recap their favorite moments from All-Star Week, covering everything from the game itself, to the Home Run Derby and the MLB Draft.
Plus, some big news on Thursday as the Yankees and Red Sox had to postpone their game due to some positive COVID tests within the Yankees' organization. And a big trade went down Thursday evening that tells us a little bit about the direction two teams are heading as we near the deadline. All that and more on today's episode!
We've officially reached the halfway point of the 2021 Major League Baseball season, which means it's time to look back at our preseason predictions and see how accurate, or in this case inaccurate, they are. Trey and I go through the standings in each division, who we picked to win the division, and our World Series matchups. All we can say is we tried our best at the beginning of the season. You never know what's going to happen in baseball.
Plus, other discussions including: should the Cubs sell at the deadline now? Who will win the Home Run Derby? Are the Yankees finished? Tune in for all that and more on today's episode!
The No. 1 prospect in all of MLB has made his debut! Wander Franco, the top-ranked prospect in the Rays' organization was called up over the weekend, and made his debut on Tuesday night in the Rays' game against the Red Sox. We discuss what his arrival means for baseball and how he compares to other highly-anticipated prospects.
Plus, the Jr.'s are taking over the game. Vladdy Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ronald Acuna Jr. are all among the offensive leaders in MLB, putting up phenomenal stats so far this season. We touch on all that and more in today's episode.
MLB released its memo to teams this week detailing the punishment for pitchers caught using foreign substances on the baseball, and we have a lot of thoughts. Is this really as bad as other forms of cheating? Is Tyler Glasnow justified in thinking that a lack of sticky substances caused his injury? Is the punishment enough? We answer all those questions and more.
Plus, there are two candidates for AL MVP that stand out above the rest. Trey and I each give our thoughts on the race and which player we think has the advantage.
UVA baseball is heading to Super Regionals after winning the Columbia, SC regional last weekend. A wild weekend of baseball culminated in a dramatic walk-off victory over Old Dominion on Tuesday morning, setting up a Super Regional matchup with Dallas Baptist, also in Columbia.
Daily Progress UVA Sports reporter Bennett Conlin joins us on the podcast today to recap UVA's weekend, and preview their upcoming matchup. Plus, I give my thoughts on some of the breakout players we've seen in MLB this season, and which ones have had the most impressive performances.
Braves' left fielder Marcell Ozuna was arrested over the weekend and charged with aggravated assault by strangulation and misdemeanor family violence battery. He was already missing time due to injury, but now he'll likely face a significant suspension once MLB completes its investigation into the incident. While many fans would like to see Ozuna gone from the game, it's a little tricky for the Braves to get out of paying his contract, but they can try to void it once the investigation is complete.
On a lighter not, Trey and I discuss some of the differences between softball and baseball on this week's episode, and if there are any changes baseball could make to the game to make it more exciting. Softball games are definitely a little more exciting than baseball due to their faster pace, but they go by too quickly in my opinion. We discuss all that and more on today's episode!
For just the second time in program history, the Virginia Tech softball team is heading to Super Regionals! The Hokies went undefeated in the Tempe Regional last weekend, setting up a matchup against No. 2 seed UCLA in Los Angeles beginning on Thursday. Evan Hughes joins the podcast to break down the Hokies' season so far and preview this weekend's matchup.
Plus, I go over all of the notable injuries we've heard of in just the past two days, which is a lot. Including one very weird injury coming out of Cleveland in a clothing-related incident. All of that and more on today's episode!
With Trey and I each turning 24 this week, we decided to rank the best players to ever wear the number 24 during their MLB careers. Turns out, there are a lot of greats who have donned this number, including some that are ranked in the top players of all time. While I thought our lists would be pretty similar, there's one controversial player who causes us to have a bit of a debate on how we put together our rankings.
Plus, we touch on all of the injuries around Major League Baseball. Some players currently dealing with significant injuries, to name a few: Mike Trout, Giancarlo Stanton, Byron Buxton, Max Fried, Kevin Pillar, Jacob deGrom and we could go on and on. What is causing the influx of injuries this season, and how much will it impact teams contending for the playoffs? We touch on that and more in today's episode.
We're a few days late this week but we've got a packed half hour full of all kinds of baseball news. Starting off with a discussion about the Oakland A's possibly having to relocate unless they can get a new stadium. Will it get done? And if they do move, where will they go?
Plus, Fernando Tatis Jr. is back on the IL after testing positive for COVID-19 and future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols was released by the Angels. We'll touch on all of that and more on today's episode!
Trey and Matt are back this week with another half hour of baseball talk! Since we missed last week, we have plenty to discuss. We cover everything from the biggest injuries around Major League Baseball, to the April Players of the Month and some college baseball updates.
Plus, we play a little bit of contender or pretender with some of the teams that have surprised us so far this year. And we ask you - one month into the season, how are you feeling about your team? All that and more on today's episode!
We're back for another episode breaking down everything that has happened in MLB over the past couple of weeks. We touch on the two no-hitter, Corbin Burnes' hot start, the Braves and Yankees struggles and so much more.
Plus, we give you the usual Commonwealth College Baseball update and ponder whether there could be a baseball Super League. Tune in!
We've gotten through one week of the 2021 MLB season and there is already so much to talk about! Trey Lyle and I sit down today to go over our top moments from the first days of the season and some of the biggest overreactions we are having to the way teams are playing so far.
Plus, a bit of injury news regarding one of the game's top talents, but it's not as bad as it could've been. Tune in for all that and more on today's episode!
Opening Day 2021 is here! After a shortened 60-game season last year, we're getting a full 162 games this season, and we are ready for all of it. Last week we gave you our predictions and preview for the National League, and this week we're shifting to the American League.
Tune in as we go through the win total odds for each team in the AL and give our predictions on division winners, World Series matchup and more!
Tune in today for the second part of our 2021 National League preview! Trey and I go through the projected win totals and odds for each NL team to make the playoffs, plus we give our predictions on who we think will win each division and earn the Wild Card spots. Stay tuned til the end for a player prop bet as we give our picks for which player will lead the league in home runs in 2021.
As we inch closer to the 2021 MLB season, it's time to begin our season previews. We start with the National League, and with Los Angeles as the favorite, who better to join us than a former Dodger? 1982 National League Rookie of the Year and two-time World Series winner Steve Sax joins us on today's episode to break down just how far ahead the Dodgers are in the NL. Plus, we get Steve's predictions on each of the division winners and Wild Card teams.
This week on Baseball Across the Commonwealth, we travel to the Northern Virginia city of Fredericksburg. The city is home to plenty of history, but one of the more exciting things happening in 2021 is the inaugural season of the Fredericksburg Nationals.
The Nationals were originally supposed to begin play in 2020, but with the MiLB season canceled, their first season was pushed back a year. Now they're ready to open up their gates, and they've got a lot of fun stuff planned for this season.
We also chat with 6 Bears and A Goat Brewing Co., voted the best brewery in Fredericksburg three years in a row. They are brewing the official beer of the Fred Nats, and they've got a lot to offer at their taproom. Tune in for both of those conversations and more!
On this St. Patrick's Day, Trey and I take some time to look at the members of the Irish American Baseball Hall of Fame, with a bit of trivia. Plus, we give our thoughts on MLB experimenting with rule changes in Minor League Baseball.
And what St. Patrick's Day would be complete without some beer? Mariah joins us again for "So You Think You Don't Like Beer?" but this time, I'm picking the drink. We're tasting the Dublin classic, Guinness Draught Stout. Tune in for all that and more!
Trey Lyle and I are back at it this week with another breakdown of the latest college baseball and Spring Training news. Virginia Tech is all the way up to No. 12 in Baseball America's rankings this week after winning their first ever series against UNC last week. The Hokies took a walk-off victory over VCU last night and are back against the Rams this afternoon.
Plus, we discuss the fan mail that we've sent in our lives and how the rise of social media has changed the way we interact with our favorite athletes.
On this week's episode of the podcast Trey and I put together our lists of the top 10 players in Major League Baseball. Each of our list has some obvious rankings, some surprises and some really bold picks.
Plus, Mariah returns for another edition of "So You Think You Don't Like Beer?" This week, we're tasting and reviewing the Fig Gose with Orange Zest from Ardent Craft Ales right here in Richmond. Tune in for all that and more!
Our journey across the state of Virginia takes us to the small Shenandoah Valley town of Woodstock this week. Woodstock is a town of roughly 5,000 people, but it has a lot of history behind it. And as with all of the towns we visit on our journey, it has a great local brewery and a proud local baseball team.
For today's episode, we visit with Mike Bocock, Valley Baseball League Hall of Famer and manager of the Woodstock River Bandits. We also get a chance to chat with Travis Cooper, a partner at the Woodstock Brewhouse, a brewery with a down-home feel and some of the best beer in the valley. Tune in!
Spring Training is finally here! Tune in to today's episode of the podcast as Trey Lyle and I break down the biggest news from the first week of Spring Training, including Fernando Tatis Jr.'s contract, Albert Pujols potentially retiring and much more!
Plus, we get into opening weekend of college baseball and the top 10 players in MLB right now.
The latest episode of Baseball Across the Commonwealth takes us back to the Shenandoah Valley to visit the city of Winchester. Winchester is a historic city, with lots of notable sites dating back to before the American Revolution. The city changed hands 72 times during the Civil War, and there are seven major battlefields in the area.
Today, Winchester is home to the Winchester Royals of the Valley Baseball Leauge, as well as numerous activities for baseball fans and beer lovers. We talk with Graham Knight, a board member of the Royals to find out about the baseball in town. Also joining us is Josh Kirby, a Winchester native and host of the Kirby on Sports Podcast, to break down the local attractions.
We are just days away from the beginning of the 2021 NCAA baseball season. Since Trey and I are graduates of Virginia Tech, we decided to put together a season preview for the Hokies. Joining us on this week's episode of the podcast is Cory Van Dyke, baseball beat writer for Tech Sideline. He helps us break down the roster, schedule and everything else you need to know for this VT baseball season.
Plus, Mariah returns for the second edition of "So You Don't Like Beer, Huh?" Today we taste and review the Jam Up Boysenberry and Blackberry Dry Hopped Sour from Collective Arts Brewing.
A lot has happened since last week's episode of the podcast. Two of the biggest free agents on the market each finally signed contracts this past week. Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Trevor Bauer signed a 3-year, $102 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His $40 million salary in 2021 will be the highest in baseball.
LF/DH Marcell Ozuna, who led the National League in home runs in 2020, re-signed with the Atlanta Braves on a 4-year, $64 million deal. While there won't be a DH in the NL in 2021, having Ozuna's bat in the lineup is worth the risk on whatever defense you'll get from him.
Plus, Trey and I touch on which division in MLB will be the most interesting to watch in 2021. Let us know your thoughts!
Trey Lyle is back in the co-host seat for today's episode of the podcast, and that means we have a lot to catch up on. We talk about the big news of Nolan Arenado getting traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, Dustin Pedroia retiring and the Mets receiving some bad publicity. Plus, we have a bit of a debate regarding the 2021 Hall of Fame results.
AND, new this week is a beer tasting segment featuring my fiancee Mariah. As someone who used to not like beer, she hopes to enlighten you all on the many different styles of delicious brews out there.
Our latest episode of Baseball Across the Commonwealth takes us to the Northern Virginia town of Vienna. We talk with James Madison High School head coach Mark Gjorman about his program, the baseball culture in Vienna and some of his favorite things to do around town.
Plus, we chat with representatives of Caboose Brewing, which operates two taprooms in the area. We talk about their beer, how they got started, and what they love about Vienna. Tune in!
The baseball world lost a legend on Friday when Hank Aaron passed away at the age of 86. Aaron played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball, 21 of them for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves. He was the all-time home run leader at the time of his retirement, hitting 755 career home runs. He was a civil rights leader, businessman and philanthropist. By all accounts, he was a greater man off the field than on it, which is saying something.
To help me remember the life and legacy of this baseball legend, I'm joined this week by Gabe Burns, Braves beat writer for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Today's episode of Basaeball Across the Commonwealth looks a little different than usual. Instead of focusing on one city or team, we talk with someone else whose goal is to highlight all that this state has to offer.
Matthew Johnson is starting Ol Dominion Beer and Exploration Club, a company that will connect beer lovers with local craft breweries across the state of Virginia. He also plans on opening up clubhouses around the state, offering local beer to people who are traveling through, and highlighting local activities for out of towners. We sit down with Matthew to talk about his inspiration and goals for the company.
The New York Yankees finally did the one thing they had to do this offseason: they re-signed DJ LeMahieu. The 32-year-old infielder led the league in batting average last year, hitting .364. His reward is a six-year, $90 million contract.
As if that's not enough, the Yankees also went out and got two-time Cy Young winning pitcher Corey Kluber on a one-year, $11 million deal. The stove is heating up in the Bronx.
Plus, Trey Lyle and I go through MLB.com's article predicting the next 10 World Series, most of which we don't agree with.
In the latest edition of our Baseball Across the Commonwealth series, we travel south to Salem, Va., home of the Salem Red Sox. The Red Sox are the Class A Advanced affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, and compete in the historic Carolina League. We get a chance to chat with Salem General Manager Allen Lawrence about the team and what makes their gameday environment special.
Plus, even though we weren't able to talk with a local brewery, I give you a rundown of some of the best spots in the area to stop in for a beer. There's plenty of options, so you'll want to make sure to pay attention!
We've got a lot to cover on today's episode of Foul Ball Area, starting with the sad news of Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda's passing last week. We send our thoughts and prayers to his loved ones and to the Dodgers organization.
On the Hot Stove side of things, the Mets are taking my advice for their New Year's resolution and they're starting to make some big moves. They traded for All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor last week, and are currently linked to trade rumors involving Kris Bryant.
Plus, we touch on what an MLB broadcast would look like on Nickelodeon, DJ LeMahieu's free agency, and more!
Tune in to the latest episode of Foul Ball Area as Trey Lyle and Matthew Atkins list off some New Year's resolutions around Major League Baseball. We talk about which players teams should try to sign, which trades should be happening, which teams need to make the playoffs, and much more.
Plus, this offseason has seen a few good moves, so we rank our top five moves of the offseason so far. Tune in to see which team we think has done the best job of adding talent this winter.
We wrap up today's episode with a discussion of the Cleveland Baseball Team and Bianca Smith being hired as a Minor League coach by the Red Sox, becoming the first black female coach in pro baseball.
Tune in to the latest episode of Baseball Across the Commonwealth as we head to the Augusta County cities of Staunton and Waynesboro. Each city has unique charm and attractions, and we highlight some of our favorite things about the small Shenandoah Valley towns.
In Staunton, we visit with Andrew Urbanowicz of Skipping Rock Beer Company, one of the best craft breweries in the Shenandoah Valley. After that conversation, we'll had to Waynesboro to visit with Tyler Hoffman, General Manager of the Waynesboro Generals. The Generals play in the Valley Baseball League with the Charlottesville Tom Sox and Harrisonburg Turks. Tune in to hear both of these great conversations on today's episode.
Today on Foul Ball Area, Trey Lyle and I make our Christmas wish lists - three things in baseball that we want to see happen before Christmas. I want to see the Braves re-sign Marcell Ozuna, while Trey hopes the Yankees will bring back DJ LeMahieu.
Plus, we discuss the Cubs' situation and whether or not they will trade Kris Bryant away this offseason. Tune in for all that and more!
For the next edition of Baseball Across the Commonwealth, we travel west on Interstate 64, then head north on I 81 for a few miles until we get to the small city of Harrisonburg. Nestle in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley, Harrisonburg has seen a boom in local breweries over the past decade. Combine that with its rich history of local baseball, and it's the perfect city to visit on our trip.
We talk with local brewer Jeff Moon of Restless Moons Brewing about Harrisonburg's beer scene. Plus, we chat with Bob Wease and Dave Norman of the Harrisonburg Turks, before wrapping up today's episode with a conversation with Mike Burtner of the Rockingham County Baseball League. Tune in!
Trey and I are back with a regularly-scheduled episode of the podcast on this Thanksgiving Eve! We talk about the latest offseason news - the Braves signed free agent pitcher Charlie Morton to a 1-year, $15 million deal, bolstering their rotation for the 2021 season. Plus, we give our votes for the 2021 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot.
And what Thanksgiving episode would be complete without some Thanksgiving food power rankings? We end today's episode with our top five foods that will be eaten on Thursday.
Tune in to the second episode of our new series, Baseball Across the Commonwealth, as we west to see what's going on in C'ville. We'll hear from the local Valley Baseball League team, the Charlottesville Tom Sox, on how they've embraced the community in their short time as a team.
Plus, we'll talk with Three Notch'd Brewing President Scott Roth about how the innovative brewery has staked out a spot among Virginia's craft beer scene.
If you've ever thought about visiting the area, tune in to today's episode to hear about all the Charlottesville and the surrounding area has to offer.
Tune in to the first episode of our new limited series, Baseball Across the Commonwealth, as we visit Virginia's capital city! We talk with representatives from the Richmond Flying Squirrels, Richmond Region Tourism and Center of the Universe Brewing.
Listen and learn about all the fun activities, historic attractions and popular sights in the city. Plus, get some recommendations on where to eat and drink in the region, including some of the best breweries in the state of Virginia.
Tune in to today's episode of Mornings with Matt to get caught up on the latest rumors, cheating news from The Athletic, and get prepared for MLB Awards Week!
Tune in to today's episode of Mornings with Matt to get caught up on the latest Red Sox manager news, see which Braves won Silver Sluggers, and some Hot Stove rumors.
With the postseason over and the offseason getting underway, we thought we'd take this episode to get ready for what's to come. We give you our top four free agents in this year's class, plus one bold prediction and one safe prediction for what will happen over the offseason.
Plus, Trey and I go over the BBWAA Awards finalists which were announced Monday night. Each of our favorite teams has an MVP candidate, and while most of the finalists were expected, there were some that were surprises.
Tune in to today's episode of Mornings with Matt as I go over some of the latest offseason news, trade candidates for the 2020-21 offseason, and which potential free agents have received qualifying offers. This is just the beginning of a long, strange offseason, so get ready for it all and stay up to date with Foul Ball Area!
I'm joined on today's episode of the podcast by Richard Blosser, host of the Grit and Bear It Podcast and Tampa Bay Rays fan. We discuss the Rays' season, what the future holds for Randy Arozarena and how Richard became a Rays fan. Plus, we talk about his favorite beers from his home state of Pennsylvania.
I also go over some of the offseason news that has happened so far, including Tony La Russa being hired as manager of the Chicago White Sox. And, I bring back the Ballpark Beer Segment, reviewing the Doppel Vienna Lager from Devil's Backbone. Tune in!
The Los Angeles Dodgers are your 2020 World Series champions! Trey Lyle and I break down Game 6 of the World Series, the Rays' decision to pull Blake Snell out of the game early and Justin Turner's positive COVID-19 test on today's episode of the podcast.
Tune in this morning as Trey Lyle and I break down World Series Game 1. We discuss Clayton Kershaw's pitching performance, Mookie Betts' historic offensive night, and whether the rest of the series will be any closer than this game.
Tune in to today's episode of Mornings with Matt as we go over the results of NLCS Game 7 - which are very sad - and preview the upcoming World Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Tampa Bay Rays.
Trey Lyle and I go over the ALCS and NLCS, including the Braves big win in Game 4 over the Dodgers. Plus we discuss some of the offseason manager news, the recent losses of Hall of Fame players and whether or not you should root for the same team as your significant other. Tune in for all that and more on today's episode!
Tune in to today's episode of Mornings with Matt to get caught up on the ALCS and NLCS, and see some highlights from last night's games.
Plus, Walker Buehler's pants were trending on Twitter last night. See how he reacted after the game.
Michael Daily of the Grottoes Cardinals and VCU Rams Baseball joins the podcast to discuss his summer in the RCBL and what to expect from the Rams in 2021.
Tune in to today's episode of Foul Ball Area as Trey Lyle and I go through each of the Division Series and break down the teams that are still playing. Plus, we give our predictions for the rest of the Postseason.
Trey also has a surprise trade idea that the Yankees should probably listen to. And, we touch on the possibility of Theo Epstein leaving his post with the Cubs after next season.
Tune in to today's edition of Mornings with Matt as we go over the latest postseason news, scores from yesterday's games and get ready for today's games.
Plus, a bit of non-postseason injury news that might upset Phillies fans.
Tune in to today's edition of Mornings with Matt to get prepared for the upcoming ALDS and NLDS. I go over each series and outline why it will be exciting and give a bit of background on the teams squaring off in the second round of the MLB Postseason.
Plus, there is a bit of sad news this week as Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson passed away on Friday. We take a look at his fantastic career.
Danny Vietti of CBS Sports joins the show today to preview the 2020 MLB Postseason. We talk about his dream World Series matchup, which teams are built to make a run in the playoffs, and how the 60-game season has affected the teams in the playoff field.
Plus, we take a look at each league's MVP candidates and touch on Alex Gordon's retirement from baseball. With just three days left in the regular season, you don't want to miss this episode!
The final week of the regular season is upon us, and there are lots of playoff positions that are still undecided. Tune in to today's episode as Trey and I go over the NL and AL standings, and look at which teams still have a shot at making it into the playoffs and which teams are done for the season.
Plus, we talk about how the playoffs will shake out once we get there. Will the White Sox magical season continue to the World Series? Are the Padres built to last multiple rounds in the postseason? And what is the dream World Series matchup that we could see this year?
We try to answer all of those questions and more as we welcome Trey back to Richmond for our first in-person recording in over a year!
We've got some big news from this past weekend. Seven of the 16 postseason berths have been clinched, including two on Sunday. The Yankees and Padres each secured their spot in the 2020 MLB Playoffs, with the Padres earning their first postseason bid since 2006.
Plus, I take a look at the teams around the league that are still in the race with just one week to go. One week! Can you believe it?
And, a bit of off-the-field news as the Red Sox and Mets each had issues at their stadiums on Sunday, plus the latest on Justin Verlander's injury. Tune in for all of those updates on today's edition of Mornings with Matt!
Chris Ray, co-founder of Center of the Universe Brewing Co. in Ashland Va., joins me on the podcast this week. We discuss the brewery's relationship with the Richmond Flying Squirrels, Chris's time as an MLB pitcher, the origin of the brewery and much more.
Founded in 2012, Center of the Universe is one of many breweries in the Richmond area, but the only one in Hanover County. COTU brews the Richmond Rally Cap, the official beer of the AA Richmond Flying Squirrels.
It's official: Major League Baseball will adopt a bubble format for the 2020 playoffs. MLB released the schedule and locations on Tuesday, and Trey Lyle and I break it all down on today's episode of Foul Ball Area.
We go over each of the matchups if the season were to end today, where they'll be playing, and which series we're most excited for. Plus, we look back at some of the historic moments that happened this weekend, including the second no-hitter in the 2020 MLB season.
And, we even talk a little bit about pumpkin spice lattes. You're not gonna want to miss today's episode!
Tune in to today's edition of Mornings with Matt as I go over the biggest news from the weekend, including some injury news with the Oakland A's, a milestone home run from Albert Pujols and a historic day on the mound from Cubs' pitcher Alec Mills.
Tune in to today's episode of Foul Ball Area as Trey and I go over the standings and look at which teams still have a shot to make the playoffs. Plus, the Braves have the best offense in the league right now, and they're becoming a really fun team to watch.
We have a very special guest on today's episode of the podcast as Erik Kratz joins us. Erik is a catcher for the New York Yankees and an alum of Eastern Mennonite University and the Valley Baseball League.
In our discussion with Erik, we cover topics such as his relationship with Deivi Garcia and other young Latin pitchers throughout his career, his time in the Shenandoah Valley, his experience playing with Team USA in an Olympic qualifying tournament and celebrating Jackie Robinson Day during a critical time in our nation's history.
Tune in for all of this and more in our conversation with Erik Kratz on today's episode of Foul Ball Area!
Tune in to today's episode of the podcast as I talk with David Driver, who covers the Washington Nationals for Federal Baseball (1:48-19:26). We talk about what's changed from last season to this year, the team's biggest weaknesses, how fun it is to watch Juan Soto and the Nats' farm system.
Plus I chat with Will Hass of the Stuarts Draft Diamondbacks and Randolph-Macon (20:20-31:00). We talk about the 2020 college season getting canceled, his stellar RCBL season, what it's like to play with Tanner Morris and what to expect for the upcoming NCAA baseball season.
Tune in to hear both of these great interviews today!
Tune in to today's episode of the podcast as we go over the biggest moves at the 2020 MLB Trade Deadline and tell you which team we think won the deadline. (Hint: It's a Southern California team with the most exciting young player in baseball.)
Plus, we talk about which team is the most exciting team in the league, and it's pretty much narrowed down to the Padres and White Sox.
Finally, we end the show with some discussion on jersey numbers, playoff bubbles and what's going on with Gerrit Cole. Tune in for all that and more on today's episode of Foul Ball Area!
Tune in to today's episode of Mornings with Matt as I go over some of the biggest moves we could see today at this year's trade deadline! Who will end up getting Lance Lynn? Will the Padres make any more moves? Will Mike Clevinger end up getting dealt? I go over all of those scenarios in this morning's podcast.
Plus, MLB went one day without any postponements, but that ended on Sunday as the A's and Astros had to push their game back due to a positive COVID-19 test. Now we'll have to wait and see how long this outbreak lasts and how it impacts the 2020 season. Tune in for all of that and more on today's edition of Mornings with Matt!
The Broadway Bruins are your 2020 Rockingham County Baseball League champions! The Bruins won their first league title since 1938, sweeping the New Market Shockers in the Championship Series.
While JMU players such as Chase DeLauter and Travis Reifsnider certainly played a big part in Broadway's historic season, there are plenty of players who have been a part of the team for years. Guys like John Judy, Bryce Strawderman and Kevin Rush have been building this program up for the last couple of seasons, and their efforts finally culminated in a championship.
On today's episode of the podcast, I talk with veteran Kevin Rush about how it feels to win a championship with Broadway, his past experience winning in the RCBL and his future plans in the league.
The 2020 MLB Trade Deadline is rapidly approaching, so Trey Lyle and I are here to take you through everything you need to know about this year's deadline. We go through some of the potential deals that could happen, talk about wild blockbuster trades, and put ourselves in the shoes of a GM to see what we would do if we had the decision-making power.
Tune in to this week's episode of Foul Ball Area for all the trade deadline talk and more!
Tune in to the second episode of Mornings With Matt as we recap the weekend in baseball.
The Chicago White Sox put on a power display against the Cubs this weekend, with one player setting a franchise record. The Padres have given their city a new nickname, and they're the hottest team in baseball right now. Plus, a Mike Trout rookie card set a new record when it was sold at auction on Saturday. Find out just how much the buyer paid for it.
Grab your coffee and bagel, and tune in for all of that and more on today's episode of Mornings with Matt!
Chase DeLauter of the Broadway Bruins joins Matthew Atkins for a special Friday episode of the podcast. DeLauter was a Freshman All-American in 2020 at James Madison University, and played with the Broadway Bruins in the RCBL during the summer of 2020.
DeLauter led the RCBL in batting average (.545), home runs (13) and RBIs (39), among many other categories. He was named league MVP and Rookie of the Year, and has played an integral part in leading the Bruins to their first pennant since 1931.
We talk about DeLauter's first season at JMU, his experience with the RCBL this summer and what it was like getting to play at his collegiate home ballpark throughout the RCBL season.
Tune in to the latest episode of Foul Ball Area as we discuss Fernando Tatis, Jr.'s hot start to the season, whether or not it's okay to swing at a 3-0 pitch and other unwritten rules.
Plus, we take a look back at this day in baseball history, talk about the Yankees' injuries, and take a look around the league to see how each team is doing as we pass the 20-game mark. Finally, we discuss what would happen in the world if the Orioles and Marlins both made the postseason, which is very possible this year.
Tune in to the first edition of Mornings with Matt, a new Monday morning edition of the podcast designed to bring you up to speed on the weekend's news, and get you ready for the week ahead.
Today Matt talks about some of the biggest injury news from this past weekend, the big star power we've seen around the league this year and some of the top series to watch this coming week.
Tune in to a special episode of the podcast today as Mike Burtner joins us to talk about his journey helping local high school players get noticed.
Mike runs Valley Baseball Scout, which you can find on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. He posts videos of local players, showcasing their pitching, hitting and other skills. He's helped numerous players put together quality video to help them get noticed by college coaches.
Mike and I talk about how he started Valley Baseball Scout, some of the players he's worked with, and how COVID-19 has made things more difficult.
We're back at it this week with a great episode of Foul Ball Area. Trey Lyle and Matthew Atkins talk about the Yankees, Braves and who stands out as the face of MLB.
Tune in !
Tune in to Foul Ball Area today as we discuss the latest news surrounding the Marlins COVID-19 outbreak and how it affects the other teams in the league.
Plus, we talk about the first weekend of the MLB season, our Top 3 moments so far, and a little bit of BBQ discussion towards the end. Tune in!
Tune in to today's episode as we go over our National League predictions, including division and award winners! Plus, we give our picks for World Series champion. Don't miss it!
Chris Huffman of the Bridgewater Reds joins the show today to discuss his time in the Padres' farm system and how he ended up back in the RCBL this summer.
Tune in to the podcast today as Trey Lyle and I make our predictions for the American League, including division winners and award winners.
Tune in to Foul Ball Area today as we reveal the winner of our Best Seasons bracket. Plus, Trey Lyle and I discuss which MLB players would be on an All-Virginia team. Tune in for that and more on Foul Ball Area!
Tune in to today's episode for interviews from the opening weekend of the 2020 RCBL season, plus the latest news around MLB, including players opting out of the 2020 season.
Cory Van Dyke joins the show to recap the MLB Draft and some of the prospects he's gotten to see. Plus, we discuss the Virginia Tech players taken in the draft, our Best Seasons series and MLB's return to play. Tune in! ⬇️
Andrew Wallace joins the show today to discuss the latest on MLB's negotiations with the players union and why Rob Manfred is not the right man for the job. Plus we touch on ESPN's latest 30 for 30, Long Gone Summer, and Andrew's years growing up as a Cardinals fan.
For our weekly Hall of Fame discussion, Trey and I look at Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa and consider whether any of them should be in the Hall of Fame due to their history with steroids.
The MLB Draft begins tonight, so we've got you covered on today's episode. We talk about some of the top prospects, a Virginia Tech pitcher who could be drafted, and the consequences of a shortened draft, plus much more!
Tune in below⬇️
David Cunningham joins the show again to discuss the latest on the Coastal Plain League season. Plus, we talk about Virginia Tech's new School of Communication and what it means for journalism students.
Tune in below! ⬇️