September 13, 2023 • 23 mins
On this week's edition of Inside the (Rob) Parker, Rob shares his thoughts on Max Scherzer going down with a season-ending injury, the reports that the Los Angeles Angels could trade Mike Trout this offseason and the surging Atlanta Braves. Later, The Athletic’s Tyler Kepner swings by to discuss all the biggest headlines around the world of baseball. Plus, we've got appearances from the analytics guru himself Anthony Masterson, MLBBro.com managing editor JR Gamble and gambling expert David Gascon.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
From the Berkshars to the sound from wherever you live
in MLB America. This is inside the Parker. You give
us twenty two minutes and we'll give you the scoop
on Major League Baseball. Now here's Baseball Hall of Fame
voter number seventy, Rob Parker.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Welcome into the podcast.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
I'm your host, Rob Parker, and oh what the podcast
we have for you.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Today.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
We'll talk with the Athletics Tyler Kempe who covers Major
League Baseball as we come down to the wire in
about twenty games left in the Major League Baseball season.
We'll also do foul or Fair and why baseball is
better than the NBA.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
In the NFL, let's.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Go better to lead off, it's getting.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Robbed and keep them out.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
Rob's hot take on the three biggest stories in Major
League Baseball. Number One news.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Came down on Wednesday that veteran right hander Max shurs
Er that's right, the Texas Rangers starting pitcher will likely
miss the remainder of the regular season and is unlikely
for the postseason as well, due to a low grade
strain in his right upper arm. And it's a bummer
(01:23):
for fans. Obviously, they made a big trade at the
trade deadline, got him from the Mets, figuring that they
could boaster their rotation, and obviously they lost Jacob to
garam earlier this year. And this has happened to Shers
are now more than not it happened to Tigers. He
had a dead arm, It didn't pitch that well for
(01:44):
the Mets last year when they were in the postseason,
and now he's out for the rest of the season,
which is a bummer for Max who's had an unbelievable career,
Hall of Fame type career. But the injuries as you
get older seem to keep piling up on the right hander.
So I'm bummed out that we will not nt be
(02:06):
seeing mac sure as a pitch down the final three
weeks of the season and again unlikely for the postseason
for the Rangers.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Number two.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
I don't know about you, but it sounds like the
Angels are hoping and wishing that Mike Trout wants a
new change of scenery and wants to move on because
it was leaked out. Bob Nightingale from USA Today, one
of the best baseball riders in the country. He reported
that if he were to ask for a trade, the
Angels would say, Okay, let us work it out. They
(02:37):
still owe him like two hundred and forty million dollars
on that big contract that they signed him a number
of years ago, and obviously that the Angels have made
the postseason one time with Trout on the roster. Would
I trade Mike Trout if I'm the Angels. Absolutely. At
(02:57):
some point you need to start with some different things.
It might be time to just strip it all the
way down, get some kids from the minor leagues. And
the biggest thing the Angels have to develop first. Before
they really get the hitting and all the other stuff,
they got to get pitching. They got to develop two
or three of their own pictures and then you know,
(03:18):
then you could go out and get a free agent
or add to the rotation. But without pitching, the Angels
this is why they're in a situation that they're in.
They've had great teams, they had Otani with Trout, They've
had a number of players. Injuries of course, have hurt them,
but also the lack of pitching. You know, they just
haven't been able to acquire and develop their own pitching.
(03:42):
And unless you do that, it's gonna be a rough road.
And so if I'm the Angels, I'm ready to move
on from Trout and especially if Otani's not coming back,
which I don't believe he is, it.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Makes total sense.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
Number Three, the Atlanta Braves are red. Forget about I'm
not talking about their record and what they've done this season.
How in the world could you let Freddie Freeman, an
All star first baseman with unbelievable numbers, go get his
(04:17):
replacement from the lowly Oakland A's and guess what his
replacement is even better?
Speaker 2 (04:26):
That just doesn't happen.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
When you lose a player of a Freddie Freeman's caliber,
you're scuffling to replace that guy at first base, and instead,
Matt Olsen on Tuesday night, tied Atlanta's franchise record by
hitting his fifty first home run of the season.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Hello, is this on? He said?
Speaker 3 (04:49):
Fifty one home We still got twenty games ago. Can
he get to sixty? I mean, really, he's had an
unbelievable year. You would have never believed that he could
replace Freddie Freeman and be And Freddie Freeman is having an.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Unbelievable year for the Dodgers, tremendous. He's in an.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
MVP race and category with a few players. But Matt Olsen,
what a year he's had, and what a pickup for
the Braves. And you know they're signing all the young players,
they're doing everything right. And when they go get a
veteran player, the guy works out. It's not scufflin, not struggling.
(05:30):
Came from the A's over to the Braves and the
dude is just raaking unbelievable. Run here by the Atlanta Braves.
They are unbelievable.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
It's time for the pocket protector centro. The analytic numbers.
You need to know, Well, maybe.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Anthony Masterson is his name, BS analytics is his game.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
What do you got for me, Anthony?
Speaker 4 (05:56):
With the analytical focus baseball has taken over the last decade,
it seems more value was put on rate stats like
ops or cumulative stats like war while counting numbers have
taken a back seat. It's not as cool to reach
one hundred RBI as it was thirty years ago, or
win twenty games, and I get it for various reasons,
but some counting numbers still get even the staunchest numbers guy,
All Tingley. With Julio Rodriguez reaching the thirty homer mark
(06:19):
earlier this week. That makes two players to reach thirty
homers and thirty steals in a season so far, joining
Ronald Lecunya Junior. Of course, Acunya has a very real
shot to become the fifth forty to forty player in history,
and the first is two thousand and six. Hell, he's
got an outside shot at forty eighty. But it's not
just guys getting thirty thirty, it's how many guys have
a chance to reach that milestone this year. It's the
(06:41):
first time since twenty nineteen that multiple players reach thirty thirty,
but there hasn't been more than that since twenty eleven,
when MLB tied a single season record with four players
to reach it this year, Besides Acunya and Julio, there
are six other players who already have at least twenty
four homers and twenty five stolen bases through the games
of September twelfth. Corbyn Carroll could be the second rookie
(07:02):
ever with thirty thirty, well, also joined by guys like
Bobby Witt Junior, Kyle Tucker, Trey Turner, Francisco Lindor, and
Fernando Tatist junior who are all within striking distance of
the milestone with two plus weeks left in the year.
Basses are being stolen at an MLB record eighty percent
success rate, and we could have a number of players
making history because of it.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
That it was a big week in the big leagues?
Who's a believe? Is it foul? Or is it fair?
And now from mlbanbro dot com, here's Jrgamball.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Tommy Fan had a big, go ahead home run in
the eighth inning in Arizona's four to three victory over
the Mets Monday night, as he faced his former team
for the first time. The win keeps Arizona locked in
the third and the final NL wildcard spot. Is it
foul or fair to say that FAM has been the
(08:04):
best trade deadline acquisition in MLB this season?
Speaker 1 (08:09):
Fair? It's a fair ball.
Speaker 5 (08:11):
Arizona's fighting tooth and nail to hold off Miami and
San Francisco and Cincinnati, who's still lurking, all three teams
two or less games behind Arizona for that final National
League playoff spot. Every at bat and every win counts.
With less than twenty games to play for most teams
in the regular season, at mlbbro dot Com. We've covered
(08:35):
how Fams, veteran back in the heart of that Arizona lineup,
has given the Diamondbacks new life and an offensive boost that.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
They sorely needed down the stretch.
Speaker 5 (08:46):
Fam was a bright spot early in the season for
the Mets, hitting two sixty eight with ten homers in
seventy nine games, but he's been a firecracker since coming
to Arizona at the trade deadline, hitting six home runs
with twenty five RBI and seven steals in just thirty
four games, and all of those homers and hits seem
(09:07):
to be big ones. Yes, Max Shrzy was a brilliant
pickup for the Texas Rangers, who are surging towards the
playoffs and on the astros heels after recovering from a
late slump. Sursey has a three point six to three
ERA one, twenty two ERA plus and a three point
sixty four strikeout to walk ratio, So he's the goods.
(09:28):
Justin Verlander has been everything the Astros needed and were lacking.
His return has brought a one to twenty five ERA
plus in seven starts. And we have to go to
Miami and talk about Josh Bell since coming from the
Cleveland Guardians at the trade deadline. He's been impactful in
that order, but fam has been the heart and soul
of the lineup in Arizona, and he's changed the offense
(09:52):
and got them in a position where they should make
the playoffs. He is the best trade deadline acquisition, earned money.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
Into more money. Now it's time for betting on the
basis with Dave Gascot.
Speaker 6 (10:05):
Love that money, Love that money.
Speaker 7 (10:07):
Rob middle portsch of September now, playoffs right around the corner.
Handful of teams will not be a part of it.
Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees amongst those squads. New York, though,
will be on the row with Garrett Cole thirteen and
four this season with an Era at two seventy nine,
I will take him Friday Night for the New York Yankees. Meanwhile,
Astros and Royals from Kansas City, this is a Friday
(10:29):
Night affairs. Zach Granky the season guys one in fifteen, Yeah,
one in fifteen. With an Era at five forty seven,
I'm gonna take the Astros on the road to defeat Granky.
He'll get a sixteenth.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
Loss of the year.
Speaker 7 (10:44):
Meanwhile, looking at what's going on in the Desert Diamondbacks
and the Chicago Cubs. Chicago has been a bright spot
in the Nation League Central Division. Hard to believe too
at this club they're searching for a playoff spot in
the National League. I'm gonna take Friday night in Chicago Cubs.
He's on the road against Arizona Diamondbacks, who had a
blistering start to the year, and they've tapered off. They're
(11:05):
double digit games behind the Dodgers in the National League West.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
So that's what we got over the weekend.
Speaker 7 (11:09):
Rob Gluctia.
Speaker 1 (11:11):
When Rob was a newspaper columnist, he lived by this motto,
if I'm writing, I'm riffing. Let's bring in a writer
or broadcaster, old or new.
Speaker 3 (11:21):
All right, now, let's welcome into the podcast. Tyler Kepner,
one of the best baseball writers in the country. He's
a writer for The Athletic formerly The New York Times.
Tyler always a pleasure.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
How are you good, Rob?
Speaker 6 (11:33):
How you been?
Speaker 2 (11:35):
Man? All good?
Speaker 3 (11:36):
You know, enjoying this down to the wire baseball season,
like I'm sure you are.
Speaker 6 (11:43):
Yeah, some good races, you know.
Speaker 8 (11:44):
It's I think we know who some of the best
teams are, but some of those wildcard teams are yet
to be determined, and that's always kind of fun when
you have three four teams jockey.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
For one spot, no doubt.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
Let's go here though, before we get into some of
the other teams and guys playing well. The Mets have
a new president, David Stearns, who comes over from the
Milwaukee Brewers. Tell us about him and should Mets fans
be excited?
Speaker 6 (12:11):
I think so yeah.
Speaker 8 (12:12):
I mean more UH, more brain power, more smart people
in UH in top positions, the better I think. I mean,
you know, I think Billy I very highly of Billy Epter,
and I think very highly of of Stern. Stearns has
done a great job with the Milwaukee Brewers, a team
that you know does not have the financial resources it's
(12:32):
safe to say of Steve Cohen.
Speaker 6 (12:35):
So it's the old.
Speaker 8 (12:35):
Idea of, you know, bringing in a guy who's had
success with a small market and then giving him an
even bigger budget to UH to work with. And I
think that's what they'll have for David Stearns. He's shown
a really good ability to find value in trades and
to make players better, you know, better than they they
(12:57):
seemed when you got them, which is always cruse, you know,
building a system for you know, an infrastructure. He's he's
done really well in the pitching song and have a
lot of talent over his time there.
Speaker 3 (13:14):
Let's talk about the Los Angeles Dodgers and they're pitching
situation going into the playoffs. But let's first talk about
Julio Jurias and his situation with the Dodgers and what's
happened there. What are you hearing for major League Baseball
and just his situation with the assault on his girlfriend
(13:35):
and you know, not being a part of the Dodgers
as we speak.
Speaker 8 (13:39):
You know, this is one of those cases where he
had an incident the first time in twenty nineteen, and
there was you know, he served a shorter suspension and
people kind of forgave him or were willing to just
figure that it wasn't couldn't have been that bad, and
then when you know, when another incident surfaces four years later,
(14:02):
I think there's no there can be no gray area
at this point, Like I would be shocked if he
ever pitches for the Dodgers again. I haven't heard the details,
and obviously everybody's innocent until proven guilty. But just the
fact that he has one instance of this before, and
the fact that the Dodgers are already you know, showed
(14:23):
when they released Trevor Bauer that there's kind of a
zero tolerance policy out there for this.
Speaker 6 (14:30):
It'd be surprising if if he ever pitched for them again.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
You just mentioned Trevor Bauer and that was the case.
I mean, the Dodgers needed pitching. That guy was a
former cy Young Award winner, and they still eight to
twenty some million dollars, you know, rather than bring the
guy back. So it does look like Urrea's you know,
and and and and talk about this Tyler. I mean,
this was his free agency year. This is a guy
(14:54):
won twenty games in the big leagues before. I mean,
it probably cost him a ton of money along with
the headaches of you know, the legal.
Speaker 8 (15:02):
System absolutely, you know, and and every every case is different.
I mean, you know, for Bauer, a lot of it
is you know, I think teams didn't want to take
on a personality. You can be abrasive at times, whereas
Ureus really doesn't have much of a of a personality
from every in terms of you know, one way or
(15:24):
the other.
Speaker 6 (15:24):
He's pretty quiet guy. Keeps to himself as far as
what I what I gather.
Speaker 8 (15:28):
But the offenses are out there, and that's going to
be a big, big deal. I don't know, it's going
to be fascinating in a weird way because will will
he get signed at all, or will he sort of
go into an independent league or or a foreign league
or something like that. There's much much less tolerance for
(15:53):
these issues than there were many years ago. I mean
you think about a certain guy, Luis Poloh, yeah, right,
he had an incident with an underage girl and he
was in the line up the next day as legal
process played out. That's thirty five years ago now almost.
But things have changed and fans just don't have and
(16:15):
organizations just don't have time for that, don't pay patience
for that anymore.
Speaker 6 (16:19):
They don't want to be associated with that sort of problem.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
Our guest is Tyler Kimner from The Athletic, of course,
one of the best baseball writers out there. Let's go
to the Philly's Trey Turner twenty seven coming into Wednesday
twenty seven, for twenty seven stolen bases. We've already seen
what Ronald Lacuna has done, and now Tyler am I little,
um my, little old fashioned to buy into these stolen
(16:44):
bases with the big pizza boxes that they're sliding into
at second base. I mean, I kind of I understand
what guys are doing, but I think it's a little
tainted a little bit.
Speaker 8 (16:57):
But it's also just way the game evolves, right, I mean,
you know, Ricky Anderson stall one hundred and thirty bases
to set a record back then when there were unlimited
pickoffs and smaller bases, So that's certainly, you know, more impressive.
But yeah, pitchers are quicker to the played even with
(17:17):
a pitch. You know, it limits to the pickoff moves
and the bigger bases, And we haven't seen anybody really
go nuts in terms of like a hunt.
Speaker 6 (17:26):
I mean, like I.
Speaker 8 (17:28):
Would, I would agree with you a little just unreal
crazy explosion and steals. Now, I think we're just sort
of getting back to where it was maybe in the
early two thousands, you know, before the analytics h started
to downplay the risk of a stolen base. So I
(17:49):
still think, I mean, yeah, it's a little bit easier,
but if it was easier, if it was that much easier,
teams would be doing it a lot and we still
don't see it in crazy numbers. So I'm still really
impressed by Acon and what he's what he's done, the
power speed combo is ridiculous, Like you said, perfect for
those Cels. He's he's turned around his season there and
(18:12):
just the love affair that the Phillies fans have had
with him, even even when he's struggling, it's been.
Speaker 6 (18:18):
That's been a really cool second half.
Speaker 3 (18:21):
No doubt he was bad in the first half sun
that big contract, probably put too much pressure on himself,
but man, as he turned it around.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Tell us about the Blue Jays, David.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
Schneider and uh and and what this guy's done first
twenty five games one point three one five old ps,
please like incredible.
Speaker 8 (18:43):
Yeah, yeah, And it's amazing that the Blue Jays are
still uh you know, still haven't really jumped fully into
that playoff spot and not look back. They they're a
tough team to figure. I feel like if they get in,
you know, with guys like Schneider and other guys getting
really hot, they're gonna be super dangerous in the postseason
because they've got so much talent and they'll have to
(19:03):
be hot in order to get in. So whether it's Schneier,
whether it's if Guerrero can pick it up some of
those offensive pieces. Because the pitching has been pretty good.
Even without Alex Menoa, their pitching has been excellent. They
can catch the ball. I'm still high on the Blue Jays,
but they still do have to make it in so
they'll they'll take attributions from everybody.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
Yeah, it's incredible, it really is. I'm with you. Uh,
they could be definitely a dangerous team.
Speaker 3 (19:30):
Last thing, just the Atlanta Braves and just how good
it's been. I mean, there's they've been so good. Not
only d I mean Michael Harris is your NL Rookie
of the Year. Batting night they lose Freddie Freeman, they
go out and they get Matt Olsen.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
I mean you start to look and go.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
Like everything they touch, everything they do has is a winner.
I mean the team is unbelievable. How good are they?
And are they going to win the World Series?
Speaker 6 (19:56):
Oh, you're absolutely right, Rob.
Speaker 8 (19:57):
I mean, you know you're going to a post and
there's there's twelve teams now, and every team has a
shot because the postseason is such a small sample and
and things can happen in a baseball game. But I
would be really surprised if any team other than the
Braves what in the World Series. They're so much better
than everyone else. I saw them in Philly the other day.
(20:17):
They split a doubleheader, but even then, you know, Matt Olsen,
it's two home runs in the nightcap to get to fifty,
and he's gone beyond that. Now They've they've got some
of their pitchers back. I mean, they're they're just so
deep in every area of the game, and they're so
well positioned to be good for a long time because
of the work that Alex Anthopolis and his staff have
(20:40):
done down there in locking guys up, in being really uh,
you know, emotionless in a way, and not making decisions
that we're going to hurt the organization, like they let
go of Dancey Swanson then Freddie Freeman, I mean two
two franchised Cornerstone type guys, and yet they've filled with
(21:02):
guys who make it seem like a seamless transition. So
they won the series in twenty one. Phileas knocked him
out last year. But yeah, they're the heavy favorites for
me to win it this year, and maybe even more beyond.
Speaker 3 (21:17):
His name is Tyler kemp than one of the best
for the Athletic covers Major League Baseball. Get a subscription
to the Athletic check out his work. Tyler always a pleasure,
my man. I'll see you in the yard down the road, buddy.
Speaker 6 (21:30):
Yes, sir, Rob, I've always a pleasure to talk to
you too.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
Now bring in the closer. Here's why MLB is better
than the NFL or NBA, and it isn't even close.
Speaker 3 (21:45):
Reason number five hundred and fifty five why Major League
Baseball is better than the NBA and better than the NFL.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
Perfect example.
Speaker 3 (21:54):
We just saw in the NFL season Monday Night Football, right,
the Jets had all their eggs in the basket with
Aaron Rodgers, and unfortunately he was hurt four plays into
the season.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
Guess what the Jets season is over.
Speaker 3 (22:09):
One player has that kind of an impact in the NFL,
Whereas in Major League Baseball, if you really think about.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
It, it's not the case. You can lose people and
still go on.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
The Rangers this season lost Jacob de Gram and still
were able to stay into the playoff hunt. Now on Wednesday,
we find out that Max Scherzer is lost for at
least the rest of the regular season and is unlikely
for the postseason. But it doesn't mean the Rangers season
is over. It's an opportunity for somebody else to step up.
(22:46):
I mean, does it damage this season, sure, but this
season is not over. They can outslug people, they could
get pitching from other places, they could get good bullpen help.
There's all kinds of other things that you can do
to make shift to get through a baseball season. It's
just not the same when you lose a big time
player in the NFL on offense or defense. In the
(23:14):
words of New York TV legend the late Bill Jorgensen,
thanking you for your time this time until next time.
Speaker 2 (23:21):
Rob Parker out d can't Davin. This could be an
inside of Parker.
Speaker 7 (23:25):
See you next week, same bat time from same Batt's station.
From the Berkshars to the sound from wherever you live
in MLB America. This is inside the Parker. You give
us twenty two minutes and we'll give you the scoop
on Major League Baseball. Now here's Baseball Hall of Fame
voter number seventy, Rob Parker.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Welcome into the podcast.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
I'm your host, Rob Parker, and oh what the podcast
we have for you.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
Today.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
We'll talk with the Athletics Tyler Kempe who covers Major
League Baseball as we come down to the wire in
about twenty games left in the Major League Baseball season.
We'll also do foul or Fair and why baseball is
better than the NBA.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
In the NFL, let's.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Go better to lead off, it's getting.
Speaker 2 (00:51):
Robbed and keep them out.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
Rob's hot take on the three biggest stories in Major
League Baseball. Number One news.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
Came down on Wednesday that veteran right hander Max shurs
Er that's right, the Texas Rangers starting pitcher will likely
miss the remainder of the regular season and is unlikely
for the postseason as well, due to a low grade
strain in his right upper arm. And it's a bummer
(01:23):
for fans. Obviously, they made a big trade at the
trade deadline, got him from the Mets, figuring that they
could boaster their rotation, and obviously they lost Jacob to
garam earlier this year. And this has happened to Shers
are now more than not it happened to Tigers. He
had a dead arm, It didn't pitch that well for
(01:44):
the Mets last year when they were in the postseason,
and now he's out for the rest of the season,
which is a bummer for Max who's had an unbelievable career,
Hall of Fame type career. But the injuries as you
get older seem to keep piling up on the right hander.
So I'm bummed out that we will not nt be
(02:06):
seeing mac sure as a pitch down the final three
weeks of the season and again unlikely for the postseason
for the Rangers.
Speaker 1 (02:14):
Number two.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
I don't know about you, but it sounds like the
Angels are hoping and wishing that Mike Trout wants a
new change of scenery and wants to move on because
it was leaked out. Bob Nightingale from USA Today, one
of the best baseball riders in the country. He reported
that if he were to ask for a trade, the
Angels would say, Okay, let us work it out. They
(02:37):
still owe him like two hundred and forty million dollars
on that big contract that they signed him a number
of years ago, and obviously that the Angels have made
the postseason one time with Trout on the roster. Would
I trade Mike Trout if I'm the Angels. Absolutely. At
(02:57):
some point you need to start with some different things.
It might be time to just strip it all the
way down, get some kids from the minor leagues. And
the biggest thing the Angels have to develop first. Before
they really get the hitting and all the other stuff,
they got to get pitching. They got to develop two
or three of their own pictures and then you know,
(03:18):
then you could go out and get a free agent
or add to the rotation. But without pitching, the Angels
this is why they're in a situation that they're in.
They've had great teams, they had Otani with Trout, They've
had a number of players. Injuries of course, have hurt them,
but also the lack of pitching. You know, they just
haven't been able to acquire and develop their own pitching.
(03:42):
And unless you do that, it's gonna be a rough road.
And so if I'm the Angels, I'm ready to move
on from Trout and especially if Otani's not coming back,
which I don't believe he is, it.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
Makes total sense.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
Number Three, the Atlanta Braves are red. Forget about I'm
not talking about their record and what they've done this season.
How in the world could you let Freddie Freeman, an
All star first baseman with unbelievable numbers, go get his
(04:17):
replacement from the lowly Oakland A's and guess what his
replacement is even better?
Speaker 2 (04:26):
That just doesn't happen.
Speaker 3 (04:27):
When you lose a player of a Freddie Freeman's caliber,
you're scuffling to replace that guy at first base, and instead,
Matt Olsen on Tuesday night, tied Atlanta's franchise record by
hitting his fifty first home run of the season.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
Hello, is this on? He said?
Speaker 3 (04:49):
Fifty one home We still got twenty games ago. Can
he get to sixty? I mean, really, he's had an
unbelievable year. You would have never believed that he could
replace Freddie Freeman and be And Freddie Freeman is having an.
Speaker 2 (05:04):
Unbelievable year for the Dodgers, tremendous. He's in an.
Speaker 3 (05:08):
MVP race and category with a few players. But Matt Olsen,
what a year he's had, and what a pickup for
the Braves. And you know they're signing all the young players,
they're doing everything right. And when they go get a
veteran player, the guy works out. It's not scufflin, not struggling.
(05:30):
Came from the A's over to the Braves and the
dude is just raaking unbelievable. Run here by the Atlanta Braves.
They are unbelievable.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
It's time for the pocket protector centro. The analytic numbers.
You need to know, Well, maybe.
Speaker 3 (05:49):
Anthony Masterson is his name, BS analytics is his game.
Speaker 2 (05:54):
What do you got for me, Anthony?
Speaker 4 (05:56):
With the analytical focus baseball has taken over the last decade,
it seems more value was put on rate stats like
ops or cumulative stats like war while counting numbers have
taken a back seat. It's not as cool to reach
one hundred RBI as it was thirty years ago, or
win twenty games, and I get it for various reasons,
but some counting numbers still get even the staunchest numbers guy,
All Tingley. With Julio Rodriguez reaching the thirty homer mark
(06:19):
earlier this week. That makes two players to reach thirty
homers and thirty steals in a season so far, joining
Ronald Lecunya Junior. Of course, Acunya has a very real
shot to become the fifth forty to forty player in history,
and the first is two thousand and six. Hell, he's
got an outside shot at forty eighty. But it's not
just guys getting thirty thirty, it's how many guys have
a chance to reach that milestone this year. It's the
(06:41):
first time since twenty nineteen that multiple players reach thirty thirty,
but there hasn't been more than that since twenty eleven,
when MLB tied a single season record with four players
to reach it this year, Besides Acunya and Julio, there
are six other players who already have at least twenty
four homers and twenty five stolen bases through the games
of September twelfth. Corbyn Carroll could be the second rookie
(07:02):
ever with thirty thirty, well, also joined by guys like
Bobby Witt Junior, Kyle Tucker, Trey Turner, Francisco Lindor, and
Fernando Tatist junior who are all within striking distance of
the milestone with two plus weeks left in the year.
Basses are being stolen at an MLB record eighty percent
success rate, and we could have a number of players
making history because of it.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
That it was a big week in the big leagues?
Who's a believe? Is it foul? Or is it fair?
And now from mlbanbro dot com, here's Jrgamball.
Speaker 3 (07:42):
Tommy Fan had a big, go ahead home run in
the eighth inning in Arizona's four to three victory over
the Mets Monday night, as he faced his former team
for the first time. The win keeps Arizona locked in
the third and the final NL wildcard spot. Is it
foul or fair to say that FAM has been the
(08:04):
best trade deadline acquisition in MLB this season?
Speaker 1 (08:09):
Fair? It's a fair ball.
Speaker 5 (08:11):
Arizona's fighting tooth and nail to hold off Miami and
San Francisco and Cincinnati, who's still lurking, all three teams
two or less games behind Arizona for that final National
League playoff spot. Every at bat and every win counts.
With less than twenty games to play for most teams
in the regular season, at mlbbro dot Com. We've covered
(08:35):
how Fams, veteran back in the heart of that Arizona lineup,
has given the Diamondbacks new life and an offensive boost that.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
They sorely needed down the stretch.
Speaker 5 (08:46):
Fam was a bright spot early in the season for
the Mets, hitting two sixty eight with ten homers in
seventy nine games, but he's been a firecracker since coming
to Arizona at the trade deadline, hitting six home runs
with twenty five RBI and seven steals in just thirty
four games, and all of those homers and hits seem
(09:07):
to be big ones. Yes, Max Shrzy was a brilliant
pickup for the Texas Rangers, who are surging towards the
playoffs and on the astros heels after recovering from a
late slump. Sursey has a three point six to three
ERA one, twenty two ERA plus and a three point
sixty four strikeout to walk ratio, So he's the goods.
(09:28):
Justin Verlander has been everything the Astros needed and were lacking.
His return has brought a one to twenty five ERA
plus in seven starts. And we have to go to
Miami and talk about Josh Bell since coming from the
Cleveland Guardians at the trade deadline. He's been impactful in
that order, but fam has been the heart and soul
of the lineup in Arizona, and he's changed the offense
(09:52):
and got them in a position where they should make
the playoffs. He is the best trade deadline acquisition, earned money.
Speaker 1 (10:00):
Into more money. Now it's time for betting on the
basis with Dave Gascot.
Speaker 6 (10:05):
Love that money, Love that money.
Speaker 7 (10:07):
Rob middle portsch of September now, playoffs right around the corner.
Handful of teams will not be a part of it.
Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Yankees amongst those squads. New York, though,
will be on the row with Garrett Cole thirteen and
four this season with an Era at two seventy nine,
I will take him Friday Night for the New York Yankees. Meanwhile,
Astros and Royals from Kansas City, this is a Friday
(10:29):
Night affairs. Zach Granky the season guys one in fifteen, Yeah,
one in fifteen. With an Era at five forty seven,
I'm gonna take the Astros on the road to defeat Granky.
He'll get a sixteenth.
Speaker 2 (10:42):
Loss of the year.
Speaker 7 (10:44):
Meanwhile, looking at what's going on in the Desert Diamondbacks
and the Chicago Cubs. Chicago has been a bright spot
in the Nation League Central Division. Hard to believe too
at this club they're searching for a playoff spot in
the National League. I'm gonna take Friday night in Chicago Cubs.
He's on the road against Arizona Diamondbacks, who had a
blistering start to the year, and they've tapered off. They're
(11:05):
double digit games behind the Dodgers in the National League West.
Speaker 2 (11:08):
So that's what we got over the weekend.
Speaker 7 (11:09):
Rob Gluctia.
Speaker 1 (11:11):
When Rob was a newspaper columnist, he lived by this motto,
if I'm writing, I'm riffing. Let's bring in a writer
or broadcaster, old or new.
Speaker 3 (11:21):
All right, now, let's welcome into the podcast. Tyler Kepner,
one of the best baseball writers in the country. He's
a writer for The Athletic formerly The New York Times.
Tyler always a pleasure.
Speaker 2 (11:32):
How are you good, Rob?
Speaker 6 (11:33):
How you been?
Speaker 2 (11:35):
Man? All good?
Speaker 3 (11:36):
You know, enjoying this down to the wire baseball season,
like I'm sure you are.
Speaker 6 (11:43):
Yeah, some good races, you know.
Speaker 8 (11:44):
It's I think we know who some of the best
teams are, but some of those wildcard teams are yet
to be determined, and that's always kind of fun when
you have three four teams jockey.
Speaker 2 (11:54):
For one spot, no doubt.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
Let's go here though, before we get into some of
the other teams and guys playing well. The Mets have
a new president, David Stearns, who comes over from the
Milwaukee Brewers. Tell us about him and should Mets fans
be excited?
Speaker 6 (12:11):
I think so yeah.
Speaker 8 (12:12):
I mean more UH, more brain power, more smart people
in UH in top positions, the better I think. I mean,
you know, I think Billy I very highly of Billy Epter,
and I think very highly of of Stern. Stearns has
done a great job with the Milwaukee Brewers, a team
that you know does not have the financial resources it's
(12:32):
safe to say of Steve Cohen.
Speaker 6 (12:35):
So it's the old.
Speaker 8 (12:35):
Idea of, you know, bringing in a guy who's had
success with a small market and then giving him an
even bigger budget to UH to work with. And I
think that's what they'll have for David Stearns. He's shown
a really good ability to find value in trades and
to make players better, you know, better than they they
(12:57):
seemed when you got them, which is always cruse, you know,
building a system for you know, an infrastructure. He's he's
done really well in the pitching song and have a
lot of talent over his time there.
Speaker 3 (13:14):
Let's talk about the Los Angeles Dodgers and they're pitching
situation going into the playoffs. But let's first talk about
Julio Jurias and his situation with the Dodgers and what's
happened there. What are you hearing for major League Baseball
and just his situation with the assault on his girlfriend
(13:35):
and you know, not being a part of the Dodgers
as we speak.
Speaker 8 (13:39):
You know, this is one of those cases where he
had an incident the first time in twenty nineteen, and
there was you know, he served a shorter suspension and
people kind of forgave him or were willing to just
figure that it wasn't couldn't have been that bad, and
then when you know, when another incident surfaces four years later,
(14:02):
I think there's no there can be no gray area
at this point, Like I would be shocked if he
ever pitches for the Dodgers again. I haven't heard the details,
and obviously everybody's innocent until proven guilty. But just the
fact that he has one instance of this before, and
the fact that the Dodgers are already you know, showed
(14:23):
when they released Trevor Bauer that there's kind of a
zero tolerance policy out there for this.
Speaker 6 (14:30):
It'd be surprising if if he ever pitched for them again.
Speaker 3 (14:34):
You just mentioned Trevor Bauer and that was the case.
I mean, the Dodgers needed pitching. That guy was a
former cy Young Award winner, and they still eight to
twenty some million dollars, you know, rather than bring the
guy back. So it does look like Urrea's you know,
and and and and talk about this Tyler. I mean,
this was his free agency year. This is a guy
(14:54):
won twenty games in the big leagues before. I mean,
it probably cost him a ton of money along with
the headaches of you know, the legal.
Speaker 8 (15:02):
System absolutely, you know, and and every every case is different.
I mean, you know, for Bauer, a lot of it
is you know, I think teams didn't want to take
on a personality. You can be abrasive at times, whereas
Ureus really doesn't have much of a of a personality
from every in terms of you know, one way or
(15:24):
the other.
Speaker 6 (15:24):
He's pretty quiet guy. Keeps to himself as far as
what I what I gather.
Speaker 8 (15:28):
But the offenses are out there, and that's going to
be a big, big deal. I don't know, it's going
to be fascinating in a weird way because will will
he get signed at all, or will he sort of
go into an independent league or or a foreign league
or something like that. There's much much less tolerance for
(15:53):
these issues than there were many years ago. I mean
you think about a certain guy, Luis Poloh, yeah, right,
he had an incident with an underage girl and he
was in the line up the next day as legal
process played out. That's thirty five years ago now almost.
But things have changed and fans just don't have and
(16:15):
organizations just don't have time for that, don't pay patience
for that anymore.
Speaker 6 (16:19):
They don't want to be associated with that sort of problem.
Speaker 3 (16:22):
Our guest is Tyler Kimner from The Athletic, of course,
one of the best baseball writers out there. Let's go
to the Philly's Trey Turner twenty seven coming into Wednesday
twenty seven, for twenty seven stolen bases. We've already seen
what Ronald Lacuna has done, and now Tyler am I little,
um my, little old fashioned to buy into these stolen
(16:44):
bases with the big pizza boxes that they're sliding into
at second base. I mean, I kind of I understand
what guys are doing, but I think it's a little
tainted a little bit.
Speaker 8 (16:57):
But it's also just way the game evolves, right, I mean,
you know, Ricky Anderson stall one hundred and thirty bases
to set a record back then when there were unlimited
pickoffs and smaller bases, So that's certainly, you know, more impressive.
But yeah, pitchers are quicker to the played even with
(17:17):
a pitch. You know, it limits to the pickoff moves
and the bigger bases, And we haven't seen anybody really
go nuts in terms of like a hunt.
Speaker 6 (17:26):
I mean, like I.
Speaker 8 (17:28):
Would, I would agree with you a little just unreal
crazy explosion and steals. Now, I think we're just sort
of getting back to where it was maybe in the
early two thousands, you know, before the analytics h started
to downplay the risk of a stolen base. So I
(17:49):
still think, I mean, yeah, it's a little bit easier,
but if it was easier, if it was that much easier,
teams would be doing it a lot and we still
don't see it in crazy numbers. So I'm still really
impressed by Acon and what he's what he's done, the
power speed combo is ridiculous, Like you said, perfect for
those Cels. He's he's turned around his season there and
(18:12):
just the love affair that the Phillies fans have had
with him, even even when he's struggling, it's been.
Speaker 6 (18:18):
That's been a really cool second half.
Speaker 3 (18:21):
No doubt he was bad in the first half sun
that big contract, probably put too much pressure on himself,
but man, as he turned it around.
Speaker 2 (18:28):
Tell us about the Blue Jays, David.
Speaker 3 (18:30):
Schneider and uh and and what this guy's done first
twenty five games one point three one five old ps,
please like incredible.
Speaker 8 (18:43):
Yeah, yeah, And it's amazing that the Blue Jays are
still uh you know, still haven't really jumped fully into
that playoff spot and not look back. They they're a
tough team to figure. I feel like if they get in,
you know, with guys like Schneider and other guys getting
really hot, they're gonna be super dangerous in the postseason
because they've got so much talent and they'll have to
(19:03):
be hot in order to get in. So whether it's Schneier,
whether it's if Guerrero can pick it up some of
those offensive pieces. Because the pitching has been pretty good.
Even without Alex Menoa, their pitching has been excellent. They
can catch the ball. I'm still high on the Blue Jays,
but they still do have to make it in so
they'll they'll take attributions from everybody.
Speaker 2 (19:24):
Yeah, it's incredible, it really is. I'm with you. Uh,
they could be definitely a dangerous team.
Speaker 3 (19:30):
Last thing, just the Atlanta Braves and just how good
it's been. I mean, there's they've been so good. Not
only d I mean Michael Harris is your NL Rookie
of the Year. Batting night they lose Freddie Freeman, they
go out and they get Matt Olsen.
Speaker 2 (19:44):
I mean you start to look and go.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
Like everything they touch, everything they do has is a winner.
I mean the team is unbelievable. How good are they?
And are they going to win the World Series?
Speaker 6 (19:56):
Oh, you're absolutely right, Rob.
Speaker 8 (19:57):
I mean, you know you're going to a post and
there's there's twelve teams now, and every team has a
shot because the postseason is such a small sample and
and things can happen in a baseball game. But I
would be really surprised if any team other than the
Braves what in the World Series. They're so much better
than everyone else. I saw them in Philly the other day.
(20:17):
They split a doubleheader, but even then, you know, Matt Olsen,
it's two home runs in the nightcap to get to fifty,
and he's gone beyond that. Now They've they've got some
of their pitchers back. I mean, they're they're just so
deep in every area of the game, and they're so
well positioned to be good for a long time because
of the work that Alex Anthopolis and his staff have
(20:40):
done down there in locking guys up, in being really uh,
you know, emotionless in a way, and not making decisions
that we're going to hurt the organization, like they let
go of Dancey Swanson then Freddie Freeman, I mean two
two franchised Cornerstone type guys, and yet they've filled with
(21:02):
guys who make it seem like a seamless transition. So
they won the series in twenty one. Phileas knocked him
out last year. But yeah, they're the heavy favorites for
me to win it this year, and maybe even more beyond.
Speaker 3 (21:17):
His name is Tyler kemp than one of the best
for the Athletic covers Major League Baseball. Get a subscription
to the Athletic check out his work. Tyler always a pleasure,
my man. I'll see you in the yard down the road, buddy.
Speaker 6 (21:30):
Yes, sir, Rob, I've always a pleasure to talk to
you too.
Speaker 1 (21:33):
Now bring in the closer. Here's why MLB is better
than the NFL or NBA, and it isn't even close.
Speaker 3 (21:45):
Reason number five hundred and fifty five why Major League
Baseball is better than the NBA and better than the NFL.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
Perfect example.
Speaker 3 (21:54):
We just saw in the NFL season Monday Night Football, right,
the Jets had all their eggs in the basket with
Aaron Rodgers, and unfortunately he was hurt four plays into
the season.
Speaker 2 (22:06):
Guess what the Jets season is over.
Speaker 3 (22:09):
One player has that kind of an impact in the NFL,
Whereas in Major League Baseball, if you really think about.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
It, it's not the case. You can lose people and
still go on.
Speaker 3 (22:23):
The Rangers this season lost Jacob de Gram and still
were able to stay into the playoff hunt. Now on Wednesday,
we find out that Max Scherzer is lost for at
least the rest of the regular season and is unlikely
for the postseason. But it doesn't mean the Rangers season
is over. It's an opportunity for somebody else to step up.
(22:46):
I mean, does it damage this season, sure, but this
season is not over. They can outslug people, they could
get pitching from other places, they could get good bullpen help.
There's all kinds of other things that you can do
to make shift to get through a baseball season. It's
just not the same when you lose a big time
player in the NFL on offense or defense. In the
(23:14):
words of New York TV legend the late Bill Jorgensen,
thanking you for your time this time until next time.
Speaker 2 (23:21):
Rob Parker out d can't Davin. This could be an
inside of Parker.
Speaker 7 (23:25):
See you next week, same bat time from same Batt's station.
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