Tigers Roar to 40 Wins First, Caglianone Arrives, Padres Have Interest in Duran, & Omaha Dreams Alive | 86

Welcome to Episode 86 of Tablesetters, where Devin and Steve return to unpack a week that offered a little bit of everything: momentum shifts, breakout performances, and the early rumblings of trade season.

The Detroit Tigers have become the first team to 40 wins this year. It’s not a mirage. The offense is firing on all cylinders, the rotation has a clear leader, and the numbers back it all up. Kerry Carpenter, Spencer Torkelson, and Riley Greene are rewriting the franchise’s history books, and for the first time in years, the question isn’t “what’s the ceiling?”—it’s “how far can this team go?”

Meanwhile, the most-watched Sunday Night Baseball in seven years drew 2.7 million viewers for Dodgers-Yankees, a clear reminder that when baseball is presented the right way, fans show up. And yet, this moment lands like a farewell. With ESPN’s flagship baseball broadcast set to disappear after 2025, MLB’s relationship with legacy media feels like a story slipping into the rearview. The demand is still there. But has the sport moved too far from the stage that helped define it?

Injuries and transactions are starting to shape the middle third of the season. The Yankees lose a trusted bullpen arm in Luke Weaver, and must now juggle roles behind Devin Williams. Out west, the Dodgers continue to wait on Tyler Glasnow, whose recovery isn’t progressing as hoped. Add in Mike Trout’s return to form and the Brewers riding an eight-game heater, and it’s clear the playoff picture is already shifting.

San Diego is reportedly targeting Jarren Duran to fix their revolving door in left field, while Boston faces tough decisions with a crowded outfield and Roman Anthony waiting in the wings. And speaking of new faces: Jac Caglianone has officially arrived in Kansas City. Forget the noise—this call-up wasn’t reckless, it was earned. And if the bat plays like we think it can, the Royals just added a middle-of-the-order anchor.

College baseball’s road to Omaha is heating up. The SEC stumbled through regionals, while the ACC thrived, and programs like Coastal Carolina, UTSA, and Murray State are flipping the script. It’s a field full of dangerous underdogs and future pros, and the chaos has only just begun.

As the episode wraps, we spotlight a few players scorching hot (hello Jeremy Peña), others in deep funks (Jarren Duran, Luis Severino), and take your mailbag questions—from New York’s ultimate superteam to the biggest surprises and letdowns of 2025 so far.

Whether you’re watching the playoff races, following prospect call-ups, or just here for the best stories in the game—we’ve got you covered.

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