Jordan Hicks hasn't been a full-time starting pitcher before...so what's the plan with his innings? We ask NBC's Alex Pavlovic about Hicks and Kyle Harrison + the looming returns of Alex Cobb and Robbie Ray.
Manager Bob Melvin replaced Gabe Kapler and the two skippers are VERY different. We ask Pavlovic to dive into the details of the change.
Also covered: super prospect Reggie Crawford, Luis Matos/Marco Luciano progress and Blake Snell's late arrival.
Disclaimer: this convo happened on Thursday aka before they got blitzed 17-1 by the D'Backs on Friday night
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State of the Giants - Melvin v. Kapler, Jordan Hicks innings plan, Cobb/Ray returns

Baseball the way it should be covered and exclusive interviews with MLB studs #FTLive hosted by AJ Pierzynski, Erik Kratz, Todd Frazier, Adam Jones, Trevor May, Jason Kipnis, Jonathan Papelbon, Scott Braun, insider Ken Rosenthal and PTBNL. The world is our clubhouse.

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Tigers Outfielder Matt Vierling joined an exclusive club this week by homering off Pirates rookie phenom Paul Skenes. What did he see from the young righty that impressed him and how did he end up trotting around the bases? 
The Tigers went on a tear in their new city connect uniforms and Vierling is unstoppable in them. He gives us an inside look into the superstitious mind of an entire team!
Vierling is yet to steal a base in 2024. Is this by design and can we expect it to change in the summer months?
We also ask about Ángel Hernández calling it quits and the brilliant season from Ranger Suarez so far.
Hosts: AJ, Kratz, Braun
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Matt Vierling on Bryce Harper's HBPs, homering v. Skenes, Lucky Detroit City Connects

We roll out two potential Juan Soto contract offer scenarios for Jonny Gomes to choose. How much would winning and comfort actually factor into a decision?
Then we get Jonny's unfiltered thoughts on the league getting Ángel Hernández to call it quits.
Home Run Derby X kicks off a new summer in a few weeks. Jonny previews the tour, which includes Jake Arrieta hitting tanks!
How can Yakkertech be used at youth tournaments to provide proper coaching techniques for sound mechanics? Gomes dives the impact of Magnus.
Bring your data to life with Yakkertech, BaseballCloud, and SoftballCloud at seemagnus.com
Hosts: AJ, Kratz, Braun

Jonny Gomes on Juan Soto's decision, Ángel Hernández ejected, Home Run Derby X, Youth tourney stats

The Mets are crumbling in Queens. Ken Rosenthal and Alanna Rizzo cover the Jorge Lopez meltdown, Pete Alonso’s future & Steve Cohen’s ownership tenure.
Paul Skenes is a certified pro. His 4th start went as well as expected and it's clear the Pirates have a star on their hands. Should they monitor his innings or let him roll?

The Negro League statistics were added to MLB record books. Why is this so important and who are your newest stat leaders? Ken has the answers.
Also, why are the Brewers so good and which teams will come out hot in the second half?
Questions for Ken or Alanna? Join the show LIVE on the FT Network every Thursday at 12:30p ET

Fair Territory - Mets Circus, Negro League Stats, Skenes Stars

FT Live from the Jersey Shore today! The Mets had a week and it continued with some notable cuts. (1:58) Newsday’s Tim Healey swings by with the news and also the media perspective on the Jorge López team/teammate quote aftermath.
(26:40) Are the Braves OK? They've been slumping hard.
(32:57) Aaron Judge is having a ridiculous month. How much are his friends helping his cause?
(38:31) Gunnar Henderson should still be leading off, right?
(46:33) Pierzynski tips on how to handle a slump.
(48:14) Introducing FT membership content!
(51:13) The Guardians are rolling without a very key piece of the puzzle...until now.
FT on the road: Today’s show happened at the home of the Jersey Shore BlueClaws and we’ll be in Vegas Thursday/Friday next week!
Hosts: Toddfather, Kratz, Braun
FT hats, shirts, coffee mugs and more at FoulTerritoryShop.com

Are the Braves OK? Judge/Gunnar ballin, Healey on Mets saga

What would Orioles breakout sophomore Colton Cowser tell his struggling rookie self last year? We get deep on how that relates to what Jackson Holliday is going through in AAA right now. 
We also have some good clean fun on the whole mooing at the ballpark noise and how it might help him with rabid fans on the road.
Ángel Hernández calling it quits sparks some discussion about how players communicate with umps. Are there sweet talk scouting reports?
Guest requests? Drop us a nice rating/review on this pod page and we'll go all-out to make it happen! Follow FT

State of the Giants - Melvin v. Kapler, Jordan Hicks innings plan, Cobb/Ray returns

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