Ballpark Dimensions

Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts are a big reason for the Boston Red Sox success in 2018. After both played through injuries during the 2017 season, they've statistically become the more improved hitters this season. Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers examine how they've gotten better, as well as a surprising addition to the list. Later in the podcast, Mike and Matt discuss if the Brewers have the best defense in baseball, the Rays pitcher who has had the best start this season and why you should know who Daniel Palka is. 

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When the Dodgers placed Clayton Kershaw went on the DL earlier this month for left biceps tendinitis, there was a sense of panic. However, despite losing their ace for the majority of May, the blue crew has managed to not just survive but also thrive. Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers talk about how the Dodgers have been able to stay afloat despite the rash of early season injuries that they've experienced. They also talk about who the most underrated slugger in baseball is, the hot start that Gleyber Torres has gotten off to and who is baseballs most dangerous catcher.

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The increased number of home runs hit in baseball has become a hot button subject with many searching for answers, including Commissioner Manfred. That’s why he put together a committee of scientists to try and find out what has caused the baseball to fly out at such alarming rates. Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers are joined on the podcast by the Chairman of the committee, Dr. Alan Nathan, a professor of physics emeritus at the University of Illinois. They discuss the groups findings, along with what expectations he had going into the study and how they put the committee together. Later in the podcast, Mike and Matt talk hot defensive takes on Manny Machado, Mike Trout and Josh Donaldson, along with which team should be next to try the Tampa Bay Rays/Sergio Romo starting experiment. 

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The surprising Atlanta Braves currently own the best record in the National League and have some of the most exciting players in baseball on their squad. With the call-ups of Ozzie Albies and Ronald Acuna, along with the already established stars like Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis, the Braves are trying to prove the naysayers wrong. Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers take a look at why the Braves have been so successful and if they can sustain it through the rest of the season. Later in the show, the Statcast crew examines if the Cleveland Indians offense is back to what people expected and they talk about all the new shift data courtesy of Baseball Savant. 

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Didi Gregorius had a fantastic month of April and currently leads the Bronx Bombers in batting average, runs scored, home runs and RBI, all the while being named the American League Player of the Month. Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers, using Statcast data, explores why Didi has been crushing it at the plate this season and isn’t only a product of Yankee Stadium. They also take a look at James Paxton’s no-hitter against the Blues Jays, who the best reliever in baseball is, the Rockies success at the plate on the road and why getting 3,000 hits is bogus. 

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As the calendar turns to May, the majority of MLB teams have already played out roughly 20 percent of their schedule so now is a good time to examine which outfield defenses have improved the most in 2018. Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers, with the use of Statcast metrics, take a look at why certain teams outfield defense has gotten better and what factors might be playing a part in that. They also discuss the early impact of the D-Backs using a humidor in Arizona, why Ronald Acuna and Ozzie Albies have made the Braves so interesting, five young hitters that are intriguing and much more.

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Giancarlo Stanton was arguably the biggest acquisition by the New York Yankees this past offseason. While it was unrealistic for Stanton to pick-up where he left off following his 2017 MVP seasoe, he has struggled since joining the Bronx Bombers. Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers examine the early season struggles from Giancarlo, as well as other players like Yu Darvish and Lucas Giolito, and what we can conclude from the Statcast data. Later in the podcast, the guys take a look at what player has added the most speed to his game this season and some interesting notes about the Padres’ Franchy Cordero. 

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With the first month of the baseball season past the halfway point, the Statcast crew examines some of the best small sample sizes they’ve seen so far. Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers discusses small sample sizes from Brandon Nimmo, Adam Ottavino, Rick Porcello, Craig Stammen, among others, and how much stock one should take in these early samples. Later in the podcast they discuss the DJ LeMahieu’s impressive start to the season, buying or selling the Atlanta Braves hot offense, a reliever you need to know about and the rollout of the 2018 sprint speed leaderboard.

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When the Phillies signed Carlos Santana to a three-year, $60 million deal this past offseason, many thought there would be some pressure to make a good, first impression with his new club. However, Carlos has gotten off to a rough start at the dish but how much of that has been bad luck? Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers talk about why Santana is leading the way as a hard luck hitter this season and why Phillies fans should still be encouraged in his production, despite his numbers being down. Also in this weeks podcast, they chat about how the Mets created two great relievers for their bullpen, the most interesting reliever that nobody has heard of, an important reliever you should be worried about and an update on Shoehi Ohtani.

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Shohei Ohtani was one of the biggest storylines going into the 2018 season, and he hasn’t disappointed only a week in. After an impressive first start on the mound, Ohtani followed up by slugging his first MLB career home run on Tuesday night. Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers discuss the “Japanese Babe Ruth’s” first week in the bigs and if he was more impressive at the plate or on the mound. Also in this weeks’ podcast, they talk about elite exit velocity following Giancarlo Stanton’s home run at Yankee Stadium and an update to hit probability. Finally, Mike sits down with the Phillies’ Rhys Hoskins to chat about how he developed his swing, how he positions himself in the outfield and playing for a manager who is more analytically focused. 

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