Baseball Connection

Getting off to a strong start is a great confidence booster for any hitter. It sets a tone for the season and provides a sense of relief. Who are some of the bats making an impact in the early going? When it comes to major milestones, you have to play at a high level for a long time. There is one active player who many believe will be the next in the 3,000 hit club. When it comes to discussing the best players in the game, how much of a factor is durability? All this (and more) on today's episode.

When Willy Adames was traded from the Rays to the Brewers last season, he became a much better hitter overnight. He's back at it again after a massive performance on Tuesday night. How good is his bat truly? Can he keep it up? Don't look now, but the Mets are baseball's best team at the moment and their pitching is leading the way. Carlos Rodon is off to a hot start and he continues to rack up the strikeouts for the Giants. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Angel Hernandez, MLB's most infamous umpire, was at it again on Sunday night. Kyle Schwarber let him know it after erupting in anger after Hernandez called him out on what should have been a ball. Walker Buehler tossed the first complete game in MLB the season. Bo Bichette has had a slow start, but his grand slam might be just what he needed. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Miguel Cabrera has joined the 3,000 hit club. He did it in typical Miggy fashion with a base hit to the right side. Cabrera is just the 7th player in MLB history with 500+ HRs and 3,000+ hits. Yankees fans got into it with Guardians outfielders at the end of the Yankees walk-off victory. Michael Conforto is still a free agent but he won't be signing any time soon because he had shoulder surgery. How much money did Conforto leave on the table before this injury happened? All this (and more) on today's episode.

Two weeks into the MLB season, some storylines have begun to form. Veteran pitchers have led the charge in the early going. A way-too-early frontrunner for NL MVP has emerged in St. Louis. The Angels are surrounding Mike Trout with young outfielders. How is it going? All this (and more) on today's episode.

Marlins right hander Pablo Lopez is sporting a 0.52 ERA through three starts this season. That's good enough for the MLB lead. There's lots of young promise in Miami's pitching staff. Miguel Cabrera was one hit away from 3,000... and the Yankees intentionally walked him. Kevin Gausman turned in a dominant outing for Toronto, showing exactly why they signed him. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Rays shortstop Wander Franco has played 11 games so far this season. He has multiple hits in 7 of them. Franco is just getting started. Miguel Cabrera is closing in on 3,000 career hits. He has a great chance to do it in front of the home fans in Detroit. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Freddie Freeman faced the Braves for the first time. He also hit his first Dodgers home run. The guy who replaced him in Atlanta (Matt Olson) isn't doing so bad either. Yordan Alvarez returned to the Astros lineup for their home opener and delivered 2 HRs in a win against the Angels. Manny Machado is putting the Padres on his back as they wait for Fernando Tatis to return. There has been a hitter in San Francisco who's quietly led MLB in slugging since 2020. All this (and more) on today's episode.

As with each hitter that makes the transition from Japan, there are questions of how they will adjust to MLB pitching. Seiya Suzuki has made it look easy so far. Mariners rookie Matt Brash issued an MLB high six walks, yet he still carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning. Mike Trout exited the game after being hit in the hand. Ronald Acuna Jr. will begin a minor league rehab assignment this week. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Mackenzie Gore has been one of baseball top pitching prospects for a while and he finally made his debut on Friday night. Gore brought strong velocity from the left side and looked the part. Its rare to see a player get walked with the bases loaded. Joe Maddon did it and his plan backfired. Everyone held their breath when Byron Buxton left the game with a knee injury. Fortunately, he has no structural damage and should only miss about a week. Jackie Robinson Day was filled with fun tributes. All this (and more) on today's episode.