Baseball Connection

Yermin Mercedes became the first player in the modern era to collect a hit in 8 straight at-bats to begin a season. Jose Berrios and Corbin Burnes were locked in a pitcher's duel. Why do the Reds and Cardinals hate each other so much? All this (and more) on today's episode.

Taking the mound in his Dodgers debut, Trevor Bauer flirted with a no-hitter across 6.2 innings with 10 strikeouts before he ran out of steam. Jazz Chisholm flashed his tools for the Marlins. He's their starting 2B this season so we'll get a good look at what made him a highly touted prospect. Blake Snell looked sharp for the Padres. All this (and more) on today's episode.

David Fletcher is locked in as the Angels' primary second baseman now. He has agreed to a 5 year extension worth $26 million. In many ways, Fletcher is a prototypical second baseman. The Nats continue to find positive COVID tests, so their weekend series is postponed. MLB has pulled the All Star Game out of Atlanta after a recent Georgia voting law was passed.

The Nationals get to play in front of their fans for the first time since being crowned champs in 2019. Darvish makes his first start in Padres brown. Which matchups are you looking forward to as we kick off the 2021 season?

The Mets have their shortstop of both the present and the future. Negotiations came down to the wire, but Francisco Lindor agreed to a 10 year, $341 million extension. Lindor will become the highest paid shortstop in baseball history. The Nationals will be down by 5 players on Opening Day due to health and safety protocols.

We're approaching the deadline for the Mets and Francisco Lindor to reach an extension. Some believe the Mets' offer is their best and final. Will Linor accept it? Andrew Vaughn will be in the MLB to start the year for the White Sox. Rougned Odor has been designated for assignment. Once seen as the Rangers' future at 2B, Odor's high strikeout rate and low on-base skills have made him worth very little.

Randy Dobnak was Uber driving to supplement his income from independent league ball just a few years ago. He's now agreed to a five-year extension with the Twins that will secure him for life. Sixto Sanchez will begin the season at the Marlins' alternate site. Will Lindor accept the Mets' latest offer?

Mark Appel, the #1 overall pick in the 2013 MLB Draft, is preparing to make a comeback attempt with the Phillies. Appel is considered one of the biggest busts in baseball history and actually stepped away from the game 3 years ago. What motivated him to return? All this on today's episode.

MLB has said it will crack down on the use of foreign substances on baseballs. Doctoring the baseball is a technique as old as the game itself. We've seen many pitchers get caught using substances like pine tar before. MLB will monitor spin rate data and install compliance officers at each stadium to ensure that these rules are strictly enforced. The idea is to maintain greater offensive output and create more balls in play.

Gio Gonzalez has hung up his spikes after a stellar 13-year MLB career. He was often underrated, but the lefty was an innings-eater who brought tremendous value to several organizations. Eloy Jimenez is out for 5-6 months with a torn pectoral tendon. How will the White Sox replace his bat? All this (and more) on today's episode.