Baseball Isn’t Boring

Tanner Houck has struck out Shohei Ohtani three times in five at-bats. He has whiffed Mike Trout half of the time he has faced him. But that doesn't mean the Red Sox pitcher doesn't pause every once in a while to appreciate the opportunity and the experience that comes with facing such Hall of Famers as those two. Houck sits down with Bradfo to talk about the importance of appreciating going through the big leagues while you're in the middle of it.

Few on the planet know what it is like to be the first overall pick in the Major League Baseball Draft. But Mickey Moniak does, which is why Bradfo made a point of sitting down with the Angels outfielder to get his unique perspective on life as a top selection. The No. 1 guy in the 2016 Draft goes into great detail with Bradfo regarding the trials, tribulations and lessons that led him to this point, which has seen Moniak now hit two home runs in as many days this week to continue his recent tear. Bradfo also catches up with Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck to talk about what it is like to face guys you idolized as a kid and know will be in Cooperstown one day. In other words, how hard is it to not geek out.

Colorado Rockies reliever Daniel Bard makes a return to the podcast, this time after going through a very unexpected roller coaster of a couple of months thanks to an uncomfortable appearance in the World Baseball Classic. Bard, who is one of the few athletes who has overcome the Yips, managed to fight back from the throwing issues one more time, offering another round of inspiration. Bard goes into great detail about his recent roller coaster with Bradfo while offering perspective of playing major league baseball few can offer.

Timing for a pitcher and hitter has never been more important thanks to the pitch timer. That's why pitching deliveries are getting funkier and funkier as the 2023 season unfolds. Bradfo sits down with two pitchers - Yu Darvish and Joe Kelly - who have seemingly mastered the art of mixing up their pre-pitch routine, leaving hitters all out of sorts when it comes to timing up the pitches. (To listen to the entire podcast with Kelly, click here.)

Everything has changed. Just ask Kenley Jansen. Just ask any closer. Just any pitcher. Performing as a hurler in 2023 is unlike anything these major leaguers had experienced in years past, a point surfaced by the Red Sox closer. Jansen sits down with Bradfo to share some of his concerns when it comes to how these new rules are impacting both the performance and health of the game. Bradfo also touches base with another closer, Josh Hader of the Padres, to get his perspective on what it has been like closing under these new set of circumstances. It's the kind of insight you will be happy to have.

Xander Bogaerts went hitless in 11 at-bats, with his Padres losing two of three against the shortstop's old team, the Red Sox. But Bogaerts and his new club did come away with a win in the final meeting, beating Boston Sunday. After that last game, with Bogaerts saying his farewells to the Red Sox, Bradfo caught up with the former Sox star to reflect on his crazy few days.

After a slow start, Michael Wacha has emerged as one of the few bright spots for the struggling San Diego Padres. Bradfo catches up with the starter to talk about his evolution, his changeup and his view on what has become a pretty impressive lot in life.

Xander Bogaerts is getting a chance to face off with his old team, the Red Sox, for the first time thanks to a three-game series this weekend at Petco Park. Bradfo sat down with Bogaerts to talk about his new lot in life as a Padre, offering some revealing perspective when it came to how he viewed things going through the 2022 season. We also have the Cubs/Dansby Swanson going up against the Phillies/Trea Turner. It seems like a good time to check back in on the Big 4 of the shortstop free agent market, while looking forward to some notable reunions.

Here comes another round of the Power Rankings, with Producer Evan offering this week's Top 10. He catches up with Bradfo to explain and defend his picks, which include the Dodgers making their move and teams like the Red Sox, Pirates, Brewers, and Padres on the outside looking in. Discuss among yourselves.