Baseball Isn’t Boring

It's been a big week at Baseball Isn't Boring, with the conversation Bradfo had with Alex Verdugo regarding Alek Manoah creating a lot of buzz. Well, in the spirit of keeping the discussion going, we used this week's 'Betting Isn't Boring' segment to focus on Manoah and his Blue Jays. With our gambling expert Jonathan Papelbon off this week, we turn to SportsNet's Ben Nicholson-Smith, who covers the Blue Jays better than anyone, to give us the what's what when it comes to buying in on this ultra-talented Jays club.

So much information. So many analytics. And it is all there for every Major League Baseball pitcher to use. But do they really want it all? Bradfo turns to some guys who have some insight on the matter, first sitting down with the Pirates' Mitch Keller and Rich Hill before turning to veteran relievers Kenley Jansen and Richard Bleier. Bradfo also once again recaps a kooky day in baseball. (Did you realize that the Dodgers' starters have only walked three guys?) Keep on listening!

Adley Rutschman. Gunnar Henderson. Triston Casas. KeBryan Hayes. All have lived the life of a top prospect in baseball, and all have now sat down with Bradfo to talk about such an existence. It's a lot in life that is unique to all of sports, with each path a little bit different. Considering the buzz around each player, it's another timely episode of Baseball Isn't Boring.

We were wondering if the emotion and passion of the World Baseball Classic would carry over to the Major League Baseball season. Well, it hasn't hurt. There is more of an acceptance of emotion in baseball than ever before, a reality both Red Sox outfielder and longtime Pirates star Andrew McCutchen discuss with Bradfo on the latest passion. Both players have pointed takes when it comes to where the game has been and where it is going when it comes to showing emotion, with Verdugo offering a very direct example regarding Toronto starter Alex Manoah. Bradfo also catches you up on another round of Monday baseball drama, including Tampa Bay's incredible start.

How important is a hot start for a Major League Baseball team? Well, Rocco Baldelli is here to offer some insight. The Minnesota Twins manager - whose team has gotten off to a 3-0 start - sits down with Bradfo to talk about just how important a quick start to the season is for a club.

Baseball is officially underway, and there is no better place to start riding this seventh-month wave that by listening to the Baseball Isn't Boring. There is also no better person to reflect on the initial weekend of games than Rob "Pitching Ninja" Friedman, the be-all and end-all when it comes to analyzing all big league pitchers and pitches. After the conversation with the Ninja, Bradfo gives an in-depth look into what happened in the season's first few days while resurfacing a pertinent conversation with Twins manager Rocco Baldelli about the importance of starting strong. (The Twins are one of three undefeated teams.) Welcome to the 2023 season!

For weeks Jonathan Papelbon had come on the Baseball Isn't Boring podcast to proclaim that everyone should bet money on the White Sox beating the Astros on Opening Day. Sure enough, he was right. Pap joins Bradfo for another FanDuel-powered episode of Betting Isn't Boring, with the closer riding the wave of his recent success.

From 'The Boone Podcast' (subscribe here): Jerry Crasnick tells host and former MLB All-Star Bret Boone which top five baseball writers he would choose to read as well as which MLB players he would pay to watch play.

It is finally here! Opening Day is upon us and Baseball Isn't Boring is all about the celebration that comes with Day 1 of the Major League Baseball season. To catch the true spirit of the day, Bradfo talks to our voice of the people, Courtney Finnicum, who is ready to attend her 23rd White Sox opener with her Dad, who has gone to 50 in a row. Bradfo also catches up with the Pirates' Opening Day starter, Mitch Keller, who offers the excitement from a player's perspective. It's an Opening Day miracle!

We have gone through the offseason. We have gone through the WBC. We have gone through spring training. And now we have the games that actual count in the 2023 season. So, what are the GMs who actually put these teams together thinking at this moment, just moments before their visions become realities? Bradfo sit down with Red Sox Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom to talk about just that. It's the perfect conversation heading into what all these executives are hoping is a close-to-perfect season.