Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney

David Schoenfield joins Buster to discuss Charlie Morton going down with a broken leg, the pressure now on the Braves, the Atlanta bullpen hitting its stride and a head-scratcher from Framber Valdez. Then, Jessica Mendoza stops by after a tornado warning in Houston to talk about wanting to record the podcast after last night’s game, Morton pitching on a broken leg, what’s happening with Alex Bregman, the World Series as an event and tales from the pregame dugout. Later, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers game with notes on Jorge Soler’s leadoff home run, Eddie Rosario’s hitting streak and the Astros’ home losing streak in the World Series.

Sarah Langs joins Buster to talk about Dusty Baker getting a shot at a World Series, play a pre-World Series edition of The Numbers Game and make her series prediction. Then, Hembo stops by with context for the Braves’ and Astros’ World Series runs, and thoughts on who has the most to gain by winning the whole thing and which team has the Game 1 pitching advantage. Later, Xavier Scruggs on the general fan interest in the matchup, his favorite storylines going into the World Series, the Snitker family, and Chris Bassitt’s claim that Astros-like cheating is much more widespread.

Tim Kurkjian and Buster discuss the Astros defeating the Red Sox in the ALCS, Houston’s pitching holding the line, Yordan Álvarez offensive explosion, the Braves defeating the Dodgers in the NLCS, Atlanta maintaining the best record in baseball since the trade deadline, the similarities between the Astros and Braves, what’s next for the Red Sox and Dodgers, the Cardinals hiring Ollie Marmol, and the Padres hiring a pitching coach before a manager. Then, longtime MLB catcher Alex Avila stops by to talk about his recent retirement, how the Astros and Braves win in similar ways, his pitching plans for Eddie Rosario and Álvarez, his advice for how baseball should handle the sticky stuff conversation, and how he feels about the opener strategy.

Karl Ravech and Buster discuss Chris Taylor’s three home run night, the Dodgers’ ability to get the most out of players, Nathan Eovaldi starting for the Red Sox, and a few Bleacher Tweets on the electronic strike zone, tying the DH to starting pitching and Alex Cora vs. Dusty Baker’s managerial styles. Later, Hembo stops by to talk about Mad Max: Road Warrior, Taylor’s free agent value, his key for Game 6 of the ALCS, and his traditionalist thoughts on changes likely coming to MLB.

Sarah Langs joins Buster to discuss the Braves taking a 3-1 lead over the Dodgers, how Atlanta and Los Angeles feel like different teams compared to last year’s NLCS, Framber Valdez’s ridiculous sinker, and Alex Cora’s mistake with Chris Sale. Plus, Sarah and Buster talk about the big changes coming soon to MLB.

David Schoenfield and Buster discuss Cody Bellinger coming up big in the postseason, whether Bellinger is in position to make these big hits if Max Muncy doesn’t get hurt, if the Braves will fold, the Astros’ bullpen salvaging the game, Boston failing to knockout Houston, José Altuve and Carlos Correa showing their toughness, Laz Diaz and the would-be strike three call, and the top-five free agent shortstops according to 11 baseball evaluators. Later, Todd Radom has the final Forgotten Franchise for the season and the weekly quiz.

Sarah Langs joins Buster to discuss the Yankees signing Aaron Boone to a three-year contract, what could turn the NLCS series for the Dodgers, Walker Buehler, the emergence of Austin Riley and Alex Cora’s coaching moment with Eduardo Rodriguez. Then, the Boston Globe’s Alex Speier stops by to talk the Red Sox being locked in offensively, the hitting culture in Boston, Kyle Schwarber’s relationship with Bobby Dalbec, if the Astros have a path back into the series and the Mets’ GM search.

Tim Kurkjian joins Buster to discuss the Braves’ back-to-back walk off wins to take a 2-0 lead in the NLCS, the feeling of something special happening in Atlanta, the Dodgers missing Max Muncy, Dave Roberts bringing in Julio Urias in Game 2, Austin Riley continuing to look like the best player in the NL, MLB increasing housing support for minor-leaguers and the Yankees’ managerial situation. Later, Dan Shulman stops by to talk about the ALCS, pitching injuries for the Astros, how Houston should handle its staff going forward, Tanner Houck and Nick Pivetta being difference-makers, and his free agency outlook for Toronto.

Karl Ravech and Buster discuss an exciting Dodger victory over the Giants in Game 5 of the NLDS. They get into Logan Webb’s dominant performance, Mookie Betts’ big night, Cody Bellinger redeeming himself after a dreadful season, Max Scherzer closing the game out and celebrating hard afterward, Dave Roberts’ bold decision to start Corey Knebel, and Buster’s cursed picks for the LCS series. Plus, the Cardinals make a surprising move dumping Mike Shildt and the Yankees fire third base coach Phil Nevin. Later, Todd Radom stops by with the Forgotten Franchise and the weekly quiz.

Sarah Langs joins Buster to preview NLDS Game 5 between the Dodgers and Giants. They discuss why each team should be exceeding confident with Logan Webb and Julio Urias on the mound, the Giants finding a way to set-up Camilo Doval, Chris Taylor possibly coming up clutch, home field advantage and how Sarah’s mom is doing with a tense night ahead. Then, Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos stops by to talk about how he’s watching tonight’s Game 5, the Braves’ preparation for the Giants or Dodgers, Atlanta’s turbulent season, something he previously took for granted and the importance of clubhouse culture.