Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney

Tim Kurkjian joins Buster to talk about Steven Cohen reportedly buying the Mets and possibly making a splash in free agency, the Padres being aggressive at the deadline, the A’s trading for Tommy LaStella, Aaron Boone’s emotional press conference, and how Bryce Harper saved the Sunday Night Baseball broadcast (9:40).

Jeff Passan joins Buster to discuss baseball’s evolving response to the shooting of Jacob Blake, the lack of a collective conversation in MLB that’s seen in the NBA, the Players Alliance, the need for collaborative conversation league-wide, how the disparate responses tie into the CBA, Brodie Van Wagenen’s hot mic moment and the Mets’ capitulating response, and the enormous frustration with Rob Manfred across baseball (9:46). Later, Todd Radom joins the pod to talk about Progressive Field and administer the weekly quiz (29:38).

Marly Rivera joins Buster to talk about pivotal day in U.S. professional sports as MLB teams protested over the shooting of Jacob Blake (8:03). They get into how Black and African American players in baseball are often afraid to speak out, how Mookie Betts and the Dodgers are shaping the player protests, and Aaron Judge’s calf tweak. Then, Jesse Rogers drops by to discuss his eerie drive to Milwaukee after the Brewers announced they wouldn’t be playing, Anthony Rizzo hitting politicians in his postgame presser, and his interest in teams that might sell at the deadline and still be in the playoff hunt (18:42). Later, Jason Benetti shares what it was like to call Lucas Giolito’s no-hitter and this year’s exciting White Sox team (32:21).

Karl Ravech joins Buster to discuss the Giants making it tough on their front office as the team contends for the playoffs, Lucas Giolito’s no-hitter, Mike Clevinger’s return to Cleveland’s rotation, his report card grade for the season so far, and his top managers in the AL and NL about 30 games deep (9:58). Plus, Hembo on unusual conditions for Giolito’s no-hitter, Shane Bieber’s hot start, the most improved player in baseball and context for the Dodgers’ dominant first half (29:22). Here's the video of a laser-guided cow milking machine mention during the Bleacher Tweets.

Dave Shoenfield joins Buster to talk about how Shane Bieber is must-watch TV, why he thinks the Dodgers could’ve challenged for 116 wins in a normal season, Seattle being the only declared seller ahead of the trade deadline and which potential moves to keep an eye on (3:48). Later, MLB.com’s Mandy Bell drops by to give an update on Terry Francona, what Cleveland could do at the deadline and what Bieber’s improved upon the most this season (22:09).

Tim Kurkjian joins Buster to discuss the joy of Freddie Freeman with a microphone, Cleveland possibly trading Mike Clevinger, Triston McKenzie’s debut, the A’s being the best team in the AL, and the Padres and White Sox being Tim’s most watchable teams (5:23). Later, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game with notes on Slam Diego, José Abreu’s home runs against the Cubs, and Mookie Betts’ absurd in-zone contact rate and slugging percentage (23:03).

Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson joins Buster to talk about playing during a pandemic, when he started re-preparing for the season, Freddie Freeman, why this year feels like a college season, the team’s talent level and his socially distant home run celebration (22:03). Matt Vasgersian also stops by to discuss missing the roar of a home crowd in a ballpark, the NL East race, MLB viewing each team as its own fiefdom with COVID-19 and Joe Maddon calling out Shaun Anderson’s command after throwing near Mike Trout’s head (5:36). Later, Matt sticks around to wax poetic about the Oakland Coliseum with Todd Radom and pinch hit for Buster in the weekly quiz (31:11).

Karl Ravech joins Buster to discuss Casey Mize’s debut, Thom Brennaman using an anti-LGBTQ slur during the Reds broadcast, Trevor Bauer trying to wear cleats supporting Joe Kelly and the Rays having the Yankees’ number (7:27).

Boog Sciambi joins Buster to talk about the baseball world's array of opinions on Fernando Tatis Jr.’s “violation” of the unwritten rules, Kenta Maeda’s near no-hitter, if the clock is already ticking on Boston GM Chaim Bloom and their old lineup protection feud (5:33). Later, Hembo stops by to discuss how offenses around the league have rounded into form and the Chicago Cubs’ stellar infield defense (27:42).

David Schoenfield joins Buster to discuss the Seager brothers homering in the same game, how Fernando Tatis Jr.’s grand slam and Juan Soto briefly admiring his home run violated the unwritten rules of baseball, injuries piling up across the league, José Altuve looking terrible, and his read on the NL East (6:30). Later, The Athletic’s Dan Connolly hops on to talk about the Orioles thrusting themselves into the playoff conversation (25:04).