Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney

Buster returns from vacation and talks to Tim Kurkjian about which team is the best bet to win its division, the Nationals possibly missing the playoffs with Stephen Strasburg’s injury, the Yankees losing DJ LeMahieu and being extremely cautious with Aaron Judge, and Zach Plesac’s misguided anger toward the media (5:48). Later, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game with notes on the White Sox’s four-straight homers, the A’s grand slams and Franmil Reyes (26:22).

Tim Kurkjian fills in for Buster to talk with Karl Ravech about another magical night for Mookie Betts, a disastrous one for his former team, bad bullpens and the crazy schedule ahead of the Cardinals. Plus, Todd Radom tells Tim and Troy about Houston's ballparks before giving the weekly quiz (23:40).

Marly Rivera joins Dave Schoenfield to talk about Joe Kelly’s anger over the Astros and his suspension, players punishing each other without fans at the games, more concern for the Yankees with Aaron Judge’s injury, and if the Marlins, Tigers and Orioles will make the playoffs (7:04). Plus, Kiley McDaniel on Nate Pearson’s struggles, the Braves’ rotation and how their prospects fit into it, how teams are evaluating minor leaguers for trades, and why he doesn’t think any consequential trades will be made this season (23:53).

Boog Sciambi joins Tim Kurkjian to discuss the suspensions for Ramon Laureano and Alex Cintron, the lack of trust in the Cleveland locker room, what losing Giancarlo Stanton for a month means for the Yankees , and the challenges of calling games remotely (4:59). Later, Hembo gets into what stands out about Fernando Tatis Jr.’s start, Charlie Blackmon’s impressive batting average splits, the durability of Warren Spahn and Sarah Langs’ MLB debut in the booth as a win for researchers everywhere (26:53). Plus, Getting To Know Tim (37:51).

David Schoenfield fills in for a vacationing Buster, talking to Joon Lee about MLB considering a playoff bubble, Mike Clevinger hanging out with Zach Plesac and what the Red Sox might do at the trade deadline as they languish at the bottom of the AL East (4:41). Later, Brad Doolittle stops by to discuss the Blue Jays playing in Buffalo, the history of baseball in Buffalo and San Diego’s offensive potential (18:41). Plus, who would Joon and Brad rather have for the next seven years: Mike Trout or Fernando Tatis Jr.?

Tim Kurkjian fills in for a vacationing Buster on today’s episode. First, he talks to Jeff Passan about how many games will Alex Cintrón and Ramón Laureano be suspended after inciting a brawl between the A’s and Astros, the Indians sending Zach Plesac home to quarantine after a night out, what MLB should do with the Cardinals, Oakland’s hot start, Fernando Tatis Jr. tearing it up, and Madison Bumgarner’s troublesome beginnings in Arizona (5:37). Later, Sarah Langs drops by to play the Numbers Game with notes on Tatis, Austin Slate and Óliver Pérez (28:30).

SNY’s Steve Gelbs joins Buster to talk about Pete Alonso, his slow start, how the anger he harbors from being bullied drives him and what a genuine person he truly is (6:09). Next, Yahoo! Sports’ Hannah Keyser stops by to discuss profiling the Philly Phanatic, getting autographs from your heroes, the latest MLB’s health and safety protocol and the idea of a playoff bubble (19:54). Plus, Todd Radom administers the weekly quiz and talks ballparks in Texas (39:01).

Marly Rivera joins Buster to discuss the Marlins’ 5-1 start, the pulse of players as they live under MLB’s strict health and safety protocol, and Aaron Judge not thinking about his injuries (6:41). Later, Jesse Rogers stops by to talk about lax protocol causing coronavirus outbreaks among the Cardinals and Marlins, the new rules put in place by the league, players utilizing pent up energy on the field, the Cubs’ great start and where the Cubs stand with their stars set to be free agents in 2021 (19:04).

Reds general manager Nick Krall joins Buster to discuss meeting Eddie Murray as a bat boy with the A’s, the process of signing Nicholas Castellanos as a free agent, a day in the life of a Major League Baseball GM, how he’s evaluating trades given the current circumstances and his assessment of the team at this early point in the season (20:40). Dave Schoenfield also hops on to “talk about the Rockies,” ponder whether closers are as necessary as we think, marvel at the excellence of Dustin May and declare the predictability of Mike Trout hitting a home run after returning from paternity leave (7:53). Later, Hembo stops by to give his review of the extra-innings rule and the three-batter minimum for pitchers (34:20).

Tim Kurkjian joins Buster to discuss crushing injuries to Mike Soroka and Shohei Ohtani, San Diego's impressive start, Boston's "indescribably bad" pitching and Rob Manfred's handling of recent events (7:44). Plus, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch on the Cardinals' COVID-19 outbreak (25:04) and Derek Jeter explains how the virus infiltrated Miami's clubhouse (39:05).