Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney

Buster chats with Toronto Star columnist Gregor Chisholm about the Blue Jays’ request to play home games in Toronto being denied and where they might play their games this year. Then, ESPN’s Karl Ravech joins the show to discuss what it was like to call a MLB game and what it will be like going forward and the credit the players deserve for how they’ve handled returning to the field (13:20). Finally, Sarah Langs talks about the yips, Cody Bellinger’s new swing and how impressive the Yankees look (29:33)

Tim Kurkjian and Buster discuss their issues with technology trying to get everything up and running in their houses. Plus, the two discuss the comments made by Alex Rodriguez and a potential salary cap, will the Blue Jays play games at home, umpires wearing masks and more. Then, Todd Radam joins the podcast to discuss the history of Fenway and there’s breaking news during the interview as the Nationals will open the season at Nationals Park (27:50)

Eduardo Pérez pitch hits and joins Buster to discuss Tim Kurkjian’s tech woes, why he’s excited to watch the Angles, the distractions in Houston, San Diego being sneaky good, if Tyler Beede can handle the pressure as the San Francisco’s closer and the Atlanta Hammers (4:56). Later, Jesse Rogers hops on to talk about Anthony Rizzo’s back situation, players on non-contending teams possibly going home midseason, and whether Kyle Hendricks and Yu Darvish will start on Opening Day (22:24).

The Houston Chronicle’s Chandler Rome joins Buster to discuss the delayed tests, possible exposure and precautionary holdouts that have marred the Astros’ summer camp, the frustration within the team, George Springer trying to hold it all together, and who’s going to be the fourth starter (5:00). Later, Hembo drops by to share his World Series matchup and winner, and to talk about Max Scherzer and Gerrit Cole (14:40).

Sarah Langs joins Buster to discuss the Mets’ best Plan B option if Robinson Cano can’t go, a potential pitching hangover for the Nationals and the idea of an extended free agency (7:06). Next, The St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Derrick Goold hops on to talk about Jordan Hicks’ decision to opt out of the season and Walker Bueller emerging as a leader among MLB players (21:48). Finally, MLB.com’s Mandy Bell gets into the Franmil Reyes situation and Cleveland’s rotation health being the key to its season (31:59).

The Toronto Star’s Gregor Chisholm joins Buster to discuss where things stand with where the Blue Jays will play, Travis Shaw walking back his self-isolation comments and teams visiting Toronto being overlooked (5:46). Then, Marly Rivera joins the pod to talk about Aroldis Chapman’s positive COVID-19 test, how he’s feeling and what it means for the Yankees’ relief corps (18:06). Later, the Tampa Bay Times’ Marc Topkin hops on to get into how he’s covering the Rays during the coronavirus spike in Florida, who hasn’t been seen on the field in the last week and how the front office handles the possibility of missing so many key players to start the season (28:03).

Boog Sciambi joins Buster to discuss, how he’s adjusted to getting up at 3 a.m. calling KBO games, why he loves watching Lee Jung-hoo, the Mets fanbase, pumping music or crowd noise into a stadium during games and ignoring medical professionals (5:59). Plus, Todd Radom on Yankee Stadium and the weekly quiz (29:35).

Marly Rivera joins Buster to discuss the completion of MLB’s intake process that yielded a 98.2% negative test rate for coronavirus, player comfort and accountability as summer camp is underway, and the Yankees looking like they’re having a good time playing baseball (3:48). Plus, Karl Ravech stops by to talk about Steve Cohen emerging as the favorite to buy the Mets, why he thinks baseball will be played, Kris Bryant’s trepidation about returning and his observations covering KBO as MLB’s return is on the horizon (15:16).

Tim Kurkjian joins Buster to discuss how refreshing it is to see Terry Francona and Francisco Lindor pulling pranks, the challenge of keeping players focused and the need to hear from Rob Manfred as issues with the restart arise (4:20). Later, ESPN’s senior manager of MLB programming Rick Mace talks about what it’s been like scheduling games for TV (16:19). Plus, Hembo on which teams have scheduling advantages and why he’d take Juan Soto on a 10-year contract (26:00).

MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince joins Buster to discuss the Cleveland name change, the history of the name “Indians” for the team, why he favors the Spiders for the new name, the inspiration for his book “A Fan’s Guide to Baseball Analytics” and what he thinks happens with Francisco Lindor this season (5:33). Plus, Todd Radom stops by to talk about the work involved with a team changing its name and creating a new logo (21:46).