Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney

Joey Votto joins Buster to for a wide-ranging discussion on the new rules, the market demanding a more efficient product, why he likes to know roughly how long a game will take and how hard it is to hit a ball directionally. Next, Buster previews the Reds. Then, Sarah Langs stops by to talk about pulling a near-all-nighter, World Baseball Classic all-time leaders and why it feels like Shohei Ohtani is going to have an unbelievable season. Later, Karl Ravech on the Yankees shutting down Carlos Rodón and the Red Sox continuing to win in Spring Training. Plus, Mike Greenberg makes an appearance to take break from Aaron Rodgers speculation to talk baseball. Finally, Todd Radom debuts this season's weekly Forgotten Fields segment, along with the first quiz.

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Hembo and Buster discuss the numbers showing the rule changes in baseball are working as intended, the spending by the Padres versus the rest of the league, Aaron Judge's home run over/under, and the best stat you'll hear this week. Then, Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto stops by to talk about the PECOTA win projection for his team, adding Kolten Wong and Teoscar Hernández, how A.J. Pollack can help Jared Kelenic, the next step for Julio Rodríguez, and his view of the AL West. Then, David Schoenfield on the United States and the Dominican Republic having some of the best lineups ever seen in baseball, injuries in the NL East, why he's backing off the Diamondbacks, and what would have to go wrong with the Angels to be out of the playoff chase by the trade deadline. Plus, Buster previews the Mariners and the Rockies.

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Tim Kurkjian and Buster discuss Shohei Ohtani’s two home runs in an exhibition for Japan, the player intrigue around Ohtani’s contract, if Chaim Bloom can dunk, Gerrit Cole and Max Scherzer’s differing approaches to the pitch clock, what rival executives are saying about Anthony Volpe, and the passing of Rays radio voice Dave Wills. Then, Sarah Langs stops by to talk about why she was an outlier in the White Sox conversation, Shane Bieber’s fourth-straight Opening Day start, Trey Mancini, and how she’d handle promoting a superstar prospect to start the season. Plus, Buster previews the Braves and the White Sox.

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Karl Ravech joins Buster to discuss his prediction for a big year in baseball, the pitch clock moving the game at a better pace, Karl’s conversation with Tommy Edman, what Rafael Devers bought after signing his new deal, the best clubhouse guy in the league and a shout out to umpire Andy Fletcher. Then, Sarah Langs has updates on three young pitchers. Later, the return of Todd Radom. Plus, Buster previews the Dodgers and the Twins.

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Eduardo Pérez joins Buster to discuss how much he would pay for a Taylor Swift concert ticket, Eduardo’s idea for in-stadium beer sales with increased pace of play, Yordan Álvarez’s lingering hand issue and Kodai Senga. Then, Buster previews the Oakland Athletics. Next, Alden Gonzalez on how the Dodgers replace Gavin Lux this season and Shohei Ohtani looking sharp in his preseason pitching debut. Later, Boog Sciambi stops by to talk about recording the voiceover for MLB: The Show, the pulse of the players on the rule changes and the Cubs.

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Tim Kurkjian and Buster discuss Buster insulting Tim on TV, if too many rules have been instituted at once, Gavin Lux doing down, Red Sox-Braves ending in a pitch clock violation, Manny Machado signing a new contract with the Padres, Cardinals prospect Jordan Walker, and C.B. Bucknor’s beef with Oli Marmol. Then, Buster’s in-game interview with Walker from Monday Night Baseball. Next, Buster talks to Carlos Correa about educating teammates on analytics, failing two physicals and moving on from the offseason with the Twins. Later, Sarah Langs on Machado’s plate appearances since 2015, Sean Manaea’s velocity and the spike in money in baseball.

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Karl Ravech and Buster discuss exposing people to the pitch clock for the first time on a national broadcast, Fernando Tatis Jr.’s motivation, players poised to have monster years, the Yankees mulling Aaron Judge playing in left field and a few season win totals. Then, Sarah Langs on the most shifted players last season and why she thinks Jesse Winker is primed bounce back with the Brewers. Plus, Buster talks to Dave Dombroski, Alex Cora and Brian Snitker at Spring Training. 

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David Schoenfield joins Buster to discuss Harrison Bader flying under the radar for the Yankees, the Diamondbacks on the rise, Steve Cohen’s subtext and the Mets batters needing to stay in the batter’s box. Then, president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Bob Kendrick stops by to talk about how the museum is thriving after the early days of the pandemic, his favorite Satchel Paige story and Negro League players appearing in MLB: The Show. Plus, Buster previews the Cubs and the Rangers.

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MLB’s Joe Martinez joins Buster to answer listener questions on this season’s rule changes. Then, Tim Kurkjian discusses a life curveball thrown at him, who will be the Yankees’ Opening Day shortstop, three people who called Dusty Baker after winning the World Series, Corbin Burnes’ being at odds with the Brewers, the gap of money between Manny Machado and the Padres and his memories of Tim McCarver. Later, Diamondbacks rookie Corbin Carroll talks about his welcome to the big league moment, what he worked on in the offseason, wanting to positively impact people, and his family. Finally, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game. Plus, Buster previews the Mets and the Guardians.

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Buster is joined by Jeff Passan to discuss Justin Turner wearing No. 2 for the Red sox, the impact of the new rules, landing spots for Shohei Ohtani, and the Trevor Bauer's future. Then, Hembo joins to discuss if he is qualified to be a pitch clock operator, who will win the NL West, and his bold prediction for Mike Trout this season. Next, Sarah Langs joins to play the Numbers Game, gives her thoughts on the pitch clock, and shares why she thinks the Padres will win the NL West. Later, Karl Ravech hops on to ruin Buster’s day. Then they discuss the latest injury news including Stephen Strasburg’s setback and Jacob DeGrom’s debut as a Ranger being delayed. Plus, he shares insights to the nuances of the MLB conference call about the new rules.

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