Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney

Tim Kurkjian and Buster discuss an exciting pair of games that has the World Series knotted at 1-1, what happened to Zack Wheeler in Game 2, the Phillies punching back in Game 1, José Altuve turning it around quickly, sticky stuff questions with Framber Valdez and the Royals hiring Matt Quatraro as manager. Then, new Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy stops by to talk about the whole world weighing in on decisions made while managing in the Fall Classic, why the crowd isn’t a huge factor at this point in the postseason, his return to the dugout and the Rangers’ free agency plans. Later, Sarah Langs on her belief in something that’s unquantifiable, Yuli Gurriel avoiding strikeouts and Wheeler’s drop in velocity.

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Hembo and Buster discuss Hembo’s Phillies delirium, how Rob Thomson lined up his pitching and the biggest home-field advantage in baseball history. Next, Tigers and former Astros manager A.J. Hinch stops by to talk about the buzz in Houston, what Astro fans ask when they recognize him, if he’d rather pitch to Alex Bregman or Yordan Álvarez, and why he’s rooting for J.T. Realmuto. Then, Astros broadcaster Steve Sparks on how the Astros assembled a complete pitching staff, needing to keep the Phillies in the ballpark and how José Altuve gets back on track. Later, Karl Ravech on David Stearns stepping away as head of baseball operations with the Brewers and what games one and two of the World Series hinge on. Finally, Sarah Langs on Justin Verlander’s 12th postseason start and Jean Segura playing in his first postseason.

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Jeff Passan and Buster start by examining the Astros’ weakness and the Phillies' path to a World Series championship. Then, they discuss their early feel for free agency including the Giants spending big, if the Orioles should be in the shortstop market, Texas being on everyone and the Cardinals looking for an elite starter. Later, Sarah Langs on which great pitcher is comparable to the Astros’ pitching staff, Dusty Baker, and the difference between the Astros and Phillies’ regular season wins.

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Tim Kurkjian hops on to break down how the baseball gods favored the Phillies, Bryce Harper embracing the heart and soul of Philly, and the Houston dominating New York. Next, Tim and Buster discuss the Yankees’ post-season failure tax, if Judge will re-sign, and the impact Bruce Bochy will have on the Rangers. Then, voice of the Phillies Scott Franzke joins to share the evolution of NLCS MVP Harper as a leader, the improvements in the bullpen, and the electric atmosphere in Philly. Later, Sarah Langs joins to share ultimately what led to the Yankees’ demise, Harper’s career capping moment, and the Phillies’ record after 50 games.

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Sarah Langs and Buster discuss how much of the ALCS is Houston dominance versus New York futility, the Astros’ tight run differential, Framber Valdez’s swings and misses, and Joe Musgrove thriving on the road. Then, Karl Ravech stops by to talk about watching games in Bristol with people who really know baseball, the Astros all looking at iPads in the dugout, the Yankees roster transitioning at a bad time, what they would do with the Yankee lineup and Ravy giving a slight edge to the Phillies in the NLCS.

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Eduardo Pérez joins Buster to break down Justin Verlander’s rocky start to finding his groove last night, the uphill battle for the Yankees, Dusty Baker flexing bullpen muscles, and the coin flip in the NLCS. Then, Buster surprises Eduardo with a game of musical chairs of possible landing spots for elite short stops Dansby Swanson, Carlos Correa, Xander Bogaerts, and Trea Turner. Next, Sarah Langs hops on to analyze Josh Hader’s first 100 mph strikeout of his career, Jeremy Peña becoming the fifth rookie in postseason history with three extra base hits in a game, the strikeout difference between the Yankees and Astros, and give her answers for shortstop musical chairs. Later, Hembo hops on to share the importance of ownership, the value of the trade deadline, if the Astros own the Yankees, and to compares Justin Verlander to Tom Brady.

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Sarah Langs and Buster talk about how for the first time it feels like the Phillies could win the World Series, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton’s home runs in winner-take-all games and Kyle Schwarber’s 488-foot blast. Then, Boog Sciambi discusses being called “The Legend” in a hotel lobby, Schwarber’s no-doubter and his personality, Manny Machado needing to stay in the zone, if the Astros can make the ALCS a short series, Shohei Ohtani's drawing a line and the Dodgers hoping Clayton Kershaw will return.

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Sarah Langs joins Buster to discuss the Nola brothers going head-to-head in the NLCS, starters pitching on short rest, two playoff rounds being played on the same day, and the (not real) momentum of the Phillies and Padres. Then, Jessica Mendoza on MLB trying to get game five of the ALDS in last night, what changes about the pitching between these teams, if Shane Bieber will be available tonight, x-factors for Philadelphia and San Diego, and what the Dodgers need to upgrade in the offseason. Later, Braves manager Brian Snitker calls in to talk about if he watches the playoffs after getting bounced, how Ronald Acuña Jr. was affected by his knee this season, rooting for Rob Thomson and the most difficult thing about managing in the playoffs.

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Sarah Langs joins Buster to discuss the quality of the weekend crowds, the Padres beating the Dodgers after losing every regular season series, the Astros-Mariners 18-inning affair and Sarah’s favorite stat about winner-take-all games. Then, Tim Kurkjian stops by to talk about the major cracks that led to this week's biggest upsets, questioning if the Dodgers are a dynasty, and the circle of trust between Aaron Boone and his bullpen. Later, Padres’ coach Ryan Flaherty on the emotion in the clubhouse after defeating Los Angeles in the NLDS, the difference between a young Manny Machado in Baltimore versus 30-year-old Manny in San Diego, the best way to communicate information to players, and his takeaways from working and playing under great managers.

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Sarah Langs and Buster talk about the Astros’ winning ways, Yordan Álvarez with another home run while his team trailed and the Phillies winning despite being out-homered. Then, Karl Ravech discusses Buster’s Álvarez comparison, Dansby Swanson’s catch and Manny Machado’s maturity. Next, Hembo on the average fastball velocity in the playoffs, Framer Valdez’s diabolical curveball and why Carlos Correa is the prize of another loaded shortstop class. Later, Mandy Bell on how the rainout actually helps the Guardians’ rotation, the most important bat in Cleveland’s lineup and the half marathon she’s running for Sarah. You can donate to support Sarah here. 

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