BaseballBiz On Deck

Mat Germain visits BaseballBiz On Deck to look at the Tampa Bay Rays as they enter the last 24 games of the 2023 season.

• Waivers – Angels – Guardians results 
• Rays faced former Rays pitcher Matt Moore
• Miami Marlins – Thanks to Lou Schiff @BaseballandLaw
• Losing series to Cleveland Guardians – Bad Aura?
• 24 games left are some players hiding injuries
• Taylor Walls & Kevin Kiermaier comparisons – 
• Some sloppiness in recent defense - Is Taylor missing confidence -1.4 defensive rating & 8 errors
• Osleivis Basabe is a better shortstop than Taylor
• Shortstop glut – Walls comparing himself to Wander Franco?
• Heart & Hustle & Confidence equation that Taylor needs to achieve
• Rays need to go back to building a competitive environment
• Quick at Bats hurting Rays?
• Rays top hitters, Yandy Diaz, Jose Siri, & Isaak Paredes, benched during the Red Sox game
• Speedy Vidal Brujan got tagged at third
• Rays Fun & Frustrating, Fun & Frustrating
• It’s baseball – Yankees swept Astros in Houston, A’s wins series over Angels 
• Could Yankees win 22 of 25 remaining games to remain relevant – Not Likely
• The A’s have a better future than the Angels – Will Ohtani and Trout stick around
• Angels dealt away 6 of their top 10 prospects – looks like a lean future 
• Yankees & Angels both are burdened by injuries and top salaries to Judge, Cole, Ohtani & Trout
• Stubborn ownership & weak scouting making bad decisions for both Yankees & Angels
• Perry Minasian, GM for the Angels has relatively no say with budget & players
• What does it take to change Owners minds to build and keep a better team in Anaheim
• Yankees’ Aaron Boone always apologizing and making excuses 
• Yankees Front Office has been lazy in Analytics & Development
• Promote Cashman to President to stop him as GM & keeping dinosaurs around Judge
• Could David Stearns be the new Yankees GM – who would he select as team manager
• CB Bucknor & Angel Hernandez – MLB need a retirement age for umps - Umpires should be anonymous 
• Tommy La Sorda & Video Replay
• Rays Opening Day roster compared to today’s lineup – pitching has taken a hard hit but Rays have done a great job rebuilding rotation
• Will we see Colby White, Curtis Mead, Junior Caminero & Austin Shenton come up in September
• Rays Minor League Teams have a chance to be in the Minor League Series. Durham Bulls, Montgomery Biscuits & Charleston River Dogs – post season may find some Rays minor league players in Perth, Australia
• Phenoms Wander Franco & Julio Urias probably out. How can league use these as learning moments for their players
• Need Mentoring system for new players to keep them on the right path

Special Thanks to Mat Germain. Mat can be found on Twitter @Mat_Germain_   Mark can be found on Twitter @TheBaseballBiz
  BaseballBiz can be found on iheartradio, Stitcher, Apple,Spotify & Google podcasts & @TheBaseballBiz on Twitter and of course on https://www.baseballbizondeck.com
 
Please like, follow and comment. Let us know your thoughts about the show. DM Mark on Twitter @TheBaseballBiz
Thanks to Tampa Baseball Museum for their continuous support.
 
Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music "Rocking Forward"

• Who Will be in the playoffs
• Yankees have a hard climb
• Wander Franco – the 5’8’ Elephant in the room – game is taking off and then
• Day Off of rest and then pulled from the dugout – Many YouTubers who rush to judgement on Wander Franco
• What would the Rays look like without Wander Franco, how will it impact the team
• Could work visa be rejected
• Tyler Glasnow returns
• Aaron Civale – Mat with the 5 start leniency – Mark is more critical           
• 1st 2 Guardians that faced Civale hit a bunt – 2 pitches, 2 bunts put a man on second
• Kyle Manzardo traded for Civale
• Rays Fan pain  - lose 3/5s of your elite players & losing Wander Franco
• Osleivis Basabe – solid at all positions in the infield. Currently, playing Short Stop
• Vidal Brujan may stay in minors 
• Either Carson Williams could or Junior Caminero could be 3rd base
• Lopez or Bradley could be another regular starter for the Rays
• Rays have strong depth – looks much like Orioles
• Manuel Margot – injured with floating objects around. 
• Brandon Lowe is looking at his best this past week
• Luke Raley & Josh Lowe will be getting more playing time as Margot is out
• Rays are hitting strong with Hits, RBI’s, Runs, HR’s
• Junior Caminero hit 3 Home Runs in 1 game. One that cleared the scoreboard. 479 feet.
• Junior is currently with Montgomery Biscuits
• German Mets fan, Spring Training, Tim Tivo and Pete Alonso
• Mat speaks to the value of watching young players come up through the minors. Enjoy 
• Mat shares his story on Hockey fans who could see junior teams to see players who are up and coming like Sidney Crosby with the Oceanic Rimouski 
• Rays abundance of Short Stops with Rays and recent drafts
• Tyler Walls are his days with the Rays numbered with Carson Williams coming up through the minor leagues. 
• Is there a singular leader in the Rays dugout – would Alonso be a good addition as a leader?
• Wander Franco – what would happen if he would no longer be a Ray
• Would Ohtani come to Tampa Bay
• Wander’s contract did not do him any service with the limited amount that he makes over several years
• Perhaps the Wander money could go to keep Glasnow
• Will Rays hit 100 wins this year? Will they win the division?

AL East 

Special Thanks to Mat Germain. Mat can be found on Twitter @Mat_Germain_   Mark can be found on Twitter @TheBaseballBiz
  BaseballBiz can be found on iheartradio, Stitcher, Apple,Spotify & Google podcasts & @TheBaseballBiz on Twitter and of course on https://www.baseballbizondeck.com
 
Please like, follow and comment. Let us know your thoughts about the show. DM Mark on Twitter @TheBaseballBiz
Thanks to Tampa Baseball Museum for their continuous support.
 
Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music "Rocking Forward"

Author John Vampatella & Mark talk about John's book the 53rd Man, Fighting to Make It in the NFL – book by John Vampatella. All of this, & Ohtani, The Tampa Bay Rays, the Orioles & the Angels

Part 1 of this interview is at https://bit.ly/3s5UdQh  

The 53rd Man is the last man to make the NFL team’s roster. These players fight to stay in the game and on the team. John’s book takes the reader through injuries, cuts and trades.

• 120 plus players in the minor leagues for each team in football the cutoff is 53
• The 53rd Man, Fighting to Make It in the NFL – book by John Vampatella
• UConn, Wide Receiver, Jeremy Davis, NFL 5 to 6 year career, Special Teams Ace
• NFL does not have a minor league like MLB
• Fringe Players, Bubble Guys, may make the team but may be on the practice squad.
• Davis became a Special Teams Ace
• 53rd Men stories include players including, Austin Carr with the Patriots who got cut by Belichick and then moved to the Saints and played with Drew Brees 
• Faith & Resiliency
• You can’t make the club from the tub – 53rd man may get the same level of care as any other player but they could easily be replaced. Many of these players will continue to play hurt to main
• Jeremy Davis with the Giants – the fear of being cut because your hurt
•  Faith for Matthew Slater, son of NFL Hall of Famer Jackie Slater, gave him strength during difficult times
• Trust that God has a Plan for them and it gives them peace while others who are stressed out
• Walk with God – it has been the anchor to get some players through their pro career
• John’s inspired by 13-year old daughter’s faith & her walk with God while facing hardship 
• Orioles, Blue Jays & Tampa Bay Rays 3 AL East teams potentially in the 6 spots for MLB Playoff Brackets
• Rays Injuries  - Glasnow, McClanahan, Springer, Rasmussen
• What happened to the Rays in August and will they be able to catch the Orioles
• Shohei Ohtani – the singular GOAT of the century – Arte Moreno
• Angels have Ohtani & Mike Trout and are currently under .500

John Vampatella’s book, 53rd Man, Fighting to Make it in the NFL
you can order now at
https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538181508/53rd-Man-Fighting-to-Make-It-in-the-NFL
Use Code: RLFANDF30  to get 30% off

BaseballBiz On Deck on iheartradio, Stitcher, Apple, Spotify & Google & www.BaseballBizOnDeck.com
Please like, subscribe and remark. Let us know your thoughts about the show.
Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music "Rocking Forward"

John Vampatella, Author of the 53rd Man & The Forgotten Game 

New York Yankees & Boston Red Sox fandom

2004 Game 7 – State Police brought on campus due to Yankee / Red Sox sports tension between fans

The Mets & Padres have spent a fortune but no results

Steve Cohen – spends the money, buys the talent including Verlander, Scherzer

Now it’s time to “Cut Bait” at the Mets

Cohen’s letter to NY Mets ticket holders

Red Sox strong farm system – Fans need to have “patience with the process” 

Dodgers have a core of good players from their system

Verdugo – what’s going on? why wasn’t he traded?

Ceddanne Rafaela now in the Red Sox minor leagues has a strong future with Boston

What would Bill Belichick do with a tardy player

John says we should look that Red Sox may trade Verdugo in the offseason

The Iconic Fenway Park a historic tour

Boston Fans should have early season games played in other cities’ domed stadiums?

Hold a few Major League regular season games in Minor League parks

Aunt Irene – the most dedicated Yankees fan is ready for a total house cleaning of the Yankees

Giancarlo Stanton – where is the hustle to home? 

Reese McGuire – bad baserunning costs the Red Sox a game

Aaron Judge contract – was it worth it                          

Joel Youngblood – traded mid-day playing for the Mets. He was pulled from the game and then played that evening for the Montreal Expos

Orioles Announcer – Kevin Brown suspended – What was the front office thinking?

The Voices of Baseball: The Game's Greatest Broadcasters Reflect on America's Pastime – Kirk McKnight

Part 2  - The Conversation Continues with a focus on the 53rd Man, Fighting to Make It in the NFL   https://bit.ly/3YuQWWM

John Vampatella’s book, 53rd Man, Fighting to Make it in the NFL
you can order now at
https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538181508/53rd-Man-Fighting-to-Make-It-in-the-NFL Use Code: RLFANDF30  to get 30% off

BaseballBiz On Deck on iheartradio, Stitcher, Apple, Spotify & Google & www.BaseballBizOnDeck.com
Please like, subscribe and remark. Let us know your thoughts about the show.
Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music "Rocking Forward"

• Beginnings with a love of the game 
• From minor leagues to prosecuting attorney to judge
• Early on started with JuCo ball, made All-State, then Drafted by Cleveland
• Attitude to fight off bullies transferred into his career as a prosecuting attorney – Bugliosi facing off Manson
• Pitcher confidence – always felt like he was going to win every game
• Baseball gave Robin a chance to work with a diverse group of people
• Smart pitchers learn how to let hitters strike themselves out
• Mixing up style of pitches, speed and placement plus the Mythical Spitball
• Wade Boggs – saw the rotation of the ball in different quadrants during the pitch
• Boston Hitting coach did not like Robin talking to the hitters
• Wade Boggs, a good friend - induction to Tampa Bay Rays HOF
• Tommy Lasorda story – Robin & Tommy a flight to the Dominican Republic.
• “Dr” Tommy Lasorda tells a tall Mental Healing tale
• Speaking fluent Spanish was needed when Robin worked as an Oakland A’s coach
• Player to Coach – Leaving the Player mindset behind – time to put the hammer down
• Oakland gave Robin flexibility as Spring Training coach to pursue law degree
•  Sandy Alderson & Tony La Russa both were lawyers who both had been with the Oakland Athletics 
• Differences between Manager & Coaches relationships with players
• Pitching against guys like Orel Hershiser, Pedro Guerrero. Tony Peña
• Veteran Dominican Republic (D.R.) & Venezuelan Players work to nurture and aid the younger players who come to the US to play ball by helping them to bridge the cultural & language gaps
• ‘You have to swing to get off the island”
• Robin's D.R. Winter Ball, infield included Alfredo Griffin at 2nd base, and Raphael Ramirez from the Braves at shortstop, Gerald Perry at 1st base from the Braves, Manny Castillo from the Mariners at 3rd base. John Lickert with the Red Sox was the catcher. Robin faced batters - Orel Hershiser, Pedro Guerrero & pitched to Tony Peña in the All-Star Game. 
• Players in the D.R. treated young players as family and often left equipment behind for the young players
• Florida a cradle for baseball talent
• Northside Little League
• Tampa Smokers
• MLB Draft & Trades – Daniel Robertson moved from Mets to Miami
• Cleveland Farm Director Bob Quinn did not like Robin and was ready to stall his career.
• Cleveland Indians lost Robin to the Red Sox due to a rule violation 
• Wade Boggs & Robin Fuson
• If Maddux pitched in today’s game he might win 30 games
• Mike Hargrove – the “human rain delay” 
• Mexico - Threw out Eddie Miller at 1st base after 17 throw-overs 
• Mixing the pitches, speed & sequences to fool the batters
• Bat Flipping - how would Don Drysdale or Bob Gibson have responded 
• Injuries & rapid pace of today’s game
• Robin would throw as many as 150 pitches a game & would average 7 to 8 innings
• Lance McCullers Jr, Astros pitcher & the McCullers Christmas Tree lots 
• Kevin Williams & Robin “Ali” boxing prank
• Oakland A’s 2x Fuson – Grady Fuson, Scouting Director of the Athletics 

Robin's baseball stories, wit  and wisdom can be found on Twitter @Slider_Sinker

Discover more on BaseballBiz is at www.baseballbizondeck.com & on iheartradio, Apple & Google podcasts
You can reach Mark @TheBaseballBiz on Twitter 
Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music "Rocking Forward" 

 Nate Andrews, Baltimore Orioles analyst from Full Count Chaos visits and brings a look from Birdland to BaseballBiz On Deck 

• Orioles Rebuild – Mike Elias ‘Rebuild is Over’ 
• Leading American League with an over .600 winning record this year 
• Yankees & Boston Red Sox tied for last in AL East 
• The AL East is the Beast 
• Brandon Hyde – Hats Off to Hyde – looks to be the AL Manager of the Year 
• Strong Orioles Roster, Rutschman, Mateo, Mountcastle, Henderson, Hays, Santander, Frasier, O’Hearn, Urias, etc 
• O’s IL - Mullins & Hicks 
• Aaron Hicks – Yankees tribute upon return to Yankee stadium & Yankee fans fill stadium with boos 
• Young superstars ready to step up when injuries arise in the lineup 
• Ryan O’Hearn stepped up – clutch player - Winning is contagious with the Orioles 
• Trade murmuring – Angelos not likely to trade for Ohtani 
• Orioles bullpen has blown many saves 
• Marcus Stroman or Blake Snell potential trades – why are the Padres doing so poorly, are they ready to trade 
• Dean Kremer awesome pitching 
• Shintaro Fujinami traded from the Oakland A’s still trying to find the strike zone 
• What does trade deadline, August 1st, look like for Baltimore 
• Blood, Sweat, Tears and Money What about fickle fans until the losses start to pile up                                                                                                                                        
• Baltimore loud at the Trop in St. Pete 
• October brings a “different beast” to baseball 
• Pete Fairbanks – Tampa Bay Rays – Closer Assassin – hard to face 
• Camden Yards – when will a lease be signed – the Orioles aren’t going anywhere –  ask John Angelos 

Special Thanks to Nate Andrews for sharing knowledge on The Baltimore Orioles
 You can find Nate at https://www.fullcountchaos.com or on Twitter @FullCountChaos

Discover more on BaseballBiz is at www.baseballbizondeck.com also on iheartradio, Stitcher, Apple & Google podcasts
 
You can reach Mark @TheBaseballBiz on Twitter 
Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music "Rocking Forward" 

Mat Germain returns to BaseballBiz On Deck to give a dive into the Rays as they enter the final months of the season 

• Mat working has been working on Rescues in Nova Scotia & Halifax
• Fred McGriff’s & Scott Rolen trek to the Hall of Fame – a respected player
• Pete Rose should be allowed in with a disclaimer
• “American Gladiators” – steroids & muscle v marketing – shades of Mark McGwire
• HOF made it work for Roberto Malomar – museum should chronicle history with achievements & failings
• Tampa Bay Rays have “Blown Up” – What Gives?
• Roberto Malomar spit and Hall of Fame
• The Writers have a fine line on who they can select for the Hall of Fame
• Celebrate Pete Rose inducted into the Hall of Fame with 
• 5 starter pitchers are solid but Rays could add 1 more 
• Expectations for return of Andrew Kittredge
• Perhaps Padres – Josh Hader & Seth Lugo
• Lackadaisical lineup 
• Randyland & the Benching of Franco – what gives?
• Leadership is needed with the Rays – remember Charlie Morton
• Avengers Assemble - Rays Assemble - find some unity
• Lance Lynn is a good example of leadership and never say die attitude
• Rays prospects, players, potential trades & churn
• Jonathan Aranda, Vidal Brujan, Osleivis Basabe
• Is Shohei Ohtani an option – what would Arte Moreno want
• Mark is unhappy to see Pete Fairbanks pitch 3 games straight
• Andrew Kittredge & Colby White could be the answer
• Trop sells out – Mariners & Orioles games
• At 2022 it looked like losing was acceptable to Kevin Cash
• Plea to Kevin Cash – put your instinct before the analytics
• Looking for some Grit & Fire from the Rays
• Mat & Mark are adjusting their Win Loss projections for the Rays 
• RaysUp

Special Thanks to Mat Germain. Mat can be found on Twitter @Mat_Germain_   Mark can be found on Twitter @TheBaseballBiz
  BaseballBiz can be found on iheartradio, Stitcher, Apple,Spotify & Google podcasts & @TheBaseballBiz on Twitter and of course on https://www.baseballbizondeck.com
 
Please like, follow and comment. Let us know your thoughts about the show. DM Mark on Twitter @TheBaseballBiz

Thanks to Tampa Baseball Museum for their continuous support.
  
 Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music "Rocking Forward"

Author, Rick Vaughn, "100 years of Baseball on St. Petersburg's Waterfront. How the Game Helped Shape a City" discusses Al Lang & the evolution of MLB Spring Training in St. Pete. Rick’s front office career spans the Orioles, Redskins & Vice President of Communications with the Tampa Bay Rays. #RaysUp

• Baltimore, rolling out Camden Yards
•  Rick's book of baseball stories  -  "100 years of Baseball on St. Petersburg's Waterfront. How the Game Helped Shape a City"
• Al moved to St. Petersburg for his health & fell in love with the community
• Brought the best teams to St Petersburg - Boston Braves, New York Yankees, St Louis Cardinals & . . . 
• Keeping it fresh - Boston Braves depart St Pete on Tuesday & Al has a new team, the St. Cardinals in place by Saturday
• Babe Ruth's Train
• Tampa paid Cubs to bring their spring training to the city 
• Al Lang, philanthropy
• The Depression, Spring Training & the impact on St. Pete
• Babe Ruth & St. Pete, a love affair
• Yankees moved team from New Orleans to turn down the Babe’s night life
• All Children’s hospital recipient of Ruth’s generosity
• Minor League Map of Florida - watching up & coming players 
• 1968 - 29 future Hall of Famers in Al Lang Field 
• 90 Tampa natives that have played Major League Baseball
• Seaver & Gooden both playing in Tampa high schools simultaneously
•  minor league players in Tampa - Justin Crawford with the Threshers
• 1960 the death of Al Lang
• Fighting Segregation in Tampa Bay Baseball - Bill White & Dr. Ralph Wimbish, 
• Cardinals brought all players, managers & families under one roof in St. Pete 
• Did Florida lose spring training teams to Arizona due to segregation?
• Al Lang & Rick Vaughn strong champions of the game
• prepping for the launch of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
• Buck Showalter or Socha could have possibly been the first Rays GM
• Rays original Owner & GM had not worked in baseball
• What makes a great ballpark experience in an outdoor open ballpark
• Rays future stadium should honor the past & deliver a park with modern day amenities
• Build a Rays stadium in Ybor reflecting the history of Ybor & the cigar factories
• Tampa Bay needs a champion for baseball and the Tampa Bay Rays
• Wade Boggs stories at Al Lopez field & Tino Martinez working in cigar factory
• Tampa baseball with the Cubs & Red Sox
• Augustus Busch Jr, owner of St. Louis Cardinals brought Busch Gardens to Tampa

Rick's book on Amazon @
 "100 years of Baseball on St. Petersburg's Waterfront. How the Game Helped Shape a City"
BaseballBiz On Deck on iheartradio, Apple, Spotify & Google & www.BaseballBizOnDeck.com
Please like, subscribe and remark. Let us know your thoughts about the show.
Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music "Rocking Forward"

MLB Draft, Home Run Derby, All-Star Week & Friday night Pitching – boo's, Manfred, MLBonFox

• MLB Draft more booing for Manfred and Houston Astros
• MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is ready to continue as commissioner
• Athletic article by Evan Drellich analyzes Manfred’s rehire situation
• Things to like about Rob Manfred include the loss of the shift, ghost runner, larger bases and the pitch clock.  Is baseball better off than before.
• Average ticket holder is now 6 years younger than 2019
• Theo Epstein would be a good one to consider for the commissioner’s office
• AllStar Game introductions - American League Reserves announced by Joe Davis
• Houston Astros – no love from the stands for Kyle Tucker, Yordan Alvarez & Framber Valdez
• Dusty Baker deserves our respect not boo’s
• MLBonFox failed miserably with Tampa Bay Rays – 
• Who are Wander Franco & Shane McClanahan? 
• Their introduction missed during the introduction of the Seattle Mariners, the game was held in Seattle
• Where was Cleveland Guardians, Josh Naylor at the AllStar Game
• Bo Naylor & Josh both hit home runs in the same inning on Friday
• Home Run Derby friends & rivals -Randy Arozarena & Adolis Garcia 
• Cuban outfielder friends Arozarena & Garcia save Gerrit Cole’s first inning.
• Garcia steals Acuña’s home run
• A Tale of 2 Pitchers
• Chicago White Sox Michael Kopech faces a tough first inning giving up a grand slam
• Milwaukee Brewers Corbin Burnes a tale of 2 pitchers – Sweltering heat in Cincinnati with the Reds. Burnes delivers 13 strikeouts in 6 innings

BaseballBiz On Deck on iheartradio, Stitcher, Apple, Spotify & Google & www.BaseballBizOnDeck.com
Please like, subscribe and remark. Let us know your thoughts about the show.
Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music "Rocking Forward"

BaseballBiz On Deck MLB Midseason rundown with Brandon

• AL East 
  • Rays started season with 13 wins in a row
  • Recently lost 7 games in a row
  • @Mat_Germain_  projections on bumpy tract for the Rays
  • 2 Best teams today in the MLB – Braves & Rays
  • Atlanta Braves had been adopted as the Tampa home team 
  • Braves sell out the Trop and take the first 2 out of 3 in St. Pete
  • Classic match ups – Charlie Morton v Tyler Glasnow, Spencer Strider v Taj Bradly
  • Zach Eflin – Rock of the Rays Rotation
  • LOB
  • Orioles ascend and take 2 of 4 @  at Yankees Stadium
  •  O’s -  Cinderella Run to the AL Championship
  • Yankees GM, Brian Cashman, fires the Yankees hitting coach
  • Blue Jays – Alek Manoah returns
  • Red Sox – only 1 game behind the Yankees
• AL Comedy Central – Brandon breaks it down
  •  Eliminate divisions - advice from Mat
  • Brandon proposes Conference model
  • Guardians, 9th in the AL - leading Central with a .500 percentage
  • Royals – 26 wins & 65 losses – still not the worst team in baseball
• AL West
  • Texas Rangers lead the West with a .571 winning percentage
  • Oakland has a .272 winning percentage 
  • Angels cursed? – great talent – limited results
  • Will Ohtani move 
  • Brodie Brazil speaks the truth about the Oakland A’s & potential move to yet another Tropicana – this one in Vegas- retractable roof on 9 acres?
  • Vegas – Expansion team or buying a Used A’s team from Oakland
• National League - NL East
  • The Atlanta Braves – beating everybody – Acuña – potential MVP
  • Marlins are growing quietly – one of the best teams in baseball today
  • Bucs & Dolphins compared to Marlins & Rays
  • Fenway fans sharing the love with Mark & Karen on the Trop
  • The Phillies
  • Mets are under 500 – 18.5 games behind the Braves
  • Money may buy you love but not necessarily a championship team – Sask teve Cohen
• Al Lopez - managerial tactic for success – playing as a cohesive team
  • Washington Nationals – White Flag – 24.5 games behind the Braves
• NL Central
  • Higher expectations for Brewers 
  • Cincinnati Reds –12 game winning streak
  • Joey Votto Returns
  • Rookie, Elly De La Cruz explodes on the baseball scene. 
  •  In 30 days De La Cruz in the Majors and his hit a cycle and now has stolen 3 bases with a single at bat in 2 pitches
  • Willy May Hayes would be proud of Elly
  • Cubs under 500 but recently beat the Yankees in Yankee stadium
  • Pirates – first crack at the MLB draft selected Paul Skeens. 
• NL West 
  •  Dodgers have won 7 of their last 10 games and now share the number 1 division spot with the Diamondbacks
  • Imminent rebuilds for some teams

Brandon Noe on twitter @SportsBlitzPod,  @TheBaseballBiz on Twitter 

BaseballBiz On Deck on iheartradio, Stitcher, Apple, Spotify & Google & www.BaseballBizOnDeck.com

 Please like, subscribe and remark. Let us know your thoughts about the show.

 Special thanks to XTaKeRuX for the music "Rocking Forward"