Big Time Baseball

Jon Heyman and Josh Lewin lead off the show with a breakdown of the NL playoff picture (1:21), followed by discussions on Houston's dangerous starting rotation (6:04), the continuing power surge throughout baseball (11:17), and the toxicology report on Tyler Skaggs and the Angels' future (13:45). Lead Cardinals beat writer Derrick Goold then joins the show to talk about Jack Flaherty's success and Yadier Molina's clubhouse impact (17:23), and legendary baseball writer, historian, and statistician Bill James comes on to talk about the real value of WAR and some underappreciated Hall of Fame candidates (32:07). As usual, Jon Heyman wraps up the show by bringing us insider information on the sale of the Kansas City Royals and aging free agents (43:09).

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Tony Gwynn Jr. and Ben Davis kick off the episode by discussing what they would have put on their Players Weekend jerseys (5:53), followed by conversation about potential big-name free agents (7:56), the unbelievable start of Aristides Aquino's career (18:27), the entertaining AL Central race (20:25), and the issues surrounding Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen(27:46). After predicting their locks for the 2020s All-Decade team (39:38), Phillies manager Gabe Kapler joins Tony and Ben to answer questions about J.T. Realmuto, Charlie Manuel, and deciding the batting order (43:10).

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Jon Heyman and Josh Lewin open up the show with their thoughts on the Players' Weekend jerseys (1:13), followed by discussions about Tampa Bay's Wild Card push (7:07), JD Martinez's free agency prospects (9:45), and the Indians' loss of Jose Ramirez (13:48). After weighing how far the Braves could go in the playoffs (23:47), New York Mets General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen joins the hosts to talk about the Mets' amazing turnaround and Pete Alonso's importance to the franchise (27:01). To wrap up, Heyman gives insider insight on topics such as Didi Gregorious's future in New York and Justin Verlander's controversial press conference (39:59).

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Tony Gwynn Jr. and Ben Davis dive into the home run crown race and the likely winner (2:38), the potential for a new 50-30 club and its founding member, Christian Yelich (4:01), whether or not Albert Pujols deserves GOAT recognition (8:38), and the issue of hustle on the basepaths (13:53). After going over several NL Wild Card teams (18:17) and MLB.com's "All Debut Team" (28:28), the hosts are joined by former player and Astros' color analyst Geoff Blum for a discussion about Verlander's prolonged success and the offensive production of Michael Brantley (31:15).

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Tony Gwynn Jr. and Ben Davis go over the tight competition in the AL Central (2:30), the Mets' shaky bullpen (9:27), the injury issues of Fernando Tatis Jr. (12:34), and health issues of players on playoff-bound teams (17:10). After discussing the return of Charlie Manuel to Philadelphia (21:11) and Bryce Harper's recent success (24:25), Dodgers manager Dave Roberts joined the guys to talk about Clayton Kershaw's prolonged dominance and how to construct a lineup heading into the postseason (32:30).

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Jon Heyman and Josh Lewin dissect the jam-packed NL Wild Card Race (1:26), the Phillies' disappointing season (4:45), the absence of the Red Sox from the playoff hunt (11:00), and whether or not the Rays can make a late-season run on the Yankees (11:48). Then, they're joined by Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins, who discusses the young core of the team and the playing environment of Toronto (19:01), followed by Mets radio announcer Wayne Randazzo, who goes over the reason behind their recent hot streak (28:29). To wrap up, Heyman discusses Joe Maddon and several other managers on the hot seat (38:20).

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Tony Gwynn Jr. and Ben Davis discuss Zack Greinke’s comments after his first start with the Astros (1:49), if the Mets’ surge can turn into a playoff run (5:22), if newly-acquired Cubs catcher Jonathan Lucroy will be difference-maker amid Willson Contreras’ absence (10:44) and whether the Dodgers’ walk-off magic will carry over into October (14:22). Later on, they dig into the Yankees’ historic power numbers (18:06), why the Red Sox (21:13) are slowly falling out of the playoff race, Nelson Cruz’s insane bat speed in Minnesota (23:23) and the suddenly-intriguing National League Rookie of the Year race (27:25). To wrap it up, they chat with Kevin Frandsen -- the former major-league infielder-turned-Phillies radio analyst -- about why Philadelphia been plagued with inconsistency this season (30:45).

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Jon Heyman and Josh Lewin breakdown the American League heavyweights, led by the Astros after their trade for Zack Greinke (1:24). They also talk about the Yankees' big lead in the Al East despite all their injuries (4:22), the Red Sox' woes (6:17) and NL teams -- like the Cubs and Mets -- picking up steam (9:31). Later on, the guys bring on Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo to discuss Arizona's rebuilding phase while staying in the wild-card race, along with what Greinke meant to the organization (18:57). They also chat with Indians play-by-play voice Tom Hamilton about what's led to Cleveland's surge (25:55) before wrapping it up with Heyman evaluating teams' moves at the deadline (35:52).

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Tony Gwynn Jr. and Ben Davis recap all the big MLB trade deadline news, including the Astros’ acquisition of Zach Greinke, the Braves' big bullpen moves, the Yankees’ lack of participation despite their need for starting pitching and the Trevor Bauer-Yasiel Puig blockbuster deal. They also discuss how the Indians must feel about their playoff chances based on their deadline moves and their athletic starter Shane Bieber, along with the Cubs trading for outfielder Nick Castellanos. 16-year veteran-turned-Dodgers broadcaster Jerry Hairston Jr. talks about the Pirates’ decision not to move Felipe Vazquez to L.A. and potential postseason opponents, including the Braves and the revamped Astros.

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Jon Heyman and Josh Lewin discuss whether the Mets' deal for Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman made sense for their organization (2:08), Trevor Bauer's antics after getting pulled from his start on Sunday and if the Indians will trade him (8:36), along with which contenders should go all in before the trade deadline (15:33). Later on, Radio.com Sports insider Bob Nightengale (17:46) and ex-Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti (27:26) join the guys to breakdown the latest rumors this week before Lewin and Heyman dissect whether the Giants should trade Madison Bumgarner and the Padres' plans (40:54).

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