Big Time Baseball

Ben Davis flies solo this week, dissecting Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez and his poor defensive mechanics (3:23), the best relievers on the market and which teams need help (8:42) and the historic strikeout numbers from Astros starter Gerrit Cole (12:51). After discussing Mike Trout’s status as one of the all-time greats (17:30) and remembering Mark Buehrle’s perfect game from 10 years ago (22:10), Davis is joined by Padres catcher Austin Hedges, as the two backstops discuss Hedges’ framing technique, the talent behind San Diego closer Kirby Yates, Manny Machado's prowess, and the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers (25:00).

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Following Hall of Fame weekend, Jon Heyman and Josh Lewin go over the active players with the best chances of reaching Cooperstown, discuss how the Yankees are so unstoppable and debate who’s to blame for Boston’s sluggish season. Billy Beane -- Oakland Athletics executive VP of baseball ops then joins the show to discuss their strong start to the second half and the prominence of Houston as a divisional threat. The guys shift over to the NL East and talk about the Nats’ road to the playoffs and the future of Anthony Rendon with MASN's Mark Zuckerman. Heyman wraps it up with the latest trade deadline insight, including who’s buying and who’s selling, as well as the future of the Mets' staff.

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Tony Gwynn Jr. and Ben Davis talk about the red-hot San Francisco Giants and what their success means for Madison Bumgarner’s trade prospects (1:36), the impressive hitting display from the Nationals' Stephen Strasburg (7:15), and what it’s like to play ball in extreme heat conditions (19:37). With Hall of Fame weekend in Cooperstown around the corner, the guys share their experiences facing off against new inductees Mariano Rivera, Roy Halladay, and Mike Mussina (25:05). To finish the show, former MLB infielder and current TV analyst Geoff Blum shares his thoughts on the high-powered Houston offense, George Springer’s impressive blend of power and speed, and which team will provide the biggest challenge on the Astros’ journey to the playoffs (32:13).

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Josh Lewin and Jon Heyman breakdown how the Angels honored the late Tyler Skaggs with a combined no-hitter and how the Rays nearly accomplished the same feat (1:18), the Atlantic League's robot umpires (7:00), Justin Verlander's comments on MLB's juiced baseballs (8:40) and the next generation of great talent in the game (10:23). Later on, they chat with Nick Krall (21:47) -- Cincinnati Reds vice president and general manager -- and WFAN's Yankees reporter Sweeny Murti (29:45). To wrap it up, Heyman breaks down whether Mickey Callaway will survive with the Mets and his latest trade insight as the deadline approaches (40:13).

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Tony Gwynn Jr. and Ben Davis discuss Justin Verlander’s bold statement on MLB’s “juiced” baseballs and Rob Manfred’s reaction (1:35), the All-Star Game and Ronald Acuña Jr.’s impressive power display in the Home Run Derby (14:54), the pending trade deadline (22:00), the tight AL Central race (26:25) and World Series predictions entering the second half of the season (28:27). Newly-retired minor-league star Cody Decker then comes on the podcast and shares stories about his experiences at that level, his relationship with the late Tyler Skaggs, and what he’s going to miss most about playing (32:00).

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WEEI’s Rob Bradford (filling in for Josh Lewin) and Jon Heyman head into the All-Star break with discussions about Jonathan Lucroy and Jake Marisnick’s scary collision (2:30), the absence of Fernando Tatis Jr. in this year’s All-Star Game and the Nationals and Indians' respective runs (5:30). Radio.com Sports insider Joe Girardi then jumps on to share his take on Sunday’s home plate collision and his potential return to managing (17:55), plus Emmy-winning analyst and author Ned Colletti talks about his reign as Dodgers GM, including his acquisitions of Manny Ramirez and Cody Bellinger, along with his relationship with Joe Girardi (28:43). Heyman wraips it up with his insider segment, filled with updated trade rumors and much more (43:02).

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Tony Gwynn Jr. and Ben Davis discuss the odd ending to Yankees-Mets and Ben's perspective as a former catcher (2:35), the late Tyler Skaggs, his effect on the Angels' organization and how Ben dealt with a similar circumstance during his playing days (4:50), Max Scherzer's dominance in Washington and their perception of the National League East (10:47), and the All-Star Game rosters and how the NL has loaded up compared to years past (18:16). Top wrap it up, they chat with former Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins (30:12).

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WFAN's Sweeny Murti -- in for Josh Lewin -- joins Jon Heyman to discuss the Yankees and Red Sox's offensive explosion in London (2:40), DJ Lemahieu’s MVP-caliber season (8:35) and their reactions to the All-Star Game rosters (12:08). Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos comes on to talk about the first-place Braves’ blend of young and veteran stars, plus their acquisition of Dallas Keuchel (15:47), and 92.3 The Fan's James Rapien offers his thoughts on the Indians’ pursuit of a Wild Card berth (31:33). Heyman then shares insider nuggets on potential pitchers on the trade block, including the Rangers’ Mike Minor and the Padres’ Kirby Yates (42:58), along with discussing the infamous Bobby Bonilla Day (48:13).

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Tony Gwynn Jr. and Ben Davis discuss Albert Pujols and Manny Machado’s return to their respective former ballparks (2:30), Cleveland’s playoff chances/Carlos Santana’s resurgence (10:30) and why the All-Star Game should mean more to players (13:38). After sharing their own ASG memories (17:05), they discuss Mets manager Mickey Callaway (21:22) and weigh whether or not managers are held accountable for too much (24:45). Finally, Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts jumps on to breakdown Los Angeles’ red-hot first half, Cody Bellinger’s MVP campaign and its dominant pitching staff -- led by Walker Buehler (33:40).

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Jon Heyman and Josh Lewin discuss the incident between Mets manager Mickey Callaway and reporter Tim Healey (2:12), Albert Pujols' return to St. Louis (10:53), the Yankees' interest in Madison Bumgarner (11:53) and Gabe Kapler’s job security in Philadelphia (14:42). Later on, Red Sox manager Alex Cora drops by to discuss Boston's World Series hangover and the strong play of Xander Bogaerts and Rafael Devers (15:51), D-backs skipper Torey Lovullo talks about Arizona's young core and the veteran presence of Zach Greinke (27:02), and Mets broadcaster Keith Hernandez joins the guys to discuss his perspective on the Callaway incident and the Mets’ bullpen woes (35:47).

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