Welcome to Volume 9 of Middle Innings! Javi and Toad break down both the American and National League Division Series. Francisco Lindor has cemented himself as a Mets legend this postseason. Would he be the obvious choice for MVP if not for Shohei Ohtani? The guys are joined by Mets super fan Dan Hines (9:05) to discuss New York's playoff run and the NLCS. Hines provides his perspective from being in Citi Field as the Mets eliminated the Phillies. Is Dodgers-Padres the best rivalry in baseball? An electric West Coast NLDS made baseball bitter again. The Guardians were pushed to the brink by the upstart Tigers, but they're ready for a showdown with the Yankees. Buckle up. October baseball is here.

Emergency episode! MLB insider and USA Today columnist Bob Nightengale hops on (7:12) with Javi and Toad to recap a wild Monday between the playoff-bound Mets and Braves. Nightengale was in Oakland for the A's final day in the Coliseum, providing his perspective on an emotional afternoon in the Bay Area. Bob makes his World Series prediction and explains why it won't be easy for some of the favorites. Then, Bob gives insight into the Miami Marlins managerial search after the official departure of Skip Schumaker.

The MLB Postseason is upon us and we have the perfect guest to prepare us: Chris "The Bear" Fallica. The FOX Sports betting expert joins the Bullpen Mafia to discuss his World Series favorites, what futures he has on the line and even gives insight into his career and iconic nickname. Javi, Petey, and Toad review the tense divisional and Wild Card races. How about those Detroit Tigers? Javi and Petey provide perspective on CJ Abrams' late-night (or early morning, depending on who you ask) gambling and some of their minor-league post-midnight excursions. The segment wraps with the guys picking their favorite all-time playoff home runs.

Welcome to Volume 8 of Middle Innings! With Toad on the road in Vegas, the guys lock in their World Series picks. Javi and Petey dive into the incredible Wild Card races in both leagues, including the Detroit Tigers, who have seemingly come out of nowhere. Is Shohei Ohtani the greatest baseball player in history? The guys discuss his recording-breaking performance in Miami against the Marlins. The episode wraps with an interview with Brooks Hall, a former draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers. Hall has played professional baseball for 14 years, spanning four different countries.

The one and only Danny Boy Cane joins the Mafia. DBC breaks down the Miami Hurricanes' huge win in the Swamp over the Gators and what he expects for the rest of the season. Javi, Petey, and Toad dive into MLB's tight division and wild card races as the postseason quickly approaches. Toad is in shambles about FSU's nightmare start and explains the tumultuous times in Tallahassee. And no, he will not eat dog poop out of a red Solo cup. Then the guys give their season predictions for the Dolphins and Patriots. St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Andrew Kittredge hops on and chats about his call-up story and expectations for his Seattle Seahawks. Kitt discusses life in the bullpen and takes us inside the Cardinals fantasy football league.

Middle Innings is back for football season. Javi, Petey, and Toad discuss the return of college and NFL football. Petey picks a new favorite team while Toad copes with FSU's lackluster start to the season and Javi's Canes made a statement in Gainesville. The guys then go around the horn to pick their favorite post-game snacks and a special guest picker makes a surprise appearance and selection. Then Dario Pizzano, Director of Fundraising for Mission Stadiums for Multiple Sclerosis (MS4MS), joins the show (25:04) to promote the foundation's goals and upcoming event at Fenway Park. Learn more about the foundation at MS4MS.org and click here to purchase a ticket for Spreading Orange Day at Fenway Park on September 21st. Dario also dives into his experience at the Little League World Series and when his team lost to Tom Brady at the ESPYs.

The boys are back! Javi and Toad recap their weekend in Chicago after taking in a couple of games at Wrigley Field. Their experience at The Friendly Confines exceeded expectations and left Toad wanting more out of the Miami Marlins gameday atmosphere. Petey then shares concerns about the Patriots and a potential quarterback controversy brewing in Foxborough. Javi and Toad try to make sense of Tua's conversation with Dan Le Batard and his comments on his relationship with Brian Flores. The MLB playoff race is heating up and the guys discuss their favorites heading down the stretch. Then the trio drafted one MLB player each to be the franchise QB of their favorite NFL team. The episode wraps with an interview with Washington Nationals pitcher Jacob Barnes. Barnes explains his odd nicknames, his MLB journey, and how he's become an Immaculate Grid legend.

Episode 11 is a special one. Florida Marlins icon Dontrelle "D-Train" Willis joins the Mafia (15:43) for a lengthy interview. D-Train explains the origin of his nickname and tells his MLB call-up story during the 2003 season; he'd go on to win Rookie of the Year. Willis then dives into the 2003 Florida Marlins World Series Championship, shares what it was like playing under skipper Jack McKeon, and some more amazing anecdotes from his time with the Fish. D-Train also touches on the infamous trade that sent Miguel Cabrera and himself to Detroit and spent some time remembering Jose Fernandez. Thank you to Giancarlo Devito from Legends Of Dade for joining the interview and connecting the Mafia with Dontrelle Willis.

The guys kick off the episode reviewing Jazz Chisholm's hot start with the Yankees and provide their trade deadline winners and losers. Brett Phillips is throwing gas and attempting a comeback as a pitcher; we're rooting for him. Finally, Javi and Petey remember (not fondly) some of their grossest moments in the minors. Then, Cincinnati Reds pitcher Nick Martinez, a Miami local and alumnus of Belen Jesuit, joins the Mafia. Toad (Belen '09) and Javi speak with Nick (38:42) about his time playing professionally in Japan and representing the United States winning a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Nick discusses his journey back to Major League Baseball and what it means to play in front of family and friends this week against the Marlins.

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Wow. What a whirlwind trade deadline; especially for the Miami Marlins. MLB insider Craig Mish joined Javi and Toad to break down the Marlins' deadline moves. They look back at the timing of the Luis Arraez trade and conversations the Marlins had with the Padres and Orioles. Mish discussed GM Peter Bendix's plan for the future of the Fish and what the organization is doing to develop its newest additions. And was Jazz Chisholm almost a Kansas City Royal?