Aaron Judge says pitchers shouldn’t be able to win MVP because they already have the Cy Young Award. I completely disagree. We break down why pitchers absolutely should remain eligible for MVP and why the argument against them doesn’t make sense.

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John Smoltz joins the show to reflect on the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and one of the most unforgettable nights in baseball history.

Smoltz shares what it was like being on the field at Shea Stadium when Mike Piazza hit his iconic home run, why the night felt so special, and why that moment seemed like it was meant to happen.

Plus, Smoltz weighs in on MLB expanding, what cities he thinks will get an MLB team, and Shohei Ohtani being done pitching this season and whether he still believes Ohtani should continue as a two-way player moving forward.

What do you remember most about Piazza’s home run after 9/11?

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:37 John Smoltz Joins

2:41 MLB Expansion

8:53 Is Shohei Done As 2-Way Player?

13:13 John Smoltz Remembers 9/11

18:47 Outro

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Shohei Ohtani is officially heading to the IL and is done pitching for the rest of the season. But does this mean we should start questioning his future as a two-way player?

We break down the latest on Ohtani’s injuries, Dave Roberts admitting the Dodgers should have put him on the IL sooner, and why the conversation about Shohei giving up pitching needs to stop.

Do you expect Shohei Ohtani to return as a two-way player next season?

Timestamps:

0:00 Shohei Ohtani Hits the IL

3:17 Will Shohei Pitch Again?

7:19 Smoltz talks 9/11

8:18 Outro

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Ronald Acuña Jr. and the Phillies brought the drama this weekend, while an umpire somehow found himself at the center of controversy after confronting a pitcher making his MLB debut.

We break down all of that, plus the Blue Jays’ resurgence, the Mariners and Orioles falling apart, the latest on Shohei Ohtani, which AL teams can actually beat the Dodgers in October, and a new MLB Power Rankings.

Should the umpire be punished for what he did?

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

0:52 Braves/Phillies Drama

2:44 Absurd UMP SHOW

5:18 Blue Jays are BACK?!

7:13 Mariners are DONE

8:57 Orioles Blow Great Opportunity

10:56 Ohtani Dealing With Lots of Injuries

13:27 AL Teams That Can Beat the Dodgers

20:02 MLB Power Rankings

28:38 Outro

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John Smoltz joins Ben Verlander to discuss what the Dodgers should do with Shohei Ohtani as he continues to battle injuries heading into October. Should Ohtani keep building up as a starter, focus solely on hitting, or could a bullpen role make sense for the postseason?

Plus, Smoltz makes his AL Cy Young pick between Dylan Cease and Cam Schlittler and reveals which team he believes is best built to take down the Dodgers in October.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:13 John Smoltz Joins

1:27 What Should Dodgers Do With Shohei?

5:00 Dylan Cease or Cam Schlittler AL Cy Young Race

7:41 Best Team To Beat the Dodgers?

11:12 Outro

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Shohei Ohtani has been battling knee and biceps issues for months, and now those injuries may be taking a toll on his performance at the plate.

After a four-strikeout game and an extended offensive slump, Dave Roberts acknowledged that Ohtani may need some time to rest.

Ben breaks down Ohtani’s recent struggles, the latest on his stalled return to the mound, and why his health should now be the Dodgers’ biggest priority heading into October.

Timestamps:

0:00 Shohei Ohtani is Injured

3:03 Knee Affecting His Offense

4:47 Dave Roberts Comments On Injuries

6:37 What Should Dodgers Do With Shohei?

12:29 This Week in Shohei Ohtani News

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I’ve been riding with Shohei Ohtani for NL MVP all season, but it’s time for me to admit it: I was wrong.

Pete Crow-Armstrong has changed my mind, and I explain why he’s now my pick for MVP.

Plus, we break down a huge Yankees-Red Sox series, the Astros surviving the chaos, Tarik Skubal’s emotional return to Detroit, the 5 teams that can beat the Dodgers in October, and my latest MLB Power Rankings.

Who is your NL MVP right now: PCA or Ohtani?

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

0:41 Shohei or PCA for NL MVP

9:00 Top 5 NL Teams That Can Beat the Dodgers

16:35 Around the League

20:36 MLB Power Rankings

28:53 Outro

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Can anyone stop the Dodgers if their rotation is finally healthy for October?

John Smoltz breaks down Shohei Ohtani’s return to the mound and what this loaded Dodgers staff could look like in the postseason.

Plus, Smoltz reacts to the Astros firing their GM while in first place, the Braves sweeping the Dodgers, and Pat Murphy’s unusual decision to bench Cooper Pratt.Are the Dodgers beatable in October?

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:33 Smoltz's Thoughts On Astros GM Firing

3:30 Dodgers Rotation Thoughts

7:15 More Impressed with Braves Now?

10:58 Was Pat Murphy's Benching Warranted?

13:48 Outro

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Shohei Ohtani could be back on the mound for the Dodgers as soon as Sunday.

Ohtani has taken some major steps toward his pitching return, including facing live hitters and continuing to build up on the mound. We break down the latest on when he could pitch, why he won’t need a rehab assignment, and what his return would mean for a Dodgers rotation that is coming together at exactly the right time.

Plus, Ohtani continues to make an impact offensively as the NL MVP race heats up.

Subscribe for more MLB coverage and This Week in Shohei Ohtani.

Timestamps:

0:00 Shohei's Return to the Mound

4:40 Shohei's Injured Knee Update

6:53 Shohei's Offensive Week

10:21 Outro

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The Dodgers’ rotation is coming together at the perfect time, and October is starting to look scary for the rest of baseball.

We break down why the Dodgers are built for this time of year, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto dealing, Tarik Skubal joining the rotation, Blake Snell dominating, Tyler Glasnow getting closer and Shohei Ohtani working toward his return to the mound.

Plus, the Astros made major news by firing GM Dana Brown. What does the move mean for the organization, and what could be next for manager Joe Espada?

We also get into the Padres’ new ownership group and their aggressive plans for the future, unveil this week’s MLB Power Rankings, and recap the Little League Classic.

Timestamps:

0:00 Intro

1:07 Astros fire GM Dana Brown

6:54 Dodgers Coming Together Just in Time

10:30 Padres New Ownership ROCKS

15:00 New MLB Power Rankings

24:54 Little League Classic Recap

27:00 Outro

#MLB #Dodgers #Astros #Baseball #MLBPowerRankings

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