Steaming-hot Coco Balentien of the SoftBank Hawks is the guest, we take a look at the playoff races in both leagues as Jim brings a statistical projection to the equation, we discuss 2K Takumi Kuriyama, Masahiro Tanaka, Roki Sasaki and look at the obstruction injustices umpires are committing against NPB teams.

Carter Stewart Jr. of the SoftBank Hawks is the guest, we take a look at the playoff races in both leagues, Masahiro Tanaka puts in quality work in his latest start but gets very little run support, John has a rant about race-based micro traumas and the Sho Nakata tumult fuels the HighHeat question for this week.

Yakult Swallows scout Aaron Guiel is the guest, we talk about the resumption of the season, featuring the Hawks’ no-hitter behind Carter Stewart Jr., Roki Sasaki’s latest start, Sho Nakata showing some misguided fight, Thyago Vieira firing the fastest NPB pitch and then handle some HighHeat.

Zach Neal of the Seibu Lions is the guest, we talk about Samurai Japan sweeping through the Olympic tournament to the gold medal, the unexpected death of Chunichi Dragons pitcher Yusuke Kinoshita and handle some handle some HighHeat.

Former NPB star Jose Fernandez is the guest, we talk about the first two Samurai Japan games in the Olympic tourney, take a quick look at some new players coming in and an old favorite leaving, touch on Lotte rookie Roki Sasaki and close things out by handling some handle some HighHeat.

We take a look at the All-Star Games, discuss throwing numbers for catchers and outfielders, take a peek at the practice games on tap for the long ASG and Olympic break, chat about the latest Masahiro Tanaka start and finish by handling some HighHeat.

Great friends of the program and fellow reporters Jason Coskrey of the Japan Times and Claudio Rodriguez of Beisbol Japones join us for a conversation about the first half of the NPB season after we dive into the retirement announcement of Lions pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka and the fact that Mr. Zero ERA Kaima Taira allows his first run of the season.

We have an extended Mini Trax power rankings segment, focused on the PL-frontrunning Orix Buffaloes, then discussions on player-voting additions to the ASG, the latest loss for Masahiro Tanaka and Shun Yamaguchi tossing a near no-no before closing things up with some HighHeat.

Reminder, please check out the Pacific League YouTube channel in English, subscribe, watch and comment.

Brandon Dixon of the Rakuten Eagles is the guest, we take a quick look at the most recent starts by Masahiro Tanaka and Lotte rookie Roki Sasaki then discuss the Orix Buffaloes and their stampede to the top of the Pacific League standings, the All-Star series and close things up by handling some HighHeat.

Reminder, please check out the Pacific League YouTube channel in English, subscribe, watch and comment.

Zach Neal of the Seibu Lions delivers a powerful interview and message about family separation for players amid the pandemic, we discuss Justin Smoak of the Giants unplugging his season, the CL posting just its second winning record in Interleague play, look at the top MVP candidates, the Samurai Japan roster ahead of the Olympics and then handle some HighHeat.