Brandon Laird of Lotte is the guest, John E. Gibson and Jim Allen talk about a chat with the veteran NPB slugger and the Marines, then go through the other six-game series in the Pacific League this past week, look at the Central League, discuss the power trend in Japan at the No. 2 spot and hit a couple of notes, including A-Mart.

Versatile DeNA slugger Neftali Soto is the guest, John E. Gibson and Jim Allen talk about the BayStars and their powerful lineup, take a look at the Central League, discuss the bumbling Orix Buffaloes becoming the first NPB team to drop a scheduled six-game series, touch on the Zelous Wheel deal and then handle some HighHeat.

Chunichi Dragons outfielder Moises Sierra is the guest, John E. Gibson and Jim Allen talk about his spring training chat, take a look at each Opening Weekend series and then handle some HighHeat.

Lotte Marines reliever Frank Herrmann is the guest, John E. Gibson and Jim Allen unpack his frank interview, we bring in Jason Coskrey of the Japan Times for our NPB Preview Review ahead of Opening Day on Friday, Jim talks about the Oscar Colas situation and we handle some HighHeat.

Former Nippon Ham skipper Trey Hillman is the guest and John E. Gibson and Jim Allen unpack his in-depth interview, talk about the two Yomiuri Giants players who tested positive (then quickly negative) for COVID-19, the restart of practice games ahead of June 19’s Opening Day and review a couple of new rules before handling some HighHeat.

Former Nippon Ham and Hanshin outfielder Micah Franklin is the guest, John E. Gibson and Jim Allen talk about the firm date of June 19 as the new Opening Day, review last week’s panel discussion, look at some of the data on managers that Jim has competed for every year of NPB, hit one note and handle some HighHeat.

Special guests Marty Kuehnert, the history-making former Rakuten GM, Alonzo Powell, former Chunichi star player & current Dragons hitting coach, and Seibu top starter Zach Neal join John E. Gibson and Jim Allen for a panel discussion on player acquisition and development in NPB, best positions to produce managers and more.

John E. Gibson and Jim Allen unpack an interview with former Lotte and Rakuten import Rick Short, we discuss the target date NPB has served up for Opening Day, talk about the impact of the coronavirus on the draft this year, hit the trivia question from last week and handle some HighHeat.

John E. Gibson and Jim Allen chat after an interview with former Yokohama star Carlos Ponce, we look at a couple of notes and then tackle some fantastic HighHeat.

John E. Gibson and Jim Allen chat after a comprehensive interview with groundbreaking pitcher Carter Stewart Jr. of the SoftBank Hawks, we look at some of the activities teams are undertaking to connect with sports-starved, half-self-isolating fans and wrap things up by tackling some HighHeat.