Locke'd In Baseball

The Houston Astros missed the playoffs for the first time since 2016 last season, and now the pressure is on to prove the dynasty isn't over. In this episode, we break down a 2026 roster in transition. Carlos Correa is back in Houston at third base (maybe SS with the Peña injury), Yordan Alvarez needs to bounce back after an injury-plagued 48-game 2025, and an aging Jose Altuve is looking to prove he's still got it.

We dive into the rotation overhaul after losing Framber Valdez, the arrival of Japanese star Tatsuya Imai, and whether Hunter Brown can carry the staff as a true ace. Plus, the infield logjam with Isaac Paredes and Christian Walker, the young outfield question marks with Cam Smith and Zach Cole, a potential six-man rotation, and what it'll take for Houston to reclaim the AL West from Seattle.

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#MLB #Astros #Houston #CarlosCorrea #YordanAlvarez #JoseAltuve #HunterBrown #TatsuyaImai #JeremyPena #Baseball #MLBPreview #SpringTraining #LockedInBaseball

The San Diego Padres won 90 games in 2025 and look to build on that in 2026. New manager Craig Stammen takes the reins of a roster headlined by Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Jackson Merrill, and Xander Bogaerts, but the offseason brought big changes. Dylan Cease, Luís Arráez, Robert Suárez, and Ryan O'Hearn are gone, while A.J. Preller loaded up on low-risk, high-upside additions like Nick Castellanos, Miguel Andújar, KBO star Sung-Mun Song, and a rotation full of bounce-back arms.

We break down the pitching questions, Joe Musgrove's return from Tommy John, Michael King's new deal, the battle between Walker Buehler, Germán Márquez, and Nick Pivetta for rotation spots, plus how this lineup stacks up against a loaded NL West. Can San Diego finally get past the Dodgers?

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#MLB #Padres #SanDiego #FernandoTatisJr #MannyMachado #JacksonMerrill #MichaelKing #JoeMusgrove #NickCastellanos #CraigStammen #Baseball #MLBPreview #SpringTraining #LockedInBaseball

The Baltimore Orioles are coming off a 75-87 last-place finish in the AL East, but they made massive moves this offseason. In this episode, we break down everything Baltimore did to retool and whether it's enough to compete in 2026.We cover the big additions in Pete Alonso, Taylor Ward, Shane Baz, Chris Bassitt, Ryan Helsley, and more, plus the early spring training injuries to Jordan Westburg and Jackson Holliday that are already reshaping the Opening Day picture. Can this team go from worst to first under new manager Craig Albernaz?🔒 Locked In Baseball — New episodes every week📲 Follow us on Instagram & TikTok: @lockedinbaseballmedia🎧 Available on all podcast platforms#MLB #Orioles #Baltimore #BaltimoreOrioles #PeteAlonso #GunnarHenderson #Baseball #MLBPreview #SpringTraining #LockedInBaseball

The Tigers aren't going away. After their second straight Game 5 ALDS loss, Detroit went out and signed Framber Valdez to pair with Tarik Skubal. We break down whether this gives them the best rotation in baseball, why Skubal isn't getting traded despite the rumors, and the big question: is the lineup good enough to keep up with the pitching?

Drop your Tigers win total predictions in the comments.

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#MLB #Tigers #Detroit #TarikSkubal #FramberValdez #ALCentral #Baseball #MLBPreview #SpringTraining #LockedInBaseball

Milwaukee had the best record in baseball last year, went to the NLCS, and then traded Freddy Peralta and Caleb Durbin this offseason. We break down Bradon Woodruff's uncertain Opening Day status, Jacob Misiorowski's transition to full-time ace, the wide-open rotation battle between Kyle Harrison, Brandon Sproat, Logan Henderson, and Robert Gasser, and a third base situation that's completely up for grabs between Luis Rengifo, Jett Williams, and David Hamilton.

Plus, nine 40-man roster guys heading to the WBC, and our win total predictions for a team that refuses to stop reloading.

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#MLB #Brewers #Milwaukee #Misiorowski #Woodruff #JettWilliams #Baseball #MLBPreview #SpringTraining #LockedInBaseball #NLCentral #MLB2026

Three years removed from a World Series title and two straight playoff misses. Skip Schumaker replaces Bruce Bochy, Marcus Semien and Adolis García are gone, and the Rangers open the season at Philadelphia against García.

The rotation led all of MLB in ERA last year and somehow got deeper with MacKenzie Gore slotting in behind deGrom and Eovaldi, but both aces are being slow-rolled this spring after injury-shortened 2025 seasons.

Sebastian Walcott needs season-ending elbow surgery. The offense needs Evan Carter, Josh Jung, and Jake Burger to all bounce back at once. We break down the Kumar Rocker fifth-starter battle, Josh Smith's shot at the everyday second base job, the Alexis Díaz vs. Cole Winn closer competition, and whether this team is still a contender or running out of time in a wide-open AL West.

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#MLB #Rangers #Texas #deGrom #Eovaldi #MacKenzieGore #EvanCarter #KumarRocker #Baseball #MLBPreview #SpringTraining #LockedInBaseball

The Reds made the postseason last year and have eyes of getting back there. Eugenio Suárez returns to Cincinnati after a 49-homer season to give Elly De La Cruz real lineup protection for the first time. Matt McLain needs a bounce-back year after struggling offensively coming off shoulder surgery. Sal Stewart and Ke'Bryan Hayes round out an infield with upside everywhere.

The rotation of Hunter Greene, Andrew Abbott, Nick Lodolo, and Brady Singer has legitimate top-of-the-league potential, and then there's a wide-open fifth starter battle between Rhett Lowder, Chase Burns, and Brandon Williamson that could shape the entire season. We break down the outfield questions, whether this bullpen can hold up, and if this is finally the year Cincinnati puts it all together in the NL Central.

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#MLB #Reds #Cincinnati #EllyDeLaCruz #HunterGreene #EugenioSuarez #Baseball #MLBPreview #SpringTraining #LockedInBaseball

The Royals made the playoffs in 2024 for the first time in nine years — then went backwards at 82-80. Bobby Witt Jr. is still the best player in the AL Central, but did J.J. Picollo do enough around him? Isaac Collins and Lane Thomas help, but the impact bat never came.

We break down Carter Jensen's expanded role, whether Jac Caglianone can stick in right, the pitching depth behind Ragans, Lugo, and Wacha, and our win total predictions for a team that could be a playoff contender or stuck in no-man's-land.

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#MLB #Royals #KansasCity #BobbyWittJr #CarterJensen #Baseball #MLBPreview #SpringTraining #LockedInBaseball

The San Francisco Giants might be the most fascinating team in baseball this year. A storied franchise hands the keys to Tony Vitello, one of the most successful and polarizing college baseball coaches ever, and bets that his intensity and player development chops can translate to the big leagues. We break down what this means for the roster, the clubhouse culture, and whether San Francisco's mix of young talent and veteran pieces can compete in a loaded NL West.

Plus, key roster battles, prospects to watch, and what success actually looks like for the Giants in Year 1 of the Vitello era.

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#MLB #SFGiants #Giants #TonyVitello #Baseball #MLBPreview #SpringTraining #LockedInBaseball

Back-to-back AL Central titles, but the Guardians barely did anything this offseason and the offense ranked 28th in runs per game last year. Emmanuel Clase is gone. Rhys Hoskins was a late add for right-handed thump. And beyond Steven Kwan and José Ramírez, there's a lot of question marks with the linup. Chase DeLauter is the prospect everyone's watching, but he hasn't been able to stay healthy. Travis Bazzana is lurking but has had his health issues as well.

We break down the crowded outfield competition, the six-starters-for-five-spots rotation battle between Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee, Logan Allen, Joey Cantillo, Parker Messick, and Slade Cecconi, and whether Cleveland's "trust the pitching and let the kids figure it out" strategy can hold up for a third straight year.

#mlb #baseball #cleveland #guardians