Tablesetters: A Baseball Podcast

The 2025 MLB season has arrived, and Episode 73 of Tablesetters delivers our full postseason and award predictions—breaking down the road to October glory and who takes home the biggest individual honors.

We start with Dodgers vs. Cubs in Tokyo, a global event filled with intrigue: Shohei Ohtani’s emotional homecoming, a Dodgers debut that could shape their season, and an early battle between two World Series contenders. But L.A. had a rocky start—Mookie Betts sat out due to an unspecified illness after losing 15 pounds, and Freddie Freeman was a late scratch. Should Dodgers fans be concerned?

Then, we put the entire postseason picture under the microscope, bringing together everything from our divisional previews to predict the full playoff bracket:

But the season isn’t just about teams—it’s about the stars who define it. We dive into our award predictions:

With bold predictions, key X-factors, and some hot takes that just might come true, we’re setting the stage for an unforgettable season.

The journey to a champion starts now. Let’s talk about it. 🎙️⚾

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👀 Who’s YOUR pick for MVP and the 2025 World Series champion? Drop your predictions in the comments!

Welcome to Episode 72 of Tablesetters! Devin and Steve are here with a comprehensive breakdown of the AL East heading into the 2025 MLB season. Can the revamped Boston Red Sox, led by new additions Garrett Crochet and Alex Bregman, reclaim the division crown? The New York Yankees look to overcome major injuries by adding Max Fried and Cody Bellinger, but is it enough after losing Juan Soto? Are the Baltimore Orioles ready to make a leap, or will front-office hesitation stall their rise? Plus, we analyze Toronto’s aggressive offseason, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s future, and whether Tampa Bay’s calculated gamble on young talent pays off. Join us for detailed predictions, projections, and division X-factors. Don't forget to follow us on Instagram and X @TablesettersPod for more insights!

Welcome to Episode 71 of Tablesetters! Devin and Steve dive deep into the NL East ahead of the 2025 MLB season. Can the Atlanta Braves regain their dominance with a healthy Ronald Acuña Jr. and reigning Cy Young winner Chris Sale? Will the Philadelphia Phillies' veteran roster featuring Bryce Harper and Trea Turner prove resilient enough for a playoff run? Plus, the New York Mets make a splash by adding Juan Soto—will it pay off? Also, what's the outlook for the young and rebuilding Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins? Tune in as we break down each team's offseason moves, strengths, weaknesses, and X-factors. Stay connected for more exclusive content by following us on Instagram and X @TablesettersPod!

Welcome to Episode 70 of Tablesetters! The AL Central has been baseball’s most unpredictable division over the past decade, and with three teams making the playoffs in 2024, the gap between contenders and pretenders has never been thinner.

But as we enter 2025, the question remains: Who will rise above the chaos?

Devin and Steve break it all down, taking a deep dive into each team’s strengths, weaknesses, offseason moves, and playoff outlook.

🔹 Detroit Tigers – They made a shocking playoff push last year. Now, with Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal leading the rotation, can they finally reclaim the AL Central crown?

🔥 Are the Tigers ready to take over?

This division is as wide open as it’s ever been, and we’re here to break down who’s legit, who’s falling behind, and who might just be a few moves away from shocking everyone.

Join the conversation and let us know who YOU think will come out on top in the AL Central!

Welcome to Episode 69 of Tablesetters! The NL Central has been one of baseball’s most competitive and chaotic divisions over the past decade, but as we enter the 2025 season, the Cubs appear poised to reclaim dominance. With Chicago making the biggest offseason splash and other teams either retooling or rebuilding, the question is: Can anyone keep up?

In this episode, Devin and Steve break down the division from top to bottom, analyzing each team’s strengths, weaknesses, and offseason moves, as well as whether they’ll be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline.

🔹 Chicago Cubs – Trading for Kyle Tucker was a massive statement. With a deep lineup and a revamped bullpen, is this the best Cubs team since 2016?

🔥 Did the Cubs officially take control of the Central?

The NL Central might not have a clear juggernaut, but that makes it all the more interesting. Who’s primed for a deep run, and who’s in danger of fading fast? Join the conversation and let us know YOUR thoughts!

Follow @TablesettersPod on Instagram & X for exclusive content, breaking news, and behind-the-scenes discussions!

Welcome to Episode 68 of Tablesetters! For nearly a decade, the Houston Astros have controlled the AL West—but the tides may be shifting. With key departures, an aging core, and resurgent rivals, could 2025 mark the end of their reign?

We’re breaking down the biggest storylines, offseason moves, and division outlook for every AL West team:

⚾ Astros – Losing Kyle Tucker, Justin Verlander, and Alex Bregman. Can Christian Walker’s bat, Isaac Paredes & Yainer Díaz’s emergence keep Houston on top?

We’ll also debate:

This division is as unpredictable as ever—who do YOU think comes out on top? Join the conversation and follow us @TableSettersPod on Instagram & X for more exclusive content!

Welcome to Episode 67 of Tablesetters! The NL West has been the Dodgers’ playground for over a decade—but could 2025 finally be the year someone knocks them off their throne?

Welcome to Episode 66 of Tablesetters! The For the Fame fantasy baseball draft is officially in the books, and we’re here to break it all down—highlighting picks we loved, the ones that made us raise an eyebrow, and what it all means for YOUR upcoming draft.

This league is packed with seasoned fantasy veterans who know how to read the board, grab value, and push ADP to the absolute limit. So, whether you're preparing for your own draft or just looking for insights, this is your chance to see the trends and discover what it’ll really cost to land your favorite players.

Here’s what we’re diving into:

🔥 Draft Strategy & Trends – Which picks went earlier than expected? Which players slid way too far? We’ll break down how the board shaped up, where managers prioritized power vs. speed, and what strategies truly paid off.

💰 Best Values & Biggest Overpays – Some players were absolute steals, while others? Well, let’s just say there could be some serious buyer’s remorse down the line. Did the market get it right?

🔄 Keeper Impact & Market Shifts – Keeper decisions made a huge difference here—some teams had studs locked in, while others had to get aggressive right from the jump. We’ll talk about how those keeper picks influenced the draft’s overall flow.

📉 Bust Watch & Buyer’s Remorse – There were definitely some high-risk, high-reward picks, and a few names that might turn into landmines. Who went higher than they should have? And who might cause regret in the coming weeks?

📊 ADP Check-In & What It Means for Your Draft – This draft serves as a real-world gauge of player value. Where are players actually going? Who’s climbing? Who’s falling? We’ll help you figure out where you might need to reach and where you can afford to wait.

💎 Late-Round Sleepers & League-Winning Picks – We know the early rounds get all the hype, but the middle and late rounds are where championships are truly won. Who found diamonds in the rough? We’ll highlight the picks that could make all the difference.

If you’ve got a draft coming up—whether it’s a redraft, keeper, or points league—this is your go-to episode for an edge. Packed with insights and practical advice, this episode is designed to help you make smarter, more informed decisions in 2025.

Follow us on Instagram and X @TablesettersPod for more fantasy tips, draft strategies, and all the latest buzz!

💬 Who’s the one player you’re hesitant to draft this year? Drop your thoughts in the comments or hit us up on social!

On this episode of Tablesetters, we’re joined by Campbell University Head Baseball Coach Chris Marx for an in-depth look at his first season at the helm of the Fightin’ Camels. With a strong start to the 2025 campaign—including statement wins over East Carolina and a thrilling victory against Duke—Coach Marx breaks down what he’s seen from his team so far, the adjustments they’re making, and what lies ahead for Campbell this season.

Coach Marx’s journey to this role has taken him through various stops in college baseball, including stints as a pitching coach, hitting coach, and recruiting coordinator. We discuss his return to Campbell, where he previously served as an assistant, and how his time away prepared him for this opportunity. He also reflects on his long-standing relationship with former Campbell coach Justin Haire, now leading Ohio State, and how their connection has shaped his coaching philosophy.

The Fightin’ Camels kicked off 2025 with a challenging road series against top-25 UC Santa Barbara before settling into their home schedule, highlighted by their recent upset of Duke. Coach Marx details how his team executed against the Blue Devils, what aspects of their game have been most promising, and where they need to improve to reach their full potential. With Campbell now competing in the CAA after years of dominance in the Big South, he discusses the biggest differences in competition and what it will take to thrive in their new conference.

Campbell has embraced the "Nobodies from Nowhere" mentality, proving year after year that they can compete with the best despite not being a traditional baseball powerhouse. Recruiting is always a battle, and Campbell finds itself in a talent-rich but highly competitive region. We dive into what sets the program apart, how they’ve expanded their recruiting footprint across the country, and the impact of NIL and the transfer portal on mid-major programs. Plus, we get Coach Marx’s thoughts on the ongoing evolution of college baseball, including potential rule changes and the recent controversy in the Stetson vs. Florida game involving the first base safety bag.

Campbell made history in 2024 with five former players appearing in MLB games—Cedric Mullins, Zach Neto, Ryan Thompson, Allan Winans, and Seth Johnson. Coach Marx shares his insights on what that MLB presence means for recruiting and which current Fightin’ Camels have the potential to follow in their footsteps. We take a closer look at Dalen Thompson, a dynamic talent with power and speed who has already impressed early this season.

As a former pitching coach, Coach Marx also weighs in on the alarming rise in elbow injuries across the sport, discussing the balance between player development and arm health. We wrap up the conversation with a fun debate on the best team names in college sports (besides the Fightin’ Camels, of course) before Coach Marx gives his picks for the Mount Rushmore of Campbell University Athletics.

Follow Tablesetters on Instagram and X @TablesettersPod for more exclusive content, and be sure to subscribe for all the latest episodes.

Welcome to Episode 64 of Tablesetters! We’ve got a special one today as Cole Wright, studio host for Marquee Sports Network, joins us to break down the Cubs’ 2025 season, the state of the NL Central, and a long-overdue moment in franchise history.

We kick things off with a deep dive into the Cubs’ season opener in Tokyo against the Dodgers—a global spectacle featuring Shohei Ohtani and Seiya Suzuki’s return to Japan. Cole shares his thoughts on the significance of this international showdown and how it could set the tone for the Cubs’ season.

From there, we analyze what needs to go right for the Cubs to push into playoff contention after falling just short last season. We discuss the impact of Kyle Tucker’s one-year deal, Cody Bellinger’s departure, and how their stacked farm system—headlined by Matt Shaw, Cade Horton, and Owen Caissie—fits into the team’s long-term plans.

We also get into some of the biggest question marks for 2025, including the Cubs’ ongoing third base situation, Justin Turner’s veteran presence, and how close they really were to landing Alex Bregman. Plus, we break down the pitching staff, the closer role, and what Pete Crow-Armstrong needs to do in his first full MLB season. And with Craig Counsell at the helm, how will his leadership shape the team’s identity moving forward?

Of course, we can’t talk Cubs history without touching on one of its most talked about figures—Sammy Sosa. After years of uncertainty, the franchise is finally embracing one of its all-time greats. We reflect on what this moment means for Cubs fans, Sosa’s legacy, and how Cole sees his place in the team’s history.

Join us for an insightful and lively conversation, and be sure to follow Tablesetters on Instagram and X @TableSettersPod for more exclusive content. Enjoy the episode!