The Ringer MLB Show

We open this week’s show by processing what it means for the Red Sox to see the Dustin Pedroia era truly on its last legs and then memorializing the life and career of Bill Buckner (1:00). Then, Baseball America’s Teddy Cahill joins the show to break down the upcoming NCAA men’s baseball tournament and its respective pro prospects (18:40). Finally, we theorize over how the Athletics have managed to rip off 10 straight wins and what that means for a surprisingly lively AL playoff race (41:16).

Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram

Guest: Teddy Cahill

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We go over the nose-diving Nationals, who are now nine games under .500 with seemingly no answers for how to get better (1:20), before putting it into context with their division rivals, the Mets, and why it always seems like the sky is falling in on them even though they’re only slightly below expectations this season (21:05). Finally, we finish by going over the long-standing criticism of Robinson Canó and why it’s a tired argument that’s only propped up by the New York media (39:02).

Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram

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After the teams on Giants ace Madison Bumgarner's no-trade list were revealed, we speculate about whether that means he’ll get traded or not—and whether it’ll be to a contender (1:52). Then, Baseball Prospectus managing editor Craig Goldstein joins to talk about the statistical outlier seasons of the Dodgers’ Alex Verdugo and Hyun-Jin Ryu (20:15). Finally, Ben Lindbergh closes out the podcast by sharing some of the highlights from his piece on home run robberies and putting into perspective just how bad the Marlins’ 2019 season has been so far (40:05).

Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram

Guest: Craig Goldstein

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We bounce around the leading headlines from the past week, including the return of Shohei Ohtani and the Boston Red Sox's divided clubhouse (1:30). Then, Baseball Prospectus editor-in-chief Aaron Gleeman joins the show to break down how the Twins have leap-frogged Cleveland in the AL Central (25:00). Finally, we wave goodbye to our preseason optimism for the Reds and wonder how they’re playing well but still losing games (45:35).

Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram

Guest: Aaron Gleeman

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We hand out some early-season MLB superlatives (2:45), before discussing the Blue Jays’ recent call-up of Vlad Guerrero Jr.—baseball’s top prospect (26:08). Then Ben Lindbergh closes the show out by joining to theorize what might happen to baseball if ‘Avengers: Endgame’ were real life and we lost half the crop of MLB players (43:30).

Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram

Guest: Katie Baker

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Christian Yelich and Cody Bellinger are off to almost unfathomably hot starts. Are their performances sustainable, lucky, or a little bit of both (1:49)? Then, with the Tim Anderson suspension, MLB proves that it never runs out of creative ways to step on its own feet (23:10). Finally, the Yankees are experiencing a rash of injuries we thought wasn’t possible, yet they remain over .500 and in contention for the AL East—how have they done it (32:45)?

Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram

Guest: Tyler Tynes

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We mull over Zach Kram’s preseason prediction that the Tampa Bay Rays would win the AL East and wonder: Should that prediction be expanded (2:20)? Then, The Athletic's Astros beat writer, Jake Kaplan, calls into the show to talk about the slow start and resurgence of Houston, the most-stacked team in baseball (21:30). Finally, Ben Lindbergh joins the show to recap last week’s Ozzie Albies extension (36:30).

Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram

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The Red Sox haven’t gotten off to the start they hoped after steamrolling their way to a World Series victory last October (4:15), while the Mariners have—against all odds—seemingly stolen their thunder (23:30). Plus, which preseason predictions look correct, and which have we already soured on (40:20)?

Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram

Guest: Meg Rowley

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The Braves signed Ronald Acuña Jr. to one of the most team-friendly long-term deals in recent memory (1:30), and we wonder whether the Cleveland Indians’ bad first weekend and shallow lineup mean that 2019 isn’t going to be the cakewalk we all thought it’d be (8:41). Then The Athletic’s Meghan Montemurro joins to share an insider’s take on Bryce Harper’s loud, successful first week in Philadelphia (20:00). Finally, are the Padres the most exciting team in baseball (36:03)?

Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram

Guest: Meghan Montemurro

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We weigh the Jacob deGrom contract against the extensions of Chris Sale, Justin Verlander, and Kyle Hendricks (2:00). Then, we run through our annual fake prop bets to preview the upcoming 2019 season (19:00).

Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram

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