The Ringer MLB Show

Ringer staff writer Michael Baumann is joined by Zach Kram, who details the Tampa Bay Rays' innovative and controversial new pitching tactics (01:45). Then Claire McNear drops by to talk about Rich Hill's blisters and the league's latest teenage sensation, Nationals outfielder Juan Soto (20:15). Finally Ben Lindbergh makes a quick appearance—though not as quick as the fastballs of relievers Jordan Hicks and Josh Hader, who have made headlines this week for different reasons (33:00).

Credits:

Hosted by: Michael Baumann, Zach Kram, Claire McNear, and Ben Lindbergh

Produced by: Jim Cunningham

Brought to you by: The Ringer Podcast Network

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Ringer staff writer Michael Baumann is joined by Zach Kram to examine the impact of Robinson Cano testing positive for a banned diuretic, from how the 80-game suspension will hurt this year's Mariners to how it could hurt Cano's Hall of Fame chances (02:00). Then Ringer editor-at-large Bryan Curtis joins the podcast to talk about the Supreme Court's landmark ruling on sports betting, how it reflects on baseball's colorful history with gambling, and how it might change the way we talk about the game going forward (21:00). Finally, Megan Schuster explains what's so special about Twins rookie right-hander Fernando Romero and breaks down the bizarre start to the race for the AL Central (36:00).

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Ringer staff writer Michael Baumann starts this week's show by joining Zach Kram to stare at the Braves' young stars in slack-jawed awe (01:55). He then talks Yankees-Red Sox and the star qualities of Luis Severino and Mookie Betts with Paolo Uggetti (22:25) before asking Ben Lindbergh if Clayton Kershaw is still the best pitcher in baseball (37:08).

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Ringer staff writer Michael Baumann wanted to talk to Zach Kram about the dominant Arizona Diamondbacks, but fittingly, the Dodgers overshadowed their rivals again by announcing that star shortstop Corey Seager is out for the season (03:00). Then he talks about Gerrit Cole's impressive April with Ringer editor Ben Glicksman (19:30), and Ben Lindbergh gives his thoughts on Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius's power surge (33:45).

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Ringer staff writer Michael Baumann is joined by Zach Kram to talk about baseball's holy trinity leading the league in homers (02:00). Then, Rodger Sherman shares his proposal for what should happen to teams that get no-hit (20:30), and Ben Lindbergh breaks down the early AL favorites (32:30) and explains how throwing strikes ain't all it's been cracked up to be (44:30).

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Ringer staff writer Michael Baumann is joined by Zach Kram to discuss the upside-down NL East (01:15) and NL Central races (10:00) then marvels at the Angels' hot start with Ben Lindbergh (21:15). Finally Ringer senior editor and staff contrarian Ryan "O'Headline" O'Hanlon joins the pod to talk about whether pitch framing is dishonorable (37:30) and whether Aaron Judge is still the worst player in baseball (46:15).

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The Ringer's Michael Baumann talks to Zach Kram about the 8-1 Mets (01:45), then brings in Ben Lindbergh to marvel at Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani's stellar week (16:00). Finally, Bill Simmons drops by to talk about Ohtani's unique star potential (30:45), the Red Sox (46:30), and the story lines that could make this regular season one to remember (53:00).

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The Ringer's Michael Baumann talks to Chris Ryan about rookie Phillies manager Gabe Kapler's creative bullpen use (01:00). Then he brings in Zach Kram to talk about Shohei Ohtani's debut(s) (16:00) and Sean Yoo to talk about the Yankees' return to Evil Empire status (28:15), before Ben Lindbergh closes with the Astros' new-look rotation (38:00) and the awkward timing of Yuli Gurriel's suspension (47:00).

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Ringer writer Michael Baumann examines the Vegas win total over/unders for all 30 teams, featuring Zach Kram on the AL West (02:00) and NL Central (14:00), Claire McNear on the NL East (23:30) and NL West (29:45), and Ben Lindbergh on the AL Central (37:30) and AL East (44:15).

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HBO and The Ringer's Bill Simmons links up with Jack-O to get ready for the 2018 baseball season by checking up on whom the Yankees have in their outfield (2:46) and surveying the starting lineup (13:40) before wrapping up the show with some spring 2018 prop bets (26:02).

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