WAKE and RAKE Podcast

Should Elly De La Cruz no longer be a switch hitter? The splits are mind-boggling. Danny Vietti details 10 switch hitters who have glaring differences in their platoon split statistics, including All-Star players like Ozzie Albies and Ian Happ. Plus, remember when Shane Victorino stopped switch hitting midseason and still won a World Series?

(2:01) Shane Victorino stopped switch hitting midseason ... (6:46) Elly De La Cruz is a TERRIBLE right-handed hitter ... (11:01) Why does Ozzie Albies ever bat lefty? ... (18:03) All-Star Cubs outfielder with insane splits ... (23:17) If Patrick Bailey ever figures this part out ... (27:59) Two Cardinals players have splits issues ... (34:25) Elly De La Cuz's GLARING NUMBERS

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Rob Manfred said he intends to add two expansions teams in the next decade. But, where? Danny Vietti details why MLB's next expansion should team should be awarded to Latin America, particularly one in the Caribbean. Baseball is no longer king in the United States and it's time to look elsewhere.

(1:55) Rumored expansion team cities ... (5:22) MLB vs. NFL ... (10:39) Half of baseball superstars are not from United States ... (14:01) Number of MLB players by country ... (15:04) "The best option is Puerto Rico" ... (19:00) Travel concerns ... (22:15) Puerto Rico is a US territory ... (26:05) Latin American fan environments are ELITE ... (29:16) Concerns about Latin America expansion teams?

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Which team is most likely to follow in the footsteps of the Baltimore Orioles as the next great young team? Is it the Nationals? The Reds? Tigers? Danny Vietti ranks the 10 teams that are next in line to become winning teams. Plus, this Luis Arraez-Tony Gwynn comparison will FREAK YOU OUT!

(3:39) Luis Arraez has same exact stats as Tony Gwynn ... (7:04) Former Dick's Sporting Goods employee called up to majors ... (9:04) Danny's history of tabbing teams ... (13:14) Least likely franchise to resurrect franchise ... (19:19) Colorado Rockies farm system looks solid ... (23:14) Oakland's predictable playoff cycle ... (27:19) Detroit Tigers could be on the cusp ... (31:35) Pirates ready to compete now ... (36:33) Nationals are the next Orioles? ... (41:40) Looking back at Juan Soto trade ... (45:27) This NL Central team has most promising future

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Did the Astros just simply give the Orioles the blueprint for rebuilding a franchise? Danny Vietti details how Mike Elias and the Baltimore front office resurrected a franchise from within that was once a dumpster fire just a short time ago. Plus, the O's have some strange similarities to the Astros dynasty.

(3:10) Cam Booser's remarkable comeback story ... (7:03) Orioles resurrection began with D.L. Hall ... (13:30) Orioles first round draft picks ... (16:31) Saying Baltimore tanked for a decade is false ... (19:54) Orioles following Astros blueprint ... (24:27) Astros also hit on draft picks ... (27:36) Lineup in 2019 vs. now ... (32:14) When Orioles players will hit free agency

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Detailing and explaining the new rules being implemented for the 2024 MLB season, including the enforcing of obstruction plays, widening of the runner's lane, and pitch clock reduction. Plus, we make our preseason playoff predictions. Pirates win the NL Central? Seriously?! And finally, a film breakdown of Bobby Witt Jr.'s impressive mid-pitch adjustment.

(1:01) Changes to podcast ... (4:36) Oakland fan boycott on Opening Day ... (11:22) American League playoff predictions ... (13:29) History tell us 1 losing team will make the playoffs this year ... (17:57) National League playoff predictions ... (21:31) MVP predictions ... (24:12) New MLB rules for 2024 ... (27:23) Umpires to start enforcing obstruction rule ... (30:33) Bobby Witt Jr.'s film breakdown

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Part II: In preparation for the 2024 MLB season, Danny Vietti details one reason to be optimistic and one reason to be discouraged for each American League team. Could the Mariners take the leap? Will the A's plan to relocate to Las Vegas fall through? Plus, hear why Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s stats from last season just flat do not make any sense.

(1:44) No. 1 picks play each other in Spring Training ... (3:49) AL West glass is half full ... (10:27) Make or break year for Mike Trout ... (18:15) AL Central glass is half full ... (23:08) White Sox are a complete oddity ... (29:17) AL East glass is half full ... (33:54) Why Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will bounce back ... (38:57) What's the direction for the Red Sox?

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Spring Training is the only time of year when fans of all 30 teams have hope. Danny Vietti runs through each team in the National League, detailing one reason why the glass is half full and one reason why the glass is half empty for the 2024 season. Perception is reality, right? Plus, major props to Oakland fans and the Pirates front office.

(1:06) Cody Bellinger contract details ... (2:59) Oakland fans host Fan Fest ... (11:13) Glass is half full vs. empty for NL West ... (18:27) Fernando Tatis Jr. has a golden opportunity ... (23:14) Glass is half full vs. empty for NL Central ... (32:21) Pirates have playoff potential ... (37:08) Glass is half full vs. empty for NL East ... (42:34) "This is the most intimidating team in baseball"

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After acquiring former Cy Young ace Corbin Burnes and the selling of the team, Will Middlebrooks says the Baltimore Orioles have a chance to build something special -- maybe even a dynasty. Full details of the trade, what it means for the NL Central and AL East divisions, and the impact of Theo Epstein returning to Boston.

(2:02) Reaction to Corbin Burnes trade ... (7:15) Orioles have a chance at a dynasty? ... (9:51) Status update on Orioles ... (14:30) Brewers' return package and impact on NL Central ... (17:32) Theo Epstein returns to Boston ... (23:39) Red Sox are not ready to compete in 2024 ... (29:00) Middlebrooks is FIRED UP about HOF ballot ... (34:44) Deebo Samuel big leagues Danny at Super Bowl photoshoot

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Detroit Tigers to win the AL Central? Pittsburgh Pirates in the playoffs? Will Middlebrooks and Danny Vietti shoot straight from the hip with some BOLD PREDICTIONS for the 2024 MLB season. Plus, future betting odds for the season. Rosters are still changing by the day, so we'll see if these these takes age like milk.

(3:38) Tough story about Orioles owner Peter Angelos ... (7:39) Detroit Tigers are BACK! ... (14:17) Angels will be better without Ohtani? ... (18:38) Betting odds for 2024 MVP ... (21:00) Reds to improve or take a step back? ... (24:33) Cy Young Favorites ... (26:24) Fernando Tatis Jr. can lead San Diego to playoffs ... (29:03) Tarik Skubal gets Cy Young votes ... (30:10) Don't be surprised if A's don't move to Vegas

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