MLB suspends the start of the season. Buster and Karl Ravech talk about a historic day in baseball (3:02). Later, Hembo drops by to lighten the mood as the guys talk biggest home runs, golf-foursomes and what they're most looking forward to when the season starts (19:08).
You know who's No. 1, but which two pitchers got into the top five? And who is the most surprising addition to the top 10?
The votes are in, and ESPN has picked its top 100 players. Members of our panel look at this year's most surprising rankings.
Astros right-hander Justin Verlander said it will "probably take a miracle" for him to be back before Opening Day after he was diagnosed Monday with a mild lat strain.
Buster and Tim Kurkjian make the case that MLB needs to mic up players during the regular season (2:05). Plus, the guys talk about Trey Mancini undergoing a non-baseball medical procedure, Aaron Judge's cracked rib and Justin Verlander's sore tricep. Later, Sarah Langs joins the pod to discuss the Braves starting pitching vs. Mets bullpen, how Chris Sale's injury affects the Red Sox's win total and the Blue Jays' Nate Pearson as a rookie of the year candidate (18:22).
Astros ace Justin Verlander was pulled from his spring training start against the Mets after two innings Sunday and will undergo tests, the team said.
Collin McHugh, a starter for the 2017 Astros, said the team's pitchers knew about the sign-stealing scheme and should've "been as brave in the moment" and said something to stop it. "I understand the anger," he said.
A-Rod shares his thoughts on the Astros, Chris Sale is trending toward Tommy John surgery, and Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton won't be ready to start the season. Buster and Tim Kurkjian hit on all of that (5:16), plus, Christian Yelich is working toward an extension with the Brewers and baseball has started to buzz about coronavirus. Later, Todd Radom joins the pod to talk about Citi Field and for a quiz (18:07).
Here's what seeing Game 4 (Alex Wood) and Game 5 (Clayton Kershaw) reveals, given what we know now about Houston's sign stealing.
Astros ace Justin Verlander made his spring debut Tuesday and said the groin tightness that has bothered him much of the spring is done with.
MLB will discipline more than just sign stealing, why Nolan Arenado will get dealt, and things to watch as Opening Day approaches.
Buster and David Schoenfield explore the strategies around the three-batter minimum for pitchers (2:51). Plus, why predicting the World Series champ is harder than you think, who might be this year's Washington Nationals and what's the latest on Aaron Judge. Later, Sarah Langs joins the show to discuss Mike Trout checking in as the highest-paid player in baseball and Miguel Cabrera's outlook for the season (25:41).
Houston right-hander Lance McCullers, who last pitched in the 2018 ALCS, was on the mound Sunday for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Every time a Houston player gets plunked, it raises eyebrows. So we took a closer look to see if there's actually anything to these HBPs.
Karl Ravech says there's no margin for error with the Angels in the AL West and the news of Griffin Canning undergoing an MRI on his elbow raises a yellow flag for the team (1:17). Plus, he and Buster discuss Madison Bumgarner dodging rodeo questions and what's going on with the Red Sox investigation. Later, Pedro Gomez joins the pod to talk about his son Rio Gomez's first spring training outing and managers in new places (25:26).
Scratched from Thursday's start due to groin tightness, Justin Verlander threw approximately 30 pitches off a back-field mound in a simulated game before the Astros' game against Washington.
Who loves the Dodgers? Tim Kurkjian loves the Dodgers (4:26). He also loves the Indians' depth, while he and Buster are concerned about Edwin Diaz, Giancarlo Stanton. Plus, is the league really going to crack down on pine tar? Probably not.
In the wake of scandal, one choice might have changed everything for baseball's signature superstar.
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 14 | 5 | .737 | - | W3 |
| Miami | 12 | 6 | .667 | 1.5 | L1 |
| Toronto | 12 | 6 | .667 | 1.5 | W6 |
| New York | 11 | 8 | .579 | 3 | W1 |
| Baltimore | 9 | 7 | .563 | 3.5 | L1 |
| Tampa Bay | 9 | 8 | .529 | 4 | L3 |
| St. Louis | 10 | 9 | .526 | 4 | W1 |
| Boston | 9 | 10 | .474 | 5 | W5 |
| Detroit | 8 | 9 | .471 | 5 | L1 |
| New York | 8 | 9 | .471 | 5 | W3 |
| Minnesota | 7 | 8 | .467 | 5 | L4 |
| Atlanta | 8 | 11 | .421 | 6 | W2 |
| Houston | 7 | 11 | .389 | 6.5 | L2 |
| Washington | 6 | 11 | .353 | 7 | L1 |
| Pittsburgh | 3 | 15 | .167 | 10.5 | L4 |
