1 00:00:05,320 --> 00:00:07,920 Speaker 1: Welcome to another edition of Bear Territory. 2 00:00:07,960 --> 00:00:08,680 Speaker 2: It's late May. 3 00:00:08,840 --> 00:00:11,000 Speaker 1: Things are happening. I want to get right into it 4 00:00:11,240 --> 00:00:13,280 Speaker 1: with the team I saw this weekend, the team that 5 00:00:13,320 --> 00:00:16,279 Speaker 1: won three or four from the Los Angeles Dodgers, the 6 00:00:16,320 --> 00:00:20,840 Speaker 1: team that seemingly has risen from the doldrums. I'm talking 7 00:00:20,880 --> 00:00:24,000 Speaker 1: about the Saint Louis Cardinals. Now, if you're watching the 8 00:00:24,040 --> 00:00:26,960 Speaker 1: broadcast on Saturday, and I know it wasn't available all 9 00:00:26,960 --> 00:00:29,680 Speaker 1: over the country, but here's what I said, and it 10 00:00:29,760 --> 00:00:32,720 Speaker 1: kind of got a reaction from John Smoltzen Joe Davis. 11 00:00:33,479 --> 00:00:36,960 Speaker 1: I said it would not be a surprise if the 12 00:00:36,960 --> 00:00:41,560 Speaker 1: Cardinals win the NL Central by ten games. That's right, ten. 13 00:00:42,600 --> 00:00:45,040 Speaker 1: You might say, how is that even in your head? 14 00:00:45,159 --> 00:00:48,720 Speaker 1: Ken when they were ten games out on May sixth, Well, 15 00:00:48,920 --> 00:00:51,960 Speaker 1: they are now five games out. And if you haven't noticed, 16 00:00:52,360 --> 00:00:56,959 Speaker 1: the NL Central is not the powerhouse division that perhaps 17 00:00:57,000 --> 00:00:59,760 Speaker 1: the ALE East is. In fact, let's go through it 18 00:00:59,760 --> 00:01:01,360 Speaker 1: a little bit, and I want to show you why 19 00:01:01,400 --> 00:01:04,040 Speaker 1: I am so bullish on the Cardinals. And it's not 20 00:01:04,040 --> 00:01:06,560 Speaker 1: because they're so great. They've got their flaws and we'll 21 00:01:06,560 --> 00:01:09,640 Speaker 1: get into that. But look at this board here and 22 00:01:09,680 --> 00:01:12,400 Speaker 1: look at how the NL Central outside of Saint Louis 23 00:01:12,440 --> 00:01:15,360 Speaker 1: sets up Milwaukee, the team in first place right now, 24 00:01:15,400 --> 00:01:17,800 Speaker 1: a team that I love. Creg Council. They always do 25 00:01:17,840 --> 00:01:22,400 Speaker 1: a great job. But Wade, Miley, Brandon Woodroff, Aaron Ashby 26 00:01:22,520 --> 00:01:24,920 Speaker 1: all on the injured list, and the rotation is the 27 00:01:24,959 --> 00:01:29,800 Speaker 1: strength of that club. Pittsburgh great start four and fourteen 28 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:34,800 Speaker 1: since the twenty and eight Open, the Cubbies started eleven 29 00:01:34,840 --> 00:01:38,120 Speaker 1: and six, nine and twenty since. And Cincinnati they're lucky 30 00:01:38,160 --> 00:01:41,040 Speaker 1: to even make this list. Well, they are in the division, 31 00:01:41,319 --> 00:01:44,720 Speaker 1: second worst record in the National League, so I just 32 00:01:44,760 --> 00:01:47,720 Speaker 1: don't see the competition as being very good, and I 33 00:01:47,800 --> 00:01:51,000 Speaker 1: expect the Cardinals to blow by every one of those 34 00:01:51,040 --> 00:01:54,320 Speaker 1: teams as the summer progresses. Now, they do have their 35 00:01:54,360 --> 00:01:58,360 Speaker 1: issues twenty second in the majors in rotation E eight. 36 00:01:58,480 --> 00:02:01,840 Speaker 1: That's the big issue. Identified it before the season started. 37 00:02:02,080 --> 00:02:05,440 Speaker 1: People have been talking about it throughout the industry. Why 38 00:02:05,480 --> 00:02:08,360 Speaker 1: didn't they improve their rotation. Well, they'll have a chance 39 00:02:08,400 --> 00:02:12,320 Speaker 1: at the deadline. Another issue is the Wilson Contreras saga, 40 00:02:12,560 --> 00:02:15,800 Speaker 1: which seemingly has settled down. The Cardinals would have you 41 00:02:15,840 --> 00:02:19,400 Speaker 1: believe that all of the angst that took place will 42 00:02:19,440 --> 00:02:22,520 Speaker 1: be worth it because one bad week might lead to 43 00:02:22,560 --> 00:02:23,400 Speaker 1: five great years. 44 00:02:23,440 --> 00:02:25,720 Speaker 2: And maybe that's true, maybe it. 45 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:28,680 Speaker 1: All turns out that way. Wilson Contrarist, though is an 46 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:31,960 Speaker 1: offensive catcher, his history suggests that he is not the 47 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:35,280 Speaker 1: best behind the plate. He works hard, he does care, 48 00:02:35,720 --> 00:02:38,800 Speaker 1: and maybe he'll fix this because he is intent now 49 00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:40,320 Speaker 1: on getting this straight. 50 00:02:41,080 --> 00:02:42,480 Speaker 2: There's all this talk out there. 51 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:46,320 Speaker 1: He has been publicly embarrassed scapegoaded for lack of a 52 00:02:46,360 --> 00:02:49,639 Speaker 1: better term, and again, okay, maybe that all settles down, 53 00:02:49,680 --> 00:02:53,079 Speaker 1: but at some point they have to address that rotation. 54 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:57,720 Speaker 1: Even if this supposed organizational Catharsis took place and all 55 00:02:57,840 --> 00:03:02,600 Speaker 1: is well now in Cardinals Country Kumbaya with Wilson Contreras 56 00:03:02,639 --> 00:03:05,680 Speaker 1: and the starting rotation, I'm not so sure that's the case. 57 00:03:05,720 --> 00:03:08,160 Speaker 1: But it's definitely been better since he has been back 58 00:03:08,240 --> 00:03:11,040 Speaker 1: behind the plate. But the bigger question for this team 59 00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:15,360 Speaker 1: going forward what will they do at the deadline? Now? 60 00:03:15,400 --> 00:03:18,840 Speaker 1: The Cardinals occasionally frustrate their fans because they are not 61 00:03:18,919 --> 00:03:22,919 Speaker 1: an all in team ever. Now a lot of general 62 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:25,919 Speaker 1: managers which suggest you should never be all in because 63 00:03:25,919 --> 00:03:29,640 Speaker 1: you can't put all of your investment in one season. 64 00:03:30,040 --> 00:03:32,680 Speaker 1: You have to try to be good every year. The 65 00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:35,760 Speaker 1: Cardinals are good every year. They do that. We've seen 66 00:03:35,800 --> 00:03:39,080 Speaker 1: this now, nine playoff appearances in the last twelve years, 67 00:03:39,120 --> 00:03:42,600 Speaker 1: four in a row, but they have not won a 68 00:03:42,680 --> 00:03:46,240 Speaker 1: World Series since twenty eleven. They went to the World 69 00:03:46,240 --> 00:03:48,280 Speaker 1: Series in thirteen lost to the Red Sox. 70 00:03:48,720 --> 00:03:50,720 Speaker 2: So what they are. 71 00:03:50,720 --> 00:03:53,360 Speaker 1: Is sort of the Midwest version of the Dodgers in 72 00:03:53,400 --> 00:03:53,800 Speaker 1: a sense. 73 00:03:54,000 --> 00:03:56,440 Speaker 2: They're good every year. They're almost in contention or in. 74 00:03:56,360 --> 00:03:59,400 Speaker 1: The playoffs every year, but they haven't gotten to that 75 00:03:59,520 --> 00:04:02,480 Speaker 1: next level, which is winning the World Series, which is 76 00:04:02,520 --> 00:04:03,440 Speaker 1: what it's all about. 77 00:04:03,760 --> 00:04:04,080 Speaker 2: Now. 78 00:04:04,480 --> 00:04:08,080 Speaker 1: The reason I would suggest this year is different for them. 79 00:04:08,320 --> 00:04:10,920 Speaker 1: I would suggest this year they should go to a 80 00:04:10,960 --> 00:04:15,120 Speaker 1: greater extent. All in is because of the way they 81 00:04:15,120 --> 00:04:16,520 Speaker 1: are set up contractually. 82 00:04:17,160 --> 00:04:18,599 Speaker 2: Look at what happens after this year. 83 00:04:18,720 --> 00:04:22,960 Speaker 1: Floherty is a free agent, Wainwright probably will retire, Montgomery 84 00:04:23,040 --> 00:04:26,600 Speaker 1: is a free agent. That's three starting pitchers. Paul Goldschmid 85 00:04:26,800 --> 00:04:30,159 Speaker 1: after next year is a free agent, so there should 86 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:32,960 Speaker 1: be some urgency here. And Arnatto and Goldschmid they're in 87 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:35,560 Speaker 1: their thirties, so this is the best we're going to 88 00:04:35,600 --> 00:04:36,080 Speaker 1: see of them. 89 00:04:36,080 --> 00:04:39,640 Speaker 2: Most likely, this is the time for the Cardinals. 90 00:04:39,200 --> 00:04:41,040 Speaker 1: To go for it. Now they didn't go for it 91 00:04:41,120 --> 00:04:46,120 Speaker 1: in the offseason, to many people's satisfaction, their fans satisfaction. 92 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:49,680 Speaker 1: They didn't address their starting rotation. They did sign Contrari's 93 00:04:49,680 --> 00:04:51,800 Speaker 1: for eighty seven and a half million. We'll see how 94 00:04:51,839 --> 00:04:54,680 Speaker 1: that plays out. Certainly, from an offensive standpoint, he is 95 00:04:54,720 --> 00:04:58,560 Speaker 1: what you want. But the defensive question is there and 96 00:04:58,600 --> 00:05:00,560 Speaker 1: it's going to be there until we see over a 97 00:05:00,560 --> 00:05:03,520 Speaker 1: sustained period that it's not a problem. 98 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:05,000 Speaker 2: So that's my question. 99 00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:07,560 Speaker 1: Do you settle for winning the division again because I 100 00:05:07,640 --> 00:05:10,159 Speaker 1: believe again that they're going to win the division, or 101 00:05:11,400 --> 00:05:16,920 Speaker 1: do you make a stronger step, a stronger push toward 102 00:05:17,080 --> 00:05:20,839 Speaker 1: perhaps playing deeper in October. That's where the Cardinals are 103 00:05:20,960 --> 00:05:24,800 Speaker 1: right now. They're five out, but they're coming now. If 104 00:05:24,839 --> 00:05:27,200 Speaker 1: you missed it, I wrote a story with Chandler Rome 105 00:05:27,320 --> 00:05:30,919 Speaker 1: of The Athletic on Sunday about the Tampa Bay Rays 106 00:05:31,480 --> 00:05:36,320 Speaker 1: and their situation regarding their ballpark in Saint Petersburg or 107 00:05:36,320 --> 00:05:37,160 Speaker 1: in Tampa and. 108 00:05:37,360 --> 00:05:38,720 Speaker 2: Just where everything is. 109 00:05:39,320 --> 00:05:42,839 Speaker 1: And there was a new twist to this situation, and 110 00:05:42,880 --> 00:05:45,040 Speaker 1: it comes at a time when they probably are closer 111 00:05:45,040 --> 00:05:48,000 Speaker 1: to getting a ballpark in Saint Pete than ever before. 112 00:05:48,720 --> 00:05:51,919 Speaker 1: They've been approved as part of the development team to 113 00:05:51,920 --> 00:05:55,839 Speaker 1: develop the area around Tropicana Field, build a new thirty 114 00:05:55,920 --> 00:05:59,840 Speaker 1: thousand seat ballpark on that site, and really have something 115 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:03,760 Speaker 1: special take place. Now, they still need public funding, and 116 00:06:03,839 --> 00:06:06,400 Speaker 1: as we have seen, public funding is not so easy 117 00:06:06,440 --> 00:06:08,440 Speaker 1: to come by. The Oakland A's are trying to get 118 00:06:08,440 --> 00:06:11,440 Speaker 1: public funding in Las Vegas. Las Vegas and the state 119 00:06:11,480 --> 00:06:15,359 Speaker 1: of Nevada not so willing, not jumping to do this. 120 00:06:16,040 --> 00:06:18,600 Speaker 1: So the Rays are still in a bit of limbo, 121 00:06:18,680 --> 00:06:22,120 Speaker 1: though they're pretty far along in this process. So what 122 00:06:22,160 --> 00:06:25,640 Speaker 1: we reported Chandler and I is that they are getting 123 00:06:25,720 --> 00:06:30,120 Speaker 1: interest in purchasing the club from local buyers, one in 124 00:06:30,160 --> 00:06:34,599 Speaker 1: particular named Dan Doyle Junior. He runs this massive office 125 00:06:34,600 --> 00:06:36,839 Speaker 1: technology company been quite successful. 126 00:06:36,839 --> 00:06:38,000 Speaker 2: He's a Tampa based guy. 127 00:06:38,760 --> 00:06:43,120 Speaker 1: And they've also gotten interest from groups in the expansion cities, 128 00:06:43,839 --> 00:06:46,800 Speaker 1: the cities that are trying to get an expansion team. Remember, 129 00:06:47,080 --> 00:06:49,680 Speaker 1: the sport is going to expand to thirty two once 130 00:06:49,760 --> 00:06:53,400 Speaker 1: the Tampa Bay and Oakland situations are resolved. And what's 131 00:06:53,440 --> 00:06:57,640 Speaker 1: intriguing about that from my perspective, Let's say you're Nashville, 132 00:06:57,680 --> 00:07:01,839 Speaker 1: just as an example, pay a two billion dollar expansion fee, 133 00:07:01,839 --> 00:07:04,680 Speaker 1: which is probably what it's going to be at minimum. 134 00:07:05,040 --> 00:07:07,520 Speaker 1: Or you can buy the Rays for maybe two million, 135 00:07:07,720 --> 00:07:11,040 Speaker 1: and what do you get, Oh, the best team in baseball. 136 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:15,280 Speaker 1: The infrastructure's already there. You're not getting the Oakland A's folks. 137 00:07:15,560 --> 00:07:19,320 Speaker 1: You're getting this powerhouse every year on a limited budget, 138 00:07:19,520 --> 00:07:22,640 Speaker 1: and maybe in a new home with greater resources, they'll 139 00:07:22,640 --> 00:07:26,600 Speaker 1: spend more money, be even stronger, put everything into play. 140 00:07:27,520 --> 00:07:31,080 Speaker 1: So from that perspective, you can see why a group 141 00:07:31,120 --> 00:07:33,800 Speaker 1: in an expansion city would be interested in buying the 142 00:07:33,920 --> 00:07:38,400 Speaker 1: Rays and relocating them rather than go through the uncertainty 143 00:07:38,440 --> 00:07:41,920 Speaker 1: of the expansion process. Now, after we reported what we 144 00:07:41,960 --> 00:07:44,520 Speaker 1: did Chandler and I, this was early Sunday morning, the 145 00:07:44,520 --> 00:07:47,400 Speaker 1: owner of the race, Stuart Sternberg, issued a statement to 146 00:07:47,560 --> 00:07:50,760 Speaker 1: John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times. And here is 147 00:07:50,800 --> 00:07:54,320 Speaker 1: what Sternberg said. I expect we will build a ballpark 148 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:56,200 Speaker 1: in Tampa Bay that will keep the Rays here for 149 00:07:56,280 --> 00:08:01,920 Speaker 1: generations to come. I also plan on remaining the now, 150 00:08:01,960 --> 00:08:04,120 Speaker 1: I should say, when we contacted the Rays for comment, 151 00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:06,600 Speaker 1: they did not comment on what we had. This comment 152 00:08:06,680 --> 00:08:10,360 Speaker 1: from Stuart Sternberg to John Romono came in response to 153 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:14,160 Speaker 1: what we had published, and I wouldn't have expected him 154 00:08:14,200 --> 00:08:17,720 Speaker 1: to say anything different. Yes, they are focused on building 155 00:08:17,760 --> 00:08:20,680 Speaker 1: a ballpark in Tampa Bay. Yes, that does seem to 156 00:08:20,720 --> 00:08:23,200 Speaker 1: be their first option, whether it happens in Saint Petersburg 157 00:08:23,600 --> 00:08:26,480 Speaker 1: or whether it happens in Tampa. And yes, Sternberg does 158 00:08:26,680 --> 00:08:30,520 Speaker 1: plan on remaining the Ray's owner, but as we reported, 159 00:08:30,840 --> 00:08:34,600 Speaker 1: he has options if things go miss if things don't 160 00:08:34,600 --> 00:08:35,280 Speaker 1: go his way. 161 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:37,400 Speaker 2: So this is something to keep track of. 162 00:08:37,600 --> 00:08:40,880 Speaker 1: It's quite interesting as the A situation plays out and 163 00:08:40,920 --> 00:08:42,480 Speaker 1: the Ray situation plays out. 164 00:08:42,559 --> 00:08:44,600 Speaker 2: We're gonna get to thirty two eventually. 165 00:08:44,720 --> 00:08:46,440 Speaker 1: But it's going to take some more time and there 166 00:08:46,520 --> 00:08:49,600 Speaker 1: might be some twists along the way. And finally, as 167 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:51,840 Speaker 1: we complete this first segment, I want to talk about 168 00:08:51,880 --> 00:08:54,520 Speaker 1: the best player in the game right now. He's a 169 00:08:54,559 --> 00:08:57,040 Speaker 1: guy I don't believe he's getting enough attention for what 170 00:08:57,080 --> 00:09:00,640 Speaker 1: he's doing, and that would be Braves rd Field Ronald 171 00:09:00,720 --> 00:09:04,880 Speaker 1: Acunya Junior, leading the majors in fangrafs version of War, 172 00:09:05,559 --> 00:09:08,800 Speaker 1: also tied for the lead in Baseball References Version of 173 00:09:08,840 --> 00:09:12,760 Speaker 1: War with Marcus Semion. Now, War is not a perfect statistic. 174 00:09:12,800 --> 00:09:17,199 Speaker 1: We all know that it's an estimate, but it encompasses offense, defense, 175 00:09:17,240 --> 00:09:20,960 Speaker 1: and base running, and my goodness, Ronald Lacunya Junior is 176 00:09:21,040 --> 00:09:24,840 Speaker 1: shining in every aspect of the game. He's on a 177 00:09:24,880 --> 00:09:28,720 Speaker 1: thirty nine homer sixty three stolen base pace, so forty 178 00:09:28,800 --> 00:09:32,400 Speaker 1: forty certainly within his reach. And as Andrew Simon of 179 00:09:32,559 --> 00:09:34,800 Speaker 1: MLB dot Com pointed out over the weekend in a 180 00:09:34,880 --> 00:09:39,559 Speaker 1: great article, there are only two players two who have 181 00:09:39,640 --> 00:09:43,040 Speaker 1: led either the National League or American League in ops, 182 00:09:43,480 --> 00:09:47,560 Speaker 1: in stolen bases, ops and stolen bases since nineteen forty seven, 183 00:09:47,679 --> 00:09:49,440 Speaker 1: when the sport integrated. 184 00:09:49,400 --> 00:09:50,200 Speaker 2: Those two guys. 185 00:09:50,200 --> 00:09:54,360 Speaker 1: Well, we know them by their first names, Ricky and Willie, 186 00:09:55,120 --> 00:09:59,439 Speaker 1: Ricky Henderson, Willie Mays. One day, as Andrew pointed out, 187 00:09:59,480 --> 00:10:02,000 Speaker 1: we might know Ronald Lacuna only by his first name too. 188 00:10:02,520 --> 00:10:04,920 Speaker 1: And again, what he is doing for that team as 189 00:10:04,920 --> 00:10:07,360 Speaker 1: a catalyst at the top of the lineup, you can't 190 00:10:07,360 --> 00:10:08,120 Speaker 1: say enough about it. 191 00:10:08,160 --> 00:10:11,200 Speaker 2: And check out these statistics. Just in the first inning. 192 00:10:11,040 --> 00:10:14,640 Speaker 1: Twenty two for forty two seven doubles, two homers, three walks, 193 00:10:14,720 --> 00:10:17,920 Speaker 1: seven steals, and he is the reason why that second 194 00:10:17,920 --> 00:10:21,640 Speaker 1: stat is relevant as well, the Braves have scored a 195 00:10:21,679 --> 00:10:26,359 Speaker 1: major league high eighteen runs within the game's first ten pitches. 196 00:10:27,320 --> 00:10:30,200 Speaker 1: That's amazing and that's de moralizing to an opponent. 197 00:10:30,800 --> 00:10:33,920 Speaker 2: So you might say, why aren't teams pitching him differently? 198 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:35,640 Speaker 1: Why can't they get it together in the first inning 199 00:10:35,640 --> 00:10:39,040 Speaker 1: against the Kunya Junior. Well, he's really good, that's one reason. 200 00:10:39,360 --> 00:10:42,560 Speaker 1: And what are you gonna do Pitch around them? Pitch 201 00:10:42,559 --> 00:10:44,240 Speaker 1: around them with none out in the first inning. 202 00:10:44,280 --> 00:10:46,000 Speaker 2: No, you've got to pitch to him. 203 00:10:46,520 --> 00:10:50,559 Speaker 1: So from his base running, to his play and right field, 204 00:10:50,600 --> 00:10:54,120 Speaker 1: which has been stellar Gold Globe quality, to his offensive 205 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:57,360 Speaker 1: game of course, which is brilliant, Ronald Acunyr Junior has 206 00:10:57,400 --> 00:11:00,960 Speaker 1: been a player in full the player we've wanted to see. 207 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:04,640 Speaker 1: And one other thing he has shown this season a 208 00:11:04,640 --> 00:11:08,880 Speaker 1: certain maturity that you didn't hear braves people talk about before. 209 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:13,040 Speaker 1: Regarding Akunya Junior, he was not necessarily a clubhouse problem, 210 00:11:13,559 --> 00:11:16,360 Speaker 1: but I don't know that he was considered a plus either. 211 00:11:16,679 --> 00:11:17,880 Speaker 2: And he's a quiet guy. 212 00:11:18,600 --> 00:11:21,600 Speaker 1: He like a Rosarana, can be flamboyant on the field, 213 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:23,240 Speaker 1: but is relatively quiet off the field. 214 00:11:23,240 --> 00:11:26,160 Speaker 2: But he also wasn't necessarily. 215 00:11:25,559 --> 00:11:27,680 Speaker 1: With the program the way I understood it. There were 216 00:11:27,720 --> 00:11:29,960 Speaker 1: some specific things I heard, but nothing I could report, 217 00:11:30,320 --> 00:11:33,960 Speaker 1: nothing terrible, just stuff that EH didn't reflect. 218 00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:37,360 Speaker 2: So well on him this year, hearing just the opposite. 219 00:11:37,600 --> 00:11:39,719 Speaker 1: That he is mature, that he has a presence, he's 220 00:11:39,760 --> 00:11:43,120 Speaker 1: a stabilizing force. Everything you'd want to hear about a player. 221 00:11:43,320 --> 00:11:47,720 Speaker 1: So Ronald Akunyer Junior, best player in the game right now, 222 00:11:48,160 --> 00:11:51,040 Speaker 1: pay attention. Time Now for the inside dish. This is 223 00:11:51,040 --> 00:11:53,240 Speaker 1: the portion of the show where I take you inside 224 00:11:53,280 --> 00:11:55,680 Speaker 1: a story that I might have done over the past week, 225 00:11:55,840 --> 00:11:59,240 Speaker 1: or I expound upon, maybe a story for my career. 226 00:11:59,280 --> 00:12:00,320 Speaker 2: It's something cool I. 227 00:12:00,360 --> 00:12:03,120 Speaker 1: Might have experienced or witnessed, whatever the case might be. 228 00:12:03,880 --> 00:12:04,240 Speaker 2: This week. 229 00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:08,040 Speaker 1: It's kind of a combination of both. I wrote today 230 00:12:08,200 --> 00:12:12,679 Speaker 1: about managers kind of a status check on their statuses. 231 00:12:13,280 --> 00:12:16,360 Speaker 1: It seems that no one is really on the hot seat. 232 00:12:16,440 --> 00:12:18,960 Speaker 1: And that is a surprise because at this time of year, 233 00:12:19,440 --> 00:12:21,079 Speaker 1: about a quarter of the way through, this is when 234 00:12:21,120 --> 00:12:24,120 Speaker 1: you start to see things happening. And the reason I 235 00:12:24,200 --> 00:12:27,920 Speaker 1: know things happen this time of year is because at 236 00:12:27,960 --> 00:12:30,679 Speaker 1: the outset of my career, actually it was my fifth 237 00:12:30,760 --> 00:12:35,520 Speaker 1: year covering baseball nineteen ninety one, I had gotten married 238 00:12:35,640 --> 00:12:38,080 Speaker 1: at the end of nineteen eighty nine, my wife was 239 00:12:38,080 --> 00:12:41,600 Speaker 1: pregnant with our first child, and on May. 240 00:12:41,440 --> 00:12:43,000 Speaker 2: Twenty first, nineteen ninety one. 241 00:12:43,040 --> 00:12:47,720 Speaker 1: Our first child, Samuel Joseph Rosenthal, was born. That day 242 00:12:48,400 --> 00:12:52,000 Speaker 1: the Cubs fired Don Zimmer's manager. The next day, the 243 00:12:52,120 --> 00:12:56,560 Speaker 1: Royals fired John Wathin, his manager. And that night I'm 244 00:12:56,559 --> 00:12:59,439 Speaker 1: listening to the Oriols on the radio. Yes, on the radio. 245 00:12:59,480 --> 00:13:01,800 Speaker 1: I don't believe the game that night was on television. 246 00:13:02,440 --> 00:13:03,600 Speaker 2: Oils are getting crushed. 247 00:13:03,960 --> 00:13:08,240 Speaker 1: Frank Robinson is their manager, and I'm thinking, oh. 248 00:13:08,160 --> 00:13:10,440 Speaker 2: No, he's getting fired tomorrow. 249 00:13:10,520 --> 00:13:13,000 Speaker 1: And I've promised my wife that I would be there 250 00:13:13,080 --> 00:13:14,520 Speaker 1: for several days. 251 00:13:14,520 --> 00:13:15,559 Speaker 2: This was our first child. 252 00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:16,960 Speaker 1: We didn't know what the heck we were doing. 253 00:13:17,679 --> 00:13:18,320 Speaker 2: The whole deal. 254 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:21,680 Speaker 1: I uttered the words, I think, don't worry, honey, I'll 255 00:13:21,679 --> 00:13:25,720 Speaker 1: be there. Well, that's the biggest lie in baseball writing, 256 00:13:26,360 --> 00:13:29,319 Speaker 1: biggest lie in sports journalism, probably the biggest lie in journalism, 257 00:13:29,440 --> 00:13:33,840 Speaker 1: because journalism things happen. Your life gets immediately disrupted and 258 00:13:34,559 --> 00:13:36,000 Speaker 1: you just have to kind of pick up and go. 259 00:13:36,720 --> 00:13:40,360 Speaker 1: Sure enough, the next day, Frank Robinson gets fired. So 260 00:13:40,800 --> 00:13:44,559 Speaker 1: the first three days of my son's life, first three 261 00:13:44,640 --> 00:13:48,960 Speaker 1: days a manager gets fired. And for that it became 262 00:13:49,320 --> 00:13:52,520 Speaker 1: kind of a sensation. It actually got around the country 263 00:13:52,520 --> 00:13:56,120 Speaker 1: that this had happened, that this baseball writer in Baltimore, man, 264 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:58,560 Speaker 1: he's got a son, and every day of his life 265 00:13:58,640 --> 00:14:02,000 Speaker 1: a big league manager's gone down. And Jerome Holtzman, the 266 00:14:02,080 --> 00:14:04,559 Speaker 1: late Jerome Holtzman, the great baseball. 267 00:14:04,120 --> 00:14:07,240 Speaker 2: Writer from the Chicago Tribune. 268 00:14:06,559 --> 00:14:09,320 Speaker 1: He actually wrote a column about this, called it the 269 00:14:09,360 --> 00:14:12,520 Speaker 1: Curse of Samuel Joseph. Yes, and it was at that 270 00:14:12,600 --> 00:14:16,079 Speaker 1: time somewhat of a curse. And then Sam also made 271 00:14:16,120 --> 00:14:20,880 Speaker 1: it into Baltimore magazine Best of Baltimore because of his curse. 272 00:14:22,000 --> 00:14:24,640 Speaker 1: And it turns out that in the years that followed, 273 00:14:25,520 --> 00:14:29,480 Speaker 1: right around his birthday, things would start to happen and 274 00:14:29,920 --> 00:14:33,000 Speaker 1: managers would get fired. And I wrote occasionally about the 275 00:14:33,040 --> 00:14:35,880 Speaker 1: Curse of Samuel Joseph made kind of a joke about it. 276 00:14:36,080 --> 00:14:38,760 Speaker 1: We always joked about it at home. Sam, at your birthday, 277 00:14:38,760 --> 00:14:40,520 Speaker 1: it's going to be that time of year, somebody's gonna 278 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:45,000 Speaker 1: get fired. Well, this year, I should say, Sam turned 279 00:14:45,040 --> 00:14:48,680 Speaker 1: thirty two and we had a delightful birthday. Sam was 280 00:14:48,720 --> 00:14:53,200 Speaker 1: here with his girlfriend, We had a celebration, wasn't disrupted 281 00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:53,440 Speaker 1: at all. 282 00:14:53,480 --> 00:14:57,240 Speaker 2: There was no drama, no nothing. Because things have changed 283 00:14:57,240 --> 00:14:58,160 Speaker 2: a little bit in the game. 284 00:14:58,720 --> 00:15:01,600 Speaker 1: And while there were four in season firings last season, 285 00:15:02,520 --> 00:15:05,240 Speaker 1: this season it doesn't seem like it's going that way 286 00:15:05,280 --> 00:15:06,760 Speaker 1: at all now. There could be a lot of action 287 00:15:06,880 --> 00:15:09,960 Speaker 1: at the end of the year, contractual situations, things of 288 00:15:09,960 --> 00:15:10,960 Speaker 1: that nature. 289 00:15:10,840 --> 00:15:11,800 Speaker 2: Things that are coming up. 290 00:15:12,160 --> 00:15:15,440 Speaker 1: There are six managers on the last years of contracts. 291 00:15:15,960 --> 00:15:20,480 Speaker 1: But for now things are relatively quiet. So the Curse 292 00:15:20,520 --> 00:15:22,760 Speaker 1: of Samuel Joseph it seems to have gone the way 293 00:15:22,800 --> 00:15:26,800 Speaker 1: of the knockdown pitch, the defensive shift. It almost seems 294 00:15:26,840 --> 00:15:31,600 Speaker 1: like it's becoming extinct. But mad it was something while 295 00:15:31,600 --> 00:15:34,480 Speaker 1: it lasted. Time for dude and dork of the week. 296 00:15:34,840 --> 00:15:38,320 Speaker 1: The dude this week, it's pretty easy. It's the guy 297 00:15:38,400 --> 00:15:42,360 Speaker 1: who kind of engaged in some side eye shenanigans. But 298 00:15:42,440 --> 00:15:44,800 Speaker 1: a guy who has also hit, or at one point 299 00:15:44,840 --> 00:15:47,640 Speaker 1: did this week seven home runs in a span of 300 00:15:47,720 --> 00:15:50,400 Speaker 1: seven games. That would be Aaron Judge of the New 301 00:15:50,520 --> 00:15:53,680 Speaker 1: York Yankees. Don't look now, but guess who's leading the 302 00:15:53,720 --> 00:15:57,560 Speaker 1: major leagues in ops again? That would be Aaron Judge. 303 00:15:57,680 --> 00:15:59,520 Speaker 1: A little bit of a slow start, but he's back 304 00:15:59,560 --> 00:16:02,840 Speaker 1: to being Judge and man. Seven homers in seven games, 305 00:16:03,160 --> 00:16:07,280 Speaker 1: big homers in big situations, particularly in that Blue Jays series, 306 00:16:07,320 --> 00:16:12,800 Speaker 1: which was drama from start to finish. Aaron Judge is back. 307 00:16:13,240 --> 00:16:17,200 Speaker 1: Honorable mention dude. Actually, it's an entire team of dudes. 308 00:16:17,480 --> 00:16:21,200 Speaker 1: It's the Baltimore Oriols. Twelve and seven in May swept 309 00:16:21,240 --> 00:16:25,560 Speaker 1: the Blue Days in Toronto this weekend. And I looked 310 00:16:25,600 --> 00:16:28,400 Speaker 1: at the Oriols as a nice story last year, finally 311 00:16:28,400 --> 00:16:31,400 Speaker 1: coming out of the rebuild. Even the first month, I 312 00:16:31,440 --> 00:16:34,320 Speaker 1: was like, Okay, they're playing well again. But when they 313 00:16:34,360 --> 00:16:36,920 Speaker 1: went into Atlanta at the start of the month and 314 00:16:37,040 --> 00:16:40,840 Speaker 1: lost two of three, I was like, WHOA, this is 315 00:16:41,200 --> 00:16:43,960 Speaker 1: a real team because the way they lost those games, 316 00:16:44,080 --> 00:16:45,400 Speaker 1: they were in every one of them. They could have 317 00:16:45,400 --> 00:16:48,880 Speaker 1: won all three. They played the Braves really tough. They 318 00:16:48,960 --> 00:16:52,080 Speaker 1: then at home beat Tampa Bay, best team in baseball, 319 00:16:52,120 --> 00:16:54,960 Speaker 1: two of three. They've also played well against the Pirates 320 00:16:54,960 --> 00:16:59,200 Speaker 1: and Angels before going into Toronto and just playing an 321 00:16:59,280 --> 00:17:03,040 Speaker 1: extremely high level. So they are the collective honorable mentioned 322 00:17:03,120 --> 00:17:05,479 Speaker 1: dudes of the week. And I will add this, I've 323 00:17:05,480 --> 00:17:08,280 Speaker 1: worked for Fox for eighteen years on television. 324 00:17:08,840 --> 00:17:10,959 Speaker 2: I have never covered a postseason. 325 00:17:10,440 --> 00:17:12,639 Speaker 1: Game in Camden Yards, where I spent much of my 326 00:17:12,800 --> 00:17:15,280 Speaker 1: career when I was with the Baltimore Sun and later 327 00:17:15,359 --> 00:17:17,359 Speaker 1: even with the Sporting News, that was my home park. 328 00:17:18,320 --> 00:17:21,320 Speaker 1: I would love to cover a postseason game in Camden Yards. 329 00:17:21,320 --> 00:17:24,560 Speaker 1: Now there are being postseason games at Camden during that time, 330 00:17:25,000 --> 00:17:27,760 Speaker 1: but either the Oils were knocked out before we got there, 331 00:17:27,920 --> 00:17:30,240 Speaker 1: or we had the National League not the American League, 332 00:17:30,280 --> 00:17:32,960 Speaker 1: whatever the case might be. This year we have the 333 00:17:32,960 --> 00:17:36,639 Speaker 1: American League. I am fired up about the possibility of 334 00:17:36,680 --> 00:17:41,199 Speaker 1: doing a postseason game at Camden. Dork of the Week, Hey, 335 00:17:41,520 --> 00:17:44,680 Speaker 1: it's from the same team as Aaron Judge. It would 336 00:17:44,680 --> 00:17:50,560 Speaker 1: be Domingo Herman. Now a mere ejection for sticky stuff that. 337 00:17:50,640 --> 00:17:52,080 Speaker 2: Might not get you dork of the Week. 338 00:17:52,359 --> 00:17:56,200 Speaker 1: Whatever, you get ejected, Okay, you get caught out. Whatever. 339 00:17:56,640 --> 00:18:01,000 Speaker 1: Domingo Herman, however, April fifteenth, was four to wash his 340 00:18:01,160 --> 00:18:06,080 Speaker 1: hands and was not ejected by the grace of umpire 341 00:18:06,160 --> 00:18:10,680 Speaker 1: James Hoy's crew. Domingo Herman on Tuesday is pitching again. 342 00:18:11,760 --> 00:18:14,439 Speaker 1: Crewe is essentially the same. Three of the four pumps 343 00:18:14,440 --> 00:18:18,560 Speaker 1: were the same, including Hoy. Guess what, Domingo Harman does 344 00:18:18,600 --> 00:18:23,440 Speaker 1: it again and gets ejected. It is that that gets 345 00:18:23,520 --> 00:18:25,800 Speaker 1: him dork of the Week. Not that he gets ejected, 346 00:18:25,840 --> 00:18:28,240 Speaker 1: but for doing it again in front of the same crew. 347 00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:31,399 Speaker 1: You gotta be a little smarter than that Domingo, you're 348 00:18:31,480 --> 00:18:35,200 Speaker 1: dork of the week. I always apologize feeling badly about 349 00:18:35,200 --> 00:18:37,840 Speaker 1: giving someone dork of the Week, but these people who 350 00:18:37,880 --> 00:18:40,800 Speaker 1: get it generally earn it. This week on Fox, we've 351 00:18:40,800 --> 00:18:44,640 Speaker 1: got Reds at Cubs. Not exactly a matchup of powerhouses, 352 00:18:44,640 --> 00:18:47,240 Speaker 1: actually a rematch of last year's Field of Dreams game. 353 00:18:47,680 --> 00:18:51,400 Speaker 1: But I am intrigued to see the Reds because they 354 00:18:51,440 --> 00:18:54,399 Speaker 1: are starting to bring up their top prospects, Matt McClain 355 00:18:54,480 --> 00:18:57,000 Speaker 1: being foremost among them. But they've got some others coming 356 00:18:57,080 --> 00:18:59,399 Speaker 1: as well, and they are a team that scouts are 357 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:02,480 Speaker 1: talking about as one that could be much improved in 358 00:19:02,520 --> 00:19:06,000 Speaker 1: the future. So could be a fresh look at a 359 00:19:06,119 --> 00:19:08,240 Speaker 1: team that has been down for a while. Team it 360 00:19:08,320 --> 00:19:10,399 Speaker 1: spends no money, we know that, but they've got some 361 00:19:10,480 --> 00:19:13,479 Speaker 1: kids coming. They made that trade with Seattle last year, 362 00:19:13,520 --> 00:19:15,640 Speaker 1: if you remember, that was a great trade with Castillo. 363 00:19:15,960 --> 00:19:19,240 Speaker 1: They got a ton back there. I'm intrigued by the Reds. 364 00:19:19,480 --> 00:19:22,240 Speaker 1: All right, let's get to the fan questions. First one 365 00:19:22,280 --> 00:19:26,040 Speaker 1: comes from David Camacho, and David is fired up because 366 00:19:26,040 --> 00:19:29,480 Speaker 1: he's writing at all capital letters. He says, am, I'm 367 00:19:29,520 --> 00:19:33,119 Speaker 1: the only one who notices that Buck Showalter has a 368 00:19:33,160 --> 00:19:36,800 Speaker 1: negative history when it comes to playing young players. David, 369 00:19:36,880 --> 00:19:39,000 Speaker 1: you are not the only one. Mets fans have been 370 00:19:39,000 --> 00:19:42,560 Speaker 1: talking about this for quite some time, and actually, in 371 00:19:42,600 --> 00:19:44,480 Speaker 1: my view, it's a little bit of a bad rap 372 00:19:44,600 --> 00:19:47,040 Speaker 1: with regard to this team, with regard to where the 373 00:19:47,080 --> 00:19:50,159 Speaker 1: Mets are now, just look what happened over the past week. 374 00:19:50,680 --> 00:19:52,720 Speaker 2: They were fueled and have. 375 00:19:52,760 --> 00:19:55,040 Speaker 1: Been during this five game winning streak, every win by 376 00:19:55,080 --> 00:19:58,880 Speaker 1: one run by the Baby Mets. As Francisco Lindor calls 377 00:19:58,920 --> 00:20:04,440 Speaker 1: them as Viento's baty. These kids are playing significant roles now, 378 00:20:04,480 --> 00:20:07,240 Speaker 1: they might not be playing as much as a fan 379 00:20:07,480 --> 00:20:09,920 Speaker 1: would like. In Viento's case, he's a little bit of 380 00:20:09,960 --> 00:20:12,400 Speaker 1: a tight squeeze because he plays first and third needed 381 00:20:12,400 --> 00:20:16,280 Speaker 1: particularly well, Third is Baby's position. First as Alonzo's position, 382 00:20:16,600 --> 00:20:18,840 Speaker 1: you can date him, of course, and they've done that 383 00:20:18,880 --> 00:20:22,160 Speaker 1: to some degree. Alvarez was the guy everyone was worried 384 00:20:22,200 --> 00:20:25,560 Speaker 1: about not playing rightly so, but because of the injuries 385 00:20:25,560 --> 00:20:29,080 Speaker 1: to Nevaas and Tonido, he's gotten a real chance here 386 00:20:29,359 --> 00:20:32,920 Speaker 1: and he's been quite impressive, above league average in terms 387 00:20:32,920 --> 00:20:35,800 Speaker 1: of offensive production and defensively, which. 388 00:20:35,600 --> 00:20:36,520 Speaker 2: Was the big question. 389 00:20:37,520 --> 00:20:39,800 Speaker 1: This guy looks like he has a presence behind the plate, 390 00:20:40,200 --> 00:20:44,159 Speaker 1: and he has some tools and seems to have a 391 00:20:44,200 --> 00:20:47,480 Speaker 1: good feel for what is going on, so he's going 392 00:20:47,520 --> 00:20:50,240 Speaker 1: to play. When Nevaz and Nito gets back, he gets 393 00:20:50,280 --> 00:20:53,240 Speaker 1: more complicated, and now Gary Sanchez is with him as well. 394 00:20:53,359 --> 00:20:56,960 Speaker 1: But Alvarez, in my view, has made a really strong 395 00:20:57,000 --> 00:21:00,240 Speaker 1: statement for himself. And Beatty of course, well, he's pretty 396 00:21:00,280 --> 00:21:03,000 Speaker 1: much the everyday third basement. They'll sit him against some lefties, 397 00:21:03,040 --> 00:21:05,960 Speaker 1: but he is playing. So I don't know that you 398 00:21:05,960 --> 00:21:08,640 Speaker 1: can say Buck is holding it against the kids. They 399 00:21:08,680 --> 00:21:10,359 Speaker 1: may have been a little slow to bring them up, 400 00:21:10,400 --> 00:21:14,360 Speaker 1: all right, I'll give you that. But teams generally are 401 00:21:14,920 --> 00:21:17,840 Speaker 1: reluctant to move quickly with their prospects. They want them 402 00:21:17,880 --> 00:21:20,320 Speaker 1: to get as much seasoning as possible. I don't think 403 00:21:20,359 --> 00:21:23,360 Speaker 1: the service time thing is an issue here, but it's 404 00:21:23,400 --> 00:21:25,720 Speaker 1: not like the Mets of the first team to move 405 00:21:25,840 --> 00:21:28,439 Speaker 1: at a deliberate pace with their prospects. And keep in 406 00:21:28,440 --> 00:21:31,600 Speaker 1: mind this too with regard to show Walter, he can't 407 00:21:31,600 --> 00:21:35,479 Speaker 1: simply turn his back on his veteran players, many of 408 00:21:35,480 --> 00:21:38,560 Speaker 1: whom are making quite good money. Mark Hanna eleven and 409 00:21:38,600 --> 00:21:42,440 Speaker 1: a half million, Escobar nine and a half million, Nevaias 410 00:21:42,560 --> 00:21:46,480 Speaker 1: eight million, Tommy fam six million. Sorry, you can't. 411 00:21:46,280 --> 00:21:47,200 Speaker 2: Just bury those guys. 412 00:21:47,880 --> 00:21:50,840 Speaker 1: All Right, on to the next question now, it comes 413 00:21:50,960 --> 00:21:54,760 Speaker 1: from well the Banana Man parentheses baseball addict. 414 00:21:55,119 --> 00:21:58,320 Speaker 2: His real name appears to be Lewis Tomorrow. Thank you 415 00:21:58,359 --> 00:21:59,040 Speaker 2: Lewis for the question. 416 00:21:59,160 --> 00:22:02,240 Speaker 1: He asks, which top team right now is most likely 417 00:22:02,359 --> 00:22:05,680 Speaker 1: to fail? Well, he means fall out of their position 418 00:22:05,760 --> 00:22:07,960 Speaker 1: before the All Star breaks. Some spelling issues they are 419 00:22:08,200 --> 00:22:13,560 Speaker 1: pay it happens. I'll mention two teams here, and I 420 00:22:13,600 --> 00:22:16,000 Speaker 1: don't necessarily believe either is going to fall off, but 421 00:22:16,040 --> 00:22:18,840 Speaker 1: maybe they're playing a little bit above themselves right now. 422 00:22:19,200 --> 00:22:21,880 Speaker 1: And those two teams are the Orioles and Rangers. Now 423 00:22:21,880 --> 00:22:24,760 Speaker 1: I just sang the Oriols praises and I'm not taking 424 00:22:24,800 --> 00:22:26,840 Speaker 1: any of that back. But if you're asking me, can 425 00:22:26,880 --> 00:22:29,960 Speaker 1: they fall off from thirty one and seventeen, the second 426 00:22:29,960 --> 00:22:32,760 Speaker 1: best record in baseball? Yeah, I believe that they might 427 00:22:32,840 --> 00:22:35,600 Speaker 1: not be able to continue that. And the Rangers third 428 00:22:35,600 --> 00:22:38,840 Speaker 1: best record in baseball along with the Braves tied for third. 429 00:22:39,400 --> 00:22:42,639 Speaker 1: They too, are quite impressive, and the only thing that 430 00:22:42,680 --> 00:22:46,800 Speaker 1: concerns me with them is the bullpen. Their rotation with 431 00:22:46,920 --> 00:22:50,000 Speaker 1: the ground making only six starts. Fifth in the majors 432 00:22:50,040 --> 00:22:53,320 Speaker 1: in rotation in iar eate. Their offense has been amazing 433 00:22:54,200 --> 00:22:56,159 Speaker 1: without Seger for most of the year. They leave the 434 00:22:56,160 --> 00:22:58,640 Speaker 1: majors in runs per game by almost a half run 435 00:22:58,640 --> 00:23:01,800 Speaker 1: per game. Is something they're going to have to address. 436 00:23:01,800 --> 00:23:04,240 Speaker 1: There's no doubt about that. The Oils are kind of 437 00:23:04,240 --> 00:23:07,159 Speaker 1: in an opposite position. My biggest concern with them is 438 00:23:07,160 --> 00:23:10,880 Speaker 1: not the bullpen, which is amazing, but the rotation. Now, 439 00:23:10,920 --> 00:23:14,040 Speaker 1: their rotation has probably been better than I thought, still 440 00:23:14,119 --> 00:23:17,199 Speaker 1: ranks nineteenth in the majors in era. If there is 441 00:23:17,280 --> 00:23:20,520 Speaker 1: going to be a downfall with that club, it probably 442 00:23:20,560 --> 00:23:23,679 Speaker 1: will be in their starting staff, and also with the 443 00:23:23,720 --> 00:23:26,200 Speaker 1: Oriols and with the Rangers for that matter. I want 444 00:23:26,200 --> 00:23:28,680 Speaker 1: to see both those teams active at the deadline because 445 00:23:28,720 --> 00:23:32,119 Speaker 1: there will be some regression that inevitably occurs. You've got 446 00:23:32,160 --> 00:23:34,840 Speaker 1: to guard against that by getting some other players. 447 00:23:35,359 --> 00:23:38,919 Speaker 2: All Right, on to our final question. Let's see what 448 00:23:38,920 --> 00:23:39,520 Speaker 2: we have here. 449 00:23:39,560 --> 00:23:41,919 Speaker 1: It comes from Luke Williamson and he asks, is the 450 00:23:42,040 --> 00:23:45,240 Speaker 1: raise bullpen the only thing from them being an odds 451 00:23:45,280 --> 00:23:48,320 Speaker 1: on favorite to represent the American League in the World Series. 452 00:23:49,119 --> 00:23:51,600 Speaker 1: Fair point, And I would agree Luke that that is 453 00:23:51,840 --> 00:23:54,440 Speaker 1: the only thing really that you have a concern about 454 00:23:54,520 --> 00:23:58,520 Speaker 1: right now. It's the biggest weakness in their team. Statistically 455 00:23:59,160 --> 00:24:01,800 Speaker 1: sixteenth in the Bullpenny array, middle of the pack. They're 456 00:24:01,800 --> 00:24:03,520 Speaker 1: not middle of the pack in scoring, and they're not 457 00:24:03,520 --> 00:24:05,960 Speaker 1: middle of the pack in the rotation. Even with the injuries, 458 00:24:06,280 --> 00:24:09,560 Speaker 1: twelfth highest percentage of inherited runners who have scored. That's 459 00:24:09,600 --> 00:24:13,840 Speaker 1: an issue too. Remember Andrew Kittridge out all season Tommy 460 00:24:13,920 --> 00:24:16,960 Speaker 1: John surgery. They also lost Gary Clevenger to a knees 461 00:24:17,040 --> 00:24:20,919 Speaker 1: brain Physically, they've had some issues. Obviously, There's been some 462 00:24:20,960 --> 00:24:24,280 Speaker 1: inconsistencies with some of their relievers as well. So yes, 463 00:24:24,520 --> 00:24:26,760 Speaker 1: that is the area of concern with the Rays. But 464 00:24:26,880 --> 00:24:28,600 Speaker 1: the good news for the Rays, as it is for 465 00:24:28,640 --> 00:24:31,200 Speaker 1: the Rangers and any other team that is in need 466 00:24:31,240 --> 00:24:35,040 Speaker 1: of bullpen help, the most available commodity at the deadline 467 00:24:35,160 --> 00:24:39,600 Speaker 1: is generally relief pitching. Bullpen arms can be had, so 468 00:24:39,720 --> 00:24:42,960 Speaker 1: these teams were in position to supplement and they probably 469 00:24:42,960 --> 00:24:46,200 Speaker 1: both should and probably both will. All right next week 470 00:24:46,240 --> 00:24:49,479 Speaker 1: we are back on Tuesday, not Monday, are regularly scheduled day. 471 00:24:49,520 --> 00:24:52,120 Speaker 1: Because of the Memorial Day holiday, we will be observing 472 00:24:52,160 --> 00:24:54,440 Speaker 1: the holiday. I'm sure most of you will be too, 473 00:24:54,640 --> 00:24:56,920 Speaker 1: so we'll take an extra day and we'll come back 474 00:24:56,960 --> 00:25:01,320 Speaker 1: on Tuesday. Also, another new wrinkle we're going to introduce 475 00:25:01,560 --> 00:25:05,120 Speaker 1: next week. If you guys are willing, please feel free 476 00:25:05,160 --> 00:25:08,480 Speaker 1: to submit videos with your fan questions rather than just 477 00:25:08,560 --> 00:25:11,800 Speaker 1: respond on Twitter. You can submit a video and if 478 00:25:11,840 --> 00:25:14,880 Speaker 1: it's a good one, or if you're inclined, we'll show 479 00:25:14,920 --> 00:25:17,439 Speaker 1: it on our show and we'll be happy to do that. 480 00:25:17,520 --> 00:25:19,520 Speaker 1: I'd like to see some of your faces rather than 481 00:25:19,600 --> 00:25:22,680 Speaker 1: just your egg icons on Twitter. Well, you know your 482 00:25:22,680 --> 00:25:24,760 Speaker 1: anonymous kind of way that you go about it. 483 00:25:25,040 --> 00:25:27,240 Speaker 2: Let's see your faces. Let's have some fun with that. 484 00:25:27,600 --> 00:25:30,640 Speaker 1: Feel free, guys, send in the videos, ask your questions, 485 00:25:30,640 --> 00:25:31,760 Speaker 1: and we'll go about it that way. 486 00:25:31,920 --> 00:25:34,000 Speaker 2: Thanks everyone for watching, Thanks. 487 00:25:33,720 --> 00:25:36,760 Speaker 1: Everyone for listening, and please like or subscribe to us 488 00:25:36,920 --> 00:25:39,640 Speaker 1: on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. 489 00:25:39,760 --> 00:25:43,159 Speaker 3: Have a great week, everyone, Foul Territory fans, listen up. 490 00:25:43,200 --> 00:25:46,200 Speaker 3: Our friends at BETMGM are running an MLB bet ten 491 00:25:46,240 --> 00:25:49,959 Speaker 3: dollars get one hundred dollars instantly promo with the bonus 492 00:25:49,960 --> 00:25:53,040 Speaker 3: code spicy MLB. Here's how it works. Sign up and 493 00:25:53,040 --> 00:25:55,800 Speaker 3: deposit at least ten dollars into your newly created account. 494 00:25:56,119 --> 00:25:59,760 Speaker 3: Download the BETMGM Sportsbook app on iOS or Android. Play 495 00:25:59,760 --> 00:26:02,160 Speaker 3: say pre game money line wager of at least ten 496 00:26:02,240 --> 00:26:05,160 Speaker 3: dollars on any MLB team to win at standard odds price, 497 00:26:05,400 --> 00:26:08,800 Speaker 3: and you will receive one hundred dollars eat bonus bets instantly. 498 00:26:08,880 --> 00:26:11,080 Speaker 1: If you sign up in Massachusetts. 499 00:26:10,400 --> 00:26:13,840 Speaker 3: Or Ohio, you received two hundred dollars eating bonus bets. 500 00:26:14,000 --> 00:26:16,640 Speaker 3: Use the bonus code spicing MLB