Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney

Future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols joins the podcast! But first, Hembo and Buster talk about the Cardinals’ Jordan Walker, if Konnor Griffin is better than advertised, the Orioles’ Adley Rutschman having something to prove, budding Braves star Drake Baldwin, which pitcher that’s been hurt the most by ABS, and Hembo’s three favorite Pujols stats. Then, the Machine joins the show to discuss which numbers from his career he’s most proud of, his reverence for the Hall of Fame, his idea for the World Baseball Classic semifinals, and what he sees in Shohei Ohtani’s swing. Later, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game. Finally, Buster answers yours questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Hembo 2:38 Cardinals Jordan Walker 4:26 Pirates Konnor Griffin 7:24 Orioles Adley Rutschman 9:53 Braves Drake Baldwin 12:54 Pitcher most impacted by ABS 16:55 Hembo’s 3 favorite Pujols stats 18:32 Albert Pujols 19:30 Important career numbers 21:47 Unanimous selection important? 23:53 Reverence for the HOF 28:07 ABS thoughts 33:39 WBC changes 38:48 You Played, I Didn’t: Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Junior Caminero 45:03 Sarah Langs 47:25 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Follow The Baseball Tonight Podcast on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHeL6O-A-ASmSMwbSCFvPKEq1Cslo_lrw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FG6xCcd338SgZjZ9urHRI Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-tonight-with-buster-olney/id137699414 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our first baseball fight of the year! The Angels and Braves throw punches, and Atlanta manager Walt Weiss spears Jorge Soler! Plus, the Pittsburgh Pirates sign Konnor Griffin to a 9-year, $120M contract. Then, Buster Olney and Jesse Rogers discuss the messy state of the Cubs’ rotation, the Blue Jays’ rough start, and the Milwaukee Brewers throwing at Red Sox catch Willson Contreras again! Later, Yankees scout Matt Hyde talks about finding diamonds in the rough scouting Ben Rice and Cam Schlittler in Massachusetts, and taking them late in the draft. Finally, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Welcome 0:45 Konnor Griffin, Pirates sign 9-year $140M deal 1:45 Angels-Braves brawl 3:17 Jesse Rogers joins 3:39 Cubs Cade Horton injured 7:11 Blue Jays rough start 11:25 Red Sox Willson Contreras hit by Brewers again! 19:36 Guardians José Ramírez 21:55 Yankees scout Matt Hyde 23:33 Scouting Ben Rice 30:00 Scouting Cam Schlittler 37:30 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Follow The Baseball Tonight Podcast on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHeL6O-A-ASmSMwbSCFvPKEq1Cslo_lrw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FG6xCcd338SgZjZ9urHRI Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-tonight-with-buster-olney/id137699414 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Angels right fielder Jo Adell robbed three home runs in one game. Was it the greatest defensive performance we’ve ever seen from an outfielder? Tim Kurkjian and Buster Olney discuss. Plus, the guys talk about Konnor Griffin and Paul Skenes make the Pirates must-watch, the NL Central looks strong, if this is Aaron Boone’s best Yankee team, Kyle Harrison and the Brewers rolling along, and if José Ramírez is the greatest Cleveland Guardian ever. Then, Chris “Mad Dog” Russo talks about the first time Buster appeared on his radio show, his early concerns with the San Francisco Giants, Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers, the angriest someone in sports has been with him, and the time he infuriated Arizona Diamondback fans — and paid the price for it. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Tim Kurkjian joins 1:02 Jo Adell 3:27 Konnor Griffin 6:29 Best NL division 8:55 Alejandro Kirk out 13:02 Aaron Boone’s best Yankee team? 14:53 Brewers 16:23 José Ramírez 17:52 Chris “Mad Dog” Russo joins 20:41 San Francisco Giants 23:44 Los Ángeles Dodgers dominance  25:36 Shohei Ohtani or Babe Ruth? 29:29 Aaron Boone Yankees 37:15 Angry Arizona Diamondback fans 41:53 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Follow The Baseball Tonight Podcast on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHeL6O-A-ASmSMwbSCFvPKEq1Cslo_lrw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FG6xCcd338SgZjZ9urHRI Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-tonight-with-buster-olney/id137699414 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Konnor Griffin gets the call to The Show. Eric Hosmer and Buster Olney discuss the Pirates calling up the No. 1 prospect in baseball, the Miami Marlins off to a surprising start, Cam Schlittler cruising, if Shohei Ohtani is actually AI and the Kansas City Royals honoring the late Terrance Gore. Then, Joe Buck stops by to talk about calling the Jackie Robinson Game on ESPN, writing his Baseball Hall of Fame speech, interviewing his kids at a St. Louis Blues game, his dad Jack’s relationship with Robinson, which of Jack’s famous calls was his father’s favorite, and how he connect with former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick over baseball. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Eric Hosmer joins the show 0:37 Pirates call up Konnor Griffin 11:17 Miami Marlins 5-1 start 12:47 Yankees Cam Schlittler is dominating 15:07 Dodgers Shohei Ohtani in midseason form 19:18 Kansas City Royals honored late Terrance Gore 24:46 Joe Buck joins the show 26:09 Buck to be honored in Cooperstown 29:39 Interviewing his sons 32:39 Jack Buck’s relationship with Jackie Robinson 34:38 Jack Buck’s favorite call 38:41 Bill Belichick loves baseball 44:04 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Follow The Baseball Tonight Podcast on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHeL6O-A-ASmSMwbSCFvPKEq1Cslo_lrw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FG6xCcd338SgZjZ9urHRI Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-tonight-with-buster-olney/id137699414 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Angels center fielder Mike Trout joins Buster to discuss a strong start to the season, reflecting on the past few season, striving for the postseason, his relationship with new manager Kurt Suzuki, and his first impressions of the ABS System. Then, Hembo talks about Phillies prospect Andrew Painter impressing in his debut, Shohei Ohtani’s outrageous first outing, what’s behind prospects Colt Emerson Cooper Pratt signing big deals, the Blue Jays’ terrific start, the White Sox’s Munetaka Murakami playing like he has something to prove, and the worrisome Cubs starting pitching. 0:00 Welcome 0:36 Mike Trout 3:35 Reflecting, slowing down the process 8:23 Putting together a healthy season 9:41 Striving for a postseason return 10:50 On manager Kurt Suzuki 12:06 ABS first impressions 14:20 Hembo, Phillies Andrew Painter debuts 19:06 Dodgers Shohei Ohtani throws 6 scoreless innings 22:35 Prospects Colt Emerson, Cooper Pratt sign big deals 27:58 Blue Jays, Dylan Cease off to terrific start 31:02 Mets Bo Bichette’s rough start 33:48 White Sox Munetaka Murakami can rake 37:51 Cubs pitching is worrisome 39:50 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Follow The Baseball Tonight Podcast on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHeL6O-A-ASmSMwbSCFvPKEq1Cslo_lrw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FG6xCcd338SgZjZ9urHRI Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-tonight-with-buster-olney/id137699414 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It was an exciting first weekend of MLB action! Hunter Pence and Buster Olney discuss shaking off Opening Day jitters, how rookies dominated the conversation to start the season, first impressions of the ABS System, the San Francisco Giants starting 0-3, and how teams move on from losses. Then, ESPN’s Jorge Castillo stops by to talk about the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees sweeping their respective series to open the season, and the Los Angeles Dodgers treating the regular season like a dress rehearsal. Then, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game. Laters, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Hunter Pence joins the show 3:39 Rookies rule first MLB weekend 5:59 Guardians Chase DeLauter 8:08 Tigers Kevin McGonigle 9:43 Reds Sal Stewart 11:23 JJ Wetherholt 13:08 ABS System initial impressions 18:18 Giants start 0-3 28:33 ESPN’s Jorge Castillo 29:06 Mets start 2-1 30:36 Juan Soto seems relaxed 33:05 Yankees & Blue Jays sweep 37:01 Is this Dave Roberts’ best Dodger team? 38:41 Sarah Langs 40:00 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Follow The Baseball Tonight Podcast on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHeL6O-A-ASmSMwbSCFvPKEq1Cslo_lrw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FG6xCcd338SgZjZ9urHRI Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-tonight-with-buster-olney/id137699414 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Let’s overreact to MLB Opening Day 2026! Karl Ravech, Eduardo Pérez and Buster Olney discuss the joy of baseball’s return, why the overreactions to Aaron Judge’s first game don’t make sense, Paul Skenes getting knocked around with an assist from Oneil Cruz, all the rookies who shined in their debuts, if the Dodgers can win more than 102 games, another quality start from Tarik Skubal, Junior Caminero taking four walks, Jacob Misiorowski’s 11 strikeouts, and what Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s peers are saying about him after is 2025 postseason. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.  0:00 MLB Opening Day 2026 overreactions 4:40 Yankees Aaron Judge overreactions 8:28 Pirates Paul Skenes 0.2 IP 9:19 Oneil Cruz’s costly mistake 13:49 Rookies shine on Opening Day 14:28 Tiger Kevin McGonigle 15:48 Mets Carson Benge 16:26 Cardinals J.J. Wetherholt 20:29 Can the Dodgers win 103 games? 25:05 Tigers Tarik Skubal quality start 26:56 Cubs extend Nico Hoerner 27:28 Brewers Jacob Misiorowski throws 11 Ks 28:25 Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ready to roll CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Follow The Baseball Tonight Podcast on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHeL6O-A-ASmSMwbSCFvPKEq1Cslo_lrw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FG6xCcd338SgZjZ9urHRI Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-tonight-with-buster-olney/id137699414 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

MLB Opening Day 2026 has arrived! Buster Olney and Hembo discuss the Chicago Cubs locking up Pete Crow-Armstrong to a six-year, $115 million deal, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ascending to superstar, MLB's No. 2 prospect Kevin McGonigle making the Tigers Opening Day roster, why Cinncinati Reds rookie Sal Stewart could be the rock of their lineup, if Wyatt Langford can make noise in the AL MVP race, and why Hembo is down on Tyler Glasnow after a stellar spring. Then, Pitching Ninja Rob Friedman stops by to talk about his new book "Unhittable: How Technology, Mavericks, and Innovators Engineered Baseball's New Era of Pitching Dominance," the best pitches in baseball, which pitcher he'd choose for a Space Jam "winner-takes-the-planet" game, why pitching is so different today, Japanese players bringing the splitter back in America, the prevalence of injuries among pitchers, and their friend Sarah Langs. Plus, Buster finishes the team previews with the Detroit Tigers, the Washington Nationals, the Tampa Bay Rays, the San Diego Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 1:53 Cubs sign Pete Crow-Armstrong to six-year deal 5:26 Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. primed for a monster year 10:18 Tigers prospect Kevin McGonigle makes the roster 14:52 Reds Sal Stewart can bang 16:32 Rangers Wyatt Lanford for MVP? 19:54 Dodgers Tyler Glasnow looks good 22:31 Pitching Ninja 23:37 Best pitches in baseball 27:29 Shohei Ohtani hyperbole 30:52 How pitching changed? 49:34 San Diego Padres preview 51:13 Detroit Tigers preview 52:55 Arizona Diamondbacks preview 53:47 Washington Nationals preview 54:55 Tampa Bay Rays preview 56:22 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS BUY PITCHING NINJA’S NEW BOOK: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/unhittable-rob-friedman?variant=43912948252706&utm_source=Rob+Friedman&utm_medium=athrweb&utm_campaign=Unhittable Follow The Baseball Tonight Podcast on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHeL6O-A-ASmSMwbSCFvPKEq1Cslo_lrw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FG6xCcd338SgZjZ9urHRI Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-tonight-with-buster-olney/id137699414 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Opening Day is right around the corner. Buster Olney and Jesse Rogers discuss some of the storylines playing out at Spring Training while the World Baseball Classic wrapped up. The Rangers’ Wyatt Langford looks great, the Braves’ offense needs to get right and the Blue Jays are slow-playing Trey Yesavage. Then, Jesse shares his predictions for division and award winners, and his wild card teams. Next, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora stops by to talk about his thoughts on the World Baseball Classic, Wilyer Abreu looking sharp, which manager called him to talk about Roman Anthony, if the Red Sox have enough power in their lineup, and how he’s handling the back end of the rotation. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Welcome 0:56 Phillies sign Cristopher Sanchez to 6-year deal 5:26 Rangers Wyatt Langford looks great 8:04 Braves offense needs to perform 10:31 Blue Jays holding out Trey Yesavage 11:00 Making predictions for the 2026 MLB season 11:29 AL East 13:18 AL Central 14:19 AL West 15:41 AL Wild Card Teams 17:39 NL West 17:45 NL Central 18:28 NL West 18:49 NL Wild Card Teams 19:52 Are Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani MVP Locks? 20:54 Picking against Paul Skenes or Tarik Skubal for Cy Young? 21:30 Rookie of the Year picks 23:33 Red Sox Manager Alex Cora joins the show 24:02 Cora’s thoughts on the World Baseball Classic 28:39 Wilyer Abreu’s breakout performance at the WBC 30:09 Getting calls from other managers about Roman Anthony 32:14 Outlook on the 2026 Boston Red Sox 35:26 Other Headlines: Boston 2B Marcelo Mayer makes the team  36:16 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Follow The Baseball Tonight Podcast on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHeL6O-A-ASmSMwbSCFvPKEq1Cslo_lrw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FG6xCcd338SgZjZ9urHRI Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-tonight-with-buster-olney/id137699414 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Venezuela earns its first World Baseball Classic title, defeating Team USA 3-2 in a dramatic final game. Buster Olney and Tim Kurkjian discuss what a fun tournament this edition of the WBC was, Venezuela taking down the United States and Japan on its way to a championship, the celebration that ensued, which players shined, the United States’ failure to get the offense going, and what they would change about the World Baseball Classic going forward.  0:00 Venezuela beats USA 3-2 in WBC final 3:57 Eugenio Suarez has another big moment 6:25 Bryce Harper finds his swing 7:49 Cubs allow Daniel Palencia to pitch 9:05 Wilyer Abreu is a breakout candidate in 2026 11:04 Eduardo Rodríguez came up big 11:56 Nolan McLean was spinning it 13:55 Luis Arráez walks to get the late rally going 14:49 How did manager Omar López and Mark DeRosa perform? 16:06 What would you change about the WBC? 21:43 Milwaukee Brewers Preview 23:11 Headlines 23:44 Kansas City Royals Preview 25:06 Bleacher Tweets w/ more on Cubs OF Seyia Suzuki’s injury CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: [email protected] REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Follow The Baseball Tonight Podcast on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHeL6O-A-ASmSMwbSCFvPKEq1Cslo_lrw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FG6xCcd338SgZjZ9urHRI Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-tonight-with-buster-olney/id137699414 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices