Reds Manager Terry Francona joins the show to discuss Elly De La Cruz's improvements this year, what has made rookie Sal Stewart so special early on, and why Boston is such a brutal place to leave as a manager. Then Hunter Pence swings by to talk about two Japanese "rookies" who are lighting up the big leagues: Munetaka Murakami with the White Sox and Kazuma Okamoto with the Blue Jays. He also discusses the biggest threat to the Dodgers' crown and why the Giants have struggled to start the year. We end by giving our tribute to the legendary broadcast, John Sterling.

0:00 Welcome

0:52 Yankees are surging

1:03 Braves have best record but lose Acuna

1:22 Twins SP Joe Ryan leaves with injury

1:38 Yankees option Anthony Volpe to AAA

2:03 Giants calling up Bryce Eldridge

2:24 Welcome Terry Francona

2:45 Elly De La Cruz is getting even better

6:00 What makes Sal Stewart so good

7:24 Hunter Greene injury update

8:07 NL Central is best division in baseball

9:02 Reacting to Alex Cora's firing, why is Boston so brutal?

12:27 Hunter Pence joins the show

12:52 Munetaka Murakami can't stop hitting HRs

15:02 Kazuma Okamoto has established a unique tradition

18:56 Who can challenge the Dodgers?

20:48 Giants early-season struggles

22:19 Taylor baby update!

23:13 Remembering John Sterling

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The Boston Red Sox received bad news with star pitcher Garrett Crochet headed to the IL, just a few days after firing manager Alex Cora. Buster Olney and Alden Gonzalez discuss the Red Sox fate this year. They also dive into the Dodgers tactic of benching Shohei Ohtani as a DH when he pitches; how the Atlanta Braves have the best record in baseball; and the resurgence of the Seattle Mariners. Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman joins the show to discuss Toronto's season, and Sarah Langs plays the numbers game.

0:00 Welcome

1:23 Matt Olson Walks It Off

1:38 JJ Wetherholt HRs off Paul Skenes

1:54 Marlins take series from Dodgers

2:18 Mariners back to .500

2:28 Garrett Crochet to IL

2:39 Alden Gonzalez joins the show

3:10 Red Sox issues

10:44 Dodgers Organizational Success

15:16 Ohtani not batting when pitching

20:08 Braves best record in MLB

23:12 Mariners surging

26:28 Kevin Gausman joins the show

26:45 Gausman close to 2,000 career Ks

27:32 How Gausman unlocked his splitter

29:14 The Braves secret to boosting Gausman

31:30 Advice to younger players

33:05 Blue Jays clubhouse is tight-knit

35:32 How piano playing saved Max Scherzer's career

38:17 Calling pitches

41:22 Sarah Langs plays the numbers game

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The Philadelphia Phillies have official fired manager Rob Thomson and named Don Mattingly the interim manager. Buster Olney and Paul "Hembo" Hembekides discussing Thomson's dismissal, why it should've happened after the 2025 postseason, the outlook on Mattingly at interim, where recently fired Alex Cora fits into this puzzle, and Buster's advice for Cora while he examines the landscape. Plus, panic or patience on the Dodgers' Kyle Tucker, Yordan Álvarez looking downright terrifying, Craig Stammen has the Padres humming, and the Brewers have unlocked Kyle Harrison. 0:00 Welcome 0:15 Hembo 0:30 Phillies fire Rob Thomson 8:06 Could Alex Cora take over in Philadelphia? 13:31 Dodgers Kyle Tucker 15:57 Astros Yordan Álvarez 18:29 Craig Stammen has Padres rolling 21:10 Brewers unlocked Kyle Harrison 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

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The Boston Red Sox fire manager Alex Cora, in a stunning early-season move. Buster Olney and Rob Bradford (WEEI, Baseball Isn't Boring) discuss the timing of the firing, how it went down, the power struggle with GM Craig Breslow, what the Red Sox are losing in Cora, John Henry's disappearing act, and when they think we'll see Cora managing again. Then, ESPN's Jesse Rogers stops by to talk about what kind of impact new Red Sox manager Chad Tracy can have on the lineup, Breslow's leadership style, the Chicago Cubs coming off a ten-game winning streak, and Pete Crow-Armstrong searching for his superstar form.

0:00 Welcome

0:30 Rob Bradford (WEEI, Baseball Isn't Boring)

0:53 Boston Red Sox fire Alex Cora

4:21 Power struggle between Cora and GM Craig Breslow

10:05 Who's to blame in all of this

13:24 John Henry's stewardship as owner

15:41 When will we see Cora back in the dugout?

17:56 Can new Red Sox manager Chad Tracy unlock the lineup?

19:49 Breslow's leadership style

24:09 NL East

27:23 Chicago Cubs

30:56 Pete Crow-Armstrong maturing on the field

35:07 Bleacher Tweets

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The streak is dead! The Mets win two in a row over the Minnesota Twins. Buster Olney and Hembo discuss the Mets’ playoff chances, Buster’s wacky trade idea for Philadelphia, the Phillies’ hilariously thin lineup, the Padres’ sale price, Elly De La Cruz beginning to break out, and why the Athletics should lock up Shea Langeliers. Then, Todd Radom talks about Yankee players pushing for alternate road uniforms, and the Royals drawing new plans for a stadium in Crown Center. Later, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game. Plus, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.

0:00 Hembo joins the show

1:00 Mets breaking losing streak

9:14 Phillies lose ninth straight

14:37 Should Philadelphia trade for Alex Cora?

17:50 Reds Elly De La Cruz leap year

20:16 Takeaways from Padres sale

25:51 Athletics should lock up Shea Langelier’s

27:53 Todd Radom joins the show

28:18 Yankee players want alternative road uniforms 

29:43 Royals move downtown

31:37 Quiz

33:58 Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game

35:11 Bleacher Tweets

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The New York Mets lose their 12th straight game! Buster Olney, David Schoenfield and Jorge Castillo convene in Bristol to discuss the Mets’ tailspin, if the age of the Philadelphia Phillies’ lineup is a hinderance, and why this is the Braves team of two years ago. Then, San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado stops by to talk about which milestone number is important to him, Mason Miller’s dominance, alternate history with Aaron Judge on the Padres, the sale of the franchise for $3.9 billion, and GM A.J. Preller’s basketball games. Later, SportsCenter host and Phillies fan Kevin Negandhi, along with Mets fan and ESPN boss Pete McConnville air their NL East grievances. Later, Buster, Jorge and Dave answer listener questions from Bristol during Bleacher Tweets.

0:00 Welcome from Bristol!

0:30 Jorge Castillo, Dave Schoenfield join the show

1:11 Mets lose 12th straight

5:51 Phillies lineup over the hill?

11:28 Braves are back

14:28 Padres Manny Machado joins the show

14:38 Chasing 3,000 hits

16:02 Watching Mason Miller dominate

18:56 What If: Aaron Judge on the Padres?

21:30 Padres on the verge of being sold for $3.9B

29:38 Playing hoops with GM A.J. Preller

30:48 NL East Therapy with Kevin Neghandi

39:45 Bleacher Tweets with Dave & Jorge

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The Mets are in a tailspin. Is Carlos Mendoza's job on the line in Queens? Eric Hosmer and Buster Olney talk about why there's no drama between Salvador Perez and manager Matt Quatraro, the Kansas City Royals early struggles, Ben Rice breaking out for the Yankees, who goes to the bullpen in New York when Carlos Rodón returns, and which teams they think are underrated to watch. Then, ESPN's MLB draft and prospect expert Kiley McDaniel discuss how Kiley scouted Cincinnati Red Sal Stewart, what he's seen out of Konnor Griffin, the Boston Red Sox's Garrett Crochet giving up 16 runs in two starts, Mason Miller's absurdity, and how the top of the MLB Draft if shaping up. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.

0:00 Eric Hosmer joins the show

2:42 Drama in the Kansas City Royals locker room?

8:22 Ben Rice breaks out for Yankees

10:22 Hos likes Will Warren

12:17 Mets keep losing

15:44 Underrated teams

17:33 Kiley McDaniel joins the show

18:35 His scouting reports on Sal Stewart, Konnor Griffin

24:10 Path to a competitive season for the Mets?

27:45 Red Sox Garrett Crochet still struggling

30:53 Yankees rotation/bullpen with Carlos Rodón

34:52 Padres Mason Miller is absurd

38:19 Top prospects in the MLB Draft

43:37 Bleacher Tweets

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Is Shohei Ohtani the Cy Young frontrunner in the NL? Hembo and Buster discuss that, plus, the Mets’ lineup struggles and Mason Miller mowing guys down. Then Cincinnati Reds infielder Sal Stewart stops by to chat with Buster about his big weekend in Miami, how studying gives him confidence, his at-bat approach, and which pitcher gave him a good cat-and-mouse game. Then, Alden González stops by to talk about what stood out during Jackie Robinson Day at Dodger Stadium, Ohtani’s ridiculous pitching performance, and if Steve Cohen will make a move at manager. Later, Todd Radom rates the new City Connects, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game, and Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.

3:06 Hembo joins

3:32 Shohei Ohtani Cy Young frontrunner?

8:17 Mets lineup

11:17 Padres Mason Miller

14:28 What makes Sal Stewart great

17:48 Reds Sal Stewart stops by

18:28 Hometown series in Miami

20:26 Winning the Spring Training free throw contest

24:51 At-bat approach

29:02 Watching Bo Bichette hit, hitting against Garrett Crochet

30:17 Alden González joins

31:22 Stories from Jackie Robinson Day at Dodger Stadium

35:46 Shohei Ohtani continues to marvel

38:42 Dodger offense

40:09 Mets… yikes…

43:46 Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game

44:50 Todd Radom rates City Connects

54:13 Bleacher Tweets

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The Rays’ Chandler Simpson is a menace on the bases. He joins Buster Olney to discuss what other players say about his speed during games, his on-base obsession, pregame bunting regimen, Tony Gwynn, and Jackie Robinson’s on the field fearlessness. Then, ESPN’s David Schoenfield stops by to talk about star players batting under .200 to start the season and Garrett Crochet’s eyebrow raising game. Plus, on a scale of 1-10, how worried are they about the Blue Jays, Mets and Astros. Later, Buster is joined by former National League President Leonard Coleman Jr. to share the story of how Robinson’s No. 42 was retired across MLB. Finally, Buster answers yours questions during Bleacher Tweets.

0:00 Welcome

0:30 Rays OF Chandler Simpson joins the show

1:07 Catchers telling him to “slow down”

2:10 Obsessed with getting on base

3:34 On bunting

7:39 Watching Tony Gwynn highlights

8:40 Wearing No. 42 on Jackie Robinson Day

10:40 David Schoenfield joins the show

13:17 Star players batting under .200

16:15 Garret Crochet’s 10 ER outing

18:15 Level of concern for the Toronto Blue Jays

20:16 New York Mets

25:28 Houston Astros

28:22 Story behind retiring No. 42 across MLB

35:23 Bleacher Tweets

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The New York Yankees were thrown into chaos all weekend long because of the Rays’ Chandler Simpson and his speed. Eduardo Pérez and Buster discuss, plus, the San Diego Padres are hot, can the Sacramento Athletics’ pitching hold up at home, what’s up with the Mets’ Francisco Lindor, and who had the idea for every player to wear No. 42 on Jackie Robinson Day. Later, NBC Sports’ Bob Costas stops by to talk about his role on Sunday Night Baseball, Buster’s first encounter with Bob, if managers will tighten up ABS challenges as the season continues, interactions with Jackie Robinson’s family, and the full story on the 1988 Dodger team chanting “Kill Costas!” before a World Series game.

0:00 Welcome

1:31 Eduardo Pérez joins the show

1:55 Rays Chandler Simpson terrorizes Yankees

7:32 Padres hot

9:08 Athletics: Real or not

10:05 Mets Francisco Lindor’s issues

12:34 Was Eduardo at Jackie Robinson’s last recorded speech?

16:58 All players wearing No. 42 was Ken Griffey Jr.’s idea

21:00 Bob Costas joins the show

25:30 Buster’s first encounter with Bob

26:46 Thought ABS would be used more judiciously 

35:15 Interactions with Jackie Robinson’s family

39:10 “Kill Costas”

44:49 Bleacher Tweets

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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

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