Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney

ESPN
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ESPN MLB Insider Buster Olney leads the baseball discussion alongside other top analysts.

  1. 20 MINS AGO

    NEW DETAILS about Tarik Skubal's surgery that could be "life-changing" for the game of baseball

    Welcome back to the Baseball Tonight podcast, publishing a day early because of breaking news surrounding Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal. His agent, Scott Boras, joined us to give us the details surrounding this first-time surgical procedure on an MLB player that could cut Skubal's recovery time in half. He also shares his memories about the late Bobby Cox. ESPN's Jesse Rogers then hops on to discuss the surprising reason for the Cubs early-season success, and who they could target at the trade deadline. We then switch to the AL where he tells us which playoff-favorite teams he's most concerned about. We finish the segment discussing some concerns about Boston's Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow. Finally, Royals broadcaster Eric Hosmer joins us to react to the Skubal news from Boras and why it could be a life-changing for the game of baseball. He then also shares his AL teams he's most concerned about. We finish with the state of sign-stealing in today's game. We end the show with Bleacher Tweets and Buster's memories about Bobby Cox. 0:00 Welcome 0:57 Scott Boars joins 1:31 Details on Skubal's surgery 4:27 Skubal's new timeline for returning to baseball 5:52 Update on Skubal post-surgery 6:22 Why Skubal can return much quicker than expected 7:25 Nerves for a new surgery? 8:32 How this surgery might impact Skubal's free agency 9:15 Bobby Cox memories 11:21 Jesse Rogers on the Cubs success 13:25 How Pete Crow-Armstrong is taking control 15:37 Cubs potential trade-deadline targets 18:27 Concern: Orioles, Red Sox, Mariners, Tigers, Blue Jays, Royals 22:07 Questions about Craig Breslow 26:51 Eric Hosmer joins the show 28:01 Reaction to Skubal surgery news 31:21 Concern: Orioles, Red Sox, Mariners, Tigers, Blue Jays, Royals 33:25 Trouble in Detroit 34:47 Royals are on the rise 35:52 Sign-Stealing discussion 40:28 Bleacher Tweets: Andy Pages + Cubs 42:57 Remembering Bobby Cox Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    45 min

  2. 2D AGO

    Why the Braves aren't getting too excited + Yankees rotation getting stronger, Favorite John Sterling memories

    Welcome back to the Baseball Tonight Podcast! Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos joins us to detail why he's not getting too excited yet about the Braves best start since 1998, how Matt Olson is getting even better, and his reaction to 62-year-old manager Walt Weiss' tackle during last month's brawl. Yankees fan Rich Eisen then stops by to talk about his favorite John Sterling memories, the time he creeped out Don Mattingly, and how scary the Yankees rotation can be with Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole on the way back. Plus Sarah Langs and Todd Radom! 0:00 Welcome 0:37 Cubs are on fire 2:06 Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos joins the show 2:36 Atlanta's best start since 1998 3:51 Matt Olson can do it all 6:33 Reaction to Walt Weiss' tackle in brawl 9:41 Braves depth in face of injuries 11:13 Reflecting on the iconic David Price 2015 trade 16:09 Sarah Langs plays the Numbers Game 17:04 Rich Eisen joins the show 17:19 Favorite John Sterling memories 21:23 Rich's Yankee fandom origin story 23:27 Favorite Yankee players growing up 24:20 Awkward Don Mattingly story 28:33 Rodon and Cole coming back 29:50 Why the Yankees are so good this year 35:40 Todd Radom joins the show 36:20 Best bobblehead giveaways this year 38:44 Quiz time! 39:56 Bleacher Tweets: Mike Trout to the east coast? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    45 min

  3. 3D AGO

    Did Framber Valdez plunk Trevor Story because he was upset at Boston stealing signs?

    Benches cleared after Tigers pitcher Framber Valdez hit Red Sox batter Trevor Story on Tuesday. Valdez said it was not intentional, while Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said it was a "low moment" for the team. Speculation abounds that Valdez was upset about the Boston stealing signs, rather than the two home runs they hit before Story was beaned. Eduardo Perez joins to break it all down. Later on, Hembo hops on to discuss Matt Olson's hot streak, Rafael Devers slow start, and the rookie who is raking for the Cubs. 0:00 Welcome 0:41 Eduardo Perez joins 0:55 Framber Valdez fallout 3:01 How long should Valdez be suspended? 5:11 Tigers starting pitching injury crisis 6:39 Tarik Skubal out 2-3 months 9:02 Junior Caminero is must-watch 9:57 What is happening with the Giants? 12:09 Carlos Correa out for the season 13:00 Hembo joins the show 13:57 Rafael Devers struggles in San Francisco 18:35 Matt Olson, Hall of Fame bound? 22:30 Red Sox struggling at the plate 25:34 Moises Ballesteros on fire for the Cubs 30:15 Marlins middle infield swap 32:22 Congrats to the Schwinks 33:06 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    38 min

  4. 6D AGO

    How superstar Elly De La Cruz has gotten even better | BBTN Pod

    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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    27 min
  5. How the Red Sox season just went from bad to worse

    MAY 1

    How the Red Sox season just went from bad to worse

    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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    47 min

  6. APR 29

    Need Friction: Phillies Fire Manager Rob Thomson; Can Philadelphia save its season?

    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: BleacherTweets@gmail.com 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

    27 min

  7. APR 27

    Unexpected: Red Sox Fire Alex Cora; The Timing, The How & The Why; When Will We See Cora Back in the Dugout?

    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 CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com 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

    49 min

  8. APR 24

    And the Royals are officially moving out of The K!

    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 CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com 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

    46 min
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ESPN MLB Insider Buster Olney leads the baseball discussion alongside other top analysts.

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