MLB Central 14 Abr 2026

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Transcript

00:00:01Good morning. Nine multi-homer games across the league last night, including in the Bronx,

00:00:06as two former MVPs going shot for shot.

00:00:09Coming up, D-Ro taking a closer look at the evolution of Trout and Judge.

00:00:13Plus, the Twins keep rolling.

00:00:15We're going to tell you why they've been fishing and hooking left-handed pitchers.

00:00:20And who's the best in the American League?

00:00:22Who's the second best in the National League?

00:00:25Well, there's no debating on who the best host is, right, Lauren?

00:00:28There isn't.

00:00:29The only person picking you is you, Robert.

00:00:32Good morning.

00:00:32Dynamite drop in, Lauren.

00:00:34Roll the open.

00:00:53MLB Central is presented by Cheerios.

00:00:58Good morning or good afternoon, depending on when you're watching.

00:01:01This is a full re-air episode.

00:01:03Mark DeRosa, Robert Flores, Lauren Shahadi is in Atlanta.

00:01:06She has her TBS hosting duties.

00:01:08You've got the Phillies and Cubs tonight, right, Lauren?

00:01:11Phillies, Cubs.

00:01:11How many runs will be scored?

00:01:13Good morning.

00:01:13Good morning to you.

00:01:14I'm going to be here, D. Roe, in your home.

00:01:16It's 90 degrees.

00:01:17It's beautiful here.

00:01:18And I straightened my hair for you guys.

00:01:19There you go.

00:01:19You look great.

00:01:20There were a couple of things that we learned about yesterday's show.

00:01:24Yeah.

00:01:24One.

00:01:25That we can overcome adversity.

00:01:27Well, okay.

00:01:27Together.

00:01:28Three things.

00:01:29So that one.

00:01:29Okay.

00:01:30Maybe my elephant man impression wasn't suitable for TV.

00:01:35Maybe.

00:01:36Probably.

00:01:36It was a great movie.

00:01:37Yeah.

00:01:37Great movie.

00:01:38But not good for TV for a morning show.

00:01:40And then three, the importance of having a functional master control.

00:01:46Yeah.

00:01:46Yesterday, we did not have the ability to roll commercials.

00:01:51A lot of panic.

00:01:52Therefore, we were rolling commercial-free for about 45 minutes or so, Lauren.

00:01:58And I got to apologize.

00:01:59But DeRosa woke up feeling great.

00:02:01I woke up feeling great.

00:02:02I got to apologize to the control room because I threw them under the bus.

00:02:06It wasn't them.

00:02:07It wasn't them.

00:02:08It wasn't them.

00:02:09It was.

00:02:10It was a master control.

00:02:11Just a malfunction in Denver.

00:02:13Which we've learned is in Denver.

00:02:14It's in Denver.

00:02:15Who knew?

00:02:16There's turbulence.

00:02:16I didn't know that.

00:02:17I knew.

00:02:18What do you mean, who knew?

00:02:19I knew that.

00:02:20I didn't know.

00:02:21Some of our viewers were a little confused and, you know, bewildered about what was happening.

00:02:27Thrift Dork, a loyal viewer, just said, hey, best crew on TV doesn't need commercials.

00:02:32This is the Emmy-winning broadcast for sure.

00:02:34Absolutely.

00:02:35By the way, not nominated for an Emmy.

00:02:38That's okay.

00:02:39I don't know how that happened.

00:02:40Big Steve.

00:02:41Hey, Roflo Foyer got his wish and was able to do a 45-minute show and go home early to

00:02:46play video games.

00:02:47You see, Big Steve, this is why I muted you.

00:02:50Come on.

00:02:50He's kidding.

00:02:51Because it was not a 45-minute segment, commercial-free.

00:02:57So we still did the two full hours, but just no commercials.

00:03:01You know, Lauren, when I walked in this morning and sat on the couch, I saw you sitting in Truist

00:03:06Park and I'm like, I know what I'm getting her for her birthday.

00:03:08A phone charger.

00:03:10That, no.

00:03:11She's not even going to use a phone charger.

00:03:13I have a phone charger.

00:03:13I want to get you one of those bracelets or the ring that monitors how much rest you're

00:03:18getting.

00:03:19No, I don't like that.

00:03:20I feel like it's giving you diseases or something.

00:03:23It might be.

00:03:24It shouldn't be able to go warp into your body and tell you how much sleep.

00:03:27I don't like that.

00:03:28Like the Apple Watch tracking you.

00:03:30You've been going, though, since the beginning.

00:03:32March Madness, the Netflix game to open it, then back here.

00:03:35I'm ready to go.

00:03:37Hey.

00:03:37I feel ready to go.

00:03:38Lauren, you have a why I don't love the game.

00:03:41What?

00:03:42Okay, so we weren't the only crew dealing with, how do I say this, technical difficulties,

00:03:47right?

00:03:47The Philadelphia crowd was hoping for dinner.

00:03:52It didn't really work out.

00:03:53Seems that the hot dog launcher was broken.

00:03:57Well, wait a second.

00:03:59The fanatic trying his best to no avail.

00:04:02You know what?

00:04:03And you know the Philadelphia crowd.

00:04:05They're going to let you know.

00:04:07It happens.

00:04:09It happens.

00:04:09We've seen it.

00:04:11Never.

00:04:13But that sort of thing happens, and it's nothing to be ashamed of.

00:04:17Hey, I agree.

00:04:19You live to fight another day.

00:04:21That's right.

00:04:21We move on.

00:04:22You just rally.

00:04:23You rub some dirt on it, and you keep it moving.

00:04:25I don't know if dirt's going to do the trick there, but something along those lines.

00:04:29Did anybody stay up and watch Big Pete?

00:04:34This guy didn't have a moment.

00:04:35Well, I did.

00:04:36Let's start in Los Angeles.

00:04:37The Mets heads are falling off out in L.A.

00:04:39Let's start there.

00:04:40No?

00:04:40Okay, because that's where we're going to begin the wake-up call at Dodger Stadium.

00:04:44Mets-Dodgers series opener.

00:04:46Shohei Ohtani at the plate.

00:04:48He has reached base in 46 consecutive games.

00:04:52Now make it 47.

00:04:55Got plunked right on the clavicle right there.

00:04:57Yeah, he was kind of, you know, kind of moving it around.

00:05:01It looked like it's smart a little bit.

00:05:02Later in the inning, Will Smith, two men on.

00:05:05Bullet up the chute.

00:05:06By the way, Freddie Freeman is hitting sixth yesterday.

00:05:111-0 Los Angeles.

00:05:13It just speaks to the depth.

00:05:14He's not going to be happy about that.

00:05:16It just speaks to the depth.

00:05:17Bottom of the third, Andy Pajas.

00:05:20The best player in the game.

00:05:21And you remember how mightily he struggled in the postseason.

00:05:25They ended up having to bench him.

00:05:265-41.

00:05:27But now he is on a roll.

00:05:30His fifth home run, and it's 4-0 on David Peterson and the Mets.

00:05:35Bottom of the sixth, Otani, Craig Kimbrell, and Francisco Alvarez calls late time

00:05:42to avoid the violation.

00:05:45Otani almost had another issue there.

00:05:48But one of the key stories was Justin Robleski.

00:05:51Eight innings, two hits, two strikeouts.

00:05:54He's the fourth Dodgers starter in the last 10 years to face the minimum

00:05:58through seven innings.

00:06:00The Mets have not scored in their last 20 innings

00:06:03and have scored just nine total runs over this current six-game losing skid.

00:06:10Up next, we're going to the Bronx, where the Yankees had a five-game losing streak.

00:06:14Taking on the Angels.

00:06:15Aaron Judge.

00:06:16Two-run homer off Yusei Kikuchi.

00:06:20That's 1-16 off the bat.

00:06:23But this game was crazy.

00:06:26Move to the bottom of the fifth.

00:06:28We are tied at four.

00:06:29Trent Grisham did not start this game.

00:06:32Came off the bench.

00:06:33And boy, did he have a game.

00:06:35This D-Row, his first home run of the year.

00:06:40And just like that, the Yankees have a 7-4 lead.

00:06:45But, while the Yankees' three-time MVP was doing some things,

00:06:49the Angels have a former MVP of their own.

00:06:52And it's Mike Trout.

00:06:54Good grief.

00:06:58Ever since you said he hits with his abs, he does.

00:07:01That's all I see now.

00:07:02The barrel's connected to his left oblique, and then it shoots out.

00:07:05It's unbelievable.

00:07:07We are tied at seven.

00:07:10Move to the sixth.

00:07:11Aaron Judge, but not done.

00:07:1547th multi-homer game, passing Mickey Mantle for second most in Yankees franchise history.

00:07:21Boy, if you bought tickets to this game, imagine what you saw.

00:07:25Two future Hall of Famers going shot for shot.

00:07:29Eighth inning.

00:07:30It's Trout.

00:07:32Again.

00:07:34Angels on top.

00:07:3610-8.

00:07:40This judge is like, well, I thought we were comfortably ahead, but no longer.

00:07:45Bottom of the ninth.

00:07:46Trent Grisham.

00:07:47Remember, he didn't start this game, but he had a big hand in its finish.

00:07:51First Yankee to have a game-tying and go-ahead homer in the fifth inning or later

00:07:56since your boy Raul Abanez in game three of the 2012 ALDS.

00:08:02So, we're tied at 10 thanks to that shot of the ninth.

00:08:07Now, Ryan McMahon at the plate.

00:08:09Jordan Romano.

00:08:11It bounces, heads back to the backstop, and the Yankees walk off in a wild one.

00:08:1611-10.

00:08:17Here's Aaron Judge after the win.

00:08:21Those are the fun ones.

00:08:22You know, you're going back and forth.

00:08:23You know, they've got a great team over there.

00:08:24They're hitting the ball over the field.

00:08:26Great pitching staff.

00:08:27But, you know, we're happy to come away with the win and all these fans sticking around

00:08:31to see it.

00:08:31He always puts a show on in New York.

00:08:33So, it's always fun to compete against him and that team.

00:08:35And, you know, looking forward.

00:08:36We've got another three tough games against him and looking forward to more.

00:08:39Some great plays all around.

00:08:40Great at-bats.

00:08:41But Trent Grisham's a player of the game here.

00:08:42You know, coming up big with some huge homers to give us a lead and tie the game there in

00:08:45the

00:08:45ninth.

00:08:46So, it was impressive to watch.

00:08:48Like I've been trying to say, keep it simple and let's go do it tomorrow.

00:08:52Worth the price of admission.

00:08:54Check this out.

00:08:55Three-time MVP winners with two home runs in the same game.

00:08:57The only other time almost 70 years ago.

00:09:01June 1956.

00:09:03Wow.

00:09:03So, count them.

00:09:04Wow, indeed.

00:09:05Two home runs for both Mike Trout and 99.

00:09:07Seems like a good opportunity to check out the active home run leaders in our game.

00:09:11And they're right there.

00:09:13A rare duel of three-time MVPs.

00:09:16Zero, we hear people talk about the stars of their era all the time.

00:09:20These are the stars of an entire generation of fans.

00:09:24And boy, did they put on a show on Monday night.

00:09:27Yeah, these are two of the greatest players of all time when it's all said and done.

00:09:30Both will be in Cooperstown and both will be considered two of the greatest hitters that

00:09:36have ever gotten in the box.

00:09:37Bottom line.

00:09:38And if, like Robert said, if you bought a ticket last night, you got it all.

00:09:42You got everything.

00:09:43You're a little concerned about the Yankees' bullpen.

00:09:45You got to be.

00:09:46But the offense, they're built on home runs.

00:09:48Big boy showed up in a big way for this team.

00:09:51And then Mike coming home from South Jersey having another monster game in Yankee Stadium.

00:09:57And I just wanted to kind of take you through it.

00:09:59Because the two stars took over.

00:10:01We could start, I believe, Devin with a board to kind of show their greatness and everything

00:10:07that they're about.

00:10:08Take a look at this.

00:10:09Highest weighted runs created plus.

00:10:11The plus is park adjusted.

00:10:13This is your best offensive profile.

00:10:15Through age 34 season.

00:10:19Look at Babe Ruth.

00:10:20Look at the names.

00:10:21Look at where Aaron Judge stands on this.

00:10:24It's going to go down as one of the greatest hitters of all time.

00:10:27And Mike Trout certainly right there with him at 166.

00:10:30We'll get into peak.

00:10:32Mike had an eight-year peak starting in 14 where it just was absolutely crazy.

00:10:38So I want to go through every at-bat.

00:10:40Then I want to side angle how they go about it.

00:10:43What Judge is able to do with the back hip.

00:10:46Staying behind the baseball.

00:10:47And then Mike, he thought we weren't going to go into edit and lock in.

00:10:52Hey, since April 10th, he's doing something a little different at the plate that we caught

00:10:58back in video that I wanted to show you.

00:11:00So, all right, let's get in.

00:11:01First A-B.

00:11:02Listen, Kikuchi doesn't want to come in with a fastball.

00:11:05It's off-speed, off-speed, splitty right here.

00:11:08And he shoots it.

00:11:11And you can go through the numbers.

00:11:13You can go through heaters.

00:11:14You can go through off-speed.

00:11:16Judge handles them all.

00:11:17He controls the strike zone as good as anybody.

00:11:20Yeah, he always usually has a cold lull.

00:11:23At some point, pause this and bring it back to the side angle, please.

00:11:28He'll have a cold little spell.

00:11:30But ultimately, when the dust settles, one of the best, right?

00:11:34So, most seasons with a 200-weighted run created plus or higher.

00:11:39Babe Ruth had nine.

00:11:40Ted Williams, Bonds, Judge.

00:11:43I mean, these are the games great.

00:11:45What I want you to watch, no one does it better than Aaron Judge.

00:11:49Kind of turning into the inside of this back hip.

00:11:52You hear Sean Casey come on here all the time and talk about the front leg being a kickstand.

00:11:58Hitting within a door frame.

00:12:00There's no movement going forward.

00:12:02It is.

00:12:04This break goes down and he is just rotating his backside, staying behind the baseball.

00:12:09Run this, please.

00:12:12Pause.

00:12:13Right there, you hear guys talking about it all the time now.

00:12:17I need to be able to get off my swing at pitcher release.

00:12:22He can set that foot down wherever he wants and he's ready to go.

00:12:26Run this and get it to point of contact and pause it.

00:12:30Keep coming slow.

00:12:33Pause.

00:12:33I mean, you want to talk about being in the perfect power position to deliver a blow to the baseball.

00:12:41That is 6'7", 260 of ripped muscle.

00:12:45And everything is perfectly in line.

00:12:49On an off-speed hanger from Kikuchi.

00:12:52Run this for me.

00:12:54Just absolutely destroyed.

00:12:56And pause it real quick.

00:12:59And the beauty of what Aaron Judge, it's a fight to keep your eyes still.

00:13:04It's a fight to pick up spin.

00:13:06It's a fight to see the baseball.

00:13:08You'll see certain guys try and open up to get both eyes on the baseball.

00:13:12Judge is able to never move his head.

00:13:15This comes up, boom, down, and the head stays on everything.

00:13:19The ball never bounces.

00:13:22Now let's get into Trout's first homer.

00:13:24Jake Bird on the mound.

00:13:26Bunch of sweepers.

00:13:27Listen, the one bugaboo on Mike throughout his career is you can elevate a heater on him.

00:13:33But if you don't execute it, you get shot.

00:13:36Pause it for me.

00:13:37Run that pitch back because I thought this was interesting.

00:13:40You talk about respect.

00:13:42Listen, I know Jake Bird wants to establish in.

00:13:46But I almost feel like, and it happened with Judge, too, in the next at-bat.

00:13:50When these guys miss arm side in to great players, it's almost like they're coming with a slider the next

00:13:57pitch.

00:13:57They feel bad that they missed up and in.

00:14:00Watch.

00:14:00He misses up and in to Trout right here.

00:14:03He probably should go up and in again.

00:14:06Instead, he spins something over the heart of the plate and leaves it up, and it gets evaporated to left

00:14:12center.

00:14:15Then we get into his side angle.

00:14:18He is always for me.

00:14:20And you can pause it when we get into pause it.

00:14:24You hear him talk about, if you were watching the Masters this week, the golf swing's long, but everything happens

00:14:31right in this region.

00:14:33I feel like with the baseball swing, a lot of stuff can happen up here.

00:14:37But right when it gets to your core, the back speed that's generated from A to B right here at

00:14:44the end,

00:14:46I don't know if they measure that, but I believe in my heart nobody fires their core in the history

00:14:52of the sport the way this guy's able to.

00:14:54It's almost like the bat's connected to his forearms, connected to his abdomen, and everything's going at once.

00:15:01Run this once.

00:15:04Watch how short and tight he is up top.

00:15:08Bang!

00:15:09I mean, that is so short.

00:15:11Now run this back for me real quick, because there's something we saw.

00:15:14Get it all the way back to the beginning.

00:15:18That's the start of it.

00:15:20Okay.

00:15:21Watch his back foot.

00:15:24Run it.

00:15:26We went back to April 10th to see when he started doing it.

00:15:32Oops, what's that?

00:15:33Pause.

00:15:34We're doing a little step back.

00:15:36That's usually a drill done underneath pregame.

00:15:39The step back drill to engage the backside to just stay behind the baseball.

00:15:44Something he kind of incorporated in the last couple of days.

00:15:47Maybe he wasn't feeling good.

00:15:49Maybe he was lunging a little bit.

00:15:51Making the necessary adjustments to get into his backside.

00:15:54Run this.

00:15:56We'll do a side-by-side for March 26th.

00:15:59His first home run during the season.

00:16:01Was not doing it.

00:16:03There he is in Houston.

00:16:05Watch his back foot.

00:16:06Run it.

00:16:14See how he's engaged on his backside.

00:16:16Run it back one more time.

00:16:17I want to show that again.

00:16:18That's pretty cool.

00:16:19Something kids at home could try.

00:16:20If you're getting a little lungy, maybe when dad's doing flips or you're off the tee,

00:16:25a little step back.

00:16:26Engage the backside.

00:16:27Stay behind the baseball.

00:16:29One of the best of all time is making that adjustment in season.

00:16:32Two weeks in.

00:16:33Run it.

00:16:36Pretty cool.

00:16:37Nolan Arenado does it.

00:16:38A couple guys like to have dance and feet.

00:16:40Bring up the next board for me.

00:16:44Most war through age 27 season among position players in MLB history.

00:16:49Mike Trout's on top of Mickey Mantle, Ty Cobb, Roger Hornsby, A-Rod, Jimmy Fox.

00:16:54You talk about an eight-year peak.

00:16:56You hear a lot of guys talk about Hall of Fame.

00:16:58They've got to have bold type and peak, 10-year, eight-year.

00:17:03I mean, he's headed to Cooperstown.

00:17:05All right, let's get into Judgy's next home run.

00:17:09Again, heater rises up and in right there.

00:17:13A young pitcher on the mound.

00:17:15So let me stay away from one of the game's greats.

00:17:18Hangs a split.

00:17:20See you later.

00:17:21So I just wanted to go quad box side angle.

00:17:24They both came into the game with three MVPs between them.

00:17:28Just want to see if Judgy's doing anything different.

00:17:32Same swing, staying behind the baseball.

00:17:34Perfect.

00:17:36Pause it.

00:17:38All right, so take a look at 22, Robert.

00:17:4022.

00:17:42I'm just going to throw out some gargantuan numbers.

00:17:45These are all his MVPs and then last night.

00:17:4922, he hit 62 and 131.

00:17:5224, he went 58, 144, and a 225 OPS plus.

00:17:58And then in 2025 last year, 331, 53, and 114.

00:18:05Run it.

00:18:06Pretty similar setup.

00:18:08Messes with the width of his stance.

00:18:11Messes with where his hands are.

00:18:13But he always gets to the same position and ready to fire.

00:18:17And then here's the situation.

00:18:18You can tell Doval just doesn't trust his fastball command.

00:18:22His stuff is explosive.

00:18:24He could throw that three more times.

00:18:27And he hangs a slider.

00:18:30Anything down, spinning in the heart of the plate to Mike Trout usually is getting hit out of the ballpark.

00:18:38So I want the quad box, what he did, his three MVPs.

00:18:43Again, stepped back.

00:18:45Deliver a blow to the baseball.

00:18:47Pause it.

00:18:48Run it back to the beginning.

00:18:51Right there, 2014.

00:18:54Mike Trout, 36 and 111.

00:18:57Second MVP in 16, 29 and 130 with 30 stolen bases.

00:19:02And then in 2019, he goes 45, 104 with a 182 OPS plus.

00:19:09Just unbelievable.

00:19:11Run it.

00:19:14How the swing evolves.

00:19:16There was a guy who wasn't even getting fully rotated all the way through the swing.

00:19:21Two of the game's greatest players on display in New York City.

00:19:25And it's funny.

00:19:27Trout's got 500 more games.

00:19:29Their numbers are crazy.

00:19:30I mean, obviously, Judge is going to kill him with the home runs.

00:19:34They have 500 more games.

00:19:35But from an on-base, a slug, weighted runs created plus, the MVPs, everything.

00:19:42Kind of crazy their numbers compare.

00:19:44You know, as you said, if you bought a ticket to last night's game, you got everything and more.

00:19:48What a great ball game.

00:19:49Two great performances from great players.

00:19:51Speaking of home runs, the ball was flying out in Baltimore.

00:19:54Let's go there for the Diamondbacks and the Orioles.

00:19:56Diamondbacks jumped out to an early lead, thanks in part to Cattell Marte.

00:20:02It's already 1-0 when Marte, that's his second of the night.

00:20:06How'd you like to be Dean Kramer?

00:20:08He comes up.

00:20:09No.

00:20:10First pitch of the game, Cattell Marte's over his head and he hits it out.

00:20:13But fifth inning, Jeremiah Jackson is at the plate.

00:20:17You see that foul ball.

00:20:18It ends up hitting his manager, Craig Albernaz.

00:20:22Albernaz left, went to the clubhouse, ended up coming back.

00:20:26Which is remarkable.

00:20:29Hopefully he's going to be okay.

00:20:30It seems like he's going to be okay.

00:20:33Man, that could have been such a scary situation.

00:20:35I think about that all the time.

00:20:37Nolan Arenado.

00:20:38Big night for Nolan.

00:20:39He had three RBIs in 14 games coming into last night.

00:20:44He had five in the game.

00:20:47Second homer for him.

00:20:48But Jeremiah Jackson, bases loaded, grand slam.

00:20:53And guess who's back in the dugout waiting for him?

00:20:57His manager, Craig Albernaz, huh?

00:20:59These are the type of games had by players where the coaches go back and they say,

00:21:04whoa, whoa.

00:21:05That was the moment.

00:21:06No, we might have something bigger than what we really think with Jeremiah Jackson.

00:21:10You've got a polar bear to run homer to give the Orioles an 8-7 lead.

00:21:14This ball's killed.

00:21:16Give Jeremiah Jackson five RBIs of the night.

00:21:21One of the nine multi-homer games across the league.

00:21:24Orioles come back.

00:21:25Here's Alonzo and Jackson on the win.

00:21:29Yeah, felt good.

00:21:31Really felt good today.

00:21:32Yeah, controlled the zone well and I'm really happy to capitalize on pitches.

00:21:35I mean, yeah, well, I mean, incredible team win.

00:21:38Obviously, JJ, some sick at-bats, but pitching staff did a great job staying in it.

00:21:42Whole squad did a great job of locking it in in the later innings there.

00:21:47It's a phenomenal team win.

00:21:48Like Pete's saying, it's a good team win.

00:21:49We've got a really, really good team.

00:21:51We handled adversity well.

00:21:54Yeah, we stacked good at-bats.

00:21:56That was kind of the thing for today.

00:21:57Just have good at-bats, pass the baton, and we did that.

00:22:00And I think if we do that over a long period of time, we're going to be really, really good.

00:22:04Best wishes to you, Craig Albernaz, and congratulations on the Orioles.

00:22:08Hey, top of the order.

00:22:09Up next, Zach Wheeler is progressing from last year's season-ending injury.

00:22:13J.P. Marossi telling you when the Philly ace is scheduled to be back on the mound.

00:22:18Speaking of the Phillies, Kyle Schwarber rings the bell twice against the Cubs.

00:22:23How the big lefty helped the fight and snap out of their early season slumber, at least for a night.

00:22:28And coming up in hour number two, the Phillies are among a group of teams that could be the answer

00:22:34to this question.

00:22:35If the Dodgers are the best team in the National League, who's the second best?

00:22:39We'll give you our thoughts in hour number two.

00:22:43We do have a little bit of feedback.

00:22:45This one from Vincent Roflo, I imagine picking a favorite MLB Central host or hostess can be likened to a

00:22:51parent picking a favorite child.

00:22:53It's nearly impossible, but we all know it's Lauren, especially with the straightened hair.

00:22:58Okay, Vincent.

00:22:59Good God, man.

00:23:00Vincent.

00:23:00It's not impossible.

00:23:02Good Lord.

00:23:03You and I both know.

00:23:04Hey, Vincent.

00:23:04This is a Wendy's.

00:23:05You and I both know.

00:23:08Hey, Vincent.

00:23:08Go back to sleep.

00:23:09Come on.

00:23:10What are we doing?

00:23:12Come on.

00:23:20MLB Central is brought to you by Cheerios.

00:23:23Tasty-o's made with care.

00:23:29This program is brought to you by Renvoke.

00:23:36There are good days in this game and bad days.

00:23:38J.P. Morosi Monday and now today are good ones in the Phillies.

00:23:41Good Tuesday morning to you.

00:23:43We saw their bats go off for 13 runs at home against the Cubs and Zach Wheeler making another rehab

00:23:49start.

00:23:50We heard from Rob Thompson saying he's on track.

00:23:53What does that mean and what's the timetable?

00:23:55Good morning.

00:23:56Laura, good morning.

00:23:57Very good news for the Phillies indeed, especially as it relates to Zach Wheeler.

00:24:01He's due to make another minor league rehab outing today, and if things go well in this one, perhaps one

00:24:08more, and then he'll make his long-awaited return to the mound, perhaps at the ballpark where you are right

00:24:16now, my friend.

00:24:17Back in his hometown, his home state of Georgia, he's had a great track record of pitching against the Braves

00:24:24over his career.

00:24:25And you think overall how differently the postseason could have gone for the Phillies a year ago.

00:24:31Of course, it was thoracic outlet syndrome that required surgery for Wheeler.

00:24:36His amazing record there over six years in Philadelphia.

00:24:40If he comes back, certainly that allows the Phillies to move one starting pitcher into a bullpen role, gives them

00:24:46a bit more depth.

00:24:47We've already seen Christopher Sanchez, of course, continuing his star turn.

00:24:51He's been great to begin the year.

00:24:53Nola has been solid, too.

00:24:54When you add Wheeler to that mix, you start to look at the National League East, and certainly a good

00:25:00case we made for the Braves having a very good start.

00:25:02But you have to like the way the Phillies rotation looks once this man gets back before, they hope, the

00:25:07end of April.

00:25:08And with that surgery, fastball command is key.

00:25:12So everyone's saying, all accounts saying, he's looking pretty darn good.

00:25:15Very good news out of Philadelphia.

00:25:17Meanwhile, Queens, deep breath.

00:25:20Okay, the offense needs something.

00:25:21Juan Soto for being picky that we would love for him to come back.

00:25:25What is the timeline for him?

00:25:26And then Tommy Pham adds so much to every team.

00:25:30What do the next two weeks look like in flushing?

00:25:33Lauren, this is the two-week span that could, in many ways, define the Mets' season.

00:25:38I realize we're not even to tax day yet, but the critical moment has already arrived for the, almost, almost,

00:25:45for the New York Mets.

00:25:47And the hope is that Soto could be back comfortably before the end of April, but he has yet to

00:25:53begin running at full speed.

00:25:56It's the calf issue there.

00:25:57There you see him wincing in that game against the Giants earlier this month.

00:26:02Since this game, Lauren, the Mets are just three and six tied for the worst record in the NL over

00:26:10that span.

00:26:11And there you see the last six games in particular have been a struggle.

00:26:16Three shutout losses for the Mets in those six games.

00:26:21So, again, Soto, because he's not running at full strength yet, we cannot say at all that his return is

00:26:27imminent.

00:26:27It's, again, still hopeful to be sometime this month.

00:26:30But in the near term, they probably need a bit more from Carson Benj and the addition of Tommy Pham.

00:26:37As Carlos Mendoza said yesterday, he's probably going to start against every lefty, maybe even some righties as well.

00:26:44Ten teams in the great career of Tommy Pham.

00:26:47One of my favorite interviews in the sport, my only request to Tommy, Lauren, is that one day he write

00:26:53a book.

00:26:53Because that would be a dream.

00:26:55I don't think we want him to.

00:26:58He's the best.

00:26:59I'm sure he has stories.

00:27:00He called himself a 38-year-old prospect.

00:27:03He's the best soundbite.

00:27:03One of the best in all the game.

00:27:05So, the Mets hoping to get their star back.

00:27:07Yankees want the same in terms of pitching.

00:27:09We've always heard, JP, it's Carlos Rodon before Garrett Cole.

00:27:13Are we almost there?

00:27:15We're getting anxious.

00:27:15Yes, I think it probably still is likely Rodon before Cole.

00:27:21But they're getting awfully close together.

00:27:23So close, in fact, that yesterday, both threw a very similar number of pitches in a simulated setting.

00:27:31There you see Rodon on the mound at Yankee Stadium.

00:27:34It was a doubleheader of a couple all-stars with Rodon and Garrett Cole.

00:27:39So, just seeing them back on the mound in that simulated setting.

00:27:42By the way, Anthony Volpe getting ever closer to returning as well.

00:27:46So, they're maybe not at complete, full repertoire and full speed ahead with everything.

00:27:52But they're getting awfully close to that game condition.

00:27:55So, if you imagine them getting into a rehab start situation in the coming weeks,

00:28:01it is conceivable, conceivable, that both are back by the end of May.

00:28:06And they would join this group.

00:28:09The best starting pitching ERA in the majors this year.

00:28:13The Yankees top the list.

00:28:15And when you think big picture and why the Yankees are, I believe, in a better spot now than they

00:28:21were a year ago.

00:28:22Cam, Schindler was not part of the rotation at this time last year.

00:28:25Ryan Weathers, who goes tonight, has been a revelation for them.

00:28:29An excellent acquisition for them.

00:28:31Max Fried looking so comfortable now.

00:28:33Year two in pinstripes.

00:28:35So, you look at the totality of the Yankees' depth.

00:28:37When you get potentially Rodon and Cole back both before the end of May,

00:28:41you've got to like the Yankees' chances.

00:28:44Yankee fans, a win and a positive injury report.

00:28:47Take that with you throughout your day.

00:28:48J.P. Marosi, manning the inside corner.

00:28:50Thank you, my friend.

00:28:51My pleasure.

00:28:51Robert, take it away.

00:28:52What do you got?

00:28:52Hey, and Lauren, Anthony Volpe's set to begin a rehab assignment today, again, for the Somerset Patriots.

00:28:58Hey, it might not be ice fishing in Minnesota any longer,

00:29:02but D-Ro's going to tell you why this Twins offense is reeling in that left-handed starting pitching.

00:29:10Ice Capades with the Twins next.

00:29:40Welcome back.

00:29:42And if they hadn't scored so many runs, he would have.

00:29:44Yeah, I mean, great point.

00:29:45Berger hit his third, and then he hit his fourth to give the Rangers a 4-0 lead.

00:29:50And to Lauren's point, Nate, of all these seven innings of work, seven strikeouts.

00:29:54This division's going to be fun the entire season.

00:29:56Fourth time that he has gone at least seven shutty since the start of last season.

00:30:03But their ability to put quality people on the mound makes them real dangerous.

00:30:08Help is paramount for them.

00:30:10Absolutely.

00:30:10Obviously, you see what your Astros are dealing with.

00:30:12Oh, boy.

00:30:13We're going to talk about that a little bit later.

00:30:14Nats, Pirates, Paul Skeens.

00:30:17You know, Paul Skeens, I was watching this game.

00:30:19He had this look on his face as he was coming off.

00:30:22It's almost like, where did all this offense come from?

00:30:25What's run support?

00:30:26I thought the same thing, Robert.

00:30:27Last year, he couldn't buy it.

00:30:29None of it.

00:30:30O'Neal Cruz, D-Ro, career-high hitting streak, 12 games.

00:30:34It's pretty obvious.

00:30:35I mean, sign Ryan O'Hearn, bring in Brandon Lau.

00:30:38O'Neal Cruz has that clunker opening day, and it seems to have woken him up.

00:30:44Connor Griffin, Brian Reynolds.

00:30:46I mean, they got some really good hitters.

00:30:47Brandon Lau, first Pirate with back-to-back five RBI games since the stat became official in 1920.

00:30:53C.J. Abrams hit a homer in the first inning on a heater.

00:30:57One up, that was it.

00:30:58Paul was like, that's enough.

00:30:59Marlins and Braves.

00:31:00This guy, by the way.

00:31:01Augustin Ramirez.

00:31:03That's his first.

00:31:04Yeah, the Marlins had a season high in hits last night, Lauren.

00:31:08And then Connor Norby, solo homer.

00:31:14You guys want to jump in here?

00:31:17You know, Robert, their manager talked about how we're a tough series, and I feel like that's the goal.

00:31:25He said, every series, I want to be there.

00:31:27Yeah, and they are, right?

00:31:28This was the first time all season that the Braves allowed double-digit hits in a game.

00:31:32Marlins win 10-4.

00:31:34Cubs and Phillies, Kyle Schwarber.

00:31:37Oh, so duty.

00:31:39Wow.

00:31:39Look at him go down and get it, though.

00:31:40With the lower half.

00:31:42Like, his back leg ended up on the ground.

00:31:44Fifth home run of the year, and just like that, the Phillies are off to a quick 1-0 lead.

00:31:49And Christopher Sanchez to left-handed batters, it's a joke.

00:31:5596-2 Seamer in, changeup.

00:31:57JT had three hits.

00:31:5812 multi-homer games for Schwarber since the start of 2024, trailing only Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge.

00:32:05JT Riomuto, part of a 13-run attack.

00:32:09They scored 11 in their last five games combined going into last night.

00:32:13Guardians, Cardinals.

00:32:14Remember, the Guardians got roughed up in Atlanta on Sunday night.

00:32:18Oh, that cage is tough.

00:32:19But they just roll with it, and they just recover.

00:32:21They do.

00:32:22That's what they do.

00:32:22On Hill Martinez.

00:32:23Brian Rocchio.

00:32:24Brian Rocchio at the bottom of the order, hiding there.

00:32:27Their second home run of the season.

00:32:28This is a two-run job.

00:32:30Now, the Guardians did win, but, Lauren, we should highlight Jordan Walker again.

00:32:36By the way, why did you say Brian Rocchio, like, should have known?

00:32:41Classic Brian Rocchio.

00:32:42It's just the entire classic case of Brian Rocchio.

00:32:44Jordan Walker, MLB best, eight homers this season, seven of which happened here in the first nine games.

00:32:51Yeah, Garrett Crochet ran into a Twins buzzsaw.

00:32:55I'm going to be honest, though.

00:32:56You almost have to, like, you're wondering if he was tipping?

00:32:58That's what I thought.

00:33:00But I don't, I don't.

00:33:01It's almost impossible with his stuff to go out there and get it right now.

00:33:05Ryan Cridler.

00:33:07Crochet tagged for 10 earned runs.

00:33:11They were up 11 to nothing.

00:33:14And I know you're going to detail.

00:33:15They have been hammering left-handed starting pitching here recently.

00:33:19Byron Buxton becomes the all-time home run leader at Target Field.

00:33:24Twins win 13 to 6.

00:33:26Crochet has never allowed more than seven earned in a game before last night.

00:33:30And look at this, Robert.

00:33:31Don't look now.

00:33:32Twins are 10 and 7.

00:33:33I get it.

00:33:34D-Rose taught us.

00:33:34Don't even look at the standings before we're 40 games in.

00:33:37Yeah.

00:33:37But this is a team that lost their ace.

00:33:39They just lost Royce Lewis.

00:33:40And if you ask me who's at the top of the American League record-wise, there's zero chance.

00:33:46There's zero chance, I would have said.

00:33:48Minister, how are they doing it?

00:33:49Offensive production.

00:33:51Taj Bradley stepped up and gotten off to a nice start for him.

00:33:54Joe Ryan always gives you a chance.

00:33:56Your boy, I always remember you interviewing Bailey Ober in the postseason, Lauren.

00:34:01The guy's like 7'2".

00:34:02Yeah, he's big.

00:34:03She's handing the mic up here.

00:34:04He's a big man.

00:34:05He'll give you a chance to win every time he steps on the mound.

00:34:08Offensively, they've taken a massive step forward, though.

00:34:11They are absolutely hammering, like you said, left-handed.

00:34:14The best left-handed pitching in the game.

00:34:16Oh, yeah.

00:34:16Framber.

00:34:17Scoble.

00:34:18Crochet.

00:34:19And they're doing it.

00:34:20And Eric Lauer up in Toronto.

00:34:21And they're doing it wearing ski masks.

00:34:23It's always cold there.

00:34:25It's always cold.

00:34:26All right, so if I've heard this story once, I've heard it a million times.

00:34:31Lauren Shahadi's grind from Minot, North Dakota.

00:34:34Not too far away from Minnesota.

00:34:36True.

00:34:36Yeah, I used to drive my station wagon to the Metrodome at the time and shoot JV baseball.

00:34:42A station wagon?

00:34:42What are you, Carol Brady?

00:34:44We had a station wagon, like our station had station wagons.

00:34:48There were three of them, and you would take them to cover sports.

00:34:50And I would drive to the Metrodome eight hours from Minot, North Dakota.

00:34:54I know all of where you're going.

00:34:55I know about ice fishing.

00:34:57Is that where you're going?

00:34:58You do know about ice fishing?

00:34:59Have you ever been?

00:35:00Yeah.

00:35:00I have not, but I know a few things.

00:35:02So you can bring a house on a lake.

00:35:06Okay.

00:35:06You can bring, they're called ice shack.

00:35:08So like guys go there for their bachelor parties.

00:35:10It's a whole thing.

00:35:11It's like a subset.

00:35:12You sure you're not talking about a love shack?

00:35:14Wow.

00:35:15You imagine that scene?

00:35:16That's terrible.

00:35:17See, it combines the two things I really don't enjoy, ice and fishing.

00:35:23Cold and work.

00:35:23You invite me to a bachelor party on a frozen lake.

00:35:27I'm out.

00:35:28I'm not going.

00:35:29You know who's not out, though?

00:35:31Who?

00:35:31Derek Shelton.

00:35:32Damn right.

00:35:33He's in.

00:35:34He's in.

00:35:35Let's get into it.

00:35:36Derek Shelton's ice fishing experience.

00:35:39Who's in the first 10?

00:35:40I'm going to back it up to when they went against Scoble.

00:35:42Uh, Scoble.

00:35:43Twins scored four runs and four and two thirds against Scoble on April 6th.

00:35:47And Taj Bradley has been really good.

00:35:50Twins have won each of his first four starts.

00:35:53He's 3-0 with a 1.25.

00:35:55And that night, we had some guys going off.

00:35:58Luke Keishel.

00:35:59Josh Bell leads the team with 14 RBIs.

00:36:02Keishel hasn't gotten hot yet, but he hit north of 300 last year.

00:36:07Sticks his nose in it.

00:36:08Can steal bags in the middle of the lineup.

00:36:11And Josh Bell's been really good for them.

00:36:13All right.

00:36:13Fast forward.

00:36:14Next day, Bramber Valdez steps on the mound.

00:36:17Wow, that's.

00:36:18Next thing you know, Byron Buxton, Royce Lewis, and Matt Walner want a piece.

00:36:23Byron Buxton, fifth in the MLB with a 5.30 slug since the start of 2020.

00:36:29Royce Lewis nicked up again.

00:36:30I get it.

00:36:32But he had two homers, eight RBIs, and an 8.22 OPS in 12 games this year.

00:36:37And Matt Walner's got some of the biggest pop in the entire sport.

00:36:40Tied for the team lead with three bombs.

00:36:43Let's take it to Toronto and go ice fishing.

00:36:45Eric Lauer, we're catching you.

00:36:47Okay?

00:36:48We're going to stick Joe Ryan on the mound.

00:36:51Joe Ryan is 2-1 with a 3.80 ERA and four starts this season.

00:36:58Brooks Lee finds a way to get big knocks for this team.

00:37:01He's 6-for-16 with two bombs, seven RBIs, over a five-game hit streak.

00:37:07And then add in, remember there once was a time when Austin Martin went super high,

00:37:12like pick number two overall in the entire sport?

00:37:16Well, he's starting to figure it out.

00:37:18He's reached base safely in 13 of his last 24 plate appearances.

00:37:21And then finally, last night, they hooked Garrett Crochet.

00:37:27In a big way.

00:37:29Yeah.

00:37:29In a big way.

00:37:30Victor Caratini, slashing .308 with a .412 on base and a .462 slug with seven RBIs over his last eight

00:37:39games.

00:37:40Ryan Jeffords, not only an ABS darling, this guy.

00:37:45He's slashing .317 with a .440 on base and a .512 slug with two bombs and ten RBIs over 12

00:37:54games this season.

00:37:55And Bailey Olber, twins of 1-3 of his four starts and he gets to come because he's 7-foot

00:38:00-2 and you're not going to tell him no.

00:38:02That's right.

00:38:03What a Brendan Werner special right there.

00:38:07Masterpiece.

00:38:07What a Brendan Werner special right there.

00:38:07Great job.

00:38:09And Derek Shelton does.

00:38:10No bachelor parties and ice jacks?

00:38:12Why?

00:38:12Yeah, don't invite me to that.

00:38:14I don't want to know that's going to get bizarre.

00:38:16That's going to get bizarre.

00:38:17Crazy what they're doing in the last eight games.

00:38:20Why would it get bizarre?

00:38:21Because it's freezing.

00:38:25Nays is telling me that, what did you say, 35 people?

00:38:29What?

00:38:30Three to six people die as a result of ice-related accidents associated with ice fishing in the state of

00:38:39Minnesota.

00:38:40Yeah, so you have to be very careful.

00:38:41Real quick, Lauren, I texted Derek Shelton after their win because he and I are beard brothers and I asked

00:38:52him, what do you like about this team?

00:38:53And he said, look at our clubhouse, look at our team.

00:38:56In the first two innings last night, everyone was top step.

00:38:59It was like a WBC game.

00:39:01I like the energy.

00:39:03They hang out together on the road.

00:39:05And he said to bring the beard back.

00:39:07But your beard and Derek Shelton's beard not created equally.

00:39:10I would agree with that.

00:39:11I like the fact that you're throwing out your friendship with Derek Shelton.

00:39:15You texted me last night, you let this, and then you let in the world.

00:39:19I've got an emerging career as an insider.

00:39:22Tell the truth.

00:39:24That's all I ask.

00:39:25I will.

00:39:25Don't worry.

00:39:27No.

00:39:27No, I'm going to just, I'm just going to spew out information like I pretend I know.

00:39:32I was texting back and forth with a certain someone, but I won't, I'm not going to reveal it.

00:39:37Okay.

00:39:38Now you've got to tell us.

00:39:39No, I will tell us during the break, which we have to go to right now.

00:39:42Here's what's coming up.

00:39:42Would you stop with your timeline?

00:39:44Everything goes through injury here.

00:39:45I mean, I don't want to attach our failures to those injuries.

00:39:51Our failures are because we're playing baseball.

00:39:52Simple as that.

00:39:53Yeah, the Astros are finishing up a 1-9 road trip after they got swept yesterday in Seattle.

00:40:01We're going to discuss the Astros' problems, and is there room for hope?

00:40:08Mike Lowell will be joining the show.

00:40:10Where have you been, Mikey?

00:40:11Come on.

00:40:12World Series MVP Mike Lowell.

00:40:15Darn right.

00:40:16Believe it.

00:40:17Let's go.

00:40:18Let's go.

00:40:19Let's go.

00:40:21Let's go.

00:40:22Let's go.

00:40:23Let's go.

00:40:26MLB Central is brought to you by Cheerios.

00:40:29Tasty-o's made with care.

00:40:35And welcome back to the Tuesday MLB Central.

00:40:37We are presented by Cheerios.

00:40:39Mike Lowell, World Series MVP Mike Lowell is with us.

00:40:43We're rounding the bases.

00:40:44Something Kyle Schwarber knows a thing or two about.

00:40:4713 runs for his fills on Monday.

00:40:49Ryan, a pair of Schwarber home runs.

00:40:51Mike, they have lost two series in a row.

00:40:53They were kind of limping out of the gate.

00:40:54And this kind of game, only one.

00:40:56I got it.

00:40:57But when almost every guy has one or more hits, you're feeling a high.

00:41:00It's up on Monday.

00:41:02Yes, absolutely.

00:41:02That can snowball a little bit, and everyone starts feeling good.

00:41:06So when you look at the Philadelphia Phillies, what jumps out at you now?

00:41:11Everyone relax.

00:41:13I think, you know, and you can say this about everybody.

00:41:16If everyone's healthy, I think they're as good as it gets, right?

00:41:19Eventually, Wheeler comes back.

00:41:20Watching Sanchez last night.

00:41:22Yeah.

00:41:22Dominant again.

00:41:24Gave up a few to the Cubbies, but compounded in on lefties.

00:41:27I think the thing for me, when I look at them, is how Rob Thompson's going to manipulate this

00:41:32lineup throughout the course of the season.

00:41:34We're not worried about Schwarber.

00:41:36We're not worried about Harper, even though coming in, I think people were.

00:41:39He's starting to get hot.

00:41:41Trey's having better at bats.

00:41:43What it comes down for me is the guys like Adolis Garcia.

00:41:46Can he carry them in the four hole?

00:41:48Can he be a dude?

00:41:49Is Bone going to get hot for them and hit some bombs?

00:41:53The Stotts, I know they tried to move him up in the order.

00:41:56Now Topper's moving him back down in the order.

00:41:58That kind of, I don't worry about their pitching, and I don't worry about their stars.

00:42:02It's the supporting cast.

00:42:04It's their time to kind of pitch in.

00:42:06I agree.

00:42:07And when you can go down on a knee and take a splitty dead center, I mean, it just shows

00:42:13you that there's too much firepower.

00:42:15I know the guys are getting a little older, but I think the experience and the talent is

00:42:19still there.

00:42:20They're still really good.

00:42:21But I actually kind of like their bullpen.

00:42:23I'm not excited.

00:42:24You go into a postseason series against them.

00:42:27You're getting Wheeler, Sanchez, Lizardo.

00:42:30Yeah, I'm not excited.

00:42:31That play is not fired up.

00:42:32It's not like, hey, this is the day to get your two knocks and maybe a homer.

00:42:36It's not coming.

00:42:37You're in battle mode.

00:42:38So they're trending.

00:42:41Meantime, the Astros trending in the wrong direction.

00:42:43They got swept on yesterday, losing a four-game series to the Seattle Mariners.

00:42:48That was completed yesterday.

00:42:50They have lost eight in a row.

00:42:52They're back at home beginning tonight.

00:42:54But let's hear some postgame reaction after their last loss in Seattle.

00:42:58It's not good at losing eight straight.

00:43:00I get it.

00:43:02But those guys in there make me feel that we're going to get out of this.

00:43:06We got to stay in this fight.

00:43:07We got to continue to help these guys every day, man.

00:43:10Get ready to play.

00:43:12But I've seen this before.

00:43:14We'll go back home.

00:43:16We'll start fresh tomorrow.

00:43:16I mean, everything goes through injury.

00:43:18You know what I mean?

00:43:19I don't want to attach our failures to those injuries.

00:43:24Our failures are because we're playing baseball.

00:43:26Simple as that.

00:43:27There's no way around it.

00:43:28There's no excuse.

00:43:29It's just we're a good club playing bad baseball.

00:43:32And that's what's happening right now.

00:43:33So you've got to go home, regroup, make adjustments, and play better.

00:43:38And part of the evaluation process of the Astros thus far

00:43:42is the injuries to the starting pitching.

00:43:45They have lost Hunter Brown, Christian Javier.

00:43:48Emai just went on the injured list.

00:43:50How do you cover it and how do you expect?

00:43:52They're hitting the baseball.

00:43:53They are.

00:43:53Offensively, they're okay.

00:43:54You're going to see Gordon come up and make a start, right?

00:43:57You're going to get Eric Getty at some point.

00:44:00The depth is being crazy tested.

00:44:03I think if you take the top three starters off of any team,

00:44:07you're going to see those numbers go way down.

00:44:09Yeah, except for the Dodgers.

00:44:11Yeah, they're the anomaly.

00:44:12They have 12 superstars.

00:44:14It's just funny.

00:44:14It's like, you know, they came into this season.

00:44:20They could have probably re-signed Framber.

00:44:22For whatever reason, they went another route,

00:44:24and it kind of left their starting rotation exposed if Hunter Brown went down.

00:44:28You didn't know what you were getting with Javier.

00:44:30You didn't know what you were getting with McCullers.

00:44:34Burroughs is giving you length, but no.

00:44:36Yeah, Burroughs pitched in the sixth inning yesterday.

00:44:39But do you feel like, because we were just looking at the standings,

00:44:43do you feel, and maybe you disagree with this,

00:44:45that maybe that's a division that won't get away from you?

00:44:49I mean, they lost eight in a row, and now they're just only three and a half back.

00:44:52Do you feel that, or do you feel like it will?

00:44:55Yeah.

00:44:55I think it could, Lauren.

00:44:57I think it could.

00:44:58I think Seattle's got as least flawed a roster as anybody in the big leagues.

00:45:03I think the Texas Rangers, if their starting rotation stays healthy,

00:45:08they put a guy on the bump every night that can beat you.

00:45:11I think the Angels are a little bit better than people are giving them credit for.

00:45:15It's like Bobby always used to say, Cox, he used to say all the time,

00:45:18it's like, play 500 ball against the great teams in the division

00:45:21and pound everybody else, and you'll win the division.

00:45:24Yeah.

00:45:24There's nobody to pound, you know what I'm saying?

00:45:27Like, there's nobody to pound anymore.

00:45:28But I'm saying, to Lauren's point, as bad as they've been,

00:45:31and I know it's only April, if you're not seven games out right now,

00:45:35you feel like a good week turns things around.

00:45:37Best record in the American League is 10-7, so to your point, Lauren.

00:45:40Okay, yeah.

00:45:41From the American League West to the ALEs, Pete Alonzo,

00:45:44we see you making the home crowd cheer as the Orioles rally from a six-run deficit,

00:45:49and he delivered a go-ahead two-run shot in seven to lift the O's over the D-backs.

00:45:52I feel like the way you handle struggle tells you so much about the guy, right?

00:45:57And I remember, maybe it was, Robert, what was it, two days ago,

00:45:59Pete Alonzo standing in front of his locker and all the questions getting peppered,

00:46:03and he was emotionally taken aback.

00:46:05He wants so badly.

00:46:07There's such a give-a-heck, you know, from Pete Alonzo.

00:46:10What did you see from him, and what do you think the trajectory of this Orioles team will be, Mike?

00:46:15Well, what I saw from him is, I think, human nature.

00:46:18I think when you go to a new team, you want so bad to kind of prove you're the player

00:46:23that they gave the big money to.

00:46:25For sure.

00:46:26You know, we saw it with Pujols, and you see it with a lot of guys that first year with

00:46:29the new organization

00:46:30when they've been so good.

00:46:31But I like the guy who's vested in the team, who takes it to the heart, who wears it on

00:46:37his sleeve, all the things.

00:46:38And one thing about Pete that I love is he posts every day.

00:46:41Good, bad, in between.

00:46:41He's going to give you 155 to 160 games.

00:46:44He's going to start hitting his homers.

00:46:46He's trying his best.

00:46:47And they've been banged up a little, Baltimore.

00:46:49They're still there.

00:46:51They're a sneak.

00:46:51I think they're a team that's a little bit better than most people.

00:46:53They're top of the division right now.

00:46:54I've got to give Jeremiah Jackson.

00:46:56Oh, what a big.

00:46:57Because that's like a utility player coming up last year, getting a chance, was productive last year,

00:47:04hit around 275, 276 with a couple homers.

00:47:07I'm telling you, Mikey, this keeps him in the big leagues for a heck of a lot longer.

00:47:13One night like that off the bench.

00:47:15Great point, D-Row.

00:47:16They go back in their room.

00:47:18Maybe we found something here that we didn't know we had.

00:47:20He was the second-round pick coming out.

00:47:22This is a prospect.

00:47:24I remember in 2023, he was with the Angels, and he came over, and he did the workout with us

00:47:30with the WBC.

00:47:31There's a lot to like.

00:47:32I just look at it.

00:47:33It makes me feel good because a game like this can buy him.

00:47:38At-bats.

00:47:39At-bats.

00:47:40For me, I'm in the league, and then all of a sudden you might become an everyday guy.

00:47:44He knows he's not the long-term answer, at least on paper, for that team, right?

00:47:49They're waiting for Jackson Holliday to come back.

00:47:51No problem.

00:47:52So he knew there was a limited window to do something.

00:47:54To not make the moment too big.

00:47:56To know that, personally, your stature, your place on that roster kind of lays in your performance.

00:48:03Yeah, lays in your mouth for a short sample.

00:48:06Then he drilled his manager with a foul ball.

00:48:07Crushes his manager across the dome, and then goes deep twice with five stakes.

00:48:11That's a big night for him.

00:48:13You had a little bit of everything.

00:48:14You got to get him on a show, Devin.

00:48:16Yeah, that's a great point.

00:48:17That's going to put a bow on our number one, but don't worry.

00:48:20More show is still to come, but let's give you the star watch here.

00:48:24And Paul Skeens, he's a superstar, and he was a superstar last night.

00:48:28But he was not the only one, because while he was as good as always, he has been dominant

00:48:35over his last three starts.

00:48:37But don't forget the offensive support that he's been getting.

00:48:40And you saw the look on his face, seeing all this offense that he was the beneficiary of.

00:48:48And he is 3-0 in his last starts.

00:48:50The ERA is just barely above 1.5.

00:48:52That's over 6-17 in the third innings.

00:48:55Opponents are hitting 1-0-5 with an OPS of 4-19.

00:49:00All right, hour number two is coming up next.

00:49:03It's early, and there's a ton of baseball to go.

00:49:05Got it.

00:49:06I understand.

00:49:06But coming up, who's the team to beat in the American League?

00:49:10Is it the Orioles that we just discussed?

00:49:13Excuse me.

00:49:14Or is it the Cleveland Guardians?

00:49:17We've got some early answers next.

00:49:25Star Watch is presented by Konami.

00:49:42MLB Central is brought to you by Cheerios.

00:49:45And there are no multiple-choice questions in this segment.

00:49:48You get a blank slate to answer these questions however you see fit.

00:49:52Oh, gosh.

00:49:53Deep breath is called fill in the blanks, gentlemen, as we welcome you back inside.

00:49:57Are you ready?

00:49:58Are you nervous?

00:49:58Michael, you're up first.

00:50:00The team that has focus surprised you the most in 2026 is blank.

00:50:06Pick your poison.

00:50:07Pittsburgh Pirates.

00:50:08You know, I think the pitching was pretty good.

00:50:11Yeah, but I didn't think the offense was going to look that good.

00:50:14That's his choice, D. Rowe.

00:50:15He's allowed to pick his own team.

00:50:16I think I have the same choice.

00:50:18Okay.

00:50:18Sorry.

00:50:20Three.

00:50:21You know, the Mets brought in a lot of pieces.

00:50:23It doesn't seem like it has gelled yet.

00:50:25The Pirates brought in a lot of pieces.

00:50:26It seems like it's gelling and we're in a week, too.

00:50:29So, things could happen.

00:50:31I like their lineup a lot.

00:50:33I know.

00:50:33I mean, it's –

00:50:35I hate –

00:50:36There's righties.

00:50:36There's talent.

00:50:37There's speed.

00:50:37There's youth.

00:50:38There's veterans.

00:50:38Like, I like it.

00:50:39Everything in between.

00:50:40I hate to agree with them, but, yeah, 100% it's the Pittsburgh Pirates.

00:50:45And if O'Neal Cruz is going to play like an MVP candidate, they're going to stick a guy on

00:50:49the mound with elite stuff every night.

00:50:52They really are.

00:50:53Yeah.

00:50:53And you start to dream on a trade deadline when you can start mixing and matching.

00:50:59Ashcraft is nasty.

00:51:02Nasty.

00:51:03Her ball is unhittable.

00:51:04Bubba Chandler figures it out in the strike zone.

00:51:07Jared Jones will be coming back soon.

00:51:10No, I like that.

00:51:11I'm going to go St. Louis Cardinals real quick, Lauren, as we send it back to you.

00:51:15And just – Jordan, I feel so – I'm so happy for Jordan Walker and the start that he's gotten

00:51:21off to.

00:51:21We've talked about him for so many years, and he's not even 24 yet.

00:51:26So, for him to maybe silence some of the doubters.

00:51:29Trying to figure out who he is, right?

00:51:31Like, people are – I was looking – I always look up at comps and stuff.

00:51:34And people on, like, Twitter were early in his career were talking about, like, Jordan.

00:51:39He's certainly not.

00:51:40To put that on him, he's trying to come up with comps.

00:51:43Like, can he be Ellis Burks?

00:51:45Can he be, like, that kind of –

00:51:47Big, tall –

00:51:48What is he?

00:51:49I don't know.

00:51:50Dan O'Dowd.

00:51:51He's actually –

00:51:51Jeffrey Leonard.

00:51:52George Hendricks.

00:51:53Yeah, that kind of.

00:51:54Like, can an arm – can hit the ball?

00:51:57I just like that he made a conscious effort to have a different game plan.

00:52:02Yeah.

00:52:03And he goes, my work is in the cage, and he kind of wants to let his talent run free.

00:52:07I think he probably, as a young guy, he's getting –

00:52:10He had a million people telling him a million things,

00:52:12and you want to please everyone, listen to everyone.

00:52:14I think he feels comfortable in his own skin now.

00:52:16Absolutely.

00:52:16Because the talent's unreal.

00:52:18But, Robert, so right.

00:52:19The other day I said it, I said, finally, we're seeing it come to fruition.

00:52:22And I looked at his baseball reference page.

00:52:24He said, 23 years old.

00:52:25I'm like, my bad.

00:52:27Team that has disappointed you most in 2026.

00:52:30Robert, we'll go to you first on this one.

00:52:32Yeah, I'll go with the Houston Astros.

00:52:34And it's just – I mean, look, it's some tough circumstances, right?

00:52:40I mean, like Mike said, you take any team's top three starters,

00:52:43and they're going to struggle.

00:52:44So, as we were saying in the previous segment,

00:52:47maybe the division doesn't get away from them.

00:52:48Maybe they can turn around.

00:52:49But it has been a disappointing start for the Astros, no doubt.

00:52:53You or me, Dero?

00:52:54I'll go.

00:52:54What do you got?

00:52:55Some Mets.

00:52:56Okay.

00:52:56I got to –

00:52:58There's too much talent in that room.

00:53:00I'm sorry.

00:53:01There's something missing chemistry-wise.

00:53:04A couple wins can certainly rectify that.

00:53:07But you can't tell me there's not this weirdness about them right now.

00:53:11Doesn't help Juan Soto's not in the lineup.

00:53:14But they got to clean it up quickly.

00:53:18No doubt.

00:53:19Yeah, for me, I'm not really disappointed,

00:53:22but I just was so excited for them.

00:53:23It's the Cubs.

00:53:24Like, I thought Bregman, and I thought they made the best under-the-radar trade

00:53:29in getting Edward Cabrera.

00:53:30I think he's going to be awesome.

00:53:32I know injuries have really hurt the – you know, Cade Horton.

00:53:35Yeah.

00:53:36They're hoping you're just a steal back.

00:53:38He's –

00:53:39I mean, I don't think the world comes to him.

00:53:41But, you know, I look at that lineup, and I was like, wow, you know,

00:53:44you look at PCA and Cade has gotten off to a bad start.

00:53:48Yeah, I was just hoping for more from them.

00:53:50I thought it was going to be, you know, maybe like a 9-3 start,

00:53:54and, hey, Chicago's rolling.

00:53:56Lauren, the Cubs are 7-9 as we –

00:53:59Yeah, and I feel torn doing this three weeks into the season,

00:54:03but you're allowed to feel disappointment for certain teams you have high hopes for.

00:54:06This is a fair question, this next one, because the Dodgers have been

00:54:08the class of the National League for a long time,

00:54:10and the second-best team in the National League.

00:54:13D-Row.

00:54:14Oh, God.

00:54:15Is –

00:54:16Yeah, I don't –

00:54:17This – it's too early.

00:54:18I mean, if we're doing it on face value right now –

00:54:22The Braves have a plus 40 run differential –

00:54:24I was going to say, I would give it to the Atlanta Braves,

00:54:27even though they lost last night to the Marlins,

00:54:29and they're nicked up with the injury bug with their pitching staff.

00:54:32But they find a way, and you want to know why they find a way?

00:54:35And Brian Snicker's a Hall of Fame manager, and we love Brian Snicker.

00:54:40There's a new –

00:54:41Well, Weiss can –

00:54:41Yeah, there's a new little energy to the Bravos,

00:54:44with Walt Weiss taking Jorge Soler to the ground.

00:54:47He didn't do that to prove his toughness.

00:54:50So, Jorge was in that locker room, and they had a history together.

00:54:54Walt Weiss doesn't need to prove his toughness.

00:54:55Yeah, he wins in the tough battle.

00:54:58When you see your manager –

00:54:59Bear hug you.

00:55:01Yeah, you're in.

00:55:02And then sales beat in the Rosenberg.

00:55:05Yeah, they're in.

00:55:06I would say the Braves right now.

00:55:08I'm going to go with the team that launched yesterday.

00:55:10I like the Phillies still.

00:55:11You know why?

00:55:12Because I look at it and I be like, okay, they're a really good team.

00:55:15I'm getting Zach Wheeler back.

00:55:17Like, for me, that was the biggest blow to that one-two combo

00:55:21for the playoffs, not having Wheeler.

00:55:23But, man, I look at what he brings to the table.

00:55:26When you have a dominating righty and a dominating lefty,

00:55:30that's super matchup problems, especially in, you know, short series,

00:55:33a very important series.

00:55:35Padres are playing up.

00:55:36I was about to say, they are 10-6.

00:55:38They've won five in a row.

00:55:39They got off to a bumpy start.

00:55:40I think it's kind of a 2A and 2B, Lauren.

00:55:43I think it's the Braves and the Phillies.

00:55:45And I can't really decide which one, but both of those are prime candidates.

00:55:50In terms of records, it is the Padres and the Pirates at 10-6,

00:55:54both of them, respectively, best in the National League, second best.

00:55:57The best team in the American League is flank.

00:56:02Robert.

00:56:02Oh, shoot.

00:56:03You're going to come to me?

00:56:04Look.

00:56:05Don't overthink it.

00:56:06I think it's the New York Yankees.

00:56:08Look, I know that they lost just five in a row,

00:56:10but once their pitching all comes back and is lined up,

00:56:14if they can just get consistent offense from people,

00:56:18I'm worried about their whole time.

00:56:19That's what needs to be addressed.

00:56:21And they will.

00:56:22Yeah.

00:56:22At the deadline, through trades, et cetera.

00:56:25So, I think it's the Yankees for right now.

00:56:27It's the Yankees for me as well.

00:56:28And kind of like the Phillies.

00:56:30I mean, you got Radon and Garrett Cole coming down the pipeline

00:56:32with what Slytler does, Max Freed has looked great.

00:56:38But they wanted to address the bullpen last year.

00:56:41It was Bird, Duvall, and Bednar.

00:56:44Yeah.

00:56:44All three, I think, have underperformed this year.

00:56:46You know, so are you going to go and find three other guys?

00:56:50That's a good point.

00:56:51Those last six outs in New York are a little different than other cities.

00:56:55I'll say that.

00:56:56Yeah, I think for me it's the New York Yankees based on the strength of their pitching.

00:57:00It's currently constructed that lineup in October.

00:57:04You think they can run and go through the hole?

00:57:06No, I don't love it, Lauren.

00:57:08You know, I don't love it.

00:57:09There's a lot of swing and miss.

00:57:11There's a lot of outs in there.

00:57:12But at the end of the day, they're built on Judge and Stanton hitting homers for them.

00:57:17There's not too much they can do roster-wise.

00:57:21Ben Rice against lefties.

00:57:22Yeah, Ben Rice, he should never come out of the lineup.

00:57:26And I love Goldie.

00:57:27Goldie's the gun for hire, pinch hit, bat.

00:57:29No, but they said when we signed Goldie because Rice will go behind the dish now.

00:57:34So yesterday was a great example.

00:57:36Like, he's hot.

00:57:37Yeah.

00:57:37I don't think.

00:57:38Good hitter.

00:57:38I wouldn't put Rice behind the dish.

00:57:40Just put him in for everything.

00:57:40And, Lauren, let's not stick on the Guardians and the Twins.

00:57:43Yeah.

00:57:43That's right.

00:57:44So Robert told us Monday, Mike, you weren't here, so we've got to get you up to speed.

00:57:48He was doing manly things all weekend, like organizing his garage.

00:57:53And then he threw away his lawnmower, which got picked up an hour later or something like

00:57:58that.

00:57:58I said it was a bad decision.

00:57:59Whatever.

00:58:00He doesn't listen to me about anything.

00:58:01Robert will mow his own lawn next in the year blank.

00:58:05Oh, at least a decade.

00:58:0720, 30.

00:58:08I think you'll never do it again.

00:58:09I'll be 66 years old in a decade.

00:58:11I need to be mowing my lawn at that age?

00:58:14I mean, you can pay someone, right?

00:58:15That's what I do now.

00:58:16Okay.

00:58:17Well, then you win.

00:58:18Did you use to mow your lawn?

00:58:20Look at me.

00:58:21Look at me.

00:58:22That's...

00:58:22You know what?

00:58:23I did not skip leg day.

00:58:24The shorts are way too short.

00:58:25I did not skip leg day.

00:58:26I don't like those shorts.

00:58:27I don't like them.

00:58:29I stopped mowing my lawn probably about...

00:58:32How long have I been here?

00:58:33Ten years?

00:58:33Probably about seven years ago.

00:58:36How does your wife feel about it?

00:58:37She don't care.

00:58:38Looks good.

00:58:39Yeah, it gets done better.

00:58:41Look, exactly.

00:58:42That's the way I...

00:58:43Lauren, before we say goodbye to you,

00:58:45we do have a little bit of feedback here.

00:58:47Let's check it out.

00:58:49This is from Joshua.

00:58:51MLB Network Ice Fishing, Beekeepers and Bunnies.

00:58:53Oh, my.

00:58:54Lauren should own a petting zoo.

00:58:55He was not a beekeeper.

00:58:57He was a baseball player.

00:58:59He stung himself with bees as an anti-inflammatory.

00:59:02Did he make it to the show?

00:59:03Did he make it to the show?

00:59:05No, he didn't make it to the show.

00:59:06Exactly.

00:59:07I don't think so.

00:59:08Let's go to break.

00:59:08Too much inflammation.

00:59:09Hey, Lauren, have a good game tonight.

00:59:11It's the Phillies and the Cubs on TBS.

00:59:13And we'll see you back in studio tomorrow.

00:59:16Can't say he's caught on TV.

00:59:19He was.

00:59:20Okay.

00:59:21Well, I mean, now he's going to slide back in.

00:59:24Exactly.

00:59:25Guess what your DMs are going to look like here and about watching every miss.

00:59:30He married a girl named Lauren.

00:59:31Yeah, he's watching every day saying you're the one that got away.

00:59:36You just gave him an opening.

00:59:38Exactly.

00:59:38He's built a hair doll in your likeness.

00:59:45We've got ballpark cam in Sacramento.

00:59:47This is a game some of you will see tonight.

00:59:49930 Eastern, 630 local.

00:59:52It's the Rangers who beat the A's yesterday.

00:59:54Gore in Springs.

00:59:56Look at those ERAs.

00:59:57That's your pitching matchup.

00:59:58More central after this.

00:59:59Snow will be fine.

01:00:01Summer's a heavenly.

01:00:03Higher than ecstasy.

01:00:06Never you're next to me.

01:00:08He's got another one.

01:00:11His second of the day.

01:00:13Boy, he must feel pretty good with that.

01:00:16Goes deep again.

01:00:17It is number two.

01:00:20He's done it again.

01:00:21With a second home run.

01:00:23His second of the game.

01:00:25Well, he hit it right to Mr. Splash wearing the polar bear head.

01:00:29Walking home is Camiello with the winning run.

01:00:32But they're also getting some dogs.

01:00:34He got his espresso for sure.

01:00:36That guy's ready.

01:00:36He knew the assignment tonight.

01:00:40Ballpark Cam takes us to the south side of Chicago where the Rays, who have won three in a row,

01:00:46begin a series against the Chicago White Sox.

01:00:48Shane O'Mac.

01:00:50Shane McClanahan gets the start for the Rays and making his major league debut.

01:00:54Left-handed.

01:00:56Six-foot-ten.

01:00:57Noah Schultz.

01:00:58He is their top pitching prospect, and he will make his debut today.

01:01:03He is the 46th prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.

01:01:07Congratulations and good luck to Noah Schultz.

01:01:09You know we'll be talking about this game tomorrow.

01:01:12All right, when we come back, he's emerging as one of the bright young sluggers in the game.

01:01:17Coming up, Sal Stewart's former youth coach, Mike Lowell, takes a closer look at the Reds' first baseman.

01:01:25Stewed to perfection.

01:01:30That was a good one.

01:01:38MLB Central is brought to you by Cheerios.

01:01:41Tasty-o's made with care.

01:01:48Welcome back to MLB Central.

01:01:50We're presented by Cheerios.

01:01:54Yep.

01:01:55So in high school, I had Mike Lowe as my coach.

01:01:57I had Raul Ibanez, Joel Pinero.

01:02:00I mean, man, how lucky am I?

01:02:02You know, Jesus put so many people in my life.

01:02:05You know, Mike Lowell's the man.

01:02:06We still talk all the time.

01:02:08And, yeah, I still call him coach.

01:02:11I still call Raul coach.

01:02:12You know, they're still my coaches at the end of the day.

01:02:14But in high school, they were my coaches down at Westminster.

01:02:17So, yeah, we still talk.

01:02:19And, man, they have all the confidence in me to go out there and be who I am.

01:02:24So, man, how fortunate am I to have all those people in my corner?

01:02:28Well, that was back in April when Sal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds came by and visited us here on

01:02:34MLB Central.

01:02:35He referenced Mike Lowell, our colleague, the former World Series MVP.

01:02:39This is a photo from Westminster Christian School there in Miami.

01:02:43And Mike Lowell's on the far left.

01:02:45And, Mikey, do you want to introduce, take us through who the other people in this photo are?

01:02:50Oh, yeah.

01:02:50Well, from the left to right, right next to me, Joel Pinero.

01:02:53I mean, how lucky are these high school kids to have a big leaguer play more than 10 years in

01:02:57the big leagues teaching them?

01:02:57And Dax Gallegos is kind of like the right-hand man, the glue of the organization there.

01:03:04To Sal's left, right of him on the picture, is Emil Castellanos.

01:03:09He's the head coach of Westminster.

01:03:10He's been there for a number of years, a couple national championships, about eight state titles.

01:03:14And Coach Comer, he helps out with the pitchers.

01:03:17And he's like our analytical guy, math teacher.

01:03:20You know, it's a good –

01:03:21You know, it's fun.

01:03:22For high school, that was – that's an elite –

01:03:23Sal seems like a great kid.

01:03:25He's unbelievable.

01:03:27But I – walking the hallways for years with you here, you were telling me about this guy for a

01:03:33while.

01:03:34You've been pumping him up.

01:03:35Yes, it's – I remember Scouts his senior year.

01:03:39You know, he was a projected first-rounder-ish, right?

01:03:41How high, how low is he going to go?

01:03:43And Scouts would come up to me and I said, look, maybe since Alex Rodriguez, I've never seen a kid

01:03:48in high school with the power to all fields but the plate knowledge.

01:03:54Because now you don't just play to your local guys.

01:03:56You know, you have the max prep.

01:03:57So, they're playing big-time schools.

01:03:59You're going to these tournaments and you're getting the future first-rounder out of Georgia and this kid from Mississippi.

01:04:04So, there's real competition.

01:04:05And the way he dominated the at-bats against those guys, I was like, this is an advanced way of

01:04:11understanding how to hit.

01:04:12And then the power he had in his back pocket.

01:04:14I mean, there's nowhere he can't go deep on the field.

01:04:17Infectious personality.

01:04:20Bat speed.

01:04:21Wants the – like, he kind of encapsulates what the Reds should be about.

01:04:26Don't sleep on the kindness because he's a competitor.

01:04:31He's a dude.

01:04:32Yeah.

01:04:32He wants to win every day and be good all the time.

01:04:35And that's what I love about him.

01:04:36So, we're going to start with a pretty cool graphic here.

01:04:39All right.

01:04:40Let's see it.

01:04:40There are three guys in the big leagues that so far this year are in the 85th percentile.

01:04:46Barrel percentage, strikeout percentage, walk percentage.

01:04:48What does that tell you?

01:04:49When you swing, you hit the ball hard.

01:04:51You're swinging at the pitches you should.

01:04:53And you're laying off the ones that are probably just off the plate.

01:04:55I mean, look at these three names.

01:04:56You're going to tell me the kid who's just turned 22 is in the middle of this?

01:04:59That tells me there's just a different approach.

01:05:03There's something different for his age that he brings to the table.

01:05:07So, when you break camp and they say, oh, you signed Eugenio Suarez.

01:05:11What a great combo.

01:05:12Eli De La Cruz, Eugenio Suarez.

01:05:14And Tito Francona goes, uh-uh, hold on.

01:05:16Right in between those guys, we're going to throw this kid in there.

01:05:19Why?

01:05:20And he mentions his base running.

01:05:22That he's such a good base running.

01:05:23He's going to present more RBI opportunities for Eugenio Suarez.

01:05:26It's also that he's not going to punch out like the other two.

01:05:28I think it's a little bit of a buff for a guy who's willing to shorten his swing.

01:05:32So, I mean, to have a month in the big leagues the year before,

01:05:35the taste of the postseason,

01:05:38and you're dropped in the four hole on opening day to face Garrett Crochet.

01:05:41And what does he do?

01:05:42Let's take a look at the tape because he starts off with a bang.

01:05:45Red hot.

01:05:46Yeah, and he hasn't stopped since.

01:05:47This is first A-B of the season.

01:05:50Okay, we're going to hit a scud missile.

01:05:54Double.

01:05:55He was clean shaven on opening day.

01:05:57Yeah, next day, Sonny Gray takes him deep.

01:06:00You know, like, he's got power.

01:06:02I look at it, velocity.

01:06:0494 fastballs.

01:06:05There's an approach to stay center.

01:06:08Here in Marlins Park, balls don't get out that easy that way.

01:06:12This was my favorite.

01:06:13Yuri Perez, we know he throws 99.

01:06:15He throws you an 87-mile-an-hour change.

01:06:16If you stay on it and keep it fair.

01:06:19Now, we can shorten up the swing here.

01:06:21This drives in two against Yamamoto, who was unhittable in the postseason.

01:06:25And this is the at-bat I want to go back to, if we could kind of rewind here.

01:06:30This is an understanding of RBI situations where I say, you just can't take the hold right there.

01:06:36You just can't take the same approach every single time.

01:06:39The game sometimes dictates what you can and can't do.

01:06:41So, I look down here.

01:06:42There's runners on second and third.

01:06:44One out.

01:06:44So, less than two outs.

01:06:46Runner on third.

01:06:47I got to bring that run in.

01:06:48You know what?

01:06:49First pitch, I give it to you.

01:06:50It's yours.

01:06:51First, 0-1, maybe take a little bit of what they give you.

01:06:54His first pitch, Sonny Gray, I think it was a fastball.

01:06:56The way he swung through it, foul tipped it or something.

01:06:58Check out how it's not the A swing, I want to launch, see how far I can take this ball.

01:07:04Roll the tape.

01:07:06It's kind of like, okay, elevated fastball.

01:07:09I'm just going to take it where I know I can do something.

01:07:12Now, what does that give you?

01:07:14I think two things that Sal understands, and at a very young age, this is something that

01:07:18can carry him on, hopefully, for 10, 15 years, right?

01:07:21He's always got power in his back pocket.

01:07:23He's always had plus, plus power.

01:07:25But I think he has enough knowledge knowing that he can put the bat on the ball, and if

01:07:30he just shortens his swing a little bit, I can still hit the ball hard.

01:07:33You know?

01:07:34So, in that situation, for me, it calls for, I got to get the run in.

01:07:37And those are the at-bats, I say, there's some April at-bats that kind of fill into how

01:07:43you can play in October.

01:07:44And I always say, how, runner on second, no outs in October in the World Series game

01:07:49two, what's the onus on the hitter?

01:07:53We've got to get that guy to third.

01:07:54But if you don't practice it in April, in May, in June, how are you going to do it in

01:07:56October?

01:07:57You're not doing it.

01:07:57You're not, you won't do it.

01:07:59So, I just kind of like what I've seen.

01:08:01Now, I'm not taking any credit.

01:08:02He was a stud before I helped coach the kids at Westminster, you know.

01:08:06But, you know, I talked to him actually yesterday.

01:08:09I said, Sal, I don't see much difference except your stance is a little more open when you

01:08:13start.

01:08:14And it was kind of curious.

01:08:15He said when he got to pro ball, he felt like he wanted to feel comfortable.

01:08:19He wanted to have both eyes on the pitcher.

01:08:22Now, after the stride, he closes up.

01:08:24He's still in that powerful mode.

01:08:25And I think something that has to do is probably poor lighting in minor league parks.

01:08:29You know, there's a lot of different factors.

01:08:31You come to the big leagues, and he's in a place in Cincinnati where that power, knowing

01:08:36that you can stay center, right center, and do damage, I think it opens you up to stay

01:08:41direct to the ball.

01:08:42So, when they do give you that change up inside, split finger, maybe the cement mixer that stays

01:08:46in, you can keep the ball fair and still hit the ball with a lot of authority.

01:08:51Total hitter.

01:08:51I mean, he's got pop.

01:08:52He's got the ability to push it the other way.

01:08:55He's got a two-strike approach.

01:08:56He's got a good eye.

01:08:58He's a little bit better athlete than people think.

01:09:00Yeah.

01:09:00You know, he grew up, his dad was a basketball coach.

01:09:03He played a lot of basketball.

01:09:04He was a third baseman coming up through.

01:09:07I mean, Cabrian Hayes can play, you know, as good a defensive third baseman as anyone.

01:09:11Played a lot of second base in the minor leagues.

01:09:13So, there's that ability if the roster needs it.

01:09:16So, he completely dominated in high school.

01:09:18Oh, my God.

01:09:19I mean, we went to like three tournaments.

01:09:22There were home run derbies.

01:09:23You know, they did, all right, we're going to get, you know, this kid is Ole Miss commit.

01:09:27This kid is supposed to go in the first round.

01:09:29You guys are going to get ten outs.

01:09:31You know, the old school home run derby.

01:09:32First guy hits seven and was like, oh, wow, great.

01:09:35The next guy hits four.

01:09:36Oh, great.

01:09:37Sal would come in and he would hit 29.

01:09:39Like, it was 29.

01:09:40He got tired.

01:09:41I mean, he had four outs and 24 home runs.

01:09:44And it's like, okay, it's over.

01:09:45You know, so, he was real fun to watch.

01:09:48Really special kid in high school.

01:09:50It was like a man amongst – I said, one of the best high school games was when they went

01:09:54up

01:09:54and played against Roman Anthony.

01:09:55I said, look at these two kids.

01:09:56You had Roman Anthony on one side and Sal Stewart on the other.

01:09:58And both of them look like they're going to be big leaguers for a long time.

01:10:01So, pretty good stuff.

01:10:02Giants and Reds tonight in Cincinnati.

01:10:04It'll be Robbie Ray going for San Francisco.

01:10:07Brady Singer gets the start for the Cincinnati Reds.

01:10:10Great stuff, Mike.

01:10:11Let's take a quick timeout here on MLB Central.

01:10:14When we come back, another edition of Step Up to the Mic.

01:10:17Todd Callis, TV voice of the Houston Astros.

01:10:21Houston Astros will join the show.

01:10:23Talk about the early state of the Astros and a little bit more.

01:10:27Stay with us.

01:10:28Honey, honey.

01:10:29I could be your Caroline.

01:10:34Oh, honey, honey.

01:10:38I could be your –

01:10:40Welcome back.

01:10:41MLB Central is presented by Cheerios.

01:11:03Ballpark Cam up and running in Houston where the Astros are back home after enduring a very difficult road trip.

01:11:09They begin a series tonight against the Colorado Rockies.

01:11:13The Astros were in Denver last week, got swept by the Rockies.

01:11:16Time for another edition of Step Up to the Mic where we get a chance to chat with some of

01:11:20the men and women who call the action across the league.

01:11:23And Todd Callis is entering his 10th season as Astros TV play-by-play man.

01:11:27And, Todd, you have been at the doorstep, at the forefront of Astros' Golden Age baseball.

01:11:33But this year, they're going through some difficult challenges.

01:11:36From what you see, I mean, the injuries are playing a major part.

01:11:40What else is going on?

01:11:42Yeah, injuries are definitely a part of it.

01:11:44Good to see your road flow.

01:11:46The team's hitting.

01:11:47That's the frustrating part, right?

01:11:48They average five runs a game on this road trip, but the pitching has just not been there.

01:11:52It has not been the same pitching that we've been used to.

01:11:54Part of it's injury-related, part of it's just ineffective pitchers that have started slow this year.

01:12:00So, it's good to be back home.

01:12:01It's been a while since the Astros were home.

01:12:03It was the first day of April, the last time they were home.

01:12:06So, back in there today for three with Colorado, the three with St. Louis.

01:12:10And hopefully, they can put this just horrible road trip to bed.

01:12:14Yeah, we were talking earlier, Todd, that, yes, they're going through the worst stretch maybe since 2013.

01:12:21I mean, certainly before their run of success.

01:12:24But if you look at the division, it doesn't, right now, that no one else is running away from them.

01:12:31But clearly, the room for error has been diminished.

01:12:35Yeah, no doubt.

01:12:36And you're right.

01:12:37There's nobody that's kind of running away in the AOS.

01:12:39Nobody's having a huge start to the season.

01:12:41I still think Seattle is the team you have to look at right now.

01:12:44They kind of got their legs underneath them this past four days.

01:12:46They came in really struggling before they played the Astros, but they found themselves.

01:12:51So, yeah, it's a division that's right now, anyone's up for grabs.

01:12:56But the Astros have to start playing like they did in that first homestand.

01:13:00But they've also gotten off to bad starts, as you know, Roflo, at least two of the last three or

01:13:05three of the last four years.

01:13:06And they've been able to figure some things out.

01:13:08So, they need to find some pitching.

01:13:10I don't know beyond Colton Gordon who else is pitching on this homestand.

01:13:14But we're going to see a lot of new faces get their first start because they lost 60% of

01:13:18the rotation to injury on that last road trip.

01:13:20And also, don't forget Jeremy Pena now on the injured list.

01:13:24So, the injury bug extending to the lineup as well.

01:13:27Todd, I mentioned you're currently in your 10th season as the Astros TV play-by-play voice.

01:13:33You, Jeff Blum, Julie Morales, it's a great booth.

01:13:36It's a great listen.

01:13:37It's one of the great booths across the league.

01:13:40Aside from, I guess, the obvious that, you know, local fans hear you guys all the time, you know, you

01:13:47enjoy such a connection with this fan base, as do so many other play-by-play voices and broadcast teams.

01:13:55Why do you think that is?

01:13:57Why do you think that this sport in particular has that ability to connect with local fans?

01:14:03I love it because, as you guys are part of everybody's breakfast or lunch every morning, we're part of everybody's

01:14:10fabric of their existence at evening time, right?

01:14:13So, people get home from work.

01:14:15They're hanging around after dinner.

01:14:17Oh, let's put on the Astros game and see what's going on.

01:14:19I mean, we're part of that fabric of what your day-to-day routine is because baseball is every day.

01:14:24There's no days off.

01:14:26I mean, the Astros are in the midst of 13 in a row.

01:14:28All of them are on our network.

01:14:29So, you know, every night you're going to have something.

01:14:31If you don't want, you know, to hang out with the family or go to dinner with the family, you've

01:14:35got Astros baseball right there.

01:14:36And you've got it with your family or you just watch on your app or watch it on your own.

01:14:40It's just part of your day-to-day existence.

01:14:42And baseball does that like no other.

01:14:44I've always called it the best reality show on TV because there's so many ups.

01:14:49There's so many downs.

01:14:50There's so many personalities involved.

01:14:51You get to know the team.

01:14:53You get to know the broadcast team.

01:14:54You just feel like you're part of a group like no other sport.

01:14:56Is there one moment during this run that you've been a part of since 2017 that sticks out to you

01:15:03that you were, you know, a game or a moment that you called?

01:15:07There's so many, right?

01:15:09Unfortunately, since we're on TV, we don't call the postseason.

01:15:12But so many regular season moments.

01:15:13All those clinchings were just phenomenal.

01:15:16I love the 19 team.

01:15:18I thought that was probably the most talented team of Astros baseball since I've been here, which is saying a

01:15:24lot because there were two world champions that weren't the 19 team.

01:15:27I love when Gary Cole and Justin Verlander were going head-to-head for the Cy Young Award that year.

01:15:32Just so many cool moments.

01:15:33Jordan is just, he's in another world, right?

01:15:36So calling his at-bats is a lot of fun.

01:15:37The same with Springer when he was here.

01:15:40The same with Correa his first time around.

01:15:42Now, second time around, obviously Alex Pregman.

01:15:44We've had so many superstars.

01:15:45Altuve's a future Hall of Famer.

01:15:47It's just been so much fun.

01:15:48And winning creates a lot of fun atmosphere, too.

01:15:52And it helps the ratings when you're doing as well as the Astros have since I've been here.

01:15:55Todd, you mentioned Jordan.

01:15:57You've seen a lot of baseball players, a lot of baseball games.

01:16:00Who does he remind you of?

01:16:03I know when Dusty Baker was here, he said Willie McCovey.

01:16:07And I think that's partially accurate just because of the swing.

01:16:10But I think Jordan does more in terms of the overall game than Willie McCovey.

01:16:14He's really one of the smartest base runners in baseball.

01:16:17He doesn't always get credit for that.

01:16:18His defense is what it is.

01:16:20He's not going to run down a lot of balls in the gap.

01:16:22But he's going to catch everything he gets to.

01:16:23And his arm is actually a plus arm in left field.

01:16:26So I just love the fact that he knows the game of baseball so well.

01:16:30He's really smart.

01:16:32He kind of goes up to the plate every time with a plan.

01:16:35And when he hits the ball, it goes as far as anybody.

01:16:37And I'm just so blessed to have called great athletes through their time here in Houston.

01:16:43And I'm not sure there's a better player than you or Don Alvarez since I've been here.

01:16:46Todd, just a couple more.

01:16:48You mentioned the offense.

01:16:49And that's been one of the few bright spots thus far.

01:16:51And that includes Christian Walker and Cam Smith.

01:16:54What have you seen from both of those guys in the early part of this season?

01:16:58That's what gives you encouragement, right, after the 1-9 road trip,

01:17:01is that they scored five runs a game during that trip.

01:17:04Normally, an Astros pass, five runs a game means you're having a winning road trip.

01:17:07Six and four, seven and three, maybe even eight and two.

01:17:09Not one and nine.

01:17:11Christian, I think, came out of spring training last year not 100% healthy.

01:17:15Didn't use that as an excuse, but had a really tough first half

01:17:18and just was kind of getting used to a new environment.

01:17:21Never really worked his way into a comfort zone.

01:17:24I think this year he's maybe a little bit leaner.

01:17:26His back path looks good.

01:17:28He's not swinging through as many pitches.

01:17:30I know Kirby got him a couple times yesterday, but Kirby gets a lot of people.

01:17:33I like what I've seen with Christian Walker.

01:17:35I think 2026 could be back to old Christian in his Diamondback days, if not even better.

01:17:40Cam Smith could be next level.

01:17:42You might be looking at the rise of a superstar right now.

01:17:46Cam is in a different place than he was last year.

01:17:48His defense was solid last year, like top three gold glove finalists in his rookie year,

01:17:54learning a new position.

01:17:55But now he's even better defensively.

01:17:57His at-bats, at-bats with bat, are really strong.

01:18:01I saw it in spring training, using the whole field, not just hitting the ball to right field,

01:18:04pulling the ball down the line, hitting the ball in the left center field gap.

01:18:07I've always been bullish on Cam since they traded for him in that deal with the Cubs,

01:18:12with Kyle Tucker.

01:18:13But now I think he has put a star on this guy because he's about to go up

01:18:17and be one of the top echelon players in the league.

01:18:19All right.

01:18:20Well, Todd, we appreciate the time.

01:18:21I'll be listening, just like countless others tonight,

01:18:23as the Astros get ready to take on the Colorado Rockies.

01:18:27Give my best to Blummer and Julia.

01:18:29I will.

01:18:29It was great talking to you, Roflo.

01:18:31All right, Todd.

01:18:31We appreciate it.

01:18:32Todd Callis, Astros TV Play-by-Play voice,

01:18:34joining us here on this edition of MLB Central.

01:18:38When we come back, Ryan Helsley.

01:18:40Look, his time with the New York Mets did not go well,

01:18:43and maybe some uncertainty rolling into this offseason,

01:18:46but he has been everything the Orioles could have hoped for.

01:18:49We'll discuss that on the other side when we play Call Your Shot.

01:19:03MLB Central is brought to you by Cheerios, tasty-o's made with pear.

01:19:11Best closers in the game is brought to you by Zillow.

01:19:14Getting home starts today with Zillow.

01:19:20We want to remind you that MLB Plus is new this year.

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01:19:28plus live radio broadcasts of every game,

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01:19:34a nice whip-around coverage of the full league,

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01:19:37Go to MLB.com slash MLB Plus to subscribe today.

01:19:42Okay, now it's time for Best Closers, presented by Zillow.

01:19:48How about Ryan Helsley?

01:19:49Let's go.

01:19:50Nailing down the save for Baltimore last night against Arizona,

01:19:53two Ks in the ninth inning against the D-backs.

01:19:56He touched 101.

01:19:57Great sign by Mike Goliath right here.

01:20:00Two for 28.

01:20:00He's incorporated a split.

01:20:04And there was talk about him tipping last year when he was with the Mets,

01:20:08whatever the case may be.

01:20:09He, five saves on the season.

01:20:11That's tied for the most in baseball.

01:20:13As he looks to bounce back to his previous all-star form.

01:20:18Look at him in St. Louis.

01:20:20That just did not make sense.

01:20:21It just did not work out.

01:20:23But, boy, so far the early returns are nice for him in Baltimore.

01:20:27All right, time now for Call Your Shot.

01:20:30So, this is what we have at our disposal.

01:20:34Ballpark cams across the league, right?

01:20:37We could go to Atlanta if we wanted to.

01:20:39We could go to Cincinnati where they're going to take on the Giants.

01:20:42So, this is live, current ballpark views of each game or each stadium across the league.

01:20:48If you want to go to somewhere first, D-Rowe, where would you go?

01:20:53I'm going to take you to Milwaukee.

01:20:55Okay, let's do that.

01:20:55Both teams are limping into this one.

01:20:58Okay.

01:20:59An unbelievable pitching matchup tonight.

01:21:01Kevin Gosman toes to slab.

01:21:0417 in the third innings, 26 punchouts.

01:21:07Right man, right time.

01:21:08On the flip side, with the Brew Crew.

01:21:11They were 8-2.

01:21:12Yeah.

01:21:12Not too long ago.

01:21:14Dropped five straight.

01:21:16Put the Miz on the bump.

01:21:18Let's get after it.

01:21:19That is a nice pitching matchup.

01:21:20That looks good.

01:21:21Christian Yelich, I don't think, we're still waiting definitive word on Christian Yelich

01:21:26and his hamstring.

01:21:29Likely headed to the I.L. if he's not already there.

01:21:32By the way, it's also available on Brewers.TV.

01:21:35Sleep on Jake Bowers.

01:21:36That's right.

01:21:38You know where I want to go?

01:21:39Where I'm calling my shot?

01:21:41I'm going to San Diego, California.

01:21:44You always go there.

01:21:45I always go to San Diego because it's one of my favorite American cities.

01:21:49The Padres have won five in a row, and they welcome the Seattle Mariners.

01:21:54Michael King will get the start, and Brian Wu.

01:21:58Can you woo, woo, woo?

01:22:00The Mariners have won four in a row.

01:22:02They just swept the Astros in Seattle.

01:22:04Now they've got to go to San Diego.

01:22:06Yeah, this is the Eddie Vedder Cup.

01:22:09That's right.

01:22:10Yeah.

01:22:10Now, why is it?

01:22:11I know his ties to Seattle and the grunge scene, but is he also, does he claim?

01:22:18Oh, Childhood Home, San Diego.

01:22:19Oh, Childhood Home, San Diego.

01:22:21San Diego.

01:22:22Band Origin, Seattle.

01:22:23Thank you, Nancy.

01:22:23Henceforth, Jeremy Spoken class today.

01:22:26Jeremy Spoken.

01:22:29The subject matter of that song is quite dark.

01:22:31Quite dark, but it's a banger.

01:22:33It's a banger.

01:22:35All right.

01:22:36That's the, now, see, this is, we haven't quite perfected Call Your Shot.

01:22:41I like this.

01:22:42The segment, but I like it.

01:22:43I like where we're at.

01:22:44Great job, Lucas.

01:22:45You've got to lock in on your ballpark cam abilities.

01:22:50You've got to have those.

01:22:51They've got to be on point.

01:22:53Speaking of ballpark cam, let's zoom in and go to Dodger Stadium.

01:22:58Okay.

01:22:59They continue their series against the Mets.

01:23:03The Mets have lost six in a row.

01:23:05It's going to be a doozy of a night.

01:23:07Yeah.

01:23:07Nolan McLean, Yamamoto.

01:23:10That is a real nice pitching matchup.

01:23:13Late night for D-Row.

01:23:15Late one.

01:23:16Going to have to order some subs.

01:23:19Now I got the air fryer.

01:23:21Oh, nice.

01:23:23Air fry some subs.

01:23:24Yeah, we're going to try and play for the tie.

01:23:27Hey, we'll be back to walk it off.

01:23:28Stay with us.

01:23:39Up at the top of the hour, Brian Kenney and company bringing you MLB Now among the topics

01:23:44they're discussing.

01:23:45The secret to the Marlins' success.

01:23:48And is this the end of the run for the Astros?

01:23:51What the?

01:23:52What?

01:23:53Brian Kenney, you got a lot of nerves, sir.

01:23:56Going end to the road by boys to men?

01:23:58Oh, great song.

01:24:00Wow.

01:24:00Probably can't clear that in time.

01:24:02No chance.

01:24:02No chance we can clear that.

01:24:04Okay, let's go through some prop bets.

01:24:06Odds and trends presented by FanDuel.

01:24:08Matt Chapman to record at least two total bases in Cincy facing Brady Singer.

01:24:14Good numbers against Singer.

01:24:16Yeah, I always play the numbers.

01:24:19Good ballpark for him to hit in.

01:24:21Give me a double.

01:24:22All right.

01:24:23He's got three homers in six games at this yard since 2024.

01:24:27Let's go back to San Diego.

01:24:29I mentioned the series opener tonight.

01:24:31Mariners and Padres on the money line.

01:24:33What do you got?

01:24:34First of three.

01:24:36Wu versus King.

01:24:39Give me the Mariners.

01:24:40Okay.

01:24:41Like Wu.

01:24:42Top rail fastball.

01:24:43Michael King will be on it.

01:24:47San Diego's coming in hot as a pistol.

01:24:49Yeah, they have won five in a row.

01:24:50The Mariners have won four in a row, and maybe they found their offense as part of that four-game

01:24:56sweep.

01:24:57Hit his first two homers yesterday against the Astros.

01:25:01Finally, Mackenzie Gore to record at least eight strikeouts.

01:25:06That's a huge number.

01:25:07Is he going to get nine against the A's?

01:25:10He has struck out nine in each of his last two starts.

01:25:12No, you got to take DeAndre on that.

01:25:15The A's do have the fourth highest strikeout rate.

01:25:17No, they're baiting you.

01:25:19Okay.

01:25:20The line's a little fishy.

01:25:21Which means you should take, go north.

01:25:25Right.

01:25:26Guys, FanDuel is inviting you to bet home runs for all your favorite teams and ballplayers.

01:25:32Right now, customers can choose the reward they want to use on home run bets.

01:25:38Claim now, and it's ready to use instantly.

01:25:40Download the Sportsbook app now to play your game on FanDuel.

01:25:47All right, let's walk it off.

01:25:49I believe we have a little bit of feedback here.

01:25:51The feedback has been fast and furious for this show.

01:25:55This one from Jeff.

01:25:57All this Twitter jabber, jabber, jibber, jabber about Lauren's hair and whatnot today is extracting,

01:26:03distracting from our top story today and every day.

01:26:05The Robert Flores Iron Man Challenge for Kids and World's Peace.

01:26:08Yes, we are at well over 200 consecutive shows.

01:26:12Yes, I think.

01:26:13It feels right.

01:26:14And then finally, you know what that hot dog machine needs?

01:26:18Peptide Paula.

01:26:19You're, well, listen, I had a decision to make this offseason.

01:26:24I didn't want to hurt anymore, and I wanted to find my 30s again.

01:26:27I started diving in on these peptides.

01:26:31Was your hot dog machine also malfunctioning?

01:26:34No.

01:26:36No, it wasn't.

01:26:38But my knees hurt.

01:26:40Okay.

01:26:40Henceforth, they don't anymore.

01:26:43Yeah.

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