Baseball Connection

Clayton Kershaw added another milestone to his Hall of Fame resume as he secured his 200th career win on Tuesday. Spencer Strider is the best strikeout pitcher in baseball right now and the Braves have won 8 straight. Hunter Greene agreed to a 6-year, $53 million extension with the Reds. Greene's deal will soon prove to be a bargain for Cincinnati. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Are the Braves the new hottest team in baseball? Atlanta sits atop this week's Power Rankings. Giancarlo Stanton landed on the IL with a hamstring strain. How many games per year will he average for the rest of his potential Hall of Fame career? Luis Castillo flirted with perfection but settled with 7 shutout innings and 9 strikeouts. Top prospect rankings matter more than you may think. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Major League Baseball celebrated Jackie Robinson Day across the league. All players wore 42 in honor of the American hero. The Padres are holding steady for now but they have more help on the way soon. Fernando Tatis Jr. is wrapping up his suspension and will rejoin the Padres on Thursday. The Rangers are first in the AL West but the Astros sent young righty Hunter Brown to the mound in response. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Bo Bichette and the Blue Jays handed the Rays their first loss of the season. Bichette was 5-5 and collected his 500th career hit. Jarred Kelenic is having the breakout we've all been waiting for. It's going to be a long year in Oakland. A's pitchers walked 17 batters in one game. All this (and more) on today's episode.

The Rays have won 13 straight games to start the season - the longest such streak since 1987. Adley Rutschman hit a walk-off HR for the Orioles. Baltimore is the most fun team in baseball right now. The Twins hit back-to-back-to-back home runs as part of a 9-run first inning in the Bronx. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Ian Happ and the Cubs have agreed to a 3-year, $61 million extension. Happ was set to be a free agent after this season where he likely would've earned more. Chicago has secured several key pieces on their roster. Max Muncy continued to torment the Giants with 2 more home runs on Wednesday. Muncy is now tied for the league lead in RBIs. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Luis Arraez is a complete package at the plate. Arraez won the 2022 AL batting title and now he's become the first Marlin to hit for the cycle. Do the Orioles have a fearsome lineup all of a sudden? Jordan Walker & the Rays extended their season-opening streaks. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Oneil Cruz will be sidelined for two months with a fractured ankle after undergoing surgery on Sunday night. Cruz and the Pirates were off to a strong start. Similarly, Adam Duvall will miss 6-8 weeks for the Red Sox after suffering a fractured wrist. Duvall has been one of the hottest bats in the game so far. Jordan Walker has a 10-game hit streak to start his career. All this (and more) on today's episode.

The Rays are 8-0 and have the best run differential to start a season that we've ever seen. The Phillies scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth en route to a walk-off victory over the Reds. Nick Lodolo shoved for Cincinnati and Bryon Stott continued his hot hitting at the plate. Mike Trout is off to a powerful start to the season. All this (and more) on today's episode.

It's important for a hitter to get off to a strong start at the plate. It eases tension and builds confidence moving forward. Is Gleyber Torres all the way back or will the Yankees "sell high" on him this year? Wander Franco is healthy and mashing. Will Adam Duvall make Boston forget about losing Bogaerts? We discuss the 10 hottest bats to start the 2023 season.