Baseball Connection

Guardians Staff Dealt Big Blow | Cubs Lock In Swanson/Hoerner Combo | Brewers Round Out Roster

Triston McKenzie will be shut down from throwing for two weeks as he rests a right shoulder strain. He could be out for eight weeks. How will Cleveland manage this in the meantime? Nico Hoerner and the Cubs have agreed to a 3-year, $35 million extension. It'll be a Swanson-Hoerner double play combination in Chicago for the foreseeable future. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Key Rookies Make Opening Day | Why Verlander Won’t Pitch Until Game 3

Anthony Volpe and Jordan Walker will start for their teams on Opening Day. Volpe (shortstop) will become the first Yankee to make his MLB debut on Opening Day since Hideki Matsui in 2003. Walker (left field) is making the jump from AA to MLB thanks to his big bat. Max Scherzer will start on Opening Day for the Mets but Justin Verlander won't pitch until Game 3. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Rookies Ready for Debut? | Anthony Volpe & Jordan Walker | Mikolas Extended

The Yankees have a shortstop battle at Spring Training this year and Anthony Volpe is leading the way. Jordan Walker has been turning heads at Cardinals camp all spring. Will he make the Opening Day roster? St. Louis extended Miles Mikolas with a 2-year, $40 million extension. All this (and more) on today's episode.

Phillies Lose Hoskins For Season | Veteran 2B Retires | When Will Soroka Return?

Rhys Hoskins has been diagnosed with a torn ACL, which will put him out for the season. The Phillies were already set to begin the season without Bryce Harper so this news comes as another big blow. Philadelphia will need a new first baseman immediately and they'll lean on Turner, Realmuto, Castellanos, and Schwarber. Jed Lowrie has retired after 15 MLB seasons. Michael Soroka has been sent down to AAA. When will he be back in the majors? All this on today's episode.

MLB Tweaks New Rules | Likeliest Award Winner on Each Team

MLB's new set of rules have shaved off 25 minutes from the average Spring Training game this year. With Opening Day around the corner, MLB has made some tweaks to the rule changes. We discuss each change in full detail. Who is the likeliest major award winner on each team? All this on today's episode.

Japan Wins World Baseball Classic | Epic Ohtani vs. Trout At-Bat

Japan defeated USA 3-2 to win the 2023 World Baseball Classic. It ended in storybook fashion with Shohei Ohtani striking out Mike Trout. Few pitchers have ever struck out Trout on three swings-and-misses but Ohtani made it happen with triple-digit fastballs and a textbook slider. Ohtani's legend continues to grow. All this on today's episode.

Japan Walks Off on Mexico | WBC Final Preview | Profar Joins Rockies

Japan defeated Mexico in a thrilling semifinal matchup in Miami. Mexico fought hard with the bats but Japan completed a comeback in the bottom of the ninth with back-to-back doubles from Shohei Ohtani and Munetaka. Japan faces USA in what looks to be a marquee championship game. Jose Altuve will undergo surgery for his fractured thumb. What will this mean for the Astros? Jurickson Profar has signed with the Rockies. Will he be ready for Opening Day? All this (and more) on today's episode.

Mexico Stuns Puerto Rico | USA vs. Venezuela Preview

Mexico earned a comeback victory over Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic quarter finals. Isaac Paredes led the charge with 3 RBI to set up a semi final bout with Japan on Monday. USA vs. Venezuela is next and some of the game's biggest stars will be on full display.

PR Defeats DR | Trout Rises to Occasion | Quarter-Final Stage Set

Puerto Rico defeated the Dominican Republic to advance to the WBC quarterfinal stage. It was a bittersweet win because Edwin Diaz got injured during the celebration. The Mets and Puerto Rico await news on the extent of his knee injury. Mike Trout lifted USA to victory over Colombia. USA plays red-hot Venezuela in the quarterfinal on Saturday in Miami. All this (and more) on today's episode.

D-Backs Bet Big on Corbin Carroll | Venezuela Tops DR | Japan Advances

The Diamondbacks have made a big bet on their young center fielder, Corbin Carroll. Both sides agreed to an 8-year, $111 million deal, the largest contract in history for a player with less than 100 days of service time. Carroll hit the ground running as one of the best prospects in baseball in 2022. His plus speed, power, and defense create an elite blend of skills. An 8-game slate of the World Baseball Classic did not disappoint Venezuela beat Dominican Republic and Japan punch their ticket to the next round. All this (and more) on today's episode.