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American League Championship Series Recap Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays The Tampa Bay Devil Rays are going back to the World Series. After falling behind in the series after game three (and waiting out the rain), the AL’s top team stormed back and finished off Cleveland in six games. The starters did their jobs, the bullpen was near perfect, and the big bats in their lineup, Yandy Diaz, Jonathan Aranda, and Junior Camineiro, finally came alive. They’ll be taking on the Brewers, with a shot at their first World Series trophy on the line. CLE Radio WTAM - Tom Hamilton and Jim Rosenhaus TBR Radio WDAE 620 AM - Andy Freed and Neil Solondz As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and MLB.tv for box scores, statistics, audio clips, and much, much more. Catch you next time, Jolly Orange Giant

NLCS Recap - Games Three and Four Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Milwaukee Brewers Turnabout is fair play. Revenge is a dish best served cold. An eye for an eye. Name your cliche about retribution, and these Milwaukee Brewers will pay it in spades to the Dodgers. A four game sweep! With multiple come from behind wins and too many heroes to count. What a ride for the Brew Crew, taking their first ever NL Pennant, back in the World Series for the first time since ’82. LAD Radio AM 570- Charlie Steiner* and Rick Monday MIL Radio WTMJ - Jeff Levering, Lane Grindle, and Josh Maurer Audio Clips from MLB.tv  - Jolly Orange Giant

Championship Series Recaps We’re down to our final four, with trips to the World Series on the line. Let’s recap the first two games of each series as we the teams travel across country. Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Milwaukee Brewers A rematch of last year’s NLCS, but this one’s got a much different feel. While there is a David vs. Goliath narrative, don’t be fooled. The Brewers are a fantastic team. They won 103 games, and while their series against San Diego was tight, they won convincingly. It’ll take a much better effort than the previous year, but Pat Murphy’s squad is more than up to the challenge. Dave Roberts’ Dodgers are angling for a three-peat, and they know that this year will be the hardest yet. They’ll be up against the lanky fireballer Jacob Misiorowski in game one, and then Logan Henderson (who was also excellent this year) in game two. The Dodgers will counter with their two best arms, Tarik Skubal and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Skubal’s never lost a game one, and Yamamoto’s never lost on the road. And the Brewers have never won an NL pennant. Perhaps this year is for something new. LAD Radio AM 570- Stephen Nelson* and Rick Monday MIL Radio WTMJ - Jeff Levering, Lane Grindle, and Josh Maurer Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays Cleveland fought all the way back from a 2-0 deficit against Chicago, and behind heroic efforts from Jose Ramirez and Gavin Williams, they’re moving on to face the AL’s best, Tampa. The Rays have been awaiting their opponent, and they’ll send their best arms for games one and two: Drew Rasmussen, who was untouchable against New York, and Freddy Peralta, who was effective, albeit in a short outing. The Cleveland bats had been silent, but they awoke with a vengeance in the final three games. If they can hit, we know their pitching staff is up to the task. Trade deadline acquisition Foster Griffin gets the ball in game one, with AL ROY favorite Parker Messick toeing the slab in game two. Stephen Vogt will not be afraid to go to the pen early, as they were quite effective down the stretch. CLE Radio WTAM - Tom Hamilton and Jim Rosenhaus TBR Radio WDAE 620 AM - Andy Freed and Neil Solondz As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and MLB.tv for box scores, statistics, audio clips, and much, much more. Catch you next time, Jolly Orange Giant

2026 National League Division Series Recaps of Games Three and Four Los Angeles Dodgers @ Atlanta Braves - Games Three and Four With the series knotted at a game apiece, it’ll be a battle of the aces in game three. Chris Sale vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto. It’ll also be a homecoming of sorts for Freddie Freeman, whose last playoff series in Atlanta was the World Series in 2021. Also be on the lookout for the ever dangerous Kiké Hernandez, who will get the start against the lefty. In game four, it’ll the battle of the Tylers, Glasnow vs. Mahle. Can the Braves get this series back to LA, or will the Dodgers continue their quest for a three peat  ATL Radio The Fan - Ben Ingram and Joe Simpson LAD Radio AM 570- Stephen Nelson* and Rick Monday Milwaukee Brewers @ San Diego Padres - Games Three and Four The Brewers took game two in thrilling fashion, and the Padres will be without star closer Mason Miller in game three (due to the birth of his child, congrats to the Millers!) We know the Petco Park crowd will be rowdy, can the Friars extend the series? And even if they do, will they force a game five, or will the Brewers return to the NLCS. SDP Radio KWFN - Jesse Agler and Tony Gwynn, Jr. MIL Radio WTMJ - Jeff Levering, Lane Grindle, and Josh Maurer Audio clips from MLB.tv Catch you next time, Jolly Orange Giant

2026 Division Series Recap Cleveland Guardians @ Chicago White Sox - Games Three and Four For the first time since 2021, the Southside will host a playoff game. And they stand right on the verge of clinching at home for the first time in forever. It will be a challenge, as Cleveland is not easy to put away. These games have been close and if Jose Ramirez can somehow, someway redevelop his MVP caliber form, don’t be shocked if we find ourselves back in Cleveland for a winner-take-all game five. CHW Radio WMVP - Len Kasper and Darrin Jackson CLE Radio WTAM - Tom Hamilton and Jim Rosenhaus Tampa Bay Rays @ New York Yankees - Game Three The Rays are on the verge of eliminating their division foes, but the Yanks won’t go down without a fight. Max Fried gets the ball for game three, and Anthony Volpe is back in the lineup to try and provide a much needed spark. Nick Martinez gets the ball for Tampa, but it will be a team effort as always for Kevin Cash’s club. Can they get the job done in the Bronx? TBR Radio WDAE 620 AM - Andy Freed and Neil Solondz NYY Radio WFAN - Dave Sims and Suzyn Waldman As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and MLB.tv for box scores, statistics, audio clips, and much, much more. Catch you next time, Jolly Orange Giant

2026 ALDS Game 1 & 2 Before we head to Chicago and New York for Game three, let’s check in on the American League Division Series. Chicago White Sox @ Cleveland Guardians The White Sox led the AL Central for much of the season, but once again, Steven Vogt’s Guardians chased down a division rival to take the crown for the third consecutive year. And just like each of the previous years, they will have to face that division rival in the playoffs. Cleveland will have the pitching advantage heading in, as AL ROY favorite Parker Messick will get the ball in game one, with AL strikeout leader Gavin Williams following in game two.  Will Venable’s squad is unafraid of this moment, and they are quite familiar with Cleveland. It isn’t always pretty, but there boys just keep finding a way. And if Japanese slugger Munetaka Murikami can rediscover his powerful stroke, look out! The Southside is dangerous! CHW Radio WMVP - Len Kasper and Darrin Jackson CLE Radio WTAM - Tom Hamilton and Jim Rosenhaus New York Yankees @ Tampa Bay Rays The Yanks are flying high after trouncing the Red Sox, but they’ll have their work cut out for them against the Rays. Kevin Cash’s club ran away with the division and the AL’s best record, and what they lack in star power, they more than make up for in execution. But don’t get it twisted, Junior Caminero is an absolute stud, Drew Rasmussen is a bonafide ace, and for the first time perhaps ever, the Trop is BUMPING! These guys will not be intimidated. TBR Radio WDAE 620 AM - Andy Freed and Neil Solondz NYY Radio WFAN - Dave Sims and Suzyn Waldman As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and MLB.tv for box scores, statistics, audio clips, and much, much more. Catch you next time, Jolly Orange Giant

2026 National League Division Series Before the game threes tonight, let’s quickly recap how the NLDS games have gone so far. Atlanta Braves @ Los Angeles Dodgers - Games 1 and 2 Familiar foes face off again, and the Braves appear to begin this series behind the 8-ball. By using ace Chris Sale in relief to close out the Wild Card, Atlanta won’t have him available until at least game three. That means manager Walt Weiss is forced to open this series with consecutive bullpen games. Not ideal in any series, even less so given who they’re facing.  The two time defending World Series champion Dodgers are loaded. Despite being without Shohei Ohtani on the mound, they still will send 2X Cy Young Tarik Skubal to the mound in game one, 2X Cy Young Blake Snell in game two… oh and last year’s WSMVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto for game three. But baseball’s not played on paper, it’s decided between the lines and in the batter’s box. Atlanta will need to drag LA into a fight, and that’s exactly what they’re gonna do. ATL Radio The Fan - Ben Ingram and Joe Simpson LAD Radio AM 570- Charley Steiner and Rick Monday San Diego Padres @ Milwaukee Brewers - Games 1 and 2 How do they keep doing this? The Brewers took their third consecutive NL Central crown, putting up their best regular season ever with 103 wins! They have the presumptive NL Cy Young in Jacob Misiorowski, young stars in Brice Turang and Jackson Chourio, dependable veterans in Christian Yelich and William Contreras (who’s a vet by this point), and a stable full of options for one of the best managers in baseball, Pat Murphy. All of the regular season success is great and all, but what the Milwaukee faithful need is for it to translate to the playoffs.  Standing in their way are the Padres, under first year manager Craig Stammen. They’ve got star power, they’ve got passion, and they have the weapons at the back end to rival anyone. They eased past the Cubs, but expect the Brew Crew to mount much more of a challenge. SDP Radio KWFN - Jesse Agler and Tony Gwynn, Jr. MIL Radio WTMJ - Jeff Levering, Lane Grindle, and Josh Maurer As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and MLB.tv for box scores, statistics, audio clips, and much, much more. Catch you next time, P.S. the 20 mile run was a success. I’m now doing what’s called a ‘taper’ slightly reducing the miles to recover before the marathon in less than 20 days!

2026 Wild Card Round Recap The Postseason is here, and the fireworks have already started. We’ll cover the highlights from the early round action, and preview the division series matchups. Philadelphia Phillies @ Atlanta Braves For the third time in the last five seasons, the Braves and Phillies match up again in the playoffs. Despite winning the division in ’22 and ’23, the Braves came up short against their bitter division rival. Things may be different this time around, as the Philadelphia core is aging, and more importantly, the Phillies limped into the playoffs. Let’s see if they can rediscover their old playoff magic, or if the Braves can finally push past them. ATL Radio - 680 The Fan: Ben Ingram and Joe Simpson PHI Radio - 94.1 WIP: Scott Franzke, Larry Andersen, Kevin Stocker Chicago White Sox @ Houston Astros Just two years after losing more game than anyone in baseball history, postseason baseball has returned to the Southside. Call it luck, smart development, or the Pope’s Blessing, it’s great to see the White Sox relevant once again. The Astros are back in the playoffs, but this ain’t the team we’re used to seeing. Don’t be fooled by Jose Altuve, Jeremy Pena, or presumptive AL MVP Yordan Alvarez, this team’s a mess. CHW Radio - WMVP: Len Kasper and Darrin Jackson Boston Red Sox @ New York Yankees Let’s do this thing again. Just like last year, and many, many times before, Boston and New York face off. While the Sox looked like an ascendant team earlier this year after firing Alex Cora, they have cooled off significantly down the stretch. And even though the Yanks won’t have Aaron Judge, they’re gonna be tough to beat. They’ve got the arms (Schlitter, Fried, Cole, Bednar), they’ve got the bats (lefty or righty), and they’ve got the Bronx Zoo. If Boston’s starters can keep it close, they’ll have a chance. But if they don’t go deep, Aaron Boone has the tools at his disposal to punish any bullpen. NYY Radio - WFAN: Dave Sims and Suzyn Waldman Chicago Cubs @ San Diego Padres Yet another rematch, but this time the Padres have home field advantage. The Cubs boast the best offense in baseball, led by breakout superstar Pete Crow-Armstrong. The Padres can swing it too, and unlike the Cubbies, they actually have a strong pitching staff. Many have picked Chicago as an NL favorite, but don’t sleep on San Deigo, and definitely do not underestimate their raucous crowd. SDP Radio - 97.3 FM: Jesse Agler and Tony Gwynn, Jr. Audio clips from MLB.tv As always, shout out to Baseball Reference for statistics, box scores, background information, and much, much more. Catch you next time, P.S. I’m currently training to run a marathon this month (the Marine Corps Marathon in DC on October 25th!). That’s why I’ve been on hiatus for so long, though I do plan to cover this year’s playoffs, just not as many episodes as usual. Stay tuned! You can follow my marathon training progress on Instagram - @jolly_orangegiant

2026 BBWAA HOF Ballot In a bit of a surprise, the Contemporary Era Committee selected Jeff Kent to the Hall of Fame last month. He will join the likes of Rogers Hornsby, Nellie Fox, Joe Morgan, Ryne Sandberg, Jackie Robinson, and other MVP second baseman to earn enshrinement (Jose Altuve will join this list in the future, though another player on this year’s writers’ ballot is a long shot.) Dale Murphy, Carlos Delgado, and Don Mattingly all received more than six votes, and the rest of the candidates received fewer than five, meaning they are ineligible to be on the next ballot in three years. For Clemens, Bonds, and Sheffield, that result was not too surprising given their alleged PED use. This coming Tuesday, January 20th, the results from the BBWAA ballot will be revealed, and we will find out who will join Jeff Kent in Cooperstown this year. Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones appear to be in strong position for election this year. Chase Utley and Felix Hernández are the big climbers, and Cole Hamels looks to haver a strong debut on the ballot. We will break down the candidacies (or lack thereof) for the newcomers to the ballot, as well as our predictions for who, if any, will make it this year. Audio clips from MLB.tv Howie Kendrick’s Clutch Homers - WJFK Eats Radio - Dave Jageler and Charlie Slowes Alex Gordon’s WS HR - FOX - Hall of Fame Joe Buck, Tom Verducci Edwin Encarnacion’s Walk-off - TBS - Ernie Johnson As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, box scores, background information, and much, much more. Catch you next time, P.C.O.

Contemporary Era Baseball Hall of Fame Ballot With Winter Meetings under way in Orlando, it’s once again time to talk about the Hall of Fame. Eight players are on the ballot for Contemporary Era: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Gary Sheffield, Carlos Delgado, Jeff Kent, Don Mattingly, Dale Murphy, and Fernando Valenzuela. Results of the committee vote will be released Sunday 12/7 at 7:30 pm ET. In this episode, we will discuss the cases for each of these worthy candidate. We’ll explain who we’d personally vote for, and then try to predict who, if anybody, will be enshrined in Cooperstown. Audio clips from MLB.com Valenzuela’s CG in ’81 WS - ABC Howard Cosell and Al Michaels Valenzuela’s No-hitter in ’90 - LAD Vin Scully Murphy’s 300th Homer - Turner Mattingly’s ALDS in ’95 - ESPN Gary Thorne Delgado’s 4 HR day - TOR Kent’s NLCS Walk-off - HOU Milo Hamilton Sheffield’s 500th HR - SNY Gary Cohen As always, shout out to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, box scores, background information, and much, much more. Catch you next time, P.C.O.

World Series Game Seven Los Angeles Dodgers @ Toronto Blue Jays The best FOUR words in sports, WORLD SERIES GAME SEVEN. The Dodgers survived in game six thanks to another spectacular Yoshinobu Yamamoto performance and a clutch breakout from Mookie Betts. For the first time since 2019, the Fall Classic will come down to a decisive game seven. It has been an incredible series so far, with historic and record setting performances on both sides. Vlad Guerrero, Jr. and Ernie Clement could set the all time single season playoff hits record, Louie Garland could set a record for games pitched, and if this game is close at the end, we could be in for things we’ve never seen before. Starting for the Blue Jays will be the man who started the last World Series game seven, Max Scherzer. At 41 years old, Mad Max will be the oldest pitcher to start a winner-take-all game, and he becomes just the fourth pitcher to start multiple World Series game sevens (Bob Gibson, Don Larsen, and Lew Burdette). Going on short rest will be Shohei Ohtani, but expect all hands on deck for both squads, as there is no tomorrow. And by all hands, that will mean nearly every starting pitcher from both teams, including Yamamoto on no rest. Tune in for what may be the greatest game seven every played. Toronto Radio SN590 - Ben Shulman and Chris Leroux Los Angeles Radio AM570 - Stephen Nelson and Rick Monday FOX On Field - Ken Rosenthal, Tom Verducci, Kevin Burkhardt Audio clips from MLB.tv As always, thank you to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, box scores, background information, and much, much more. Catch you next time, P.C.O.

World Series Game Six Recap Los Angeles Dodgers (93-69) @ Toronto Blue Jays (94-68) The Blue Jays come back home to Rogers Centre just one win away from their first championship since Joe Carter walked off Mitch Williams and the Phillies in game six of the 1993 Fall Classic. Vladdy Jr. continues his unbelievable playoff run, closing in on the single postseason record for hits. Toronto will have another boost, as George Springer returns to the lineup, though it is unclear how much he’ll be able to do with his oblique injury. The Dodgers bats, on the other hand, have been mostly silent. Mookie Betts has struggled mightily this series, forcing manager Dave Roberts to shake up the lineup a bit. They’ll need the future Hall-of-Famer to step up if they intend to extend the series. We should be in for another pitching duel for game six, as Kevin Gausman and Yoshinobu Yamamoto square up once again. The splitter heavy righties nearly matched one another in game two, but it was the Japanese ace who had the edge. With the season on the line, they both will need to bring their best. Can LA force a decisive game seven, or will Toronto wrap up the season in October? Toronto Radio SN590 - Ben Shulman and Chris Leroux Los Angeles Radio AM570 - Stephen Nelson and Rick Monday Audio clips from MLB.tv As always, thank you to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, box scores, background information, and much, much more. Catch you next time, P.C.O.

World Series Recap Games Four and Five Toronto Blue Jays (94-68) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (93-69) After an epic, 18 inning marathon win in game three, the Dodgers have taken the lead in this series, with two more to go at Chavez Ravine. Freddie Freeman once again played World Series hero, becoming the first player to ever hit multiple walk-off homers in Fall Classic history. Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani etched himself into the record books as well, reaching base in all nine of his plate appearances, by way of two doubles, two homers (including a game-tying shot in the 7th), and five walks (four intentional). And oh by the way, he’s gonna start game four on the mound. Truly a one of one player. Apart from Freeman and Ohtani’s heroics, however, the rest of the Dodger lineup has struggled to produce, and if they don’t turn it around soon, the powerful Blue Jays offense could strike. The much maligned Dodger pen held its own throughout extra innings, but will manager Dave Roberts be able to rely on them again? It can be hard to imagine how a team could bounce back after such a heartbreaking and emotionally draining loss, especially given how many squandered opportunities the Jays (and how many runners got thrown out trying to advance in late innings!) But if there’s anything manager John Schneider knows for certain about his club, it’s their resilience and determination. That of course starts with their homegrown stud, Vladimir Guerrero, Jr., who’s been the best hitter throughout these playoffs. The task will be harder without George Springer, who left game three with an oblique injury and is doubtful to return, but don’t be surprised if fill-ins like Davis Schneider and Isiah Kiner-Falefa find ways to contribute. Opposing Ohtani in game four will be California born Shane Bieber. It’s been an up and down postseason for the Jay’s midseason acquisition, but when he’s on, the former Cy Young can match up with the best of them. Blake Snell and Trey Yesavage will face off again for game five. Neither pitcher was particularly effective in their game one starts, but both have demonstrated the potential for brilliance. Will the Dodgers finish their quest for back-to-back championships in LA, or will the Blue Jays force the series back to Canada? Toronto Radio SN590 - Ben Shulman and Chris Leroux Los Angeles Radio AM570 - Stephen Nelson and Rick Monday Audio clips from MLB.tv As always, thank you to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, box scores, background information, and much, much more. Catch you next time, P.C.O.

World Series Game Three Recap Toronto Blue Jays (94-68) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (93-69) As we head to LA for game three, this series is tied at a game apiece. The Blue Jays jumped all over the Dodgers bullpen in game one, exploding for a nine run sixth inning. The bullpen has been the question mark for Dave Roberts and the Dodgers for much of the year, but he didn’t have to worry about that in game two as Yoshinobu Yamamoto went the distance in yet another stellar performance. For both managers, game three will be quite the test, as we’re in for a marathon. Tyler Glasnow will get the ball for LA, and while he’s been excellent in his two previous starts, he has yet to get past the sixth inning, which means the maligned Dodger pen will have to step up tonight. Mad Max Scherzer will toe the slab, making history as the first pitcher to appear with four different teams in the World Series. It hasn’t been a banner year for the future Hall-of-Famer, but Max has plenty of guile, grit, and moxie. Speaking of history, this game will full of it, with record setting production from the best player on the planet and a fantastic finish from a postseason legend. Toronto Radio SN590 - Ben Shulman and Chris Leroux Los Angeles Radio AM570 - Stephen Nelson and Rick Monday Audio clips from MLB.tv As always, thank you to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, box scores, background information, and much, much more. Catch you next time, P.C.O.

World Series Recap Games One and Two Los Angeles Dodgers (93-69) @ Toronto Blue Jays (94-68) The Fall Classic has begun in Canada, with the Blue Jays hosting the Dodgers for the first two games of the World Series. With George Springer’s epic homer in Game Seven against Seattle, Toronto captured its first AL Pennant in 32 years. Vlad Guerrero, Jr. took home ALCS MVP honors, while Alejandro Kirk and Ernie Clement racked up a ton of hits throughout the series. There is no let up in manager John Schneider’s lineup. And they should see an additional boost, as star infielder Bo Bichette returns to the team after missing thprevious two rounds with an injury.  The Dodgers look to defend their World Series crown as they rolled through the NLCS against Milwaukee, thanks in large part to their outstanding starting pitching. Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani combined for 28.2 innings, 35 strike outs, just nine hits, six walks, and two runs allowed across four games. The task will be much greater against this deep Toronto offense, and if the starters aren’t as effective, Dave Roberts will be forced to turn to a much maligned bullpen (which will be without their best lefty, Alex Vesia, due to an unfortunate family emergency.) Shohei Ohtani has appeared to break out of his postseason slump with a 3 homer day in game four (not to mention six shutout innings and ten strikeouts on the mound!). The rest of the offense has done enough to get by, but they’ll likely need more from the likes of Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, Max Muncy, and the “Brothers Hernández”. In Game One, the youngster Trey Yesavage will take on Blake Snell. Yesavage is making just his seventh career start (and 4th of the postseason), and he’s the second youngest to ever get a game one start (Ralph Branca for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947!). Blake Snell has been absolutely dominant, but he relies on hitters to chase outside the zone, which these Blue Jays avoid better than anyone. For Game Two, expect a lot of splitters as Kevin Gausman and Yoshinobu Yamamoto face off. Gausman has been the Blue Jays best pitcher in these playoffs so far, but it will be tough to match the Japanese star. With the first complete game in the playoffs since 2017, Yamamoto looks to have the first complete game in the World Series in a decade, and he would the first with consecutive complete games since 2004.  Tune in for what should be an excellent series! Toronto Radio SN590 - Ben Shulman and Chris Leroux Los Angeles Radio AM570 - Stephen Nelson and Rick Monday Audio clips from MLB.tv As always, thank you to Baseball Reference and SABR for statistics, box scores, background information, and much, much more. Catch you next time, P.C.O.