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 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.