Step up to the plate for a grand slam discussion on the 2024 MLB season! I'm your host, Fiddy, pinch-hitting for Mike Bono this time around, and we've got the bases loaded with insider predictions, player spotlights, and the managerial chess that could define this year's baseball saga. Joined by the heavy-hitting panel of Tony, TJ, and Austin, we look back at the Texas Rangers' sensational World Series win and pitch our forecasts for the team's chances of a repeat performance. As the Yankees and Mets gear up for another crack at the title and the Guardians embark on a new era, we're here to break down the strategic plays and power hitters that will capture the headlines.
Prepare for a curveball as we swing into World Series predictions and the art of baseball management. Will the Seattle Mariners end their drought and make a splash this season? Can the Braves power through the National League? Our guest panel steps up to the discussion mound, giving props to Bruce Bochy's strategic mastery. But with surprise picks like the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs potentially stealing the spotlight, we're not just playing small ball here – we're going big, examining the potential dark horses who could race out of the Central Division and into the heart of October.
Rounding third and heading for home, we scrutinize the pivotal role of managers in molding a team's success. We dissect the Yankees' high-pressure environment and Marcus Stroman's controversial decision, while also casting an analytical eye on the Baltimore Orioles' quest to validate their Cinderella season. The LA Dodgers, laden with high expectations and even higher payroll, are under the microscope – will they triumph or crumble under the weight of their investment? For a play-by-play on the strategies, expectations, and heart-stopping moments ahead this MLB season, you won't want to miss a single inning of our conversation.
Step up to the plate for a grand slam discussion on the 2024 MLB season! I'm your host, Fiddy, pinch-hitting for Mike Bono this time around, and we've got the bases loaded with insider predictions, player spotlights, and the managerial chess that could define this year's baseball saga. Joined by the heavy-hitting panel of Tony, TJ, and Austin, we look back at the Texas Rangers' sensational World Series win and pitch our forecasts for the team's chances of a repeat performance. As the Yankees and Mets gear up for another crack at the title and the Guardians embark on a new era, we're here to break down the strategic plays and power hitters that will capture the headlines.
Prepare for a curveball as we swing into World Series predictions and the art of baseball management. Will the Seattle Mariners end their drought and make a splash this season? Can the Braves power through the National League? Our guest panel steps up to the discussion mound, giving props to Bruce Bochy's strategic mastery. But with surprise picks like the Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs potentially stealing the spotlight, we're not just playing small ball here – we're going big, examining the potential dark horses who could race out of the Central Division and into the heart of October.
Rounding third and heading for home, we scrutinize the pivotal role of managers in molding a team's success. We dissect the Yankees' high-pressure environment and Marcus Stroman's controversial decision, while also casting an analytical eye on the Baltimore Orioles' quest to validate their Cinderella season. The LA Dodgers, laden with high expectations and even higher payroll, are under the microscope – will they triumph or crumble under the weight of their investment? For a play-by-play on the strategies, expectations, and heart-stopping moments ahead this MLB season, you won't want to miss a single inning of our conversation.
Welcome everybody to another episode of Ride Home Rants. This is your special guest, host Fitty, as I'm filling in for the host with the most, mike Bono, as he takes some time off from the show. Today we have a great episode. It is our Major League Baseball Preview Show with three great guests for the 2024 season. Before we jump into the show, make sure you check out all of our sponsors during the show that we have going on with our pre-roll and our post-roll. Please check out all these great businesses and all these great owners for them. They bring a lot to the table. They're great supporters of the show and we can't be more thankful for them. So please check them out Without further ado, we're going to jump into the show.
Speaker 1:
As we start this baseball season here in March of 2024, there's a lot of exciting times coming back out. You had the Texas Rangers win the last year's World Series in a very dynamic playoff run that they had. You have some big-name questions with the Yankees and Brian Cashman and the Mets and some other teams, and you have the Guardians turning over a whole new era without Tito Francona. So, without further ado, I'm going to have my great panel of guests introduce themselves. They're going to tell you a little bit about themselves, and then we're going to get ready to cover some topics. So let's start with the man-the-myth-the-legend Tony, go ahead and take it away.
Speaker 2:
Good evening. My name is Tony Bogan. I am a Shaker Heights native, currently in Ravenna. My favorite baseball players are two former Seattle Mariners Ichiro Suzuki and the kid Ken Griffey Jr.
Speaker 1:
Okay, let's go with former Willoughby South baseball coach TJ.
Speaker 3:
I'm TJ Lutt. I'm from Willoughby and I graduated from Notre Dame College where I played four years at college baseball my favorite baseball players. Growing up, like Tony, I idolized Ken Griffey Jr. That's where I played my style after the best that I could Maybe controversial. I really enjoyed watching Barry Bonds. I think that he was an MVP before the steroids, but, be it as it may, you still got to hit a ball. I don't care how big your muscles are.
Speaker 1:
And last but not least, Austin, go ahead.
Speaker 4:
My name is Austin Dudley. I'm from St Louis, Missouri, currently living in Cleveland Heights. I also work at Notre Dame College with Johnny. My favorite baseball player of all time would be Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina.
Speaker 1:
Oh, interesting one there. That is definitely a take. I didn't think I was going to think maybe like one of the old, you know famous Cardinals there, but that was a good one. And I have a couple of favorite baseball players of all time. I couldn't pick just one. How could you not love Travis Hefner or Hefner, sorry, being a Guardian fan former Indians great actually, former baseball coach for a volunteer for a time under legendary Len Barker at Notre Dame College. Tj, was Travis there when you were there.
Speaker 3:
He came for a practice while I was there and I missed that practice because I had a night class.
Speaker 1:
Okay. So Travis Hefner, one of my favorite Cleveland Guardians, my favorite, one of my other favorite players, though, mike Piazza. So Mike Piazza was one of my favorite players. Even though I never really liked the Mets, I always liked Mike Piazza. And then, who doesn't love? The great King of Swat, babe Roof. So couple of my favorite favorite guys there. So, guys, as we go through the round table here, we're going to go TJ, tony and then Austin, in the order of answering all the questions. So TJ, tony and Austin Same question for everybody here. So, tj, let's start with you, because you were on this last show in October. You, tony and I, were with Mike previewing the World Series. So the 2023 World Series was between the Rangers and the Diamondbacks, and the Rangers won the series four games to one. Which one of these teams is best built to make it back to the World Series this year? Who do you think?
Speaker 3:
I have both teams missing the playoffs this year entirely, but if I had to choose between those two, I would say that Texas has the best chance of making it into the playoffs this year. I think that the American League just has a few more routes to get into the playoffs, so I would say Texas has the best chance. Okay, tony, what about you?
Speaker 1:
I do not have Texas missing the playoffs, Sorry.
Speaker 2:
TJ. I do believe that Texas does have the best route and I just got to say on a side note, it's really great for them to end that legacy of failure, because they had so many chances in the playoffs made to the World Series, twice Came within one strike of knocking off the Cardinals in 2011. Couldn't do it Gave up that Joey Batts Homer in 2015 and they finally got. So I got to say Texas has the best shot.
Speaker 1:
And Austin round us out on this. Who has the better shot to return to the World Series this year the Rangers or the Diamondbacks?
Speaker 4:
You know I'm a huge Diamondbacks fan and I would love to say them, but I have to agree that I think the Rangers if either team makes it back, it would be the Rangers overall. Just the depth, yeah.
Speaker 1:
And I think, when you look at the Rangers from last year though, I think and I'm not saying I'm a baseball guy by any means I'm definitely a track football, boxing guy are my main spurs, but you know, being a fan and watching this right, I think Texas has the ability, though, to hit the ball, and hit the ball at a high velocity and score a lot of runs, and I think, whether they're pitching with suspect or not the whole year and maybe backing into the playoffs, I still think the pop of their bats give them a fighter's chance every game, just because they can outscore a lot, a lot of people. So I would say, you know, I would think the Rangers would be the favorite out of both of them. Going back to you, though, tj, on the next one here what is your World Series prediction with your two teams from the AL and NL, and who wins?
Speaker 3:
So my NL World Series team is going to be the Dodgers. I just think they're too good, I think they're too stacked and I think that they have too much playoff experience, even though they get knocked down in the first round the last couple of years. I just think that they have too many veteran guys to allow that to happen year after year, and then you add in the unicorn at the end of that. So I think the Dodgers will make it from the NL, and my AL World Series contender and I have them winning this year is Baltimore. I think Baltimore is a plethora of young guys hungry to go, and they added Corbin Burns, a veteran pitcher, at the start of their rotation. They're going to be a team that's going to be super active at the deadline. I think that Baltimore is going to make a lot of noise and I think people are going to realize how good this team is going to be for the next few years.
Speaker 1:
OK, and I remember a couple of years ago, tony said the Orioles were his sleeper team. I think that was like in the 2022 playoff or 2022 preview for the season. But, tony, to you, who's your AL and NL pick for the World Series and who do you think wins it?
Speaker 2:
Baseball. The playoffs have just been such a crap shoot the past couple of years. I'm going to be completely honest with you. I'm probably going to be wrong, but I say the Seattle Mariners in the eighth, seattle finally breaks through and gets there to their first World Series. And in the NL, I'm sorry they, the Dodgers, have had so much firepower over the past few years but they can't seem to make it out of the, can't seem to make it to the World Series. When you have a hundred plus wins, you should be making deep runs left and right, not losing to and no offense to theirs on the Diamondbacks. They deserved it, they had a great run, they had a great run, but you can't be losing the teams like they have 84, 85 wins and, like I said, no offense, they ain't Diamondbacks fans who listen to this. My NL pick, before I start rambling on some more, oh man, my NL pick is going to be the Atlanta Braves.
Speaker 1:
Okay, allison. How about you on this?
Speaker 4:
Let's see. So I'm a Cardinals fan, so I'm going with the Cardinals or the National. Okay, I have to. It's my pride and joy. The A up, though I could see the Orioles. Obviously I'd like the Guardians to go. That'd be a fun one, but I'd probably. I have to agree with the Orioles. I think they are a strong team.
Speaker 1:
You know, I think there's a lot of teams that definitely could contend. You know my prediction for this and you guys are probably going to all think I'm crazy. I'm going to say, from the AL, though, their World Series pick last year and it failed. But is the raise? I think just Kevin Cash does more with less every year and the raise really started strong last year. I know they got banged up a little bit at the end and they got bounced, but I'm going to predict the raise from the AL and I have them going against the Chicago Cubs.
Speaker 1:
I think Craig Council galvanizes that organization. He had a lot of success at his previous stop, a lot of playoff appearances, winning seasons. I think he makes the Cubs very, very relevant. I also do believe that the Central is not that strong and the Cubs can get out of there and why everybody else is beating up themselves in the East and the West. Central I think can make a deep run with whoever comes out of that. I do believe it to be the Cubs. So you guys probably think I'm insane for that, but I think the raise do win the World Series finally.
Speaker 3:
So that's not too bad. That's not a bad stretch.
Speaker 2:
Yeah, it's not Good coaching will get you a long way, yeah, and if you get a hot run like theirs just going to dime back some of the Rangers did you can go far.
Speaker 1:
And I think that's what the Cubs can do, or whoever comes out of the Central, whether it's the Cardinals or the Pirates or whoever it may be the Brewers. But I'm going to go back to you on this TJ. We kind of just hinted on a little bit with a few of the more marquee teams. I want to see what your take is on this. Who is the best manager in baseball right now?
Speaker 3:
Wow, that is a very, very good question. I think that the best manager right now I'll have to go with Bochi. I think that you just with the experience with getting the most out of your players, with knowing what moves that he wants to make. He has input on what the front office does and who was brought in and what he was able to do with Texas last year. I don't think it was an accident. I think he formulated a team that he wanted and he got them all on the same page of what they needed to do last year. So he's going to get the most out of his team. And I know I said I had Texas missing the playoffs, but I just think that they won't stay as healthy as they did last year, especially the pitching. But when it comes to the best coach getting the best out of their players, I think he really is at the top of that list for me.
Speaker 1:
Okay, what about you, tony? Who is the best manager in baseball right now?
Speaker 2:
I'm going to have to agree with TJ and say Bruce Bochi, he won multiple World Series championships. He got his few with San Francisco, got one with Texas and I got to say that I got to give him his flowers and at least hopefully he doesn't pull a Tony LaRusse and come back 15 years past his expiration date.
Speaker 1:
All these subtle shots at the guy from St Louis with the Cardinals, austin, being on here. Austin, what about you? Who do you think the best manager in baseball right now is?
Speaker 4:
Let's see. Probably Brandon Hyde, not probably our opinion, I don't know. I'm not great with the managerial side of things. I mean the manager makes big, important decisions and can help rally the troops and sometimes I feel player-centric.
Speaker 1:
Sure, I think there's definitely a unique dynamic with both on that and I think and I said this as a former coach and I'm sure TJ, you know what degree Austin, you've coached, tony, you've been around sports a long time A good manager or a good coach is good with good players, you know, and hopefully can just elevate them to be a little bit better and not mess it up right. But a bad coach with good players can really screw things up fast and a bad coach with bad players, of course, are going to have bad results. So I think it is the managing style and maybe the little bit of the ins and outs of certain things, but good managers are going to win with good people. I mean, no one's ever taken the dirty dozen and made them a World Series champion. You know just off of that alone.
Speaker 1:
So you know, for me, I think I would pick Bruce Boci in this case right, for World Series is very hard to argue against, and I would say the guy who doesn't have a World Series though and I would say he is right up there is probably Kevin Cash does most with less. You know every year with. You know with the Rays, especially because it's not like you're in an area that's crazed with baseball. You're really in a state that it truly, I don't think, even cares about baseball, because of the heat, because of the Buccaneers, the Jaguars, the Dolphins, the college football craze. You know college basketball, but he does just so much for the organization. He just galvanizes it and he manages it to not screw it up, you know, and it just gets him get some the most out of everybody there.
Speaker 2:
So that's like snow when he took them out in game six of the 2020 series.
Speaker 1:
Tony, you're just a book of knowledge man. Next one, tj, I want to get your opinion on this. You know which one team has the most to prove this season?
Speaker 3:
Wow, the team that has the most to prove. Okay, I have two teams that came to my head immediately. I think that, and then this could be. I think that Seattle is the first team that came into my head because I think they have all the guys, they have all the pieces and they're on the cusp. They need to prove that they are in the same league as the Astros and they need to make sure that they can. You know, they need to knock off the Astros in that division and I think they're the team to do it.
Speaker 3:
I think Texas, you know, won the series, but I didn't necessarily peg them as the best team in that division last year. But I also think the Yankees have a lot to prove and they always do. Unfortunately, they have that spotlight on them. They spent a ton of money. They're coming in a little banged up with Aaron Judge Hurd, with Garrett Cole Hurd and Marcus Strowman just straight up denied and said no to being the opening day starter because he wanted to stay on his routine and he's going to be in his five day routine. So they are going to have some problems going into the year. But they added Soto and they got some young guys coming up that are studs across the board, but I mean, as the Yankees always do, they have the spotlight on them, they have the microscope on them. I think that they have a lot to prove this year, and so does Aaron Boone.
Speaker 1:
Sure, Tony. What about you? What team has the most approved?
Speaker 2:
this year If I had to go by AL Baltimore Orioles in order for them to prove that last year wasn't a fluke, because they had 100 wins, they had a great pitching staff but got swept by Texas and the ALDS and I don't think they really put too much of a fight up, from being honest with you, outside of maybe game two, but I'll have to say the Orioles because you got to prove the last season Sure, and as far as the National League goes, I am going to have to say the LA Dodgers. I'll say the LA Dodgers because they've spent so much money on Orioles and if they can't make it past the NLDS, dave Roberts should probably pack his bags.
Speaker 1:
Tony, hang tight to those thoughts, because there's a question coming up very similar to this here in a couple Austin. What about you? Who do you think is the one team, that or what team has the most approved this year?
Speaker 4:
I'm sure you're shocked. I'm going to say Cardinals, because that was an embarrassing year for them last year. I mean just atrocious. No one should ever, you know, being a city of baseball lovers, being like that's what we put, you know a lot of our pride and joy into and then just see, you know all you know Browns fans over here. We're not used to that. We're not used to that, we are.
Speaker 2:
I'm not a Browns fan.
Speaker 1:
Sure, no, I get that. I mean, I think when you look at like the blue bloods of Major League Baseball, right, you have like the Yankees, the Red Sox, the Cardinals, you know you have the Giants to an extent, I mean you don't think of them as a blue blood, but they have the World Series hardware to go behind it. You know the Dodgers from their time in the 80s and things like that, even before, when they were Brooklyn. Look at the blue bloods like that. Yeah, there's a lot to approve, I think, with like the Yankees and the Cardinals in there, because they are two of the more historic you know ball ball clubs and Major League Baseball and if it's me picking this, I think it's the Yankees.
Speaker 1:
Ryan Cashman has been there 26 years as the GM hasn't won World Series in 14. Aaron Boone has like very, very much underachieved. You know this isn't the heyday of, you know, mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter and all that. I think people would either. This has turned drastically for them and to get that back, you got to really build up the farm system and really just have some success that these free agents are going to want to go there. But we will see. So we're going to get to this next one. I think it's pretty cut and dry, but we'll see what everybody thinks. I know we talked about this before last year. Tony, is the AOE still the best division in baseball and if not, what division is?
Speaker 2:
It's the AL East because you have four teams finished above 500. Boston was around 500 before they dropped off, but I don't think the RISOX will make the playoffs. But I still think the AL East is a pretty strong division. You've got three playoff teams, four if New York Yankees can get their stuff together.
Speaker 1:
So I know we've and I know we've talked about this on other shows, you know, so that's why I wanted to get you first on there. But, TJ, let's go back back to you. I mean, is the AL East still the best division in baseball?
Speaker 3:
I am going to disagree with this one. I'm going to say the NL East is the best division in baseball. So you have the Braves with that stacked lineup and just top the bottom, look at that division. When you have the Braves that are at the powerhouse and you have their thorn in the side in the Phillies that will continue to nip at them the whole time. You have the Mets that, if healthy, are still a great roster, they still got money invested in that roster that they can make some noise. And, by the way, you have the Miami Marlins who got to their first playoff last year in a while. You have a lot of young guys getting some experience there. So I think that the NL East topped the bottom without any snubs. I really think that they can, you know, cause a lot of people. You know a lot of problems. I see four teams, you know, in that 90 win plus range.
Speaker 1:
Okay, austin, what about you Round us out on this question? Is the AL East still the best division in baseball?
Speaker 4:
If not, who is I also do not believe they are the best. I actually want to go with the NL East as well. I do agree. I mean phenomenal teams are on there. I think just well, philly, like I said, the Braves, wonderful roster, wonderful play style, the Phillies, I mean they make magic happen. But that's also because I think not a huge fan of them, but Bryce Harper can do some wonderful things when he hits a ball, and then I love the. You know I love Miami's team, so I wanted them to win, actually the whole thing.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, that would have been great to have the the Morelands make it back to their third World Series. It's kind of hard to believe that they have two World Series already. So, tj, we're going to go back to you on this. Tony kind of talked about this a little bit and I and I this is something that I was really pondering about when we were making the topics for the show. But let me kind of get through this read and we'll kind of get what you think. The LA Dodgers and manager Dave Roberts have been eight straight playoffs, seven division titles, five seasons of 100 or more wins during that time. Yet they only have one World Series title. If the Dodgers do not win the World Series this year, should they fire Dave Roberts? Tj, take it away A goal that I mean everybody.
Speaker 3:
When they start the season, their goal is to make it to the World Series. More teams understand the odds of them making it. You know, everybody kind of understands what they're trying to do, but everybody goes out and plays extremely hard. When you spend the amount of money that they have spent this year in free agency I mean we're talking with Tyler Glass now we're talking with, obviously, shohei Otani Yamamoto I mean they are spending they said they spent upwards of a billion dollars in free agent contracts over the next foreseeable future If he cannot get this team to play well enough in the playoffs to at least make it, you know, a desirable run, and I think that a deep six or seven run or seven game NLCS is like the line. If he can't get to six or seven games in the NLCS and get knocked out or get to the World Series, then he should be on the hot seat, 100 wins or not, because you get paid to win World Series, you get paid to win championships, you don't just get paid to be the regular season champs, sure.
Speaker 1:
Tony.
Speaker 2:
I have to agree 100%. It takes more than 11 wins to win a World Series. And I gotta say this that basically the Dodgers are a great team. They've won, I believe, six straight NOS championships 2020, they won. They did win the World Series. You can call it the COVID Series or not. They still didn't win a World Championship, but it's time for them that to be the standard and not the exception, just like New York. It's time for it to be the standard. So if, dave Roberts, at least if they make it 100 plus wins and they at least make the World Series and maybe lose their six or seven, you probably keep them around another year. But if they go to the World Series and they lose to the 85 or 86 win Seattle team or Boston team, then it's probably time for them to be shown the door respectfully.
Speaker 1:
Sure Austin, what are your thoughts on this situation with Dave Roberts?
Speaker 4:
You know I have to agree. I mean and this is from a coaching perspective of like, yeah, nobody cares who wins, you wanna win championships, nobody cares that you won so. And so I mean, because if you're losing to teams that you should be in the you know, play playoffs, that's embarrassing.
Speaker 1:
And I'm agree with you guys on this Like I think, not even the hot seat if he doesn't win and I think he should be, you know he should be fired Just because it comes a point right that you can win all the regular season games you want, have all these winning seasons you want in a row I know I bang on the guy a lot. It's like Mike Tomlin, though. You can have all those regular season success you want, like same thing with Dave Roberts, but ultimately, like you set the standards so high, nobody cares what you do in the regular season anymore. They just wanna see what you do in the playoffs, and that is where, like someone, like for the past 10 years, the Steelers have struggled. That's where Dave Roberts has really struggled.
Speaker 1:
Even Eric Spolstra, post LeBron James struggled until he was able to do what he did last year and in 2020, that was somebody else who was similar. You can win all these regular season games but not have success in the playoffs. I think you just build a monster, like in Dave Roberts case, that you set the bar so high, similar to what the Yankees were like before. You set the bar so high and then you just underachieve in the playoffs to the point that no one cares if you won 110 games, cause I would tell you this, the 84 win Texas Rangers, wherever wins they had last year, the Diamondbacks whoever had less would be more than happy to go to the World Series with 84 wins than have 111 and get bounced into NLDS. You know, that's just kind of the way I look at that too.
Speaker 3:
Absolutely, I mean. And also to add onto that you look at somebody like Andy Reid. You almost don't care. You don't care what the regular season, how the record for the chiefs is. That's the last team you wanna face in the playoffs, cause they always find a way to win. Some teams and some managers find ways to win in the playoffs. Dave Roberts needs to start to prove that, because if he's there, I mean easy to learn in, or he's not. So yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 2:
And additionally the Dodgers spend more money than some teams have period.
Speaker 3:
You did this thing. He spent more money this off season than Cleveland spent in the last decade.
Speaker 2:
More, maybe longer, to be honest with you.
Speaker 1:
Yeah, and I think, like to me. I don't even know if I can say like Dave Roberts is a again, I'm not a baseball guy, but Dave Roberts is a good manager, but I could probably name five managers that are way better than him Like, and he has a World Series in all these regular season accolades. But he's done it with this inflated payroll, one of the biggest markets in the United States and LA, and then he constantly still lose. So, like I could also say that a lot of these other managers were a lot better, but Tony or TJ. Let's go back to you this next one, and this is an interesting one because I think they have a chance, but we'll see what you guys think. Is this the year the Pittsburgh Pirates make the playoffs?
Speaker 3:
No, no it's not, and I'm not out of you know just sure they don't have the talent to do it. The Nationally just has too many great teams right now that have the depth to get through it, whether the pitching or the subs, you know, to give the guys the day off. So key players, things like that. But I will throw this out there. They may not have a chance to make the playoffs, but they may have a chance to make the playoffs, but they may have a chance to have the Nationally again. Vp and O'Neill Cruz.
Speaker 1:
Okay, hot, take right there. Tony, what's your opinion on the Pittsburgh Pirates?
Speaker 2:
I'm gonna say that they're not going to make playoffs. I don't think they'll even finish 500, but they're gonna improve. They're definitely gonna improve because they have making strides, because, to be honest with you, I think there may be two or three years away from making a run, but they're on the upswing right now, like the Tigers. They're not gonna make the playoffs for the next two or three years, but they are on the upswing.
Speaker 1:
Okay, austin, round us out on this one. What's your take on the Pittsburgh Pirates?
Speaker 4:
So I actually have a friend who was signed a year contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates. So I should say yes, but no, no Pittsburgh Pirates, I hate them so much.
Speaker 1:
Here's what I would say I think the Pirates, I think they do have a really good chance to finish at 500 or slightly better. I really do, because I also think everybody will beat each other up in the central to the point that I think that they can just keep stealing wins from some of the other teams. Are they going to go to playoffs? No, but what? I encourage everybody, if you ever get a chance, to go to Pittsburgh to watch a baseball game at PNC Park. Yes, absolutely, and everybody knows I hate Pittsburgh, but I love PNC Park for baseball games, man, they are so much fun.
Speaker 1:
And I think, tony, we talked about this before but if people ever get a chance to go see the Pirates, the tickets are like $20, the food's great, there's great seats everywhere, you're right by the water. It's a really, really good time. But I think the Pirates do get a winning record this year. But we shall see. And finally, we're going to finish it up with this question to the guys that all represent Cleveland in a different manner. Tj, starting with you, where do you see the Cleveland Guardians finishing this year in the AL Central?
Speaker 3:
The Guardians will finish fourth, unfortunately. I think that we have a phenomenal rotation but we're just not going to have the depth to get through an entire season with all of them healthy. We're going to move Bieber at the deadline, which is going to put a blow in Cleveland, and I believe that you know, I think the twins are going to run away with this division. I think that the Royals are going to be much better than they were. And here's another sleeper pick. I think Cole Reagan's.
Speaker 3:
The pitcher for the Royals will be the AL Cy Young. He was dominant at the end of the year. I think their pitching is going to help them. They got a lot of young players Bobby Wood, jr and then. So this is where, either third or fourth, but I see Detroit coming around this year. I think they move on from Javi Baez actually, but I think that they're going to have a lot of young guys come up with a pretty good rotation. So I see them finishing fourth. I just don't. When you don't spend money, you don't get results, unfortunately. And in the first year with Boy he's going to be fine. But you know, we're going to realize how special Tito Franco really was with the roster, as you know, undervalued, underpaid, you know, without input and just young, you're going to see how good Tito Franco really was.
Speaker 1:
Okay, tj, what are your? I'm sorry, tony, what are your thoughts, you know, on the Guardian. Where do you think I'm finishing? In the central?
Speaker 2:
As much as I like the Stephen Voight hiring Clubhouse vibes do not translate into wins, if I'm being honest. So, that being said, I think it's going to be one of those things where the team's going to somehow end up putting themselves in contention in August and then the the wagon will fall off. They'll be in wild car contention in mid, late August, possibly in the September, just because the pitching staff will somehow hold teams to the one or two runs again. I see them probably. Their ceiling is finishing second with around 83, 84 wins, and their low point will probably be 67, 68 wins. I say around third place, anywhere between 70 to 77 wins, give or take. If we're out of contention, we trade Bieber, but if we are somehow leading the AL Central or close to it, he then stays, but he's going to leave in the off season.
Speaker 2:
I'm curious to see what a menzardo and De Lauder will do when they're up, though Hopefully we don't trade them for bags of peanuts Because we don't know the goal and say that power costs money. We need power hitters. We don't have that. We hit the least amount of home runs all year. Last year. You're going to have to hit home runs and win games eventually Can't rely on the pitching staff alone.
Speaker 3:
Tony, can I ask you? Tony, let me ask you a question what's up? Last year we, two years ago, we saw Oscar Gonzalez really come into his own. Last year we saw the wheels fall off for him because maybe he was pushed a little too soon, but I also think him for tuning with Will Brennan. Do we want to bring those two up too?
Speaker 2:
early. No, we want to give them some time to grow, just like with menzardo and De Lauder. It sucks because they are definitely show ready, but you don't want to rush them up. They slump and then their confidence is totally shut.
Speaker 3:
I agree, I agree.
Speaker 2:
So I'm going to see what those guys will do, and that's what I have to say.
Speaker 1:
No, that's a good good. That's a ride home runs podcast. That's how this whole thing got started many years ago. So, oscar, round this out on this one. You know, and you're seeing it from an outsider's perspective, you know, being in Cleveland now, but where do you see the Guardians finish and add in the central this year?
Speaker 4:
Now I agree with both points of you could see a second, you could see a fourth. I'm going to stick with a third, though, but I could see perspectives either way. Obviously, the twins are phenomenal, even though I know everyone in the city hates the twins for obvious reasons, but they are a strong team. Kansas City, who I also hate, again, they've come into their own the past couple of years. I think I could see them going second, but Detroit has been. I mean, I worry for Detroit because I remember one of my youngest years watching baseball. Detroit had a pretty powerful team, so I could see them bringing back a powerful team and putting the Guardians in fourth.
Speaker 1:
So I think these are all, and these are all valid points. I think, though and I talked about this before on our other shows I think the Central is the worst division in baseball by far, like by far the worst division in baseball, and I think, just because it's so bad, that I think the Guardians will finish second with a losing record. I think there'll be like an 80 to 80, there'll be like 80 and 82. Everybody else will be between like 65 to 78 wins, and I just think the twins will run away with it. There'll be probably a 100 win team, like 99 or 100 wins, 62, 63 losses, but I think everybody else is so bad in there and they're all so close to each other, I just think they'll just keep beating each other up.
Speaker 1:
I think you're going to see four losing records in the Guardians in second place, which kind of. Then brings me to this point, and this wasn't even really one of the topics, and I want to get your guys' opinions, because, austin, you live very close to downtown, and TJ I know you're a Lake County guy originally, you kind of live out of the area now and Tony as well, and I'm up here about 30 minutes from downtown. But the and for all of our guests who don't know, the weekend of opening day, which is April 8th on a.
Speaker 1:
Monday, Cleveland is going to be rocking and rolling because opening day goes to that is going to be at that night. We have the eclipse going on here in the totality of where it's lining up. That will be right in the middle of that earlier in a day. And the women's final four for the NCAA is the fifth and the seventh. Friday and Sunday, and potentially you're talking about Iowa and their crazy fans coming in with Caitlin Clark here for that. So, with Cleveland potentially seeing one of the busiest four day spans they've ever seen in their history, even probably outside of the Republican National Convention about eight years ago, what are your guys' opinions on that weekend in Cleveland? Is this exciting for the area? Are you going to try to go somewhere down there? See something? Try to stay away. What are you guys thinking on this? Austin, let's start with you, because you are the outsider that's here but yet the closest that lives in downtown Cleveland. Are you excited about what's coming, the fifth through the eighth or you like? No, I'm staying out of that way.
Speaker 4:
I'm excited. But ever since I moved here, exciting events have happened in Cleveland. The All-Star Game happened before. I'm a political, I like politics, so one of the why can't I think the debates the case they're like. So I'm always excited, I like it. I like happening cities. So I think Cleveland is a city that deserves to be controversial, bigger than Columbus. So I think that's happening. I love it.
Speaker 1:
Okay, and what about you, tony? What do you think is going to go on that weekend? Are you excited from the fifth to the eighth? Are you going to try to be down there? Are you going to try to cover anything? What's going on with you that weekend?
Speaker 2:
Oh, I, whether permitting, I was probably going to cover a high school baseball game in Akron, but maybe I might make my way up there, possibly if I get a chance. But WrestleMania is also that weekend too, so I was going to watch it with my pops as well, and it's WrestleMania 40,. But I will say that this Cleveland is a city on the come up man. They had the All-Star Game in 2019. I wish I went up there for that. That's neither here nor there. The NFL draft they had the NBA All-Star Game. I got to take a pick with Bill Walton, by the way. But you know, yes, I did get to take a pick with Bill Walton. He's just as nice a guy in person as people say he is. But yes.
Speaker 2:
I will say this Cleveland is a city that is on the come up for sure, and this won't be the last major event that Cleveland gets.
Speaker 1:
Sure TJ, what are your thoughts about that weekend? Up here for all the listeners.
Speaker 3:
It's going to be crazy. It's going to be buzzing. We're going to have people from other places. It'll be like a Walmart on a Saturday afternoon with all the different personalities that will be there. But with my timing, I have a wedding down in Alabama so I will be nowhere near here during that weekend. So, oh man, I'll have to hear about all the fun things that go on in Cleveland. But I mean for as much as we you know we're moving out the weather, this and the other. We're going, we're not coming back. I wish we lived down south.
Speaker 3:
Cleveland's a great place. Cleveland's fun. There's lots of things to do and when people come here they do rave about how you know the festivities. I mean, you got Cedar Point that's real close. You got the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame that's in Cleveland. Obviously we have one of the best hospitals in the country. I mean we have a lot of things going on with Cleveland. So I really hope we do get our props. I hope that we host well. You know people leave with positive views, but yeah, it's going to be a riot here, for sure.
Speaker 1:
Yeah for sure, and I think really with. I think the final four is really going to be like the telltale sign of how crazy it's going to get. Because if you get like Iowa in there right, and you get some of these other teams and you know the hype for the Guardians, you know opening day and the weather can be nice and all these people are going to be down there for the eclipse man. I know they're expecting like half a million people, maybe three-fourths of a million people. You know 750,000,. You know potentially 800,000 people going downtown that weekend. So just want to put the plug out there for all the listeners. You know the show air two weeks before that goes on. So anybody who's interested, you want to come up to Cleveland? You know, check it out. I know the old hotels are sold out, though for like a 40-mile radius. So if you're going to come, I'm going to say a little farther out or take a day trip.
Speaker 3:
And we're playing Oakland, so you know, the Guardians might put up a 10-spot and give us something fun to watch.
Speaker 1:
They may. They definitely may Well to our guests TJ, tony and Austin. Thank you so much for helping preview the 2024 MLB season on this episode of the Ride Home Rants podcast. As always, if you like the show, be a friend, tell a friend. If, even if you don't like it, tell them anyways. They may download the show just because you didn't. This is Fitty signing off. We will see you next week.
