2 Guys Talking Baseball
Dallas Danger and Brian Logan discuss the game of baseball. Two fans, two personalities, Two Guys!
2 Guys Talking Baseball
Episode 48
The MLB All-Star ballot has opened, and we're diving deep into our picks for baseball's midsummer showcase in Atlanta! This episode features our annual tradition of revealing who we believe should start the All-Star Game, position by position, in both leagues.
The American League features some fascinating races this year. At catcher, we debate between Seattle's Cal Raleigh's 23 home runs versus Adley Rushman's star power despite his down year. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leads a crowded field of first basemen, while Detroit's unexpected dominance has us highlighting several Tigers, including Glaber Torres at second base.
Over in the National League, the conversations get even more spirited. Pete Crow-Armstrong earns our unanimous support for the outfield, with both of us agreeing he's on an MVP trajectory if he maintains his current pace. We analyze Freddie Freeman's incredible season at first base despite playing through ankle issues, and debate whether Mookie Betts or Francisco Lindor deserves the starting shortstop nod.
Beyond the ballot, we celebrate Tarek Skubal's dominance (16 innings, 4 hits, 20 Ks in his last two starts) as the Tigers maintain baseball's best record. We also update our "White Sox Watch" with the news that Colorado finally won their first series since September, sweeping the Marlins to close the gap on last year's historically bad Chicago team.
Who will be the overall vote leader this year – Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani? Will the Cubs and Dodgers dominate the National League roster? Text us through your podcast app and let us know your All-Star picks! We'll read your message on air in our next episode.
Hello everybody, welcome back inside the Three Crows Studios in Morristown, tennessee. It is a very exciting edition of Two Guys Talking Baseball. All-star voting opened up this week and we are making our annual All-Star picks and I'll be honest with you I never know what my best friend and colleague is going to say when we do any kind of pick-em shows. So I am anxiously awaiting to hear from the man who, in 2022, picked Anthony Rendon over Rafael Devers for third base in the American League, when he had barely played at all that season and when I prompted him as to why he simply said I just like him. That, of course, is the sea lion, brian Logan.
Speaker 2:Hello it's a great week for baseball. I've missed everybody.
Speaker 1:You almost flubbed the line, I almost did, but that's okay, I didn't. I've been working on that intro for a day or so.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we're making our all-star picks today, and it's always a good time to do that, and you know we focus a lot on, you know, on the Cubs and the Dodgers. Obviously, we're focused pretty hard on the Rockies right now, as we were the White Sox last year. This gives us a chance to talk about a lot more teams and a lot more players that we don't really get to every week or every episode. You'd think so. Well, you'd think Not as much when the Cubs and Dodgers are as good as they are this year.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we just voted straight ticket.
Speaker 1:But hey, we got to pick a whole AL team.
Speaker 2:I know that's true.
Speaker 1:But before we do that, thank you for being here, as always. We took last week off just because we did and you know that's going to happen If you're fairly new to the show we sort of privately Brian and I committed to doing a full season, which we have yet to do in the three years or so that this podcast has been a thing, and we're very committed to making it all the way through the season. And that just doesn't always get to be a weekly thing for me with my current schedule. But I'm happy to be here this week and talk about everything going on in the world of Major League Baseball. I'm already thinking ahead.
Speaker 1:The College World Series is coming up soon. We're going to cover that a little bit. Hopefully we'll be calling in some help for that, since we don't follow college as closely as we would like to. But today we're focused on the big leagues and we've got a couple things to cover before we get into all-star picking. So let's start with some notes on the Chicago Cubs. Well, let's start with Brian. What have you been watching outside of our regular viewing?
Speaker 2:Outside of the Cubs and Dodgers. I caught the atlanta versus the nationals series and I've caught a couple games of those and it was a pretty good game. You know, I I can't tell you who won because I think they split them, um, but uh, I enjoyed watching atlanta play, as I usually do. Yeah, they're kind of my go-to right, you know right because they, because when they're the other games are blacked out because you know the cubs played cincinnati, so we're blacked out for some reason?
Speaker 2:yeah, for some dumb reason so the braves were the local feed on on the old cable, on the spectrum, if you will, yeah and uh. So, yeah, that's what I, that's what I watched, and you know I love all these. And harris, uh, the second, or is it?
Speaker 2:yeah michael harris yeah, michael harris, I like him a lot. Uh, he had a shot, that, and one I think it was game two, I don't quote me on that that went upper deck. It was a shot and a half that you knew. As soon as it come off the bat, you were like, well, that's gone. Yeah, you know. So that was cool.
Speaker 1:But uh, yeah, I enjoyed it and I enjoyed, uh, just sitting there with ashley talking and watching baseball, that I didn't have to be on the edge of my seat yeah, it was nice and you know, um, we're going to talk a little bit about the nationals in our all-star picks, but uh, that's a team that's coming along a little bit.
Speaker 2:They are playing, because I watched them last night. They're playing better than they should be. They're not that good of a team, but they're playing pretty good. Does that make sense?
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I think a lot of that is just how young they are. Yeah, and there's a lot of guys on that roster that are just loaded with talent, that are kind of just still figuring it out.
Speaker 1:Yeah, but you know Mackenzie Gore has been great for them and I mean that's a saga. He was a top prospect for a long time, has been pretty disappointing and now he gets with the nationals and he's kind of their ace and he's doing ace stuff. Yeah, um, you know we won't talk much about pitchers in the all-star picks just because you know it's irrelevant, because you know we don't get to vote for pitchers. But mckenzie gore's got a shot of being on the national league all-stars as a starting pitcher. And, um, you know, j Abrams has been talked about a lot. He's having a good year, you know, and some other guys that will likely come up later.
Speaker 1:You know, I watched two Sundays ago, on the 25th of May, the Tigers and Guardians were on the roku channel, lead off the early morning sunday game that was originally, I think, on peacock and now it's moved over to the roku channel and, uh, terry scoobel had an absolute gem of a game, one of the better games we've seen pitched in a long time when all nine innings only gave up two hits, no walks, no runs, struck out 13 and just the electricity in Detroit. Right now, um, the Tigers have the best record in the game. Um, that's talking about teams coming along and building. You know they kind of snuck into the playoffs last year, surprised some people. They should not be surprising anybody at this point. They've really got it together and Tarek Skubal is a big part of that. I don't think there's a lot of argument. I know there's certainly a lot of buzz surrounding Paul Skeens Plenty of guys, yoshinobu Yamamoto, basically every pitcher on the Philadelphia Phillies having great years, but I don't know that you can argue against Tarek Skubal as the best pitcher in the majors right now.
Speaker 1:And then this past week he followed that complete game, shutout up with seven shutout innings, two hits, seven strikeouts. So in two games he pitched 16 innings, only gave up four hits and struck out 20. Yeah, I mean that's that is um impressive, uh, to say the least. So I really enjoyed that man and and it's cool to see a team that hasn't been at that level in a while ignite their city and their fan base, just to hear the place going crazy at the end of that with Tigers win again, tigers win again playing in the ballpark. The Tigers are fun, man. I think we've talked a little bit about javi baez and, yeah, his resurgence, and um moving to center field and just contributing and and um doing what veterans need to do on teams like that and um. So, yeah, man, I might, uh, I might tune into some more tigers, uh, this year I mean it was, it was I had a lot of fun watching that game.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think you know we get a game or two in the off hours, you know on travel days, and then you want to keep watching them and there's only so many hours and so many games you can watch and they're running together for me for a little bit this past week, not terribly, I can still differentiate, but I've watched so much baseball here recently it's all becoming a blur.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I love that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that's great Because I am at one with the baseball.
Speaker 1:I'm pretty jealous if we're being honest.
Speaker 2:I have hit every Cubs and dodgers for the past two to three weeks. That's great every every night.
Speaker 1:That's incredible. Yep, I wish I had the time to do that these days. Uh, I really do. I don't get to watch nearly as much as I'd like. But speaking of the cubs, um couple of notes here. Um, first off, very quickly, miguel Amaya, out four to six weeks, which seems like a little bit of a blow. But Reese McGuire comes up and in his first game hits two home runs, looks really good. This Cubs catching group not one that we looked at coming into the season as one of the better you know catching teams and they have really stepped up. Amaya's been pretty good. Carson Kelly we're going to talk about Carson Kelly in a little bit. But even Reese McGuire coming up and contributing and doing some good things for the cubs, yeah, I mean, he fit right in there, didn't he?
Speaker 2:I mean he, you thought maybe he's gonna be the odd man out. Nah, he slid right in there and you know it's a three-man rotate. It's two rotation now, but it was a three there for a little bit and he was holding his own with with both of them. Yeah, just just perfect example of hitting being contagious yeah, yeah, just embracing the culture and just jumping right in with both feet yeah, so.
Speaker 1:So that's, that's really good. You know, seems like, uh, things are. Things are going well for the cubs right now very well sure so Interesting bit of news. It looks like that in 2027, the All-Star Game will be at Wrigley Field.
Speaker 2:Yeah, that is very interesting.
Speaker 1:A lot of reporting coming out that there were some reports that it's final. Cubs came out and said nothing is finalized yet Other reports that it's close. They're just kind of tying up the loose ends. There's a proposal between the city, the state of Illinois and the Cubs to make some upgrades at the ballpark. What I read suggested that the hosting of the 2027 All-Star Game is not contingent on these upgrades. But it is something that they're doing to sort of smooth that process and that you know that that week a little bit. Um, you know, wrigley, wrigley's a great place, but it's, it's, she's, she's an old gal.
Speaker 2:Well, imagine this the home run Derby. When the winds blowing in, the home run derby, when the wind's blowing in, oh, there's gonna be some upset people. Oh, that'd be great, wouldn't it be? I mean, it it'll be the middle of the summer, so it'll probably be blowing out, which that in itself is going to be some shots, yeah. But if by some chance it's blowing in, oh, good luck on the home run derby yeah because it just it ain't gonna happen yeah for sure.
Speaker 1:So that's exciting, man. I think Wrigley would be a great host for the All-Star game here in a couple years. Oh, absolutely, we'll see. You know, the Cubs have some big stars now. Team could look a little different in two years, absolutely, but that's certainly exciting for Cubs fans and the city of Chicago there on the north side.
Speaker 1:As far as the Dodgers go, you know things are getting a little interesting. Still far from hitting the panic button, you know, still playing good, winning more games than we're losing. That division is tough though, and the injuries have piled up a little bit. Evan Phillips moved to the 60-day injured list. He's going to have Tommy John surgery, which is a shame, but you know it is what it is. You know throws, throws. Those sweepers with a lot of spin throws really hard in this day and age. You elbow issues was kind of inevitable, I guess I hate to say it that way or oversimplify it, but it's the world we live in.
Speaker 1:Dodgers certainly having to get creative with roster construction, especially in that bullpen Trading, for Alexis Diaz, former all-Star closer with the Reds, fell off a cliff and not a stuff guy.
Speaker 1:The most unique thing about him is he releases the ball closer to the home plate than anybody else in the big leagues and that makes up for the lack of stuff or it has at points in his career.
Speaker 1:So, dodgers, not immediately putting him on the big league roster? They send him over to Arizona to work with some of the coaching staff, I'm sure, figuring out what they can do immediately to kind of help him out, get him back going, get his confidence back up, before they throw him, you know, um out of the frying pan and into the fire, so to speak. But um, yeah, you know Dodgers are playing good and and in a. You know we talked ad nauseum about the, the stretch for the Cubs to open the year, and now the Dodgers are going through a similar stretch where it's just weeks and weeks and weeks, day after day after day, playing good teams and so far the Dodgers have been up to the task. Looked clearly like the best team against the Guardians in Cleveland, won a series against the Mets, I think after that and you know, brian, I told you this off the air a couple days ago I think the injuries right now are the difference between winning series and sweeping series for the Dodgers.
Speaker 2:Oh, without a doubt, they played the Yankees. They're playing the Mets now.
Speaker 1:Well, we played the Mets like three times in like a two-week span Right, right, right it's weird. You're right about the Yankees. We did win that series against the Yankees too.
Speaker 2:What a series it was. It was so fun.
Speaker 1:Wow, that second game 18-2. Incredible, Everybody got involved.
Speaker 2:Everybody. I game 18 to 2 incredible. Everybody got involved. Everybody. I thought I was going to hit a home run there for a minute. I got so excited. I was like ashley's, like where you going? I'm like I'm gonna go down there hit a home run they're calling me in.
Speaker 2:They're calling me in but no, they're, they're playing good. And you know the last episode I kind of got on you a little bit and said they're a third place team. They are not a third place team, nowhere near it maybe third place in the national league.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah but uh, they're playing great and they're taking the series that they need to take and that you know it's not really fair, because we expect them to sweep everybody right. All they got to do is take the series. Yep, you know, and we forget that, or at least I do.
Speaker 1:Sure.
Speaker 2:Because you know I'm living and dying on every pitch here now, right, and you know they're just taking care of business and they are hitting. You know the tough part of the schedule.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and again, you just got to survive that and if you can come out of that, over .500 during that stretch. You know, I think that's just again that expectation is so high with this team and so many things are going right, even though there's things not going great and the injuries. And you know, I mean we just don't have enough right-handers in the bullpen right now and some guys struggling, and I think some of that is being blown out of proportion because injuries affect guys that are still on the team too, because when you're strapped in the bullpen and you can't really platoon the way you want to, guys are going to get put in spots they wouldn't normally be in. You know, tanner scott has not looked great, but he's pitching against guys that I think sometimes if we had more health in the bullpen he wouldn't be in those spots right, and they're just leaning on him a little bit more than they, than they, than they would like to. But you know he got the big contract, so at the end of the day he's got to go out there and try to get the job
Speaker 1:done. Um, but yeah, definitely no reason to panic. No, no, no, you know, especially when you look at what happened to this team last year? Yeah, and what? What was overcome to win that world series in 2024, this is no different. Yeah, every team. You know we say it all the time. It's a long season, 162 is a lot of games, and every team faces adversity. You know, it doesn't matter if you're in first place or if you're in last place or anywhere in between. There's things you've got to overcome in that long stretch of games and the Dodgers are certainly no different. But one more note Chris Taylor, since the last time we spoke, has signed with the Angels Witness protection.
Speaker 2:He's going to do good there.
Speaker 1:Well, and I love that. He got an opportunity to stay close, doesn't have to uproot his whole life. He's a family man now, just recently had his first child and gets a chance to go across town and still play the game and get paid and all that. I haven't really paid much attention to what he's doing just yet in Anaheim, but I'm just glad he's on a team somewhere. Seems like a good fit, I think. So I will say this I have not gotten used to him in red yet. Yeah, it's weird, it's very weird. And sometimes you know, like when Cody Bellinger left and went to the Cubs, I said that doesn't look weird, that works for me. Yeah, right, I said that doesn't look weird, that works for me. Yeah, right off the bat. But yeah, man CT in a different uniform is. It's almost like Justin Turner. I'm still not used to seeing Justin Turner in a different uniform.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And I don't know that I ever will be Boy. I am, I bet you are.
Speaker 2:I bet you are. It looks right at home for me, man yeah.
Speaker 1:I'm sure. I'm sure and I think JT's got a lot to do with the success the Cubs are having this year Absolutely.
Speaker 1:Unsung hero, I would say Very behind the scenes, billing in the gaps when needed. Well, and beyond that, I think just his presence and his veteran leadership is so valuable to that team. And, you know, the more the season goes on, the more I see pictures and video of him and PCA right next to each other a lot, and I don't think that's a coincidence. Yeah, I think that's very by design. It wouldn't surprise me if JT was seeking out PCA or the other way around, if PCA was seeking out JT a lot. They just seem to mesh and get along really well and that's great, great for the Cubs and great for both players. That's just awesome to see. So, yeah, wish CT the best in Anaheim. Obviously I hope he continues to prolong his big league career and you know, I'm sure one day we'll see him back at Dodger Stadium and he'll get to be celebrated. Because you know there are moments in Dodger history that you know that he's a huge part of a main character in Right. So that 2021 wild card game walk-off home run I'll never forget it Came up out of my seat, just absolutely. It's one of those moments I'll never forget, it forever, you know. And that 2018 NLCS you know great catch in Milwaukee that gets played over and over. You know, for years, every time the Dodgers played the Brewers they showed that highlight. Yeah, you know and yeah, so wish him all the best now that he's caught on somewhere else.
Speaker 1:And before we get into our All-Star picks, we have to update White Sox watch. So the last couple weeks it has seemed like the Rockies couldn't possibly catch the White Sox from 2024. It felt insurmountable. But baseball is a funny game and things can turn around quickly. Yep, because the Rockies have not only won their first series since September. They got a sweep in Miami, wow. Won three in a row. Wow, that's called a winning streak.
Speaker 1:So now, if we look back to one year ago today, the Chicago White Sox were 15-47. That's a 242 winning percentage. They were 26 games out of first place with a negative 140 run differential. Okay, the Rockies are closing the gap. They are now 12 and 50. Wow, that's a 194 win percentage. They are only 25 games behind. In a way better division, yeah, than the al central was last year. So they're actually closer to first place for uh on on uh june 5th this year than the white socks were last year. So they're actually closer to first place on June 5th this year than the White Sox were last year, which is kind of staggering to see. Negative 181 is the run differential for the Rockies. But yeah, they got a series win and it was a sweep and the sky's the limit for the Colorado Rockies.
Speaker 2:Oh, they're on a roll now. There's no stopping them.
Speaker 1:I want to real quick. I want to check and see who they've got next.
Speaker 2:Well, they're on such a roll now. They better watch out, because here they come, they're on a win streak.
Speaker 1:Yeah, unbelievable. You know, and shout out to the Marlins, who are probably not getting enough attention for how bad they are Right, because the Rockies are taking all that attention away. Let me take a look here and see. Rockies are off today. Yeah, riveting radio.
Speaker 2:Riveting when he Googles, we love it. They go nuts in the stands.
Speaker 1:The Rockies are at home against the Mets starting tomorrow, so that's going to be tough. Might be a little tough on them, a little tough, but hey, coors Field is the ultimate equalizer.
Speaker 2:Yeah, be a little tough on them, a little tough, but hey course, field is the ultimate equalizer. Yeah, well, and I mean, you know, coming off this dodger loss, that's gonna be. That's gonna be tough for them because of the mets, are gonna be looking for revenge I thought the mets won that series no, we're talking about they're playing them tonight.
Speaker 1:Oh, tonight, yes, yeah right on, I'm with you. Took me a minute, but I'm with you. Yeah, all right. Well, let's get to the um, the heart of the matter. Yeah, this is something we have done. Um, I think this is our third time, yep, I think. So, picking all stars, maybe fourth, I don't know at least three. Uh, we did this very early on, when we um started the podcast in 2022, and, uh, it's, it's, it's been a blast.
Speaker 2:Every time we've done it, I feel this year I've really got better picks than I've had any year prior famous last words.
Speaker 1:Yes, famous last words. You have come a long way as a baseball podcast co-host.
Speaker 1:I've got to say yes, but you know, I said this yesterday and, look, we don't promote this show on social media a lot just because I don't know. Man, for me it feels weird to use social media just to promote. I'm just not, it's just not what I like to do. We got a pretty good groove. Pirate Flag takes care of us, as far as you know. An audience, an audience or a potential audience, I guess. And but I did. I did pop on the old blue sky yesterday and and just say that we were doing this because this is such a great example of the only magic Brian and I have in the lexicon of baseball podcasting, and that is the fact that we are very clear and upfront with the fact that we are not experts in any way.
Speaker 2:No, we're winging it. I know you find that hard to believe.
Speaker 1:We're just two fans who like talking about baseball and, you know, decided, instead of doing it privately on the phone, we were going to get microphones and do it into microphones and record it.
Speaker 2:Two guys with a catchphrase, a hope and a dream.
Speaker 1:That's right, man, that's right.
Speaker 1:So let's get into it. We'll start with the American League. We see less of the American League. We see more now than we used to, thanks to the balanced schedule, but we both root for teams in the National League. We watch way more National League teams and games.
Speaker 1:There's some interesting you know the thing about picking all-stars, and it might not be this way every year, but definitely this year. Every position falls into one of two categories. There's either a totally obvious choice and you're going well, who else would it be? And then there's these positions for instance, shortstop in the American League that are just a toss-up yeah, there's a handful of guys that all could be the right answer. Right. So let's get into it. We're going to start with Ketcher. We are yes, we are. I do my order, not their order. Okay, ketcher should be first. All right. So in the American League, I think there's one obvious choice, and I'm not going to say who it is until Brian tells me his pick for the American League All-Star starter at Ketcher Rushman.
Speaker 1:Wow, I kind of expected you to pick adley, yeah, now listen, yeah, that is a star power. Name recognition over results. Pick okay, because cal raleigh, the big dumper up in seattle is just he's been. He's been a top three to five hitter in all of baseball, while also playing a great defensive role at catcher 23 home runs, 46 RBI as a catcher. I don't know that this vote's going to be all that close. Okay, I want to hear your that close. Okay, I want to hear your pitch for Adley.
Speaker 2:Well, I like him, I like him a lot. I like him too. I enjoy watching him play ball. He's having a bit of a down year, unfortunately, I know, but still he's my emotional pick for a catcher. I couldn't imagine having any other catcher in the American.
Speaker 1:League. Okay, that's fair, that's fair, that's fair. Adley's that guy. In a lot of ways, you know, the Orioles have been a huge disappointment, huge.
Speaker 2:Ashley even gave up on them.
Speaker 1:Yeah, just not a good ball club this year. And you know, I think Adley's at a stage in his career where people expected him to take a step forward.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And he has not done that. So but good for you, man, good for you for picking your guy. I love Adley Rushman. Yeah, I got a lot of time to talk about Adley Rushman If he wears that orange, I'll pick him twice. Yeah, I know you do love those orange jerseys.
Speaker 2:I do, I do.
Speaker 1:All right, let's move on to first base, okay.
Speaker 2:I got Vlad Guerrero.
Speaker 1:And I think it's likely he'll be the guy to get the votes. Yeah, he just got that big $ million dollar contract extension. He has the name recognition, um, and he's having an all-star year. Don't get me wrong. I want to talk about some other guys, though.
Speaker 1:Okay, um, first off, jonathan aranda from the rays um. Hitting 326, a 922 ops. Hitting .326, a .922 OPS. When you go down the list and you look at the stats, his is the first stat line to kind of jump out and get your attention. Obviously doesn't have the name recognition Not a lot of people seeing him play games in Tampa but I thought he was worth bringing up because he's putting up all-star numbers for sure.
Speaker 1:Okay, um. But my pick was somebody we haven't mentioned yet and it's a bit of a surprise, because this guy so far in his career had seemed like a flop was a top draft pick, very highly touted, and that's spencer torkelson from the detroit tigers. Okay, who you're going to hear a lot about because they're playing great. As we mentioned earlier. Best record in the major leagues uh, tork has 14 home runs, 42 rbis, which is what he sort of was expected to be when he got drafted, was just a good power hit in first baseman and, yeah, that's who I
Speaker 1:got picked. But you know, I think you probably will get this one right, just because, again, I think in a fan vote setting, I think Vlad grabs enough votes. He's got the momentum. Well, he's just got the name and the track record. Yeah, you know, this is another group that's a little jammed as far as the numbers and I don't think there's any obvious choice. Yeah, so you would anticipate the biggest star amongst that group, with with the numbers to back up. You know being an all star, you know to get the votes Right, you never know. The fans in Detroit are invigorated, so they might, you know. And Yankees fans are going to vote, you know, and paul goldschmidt's having a pretty good year, so, um, I could see this one going a lot of different ways yeah, I could too, but I I still think he has a momentum and popular vote will overcome everything for sure.
Speaker 1:I think that's that's reasonable. Uh, reasonable to think, uh for sure. So second base is always interesting.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Every year, and you know the baseball barbicast made this point about second base in the major leagues. Right now it's sort of become a utility player spot. Yeah, not a lot of teams have a solid everyday second baseman. So I thought there was an obvious choice here in the american league at second base. Uh, but I'd love to hear who you came up with I came up with the orioles holiday you know what, and that's not a bad pick.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you know, he, he, he started the year off a little rough but has gotten red hot. Um, another highly touted draft pick. Yeah, that that is starting to come into his own and find his way. And you know, I I just kind of feel like the orioles aren't good enough to have that many all-stars. Yeah, you don't think they get two. I don't know that they get more than one, necessarily. And there's a lot of star power on that roster. Don't get me wrong. They're just underperforming top to bottom.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And so Jackson Holiday certainly deserving. Not going to take that away from him. Fun kid to watch.
Speaker 1:Yeah, a lot of fun, a lot of fun. You know. His brother is possibly going to be the first overall pick this year. His dad, matt Holiday, you know, obviously had a long career. So that's always cool to see, you know, especially for guys like me and brian who have been baseball fans our whole lives. And, you know, like vlad guerrero jr, it's so cool to see because we we remember watching his dad play in his heyday and yep, um, no different with jackson holiday, um, but I, I've got glaber torres from the tigers Tigers. I think he's got the numbers Again. They're the best team. They should be the most well-represented.
Speaker 1:And Torres has been an all-star. His first two years with the Yankees he was an all-star, but he's not been back since and I think this is the year and I think he's going to start at second base for the al um, we're breezing through this a little bit, but let's uh, let's talk third base. Uh, I I've I've got a lot to say on third base, so let's start with your pick. Bregman. Yeah, and that's the thing is, if bregman was healthy and was going to be able to play, I don't think there's any question, right, the fact that he's injured and will not be able to play. I don't know that that necessarily prevents him from getting voted in as the starter, but he was the guy before he got injured.
Speaker 1:Yeah, honestly, this is going to be Jose Ramirez again, whether he gets the vote or not over Bregman, he's going to be the guy on the field starting at third base for the American League again, I mean, at this point it's death taxes and Jose Ramirez, I mean this guy's one of the best players in all of the game and just carries that Cleveland Guardian team. Ramirez. Yeah, I mean, this guy's one of the best players in all of the game and, um, you know, just carries that Cleveland Guardian team, um, and has for a long time. So this is, this is his spot to lose now that Bregman's uh on the shelf. But I definitely want to bring up Bregman because he's he's you know, um, I mean, and and the Bregman signing in Boston, as we've talked about a lot, really shook that whole roster up.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:You know, with the move endeavors and now there's all this positional drama and not sure where to put guys, and the issues with the Red Sox roster construction are really being exposed this year. Yeah, very prevalent. Yeah, they got a lot of good players, but the pieces aren't fitting the puzzle together.
Speaker 1:Yeah, they're just not putting the pieces together to have any more success than they are Now. This is an absolute traffic jam of a position. Um, and I got a hunch of who brian's gonna pick. But uh, let's talk about shortstop in the american league. Beau bachette, I knew it. I knew it and a lot of other years. I would probably agree with you, because bo's having a nice bounce back year. Yeah, he's in a contract year, so he's definitely making himself some money, um, whether that's re-signing with toronto or moving on. Um, just running down some names jeremy pena in houston having a great year worthy of an all-star nod. Bob Bobby Witt Jr. One of the best players in the game. Doesn't quite have the numbers of some of these other guys. But back to the Vlad Jr comparison. This is a guy that's going to get some votes just because of who he is Right. Zach Netto from the Angels hasn't played a lot, has been injured, but when he's in he's been magnificent and he's turning out to be what the Angels had kind of hoped and expected he would be my pick, though.
Speaker 1:At shortstop for the AL is a rookie Okay, and that's Jacob Wilson from the A's. All right is a rookie okay, that's jacob wilson from the a's. All right, uh, really unique player. All contact, not much power, but just puts the bat on the ball. Um, he's hitting 358, he's got a 904 ops, he's got 33 runs batted in and um, he's just.
Speaker 1:You know, the the A's have fallen off a cliff mostly due to their pitching and I don't think the issues with their facilities in Sacramento are blameless in their decline as of late. But they have a really exciting position player group and Jacob Wilson's a big part of that. Another legacy guy his dad, jack, played in the big leagues for a while, has gone on to coach, most recently here where we are in the Appalachian League. But I just really like Jacob Wilson. He's sort of an old-school throw throwback guy. Doesn't hit for a lot of power. Um, I think it'd be exciting to see him in the in that crowded group. Um, kind of get the get, the get the edge there. Yeah, all right. So, um, we're, we're, we're winding down in the al. Let's talk about the outfield. Okay, give me your three outfielders.
Speaker 2:Belly Judge and Christopher Murrell. Christopher Murrell.
Speaker 1:Yep Talking about emotional picks. That was the emotional pick.
Speaker 2:I could not. I actually had other people selected. It was just like I got to go with him. Somebody's got to vote for him. He's such a good kid.
Speaker 1:Yeah, we love us some Christopher Murrell. We always had a great time seeing him play over down the road for the Smokies when he was in the Cubs organization. But I don't know, you might be the only one voting for Christopher.
Speaker 2:Brown. Well, somebody had to vote for him, and I voted five times for him. Well, good for you, so you'll get at least five.
Speaker 1:Good for you. He deserves it, just as a person. Yes, he does. Yeah, I don't think a guy with a 79 OPS plus is going to be on the All-Star team. Yes, he does. Yeah, I don't think a guy with a 79 OPS plus is going to be on the All-Star team as much as I would like to. We got on the ballot. That's part of it. It's a very small part of it. And Bellinger yeah, I could see Bellinger. He's having a good year. You know Been huge for the Yankees. You know A part of that big pivot when they didn't resign. Soto, um, I mean, judge is the big duh. Um, you can just go ahead and give him one spot and we can vote on the other two. Yeah, um, I was a little surprised that you didn't go with byron buxton from the twins.
Speaker 2:You're always so high on him, right well that I usually am high on him, right Well, that was the deal. I had him picked and then I thought, nah, I gotta go with Morrell. So that was the way that went down, because I don't have any Twins on my list here and I usually get one or two Twins.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you're really high on the, the twins and buxton's having a really good year, um, a career year in a lot of ways, which is, you know, hard to believe. We've been talking about byron buxton for so long, um, as a guy that if he could stay healthy would be one of the better players in the league and, and he, he has done that, uh, this year. So I have him with judge and um, I had, I had a hard time with my third spot in the outfield in the al. A lot of good options, um, but.
Speaker 1:But, as I talked about with jacob wilson, I really like the position player group for the a's, so, and and this is a kid who's from atlanta has been very vocal about the fact that he really wants to be at the All-Star Game in Atlanta this year, and that's Lawrence Butler. Okay, electric, just an electric player, a lot of fun to watch and I think that would play up in the All-Star Game, yeah, so Lawrence Butler got my third spot in the outfield. I thought Judge and Buxton were the two obvious, and then again I just kind of went with my own personal preference on the third one, right, much like Ryan did with Murrell.
Speaker 2:I couldn't leave my little buddy out.
Speaker 1:I know he's such a great guy We've said it before but if you're new to the show, if he spotted a kid anywhere near him in the stands, he made that kid's day. He went out of his way to make sure that kid had a memorable night at the ballpark.
Speaker 2:Just bumping hugs, just giving them stuff, giving them baseballs.
Speaker 1:Yeah, just a great and an infectious personality. I mean, you wanted him to do well, just by seeing how much fun he has playing the game, yep. So yeah, love me some Christopher Murrell. Don't think he'll be on the All-Star team, but at least Brian's voting for him. I am five times. I love that commitment. I just love it. All right, I can't wait to hear this shit. Who do you have DH-ing for the AL Solaire? Solaire, yeah, interesting pick. Yes, why exactly did you not vote for Rafael Devers again? I just didn't.
Speaker 2:I'd like Solaire and I went with him.
Speaker 1:Okay, all right, I'm going to look up his numbers. You know I looked at this group and you know we've talked so much about the Raphael Devers saga saga and the fact that he's only DHing and all this, but at the end of the day, I couldn't feel right about picking anybody else. Yeah, soler's a below-average hitter this year too.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, he needed the votes.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I guess, so, I guess so.
Speaker 2:I don't watch enough American league.
Speaker 1:I love. I love how you give the angel shit every time they come up and you picked their DH over Devers. I know I feel like you've got a personal vendetta against Raphael Devers.
Speaker 2:I might. I might have a. I might have some issues there. I'm going to have to talk to my therapist about it. I want to like Devers, but I just can't. I'm not available this week. How does that make you feel? Well, it makes me feel confused. And how does that make you feel?
Speaker 1:Well confused.
Speaker 2:My joke went over your head. Yeah, I know You're not available for sessions this week. No, I'm a little busy.
Speaker 1:Okay, a little covered up. All right, this is as close as a therapy session as you and me get together, oh yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we should do couples therapy.
Speaker 1:Oh, my God.
Speaker 2:That would be something that would be. Of all the things we've done, that would be one of them.
Speaker 1:That would be a thing, yeah.
Speaker 2:That would be a thing we did, for sure.
Speaker 1:All right. So now you've got no excuse because we're going to the National.
Speaker 2:Okay, yes, and this is even worse.
Speaker 1:All right, scroll down there, because we're starting with catcher again. Okay.
Speaker 2:My catcher is William Contreras again.
Speaker 1:Oh, okay, that's an interesting pick as well.
Speaker 2:That's who I went with last year and I see no reason to change this year.
Speaker 1:Well, I'll give you a reason, and that is Will Smith, Batting .323, been one of the top hitters in all of the game. Now, do I think Will Smith is going to fly from San Francisco to Atlanta, catch three innings and fly back to LA? Not really, but I think he's going to get the votes.
Speaker 2:Well, here's the thing because I went in the order that they had me pick in, by the time I got to the bottom of the order I realized I can't pick any more Dodgers Because this is going to be out of control. So that's why I didn't pick him.
Speaker 1:I got it, I'm with you, and that's the thing too. And I think, especially in recent years, there have been guys on the Dodgers and I think Will Smith was one of these guys for a couple years. They just have so much star power that there are guys that are very deserving that don't get to go to the All-Star game simply because there's already too many Dodgers on the team. And one of the great things about the All-Star game in Major League Baseball is every team has to be represented. So the Rockies have to have an All-Star, the the Rockies have to have an all-star. The White Sox have to have an all-star. The Marlins have to have somebody on the team. Yeah, so you know that cuts guys like a Will Smith sometimes off the roster. Yeah, but I think it's Will this year. Man, I just don't know that there's been a better catcher. William Contreras is a great catcher. You know, probably, man, he's. I just don't know that there's been a better catcher. William contraris is a great catcher.
Speaker 2:Um, you know, probably gonna be on the squad remember last year I got the brothers confused and I got all over clamped and couldn't figure out.
Speaker 1:Oh, I'd forgotten about that just pay.
Speaker 2:It was like a deer in the headlights. I just froze like, ah, I don't know, I made sure I knew this time that's good.
Speaker 1:Well, his big brother's not really catching anymore so that made it a little easier.
Speaker 2:A little bit.
Speaker 1:All right, if you screw this one up, this show is canceled. Okay, who do you have at first base? Freddie, duh, thank goodness, finally, one of my duh who else would it be? Is that you got right, yeah, or you agreed with me. There's no right and wrong. You get to pick whoever the hell you want. That's why we do it, because it's a fan vote. Yeah, we're like any other fan. We get to vote for whoever we want. I'll vote for who I want to and I want Freddie, even if it's Anthony Rendon for some reason.
Speaker 1:No, freddie is Head and shoulders the best first baseman this year. Somehow has elevated his game, still dealing with the ankle, just, I mean, I think, when it's all said and done, we're going to look back at Freddie Freeman the way we look back at, like Tony Gwynn and, you know, rod Carew and guys that were just such pure hitters and before Freddie came to the Dodgers he had a World Series championship, but he got that moment, yeah, and I think that changes how we look at guys. Yeah, that changes how we look at guys. Yeah, so you know one of the best hitters in the world having a monster year OPS over 1,000, nothing against Pete Alonzo or Michael Bush, yeah who both might end up on the squad.
Speaker 2:But this is Freddie's spot spot to lose. I think, um, and the way he's been legging out those bursts of thirds with the bad ankle, and just you could tell it hurts him but it ain't slowed him down well, and that's the thing too, and we talked about this a couple years ago when freddie led the dodgers and stolen bases.
Speaker 1:He's a he's not a fast guy necessarily, but he can run the bases, yeah. I mean he's a five-tool type of guy, plays a great defensive first base, hits for average, hits for power and runs the bases. I mean he does it all, yeah, and he just whatever the team needs, whatever he can do to help the team win, that's who freddie freeman is, yep, and that's with off the field stuff, that's with multiple injuries, um, when it, when it matters, that's, that's one of the guys you want on your team, up at the plate with the game on the line, yeah, and fortunately the dodgers have a few of those guys. Absolutely All right. So back to our very interesting position, as it always is, second base, who you got? Albies. He's having a terrible year, I know but I like him.
Speaker 1:You do love you some Ozzie Albies.
Speaker 2:I do. I love the way he bats, the way he stands there, all awkward.
Speaker 1:Yeah, he does have an interesting stance. I mean, he's such a small guy too. I mean, just, you know, especially on that team with Austin Riley and Ozuna Acuna is like a specimen as an athlete and he's an interesting-looking guy. And then there's Ozzy Albee he's just the little guy, that's yeah, you know well, and on uh uh mlb the show.
Speaker 2:He's a great bunter I could see that he's, he's incredible. When I'm playing ashley, I always use him and bunt and it drives piss her off. Yeah, pisses her off because I play small ball and she's trying to hit it out of the park.
Speaker 1:Yeah. So I want to mention Brendan Donovan from the Cardinals, another guy who's kind of stuck at second base on this ballot when he's really a utility guy, but he's having a great year 321 average, 846 OPS. But my pick and this is a guy who probably is not going to get the vote just because he's not played in enough games but as far as the National League, at second base I think it's Cattell Marte from the Diamondbacks and everybody else yeah.
Speaker 2:I can see that.
Speaker 1:That dude. I love watching that dude play. He can change the game in a heartbeat. Just a really exciting player and in the 35 games he's played he has an OPS over 1,000. He's doing Cattell Marte things. That's just going to be an interesting position because again, I don't think there's anybody that stands out above the rest of the group and again that's just because Marte's only played 35 games. Right, but if he continues doing what he's doing now for another month, I think he might have enough momentum to take that spot.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's really a position and I think it's this way in both leagues that could come down to which fan base gets out and votes the most, so to speak. It's not something you go out to do anymore, you do it on your phone while you're bored, at work or whatever. Yeah, every day five times. Whatever fan base does the most of that, I think, will decide who plays second base for both sides. Yeah, all right For me and I don't know that this is the case for everybody, but for me I thought there was an obvious National League third baseman. I'm waiting with bated breath to hear who you've got Max.
Speaker 2:Muncy, really Yep, you know, I think he's the best guy for the job.
Speaker 1:Well, especially now, you know, started the year off abysmal and I think that'll keep him off the team. But ever since he got his glasses, he's incredible. You know he goes to Kike Hernandez's eye doctor, gets the glasses, just like Kike, and now it's like you can't get him out. Yeah, I mean, and he's hitting home run after home run after home run, which is always great because there's nobody. I enjoy watching his own home run leave the ballpark more than Max Muncy. Yeah, he just knows how to stand there and watch a ball fly, sure does.
Speaker 1:And I love Max Muncy. I love him, but and you know, because I've had to do this before on this very show, it pains me to say this. I think it's Manny Machado Really, and I think there were lots of reasons to believe that he was going to start to take a step back and that Father Time was starting to set in with him. And he is just, he's not cooperated. He's having another monster year, another guy that can be in a slump You're not talking about him for weeks and then all of a sudden, he changes the, he changes the whole game with one swing. Yeah, just an all-star guy. I mean, that's not to say Max Muncy's not, but Manny Machado is just that quintessential all-star third baseman, right Personality-wise, talent-wise, he's got the numbers. But that's cool.
Speaker 2:You're sticking up for max, I like oh yeah I like that a lot yeah, there's a lot of when I say straight ticket.
Speaker 1:There's a lot here I, I want on the record we're, we're, we're through four positions in the national league and brian has yet to mention a cubs player.
Speaker 1:Get ready it's coming all right, let's uh, let's move to shortstop in the national league. Who you got? Mookie, yeah, and he's an interesting case study because he's another guy that is having a pretty down year. Um, not really putting up the mookie numbers, but he's gonna get some votes. Yeah, he's gonna get votes because, because he's mookie bets and he, he's earned that that spot. Um, I had a, I had a hard time with this. There wasn't anybody. That to me, was like looking at the numbers, thinking about the impact, the impact plays and the moments so far this year that I thought it's got to be that guy, like there is, with a lot of positions, cj Abrams from the Nation nationals. We mentioned him. He's got, he's, he's, he's, he's having a good year yeah putting up all-star numbers.
Speaker 1:Trey turner he's having a good year for the phillies um. It's also weird that we've not really mentioned many guys from the phillies um, and I think trey turner's got a real shot of being on this squad but after a big snub last year, I think this is Francisco Lindor's spot. I think this is his year with the Mets. He obviously started at least one All-Star game when he was in Cleveland, but hasn't really done that for the Mets yet, and I think it's his year. He carried the momentum from the second half of last year right into this season and that's who I voted for Francisco Lindor from the Mets.
Speaker 2:I like him. Yeah, yeah, he's just as good as the others. I like him.
Speaker 1:Yeah, he's right there in the conversation. He's very fun to watch. Yeah, for sure. Has a lot of fun playing the game. Yep, All right, we're running out of positions and we still don't have any Cubs, so who's your outfield?
Speaker 2:The entire Cubs outfield. I got PCA. If PCA's not an all-star, I ride For sure. I got Hap out there, and then I got tay oscar interesting.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you took hap over, tucker I did tell me why. Uh, because I just I'm obligated by marriage to do that I had a feeling that was going to be the reason, the real reason. I was wondering if you were actually gonna stay on air.
Speaker 2:That's why I'm contractually obligated to to vote for hap if. If I want to stay married and I do, yeah, so I did understandable, yeah understandable uh, I also.
Speaker 1:Pca was my first I I didn't even look at anybody else. The first guy I went to was pca. Yeah, um, he he's on pace for 40-40 now, has not slowed down. And I think and this was something we were going to talk about even before the All-Star voting opened and we decided to do this the picks for this show. He's going to get MVP votes. Yeah, they might be down ballot votes.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:But PCA is going to get MVP votes. I'd like might be down-ballot votes, but PCA is going to get MVP votes.
Speaker 2:I'd like to see him in the home run derby too.
Speaker 1:That would be interesting, see, that's the thing, though, is he's hitting home runs. I don't know that he's a derby guy, though I don't know if he is or not either. I don't know that he's got the approach and the swing to succeed, but it'd be fun to watch. To succeed Him in the All-Star game will be a lot of fun. Oh yeah, a lot of fun.
Speaker 2:Yeah, he's definitely my favorite player right now. Yeah.
Speaker 1:You want to talk about electrifying. Yeah, very, very few guys as electrifying.
Speaker 2:I just have one problem. He's so intense, he throws his helmet a lot and I hate that. That's bad for the kiddies, yeah, but other than that he just he can't do any wrong. He's playing defense, he's hitting home runs, he's getting RBIs, he's stealing bases. He's a world beater.
Speaker 1:Yeah, just having a monster year for a really good ball club. That's going to be in the conversation come October. Yep, and yeah, he was my first pick in the outfield and you're right, if he's not an all-star, something is wrong. I did pick Kyle Tucker. Okay, I did not expect to pick Kyle Tucker. I was ready to pick somebody else and then I saw his numbers else. And then I saw his numbers and I thought, well, he's got the best numbers in the outfield in the national league, right? Uh, 915 ops, 39 rbis. I mean just just having a, a bang up year. Yeah, I mean just doing what kyle tucker does, doing what the cubs brought him in to do, and, um, I would really love to see them fork out the money and get him long term they might happen, it it might.
Speaker 1:I just got a feeling, it just might yeah, yeah, I just you know what a difference maker he's been. Yeah, uh, for the Cubs.
Speaker 1:And and again, hitting is contagious yeah so bringing him into the room, putting him in the lineup, makes everybody else better. Dansby Swanson's having a better year. Michael Bush we mentioned earlier is worthy of an all-star spot. Pca's doing what he's been doing. Seiya Suzuki is having a good year. He's not going to be the all-star starter, but you know there's reasons for that. That. We'll get into when we get to dh um. But yeah, kyle tucker's one of the three for me. I mean, he just he's an all-star, he's, he's one of the best players in in all the game and, um, no matter if he re-signs with the Cubs or goes somewhere else next year, he's going to make a lot of money.
Speaker 2:Yep A lot of money.
Speaker 1:Absolutely Hundreds and hundreds of thousands, excuse me, millions of dollars, yes, millions even, yeah, millions, even Heavens of Murgatroyd, millions, even. My third outfielder in the National League is James Wood from the Nationals. Okay, and here's why 940 OPS, 45 RBI this guy is sort of quietly having an absolute monster year. Yeah, and you want to talk about down-ballot MVP votes? Don't be surprised if his name shows up, because he is really getting it done in the nation's capital.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And you know this was a tough group.
Speaker 1:Yeah, corbin Carroll having a monster year. Tatis Jr Yep, he's cooled off, but man, again those impact moments. Yep, he's cooled off, but man, again those impact moments. Because again, this is a fan vote. So what is being seen on MLB's social media channels? You know what are people seeing? National broadcast games, things like that.
Speaker 1:That's when Fernando Tatis Jr shows up the most, is when the lights are the brightest, and I think those guys probably make the team. They could very well be starters, but for me it was PCA Tucker and James Wood. And you know, james Wood obviously not nearly the household name these other guys are, but I couldn't let us do this without mentioning him, because those numbers are staggering and, um to me, when you just when you strip all the other, the outside noise away, james wood is one of has had one of the three best seasons in the outfield for the national league. Um, I thought about teo, but I, you know, without voting for carol or tatis, I couldn't justify teo, as much as I love the guy, right and that's why I just I love him.
Speaker 1:He's one yeah, he's my favorite dodger and he's an all-star. I mean he's, he's, he's putting up the, the all-star numbers. You know he's doing, he's doing all-star things. And here's the other thing Andy Pahez has had a great year for the.
Speaker 2:Dodgers, without a doubt.
Speaker 1:I think he's got like an 840 OPS. I mean he's really he saved the Dodgers lineup a lot this year. Yeah, you know, with some of the injuries and stuff, and he's another guy that if he played for another team I think he's got a better shot at being on the roster. But he's just there with the Dodgers and he's kind of in the shadow of, you know, all these other guys that are just sort of shoe-in all-stars and I think that hurts his case. Yeah, you know, because how many dodgers can you take, um? But yeah, I don't know. So, uh, speaking of how many dodgers can you take, who do you have dhing for the national league?
Speaker 2:well, I like that otani feller yeah, he's, he's, he's having a pretty decent year. He seems to be promising coming along just nicely, isn't he. Maybe he deserves a break or two.
Speaker 1:Here's the real conversation. First off 292 average OPS over 1,000. I read yesterday he's on pace to score 170 runs, which is like getting close to the record.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And that's a Babe Ruth record.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Here's the real conversation. Who is the top overall vote-getter Otani or Judge?
Speaker 2:Otani and it's going to be close.
Speaker 1:I think it's going to be real close. Yeah, it's going to be real close. Yeah, it's going to be real close, I think, barring injury or catastrophic decline from either one of them. I think they're both shoe-ins for each MVP. I think the fact that they're not in the same league anymore is great for everybody watching not for guys having great years in either league, because they're kind of just hogging the MVPs. But yeah, I think the international appeal will push Otani past Judge. Yeah, I agree, but Judge ain't going to be far behind in the overall vote tally.
Speaker 2:No, it's going to be really close.
Speaker 1:Yeah, they're both going both get a lot of votes, a lot of them, because, again, you go to those positions and you just scroll right to those guys, yeah, without even looking Like. That's the impact they have.
Speaker 2:Well, they're the faces of baseball. They really are. Yeah, those are the two guys. If you're not a baseball guy, you know who they are, sure.
Speaker 1:Exactly, and that's the thing. A lot of this is decided by people like that, people that watch a little bit. They have their team, but they don't follow it closely. They're not voting for James Wood, no, they may not have even ever heard of you, that's what I'm saying.
Speaker 1:But they know who Ohtani and who Judge are. And then, if you want to get analytical about it, you look at the numbers and it's like, oh, how can I not vote for these guys? The numbers are staggering how much. You know how much higher they are than everybody else in that position group. Yeah, on that ballot. So, yeah, man, it's, uh, it's those two, and then you know it's kind of everybody else after that. As far as this this process goes, yeah, I agree, I think you did pretty good. I did did better, didn't I? You did Well, better is maybe a stretch, but you did all right. I like them. You did all right. I'm glad you're sticking up for guys you like, even when they're bad. Well, it ain't their fault. Sole layer for me was the one that I kind of raised my eyebrows. Murrell, ha-ha, I get it. We love us some. Christopher Murrell, we always will. But Solaire over Devers. I just got to figure out what Rafael Devers has to do to get your vote.
Speaker 2:Well we'll have to see. We'll just have to see what he does next year.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean we'll have to wait a year to find out. I guess Unbelievable, unbelievable, all right. Well, we have picked our all-star teams. Please, by all means, text us and let us know what you think, who you picked.
Speaker 2:Did you pick somebody different? Did you agree with us?
Speaker 1:Just say hi, say hi, just test that out and make sure it works.
Speaker 2:Tell us, we suck.
Speaker 1:Yeah, whatever, whatever you want to do, listen, if somebody texts us through the podcasting apps, brian is going to read it on the air.
Speaker 2:Without a doubt, it's going to happen. Yes, no matter what it says.
Speaker 1:If you want your 30 seconds of fame, or whatever amount of fame we can give you, a great way to do it is to text us. Wherever you're listening to the podcast, just go to the description. The first line will say send us a text, please do.
Speaker 2:We're dying for somebody to text us. The lines are open. West of the Rockies Go ahead. Caller Operators are standing by.
Speaker 1:All right, what else you got this week, man?
Speaker 2:I'm just happy that we got baseball. Man, it's been really good lately and I've been on a tear watching it. I'm happy as can be.
Speaker 1:You know I can't believe I didn't bring this up before now on today's episode. But you know Brian was very clear that he thought this was going to be the greatest season in baseball history. Yep, it's been a really damn good year so far. It has. You have, strangely enough, been very right so far I have forecasted that shit.
Speaker 1:I have seen it coming from afar, brought it into prominence, prognosticated it, prognosticated it and that is our big word of the day and that is where we will leave you for now. Thank you for listening. We always appreciate it. We would be doing this whether people were listening or not. So it's cool to record it and get to be on Pirate Flag Radio and your favorite podcasting service. So, thank you. Thank you to Pirate Flag and, yeah, who knows what's going to happen between now and next week, but we will be here to cover it. Definitely going to talk about some college baseball soon. That is coming, still figuring out what that's going to look like, but we will get to it. We will definitely get to some College World Series. Um, it's been a really interesting college baseball season and we want to delve into that as best we can. So expect that in the near future. But, um, yeah, send us a text please. We're begging, absolutely please do, and with that I'm dallas, that's brian, we'll see you at the ballpark.
