Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney

Latest Episodes:

Why the Red Sox are ruining the trade deadline and how Ohtani's grip on the MVP is slipping to Pete Crow-Armstrong Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

Jesse Rogers joins Buster Olney to discuss Boston's incredible 13-game win streak, turning them from sellers to buyers at the trade deadline. They also discuss why Shohei Ohtani's knee injury opens the door for Pete Crow-Armstrong to contend for the NL MVP race. Jesse takes us inside the White Sox war room with exclusive access as they made the No. 1 pick in the MLB Draft last week, and the reflect on the importance of Jorge Castillo's ESPN.com article about the lack of Latino representation in the MLBPA.

0:00 Top of the First

2:50 Welcome Jesse Rogers

4:30 Inside the White Sox war room making No. 1 pick

9:04 Lack of Latino representation in MLBPA

12:33 Red Sox 13-game winning streak

15:10 Ohtani's knee injury, PCA MVP?

16:52 What will the Tigers do with Tarik Skubal?

19:15 Buyers or Sellers: Blue Jays, Astros, Orioles?

21:17 Bleacher Tweets

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Double Click: MLB Second Half Lookahead; “Sandlot” ASG Nostalgia Cool or a Flop? Jul 17, 2026

Show notes

Tim Kurkjian, Hembo and Buster Olney discuss whether the MLB All-Star Game’s “Sandlot” break was cool or a flop, how many current division leaders will hang on, the most confusing things in baseball, impactful bats that may be moved at the trade deadline, if the Padres should trade Mason Miller, x-factor deadline teams, and which impending free agents have lost and made the most money. Next, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game. Then, Todd Radom shares his thoughts on his 30th-straight All-Star week, and administers the weekly quiz. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.

0:00 Welcome

0:49 Tim Kurkjian & Hembo join

2:00 Thoughts on “Sandlot” nostalgia

5:51 How many current division leaders hang on?

8:26 Ranking the most confusing things in baseball

11:50 Most impactful bats to be traded

14:46 Should the Padres trade Mason Miller?

18:59 Trade deadline x-factors

22:44 Free agents making and losing money

26:36 Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game

27:37 Todd Radom’s weekly quiz

33:15 Bleacher Tweets

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Magenta Balls: Jordan Walker Wins Home Run Derby; Marking the All-Star Game Matter; Buster at Media Day Jul 14, 2026

Show notes

Eduardo Pérez joins Buster Olney to discuss Jordan Walker beating Kyle Schwarber in the 2026 Home Run Derby on his last swing, in front of a hostel Philadelphia crowd. They talk about the key to Walker’s victory in the final round, hitters struggling with the magenta balls, Philadelphia fans showing out, how to make the All-Star Game matter again, and the balance of player participation versus needing a break from the game. Then, Buster hits All-Star Game media day and chats with Mason Miller, James Wood, Ernie Clement, Ben Rice, Cody Bellinger, Drake Baldwin, Matt Olson and Walker. Later, Buster answers your questions, and Jeff Passan has an about-face on the Home Run Derby format.

0:00 Welcome

3:54 Eduardo Pérez joins

22:29 Buster talks to players at ASG Media Day

27:47 Bleacher Tweets

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Help people affected by the Venezuela Earthquakes. Donate at www.redcross.org/ESPN

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My Stadium: MLB Midseason Grades; Bryce Harper & Kyle Schwarber Talk Derby in Philly Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

David Schoenfield joins Buster to hand out midseason MLB grades on the eve of the All-Star Game in Philadelphia. Which teams passed the first half of the season with flying colors, and which teams need to retake the exam? Plus, the White Sox select Roch Cholowsky No. 1 in MLB Draft, the AL MVP picture, and is Tarik Skubal actually the player most likely to be traded? Later, Buster talks to Phillies sluggers Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber about competing in the Home Run Derby in Philadelphia. Finally, Buster answers your Bleacher Tweets.

0:00 Welcome

2:30 David Schoenfield joins

4:20 Home Run Derby Picks

8:58 White Sox pick Roch Cholowsky No. 1 in MLB Draft

10:10 MLB Midseason Grades

10:12 White Sox

10:56 Brewers

11:41 Dodgers

17:03 Giants

18:20 Mets

21:48 AL MVP Candidates

22:45 Shohei Ohtani or PCA for NL MVP?

24:42 Dylan Cease for AL Cy Young?

25:22 Jacob Misiorowski running away with NL Cy Young

26:01 Contenders that need to make a move

27:46 Best player to be dealt at the deadline

30:31 Kyle Schwarber & Bryce Harper on Home Run Derby in Philadelphia

33:33 Bleacher Tweets

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Help people affected by the Venezuela Earthquakes. Donate at www.redcross.org/ESPN

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Justin Verlander announces retirement + which team is the "Raiders" of the MLB Draft? Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

Phillies manager Don Mattingly joins to discuss Philadelphia's dramatic turnaround and if he's planning on returning to manage next season. Then, ESPN MLB Draft expert Kiley McDaniel stops by to discuss which of the top 3 players the White Sox will take at No. 1, and which teams have the deepest minor league prospects to land a big name on the trade market (you probably won't like the answer).

Plus Sarah Langs and Bleacher Tweets!

0:00 Justin Verlander announces retirement, Marlins and Red Sox on a hot streak

2:25 Don Mattingly on Phillies turnaround

4:09 Managing Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper

5:39 How to dethrone the Dodgers

7:24 Sarah Langs plays the numbers game

8:47 Reflecting on the epic 2024 MLB Draft class with Kiley McDaniel

14:20 Who will go No. 1 to the White Sox?

17:00 Teams that most need to have success in this draft

22:00 Which team is the "Raiders" of the MLB Draft?

23:42 Teams that can offer the best prospects at the Trade Deadline

29:38 Does Tarik Skubal get traded, and to who?

30:51 Bleacher Tweets

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Rubber-Armed: Does David Ross Pay for Meals in Chicago?; Marlins Stay Hot; Braves are the Biggest Threat to the Dodgers Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

Two-time World Series champion David Ross joins Buster Olney to discuss a story he had never previously heard about the 2016 Chicago Cubs on his Lovable Reunion podcast, if he ever has to pay for dinner in Chicago, the biggest threat the Dodgers’ threepeat quest, why it’s actually a good thing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is skipping the All-Star Game, Zack Wheeler’s All-Star snub and Dalton Rushing learning to be a “servant to the pitcher.” Plus, did David Ross make Jon Lester more money, or the other way around? Then, Hembo stops by to talk about the Dodgers’ huge run differential, why the stolen bases boom has wilted, the Guardians’ rubber-armed pitching staff, the Marlins fortunes being jolted by Joe Mack, and Bryce Harper back to being Bryce Harper. Later, Buster answers your Bleacher Tweets.

0:00 Welcome

3:44 David Ross joins

4:25 10 Year reunion for 2016 WS Cubs

11:30 Braves biggest threat to Dodgers

12:50 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. skips All-Star Game

16:06 Zack Wheeler ASG snub

17:55 Dalton Rushing's catching education

19:56 Jon Lester made Ross some cash

24:20 Hembo joins

25:29 Dodgers' threepeat quest continues

28:50 Stolen base boom is over

33:41 Irresponsible Rays Junior Caminero projections

37:59 Joe Mack keying hot Marlins

41:30 Bryce Harper is elite again

44:40 Guardians starters

46:46 Bleacher Tweets

EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com

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Help people affected by the Venezuela Earthquakes. Donate at www.redcross.org/ESPN

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Perfect Match: Albert Pujols on Managing Opportunities; All-Star Game Snubs; Ohtani's Bumps and Bruises Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

Albert Pujols joins Buster Olney to discuss why Junior Caminero is a legit superstar, and what it’s like competing in the Home Run Derby when your team is hosting the All-Star Game. He also talks about the pressures of managing a team in a major market like the New York, and how he would approach an opportunity like managing the Mets. Then, Jesse Rogers joins to talk about Marlins manager Clayton McCullough’s decision to take out Eury Pérez after seven perfect innings, and a move the New York Yankees should consider right now. Also, in honor Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s wedding, Buster and Jesse find the perfect matches for three trade candidates. All this, plus Buster answers your questions in the latest installment of Bleacher Tweets.

0:00 Welcome

0:10 Top of the First

2:48 Albert Pujols joins

22:25 Jesse Rogers joins

26:05 Marlins Eury Pérez pulled after 7 perfect innings

29:53 Biggest All-Star Game Snubs

31:58 Buster’s trade idea for the Yankees

36:39 Shohei Ohtani’s bumps and bruises

38:35 Perfect trade matches

42:01 Bleacher Tweets

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Great Play: Blip or Trend for Yankees, Rays, Marlins, Rangers; Rick Monday on Saving the Flag Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

Paul “Hembo” Hembekides and Buster Olney play a game of “Trend or Blip,” looking at the Marlins, Rays and Rangers. Then, they discuss why Aaron Judge is the rising tide that lifts all boats for the Yankees, the most obvious trade-deadline match, how bad is this American League — historically speaking, and more on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s slog of a season. Then, Buster talks to longtime pro Rick Monday about snatching the American flag from field-invading protesters in 1976. Later, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game. And finally, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.

0:00 Welcome

3:01 Hembo

4:13 Blip or Trend: Marlins

5:28 Blip or Trend: Yankees

7:10 Blip or Trend: Rays

9:16 Blip or Trend: Rangers

10:19 Blip or Trend: Cubs

11:39 Yankees sorely miss Aaron Judge

13:39 What happened to Austin Riley?

17:39 Bo Bichette back to Toronto?

25:50 Historically bad American League

28:50 Rick Monday saves the American flag

43:07 Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game

44:33 Bleacher Tweets: PCA vs. Shohei Ohtani

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Follow The Baseball Tonight Podcast on…

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Biggest Mystery: Sox Sweep Yanks; Mets Fire Mendoza; Rays Hold Best AL Record Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

Tim Kurkjian and Buster Olney discuss the Red Sox sweep of the Yankees and if Boston can dream about the postseason, the Mets firing manager Carlos Mendoza and what it means for the GM David Stearns, why the Angels firing GM Perry Minasian probably won't change much in Anaheim, the Tigers falling out of playoff contention and looking likelier than ever to trade Tarik Skubal, Junior Caminero raking the Rays to the AL's best record, why Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is baseball's biggest mystery, and the Rangers losing Wyatt Langford.

4:01 Tim Kurkjian

24:16 Bleacher Tweets

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Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-tonight-with-buster-olney/id137699414

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Ranking the top World Series candidates most likely to dethrone the Dodgers 🤔 Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

Buster Olney is joined by Jorge Castillo and Alden Gonzalez as they take a deep dive into the top World Series contenders and debate which team has the best chance to dethrone the Dodgers as World Series champions. Plus Sarah Langs and Todd Radom join!

0:00 Welcome + Thursday recap

2:50 State of the Dodgers, injuries + Shohei Ohtani greatness

8:39 Will the Dodgers land Tarik Skubal?

13:20 Atlanta Braves

15:40 New York Yankees

20:29 Seattle Mariners

23:02 Philadelphia Phillies

25:45 Milwaukee Brewers

30:07 Tampa Bay Rays

31:47 Toronto Blue Jays

32:25 San Diego Padres

33:22 Chicago Cubs