Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney

Latest Episodes:

"It's Over, It's Not Over" - Which division races are already decided at the beginning of June? | Cleveland Guardians 2B Travis Bazzana Joins Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

Tim Kurkjian joins Buster Olney as they play a game of "It's Over, It's Not Over" to discuss which division races are already decided as we enter the month of June. They also talk more about the potential for a lockout next season.

Cleveland Guardians rookie second basemen Travis Bazzana then joins to discuss his homeland of Australia and their spiders, his approach to hitting that allows him to draw walks at a record-setting pace, and the Guardians attempt to go for another division title.

0:00 Top of the First: Yankees, Mariners, White Sox

1:54 Welcome Tim Kurkjian

2:39 It's Over, It's Not Over: NL East, Braves and Phillies

5:18 NL Central: Brewers and Cubs

7:24 NL West: Dodgers, Padres

9:19 AL East: Rays and Yankees

10:55 AL Central: Guardians and White Sox

12:55 AL West: Mariners

14:20 Which side will budge on the inclusion of a salary cap?

18:04 Guardians 2B Travis Bazzana joins

20:30 How did Bazzana fall in love with baseball?

21:34 Bazzana's record-setting walk rate

25:20 WBC experience with Australia

26:43 Jose Ramirez's impact

27:55 Stephen Vogt's player-first approach

28:59 State of the Guardians

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Owners formally propose a salary cap. What that means for a potential lockout next season 🤔 May 29, 2026

Show notes

Jesse Rogers joins the show to discuss the news today that MLB owners formally proposed a salary cap for the first time since the 1994 strike. He and Buster dive into how the players union feels about it, and how it affects the prospects for a lockout when the current CBA expires on Dec. 1. They also discuss how the Brewers continue to be successful year-after-year, and where Tarik Skubal might end up.

Sarah Langs joins as she does every Friday for The Numbers Game, and Todd Radom tells us about his new book.

0:00 Intro

0:43 Owners Salary Cap proposal. Lockout next season?

13:06 How do the Brewers keep winning?

14:47 Why is offense down?

16:58 Tarik Skubal trade destinations

20:52 Sarah Langs Plays The Numbers Game

22:06 Todd Radom's new book

26:40 Bleacher Tweets: Padres and Fantasy Baseball

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Tarik Skubal's trade destinations | Cardinals pitcher Michael McGreevy joins May 27, 2026

Show notes

Hembo joins the show to discuss Houston's no-hitter and if it might impact their "seller" status at the trade deadline. Buster and Hembo also discuss Tarik Skubal's potential destinations, including the team Buster thinks will land him. They also hit on JJ Wetherholt's rise, Jacob Misiorowski's dominance, and Nolan McLean's struggles.

Cardinals pitcher Michael McGreevy then joins the show to discuss his game, why he was upset about his college coach's decision to move him from a two-way player to solely a pitcher, and the Cardinals quicker-than-expected rise.

0:00 - Top of the First: Hitters, Uribe, Skubal

2:55 - Hembo joins the show

3:36 - Does Astros no-hitter change their "seller" status?

6:35 - Rangers approach to the trade deadline

7:35 - What team could trade for Tarik Skubal?

13:15 - Cardinals rookie JJ Wetherholt is already impressive

15:34 - What has spurred Jacob Misiorowski's rapid improvement?

19:30 - Mets pitcher Nolan McLean's struggles

22:33 - Cardinals pitcher Michael McGreevy joins the show

22:44 - McGreevy's oulook on the NL Cy Young race

23:55 - Pitchers' strategic changes

25:12 - McGreevy's wide pitching arsenal

26:24 - Pitchers McGreevy tries to emulate

29:05 - Change from SS to pitcher in college

30:28 - Tarps Off Section has given energy to Cardinals

32:20 - Inside the Cardinals success

33:35 - JJ Wetherholt's rapid rise

34:38 - Question for Cam Schlittler

35:35 - Job if not playing baseball

37:11 - Bleacher Tweets: Yankees, Jen Pawol

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Do we need to change the MVP conversation around Shohei Ohtani? | Brewers sweep Cubs, Tarik Skubal trade outlook, Tony Gwynn Jr. joins the show May 22, 2026

Show notes

On today's episode, Buster Olney and David Schoenfield break down the Brewers surge and the Cubs fall, discuss if Tarik Skubal could be traded midseason, why the Astros decade of dominance is over, and if Shohei Ohtani is the favorite in the NL Cy Young award race.

Tony Gwynn Jr. then joins us to discuss the Padres-Dodgers recent series; is it the best rivalry in baseball? Plus Mason Miller's dominance and why the MVP conversation around Ohtani is feeling like it did around Michael Jordan.

Sarah Langs tells us why Ohtani, Sal Stewart, and Jacob Misiorowski are doing things that we haven't seen in 50+ years, and Todd Radom gives us his 3 most underrated ballparks.

0:00 Intro + Welcome

2:13 Dave Schoenfield joins the show

2:56 Brewers sweep Cubs

5:53 Could Tarik Skubal be traded?

8:40 Cal Ripken Jr. to return as Orioles President?

11:19 Royals could be sellers at the trade deadline

13:19 Astros decade of dominance appears over

16:15 Ohtani's Cy Young case

17:30 J.P. Crawford willing to move to Third Base

19:35 Sarah Langs plays the numbers game

20:58 Tony Gwynn Jr joins the show

22:54 What did we learn from Padres-Dodgers series?

25:48 Why Manny Machado is in a slump

27:08 Mason Miller should be a Cy Young and MVP candidate

29:02 Sandy Alcantara should be a Padres trade target

30:28 Ohtani's MVP conversation feels like it did with MJ

34:13 Tony Gwynn Sr's feelings towards the Dodgers

35:01 Todd Radom's most underrated parks in baseball

41:57 Bleacher Tweets

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Why the NL is so much better than the AL, Yankees bullpen issues | Mariners exec Jerry Dipoto May 20, 2026

Show notes

Welcome back to the Baseball Tonight podcast! Hembo joins us to talk about the National League's dominance over the American League, the Mets youth movement, Brice Turang stating claim to the best 2nd baseman in baseball, the Yankees bullpen issues, and the Giants historically low walk percentage.

Then Mariners President of Baseball Operations Jerry DiPoto joins to discuss top prospect Colt Emerson's booming big league arrival, Julio Rodriguez's early-season success, why Cal Raleigh is struggling, and his approach to the trade deadline.

0:00 - Intro + last night

1:37 - Hembo joins the show

2:30 - National League's dominance over the American League

6:18 - Mets youth movement

10:37 - Brice Turang, best 2nd baseman in baseball?

13:10 - What's wrong with the Yankees bullpen?

18:30 - The Giants are taking walks at a historically low percentage

22:07 - Is Cam Schlittler running away with the AL Cy Young?

24:41 - Mariners exec Jerry Dipoto joins the show

25:00 - Rookie Colt Emerson's big week

29:46 - State of the Mariners season so far

31:48 - Julio Rodriguez's best start to a season of his career

35:00 - Cal Raleigh's struggles

37:26 - Trade deadline outlook

43:41 - Bleacher Tweets (Phillies, Yankees)

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Brewers Cy Young hopeful Jacob Misiorowski joins the show + Tim Kurkjian on the White Sox, Phillies, and more May 18, 2026

Show notes

Jacob Misiorowski joins the show to talk about his lights-out performance against the Yankees, the first time he hit 100 mph, his unique relationship with manager Pat Murphy, and more. Then Tim Kurkjian stops by to discuss why hope prevails for the ailing Tigers (and the rest of the AL), the white hot White Sox, the loaded NL Cy Young Race, the Phillies surge, and the best baseball story of the week in St. Louis.

0:00 Intro and welcome

0:41 Weekend Headlines: Phillies, Dodgers, Padres, and White Sox

2:27 Jacob Misiorowski joins the show

2:40 Misiorowski's dominance vs the Yankees

4:10 The Origin Story

5:09 First time hitting 100 mph

6:14 Opposing hitters reactions

7:00 Konnor Griffin question for Misiorowski

9:19 How much do you study other pitchers?

11:40 What makes the Brewers so good?

12:21 Unique relationship with Pat Murphy

13:28 Tim Kurkjian joins, Tigers in trouble

15:38 American League is wide open

19:03 White Sox are white hot

22:20 National League Cy Young Race is loaded

26:45 Phillies are surging

27:47 Cardinals "Tarps Off" fans were best thing this weekend

30:38 Thanks for watching

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The loaded NL Cy Young Race + White Sox GM Chris Getz May 15, 2026

Show notes

Welcome back to the Baseball Tonight podcast! Jorge Castillo joins the show to discuss the loaded NL Cy Young Race between Shohei Ohtani, Paul Skenes, Jacob Misiorowski, and a 4th pitcher who might be the best of all. Buster and Jorge then break down which players on the Mets, Red Sox, and Astros could be dealt at the trade deadline, and finish by discussing what Anthony Volpe should do to keep himself on the Yankees Roster.

White Sox GM Chris Getz then joins as we go inside Chicago's rebuild into an early-season playoff contender. He shares what makes the clubhouse so special and what Munetaka Murakami and Colson Montgomery are doing to power their success. Plus, will we see the Pope throw out a first pitch?

We finish the show with Sarah Langs and Bleacher Tweets!

0:00 Intro

0:36 Welcome Jorge Castillo

1:23 NL Cy Young Race: Skenes, Misiorowski, Ohtani

8:04 Mason Miller for MVP?

9:31 Trade Deadline candidates

14:20 Anthony Volpe's recent comments

18:07 White Sox GM Chris Getz joins

20:00 What makes the clubhouse so special?

23:21 Munetaka Murakami has silenced doubters

26:37 Colson Montgomery is finding his groove

31:30 White Sox strategy for 1st pick in MLB draft

32:49 The Pope throwing out the first pitch?

34:55 2024 season reflection

39:25 Sarah Langs plays the numbers game

41:03 Bleacher Tweets: Brewers + Home Runs

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Why so many superstars are struggling + Konnor Griffin joins the show May 13, 2026

Show notes

Welcome back to the Baseball Tonight Podcast! Pirates rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin joins the show to discuss his adjustment to life in the Big Leagues, the toughest pitchers he's faced, and his favorite ballparks he's played in so far. Hembo then swings by to share why several stars, including Shohei Ohtani, Cal Raleigh, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are struggling. Then injury expert Stephania Bell goes in-depth on Tarik Skubal's surgery. We end with Bleacher Tweets about the Orioles and Padres!

0:00 Intro + Top of the First

2:21 Konnor Griffin Joins

2:48 Griffin's favorite MLB ballparks

4:46 Adjusting to MLB travel

5:58 Best pitchers Griffin has faced

7:22 First time being asked for an autograph

8:16 Paul Skenes' dominance

9:46 State of the Pirates

11:57 Players Griffin is looking forward to meeting

12:55 Griffin's first purchase after signing contract

13:53 Hembo joins the show

14:27 Konnor Griffin's improvement

18:26 Struggling Superstars: Ohtani, Guerrero Jr., Raleigh, Tatis Jr., Henderson

31:00 Stephania Bell breaks down Tarik Skubal's surgery

41:06 Bleacher Tweets: Orioles and Padres

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NEW DETAILS about Tarik Skubal's surgery that could be "life-changing" for the game of baseball May 10, 2026

Show notes

Welcome back to the Baseball Tonight podcast, publishing a day early because of breaking news surrounding Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal. His agent, Scott Boras, joined us to give us the details surrounding this first-time surgical procedure on an MLB player that could cut Skubal's recovery time in half. He also shares his memories about the late Bobby Cox.

ESPN's Jesse Rogers then hops on to discuss the surprising reason for the Cubs early-season success, and who they could target at the trade deadline. We then switch to the AL where he tells us which playoff-favorite teams he's most concerned about. We finish the segment discussing some concerns about Boston's Chief Baseball Officer Craig Breslow.

Finally, Royals broadcaster Eric Hosmer joins us to react to the Skubal news from Boras and why it could be a life-changing for the game of baseball. He then also shares his AL teams he's most concerned about. We finish with the state of sign-stealing in today's game.

We end the show with Bleacher Tweets and Buster's memories about Bobby Cox.

0:00 Welcome

0:57 Scott Boars joins

1:31 Details on Skubal's surgery

4:27 Skubal's new timeline for returning to baseball

5:52 Update on Skubal post-surgery

6:22 Why Skubal can return much quicker than expected

7:25 Nerves for a new surgery?

8:32 How this surgery might impact Skubal's free agency

9:15 Bobby Cox memories

11:21 Jesse Rogers on the Cubs success

13:25 How Pete Crow-Armstrong is taking control

15:37 Cubs potential trade-deadline targets

18:27 Concern: Orioles, Red Sox, Mariners, Tigers, Blue Jays, Royals

22:07 Questions about Craig Breslow

26:51 Eric Hosmer joins the show

28:01 Reaction to Skubal surgery news

31:21 Concern: Orioles, Red Sox, Mariners, Tigers, Blue Jays, Royals

33:25 Trouble in Detroit

34:47 Royals are on the rise

35:52 Sign-Stealing discussion

40:28 Bleacher Tweets: Andy Pages + Cubs

42:57 Remembering Bobby Cox

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Why the Braves aren't getting too excited + Yankees rotation getting stronger, Favorite John Sterling memories May 08, 2026

Show notes

Welcome back to the Baseball Tonight Podcast! Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos joins us to detail why he's not getting too excited yet about the Braves best start since 1998, how Matt Olson is getting even better, and his reaction to 62-year-old manager Walt Weiss' tackle during last month's brawl. Yankees fan Rich Eisen then stops by to talk about his favorite John Sterling memories, the time he creeped out Don Mattingly, and how scary the Yankees rotation can be with Carlos Rodon and Gerrit Cole on the way back. Plus Sarah Langs and Todd Radom!

0:00 Welcome

0:37 Cubs are on fire

2:06 Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos joins the show

2:36 Atlanta's best start since 1998

3:51 Matt Olson can do it all

6:33 Reaction to Walt Weiss' tackle in brawl

9:41 Braves depth in face of injuries

11:13 Reflecting on the iconic David Price 2015 trade

16:09 Sarah Langs plays the Numbers Game

17:04 Rich Eisen joins the show

17:19 Favorite John Sterling memories

21:23 Rich's Yankee fandom origin story