Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney

Latest Episodes:

“Wingspan Like a Condor”: Padres on 5-Game Heater; Francisco Lindor’s problems are getting weird; Bob Costas Stops By Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

The New York Yankees were thrown into chaos all weekend long because of the Rays’ Chandler Simpson and his speed. Eduardo Pérez and Buster discuss, plus, the San Diego Padres are hot, can the Sacramento Athletics’ pitching hold up at home, what’s up with the Mets’ Francisco Lindor, and who had the idea for every player to wear No. 42 on Jackie Robinson Day. Later, NBC Sports’ Bob Costas stops by to talk about his role on Sunday Night Baseball, Buster’s first encounter with Bob, if managers will tighten up ABS challenges as the season continues, interactions with Jackie Robinson’s family, and the full story on the 1988 Dodger team chanting “Kill Costas!” before a World Series game.

0:00 Welcome

1:31 Eduardo Pérez joins the show

1:55 Rays Chandler Simpson terrorizes Yankees

7:32 Padres hot

9:08 Athletics: Real or not

10:05 Mets Francisco Lindor’s issues

12:34 Was Eduardo at Jackie Robinson’s last recorded speech?

16:58 All players wearing No. 42 was Ken Griffey Jr.’s idea

21:00 Bob Costas joins the show

25:30 Buster’s first encounter with Bob

26:46 Thought ABS would be used more judiciously

35:15 Interactions with Jackie Robinson’s family

39:10 “Kill Costas”

44:49 Bleacher Tweets

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Unanimous: Albert Pujols Stops By; Adley Rutschman Has Something to Prove; Budding Braves Star Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

Future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols joins the podcast! But first, Hembo and Buster talk about the Cardinals’ Jordan Walker, if Konnor Griffin is better than advertised, the Orioles’ Adley Rutschman having something to prove, budding Braves star Drake Baldwin, which pitcher that’s been hurt the most by ABS, and Hembo’s three favorite Pujols stats. Then, the Machine joins the show to discuss which numbers from his career he’s most proud of, his reverence for the Hall of Fame, his idea for the World Baseball Classic semifinals, and what he sees in Shohei Ohtani’s swing. Later, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game. Finally, Buster answers yours questions during Bleacher Tweets.

0:00 Hembo

2:38 Cardinals Jordan Walker

4:26 Pirates Konnor Griffin

7:24 Orioles Adley Rutschman

9:53 Braves Drake Baldwin

12:54 Pitcher most impacted by ABS

16:55 Hembo’s 3 favorite Pujols stats

18:32 Albert Pujols

19:30 Important career numbers

21:47 Unanimous selection important?

23:53 Reverence for the HOF

28:07 ABS thoughts

33:39 WBC changes

38:48 You Played, I Didn’t: Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Junior Caminero

45:03 Sarah Langs

47:25 Bleacher Tweets

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Spear: First Baseball Fight of the Season; Konnor Griffin Gets the Bag; How Two Players from Red Sox Country Made it to the Bronx Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

Our first baseball fight of the year! The Angels and Braves throw punches, and Atlanta manager Walt Weiss spears Jorge Soler! Plus, the Pittsburgh Pirates sign Konnor Griffin to a 9-year, $120M contract. Then, Buster Olney and Jesse Rogers discuss the messy state of the Cubs’ rotation, the Blue Jays’ rough start, and the Milwaukee Brewers throwing at Red Sox catch Willson Contreras again! Later, Yankees scout Matt Hyde talks about finding diamonds in the rough scouting Ben Rice and Cam Schlittler in Massachusetts, and taking them late in the draft. Finally, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.

0:00 Welcome

0:45 Konnor Griffin, Pirates sign 9-year $140M deal

1:45 Angels-Braves brawl

3:17 Jesse Rogers joins

3:39 Cubs Cade Horton injured

7:11 Blue Jays rough start

11:25 Red Sox Willson Contreras hit by Brewers again!

19:36 Guardians José Ramírez

21:55 Yankees scout Matt Hyde

23:33 Scouting Ben Rice

30:00 Scouting Cam Schlittler

37:30 Bleacher Tweets

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Knoblach’s Agent: Pirates are Must-Watch; Jo Adell’s Acrobatic Robberies; Chris “Mad Dog” Russo on Giants & Ohtani vs. Ruth Apr 07, 2026

Show notes

Angels right fielder Jo Adell robbed three home runs in one game. Was it the greatest defensive performance we’ve ever seen from an outfielder? Tim Kurkjian and Buster Olney discuss. Plus, the guys talk about Konnor Griffin and Paul Skenes make the Pirates must-watch, the NL Central looks strong, if this is Aaron Boone’s best Yankee team, Kyle Harrison and the Brewers rolling along, and if José Ramírez is the greatest Cleveland Guardian ever. Then, Chris “Mad Dog” Russo talks about the first time Buster appeared on his radio show, his early concerns with the San Francisco Giants, Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers, the angriest someone in sports has been with him, and the time he infuriated Arizona Diamondback fans — and paid the price for it. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.

0:00 Tim Kurkjian joins

1:02 Jo Adell

3:27 Konnor Griffin

6:29 Best NL division

8:55 Alejandro Kirk out

13:02 Aaron Boone’s best Yankee team?

14:53 Brewers

16:23 José Ramírez

17:52 Chris “Mad Dog” Russo joins

20:41 San Francisco Giants

23:44 Los Ángeles Dodgers dominance

25:36 Shohei Ohtani or Babe Ruth?

29:29 Aaron Boone Yankees

37:15 Angry Arizona Diamondback fans

41:53 Bleacher Tweets

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Small, Simple Moves: Pirates Call Up #1 Prospect Konnor Griffin; Joe Buck Stops By Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

Konnor Griffin gets the call to The Show. Eric Hosmer and Buster Olney discuss the Pirates calling up the No. 1 prospect in baseball, the Miami Marlins off to a surprising start, Cam Schlittler cruising, if Shohei Ohtani is actually AI and the Kansas City Royals honoring the late Terrance Gore. Then, Joe Buck stops by to talk about calling the Jackie Robinson Game on ESPN, writing his Baseball Hall of Fame speech, interviewing his kids at a St. Louis Blues game, his dad Jack’s relationship with Robinson, which of Jack’s famous calls was his father’s favorite, and how he connect with former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick over baseball. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.

0:00 Eric Hosmer joins the show

0:37 Pirates call up Konnor Griffin

11:17 Miami Marlins 5-1 start

12:47 Yankees Cam Schlittler is dominating

15:07 Dodgers Shohei Ohtani in midseason form

19:18 Kansas City Royals honored late Terrance Gore

24:46 Joe Buck joins the show

26:09 Buck to be honored in Cooperstown

29:39 Interviewing his sons

32:39 Jack Buck’s relationship with Jackie Robinson

34:38 Jack Buck’s favorite call

38:41 Bill Belichick loves baseball

44:04 Bleacher Tweets

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Big Fish: Mike Trout Joins the Show!; Andrew Painter Debuts; Shohei Sizzles; Should the Cubs be Worried? Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

Angels center fielder Mike Trout joins Buster to discuss a strong start to the season, reflecting on the past few season, striving for the postseason, his relationship with new manager Kurt Suzuki, and his first impressions of the ABS System. Then, Hembo talks about Phillies prospect Andrew Painter impressing in his debut, Shohei Ohtani’s outrageous first outing, what’s behind prospects Colt Emerson Cooper Pratt signing big deals, the Blue Jays’ terrific start, the White Sox’s Munetaka Murakami playing like he has something to prove, and the worrisome Cubs starting pitching.

0:00 Welcome

0:36 Mike Trout

3:35 Reflecting, slowing down the process

8:23 Putting together a healthy season

9:41 Striving for a postseason return

10:50 On manager Kurt Suzuki

12:06 ABS first impressions

14:20 Hembo, Phillies Andrew Painter debuts

19:06 Dodgers Shohei Ohtani throws 6 scoreless innings

22:35 Prospects Colt Emerson, Cooper Pratt sign big deals

27:58 Blue Jays, Dylan Cease off to terrific start

31:02 Mets Bo Bichette’s rough start

33:48 White Sox Munetaka Murakami can rake

37:51 Cubs pitching is worrisome

39:50 Bleacher Tweets

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Relaxed: Hunter Pence on ABS First Impressions, Rookies, Giants; Blue Jays & Yankees Sweep Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

It was an exciting first weekend of MLB action! Hunter Pence and Buster Olney discuss shaking off Opening Day jitters, how rookies dominated the conversation to start the season, first impressions of the ABS System, the San Francisco Giants starting 0-3, and how teams move on from losses. Then, ESPN’s Jorge Castillo stops by to talk about the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Yankees sweeping their respective series to open the season, and the Los Angeles Dodgers treating the regular season like a dress rehearsal. Then, Sarah Langs plays The Numbers Game. Laters, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.

0:00 Hunter Pence joins the show

3:39 Rookies rule first MLB weekend

5:59 Guardians Chase DeLauter

8:08 Tigers Kevin McGonigle

9:43 Reds Sal Stewart

11:23 JJ Wetherholt

13:08 ABS System initial impressions

18:18 Giants start 0-3

28:33 ESPN’s Jorge Castillo

29:06 Mets start 2-1

30:36 Juan Soto seems relaxed

33:05 Yankees & Blue Jays sweep

37:01 Is this Dave Roberts’ best Dodger team?

38:41 Sarah Langs

40:00 Bleacher Tweets

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Opening Day Overreactions: Aaron Judge 0-fer; Rookies Shine, Can the Dodgers Win 103 Games? Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

Let’s overreact to MLB Opening Day 2026! Karl Ravech, Eduardo Pérez and Buster Olney discuss the joy of baseball’s return, why the overreactions to Aaron Judge’s first game don’t make sense, Paul Skenes getting knocked around with an assist from Oneil Cruz, all the rookies who shined in their debuts, if the Dodgers can win more than 102 games, another quality start from Tarik Skubal, Junior Caminero taking four walks, Jacob Misiorowski’s 11 strikeouts, and what Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s peers are saying about him after is 2025 postseason. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.

0:00 MLB Opening Day 2026 overreactions

4:40 Yankees Aaron Judge overreactions

8:28 Pirates Paul Skenes 0.2 IP

9:19 Oneil Cruz’s costly mistake

13:49 Rookies shine on Opening Day

14:28 Tiger Kevin McGonigle

15:48 Mets Carson Benge

16:26 Cardinals J.J. Wetherholt

20:29 Can the Dodgers win 103 games?

25:05 Tigers Tarik Skubal quality start

26:56 Cubs extend Nico Hoerner

27:28 Brewers Jacob Misiorowski throws 11 Ks

28:25 Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ready to roll

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Opening Day 2026: Cubs Throw Cash at PCA; Pitching Ninja on the Best Pitches in Baseball Mar 25, 2026

Show notes

MLB Opening Day 2026 has arrived! Buster Olney and Hembo discuss the Chicago Cubs locking up Pete Crow-Armstrong to a six-year, $115 million deal, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. ascending to superstar, MLB's No. 2 prospect Kevin McGonigle making the Tigers Opening Day roster, why Cinncinati Reds rookie Sal Stewart could be the rock of their lineup, if Wyatt Langford can make noise in the AL MVP race, and why Hembo is down on Tyler Glasnow after a stellar spring. Then, Pitching Ninja Rob Friedman stops by to talk about his new book "Unhittable: How Technology, Mavericks, and Innovators Engineered Baseball's New Era of Pitching Dominance," the best pitches in baseball, which pitcher he'd choose for a Space Jam "winner-takes-the-planet" game, why pitching is so different today, Japanese players bringing the splitter back in America, the prevalence of injuries among pitchers, and their friend Sarah Langs. Plus, Buster finishes the team previews with the Detroit Tigers, the Washington Nationals, the Tampa Bay Rays, the San Diego Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.
1:53 Cubs sign Pete Crow-Armstrong to six-year deal 5:26 Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. primed for a monster year 10:18 Tigers prospect Kevin McGonigle makes the roster 14:52 Reds Sal Stewart can bang 16:32 Rangers Wyatt Lanford for MVP? 19:54 Dodgers Tyler Glasnow looks good 22:31 Pitching Ninja 23:37 Best pitches in baseball 27:29 Shohei Ohtani hyperbole 30:52 How pitching changed? 49:34 San Diego Padres preview 51:13 Detroit Tigers preview 52:55 Arizona Diamondbacks preview 53:47 Washington Nationals preview 54:55 Tampa Bay Rays preview 56:22 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS BUY PITCHING NINJA’S NEW BOOK: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/unhittable-rob-friedman?variant=43912948252706&utm_source=Rob+Friedman&utm_medium=athrweb&utm_campaign=Unhittable Follow The Baseball Tonight Podcast on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHeL6O-A-ASmSMwbSCFvPKEq1Cslo_lrw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FG6xCcd338SgZjZ9urHRI Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-tonight-with-buster-olney/id137699414

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Hangover or Continuation: Picking Division Winners, Wild Card Teams & More; Red Sox Manager Alex Cora Stops By Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

Opening Day is right around the corner. Buster Olney and Jesse Rogers discuss some of the storylines playing out at Spring Training while the World Baseball Classic wrapped up. The Rangers’ Wyatt Langford looks great, the Braves’ offense needs to get right and the Blue Jays are slow-playing Trey Yesavage. Then, Jesse shares his predictions for division and award winners, and his wild card teams. Next, Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora stops by to talk about his thoughts on the World Baseball Classic, Wilyer Abreu looking sharp, which manager called him to talk about Roman Anthony, if the Red Sox have enough power in their lineup, and how he’s handling the back end of the rotation. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.

0:00 Welcome

0:56 Phillies sign Cristopher Sanchez to 6-year deal

5:26 Rangers Wyatt Langford looks great

8:04 Braves offense needs to perform

10:31 Blue Jays holding out Trey Yesavage

11:00 Making predictions for the 2026 MLB season

11:29 AL East

13:18 AL Central

14:19 AL West

15:41 AL Wild Card Teams

17:39 NL West

17:45 NL Central

18:28 NL West

18:49 NL Wild Card Teams

19:52 Are Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani MVP Locks?

20:54 Picking against Paul Skenes or Tarik Skubal for Cy Young?

21:30 Rookie of the Year picks

23:33 Red Sox Manager Alex Cora joins the show

24:02 Cora’s thoughts on the World Baseball Classic

28:39 Wilyer Abreu’s breakout performance at the WBC

30:09 Getting calls from other managers about Roman Anthony

32:14 Outlook on the 2026 Boston Red Sox

35:26 Other Headlines: Boston 2B Marcelo Mayer makes the team

36:16 Bleacher Tweets

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