MLB Morning Lineup Podcast

Latest Episodes:

A top prospect's MLB debut, super tight ASG voting Jul 02, 2024

Show notes

The No. 3 prospect in baseball, James Wood of the Nationals, made his MLB debut last night vs. the Mets and showed what all the hype is about. Plus the latest update from final fan voting for the All-Star Game saw some big names in tight races.

On today’s episode:

Act I: THE BIG STORIES (0:52-3:17)

James Wood is a name you will be hearing about often. With his elite speed, the 21-year-old Nationals outfielder was off and running in his Major League debut. He singled in his first at-bat, walked and also reached on an error in a wild 9-7 loss to the Mets. J.D. Martinez crushed a three-run homer in a six-run top of the 10th for the Mets, who then hung on for dear life. The resurgent Astros put a damper on Canada Day ceremonies in Toronto with a matinee win over the Blue Jays. The Brewers and Rockies rounded out a quiet slate in baseball with an extra-inning slugfest at Coors Field.

Act II: WHIPAROUND (3:17-5:05)

All-Star Game voting ends at noon ET tomorrow and some races are going down to the wire. It's especially tight in the AL and NL outfields, where Juan Soto and Christian Yelich are leading by slim margins.

Act III: LOOKING AHEAD (5:05-6:16)

There's a pitcher going tonight who is bidding to be the NL starter in the All-Star Game. And that's after being a reliever the past two years with no certainty of even making the Opening Day roster a few months ago. He's Reynaldo López and he'll lead the Braves against the Giants in a game you can watch on MLB.TV at 7:20 p.m. ET.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Astros surging; Judge being Judge; a Rangers cycle Jul 01, 2024

Show notes

Don’t look now but the Astros – an MLB-best 17-8 in June – are within 3 ½ games of the Mariners in the AL West. Also, Aaron Judge is ahead of his record homer pace of '22 and a Rangers rookie hit for the first cycle in Sunday Night Baseball history.

On today’s episode …

ACT 1: THE BIG STORIES (0:50-2:43)

After a rough start to the season, the Astros are suddenly the hottest team in baseball and have hacked away at a once-double-digit Mariners’ lead atop the AL West to sit just two games back in the loss column. Meanwhile, Aaron Judge’s Majors-leading 31 home runs in just 86 games have him halfway to his AL-record 62 homers and Rangers rookie Wyatt Langford hit for the Majors’ first cycle of 2024.

ACT 2: WHIPAROUND (2:43-4:35)

Elsewhere around the Majors, the Giants put a tough couple weeks behind them and took two of three against the Dodgers and slugging Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson became the first player to commit to the July 15 T-Mobile Home Run Derby while mic’d up on Sunday Night Baseball.

ACT 3: LOOKING AHEAD (4:53- 6:10)

Today, the Brewers – who have hit a stunning five grand slams in an eight-game span – head to Coors Field of all places to start a four-game series against the Rockies.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Injuries bite Phillies; Jays faced with decisions Jun 28, 2024

Show notes

The night started out great for Bryce Harper, the top NL vote-getter in Phase 1 of All-Star balloting. After that? Not so much as the Phils star appeared to injure his hamstring. Also, with the Trade Deadline looming, is time running out in Toronto?

On today’s episode …

ACT 1: THE BIG STORIES ( 0:48-3:14)

Fans chose Bryce Harper as the starting NL first baseman in the Midsummer Classic. It doesn’t get much better than that. But after appearing to injure his hamstring late in a loss to the Marlins, fans in Philly are holding their breath. Making matters worse for the Phils? Slugger Kyle Schwarber left Thursday’s game early with groin tightness. Meanwhile in Toronto, the Jays have some tough choices to make leading up to the July 30 Trade Deadline. The solution? Just win and Thursday’s series-opening victory over the Yankees is no doubt a step in the right direction.

ACT 2: WHIPAROUND (7:12-7:57)

Elsewhere around the Majors, the Orioles crushed the Rangers in a rematch of last season’s ALDS showdown, the Royals eked out a win over the first-place Guardians and in St. Louis, the Reds coasted past the Cardinals.

ACT 3: LOOKING AHEAD (7:57-9:10)

All but written off after lackluster starts to the season, the Astros and Mets – both sporting .500 records -- are suddenly flying high and kick off a big-time weekend showdown tonight in Queens.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Astros are alive; MLB's youngest player did what?! Jun 27, 2024

Show notes

The surging Astros swept the Rockies to reach .500 for the first time this season, Jackson Chourio became the youngest player to hit an inside-the-park homer since Ken Griffey Jr. and the A's made a bizarre baserunning gaffe.

Act I: THE BIG STORIES (0:54-5:23): Just last month the Astros were 12 games under .500 and 10 games out of first place. With Wednesday's win over the Rockies, they extended their winning streak to seven games and reached .500 for the first time this year. Houston now sits just 4 1/2 games behind the first-place Mariners in the AL West. Brewers rookie Jackson Chourio, who just turned 20 in March, became the youngest player to hit an inside-the-park homer since Ken Griffey Jr. in 1989. MLB's youngest player is starting to hit his stride, posting an .840 OPS so far in June.

Act II: WHIPAROUND (5:24-8-12): A wild sequence in which Kyle McCann missed home plate, and then was grabbed by teammate Armando Alvarez, cost the A's a crucial run in a loss to the Angels.

Act III: LOOKING AHEAD (8:12-9:27): After splitting a doubleheader in St. Louis yesterday, the Braves continue a busy stretch in their schedule this afternoon with a makeup game against the White Sox in Chicago. Atlanta will then head home to face the Pirates on Friday. That game will mark the Braves' fourth game in three cities in three days.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new NL rivalry is born; J-Ram's star keeps shining Jun 26, 2024

Show notes

On today’s episode:

Act I (0:46-7:14): THE BIG STORIES: In the second game of a fiery three-game series between the Nationals and Padres, benches cleared prior to Jurickson Profar’s at-bat in the first inning. Right after the dust settled, Manny Machado blasted a two-run homer to set the stage for another emotional game between these sudden NL rivals. Profar, who delivered the walk-off single the night before, sent San Diego into a frenzy again with a sixth-inning grand slam that turned a one-run game into a five-run lead. The Nats brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth, but the Padres held on for a 9-7 win. José Ramírez showed yet again why he's one of the most complete players in baseball, hitting his 21st home run and making a slick backhand stop in the seventh to key a 10-8 win over the Orioles. Cleveland has won seven straight to claim baseball's best record. The Subway Series started with a bang -- several of them, actually -- as the Mets hit four homers to chase Gerrit Cole after four innings at Citi Field. Aaron Judge's 8th-inning grand slam made things interesting at the end, but the Mets beat the Yankees 9-7 to improve to 14-6 in June.

Act II (7:14-8:33): WHIPAROUND: Shohei Ohtani hit a leadoff homer in the Dodgers' win over the White Sox, his ninth straight game with at least one RBI, tying a single-season franchise record. Tarik Skubal strengthened his Cy Young case by spinning seven shutout innings in the Tigers' win over the Phillies. Ketel Marte homered and came through with the go-ahead RBI single in the Diamondbacks' 5-4 win over the Twins.

Act III (8:33-9:19): LOOKING AHEAD: Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds carries a 22-game hitting streak into Wednesday's series finale against the Reds. It's the longest active streak in the Majors and the longest by a Pirate since Jason Kendall hit in 23 consecutive games in 2003.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Giants walk it off while honoring Willie Mays Jun 25, 2024

Show notes

On today’s episode:

Act I: THE BIG STORIES (0:54-2:57)

In their first home game since Willie Mays' passing, the Giants all wore No. 24 to pay homage to the Say Hey Kid. Then, in true Hollywood fashion, they rallied for three runs in the ninth inning to walk off the Cubs. The Phillies turned the first 1-3-5 triple play in 95 years, keying their win over the Tigers. José Ramírez's 20th homer powered the Guardians past Baltimore as they became the third team to reach 50 wins. Still, the play of the night at Camden Yards might have come from a fan who snared a 108.5 mph foul ball with his right hand while clutching his phone and a drink in his left.

Act II: WHIPAROUND (6:31-8:16)

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. mashed a 471-foot homer -- the longest of his career -- over the Green Monster, but the Red Sox scored five runs in the final two frames to walk off the Blue Jays. Miguel Rojas had two hits in the Dodgers' win over the White Sox, pushing L.A.'s record to 23-0 when he has at least one knock. Elly De La Cruz demolished a two-run homer into the riverboat deck at Great American Ball Park, Rhys Hoskins launched a go-ahead grand slam to lead the Brewers past the defending champs and Jurickson Profar delivered the walk-off knock in San Diego's extra-inning win over Washington.

Act III: LOOKING AHEAD (8:16-9:07)

Tuesday's slate is highlighted by a premier pitching matchup between the Tigers' Tarik Skubal and the Phillies' Ranger Suárez in Detroit. Skubal is the current AL Cy Young frontrunner, while Suárez is among the top contenders for the award in the NL.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Max, Skenes look scary good; Edwin Díaz ejected Jun 24, 2024

Show notes

On today’s episode:

Act I: THE BIG STORIES (0:57-3:01) Max Scherzer pitched for the first time since the World Series and didn't miss a beat, throwing five solid innings to top the Royals. (3:01-5:16) And Paul Skenes upped his game to a career-high seven innings while allowing only one run.

Act II: WHIPAROUND (5:16-6:32) Edwin Díaz came on to close things out in the ninth for the Mets at Wrigley Field, but he was ejected before throwing a pitch following a "sticky stuff" check. The Mets hung on to win. (6:32-7:35) Sonny Gray took a perfect game into the seventh for the Cardinals. The Astros are suddenly the Astros again, having won five in a row to put some heat on the AL West-leading Mariners. And the Yankees lost their third series in a row, this time to the Braves.

Act III: LOOKING AHEAD (7:35-8:48) The series of the week begins tonight in Baltimore, where the Orioles take on the team with the best record in the AL, the Guardians.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MLB at Rickwood Field truly an event to remember Jun 21, 2024

Show notes

Thursday was all about honoring the past during a historic night in Birmingham, Ala. Memories of Willie Mays dominated the proceedings, while the Giants and Cardinals put on a show of their own on the hallowed field.

On today’s episode …

ACT 1: THE BIG STORY (0:50-3:05)

The Cardinals’ Brendan Donovan, who grew up in Alabama, seized the moment at Rickwood, smashing a three-run homer in the opening inning to put the Redbirds in front early on their way to a 6-5 win. Heliot Ramos provided some fireworks for San Francisco with a three-run homer of his own in the third, but St. Louis held on.

ACT 2: WHIPAROUND (3:08-6:05)

Elsewhere around the Majors, the Royce Lewis Show continued for the Twins in their 7-6 loss to the Rays. The 25-year-old hit his ninth homer of the season in just 15 games to remain on a serious tear. In the finale of their AL East showdown, the Orioles put up a 6-spot in the second inning and cruised to a 17-5 win at Yankee Stadium. And in Colorado, Shohei Ohtani hit his 21st homer of the season as the Dodgers won, 5-3, to take three of four vs. the Rockies.

ACT 3: LOOKING AHEAD (8:17-9:19)

Highlighting tonight’s action is a rematch of last season’s NL Championship Series as the D-backs visit Philly looking for a repeat of their big October upset in a clash with the Phillies.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All eyes on Cole last night, Rickwood Field tonight Jun 20, 2024

Show notes

On today’s episode...

Act I: THE BIG STORIES ( 0:53-3:25)

Gerrit Cole looked good in his season debut but was long gone by the time a back-and-forth Orioles-Yankees game went to extra innings. As temperatures heat up around the country, so too is Steven Kwan, the Guardians' outfielder flirting with .400.

Act II: WHIPAROUND (6:09-7:35)

Sean Murphy connected twice to lead a Braves rout of the Tigers, and the surging Red Sox completed a sweep of the Blue Jays.

Act III: LOOKING AHEAD (7:39-9:17)

Tonight will be one of the signature moments of the MLB season, made even more poignant by the passing of Willie Mays two days before he was to be honored. Mays' Giants and the Cardinals will play at famed Rickwood Field, where Mays got his start in the Negro Leagues more than seven decades ago.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Commemorating the life and legacy of Willie Mays Jun 19, 2024

Show notes

The baseball community mourns the loss of Willie Mays, who died Tuesday at the age of 93. One of the greatest players ever, Mays is sixth all time with 660 home runs and won 12 Gold Glove Awards for his dazzling defense in center field.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

MLB Morning Lineup Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected