In Episode 9.5, a special mini-pod, Brock and Dan are again joined by Daren Garshelis to discuss the significance of Ryan Braun’s successful appeal of his PED suspension. Then Daren, fresh off a visit to Cuba, gives the guys a scouting report on Yoenis Cespedes provided by Cuban baseball fans.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In Episode 9, Brock and Dan are joined by Twins fan and Citizen of the Diaspora Daren Garshelis as they break down the AL Central. After Daren shares a harrowing story of braving Yankee Stadium for a Twins playoff game, the guys discuss:
- Justin Morneau and Joe Mauer and if they will be healthy enough to help the Twins rebound from a difficult 2011
- What to make of the Twins bullpen with Joe Nathan’s departure and Joel Zumaya’s injury
- Francisco Liriano and if there is hope for him in 2012 or if his best years are behind him
- The Detroit Tigers and whether they have a stranglehold on the AL Central for the next few seasons
- The impact Detroit’s decision to sacrifice defense will have on the team’s chances for a deep playoff run
- The Cleveland Indians and whether they will make things interesting in the division this year and in the near future
- The Kansas City Royals youth movement and if and when the Royals will return to relevance
- The Chicago White Sox’ difficult offseason and what it means for their competitiveness going forward
- How the additional Wild Card impacts the AL Central
and
- Predictions for who will win the AL Central in 2012
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In Part 2 of Episode 8, Brock and Dan continue to preview the AL East with Tampa Bay Rays fan and Citizen of the Diaspora Joe McNeal. After unpacking the history of Joe’s baseball fandom, the guys discuss:
- The final day of the 2011 season from the perspective of a Rays fan
- The Rays’ offseason moves, analyzing the impact Carlos Pena, Luke Scott and Jeff Keppinger might have on the team in 2012
- Tampa’s young talent (Matt Moore, Desmond Jennings and others) and what to expect from them this season
- Jonah Keri’s book on the Rays, The Extra 2%: How Wall Street Strategies Took a Major League Baseball Team from Worst to First
- The challenges for the fan of the small market team, where players come and go due to financial considerations
- Which team – Yankees or Red Sox – presents the greatest obstacle to the Rays’ postseason aspirations
- How the additional Wild Card impacts the AL East
and
- Projections for who will win the AL East and AL Wild Card in 2012
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In Episode 8, Part 1, Brock and Dan are joined by Yankee fan and Citizen of the Diaspora Digger Lauter to break down the AL East. After establishing Digger’s Diaspora credentials, the guys discuss:
- The Yankees’ offseason moves, specifically the Michael Pineda-Jesus Montero trade
- Who the five pitchers in the Yankees’ opening day rotation should be
- The Yankees’ search for a left-handed bat
- Whether the aging Yankees lineup is cause for concern for fans in the near future
- Which team – Red Sox or Rays – represents the greatest threat to the Yankees in 2012
- Whether the Blue Jays and Orioles project to contend in the near future or instead are consigned to second division status
- How the second Wild Card impacts the AL East (once implemented)
and
- Projections for who will win the AL East and AL Wild Card in 2012
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
In Episode 7, Brock and Dan dive headfirst into baseball drama, both off the field and on, discussing:
- Josh Hamilton’s recent relapse, what it means for him and the Rangers, and how news of the incident was received by the media
- Cecil Fielder’s continued standoffishness toward his son and whether it will motivate Prince to put up impressive numbers in Detroit
- Tim Lincecum’s break up with fast food and how the slender righty somehow lost 20-25 pounds
- The Colorado Rockies following the A’s example and becoming baseball hoarders, collecting mediocre starting pitching like it’s on sale
- The phenomenon of embracing players you used to root fervently against when they played for a hated rival and the specific players that would never, under any circumstances, be welcome on Dan’s A’s and Brock’s Cardinals
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Recent Comments