Tablesetters: A Baseball Podcast

Dodgers vs. Yankees: 2024 World Series Preview: Analyzing Key Matchups & Team Strengths | 35

Welcome back to Tablesetters, your go-to podcast for all things baseball! Steve and Devin are here, diving deep into the thrilling World Series matchup between the Yankees and Dodgers, but first, we want to take a moment to honor the late Fernando Valenzuela. Just days before the World Series, the legendary pitcher passed away at the age of 63. His impact on baseball, especially during his iconic run with the Dodgers in 1981, is immeasurable. Valenzuela not only won the Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in that season but also became a cultural icon, particularly for the Latino community. 
As we reflect on this somber news, we’ll remember Valenzuela’s distinctive delivery and his remarkable contributions to the game. His passing serves as a poignant reminder of the rich history and legacy that intertwines with the World Series, especially as the Dodgers prepare to face the Yankees again—an event that he was a significant part of in the past.
Now, shifting gears back to the World Series, we’ll dive into the excitement surrounding this historic matchup. The Yankees and Dodgers are clashing in the Fall Classic for the first time in 43 years, and we’ll break down what makes this series so significant.
We’ll start with the **pitching matchups**: Gerrit Cole is set to start for the Yankees, bringing postseason experience with him. We’ll discuss his recent performance and how he can lead the Yankees to victory. The Dodgers are navigating injury challenges with key players like Clayton Kershaw, and we’ll examine their rotation options.
**Star players** like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani are poised to make headlines, and we’ll highlight their postseason journeys as they aim for their first championship rings. We’ll also cover the latest injury updates and their implications for both teams.
As we analyze the **pressure on these stars**, we’ll discuss what’s at stake for Judge and Ohtani in this high-stakes moment.
Next, we’ll turn our focus to the Dodgers’ bullpen, which has been crucial to their success this postseason. Key performers like Evan Phillips and Blake Treinen have stepped up in critical situations, showcasing the depth of their pitching staff.
In a heartfelt segment, Devin will take a moment to **eulogize the special season for the New York Mets**. After a rollercoaster year filled with ups and downs, Devin will reflect on the team's promising potential and what fans can look forward to in the future.
We’ll also touch on the hypothetical move of the Chicago White Sox to Nashville, discussing the challenges and opportunities this situation presents for both the team and the city.
Finally, we’ll wrap up with a look at the Cleveland Guardians and their successful season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt, emphasizing their goals for 2025.
And hey, remember to follow us on Instagram and Twitter @tablesetterspod for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive fan polls. We want to hear from you!
So grab your popcorn and settle in as we ignite the conversation only on Tablesetters, where every inning brings a new story, and every pitch sets the stage for baseball's greatest moments. Let's play ball!

Blessings in the Boogie Down for Yanks, Dodgers & Mets Momentum Seesaws, Tropicana Field Damage Raises Questions about Rays' in 2024 | 34

Welcome back to Tablesetters, your go-to podcast for all things baseball! Steve and Devin are back, diving deep into the week's news, with the Championship Series in progress. The Yankees' 2-0 lead over the Guardians is a big topic of conversation as the series heads to Cleveland, with the team aiming for their first World Series appearance in 15 years. We’ll discuss Game 2, where Gerrit Cole struggled, lasting just 4.1 innings and allowing two runs, while an early error by Rocchio allowed the Yankees to get on the board first. Aaron Judge made headlines with his first postseason homer, and the Yankees' bullpen stepped up, delivering 4.2 strong innings and conceding only one run. We’ll also touch on the Guardians' pitching woes, with Tanner Bibee getting pulled after just 1.1 innings and a heavy reliance on their bullpen. Despite some poor baserunning by the Yankees, it didn't impact the outcome. Finally, we’ll preview Game 3, featuring Clarke Schmidt against Matthew Boyd.
We also dive deep into the Mets and Dodgers matchup, which has seen the Dodgers take a 2-1 lead after their win tonight. Following a tough 9-0 loss in Game 1, the Mets bounced back in Game 2 with Francisco Lindor leading off with a homer. Sean Manaea pitched well, going five innings and allowing two runs, although he showed more promise than his stat line suggests. Mark Vientos made a statement after the Dodgers intentionally walked Lindor, hitting a grand slam and boosting his postseason stats to .378 with three homers and 11 RBIs in just nine games. We’ll also highlight Edwin Diaz's typical flair as he faced early trouble but struck out the side to close the game. Looking ahead, we’ll preview Game 4, and discuss the potential matchup of Yamamoto versus Quintana. Plus, we’ll touch on Brandon Nimmo's determination to play through plantar fasciitis.
Buckle up as we’ll dive into the aftermath of the recent hurricane that has left the Rays’ current stadium in disrepair. With repair costs potentially reaching hundreds of millions, we’ll explore whether St. Petersburg will find it worthwhile to invest in repairs, especially with the team set to move to a new stadium in 2028. We’ll discuss the implications of this situation on the Rays’ temporary home, considering options like local minor league stadiums and the logistical challenges involved. Additionally, we’ll touch on the financial ramifications, including potential drops in revenue and staffing issues. Finally, we’ll examine whether Major League Baseball might step in to offer financial support in this unprecedented scenario.
But that's just the tip of the iceberg, folks. We’ll highlight standout performances from the Arizona Fall League. We’ll start with Andrew Painter, who is making his first appearance since Tommy John surgery, showcasing impressive velocity that could see him joining the Phillies’ rotation in 2025. Colt Emerson has kicked off the season with a remarkable performance, batting .458 with four doubles, all at just 19 years old. We’ll also discuss Zyhir Hope, who hit a massive 470-foot homer, showing flashes of his potential after a challenging year due to injury. Lastly, we’ll touch on Xavier Isaac, already a top 100 prospect, who is off to a strong start with a .286 average and two homers in just four games, demonstrating the promise of future power at the big league level. We get into so much more, so dive in and give us your feedback!
We will also explore the surprising snub of Francisco Lindor for a Gold Glove nomination this year. The three finalists in the National League are Dansby Swanson, Ezequiel Tovar, and Masyn Winn, with standout Outs Above Average (OAA) numbers: Swanson leads with 18, followed closely by Lindor with 16 and Tovar with 15, while Winn trails with just 3. Lindor reflected on the snub, acknowledging other players had better defensive seasons but expressing his focus on winning a World Series. We’ll also discuss Juan Soto's nomination despite a -4 OAA and point out that Lindor ranked fifth among all players in OAA. For added context, Masyn Winn leads all shortstops in Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) with 14, compared to Lindor's 2. It raises interesting questions about how defensive metrics are valued in award considerations.
And hey, remember to follow us on Instagram and Twitter @tablesetterspod for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive fan polls. We want to hear from you!
So grab your popcorn and settle in as we ignite the conversation only on Tablesetters, where every inning brings a new story, and every pitch sets the stage for baseball's greatest moments. Let's play ball!

Lindor's Grand Slam Phinishes The Job & Boost Mets to NLCS, Gritty Tigers Push Guards to Brink, Drama Out West with Padres/Dodgers, Yanks Try to Ride Cole Train to ALCS | 33

Welcome back to Tablesetters, your go-to podcast for all things baseball! Steve and Devin are back, diving deep into the week's news, with the Divisional Series in progress. The Phillies saw their season end to the relentless New York Mets in 4 games. The Tigers continue to roll and have pushed the Guardians to the brink of elimination. We discuss the improbable home run that Kerry Carpenter hit off of Clase in Game 2. The Yankees took a 2-1 series lead and now look to have Gerrit Cole clinch the series on Thursday to punch their ticket to the ALCS. We also have the drama brewing on the West Coast with the Dodgers and Padres. The fans have become a big part of this series and not in a good way. What did we think of Dave Roberts' claim that Manny Machado intentionally threw a ball at him?
Buckle up as we discuss the life and times of Luis Tiant and his impact on the game of baseball and his influence on other Cuban playing baseball. The Red Sox are sure to honor him in 2025.
But that's just the tip of the iceberg, folks. We have some updates on the Diamond Sports Group and MLB has taken the mantle of broadcasting the Brewers, Guardians and the Twins for the 2025 season which will forego blackouts in that market. We talk about the Twitter polls and the question of if we think we should boil the awards to one instead of two being league centric. We get into so much more, so dive in and give us your feedback!
And hey, remember to follow us on Instagram and Twitter @tablesetterspod for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive fan polls. We want to hear from you!
So grab your popcorn and settle in as we ignite the conversation only on Tablesetters, where every inning brings a new story, and every pitch sets the stage for baseball's greatest moments. Let's play ball!

Gritty Tigers Send 'Stros Home, These O's Ain't Royal, Friars Stay Hot, Mets/Brewers Split, Rest Easy Charlie Hustle | 32

Welcome back to Tablesetters, your go-to podcast for all things baseball! Steve and Devin are back, diving deep into the week's news, with the Wild Card Series coming and going. As quick as the Astros, Orioles & Braves were in the playoffs, they were gone even quicker. We saw the Tigers sweep the Astros ending their 7 year streak of consecutive ALCS appearance, Royals clipping the Orioles, and the Padres sending the Braves back cross country. The only series left in question is the Mets and Brewers where we will find out who heads to the city of Brotherly Love on Thursday.
Buckle up as we discuss the life and times of Pete Rose and his impact on the game of baseball. Is there a possibility of him winding up in Cooperstown? What would that mean? 
But that's just the tip of the iceberg, folks. We have some updates on the Diamond Sports Group and their bankruptcy. Twelve teams are effected by this going forward and it will continue to loom large! We discuss the STRAUSS advertisements on the helmets for the 2024 Postseason. Are they as egregious as we originally thought they'd be. What does that mean for the future of uniforms that the real estate has been opened for profit?  We get into so much more, so dive in and give us your feedback!
And hey, remember to follow us on Instagram and Twitter @tablesetterspod for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive fan polls. We want to hear from you!
So grab your popcorn and settle in as we ignite the conversation only on Tablesetters, where every inning brings a new story, and every pitch sets the stage for baseball's greatest moments. Let's play ball!

Guest: Derek Montilla (PHNX Diamondbacks Podcast), Building on 2023's Improbable NL Pennant, Ketel's Underappreciated Star Power, Lovullo's Guidance, Carroll's Resurgence & More | 31

Welcome back to Tablesetters, your go-to podcast for all things baseball! Steve and Devin are back, and we have an exceptional guest for our full episode. We have an exclusive conversation about the Arizona Diamondbacks with Derek Montilla. Derek hosts the PHNX Diamondbacks Podcast. You can follow the show on @PHNX_Dbacks on X and Derek himself @Cap_Kaveman on X.
We discussed the Diamondbacks, their October hopes, and their 2024 campaign thus far. What does he think the Diamondbacks need to do to stay in that Wild Card spot? Derek talks about the amazing impact Ketel Marte has had on this team and what he attributes to Corbin Carroll's return to form since early July. We dive into Torey Lovullo's tenure and what his leadership has meant to this young team. We also discuss the Diamondbacks' improbable run to the World Series in 2023 and what that meant for their progression. We talk the impending free agency of Christian Walker and how he sees that shaking out. We get into so much more! Do not miss this terrific conversation.
And hey, remember to follow us on Instagram and Twitter @tablesetterspod for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive fan polls. We want to hear from you!
So grab your popcorn and settle in as we ignite the conversation only on Tablesetters, where every inning brings a new story, and every pitch sets the stage for baseball's greatest moments. Let's play ball!

Is Ohtani chasing the 60-60 mark now?, Intriguing Storylines for the Final Week, Was CJ Abrams' Punishment Too Harsh?, Royals Continue to Wilt, Reds Fire Bell | 30

Welcome back to Tablesetters, your go-to podcast for all things baseball! Steve and Devin are back, diving deep into the week's news, with Shohei Ohtani hitting the 50-50 mark in style with 10 RBIs and 3 HRs against the Marlins. Is it possible that he can achieve 60-60 in the final week of the season now? Can we rule anything out at this point? We also dive deep into CJ Abrams spending all night in a Chicago casino and waking up demoted by the Nats. Did Rizzo overreact or was this an appropriate response by the DC front office?
Buckle up as we discuss the continued decline of the Royals who are slipping away from the playoffs. Can they hang on? We'll also delve into all the storylines for the final week of the season. What is the one we are most looking forward to? Who will secure home-field advantage? Can the Padres catch the Dodgers?
But that's just the tip of the iceberg, folks. We discuss the insanely tight Wild Card picture on both sides. Who will emerge from the AL & NL? We discuss David Bell being fired on Sunday night after another disappointing season in Cincy. Paul Skenes is back in the Under 2 ERA club! We get into so much more, so dive in and give us your feedback!
And hey, remember to follow us on Instagram and Twitter @tablesetterspod for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive fan polls. We want to hear from you!
So grab your popcorn and settle in as we ignite the conversation only on Tablesetters, where every inning brings a new story, and every pitch sets the stage for baseball's greatest moments. Let's play ball!

Guest: Jordan Hall (Eat ‘em Up Tigers: A Detroit Tigers Podcast), October Aspirations Ahead of Schedule, Skubal's Bid For AL Cy Young, AJ Hinch's Leadership & More | 29

Welcome back to Tablesetters, your go-to podcast for all things baseball! Steve and Devin are back, and we have an exceptional guest for our full episode. We have an exclusive conversation about the Detroit Tigers with Jordan Hall. Jordan hosts the “Eat 'em Up: A Detroit Tigers Podcast.”—your weekly dose of Detroit Tigers baseball banter, opinions, and general nonsense. Jordan hosts it alongside his co-host, Alex Urban. You can follow the show on @EatEmPod on X and Jordan himself @hostedbyjhall on X.
We discussed the Tigers, their October aspirations, and their rollercoaster 2024 season thus far. What does he think they must do to secure that final Wild Card spot, and did he see this happening in his wildest dreams? Jordan talks about the cut-and-dry nature of Tarik Skubal's AL Cy Young case. We dive into AJ Hinch's tenure and what his presence has meant to this young team. We also talk about the young Tigers being well ahead of schedule and what he sees them doing in the offseason to take advantage of the young core's gains. Do not miss this tremendous conversation.
And hey, remember to follow us on Instagram and Twitter @tablesetterspod for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive fan polls. We want to hear from you!
So grab your popcorn and settle in as we ignite the conversation only on Tablesetters, where every inning brings a new story, and every pitch sets the stage for baseball's greatest moments. Let's play ball!

Devers frightens Cole, Update on Francisco Lindor’s Back, Glasnow’s Done for Season, O’s Swoon Continues, Witt vs. Judge MVP race tightening up? | 28

Welcome back to Tablesetters, your go-to podcast for all things baseball! Steve and Devin are back, diving deep into the week's news, with Gerrit Cole going into business for himself and deciding to walk Rafael Devers on his own, which ultimately backfired this weekend for the Yanks' ace. We also discuss Francisco Lindor's back injury and how the Mets will respond to the news of his limited absence. 
Buckle up as we discuss the significant loss for the season with Tyler Glasnow's elbow injury, which will keep him out for the rest of the season. We'll also delve into the Dodgers' pitching woes and how it may affect their October goals. Dave Roberts did not rule out Ohtani potentially pitching during the postseason. What will that mean for Los Angeles?
But that's just the tip of the iceberg, folks. We discuss the Orioles' performance, which has been on a downward spiral since the 4th of July. Their numbers are troubling and could be a key factor in their future. Can they turn it back on or did their inactivity during the Trade Deadline sink their hopes? We also dive into Shohei Ohtani's chase for 50-50 and Bobby Witt Jr's case for the American League MVP. He became only the second shortstop in MLB history to record multiple 30-30 seasons. We are witnessing special moments all throughout the league. We get into so much more, so dive in and give us your feedback!
And hey, remember to follow us on Instagram and Twitter @tablesetterspod for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive fan polls. We want to hear from you!
So grab your popcorn and settle in as we ignite the conversation only on Tablesetters, where every inning brings a new story, and every pitch sets the stage for baseball's greatest moments. Let's play ball!
 

Skenes breaks Buccos' record from 1900, Santander tallies 40 HRs, Yanks summon the Martian, Lindor already a HOFer?, Rest Easy Ed Kranepool | 27

Welcome back to Tablesetters, your go-to podcast for all things baseball! Steve and Devin are back, diving deep into the week's news, with Anthony Santander reaching the 40 HR mark for the first time in his career and the first to do it for the Birds since Mark Trumbo in 2016. We also discuss Jay Jaffe's article about the possibility that Francisco Lindor is already a Hall of Famer.
Buckle up as we discuss the Yankees' finally calling up Jasson Domínguez & how we think this will work out. How did Aaron Boone handle the roulette of the lineup card that his presence creates? Paul Skenes is adding to his already memorable rookie campaign by breaking records in Pirates' franchise history since 1900. Is there anything he cannot do?
But that's just the tip of the iceberg, folks. We say goodbye to Ed Kranepool and talk about his impact on the Mets, check in on the Ohtani 50-50 chase, volley whether either Kershaw or Verlander will be on their respective postseason rosters, and wonder if the Giants will end up regretting the Matt Chapman extension. Steve even wonders aloud about the history of birds infesting outfields! We get into so much more, so dive in and give us your feedback!
And hey, remember to follow us on Instagram and Twitter @tablesetterspod for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive fan polls. We want to hear from you!
So grab your popcorn and settle in as we ignite the conversation only on Tablesetters, where every inning brings a new story, and every pitch sets the stage for baseball's greatest moments. Let's play ball!
 

Guest: Mike DiGiovanna (LA Times), Dodgers' Expectations Down The Stretch, Ohtani Chasing 50-50 Season, Yamamoto Returns Tuesday, & More | 26

Welcome back to Tablesetters, your go-to podcast for all things baseball! Steve and Devin are back, and we have an exceptional guest for our full episode. We have an exclusive conversation about the Los Angeles Dodgers with Mike DiGiovanna.  Mike is an award-winning writer for the LA Times and currently contributes to the coverage of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Major League Baseball. He’s been writing for the Times since 1981 and covering MLB since 1995. You can follow Mike on X @MikeDiGiovanna. 
We discussed the Dodgers, their October aspirations, and their 2024 season thus far. What does he think they have to do to make a run to a World Series? Does Yamamoto’s return next week solve their pitching woes? We dive into Shohei Ohtani’s potential 50-50 season and what his presence has meant to this lineup. Does he believe the 2020 World Series cemented Dave Roberts’ legacy, or does he need at least ONE more? Do not miss this fantastic conversation.
And hey, remember to follow us on Instagram and Twitter @tablesetterspod for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and interactive fan polls. We want to hear from you!
So grab your popcorn and settle in as we ignite the conversation only on Tablesetters, where every inning brings a new story, and every pitch sets the stage for baseball's greatest moments. Let's play ball!