Chicago Cubs’ Seiya Suzuki practices during a training session ahead of the baseball match against St. Louis Cardinals at the MLB World Tour London Series, in London Stadium on Fri Jun 22, 2023. (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast with Charlie O:

#1 The London Series is underway with the Chicago Cubs and the St Louis Cardinals matching up this weekend. It’s got to be an important series with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred in attendance as he’s trying to boost the MLB brand in Europe.

#2 The Tampa Bay Rays Wander Franco who has expressed frustration by breaking a bat in the Rays dugout and not running out ground balls was sent home on Thursday night and benched on Friday night was back in the line up on Saturday and admitted that the organization is trying to get control of his frustrations and he admitted making errors that got away from him. Franco is hitting .287 and is in the second season of his $182 million contract.

#3 Charlie what can you say about the Cincinnati Reds that hasn’t already been said. The Red Legs are on a 12 game win streak and Elly De La Cruz’s cycle on Friday night added to the success the club has been having. The Reds are in first in the NL Central by 1.5 games on second place the Milwaukee Brewers.

#4 The Los Angeles Angels enhanced their infield up the middle acquiring Eduardo Escobar from the New York Mets for pitchers Coleman Crow and Landon Marceaux, who were 19 and 20th in the Angels system. Escobar’s $9 million contact will be picked up by the Mets at the pro rated MLB minimum. 2024 is an option year for Escobar.

#5 MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred who is attending the London Series this weekend as we spoke about earlier said that one big turnout for the Oakland A’s on Tue Jun 23 at the Oakland Coliseum doesn’t solve a “decade of inaction” referring to the fans reverse boycott and is waiting for the A’s to submit their relocation application in preparation for an owners vote that requires a 75% yes vote. Eight no votes can turn the tide for the A’s moving to Vegas.

Join Charlie O for the MLB podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com