That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Strikeout rates high is pitch clock helping offense?; Cubs Counsell says it’s bizzare Dodgers carrying 14 pitchers over MLB maximum; plus more new

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell stands for the national anthem on opening day Thu Mar 26, 2026 against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Counsell is questioning why the Los Angeles Dodgers are allowed to have one pitcher over the MLB maxium of 13 pitchers giving LA 14 (AP photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 With strikeout rates still high across Major League Baseball, are recent rule changes (like the pitch clock and shift ban) actually improving offensive production, or do pitchers still have the upper hand?

#2 Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell finds it strange that the Los Angeles Dodgers are allowed to carry 14 pitchers while the MLB maximum for pitchers on a roster is 13. The Dodgers use Shohei Ohtani as a pitcher and a designated hitter on his off days from pitching so it would seem Ohtani is not counted as being on the pitching staff. The underlying talk has been the Dodgers are an exception because Ohtani is a cash cow and huge draw for baseball so MLB looks the other way on the 13 maxium pitchers on a roster rule.

#3 With the Sacramento A’s recent success especially against some competive teams and recent series wins against a four game 2-2 split with Texas, winning two out of three with Chciago White Sox and taking the first of a three game series from the always tough Seattle Mariners and are first place in the AL West can this A’s team compete this season.

#4 The Mets continue to struggle losing their 12th straight game to the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday night. Francisco Lindor defened his manager Carlos Mendoza saying he’s not the problem the team just isn’t putting it together. The players like Lindor are standing up for Mendoza.

#5 Young Stars Taking Over Players like Elly De La Cruz and Gunnar Henderson are becoming faces of the league—how important is youth movement to maintaining fan interest and growing the sport globally?

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: De La Cruz pays tribute to late sister after home run; Suspect in Astros McCullers threats apologizes; plus more news

Cincinnati Reds hitter Elly De La Cruz slugs a sixth inning home run at Wrigley Field on Sun Jun 1, 2025 and later dedicates it to his late sister Genelis who passed away in the Dominican Republic. (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Cincinnati Reds star Elly De la Cruz didn’t need to play on Sunday and no one would have blamed him if he didn’t. Cruz’s older sister Genelis De La Cruz Sanchez passed away in the Dominican Republic after suffering a number of health issues. Cruz hitting against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field tag a deep drive to left field and rounded the bases pointing heavenward and giving the heart sign. Elly could also be a candidate for the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Hall of Fame if he continues to play at the level he has that’s in the future.

#2 A drunk intoxicated fan overseas sent threats to Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers and had also threatened his two kids the Houston Police announced on Monday. The suspect in the case has not been charged as of yet but police have indentified as overseas gambler who admitted that to police he gambled on an Astros game and lost and sent the threats to McCullers. The suspect says he apologized to McCullers and his family for making the threats. Charges for the threats are being considered.

#3 You covered them you knew them when you worked at the Seattle Mariners pitcher Randy Johnson who wore number 51 and Ichiro Suzuki who both wore number 51 will have their numbers retired by the Seattle Mariners. Ichiro wrote to the Big Unit if he could wear number 51 when he joined the Mariners and Johnson gave his permission. Talk about both players as you saw them when you covered the Mariners in your television days there.

#4 Amaury talk about the ejection of the Tampa Bay Rays Taylor Walls who tapped on his helmet after being called out on strikes on Sunday at Daikin Park in Houston by home plate umpire Nick Lentz after being ejected from the game Walls went ballistic and charged at Wentz several times only to be restrained by the coaches and a couple teammates before being led to the clubhouse.

#5 Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington said after designated hitter Mike Trout had returned from his knee injury and had successful days on Friday and Saturday at the plate but was benched Sunday as Wash called it for taking a break it was not a reflection on his left knee injury. Expect Trout to get a day off every other two days as the Angels approach his return cautiously.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

@Central Park Fremont – Fremont CA

http://goaquaadventure.com

MLB The Show podcast with Augie Mesenburg: Severino might have thrown his last pitch for Yankees; Braves Jones No.25 retired; plus more news

New York Yankees pitcher Luis Severino holds his left side as he’s escorted off the field by the Yankees trainer at Yankee Stadium in New York on Fri Sep 8, 2023 (New York Post photo)

On the MLB The Show podcast with Augie:

#1 He grabbed his left side and he knew he had to leave the game the New York Yankees pitcher Luis Severino against the Milwaukee Brewers due to a left upper body oblique strain. Severino was coming off the mound and held his left side saying he felt a sharp pain like he was just shot. Severino most likely might have thrown his last pitch for the Yankees.

#2 The Atlanta Braves will be retiring Andruw Jones No.25 and are making the case for Jones’ bid to make the Hall of Fame. Jones had a .254 career batting average and had 434 career home runs. His best season was in 2005 when he finished the year with 51 home runs.

#3 The Cincinnati Reds third baseman Noelvi Marte was struck in the face before Saturday’s game by a warm up throw from Elly De La Cruz. Marte was distracted when starting pitcher Carson Spiers and catcher Tyler Stephenson were walking off the field and De La Cruz didn’t realize that Marte was distracted and the ball he threw hit Marte in the face giving him a cut. Marte was replaced at third base for Spencer Steer.

#4 Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Juilo Urias won’t be returning to the Dodgers rotation anytime soon after he was booked last Thursday for domestic violence. Urias and his girlfriend were outside at MLS Stadium when they had an argument over a cell phone. One of the fans at the stadium took a cell phone video of the physical altercation and Urias was arrested. This is Urias’ second domestic violence charge the first one was on 2019.

#5 More bad news for the Dodgers Mookie Betts is out with a foot injury after fouling a pitch off his foot on Thursday against the Miami Marlins. Betts left the LoanDepot Park on crutches and no time line for his absence has been disclosed. Betts had x-rays that showed no fractures. Also pitcher Walker Buheler will be out for the rest of the season. He still hasn’t recovered from his second Tommy John surgery.

Augie Mesenburg does the MLB The Show podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com