That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: How extreme heat is affecting Cactus League play; Can Tigers Skubal set contract records? Plus more news

Two time Cy Young Award winner Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal could set contract records when he reaches free agency (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 How could the extreme heat wave affecting the Cactus League in Arizona change the way teams manage players and schedules during spring training and do you think climate change played a part in the extreme heat?

#2 What factors might lead to Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal potentially setting new contract records when he reaches free agency?

#3 How did Chris Sale’s efficient spring training outing help the Atlanta Braves secure a dominant win, and what might it indicate about his readiness for the regular season?

#4 What impact could experimental rule changes in the minor leagues have on the future of Major League Baseball gameplay?

#5 How are spring training matchups—such as the San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres—helping teams evaluate talent and finalize rosters before Opening Day? How much are the Pads Mason Miller and the Giants Logan Webb drawing cards?

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.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Yankees go with Fried to start on opening day Mar 25; Did Skubal step away to join Tigers in spring training; plus more news

New York Yankees left hand pitcher Max Fried will be the starting pitcher against the San Francisco Giants on opening day Wed Mar 25, 2026 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Will New York Yankees’ new Opening Day pitcher LHP Max Fried lead the rotation to a strong start? .

#2 Which players could become surprise trade candidates before the 2026 MLB deadline?

#3 Why did Tarik Skubal leave Team USA after his World Baseball Classic appearance? The Detroit Tigers ace made headlines after stepping away from Team USA duties following his WBC debut.

#4 Which players are standing out in spring training as Opening Day approaches? Early performances—like big home runs and defensive plays—are drawing attention as teams finalize their rosters for the start of the 2026 season.

#5 MLB questions specifically about the Dodgers and Giants rivalry. The Dodgers multiple World Series wins and the Giants new manager Tony Vitello will he be able to get the Giants to the post season?

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.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB Best Pitchers in the World

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal (left) and the Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes (right) winners of the American League and National League Cy Young Award (photo by MLB.com)

MLB Best Pitchers in the World

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Just like the English Premier League is considered the best professional football Soccer league in the world, Major League Baseball is considered the best professional Baseball league in the World. What do these two leagues have in common?

The best paid and most talented in the world in their respective sports play there. The Best Pitchers in the World: -Tarik Skubal, Detroit Tigers (American League) 28 years old was born in Hayward, California, the 12th pitcher in history to repeat as Cy Young Award winner.

In 2025, led the American League in ERA (2.21) led the league in strikeouts (241) and best strikeout to walk ratio (7.3). New York Yankees captain and slugger Aaron Judge, identified Skubal as the best pitcher in Major League Baseball at the moment and a “young ace”.

Pedro Martínez Hall of Fame pitcher, called the Tigers’ ace a “bully on the mound” 2.212.22.) -Paul Skenes. Pittsburgh Pirates (National League) 23 years old born in Fullerton, California, unanimously won the 2025 CY Young Award winner, he joined Dwight Gooden and Fernando Valenzuela as the only pitchers ever to win the Rookie of the Year and Cy Young in the first two years in the majors.

Despite his 10-10 win/lost record he established the Pittsburgh Pirates strikeout record for a right handed pitcher (216) Skenes stated that the Pirates “owe it to the city” to win and that the team needs to set a higher bar than their “golden era” of recent baseball.

Although Football (Soccer in the US and Fútbol in the Spanish-speaking world) is the most international of Sports, baseball is played in more than 100 countries and has national baseball teams with the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) having 211 member national federations in 139 countries and territories. Some countries with popular professional leagues include the United States, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela.

I remember when years in the past when my good friend Tony López was Sports Director for Univisión CH 14 San Francisco and I was same for Telemundo CH48 San José, Tony would always asked me why do they called it the World Series, when it was only teams of the US, and I always responded to Tony, it is because Major League Baseball is the premier league for baseball in the world, and every player that plays baseball from China to Australia, and points in-between always dream to play in the Major Leagues, because it is the mecca for the sport.

Quote: “Pitching is the art of instilling fear” – Sandy Koufax

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.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O: Tigers Skubal to return Monday after left side tightness; Brewers first club to clinch for playoffs; plus more news

Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal throws against Miami Marlins in the bottom of the first inning at LoanDepot Park in Maimi Fri Sep 12, 2025. Skubal was cleared to return Mon Sep 15, 2025 after suffering left side tightness. (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O:

#1 Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal got some relief after he had to leave Friday’s game against the Miami Marlins. Skubal took an exam and did not suffer any structural damage after feeling tightness in his left side. Skubal was cleared to pitch in his next start on Monday.

#2 The wait is over the Milwaukee Brewers became the first big league club to clinch for the post season. When the New York Mets lost on Friday to the Texas Rangers 3-2 that got a post season spot in the bag for the Brewers. Deservedly the Brewers have the best record in the majors so they get the first invitation to the playoffs.

#3 Anthony Rizzo the former Chicago Cubs first baseman who played with that Cubs team that won the World Series a decade ago and making it the first Cubs team to win a World Series after 108 years announced his retirement at age 36. Rizzo had suffered a broken arm last season and had been contemplating retirement. Rizzo after speaking to his parents and wife says he will hang it up this season.

#4 Big moment for New York Yankee great Aaron Judge who hit his 362nd career home run against the Boston Red Sox on Friday night to over take former Yankee outfielder Joe DiMaggio and move into fourth place on the all time Yankees home run list for home runs as the Yankees win 4-1.

#5 The San Francisco Giants Patrick Bailey’s walk off grand slam home run won it 5-1 Friday night and placed them into third place in the NL Wild Card race with a win over one of the top contenders for the NL Division Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers would be the Giants opponents in a Wild Card if the season were ending today.

Join Charlie O for the MLB The Show podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Ohtani and Yamamoto key in Dodgers wins; Ex Dodger Taylor is getting some reps with Angels; plus more news

Los Angeles Dodgers two way star Shohei Ohtani throws batting practice before meeting the New York Mets Sun May 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

That’s Amaruy News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, Los Angeles Dodgers two way star Shohei Ohtani threw a 22 pitch bullpen session one of the pitches was a 97 mph fast ball how close does he look to returning to the mound.

#2 The Dodgers who had been struggling losing four of their last ten games are showing signs of improvement with a 7-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field in Cleveland. Ohtani and Dodger pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto were both key players in this game. Yamamoto pitched six innings giving up two hits. Ohtani hit a home run for his second straight game for a league leading 19 homers.

#3 Former Dodger Chris Taylor reached a one year agreement at the MLB minimum salary with the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. Taylor started in centerfield on Monday night against the New York Yankees and batted in the eighth hole.

#4 The Detroit Tigers Tarik Skubal’s strike to balls ratio is 82 Ks to 3 Base on balls. Skubal is being compared to former Detroit Tiger Justin Verlander who was unstoppable during his Tigers days. Skubal on Sunday pitched a complete 5-0 shutout against the Cleveland Guardians in Detroit. Skubal has movement on his pitches and was dealing.

#5 Boston Red Sox pitcher Walker Buehler has something to say about a pitch that he said was a strike. The reply did show the ball landed in the box. none the less Walker argued the ball was a strike against New York Mets hitter Juan Soto. Walker was ejected from the game and manager Alex Cora came out and had his say as well.

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.