MLB The Show Post Season podcast with Augie Mesenburg: D-Backs put Dodgers on the brink; Bochy hasn’t lost a step takes Texas to ALCS; plus more MLB news

The Arizona Diamondbacks Corbin Carroll scores a run against the Los Angeles Dodgers and catcher Will Smith in the top of the first inning at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles in game 2 of the NLDS on Mon Oct 9, 2023. The Diamondbacks have a 2-0 lead in the series as of Wed Oct 11, 2023 (AP News photo)

MLB The Show Post Season podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 Augie, are the Dodgers done? They are in a 0-2 hole against the Arizona Diamondbacks and are down to their last strike. The Dodgers were the favorites to start the series but who would have expected game 1 with the Diamondbacks greeting the Dodgers with a six run first inning and blowing them out 11-3 not to mention taking game 2 of the NLDS. Both clubs are giving it a go as we record this podcast.

#2 The Texas Rangers took the Baltimore Orioles in three straight games. Critics look to Rangers manager Bruce Bochy for much of the credit in getting the Rangers to the next round of the playoffs.

#3 Bochy had everything working for him in the ALDS against the Orioles. In game three he had the pitching working giving up only one run and the Rangers offense poured it on with a 7-1 win.

#4 Bryce Harper and the Philadelphia Phillies came into this series well prepared and almost took a 2-0 series lead into game 3. The Atlanta Braves are not to be counted out at anytime as the Phillies found out in game 2 as they came back and held onto a 5-4 win to tie the series at 1-1. Augie do the Braves have anymore fight in them left in this series now down 1-2 after losing game 3 on Wednesday in a laugher 10-2.

#5 Astros and Twins tonight at Target Field in Minneapolis the Twins need this one badly as they are down 2-1 and it’s the elimination game. The Astros can make quick work of the Twins they’ve won by scores of 6-4 and 9-1 in games 1 and 3. Talk about tonight’s game 4.

Augie Mesenburg is a podcast contributor for MLB The Show and is a reporter for KHAI 103.5 FM Honolulu at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Orioles backs on the wall down 0-2 in ALDS; One bad game won’t make or break LA’s Kershaw; plus more news

The Texas Rangers Josh Jung (right) scores in front of Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (left) in the top of the second inning at Camden Yards in Baltimore in game 2 of the ALDS on Sun Oct 8, 2023 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Baltimore Orioles find themselves in fix down 0-2 in their ALDS series with the Texas Rangers. The O’s lost to the Rangers in game 1 by a run 3-2 and then game 2 lots of runs scored but lost by four 11-8 and now they head to Texas for games 3 and 4. The Orioles had a good regular season but they seem to be hitting a wall about now.

#2 For the Los Angeles Dodgers in game 1 of the NLDS who would have thought that starter Clayton Kershaw would have got lit up the way he did in the top of the first inning by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kershaw gave up six runs in the first inning, he got his first out after giving up five runs, and didn’t get out of the first inning before being lifted. It’s getting tougher for the Dodgers losing on Monday 4-2 down 0-2 but these are the Dodgers they could come back and maybe even this thing up.

#3 Corbin Carroll has been that big spark plug in the Diamondbacks line up and he gave them some punch in game one against the Dodgers. Carroll went two for five, scored two runs, had two hits and two RBIs and one of the runs scored he hit a home run.

#4 The Boston Red Sox fired their pitching coach Dave Bush and third base coach Carlos Febles on Monday. Bush had been pitching coach since 2020. The firing came after the Sox had posted a 4.52 ERA which was 21st in the Majors. The Sox finishing third place in the four of the last three years didn’t help matters any for Bush. Febles who is also an infield instructor was fired after the Sox posted last place above average in outs.

#5 According to Redfin projections 5,000 people moved out of Los Angeles to Las Vegas after the summer. The number dropped from August when 6800 people left the Southland to come move to Las Vegas. According to the report Las Vegas is the top city people are moving to from the Southland. Las Vegas is second city in the country where people are moving to behind Sacramento.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB The Show podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Judge questions Yankees direction “What are we doing?”; Padres Musgrove says not much has changed since last season

New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge hits a home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning at Yankees Stadium in the Bronx on Fri Sep 22, 2023. Judge asked regarding the team’s direction “what are we doing” (AP News photo)

On MLB The Show podcast with Stephen:

#1 One of the things that New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge questioned on Monday was the direction of this year’s team fourth place 18 games out in the AL East and no chance at the post season with a week left in the campaign. Judge asks “What are we doing?”

#2 San Diego Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove said that not much has changed regarding last year’s Padres team that just missed the World Series and most likely will finish in third place in the NL West some 18 games out. It’s not quite the finish that Musgrove and the Padres expected.

#3 Yankees manager Aaron Boone was asked about his future with the team. Boone said that decision is out of his hands. Boone has a club option for 2025 after his contract runs out this season. Boone said his future with the Yankees was out of his control and hopes he could come back.

#4 The NL East first place Atlanta Braves reached their second straight 100 win season. The Braves reached 100-56 and are well ahead of second place Philadelphia Phillies by 13 games. The Braves are favored to be a World Series team.

#5 Bruce Bochy and the Texas Rangers continue to pour it on they’re coming off a three game sweep of the Seattle Mariners over the weekend and lead the AL West by 2.5 games. The Rangers edged the Seattle Mariners in Arlington in a one run win on Sunday 9-8. The Rangers opened a seven game road swing today and can finished as the second seed for the American League post season.

Stephen Ruderman is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB podcast with Augie Mesenburg: Astros could be a force if they can just clinch a playoff spot; Braves add Morton to IL; plus more news

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker is hoping to lead the Astros into the post season, in the Wild Card the Astros are in third place and are 1.5 back in the AL West. (AP file photo)

On the MLB The Show podcast with Augie:

#1 Augie, the Houston Astros just holding onto the third position in the AL Wild Card and they are 1.5 games back of the Texas Rangers in the AL West. If the Astros get into post season they will be as tough as anyone in the American League playoffs.

#2 One thing the Atlanta Braves have to be concerned about is their pitching rotation which added Charlie Morton to the 15 IL today. Morton is suffering from a right sprain finger and can’t pitch NL Division Series. Morton (14-12 ERA 3.64) how much will he be missed for the beginning of the post season?

#3 Los Angeles Dodgers Mookie Betts set an Major League record for the most RBIs for a leadoff hitter in a season with 105. Betts hit an eighth inning double on Saturday night against the San Francisco Giants pitcher Ross Stripling to score Dodgers Austin Barnes and David Peralta.

#4 The Los Angeles Angels had already shut down Shohei Ohtani and Anthony Rendon now they have officially ended outfielder Mike Trout’s 2023 season as the injuries pile on the Angels. Trout who returned Aug 22after fracturing a hamate bone but was still in discomfort and returned to the 30 day IL. It was announced by the Angles Trout would be out for the rest of the season on Sunday.

#5 After the Pittsburgh Pirates took two out of three games from the Chicago Cubs in a previous series the Pirates came right and and rallied for nine runs against the Cincinnati Reds to come back and win 13-12. The Reds who have been suffering all season had their bullpen meltdown as the Pirates came back with nine runs to win it. The last time the Pirates came back to win scoring nine runs was way back in 1882.

Augie Mesenburg is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s do it again beat Astros 6-2; Oakland shocks Houston at Minute Maid

Oakland Athletics’ Tony Kemp celebrates after hitting a home run against the Houston Astros during the fifth inning at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Tue Sep 12, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

My, oh my. Wow!!! The Oakland A’s beat the Houston Astros for the second straight night. The score this time was 6-2. The A’s starter, JP Sears, pitched well for the third straight game. Sears gave the A’s a quality start as he went six innings, allowing two runs and five hits.

The A’s bullpen held the Astros scoreless in the game’s last three innings. The A’s offense hit two home runs, one by Langeliers and one by Tony Kemp. Zack Gelof and Seth Brown had two doubles in the game. The A’s are now 12-9 in their last 21 games. Oakland is now playing a different brand of baseball these days. The A’s will be going for the sweep on Wednesday.

Here’s how the A’s beat future Hall of Fame pitcher Justin Verlander. Verlander entered the game with a lifetime record of 22 wins and seven losses against the A’s. His career ERA against Oakland is 2.27. In 2012 and 2013, Verlander beat the A’s in the playoffs to end Oakland’s season. 

The A’s had Verlander’s number Tuesday night. The A’s put three runs on the board in the top of the first. With one out, Zack Gelof doubled. Ryan Noda singled to drive in Gelof with the game’s first run. Verlander struck out Seth Brown for the second out.

All Verlander had to do to get out of the jam was to find a way to retire Shea Langeliers. Langeliers, who homered Monday night, sent his 19th dinger of the year into the stratosphere. There was no doubt about it when the ball left Shea’s bat. The ball hit the back row of the seats in the stadium. The A’s led 3-0.

Houston put a run on the board in their half of the first. Houston’s all-world second baseman, Jose Altuve, reached on an infield single. Sears retired Jeremy Pena for the first out. DH Yordan Alvarez laid down a bunt that stayed fair and sent to Altuve to second.

Sears walked Alex Bregman to load the bases. Sears now had to pitch the Kyle Tucker. Tucker loves to hit against the A’s pitching. Tucker had a three-homer game against the A’s earlier this year. Sears got Tucker to ground out. Altuve scored on the play. Sears struck out Jose Abreu to end the inning. The A’s lead 3-1 after one inning.

In the top of the third, Zack Gelof led off with his second double of the game. Seth Brown doubled to drive in Gelof with the A’s fourth run.

Tony Kemp led off the fifth with a solo home run to make it a 5-1 game midway through the inning. The Astros plated a run in their half of the inning. Mauricio Dubon and Martin Maldonado singled to put men on first and third with no out.

Sears made the fielding play of the night when he caught Jose Altuve’s popup and then threw to first to nail Maldonado to complete the double play. Jeremy Pena singled to drive in Dubon to make it a 5-2 game. The Astros didn’t know it then, but Houston would not score again.

The A’s added an insurance run in the eighth. Lefty Parker Mushinski was now pitching for the Astros. Mushinski hit the leadoff hitter, Ryan Noda, with a pitch. Seth Brown doubled for the second time to drive in Noda with Oakland’s sixth run. There was no more scoring as the A’s won.

Game Notes: With the win, the A’s are now 46-99 for the year. Houston falls to 82-64. Houston’s home record for the year is now 37-37, hardly a home-field advantage. It’s reminiscent of Houston’s failure to win at home in the 2019 World Series. The Washington Nationals won all four games at Minute Maid Park to become World Series Champs. 

The Line score for Oakland was six runs, ten hits, and no errors. JP Sears was the winning pitcher, improving his record to 5-11.

Houston’s line was two runs, six hits, and no errors. Justin Verlander was the losing pitcher, and he is 5-3 with Houston since coming to the team from the New York Mets. The Texas Rangers beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-3 Tuesday and now trail the Astros by one game in the race for the AL West crown.

The final game of the three-game series will start at 4:10 p.m. on Wednesday. Paul Blackburn (4-4, 3.88 ERA) will go for Oakland. Hunter Brown (10-11, 4.47 ERA) will be on the hill for Houston.

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s try and bounce back after loses in Texas; Oakland opens up 3 game set against Houston tonight

Texas Rangers’ Marcus Semien and Oakland Athletics catcher Tyler Soderstrom watches Semien’s double to left in the second inning at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Sun Sep 10, 2023 (AP News photo)

On Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 The Oakland A’s started this series with a healthy win over the Texas Rangers opening the series with a three run 6-3 win at Globe Life in Arlington.

#2 The next games in this series the A’s had struggled with two straight loses. The pitching on Saturday night in Arlington the A’s starter Sean Newcomb went four innings throwing of shutout ball and giving up just one hit and five strikeouts. It was when he was lifted for reliever Kyle Miller who went two innings four hits giving up two earned runs in a 3-2 A’s loss.

#3 On Sunday A’s pitching just couldn’t hold it together in the middle innings in the home half of the fifth the Rangers scored twice and four times in the last of the sixth inning. A’s pitchers Luis Medina gave up five runs and Adrian Martinez gave up four runs.

#4 Old A’s teammate and Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien had a great day at the plate Sunday going 4-5 with four hits, three runs, and two RBIs and huge contributor on the Rangers offense for the five run 9-4 win.

#5 A’s will try and rebound they got a big mountain climb as they open up a three game series at Minute Maid Field. Starting pitcher for the A’s Mason Miller (0-2 ERA 3.09) and for the Astros Framber Valdez (11-9 ERA 3.30) first pitch 5:10 PM PT.

Join Barbara Mason for the A’s podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s drop 9-4 decision to Rangers in series finale

Photo credit: @Athletics

By: Mary Anne

The Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers ended their series on Sunday. The A’s dropped a 4-9 decision to the Rangers in their series finale at Globe Life Field. Oakland fell to 44-99, while Texas improved to 78-64.

The A’s starting lineup featured Tony Kemp, Zack Gelof, Ryan Noda, Seth Brown, Jordan Diaz, Lawrence Butler, Kevin Smith, Tyler Sodestrom, Esteury Ruiz, and Luis Medina. Medina (3-9, 5.68 ERA) took the loss after pitching for 4 1/3 innings and giving up six hits, five earned runs, three walks, three strikeouts, and one home run.

The Rangers did it big in the first inning. Marcus Semien, a former A’s shortstop and second baseman, homered on a fly ball to left field for an early 1-0 lead. Robbie Grossman hit a ground-rule double on a line drive to center field. Nathaniel Lowe and Mitch Garver scored to make it a 3-0 game.

The A’s finally got on the board in the third inning. Tyler Sodestrom homered on a line drive to right field to cut the Rangers’ lead to 3-1. Seth Brown singled on a sharp line drive to Robbie Grossman. Zack Gelof scored to make it a one-run game, 3-2, as Ryan Noda went to third base. Jordan Diaz singled on a line drive to Leody Taveras. Noda scored to tie the game 3-3, as Brown went to second base. Lawrence Butler reached on a fielding error by Josh H. Smith. Brown scored for a 4-3 lead, as Jordan Diaz went to third base and Butler went to second base.

The Rangers regained the lead in the fifth inning. Nathaniel Lowe singled on a line drive to Tony Kemp. Marcus Semien and Corey Seager scored for a 5-4 lead, as Lowe went to second base. Lowe advanced to second base on a throwing error by Kemp.

The Rangers poured in the runs in the sixth inning. Josh H. Smith tripled on a sharp line drive to Esteury Ruiz. Leodys Taveras scored for a 6-4 lead. Evan Carter was out on a sacrifice fly to Lawrence Butler. Smith scored to make it a 7-4 game with two outs. Marcus Semien homered on a fly ball to left-center field to double the lead to 8-4. Corey Seager homered on a line drive to right field to expand the lead to 9-4.

Notes
The A’s wished the San Francisco 49ers good luck this season.

The A’s rejected an offer from the African American Sports and Entertainment Group, a local Black-owned development group, to buy half of the Coliseum. A’s president, Dave Kaval, sent a letter to AASEG leader Ray Bobbitt on Wednesday saying that they appreciate the offer but aren’t interested in selling or disposing of their interest in the Coliseum.

Up Next
The A’s will take on the Houston Astros for a three-game series starting Monday at 5:10 p.m. Pacific.

A’s Drop Game Two and Even Series Against Rangers 3-2

Oakland Athletics’ Zack Gelof (20) celebrates in the dugout with the team after hitting a two-run home run that also scored Tony Kemp in the seventh inning at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Sat Sep 9, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s (44-98) were able to tie up game two against the Texas Rangers (77-64) thanks to a two-run home run from Zach Gelof. A seventh inning melt-down on the mound saw Lucas Erceg walk three runners in a row. Texas was able to score one run in that inning and that was the final 3-2

Recap: Oakland pitcher Sean Newcomb started and went four innings, terrific innings, allowing one hit and had five strikeouts. Kyle Muller relieved him in the fifth inning.

This game was scoreless through five innings. Texas got on the scoreboard in the sixth inning taking a 2-0 lead. Nathaniel Lowe singled Robbie Grossman home. Another single off the bat of Leody Taveras brought Mitch Garver home from third for the 2-0 tally.

Going into the seventh inning Oakland was still looking for their first run. The A’s had the bases loaded in the third inning but the bats had been pretty quiet since with only four hits.

When things were looking pretty gloomy with two outs in the seventh inning, Oakland’s Gelof knocked one out of the park with Tony Kemp on second and this was a new ballgame all tied up at 2-2. It was his 11th home run of the year.

Oakland’s Lucas Erceg was having a solid seventh inning that turned ugly when he walked three back-to-back-to-back runners and the A’s had a situation that they needed to get out of with two outs. With the bases loaded that was it for Erceg.

Francisco Perez would take the mound and try to close out the seventh inning and keep this game tied. A wild pitch brought Grossman home and the Rangers had taken back the lead 3-2. The A’s got the third out but had some work to do going into the eighth inning.

A’s post game notes: Friday the Oakland A’s had a terrific win over the Texas Rangers by the score of 6-3. The Rangers had been in first place in the AL West but things are not going well for Texas right now. After spending five months in first place they are 5-16 in their last 21 games in a late-season collapse. They currently are a 1.5 game out of a wild-card spot and the A’s win just piled more misery on the Rangers with the win on Friday. Oakland wasn’t able to add to that misery in game two of this series losing in a one run game.

Oakland was able to get runners on base in both the eighth and ninth innings but could not get them home. The final was 3-2 in favor of the Rangers breaking a four game losing streak for Texas. Oakland will be in the hunt for a second win tomorrow. Luis Medina will take the mound for Oakland with a 3-8 win/loss record and a 5.46 ERA. Jon Gray will get the nod for the Texas with a 8-7 win/loss record and a 3.85 ERA. First pitch is scheduled for 11:35 AM

A’s take care of business with 6-3 win over Rangers

Photo credit: @Athletics

By: Mary Anne

The Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers met again for game two Friday. The A’s sealed their rodeo road game with a 6-3 win over the Rangers at Globe Life Field. Oakland improved to 44-97, while Texas fell to 76-64. Devin Sweet (1-0, 4.50 ERA) took the win in his first game pitching for the A’s.

The A’s starting lineup featured Zack Gelof, Brent Rooker, Ryan Noda, Aledmys Díaz, Jordan Diaz, Kevin Smith, Shea Langaliers, Nick Allen, Esteury Ruiz, and Paul Blackburn. Blackburn pitched three innings and gave up six hits, two earned runs, three walks, five strikeouts, and one home run.

The A’s got on the board first. Ryan Noda grounded out to Nathaniel Lowe and Jordan Montgomery. With two outs, Zack Gelof scored for an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

The A’s lead was short-lived as the Rangers went ahead in the bottom of the first inning. Corey Seager homered on a fly ball to right-center field. Marcus Semien scored for a 2-1 lead.

The A’s quickly responded with a game-tying single in the top of the second inning. Esteury Ruiz singled on a line drive to Evan Carter. Nick Allen scored to tie the ballgame 2-2. With three outs, Ruiz was at second base on the throw from Carter to Jonah Heim to Corey Seager.

The Rangers regained their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Nathaniel Lowe singled on a line drive to Brent Rooker. Marcus Semien, a former Oakland Athletic from 2015 to 2020, scored for a 3-2 lead.

The A’s immediately tied the ballgame 3-3 in the top of the fifth inning. Esteury Ruiz homered on a fly ball to left-center field.

The A’s took a two-run lead in the top of the sixth inning. This was a “welcome home” moment for Shea Langaliers. Langaliers, a Keller, Texas, native and a Keller High School and Baylor University alum, homered on a fly ball to center field. Kevin Smith scored for a 5-3 lead.

The A’s extended their lead just before the seventh-inning stretch. Ryan Noda doubled on a sharp fly ball to Leody Taveras. Brent Rooker scored for a 6-3 lead in the top of the seventh inning.

Notes
On Friday, the A’s reinstated Lawrence Butler from the bereavement list and optioned Jonah Bride from Triple-A Las Vegas.

A’s left-handed pitcher Easton Lucas made his MLB debut Friday. Lucas pitched one inning and gave up two hits, one earned run, two walks, and one strikeout.

Tony Kemp was named the A’s nominee for the 2023 Roberto Clemente Award. Vote for Kemp at mlbtogether.com/clemente21.

The A’s Filipino Heritage Night, hosted by P-Lo and Anthony Presents, is coming up. Get your tickets at athletics.com/filipino.

Up Next
The A’s and Rangers will meet again on Saturday for game three at 4:05 p.m. Pacific. The A’s starting pitcher is TBD, while the Rangers’ starter will be Nathan Eovaldi (11-4, 2.95 ERA).

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s open three game match with Rangers at Globe Life tonight

Oakland A’s pitcher Paul Blackburn will start for the A’s Fri Sep 8, 2023 at Globe Life Stadium in Arlington against the Texas Rangers for the first of a three game series (AP file photo)

On the A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1  The Oakland A’s beat the Toronto Blue Jays Wednesday afternoon 5-2 to avoid being swept by the Jays. The A’s starter, JP Sears, earned his fourth win of the year. 

#2 It took work to defeat a very good Blue Jay team. The Jays are in contention to make the playoffs in the American League.

#3 Their starter, lefty Hyan Jin Ryu, baffled the A’s for the game’s first four innings. Ryu used various low curves, changeups, cutters, and four-seam fastballs to keep the A’s offense off balance.

#4 Also a lefty, Sears held the powerful Blue Jay lineup to four hits and one run in five innings. Sears made it through the Jays’ lineup three times and allowed only one run.

#5 The A’s open a three game series on Friday night in Arlington against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Stadium. The A’s will start Paul Blackburn (4-4 ERA 3.81) the Rangers have not announced a starter.

Join Jeremiah for the A’s podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com