This Is Baseball

The All-Star game was a huge success. We get into the good and the bad of the all-star break and talk salary cap possibilities in MLB

This week we discuss the MLB all-star break and why its still the best all-star format in sports. We react to some of the drama surrounding all-star selections. We look at a potential World Series matchup if I had to make a choice today. We close the show talking a little bit of Royals and what matchups they have coming up.

A lot of chatter has been going around about Jac Caglianone. I am here to defend him. Today we look at several players across different sports that didn't get off to great starts in their careers but ended up as hall of famers.

This week on the show we discuss how everything has shaken out in the first half of the season. Who performed as expected and who surprised us. Can teams like the Rangers, Royals and Braves turn it around and get into the playoff race? The Athletics broke ground in Las Vegas.

Brandon is back from vacation and we have some catching up to do. We look at the Devers trade and what it means for the Giants and Red Sox. We catch up on how the Royals are doing and talking manager ejections.

A conversation about the 2025 Kansas City Royals and what needs to change. The Athletics are finally breaking ground in Las Vegas, and some Royals stadium news.

Its that time of the year where we feel like we have a pretty good grasp on the layout of MLB. We're getting in to the highlights and the lowlights of the 2025 baseball season so far.

The Royals called up their top prospect this week. We get into how he can help the Royals figure out the offensive struggles. We'll check his minor league stats and compare them to the Royals team stats. Plus we look at the state of the Royals and how well things are going now versus the past.

It has been almost 20 years since the St Louis Cardinals defied the odds in the 2006 season. We take a look back at game 7 of the NLCS and look at what this roster accomplished.

In today's episode of This Is Baseball we do a brief history of the 1984 Detroit Tigers and the historic season they had. We go in depth on Jack Morris, Willie Hernandez and Alan Trammel.

In this episode we look at the current standings of the AL Central and if they will hold up. Will the Detroit Tigers run away with the division? Can the Royals solve the problems they are having on offense?

Last month we did an episode looking at job security for a few managers around the league. Well, since then we have had 3 managers let go in MLB. Today we talk about Brandon Hyde, Bud Black and Derek Shelton's departure's and what that means for the Orioles, Rockies and Pirates.

Today we discuss New York Yankees Aaron Judge triple crown pursuit and chase to finish with a .400 batting average. Yes its early in the season but its fun to dream. We look into the history of the award and whether they should change the criteria.

In today's episode we go way back in time and look at some baseball teams that were here long before the Kansas City Royals.

In today's episode we look at five common slang terms used in baseball. We'll see what they mean and where they came from.

On today's episode of This Is Baseball we are doing a review of the month of April. We look at each division and focus on one team that surprised us either for rising above expectations or due to underperforming.

In today's episode we look at three relief pitchers to win major awards and go over if that is possible in today's era of baseball.

Thanks for tuning in to This Is Baseball. Brandon is out sick. Here is a re-run of an episode about the state of baseball and everything that has changed over the last decade.

A comprehensive analysis of the managerial landscape within Major League Baseball, this episode delves into the performance and future of several managers who are currently under scrutiny. The discussion reveals a nuanced understanding of each manager's trajectory, emphasizing the expectations placed upon them by their respective franchises. Through meticulous examination, we explore the cases of notable figures such as Rocco Baldelli of the Minnesota Twins, whose recent playoff appearances contrast starkly with his team's current struggles, and Dave Martinez of the Washington Nationals, whose championship tenure appears increasingly distant amidst a prolonged period of rebuilding. The narrative is enriched...

On today's episode of This Is Baseball, we get into the top trades in Royals history. We will look at the players involved and what impact they had on the Royals success as well as seeing where players careers were that left the organization.

On today's episode of This Is Baseball we breakdown the early parts of the season for the Royals, celebrating the pitching staff and looking for answers from the lineup. We breakdown Vladimir Guerrero Jr's record contract extension and other news.

This podcast episode delves into the remarkable phenomenon of exceptional starts in Major League Baseball history, with a particular emphasis on teams that have achieved extraordinary beginnings to their seasons. We explore the 2023 Tampa Bay Rays, who commenced their season with an unprecedented 13-0 record, which ties for the best start in MLB history. In juxtaposition, we examine the 1982 Atlanta Braves and the 1987 Milwaukee Brewers, both of whom also began their campaigns with similar records yet faced varying outcomes in the postseason. Additionally, we reflect upon the 1984 Detroit Tigers and the 2018 Boston Red Sox, both of which not only...

In this episode we will look at team's that got off to rough starts and look at where they were at the end of the season. What side will the Braves end up on?

The suspension of Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar for 80 games due to performance-enhancing drug (PED) usage constitutes a significant point of discussion in this episode. This suspension not only impacts Profar's career trajectory but also raises questions regarding the integrity of player performance in Major League Baseball, particularly in light of the historical context surrounding the steroid era. We delve into the structure of the league's PED policy, highlighting the consequences players face after multiple offenses, and examine the broader implications of such suspensions on the trust between players and fans. Furthermore, we reflect on the ramifications for the Braves...

Welcome to This Is Baseball. On this episode we break down MLB rules on baseball bats, celebrate the Dodgers World Series championship and explore the Tampa Bay Rays temporary ballpark. We break down opening day and look at some key matchups during the week.

Happy Opening Day! On today's episode of This Is Baseball Brandon dives into the National League and gives his thoughts on how everything is going to shake out in the 2025 MLB season.

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This week on This Is Baseball Brandon does his annual predictions for the MLB season. He focuses on the American League on the first ever Tuesday episode of This Is Baseball.

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This week Brandon discusses the exciting news regarding the future of This Is Baseball. He talks Rays ownership, Yankees injuries and looks ahead to the new season.

In this episode, Brandon goes into detail on how he thinks the MLB season schedule should play out.

In today's episode of This Is Baseball, Brandon dives into the firing of MLB umpire Pat Hoberg and discusses the risks involved with sports gambling being largely legal and leagues partnering with gambling companies. He then goes on to analyze the current MLB Postseason format and weighs the pros and cons.

Brandon Johnson dives into the significant changes in Major League Baseball over the past decade, spotlighting Rob Manfred's tenure as commissioner. He discusses various rule modifications aimed at improving the pace of play and enhancing the overall fan experience, including the introduction of the pitch clock, the disengagement rule, and the universal designated hitter. Johnson shares his thoughts on how these changes have largely been positive, contributing to shorter game times and increased engagement from fans. He also addresses the controversial ghost runner rule in extra innings and the handling of the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal. As he reflects...

This episode of "This Is Baseball" delves into the topic of mega contracts in Major League Baseball, focusing on some of the worst deals in recent history. Host Brandon Johnson highlights five significant contracts that failed to deliver the expected value, including those of Albert Pujols, Pablo Sandoval, Chris Davis, Robinson Cano, and Anthony Rendon. Each contract is examined not just for its financial implications but also for the impact on the teams involved and the players' performances. Johnson reflects on the challenges teams face when signing players to lengthy contracts, especially as they age and productivity wanes. As...

Lets take a look back at an episode from May of 2024 where I try to figure out to solve MLBs umpire issues. *This is a re-run of an episode published on an earlier date*

New episodes of This Is Baseball return in January 2025

With the Los Angeles Dodgers winning the World Series I thought it would be fun to take a look back at an episode I published in December of 2023. *This is a re-run of an episode published at an earlier date*

New episodes of This Is Baseball return in January 2025

In this episode, we congratulate the Los Angeles Dodgers for winning the 2024 World Series. We talk some highlights of the 2024 season and talk a little bit of free agency. We close the show by looking ahead to the future of This Is Baseball. I am excited about where we are headed and will have more to share with you in the future.

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In the mean time, here are my other two podcasts, available on all platforms:

Football Kingdom:

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On this episode we look at the rivalry of the New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers. We'll compare rosters and see what team has the edge in this series.

On this episode of This Is Baseball we celebrate a season of exceeded expectations for the Royals. We look at some key players that contributed to the success of the team and go in depth on the ALDS matchup against the Yankees. We also talk LCS and our World Series wishlist.l

Welcome back to This Is Baseball. We are recapping the Wild Card Series and discussing everything that has gone on so far in the Division Series. We'll take a deep dive in to the Royals/Yankees matchup.

Welcome back to This Is Baseball. We are previewing this MLB Postseason. We'll discuss scenarios and seeding. We look into the longest droughts and what team is under the most pressure to win it all.

Welcome to This Is Baseball. We are in the final week of the MLB season. We look at who is in and who is out as we wrap this season up. We'll check out some key matchups as we head in to the weekend.