We've made it to the Midsummer Classic! Today, Eno and DVR break down the new Home Run Derby rules and discuss which sluggers could benefit from the changes. Then, they take a look at several notable players who suffered injuries before the All-Star break and will miss Tuesday night's game, including Jacob Misiorowski and Shohei Ohtani. Later, they examine JJ Wetherholt's contract extension with the Cardinals and how it compares to other recent rookie deals. They wrap up the show by highlighting the players who have stood out the most from a fantasy perspective during the first half of the season.

Rundown:

2:57 Who Could Benefit From New HR Derby Format?

11:40 Drafting the Derby Winner

15:48 Miz Management: Scratched Sunday

20:33 White Sox-Pirates Swap Before the MLB Draft

26:06 JJ Wetherholt Gets Paid

33:25 No Shohei Ohtani in Philly

36:41 MLB’s All-Star Problem: Pitching Availability

43:19 Monitoring Jacob deGrom

43:59 Fantasy All-Stars: Top Valued 5x5 Players at the Break

1:00:09 Where the Money Went

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

Editor: Jason Potere

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It's time to wrap up the first half of the baseball season, and there's no better guest to do it with than Ken Rosenthal. This week, Jayson and Doug are joined by their longtime Starkville friend to break down the season's biggest surprises and disappointments, make their midseason MVP picks, and discuss whether Tigers ace Tarik Skubal could actually be moved before the trade deadline—and why that might be a mistake.

Rundown:

1:45 Ken Rosenthal Joins the Show

4:02 Most Surprising Team of 1st Half

9:10 Most Disappointing Team of 1st Half

13:02 First Half MVPs

17:51 MLB Trade Deadline

21:04 Should the Tigers Trade Tarik Skubal?

28:20 Teams to Watch in 2nd Half

31:17 One Surprise Playoff Contender

35:54 Strange But True w/ Yordan Alvarez

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Hosts: Jayson Stark & Doug Glanville

With: Ken Rosenthal

Producer: Jason Potere

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With All-Star Week approaching, it's time to get a head start on the weekend waiver wire. But first, Eno and DVR discuss the reduced suspensions for Willson Contreras and Cade Cavalli before breaking down the latest injury news, including which players are returning soon and why Aaron Judge still needs more time to recover. Then, Ottoneu founder Niv Shah joins the show to examine the biggest fantasy price risers since Opening Day, explain why Paul Skenes' price continues to climb despite an underwhelming season, and share his latest hot dog reviews from Kansas City and Chicago's South Side.

Rundown:

1:12 Reduced Suspensions for Willson Contreras & Cade Cavalli

3:45 Aaron Judge: Will Have Imaging During All-Star Break

4:29 Munetaka Murakami: Expectations for Second Half?

10:55 Michael Busch: Does Limited Bat Speed Prevent Power Surge?

17:18 Vinnie Pasquantino Returns

21:45 Ryan Waldschmidt is Back

24:06 How Does Luis Lara Fit in Brewers’ OF Mix?

27:11 Garrett Mitchell: Are We Buying Growth This Season?

32:41 Niv Shah Joins the Show

33:52 Six Picks: Biggest Price Risers Since Opening Day

37:25 Confidence In Paul Skenes?

40:40 Link Between Six Picks Trends & Keeper Costs

44:36 Eno & DVR Make a Trade!

54:40 Taste of the Majors

1:01:09 Lucky’s Korean Dogs For the Win!

1:06:58 Other Bats to Consider

1:13:07 Pitchers to Consider

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

With: Niv Shah

Editor: Jason Potere

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One of the greatest pitchers of his generation, Justin Verlander, has decided to hang up his cleats. Today, Eno, Trevor, and DVR reflect on Verlander's remarkable career, where he ranks among baseball's all-time greats, and the legacy he leaves behind. Then, the guys examine why some pitchers, including Robbie Ray, are targeting the bottom of the strike zone more often and how that approach is changing their effectiveness. Later, they explore whether the data can reveal when hitters are sitting on a particular pitch.

Rundown:

0:35 Justin Verlander to Retire

3:40 A Look Back at Verlander’s Career

11:27 Multiple No-Hitters: Rare Air & Near No-Nos

17:58 26 Complete Games!

19:39 The Top of the Zone is Dead!

23:41 Why Losing Part of the Zone Is a Big Deal

35:16 Return of the Sinker

41:53 Do Any Stats Reveal Hitters Sitting on Pitches?

49:35 Tipping Struggles: Looking Back at Ryan Helsley and Jesús Luzardo

52:15 Did the Blue Jays Take Away Roupp’s Best Pitch?

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

With: Trevor May

Editor: Jason Potere

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As the All-Star break nears, it's time to revisit some preseason predictions that didn't quite pan out. DVR explains why he'd be less bullish on Kyle Tucker today, Jed breaks down the Braves' surprising fall, and Eno evaluates the Astros' first-half performance against expectations. Plus, the guys discuss Zack Wheeler's frustration over his All-Star snub and whether the surging Marlins can make a legitimate postseason run.

Rundown:

0:38 DVR’s Mulligan: Kyle Tucker Will Win NL MVP Award

4:41 NL MVP Candidates

11:59 Eno’s Mulligan: Expectations for 2026 Astros

16:46 Jed’s Mulligan: Choosing Atlanta in Four vs. The Field

23:39 Austin Riley’s Struggles

28:59 Who Does Jed Want in Place of Atlanta Now?

32:42 Zack Wheeler is Mad

40:19 A ‘Target Home-Run Rate’

50:00 An Intriguing Change?

58:42 The Marlins Are Cooking

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

With: Jed Lowrie

Editor: Jason Potere

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After a few exciting weeks, the U.S. Men’s National Team came crashing back to earth Monday night and were eliminated from the World Cup. Eno and DVR lament a disappointing effort before turning their attention back to baseball. The guys discuss what baseball and soccer have in common when it comes to developing young athletes. They examine how different types of pitchers age and highlight a few who have exceeded expectations this season. Later, they tackle the fan debate surrounding whether the Mets should consider trading Francisco Lindor and spotlight some unexpected relievers from around the league.

Rundown:

0:45 U.S. Men’s National Team’s World Cup Loss

3:08 Youth Development: Similar Issues in Soccer and Baseball?

12:40 Cam Schlittler’s Outlook

21:47 Will League Eventually Adjust to Three Fastballs?

27:52 Which Pitchers Have Topped OOPSY K% and BB%?

35:50 Francisco Lindor Rumors

40:11 Is Eno Jumping Ship with E. Hancock, B. Ashcroft, C. Cavalli & K. Harrison?

47:22 Casey Mize’s K% Rise

52:06 Surprising Relievers

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

Editor: Jason Potere

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From a bullpen call that sparked chants of "Shame!" to the never-ending pile of streaming apps and another Tommy John surgery for Cole Ragans, the boys have plenty to get off their chests. This week, Eno and DVR discuss Eury Pérez’s bid for perfection and why Marlins manager Clayton McCullough may have made the right call by pulling the young right-hander. Then, they dig into why it's often tougher than fans realize for pitchers like Ragans to regain their previous form after undergoing UCL reconstruction. Later, they welcome back Hunter Greene and break down where the money went over the weekend.

Rundown:

0:56 Is Eno Mad About Baseball?

4:44 Eury Pérez’s Bid for Perfection

9:54 DVR Is Mad About App Mania to Watch Baseball Continues

11:54 Junior Caminero’s Streak Ends with 11 HR in 11 Days

16:42 Tommy John Recovery

24:37 In-Season Usage Also a Challenge Post TJ Surgery

29:10 Can Gerrit Cole Recover to 2023 Skills Levels?

32:33 Batting Average Blues: When Should You Punt the Category?

40:47 Jordan Walker’s June

45:51 Looking for Intriguing Players ~1,000 Career PA

51:03 Hunter Greene Returns!

56:21 Where the Money Went

Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

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Pete Crow-Armstrong was thrown out stealing on a walk... except he wasn't actually caught stealing on a walk. Confused? So were Jayson and Doug. This week, they break down PCA's controversial play at second base against the Mets, explain exactly what happened, and debate whether the league needs to change the rule.

Then, the guys revisit last week's search for a nickname worthy of Jacob Misiorowski's electric fastball, turning to the Starkville Hotline to hear listeners' best submissions.

Later, Jon ‘Boog’ Sciambi joins the show to talk about his working relationship with Doug, the Cubs' up-and-down season, the unique atmosphere at Wrigley Field, the time he bought mozzarella sticks for an entire bar, and a couple hilarious stories about Chipper Jones.

Rundown:

2:59 Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Steal That Wasn’t

13:58 Nickname for Jacob Misiorowski’s Fastball

20:18 Jon ‘Boog’ Sciambi Joins the Show

22:08 Was PCA Safe or Out?

28:13 The 2026 Chicago Cubs

33:38 Great Rivalries

35:57 Boog the Broadcaster

41:15 ‘Mozzarella Sticks for Everybody’

44:29 Calling Games at Wrigley Field

47:31 Calling the World Series

49:41 Boog’s Bucket List

50:52 Chipper Jones’ Stories

57:15 Strange But True w/ the Phillies

Follow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.social

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E-mail: starkville@theathletic.com

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Hosts: Jayson Stark & Doug Glanville

With: Jon ‘Boog’ Sciambi

Producer: Jason Potere

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.