Mike Ryan

Dude, I was pumped when you asked me to come on here. You know how proud I am of you being a fellow UCF Knight and the rise we've had in this business. And so genuinely excited, my friend, to talk some baseball with you.

Dude, I was pumped when you asked me to come on here. You know how proud I am of you being a fellow UCF Knight and the rise we've had in this business. And so genuinely excited, my friend, to talk some baseball with you.

There's a reason the Rays were 6-2 since Chandler made his debut, and it's because he is that type of a game changer for this entire team. He's changed the dynamic. Yes, this is a 500-ball club right now, but you look at what they're built on. Pitching and defense always leads the way, and they've got some young talent that's come up here and had to fill in between Chandler Simpson.

There's a reason the Rays were 6-2 since Chandler made his debut, and it's because he is that type of a game changer for this entire team. He's changed the dynamic. Yes, this is a 500-ball club right now, but you look at what they're built on. Pitching and defense always leads the way, and they've got some young talent that's come up here and had to fill in between Chandler Simpson.

Cameron Meisner has been one. Jake Mangum, who's on the injured list right now. You know, I think this team is capable of playing much better than 500 baseball. But yeah, you mentioned it. Chandler Simpson is as advertised. He gets on base. And by the way, he could beat out an infield single by dropping a bunt down. It's almost guaranteed he's going to end up at third in that scoring position.

Cameron Meisner has been one. Jake Mangum, who's on the injured list right now. You know, I think this team is capable of playing much better than 500 baseball. But yeah, you mentioned it. Chandler Simpson is as advertised. He gets on base. And by the way, he could beat out an infield single by dropping a bunt down. It's almost guaranteed he's going to end up at third in that scoring position.

It's pretty incredible to watch this dude go to work.

It's pretty incredible to watch this dude go to work.

I really want to talk positively here about a team that I don't think anybody expected at this point to be leading the American League Central and be one of the best teams in baseball. And that's the Detroit Tigers. My Tigers. This team has been able to stay dominant. Their pitching staff has led the way.

I really want to talk positively here about a team that I don't think anybody expected at this point to be leading the American League Central and be one of the best teams in baseball. And that's the Detroit Tigers. My Tigers. This team has been able to stay dominant. Their pitching staff has led the way.

They've got a lot of guys on the injured list, and yet they've had contributions up and down, not just in that lineup, but in that starting rotation. And so let's see how they do on the road, right? They're only five and seven away from home. So I think that's going to be a big test for them.

They've got a lot of guys on the injured list, and yet they've had contributions up and down, not just in that lineup, but in that starting rotation. And so let's see how they do on the road, right? They're only five and seven away from home. So I think that's going to be a big test for them.

But I am pleasantly surprised with what we've seen from the Detroit Tigers in what should stack up to be a pretty competitive American League Central.

But I am pleasantly surprised with what we've seen from the Detroit Tigers in what should stack up to be a pretty competitive American League Central.

They right now are on pace. If they maintain, if they keep this current 143 winning percentage, they will reach 20 wins. Mid-September. The Mets have 20 wins right now. And it doesn't get any easier for them. 45 of the remaining 134 games left this season are against teams that currently have losing records. That's 34% of their remaining schedule.

They right now are on pace. If they maintain, if they keep this current 143 winning percentage, they will reach 20 wins. Mid-September. The Mets have 20 wins right now. And it doesn't get any easier for them. 45 of the remaining 134 games left this season are against teams that currently have losing records. That's 34% of their remaining schedule.

So they're going to be playing some really high-quality baseball teams the rest of the way. Oh, my God.

So they're going to be playing some really high-quality baseball teams the rest of the way. Oh, my God.

Look, I think especially in high leverage roles like these relievers have, we relievers have been in situations there are guys that are going to struggle. When you look at the overall advanced metrics of some of these guys, especially Devin Williams, you look at his two big pitches, right? When you look at the four-seamer and the change-up. The four-seamer guys are batting 462 against this year.

Look, I think especially in high leverage roles like these relievers have, we relievers have been in situations there are guys that are going to struggle. When you look at the overall advanced metrics of some of these guys, especially Devin Williams, you look at his two big pitches, right? When you look at the four-seamer and the change-up. The four-seamer guys are batting 462 against this year.