Baseball Isn’t Boring

The Inside Story Of How The Pirates Are Grabbing Headlines

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Regular Baseball Isn't Boring contributor Rich Hill once again joins Bradfo, this time to offer an insider's look into how the Pirates have become one...

Rookie Lessons From Grayson Rodriguez, Triston Casas

25 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The lessons just keep on coming, just ask rookies Grayson Rodriguez (Baltimore) and Triston Casas (Boston). Bradfo catches up with the two first-round...

The Smiles. The Frowns. Diving Into These Unexpected MLB Standings

24 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bradfo is joined by Matt Spiegel of 670 The Score in Chicago to try and make sense of his upside-down world in the Major League Baseball Standings, so...

Betting Isn't Boring: The Anatomy Of Fixing Things, By Chris Sale

21 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's easy to ride the hot hand of a star pitcher, which is why it is tough to bet against the likes of Zac Gallen even against the Padres. But figurin...

Twins President Of Baseball Operations Derek Falvey Talks The Art Of The Trade, Extensions

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's a great time to talk trades and contract extensions and there is no better person to dive into those subjects than Twins President of Baseball Op...

WBC Central: A Closer Look At The Excellence Of WBC Champion Samurai Japan

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Congratulations to Samurai Japan, the 2023 World Baseball Classic champions! In this episode of WBC Central, Shawn Spradling and special guest Yakyu C...

Celebrating This Extraordinary Baseball Season With Ellen Adair

19 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bradfo is joined by actor - and diehard Phillies fan - Ellen Adair to spend some time reflecting on the electricity that has come with the first three...

Looking At The Impact Of The WBC On MLB Players So Far

18 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

David Robertson. Benji Gil. Shawn Spradling. They all have unique perspectives on how we should be looking at the impact of the World Baseball Classic...

The Speech. The Rules. The Retirement. It's Andrew Miller Time.

17 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's a great time to catch up with Andrew Miller. The recently-retired pitcher, former MLBPA player rep and member of the 2013 Red Sox offers unique p...

BIB on the Go: Jake Peavy with some powerful reminders, memories

16 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Former big league star pitcher Jake Peavy joined Bradfo to reflect on the 10-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing and the 2013 world champi...

BIB on the Go: Brandon Nimmo Weighs In On New Rules

15 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For the second time this season, Bradfo catches up with the alway insightful Brandon Nimmo to talk about the what's what when it comes to Major League...

Betting Isn't Boring: Jonathan Papelbon Is On An Absolute Heater

14 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's that time again, time for Jonathan Papelbon to make you some money. The former All-Star closer is back with Bradfo giving the what's what when it...

WBC Central: A Look Back At The 2023 WBC, By The Numbers

13 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Shawn Spradling is back with another episode of 'WBC Central' and he has some data with him. It's time to take a peek back at the tournament that laun...

The Always Opinionated, Insightful Matt Strahm

13 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Matt Strahm has become one of the best stories of the young season for the Phillies, morphing from reliever to lock-down starter. He also isn't shy ab...

Xander Bogaerts Reveals What A Difference A Year Makes

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For the second time this season, Bradfo sits down with Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts. This time the two chop it up just before Bogaerts hit his fou...

BIB on the Go: Padres' GM A.J. Preller Explains Baseball's Acceptance Of Older Players

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

San Diego Padres general manager A.J. Preller - who has locked up numerous players recently to contracts that take them into their 40's - sits down wi...

Padres GM A.J. Preller, A Few Fascinating Pitchers and Brandon Nimmo

11 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If there was one place to be in the baseball world Monday it was Citi Field, with two of the most polarizing teams in all of MLB - the Mets and Padres...

How The Heck Are The Rays Doing This?

10 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Rays not only exited the weekend as Major League Baseball's only undefeated team, but they are absolutely rolling their competition while cruising...

Betting Isn't Boring: Diving Into Verdugo vs. Manoah, Blue Jays vs. Odds

07 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's been a big week at Baseball Isn't Boring, with the conversation Bradfo had with Alex Verdugo regarding Alek Manoah creating a lot of buzz. Well, ...

Do the Pitchers Even Want All This Information? We Ask Them

06 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

So much information. So many analytics. And it is all there for every Major League Baseball pitcher to use. But do they really want it all? Bradfo tur...

Baseball's Top Prospects Talk Living The Life of a Top Prospect

05 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Adley Rutschman. Gunnar Henderson. Triston Casas. KeBryan Hayes. All have lived the life of a top prospect in baseball, and all have now sat down with...

Alex Verdugo, Andrew McCutchen Passionately Talk About Baseball's New Wave of Emotion

04 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We were wondering if the emotion and passion of the World Baseball Classic would carry over to the Major League Baseball season. Well, it hasn't hurt....

BIB on the Go: Undefeated Rocco Baldelli Explains the Value of a Hot Start

03 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How important is a hot start for a Major League Baseball team? Well, Rocco Baldelli is here to offer some insight. The Minnesota Twins manager - whose...

The Great Pitching Ninja Helps Recap a Wild First Weekend

03 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Baseball is officially underway, and there is no better place to start riding this seventh-month wave that by listening to the Baseball Isn't Boring. ...

Betting Isn't Boring: Jonathan Papelbon Takes His Opening Day Victory Lap

31 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For weeks Jonathan Papelbon had come on the Baseball Isn't Boring podcast to proclaim that everyone should bet money on the White Sox beating the Astr...

BONUS: Which MLB Players Would You Pay To Watch? | 'The Boone Podcast'

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From 'The Boone Podcast' (subscribe here): Jerry Crasnick tells host and former MLB All-Star Bret Boone which top five baseball writers he would choos...

Unwrapping The Gift That Is Baseball's Opening Day

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It is finally here! Opening Day is upon us and Baseball Isn't Boring is all about the celebration that comes with Day 1 of the Major League Baseball s...

What are GMs thinking right now? Chaim Bloom explains

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We have gone through the offseason. We have gone through the WBC. We have gone through spring training. And now we have the games that actual count in...

We have a spring training MVP: Matt Olson

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Baseball Isn't Boring has identified this year's spring training MVP. His name is Matt Olson, and he plays first base for the Atlanta Braves. Bradfo c...

WBC Central: Top 5 off-the-field WBC moments in Miami

28 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With a week passed since one of the most impactful few days we have seen in baseball for some time, our WBC Central host Shawn Spradling reflects on h...

Does it matter if your team gets off to a good start? The experts weigh in

27 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

So, does it matter if your team gets off to a good start. Well, it certainly helped the Yankees in 2022. The Twins and Angels? Not so much. Bradfo sit...

BONUS: Team Mexico Manager Benji Gil Compares WBC to the College World Series | 'The Boone Podcast'

25 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

From 'The Boone Podcast' (subscribe here): Host Bret Boone talks to Team Mexico Manager Benji Gil. Gil talks about the intensity of the WBC and why it...

Betting Isn't Boring: Jonathan Papelbon is predicting the future(s)

24 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A new era is upon at Baseball Isn't Boring. Betting Isn't Boring. Every Friday during the baseball seaso former All-Star closer Jonathan Papelbon will...

Kenley Jansen is talking hoops and pitch clocks

23 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kenley Jansen can speak on a lot of things. That's what happens when you turn in the kind of potentially-Hall of Fame-worthy career he has. And one of...

WBC Central: We just saw one of the most impactful baseball games of all-time

22 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Was Japan's win over Team USA in the finals of the WBC the greatest game of all-time? That's a tough one. But a strong case could be made that this sh...

The excellence of the WBC and Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh

21 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Here we go! The launching pad for the 2023 Major League Baseball season has been the World Baseball Classic and thanks to the Team Japan walk-off Mond...

The stories behind Joe Kelly's new book, new pitch

20 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Joe Kelly wrote a book. "A Damn Near Perfect Game: Reclaiming America's Pastime" is gettin get reaction and reviews since being released a few weeks a...

Brandon Nimmo navigates this new world of baseball

17 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The debates are flying throughout baseball. Most recently, there has been the arguments for and against the World Baseball Classic after Edwin Diaz's ...

Arizona GM Mike Hazen talks contract extensions, team-building, potato chips

16 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There has been another notable contract extension in Major League Baseball, this one belonging to Arizona's Corbin Carroll. So, how did it come about?...

Meet top prospect Brett Baty, one of the big winners during the WBC

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There have been a ton of winners during the World Baseball Classic, including the great game of baseball, itself. But one player who isn't even playin...

Life in spring training with top prospects Anthony Volpe, Marcelo Mayer

14 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What is it like to be a top prospect in major league spring training? We have answers. Bradfo catches up with perhaps the top two shortstop prospects ...

WBC Central: The Tournament has officially gotten crazy

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Shawn Spradling is boots on the ground in Arizona for Baseball Isn't Boring, soaking in the WBC chaos. Shawn reports on all the goings-on from Phoenix...

BIB on the Go: On anniversary of lockout ending, Commissioner Rob Manfred joins us

10 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On the exact one-year anniversary of the Major League Baseball lockout ending, Commissioner Rob Manfred joined Bradfo for an exclusive interview to re...

WBC Central: This powerhouse team is on the cusp of elimination

10 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The WBC has officially kicked off and we already have a super team on the bubble of getting past pool play. Shawn dives into all the games and what to...

Rich Hill has some issues with a few of these new rules

10 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Baseball Isn't Boring Pitch Clock Correspondent Rich Hill joins Bradfo to offer unprecedented insight into what is going on with Major League Baseball...

Can the WBC craziness, personality carry over to an actual baseball season?

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The horns. The flags. The dugout celebrations. The bat flips. The fist pumps. It's World Baseball Classic time which means only one thing: March baseb...

An unbelievably honest conversation with Chris Sale

08 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Sale is heading into spring training as one of the most interesting storylines in all of Major League Baseball. So when Bradfo sat down with the...

We tell you who is going to be the next big thing

07 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

There is no better person to catch up this time of year than Sam Dykstra of MLB Pipeline. That's why Bradfo sits down with him to pick through the wha...

Let's talk shoes with Jazz Chisholm and Trevor Story

06 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With the pomp and circumstance of the World Baseball Classic kicking off, all eyes will be on the entertainment and flair the players are bringing to ...

Buster Olney is back with some big baseball opinions

03 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bradfo and ESPN's Buster Olney team up again for a deep dive into what's going on in the magical world of Major League Baseball. The pair dissect the ...

WBC Central: Jon Morosi waxes poetically about international ball

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Shawn sits down with one of the biggest names in National Baseball coverage to talk a little bit about the growing international coverage of baseball....

ICYMI: Don Orsillo reflects on the best broadcasting advice he's received

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Don Orsillo has broadcasted some of the biggest spots in baseball in the last two decades. But in those moments it's always the instances that humaniz...

WBC Central: Pool B Breakdown

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

WBC Central Podcast. Episode 7! I'm Shawn Spradling. I do a full breakdown of Pool B in the World Baseball Classic. I also cover: - New MLB rules are...

The catchers' perspective: Mike Zunino, Reese McGuire and Will Smith talk new rules

01 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

So many are hearing from the pitchers and batters when it comes to living this new life with Major League Baseball's pitch clock. But what about the c...

WBC Central: Marek Chlup of the Czech Republic

28 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Shawn sits down with Marek of North Greenville University and now WBC Team Czech Republic. The collegiate athlete is one of a handful of pioneer ball...

Don Orsillo: The voice of the most talked about team in baseball

27 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Padres keep making splashes, the most recent one coming Sunday when it was reported Manny Machado had agreed to a 11-year contract extension. One ...

WBC Central: Derek West of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

25 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Houston Astros' Double-A affiliate phenom, Derek West, will be setting out for the WBC to represent the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Shawn sits down wi...

Xander Bogaerts opens up about Red Sox, Padres

24 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bradfo sits down with Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts just prior to playing his first game with his new team. Bogaerts opens up about the path that l...

WBC Central: Full Tilt in Taiwan, what to expect out of Pool A

24 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We've given you the rosters but now it's time to evaluate each Pool. Shawn jumps into the first Pool, Pool A, in Taiwan when the tournament kicks off ...

Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto is talking extensions, expectations and potato chips

23 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto is ready to build off a memorable 2022 season, and he is willing to use the Baseball Isn't Boring podcast with B...

State of baseball roundtable with Joey Gallo, Alex Kirilloff and Joe Ryan

22 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It was the Twins' turn to talk baseball on the latest Baseball Isn't Boring podcast, with Bradfo catching up with three interesting members of the Min...

WBC Central: Players to watch from each country

21 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The rosters for the World Baseball Classic are starting to take their final form as last-minute injury concerns knock off high-profile players as they...

BIB on the Go: Catching up with our guy, Jorge Alfaro

20 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The MVP of the Dominican Winter League World Series - and man who is nicknamed 'Aquaman' - Jorge Alfaro joins Bradfo to talk about becoming a celebrit...

Ken Rosenthal reflects on the year baseball rose from the dead

20 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

One year ago, baseball was supposed to be on its deathbed. The sport was in the heart of a lockout, with sports fans ready to turn their back on the g...

Brian Bannister explains why older pitchers are now cool

17 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

All of a sudden, older pitchers are being accepted more than every in the world of Major League Baseball. Case in point: Yu Darvish signing a six-year...

WBC Central: At just 22-year-old Josh Wolf is living the dream,

16 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Shawn hosts Team Israel's young buck, Josh Wolf, to talk about how he ended up playing for the country and what it means to be competing against some ...

Betting Isn't Boring: It's prediction time with Papelbon

15 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Once again, Jonathan Papelbon and Bradfo are out to prove that not only isn't baseball boring, but betting on baseball isn't boring. It's why the two ...

WBC Central: Lingering questions as rosters shift

14 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Shawn has some good news and some bad news. With Pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training this week, some big-name players have dropped out ...

Spring training is here and so is Jake Burger

13 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With the football season officially in the rearview mirror, it's time for baseball to step into the spotlight. That's why was a perfect time for one o...

BIB on the Radio: Coop and Joe Kelly dominated the Super Bowl

12 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the heart of Super Bowl week, baseball took over thanks to Coop joining Joe Kelly in dominating Radio Row to talk about the book, "A Damn Near Perf...

WBC Central: Daniel Alvarez-Montes says don't sleep on Team Venezuela

11 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Director and writer for El Extrabase, Daniel Alvares-Montes talks to Shawn about the strength of the Venezuelan roster and how they'll match up in poo...

BIB on the Radio: Bradfo talks the glorious game of baseball (and books) on MLB Network Radio

10 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bradfo jumped on MLB Network Radio with Jenny Cavnar to take a deep dive into the forthcoming best-selling book "A Damn Near Perfect Game: Reclaiming ...

Ben Cherington tackles the tough WBC question(s)

10 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Should they play. Shouldn't they play. It's always a tough decision for players and teams every time the World Baseball Classic comes around, with thi...

WBC Central: Live reacting to the WBC Roster with players from the Tournament

10 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Shawn Spradling jumps on a live stream for the World Baseball Classic's roster announcement to give his thoughts on how each team is shaping up. Along...

The day baseball dominated football's Radio Row

09 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the heart of football's biggest week, leading into the big game, Baseball Isn't Boring took over in Phoenix. BIB Ambassador Joe Kelly - with Coop b...

Pirates GM Ben Cherington is jumping aboard

08 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Pirates general manager Ben Cherington is the latest executive to jump aboard the Baseball Isn't Boring express, joining Bradfo to reflect on key part...

WBC Central; Who's in and Who's out

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Shawn dives into the weekend's roster transaction whirlwind. MLB players have been entering the WBC at a record clip, but as spring training draws nea...

Evan Drellich offers behind the scenes of 'Winning Fixes Everything'

07 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Evan Drellich of The Athletic joins Bradfo to conduct one of his first interviews talking about his new book, 'Winning Fixes Everything: How Baseball'...

The craziness of currently being a Padres fan

06 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Of all the winter fan celebrations, one stood out over all the others: The Padres' party. Bradfo is joined by Ben Fadden of 'Talking Friars' @talkingf...

Where will Shohei Ohtani be this time next year?

06 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With the current crop of free agents thinned out with spring training almost upon us, we turn to the big ticket items of next offseason. And there is ...

BIB on the Radio: Joe Kelly is ready to sell some books

05 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With the release of his new book - A Damn Near Perfect Game: Reclaiming America's Pastime - taking place on Feb. 28, White Sox pitcher Joe Kelly calls...

WBC Central: It's question and answer time

03 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode 2 of WBC Central, Shawn Spradling (@shawn_spradling) not only offers a flurry of updates regarding all things World Baseball Classic, but d...

The oldest active MLB player talks Tom Brady

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The oldest active player in any of the four major professional sports, Rich Hill of the Pirates, joins Bradfo once again, this time to reflect on how ...

Let actor Ellen Adair get you fired up for the baseball season

01 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bradfo is joined by actor Ellen Adair and Courtney Finnicum to offer the the ultimate springboard into February, with the trio passionately talking ab...

ICYMI: Joey Votto, Garrett Whitlock talk baseball vs. chess

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Two players who have dove head-first into the world of chess - while they aren't playing baseball - are Reds star Joey Votto and Red Sox pitcher Garre...

ICYMI: Is Luis Arráez the best hitter in baseball? Rich Hill thinks so

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In his latest Baseball Isn't Boring appearance, Pirates pitcher Rich Hill - who struck out Mike Trout in their only showdown - defined who he thought ...

ICYMI: Rich Hill is salty about the MLB baseballs

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Former Red Sox pitcher Rich Hill, who has taken his talents to Pittsburgh for 2023, has a very real problem with what went down with the baseballs las...

WBC Central: Let's talk about the greatest baseball tournament ever

31 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The highly-anticipated WBC Central podcast is officially here, with World Baseball Classic expert Shawn Spradling (@shawn_spradling) getting behind th...

BIB on the Radio: WBC Central is ready to launch

30 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bradfo, Coop and MassLive's Chris Cotillo are joined by the newest member of the Baseball Isn't Boring podcast family, Shawn Spradling (@Shawn_Spradli...

Who is the best hitter in baseball? Rich Hill has his thoughts

30 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Rich Hill has faced hundreds upon hundreds of major league hitters over his career. But there is one - who is currently still playing - the lefty pitc...

Ryan Dempster, Brock Holt are running the Boston Marathon

27 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's one thing to run down the baseline, sprint over to cover first or even try and steal a base, but when it comes to using your legs as a baseball p...

The brilliance of Batting Stance Guy

26 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

He has mesmerized David Letterman, Major League Baseball players, and virtually anybody who grew up loving to imitate their baseball-playing heroes. H...

Mind games with Joey Votto, Garrett Whitlock

25 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Chess. It's a game that some would suggest requires the same kind of patience, discipline and strategy as baseball. If any two people knew how much th...

David Ortiz, Billy Wagner offer Hall of Fame perspective

24 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Both David Ortiz and Billy Wagner join Bradfo to reflect on the importance of the Baseball Hall of Fame. For Ortiz, it is a conversation on what has h...

The lesson of Christian Arroyo

24 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Christian Arroyo was a first-round pick. He made the majors at the age of 22 years old. A year later he though he had his big chance with his hometown...

ICYMI: Red Sox bench coach Ramon Vazquez warns of possible new rule problems

23 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bradfo caught up with Red Sox bench coach Ramon Vazquez to discuss the challenges these new MLB rules are going to present for those in the dugout, an...

A GM, bench coach pull back the curtain on this new world of Major League Baseball

23 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The upcoming 2023 season is going to be unlike any that we have seen, thanks in large part to a flurry of significant rule changes that has impacted h...

Instagram? TikTok? How MLB teams are approaching social media

19 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

You think you knew social media and Major League Baseball? Forget about it. The dynamic with how teams and players approach the likes of Instagram and...

Top Pirates pitching prospect Mike Burrows takes the Rich Hill masterclass

18 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

It's not every day you get a chance to experience the mentoring of a 13-year major league veteran with a new up-and-coming teammate. But that's exactl...

Celebrating the Orioles' chaos with @editti22

17 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Perhaps the least boring team to follow in recent days has been the Baltimore Orioles. While ranking after ranking came out proclaiming the O's farm s...