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CJ Nitkowski & Ryan Spilborghs have spent better than 30 years playing professional baseball at every level around the world. After hanging up their cleats they immediately jumped into television and radio where they both have racked up multiple Emmy awards while covering the game both nationally and locally. Combine their passion for the game along with their decades of experience and what you get is an informative and entertaining baseball podcast that you cannot find anywhere else.
28 Episodes
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In this episode CJ and Spilly talk about the start of the season including what to make of the red hot Pirates and Yankees and the ice cold New York Mets. They also get into the slide that upset Jeff McNeil in Queens.
In this episode CJ and Spilly hit the Ohtani news from every angle and go through the possible outcomes. Jackson Holiday shockingly is not going to be on the opening day roster with the Orioles, it could mean nothing or it could be a real problem with real repercussions in the future.
The Orioles finally pulled off a big trade landing former Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes from the Milwaukee Brewers. CJ and Spilly cover this trade from every angle, what it means for both teams, should the Brewers do more and who missed out.
CJ and Spilly are a bit surprised by how low a couple of reliever contracts are come in here in January. Perhaps analytics are to blame. The White Sox named Dylan Cease their Opening Day starter but it appears the Mariners would like to have them in their rotation this season. The Detroit Tigers have signed a player to contract worth nearly $30 million who has yet to play in the big leagues as the trend of locking up prospects continues to grow.
In this episode CJ and Spilly cover the 2024 Hall of Fame class. The vote totals are in and Adrian Beltre, Todd Helton and Joe Mauer all made it. Billy Wagner missed by 5 votes (Yes, Spilly 5!). Gary Sheffield did not make it in his final shot and Andruw Jones fell short again with three more years on the ballot.
2023 is in the books and there is no better time for CJ and Spilly to reflect on the year that was. Personally it was a year of growth and new opportunities for both of the guys. CJ's team won the World Series and then he took a new job with the Atlanta Braves. Spilly got huge national opportunites calling games for Apple TV and calling the world feed for the World Series. They also talk about baseball on local TV, what it has meant for certain teams and what the future may look like. Final thoughts on what they both learned from this 2023 World Series Championship run by the Texas Rangers.
In this episode CJ and Spilly talk the big trade of Chris Sale to the Braves with Vaughn Grissom going to the Red Sox. Lucas Giolito has found himself a new home in Boston and Frankie Montas is hoping to recapture some of that Oakland dominance as he signs a 1-year deal with the Reds.
In this episode CJ and Spilly discuss the news of Shohei Ohtani signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers for a record setting deal. How much better are the Dodgers? Where do the Blue Jays, Giants and Angels go from here? What the heck happened on Friday with the mystery flight? Every angle you could think of in just 20 minutes.
In this episode CJ and Spilly breakdown both sides of the Mariners and Braves trade with Jared Kelenic as the centerpiece as the guys wonder if Seattle is preparing for a big move. They also get into the Brewers contract with 19 yo Jackson Chourio, an exciting young player who has yet to put on a big league uniform. Plus, the Phillies add a year to Rob THomsopn's contract and Jim Leyland is headed to the Hall of Fame.
The St. Louis Cardinals had one of their worst starting rotations in their franchises' history in 2023. They have addressed that this winter but not necessarily in a huge way. In this episode CJ and Spilly dive into the moves, what is inspiring, what is deflating but ultimately what it could mean for the Cardinals in 2024.m
In this episode CJ and Spilly talk about the Chicago White Sox. They decline their option on SS Tim Anderson, which direction will new GM Chris Getz take this team? The DH position has suddenly gotten deep with Justin Turner and Jorge Soler opting out of their contracts. Marcus Stroman opts out in Chicago, what does an ideal matchup look like for the sinker baller? Yoshinobu Yamamoto is getting posted and the 25-year-old righthander from Japan now becomes the best starting pitcher available this off-season.
In this episode of NWPV CJ and Spilly break down the 2023 World Series Champion Texas Rangers. Their amazing postseason run after such a huge disappointment at the end of the regular season. Is this the beginning of a run in Arlington? Should the Rangers be ultra aggressive again this off-season? Corey Seager is a quiet guy who usually lets his bat do the talking. Something changed in the ALCS and Seager had a microphone moment at the championship parade that delighted Rangers fans and Rangers players.
The Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks are headed to the 2023 World Series. CJ and Spilly talk both clubs, who they are, how they got there and reflect on two amazing Championship Series. Plus, Christopher Mad Dog Russo made a bold promise, they renegged. The Padres let their manager Bob Melvin walk to a division rival in the San Francisco Giants. How is that possible?
In this episode CJ and Spilly talk Rangers and Astros as the ALCS is set to get underway. The recent history for the Rangers vs. Houston, and in Houston specifically, has not been good. Jon Gray and Max Scherzer have both been activated for the Rangers, the guys discuss the impact that could have. Plus, there was a media controversy this week during the Division Series betwen the Phillies and Braves, CJ and Spilly have the solution and most of the media is not going to like it.
In this episode CJ and Spilly wrap up the ALDS series which saw the Rangers advance to the ALCS and the Orioles going home. How did the Rangers do it? What does Baltimore have to do next to stay a serious contender? The AL East went winless in the postseason for the first time since 1990, is that division overrated? The playoff format has come into question, is there a better way?
In this episode CJ and Spilly discuss the news of the Angels moving on from Phil Nevin. That's 4 mangerial positions open with perhaps one or two more coming. They'll also dip into the Wild Card round as the MLB Postseason gets underway.
In this episode CJ and Spilly get into the final two days of the season with a focus on the AL West. The Rangers need just one win to advance to the postseason, two for an AL West title, but they are short on pitching. The Marlins are looking like a wild card team and the guys see what manager Skip Schumaker has done with this club nothing short of incredible. The Giants have a managerial opening. Two years after winning 107 games they dismiss Gabe Kapler. They won't be the only team looking for new on the field leadership in 2024.
In this episide CJ and Spilly break down the incredible weekend in the AL West. The Mariners and Astros get swept setting up a wild week. The Phillies have gotten their act together and are now looking like a team ready for a postseason run. The Angels have $131M on the IL, the most in baseball, what do we make of their 2023 season and the near future.
In this episode CJ and Spilly talk about the greatness of Ronald Acuna's 2023 season. Corbin Carroll has been historically special in Arizona as well. MLB might see 3 rookies go 20/20, something that has never happened in a single season. Shohei has surgery but the statement following his surgery was rather vague. Plus a shocking reveal on one Toronto pitcher's daily sleep requirements.
In this episode CJ and Spilly get into the drama surrounding the news that Shohei Ohtani is out for the season. What is going on in Los Angeles and will there be heavy turnover this winter? Ohtani out has also started some speculation about Corey Seager for AL MVP. He's having a monster season but the boys don't think it is enough and state their case. The Rays and Orioles had a huge 4 game series in Baltimore over the weekend. Tampa had a chance to start this week in a tie for 1st place but some surprising struggles for the Rays bullpen changed things significantly. The Cardinals are bringing back manager Oli Marmol despite a disastrous season in St. Louis.
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