The Ringer MLB Show

Clayton Kershaw continued to rewrite the narrative that he struggles in the postseason, as the Dodgers took a 3-2 lead over the Rays in the World Series. Can the Rays once again even the series on the back of a strong Blake Snell start? Or will the Dodgers close it out in six games? Plus: We react to the end of Game 4 from Saturday night, one of the most ridiculous finishes to any baseball game ever, let alone a World Series game. Hosts: CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco This episode originally ran on the 'R2C2 with CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco' feed. Follow 'R2C2' on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We react to a choppy Game 2 that featured seven Dodgers pitchers, a strong but short outing from Blake Snell, and a semi-revival of the Rays’ bats. Then, we preview games 3 and 4 before sharing our Fave Five things of the series thus far. Hosts: Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman This episode originally ran on the 'Baseball BBQ' feed. Follow 'Baseball BBQ' on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We start this week with a Slingin’ Heat featuring Mookie Betts, NFL betting lines, and the upcoming league collective bargaining negotiations (1:50). Then, we’re joined by three-time World Series champion Dave Stewart to talk about his illustrious playoff career, the toughest batters he ever faced, pitching wisdom he learned from Bob Gibson and Sandy Koufax, how the game has become less about entertainment, and more (13:03). Hosts: CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco Guest: Dave Stewart This episode originally ran on the 'R2C2 With CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco' feed. Follow R2C2 on Spotify for more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We recap a lopsided Game 1 of the World Series that featured a dominant Clayton Kershaw start combined with all five tools of Mookie Betts prominently displayed. Then, we wonder whether the Rays’ pitching staff can keep the Dodgers under five runs per game for the rest of the series, and if not, whether the Rays lineup has any hope of winning the series for them. Finally, we briefly discuss commissioner Rob Manfred’s quotes about wanting to keep the expanded 16-team postseason moving forward. Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We recap a thrilling Game 7 of the NLCS between the Dodgers and the Braves that featured incredibly clutch home runs from Cody Bellinger and Kike Hernández (1:51) and a surprising Game 7 between the Astros and Rays in which the Rays held on to avoid blowing a 3-0 series lead. Then, we share our five favorite players and predict who will win the World Series, how many games it’ll take, and who will take home the World Series MVP trophy (24:40). Hosts: Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman This episode originally ran on the 'Baseball BBQ' feed. Follow 'Baseball BBQ' on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re back for another late-night podcast to react to the Dodgers’ offensive outburst in Game 3 of the NLCS and the Rays’ sturdy rotation and bullpen through four games in the ALCS. Plus: CC slings some heat about analytics, the New York tabloids, and the Jets’ and Giants’ quarterback situations. Finally, we take some of your questions about the future of the Yankees rotation, what it’s like in the locker room after a tough postseason elimination, and more (44:28). Hosts: CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco This episode originally ran on the 'R2C2 with CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco' feed. Follow 'R2C2' on Spotify or wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We break down the 11-run inning that powered the Dodgers in Game 3, flipping the script in a series that had been surprisingly dominated by the Braves up to that point (0:00). Then, we discuss the saga that was Walker Buehler’s pants (1:21), before discussing how even with a loss in Game 4, the Rays have set themselves up nicely to close out the Astros in the coming days (20:33). Finally, we diagnose what it would mean for the White Sox—one of the most exciting young teams in baseball—to hire Tony La Russa, AJ Hinch, or Alex Cora (30:37). Hosts: Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman This episode originally ran on the 'Baseball BBQ' feed. Follow 'Baseball BBQ' on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Rays are up 3-0 on the Astros, and it sure seems like they’re clicking better than any other team in baseball and they are poised to reach the World Series. We discuss their unmatched collection of rotation and bullpen arms, the Astros struggling to get timely hits, José Altuve’s throwing errors, and more (1:30), before switching over to the NL, where the Braves have shocked the Dodgers by getting out to a 2-0 series lead. Is this finally the year Dave Roberts gets the hook for his questionable bullpen usage, or can the Dodgers bats help turn things around for the heavy favorites (19:30)? Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Rays hung on to beat the Astros 2-1 in Game 1 of the ALCS on the back of a gritty pitching performance from Blake Snell and another Randy Arozarena home run. We recap that game as well as preview the rest of this fascinating series, before also previewing Game 1 of the NLCS between the Dodgers and the Braves. Will the Dodgers keep rolling along or will the stacked Braves lineup and surprisingly impressive postseason pitching give Los Angeles trouble? Hosts: Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman  This podcast originally ran on the 'Baseball BBQ' feed. You can follow Baseball BBQ here on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gerrit Cole and Tyler Glasnow were electric on short rest. Aaron Judge went yard off the best reliever of 2020. The Yankees’ and Rays’ bullpens went toe-to-toe. But it was Mike Brosseau taking Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman deep that was the difference. We break down everything Yankees-Rays Game 5, where the series went wrong for New York, what the future looks like constructed around this current core, and more on an instant-reaction R2C2. Hosts: CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco This episode originally ran on the 'R2C2 with CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco' feed. Follow 'R2C2' on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a stress-filled Game 2 between the Dodgers and Padres, we convene to give our immediate reactions to that series, as well as the Yankees-Rays series that's tilted toward Tampa Bay, the Braves-Marlins series that's headed toward a sweep, and the A’s-Astros series that’s about to play its crucial Game 4. Plus: We take a victory lap on predicting the pitcher-friendly Globe Life Field would be the talk of the postseason, as well as predicting a big breakout for Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena. Hosts: Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman This podcast originally ran on the 'Baseball BBQ' feed. Follow on Spotify here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

CC and Ryan give their immediate takeaways as the Yankees fall behind the Rays 2-1 in the ALDS, preview Game 4, and discuss the Yankees’ chances of combing back in the series (1:08). Plus, this week in Slingin’ Heat, we hear CC’s take on Derek Jeter’s tenure thus far as the Marlins CEO, Kyrie Irving’s comments about the role of head coaches on the Nets, why the NFL hates the Raiders, and more (40:42). Hosts: CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco This podcast originally ran on the `R2C2 with CC Sabathia and Ryan Ruocco` feed. Follow `R2C2` on Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a hectic wild-card week, we’ve settled in nicely to the rhythm of the divisional series. This week on the show, we bounce around to each series and give an in-depth recap of the big story lines. What looks real and what will peter out if the series drag on to five games? Are the Marlins beaning Acuña on purpose? Did Aaron Boone botch Game 2? Are the Astros doing a bit or have they actually convinced themselves they’re the protagonists of this playoffs? Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We preview every series in both leagues and break down what you need to know, what you need to get excited for, and which players (outside the obvious) you should expect to show up big (1:03). Then, ESPN broadcaster Boog Sciambi joins to preview Marlins-Braves, describe what it’s like to call a fanless playoff game that you’re not even in the ballpark for, and discuss the nearly unbelievable arc of Fernando Tatis Jr. (33:26). This episode originally ran on 'Baseball BBQ.' Follow on Spotify for more. Hosts: Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman Guest: Boog Sciambi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One of the strangest postseasons in MLB history is about to start. Does that mean any of us will pick a true underdog to win the World Series? We preview the first round series by series before sharing who we think will be the last team standing this year. Hosts: Michael Baumann, Ben Lindbergh, Zach Kram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices