Baseball Tonight with Buster Olney

ESPN, Buster Olney
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Mar 17, 2026 • 25min

Blair Witch Podcast: USA-Venezuela to Face-Off in the WBC Final, Joe Davis Stops By

The World Baseball Classic final is set: The United States will face Venezuela for the championship. FOX play-by-play voice Joe Davis joins Buster to discuss Venezuela beating Italy 4-2 to advance to the final, Aaron Nola starting for Italy, Venezuela putting the ball in play, what Venezuela and the United States need from their starting pitchers in the final, and which final adjustments Team USA manager might make to the lineup. Then, Buster previews the San Francisco Giants and the Boston Red Sox. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets.  0:00 Joe Davis 13:45 San Francisco Giants preview 15:05 Other headlines 15:35 Boston Red Sox preview 16:51 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Follow The Baseball Tonight Podcast on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHeL6O-A-ASmSMwbSCFvPKEq1Cslo_lrw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FG6xCcd338SgZjZ9urHRI Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-tonight-with-buster-olney/id137699414 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Mar 16, 2026 • 36min

Stiff and Serious: Team USA Defeats the Dominican Republic 2-1, Advancing to the WBC Final

Team USA wins a tight World Baseball Classic semifinal 2-1 over the Dominican Republic. Buster Olney and Dave Schoenfield link up following the game to discuss the bad strike call that ended the game, Team USA's outstanding bullpen, the Dominican Republic's missed opportunities, Junior Caminero hitting another bomb, Julio Rodriguez and Aaron Judge making outrageous defensive plays, Red Sox fans salivating over Roman Anthony, USA manager Mark DeRosa making the right move starting Gunner Henderson, and whether Italy or Venezuela has a better shot against the Americans in the WBC final on Tuesday. 0:00 Dave Schoenfield & Buster recap USA-DOM 24:19 New York Yankees preview 25:44 New York Mets preview 26:57 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Follow The Baseball Tonight Podcast on… YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHeL6O-A-ASmSMwbSCFvPKEq1Cslo_lrw Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5FG6xCcd338SgZjZ9urHRI Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-tonight-with-buster-olney/id137699414 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Mar 12, 2026 • 47min

Magnitude: Tigers A.J. Hinch on Team USA Conversations with Tarik Skubal + WBC Quarterfinal Preview

What makes LoanPark Depot in Miami so loud? Alden Gonzalez and Buster Olney investigate the parties on the concourse. Plus, Mark DeRosa’s rough few days as manager of Team USA, the Americans avoiding embarrassment with help from Italy, if they believe Randy Arozarena and Cal Raleigh are cool, and a look at the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals. Then, Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch stops by to talk about the tough decisions ahead of him with a deep outfield, his conversations with Tairk Skubal as Skubal decided to play one game for Team USA, his advice for managers dealing with the media, and who in his life keeps him honest on the job. Later, Buster previews the Cincinnati Reds, the Texas Rangers and the Philadelphia Phillies. Finally, Buster answers your WBC questions during Bleacher Tweets. ⁠WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE⁠ 0:00 Alden Gonzalez 22:32 Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch 34:37 Cincinnati Reds preview 35:57 Texas Rangers Preview  37:14 Philadelphia Phillies Preview 38:32 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Mar 10, 2026 • 50min

Taking Flack: Tarik Skubal Done at WBC; Cal Raleigh & Randy Arozarena Awkwardness; Scott Boras on Skubal’s Decision

Tarik Skubal will not pitch again for Team USA in this World Baseball Classic. Buster Olney and Hembo discuss his decision, the flack he’s getting for it and if Mark DeRosa should’ve publicly defended Skubal. Then, the guys discuss Cal Raleigh refusing to shake Seattle Mariners teammate Randy Arozarena during USA-Mexico, the Phillies signing Jesus Luzardo, and which number Bryce Harper should chase this season. Then, Scott Boras joins the show to talk about his client Tarik Skubal’s decision to not pitch again in the WBC, Skubal’s emotions after pitching in his only planned start for Team USA, what he likes about A.J. Hinch’s communication with Skubal, if he advised Skubal to bring his Cy Young awards to his arbitration hearing, and Skubal’s emotions after wining the case. Next, Buster previews the Minnesota Twins. Later, Buster answers your personal and WBC questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Hembo 21:33 Scott Boras 38:26 Minnesota Twins Preview 40:01 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Mar 9, 2026 • 51min

Tell Me If I’m Weird: Best WBC Moments So Far; Tim Kurkjian’s Spring Training Observations

What was your favorite moment from the first weekend of World Baseball Classic action? Buster and Eric Hosmer discuss. Plus, Manny Machado mentoring breakout start Junior Caminero on the Dominican Republic, and should Tarik Skubal pitch another game for the U.S.? Then, Tim Kurkjian talks about what gets him fired up about the WBC, Kyle Schwarber’s home run against Great Britain, a high schooler forcing Aaron Judge into a double play, and his thoughts on the Tigers, Red Sox and Yankees after visiting Spring Training. Plus, Buster previews the Atlanta Braves and the St. Louis Cardinals. Later, Buster answers your WBC questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Eric Hosmer 18:38 Atlanta Braves Preview 19:53 Tim Kurkjian 38:39 St. Louis Cardinals Preview 39:45 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Mar 6, 2026 • 41min

The List: ESPN's Top-100 MLB Players Drops; Top Player Draft; MLB Official on ABS Challenge System

ESPN released its 2026 Top-100 ranking of MLB players, and somehow Shohei Ohtani wasn’t the unanimous No. 1 pick? Buster, Jesse Rogers and ESPN.com MLB editor Liz Finny share their reactions to the top-100 list, including Mike Trout’s absence. Then, the gang drafts their top players in the league, and things go sideways at pick No. 2. Next, Buster and Jesse discuss injuries to Jeremy Peña and Hunter Greene, Jesse’s reporting on Team USA and the World Baseball Classic, and how MLB should handle contracts of players testing positive for PEDs. Then, MLB VP of On-Field Strategy Joe Martinez stops by to talk about how the ABS Challenge System is working so far to start Spring Training. Later, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 Rank 2026: ESPN's Top-100 MLB Players 8:06 Drafting the best players in MLB 14:30 Jesse Rogers on Team USA 21:11 MLB VP of On-Field Strategy Joe Martinez on ABS Challenges 31:48 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Mar 4, 2026 • 42min

Stuffiness: Jurickson Profar Suspended 162 Games; Concern for Roki Sasaki; Mariners Preview

Atlanta Braves’ outfielder Jurickson Profar was suspended for the entire 2026 season, leaving the Braves in a hole as the season nears. Buster Olney, Karl Ravech and Eduardo Perez discuss. Plus, what is the level of concern for Roki Sasaki, their takeaways after a day with the Detroit Tigers, and who they’re picking to win the World Baseball Classic. Then, Hembo stops by to talk about the most important pitching skill in an ABS world, why he’s betting on a MacKenzie Gore breakout with the Texas Rangers, the star who’s hiding in plain sight and his WBC pick. Later, Buster previews the Seattle Mariners. Finally, he answers a listener question during Bleacher Tweets 0:00 Karl Ravech & Eduardo Perez 20:55 Hembo 36:38 Mariners preview 38:03 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Mar 2, 2026 • 49min

Grinder: Cubs GM Jed Hoyer; Non-Dodger World Series Contenders Draft; Cards Extend Ollie Marmol

The Cardinals extend manager Oliver Marmol, Tarik Skubal has high praise for Tigers’ prospect Kevin McGonigle, and the World Baseball Classic is about to begin. Buster Olney and David Schoenfield discuss. Plus, the guys draft World Series hopefuls that have the best chances of unseat the Los Angeles Dodgers. Then, Chicago Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer stops by to talk about how his perspective on the WBC has changed, recruiting Alex Bregman, what to expect from Pete Crow-Armstrong after a tough second half of 2025, and why Michael Busch is one of the league’s most underrated players. Later, Buster previews the Cleveland Guardians and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Finally, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. 0:00 David Schoenfield 9:45 Non-Dodger Contender Draft 20:19 Cubs GM Jed Hoyer 37:01 Headlines 38:15 Cleveland Guardians preview 39:39 Pittsburgh Pirates preview 40:51 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEET Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Feb 27, 2026 • 50min

Neither: Max Scherzer Back for Season 19; WBC Preview; Charlies Barkley; Astros & Marlins Previews

Max Scherzer returns for his 19th MLB season, re-signing with the Toronto Blue Jays after his daughter wrote the organization a heartfelt note. Plus, the World Baseball Classic starts next week, and the Braves start their own TV network. Buster Olney, Jorge Castillo and Alden González discuss. Then, Charles Barkley stops by to talk about why he loves sports so much, rooting for the Blue Jays in the World Series, if Shohei Ohtani is a top-three athlete of all-time, his advice for MLB players during labor negotiations, and which league has better brawlers: The NBA or MLB. Later, Buster previews the Houston Astros and the Miami Marlins. Finally, Buster takes your questions during Bleacher Tweets.  WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 0:00 Welcome 0:30 Jorge Castillo & Alden González 22:49 Charles Barkley 39:07 Houston Astros preview 40:17 Miami Marlins preview 41:10 Bleacher Tweets CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Feb 25, 2026 • 44min

Zone Remains the Same: Aaron Boone on the ABS System & How Judge Could Benefit; Braves Extend Chris Sale

The Braves extend Chris Sale, Buster drops his top-ten corner outfielders and which players stand to benefit from the ABS System? Hembo and Buster discuss. Plus, is Konnor Griffin a generational talent? Then, Yankees manager Aaron Boone stops by to talk about whether Aaron Judge’s size will benefit him with ABS, how he’s instructed his team to deal with the ABS System, if his interactions with umpires will change now that he has the ability to challenge balls and strikes, Gerrit Cole’s progression, and his assessment of the team’s offseason. Later, Buster previews the Sacramento Athletics and the San Francisco Giants. Finally, Buster answers your questions during Bleacher Tweets. WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE⁠ CALL THE SHOW: 406-404-8460 EMAIL THE SHOW: BleacherTweets@gmail.com REACH OUT ON X: #BLEACHERTWEETS 0:00 Welcome! :47 Hembo 19:51 Yankees manager Aaron Boone 34:50 Headlines  36:01 Athletics preview 36:57 San Francisco Giants preview 38:16 Bleacher Tweets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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