Postgame Show: The Pitch Clock (feat. Jason Benetti)

Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz

Postgame Show: The Pitch Clock (feat. Jason Benetti) — September 4, 2025
Live from the Elser Hotel, Downtown Miami

---

Episode Overview

This episode of the "Postgame Show" brings together the signature Dan Le Batard Show crew for a lively reprise of their baseball segment: "The Pitch Clock." Combining a creative trivia game with an expert interview, the episode features Jason Benetti (voice of the Detroit Tigers), tackles MLB playoff storylines, and delivers fast-paced banter and baseball nostalgia. Sprinkled throughout are humorous asides and sharp sports takes, as only this crew can deliver.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The “Pitch Clock” Baseball Trivia Game

• Setup: The hosts (mainly Chris Cody, Jeremy, and Taylor) compete in a trivia game styled after 501 darts, where they have to guess player stats without going over, aiming to get as close to zero as possible across several rounds.
• First Round: “Games Played as a Marlin”
  • Strategy & Banter:
    • Chris Cody leans toward picking pitchers, suspecting they log fewer games (01:44).
    • Notable picks include Sandy Alcantara, Ricky Nolasco, Paul Lo Duca, Mike Piazza (who famously only played five games as a Marlin), and unique names like Braxton Garrett and Troy Johnston.
    • The game gets surprisingly competitive, with the strategy for “using up” guesses and some defensive plays:
      • Jeremy: “I'm gonna take the guy who's made the, I think the most starts or at least has the most innings pitched. Ricky Nolasco.” (02:32)
      • Chris: “I want to have my last number be, like, 160, and then I just gotta find that one guy that, like, played a season for the Marlins as a starter just one season.” (07:15)
  • Climax:
    • Chris Cody pulls off a dramatic win by landing a zero exactly, eliciting excitement and disbelief:
      • Jeremy: “Wow, that's crazy.” (09:10)
      • Chris Cody (teasing): “How do I always deliver like this?” (08:55)
• Second Round: “Games Played as a Yankee”
  • Guessing legends and bit players:
    • Big names (Andy Pettitte, CC Sabathia, Giancarlo Stanton), obscure picks (Cam Schlitler, “Schlitler. But I'll accept it.” 14:54).
  • Neck-and-neck finish: Randy Johnson’s 67 games almost perfectly meets Chris’s need for his “one-off.”
    • Taylor: “It’s not 68, it’s 67.” (15:51)
    • Chris, on his improbable skill in guessing: “How do I do this?” (15:55)
    • Jeremy, exasperated: “This is truly and utterly feels good for you. To end up at zero and one is absolutely bonkers. Perfect game, Taylor. We're never playing this game again.” (16:55)

---

2. Jason Benetti Interview: Insights on the Tigers & MLB Playoffs

• Benetti’s Three Keys to Detroit’s Success (2025 AL leaders at episode air date)
  1. Front Office & Manager Alignment: “...lockstep of the front office and the manager in how to use the roster... combination of those prongs working together...” (04:56)
  2. Ace Performance & Clubhouse Leadership: “Derek [Tarik] Skubal, of course, is just like, I'm not gonna lose unless somebody really knocks me over with abundant force type of guy. And I think that does permeate the clubhouse.” (05:29)
  3. Pressure Baseball: “Pressure on the base paths, pressure on batters from Skubal...they make you think about what's happening to you in the moment. And I think that is a sneaky, really good trait.” (05:45)
• Playoff Fears/Strategy:
  • Benetti stresses that avoiding the wild card round is key in the deep AL playoff field.
    • Jason: “I think the one thing that you want is to not be in the wild card round. I think the American League is deep enough that being the two seeds should really matter for the Tigers.” (06:35)
• Benetti's Double-Duty in Detroit:
  • The crew highlights Benetti’s unique ability to call both Lions (NFL) and Tigers (MLB) games in one day—caught on a viral video.
    • Benetti: “It was the world’s shortest golf cart ride... It’s important to me to be in a place where people care about what I’ve dedicated my life to.” (09:50)

---

3. Rapid-Fire Baseball Association Game

• Format: Benetti is prompted to share the first name he thinks of for various teams—exposing both his quick wit and deep memory.
• Memorable Associations (10:53–11:19):
  • Tigers: “Miguel Cabrera.”
  • Yankees: “Mickey Mantle.”
  • Arizona Cardinals: “David Boston.”
  • St. Louis Cardinals: “Ozzie Smith.”
  • Royals: “George Brett.”
  • Chiefs: “Travis Kelce.”
  • Dolphins: “Dan Marino.”
  • Marlins: “Jack McKeon.”
    • Jeremy: “Oh, I like the Jack McKeon answer. That's. That's the guy who's the face. And he was recently inducted into the first inaugural Marlins hall of Fame...” (11:19)

---

4. A “Golden Era” of Baseball & NL Standouts

• Focusing on NL Players:
  • Jeremy highlights NL slugger Gavin Sheets and Braves' pitcher Hurston Waldrep.
  • Benetti’s take: “That power plays, that power is legit when you put him in good situations…putting him in the outfield was not great and it affected his hitting.” (12:24)
• Reflection on Career Arcs: Benetti is clearly happy for Sheets’ success after changes of scenery.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Tigers’ Chemistry:
  “Rafael Montero shows up. He had walked a bunch of guys before he got here. He's doing that much less.” — Jason Benetti (05:05)
• On Detroit Sports Fandom:
  “Detroit fans in general are exceptionally smart. I think been. They've been trained and they've been brought up with great announcers. Like, you just have to be really good at the job to fit in in Detroit...” — Jason Benetti (09:50)
• On the Wildness of the Game:
  Jeremy: “This is way crazier. This is insane. All right, whatever. Tell us what the game is. I can't.” (13:56)
• Chris’s Triumphant Brag:
  “How do I always deliver like this?” — Chris Cody (08:55)

---

Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment/Quote | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:10 | Introduction to “The Pitch Clock” special format | | 01:32 | Explanation of baseball trivia game format | | 04:10 | Jason Benetti interview begins | | 04:56 | Benetti’s three keys to Tigers’ success | | 06:35 | On playoff seeding and the wild card conundrum | | 09:50 | Benetti reflects on fandom and Detroit | | 10:53 | Team “first name” association game | | 12:24 | Spotlights on National League standouts: Gavin Sheets, Waldrep | | 14:03 | Game two begins — “Games Played as a Yankee” | | 15:51 | Near-perfect guess with Randy Johnson for Yankees | | 16:55 | Jeremy concedes: “Perfect game, Taylor. We’re never playing again.”|

---

Overall Tone & Style

• Playful, irreverent, and sometimes sarcastic; the camaraderie among the hosts and guests is clear.
• The show combines in-depth baseball analysis with zany, inventive game-play and nods to nostalgia.
• Jason Benetti blends comedic timing (well-known for impressions) with seasoned broadcaster insights.

---

For New Listeners

This episode delivers both the heart of the Dan Le Batard Show—fun, chemistry, and sharp wit—and engaging insider baseball knowledge courtesy of Jason Benetti. You’ll get a snapshot of the volatile MLB playoff race, a creative trivia battle that keeps everyone on the edge, and classic show hilarity. Whether you’re a stats nerd, a Tigers fan, or someone who just loves unpredictable podcast games, this episode is a highlight of both sports insight and sports radio entertainment.

Transcript

[A]

I've been really liking the cold open thing. I don't have a burp, so we don't really have one then. He did it.

[B]

He just did it.

[A]

Welcome to the Pitch Clock. Here's the Pitch, a two part baseball segment combining a nostalgic baseball trivia game and an interview with an expert. This is the Pitch Clock. The Pitch clock is back. And it's September, guys. That means, like next month there's playoff baseball. How exciting is that? Chris Cody is here.

[B]

You said September.

[A]

I said September's here.

[B]

I just think of football.

[A]

Yeah, I don't care about playoffs or next month. You don't care. Taylor's here too. We'll actually have Jason Benetti with us, which is pretty exciting. He'll be our 2025 MLB expert. Speaking of football, Taylor, so sorry about your Tar Heels. Hey, but what do you have for a trivia game for us today?

[C]

So we're going back to the 501 darts where you're trying to get as close to zero as a few amendments to the last time we played it. It's going to be best of three still. But each round you'll get five guesses and you can't go past zero. So if you, if you do, you'll just stay at the number. So if you were at 120 and it was 121, your guess, you're still at 120.

[A]

Okay.

[C]

And then whoever's at the lowest 20 after the five guesses is the winner.

[A]

Awesome. All right, so let's get started then.

[C]

The first game is going to games played as a marlin.

[A]

Oh, boy. Okay.

[B]

Kind of want to go pitchers here. See what I'm doing there because I feel like it's harder to figure out, like any good Marlins have played like more than 500 games themselves with them.

[A]

That's what makes it complicated.

[B]

All right, I'm gonna go with Sandy Alcantara. I'm thinking he's.

[A]

I know that. So Sandy is. Is 20 starts a season second in innings pitched.

[C]

I think now I'm just going by games.

[B]

Right.

[C]

This is.

[A]

Yeah. Since 20, what's a good start? 2017. Yeah, he came up in 2017 for a couple of cup of coffee, obviously had the shortened 2020 season and then missed a year with the Tommy John surgery.

[C]

So Sandy Alcantara has played in 165 games for the Marlins. So, Chris, you're down at 336 after your first guest. Jeremy, your first guess.

[A]

Okay, so this is, this is where strategy comes into play because I Kind of want to sit around the same spot as Chris. And so I'm gonna take the guy who's made the, I think the most starts or at least has the most innings pitched. Ricky Nalasco.

[C]

So Ricky Nalasco has pitched in 213 games for the Marlins, Jeremy, bringing you down to 288.

[A]

Okay. Okay.

[C]

Josh Beckett, Chris. Josh Beckett pitched in 106 games for the Marlins. Bring to 230.

[A]

All right. I'm going to make a get. It's possible this player went over, but I'm thinking it's got to be close. Paul Laduca.

[C]

So, Jeremy, you're at 288. Paul LaDuca played in 205 games as a Marlin, bringing you down to 83.

[B]

All right, I like. I have a. I have. I like my strategy. I'm. I'm complimenting myself here. Before I even go. Mike Piazza.

[C]

Mike Piazza is going to get Chris five games knocked off that total and bring him down to 200.

[B]

Fine.

[A]

Okay. I'm. I'm confused. And it is my pleasure to welcome on this man who is a staple of the Dan LeBatard show, coming on and doing impressions, but we're actually going to pick his mind for a little bit of baseball knowledge here. Jason Benetti, the voice of the Detroit Tigers, is with me now here on the pitch clock. Jason, first and foremost, thank you so much for taking time out of your insane schedule to join us here.

[D]

No, Jeremy, glad to do it. Really happy to be here. And let's have a good time.

[A]

Yeah, let's do it. So anyone who knows me knows that I absolutely fell in love with your Tigers at the end of last season. I was watching every single game down the stretch of that team. It was basically the most reminiscent playoff chase that I had experienced since the 03 Marlins of just a team doing everything fun. But now they are presently, at the time of this recording, the best team in the American League in terms of their record. They're the first American league team to 80 wins. So, Jason, this season, as they've carried that momentum, what would you say are maybe the three keys that have made the Tigers the best team in the AL thus far? And how will that maybe change their postseason fate from last year?

[D]

What one, I would say, is the lockstep of the front office and the manager in how to use the roster. You go trade for Kyle Finnegan, AJ Hinch gets ahead of it and talks to Will Best and Finnegan about who's doing what and how it might shape shift over the Course of time, Rafael Montero shows up. He had walked a bunch of guys before he got here. He's doing that much less. So I think the combination of those prongs working together, but then specifically number two, and I'd never put him number two for anything, is Derek. Scuba, of course, is just like, I'm not gonna lose unless somebody really knocks me over with abundant force type of guy. And I think that does permeate the clubhouse. And then I would say third thing is just pressure. Pressure on the base paths, pressure on batters from school. Like, pressure with a pretty deep lineup when they're healthy. And I think the Tigers sometimes can make people introspective on the mat. Like, they make you think about what's happening to you in the moment. And I think that is a sneaky, really good trait.

[A]

If you're. You're sitting there. From a Tigers perspective, as you know, they march toward the postseason, who would be the American League team that you look at and you go, man, that. That might be the team that. That scares Detroit the most.

[D]

There's nobody that, like, you're like, oh, let's line up to play this team. I think the American League, like, every American League team, has a reason that you could say, oh, I don't know, man. Like, I don't know. I think the one thing that you want is to not be in the wild card round.

[A]

Yes.

[D]

I think the American League is deep enough that being the two seeds should really matter for the Tigers. That's just my personal opinion. To me, though, I think there is value in missing the first round and getting to the division series by being a top two seed. That's what I would say is your best bet in the American League.

[A]

We're just a couple of weeks away from that chase, really coming into form. And you're right. That American League wild card picture basically changes every day. And which of those teams seems the scariest to face is alternating. I mean, basically by the series. So it. I can't wait. I can't wait for the series. This. This final playoff chase. It's gonna be so much fun.

[B]

I want to have my last number be, like, 160, and then I just gotta find that one guy that, like, played a season for the Marlins as a starter just one season.

[A]

I almost now, because of that strategy, want to just go over knowing that I'm gonna take that only guy he's gonna think of from him.

[B]

So as if there's one guy that's.

[A]

Played for the Marlins and for one season, Yvonne Rodriguez. Yep.

[C]

Jeremy's playing defense here. Pud Rodriguez played in 144 games. So, Jeremy, after the third round, you're still at 83.

[B]

All right, give me Brad Penny.

[C]

Brad penny pitched in 139 games as a Marlin, bringing Chris down to 86.

[A]

I'm gonna, I'm gonna go with Braxton Garrett.

[C]

Braxton Garrett has pitched for the Marlins in 65 games, bringing Jeremy down to 18.

[B]

Carl Pavano.

[A]

That's a good one.

[C]

Carl Pavano in his three year career with the Marbles.

[A]

Oh, no.

[C]

86.

[A]

No. What?

[B]

Oh, my God.

[A]

Dude. So the only way, so the only way that I can potentially, potentially do this is if I find someone who played 18 games.

[C]

Exactly.

[B]

I am just Mike Piazza. Oh, my. I'm a genius.

[C]

All right, Jeremy, your best case scenario is a push.

[A]

Yeah, hold on. How do I do this?

[B]

How do I always deliver like this?

[A]

Troy Johnston, at the time of this.

[C]

Recording, Jeremy, you're at 18. Troy Johnson has played in 26 games. Jeremy, you're gonna stay at 18. Chris Cody wins with zero.

[A]

Wow, that's crazy. My favorite videos that I saw the entire last month across sports, and that was a video of you that we're gonna play right now where you were taking a golf cart between calling a Lions game and then calling a Tigers game later on. I believe it was a 1pm and a 6pm so as we're watching this video, like, how does it feel to. To have fans basically show you how beloved you are in this city in this way? And did you ever imagine that you would be in this particular spot as a broadcaster to get to kind of do everything?

[D]

So first of all, it was the world's shortest golf cart ride. I, I appreciate you saying that. I think Tiger fans, and just Detroit fans in general are exceptionally smart. I think been. They've been trained and they've been, they've been brought up with great announcers. Like, you just have to be really good at the job to fit in in Detroit because literally everybody is. It's important to me to be in a place where people care about what I've dedicated my life to. And I think that's just a human instinct.

[A]

I'm going to take a. A page out of your book on Twitter real quick and we're going to do first name you think of. So if you guys don' follow Jason on Twitter, he basically ends up posting from all the different places that he ends up being all the time to call all these different games. He'll post a Stadium pick and then first name you think of, dot, dot, dot. So I'm just going to name some teams and we're going to go first name you think of. We're going to go rapid fire. So let's start.

[D]

Tigers, Miguel Cabrera.

[A]

Yankees.

[D]

Mickey Mantle.

[A]

Arizona Cardinals.

[D]

David Boston.

[A]

Ooh, I like that. St. Louis Cardinals.

[D]

Ozzy Smith.

[A]

Kansas City Royals.

[D]

George Brad.

[A]

Kansas City Chiefs.

[D]

Travis Kelsey.

[A]

Miami Dolphins.

[D]

Dan Marino.

[A]

Miami Marlins.

[D]

Jack McKeon.

[A]

Oh, I like that. I like the Jack McKeon answer. That's. That's the guy who's the face. And he was recently inducted into the first inaugural Marlins hall of Fame along with Jeff Conine, Jim Leland, and of course, Luis Castillo. That was a blast for us this year here in Miami. But before we wrap up, Jason, the way we do this is, I've been saying all year long, this is a golden era of baseball right now. I genuinely believe it. Particularly for the stars in baseball, there's so much excellence. Let's go ahead and do this. I want to give the NL a little bit of shine since we've been sticking with the al. We talked a little AL last week as well with Mike Scher. So there are two guys in the National League who had really ridiculous months on two different sides of the ball. Gavin Sheets was the National League leader in ops amongst guys who played 15 games. And then there's Hurston Waldrop, who's come up for the Braves and been absolutely dominant thus far. We're gonna go either Waldrip or Sheets, if you'd like to focus on one of them.

[D]

Yeah, so you had me at Sheets. He had a great start to the year. I was thrilled for him. That power plays, that power is legit when you put him in good se situations. And I like, there are really good people that I left with the White Sox that I really did appreciate. But I also think it's fair to say that putting him in the outfield was not great and it affected his hitting. I would say Gavin leaves the White Sox, ends up being a free agent, tiny, late for San Diego. And like, that dude always knew he had power. So I'm thrilled for him. I'm excited for him, and I'm glad he's gotten a chance to do what he's done.

[A]

It's really remarkable. He's had a really awesome season, and we appreciate the insight as someone who got to cover him and get to know him a little bit. If you guys enjoyed what you just heard from Jason, particularly if you're down here in South Florida, Jason's gonna be calling some of the games between the Marlins and the Tigers, which will be my last season on the Marlins broadcast. So just find a way to like flip back and forth between the two. That'll be a lot of fun. Jason, thank you so much for taking some time to join us here on the pitch clock. And we're gonna send things back over to this game between Chris Cody and myself. Let's do round two now. I'm very upset and I cannot believe that that's how things started. What's this one, Taylor? I can't. I'm like. That is.

[C]

Dude.

[A]

Truly and utterly outside of. When you correctly guess what was it like the OPS of somebody to a not. Oh, it's the war. I think this one.

[C]

This one.

[A]

This is way crazier. This is insane. All right, whatever. Tell us what the game is. I can't.

[B]

I'm on a high.

[A]

I'm shook.

[C]

It's tough to follow that one. But this one's gonna be games played as a Yankee, of course.

[A]

Jesus. I don't know. There's so many guys that have immediately come to mind, but I have no idea how long they were. Yankees. You know what I'm gonna do? Andy Pettit.

[C]

So, Jeremy, to start, you were going. Andy Pettit. Andy Pettit was on the mound in 447 games for the Yankees, bringing you down to. To 54.

[A]

No, no. CC Sabathia.

[C]

CC Sabathia pitched in 307 games for the Yankees, bringing Chris Cody to 194.

[A]

Ooh. Cam Shitler.

[C]

Schlitler. But I'll accept it.

[A]

Schlitler.

[C]

Cam Schlitler has pitched in nine games.

[A]

Perfect.

[C]

So, Jeremy, you are at 45 after the second round.

[A]

That's what I'll take that. I'm trying to find.

[B]

Give me Nestor Cortez.

[C]

So, Chris. Nestor Cortez has pitched for the Yankees 126 times really, in his career. So you are down to 68.

[A]

You know what? I'm just gonna.

[D]

I'm just.

[A]

I'm just gonna. Gonna go over. I'm just gonna say Giancarlo Stanton. Yeah.

[C]

Giancarlo has played in 718 games as Yankee.

[A]

Yeah. So. All right. I'm gonna stay at 4.

[C]

You're still at 45. Who had a.

[B]

Cup of coffee with the Yankees?

[D]

I think I've got one.

[B]

Randy Johnson.

[A]

I'm gonna be really mad.

[B]

So If I get 68, I win.

[A]

I swear to God, if this is 68. If this. If this is 68.

[C]

It's not 68, it's 67.

[D]

Chris, code.

[A]

How do I do this?

[C]

He's down to one.

[A]

All right, Devin Williams, let's just go. No, I don't want to. I don't want to revel in this. Devin Williams. Tell me how many games Devin Williams is pitched in.

[C]

Jeremy, you're down at 45. Devin Williams has pitched in 57 games, so you're still at 45 after the third round. This is Cody, if you, if you have anybody with one for the next two. But.

[B]

And this fourth guess, I'll guess Chris Cody.

[C]

Chris Cody did not play for the Yankees, so you're gonna still be at one after the fourth.

[A]

Guess who pitched for the Yankees for two years?

[B]

Oh, man. Randy Johnson. Oh, wow.

[A]

Garrett Cole. Way off, Way more than that, right?

[C]

This would have been his fifth season with the Yankees.

[A]

It's been that long, huh?

[C]

Well, yeah, but his first season was the, the 2020 season. Derek Cole has pitched for the Yankees 125 times.

[A]

Not even close.

[C]

Chris Cody. The brooms are out. It's a two zero sweep.

[A]

This is truly and utterly feels good for you. To end up at zero and one is absolutely bonkers. Perfect game, Taylor. We're never playing this game again. I don't know how many times I have to tell you.

[B]

Every week there's the burp.