The MLB First Half Awards & Baseball Blackjack! | The Pitch Clock

Summary

The Dan Le Batard Show: "The MLB First Half Awards & Baseball Blackjack!" | The Pitch Clock (July 9, 2026)

Episode Overview

Recorded live from the Elser Hotel in downtown Miami, this episode of The Dan Le Batard Show dives deep into the MLB season's first half. The crew delivers their signature blend of humor and keen baseball insight, blending a creative baseball-themed blackjack game with in-depth midseason awards, player analysis, team performances, and predictions for the stretch run. Special guest MLB analyst Adnan Virk joins for a masterful rundown of award picks and big-picture takes, while hosts Dan, Jeremy, and Chris keep the proceedings lively with games and playful banter.

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Key Segments & Discussion Points

1. Baseball Blackjack: The Pitch Clock Twist (00:16–04:29; 08:11–14:00; 19:10–21:14)

Format:

• The crew plays “Pitch Clock Blackjack," using real historical player stats (home runs for hitters, wins for pitchers) to reach a target score of 150 (for home runs) or 40/35 (for pitcher wins), without “busting.”

Notable Moments:

• The game is full of nostalgia, evocative name drops (Johnny Damon, Manny Ramirez, Jim Edmonds, Pat Burrell, Chone Figgins), and playful confusion about player pronunciations and stats.
• The hosts frequently joke about strategic hits and busts, and reminisce about both famous and obscure MLB players.
• The competitive spirit is palpable: “I like to live dangerously.” – Chris (09:55)
• The changing threshold from 100 to 150 introduces strategy and adds to the banter: “Should we maybe make it like you gotta get to at least 100?” – Jeremy (03:40)
• Chris emerges as the casino game “shark,” rattling off, “I’ve always been a good blackjack player.” (10:21; 20:58)

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2. MLB First Half Awards with Adnan Virk (04:29–19:01)

A. Cy Young Awards (04:29–05:17)

• AL: Cam Schlitler (Yankees)
  “Still my pick to win the Cy Young. He's got an ERA barely over two... After that blow up against the Tigers—you're allowed one bad start—he hasn't lost three straight starts once in his career.” – Adnan (04:36)
• NL: Jacob Misarowski (Brewers) “That 15 strikeout, one-hit performance with the all-time greats. The guy throws 105! He’s must-see TV. This year’s Paul Skenes.” – Adnan (05:09)

B. MVPs (05:17–06:15)

• AL: Yordan Alvarez (Astros) “Yordan Alvarez has taken dead aim at the Triple Crown... In the American League, no one hits that high. There are only two guys hitting above .300. So Alvarez can hit .324 and potentially win the Triple Crown because you know he’ll get the home runs.” – Adnan (05:31)
• NL: Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers) “Obviously an all-time great DH, and speaking of DHs, Shohei Ohtani, no surprise there. Gonna win his fourth straight MVP, ERA sub-two, still putting up good offensive numbers.” – Adnan (06:04)

C. Managers of the Year (06:36–07:16)

• AL: Will Venable (White Sox) “What he’s done with the Chicago White Sox… game up on the Guardians, 47–42, that’s amazing work. Venable does a nice job bringing along these young players... Clearly, he's got the room right now, rolling.” – Adnan (06:38)
• NL: Don Mattingly (Phillies) “Donnie Baseball has turned around this Philadelphia Phillies team... They’re 20 games over .500 with Don Mattingly as the manager. That’s crazy to me.” – Adnan (07:08)

D. Rookies of the Year (07:23–07:52)

• AL: Kevin McGonigle (Tigers) “Doesn’t strike out much, gets tons of walks... high OBP... also playing a premium position defensively for a very disappointing Tigers team.” – Adnan (07:25)
• NL: JJ Wetherholt (Cardinals) “He and Jordan Walker have been a great one-two punch... Wetherholt, McGonigle—my rookies of the year.” – Adnan (07:46)

E. Executives of the Year (12:18–13:15)

• AL: Eric Neander (Rays) “Remarkable work. They don’t spend money but eventually get their guys. Junior Caminero has been incredible—11 home runs over a 12-game stretch… Yandy Diaz battling with Yordan Alvarez for the batting average lead.” – Adnan (12:29)
• NL: Peter Bendix (Marlins) “Miami’s been the best team in baseball since June 1st... The job that Bendix has done, giving love to guys like Liam Hicks, Otto Lopez… now a potential batting champion.” – Adnan (13:05)

F. Favorite Teams to Watch (14:00–14:56)

• NL: Washington Nationals “They score a ton of runs... CJ Abrams, James Wood, Luis Garcia Jr.—to me, the biggest All-Star snub.” – Adnan (14:03)
• NL: Pittsburgh Pirates — “Hitting a lot more home runs than last season.”
• AL: Oakland Athletics — “Nick Kurtz is an absolute stud. Modern-day Jason Giambi. Ton of walks, ton of power.” – Adnan (14:51)

G. Comeback Players of the Year (15:45–16:16)

• AL: Yordan Alvarez (Astros) & Royce Lewis (Twins)
• NL: Jordan Walker (Cardinals) “Now he’s on pace for like a 40 home run season… Incredible how good Jordan Walker has been for the Cardinals.” – Adnan (15:54)

H. World Series Picks & Stretch Run Predictions (16:48–17:47)

• NL: Dodgers (“On pace for 110 wins... Ohtani, Freeman, Betts… As good as it gets.”)
• AL: Yankees (With caveat: “If Aaron Judge is back… Without Judge, they’re a problem.”) – Adnan (17:19)
• Noted how the “weakness of the American League” makes the trade deadline extra intriguing. – Jeremy (17:47)

I. Recap of Preseason Picks & Final Thoughts (17:47–19:05)

• Hosts review Adnan's preseason picks (Shohei Ohtani and Vlad Jr. for MVPs).
• Short side notes on Brian Wu (Mariners) and Logan Webb (Giants), vindicating Webb’s All-Star nod despite Webb not being Adnan’s pick anymore.
• “Logan Webb, by the way, is an All-Star, so I’m slightly vindicated there.” – Adnan (19:01)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The way Pitch Clock Blackjack is gonna work... Closest to 150 without going over. 150 is obviously blackjack.” – Ethan (01:01)
• “Chone Figgins, man... The amount of tweets that I got after, we all just only referred to him as Sean Figgins. It’s obviously Sean Figgins, we all know that, we’re just doing a thing.” – Jeremy (02:24)
• “Yordan Alvarez has taken dead aim at the Triple Crown and it’s remarkable.” – Adnan (05:30)
• “Shohei Ohtani... gonna win his fourth straight MVP, ERA sub 2 right now and still putting up good offensive numbers” – Adnan (06:04)
• “The venerable Will Venable... that’s amazing work at O. Will Venable.” – Adnan (06:36)
• “Casino games, you got no shot against me.” – Chris (20:58)
• "This stretch run could be fun." – Ethan (21:12)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:16–04:29 — Baseball Blackjack (Hitters Round 1)
• 04:29–07:16 — First Half Cy Young, MVPs, Managers of Year
• 07:23–07:52 — Rookies of the Year
• 08:11–10:00 — Blackjack: Pitchers Round
• 12:18–13:15 — Executive of the Year & Team-building
• 14:00–14:56 — Most Fun Teams to Watch
• 15:45–16:16 — Comeback Players of the Year
• 16:48–17:47 — World Series Picks and Stretch Run
• 19:10–21:14 — Final Blackjack Round & Closing Banter

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Summary: Why This Episode Stands Out

This episode celebrates the halfway point of the MLB season with sharp (and often hilarious) baseball banter, a mix of sports expertise and classic Dan Le Batard Show comedy. The “Pitch Clock Blackjack” concept is a fun vehicle for both nostalgia and friendly competition, while Adnan Virk’s detailed awards, player, and team analysis make this a must-listen for any baseball fan. By blending trivia, jokes, and deep baseball knowledge, the episode strikes a perfect balance of entertainment and insight—signature Le Batard fare as MLB heats up for the playoff run.

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Transcript

[A]

So what? I won a bunch in a row and we got to bring Ethan into the studio to mix up the vibes for you.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

What are you doing here?

[B]

Got to break it up a little bit, you know.

[A]

So what? Just to help Chris or what's the deal?

[C]

Play a little bj.

[B]

Whoa, What?

[A]

Blackjack.

[C]

Let's start the show.

[A]

Yeah. 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 BJ Sirhoff. Hey, welcome to the pitch club. Yeah. All right, sir, you have.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

The game that we're going to be playing today. We'll get to our MLB expert momentarily as we continue to roll through this season. But we're rolling.

[C]

We're rolling now, huh?

[A]

Hi, everybody.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

All right, now. Now we're really rolling now.

[D]

We're rolling now.

[A]

All right. We've got baseball cards in front of us. Ethan, what's this game we're going to be playing?

[B]

We're gonna play some pitch blackjack today, boys. All right, so the way pitch clock blackjack is gonna work is I'm gonna deal each of you three cards. We'll get your totals first and then we'll start bouncing back and forth until you guys want to either be hit or tap out.

[D]

Okay.

[B]

Closest to 150 without going over.

[A]

Terrific.

[C]

Love it.

[B]

150 is obviously blackjack.

[A]

Done. Best three out of five.

[B]

I say three out of five. Okay, I think we can go.

[A]

We can go quick.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Yep. All right, we're gonna start with hitters.

[C]

I can't.

[A]

Too heavy handed.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

Be soft handed.

[B]

All right, I'm gonna deal Jeremy three cards. You guys are gonna show your cards to the camera, please.

[A]

Johnny Damon.

[B]

How many home runs, Johnny?

[A]

Johnny Damon, who had 20 home runs.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Manny Ramirez. Manny Ramirez, who had 43 home runs and a new favorite of the pitch clock, Corey Patterson. Corey Patterson. He had 24 home runs.

[B]

So your starting total is 87.

[A]

87.

[C]

I have Tino Martinez.

[B]

Yep. Who had.

[C]

It looks like 23 home runs.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Four. Jim Thome.

[B]

Jim.

[A]

What?

[C]

I'm kidding. He always says 42 home runs for Jim Thome. And then chaos. Chone. Chone Figgins.

[B]

Chone Figgins, man.

[A]

I just want to. Because I.

[C]

Five home runs.

[A]

The amount of tweets that I got after, we all just only referred to him as Sean Figgins. It's obviously so. It's Sean Figgins. We all know that.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

We're just doing a thing. Okay, so how Many does he have?

[B]

He's got 70.

[D]

Okay.

[B]

Jeremy's at 87.

[A]

So I'm going to go ahead and say hit me.

[B]

Okay. Due to you first. Moises Alou, he had a big year in 04.

[A]

Moises Alou, 39 home runs.

[C]

All right.

[B]

Jeremy's at 126, man.

[A]

Okay, hit me.

[C]

Hideki Matsui, Deki Matsui, 70. He had 31 home runs.

[B]

Okay, so Chris is at 101. We're at 126 to 101.

[C]

I love where I'm at more than Jeremy.

[A]

I'm going to take the risk. I'm going to say hit me.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Jim Edmonds, he had a big year in 04.

[C]

Oh, did he? I was going to say I kind

[D]

of like that for you.

[B]

Ooh.

[A]

He had a giant year, a cardinal year. He hit 42 home runs.

[B]

168.

[C]

So I'm all right, one.

[B]

Now what we'll do is if you also bought bust, it'll be closest back to 150.

[C]

Yeah, I'll hit. Just don't give me Barry Bonds.

[A]

Pat Burl. Pat Burl. That's close, but a perfect one.

[C]

24.

[A]

Yeah.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

You're at 125. Okay.

[A]

Should we maybe make it like you got to get to at least 100.

[C]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[A]

So that way it's like it's. You're incentivized to go. All right.

[B]

All right, Chris. Chris is first on the.

[A]

Now, pitchers, happy to have Adnan Verk back with us for his monthly appearance, which will, you know what? I. I bet become more than monthly as we get closer and closer to the playoff race. But happy to have him back here on the pitch clock as we head toward the All Star game. This is our last pitch clock of the first half, which means I want to give out some first half awards. So, Adnan, I'm bringing you in to do it. We'll do some player awards, we'll do some team awards and projections as we move forward. So, Adnan, who do you have as the Cy Young in each league for the first half of this season?

[D]

So story time. First, Jeremy. My brother's in town. He's from Wisconsin. Him and my nephew are huge Cubs fans. Let's go to a baseball game. Go watch the Yankees. Like, yeah. Last Tuesday, Schlitler versus Scuba pitching match, and it was over in 10 minutes. Your Tigers did three home runs. As we can go home now, people go for a walk. They're not going to score four runs off School two hitter over six innings. But it was still good to see Cam Schlitler, who is still my pick to win the Cy Young. He's done ERA barely over two. He shoved against the Rays eight strong innings in the start. After that blow up against the Tigers. Hey, you're allowed to have one bad start. He hasn't lost three straight starts once in his career. That's my AL sign pick. Although I do love Drew Rasmussen. He's been terrific. And in the National League it's Jacob Misarowski, that 15 strikeout, you know, one hit performance with the all time greats. The guy throws 105. He's must see TVs. This year's Paul Skeens. That's how much fun he's been to watch. I'll take the Miz.

[A]

He's been an absolute monster so far. Both of those guys are a blast to watch. Both of those guys leading their teams to a lot of success. And speaking of success, for individual players, who would be your first half MVP in each league?

[D]

Jordan Alvarez has taken dead aim at the Triple Crown and it's remarkable. And Harold Reynolds said to me, he goes, the impressive thing is the average before you hit a guy hitting.346 or 360, but the American League no 1 hits that high. There's only two guys hitting above.300. It's crazy. So Jordan Alvarez can hit.324 and potentially win the Triple Crown because you know he'll get the home runs, 29 home runs right now leading the American League. You know he can get the RBIs as he's got 67 right now. So to me, Jordan Alvarez especially wins a Triple Crown. The guy's been awesome for the Astros. One of the best hitters in the game and obviously an all time great dh. And speaking dhs like always, Shohei Ohtani, no surprise there. Goodwin is fourth straight mvp, an ERA sub two right now and still putting up good offensive numbers. Fine, it's not 5050 like it was a couple years ago, but still an ops, among the best in baseball. I'll go Shohei and Jordan, I love it.

[A]

And. And both of those guys have been ridiculous. Jordan Alvarez, at least at the moment, is number two in offensive WAR in Major League Baseball behind Juanato Lopez. So as we head into this and we continue on, Adnan, I gotta ask you, we look at these teams who have had success, who are your first half managers of the year?

[D]

So managers wise, I gotta give it to the venerable Will Venable, what he's done with the Chicago White Sox, the fact that they're battling for first place right now, I mean, they're game up on the guardians 47 and 42, that's amazing work at O. Will Venable, like for years, Ozzie Geen was the face of the team. Pedro Griffol, you weren't really sure who the manager was. But Venable does a nice job as far as bringing along these young players. Clearly they're playing hard for him, whether it's Colson, Montgomery or Burke or others. I mean, clearly he's got the room right now rolling. So I'll give it to Will Venable and the surprising Chicago White Sox in the National League. There's no other answer than Don Mattingly. Donnie, baseball has turned around this Philadelphia Phillies team. I love Rob Thompson, he really has. They're 20 games over.500 with Don Mattingly is the manager. That's crazy to me. They could catch the Braves in the East.

[A]

Adnan, shifting back to players, then really briefly, let's go to the rookies of the year in each league.

[D]

The guy I Love is Kevin McGonagall of your Detroit Tigers. One of the coolest things about him, Jeremy, is he doesn't strike out very much. I mean, it's rare to have a patient player like that. Doesn't strike out much, gets tons of walks. He's high when it comes on base percentage, hasn't shown a ton of power, but he'll get on base and he'll definitely hit. So for the OBP alone, I love what McGonagall is doing. Also playing a premium position defensively for a very disappointing Tigers team. And again, one of the more surprising teams of the year, the St. Louis Cardinals. J.J. weatherholt for rookie of the Year. He and Jordan Walker been a great one, two punch. Weather, Holt, McGonagall, my rookies of the

[A]

year, those guys have been spectacular. And McGonagall, first of all, I love that you always say you're a Detroit Tigers. I appreciate that. You know, I still have my love for my American League team in the Detroit Tigers, but both of those guys have been a blast to watch. And for those of you who haven't been watching, the two of them, they're two of the great young players in the game.

[C]

All right, Randy Johnson wins, right? Obviously. 16. Okay. Oh, bring me back Brad Penny on

[A]

the Dodgers with The Dodgers.

[C]

Wow.

[A]

One win.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Tough year.

[B]

So Chris Cody's at 17.

[A]

That's how he followed up.03, huh?

[C]

So now let's see what you got.

[A]

I've got Troy Percival.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Of the Tigers.

[C]

Is he a reliever?

[A]

He would. Yep. So he has two wins.

[C]

So you handpicked relievers, huh? That's a good job.

[A]

But then how about this? Good old Greg Maddox? In 2004, he had 16 wins with the Cub.

[B]

18 to 17.

[C]

All right, I'm going first. Yeah, hit me. Okay, give me a nice 20.

[B]

How about Kyle Loesch?

[C]

Kyle Loesch, nine wins.

[B]

17 plus nine. You're at 26 now, and it's on you. Hit me.

[C]

Okay.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

You're at 18, and I think we're. You're probably good. David Wells. Ooh, David Wells. David Wells, coming off a year with the Padres where he had 12 wins.

[B]

You're at 30.

[C]

Okay, I'm at 26.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Hit me, Kevin.

[B]

Greg.

[A]

That's a reliever.

[C]

Five wins, though.

[B]

31, 30.

[A]

I'm gonna. You know what? I'm gonna take the risk. I'm gonna say, hit me.

[C]

That's not a risk, Ted.

[D]

Lily, I gotta get 20.

[C]

There's not that many 20 game winners back then. I don't know.

[A]

Ted Lilly had 12 wins, so I'm now at 42.

[B]

See, now you're playing 42 to 30.

[C]

Am I at 31? Oh, of course. Hit me. This is Kevin Millwood. Nine wins.

[A]

Okay, so you're at 40.

[C]

40. And you're at 42.

[B]

42 to 40.

[A]

I'm going to stay at 42.

[B]

42.

[C]

All right. What am I.

[A]

You're at 40.

[B]

Okay, do you want to say it or do you want to hit?

[C]

I like to live dangerously.

[A]

Or Trevor Hoffman.

[B]

Trevor Hoffman comes up.

[A]

You gotta be kidding. Three wins.

[B]

Oh, let's go.

[C]

Read em.

[A]

And wee baby. Trevor Hoffman had three wins. Oh, man, that was great. Two nothing. Wow. All right, I need a major comeback or. Or Chris is gonna win.

[B]

We're gonna go back to hitters. So back to 150.

[C]

I've always been a good blackjack player.

[B]

Okay, three cards. Back to 150. All right, Jeremy. All right. Give me your number, please.

[A]

I have Jermaine Dye. Oh, what a name. But he's coming off a year with the Athletics where he hit 23 home runs. Okay, then I have Carlos Beltran. It's a split year, so he had a spleer. 15 with the Royals and 23 with the Astros.

[B]

So that's 38.

[A]

David X.

[C]

Three home runs.

[A]

He had two home runs.

[B]

There you go. All right, 63 is Jeremy's total.

[C]

All right.

[B]

I got the bit of an uphill battle.

[C]

Was it the Commissioner, what's this guy? The mayor. The mayor.

[B]

The mayor.

[A]

Sorry, Sean.

[C]

Sean Casey. The mayor. 24 home runs. Jason Bur. 26 home runs.

[A]

Man.

[C]

And Mike Cameron.

[A]

God, these are some good names.

[C]

30 home runs.

[B]

Okay, so Chris Cody's at 80, you're at 63. Jeremy goes first this time.

[C]

Yeah, hit me.

[A]

Jim Edmonds, 42 home runs.

[B]

105 for Jeremy.

[C]

So you technically can stay here.

[A]

I could.

[C]

You've reached 100 threshold. Oh, it's on me.

[A]

Yeah, it's on you. You're at 80.

[C]

I'm at 80. I mean, that's it.

[D]

Okay, look who comes.

[A]

Corey Patterson.

[C]

These are randomly shuffled. You can tell here 24 home runs. I can't believe he had that many.

[B]

105.

[A]

So, yeah, obviously, Manny Ramirez.

[C]

Yes.

[A]

Manny Ramirez hit 43 home runs.

[B]

105.

[A]

I am sitting at 148.

[C]

39. That's actually good for me.

[A]

We're Matt.

[B]

143.

[C]

All right. I mean, let's.

[A]

You just play the game.

[C]

Let's play the game. So there is a win here.

[B]

You're not gonna be happy about it. Johnny Damon, come up again.

[C]

Johnny Damon.

[A]

No, he had a lot of home runs.

[B]

He hit 20.

[C]

I got so excited because he had six triples.

[A]

Dude, that would have been crazy.

[C]

20 home runs. Yeah. Dang.

[B]

Jeremy is on the board.

[A]

It's all about piecing teams together. Adnan. So let's talk about the executives of the year. Who would you have as your executive of the year?

[D]

Well, I gotta go. Eric Neander for the raise in the American League. They're the best team right now in the American League and it's remarkable work. Again, they don't spend money, but eventually they'll have their guys. I like using the pitching staff with Rasmussen and McClanahan. Shane Boss, obviously, and offensively, junior Kim Andro has been incredible. I mean, he had 11 home runs over a 12 game stretch. He's been one of the best stories in baseball. Camino is the heartbeat of that offense, but Yandy Diaz right now is battling with Jordan Alvarez for the batting average lead. You know, so I. Jonathan Aranda is a really good player. I like what Niander has done again, for the race. He's been a model of consistency and I have to give your Marlin some love. So Peter Bendix, what he's doing with Miami. Miami's been the best team in baseball since June 1st. How do you not credit again, the organization and the job that Bendix has done and giving love to guys like Liam Hicks. Otto Lopez was a career.260 hitter prior to the season. Now he's a.346 potential batting champion. Love what he's doing.

[A]

It's been awesome to watch that raise model sort of trickle down here toward Miami. And again, it's about finding diamonds in the rough. Whether it's Nick Martinez on the mound for the Rays, a guy who, who really was such a, a reclamation project for them, or like you mentioned, whether it's Otto Lopez handing over the reins at second base to Xavier Edwards and seeing him thrive, you know, obviously now moving guys around positionally. The Marlins are doing a lot of great things as well. And boy, would it be fun to see a Citrus Series, World Series, me against Dan Le, his raise. But let's talk about teams now at this point, Adnan, because obviously there are teams that overachieve. There are teams that are entertaining to watch. There are teams that underachieve. But what I want to ask you is who are your favorite teams to watch in each league?

[D]

Well, I love watching the Washington Nationals. They score a ton of runs. I mean, last night our great researcher Max Watson said, take the over. And the over the line was eleven and a half and it was six, six by the by the third inning. It was amazing. Nationals, Astros, Nationals have literally, they've scored the most runs in all of baseball. C.J. abrams is batting ninth to start the season, and now he's an All Star. James Wood's an All Star. The guy's a Superstar. Luis Garcia Jr. To me, the biggest all star snub. He's like fourth in RBIs right now. So they've got three guys with 60 plus RBIs at the half, which is amazing. Their pitching's bottom five. But the Nationals will always make things exciting. I also like the Pittsburgh Pirates because they're hitting a lot more home runs and they weren't doing that a season ago, so I'm cred to them. And as far as the American League, I do like the A's just because I'm such a huge fan of their young players. Again, it's kind of like the Nationals. Their pitching staff is really worrisome and they need a lot more than just Luis Severino out there. But Nick Kurtz is an absolute stud.

[A]

Amazing, right?

[D]

He's starting at the All Star Game. He's a modern day Jason Giambi. Ton of walks, ton of power. Love Kurtz in the A's.

[A]

I love that you brought up both of those teams in, in the Nationals and the A's. Because I would argue that James Wood and Nick Kurtz have been maybe my two favorite non Marlins to watch this season. Those two guys at the plate are unbelievable and for such young hitters to watch, the approach that each of them have is so impressive. I know Kurt's had a stretch there where he had reached base or maybe it was he had walked in 17 straight games. Like it's so impressive to see the things that he's been able to do. And I'll tell you, watching the Marlin Series in Sacramento, holy cow, do baseballs fly out of that stadium? Any chance you get to watch ball games in Sacramento, it is crazy. Going back to players real quick here, Adnan, because these are the heartfelt stories. Who are your comeback players of the year in both the American and National League?

[D]

Well, I think Jordan Alvarez has to be there, Jeremy, because he's had such a phenomenal season and obviously a year ago he was banged up and hurt. But I do love Royce Lewis, think he's in a great story for Minnesota, got off to a slow start, was sent down to the Miners and Dar Shelton. The managers raved with the job that Royce Lewis has done since coming back. So Royce is one of the nicest guys the game, easy to root for and I'll go Jordan walker for the St. Louis Cardinals. I remember 2023, me and Harold Reynolds doing the six together was like, oh my God. Walker supposed to be the stud rookie, disappointing for a few years. Now he's on pace for like a 40 home run season. Like it's incredible how good Jordan Walker's been for the Cardinals. I'm thrilled for that young man.

[A]

You mentioned Harold Reynolds and it's a note I told you beforehand. But Joe Mack recently told me of the Marlins that he watched the Harold Reynolds presents baseball DVDs Growing up and that's just one of my favorite things. Total Baseball guy play. For those of you who watch, he was a big fan of MVP baseball as well the video games. So Joe Mack is our guy over here on the pitch clock. And now let's go ahead and look forward. Who are your now favorites to reach the World Series in each league as we head into the second half of Major League Baseball?

[D]

I really hope the brewers get Tarek Scribble, Jeremy, so I can give them some love. But right now it is the Dodgers. They're on pace for 110 wins. I mean they've just been unbelievable this season. Again, they're balanced when it comes to starting pitching. In particular the lineup. Kyle Tucker's making $60 million, you're hitting.240, batting seventh. You don't even notice. That's how good the rest of this Dodgers offense has been. Ohtani Freeman Bets, especially bets has been better the last month and a half or so. Freddie Freeman, model of consistency. Max Muncie's a starting All Star and the American League, it's a caveat. Again, it's the Yankees. If Aaron judges back without Judge, they're a problem. They've lost 12 of 15 games and the offense, particularly the bottom third, is very worrisome. Think of those great Yankee teams. They always had a Scott Brosius, a Louis Soho. Those guys would step up. This Yankee team doesn't have that. They're very top heavy. It's got to be Judge Bellinger and Rice carrying the mail, so to speak. So I do think that, you know, Garrett Cole's having a decent comeback season. Max Freed, they're missing right now. Once he comes back. Slitler, as I mentioned, a Cy Young pick. Bednar good in the bullpen. They they need some work. But the the American League is so weak right now. It's razor Yankees. I'll lean Yankees when Judge comes back.

[A]

It's part of what makes the upcoming trade deadline so fascinating. Is the American League being as weak as it is and so many teams probably believing, you know what, we might be a piece or two away from being able to make a run. To let you know on your consistency here, Adnan, before the season, your MVPs were Shay Ohtani. That's a match. Vlad Guerrero Jr. Not a match with Jordan Alvarez, your Cy Young Award winners in the American League. If he just pitched at home, Brian Wu would have been an awesome pick. He did just set a record for the Mariners for the most consecutive scoreless innings at T Mobile park, breaking other record of Felix Hernandez and Jamie Moyer, a name we love over here. Unfortunately, he does pitch on the road and he's been dreadful on the road for most of this season. Logan Webb was your pick with the Giants. That becomes Jacob Mizarowski and of course Yankees and Dodgers was your pick for the World Series. Nothing has changed there because that's where we are. We'll see as we get closer to the playoffs if all of these things remain the same. Adnan but as always, we look forward to seeing you in about a month from now. We can recap some of the things that happened at the trade deadline. Looking forward to seeing you and thank you as always for being here. Watch him on MLB Network. Buy his book. Adnan is the best.

[D]

My pleasure. Jeremy, you're the man. And Logan Webb, by the way, is an All Star, so I'm slightly vindicated there.

[A]

Hey, it's not a bad thing. And Brian Wu is great at home.

[C]

I'll reveal first this time.

[B]

What do we got? Yep.

[C]

12 wins from Tim Wakefield.

[A]

Nice.

[B]

The knuckleballer.

[C]

And then five wins from Brandon Backy.

[B]

17.

[C]

Back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back.

[A]

Mark Burley. 16 wins. Also about to be a World series champion. And one, Jason Isringhausen. Four wins.

[B]

All right, so you've got 20.

[A]

I got 17.

[B]

17.

[C]

I will take a hit. Oh, Roy Halliday.

[A]

Love Halliday. It's.

[C]

He must have got hurt. Eight.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

Only 25.

[C]

Only started 21 games, and you're at.

[B]

You're at 20.

[A]

I'm at 20. So, yeah, please hit me. Scott Kazmir. Oh, Scott Kasmir. Scott Kasmir had two wins. Pretty upsetting.

[B]

All right, so 25 to 22.

[C]

I'm at 25 right now. Give me a nice 20 game winner. Give me a 22 game winner right here.

[B]

Oh, you're not going to like this.

[C]

Rivera.

[A]

4.

[B]

Okay, 29 for Cody.

[A]

I'm at 22.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

So hit me.

[C]

What's our stay with pitchers? 40. Gotta get to 40.

[A]

50.

[C]

No, I know.

[B]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[A]

35.

[B]

35.

[A]

Did we say 25? But 35.

[B]

35 sounds right.

[A]

John Lieber.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

John Lieber. Wow. John Lieber had 14 wins in 2004.

[B]

36.

[A]

So I'm at 36. And so I could stay.

[C]

I'll hit. Okay.

[A]

Oh, no, it's good. Oh, 12.

[C]

Ooh. All right.

[B]

All right.

[A]

I'm at 36. Hit me.

[B]

Uh.

[A]

Oh. Jake Peavey had 15 wins.

[C]

We're back. Olivia.

[B]

We're back.

[A]

Jake Peavey in the.

[D]

Ah.

[A]

In this dip in the bottom lip. Hey, congratulations on your victory.

[C]

Casino games, you got no shot against.

[A]

Welcome back into the playoff race. We're headed into the second half of Major League Baseball right here, and it's. Look, it's a 9 to 6 matchup now, anyone's game.

[B]

This stretch run could be fun.

[A]

This is a playoff race that's about to really heat up, that kind of thing.