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We’ve still got some catching up to do.  The Ducks on the Pod Fantasy League standings are tight at the top.  Host Mitch Gatzke’s other fantasy team is in rebuild mode. Mitch is done with softball for the summer.  The Home Run Derby is still cool.  The All-Star Game (and the Derby, to a lesser degree) remains the national showcase event for Major League Baseball.  More trivia on a shortened edition of DotP. Topics: DotP Fantasy League update Country Strong fantasy update Birds of Pray softball season update Home Run Derby All-Star Game Trivia for t-shirts Links: Rosenthal: A surreal All-Star night for the soon-to-be-traded Machado, and what the deal could mean for the Dodgers [Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic] 10 homer smash All-Star Game record [Andrew Simon, David Adler and Manny Randhawa / MLB.com] Stark: Crazy things happen in baseball, and the All-Star Game was no exception [Jayson Stark / The Athletic] Send us Your Feedback! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DucksOnThePod Twitter: https://twitter.com/ducksonthepod Subscribe: https://sportshax.com/podcasts/

We’re back.  We’ve got some catching up to do.  In this episode, we talk about some things that should’ve been discussed over the past two-plus months.  Host Mitch Gatzke details his trip to Milwaukee and Miller Park.  He spent the night before that in the Wrigley Field bleachers, checking out the upgrades, meeting first-time visitors, and learning new games from the locals.  We have to have a serious talk about when it’s acceptable to leave a game early.  Many say it never is.  Mitch swears he can justify his decision.  Shohei Ohtani more than lives up to the hype.  Hear all about his outing in Detroit and make plans to go see him live yourself.  Finally, the answer to last episode’s trivia question and a brand new question with a chance for you to win a Ducks on the Pod Season 2 t-shirt. Topics: Ballpark Breakdown: Miller Park Back at the “new” Wrigley Field When is it acceptable to leave a game early? Shohei Ohtani live Trivia for T-Shirts Links: Itinerary: Miller Park [itinerantfan.com] Los Angeles Dodgers: Why I Will Never Step Foot In Dodger Stadium Again [Nathan Tanner / Bleacher Report] Send us Your Feedback! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DucksOnThePod Twitter: https://twitter.com/ducksonthepod Subscribe: https://sportshax.com/podcasts/

Host Mitch Gatzke starts episode 29 by showing love to some listeners who help make it all worth while.  A sincere thank you goes out to all of you who listen and help spread the word.  Mitch wraps up the retractable roof stadium pros and cons list he began in episode 28.  He’s officially started down the path to being an old-timer by joining a softball team.  He has some notes on the major differences between hardball and slow-pitch.  Then, we get into the meat of this episode: No-Hitters.  Mitch has some theories as to why we’ve seen so many serious bids already this season.  He also discusses some of the fun that surrounds these feats.  When do you notice that a no-hitter is developing?  Do you root for your team to break up a no-no?  And most importantly, do you believe in the jinx?  Safe to say, our host does not.  To wrap things up, we have a trivia question that can earn you a Ducks on the Pod Season 2 t-shirt, absolutely free of charge! Topics: Shoutouts / Reviews Retractable Roofs Softball No-Hit Bids Trivia Links: Retractable-Roof-Ballparks [aplussportsandmore-fanshop-baseballfield.com] Whiff of offense: Strikeouts top hits in month for 1st time [Ronald Blum/AP Baseball Writer] Blue Jays fans cheer for Canadian James Paxton even as he no-hit their team [Kaitlyn McGrath/The Athletic] It’s more fun if you’re afraid of jinxing a no-hitter [Michael Clair/Cut4] Send us Your Feedback! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DucksOnThePod Twitter: https://twitter.com/ducksonthepod Subscribe: https://sportshax.com/podcasts/

Try as she might, we refuse to let Mother Nature rain on our baseball-loving parade.  There have been numerous changes to the schedule, but the show must go on!  This week, host Mitch Gatzke has a lot on his mind.  First, he details his Friday night with the Yankees.  The starting pitching was good, but the bullpen is still trying to find its collective groove.  How long can the Bombers afford for that to continue?  Then, he dives into the first breakdown of contenders.  Where does your team find itself after three weeks of play?  Next, the “Preseason” All-Sophomore Team has been finalized.  Which of last year’s breakout rookies are poised to keep up the good work?  Cleaning up, the new rule that’s totally working and Mitch is absolutely loving.  Let’s talk new limits on mound visits and why it’s good for the game. Topics: Friday Night with the Yankees April Contendership Tiers DotP “Preseason” All-Sophomore Team Mound Visit Limit Totally Working Links: Ducks on the Pod Contendership Tiers: April [Mitch Gatzke/SportsHax] There’s a new No. 1 in the latest Power Rankings [Alyson Footer/MLB] Power Rankings: Amid top-10 turnover, make room for a new No. 1 [ESPN] MLB Power Rankings: Mets, Pirates and Angels are building a playoff foundation in April [Matt Snyder/CBSSports] Built to score: the Diamondbacks are tough to shift [Jeff Wiser/The Athletic] Ducks on the Pod “Preseason” All-Sophomore Team [Mitch Gatzke/SportsHax] MLB imposes rule limiting mound visits to 6 per game [ESPN News Services] Send us Your Feedback! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DucksOnThePod Twitter: https://twitter.com/ducksonthepod Subscribe: https://sportshax.com/podcasts/

Fresh off the 10-day disabled list (flu-like symptoms), host Mitch Gatzke is ready to break it all down.  Follow along as he goes division by division, laying out the fun parts, farewells, and new sheriffs in town, as well as the wild cards, winners, and top-to-bottom standings for each.  By the end of this show, you’ll know exactly what to keep your eye on this summer.  It’s a comprehensive season preview in just a half-hour-long show.  You can’t beat that! Topics: AL East AL Central AL West NL East NL Central NL West Links: Yankees Can Make Home Run History [Cliff Corcoran/Sports On Earth] Olney: How the Twins built their best possible offseason [Buster Olney/ESPN.com] Astros’ rotation somehow looks even better [Mike Petriello/MLB.com] Let’s meet the new managers of the NL East [Justin Klugh/TheGoodPhight.com] Remember 2016? These Cubs could be just as good [Jesse Rogers/ESPN.com] Spring Training 2018: Power Ranking Every MLB Division from Best to Worst [Joel Reuter/BleacherReport.com] Diamondbacks announce Chase Field humidor which is likely to suppress offense [Matt Snyder/CBSSports.com] Send us Your Feedback! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DucksOnThePod Twitter: https://twitter.com/ducksonthepod Subscribe: https://sportshax.com/podcasts/

It’s Opening Day and your favorite baseball podcast is back for 2018!  Host Mitch Gatzke is heading down to Comerica Park to watch his Tigers, hoping you too can make it out to the ballpark today.  Either way, we’ve got the perfect appetizer for you.  Scott Boras thinks we baseball fans are easily manipulated.  Much to his chagrin, the rebuilding process has become standard operating procedure in Major League Baseball.  We have an official fantasy league now.  Mitch provides details on that.  Everyone does power rankings.  Instead of blending in, the Ducks are going to compile monthly tiers to determine who’s what.  There are seven serious contenders in the sneak peek at April’s tiers.  Finally, we’ve got some programming notes to get you up to speed with everything we’re working on here.  Rejoice!  Baseball is back! Topics: Scott Boras and the Rebuilding Phenomenon Ducks on the Pod 2018 Fantasy Baseball League Preview of April Tiers Programming Notes Links: Scott Boras Has a Point But It’s Not His to Make [Mitch Gatzke/SportsHax.com] Our Favorite Pitcher from Each MLB Team [Mitch Gatzke/SportsHax.com] Our Favorite Hitter from Each MLB Team [Mitch Gatzke/SportsHax.com] Send us Your Feedback! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DucksOnThePod Twitter: https://twitter.com/ducksonthepod Subscribe: https://sportshax.com/podcasts/

It’s an NLCS rematch with the Cubs and Dodgers meeting again at this penultimate stage.  Chicago needed everything it had to get past the Washington Nationals.  L.A., on the other hand, didn’t struggle at all in brushing aside the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Host Mitch Gatzke details all the important stuff from the Division Series and gets us as prepared as we can be for what’s sure to be a clash for the ages. Topics: Cubs over Nationals Wrap Dodgers over Diamondbacks Wrap Cubs vs. Dodgers Preview Links: Max Scherzer’s unbelievable, impossible, unprecedented loss [Sam Miller/ESPN.com] Fifth inning of NLDS Game 5 is ‘bizarro world’ [Adam Berry/MLB.com] Nats’ 2017 ride ends in 4th NLDS heartbreak [Jamal Collier/MLB.com] Kershaw’s mindset on pitching speaks volumes [Joe Posnanski/MLB.com Columnist] 2016 National League Championship Series [Wikipedia] Who has the edge in NLCS rematch between Cubs, Dodgers? [David Schoenfield/ESPN Senior Writer] Send us Your Feedback! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DucksOnThePod Twitter: https://twitter.com/ducksonthepod Subscribe: https://sportshax.com/podcasts/

The Astros and Yankees have made it to the ALCS.  They did so in different ways; Houston disposing of Boston quite easily, New York taking out Cleveland in an epic five-game set.  Nevertheless, they’re both one step from the World Series.  Host Mitch Gatzke walks us through the highlights of both Division Series, with all the moments and facts you’ll want to remember.  Then, we dive into a preview of what’s to come.  To finish up, a good friend and our Resident Red Sox Fan, Chaise Spangler, drops by to help sort out what just happened and what’s next for his team. Topics: Astros over Red Sox Wrap Yankees over Indians Wrap Yankees vs. Astros Preview BoSox Talk with Chaz Links: Indians suffer an epic letdown with ALDS loss [Jerry Crasnick/ESPN Senior Writer] Yankees vs. Astros has it all in a power vs. power ALCS matchup [David Schoenfield/ESPN Senior Writer] Astros happy to stay home but wary of Yanks [Brian McTaggart/MLB.com] The downright eerie postseason history that says the Yankees will make the 2017 World Series [Chris Landers/Cut4] John Farrell out after five seasons as Red Sox manager [Scott Lauber/ESPN Staff Writer] Send us Your Feedback! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DucksOnThePod Twitter: https://twitter.com/ducksonthepod Subscribe: https://sportshax.com/podcasts/

The Diamondbacks won an absolutely insane Wild Card Game against the Rockies.  Arizona now heads to Los Angeles for a showdown with the Dodgers.  How did the D-backs make it past Wednesday night?  And what now?  Stay tuned for answers to both of those questions.  But first, host Mitch Gatzke works through a showdown series between the Nationals and the defending champion Cubs.  Later in the show, our Cubs correspondent, Reid Maus, stops by to talk about the series against the Washington. Topics: Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Cubbies talk with Reid Links: Growing panes: Whose window is open widest? [Joe Posnanski/MLB.com] Stephen Strasburg gets NLDS Game 1 nod, Gio Gonzalez for Game 2, Max Scherzer expected Monday [Jorge Castillo and Chelsea Janes/The Washington Post] Bullpen could determine Nats’ playoff fate [Jamal Collier/MLB.com] Jay filling Papa Ross’ shoes for Cubs [Carrie Muskat/MLB.com] Bradley a dynamic presence in D-backs’ bullpen [Steve Gilbert/MLB.com] Chris Taylor is the do-everything solution to any Dodgers’ problem [Marc Normandin/SB Nation] Send us Your Feedback! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DucksOnThePod Twitter: https://twitter.com/ducksonthepod Subscribe: https://sportshax.com/podcasts/

The New York Yankees beat the Minnesota Twins in a wild Wild Card Game on Tuesday night.  They get to play the Cleveland Indians as a reward.  Host Mitch Gatzke is joined by his good friend and our Indians Insider, Evan Skilliter, to discuss that series from a Tribe fan’s perspective.  Before that, hear full previews of both ALDS matchups, including what to watch for and home run picks for each and every game! Topics: Boston Red Sox vs. Houston Astros New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians Tribe Talk with Indians Insider Evan Skilliter Links: Sale-Verlander VI [Sarah Langs/ESPN] Verlander calls ALDS G1 start ‘great honor’ [Brian McTaggart/MLB.com] Red Sox optimistic Eduardo Nunez will be available for ALDS vs. Astros [Scott Lauber/ESPN] Hanley no stranger to October success [Ian Browne/MLB.com] In loaded lineup, Marwin ‘key cog’ for Astros [Brian McTaggart/MLB.com] Didi out to find his place in Yanks’ October lore [Bryan Hoch/MLB.com] Miller remains focal point of Tribe’s bullpen [Jordan Bastian/MLB.com] Send us Your Feedback! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DucksOnThePod Twitter: https://twitter.com/ducksonthepod Subscribe: https://sportshax.com/podcasts/

At long last, October has arrived and with it, postseason baseball.  First up is the Wild Card round.  The Minnesota Twins became the first team ever to go from 100 losses to a playoff appearance in just one year.  They travel to New York to face the new-look Yankees on Tuesday night.  In the National League, the West division sends its second and third place finishers to the Wild Card game to determine who’ll get another shot at the first place Los Angeles Dodgers.  The Colorado Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks meet for the twentieth time this season, in a battle between two more surprise playoff teams.  Host Mitch Gatzke has compiled quite the sneak peek with history lessons, marquee matchups, home run picks, and everything else you need to know for both games.  He even makes predictions so you can poke fun at him later for being wrong.  Take a listen and get ready for postseason baseball. Topics: Minnesota Twins at New York Yankees Colorado Rockies at Arizona Diamondbacks Links: Sano expected to be on roster for WC game [Rhett Bollinger/MLB.com] D-backs’ home field a big advantage vs. Rox [Mike Petriello/MLB.com] Send us Your Feedback! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DucksOnThePod Twitter: https://twitter.com/ducksonthepod Subscribe: https://sportshax.com/podcasts/

It’s official.  There have been more home runs hit in the 2017 Major League Baseball season than in any other season ever before.  Why?  How?  Host Mitch Gatzke has given up trying to find an explanation.  It’s time to simply enjoy what we’re witnessing.  CC Sabathia has moved to 18th on the all-time strikeouts leaderboard.  Is his career worthy of enshrinement in the Hall of Fame though?  Mitch hopes it will be by the time CC decides to hang ’em up.  The Red Sox and Yankees are running neck and neck in the AL East.  Who has the easier road down the stretch and will that even matter?  Mitch will be in Cincinnati watching the Sox this weekend, too.  Speaking of Cincinnati, Joey Votto is the modern day Ted Williams and deserves the 2017 NL MVP Award, despite being stuck on a last place team.  Hear Mitch explain why one of baseball’s deeply embedded unwritten rules must be broken this year. Topics: The most home runs ever Is CC Sabathia a Hall of Famer? Photo finish in the AL East Joey Votto for NL MVP Links: Discuss in our forum! Diamondbacks broadcasters Bob Brenly, Steve Berthiaume hitting stride three years into partnership [Zach Buchanan/AZ Central] DYK? MLB’s HR record eclipsed in ’17 [Matt Kelly/MLB.com] Sabathia survives bunt barrage, moves up on career strikeout list [Greg Joyce/New York Post] The 12 unlikeliest MVP Award winners [Joe Posnanski/MLB.com] MLB players who have won MVP on losing teams [USA Today Sports] Milwaukee’s hopes still brewin’ [Cliff Corcoran/Sports on Earth] Johnny Cueto made Hunter Pence slow down his homer trot so he wouldn’t pass him on the bases [Adrian Garro and Chris Haft/MLB.com] Send us Your Feedback! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DucksOnThePod Twitter: https://twitter.com/ducksonthepod Subscribe: https://sportshax.com/podcasts/

Wow.  The Cleveland Indians can’t stop winning.  The Los Angeles Dodgers finally stopped losing on Tuesday night.  The Chicago Cubs are scuffling again, with the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers still lying in wait.  There are four crucial series on tap this weekend.  The AL MVP race is a rounding into a tossup between two stud second baseman.  Host Mitch Gatzke is stumped by a rules question and needs your help.  All this on a jam-packed 19th edition of Ducks on the Pod! Topics: Indians and Dodgers streaking in opposite directions Cubs scuffling again Four crucial series this weekend AL MVP discussion Rules question stumper Links: Discuss in our forum! 21 pilots! Tribe flying, win streak is AL record [Jordan Bastian and Jason Beck/MLB.com] Dodgers clinch postseason, end losing streak [Ken Gurnick and Jonathan Hawthorne/MLB.com] Crew sweeps Cubs to sit 2 back in NL Central [Carrie Muskat and Adam McCalvy/MLB.com] Cubs had better hope their offense returns before it’s too late [Jesse Rogers/ESPN] Nationals don’t necessarily look eager to move past Dodgers for No. 1 seed [Eddie Matz/ESPN] Baseball is Weird and Beautiful [Ryan Thompson/SportsHax] Send us Your Feedback! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DucksOnThePod Twitter: https://twitter.com/ducksonthepod Subscribe: https://sportshax.com/podcasts/

The sixth and final month of the MLB regular season is upon us. Join host Mitch Gatzke as he catches up from a busy past couple weeks and prepares for an even busier month ahead. Between the historic home runs, the dominant teams, and the player nicknames, there’s a lot going on around baseball right now. With the calendar turning once more though, it’s time to focus on where everyone stands and who’s playing for what. Topics: Notes on Pujols, Stanton, Giants Dodgers and Yankees in Detroit Favorite Player Weekend Nicknames Blockbuster Fantasy Trade September is Here Links: Pujols foreign-born HR leader with No. 610 [Maria Guardado/MLB.com] Buster Posey makes rare accusation after loss eliminates Giants from West [Henry Shulman/San Francisco Chronicle] Justin Verlander’s domination of Dodgers looked like an Astros audition [Bradford Doolittle/ESPN] Statcast of the Day: Kraken releases 493-ft. HR [Kyle Beery/MLB.com] Here are our favorite 101 nicknames for Players Weekend [Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman/MLB.com] (Nick)name dropping: 25 best in MLB history [Joe Posnanski/MLB.com] Conforto suffers dislocated shoulder on swing [Chris Bumbaca/MLB.com] Astros to play Mets in Houston this weekend [Brian McTaggart/MLB.com] Send us Your Feedback! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DucksOnThePod Twitter: https://twitter.com/ducksonthepod Subscribe: https://sportshax.com/podcasts/

Mitch had a good day at work. It’s his birthday Wednesday. He’s in a good mood and there’s no negativity in this episode! He starts by giving Giancarlo Stanton props for what’s been an unbelievable stretch. Mitch used to hate on Stanton. What’s changed over the past month to make him reconsider? The Los Angeles Dodgers are coming to town for Mitch’s birthday weekend. How nice of them! Find out why he’s so excited to see the visitors. Last weekend, the Twins took two from Mitch’s Tigers. At this point, it doesn’t seem to bother him much. Hear which Twins he was impressed with. Finally, to wrap things up, Mitch shares a list of “ironic” jerseys and goes through his favorites. Send in your suggestions so the Ducks can make their own list! Topics: Giancarlo Stanton Dodgers coming to town Eddie Rosario and the Twins Ironic Jerseys Links: Discuss in our forum! PHI@MIA: Stanton crushes his 30th homer to center [MLB/YouTube] Why we should all root for an Astros-Dodgers World Series [Sam Miller/ESPN] He played where? Majors’ best ‘irony jerseys’ [Joe Posnanski/MLB.com] Send us Your Feedback! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DucksOnThePod Twitter: https://twitter.com/ducksonthepod Subscribe: https://sportshax.com/podcasts/

Trade rumors are flying around everywhere as we inch closer to Monday’s trade deadline. With so much going on both on and off the field, it’s a tough time to be involved with the great game of baseball. So this week, host Mitch Gatzke is keeping it light. First, he lays out the busy month ahead at Comerica Park. Then, what might life be like in a minor league city, as opposed to one with a major league tenant? Mitch wonders and asks for help from anyone who might know better. Finally, it’s been a long time since Mitch has updated us on his fantasy team. Just how is Country Strong doing this year? All that on this week’s episode! Topics: Spending August at Comerica Park Minor League Fan’s Life vs. Major League Fan’s Life Update on Country Strong Links: Episode 16 Discussion in SportsHax Forum Olney: Some GMs like to deal with each other — and some don’t [Buster Olney/ESPN] Winners? Losers? At baseball’s bonkers trade deadline, nobody really knows [Sam Miller/ESPN] Send us Your Feedback! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DucksOnThePod Twitter: https://twitter.com/ducksonthepod Subscribe: https://sportshax.com/podcasts/

Mitch Gatzke (@GreatGatzke) tells us all about his first trip to Cleveland’s Progressive Field. There was a lot to like and it doesn’t make sense why the team draws such small crowds. Later on, baseball’s buyers and sellers have made themselves known and it’s time to dive into trade season. Mitch goes over each division’s buyers, outlining their needs and suggesting some possible trades. Topics: Ballpark Breakdown: Progressive Field Trade Deadline Buyers Links: Episode 15 Discussion in SportsHax Forum Top 60 Trade Deadline Candidates For 2017 [Jeff Todd/MLB Trade Rumors] Send us Your Feedback! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DucksOnThePod Twitter: https://twitter.com/ducksonthepod Subscribe: http://fourlights.fm/ducks

Two rookies, Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger, have taken over their respective leagues. Hear Mitch Gatzke explain why what we’re watching from these two is so historic. It’s been five years of two Wild Card teams in each league. How have those teams done? Quite well, actually. Mitch lays out his reasons why this change is the best baseball has had since free agency. The Milwaukee Brewers are a game and a half up on the Cubs. How can they keep the defending champs at a distance? Mitch says the key is not thinking about it. And finally, the details on why the NL West is clearly the best, and most fun division in baseball. Topics: Pair of Rookies on Historic Pace Addition of the Second Wild Card Advice for the Brew Crew NL West: Best, Most Fun Division in Baseball Links: 2006 ALCS Gm4: Ordonez ties it in 6th, wins it in 9th [MLB/YouTube] Area Cody: Rookie hits HRs at historic rate [Joshua Thornton/MLB.com] NL POWER TRIO: THE WEST’S BEST [Anthony Castrovince/Sports on Earth] Send us Your Feedback! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DucksOnThePod Twitter: https://twitter.com/ducksonthepod Subscribe: http://fourlights.fm/ducks

Mitch Gatzke, is back from a weekend in Boston that included three games at Fenway Park. His Tigers dropped 2 of the 3 games, but that didn’t spoil the trip. Hear Mitch rundown his thoughts on the historic ballpark, as well as begin to plan the next trip. Topics: MLB.tv Premium 50% Off This Week “Only” Baseball Season Ballpark Breakdown: Fenway Park Where to Next? Send us Your Feedback! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DucksOnThePod Twitter: https://twitter.com/ducksonthepod Subscribe: http://fourlights.fm/ducks

Back after a two-week break, Mitch Gatzke (@GreatGatzke) starts with some announcements, including recognition of Albert Pujols’ awesome achievement. Super Regional’s are set for the D1 college baseball tournament. Find out which 16 teams are left, how they got here, and what to watch for this weekend. It’s been five weeks since All-Star Game voting started. Find out which players Mitch thinks are worthy as version six of the Ducks on the Pod ballot is revealed. Finally, it’s June and we’re 1/3 of the way through the Major League season. It’s time to start drawing some conclusions about teams and focusing in on which division races to watch closely. Topics: Housekeeping Almost Time for the College World Series DOTP ASG Ballot v.6.0 Time to Start Drawing Conclusions Links: 10 reasons Astros are built for postseason [Richard Justice/MLB.com] College World Series Scoreboard [NCAA.com] Send us Your Feedback! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DucksOnThePod Twitter: https://twitter.com/ducksonthepod Subscribe: http://fourlights.fm/ducks