Cease, Vladdy and Playoff Chances All Banged Up with Thad Levine

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1:01Yeah, all about. Kevin, are all of these? No, it's pissing right now in Baltimore. So what the word is. And the J's are scheduled to take on the orals in the first of a three game series tonight. I mean, the season's effectively over. I think we can say that. Well, it's, no, I mean, well, it's over. Well, okay, never over till it's over. Yeah, no, it's okay. Let's take a look at the standings if we could. The wild card stand. The white socks currently hold down the third and final spot. They're 80 and 76 of J's are 77 and 79 three out. The Houston Astros are 77 to 79 three out Baltimore 75 and 81. I think they're effectively eliminated. I think they're already hit their hit their tragic number. Minnesota is 73 and 83. I didn't even need the rest. Now, basically, the J's are three back after losing two of three to the Texas Rangers this weekend,

2:05which allowed the Rangers to jump over the Astros into the lead for the American League West. And there's really no good news out of this weekend. I really, I really isn't Dylan Cease is back flew back to Toronto for an MRI. He's not making his start Wednesday. It's me. Thank Dylan very much for coming here and. Given the rest of the year off. Vladimir grow. Well, you don't agree. Vladimir grow. Start him through Friday. Vladimir, Greg Jr. Left yesterday's game with a lower back issue in the bottom of the fourth inning. Predictively, the J's scored a bunch of runs when he was gone. Well, no, you're, you're, you're, you're off. And me, I'm telling you the truth. I mean, the J's, we agree. I think that the J's best run of baseball this year was when Vlad, he wasn't in the lineup. Whatever that says. And. Anyhow, they won seven to yesterday against Texas.

3:06They're 200. Do you disagree with me about this? No, no, no, no, no. What do you, what do you, what do you, I'm too negative? I'll start the show. Yeah, I don't even know how to follow up how you started this show. I'll start the show. There's six games left or three back. They got a chance. I mean, you got to win six. You need some help from other teams. I had to say, you got to wear it from three other teams. Yeah. Yeah. Well, the season's not over yet. You know, it's, it's thank God you didn't play baseball. Oh, the man. First sitting out of the show was crooked. We were sitting there before the show and you're going on about how we're going three to four next week. That's because our balls came to us and said, Monday, you're starting three to four because the hockey started better than that. That's why you're better than that. I know I know how you started this show the way you started it. I don't like it. I think you should apologize to all the listeners. I don't clean it up. Start over. Say they're, they're still hope. You're never out till you're out. That's kind of where you're at. And then you drop the Dylan Seas. Thanks for coming. See in 27. Why do you think God, he ain't in the lineup. It's like, whoa, it's like, you know, it's.

4:08It's as you have a wild here. It's wild card elimination numbers. Like three percent or something. No, they're wild card elimination numbers. Yeah. So the or technically the twins. The tigers and the mariners have all been eliminated. You can be the mariners. It could be worse. I can mariners are four games. Or four have four less wins than the J's. So. I mean, the mariners who wish to be taken right now. I'd take the blue chase. That's. Hi, you're telling me man alive. Like you would take the blue chase. You take your medicine over the weekend. Like take the blue chase. Well, what's she's? Why are you happy? Well, I'm not happy, but man, you're already thrown in the towel. Pretty much. She's man, like little rain. Does this thing? You've got to convince me that I don't right. Can't convince you. I'm just saying. I'm just saying. I don't know. I don't even believe it. I'm only doing it. You're lying. You don't even believe it. You don't even believe it.

5:08I mean, it's not going to be easy. You think the seasons over. Not going to be easy to win six and a row. I don't think they won five and a row all year. So it's not going to be easy to win six and a row with. You know, you're best starter out. Soriano, huh? Should we take a look at the J's lineup without. Trees, avid. She's going to start today, by the way. Yeah. What are you expecting from him? No idea. Yeah. I'm not expecting him to win six or probably. Well, no, that's 50 pitches. Whatever 50 pitches will give you that's only. Bateman Kirk hitting second, Lucas in right field, springer D.H. Keys at first, Okamoto with third. Smith and the left field, he men as a shortstop, Clemente, second, and again, and you savag... You savaged on the mound. And again, there's a possibility of increment whether so. Incomplement. Whether so, stay tuned to support. Yeah, play springers in there. Yeah. Ernie's in there. Yeah, I think he's sitting there. Yeah, that's him. Ernie's just in there. He's sitting there. Yeah.

6:08It's not going to be easy. Them two do his best struggle. No Vladie in there with that. I mean, you're saying that's a blessing. So, you know, it's... You know, the roll over, not driving in runs. The presence. Forget that. It makes it easier for John out there to worry about where he's going to put the dude hitting third. There he go. Like... Oh, let me ask you this. Do you think they're... Do you think based on what Vladie has done, they're a better lineup? I think they're one of the worst lineups with or without him in the sport. That's what I think. I'll stay there. I mean, you know, but I'm not going to come out and say that four minutes in at the show. But everybody turns the channel because Jeff Blair is so negative. They did a... You did a six minutes into the show. Holy moly. Like, well, no, the obvious. The obvious is they got one of the worst offences in the sport. Yeah, let me... And it needs to be blown up and their pitching is just basically... Oh, they're on few. Oh, yeah. Yeah, so it's not going to be the easiest of things. But, you know, you're facing a couple of bad teams. Well, and the reds and the... I mean, the Orioles are... The Orioles are... No, you're not...

7:08You're not much better than the Orioles. I never said that. You said you're facing a couple of bad teams. You are. That was a wrong, by the way. The Jays are a bad team. Okay. They got two bad teams playing each other. Why? I mean, you know, the Orioles, as you just said, are out of it. The Jays are not. That's the difference. You want to get me fired up here. I can... You know, I can back up everything and I can... Combat everything you're trying to say negatively about the Blue Jays. If you want me to, I can do this. I got plenty AMO for you. So just keep it coming. Okay. Tell me what's positive. Okay. What's positive? They have a chance. It does seem like some of the young guys are having some bads that are hungry. That would be one thing I would think if you do. If you do, is my could do in there. I wasn't listening to you when you were ramenin' it all. I'm sure because the varieties are throwing. You know, you... Kind of sprinkling them. Keys? I like that. Kind of. I want to see that a little bit. He's a big donkey. You can run into things. That's kind of nice. Do I like sprang or probably not? Should I... Do I think they should take her any out? Absolutely. We've seen enough of that. No. Defensively offensively.

8:08Absolutely. You know, put Smith in there. With Smith in there. Smith's in Lafayette. All right. It's like... And this is who sent you. All right. There's some things in there. The bullpen's still okay if you don't... You know? But... The bullpen's okay if you don't... And the... What's the... If you don't, you know? It's... This is kind of where we're at in the season. But I'm not giving up. I've been on some real crappy teams in my day, Jeff. Have they ever made the playoffs? Yeah. I was also a lot of crappy teams in Winter Ball that... I mean, we were like... 8, 10 out with like three weeks left and made it and won it. That's not one week. That's not one week. That's not one week. It's not one week. Three weeks. Three weeks. Same thing in Winter Ball. It's not one week. Absolutely. Yeah, I think it's... I want to see what Trace got. Got 50 pitches probably. The J's did make some roster moves. Joe Mant applies. Been DF8. Spencer Aragetti has been optioned to the spring-terrain complex. Well, Trace Savage has been reinstated. I hate that, mate. And Chad Dallas has been recalled from AAA Buffalo.

9:10Well, I mean, essentially, I think they need... You know, they're trying to get some length in here. Looking up to a bunch of machines. Telling me, figure out how to throw a four-summer first strike. Be competitive. A little bit more of the breaking ball. I got... I mean, yeah, why not? I mean, I think that they probably want them to get started. Yeah, again, you got to remember, this off season is going to be odd. Because once there's a lockout, can't go there. Can't go to the spring-training complex. Yeah. Right? So let's just... The hurry up and fix it, yeah. Well, I... No, it's a roster move. They wanted to... They needed two spaces. And I don't think they felt like DFing anybody else. You asked me for some positives. Bateman's been good. Kirk, he's been good driving and runs. Nathan Lucas, I want him up in the biggest spots. Miles Straul, hey, you know, if I'm the front-offer, I'm thinking about the... Would depend on cost, I think it's eight and a half million. I mean, he's kind of pushing the direction that you may have to, just because of what the off season, the unknowns around that. So I like all those.

10:10Valence the way I love to see him play the next six days in a row. That's just me. And we just mentioned Josh Smith. So there's some positives. How's that? None of those... If you would talk about the start of the year. We're not at the start of the year. None of those with the exception of Kirk, he would suggest the teams of playoff team. Okay, I'm not saying they're a playoff team, but they're not eliminated. Big difference. Even if they got into the playoff, so offensively, they're not very good. It'd be tough, and not having... Seas... Yeah, it'd be tough, too. I listen, you know, this guy would think, you know, if you're John, you can't sell what you're trying to sell. We all stink. We're just going to fill bunch of names in the hat, and run them out there. You know, you got to make this as fun as you can, say, hey, we got nothing to lose, fellas. And embrace the rain. You know, I will say, rain delays stink. That's one of the worst things in baseball, because baseball players are very routine. You know, everything has to be in a routine.

11:11It's when I take practice. This is when I take my shower. This is when I try and smell good. You know, you put that... You know, you put that good smell and lotion on you. It makes you smell good. I mean, it makes you walk a little different. That's all I'm saying. Yeah, yeah. You think I'm kidding? No, I know you're not kidding. Yeah, you've been standing around locker rooms to see all that nice fresh smelling stuff. It's kind of what they do. And then that, you know, they'll get all ready, rare and to go, and then it's downpouring. Yeah. You have to wait for two hours. So there'll be... I have to be a little rancid thrown into it, too. Nobody expects him to make it. Nobody. I mean, my dad just texted me. I'm sure it's what he's text. I haven't read the text, but I'm sure he's telling me that you're... He's probably mad at you for being so... That's what he just told me. He said, stick a fork in him. They're done. I mean, he's basically listening to you. Huh? That's... That's a smart man. Holy, man. What do we have coming up in the show? Ben McDonald, Orioles Analyst, old Join us, Caleb Joseph, he'll join us, that Levine joins us as well.

12:11Post of the roster to rings, podcast, he's currently a special advisor with the Milwaukee Brewers. Who are... Yeah, they're a great regular season, Tare. They've put in the playoffs. So is this gonna be different? Well, I'm asking why it's gonna be different. Because, you know, do you see it? I mean, it's always with me. It always gets back that they're line-up in the postseason. I just... I don't know what it is, but this... They don't slug. You know, you don't hit the ball over the fence in the playoffs. That's a problem, right? But they're... Well, again, it's gonna depend on the matchup. It'll depend on the matchup. I may sooner or later, against some good teams, like the Braids, like the Dodgers, you know, they throw in the Philly. You got it, oh, you got it, Homer's, Ben. You know, you got it, but they're also gonna get the buy, right? I... Yeah, I know. So... I'm just throwing the Tate and then... They may not have to face the Dodgers. You don't know. They may not have to face the Dodgers. Look at you. Getting old. Silly. Or the Dodgers. Do they have the second best director?

13:12I think they do. Brewers 98, 58. Yeah, Dodgers 96, 60. Yeah, so they'll... Yeah. Let's say it'd be fun. Yeah. Yeah, they've... I just... Yeah, you're right. I mean, you never know with the Brewers. They've been down this... I mean, the last six years, they're five and 15 in the playoffs. I kind of do know. But this year has been... The regular season's been great, even by their standards. I think this is their best regular season ever, is it? I mean, they're top five and runs, they're top five in the ERA. I mean, that's pretty good combo. And they still a lot of bases. That might be the X factor in the playoffs, because most of these teams that are around them are not very good at controlling that. But it's getting on, right? It's just attention to detail. And you do the same thing you do. Can you out? Detail. How's that? The other team in the playoffs. I'm not sure that works. No, and I will tell you this.

14:12If you've been paying attention to the Braves the last month or so, the Braves are kind of... They got that look of that Alex and that Thopolis thing about them, you know, when they had Rosario and all those guys. You just have that. There's a whole lot of Mikey Stremsky and, you know, breaking out on that team. Yeah, we never... Loved the clubs in there either. I'm sure that you know the Cubs PCA. Yeah, this is where the schedule gets really interesting. I mean, I don't know. We're going to focus on the Blue Jays here. But the weather is awful in the East Coast for the next while. And the Cubs have got three games in Boston. They finished the year with three games in Boston. And I know that there was a lot of talk about what the hell would happen. Like, how would they fit that? And I guess there's a norrister or something coming up. You know, it could throw a wrench into it. If you're the red socks, I've nothing to play for it. They're already in. And that is getting the Yankees.

15:13Yeah. Yeah. Let's just... just that of interest. Because now you got me feeling I want to be optimistic. Too late. So let's... That's the lead don't count, but... No, I'm not looking at the American League. Let's take a look at who the teams the Jays are chasing. The Jays are playing. Okay. Okay. Cleveland's in Boston. Yeah. Boston's already clinched. The Metzer in Texas. Yeah. Houston's at Seattle. Yeah. And who do the white socks have? Oh, they've got Kansas City. They've got Kansas City. They've got three games against Kansas City. Yeah. Who did they finish the year with Kevin Rarker? The Rockies. The Rockies. Yeah. Rangers against the Twins. The Guardians against Kansas City. The Astor is four against the A. Yeah. I'm not saying it. It's not... 아, yeah. We're going to need some help, but man. Like... Or once a while, you've got to try and sell some hope here. And why not? If you win six, okay, if they win six in a row, don't make it. That's... You be mad at them. Yeah. But if they go one and five, you'd be real mad at them.

16:14Nah, I'd get multi puncher's chance. I'd go, yeah, let's see what you got. Another against you. But you are if not, you're our face is a bad team. How concerned are you about the Dylan Seas? Very. The Dylan Seas is. I talked to somebody after that after the after he pitched and I said, you know, basically what the bleep you guys doing? I mean, it's 91, dude. Well, okay, but here's the thing now. It's been going downhill for a while, the velocity. Yeah. There's nobody to blame for this, right? Well, I mean, he did throw that little span that, you know, you were talking about, I think it was June or July where he went three, three games in a row where he threw a bunch of pitches in those outings. Now again, it's, if you can, you do because you don't really have other things to do it with. But I bet if they had it to do over with and now that they've, that he's went through this and he never really had thrown that many pitches before. I mean, I hadn't been done in a three game spans. It's like 2021 from any pitch or some reason why none of these khakis allow them to do it.

17:14Is it ain't good for him? Yeah. So yeah, I mean, there is a little bit of blame to go around. Now, is that the reason why I'm not sure? Here, here's, you know, he does throw a few more breaking balls that might have a little something to do with it too. Here's why I was going to say that may be, you know, we've been talking a lot about the changes he's made and all that and maybe the breaking balls grip on the change up. I mean, got pro night that thing. So, you know, it's, it's put a little bit more pressure on different parts of your arm. You know, I just, I'm just sound like it's more the shoulder than it is the arm, but I'm just going to read, I'm going to read his number of pitches from the fourth start of the year. 106, 110, 107, 106, 97, 99, 174, 93, 108, 110, 107, 102, 118, 101, 120. So in the span of three starts, that was in July. Yeah. Now, there was okay. There was the all-star game in between. Mm-hmm. So, you know, he's still through 339 pitches in those, those three days.

18:141096, then 104, 104, 104, 111, and then it's been 92, 83, 94, 94 in the 74. Yeah. Yeah. It'd be something we'll ask John, you know, what can he learn from that? What going forward will be the adjustment? You know, maybe it's less than 100. Maybe that's the thing, right? I mean, a couple, a couple of those, he's fighting for, he's taking no haters, no haters six and seven, thinning like, you know, that 120 pitch thing. Yeah, no, I'm sure, Pedian and John, and real big fans of that, but you do what you have to do. Yeah. And they did bake in some, you know, they didn't run him out there every year. Yeah, I think they were saying when he was going through that was like 10, 10 under 500. So, their team wasn't really playing for anything, and he was fighting for a guy young and that kind of thing. So, yeah, I mean, it's, it's, I just wonder what they've learned from this going forward. I mean, he is their best, right? It's the, you know, Soriano, can Soriano dominate just on a sinker? Do you? I'm not sure about that. You, just not sure 100%. Do you think, regardless of what the MRI shows, they shut him down. Yeah.

19:15I think if they're smart and they're paying attention, which I know they are, absolutely. And you gave me 91. No, I didn't. No, I did not. I was the one that said it. And boy, you just, it's like sitting out there on the couch. You gave me crap for being that tough up to. I think Friday after the game, whatever you asked me about the 91 on when I was I worried, and I said, yes, terrified. And if it was me, you'd never throw another pitch this year. That's exactly what I said. So, I was actually the first one to say it. No. And then you followed up, well, you were all negative about the other 28 guys. I can't do that. You know, both of us can't be falling off the cliff at the same time. Okay, that makes it no fun. Because what if they do go six and I will make the playoffs and then I can rub it in your face, which, you know, who thinks that's going to happen? Probably not a ton of people. I don't even think I do. But, you know, it's a little bit more fun to talk about what if they did? Because they really got nothing to lose. So, you know, what if the kids start thumping a little? I don't know.

20:16What George Bringer showed up for the last six days, having for bit. So yeah, I would think they're going to be real careful. You know, in the three, especially, say they lose today and they're four back. I would think you would, there's no chance you would see Dylan throw. Yeah. You know, it would only be like, maybe you're thinking game two against the Reds at home. That would be the only one. I would have to be the only one. I would have to be within a game for him to, for him to, because I think sorry on I'll be getting game one. Game two would be open in Max and be the last game of the season if they needed that. So, yeah, I mean, it's absolutely not for me, but 91 again. I look, he was, he had a terrified look on his face. You can't have that. And he was giving it all he had to reach 93. Yeah, it's not mechanic one. Yeah, you know, I think you should apologize to me too. Because you know, I think it's you and one of them catchers that was saying he was doing that velocity thing on purpose. You know, you trying to sail that to everybody? What did I say?

21:17Them horses want to run fast just to all of a sudden start running fast just because they can. Right. Get your tongue. No, I just don't care. Oh, you should. I mean, every now and then, you're allowed to be right. Wow. They got you every now 96% of the time. That's not true at all. That's not true at all. Yeah. What else do we need to talk about? Sorry, Otto. Oh, no, Spencer Miles. Spencer Miles. Hey, bud. You don't cook him with gravy. You know, I always talk about that. You know, that guy stand on the on deck circle. What are you going to do against the guy like that? That elevated two-samer. And the way he can spin it off of that. And the way he can get himself out of trouble by tumbling those two pitches. Now, if they don't, if they don't get ahead of themselves, and I think they can turn him into a starter, which I, for me anyway, I think that wouldn't be doing him right. That's just me. I hope they don't do that. That's the elite stuff.

22:18Anybody that can come in the six standing and turn it over to the ninth, any guy is legit and is something that everybody in the world is searching for. So I don't think you change the thing, man. That's kind of fun to watch, kind of like that. I didn't want to ask you about the... And this is a negative thing. I'm going to apologize. But Saturday's game. The heirs, the wild pitch, the hit batter. You made for Sorry on a... Well, in Sea Wild hit. I think it was Sea Wild hit Johnson, right? Or Johnson to bring in a run. Yeah. It just seems to me that this whole team is infumes right now. Like they've just, they've played so many games. Scoring runs has been so hard for them that I just think guys are, they're just shot. They're just shot right now. I don't know how you, how do you, how do you equate that? Like how, what are you, how do you, what are you basing that off of? No, the bullpen because I'm in.

23:18I'm in. There's not certain guys. I'm talking about position players. They're just, guys, you can point to things. They probably springer, probably Ernie. There's everybody else. Who, who and everybody else other than the guys I just named, can you say that about? Can't say that about Kirk E. Valensweiler. You're definitely not about Vlad. I mean, rarely if ever runs the bases, you can't say that about the shortstop. You can't say that about Okamoto because he jogs around the bases a bunch. I think I can't say that about Nathan Luke. Just look at his and bad. I can't say about Miles Straubateman. No, I think the shortstop, I think the shortstop looks worn down. I think the shortstop looks worn down. I think he looks hurt. He's been a big difference. He's worn down and hurts two different things. He's been battling all sorts of hamstring injuries and leg injuries for a while now. See, I mean, it's their job to go one till 162. I'm not in that camp. I'm sorry. I'm not going to, that's just a yes. Your job in the offseason to prepare yourself mentally and physically to give me 162 games.

24:18Okay. Now, the conversation around Ernie, if you, that's what you want to say, you go for it. What's it? He's nothing good. Road that down. Yeah, well, yeah. I can't say just that. And for ten of those three games, two for his last 24, he's had three extra bass hits his last 76 at bats. Yeah. I mean, that's, that's, that's top of the conversation for me in the offseason. He can't be here every day. Second baseman. No, we've talked about it. And if I need to trade him to get what I need, I'm trading it. I got that. That's kind of where we're at with this. Like, my lineup needs to get better. And the, and the conversation we've asked, John, you've asked him, I've asked him multiple weeks in a row. We've asked about Ernie before. And John always basically has the same thing. He's played a lot. Okay. If that's your answer to every time we ask about Ernie, then stop playing him a lot. Now you have another option. I think that's kind of where we're at with Ernie. Now he's a fan favorite and boy, you know, people be throwing their hands in the air until

25:20you start winning a bunch of games. Yeah. And then nobody will remember that Ernie's either on the team or off the team. So he's kind of the one guy I would think out of the other names that you just mentioned. He's a fan favorite. He's a fan favorite, but I don't think people would, I think most smart baseball fans look at him and see a guy who is the utility player. He's a guy he can't play every day for you. You had a marvelous run in the postseason last year. It was great. But, and you know, he got voted into the All Star game like, like good on him. He's basically created a career for himself. He's created it by hard work and by a real run of clutch hitting. He's taken advantage of an opportunity here too. But I'm with you though, the lineup, the lineup needs to get better next year. And I don't think there's anybody who's untouchable other than Vlad and the catcher for different.

26:20Maybe Okamoto too. I'm sorry. Yes. And Okamoto. I'm still. I can do HM a bunch. I mean, 35 don't grow on trees. You got another 35 here. He can, he can, he can do H for me, but he cannot be my every day. He can get, he can get the head out on velocity. And also the, the, the at bats that Ernie have consistently swinging at everything. You just can't do that. People looking around at each other going man. Like second and third, you're swinging at a ball. It's four feet off the plane. Okay. I got it. But, but this is the thing. How, this is how Ernie created his career by doing that. Okay. Back to that. Back to that. That's the, I knew you were going to ask me. This is why I went and looked these stats up. Two first, last 24 or one for ten in the three games. Three extra bass hits. Three extra bass hits in the seven. And if I went on, I can make them worse. I could make them look worse if you wanted me to do that, but I don't want to do that. So I didn't. But it's just consistently again, if everybody else is doing their thing and he does sort

27:24of these stats and it's chasing and doing whatever Ernie does at the plate. Okay. Fine and dandy. Just go be whenever you play Ernie. But when everybody else ain't and he's coming up and I think I said this on Friday, Ernie will get some huge at bats in big spots. No, you did. And he needs to zone up like it just he ain't been working. I'm just not sure he can. I'm not sure Ernie's got it anymore. No, I think this is not sure you'd want him to. That's what I said. It's like he's either not an everyday player for you or you trade him. Yeah, that's where you're out of them. Yeah, that's just me and I don't. I don't know what you would. I don't know how much you'd get for him. I really don't. I don't think that's exactly probably the reason why you'd be traded. No, you need to change some things in your lineup. What's that always what's that saying? You always say you take it out of John's hands. Yes, kind of thing. Keep the sharp. Keep the drawer again.

28:26If Ernie and the offseason could make some adjustments offensively and defensively, I'm just not sure defensively where you'd play him. Where you playing him? I mean, I was playing it. You know, you know, the short stop thing moving around and I think if he's tired, I think he's a better I've that ain't working. I think he's a better third baseman than he is at any other position. I would think you can stand still over there a little bit more and you can flip it under where he wants and the accuracy don't always have to be on point like it does the second runner around throwing on the run, especially at shortstop. We saw that hitting a guy now that for me was more about Okamoto, not giving him a lane, getting a guy a third, but to your point, it's just like those moving around and I'm not palming on Ernie, you just you asked me the question and you're trying to say that, you know, whoa, as many of these guys are playing 160 games, I'm not saying whoa. Yeah, you are like their own fumes. Well, they get that's what they get paid to do. Yeah, but they're still that's right, but that doesn't take away from the fact that they look like they're in fumes right now.

29:27I mean, it doesn't. Well, maybe your definition of fumes is different than mine. Anyhow, solved nothing. We did. We solved everything that you need to be more positive. See you for our next guest makes me positive. Adeluvian is hosting rosters to rings. He's a current special advisor with the Milwaukee Brewers in 98 wins and we'll talk to dad Levine next. It's Blair and Barker on Sportsnet 590. The fan and sportsnet. Hey, it's Aelish for a far and I'm Justin Cufford. Join us as we discuss the most important sports stories of the day and tee up the biggest games of the night. It's a fan pregame 6 p.m. weekdays on Sportsnet Sportsnet 590. The fan and wherever you get your podcasts. All right, welcome back to Blair and Barker on Sportsnet 590.

30:28The fan and sportsnet 640 5 640s. The first pitch tonight. Scheduled first pitch in Baltimore. The schedule first pitch in Baltimore 635. I don't know why they just don't pick which one is that. 635. It's going to be rain in any house. So chances are. Anyhow, 635. The schedule time of the first pitch in Baltimore as the Jays look to keep their flailing playoff chances alive. I mean, a trace to have a John the Mount against Shane Bos. Tomorrow it's Mac surezer against Chris Bassie cannot get enough of that matchup. You're live. Game three is TBA. Both teams by the way have an off day Thursday. So if in fact it is it is raining and there's an issue they can maneuver things. Which yeah, again, I guess we'll we'll wait to see what the weather brings.

31:34That. That Levine is host of the rosters to rings podcast. He's a current special advisor with the Milwaukee Brewers formerly VP and GM of the Minnesota twins. He joins us and player in Parker. There he is. How you doing? How you buddy? I am wonderful guys. Great to be back on with you guys. So Dylan Seas flew home to Toronto for an MRI over the weekend. We have not heard at least as of yet. I haven't seen anything we haven't heard anything definite as far as the results of the MRI go. But we do know that he's not going to make a scheduled start on Wednesday. This is for a front office that this has to be just almost a nightmare scenario, isn't it? Guy with the in the first year of a seven year contract. You're kind of still sort of in the playoff race. How do you as a front as a front office? How do you balance the fact that you may need this? There is a chance we're going to need this guy this year to make the playoffs versus

32:35the fact that man, you got six years of this guy ahead of you as well. Jeff a lot to unpack there. The reason that the Toronto Blue Jays are still somewhat in this right now is on the strength of the right arm of Dylan Seas doing large regard. He's put up a tremendous season in your one of this contract, certainly making its feel as if it was tracking towards being a value for the Toronto Blue Jays as he will be square early in the Sy Young discussion come seasons end. I will say typically when we sign these types of deals, whether they're four, five, six, or seven year deals, oftentimes the presentation to ownership is count on the fact that at some point the picture is going to be entered and probably will miss an aggregate about a year of this contract. So when we look at these types of deals, we're not dividing them over the number of years of the deal, but we're dividing them up by the number of years minus one to actually get an average annual cost of the deal because it's just so highly likely that the picture will suffer an injury at some point.

33:35So as you're sitting there with systems left to play with three games out and really the need to win close to every game at this point to put pressure on the teams above you, you're going to be without what has been your best picture of the season most likely. And then Ross and his team in the front office will have to wait. If the doctor say he's not available, he's not available. But if something is up in the air, they're going to have to weigh the urgency to try to squeak into the playoffs this season versus protecting Dylan Seas and their investment over a time horizon and play the season for that's not a position. And anybody would find enviable. I think they're hopeful that they'll have that decision to make. That means that the injury that he has suffered recently is not of significance. If it is, it's out of their hands. If it is not, they have a tough decision to make and they're going to have to make it very quickly. Yeah, if that it was 91. He was reaching back to try to get to 93. We sell some 91s in there, which is, boy, that's just some kind of scary. So hopefully they make the right decision for the player.

34:37This is not so much about the team in my mind. Yeah, something. No, I'm just going to say, I also wanted to jump in here because we've seen a steady decrease in his velocity. In one point, we, some of us, not all of us thought, okay, he's kind of doing the Kevin Gosman thing, taking a little bit off his pitches, trying to, he's doing it strategically. And then the mort went on, the more you kind of wondered, okay, how much of this is strategic and how much of this is there's something wrong. And I guess what I'm wondering if that is, you've got to rely on the pitcher to tell you when he's experiencing discomfort. But is a continual decrease in velocity necessarily a bad thing? How do you judge that as a front office? Well, I think the point most valuable, and you both have made it here, is that you're not going to put the player in harm's way. So if there's any doubt, you're going to play for the long term, and you are not going

35:40to compromise the health of a player for a short term decision. Jeff to answer your question, I think interestingly, spikes in velocity can be as much of a warning as well. Sometimes you see right before a guy has a flexor pronator issue, or as a precursor to a time and time situation, you see actually a spike in velocity. But certainly with where we are from a biomechanical standpoint, we're evaluating not only every pitch, every velocity, every trajectory, we're also looking at guys are mangels and understanding when their arm angles are dropping and how much that leads to risk associated with injury. So the Toronto Blue Jays are tremendous at evaluating pitchers. Unfortunately this year, they're carrying so many guys on the IEL, as you guys know, watching this team play day in and day out. I think I looked it up. They have the fourth most money on the IEL at $73 million, which is just a staggering figure. And a lot of that has come in the starting rotation. Now, I think that probably the only thing they're looking at in hindsight there is just

36:40with the starting fight that they plan on going to post with the average age of that group was about 33 years old. And that's relatively old for a starting rotation. And so the fact that they've had so many entries, my guess is they're going to try to infuse some more young players and that. But as you guys know, you mentioned Treasavitch has coming back. He spent a decent amount of time on the IEL and he is not of age. So to get back to your question to not dodge it at all, I think the velocity dip is a little bit of a concern. I think for veteran guys, they can manage their workload. They can manage their velocity. But when you see something dip that demonstratively for a pitcher who relies heavily on velocity, I do think it's a real red flag. Yeah, I just want to jump in because Hazel May tweeting out that she's spoken to Dylan Seas. He will not need surgery following MRI results. He's in quote limbo and what steps are next. And that would depend on where the team is at. He described the shoulder being a bit heavy and achy and not normal. But at the same time, it didn't feel like it was torn. It was just inflammation, just the kind.

37:41He said just the kind of that middle ground. So. And Jeff, just working out the information you just shared, there was a lot of adjives there that would concern me. You know, I don't see how you would feel great about pushing him to start over the next six days or seven days in the remainder of the season based upon that diagnosis from the player himself. That, how do you, how do you, what six games left? So you're in the front office for the blue jays. Would there be any evaluating going on for next year? Like can you learn anything from say guys that John put in the lineup today that he hadn't been putting in the last couple of days? And how would you as a front office be watching these games going forward? Yeah, I don't think you want to over evaluate it, but like you got six games left and you're still in it, you know, there, there still is a number that is non zero next year. Your playoff odds. And I know it's a low number, but if they end up winning five out of six or six out of six, they're going to put a lot of pressure on the teams above them. So I think we're still playing for something and that's where it starts. Number two is at the very least you've got a chance to spoil some, some teams and you

38:44referenced it. They've got three games with the Baltimore Orioles here. One of those teams is likely going to knock the other one out over the next three days. So you have a chance to do that with a division rival. I think that shows a lot of resiliency and a lot of positive attributes heading into the offseason. As you want to see this team trending up, not just limping to the finish line. So I think there's a lot of opportunities to judge the character and resilience, resilience of your team. But more than that, you still have a chance to be in the playoffs. And so I think with what John Schneider has, he's going to do everything in his power to try to put as much pressure on the teams above them. And if they start to falter, you may see the Toronto Blue Jays who definitely have playoff pedigree sneak into the backside of the American League playoff discussion. Thanks. Can we be worried about Vladimir Gerriger? So I was trying to do a little homework, so I'd be knowledgeable when I talk to you guys. And I do think, but for Cal Raleigh, we would be talking a lot more about Vladimir Gerriger and we've talked about him fair enough.

39:45But the drop off from last year to this year is pretty prominent for him. The good news for him is he has had a year like this before where he'd be posted about a 1.2 or a season. But the thing about that season, which is different than this one, is he still was a solid offensive contributor where he struggled that year was defensively. The defenses turned around. He has become one of the better first baseman in the American League. He's been decorated as such. But the offensive numbers are really surprising and it starts with the power production and the home runs. But it seems to be more systemic to me than just him. The team has gone from being one of the best offensive teams last year in the major leagues from a run scored standpoint to 29th in the major leagues this year. We're scoring close to one run less per game a little bit more than that. That's a significant drop off. It's coming with the star power guys. Obviously, Bishet's not with the team last year, but the quartet of Bishet and Kirk, Springer and Guerrero last year accounted for close to 17 and a half war.

40:47This year, three of the four, one's gone, but only accounted for 4.9 more. It's not all in the shoulders of La Guerrero. He is the one who is supposed to be in his prime, but we're also losing a lot of productivity from our star caliber players. It seems like the complimentary guys, while their names are a little bit different last year to this, are still performing and performing at a pretty decent rate. But you need your stars to shine if you aspire to win, especially in the American League. That I want you to put on your hat is a special advisor to the Brewers. Kevin and I were talking about this. Obviously, another great regular season for the Brewers, but as we've seen in the past, that doesn't translate into postseason success. From a distance, it feels a little different this time. And maybe it's just because Miss Rowsky has just been so just outrageously good. What's the secret sauce in Milwaukee? If you can tell us without giving away state secrets? Yeah, you know, I think the team, I'd say is most analogous that you guys see play a lot

41:48is the Tampa Bay race. So I think what is the magical about the Milwaukee Brewers and secondarily the races, they really are not top heavy rosters. These are teams that are using every bit of 26 players to win. You know, my son very aptly said at the All Star break when I think we were second second place to the Dodgers in the major leagues, we only had two All Stars and he said, well, who got snubbed? And I looked at and looked at it and said, I don't actually think anyone got snubbed. And the point is we have a lot of exceptionally good players without anybody who is a perfect star. And as a result, Jacob Mizorowski should and is tracking towards being the Saiyung of the National League. But aside from that, they have the ability to beat you with different people almost every night. It's not dependent on the power. The team is excellent in terms of executing a stolen bases moving runners over, bunting. We have guys who hit home runs in the second inning and bunting the sixth inning and both of them lead to runs and they never say boo about it. So there is an incredible connection on this team and chemistry that they all are in

42:52it for the name on the front. And they believe that if they play as hard as they can to celebrate the name on the front, the team name that people remember the names on the back. And I think people are starting to take note of those names on the back because this team just plays top to bottom better than any I've been around. Yeah, I think the stolen base too might be one of those things to separate or two. I think Kyle's just looking it up when you were talking there about the Brewers and the things they do well. And when we watched them play the Blue Jays, I mean, it was kind of the same thing. Just everything went the way it was supposed to go. If there was a situation that came about, they were executing it. It was that kind of thing. But sad, they are what? Twenty eighth and baseball and homers. Do you think in your heart of hearts that they can make a deep run into the playoffs by basically stringing together four or five hits, button them over, hitting and running that kind of thing? Well, you know, Kevin, that's been the biggest challenge in the playoffs over the last 10 years as we see the numbers are just staggering. The correlation between the team that has the more home runs tends to win at a very significant clip.

43:53So why is that? It's because you're facing the best pitching in the game and the best pitching in the game doesn't usually afford you the chance to have four or five hits to produce two runs. You need to have a two run homer, three run homer mixed in there. And that usually then stands up for the course of the game. So I think this will be a true test for this team. The brewers have done a very nice job this year against teams above 500, which is a proxy for the teams you're going to face in the playoffs. So I think if that's any indication, that's a positive sign. But last year is recently, it's last year, they were six and no against the Dodgers in the regular season and they ended up losing to them in the ALCS and the NLCS and kind of got run over by them. So I think time will tell whether or not the ability to move station to station and really put pressure on teams defenses by running, taking extra bases, taking those extra 90s will allow this team to win in the playoffs format. So far teams that have hit for power have really been reward in the playoffs. The brewers are going to try to break that mold this year and win with pitching defense

44:53and base run. Yeah, I'm rooting for them. Tired of the Dodgers. Tired of the Dodgers. So my. I think that's all rooting for them as well. That's all that I appreciate you doing this or we appreciate you doing this man. Thanks so much. Thank you so much. Any time you guys great to be on. Thanks. Stadlavini's host of the rosters to rings podcast and he's currently a special advisor with Milwaukee Brewers. Yeah, I'm once this thing is over and I kind of got a pick teams. I would love and I know we joke about MLB's worst nightmare brewers and raised world series. But I would like to see the brewers get in and then we can, you know, you can have a Yankees brewers world series. If you want to read songs, brewers, I would just like to see the brewers get in because it's to be rewarded for the way they go about their business. Really? Yeah, the Dodgers are looking a little better though. You know, you watch and play the last couple days, man. They look healthier and again, we made this point.

45:54Will Smith makes a difference that line? Yeah, it does. They have experienced a lot of them, dudes don't on other teams, which is a big deal. They kind of know that they're playing not for the regular season for October, which is not the easiest thing to do individually. That's why the Dodgers pay guys the way they're supposed to pay them. How long are they going to pay them to say, basically, you know, when you're coming here, now we do want to win the division, but we can do it because we're in a really bad one. And I, you know, it's an organization. We can do what we want with certain guys so they're running ready to go in October. And just like the last week and a half, they just look like they're starting to look like the Dodgers are supposed to look. And so it's not going to be easy. No, and you know, I think a lot of us who thought that getting scuba was just kind of, it was almost like, you know, putting a hood ornament on a real good car. He's been really important for them. I mean, just one of the best pictures in baseball. He's been really important for him. Yeah. And he has kind of risen to the occasion of, you know, being a guy that Dodgers rely on.

46:55I just, yeah, maybe it's because I'm tired of the Dodgers, but I just don't. It feels different this year. I've watched them a little bit more this year than I did last year at this time. It just feels different. Like I'm not afraid of them. Last year going into the postseason, I was like, okay. And maybe it's because of Otani. Maybe it's because of Otani. You know, maybe if he'd been playing every day, I'd feel different. But I mean, they are the champ like they have better pitching anybody. They do that. They have more horses they can throw at you. And what you have to do against that team is blooping ball and death. Like just like the J's did. Like they, you know, the, the, the, they run Homer from, not giving any extra. I was looking at you. You were looking at me saying, Jayzer went in this sucker, right? That's how you have to do it is. I thought I was serious. You got to get a doater too on. Somebody's got to run into one. I just don't know if the burgers consistently do that. They're 28th in baseball. Now they score a lot of runs just because they put a lot of base running pressure. Because everybody's scared to death of their manager that they don't want to screw up

47:58because they know he'll show them up in front of everybody. I'm just not staring to play off. So it's going to work or not. I mean, we'll see the only thing I wonder is the only thing I wonder about them in the race is they have been in first place for so long. Like you've waited, we've waited for something to happen. Air quotes, something to happen. And nothing's happened. I think that for me anyway has more to do with the judge saga than it does the race. If judge had been healthy all year and been dropping 60, you can't tell me that the Yankees wouldn't have won the American League. Is she going to tell me that? Yeah, no, I don't think they would. I mean, I haven't looked lightly how many ahead they are, but you had 60 that judge could give you. I bet it'd be a little closer than it is now. I don't think they're pitching. I don't think they're pitching. I think I think I think the bigger issue would be the Yankees got pretty good pitching. They run it to some people too and you add 60 that guy sticking a millie or I mean, we'll never know. I mean, give the race credit for what they've done, but I'm going to tell you right now,

48:58you get brewers race in a world series. What'd be tough? I mean, I'd be tough. I mean, you know, the beauty of force is the biggest game of the year is you, you is not being a fan of that team. You want to tune in and hate people. Like who can I hate to root against? Who you doing out against him, Tim Tim? I do not. And that's what makes boring your your line. Baseball would be good. I think the baseball would be good. I think the baseball would be good. I think the pitching would be outstanding. I watch Jacob Mizorowski. I'd rather watch him than yeah, I mean, but by the way, they're going to have to use him to get to the world series. He may not be that way. Once the world series gets there, like there's a lot of they look. I mean, the camp, I hope it don't happen that way. One of the two fun. Both of them. Haha. Oh. It'd be great for the lockout too. Oh, I'd be too rich. Small amount. Oh, I'd be great. Ben McDonald is the Orioles analyst with mass in. He's a former pitcher.

49:59The J's and Orioles are scheduled open their three games series tonight. Join the snacks display and barcour on support snf590 fan and sports net.