One player on all 30 MLB teams we should appreciate more when baseball resumes
From stars we're often too hard on to veterans we don't talk about enough, baseball's extended hiatus is a good reminder to give these guys some more love this season.
2020 ScheduleAll times ET
2020 Schedule
Gamer hits Astros with pitches in MLB The Show 20 (0:52)
BBTN: Buster previews the AL West with folks who cover the teams
It's AL West preview day! Buster talks Astros with radio analyst Steve Sparks (4:17), Angels with ESPN's Alden Gonzalez (9:51), Athletics with the San Fransisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser (16:39), Mariners with The Seattle Times' Ryan Divish (23:43) and Rangers with the Dallas Morning News' Evan Grant (30:04).
Teixeira details why players are frustrated with MLB (1:43)
BBTN: Buster and Karl Ravech discuss a historic day as MLB suspends the start of the season
MLB suspends the start of the season. Buster and Karl Ravech talk about a historic day in baseball (3:02). Later, Hembo drops by to lighten the mood as the guys talk biggest home runs, golf-foursomes and what they're most looking forward to when the season starts (19:08).
2020 MLB Rank reaction: Who's too high or too low?
The votes are in, and ESPN has picked its top 100 players. Members of our panel look at this year's most surprising rankings.
ESPN's MLB Rank, 100-1: Baseball's top players for 2020
You know who's No. 1, but which two pitchers got into the top five? And who is the most surprising addition to the top 10?
Verlander has lat strain, unlikely for Opening Day
Astros right-hander Justin Verlander said it will "probably take a miracle" for him to be back before Opening Day after he was diagnosed Monday with a mild lat strain.
BBTN: Buster and Tim Kurkjian make the case for mic'ing up players during the regular season
Buster and Tim Kurkjian make the case that MLB needs to mic up players during the regular season (2:05). Plus, the guys talk about Trey Mancini undergoing a non-baseball medical procedure, Aaron Judge's cracked rib and Justin Verlander's sore tricep. Later, Sarah Langs joins the pod to discuss the Braves starting pitching vs. Mets bullpen, how Chris Sale's injury affects the Red Sox's win total and the Blue Jays' Nate Pearson as a rookie of the year candidate (18:22).
Astros pull Verlander from start with sore triceps
Astros ace Justin Verlander was pulled from his spring training start against the Mets after two innings Sunday and will undergo tests, the team said.
McHugh regrets not being 'brave' during Astros' 2017 scandal (2:20)
Ex-Astro McHugh: Pitchers didn't do right thing
Collin McHugh, a starter for the 2017 Astros, said the team's pitchers knew about the sign-stealing scheme and should've "been as brave in the moment" and said something to stop it. "I understand the anger," he said.
BBTN: A-Rod's take on the Astros, Yelich's new deal and coronavirus awareness around MLB
A-Rod shares his thoughts on the Astros, Chris Sale is trending toward Tommy John surgery, and Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton won't be ready to start the season. Buster and Tim Kurkjian hit on all of that (5:16), plus, Christian Yelich is working toward an extension with the Brewers and baseball has started to buzz about coronavirus. Later, Todd Radom joins the pod to talk about Citi Field and for a quiz (18:07).
What rewatching two key Astros 2017 World Series games tells us
Here's what seeing Game 4 (Alex Wood) and Game 5 (Clayton Kershaw) reveals, given what we know now about Houston's sign stealing.
A-Rod: Fans are upset by Astros' lack of remorse (2:01)
Verlander debuts, says groin issue not a concern
Astros ace Justin Verlander made his spring debut Tuesday and said the groin tightness that has bothered him much of the spring is done with.
Passan's 20 questions: MLB cracks down on pine tar, spring surprises and more
MLB will discipline more than just sign stealing, why Nolan Arenado will get dealt, and things to watch as Opening Day approaches.
BBTN: How will the three-batter minimum effect in-game strategy?
Buster and David Schoenfield explore the strategies around the three-batter minimum for pitchers (2:51). Plus, why predicting the World Series champ is harder than you think, who might be this year's Washington Nationals and what's the latest on Aaron Judge. Later, Sarah Langs joins the show to discuss Mike Trout checking in as the highest-paid player in baseball and Miguel Cabrera's outlook for the season (25:41).
McCullers pitches for 1st time since '18 surgery
Houston right-hander Lance McCullers, who last pitched in the 2018 ALCS, was on the mound Sunday for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Are the Astros really being targeted for hit-by-pitches this spring?
Every time a Houston player gets plunked, it raises eyebrows. So we took a closer look to see if there's actually anything to these HBPs.
BBTN: Griffin Canning gets an MRI and Ronald Acuña is Ravech's NL MVP
Karl Ravech says there's no margin for error with the Angels in the AL West and the news of Griffin Canning undergoing an MRI on his elbow raises a yellow flag for the team (1:17). Plus, he and Buster discuss Madison Bumgarner dodging rodeo questions and what's going on with the Red Sox investigation. Later, Pedro Gomez joins the pod to talk about his son Rio Gomez's first spring training outing and managers in new places (25:26).
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Grapefruit League Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 14 | 5 | .737 | - | W3 |
| Miami | 12 | 6 | .667 | 1.5 | L1 |
| Toronto | 12 | 6 | .667 | 1.5 | W6 |
| New York | 11 | 8 | .579 | 3 | W1 |
| Baltimore | 9 | 7 | .563 | 3.5 | L1 |
| Tampa Bay | 9 | 8 | .529 | 4 | L3 |
| St. Louis | 10 | 9 | .526 | 4 | W1 |
| Boston | 9 | 10 | .474 | 5 | W5 |
| Detroit | 8 | 9 | .471 | 5 | L1 |
| New York | 8 | 9 | .471 | 5 | W3 |
| Minnesota | 7 | 8 | .467 | 5 | L4 |
| Atlanta | 8 | 11 | .421 | 6 | W2 |
| Houston | 7 | 11 | .389 | 6.5 | L2 |
| Washington | 6 | 11 | .353 | 7 | L1 |
| Pittsburgh | 3 | 15 | .167 | 10.5 | L4 |
Team Leaders
- Batting
- Pitching
BATTING AVERAGE
Home Runs
RUNS BATTED IN
Earned Run Average
Wins
Strikeouts
Team Stats
- Pitching
- Batting
Earned Run Average3.24Tied-2nd
Quality Starts0Tied-1st
WHIP1.214th
BAA.2244th
Runs6428th
Batting Average.21630th
On Base Percentage.29728th
Slugging Percentage.35028th