Here’s ‘The Starting 9’ for today’s show …
1. Trades, Returns, and Call-ups – A. Frazier goes to SD/N. Cruz joins TB/R. Hill traded to NYM/MIN will listen to offers on Buxton/SEA looking hard at Merrifield … E. Jimenez set to be back on the diamond tonight … Daniel Lynch is back
2. Selling ‘Keepers’ to Win Now – Yelich, Bellinger, Lindor, A. Mondesi (Lindor was placed on the IL after the podcast).
3. Winning Bids from the SXM Host League – L. Torrens ($105), W. Flores ($105), Varsho ($12), Matz ($5), Tellez ($2)
4. MLB News/Notes – Betts (hip) placed on IL/deGrom (forearm) throws from the mound/C. Carrasco could finally make his ‘21 debut this week/Trout (calf) making little progress and will see a doctor on Monday/Sale will have another rehab start on Saturday and could be activated in just over a weeks time/Flaherty (oblique) set for first rehab start on Tuesday
5. Is ‘Tandem pitching’ coming to the Brewers’ powerhouse staff?
6. Rob Povia’s Weekly Planner – Stanton could be back in the OF @ MIA/How much Y. Alvarez do we see @ SF?/BOS (and, E. Hernandez … 1.030 OPS in July, .866 vs. LHPs!) get 6 LHPs this week/8 games for NYM … but, all are at Citi Field and half figure to be vs. LHPs (Conforto hitting .145 vs. LHPs this year)/5 teams with just 5 games, most notably STL
7. Player Profile – Harrison Bader
8. ‘Random Reference’ – April 9th, 1989 – Astros vs. Giants
9. ‘Stamp of Approval’ – Highway 1 and air conditioning.