Transcript of Postgame Show: SpliffNotes and The Pitch Clock

That's right. It's Thursday Thunder, and it's presented by DraftKings. Draftkings, the Crown is yours. Juju, what up?

What up, you all? Another two for three last week, man. Two for three. Put that on my tombstone, man. Two out of three ain't bad, man. But this week, we're riding this shit, baby. Tonight, I'm going with Thursday Night Football, and I'm starting with my dog, Joshua Jacobs. Any time, TD scorer, my boy, lock him in.

He's got a streak, right? What would this be? How many games straight? Nine?

Yeah, nine or either. I'm team. I forgot what the stat said. I think it's umpteen. Umpteen. But not... Next leg, I'm going with Noah Brown over 22. 5 yards tonight. That packer's defense looking good. And Jaden Daniels, he don't have He going to have to come up with some things tonight. And we all know what he usually comes up whenever he has little to no options. Oops, there's Noah Brown downfield. Touchdown. I'm going with Noah Brown, and I got to clear my throat. Two dollars. Last leg still there. Last leg, I'm going with my dog, Jacory Crosky, married for over 10 rushes tonight. Man, they're going to need them. They're going to be in the trenches all night. I'm not sure how many yards he going to get, but he going to be toting that rock tonight. Lock it in. Thursday Thunder. I see you all. My boy Bill.

Juju, tonight's the last night of the WMBA regular season, yeah?

Yes, sir, man. What a crazy last couple of weeks, man. It's been for that last couple of playoff spots, man. The Seattle Storm, they locked in the last spot in an epic dramatic fashion the other night against the Valkyrie, who already locked in to the playoff. They find out their seating tonight, you feel me, on the last game. It's going to be interesting because the Atlanta Dream could face them or the fever. I'm rooting for fever because the Valkyrie will punch you in the eyeball. But yeah, man, great seasons this year.

Juju, how do we sum up Paige Becker's rookie season? The Dallas Wings are probably going to finish last in the entire league.

Right? It's rare. All-time great, man. I I think she broke a lot of barriers. She always speaking up for the right people. She carries herself in the right way. She didn't get fined by the team. None of the shenanigans that people get into in their rookie season. All the other players from other teams seem to love her. There was no necessarily, Kaitlyn Clarke, treatment for her this year. I think she did a great job in a rookie campaign, and she going to continue it to the Arrival League, who just added two new teams getting money over there in Unrival, the Hive and the Breeze. Welcome to the Unrival League.

Is Angel Reese in Chicago next season?

You know what? She is in Chicago next season. I predict she is. She ain't going nowhere. They're going to do us right over there. It's a lot of stuff that gets reported. I don't think the whole truth ever really comes out, but I know that Chicago really, really loves her, and I think they're going to get her back.

Juju, what do you make of Jane? What do you make of her suggestions for baseball? Do you want her to be Commissioner?

Bro, I think Jane should be the Commissioner of the United States of America. Go with me here. Whenever she was talking, she wasn't giving me all a little bit of Greg Cody and some of the influences and the infractions on her words. I think she's a superstar. We got to put Jane on the podcast every week. Salute to Jeremy. I love you. But you need to have Ms. Jane on there sometime because, man, I can lock in to listen to her talk all day.

I How does Jeremy handle that right there, you think?

Well, I think that was-He doesn't like it. That was Juju just pitching her as a guest for Pitch Clock. That was not Juju being like, You're gone, Jeremy, like we said.

Yeah, I actually hope Jeremy sees that interview. I was like, This is a perfect guest for me to have on Pitch Clock because I think he'd be as big about Jane as anyone. All right. Except for me, she's already in my close friends and liking stuff.

At least the Greg Cody show featuring Greg Cody, you all shit. You know what I mean? Give me a Jane to call one of these weeks. I'm with it. Neither here nor there.

Juju, We got some polls to update, I think from yesterday also, right?

Yesterday, we had one poll, and it wasn't the greatest of polls. It was like, Is cultural appropriation delicious? I went against that one. Over, under, when Dolphins fans will start booing this Sunday. This is big. Over, 1. 5 drives, or under, 1. 5 drives. 77% of the audience says under, 1. 5 drives.

I'm going over.

I think it's over. First drive of the game. Wow. I think it's going to come in. I think it's right.

More for real, the Raiders or the Chargers? 88% of the audience says the Chargers.

That was a fake out, Juju. Good team.

They were the playoff team last year. What if there's four division? In that division, there's four playoff teams. It would be impossible, but it's not impossible.

It's not impossible.

It's possible. It feels impossible. I don't know.

It feels that way, but it's not-AFC North has some- players.

It is possible. The AFC North was in this.

But he's saying it feels impossible.

It feels impossible because they play each other twice a year.

But it's not actually impossible.

No, mathematically possible.

I like to use this as a reminder for everybody to check out DLS Hoops, man. We got a great episode dropped yesterday. Also, check out my boy Billy Gill this weekend, FIU in the booth. Also, check out my dog, First Class Zaz, man. On the road again, where you at this week, Zaz.

Oh, yeah, baby. Glad you brought that up. I'm flying out to Knoxville tomorrow. Tennessee, Georgia. I've never been there before. It's awesome. I've been there. Huge SEC matchup. We're broadcasting on Saturday morning, Calhouns on the River. Apparently, that's an amazing spot.

The river there. Oh, my God. I was there years ago. I love that camp.

I don't know. You got listeners or viewers. Have you ever been there?

No, I have.

Okay. If anyone wants to come by and see how good I look, you can come check me out.

People tailgate on the boats right on the river.

Yeah, apparently, they all dock right where we're doing the show in the Airstream. So come and see me and Amber Wilson. That'd be fun.

Yes, sir. Did the Senator know JJ McCarthy's name? 93% of the audience says, No, he did not. Damn. He knows Baldo. Last poll, did you like it better when the pitch clock was the sun? 52% of the audience says, Yes, they did. And those are your polls.

That's a shocking result.

Unfortunately, we now get to Jeremy in the pitch clock.

Dan Levatard. Can I tell you something? I don't know, maybe like a month ago, and I decided to watch pitch clock, and I told Jeremy, Stugatz, this is a good show you're doing. This is the Dan Levatard show with the Stugatz.

Do you think that the audience is going to notice that I wasn't on show today because I don't have makeup on?

Yeah, you look terrible.

I have the bags under my eyes. They aren't great. I'm counting the bags. Speaking of bags, like stealing bags because baseball.

I thought you were going to go Jeff Bagwell.

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. It's another episode of The Pitch Clock. Hi, everybody. Here on the Dan Lebitard Show with Stugatz. That's Chris. I'm Jeremy. Taylor is with us. We'll have Adnan Verk, our monthly 2025 MLB expert, joining us in just a few moments. But first, It's time for Taylor's Trivia, and I need at least a little bit of redemption. Yeah, last week was truly and utterly... I don't know if I've ever been dominated in a competition the way that I was last week. It was truly and utterly embarrassing. And we had people DMing us and tweeting at us saying, Hey, was Chris cheating? That's how good he was.

Yeah, that was a belt to ass situation last week. So we're going right back to it. It's 501 darts. You're trying to get as close to zero as possible. Just a reminder, it'll be best of three. Each round, you guys will get five guesses, and you can't go past zero. So if you do go past zero with a guess, you'll just stay at that number.

All right, so what's our subject this time, Taylor?

So the first round will be home runs as a Met. What?

All right, I'll just go ahead with a But do I want a strong one or not? Actually, I'll say David Wright.

So David Wright had 242 home runs as a Met, bringing you down to 259, Jeremy.

Darryl Strawberry. I don't even know if he was a home run hitter.

So Chris Darryl Strawberry went deep 252 times in his career, bringing you down to 249 after one round. You're within 10 of each other.

So this is now where strategy comes into place because it's like there are certain people that I'm thinking of that I feel like have to have more than that. And so do you want to just start chipping away? I will. I will start chipping away. Francisco Lindor.

Francisco Lindor has gone deep 136 times in his career as a Met, bringing you down to 123, Jeremy.

That's what I was looking for.

Carlos Delgato.

Carlos Delgato hit 104 home runs as a Met, bringing you down to 145, Chris Cody.

This is close. Our 2025 MLB expert is back with us for the what? Fifth or sixth time this season, it feels like at this point. Adnan Virk is here. Adnan, first of all, thank you for joining.

Of course, Jeremy. Good to see you. I'm glad I'm still leading in the clubhouse as far as overall appearances. It's like games played. I got to be that guy for you.

You're blowing everybody out. Regular season record is officially yours. You've clinched. Congratulations. I do have to make a clarification off the top of this before we get into our baseball, because last week, if you go back and listen to the end of the pitch clock, I accidentally, with Jason Binetti, said that this would be my last season season with the Miami Marlins broadcast. I meant series. This is my first season of hopefully 30. I don't know. I'd like to be on this broadcast for the rest of my life until the day that I die. So let's make it abundantly clear. Marlins' broadcast, not the last season. My last series is coming up against the tigers this weekend, which is perfect synchronicity. But anyway, let's get into some baseball here. I want to talk to you about a couple wild card races, and I want to start the National League because... Hello? San Francisco Giants. Apparently, you're alive. Twelve and three in their last 15 games, going from seven under to two over at the time of this recording. Logan Webb has been remarkable on the mount. I mean, Adnan, what has changed? And do the Giants have a legitimate chance of catching the New York Mets for that final NL wild card spot?

I do think they have a chance. I don't think it will happen, but you're right, Jimmy, to bring it up that it's been an unbelievable story. The guy I wanted to mention is Elliott Ramos because Jake was telling me, he goes, This guy is going to be a superstar for the Giants. I said, Wow. He goes, People are not paying enough attention how good Elliott Ramos is. He's got 17 home runs this year. But really, the queen for them has been the fact that they can bang. And in the past, it's always been the pitching, no offense. William Thomas is getting closer to being, I believe he's at 27, the first Giants hitter to have a 30 home run season since Barry Bonds back in 2004. And Rafael Devers as well, Jeremy, has been much better since August first on. We know it's been a tumultuous season, but ultimately, he's going to be 30 and 100. He'll figure things out there in San Francisco. But you mentioned Webb want to close with him. Career high, 201 strikeouts, 184 and two-thirds innings pitch, 28 years of age, seventh season, first giant, at least 200 strikeouts since Rodon three years ago.

Webb is that guy, perentally underrated as one of the best pitchers in baseball.

It honestly reminds me a little bit of Jake Peavy, and that he was always one of the best pitchers in the game, but never considered the actual best. So it makes sense that you would bring his name up overall. And anytime you could tell me there's a team that bangs, I'm very excited about it. You look up and down That roster. Hey, look, at this point, they really are stringing together some really good couple of months amongst a lot of these bats in the order. But let's talk about the American League now, because there's another situation unfolding over there with another team that I believe at the time of this recording has won 12 of their last 16 games, going from three under to five over. And a relationship between the two, Bruce Boci is the manager over here with the Texas Rangers, the former Giants manager, and he's always sprinkling some magic all over his teams. It's really spectacular to see what's happening there, particularly as they deal with a slew of injuries. No Nathan Evaldi, who we spoke about a couple of months ago, Adnan. I mean, I'm going to ask you the same question.

What's changed for the Texas Rangers? And do they have a legitimate chance of catching the Mariners for the final wild card spot in the American League?

So this one's completely baffling, Jeremy. Yes, they have a chance. Yes, they could catch them, but I can't imagine it'll happen. I mean, come hell or high water with these injuries. Now, you mentioned the fact that Evald is out. It's been their best story. It was in the Sion conversation the last time we had spoken. But Seager being out, Appendectomy, probably done for the season. Simeon being out. This is insane when you have your best position players and your best pitcher being done. Collectively, they've stepped a big time. Their offense has been great. 12 of 16, they've won, as you mentioned. They've scored at least four runs in each win, held a few of them in that in those losses. But the offense has been helpful. That's really been the issue for them much of the season. Now, their pitching has been really good. Jack Leiter has really come on strong sub-four ERA. I think ultimately, Texas is a team, I don't want to call it smoke and mirrors because they are winning. Seattle has been so shaky that that window and that door is still open. But I just can't imagine Texas without having their big-time weapons being able to get in the playouts.

But you're right about crediting Bruce Boche, that better managerial magic. He's got these guys believing right now, and somehow or some way, this Texas team, I can't believe they're still in the race, not even for the walker, but even the division.

It's crazy. I mean, it's really crazy. And you talk about guys like Jacob DeGrom and, of course, Merrill Kelly, who's one of my favorites because he looks so much like Roland Schitt from Shitt's Creek. But if I were really a person who was being more attentive to the show, I would have talked about Bruce Boci having a magical sprinkle juice, as Dan referred to with someone earlier in the week. I'm going to go with legendary New York Met, Paul Leducca.

So Paul Leducca hit 14 home runs. Perfect. As a Met, bringing you down to 109, Jeremy.

I worry that he's going to say a name.

Mike Piazza.

Oh, no.

He played for the Dodgers, too.

So Chris, you were at 145. You're going to stay at 145 because Mike Piazza hit 220 home runs as a Met. Yeah.

Daniel Murphy.

Daniel Murphy hit 62 home runs as a Met, bringing you down to 47, Jeremy. All right.

Mike Jacobs.

Mike Jacobs hit 12 home runs as a Met, bringing Chris Cody down to 133.

Didn't he have a 30 home run season before he was with the Marlins? Did he go there after us?

Mike Jacobs hit 11 home runs in 30 games with the Mets in 2005. Then he went back to the Mets in 2010, and in seven games, he had one home run.

I'm trying to think of someone who has not hit a ton of home runs. I almost don't even remember if he played for the Mets, but I'm pretty he did toward the end of his career. And if not, I'll just take the zero. Did Edgar Renteria play for the Mets at the end of his career? That's a weird one. I'm just trying to get a few. I feel like it was near the end, but I might be totally off base, and there may be a different shortstop that I was thinking of.

So Edgar Renteria never played for the Mets. So, Jeremy, you're going to be at 47.

I have a guy here. I just don't know how long he played for the Mets. In my mind, he played a good four or five seasons there, so that would be enough if he was an 18 to 20 home run guy. Jeremy Bernitz.

So Jeremy Bernitz hit 53 home runs, bringing you down to 80. It's going to give Jeremy a one-nothing lead after one.

Jeremy Bernitz helps Jeremy Tashay. I almost said Michael Conforto was the only one that I was like, I almost said Michael Conforto. He would have probably won you.

Chris, you were at 133. Michael Conforto hit 132.

That's crazy.

God damn it. Why didn't I think it?

Are you kidding?

I couldn't think of it. Are you kidding? It was on the tip of my tongue, and then it hit me.

God bless. There are other guys who always contribute as we get toward the homestretch of the season and even into the postseason. So there are a lot of guys who come up after that trade deadline and become a part of some of these teams that are still contending to be a part of the postseason. Adnan, who's one of the younger guys that you've seen come up in the last four or five weeks that you think, come the postseason, I mean, people don't know him right now, but by the time we're getting to the playoffs, everybody's going to be talking about him?

I'll give you two for the price of one. So everyone better talk about Nolan McClane. This guy has been unbelievable so far as a New York Met. A great pitch game against the Philly's last night He has everything you want, the tools, the poise, the command. He's going to start meaningful playoff games for the New York Mets in the playoff. Jonathan, fellow Canadian from Markham, Ontario, is going to start, I believe, a critical spot for the New York Mets. So these guys just got called up. These guys could be really starring on Broadway for New York.

I think that's actually, first of all, starring on Broadway. You know I love that line right there. But second of all, to have these young arms going in who don't know any better and are just going to say, All right, here's my best. It's sometimes better than having those guys who have been a little bit disappointing, but are the higher paid players. It could be a lot of fun. It makes the Mets an even more likable team than they were before. But all right, time to get to our golden era of baseball, Star of the Week. There are several guys that we can highlight here, Adnan. I'm going to give you three names, and you're going to choose one of them. So we've got two of the best nicknames in sports are the first two. The Big Dumper, Cal Raleigh, and I know we've talked about him before, but he's getting that much closer to tying and breaking Ken Murphy Jr's single-season home run record for the Mariners. He's at 53 at the time of this recording. Then there's the Passquatch, Vinnie Passquantino, who we haven't spoken about, I think, since you predicted the Royals would be going to the World Series at the very beginning of the year because he had an awful first half, really.

Started to heat up toward the end. But 14 of his 29 homers here in the second half of this season, he's been great for the Royals, got them back into the wild card mix a little bit. And then, of course, there's Bo Bichette, who I think this is the first time I'm mentioning his name this season, and that is a travesty by me because he has bounced back in a big way from a disappointing season last year, dealing with injuries, dealing with a lack of success. Take your pick, Vinnie, Cal, Bo Bichette.

Bo Bichette, man. This guy's unbelievable. As you said, he's going to potentially win a batting title. I believe he's going to lead the Major Leagues in hits, at least by defensive metrics, he's fine. But really, when he's done offensive, he's amazing. The guy's been Awesome. And especially Bo, late in the season, August, September, he takes off. He's always done that. He's the Robin to Vlad Jr's Batman, who's flirt with 300, 400 on base, 500 slug. This Jay's team right now, it's going to be precarious down the stretch. The Yankees are right there, so are the Red Sox. But Bo Bo Bichette is an outstanding player. He's a pending free agent. He is going to get taken care of either by the Bluejids or my prediction is maybe it goes to Dodgers, maybe it goes to Braves. Great relationship with Alex Anthopoulos there with Toronto. So I'm with you, man. Bo doesn't get enough love, but that guy's an absolute stud.

He has been absolutely spectacular, like you mentioned. And I don't think that there's been a single hitter this season, of which I've been on a broadcast, that Tommy Hutton, the great Tommy Hutton, has been more impressed with than Bo Bichette. He was really blown away with his approach and his success when he was down here in Miami. Hey, my last series of Marlin's baseball is coming up this weekend against the tigers. I hope all of you watch that. And of course, always watch Adnan Virk on MLB Network, Adnan And thank you so much for joining us. And I'm sure we'll see you as we get a little bit closer to the playoffs or maybe even that first week of playoff baseball.

I was about to say, playoff's going to be with you daily, whether or not you like it or not. Absolutely. Go buy my books in the file. Available wherever books are sold.

Thank you, I own that book, you should, too. Now, let's get back to this game between myself and Chris. All right, let's get to round two. What are we doing? I want to get a win.

This category is going to be Home runs as a Red Sox.

It's there. I'm saying u a lot, and that's because I'm really excited about this. Chris, go for it.

Trott Nixon.

Trott Nixon hit 133 home runs as a Red Sock, bringing you to 368, Chris Covey.

That's a fun one. I'll just knock out a chunk. Manny Ramirez.

I'm going to put yourself in a spot where you need 82 home runs.

Manny Ramirez hit 274 home runs as a Red Sox, bringing you down to 227, Jeremy.

I might screw myself here, but I don't think he hit that many. Movon.

Movon.

So Movon hit 230 home runs as a Red Sox, bringing You're down to 138, Chris Cody.

I'm just going to try to get a little chunk out, just a tiny little bit here. Let's go Dustin Pedroia.

So Dustin Pedroia hit 140 home runs as a Red Sox, bringing you down to 87, Jeremy.

Okay.

I'm going to get crazy here. This guy could be over, but he also could be right on the money, and I could have another walk off here. Nomar.

So Chris, you're at 138, and you're going to stay at 138 because Nomar Garciapara hit 178 as a Red Sox.

Good for Nomar.

Sneaky power.

Wow. Married to me a ham. All right, 87 homers. This is a complicated one. Johnny Damon.

Johnny Damon hit 56 home runs as a Red Sox, bringing you down to 31, Jeremy.

Rafael Devers.

Rafael Devers hit 215 home runs as a Red Sox.

Good Lord, Rafael Devers. That guy is a home run hitter.

Chris, you're going to stay at 138.

I think I just need to get closer to zero. I don't want to try to get exact. I'm going to go Roman Anthony.

Jeremy, you're going to chip away. Roman Anthony has hit eight home runs as a Red Sox, bringing you down to 23.

I'll take I thought it was more. I did. But I'll take 23, given the circumstances. You got a window here, man. If you get... It's what? Between 115 and 138, you win.

I'm going to say a name that I'm not going with. It's like a Red Sox. I would probably call him a Red Sox legend, but I don't think of him as a huge home run hitter. But he played so long there that I feel like he had to have had that. So I'm not going to say Jason Veritech. Even though I I think that I don't see him as a huge home run guy, I feel like he could be around there, but he's probably got more. So I'm going to go with, instead of Jason Veritech, Mike Lowe.

That's pretty good.

Mike Lohl hit 80 home runs as a Red Sox. Jeremy, 2-0. Go.

Damn it.

Yes!

So Chris, when you were at 138, the name that I thought you were thinking of was Muki Betz. So when you were at 138, I looked up Muki Betz, 139.

Oh, boy. The story of this episode of the Pitch Clock is that I'm finally a winner. Chris, no longer a cheater. Dm me about this, guys. I'm excited. I won, and I hate you. Love you, too.