The Roundtripper - A Baseball Podcast

#29 - Power as Potential

So believe it or not, but we have already passed the first quarter mark of the 2019 baseball season...and really what have we learned so far? We've learned that a few of our early season predictions are playing out exactly as Chris and Tom had anticipated...while others have been going way off-script. On this show, we circle the divisions and take note of a few interesting highlights from each. We take a look at the early season fortunes of the Cubs and the Braves, examine the ultra-resurgence of Hyun-Jin Ryu, and admire the breakout campaigns for Pirates 1st Baseman Josh Bell and Angels utility-man Tommy La Stella. And we answer the age-old question: could either of us sucessfully make contact against Jordan Hicks?   Be sure to like The Roundtripper on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TheRoundtripper/] and give us a follow on Twitter (@RoundtripperMLB [http://www.twitter.com/roundtrippermlb]). Also, if you like the show be sure to rate us 5-stars on iTunes! If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please send us an email at Roundtripperpodcast@gmail [Roundtripperpodcast@gmail.com]!

#28 - Incredible Skill & Huge Huge Flaws

With all that's going on around MLB, we would be remiss if we didn’t spend some time talking at length about one of the most interesting teams in all of baseball…though not for the reasons that usually make a team interesting. The California Angels, excuse me, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, have staggered out of the gates once again, needing a 4-game winning streak to bring their record to an underwhelming 15 wins vs 17 losses. When you look at their roster, it’s a head scratching combination of utter greatness, sheer mediocrity, and tired retreads. Real talk, but how long can the Halos remain mediocre before it officially becomes both a crime against Mike Trout and, more importantly, a crime against baseball? That’s not to say that they have nothing going for them, as we look for signs of life within the club and break down the one really fascinating skill of 2nd Basemen David Fletcher. Away from the city of Angels, we touch upon Joey Gallo’s prospective breakout, Zack Greinke’s hitting prowess, and how CC Sabathia’s recent career milestones may impact his Hall of Fame chances. That, and so much more. Be sure to like The Roundtripper on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TheRoundtripper/] and give us a follow on Twitter (@RoundtripperMLB [http://www.twitter.com/roundtrippermlb]). Also, if you like the show be sure to rate us 5-stars on iTunes! If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please send us an email at Roundtripperpodcast@gmail [Roundtripperpodcast@gmail.com]!

#27 - Hot Start Sustainability

The theme for this weeks podcast is Sustainability. For those of you out there who gazed into your crystal balls prior to the season and prognosticated the Mariners hot start and Red Sox hangover, kudos to you! You are wise beyond compare! Well done! I would probably also call you a liar, and a few other choice words as well. This is part of the beauty of baseball: that the best-laid plans can often lead to the most inauspicious circumstances. But how many of these opening movements, either good or bad, are tenable? And how many of them can just be chalked up to dumb luck? Chris and Tom take a closer at some of the teams who have burst from the gates like they were shot of a cannon, such as the Mariners and Rays, as well as others who are having trouble getting their sea legs underneath them, like the Red Sox and Rockies. Who has the firepower to maintain or right their momentum? And, for better or worse, who are the frauds?  Be sure to like The Roundtripper on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TheRoundtripper/] and give us a follow on Twitter (@RoundtripperMLB [http://www.twitter.com/roundtrippermlb]). Also, if you like the show be sure to rate us 5-stars on iTunes! If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please send us an email at Roundtripperpodcast@gmail [Roundtripperpodcast@gmail.com]!

#26 - 2019 American League Preview

As the first full week of the new season draws to a close, we come to the second part of our 2019 MLB Season Previews. The last time around we examined the ins-and-outs of the National League: now, it's the Junior Circuit's turn. This year the American League is as much of an enigma as either league has been in recent history. It's powerful and potent, with arguably the best starting rotation and best all around linup in the game. But a quick glance through the rosters and you also find a league that is maddeningly inconsistent, strangely assembled, and in a serious state of transition. The only thing you can truly anticipate is to "expect the unexpected." Chris and Tom break it down the best that they can and try to rationalize everything that the American is shaping up to be in 2019...but it's often a crapshoot, and they're only human after all.  Be sure to like The Roundtripper on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TheRoundtripper/] and give us a follow on Twitter (@RoundtripperMLB [http://www.twitter.com/roundtrippermlb]). Also, if you like the show be sure to rate us 5-stars on iTunes! If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please send us an email at Roundtripperpodcast@gmail [Roundtripperpodcast@gmail.com]!

#25 - 2019 National League Preview

It’s the beginning of a new season of Major League Baseball, and for a brief period hope springs eternal for all 30 teams. For a fleeting moment no one is in last, everyone is in first, and every clubhouse has legitimate aspirations of playing meaningful baseball once the calendar rolls into October. Of course, this is very much an idyllic vision of the present day: For some, the optimism is well-founded, with rosters that have been painstakingly constructed over the course of years. For others it is nothing more than a Utopian pipe dream.  Today we start with the Senior Circuit and break down the National League since they’re celebrating their 150th anniversary (or at least the Reds are, that’s really close enough). It seems fitting…some line about respecting your elders or something…but heading into the 2019 the National League does have many of this season’s most intriguing story lines and compelling divisional races. From the highs to the lows it’s going to be a battle from start to finish, and Tom and I certainly have a lot to say about it all. Be sure to like The Roundtripper on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/TheRoundtripper/] and give us a follow on Twitter (@RoundtripperMLB [http://www.twitter.com/roundtrippermlb]). Also, if you like the show be sure to rate us 5-stars on iTunes! If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please send us an email at Roundtripperpodcast@gmail [Roundtripperpodcast@gmail.com]!