Are the Los Angeles Dodgers bad for baseball — or just better than everyone else?In this week’s episode of the Batting Practice Podcast, we break down why the Dodgers continue to dominate Major League Baseball — and why fans across small-market teams are growing increasingly frustrated.We dive into:💰 Shohei Ohtani’s endorsement empire and what it means for MLB economics⚾ Kyle Tucker’s massive contract and why the Dodgers always seem to win free agency📊 The highest-paid athletes of 2025, including Juan Soto, Ohtani, and global superstars🔍 Why MLB’s “small market” problem is bigger than most fans realize🧢 Are teams like the Brewers, Cubs, and Pirates truly at a disadvantage — or is ownership to blame?🏆 Should the Dodgers be heavy World Series favorites again in 2026?From payroll imbalance to farm systems, endorsements, and front-office strategy, this episode tackles the biggest question in baseball right now:Is the MLB broken — or are the Dodgers simply playing the game better than everyone else?🎧 Listen now and let us know in the comments:Are you taking the Dodgers… or the field?Use my Sorare sign-up link for $50 in credit toward building the fantasy team of your dreams!!🧢 https://sorare.pxf.io/batting-practiceMake sure to check out our podcast: 🧢 https://open.spotify.com/show/5d4zze7iN7pLjR9dTtVmkCCheck out our other socials!🧢 Twitter- https://twitter.com/batpracticepod🧢 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/battingpracticepod1~ Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@battingpracticepod#mlbpodcast #dodgers #ohtani #kyletucker #mlboffseason

Alex Bregman just shocked the baseball world by signing with the Chicago Cubs, and the ripple effects are massive.In this episode of Batting Practice, we break down what Bregman’s five-year deal means for the NL Central, the Milwaukee Brewers, and the entire MLB free-agent market. The Cubs were already dangerous — but are they now the clear favorites?We also dive into what this move means for the biggest remaining free agents:-Kyle Tucker-Bo Bichette-Cody BellingerWhere will Tucker land?Will Toronto keep Bichette?Do the Yankees or Mets make a late splash?Plus, we analyze:How Bregman compares to Kyle TuckerWhy the Cubs’ infield suddenly looks very differentUpdated betting odds for the NL CentralWhether Chicago is now built to challenge the DodgersWhy the Brewers may be in real trouble in 2026If you follow the Cubs, Brewers, Dodgers, Yankees, Blue Jays, Mets, or Phillies, this episode has everything you need to know about how the MLB offseason just changed.Use my Sorare sign-up link for $50 in credit toward building the fantasy team of your dreams!!🧢 https://sorare.pxf.io/batting-practiceMake sure to check out our podcast: 🧢 https://open.spotify.com/show/5d4zze7iN7pLjR9dTtVmkCWe cover MLB, NBA, and soccer and love debating the ins and outs of fantasy sports with a focus on the platform Sorare! Check out our other socials!🧢 Twitter- https://twitter.com/batpracticepod🧢 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/battingpracticepod1~ Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@battingpracticepod#alexbregman #chicagocubs #cubs #dodgers

The Dodgers have become the ultimate MLB super-team… but does dominance automatically make you the most hated team in baseball? In this episode of Batting Practice, we debate whether L.A.’s dynasty is bad for baseball, what a potential three-peat would mean, and how stars like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman changed the league forever.We also talk:– How long it takes for a team to become “hated”– Why success fuels jealousy across sports– The Edwin Díaz signing and the Dodgers’ loaded bullpen– Whether L.A. could win without Ohtani– Who could stop the Dodgers in 2026 (AL East contenders?)Drop your take in the comments:Do you WANT the Dodgers to three-peat… or are you rooting against them?Use my Sorare sign-up link for $50 in credit toward building the fantasy team of your dreams!!🧢 https://sorare.pxf.io/batting-practiceMake sure to check out our podcast: 🧢 https://open.spotify.com/show/5d4zze7iN7pLjR9dTtVmkCWe cover MLB, NBA, and soccer and love debating the ins and outs of fantasy sports with a focus on the platform Sorare! Check out our other socials!🧢 Twitter- https://twitter.com/batpracticepod🧢 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/battingpracticepod1~ Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@battingpracticepod#losangelesdodgers #shoheiohtani #mlbpodcast #baseballpodcast #dodgersthreepeat

This week on Batting Practice, we’re back from the holidays — and yes, we finally saw each other in person. After a little “Xolfing” at American Family Field, we break down a surprisingly warm MLB hot stove. The A’s actually made moves, the Pirates quietly got better, the NL Central is shifting, and Japanese pitcher Tatsuya Imai is still unsigned with the posting deadline looming. We also debate the ultimate question: what’s the worst weather to play sports in — rain, snow, or bitter cold?We wrap up with Pickle, win total predictions, and a friendly wager on the A’s vs. White Sox. Subscribe and get in the box with us.Use my Sorare sign-up link for $50 in credit toward building the fantasy team of your dreams!!🧢 https://sorare.pxf.io/batting-practiceMake sure to check out our podcast: 🧢 https://open.spotify.com/show/5d4zze7iN7pLjR9dTtVmkCWe cover MLB, NBA, and soccer and love debating the ins and outs of fantasy sports with a focus on the platform Sorare! Check out our other socials!🧢 Twitter- https://twitter.com/batpracticepod🧢 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/battingpracticepod1~ Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@battingpracticepod#MLB #MLBOffseason #HotStove #BaseballPodcast #BaseballTalk #BattingPracticePodcast #MLBNews #Athletics #PittsburghPirates #NLCentral #WinterSports #ColdWeatherGames #SportsPodcast #NewEpisode #listennow

Munitaka Murakami signs a surprise 2-year deal with the Chicago White Sox—are we witnessing divine intervention or just smart roster building? Josh, Jacob, and Andrew break down the shocking move, the contract details, and what it means for the White Sox's future (and Luis Robert Jr.). Then, minutes before recording, Wilson Contreras is traded to the Red Sox—are Boston now a legit AL East threat? The guys debate that, predict the AL Central standings, and discuss the curse of Andrew’s live sports attendance record. Plus: are the White Sox now a 70+ win team? Will the AL East send 3 teams to the playoffs? You just attended batting practice—now you're ready to get in the game.Use my Sorare sign-up link for $50 in credit toward building the fantasy team of your dreams!!🧢 https://sorare.pxf.io/batting-practiceMake sure to check out our podcast: 🧢 https://open.spotify.com/show/5d4zze7iN7pLjR9dTtVmkCWe cover MLB, NBA, and soccer and love debating the ins and outs of fantasy sports with a focus on the platform Sorare! Check out our other socials!🧢 Twitter- https://twitter.com/batpracticepod🧢 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/battingpracticepod1~ Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@battingpracticepod#MLB #BaseballPodcast #WhiteSox #Murakami #RedSox #WilsonContreras #MLBTrades #ALCentral #ALEast #BaseballTalk #MLBHotStove #BattingPracticePodcast #MLB2025 #DontFightThePope #AndrewIsCursed

The baseball offseason just exploded — and we’ve got all the takes. Hosts Josh and Andrew dive deep into the biggest MLB free agency and trade moves of the week, including Pete Alonso’s shocking deal with the Orioles, the Dodgers going full Thanos mode with Edwin Díaz, and the Phillies re-signing Kyle Schwarber for $150M. Is Schwarber worth $30M a year as a DH? Did the Mets just lose the offseason? Are the Orioles the next big thing in the AL East? From LOL Mets to sleeper trades like Isaac Collins for Zerpa, it’s all here.We also hit on fantasy football heartbreak, baseball salary cap rants, the Dodgers’ AMEX strategy, and how warm weather cities win in free agency. Plus: Royals pitcher Noah Cameron gets some unexpected love.If you're into MLB trade rumors, team strategy, offseason winners and losers, or just want raw, funny takes from two passionate fans, this one’s for you.Subscribe now and join the discussion:Which move was the biggest shock of the offseason?#MLBOffseason #BaseballTrades #PeteAlonso #MLBFreeAgency #Dodgers #Phillies #Mets #Orioles #FantasyBaseball #HotStove #BaseballPodcastUse my Sorare sign-up link for $50 in credit toward building the fantasy team of your dreams!!🧢 https://sorare.pxf.io/batting-practiceMake sure to check out our podcast: 🧢 https://open.spotify.com/show/5d4zze7iN7pLjR9dTtVmkCWe cover MLB, NBA, and soccer and love debating the ins and outs of fantasy sports with a focus on the platform Sorare! Check out our other socials!🧢 Twitter- https://twitter.com/batpracticepod🧢 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/battingpracticepod1~ Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@battingpracticepod

In this episode of Batting Practice, Josh and Andrew break down the early action in the 2025 MLB offseason, covering key signings, surprising trades, and which AL teams are making the smartest moves so far. From the Blue Jays' massive Dylan Cease deal to the Orioles’ big swing for Taylor Ward, it's a division-by-division breakdown of winners, losers, and what it means for 2026.They also dive into:-Why rivalries make sports better (and more personal)-Free agent moves shaping the AL playoff picture-Whether the Yankees, Red Sox, or Astros can keep up-Late-season momentum vs. long-term strategy-Who's quietly building a contender in the AL Central?Plus, they play the fan-favorite "Pickle" game and call out the Tigers, Twins, and White Sox. It’s a fun, casual, and opinionated dive into baseball’s business side.Subscribe for weekly baseball banter, offseason updates, and deep dives from a fan’s perspective.#MLB #BaseballPodcast #FreeAgency #MLBOffseason #BlueJays #Orioles #Yankees #RedSox #BattingPractice #BaseballAnalysisUse my Sorare sign-up link for $50 in credit toward building the fantasy team of your dreams!!🧢 https://sorare.pxf.io/batting-practiceMake sure to check out our podcast: 🧢 https://open.spotify.com/show/5d4zze7iN7pLjR9dTtVmkCWe cover MLB, NBA, and soccer and love debating the ins and outs of fantasy sports with a focus on the platform Sorare! Check out our other socials!🧢 Twitter- https://twitter.com/batpracticepod🧢 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/battingpracticepod1~ Tiktok - https://www.tiktok.com/@battingpracticepod

With the introduction of ABS (automated ball strike system) for the 2026 MLB season, we should expect many different strategies involved with the challenges that come with it. From designating players that can use challenges (will Shohei Ohtani or Aaron Judge be allowed to challenge more?) to the type of situation and inning to use them in (bases loaded, bottom of the 9th), ABS will impact the game whether we are ready for it or not. Also, on a more general topic, which sport would benefit most from robot referees?