WAKE and RAKE Podcast

Did the Astros just simply give the Orioles the blueprint for rebuilding a franchise? Danny Vietti details how Mike Elias and the Baltimore front office resurrected a franchise from within that was once a dumpster fire just a short time ago. Plus, the O's have some strange similarities to the Astros dynasty. (3:10) Cam Booser's remarkable comeback story ... (7:03) Orioles resurrection began with D.L. Hall ... (13:30) Orioles first round draft picks ... (16:31) Saying Baltimore tanked for a decade is false ... (19:54) Orioles following Astros blueprint ... (24:27) Astros also hit on draft picks ... (27:36) Lineup in 2019 vs. now ... (32:14) When Orioles players will hit free agency

Detailing and explaining the new rules being implemented for the 2024 MLB season, including the enforcing of obstruction plays, widening of the runner's lane, and pitch clock reduction. Plus, we make our preseason playoff predictions. Pirates win the NL Central? Seriously?! And finally, a film breakdown of Bobby Witt Jr.'s impressive mid-pitch adjustment. (1:01) Changes to podcast ... (4:36) Oakland fan boycott on Opening Day ... (11:22) American League playoff predictions ... (13:29) History tell us 1 losing team will make the playoffs this year ... (17:57) National League playoff predictions ... (21:31) MVP predictions ... (24:12) New MLB rules for 2024 ... (27:23) Umpires to start enforcing obstruction rule ... (30:33) Bobby Witt Jr.'s film breakdown

Part II: In preparation for the 2024 MLB season, Danny Vietti details one reason to be optimistic and one reason to be discouraged for each American League team. Could the Mariners take the leap? Will the A's plan to relocate to Las Vegas fall through? Plus, hear why Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s stats from last season just flat do not make any sense. (1:44) No. 1 picks play each other in Spring Training ... (3:49) AL West glass is half full ... (10:27) Make or break year for Mike Trout ... (18:15) AL Central glass is half full ... (23:08) White Sox are a complete oddity ... (29:17) AL East glass is half full ... (33:54) Why Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will bounce back ... (38:57) What's the direction for the Red Sox?

Spring Training is the only time of year when fans of all 30 teams have hope. Danny Vietti runs through each team in the National League, detailing one reason why the glass is half full and one reason why the glass is half empty for the 2024 season. Perception is reality, right? Plus, major props to Oakland fans and the Pirates front office. (1:06) Cody Bellinger contract details ... (2:59) Oakland fans host Fan Fest ... (11:13) Glass is half full vs. empty for NL West ... (18:27) Fernando Tatis Jr. has a golden opportunity ... (23:14) Glass is half full vs. empty for NL Central ... (32:21) Pirates have playoff potential ... (37:08) Glass is half full vs. empty for NL East ... (42:34) "This is the most intimidating team in baseball"

After acquiring former Cy Young ace Corbin Burnes and the selling of the team, Will Middlebrooks says the Baltimore Orioles have a chance to build something special -- maybe even a dynasty. Full details of the trade, what it means for the NL Central and AL East divisions, and the impact of Theo Epstein returning to Boston. (2:02) Reaction to Corbin Burnes trade ... (7:15) Orioles have a chance at a dynasty? ... (9:51) Status update on Orioles ... (14:30) Brewers' return package and impact on NL Central ... (17:32) Theo Epstein returns to Boston ... (23:39) Red Sox are not ready to compete in 2024 ... (29:00) Middlebrooks is FIRED UP about HOF ballot ... (34:44) Deebo Samuel big leagues Danny at Super Bowl photoshoot

Detroit Tigers to win the AL Central? Pittsburgh Pirates in the playoffs? Will Middlebrooks and Danny Vietti shoot straight from the hip with some BOLD PREDICTIONS for the 2024 MLB season. Plus, future betting odds for the season. Rosters are still changing by the day, so we'll see if these these takes age like milk. (3:38) Tough story about Orioles owner Peter Angelos ... (7:39) Detroit Tigers are BACK! ... (14:17) Angels will be better without Ohtani? ... (18:38) Betting odds for 2024 MVP ... (21:00) Reds to improve or take a step back? ... (24:33) Cy Young Favorites ... (26:24) Fernando Tatis Jr. can lead San Diego to playoffs ... (29:03) Tarik Skubal gets Cy Young votes ... (30:10) Don't be surprised if A's don't move to Vegas

Considering the dominance of Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani and Venezuelan Ronald Acuña Jr., have international athletes now surpassed the Americans as the superior athletes? Will Middlebrooks and Danny Vietti disagree on the subject and discuss. Plus, they provide an update on the latest free agent signings. (1:45) Lucas Giolito, Chris Sale find new homes ... (13:25) Braves have something up their sleeve ... (16:45) Never go on a cruise with kids ... (23:45) Why Jenny Dell refuses to golf ever again ... (28:29) International baseball players this offseason ... (29:49) Are international countries dominating American sports? ... (39:00) Unsigned free agent list

Move over Messi! Shohei Ohtani is now THE RICHEST athlete in the world, of any sport! Will Middlebrooks contextualize Ohtani's record-breaking 10-year/$700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. And if you think the Dodgers are done making moves, think again. (0:46) Immediate reaction to Ohtani news ... (3:50) Deferred money is crucial ... (6:40) Richest sports contracts in the world ... (14:19) Blue Jays chaos on Friday ... (18:13) Ohtani makes more than Oakland A's ... (22:22) Next year's biggest free agent ... (24:25) Giants the biggest losers? ... (26:17) Polarity in baseball

Former Milwaukee Brewers VP of Player Development and current Nevada Wolf Pack head coach Jake McKinley joins the podcast. How does NIL deals work in college baseball? Why is Brewers top prospect Jackson Chourio the "real deal?" Plus, what makes Mets President of Baseball Operations David Stearns so special? (4:42) Transitioning into a Div. I baseball head coach ... (6:18) NIL deals in college baseball ... (12:21) NIL college deals for dummies ... (14:41) What makes David Stearns special ... (22:09) Jackson Chourio is the "real deal" ... (26:33) Inside the Mauricio Dubón trade ... (32:11) Jets are a disaster ... (37:45) Favorite Christmas song ... (41:58) "90 is the new 85" for pitchers

Free agency is expected to shift into high gear when the MLB Winter Meetings commence next week. No better time to make our FREE AGENCY and OFFSEASON PREDICTIONS. San Francisco makes a splash? Tyler Glasnow to Southern California? Baltimore adds a Cy Young? Plus, Will Middlebrooks has some inside intel on the Red Sox offseason plans. (5:24) Are Sonny Gray and Tyler Glasnow No. 1 starters? ... (10:24) Tyler Glasnow headed to Southern California? ... (15:20) Red Sox going after two notable starters? ... (20:01) Where does Shohei Ohtani sign? ... (24:04) Yankees will land either Cody Bellinger or Juan Soto ... (28:34) Blue Jays a dark horse free agency player ... (31:10) What are the Braves planning to do? ... (32:35) Baltimore lands a Cy Young? ... (37:15) Rapid fire free agent predictions ... (41:40) College football chat

We all know that Shohei Ohtani is available, but what about the under-the-radar free agents? What about the complimentary players? Let's talk about the Hunter Renfroe and Joc Pedersons of the world. Danny Vietti details 30 free agents that nobody is talking about. (2:08) Aaron Nola returns to Philly ... (7:08) Mitch Garver is available ... (11:50) Middle infielder free agent options ... (17:24) Under-the-radar outfielders available ... (26:10) This free agent has hit 20+ HR in 6 straight seasons ... (27:58) Starting pitcher free agent options ... (32:40) Eric Fedde returning to MLB ... (35:03) Sean Manaea, Nick Martinez among bullpen options

Will Middlebrooks and Danny Vietti look ahead to the 2023-24 MLB offseason, including a breakdown of the top free agents, potential trade candidates, and clubs looking to make moves. What's the latest on Shohei Ohtani? Could the Red Sox flip the script? Plus, reactions and analysis on the World Series Champion Texas Rangers. (4:15) Rangers World Series reaction ... (9:31) Bruce Bochy is the ultimate drought ender ... (17:14) Rangers have great chance to repeat ... (23:32) Teams that could come out of nowhere in 2024 ... (29:09) Top free agents ... (34:29) Blake Snell is a risky sign ... (38:25) Potential offseason trade candidates ... (41:36) Why Juan Soto to Yankees is recipe for disaster

Let's set the stage. Lineups, rosters, predictions, and complete preview of the 2023 World Series between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks. Plus, Will Middlebrooks shares a very quirky tie between the 2001 Diamondbacks, when they won the World Series, and this year's squad. (1:35) When Arizona pitchers kill a bird, they win ... (7:25) Nathan Eovaldi has chance to become postseason GOAT ... (13:55) Where Arizona and Dallas rank among baseball markets ... (17:35) Better starting rotation? ... (19:07) D-Backs have bullpen advantage ... (23:04) Rangers offense significantly better? ... (25:19) World Series Predictions

Who would have predicted this? The 84-win Arizona Diamondbacks will take on the Texas Rangers in the 2023 World Series. Will Middlebrooks and Danny Vietti investigate what went wrong with the Phillies, what went right for the D-Backs, and how the Rangers matchup. Plus, we detail the best storylines to watch out for in the Fall Classic. (1:54) Brandon Phaadt was the X-Factor ... (6:59) Why D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo is special ... (11:08) D-Backs are a strange franchise ... (15:20) Why D-Backs-Rangers matchup is GREAT for baseball ... (24:32) Rangers did not just "buy" a title ... (31:25) Buy, build, and develop is the formula ... (35:05) Adolis Garcia's story is incredible ... (39:25) Craig Breslow named Red Sox new head man ... (42:34) Bob Melvin leaves San Diego for San Francisco

Should MLB consider changing the playoff format? Do first round byes put top seeds at a disadvantage? Following the Dodgers and Orioles early exits, Will Middlebrooks and Danny Vietti propose alterations and discuss the latest playoff drama. Plus, drama in Philadelphia? (3:26) Playoff format changes? ... (9:49) Blaming playoff format is a weak excuse ... (13:30) Data on new playoff format ... (15:46) Clayton Kershaw's inexplainable playoff woes ... (20:57) Evan Longoria back in the LCS ... (23:33) Orlando Arcia-Bryce Harper drama timeline ... (26:36) Need more context with Arcia story ... (30:48) Bryce Harper the ultimate competitor ... (35:33) First glance at Rangers-Astros ALCS

Everything you could possibly need to know about the 2023 MLB Postseason. Pitching matchups, injury statuses, and stats. Will Middlebrooks and Danny Vietti preview the playoffs and fill out their brackets live on the show. Plus, they discuss the latest in Trevor Bauer's potential return to MLB. (6:18) Will Middlebrooks reacts to the tragic passing of Tim Wakefield ... (10:25) MLB attendance largest in 30 years ... (12:04) Pitch clock and extra innings rules in postseason? ... (14:17) Update on Trevor Bauer ... (16:59) Blue Jays-Twins preview ... (20:37) Rangers vs. Rays preview ... (24:19) Diamondbacks vs. Brewers preview ... (28:14) Marlins vs. Phillies preview ... (31:41) ALCS predictions ... (38:03) NLCS predictions ... (40:42) "This is my World Series" ... (43:20) World Series predictions

What does each team need to make the playoffs? With one weekend remaining in the regular season, Will Middlebrooks and Danny Vietti detail potential playoff scenarios. The NL Wild Card and AL West division are still up for grabs. Plus, Ronald Acuña Jr.'s 40/70 season and strange happenings in Seattle. (1:11) Middlebrooks gives Red Sox-Ohtani ... (5:35) Phillies woman ROASTED Middlebrooks as a rookie ... (9:17) Bryce Harper is living out Mike Trout's dream ... (13:38) Drama surrounding Acuña's 40/70 moment ... (20:15) Farewell to Terry Francona ... (24:47) NL Wild Card scenarios ... (28:02) AL West division up for grabs

Which team has the best starting rotation heading into the 2023 MLB postseason? Danny Vietti and the crew discuss which starting rotation they would most like to have for the playoffs. Plus, could we see Major League Baseball implement a new pitch count restriction or minimum day off rule? (2:55) Best starting rotation for the playoffs ... (12:24) Padres what-if in extra innings ... (13:43) Braves rotation hit by injury bug ... (19:11) Central division teams have the best rotations ... (20:12) Logan Webb is an absolute DAWG ... (29:07) Pitch restrictions on MLB pitchers? ... (37:10) Taylor Swift-Travis Kelce love story

With Chaim Bloom out in Boston, Will Middlebrooks believes the Red Sox are preparing to make a run at Shohei Ohtani. Plus, the Oakland A's gifted Miguel Cabrera a $90 bottle of wine that is available at the local grocery store for his retirement. And, yeah, we went off the RAILS on this episode. (1:01) Most expensive bottle of wine ... (8:17) Investigating Oakland's wine gift to Miggy ... (11:01) Will used a Rawlings rep for tee-ball gloves ... (14:57) Bottle of wine still not the worst gift Miggy has received ... (16:51) Did Chaim Bloom deserved to be fired? ... (23:12) Red Sox GM candidates ... (32:11) Red Sox in pursuit of Shohei Ohtani? ... (34:40) Padres following the 2007 Rockies blueprint ... (37:55) Looking ahead to playoffs

The Rays released renderings for their new stadium and the A's are likely moving Las Vegas, which begs the question...which club now owns the WORST STADIUM in MLB? We discuss. We also try out a new podcast format with some new members joining the show. Plus, why did the Phillies congratulate the Braves on winning the division? (0:45) Meet new members of the podcast ... (3:18) Reactions to Rays new stadium renderings ... (6:42) New worst stadium in MLB? ... (10:40) Which teams have botched new stadiums? ... (14:31) Phillies congratulate Braves on winning division ... (19:36) Could the Padres do the unthinkable? ... (27:28) Farm system rankings ... (29:39) Tom Verducci slams Giants' analytical approach ... (35:27) Yankees or Red Sox more disappointing? ... (38:23) Aaron Boone and Chaim Bloom to San Diego?