The Killer B's: Joel Blank & Jeremy Branham
World Series Champion Josh Reddick on Yordan Alvarez Injury, Astros Playoff Push
[MUSIC PLAYING] After investing billions to light up our network, T-Mobile is America's largest 5G network. Plus, right now, you can switch, keep your phone, and we'll pay it off up to $800. See how you can save on every plan versus Verizon AT&T at tmobile.com/keepandswitch. Up to four lines via virtual prepaid card, a left 15 days qualifying unlocked device credit service ported 90-plus days with device ineligible carrier and timely redemption required. Card has no cash access and expires in six months. [MUSIC PLAYING] Don't sweat the technique. Live in the Ferrantx Community Bank Studios, it's the killer bees. Now back to Joel and Jeremy. Go straight out to the HR and P-Guess line being joined by World Series Champion, Josh Reddick. He'll be participating in the going yard, a home run derby, a consolation filled in Sugar Land. Saturday, October 5th, cannot miss event. Where he owes Walt's going to be there, he's going to be throwing some BP. I guess he's a PO. He's a pitcher only. Andrew Jones, Raphael Pomerro, Jose Conseco, Johnny Manziel, Antonio Brown, a few of the headliners. And of course, our guy, Josh Reddick. Josh, I'm going to throw down a few bucks on this with Brian and Blankers here. Why should I throw down $100 on you to win this thing, Josh? Oh, I'm offended that you only throw in $100 down. First of all, I'll share zero confidence in your guy. Well, I like that bet, because I think the only problem I'm going to have is the man hosting it as far as they can take 'em, because this guy, if you haven't seen, it's still pretty big, the big human, and he starts the ball pretty far. So, you know, I haven't really hit a lot in the last three years since I came back from Australia. I've embraced the hanging up the bat and the cleats, but last week or two, I've been getting back in the cage and not my pitching machine to get back into somebody hitting shape and just, you know, should dead red and pull heaters in. You know, I've got the wizard royos while I'm in my butt. I've got a career homer against that guy in the show. So, I'm going to feel pretty comfortable against that guy throwing that in cactus. Are you telling me your experience with the Savannah bananas coupled with the fact that, I mean, you can ask for a random drug test, might help you get by the one challenger you've seen? I mean, my, I mean, you buy a few for for looking at every, I mean, the character of what we're dealing with here. I mean, it's just, it just depends. I mean, it depends. Everybody's out, you know, there are people who are out of the game, there's no telling what's going on in the world now. So, I think the drug test is something that I think everybody's going to bypass on this one. Josh Redick joining us. No, no, no, no, no, let them use what they got. Let them use what they got to use, man. When I beat him, it makes me look that much better. Yeah, why not? HRP guest line, Josh Redick joining us. You can purchase your tickets to the Sugar Land Space Cowboys website, so make sure that you do that. And it's not lack of confidence in you, Josh. It's more lack of funds in my bank account. I do work in radio after all. Josh, I wanted to, we were kicking this around yesterday. You know, the Yordon Alvarez news is something that's, it's frustrating and it's kind of just part of the Astro season in 2024. If it's not one thing, it's another. When it comes to the Houston Astros, people are thinking that I'm crazy. I want Yordon to hustle less. I know that sounds outrageous, but I don't need the big man trying to stretch out doubles. I don't need him stealing six bases this year. I want him to hit home runs. I want him to be in the lineup. Am I nuts for telling them to dog it a little bit? I mean, there's, there's, there's chosen cons to statement statements like that because he's such a big impact on that team in that lineup that, you know, you kind of want to see him kind of ease up a little bit more, especially considering and pass injury with the legs. I mean, I think there's just something where he's going to have to come to terms with, because when you get in that box, man, you get that ball in that gap, there's no stopping. You got a drilling kick there, you got to push the limit, got to get that double to get in scoring. But it's really hard to kind of kick back on that. But if you understand the fact that how important your legs are in this game, even have to step back and look at it. And, man, if I don't hit 100% sure to double that I could just trot in there on, then we have to trot in the first base and worry about it from then on. I think that's just something that's going to help his career in the long run. And, you know, obviously help out that team in the long run and the current run. So I think it's something that I think we all are thinking because, but it's baseball, people in baseball fans, it might not be something that we want to say out loud. So I'll say out out for everybody. Yes, we probably want your gun to slow down a little bit. There you go. Josh, I'm curious too, because of the fact that we've basically treated it as bad as the start got off, this team got off too for the start of the season, how they've turned it around and how people fear this roster when it's healthy, that we've started to kind of get ahead of ourselves a little bit and start planning for the playoffs, talking about which pitchers are going to be available, what your rotation might look like. But is there any level of concern after dropping that game last night that, like, hey, the Mariners aren't dead yet, and you don't want this thing to get too dicey with these five games left to play? No, I don't think there's any reason to panic. I mean, they put themselves in such a good spa right now. You know, because you got to look at the big picture, shadows backs against them all. You should get into playoffs. Only thing I really worry about now is getting that division and I think that's something that, you know, is the last thing in that clubhouse's mind to be in the pack or worry about getting to that point. Granted, Seattle, it's magnified 10-fold, 100-fold, because of where we're at this season. So, yes, look back in March, April, May, when this came with absolute garbage. Let's call it a little bit of garbage. And, you know, they were just weren't getting it done. And what they've done to turn that around is just, the Tigers, these volumes were not only with that team can do more than organization can do because I think the only concern going into it was the starting pitching. You know, your back and your bullpen was set with you three guys and, you know, you're really just starting pitching became the issue because you lose guys like Garcia. You lose guys like Christian Javier. You lose guys like Justin Burlander. You're like, "Oh, crap. "There's a part of our rotation right there "and then you get some later news. "And then now you got these guys like Blanco, "some of the millionaires just absolutely shoving "this whole year. "You got guys like Eric Gaddy, 100 Brown, "who completely turned things around "from the first month and a half of the season." So, I think that was really an issue because you knew that lineup could hit. The lineup was all it was never in question. And the crazy part is they had this big turnaround with a big piece in their lineup and Kyle Pucker. So, that just doesn't show you how deep and how great they do a job of not only getting guys ready for the big league, but just showing them in and they're right away to succeed. - Josh Reddick joining us on the HRNP guest line. You can catch them on the shin. There's some pre and post game stuff. You can also catch them on Saturday, October 5th at Constellation Field in Sugar Land for the going yard, a home run derby. You can get your tickets at the Sugar Land Space Cowboy website and go to time2goyard.com, find out more information there. Josh, what do you think is the potential of this team once it does get to the postseason if they do? - Oh, I mean, it's guys and women. I think they have all the ability to make it all the way. They just kind of, you've got to get hot. The playoffs are all about being hot and playing team foam and then a baseball and being everything. Right, when things start to go haywire and go at a hand, that's when, you know, the teams in the postseason take advantage of it 'cause that's why they're there. You can't really give extra outs to teams like, you know, the Los Angeles Dodgers or teams like the Cleveland Indians, they're going to make you pay for it however they can and especially in that postseason because every pitch matters, everybody's in their seats. So they've got all the pieces to get it right. They just have to, one, obviously stay healthy and just make sure they're managing everything the way they need to. Josh spotted them a great job of managing that lineup and giving those pieces in there when he needs to, but the biggest thing for him is how he does his bullpen. And we know when the playoffs come into play, especially that first round, you truly only need three starters. We should have another one of your guys in the bullpen that we worry about three or four or five innings. Five innings match in the playoffs in the first round if all you can expect out of your starters and just play match up from then on and maybe, they match up well, they've got, you know, three and a bit back in bullpen arms and then Taylor Scott healthy, that's the complete of the story because you got a thick inning guys. Well, we just didn't give up run. - Josh, you mentioned it. I was going to go to their next. Look, I think we all believe that, you know, the first three starters are pretty much set and you have a lot of trust in those guys. Bullpen has been taxed all year. Bullpen lately had some hiccups, including this weekend in that series against the Angels. And now you mentioned a Taylor Scott, who's they're trying to get some rest for who's on the mend. Neris hasn't looked good. And your big three in the back have had some issues. How concerning is that going into the playoffs? - I don't think it may be concerning. I think if you just answered the conclusion to question out there because they are so packed, I think they're just getting into those days that timber where it's just, it's kind of hard. And when you look at it, you know, they're just going to have to get that break. And I think that break in between the regular season and the playoffs is going to be a huge, big rest for them. But, you know, when the playoffs come into play, that's a different kind of ballgame. You know, you're drilling the different rush and when you're especially when you're in the lead position, man, those numbers will be completely out the window because those guys pitch on period drilling. And you just worry about those guys when you need to. And I don't think they're having an issue. And, you know, there's pain filled. So if they'll figure it out, they'll get through the soreness and they have pain, they'll find ways to mend that pain and go out there and perform it if they're willing. - Josh Reddick joining us on the HR&P guest line. Josh, you've heard it in tons of playoff games, 74 playoff games, 246 played appearances in those playoff games. We in Houston have been very spoiled with the Astros getting to the playoffs. You obviously a big part of that World Series champion in 2017 and you touched on it a little bit there. What is so different about postseason baseball versus the regular season? - I think it's just a different way for you to lock in as a player because everything matters. I think there's just that sense of urgency that, you know, you got to be focused 100%. There's no slacking off in any aspect. On off the field is just about preparing yourself for that seven-game series and just going out there and giving everything you've got to get to the next level or get that win for that night when you're working on that task at hand. But I just think that, you know, the glamour of the media and blows it up so much now with social media and everything, there's so much coverage now. I think it makes it harder to get that kind of locked in. But, you know, when it comes down to it, when that first pitch is thrown, there's nothing up in the world that matters. In that baseball game at the moment, and I just think that when you're in a postseason game, you're just in a different level of tunnel vision. - Josh, look, I mean, we know you were an above average outstanding defender your whole career. You were a well-rounded player. You look at the Astros right now. Jake is struggling at the plate, but he's a really good defender. Hayward's a guy that looks like he's been, he's obviously been a huge shot in the arm for this team, but he's got some pop he can hit. He's still athletic with a good arm. How do you draw the line when putting the line up together and look at the defense going? I'm going to sacrifice a little defense maybe, but I'm going to put a better bat in the lineup in Hayward versus Jake's my guy in center field to play defense, whatever he does on offense is just a bonus. - I think with all the analytics in the game today, I think they play, you play matchup at that point. If you're facing a tough right, he's hard on a right, then you get Hayward doesn't bat until you get to that, you know, that late in the game, where you used to see like the Jake Mariz, they come in to center field and then the outcome completely shift and you take one guy out. So I think that's just a matter of where it is. If you're, you know, set up anything, night inning up, and that guy's pretty far away from getting that last plate appearance, you're up by two or three, you're going to focus on that defense. I think it just depends, you get a tough right, you get Hayward the at bat, tight game, Myers comes in for wherever you need to replace in the outfield and vice versa. You know, if you start Jake, he gets a tough lefty, Hayward doesn't play against lefties anymore, so he's going to be down anyway. And then you wait for that, you know, righty lefties matchup later in the game to pinch hit and then you just make your straight up swap. So analytics become that big thing, especially with those guys. - Josh Reddick joining us on the HR&P guest line, he'll be headlining the going yard home run derby at Constellation Field on Saturday, October 5th, being joined by Andrew Jones, Rafael Pomerro, Jose Conseco, Johnny Manziel, or he owes Waltz going to be there, the nature boy, Rick Flair, a guy that you know well, Josh, will be there as well. So it's going to be a lot of fun that night. There's the old woo that you used to walk up to. I'm curious your perspective of Kyle Tucker. You know, you saw him come up whenever he was a rookie, a young player, he's matured into one of the best right filters in baseball. What have you seen with his development over the years? - He's been growth, growth within himself, growth in the game, and growth is a human. I mean, when he first came up, he looked like, we used to call him the pen 'cause he looked like a bowling pen. You know, kind of lower half of skinny, thick or middle, and it kind of framed out at the top. But he really filled it together. Just becoming a guy, you notice how to get things done, knows how to play the game right now? But when you came up, he just seemed a little timid, and you know, things were kind of tough with him because he came in too, such a great ball club. When you come up on the Houston Astros in 2017-18, there were some pretty elite ball clubs that make your debut against, 'cause you just got good, good guys everywhere. Just expecting greatness from the start. And I think it was a little much man because, you know, we all know who Kyle Tucker wasn't a minor, if he was one of the best baseball players in the history of the game and the minors. He had all that, I think, coming up there and realizing that everybody around him is great at this level, that he just got to go that far, but he just really turned into this complete hitter who doesn't swing at bat pitches, 'cause everywhere he goes left, right, there's a go-go beat that we saw, so he's really be coming to a well-rounded player. Who knows the game well? - Josh, let's get off and get under one of your favorite subjects. Your dog's taking on Alabama. This big game, this Saturday, I don't know if you're going or not, but I know you're gonna be dialed in. How your dog's gonna do against Bama, how you feeling about them to compete for another Nadi? - I tell you, man, it's always nerve-wracking when you're playing Alabama as a Georgia fan, no matter what year it is, but after watching that horrible game, last weekend against Kentucky, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous. On the road, I'm a little nervous. All of my be feeling okay, but going to the tough to lose, I don't know. I'm a little nervous. I'm not saying I'm down on them, but, okay, what they play like they do last week, they're gonna get to, you know what, King. - First time that Alabama is a home dog since George W. Bush was in office. - It's been a while. - Yeah, that's crazy. Josh, thanks so much for spending a few minutes with us, hanging out. I enjoy watching you on the Shannon, I know you're gonna hit a bunch of dingers at the Going Yard Home Run Derby Saturday, October 5th. - Thank you, and thanks for having me, guys. Always a blast. - Josh Reddick, 2017 World Series Champion, he, Andrew Jones, Rafael Palmero, Jose Conseco, Johnny, Manziel, a certain letter there that you can drop in, Antonio Brown, and so how many home runs is Antonio Brown gonna hit into this thing? I don't know, but it's gonna be fun to watch. Juko Baseball, King of Juko is gonna be there, not King of Twitch, King of Juko is gonna be there, and the Nature Boy Ric Flair. They got the Nature Boy out there, Willin, Dylan, Kiss, Dylan, Jet Raiden, Son of a Gun! It's gonna be out there on October 5th, the constellation, Gator, Boot, Weren, I mean, we'll have so much fun. - I'm keeping these alligators down, so much fun. - On October 5th, more information, time to go yard.com, you can get your tickets now, if you go to the Sugar Land Space Cowboy website, just Google in Sugar Land Space Cowboy, and you'll go straight to that site, they even have a banner up on it right now too. So thanks to Josh for coming on, and that'll be a lot of fun. Saturday, October 5th, the Going Yard, Home Run Derby. Good conversation with the World Series Champ. - Owning a rental property sounds like a dream until you realize how much work goes into getting it ready. 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