Foul Territory

With the offense rolling through the first month of the season, Cubs hitting coach Dustin Kelly joins North Side Territory hosts Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic for a wide-ranging conversation. Kelly explains the evolution of Pete Crow-Armstrong’s game and the impact since Kyle Tucker’s arrival. Use code FOUL for 20% off your first purchase on Rhoback.comPlus, the message sent to Matt Shaw when he got sent down to the minors and why the Cubs aren’t worried about Dansby Swanson’s early offensive struggles. Within this Q&A, Kelly also gets into the vibes at Wrigley Field and how the club has turned the ballpark into a real advantage.Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code FOUL.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you throw mid-80's in high school, you still can become an MLB ace. Just ask Astros righty Hunter Brown, who tells us about his velo jump and then pitch mix evolution that elevated him to a Cy Young contender. We also ask Brown about MLB's hidden strike zone shrinkage fiasco.(13:55) After Brown, we jump to MLB Fact or Fiction topics, including the NL Best West, Hunter Greene's dominance and Juan Soto without Aaron JudgeUse code FOUL for 20% off your first purchase on Rhoback.comGet 20% off your first Slab Pack or card purchase by going to ArenaClub.com/FOUL and use code FOUL.Hosts: Scott Braun, Todd Frazier, Erik KratzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former All-Star Jayson Werth has a horse in the Kentucky Derby and he joins FT next to his prized racer named Flying Mohawk.We get some baseball/horse racing comps/contrasts in this convo and then turn to ball talk. Werthquake was not a Mets fan lover.Use code FOUL for 20% off your first purchase on Rhoback.comJayson also recounts his days as a catcher in the minors and he drops a strong take on why the Giants look better so far this season.Hosts: Erik Kratz, AJ Pierzynski, Alanna RizzoGet 20% off your first Slab Pack or card purchase by going to ArenaClub.com/FOUL and use code FOUL.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MLB shrunk the strike zone and didn't tell players or coaches about it?! We dissect The Athletic's bombshell article about umpires now calling pitches with a tighter buffer zone. (Top of show)(12:53) The Tigers DFA'd Kenta Maeda.Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code FOUL.(14:31) Brandon Woodruff is closing in on a Big League return for the lurking Brewers.(16:08) Cleveland is a House of Pain for the Twins. (19:16) Mike Trout is headed to the IL and the Angels are falling back to Earth.Go to harrys.com/FOUL for a $6 Trial Set. Get an edge on your shave with Harry’s.(27:06) The Nationals added Andrew Chafin to the bullpen.(30:16) Jazz Chisholm Jr. has an oblique injury and Toddfather says don't rush the recovery.Use code FOUL for 20% off your first purchase on Rhoback.comHosts: Todd Frazier, Erik Kratz, Scott BraunSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can the Padres finish the job this year and slay the Dodgers? SD Union-Tribune beat writer Kevin Acee tells us about the strong start by the ballclub and we get into Manny Machado's evolution as an everyday leader.Go to harrys.com/FOUL for a $6 Trial Set. Get an edge on your shave with Harry’s.Hosts: Britt Ghiroli, AJ Pierzynski, Erik KratzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rays closer Pete Fairbanks covers what has been working well for the club in recent games.Pete comps the experience of playing at The Trop vs. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. What is Pete doing differently between 2024 and 2025?Why do teams pitch to Aaron Judge as regularly as they do?Pete breaks down some of the strategy that goes into pregame meetings for pitchers.Chandler Simpson speed talk in here too.Hosts: Erik Kratz, AJ Pierzynski, Alanna RizzoGet 20% off your first Slab Pack or card purchase by going to ArenaClub.com/FOUL and use code FOULSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ken Rosenthal and Tricia Whitaker discuss how one game can change a narrative for the Toronto Blue Jays following their comeback against the Boston Red Sox. (Top of show)(2:51) The Texas Rangers are testing GM Chris Young's patience after another "power outage".Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code FOUL.(11:17) Pete Crow-Armstrong is turning heads as the Cubs’ breakout star continues to shine in 2025.(14:40) The hosts answer live Grillin' Ken questions, including whether the Dodgers will target a starter at the deadline and why David Robertson is still available.(23:05) Ken and Tricia crown their Dudes and Dorks of the Week. Use code FOUL for 20% off your first purchase on https://Rhoback.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tigers are finally starting to get production out of Javier Baez. (Top of show) Can he continue to build off his solid start?(9:08) The Royals are rolling!Use code FOUL for 20% off your first purchase on Rhoback.com(13:06) Jeff Hoffman is HIM. Other teams missed the boat.(14:34) The Angels really blew it with this travel day disaster and are still paying the price.(17:14) Brewers manager Pat Murphy is making decisive moves this year to send a message.(19:39) Benches cleared in Baltimore after Heston Kjerstad took offense to Pablo Reyes landing on him after stealing a base. Reasonable qualm?Go to harrys.com/FOUL for a $6 Trial Set. Get an edge on your shave with Harry’s(23:37) The Diamondbacks are weathering the storm of losing big bullpen arms.(29:49) The all-time stolen base percentage leader list features mostly recent names.(31:21) Aaron Judge had a monster historic first month. Where does Judge stack up against the best hitters in this century?(33:30) Orioles manager Brandon Hyde has received a lot of public backlash but is he really to blame for the Orioles rough start?(40:55) A quick convo about early surprises in here.Nutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code FOUL.Hosts: AJ Pierzynski, Erik Kratz, Britt GhiroliSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Athletics slugger Tyler Soderstrom joins Foul Territory to talk about his breakout start to the 2025 season and what’s clicked for him at the plate. What’s been key to his turnaround after a tough MLB debut?He shares how the team has adjusted to playing in a minor league ballpark in Sacramento.Soderstrom opens up about bouncing between positions — from catcher to first base to left field — and how he’s using his athleticism to stay on the field.Plus, Tyler talks about lessons learned from his dad, a former MLB pitcher, and reacts to Jacob Wilson’s unusual rise to success.Go to SpotandTango.com/foul and use code foul to get 50% off your first order.Hosts: Kratz, Cam Maybin, Alanna RizzoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A fresh power rankings top 10 from each host is at your door! Let us know your thoughts in the reviews section of this podcast page and we'll read some replies on the show.Go to harrys.com/FOUL for a $6 Trial Set. Get an edge on your shave with Harry’s.(9:53) The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon explains the lack of margin for error for the Blue Jays’ rotation right now.Mitch breaks down the circus catch in center by Daulton Varsho, lack of pop by superstar bats & hot seat status for manager John Schneider. Hosts: Erik Kratz, AJ Pierzynski, Alanna RizzoNutrafol is offering our listeners $10 off your first month’s subscription and free shipping when you go to Nutrafol.com and enter the promo code FOUL.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.