In short
Rich Eisen Show Hour 2 focuses on “What’s More Likely” and a long interview with MLB insider Jeff Passan about the Dodgers-Blue Jays World Series and the upcoming Hot Stove offseason.
Guests
Jeff Passan (ESPN MLB insider; covered 22 World Series; discusses umpiring calls, roster strategy, and free agency). No other guest is interviewed in this hour.
Key claims
Passan says the 2025 World Series was among the best ever, with two decisive “game of inches” moments: (1) Game 6 Addison Barger’s ball ruled dead as a ground-rule double, and (2) Game 7 Isaiah Kiner-Falefa’s extremely small lead and feet-first slide affecting a force play. He explains Dave Roberts’ decision to insert Andy Pages in center late in Game 6/7 for his strong arm and shallow positioning.
Notable examples
Dodgers’ late defensive maneuvers (Miguel Rojas pick/throw sequence), Bo Bichette’s return from a knee issue, and offseason targets/rumors including Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Kyle Tucker, Munetaka Murakami, and Tatsuya/other Japanese prospects; also Scott Boras’ client Scott Skubal and potential Tigers trade/lockout concerns.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOTransition to Hour 2
1:16 to 1:54
Setting the stage for Hour 2, mentioning upcoming guests and topics.
“Broncos look like they may pressure this a bit.”
Discussion with Jeff Passan on World Series
2:13 to 4:40
Rich Eisen and Jeff Passan discuss the excitement and highlights of the recent World Series.
“Ladies and gentlemen, one of the best in the business, talking baseball for the worldwide leader.”
Game Six Controversies
4:43 to 7:11
Exploring controversial calls and pivotal moments from Game Six of the World Series.
“This should have been everybody keeps running.”
Kiner-Falefa's Decision
7:17 to 9:19
Analyzing Isaiah Kiner-Falefa's controversial slide and lead-off decisions during the World Series.
“And I think it actually goes back to game six and goes back to Addison Barger being on second base.”
Dave Roberts' Decisions
9:41 to 12:22
Discussing Dave Roberts' strategic decisions in crucial moments during the World Series.
“Dave Roberts' instinct, my goodness, his spidey sense in game six and seven in particular were off the charts.”
Dodgers' Future Plans
12:27 to 14:00
Jeff Passan shares insights on the Dodgers' potential moves and roster changes for the next season.
“that forces a game seven on a broken bat to walk it off.”
Dodgers' Pursuit of Talent
14:00 to 16:04
Discussing the Dodgers' potential free agency targets and roster fit.
“But those are the two obvious places that they need to address.”
Murakami's Impact on the MLB
16:04 to 18:06
Analyzing Munitaka Murakami's potential MLB career and talent evaluation.
“At 22 years old, Rich, he set the single season record in Nippon professional baseball for home runs hit by a Japanese-born player, breaking a record that Sadaharu Oh had owned since 1964.”
Blue Jays and Bat-to-Ball Skills
18:06 to 19:17
Exploring the Blue Jays' success and the value of bat-to-ball skills in MLB.
“I mean, it was just a phenomenal performance by him.”
The Future of Tarek Scoobal
19:17 to 24:26
Discussing Tarek Scoobal's future and the implications of his free agency.
“how is he looming and his clients looming, whether they're free agents or not, Jeff, over the next few weeks?”
Show all 19 chapters
Economic System in MLB
24:26 to 26:38
Examining the economic challenges and strategies facing MLB teams.
“And that's the issue right now in Major League Baseball.”
Jeff Passan on Baseball Insights
29:38 to 30:40
Rich reflects on baseball insights shared by Jeff Passan regarding the Dodgers and MVP predictions.
“We just had a long chat with Jeff Passan.”
What's More Likely: NFL Predictions
30:41 to 32:36
Rich and his guests engage in a fun segment making predictions about NFL teams and playoff chances.
“Hey, maybe the marquee game on Sunday goes down in Tampa.”
More Predictive NFL Discussions
32:37 to 36:18
The hosts discuss various matchups and player performances to predict outcomes for upcoming games.
“It didn't age well so far, but they won, though.”
Final Predictions and Upcoming Games
36:19 to 40:07
Discussion on the likelihood of playoff teams and what to expect in upcoming NFL games.
“West Division more likely to get three playoff teams, AFC or NFC.”
Final Predictions and Upcoming Games
42:24 to 42:52
Discussion on the likelihood of playoff teams and what to expect in upcoming NFL games.
“Hyundai Hope on Wheels is something I care deeply about, and passing it on to you, the information, it's all about pediatric cancer research and awareness.”
Caller Jason Discusses Tigers and Dodgers
42:58 to 45:31
Jason shares insights about the Tigers and Dodgers, highlighting player contracts and team strategies.
“Jason in Phoenix, you're on the Rich Eisen Show.”
Rich Eisen's Take on MLB Strategies
45:31 to 47:06
Rich discusses the Dodgers' strategies and players' performances in the World Series.
“Secondly, I believe, again, that celebration is, it's a Freddie Freeman dance that he was at a wedding and they saw, and it was, he was like Elaine Bennis and they all had fun and they still are.”
Rich Eisen's Take on MLB Strategies
47:10 to 47:28
Rich discusses the Dodgers' strategies and players' performances in the World Series.
“It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50-page restoration block, or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Rich Eisen:Lamin Amal steps into McDonald's, looks left, sees Pulisic, looks right, sees Jimenez. Gives a nod to Ronaldinho in the corner with a FIFA World Cup meal. Ronaldinho sees son in the booth. So he finds Beckham going for extra Big Mac sauce. He's got Davies at the table just behind him. Davies going for his collectible cup. A steal by Henri who pulls his own collectible cup. Collect one of nine legendary cups with a FIFA World Cup meal. At participating McDonald's for a limited time. While supplies last. All rights reserved. 2026 McDonald's at FIFA World Cup 2026. Pays Checkout is offered by your banks and credit unions.
0:34So when you shop online at participating merchants, your cards appear in one place. Pays. It checks out. Activation required. See Pays.com to learn more. Terms and conditions apply. This is The Rich Eisen Show.
0:48Rich Eisen:Hey, everybody. Can't get enough of The Rich Eisen Show? You're in luck. You can find us everywhere. Watch us weekdays on Disney Plus from noon to 3 Eastern. Missed the show? We've got a podcast so you can listen anytime. But here's the best part. Our YouTube channel. Subscribe at youtube.com slash Rich Eisen Show and you'll never miss a moment. Now, on with the show. Leg out. This is the Rich Eisen Show. Broncos look like they may pressure this a bit. They block it, the ball's bouncing around. From the Rich Eisen Show studio in Los Angeles. The intercepted. Andre Tillman on the rebound. And that is a Denver touchdown.
1:31Rich Eisen:Troy Franklin. If my answer were to you, I'm comfortable. That'd be silly. Earlier on the show, NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero. Still to come. MLB insider Jeff Passan. Actor Woody Harrelson. And now, it's Rich Eisen. Hour number two of the Rich Eisen Show is on the air. Tom Pelissero. We just said goodbye to him. We'll say hello to Woody Harrelson in about an hour. It's in What's More Likely Friday. There's you at 844-204-RICH. Number to dial. Disney Plus ESPN is how you can watch us and you can listen to us, as always, on ESPN Radio, presented by Progressive Insurance or Sirius XM Channel 80, or wait whenever you want to listen to us whenever you want on our podcast at your right.
2:11Rich Eisen:Joining us now, we haven't spoken to him in a while. He's one of our favorites. Ladies and gentlemen, one of the best in the business, talking baseball for the worldwide leader. It's Jeff Passan back on the program. Good to see you, Jeff. How are you? This is my first time on since you've come back home, isn't it? I think it might be. I don't know. It might be. It could be. It is. Listen, Jeff, my first question for you. On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being ecstatic and 10 being out of their skulls ecstatic, Major League Baseball is what after this World Series, Jeff Passan? I'd say probably an 8.
2:46Okay. And, yeah, how can you be anything but ecstatic after that World Series? It was just it was the culmination, Rich, of an October that to me illustrated and displayed everything that's great about baseball right now. You had stars performing at historically great levels. You had individual and team performances that were beyond expectations. And you had more series than ever go the distance, including the World Series, which I've covered 22 of them now, I believe. And it's hard to say that any of them have been better than this one. Now, I was still in college back in 2001, and certainly that one gives 2025 a run for its money in terms of this century.
3:37And my first World Series was 2004. Historically, that was a big deal. 2016 had an awesome Game 7, and the outcome with the Cubs winning for the first time in more than a century was great. But just in terms of, like, pure baseball, and the things that happened in the series and the quality of the games and the players who are involved. It's really tough to beat this year between Los Angeles and Toronto.
4:01Rich Eisen:Yeah, and at one point I think I posted out, Jeff, that this World Series ran out of things I'd never seen before. And there's two moments that will live, I think, in nightmare fuel for Blue Jays fans until they get a chance to win it again and actually pull it off. I kind of want to pick your brain on the backstories of it or what people are talking about it. The first one was that moment in game six when Barger hits the ball in the, talk about game of inches, it wedges in between the bottom of the padding and the warning track. And there's a lot of talk about how this should not have been a dead ball.
4:43Rich Eisen:This should have been everybody keeps running. And instead, this was improperly called a ground rule double and dead baseball. What's the scoop here on that, Jeff? I think it was the right call. I mean, you saw that photo. If you guys can bring that back up again. Just look at the way that the fence has moved. There's a little indentation at the bottom, and part of it has been pushed up. And was it wedged to the point where Justin Dean could not have reached in, grabbed it, pulled it out, and thrown it back? No, it turns out. But I don't think John Tampain, who was the umpire in left field, could make that determination from his position.
5:31What he saw was a ball that looked like it could be stuck there. And in the moment, you have to make a judgment call. And the judgment call that he made there was that it was a dead ball and that it was an automatic two bases for Addison Barger. And it's, you know, you talk about game of inches with football, baseball, baseball feels like a game of millimeters, man, because in addition to that, in the ninth inning, bottom of the ninth in game seven, the difference between Isaiah Kiner-Falefa's foot hitting the plate and that one spike on the bottom of Will Smith's shoe going down and touching the plate.
6:12I mean, it was, yeah, you see it right there. Like one spike. That is the difference between the Los Angeles Dodgers remaining alive and eventually winning the World Series and the Toronto Blue Jays walking it off and being World Series champions for the first time since 1993.
6:30Rich Eisen:And Major League Baseball being the first major sport in this 21st century of instant replay awarding a championship on a reversal of a call of an umpire. That was in the ether as it was going down. And that's the second play I was going to bring up to you, Jeff. What is the backstory behind Isaiah Kiner-Falefa's lead off of third base? There's so much talk about there wasn't any secondary lead and why he wasn't taking it. And then we all know his decision to slide foot first, not head first, not run through the plate. when it was a force play, not a tag play. Jeff, what's the backstory that you heard about that one?
7:14There are a few different elements that we have to talk about here, Rich. And I think it actually goes back to game six and goes back to Addison Barger being on second base. And a line drive gets hit out to left field. Quique Hernandez charges it. Barger makes a bad read, gets too far off the bag, and gets doubled off to end the game. And I think that sort of thing informs just how conservative the Blue Jays were when it came to the ninth inning of the next game. And Isaiah Kynor-Faleff is on third, bases are loaded, and Max Muncy is a couple of steps off the bag. Now, typically speaking, hitters are told to take a lead about equivalent to the distance between the third baseman and the bag, with the idea being that if a line drive gets hit to third base and the third baseman snags it, you do not want to be further away from the bag and run the risk of getting doubled off.
8:09Now, Dalton Barshow was in the play. Dalton Barshow does not hit the ball to the opposite field. It doesn't matter where it's pitched. And so that wasn't quite as big a concern, but Carlos Fable is the third base coach for the Blue Jays. Walked to the line and put his right foot down and pulled it back while still on the ground, essentially saying to Isaiah Kainer-Falefa, this is where you need to end your lead. And it was not as far as Max Muncy. They were playing very conservative at that point. But beyond just the potential for a double play is the potential for a back pick, too. If you take a larger secondary lead, Will Smith could theoretically throw behind and try and pick him off at third base.
8:53That being said, the lead is as egregiously small as it was. That's not the issue. It's the slide. But guys, play on instinct, Rich. And your instinct from all of the reps that you've had throughout your career is going to be to slide into home plate and not to run through. So the question of should he have slid head first as opposed to feet first, Yeah, that's reasonable. I get that. But man, it's just such a hard thing in the moment. And yet those very minuscule decisions that are made in the moment are the differences between a championship and an absolutely heartbreaking loss.
9:40Rich Eisen:And then, you know, you want to talk instinct, Jeff Passan. Dave Roberts' instinct, my goodness, his spidey sense in game six and seven in particular were off the charts. Why did he decide in the middle of the ninth inning with Yamamoto on the mound to insert Andy Pajes into center field? Because after this IKF play came the moment that I will never forget. Kike Hernandez will never forget. Dodger fans will never forget. Why was Paz inserted when he was? Before I answer that question, did you know that Kike Hernandez, when he was laying face down on the warning track afterward, do you know why he was face down like that?
10:26Go for it. He thought that the ball had fallen, and he thought that the World Series was over. And Paz said to him, what are you doing? and Kike said to him, we lost. And Pajas was like, no, we didn't. Isn't that great?
10:44Rich Eisen:Unbelievable. We did not. The answer is because with one out and the potential for a sacrifice fly to end the World Series, Dave Roberts understood that he needed his strongest armed outfielders out there. And so that's why Andy Pajas, who has a tremendous arm, came in because, and they were playing relatively shallow. Right. So that's you know, that's why you saw when they were going back the way that they did, why that Ernie Clement drive to the left center field gap was as tenuous as it was. But, yeah, it was it's knowing your personnel and it's understanding that every little maneuver that you make can add a minuscule sliver to your win probability.
11:30And in this case, the minuscule sliver turned out to be an absolutely enormous, enormous boon to the Dodgers championship hopes.
11:42Rich Eisen:So you're saying he was brought in for the possibility of throwing someone out for a second out that was IKF anyway. And he just happened to be in the game for the third out. He was just in this. Well, this this would have been throwing him out. So let's say with one out that instead of Dalton Varsho hitting a ground ball to Miguel Rojas and Rojas corralling it and throwing home to get IKF, let's say Varsho hits a fly ball to center field. You're going to have a play at home plate then. It's going to be a different play. That play at home plate was a forced play. But if you have a fly out before that, then you're going to have a tag play at the plate and you'd better have a perfect throw home if you're going to get kind of fluff off.
12:21Rich Eisen:So an 8-2 World Series saving out as opposed to a 7-4 double play that forces a game seven on a broken bat to walk it off. Again, this World Series, brother, unbelievable. And the fact that Rojas was in it all. In it all, right? I mean, in that pick play. And he was in, Rich. Right. He was in because Andy Pais can't hit. I don't know. Like Pais had been in the lineup games one through five and pretty much every other game. And the Dodgers versatility is what helped them here because Tommy Edmond, who they had kept out of center field because of a lingering health issue. They were like, you know what?
12:59Lingering health issue or not, we cannot have Pahez's bat in the lineup anymore. And that's precisely why Pahez was on the bench available to come into center field.
13:10Rich Eisen:All right, Jeff Passon. So what's next for the Dodgers to three-peat? What rostering is first up, first order, anything? Or they're going to be able to run it back? What do you got for me, Jeff? They never run it back. They always are looking to add. And the scary part, I think, for fans of anyone other than the Dodgers right now, is not only are they returning Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow and Shohei Otani to their rotation, Not only do they still have Emmett Sheehan and Justin Robleski and Roki Sasaki, who, by the way, is still going to be a starting pitcher. River Ryan coming back from major surgery.
13:53Gavin Stone coming back from major surgery. And what this allows is for the Dodgers, between that and their surplus of minor league outfielders, to go out and make a trade and try and get a big chip from somewhere. I don't know if that's a closer. I don't know if that's an outfielder. But those are the two obvious places that they need to address. I do not think they're going to be heavy in on Kyle Tucker and free agency. I think that he's the sort of guy who they might approach in a similar tack to what they did with Bryce Harper, you know, half a decade back. Like, hey, we'll give you a very high number on a shorter number of years.
14:30But Kyle Tucker, because of his age, because he understands this is his big bite at the apple, is much likely to seek out, say, a 10-year deal or 11 or 12 years. One of the not quite Juan Soto level, but a contract of that ilk more than a shorter term, higher average annual value deal like the Dodgers would want.
14:50Rich Eisen:Okay, because I was waiting for you to say this fellow Murakama who's been posted today, he'll just be the latest guy from Japan who wants to play for the Dodgers, willing to defer everything to 2042. You know what I mean? I mean, well, you know, like maybe he wants to. Where does he fit? The Dodgers just picked up Max Muncy's option. Murakami plays third base. The Dodgers have Freddie Freeman at first base. He's not going anywhere. And they have Shohei Otani at DH. Murakami's probably not athletic enough to be an outfielder. He's much likelier to be an infielder. So I don't know that the fit is there.
15:31But then again, if he wants to sign for below market value just because he wants to go to the Dodgers, then... Get out of here. Get out of here.
15:41Rich Eisen:Get out of here. Get out of here. There's a team in New England, Jeff, that has a hole at third base now. Well, the Yankees too, man. You're going to be kidding me. The Yankees have a massive glaring hole at third base that I thought they were going to fill with the guy you filled it with last year in Alex Bregman. Now you can get it out. Now you can get him. So I botched the fella's name, Murakami. Munitaka Murakami. Tell us about him, please. Tell us about him. At 22 years old, Rich, he set the single season record in Nippon professional baseball for home runs hit by a Japanese-born player, breaking a record that Sadaharu Oh had owned since 1964.
16:22Murakami has enormous power, the kind of power that dynasties have been built upon. And yet he's got a glaring flaw in that he swings and misses a lot. Oh, perfect Yankee. That's a perfect Yankee.
16:39Rich Eisen:I mean, honestly, like Cashman's probably going all the way over there to personally, you know, bring him over on the Steinbrenner jet. That sounds like a perfect Yankee, Jeff. It's really interesting to me, Rich. I'm curious to see how this offseason players who have extreme bat-to-ball skills are valued by the industry, considering that the Toronto Blue Jays made the World Series in large part because of their ability to put the bat on the ball. You bet. And as a baseball fan, as someone who my whole life I have just adored this game, man, I loved watching the Blue Jays play. What a fun team to watch, not just because of the bat to ball, but because they were able to combine that with superior slug as well.
17:28It shows the two are not mutually exclusive. If you're hitting the ball, you don't have to hit it soft. You can have your cake and eat it too. And on top of that, the defense that the Blue Jays played, they were just a really fundamentally sound team. And Bo Bichette's return, I think, did him a great service going into free agency this offseason, knowing that he is not at 100 % by any means. His knee was messed up. He was out for seven weeks. And he came back and essentially looked like he hadn't lost a step, playing a position that he hadn't played since when he was in the minor leagues. I mean, it was just a phenomenal performance by him.
18:10And his free agency, you know, among Tucker and Frambois Valdez and Dylan Cease and Pete Alonso, you know, there are a lot of big names, Alex Bregman. Like, it's going to be a really interesting winter in terms of free agents and seeing where they land. And Bo Bichette, to me, is near the top of the list of those interesting players because our team's going to want him as a shortstop where he was below average defensively last season. Are they going to move him to second or third base? What does a guy like him, whose value is best tied to his ability to hit for average, right? And batting average is just not something, generally speaking, that's valued at a high level in Major League Baseball.
18:55And yet Bichette's also got slugged. He doesn't strike out. There's more to it than batting average, but that's one of those components. It's going to be nice to see it get paid this offseason because I think batting average does still matter.
19:06Rich Eisen:Of course it does. I'm with you. They were a fun team to watch. You're right, the Blue Jays. So in the few minutes I have left with you here, as we're off and running on the hot stove, the four-letter word in many front offices, Boris, how is he looming and his clients looming, whether they're free agents or not, Jeff, over the next few weeks? Well, I think it's going to be the next few months because, yeah, Rich, you're used to normal free agency where everything happens in the NFL at one time. Yes. Like I was getting tweets yesterday like announce a signing. I was like, you guys don't understand how baseball works.
19:48It's going to be a little while until we get the big signings. But Scott Boris, as in every year, has a pretty impressive roster. Alex Bregman, Pete Alonso, a Japanese pitcher named Tatsuya Emai, who you should keep an eye on. Because Emai is really interesting to me in that he looks like a Yoshinobu Yamamoto starter kid. They are the same size at 5 '11", and yet they both throw gas, you know, topping out at 99 or so. Amai's breaking stuff is very good. He doesn't throw a splitter quite as much as Yamamoto does, doesn't rely on that. But he has been healthy. He has put up phenomenal numbers in NPB.
20:35And he's going to be another guy who's going to be a hundred plus million dollar pitcher. And it's going to be really interesting to me to see what the market for Japanese players, from Murakami to Amai, Kazuma Okamoto, like there's some real guys who could be coming over this winter. And the market for them is going to be super interesting to me because, you know, all the consternation about the Dodgers in the dynasty that they've built. There are organizations out there and owners especially who just want to chip away at what the Dodgers have. And the Dodgers advantage in Japan right now is enormous.
21:11The point where we're joking, all of them are going to go inside with the Dodgers at this point. And yet you know that there are owners right now going to their general managers and saying, we need someone from Japan on this team right now, if only so we can get into this marketplace for down the road when players, you know, more players come over that were in consideration. And sometimes geographical elements factor in heavily. You know, a lot of guys want to stay on the West Coast because of a much shorter flight back home to Japan. Other guys want to go to New York because New York's New York.
21:47And it's, you know, you can't argue with that. And yet I think we're going to see some surprising teams this winter in on Japanese players just trying to get a foothold in that place that has produced as much talent as it has over the last half decade, especially.
22:04Rich Eisen:Yeah, good luck with multiple MVP in Otani and the reigning World Series MVP in Yamamoto saying to anybody, Hey, why don't you come here? We're all comfortable. We're all having a good time. What about Scoobal? I know, you know, the Tigers would love to resign him. And you're hearing money that's definitely usually not very Tiger like. What about that? How does that loom over anything, Jeff? Not only would the Tigers like to resign Tarek Scoobal, Tarek Scoobal would like to stay in Detroit, too. He really likes it there. He loves A.J. Hinch. Chris Fetter and Robin Lund, the pitching coaches there, are excellent.
22:44And they're the organization that not only took a chance on him, but helped him turn into the best pitcher in the world. And yet, Tarek Skubal's a free agent after this season in 2026. And he is going to command, as long as he stays healthy, more money than any pitcher in baseball history. Right now, the number is$325 million for Yoshinobu Yamamoto. So Scoobal is primed to absolutely smash that. And if he's not going to agree to a long-term contract with the Tigers, and generally speaking, Scott Boras' clients don't sign extensions, especially this close to free agency. There are exceptions, but by and large, that's the case.
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23:27If you're the Tigers, you have to ask yourself the question, if we're losing him at the end of this season and all we're going to get out of it is a draft pick, then is it worth it potentially to consider trading him? Now, where the Tigers are at in their aspirations, both in 2026 and going forward, it makes sense for them to move him. And yet, trading a guy of that ilk is a really, really hard thing to do. As much sense as it might make from a long-term perspective there are psychological elements that are involved with the fan base and with the organization and with the players in your clubhouse where it's like if we're going to move this guy then what are we doing what's the point this is the person around whom you build to go and win world series and you're telling me that we're going to get rid of him after two consecutive years of postseason appearances it seems like a silly thing to do It seems like a frivolous thing to do.
24:31And that's the issue right now in Major League Baseball. It's how many teams, Rich, if they were in this similar position, would have the same thoughts that the Tigers are having right now. And the number, frankly, it's too high. It's unfortunate. And that's why there is so much consternation among fans when it comes to the economic system in Major League Baseball. if you feel like the best thing for you to do, and not only if you feel like that, but if numbers and models tell you that the best thing for you to do is to get rid of the star player that you drafted, that you developed, that you helped turn into this monster that he is right now, what does that say about the sport?
25:20Yeah.
25:21Rich Eisen:And then this will be for another time. Why make a deal if you're schoolable or the Tigers? if the collective bargain agreements elapsing and the rules can be completely changed and you have no idea how this contract fits into the future of the sport. It's that's a fair thing. I mean, I'm just operating rich under the idea that the economic system is not going to change demonstrably to the point that it would have any ill effect on the future of the Tigers. But perhaps I'm just operating that way because I'm trying to be optimistic amid the labor strife that's happening right now. And that's going to be the story of the 2026 season because the collective bargaining agreement is up December 1st, 2026.
26:09Everybody in the industry is anticipating a lockout, a lockout in and of itself. Not a great thing, not a terrible thing. It's when a lockout starts bleeding into the next year and games are potentially missed that it turns tremendously problematic. We haven't seen games missed in Major League Baseball, Rich, in 30 plus years at this point. And as somebody who adores the game, I'm hoping that we don't see that streak ended.
26:37Rich Eisen:Certainly off a World Series that everybody is talking about and everybody watched in two different countries or three, obviously, include Japan. Jeff 50 million plus people man Those are real numbers Those are really impressive Jeff you're the best man Thanks for the time, really appreciate it Keep looking for more of my texts and calls Thank you, appreciate it Can't wait Rich, thanks for having me Ladies and gentlemen, Jeff Passan right here on the Rich Eyes Show We spoke longer than we thought But it's just too terrific talking to Jeff Well he confirmed more economies coming to the Mets I did not know that I didn't know that Okay.
27:16Rich Eisen:When we come back, what's more likely, everybody?
27:27Rich Eisen:Rich Eisen here, and summer's here too. And that means it's travel season. My favorite summer trip last year was to Sao Paulo, Brazil. With so many fans traveling for the Los Angeles against Kansas City game, they got to see how lively the city is. I love the culture and the amazing food that I'm still craving. Those memories remind everyone that it's that time of year to plan a little getaway. And that's why summer has a way of turning weekends into big events. One minute, it's a normal week. And then all of a sudden, a huge concert, sporting event, or festival brings people in from all over.
27:59Rich Eisen:And when that happens, visitors start looking for places to stay all across your city. So if you're already planning a summer trip of your own, you could list your space on Airbnb and earn a little extra cash while you're away. It doesn't have to be some big year-round commitment. It's about making the most of a busy weekend when your place would just be empty otherwise. I can tell you, people love finding a place that helps them feel connected to the city that they're visiting. If your city's about to have a big summer moment, this is a great time to maximize your space. Your home might be worth more than you think.
28:33Rich Eisen:Find out how much at airbnb.com slash host. Oh, oh, oh, O 'Reilly. Check engine, ABS, or maintenance light on. Take the guesswork out of your warning lights with O 'Reilly Veriscan. The service is free and provides a report with solutions verified by ASE certified master technicians. And if you need help, we could recommend to shop for you. Ask for O 'Reilly Veriscan today. O, O, O, O 'Reilly. Auto Parts.
29:14Rich Eisen:the rich is a show podcast back here on our simulcast disney plus and espn and espn radio presented by progressive insurance progressive is proud to support veterans and small businesses with its annual keys to progress vehicle giveaway program helping our heroes drive their lives forward. Learn more at keys to progress dot com. All right. We just had a long chat with Jeff Passan. Dodgers just, you know, he says run it back or acquire more and get some young players that they have in the pipeline that were hurt back and good luck. Good luck. Oh, Tony's winning MVP. Okay.
30:04Rich Eisen:Yamamoto is the World Series MVP? He is. Anybody from Japan want to come join? Come to Defro. Dodgers are favorite for the World Series next year. Imagine that. Plus 350. And again, if there's going to be some sort of new monetary setup and how the league is run, why would you make a deal right now? But there's a lot of free agents available and we'll keep an eye on it. 844-204-RICH number to die. We'll take your phone calls in a moment, but it's a Friday, which means it's time for What's More Likely. Hit it. What? What's more likely? Never say never, but never. What's up, everybody? Happy Friday.
30:51Rich Eisen:Hey, maybe the marquee game on Sunday goes down in Tampa. Patriots-Bucks. Who's more likely to win a playoff game this year? New England, Tampa Bay.
31:05Rich Eisen:I'll go Tampa because they think they're going to host one. At some point, you're going to have to lose a football game, Chris. And at that point, the Bills will catch up. 15-2, that's what you're going to go? You're going to win 14 games in a row? Is that what you're going to do? I mean, the Patriots have done that before. Okay. All right. Yeah, I'll go Buccaneers. They're not a healthy team. I am aware of that. Okay. But you're talking about a playoff game, right? Bucky Irving may never play football again at this rate. Is that a fantasy complaint or is that? Yes. Okay, got it. Very much so.
31:38Rich Eisen:Okay. Well, I would leave that emotion out of it. Okay. And just say that right now the Patriots are a half game in front of a team that I think is way better than the team that is two games behind the Buccaneers right now. That's true. Or one and a half games behind the Buccaneers right now and two in the loss. So the second place team is Carolina in the South. the Bills are the second place team in the AFC East closer to the Patriots than the Panthers are to the Bucs. Do the math. Which team is more likely to finish as a division winner and have a home playoff game? I would go with the Bucs right now.
32:16Rich Eisen:I think the Pats could go on the road anywhere. Okay. Just because you don't like the answer doesn't mean you can't move on. You've been wrong about New England every step of the way this year, so I'm just pushing back. I understand that. During the Broncos' dreadful win last night, You're blowing me up on a text with Smitsch like you're in my comments on YouTube. I thought you didn't read those. Well, the Broncos at three in your power rankings looks a little silly today, no? It didn't age well so far, but they won, though. They're eight and two. I'm looking at the standings right now. They're the one seed going into the rest of week 10, and I don't see any photographs on it either.
32:50Rich Eisen:Broncos, 4 o 'clock, wildcard weekend, Saturday. Book it. What else you got? Great game going on between the Rams and 49ers this week. NFC West superstars to have more total yards. Puka and Devontae Adams combined or Christian McCaffrey? Oh, I'll go two receivers over a guy who is accounting for half of their offense. Yeah, I'll go Puka and Devontae combined. That's what I shall do. That's a monster fan. I can't wait for it. There's so many players in this game. I can't wait for it. And Puka is a full participant in practice. Yeah, he's ready to go. Saying he's ready to go. So that's good to know.
33:26Rich Eisen:fourth window of football on Sunday as well should be a fun international game uh stud running back to have more rushing yards and touchdowns Bajon or Jonathan Taylor I will go Jonathan Taylor bounce back I am aware of that and one of them um is been more consistent since week one and so is the team I will take the Indianapolis Colts in Berlin and I will take the uh the uh guy who prior to last week I thought was the front runner for MVP in the National Football League and Jonathan Taylor having the bounce back game, sir. That's what's more likely there. That's a fun game. So do I for the rest of NFL Network?
34:07Rich Eisen:Absolutely. Let's talk AFC East here. More likely to be the greater value. Bill's winning margin or Browns Jets total points?
34:19Rich Eisen:i'll go browns jets total points do you think they score more than last night's game um well that's 17 i'm worried about this game this game might be nine to six i'm just gonna say that you always throw out records in division games perfect example was last night i mean raiders showed up way way more stout and buzzing around on defense than anybody thought i don't care that the the broncos start slow they just looked like they were sleepwalking and the raiders defense was definitely playing faster and so why why can't the dolphins do that as well i i i'll just say that that game will be closer than you think and the browns and the jets will out point them what else Chris well I mean it'll be so the winning margin would be what 20 if you think it's a blowout and then the Jets and the Browns don't combine for 20 I don't know okay maybe more likely traded player to come up big for his new team Sauce gets a pick or Jacoby Myers gets a touchdown I'll go Jacoby Myers gets a touchdown certainly since
35:34Rich Eisen:Sauce Gardner and whenever, I mean, we talked to Pat Sertan before the Jets-Broncos game, and he was lamenting the lack of action. Oh. You know, like, I think he feels like he gets dealt pocket aces every single hand, and everybody else is just folding pre-flop because that's the way corners who are shut down corners feel, that they don't get any action because they're so good, everybody just declines to give them action. Drake London's going to get targets. So Sauce, the fact that Sauce won't get a pick doesn't mean he's ineffective. True. And if Brian Thomas doesn't play, Jacoby Myers is going to get some targets, man.
36:17Rich Eisen:Yeah. So I'll go with Jacoby gets a touchdown. Chris, what else? A few more here. Let's finish up. West Division more likely to get three playoff teams, AFC or NFC.
36:37Rich Eisen:I'm getting concerned that the charges don't have any of their tackles left and is Amari and Hampton ever coming back yeah week 13 he's been targeted for a while now and the Niners keep on chugging along and that's the team that you feel will eventually fall off because they're not starting their starting quarterback and they guys keep getting hurt I'll still go AFC. I'll go NFC West. But, I mean, boy, you're giving me something in week 10 to throw a dart at for two months from now. I don't know. Just put it out there. Don't hold me to it like you did my power rankings within 24 hours. What else, Chris?
37:20Rich Eisen:Power rankings? You regret those? No, I do not regret any of them because they're dumb to begin with. Elite pass catchers more likely to have a higher receiving yards total. Yeah. JSN or Marvin and Trey McBride combined.
37:42Rich Eisen:Sneaky good game in Seattle. I'll go Harrison Jr., Trey McBride combined. I'll do that. It'll be interesting to see if Rahid Shahid cuts into, Because even JSN going 130 yards, 140 yards, that's 70 each from these guys. You know what? I'll just talk myself into it. I'll go Jackson Smith and Jigbo. He's on a pace for 2 ,000 yards. I'll rely on the Legion of Zoom and then the defense that's trying to become Legion of Boom.0, whatever it is, up there where the pointos were created, right? Up in Seattle. All those three versions, if you will. Right. I will go. I'll just screw it. Yeah, I'll go with Jason.
38:36Rich Eisen:Talk me into that. All right, two more, and stay with me on these. You really listen to what I'm saying. All right. Okay. More likely, team a month ago, you would have most laughed at me for suggesting they'd have six wins and in the playoffs after week 10. Patriots and who? Bears and Panthers. Could both get their sixth win, and they're in the playoffs right now.
39:01Rich Eisen:So I need to – you're saying which one's more likely to win this weekend? No, I'm saying which one would you have laughed the most if I said, hey, the Bears have six wins or in the playoffs when they were not good. I'd go with the Bears because I said the Panthers were the sleeper team coming into the season. So I would say that that would be the one. And so, yeah. You know, I like these to be more predictive than rearview mirror and predicting. But I'll go Panthers on that one. You're also predicting they're going to win this weekend. Which one's going to win this weekend. You know, I think they win against New Orleans at home.
39:35Rich Eisen:And, you know, both of them win. Maybe they both do have it. Tett McMillan popped up today with a hammy. What else you got for one more? Last one. Last one. More likely to be the higher number. Steelers fans at SoFi Sunday night. Or the amount of dollars fined for guys double pumping after a touchdown.
39:57Rich Eisen:Rico had$14 ,000 for the double pump, right? I'll go. There's going to be a lot of Steelers fans there Sunday night, buddy. I'm going. I'll be at the game. Oh, nice. Yeah, I'm going. Good one. I love that. This is a great split screen. Guys are really doing that celebration now. They're not the only team that's done that. New England does it. I've seen other people get out there. I love it. Double pump. Indeed, indeed. I'll go number of Steelers fans. It's so fine. That's going to be something. I'll report on that on Monday's show. Maybe so. My top five other games that I'm looking forward to seeing that's still to come.
40:36Rich Eisen:We'll hit on the Raiders when we come back. Your phone call is 844-204-RICH. Number to die. Woody Harrelson also still on our rundown on this fun Friday.
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42:23Rich Eisen:The Rich Eisen Show, the podcast. Hyundai Hope on Wheels is something I care deeply about, and passing it on to you, the information, it's all about pediatric cancer research and awareness. You might not know that over the last 27 years, every Hyundai sold has helped fund life-saving pediatric cancer research. 850 dealers nationwide together, raising money. Over$277 million, supporting over 25 ,000 kids in their fight against cancer. Visit HyundaiUSA.com and search Hyundai Hope on Wheels to learn more. At Hyundai, hope isn't optional. It comes standard. Jason in Phoenix, you're on the Rich Eisen Show.
43:02Rich Eisen:What's up, Jason? Hey, gentlemen. Thank you. Appreciate you. Um, before I start, I just want to say I played basketball at Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan. Okay. Draymond Green is from Saginaw, Michigan. If you know anything about Saginaw, everything Draymond says will make sense to you. Okay. Um, so yeah, with that out of the way, um, I want to talk a little bit about the Tigers. And then I want to say a little something about the, the Dodgers first. I like Jeff, you know, his, um, what's that word they say? Acumen. Oh my gosh. He's so smart, Jeff. But he is part of the media. You know, the media likes trades.
43:40I get it. Detroit's not a small market team. Does he know who the Illich family is? No, I – hey, listen, man.
43:47Rich Eisen:Do you know what Little Caesars is? Have you had a$5 hot and ready pizza? No, I don't know. No, they've got the money. Navelle Cabrera. They have the money. Max Scherzer, David Price, J.D. Martinez, Prince Fielder, Victor Martinez. No, Jason, Jason, Jason, Jason. Hold on, Jason. Known for spending money. Jason, I – Ian Kinsler. No, I got it. I got it. I hear you. They got money. I hear you, but you're not looking at the Tigers and say they're going to spend all that money on Scoobble and be able to spend all that money on other players on top of it to actually do battle with teams that take a$300 million contract and then another and then another or get three people to defer money into their dotage.
44:29Okay, so that leads into my Dodgers is what I want to talk about the Dodgers. First of all, I want to say if A.J. leaves Schubel in, we have possibly win the World Series if he didn't take him on the sixth inning. With that being said, that sellie for Shohei is exactly about what you just said, how he puts his hands in front of him and puts it to the side. His celebration is about that. It's about taking his contract. Let's just put that to the side. And then that leads right into bingo. Rich, you guessed it. They signed Roki Suzuki and Yamamoto with all that money that they didn't spend on him.
45:03That's the reason why they won the World Series. It wasn't because of Shohei. He helped get them there, but he didn't play great in the World Series. We all know that. It was those two guys that really won the World Series for him, and that was a direct result of his celebration of us putting all that money to the side. And now let's just go and do this thing. I have a Dodgers hat and I have a Tigers hat sitting right on top of my little portable steamer right now. and I don't even want to wear my Dodgers hat. I'm embarrassed.
45:31Rich Eisen:Listen, Jason, don't be embarrassed. My goodness. First of all, thank you for the call. Secondly, I believe, again, that celebration is, it's a Freddie Freeman dance that he was at a wedding and they saw, and it was, he was like Elaine Bennis and they all had fun and they still are. I like Jason's version better. It's not taking the money now and deferring it. By the way, I do like it. Listen, and I'm not just saying that for the ESPN 710 audience here in Los Angeles. I think a lot of us have DDS, Dodgers derangement syndrome. Okay? Because it's within their rules. It's within the rules of Major League Baseball to do what they're doing in terms of deferring salary.
46:12Rich Eisen:I wish my team did stuff like that. Right. And, yes, they bought Shohei and Yamamoto. And Yamamoto is the World Series MVP. And Shohei is the MVP. And I love how people are like, hey, he didn't do anything in the World Series. except reach base nine times before starting the fourth game. I mean, you know, we came on the air thinking they have to change the rules on how to intentionally walk people based on what Otani did. But then explain to me Pahez making the play he did, Rojas making the plays defensively in game six, and then in game seven coming up with the home run that he did. Will Smith is another guy, right, who's just not up there in terms of the nine-figure contracts, he might get one because the Dodgers can afford it.
46:59Rich Eisen:And that's the way baseball is. Just, I guess we have to face facts. The Ridge Eisen Show Podcast. This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser, but Gemini and Chrome? That's new. It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50-page restoration block, or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks. Gemini and Chrome is here for it. Ready to make anything online make sense? There's no place like Chrome. Check responses set up required. Compatibility and availability varies 18+.
From the publisher
ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Rich discuss the Dodgers vs Blue Jays thrilling 7-game World Series, Los Angeles’ chances to three-peat next year, what slugging Japanese 3B Munetaka Murakami will bring to MLB, Bo Bichette’s free agency, and if the Detroit Tigers are more likely to trade or re-sign 2024 Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.
In ‘What’s More Likely,’ Rich weighs in on the Sauce Gardner’s Colts debut, the Patriots, Buccaneers, Bears, Bills, Browns, Steelers, Rams vs 49ers, Colts vs Falcons, and more.
Rich and the guys break down the Dodgers’ success and how/if other MLB teams can emulate what they do so well.
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