• Featured guest: Chris Hoiles — Former Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles joins the show for a conversation about his career and time in Baltimore.

• The “Ex-Orioles Revenge Tour” — JC and Bordick discuss a remarkable stretch in 2026 in which several former Orioles returned to face Baltimore and delivered strong performances against their old club. They highlight Grayson Rodriguez, Dean Kremer, Tyler Wells, Tomoyuki Sugano, and especially Adley Rutschman, who hit two home runs in his first game back at Camden Yards after being traded. The discussion centers on whether former players carry extra motivation when facing the organization that decided it no longer wanted them, and Bordick reflects on his own experiences facing former teams.

• “Tip of the Cap” — or not — The hosts turn to a controversial incident involving MLB umpire Doug Eddings and Cardinals rookie pitcher Hancel Rincon. Eddings ordered Rincon to straighten his cap during his MLB debut, telling him he wouldn't wear it that way “on my field.” JC argues that the umpire overstepped and may have intimidated a young pitcher, particularly given the heated exchange that followed with Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol. The segment also highlights how Cardinals players—and even some Rockies—appeared to protest the umpire's actions the following day by deliberately tilting their caps and batting helmets.

Overall: The episode blends Orioles nostalgia and current baseball drama, with the Chris Hoiles interview providing the feature attraction, the “Ex-Orioles Revenge Tour” offering a fun storyline about former players getting the better of Baltimore, and the cap controversy prompting a broader discussion about respect, authority, and the relationship between players and umpires in Major League Baseball.

• Featured guest: Matt Stover — The Ravens’ legendary kicker joins the show for a 15–20 minute conversation.

• Ravens vs. Colts preview: Baltimore opens the season in Indianapolis, marking the first season since 2007 without John Harbaugh on the Ravens’ sideline. The team is expected to be a playoff contender under new head coach Jesse Minter and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, though there are questions about how dramatically the new offense will differ.

• Offensive line concerns: Jovaughn Greene is expected to make his first career start at center despite having only 11 offensive snaps since being drafted in 2023. Veteran Ethan Pocic, who has 97 career starts at center, remains unavailable while recovering from Achilles surgery.

• Nnamdi Madubuike’s return: The Ravens have not indicated whether Madubuike will play in the opener after neck surgery and missing the final 15 games of last season. The expectation discussed is that he may debut in Week 2 against New Orleans instead.

• Game prediction: The hosts expect the Ravens to beat the Colts, despite Indianapolis having home-field advantage. Concerns include Daniel Jones returning from injury and the Colts having limited offensive weapons beyond Jonathan Taylor.

• NFL contenders: The discussion identifies the Rams, Chiefs, Bills, Seahawks, Ravens and potentially Patriots among the league’s top teams. The Rams are highlighted for adding Myles Garrett, while Aaron Donald’s return is also mentioned. Kansas City faces questions with Patrick Mahomes coming off an ACL injury, and Buffalo remains dangerous because of Josh Allen.

• Questions about defending/repeating: The hosts are skeptical about Seattle repeating as champions, noting how difficult it is to win consecutive titles. They also question whether New England is truly elite after benefiting from a favorable regular-season schedule last year.

• NFL bottom feeders: The teams identified as among the league’s worst are the Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans.

Bottom line: The episode centers on optimism about the Ravens as a potential elite NFL team, while highlighting uncertainty around the coaching transition, center position, defensive injuries, and how quickly the new offense will develop.

Key Episode Highlights

• Featured Guest (Sponsored by Saintz & Kirk): Former Orioles manager Buck Showalter joins the show for a 10-to-15-minute segment to discuss team dynamics and stick around for a joint discussion on manager-physician relationships.

• "For the Birds" Segment (Sponsored by MD Lottery): Former team doctor Dr. Michael Jacobs joins alongside Buck Showalter to examine how a team manager and physician work together effectively.

• Felix Bautista’s Recovery: Dr. Jacobs and the hosts break down closer Felix Bautista's ongoing rehab assignment and what to expect from his potential return to the mound.

• Pitching Workload & Concern: The hosts evaluate fan concerns regarding high inning counts for key pitchers, including Kyle Bradish, Brandon Young, Shane Baz, and Trevor Rogers.

• League Trends: A broader discussion on the overall decline in batting averages across Major League Baseball.

• Featured Guest – Christian Franklin: The Orioles acquired Franklin from the Nationals for pitcher Joe Glassey. The 26-year-old outfielder brings strong on-base skills, speed, and defensive versatility. Over his recent Triple-A career, he has posted a .262/.383/.397 slash line, 18 home runs, 36 stolen bases, and a strong 15.1% walk rate. Franklin describes his game as getting on base, stealing bases, playing good defense, and taking advantage of opportunities to do damage.
• Orioles Player Evaluations: JC and Bordick discuss whether it's time for Baltimore to give opportunities to players such as Heston Kjerstad and Enrique Bradfield Jr. They also consider getting Jackson Holliday and Coby Mayo into the lineup more regularly and taking a closer look at pitchers Cade Povich and Albert Suárez.
• Mike Bordick's Record Falls: The episode closes with the story of Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson breaking Bordick's MLB record for consecutive error-free games at shortstop. Wilson surpassed Bordick's 2002 mark by reaching 111 straight games without an error and eventually extended the streak to 112 before committing an error. JC and Bordick discuss whether Wilson's record should be viewed differently because he had fewer fielding opportunities than Bordick did, and Bordick reflects on how long his own record streak lasted after it was established.

• Guest: Dr. Michael Jacobs (Physical Sports Medicine)
• Sponsor: MD Lottery
• Injury Discussion: Adley Rutschman vs. Samuel Basallo IL concerns.
• Timelines: Updates on Blaze Alexander (Sept return) and Chris Bassitt (back).

• Topic: The upcoming August 3rd MLB trade deadline.
• Sponsor: ReLeaf Shop
• Focus: Player and family anxiety regarding sudden relocations.
• Insight: Breaking the myth that high salaries eliminate human emotions.

Welcome back to another episode of The Bmore Baseball Podcast! In Episode 17, JC and "Bordy" break down major news surrounding the Baltimore Orioles' pitching staff, discuss the long-term outlook of the MLB All-Star Game in Baltimore, and sit down with a special guest.

Sponsored by Saintz & Kirk

Best-selling author and former Sports Illustrated writer Jeff Pearlman joins the show! Jeff drops in for an entertaining 20-minute chat covering his career, sports writing, and his unique take on the modern sports media landscape.

Sponsored by the Maryland Lottery

The Orioles got aggressive and made a major move to lock down their ace! JC and Bordy react to the headline-grabbing news: Kyle Bradish has signed a 5-year, $90 million extension (covering 2027–2031)—making him the highest-paid pitcher in franchise history!

• A No-Brainer? Bordy analyzes what this contract means for the rotation and the precedent it sets.

• The Message Sent: What does this commitment mean to the fan base and the clubhouse?

• Tip of the Cap to Elias: A look back at December 2019—how Mike Elias flipped Dylan Bundy into four pitching prospects, ultimately landing Baltimore’s true franchise ace.

Brought to you by ReLeaf Shop — Baltimore's Best Adult Use and Medical Cannabis Dispensary (offering 700+ unique menu items and home delivery for medical patients).

Will the Midsummer Classic Ever Return to Camden Yards?

Following a lackluster MLB All-Star Game, JC and Bordy take a hard look at when—or if—the All-Star Game will return to Oriole Park at Camden Yards for the first time since 1993.

• Ownership Responsibility: Has front-office leadership done enough to lobby MLB for the event, especially after recent stadium upgrades?

• Scheduling Challenges: How the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the Commissioner’s desire for West Coast hosting opportunities could further delay Baltimore’s chances.

• The Drought: A look at where Baltimore stands in the host rotation alongside cities like Toronto, Boston, Milwaukee, and Detroit.

📌 Subscribe & Follow: Don't forget to like, share, and leave a review wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!

Orioles pitcher Tyler Wells joins Bmore Baseball for Episode 15 to give us a feel for life inside the Orioles clubhouse.

Plus, in Beyond Baltimore, JC and Bordy discuss when a pitcher should — and should not — shake off a teammate, after Shohei Ohtani and Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing had an awkward on-field moment.