Harper, Team USA’s WBC letdown, and baseball’s ABS future episode artwork

EPISODE · Mar 19, 2026 · 47 MIN

Harper, Team USA’s WBC letdown, and baseball’s ABS future

from Speaking of Sports · host Chuck Grimley

Chuck and Ken dive deep into an emotionally charged baseball conversation, starting with Bryce Harper’s clutch home run and the bigger question behind it: should fans feel reassured, or concerned? From there, they examine Team USA’s offensive collapse against better pitching, compare the urgency and energy of other countries like Venezuela, and debate whether this tournament exposed flaws in a slug-first roster. They also revisit Mark DeRosa’s controversial handling of the pitching staff, discuss how MLB teams influence international play by restricting pitcher availability, and explore how the incoming ABS challenge system could reshape pitch framing, in-game strategy, and late-game drama. The episode closes with Phillies talk and a quick look ahead to the NFL Draft http://speakingofsportspod.com/https://twitter.com/Speak_of_Sportshttps://www.facebook.com/SpeakingofSportsPodhttps://www.instagram.com/speaking_of_sports/https://www.tiktok.com/@speakingofsports

In this episode, Chuck and Ken break down Bryce Harper’s polarizing tournament performance, debate whether his struggles are just a small-sample blip or an early warning sign, and unpack why Team USA’s bats disappeared when the pitching got tougher. They also dig into Mark DeRosa’s bullpen decisions, the impact of MLB clubs limiting pitcher usage, and what challenge-based automated balls and strikes could mean for strategy, catchers, and the future of the game

NOW PLAYING

Harper, Team USA’s WBC letdown, and baseball’s ABS future

0:00 47:32

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Ask A Spaceman Archives - 365 Days of Astronomy Ask A Spaceman Archives - 365 Days of Astronomy Podcasting Astronomy Every Day of the Year Eat to Live Jenna Fuhrman, Dr. Fuhrman Our health is our most precious gift and smart nutrition can change your life. Each month, join Dr. Fuhrman and his daughter, Jenna Fuhrman as they discuss important topics in the world of nutrition. Eat to Live will change the way you eat and think about food. French Your Way Jessica: Native French teacher founder of French Your Way Boost your French listening skills and test your comprehension with this one of a kind series of podcasts. Get the chance to listen to a real conversation between native speakers talking at normal speed AND customise your learning experience through carefully designed sets of questions (2 levels of difficulty) available for download at www.frenchvoicespodcast.com. All interviews also come with the transcript. French teacher Jessica interviews native speakers of French from around the world who share a bit of their life and passion. Where else would you meet in one same place a French yoga teacher based in Melbourne, a soap manufacturer from Provence, or a couple cycling around the world? That Hoarder: Overcome Compulsive Hoarding That Hoarder Hoarding disorder is stigmatised and people who hoard feel vast amounts of shame. This podcast began life as an audio diary, an anonymous outlet for somebody with this weird condition. That Hoarder speaks about her experiences living with compulsive hoarding, she interviews therapists, academics, researchers, children of hoarders, professional organisers and influencers, and she shares insight and tips for others with the problem. Listened to by people who hoard as well as those who love them and those who work with them, Overcome Compulsive Hoarding with That Hoarder aims to shatter the stigma, share the truth and speak openly and honestly to improve lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Speaking of Sports?

This episode is 47 minutes long.

When was this Speaking of Sports episode published?

This episode was published on March 19, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Chuck and Ken dive deep into an emotionally charged baseball conversation, starting with Bryce Harper’s clutch home run and the bigger question behind it: should fans feel reassured, or concerned? From there, they examine Team USA’s offensive...

Can I download this Speaking of Sports episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!