Baseballstl

Preseason is over, and it's time to get down to business. First on the schedule: the new-look Chicago Cubs. In today's episode, JJ Bailey calls up Cubs writer Tony Andracki (@TonyAndracki23) for a quick preview of the Chicago squad. The two chat about everything from new manager Joe Maddon to the litany of exciting prospects and even the much-maligned Wrigley Field renovation project. As we head toward Opening Night, it's one final primer for the 2015 season.

It's almost here! With the Cardinals set to open the season in Chicago in just a couple of days, everyone is trying to get their predictions in. That's what we're talking about in today's episode. JJ Bailey sits down with KMOV Sports Director Maurice Drummond to go over the predictions for 2015. How will the NL Central stack up? Who will take the crown and who will slide? What about those new-look Cubs? After that, the two go back and forth on who might be the most important player to the Cardinals this season. It's all part of the prediction series running on the app this week, and one last bit of fun before things get serious. So sit back and enjoy, and let us know your own predictions!0

It's getting interesting down in Florida as the Cardinals are in the final stretch of spring training. In this episode, JJ Bailey calls up Brian Feldman down in Jupiter to get a read on the final spots and answer some questions. Who has the lead in the fifth starter race? What does the outfield look like? Who might we see on the bench, and who is headed for AAA Memphis. It may still be chilly in St. Louis, but Florida is really heating up. Sit back and get all the news from camp.

If every coach got thrown out of a game, who would you hand the lineup card to? In today's episode, JJ Bailey talks to former MLB catcher and Double-A Springfield manager Dann Bilardello about the leader behind the plate. The two are joined by minor league beat writer Mike Bailey and the conversation breaks down what it takes to make it as a catcher, why Yadier Molina is so good and who may be coming up behind him in the organization. The chat also covers Dann's managing philosophy and how the minors have changed since he went through them. Throw on some headphones and enjoy!

Today we're talking about pitching. Not the Cardinal rotation, though. This time, we're talking about how to get there. Former Cards pitcher and Double-A pitching instructor Jason Simontacchi joins J.J. on the podcast along with minor league beat writer Mike Bailey, and the three talk about how you shape a promising young arm. How do you look at mechanics? What separates the guys that make it from those who don't? What do you need to know at each level along the way? They also take an in-depth look at some young arms in the system, and evaluate their evolution. Sit back, plug in and enjoy!

No relationship in sports is more unique than the one between a team and its signature mic man. In today's episode, lead beat writer JJ Bailey calls up Fox Sports Midwest's Cardinal play-by-play man Dan McLaughlin for a chat. The two talk about his journey from whiffle ball announcer to the MLB, as well as the intriguing 2015 Cardinals. Dan even gives his perspective on what the rule changes mean for the future of the game as we enter baseball's new era. Sit back and listen in, and be sure to join the discussion after.

With news breaking out of Florida about Adam Wainwright returning to St. Louis for medical reasons, JJ Bailey called up Maurice Drummond to get the club's reaction and talk about the possibilities. In this short bonus episode, the two talk about John Mozeliak's reaction as well as what the club could do if the worst happens. Is Cole Hamels the answer? Is Jaime Garcia back in the conversation? What about Marco Gonzales? Pop in some headphones and listen in.

It may not feel like it outside, but baseball is back! JJ Bailey calls up Maurice Drummond in Jupiter to talk Cardinals camp, and the two cover all the news from spring training. Jaime Garcia sounds off on his role, Lou Brock gives a take on Kolten Wong's future and we hear from Adam Wainwright on how he views his workload. There's even a new face getting attention from Mike Matheny. Throw on some headphones and head south-- even if it's only for a few minutes.

The big splashes may be over, but for a team contending for the division, the devil is in the details. In this episode, lead beat writer JJ Bailey (@TheJJBailey) chats with KMOV sports reporter Brian Feldman (@BFeldman) about the small questions with big impact for the Cardinals. Where does Randal Grichuk fit on the club? Who has the edge in the competition to fill Daniel Descalso's vacant spot? What does Carlos Villanueva's arrival mean for those fighting for a spot in the 'pen? The names involved may not make headlines, but they might decide some games. Throw on some headphones and dive in.

With James Shields headed to San Diego, the last of the big free agent pitchers is off the market. Where does that leave the St. Louis rotation? Lead beat writer JJ Bailey calls up KMOX's Chris Hrabe (@chrabe) and the two take a look at the Cardinal pitching situation as well as why adding a big pitcher was more complicated than it may have seemed.

In this episode, lead beat writer JJ Bailey sits down with KMOV Sports Director Maurice Drummond and the two are joined by writer Mike Bailey via phone. The three go over a big challenge facing the Cardinals this season: How to avoid overusing their star veterans while still getting the most from them. The conversation focuses on Adam Wainwright, Yadier Molina and Matt Holliday, with some audio from Winter Warm-Up. Toss on some headphones and dive in.

In this episode of the BaseballStL Podcast, lead beat writer J.J. Bailey sits down with KMOV Sports Director Maurice Drummond to talk all things Jason Heyward. What was the first impression they got at Winter Warm-Up? Where does he fit in the lineup? What are the chances the Cardinals can keep him after this year? Why did Mike Matheny give him number 22? The two touch on all that and a bit more, so throw on some headphones and dive into the discussion.