First Pitch 3:05 Podcast

Welcome to the First Pitch: 305 Podcast! Glad you all can join and listen to all the baseball talk with Alex Aguirre, Miami Marlins contributor for Lemon City Live. 

The first-ever episode of First Pitch: 305 had Alex embark on his podcast journey with Co-Host of the Evening Juice with Lemon City Live, Edwin Garcia, and Emmy Award-winning editor, Danis Sosa. Two die-hard Miami Marlins fans that just flat love the game! 

The guys talked about the current state of the Marlins with a 13-16 record filled with tough one-run losses. They talked about Miami's busy offseason and the free agents they signed underperforming so far this season. 

Was the Marlins' offseason spending spree enough to compete in the NL East? Alex, Edwin and Danis break down the division and determine if the Marlins will be buyers or sellers if they are hanging around in the race by the trade deadline. Maybe a trade to help a depleted bullpen could help? 

Episode one is rounded off with the guys talking about what's next for the Fish in their schedule and the face of the franchise: Jazz Chisholm Jr. 

Can you remember a free agent signing the Marlins had that actually panned out well?

The First Pitch 3:05 Podcast | Episode 1

In Episode 2 of the First Pitch 3:05 Podcast, Alex Aguirre has Beat Writer for Fish Stripes, Isaac Azout. Alex and Isaac talk about their experience in the press box covering the Marlins and give their takes on what they think of Miami's performance through the first 40 games of the season. 

The guys also talk about Miami's bullpen concerns in the 9th inning and when the lineup is going to come altogether from top to bottom. Isaac gives his letter grade for the Marlins offseason and how he thinks their acquisitions are performing so far. 

The episode is rounded off with the guys breaking down the NL East. Are the New York Mets legitimate contenders?

The First Pitch 3:05 Podcast | Episode 2 | Fish Stripes Isaac Azout

In this week's episode of First Pitch: 305, Alex Aguirre splits the episode into two parts. Part 1 has Alex talk about the Miami Marlins brutal stretch in the month of May and what hasn't been clicking for the Fish. 

In the second half of the show, the episode switches gear to talk about college baseball in South Florida. Alex brings on Gabriel Garcia to the show to talk about the University of Miami's baseball program and their successful season. Gabriel covers collegiate baseball for Lemon City Live specifically UM and Florida International University. The guys talk about the Canes young roster and their road to Omaha with regionals this weekend. 

Gabriel and Alex also split time covering the Miami Marlins so we hope you enjoy listening to Lemon City Live's baseball duo AKA The Jesus Aguilar/ Garrett Cooper platoon.

The First Pitch 3:05 Podcast | Episode 3 | Gabriel Garcia and the Canes Baseball Hopes

In this week's episode of First Pitch 3:05, Alex Aguirre has Lemon City's own, Edwin Garcia, back on the show! The guys welcome a very special guest, Abel Sanchez. Abel is a true Miami Historian and has a deep passion for baseball. 

Abel takes the guys through a Miami history lesson and talks about professional baseball in Miami before the Marlins came to town in 1993. They also talk about Miami Stadium and the Orange Bowl and the importance those two venues had on the city. 

He has so much information to provide and you can learn so much from his Instagram page @miamistadium When it comes to Miami sports, music, food you name it Abel knows about it and we had a great time going down Miami memory lane.

The First Pitch 3:05 Podcast | Episode 4 | Miami Stadium History with Abel Sanchez

In this week's episode of First Pitch 3:05, Alex welcomes Andres Bolivar to the show. Andres is a sports writer for "Con Las Bases Llenas" and his beat is to cover the Tampa Bay Rays and the Miami Marlins. 

This week's show starts with the guys talking about Sandy Alcantara's gutsy complete game performance over the Cardinals. They break down his season so far and they make the case as to why Sandy is currently the best pitcher in baseball and why he deserves to start for the National League at the All-Star Game. 

Later in the show, Andres and Alex talk about the Marlins' news that happened off the field with Gary Denbo being dismissed by the franchise. Denbo was Miami's VP of player development and scouting and was selected by Derek Jeter to come over from the Yankees in 2017. The guys talk about his tenure, the moves he made with the club, and the overall impact he had on Miami's farm system. 

The show is rounded off with what's up ahead for the Miami Marlins. The injury bug is still plaguing Miami but some key players are returning soon. There's a month left until the trade deadline and Alex and Andres talk about why this is the most important month of the 2022 season before determining if Miami is going to be buyers or sellers at the deadline.

The First Pitch 3:05 Podcast | Episode 5 | Andres Bolivar

Welcome back to another episode of First Pitch 3:05! 

In this week's episode, Alex Aguirre has Andres Bolivar back on the show and the guys welcome Marlins beat writer and reporter for Fish Stripes and co-host for Fish Stripes Unfiltered, Kevin Barral. 

There was lots of Marlins news to talk about starting off with Max Meyer's promotion to the big leagues. He will be making his debut Saturday against Philadelphia and the guys talk about the impact he can have on the team for the remainder of the season. 

Miami will be sending not two, but three All-Stars to LA for this year's midsummer classic. Garrett Cooper will make his first all-star appearance at the age of 31 replacing the injured Bryce Harper. This is Cooper's fifth year with the Marlins and it's great to see everything coming together for the DH. 

The guys close out the show recapping the first half of the season. What were the biggest surprises and disappointments so far? What can they improve on? Miami will have one more series before the break and have an opportunity to finish the first half over .500. With a strong month of July, are the Marlins going to be buyers at the deadline? And what position should they address? There's a lot to look forward to in the second half with the Marlins only three games out of the final wild-card spot.

The First Pitch 3:05 Podcast | Episode 6 | Andres Bolivar & Kevin Barral

Welcome to the First Pitch 3:05 Podcast! Glad you all can join and listen to all the baseball talk with Alex Aguirre, Miami Marlins contributor for Lemon City Live.

In this week's episode, Alex runs it back with the same crew he had for episode six. Joining Alex is Andres Bolivar, beat writer for Con Las Bases Llenas, and Marlins beat writer for Fish Stripes and co-host for Fish Stripes Unfiltered, Kevin Barral.

The three of them were in attendance for Kim Ng's press conference over the weekend in regards to the team's recent performance and the upcoming trade deadline. The guys breakdown the questions asked to Kim and if her responses provided any clarity and direction for the franchise. 

Over the weekend, Charles Leblanc made his MLB debut, and recently the Marlins have been calling up prospects from Triple-A like JJ Bleday and Lewin Diaz. The Marlins lineup has gone through a small youth movement over the last week and the guys talk about the impact the newcomers can have for the rest of the season. They also talk about if these players are in the future plans for the Marlins or if they would be used in a trade package. 

With the trade deadline coming up on Tuesday, August 2nd, the guys close out the show talking about the different directions the Marlins can go. With their recent performance and their position in the standings, maybe the front office should be looking at trades that can help them for the 2023 season.

The First Pitch 3:05 Podcast | Episode 7 | Andres Bolivar & Kevin Barral

Welcome to the First Pitch 3:05 Podcast! Glad you all can join and listen to all the baseball talk with Alex Aguirre, Miami Marlins contributor for Lemon City Live.

In this week's episode, Alex had Jessica Blaylock on the podcast. Jessica is a sports reporter for Bally Sports Florida covering the Miami Marlins and Florida Panthers. 

Disclaimer- I apologize for the audio issues in the episode. There was an echo throughout the recording but I still had a great time with Jessica and she provided amazing information that was too good to not post. I hope you all enjoy it! 

This episode was recorded the day after the MLB Trade Deadline and Jessica shared her thoughts on the Marlins' activity leading up to the 6 pm deadline. There was a lot of great insight shared by Jessica and she talked about what General Manager, Kim Ng, had to say about all the trade rumors surrounding Pablo Lopez. 

We also break down the only trade the Marlins made yesterday, trading relievers Anthony Bass, Zach Pop, and a player to be named later to the Toronto Bluejays for their No.4 prospect, Jordan Groshans. 

The show is wrapped up by talking about how Groshans fits into Miami's 2023 plans and how the starting rotation can be even deeper next season compared to 2022.

The First Pitch 3:05 Podcast | Episode 8 | Jessica Blaylock

Welcome to the First Pitch 3:05 Podcast! Glad you all can join and listen to all the baseball talk with Alex Aguirre, Miami Marlins contributor for Lemon City Live.

In this week’s episode, Alex completes the 3rd Act with his fellow colleagues in the press box. Andres Bolivar beat writer for Con Las Bases Llenas, and Marlins beat writer for Fish Stripes, Kevin Barral, join in to complete the trilogy.

The episode starts off with the guys sharing their thoughts on the Marlins' lone trade at the deadline with the Toronto Bluejays. This leads to talking about the prospect they got in return, Jordan Groshans, and how he would fit into Miami's 2023 plans. 

Miami is clearly out of the playoff race and their focus turns to their prospects that have been called up recently. The guys talk about the new kids on the block like Charles Leblanc, Peyton Burdick, and JJ Bleday. Were they called up too late? Could they have helped Miami make a playoff push when they were in striking distance? 

The episode is closed out with the guys talking about the upcoming Marlins series against the new-look San Diego Padres. The Padres highlighted the trade deadline when they acquired Juan Soto in a blockbuster deal. How did that trade affect the playoff landscape? Does the trade make San Diego World Series favorites? One thing is for sure, the Marlins are going to have their hands full when Machado, Soto and Tatis Jr. roll into town.

The First Pitch 3:05 Podcast | Episode 9 | Third Act with Andres Bolivar & Kevin Barral

The First Pitch 3:05 Podcast is back! Season 2 is here and it starts today! Join us all season long.

The First Pitch 3:05 Podcast | Season 2 Episode 1

In this week’s episode of First Pitch 305, Alex is joined by fellow lemon head from the Paws Up Podcast and writer for Fish on First, Kevin Barral. Kevin attended the Miami Marlins Fan Fest and shared his experience and his thoughts on the Marlins unveiling two new uniforms at Fan Fest. Kevin then shares his thoughts on the Marlins offseason and the moves Peter Bendix and the front office have made to reinforce the minor league system. The episode is closed out with Alex and Kevin previewing this year’s Spring Training roster and any upcoming position battles including a breakdown of the potential starters and starting rotation.

The First Pitch 3:05 Podcast | Season 2 Episode 2 Feat Kevin Barral

This week, Gabriel Garcia joins the show. With two weeks left until Opening Day, the guys share Spring Training updates with the signing of Tim Anderson and the trade for Nick Gordon and what they can contribute to the club. They also talk about the injury-plagued starting rotation and which players, like AJ Puk, can step up for Miami. Gabriel and Alex give their predictions of how the five-man rotation will look like come Opening Day with a couple of pitchers on the IL. The episode is closed out with the guys breaking down the team’s offense in Spring Training and if there should be any concern with the lack of run production and power.
Let's Go Fish.

The First Pitch 3:05 Podcast | Season 2 Episode 3 Feat Gabriel Garcia

Welcome to the First Pitch 3:05 Podcast! Glad you all can join and listen to all the baseball talk with Alex Aguirre, Miami Marlins contributor for Lemon City Live.

This week, Lemon City original Edwin Garcia joins this episode of First Pitch 305 the day before 2024 Opening Day! Bye-bye, Berti! The episode starts with Alex and Edwin talking about Jon Berti being traded to the New York Yankees less than 24 hours before the first pitch of the 2024 season and his five-year tenure with the Fish. The guys get into Marlins’ media drama as they give their takes on the exchange between Jazz Chisholm Jr. and former Marlin and team captain Miguel Rojas. The episode rounds off with Edwin sharing his thoughts on the Opening Day roster and how the team will shape up entering the season with an extremely depleted starting rotation.
Let's Go Fish.

The First Pitch 3:05 Podcast | Season 2 Episode 4 Feat Edwin Garcia

Who is the Miami/ Florida Marlins GOAT?
FanDuel gave their picks as to who is the GOAT for each MLB franchise and their pick for the Marlins was ... Hanley Ramirez? Edwin and Gabriel Garcia join the show and share their thoughts on FanDuel's Marlins GOAT pick and whether they agree with FanDuel or have their own pick for Marlins GOAT. 
Let's Go Fish.

The First Pitch 3:05 Podcast | Season 2 Episode 5 Feat Gabriel and Edwin Garcia

Welcome to the First Pitch 3:05 Podcast! Glad you all can join and listen to all the baseball talk with Alex Aguirre, Miami Marlins contributor for Lemon City Live.

This week, Kevin Barral and Daniel Rodriguez from Fish on First join the show and talk about the news that broke that day about Eury Perez needing Tommy John Surgery and being out for the remainder of the season. The guys explain how his absence can impact an already depleted starting rotation and what steps the organization can take to temporarily patch things up. 

In the second half of the episode, Kevin and Daniel share their thoughts on the Marlins' brutal 0-8 start to the season and what parts of the team are contributing to this losing streak. Not a lot has been going right for Miami but there have been a few bright spots with a couple of players performing well individually. Listen to this week's episode to find out!

The First Pitch 305 Podcast | Season 2 Episode 6 Feat Kevin Barral and Daniel Rodriguez

In this episode of First Pitch 3:05, Alex talks about the Marlins finally getting their first win of the 2024 season and how the team has improved in certain areas since recording their first win. Alex gives an update on the starting rotation and the head-scratching demotion of Max Meyer to the minors to continue his recovery from Tommy John surgery. 
Even though Meyer has been Miami's best-starting pitcher, Edward Cabrera has returned from his injury to make his 2024 debut to take Meyer's place in the rotation and has not disappointed. Alex wraps up this episode talking about the Marlins' struggling offense and the one player who not many expected to be Miami's best hitter so far this season.

The First Pitch 305 Podcast | Season 2 Episode 7

Uncensored, researched, passionate sports for the uncensored, passionate fans. Throw in a few laughs... The result is one bad-ass podcast. Check us out... We're awesome! - Lemon City Live