LSU’s Omaha Dynasty, Padres-Dodgers Chaos, Cal Raleigh’s MVP Case & Chase Burns’ MLB Debut | 90

Welcome to Episode 90 of Tablesetters, where the game’s biggest stories collide with scorching heat, late-June pressure, and postseason implications already beginning to brew.

We begin in Omaha, where the LSU Tigers didn’t just win their eighth College World Series — they secured their place as the defining force in modern college baseball. From the dynasty built by Skip Bertman to the edge honed by Jay Johnson, LSU’s legacy now spans three decades, multiple eras, and a standard no one else in the sport has matched.

Then we shift west, where the Padres and Dodgers turned a simmering rivalry into a full-blown powder keg. Benches cleared, stars got plunked, and managers were tossed in a four-game series that saw eight hit batters and more bad blood than baseball. This wasn’t just a tense series — it was personal. And the aftermath could define the rest of the NL West race.

In New York, the Mets and Braves meet again — both clubs in search of clarity and consistency as they open a four-game set under the oppressive Queens heat. Atlanta may have swept New York last week, but both teams are still trying to find themselves in a season that keeps asking questions they can’t quite answer. From Chris Sale’s injury to Frankie Montas’ high-stakes return, we break down what’s at stake in a pivotal series.

We also head to Cincinnati, where the Reds are turning the page — and turning to fire. Chase Burns, one of the most hyped pitching prospects in recent memory, will make his major league debut against the Yankees. With the rotation in tatters and the Reds hovering around .500, this isn’t just a call-up — it’s a bet on the future. We unpack Burns’ meteoric rise, what makes his arsenal electric, and why his debut feels like a potential franchise reset.

Elsewhere around the league, big names are coming and going.
Max Scherzer returns to the Blue Jays.
Shota Imanaga and Nathan Eovaldi are nearing activation.
Adley Rutschman hits the IL.
And the Padres and Mariners move on from veterans Jason Heyward and Rowdy Tellez.

We close with a look at the surging and the slumping — a segment spotlighting players heating up or going ice cold. And in the AL MVP race, Cal Raleigh’s historic first half behind the plate has Mariners fans fired up — but Aaron Judge is quietly putting together one of the best seasons of his career. Who has the edge as July approaches?

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