The Kevin Karius Show - Mar. 30th, 2026 - Jensen Lewis

0:00As we welcome back, Jensen Lewis by the books and V's in live. Good morning, Jensen. You're with Kevin Kerry. Thanks for jumping on sports 1440, big guy. Really appreciate it. Great to see you, buddy. Happy New Year. Things couldn't have gotten off to a better start from what it seems north of the border of a man. No kidding. The Toronto Blue Jays. Hey, it's like a young Jensen Lewis on the hill. Just mold them down 50 strikeouts here, Jensen. Wow. Yeah. Well, I'll tell you, I have fond memories of then Skydome where I had my first ever major league save back in 2008, and then the rest was downhill for there. But we'll talk about that. The only thing I think you could have asked more for is that if you didn't have to go into extra innings for the Blue Jays offense that might have been the A plus plus effort there, but I can't ask for much more three wins. And really just an outstanding job top to bottom, Kevin, on this pitching staff, a hell of a debut for Dylan Seas. I don't know if you could have expected much more out of him with all the swing and miss and double digit strikeouts. So life after Boba Shed has

1:04done pretty well offensively. It feels like it's a well ill machine picking right up where they left off an October last year. What do you think Eric Lowry yesterday, Jensen? You know, for a guy and I can't remember if we talked about it or not when the Jays were trying to figure out, you know, the injury issues, of course, with Barrios and Bieber and obviously later on with you Savage. Eric Lowry and for young players, I can understand where you have a little bit of angst about, hey, man, I feel like I've been looked over here. I feel like I've done enough to merit more than just a look for an opportunity. You just always got to kind of keep your head down and keep moving forward. You never know what circumstances will surface where they're going to call your number. And I think that's the case with Eric and opportunity to run with it now knowing that you are going to have the injuries, leaving a couple of those starting pictures out for a decent amount of time. So here it is, big boy, go after it, show them what you can do and make it as difficult a decision in the most positive way for John Schneider and then eventually this

2:05front office with Mark and Ross to say, yeah, we don't need your services here at the big league level. Like that's what you want to do. You want to make that problem so difficult the best way for a front office to make that roster. Mm-hmm. Jensen Lewis with us on the Kevin Kerrish on sports 1440. What can you tell our listeners about Cody Ponce who's going to get the ball tonight against Colorado, Jensen? I think what's unique is that it will be that first time and any time you come over from the KBO, that in and of itself is a different echelon offensively from where you're going to face the hitters that you'll have here at the big league level. Now for a guy who is not young, he's going to be 32 this year. We're not worried about maybe necessarily the jitters. I think the adrenaline more than anything. Can he compartmentalize stuff that's going to be really good? It couldn't have worked out better because the Rockies had all kinds of issues getting out of Miami last night. I believe they landed right around two o'clock this morning, local time got in the hotel around 330. So if you see him rubbing their

3:08eyes, they're still trying to wake up. Hey, man, pound his own. Do not let them kind of feel a resurgence of energy. So I think you're getting a strike throw or you're getting a guy with some electric stuff. So excited to see what he's got in store tonight. Speaking of pounding the zone, let's discuss the ABS and what you thought about the first weekend of baseball with the new system in place and what you thought of it, Jensen. Yeah, really, really intriguing stuff here. And so if you just want to kind of go by the numbers overall, it looks like 54% of calls ended up being successfully overturned out of 175 attempts. So about 54% little over half batters were 42% of those and then fielders of what we'll put fielders with pictures and catchers there because those are the only other two that can initiate those end up being 63% of them. I think more notably in Kevin this is something as we visit throughout the year, when you get those individual umpire

4:09names that are not only having the most amount of challenges against them, but the percentage of the overturns. And I think that's the numbers or at least the set of numbers that I look at early. I think it's Chad Whitman who has had seven challenges and all seven of those calls have been overturned. CB Buckner, eight challenges, six of them, including the back-to-backs from Mayo, Henny Oswara, is over the weekend. I think, you know, just the demonstrative nature of how it was almost felt personal, Kevin, the second time when then he was like, I mean, come on, man, really? And then yesterday we get our first ejection with an ABS issue attached to at Derek Shelton in the Minnesota twin 10 challenges, Kevin, in that twins and Orioles game yesterday seven overturned. So it's about getting the call right. You and I have discussed this before. I think at least to take a small sample of the first week or the first three to four games, the system is working. Where will we be at the end of April, early May? I think that'll be the first time I really sink my

5:14teeth into. Is it, you know, more an indictment on the umpires really aren't getting the majority of calls right? Is this now a strategy of you don't want to use challenges early? We'd rather save them for later. I mean, you've looked at Atlanta brace games where they've been out of challenges within like the first two innings. So I think it's a, it's a unique part of our evaluation here, Kevin, what will make more sense? What will be the strategy moving forward? And ultimately, will there be some, some umpires who stick out more so than others, maybe in a negative light of not getting the majority of their calls right? What's the answer with Shelton getting tossed? So that was just basically because he felt that there was too long of a delay for the challenge. That's what it looked like in, in kind of watching it, I was actually watching it at real time, Kevin, it was a great game there towards the end. So as I saw, I thought I saw Hell's League immediately kind of go like, oh, no, I thought it was there. And then he went right back to it. So I'm wondering if

6:14Shelty saw the second one. And that was enough to lapse time where he was upset about it. So if you look at the replay, you know, from low home and kind of see where, where the initial touch of the hat was, I thought it was almost instantaneous or at least within a second, within the boundaries of the rules. So we'll find more instances, I think moving forward of things that are, are a little bit hairy there. But ultimately, I think the right call was made and, you know, it was a huge, it was a huge overturn at that point to get that strikeout. So it really changed the complexion of how that ending went. Uh, Jensen Lewis with us on the Kevin Kerrish one sports 1440. I see you got your Cleveland gear on. Chase De Lauder. What a start. I mean, we didn't see him. You know, we saw him in the playoffs. And this guy, if he can continue, even remotely what he's done so far in the first weekend, man, they got a good one in this guy to build the statue now. You know, it's a, you can't ask for a better start. I think individually and, and you said

7:17it to make your major league debut in a winner take all game last year and gain through that wildcard series against the Tigers. We were asking a lot of a, a young 20 something kid. And you know, there was a lot to like about where his triple A season ended up before the call up and then through spring training. I think there was a lot of optimism. It's been about the health for him, Kevin, is that he's had these injuries the last handful of years that have really derailed what has been an impressive minor league tenured at this point. So if I'm not saying he's going to about hit 50 bombs, I know he's on pace for like 600 right now, but you know, it's more of the process. It's more watching. Yeah, take for instance, the opposite field home run and extra innings against Andre Spoonios. I mean, that is a, that is a world class swing and result going the opposite way off one of the best relievers in our game. So you take that for what it's worth. The league will eventually adjust it always does. And then it's a matter of how does the young player adjust back? Will there be sustained droughts? Will it be quick and he'll be able to kind of make those necessary steps on his own. But I mean, there's a lot of optimism here in Cleveland about what he

8:23could potentially do in front of Jose Ramirez. Yeah, for sure. Did he work on his swing? Something in particular in Arizona, I think I was reading something about that in the offseason here. It just making minor adjustments, but also some plate discipline was there. And anytime you look at young hitters and the necessary tweaks to kind of, quote, unquote, finish them off and be ready and polished to hit the ground running at the big league level. I think for him is, again, his swing is so unique, right? It's an, it's an unorthodox follow through for some people who are used to seeing left-handed swings, especially be just silky smooth. I mean, you guys remember the days of John O'Leary? It was like, oh, man, it's a symphony watching him. It has come through nice and easy. And Chase, ironically, his first name goes along with a comp that I think many of us looked at at Chase Utley. And remember Chase Utley's swing was very compact, but it didn't necessarily have that entire follow-through that we're used to seeing from power hitters. So if he continues to have, you know, not a long loop, if he continues to stay short and quick

9:28to it, he really minimizes chances for error or being able to be exploited with some holes there. So I'm anxious on the scouting reports side, moving forward, Kevin, when we get into June and, you know, through the first half of the season, what is the book on him? How do you guys want to attack him? The other part that's crazy good in his favor. You're hitting in front of arguably one of the most dangerous hitters in all of Major League Baseball. You're going to get pitches to hit, pal. Yeah. Are you ready? Because no one's pitching around you to get the Jose Ramirez. That I can tell you. Does he have a little bellinger in his swing? Do you think? I hadn't thought about that swing, but now that you kind of illuminate that, I can see kind of more the upright nature. Yeah. The follow-through is definitely more unique to an Utley than I think to a bellinger. But if he has belly pop, then we're talking MVP stuff. So, Kevin, I like where your heads at, man. Let's let's see what the youngster can do. Exactly. Jensen Lewis with us on sports 1440. Owen Casey, Canadian. He had such a great world baseball classic, didn't he?

10:34And he gets the home run. And what do you think the limit is for for this Canadian player, Jensen? Hard, hard to put a limit on on what he can do. And I think that was the impetus too of when you look at where Peter Bendix was offloading a really solid asset there in Miami with Edward Cabrera. Yes, Cabrera had issues with control, and he's got a high upside arm, high 90s tank. But I think it was on paper a win-win. The Cubs were looking for rotation depth and more upside, and they were able to deal from an area of strength. Think about the pathway in that Cubs outfield for Casey to play. Not really there, with say a Suzuki in right, and Pico Armstrong signing the extension now. He'll be the centerfielder for years to come. And then just the platoon advantages that Craig Council could go with in Chicago there in left field. So the road was blocked. It's not going to be blocked in South Beach. And anxious to see what this kid can do. He has the motor, and he's got the Moxie already. And you guys saw

11:36with Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic. Not afraid of the moment. Has the right temperament. Has the right heartbeat. You know, you can see where the big time pop can get that. I mean, he hits the ball hard, man. He hits it hard. And I think that will really escalate his ability in big time spots as you just saw yesterday with the walkoff homer. To slow the game down and to be able to execute in those spots already ahead of the game. Yeah. And again, as you say, he hits the ball hard. And he's just got that natural power. It seems natural power and natural ability to hit the ball hard. That's the other part too in our game. When we look at the exit V lows and I don't know for our analytics crowd, they all love it. He's at 110, 112 miles an hour. It's about the regularity of it. And that's where I think it's vastly in his favor. And when he makes content, it is hard a lot. There's not a lot of weak contact with own Casey. So again, very much in our conversation about Chase the lottery, how will the league adjust eventually? And I mean,

12:39you're playing in a real tough division there. A lot of great left-handed pitching that he's going to face. If he's able to overcome that quick hurdle of of doing it against the best, you know, Clay McColle is going to have a hard time taking him out of the lineup. If not moving him farther up, you know, to help be able to drive in guys like Jacob Marcy Xavier Edwards, Augustine Ramirez, the things of that nature. You were mentioning with Chase De Lauder and it's about health. Another player that falls into that category for sure is Mike Trout. Does he does he look different to you? I mean, he looks really, really good. He looks like the bat speed is through the roof. Everything looks good with this guy. If he can stay healthy, man, wow. He looks like on a snowy night in April of 2012, Kevin, a young Jensen Lewis in a Reno Aces uniform, faced an up-and-comer in Mike Trout in a Salt Lake City Bees uniform. I think it was a 12-pitch at bat. I think I struck him out and I don't think he was there the next day. I think he got called up and we know the rest is history after that. Yeah, you know, the health

13:42again for a guy that has meant not only so much to his organization, but to baseball. If it is anywhere close, Kevin, and I really hope it is because it would be great for baseball. And Mike Trout's right, that's a great thing for the game. And what a start for him. I mean, even the start for the top of that Angels order was what Zach Netto has done so far in Illinois. You know, Joe Adele was the big breakout candidate for them last year. You've been praying as an Angels fan for any continuity health wise. And usually that's been in the rotation where you've had so many injuries. You've obviously had the issues with star position players too. But if they're back, then that means that Mike Trout is doing his thing. And what a boost that would be for Southern California, especially there watching him at Angel Stadium. Yeah, what do you think happens at the closer position in L.A. How's that going to sort itself out? And like when he gets back, I would assume that Ben Joyce goes into to that closer role, no? They would have a great problem there because it was part of Perry Benazion's idea of getting a lot of veteran arms back there.

14:44Remember, it was Kirby eights. And I know he's still working his way back a little bit from some knee inflammation. Drew Pomerance. Remember, it was leverage relieving for the Cubs last year. He's had some closing experience. Our old friend there from north of the border, Joe Romano has looked every bit of the dominant self from years past. You know, even it stretches last year with Philadelphia, you know, there were some really good times there. Good problem to have for Kurt Suzuki. If you can, you know, find a guy that you trust. And if it's Romano's to lose, then if I'm Jordan, let's go, man, let's absolutely go for it. To shorten the game, you're only going to help out that starting staff, which, you know, you got some youngsters there and Jack Ahanoets and Ryan Johnson, the two righties there at the end of the rotation. I would, I would imagine Kevin without having any internal knowledge that if you get Joyce back and Yates back at the same time in Romano is going, you know, the way that that he's going doesn't have to be as dominant as he been out of the shoot. That'd be great. But that's a great problem to have and figuring out who your seven eight and nine is going to be. It may just be picking names out of a hat of that. Yeah.

15:48One last one for you, Johnson, just on the docket tonight. Is there a game that you're looking for to watch in tonight? Maybe it's Cleveland and the Dodgers. I'll tell you what I, you know, it'll be a good one. That's that's going to be past my bedtime with my weekly mornings here. But I'll tell you, you mentioned Owen Casey in the Marlins. First three, you know, start for them since 2009. I know they'd missed the playoffs that year. But again, this was a team that when you looked at their pitching, they felt like they were going to have a chance to win every series with the depth in the rotation, get fair banks in the back and to be their closer. I'm interested to see if the white socks can bounce back after giving up 29 runs to the brewers, looking to see what the reds can do against the pirates here that giants and Padres game. If you're looking to play an under, that might be it. Giants have scored one run. I'll be it. It was the Yankees. Not like you're getting, you know, a breath of fresh air facing a Padres staff in the back end of their open. So boy, what a tough start for Tony Vitelow and crew there. They, they just might need a day

16:49to go out and everyone try and hit some homers and BP just to feel good about yourself. So those are two, I would say white socks, Marlins under eight, Giants Padres under eight and a half, I think two lower scoring affairs tonight. Good stuff, Jensen. As always, really appreciate your time. Take care and we'll we'll talk soon. Likewise. Thanks, Kev.