Explore every episode of the podcast Benches Cleared Podcast (SF Giants & Dodgers Podcast)

We check back to our 10 2024 predictions and how bad we got them wrong and some were okay. Giants are cutting payroll. But it still leaves them to add a lot in 2024, especially if they do drop Yaz and Wade who are rumored to be traded this offseason. The 2024 Champion Dodgers are favored to sign Japanese superstar Roki Sasaki for league minimum if you can stand anymore good news. We go over our top 5 free agent targets for 2025. This and so much more on this weeks episode!

Dodgers beat the NY Yankees in 5 games! They finally did it, we break down the series and the road the Dodgers took to their 2nd title in 5 years. From Freddie’s MVP to the Yankees defensive breakdowns all the way to the parade! The early first off season moves including the Giants finding a GM Mike Minasian. This and so much more on this weeks episode!

Dodgers beat the destiny Mets in 6 games. Offense showed up and the bullpen carried the pitching staff further than anyone thought they would need to. Now off to the what should be the most watched World Series of all time! Both teams are rested, and stacked. We cover this and so much more on this weeks episode!! 

Dodgers move on! The beat the Padres in game 5 in a nail biter or boring game 5 depending on who you ask. And we break down the NLCS with the Mets with John Saponaro of the Til Mets Do Us Part Podcast!

The series is all tied up 2-2 going to Dodger Stadium. We’ve had tight games and blowout on both sides. Fans throwing shit on the field, players throwing shit at managers. Who will win game 5 and the bragging rights for at least a year. This and so much more on this weeks episode!

We break down all facets of the NLDS between the Dodgers and the Padres. Will the Dodgers have enough pitching? Can the Padres offense hang with the Ohtani lead Dodgers? Whose bullpen is gonna lock down the other?? This and so much more on this weeks episode

Dodgers are set to pitch Yamamoto Flahrety, Buehler and maybe Knack? Is that enough to take down the Padres and Phillies? Giants move on from Farhan Zaidi and the lovable Buster Posey takes over as president of baseball ops. Are the Giants using his credibility? Are the gonna ruin his statue status? And how much will he be involved. This and so much more on this weeks episode!!

Dodgers cant beat the Padres even when they are set up, they have 2 more games to win one to lock down the NL West. The Eliminated Giants are unstoppable beating the orioles, Dbacks and sweep the Royals but is it enough to save Farhan’s job? Tigers are in the postseason and who’s the best team in the playoffs?? Studs, duds and so much more in this weeks episode!

Giants are a hot mess, the reporters can’t decide who signed Chapman. The fans can’t decide who deserves home run balls and the team can’t score runs!!! The Dodgers go .500 this week and have the possibility of the NL West crown ending up in San Diego. Shoes Ohtani makes his own club 50/50 for the season making history but is it enough for NL MVP when he’s only a DH? Who are the best Dodgers and Giants of all time?? Studs and duds, and so much more on this weeks episode!

With the Giants season over, what went wrong? What should they do the rest of the season? What should they do next year

Dodgers prepare for the playoffs, should they be platooning? Are these games even significant?and who would they want to see this postseason?

Players are getting mad at pitchers for HBPs, what should the league do? Studs and duds and so much more this episode!

Giants season is still over as they lose both series, try to garage sell Estrada, Taylor Rogers and Matzek and struggle to find their identity. Who’s in the wrong for this Shohei Bobblehead craziness? We discuss who’s season is more special, Shohei or Judge, studs and duds and so much more on this weeks episode!!

The Giants suck, even though they did have an over .500 week they still end their easy schedule only 1 game above .500 and still 4 out of the last WC spot. Is this season wasted? For the Giants yes, but are the Dodger fans complaining over nothing? If they don’t win the WS is that a reason for a wasted season? Did Randy get upset over nothing? Studs and duds and so much more on this weeks episode!!

We discuss MLBs try at getting starters deeper into games, 6 inning minimums or double hook DH? Dodgers get Mookie back but the Dbacks and Padres are 2 games back from the NL West! Giants beat the tigers but get bitch slapped by the Braves. Camilo Doval and Luciano are in AAA, Grant McCray must be the savior? Studs and duds and so much more on this weeks episode!!!

We discuss this years rookie class, and who will have the best career. Freddie Freeman comes back after heart wrenching story with his son’s illness. Dodgers win series against A’s and take series from the Phillies but Padres and Backs keep pace as the NL west race gets close. Giants Win series against the Reds over take the Pirates and Reds on the Wild Card standings and have the opportunity to takes 3 out of 4 from the nats and still only gain 1 games over the braves over their last 10 as the Giants try to get a wild card spot. White sox suck, stud and duds, this and much more on this weeks episode!

We check in on all the trades made at the deadline this year. Dodgers are going through a rough patch as they get swept by the Astros and Padres, but reinforcement’s are on they way from the deadline moves and from the IL. Giants sweep the Rockies and split 2 with the A’s but will this offense be able to make it to the playoffs? Is Farhans job in question? Is Dave Roberts going to help or hurt in the playoffs? Studs and duds and so much more on this weeks episode!!

SFGiants dont have a clear path but do make moves and the Dodgers makes great moves but not the high end ones we are use to seeing

Wild card hopeful Padre’s Dylan Cease throws a no no, and the DBacks make the first trade for AJ Puk. If that wasn’t enough the Dodgers take 3 out of 4 that possibly kill the Giants season. Dodgers look forward to the trade deadline add a starter plus as one of the hottest teams in baseball sweeping the Red Sox earlier in the week. Jesse proposes a huge trade Dave just wants a starter, studs and duds and so much more on this week’s episode!

The 2024 All Star week comes to an end. Teoscar Hernandez wins the Home Run Derby, Shohei Ohtani Hits a big HR and Will Smith gets a hit but…… Logan Webb has the worst box score of the game giving up the lead and Heliot Ramos goes 0-1. We Talk a little trade deadline and submit a wish list. Also get into the 2nd half of the season, Giants have a cake schedule and should be in a Wild card spot in the next week and a half or they are in trouble. Dodgers need to figure out who will be starting games for them and get their guys back in time for a playoff run. This and so much more on this weeks episode!!

The 2024 All Stars Announced, Heliot Ramos and Logan Webb for the Giants and the Dodger send Mookie, Shohei, Will Smith, Freddie, Glasgow and Teoscar Hernandez to the mid summer classic. We talk about the HR derby participants and why the main stars won’t participate. Giants start their hard schedule and so far are passing the test as they get their full rotation back. The Dodgers 2 of the 3 series this past week as they look for their needs at the deadline. Studs and duds, this and so much more on this weeks episode!

Giants have a terrible Cardinals series but win the first 3 against Cubs, honor willie mays with an unsatisfying walk off. no Mookie? No problem, Shohei Ohtani carries the Dodgers offense and the starting pitching behind Gavin stone hold down the defense. Nats and Padres clear benches but no one swings, so someone got butthurt for nothing. We talk possible trade or sell ideas, is Shohei a show in for MVP? Hayden Birdsong tries to save the Giants season. Studs and duds, this and much more on this weeks episode!!

Snoop dogg commentates on baseball sparks an idea. Giants lose 2 series and lose the first game at Rickwood cause their starting pitching is non existent and the bullpen can’t hang. Dodgers lose 2 of their biggest pieces but still dominate the Royals and Rockies. We morn the loss of Giant legend and baseball legend and civil rights legend Willie Mays, we discuss how insane his career was and his impact on the Giants from his playing days to the guys still on the team. Studs and duds and so much more on this weeks episode

Dodgers invade and win a huge series against the best team in the AL the New York Yankees, and go for the series win against the Rangers, and pick up a solid utility bat in Cavan Biggio. Giants beat Bruce Bochy’s Rangers and win the series against the struggling Astros. Can the Giants back of the rotation pick it up stay above .500? Do the Dodgers find thier infield help before Muncy returns? Stud and dud and so much more on this weeks episode!!!

Giants get swept by the Yankees and lose the series to the Backs brining them 3 games under .500, does it get worst or better from here? Dodgers take the series from the Rockies but lose the first 2 games from the Pirates young guns as the offense can’t get on a consistent roll. Dodgers nation get butthurt over a Beat LA giveaway and don’t remember how rivalries work. Tommy Pham always tries to fight everyone and at what point does it get tired? Studs and duds, this and so much more on this weeks episode!

The Dodgers pop tart city connects leak and what does it mean? They get swept by the Reds but does that mean… anything?? The comeback SFGiants ride a hot streak and get above 500 and take the 2nd wild card but who do you thank? The negro league stats are finally recognized as official stats and racist are pissed. Studs and duds and so much more on this week’s episode! 

Giants get get a 4 game sweeper from the Phillies,    are the Giants bad or just slupming? Dodgers kill the Braves and Marlins for the full week sweep! Blake Snell isnt allowed to use twitter according to SFGate, Yamamoto almost throws a no hitter until he actually has to pitch. Studs and duds, this and so much more on this weeks episode!

Giants win a series at home against the Giants filled Pirates but get pecker slapped in Fenway, offense slumping but the defense is a pleasant sight. Dodgers catch fire behind the Andy Pages spark and win 2 series in a row. The Mets get screwed by replay or did they? Cubs play the plate perfect and not sure if Alonso gets his hand down. Stud, duds, slap fights and so much more on this weeks episode!

What is the point of replay? Dodgers lose back to back series but show signs of life, Giants debut new lights, and are playing some good baseball and look to keep rolling, and why are mlb umpires? This and much more on this episode!

Giants go .500 again this week, is this who they are or are we waiting for them to show up? The dodgers lose 2 series this week and are the Nats for real or just hot? Will smith tries to protect his pitcher but Profar and the Padres have the last laugh. The umpires lack feel that hurt and help the Giants in both of their series this week, so much and more on this week’s episode!! 

The feds clear Ohtani but is it a coverup?? Blake Snell makes his SFGiants debut at Oracle, Dodgers have a 500 road trip against the cubs and Twins. Giants have their home opener going 500 as well against the Padres and Nationals. We go over our studs and dud of the week, this and so much more on this weeks episode!

Who’s right and wrong in the Rhys Hoskins and Jeff McNeil situation? Someone called sugar tits caught Shohei Ohtani’s first dodger home run and apparently got screwed over. The A’s are now the Sacramento A’s? How will it affect the SFGiants AAA affiliate? Giants split the series against the Padres and get swept by the Dodgers and the Dodgers take 3 out of 4 from the Cardinals in opening week. Conforto is hot but not as hot as Mookie, all this and more on this week’s episode!!

We made it! The 2024 season is here! But the Dbacks sign Jordan Montgomery right at the buzzer for a 1 year deal. Dodgers one up them and give Catcher Will Smith an 10 year 140 million dollar extension. We made our predictions around the league and on our teams for the 2024 season. And we go over the trades our team made we wish we could take back on this weeks episode!

We have actual games played! Dodgers split the series with the Padres in Korea with some controversy on and off the field. Shohei Ohtani’s long time interpreter Ippei Mizuhara fired for stealing over 4 million dollars from Shohei to cover his gambling debts, or maybe Shohei gave it to him? Or is Ippei the fall guy for Ohtani’s gambling problem? Who knows at this point but ones things for certain, you don’t know either. Giants choose violence and do not bring back long time PA announcer Renel Brooks Moon, such an easy popular decision but the Giants tone-deaf owners make another wild unpopular decision. Blake Snell signs with the SFGiants for most likely one year giving the Giants one of the best 1-2 punches in baseball. We finish our roster previews with the starting rotations and Catchers on this weeks episode!

The Padres make a huge splash trading for front line starter Dylan Cease, but was the return a huge sacrifice? Gavin Lux is moved to 2nd for bad defense which gives Mookie the ability to move to SS making him one of the best shortstops in baseball without playing more than a handful of games there. JD Davis is released after the Matt Chapman signing. But was he wronged? Trevor Bauer dominates the Dodgers….. minor leaguers and brags about it on Twitter. We break down the Giants and Dodgers Infield as well as DH

MLB the show introduce a feature to play as a woman and dudes are pissed but maybe more of us agree than disagree. Matt Cjapman signs a 3 year deal(kinda) with the Giants! We go over the Giants and Dodgers outfield and the bullpens for the 2024 season. Yamamoto struggles in a spring training start, but what does it mean? And Brandon Crawford tells what happened with the Giants split but is he justified? This and more in this week’s episode! 

We are back! We welcome in a new face Dave Contreras to cohost the pod! Jesse and Dave go over the Dodgers historic billion dollar offseason signing Shohei Ohtani, Yamamoto, Glassnow and Teoscar Hernandez. Giants sign Jung Hoo Lee, Jordan Hicks, Jorge Soler, and make some salary dumps (Stripling, DeScalfani & Haniger) and make a solid trade for Robbie Ray who won’t be coming back til August. Say good bye to Brandon Crawford, talk the possibility of Panda returning to Oracle. Manfred trying to micromanage pitching roster spots and so much more on this weeks episode!

Orioles make a dumb move firing their broadcaster for giving stats, Tim Anderson fights Jose Ramirez for a classic KO baseball fight. Giants go 2-4 against the As and Angels, and with a very hard August coming up slip down to the 2nd wild card team in the NL. With the offense struggling and and only having 3 starters it does look good for the Giants NL West hopes. Dodgers dominate against the Padres and DBacks growing their lead in the NL West to 6 games with 2 months to go. Their Trade deadline moves are paying off and with big names coming back off the IL things are looking good for the boys in blue

our first episode this year in with a bang? Giants have over achieved from the beginning of the year predictions and the Dodgers have technically under preformed but still are at the top of the NL west with the Giants 2.5 games back but have the top NL wild card spot. Both teams had mediocre trade deadlines and we talk about the "deals" made and the ones that should have been made. we break down the first 106+ games and look toward the next 50+ on this weeks episode!

WE ARE BACK! After huge personal events in our lives, we had to take an unexpected break, but we are back to talk about the best rivalry in sports! After huge promises made by the Giants front office, they still don’t have their star for the future. The Dodgers are oddly quiet but do add some infield depth with Miguel Rojas. Are both the Giants relying on their farm to fill in the holes? Will anyone trade for an impact player or will the Padres be the favorite to win the division for 2023. We grade the off-season, bring back the Aubrey Huff hate, Say goodbye to our departing fan favorites and so much more on this weeks episode!

Padres take the wild card series against the Mets and advance to the NLDS to take on the Dodgers in the NLDS. We tap Friar Talk’s Matt Kaimer to give us the Padres view of the upcoming series. We talk about what worries Tyler the most and what gives him the most hope this series will go his way. Giants also make some news hiring a new GM Pete Putila, we give our predictions on how the rest of the postseason will go, and much more on this weeks episode!

On this episode of the benches cleared podcast we talk bout the Dodgers dominat 2022, the Giants issues going 500. Judge and Pujols’s historic seasons. We also dive into the postseason and give our brackets on the results, this and so much more on this weeks episode!!

Dodgers win both series against the Padres and Backs but more questions come up with Kimbrel. What should his role be or should he even be on the postseason roster. Giants win both series against the Cubs and Braves, as they use the rest of 2022 as a try out for 2023. We talk Littell demotion, Flores extensions, home run milestones and what we would do with Pujols’s 700 HR ball. This and so much more on this weeks episode

Dodgers win the series vs both the Padres and Giants as they cruise to another NL West Division title. Giants sweep the Phillies but lose the series to the Dodgers and get swept by the Brewers in a weird double header, the NL wild card dreams are as good as done as they look towards 2023. MLB and MLBPA agree on 3 new rules for this upcoming season, Pitching Clocks, Bigger bases, and shift bans (kinda) how this will effect next year and what makes sense? New segments and more on this weeks episode!!

Dodgers take 3 from Miami but lose the series to the Mets, is it no big deal or is it a question if this team can beat them in the postseason. Giants get swept twice by the Twins and Padres, with almost all aspects of their game failing all energy has left the building. We talk about Pujols road to 700 HRs, Zack Hample hate and Josh Reddick trying to make himself relevant. This and so much more on this week’s episode!

Giants sweep the pirates and split with the Dbacks, pretty disappointing taking the first 2 against the dbacks and then unable to salvage a win with Rodon and Webb starts. Dodgers take the series with the Royals but lose a series with the Brewers, not a huge deal with a huge cushion in the NLWest but this series raises serious questions on who’s going to close tis postseason and with Buehler out for the season can they rely on their starting pitching depth to take them to another World Series

We talk about ESPNs laughable coverage on baseball and how they should use other analysts than Stephen A to talk about a sport that he clearly doesn’t watch

We go into the AL MVP debate, Shohei vs Judge, who has more value? This and so much more on the podcast that covers the best rivalry in sports

This episode of the benches cleared podcast we go over the Dodgers perfect week, sweeping the Padres and Twins extending their streak to 10. Securing the best record in baseball and extending by their lead.

The Giants sweep the As but lose the series to the Padres. Had a chance for the win of the series and the sweep but the struggling bullpen strikes again. Giants do have an above .500 week but still lose ground in the NL wild card race, now behind the Padres 7.5 games for the last spot. Running out of games the Giants need to get on a run this month if they have any hopes on making it to the playoffs this year

Chris Sale is out for the season breaking his hand falling off his bike, we give our condolences to Tim Lincecum and his family for losing his wife Cristin Coleman this last week and eye the next week on the podcast that covers the best rivalry in sports

We remember and talk about the greatest of all time Vin Scully, his life, legacy and what he meant to both of us as baseball fans hearing him throughout our entire lives. Giants win 4 game series against the cubs but who cares when the Dodgers shit all over your season. Dodgers win series over the Rockies but then beat the Giants like they stole something. At the deadline the Dodgers add Joey Gallo and Chris Martin. Giants lose Ruf, Casali and Boyd for prospects and JD Davis confusing and pissing off the entire fan base. Padres add Juan Soto, Yankees, Braves and Seattle add big. We look forward to next week for the Dodgers and Giants, this and so much more on this week’s episode!

Giants hit a huge decline getting swept by the Dodgers and the Dbacks. Everything is going wrong which could make them sellers at the deadline coming on Tuesday. Dodgers dominate Giants but lose series to the Nats but still secure the best record in baseball. We predict who’s going where this trade deadline and what it means for each team, stud duds and so much more on this weeks episode!

Giants take 3 of 4 from the Brewers and start to get their 2021 mojo back. Dodgers dominate the Angels and take a wild game 1 of the series with the Giants as we break it down. We talk all things All Star game and if the Nats should trade Soto and what it would take to get the generational player. Stud and duds and so much more on this week’s episode!

Giants split the series with the team they are chasing the Padres, start playing with some fire after Eric Karros calls out Flores, the Evan Longoria Rabies awareness to find a cure HR derby and the starting pitching dominating. then win their first series since mid June against the Dbacks playing 2021 giants baseball. Dodgers dominate the NL Central this week sweeping the cubs and taking the series against the wild card hopeful Cardinals separating themselves at the top of the NL West standing and best record in the NL. We talk All Star snubs and the derby, why the Royals AA team will be playing the Blue Jays, stud and duds, all this and more on this weeks episode

The Dodgers maintain the best record in the NL, sweeping the Rockies and taking 3 out of 4 from the Padres. Gonsolin keeps dominating and the Dodgers keep rolling despite having a shaky closer. The Giants can’t get out of their own way with defensive miscues they have been famous for all year. Matching with a struggling offense and its no surprise they get swept by the White Sox and losing the series to a bottom feeding Backs team. We remember the late legendary Dodger scout Mike Brito who passed away, worry for Jurickson Profar who had a scary collision with CJ Abrams, studs and duds and so much more on this weeks episode!