Baseball Bar-B-Cast

Latest Episodes:

Phillies eyeing top of NL East during hot streak, Astros make a change at GM & it’s now or never for the Mariners Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

As the baseball world enters the final month of the regular season, teams are all ready to make their final push to try and lock in their spot for the postseason. While the Wild Card spots have allowed more teams into the dance, some are still eyeing a possible division championship. With the Atlanta Braves being a mainstay at the top of the NL East, the Philadelphia Phillies, on their hot streak, look ready to make a move to the top of the division.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the Phillies' nine-game win streak after sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals and completing an incredible ninth-inning comeback on Sunday. Even though the Phillies and Braves will face off six more times before the season ends, there’s a real reason to believe that the City of Brotherly Love is not ready to settle for an NL Wild Card spot just yet.

Later in the show, Jake and Jordan talk about the incredible game from Randy Arozarena on Saturday, as well as Kade Anderson’s debut in the same game and why the Seattle Mariners still have a good chance to possibly snag the AL West with their schedule the rest of the way. The guys then react to the breaking news that the Houston Astros are parting ways with GM Dana Brown, Shohei Ohtani getting closer to being back on the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers and recap all the other action from this weekend in baseball.

2:15 - The Opener: Phillies on Fire
14:51 - We Need To Talk About: Randy Arozarena
27:38 - How Sweep It Is: Encouraging News for Dodgers
37:39 - Sweeps from the Weekend Recap
49:26 - Astros Part Ways with GM
1:00:02 - Turbo Mode: Weekend Recap

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🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

MLB Main Characters Draft: Tatis, PCA, Acuña & Cal Raleigh + Kade Anderson Call-Up & Ketel Marte News Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

Jordan Shusterman is back from vacation, and he re-joins Jake Mintz to take stock of the stretch run as October rapidly approaches. The hosts kick off the show by drafting their "main characters" for the remainder of the regular season—the 10 key individual players who will dictate, impact, and define the playoff picture, including Fernando Tatis Jr., Kyle Schwarber, Ronald Acuña Jr., Pete Crow-Armstrong, Jose Ramirez, and Cal Raleigh.

Next, the guys break down the Seattle Mariners calling up the top pitching prospect in baseball, Kade Anderson. They discuss what makes the former LSU star so special, how he fell to the Mariners at the third pick in the draft, and what to expect from his debut against the Cubs. They also address the bizarre update surrounding Ketel Marte, who was moved from the restricted list to the 10-day IL following a team meeting with Diamondbacks executives.

Finally, it’s Friday, which means an action-packed edition of "The Good, The Bad, and The Uggla”. Highlights from "The Good" include Milwaukee Brewers prospect Sawyer Strosnider hitting his first pro home run directly to his dad on the party deck and a gamer throwing a perfect game on MVP Baseball 2005. "The Bad" touches on Jorge Polanco's season-ending ankle surgery and a non-definitive foul pole camera replay in Baltimore. "The Uggla” features a raccoon reaching through the Citi Field floorboards for peanuts and Russian tennis star Daniil Medvedev revealing his diehard obsession with the Cincinnati Reds.

Timetamps:

(00:00) — Introduction & Jordan Returns From Vacation

(01:57) — Rest-of-Season Main Characters Draft (Tatis, Schwarber, Acuña, PCA, J-Ram & More)

(37:48) — Mariners Call Up #1 Pitching Prospect Cade Anderson

(48:30) — Ketel Marte's Bizarre IL Update & Diamondbacks Meeting

(56:15) — The Good: Dad Catches Son's 1st Pro HR & MVP 2005 Perfect Game Milestone

(01:05:10) — The Bad: Jorge Polanco's Season-Ending Injury & Orioles Foul Pole Camera Controversy

(01:13:55) — The Uggla: Citi Field Raccoon & Daniil Medvedev's Diehard Reds Obsession

(01:21:28) — Weekend Series Preview & Outro

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Biggest threat to Dodgers’ three-peat, Ketel Marte no-shows & Brewers do something for first time since 1885 Aug 19, 2026

Show notes

The reigning back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers have overwhelmingly been the odds-on favorite to win their 10th championship this season and become the first team to three-peat since the ’90s New York Yankees dynasty. However, despite their big offseason acquisitions and trading for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal before the trade deadline, could there be something — or even someone — that will get in the way of the Dodgers pulling off the ultra-rare feat?

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz is joined by MLB writer for The Athletic Katie Woo as they try to figure out which players, despite the Dodgers’ success this season, could get in the way of Los Angeles being the last team standing in October for a third straight year. They also dive into Edwin Díaz landing back on the injured list and why the yips chatter is growing louder for Kyle Tucker this season.

Later in the show, Jake and Katie talk about the curious situation involving Ketel Marte not showing up for Monday’s game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park and whether there’s a larger problem at play here. They then discuss how Mark Walter’s recent selling spree could affect the Dodgers at some point, the concerning situation of ICE detaining a coach from the San Diego Padres and the Seattle Mariners getting bludgeoned by the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday night.

1:44 - The Opener: Dodgers’ Threat to Three-Peat
22:28 - We Need to Talk About: Marte Going MIA
35:40 - Around the League: Walter’s Selling Spree
44:01 - ICE Detains a Padres Coach
49:42 - Brewers Bludgeon the Mariners

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🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

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⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

Joshua Báez’s incredible MLB debut, updated AL Wild Card picture & Kyle Tucker has a Dodger Stadium problem Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

Every season, we see baseball players make their long-anticipated debut in the bigs. It’s the culmination of hard work and time paying off to achieve one of the hardest goals a baseball player can work toward. However, what we saw on Saturday at Wrigley Field might’ve been the most incredible debut by a player in the history of the sport.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz is joined by broadcaster Kevin Brown as they recap the amazing debut by Joshua Báez of the St. Louis Cardinals, which included him hitting three home runs in his first MLB game and helped the Redbirds take the series from their divisional rivals. They then discuss Báez’s background that led to him getting the call-up and how a broadcaster like Kevin goes about handling the moment for TV.

Later in the show, Jake and Kevin take a look at the current crazy American League Wild Card standings, which have the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox leading the way, all the while seven other teams are vying for the third and final spot. They then get into the troubles that Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker is facing while playing at home, Paul Skenes’s start getting bumped to Wednesday and recap all the other action from baseball this weekend.

2:23 - The Opener: Joshua Báez’s debut
21:33 - We Need To Talk About: AL Wild Card standings
51:43 - Who gets the last spot?
54:30 - Turbo Mode: Tucker’s home issues
1:03:35 - Paul Skenes gets bumped
1:06:43 - Weekend action recap

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🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

Phillies win Field of Dreams game, other unique MLB venues to play and Yankees & Mets going in different directions Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

Major League Baseball returned to Iowa for the first time since 2022 on Thursday night, with the Philadelphia Phillies defeating the Minnesota Twins in the third-ever Field of Dreams game. Taking place a stone’s throw away from the famous field from the movie, the game featured everything a baseball fan could want, including Kyle Schwarber going deep twice.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz is joined by MLB insider for SNY Chelsea Janes, as they recap all the action from the Phillies’ victory out by the corn, the theatrics behind the pregame festivities and why the game is important to baseball. They then try to figure out what other unique locations MLB could play a regular-season game in and how Bryce Harper is embracing his corny side.

Later in the show, Jake and Chelsea dive into the complications that the New York Yankees and the New York Mets are facing this season, including how much the Bronx Bombers are relying on Aaron Judge to return this season and if David Stearns can fix the mess that’s in Flushing. They end the show by making their picks for this week’s edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

0:37 - The Opener: Phillies win in Iowa, next unique ballpark
12:56 - Recap of Field of Dreams game
22:37 - Can David Stearns fix the Mets?
37:30 - Will Aaron Judge return?
46:12 - The Good
51:19 - The Bad
54:58 - The Uggla

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

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🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

Panic Grows for Paul Skenes, Padres Have Come Alive & Pope Mania Reaches New High for White Sox Aug 12, 2026

Show notes

When the 2026 season started with Paul Skenes having the roughest start of his MLB career against the New York Mets, many thought it would be just a blip on his greatness radar. Unfortunately, it might have been a precursor for things to come this season for the Pittsburgh Pirates ace, and now we’re left wondering if something is truly wrong with Skenes.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss yet another concerning start for the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner and try to figure out what’s going on with Paul Skenes. They make a comparison between him and Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, who has also suffered a major falloff after his great 2025 campaign, and discuss whether the World Baseball Classic can be used as an excuse.

Later in the show, Jake and Jordan talk about Jackson Merrill being at the forefront of the San Diego Padres’ hot offense, which has put them right back in the mix for a potential NL Wild Card spot. They then highlight the Chicago White Sox giving out a Pope hat as part of a giveaway, Tim Anderson announcing his retirement and play a fun game surrounding the 2026 Heart and Hustle Award winners.

1:11 - The Opener: Paul Skenes’ concern grows
19:13 - Cal Raleigh’s falloff from 2026
29:53 - Around The League: Pope mania reaches new high
37:25 - Tim Anderson announces retirement
43:37 - Padres are getting hot
48:38 - Thoughts on the Phillies
54:23 - Heart and Hustle Award game

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

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📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

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🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

AL Standings Chaos: Mariners Stink, Tigers Surge, A's Fire David Forst & Dodgers Aging Concerns Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman take stock of the standings following the trade deadline, kicking off with the chaotic and mediocre American League wildcard race. They break down the Seattle Mariners’ miserable weekend, where the team was swept at home by the Tampa Bay Rays while celebrating 50 years of franchise history in front of over 40 franchise legends. The guys evaluate whether Dan Wilson's squad can recover during a grueling August road trip or if Seattle's season is officially slipping away.

The conversation shifts to the surprising Detroit Tigers, who have surged into second place in the AL Central with the American League's best run differential behind strong pitching performances and the return of Jackson Jobe. Jake and Jordan also cover the Oakland A's decision to part ways with long-time front-office executive David Forst after a disastrous season, as well as Chris Sale's historic pre-game ejection at Yankee Stadium before the first pitch was even thrown.

Over in the National League, the hosts dissect the Los Angeles Dodgers' recent slump after dropping two out of three games to the surging Arizona Diamondbacks. They analyze whether the Dodgers' aging offense is showing early warning signs for October, review the Philadelphia Phillies' bullpen fatigue, highlight the New York Mets' hot streak against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and close out the show with a debate over when the "dog days of summer" actually begin and end.

Timetamps:

(00:00) — Intro & Debating the "Dog Days of Summer"

(01:32) — AL Standings Check & Seattle Mariners' 50th-Anniversary Disaster

(12:02) — Tampa Bay Rays' Dominance & Texas Rangers vs. Baltimore Orioles

(22:31) — Detroit Tigers' Surge & AL Central Standings Breakdown

(28:56) — Yankees Beat Braves, Chris Sale Ejected Before 1st Pitch & Red Sox Drop Series to A's

(34:53) — Oakland A's Part Ways with Executive David Forst

(38:40) — NL West: Dodgers' Aging Offense Concerns & Diamondbacks' Surge

(47:07) — Phillies Bullpen Woes, Padres Beat Astros & Mets Rock Pirates

(59:43) — Weekend Quick Hits: Nats Sweep, Jacob Misiorowski's Dominance & Craig Kimbrel to Royals

(01:08:38) — Final Thoughts & Defining the Baseball "Dog Days"

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

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📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

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🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

NL MVP Debate: PCA vs. Shohei Ohtani, Skubal Trade Conspiracies & The Good, Bad, and Uggla Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman break down the National League MVP race after Pete Crow-Armstrong and Shohei Ohtani both hit two home runs in the finale of the Chicago Cubs' three-game sweep over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The guys dive deep into PCA’s leap as a hitter—including cutting his chase rate by 7.5%—and contrast his elite center field defense with Ohtani's offensive dominance and 85.2 innings on the mound. They also run through the rest of the MLB awards landscape, including Yordan Alvarez commanding the AL MVP, Dylan Cease battling Cam Schlittler for the AL Cy Young, Jacob Misiorowski facing Cristopher Sanchez for NL Cy Young, and key Rookie of the Year contenders.

Next, the mailbag opens up for a series of wild conspiracy theories and listener emails. The hosts evaluate whether Detroit Tigers owner Chris Ilitch traded Tarik Skubal to the Dodgers to fuel salary cap animosity, debate whether non-Dodgers front offices hold a "loser mentality," address a Washington Nationals fan's frustration over trading core stars, and discuss why Gen Z players keep trolling about whether Babe Ruth was a real person.

Finally, it’s Friday, which means it’s time for "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly". Highlights from "The Good" include the Boston Red Sox's wild 13-inning comeback against the Chicago White Sox and Jefry Yan’s leaping strikeout debut for the New York Mets. "The Bad" covers Harrison Bader’s fire truck scooter accident and Kevin Gausman’s daughter roasting the Blue Jays. "The Uggla features Dave Dombrowski defending Alec Bohm using RBI statistics and Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio giving an unprompted rant about former Phillies players.

Timestamps:

(00:00) — Introduction & Cubs Sweep the Dodgers

(02:18) — NL MVP Debate: Pete Crow-Armstrong vs. Shohei Ohtani

(20:57) — Award Races: AL MVP, Cy Young & Rookie of the Year

(30:13) — Mailbag: Tarik Skubal Trade & Salary Cap Conspiracy Theories

(39:22) — Mailbag: Front Office Mindsets & Nats Fan Despair

(53:30) — Mailbag: Does Gen Z Believe Babe Ruth Was Real?

(57:44) — The Good: Red Sox 13-Inning Comeback & Jefry Yan's Leaping Debut

(01:06:40) — The Bad: Harrison Bader's Scooter Incident & Gausman's Daughter Roasts Blue Jays

(01:10:09) — The Uggla: Dave Dombrowski Defends Alec Bohm's RBIs & Vic Fangio's Phillies Rant

(01:16:09) — Weekend Series Preview & Outro

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

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📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ

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⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

Tarik Skubal debuts with Dodgers, George Lombard Jr. arrives in the Bronx & the red-hot Red Sox Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

The biggest get of the trade deadline season made his debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night, with hopes that Tarik Skubal could end the mini-skid they had been on. Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned, as the Chicago Cubs defeated the Dodgers and extended LA's losing streak to five. However, there's no need to panic about the defending back-to-back champs.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman recap Skubal's pretty good debut for his new team and why him landing in Los Angeles ultimately wasn't a shocking outcome. They then dive a little deeper into the actual deal, including the players the Detroit Tigers received in return for Skubal, whether they could've gotten a better deal by waiting until closer to the trade deadline and why there's even more intrigue surrounding the Dodgers this postseason.

Later in the show, Jake and Jordan are joined by Boston Red Sox MassLive beat reporter Chris Cotillo to examine how the Red Sox did at the deadline, including the shocking acquisition of Adley Rutschman, the impressive winning stretch they've been on and what turned Craig Breslow into being a little more aggressive than we've been used to seeing. The guys then close the show by highlighting George Lombard Jr.'s impressive debut for the New York Yankees, the "new" look Philadelphia Phillies post-deadline and Jacob deGrom reportedly blocking a trade to the Atlanta Braves.

]

1:14 - The Opener: Skubal's first Dodgers start
20:48 - The return for the Tigers
30:10 - Chris Cotillo joins the show
38:02 - How good are the Red Sox?
49:45 - End of the Marcello Mayer era in Boston
55:51 - We Need To Talk About: Lombard Jr.'s debut
1:06:38 - Around The League

Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

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🖥️ YouTube

📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv

And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ

📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq

⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz

🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

2026 MLB Trade Deadline reaction show Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

The 2026 MLB trade deadline has come and gone, and with teams all looking to load up their rosters for a postseason push, we saw quite a few surprises before the deadline hit 6 p.m. ET. Between the Los Angeles Dodgers, not shockingly, trading for Tarik Skubal and the Boston Red Sox, shockingly, trading for Adley Rutschman, it’s time to look at all the activity from deadline day.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman break down all the deals that went down over the past few days, including the Philadelphia Phillies picking up Luis Arráez despite an already crowded infield, the New York Yankees trading for Luis Garcia Jr. to help their struggling offense and the Tampa Bay Rays adding Freddy Peralta to bolster their rotation.

Later in the show, Jake and Jordan discuss all the moves that didn’t happen, including which teams they’re surprised didn’t make many moves before the clock struck six, which teams may have overpaid in their deals, and which GM had the best trade deadline.

1:13 - Where we stand heading into the deadline

18:23 - Foster Griffin gets traded

24:52 - Final deals come in before the deadline

31:26 - Casey Mize to the Padres

40:12 - Notable names not traded

53:53 - Yankees and their deadline

1:00:25 - Arráez and Skubal on the move

1:13:36 - Rutschman gets traded

1:23:49 - Winners and losers of the deadline

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