Baseball Bar-B-Cast

Latest Episodes:

Jorge Lopez-New York Mets debacle, Blue Jays go 'night mode', Yankees' rotation injury May 31, 2024

Show notes

The New York Mets are no strangers to making headlines on and off the field. On Wednesday, they managed to do it again with the actions of their now-former reliever Jorge Lopez and his meltdown after being ejected from the game.

Jake Mintz is joined by national baseball reporter from the Washington Post, Chelsea Janes, as they talk about what led up to the incident on the field, the miscommunication in Jorge’s postgame scrum and why it seems like the Mets let him down for the backlash he received.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake and Chelsea look at how the Washington Nationals have improved enough to make this a success so far and they talk about why the Baltimore Orioles need to at least get to the ALCS for 2024 to be considered another step forward for their young group of players.

Later, they discuss why there should be some concern for the New York Yankees' rotation after losing Clark Schmidt for 4-6 weeks, the Toronto Blue Jays releasing their “night mode” City Connect uniforms and give their takes for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla for this week.

(1:25) - Chelsea’s time playing college softball

(3:59) - Jorge Lopez-Mets situation

(19:34) - Nationals success this season

(28:05) - Next step for the Orioles

(32:58) - Clark Schmidt injury

(35:36) - Blue Jays City Connect

(38:33) - The Good

(42:02) - The Bad

(46:15) - The Uggla

(53:26) - Weekend preview

Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQ

Follow Jake @Jake_Mintz

Follow Jordan @J_Shusterman_

🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

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MLB integrates Negro Leagues stats in historic move, Angel Hernandez retires, Craig Counsell returns to Milwaukee May 29, 2024

Show notes

On Wednesday, Major League Baseball announced the historic news that stats from the Negro Leagues would be integrated into the baseball all-time record book. This huge step will forever change the way that the overall story of baseball is told. Now, some of the most important players of the game who were never fully recognized for their contribution to the sport, will finally be recognized among their fellow greats. Jake Mintz is joined by National MLB Insider Russell Dorsey as they discuss the integration of these statistics into the Major League record and the history behind this move taking place.

Later on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, baseball YouTube content creator Bailey Freeman, aka Foolish Baseball, joins Jake as they discuss the shocking retirement of one of the most famous umpires in the game, Angel Hernandez, and who will now become the next famous umpire fans will love to hate.

Jake and Bailey then talk about Craig Counsell making his first return to Milwaukee as the manager of the Chicago Cubs and why the boos he received were understandable from the crowd, plus a discussion about if an MVP award for Cleveland Guardians third basemen Jose Ramirez could be in his future this season and if the Philadelphia Phillies are now the leading candidate for the 2024 National League pennant.

(1:51) - MLB integrates Negro League stats

(20:05) - Bailey Freeman joins the show

(21:22) - Angel Hernandez retires

(32:18) - Who’s the new poster child for bad umping?

(36:55) - Craig Counsell returns to Milwaukee

(45:54) - Jose Ramirez, Guardians stay hot

(54:36) - Other MLB notes

Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQ

Follow Jake @Jake_Mintz

Follow Jordan @J_Shusterman_

🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

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

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🖥️ YouTube

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Ronald Acuña Jr. out for the year, Orioles mop White Sox & Guardians are hot May 27, 2024

Show notes

Coming into the 2024 season, the Atlanta Braves had high hopes to make another run at a World Series title. While they’ve done a good job so far despite losing ace pitcher Spencer Strider for the season, losing star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr., for the remainder of the season will be just another test.

Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss why the loss of Acuña Jr. sucks not just for the Braves but for baseball fans and for the league, as well as why there’s a chance the 2024 National League MVP may not be the same explosive player we’ve grown accustomed to watching when he returns. However, there should still be confidence in Braves General Manager Alex Anthopoulos to find a way to keep the Braves in a position for a postseason spot.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys recap all the action from the weekend including the Baltimore Orioles completing the mop of the Chicago White Sox, the Cleveland Guardians continuing their hot streak with a sweep of the Los Angeles Angles and why there’s nothing to worry about the Los Angeles Dodgers being swept by the Cincinnati Reds.

Jake & Jordan close out this episode by talking about the Cinderella NCAA Division III Birmingham–Southern College Panthers baseball team making the College World Series in pursuit of their first title despite their school shutting down a few weeks ago. Jordan also talks about his big upcoming move.

(1:43) - Ronald Acuña Jr. done for the year

(16:14) - Orioles mop the White Sox

(20:44) - The sweeps

(23:54) - Reds sweep Dodgers

(34:31) - The series wins

(37:22) - Brewers-Red Sox benches clear

(48:56) - BSC Panthers make College World Series

Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQ

Follow Jake @Jake_Mintz

Follow Jordan @J_Shusterman_

🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

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

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ 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

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

Rangers are stalling, James Wood is getting close, Orioles-White Sox controversial ending & Harper’s prom-posal May 24, 2024

Show notes

The Texas Rangers won their first-ever World Series in 2023 and it was in part to their scorching hot month of May, when they went 18-9. That was also when fans started taking notice that it could be a special year for them. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case this season for the Rangers as they currently sit below .500 with a negative run differential.

Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman talk about what’s going wrong with the defending World Series champs, including if they can afford to wait until the trade deadline to bolster their already ailing pitching rotation and why they can’t bank on a healthy Jacob deGrom to return this season.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys talk about the controversial finish to the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox game that saw an umpire make a rare call to end the game, Jake talks about seeing James Wood play in person and a funny interaction he had with future-Hall-of-Famer Dusty Baker in the stands at the game.

Jake & Jordan then give their Good, Bad & Uggla for the week, which includes Bryce Harper helping out a high schooler with his prom-posal, the Toronto Blue Jays bringing back their home run blazer, Maysn Winn’s not-so-enthusiastic reaction to the St. Louis Cardinals’ City Connect uniforms and much more.

(1:57) - Jake recaps his alumni high school game

(9:13) - Orioles-White Sox controversy

(17:00) - O’s swept for the first time since 2022 in regular season

(19:45) - Rangers aren’t doing so well

(23:33) - Listener email

(30:46) - Watching James Wood in person

(42:31) - Dusty Baker story

(46:46) - The good

(52:02) - The bad

(55:13) - The Uggla

(1:03:58) - Weekend preview

Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQ

Follow Jake @Jake_Mintz

Follow Jordan @J_Shusterman_

🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

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

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ 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

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

Oneil Cruz is hitting angry, Shohei Ohtani and Kyle Tucker leading the league, the Royals are turning heads with Jake Eisenberg May 22, 2024

Show notes

The Pittsburgh Pirates made headlines recently when they called up Paul Skenes, the No. 1 pick of the 2023 MLB Draft. Well, the Buccos are making headlines again and this time, it’s thanks to someone in the batters box.

Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss Oneil Cruz’s historic Statcast night on Tuesday, when he smashed three balls over 115 miles per hour, including two over 120 MPH. Cruz, who missed the majority of the 2023 season due to injury, made an error earlier in the game, which led to him hitting angry, and setting the Statcast world ablaze.

Also on this edition of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys talk about the current home run leader in baseball, Kyle Tucker, and if he’s becoming must-see television for fans. They then get into the current batting leader, Shohei Ohtani, and who in the top ten could possibly keep up this stretch for the rest of the season.

Later, Jake & Jordan welcome Kansas City Royals announcer Jake Eisenberg to talk about the team's surprising success this year behind their phenom shortstop, Bobby Witt Jr., and reliable captain behind the dish, Salvador Perez. Jake gives his defense for why this Royals team has been a long time coming and could be poised for good things this year.

(2:14) - Oneil Cruz hitting angry

(11:34) - Kyle “home run” Tucker

(16:38) - Ohtani leading batting race

(25:44) - Catching up on the Royals

(31:48) - Jake Eisenberg joins the show

(41:49) - Can the Royals maintain success?

(51:15) - Why Bobby Witt Jr. is special

(55:08) - Quick notes from around the league

Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQ

Follow Jake @Jake_Mintz

Follow Jordan @J_Shusterman_

🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

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

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ 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

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

Phillies taking advantage, Yankees pitching dilemma, Skenes impresses at Wrigley & Cardinals’ City Connect May 20, 2024

Show notes

The two teams with the most wins in baseball did what they’ve done pretty often this season: win. The Philadelphia Phillies, who lead the National League with 34 wins, and the New York Yankees, who lead the American League with 33 wins, both had successful weekends walking away with sweeps of their opponents.

Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman talk about how the Phillies have taken advantage of their schedule for the first two months and why they could be in for a rude awakening when the competition starts to get a little tougher. They also discuss the potential questions the Yankees will face when Gerrit Cole returns to their rotation.

The guys also get into all the other matchups from the weekend including Paul Skenes’ dominating encore performance at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs, Shohei Ohtani hitting his first walk-off in four years, the Baltimore Orioles taking this round of the Bar-B-Cast Bowl against the Seattle Mariners and they give a review of the St. Louis Cardinals’ City Connect uniforms.

(2:14) - The sweeps

(4:25) - Yankees rotation dilemma

(19:23) - Phillies strength of schedule

(27:46) - 3-1 series wins

(37:38) - 2-1 series wins

(52:16) - Cardinals’ City Connect uniforms

[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]

Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQ

Follow Jake @Jake_Mintz

Follow Jordan @J_Shusterman_

🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

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

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ 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

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

Yankees looking to extend Juan Soto, Elly De La Cruz is unreal & listener emails May 17, 2024

Show notes

After the New York Yankees did what they always seem to do, continuing their 20+ years of obliterating the Minnesota Twins, the team made some noise off the field when owner Hal Steinbrenner said he’s looking to possibly extend superstar Juan Soto during this season. That might be easier said than done due to the usual negotiating tactics of Soto’s agent, Scott Boras. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman kick off the podcast discussing the upcoming negotiations between Soto’s representation & the Yankees.

The guys then get into the unreal start that Cincinnati Reds phenom Elly De La Cruz has launched off to on the base paths (including four steals Thursday night against the Dodgers), why his goal of 80 stolen bases seems like easy money and the reason why a certain famous video game helps him elevate his play whenever he’s in Los Angeles.

Later, Jake & Jordan answer some listenr emails where they apologize for doubting Javier Assad, share which teams they’re most optimistic about, give their Good, Bad and Uggla for the week and close out highlighting a few games they’re looking forward to this weekend.

(1:32) - Caitlin Clark’s home debut in-person

(3:56) - Yankees own the Twins + Soto negotiation

(15:14) - Sweeps & mops recap

(31:52) - Listener emails

(45:04) - Good, bad & Uggla

(1:00:21) - Weekend preview

[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]

Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQ

Follow Jake @Jake_Mintz

Follow Jordan @J_Shusterman_

🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

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

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ 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

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

New Statcast hitting metrics explained, Phillies first to 30 wins, Angels are scuffling May 15, 2024

Show notes

For the longest time in baseball we have had some of the most detailed pitching metrics thanks to Major League Baseball’s Statcast technology, but now we are privy to a little more in-depth information in how hitters swing and make contact thanks to the newly released data and updated tech at ballparks.

Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss and explain what these new metrics are and how they will be useful for teams, writers and even fans in evaluating players. With the use of bat speed, swing length, squared up rate, sweet spot percentage and blast rate, you’ll now be able to tell if certain hitters are battling an injury, if they’re changing their approach depending on the count or if a team has an overall developed hitting philosophy, just to name a few, because of these stats.

Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys get into the success of the Philadelphia Phillies and how despite battling through some adversity, they’ve become the first team in baseball to 30 wins. They also discuss Ron Washington and the disappointing Los Angeles Angels following a botched suicide squeeze play, as well as give some quiet notes from around the league.

(1:56) - New Statcast hitting metrics

(23:38) - How these stats will be used

(28:21) - A look at early data trends

(37:03) - Phillies are first to 30 wins

(47:05) - Everything going wrong with Angels

(53:16) - Notes from around the league

[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]

Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQ

Follow Jake @Jake_Mintz

Follow Jordan @J_Shusterman_

🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

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

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ 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

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

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

Recapping Paul Skenes’ debut, Rockies sweep the champs, Cardinals’ deep-rooted problems & Dylan Bundy retires May 13, 2024

Show notes

This weekend at PNC Park, the baseball world got their first glimpse of the future for the Pittsburgh Pirates when Paul Skenes made his long awaited debut.

And boy did it have everything and more.

Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman give their review of the start from the 21-year-old future ace, as well as discuss the wacky and crazy game that would ensure once Skenes came out of the game. While the Pirates were able to get the win, it would all come after one of the weirdest innings of baseball either have ever seen.

Also on this edition of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys recap all the action from around the league this weekend including the Colorado Rockies surprising everyone by sweeping the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers in Denver, the deep-rooted problems that surround the St. Louis Cardinals and the Atlanta Braves’ pitching stepping up in Queens against the New York Mets.

The guys close out the show by discussing the retirement of Dylan Bundy and why he could be a cautionary tale for young, phenom pitchers on the rise in the minors who must continue to develop once they get to the big leagues.

1:51 - Paul Skenes’ first start in Pittsburgh

18:01 - Rockies complete the sweep against Texas

21:30 - Cardinals’ deep problems

30:40 - Ron Washington’s confidence in Angels

33:52 - Postseason Padres

39:18 - Braves pitching stepping up

49:56 - Astros showing signs of life

55:09 - Dylan Bundy’s retirement

[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]

Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQ

Follow Jake @Jake_Mintz

Follow Jordan @J_Shusterman_

🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

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

🎧 Apple Podcasts

🎧 Spotify

🖥️ 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

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

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

Paul Skenes has arrived, Ippei pleads guilty, Rangers weird trade & baseball pranks May 10, 2024

Show notes

Get pumped Pittsburgh Pirates fans, Paul Skenes is on his way to PNC Park.

After it was announced on Wednesday, the number one overall pick of the 2023 MLB Draft will make his first start for the club on Saturday against the Chicago Cubs. After dominating in the minors in less than half a full season, the powerful righty has proven that he’s ready for the show.

Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman get fans hyped up for baseball’s number three overall prospect, dishing what kind of player Skenes is, the comparisons to him and former Washington Nationals ace Stephen Strasburg’s MLB debut and why when you watch him pitch, there’s something noticeably special about him.

Also on this episode, the guys discuss Shohei Ohtani’s former translator Ippei Mizuhara pleading guilty to authorities, a strange trade that the Texas Rangers just made and why the ridiculous Mason Miller trade calls are starting to get louder.

Closing out the show, Jake & Jordan give their Good, Bad and Uggla for this week, which include the Tampa Bay Rays pranking one of their rookies, the Los Angeles Angels questionable roster construction and Derek Thomas ranking as the best home plate umpire this season. We also get a quick peek of what Jake and Jordan are looking forward to in baseball this weekend.

0:50 - Paul Skenes will start this weekend for Pittsburgh

19:46 - Ohtani-Ippei gambling scandal update

24:17 - Texas Rangers make a trade

28:14 - Mason Miller on the move?

30:56 - The Good

35:08 - The Bad

42:20 - The Uggla

46:53 - Weekend preview

47:57 - Jake glasses update

[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]

Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQ

Follow Jake @Jake_Mintz