Baseball Bar-B-Cast

Latest Episodes:

Justin Verlander is calling it a career, the 300-win club is closed, top 50 draft prospects, and the Home Run Derby field fills up Jul 10, 2026

Show notes

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Justin Verlander has announced that he will retire following the end of the 2026 season. While the future first-ballot Hall of Famer's decision isn't entirely shocking, as he's battled to stay on the mound this season due to injuries, the 43-year-old is looking to finish his final year on a high note, which includes an honorary trip to the MLB All-Star Game.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the incredible career of Justin Verlander, who achieved nearly every major feat a starting pitcher could hope to accomplish, with one exception: winning 300 games. They then wonder whether we'll ever see another member of the 300-win club, since the milestone appears to be out of reach for modern-day starting pitchers. The guys also discuss why Verlander and Max Scherzer have a difficult relationship as future hall of famers.

Later in the show, Jake and Jordan talk about the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers getting on a roll and finding themselves right back in the American League Wild Card race. Jordan also previews his top 50 prospects for fans to keep an eye on in the MLB Draft this Saturday, as well as provides an update on the Home Run Derby field as it continues to fill up and which players will need replacements for the All-Star Game. The guys close the show by making their weekly picks for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

1:58 – The Opener: Verlander to retire
21:38 – Around the League: Who will the White Sox take?
34:59 – Home Run Derby field is filling up
38:20 – All-Star Game replacements
39:52 – The Good
48:43 – The Bad
56:26 – The Uggla

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Shohei Ohtani hits 300th home run, history during Royals-Mets madness & All-Star snubs make their cases Jul 08, 2026

Show notes

It was just supposed to be a regular, full-slate Tuesday in the baseball world. With some really good matchups, ace starters on the mound, and possible historic moments on the horizon, nobody could've expected the madness that would ensue and give us possibly the best day of MLB action we've had all season long.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman recap the wild Tuesday night that featured Shohei Ohtani hitting his 300th career home run, Tyler Tolbert tying a major league record for most hits in consecutive at-bats and Ryan O'Hearn having a three-home-run game. They also talk about Jackson Chourio having some fun in the Milwaukee Brewers' game and James Wood continuing his under-the-radar monster season for the Washington Nationals.

Later in the show, Jake and Jordan get into the newest names added as replacements for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game and Ben Rice joining the still-curious field for the Home Run Derby. They also make the case for why Zack Wheeler has a right to be annoyed about not being named to the National League squad before previewing the 2026 MLB Futures Game, which takes place on Sunday.

1:18 – The Opener: Craziest night of 2026
11:15 – Tolbert's historic hits
17:28 – All-Star snubs go off
29:48 – Ohtani hits his 300th HR
35:21 – Around The League: Where will Skubal go?
41:10 – What's a 5-game sweep called?
46:42 – We Need To Talk About: All-Star updates
59:00 – Futures Game preview

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Surprising All-Star Game roster snubs, no chance for a perfect game and things are going off the rails for the Yankees Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

The rosters for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game were announced this past weekend, and while many very deserving players were named to their respective squads, there were a few surprising names who weren't selected. With the Midsummer Classic taking place in Philadelphia, there's one member of the hometown team who should've been a slam dunk to join the National League roster.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss who they think were the biggest snubs from this year's All-Star Game, including why Zack Wheeler should've easily made the team representing the host Philadelphia Phillies. They also discuss some of the surprising players who did make their league's roster, including Luis Arraez, Matt Olson and Nick Kurtz.

Later in the show, Jake and Jordan talk about the controversial decision by the Miami Marlins to not let Eury Pérez attempt to complete a perfect game after seven innings against the Sacramento Athletics. They then discuss the New York Yankees alarmingly dropping a series to the Minnesota Twins at Yankee Stadium for the first time since 2014, a Los Angeles Dodgers announcer giving the two of them some flak and recap all the other action from baseball this past weekend.

2:05 - The Opener: All-Star snubs
14:50 - All-Star starting pitcher matchup
28:20 - How Sweep It Is: No perfecto for Pérez
41:56 - Red Sox are back in the race
45:28 - Kind of a Big Deal: Yankees panic?
53:46 - Turbo Mode: Weekend recap

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

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

Paul Skenes performance panic, All-Star Game rosters taking shape and Steve Cohen addresses concerns about the Mets Jul 03, 2026

Show notes

Pittsburgh Pirates ace pitcher Paul Skenes has accomplished quite a bit in his first two big league seasons, including winning a Cy Young Award, being named NL Rookie of the Year, and making two All-Star Games. However, in year three, things haven't come quite as easily for the 24-year-old flamethrower, and his team isn't really helping him out either.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss Skenes' more mediocre season so far, one that has seen him go winless over his last nine starts. While Skenes does have a respectable 3.62 ERA after 18 starts this season, his numbers have climbed beyond what we saw in his first two campaigns. What level of concern should people have over the Pirates ace looking more mortal than usual?

Later in the show, Jake and Jordan take a look at the second phase of voting for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, which has narrowed the field to two finalists at each position and six in the outfield. Despite an early surge from Toronto Blue Jays fans, there might be only one Blue Jays player who starts, even if he is having a down year. They then examine the comments Steve Cohen made about the New York Mets on a recent podcast, discuss the suspensions handed down following the brawl between the Boston Red Sox and the Washington Nationals and make their picks for this week's edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

2:10 - The Opener: Paul Skenes panic?
23:45 - We Need To Talk About: Steve Cohen's comments
34:14 - Eric Chavez also talks Mets
39:42 - Around The League: All-Star Game voting update
47:55 - Red Sox-Nationals suspensions
50:54 - The Good, The Bad & The Uggla

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

Benches-clearing baseball beefs, who could go 1st in the 2026 MLB Draft and Tigers' Cam Schlittler extends Yankees' June swoon Jul 01, 2026

Show notes

As the weather starts to warm up, tensions among players and teams naturally begin to rise, as we've seen multiple altercations occur during games this past week. With Wilson Contreras taking exception to words said to him by Cade Cavalli and Josh Naylor getting into it with former teammate Austin Hedges, it's time to ask the question: What's with the beef?

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman break down the bad blood that circulated through Fenway Park between the Boston Red Sox and the Washington Nationals, as well as between the Cleveland Guardians and the Seattle Mariners. Did Wilson Contreras have the right to be as upset as he was with Cade Cavalli? Is there a bigger issue that needs to be discussed regarding Josh Naylor's former actions with teammates?

Later on the show, Jake and Jordan preview the 2026 MLB Draft, including which of Roch Cholowsky, Vahn Lackey and Grady Emerson could go No. 1 overall and why Jackson Flora is the clear top pitcher in this draft class. They then take a look at the New York Yankees suffering their annual June swoon after dropping their series to the Detroit Tigers, with Cam Schlittler helping to extend the skid, and Junior Caminero officially joining the Home Run Derby field.

2:13 - The Opener: Brawl in Boston
19:14 - Naylor vs. Hedges
30:46 - 2026 MLB Draft preview
53:22 - Around the League: MLB changed the balls
56:09 - Yankees and their June swoon
1:02:02 - Junior Caminero joins the Home Run Derby

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_

Red Sox eye a Wild Card spot after Yankees mop, Blue Jays have a serious problem and Angels make a change at general manager Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

The Boston Red Sox have had a disappointing 2026 campaign thus far. With lots of hope and promise riding on the backs of their young starters, the team has struggled to get off the ground. However, this past weekend, they completed a four-game mop of their bitter rivals, the New York Yankees, and suddenly find themselves right back in a Wild Card race that appears to be up for the taking.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the Red Sox's impressive pitching performance against the Yankees, including shutting down the only team in the American League with a run differential better than +25. They also get into why there isn't a ton of concern for the Bronx Bombers, considering the team is struggling to keep key players healthy and on the field.

Also on the show, Jake and Jordan welcome Sam Blum from The Athletic to discuss the Los Angeles Angels firing general manager Perry Minasian, whether it could signal a change for the franchise, or if owner Arte Moreno will continue to struggle to find direction for his team. The guys then get into the Vladimir Guerrero Jr. problem the Toronto Blue Jays are facing, the latest update to the Yahoo Sports Power Rankings and recap all the other action from around MLB this weekend.

1:25 – The Opener: Yankees get mopped
11:49 – AL East shakeup
32:02 – Sam Blum joins the show
42:47 – Where do the Angels go from here?
58:04 – Turbo Mode: The Miz keeps dealing
1:04:58 – Power Rankings update

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_

Mets fire Carlos Mendoza, Phillies find magic in the 9th, Bryce Harper vs. the Nationals & the latest in the CBA negotiations Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

On Friday morning, the New York Mets made the decision to fire manager Carlos Mendoza after what has been a rough stretch, including a sweep at the hands of the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field. The Mets, who currently sit at 34-47 and in last place in the NL East, find themselves in dire need of a shakeup, but should Mendoza be the scapegoat for what has been an extremely disappointing season thus far?

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss how things have gone so wrong for the Mets this year and why David Stearns probably deserves more of the blame than Carlos Mendoza. After bringing in interim manager Andy Green, will the Amazin's be able to get a new-manager bump, like their rival Philadelphia Phillies did, and somehow get back into the postseason race before it's too late?
Also on the show, Jake and Jordan talk about the Philadelphia Phillies' recent stretch of magic in the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals, where they took the final three games of a four-game set, winning each game with rallies in the ninth. They then get into Bryce Harper's interesting motions after his late-game heroics against his former team, the latest update in the MLB vs. MLBPA CBA negotiation saga and make their picks for this week's edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

1:36 - The Opener: Phillies in the 9th
13:31 - Harper vs. the Nats
22:07 - Mets fire Mendoza
41:15 - We Need To Talk About: CBA negotiations update
51:50 - The Good
1:00:36 - The Bad
1:09:21 - The Uggla

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_

Shohei Ohtani has All-Star competition, Jazz Chisholm Jr. has a sweet tooth & Marlins broadcaster Jack McMullen talks Scotland-Miami invasion Jun 24, 2026

Show notes

The latest round of voting for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game was recently released, and while Shohei Ohtani unsurprisingly leads all players in votes, there is someone on the American League side who is just 300,000 votes away from matching the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar. The shocking part is that it's not Aaron Judge or Yordan Alvarez, but rather Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the sudden surge in support for the standout player from the Blue Jays' World Series run last season and why Ernie Clement is garnering so much fan support. They then take a look at another second baseman making waves: Jazz Chisholm Jr., who was caught playing the field with a lollipop in his mouth, drawing the ire of manager Aaron Boone.

Later, Jake and Jordan are joined by Miami Marlins play-by-play broadcaster Jack McMullen to discuss the Tartan Army's invasion of Miami, what the experience was like during games and a couple of players who should be headed to the Midsummer Classic in Philadelphia. The guys then wrap up the show by discussing the disappointing press conference held by San Francisco Giants President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey, recapping the College World Series championship game and highlighting a wild matchup between the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals.

1:35 - The Opener: Surprising All-Star Game voting update
9:56 - Jazz Chisholm Jr. & the lollipop
19:35 - Jack McMullen joins the show
45:05 - We Need To Talk About: Buster Posey press conference
1:01:02 - College World Series recap
1:06:36 - Wild game in Washington

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

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

2024 MLB Draft class living up to the hype, Rafael Devers wasn’t happy with Tony Vitello & Bryce Harper hits for the cycle Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

The 2024 MLB Draft class is already having a major impact on the 2026 baseball season. With seven of the first nine picks in the draft already debuting and contributing to their clubs’ success, there’s a real possibility that the Class of ’24 could go down as one of the best ever. The question now is: If we re-drafted today, who would go No. 1?

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman examine the top 20 picks from the now-infamous 2024 draft and conduct a re-draft based on the recent performances of those players. Would the Cleveland Guardians still take Travis Bazzana No. 1 overall, or would they now prefer Sacramento A’s slugger Nick Kurtz or St. Louis Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt?

Later, Jake and Jordan discuss Rafael Devers not exactly being thrilled with San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello after being pinch-run for, and whether he has a legitimate gripe with the move. They then talk about Bryce Harper’s controversial triple that earned him the first cycle of his career for the Philadelphia Phillies, the Detroit Tigers’ make-or-break stretch in the postseason race and recap all the other series from the past weekend.

1:31 – The Opener: 2024 MLB Draft Re-Draft
35:48 – How Sweep It Is: Devers Is Not Happy
53:03 – Tigers’ Make-or-Break Stretch
55:53 – We Need To Talk About: Harper’s Cycle
1:02:55 – Turbo Mode: Weekend Recap

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

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

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

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

The problem with the American League, the latest in CBA negotiations and the Home Run Derby changes the rules AGAIN Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

As we rapidly approach the halfway point of the 2026 baseball season, some interesting trends are starting to become more apparent across Major League Baseball. One of the more jarring statistics is the difference in success between teams in the American and National Leagues. While NL teams seem to be having more success, is there a bigger issue at play for teams in the AL?

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman try to make sense of why the vast majority of teams in the American League aren't having great seasons. While 10 teams in the NL have records above .500, only five teams in the AL are above that mark. Additionally, only the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians have reached the 40-win mark. Could it be the amount teams are spending on payroll, or is competition within the AL divisions simply tighter?

Later, Jake and Jordan discuss the latest developments in the MLB and MLBPA negotiations over a new CBA, which could feature radical changes to how teams draft eligible players and what those changes could mean for the college baseball landscape. The guys then get into the new format change for the 2026 Home Run Derby, which some fans might not be thrilled about, before making their picks for this week's edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

1:34 – The Opener: What's wrong with the AL?
23:17 – Around The League: Latest in CBA negotiations
53:40 – We Need To Talk About: HR Derby changes
57:16 – The Good
1:04:01 – The Bad
1:07:58 – The Uggla

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

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

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

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