Baseball Bar-B-Cast

With the MLB trade deadline looming, it's time to put on our general manager hats and cook up some creative deals that are sure to make some noise. Even though there might be more buyers than sellers this year because so many teams are still in the playoff race, these eight ideas could be possible—or they could be completely crazy. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman cook up some trades that could help bolster lineups and rotations. Among the possible deals, the guys wonder if the Pittsburgh Pirates could make a play for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal to add him to their dynamic rotation. They also discuss whether the New York Yankees could trade Jasson Domínguez and Will Warren to the Athletics in exchange for a new catcher. Later in the show, Jake and Jordan are joined by Yuri Karasawa to discuss the impact that Rintaro Sasaki signing with the Miami Marlins could have on future Japanese players looking to make the leap to the major leagues. They also discuss why Shohei Ohtani might be kicking himself for missing out on a Cy Young Award this year, the impact Munetaka Murakami has had in America and two players to keep an eye on in NPB. They close out the episode by making their weekly picks in The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.   2:03 - The Opener: Eight crazy trade ideas 5:38 - Skubal to Pirates 11:09 - Zach Neto to Red Sox 16:16 - Yankees get a catcher 23:37 - Mason Miller for Bubba Chandler 28:31 - Yuri Karasawa joins the show: Rintaro Sasaki's impact 47:15 - Shohei Ohtani's Cy Young quest 56:21 - Which NPB players to watch 1:04:19 - The Good, The Bad & The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The MLB trade deadline is the time when a team can bolster its roster for a potential World Series run and also upgrade its future. While we never know what might happen by the August 4 deadline, we do know that there are quite a few names floating around who could be impact makers for a team hoping to be the last club standing in October. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman preview the upcoming trade deadline, including whether the Detroit Tigers will actually trade ace Tarik Skubal and whether the San Diego Padres, despite still being in the Wild Card race, will ship out their flamethrowing closer, Mason Miller. They also examine whether a hitter better than the San Francisco Giants' Luis Arráez will be moved and how many postseason-caliber starting pitchers will be acquired. Later in the show, Jake and Jordan make their picks for which teams will be the most aggressive this trade season, either by buying or selling, and which teams will have to make the difficult decision to stand pat with the roster they have. They also explain why the New York Mets' David Stearns might be the most critical figure at this deadline and discuss the one big piece the Washington Nationals must decide whether to keep or trade away.   1:28 - The Opener: MLB trade deadline preview 7:28 - Will Tigers trade Skubal? 18:50 - Postseason-caliber starting pitchers on the move 30:34 - The best hitter moved will be... 38:05 - Will Padres trade Miller? 43:46 - Most compelling teams this deadline 53:34 - Big seller Mets 58:13 - Will the Nationals sell? Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The 2026 Boston Red Sox have given their fans quite the ride over the past four months. After a rough start to the season that saw manager Alex Cora lose his job, they now find themselves on a 13-game winning streak and suddenly in a wild card spot. They're also just seven games out of first place in the AL East. Is a division title in the cards? On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the historic run Boston has been on, including sweeping their rivals, the Tampa Bay Rays, this past weekend. They highlight how the Red Sox bullpen has been incredibly strong during this stretch, as well as the offensive contributions from Willson Contreras, Wilyer Abreu and Caleb Durbin. Later in the show, Jake and Jordan discuss the surprising news that Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani will put pitching on hold for the rest of the season as he battles a leg injury, and whether Pete Crow-Armstrong could overtake the Japanese star for the NL MVP award. They also break down the Toronto Blue Jays getting a reality check from the Chicago White Sox this past weekend, the Milwaukee Brewers sweeping the Miami Marlins and recap all the other action from around baseball.   1:15 - The Opener: Red Sox win streak 21:54 - We Need To Talk About: Ohtani steps off the mound 32:52 - PCA vs. Ohtani for MVP? 39:39 - How Sweep It Is: Brewers sweep Marlins 52:13 - Blue Jays get a reality check 55:32 - Field Report: Skenes guts it out vs. Guardians 1:01:56 - How Sweep It Is: Weekend recap Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

With every baseball team back in action tonight following the All-Star break, with the exception of the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, who returned on Thursday, it's time to take a look at some of the biggest headlines of the second half of the season. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman dive into key player returns, possible trades, and award races, including when Aaron Judge might return to the New York Yankees and whether the Detroit Tigers will trade Tarik Skubal. They also discuss whether Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani could make a legitimate run at the NL Cy Young Award and whether there might be a surprise contender for the AL MVP. Later in the show, Jake and Jordan talk about the trade between the Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros that saw Lance McCullers and Colton Gordon traded for Jayden Fielder, the Cincinnati Reds giving pitcher Chase Burns a contract extension and MLB restricting how teams can use iPads in the dugout. The guys close out the show by making their weekly picks in The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.   1:36 – The Opener: Second-half storylines, Judge return? 7:09 – Will the Tigers trade Skubal? 13:08 – Trade deadline action? 20:06 – Postseason Cinderellas 27:10 – AL MVP race? 32:14 – Ohtani for Cy Young? 36:00 – Around the League: Trade, Burns extension 42:04 – MLB iPad restrictions 47:20 – The Good, The Bad & The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The 96th edition of the MLB All-Star Game is all wrapped up in Philadelphia after the American League defeated the National League, 4-0. With New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger taking home the game's MVP award, the AL continued its dominance over the Senior Circuit with its 11th win in the past 13 matchups. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman give their thoughts on the aftermath of the game, including why the Chicago White Sox's Miguel Vargas should have gotten some consideration for the MVP award and why the National League continues to struggle in this exhibition. They then discuss the highlight of the night: a tribute to baseball and America that featured a nod to the movie The Sandlot. Later in the show, Jake and Jordan discuss the press conference held with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and MLBPA leader Bruce Meyer, as the two sides discuss their current positions in the CBA negotiations. They then try to figure out where to put the Boston Red Sox in the latest power rankings following their hot streak before breaking down some surprising Miami Marlins roster news.   1:41 - The Opener: All-Star Game reaction 21:36 - Cody Bellinger wins MVP 25:22 - We Need to Talk About: All-Star theatrics 40:23 - All-Star Week in Philly wrap-up 47:14 - Around the League: CBA update 53:55 - Red Sox power rankings 58:18 - Rintaro Sasaki signs with Marlins Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

History was made at Citizens Bank Park on Monday night when Jordan Walker became the first-ever member of the St. Louis Cardinals to win the Home Run Derby. While the Philadelphia crowd showed its brotherly love attitude toward the Cardinals' young slugger, many were left shell-shocked following his improbable final-round comeback against hometown favorite Kyle Schwarber. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, live from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman break down all the action from the drama-filled Derby. They also highlight the impressive performances from Willson Contreras and Junior Caminero, share their thoughts on the new format and explain why they're already looking forward to next year's slugfest. Later in the show, Jake and Jordan preview the 2026 MLB All-Star Game and pick who they think will be named MVP.   0:44 - Jordan Walker wins the Derby 9:17 - Thoughts on the new format 16:47 - Phillies in the Derby 21:58 - Everything else that happened 34:21 - All-Star Game preview Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The 2026 MLB All-Star Weekend has arrived in the City of Brotherly Love, and the host team, the Philadelphia Phillies, is at the center of attention for all the major events. With Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber set to take part in the Home Run Derby and Cristopher Sánchez making the start for the National League on Tuesday, time will tell if anyone will be able to steal the spotlight. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, live from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk with Phillies beat writer Matt Gelb of The Athletic about the headlines surrounding the host team, including Zack Wheeler, who turned down the opportunity to be named an All-Star replacement after feeling disrespected. They also discuss why it took so long for the All-Star Game to return to Philadelphia and what would happen if Bryce Harper were to face off against Kyle Schwarber in the Derby. Later in the show, Jake and Jordan look at all the other news surrounding the 96th edition of the Midsummer Classic, including the latest roster additions and the disappointment of Shohei Ohtani not participating in the game. They also preview the Home Run Derby, recap the Futures Game and break down all the surprising news from the MLB Draft. 1:27 – The Opener: Phillies in the All-Star Game 12:17 – Harper & Schwarber in the Home Run Derby 23:31 – Home Run Derby preview 43:57 – Around the League: Ohtani out of the All-Star Game 47:01 – All-Star Game roster replacements 51:34 – MLB Draft recap 59:50 – Futures Game recap Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

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

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

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

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:

When the San Francisco Giants ended the 2025 season, they found themselves at exactly .500 in the ultra-competitive NL West. After acquiring All-Star Rafael Devers during the season and making a few additions in the offseason, there was hope that the Giants would be pushing for a postseason spot in 2026. That plan, however, has not yet taken off, and things are reportedly set to change by the Bay. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss reports that President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey is set to trade away key players before the August 3 trade deadline. The surprising move suggests that the Giants may not believe this is the year for them to compete and that a reset is necessary after falling to a disappointing 29-43 record to this point in the season. The question now is: Which players are going to be moved in potential trades? Later, Jake and Jordan dream up who they would like to see in the 2026 MLB Home Run Derby, set to take place in Philadelphia next month. While there are a few obvious choices—Kyle Schwarber and Ben Rice, most notably—the guys also hope that Mike Trout could have a special moment and compete in his first-ever Derby in front of a hometown crowd. They then discuss a few key players returning from injury, the Washington Nationals' surprising success and take a look at the current manager ejection standings.   1:40 – The Opener: Giants fire sale 26:13 – Dream Home Run Derby field 52:04 – Around the League: Key returning players 56:26 – Nationals are having success 1:01:36 – Manager ejection standings Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

When the New York Knicks snapped their 53-year championship drought this past weekend, it showed how long the fan base had been suffering before finally being able to celebrate a title. However, there are quite a few teams in baseball that can commiserate with what Knicks fans have been going through and hope to one day bring a championship back home. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman take a look at the current title-less droughts in MLB, led by the Cleveland Guardians, who haven't won since 1948, and the Milwaukee Brewers and San Diego Padres, neither of whom has yet to win a World Series since their debuts in 1969. Along with the Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets and others, which team will be next to break its drought? Later, Jake and Jordan discuss two standout pitching performances from this weekend: Jacob Misiorowski, who threw a Maddux for the Brewers, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who flirted with perfection en route to a Los Angeles Dodgers victory. They then recap Tarik Skubal's return to the mound, the Tartan Army taking over Fenway Park during the Boston Red Sox–Texas Rangers game and offer thoughts on players giving mixed messages regarding the annual San Francisco Giants Pride Night.   1:59 – The Opener: Next title drought to end 37:11 – Around The League: The Miz throws a Maddux 47:00 – Yamamoto flirts with perfection 56:22 – Skubal returns to the Tigers 1:04:52 – Turbo Mode: Tartan Army invades 1:10:01 – Giants Pride Night kerfuffle 1:14:57 – Recap of weekend action Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The 2026 baseball season hasn't really gone according to plan for the Boston Red Sox so far. With high expectations that their young core group of players would take the next step and lead the team to a better season than 2025, that has not been the case. Even after firing manager Alex Cora, the team hasn't seen much of a boost, with many wondering if it's getting late early for the Red Sox. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the complete disappointment coming out of Boston so far and who is to blame for the mess the Red Sox currently find themselves in. They then get into whether there is a chance the team could become major players at the trade deadline, but as unexpected sellers, and why there is such a disconnect in messaging between the front office and the fans. Later, Jake and Jordan discuss the Chicago White Sox surprisingly finding themselves in first place in the AL Central and how sustainable the winning — and the good vibes they're bringing to Chicago fans — actually is. The guys then get into Tarik Skubal's scheduled return to the Detroit Tigers this weekend, Shohei Ohtani being removed from a game due to injury and preview the College World Series. They close out the show by making their picks for this week's edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.   1:28 - The Opener: Red Sox disaster 24:15 - Kind of a Big Deal: White Sox in 1st place 37:43 - Around The League: Skubal set to return 44:18 - Notable recent injuries 47:03 - We Need To Talk About: College World Series preview 53:46 - The Good, The Bad & The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The 2026 MLB All-Star Game is set to take place next month in Philadelphia, and while fan voting ballots have officially dropped, it's time to start thinking about who you might place on the American and National League squads. While there are some obvious names to make the team—looking at you, Shohei Ohtani and Yordan Alvarez—fans will have to make a few difficult decisions about who else will get their vote. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman break down both sides of the ballot and give their opinions on who they think should be voted in, including who might be the top vote-getter on the AL side with Aaron Judge set to miss the game. They also try to figure out how many players from the Philadelphia Phillies will represent their club with the game being hosted in the City of Brotherly Love. Later, Jake and Jordan discuss their recent trips to the ballpark, where they saw Paul Skenes take on the Los Angeles Dodgers, as well as his side quest to hang out with some little leaguers, and Gerrit Cole do something he hadn't done since 2022 against the Cleveland Guardians. They then talk about the incredible debut from Chicago White Sox prospect Braden Montgomery and look at the crazy numbers coming out of Sacramento A's and Milwaukee Brewers games in Las Vegas.   1:19 - The Opener: All-Star Game ballots released 4:34 - Who should make the AL squad? 18:25 - Who should make the NL squad? 37:15 - Field Report: Skenes on and off the field 47:35 - Cole against Cleveland 55:03 - Around The League: Montgomery's memorable debut 1:03:58 - Slugfest in Las Vegas Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and Milwaukee Brewers are the only teams in MLB this season to have eclipsed the 40-win mark so far. As leaders in their respective divisions, all three hold sizable leads and have shown they are among the best teams in the Senior Circuit. However, with many games still left to be played, which team will be able to handle the grind of 162 games and come out on top this season? On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the success the National League division leaders have enjoyed this season, including breaking down the recent success of Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki. They also examine why starting pitching has been the key to the Braves' winning ways and how the Brewers have found offense in bunches during their sweep of the Colorado Rockies. Later, Jake and Jordan discuss Tarik Skubal's current rehab process, which is fast-tracking him for a potential return, and why the "Skubal Scope" surgery could be an absolute game changer for pitchers in the future. The guys then talk about Manny Machado offering an interesting opinion on why today's game relies too heavily on analytics and they recap all the other action from around MLB this past weekend.   1:09 — The Opener: Best in the NL 10:45 — Brewers complete sweep 20:40 — Dodgers & Roki find success 37:30 — Around the League: Skubal Scope 50:05 — Machado and analytics 1:04:11 — Turbo Mode: Weekend recap Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

Shohei Ohtani has done pretty much everything you could want from an offensive standpoint. However, it's what he's doing on the mound that is garnering attention this season. After pitching yet another gem for the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Japanese two-way superstar is performing at a historic level this season. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about what Ohtani is doing on the bump that's led to his recent domination and why this is the best we've seen him pitch in the big leagues. They then discuss where this current stretch puts Shohei in an already incredibly tight NL Cy Young race and whether he could finish ahead of Cristopher Sánchez, Jacob Misiorowski, and Paul Skenes for his first Cy Young Award. Later, Jake and Jordan discuss Aaron Judge's injury, which will keep him out for an extended period of time, and how the New York Yankees will be able to weather the storm until he potentially returns. They also look at Corbin Burnes receiving bad news during his rehab from Tommy John surgery, the San Diego Padres falling into a deeper slump after getting swept by the Philadelphia Phillies, and make their picks for this week's edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla. 1:41 - The Opener: Ohtani is dominating 16:19 - A look at the NL Cy Young race 30:15 - Around The League: Aaron Judge is out 44:52 - Padres in a deep funk 47:39 - The Good, The Bad & The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The Cleveland Guardians take on the New York Yankees this week in what could be a potential postseason matchup. The two franchises have a storied history of meeting in the playoffs and producing memorable games. However, this week's series feels like it could be more important to one side than the other when it comes to potentially raising the Commissioner's Trophy at the end of the season. On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jordan Shusterman is joined by special guest Zack Meisel of The Athletic to discuss whether the Guardians are a serious threat to the Yankees' pursuit of their 28th championship in franchise history. Led by a potential future Hall of Famer in José Ramírez and promising rookie Travis Bazzana, is Cleveland ready to power past every other team in the postseason? They also discuss what a potential injury to Aaron Judge could mean for the long-term outlook of the Bronx Bombers. Later, Jordan welcomes Yahoo Sports reporter Cassandra Negley to preview the Women's College World Series, including who might be the favorite between Texas Tech and Texas as they face off in a rematch of last year's classic. Jordan and Zack then take an early look at what the MLB trade deadline could look like for some American League teams and why a potential lockout next year could affect how teams conduct business.   0:59 – José Ramírez keeps losing his helmet 8:56 – The Opener: Guardians a threat to Yankees 29:16 – Kind of a Big Deal: Aaron Judge is hurt 34:14 – Women's College World Series preview 54:58 – WCWS predictions 1:00:42 – Around the League: Trade deadline preview Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

When the Toronto Blue Jays went on their incredible World Series run last season, there was plenty of hope that it was the start of what could be a dominant run by a stacked team. Fast forward to 2026, and Toronto finds itself in a bit of a sticky situation. Although, based on last year's success, all hope might not be lost just yet. On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jordan Shusterman is joined by special guests Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi to break down what has gone wrong this year for the reigning American League champions and whether injuries are the main reason for their sluggish first two months. Even though the Blue Jays might be nine games back in the AL East, they currently hold a Wild Card spot, and with players returning from the IL, it still could be a very exciting summer in Canada. Also on this episode, Jordan and Ben talk about the remarkable turnaround season the Chicago White Sox are having, which sees them sitting just one game back in the AL Central while also occupying a Wild Card spot. Instead of being sellers at the deadline, they could find themselves as buyers. However, with the injury to rookie sensation Munetaka Murakami, will the White Sox be able to tread water until he returns? The guys then discuss the Seattle Mariners' use of piggyback pitching, the New York Yankees continuing to impress and their thoughts on the latest power rankings. 2:37 - The Opener: White Sox roll on 19:54 - Nationals also offering a turnaround 35:01 - Issues plaguing the Blue Jays 51:30 - State of Toronto pitching and hitting 1:09:27 - Around the League: Mariners pitching strategy 1:21:38 - Power rankings thoughts Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

One of the biggest clouds hanging over the 2026 Major League Baseball season is the soon-to-be-expiring collective bargaining agreement between the MLB Players Association and the 30 team owners. The animosity between both sides, after comments were reported in the media, has many fans wondering whether a possible work stoppage could begin on December 1st when the deal expires. On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the first proposals exchanged this week between the owners and the players, most notably the owners' desire to implement a salary cap. While it is an encouraging sign that both sides are negotiating earlier than expected, are the differences between the two sides too large to overcome? Later, Jake and Jordan discuss the incredible month of May from Philadelphia Phillies starter Cristopher Sánchez, who is currently riding a historic scoreless innings streak. They also highlight the other outstanding starters in the Senior Circuit who are putting together great seasons and could make NL Cy Young voting extremely difficult. The guys then close out the show by making their picks for this week's The Good, The Bad & The Uggla. 1:48 - The Opener: CBA negotiations 13:02 - Early responses to the offers 28:54 - We Need To Talk About: Cristopher Sánchez 39:23 - NL Cy Young race is stacked 43:28 - The Good 50:47 - The Bad 55:53 - The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

Over the weekend, the Houston Astros pitched the first no-hitter since the 2024 season against their state rivals, the Texas Rangers. While the combined no-hitter thrown by Tatsuya Imai, Steven Okert, and — in his MLB debut — Alimber Santa was the fifth in franchise history, we're left wondering why there was so little buzz surrounding the now-rare occurrence. On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jordan Shusterman is joined by Shea Station podcast host Jolly Olive to talk about the feat by the three Astros pitchers, including whether the no-hitter has lost its luster, why Houston might finally be figuring things out and why Santa's debut can be tied to a feat last accomplished in 1892. They then discuss the other side of the no-hitter by taking a look at the offensive problems the Rangers have had this season. Later, Jordan and Jolly draft the most disappointing teams so far this season, with the New York Mets, San Francisco Giants, and Boston Red Sox among the teams selected. They also dive into the Chicago Cubs' rough 10-game losing streak, Abner Uribe's controversial post-save antics and preview everything you need to know about the Women's College World Series, which starts Thursday. 2:33 - The Opener: Astros throw first no-no of 2026 18:12 - Field Report: Cubs' losing streak hits 10 26:53 - Disappointing team draft 52:28 - We Need To Talk About: Uribe's antics 57:23 - Women's College World Series preview Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

It's been a very long time since Game 5 of the 2024 World Series. It was the last time that Gerrit Cole appeared in a Major League Baseball game. That all changes tonight, when the 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner makes his season debut in the Bronx for the New York Yankees and hopes to regain the form that made him the ace of the staff. On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the significance behind Gerrit Cole's return to the Yankees, including his search for redemption after his last appearance on the Yankee Stadium mound, how close he came to leaving the club and why he'll slide perfectly into the rotation. With a big series against division rival the Tampa Bay Rays starting tonight and a need to get back to winning ways, the Yankees hope their ace will get them back on track. Later, Jake and Jordan talk about the Cleveland Guardians mopping the Detroit Tigers and how their different philosophy when it comes to roster construction is paying off so far in 2026. They then discuss the Milwaukee Brewers sweeping the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field to leapfrog them in the NL Central standings, as well as J.P. Crawford being willing to make a position switch so he can stay with the Seattle Mariners. The guys then make their picks for this week's edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla. 1:18 - The Opener: Gerrit Cole returns 19:34 - Around The League: Guardians mop the Tigers 28:45 - Brewers overtake the Cubs 34:43 - We Need To Talk About: Crawford eyes change 42:35 - The Good 50:21 - The Bad 54:48 - The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The Detroit Tigers are not having the type of season they expected in 2026. After a rough first two months, they find themselves in fourth place in the AL Central and nine games under .500. While the offense hasn't been able to find its groove yet, the loss of a certain Cy Young-winning pitcher has clearly been felt. On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss what's gone wrong for the Tigers this season, including Tarik Skubal going down with an injury. However, the two-time Cy Young Award winner underwent the NanoNeedle procedure to help his arm and is already ramping up throwing during rehab. Will his return to the rotation provide the Tigers with a much-needed boost on both sides of the ball and help turn the season around? Later, Jake and Jordan discuss even more injuries ravaging teams throughout the league, including Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin going down and Minnesota Twins catcher Ryan Jeffers suffering a fractured hamate bone. They then talk about the Washington Nationals recalling top prospect Dylan Crews for another stint in the big leagues, as well as give an early preview of the 2026 MLB Draft, which is set to take place this July in Philadelphia. 1:29 - The Opener: Tarik Skubal eyes a return 24:04 - Sorry For Your Mentions: Tigers rough loss 31:54 - Around The League: Catchers going down 40:06 - The return of Dylan Crews 50:10 - Jordan's Prospect Hut: Early look at the draft Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres both had successful Rivalry Weekends, sweeping their respective series. The two teams atop the National League West are separated by only half a game as they head into what will surely be an entertaining matchup beginning Monday night at Petco Park in San Diego. On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman recap all the action from Rivalry Weekend and preview the NL West showdown between the Dodgers and Padres, including Shohei Ohtani getting his explosive bat back to standard form after a monster series in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels. They also react to the Subway Series, which saw the New York Mets take two of three from the New York Yankees following a shocking bullpen meltdown by the Bronx Bombers in the bottom of the ninth that allowed the Mets to walk it off in the 10th inning. Later, Jake and Jordan recap the beloved POOP series between the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates, which saw the City of Brotherly Love sweep its in-state rivals and continue its winning ways under new manager Don Mattingly. They then get into the Tarps Off phenomenon that took place at the St. Louis Cardinals game this weekend, the Chicago White Sox taking the series against the Chicago Cubs and a look at all the other weekend results. 1:33 - The Opener: Dodgers & Padres successful weekend 14:45 - Dodgers vs. Padres preview 26:07 - Phillies getting back on track 35:15 - Around the League: Tarps Off 48:55 - Mets take Subway Series 55:09 - White Sox win Battle of Chicago 59:44 - Turbo Mode recap Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The 2026 edition of Rivalry Weekend has arrived, and there are a few matchups that are even more exciting this year than in previous years. While the Subway Series between the New York Yankees and the New York Mets will certainly grab headlines, it's the battle on the South Side that has suddenly become one of the most exciting series thanks to both teams' recent play. On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman break down each of the Rivalry Weekend matchups, including the Mets riding a winning streak while the Yankees look to turn their fortunes around, and the first time the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox have faced off with both teams over .500 in 18 years. They also highlight Shohei Ohtani facing off against Mike Trout and the battle of the Bay Area. Later, Jake and Jordan take a look at the updated injury news surrounding Tarik Skubal and why it's an encouraging sign, as well as Max Fried, Cal Raleigh and Francisco Alvarez being slated to miss some time. The guys then make their picks for this week's edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla. 1:19 - The Opener: Rivalry Weekend 6:17 - The Subway Series 14:10 - Crosstown Series 26:44 - Around The League: Skubal update 38:22 - Other injuries popping up 44:20 - The Good, The Bad & The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

As the baseball season approaches the middle of May, there are plenty of good things going on in the game that fans should be excited about. With players like Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber having typical slugger seasons, there are a few players for whom it might be getting a little late early when it comes to not seeing the usual production we're used to. On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman take a look at some players they're starting to get a little concerned about and try to predict which ones could have a decent rebound. Can guys like Fernando Tatis Jr., Cal Raleigh and Bo Bichette figure it out at the plate and return to form or are they in for what could be a very long season? Later, Jake and Jordan welcome Miami Marlins slugger Liam Hicks to the show as he talks about the adjustments he made at the plate in the offseason that are paying off for him this year, what it's like having pitches called from the dugout and the strategy the team uses for the ABS. They then talk about Paul Skenes dominating on the mound once again, the New York Mets calling up A.J. Ewing and the return of Anthony Volpe to the Yankees. 2:04 - The Opener: Players to be concerned about 33:45 - Liam Hicks joins the show 1:01:11 - Around The League: Mets call up Ewing 1:07:46 - Paul Skenes dominates 1:10:51 - Trout and Volpe Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The Milwaukee Brewers completed a sweep of the New York Yankees this past weekend that included back-to-back walk-off wins to help them crawl a little closer to the top of the NL Central. However, it was something their young ace did in his start that stole the headlines for the series. On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the emergence of Jacob Misiorowski as the true number one in the Brew Crew's pitching staff after he threw some of the fastest pitches ever by a starting pitcher en route to helping Milwaukee secure the win. Even though the Brewers traded away former ace Freddy Peralta this past offseason, “The Miz” is grabbing the number one spot by the horns and might not relinquish it for a long time. Later, Jake and Jordan talk about the Atlanta Braves taking two of three from the Los Angeles Dodgers in what could be a possible NLCS preview come October, and they get into the interesting trade for baseball “sickos” that went down between the San Francisco Giants and the Cleveland Guardians. The guys then recap all the other action from this past weekend in baseball, including the New York Mets not having a great road trip, the Texas Rangers cooling off the Chicago Cubs a little and Kyle Schwarber not slowing down in the home run department. 2:26 - The Opener: The Miz throws fire 17:16 - Why the Brewers are just getting going 26:29 - Around The League: Possible NLCS matchup 33:03 - Remembering Bobby Cox 37:34 - Giants & Guardians make a trade 53:32 - Turbo Mode: Rest of weekend action Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The Chicago Cubs are absolutely on fire and the boys are asking the big question: is this historic run actually sustainable? Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman dive into the Cubs' nine-game winning streak, their dominance at home and what's fueling the best record in baseball. Plus, they discuss the red-hot Tampa Bay Rays and whether they can seriously challenge the New York Yankees in the AL East. Then it's time to go around the league. The guys break down the Yankees calling up towering prospect Spencer Jones and debate whether the Bronx Bombers may have found another version of Aaron Judge. They also discuss the latest on Tarik Skubal after his successful elbow surgery before opening up the mailbag to answer your best questions from around the baseball world. To close out the show, Good, Bad & Uggla makes its glorious return. The boys chat about Jim Palmer, Kazuma Okamoto, the painfully struggling offense of the San Francisco Giants and plenty more chaos from another wild week around MLB. Timetamps: (1:00) – Chicago Cubs on a historic run: can they keep it up? (21:30) – Tampa Bay Rays are on fire: can they compete with the Yankees? (29:00) – Yankees call-up top prospect Spencer Jones (41:15) – Tarik Skubal surgery update (47:15) – Bar-B-Cast Mailbag (1:04:00) - The Good (1:10:00) - The Bad (1:18:30) - The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

Tarik Skubal's season—and possibly his financial future—just took a major hit. The Tigers ace is expected to miss 2–3 months with an elbow injury, and Jake and Jordan break down what this means not only for Detroit's season but also for Skubal's looming free agency. Could this injury cost him a historic contract? They also discuss Framber Valdez's struggles on the mound and the fallout from hitting Trevor Story in a lopsided loss to the Red Sox. Shohei Ohtani continues to be one of the most fascinating players in baseball, but is there cause for concern? The guys analyze his recent pitching performance and dig into the narrative that his hitting dips when he's on the mound. Is this just small sample size noise, or something teams should actually be paying attention to? To wrap things up, it's time for some early-season hardware. With one month in the books, Jake and Jordan hand out their picks for AL and NL MVP, Cy Young, and Rookie of the Year. Who's real, who's surprising, and who might not last? The overreactions are flying—and that's exactly how we like it. Timetamps: (1:00) – Tarik Skubal our 2-3 months with elbow injury (26:30) – Framber Valdez ejected for hitting Trevor Story (35:45) – Shohei Ohtani continues to not hit when pitching (45:00) – Carlos Correa suffers major ankle injury (50:30) – Early season MLB awards Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

When the New York Yankees decided, in essence, to run back a very familiar team they had at the end of last season, there was some unease from their passionate fanbase. After all, this was a team that was eliminated by division rival, the Toronto Blue Jays, in the ALDS and didn't look particularly threatening. Fast forward to this season, and those same fans might be thankful for the strategy, as it has the Bronx Bombers holding the best record in the American League. On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman take a look at what has made the Yankees so successful this year—outside of another stellar start from Aaron Judge—and why the emergence of Ben Rice and Cam Schlittler has been key to their success. They also wonder if a new strategy is being adopted by the front office following Anthony Volpe's minor league demotion and whether it could signal a shift in how they're approaching this season. The guys also discuss the passing of legendary broadcaster John Sterling and what he meant to the team, as well as to baseball. Later, Jake and Jordan recap the rest of the weekend's action, including watching the Chicago Cubs from their famous bleachers at Wrigley Field, the Atlanta Braves getting off to their best start since 1892 and which pitcher has been irreplaceable for the Seattle Mariners. They then highlight a few other notable stories from the weekend, including the Miami Marlins calling up an important prospect and the New York Mets getting a much-needed series win in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels. 0:57 - Remembering John Sterling 7:41 - The Opener: Yankees standing out 29:48 - How Sweep It Is: Cubs and their home cooking 40:24 - Braves continue their strong play 54:10 - Turbo Mode: Who else won this weekend? Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

After a little over a month's worth of baseball games, we're slowly seeing how the season could potentially shape up based on those who are on top and those disappointing in their respective divisions. While there are some teams leading the way that aren't entirely shocking—looking at you, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Dodgers—there are quite a few surprises as well. On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman play their annual standings golf draft and try to determine how much stock they're putting into the current standings. With surprising teams like the New York Mets and Boston Red Sox at the bottom of their divisions, will they actually stay there for the whole season or will things shake up as they normally do over the 162-game grind? Later, Jake and Jordan talk about the St. Louis Cardinals becoming the first team to get a mop on the road this year, as well as the Philadelphia Phillies sweeping their doubleheader against the struggling San Francisco Giants. The guys then take a look at the mess that was the month of April for the New York Mets, highlight an incredible achievement by Nick Kurtz and make their picks for this week's edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla. 2:21 - The Opener: Division standings draft 37:57 - Around The League: Cardinals doing some mopping 44:41 - Miserable month for Mets 52:43 - Nick Kurtz knows how to walk 54:44 - The Good 1:00:28 - The Bad 1:07:22 - The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The Philadelphia Phillies became the second team in the first month of the 2026 season to make a change at the manager position, following the Boston Red Sox making that decision over the weekend. Rob Thomson was relieved of his duties after the Phillies got off to a disappointing 9–19 start to the season, with the hope that a change will be able to jumpstart what has been a sluggish campaign. On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the Phillies' decision to fire Topper and name Don Mattingly the interim manager, what the vibe was like at Citizens Bank Park yesterday following the firing and the interesting dynamic now between the manager and GM. They also highlight the rather surprising journey that found Thomson at the helm of the Phillies and what could be next for him. Later, Jake and Jordan discuss the debut of Cleveland Guardians' top prospect Travis Bazzana, the impact he'll have on baseball in Australia and whether the draft class he came out of will be one of the best of all time. The guys close the show by discussing Shohei Ohtani not hitting—at least for now—when he pitches and why this is different from what he was doing when he was with the Los Angeles Angels. 1:07 - The Opener: Phillies fire Thomson 15:12 - What to expect from Mattingly 29:45 - Field Report: Travis Bazzana joins the show 39:40 - 2024 MLB Draft class all-timer 48:29 - Kind of a Big Deal: Ohtani not hitting Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

Over the weekend, the Boston Red Sox made the shocking decision to fire Alex Cora, along with five other members of the coaching staff, in hopes of jump-starting the club after a rough start to the season. Cora, who was in his eighth season managing in Boston, found himself as the fall guy for the Red Sox—but was his firing fully justified? On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman examine the difficult position Red Sox ownership created by making a change at this point in the season rather than sticking with the manager who delivered a title to Boston in 2018. Should the team's Chief Baseball Officer, Craig Breslow, receive more blame, since this is the roster he constructed? Or is there a larger issue that needs to be addressed when it comes to payroll limits set by principal owner John Henry? Later, Jake and Jordan take a look at the situation with the New York Mets after being swept by the Colorado Rockies following the end of their losing streak. If the Mets begin to slide after this weekend, is there a real chance Carlos Mendoza could find himself, like Alex Cora, out of a job? They also discuss Shohei Ohtani's current odds of capturing his first Cy Young Award, the New York Yankees calling up Jasson Domínguez and preview the latest MLB power rankings. 0:43 - The Opener: Red Sox fire Alex Cora 37:01 - How Sweep It Is: Mendoza on the hot seat 45:53 - Other sweeps around MLB 51:13 - Around the League: Ohtani Cy Young watch 56:30 - Yankees call up Jasson Domínguez 59:34 - Turbo Mode: Everything else from the weekend Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

When the Chicago Cubs made some big moves this past offseason, the hope was to get the club back to its winning ways after a few disappointing seasons. Bringing in veteran Alex Bregman and star pitcher Edward Cabrera were just a few signs of that commitment, and so far this season, it's paying off for fans in the Windy City. On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about what the Cubs are doing so well during their nine-game winning streak, which has them sitting atop the NL Central and ready for a big matchup against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Even though their pitching staff has been depleted due to injuries, the Cubbies are ready to make some noise in the National League and make a statement in Los Angeles this weekend. Later, Jake and Jordan discuss the Atlanta Braves impressing this season in all facets of the game with their MLB-best 18–8 record, and how manager Walter Weiss set the tone early for this team to fight until the end of every game. They then get into the San Diego Padres signing Lucas Giolito, the New York Mets finally snapping their 12-game losing streak and make their picks for this week's edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla. 1:11 - The Opener: Cubs stay hot 19:00 - Field Report: Braves success in 2026 29:30 - Around the League: Padres sign Giolito 37:36 - Mets snap losing streak 44:35 - The Good 51:50 - The Bad 58:22 - The Uggla Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The Philadelphia Phillies currently sit in fourth place in the NL East, only one win better than the New York Mets, and concern is starting to grow for a team that was a favorite to make some noise in the postseason this year. While things don't look sunny in Philadelphia at the moment, there is slight hope this can turn around. On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman are joined by a Phillies beat writer for The Athletic as they get into the major pitching struggles the team has been having and why a returning Zack Wheeler could be a major factor in turning their recent struggles around. With Philadelphia sports fans being slightly distracted by other teams in their area competing in the playoffs, now might be the best time for the Fightin' Phils to get their worst play out of the way. Later, Jake talks about his experience at Citi Field in the midst of the Mets' 12-game losing streak, the Houston Astros being decimated by injuries and Chicago White Sox slugging Japanese free agent signee Munetaka Murakami hitting a home run in four straight games. They also bust out “Why Haven't You Homered Yet?” to figure out why some notable players have yet to fill the home run column this season. 1:32 - The Opener: Phillies are in a mess 25:47 - Field Report: Mets losing streak hits 13 40:34 - Why Haven't You Homered Yet? 51:18 - Around The League: Astros decimated by injuries 55:57 - Murakami smashes four in a row Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:

The New York Mets have found themselves in a really bad position, as they currently sit on an 11-game losing streak, which has led them to the worst record in the National League and tied for the worst in baseball. With the second-highest payroll in all of baseball for 2026, to say this season is not going as expected would be a complete understatement. On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the Amazins' rough road trip, which concluded with them getting swept in walk-off fashion by the Chicago Cubs on Sunday. Even though the Mets are missing Juan Soto due to a calf injury, how exactly they'll be able to change their tune and stop their losing ways remains a bit of a mystery. They also discuss how the Flushing faithful might have a little less faith in this new core that was brought in during the offseason. Later, Jake and Jordan recap all the other action from the weekend, including the Atlanta Braves sweeping the Philadelphia Phillies on the back of their MLB-best pitching staff and Salvador Perez showing displeasure at getting a rest while the Kansas City Royals were swept by the New York Yankees. Then the guys talk about Munetaka Murakami smashing home runs for the Chicago White Sox and remember Los Angeles Angels great Garret Anderson. 0:55 - The Opener: Mets have lost 11 in a row 18:28 - Braves are pitching great 29:51 - How Sweep It Is: Yankees over Royals 39:11 - Yordan Alvarez is the Astros' shining light 49:51 - Tony Vitello is learning to win and lose 53:56 - Turbo Mode: Rest of the weekend action Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app: