Baseball Bar-B-Cast

When we previewed the 2024 MLB season a few months back, it was pretty clear which teams would be in the basement of the baseball standings. With teams like the Chicago White Sox and Colorado Rockies living up to their projections, it’s the Houston Astros and their 7-19 record that shocks us here on the Baseball Bar-B-Cast.Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman try to make sense of how the once powerhouse Astros sit in last place in the AL West and place among some of the worst teams in the league. They talk about the numerous injuries that have ravaged their pitching staff, the bad signings that they’ve made and why the front office consists of former MLB players that probably aren’t qualified to make roster decisions.The guys then discuss their Good, Bad, Uggla for the week, in which they highlight Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong getting his first major league hit, a home run, during a day game at Wrigley Field after failing to get a hit when he was called up last season.Jake & Jordan also touch on what the reaction might be like for Shohei Ohtani when he plays in Toronto this weekend, the legend that is Cleveland Guardians pitching prospect Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson and highlight a few big matchups on the slate for baseball this weekend.1:24 - What happened to the Astros?24:18 - Could the Astros break it down?27:57 - The good34:37 - The bad40:35 - The Uggla49:27 - Weekend preview[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQFollow Jake @Jake_MintzFollow Jordan @J_Shusterman_🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports PodcastsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone has developed quite the reputation within baseball as being someone who isn’t afraid to stick up to his players when they’ve been wronged by umpires. We saw that once again on Monday when he was ejected after only five pitches following a checked swing call at first base. However, it appears he was unjustly thrown from the game following a fan heckling home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt.Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss the controversial ejection to the Yankees’ skipper and whether his reputation as someone who’s willing to go toe-to-toe with umpires is affecting how umpires call games against his club. Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys get into the discourse on how the Baltimore Orioles have gone about creating their roster following a few years of tanking. However, there are other reasons why the O’s have been able to successfully assemble a talented roster mainly made from their own pipeline.Jake & Jordan close out the episode answering some listener emails including a cricket vs baseball debate, prospect evaluations gone wrong and ask if the World Series winner goes to the White House, where should the worst team in baseball go. 2:30 - Aaron Boone’s ejection19:20 - Orioles discourse26:23 - Why the O’s did more than just tank33:30 - Listener emails48:31 - San Francisco Giants light show[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQFollow Jake @Jake_MintzFollow Jordan @J_Shusterman_🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports PodcastsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Another weekend is in the books for Major League Baseball and the Baseball Bar-B-Cast is here to catch you up on all the sweeps, series wins, splits and news that you might’ve missed, which includes Cincinnati Reds young star Elly De La Cruz playing like he did last season when he was first called up. Elly’s numbers since the solar eclipse a few weeks ago should have Reds fans very excited for what the future potentially holds for their shortstop.Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman break down the multiple sweeps from the weekend including the Milwaukee Brewers taking care of business against their division rival St. Louis Cardinals to which Jake wonders if Jordan is ready to jump ship on the redbirds after a rough start from players like Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado and Miles Mikolas. The guys then discuss the rather large hole the Houston Astros have dug themselves in the AL West after the Washington Nationals took the series from them this weekend, appropriately enough when the Nats honored their 2019 World Series championship team. They also talk about how Juan Soto appears to be elevating the baseball a little more in what has been an absolute dream start with the New York Yankees.Closing out the show, Jake & Jordan highlight the flop that was the Blake Snell vs. Jordan Montgomery matchup in San Francisco, Colton Cowser tossing an important baseball into the Kauffman Stadium fountains and Jake’s dive into how the word “show” has become a big-time verb used in baseball.3:35 - The sweeps9:36 - Jordan on the Angels25:40 - Time to jump ship on Cardinals?30:25 - The series wins33:54 - Are the Astros in trouble?43:20 - Juan Soto’s big change56:46 - The splits1:00:42 - “Show” in baseball[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQFollow Jake @Jake_MintzFollow Jordan @J_Shusterman_🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports PodcastsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

After a quiet Thursday in the baseball world, the Baseball Bar-B-Cast is back with a jam packed episode including a break down of the disappointing start and debut of Texas Rangers pitcher Jack Leiter and Logan Webb continuing to be a steady, fun presence to watch in the San Francisco Giants rotation.Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman then talk about whether they love or hate Detroit Tigers prospect Max Clark’s custom cleats, in which they feature both positive and negative tweets, Cleveland Guardians pitcher Triston McKenzie pitching through a torn ligament in his arm and Mike Trout appearing to be fully back to dominating baseball.Later, the guys give their good, bad & Uggla for the week that includes Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez joining in on a conversation with LeBron James, Colorado Rockies hitting coach Hensley Meulens being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Boston Red Sox defense looking really bad early on.To close out the show, Jake & Jordan react in real-time to the New York Mets city connect uniform and give their thoughts on what they like and what they don’t like from the new release, as well as mention a few headlines they’re keeping an eye on for this weekend in baseball.2:19 - Jack Leiter’s rough debut6:48 - Giants-Dbacks thoughts12:11 - Love it or hate it22:55 - Congrats on your mentions28:09 - The good, bad & Uggla46:58 - Mets city connect reaction50:44 - Weekend headlines53:57 - John Sterling tribute[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQFollow Jake @Jake_MintzFollow Jordan @J_Shusterman_🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports PodcastsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Thursday marks the three week window from the start of the 2024 MLB season, so we thought this would be the perfect time to give some early season evaluations based on what we’ve seen thus far.Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman go through all thirty Major League Baseball teams and discuss whether they’re feeling better, worse or the same about each club compared to how they were feeling before the season started. While clubs like the Atlanta Braves and New York Yankees have lost their aces to injury, the guys are only feeling better about one of those teams.The guys also talk about why they’re feeling better about teams like the Los Angeles Angels (thank you Mike Trout) and the Milwaukee Brewers (thank you Jackson Chourio) and why they’re now down on the Los Angeles Dodgers and somehow even more down on the Chicago White Sox.Later on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake & Jordan discuss the long-awaited debut of the 2nd overall pick of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft, Jack Leiter, and what Texas Rangers fans might be able to expect from the 23-year-old.2:52 - AL East10:56 - AL Central20:08 - AL West29:51 - NL East40:39 - NL Central51:04 - NL West1:00:11 - Jack Leiter debut[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQFollow Jake @Jake_MintzFollow Jordan @J_Shusterman_🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports PodcastsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jackie Robinson Day is considered one of the most special days on the Major League Baseball calendar every year, as teams and players honor the trailblazer who broke the color barrier in baseball and led the way for many athletes in professional sports. On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss the importance of remembering Jackie's whole legacy and why it can be a little complicated for the league. Jake shares his experience as a little league coach how leagues and communities can continue to help encourage growth within the game at a grassroots level for all kids of different cultures.The guys then get into the weekend in baseball, including breaking down the very bad Chicago White Sox getting swept by the Cincinnati Reds, Nestor Cortes pulling out an extremely unique pitching windup for the New York Yankees and Ronel Blanco dealing once again for the Houston Astros.Jake & Jordan wrap-up the show talking Jordan Montgomery ditching Scott Boras, Tommy Pham signing a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox, Spencer Strider going down for the rest of the season and if a pitcher would intentionally give up a home run so that fans could win free tacos.1:56 - Jackie Robinson Day celebrated8:53 - The only sweep from the weekend14:40 - The series wins23:06 - Nestor Cortes pulling out some tricks30:31 - Ronel Blanco is still dealing45:34 - The weekend splits48:40 - Other news & notes[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQFollow Jake @Jake_MintzFollow Jordan @J_Shusterman_🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports PodcastsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The gambling scandal surrounding Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and his former translator Ippei Mizuhara has been a cloud over the baseball world since the story broke back in March. However, on Thursday, we received quite a few more details that have given this story some closure, at least on Ohtani’s part.Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss the report filed by the IRS, in which Shohei’s side of the story that he delivered at his press conference is confirmed with Mizuhara “betraying” him after stealing money from the Japanese slugger to pay his gambling debts. With countless records and texts messages between Ippei and the illegal bookie now exposed, it appears the feds have a good enough case against Ohtani’s former friend and translator to prove the crime.Also on this edition of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys talk about the newest member of the Baltimore Orioles, Jackson Holliday, debuting at Fenway Park surrounded by family, including his former big league dad and future baseball draft pick brother, and why he’ll be just fine despite having to learn on the job for a little bit.They close out the episode giving their good, bad and Uggla from the week including some amazing Boston Red Sox AI generated songs, if the core of the Houston Astros is rotting and an extremely awful hot take regarding Juan Soto and the New York Yankees from a radio show host. 1:10 - Ohtani-Ippei update38:07 - Jackson Holliday debut43:08 - The good from this week48:16 - The bad from this week54:49 - The Uggla[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQFollow Jake @Jake_MintzFollow Jordan @J_Shusterman_🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports PodcastsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The baseball world was shook on Tuesday night when it was reported that top prospect in baseball Jackson Holliday was promoted to the big leagues. The Baltimore Orioles called up the first pick in the 2022 MLB Draft and we are all pumped for it here on the Baseball Bar-B-Cast.Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss the hype surrounding Holliday after his brief stint in the minors this season including where he'll play in the O’s already crowded infield, why it was the right time to give Jackson this shot in the majors and the impact he could have on this club despite his youth. Later in the show, the guys talk about Gerrit Cole following his first throw session since being injured as he chimed in on the recent wave of injuries to pitchers in baseball and what he thinks about the on-going feud between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association. They also get into the Boston Red Sox honoring Tim Wakefield and not inviting Curt Schilling, a few members of the Chicago White Sox who didn’t care about the solar eclipse and Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Rowdy Tellez defending closer David Bender from the recent boo’s he’s received from bucco fans.1:34 - O’s call-up Holliday23:07 - Gerrit Cole speaks32:30 - Tyler Glasnow is shoving36:55 - Red Sox notes41:05 - White Sox solar eclipse non-fans47:32 - Rowdy Tellez defends David Bednar52:27 - NL Central is up for grabs[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQFollow Jake @Jake_MintzFollow Jordan @J_Shusterman_🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports PodcastsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Injuries to pitchers in baseball are bound to happen. It’s become part of the game that many have to just accept. However, it doesn’t make it any better when we hear that Cleveland Guardians pitcher Shane Bieber will have to get Tommy John Surgery and end his 2024 campaign so early. The same could also be said for Atlanta Braves ace Spencer Strider after his UCL sprain diagnosis over the weekend.Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman take a look at this pandemic plaguing baseball and whether or not the MLBPA was right to blame the uptick in injuries to pitchers on the newly imposed pitch clock rules. They also discuss Dr. James Andrews, a leading doctor in performing Tommy John surgery, and his comments on what could be the contributing factor to this problem in the sport.Later in the show, the Baseball Bar-B-Cast crew gives the weekend recap from around the league including if we should start taking teams like the Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates seriously, if the roll call at New York Yankees games is lame and the Miami Marlins decision to void current manager Skip Schumaker’s 2025 club option.2:13 - Inside the pitcher injury plague9:30 - Are pitchers acting in their best interest?17:02 - Is the pitch clock to blame?26:44 - Mops & sweeps from the weekend35:16 - Series wins from the weekend44:59 - Yankees roll call displeasure1:01:21 - Marlins-Schumaker to split in 2025[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQFollow Jake @Jake_MintzFollow Jordan @J_Shusterman_🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports PodcastsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On Thursday, the baseball world finally got some sort of resolve about where the Oakland Athletics will be playing baseball next year. We think at least. A’s owner John Fisher announced the team will be playing at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, the home of the Triple-A River Cats, for the next three seasons. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss why the A’s needed to find a new ballpark to play after yet another tumultuous start in Oakland this year, the unfortunate situation that the fans are stuck in and the questionable comments made by Fisher being excited to see Aaron Judge hit home runs against his team at their temporary home.Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys dive into why the 0-8 Miami Marlins might find themselves in fire sale mode well before the trade deadline because of their rough start. While there are still players to be hopeful about with the Marlins, there are a few players that teams already covet and could make a play for with the team spiraling.To close out the show, Jake & Jordan bring back the good, the bad and the Uggla to talk about the biggest hits and misses from this week in baseball. Thankfully, one of our favorite players just missed getting hit by a sausage in Milwaukee.3:07 The A’s are on the move22:32 Are the Marlins about to sell?30:19 The Good34:39 The Bad39:21 The Uggla48:29 Jake says thanks[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQFollow Jake @Jake_MintzFollow Jordan @J_Shusterman_🖥️ Watch full episodes on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports PodcastsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Los Angeles Dodgers were the talk of baseball for their historic offseason, but it’s their outfielder turned shortstop Mookie Betts who has set the league ablaze for his start to 2024.Jordan Shusterman & guest host Russell Dorsey discuss what Mookie is doing right at the plate that’s already resulted in his league leading five home runs and 11 RBI, as well as why the Dodgers are fixing to get better as the season goes on with Walker Buehler starting his rehab assignment. The guys also get into the first no-hitter thrown in baseball this season by the unlikely source of Ronel Blanco. It’s just another instance of the Houston Astros and their impressive ability to develop pitchers. However, is there reason to worry about their bullpen after a rough start to their campaign? Also on this edition of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jordan & Russ talk about Mike Trout and Bryce Harper’s impressive nights at the dish, the Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals each facing issues with getting a new stadium and round-up news from around the league.3:15 Mookie Betts on fire14:47 Ronel Blanco’s no-hitter26:54 A new Blue Jays weapon?32:06 Trout & Harper homers38:39 White Sox pitching43:54 A’s & Royals stadium issues51:27 Injury roundup [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQFollow Jordan @J_Shusterman_Follow Russell @Russ_Dorsey1🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports PodcastsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

There’s only been one weekend since baseball has returned and we are already flushed with stories to discuss right here on the Baseball Bar-B-Cast. We saw quite a few sweeps this past weekend, as well as a couple mops. Don’t worry, we’ll explain.Juan Soto made a great first impression while helping the New York Yankees complete their four-game sweep of their dreaded nemesis Houston Astros. While Yankee fans are flying high and feeling good about their offseason re-tooling, there’s another new addition to the club who Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman think will become an unlikely fan favorite this season for the Bronx faithful.The guys also discuss the benches clearing disagreement that occurred in Queens between the New York Mets’ Jeff McNeil and the Milwaukee Brewers’ Rhys Hoskins. While there is a history between these two players dating back to Rhys' Philadelphia Phillies days, his questionable slide left McNeil calling him the dirtiest player in baseball.Jake & Jordan complete their recaps and talk about Atlanta Braves outfielder Michael Harris getting into it with Phillies fans on social media and why that’s good for their already boiling rivalry. 2:01 - The mops in baseball this weekend4:35 - Juan Soto’s impact16:44 - Pirates mop the Marlins27:27 - Hoskins vs Mets39:26 - The series splits57:22 - Michael Harris beefing with Phillies fans[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQFollow Jake @Jake_MintzFollow Jordan @J_Shusterman_🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports PodcastsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Baseball returned with a bang on Thursday and the Baseball Bar-B-Cast crew is here to catch you up on all the news and notes from the best day on the sports calendar year.  Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss how they spent their Opening Day including Jake with the Baltimore Orioles welcoming their new owner with a rousing win against Mike Trout and the Los Angeles Angels and Jordan watching the upstart Cincinnati Reds taking down the Washington Nationals in Cincy.The guys then go around the league giving updates on every game that was played on Thursday, talking about the controversial ninth inning between the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs, the New York Yankees defeating the Houston Astros in a thriller and the depressing final Opening Day for the Oakland Athletics. To close out the show, Jake & Jordan give an update on how they did in their Opening Day starter draft competition. Spoiler alert, it wound up being very one-sided due to a terrible pick. But with two games still to be played, is there a chance for a comeback?1:43 Baseball is back baby!3:06 O's-Angels kick-off the season13:30 Reds open up in Cincinnati21:02 Opening Day roundup32:15 Yankees-Astros face-off39:50 Controversial 9th in Texas49:46 Starter draft update[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQFollow Jake @Jake_MintzFollow Jordan @J_Shusterman_🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports PodcastsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Opening Day is officially less than 24 hours away and we here on the Baseball Bar-B-Cast couldn’t be more excited. While spring training has felt like it’s been going on for a while now, the start of meaningful baseball games is finally upon us.Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman celebrate the start of the 2024 season with a friendly competition by drafting every starting pitcher scheduled to pitch on the Thursday slate to see who puts together a better performing squad. While this may sound like an easy exercise, things start to get interesting towards the end of the draft.The guys then give their predictions for who will take home all the major awards at the end of the season, including the MVP, the Cy Young, Rookie of the Year and the Manager of the Year. Jake & Jordan also give their thoughts on Jordan Montgomery finally finding a home with the Arizona Diamondbacks and react to the unforgettable Shohei Ohtani press conference.2:45 Opening Day is tomorrow!6:25 Ohtani press conference reaction18:43 Montgomery to the D-backs24:18 Opening Day starter draft46:23 2024 award predictions[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQFollow Jake @Jake_MintzFollow Jordan @J_Shusterman_🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports PodcastsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The sports world continues to be captivated by the gambling scandal surrounding Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and his now former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. We finally should be, maybe, possibly will be getting answers when the Japanese slugger addresses the media on Monday.With many questions remaining unanswered, Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman speculate what Ohtani may say after Major League Baseball finally announced that they will be opening an investigation into this matter. Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the guys discuss the interesting quotes regarding why J.D. Martinez chose to sign with the New York Mets over the San Francisco Giants, Wyatt Langford making the Texas Rangers, Jackson Holliday starting the season in the minors and thoughts on the passing of long-time Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos.Jake & Jordan wrap the episode up by making their predictions for which teams will win their divisions before ultimately choosing who will take home the Commissioner's Trophy in 2024.4:50 Shohei Ohtani addressing the media16:45 J.D. Martinez “addicted to the playoffs”25:37 Who made the big club?30:29 Jackson Holliday sent to minors37:36 Thoughts on Peter Angelos & Peter Seidler47:58 2024 team picks[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQFollow Jake @Jake_MintzFollow Jordan @J_Shusterman_🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports PodcastsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We have finally made it to the last division in our 2024 season preview series and we’re ending with the AL Central. While there might not be as much enthusiasm for the central as other divisions, the guys from the Baseball Bar-B-Cast talk about all the interesting and funny players, along with storylines, to watch for this upcoming year.Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss why the Minnesota Twins, fresh off of their 2023 division championship, are the clear-cut favorites and poised to repeat at champs yet again this year. They give their take on why the Detroit Tigers need Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene to take a step in the right direction this upcoming season after finishing in second place last season.The guys also talk about budding superstar Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals, Stephen Vogt’s upcoming first year managing the extremely young Cleveland Guardians & the more than likely disaster season coming up from the Chicago White Sox. Outside of giving their division preview, the guys give a slight update to the Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal, J.D. Martinez signing with the New York Mets & talk about their picks for the NCAA tournament. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQFollow Jake @Jake_MintzFollow Jordan @J_Shusterman_🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports PodcastsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On an emergency episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, we react to everything we know so far about the shocking gambling scandal between Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher/DH Shohei Ohtani and his now former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara. When the story broke on Wednesday, the initial report was that Ohtani’s good friend and interpreter Mizuhara, who was also employed by the Dodgers, admitted that Ohtani helped him in paying off an illegal gambling debt of $4.5 million. Since then, however, Ohtani’s representatives have changed the story and claim it was theft on Ippei’s part and that Ohtani was not aware of the happenings.In addition to laying out the timeline of events, including Mizuhara giving two different stories leading many to be confused with what’s the actual truth, Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss what the best and the worst case is for the Japanese mega-star at this point, the questions they have about this story & where baseball goes from here.The guys also quickly talk about the second game between the San Diego Padres and Dodgers from Seoul, if there's any concerns about Yoshinobu Yamamoto after his poor start and why they'd still like to see MLB games played in foreign venues.1:37 Initial reaction to the news7:49 Timeline of events16:17 Questions we have30:48 Talking through the possibilities46:46 Dodgers-Padres game 2 recap[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQFollow Jake @Jake_MintzFollow Jordan @J_Shusterman_🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports PodcastsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

As we get closer to the start of the season for every team not named the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres, the Baseball Bar-B-Cast guys take their 2024 division preview series to the NL Central. There isn’t necessarily a clear-cut favorite to take the crown this year and perhaps a shift could be happening after multiple offseason moves.One of the biggest changes in the division is former Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell taking his talents to the Chicago Cubs. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman wonder if that move is big enough to give the Cubbies a slight advantage over the St. Louis Cardinals, who are coming off of an embarrassing 2023 season. However, there is reason to believe that maybe the Cincinnati Reds and their slew of sophomore stars can find a way to take the next step and compete for the crown in the central. Also in the division, the Pittsburgh Pirates are excited to get back Oneil Cruz after missing the majority of 2023, with hopes that he can become a core player that they can lean on moving forward. The guys also discuss the first game of the 2024 MLB season in Seoul, the San Francisco Giants signing Blake Snell & the drama unfolding with the MLB Players Association. 1:54 Dodgers-Padres opener8:12 Giants sign Blake Snell11:40 MLBPA drama13:26 Pittsburgh Pirates21:57 Milwaukee Brewers34:17 Cincinatti Reds47:43 Chicago Cubs59:45 St. Louis Cardinals1:15:27 Baseball Bar-B-Cast fantasy league[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQFollow Jake @Jake_MintzFollow Jordan @J_Shusterman_🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports PodcastsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the latest edition of our 2024 MLB divisional previews, the Baseball Bar-B-Cast guys take a look at the NL East, home to the reigning division champion Atlanta Braves and National League MVP Ronald Acuña.Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss how the Braves, who have won the division every year since 2018, will look to put last year's embarrassing NLDS loss in their rearview mirror as they try to get back to the World Series. However, they’ll have to compete with the Philadelphia Phillies, the team that knocked them out in October, in order to extend their division championship winning streak to a seventh year.The Phillies have prioritized keeping the majority of their roster the same as last season, as well as re-signing ace Aaron Nola and extending Zack Wheeler. With a pitching staff that fans of the Phillies can be pumped up about, this is a team that is poised to make yet another deep run in October.We also talk about the New York Mets and if Pete Alonso will still be with the club at the end of the season, if the Miami Marlins making the postseason again this year is achievable and who can be someone that Washington Nationals fans can be excited about.4:44 - Washington Nationals14:35 - Miami Marlins23:24 - New York Mets36:07 - Philadelphia Phillies46:54 - Atlanta Braves[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQFollow Jake @Jake_MintzFollow Jordan @J_Shusterman_🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports PodcastsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It’s time to take a trip out west in our 2024 MLB season preview series, this time to the American League West, home of the 2023 World Series defending champion Texas Rangers.After winning their first title in franchise history, the Rangers will look to become the first team to repeat as champions since the New York Yankees dynasty of the 90’s. However, the Houston Astros are looking to live up to their projections and will try to get back to the title dance despite being titled “underdogs” after their ALCS disappointment.Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman then discuss how the Seattle Mariners will need an a MVP like caliber season from Julio Rodriguez to help them get over the letdown of last season, whether Mike Trout can return to form for the now Shohei Ohtani-less Los Angeles Angels and the mess that is unfortunately the Oakland Athletics.The guys also talk about the latest update to Gerrit Cole's injury and whether Tommy John surgery might be inevitable for the ace pitcher. 2:43 Gerrit Cole injury update7:51 Oakland Athletics1953 Los Angeles Angels34:33 Seattle Mariners46:25 Texas Rangers59:19 Houston Astros[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Baseball league for the 2024 MLB season]Follow the show on X at @CespedesBBQFollow Jake @Jake_MintzFollow Jordan @J_Shusterman_🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTubeCheck out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports PodcastsSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.