Baseball Bar-B-Cast

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:
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🎧 Spotify
🖥️ YouTube
📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv
And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:
🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social
🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ
📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq
⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz
🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

The 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:
🎧 Apple Podcasts
🎧 Spotify
🖥️ YouTube
📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv
And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:
🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social
🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ
📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq
⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz
🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

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:
🎧 Apple Podcasts
🎧 Spotify
🖥️ YouTube
📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv
And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:
🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social
🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ
📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq
⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz
🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

The 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:
🎧 Apple Podcasts
🎧 Spotify
🖥️ YouTube
📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv
And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:
🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social
🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ
📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq
⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz
🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_

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:
🎧 Apple Podcasts
🎧 Spotify
🖥️ YouTube
📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tv
And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:
🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social
🐦 @CespedesBBQ: https://x.com/CespedesBBQ
📷 @CespedesBBQ: https://www.instagram.com/cespedesbbq
⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz
🧢 @J_Shusterman: https://x.com/j_shusterman_