Baseball Bar-B-Cast

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

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

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:
🎧 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 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:
🎧 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 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:
🎧 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_

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:
🎧 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_