Baseball Bar-B-Cast

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:
🎧 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 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:
🎧 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_

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:
🎧 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_

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:
🎧 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_

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:
🎧 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_