The 2024 AL & NL Most Valuable Player awards, as it stands, appear to be heading back to Aaron Judge for the second time and Shohei Ohtani for the third time in four years. However, the MVP race might not be as clear cut as the numbers are making it out to be thanks to two shortstops who are making a strong push for the end-of-year award. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman talk about how a monster season from Bobby Witt Jr. has helped propel the Kansas City Royals into a postseason position ...
Aug 28, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 316
It’s tough to be surprised by what Aaron Judge has done this season. After a down April, the New York Yankees captain has been unworldly at the dish, including hitting three more home runs this weekend to bring his MLB-season-leading total to 51 dingers. But is it possible for Judge to chase down Barry Bonds’ record of 73 home runs? Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss how Judge might actually have the potential to break the single season home run record set by Bonds in 2001 and why it mig...
Aug 26, 2024•57 min•Ep. 315
When the Cincinnati Reds called up a young 23-year-old first baseman in 2007, nobody would have thought Joey Votto would turn into the player and personality that the game of baseball would fall in love with. Now, 17 years, 356 career home runs, six All-Star Game appearances and an MVP award later, Votto has decided to hang up his spikes for good. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman talk about Votto’s decision to retire after a stint in the Toronto Blue Jays' minor league system and if the first ...
Aug 23, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 314
There’s certain baseball news that will hit differently for each person. However, here on the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, the announcement teaser featuring the return of the beloved Backyard Baseball game might be some of the biggest news of 2024. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss the return of the video game that many of this current generation grew up playing, as well as talking about the history of the game and why it’s such a nostalgia bomb not just for those who played it but for those wh...
Aug 21, 2024•55 min•Ep. 313
After a four year hiatus, MLB celebrated Players’ Weekend once again, allowing every player to show a little more personality on the field, whether by using customized bats and cleats to sharing stories harkening back to their childhood days of playing the game. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman recap the highlights from Players' weekend in baseball including Bobby Witt Jr. hitting a home run with Backyard Baseball star Pablo Sanchez on his bat to Jazz Chisholm interacting with kids at the Litt...
Aug 19, 2024•43 min•Ep. 312
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been a powerhouse in the NL West, having won the division in 11 of the past 12 seasons. However, due to the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres being scorching hot the past few months, could there be a shocking upset and a new champ crowned in the west? Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman talk about how the D-backs' and Padres' recent success is now threatening the good vibes around LA that started thanks to a monster offseason that saw the acquisition of Shohei...
Aug 16, 2024•55 min•Ep. 311
The 2024 MLB season has seen quite a few teams battling for a highly coveted postseason spot and because of that, more teams are beating up on each other than ever. With the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians currently leading the league with 71 wins, this could be the first season since 2014 that no teams reaches the 100-win mark. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman discuss what the reasons could be for the lack of a 100-game winner this season including whether all te...
Aug 14, 2024•58 min•Ep. 310
The weekend was packed with teams trying to make moves and help their postseason chances, including the Mariners keeping the pressure on the Astros and the Dodgers holding back the Padres and the Diamondbacks. On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman go through all of the weekend series and break down how close these division races are and why the current leaders need to keep their foot on the gas. And, they discuss one of the wackier ground-rule doubles they’...
Aug 12, 2024•47 min•Ep. 309
Everyone has Olympic fever with the 2024 edition of the summer games wrapping up this weekend. However, there is one sport that is noticeably missing and the Baseball Bar-B-Cast is here to make a serious case for why baseball should return to the Olympics in 2028, but this time with professional players. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman talk about how Rob Manfred, the players and owners can help make this happen, especially since the 2028 games will take place in Los Angeles. Although there mi...
Aug 09, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 308
It has finally happened. For the first time since July 10th, the Chicago White Sox have won a game. With their victory against the Oakland A’s on Tuesday night, Pedro Grifol’s team was able to snap their 21-game losing streak and have a victorious handshake line to end one of the rougher stretches in the team’s history. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman talk about the White Sox avoiding a new all-time record for most consecutive losses in a row, why the players on the current squad aren’t neces...
Aug 07, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 307
Over the weekend, the Giants stayed hot and Blake Snell tossed his first no-hitter and the White Sox stayed ice cold, pushing their losing streak to 20 games. What will it take to turn this franchise around? On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman break down not just the big-league action from the weekend, but also the action from Jake’s bachelor party. The guys go through all the series and discuss how Wilyer Abreu overcame personal loss and had a big day fo...
Aug 05, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 306
When the 2024 season started, the baseball world was delighted to see a healthy Mike Trout back to his MVP form, including stealing bases like he was a rookie again. Unfortunately, a torn meniscus forced him to the IL at the end of April, and it was just announced that he suffered another tear while rehabbing the injury, which will cause Trout to miss the rest of this season. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman talk about the extremely disappointing news surrounding the three-time American League...
Aug 02, 2024•54 min•Ep. 305
The 2024 MLB trade deadline has come and gone, and now it’s time to take a look at how each squad did before the clock struck 6pm ET on Wednesday. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman give their grades for how each team did at the deadline, as well as try to make sense of some of the blockbuster trades like Eloy Jimenez to the Baltimore Orioles, the Los Angeles Dodgers landing Jack Flaherty and why the Chicago White Sox continue to fail even after trading away a few players. The guys also give the...
Jul 31, 2024•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 304
With less than 48 hours to go until the MLB trade deadline on Tuesday at 6pm ET, there has been a flurry of moves being made by teams who are looking to bolster up their rosters for a sprint to the postseason. Some trades have been no-brainers and others may have caught us off guard. However, it's been one of the busiest pre-deadlines we've seen in a while. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman are here to analyze all the trades that have gone down including the New York Yankees trading for Jazz Ch...
Jul 29, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 303
It’s been a jam-packed 24 hours in the baseball world that saw the Seattle Mariners trading for Randy Arozarena from the Tampa Bay Rays, the Miami Marlins trading A.J. Puk to the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres ace Dylan Cease throwing a no-hitter against the Washington Nationals. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman are here to break it all down for you on the latest episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast. Does the Randy Arozarena trade by Jerry Dipoto signal that the Mariners are really go...
Jul 26, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 302
Paul Skenes has been nothing but brilliant in his young major league career for the Pittsburgh Pirates, including pitching into the 9th inning on Tuesday night. However, despite allowing just two earned runs and striking out eight, it was the first time he took a loss in a game since his college days. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterm discuss if the Pirates are already wasting a golden opportunity for winning while having a great pitcher like Paul Skenes in their rotation and if the club will mak...
Jul 24, 2024•59 min•Ep. 301
It was a weekend with a few sweeps, including the Los Angeles Dodgers taking three from the Red Sox and Jackson Chourio heating up to power the Brewers. Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman break down all of the sweeps from the weekend and dig into the other series as well. Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake and Jordan discuss Bobby Witt Jr.’s incredible weekend, how former All-Star Ty France flamed out in Seattle and why Aaron Boone is the GOAT of getting ejected. Plus, the guys ...
Jul 22, 2024•57 min•Ep. 300
Friday is the official start of the second half of the MLB season following the All-Star Break, and now is the time for every team to evaluate their needs and decide if moves will be made by addition or subtraction before the August 1st trade deadline. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman examine all 30 teams in the league and try to figure out what moves they’ll make to either help fix a busted pitching rotation (Milwaukee Brewers, Baltimore Orioles), bolster a slumping offense (New York Yankees,...
Jul 19, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 299
On Tuesday night, the baseball world stopped and watched as the biggest stars in the sport played in the 94th annual Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Texas. Despite the National League starting Pittsburgh Pirates rookie phenom Paul Skenes, as well as throwing out some other big arms, the American League was able to do what they’ve done quite a few times in the past decade and take the game with a 5-3 victory. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman recap all the memorable moments from the Midsu...
Jul 17, 2024•32 min•Ep. 298
The first two rounds of the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft are in the books and the Baseball Bar-B-Cast is ready to break down all the picks made on Sunday night in Fort Worth, Texas, where all 30 clubs injected some of the best talent that the college and high school scene has to offer into their organizations. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman are back in studio together to discuss the Cleveland Guardians taking Travis Bazzana first overall making him the first Australian ever taken at the ...
Jul 15, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 297
The Baseball Bar-B-Cast has taken the show on the road for the 2024 edition of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman are live in-studio to bring you a preview of all the upcoming action from the MLB Draft taking place this Sunday. The guys preview the projected top ten prospects to go in the draft, as well as make their picks for who the Cleveland Guardians might take at No. 1 overall. They also talk about the pressure of the 74th overall...
Jul 12, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 296
Following Sunday's announcement of the reserve players for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game, the only question yet to be answered is who are the two players who will toll the bump for their respective squad? While there are a few good options in the American League, it’s the National League that has drummed up quite a bit of debate. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman talk about why Pittsburgh Pirates' ace Paul Skenes is the obvious choice for many to start the game, however, after only making 10 MLB s...
Jul 10, 2024•51 min•Ep. 295
We finally have the complete MLB All-Star Game rosters, and everyone has some thoughts. Who was selected and who was snubbed? Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman break it all down. Among the biggest snubs, Brandon Nimmo who the guys argue may be even more deserving than Francisco Lindor. As for the guys who were selected, Jake and Jordan are most happy for guys like Jurickson Profar and David Fry, who got their first All-Star Game nods. Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake and Jord...
Jul 08, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 294
The Yankees suffered their first three-game sweep of the season, falling at the hands of the Reds. Is it time to really start to worry about the Bronx Bombers? On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman break down what has gone wrong with the Yankees lately, what’s going right with th D-Backs’ star Christian Walker and they dig into who was named to the All-Star Game starting lineup. The guys also give an update on who’s participating in the Home Run Derby. Plus...
Jul 05, 2024•55 min•Ep. 293
When the Chicago Cubs brought in highly desired manager Craig Counsell, the thought was that there could possibly be joy in Wrigleyville in 2024. However, after a bit of a rough stretch for the Cubbies, they now find themselves with the third-worst record in the National League and potentially in the position to be trade deadline sellers. Jake Mintz & Jordan Shusterman talk about what’s gone wrong lately for the Cubs and how it's landed them in the mix for the third wild card spot in the NL ...
Jul 03, 2024•50 min•Ep. 292
Despite plenty of opportunities for a four-game sweep (otherwise known as a mop) no team was able to clean up this weekend. And there weren’t any three-game sweeps either! On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jordan Shusterman and Jake Mintz go through all the weekend’s series and they have segments galore to get us through Monday. Jake and Jordan bring back one of their favorite segments, “Sorry For Your Mentions,” and read some of their favorite replies to the Cubs’ social media posts. ...
Jul 01, 2024•56 min•Ep. 291
In 2023, the Texas Rangers rode their wave of momentum and turned it into the club's first ever World Series title after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, this season has proven to be a bit more of a challenge. Jordan Shusterman is joined by MLB.com Rangers beat reporter Kennedi Landry as they examine where things have gone wrong for the defending champs of baseball, as well as talk about the case for Josh Smith to make the American League All-Star Game squad and if rookie Wyatt Langf...
Jun 28, 2024•47 min•Ep. 290
The New York Yankees opened up the 2024 edition of the Subway Series with their crosstown rival New York Mets on Tuesday night. The little brother of the two New York teams got the best of the Bronx Bombers, taking the series opener while lighting up Yankees ace Gerrit Cole for six earned runs on four home runs in four innings pitched. Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman take a look at the second start from the leader of the Yankees' rotation and if there is any reasons for concern about how Cole h...
Jun 26, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 289
The Houston Astros for the majority of this season have been underperforming and it’s reflected in their record. However, after a sweep this past weekend over the very dangerous Baltimore Orioles, it’s fair to wonder if the Astros are lurking, like the boogeyman, waiting to make their move on the 2024 season. Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about why Houston could be one of the more dangerous teams to face, especially when they have Framber Valdez and Ronel Blanco pitching in the same seri...
Jun 24, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 288
Thursday night saw the San Francisco Giants face off against the St. Louis Cardinals. However, it was the environment of the game that stole the show. The renovated Rickwood Field, formerly home to the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro league, was the setting for a game that took on a special meaning with many former Negro league players in attendance. It was also the perfect way to remember the legacy of Willie Mays. Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss why this event went beyond just th...
Jun 21, 2024•52 min•Ep. 287
