Wild Card Preview: Yankees-Red Sox, Braves-Phillies, Cubs-Padres & Astros-White Sox

On Thursday night, the Atlanta Braves punched their ticket to a second-round matchup with the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, setting up the final eight teams of the postseason. With the League Division Series set to start on Saturday, it’s time to preview each of these highly intriguing matchups.On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman start by recapping the do-or-die Wild Card Game 3 that saw the end of the Philadelphia Phillies’ season before previewing the key players in the Braves-Dodgers NLDS. They then take a look at the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays ALDS matchup and name some of the possible X-factors in the series.Later in the show, Jake and Jordan continue their LDS preview with the first-ever postseason showdown between the Chicago White Sox and the Cleveland Guardians. They close out the show with the intriguing showdown between the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers, which features two teams that are still searching for their first-ever World Series title. 1:21 - The Opener: Wild Card Game 3 recap14:03 - Dodgers vs. Braves28:26 - Yankees vs. Rays43:58 - White Sox vs. Guardians53:10 - Padres vs. Brewers Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tvAnd 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 quickly as the Wild Card round began, it has already ended the season for three teams. With the New York Yankees, San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox all taking care of business in the first two games, there’s only one best-of-three series left, and it will decide who takes on the defending back-to-back World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman recap everything that has happened in the Wild Card round so far, including the wild conclusion to the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves’ Game 2, where Bryce Harper atoned for his error in the field with a dramatic game-tying home run. They also highlight Alec Bohm’s go-ahead homer that helped seal the deal for a series-deciding Game 3 on Thursday night.Later in the show, Jake and Jordan get into the Yankees defeating archrivals the Boston Red Sox in the Bronx, which sent the Bombers back to the ALDS to face off with AL East rival Tampa Bay Rays. Then, they recap the very disappointing showing from the Houston Astros, as they were eliminated by the Chicago White Sox, as well as try to figure out where the Chicago Cubs go from here after being knocked out by the San Diego Padres in two games. 1:43 - The Opener: Phillies-Braves go the distance27:15 - Yankees eliminate Red Sox39:35 - White Sox defeat Astros47:57 - Padres knock out Cubs Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tvAnd 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 regular season has concluded, and it is time to shift our focus to the 2026 MLB playoffs. However, first we must dive into the Wild Card round, which begins on Tuesday. With divisional foes facing off against each other, as well as past playoff rematches, the best-of-three series are going to be a doozy.On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman take a look at all four Wild Card matchups, including the New York Yankees facing off with their bitter rival, the Boston Red Sox, in the Bronx for the second consecutive year. With the Yankees opting to start Game 1 with their ace, Cam Schlittler, on the mound, will that prove to be a successful strategy in getting the Yankees to the ALDS, or will the Red Sox offense come alive and pull off the upset?Later in the show, Jake and Jordan break down the Philadelphia Phillies versus Atlanta Braves matchup, which sees the two NL East rivals do battle in Atlanta. They then preview the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres matchup, which will take place this time at Petco Park, as well as try to make sense of what a Houston Astros-Chicago White Sox series will look like. The guys close the show by highlighting Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer's final starts in their potential Hall of Fame careers. 5:23 - The Opener: Yankees vs. Red Sox26:35 - Phillies vs. Braves44:06 - Cubs vs. Padres57:23 - Astros vs. White Sox1:13:02 - Turbo Mode: Final Weekend 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.tvAnd 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 final weekend of the regular season is upon us, and the postseason picture is just about set. However, there are still a couple of moving pieces that need to be determined before we can officially set sail onto the best time of the year. With the NL Wild Card, AL Central and AL West all up for grabs, we’re in for an exciting regular-season finale across the league.On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman paint the picture for the series coming up, including whether the Arizona Diamondbacks can find a way into the NL Wild Card picture despite their odds being long, whether the Chicago White Sox can find a way to get back on top in the Central and who will come away with the AL West crown. Can the Houston Astros hang on and stave off the Texas Rangers to set up a matchup with the White Sox in the Wild Card round?Later in the show, Jake and Jordan take a look at all the happenings around the league, including Max Scherzer trying to one-up Justin Verlander and pass him in career strikeouts before Verlander’s final career start, as well as some miscommunication issues between Aaron Judge, Aaron Boone and the New York Yankees. They also highlight a couple of managers who managed to parlay their interim titles into full-time positions. They then make their picks for this week’s edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla. 1:27 - The Opener: Where Things Stand in the NL Wild Card13:38 - AL Central & West Up for Grabs19:55 - Around the League: Scherzer vs. Verlander29:17 - Judge & Boone’s Miscommunication40:06 - From Interim to Full-Time47:56 - 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.tvAnd 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 2026 MLB regular season enters its final week of games, there is still so much that needs to be decided before the postseason can officially begin. Between who will win the American League Central, which team will be the third and final AL Wild Card participant, and which team from Texas will win the AL West, there are quite a few situations we can’t wait to see how they turn out. And that’s only in the American League!On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman take a look at the current postseason picture and try to make sense of the AL scene, as well as figure out how things will play out in the National League Wild Card situation. Will the Arizona Diamondbacks figure out a way to slither in, or will the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies deny their entry into the postseason dance?Later in the show, Jake and Jordan ask one big question for every postseason team that has stamped its ticket to the playoffs, including how healthy the Los Angeles Dodgers are, whether we’ll see Aaron Judge play another game this season and how hot Ronald Acuña Jr. can stay for the Atlanta Braves. They then go Around the League to discuss the Detroit Tigers’ new ballpark name, Alex Bregman’s brutal face injury and the San Francisco Giants’ bad luck with their roster this season. 2:07 - The Opener: Where things stand in the AL20:47 - Where things stand in the NL27:55 - One question for every postseason team55:34 - Around the League: Tigers’ new stadium name1:05:12 - Alex Bregman’s injury1:09:20 - Giants’ IL issue Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tvAnd 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_

Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman take a final look at the MLB award races. Which awards—like Pete Crow-Armstrong’s historic run for NL MVP—are all but locked up, and which others are still hotly contested? They also debate the tight AL MVP race between Yordan Alvarez and Junior Caminero, spotlight the surge of reliever Mason Miller, ace Jacob Misiorowski and more.This week's Good, Bad, Uggla covers a little bit of everything: from the Chicago Cubs team bonding at the race track, to Ichiro’s 127-pitch shutout against high schoolers, to a bizarre saga involving a Brewers owner and some sand.Plus, key playoff races and a preview of the biggest matchups of the upcoming weekend slate.(2:17) One last MLB awards check-in(29:31) The Good (39:10) The Bad(44:40) The Uggla(53:32) What to watch this weekend  Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tvAnd 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_

Pete Alonso returned to his old digs on Monday night in Queens, greeted by New York Mets fans giving a rousing ovation to show their appreciation for his time with the team. On Tuesday night, though, he paid it back to the fans by hitting his 300th career home run in the top of the ninth to tie the game. And the fans continued to cheer.On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the warm welcome home that the Polar Bear received at Citi Field for his first visit since joining the Baltimore Orioles. They get into how Alonso nailed the moment, despite Mets players not being too thrilled with how fans responded to his heroics, as well as how David Stearns has failed the club so far in his tenure, which has given fans of the Amazin's a sour taste in their mouths.Later in the show, Jake and Jordan talk about the two series they attended this week, including the Los Angeles Dodgers at Cincinnati Reds, where Freddie Freeman is reinventing himself and finding success. They also talk about the Cleveland Guardians taking two of three games from the Chicago White Sox and further improving their chances of possibly leapfrogging into first place in the AL Central. The guys close the show out by looking at Junior Caminero's MVP odds, Elly De La Cruz's monster home run and the Milwaukee Brewers winning the NL Central. 1:53 - The Opener: Alonso Hits 30021:18 - Mets Fans' Fury Toward Stearns29:58 - Field Report: Dodgers in Cincinnati44:52 - Guardians Eye Division After White Sox Series48:48 - Around the League: Caminero for MVP?51:38 - Luzardo to the IL52:55 - Brewers Clinch the NL Central Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tvAnd 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_

With two weeks left in the regular season, the postseason picture is starting to become a little clearer. However, in the American League, the picture is still a little murky, with multiple teams still in the mix in the division and Wild Card races. As five teams look to finish the season strong, which two will be the ones to get the coveted trip to the October dance?On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman take a look at the current state of the MLB postseason picture in the American and National Leagues. Will the Chicago White Sox be able to close out the AL Central, or will the Cleveland Guardians swoop in and take it from them? Can the Toronto Blue Jays, with a strong finish, find a way to make it four AL East teams in the postseason as they sit one game back in the Wild Card?Later in the show, Jake and Jordan examine the case for New York Yankees ace Cam Schlittler to win the AL Cy Young and AL MVP. After Yankees captain Aaron Judge made a comment about pitchers having their own award, is the MVP an award that pitchers should win? Also, can Cam hold off other strong candidates like the Houston Astros’ Yordan Alvarez and the Tampa Bay Rays’ Junior Caminero? 1:59 - The Opener: AL postseason update32:56 - Who will miss out in the NL?48:30 - We Need To Talk About: Schlittler for MVP?58:26 - Turbo Mode: Weekend 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.tvAnd 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 Los Angeles Dodgers started the 2026 campaign, their hopes of becoming the first MLB team to three-peat since the ’90s New York Yankees dynasty seemed pretty good. While their team features All-Stars scattered throughout their roster, a lot of their strength revolved around their two-way superstar, Shohei Ohtani. Now, just weeks away from the postseason, he finds himself on the injured list.On this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss if the back-to-back defending champions fumbled the injury situation with the four-time MVP winner and if Ohtani will be ready for the NLDS. They then get into Los Angeles calling up top prospect Josue De Paula and if his impressive showing in the minors will be able to translate this early in his career to the big leagues.Later in the show, Jake and Jordan revisit their bold predictions for the 2026 season from March and see how many they’ve gotten right, which ones are still in play, and which have hopelessly fallen by the wayside. The guys then make their selections for this week’s edition of The Good, The Bad and the Uggla before highlighting the importance of baseball on the 25th anniversary of 9/11. 1:15 - The Opener: Shohei Ohtani to the IL28:43 - Dodgers call up top prospect33:47 - Re-examining bold predictions1:00:00 - The Good1:05:37 - The Bad1:11:17 - The Uggla1:14:54 - Weekend 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.tvAnd 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_

Aaron Judge hasn’t played a game for the New York Yankees since the final day of May. Since then, the Bronx Bombers have been able to tread water in the American League despite a less-than-impressive offense over the past three months. However, on Monday night, the Yankees activated their captain with hopes that it will be the difference-maker for the team.On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the return of Aaron Judge to the Yankees lineup, why opting not to do a rehab stint works out for him with the Colorado Rockies in town, and whether the team will be able to stave off a Boston Red Sox team right on their tails in the Wild Card race.The guys then get into the controversial umpiring from Doug Eddings after he told St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Hancel Rincon to fix his hat, recap an entertaining series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves, and talk about Shohei Ohtani admitting to probably not pitching again this season. 1:11 - The Opener: Aaron Judge returns22:11 - We Need To Talk About: Doug Eddings goes too far37:43 - Around The League: Phillies-Braves recap49:20 - Corbin Burnes is back52:30 - Shohei Ohtani won’t pitch again in 2026 Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on your favorite podcast app:🎧 Apple Podcasts🎧 Spotify🖥️ YouTube📢 Check out the Yahoo Sports podcast network or yahoosports.tvAnd 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_