The biggest storyline heading into the 2026 Major League Baseball season was how teams would adapt to and utilize the newly implemented Automated Ball-Strike challenge system. After a weekend’s worth of games, it’s already making an impact on outcomes, and we couldn’t be happier about it.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the instant success that ABS has been, both in terms of its importance in games and for fan entertainment. They dive into early statistics surrounding the challenges, including which catchers are succeeding and why hitters appear to be getting the shorter end of the stick instead of pitchers. We also saw the first ejection associated with ABS—but could more be coming?

Later, Jake and Jordan recap every matchup from the weekend, including why Tony Vitello needs to take a breath after his San Francisco Giants got swept by the New York Yankees, the Toronto Blue Jays picking up where they left off after their magical World Series run, and thoughts on Edwin Díaz’s entrance with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The guys then discuss the hottest start for the Miami Marlins since 2009, Chase DeLauter’s great series against the Seattle Mariners, and a few messy games between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Angels.

1:10 - The Opener: Impact of ABS
28:09 - How Sweep It Is: Yankees sweep Giants
36:31 - Dodgers start the season hot
47:03 - Around the League: DeLauter says hello
51:44 - Mets fail to sweep Pirates
55:33 - Turbo Mode: Every series recap

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And check out Jake, Jordan & the show on X or Instagram:

🌤️ @CespedesBBQ: https://bsky.app/profile/cespedesbbq.bsky.social

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⚾ @Jake_Mintz: https://x.com/Jake_Mintz

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

One of the best parts about Opening Day is getting to see players you’ve heard about in your favorite team’s minor league system play their first game in the big leagues. Normally, it can take a little while to adjust to major league talent; however, quite a few of them already made an impact for their teams.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman recap all the impressive debuts from the young stars, including Jake DeLauter, JJ Wetherholt, Carson Benge, and Munetaka Murakami, all hitting their first career home run and Kevin McGonigle who picked up four hits. Yes, it’s just one game, but there are strong reasons to believe in the early success from these players.

Later, Jake and Jordan give their early thoughts on the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) challenge system after seeing it used in the first few games of the season. They then discuss the Chicago Cubs giving Nico Hoerner a contract extension, the Los Angeles Dodgers revealing a new name for Dodger Stadium and the most popular jerseys sold in the offseason. The guys close the show by making their picks for a double-packed edition of The Good, The Bad & The Uggla.

1:13 - The Opener: Rookies rake on Opening Day
20:41 - We Need to Talk About: ABS debuts
32:07 - Around the League: Dodgers’ new name
37:52 - Cubs extend Nico Hoerner
41:19 - Starter draft update
46:39 - 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_

Baseball season has officially arrived! The 2026 season will kick off tonight in California when the New York Yankees take on the San Francisco Giants. As part of the start of the grind that is the regular season, we tell you about some of the most important names you need to know in baseball for this year.

On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss the top 50 most notable names, including four important members of the Los Angeles Dodgers who aren’t named Shohei Ohtani and one very large presence in the Bronx looking to make history. They also discuss which umpire you should be aware of with ABS becoming a part of the league, and why we need to see Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have a more impactful season.

Later, Jake and Jordan try to determine which starting pitchers will fare the best on the first game of the season with their annual starters draft. The guys then discuss the Chicago Cubs extending Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Detroit Tigers breaking camp with Kevin McGonigle, and why the Netflix broadcast for the first game of the season is going to be a wild experience.

1:49 - The Opener: 50 notable names
5:14 - Dodgers you need to know
17:09 - Vlad Guerrero Jr. needs an MVP season
25:14 - ABS joins the league
32:12 - Aaron Judge goes for three in a row
36:36 - Opening Day starters draft
58:58 - Around the League: Cubs-PCA extension
1:03:57 - McGonigle breaks camp
1:09:44 - Netflix hosts Yankees-Giants

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_