FanGraphs Audio: Previewing the Playoffs With Jake Mintz

Episode 995

With the playoff matchups set, we welcome one half of Céspedes Family BBQ to the show as we look ahead to the newly expanded postseason.

First, Michael Baumann welcomes Jake Mintz, one half of Céspedes Family BBQ, writer at Fox Sports, and co-host of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast on SiriusXM, to the show. The pair begin by talking about their passion for competitive cycling, but quickly move on to October baseball. The Mariners and Phillies have ended their droughts, but Philadelphia manager Rob “Thomper” Thomson is still getting his name mispronounced. We hear the duo’s thoughts on that, Aaron Judge‘s quest for 62, the red-hot Braves passing the Mets down the stretch, Charlie Morton’s inability to retire, the politics of steroids, and returning to the world of podcasting. [3:58]
After that, Ben Clemens and Dan Szymborski get together to discuss Baumann’s proposal for league expansion as well as the legend of Joey Meneses, who might already be the Nationals’ best player. We also get the pair’s thoughts on whether the Tigers will be ready to compete before the Royals, whether the Marlins will be back in the playoffs before the Nationals, and how the effects of the balanced schedule and division rivalries compare to getting bored of The Borg. [37:07]