X-factors for the postseason stretch, Phillies mop the Mets & Yankees announce Anthony Volpe’s injury

As we enter the final stretch of the 2025 regular season, teams are making a push to lock up their spots in the postseason. With so much on the line—including divisional crowns and potential byes—there are a few players who need to step up for their clubs to have the best chance in October. Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman make their picks for which players are X-factors for their teams heading into the playoffs. This includes a few starting pitchers that the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies need to perform, a seasoned veteran for the Houston Astros whose prime may be nearing its end and a high-profile free agent who has disappointed for the Toronto Blue Jays. Also on this episode of the Baseball Bar-B-Cast , Jake & Jordan discuss the Phillies mopping the New York Mets, the Yankees revealing injury news about Anthony Volpe—and whether that’s the reason behind his down season—the Washington Nationals closing in on a general manager and an alarming report of misconduct within the Detroit Tigers organization. They wrap up the episode with their picks for The Good, The Bad & The Uggla . 01:34 – The Opener: Postseason X-Factors 29:22 – Phillies Mop the Mets 32:16 – Sorry For Your Mentions 38:57 – Around the League: Yankees-Volpe News 43:53 – Nationals Search for a GM 53:28 – 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_