The 2025 MLB season has not even reached the postseason yet, but we already have the schedule for what the 2026 season is going to look like. That schedule was released on Tuesday with some very notable takeaways. The season will get started in primetime with an Opening Night on Wednesday, March 25th as the New York Yankees fly across the country to visit the San Francisco Giants. The other 28 teams will start their seasons the next day for the earliest traditional Opening Day in MLB history, on March 26th. The New York Mets and Yankees will play each other in a series starting on September 11th for the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Every team will be in action on the 4th of July to celebrate the United States' 250th birthday. The All-Star game will be in Philadelphia on July 14th. These are just a few of the many notable dates on the 2026 MLB schedule. Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman discuss their thoughts on the schedule, what stands out to them and how they feel about a balanced schedule. Plus, the World Cup arrives next summer. How will these games affect MLB games?

Then, the guys talk to a legend as Cal Ripken Jr. joins the show! He talks with Jake and Jordan about his Hall of Fame career. He chats about breaking the record for most consecutive games played, what he thinks about current players not playing all 162 games, his transition after baseball and more!

Next, the guys chat through some notable news. The new Women's Professional Baseball League held tryouts recently, finishing up with their final day of tryouts at Nationals Park on August 25th. Over 600 women from 10 countries showed up to try out! Jake and Jordan talk about the impact this is having on the sport and where they hope to see this grow. Plus, the Mets call up a top pitching prospect to start Friday, Junior Caminero continues to impress at just 22-years-old and Garrett Crochet continues to make a case for the AL Cy Young. 

Finally, the biggest news of the day, on Tuesday, didn't come from the baseball world, but it did come from the sports world as Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift announced they are engaged. Jake and Jordan discuss who are the biggest celebrity couples involving an athlete. Are Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift bigger than Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe? Where might David and Victoria Beckham land in this debate?

All of this and more on today's Baseball Bar-B-Cast. 

(1:54) - MLB 2026 schedule release

(29:39) - Cal Ripken Jr. interview

(56:50) - Women's Professional Baseball League

(1:03:54) - Mets call-up, Caminero impresses & Crochet pushes for AL Cy Young

(1:13:31) - Ranking Travis Kelce & Taylor Swift's celebrity couple stardom

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