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

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