Ep. 125 : AL West Preview With Sam Wirsching

Ep. 125 : AL West Preview With Sam Wirsching

Author: Mike Couillard February 5, 2026 Duration: 1:50:59
In our 125th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer discuss the latest MLB transactions and baseball card news before previewing the AL West with  Sam Wirsching of the Pallazzo Podcast and The Dynasty Guru.

You can find us on bluesky at @cardscategories.bsky.social@mcouill7.bsky.social, and @jbrewer17.bsky.social. Email the pod at cardscategories@gmail.com.

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Upcoming baseball card release schedule:
  • 2/6: 2025 Topps Museum Collection
  • 2/11: 2025 Topps MLB MVP Collection
  • 2/11: 2026 Topps Series 1
  • 2/12: 2025 Topps Pristine
  • 2/13: 2025 Topps Gilded
  • 2/18: 2025 Topps Stadium Club
  • TBD: 2025 Bowman’s Best
  • TBD: 2025 Topps Chrome Platinum ‘55
AL East Preview (21:30)
  • Link to NFBC ADP
  • Houston Astros
    • Buy: Tatsuya Imai, Jesus Sanchez
    • Sell: Jose Altuve, Jeremy Pena, Christian Walker
  • Los Angeles Angels
    • Buy: Grayson Rodriguez, Robert Stephenson, Jose Soriano
    • Sell: Everyone else, Logan O’Hoppe
  • Sacramento Athletics
    • Buy: Tyler Soderstrom, Jack Perkins, Brent Rooker
    • Sell: Nick Kurtz, Lawrence Butler, Jacob Wilson
  • Seattle Mariners
    • Buy: Bryce Miller, Dominic Canzone, Cal Raleigh
    • Sell: None, Luis Castillo, Dominic Canzone
  • Texas Rangers
    • Buy: Brandon Nimmo, Corey Seager, Jake Burger
    • Sell: Corey Seager, Brandon Nimmo, Josh Jung

Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer have a shared obsession that branches in two fascinating directions: the strategic depths of fantasy baseball and the nostalgic, tangible world of MLB card collecting. Their Cards & Categories podcast sits right at that unique intersection, creating a space where lineup decisions and auction values are debated with the same passion as rookie card prospecting and vintage set completion. It’s a conversation built for those who find equal joy in analyzing a player’s on-base percentage and the crisp corner of a mint-condition insert. Each episode feels like pulling up a chair at a local card shop or diving into a lively fantasy league chat, blending statistical deep dives with personal stories from the hobby. You’ll hear them break down weekly player performances for fantasy relevance while also discussing the cultural and financial currents within the sports card market. This isn’t just another baseball podcast; it’s a dedicated look at how our fandom manifests, both in digital leagues and in physical collections, all through the informed and often humorous perspective of two genuine enthusiasts. Tune in for a regular dose of actionable advice, collecting trends, and the simple pleasure of talking about the game from these two distinct, yet beautifully connected, angles.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 134

Cards & Categories
Podcast Episodes
Ep. 13 : Playoff Picks and Investments [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:38:04
In our thirteenth episode, we open by picking our MLB playoff brackets and talking about two recent card fiascos - duplicate Bowman Chrome Superfractors and Jackson Merrill's trashed Panini Immaculate cards. Then we disc…
Ep. 12 : 2023 Topps Update, Late Season Breakouts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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In our twelfth episode, we open with discussion on the tight playoff races and even more multiple superfractors surfacing. Then we review the release of 2023 Topps Update coming up on Oct. 11 (25:42). Finally, we close o…
Ep. 11 : 2023 Allen & Ginter, Revisiting Picks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:31
In our elventh episode, we open with discussion on Waino's 200th win, Ohtani hot takes, and multiple superfractors. Then we review the release of the most eccentric card set of the year, 2023 Topps Allen & Ginter (20:42)…
Ep. 10 : 2023 Bowman Chrome, Keeper Trade Chips [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:40:17
In our tenth episode, we open with discussion on two pitchers in the news - Adam Wainwright and George Kirby. Then we review the details of a newest release, 2023 Bowman Chrome (26:26). Finally, we close out with discuss…
Ep. 9 : Football Crossover Cards, Surprising Top 50 Pitchers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:56:39
In our ninth episode, we open with discussion on Shohei Ohtani’s stand-in double at the Angels picture day, David Fry outpitching Lucas Giolito, and the hot playoff races. For the kick-off of the NFL season, we review a…
Ep. 8 : New Topps Releases, Surprising Top 100 Hitters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:18
In our eighth episode, we open with discussion on Shohei Ohtani's injury and the Angels waiver wire bonanza along with the recent updates on the White Sox shooting and (once again) Julio being Julio. We then talk about t…
Ep. 7 : 2024 Mock First Round Draft [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:40:10
In our seventh episode, we open with discussion on the White Sox front office shake up and Julio being Julio. We then have a mock fantasy draft for the first round of 2024 (15:01) followed by picking our personal favorit…
Ep. 6 : NL MVP Race, Bowman Chrome, Dynasty Value Gainers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:07
In our sixth episode, we open with discussion on Luke Raley's unlikely homer in Oracle Park, Cedric Mullins' fantastic Sunday in Seattle, and whether we should start stashing other players for the NL MVP Topps Chrome buy…
Ep. 4 : Deadline, Deadline, Deadline [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:53:08
Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer have launched a pod, Cards & Categories, to discuss baseball from card collecting and fantasy angles! In our fourth episode, we open with discussion on the trade deadline results. Then we…