Ep. 86 : Assessing Hitter Hot/Cold Starts

Ep. 86 : Assessing Hitter Hot/Cold Starts

Author: Mike Couillard April 10, 2025 Duration: 1:23:44
In our 86th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open by talking about major extensions, crushing injuries, and a retirement from the latest MLB news. Then we overview how to evaluate hitters early in the season to determine whether significant changes have been made to their profiles along with a few hot or cold bats out the gate.

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

We have Cards & Categories swag for purchase here!

Sign up here to get access to all of the Razzball tools to win your 2025 fantasy leagues!

Links to things discussed in the pod:
Upcoming baseball card release schedule:
  • 4/16: 2024 Panini National Treasures
  • 4/23 (maybe): 2025 Topps Tribute
  • 4/30 (maybe): 2025 Topps Heritage
  • 4/30 (maybe): 2025 Topps Chrome Black 
  • 4/30: 2025 Panini Stars & Stripes
  • 4/30: 2024 Panini Flawless
  • 5/7: 2025 Bowman
  • 5/21: 2025 Panini Donruss Baseball
  • June 2025: 2025 Topps Series Two
Categories Discussion (39:45)

Evaluating hot/cold starts, players discussed in detail:
  • Rafael Devers
  • Eugenio Suarez
  • Nolan Arenado
  • Tommy Edman
  • Wilyer Abreu
  • Ben Rice
  • Tyler Soderstrom
  • Brice Turang
  • Luis Robert Jr.
 

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. 63 : Revisiting Preseason Picks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:09
In our 63rd episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open by discussing the outstanding playoff theatre so far before diving into MLB and baseball card news and notes. Then we revisit our Razzball staff preseason picks…
Ep. 62 : Playoffs & September POTM PC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:22:45
In our 62nd episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open by discussing the opening round of the playoffs and one of the greatest regular season games in recent memory. Then we choose the cards to enter the POTM PC Pant…
Ep. 61 : 50/50 & 2024 Disappointments [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:45:23
In our 61st episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open by discussing the greatest game ever played by one Shohei Ohtani before diving into the latest moves and injuries impacting our player pools. Then we discuss and…
Ep. 60 : Second Half Breakouts [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:08:10
In our 60th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open by discussing the developing playoff races before diving into the latest moves and injuries impacting our player pools. Then we discuss and analyze players that…
Ep. 59 : 2024 Bowman Chrome Release [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:40:25
In our 59th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open by celebrating Pavin Smith's recent accomplishments before diving into the latest moves and injuries impacting our player pools. Then we discuss and overview the…
Ep. 58 : August Players Of The Month PC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:48:00
In our 58th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open by discussing the latest bout of injuries and new transactions affecting our fantasy teams for the stretch run. Then we choose the cards to enter the POTM PC Pan…
Ep. 57 : Mock 2025 First Round Draft [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:05:13
In our 57th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open by discussing two opposite history-making baseball stories in Aaron Judge and Danny Jansen before analyzing the latest wave of prospect callups and injuries affe…
Ep. 56 : The White Sox Are Who We Thought They Were [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:58:00
In our 56th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open by discussing the White Sox before analyzing the latest wave of prospect callups and injuries affecting our fantasy teams. Then we overview players that we are b…
Ep. 55 : July Players Of The Month PC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43:15
In our 55th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer open by discussing the latest wave of prospect callups and injuries affecting our fantasy teams. Then we pick cards to enter the Player of the Month (POTM) PC pantheo…
Ep. 54 : Deadline Fallout [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:03:27
In our 54th episode, Mike Couillard and Jeremy Brewer recap all of the significant moves from the deadline plus a handful of injuries that happened. Which players that were traded or subsequently called up have the bigge…