Talking Yakyu

About Talking Yakyu

Talking Yakyu is a podcast for all things Japanese baseball in English. From the latest developments in Nippon Professional Baseball to Samurai Japan at the World Baseball Classic to the newest stars making the jump to MLB, JapanBall writer Yuri Karasawa and Sports Info Solutions pro evaluator Brandon Tew break it all down.

Publisher

JapanBall

Category

sports

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

17 Jan 2026

Latest episode

8 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

19 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Oct 2026

   NPB Postseason Preview & Predictions

   Yuri Karasawa (https://x.com/yakyucosmo) and Brandon Tew (https://x.com/brandonteweets) preview the 2026 Nippon Professional Baseball playoffs. New Substack: https://yakyucosmopolitan.substack.com/ (https://yakyucosmopolitan.substack.com/) https://japanball.com (https://japanball.com) https://extrainningstravel.com (https://extrainningstravel.com) 0:00 - Introduction 3:03 - Fighters vs. Lions Preview 25:33 - Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Preview 36:59 - Giants vs. BayStars Preview 1:02:32 - Hanshin Tigers Preview 1:15:39 - Japan Series Predictions 1:22:28 - Conclusion

2. 

   28 Sept 2026

   Sato's Triple Crown Chase & Who Wins the Sawamura?

   Yuri Karasawa (https://x.com/yakyucosmo) and Brandon Tew (https://x.com/brandonteweets) discuss the latest storylines from Japanese baseball. New Substack: https://yakyucosmopolitan.substack.com/ (https://yakyucosmopolitan.substack.com/) https://japanball.com (https://japanball.com) https://extrainningstravel.com (https://extrainningstravel.com) https://yakyucosmo.com (https://yakyucosmo.com) 00:00 - Introduction & Substack announcement 02:49 - Murakami's White Sox make the playoffs 07:51 - Teruaki Sato's CL Triple Crown chase 27:00 - Home runs are up in NPB 37:17 - 100 RBI for Kurihara & Kondoh 42:39 - Haruto Takahashi for the Sawamura? 54:12 - Kenta Maeda and NPB fastball usage 01:01:19 - Conclusion

3. 

   18 Sept 2026

   NPB to MLB Posting Rumors, History for Raidel Martinez, Mailbag Questions!

   Yuri Karasawa (https://x.com/yakyucosmo (https://x.com/yakyucosmo)) and Brandon Tew (https://x.com/brandonteweets (https://x.com/brandonteweets)) discuss the latest storylines from Japanese baseball. https://japanball.com (https://japanball.com) https://extrainningstravel.com (https://extrainningstravel.com) https://yakyucosmo.com (https://yakyucosmo.com) 00:00 - SoftBank Hawks win PL pennant 04:26 - NPB to MLB posting rumors 10:28 - Raidel Martinez gets 250th save 20:07 - Kaima Taira contract projection? 36:50 - Worried about Hanshin Tigers? 45:57 - Free Agent compensation changes? 52:51- Will the MLB lockout affect NPB? 56:35 - NPB expansion soon? 01:04:39 - Should Shunpeita Yamashita be a closer?

4. 

   24 Aug 2026

   NPB Rookie of the Year Races! Shoki Oda to NPB or MLB? | Talking Yakyu Podcast

   Yuri Karasawa (https://x.com/yakyucosmo (https://x.com/yakyucosmo)) and Brandon Tew (https://x.com/brandonteweets (https://x.com/brandonteweets)) discuss the latest storylines from Japanese baseball. https://japanball.com (https://japanball.com) https://extrainningstravel.com (https://extrainningstravel.com) https://yakyucosmo.com (https://yakyucosmo.com) 00:00 - Koshien & Shoki Oda 09:00 - Jackson Rutledge signs with SoftBank Hawks 17:30 - Shota Morishita & Teruaki Sato 34:20 - Central League ROY Race 45:47 - Pacific League ROY Race 54:00 - Checking in on Murakami, Okamoto, Imai 01:12:00 - Conclusion

5. 

   11 Aug 2026

   Which NPB Teams Are October Ready? Post-All-Star Status Check!

   Yuri Karasawa (https://x.com/yakyucosmo (https://x.com/yakyucosmo)) and Brandon Tew (https://x.com/brandonteweets (https://x.com/brandonteweets)) discuss the latest storylines from Japanese baseball. https://japanball.com (https://japanball.com) https://extrainningstravel.com (https://extrainningstravel.com) https://yakyucosmo.com (https://yakyucosmo.com) 00:00 - Intro + All-Star Talk 02:30 - Yomiuri, Hanshin, DeNA 25:29 - Yakult, Chunichi, Hiroshima 40:13 - Rakuten, Lotte, Orix 57:43 - Seibu, Nipponham, SoftBank 01:17:00 - Conclusion

6. 

   24 Jul 2026

   "The Decision" for Rintaro Sasaki - Why Miami over SoftBank!? Murakami's Home Run Derby

   Yuri Karasawa (https://x.com/yakyucosmo (https://x.com/yakyucosmo)) and Brandon Tew (https://x.com/brandonteweets (https://x.com/brandonteweets)) discuss the latest storylines from Japanese baseball. https://japanball.com (https://japanball.com) https://extrainningstravel.com (https://extrainningstravel.com) https://yakyucosmo.com (https://yakyucosmo.com) 00:00 - Munetaka Murakami’s home run derby 04:53 - Combined no-hitter for Yakult 10:08 - Rintaro Sasaki signs with Miami over SoftBank 29:39 - Joey Lucchesi to Lotte, Yunior Marte to Rakuten 35:29 - Anderson Severino & Dermis Garcia to Hanshin 41:52- Hiroshima zombie cigarettes scandal 45:21 - NPB Triple Crown leaders 56:03 - Conclusion

7. 

   8 Jul 2026

   Best Hitters & Relievers in NPB Right Now + Mailbag Questions

   Yuri Karasawa (https://x.com/yakyucosmo (https://x.com/yakyucosmo)) and Brandon Tew (https://x.com/brandonteweets (https://x.com/brandonteweets)) discuss the latest storylines from Japanese baseball. https://japanball.com (https://japanball.com) https://extrainningstravel.com (https://extrainningstravel.com) https://yakyucosmo.com (https://yakyucosmo.com) 00:00 - Intro & Takahisa Hayakawa Analysis 11:54 - Top Hitters: Reyes, Kurihara, Kondoh, Morishita, Sato 27:58 - Top Relievers: Martinez, Sugiyama, Others 44:03 - Comparing Shugo Maki to Prime Hideto Asamura 54:28 - Will Ryosuke Tatsumi go to MLB? 58:35 - Is Teruaki Sato better than Munetaka Murakami? 01:05:59 - Will Tyler Nevin return to MLB? 01:10:56 - Pitch Clock in NPB? 01:16:08 - Conclusion

8. 

   24 Jun 2026

   Yamamoto is ELITE, Ogasawara Returns to Japan, Sumida Top 5 in NPB?

   Yuri Karasawa (https://x.com/yakyucosmo (https://x.com/yakyucosmo)) and Brandon Tew (https://x.com/brandonteweets (https://x.com/brandonteweets)) discuss the latest storylines from Japanese baseball. https://japanball.com (https://japanball.com) https://extrainningstravel.com (https://extrainningstravel.com) https://yakyucosmo.com (https://yakyucosmo.com) 00:00 - How good is Yoshinobu Yamamoto right now? 13:00 - Saitama Seibu Lions win interleague 21:33 - Chihiro Sumida is rising 27:05 - Top 5 NPB starting pitchers right now? 40:41 - Shinnosuke Ogasawara signs with Yomiuri 47:26 - Jerar Encarnacion, Osvaldo Bido sign with DeNA 58:30 - Leandro Cedeno signs with Yakult 01:04:13 - Conclusion

9. 

   8 Jun 2026

   Rintaro Sasaki to NPB or MLB? Roki Sasaki Rebounds, Yuudai Yamamoto Trade Recap

   Yuri Karasawa (https://x.com/yakyucosmo (https://x.com/yakyucosmo)) and Brandon Tew (https://x.com/brandonteweets (https://x.com/brandonteweets)) discuss the latest storylines from Japanese baseball. 00:00 - Ohtani’s best season ever? 06:45 - Rikuu Nishida called up to CWS 12:28 - Rintaro Sasaki’s decision looms 25:01 - Roki Sasaki is back 37:47 - Yuudai Yamamoto traded for Shuto Ogata 48:55 - How valuable are defensive catchers? 54:06 - News: Shinnosuke Abe resigns, Zombie cigarette scandal update, Shunpeita Yamashita Tommy John 59:30 - Hiroto Takahashi demoted 1:01:06 - Kaima Taira’s MLB upside? 1:03:56 - Ryosuke Ohtsu’s rise 1:05:50 - Interleague update & conclusion https://japanball.com (https://japanball.com) https://extrainningstravel.com (https://extrainningstravel.com) https://yakyucosmo.com (https://yakyucosmo.com)

10. 

    11 May 2026

    Okamoto Goes Supernova, Griffin Shines, Hsu Struggles

    Yuri Karasawa (https://x.com/yakyucosmo (https://x.com/yakyucosmo)) and Brandon Tew (https://x.com/brandonteweets (https://x.com/brandonteweets)) discuss the latest storylines from Japanese baseball. 00:00 - Kazuma Okamoto & Shota Imanaga 13:40 - Foster Griffin, Peter Lambert, Nick Martinez, Anthony Kay 33:10 - Was Jo-Hsi Hsu tipping pitches? 45:50 - The Takahashis are still dominating 56:00 - Catching value in NPB 01:01:40 - Takayuki Katoh + Conclusion https://japanball.com (https://japanball.com) https://extrainningstravel.com (https://extrainningstravel.com)

11. 

    2 May 2026

    Munetaka Murakami MANIA, Haruto Takahashi DOMINATION, Hot & Cold NPB Teams

    Yuri Karasawa (https://x.com/yakyucosmo (https://x.com/yakyucosmo)) and Brandon Tew (https://x.com/brandonteweets (https://x.com/brandonteweets)) discuss the latest storylines from Japanese baseball. 0:00 - Munetaka Murakami Mania 10:47 - Progress for Roki Sasaki? 20:06 - Injuries to Taneichi, Maki, Izuguchi, Duplantier 29:05 - Haruto Takahashi 39:45 - Tokyo Yakult Swallows 48:35 - Yomiuri Giants 58:55 - Chunichi & Hiroshima 1:01:10 - Orix Buffaloes 1:04:58 - SoftBank & Nipponham 1:17:50 - Prospect Check-in 1:19:30 - Rintaro Sasaki & Conclusion https://japanball.com (https://japanball.com) https://extrainningstravel.com (https://extrainningstravel.com)

12. 

    16 Apr 2026

    Best Pitcher in NPB Right Now? Sato & Morishita for MVP? Miyagi Injured...

    Yuri Karasawa (https://x.com/yakyucosmo (https://x.com/yakyucosmo)) and Brandon Tew (https://x.com/brandonteweets (https://x.com/brandonteweets)) discuss the latest developments in Nippon Professional Baseball from Hiroya Miyagi's injury to Kaima Taira and Haruto Takahashi dominating on the mound to Teruaki Sato and Shota Morishita raking at the plate. 00:00 - Roki Sasaki 05:02 - Tatsuya Imai 10:03 - Shota Imanaga, Kodai Senga, Tomoyuki Sugano 18:25 - Hiroya Miyagi Requires Tommy John Surgery 25:10 - Best Pitcher in NPB Right Now? 29:10 - Haruto Takahashi, Kaima Taira 38:09 - Kosei Shoji, Ryoji Kuribayashi, Kona Takahashi 46:38 - Best Takahashi: Haruto, Hiroto, Kona 50:25 - Hiroto Saiki 1:00:40 - Teruaki Sato, Shota Morishita 1:11:20 - Early Standout Hitters 1:17:50 - Conclusion https://japanball.com (https://japanball.com) https://extrainningstravel.com (https://extrainningstravel.com)

13. 

    2 Apr 2026

    NO-HITTER for Hosono, Near Perfecto for Kuribayashi, Kiyomiya Starts Hot

    Yuri Karasawa (https://x.com/yakyucosmo (https://x.com/yakyucosmo)) and Brandon Tew (https://x.com/brandonteweets (https://x.com/brandonteweets)) talk about early season Nippon Professional Baseball news and performances, including Haruki Hosono's no-hitter, Ryoji Kuribayashi's near perfect game, Allen Kuri's shutout, Kotaro Kiyomiya's hot start, and much more. https://japanball.com (https://japanball.com) https://extrainningstravel.com (https://extrainningstravel.com) 00:00 - Murakami, Okamoto, Imai in MLB 07:28 - Haruki Hosono's No-Hitter 13:19 - Kotaro Kiyomiya's Hot Start 24:15 - Ryoji Kuribayashi's Near-Perfecto 32:14 - Allen Kuri's Shutout 39:45 - Anderson Espinoza, Haruto Takahashi, Kaima Taira Throw CGSO 49:43 - Kenta Maeda's NPB Return 56:01 - NPB vs. MLB Ball Movement 1:03:23 - Worried about Hiromi Itoh? 1:07:10 - Conclusion

14. 

    22 Mar 2026

    2026 NPB Season Preview & Predictions

    Yuri Karasawa (https://x.com/yakyucosmo (https://x.com/yakyucosmo)) and Brandon Tew (https://x.com/brandonteweets (https://x.com/brandonteweets)) preview each of the 12 teams for the 2026 Nippon Professional Baseball season and give their predictions. https://japanball.com (https://japanball.com) https://extrainningstravel.com (https://extrainningstravel.com) 00:00 - Introduction 04:32 - Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks 13:59 - Hokkaido Nipponham Fighters 22:42 - Orix Buffaloes 32:32 - Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles 42:20 - Saitama Seibu Lions 52:18 - Chiba Lotte Marines 1:01:00 - Tokyo Yakult Swallows 1:07:07 - Hiroshima Carp 1:19:21 - Chunichi Dragons 1:32:24 - Yomiuri Giants 1:44:15 - Yokohama DeNA BayStars 1:55:49 - Hanshin Tigers 2:08:56 - Predictions & Conclusion

15. 

    11 Mar 2026

    Japan WBC Pool Recap & Knockouts Preview

    Yuri Karasawa (https://x.com/yakyucosmo (https://x.com/yakyucosmo)) and Brandon Tew (https://x.com/brandonteweets (https://x.com/brandonteweets)) discuss how Samurai Japan performed in Pool C at the 2026 World Baseball Classic and preview its potential matchup in the quarterfinals. Can Japan repeat as champions!? https://japanball.com (https://japanball.com) https://extrainningstravel.com (https://extrainningstravel.com) 00:00 - Introduction 03:00 - Pool C Recap 13:00 - Japan's Hitting 25:00 - Quarterfinals Preview 31:45 - Japan's Pitching 46:30 - Japan's Path to Repeat 1:03:08 - Conclusion

16. 

    27 Feb 2026

    Mailbag Questions! Future NPB to MLB Postings? Japan's WBC Chances?

    Yuri Karasawa (https://x.com/yakyucosmo (https://x.com/yakyucosmo)) and Brandon Tew (https://x.com/brandonteweets (https://x.com/brandonteweets)) answer some listener mailbag questions. Which NPB players will be posted to MLB in the near future? What are Japan's expectations at the 2026 WBC? Can the Fighters beat the Hawks? And many more! 00:00 - Introductions 01:42 - Carter Stewart Jr. 2026 Expectations? 05:50 - Dark Horses to be Posted to MLB? 12:37 - Samurai Japan's Strengths & Weaknesses? 16:42 - Japan's WBC Expectations? 22:08 - How Can DeNA Replace Anthony Kay? 25:25 - Yuudai Yamamoto & Shion Matsuo Platoon? 30:55 - Can the Fighters overtake the Hawks? 36:07 - Realistic Trades for Fighters' Pitchers? 41:58 - Top Prospects to Watch in 2026? 48:15 - Why No More Korean Players in NPB? 55:07 - Dead Ball Impact on Hitters vs. Pitchers? 1:04:09 - Conclusion

17. 

    23 Feb 2026

    Top 20 NPB Starting Pitchers in 2026

    Yuri Karasawa (https://x.com/yakyucosmo (https://x.com/yakyucosmo)) and Brandon Tew (https://x.com/brandonteweets (https://x.com/brandonteweets)) break down their top 20 starting pitchers in Nippon Professional Baseball for the 2026 season. Where do they agree and disagree? Yuri's Breakdowns: https://www.justbaseball.com/international-baseball/npb-top-15-starting-pitcher-rankings-2026/ (https://www.justbaseball.com/international-baseball/npb-top-15-starting-pitcher-rankings-2026/) Brandon's Scouting Reports: https://www.prospectslive.com/author/brandon-tew/ (https://www.prospectslive.com/author/brandon-tew/) 00:00 - Introduction 02:53 - Shunpeita Yamashita, Hiromi Itoh, Livan Moinelo, Hiroya Miyagi 13:50 - Atsuki Taneichi & Jon Duplantier 21:07 - Kaima Taira & Forrest Whitley 30:32 - Chihiro Sumida & Koki Kitayama 37:36 - Hiroto Takahashi & Shoki Murakami 53:32 - Haruto Takahashi & Hiroto Saiki 01:03:16 - Haruya Tanaka, Kota Tatsu, Yumeto Kanemaru 01:11:38 - Katsuki Azuma & Ryuhei Sotani 01:17:23 - Ruei-Yang Gu Lin & Iori Yamasaki 01:22:59 - Just Outside the Top 20

18. 

    28 Jan 2026

    NPB Foreign Player Signings + Japan's WBC Team

    Yuri Karasawa (https://x.com/yakyucosmo (https://x.com/yakyucosmo)) and Brandon Tew (https://x.com/brandonteweets (https://x.com/brandonteweets)) break down the offseason foreign player signings in Nippon Professional Baseball. Plus, another look at Samurai Japan's 2026 World Baseball Classic team following the full roster reveal. 00:00 - Introduction 02:03 - New MLB Players on Samurai Japan 05:40 - New NPB Players on Samurai Japan 15:56 - Roster Grade? 19:21 - Hanshin/SoftBank: Devanney, Ragsdale, Moreta, Hsu 26:15 - DeNA/Nipponham: Hummel, Duplantier, Ruiz, Reynolds, Cox, Castro, Lao 35:37 - Yomiuri/Orix: Dalbec, Howard, Whitley, Mata, Seymour, Hjelle 44:44 - Chunichi/Rakuten: Sano, Abreu, McCusker, Contreras, Urena 54:54 - Hiroshima/Seibu: Tarnok, Lin, Canario, Winans 01:01:01 - Yakult/Lotte: Jackson, Long, Castillo, Liranzo, Walters, Quijada 01:06:25 - NPB vs. KBO Foreign Players 01:09:45 - Conclusion

19. 

    17 Jan 2026

    Murakami, Imai, Okamoto Sign MLB Deals + Samurai Japan WBC Preview

    Yuri Karasawa (https://x.com/yakyucosmo (https://x.com/yakyucosmo)) and Brandon Tew (https://x.com/brandonteweets (https://x.com/brandonteweets)) break down the MLB signings of Munetaka Murakami, Tatsuya Imai, and Kazuma Okamoto. Plus, previewing Samurai Japan's chances at the 2026 World Baseball Classic with 19 of the 30 roster spots officially confirmed. 00:00 - Introduction 02:25 - Murakami, Imai, Okamoto Find MLB Homes 07:13 - Okamoto to Toronto 10:07 - Murakami to CWS 15:28 - Imai to Houston 23:51 - Posting System Reform? 29:24 - Can Japan Compete with USA and DR? 37:45 - Japan's Pitching Staff 53:20 - Japan's Catching 56:35 - Japan's Infield 58:36 - Japan's Outfield 01:07:04 - Conclusion

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

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Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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