Exit Philosophy with Griff and Mal

The Toronto Blue Jays enter the final 36 games of the MLB season in a seven-team race for the final American League Wild Card spot. What are the Jays' realistic playoff chances, are they better after the trade deadline, and how should Ross Atkins be graded for his unique approach as both buyers and sellers?
Would an 81-win, .500 season be enough for Blue Jays fans? Plus, we discuss Tommy John's Hall of Fame case, Ricky Tiedemann's future, Brett Bateman's potential, and the Blue Jays' playoff push on this week's Exit Philosophy.
#TorontoBlueJays #MLB #Sports #BaseballPodcasts
INDEX:
0:00 Intro

0:31 Tommy John RIP

7:58 Jays' Wild Card Hopes

10:54 The Tropicana Field Curse

12:44 Are the Final 30 Games Easy?

14:41 The Math Problem

16:07 Is .500 Good Enough?

17:17 Fixing the Offense

19:44 Ranking the 7 Wild Card Contenders

22:01 2025 vs. 2026 Jays

33:33 Who Is Brett Bateman?

37:27 What Is an MLB "Gruelling" Schedule?

45:09 Grading Ross Atkins' Trade Deadline

50:24 Tiedemann, Estrada & Jays' Farm System

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Get the video version of "Exit Philosophy" and "Conversations with Griff" on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@ExitPhilosophy
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For the full catalogue of Richard Griffin's work, including weekly Blue Jays/MLB columns, a weekly MLB Power Rankings column, exclusive conversations with some of the game's greats, past and present, and the Exit Philosophy podcast, visit https://www.griffsthepitch.com/

The Toronto Blue Jays are entering a critical stretch of the MLB season, and Griff and Mal break down everything surrounding the Jays' playoff push. After a controversial "fourth out" play against the Boston Red Sox, the guys explain one of baseball's most confusing rules, why the umpires got the call right, and how the Blue Jays' defense ultimately cost them a run in an important game.

Exit Philosophy also takes an in-depth look at the Blue Jays' MLB Trade Deadline moves, including the impact those additions have on Toronto's luxury tax situation, the current Wild Card race, and the team's plans for 2027 and beyond.

With Toronto chasing the third American League Wild Card spot, Griff and Mal examine how realistic a Blue Jays playoff run really is. The Jays would need to put together a 42-game stretch at a winning pace they have yet to match at any point this season. Can Toronto make the push, and what would it take to get there?

Plus, the guys wrap up the episode with a look at the Niagara Ironbacks' successful second season, as the team narrowly missed the playoffs after overcoming a difficult inaugural year.

Topics include: Toronto Blue Jays, Blue Jays playoff push, MLB Trade Deadline, Blue Jays trade deadline, American League Wild Card, MLB luxury tax, fourth out rule, Blue Jays vs Red Sox, Blue Jays defense, Toronto Blue Jays 2027, Blue Jays roster, MLB playoffs, Niagara Ironbacks and Exit Philosophy.

INDEX:
 
0:00 - Return to the Pod
0:43 - Confusion in Blue Jays and Red Sox Game
6:00 - Continued Concerns with the Bullpen
6:50 - Trade Deadline Strategy.. Did They Get It Right?
15:43 - How did the Blue Jays get here in 2026 + Vlads Performance
21:30 - Trade Deadline Moves Analyzed
29:45 - 2027 Rotation
39:05 - MLB Playoff Picture
49:10 - Judging John Schneider
51:50 - Ironbacks Season Review from GM and Manager
57:15 - Final thoughts




#BlueJays #TorontoBlueJays #MLB #VladimirGuerreroJr #MaxScherzer #GeorgeSpringer #AlejandroKirk #MLBPodcast #BaseballPodcast #BlueJaysNation #ExitPhilosophy #MLBTradeDeadline #TorontoSports #BaseballAnalysis #JaysTalk

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Get the video version of "Exit Philosophy" and "Conversations with Griff" on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@ExitPhilosophy
----
For the full catalogue of Richard Griffin's work, including weekly Blue Jays/MLB columns, a weekly MLB Power Rankings column, exclusive conversations with some of the game's greats, past and present, and the Exit Philosophy podcast, visit https://www.griffsthepitch.com/

The Toronto Blue Jays are getting healthier, but new questions continue to emerge. Max Scherzer's long-awaited return to the rotation didn't go as planned, raising concerns about what the future Hall of Famer can realistically provide down the stretch.
Meanwhile, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s offensive struggles remain a major talking point among Blue Jays fans. Can Vlad rediscover his elite form? And after another inconsistent stretch, should George Springer continue to be an everyday player in Toronto's lineup?
On this episode of Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal break down the biggest surprises and disappointments of the Blue Jays season so far. From unexpected contributors to underperforming stars, they examine why Toronto's list of concerns has grown for a team with playoff aspirations.
They also discuss:
Max Scherzer's return and what it means for the rotation

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s ongoing struggles

George Springer's role moving forward

The Blue Jays' biggest surprises and disappointments

Whether Toronto needs another high-leverage bullpen arm

Yimi Garcia's potential return

The catching situation between Alejandro Kirk, Tyler Heineman, and Brandon Valenzuela

What the Blue Jays need to do to stay in the playoff race

If you're a Toronto Blue Jays fan looking for in-depth analysis, roster discussion, trade deadline talk, and the latest MLB news, this episode is for you.
#BlueJays #TorontoBlueJays #MLB #VladimirGuerreroJr #MaxScherzer #GeorgeSpringer #AlejandroKirk #MLBPodcast #BaseballPodcast #BlueJaysNation #ExitPhilosophy #MLBTradeDeadline #TorontoSports #BaseballAnalysis #JaysTalk

----
Get the video version of "Exit Philosophy" and "Conversations with Griff" on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@ExitPhilosophy
----
For the full catalogue of Richard Griffin's work, including weekly Blue Jays/MLB columns, a weekly MLB Power Rankings column, exclusive conversations with some of the game's greats, past and present, and the Exit Philosophy podcast, visit https://www.griffsthepitch.com/

The Toronto Blue Jays escaped New York with a crucial series split against the Yankees, powered by strong performances from Trey Yesavage, Spencer Miles, and a dominant bullpen effort. Now the focus shifts back to Toronto as the Jays prepare for a big matchup against Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
On this episode of Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal break down the Blue Jays' series against the Yankees, discuss George Springer's recent struggles and what they could mean moving forward, react to the surprising Jose Berrios Tommy John surgery news and its impact on the rotation, examine Alejandro Kirk's growing importance to the team, and take an early look at which MLB teams could become sellers ahead of the trade deadline.
#BlueJays #TorontoBlueJays #MLB #Yankees #PaulSkenes #JoseBerrios #GeorgeSpringer #AlejandroKirk #MLBTradeDeadline #BaseballPodcast #ExitPhilosophy
INDEX:
0:00 Intro
1:35 Habs-Sabres NHL Series Wrap
3:26 Jays-Yankees Series Discussion
6:33 Jeff Hoffman rollercoaster
8:09 Preview of homestand: Pirates & Marlins
10:32 State of the Jays rotation
14:58 Mystery that is Jose Berrios
23:11 Are IL starters Bieber, Scherzer the answer
24:13 Adios Eric Lauer
25:18 Projecting a '28 Jays rotation
28:50 Springer is not a leadoff man anymore
33:00 Deciphering Jays lineup conundrum
37:24 The need for Alejandro Kirk
40:12 Barger and the outfield woes
41:36 The need for two winning streaks
43:33 Chances of current playoff teams
46:19 Astros and others as sellers at the deadline
48:26 Mets give Gary Carter's number away and other MLB News
53:04 Ironbacks update and EP wrapup
----
Get the video version of "Exit Philosophy" and "Conversations with Griff" on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@ExitPhilosophy
----
For the full catalogue of Richard Griffin's work, including weekly Blue Jays/MLB columns, a weekly MLB Power Rankings column, exclusive conversations with some of the game's greats, past and present, and the Exit Philosophy podcast, visit https://www.griffsthepitch.com/

The Toronto Blue Jays are chasing World Series success again, but are they putting too much emphasis on recreating the chemistry that fueled their incredible 2025 run? On this episode of Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal break down whether the current roster needs bold changes, using the demotion of Yohendrick Pinango as a key example.
Could history repeat itself? The guys look back at how legendary GM Pat Gillick made major roster moves after the 1992 championship that helped deliver another title in 1993 — and whether Toronto should follow that same blueprint.
They also preview the massive 4-game showdown against the New York Yankees in the Bronx and ask: do the Yankees still have last October's ALDS on their minds?
 
Plus:
 Why the Blue Jays' 2024 trade deadline sell-off was about reloading, not rebuilding
 How restocking the farm system is already paying dividends
 A tribute to legendary manager Bobby Cox following his passing
 The biggest questions surrounding Toronto's roster heading into a crucial stretch
 
If you're a Blue Jays fan looking for the latest analysis, roster breakdowns, trade deadline discussion, and MLB insight, this is the episode for you.
 
 Subscribe for more Blue Jays coverage, MLB analysis, and weekly Exit Philosophy episodes.
 Like, comment, and share your thoughts: Should the Jays shake up the roster?
 
#BlueJays #TorontoBlueJays #MLB #Yankees #BaseballPodcast #ExitPhilosophy #MLBAnalysis #BlueJaysNews







INDEX:
0:00 Intro
0:29 Montreal Canadiens vs. Buffalo Sabres series update
3:36 Remembering legendary manager Bobby Cox
9:07 Toronto Blue Jays week in review
11:12 Why Addison Barger is becoming crucial for Toronto
15:49 Is Valenzuela the Blue Jays' No. 1 catcher?
17:32 Why MLB is prioritizing athleticism over fundamentals
21:15 Blue Jays vs. New York Yankees preview: huge Bronx series
25:22 Toronto's fifth starter debate & Eric Lauer's role
30:25 Has clubhouse chemistry become more important than performance?
33:20 Pat Gillick and the 1992-93 roster blueprint
37:03 Why the National League is dominating MLB in 2026
43:34 How the Blue Jays' magical 2024 summer rebuilt the farm system
50:08 Blue Jays pending free agents: who stays and who goes?
58:06 Mookie Betts returns to the Los Angeles Dodgers — how impactful is it?
59:17 Ironbacks update
1:00:48 Final thoughts & wrap-up

----
Get the video version of "Exit Philosophy" and "Conversations with Griff" on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@ExitPhilosophy
----
For the full catalogue of Richard Griffin's work, including weekly Blue Jays/MLB columns, a weekly MLB Power Rankings column, exclusive conversations with some of the game's greats, past and present, and the Exit Philosophy podcast, visit https://www.griffsthepitch.com/