From hope to despair and back to hope. Arden and Ben discuss a wild week for the Blue Jays (00:23), give the pitching staff some credit (25:07) and look ahead at some potential playoff decisions (31:11). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Spo...
Sep 20, 2023•51 min
These next four games will decide a lot. Ahead of four games against Texas, Ben and Arden discuss what went right for the Blue Jays this weekend (02:45), the strength of their pitching (14:40) and the importance of the Rangers series (27:43). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessa...
Sep 12, 2023•50 min
At this point it’s all about wins, right? Ben and Arden discuss some surprise Blue Jays contributors (08:11) before touching on next steps for Alek Manoah (35:14) and the importance of bringing full focus to every inning (45:36). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect ...
Sep 06, 2023•57 min
Suddenly, the stakes feel incredibly high. Nick Ashbourne joins Ben to look ahead at September (1:20) discuss the moves of manager John Schneider (9:20) and explain why trading Vlad Guerrero Jr. makes little sense (30:00). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Mike Rogerson and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Audio Credits: Sportsnet The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not nec...
Sep 01, 2023•39 min
After an extremely tough series loss, Ben weighs in on what ails the Blue Jays and what needs to happen next. This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Mike Rogerson and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca The new At The Letters original theme song is by Augusta. You can hear more music from the 7-piece Toronto band here: https://www.augustaofficial.ca/ Audio Credits: Sportsnet The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those o...
Aug 28, 2023•21 min
Quietly, the Blue Jays have baseball’s best pitching staff. So why does this team still feel frustrating? Arden and Ben try to make sense of it all (01:05) while also weighing in on the Level of Excellence (18:14) and looking ahead at the impact of some returning players (28:44). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca The new At The Letters original theme song is by Augusta. You c...
Aug 17, 2023•44 min
The Blue Jays improved, but was it enough? Arden and Ben try to make sense of the Blue Jays’ deadline approach (00:27) before examining the AL East as a whole (33:11) and discussing the risk-reward dynamic around Jordan Hicks (43:03). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Audio Credits: Sportsnet and MLB.com. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts...
Aug 03, 2023•57 min
Just like that, we’re a week away from the trade deadline. Ben and guest host Shi Davidi start by discussing the Blue Jays’ options on the trade market (01:05) before going behind the scenes on deadline week (24:40) and discussing some Blue Jays-adjacent Hall of Fame candidates (37:17). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Audio Credits: Sportsnet. The views and opinions expressed i...
Jul 25, 2023•57 min
All of a sudden, the Blue Jays are on a run. Arden and Ben start by discussing the Blue Jays’ pitching staff (04:17) before wondering what a Shohei Ohtani trade would mean for MLB (18:14) and examining the Blue Jays’ need for a bat (27:50). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Audio Credits: Sportsnet/MLB.com The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host...
Jul 19, 2023•42 min
As the Blue Jays approach the all-star break, Arden and Ben offer thoughts on the team’s first-half performance (00:17) and Alek Manoah’s impending return to the majors (16:03). Then, reimagining the all-star game (31:42) and a look at some potential trade deadline targets (47:20). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of...
Jul 06, 2023•1 hr 9 min
This year’s deadline could go in a lot of different directions. Shi Davidi joins Ben at Rogers Centre to discuss the Jays at the halfway mark (1:00), Alek Manoah’s road back to the majors (14:10) and some possible deadline strategies (25:20). This podcast was recorded by Steven Coyle, sound engineered by Mike Rogerson and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do no...
Jun 29, 2023•46 min
Much to the Blue Jays’ relief, Vlad Jr.’s hitting home runs again. Ben opens this mini-ATL with a look at what we learned from the A’s series (1:00) before touching on Vlad Jr.’s big weekend (10:30) and looking ahead at some names to watch at the trade deadline (16:35). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Mike Rogerson and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not...
Jun 26, 2023•24 min
This isn’t the way the Blue Jays would have drawn it up. Arden and Ben start by taking stock of where the Blue Jays stand in the wild card race (2:00) before looking at the impact of the team’s four-man rotation (9:45) and discussing what this means for their trade deadline plans (25:40). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Mike Rogerson and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are th...
Jun 21, 2023•49 min
Realistically, where do the Blue Jays fit in a stacked AL East? Arden and Ben begin this week’s podcast with a big-picture discussion on that theme (07:06). Then, a look at the final rotation spot (23:14) and a discussion about the Jays’ perplexing offence (39:39). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Audio Credits: Sportsnet The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are ...
Jun 15, 2023•57 min
Who would have seen this coming a couple of months ago? Arden and Ben begin with a discussion about Alek Manoah’s demotion, of course (00:23). Then a look at where the Jays go from here (30:18) and show some appreciation for Jose Berrios (50:53). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Audio Credits: Sportsnet The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts a...
Jun 08, 2023•1 hr 1 min
After a rough stretch, the Blue Jays may be building some momentum. First, Arden and Ben discuss Anthony Bass’s actions (0:30). Then a discussion about the Blue Jays’ depth (19:55) some appreciation for Nate Pearson (30:45) and a look at how some recent injuries are impacting the team (41:00). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Mike Rogerson and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca The views and opinions expressed in this podcast a...
Jun 01, 2023•1 hr 3 min
After an up-and-down week, what now? First, Arden and Ben take stock of where the Jays fit in the AL East (00:21). Then a closer look at sluggers Vlad Guerrero Jr. and George Springer (28:15) and a look behind the scenes at what really happens when teams make roster moves (43:00). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca New At The Letters original theme song is by Augusta. You can ...
May 25, 2023•59 min
You can’t accuse the Blue Jays of being boring. First, Ben and Arden make sense of a wild Yankees series (00:23). Then a look at Vlad Guerrero Jr.’s importance to the team (29:50) and a discussion about what’s next for Alek Manoah (50:42). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca The new At The Letters original theme song is by Augusta. You can hear more music from the 7-piece Toron...
May 19, 2023•1 hr 2 min
First, the Blue Jays get swept, then they pull off a sweep of their own. Arden and Ben start by making sense of the unpredictable Jays (00:16) before turning to the team’s left-handed bats (16:55) and the remarkable contact skills of Bo Bichette (35:39). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca New At The Letters original theme song is by Augusta. You can hear more music from the 7-...
May 10, 2023•44 min
With the Blue Jays in the midst of a four-game series at Fenway Park, Arden and Ben discuss their evolving view of the Red Sox lineup (02:15), Bo Bichette turning a hot streak into a standard (13:20), and some slumping Toronto hitters (21:10). In the back half, the guys take a closer look at Toronto’s bullpen performance (32:52) and how leverage roles are shifting (39:26). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contac...
May 04, 2023•47 min
All of a sudden, the rotation is the least of the Blue Jays' worries. After a big-picture look at the team (00:24), Arden and Ben give the starting pitchers some credit (06:12). Then it's time to discuss Whit Merrifield (32:05) and what Vlad Guerrero Jr. thinks about the Yankees (55:56). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Audio Credits: Sportsnet The views and opinions express...
Apr 28, 2023•1 hr 7 min
Three weeks in, there's a lot to discuss with the Jays. First, Arden and Ben discuss the starting rotation (05:10) with a close look at Alek Manoah (14:40). Then it's time to appreciate Matt Chapman (27:56) and wonder if there's enough production at the bottom of the order (44:40). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Audio Credits: Sportsnet. The views and opinions expressed in...
Apr 20, 2023•1 hr 5 min
The Blue Jays are back in Toronto – and the new guys are making a big impact. First, Ben and Arden discuss the impressive contributions of Kevin Kiermaier (04:54) and the early struggles of Brandon Belt (26:17). Then a discussion about Daulton Varsho (35:18) and a look at the starting rotation (45:31). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Audio Credits: Sportsnet The views and o...
Apr 13, 2023•1 hr 11 min
Well, that wasn't the start the Blue Jays wanted. First, Ben and Arden break down the level of concern around Jose Berrios (02:05) and Chris Bassitt (12:25). Then it's time for some early season surprises, both negative (24:40) and positive (31:32). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Audio Credits: Sportsnet The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hos...
Apr 05, 2023•45 min
It's time to preview the 2023 Blue Jays. First, Ben and Arden take a look at the position players, bullpen and rotation (04:22). Then a look at some concerns in Jays camp (37:24) and some predictions on what's to come in the year ahead (1:01:33). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Audio Credits: Sportsnet The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts ...
Mar 29, 2023•1 hr 6 min
First, a discussion about Jose Berrios following an encouraging bounce-back start (12:13). Plus, Ben and Arden break down the AL East race (36:37) and discuss some under-the-radar names who could end up helping the 2023 Blue Jays (47:15). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Audio Credits: Sportsnet The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and gues...
Mar 23, 2023•1 hr 2 min
As the WBC unfolds, Ben and Arden discuss what the tournament means for the Blue Jays, including Vlad Guerrero Jr. (01:39). Plus, breaking down a rough Jose Berrios start (19:29) and assessing Otto Lopez’s chances of making an impact with the 2023 Blue Jays (49:10). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Audio Credits: Sportsnet The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are...
Mar 17, 2023•1 hr 9 min
First, a discussion about the year ahead for Blue Jays starters Alek Manoah, Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt (03:43). Then, Arden and Ben weigh in on Vlad Guerrero Jr.’s injury (29:11) and some potential breakouts on the 2023 Blue Jays (49:27). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Audio Credits: Sportsnet The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts an...
Mar 09, 2023•1 hr 3 min
Arden and Ben are in Blue Jays camp, where the likes of Ricky Tiedemann, Jose Berrios and Yusei Kikuchi are impressing (6:00). Plus, a discussion about Cavan Biggio’s role (32:00) and a look at what the James Click hire means for the Jays (47:15). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Gaetan Harris and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Audio Credits: Sportsnet The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts ...
Mar 03, 2023•58 min
First, Arden and Ben discuss what to expect from Jose Berrios in 2023 (01:13). Then, a discussion about optimal lineup constriction (10:57) and a look at what Alejandro Kirk’s delayed arrival means (43:27). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Arden Zwelling. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca Audio Credits: Sportsnet The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflec...
Feb 23, 2023•1 hr 3 min
