The Blue Jays keep winning, completing a series victory on Thursday night by taking their third of four from the Houston Astros — and, importantly, winning the season series and thereby giving themselves the tiebreaker in the event that both teams finish with the same record and tied for the final playoff spot. They’ve now won four straight series since their disastrous mid-May stumble against the Yankees, Orioles, and Rays. More than that, though, after taking a number of off-field losses on Th...
Jun 09, 2023•49 min
Blue Jays Happy Hour has reached triple-digits. It's episode 100! Unfortunately, rather than giving us something celebratory to talk about, the Jays this week have given us a mess of a situation involving reliever Anthony Bass. In this episode we discuss what Bass did, his "apology," the Jays' insufficient response, potential fallout, and why the team needs to listen to its fans on this. We tried our best. Have a listen. You can find us in all the usual places, such as Apple Podcasts… …as well a...
Jun 02, 2023•41 min
Woof. On losses and more losses, John Schneider’s future, Ross Atkins’ future, the Varsho trade, Alek Manoah, and so many more sources of existential angst! Have a listen! You can find us in all the usual places, such as Apple Podcasts… …as well as Spotify , and others. ( Google Podcasts continues to incredibly stupid about our switch back to our previous Substack-based RSS feed, but I assure you I’m continuing to try to get it sorted! In the meantime, if you’re a Google Podcasts user you can ad...
May 26, 2023•48 min
The Blue Jays had a chance to make a statement this week in their four-game series against the Yankees, but instead it was Aaron Judge who spoke loudest. Or, actually, it was probably New York manager Aaron Boone who spoke loudest. But Judge and his mighty bat — which time and again managed to make loud contact that rose above the din of the Rogers Centre boo birds — were a close second. Whether or not he was cheating — he wasn’t, but good lord don’t tell that to Yankees fans (their reactions to...
May 19, 2023•50 min
The Blue Jays did not have a fun time in Philadelphia this week, but they return home with their heads clearly above water — despite playing in a ridiculous division — with a whole bunch of road games already in the books. Where they go from here metaphorically, however, is a different sort of question. Two of the front office's major objectives over the winter were to add balance to the lineup, and to improve the defence. It's still early days, but in this episode we check in on how they're doi...
May 12, 2023•48 min
The Blue Jays have followed their best stretch of the young season with by far their worst. A week ago the club was riding high, in the middle of what would become a six-game winning streak powered by a near perfect homestand. Then came Sunday and a gut-punch loss to the Mariners that was just a little too reminiscent of last October’s disaster, which then led straight into an ugly four-game sweep at the hands of the Red Sox in Boston. The pitching was bad. The defence was sloppy. The vibes have...
May 05, 2023•52 min
The Blue Jays sucessfully dismantled the Chicago White Sox this week, and now head into a weekend set with Teoscar Hernández and the Seattle Mariners with a 16-9 record — the best start in franchise history. They're also, uh, currently in third place in their division. But things are mostly going well. Especially when it comes to the club's two most maligned starters heading into the season, and their previously slow-starting catcher: José Berríos, Yusei Kikuchi, and Danny Jansen. We kicked off ...
Apr 28, 2023•43 min
The Blue Jays are really in it now. A tough series with the Astros only let up for a day on Thursday while the club travelled to New York for another tough series with the Yankees. And yet, things seem to be going fairly well for the club — save for one reliever, Anthony Bass, who continues to pile up losses . He's also not pitching very well. HEYO! Fortunately for all of us — but mostly for Nick and I — Bass’s latest attempt to turn large swaths of Blue Jays fans against him happened as we were...
Apr 21, 2023•50 min
The Blue Jays have finally opened up the new look Rogers Centre, returning to Toronto to begin the home portion of their schedule with a series victory over the Detroit Tigers. There was a big win — thanks to a five-run, eighth inning outburst — in the opener on Tuesday, a thrilling walk-off in extras game two on Wednesday, and a grim slog through a Thursday loss that saw the club go 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position. It was a fun and encouraging way to show off the new digs — Chris Bass...
Apr 14, 2023•47 min
The Toronto Blue Jays had themselves a roller coaster of a first week of the season, but as we looked up on Saturday morning, with their record at 5-3, all seemed just about right with the world. Sort of. Vladdy and Matt Chapman are on fire. Daulton Varsho has come as advertised. The speed and the defence they wanted to add are there. And, uh, now the Jordan Luplow era has begun! Who knows how long it will last? But for the time being they’ve got the lefty mashing-ish (124 career wRC+ vs. LHP), ...
Apr 08, 2023•51 min
Opening day is here! The Blue Jays are about to embark on the 47th season of Major League Baseball in Toronto, and there’s a realistic chance that it could be one of the most exciting we’ve seen here in a long time. To preview the year ahead, on this week’s episode we decided it would be a good idea to make some predictions — yearbook style. Most likely to succeed? Most likely to disappoint? Most likely to become the club’s newest folk hero? You get the idea! Have a listen and enjoy opening day!...
Mar 30, 2023•46 min
Opening day is quickly approaching for the Blue Jays. As I write this we are a mere eight days away from the club’s weird season-starting date with the Cardinals in St. Louis. And so, with the number eight looming large in our brains, on this week’s episode of Blue Jays Happy Hour, we decided to take a look at an octet of things for Jays fans to watch during the 2023 season. Things like the Jays’ catchers, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Kevin Gausman, José Berríos, the various second basemen, Joey Votto...
Mar 22, 2023•54 min
Not a whole lot of consequence has happened over the last week of Toronto Blue Jays spring training baseball — which is exactly what you want at this time of year! No major injuries (Vlad’s fine, he doesn’t count). No big controversies (you can talk about Nathan Lukes getting called out on a pitch clock violation all you want; we didn’t). No performances either so sublimely good or disgustingly bad as to warrant mention in more than just passing. No real change to the major storylines in camp, e...
Mar 10, 2023•1 hr
Spring storylines are starting to develop around Blue Jays camp down in Dunedin, Florida, among them a possible Yusei Kikuchi redemption tour. Is it time to get excited about last year’s failed fifth starter? What does the addition of former Houston Astros GM James Click mean for the Blue Jays’ front office? Has Ricky Tiedemann already started pushing up his timeline? Plus! We rate and review giveaway highlights from the Jays’ recently-announced promotional schedule, discuss the new “hot dog por...
Mar 03, 2023•51 min
A lot has happened since Nick Ashbourne and I last talked about the Blue Jays way back in October. The team's outfield defence has been remade, they've signed a couple high-profile injury-prone position players, the walls at the Rogers Centre have been transformed, Danny Jansen got jacked, etc. This week we're talking about all that, plus spring storylines, our attempts at choosing the over-under on the Jays' win total for 2023, and so much more in the mighty return of the "classic" format of Bl...
Feb 24, 2023•1 hr 7 min
Change can be scary sometimes, but we’ve got what we think is some fun news to share with listeners of Blue Jays Happy Hour — and anyone else who has been thinking of listening, or are interested in what’s next for Nick and I. Today we’re excited to announce that we’re moving the podcast to Callin, the world’s first “social podcasting” platform. What does this mean? Well, a few things. • Firstly, we’ll be moving to two episodes per week! • Secondly, all of our episodes will now be recorded live ...
Apr 26, 2022•6 min
In the wake of a spectacular performance from Kevin Gausman, and a big series win at Fenway, comes this week’s edition of Blue Jays Happy Hour! With thoughts on Thursday afternoon’s performance, Jordan Romano’s red flags, the ump shows against Oakland last weekend, Zack Collins, Cavan Biggio, Hyun Jin Ryu, and more! Have a listen! • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-jays-happy-hour/id1564979331 • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2lAHpAQtOdHqKKgNVIRqRK • Google Podc...
Apr 21, 2022•48 min
The Blue Jays’ season is rolling and, despite a couple of injuries they’ll have difficulty handling, it’s been pretty good so far. Why? Mostly because of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who has a rather prominent place in this week’s edition of Blue Jays Happy Hour! Have a listen! • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-jays-happy-hour/id1564979331 • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2lAHpAQtOdHqKKgNVIRqRK • Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hcGkuc3Vic...
Apr 14, 2022•53 min
The 2022 Toronto Blue Jays season is nearly upon us! So, naturally, on this week’s episode of Blue Jays Happy Hour we chatted about big picture stuff — what the future holds, what roster moves we’ll eventually see, strengths, potential weaknesses, which prospects will make their debuts, bold predictions, and more. Have a listen! • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-jays-happy-hour/id1564979331 • Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2lAHpAQtOdHqKKgNVIRqRK • Google Podcas...
Apr 07, 2022•51 min
The Blue Jays’ spring training continues to roll along — though hopefully not at 82 mph in a 45 zone — and this week we talk about a whole whack of goings on, including the nasty piece of business to which I am referring (which happened after we last recorded), but mostly baseball things. Things like Dexter Fowler, the Jays’ depth, the catching situation, the announcement of José Berrí6s as the club’s Opening Day starter, and more! Have a listen! *Please note: There’s a little bit of static on N...
Mar 31, 2022•45 min
The Blue Jays have a new left-handed hitting outfielder, and it’s not Brett Gardner! Better still, they’ve traded Randal Grichuk in order to make it happen. Ramel Tapia may not be the most exciting addition in the world, but they could have done worse! And on this week’s Blue Jays Happy Hour we talked about that, the Bichette/Manoah contract flap, Adrian Pinto, and more! Have a listen! • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-jays-happy-hour/id1564979331 • Spotify: https://op...
Mar 24, 2022•51 min
I may have slept through Tuesday morning’s big news about the Blue Jays trading for A’s third baseman Matt Chapman, but I was at least able to get myself up in time for an emergency podcast on the subject! The Blue Jays now employ one of the best defensive third baseman in the world! And all it took was sending RHP Gunnar Hoglund (2021 first round pick/found money), INF Kevin Smith (meh), LHP Zach Logue (nice guy!), and LHP Kirby Snead (probably a nice guy but meh!) to Oakland to make it happen!...
Mar 16, 2022•45 min
Baseball is back! And while the much-promised frenzy of transactions hasn’t quite materialized as yet, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a whole lot to talk about as the game returns to normal and gears up for a full 162-game season. So, on this week’s episode of Blue Jays Happy Hour we did just that, sharing our impressions of the new CBA deal, rule changes, expanded playoffs, a balanced schedule, the vaccination clause, and so much more. Have a listen! • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/...
Mar 11, 2022•46 min
We’re back! And while Rob Manfred’s attempt to break MLB’s players union continues unabated, that doesn’t necessarily mean there isn’t anything Blue Jays related to talk about! In this episode of Blue Jays Happy Hour we review where things stand with MLB’s messy lockout situation, and also go through the Jays’ roster for some over/under predictions as the 2022 season (hopefully!) inches closer. Have a listen! • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-jays-happy-hour/id15649793...
Feb 11, 2022•1 hr
Though not a whole hell of a lot has happened for the Toronto Blue Jays, or across the major leagues of baseball, over the last month, it has certainly been an eventful 365 days regardless. So with a new year on the horizon, this week we took a look back at all the comings, goings, Hand-ings, Cy-ings, and other-ings that have taken place in Blue Jays land over the past twelve months. Have a listen! • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-jays-happy-hour/id1564979331 • Spotif...
Dec 31, 2021•1 hr 4 min
With a lockout looming, transactions throughout MLB have accelerated at a rapid pace here early in the week, including the Jays signing Kevin Gausman to a five-year, $110 million contract. The Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners have scooped up now-former Jays Marcus Semien and Robbie Ray. And there’s a chance for plenty of more activity to come before Thursday’s expected shut-down. On this week’s early edition of Blue Jays Happy Hour we talked about all that and so much more! Have a listen! • Ap...
Nov 30, 2021•45 min
Steven Matz is now a member of the St. Louis Cardinals — a move that created a surprising amount of fallout around the league. For the Jays it means going another route to fill out one of the two holes in their rotation, which could pose a challenge given the way the pitching market has been moving so far. Another challenge the Jays may have in front of them is the fact that the owners of the club, Rogers Communications, is reportedly looking to sell the team! On this week’s Blue Jays Happy Hour...
Nov 26, 2021•54 min
The Blue Jays made big news this week in several ways, with the club coming to terms on a seven-year, $131 million extension with starter José Berríos, his teammate Robbie Ray taking home the American League Cy Young award, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. finishing a near-unanimous second place behind Shohei Ohtani in the balloting for AL MVP. On this week’s Blue Jays Happy Hour we talked about all that, and were also joined by Sam Dykstra (@ SamDykstraMiLB ) of MLB Pipeline, who has been getting some...
Nov 19, 2021•52 min
MLB’s annual GM meetings took place in Carlsbad, California, this week, and though the Blue Jays didn’t get any deals done, the landscape of available players certainly came into sharper focus. And with that as the backdrop, on this week’s Blue Jays Happy Hour we talked about all kinds of potential acquisitions, both on the free agent and trade market, while also touching on the Jays’ many award winners, grading Scott Boras puns, and so much more. Have a listen! • Apple Podcasts: https://podcast...
Nov 12, 2021•59 min
Alex Anthopoulos has been crowned a champion, the offseason is underway (for now, at least), and Blue Jays Happy Hour is back from our playoff hiatus! This week we talk about Atlanta’s victory, Gabriel Moreno, a whole lot more — plus we’re joined by the great Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet to revisit the over/under predictions we made back at the start of June to see what we got right and what we got wrong. Have a listen! • Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blue-jays-happy-...
Nov 05, 2021•55 min
