In this week’s Exit Philosophy, as the Blue Jays head towards their first Fall Classic appearance in 32 years, Griff and Mal break down the team’s League Championship Series win vs. the M’s, from George Springer's historic three-run blast in Game 7, to Mad Max’s aggressive meltdown getting in the face of manager John Schneider. And where was Seattle’s dominant closer, Andres Munoz, to face the top of the Jays order with eight outs to go and the tying run on second, a series win for the taking? What about the highly regarded M’s rotation when they were most needed. Moving on to the World Series, should Bo Bichette be activated for Joey Loperfido, even if he’s only able to swing the bat once per game? Hey fans, Shohei Ohtani’s flight has finally landed, unfortunately, it’s still not to sign with the Jays. Is Trey Yesavage the man for Games 2-6 of the World Series vs. the Dodgers if the Jays expect to win. Is the Jays' bullpen still an Achilles Heel, and how does it match up against the Dodgers' disappointing group of relievers? Has Vlad done enough in this postseason to cement his legacy at 26 years old? Plus, a quick head-to-head comparison between the Jays and Dodgers. All this and more.

INDEX:

0:00 - Intro

0:30 - The Blue Jays Are Heading to the World Series

8:10 - Where did the Mariners Go Wrong?

10:35 - Max Scherzer Game 4 Start

12:35 - Schneiders Brilliant Move with Max

15:15 - Trey Yesavage in the World Series

18:40 -  Did Andres Munoz Pitch Enough?

20:30 - Can John Schneider Outmanage Dave Roberts?

25:05 - Vladimir Guerrero Jr is The Guy!

27:28 - Pete Walker Felt This in March

31:50 - Vlads Legacy Postseason

35:12 - How Does This Impact The Next Generation of Fans?

38:20 - World Series Preview

47:45 - Best Way to Describe this Blue Jays Lineup

50:45 - The Keys for the Blue Jays in the World Series

54:40 - Dodgers vs Blue Jays Positional Breakdown

1:00:54 - World Series Predictions

1:02:20 - Outro

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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 pure fun of playing a kid’s game has returned to the Blue Jays dugout and clubhouse. Griff and Mal discuss the unique post-game speech from manager John Schneider after beating the evil empire Yankees and enjoy the ever-more-unique Vlad Guerrero Jr.’s performance with Big Papi, David Ortiz, playing off of broadcaster John Sterling’s famous “Th-uhhhh Yankees Win.” In response, in unison, Papi and Vlad shouted an out of tune, “DAAA Yankees Lose, DAAA Yankees lose,” with Derek Jeter and A-Rod on the panel trying to smile and play along. Moving on, can the Jays repeat the three-starter, 10- reliever approach to roster building for the next round and does it make a difference as to who their opponent might be, Tigers or M’s? Manager Schneider has often lover the course of 162 games, laid out a road-to-victory plan for the bullpen, but never has it come together as flawlessly as in the clinching ALDS Game 4. Beyond Vlad outplaying Aaron Judge as series MVP, what other Jays stood out and what does this team have to do with their roster to win the next series and advance to their first World Series since 1993.

INDEX:

0:00 – INTRO

0:34 – Blue Jays Beat Yankees in ALDS 3-1

7:15 – Blue Jays Post Game Celebrations

10:30 – Will This be Remembered As A Legacy Series for Vlad?

15:53 – Can Winning The World Series Overcome Some FA Failures?

21:55 – Why is This Team So Likeable?

25:00 – What Happened to Starters in the Post Season?

28:25 – Should Bieber have Stayed in the Game Longer?

31:21 – Division Series Top 3 MVPS

34:33 – Bo Bichette

40:20 – Who is the Better ALCS Matchup?

43:44 – Network Frustrations of Brewers – Blue Jays World Series

46:14 – Canadians Thriving in MLB

49:01 – Shoutout to Ryan Facchini

49:23 – NFL Week 6 Picks

52:55 - Outro

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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 upcoming ’25 ALDS features the two best teams from the AL East, the toughest division in baseball. Mal and Griff compare the Jays and Yankee rosters in six categories, including the leadership standoff between managers John Schneider and Aaron Boone. In addition, they review and preview the rest of the MLB field that has assembled on the October dance floor. Who are the five most important players for the Jays, moving forward. Many of them on both Griff and Mal’s lists are members of the Jays bullpen, led by Jeff Hoffman, Brendon Little, Seranthony Dominguez and Mason Fluharty.

INDEX:

0:00 – Intro

0:28 – Wild Card Round Recap

11:35 – Generations of Blue Jays Fans

21:35 – Blue Jays vs Yankees ALDS Breakdown

48:45 – Dodgers vs Phillies NLDS Preview

50:12 – Cubs vs Brewers NLDS Preview

51:07 – Tigers vs Mariners Preview

53:30 – Bo is OUT of the ALDS

56:27 – Will Jose Berrios Pitch in the Post Season?

57:15 – Blue Jays Intrasquad Scrimmages

59:45 – The Blue Jays Finishing Stretch

1:01:26 – Manager Vacancies

1:03:25 – NFL Week 5 Preview

1:07:35 - Outro

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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/

On this special solo edition of Exit Philosophy, the Blue Jays simply did what they had to do to win the AL East, knowing the powerful Yankees were likely to run the table against the O’s and the White Sox. The team concept of this group of Jays has likely made them the first No. 1 AL seed in years that other wouldn’t mind facing in a 5 or 7-game series. Griff breaks down payrolls of the 12 postseason qualifiers … and that doesn’t include the free-spending Mets. Finally, all four Wild-Card series are broken down and analyzed with a prediction for the best-of-three series.

INDEX:

0:00 – Intro

0:18 – Blue Jays win the AL East!

4:24 – How This Post-Season Will Affect the Next CBA

6:49 – Red Sox vs Yankees Preview

9:35 – Tigers vs Guardians Preview

12:10 – Reds vs Dodgers Preview

14:51 – Padres vs Cubs Preview

16:40 - Outro

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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 playoff-bound Blue Jays were once riding high atop the AL East, but a punchless 10-day spiral, a combination of frustration, panic, tough calls and poor internal decisions, now sees them tied with the confident Yankees heading to the Final Four games. Decisions like Berrios to the bullpen, Bieber pushed back a day, Bassitt to the IL, Manoah cut loose after 14 months of intense rehab from elbow surgery, multiple ejections, gloomy dugout views, umpire blaming and more. The final out of the Wednesday game seemed typical, with Alejandro Kirk thrown out at first base from right field on a 104.1 mph one-hopper to Wilyer Abreu. Griff and Mal talk strange roster decisions, disappearing offence, the new ABS Challenge System for 2026, tributes to Kershaw (Dodgers) and Arenado (Cardinals), historic collapses and more. As well, the boys try to bounce back with this week’s NFL Picks.

Exit Philosophy will return on Monday with a special recap of the last weekend of the season.

INDEX:

0:00 Intro 0:35 Kirk ends game thrown out at first 3:09 Expos History of 9-3 outs at first 6:01 Implications of Jays-Yankees final four 9:26 What happened to Jays rotation 15:00 The DFA of Alek Manoah 22:14 Controlling own fate … to now 26:14 Wherefore the Jays offence 29:54 Riding a hot bullpen, minus Berrios 39:52 In Hoff we trust 41:42 Clayton Kershaw and Nolan Arenado 45:36 Ranking Historic Collapses - Tigers, Mets 48:20 The ’87 Blue Jays collapse 51:58 The Ball-Strike Challenge in ’26 54:54 NFL Picks Week 4

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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 new hate-on between Blue Jays and Yankees fans began with a catty observation by YES broadcaster Michael Kay and intensified lately with a calculated response from Buck Martinez questioning the Bronx Bombers. On this edition of Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal discuss the role of Trey Yesavage, the future of Bo and Santander, the new leader in the clubhouse for AL manager of the year, the importance of the Jays at least winning one post-season series, the The impact of the Futures Showcase at Rogers Centre and more. 

INDEX

0:00 Intro

0:24 Canadian Futures Showcase  

6:04 In Memoriam Jim Baba, Ken Dryden, Robert Redford 

13:20 Debut of Trey Yesavage and what can his role be. 

18:32 Jays suggested post-season pitching staff

22:40 The impact of losing Bo and what to do about shortstop moving forward. 

25:55 what to do with Santander 

32:26 Jays vs Yankees. The Evil Empires, eh!

39:46 Should Yesavage start again

44:20 The Jays road to the AL No. 1 seed and the revised Top 3 for Manager of the year 

51:50 In praise of the Jays defence and MLB making Sept. relevant. 

1:01:25 NFL picks for Week 3 

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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 MLB most recent ranking of the Top 20 starting pitchers in the game does not include any Blue Jays, even though Toronto’s rotation, as a group, remains highly regarded. With RH Kevin Gausman’s two-hit complete game vs. the Astros, how does he not make that list. Exit Philosophy makes a compelling case for Jose Berrios being included in the playoff rotation ahead of Chris Bassitt. Mal and Griff discuss the ramifications of the Bo Bichette injury and circumstances that may have led to his awkward slide at home plate that led to a sprained knee and the IL. Hall-of-Famer Pedro Martinez describes his reaction to the Yankees sign-stealing in the Bronx and his ear-flap solution. Who would be the worst matchup for the Jays in the post-season. The Top 5 Week 2 NFL Picks from Mal and Griff and far more.

Please remember to subscrbe, like, share and leave a review wherever you listen!

INDEX:

00:00 Intro 00:23 Gausman importance 6:14 Jays rotation in September, Lauer and the playoffs 12:24 Who gets the ball, Berrios or Bassitt 18:01 Giving up on Orelvis Martinez 23:19 The immediate future of Anthony Santander 25:51 Disrespect from MLB for Jays rotation 28:53 Can the Jays in October get hotter than they have been since August 16 34:46 Cause and effect of Bo's injured knee 45:50 Pedro's ear-flap solution to Yankees sign-stealing. 51:07 Hand-picking Jays best match-up playoff opponent 53:32 NFL Week 2 picks and wrapup

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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 Blue Jays may indeed be receiving Herculean efforts from the lineup and the starting rotation, but when it comes to closing out ballgames, the bullpen and the way the relievers are being used are clearly their Achilles' Heel. Griff and Mal discuss the Jays' relief corps individually and consider whether it can be improved. And what about Trey Yesavage? The danger sign showed up in the Reds series, allowing 23 runs. Three games, yet winning two. Exit Philosophy recounts the sports world’s issues of the week…Kahwi and the Clippers, Boone and the Yankees, Framber’s hissy-fit, who are the legit AL East contenders, and more. We rank the Jays Top 3 players of the year, plus it’s NFL Week 1, and we give you each of our Top 5 best bets.

Like, subscribe, and leave a review wherever you listen!

INDEX:

0:00 - Intro

1:25 - Thoughts on Kawhi Leonard/Clippers Scandal and Salary Cap in Sports

8:00 - Yankees Fallout and Umpire Frustrations vs Houston in Loss

12:45 - Did Framber Valdez Cross Up His Catcher on Purpose?

18:27 - Roman Anthony Out for Season, What is Red Sox Outlook?

22:10 - Will There be a 100 Win Team This Year?

27:15 - Recapping the Blue Jays/Reds Series and What Is Going on With The Pitching?

34:42 - Blue Jays Defensive Limitations

36:40 - The Bullpen and What NEEDS to Happen

50:50 - Trey Yesavage Is Ready to Pitch Out of the Pen

54:30 - Who is the Blue Jays 2025 MVP? 

58:25 - Week 1 NFL picks ATS 

1:05:21 - Outro

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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 Blue Jays know it’s crunch time and manager John Schneider has worked the rotation to have his three best starts vs. the Brewers then in the Bronx. Griff and Mal discuss extra rest for Lauer, making the bullpen great again, AL Top 5 MVPs, the importance of avoiding the Wildcard round, shoutouts to Cito Gaston, Markham’s Jonah Tong called up to the Mets and more.

Please remember to subscribe, like this episode and leave a review of Exit Philosophy!

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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/

On this weeks episode of Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal reflect on the series vs Pittsburgh and Tommy Pham's infamous ball four bat flip. Will Shane Bieber force the hands of the Blue Jays brass and insert himself at the top of the rotation and who will get bumped? Rob Manfred keeps making headlines, this time about league realignment and expansion. Canadian slugger Owen Caissie is just starting his big league career, and some other happenings around Major League Baseball. 

Please subscribe, like and leave a review wherever you listen.

INDEX:

0:00 Intro 

1:32 Pirates series discussion. Why Pham is fleeting

5:30 Vlad’s aching hamstring and a series they needed to win

12:02 Yankees, other chasers and the comfort of reaching 90 wins

17:14 Rotation abundance of riches and is Lauer now a reliever 

25:35 Setting up a playoff Rotation 

36:06 Rob Manfred’s worst laid plans…expansion, realignment and more

48:46 Shoutout to Owen Caissie and more. Astros woes, Wheeler surgery. 

55:41 Final thoughts and more. 

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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/