Exit Philosophy with Griff and Mal

The World Series matchup is set: the Tampa Bay Rays vs. the Milwaukee Brewers! Two small-market teams, two of the best records in Major League Baseball, and two division winners with plenty to prove. Griff and Mal break down the World Series matchup and what it could mean for the future of MLB.

With Rays manager Kevin Cash and Brewers manager Pat Murphy both blending analytics with instinct, these teams share plenty of similarities, including strong defences, dominant bullpens and payrolls ranked 20th and 23rd in MLB. Could their success strengthen the argument for a salary cap in baseball, or does this matchup prove that smart roster construction can overcome financial limitations?

Plus, Griff and Mal discuss Junior Caminero's incredible 38-second home run trot, whether speedy outfielder Chandler Simpson could inspire a new trend in MLB roster construction, and what the Rays-Brewers World Series tells us about building a winning team. On the Toronto Blue Jays front, the guys examine a surprising group of five Blue Jays Gold Glove nominees and debate what Toronto should do with players whose futures with the team remain uncertain heading into the 2027 MLB season.

On this episode of Exit Philosophy:

⚾ Rays vs. Brewers World Series preview and analysis

⚾ MLB salary cap debate and competitive balance

⚾ Kevin Cash and Pat Murphy: analytics vs. instinct

⚾ Junior Caminero's 38-second home run trot

⚾ Chandler Simpson and the value of speed in MLB

⚾ Toronto Blue Jays Gold Glove nominees

⚾ Blue Jays roster decisions and the outlook for 2027

Subscribe to Exit Philosophy with Griff and Mal for MLB analysis, Toronto Blue Jays news, baseball commentary, World Series coverage and discussions about the biggest issues shaping Major League Baseball.

The MLB Championship Series are underway, and Griff and Mal are breaking down the biggest storylines shaping the postseason and the future of Major League Baseball on this week's episode of Exit Philosophy!

MLB PLAYOFFS: ARE THE BEST TEAMS REALLY BEING REWARDED?

With four top-seeded teams battling for a World Series championship, we examine how they got here, whether the Los Angeles Dodgers have the motivation to win a third consecutive World Series, and why bullpen management has become such a dominant factor in October baseball. Are built-in off days giving elite relievers too much influence over playoff outcomes? Could changes to the postseason schedule give the best teams over 162 games a better chance to prove their superiority?

MLB SALARY CAP: IS IT ABOUT COMPETITIVE BALANCE OR MONEY?

MLB owners have proposed changes that could benefit baseball, but those proposals are tied to implementing a salary cap. With three of the final four teams coming from the bottom 11 MLB payrolls, does this postseason undermine the argument that a salary cap is necessary to create competitive balance? Or is the push really about cost certainty for owners and the potential expansion fees from new MLB franchises?

TORONTO BLUE JAYS: WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE FOR 2027?

The Blue Jays' offensive struggles cannot be ignored after finishing as MLB's lowest-scoring team. Could Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s reported laser eye surgery lead to a resurgence in 2027, or does that optimism risk overlooking the team's bigger problems?

Griff and Mal break down what Toronto needs to change around the diamond this offseason, which positions require upgrades, and whether the Blue Jays should pursue another starting pitcher to slot behind Dylan Cease and ahead of José Soriano in the rotation.

From the MLB postseason and World Series race to salary cap controversy, competitive balance, and the Toronto Blue Jays' 2027 offseason, it's another wide-ranging episode of Exit Philosophy!

LIKE the video, SUBSCRIBE to Exit Philosophy, and turn on notifications for more Toronto Blue Jays analysis, MLB news, baseball debates, and offseason discussion.

#BlueJays #MLBPlayoffs #MLB #ExitPhilosophy #TorontoBlueJays #WorldSeries #MLBSalaryCap #VladimirGuerreroJr

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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/

On this week's Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal break down the latest Toronto Blue Jays year-end review from Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins and look ahead to the biggest questions facing the Jays heading into the 2027 season.

With the MLB offseason underway, what could a potential Dec. 1 lockout mean for the Blue Jays' plans for 2027? Griff and Mal examine the potential impact on Toronto's offseason strategy, roster construction and free-agent plans.

The discussion also focuses on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and his offensive struggles, what the Blue Jays should do to get Vlad back on track, and whether Ernie Clement should have a permanent role as a starter. Plus, why Randy Arozarena could be an intriguing fit for the Blue Jays in free agency.

Griff and Mal also break down the current MLB playoff picture, including the surprising number of teams from the bottom half of MLB payrolls still competing, and what that could mean for the future of baseball's competitive landscape.

Plus, the guys unveil their projected Blue Jays starting lineup for 2027, discuss the biggest offseason priorities and look at what Toronto needs to do to get back into contention.

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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' 2026 season is officially over, and the finale at Rogers Centre was filled with emotion, controversy and plenty to discuss on Exit Philosophy.

Max Scherzer and George Springer received emotional farewell tributes in front of an appreciative Blue Jays crowd as Toronto closed out a disappointing 2026 season. But did the focus on two departing stars overshadow the bigger story of an 80-82, sub-.500 finish?

Then there's Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and his controversial Spanish-language interview in Baltimore. What happened, how did the comments become such a major story, and what can the Blue Jays and Vlad learn from the situation going forward?

With Toronto's season over, Exit Philosophy also previews all four 2026 MLB Wild Card Series and examines the teams that were the biggest disappointments around Major League Baseball.

Plus, more Blue Jays offseason questions, MLB playoff discussion and plenty more from Griff and Mal.

#BlueJays #TorontoBlueJays #MLB #VladimirGuerreroJr #MaxScherzer #GeorgeSpringer #MLBPlayoffs #WildCard #BlueJays2026 #ExitPhilosophy

INDEX:

0:00 Intro

0:30 Jays' End of Season Drama

1:25 Scherzer & Springer Farewells

9:24 Valenzuela on Scherzer

14:14 Vlad's Controversial Interview

28:04 Jays Finish 80-82

34:43 MLB Wild Card Preview

39:06 2026 Blue Jays Strengths & Weaknesses

45:24 MLB's Most Disappointing Teams

49:20 Giants' Tony Vitello Experiment

52:49 What Do the Jays Need for 2027?

58:33 NFL Week 3 Talk

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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/

This week on Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal break down the Toronto Blue Jays' final nine games of the season and the decisions facing manager John Schneider as the Jays navigate a thin three-man rotation and a bullpen that needs to be ready every day.

With the Blue Jays playoff push entering crunch time, can Schneider think outside the box with his pitching staff? What does the bullpen look like down the stretch, and should Joe Mantiply and Michael Lorenzen continue to be used in high-leverage situations?

Plus, Shane Bieber has an interesting conversation with Griff about his future, including the possibility of betting on himself with a short-term contract in hopes of maximizing a bigger free-agent deal down the road—and whether the Toronto Blue Jays could be a fit in 2027.

The guys also look ahead to the Blue Jays offseason, including what Toronto needs to do to improve its offence, potential roster moves, and whether this could be the organization's best rookie class since Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette debuted in 2019.

Subscribe to Exit Philosophy for more Blue Jays analysis, MLB news, player discussions, playoff coverage and Toronto Blue Jays offseason talk.

#BlueJays #TorontoBlueJays #MLB #BlueJaysNews #ExitPhilosophy #ShaneBieber

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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/

Blue Jays Wild Card Push: Are They Emerging as the Team to Beat? | Keegan Matheson Joins Exit Philosophy

On this week's Exit Philosophy, Mal and Griff welcome MLB.com Blue Jays beat writer and author Keegan Matheson as guest host for a wide-ranging discussion about the Toronto Blue Jays and their push for the American League Wild Card.

With the postseason race heating up, has the Blue Jays' recent surge made them the favourite to claim the final AL Wild Card spot? The guys break down the Jays' playoff chances, the starting rotation, bullpen workload, injuries, and the impact of the team's emerging rookies.

Keegan brings a fresh perspective on what has been one of the busiest bullpens in the American League, the Blue Jays' pitching depth, and the players making an impact down the stretch. Plus, a closer look at what makes Brett Bateman so special and, of course, plenty of discussion about Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The episode also begins with personal reflections and memories of September 11, 2001, before turning to the Blue Jays' increasingly fascinating October chase.

Toronto Blue Jays | Blue Jays Playoffs | AL Wild Card | MLB | Vladimir Guerrero Jr. | Brett Bateman | Keegan Matheson | Blue Jays News | Blue Jays Podcast

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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 AL Wild Card race is WILD — and with just 21 games remaining, the Toronto Blue Jays are right in the middle of the fight to become the best mediocre team in the American League.

On this episode of Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal break down the chaotic Wild Card race. Who are the real contenders, which teams have fallen out, and can the Blue Jays actually make a playoff run?

The boys also examine the Jays' injury situation. Do Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber and Anthony Santander have enough time to return from injury and become factors down the stretch?

The Blue Jays' series against Cleveland was filled with fundamental mistakes, defensive lapses and throwing errors, reigniting a bigger debate about the direction of baseball. Is the sport putting too much emphasis on athleticism and getting young players to the major leagues before they are truly ready — and has the importance of fundamentals been lost?

Finally, Griff and Mal dive into MLB labour relations, discussing the strategies players and owners could use as baseball heads toward what could be an inevitable off-season showdown.

Wild Card chaos. Injuries. Fundamentals. Player development. MLB labour. It's all on the table.

Subscribe to Exit Philosophy with Griff & Mal and join the conversation

INDEX:

0:00 - Intro

1:15 - Wild AL Wild Card Race + Blue Jays Outlook and Chances

30:25 - Is there a baseball fundamentals problem in the big leagues? + Athleticism reigns supreme

42:40 - MLB News and Notes

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

----

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 clock is ticking for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays, with fan frustration boiling over after Thursday's loss to the Royals. Should Toronto shift its goal to simply finishing the season at .500?

Griff and Mal also discuss Michael Lorenzen's long road back, Brett Bateman's surprising emergence and his potential importance to the 2027 Blue Jays, while paying tribute to Buck Martinez and remembering legendary Expos broadcaster Jacques Doucet.

All that and more on Exit Philosophy.

INDEX:

0:00 -Intro

0:40 - Buck Martinez Day Celebration

7:50 - R.I.P. Jacques Doucet

16:50 - KC Royals Series Debacle + Michael Lorenzen

27:48 - The Fans are Booing Vlad + What is the Solution?

38:40 - The AL Wildcard Picture

48:40 - Is Brett Bateman the Starting CF in 2027?

52:12 - 2027 Pitching Staff

57:13 - MLB News

1:01:25 - 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 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

----

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/