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Of all the seasons of Toronto Blue Jays baseball I’ve watched, that was certainly one of them. Fittingly, the team made a two run deficit feel insurmountable right to the very end—though not before embarrassing themselves with a too-clever-by-half pitching decision that will live long in the memory. Fire Schneider? Fire Atkins? Fire Walker and Hudgens and Mattingly? Trade Bo? Run Vlad out of town? Blow the whole thing up?

I mean, probably not. But people are sure going to have some thoughts about another year of wasted opportunity for this team. And in Episode 120 of Blue Jays Happy Hour, we give you ours.

Have a listen!

You can find us in all the usual places, such as Apple Podcasts…

…as well as Spotify, and wherever else you get your podcasts. (Google is still not updating our feed correctly, and apparently they’re ditching their podcast app and moving pods to YouTube Music soon, so maybe we won’t be able to get this sorted until then.)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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The Blue Jays played a decent, hard-fought game in Minneapolis on Tuesday evening, making some nice defensive plays, hitting some balls hard that found gloves, and getting the kind of outstanding relief work we’ve become accustomed to around here this season. Unfortunately, a couple of poorly located pitches from a struggling Kevin Gausman, some missed opportunities at the plate, a couple balls that just couldn’t quite leave the yard, and a glaring baserunning gaffe conspired to make it so that “decent” is about the nicest descriptor one can use—and one that’s maybe even too polite. They weren’t good enough. And because of that, tomorrow afternoon they’ll be playing with their season on the line.

In Episode 119 of Blue Jays Happy Hour, we talked about all that, and so much more.

Have a listen!

You can find us in all the usual places, such as Apple Podcasts…

…as well as Spotify, and wherever else you get your podcasts. (Google is still not updating our feed correctly, and apparently they’re ditching their podcast app and moving pods to YouTube Music soon, so maybe we won’t be able to get this sorted until then.)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

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The Blue Jays did it. They’re back in the playoffs. And they’re playing a team—the Minnesota Twins—that, based on their indifference toward Sunday’s result, they’re perfectly happy to be up against.

One of these teams will end a years-long streak of playoff futility, the other will be in for a longer and colder winter than any of their fans are ready to contemplate right now. They’re in and, for the moment, everything is possible.

How did the Jays get here? Just what was that game on Sunday? What would the conversation be like if the Jays had failed? What should we expect from the matchup with the Twins? Who should start games two and three? Who will win, and who will be the heroes?

On episode 118 of Blue Jays Happy Hour—the first of a number of playoff-related episodes we’ll be putting together for as long as the Jays are still in it!—we talk about all that, and much more.

Have a listen!

You can find us in all the usual places, such as Apple Podcasts…

…as well as Spotify, and wherever else you get your podcasts. (Google is still not updating our feed correctly, and apparently they’re ditching their podcast app and moving pods to YouTube Music soon, so maybe we won’t be able to get this sorted until then.)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

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A good weekend at the Trop? In this economy???

When Nick and I recorded Episode 116 back on Thursday, we figured that we'd better add a second episode to our schedule this week, expecting that the Jays by here on Monday night would be about to embark a fight for their playoff lives.

Instead, they've come through a second straight weekend in which just about every result they needed went their way. The Mariners lost three times to the Rangers, the Astros lost three to the Royals, and the Jays themselves took two of three in Tampa.

Things are good enough at the moment that in Episode 117 we actually allowed ourselves to indulge in discussing some playoff possibilities, like whether we would try to setup to face the Twins instead of the Rays, whether John Schneider is the right manager for the job, what to do with a slumping Davis Schneider, and more

Have a listen!

You can find us in all the usual places, such as Apple Podcasts…

…as well as Spotify, and wherever else you get your podcasts (unless it’s Google still, though I remain hopeful that I’ll eventually get through to someone who can help and the feed will actually get fixed at some point).

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

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The Blue Jays came up short against AL Cy Young frontrunner Gerrit Cole on Thursday night, and now face an incredibly tough test against the Rays this weekend at the dreaded Trop. But they’re still in the driver’s seat in the race for the final AL wild card spots. They are also, somehow, tied with the Astros for the third-best record in the American League.

It’s only going to get weirder from here, folks.

And to get you setup for the weirdness, we kicked this week’s episode off with a semi-traditional vibe check, and followed that up by discussing the road ahead, the AL West, the latest twists and turns in the Alek Manoah saga, Mitch White, Vlad pinch hitting on his bad knee, Yusei Kikuchi’s sleep habits, Mike Babcock for some reason, and so much more.

Have a listen!

You can find us in all the usual places, such as Apple Podcasts…

…as well as Spotify, and wherever else you get your podcasts (unless it’s Google still, though I remain hopeful that I’ll eventually get through to someone who can help and the feed will actually get fixed at some point).

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

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The Blue Jays are bad, the Alek Manoah situation is weird, Nick and I talked about both things on our latest episode of Blue Jays Happy Hour, and you should give it a listen!

You can find us in all the usual places, such as Apple Podcasts…

…as well as Spotify, and others. (If you’re a Google Podcasts user, I’m still hopeful that the feed will actually get fixed at some point!)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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Blue Jays fans are loving their Buffalo Backup QB Syndrome Boys! But how real are the things that Davis Schneider, Spencer Horwitz, and Ernie Clement doing? Where should those youngsters/older-than-Vlad-sters fit into next season's plans? And how much more would we appreciate what they're doing—or Chris Bassitt is doing, or the delightful return of Hyun Jin Ryu—if Rob Manfred's expanded playoffs hadn't resulted in a standings-obsessed race between mediocrities trying their damndest to back their way out of the postseason?

Yes, I'm looking at you too, Texas Rangers.

On episode 114 of Blue Jays Happy Hour we talk about all that, plus Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Alex "the big counterexample" Manoah, pitching development, and more!

Have a listen...

…as well as Spotify, and others. (If you’re a Google Podcasts user, I remain hopeful that the feed will actually be fixed one day.)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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The Blue Jays and their fans are now firmly into the process of getting to know a number of young players acquired at last month's trade deadline, so it's time to think about first impressions. Joey Loperfido has struggled, Davis Schneider still looks lost, and Addison Barger has yet to find his footing, but Will Wagner had a loud debut, and we've seen good things so far from Spencer Horwitz and—to an extent—Leo Jiménez as well.

Plus! The bullpen has its own share of new faces, Bowden Francis has rejoined the chat, Vlad's hit streak has ended (but the need for him to get a new contract hasn't), and a whole lot more.

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Meaningful September baseball. It’s all you can really ask for at the start of a baseball season, and here we are about to have some, Blue Jays fans! CAN YOU FEEL THE EXCITEMENT?

It's been a chaotic week for the Blue Jays, as they managed to go just 3-3 to begin a 15-game stretch against a bunch of mostly awful teams. For the time being the sky has yet to fall, but with the bunt-loving, pinch runner-hating John Schneider at the helm, that moment feels like it could come at any minute.

On Episode 113 of Blue Jays Happy Hour we talked about all those vibes, good and bad. Plus: Schneider's decisions, human nature, Alejandro Kirk, Davis Schneider, Ernie Clement, Handsome Randy, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and so much more!

Have a listen!

Or, alternatively, check out Substack’s new beta transcription feature, which should be visible somewhere on this page. I went through and lightly edited the computer-generated words into something that’s hopefully at least semi-comprehensible, and that maybe someone will get something out of. Let me know in the comments if you do, or else I may not do it again!

Audio-wise, you can find us in all the usual places, such as Apple Podcasts…

…as well as Spotify, and others. (If you’re a Google Podcasts user, I’m still hopeful that the feed will actually, finally be fixed soon! STILL.)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

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At the end of this week’s episode of I mistakenly said that Davis Schneider was going to be in the lineup for the Blue Jays on Wednesday night. He wasn’t. Which only makes our open wondering about why the Jays haven’t managed to find more at-bats for him recently hit all that much harder!

Before that, we talked about the pesky Seattle Mariners, the Jays’ surging lefty power hitters (Brandon Belt and Daulton Varsho), John Schneider’s decision-making, Alek Manoah, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and so much more.

Have a listen!

You can find us in all the usual places, such as Apple Podcasts…

…as well as Spotify, and others. (If you’re a Google Podcasts user, I’m still hopeful that the feed will actually, finally be fixed soon!)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

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Should Blue Jays fans be afraid of the Seattle Mariners? Do we believe anything about Bob Nightengale’s suggestion that John Schneider’s job could be in jeopardy if the Jays miss the playoffs? Would Ross Atkins actually bring the kind of heat onto himself that he’d receive by firing another manager? Will anybody remember a 1999 Spike Jonze movie that only made $23 million at the box office?

Except for maybe the last one, my guess is that the answer to each of these questions is no. But that didn’t stop us from talking about them all during this week’s episode of Blue Jays Happy Hour!

Plus: Paul DeJong, the Jays’ dominant bullpen, YuCy Kikuchi, José Berríos, choosing Hyun Jin Ryu over Alek Manoah, the 2013 season for some reason, and so much more.

Have a listen!

You can find us in all the usual places, such as Apple Podcasts…

…as well as Spotify, and others. (If you’re a Google Podcasts user, I’m hopeful that the feed will actually, finally be fixed soon!)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

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The Toronto Blue Jays have never lost a game Davis Schneider has played in.

That remains even so after Tuesday's loss, in which the red hot rookie remained glued to the bench as the Jays were shut out 1-0 against the Guardian in Cleveland. That he didn't play is, of course, entirely fine and far from unexpected for a guy who wasn't deemed worthy of a spot on a big league roster until less than a week ago — and not until Bo Bichette got hurt and the trade market failed to produce an established right-handed bat at the deadline. It’s also incredibly funny, as the Blue Jays have managed to anger a bunch of those folks who can't seem to watch this sport without being utterly miserable about an aspect of the best story of the season.

But, make no mistake, that’s exactly what it is. And on episode 110 of Blue Jays Happy Hour, we spent a whole bunch of time talking about Schneider’s story, and just how impressive and rare it is for a player like him to have exploded out of the gate the way he did in Boston over the weekend. Plus: a quasi-traditional vibe check, Yusei Kikuchi, Ross Atkins on Bo and Ryu, the six-man rotation, José Bautista going up on the Level of Excellence this weekend, and more.

Have a listen!

You can find us in all the usual places, such as Apple Podcasts…

…as well as Spotify, and others. (If you’re a Google Podcasts user, I’m hopeful that the feed will actually, finally be fixed soon!)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

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MLB’s annual trade deadline has come and gone and, like a whole lot of other teams vying for playoff spots, the Blue Jays are better, but probably not better enough. Génesis Cabrera. Paul DeJong. Jordan Hicks. These names are unlikely to go down in history alongside ones like Henderson, Tulowitzki, or Price.

Of course, it’s not going to matter where they rank if the Blue Jays keep playing against their division rivals the way they did in their first game after trade season officially wrapped up on Tuesday night — which, thankfully, we only barely touched upon in this week’s episode.

What did we talk about? All things deadline, including Ross Atkins’ comments, Hicks and DeJong, possible help from the farm, the dark cloud of Bo Bichette’s injury that hung over the entire affair, and so much more!

Have a listen!

You can find us in all the usual places, such as Apple Podcasts…

…as well as Spotify, and others. (If you’re a Google Podcasts user you should be able to add us to your app via RSS — just right click and copy this link.)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

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Above you’ll see a picture of Danny Jansen, who was barely mentioned in this week’s episode of Blue Jays Happy Hour, but probably could have been! Jansen’s been swinging a hot bat lately, and is part of the reason the mood of the fan base is doesn’t seem as bad as it could be after a 3-3 west coast road trip that just as easily could have been 6-0 or 1-5.

Anyway, what did we talk about on this week’s episode? With the trade deadline coming up, naturally much of our focus was there. Plus, we got into those ever-present vibes, Trent Thornton, the Génesis Cabrera acquistion, Jay Jackson's surprising emergence, Alek Manoah's progress, Shohei Ohtani, payroll stuff, 2009, and so much more!

Have a listen!

You can find us in all the usual places, such as Apple Podcasts…

…as well as Spotify, and others. (If you’re a Google Podcasts user you should be able to add us to your app via RSS — just right click and copy this link.)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

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The Blue Jays salvaged their series with the Padres on Thursday afternoon, eking out a 4-0 victory despite having Blake Snell on the ropes all day, thanks in large part to a Vlad Jr. home run and Alejandro Kirk’s best game in weeks — maybe months. They now head to their home away from home, Seattle, for three games over the weekend a half game up on Houston, and 2.5 games ahead of the Red Sox, who currently sit fourth in the AL wild card race. Things could be worse, in other words, which is why when GM Ross Atkins met the media this week he fielded all kinds of questions about the upcoming trade deadline, and made it abundantly clear — just in case it wasn’t already — that the Jays will be buyers.

Will that mean going after starting pitching, though? After Alek Manoah’s step backwards this week, it may be a bigger question than the club had hoped.

On episode 107 of Blue Jays Happy Hour we talked about all that, plus Chris Bassitt, the Mariners team shop, a hot dog record-breaker, Daulton Varsho, and so much more.

Have a listen!

You can find us in all the usual places, such as Apple Podcasts…

…as well as Spotify, and others. (If you’re a Google Podcasts user you should be able to add us to your app via RSS — just right click and copy this link.)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The All-Star Game has come and gone, meaning that the second half of the Blue Jays’ season is about to get underway. In this week’s episode we look both forward and back, discussing Alek Manoah’s performance last weekend in Detroit, All-Star week’s most notable Jays moments — including Jordan Romano’s back tightness, Vladdy, Lourdes, the Jays being in the running for the 2025 event, and more — plus the draft, Orelvis Martinez, and our biggest fears, biggest hopes, and some predictions for the Jays in the second half.

Have a listen!

You can find us in all the usual places, such as Apple Podcasts…

…as well as Spotify, and others. (If you’re a Google Podcasts user you should be able to add us to your app via RSS — just right click and copy this link.)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

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The Blue Jays saved us from another grim episode on Tuesday night, as they actually managed to come back from a 3-2 deficit in Chicago to beat the White Sox 4-3 on the back of a two-run opposite field home run off of the bat of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. But that's not the only comeback Jays fans will be talking about this week. It was announced prior to Tuesday's game that Alek Manoah — who on Sunday struck out 10 Double-A hitters over five innings in a three-hit, one-run start for New Hampshire — is fixed! Or, at the very least, is on his way back to the majors and will start against the Tigers in Detroit on Friday.

Is he really ready? Are the Jays risking the long-term for the short by bringing him back so quickly? How might the timing actually make sense? What do we now think of the shellacking he took at the hands of a bunch of Yankees teens last week?

In episode 105 of Blue Jays Happy Hour we talked about all of that stuff, plus Hyun Jin Ryu on the comeback trail, Vlad in the home run derby, improbable All-Star Whit Merrifield, the Jays' catching situation, some early trade deadline thoughts, and more.

Have a listen!

You can find us in all the usual places, such as Apple Podcasts…

…as well as Spotify, and others. (If you’re a Google Podcasts user you should be able to add us to your app via RSS — just right click and copy this link.)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

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Alek Manoah was shelled this week in his first competitive outing after being sent all the way to the Florida Complex League, and a certain former Jays pitcher had some thoughts for the haters — whoever they may be. Clearly the ugly box score drew a lot of attention from around the baseball world, but should it have? Should it matter? And where do the Jays go from here with respect to their rotation?

All that Manoah stuff, a midseason vibe check, Chris Bassitt’s wobbly stretch, Kikuchi’s lack of trouble with the curve, and Brandon Belt’s big personality — and reunion with his former Giants teammates — were just some of the topics we touched on in episode 105 of Blue Jays Happy Hour.

Have a listen!

You can find us in all the usual places, such as Apple Podcasts…

…as well as Spotify, and others. (If you’re a Google Podcasts user you should be able to add us to your app via RSS — just right click and copy this link.)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

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The trade deadline has come and gone, the Band-Aid has been ripped off, and now the Blue Jays—and their fans—get to float along into the unknown. The vibes feel like they've improved in the days since 1/3 of the roster was overturned, but how long with that last with little to do but watch young hitters experiencing growing pains and struggling veterans trying to get their lost seasons back on track? Especially with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s contract situation casting a massive shadow over the organization's future.

This week Nick and Stoeten talked about all that, and a whole lot more...

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The 2023 Blue Jays continue to give us whiplash as they swing back and forth between good vibes and bad, and earlier this week things were bad enough that there was even chatter — though not of the particularly serious variety, as evidenced by the fact that a couple of wins and a few hits with RISP seems to have instantly quieted it — that manager John Schneider’s job might be in trouble.

A Scheider-focused vibe check, the potential fallout for Ross Atkins of making the rash decision to fire another manager, a hitter-by-hitter tour through the lineup giving out confidence ratings, and a painfully nostalgic philosophical question about the 2021 Jays were just some of the topics we touched on in this week’s episode. (Apologies to Ernie Clement.)

Have a listen!

You can find us in all the usual places, such as Apple Podcasts…

…as well as Spotify, and others. (If you’re a Google Podcasts user you should be able to add us to your app via RSS — just right click and copy this link.)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

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The glow of four straight series wins has long since dissipated for the Blue Jays, as they struggled this week, dropping two of three in Baltimore after a similarly disappointing weekend series against Minnesota. There have been bright spots, like José Berríos, Nate Pearson, and Trevor Richards, but — as always — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is the centre of attention for this team, for good or ill. And right now it’s mostly been for ill.

A vibe check, Vladdy’s weird numbers, the search for a fifth starter, making your own luck, and a little love for Orelvis Martinez were just some of the topics we discussed this week. 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 add us to your app via RSS — just right click and copy this link.)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

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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 Thursday, they announced a win on Friday afternoon. Anthony Bass has been designated for assignment!

Hey, it only took them 10 days and one more thoroughly embarrassing episode for the franchise to finally do something about the struggling reliever who amplified a video that called a huge number of fans demonic predators and literally called for a boycott of a major team sponsor, but who’s counting?

As I noted above, we recorded this episode on Thursday night, still dumbfounded by the Jays’ handling of the entire situation with Bass. Fortunately, all those questions remain relevant, even though they did eventually get it right in the end. (Which, as Nick points out, is better than never reaching the right conclusion at all).

Also fortunate? The Bass stuff was only a portion of this week’s episode, as we also did a quasi-traditional vibe check, and talked extensively about the Alek Manoah situation, the sudden resurgence of Brandon Belt, and more.

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 add us to your app via RSS — just right click and copy this link.)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

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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 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 add us to your app via RSS — just right click and copy this link.)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 add us to your app via RSS — just right click and copy this link.)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 the suggestion are incredibly funny) — Judge lit the Jays up, going 6-for-14 with four home runs and five walks over the course of the four games, overshadowing not only his teammate who actually was caught cheating (the Yankees do that!), but another brilliant outing from Chris Bassitt, who provided several of the few Blue Jays bright spots in an otherwise ugly 3-1 series loss.

So, for this week’s episode, we had to talk about all that. Plus some struggling Blue Jays hitters, the lack of help from the farm, another daunting series ahead with the Orioles on their way to town, and so much more!

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 add us to your app via RSS — just right click and copy this link.)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 doing on both fronts.

Plus! Belt vs. Varsho — who ya got? Our fears and fantasies for Kikuchi, Vlad's defence, Robbie Ray, Matt Chapman, a tough upcoming series against the Braves, and so much more!

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 add us to your app via RSS — just right click and copy this link.)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 maybe shifted just a little bit. And that’s the focus of this week’s episode of Blue Jays Happy Hour. It’s bullpen gut check time, as we discuss the performance so far of each of the Jays’ relievers and rate our trust in them at the moment.

Plus! The AL East race, the stupid Rays, health, a certain guy who might be washed, Cavan Biggio, whoever it is that plays for the Pirates, and more.

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 add us to your app via RSS — just right click and copy this link.)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 this week's episode checking the vibes and chatting about all three. We also discussed Daulton Varsho, Brandon Belt, Alek Manoah, Luis Castillo, Robbie Ray, the rest of the soon-to-be visiting Mariners, and so much more!

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 and want to try to add us to your app via RSS, right click and copy this link.)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 recording this episode, so we managed to avoid any mention of it.

What did we talk about? Hot starts for Vlad and Bo, Bo’s defence, Matt Chapman, José Berríos, Chris Bassitt, one-pitch pitchers, Alek Manoah, Kevin Gausman, my dalliance this week with ChatGPT, Friday’s starter Yusei Kikuchi, the upcoming series with the Yankees, and more.

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 be unable to point back at our new/old feed for some reason, but I assure you I’m continuing to try to get it sorted!)

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Bassitt looked better, Matt Chapman continues to be red hot (when healthy), fans' love affair with Kevin Kiermaier continues, poutine dogs were consumed, new bars were explored, turtlenecks were made fun of — but the Jays will need to be better with the undefeated Rays heading in for a weekend set.

In this week's episode we talk about all that, plus bullpen placement, Manoah's start, stunt food, a look ahead, and so much more.

Have a listen!

You can find us in all the usual places, such as Apple Podcasts…

…as well as Spotify, Google (or, at least, we’ll be back on there properly very soon!), or your podcast app of choice!

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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), right-handed-hitting bench bat/corner outfielder the roster has been crying out for all spring. And on this week’s episode of Blue Jays Happy Hour we talked about all that — the hot starts, the changed roster, the new addition — plus pitching woes, Kikuchi hope, Alek Manoah vs. Alex Verdugo, and so much more!

Have a listen!

You can find us in all the usual places, such as Apple Podcasts…

…as well as Spotify, Google (or, at least, we’ll be back on there properly very soon!), or your podcast app of choice!

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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!

You can find us in all the usual places, such as Apple Podcasts…

…as well as Spotify, Google, or your podcast app of choice!

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 for some reason, baserunning, and so much more!

Have a listen!

For those who did unsubscribe when we made last year’s switch, or are new to the podcast, you can find us in all the usual places, such as Apple Podcasts…

…as well as Spotify, Google, or your podcast app of choice!

THE BATFLIP is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

⚾ Be sure to follow me on Twitter // Follow the Batflip on Facebook // Want to support without going through Substack? You could always send cash to stoeten@gmail.com on Paypal or via Interac e-Transfer. I assure you I won’t say no. ⚾

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.