Exit Philosophy with Griff and Mal – Details, episodes & analysis

Was this the greatest World Series story ever told? How about the most memorable Game 7? The Blue Jays, in the end, had chances to hold on to or extend the lead, then, when the Dodgers tied it, chances to win in regulation and then tie it when falling behind in the 11th. The Dodgers' comeback in Games 6-7 came mainly due to the Japanese influence of Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto and superstar DH-RHP Shohei Ohtani, with rookie Roki Sasaki looming as yet another Rising Sun weapon. Griff and Mal discuss the short list of the Jays' top heroes and who wears the horns of the goat. What has this post-season run done for Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s image and his future. What happens to Bo Bichette in free agency, and is Trey Yesavage a mortal lock for stardom in 2026. All this and more in this week's Exit Philosophy.

INDEX:

0:00 – Intro

0:35 – Impressions and Reactions to Game 7

10:45 – Max Scherzer is a Maniac In The Best Way

17:35 – Dodgers and Japan ..Can the Jays be Players in Pacific Rim?

25:47 – Miguel Rojas Home Run

28:52 – Jeff Hoffman

33:45 – Ernie Clement's Outstanding Postseason

37:56 – Gold Glove Snubs

39:35 – IKF's Baserunning Might Have Cost them The World Series

45:50 – Top World Series Performers

50:20 – Ohtani's Extra Warm Up Time

52:10 – Trey Yesavage -  What Does 2026 Look Like?

57:29 – Greatest Game 7 Ever?

1:01:10 – When Richard Met Debbie

1:02:18 – Where Do The Jays Go with Bo Bichette?

1:07:24 – Impact on Canada of World Series Run

1:10:55 - Outro

Please subscribe, like and leave a review whereever you listen!

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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/

Griff and Mal discuss Games 4 and 5 of the World Series in LA. Also, we preview games 6 and 7 to discuss what the Blue Jays have to do to bring a World Series championship back to Canada and the city of Toronto. 

INDEX:

0:00 – Intro

0:32 – World Series Recap – Blue Jays are Resilient

1:30 – How Can They Win It at Home?

6:15 – Bullpens are the Key

9:35 – Yesavage has All-Time Performance and Game 5 Recap

18:12 – Can they get to Yamamoto?

20:55 – 18 Inning Marathon in Game 3 + Ohtani Performance

27:50 – History of Teams Going Home with 3-2 Lead

33:00 – Global Impact of World Series

36:18 – Who Is Going to DH? Bo or George

40:18 – Kirk Gibson World Series Story

41:22 – Chris Bassitt

42:55 – Jose Berrios

45:07 – Jeff Hoffman

46:30 – Brendan Little

48:06 – Eric Lauer

50:10 – Louis Varland and Seranthony Dominguez

52:05 – Addison Barger

55:20 – John Schneider vs Dave Roberts

57:15 – Vlad or Ohtani for MVP

1:00:00 - 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 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/

In S1E20, the guys compare the 2015 and 2023 Blue Jays rosters and come to a surprising conclusion. Where to even begin with the week that was in Blue Jays Land? Who, exactly, was the crowd booing in the back half of Texas' series sweep? Scotty thinks he knows. Wins don't have to be pretty, they just need to pile up, and the Jays got in done over the weekend vs. Boston. And the guys discuss the latest Alek Manoah "news."

The guys recorded on Monday morning, September 11th, so the show starts with Griff and Scotty Mac recalling where they were on that fateful day 22 years ago. The Blue Jays and Texas Rangers have an important series in Toronto this week and Scotty says if the Jays win the series, you can book them into the playoffs. Who would be in your Blue Jays starting rotation for the playoffs? The guys discuss. And the Mariners' George Kirby is angry he went over 90 pitches? It's a business thing.

In S1E18, Griff and Scotty Mac discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s disappointing season and whether it's time for manager John Schneider to more firmly address the topic with Vlad and then take it public; Scotty Mac wonders if Schneider is capable of it given the dynamics of the Blue Jays' front office. The Jays' path to reclaiming a playoff spot in the near-term is clear, obvious, and *shouldn't* be complicated. The guys are amused by the mess that is the L.A. Angels.

Not much needs to be said: Griff and Scotty Mac discuss a couple of hot current Blue Jays topics and then settle in for an hour-long talk with the one and only John Gibbons, the former Blue Jays manager who was in Toronto earlier in August to celebrate Jose Bautista. Gibby brings his usual humour and storytelling. Enjoy this chat, the guys sure did.

In S1E16, Griff and Scotty Mac discuss the badly needed return of Bo Bichette to the lineup and a successful weekend against the Cincinnati Reds (that didn't start out well). The stretch drive begins with a healthy starting rotation and bullpen; can the offence please try to keep up? Why the Alek Manoah situation won't be a distraction and why is a coach tweeting minutes before a game starts?

In S1E15, Griff and Scotty Mac celebrate the weekend that was for Jose Bautista; where does Saturday's ceremony rank among the all-time great Blue Jays moments? Was it a fitting tribute to one of the franchise's legendary players? Plus, after a sweep of the Red Sox a weekend ago, the Blue Jays settle back into a middling run of games. Does Griff believe there's more to this team? Does Scotty Mac? Listen and find out!

In S1E14, the guys talk about Davis Schneider's epic debut weekend in the big leagues, the effect it's having on the other Blue Jays' hitters and whether Schneider has staying power. The Alex Verdugo situation is a mess in Boston (that's a *shame*). And ahead of Jose Bautista's more-than-deserved induction into the Blue Jays' Level of Excellence, the Griff and Scotty Mac look back on Bautista's time in Toronto and tell some fun stories about covering his teams.