kaitlyn mcgrath

Blake Murphy kicks off the final Jays Talk Plus of the season with a full recap of the Blue Jays’ unceremonious exit from the 2023 MLB playoffs. The Athletic's Kaitlyn McGrath promptly addresses the prominent issue at hand, soon to be known as ‘The Berrios Ultimatum’, before taking a look ahead to the looming offseason (12:47). Later on, Blake welcomes former MLB pitcher John Axford to offer his unique viewpoint on the pitching change, and shed some light on the influence of analytics in pre-game choices and when it becomes more fitting to empower the player over the game situation (36:54). In the second hour, ESPN's Kiley McDaniel helps us understand impulsive decisions made at the team level, the importance of trusting the investments made in players to carry out their roles effectively, and how analytics can be communicated more effectively from top management down (51:52). Next up, former Blue Jays Bullpen Coach Matt Buschmann provides an inside look at the behind-the-scenes decision-making processes that fans typically aren't privy to, such as the intricacies and various "what-if" scenarios considered (01:06:34). To wrap up this season of Jays Talk Plus, MLB.com's Jon Morosi helps us put a final bow on the team’s early exit from the playoffs, before shifting the focus to team-specific offseason matters including player movement and free agent options (01:24:25).

Thank you all for listening - see you next season!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Blake Murphy starts the show with a summary of the previous day's crucial victory against the Yankees, avoiding a series sweep with a 6-0 shutout win. The Athletic's Kaitlyn McGrath stops by to discuss the remarkable achievement of the "unbelievable competitor" Chris Bassitt, before providing a brief preview of the potential Wild Card series between the Blue Jays and Rays. In the second half hour, MLB.com's Adam Berry hops aboard to review the Rays' season as a whole, highlighting both their early successes and challenges, before delving into the team's concerns regarding injuries heading into the playoffs (31:21). Blue Jays radio play-by-play voice Ben Wagner kicks off the second hour with his perspective on Chris Bassitt's performance throughout the season, potential starting lineups for the upcoming week, and the cost of not securing a playoff spot ahead of this weekend (51:35). Levi Weaver from The Athletic wraps up this week with a comprehensive analysis of the various scenarios and potential outcomes for the A.L. and N.L. Wild Card candidates during the upcoming weekend (01:15:05). To conclude, they reflect on the 2023 Major League Baseball season, discussing the surprise contenders and the impact of rule changes. 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

The Blue Jays playoff push continues after a win last night against the New York Yankees making the series 2-0. Can they cap off with a series sweep in the Bronx. Host Blake Murphy recaps last night's 6-1 win and is joined by Kaitlyn McGrath (29:58) from The Athletic to discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr. being scratched from last night's game and if there should be any concerns for him going down the final stretch. Next up, Blake is joined by Senior MLB writer of ESPN David Schoenfield (51:33) to discuss the mess of the AL West and who is a better team to play in the postseason. Next up Sportsnet's own Arden Zwelling joins the show (1:19:18) to discuss the potential use of Cam Eden, Davis Schneider's bad stretch and the lights out performance from Kevin Gausman. Finally, both Blake and Arden close out the show with tonight's preview with Jose Berrios on the mound.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

With Blake Murphy off for today, Jays Talk veterans Ben Shulman and Sho Alli hop aboard to host following a weekend sweep of the Boston Red Sox! The pair look into what went into the Blue Jays' turnaround, what these victories mean for the morale surrounding the team and their fanbase, and what to expect heading into a series in the Bronx. They open up the JTP Mailbag to gauge listeners' confidence in the team, before breaking down the remaining schedule for all American League Wild Card teams in the hunt (35:57). In the second hour, The Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath stops by to share her thoughts on the wacky week that was, before looking ahead to project the Jays' home stretch of the season (54:20). Later on, WFAN’s Emmanuel Berbari joins the program fresh off of calling the Yankees weekend series, to help tee up Toronto's upcoming trip to New York (01:22:33).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Following another disappointing night at Rogers Centre in this all-important series against the Texas Rangers, host Blake Murphy echoes the fans’ dismay. He brings on Kaitlyn McGrath, MLB writer at The Athletic, to get her thoughts on the Blue Jays and what areas need to improve on both sides of the field. Later on, Blake is joined by Mike Warne and Kate MacLean of the Toronto band PKEW PKEW PKEW. Both musicians are baseball enthusiasts and huge Jays fans, so it's only right to chat about their new song “The Night John Buck Hit Three Home Runs” from their latest album "SIIICK DAYS", set to release on September 22nd (34:45). The second hour is highlighted by Sportsnet Producer Chris Black's weekly visit to help sift through the Jays' latest trends, what’s attributing to their lack of success in big games, and how they can improve in their final two against Texas (49:49).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

With one big offensive inning and another strong start from Chris Bassitt, the Blue Jays are back in a postseason position, overtaking the Texas Rangers for the final Wild Card spot! Host Blake Murphy brings on The Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath to dive deeper into the team’s recent string on victories, winning five of their last six, and how they can further that momentum down the stretch. Next up, Blake checks in with former Major Leaguer, Buffalo Bisons hitting coach and Blue Jays swing consultant, Matt Hague, to get some insight into the success we’re seeing from the team’s recent call-ups, before sharing some other names Jays fans can look forward to seeing in the future (26:55). Sportsnet Blue Jays producer and statistician Chris Black kicks off the second hour chatting about the buzz surrounding the Jays' upcoming schedule, as well as the incoming roster decisions the team will have to make with Bo Bichette and Matt Chapman returning. Later, the two “numbers guys” dig deeper into the stat sheet to determine which trends should balance out, and which ones could linger (53:55).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Blake Murphy opens the show recapping some MLB action from last night, before briefly teeing up this weekend's series in Colorado. Hitting leadoff is the Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath, who joins Blake to discuss the Jays’ indifference during Thursday’s waiver hunt, the anticipated September call-ups on both the offensive and defensive sides, and realistic expectations for the team down the stretch. Next up, Blake is joined by prospect writer Doug Fox, who explores the composition of the newly expanded roster. He shares insights on players like Spencer Horowitz and Mason McCoy, discusses Rickey Tiedemann's recent performance, and outlines the developmental plan for him in the short term (31:46). Later on, Suzie Hunter from DNVR Sports joins the show for a comprehensive review of the Rockies' season, before sharing DNVR's list of the greatest Colorado athletes, and a preview of the upcoming weekend series (50:00). Finishing in the cleanup spot for today's show is Meg Rowley of FanGraphs, who discusses the Mariners' meteoric rise in the second half, its impact on the A.L. Wild Card race, and her West Coast perspective of the 2023 Blue Jays (01:10:53).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Hour 3 of The FAN Morning Show kicks off with Sportsnet’s Luke Fox stopping by to discuss how Brad Treliving fared in his first major negotiation as Maple Leafs GM, the domino effect involving Auston Matthews’ new contract, the current divide between the Leafs and William Nylander, and Treliving’s checkered history with Nylander’s agent. Later, Brent and Sam are joined by Kaitlyn McGrath, Blue Jays reporter for The Athletic, to discuss Toronto’s 7-0 loss to the Orioles on Wednesday, Kevin Gausman’s lack of run support this season, and the team’s recurring offensive struggles (25:54). 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Blake Murphy opens the show with a quick recap of the Toronto Blue Jays' weekend series ‘dub’ in Cincinnati. The Athletic's Kaitlyn McGrath then shares some insight into the team's promising start to their road trip and the significance of Bo Bichette's return, before contemplating whether there's a comprehensive narrative behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s seemingly problematic middle finger. Shortly thereafter, Mike Petriello of MLB.com takes us through his latest piece exploring 11 theories on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s season, and delves into the downturn of the Yankees juxtaposed with the ascent of the Dodgers (28:46). On the back nine of the program, Blake opens up the JTP Mailbag to answer your questions (51:33)! We wrap up with Dr. Justine Siegal, the visionary behind "Baseball For All", an organization dedicated to promoting girls' participation in baseball. Together, they delve into Dr. Siegal's personal odyssey within the sport, the strides women are making across different tiers within Major League Baseball, and her contributions as a baseball coordinator within the realms of film and television (01:15:41).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

The Blue Jays had an off-day yesterday, but still managed to gain some ground in the Wild Card race thanks to the Kansas City Royals. Host Blake Murphy is joined by The Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath to discuss what the Jays need to do keep that momentum going and separate themselves from the teams chasing them. Next up, Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline and MLB.com offers some insight into some of the Jays' top prospects and some of the big names drafted this year, before sharing what his book “Smart, Wrong, and Lucky: The Origin Stories of Baseball's Unexpected Stars” is all about (31:10). In the second hour, Sportsnet Blue Jays Producer Chris Black checks in for his weekly hit to go over some of the Jays’ latest trends and numbers as they head into this week's fun slate featuring the Phillies and Reds (51:25). Blake closes today show with FanGraphs contributor Michael Baumann, who discusses his latest piece on tonight's starter Yusei Kikuchi, and helps preview some of the pitchers Toronto might face this week (01:20:37).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

It's Trade Deadline Day in Major League Baseball and Jays Talk Plus has you covered! Host Blake Murphy starts off with a look back at last night's game where the Blue Jays not only lost to their divisional rivals and the first place Orioles, but saw All-Star Bo Bichette leave the game with “knee discomfort”. As today's 6 pm ET deadline approaches, we check in hourly with those closest to Toronto’s team including The Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath (00:00), and Sportsnet’s own Ben Nicholson-Smith (50:28) and Arden Zwelling (01:39:48). Blake also brings on MLB Network Insider Jon Morosi to update us on the latest rumblings around the league (28:52). Later on, we touch base with Alex Fast, renown Orioles fan and analyst at PitcherList and ESPN, to discuss the divisional battle this week at Rogers Centre, before sorting through the best fits for both the Jays and the O's (01:22:08).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

The Blue Jays finished off their series against the Dodgers in style, winning yesterday's matinee on the back of Yusei Kikuchi's strong start and an offensive downpour. Host Blake Murphy gives us some encouraging stats from the game, before being joined by The Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath to look ahead to Toronto's upcoming homestand. Next up, FanSided MLB insider Robert Murray takes a trip around the majors at what teams and players are in the mix for some moves (33:50). Blake then turns his attention back to the Jays with Sportsnet’s own MLB insider Shi Davidi, who weighs in on the front office's plan for August 1st (48:14). Later on, we get an Angels' perspective from one of their biggest fans Riley Breckenridge, former host of the Productive Outs podcast and drummer from the band Thrice (01:03:07)! To close today, Blake checks in with MLB.com’s Mike Petriello about the American League Wild Card picture ahead of an important weekend series between the Angels and Jays (01:19:22).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Blue Jays back in action tonight at the Rogers Centre to take on the San Diego Padres! Host Blake Murphy dives into some of the series matchups with the help of The Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath, who discusses why the best may still be yet to come for both of these clubs. Next up, Keith Law of The Athletic hops aboard to offer his perspective on the MLB draft and shares what Blue Jays fans can expect from their crop of picks and prospects (26:47). Later on, Sportsnet Blue Jays producer Chris Black joins Blake in-studio for a deep dive into some of the Jays' numbers and what trends to look (or hope) for in order for the team to continue their winning ways, especially from Alek Manoah (50:30). Lastly, Blake checks in with Padres radio broadcaster Tony Gwynn Jr. for some insight on San Diego’s team, before chatting about what comes with carrying a legacy name in baseball (01:24:00).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

After a rainout last night in Chicago, the Blue Jays will take the field twice today for a double-header one day before Alek Manoah's scheduled return to the mound. Looking ahead, the MLB Draft, All-Star Game, Futures Game, and of course Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s participation in the Home Run Derby are all fast approaching! With so much to talk about, Blake enlists the help of a few friends: MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson (01:49), The Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath (33:41), and Sportsnet’s own MLB Insider Shi Davidi (50:15) to run through the gauntlet of topics. The Cincinnati Reds have become one of the hottest teams in baseball, so Blake checks in with their Canadian first baseman and 2010 NL MVP, Joey Votto on what this recent run has been like and how he gelled with the team since returning from injury (01:11:54). To close, Blake checks in with Nathan Lukes, outfielder currently with the Buffalo Bisons and one of the hottest hitters in MiLB, about his season and approach this year, especially after starting the season with in the majors with the Blue Jays (01:27:22).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

The Blue Jays fought back to win the series against the Giants on the back of Chris Bassitt's career-high 12 strikeouts and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s game-winning blast. Host Blake Murphy dissects the game for Toronto with Julia Kreuz of MLB.com! The pair discuss the disappointing news that no Jays will start the MLB All-Star Game, before diving into the team's current homestand and Vlad's recent resurgence at the plate. Next, Blake turns to FanGraph’s Jay Jaffe to break down his recent article "A Look at the Best Team Defenses Thus Far" and share why the Jays grade near the top of the pack (30:15). On the back nine of today's show, we take a look ahead to Canada Day weekend with the Boston Red Sox in town and tee it up from both team's perspectives with The Athletic's Kaitlyn McGrath (50:13) and Jen McCaffrey (01:19:03)!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

A trip down to South Beach did not help remedy any of the Blue Jays' woes, as the team suffered their first shutout in 91 games. Host Blake Murphy is joined by play-by-play voice Ben Wagner live from Florida to share his perspective on the 11-0 loss from up in the broadcast booth. Next up, Blake welcomes Player Development Analyst for Marquee Sports, Lance Brozdowski to break down one of the few overall positives from this Jays' season with a look towards the pitching staff and their efficiency (32:20). Later on, Blake brings on The Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath to chat about her recent piece identifying the reasons for Toronto fans to be both optimistic and pessimistic (55:26). To wrap things up, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com shares some more insight into the Marlins' young and exciting team and forecasts the group's ceiling this season (01:20:41).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Jays Talk Plus kicks off following another quality outing for a Blue Jays starter as the team takes the final three games against the Houston Astros! Host Blake Murphy is joined by The Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath to break down what's led to the Jays winning 10 of their last 13 games, the strengths of Toronto's bullpen, and the recent resurgence of both Alejandro Kirk and Brandon Belt. Next, we get a Minnesota perspective from Brandon Warne of Access Twins and Locked on Twins, who breaks down how the team has stayed atop the A.L. Central while hovering below .500 ahead of this weekend's series at Rogers Centre (29:16). In the second hour, ESPN and now Sportsnet's Madison Shipman checks in ahead of her Blue Jays Central debut tonight with some of her expectations for this upcoming Jays series (49:54). To end the show, Blake opens up our Blue Jays Mailbag to answer some audience texts and tweets (01:14:37)!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

The Blue Jays continue their streak on flip-flopping wins and losses, but do manage to win their series against the Brew Crew! Host Blake Murphy breaks down the series finale and what the team can build on heading to New York with The Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath. After that, MLB’s Sarah Langs checks in on her birthday, which also happens to be Lou Gehrig Day (28:13). A New York City native, Sarah, who shared her ALS diagnosis last year, will participate in a special pre-game ceremony at Citi Field ahead of tonight's game. She joins Blake to discuss it and the work she is doing #FistBumps4ALS, before diving into her bread and butter: the key stats around MLB. The second hour begins with a deeper look at the Mets, as Bobby Wagner of Tipping Pitches helps tee up the Jays' next opponent (50:04). We wrap up with Hannah Keyser of YAHOO Sports, MLB Network and The Bandwagon podcast, who weighs in on the dip in coach’s challenge success rate this season, before sharing her take on the Mets and Jays (01:16:22).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Well the Blue Jays’ offense came alive in a big way Tuesday night in Tampa with 20 runs - the most scored by any team this season! Host Blake Murphy questions how much stock can we put into the outbreak, given the Rays seemed to wave the white flag early in the game, before diving deeper into some of the stats behind the result. He welcomes in Sportsnet’s own Shi Davidi live from Tampa Bay to share his takeaways from the Trop last night (05:26). Later on, Rays radio voice Neil Solondz offers a Tampa perspective on how to bounce back from Tuesday's drumming (32:53). To start the second hour, Blake is joined by The Athletic’s Kaitlyn McGrath to take a broader view of the Blue Jays' season, with emphasis on their starting pitchers, as well as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Alejandro Kirk (49:40). To wrap up the pod, Blake checks in on some prospects in the Blue Jays' system and abroad with expert Keith Law of The Athletic (01:15:34).

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Brent Gunning and Justin Cuthbert are joined by The Athletic's Kaitlyn McGrath to reflect on tough weekend for the Toronto Blue Jays after being swept by the Orioles, John Schneider’s mental gaffe with Alek Manoah, and if the balanced schedule might actually hurt the team. Next up, Sports Illustrated's Bob Harig joins the guys to review the PGA Championship and discuss what Brooks Koepka’s win means for the legitimacy of the LIV Tour and his legacy among this generation's finest (13:03). Later on, former NHL netminder Marty Turco shares what multiple overtime periods can feel like on the body, before getting into the Western Conference Finals, the difference between Vegas and Dallas so far, and the key to Jake Oettinger's success early in his career (29:44). Finally, the guys close out the day with their best bet of the night, brought to you by Betano (45:50)!

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.