The Blue Jays are in First Place

The simplest titles tell the biggest stories

Coming off a break from Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal return with plenty to talk about as the Blue Jays complete a four-game sweep of the Yankees to take over top spot in the resurgent AL East. How have the Jays gone from two games below .500 on May 28 to the current status of battling for first with the Yanks and Rays?

What have been the biggest surprises for this Jays team over the first 88 games? Who are the most important players? What about the injuries? Did injuries to Anthony Santander, Andres Gimenez and Daulton Varsho, in fact, allow the team to discover some diamonds in the rough that have made this lineup deeper and stronger?

We discuss the Blue Jays major need at the trade deadline and the state of the starting rotation, given the iffy status of Max Scherzer and the likelihood Eric Lauer will suffer some sort of lull later in the year. Will the Jays add an arm?

The ’25 All-Star Game is almost at hand and Vlad Guerrero Jr. has earned the starting nod at first base with Alejandro Kirk as the AL’s second catcher. Does Vlad’s season thus far warrant him being a deserving all-star starter? What should be the criteria for being an all-star?

We discuss MLB’s biggest trade of the year and the lingering anger in Boston over Rafael Devers being dealt to the Giants. Was Devers being selfish, or did the Red Sox front office mishandle the situation of Alex Bregman taking Raffy’s position with no discussion.

Finally, there’s a Niagara Ironbacks report and update, after half a season at historic George Taylor Field in St. Catharines. Mal, the owner, and Griff, the manager, give their impressions on the newest team in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League.