The Toronto Blue Jays are already dominating with strikeouts to start the season — was the offseason plan a complete success?

In their opening series vs. the Oakland Athletics, the Blue Jays rotation delivered a historic performance. Kevin Gausman (11 Ks), Dylan Cease (12 Ks), and Eric Lauer (9 Ks) combined for 32 strikeouts, as the Jays set an MLB record for most strikeouts in a 3-game series since 1900.

On Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal break down:

• The Blue Jays' new-look rotation and elite swing-and-miss stuff

• Early impact of offseason additions

• Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s strong start at the plate

• Concerns around Bo Bichette and his early struggles

• First impressions and grading the new ABS (Automated Ball-Strike) system

Is this the best Blue Jays pitching staff in years? Can this strikeout dominance continue over a full MLB season?

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more Blue Jays analysis, MLB news, and in-depth baseball breakdowns!

INDEX:

0:00 Intro

0:20 Baseball Is Back

2:24 Opening Day Ceremonies

5:31 Opening Day Breakdown

7:35 Toronto Blue Jays Sweep & Hot Start

11:43 Dylan Cease Debut

14:45 Rotation Power Comparisons

17:42 Historic Fast Start

19:14 Rotation Depth Breakdown

23:32 Newcomers: Cease Impact

26:11 Kaz Okamoto Analysis

29:43 Tyler Rogers Role

32:57 Spencer Miles (Rule 5)

36:02 Jesus Sanchez Impact

38:55 Gimenez & Clement Defense

42:38 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Early Report Card

48:11 Walk-Off Concerns

49:52 Bo Bichette Struggles vs Mets

53:22 ABS System Review

58:10 Leo Jimenez & Moves

1:03:44 WBC Hangover?

1:04:42 Final Four Update

1:05:55 Wrap-Up

#BlueJays #MLB #TorontoBlueJays #VladimirGuerreroJr #BoBichette #MLBNews #BaseballAnalysis #Pitching #Strikeouts #ABSSystem

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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 Exit Philosophy, Griff and Mal react to breaking news as Trey Yesavage hits the IL with a shoulder impingement—leaving nearly 60% of the Blue Jays rotation sidelined to start the season. Did that force the sudden move to bring in Max Scherzer?

They also break down a thrilling World Baseball Classic, with Venezuela crowned champions, and what it means for the global growth of the game. Plus, Team USA falls short again—how much blame goes to manager Mark DeRosa?

And after a huge postseason and WBC, is Vladimir Guerrero Jr. finally ready to break out?

All that and more.

INDEX:

0:00 Intro

1:20 WBC Wrap + ABS Controversy

5:49 WBC Umpires Breakdown

8:17 Venezuela Beats USA – Emotional Final

11:03 Salvador Perez Named WBC MVP

12:27 Mason Miller & Pitcher Usage Debate

14:07 Mark DeRosa's Inexperience Costs USA

14:13 Skubal, Raleigh, Pasquantino & Key Moments

21:27 Team USA Jersey Controversy (Judge/Matthews)

22:52 Best Team USA Lineup Ever?

23:44 Rob Manfred's Odd Postseason Behavior

25:09 No-Name Bullpens Power Canada & Venezuela

27:27 WBC Growth & Global Impact

31:39 Spring Training Stories

36:25 Baseball Chasing NFL's 12-Month Cycle

38:27 Top WBC Surprises

41:25 Blue Jays at the WBC

46:28 José Berríos & Jays Spring Questions

48:13 Breaking News: Trey Yesavage Injury

50:56 Jays Down to 5 Healthy Starters

56:29 Spring Breakout: Top Prospects

1:02:09 Remaining Jays Roster Questions

1:04:35 March Madness & Wrap-Up

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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/

Griff and Mal discuss Team Canada advancing further than ever in the World Baseball Classic despite a 5–3 loss to United States national baseball team. They break down the pros and cons of the game and why the Americans remain hard to like — from Cal Raleigh refusing to shake hands to manager Mark DeRosa nearly creating a tiebreaker-rule disaster.

Looking ahead, is there hope for Canada and should Ernie Whitt return as manager? Griff and Mal also highlight Canada's best players, the infectious joy of Caribbean teams, and whether Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s dominant WBC and World Series performance pushes him into MLB's elite hitters.

Finally, the focus shifts back to the Toronto Blue Jays with Opening Day less than two weeks away and injury concerns for José Berríos and Shane Bieber. This and more.

INDEX:

0:00 Intro

0:44 Canada vs USA Quarterfinal

4:30 Why Team USA Is Hard to Like

6:38 Celebrating with Team Dominican

8:55 Mark DeRosa's Costly Mistake

14:56 Team Canada's Top 5 WBC Performers

21:42 Ernie Whitt's Future as Manager

27:08 Should WBC Eligibility Rules Change?

30:39 Caribbean Joy & Showmanship

34:20 New Appreciation for Vlad Jr.

38:20 Mal Picks All 8 WBC Pool Winners

41:20 Berrios Shut Down — What It Means

48:27 The Yesavage Dilemma

53:32 Leo Jimenez's Utility Role in Danger?

56:58 Is Eloy Jimenez in the Jays OF Mix?

59:56 One Bullpen Spot Left

1:01:27 Wrap Up

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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/

Griff and Mal preview the World Baseball Classic, breaking down all four pools and Canada's chances to reach the quarterfinals for the first time. Is this the most talented Team Canada roster ever, and can the bullpen hold up? They also tackle key Toronto Blue Jays spring training questions: fitting eight starters into a five-man rotation, the final bullpen spot, the utility infielder battle, and a crowded outfield featuring Jesús Sánchez and Eloy Jiménez. Plus, young prospects get a chance to shine with the infield away at the WBC.

INDEX:

0:00 Intro

0:43 Max Scherzer and the Influence of Family

7:50 The Michael Jordan Experience

10:01 Canada national baseball team Ranked No. 20

12:35 Early Memories of the World Baseball Classic

13:18 Could There Ever Be a Team Jamaica in the WBC?

14:50 World Baseball Classic Overview: Breaking Down the Pools

24:00 Spotlight: Best Team Canada Roster Ever?

32:26 Should the World Baseball Classic Be Played During the All-Star Break?

34:23 Toronto Blue Jays and the Overcrowded Rotation

42:28 Record Number of Blue Jays on WBC Rosters

45:03 Jurickson Profar & José Rojas Performance-Enhancing Drug Suspensions

47:02 Blue Jays Outfield Logjam

52:24 Who Wins the Blue Jays Utility Infield Job?

56:35 Battle for the Final Blue Jays Bullpen Spot

1:01:14 Will We See Yimi García Again?

1:03:06 Wrap-Up

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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 return of Max Scherzer to the Blue Jays fold leads off the discussion on Exit Philosophy, on a one-year $3M deal, plus incentives, depending on innings pitched. With what is normally a five-man rotation, the Jays are now dealing with seven active starters that deserve to be there, plus injured veteran and former Cy guy, Shane Bieber. Will Jose Berrios have to be traded? Mal and Griff discuss where Mad Max fits in with the Jays on this fury road back to the World Series. Grapefruit League games have begun in earnest and while the bullpen needs to sort itself out, so does the Jays outfield with eight names for five spots. What are the early impressions of the automatic ball-strike system and how it's working in the spring, heading towards regular season use for the first time?

INDEX:

0:00 Cold Open & What's Ahead

1:04 Scherzer Is Back — What It Means for the Jays

11:53 Six-Man Rotation: Bold Move or Big Risk?

17:08 The Berríos Dilemma

21:56 Manoah's Head-Scratching Comments

25:56 Entire Infield to the WBC?

27:28 WBC Absences = Opportunity for Youth

29:12 Jake Casey & MLB Bloodlines

31:28 Fast-Tracking the Next Generation

35:44 Early Grapefruit League Takeaways

43:05 Solving the Infield Puzzle

44:56 Bullpen: Is the Ceiling Too Low?

49:33 Outfield Logjam

55:05 ABS Challenge: Fixing the Strike Zone?

1:01:10 Boras on MLB's Asian Expansion

1:04:01 Olympic Hockey & Gold Medal Spotlight

1:07:31 Final Thoughts

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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/

Following a significant shakeup at the top of the players' union, with executive director Tony Clark stepping down, what does it mean for the upcoming labour negotiations on the CBA that expires on Dec. 1. Spring training games are underway in Arizona and Florida. How much should fans pay attention to Grapefruit League results. The history of Japanese players in M LB and the seven players from that country who have worn a Blue Jays uniform. A quick review of the Jays crowded bullpen picture and what to do with talented lefty Ricky Tiedemann. The 21st Century history of World Series teams the next year and far more on this edition of Exit Philosophy.

INDEX:

0:00 Intro

0:33 Olympics discussion

3:08 Impact of Tony Clark resigning at the MLBPA

9:09 Can either side win if there's a stoppage

14:45 Spring games and their lack of importance

20:47 Spring training phenoms and a grain of salt

25:37 Blue Jays six-man rotation discussion

32:06 What to do with a healthy Tiedemann

37:00 Jays bullpen looking at too many bodies

40:21 Okamoto and the history of Japanese Blue Jays

48:31 Importance of Okamoto in '26

49:21 The need for another infielder

52:01 Are there too many lefty hitting OF

56:27 Can Blue Jays return to World Series

1:00:13 Closing and an Ironbacks update

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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/

Griff and Mal discuss the World Baseball Classic and if Team Canada is at last strong enough to escape the first round. It somehow seems that MLB should have been better prepared for the insurance issues that have mostly had an effect on Caribbean Nations. The Blue Jays will replace the Ted Rogers statue at the stadium with one honouring Joe Carter and his walk-off home run in the 1993 World Series. They discuss what other moments in Jays history worthy of a statue? The CDN Baseball Hall-of-Fame announced the list of six inductees for a June ceremony in St. Marys, including Stubby Clapp, Devon White and Bill Stoneman. Will the Tigers trade Tarik Skubal? How about top picks for '26 over/under win totals and much more?

INDEX:

00:00 – Intro

00:55 – WBC Player Insurance Problems

09:30 – Team Canada WBC Roster + Tournament Outlook

18:28 – Joe Carter Statue Announcement + Top 5 Statue Moments

26:05 – Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame Inductees

33:20 – Projected 2026 Team Win Totals

45:35 – Buck Martinez Retires + Lasting Impact

54:30 – Tigers Sign Framber Valdez

59:20 – Chaim Bloom Dismantling the St. Louis Cardinals

1:03:32 – Super Bowl Preview and Predictions + 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/