Pitch Talks

In Episode 9 of Pitch Talks, hosts Andrew Zuber of The Parleh and Nick Ashbourne of NorthStar Bets break down the 2022 World Series matchup between the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies. Show lineup: RIP NYY & SDP 2019 World Series redo? Likely hero/Unlikely hero Mailbag World Series predictions The Run Line Debut: Oct. 27, 2022

In Episode 7 of Pitch Talks, hosts Andrew Zuber of The Parleh and Nick Ashbourne of NorthStar Bets break down the Blue Jays playoff collapse and their offseason needs before turning their attention to the rest of the MLB playoffs.

In episode 6 of Pitch Talks, hosts Andrew Zuber of The Parleh and Nick Ashbourne of NorthStar Bets are joined by Andrew Stoeten to discuss the state of the Toronto Blue Jays as they prepare for the playoffs.

The Zubes and Nick host Mike Wilner before breaking down the Jays, and giving their good take/bad take 

In episode 4 of Pitch Talks, hosts Andrew Zuber of The Parleh and Nick Ashbourne of NorthStar Bets catch up with their pal Blake Murphy of Blue Jays Talk Plus to discuss the latest with the Toronto Blue Jays. Show lineup: Blue Jays vibe check Good take/bad take Mailbag Blake Murphy The Run Line

In episode 3 of Pitch Talks, hosts Andrew Zuber of The Parleh and Nick Ashbourne of NorthStar Bets catch up with Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet to discuss the latest with the Toronto Blue Jays and other hot topics around MLB. Topics include: Have the Blue Jays turned the corner? (1:00) Thoughts on John Gibbons joining Twitter (13:10) Pujols and Judge chase history (16:30) Ben Nicholson-Smith joins the show (25:20) Debut: Aug. 26, 2022 Visit NorthStar Bets: https://www.northstarbets.ca/ Follow Rod Black on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RodBlackTV Follow NorthStar Bets on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NorthStarBet Follow NorthStar Bets on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthStar-Be... Follow NorthStar Bets on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northstarbets/

In Episode 2 of Pitch Talks, host Andrew Zuber of The Parleh and NorthStar Bets' Nick Ashbourne talk some baseball and welcome special guest Mike Petriello of MLB.com to the show. They discuss: Why Soto to Jays was a fantasy (1:30) Did Jays miss on Jorge Lopez? (6:00) What team are the Jays most worried about? (12:00) Mike Petriello joins the show! (13:30)

In the debut episode of Pitch Talks, host Andrew Zuber of The Parleh and NorthStar Bets' Nick Ashbourne talk all things MLB, including Blue Jays deadline needs and futures betting, and welcome Eno Sarris of The Athletic to the show. They discuss: The John Schneider era (3:00) Blue Jays trade deadline needs (7:10) Juan Soto sweepstakes with Eno (14:10) Jose Berrios' rest of season outlook (26:30) Blue Jays & MLB futures betting (37:55) Debut: July 29, 2022 Visit NorthStar Bets: https://www.northstarbets.ca/ Follow Andrew Zuber on Twitter:https://twitter.com/theZubes Follow Nick Ashbourne on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NickAshbourne Follow NorthStar Bets on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NorthStarBet Follow NorthStar Bets on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NorthStar-Be... Follow NorthStar Bets on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/northstarbets/

The Blue Jays will almost certainly finish no higher than third in the AL East, and they're likely to end the season without Josh Donaldson and J.A. Happ, among others. Could the promotion of Vlad Guerrero Jr. make the season worthwhile? Meg Rowley, managing editor of the Hardball Times, joins the program.

The combination of a 3-10 run and a division featuring two super teams has conspired to give the Blue Jays, whose postseason odds have declined dramatically, an uphill battle to contention. Travis Sawchik of FanGraphs discusses the timetable not only for possible deadline deals but also a Toronto rebuild.

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats feature two of the top-10 prospects in baseball, Bo Bichette and Vlad Guerrero Jr. Teammate Cavan Biggio, meanwhile, has hit more homers than the two of them combined. FanGraphs' lead prospect analyst, Eric Longenhagen, helps to separate the noise of Biggio's breakout from the signal.

Cleveland starter Trevor Bauer recently implied on Twitter that Astros pitchers might be utilizing pine tar or other such substances to increase their spin rates. Whatever the cause, Houston's newest additions have, objectively, showed improvement in this area. The Toronto Blue Jays are close by, though. FanGraphs' Travis Sawchik has all or most of the answers.

Despite plenty of swing and miss in his game, outfielder Randal Grichuk has parlayed his considerable physical tools into above-average seasons in the past. Why isn't it working for the Jays? FanGraphs' Craig Edwards, who covered Grichuk for years with Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos, attempts to answer that difficult question.

Despite having never appeared at the top of prospect lists, infielders Aledmys Diaz and Yangervis Solarte have nevertheless parlayed their modest tools into wins on the field. FanGraphs' lead prospect analyst, Eric Longenhagen, discusses what allows them to extract value from their talent.

Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro joins Laura Armstrong at the April 5th Pitch Talks Live held at the Royal Cinema (part 2)

Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro joins Laura Armstrong at the April 5th Pitch Talks Live held at the Royal Cinema

Pitch Talks Live Panel "Analytics, Biomechanics, and Drummers with Pivot Tables" with Carson Cistulli, Mike Sonne, and Nick Dika  Live from the April 5th Pitch Talks Event at The Royal Cinema

FanGraphs' projections call for the Blue Jays to take one of the American League's Wild Card spots. FanGraphs' writers and readers don't do that. What's the explanation for the disparity? Meg Rowley helps explain.

Opening Day est arrivé! On this edition of the program, Travis Sawchik of FanGraphs discusses two notable interviews he's conducted -- first with Justin Smoak regarding the foundations of his 2017 breakout and, second, with Toronto native Joey Votto about postponing age-related decline.

Kiley McDaniel, recently of the Atlanta Braves and currently of FanGraphs, appears on this edition of the program to discuss the top prospects in the Blue Jays system, including (but not limited to) Bo Bichette, Vlad Guerrero, and Danny Jansen.

The Pitch Talks Blue Jays Podcast returns for the 2018 season. In this episode, FanGraphs' Carson Cistulli and Travis Sawchik discuss not only the awkward place along the win curve in which Toronto found itself entering the offseason but how well the front office did to acquire useful pieces without mortgaging the future.

Ben Hansen is the vice-president and Chief Technology officer at Motus Global Company. Motus is a biomechanics company focusing on injury prevention and performance analysis. Ben speaks to Day Games about the recently developed Motus Baseball System – a wearable sleeve technology that aims to reduce pitcher injuries and improve hitter’s effectiveness. As of spring 2016, the playing rules committee approved Motus’ wearable sleeve technology for use in major league games. Mike Sonne speaks to Ben about what it’s like to work in one of baseball’s fastest growing fields, how he found himself there and what it's like to help Andrew McCutchen with his swing.

Andrew Stoakley is a Production Sound Mixer that works delivering live in-game audio for Toronto Blue Jays’ television broadcasts. Andrew speaks to host Mike Sonne, about his journey from radio host to audio mixer; and what kind of work it takes to make sure everyone watching at home hears everything they need to hear while eliminating some of the more colorful audio that is reserved for more mature audiences. Day Games also learns about what makes mixing audio for live sporting events more interesting than more traditional audio recording projects.

Ashley Stephenson has been a member of the Canadian Women’s National Baseball team since 2004, primarily at third base. Ashley spoke to Mike Sonne about her time playing women’s baseball on the highest stage in the world and takes Day Games through the ins and outs of women’s baseball. As the popularity of women’s baseball continues to grow, Ashley also explains how she fits her training and baseball prep into a busy schedule.

From The Bell House in Brooklyn The Fangraphs Effectively Wild Podcast with Ben Lindbergh, Jeff Sullivan and Fernando Perez!

Pitch Talks in Brooklyn at The Bell House with Hannah Keyser, Lindsey Adler, Tom Ley, Anthony Dicomo and Jay Jaffe!

This week, Mike Sonne speaks to Eno Sarris, one of the baseball world’s busiest men. In addition to his writing for one of baseball’s biggest analytics websites - FanGraphs, and role (at the time) as editor in chief for RotoGraphs, Eno finds time to manage BeerGraphs - an analytics website for beer, and launch a new beer related venture called “October”. Eno is one of the few who marries pure statistical analysis with traditional baseball player interviews, and provides Day Games with stories about his winding road to fantasy baseball royalty.

Sam Bats are not only one of the most popular bat manufacturers in professional baseball, but were the pioneers of crafting bats out of maple wood. Day Game’s speaks to Sam Bat’s President, Arlene Anderson, and Director of Pro Production, Alfred Mione about the different challenges and requests that come with making bats for everyone from sluggers like Barry Bonds to MLB pitchers like David Price. Host, Mike Sonne was also curious about how bat makers themselves feel about the growing trend bat flips in pro ball.

Dr. Mike Sonne may have considered trading in his work in ergonomics to do what Kyle Boddy does. The Director of Research and Development and Founder of Driveline Baseball specializes in improving professional and top prospect pitchers and hitters with data-driven training and super cool baseball technology. If you listen closely you can hear Dr. Mike squealing from Boddy's technical explanations in the background. There is no doubt that talking numbers and baseball is a dream come true for both parties. Check out Driveline Baseball and Kyle Boddy and Dr. Mike on Twitter. Executive Produced by Dr. Mike Sonne, Nick Dicka, Kevin Kennedy. Technical production by Natalie Stoberman.

Team president Mark Shapiro has suggested he won't trade any of the Blue Jays' core pieces at the coming deadline. His resolve leads to a logical question: what does the 2018 roster actually look like? That questions informs this edition of the Pitch Talks Blue Jays Podcast.

Before the 2016 season, Major League Baseball mandated that every team hire a full-time spanish language translator. Josue Peley works as the translator for MLB’s Toronto Blue Jays. Josue speaks to Mike Sonne about the different tasks that are involved with his position - from acting as an intermediary in interviews to throwing fourth group batting practice on the field. He also tells Day Games the story of how he came to work for a Major League team and what makes him different from most of the other translators working around the league.

There are three clear playoff teams in the American League but five postseason spots available. How the Blue Jays might benefit from an epidemic of mediocrity.

Jon Fitzsimmons is a relief pitcher in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization; recently selected from the Cleveland Indians in the Rule 5 draft. Jon tells Day Games about his journey through the minor league baseball system and playing independent baseball in Quebec. Jon provides Mike Sonne some great insight into living the life of a minor league baseball player - from the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, to sharing a room with his teammates.

Dave Cameron has begun his Trade Value series at FanGraphs. Where do Josh Donaldson and Marcus Stroman rank and why and how and who and when?

A 1-5 week has arrived at nearly the worst time. On the plus side: Justin Smoak is an All-Start starter.

Despite occupying last place in the AL East, a combination of factors indicate Toronto will go for it.

After two months of both sorrow and pity, the Blue Jays receive some good news from the projections.

Pitch Talks Presents: Night One of our Baseball Then & Now Event Panel 2 Features: Jamie Campbell John Thorn

Pitch Talks Presents: Night One of our Baseball Then & Now Event Panel 1 Features: Ashley Docking Ben Nicholson-Smith

Pitch Talks LIVE at Neumos in Seattle Panel 3 Featuring: Mike Salk Dave Cameron Shannon Drayer Ryan Divish

Pitch Talks LIVE at Neumos in Seattle Panel 2 Featuring: 1 ON 1 Between: Mike Salk Kyle Boddy

Pitch Talks LIVE at Neumos in Seattle Panel 1 Featuring: Mike Salk Kate Preusser Meg Rowley Jeff Sullivan Patrick Dubuque

Marco Estrada is pitching better than ever. He's also pitching worse than in 2015 and -16. Somehow, both realities can exist simultaneously.

A resurgent Jose Bautista and resurgent everyone else has allowed Toronto to crawl closer to .500 and increase their chances of a postseason berth.

Panel 2 of Pitch Talks in Tavistock featuring: Mike Wilner Stephen Brunt Jeff Blair

Panel 2 of Pitch Talks in St. Louis featuring: Chris Hrabe Jen Langosch Derrick Goold Rick Hummel Jesus Ortiz

Panel 1 of Pitch Talks in St. Louis at Delmar Hall Featuring: Chris Hrabe Brad Thompson Craig Edwards Benjamin Hochman Drew Silva

The Blue Jays dropped three of four to a weak Atlanta club and lost Aaron Sanchez to another finger injury. On the other hand, Joe Smith is excellent.

Closing Segment of Pitch Talks in Chicago with: Matt Spiegel & Danny Parkins hosting a panel of Jim Callis, Craig Edwards, Rob Arthur and Harry Pavlidis.