OverDrive - OverDrive - March 13, 2026 - Hour 2 - Mike Johnson/Kevin Pillar

Episode Date: March 13, 2026

Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jamie McLennan for Hour 2 on OverDrive! TSN Hockey Analyst Mike Johnson joins to discuss the Maple Leafs' losing skid broken, Auston Matthews' injury and the lack of the response from the team. Plus, Blue Bird Territory Host and Former MLB Outfielder Kevin Pillar joins to dive into the Blue Jays' roster, the pitching depth and the World Baseball Classic and Bryan hands out his FanDuel Best Bets.

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Visit a bell store or bell.ca. slash blue dot days for details. Bell, connection is everything. Are you guys? familiar with one of the new phrases out there, aura farming? Okay, I've heard of it. I don't really know what it means exactly.

I have an idea. I think you're just like farming out a vibe. You know what I mean? Yeah. Okay. I think that stinky old Wyndham Clark. Not just anywhere. I think that stinky old Wyndham Clark was aura farming the other day.

You guys tell me, watch this, Wyndham Clark sitting down with Kay Adams, and you tell me if you think he's aura farming go ahead joe from the bridge i mean sometimes it's nice to have a week long girlfriend you know you just oh yeah i'm just kidding i'm just kidding i'm just kidding but no it's um it's it's it's i haven't found the right one and i think when you find the right one you lock it down okay can you talk to me about this because you've switched it i mean you're not you're not talking about this is like a couple times you're just bouncing all over the place Then left and right on these drivers. We're still talking about drivers, right?

Yes. Everyone's wondering what you're going to settle on. I'm on Taylor Made right now. You know, I'm going to give a shout out to Adrian, the fitter for Taylor. All right. But I just think that's some aura farming. Okay. So he's trying to send a vibe out to Kay Adams.

Is that what you're saying? I don't know where he's like, there's nothing wrong. When you float out, there's nothing wrong when you're at a tour event with having a week-long girlfriend. Yeah. That is just looking for, yeah, you're looking for. Well, Kay Adams has, like, put a bunch of guys in spots where they have started talking and being, like, there's a bunch of football players who have been aura farming. What she just puts them in their place?

Well, I think, you know, she's a very good looking woman, Kay Adams. She's very good at what she does. She's a phenomenal talent, like really, really good broadcaster. And I get the impression, like, there's more than just Wyndham Clark out there, aura farming or whatever. want to call it. But I don't even think Windham's going to play on the weekend. I haven't seen his name on a leaderboard in a long time. He's in a weird place, man. Very weird place. But I got to give you credit, right? I will give you credit. And listen, why don't we do this quickly out of the gate? MJ are going to join us here in a moment, but the overdrive PGA picks brought you by

Taylor Made, which is exactly what Wyndham Clark has in the bag. Right? It's time to find your new fast with the QI4D drivers. Taylor Maid's fastest, most fitable drivers. Learn more Taylorman at golf.com. slash QI4D. You do have Zander. You snuck in Zander at the end with one of your two or three-pack picks in a row, which is greasy. Oh, yeah, yeah. The week before, you traded me a guy that was plus nine, and you took the leader of the tournament.

Yeah, I got rid of the pot keeter. And anyway, here's the thing. I got jammed because I took Moracawa with my first pick, and he withdrew. So I feel like I got to be able to grab somebody here. But you have... You know. I'm sorry. Like it's 80-80 if you get...

I can't get Sepp-Straka. I can't jump on Sep. I wanted Sepp. I thought I took Sepp. You sound like me. You want to... That's stinky Sebs-Straka, man. He's at top a lot of leaderboards.

He can play golf. He bunts it around and just makes putts and he's good. Listen, you're in a very good spot. You have Ludwig Oberg. He's in the lead right now, 11 under. Zander's at 10 under. I have Cam Young. He's at 9-under.

So that's my pay-scars Cam-ion. You got Corey Conner's at 8-under. You get three of the top four right now. I am loving that leader. Are you guys able to add one as we go along here by the end of the show? If you wanted to add one, you would have to have called me immediately watching Morikawa. You can't let the tournament unfold. And then you're going to pick Baldi Seb Straka?

No way. I'd like Sepp. I'd love a, you know, Justin Thomas is on fire again today. That's cool to see. George Speed played well. Take JT. Okay. You're going to have them.

What's he out? You're taken. He's at 7-under. Oh, doesn't get anyone. Mine's an injury replacement. Mine's totally ethical. I mean, it's almost mandatory. That's not really ethical.

If a guy gets injured, you're screwed. We've got the perfect guy coming up because he knows about what's fair, what's realistic numbers. Johnny's reason. Bring him in here. We got Mike Johnson on the line. Okay. Johnny, let me, this guy is a fraud, as you know. Moracao stepped on the second T and blew his back out.

so Hayes is pissed about it and now today he wants to replace him with a guy in the leaderboard where should that guy be statistically on the leaderboard for Hayes to be able to have him on his team besides nothing my first question guys is there a precedent for an injury replacement

in your league before or is this is the first time there is now yeah we're establishing it now first time right now Johnny oh this is the precedent yes there's the precedent exactly you you have to go cannot be a guy in the top ten

outside the top ten that's what you're telling me the 11th guy whoever they is give me some time I'll tell you later generous because I mean better than taking Justin Thomas

who's like in 6th or whatever he's at or you know you know who I'll take you can't be taking the guy who's second you're not picking it's the 11th guy well there's a tie for there's a tie for 13th so here's who

I can take. Okay. Victor Hovlin, Jason, I don't want any of these guys. Like, I don't want any of it. We'll pick it out later. He can't be T-13 in the moment with Cole's left to place. He ends up T-9. He's got to finish

the round. So that's the problem. Because Capca's out there and he's on fire. I kind of want Brooks. Fleetwood's still out there. They're T-13. All right, I'll take speed. All right? I'm taking, I'll take speed.

He's in the clubhouse. Why did you take him, Jordano? Yeah, yeah. Why don't you take your boy, Tommy? Like, Flea. All right, I'll take Tom. I'll take whoever you, you guys tell me who I can take. That's your friend.

He is my guy. He is my guy. He's still on the course. Like Johnny's point, he could end up T5 by the end of the round. So anyway, let's not concern ourselves with this. We'll pick someone later in the hour. Johnny, you were down there last night for that. that leave game. They won.

They actually won the game. They got a big two points last night. What was the mood like in the building when Matthews got hit? I mean, I don't know if the crowd was reacting the way that we were reacting. I think the crowd

was reacting to Austin Matthews on the ice. And say what you want about Austin. He doesn't stay down. There's not even times in his career where he's taking a big hit or a crime night too laid on the ice. doesn't really happen with him. So I think the crowd was largely reacting to, oh my goodness,

Austin looks like he might be hurt. Not every single one of us who watched hockey immediately thought, what's going on? Where is everybody? Where's the reaction? Where's the response?

I don't know if that was the mood, Hayes. And I think they went and scored a couple goals of power play. The game actually got kind of lively in the building of the third period as they played with more intense and physicality. Isn't that interesting when you work your nuts off and hit? Oh, I thought you said it well last night on the panel.

When we are celebrating this response, when this response is what the NHL is. Like, that's the game. You don't get celebrated for playing the way you're supposed to play. That's how you have to play all the time if you want to be successful. And Hayes, I did really appreciate the Venn diagram. An analogy early. Johnny, let me interrupt you there.

Johnny, let me interrupt you there. I was rattled because he, I know when he gets in one of his things, and he's like, I got to talk for five minutes here and everybody else shut up. But he threw out the vein diagram, and I was like, Ven. Ven diagram. Fen. V-E-N-N-V-V-V-V-D-N-N-N-N-V.

You know it, John. Oh, really? What's the V-N-Diagram, Johnny? it's where multiple factors in a common equation and the ones that overlap are part of a similar result who the hell would use that on an idiot sports show ian hayes used it at four four oh i thought it landed and it was good i've got two buckets like what i liked about it though haze is that in a vend diagram the overlapping part oh that you need to be successful is a sliding scale because well the leaps of proven in the regular season, you can do a lot more with a bucket full of skill and a bucket

that's not so tough on the grit or the jam or the juice or the whatever, you know, whatever term we want to say that. But in the playoffs, that pivots where the skill doesn't, it's not as important and you need more of that, whatever you want to call it, grit, jam, juice, competitive spirit. And I think, and I think that's right. And I hate, I find myself agreeing with you with you. Hayes pretty wholeheartedly, but I'm like, I think that's right.

That is. But Johnny, that my question. It's been 10 years, and they've shown they can be good, but they, I don't know if they can win, win it all. Yeah. With this and with the culture that's been established by the top five guys. And it's not the top five guys aren't great people and great players and Hall of Fame players. And maybe the most talented players of all time on this organization.

But to have all five of them, as you've mentioned several times, wired so similarly, that is a challenge. You can have one guy wired like that, but not all five. So, Johnny, how come yourself and a lot of the analytics crowd continue to believe of them being like Stanley Cup favorites, contenders, all of that? How did you not see through this and understand that it basically wasn't even possible? Well, I mean, I think they got to game seven against a Stanley Cup winner. So to suggest that they were miles away from being a Stanley Cup contender.

I didn't say miles, but that's a bit of a story. getting by that and then another round. They're a contend. They're going to come second. Yeah, but like, you don't think they beat whoever. Who did Florida play in the third round? Carolina? You don't think they can beat Carolina?

But I guess, Johnny, it was time and time again, game six, game seven, big game. It was always an adult. Yeah, I get it. I get it. I get it. And I think that's why they're not the favorite, but they were talented enough that the talent was so close to overcoming the lack of the other thing. it just couldn't quite get there. Yeah, and I was trying to,

somebody was asked me about it this morning, and I was trying to explain it. Like, I was not a guy who fought. I didn't want to get punched in the face. Like, that's not fun. I was not good at it. But there's an idea that, you know, people saying, well, Neil Lander can't go in there

because what if you have to fight, Goudis, that's not a good idea. Or Cowan. And like, that's fair. But on teams where, and we've all been on this team, where you are so confident that, even if you're the first,

to arrive, you're not going to be the last. That's the thing. I might be closest. I'll fly in there and jump on Gudis, but I'll never have to fight Gudis, because there's four more guys jumping on top of them too. We're all in it together. That's the thing.

And it's not, again, as you sort of alluded to this, to me, this whole reaction thing is less about intimidating the ducks or Gudis or whoever's going to make that play. And it is everything about saying how you feel about each other and how you are willing to compete for each other, put it on the line for

each other, and get uncomfortable for each other. That's what matters. And I think that's the intangible, the culture, the camaraderie, whatever you want to call it. That's what matters in that situation. And yes, they responded, and yes,

I think there would have felt a great deal of embarrassment's a strong word, but a little bit of embarrassment for how the guys that were on the ice for not having done anything, and they came out and did it again. But there's just something in that moment where teams, even when it happens with guys like me who don't

fight, know that you just got to fly in there and grab somebody and everyone's going to fly in there together. That's Kampa. Braden points in there and Kuthorov and whoever's on the ice in that moment, Sam Ryanhart, he doesn't fight, but he's in there. We talk about Buffalo. You guys just had a razor on. Buffalo

last year was getting criticized for not sticking up for Tage Thompson. In the exact same situation, didn't see the heat hit, but your main guys on the ground, nothing happened. Look at them now. That's not why they're winning, but it's a byproduct of that kind of environment of everyone in it together.

So I think that's the challenge. That was the frustration for Brubé, for the players, for fans of this team, that it wasn't instinctive. Even if it's not instinctive in the individual, which I get because it wasn't instinctive in me. They're like, William Neelander, it's not instinctive to fight.

But there is an instinctive element of we're in it together. So I got to take myself out of my comfort zone. And I know I will not be left alone. I will not get put in a bad situation when it comes to a melee because we're all meleeing and together, including Joseph Wall coming down if he has to. Like, we're all in it together always. And then you're sort of not at risk the same degree.

It just isn't instinctive with that group of players. So, Johnny, you're live in the moment there. did you hear anything on the bench? Afterwards, Craig Barrube said it was discussed, and I imagine there might have been a garbage can kicked or some words said in between periods. He even said himself and the team talked about it. In the moment, did you get a vibe of anything,

or just because it was the end of the period, it kind of just faded out? Not a ton of the moment, because Goethe's got off the ice, obviously, so the main culprit was gone. and they went to a power play and they scored a couple goals. So, you know, the tension was immediately turned away from the fallout of that hit and sort of being back into the game and scoring goals of the power play. But as I was saying, maybe on the broadcast, maybe offline,

especially in that moment, guys, where it doesn't matter if they win the game. It doesn't matter about the power play. If that's game seven, I might excuse them like, listen, we'll take the power. play, we'll get them later. It's not game seven. It's game 60, set five, six, and they're out of the playoffs. Every reason to foregoal power play, cross-check on the head, whatever it is,

get us fine. Yeah, no, nothing really noodle said in the moment. I'm sure the guys talked about it individually. Part of the challenge, too, is, like, I would almost say, for a team, maybe you guys, what do you think about this? Like, it's not over with today.

Like, I think it would have been healthy for them to have another conversation, about this today. A player's only conversation led by the leaders, or maybe not the leaders, because they're on the ice. And Austin, but Austin can't really go out there and say, hey, guys, we can't do that.

When he's the victim, I suppose, or whatever I'd call him in this situation. It's a weird dynamic. But I don't think he just moved past this. I think you have to sort of address this as a thing you have to change. Johnny, we asked the question, though, if Neelander, that was Neelander,

would Austin Matthews, like, pile drive Goodyson to the ground? So who's been a meeting? That's why it's why it's hard to have the meeting, right? Like that's why it's tricky. I mean, oh, I heard you talking about the guys that were on the team when you were younger and sort of leading by example. Like, Matt's was my captain when I started.

But he would be in there. And Stumpy would be in there. And Ty, of course, would, you know, Dmitriuskevich. Guys that didn't necessarily fight, Danny Markov. Like, just everyone was just part of it. And you just sort of understood. Like, that's how it goes. And when it goes down together, you're all in it together.

And that, whether you fight or you don't fight. But, yeah, oh, that's part of why it's a hard chat, because Austin can't sort of save that comfortably. Yeah. And the part is when you have those leaders, Johnny, that are involved, and that's kind of the standard of doing business, I think what that does is it gets the guys that are fringe or on the fence to say, for me to hang out with these guys and be a part of this,

I at least have to bluff it. You know what I mean? Like, they're not just going to be like, that's not for me. They're like, if I'm going to be a part of this thing, I got to get in there and punch somebody in the head and act like I enjoy this when you really don't. You just got to go in and grab someone.

You just got to get in the pack. Just get in with the group. And you don't have to be the ringleader. But if you're close, you've got to go first. And it might suck because you might have to be in there a little bit for a second by yourself and that's how it goes. And you don't have to win the fight. It's not about, it's not even

about beating Goudis up. It's never, it's just get there. And just to tell your team, I got you. Even if you're not, you know, hurting anyone or anything, it's, it's a weird thing. And it's so hard to quantify what that means. You can't

kind of boil it down to a number and this team has more of that than this. But there is something to it. There is something about feeling comfortable with each other and committed to each other that I think does stick with a team and helps them whatever they're going through. Good times, bad times, physical times, whatever.

Playoffs regular season. And that's sort of, you know, the macro view of this. The micro view, the four guys that are on the ice, well, hate they didn't do anything. I think Morgan Riley put it on himself. He was right there. He's the closest guy who could sort of fight if he had to.

Willie talking about, I didn't see it, he's calling a penalty. So, I mean, he saw it. Yeah,

he was like, Ralph, you know, put your arm up. I guess right. And Brandon Carlo is the biggest guy. He was at center. So he's a long way to go

to get there. He probably would have earned some favor. Had he just barreled in there from 100 feet and did it anyways. But, but it's tough. It's a tough situation. That's the thing.

Like, they're not making the playoffs. If Brandon Carlo buries in there from 75 feet away and runs over Goudis and accidentally hits a ref and get suspended today. You know that he's at least laying it on the line. Like, the temperament of that group, and maybe the group's not that tight or whatever, but I've played on, we've all played on teams where it's like, you know,

you're either a tight team or you know the difference between right and wrong out there. And I think those guys are regretting that today because they know that. difference of standing up for a teammate regardless if your your room's tight or not and that i don't know it's i'm sure there's a lot of frustration there today and guys having just adding to the pile of what the season has already been yeah ultimately right right right but one other thought guys one other thought is that if this happens two games from now i'm sure there'll be a different response if the same four guys were on the ice and and matthew nigh is the guy who gets hit Those four guys are, you know, three of them will probably go flying in there.

But it won't change that it's not sort of instinctive to the group. It's a reactionary based out of the fallout of the embarrassment, you know, regret, whatever it might be. But it's not instinctive to the group. And that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, that's, to really ring true. Right. And that is established by your. your mainstay guys, your best players. And that's why, you know, like I'm getting pushback.

I'm going to get pushback. Like, oh, you don't think these guys can win. You could, like Phil Kessel's an example. Phil couldn't, I don't think a team could win with that, like, four or five fills in terms of the way he goes about his business. Temperament. Or he didn't have to be. But exactly. He went to Pittsburgh and it's like, that's not dunking on what we're talking about.

He went down there and Sid had established. the way it works. And Gino had established the way, and he was a part, and guess what Mitch Marner just did? It's not Mitch Marner's room. He's just joining what has been established. Could Matthews do that somewhere else? Yes, I believe he could. They can win. I'm not saying

they can never win. I'm saying this formula can't win because it's been established. It's steeped in. This has been defined the way it operates here. And that answer has probably been in front of us for a long time. But unfortunately, it really

became evident last night. And now they're in Buffalo tomorrow, you know, and they've got to keep playing, and they still got to go through Anaheim. They go through Anaheim in a couple of weeks, and that'll be a built-up game. Sorry to interrupt, Brian. Like, what do you think? Now, Goudis is, by the letter of the law, not a repeat offender, because his last suspension was 2019.

But what do you think that falls in? Like, I, if not in person, like, I thought two to four. That's what I was thinking last night. I don't know if I woke up different today. I would love to hope that Matthew says a Charlie horse instead of a knee injury because he's such a strong man. And his leg was lifted up a little bit. Maybe the impact wasn't as harsh. But what do you think, and Johnny, just on the raw, like, penalty of the penalty?

Yeah, I mean, I was surprised they didn't offer an in-person just to give it, like, if Austin comes out with a torn ACL today, like you'd like to have that flexibility depending on what happens and I understand it's been enough years where he's not a technically repeat offender but and like I don't know what did Spez again

he got that he got six games or something for that knee or whatever he got that one time in the playoffs like Matt Cook had seven games in the playoffs once for a kneeing hit maybe a little bit worse than this one but I have to I can't think of that many kneeing hits but just when I watched it and knowing the league

without knowing the comps, I'm like, oh, two or three games. Like, I wish it was more. But, I mean, you know, I think that's sort of where these things in my mind, where he's going to fall. I could be wrong. There may be comps out there that would suggest more,

but obviously not more than four. I don't know what you would have to do at a hurdle. I don't know what more you have to do to be suspended long term. Like, kneeing one of the best players in the league, and God knows what the consequences are for Matthews, I just don't know what more you would have. have to do for a long. Like to look at that

and say two games, I think is insane. Insane. Yeah. I mean, I guess I'm not saying it should be too. I'm saying it will be two. Those are two different things, right? Like, I'm going based on what the league's track record is in these things. Then I guess they would say, well, you know, how much

did this need track out? How much was it Austin, you know, dipping out of the way? You know, that, like, I'm just saying these are mitigating circumfactors. I'm not buying it. He got beat. clean threw his leg out there so he didn't get walked to the net took the guy's knee out i mean it was a dirty play when you play defense skating forward best case scenario you take penalties worst case scenario you get suspended and that was worst case scenario he tried to step up to a guy because he was caught he got

walked because he wasn't fast enough to move laterally and he stuck his knee out and got him knee on knee but again someone can correct me with the the recent comps for a kneeing penalty but yeah i guess news i'm with you two to four would be the range i would think yeah i think that's what's coming i mean it's it's a phone hearing he's not getting more than that so we'll we'll see um we'll see what comes with the news on matthews which i'm sure we'll find out probably this evening and certainly before the game tomorrow night all right johnny good stuff buddy thank you for doing this as always we'll do it early next week all right they won last night and a whole bunch of guys broke their scoring slums too just food for yeah both grew that was great that was great story man i can't

He's not a kid. He's not a kid. It was really cool. He's getting defensive zone starts and penalty kill and all kinds of stuff. And it's not unfortunate for him, but his, you know, kind of shining moment this year, doesn't matter. Totally overshadowed. Pizzetta in front of his parents fighting. Like, who cares?

Like, it's just, like, not talked about at all a win, three, four power play goals. None of it matters because the bigger story is the bigger story. Sorry to interrupt, but we were sitting on the panel. Pizzetta, two seconds in, drops the gloves, great fight, parents there, emotional in that. Seven seconds later, they give up a two-on-one. And you're like, somebody said, I think after the first period, they were like, yeah, that fight sparked the team. I'm like, no, it didn't. They give up 19 shots in the first period and gave up a two-on-one.

Seven seconds later to Seneca walked right into the, but like Pazetta, I was happy for him, but it was like that didn't get the emotions and the juices going. No, there was only one thing that ultimately did that, and it may have cost Matthews. We'll see, you know, if he plays again this year. But really, it was like, it was the second intermission. Whatever album, the second intermission. Yes.

Clearly, that's perfect. We'll see. Bottle that the rest of the year. Let's see what happens. Yeah. All right, thanks, buddy. Mike Johnson joining us here on the Maple Toyota Hotline. Red Tag days are here with the All-Electric Toyota BZ.

goes from zero to 100 in just 5.1 seconds and charges from 10 to 80 percent, just 30 minutes. Drop by Maple Toyota today. Best bets later in the hour. Overdrive continues on the TSN app. Mail it in Friday is brought to you by Boston Pizza, Canada's favorite sports bar. Enjoy $15 lunch at BP where you get an entree of sight and a drink and you'll get it all in 20 minutes or less. A fast lunch doesn't have to be fast food. See you for a $15 fast lunch at your local Boston pizza. All right, mail it in Friday brought to you by Boston Pizza. Canada's favorite. Sports Bar, enjoy $15 lunch at BP where you get an entree of a side and a drink and you'll get it all in 20 minutes or less. A fast lunch doesn't have to be fast food.

See you for a $15 fast lunch at your local Boston pizza. Best butts later in the hour. We've got some Blue J. News today, Jose Baurios, going to check his arm out, I think, in Texas. And that's a second opinion, and Tommy John is being thrown out there. It doesn't mean it's going to happen, but it's certainly concerning. We know that Bieber is not going to be prepared to start. start the year. But that's probably secondary news for the WBC tonight because we get Canada versus the

U.S. We need a win, don't we? Got to have a win tonight. We need a win tonight. Like we don't need to get kicked in the junk. Yes. What was it? Women's Olympics, hockey, men's.

Yes. That's enough. Listen, the U.S., not surprisingly, a massive favorite tonight, like minus a thousand, which to me is a bit rich, considering the way the American. Americans have played. Well, where would Canada rank versus Italy? Like, doesn't Canada have a shot? I don't know.

They're in the quarters. They won their pool. Like, let's ask Kevin, right? Let's bring them in here because we got Logan Webb and Mike Soroka tonight in areas, long time. Blue Jay, long time. Major leaguer. He's got a podcast out. Now there's Kevin Pilar.

What's happening, Kevin? Are we doing? We're doing well. Do you see this as David versus Goliath tonight or what? I wouldn't say quite David versus Goliath, but I think Team Canada has a definite uphill battle to beat Team USA. I think Italy surprised, obviously, the world, right? And obviously surprised Team USA. And I think them given that second life is going to really, really motivate them today.

And I expect them to kind of take care of business pretty easily. Don't get mad at me. I love Canada. I love what they've been able to do. Obviously, they won their tournament, or their pool play, but the U.S. is just so deep. It's only a matter of time. When you have that much talent on a roster,

it's only a matter of time before it just clicks. What do they need, Kevin? Like, is it a, do they need just a masterful pitching performance or, like, against that lineup? They must need somebody to go out here and just be a heater for a long time out there in the mound. Well, I think the roadmap to victory was shown with what team Italy did. I think you kind of just got to chip away and try to score some runs early in the game.

And then the pressure kind of amounts on Team USA. I think that's something that people aren't really understanding too. When you're that heavily favored and you go down in a game like that, every individual player on that team starts to feel the pressure a little bit. And that's what Team Italy did. They put some pressure on them. They added on. Obviously, Team USA, you know, with the amount of talent they had, were able to make that game a little bit close late in the game,

but it was a little late for them to make a comeback. So it's going to take a little bit of some heroic from the pitching side. Fortunately for them, they do have a guy in Michael Soroka who's got, obviously, he's a bona fide major league pitcher. He's not like a guy who's going to be scared of the moment. He's familiar facing these guys. You know, it's not like you're asking a guy who's in AA last. year to go up against Team USA.

This is a guy who has the utmost confidence in his ability to get these major league hitters out. He's got to go out there. He's got to put up some zeros. Team Canada has to score early and then allow the pressure to kind of mount on Team USA, especially given they were given this gift to even get into this, you know, second part of the tournament. Right.

Well, like Mark DeRosa, who we've had on a bunch. He's a great interview, you know, and he was a blue jane a pass. He's been with MLB Network for a long. time. He has taken some heat and, you know, about whether or not he knew they were getting through or they could get through or possibly be eliminated. And then he came out and said, no, I always knew, which I'm not sure as accurate whatsoever. But in terms of legacy with the Americans, like we've tried to figure out what this WBC means to a lot of countries. You know, it seems to be pretty big in Japan. It seems to be pretty big, certainly in the Dominican and Puerto Rico. And, you know,

it's growing to an extent up here in Canada, although they're finally out of the group stage. So tonight would really put it on the map. But if the U.S. wins tonight and ends up winning this tournament, in your opinion, what kind of value is placed on that? What does Aaron Judge get legacy-wise? What does Mark DeRosa receive legacy-wise? What does this tournament mean if the Americans win? Well, I think all will be forgotten for Mark DeRosa in terms of him potentially speaking out of turn. And I obviously played with Mark when he was in Toronto and I was just a young kid.

And, you know, throughout my career, I stayed in touch. And even more so now that I've kind of entered the media world, he's been nothing but great to me and gracious with his time and, you know, been a resource for me. And it's very unfortunate in today's day and age when you miss speak or you miss, yeah, you misunderstand maybe the rules a little bit. You know, something he's never really going to be able to run away from, you know. and it's very difficult. The rules of this tournament are a little bit confusing, and it's a shame because it's going to follow him the rest of his career, and I don't think that's a fair thing.

So, you know, as a fan of Mark DeRosa, and obviously an American, I'm hoping that they can win this tournament and all could be forgotten for Mark DeRosa. But when you were talking about that, I don't know if you guys had seen the quotes of Julio Rodriguez coming out and talking about what it would mean for him to win a WBC tournament playing for Dominican. And he said something along the lines of no offense to Seattle.

I love my time in Seattle and I want to bring a championship back. But the epitome of winning for me is with this country. And I think we had seen that with the Latin American countries. I think we've obviously seen it with the Asian countries, especially Japan, how important it is to them. And I think especially this year going out and getting the best players that America I can get. You're really starting to understand how much it means to the entire world to just kind of

have those bragging rights and being the best baseball country in the entire world. With Kevin Pilar, the podcast is Bluebird Territory, and you're a big part of that podcast and obviously in the media world, longtime player, longtime Blue Jay. I want to ask you about the Jays because the Burrios news came out today that he's gone to Houston to meet with a specialist. And, you know, you hear Tommy John associated with it. doesn't mean it's going to happen, doesn't mean that that's necessarily the road it's going on or going down, but it is out there, it's surrounding him in terms of what's going on with him right now.

So Barrios, you know, not currently in camp, you got Bieber who still isn't even thrown off a mound. They're going to take their time with you, Savage, which has been their plan, and they've been pretty clear with that. You know, where do you stand on the rotation with the Jays and the expectation of, you know, how this might play out the first month or two of the year? Well, I think it's making some decisions a little bit easier. I mean, you know, if you would ask me the same question a couple of months ago and you're like, okay, the Cody Ponce signing and then you sign Max Scher, you know, you take Eric Lauer in arbitration, he wants to be a starter. They say he's a reliever. He's going to work as a starter.

It looks like a very crowded and messy starting pitching room. But that's the reason you go out and acquire depth in the starting pitching departing. because, you know, on our podcast, a couple weeks ago, too, with Ricky, I think he talked about the number of starting pitchers the Dodgers used last year in order to win the World Series, and it was like 20-some guys started games from last year. So it's important to have depth. And I love what they're doing with Tray Savage this spring training. I know it's hard for Blue Jay fans to kind of understand what they're doing,

and there's obviously got to be a level of concern if you're not fully aware. of what they're trying to accomplish with him. I mean, this is a kid who was pitching in the minor leagues last year, not very far removed from college, the amount of workload he had on himself last year, not just the workload, but also the intensity of the games that he was pitching in. It's going to be the best for this kid's career in the long run,

allow him to come along a little bit slower in spring. I truly do believe that he'll probably be ready for, he won't be delayed. I think he'll make his first scheduled start. Will he be on a little bit of a pitch count at the beginning of the year? I think so. But boy, does that Max Scherzer signing look even a little bit more enticing right now, especially with what he...

I think we got flashes of the velocity being back and, you know, ultimately going out and throwing four no-hit innings. It's going to take a lot of guys to get through the season this year. I think the Blue Jays have done a really good job of going out, you know, signing guys like Max Scherzer, Cody Ponce, but also keeping guys up until this point, Berrios and, you know, Lauer happy as well too. But, you know, I don't want to overreact until he gets there because they said it was just inflammation. And it could be more than that.

But I think you've got to allow him to go see the doctor, which I'm actually right down the street from where he's at. So maybe I'll try to get down there and get a little inside scoop on what's going on. I'll get the breaking news. I'll go into Meister's office and be like, what do you got? But hopefully it's not Tommy John. Hopefully it's like you said, it's just a little bit of inflammation, something he can miss a start in spring training and then allow himself to kind of build back up.

But the Blue Jays just have a bunch of very interesting decisions they have to make of who's going to be those five guys that's break camp that are going to start? Are they going to go six-man rotation? Because I know they're opening the season with seven straight days. Do they piggyback allow her and Trey Yassavage to kind of cut down on Yassavage's workload? but I think you know it's never good to hear one of your guys going down

especially from everything I had heard he had been throwing the ball pretty good so Kevin outside of you know what's going on with the pitching staff you know Vladdy had an unbelievable second season last year now Bo's not here what do you expect or what is your expectation for Vladdy this season you know coming in he's obviously the man he's got the contract

but you know what would be reasonable for expectation for him this year. I think he's going to build off of what he did in the postseason last year. I truly believe that he is going to take the next step in terms of the power department and being a little bit more of a home run hitter. And it's difficult because he's such a pure hitter. You know, he's a guy that you expect to be right around that 300 mark. You know, he has the ability to hit the ball the other way. He has the ability to take hits and hit tough pitching. But I think with the, with Boba Chet not being in that lineup. I think he's going to be asked to do a little bit more in terms of the power. So I do expect maybe the average to come down a little bit, but I do expect the power

to get up there a little bit more. I do expect him to be kind of in that 40 home run mark. But a lot of that's going to be relying on who's going to step up in the absence of bow. Is it going to be Addison Barger? Is it going to be Alejandro Kirk? Because the guy hit it behind Vladie in this lineup is going to have the weight of the world on his shoulders early on in the season protecting Vladi. So a lot of that's going to be dependent on who's hit behind him and who gets hot and who could kind of step up as that guy that Bo was for the last couple of years for Vladdy. Well, we're a couple of weeks away from opening day. It's quick, man. I remember I saw you down at the dome. It was three months ago and here we are again. It's

happening again quickly. Prior to that, though, we got the WBC and Canada, USA tonight. It's going to be a fun one this evening. Enjoy it. And again, your podcast. podcast is the Bluebird territory you ricky i think Mitch is a part of that with you so that's awesome and uh we appreciate you doing this Kevin we'll do it again down the road all right sounds good there's uh Kevin Pilar well you saw him down at the dome huh what is he one of your best buddies yeah you got a little stop a chat a little stop a chat get Kenny rosy on there get Kenny rose on there uh Kenny I did a little stop I don't know if I did a stop and chat with Kenny I think you know I was I was in those

circles with Kenny Rosenthal. Remember the big kerfuffle with Kenny just knocking over the camera guy and then the deaths there? It's a meme. It's a forever meme. It is a meme. I didn't see the meme. Oh, yeah. His look back, like he's looking back.

That guy. Like, it was one of those, like, out of a movie where the TV guy's a bit of a jerk and he was just like, how dare you look on his face? Shooter McAvon. That's what he was. Yeah, it was a king looking down on a peasant. You know, it was like a, how could you? And the poor dude with the camera.

He was, what was he holding a camera or a water? Well, because someone was doing the Gatorade splash. Yes. So, Kenny got out of the way and pushed the guy over. And then Kenny looked back like, how dare you. So, yeah, well, we've had Kenny out. We had Rosenthal. It's funny, like, when the Toronto teams were in the World Series NBA finals,

you can get anybody on, right? Like, we had Barclay on. on back in 19. Remember, we had a bunch of monster names on when the rappers were. And you try to get them on now. They're like, no, we're not coming on. He just showed it. Like, he doesn't even help the guy up, knocks him over, and then staring at him,

like, how dare you run into it? Yeah, wasn't a good look for Kenny Rosenthal. Like, look at this guy, like, how dare you? He should have looked at, come on. And he's like, get out of my way. That little hand gesture right there was like, you're a piece of garbage. So gotless. And that goes, resumed.

the interview immediately. Raptors in action tonight, Phoenix in town, they're favored, but it's not going well for the Raptors. Leaves in Buffalo tomorrow. The players, mail it in Friday, brought to you by Boston Pizza.

Enjoy $15 lunch at BP where you get an entree aside and a drink and you get it all in 20 minutes or less. So fast lunch doesn't have to be fast food. See you for a $15 fast lunch of your local Boston pizza. Come back and recap the players, get to our best bets,

and I will make an injury announcement. I'll make it official, right? It might be speed. It might be Thomas. Dude, we already said it's 11th or like that's it. That's as high as you're going. Tommy Fleet. Let me look at it and I will establish.

And when you're done, when you're done looking at it, I want an updated leaderboard when we come back. All right, updated leaderboard coming up. Overdrive continues up on T.S.N.4. Mail it in Friday is brought to you by Boston Pizza, Canada's favorite sports bar. Enjoy $15 lunch at BP where you get an entree a site and a drink and you'll get it all in 20 minutes or less. A fast lunch.

It doesn't have to be fast food. See you for a $15 fast lunch at your local Boston pizza. Give a quick little shout out to the lovely ladies at Hildas Sewing in Collingwood. Going away tomorrow, and I was in a pinch, and I called, just out of a whim. You guys know what I'm like. If I want something done, I kind of get a little bit antsy. And they said, bring it in, and we'll do it for you. And we'll get it to you before.

She said, you know, we close at five, and I'm leaving. So if your daughter can come and pick it up, then, great. I did it, lovely people. Hilda's sowing. If you need something sewn, shout out. Go to Hilda. Here, Ontario Street.

I love it. Okay, there you go. Hilda. Love it. It's Hilda Sowing. I don't know. Hilda. That's all about it.

Google it. You'll find it. Jog's my memory, because I did let something pass that you said earlier this week or last week. And I kind of had a knee-lander moment where I let it go without jumping. Oh. Oh, that's ignorant. Well.

Now it's a knee-lander moment. Elander moment where you don't jump in. Riley moment, Carlo, a leaf moment. I should not use one. Anyway, what did I say that went over your head and you just were like what he said? You said you got track pants tailored. You get, why are you getting track pants tailored? Well, why are you doing that, you idiot?

I know why. I have a 36 and then 22 inseam. That's what it is. Yeah. My jeans right now are 4230. We used to have 40-30. Remember that was one of our hats. Forty-thirty.

Dude, this guy blew past a 40-thirty. Dude, those are circus carny pants. Those are wild pants. But those are jeans. There's no elasticity there. Dude. Tract pants move, dude. Unlike you, I've got an ass of an athlete.

So when I buy some sweatpants and stuff, they're made for Patrick Ewing. Because to get around my ass, they've got to be 12 feet long. I got to get them chopped up, maybe taken in. You're taking the feet? Okay, you're taking the length. I see. I thought you're blowing. Yeah, it was, okay, I got you.

That's reasonable. Best bets powered by Fandall. I'm on R.J. Barrett to have a big night tonight. That just feels like I'm going 20 plus. You've got to play a little bit of juice tonight. I'm not betting a game because I don't know why the Raptors are five and a half point favorites. The way they're playing. I just, I wouldn't touch the game.

But I think R.J. has himself a night at home. tonight best bets powered by fan do it must be 19 plus physically located in ontario um play responsibly right i want to play this one clip because someone just sent it to me and it's worthy of it being played on a day like today let's just end the show with it play the clip on the show is you know i'll come back well we'll come back and close it but this is a clip when leave fans talk about nostalgia and what they love and what they want this is what they see when they close their eyes

here in game one. Anderson comes in. Gilmore was hit. Inside the line by McSorley. And this is going to draw a track of McSorley into Iraq and now Exority comes back. All right. That's why Wendell Clark is Wando

Clark, man. Right there. Look at Easton Cowan. You don't think people had like a little love on for Easton Cowan last night? Yeah. I love it. I always say white-collar people walk through the doors there.

They want blue-collar stuff on the ice, man. Yeah. Listen, Wendell's a special. breed, man. Yeah, it is. Like Wendell's a different cat. But, like, Goudas is top. Marty McSorley is tough.

And I laid out Gilmore. And right by the people in Carolina, all the people in Carolina, all they want to see is hits and fights and rough hockey. So to Canadians. So do the people that go to the Maple Leaf games. What a great call. Notice how the crowd was, like the crowd was buzzing. Crowds going nuts.

Yeah, they're up 4-1. It was game one. The game was over. And McSorley, what a dirty. It was a dirty hit, too. and it just that's what Gilmore was trying to get to the other bench and get to Melrose

and it was an, what a night that would have been to be in the building. Leaves win, game one, Gretzky in town, Clark McSorley. Crazy how good that would have been. All right, there you go. Good stuff. Good stuff.

Leafsabers tomorrow night. Let's see what we got. Rappler's sons tonight. The players, I'm taking Spief. I'll just take Spief going into the weekend. I want to be on that train. All right, Jordan Speed, There's my injury replacement.

Thanks to everyone behind the scenes for helping out. We appreciate it. Everyone for tuning in today, TV, radio, podcast, web, and up on YouTube live. We're out of here. Enjoy your evenings. Enjoy your weekends. We're back Monday at... Wyndham Clark, you're a little snake.

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