OverDrive - OverDrive - September 22, 2025 - Hour 1 - Keegan Matheson

Episode Date: September 22, 2025

Join Bryan Hayes and Jamie McLennan for Hour 1 on OverDrive! The guys discuss the Blue Jays' clinching a playoff spot and the season for the team, the CFL changes for the league and the Maple Leafs kicking off the preseason with a win against the Senators. MLB.com Blue Jays Reporter Keegan Matheson joins to discuss the Blue Jays in the playoffs, gearing up for a division title, the playoff pitching roster and the 50-41 rankings on the TSN's Top 50 Players rankings.

Josh stares down the business end of his baby brother as he takes the reins on diaper duty. But Josh comes prepared with a diaper change tutorial. The video stream, fast and strong. The baby stream contained. Yes, when the Harmon switched to Bell Pure Fiber Internet, they wondered why they didn't sooner. Experience proven reliability with Bell Pure Fiber Internet, Canada's fastest awarded by Ucla. Switch today. Plans starting at $60 a month with a two-year term.

Visit bell.ca for more details and to check availability. Bell, Internet, just got better. This hour of Overdrive is powered by Fandul. Fan Duel, bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score. Here we go, Overdrive, Off and Running. TSN 1050 on the TSN app, your home smart speaker, up on TSN4, streaming live on YouTube live on TSN's YouTube channel. Ryan Hayes, Jamie Noodles-McClennan.

What's going on today? What's going on? How we feel in this afternoon? Well, I mean, it's a good... Toronto Sports Day yesterday, was it not? It was. It sure was. I mean, okay, let's not put the cart before the horse. Like the Ottawa, Toronto exhibition game, whatever it is.

But, you know, there's a couple players that look really good. I like that. But it's the Blue Jays. Absolutely. They punched their ticket. They made it a little bit nervous and waited until Sunday, because I kept thinking we cannot come on this show today and talk about, well, they're still in the driver's seat.

They're one game up or something. They're like that that's what I was terrified. 100%. 100%. I had the same feeling. And even during the game, they got off to a great start. Yeah, Savage starts to get hit, starts walking guys, and I'm like, oh, my God, they're going to do what the tigers have been doing. Yeah.

Like the tigers have been finding a way to lose to the point where Cleveland has caught them basically in the AAL Central. But credit to the Js, they get to 90 wins, which is incredible, right? That's a feat in and of itself. You got to 90. The reality was they've made the playoffs for a month. They were always going to make the playoffs, even if they lost out. They were still likely to make the wild card. With 89 wins, you're still going to make the wild card.

But it moved, you know, the goalposts have moved a lot over the last month and a half to their credit because they played so well and they've been so clutch. And it moved past making the playoffs into a you have to win the division. And furthermore, be the top team in the American League because that's what's going to happen now because of what's going on with Cleveland or what's going on with Detroit so you know that's their first party I love

that Bichette flew down and continued his rehab so he could party down there with the guys well why not I mean it's put in a great I appreciate that's had a great season like I would have been weird as if Santander was like fly me in fly me in get me there from Buffalo the guys barely

know me I barely played I want to party with the boys well I mean I didn't see Manoa was my if manoa was in the middle then you're like okay whatever right you know what the more the merrier like regardless of it's the the star players the guys who got it done should be front and center but even if there's guys that it contributed to this along the way like i love that bow was there because he's been a big part of it yeah big big part of it so the fact that an injury has kind of kept your sidelines i always thought like i mean i've never been a part of this so i can't really

speak to the champagne and the eyes and over top of everybody's head, but it's, it's a great tradition. I really do think it's pretty cool. It's very uniquely baseball. They'll do it again when they win the division. Yeah. When? Because I'm still confident they were.

I think the monkey's off the back with that win yesterday. You think so? Yeah. I mean, they've been playing really well, and then they lose four in a row, and it was ugly. Listen, it was ugly, man. Their run production was completely lost. They were not producing any hits, any runs. Shurs are on Friday night.

gets rocked and you're like okay this guy can't even get out of one inning that's concerning you got basset going on the iL you know like there's a lot of different things popping up where you're wondering okay where what is going on here i thought george springer set the tone with his commentary before the game yesterday very cool com collected basically a guy who's been in the league for a long time basically a guy who's won a world series right and just said yeah we know what's ahead of us we know who we are what we've done all year we just got to go keep doing it and I thought he led the charge yesterday

I thought he was great yesterday and Springer's been the team MVP there's been a lot of guys who have factored in but it's really been a remarkable season considering the mentality of everyone everyone in the city in the fan base in the country I think through a baseball

when you consider where we were in the spring to where we are now and a lot of the additions they made last year have not really been able to contribute that much Santander first of foremost doesn't play it at all right has it done anything all year you know hoffman's been shaky at times shirzer obviously didn't really start the first half of the season now has been shaky yeah it's barger it's clement you know it's internal improvement guys like springer and kirk and

varsha went healthy has been great uh it's been a remarkable ride and and credit credit to jays and we got we got playoff baseball coming back to toronto that's that's a great thing it's impressive and, you know, whether we, they've earned it or not, you look at Ross Adkins took a lot of heat. Like, Mark Shapiro took a lot of heat. Like those guys, you know, it felt like two summers in a row. It was like, oh, we missed out on the big fish. And so then they had to spin it the other way,

internal improvement, all of that type of stuff. And it wasn't that long ago. I feel like we had these conversations in June. We were like, God, you know, like it's, geez, that they could get to 82. wins like you know and and now it's 90 now it's going to be 90 plus regardless of what they do the rest of the season they've punched their ticket you hope they win the division and then you sit back and you go at it you like you you really push here in the playoffs to see if you can

go and win a world series like it it's a great feeling like in watching it and just seeing the growth of some of the players but some of the guys that you expected like I said zero expectation on george springer like coming into the season no I don't And even, you know, Schneider admitted that to us the other day. He goes, I'd be lying to you if I didn't think, you know, it would, we knew he had a down year, but we didn't think it was going to be this type of bounce back. That's a lot of pride in a high-end athlete, a lot of pride knowing he did not have his best season last year. It looked like kind of near the end and what are they going to do with this big contract?

And they're hiding them in the lineup, all these things. And now you need him front and center because he's a leader. He's a great job. It's incredible. like the contract you can't get away from it in sports you know it's a huge part of modern sports in every league and baseball is a little different because there's no salary cap um but this this went from a huge issue in terms of team building what are you going to do with george how are you going to handle this because you're paying him so much money to a very like a bang for your buck you know like he's making a lot of money he's making 24 25 million so i'm not going to say you know it's the greatest Contract in sports.

Bargaining. Yeah, it's not a bargain deal necessarily. He's not making it, you know, $2 million, $3 million. He's making a lot of money, but he has exceeded that dollar amount, like for sure. Like, he's playing like a $30, $35 million guy. And that's what you need. Like winning programs, you got to have the majority of your players playing above what you slated their value at, right? Dollar amount or just simply expectation.

And the Js did it and they partied. and I appreciate John Snyder in there. No goggles, old school, man. Everyone else's got the sea goggles going. Just burning his eyeballs off, and he just smiling. He's not going to see until game one of the ALDS. But he's in there like, I'm going, no goggles and let's party. Yeah, it is old school.

Where are you at with Vladdy? Like, that's the only guy, like, again. Well, extra base hit yesterday, which is big. He needed that. I get it. And it's clutch and all that. It's clutch. Yep.

um i just feel they've had so much success and it's team success there hasn't had to be this light shined on the 500 million million dollar athlete which is good i mean it's it's team game all of that type of stuff but you you know you need him to be clutch i need him in the playoffs to be he's got to find another level that's where it's going to matter dangerous guy like he has to be the most dangerous guy for the blue jays when i'm Other teams are looking at him, and they're going, we've got to pitch around this guy. Absolutely.

He's got to do what Juan Soto's done throughout his career in the playoffs. And, you know, other, like what Otani did during the playoffs last year, Freddie Freeman. You know, like best players show up, biggest moments. And that's when it's really going to matter. Because, you know, this September, he had a great start to the month, tore up Cincinnati, he went into Yankee Stadium and absolutely destroyed the Yankees. And then he had a 12-game run where he was. He did nothing.

He had a few singles, you know, and it's when they needed them, and it's when Bichette got hurt. So that's the thing. Bo got hurt, and you needed more out of Lattie, and it wasn't there. But this is always going to come down to playoff success, right? Like the legacy of every single athlete in any market is going to come down to playoff success, right? Ask the Maple Leafs about that.

Ask the Leafs about that. They all make money. Laddie's making more than all of them combined. But, you know, if Flattie wants to be, like you've got to go up the notch, right? The notch is trying to hit is like you want to get to where Bautista is known and Donaldson and Edwin Encarnacion. Then there's another one above that,

which is where Alamar is and Carter and Olerud and, you know, because they won. Exactly. And, you know, that, like, he's still on first base in terms of that legacy. His regular season numbers, because he's going to be here his whole career, he's going to rewrite every record book. You know, and Matthews is going to do the same thing. Vladian Matthews.

If Austin's here, he's here for at least three more years. If he's here throughout his career, he's going to have every record. Goals, assist, points, and Neelander's going to be right behind him. If Willie spends seven more years here, he's going to likely be second in everything. Because I think he's going to hit, I think he'll hit a thousand points in his career. I think he will. If he does, he'll pass maths, and that's the reality. But in order for you to be.

revered and beloved and you want a legacy that is on a completely different level. You got to win. You got to win. And even like with the Leafs as we transition here, you want to get to the Gilmore Clark level. Like you got to do what they did. They got to conference finals, you know? Like you got to do, you got to get there before you can go above that. And with the Leafs, it's a different story because it's been so long.

But if you want to get to Keon levels or, you know, Bauer or. or Horton levels or what have you, you got to win. Yeah, you got to win. Well, and you have to be, you know, a perennial difference maker, have these runs where, you know, you always say it. Like, I was not here. I was either in the league or I was, you know, somewhere, you know, younger where you, you know, a Dougie in this.

You always say, oh, Dougie in this. Dougie and Wendell. Dougie in 93, right? That's what people reference in, we'll call it our generation, even though I'm older than you. But Joe from the bridge, you talk about Dougie in 93, right? So you're going to want to, you know, Vladian 25. That's why. And 19, right?

Like, you know, that's what you're looking for, is these legacy moments from these players. And, you know, Vladdy, the Js have an opportunity here. I don't profess to, you know, be an expert on baseball. But I've been watching, obviously, I watch as much Jays as I can because I've been fascinated with their season. It's just been such a massive turnaround. Is there, you know, it's not Mary Swanson. It's not one in a minute.

Like, if they make it, like, you think it's the Dodger? Do you think they can win? Like, that's a thing. Yeah, I mean, it's a weird year in baseball. Like, even the Dodgers have not been perfect. Right. And they've dealt with a lot of injuries, and they have not been perfect. And, you know, the Phillies, you can look on paper, which is a dangerous game.

But you look at Milwaukee, you look at Philly, you look at the Dodgers. You might look at the Yankees, you know, and, yeah, the Jays are going to have to continue to prove it, and they've had to continue to prove it all year. But if you end up winning the ALE East and you end up with that top seat in the American League, then everything's coming through you, right? You have home field. Who are you going to play that really is going to scare you? The Yankees, they could.

Yes, the aura of the Yankees could scare you. Judge has got to continue to prove who he is in the playoffs. Juan Soto's not there anymore in the playoffs. You know, listen, they've got a straight. out some stuff. It's weird. They're 90 wins and in the playoffs, and you still, you know, Gosman and Bieber are going to pitch. I don't know if Scherz is going to. I don't know if Bassett's going to be healthy.

The bullpen scares you. There's things that scare you, but I think every team. There's no perfect team. There's no perfect team. There's no perfect team. I guess that's where I was going, Brian, is like, are we doing all this? Like, is it just the Dodgers that just walk in and say, not today on our watch type of thing? I don't think so. I mean, possibly. But listen, if the Jay's lose to the Dodgers, that means they lost in the World Series. Exactly. You'd kind of take that, you know.

You'd probably take that right now. Okay, so there's where, there's, I mean, we have these scenarios all the time. Would you sign on, would you sign, okay, and I know, I feel like you're going to say no, which is fine, which I actually, I would probably say no, too. Would you sign right now up for a World Series loss to the Dodgers? It's not as simple, it's not a simple, no. That's what I'm saying. It's not a simple note. And I understand it's a loser's thing to accept that.

And you probably want to just roll the dice because why not? Yeah. But I think there's a part of me that would take it because of the run. Yes, in the pecking order I just talked about, that surpasses the 15 and 16 teams. Right, right. You know, like that means they won the DS, they won the CS, which has not happened in 32 years. Yeah. Yeah, I mean, I think that's respectable to lose to the Dodgers.

You know, it's such a loser's answer. I get it's such a loser mentality. It is. Because why not roll the dice? Well, yeah, I mean, ask. But it's the World Series. You're right. You're in the dance.

But ask, you know, oil fans, they don't want to sign on that dotted line the last two years. They've been there. They've gone on this nice rides. You don't come up. You don't get a consolation prize. I think people with fan bases are like just roll the dice. Give it to me and give it to me straight. And you know what?

Because you never know. I think in 19 Golden State was favored, correct? If they were healthy, they were probably favored. Were they not? Yes. Yeah, if they were favored, if Durant's healthy and Clay Thompson, for sure, because of who they were. Right. Just because of what they, what they, they were around them, the success they had had.

But that's why you play the game. That's why you play the injury. So you sold me. I'm not going to accept it then. I don't want you to. No, I'm rolling the dice. I say you roll the dice. But listen, go out and play.

Cart before the horse, all of that type of stuff. But it is just a nice, like you let your mind go a little bit. That's what I, yesterday I was like, I could see. You start making a pathway. You earned it, though. They earned it. 90 wins, man. It's tough to do in baseball.

Very tough to do. And they got six games left. Season's not over. They get three against Boston and then three against Tampa. The Yankees have not slowed down, so there's still a sweat here. Like the sweating is still going. The win yesterday, you know, that was some relief, like the AC, you know. Like there was a little bit air conditioning, but it wasn't jacked yesterday.

But you wanted to really get pumping here because the Yankees have White Sox, Baltimore, the rest of the way. But the Js have the tie break. So, you know, they really have a three-game lead with six to go. Magic numbers four. Any combination of wins for the Jays or losses for the Yankees. and I think they're in a good position to do that. And the days off generally help this team. Like that has been proven since the All-Star break.

When they get a day off, they come back fresh, and they generally look and feel a lot better. So more on this with Keegan Matheson in about 15 minutes, how it sets up for the playoffs once we get there, what he made of the party, he was in the party. He was there in Kansas City. Yeah, we had NHL games cooking over the weekend. We had CFL rules getting changed.

you know people are freaking out apparently nathan rourke i just saw an internal email from farhan nathan rourke's taking shots at uh stu johnston really does yeah like according to to farhan's email again it sounds as if maybe nathan is not overly happy we'll see when that comes in and we'll play it a little bit later this afternoon still will join us in the 5 p.m hour yeah but you know the rules that have been changed here i i think for from my standpoint i like them from my standpoint they make sense. And if you want it to be quintessentially Canadian, to me, there's only two things that really, really matter. And here they are up on the screen. The new era in the CFL, starting at 26, modified Rouge, which I think had to happen. You couldn't have Rouge, you know, finishes and goofy

finishes where team misses a field goal, but they still win. You know, automatic play clock that will kick in, which will change the pacing of the games, especially late. And I understand there's some hesitation there because generally the CFL, the finishes are phenomenal because the clock seems to freeze. Yeah. And, you know, goal post location is going to change in the future. Short and end zone, short and field, they're going to go from 110 yards to 100. So RIP, the 55-yard line.

Yeah. But for me, there's two things. One, you got to just make sure it's all Canadian. You know, back in the day, it was Vegas and Baltimore. It was always stupid. goofy. It's quintessentially Canadian if it's an exclusively Canadian league, which it is,

and you're making sure that there are Canadian players on every roster, which there are, and it's three-down football. That's what the CFL is. That's so different. It's always been the main difference. Four downs in the States,

three downs up here. If you have three-down football, which you still do in the CFL, for me, these are worthy changes. Try it. See if it changes something. the look, the complexion, the feeling of the game. I don't mind, you know, you're trying to adapt, you're trying to grow the game, you're trying to expand it, you know, we're familiar, I'm super biased, loves Stu Johnston. He's, you know, obviously was our boss for years, come on, you know, and now he's going on to the CFL.

You can tell he's trying to be progressive and try to do things. Not everything may not land perfectly. We've talked about this before. The CFL is a massive, passionate fan. base. I don't know if they like change. I don't know if they will accept everything, but you have to be open to it. I actually, it's funny, I, tonight I'm going to call my buddies back home because they're the diehards, right? The elk's diehards. My, my buddy Trevor Katza, the Ketsza family had had season tickets since like the 70s, we're talking. Like that's, that's, I'm going to

ask them, be like, what do you like these, you know, the rule changes? What do you make of it? Because Because they're the ones every week, asses in the seats. It'll be interesting to see what people make of it. Yeah, I'm intrigued by that. Now, I will say if you're making moves, you're not necessarily thinking of the fans you already have, right? You're thinking of the fans you're trying to attract. And that's what is really going to be on the line here. Because, you know, you said it.

Die-hard CFL fans who have loved the CFL their whole lives, they're not, I don't think they're jumping ship because the benches are on separate sides of the field now. Or because the goalposts are going to move or the rouge is going to be modified. You know, like you might be sentimental to that and you may not like it, but are you going to hate it so much you're out? I don't think so. Any change like this or any time any league or any commissioner implements massive change, it's for the next generation. And that is one thing I'm not sure we have an answer for. Is this enough to get, you know, non-fans into the game?

A casual fan. Casual fan into the game. I'm not sure it is. I'm really not sure it is. It doesn't mean it's not the right play. I just don't know if there's a 25-year-old who loves the NFL who's like, all right, now I'm all in on the CFL because the goalposts are moving, or because it's going to a 100-yard field or the end zones are shortening.

I don't know. These are largely cosmetic, which, again, I don't think hurt. I just wonder if what it's doing is it's the groundwork for more in the future. You've got to take some baby steps. here in terms of where the league is going. But Stu Johnston on that and more coming up later this afternoon. Luke will join us on a wild NFL. We've got a great NFL Monday night or tonight.

Great game. Detroit, Baltimore, which will be outstanding. And he mentioned the Leafs in Ottawa. I mean, it was largely the Marley's. I always kind of laugh at the vets that have to go to that game. You know, like yarn crooks there, and, you know, he's so rattled. He scores quickly. Yeah.

You know, but like the vets that have to go and someone's got to play. Someone's got to go on those games. You do. And believe me, I've been that guy because they needed a certain amount of NHL vets on these rosters. I don't know how many times when there was eight preseason games, they would come to me and be like, you're going to dress in all eight because we need veterans. And you might not play, but you'll be sitting there and you're dressing. I'm like, all right, fair enough.

But, yeah, it was a skeleton crew. But a lot of times a skeleton crew, it's the biggest miss known. veterans their first game out they don't care they're trying not to get hit they're trying not to and and the young kids are full of it because they're trying to make the team so i i thought there was some real nice showings for some young players um you know there's there's still that rivalry you know leaf ottawa the fans got into it i think the the players know what's at stake and you know listen for an exhibition afternoon exhibition you know sunday game I enjoyed it.

Yeah, I really did. A lot of goals. You know, there's some tilts and some chirping and... Yeah, I did. That's what you're looking for, man. Exactly. That's what you're looking for. And I joke about Yarncrook having to go, but if I'm the least, you know,

like he's been a good player throughout his career. You know, he's a serviceable player. Can he find a role in a third or fourth line? Do you love him in the playoffs? Maybe he doesn't. You know, maybe Barubei doesn't see him as an option. Maybe it's a platforming. Maybe it's you got to go prove to the league that you're healthy.

you can play and then we can flip you. Like that's possible, you know, but there's guys like him and what's Nick Robertson going to do is he can have another great camp and we're talking about how he has to play because he scores goals? I don't know. I don't know if the least will fall for that trick again. There's bodies, they've got NHL bodies, they've got to make decisions. And for a guy like your own croak, for a guy like Robertson to at least have good showings,

it puts Brad Tree Living in a, he wants to be in a tough spot. He wants to go, geez, I've got too many good players here. I've got to figure this out. You don't want it easy for him to go, this guy's done nothing in three preseason games like I can move away from him. You want him in a tough spot. That's what three is dying for. Definitely.

Competitive camp. Yeah, competitive camp. And then again, other teams are going to possibly come calling on certain guys. Exactly. You know, we talked about it the other day that if it ends in waivers, you're probably going to lose guys, unfortunately. but maybe you get some cap relief, and that could be a bonus as well for the Leafs in the future. For sure.

All right, Jays are off to the playoffs. Keegan Matheson was in the house in Kansas City. We'll catch up with Keegan. Luke coming up on the Monday night or tonight. It was all about block kicks yesterday in the NFL. It was just a crazy, crazy day. And Luke will join us at 5. Al's brother and I on the clock for the game tonight.

Stu Johnston coming up, commissioner for the CFL, in just over an hour. Overdrive continues. TSN 1050 and on TSN 4. All right, Luke Wilson coming up in half an hour on these CFL rule changes. His take on a big Monday night of Ravens Lions. One of these teams is facing one and two to start the year. You know, that's daunting, man. For two teams like this that are that good, high expectations, what a ball game.

There is lots to get into because that's Cowboys team, man. Oh, they're brutal. And now C.D. Lamb's got a high ankle sprain. He's done. I mean, Pierre LeBron has to be besie. himself but I mean well we'll get into we got a lot and my Packers we were off track Friday because it was a unique day I know I'm telling you I was telling people this is a trap game now I thought they'd win don't get me wrong I was convinced they'd win but they're young they're getting cocky

I think this is actually a good thing they lost their press clips that's what they're doing and this is what I'm hoping Hayes that the Blue Jays might be hung over today but they got to be right back to work because the job's not done you made the playoffs that's the thing so kegan he might be hung over today too he was right that's a good question right in the mix with john schneider what are the rules for for reporters you know and members of the media in there yeah uh here is from mlb dot com kegan mathison do you're picking up on boo shrapnel in there like what's what's the story fellas i lost some brain cells that's for sure is it the the beer and champagne it's like it mixes together and forms this gaff in the clubhouse and i felt like i had four

guys. Like, I could breathe, it really clears you up. And I try to stay off the side. You know, I go in, I give my video, I try to stay way off to the side. I haven't accomplished a damn thing. Get out of the way. But you do catch some strays. Kevin Gosman made sure I got nice and drenched. I'll be honest, fellas, I tried to hide behind a couple of other Blue Jays media members that I, I realize I'm a lot taller and wider than them, so it didn't help me much. But it was, it was messy guys and then the dangerous part or the tricky part is always getting home from those i have i've definitely been asked to get out of taxis before in cities on the road and in kansas city i was driving back to the hotel so that was i had to obey that speed limit fellows if i got pulled over

it was game over for me and then back to the hotel i hung out in the lobby trying to get an elevator by myself and just as i was about to go up a lady stuck her hand in and got on with me and i have never seen someone look at me so disgusted in my life. I did not smell good. It was a bad scene, and you can't explain it, so I just had to stand there and wear it for 19 floors waiting to go up. Nothing wrong with that, though, Kegan. Who was, you know, it's a good story, and it's actually, you know, something to celebrate.

But who was, you know, in the dress room? Who's leading the charge on all of the celebrations? I mean, you know, you could see we were watching some of the video in the live in the room. guys were pretty excited, but there always seems to be maybe one or two guys that just is over the top excited. Like, who was basically the guy leading the charge? George Springer, Max Scherzer, and

Vladdy. I think Vladdy dumped out about 150 of those aluminum cans of Budweiser. I was up to my ankles and beer at some points, guys. It was a lot of Budweiser that was wasted that day. I think some of it wet in people's mouths. I don't know how much. But George was right in the middle

of it. The man can dance. Let me tell you. He's probably still shirtless at this point. And then you have some guys off in the conio, Jose Villiers, walks by drinking a bottle of water, which is just perfectly Jose Rios. But, man, some of those guys were right in the middle of it. And I had the question, guys, that will they go full-on celebrate? And then I took myself back for a second.

I mean, you're with your buddies. You're away from your families, your responsibilities, and you've got an off-de-on Monday. Hell yeah, they're going to celebrate. I think that plane ride home was probably looking. a lot like what we saw in McLevost. So they leaned into it, and when they eventually clinched the division, or when they should clinch the division this week at home, I think they're going to burn that building down, man.

I think that's going to be a major, major celebration. Big time. That's the one that really puts it over the top, because then your job's done. Then the rest of the games are meaningless. You know you've got a long break. You're avoiding the wild card, right? You can break as many laws as you want after the division.

Exactly. Fire code, anything. Nothing matters. you're allowed to do whatever you want for like two hours you get immunity from the law i think i agree 100 percent 100 percent and then on top of it you can imagine a world series celebration i mean then it's like you have immunity for life possibly or close to it um well you know listen they to their credit they got it done they they it was dicey at times even yesterday they had lost four in a row it was kind of teetering there uh the yankees aren't losing the yankees are off today

they got White Sox and Orioles left in terms of their six games. But you said that, you know, somewhat matter of fact, in a matter-of-fact way or fashion, that you think this is going to happen. They're going to win the American League East. They have a big lead, clearly, two games, but really it's three because of the wild card. Why are you so confident that that's going to happen either against Boston or Tampa on the weekend? They'd better, guys. If you botched this at the finish line, that's a complete disaster.

the blue jays need to be wrapping this up and the easy way to look at it for people listening is that if the blue jays go 500 go three and three the yankees would need to win their last six games that said the yankees are not playing a tough finish to their schedule they can easily go five and one or six and those so the blue jays need to still do this they need to play some legitimate baseball the red sox is going to be tough down the stretch the raise will not be as much but they've got to lock this up, guys. They need to finish with a sense of momentum because really going back to that big stretch through June and July

when it felt like they were winning six games a week, they were the hottest team in baseball. Since then, August through September, they've just been good. And you've got to be picky at this time of your good is not good enough. You need to be a great team, an elite team at this point of year. They've been good. They've been okay. But they need that sense of momentum.

They need to really lean back into their identity as a team again. And we've seen this week what it looks like when they don't. And I know guys that a lot of that gets wiped away as, oh, these streaks happen. Well, if those streaks didn't happen, we'd already be talking about a division. You know, I cover the games and call me old-fashioned, but I think the games still matter. I don't care what probabilities or anything else says at this time of year. You've got to put this to bed. and if you can do it by Thursday or Friday,

that allows you a couple of extra days that weekend, then the buy to get Bovichette back, line up your rotation, see what you have in Trey You Savage. You stack up advantages. You get so many things in your favor if you can do it the easy way. We'll see if they can. So, Kegan, at the starting of this season,

and there was a lot of, including us on the show, we were not sure what we're going to get out of this team. You know, now we're almost at the finish line of the regular season. What has been the biggest surprise for you from expectations to the reality of this group? Oh, guys, we could go all day. I mean, next time I'm in studio, guys, we've got to bring up the ten dumbest things I've said on this show in 2025. A lot of them would be from February and March. And I can still picture, guys.

I'd be normally when we talk in spring training, I'm standing off on the side practice field where it's quiet. And we were talking about a team that was going to be boring and was going to be 500 maybe. Maybe they'd be bad. Maybe they'd be good a few games in either direction. But I didn't sense much excitement from this team. And I can't pretend I did in hindsight. I think George Springer jumps to my mind first, though. Guys, like this guy's going to get MVP votes, top 10 MVP voting.

I would have called you crazy. I thought that at this point of the year, we were going to be talking about, like, what do you do with this guy next year? One year left, can you roster him? He has been indicative and emblematic of every single thing this team's doing right. The clubhouse culture, the offensive strides they've taken, how they run the bases. Like, when I think of the 2025 Blue Jays guys, I think we've said this before, but I think of George Springer going first to home on a double and just hauling it around third base, all efforts. You know, I think he has really been at the forefront of so much of this. It's a season where everything's gone right.

And this is the type of season that only happens once every 10, 15, 20 years for most organizations. More often than not, we're talking about surprises that went wrong. But everything is broken right for the Blue Jays. Some of it by luck, some of it by them controlling it. But man, oh man, I did not see this coming for George Springer. Nothing close because he was bad last year. And then remember guys, the spring training he had, he was like, one for a million. He looked terrible in spring training, and he has bounced back to be one of

the best stories in all of Major League Baseball. It wouldn't surprise me if he finishes 5, 6, 7 range in MVP voting. It's been that good. Oh, I think he deserves to be. Absolutely. I mean, he's, look at his numbers. His stats have been off the charts. And, you know, we know who it's going to be, big dumper, and it's going to be Judge, and maybe Scoobles number three. But beyond that, I think Springer should be right in that conversation, and he's earned that. And you were not alone with that. The Js would have been thinking the same way. There's no way Ross Atkins thought he was getting this out of George Springer this year.

No chance. And, you know, again, the idea that Santander has brought nothing to the table this year. The fact that, you know, Scher and Hoffman, their stats are not very good. Those were the big additions, for the most part, last offseason. And they haven't really been, you know, they haven't brought much. Garcia has been heard. You know, like, a lot of their additions just have not factored in.

The amazing thing is it's been internal improvement. That's what is crazy to me, Keegan. It's that term that we roll our eyes at every year, you know? And now I feel like this takes away my right to mock that term for the next decade. That's a terrible loss for me. Every time that Ross Ackins or whoever runs this team down the road says internal improvements, I'm going to have to look at this season because Santander wasn't just bad. negative value.

Jeff Hoffman at many stretches has been blowing saves has had a high four ERA. Scherzer has been around league average when you look at that number ERA now worse than league average. This is not added value in any way.

And you're talking, like I'm writing stories about guys like Miles Straw and Tyler Heideman and Bernie Clement and Nathan Lucas. Man, it's genuinely it worked out. A lot of the stuff that I got to admit, I rolled my eyes at in spring training. Oh, we're going to put the lineup together in different ways.

What? But it's working. Something about it is working. And guys, that's why I think a lot of credit does need to go to John Schneider, who I think should win manager of the year and as coaching staff. Even for me, I'm around this team as much as anyone. It's hard, it's really hard to see what value a manager or coaches have day-to-day, because it's so cluttered.

There's a thousand coaches. But I think you're seeing what that actually looks like. you get a coaching staff, a clubhouse, and a front office that are on the same page. Like last year, they weren't even in the same book, I don't think. They're on the same page this year. With Kegan Matheson, MLB.com, and, you know, you look ahead now where Scherzer gets blown up in his last start. He can't get out of the first inning. He's already in the first inning is like over eight.

Bassett's on the IL. They've already shifted Burrios to the bullpen. So I think it's safe to say Gosman and Bieber are pitching in the playoffs or starting in the playoffs. who else is going to start games or who starts game three in your opinion looks a lot like you savage at this point guys which is it's happened quickly and he was better than his line was the other day i don't say that often but i legitimately think he was better than his pitching line said a couple of those hits didn't make it out of the infield there was that weird marshal catch or no catch it was a catch but i think it's you savage in game three and at that point you probably have chris bassett or eric Lauer, somebody ready in the bullpen just in case, because he's still a rookie. That'll be what, his fourth starred in the big leagues. If he is walking a few guys in the first inning, you pull that parachute quick, but I think it's a savage.

And then who do you go to in a game four if he need one is even trickier? It's not burios at this point, guys. The stuff is just not there anymore. That's going to be an interesting conversation going to the next year, but he's in the bullpen just because that's where you've got to go. I don't think he's going to be used down there. It's an awkward spot, but probably Bassett if I had to pick it today, and you're going to have Lauer or someone else down there.

Shurser maybe available out of that bullpen, but Shurzer guys, I know the career is incredible. I know the name value is incredible, and I respect the hell out of everything he's done, but it's what have you done for me lately? And there's been a lot of home runs, some bad short outings recently. So I might be more interested seeing him really maxed out in a bullpen role,

which we've seen in the past worked. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Exactly. I mean, that'll be an interesting conversation, though. I wish I could be a fly on the wall for Schneider sitting Shurz or down. I do not want to tell the guy. You might get put through that wall. Yeah, exactly. At the same time, I think he'd understand. He knows how this game works. And he's come out of the bullpen on short rest in the playoffs and the past.

And one world series doing that. And I think he can really crank it up a couple more times if you ask them to. All right. Well, it's a beautiful thing we're talking about this. That means the Js are going to the playoffs. And we'll see if they end up wrapping up the A. at least like you, I think they will very, very soon. And then the party

starts back up again, and Kegan, you'll be right there, right in the middle of it. Great stuff, buddy. Appreciate you doing this. You got her fellows. Take care. We'll talk soon. Kegan Matheson, MLB.com. Big part of Sports Center. Him and Hedge crushing it. I know. The best duo in sports right now. Keegan and

Jennifer Hedger. I love that he's he goes, I'm kind of a tall guy, a little wider. He's like, I'm getting hit with everything. It's a weird, it is a weird celebration though that they like the guys intentionally waste all the booze i know like you're splashing it i always thought it was weird though even you know their post game somebody hits a walk off and they're doing a you know an interview and somebody they just get hit with the gatorade splash and that's what happened to cats what led to ken rosenthal's yeah i would say downfall but

you know he had to really explain himself when he buried that camera guy and it looked at him like how dare you be in my path. I know. Bit awkward for Canny Boy. All right, Luke coming up in 15. Stuart Johnston, the, I was going to say CEO, Commissioner of the Canadian Football League. And we'll get into the new rules today. We'll get him to react to what Nathan Rourke has been saying about these new rules.

And we'll get into some of the NHL action again over the weekend. The Leaves with a big win yesterday. A big, big, big win to start everything off. Overdrive continues. TSN 1050 and on the TSN app. Overdrive continues, powered by Fandul, bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score. Brian Hayes, Jamie Noodles, McClendon. We've got Luke Wilson coming up.

And the first 10 names of TSN's top 50 list were revealed today. Yeah. 50 through 41, and your boy Ovi snuck in there. You see that, Alex Ovechkin? Well, he should. The guy had 44 goals last year? Yeah. You know, like, it's a legacy play, man.

I can't wait to see him this year. How is it a legacy play when he's got 40 goals? I know, but he was chasing something. You're right. I don't think, I don't know what to expect out of OVA. Doubting him for scoring goals clearly is one of the dumber things you could do. Because every year he's proven, he'll score. I do think it's kind of funny.

I'm glad to see Jake Sanderson on there. You know how much I think of him. Yeah. So that's pretty cool. Yep. It's funny to see Sergei Braborski, like, kind of low. I think it's, like, this guy has won back-to-back cups, could have won a Kahn Smyth. McDavid won it, but, like, you know, Hall of Famer, been brilliant.

I've had a really nice, really almost a two-and-a-half, three-year stretch year, one of the best goaltenders on the planet. It's kind of like an afterthought. It's like, you know, throwing, you've got to have Bobrowski in there. I have a tough time with goalies every year. You know that, Nourdles. Yeah, you and I've talked about it. I have a very difficult time slating them and where they're supposed to be.

So let me ask you this. Jasper Brad is higher than him on that list. Would you trade Jasper Brat straight across for Sergey Barrett? Of course not. Of course not. For one year, of course not. And I guess if you put it that way, the problem with that is you could get a lot, you'd get a lot of goalies in.

If Jesper Brat, who had a great season last year? He was a phenomenal last year. I just cherry picked that. No, no, but he's the perfect name. Like he's right there with Bob. You know, he's right there. He's technically, I guess, behind him. But he's right in the same range.

Right. You know, you could get, I think, 10, 12, 13 goalies deep, where you'd say I think I'd take the goalie if I know that goalie is going to play. The thing is with goalies, yeah, it fluctuates. I can fluctuate with players too. Like, Brat's not a lot to have a point of game and be dominant or anything like that. But it's a tough list because you get past the first. you know, certain amount of superstars, and then there's a lot of good players.

Right. There's a lot of guys in the same ballpark. But that's the thing I always talked about, and our boy Struddy was in the mix, and him and I talked about it at length. I said, tell me the difference between the 38th pick and the 46th. Very difficult. It's opinion-based, right? I like this guy better, and I like this guy.

Oh, and I forgot that Utah's in the league, and I got to put. Like, you, I don't know. I struggle with that list because I initially I'll go on my instinct, and then I sleep on it and I look at it and all of a sudden I change 10 guys. And I'm like, okay, that guy, how did I forget this guy? And, you know, top 50, Dougie. I always laugh because I'm like, is Dougie Hamilton? Yeah.

Not on the list this year. I don't believe. I mean, maybe he's in the top 40s. You shouldn't be. Yeah. But you're right. I mean, you look at even Romaniosi, you know, down here for Nashville and that guy drops into the 40s.

Yeah. You know, he was 16 last year. Yeah. It's very difficult to project because, you know, what you have is, history you know you have to consider what have you done for me lately what did you do last year where are you with your team what's going on with the age of the player injury concerns you know all these things i guess have to be factored in but i had six seven eight guys that i tried to get in that i couldn't find a way to get in you know and again it's not this isn't brain surgery it's not

you know it's the top 50 list it's not it's not like if you miss a guy no one's going to lose sleep over it and it's obviously the consolidation of all of the different voters but i don't know i were ovi is the one that always sticks out to me because i haven't had him on my list in like three years but but yet he just keeps proving us wrong but you're right now we've got him on the list and he gets 18 this year and he plays 48 games that's what i'm unfortunately bracing for his final year swan song he caught gretsky he'll score he's going to have like 12 assist five on five it's going to be a disaster to watch him chug around the ice and i'm like i can't do it but we got to stick to my guns here it's fair but i mean this is going to be such a debatable list

you know i don't want to give away but you and i had a chat about something today and i was like there were people that left potentially a top player off their let not off their list but didn't have them at at the top and i was like that is crazy but there's just you know that that that that There's going to be arguments. That's the beauty of it because everyone sees the game differently. And there's so many different players and people are biased. You know, like you guys, you lean goalie, you know, all might lean goal scores. Some people lean defensemen.

You know, everyone's got a different view of the game. And intangible is what's important. Yeah, exactly. Like the top 10, you know, you look at a guy like Tom Wilson. Like where's not top 10, clearly, but the first 10 that came out, it's like, where should Wilson be in? Is he in? Yeah. You know, like he had a great.

great year last year and he's a beast that's you know jacob slaven's a guy should slavin be way higher on the list he's a brilliant defensive defenseman yeah brilliant but but people don't factor that in he doesn't score points so now sneak him in in the 40s yeah um all right hour two coming up luke wilson steward johnston will join us overdrive continues tsn 1050 and on tsn4 you've been listening to overdrive powered by fan duel fan duel bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score. The newest tracks and the next big thing. And your first place to hear it all is Iheart new music. Your digital station for brand new drops, fresh finds, and tomorrow's bangers. Updated daily. Iheart, new music, powered by all things go festival for the first time ever at Budweiser

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