OverDrive - OverDrive - September 5, 2025 - Hour 2 - Luke Willson/Keegan Matheson

Episode Date: September 5, 2025

Join Michael DiStefano, Jeff O'Neill and Jamie McLennan for Hour 2 on OverDrive! TSN Football Analyst Luke Willson joins to discuss the Eagles kicking off the season with a win against the Cowboys, Jalen Carter spitting on Dak Prescott and Hayes and Bro and O'Win Willson's picks for Week 1. MLB.com Blue Jays Reporter Keegan Matheson joins to discuss the Blue Jays and Yankees' massive series and Al's Brother hands out his FanDuel Best Bets.

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Now available on the free IHard Radio app Or ask your smart speaker to play Brian Adams Radio on IHart Radio Who's ready to rock? How's where I go? Kids want to ride. Hour 2, Overdrive, Al's brother, noodles, myself. I have to say one thing, I just saw something go across the Dasher.

Oh, yeah? Yeah. I always find it weird. It's like Chris Pronger, Shea Weber, and now Carrie Price. Yep. When a guy's contract is traded, I mean, I, like, it should it be allowed? Like, it's so goofy, Jamie. It is.

It is. It is. But that's, you know what, it's, it is, it's a CBA loophole that probably at some point you have to either close it or whatever, but he's now a San Jose shark, correct? I know. And doesn't it make the team that acquired the contract look like they're not for real? Well, it's, like, Phoenix did it forever acquiring contracts. Like, they, they went nuts on it.

And it just makes them seem like they're not for real. You're right. This is, with the cap going up, there's a floor. So if San Jose is not going to have If they've got a bunch of young guys on entry-level deals They need the money on their cap So that they can get to at least the floor And over top of that

And what it does for Montreal Is it frees up some money If they want to continue to add to that group Like it's I'll tell you this I think that management group of Montreal has done a hell of a job I agree I agree

They have done a hell of a job They got a team and I know we talked about it this off the opening the show. Oh, you know, Lane Hudson's dad. You know, I reached out to Craig Button today because I wanted to know the rules of, you know, can a player who's played in, for example, the U.S. program, just switch and go, because he's got dual citizenship, go, I want to play for Canada now. I believe there's a process.

The only thing, like Craig sent me, you know, some clips and stuff, Peter Nedved apparently did something like that back in the day. Yeah, he plays for Canada and the world champion. ships or something. But there is a process, and it's a timing thing, too. You can't just wake up one day and go, hey, I'm going to play for this one because they cut me, you know, so I'm going over here type of thing. There's an amount of time, and it gets a couple years that you have to...

Three-year waiting period, I believe. To go through the process. So, you know, I don't know. All I would say is I think Hudson's an unbelievable player, and he's just going to get better. He's going to play in the Olympics. if it's unfortunately not this year, he'll play in the next one. I think he's that good and going to be that special.

What I don't understand is, what the hell would be, and this isn't pee-wee hockey in a bunch of different ways. Right. First one is your dad can't be going on podcast complaining about stuff because your feelings are hurt, because not everybody gets a trophy and it's the National Hockey League. This is where the NHL is more like peewee than ever before. Like parents are really involved.

They're at a lot of games. in the NHL, which involves flying on an airplane. Like, it was, when we played Jamie, like, people's parents were only around once in a blue moon and in the hometowns. It seems like parents nowadays, and it's great. If they're all got enough cash and they can afford to do it, it's great. But it's a completely different league. I just wonder, like, was the kid informed that his dad was going to do that?

Yeah, I don't know. He'd just pop up and say, I'm going to go on this podcast because, is if I'd be mortified if my dad went on a podcast and was talking like that. We have the audio. Do you want to play the audio? Go ahead. What we're talking about here? So, yeah, Elaine Hudson's father, Lane Hudson obviously not invited to the U.S. Olympic orientation camp last week.

And his father joined a Montreal Canadian's podcast to voices displeasures, if you will. Listen, and you never know what happens in the future. Like, my boys are also Canadian. So there, there's an absolute luxury there. And a lot of great players have been left off the selection for Olympics and things like that. You know, I think Brett Hall might have been one of them. I think, you know, he voted with his feed. He went from Canada to the U.S.

Like, there's all types of scenarios that are, are. I wouldn't say in play, but are possibilities, right? Is he his agent now? I don't understand why he's out there talking about. What's the agent saying now? Well, first of all, let's just say this about the kid. Why not give him to the orientation camp? What's the harm in having him at the orientation?

That was a surprise not to see him there. Unless you're literally so dead set, because I will say one thing about the four nations when it happened. The smaller players, for whatever reason, they didn't seem to shine through, although Mitch Marner is not a big guy, and he had the biggest play of the tournament. But some other small guys, they always talked about how physical, how fast, and how little time there was. And there was some smaller guys that didn't exactly stand out.

Would that affect Lane Hudson? I'm not sure. But why he just couldn't get even an invite to the orientation camp? I don't know. What if he's so good during the regular season where you're like, I've got to have this guy on the team? Well, I think that's where there's an outlier. He can push through and they go, you made the team.

Like, I think there is going to be some, you know, the difference from the orientation cam to, you know, the actual team that gets iced. There might be one player that has an amazing start to the season. You're like, you've got to find a spot for that guy. Lane Hudson might be that guy. I know I saw, obviously, it's Montreal. They're very passionate about this kid because he's that good. I think he's a star right now, and he's just getting better. He's just, you know, starting in the league.

So, yes, oh, I agree with you. Probably could have found a spot for him right now, and we're not talking about this. Yes. But he is going to play in the Olympics. Like, he's that good. Eventually, absolutely. I just, you know, maybe he can fast track it because he has a great start to the season, and they go, you know what, we missed one.

But I get sad or frustrated for the guys who get invited, and you're like, he's better than this player. He's better than that player because those guys are good, too. Now, you can argue the Adam Foxes didn't have great seasons, guys like that. You can go, Hudson had a better season than this player, or player X, player Y. But ultimately, they see something there. I think Hudson can play himself onto that roster this year by having a good start to the season. You could.

That's, I think that's a fair assessment. It comes down to, it comes down to roles too, right? Like, you're not just building an all-star team. You're trying to build a team that wins. right? So you already have a guy like Quinn Hughes who's going to be a top power play, smaller defensemen. Do you want to have two of those guys on your team? Maybe not. That is a great point. If you've got Quinn Hughes out there that's going to be lugging the pill around for 30 minutes a night, how much ice time is there going to be for another skill defenseman

to carry the puck around up there? Because Bill Garron made a point last year, it just seemed the way he formed his roster. He wanted big, strong physical guys out there. And Quinn Hughes, you're Right. And back behind him, guess who there's going to be? It's going to be Rowensky. So, Rewenski's a pretty damn good defenseman, and he's going to be carrying the pill too. You're going to need somebody to kill pedals. It's a great point, Al's brother. There's got to be role definition, and different guys are going to be doing different things.

Yeah, and we'll get into it more because the debate was about Evan Bouchard on this side, right? And they're like, you know, well, McCar's got that spot, so they're going to put somebody else there, and Bouchard didn't make it. Didn't have a great start to his season. And they went with Pareko and Sanheim as two guys, two bigger body players, and even Thomas Harley, as the alternate when it got down to it. So, yeah, it's going to be a fascinating story. He still has a chance, right?

Just because he didn't make it to the camp doesn't mean that you're not going to have an opportunity to make the team. But he's going to have to play his ass off and, you know, prove that he belongs there. And I think that he'll put forward a valiant effort. I think he's a good player. It's a good team. We'll see where it goes. Cookin' Jeez.

Coming in hot. I hate that music. I hate that music so much. I see a winner. I see a winner. Part C, 1 and 0. That's all we can ask for a Part C. 1 and 0.

We got it done last night. We knew we would. We got to keep our foot on the gas side. I'm honestly, I think week one's going to be the immaculate weekend. I really do. Parts, I got to ask you this, parts. Like, if it was our pick, do you think you could have, like, sifted through the weeds and said,

we're going to take the Cowboys with this pick? Do you think we would have done that? Or would you have just jumped on board like everyone else? Do you want my honest answer? Do you want my non-honest answer? Give me the straight honest answer. I would have taken the Eagles at a half. Now, I'll be honest.

As I put in the group, as soon as you guys are going to laugh at this, but I'm sitting in the boardroom above Jay's studio, and I'm actually texting a buddy because I'm like, oh, it's an injury, you know? And all of a sudden I just hear it, and Jalen Carter has been ejected. I go, what? I look up. I'm like, what happened? We have to be on a plague.

I looked over at my producer and the thing, and I said, I am now 1-0 on the overdrafts, but we are now 1-0. I mean, Marcy, you won't talk about getting a break. Jalen Carter being picked out before even having a snap. I mean, without Jalen Carter, the spreads, probably four and a half. That's how much your difference he is to that defense.

What does he deserve for that nonsense? I'll tell you, and we talked a bit about it on Jay last night, what's going to be funny is that every year, and I'm not making this up, I'm not exaggerating. Every single year that I played in camp, it'd be like second week in camp, and they'd be like the NFL sending an officials crew in, and they give you this big chat, hey, here's the point of emphasis.

If you're getting held, this is, you know, based on position, this is the guy looking for this. This is a guy looking for that. And then they put on a video, again, it's clockwork. And it's Troy Vincent talking about the points of emphasis this year. Last year's point of emphasis, if you remember this, was offensive linemen lining up too deep in the backfield. This year's point of emphasis is sportsmanship.

And when you have that, any little sportsmanship thing, the referees are trained to be like, we've got to throw it. We've got to make an example. Our guy, Jalen Carter, comes out before a snap and spits on someone. In the year of sportsmanship, I'm telling you, they have to suspend them. They have to do it. Again, they've been emphasizing the whole offseason. A man spit on another man.

He's got to get suspended. Yeah, like, in previous years, there's been some spitting and it's been fines. But to your point, I feel like the emphasis, if it's on sportsmanship, they might have to make an example here. Man, oh, man. That might be how it ends up. Have you ever been a part of that? Like, you know, guys spit in each other. Obviously, there's trash talk, all of that type of stuff.

I just think to do it in the era of 18,000 cameras as well. Like, you're not getting away with anything nowadays. Like, you know, maybe late 80s, early 90s. Yes. Like, it's out of, like, it's not funny. No, it's not funny, but when you start thinking about it like that, it maybe this makes me a bad guy it becomes funny to me

where it's like you're playing on opening night opening night against the Dallas Cowboys you're the Super Bowl defending champions and you just straight up like did you think that there isn't an eye in the sky that would have caught that they could catch everything on that

field okay like the idea that would occur I couldn't get over it it almost seems like the WWE it's like a scripted thing like it was that mind belonging to me it was wild It was a wild thing to see, and then obviously the other thing that went towards you guys would certainly help, which is why our pick is under protest. I do want to make that known, doogie.

The hour-long weather delay, which completely stalled what the Philadelphia Eagles were about to do. I mean, they force a turnover, and all of a sudden, we're going to stop gameplay for an hour. You guys got to go back to your dressing rooms. We saw 44 points scored prior to the weather delay. Zero afterwards. How do you explain that, Luke? So sometimes what happens, and it's a bit kind of the ebb and flow of football, but when you have something clicking which both offenses are clicking,

you know, when you have a break like that, you don't really go into the locker room and say, hey, what should we change up? Because everything is working, right? We're on the flip side, both defenses are going to be like, hey, we're really getting our tails kicked here. Let's go in here and, okay, let's analyze with a little more time, what they're doing and now let's start calling defenses you know that'll put them in a bad spot so that's kind of what i make of that because it worked on both sides where it's like when

you have that extra 20 30 minutes to now buzz all the film and be like okay what will you know sit down there's a little bit less chaos because it's not like a play's getting called a play's getting called the sideline sets you can kind of sit there and be like well they're doing this this is the like their game plan that's just working let's adjust where you know if you probably do another 30-minute break. I bet the offense has come back and say this is that their adjustment is, we're going to now hit him with this. So I do

think that did play into, for both teams, playing into effect after why there wasn't as much scoring. Partsy, I thought DAC looked not bad, like not bad for the Dallas Cowboys. They weren't terrible. I think anything other than not terrible was a victory for the Dallas Cowboys. But a lot

of people at this time of year are talking about their MVP favorites. If Hertz does that, like on the routine, like he is going to be tough to keep off the MVP ballot man like that's just impressive stuff the way he conducts himself out there yeah i'll say this party what is a bit strange and clearly this guy athletically is unbelievable one of the best athletes in the world what gets weird to me and i'm not pointing this all at jalen hurts i don't know if it's part of their offense you know if it's just kind of hey we're in control is what we want to do the only thing

that is like the knock on Hertz from winning an MVP is the past game. And you look yesterday, they had one ball that they connected down the field and it was Jahan Dodson. A.J. Brown had one catch. It was for eight yards and it was under two minutes left in the game. Devonte Smith, I believe, was three for 16 for an average of 5.3 yards. A couple of those are screens. So it gets weird because he's such an electric runner. The touchdown scrambles are unbelievable. A couple of the third down conversions are unbelievable. but it's like you've got A and B, you know,

one of the best duos of a wide receiver. Like, why can't we sit back there and sling the pill? And is it the route concepts? Is it him going through his progression? It's hard to kind of pinpoint. But I think if he can kind of get that aspect to his game, one, they'll be unsophable. But two, that'll really now put him into that conversation with Lamar,

with Josh Allen, potentially with Joe Burrow, Mahomes, that crew. If he can just kind of develop that next step, that'll be a big big thing for him as MVP case. Yeah, it is bizarre. Four targets combined for A.J. Brown and Devante Smith. And a lot of people who are betting on the overs on those two, and that clearly was not a winning proposition for those guys. Overdrive brought to you by Fandu,

bringing you everything from the opening line to the final score. I think it's time to get into the picks, boys. We've got a four-pack that we've got to get into tonight, starting with tonight a Friday nighter in week one, down in South Palo, Brazil. are on the clock. It is the Chiefs favored by three. Last I checked, it was three. I will double

check right now. It is still three points over the Chargers. Do you take him, boys? Bartsey, I don't think you're going to have a hard problem with this, but I am open for discussion. I think we got to go Chiefs here, and I'll give you my reason. First off, everybody's been

claiming they're done, they're washed, they're runs over, they're no longer Super Bowl contender. They still are, they're absolutely loaded. I think the O-line's better. Mahomes is still the guy. You look at Xavier Worthy at the end of last year, Humbin. Obviously, having Rishi Rice suspended is going to hurt,

but Pacheco's healthy, and my guy, Steve Spags, is still calling shots on defense. Plus, if there's a team that can play in prime time and travel and do well with all the media, it's KC. I just, for three points, I expect to be a tight game, but I have a

very, very hard time believing that the charge are going to knock off Kansas City in the opening week. I do, Part C. I totally agree. Every time somebody tries to pump up the chargers, they seem to do the same thing where it looks good and it's, like, flashy, and it's going to do this, but they just don't do it.

I'm totally on board with that pick. Where are you at with Travis Kelsey? Do you think he's capable of having it would call it a bounce back, even though he's a great player, but I didn't think he had his great stuff last year? Yes. I'll tell you what, noodles, what I think they need to have happen, is when Rishi gets back, you have Wurthy be your stretch the fuel guy.

He's an absolute burner. He can run like the wind, kind of like Tyreek back when they had that going. Rishie Rice will be your underneath, but also he can still stretch the field, kind of your all-around receiver. And to me, Kelsey becomes that safety net, that zone guy.

Hey, if they're going to start playing super soft zone over the top because Xavier Wurley's burning them, you know, Kelsey is still unbelievable finding that window. So I think that Kelsey You can't have a bounce back year, but it helps him having, when Rishi Rice gets back, and your A option is Rishi, your B option is Xavier Worthy or vice versa, whichever way you want to. And he becomes your C guy where you can't really like, hey, we're not chipping Kelsey off the line.

We're not doubling him. We're not bracketing. We've got other problems. He's going to have a big year. So I think he will have a bounce back year statistically. You're locking in the Chiefs. Locking it in. That is such a bad pick, guys.

that is such a bad pick, I'm telling you. I'm telling you, the Chiefs might end up winning this game, right? They've won a lot of these games against the Chargers. What the Chargers have done is they've played the Kansas Chiefs extremely well and extremely tight for the last six games between these two have been settled by a field goal or less. So usually it pays to be on the Chargers in these matchups. Black, Hayes and Bro is on them tonight down in South Palo.

I'm feeling good about it. Fast forward to Sunday, week one, first Sunday. It's going to be fantastic. Lots of great games on the slate. We're taking a look at the Tampa Bay and Falcons game, a little NFC South divisional matchup. Tampa Bay favored by one and a half going in on the road, and I think they beat the doors off the Atlanta Falcons.

I think the Falcons are a decent team, but I think the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a solid team. They're healthy. The defense is there, and I think that they'll be able to stop whatever the Falcons throw at them. and Baker Mayfield showed that he can be a top-tier quarterback in this league. I know there's a little bit of banged up out in the wide receiver group, but they got a rookie in Mecca, Buka.

I think he comes in. He's going to have a superb game here in week one. I think they win this one. So we're taking the bucks, laying the points, one to half. Wow. I'll be honest, when Baker Mayfield shows up during the coin toss and spits on someone who gets kicked out of the game, it's just going to it's going to go our way again

no we're not seeing any no spick gate to start do you not think that Tampa Bay is going to beat the pants off of Atlanta oh yeah I do like come on yeah I do but you know yeah I was surprised it's only one and a half so the only hope I've really got with this thing is you know when it's that much of it like man

I expect it to be like a three and a half four and I think that three and a half is probably the line you know that always says to me like something i don't know you know it almost seems too much a layup sort of like last night so i don't hate it i don't hate it parcy well i think we could be okay yeah and let's be to vea haxaloo gone to michael pennex i think i'll be okay it's unbelievable it's unbelievable it really is it really is all right we're going to the four o'clock slate big game detroit green bay and the packers now favored by two and a half it's gone up again it's now two and a half

points where you're leaning fellas parts i'm with you with whatever you got here it's it's tough man okay we're we're going pack we're going pack um a couple things here okay well with with or without micah it sounds like he's sounds like he might not be playing right yeah i saw that but i still like green bay in the situation and part of it is just the inexperience of the coordinators right now new team new division new organization you know there's always a bit of like hey we got to get into the groove with things here it's a bit frantic the live bullets are flying now so that would be my thing right now and i think the lions will be great this year i really do but the packers are also loaded again loaded it will love to see you know golden wide receiver

how that goes love's got to take the next step they're pretty tight last year i think they I think it's a field goal game, you know, very tight game, but I'm going to go with Green Bay. I think they get it done. Yeah, I think Detroit wins this game outright. The last three trips to Lambo, they've gone into Lambeau, and they've beaten the Green Bay Packers. And I think you look at last season, the Detroit Lions probably feel pretty disrespected. Everyone's talking about how they lost their coordinators, and it's going to cost them. They're going to come back down to Earth.

Frank Ragdow? What about Frank Rag now? They lost Frank Rag now. Absolutely they did, and that's going to be, you know, work in progress. But I honestly believe that it's all overblown because they just elevated guys from within who know the system, who know the players, and know how it works and how it ticks. I still think Detroit's going to be just as good. Plus, they're getting Aidan Hutchinson back.

I love me some Aidan Hutchinson sack props this weekend going up against Gordon Loving Company. Love being on the Lions in this one. Archie, how are we feeling about the pack right now? How are you feeling about it? I don't know. Detroit's so dynamic and they play. They have some games where they're so good with their. crazy plays and their dynamic

plays. I don't know. It's gone. It's gone now. Ben Johnson's gone. The interior line. You know they're going to still have that identity with those crazy fake punts and fourth down plays. The head of the snake is still there. There's still be biting kneecaps. They know

what they're doing with Danes Campbell. I got to just defer to you, man. You're the NFL player. It's almost a pick-em, and I have to go with your decision. I think the pack will get it done. And again, I'm feeling pretty, after last night, we got lucky. I'm feeling pretty lucky still. I'm feeling real lucky right now.

All right, we'll see. We'll see what happened. That's going to be a great game, though. That's the 4 o'clock slate where you sit down. You tune into that one, absolutely. The Sunday nighter, could the NFL scripted it any better, Buffalo and Baltimore, the two teams that a lot of people are thinking could compete for the AFC to knock off Patrick Mahomes and end up in a Super Bowl.

they play each other week one Sunday nighter Hayes and I are on the clock Hayes and I are struggling with this one because it's such a tough tough game possibly the toughest one that we're going to have to pick all year before it make a selection and we do have a lean but I do want to get the thoughts from you noodles Buffalo and Baltimore where is your lean on this one you want my honest I do you're honest opinion Buffalo are one and a half point dogs at home against Baltimore I'm leaning Buffalo.

I just think, Alan, like I just, for some reason, like this summer I was thinking about it. Like, I feel like this could be Buffalo's year. And I, you know, I can't back it up with tremendous information like you guys too, but I had this like gut instinct where it was like, this might be the year that Alan takes them to the promised land. Yeah. He's that good. And you know what it is? Maybe it's just I like him.

He's such a likable. He is. He really is. Hearing him talk, like, you know what, that contract was good. I didn't need to squeeze for extra money. Like, he just doesn't seem like a dope. Like, he just seems like a good guy that guys love him and he plays hard. And I just, I'm a huge Allen fan.

So I'm not even talking about more the opponent. I'm more going Buffaloes, I feel like they can get it done. So I hope that helps. That does help me a lot because we were on the fence. We're 50-50, and I think you swayed me. we are on the Buffalo Bills this weekend. There's a couple things that I like. First of all, you don't have to go that far to watch these two teams.

Last time they played against each other was in the divisional round in the playoffs. The Buffalo Bills won that football game down in Orchard Park, which is where the game is being played. You're telling me that the Buffalo Bills, as home dogs aren't going to rally and win this game. I don't think so. They're absolutely going to play. They're going to ball out. You look at the underdogs.

Week 1, dogs at home are 23 and 7 over the last 30 games in week 1 over the last couple of years. 23 and 7. Somehow, the Buffalo Bills were home dogs in week 1. I can't not go with the Buffalo Bills here. We're taking the point. Parts we might have this thing wrapped up after week one. Yeah, week one. I agree.

I agree. Absolutely not. This isn't a shot of Buffalo. Buffalo is tremendous. have them is the third best team in league right now. Right now, what's the situation with Benford at corner? What's the situation with Tradavius White at corner? We don't know.

So are they going to be missing both their corners? Also, you've got to sit here and you've got to think, very hard to beat a team twice. And yes, it was last year, but all offseason, Lamar has been feeling, it's got that sour taste being like with those turnovers. Okay, Mark Andrews as well, Buffalo got us. We kind of handed them a lot of plays. They got us. Guess what?

We get to write that wrong right off the pitch. bad. This Baltimore team is absolutely loaded, top to bottom. They one of them got Jair Alexander as well. They have an unbelievable run-stopping defense. You got Rashad Bateman, Zayflower stretch in the field, and you go get D-Hop to be that big kind of possession receiver

underneath. Oh, by the way, King Henry is still toad the pill? Come on now, let's be honest. Dude, Buffalo, to me, let's be honest, Buffalo, offensively, defensively, one of the toughest teams in the trenches. It's going to be a physical football game. I like the Buffalo Bill's. It will be a great game. Great game.

Oh, what a way to start week one, Sunday night football on TSN. It's going to be fantastic. The picks are in. You guys on the Chiefs tonight laying three points. We're on the Bucks, laying one and a half. You're on Green Bay laying two and a half. And we're taking the Buffalo bills as home dogs. And we'll see how it all shakes out.

I expect at least probably going three and one this week, I think. I think three and one is pretty well what we're looking at this week. and we'll sweep hours and you'll fumble one of your picks here. I think it's going to end up being the Detroit game when the Lions come through. See you later, parts. We'll see in the group chat, Luke. Can't wait. See you, boys.

Luke Wilson, former NFL or TSN football analyst. You shouldn't feel great about those picks, though. You really shouldn't feel great. Dude, I could say the same about yours. We do this every week. We hate your picks. You hate ours, and then it all kind of plays itself out. Got me all nervous about this Buffalo thing.

Well, you're with us now. You're with Hazenbro now. You're attached to the hip with Hazenbro, just so you know. She's getting me one of these right now because you're with us. Come on, noodles. Yeah, there we go. There we go. All right.

Big Jays game down to Bronx tonight taking on the Yankees coming up on the other side. Keegan Mathes are going to help tee it up. You'll listen to Overdrive on TSN2, TSN1050, and live up on YouTube. Mail it in Friday, brought to you by Boston Pizza, Canada's favorite sports. Sports bar, enjoy $15 lunch at Boston Pizza, where you get an entree aside and a drink. You 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.

Joining us now on the line, our good buddy, Kegan Matheson, MLB.com. Jay's reporter, join us on the Maple Toyota Hotline. What's going on, Keeks? I'm in New York, but I'm thinking about Boston pizza now, fellas. Sounds good. Sounds good. Yeah, yeah. I'm just thinking about this series tonight,

because, I mean, you've got the Jays, the Yankees. There's three games separates these two in the standings when it comes to that ALE's crown. How big of a series is this? Biggest to the year, guys. I know we've said that a lot of times already this season. It's hard to get away from that, but this one, it's the only way to look at it.

You look at the ALE, you look at the stakes. You look at how long it's left. I asked John Schneider this before the game, and he said that even he and the players at this point, you have to look at it a bit differently. This is not a series in May. You cannot just say it's another few games. You try to win everything.

None of that matters anymore. None of that sticks for me. You have to approach it differently. You have to think of it differently. And you have to play it differently. You have to play these like they are postseason games. I think you'll see a bit of that. You'll see them being more aggressive,

a little more picky with who they're using. But this is big time. Man, I remember back in, was it June guys, when the Yankees came to Toronto. And that was the biggest series. of the season back then. But at that point, the Yankees were probably saying, come on, grow up.

You know, the Yankees have had a lot of those. At this point, it's big for both of them. Everybody involved, really gives a damn about what we're about to see these next few days. Any concern about the swapping out of Bassett and Scherzer as the rotation? A little bit, because ideally this is just precautionary and everybody's happy and healthy. But is it a back issue that just needs exactly 24 more?

hours or is he still dealing with something? We'll see. We're going to have to keep an eye on this through the game, guys, because last time out you could tell something wasn't quite right, didn't have his best stuff, was not as good as we've seen him. We're going to have to keep an eye on this second inning, third inning, see how he looks. But if it's just a matter of 24 more hours and it's perfect, great, everybody's happy. But anybody who's had a cranky back, a bad neck, anything like that, you know that it drags on. And ideally one day is enough, guys, but we'll see. that's something where you're really going to have to keep an eye on the velocity and everything else tomorrow. That whole pitching stuff, like bullpen starting rotation,

like that's got to be a concern for Schneider as a whole, Kee, the offense was great in Sincy, but if they want to roll in there and have those guys go on the mound and do that stuff that they were pulling in Sincy, that's going to be big-time problems. Yeah, you're going to get rocked if you do that against the real team. You're going to get absolutely rocked. It's against the Yankees, too.

If you make a few mistakes against the Yankees, suddenly eight runs turns into 12, 14 runs. They are going to blast off against this team. The Blue Jays pitchers need to be better. Home runs have been a problem for their starters all season long, and they have ranked among the worst in baseball. They've been up there with the A's, which is not the type of company you want to keep at any regard, really. The Yankees hit a ton of home runs, man, and that's why this team, guys, I think it's,

I don't think they're a powerhouse, but I think they're a team you hate to face in October, because they can get hot for two days, get a ton of home runs, and wreck your whole season, wreck your whole year, instantly. And the way that this bullpen and rotation, like you say, O'Dagam, pitching, it's not good enough right now.

All year it's been a luxury for John Schneider. You show up, press whatever button, you look good, you win, everybody's happy. That's not happening right now. They look average right now. Not terrible, but it's coming back around, but average is not good enough. I mean, my God, not at this point of the season.

not a Yankee Stadium, not when you're trying to win the division. This is not about sneaking into the party with a wild card, which is like being the guy at the party, no one really invited. You're trying to win the east. This is different. Well, it's interesting because the bullpen has been a bit of a mess recently, obviously, and Trey Savage, who was more of a conversation a few weeks ago, his last three starts in AAA has gone, 12 and a third innings, 19 strikeouts. He's given up just four runs at that level.

Obviously, big difference between AAA and the big leagues, but if they continue to sputter out of the bullpen, like, is that a guy that Jay's could look at potentially adding and taking a look at them down the stretch here? Still very possible, guys. And even if you're added in September, you can still be eligible for the playoffs. It's a boring explanation that involves a commissioner's okay.

It works. It usually happens. It can happen. And with you, Savage, I understand not wanting to make him the savior, and not wanting to put pressure on him. I also believe that he is a fully functioning adult, and at some point you've got to handle the pressure, and I think he can't.

It's a really simple conversation for me, guys, and I think we've talked before about the best 13 or 14 pitchers on a team, and the simplest way to look at that is to pick who's number 13 or 14 right now. You're comparing Trey Yassavage to Ryan Baraki. It would have been Dylan Tate before he was optioned today. Tommy Nance has been good lately,

but those lower end arms in the bullpen, would you rather them or would you rather Trey Yassavage? I know that development needs to be considered a little bit, but we've spent a lot of time in this city over the past seven, eight years, talking about Nate Pearson, about Ricky Tiedeman. Pearson's bouncing around as a fringe reliever. Ricky Tiedman's got surgery now. These guys don't last forever.

When you've got a chance, you need to ride it while it's hot, and Trey Yassavage looks really good in his last relief outing three innings. if he has another good one, I think that really picks up. That's still an option for me, guys, and it's still tempting his hell because he's really good, and if you're comparing him to your number 13 or 14 pitcher, I know which one I'm looking at. Keegan, we talked about the importance of pitching and how it has to straighten itself out, but as far as offensively, on the broadcast, they talk about guys picking each other up

and different guys stepping up. There's been Varshow, there's been Springer and Bichette. They've been so good. Would this not be a series where you'd like, look at a guy like Vladdy to say, this could be a great time. He's been what he is since the injury coming back from it. But, man, what a time for him to, like, come alive and take control of this series in the Bronx.

I think it would be massive for him and the team. You're dead right. Exactly. Perfect time. It's nice to see a roster that works together. It's good to see players pick everyone up. Everyone's cheery. At a certain point, Vladdy needs to light the Yankees up.

he's done that a lot of times in his career he loves playing baseball here i think there's a little bit of an edge that comes out in flattie when he's here like a real edge that we don't see a lot of other times he's been good we've talked about it all year he's been good almost great almost who he can be but not quite all the way there no better time than right now hit a couple of home runs shush the crowd where you're running around the bases upset some people while you're doing that why not you know this team hasn't found itself in many of those abrasive situations i guess i'll call them this year now's the time for it man add some spice to this vladdie has owned this place a few different times in his career and a performance like that man puts the blue jade right back to where they were a month ago

which is the rest of baseball talking about them the rest of baseball's not talking about the blue jays right now they're kind of losing steam uh vladdie's that one guy if he lights up this series he's the one He changes it all. Should Springer get some MVP votes? Man, I can't believe that's a real question that, like, I have to consider this year. It's amazing, right? But we were talking about him in spring training, guys. I didn't see any of this coming.

Won't pretend to be smart. That would be a complete lie. I saw none of this coming. And Noodles, I thought the conversation we'd be having it this time this year in spring training was, like, does he have a place on the roster? Like, can the Blue Jays keep parrying this guy in his conference? contract. It's been one of the most impressive seasons I've ever seen, honestly, given where he came from and what he's meant to this team. And I'm a big believer, guys, in really getting

down to the definition of valuable, okay? It's not the most home runs. It's not valuable to a team. Who was the most valuable to their team? George Springer's got a lot of arguments over top of the big names. Now, it's not going to beat out a judge or Raleigh, those types of guys. That's crazy. But on the back of a ballot, I've got all the time in the world for that. And it's something that voters, myself included, will have to really consider. And I'm a big believer in really getting into the definition of that word. Again, valuable. Who mattered the most to their team?

It's hard to make an argument for many guys over George Springer this year. Because if you make George Springer who he was last year on the 2025 roster, it's toast. You're probably fighting for a third wild card, same old story. So what is it Keegan that's allowed him to have this Renaissance season? Like what's been so different with him? last year he was playing defense i think as a hitter he was trying to react he was on his heels it was very hesitant and tentative and that is never going to work george springer is underratedly one of

the best athletes i've ever been around guys like outside linebacker NFL star incredible athletes and i think he's gotten back into that finally he got away from it he was playing defensive baseball and trying to hit singles. That's not going to be George Springer's game, guys. He is big and strong and quick and powerful enough to be launching 30 home runs, which he's about to do. And I think that's a huge credit to the hitting staff, but a huge credit to Springer as well

for looking in the mirror and saying, you know what, that sucks. The 2024 was not it. And if you do that again, we're probably having a way worse conversation right now. He reflected on that and was realistic with himself, that it wasn't good. And he's bounced back from that, and you see someone using their athleticism.

I don't care that he's 35. I know that's old in baseball, but he is an incredible athlete. That's why he was so good, so young, top prospect, and everything with the Astros. He's back into it, man. It looks amazing. Well, we're excited. It's going to be a big series down in New York. You're down, taking in all the action.

We'll let you get back to work. First pitch coming up in about an hour and 25 minutes or so, hour and a half almost. but appreciate taking time to join us as always Keegan we'll do it again soon all right I'm off to the dining room fellows take care I'm jealous he loves it hey I'm jealous a baseball feed bag must be just something else oh yeah something else yeah I went to I was at Dodgers yeah I was at the Dodgers stadium

and I was there for as well media for whatever reason the snacks that they had at that place was unbelievable it's like you walked it's never ending It's like you walked into like Willie Wonka's candy shop. They had everything in there imaginable noodles. You would have been in heaven. Like the sweets and candies that were there was on the stuff that they don't sell in Canada. What assignment did you have at Dodger Stadium as a media member?

How did you get credential down there? So what happened was I was interning with the Canadian Baseball Network when I was still in school. I was in my first semester at Centennial for Sports Journalism. And I was going down to L.A. for vacation. and the Jays happened to be in town. So I shot a note to my editor to the great Bob Elliott, actually, and I asked him, any chance at all I could get in there. And one of my professors was there also covering the game,

and he said he'd take me under my wing, and about 20 minutes later I had credentials. Did you go in there and just pig out right in front of them, too? Like, did you like... I might have packed a couple of snacks in the bag afterwards to take home. pat of paper. Yeah, I was a professional. I was a professional, and what I was told was there was two things.

So this 2017, so Jose was still there, and Russell Martin was still there. You know, it was kind of the remnants of what was, I suppose. I think John Donaldson was still there at the time as well. But I remember being told, do not, whatever you do, speak to Jose

Bautista, or Russell Martin pregame, and obviously the starter, who was Marcus Stroman that day, off limits as well. Those were the three things I was told before I went in to speak to the boys. Partista had that big of a reputation, like you're not allowed to talk to him?

Just apparently, like, he was very dialed in and zoned in. He's like, don't talk to Jose before the game. Just don't do it. So, I didn't. I did not speak to him. Spoke to a couple other guys, spoke to Pilar. I got up writing a story on one of the relievers at the time. Oh, yeah, I went in

there and I worked. I had a notepad. I had a recorder and all that nonsense. You were a hat, too, didn't you? Were some like weird. Did not wear a hat. No hat, no hat. I should have wore a fedora like I did back in the day. I should have wore a fedora.

That would have been acceptable. Walk into like a 1950s reporter. That's what I was thinking. That would be funny. That's what I was thinking. I love it, though. That would have been funny. Keegan and Matheson joining on the Maple Toyota hotline.

Drive the built-in, Canada, fuel-efficient, fun to drive Toyota at Ford, Gas, or hybrid models available. Visit maple Toyota. com. All we got the fan dual best bets. That's coming up next. here on Overdrive. Today's best bets are powered by Fanduel.

Make your picks and assemble a same game parlay in seconds on the Fandual Sportsbook app. I'm looking at the NFL week one slate, couple Sunday games like the Bengals on the money line. They traditionally have come out slow in weeks one and two, but they played their starters in the preseason and they're playing the Browns. They should get the win. I'm on Bengals Money Line and Bucks Money Line. I got them in the Haysenbro picks.

I think that they put a butt-wipping on the Falcons. give me bucks money line as well parlay those together you get that at plus 164 today's best bets powered by fan duel the first quarter means as much as the fourth when you bet on football on the fan dual sports but gap please play responsibly 19 plus and physically located in ontario there's one other game that i do like tonight uh or this sunday seahawks currently are one-a-half point dogs at home against the niners no christian mcalfrey at practice today dealing with the calf

Horrifying. Another calf. Of all things, a calf injury. I read that today. I could not believe it. I was just like... I'm out on the Niners already this season. I'm done.

You know that's going to lead it to him not playing. Oh, he'll end up in Switzerland, Germany, whatever, and we're not going to see Christian McCaffrey. Maybe ever again, he could be done. His career could be over. But, yeah, should be a game. I like the Seahawks, be able to pull off the money line upset as the dogs there. It's going to be a fun night, though.

You got Friday night football, Chiefs Chargers. You got Felix O'Jalee Aesim, about to go toe-to-to-toe with Yonick's center for a spot to take on Al-Carez. Just took down, yeah, took down Joker, man. Great sets against the Joker. Wow. Unbelievable. So we'll see what Felix can do. Can he keep the Cinderella run alive against Sinner?

Or are we going to get another Sinner Al-Qa-Rez final this upcoming weekend? So, and obviously, Jay's Yankees, massive series beginning tonight. Gosman on the mound. We'll see what he can do against the Yanks. I'm calling two for three. They win two for three. I like it. I like it. I'll take that too. Prove you can win on the road. The road schedule has been brutal. They've been like 500 on the road this year. So hopefully they can get a W on the road, especially against the Yankees. Separate a little bit. It can be a massive series. All right, boys. I think that does it for us. Good stuff, buddy. All right. Good stuff. Enjoy your weekends, folks. Thanks, everyone, behind the scenes.

You guys be back Monday at 4 p.m. We'll chat then. 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 doesn't have to be fast food. See you for a $15 fast lunch at your local Boston pizza. Seasoned gamer or just video game curious?

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