FanGraphs Audio: Kaitlyn McGrath Talks Toronto’s Team

Episode 987 This week on the program, we get into some Blue Jays banter before looking at how some other squads are faring after the trade deadline. In the first half, David Laurila welcomes Kaitlyn McGrath, a writer and podcaster for The Athletic focused on the Toronto Blue Jays. They talk about the surprisingly competitive Baltimore Orioles, compare Kevin Gausman and Alek Manoah’s great seasons, consider the concerning campaigns of Yusei Kikuchi and José Berríos, and discuss the interesting acquisitions of Jackie Bradley Jr. and Whit Merrifield. We also hear how fans wish the club was a bit more aggressive even as the front office often leans in a more practical direction. [3:02] In the second half, Ben Clemens and Dan Szymborski convene to chat about the landscape of both Central divisions and their respective races. The White Sox just lost Tim Anderson at a terrible time, while the Cardinals are surging following some successful deadline deals. The pair talk about the Harrison Bader/Jordan Montgomery trade, how Milwaukee was too passive at the deadline, Jed Lowrie being DFA’d, Chris Sale’s latest unfortunate injury, and Dan’s own history of embarrassing accidents. Finally, they give the Rockies some credit after they claimed Dinelson Lamet off waivers. [36:53] To purchase a FanGraphs membership for yourself or as a gift, click here. To donate to FanGraphs and help us keep things running, click here. Don’t hesitate to direct pod-related correspondence to @dhhiggins on Twitter. You can subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or other feeder things. Audio after the jump. (Approximate 73 minute play time.) var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source