Birds All Day

After having their birdhouse rocked for five straight games, the Blue Jays rebounded against a lesser avian, the Orioles, ending their drought. Drew and Kaitlyn pick through Toronto's much-needed win and zero in on why Semien thought the club's 'W' was "big". Although the team cleansed themselves of their losing curse, are they in a position to go all-in? Drew and Kaitlyn debate Toronto's trajectory, needs, trade targets, et al. as July nears. The duo touch on John Axford joining the bullpen. Lastly, George Springer's return will be marked not only by excitement and collective breath-holding but questions about lineup construction and optimization.  Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drew and The Athletic's deputy managing editor Marc Carig sit down to voice their thoughts on Baseball Reference including Negro League statistics into their database, a step towards recognizing an era in baseball that goes unnoticed more than it should. The duo share why this decision is a positive impact on the game, and what further steps should be made. Though the conversation is buttressed by optimism for the future, there are still pitfalls and shortcomings MLB and other chroniclers need to recognize to keep propelling this movement forward. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Marc on Twitter: @MarcCarig Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Yes, a typical Sunday series pitted against a vicious division rival, what more suspenseful, intense, nail-biting affair could you ask fo...oh...it's 18-4? Wait, what?! 18 to FOUURRRR???? Toronto teed off on Boston in a most glorious fashion. A fashion in which two fashionable podcasters, Drew and Kaitlyn, talk about in today's pod. Diametrically opposed to the jacked offense, is the Jays' languid pen. Is Andrew Miller a pitcher that could reinforce the bullpen? Bo Bichette's play over the weekend reflects his growth at the plate. Vlad is baseball's best hitter, full stop. Also, what we miss most about Rogers Centre. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Atheltic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Drew welcomes 3Motion AI chief scientist, Dr. Mike Sonne, to Spin Rate! Dr. Sonne studies biomechanics and how bodies' motions can affect things like pitching...maybe even pitching that's assisted by certain substances. He and Drew unhinge the truth from fiction in the foreign-substances-on-baseballs discussion. Spider Tack, sunscreen, Elmer's Glue, whatever pitchers use, should it be viewed as a performance enhancer? How does it affect a baseball? What changes have been made to baseballs, themselves, over the last couple of years? Why is Nate Pearson still battling control issues? Dr. Sonne breaks down Pearson's offerings. He also does the same for Alek Manoah. Lastly, the duo dives into Toronto's pitching development approach/results. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Dr. Mike Sonne on Twitter: @DrMikeSonne Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Drew and Kaitlyn chat about Friday's Astro-nomical flop versus Houston as well as Toronto's pitching problems in the series. Which pitching performance is more redeemable, Ryu's or Matz's? What's the state of the AL East? Drew and Kaitlyn maneuver through the best and worst in the division, plus, where will the Jays finish in the East's pecking order? Toronto's catchers continue to flounder at the plate, what can the squatters do to crank up their production? Lastly, the duo discusses Mark Shapiro's comments about a return to Toronto. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Drew and Keegan Matheson, Blue Jays reporter for MLB.com, dip their oars into Blue Jays-waters and navigate the latest with the team. Keegan discusses Sahlen Field and its ambiance and whether Buffalo has been welcoming to the Jays. The guys react to Bo Bichette's late-game heroics against the Marlins and converse about what his future holds. Plus, Alek Manoah had a rough outing versus Miami, but despite a torpid start, there's still a lot to be optimistic about...but what exactly?  Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Keegan on Twitter: @KeeganMatheson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Tyler Chatwood and the Blue Jays failed to secure the game-two win over Cleveland in the teams' Sunday double-header, leading both Drew and Kailtny to dig into Toronto's miscues. Plus, Ross Stripling's mechanical overhaul is bearing fruit, Kaitlyn shares her take on Alek Manoah's debut, and the duo distributes May report cards. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Drew with the man who needs no introduction, Andrew Zuber, riding side cart, breakdown the long-awaited debut of Alek Manoah. Plus, how will Manoha's presence impact the rotation; Charlie Montoyo, Joe Girardi and withholding information, and Rowdy Tellez's intangibles. Enjoy. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Andrew on Twitter: @the_Zubes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Athletic for just $1 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Yikes...this slump stinks. With clothespin-pinched noses, Drew and Kaitlyn weave through Toronto's losing streak. With series losses to both Boston and Tampa, is there one underlying shortcoming that can be attributed to their lack of success? Was the sweep by Tampa all the more stinging considering it's...well...Tampa? Why are Tampa's "faceless goons" in the bullpen better than Toronto's "faceless goons" in the bullpen? How are the Rays able to identify unheralded talent better than the Jays? When will we see the best version of Toronto? Are injuries the only thing holding this team back, or will upgrades need to be made? Gurriel Jr. playing 1B is telling about how Toronto views his defense. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Athletic for just $1 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Drew and Alexis Brudnicki, contributing writer for Baseball America and former FanGraphs, Sportsnet, Canadian Baseball Network (checks lengthy resume)...uh... and scribe for many other distinguished outlets, dive into how navigating baseball has changed because of the pandemic. The duo also cover need-to-know Canadian amateur baseballers that could have their names announced at this year's MLB Draft. Also, how should high school prospects approach this year's draft with so much uncertainty abound? Alexis has worked hard to become a respected voice in the industry, so why leave it behind? Alexis explains her decision to step aside from her career to pursue a future in law and focus on power imbalances in baseball. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Alexis on Twitter: @baseballexis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Another week of Blue Jays baseball, another bullpen arm inevitably injured. Drew and Kaitlyn ponders when (or if) the injury-prone bullpen heals up and reunites if they'll return to their early-season splendor. How detrimental is losing David Phelps to a lat injury? How will it shape the bullpens for weeks to come? Among the many bright spots on this Toronto team, the bats certainly merit mentioning. Vlad produced homers in three straight games for the first time in his career. Is he nearing Mike-Trout levels of excellence? Marcus Semien has quietly manufactured a strong '21 campaign. How much more can he contribute to this club? Speaking of this club, is playing in Dunedin a reprieve for the Jays, or is it similar to playing in an opponent's ballpark? Semien shares his thoughts on TD Ballpark's advantage/disadvantage. With Boston on the horizon, could Toronto overtake the AL East's top position? Lastly, Drew and Kaitlyn recount their C

Part Three of The Athletic’s Origins story for Dell Technologies ‘Small Business Podference’ series. In this episode The Athletic’s co-founders Alex Mather and Adam Hansmann continue on about the company’s expansion into the U.K., how the team got through the shutdown of sports and challenges that lay ahead. Writers, Marcus Thompson, Anthony Slater, Zach Harper and David Aldridge give their thoughts on that process as well. For the complete lineup of episodes, visit delltechnologiespodference.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part Two of The Athletic’s Origins story for Dell Technologies ‘Small Business Podference’ series. In this episode The Athletic’s co-founders Alex Mather and Adam Hansmann continue on about the company’s first steps into the marketplace. The challenges they met selling this idea to investors, and journalists they were trying to recruit, specifically with the expansion into the Bay Area. Writers, Marcus Thompson and Anthony Slater give their thoughts on that process as well. For the complete lineup of episodes, visit delltechnologiespodference.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part One of The Athletic’s Origins story for Dell Technologies ‘Small Business Podference’ series. In this episode we hear from The Athletic’s co-founders Alex Mather and Adam Hansmann about how they met, how an idea for better sports coverage materialized into a significant media player in the sports landscape and the spirit at the heart of The Athletic’s culture. For the complete lineup of episodes, visit delltechnologiespodference.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Hit it DJ Khaled! "Another one." Yes, Toronto, yet again, swept the Atlanta Braves by orchestrating an impressive, epic come-from-behind-series-finale win. Drew and Kaitlyn muse what Thursday night's resilient win says about the Jays. The duo extrapolate Blue Jays April performances that can carry through the rest of the season, and those that are destined to peter out. The Jays junkies opine over a trio of pressing matters: 1. What's up with Lourdes Gurriel Jr.? 2. Can Nate Pearson be fixed? And what does Kaitlyn think about Pearson's latest challenges. 3. Is it time to call up Alek Manoah? Kaitlyn drops some big knowledge on us, much like big Vlad drops both legs simultaneously to perform the splits. This was really a poor attempt at segueing into KM's Vladdy splits story, nevertheless. Lastly, a look ahead to Phillies-Jays. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Learn more about your ad choices

Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate If issuing walks and conceding home runs defined a good pitcher, Nate Pearson would be Hall of Fame-bound; however, this is not the case and, therefore, Pearson is pretty bad. So, Drew and change-up specialist Jonah Birenbaum confabulate about Pearson's...less than memorable outings this year. What going on with the 24-year-old hurler's stuff? Why aren't his commendable Minor League outings translating to the pros? Is it psychological? Could he be DFA'd again? On the topic of underwhelming pitching performances, Anthony Kay continues to struggle. Drew and Jonah channel their Brandon Flowers and go all 'Mr. Brightside' on us, praising both Marcus Semien and Bo Bichette's offensive production. Lastly, a look ahead to Toronto's series in Atlanta. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Jonah on Twitter: @birenball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Craig Goldstein, Editor-in-Chief of Baseball Prospectus, joins Drew as the duo dissect early-season Blue Jays narratives. Craig delineates baselines for performance sustainability. What can analysts and viewers, alike, buy stock in a month into the season? How does one separate a hot start from an intentional high level of play (7:00)? If you're new to the podcast, then welcome to your weekly dose of 'to Biggio or not to Biggio?' Drew and Baseball Prospectus' overlord chat about Biggio's April, what attributes warrant keeping him around, and Craig's projection of Biggio (17:00). You can't sully Vlad Jr.'s 2021 with words, because they would be undeniably false (27:00). What can we expect from Minor League Baseball this year (32:00)? Why was it so disappointing to see many affiliates eliminated? Has MiLB and MLB barred the entryway to baseball fandom? Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Craig on Twitter: @@cdgoldstein Learn more ab

Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate George Springer's Spring return sprung Toronto ahead three games in the win column after sweeping Atlanta over the weekend. Drew and Kaitlyn react to the Jays' offseason big-price-tag acquisition's start to the 2021 campaign after being medically cleared to play. How will he impact the club's offense? Will he remain at leadoff? Though Springer is convalescing, there are many a-Jays that are sidelined with injuries. Which positions need bolstering? What's the status of the players who are out? A quick look at Minor League assignments leads into previewing Toronto's series in Oakland (28:30). Plus, the Blue Jays and Major League Baseball have moved on from Roberto Alomar after sexual misconduct allegations surface. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Count 'em: not one, not two, but THREE dingers from Vlad the Great (or Terrible depending on who you ask) in a single game! Drew shares his thoughts on a night he and Jays' loyalists will never forget. MLB.com analyst, ESPN voice, and co-host of the Ballkpark Dimensions podcast Mike Petriello joins the show to discuss the state of baseball, and what he believes can improve the game. Mike also opines about Cavan Biggio and Toronto's 3B quandary, the team's pitching quality, and what it means to have Geroge Springer inserted into the lineup. Plus, a look around the AL East. Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Mike on Twitter: @mike_petriello Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join The Athletic for just $3.99 a month! Visit: theathletic.com/spinrate Is it an illusion, smoke and mirrors, a miscalculation, or do the Blue Jays currently boast one, if not the, best bullpen in the majors? Drew and Kaitlyn pull back the curtain on Toronto's relief core and discuss the latest with Hyun-Jin Ryu. Is the pen's stellar performance sustainable, and how much credit, if any, does Charlie Montoyo deserve? Negative Drew notes the Jays' defensive lapses and poses if Bo Bichette headlines these issues. Is Kris Bryant a possibility at 3B? George Springer and others are set to return soon so, let's rosterbate! Follow Drew on Twitter: @DrewGROF Follow Kaitlyn on Twitter: @kaitlyncmcgrath Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices