Jays Journal Podcast - August 14. "Cold Hard Facts."

Jays Journal Podcast - August 14. "Cold Hard Facts."

The glorious reclamation project that is your 2017 Toronto Blue Jays continued their winning ways with the kind of effort not usually expected from names like Tepesch, Refsnyder, Lopez, Aoki; and yet this gaggle of replacement parts refused to capitulate in defeating Tampa Bay, 2-1. As the team jostles for position in a crowded wild card sweepstakes, there can be no doubting that this team still believes in itself and the possibility of post-season play.

First up on tonight's jam-packed show is Sportsnet's baseball editor, Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith), who joins host Ari Shapiro in discussing: his impressions of this current homestand (3:15), how much credence should be given to media perspectives on what's fact versus fiction (4:17), how the Rays line up against the Jays in this crucial four-game set (7:17), thoughts on Josh Donaldson and if he should be considered an irreplaceable asset (11:57), and an exclusive update on the health and future of Devon Travis (15:22).

Next, we're thrilled to bring you a round table featuring three brilliant baseball minds: Ian Hunter (@BlueJaysHunter) of The Sporting News, Colin Teskey (@TeskeyRadio) of the Fan 590, and Brendan Panikkar (@Panikkar37) of Jays Journal, as they offer us their candid thoughts on: if the 2017 edition of this team has any hope for a playoff berth (22:05), if being owned by a media company is a detriment to fan and franchise (27:33), if a redemption narrative ends up being a trump card for ownership (30:25), should fans view the price ticket increase as a blessing in disguise (32:45), and how they feel about Donaldson finishing his career as a Blue Jay (35:23).