Nick Ashbourne
@nickashbourne.bsky.social
Blue Jays at Sportsnet and Leafs at @mapleleafshotstove.bsky.social
🎧 Talking Leafs on the MLHS Podcast and co-hosting Blue Jays Happy Hour (https://www.patreon.com/BJHH)
🎧 Talking Leafs on the MLHS Podcast and co-hosting Blue Jays Happy Hour (https://www.patreon.com/BJHH)
It's tough to predict what precisely the Blue Jays will do in free agency, but there are some players available with similarities to the guys they've gone for in the past: www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/...
How past Blue Jays signings indicate what they'll do this year
Among the many tools for predicting the future, past behaviour might be the best. With that in mind, Nick Ashbourne takes a look at which free agents best match the ones the Blue Jays have signed in t...
www.sportsnet.ca
November 21, 2025 at 3:35 PM
It's tough to predict what precisely the Blue Jays will do in free agency, but there are some players available with similarities to the guys they've gone for in the past: www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/...
Reposted by Nick Ashbourne
This week @nickashbourne.bsky.social and I take a look at a Jeff Passan piece that was music to Jays fans' ears.
Plus!: Qualifying offers, Nick Sandlin (and Andres Gimenez), Ricky Tiedemann, the team we’d least like to see Bo end up with, and a whole lot more!
Have a listen! 👇
Plus!: Qualifying offers, Nick Sandlin (and Andres Gimenez), Ricky Tiedemann, the team we’d least like to see Bo end up with, and a whole lot more!
Have a listen! 👇
🎧BJHH: 204 - The Perennial Contender
*EXTREME WINGS-ERA PAUL McCARTNEY VOICE* Jeff!
stoeten.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:04 PM
This week @nickashbourne.bsky.social and I take a look at a Jeff Passan piece that was music to Jays fans' ears.
Plus!: Qualifying offers, Nick Sandlin (and Andres Gimenez), Ricky Tiedemann, the team we’d least like to see Bo end up with, and a whole lot more!
Have a listen! 👇
Plus!: Qualifying offers, Nick Sandlin (and Andres Gimenez), Ricky Tiedemann, the team we’d least like to see Bo end up with, and a whole lot more!
Have a listen! 👇
One of the many benefits of a deep playoff run is the additional time you get for internal evaluation.
Here are some things the Blue Jays learned about their own guys in the postseason that could affect how they move through the offseason: www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/...
Here are some things the Blue Jays learned about their own guys in the postseason that could affect how they move through the offseason: www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/...
What we learned about key Blue Jays players during World Series run
A small benefit of the Blue Jays' run to the World Series was seeing how the team performed under the highest pressure. Sportsnet's Nick Ashbourne looks at four key players who changed their outlooks ...
www.sportsnet.ca
November 17, 2025 at 2:54 PM
One of the many benefits of a deep playoff run is the additional time you get for internal evaluation.
Here are some things the Blue Jays learned about their own guys in the postseason that could affect how they move through the offseason: www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/...
Here are some things the Blue Jays learned about their own guys in the postseason that could affect how they move through the offseason: www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/...
Reposted by Nick Ashbourne
🎙️ New MLHS Podcast 🎙️
@APetrielli.bsky.social & @NickAshbourne.bsky.social on the Leafs’ troubling losses to Boston and Carolina, the biggest areas of concern and reasons for hope, and Craig Berube’s current job security 👇
#LeafsForever
@APetrielli.bsky.social & @NickAshbourne.bsky.social on the Leafs’ troubling losses to Boston and Carolina, the biggest areas of concern and reasons for hope, and Craig Berube’s current job security 👇
#LeafsForever
How far are the Leafs from the coaching change conversation? - MLHS Podcast EP104
How far are the Leafs from the coaching change conversation? - MLHS Podcast EP104
mapleleafshotstove.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:23 AM
🎙️ New MLHS Podcast 🎙️
@APetrielli.bsky.social & @NickAshbourne.bsky.social on the Leafs’ troubling losses to Boston and Carolina, the biggest areas of concern and reasons for hope, and Craig Berube’s current job security 👇
#LeafsForever
@APetrielli.bsky.social & @NickAshbourne.bsky.social on the Leafs’ troubling losses to Boston and Carolina, the biggest areas of concern and reasons for hope, and Craig Berube’s current job security 👇
#LeafsForever
Reposted by Nick Ashbourne
This week it was time to turn the page and look to the future, so you'll find @nickashbourne.bsky.social and I talking about Shane Bieber's surprise return, Bo Bichette's free agency, other names of intrigue, and a whole lot more!
Have a listen! 👇
Have a listen! 👇
🎧BJHH: 203 - Shane, Come Back!
Shane Bieber made a curious decision to return to the Jays, and Bo Bichette has finally reached free agency—though so have plenty of other intriguing targets for a Jays team with a real chance to be e...
stoeten.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:53 PM
This week it was time to turn the page and look to the future, so you'll find @nickashbourne.bsky.social and I talking about Shane Bieber's surprise return, Bo Bichette's free agency, other names of intrigue, and a whole lot more!
Have a listen! 👇
Have a listen! 👇
Reposted by Nick Ashbourne
🎙️ New MLHS Podcast 🎙️
- Leafs' winning streak & Matthews heating up
- Should the Leafs be more vocal about officiating?
- Robertson making his case
- The awkward Kampf situation
- Cowan joining the Marlies
+ much more via @NickAshbourne.bsky.social & @APetrielli.bsky.social 👇
- Leafs' winning streak & Matthews heating up
- Should the Leafs be more vocal about officiating?
- Robertson making his case
- The awkward Kampf situation
- Cowan joining the Marlies
+ much more via @NickAshbourne.bsky.social & @APetrielli.bsky.social 👇
The Maple Leafs are streaking, and Matthews is coming alive - MLHS Podcast EP103
The Maple Leafs are streaking, and Matthews is coming alive - MLHS Podcast EP103
mapleleafshotstove.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:07 PM
🎙️ New MLHS Podcast 🎙️
- Leafs' winning streak & Matthews heating up
- Should the Leafs be more vocal about officiating?
- Robertson making his case
- The awkward Kampf situation
- Cowan joining the Marlies
+ much more via @NickAshbourne.bsky.social & @APetrielli.bsky.social 👇
- Leafs' winning streak & Matthews heating up
- Should the Leafs be more vocal about officiating?
- Robertson making his case
- The awkward Kampf situation
- Cowan joining the Marlies
+ much more via @NickAshbourne.bsky.social & @APetrielli.bsky.social 👇
Stoeten and I did our best to sort through this bittersweet moment in Blue Jays history:
The Jays got as close to winning a World Series as physically possible. But, as I'm sure I don't need to tell you, they did not win.
So this week @nickashbourne.bsky.social and I talk about the playoff ride, an instant classic of a World Series, and heartbreaking defeat.
Have a listen! 👇
So this week @nickashbourne.bsky.social and I talk about the playoff ride, an instant classic of a World Series, and heartbreaking defeat.
Have a listen! 👇
🎧BJHH: 202 - Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End
The 2025 Toronto Blue Jays got literally as close to winning a World Series as physically possible.
stoeten.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Stoeten and I did our best to sort through this bittersweet moment in Blue Jays history:
You genuinely can’t get much closer to winning the World Series without doing it.
That Blue Jays run was incredible, and nothing that came before today was invalidated by that result — but a win sure could have elevated it.
That Blue Jays run was incredible, and nothing that came before today was invalidated by that result — but a win sure could have elevated it.
November 2, 2025 at 4:19 AM
You genuinely can’t get much closer to winning the World Series without doing it.
That Blue Jays run was incredible, and nothing that came before today was invalidated by that result — but a win sure could have elevated it.
That Blue Jays run was incredible, and nothing that came before today was invalidated by that result — but a win sure could have elevated it.
One thing that's in play for this chaotic game is a home run that trumps Joe Carter's (impossible to beat Game 7, extra-inning walk-off).
That's wild considering Carter's is one of the most important/iconic in the sport's history.
That's wild considering Carter's is one of the most important/iconic in the sport's history.
November 2, 2025 at 3:56 AM
One thing that's in play for this chaotic game is a home run that trumps Joe Carter's (impossible to beat Game 7, extra-inning walk-off).
That's wild considering Carter's is one of the most important/iconic in the sport's history.
That's wild considering Carter's is one of the most important/iconic in the sport's history.
When the World Series is on the line, you want the ball hit to Andrés Giménez.
November 2, 2025 at 3:53 AM
When the World Series is on the line, you want the ball hit to Andrés Giménez.
This game is an instant classic. It's got everything.
November 2, 2025 at 3:41 AM
This game is an instant classic. It's got everything.
I'm sure folks don't want to see Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but there's no guarantee he's going to be effective on no rest whatsoever.
As good as he is, this is a serious gamble by the Dodgers.
As good as he is, this is a serious gamble by the Dodgers.
November 2, 2025 at 3:32 AM
I'm sure folks don't want to see Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but there's no guarantee he's going to be effective on no rest whatsoever.
As good as he is, this is a serious gamble by the Dodgers.
As good as he is, this is a serious gamble by the Dodgers.
There's no way Addison Barger has that at-bat against an elite LHP a couple of months ago. He's matured so much as a hitter.
November 2, 2025 at 3:30 AM
There's no way Addison Barger has that at-bat against an elite LHP a couple of months ago. He's matured so much as a hitter.
Players with 30+ hits in a single MLB playoff run:
Ernie Clement
That's it.
Ernie Clement
That's it.
November 2, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Players with 30+ hits in a single MLB playoff run:
Ernie Clement
That's it.
Ernie Clement
That's it.
The Blue Jays only needed 8 more outs to win the World Series when Freddie Freeman stepped up to the plate and Vladdy took care of 25% of them.
November 2, 2025 at 2:34 AM
The Blue Jays only needed 8 more outs to win the World Series when Freddie Freeman stepped up to the plate and Vladdy took care of 25% of them.
No one's ever had more hits in a playoff run than Ernie Clement has in 2025.
That sentence is pure lunacy.
That sentence is pure lunacy.
November 2, 2025 at 2:19 AM
No one's ever had more hits in a playoff run than Ernie Clement has in 2025.
That sentence is pure lunacy.
That sentence is pure lunacy.
Between spring training, the regular season, and the playoffs, Louis Varland appeared 99 times and pitched 100 innings.
With Chris Bassitt in the game, he can finally rest.
With Chris Bassitt in the game, he can finally rest.
November 2, 2025 at 2:02 AM
Between spring training, the regular season, and the playoffs, Louis Varland appeared 99 times and pitched 100 innings.
With Chris Bassitt in the game, he can finally rest.
With Chris Bassitt in the game, he can finally rest.
By coming into this game, Louis Varland sets the MLB record for pitching appearances in a single playoff run (15).
November 2, 2025 at 1:47 AM
By coming into this game, Louis Varland sets the MLB record for pitching appearances in a single playoff run (15).
That may have been the last time we see Max Scherzer in the MLB playoffs, where he’s been an institution.
He’s appeared in 11 playoff runs with 157 IP (8th all-time), 182 Ks (5th), 2 World Series Game 7 starts, and 2 World Series rings (and counting).
He’s appeared in 11 playoff runs with 157 IP (8th all-time), 182 Ks (5th), 2 World Series Game 7 starts, and 2 World Series rings (and counting).
November 2, 2025 at 1:44 AM
That may have been the last time we see Max Scherzer in the MLB playoffs, where he’s been an institution.
He’s appeared in 11 playoff runs with 157 IP (8th all-time), 182 Ks (5th), 2 World Series Game 7 starts, and 2 World Series rings (and counting).
He’s appeared in 11 playoff runs with 157 IP (8th all-time), 182 Ks (5th), 2 World Series Game 7 starts, and 2 World Series rings (and counting).
That Daulton Varsho catch was on a 109.8 mph liner with a .660 xBA.
Critical play from the Gold Glover.
Critical play from the Gold Glover.
November 2, 2025 at 1:20 AM
That Daulton Varsho catch was on a 109.8 mph liner with a .660 xBA.
Critical play from the Gold Glover.
Critical play from the Gold Glover.
Gotta go to Dominguez here. That's the best right-on-right option you've got.
November 2, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Gotta go to Dominguez here. That's the best right-on-right option you've got.
Plenty of ballgame left, but so far one team is swinging it and one team is not.
November 2, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Plenty of ballgame left, but so far one team is swinging it and one team is not.
Bo Bichette's first home run in almost two months is the biggest hit of his life.
November 2, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Bo Bichette's first home run in almost two months is the biggest hit of his life.
One possible outcome tonight is that a team that went 74-88 last year will try to bring a World Series to a country that hasn't had one in over 3 decades, with a 41-year-old legend on the mound backed by a lineup no playoff team has ever outscored.
That'd make for a good story.
That'd make for a good story.
November 2, 2025 at 12:02 AM
One possible outcome tonight is that a team that went 74-88 last year will try to bring a World Series to a country that hasn't had one in over 3 decades, with a 41-year-old legend on the mound backed by a lineup no playoff team has ever outscored.
That'd make for a good story.
That'd make for a good story.
12 teams have World Series droughts longer than the Blue Jays:
CLE (77), MIL (57), SD (57), SEA (49), PIT (46), BAL (42), DET (41), NYM (39), A’s (36), CIN (35), MIN (34), COL (33).
Plenty of teams haven’t won it for a generation, if they ever have. These chances are special.
CLE (77), MIL (57), SD (57), SEA (49), PIT (46), BAL (42), DET (41), NYM (39), A’s (36), CIN (35), MIN (34), COL (33).
Plenty of teams haven’t won it for a generation, if they ever have. These chances are special.
November 1, 2025 at 11:50 PM
12 teams have World Series droughts longer than the Blue Jays:
CLE (77), MIL (57), SD (57), SEA (49), PIT (46), BAL (42), DET (41), NYM (39), A’s (36), CIN (35), MIN (34), COL (33).
Plenty of teams haven’t won it for a generation, if they ever have. These chances are special.
CLE (77), MIL (57), SD (57), SEA (49), PIT (46), BAL (42), DET (41), NYM (39), A’s (36), CIN (35), MIN (34), COL (33).
Plenty of teams haven’t won it for a generation, if they ever have. These chances are special.