Artificial Turf Wars

Greg Wisniewski, Joshua Howsam and occasional guests from around the baseball World talk about everything you want to know about the Blue Jays and noteworthy developments in the game, with a little bit of added fun.

Sports
276
ATW Episode 37: Our Lourdes and Saviour
Greg and Josh break down the recent signings of Kendrys Morales and Lourdes Gurriel Jr., then they go over the Bautista/Encarnacion qualifying offer decisions and their ramifications, the reported offer to Brett Cecil, and some of the goofiness that...
35 min
277
ATW Episode 36: Putting the Agent in Free Agent
MLBPA Certified Player Agent, Joshua Kusnick stops by to discuss the agent role in CBA talks, planning stages for arbitration hearings, the relationship between player and agent, and how an agent must distance themself from their fandom. He also...
62 min
278
ATW Episode 35: The Feather in Our (Re)Cap
Nick Dika joins Greg and Josh to recap the ups and downs of the 2016 season. They go over a bunch of categories ranging from the best moments of the year and top hitters and pitchers on the team, to the most surreal moment and when it really felt like...
62 min
279
ATW Episode 34: Closing Time
Greg and Josh react to a tough ALCS loss to Cleveland in five games, with a specific look at what went wrong with the offense - other than a select few players - the solid starting and incredible relief pitching, the futures of Edwin Encarnacion and...
46 min
280
ATW Episode 33: Sweep in the Heart of Texas
Jeff Sullivan of Fangraphs stops by to preview the upcoming ALCS with a focus on the liberal use of platoons, the deep Andrew Miller-led bullpen and its effect on the depleted Cleveland rotation, and specific matchups between the two clubs. Greg and...
59 min
281
ATW Episode 32: The Wild Night is Calling
Jamie Campbell of Blue Jays Central on Sportsnet stops by the podcast to discuss the crazy Wild Card game against Baltimore and to lay the groundwork for the upcoming ALDS series against the Texas Rangers. Greg and Josh also break down the game, with...
58 min
282
ATW Episode 31: Curveballs and Screwballs
Greg and Josh discuss the tragic passing of José Fernández and his impact on both the Marlins and the baseball world at large, the ill-timed Blue Jays bench-clearing melée and the injury-related fallout, the stellar starting pitching and the not so...
50 min
283
ATW Episode 30: We Serve at the Altar of Chaos
Jay Jaffe of Sports Illustrated stops by to discuss his support for "Team Entropy" - the chaos that can be created when there are multiple teams tied for playoff spots. He runs down some of the potential fun of this year's pennant race, while also...
48 min
284
ATW Episode 29: So it Actually Can Get Worse
Greg and Josh go over the last week in Blue Jays land with a focus on the strange offensive approach and struggles, the ineffective middle relief, and the inconsistent defence. They also discuss Josh Donaldson's injury and its potential impact on the...
44 min
285
ATW Episode 28: Red Sox and Rants
Matt Kory of Baseball Prospectus (and many other sites) stops by to discuss the upcoming battle between the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays with a note on which hitters and pitchers are coming in playing well. He also discusses the challenges...
59 min
286
ATW Episode 27: A Minor(s) Improvement
Jesse Goldberg-Strassler of the Lansing Lugnuts stops by to discuss some of the prospects that have made their way through the affiliate this season, as well as a general look at the organizational strength in developing pitchers. Greg and Josh also...
53 min
287
ATW Episode 26: The Juice is Loose
Dr. Alan Nathan, Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois and Physics of Baseball researcher stops by to discuss his work on the potential causes for the spike in home runs this season as well as the increased speed of the ball off the bat....
59 min
288
ATW Episode 25: The Scentsational Blue Jays
Greg and Josh break down the last week in Blue Jays land, with a look at the 5-2 record, the offensive ups and downs that led to shutouts and outbursts, the hot streaks from Russell Martin and Troy Tulowitzki, a fun outcome from a Josh Donaldson/John...
42 min
289
ATW Episode 24: If I Would Play (.500 Ball)
Greg and Nick take a look at the Blue Jays week against Kansas City and Tampa Bay where the offense continued to struggle, a sixth man was added to the rotation, as well as Kevin Pillar hitting the DL for the first time in his career. The bullpen...
51 min
290
ATW Episode 23: It's a Pirate's Life for Us
Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette stops by to discuss the Francisco Liriano to Toronto deal with a focus on how the move is being received in Pittsburgh, the value and upside of the prospects in the deal, and what the Blue Jays can...
51 min
291
ATW Episode 22: Joaquin a Fine Line
Dr Mike Sonne rejoins the podcast to discuss his latest study. The talk (and piece) focuses on different stresses on pitchers that suggest a move to the bullpen for Aaron Sanchez may not make sense. Greg and Josh also discuss the trades for Melvin...
56 min
292
ATW Episode 21: Prospects Will Break Your Heart
Adam McIntuff of Baseball Prospectus' scouting/prospects team stops by to discuss some of the better prospects in the Jays system as the team heads into the non-waiver trade deadline. Greg and Josh also go over the post-break slate of games, with a...
59 min
293
ATW Episode 20: Blue Jay ZiPS Through the All S...
Dan Szymborski of ESPN.com stops by to go over the ZiPS projections for Blue Jays players in the second half (with focus on J.A. Happ, Troy Tulowitzki, and Russell Martin), discuss All Star break fun, and to play Swing and a Drive. Greg and Josh also...
56 min
294
ATW Episode 19: The Save Canada's Podcast Act
Kate Morrison of Baseball Prospectus stops by the podcast to discuss the recent Save America's Pastime Act, why MLB wants it put in, and how it can affect the livelihoods of minor leaguers, all while dispelling an important myth about minor league...
61 min
295
ATW Episode 18: Hazel Eyes on the Jays
Hazel Mae of Sportsnet stops by the podcast to discuss Troy Tulowitzki's return to Colorado, the difference between her broadcast work in the USA and Canada, and the preparation involved with on-field interviews. Then Greg, Josh, and guest host Nick...
64 min
296
ATW Episode 17: Turf Toe-ing the Line
Greg and Josh discuss Marcus Stroman's struggles, Michael Saunders' incredible season, Jose Bautista's injury, the return of Troy Tulowitzki,the impact on the pen of the injury recoveries from Brett Cecil and Franklin Morales, and the Wade LeBlanc...
40 min
297
ATW Episode 16: Edwinging It
Greg and Josh discuss Edwin Encarnacion's latest hot streak, the improved offense overall, the plan to move Sanchez to the bullpen, Marco Estrada's dominant/historic run, J.A. Happ's recent shakiness, and the MLB Draft. They also give out a Do Over...
43 min
298
ATW Episode 15: Aardsma on Arms
Free agent relief pitcher David Aardsma stops by the podcast to discuss the decision-making process that comes with opting out of a contract, what's next in his job search, analytics and how they can make a pitcher better, the draft and college...
63 min
299
ATW Episode 14: So That's What Winning Looks Like
Josh and Greg discuss the incredible recent run against the Red Sox and Yankees, with a focus on the improving offense, the great starting pitching, and some issue with Marcus Stroman's pitch mix. They also discuss the trade for Jason Grilli, the loss...
48 min
300
ATW Episode 13: The Unwritten Rules of Ejections
Greg and Chris discuss all the John Gibbons ejections and how they all fit in with the unwritten rules of the game, returns to health from Devon Travis (he's back!) and Aaron Loup, the odd Blue Jays offense, and Michael Saunders. They then answer a...
46 min