Blair & Barker: Recent Episodes
Sportsnet
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker talk all things Blue Jays and MLB. Airing live on Sportsnet 590 The FAN weekdays from 5pm-7pm ET during the baseball season and 10am-12pm ET during the offseason.
The Athletic's and co-host of the Starkville Podcast Jayson Stark (1:09) joins Jeff and Kevin to discuss the Boston Red Sox's turnaround on both end of the field, whether Aroldis Chapman will enter the Baseball Hall of Fame once his career ends, how the Blue Jays and Phillies came out of the trade deadline, why he doesnt' understand AL Central-leading Tigers trading away Tarik Skubal and Casey Mize, and if the day of the trade deadline should be moved. Then, Red Sox analyst and former MLB infielder Lou Merloni (28:46) jumps on to chat about why Willson Contreras is a definition of what it means to be a Red Sox, Wilyer Abreu's hitting, how Garrett Crochet could be used once he return from the IL, and Chad Tracy's impact as interim manager.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Toronto Blue Jays' weekend series win over the Philadelphia Phillies. They discuss the team's recent resilience in close games, wear and tear on the bullpen, the decision to send Davis Schneider back to Triple-A, the Jays' standing in the Wild Card race, and José Soriano's debut. Then, Jeff and Kevin react to Kazuma Okamoto being named a late scratch ahead of the Jays series-opener against the Red Sox, and they take your calls and questions on the Back Leg Line!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider (2:21) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss calling up outfielder and Jays' 20th ranked prospect Brett Bateman, why he doesn't envision moving Vlad Jr. down the lineup, José Soriano's club debut, Dylan Cease's recent run of dominance, Anthony Santander's recovery, Trey Yesavage update, and if a path is open for Ricky Tiedemann to get to the Majors. Then, Sportsnet's Ben Shulman joins the guys (27:36) to share his expectations for Soriano's Jays' debut, why Alejandro Kirk has moved up into the two-hole, if there's caution around Louis Varland's control in the 9th inning, Spencer Miles' usage, and if Shane Bieber is turning the corner.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker get set for the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Philadelphia Phillies. They discuss how the Jays can attack Phillies starter Zach Wheeler in the opener and what to expect from José Soriano in his Blue Jays debut. Then, they look at the American League standings, the Jays' outlook in the Wild Card race, and whether the Red Sox are now the team to beat. Later, former Phillies GM and host of 'The Phillies Show' Ruben Amaro Jr. stops by (27:28) to share his early impressions of deadline addition Luis Arráez, why the team has been so streaky in 2026, and where Bryce Harper stands among the franchise's all-time greatest players.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Blue Jays analyst and former MLB catcher Caleb Joseph (2:49) joins Jeff and Kevin to chat about post-trade deadline clubhouse environment during his career, why he wasn't surprised who was traded off the Jays' roster, how José Soriano could be valuable in Toronto, and Spencer Miles and Braydon Fisher battling for a bigger role. Then, the guys hear from the newest Blue Jays pitcher José Soriano ahead of their second game against the Houston Astros. To wrap up, MLB Pipeline's Jonathan Mayo stops by (28:45) to discuss the return for Jeff Hoffman including left-handed pitcher Dasan Hill, how fans should analyze deals that include prospects, what separates between former Jays' prospect Arjun Nimmala and current top prospect JoJo Parker, and the Detroit Tigers' return for Tarik Skubal.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' series-opening win over the Houston Astros before welcoming ESPN insider Jeff Passan (5:38) to help break down Monday's trade deadline. They discuss the Jays' moves, why it's difficult to move position players at the deadline, the Orioles' return for Adley Rutschman, why the Yankees weren't aggressive, and the Braves and Astros' underwhelming days. Later, Blue Jays Executive Vice President and GM Ross Atkins (25:18) joins the show to discuss what went into the team's unique approach to the deadline, why they didn't add an impact bat, what went wrong for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in 2026, José Soriano's fit, how he evaluates opposing team's farm systems, the light-powered return in the Kevin Gausman deal, and much more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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With the 2026 MLB trade deadline in the books, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker reflect on the Blue Jays' moves, grade Ross Atkins' performance, and react to the flurry of deals finalized after the 6 PM cutoff, including the Padres' buzzer-beater acquisition of Casey Mize. Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi (7:19) weighs in on the biggest surprises for the Blue Jays on deadline day, who will take Jeff Hoffman's leverage innings, the clubhouse vibe, and how the centrefield-duties will be split without Daulton Varsho. Later, Jeff and Kevin chat about where the Jays stand for the rest of 2026 and beyond and hear from manager John Schneider ahead of the Jays' series-opener against Varsho and the Astros. Finally, Jeff and Kevin wrap up the trade deadline edition with MLB Network insider Jon Morosi (35:56), who reflects on how the Jays went from the World Series to this point, Kevin Gausman's Toronto legacy, what they're getting in José Soriano, and the day's winners and losers.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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On the second hour of the trade deadline edition, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker touch on the future of the Blue Jays' starting rotation, Max Scherzer's second start since coming off the IL against the St. Louis Cardinals, Kevin Gausman's tenure as a Jay both on and off the field, the door for Spencer Miles to become a starter, and why the team aren't selling. The guys then shift their attention to the Baltimore Orioles trading away Adley Rutschman to the Boston Red Sox and how this adds fuel to what has been a magical season for Boston. Afterwards, Astros TV analyst and World Series Champion Geoff Blum (28:40) gives the scouting report on Toronto's newest pitcher Spencer Arrighetti after the trade for Daulton Varsho, why Houston was interested in the left-handed outfielder, and how he fits in Daikin Park. To wrap up, the guys share their initial reaction to Jeff Hoffman getting traded to the Minnesota Twins.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the first of their three-hour trade deadline special with a look-back on the Blue Jays' deals so far, including Kevin Gausman being sent to the Cubs and the addition of José Soriano. Then, they discuss the moves around the majors, the Dodgers predictably winning the Tarik Skubal sweepstakes, the Red Sox and Orioles coming to terms on trade for Adley Rutschman, and they react live to the Jays trading Daulton Varsho to the Astros. Then, former pitcher and MLB Network Radio host Jensen Lewis (29:25) shares his thoughts on the Jays' unique deadline strategy, what Kevin Gausman brings to the Cubs, Luis Arráez's fit with the Phillies, which NL team has the best chance of de-crowning the Skubal-led Dodgers, and much more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider (2:11) joins the guys to chat about approaching the last series before the trade deadline as business as usual, his goal for Vladdy with the remaining games on the year, Dylan Cease's increased workload and success on the mound, how Andres Gimenez and Ernie Clement acclimated themselves in different roles around the infield, Jesús Sánchez's return, and Kevin Gausman's comments around the chemistry in the clubhouse compared to the 2025 World Series team. Then, Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman stops by (27:48) to discuss why the Jays' deadline plans could be fluid throughout the weekend, Vlad Jr.'s return to first base after his hamstring issue, and where Gausman ranks among the greatest Blue Jays pitchers.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker get set for the Blue Jays' final series ahead of the trade deadline, a three-game set against the St. Louis Cardinals. They discuss the team's goals down the stretch, predict which Jays will be moved on or ahead of deadline day, and catch up on the latest trade buzz around the majors. Then, Phillies reporter Lochlahn March (26:56) stops by amid reports that the Phillies have emerged as a potential trade partner for the Blue Jays. She discusses Don Mattingly and Bryce Harper's back-and-forth through the media, why the Phillies will go 'all-in' this season, their interest in Daulton Varsho and Jeff Hoffman, and what they would be willing to give up from their farm system.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Co-host of Cardinal Territory and World Series Champion, Lance Lynn (5:00) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the St. Louis based-team's record, their projections before the season, Jordan Walker's growth, how the organization will approach the trade deadline and potentially build around Walker, navigating a trade deadline as a veteran player, and clubhouse dynamics in a losing season. Then, Sportsnet's MLB insider Shi Davidi stops by (29:02) to chat about the state of the Blue Jays heading into their final series before the trade deadline, whether he sees Jeff Hoffman on the move, if they'd consider moving their No. 2 prospect Arjun Nimmala, if Brandon Valenzuela will continue to be the team's backup catcher, and the clubhouse mood on the season.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the off-day edition with the latest trade buzz ahead of the deadline, including Tarik Skubal being linked to the LA Dodgers and the Phillies emerging as a trade partner with the Blue Jays. ESPN investigative reporter Tisha Thompson joins the show (22:27) to talk about and share some stories from her new podcast series, 'The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani,' which documents how Ohtani's relationship with interpreter Ippei Mizuhara unraveled amid the gambling scandal in 2024. Later, MLB.com Tigers reporter Jason Beck stops by (38:54) to share the latest on the Skubal sweepstakes, whether trading the superstar pitcher sparks a fire sale in Detroit, and the plan for Casey Mize.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Following the Blue Jays' 5-2 win over the Nationals to clinch the series, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome former MLB catcher and host of 'Four Territory' Erik Kratz (0:41) to the post-game edition! They discuss Shane Bieber's six-walk inning, why the Jays should be bold at the deadline, and what's behind the Phillies' recent skid. Later, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (28:55) stops by to share why Kevin Gausman's trade value hasn't dropped after a run of rocky outings, whether the Jays could add at the deadline to address needs in 2027, and the case to sell high on Louis Varland.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Blue Jays radio analyst and former MLB pitcher Chris Leroux (0:18) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about Max Scherzer's first start since coming off the IL against the Washington Nationals, how Shane Bieber has started to trust his pitches again, getting back the 'competitive edge' after an injury, Jeff Hoffman's slider, his trade value, why he would be content with trading Ernie Clement, and Spencer Miles' future on the rotation. Then, the guys hear from manager John Schneider ahead of their second game against the Nats and head to the Back Leg Line to hear listeners' calls!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' series-opening win against the Washington Nationals and discuss Max Scherzer's return, Jeff Hoffman and Tyler Rogers' trade values, and whether a win streak could change the Jays' deadline plans. Then, former Washington Nationals GM and President Mike Rizzo joins the show (25:48) to discuss retooling a team after a World Series run as he did with the Nats in 2021, the trade deadline from an executive's point of view, the challenges of moving a player with trade protection, Max Scherzer's legacy, and what went into the Juan Soto trade negotiations.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Former Blue Jay, current Blue Jays Central analyst and host of Blue Bird Territory Kevin Pillar (2:48) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss dealing with the noise around the trade deadline as a player, why pending free agents could be on the move, Shane Bieber's performances since coming off of Tommy John surgery, why the season so far has been a failure on the players over the manager and coaching staff, Dylan Cease's evolution, and his role in the upcoming 'The Catch' movie. Then, we hear from manager John Schneider and share some reactions on injury updates for Addison Barger, Yimi Garcia and Jesus Sanchez. Afterwards, former MLBer and current colour analyst for the Washington Nationals Kevin Frandsen (38:05) joins the guys to chat about CJ Abrams' future with the club, if he's surprised with the Nats' offence or pitching performances this year, and what manager Blake Butera has brought to the organization.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the week by teeing up the Blue Jays' series against the Washington Nationals, with Max Scherzer returning to the mound in the series-opener on his 42nd birthday. Then, they discuss the team's goals as they inch closer to the trade deadline, Dylan Cease's complete game against the Red Sox, and Kevin Gausman's trade value after a recent rough stretch. Later, USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale stops by (30:16) from the Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown to discuss what the Jays could net in a potential Shane Bieber trade, Alejandro Kirk's trade market, which teams will be the most active at the deadline, and potential surprise names that could be on the move.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the news of Addison Barger out for the rest of the season with a scheduled surgery on his elbow before bringing in MLB Network's Jon Morosi to discuss if the Blue Jays sweeping the streaking Red Sox in Boston would change their approach towards the trade deadline, Philadelphia Phillies' rumoured interest in Jeff Hoffman, if Alejandro Kirk has a potential market amongst the other catchers, Tarik Skubal's next team, and the 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame class. Then, WEEI's and host of 'Baseball Isn't Boring' Rob Bradford stops by to chat about how the Red Sox overcame their slow start to streaking to a franchise-record 15 games, the scouting report on Caleb Durbin, how the entire organization shutout the outside noise on the team's performance this season, Chad Tracy's impact and if the team's deadline focus will change with the recent success.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker get set for the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Boston Red Sox. They discuss Brandon Valenzuela being left off the lineup in the series opener, whether Shane Bieber's resurgence makes him available at the trade deadline, and whether Vladdy Jr.'s swing is fixable in 2026. Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins the show to discuss Max Scherzer's triple-A progress, how Kazuma Okamoto can avoid extended slumps, what's behind the team's historic success at Fenway Park, Trey Yesavage’s in-game adjustments, and much more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph joins the show (3:50) to share his thoughts on whether the 2026 roster can get back on track, if defensive slumps are real, Kevin Gausman's last five starts, and the veteran buy-in during a down season. Then, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker hear from manager John Schneider ahead of their third game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Afterwards, The Athletic's Jayson Stark (26:47) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about his mid-season awards, Vlad Jr.'s low home run numbers, the Boston Red Sox tying their franchise record win streak, and which teams are poised to make a splash at the trade deadline.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 12-2 loss to the Rays. Tampa Bay Times reporter Marc Topkin stops by (6:42) to discuss the Rays' biggest deadline need, the success of the Yandy Díaz, Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero hitting trio, and Kevin Cash's growth as a manager. Then, Jeff and Kevin discuss where Chandler Simpson stands amongst the fastest MLB players of all time, listen to Max Scherzer's availability after his Triple-A start, and take your calls and questions on the Back Leg Line!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman (0:43) looks at the team's trade deadline options, the potential last start for Kevin Gausman in Toronto, the change in his delivery on the mound, John Schneider's decision to move Ernie Clement in the third spot of the order, the clubhouse vibe through the down season and towards the deadline, and if the Tampa Bay Rays are one bat away towards becoming contenders. Then, host of Baseball Today and Dugout Discussions Chris Rose (27:55) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about what could be behind the Boston Red Sox's recent surge, the most disappointing teams across the league and where the Jays rank, if it's fair to put the losing season on Vlad Jr., and if a looming work stoppage affects the deadline approach.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 7-1 loss to open their series against the Tampa Bay Rays. They discuss the team becoming a 'tough watch,' Kevin Gausman's reworked delivery ahead of his potential final start at the Rogers Centre, John Schneider's future as manager in Toronto, and whether this is more than just a bad season for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Later, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan joins the show (31:28) to weigh in on whether Nolan Arenado will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, if the Jays are 'fixable' after 100 games, Kevin Gausman's trade market, the Red Sox's historic streak, and the teams that will be aggressive ahead of the trade deadline.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Todd Stottlemyre (3:08), two-time World Series champion pitcher with the Blue Jays, reflects on the life and career of his former teammate Duane Ward, his presence in the clubhouse and on the mound, the pitcher's game-day routines, and the importance of the 1991 season and its impact on the following back-to-back World Series wins. Then, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker listen to John Schneider's pre-game media availability ahead of their series against the Tampa Bay Rays before bringing on Rays' TV analyst and former pitcher Brian Anderson (30:00) to look at how the team can hold the top spot of the AL East with the surging Boston Red Sox, Bryan Baker's breakout year as their closer, Nick Martinez's changeup vs. sinker usage, and trade deadline targets.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the week with a look back on the Blue Jays' series loss to the Chicago White Sox over the weekend. They discuss Shane Bieber's bounce-back, dwindling playoff chances, and why so many of the Jays' top players from 2025 have regressed in 2026. Then, they discuss the Joe Carter statue unveiling ceremony in honour of the Jays' World Series wins in 1992 and 1993, and reflect on the life and legacy of Duane Ward, who passed away on Sunday. Later, Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi stops by (29:06) to discuss reasons to hold out hope with the Rays coming to town, Brandon Valenzuela's workload, George Springer and Daulton Varsho's standing nearing the trade deadline, and Kevin Gausman's trade value.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin their second hour listening to Blue Jays' manager John Schneider's pre-game availability ahead of their first series post-All-Star break against the visiting Chicago White Sox, updates on Max Scherzer, the next steps for Addison Barger, if Jesús Sánchez and Yimi Garcia are closer to a return, the implementation of putting two catchers in the lineup and second-half goals. Then, ESPN's and host of 'Sources Tell,' Jeff Passan joins the guys (27:05) to chat about the new format for the Home Run Derby, if U.S. politicians would involve themselves with ending of a potential work stoppage in the MLB, the trade market for Francisco Lindor, how aggressive Toronto could be at the deadline, and why the league is restricting the use of iPads in the dugouts.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back after the MLB All-Star break! They take stock of the Blue Jays as they begin the second half before welcoming White Sox outfielder Tristan Peters (6:00) ahead of their series in Toronto. He discusses his path from being a 7th-round pick out of Winkler, Manitoba, to being selected to the All-Star team, the keys to the White Sox's success this season, his experience with the Savannah Bananas, and much more. Later, Jeff and Kevin discuss the Jays' keys to a second-half turnaround, their expectations for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Dylan Cease's performance in the All-Star Game, and the new-look Home Run Derby.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Blue Jays analyst Madison Shipman (1:15) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to look at the importance of their final series before the All-Star break, Shane Bieber vs. the Padres in San Diego, Alejandro Kirk's recent at-bats, George Springer in the clean-up spot, home run props, Kazuma Okamoto performing above expectations, and if there are any concerns with Daulton Varsho. Then, the guys head to the Back Leg Line to hear listeners' calls, including Max Scherzer's future, if it changes now with the announcement that Justin Verlander will retire at the end of the year, the lack of 'blockbuster' trades, and much more!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays trading Tommy Nance to the Twins before they welcome Hall of Fame closer and Padres executive Trevor Hoffman (3:13) ahead of the Jays' series in San Diego. He discusses what makes Mason Miller elite, how the role and profile of the closer have changed since his playing days, and what the Jays can expect from the Padres in their final series before the All-Star break. Later, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (26:31) stops by from San Diego to discuss the Nance trade, managing Dylan Cease's near no-hitter, who he might choose to start the All-Star game, Shane Bieber's location struggles, George Springer's fit in the clean-up spot, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s mechanical progress, and much more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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MLB Network insider Jon Morosi (0:58) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker in the second hour of the off-day edition. They look ahead to the All-Star game and which pitchers will get the start, the state of the trade market, the Jays' deadline plans, Aaron Judge's absence taking a toll on the slumping Yankees, and whether we'll ever see another pitching career like Justin Verlander's or Max Scherzer's. Later, ESPN insider Jeff Passan stops by (26:25) to discuss Kevin Gausman's trade market, why the Jays shouldn't look to build for 2027 at the trade deadline, Dylan Cease's near no-hitter, and the looming extinction of the 300-win pitcher.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' 10-0 shutout series win on the road against the Giants, Dylan Cease's near no-hitter, whether the momentum from Vladdy's slump-snapping homer can carry over to the Jays' next series against the Padres in San Diego, and the introduction of the home run 'dragon'. Then, special assistant with the San Diego Padres, former MLB manager and catcher Scott Servais (27:30) to chat about being one of the few people to catch and manage a no-hitter, how he handled his conversations with his pitcher going through a no-hit game, home run props, what's gone wrong in Fernando Tatís Jr.'s 2026 season, and Padres' needs that can jumpstart the team's successful run after the All-Star break.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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MLB Network's Sean Casey (0:50) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss the Blue Jays' recent stretch and whether they still have a chance at making a run, what the All-Star break can do for Vladdy Jr., Sean Keys' potential, and how players deal with trade rumours at this time in the season. Later, four-time World Series-winning manager Bruce Bochy (26:45) joins the guys to discuss the challenges of following up a deep playoff run, how Buster Posey is handling his first year as Giants President, facing the media in a down season, and the right time to rip the team.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays series opening loss to the Giants in San Francisco, if the team would have reconsidered 'running it back' after a World Series clinch and losing Bo Bichette in free agency, if the Jays should decide to move expiring contracts at the deadline, the struggling offence and swing decisions, and what went wrong in Kevin Gausman's start against his former team. Then, Blue Jays' reliever Louis Varland joins the guys (26:30) to look back at the move from Minnesota in 2025, how he's grown as a pitcher, if he ever thought he would be heading to the All-Star Game, if he's routine has changed since being placed in a 'closing role', learning from the World Series, and his goals heading into the season and before the end of the year.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Former pitcher and MLB Network Radio host Jensen Lewis (0:45) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to kick off the second hour. They discuss the Marlins' decision to pull Eury Pérez after seven perfect innings, whether Miami is 'for real,' the Padres' offensive struggles, why it's still too early for the Jays to start thinking about selling, and whether Aaron Judge's absence has exposed the Yankees' weaknesses. Later, F.P. Santangelo (26:30), Giants broadcaster and former Major Leaguer, stops by ahead of the Blue Jays' series in San Francisco. He weighs in on what's gone wrong for the Giants this year, the bullpen's inconsistency, the offence lacking fundamentals, Tony Vitello's first year as manager, and much more.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap a disappointing weekend series for the Blue Jays in Seattle, the offence going quiet, and why that could dictate the franchise's direction at the trade deadline. Then, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi joins the guys (29:57) to share his thoughts on the lack of scoring against the Mariners, why it's up to the players to perform to the best of their ability versus manager John Schneider shaking the lineup, concerns for Daulton Varsho, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. deciding to sit out the MLB All-Star Game, what's next for Shane Bieber after throwing just four innings in their loss to Seattle, and if the front office has a clear idea on what they need to add or remove from their pitching staff and hitting lineup.
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Ahead of the Blue Jays series-opener in Seattle, Mariners play-by-play voice Aaron Goldsmith (0:58) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker. They discuss the Mariners' frustrating season so far, what's behind Cal Raleigh's regression, their power-centric offensive approach, the rotation's 'piggy-back' drama, and what they'll be targeting at the trade deadline. Then, Jeff and Kevin look at the American League landscape at the midway point and the lingering impacts of the WBC on players like Raleigh and Vladdy. Finally, Sportsnet's Dan Shulman (30:28) stops by to discuss Vladdy's exhaustive batting cage routine, whether he should skip the All-Star game, and the case for Nathan Lukes to hit lead-off when George Springer returns.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin their Friday edition discussing the Blue Jays' upcoming road series against the Seattle Mariners, game plans for Dylan Cease and attacking Luis Castillo, George Springer's playing time vs. Sean Keys, and the need for a successful outing from Shane Bieber. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider stops by (27:00) to share some updates on Anthony Santander and Max Scherzer, whether Nathan Lukes has a case to remain on the top of the order when Springer returns, Vlad Jr.'s double during Canada Day, how Cease can go deeper into games starting against the Mariners, Bieber controlling his walks, and why Keys' swing has been working at the Major League level.
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ESPN insider Jeff Passan (2:51) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker on Hour 2 of the off-day edition to weigh in on the Jays' disappointing June, who they should be targeting at the trade deadline, why Dylan Cease isn't a true No. 1 starter, and how he's handicapping the Wild Card race in the American League. Later, Jeff and Kevin dive deeper into the state of the AL before taking your calls and questions on the Back Leg Line!
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back at the Blue Jays' 9-3 win on Canada Day over the New York Mets, promising swings from Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the potential for Spencer Miles in a starting role, Sean Keys' first career home run, and how the team can ride their momentum into Seattle against the Mariners. Then, MLB insider and reporter for Sportsnet Ben Nicholson-Smith joins the guys (28:20) to discuss how many swings do players take before a game, the case for Nathan Lukes to bat lead-off, first impressions of Keys since being called up, what indications does the Jays' front office need to have to add ahead of the trade deadline, Daulton Varsho's struggles, why Miles' next appearance on the mound could be an audition for a increased role, and expectations for Shane Bieber's next start.
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Former Mets manager Terry Collins (4:00) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker following the Jays' series-opening win over the Mets. Terry weighs in on whether moving Vladdy Jr. in the Jays order will help the struggling star, his philosophy on managing ageing stars, and the challenge of following up a World Series run. Then, Jeff and Kevin listen to John Schneider's pre-game availability, in which he outlines the pitching plan for Canada Day following Patrick Corbin's move to the bullpen. Finally, Kevin Pillar stops by (29:34) to help tee up game two between the Jays and Mets, and he discusses New York's fielding dysfunction and whether the All-Star break or an IL stint can get Vladdy back on track.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 2-1 win over the Mets to open the series and snap a six-game losing streak. They discuss Trey Yesavage's command bouncing back, Sean Keys betting clean up in game two, Patrick Corbin being moved to the bullpen, and what to expect from Kevin Gausman as he looks to get back on the rails. Then, they reflect on Bo Bichette's reception in his return to Toronto. Later, Caleb Joseph stops by (29:05) to discuss what Gausman can take from Yesavage's strong outing against the Mets, Bo's emotional return, and how Vladdy Jr. has optically handled his struggles.
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SportsNet New York's John Harper (2:03) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the Mets firing manager Carlos Mendoza with interim Andy Green stepping in, former MLBer Albert Pujols having potential interest in the gig, how Bo Bichette had acclimated himself in the New York sports environment, and the Mets' trade deadline needs. Then, we hear Blue Jays manager John Schneider's pre-game availability before their series against the Mets. Afterwards, Blue Jays TV analyst Joe Siddall stops by (28:32) to discuss Bichette's return to Toronto, how to produce runs against a starting pitcher, the setback in Addison Barger's return to play, the catcher's job to keep their pitcher focused, and Sean Keys' first impressions. Finally, we hear from Bo Bichette on his return to Toronto.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker get set for the Blue Jays' series against the Mets as Bo Bichette makes his return to Toronto. They discuss the Jays being swept by the Rangers, Vladdy's continued struggles, the rotation starting to scuffle, Albert Pujols' recent comments on Vladdy's mechanics, the Alejandro Kirk/home run jacket incident on Saturday, and whether the Jays should start to consider a soft sell. Later, Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi stops by (35:35) to discuss the vibes heading into Toronto's series against the Mets, the recent discussion around Vladdy, Trey Yesavage's inconsistency, Addison Barger's injury setback, and whether the Jays should start thinking toward 2027 as the deadline nears.
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ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (1:34) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to kick off the final hour of the week. They discuss the New York Mets firing Carlos Mendoza, Albert Pujols' candidacy as manager, the Jays' playoff hopes, peculiar results in the fans' All-Star Game voting, the MLBPA pushing to ban prop bets, and how the proposed five-year maximum length on contracts will impact pending free agents like Tarik Skubal. Later, former MLB All-Star and Rangers hitting coach Bret Boone stops by (28:38) to share his view of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s season, Corey Seager's preparation, how the Yankees have managed without Aaron Judge, and the state of the American League ahead of the All-Star break.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show reacting to the news of the Blue Jays calling up left-handed power-hitting prospect Sean Keys to the main roster, if there's a spot on the roster for him to become an everyday player, why it's a different team when George Springer and Vlad Jr. aren't having success at the plate, and the lack of quality starts from the starters, especially from Kevin Gausman. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (28:38) joins the guys to chat about the 23-year old prospect before officially bringing him to the Majors, if there's signs of positive progress in Vlad Jr. finding himself at the plate, how the first baseman has handled himself through the rough stretch this year, concerns with the recent outings from his starters, Gausman's slider usage, Ernie Clement's growth as a player, and how has staff and himself navigated through the rollercoaster season.
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MLB Network's Jon Morosi joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker following the most recent round of meetings between MLB and the MLBPA. They discuss how the labour negotiation process has evolved in the social media era, the players' demands, the Jays' top need ahead of the trade deadline, and whether George Springer's spot is at risk. Then, Jeff and Kevin listen in on John Schneider's pre-game availability ahead of the Blue Jays' series opener against the Rangers. Later, Evan Grant (27:00) of the Dallas Morning News stops by ahead of first pitch to share what the Jays can expect from the Rangers and tonight's starter, Mackenzie Gore.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show discussing the Blue Jays' 3-1 loss to the Houston Astros, the decision to go for a pick-off play from Jeff Hoffman, Trey Yesavage's outing against the Astros, how the poor offensive performances have affected the team, and whether the guys prefer adding a run producer vs. an arm at the trade deadline. Then, the guys head to the Back-Leg Line to hear from callers about the recent rough stretch for the Blue Jays against the Astros, Vlad Jr.'s search for a change in his batting, if the team can compete in a Wild Card series, and much more!
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Jeff Blair is solo on the second hour, and he kicks it off with Sportsnet's voice of the Blue Jays, Dan Shulman (1:10). They discuss Trey Yesavage's rookie-season grind, Shane Bieber's shaky season debut, and whether the bullpen solution can be found internally. Then, Jeff listens in on John Schneider's pre-game availability ahead of the Jays' second game against the Astros. Later, former Blue Jays pitcher Ricky Romero (29:40) joins the show to chat about Yesavage ahead of his start against Houston, what he has to learn in his first full season, the importance of a starter's relationship with his catcher, and what went wrong for Bieber in his return.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays EVP and general manager Ross Atkins (0:45) to chat about how he's assessed his team with the amount of injuries this season, how wide open the AL East could be, Kazuma Okamoto's transition to the MLB, the growth in Ernie Clement's game on both sides of the field, how the organization is supporting Vladdy through his down year, if Jesús Sánchez can become an everyday player for the Jays, if there's any worry about the increased usage for Louis Varland, and if he would consider looking into another starter at the trade deadline. Then, Jeff and Kevin look back at the extra innings loss to the Houston Astros, Tyler Rogers' usage, and Shane Bieber's first return start.
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Jeff Blair is solo on the second hour of the Monday edition. He kicks it off by welcoming in The Athletic's Jayson Stark (3:03) to discuss his recent conversation with Nolan Ryan about Jacob Misiorowski's velocity, Bryce Harper's cycle, whether the Astros can catch the Mariners, and the Giants' rocky start in the first year of Buster Posey's tenure as President. Then, ahead of the Jays' series-opener against the Astros, Jeff listens to John Schneider's pre-game availability. Finally, Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux stops by (32:56) to share his thoughts on the team's decision to option Yohendrick Piñango, Jesús Sánchez's head-scratching outfield defence, and how Dylan Cease can be more efficient in his start against the Astros.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Chicago Cubs, Jays acquiring infielder Luis Urías from the Arizona Diamondbacks for cash considerations and sending outfielder Yohendrick Piñango down to Triple-A Buffalo, Kevin Gausman getting torched against the Cubs, if there's signs for a turnaround this season for the Blue Jays or Houston Astros, Kazuma Okamoto's stability at the plate, Daulton Varsho's at-bats since returning from his injury, and Louis Varland's six-out save. Then, Astros TV analyst Geoff Blum (30:20) stops by to chat about why Yordan Álvarez is the purist hitter in baseball, how he has influenced his teammate Christian Walker, Hunter Brown's growth into becoming the Astros' ace, Jose Altuve's regression, and how aggressive the club will be at the trade deadline.
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Jeff Blair is solo for the post-game edition following the Blue Jays' win over the Boston Red Sox to secure the series sweep in Fenway. Jeff recaps the game before listening to John Schneider's post-game availability. Then, Sportsnet insider Ben Nicholson-Smith (7:39) stops by to share his takeaways from the series, including Trey Yesavage's control, what the sweep means for the Jays, whether Vladdy Jr. can build off his first home run since May 17, and whether Max Scherzer has pitched his last innings for the Jays. Later, to help tee up the Jays' series at Wrigley Field, Chicago radio analyst Bruce Levine (31:30) discusses the Cubs' season so far, Alex Bregman's underwhelming debut season, what the team might do at the deadline, and Matt Shaw's usage.
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Erik Kratz, former MLB catcher and host of Foul Territory, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of the Blue Jays' second game against the Red Sox (3:21). They discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s slump, Max Scherzer being moved to the IL, the state of the American League, the Red Sox's struggles at home, how the Phillies turned it around under Don Mattingly, and why the Brewers should swing big at the trade deadline. Later, Blue Jays Central's Caleb Joseph (29:19) weighs in on Scherzer's MLB future, how Trey Yesavage can work his starts deeper into games, Dylan Cease's fastball usage, and signs that George Springer is heating up.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (0:45) to chat about Max Scherzer being placed on the 15-day IL, Braydon Fisher getting the opener spot against the Boston Red Sox, Shane Bieber's most recent rehab outing, how Fenway Park and Wrigley Field affects a hitter's mindset, George Springer hitting his 300th homerun, what impresses him from Miles Straw, Alejandro Kirk's implementation since returning from his injury, if he would consider moving Vladdy down the batting order, and where Addison Barger and Yimi Garcia are at in their respective rehabs. Then, Jeff and Kevin discuss Scherzer's future, Vlad Jr.'s ongoing slump, and New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone's comments about Jose Caballero's pitch clock antics.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the second hour hearing from Blue Jays' manager John Schneider ahead of their three-game series against the Red Sox in Boston before being joined by WEEI's and host of Baseball Isn't Boring Rob Bradford to discuss why the franchise doesn't have a concrete plan for their future, Roman Anthony's injury concerns, who is likely to be moved at the trade deadline, and their managerial options. Then, Blue Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux stops by to chat about how to pitch and hit at Fenway Park with the short porch and green monster, the differences with playing at Wrigley Field, what does Max Scherzer needs to do to earn another start, bullpen's recent usage during their homestand, Shane Bieber's pending return, where Yimi Garcia fits, and if the Jays can turn around their season past their midway point.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show previewing the Blue Jays road series against the Boston Red Sox, how the Jays should gameplan against lefty Payton Tolle and Fenway Park. Then, ESPN's and Sources Tell Jeff Passan joins the guys to chat about the 1994 MLB strike, if this generation of owners and players would navigate a work stoppage, why he's not given up on the Blue Jays, the American League being wide open for the post-season, how the Red Sox will handle the 2026 trade deadline, and if Jarren Duran would be on the trade list.
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Blue Jays reporter and recent recipient of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame's Jack Graney Award, Hazel Mae (1:57), joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to kick off the second hour of the off-day edition. She shares her thoughts on the Jays' series loss against the Yankees, missed opportunities on offence, and the bullpen's workload. Then, co-host of Intentional Talk and former MLB pitcher Ryan Dempster (21:13) discusses the state of the American League, who should make the call on Max Scherzer's future, Trey Yesavage's rookie road bumps, how players stay motivated on slumping teams, and Jacob Misiorowski's all-time stuff.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' weekend series against the New York Yankees, why some of their biggest takeaways weren't the lack of extra base hits, whether Alejandro Kirk should have started the second game, growing concerns with how the bullpen performed against New York, Yankees shortstop Jose Caballero's pitch clock antics and John Schneider's thoughts on the issue. Then the guys head to the Back Leg Line to hear from fans about the team and how they played against the AL East-leading Yankees.
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Sportsnet's Shi Davidi (10:20) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of the Blue Jays' series opener against the Yankees. They break down the Jays' recent roster moves with Tyler Heineman being DFA'd, whether George Springer could be back in the outfield, Addison Barger's rehab progress, and the plan for Max Scherzer as Shane Bieber nears a return. Later, ESPN's Tim Kurkjian (31:11) stops by to share his thoughts on the Jays' season so far, what the Jays can expect from the Yankees' pitching, how the Yankees manage in Aaron Judge's absence, Ernie Clement's All-Star case, and why the Tigers shouldn't trade Tarik Skubal.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker share their reaction to the Blue Jays' roster moves including reinstating Alejandro Kirk, recalling Davis Schneider, Daulton Varsho placed on the IL and designating Tyler Henieman for assignment before bringing on the Jays' manager John Schneider (2:24). The skipper explains some of the moves, Shane Bieber's status, how he will balance the workload for Kirk and Brandon Valenzuela, if he would consider moving George Springer back to the outfield, Vlad Jr.'s struggles against the breaking ball, if he's had conversations with Max Scherzer about his future, and Trey Yesavage's second outing against the New York Yankees. Then, Jeff and Kevin chat about Bieber's recent rehab start and why fans should trust the management team to handle Scherzer's next steps.
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Buffalo Bisons manager Casey Candaele (2:27) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker following some rehab starts from Dylan Cease, Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber. The skipper outlines the plan for Bieber's second rehab start tonight, what Bisons regulars have learned from the experienced group of starters, Davis Schneider's progress at the plate, and much more. Later, Jeff and Kevin open the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions, including what to expect from Alejandro Kirk when he returns, and what the Jays should do with Scherzer.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Max Scherzer's return outing against the Philadelphia Phillies, how the Blue Jays should use him moving forward after the loss, and where the Jays rank in extra-base hits through June. Then, Chris Rose (26:56) of Baseball Today joins the guys to chat about how John Schneider and the rest of the staff should approach Scherzer about his future, the need for Vlad Jr. to produce runs, and if the Chicago White Sox can challenge the Cleveland Guardians for the division.
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Former Blue Jays MVP Josh Donaldson (0:43) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to kick off the second hour. He shares his experience playing in a local slow-pitch softball game, the challenges Max Scherzer faces as he returns to the Jays' rotation, and how Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can get his power back. Then, Jeff and Kevin listen to John Schneider's pre-game availability ahead of the Jays' series finale against the Phillies. Later, Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker (27:05) joins the show to discuss what he expects from Scherzer in his return, the team's confidence in Jeff Hoffman, the expanded workloads for Braydon Fisher and Mason Fluharty, and whether Spencer Miles will get a look in higher leverage.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Dylan Cease's successful outing following his IL stint against the Phillies, if he has a case to make the All-Star game, why Brandon Valenzuela has solidified his case to remain on the main roster once Alejandro Kirk comes back, George Springer's return to lead-off after Vladimir Guerrero Jr. held his spot for one game, what Vlad Jr. should focus on during his at-bats and expectations for Max Scherzer first start since his injury. Then, ESPN insider and host of Sources Tell, Jeff Passan (30:45), joins the guys to chat about why we haven't seen the best of the Blue Jays yet through June, where Louis Varland ranks among the best closers and relivers this season, Springer's future role, and if MLB will replicate a similar salary cap structure to other leagues.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour by listening to John Schneider's availability ahead of the Blue Jays' second game against the Philadelphia Phillies, where the skipper discussed the decision to move Vladdy Jr. to the leadoff spot. Then, Phillies manager and former Blue Jays bench coach Don Mattingly joins the show (8:10) to discuss taking over the manager job mid-season, what he learned from his time in Toronto, what it's like working with his son, Preston, as a GM, the pressure in Philly, and managing elite veterans like Cristopher Sánchez and Bryce Harper. Later, Blue Jays Central's Joe Siddall (27:42) stops by to weigh in on Vladdy Jr.'s move to the leadoff spot, the Jays' catcher decision, what to expect from Dylan Cease in his return tonight, and the odd-pitchers-out when Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer return.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker share their reaction to reinstating Dylan Cease to start in their second game against the Phillies and sending Adam Macko to Triple-A, the new batting order with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. moved to the leadoff spot, why George Springer won't be an everyday player moving forward, and how Cease should attack the Phillies' hitters. Then, MLB Network's Jon Morosi joins the guys (27:55) to chat about why a winning baseball club hinges on Vladdy, why John Schneider made the right decision to shake up the order, how Alejandro Kirk's pending return could affect the roster, specifically Springer, Aaron Judge's extended absence, why the Yankees aren't rushing to trade, and if Tarik Skubal will be on the move.
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Former MLB president and host of 'Nothing Personal,' David Samson (1:08), joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss the Jays' potential solutions for a struggling Jeff Hoffman, the number of voices around Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s hitting, whether Aaron Judge's injury will up the Yankees' deadline aggression, and why the Tigers should act now on Tarik Skubal after his first rehab stint. Later, Jeff and Kevin listen to John Schneider's pre-game availability ahead of the Jays' series-opener against the Phillies, discuss the looming returns of Dylan Cease, Alejandro Kirk and Yimi García, and dive deeper into Vladdy Jr.'s mechanics. Finally, they share their expectations for the Jays in their test against Cristopher Sánchez and the Phillies.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles, including their 6-4 win, the comeback in the 6th inning, Jeff Hoffman's blown save in their second game, Ernie Clement dodging Gunnar Henderson's tag, Kevin Gausman's outing against his former team and his slider usage. Then, former MLB umpire and crew chief Dale Scott (16:04) takes a deeper dive on the base-running and infield defensive plays between Toronto and O's, and the leash he would have for managers. Later, Phillies TV analyst Ben Davis joins the guys (28:14) to chat about the managerial change with Don Mattingly, if they can sustain their success through the post-season, Cristopher Sánchez's success with his changeup, how he can continue dominating the mound, how the team and Orion Kerkering overcame their devastating loss in the playoffs, Brandon Marsh marking his all-star campaign, and Bryce Harper not losing his step.
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Former MLB player and manager Dusty Baker (0:24) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of the official release of his book Crossroads on June 9. He discusses why he chose to write about his 50-year MLB journey, the influence of Felipe Alou and Cito Gaston, his favourite moments as a player and manager, and much more. Later, Sportsnet's voice of the Blue Jays, Dan Shulman, stops by (26:48) ahead of the team's important homestand against the Orioles, Phillies and Yankees. They discuss how the Jays can have more success against Baltimore, George Springer's recent instability at the plate, Louis Varland's usage, what he expects from Shane Bieber as he nears a return, and Nathan Lukes' scorching stretch since returning to the lineup.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' 7-2 win over the Atlanta Braves in their series finale, Toronto having success against Chris Sale, how Trey Yesavage can bounce back against the same team in Baltimore, the expected bullpen usage between Louis Varland, Braydon Fisher and Jeff Hoffman in the late innings, and early impressions of Charles McAdoo. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins the guys (26:10) to chat about the return of Simeon Woods Richardson and how he'll use him out of the pen, if Varland has naturally transitioned into the closer's role, Jeff Hoffman's recent performances, how McAdoo has acclimated himself into the Majors, Nathan Lukes being the jack of all trades as a baseball player, whether he'll consider resting George Springer more, whether he'd consider having three catchers in the lineup, and the effort shown by his players on the baseball diamond.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Toronto legend Buck Martinez (3:31) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of the Blue Jays' series finale against the Braves. He shares his thoughts on the Jays' recent injury-riddled stretch, George Springer's regression, the challenge for John Schneider in 2026, and the first season of ABS. Then, Jeff and Kevin listen to John Schneider's pre-game availability, where he discussed Alejandro Kirk's rehab progress and what to expect from call-up pitcher Chad Dallas. Finally, Jeff and Kevin open the Back Leg Line to take your calls and questions, including the bullpen hierarchy moving forward and who the Jays might target at the trade deadline!
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' second loss to the Braves in Atlanta, why firing manager John Schneider isn't a solution to the Jays' season so far, why the small things during a game are costing the team's performance, Alejandro Kirk's rehab stint with Dunedin Blue Jays, and more. Then, Baseball Hall of Famer and two-time World Series champion Chipper Jones (24:11) joins the guys to chat about the success the Braves have had through 2026, the comparisons to Jones' Atlanta roster, Mauricio Dubón's hitting, Ozzie Albies being able to make contact on both sides of the plate, how Chipper decides to work on hitting left vs. right, Atlanta's pitching staff reading Vlad Jr. well and what he's seeing in his at-bats, and why Walt Weiss is the perfect manager for this team.
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Braves TV analyst CJ Nitkowski (1:48) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of the second game of the Blue Jays' series in Atlanta. They discuss Matt Olson's elite play on offence and defence, Ozzie Albies' quiet reliability, Spencer Strider's evolution, and why manager Walt Weiss was the right choice to replace Brian Snitker. Jeff and Kevin listen to John Schneider's pre-game availability before welcoming former MLB outfielder and Blue Jays Central's Kevin Pillar to the show (26:12). He weighs in on Patrick Corbin's historic struggles against the Braves ahead of his start, how George Springer can adjust at the plate, Daulton Varsho's defensive regression, and much more.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker chat about Patrick Corbin's 11-game losing streak to the Atlanta Braves, his game plan against the Braves, before touching on their series opener in Atlanta, George Springer's struggles, Kevin Gausman's outing and pitching decisions to Matt Olson, and questioning Vlad Jr.'s run to first base out of the box in his fourth at-bat. Then, ESPN insider and host of Sources Tell, Jeff Passan (30:48), joins the guys to discuss the defensive value of a first baseman, if the Seattle Mariners are the second best team in the Majors, which direction the Blue Jays should turn near the trade deadline with their current performance through May and early June, and if the team will look into the hitting over the pitching market.
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Former Blue Jays executive and current Braves President of Baseball Operations and GM Alex Anthopoulos (1:17) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of Atlanta's series against Toronto. He discusses the manager transition from Brian Snitker to Walt Weiss, the team's hot start, the offseason emphasis on depth, Raisel Iglesias' unsung efficiency, Matt Olson's MVP-calibre campaign, Chris Sale's mentality, and much more. Then, Jeff and Kevin listen to John Schneider's availability from Atlanta. Finally, Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi stops by (34:36) to preview the Jays' test against the Braves.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to the Blue Jays' series opener in Atlanta against the Braves, keys to a bounce-back game for the team and Kevin Gausman on the mound, and Vlad Jr.'s lack of extra-base hits this season. Then, former pitcher and current co-host of VSiN By the Books, Jensen Lewis (30:50) joins the guys to chat about the state of college baseball, how the Jays should approach their series against one of the best teams in the Majors currently, finding continuity with the bullpen and Jeff Hoffman, Tarik Skubal returning to play soon and the rumours around trading him at the deadline.
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Former MLB outfielder and current NBC analyst Dexter Fowler (3:01) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker following the Blue Jays' series against the Orioles in Baltimore. They discuss Jesús Sánchez's odd injury, the Jays' tough injury luck, the American League landscape, why it's so hard to hit in today's MLB, and how Pete Crow-Armstrong can break out of his defensive slump in the outfield. Later, Ben Nicholson-Smith (29:00) stops by ahead of the Blue Jays' series against the Atlanta Braves, and he discusses Jeff Hoffman's role moving forward, Spencer Miles' outing against the Orioles, Ernie Clement's adjustment to being an everyday second baseman, and what the Jays have in Charles McAdoo. Finally, Jeff and Kevin grade John Schneider's 2026 campaign so far.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back at the Blue Jays' weekend series in Baltimore against the Orioles and touch on Jeff Hoffman's 9th-inning meltdown, Spencer Miles' first start on the road, Jesús Sánchez getting hit by a ball in the outfield from the stands, and Charles McAdoo's debut weekend in the Majors. Then, The Athletic's and host of the Starkville Podcast Jayson Stark joins the guys (29:17) to chat about the New York Yankees 13-run game against the A's, the state of the American League and it's East division with many teams without a winning record, if the Chicago White Sox's pitching staff is sustainable, and why the 2026 NL Cy Young Award is a tight race.
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Blue Jays Talk's Sho Alli joins Jeff Blair in studio to close out the week (0:15). They reflect on the Jays' play through May, what it would mean to close the month with a .500 record, and what they expect from Adam Macko against the Orioles. Then, they listen in on John Schneider's pre-game availability, where the skipper chats about the decision to start Macko, navigating pitcher injuries, Louis Varland's consistency, and much more. Finally, Jeff goes to the Back Leg Line to answer your questions and ask listeners who the Jays' MVP is at this point in the season.
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Blue Jays manager John Schneider (1:05) joins Jeff Blair following the team's series-opening win over the Baltimore Orioles. The skipper shares his expectations for recent call-up Charles McAdoo ahead of his MLB debut, what it would mean to finish May with a .500 record, how he's navigated significant injuries in the rotation, why the outfield defence has dropped off, and Brandon Valenzuela's growth as a catcher. Later, former MLB infielder and co-host of the B-More Baseball Podcast, Mike Bordick, stops by (26:02) to discuss what the Jays can expect from Orioles starter Brandon Young, why the O's have failed to meet expectations placed on their young core, Pete Alonso's fit, and the future at catcher between Adley Rutschman and Sammy Basallo.
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Jeff Blair welcomes Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux (1:47) into the studio ahead of Toronto's four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles. They discuss the positive signs from their series against the Marlins, whether Tyler Heineman's roster spot is safe when Alejandro Kirk returns, how Patrick Corbin has limited the long ball, and Brandon Valenzuela's maturity. Then, Jeff listens in on John Schneider's pre-game availability. Later, ESPN insider and host of 'Sources Tell,' Jeff Passan (29:50) stops by to discuss the state of JUCO baseball, the large divide between the MLBPA and owners' first labour proposals, and why it seems certain that the league is headed for a work stoppage.
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Jeff Blair is solo on the Thursday edition, and he begins with a look at recent developments in MLB labour discussions, with owners proposing a $245M hard salary cap. MLB Network radio host, analyst, and former general manager Jim Duquette (8:36) joins the show to break down what the owners' proposal means for this season. Then, he helps tee up the Blue Jays' four-game series against the Orioles. Later, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi stops by (29:30) to share his thoughts on the divide in MLB labour negotiations before discussing Christopher Sanchez's dominant, scoreless month of May, and which underachieving AL team is closest to breaking through.
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On the post-game edition, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome Blue Jays TV analyst Joe Siddall (3:41) to reflect on Toronto's 2-1 win to close out their series against the Miami Marlins. They discuss Tyler Heineman's franchise-record-setting day as he caught four Marlins stealing, who will be the odd men out when Addison Barger and Alejandro Kirk return, and whether Jeff Hoffman's recent form is sustainable. Then, MASN Orioles analyst Roch Kubatko (34:10) stops by with the Jays heading off to Camden Yards, and he discusses the frustrating year so far for the O's, Pete Alonso's fit, Chris Bassitt's first season in Baltimore, and more!
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USA Today MLB reporter Bob Nightengale (2:58) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker following his recently published article giving each team a letter grade after Memorial Day in the US. He shares why the Jays got a D+, what sets the Brewers apart, which middle-of-the-pack teams he sees emerging in the AL, when the Tigers might decide on a Tarik Skubal trade, and Luis Castillo's beef with the Mariners' piggyback pitching plan. Then, after Houston's no-hitter, Jeff and Kevin debate whether a combined no-hitter means the same as an individual no-hitter. Later, Blue Jays first base coach Mark Budzinski stops by (26:33) to discuss Yohendrick Piñango's defensive mistakes in the team's opener against the Marlins, Daulton Varsho's play in centre field, Jesús Sánchez's next steps on defence, and how he and Carlos Febles are adjusting to the new rules for field coaches.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back at the Blue Jays' 8-2 series-opening loss to the Miami Marlins, Yohendrick Piñango's defensive miscues, the Jays' struggles against starting pitching, how the missing personnel due to injuries have hindered the team's offensive production and Trey Yesavage's outing. Then, Dominican-Canadian and Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez joins the guys (22:14) to chat about returning to the Rogers Centre, how different he is as a player on and off the field compared to when he was with the Jays and now with Miami, preparing against starting pitchers with a big arsenal, how he has adjusted to pitcher's adjustment to his hitting, what it was like facing Yesavage's high release point, if the Marlins can go onto play meaningful games late in the year, and working alongside second basemen Xavier Edwards.
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Blue Jays radio voice Ben Shulman (1:53) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of the team's series opener against the Miami Marlins. They discuss the decision to send Davis Schneider down, Kazuma Okamoto's slump, Jeff Hoffman's turnaround, Dylan Cease's injury and the plan for his spot in the rotation, whether Yohendrick Piñango's production is sustainable, and why the offence has struggled so much in early innings. Later, former MLB president David Samson (27:08) shares how teams self-evaluate at this point in the year, when to start panicking about Vlad Jr., how looming labour negotiations will factor into this season, why the Tigers must trade Tarik Skubal, and Fernando Tatís Jr.'s lawsuit against Big League Advance.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show discussing Davis Schneider being sent down to Triple-A Buffalo and the Blue Jays activating Nathan Lukes for the series opener against the Miami Marlins. Then, they recap the weekend against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Jeff Hoffman's performance using his slider, how the Jays' hitters approached Paul Skenes, Alejandro Kirk's light rehab in Toronto, updates with Shane Bieber's progress, and Vlad Jr. getting hit in the elbow. Later, Marlins TV host and reporter Craig Mish joins the guys (31:30) to chat about how he would compare this team to previous rosters, Otto Lopez reaching 70 hits, how far the roster is from competing and winning meaningful games, and if Sandy Alcántara will survive another trade deadline. To wrap up the hour, we hear from John Schneider ahead of their series opener against Miami.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker talk to Blue Jays manager John Schneider (0:40) ahead of the team's return to the Rogers Centre, where they will host the Pittsburgh Pirates. The skipper shares injury updates, reflects on the Jays' road trip, Andrés Giménez's approach adjustments, Adam Macko's potential, Brandon Valenzuela's game-to-game growth, what a save against the Yankees means for Jeff Hoffman, and much more. Jeff continues on the Friday edition solo, and he weighs in on who will be the odd men out with Alejandro Kirk and Nathan Lukes nearing a return. To close out the week, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan stops by (24:50) to discuss Tarik Skubal's rapid progress after undergoing elbow surgery, whether he'll factor into this year's trade deadline, what Gerrit Cole's return means for the AL East landscape, why teams stay away from high school arms in the draft, and what the Jays can expect from the Pirates this weekend.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back at the Blue Jays splitting their series against the Yankees in New York, the pitching performances from the opener Braydon Fisher, followed by Adam Macko and Spencer Miles, Jays' success against Aaron Judge, if Miles is ready to get stretched out, Vlad Jr.'s stint hitting second in the order, and what they should expect from Kevin Gausman against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The guys look at Daulton Varsho's performance through May before bringing on Pittsburgh Pirates analyst and former MLB pitcher Matt Capps (34:44) to chat about what Toronto fans should expect to see from Paul Skenes, the team's identity, Bubba Chandler adjusting to a starting role, and if the Pirates' bullpen is strong enough.
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Former GM and current MLB Network analyst Dan O'Dowd (1:22) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to kick off the second hour. He shares his thoughts on Trey Yesavage's rise after a dominant start against the Yankees, the difficulties of making big trades at this point in the season, what's behind the Jays' offensive regression, whether the Rays' play is sustainable, and why so many star players are off to slow starts in 2026. Later, Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph joins the guys in-studio (30:15) to discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s recent approach adjustments, how rain delays change a player's routine, how Louis Varland has gotten the most out of his fastball, and the Jays' recent defensive mistakes.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' 2-1 win over the Yankees, Trey Yesavage's first start at Yankee Stadium, signs of positivity with the Jays' bullpen performance, Vlad Jr.'s at-bat, Brandon Valenzuela's crucial bunt, and Toronto's outfield defence issues. Then, Sports Illustrated's and MLB Network's Tom Verducci stops by (26:00) to chat about Yesavage's historic and meteoric rise from the Minors, World Series, and now a starter in the Jays' rotation, how Toronto's ballclub stacks up against the AL East through May, the pitch mix that Vladdy is receiving, how pitchers and hitters are always experimenting with their attacks, and if the Yankees are a better team in 2026 than last year.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the news that José Berríos has undergone Tommy John surgery before being joined by Pittsburgh general manager and former Blue Jays executive Ben Cherington (13:05) ahead of the Pirates' weekend series in Toronto. He shares his thoughts on the Pirates' season so far, Brandon Lowe's impact, how Konnor Griffin has adjusted to the majors, and Paul Skenes' elite mentality. Then, Jeff and Kevin listen to John Schneider's pre-game availability. Finally, Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi (32:02) shares the latest on Alejandro Kirk's status, what the team expects from Trey Yesavage against the Yankees, Daulton Varsho's recent adjustment at the dish, the plan for Spencer Miles and the fifth spot in the rotation, and what the batting order might look like when the team is fully healthy.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back at the Blue Jays' 5-4 loss to the Yankees, Dylan Cease's outing, and the lack of converting runs in big moments from Toronto's top two hitters in Springer and Guerrero. Then, World Series champion, former pitcher and MLB Network's Ryan Dempster stops by (29:18) to chat about what has changed for the Phillies since Don Mattingly took over the managerial job, the Padres/Dodgers rivalry, Shohei Ohtani's performance so far this season on both end of the bat, his concern level with the Blue Jays' year so far after their World Series berth a year ago, Cease's pitching arsenal and the state of the American League.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome Newsday Yankees reporter Erik Boland (3:05) ahead of the Blue Jays' second game in the Bronx. They discuss the breaking news that Gerrit Cole will return this week, what the Jays bats can expect from Will Warren, Aaron Judge's season so far, and whether Ben Rice's hot start is sustainable. Then, Jeff and Kevin chat about where Judge stands on the list of the greatest hitters of all time before listening to John Schneider's pre-game availability. Later, the voice of the Blue Jays, Dan Shulman (27:55), stops by to discuss the vibes in New York, positive signs from George Springer despite a rough final at-bat, John Schneider's decision to go to Yariel Rodriguez, how Dylan Cease should approach the Yankees' lineup, Brandon Valenzuela's eventful Yankee Stadium debut, and why tonight's matchup is a 'must-win.'
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the New York Yankees series opening win over the Blue Jays, how both teams found ways to score runs, Yariel Rodriguez's 7th inning collapse, George Springer and Vlad Jr.'s at-bats against David Bednar in the 9th, Dylan Cease vs. the Yankees, how the relievers are working to keep runners from stealing and Brandon Valenzuela's home plate tag attempt on Anthony Volpe. Then, YES Network analyst and 4x all-star pitcher with the Yankees, Dellin Betances, stops by (23:37) to share his thoughts on how top-heavy the AL East has become, his experience pitching at Yankee Stadium, how Aaron Boone has evolved as a manager, and roles out of the bullpen.
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MLB Network analyst and former catcher Alex Avila (2:43) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss the state of the American League after 40 games, how players break out of mid-season slumps, what Brandon Valenzuela can expect in his first game behind the plate at Yankee Stadium, and why Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has so much success in the Bronx. Jeff and Kevin listen to John Schneider's pre-game availability before welcoming in Yankees radio analyst Suzyn Waldman (31:20) to discuss the recent offensive drop-off in New York, solutions for their struggling bullpen, their ceiling in 2026, and her conversation with Bo Bichette.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Toronto Blue Jays series win over the Detroit Tigers, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr. snapping his home run slump after moving up in the order and Kevin Gausman's stellar start. Then, they get set for the Jays' four-game test against the New York Yankees and discuss the Yankees' recent struggles, what a series win would mean for Toronto, and how Patrick Corbin should approach a dangerous Yankees lineup in the series opener. Later, former Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain (26:56) joins the guys to discuss the state of the Yankees/Jays rivalry after last year's ALDS, Cam Schlittler's demeanour, and whether players care about Vladdy's 'Da Yankees lose' comments.
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John Schneider, Manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to share an update on the injury list ahead of tonight's series opener in Detroit. John also weighs in on Daulton Varsho's walk-off grand slam, the dip in defence efficiency this season, Yohendrick Piñango's performance, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s chance to break out on this road trip, and much more! Ben Shulman (26:57), Blue Jays radio play-by-play voice, stops by to chat about Wednesday's potential turning point moment, George Springer's form midway through May, Spencer Miles' projected start on Saturday, and Brandon Valenzuela's upside.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show setting up tonight's action as the Blue Jays head into Detroit for "Rivalry Weekend" against the Tigers. The boys discuss if the lineup can carry over momentum from Wednesday's walk-off win, as well as the storylines brewing ahead of next week's meeting with the Yankees. Jon Morosi (25:48), MLB Network insider, outlines the Jays' upcoming series at Comerica Park, the urgency surrounding the Mets heading into this weekend's "Subway Series", and expectations for Toronto's visit the Bronx. Jon wraps up discussing if anything will ever top the Yankees and Red Sox legendary 2003-04 rivalry, how the Automated Ball-Strike system has altered the strike zone, and Fernando Tatís Jr.'s home run drought.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker head to the Back Leg Line to hear listeners' thoughts on who has surprised them and has disappointed them the most at the quarter mark of the Blue Jays' 2026 season, Yohendrick Piñango's future on the main roster, Vlad Jr.'s early-season struggles, and more. Then, The Athletic's Jayson Stark joins the guys (28:20) to discuss the Phillies' success with Don Mattingly at the helm, if the Atlanta Braves can maintain their top spot in the NL East, how ABS has affected the game including the increased number of unintentional walks to start the year, changes with the strike zone, and how this could change the way pitchers pitch in the long term.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Toronto Blue Jays walk-off win over the Tampa Bay Rays to wrap up their series. They discuss Dylan Cease's start, Daulton Varsho's game-winning Grand Slam and Kazuma Okamoto's approach. Then, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan joins the show (27:41) to discuss his upcoming episode of 'Sources Tell' with Brewers flamethrower Jacob Misiorowski, ABS killing manager/umpire arguments, and the weight of the Jays' upcoming series against the Yankees.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Sportsnet's Blue Jays TV analyst Joe Siddall (0:51) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to break down how Vlad Jr. could work his way out of his hitting slump, where Daulton Varsho's game is at both on the offensive and defensive side this season, Dylan Cease's pitching arsenal, how John Schneider will juggle around the lineup when Addison Barger and Nathan Lukes return, if Yohendrick Piñango is the odd man out, and what has gone wrong for George Springer in his at-bats. Then, former MLB pitcher and MLB Network Analyst Dan Plesac stops by (26:52) to share his experience with role changes out of the bullpen, why he has two New York Yankees starters at the top of his pitching rankings, why WBC could be a strong indication of players' slow starts, if the New York Mets can fix their season, and which players have caught his eye across the league.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Toronto Blue Jays' loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in extra innings. They discuss the Jays' five-run seventh inning, the Rays taking advantage with their speed, Shane McClanahan's dominant outing, Daulton Varsho's outfield defence, and how Dylan Cease can set the Jays up for a better result in the series finale. Later, three-time manager of the year Joe Maddon (28:08) joins the show to share his thoughts on the Rays' formula, why it's too early for Jays fans to start panicking, how John Schneider can get the most out of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and why Cease's adjustments towards being more efficient are sustainable.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Former MLB right fielder and current hitting coach for the Tampa Bay Rays Chad Mottola (0:34) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about what makes a great run producer, the types of development paths for his hitters, if batter technology has caught up to pitcher tech, the transition back to playing at Tropicana Field after a season at Steinbrenner Field, the next steps in Junior Caminero's offence, Kevin Cash's managerial philosophy, and how to be athletic in a player's at-bats. Then, MLB Insider and Sportsnet Blue Jays reporter Ben Nicholson-Smith (25:08) takes a look at how the baseball club are either actively looking or just monitoring the pitching market, if an impact player on both sides could be moved earlier in the trade market, the clubhouse vibe around the quarter mark, if John Schneider would consider moving Vlad Jr. in the lineup, Jeff Hoffman's potential return to the 9th inning, Brandon Valenzuela's adjustment to the Majors, and Andrés Giménez's hot bat.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Toronto Blue Jays' series-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. They discuss whether Vladimir Guerrero Jr. should be moved from second in the lineup like fellow struggling superstar Cal Raleigh, Kevin Gausman's rough outing, and whether the 'Rays Way' is sustainable. Later, former pitcher and MLB Network's Jensen Lewis (28:27) joins the show to share his take on the first quarter of the Jays' season, the Rays' pitching dominance, Chandler Simpson's elite speed, and which AL teams can emerge as 'the best of the rest' after the Yankees and Rays.
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Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Glavine (3:30) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to remember the former third baseman, manager and Baseball Hall of Famer Bobby Cox, what it was like playing for him, Bobby's relationship with his pitching staff, and how he managed different personalities throughout his tenure with the Atlanta Braves. Then, Blue Jays analyst Caleb Joseph jumps on (28:38) to weigh in on the Monday roster moves including Eric Lauer DFA'd, Drew Rasmussen vs. Kevin Gausman to open up their home series against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays, Yariel Rodriguez getting called up, Spencer Miles' projection in the rotation, how the Jays can produce runs like the L.A. Angels over the weekend and if Jeff Hoffman is ready to return to the 9th inning.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Toronto Blue Jays' weekend series win over the Angels. They discuss Addison Barger's brief return as he is set for an MRI on his elbow, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. showing frustration, Trey Yesavage's outing on Saturday, and whether Spencer Miles can be the Jays' fifth starter. Later, host of 'Nothing Personal' and former MLB president David Samson (26:34) stops by to share his thoughts on what's gone wrong for the Mets this season, Vladdy's season so far, how front offices evaluate their teams at the quarter-season mark, and whether the Giants trading Patrick Bailey to the Guardians will spur more trade action around the Majors.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider to discuss looming roster decisions once Addison Barger returns, the latest on José Berríos’ injury, and Jeff Hoffman settling back in after changing roles. They also get into Dylan Cease’s efficiency, Trey Yesavage’s pitch mix, Jesús Sánchez’s struggles, and whether there’s lingering concern around George Springer’s injury. Plus, why Toronto’s stars need to deliver in big moments and a final round of questions from the Back Leg Line.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Dan Shulman to dig into what’s fueling the Blue Jays’ struggles, including unexpected defensive issues and John Schneider’s performance through the skid. They also hit on early MLB surprises, Jeff Hoffman’s return to form, Kazuma Okamoto’s hot streak, and Dylan Cease’s ceiling this season. The hour wraps with listener questions on the Back Leg Line.
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John Gibbons, bench coach for the Los Angeles Angels, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about how the role has changed in the modern game. The former Jays skipper also shares what it's like coaching a healthy Mike Trout, how he would've fit into Toronto's 2016 lineup, and his early impressions of the Automated Ball-Strike system. Jeff Passan (22:43), host of Sources Tell Jeff Passan, joins the boys to discuss the slow starts around the American League, if the slump could spark some early-season trades, and how he views the Mariners and Rays. Jeff also details how umpires receive feedback mid-game with the ABS system and the buy-in from veteran officials, along with Tarik Skubal's recovery process.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 3-0 loss Wednesday afternoon in Tampa Bay, completing a three-game sweep. They take a closer look at Toronto's sputtering offence and discuss what needs to change to get it back on track. With Addison Barger nearing a return, the boys also chat about the jolt he can bring to the lineup and who will be the odd man out once he's activated, along with thoughts on Patrick Corbin's form at the back of the rotation. Jon Morosi (27:48), MLB Network analyst, weighs in on the teams going through early season struggles around the league, Framber Valdez' eight-game suspension, and Tarik Skubal's outlook as he recovers from surgery.
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David Popkins, Toronto Blue Jays hitting coach, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the state of the team. David discusses his work to get the team's offence in sync, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s lack of power, the impact of Kazuma Okamoto's change in approach, Daulton Varsho and Jesús Sánchez' performance at the plate, utilizing the Automated Ball-Strike system, and George Springer's status. Later, Kevin Pillar (27:45), former Blue Jay and Sportsnet analyst, stops by the studio to share his view on Vladdy's start to the season, the current vibe in the clubhouse, the Jays' approach at the plate, and much more!
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off today's show breaking down the Blue Jays' 5-1 loss to the Rays including Eric Lauer's issues in the first inning and how Tampa Bay shut down Toronto's bats. Marc Topkin (16:15) of the Tampa Bay Times checks in with his evaluation of the Rays' season so far. The boys ask Marc about Tampa's place in the American League East, Bryan Baker's strong 2026, the recent changes at Tropicana Field, and what Jonathan Aranda brings to the lineup. After the break (29:50), Jeff and Kevin share today's trivia question, before discussing the approach change behind Kazuma Okamoto's power surge and who the odd man out might be once Addison Barger is ready to return.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Vancouver Canadians' Jose Mayorga (3:11) to chat about the promotion of No. 3 prospect in the Blue Jays organization Arjun Nimmala to Double-A, his development at shortstop and running the bags, how coachable he is, his advice to Arjun in playing in a league up, pitchers Johnny King and Holden Wilkerson's developments on the mound, and if he's seen a difference between the current group of players compared to previous years coming through the organization. Then, Kevin shares his experience getting promoted, playing in the minors and when we can expect Nimmala to play in the Majors. Later, former MLB pitcher and Tampa Bay Rays TV analyst Brian Anderson (28:00) stops by to discuss the differences between the 2026 team and the AL East-dominating rosters of the past, Nick Martinez's reliance on his secondary pitches this season, Bryan Baker's success in the 9th inning, and Drew Rasmussen's fastball usage.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Toronto Blue Jays' split series against the Minnesota Twins. They discuss John Schneider's decision to bench Tyler Heineman, Kazuma Okamoto's hot streak, and whether Dylan Cease's pursuit of efficiency is compromising his strikeout stuff. Later, Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi joins the show (27:18) to help tee up the Jays' series against the Rays in Tampa and discuss Heineman's benching, George Springer's tough luck in the batter's box, and what the lineup might look like when the team is back healthy.
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Blue Jays Manager John Schneider joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker for his weekly chat! Skip shares the latest on José Berríos and Addison Barger as they continue to work back from injury, his takeaways from Trey Yesavage's return to the mound, and what he learned from the team's "State of the Squad" meeting. They also touch on his lineup's lack of home run production, what's changed for Daulton Varsho and Kazuma Okamoto at the plate, the keys to success for Patrick Corbin and Tyler Rogers, and how Jeff Hoffman has handled his role change. John wraps up with his thoughts on the Blue Jays' outlook heading into May with a 14-17 record. Later, Thad Levine (27:45), former Twins GM and co-host of Rosters to Rings, investigates Carlos Mendoza's vote of confidence in New York, the Red Sox clearing house, and the Phillies' struggles through April. They wrap up the week with discussion about a potential lockout in 2027 and what's on the table for both sides.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin with thoughts on the Blue Jays' 7-1 loss in the series opener against the Twins. They break down what went wrong for Kevin Gausman and the lineup's quiet night offensively, before debating how to view Toronto's 14-17 record as the calendar flips. Paul Molitor (28:31), 1993 World Series MVP, Hall of Famer and Twins analyst, joins the guys to chat about when in a season it's time to be concerned and if there's any truth a "World Series hangover". Paul also discusses the state of the Twins, Byron Buxton's work to stay healthy, former Blue Jay Austin Martin, and Louie Varland's growth since his trade to Toronto.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Former MLB catcher and current MLB Network analyst Anthony Recker (3:21) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the identity of the 2026 Minnesota Twins, if they're working towards a defensive or offensive-first mindset, Bailey Ober's changeup, why a healthy Mick Abel would help the team's pitching staff, what impresses him the most about Kevin Gausman, and why the Padres have been the biggest surprise to start the year. Then, Blue Jays analyst Joe Siddall joins the guys (26:54) to discuss the adjustments Kazuma Okamoto has made, Brandon Valenzuela's potential, Ernie Clement's ability to cover all areas in his at-bats, Daulton Varsho's strengths and weaknesses, and Jeff Hoffman's usage in low-leverage situations.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to the Blue Jays' series against the Minnesota Twins after an 8-1 win over the Red Sox. They discuss the bullpen's recent turnaround, Kazuma Okamoto's adjustment paying off, and what to expect from Kevin Gausman tonight against a Twins team he's struggled against historically. Later, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan joins the show (28:08) to reflect on the first month of the MLB season, including the Red Sox's disappointing start, Ben Rice's All-Star-calibre play, Drake Baldwin's emergence, the Reds' success on the road, and much more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Break: 25:29.800
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's pregame episode setting up this afternoon's rubber match at Rogers Centre. They discuss George Springer's activation from the 10-day IL, Eloy Jiménez' subsequent DFA, and Eric Lauer's start today, before looking back on Tuesday's 3-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox. They break down Trey Yesavage's strong form his return to the mound, Kazuma Okamoto heating up at the plate, the Hoffman-Rogers-Varland bullpen experience, and some eye-popping Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stats. Later, Ben Shulman and Chris Leroux (26:25) join the guys live from the Sportsnet 590 The FAN radio booth for a roundtable chat! They touch on a variety of topics including the Jiménez' decision, Okamoto's form, Vladdy's April, the state of the rotation, Yesavage's return, Lauer's start, and Hoffman's new role.
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Host of 'Nothing Personal' and former MLB president David Samson (1:02) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about seeing a team with high expectations into the new year start on a losing skid, if he's surprised by the managerial firings of Alex Cora and Rob Thomson, why it's better to make the change early, Don Mattingly stepping into an interim role with the Philadelphia Phillies, which teams have a bigger issue between the Red Sox, Phillies and New York Mets, and when Blue Jays fans should start to panic. Then, Red Sox analyst, former closer with Boston and Philly, Jonathan Papelbon (34:36) joins the guys to weigh in on which market was the toughest to play for, if Chad Tracy has a chance to get his interim managerial tag removed, and how hard it is to lose your closer job.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Philadelphia Phillies cutting ties with Rob Thomson and naming Don Mattingly interim manager after a 9-19 start. Then, they discuss the Toronto Blue Jays' series-opening loss to the Red Sox, Dylan Cease's up-and-down start, the impact of Alejandro Kirk and George Springer's absence, and what they expect from Trey Yesavage in his season debut tonight. Later, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi joins the show (27:52) to share his thoughts on the Phillies' coaching shake-up, whether the Mets could be the next team to make a move, Alex Cora turning down the offer to manage the Phillies, and whether the firing signals more change on the player side in Philadelphia.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Baseball Today's Chris Rose (3:48) to chat about the worst start to the New York Mets' season, his recent conversation with Kevin Gausman and his longevity on the mound, the Boston Red Sox firing their coaching staff including manager Alex Cora, who's in a tougher situation between the Mets, Red Sox and Phillies, and if Cora could return to manage the Phillies. Then, former MLB catcher and Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph stops by (32:22) to discuss Max Scherzer being placed on the 15-day IL, how the Jays can get Dylan Cease to pitch deep into games, Patrick Corbin's success in keeping the ball inside the park, Louis Varland's changeup usage, next steps for Jesús Sánchez with his at-bats, and what has changed for Kazuma Okamoto at the plate.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Toronto Blue Jays' weekend series win over the Cleveland Guardians. They discuss Max Scherzer's inconsistent start, the bullpen hierarchy without a clearly defined closer, Kazuma Okamoto's improvements, the next steps for Jesús Sánchez, and Ernie Clement's play in the lead-off spot. Then, Red Sox reporter Rob Bradford stops by (30:14) to discuss why Boston decided to fire manager Alex Cora and overhaul their coaching staff before May, the ups and downs on the mound, and potential further consequences if they can't turn it around this season.
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Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider (2:20) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to share some injury updates on George Springer, Trey Yesavage and more, why he isn't definitive on who he's bringing out in the 9th inning, Louis Varland's increase high-leverage workload, what adjustments he'd like to see from Kazuma Okamoto's at-bats, if he sees remnants of the 2025 Jays' identity on their recent road trip, Ernie Clement's contact rate, and Brandon Valenzuela's adjustment to the Majors. Then, the guys hear from GM and VP Ross Atkins on the team's start to the 2026 season and Jeff Hoffman not being designated as their closer. Afterwards, The Athletic's Jayson Stark stops by (33:38) to discuss the state of the Phillies, their president declaring manager Rob Thomson is not on the hot seat, if fans could dictate his future, and why the New York Yankees could be a real threat to the L.A. Dodgers.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker get set for the Toronto Blue Jays' series against the Cleveland Guardians. They discuss the Guardians' start to the season, whether José Ramírez is a top-five MLB talent, what the Jays can expect from Guardians starter Gavin Williams, and why hitting is a bigger early concern for the Jays than relief pitching. Later, Guardians TV analyst and former MLB catcher Chris Gimenez joins the show (29:27) to discuss what's behind Williams' recent dominance on the mound, Ramírez's clubhouse leadership, Brayan Rocchio's development, and Bo Naylor's slow start. Finally, Jeff and Kevin discuss potential solutions for Kazuma Okamoto’s struggles at the plate.
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Anthony McCarron, Mets analyst for SNY, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to detail the latest news around the team after snapping their 12-game losing streak last night. Anthony looks into what's behind New York's slow start this season, Bo Bichette's comfortability with his new club, and the next steps to right the ship. Later, two-time All Star Jason Kipnis (23:26) stops by to share his impressions of Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins during his time in Cleveland. Jason also discusses his experience battling through April struggles, the reality of George Springer's broken toe, the ever-persistent Guardians, and Juan Soto's radio silence on the IL. Jeff and Kevin wrap up today's show responding to your questions on the Backleg Line!
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Toronto Blue Jays' 7-3 loss in their series finale against the LA Angels. They discuss the signs that the offence is starting to turn a corner with George Springer nearing a return, and who would be the odd man out of the rotation when Trey Yesavage returns. Later, Jeff Passan (24:16), ESPN MLB insider and host of Sources Tell, joins the show to discuss his recent sit-down with World Series managers John Schneider and Dave Roberts, whether the Phillies will make a move after their losing streak hit eight games, and if Mets manager Carlos Mendoza is on the hot seat after their rough start.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off today's pregame edition of Blair and Barker with a chance for the Blue Jays to sweep away the Angels! They dive into last night's 4-2 victory and break down how the team survived another shaky outing from Jeff Hoffman, before sharing the lineups for today's matinee. Toronto Blue Jays starter Dylan Cease (05:12) chats about his experience with the Jays' coaching staff, balancing strikeouts with soft contact, his process on the mound, the variety of pitches in his arsenal, his view on the ABS system, and more! After the break (29:15), the guys touch on Trey Yesavage's subpar outing with Triple-A Buffalo, listen back to John Schneider's comments about the ninth inning, and project who will close games moving forward.
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Former outfielder and Blue Jays Central analyst Kevin Pillar (2:19) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about Vlad Jr. heating up at the plate, what makes Dylan Cease difficult to hit, Eric Lauer's comments about the opener, the relationship between players and managers, 'kangaroo court' in a baseball clubhouse, how teams are utilizing the ABS challenge, and Mike Trout adjusting his at-bats late in his career. Then, former Blue Jay and current pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels Jordan Romano (26:21) stops by to discuss the construction of the roster mixed with veterans and new guys, his transition through three teams in three years, handling slow starts as a pitcher, handling the noise from both home and opponent fanbases, what it's like having Trout as a teammate, motivation to face his former team, and the evolution of his pitches.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Toronto Blue Jays' 5-2 win to kick off their series against the Los Angeles Angels. They discuss Jeff Hoffman's ninth-inning outing, Dylan Cease's performance and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. breaking his homer drought. Later, Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi joins the show (25:09) to discuss the Jays' plan for Hoffman and the ninth inning, Vladdy starting to turn a corner with his power, how the roster will change when George Springer returns, and Eric Lauer's comments about the opener.
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Miami Marlins catcher and first baseman, as well as Toronto native Liam Hicks (0:43) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about his hot start of the 2026 season, his hitting approach through the offseason and Spring Training, the team's performance so far, controlling your slumps, the use of ABS, calling pitches from the dugout, and playing alongside fellow Canadians on the Marlins. Then, Jeff and Kevin discuss who should be given the green light to use the ABS challenge and whether a kangaroo court should be implemented. Afterwards, Mark Gubicza (30:07), former MLB pitcher and current Los Angeles Angels TV analyst, stops by to weigh in on Mike Trout reinventing his game, a small change to his at-bat timing, Jo Adell's confidence, and the scouting report on José Soriano.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' weekend series loss against the Arizona Diamondbacks, which included a 10-run outburst in the finale. They discuss what was behind the offensive uptick, whether they can carry that momentum into their series against the Angels, Eric Lauer's criticisms of the opener strategy, and whether Jeff Hoffman should still be the closer after another blown save. Later, Dan Shulman stops by (26:33) to discuss what the Jays' bats can expect from Angels starter José Soriano, how Nathan Lukes is managing his vertigo, the plan for Hoffman, Kazuma Okamoto's hitting adjustments, and the Jays' early struggles with ABS.
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Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider (0:56) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about using Braydon Fisher as the opening pitcher in their first game of the series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, injury updates including George Springer, Trey Yesavage, José Berríos and Yimi Garcia, 9th inning options outside of Jeff Hoffman, struggling to put on runs, Vladdy's ground ball rate, Jesús Sánchez's impact on the lineup and the change in his at-bats, Kazuma Okamoto's defensive stance, Brandon Valenzuela's presence behind the plate, and Myles Straw's spark. Then, ESPN's Jeff Passan stops by (31:08) to discuss the San Diego Padres record-breaking sale, a salary cap implementation in MLB, his upcoming podcast debut episode with John Schneider and Dave Roberts, and if he's worried about the start of the Blue Jays' season.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker get set for the Toronto Blue Jays' weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. They discuss the decision to opt for an opener with Braydon Fisher taking the mound in Game 1, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s early-season approach, and what the Jays' bats can expect from Diamondbacks' starter, Canadian Michael Soroka. Then, former MLB pitcher and Blue Jays Central analyst Jason Grilli (27:35) joins the show to discuss how relievers react to their role changing early in the season, and the importance of clubhouse leadership when the bullpen struggles.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker bring in Vancouver's mayor, Ken Sim (13:50), to chat about how far along the city is in their plan to bid for an MLB franchise, why he is pushing for a bid now, the Vancouver market's interest, and the council's role in the bid. Then, Milwaukee Brewers TV play-by-play voice Brian Anderson joins the guys (32:49) to weigh in on the fans booing their pitcher Trevor Megill, the team's history of postseason berths, Jake Bauers and Gary Sánchez's presence in the clubhouse, Christian Yelich's injury, and if William Contreras has become the perfect catcher for the Brewers.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Toronto Blue Jays' series-opening win over the Milwaukee Brewers. They discuss Jeff Hoffman's blown save, Louis Varland's reliability, Kazuma Okamoto's defensive mistakes at third base, and Kevin Gausman's shakiest start of the season. Later, Blue Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux (27:28) shares his thoughts on whether Hoffman should remain the team's closer, Varland's viability as a ninth-inning guy, what Dylan Cease needs to adjust ahead of his fourth start, and his concern levels for Max Scherzer.
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MLB Network's Jon Morosi (0:54) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to share his thoughts on the Vancouver mayor Ken Sim calling to launch a bid to bring an MLB team to the city, if he's more worried about the Blue Jays or Red Sox, which teams in the National League he'd buy stock in with their performance to start the year, what's gone wrong for the New York Mets, and Lenyn Sosa's addition to the Blue Jays. Then, Milwaukee Brewers TV analyst and former MLB pitcher Tim Dillard (29:00) stops by to discuss Jacob Misiorowski's reverse splits, the team's identity heading into 2026, who the Brewers rely on just like the Jays with Vladdy, and Gary Sánchez's usage at first base.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker get set for the Toronto Blue Jays' series against the Milwaukee Brewers. They discuss whether the Jays should mix up the batting order and move Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to the two-hole, the outfield defence, and Kazuma Okamoto's play at third base. Later, Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker (27:00) stops by to discuss the team's depleted rotation, how they can get the most out of Max Scherzer, whether they'd consider using an opener, Kevin Gausman's strong start to the season, Jeff Hoffman's stability, and much more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Host of Baseball Today and Dugout Discussions, Chris Rose (1:10) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the slow starts from American League's star players, who's the second best team in the league, Shane Bieber's decision to return to the Blue Jays, Fernando Tatís Jr. playing at second base, why Oneil Cruz needs to be the centrepiece of the Pirates' offence, and how he projects his Cleveland Guardians for the rest of the season. Then, Blue Jays legend Buck Martinez (27:24) returns to the show to discuss the team's growing list of injuries to start the season, if the World Series hangover is real, Kazuma Okamoto's adjustment to the MLB, why Dylan Cease benefits from working with Pete Walker, how he would manage Max Scherzer's outings, and the team's erratic defence.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Toronto Blue Jays' weekend series against the Minnesota Twins. They discuss concerning starts from Max Scherzer and Eric Lauer, George Springer's injury, the Jays' trade for infielder Lenyn Sosa from the White Sox, and positive signs from Daulton Varsho, Andrés Giménez and Louis Varland. Later, Jays' radio voice, Ben Shulman (28:42), joins the show to share his thoughts on the Sosa trade, Kazuma Okamoto's play at the plate, and how Nathan Lukes can get back on track.
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Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider (2:25) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the outcome from their series rematch against the L.A. Dodgers, his argument with home plate umpire Dan Merzel on calling Kevin Gausman's balk, conversations with his coaching staff handling mental mistakes from their players early in the season, his upcoming podcast conversation with ESPN's Jeff Passan and Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts, Daulton Varsho's struggles after a strong Spring Training, injury updates on his pitchers including Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, and Jose Berrios, how Kazuma Okamoto is handling the swing and miss at-bats, and the path for Davis Schneider to play more games. Then, Blair and Barker head to the Back-Leg Line ahead of the weekend!
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker get set for the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Minnesota Twins. Dan Shulman stops by (3:31) to discuss how the Jays can build off their win against the Dodgers, Tyler Rogers' efficiency, Kazuma Okamoto's offensive ceiling, his expectations for Patrick Corbin, and much more. Later, Twins manager Derek Shelton (27:45) shares a Minnesota perspective on the upcoming series, their unorthodox bullpen hierarchy, their goals for this season, and his growth as a manager since his stint in Pittsburgh.
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Sean Casey, former big leaguer and host of The Mayor's Office podcast, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about finding your rhythm as a hitter in April, dealing with fan criticism, the Automated Ball-Strike system, and his favourite player to watch as a fan. Later, New York Post columnist and author of The Bosses of the Bronx, Mike Vaccaro (26:50) joins the guys to discuss his new book about George Steinbrenner and the history of Yankees ownership, along with thoughts on the 2026 team!
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the off-day edition with a look back on the Blue Jays' win over the Dodgers to avoid a sweep and snap a six-game losing streak. They discuss Daulton Varsho's slow start, Shohei Ohtani's 'special treatment', and their impressions of Dylan Cease after his third start. Later, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (23:58) joins the show ahead of the debut episode of his new podcast, Sources Tell Jeff Passan. He discusses an upcoming episode featuring John Schneider and Dave Roberts reflecting on the World Series, the Jays' slow start, the biggest surprises so far this season, the Brewers' culture, and the Astros' ceiling.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's pregame show in a sour mood following the Blue Jays' 4-1 loss to the Dodgers to extend their losing streak to six games. The boys discuss the Jays' dismal offensive output of late, the importance of tomorrow's off day to reset, and the balk call on Kevin Gausman that resulted in John Schneider's fiery ejection. They also dig into the statistics to find some positives from the first two weeks, identify some players that need to step up in order to right the ship, and chat about Andy Pages' hot start to the year. Ryan Howard (26:27), World Series champion and 2006 MVP, joins to discuss how the Phillies overcame fatigue from October baseball, battling through early season struggles, and the pressure to perform in a major market.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off this episode chatting with Caleb Joseph, former MLB catcher and Sportsnet analyst. They dig into the issues behind the Blue Jays' five-game losing streak, Max Scherzer's road back to the mound after exiting Monday's game with forearm tendinitis, expectations for Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Kevin Gausman tonight, the options behind the plate in Alejandro Kirk's absence, and the lingering emotions from the 2025 World Series. Later, Jayson Stark (24:45) of The Athletic discusses the mediocrity early in the American League, storylines to watch in this week's Blue Jays vs. Dodgers series, and his impressions of the Automated Ball-Strike system.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Toronto Blue Jays' 14-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers and stretching their losing streak to five games. They discuss the residual animosity between the two teams after the World Series, Max Scherzer's early exit, and what adjustments Kevin Gausman must make to get a better result this evening. Later, Dodgers Pitching Coach Mark Prior (26:17) discusses his role, what Jays hitters can expect from tonight's starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, what Shohei Ohtani's pitching workload might look like this season, and more!
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Host of Nothing Personal and former MLB President David Samson (0:28) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about how teams navigate a slow start after playing in the World Series, Roman Anthony's outspoken comments around the Boston Red Sox's start to their year, what Konnor Griffin's long-term contract indicates to fans, players and owners around the league, why the Cleveland Guardians have surprised him the most, and Carter Jensen being pulled from the Royals lineup after sleeping through an alarm. Then, L.A. Dodgers reporter Katie Woo stops by (26:35) to discuss Freddie Freeman's longevity, Shohei Ohtani's 2026 pitching plan, if any manager can manage the current Dodgers roster, who is the second-best player on the team and how Kyle Tucker has fit in.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker check in with the Toronto Blue Jays ahead of their World Series rematch against the Dodgers after being swept by the Chicago White Sox. They discuss the team's early-season offensive woes, Brendon Little being DFA'd to Triple A, the Jays' plan in Alejandro Kirk's absence, and Addison Barger's underwhelming start. Later, Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi (27:44) stops by to share his impressions of the Jays through three series, the implications of the Patrick Corbin signing, Kazuma Okamoto's adjustments, and Barger's usage. Finally, Jeff and Kevin share expectations for Max Scherzer in the Jays' opener against the Dodgers.
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Chicago White Sox's Director of Player Development, Paul Janish (0:26) joins Jeff Blair and his former teammate Kevin Barker to chat about his role with the organization, how they approach players' goals season-to-season, if they've considered 'out of the box' methods of playing like the Colorado Rockies calling pitching from the dugout, how younger players are learning compared to when Paul and Kevin played, the evolution of scouting with analytics, how he would define a successful season for the White Sox, and ABS' implementation. Then, ESPN's Jeff Passan stops by (29:32) to discuss the Rockies' method of calling pitches from the dugout, the most surprising and disappointing teams to start their year, his expectations for the Blue Jays vs. Dodgers for the first time since the 2025 World Series and the flurry of contract signings and extensions for prospects on long-term deals.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the off-day edition with some Blue Jays takeaways through the first two series of the season. They discuss reasons to be optimistic with Jeff Hoffman, why they're not concerned with the team's offensive struggles with runners in scoring position, who fits best in the clean-up spot, and Kevin Gausman's stellar start. Later, MLB Network's Jon Morosi (29:56) shares his early-season Blue Jays thoughts, including his concerns for the rotation's health, Brendon Little's struggles, Hoffman's resilience, and more.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show discussing how John Schneider could navigate the pitching rotation with Cody Ponce's status up in the air, the best way forward for Brendan Little after strong Spring outings and two rocky relief stints to start the regular season, why Kazuma Okamoto's second career MLB home run was impressive, and Ponce's first pitches in the Majors. Then, the guys bring on play-by-play voice of the Buffalo Bisons Pat Malacaro (27:00) to chat about potential options for the main roster to call up if Ponce misses time, Josh Kasevich's popularity among the managers and coaches, and Josh Rivera's growing potential.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by co-host of VSiN By The Books and former MLB pitcher Jensen Lewis (0:58) to chat about the first weekend of ABS' implementation, his takeaways from the Blue Jays' pitchers successful weekend with the strike zone, why he's not overreacting to Jeff Hoffman's first blown save to the year, and Rōki Sasaki's 2026 debut after a rocky Spring Training. Then, Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro (25:40) stops by to discuss the World Series' effect on the 2026 roster and organization, how he would define a successful season, what Kazuma Okamoto brings to the team on and off the field, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s growth into a leader and his ceiling, the Jays' pitch to Dylan Cease, and maintaining a high-end minor league teams.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Toronto Blue Jays' first series of the 2026 season - a three-game sweep over the Athletics. They discuss the rotation's early statement, as Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, and Eric Lauer combined for 32 strikeouts, share their first impressions of Jesús Sánchez and Kazuma Okamoto, and express early concerns for Brendon Little and Jeff Hoffman in the bullpen. Later, ahead of the Jays' series opener against the Rockies, Colorado TV analyst Ryan Spilborghs (27:25) joins the show to discuss the Rockies' goals this season, Ethan Holliday's progression, and his expectations for Cody Ponce's first start of the year.
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Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider (0:39) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss why the end of the 2025 World Series won't define the team's 2026 season, how he's evolved as a manager, Addison Barger's confidence, Andrés Giménez finding his swing and transitioning into an everyday shortstop, if the 9th inning will be Jeff Hoffman's, Brendon Little's outlook and the challenge for Kazuma Okamoto playing third base in MLB. Then, Blue Jays TV analyst Joe Siddall (22:45) gives his thoughts on the opening-day batting order, who could be a long-term solution batting in the 2-hole, Barger's ceiling, the top left-handed option out of the bullpen, Okamoto's impressions, and whether Giménez has found his offence.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to first pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays get set for their Opening Day matchup against the Athletics. They react to the starting lineup, predict how it might change against lefty starters, and share their expectations for the first series of the season. Later, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan stops by (26:30) to discuss some of the storylines heading into the 2026 season, including the Dodgers' chances to three-peat, who will challenge them in the National League, and why he sees the Mariners running away with the AL West. Then, he gets into the Jays, their path to a second-straight AL East title, bullpen concerns, and how the industry views offseason additions, Kazuma Okamoto and Dylan Cease. Finally, Jeff and Kevin break down Shane Baz's 5-year extension with the Orioles.
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Toronto Blue Jays EVP and general manager Ross Atkins (0:24) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about what he's looking forward to and his goals for the organization's 2026 season, how they handled their first Spring Training after a long season and World Series push, Kevin Gausman entering his 14th MLB season and his workload, how Spencer Miles earned a main roster spot, what he learned from Dylan Cease, how Max Scherzer ended up returning to the team, what he envisions for third base and Kazuma Okamoto as a hitter, Vladdy Jr.'s maturation, Daulton Varsho's consistency and continuing to work with John Schneider after both signing contract extensions. Then, New York Yankees reporter Erik Boland (28:22) drops by to recap their season opener, if the defence or bullpen is the biggest weakness, Ben Rice's season outlook, and if Aaron Judge can stay healthy enough to win another AL MVP. Plus, we hear from Kevin Gausman ahead of his Opening Day start.
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Major League Baseball is officially back! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open with their thoughts on the Yankees' dominant win over the Giants to kick off the season, before going live to John Schneider's availability from the Blue Jays' workout day at the Rogers Centre. Later, Jeff and Kevin share their picks and predictions for the 2026 season, including playoff teams, World Series matchups, and award winners!
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker head to the Back-Leg Line to chat about their breakout star for the Blue Jays this season, José Berríos' outlook, which bat and arm should we pay attention to starting the year, confidence levels with Jeff Hoffman and more. Then, the guys bring on former MLB pitcher and Tampa Bay Rays TV analyst Brian Anderson (29:40) to discuss the Rays' chances at reclaiming the AL East, Shane McClanahan's road back from a lost season, which players will benefit from returning to play at the Trop, homefield renovations, and if Junior Caminero can replicate his strong 2025 year.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show with thoughts on the Blue Jays final moves to set their 26-man roster. Hunter Pence (07:20), two-time World Series champion and Giants analyst, sets the stage ahead of tonight's first MLB game of the season between the Yankees and Giants! The boys chat about the outlook for the Bronx Bombers this season, the misconception with how San Francisco will call pitches this season, and what to expect before first pitch. David Forst (27:38), Athletics General Manager, shares how his team's mentality has changed heading into this season. David outlines the A's opportunity to contend in the American League West, the names on the roster to watch out for, and the club's first series of the year in Toronto.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by former MLB pitcher and current Orioles analyst Ben McDonald (5:44) to chat about the excitement of a competitive AL East, the biggest addition during the offseason for Baltimore, what sets apart Pete Alonso from the rest of the great hitters of the game, if we can see a bounce back year from Adley Rutschman, and the state of the Orioles' bullpen arms after their starters. Then, former MLB outfielder and newest MLB Network analyst Kevin Kiermaier joins the guys (28:18) to discuss which teams in the AL East has the most pressure heading into the new year, if a team like the Blue Jays can replicate a 'ball in play' approach two seasons in a row, Kevin Gausman's legacy, how Vlad Jr. will approach the season without Bo Bichette and vice versa, and his early thoughts on ABS.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show looking ahead to Blue Jays Opening Day! Barker shares what it's like for players on the fringes of a 26-man roster and reflects on his own training camp experiences. The boys also dive into John Schneider's choices to bat second in the Jays order, Cody Ponce's outlook this season, and Josh Kasevich's upside. Dan Shulman (26:52), Blue Jays play-by-play voice, joins the conversation to discuss what can separate Toronto from the pack heading into 2026. They trio take a closer look at Max Scherzer's scoreless spring training, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s soaring confidence, expectations for Kazuma Okamoto and Dylan Cease, Jeff Hoffman's status, and Brendon Little's opportunity to bounce back.
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Former MLB catcher and Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker (3:15) to chat about the Jays' path to winning the AL East, if Jeff Hoffman will continue to be the closer to start the year, Alejandro Kirk's job to transition pitch calling behind the plate between Spring Training to the regular season, how Dylan Cease can build efficiency, if we can expect a breakout year for Vlad Jr., and if he's buying in on Daulton Varsho's Spring numbers. Then, host of 'Baseball Isn’t Boring' and Red Sox reporter for WEEI Boston, Rob Bradford, stops by (28:12) to discuss where the team stacks in the division, if post-season hangovers exist, if Boston can improve on their infield defence from 2025, expectations for Roman Anthony, and how hot Alex Cora's managerial seat is.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the week by reacting to the Blue Jays extending GM Ross Atkins and manager John Schneider. Sportsnet insider Ben Nicholson-Smith joins them (4:30) to share his thoughts on the extensions, the plan for Jesús Sánchez, Leo Jimenez's chances at cracking the Opening Day roster, the battle for the final reliever spot, what to expect from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. following a breakout postseason run, Dylan Cease's ceiling, and much more. Later, David Samson, host of Nothing Personal and former MLB President, stops by (28:50) to discuss Cristopher Sanchez's extension with the Phillies, why MLB seems set for a work stoppage in 2027, Tarik Skubal's future in Detroit, and the state of the game after the success of the World Baseball Classic.
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Jeff Blair kicks off Friday's show setting up the Blue Jays' spring training clash against the Twins with Kevin Barker live from Dundein, Florida. They look back on yesterday's 11-0 drubbing of the Yankees highlighted by Cody Ponce's scoreless 5.2 innings of work and yet another long ball off the bat of Daulton Varsho. The boys also chat about Kazuma Okamoto's play at third base, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s streak of not striking out, and the battle for the final roster spots. Next, Jonathan Mayo (31:12) of MLB Pipeline breaks down how the Blue Jays' prospect system has climbed the ranks from 2025 to 2026, highlights the young stars to keep an eye on, and projects a new dynamic duo on the rise.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off today's show with thoughts on John Schneider's latest update on Trey Yesavage. They discuss the impact of Trey joining José Berríos and Shane Bieber on the IL to start the season and break down how the Blue Jays Opening Day rotation is shaping up. The boys also chat about how to manage the team's high leverage relievers, Brendon Little's development over the offseason, and who to watch out for to make the 26-man roster. After the break, Jeff details the Blue Jays' plans to debut the "Hall of Excellence" with legendary broadcast Buck Martinez to be induced later this year. Jeff Passan (27:35), ESPN insider, weighs in on how the success of the World Baseball Classic could impact MLB's pending labour negotiations. Jeff and Jeff also touch on the beauty of the WBC and the growth of the tournament, before digging into Yesavage's IL stint and expectations for Gerrit Cole.
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Jeff Blair kicks off today's show celebrating Venezuela's World Baseball Classic victory over Team USA. Kevin Barker joins the conversation live from Dunedin, Florida to weigh in the success of the WBC, before sharing the latest news from Blue Jays training camp. Barker updates us on the timeline for José Berríos after doctors discovered a stress fracture in his elbow, how the rotation is structured heading into the final games of the spring, expectation for Kazuma Okamoto in Toronto, and more ahead of this afternoon's game against the Orioles. After the break, ESPN's Tim Kurkjian (27:56) shares why he believes the Blue Jays will be better during the regular season in this season compared to 2025. Tim also chat about the mentality of the group, the most eye-catching stories of spring training, the Orioles' outlook in 2026, and the excitement of the WBC.
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Jeff Blair opens today's show chatting with Kevin Barker live from TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida. The boys set the stage for tonight's World Baseball Classic final between Team USA and Venezuela and debate who has the edge ahead of first pitch. Barker shares the latest Blue Jays news including how the rotation might be structured to start the season, the unknowns of Cody Ponce, how the team plans to roll out Trey Yesavage, what we know ahead of José Berríos' visit to Dr. Keith Meister, and who's in the bullpen mix. Later, Blue Jays radio play-by-play voice Ben Shulman (33:03) stops by to discuss what to watch for in the final ten days before Opening Day in Toronto. Ben highlights the depth in the organization, looks into Arjun Nimmala's outlook in 2026, and previews tonight's WBC final.
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Kevin Barker re-joins Jeff Blair from sunny Dunedin, Florida to chat about last weekend's World Baseball Classic action. They outline how Team USA paved their way to the finals, the controversial call to end the Dominican Republic's tournament run, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s explosive play. Kevin then shares the latest from Blue Jays spring training including Max Scherzer's strong start, how the rotation is shaping up with less than two weeks until Opening Day, and Daulton Varsho's strides made at the plate early on. After the break, Jeff shares his biggest takeaways from WBC so far, before Sportsnet's Shi Davidi (28:08) joins the conversation. He chats about the buy-in from players in this year's tournament, why the Automated Ball-Strike system was not implemented, and the impact of Team Canada's run.
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Jeff Blair rides solo on today's show as Kevin Barker travels to Dunedin to take in some Blue Jays spring training action. We hear the latest updates from John Schneider including José Berríos' doctor's visit, before Chris Leroux (06:22), former MLB pitcher and Sportsnet analyst, joins the conversation. They chat about who's in line to start in Toronto's rotation, before setting the stage for Canada's matchup against Team USA in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinal. After the break, ESPN's Jeff Passan (27:04) shares his thoughts on tonight's Canada-USA clash, Mark DeRosa's blunder, and the top contenders to win the tournament. They wrap up the week by detailing Jeff's latest ultimate season preview and getting his view on the 2026 Blue Jays.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's episode with thoughts on Team Canada's historic win over Cuba to qualify for the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic. They touch on the complicating factors of José Berríos' injury, before digging in on the players that contributed to Canada's success. Kevin Gausman (06:58), Toronto Blue Jays pitcher, joins the boys live from Dunedin to discuss the team's revamped rotation, building off last year's World Series run, and his process of getting ready for the season. KG also chats about being a baseball dad, his first impressions of Dylan Cease, the potential of starting on Opening Day, and much more! Later, we hear John Schneider's comments on Berríos' status, before the boys open up the "Back Leg Line" to respond to your questions and comments (26:48).
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's show with thoughts on Team USA's loss to Italy in the World Baseball Classic, opening the possibility of USA not qualifying for the quarterfinals. Jon Morosi (07:17), MLB Network insider, joins the boys to reflect on Manager Mark DeRosa's confusion about his team's clinching scenario, how the Italians were able to complete the upset, and Canada's outlook heading into this afternoon's must-win against Cuba. Joe Siddall (30:00), former MLB catcher and Sportsnet Blue Jays analyst, checks in to discuss Canada's opportunity to advance, before checking in the standout performers from Blue Jays spring training. They touch on Toronto's stretch of four-consecutive shutout wins, Brandon Valenzuela's upside behind the plate, the battle for the final rotation spots, Addison Barger's strong spring, and what Dylan Cease needs to get to the next level.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show setting up this afternoon's Blue Jays game against the Atlanta Braves with José Berríos taking the mound. They sort through the lineups for today's game and detail how the bullpen is shaping up, before moving on to discuss tonight's World Baseball Classic matchup between Canada and Puerto Rico with Sportsnet's Shi Davidi (12:21). They dive into the strengths and weaknesses of Team Canada's squad and outline their path to the quarterfinals. David Samson (28:22), former MLB executive and host of Nothing Personal, chats about the business side of the WBC, the best stories from the tournament so far, Randy Arozarena and Cal Raleigh's moment at home plate, and more!
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off a new week on the program with thoughts on Team Canada's first weekend of action at the World Baseball Classic. They begin with James Paxton's costly error in Sunday's 4-3 loss to Panama, before taking a look at how some Blue Jays players are faring around the tournament. The boys pivot to the Grapefruit League to chat about the Jays' three-win weekend including Max Scherzer's four scoreless innings of work and Cody Ponce's latest outing. Chris Rose (27:23) of Jomboy Media joins to chat about Canada's path to the quarterfinals and the rise of the WBC over the years, before setting the stage for knockout round.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the final episode of this week setting up this afternoon's Blue Jays vs. Braves Grapefruit League matchup with Dylan Cease missing today's start. They pivot to chat about the preliminary World Baseball Classic action with Cal Quantrill (09:02), pitcher for Team Canada! He chats about the opportunity ahead of the squad, switching gears from spring training to tournament play, the Group A competition, and their mentality heading into their first game Saturday. Later, Dan Shulman (27:38), Blue Jays play-by-play voice on Sportsnet, discusses the biggest stories out of Dunedin, the battle for the rotation, the prospects making the most noise, and early outlook for the bullpen.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's show with thoughts on Tuesday's matinee between Team Canada and the Toronto Blue Jays and Kevin Gausman's two innings of work. Jon Morosi (09:13), MLB Network insider, stops by to set up the upcoming World Baseball Classic, before discussing the possibility on baseball being an Olympic event in 2028. Jon also touches on the strength of Team USA, the contenders to win the tournament, the dark house teams to keep an eye on, and what to expect as Canada takes on the Phillies this afternoon. After the break, the boys open up the "Back Leg Line" to respond to your questions and comments!
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's program with thoughts Team Canada's lineup as they get set to face the Blue Jays in this afternoon's World Baseball Classic tune-up game. The boys pivot to chat about the battle for the Jays final rotation spot and how the back-end of the bullpen is shaping up. Dale Scott (09:21), former MLB umpire, joins to chat about the new Automated Ball-Strike system, how it could change the relationship between players and umpires, and offers insight into calling a game. Later, ESPN's Jeff Passan (28:42) discusses how ABS could change our view on umpires, Max Scherzer's one-year deal, and Konnor Griffin's immense potential in Pittsburgh.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open a new week on the show with thoughts on Max Scherzer joining the Blue Jays down in Dunedin. Florida. The boys look back on the Jays' weekend of Grapefruit League action, before projecting Friday's anticipated José Berríos-Eric Lauer tandem on the mound. Could this be an indicator of what's to come this season? They also chat about Jeff Hoffman's role in 2026, how the rotation is shaping up, and who might potentially be the odd-man-out. Kevin Pillar (27:47), former Blue Jay and host of To the Majors, stops by to chat about the impact of re-signing Scherzer, his experience facing Dylan Cease, and expectations for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in 2026. KP wraps up with a discussion about Daulton Varsho's strong spring so far, balancing outfield and DH reps for George Springer, and more!
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open Friday's program with a preview of this afternoon's Blue Jays vs. Rays spring training game. They look back on Thursday's 8-7 loss to the Marlins and discuss Andrés Giménez' first home run of the spring, before projecting how the Jays rotation and 26-man roster might come together ahead of Opening Day. The boys also take a moment to chat about Alek Manoah's comments about Toronto's World Series run, before Jayson Stark (15:08) of The Athletic joins to discuss his recent piece on the Blue Jays outlook in 2026. He debates if the team is better equipped this season, how to manage the rotation, and Jeff Hoffman's opportunity to bounce back. Later, MLB Network host Robert Flores (30:50) chats about the Jays' ability to rebound this year, the players at camp he's keeping his eye on, the Max Scherzer signing, the upcoming World Baseball Classic and Tarik Skubal's limited availability.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open Thursday's podcast with thoughts on Blue Jays re-signing Max Scherzer to a one-year, $3 million deal with plenty of incentives. Ben Nicholson-Smith (10:47), Sportsnet's MLB insider and host of At the Letters, joins the boys to share how this morning breaking news came together and who might be the odd-man-out of the rotation. BNS also highlights Cody Ponce's first start in a Blue Jays uniform, the bats vying for a roster spot, and how the batting order might shape up. Later, we hear from the man himself, Max Scherzer (27:25)! The starter shares what sparked his reunion with the Jays, his goals for the upcoming season, and his thoughts on the ABS system.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's show with a recap of the Blue Jays' 8-7 loss to the Yankees in spring training action. They tee up Cody Ponce's start this afternoon against the Tigers, discuss how to properly evaluate talent in the Grapefruit League, and gauge their expectations for Eloy Jiménez, Jesús Sánchez and Daulton Varsho in 2026. Adam Ottavino (14:50), former MLB pitcher and host of Baseball and Coffee, chats about his return to the mound for Team Italy in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Adam also touches on the Yankees' mentality against the Blue Jays, Gerrit Cole's return to the mound, the American League East landscape, and the newly-implemented ABS system. Later, we hear the latest from Manager John Schneider, before Sportsnet's Caleb Joseph (29:34) joins the program. They chat about how players are utilizing the challenge system early on, Ponce's first Blue Jays start, what Drew Butera brings to the coaching staff, and the opportunity for some Rule 5 relievers.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's show reacting to Kazuma Okamoto's first Blue Jays home run in Monday's spring training game. The boys take some time to set up this afternoon's game against the Yankees and look back on José Berríos first start of the spring, before discussing Ricky Tiedemann's setback, Eric Lauer's post-arbitration comments, and Tyler Rogers first impressions. Later, the boys question how the American League East will shake out in 2026, share an update on Trey Yesavage as he continues to ramp up, and project where Jesús Sánchez might slot into the batting order. Jeff and Kevin wrap up with thoughts what Drew Butera brings to the Jays coaching staff, Brandon Valenzuela's upside, and some positional battles around the diamond.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off a new week on the program breaking down the Blue Jays first two games of Spring Training. They begin with thoughts on what José Berríos' role might look like this season, Shane Bieber's status as we ramp up to Opening Day, and first impressions of Kazuma Okamoto. The boys then set up this afternoon's game against the Mets and discuss the scrutiny surrounding Bo Bichette's first reps at third base. Sportsnet's Madison Shipman (18:01) joins to share her early takeaways from Jays camp so far including Daulton Varsho's breakout potential and Berríos' first spring start today. Later Tim Britton (27:08) of The Athletic checks in on Bichette's work at the hot corner, how Canadian Jonah Tong might factor into the pitching staff, Francisco Lindor's injury, positional battles around the diamond, and more!
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With the Blue Jays' Grapefruit League season kicking off on Saturday, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open up the Back Leg Line for the first time this season to take your calls and questions! They get into how the Jays will replace Bo Bichette's offensive production, how the team can avoid another slow start to the season, and whether a 'bullpen-by-committee' can work in the playoffs. Then, Jeff and Kevin react to the news that the Blue Jays are negotiating with Max Scherzer before welcoming Greg Hamilton (30:49), Director of National Teams and Baseball Canada coach, to the show to help set the stage for the World Baseball Classic. Greg discusses the WBC's evolution since its debut in 2006, what he's looking forward to most at the tournament, and the state of Canadian baseball.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker continue to count down to the Blue Jays' first taste of Grapefruit League action against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday. They discuss the introduction of the ABS challenge rule and whether any Jays will be 'exempt' from using it in a game. Then, they look at the rotation and project who will occupy the fourth and fifth starter roles, share expectations for Trey Yesavage's first full MLB season, and react to the news that Kevin Gausman is considering retirement following this year. Later, Blue Jays radio voice Ben Shulman stops by (25:45) from Dunedin to discuss the mood around camp, the battle for roster spots in the bullpen, Ricky Tiedemann's Spring outlook, and where Leo Jimenez fits in the mix of infielders.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker follow up on yesterday's conversation on whether or not the Blue Jays are better than they were at this point last year. Then, they discuss whether Leo Jimenez could crack the big-league roster, pitchers on the roster bubble, what to expect from Kazuma Okamoto in the field, and the pressure on Jeff Hoffman. Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi (28:54) joins the show from Dunedin to share insight into the timeline of Anthony Santander's injury, his first impressions of Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce, the team's plan for Okamoto, and much more.
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With Spring Training games around the corner, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back to their daily schedule! They start with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s comments about being 'happier' this season, whether the Jays are better this year than last year — even without Bo Bichette, and where the Jays stand in a much-improved American League. Then, they discuss the biggest camp storylines for the Jays, including where Kazuma Okamoto will line up, whether the number of Jays in the World Baseball Classic is cause for concern, and if Jesús Sánchez fits as a clean-up hitter. Later, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (32:02) stops by to discuss what Tony Clark's recent resignation as MLBPA executive director means for upcoming MLB CBA talks and why players should be concerned about an impending lockout.
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With pitchers and catchers reporting for Spring Training, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back! They discuss what to expect from a post-Bo Bichette Blue Jays lineup, how Kazuma Okamoto's production in Japan will translate to the MLB level, and why the bullpen is still the biggest weakness heading into the 2026 regular season. Then, they get into José Berríos's role for the Jays moving forward, Toronto's standing in a much-improved AL East, and whether there's cause for concern over the number of Jays participating in the World Baseball Classic.
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Blake Murphy and Kevin Barker are in for an offseason edition to react to Kyle Tucker signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the New York Mets signing Bo Bichette, and what it means for the Blue Jays. They start with Bo and what the Jays' lineup will look like without their long-time shortstop and his fit at third base with the Mets. Then, they discuss where the Jays may turn for an impact bat, how aggressively they should approach Cody Bellinger's market, and whether adding to the bullpen is a higher priority at this point. Finally, Blake and Kevin look at Cardinals' infielder Brendan Donovan as a potential trade target, and where the Jays stand in an improved AL East if their offseason work is now complete.
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Jeff Blair and Sho Alli listen in on the Toronto Blue Jays' newest addition, Kazumo Okamoto's press conference. They follow up with their thoughts on the move, a discussion on what the six-time NPB All-Star brings to the lineup, and a projection of what comes next in the Blue Jays' offseason, including where the team stands in Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker's market.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back for a special holiday edition! They kick off with a quick recap of the Toronto Blue Jays' offseason, discuss the team's plans in the position player market — be it Bo Bichette, Kyle Tucker or Alex Bregman — and share their favourite memories from the World Series and the Jays' unforgettable 2025 season. Then, they get into the team's need for a ninth-inning reliever, their trust in Ross Atkins and John Schneider moving forward, and whether the Jays' success can be sustained in 2026. Later, Jeff and Kevin take the temperature of the AL East as the Yankees stay quiet while the Orioles get aggressive. For the final word of 2025, the guys share some early 2026 World Series picks and project where Bichette will land.
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For the final episode of 2025 —barring any emergency podcasts— Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open with their reactions to the Atlanta Braves taking closer Robert Suárez off the market with a 3-year, $45M deal. Then, they share their thoughts on Jeff Passan's report that the Jays could be in on both Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker. MLB Network's Dan Plesac joins the show (13:08) to discuss the Jays' narrowing options for a top-end reliever, why Pete Fairbanks makes sense as a target for Toronto, how Dylan Cease can improve under Pete Walker and the Yankees' offseason uncertainties. Later, ESPN's Jesse Rogers stops by (34:32) to discuss Tucker's market, how he'd fit in with the Jays' culture and how Bo's defence impacts his free agent value.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker check in on the final day of MLB Winter Meetings in Orlando. They react to Pete Alonso signing a 5-year, $155M deal with the Baltimore Orioles, follow up with some takeaways from Dylan Cease's introductory press conference yesterday, and revisit Shane Bieber's decision to pick up his player option. Cease's former manager and current Orioles instructor, Mike Shildt, joins the show (10:20) to share what the starter brings to Toronto, what he's like away from the mound, and a scouting report on a potential Jays target, Robert Suárez. Later, former MLB executive Thad Levine (31:27) shares his thoughts on the Jays' offseason so far, how the team navigates the José Berríos situation, a front office POV of Kyle Tucker, and the fundamental importance of roster turnover.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's program ahead of this afternoon's introductory press conference for new Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher, Dylan Cease. The boys sift through the news of the day including Edwin Diaz's three-year, $69 million contract with the Dodgers and Kyle Schwarber's five-year, $150 million extension with the Phillies. Sportsnet Shi Davidi (03:19) checks in from MLB's Winter Meetings with thoughts on what the Blue Jays are now prioritizing this offseason, the names potentially on the table for the team, Shane Bieber's status for 2026, and what's next for José Berríos. Later, Jeff and Kevin listen back to John Schneider's comments reflecting on the 2025 World Series, before heading live to Orlando to listen to Cease's introductory press conference (26:00).
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back for the week to cover MLB's winter meetings! They go through the Blue Jays' early offseason moves, what free agents they'd be willing to part with, the need for a closer, and back-up plans if the team can't bring Bo Bichette back. MLB Network insider Jon Morosi joins the show (16:00) from the winter meetings in Orlando to discuss Jeff Kent's selection to the Baseball Hall of Fame and whether voters will ever change tunes on Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds and Don Mattingly. Then, Morosi shares his impressions of the trade talks in Orlando, where the Blue Jays fit into the conversations surrounding big-name relievers, and what contracts for Bo, Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger might look like. Finally, Jeff and Kevin discuss the contract status of the Jays' front office personnel and review some of the early offseason moves around the majors.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back for an offseason edition as the Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly signed starting pitcher Dylan Cease to a 7-year, $210 million contract. They share their reactions to the move, what Cease can bring to Toronto's rotation, and what comes next on the Jays' list of offseason priorities. Sportsnet insider Shi Davidi (6:55) shares his thoughts on the signing, its impact on the team's plans moving forward, and what the rotation might look like with José Berríos and Louis Varland both competing for the 5th spot. Later, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan stops by (30:32) to discuss the timing of Cease's signing, the terms of the deal, and which position the Jays should target —by trade or signing— next. Finally, Passan looks at Bo Bichette's market and how he's valued as a free agent.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker reconvene for an emergency podcast to discuss the Blue Jays reported signing of right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease to a 7-year, $210 million contract. It's the largest pitching contract handed out by Toronto in franchise history and Blair and Barker break it all down!
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We hear from Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro and General Manager Ross Atkins discussing a wide range of topics, including Shapiro's contract, Bo Bichette's free agency, Shane Bieber picking up his player option and much more! Plus, Jeff Blair heads to the Back-Leg Line to get your reactions on the Jays' front office end-of-season media avails.
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Former MLB President and host of 'Nothing Personal' David Samson (1:28) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about how he would plan for the upcoming offseason, assessing 'breakout years' from the likes of Ernie Clement and George Springer, Jeff Hoffman overcoming the game-tying home run in Game 7, Yoshinobu Yamamoto's uniqueness, how he would rank the 2025 World Series, Bo Bichette's free agency and if load management will increase amongst the teams. Then, Jeff and Kevin head to the Back-Leg Line for the final time this season!
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker reflect on the Toronto Blue Jays' Game 7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, falling short of a World Series title. They break down the game, including Jeff Hoffman giving up a game-tying home run to the Dodgers' nine-hole hitter and Isiah Kiner-Falefa's base-running in the ninth inning. Then, they share positive takeaways from the Jays' run that they can build on in 2026, which aspects of the team may regress, and whether resigning Bo Bichette will be a priority in the offseason. Later, Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph (31:56) weighs in on IKF's base-running, silver linings from the Jays' loss, and the next step for Ross Atkins and Mark Shapiro.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker hear from both Bo Bichette and John Schneider ahead of Game 6, reacting to Bo's comments about his future, returning from injury to play in the World Series, his maturity through the years within the Blue Jays' organization, and John's comments on how he spent Halloween at his doorstep a year ago to now having the chance to clinch a championship. Then, 3-time World Series Champion and former Blue Jays' manager Pat Gillick stops by (31:00) to chat about the 2025 Jays' roster compared to his 1992 & 1993 winning team, if we can expect a shift in hitting philosophy across the league after seeing the success by the Jays, the difficulties of winning "one more game", and difficulties of clinching back-to-back championships.
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It's game day! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to Game 6, a potential World Series-clinching stage for the Jays against the Dodgers. They go through the lineup, including George Springer's return to the lead-off spot and Bo Bichette's corresponding move back to second base. Then, two-time World Series champ and MLB Network's Al Leiter joins the show (11:45) to discuss what mentality the Jays must have against a red-hot Yoshinobu Yamamoto, what Kevin Gausman can take away from Trey Yesavage's outing, and his memories from playing in the World Series. Later, Sportsnet play-by-play announcer Dan Shulman stops by (32:00) to share his confidence levels going into Game 6 against Yamamoto, the late-innings plan for Bichette, Addison Barger's growth, Chris Bassitt embracing the bullpen role, and his favourite moments from the booth through the Jays' playoff run.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by 3-time World Series Champion and National Baseball Hall of Famer Jack Morris (4:20) to chat Trey Yesavage's historic Game 5 start in the World Series, the differences in pitching in the Fall Classic and regular season, how Kevin Gausman should approach pitching in a clincher, playing in extra-inning postseason games, the comfort of having Chris Bassitt coming out of the bullpen, and the Blue Jays surpassing the underdog title. Then, we hear from Blue Jays manager John Schneider a day before Game 6. Afterwards, Sportsnet.ca's Shi Davidi stops by (32:10) to discuss Addison Barger's at-bats, George Springer's status for Game 6, how much the break in-between the regular season and postseason helped Vladdy's monster performances and if other MLB teams will look to replicate the Jays' offensive approach.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker reflect on the Blue Jays' 6-1 win over the LA Dodgers in Game 5 to take a 3-2 World Series lead back to Toronto. They discuss Trey Yesavage's masterpiece on the mound and Addison Barger's awareness on the basepaths before looking ahead to Game 6 and how the Jays adjust to Yoshinobu Yamamoto the second time through. Later, MLB Network analyst Sean Casey joins the show (27:00) to share his thoughts on the Dodgers' stars' struggles, what to expect from Kevin Gausman in Game 6, how the Jays approach Yamamoto, and the impact the Rogers Centre crowd might have on Friday.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour leading up to Game 5 of the World Series with Baseball Today host and Jomboy Media's Chris Rose (1:00). He shares his impressions of the first four games of the Fall Classic, the Dodgers' bottom-of-the-order hole, Chris Bassitt's bullpen breakout, and a national POV of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s postseason. Then, Jeff and Kevin throw to a snippet of Hazel Mae's sit-down with Andrés Giménez and discuss the shortstop's defensive impact. Later, they listen in on Dave Roberts' and John Schneider's game-day availabilities.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start with a look back on the Blue Jays' 6-2 win over the Dodgers in Game 4 to tie up the World Series, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s big home run off Shohei Ohtani and Shane Bieber's bounce-back. Then, they look ahead to Game 5, how the starters in Blake Snell and Trey Yesavage will adjust from their Game 1 outings, the Dodgers' lineup change and Chris Bassitt's role. Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph stops by (30:30) to share his expectations for Yesavage, what the Jays' bats can expect from Snell the second time around, how Will Smith's move up to the two-hole impacts the approach to Ohtani, and Bo Bichette getting back to full speed at the plate.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by MLB Network analyst and two-time World Series champion Jake Peavy to chat about what he thinks the message would be in the Blue Jays clubhouse before Game 4 after a gut-wrenching Game 3 loss, Shane Bieber's gameplan at attacking Shohei Ohtani, hitting against high velo pitches, and why we're seeing two of the best catchers in the World Series. Then, Jeff and Kevin touch on Eric Lauer's extra innings dominance before bringing on Blue Jays' outfielder and Sportsnet MLB analyst Kevin Pillar stops by to discuss Ohtani's pitching, bench decisions from Game 3, how Mookie Betts would feel seeing Shohei getting intentionally walked at-bat after at-bat, and what could be at stake for Shane Bieber in his Game 4 start.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' marathon Game 3 against the LA Dodgers, a 6-5 in the 18th inning. They reflect on the Jays' consequential decision to pitch to Shohei Ohtani in the seventh inning, John Schneider's pinch-run replacements, questionable umpire calls, Nathan Lukes' 12-inning at-bat against Clayton Kershaw with the bases loaded, and more of the Jays' missed opportunities. Then, they move on to Game 4, what to expect from the starters in Shane Bieber and Ohtani, and how the lineup changes in the potential absence of George Springer. Later, Blue Jays special assistant and 12-year MLB veteran Kevin Kiermaier (29:02) stops by to discuss the toll of an extra-innings postseason loss, how the Jays can bounce back in Game 4, and how they can attack Ohtani on the mound.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by former MLB pitcher and co-host of 'VSiN By The Books' Jensen Lewis (1:03) to chat about the challenges for the Blue Jays playing in a late afternoon game in L.A. for the next three World Series games that includes shadows, the keys to attacking Tyler Glasnow and vice versa for pitching against the Jays' batters, Dodgers fans' dislike for George Springer and Max Scherzer, if the Houston Astros' hitting scandal still has an impact on today's players, why it's a 'must-win' for both sides, and why he expects to see Rōki Sasaki making his World Series debut out of the bullpen. Then, Blue Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux (29:45) stops by to discuss his expectations for Max Scherzer's turn in the Fall Classic, Chris Bassitt's usage, why he's hesitant to use Brendon Little, and Bo Bichette's return to the Game 3 lineup.
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As the World Series heads to Los Angeles, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to Monday night's Game 3 and share their expectations for the game's starters in Max Scherzer and Tyler Glasnow before welcoming ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan to the show (11:33). They discuss how Scherzer and George Springer are viewed in LA, whether Game 3 is a must-win for the Blue Jays, the unsung impacts of Will Smith and Max Muncy, and what the Orioles are getting with their new managerial hire, Craig Albernaz. Later, Dodgers broadcaster Eric Karros (28:45) shares a more in-depth preview of Glasnow's start, how the Jays' bats should approach Shohei Ohtani in Game 4, if there are still hard feelings for the LA faithful over Scherzer's time with the Dodgers, and the impact of the shadows at Dodger Stadium. Finally, Jeff and Kevin react to the Jays and Dodgers' Game 3 lineups.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker had the chance to chat with Blue Jays' pitching coach Pete Walker (1:13) from the World Series Media Day to talk about Trey Yesavage making his first Fall Classic start, Chris Bassitt's adjustment into a bullpen role during the ALCS and his projected workload against the L.A. Dodgers, and Jeff Hoffman's closing confidence. Then, MLB Network host Greg Amsinger (8:43) weighs in on how Game 1 is a must-win for the Blue Jays, if we'll see a complete game from a Dodgers' pitcher, and Vladdy's perception in America. Afterwards, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi stops by (22:53) to discuss Bo Bichette's deployment at 2B, who ends up facing Shohei Ohtani coming out of the bullpen, and Louis Varland's expected usage. To wrap up before Game 1, The Athletic's Jayson Stark jumps on (45:17) to give his thoughts on the impact of Bichette's long layoff, Blake Snell's strong competitive pitch arsenal, if the Dodgers have 'ruined' baseball, and who is the most important player for the Blue Jays outside of Guerrero Jr.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays' Game 1 lineup, which includes Bo Bichette in the clean-up spot and at second base. They weigh in on the decision and look at the rest of the World Series roster before listening in on Ross Atkins' and Bichette's game-day availability. Later, TVA Sports' play-by-play announcer Denis Casavant (27:58) discusses the Jays' reception in Quebec considering the province's historical ties to the Dodgers, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s similarities and differences to his father and his expectations for Trey Yesavage in Game 1. Finally, Jeff and Kevin listen to John Schneider's pre-game availability.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by the Commissioner of Major League Baseball Rob Manfred (0:35) to chat about the current state of the game on the field and for audiences across all mediums and the world, the international stage being highlighted for the Fall Classic, how MLB approaches the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics in L.A., Rogers Centre renos and Toronto's prospects of hosting an MLB All-Star weekend, the rule changes over the years and ABS coming in 2026 and the chance of expansion in Canada. Then, '93 World Series MVP and National Baseball Hall of Famer Paul Molitor stops by (29:38) to discuss the difficulties of reaching the final series in a playing career, memories of Joe Carter's walk-off homer, home-field advantage playing a role, and his advice to Trey Yesavage and other young players.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays announcing Trey Yesavage as the Game 1 starter for the World Series and lay out their expectations for the 22-year-old. Then, Bo Bichette sits down with Jeff and Kevin (16:40) to discuss his recovery and how he'd approach possibly playing second base. Later, Dodgers President Stan Kasten (20:52) reflects on a second straight World Series trip, how the team has changed from last season, the rotations' postseason dominance, and the narrative that the Dodgers' spending is 'bad for baseball.' Finally, former Blue Jay pitcher and World Series winner Pat Hentgen (34:55) discusses the franchise's return to the Fall Classic, his advice for Yesavage, and his postseason memories from his playing days.
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MLB Network's Jon Morosi joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker (1:11) to discuss how the Blue Jays match up against the L.A. Dodgers, the differences in types of pitchers and hitters the Milwaukee Brewers have compared to the American League champions, John Schneider's bullpen usage, why Chris Bassitt should get more run in the World Series, and projecting Bo Bichette's deployment. Then, National Baseball Hall of Famer and former Blue Jay Frank Thomas stops by (29:41) to chat about winning MLB's Comeback of the Year and George Springer potentially winning the same award, living up to the expectations bestowed on a player like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., if home field advantage plays a factor in the Fall Classic, if Shohei Ohtani can pitch and hit throughout his MLB career and his memories of his time with the Blue Jays.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to Friday's Game 1 of the World Series and discuss the Blue Jays' keys against the Dodgers. They get into L.A.'s starting pitching edge and project how John Schneider will deploy the bullpen. Then, former MLB pitcher and cohost of Intentional Talk, Ryan Dempster, stops by (23:46) to discuss his World Series run with the 2013 Red Sox after finishing last in the division in the previous season, the mentality required to win a Fall Classic, and how the Jays' bats attack Blake Snell in Game 1. Finally, Jeff and Kevin discuss the pressure of the World Series vs. the League Championship Series and whether Game 1 is a must-win for the Jays.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome back former MLB President and host of Nothing Personal, David Samson (1:05) to revisit the fallout of the Montreal Expos as the newest Netflix documentary "Who Killed the Montreal Expos" releases which included Jeff and David, before looking towards the financial implications for both teams entering the World Series, the front office's influence on the post-season run, why Mookie Betts could be an x-factor for the L.A. Dodgers, if the Blue Jays should be favourites in the Fall Classic and if Albert Pujols will be a great player turned manager. Then, Jeff and Kevin head to the Back-leg Line to hear your calls with reactions on the Jays' berth to the World Series!
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The Blue Jays are going to the World Series for the first time in 32 years! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker listen back on all the calls of George Springer's clutch, go-ahead home run in the seventh inning of Game 7, discuss the teams' winding path to this point, and look ahead at the decisions the team will have to make ahead of Friday's Game 1 against the L.A. Dodgers. Later, Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins the show (26:27) to reflect on the Game 7 victory, Springer's clutch gene, the veteran starters' impact out of the bullpen, Bo Bichette's status for the World Series, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s rise into superstardom.
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ESPN's MLB Insider Jeff Passan joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker (3:20) to chat about if the Los Angeles Dodgers care who they face in the World Series between the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays, Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s incredible offensive performance throughout October, and if his view on John Schneider as a manager changed after his pitching decision in Game 5. Then, we hear from George Springer on his experience playing Game 7s and manager John Schneider. Finally, Jeff and Kevin share the keys for the Jays in the do-or-die stage at Rogers Centre.
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We've got a Game 7 in Toronto! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker get set with former GM and MLB Network analyst Jim Duquette (4:30), who discusses the Jays' momentum heading into the do-or-die stage, how the bats approach George Kirby the second time around and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s dominant postseason. Then, Jeff and Kevin project how John Schneider will manage the bullpen with the season on the line, share expectations for Shane Bieber, and look at the two teams' lineups. Later, Jays Central analyst Madison Shipman stops by (27:45) to weigh in on Addison Barger's adjustment at the plate, the impact of George Springer's knee injury, the plan for Jeff Hoffman after a busy Game 6, the Mariners' mental mistakes, and the importance of a strong start. Finally, Jeff and Kevin share who they think will be the x-factor in Game 7.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph (0:49) to go over the Blue Jays' Game 4 win and how they keep it rolling in Game 5. He discusses Max Scherzer's throwback start, how John Schneider will adjust in managing Kevin Gausman, how the bats attack Bryce Miller, and what's behind Andrés Giménez's recent offensive breakthrough. Then, Jeff and Kevin discuss Giménez's impact, Scherzer's mound-meeting moment and Ernie Clement's evolution before listening in on the Jays' pre-game availability.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open Friday's show with thoughts on the Blue Jays' Game 4 victory over the Seattle Mariners. Dan Plesac, former MLB pitcher and current MLB Network analyst, discusses Toronto's momentum moving forward and Max Scherzer's fiery interaction with John Schneider in the fifth inning, before setting the stage for Kevin Gausman's start in Game 5 this evening. Derek Shelton (26:10), former MLB player and manager, joins the guys to chat about how each team in the ALCS has managed their pitching staff, how to approach Bryce Miller, Trey Yesavage's meteoric rise, Isiah Kiner-Falefa's utility, and George Springer's resurgence. Derek wraps up his segment addressing his future in Major League Baseball, before Jeff and Kevin weigh in on Addison Barger's outfield defence.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by former Seattle Mariners' manager and current special assistant with the San Diego Padres, Scott Servais (3:53) to chat about Luis Castillo as a starter, how Cal Raleigh grew into an MVP-caliber ballplayer, Julio Rodríguez's performance with the team, the magnitude of the ALCS for Seattle, how well home field advantage plays in post-season baseball, and how a manager's game planning changes from the regular season to playoffs. Then, Jeff and Kevin react to Isiah Kiner-Falefa being inserted into the lineup with Anthony Santander being placed on the bench. To wrap up, the guys look ahead to Max Scherzer's return to the postseason mound.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 13-4 win over the Seattle Mariners to pull back to 2-1 in the ALCS, highlighting Shane Bieber bouncing back after a shaky first inning and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. getting back to his ALDS form. Buck Martinez joins the show (6:54) to discuss the Jays' aggressive approach in Game 3, Bieber's adjustment, what to expect from Max Scherzer in Game 4 after nearly a month since his last start, and Ernie Clement's growth. Later, MLB on TBS's Jeff Francoeur stops by (29:06) ahead of Game 3 in the NLCS to discuss the pitching showcase between the Dodgers and Brewers, Shohei Ohtani's postseason slump, and what to expect from Tyler Glasnow. Finally, Jeff and Kevin react to the Mariners announcing Bryce Miller as the Game 5 starter and break down Daulton Varsho's clutch two-run double in Game 3.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by 2015 AL MVP with the Blue Jays, Josh Donaldson (3:35), to chat about his experience being doing 0-2 in a series, batting in Seattle, blocking out the noise of the Mariners' strength in pitching, combating the elevated fastball and his thoughts on Cal Raleigh's historic offensive season. Then, he looks back at Jose Bautista's iconic bat flip and the controversial and chaotic inning leading up to it. Later, Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux joins the guys (28:18) to chat about how Shane Bieber can be dominant against the Mariners' batters, holding batters away from hitting towards the 'big part' of the field, Anthony Santander and Addison Barger switching spots in the batting order, Chris Bassitt's outing out of the bullpen in Game 2, and sets the scene for T-Mobile Park.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open their discussion on their expectations for Shane Bieber in his second postseason start ahead of Game 3 in Seattle, how the Blue Jays' hitters should game plan against George Kirby, and how the season will be viewed if Toronto falls out of the ALCS. Then, they turn their attention to the L.A. Dodgers taking a 2-0 series lead over the Milwaukee Brewers. Later, 4-time World Series champion, member of the '01 Mariners and current Yankees & Marlins analyst Jeff Nelson stops by (28:55) to chat about his experience in New York completing a 0-2 comeback against the Atlanta Braves in 1996, the intimidation of a road game, if he sees changes to the Yankees roster, bullpen days in the postseason, and how managers are utilizing their starters. To wrap up, Jeff and Kevin react to John Schneider changing up the batting order with Anthony Santander returning and hitting cleanup.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman (1:24) to chat about the positives coming out of the first two losses against the Seattle Mariners, if John Schneider will make any changes to the batting order, whether Shane Bieber can bounce back in his second postseason start, Trey Yesavage's Game 2 outing, and if Jeff Hoffman has got back his command of his pitches. Then, we hear from Jays' closer Hoffman in his off-day availability before bringing on former pitcher and VSiN host Jensen Lewis (28:15) to get his thoughts on how Bieber can find success against Seattle, the adjustments the Jays need to make for Game 3, pitching decisions from Alejandro Kirk, and where he sees the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers series moving towards.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 10-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners in Game 2 to fall into an 0-2 hole in the ALCS. They break down the meat of the order's struggles, Jorge Polanco's go-ahead home run and John Schneider's pitcher decisions before discussing what the Jays need to do to turn it around in Game 3 in Seattle. Then, World Series champion manager Joe Maddon stops by (27:15) to discuss managing around analytics in the postseason, when to pull a starter from a playoff start, and how the Jays approach Cal Raleigh.
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Jeff Passan, ESPN MLB insider, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of Game 2 of the ALDS. They touch on Anthony Santander's late scratch, what to expect from Trey Yesavage in his second-career playoff start, and feelings in Toronto down 0-1 in the series. Jeff also checks in on the strength of the Mariners' pitching staff, Jorge Polanco's ability to perform in high-pressure spots, and what to make of John Schneider's decision making. Later, the boys listen in to Shane Bieber's media availability ahead of his Game 3 start on Wednesday. Ryan Divish (28:02) of the Seattle Times gets us set for first pitch with thoughts on Cal Raleigh's defensive prowess, the difference makers in the M's lineup, the team's ability to keep their arms fresh, and what to expect from Logan Gilbert.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker hit the airwaves following the Blue Jays' 3-1 loss at the hands of the Seattle Mariners to open the American League Championship Series. They break down John Schneider's decision to pull Kevin Gausman in the sixth inning, Bryce Miller's performance on short rest, and what caused Toronto's bats to fall silent in Game 1. The boys also touch on the crowd noise at Rogers Centre last night, and how it compared to the electric atmosphere during the ALDS. Caleb Joseph (22:35), former MLB catcher and current Sportsnet analyst, discusses how to attack Cal Raleigh at the plate, what went wrong for Brendon Little last night, and the scouting report for today’s opposing starter, Logan Gilbert. Caleb also checks in on Raleigh's elite defence behind the plate and how to navigate bullpen usage throughout a seven-game series. The boys wrap up this hour with thoughts on John Schneider's pregame comments.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by The Athletic's Jayson Stark (3:20) to chat about whether the Philadelphia Phillies fanbase could forgive Orion Kerkering's misjudgement in Game 4 giving the L.A. Dodgers the win and ticket to the NLCS, what's next for the Phillies, if the Dodgers have returned to being the best team in the MLB, what the New York Yankees should focus on in the offseason, and potential roster changes for the Blue Jays ahead of the ALCS. Then, FOX Sports' play-by-play broadcaster Adam Amin (35:46) stops by to discuss the Seattle Mariners-Detroit Tigers series heading to 5 games, if Josh Naylor can become an x-factor in a win-or-go-home scenario, and if a Tigers series win will erase a bad end to their regular season.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Dodgers advancing to the NLCS after Orion Kerkering's error cost the Phillies their season in extra innings. They discuss whether the Phillies make big changes in the offseason, look at the lopsided Game 4 between the Cubs and Brewers, and debate who would be a better matchup for the Jays in the ALCS - the Tigers or Mariners. Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi joins the show (27:17) to make predictions for the Blue Jays' roster changes, whether Bo Bichette will be ready and whose spot he would take, why Anthony Santander is safe, where Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt fit in, and why the Mariners might be the better ALCS matchup for Toronto.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by MLB Network's Jon Morosi (0:35) to take a look at the Detroit Tigers-Seattle Mariners series, who would be a better matchup for the Blue Jays between those two teams, Vladdy's new legacy against the New York Yankees, why the Jays have silenced the nay-sayers of their small ball approach, how John Schneider managed the Yankees series and bullpen day, and what's next for the Bronx Bombers. Then, Mariners insider Shannon Drayer (33:30) stops by to chat about the team's feelings after the Tigers forced Game 5, which player needs to step up for Seattle, what makes Cal Raleigh a special player on both ends of the bat, and how Seattle can come out of the series and meet Toronto for the ALCS.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker reflect on the Blue Jays' series-clinching Game 4 win over the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium to advance to the ALCS. They get into the offensive effort, Nathan Lukes' clutch hit, John Schneider's bullpen deployment, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s dominant series. Later, fresh off a champagne shower in the Jays' clubhouse, reporter Hazel Mae joins the show (28:56) to discuss the Jays' postgame celebrations and how it speaks to the team's personality.
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ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of Game 4 in the Jays' and Yankees' Divisional Series (3:20). He shares his thoughts on Louis Varland getting the start after giving up a big home run to Aaron Judge in Game 3, whether the Jays use Trey Yesavage or save him for a potential Game 5, Vladdy Jr. and Judge turning around their postseason reputations, and the rise of the splitter. Then, Jeff and Kevin listen in on John Schneider's pre-game availability. Later, former MLB catcher and host of 'Foul Territory' Erik Kratz stops by (35:30) to discuss the Jays' defences lapses in Game 3, whether Yankee Stadium atmosphere made an impact, catching a bullpen day, and much more.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show discussing Aaron Judge's clutch homerun to help the New York Yankees take Game 3, Louis Varland and Alejandro Kirk's approaches to pitching Judge, and the expectations for Varland making his second start for the Blue Jays. Then, Northeastern University Baseball head coach Mike Glavine joins the guys (9:30) to chat about recruiting Yankees rookie starter Cam Schlittler, why he could be a perfect fit to pitch in an elimination game, Cam's pitch mix with his size, and what Mike has learned from his brother Tom Glavine passing on the knowledge to his current pitchers. Afterwards, former MLB pitcher and MLB Network analyst Jake Peavy (29:35) shares his thoughts on switching mindsets from game to game in the postseason, pitching to Aaron Judge, why the Yankees are getting comfortable with being on the other side of an elimination match, and the difficulties of a bullpen day as a pitcher.
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Blue Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss the Jays' keys to completing the ALDS sweep in the Bronx (1:48). He shares how the lineup must approach Yankees starter Carlos Rodón, his expectations for Shane Bieber off 10 days' rest, the key to Vladdy's postseason success, and how the Jays can manage the hostility of Yankee Stadium. Then, Jeff and Kevin listen in on Aaron Boone's and John Schneider's pregame availability. Finally, they reflect on Schneider's growth as a manager and share what has them worried and what gives them confidence going into Game 3.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker lookahead to Game 3 between the Blue Jays and Yankees in New York, the keys to victory for Toronto's hitters, the importance of scoring first at Yankees Stadium, what to look for with Shane Bieber's post-season start after a 10-day rest period before looking at the L.A. Dodgers taking a 2-0 series lead over the Philadelphia Phillies. Then, Yankees beat writer Erik Boland stops by (23:35) to discuss the fanbase's and team's view on being down two games to start the ALDS, Carlos Rodón's leash in an elimination game, Aaron Judge's search for his defining moment, and if Aaron Boone's job is on the line if the Yankees fall out of the postseason.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by former Blue Jay and Sportsnet analyst Kevin Pillar (1:04) to share impressions from the Blue Jays' scorching start to the ALDS over the weekend. He discusses Daulton Varsho's growth at the plate after a four-hit outing on Sunday, the keys to winning at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees' focus on identifying pitch-tipping, and his nerves on the mound when throwing the first pitch. Later, Jeff and Kevin take a look at the other Divisional Series and discuss Teoscar Hernández's elevated postseason play, Seranthony Domínguez tipping his pitches, the Jays' commitment to defence, the 2025 finalists for the Hank Aaron Award, and Aaron Boone's comments on Vladdy Jr.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker follow up on the Blue Jays' dominating opening weekend of the ALDS against the New York Yankees, and Vladdy Jr. leading the offensive showcase. Then, they break down Trey Yesavage's historic postseason debut, the effectiveness of Trey's high release into a downward angle against the Yankees hitters, Aaron Judge's comments on facing the rookie and why John Schneider made the right call to pull his starter through a commanding no-hitter. Then, former MLBer and current ESPN MLB analyst Eduardo Pérez (28:30) speaks on the Jays leaning on their power, the difficulties of facing Yesavage's arm, John Schneider learning from his first managerial postseason in 2023, and Vlad Jr. stepping up as a leader on the Toronto baseball club.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome Hall of Famer Chipper Jones to kick off the final hour of the week. He discusses the potential impacts of the Jays' 5-day layoff, how Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can be a 'tough out,' the key to managing playoff nerves, and his thoughts on the AL MVP between Aaron Judge and Cal Raleigh. Later, Fox Sports' Joe Davis (26:26), who will be on the call for the Jays' and Yankees' series, joins the show to share his expectations for Game 1, the postseason's pitching showcase so far, why George Springer is the Jays' x-factor, and the Dodgers' keys to victory against the Phillies. Finally, Jeff and Kevin review the Jays' media day.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker chat about the New York Yankees advancing to the ALDS over the Boston Red Sox, locking in a date against the Blue Jays. They get into New York's pitching, including Cam Schlittler's 12-strikeout masterpiece in Game 3, what else they've learned from the Yankees during the Wild Card series, and John Schneider officially declaring Kevin Gausman as the Game 1 starter. Then, ESPN analyst and two-time World Series winner Hunter Pence (12:21) stops by to discuss New York's performance over Boston, the blueprint for the Jays to take down the Bronx Bombers, and the impacts of the 5-day layoff. Afterwards, Blue Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux joins the guys (34:12) to weigh in on the two teams' velocity, game planning with pitch-tipping, who he expects to start in Game 2, and how Kevin Gausman should attack Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Apple TV & MLB Network analyst Ryan Spilborghs (0:58) to share some thoughts on the Wild Card thus far. He weighs in on the Dodgers' decision to start Shohei Ohtani in Game 1 against the Phillies in the NLDS, Mookie Betts' reinvention, the Jays' keys to a deep run, and whether the Yankees' and Red Sox's fielding will come back to bite them. Then, MLB Network analyst Sean Casey joins the show (13:52) to share his advice for young starters making their postseason debuts, why the Jays' final regular season stretch sets them up well for playoff baseball, and the pressure on Aaron Judge to turn around his postseason reputation. Finally, Jeff and Kevin tee up the Red Sox and Yankees' Game 3, discuss how the Jays will roll out their rotation in the ALDS, and weigh in on where Max Scherzer fits in.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin their discussions on the New York Yankees tying the Wild Card series against the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers punching their ticket to the NLDS over the Cincinnati Reds and Shohei Ohtani making the start for Game 1 against the Philadelphia Phillies before bringing on Seattle Mariners' bench coach Manny Acta (12:02). He chats about his team's intrasquad games including Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki, the positive and negative effects of a long layoff before the first round of post-season games, what people don't know about Cal Raleigh, and Josh Naylor's contributions to the Mariners this year. Then, Jeff and Kevin catch up with World Series champion and former Blue Jays pitcher Mark Buehrle (27:30), who talks about life after baseball, the 2015 Jays' squad, the difficulties of pitching a postseason game, and the game's transition to using the pitch clock.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome former Red Sox pitcher Bronson Arroyo to kick off the second hour (1:00). He discusses the pressure that comes with pitching at Fenway Park and Yankee Stadium, the mental chess match of postseason pitching, the Reds' experience mismatch in their series against the Dodgers, and he shares a live sample from his new record, Raw Confessions. Later, ESPN insider Jeff Passan joins the show (28:40) to share some impressions from the first day and a half of Wild Card baseball, the lefty-pitching showcase, Aaron Boone's decision to pull Max Fried in the seventh inning of Game 1, rumours that Albert Pujols is in line for the Angels manager job, and much more.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show reacting to the Boston Red Sox's comeback win over the Yankees in New York in the Wild Card opener, Aroldis Chapman holding off a late chance by the Bronx Bombers in two straight innings before hearing from Blue Jays' general manager Ross Atkins and manager John Schneider's media availabilities on their expectations for Vladdy, Trey Yesavage, and Jeff Hoffman, and learning from past post-season failures. Then, Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman stops by (32:05) to chat about his ideal playoff rotation, how many left-handed pitchers could we see on the roster, closer options, and his assessment of the Red Sox's Game 1 win.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in Jomboy Media's Chris Rose (1:07) to go over the Tigers' Game 1 win over the Cleveland Guardians to kick off the postseason. He gets into Tarik Skubal's dominant outing, the key to Cleveland's pitching development, his view of the Red Sox and Yankees' series, why the Brewers are vulnerable, and the pressure on Aaron Judge. Later, Jeff and Kevin tune in to Skubal's post-game availability, review his franchise-record tying performance, and discuss the Yankees' and Red Sox's biggest flaws ahead of first pitch in their Wild Card series.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show, discussing Tarik Skubal's outstanding performance to help his Detroit Tigers win Game 1 over the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Wild Card, and the Blue Jays' hosting two intrasquad games at the Rogers Centre during their bye week. former Jays All-Star pitcher Marco Estrada stops by (16:05) to chat about his experience on the mound starting an elimination game, his advice to Trey Yesavage in his first potential postseason start, working through long layoffs in between playoff series and games, playing in front of the Toronto crowd, and who he thinks is the better matchup for the Jays between the Yankees and Red Sox. Then, Jays' analyst and former catcher Caleb Joseph joins the guys (34:50) in-studio to touch on how he would handle a bunch of days off before their playoff game, what it would mean for the Jays to beat the Yankees in the DS, and his ideal starting rotation.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Sportsnet's MLB insider Shi Davidi (1:21) to look ahead to the ALDS and discuss the Jays' playoff roster decisions. He gets into Bo Bichette's status, the plan for Chris Bassitt, how the team might use Trey Yesavage, what the Jays will focus on during their time off and which opponent would make for a more entertaining ALDS, the Red Sox or the Yankees. Then, Jeff and Kevin make their Wild Card predictions. Later, MLB Network's Dan Plesac (30:14) stops by to share how important the bye is for the Blue Jays, the Yankees' and Red Sox's biggest flaws, the pressure on Aaron Judge, why the Mariners are dangerous, the Phillies' path to the World Series and the significance of home-field advantage in the playoffs.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the week discussing the Blue Jays clinching the AL East title in style with their season finale win over the Tampa Bay Rays, whether we will see Chris Bassitt or Bo Bichette make an appearance in the ALDS, and the outlook on the starting rotation for the postseason. Then, Jeff and Kevin look at the managerial carousel across the MLB, Wild Card matchups and the differences between the Jays' 2015 and 2025 rosters. Finally, the guys open up the Back Leg Line for your thoughts on who would be a better matchup for Toronto between the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox in the ALDS and more!
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Blue Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez (1:50) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to kick off the second hour. They look back on the Jays' 6-1 win over the Red Sox, Daulton Varsho's grand slam, what's made George Springer's production sustainable, and Louis Varland and Eric Lauer's statement to start the bullpen game. Then, Buck weighs in on Vladdy Jr.'s recent performance at the plate, what to expect from Shane Bieber against the Rays, and the importance of the bye for the Jays. Later, WEEI reporter and host of Baseball Isn't Boring, Rob Bradford (25:15), swings by to tee up the Detroit Tigers' series against the Red Sox with the AL Central title on the line. He discusses Detroit's historic collapse after having led the Guardians by 15 games this season, Boston's postseason outlook, and his thoughts on the Jays. Finally, Jeff and Kevin share their predictions for this weekend's action around MLB.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show discussing the Blue Jays' big home win to end their series against the Boston Red Sox, Louis Varland's and Eric Lauer's strong outing in the finale, and Alek Manoah getting claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider stops by (28:25) for his weekly chat on Varland's start to the bullpen game, how both him and Lauer could be utilized in the postseason, the decision to keep Daulton Varsho in the game to face against a left-handed pitcher, how Anthony Santander's swing looks coming off the IL and rehab stints, George Springer's decisions at the plate, who could be in the running to start the regular season finale, and Alejandro Kirk's increased workload this year.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look in on John Schneider's pre-game availability ahead of the Blue Jays' series finale against the Boston Red Sox. To help tee up the game, Jays radio voice Ben Shulman (7:03) weighs in on the decision to start Louis Varland in the pivotal matchup, how the team is dealing with the pressure of a division race and Anthony Santander's return to the lineup. Then, Jeff and Kevin open up the Back Leg Line to take calls, questions, and gauge the Jays' faithful's concern levels as the division lead dwindles. Finally, The Athletic's Tyler Kepner stops by (27:15) to discuss the New York Yankees' recent play to gain ground on the Jays, their postseason outlook and Aaron Judge's MVP-level season.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker weigh the magnitude of the Blue Jays' series finale against the Boston Red Sox after dropping two straight, including being shut out, with Louis Varland getting the nod to start their bullpen day. Then, they go through Max Scherzer's final regular-season start and react to the news of José Berríos being sent to the IL following his bullpen outing. Later, Mike Cameron (31:07), special assignment coach of the Seattle Mariners, stops by to discuss the club clinching the AL West, the hitting differences from 2024 to Cal Raleigh's historic 2025 season, and the difficulties of a manager trying to bring the best out of their team's offence.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays signing Korean pitching prospect Seojun Moon and some rotation updates before listening in on John Schneider's game-day availability. ESPN MLB analyst Doug Glanville (9:46) stops by to share his thoughts on the Jays' season, George Springer's buy-in, the Yankees' October outlook and whether the Detroit Tigers have 'lost their mojo.' Later, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan joins the show (29:32) to discuss the controversial foul call in the Jays/Red Sox's series opener, a lack of pushback on the incoming ABS rule, the Guardians' postseason potential, and how he handicaps the AL playoff races that could go down to the wire.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show touching on the controversial calls from the Blue Jays' series-opening loss to the Boston Red Sox, Alek Manoah being DFA'd, Anthony Santander batting fifth in the order in his return to the lineup and Vladdy's struggles in the final games of the year. Then, VSiN By The Books co-host and former MLB pitcher Jensen Lewis (30:17) stops by to chat about the Cleveland Guardians on the verge of a historical comeback in the AL Central standings over dwindling Detroit Tigers, the adjustment Bo Naylor made in his swing, how important Max Scherzer's final regular season start is, the path for the Blue Jays to clinch the division, and his clubhouse experience with Myles Straw.
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MLB Network insider Jon Morosi joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker (0:32) to kick off the second hour, and they react to MLB's announcement that it will be implementing the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System (ABS) for the 2026 season. Then, they discuss the Jays' outlook down the stretch, the Guardians' miraculous playoff push, the Mets' late-season collapse, and why the Reds could be dangerous in the postseason. Later, Blue Jays pitching prospect Gage Stanifer joins the guys in studio (29:38) to reflect on his year across three levels in the Jays' farm system, his impressions of Trey Yesavage, and the next steps in his development.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show discussing Anthony Santander's injury status, the ideal spot for him in the batting order once he returns, Addison Barger cleaning up, and the magnitude of the Blue Jays' final series against the Boston Red Sox. Then, NESN Red Sox's studio host Tom Caron (19:26) jumps on to discuss Boston's path to the post-season, the velocity from their top starters including Lucas Giolito, the glaring gap without Roman Anthony, the ramifications if the club don't make the playoffs, Alex Cora's future, where Aroldis Chapman's year stacks up in his career and Red Sox's history, and who needs to step up during this chase into the Wild Card. Afterwards, we hear from Blue Jays' manager John Schneider on Anthony Santander's road back to becoming active on the roster.
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Jeff Blair welcomes Kevin Barker back from his Virginia Tech Hall of Fame ceremony before they are joined by Blue Jays Central's Caleb Joseph (6:30) to discuss the Jays' biggest unknowns with just six games left in the regular season. They get into the potential postseason rotation, how the Jays would use Anthony Santander once —or if— he returns, and who hits second against righties. Later, Blue Jays special assistant Kevin Kiermaier (31:45) discusses the clubhouse vibes after clinching a playoff spot, what's different about the 2025 Jays, and what the young players can expect from playoff baseball.
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Jeff Blair and the returning Kevin Barker begin the show recapping the Blue Jays clinching a postseason berth after their win in the series finale against the Kansas City Royals, Trey Yesavage's second start and Max Scherzer's outing over the weekend, their roles in October and Bo Bichette's comments on Ernie Clement and Myles Straw's clubhouse leadership. Then, FOX Sports' MLB analyst and World Series Champion Adam Wainwright stops by (29:18) to discuss pitching in the regular season vs. in the postseason, the pressure on a starter and bullpen pitcher, playoff experience, and changing routines nearing the end of the year and during a pennant race.
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Jeff Blair is joined by Kansas City Royals TV analyst Rex Hudler (2:55) to get his thoughts on the benefits of being able to play multiple position like Andrés Giménez filling in for Bo Bichette at shortstop, previews the weekend series against the Blue Jays, the lack of consistency from the Royals' offence, and optimism for the team's pitching staff after this season. Then, Blue Jays radio analyst and former MLB pitcher Chris Leroux stops by in-studio (29:55) to chat about his top concerns as we near the last week of the regular season, trust in Braydon Fisher, and Max Scherzer post-season projections.
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Jeff Blair outlines the Blue Jays' potential playoff-clinching scenarios on Friday before welcoming manager John Schneider to the show (4:10). The skipper shares updates on Bo Bichette and Anthony Santander, the vibes around the clubhouse with the postseason in view, what goes into managing the platoon advantage, and the plan for the rotation's workload down the stretch. Later, MLB.com Tigers reporter Jason Beck stops by (28:37) to discuss what's behind Detroit's recent slide, the Guardians' edge in the division race and Tarik Skubal's status after his recent injury scare. Finally, Jeff opens up the Back Leg Line to take your calls and questions!
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the postgame edition with a look back on the Blue Jays' 4-0 loss to close out their series against the Tampa Bay Rays. MLB Network's Jon Morosi joins the show (4:49) to discuss what's wrong with the Tigers after they got swept at home by the Guardians, the impact of Bo Bichette's absence, why Trey Yesavage should be used as a starter in the playoffs, and Clayton Kershaw's legacy now that he's announced his intent to retire. Then, Jeff and Kevin debate whether the Dodgers should play Shohei Ohtani in the outfield in the playoffs. Finally, former MLB manager Derek Shelton stops by (30:38) to give a manager's perspective on how the Jays should handle Yesavage down the stretch and into the playoffs.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker head to the Back Leg Line to hear listeners' voicemails and discuss Trey Yesavage's role in the postseason and in 2026, who will be the default closer in October, the mechanical changes in Andrés Giménez's swing, the front office's roster decisions making dividends, and much more. Then, Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman (29:35) stops by to get his thoughts on Anthony Santander getting a stint in the Buffalo Bisons' outfield, Yesavage's outlook before the regular season ends, if José Berríos' playoff spot is in jeopardy, and the fan's interference at the Minor League ballpark the Tampa Bay Rays are playing in.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 6-5 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, moving their magic number to clinch a playoff spot down to three. They get into the fan-interference review, José Berríos' outing, and Jeff Hoffman's velocity. Then, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (16:15) stops by to discuss the AL MVP race after Cal Raleigh's recent switch-hitting milestone, why the Yankees' place in the standings doesn't hurt Aaron Judge's case, George Springer's resurgent season and how the Jays might use Trey Yesavage in the playoffs. Later, Jeff and Kevin break down Joey Loperfido's pinch-hit home run in the fifth inning.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined in-studio by Blue Jays Central analyst Joe Siddall (1:19) to recap Trey Yesavage's MLB debut, how Tyler Heineman approached catching Trey's first game, Jeff Hoffman's pitch sequencing, Andrés Giménez's stint as shortstop while Bo Bichette is on the IL, who would round out as the Jays' three starters in a three-game series, the final roster spots on the pitching end, and José Berríos' slurve. Then, the guys are joined by pitching coach Pete Walker (25:45) to get his take on Trey's first game with the big-league roster, the plan for Yesavage moving forward, Braydon Fisher's control late in the game, and getting Jeff Hoffman's and Berríos' elite pitches back. Finally, Jeff and Kevin react to the news that Bo Bichette will miss the remainder of the regular season.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open with a look back on Trey Yesavage's 9-strikeout debut against the Tampa Bay Rays. They weigh in on how the Jays should deploy Yesavage in the postseason, news on Bo Bichette's injury, Andrés Giménez's play at shortstop, and potential solutions for Jeff Hoffman's dipping velocity. Later, following his heroics in extra innings on Monday, Blue Jays reliever Braydon Fisher stops by (26:40) to discuss how his trip to Triple-A helped him reset, the difference between pitching in the sixth and seventh versus pitching late innings, what he's learned from Hoffman this season, his thoughts on Yesavage's stellar debut, and the team's winning culture.
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Buffalo Bisons' pitching coach Drew Hayes joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to describe Trey Yesavage as a pitcher and person in the clubhouse, his best pitch within his arsenal, the dynamics of his high release point, the stints between starting a game and coming out of the bullpen, and what would be a clear indicator that he's on the right path to success ahead of his Blue Jays' debut (11:00). Then, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi stops by (35:19) to discuss the news that Bo Bichette is looking into a second opinion on his sprained left PCL, what steered the Blue Jays into calling Yesavage up to the main roster, and why Tyler Heineman is catching Trey's MLB debut.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker get set for Blue Jays' top prospect Trey Yesavage's MLB debut to kick off the team's series against the Tampa Bay Rays. They share expectations for the young starter, takeaways from the Jays' weekend sweep over the Baltimore Orioles, Addison Barger's push for a larger role, and much more. Later, Rays TV analyst and former pitcher Brian Anderson (32:40) joins the show to discuss what's behind Tampa's streaky season, Junior Caminero's breakout year, and how the Rays' bats might attack Yesavage's tricky release point.
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Former Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about his transition to coaching for the University of Texas, how he's navigated being a mentor versus a coach, working closely with Bo Bichette, his hitting style, the unique style of playing at short, Bo's overall performance in 2025, working through a contract year, memories of Rogers Centre and the 2015 baseball club, and his advice to the current Jays on pushing through October. To wrap up the show, Blair and Barker touch on their expectations for Chris Bassitt against the Baltimore Orioles and their keys to victory over the weekend series.
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Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker for his weekly chat about his lineup decisions with Bo Bichette on the IL, if Addison Barger can be a mainstay as the clean-up hitter, Anthony Santander's rehab stint with Buffalo, revisiting Jeff Hoffman's workload and sequencing his pitches, when he would consider changing the closer role, Kevin Gausman's longevity, Jose Berrios' progression back towards being himself on the mound, confidence in Davis Schneider, and the feeling of playing at home. Then, Buffalo Bisons play-by-play voice Pat Malacaro stops by to elaborate on Santander's rehab, Trey Yesavage's adjustment to pitching in AAA, Orelvis Martínez's struggles, and the outlook on Alek Manoah's potential road back to the Majors.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
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ESPN's Jeff Passan joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss whether Bo Bichette is a bigger loss to the Blue Jay than Trea Turner to the Philadelphia Phillies, the scouting reports on relivers and why there wasn't a greater market for them during the trade deadline, the NL and AL MVP race, if the San Francisco Giants can sneak into the post-season, and what could Kyle Schwarber get on the free agency market. Then, Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman stops by to chat about the baseball club's resilience, Daulton Varsho's place as the clean-up hitter vs. putting Addison Barger in that spot, expectations for Jose Berrios, and the communication between Vladdy and the rest of the infield.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back at the Blue Jays-Astros series opening thriller, Vladdy's decision to throw to Addison Barger at third base to cut off Jose Altuve, the bottom of the order's rally in the 9th including Isiah Kiner-Falefa's crucial hit, Daulton Varsho's stint as the clean-up hitter, and the gap increasing between the Jays and New York Yankees. Then, MLB Network's and former MLB catcher Alex Avila joins the guys to chat about what it means for the Jays to secure their 8th walk-off of the season, if the team is still the best club without Bo Bichette on the active roster, the home cooking, Alejandro Kirk's ability to adjust to his increased workload, and Max Scherzer's season.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph to chat about Daulton Varsho's mechanical changes at the plate, pitching against Yordan Alvarez, if Braydon Fisher is the front-runner to takeover Louis Varland's spot in high leverage, and his expectations for Jose Berrios in his next start. Then, we hear from manager John Schneider ahead of their series against the Astros. Afterwards, Houston Astros TV analyst Geoff Blum stops by to discuss how Jeremy Peña has been able to elevate his offence, Jake Meyers importance in the outfield, the protection around Alvarez in the order, and Luis Garcia's pitching since coming off of Tommy John.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show discussing the Blue Jays' roster move sending Bo Bichette to the 10-day IL and calling up Joey Loperfido, expectations for the team moving forward without Bo for the final stretch of September, and the upcoming series opener against the Houston Astros. Then, host of Foul Territory and former MLB catcher Erik Kratz stops by to chat about stealing signs across the league and in particular during the New York Yankees-Blue Jays series finale, if the Jays can win the division without Bo in the lineup, Shane Bieber's outing coming off Tommy John, and if the Astros' consistent run into the post-season is nearing it's end.
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New York Yankees reporter Pete Caldera joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the chances for the team to make up some ground for the top of the AL East before the end of the regular season, how Aaron Boone deploys Aaron Judge or Giancarlo Stanton in the right field, narrowing down their circle of trust in the bullpen, Cody Bellinger's season, and Anthony Volpe's future at shortstop. Then, host of Nothing Personal with David Samson stops by to discuss the Yankees embracing the sign stealing, why fans shouldn't be worried about the Blue Jays dropping two out of three in New York, if the Houston Astros have 'championship DNA', Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers building towards that, having experienced managers towards October and if there's cap circumvention across major league sports.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show with their thoughts from the Blue Jays' weekend series at Yankees Stadium, Max Scherzer's pitch tipping, Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger picking up on it, how it's part of the game of baseball and how the Jays handled the situation. Then, Blair and Barker head to Back Leg Line to hear listener's calls on what they've learned from the series loss to the New York Yankees.
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The Athletic's Jayson Starks joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about why it's a bigger series for the New York Yankees against the Blue Jays, Aaron Judge's return to the outfield, the BBWAA adding Relief Pitcher of the Year Award in 2026 for both the NL and AL, if the Philadelphia Phillies are the best team in the National League after taking two of three against the Milwaukee Brewers, if it takes a superstar to win a World Series, concerns with L.A. Dodgers' offence, and the Baltimore Orioles honouring Cal Ripken Jr. for his Ironman streak 30 years later. Then, Yankees' radio play-by-play voice Dave Sims stops by to discuss the implications between the Jays and Bronx Bombers, what has gone wrong with their closer Devin Williams, and Cody Bellinger's impact on the lineup.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
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Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about facing the New York Yankees as they close the gap to his team in the AL East, his expectations for his pitchers to attack the Bronx Bombers, how he'll utilize Jose Berrios nearing the end of the year, giving Max Scherzer an extra days rest, Brendon Little's pitches, Jeff Hoffman's workload, Addison Barger's recent stretch of at-bats, the status of Anthony Santander, calling up Braydon Fisher and Trey Yesavage's path to the big leagues. Then, Jeff and Kevin weigh in on Scherzer and Chris Bassitt flipping their starts in New York, if Max's back issues will be a bigger problem, Jose Berrios' slated to pitch against the Houston Astros and Taylor Trammell's bat being confiscated.
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MLB Network's Jon Morosi (2:17) jumps on with Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about a messy 8th inning during the New York Yankees and Houston Astros game, if the Blue Jays pitchers can attack against the Yankees' hitters, Aaron Judge's future in the outfield, Bo Bichette's market value, and the chaotic race within the American League for a playoff spot. Then, MLB Hall of Famer and MLB on FOX analyst John Smoltz stops by (28:01) to discuss how difficult it is to be a closer vs. a starter nearing the postseason, playing on the road at Yankees Stadium, pitching coming out of Tommy John surgery, the playoff experience Max Scherzer brings to the pitching staff, and who is the best pitcher in baseball in 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 13-9 comeback win over the Cincinnati Reds to close out the series. They debate who is the Jays' MVP this season between George Springer and Bo Bichette, break down Shane Bieber's mid-game adjustments, and share their confidence levels in the bullpen heading into their pivotal series against the Yankees. Then, they get into where Anthony Santander would slot in if he gets healthy. Later, ESPN's Tim Kurkjian (28:00) stops by to discuss the stakes of the Jays/Yanks weekend series, Springer's miraculous resurgence, Bichette's open-market value, and he ranks his top three teams in each league. Finally, Jeff and Kevin open up the Back Leg Line to take your calls and questions!
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Blue Jays Central analyst Joe Siddall (0:20) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker in-studio to chat about the pitching incident between Houston Astros' starter Framber Valdez and his catcher César Salazar, what he expects from Shane Bieber in his third start since coming off the IL, how he views the Jays handling Jose Berrios' struggles against the Cincinnati Reds, Trey Yesavage's future in Buffalo, who will become Toronto's second hitter in the lineup in October, how Bo Bichette has controlled his 'aggressiveness' at the plate and Alejandro Kirk's season catching. Then, ESPN's Jeff Passan (27:44) stops by to give an early look at the Jays' weekend clash with AL East rivals New York Yankees, how the Yankees have climbed back into the standings behind Toronto, Boston Red Sox's Roman Anthony rookie year coming to a halt, why Bieber might not be far from becoming the Jays' number one pitcher and his view on Framber Valdez's seemingly intentionally pitching his catcher.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 12-9 win over the Cincinnati Reds, the bullpen limiting the damage, Louis Varland figuring it out, and José Berríos's waning confidence on the mound. Then, they get into how George Springer's season impacts his legacy, Framber Valdez seemingly intentionally crossing up his catcher, and their expectations for Shane Bieber in his third start. Later, Adam Ottavino (28:35), former pitcher and host of Baseball and Coffee, stops by to give his take on the Valdez/Salazar incident, the Jays' pitching potential, what it takes to get back to form after Tommy John surgery, and Canadian pitcher Jonah Tong impressing early after his Mets call-up.
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Blue Jays' TV analyst Buck Martinez (2:30) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about his expectations for Jose Berrios' start after coming off an extended rest, Shane Bieber's first two starts with the Jays, if Brendon Little can adjust to his pitches this late into the year, how he would catch Jeff Hoffman, why Addison Barger moving down in the lineup could benefit him, and Bo Bichette's consistent at-bats. Then, former MLB executive and host of "Roster to Rings" podcast Thad Levine joins the guys (28:00) to discuss Louis Varland's slow acclimation into the Blue Jays' system, if his can become a starter again, navigating call-ups during September for a playoff bound team, having the tough conversation and decision to send a veteran player to waivers, and how his role changed nearing the end of the regular season.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 5-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds and another bullpen breakdown in the ninth. They discuss Ryan Borucki's call-up, whether Brendon Little's second-half struggles are correctable, and Bo Bichette's consistency at the plate. Then, they review Max Scherzer's interview on Foul Territory where he opened up on his back injury and Vladdy's untapped potential. Later, Reds broadcaster and former MLB reliever Jeff Brantley (29:11) shares his thoughts on the season in Cincinnati, Terry Francona's management style, the difficulty of balancing being competitive vs. fostering player development, and the pressure on the closer during a playoff push.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined in-studio with Blue Jays radio analyst and former pitcher Chris Leroux to debate how John Schneider should reconsider utilizing Brendon Little and the rest of the relievers, if the roster is capable of being the best team in the Majors, even the AL East, Eric Lauer's second stint back to the bullpen, and Bo Bichette's contact ability this season. Then, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi stops by to discuss the Blue Jays' recent additions to the team with rosters expanding for the month, if they can still call-up Trey Yesavage to the big leagues, why he wouldn't be too concerned with Jeff Hoffman despite some hiccups over the recent stretch, and if John Schneider will consider switching up the second spot in the batting order.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in Milwaukee Brewers TV play-by-play voice Brian Anderson (1:39) to discuss the team's offensive style of play, what's behind Christian Yelich's resurgence, why Abner Uribe could fill their closer's shoes with Trevor Megill out, and who would be the team's Game 1 starter in October. Then, Jeff and Kevin chat about Markham, ON's Jonah Tong making his big league debut for the New York Mets, before diving back into the Blue Jays' lineup without Ernie Clement, how the batting order stacks up compared to previous years, the continuation of the 6-man rotation, and how the rest of the schedule shapes up for Toronto.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in Blue Jays manager John Schneider (7:04) ahead of the team's weekend series against the NL-leading Milwaukee Brewers. The skipper shares team injury updates, how Jeff Hoffman and Addison Barger have handled up-and-down months, Trey Yesavage's pathway to a postseason opportunity, Davis Schneider's evolution as a big leaguer, and much more. Later, NESN analyst and former World Series champion Jonathan Papelbon (30:32) swings by to discuss Walker Buehler's release from the Red Sox today, how much credit Alex Cora gets for Boston's mid-season turnaround, and the pressure on a closer at this time of the season.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in Blue Jays Central's Caleb Joseph (3:28) to weigh in on the Blue Jays' series against the Minnesota Twins, the bullpen's struggles keeping runners on base, who slots into the Jays' two-hole in an ideal order, whether Eric Lauer's rocky start is a red flag for the rotation's extended rest, and which relievers are in the 'circle of trust.' Later, former Blue Jays manager and two-time World Series champion Cito Gaston (31:23) joins the show to reflect on his upcoming induction into the Negro League Baseball Museum's Hall of Game, his relationship with other inductees Dusty Baker, Jerry Manuel, and Willie Randolph, and his thoughts on the 2025 Blue Jays as they make the final push to the playoffs.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker quickly recap the Blue Jays late game comeback against the Minnesota Twins and Jeff Hoffman's redemption in the 9th inning before bringing on former pitcher and MLB Network Analyst Dan Plesac (5:55) to chat about what he saw from Shane Bieber's first outing against the Miami Marlins since coming off Tommy John, how the Jays' top three pitchers stack up against other teams' top starters, what are clear red flags coming from your closers as we near October, his assessment of Jeff Hoffman, and how the Milwaukee Brewers have the best record in the AL. Then, The Athletic's Twins reporter Dan Hayes stops by (31:19) to discuss the team's hitting differences since letting go of the current Jays hitting coach David Popkins, how David found success with Toronto's lineup, and his ability to work with hitters.
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ESPN's Jeff Passan (2:59) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the Milwaukee Brewers losing closer Trevor Megill to a flexor strain, if the Blue Jays' bullpen is good enough to win a World Series, Cal Raleigh's case for American League MVP, and who will come out of the AL West. Then, host of Nothing Personal, David Samson (25:14) stops by to discuss Jeff Hoffman's recent blown save, why he's still picking the Blue Jays over the Boston Red Sox, who's the best team in performing on the road, if he's surprised with the Texas Rangers added to the group of one-and-done teams, and how he views pitchers coming off Tommy John and returning to the mound.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 7-5 loss to the Minnesota Twins and discuss Jeff Hoffman's ninth-inning blowup. They get into the team's bullpen-wide slump, George Springer's two-homer game and Chris Bassitt's start. Later, Jeff and Kevin open up the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions. Should the Jays have added a bona fide closer at the deadline? Can Springer sustain his scorching August form? Will Eric Lauer make a permanent move to the bullpen? And more.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in Blue Jays bench coach Don Mattingly (0:51) to chat about the success throughout their lineup this season, their home versus road performances, whether he sees their hitting approach translating well into the postseason, Addison Barger's evolution in his bat skills, Vlad Jr.'s 2025, and how John Schneider has navigated managing. Then, Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman stops by (28:36) to discuss the expectations on when Anthony Santander could return to the main roster, the team's success rate at Rogers Centre, Dan's walkthrough with the Jays' Trajekt tech hitting machine, how Schneider maps out his bullpen pitchers up until calling upon his closer, and Andrés Giménez's presence in the infield.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 10-4 win over the Minnesota Twins to kick off a three-game series. They get into Andrés Giménez's adjustment at the plate before reflecting on the team's consistency since the All-Star break. Then, ahead of his start tonight, they debate whether Chris Bassitt's home/road split discrepancy is overblown. Later, retired MLB outfielder and Twins TV analyst Denard Span (23:09) discusses the Twins' future outlook after their fire-sale at the deadline, what the Jays' bats can expect from tonight's starter Bailey Ober, the next step in Royce Lewis' development, and former Twin Louis Varland's potential as a starter in Toronto.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker quickly revisit Shane Bieber's debut with the Blue Jays and how the rotation could shape up with the former Cy Young Award winner in the fold, before hearing John Schneider's media availability ahead of their series against the Minnesota Twins, including an update on Yimi Garcia's injury. Then, former pitcher and host on MLB Network Radio Jensen Lewis (28:00) stops by to discuss Bieber's return to the mound, how difficult is it to pitch to a new catcher, Max Scherzer maintaining his velocity at the age of 41, who would pitch Game 1 of the postseason between Shane and Max, how he would evaluate relievers near the end of a regular season, and the Boston Red Sox's post trade deadline turnaround.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the week with a look back on the Blue Jays' series against the Miami Marlins. They check in on the standings before digging into Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s return to the lineup, Shane Bieber's debut, shaky play from the bullpen, and whether it's time for the club to call up top prospect Trey Yesavage. Then, Blue Jays Central analyst Joe Siddall (29:03) weighs in on the team's bullpen-wide struggles, the plan for the rotation down the stretch, what's behind Addison Barger's recent power outage at the plate, and who bats second in a must-win game.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in Bob Nightengale (3:01) of USA Today to share his expectations for Shane Bieber's return to the mound and Blue Jays debut, if the Jays are capable of a deep run and win the AL East, Max Scherzer pitching like he was 10 years ago, the New York Mets' drastic turnaround season, whether Kyle Tucker's market will dictate Bo Bichette's pending free agency, and the prospect of the MLB looking into expansion with a shorten season. Then, Rob Bradford of WEEI in Boston stops by (34:40) to chat about Walker Buehler's move to the bullpen, Red Sox calling up Jhostynxon Garcia, how the Boston club stacks up against the New York Yankees, and the confidence coming from Roman Anthony in his rookie year.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (1:15) ahead of the team's weekend series against the Miami Marlins. The skipper shares an update on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s hamstring injury, his expectations for Shane Bieber in his Blue Jays debut tonight, internal competition in the rotation, and much more. Then, Jeff and Kevin set the stage for Bieber's first Major League start in 507 days and what would be considered a successful outing for the returning righty. Finally, they weigh in on Samuel Basallo signing a long-term contract with the Orioles and what it means for Adley Rutschman.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in former Blue Jays' pitcher Adam Cimber (1:15) to chat about his old teammate Shane Bieber and what he was like during their days with the Cleveland Guardians, expectations for Shane returning to the mound coming off an injury, the difficulties as a pitcher of putting yourself aside and focus on the team first, and the feeling in the clubhouse of being hunted in the standings than being the hunter. Then, Jeff and Kevin head to the Back Leg Line to hear some listeners' voicemail messages!
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the off-day edition with a look at the AL East landscape as the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox get set to square off in a four-game series. Then, they debate the importance of the Blue Jays' upcoming weekend series against the Marlins. Later, Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph joins the show (26:36) to discuss the Jays' recent scoring slump, how the starters are adjusting to the changed rotation, his expectations for Shane Bieber, and Brendon Little's control issues.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker take a deeper dive into the Blue Jays' decision to option Braydon Fisher to Buffalo, bumping Eric Lauer to the bullpen ahead of Shane Bieber's debut, and the competition around the rotation for postseason starts. ESPN's Jeff Passan jumps on (27:45) to discuss if Max Scherzer's play as of late, how the Jays can translate their hitting approach in the playoffs, how he views the New York Yankees roster in the second half, why the Baltimore Orioles' down year is just a blip, and how soon could the MLB look into expansion. Finally, MLB Network's and World Series Champion Ryan Dempster joins the guys (56:41) to chat about Lauer's move to the pen, his experience from pitching as a starter to being asked to close, how the Jays stack up against their rivals ahead of October, and how to be a great teammate supporting the final stretch.
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Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker (2:32) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about how he's navigated the 2025 season with his pitchers' injuries and trade deadline acquisitions, expectations for Shane Bieber when he makes his Blue Jays debut, what he's learned about Max Scherzer, how Jose Berrios can find his velocity again, Brendon Little's walk rate, Jeff Hoffman's adjustment to the closer role, and his assessments of Louis Varland and Seranthony Domínguez. Then, The Athletic's Jayson Stark stops by (28:38) to discuss the sustainability of the Blue Jays' approach to hitting, the team's high-calibre pitching staff, Scherzer's longevity, and potential MLB expansion.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' eventful series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates, a 5-2 loss at PNC Park. They discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s exit, the Jays' sloppy fielding, Tommy Pham's tiff with Tyler Heineman and his later social-media outburst. Later, Blue Jays Central analyst Joe Siddall (31:18) shares his thoughts on Heineman and Pham's dust-up from a catcher's POV, Kevin Gausman's outing, and Addison Barger's growth as a hitter.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays Central analyst Madison Shipman (0:45) to chat about the news of Shane Bieber slated to make his Jays' debut and a potential six-man rotation. Then, she gets into Max Scherzer's velocity, who would be the Jays' second-best bullpen arm after Jeff Hoffman, what stands out from Ernie Clement's game, whether the Blue Jays sustain their contact-first approach into the playoffs, and how John Schneider has navigated the team's 2025 campaign. Later, Jeff and Kevin share who they don't want the Blue Jays to face in the playoffs before bringing on MLB Network's Sean Casey (32:14) to discuss how to attack Paul Skenes, his assessment of Bo Bichette, and Jose Berrios' struggles.
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Kevin Barker is back with Jeff Blair, and they open the Monday show with a look back on what he missed last week. They dig into the Jays' weekend series against the Rangers, George Springer's return to the lineup, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s hot stretch, how José Berríos fits into the starting rotation when Shane Bieber is activated, and what's still left to figure out in the bullpen. Then, they look ahead to the Jays' series against the Pirates, what the order can expect from Paul Skenes on the mound, and they listen in to John Schneider's pre-game availability.
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Jeff Blair is joined by Texas Rangers TV and radio broadcaster Jared Sandler (1:49) to chat about the team's struggles to break out over .500, the offence stalling, Bret Boone's hitting philosophy, if Chris Young did enough at the trade deadline, how Bruce Bochy is navigating the season, and Jacob DeGrom's 2025 pitching report. Then, Blue Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux stops by (22:32) to discuss if there's a clear indication at why Chris Bassitt finds a lot of success pitching at Rogers Centre, how he would roll out the pitching rotation with Shane Bieber potentially coming up and into the post-season, Max Scherzer's outing against the Chicago Cubs, and who's the odd man out when George Springer returns to the main roster. Finally, Kevin Barker makes a short return to the show!
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Jeff Blair looks ahead to the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Texas Rangers and reflects on what's changed since the clubs last met. MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo joins the show (6:05) to discuss the site's updated farm system rankings, how the Jays improved from 27 to 20, what they have in Yohendrick Pinango, and Trey Yesavage's ceiling. Later, Blue Jays manager John Schneider stops by (30:03) to discuss George Springer's timeline to return, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s post-All-Star heater, Max Scherzer's growing confidence, José Berríos's recent struggles, and how he manages the dog days of August.
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Jeff Blair and ESPN's Jeff Passan (6:43) discuss the Milwaukee Brewers continuing to lead the way in the NL Central, whether the New York Yankees will be out of the postseason mix, why the Seattle Mariners could be the scariest team towards September, and how the Blue Jays currently stack against the American League teams. Then, Casey Candaele (30:30), manager for the Buffalo Bisons shares an update on Alek Manoah's recent rehab start with the team, what he looks for in his players during their process of getting back to the Majors, how much of a factor velocity is for their pitchers, differences in time spent on the mound between newer and older pitchers, and the expectations for Trey Yesavage's first start in Triple-A.
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Jeff Blair looks back on the Blue Jays' 5-1 win over the Chicago Cubs to open the series and Ernie Clement extending his home run streak to three games. ESPN reporter Jesse Rogers joins the show (10:20) to share what the Jays can expect in the rest of their series against the Cubs, whether they did enough at the deadline, Kyle Tucker's future, and how the Brewers have found their NL-leading success this season. Later, Jays' play-by-play voice Dan Shulman (28:50) weighs in on Clement's timely hot stretch, Alek Manoah's rocky Triple-A rehab start, José Berríos's recent form, and John Schneider's bullpen management since the deadline.
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Jeff Blair is joined by current starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs and former Blue Jay Matthew Boyd (0:41) to chat about what it was like to be traded for David Price, his road back from Tommy John in 2024, his relationship with the Cubs' front office, and the team's aspirations to return to the World Series. Then, Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph stops by (17:00) to discuss how much of a boost Andrés Giménez will give to the clubhouse returning for the final stretch towards the postseason, José Berríos losing steam, and Jeff Hoffman's recent form. To wrap up the show, we hear from Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro discussing his future with the organisation.
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Jeff Blair welcomes in guest co-host, MLB Network's Jon Morosi, to share a national perspective on the Blue Jays ahead of their series against the Chicago Cubs. They look at the Jays' standing in the AL, share takeaways from Mark Shapiro's availability, and project what the Jays might do with their rotation when Shane Bieber is ready. Later, Jays Special Assistant and retired MLB outfielder Kevin Kiermaier (31:31) reflects on winning a World Series with the Dodgers in his final season, his transition to coaching, and the clubhouse culture in the Jays' minor league system.
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Jeff Blair welcomes David Samson (1:05), host of Nothing Personal and former MLB President, to chat about the dumpster fire around the New York Yankees since the trade deadline, the Blue Jays' success on the recent road trip despite dropping two games against the L.A. Dodgers, how he would approach a prospect making debuting in September, Dave Roberts calling out Shohei Ohtani, and Jen Pawol becoming the first female umpire in MLB. Then, to wrap up the show, Jeff heads to the Back-Leg Line to hear some of your calls and questions about the Jays' weekend series against the Dodgers and recent road trip!
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Jeff Blair is hosting solo this week, and he kicks it off with a look back on the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Dodgers in LA. Then, the Athletic's Mitch Bannon (15:38) breaks down the Jays' promotion of No. 1 prospect Trey Yesavage to Triple-A, whether he can factor in for the Jays down the stretch, and the unmistakable impact of George Springer's absence. Later, after his return to the booth this weekend, Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez (27:15) stops by to evaluate John Schneider's bullpen usage since the deadline, what Yesavage needs to do to earn a spot in the big leagues this season, and how the team has evolved since he was last in the booth.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (2:05) ahead of the team's weekend series in LA. He shares an update on George Springer, Andrés Giménez, and Anthony Santander, the ideal goal Shane Bieber will need to reach before a return to the Majors, balancing playing time for his infielders and managing tough decisions, how he views this matchup against the World Series champs, Vladdy's effectiveness at the plate and how Alejandro Kirk has adjusted to catching new pitchers. Then, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi stops by (36:25) to chat about his expectations for Max Scherzer against the Dodgers, how Jays' pitching matches up against Dodgers' hitting, Schneider's options out of the pen, and whether Bo Bichette will strive against the champs.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker set the stage for the Jays' weekend series in LA against the Dodgers, and what to expect in the Hall-of-Fame head-to-head tonight between Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw. They debate which of the vets had the better prime, whether Shane Bieber is a lock for a postseason start, and storylines to watch at Dodger Stadium. Later, LA Times' Bill Shaikin (27:35) joins the show to discuss how Kershaw has evolved in his veteran years, what's behind Mookie Betts' struggles, the plan for Shohei Ohtani down the stretch and whether he will pitch in the playoffs.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by ESPN's Jeff Passan (2:12) to chat about the recent surge by the Milwaukee Brewers, why they're arguably the deepest team in the MLB, Bo Bichette's next contract, the Blue Jays' ability to make contact, similarities between the Jays and the 2015 Kansas City Royals roster, and why the battle within the AL East is still up for grabs. Then, L.A. Dodgers first base coach Chris Woodward stops by (26:58) to discuss if the team still has a lingering World Series hangover, if Shohei Ohtani is a better pitcher or hitter, where Clayton Kershaw stacks up among the best left-handed pitchers of all time, Mookie Betts' hitting slump, and how he would envision the starting rotation rolling out for the post-season.
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Following the Blue Jays' dominating sweep over the Colorado Rockies, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the off-edition by going to the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions! They get into Shane Bieber's future in Toronto, whether the Jays go big-game hunting in the offseason once again, and the looming return of Alek Manoah. Later, Miami Marlins catcher and Canadian Liam Hicks swings by (31:37) to discuss the Marlins' unexpected run this year, his experience getting selected in the Rule 5 Draft this offseason, building a routine in the big leagues, and his path from the Toronto Mets to MLB.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by WEEI Boston Red Sox writer and co-host of 'Baseball Isn’t Boring' Rob Bradford (2:55) to chat about the team's recent hot streak since turning the page from the trade deadline, why Garrett Crochet should be front-running the Cy Young Award, Lucas Giolito's resurgence, and expectations for recently acquired Dustin May from the L.A. Dodgers. Then, Rockies TV analyst Ryan Spilborghs (27:15) stops by to discuss how different the Colorado baseball club is compared to the Blue Jays, Eric Lauer's turnaround and performance against the Rockies, and why he likes the Jays so much as the best team in the American League.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' offensive barrage to open their series against the Colorado Rockies -- putting up a season-high 15 runs in the road win. They discuss Daulton Varsho's big fly, Bo Bichette's two-homer night, Eric Lauer overcoming his Coors Field demons and whether he's earned consideration for a start in the postseason. Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph stops by (24:02) to tee up the second game of the series in Colorado and discuss how José Berríos gets back on track with his fastball, Lauer's chances at getting a start in the postseason, Bo's hot streak and why the Jays must work something out on an extension.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by MLB Network's Mark Feinsand (1:09) to chat about the worries around the New York Yankees post-trade deadline and after being swept by the Miami Marlins for the first time in franchise history, how recently traded players from small market teams adjust to the pressure in New York, if Craig Breslow made the right moves for the Boston Red Sox, and the future of the Rockies in Colorado. Then, former MLB outfielder and colour commentator for the Rockies, Jeff Huson, stops by (28:54) to discuss the team's losing season, the difficulties of pitching in Colorado, Warming Bernabel overcoming a robbery to play in the Majors, and the roster's struggles against left-handed pitchers.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Royals and get into early returns from the new acquisitions, some questionable bullpen management, Daulton Varsho's return, Max Scherzer's strong outing, and Shane Bieber's progress in his latest rehab start at Triple-A. Blue Jays Central analyst Joe Siddall joins the show (27:05) from Colorado to help tee up the Jays' series against the Rockies. He discusses why there's no reason to overreact to the teams' recent slide, George Springer's impactful absence and much more. Finally, Jeff and Kevin discuss Bo Bichette's future and what he might be worth on the open free-agent market.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider to get his thoughts on the front office's trade deadline acquisitions (1:40). The skipper shares how he plans on using Louis Varland out of the bullpen, his job of getting new players acquainted to their roles and setting within a game and clubhouse, Shane Bieber's recovery and fit within the rotation, why they'll have a cautious approach with Daulton Varsho returning, and his options within the pen and on the bench. Then, Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman stops by (25:47) to discuss how the players feel post-trade-deadline, why Ty France is a depth upgrade in the infield, if Joey Loperfido is predictable, why Max Scherzer could be on a verge of a successful run, and why Vladdy Jr. is the most important player down the stretch.
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With the deadline down, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Royals, where some of the new Jays will make their Toronto debuts. They discuss which teams had the best deadlines, what to expect from Daulton Varsho in his return from injury and how the lineup changes when Andrés Giménez returns. Later, Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins joins the show following the deadline (25:38). He gets into the decision to target Shane Bieber despite his injury, the competitive relief-pitcher market, what Louis Varland brings to the bullpen, Ty France's fit, his trade negotiation process and much more.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker wrap up their trade deadline special touching on the Blue Jays' last acquisitions with reliever Louis Varland and first basemen Ty France from the Minnesota Twins, before putting a bow on Toronto's deadline moves, if the team's roster has significantly improved, and how they compare to the New York Yankees after improving their bullpen. Then, they bring on Sportsnet.ca's Shi Davidi (20:35) to chat about the Jays transitioning into a 6-man rotation, how Ty France can help the roster, how the Jays stack up to New York's roster, and where Varland slots in during a game. Then, Jeff and Kevin end the show with the Back-Leg Line with listeners' thoughts on how the Blue Jays' trade deadline went.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker continue their trade deadline special by reacting to the Blue Jays trading Will Wagner to the Padres for Minor League catcher Brandon Valenzuela. Then, 10 years after being traded to Toronto, former pitcher David Price joins the show (1:35) to relive the Jays' big deadline in 2015 and his time with that special team. Then, he shares his message for Shane Bieber as he adjusts to his new reality with the Jays and his election into the College Baseball Hall of Fame. Later, Jeff and Kevin react to the Red Sox acquiring Dustin May from the Dodgers before going to the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin their trade deadline special by recapping the Blue Jays' moves so far, including Seranthony Domínguez and recently acquired Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians, while arguing if this is enough to go on a run in the AL. Then, they bring on former MLB President and host of Nothing Personal with David Samson (30:36), to chat about what it means for the Jays acquiring a pitcher who hasn't pitched due to an injury, roster comparisons between the New York Yankees and Toronto, Aaron Judge's uncertainty in the right-field for the rest of the season, whether other front offices have scouting reports on other general managers, clubhouse moral when the franchise is looking to sell, the Rays' focus at the deadline with their current home-field issues, and looks back at the role of a President during trade calls.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker roll on following the Blue Jays' 9-8 win over the Orioles to close out the series. Cardinals writer Derrick Goold (1:00) discusses St. Louis' plans at the deadline and what it would cost the Jays to acquire closer Ryan Helsley. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Noah Hiles (10:26) shares what led to the Pirates trading Ke'Bryan Hayes away to the Reds and who else could be on the move ahead of Thursday's deadline. Chris Rose stops by (28:01) to weigh in on the potential outcomes of MLB's investigation into Emmanuel Clase, how the Guardians pivot and whether the Jays should be 'all in.' Finally, ESPN insider Jeff Passan (51:50) breaks down today's trades and shares a final tee-up ahead of the deadline.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker continue the game-day edition following the Blue Jays' 16-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles in the first leg of their doubleheader. Former MLB general manager and executive Thad Levine stops by (1:39) to share a front office's perspective on the lead-up to the trade deadline, Ross Atkins' reputation in trade talks, and the Twins' direction. Then, Jeff and Kevin react live to the Jays acquiring reliever Seranthony Dominguez from the Orioles for prospect Juaron Watts-Brown. Later, The Athletic's Jayson Stark (26:11) shares what Dominguez brings to Toronto, discusses his time at Sunday's Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and projects what could come from MLB's investigation into Emmanuel Clase.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the second hour touching on Bryce Harper's reported confrontation with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred in the Phillies' clubhouse, before bringing on Sportsnet.ca's Shi Davidi (10:14) to chat about Bo Bichette's at-bats post All-Star break, how the Blue Jays' trade market is shaping up, where the team is in the standings could dictate their approach at the deadline, and Chad Green's outlook. Afterwards, Baltimore Orioles reporter Roch Kubatko stops by (32:57) to discuss who's untouchable on the roster, Adley Rutschman's season, and the direction of the franchise.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the week by reacting to MLB's sports-betting investigation into Guardians' sought-after trade piece, Emmanuel Clase, and discussing what it means for the Blue Jays in their hunt for bullpen support. Then, they look back on the Jays' weekend series against the Tigers, Max Scherzer's efficient outing and Bo Bichette's quiet consistency. Later, former Cleveland pitcher and current analyst Jensen Lewis (29:10) delves deeper into the Clase investigation, the next steps for the Guardians, its impact on Cade Smith's trade market, and what the Jays should do at the deadline.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Aaron Goldsmith (0:52), Seattle Mariners TV play-by-play voice, to chat about the team's most recent trade, acquiring Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks, what this could signal for the trade market and the organisation moving forward, what needs Seattle must address, and Julio Rodriguez's 2025 season. Afterwards, Blue Jays 4th-round pick, right-handed pitcher Micah Bucknam stops by (28:20) to discuss getting into the sport being born from New Zealand and growing up in Canada, his draft experience, the moment he had to focus on his craft knowing scouts were watching, the transition from high school to university, and watching his former LSU teammate Paul Skenes transition into the Majors.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 11-4 win over the Detroit Tigers to improve to the best record in the American League. Then, they share their thoughts on the Mariners trading for Josh Naylor from the Diamondbacks, the Yankees filling their third-base hole with Ryan McMahon from the Rockies, the Mets landing Gregory Soto from the Orioles, and how the early trade action impacts the Jays' plans for the deadline. Later, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (25:40) stops by to share an update on Daulton Varsho and Andrés Giménez's rehab progress, what part the players play in trade decisions, how Eric Lauer has sustained his success, where he's improved most as a manager and much more.
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It's Thursday, so Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker head to the Back Leg Line to answer some listeners' calls! Then, Blue Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux stops by in-studio (30:18) to discuss how he would react as a pitcher to poor infield performances behind him, Chris Bassitt's command of his pitches, Eric Lauer's in-game adjustments, home vs. road games, and will Yariel Rodriguez carve out a role for the Jays after the trade deadline.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 8-4 win over the New York Yankees to secure the series victory. They get into the Yankees' fielding woes, George Springer's hustle on the base paths, whether the Jays can continue their stretch of success on the road against the Detroit Tigers, and Chris Bassitt's up-and-down outing. Later, Tigers radio analyst and former MLB pro Bobby Scales joins the show (36:07) to discuss Detroit's skid coming out of the All-Star break, Javier Báez's resurgence this season, Riley Greene's stellar production, Reese Olson's confident changeup, and much more.
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ESPN's Jeff Passan (0:53) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the Houston Astros' winning streak, the intricacies of a verbal agreement as reported between the Blue Jays and the top international prospect in the 2028 class Angel Montas, if the Jays would consider taking a deep look into their prospect pool versus their current depth on the main roster for trades, and how far Toronto is from building a AL-winning — or even World Series — roster. Then, Blue Jays TV voice Dan Shulman joins the guys (31:35) to discuss Braydon Fisher's adjustment stage against the scouting report on him, George Springer's consistency, and whether Vladdy's down year is weighing heavily on the first baseman.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 5-4 loss to the New York Yankees in the second game of the three-game series. They break down Max Scherzer's start, whether Jeff Hoffman's home run problem is due to his heavy workload and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s struggles with runners in scoring position. MLB Network analyst Sean Casey (12:03) stops by to discuss his son Jake's transition to the pros after being drafted by the Blue Jays and his role in his son's development as a former MLB hitting coach. Later, Jeff and Kevin react to the Blue Jays' lineup in the rubber match featuring Davis Schneider in the lead-off spot, and they outline the Jays' keys to victory in the series finale.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by MLB Network's Jon Morosi (1:08) to give his gut feeling on which direction the Blue Jays will take after the trade deadline, if teams lean towards adding to their strengths or address their weaknesses, how deep the Jays might dive into their prospect pool, and why he believes the National League is wide open. Then, Yankees reporter Bryan Hoch (29:13) stops by to chat about why New York fans are disappointed in Anthony Volpe's season, the way the Jays approach Aaron Judge, if Aaron Boone is the right fit for the Bronx Bombers' managerial job, how big of an issue is Max Fried's blister problems, and the Yankees' new house of horrors now lives at Rogers Centre.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 4-1 win over the New York Yankees to open a three-game series — their 11th home win in a row. They get into the Yankees' fielding woes and listen to Aaron Boone's availability before discussing the viability of a six-man rotation in Toronto and debating whether the Jays should prioritise a bullpen arm over a starter at the deadline. Later, they go to the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions!
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph (2:33) to chat about how the team can repeat a sweep over the visiting New York Yankees, if he's seen a step forward for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with his at-bats, how the bottom of the order and the bench have found ways to sustain their productivity, what he expects from Kevin Gausman with a long layoff between starts, and if the uncertainty of Anthony Santander's return impacts their trade deadline targets. Then, former MLB President and host of 'Nothing Personal with David Samson' stops by (29:40) to discuss what it means for a sports team to declare they are 'all-in' and how Santander's injury status changes the front office's mindset.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the week by looking back on the Blue Jays' three-game sweep over the San Francisco Giants. They discuss Vladdy showing signs of an offensive breakthrough, the Jays' team-wide approach, José Berríos's outing and the type of pitcher the Jays would be looking for ahead of the deadline. Then, they react to the latest news on Anthony Santander's status before YES Network's Meredith Marakovits stops by (30:40) to discuss the state of the Yankees as they begin a three-game series in Toronto tonight. She shares how they've changed since their last visit to the Rogers Centre, Anthony Volpe's dip, how Aaron Boone responds to John Schneider's approach to Aaron Judge, and much more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (3:20) to chat about his All-Star break, the swing off, and give some roster updates on Yimi Garcia, Anthony Santander, Daulton Varsho, and other names. Then, he gets into how he's set up his rotation for the first two series after the week's rest against the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees, how the team has settled in performing at Rogers Centre versus on the road, what it'll take for Vladdy Jr. to get hot at the dish, Davis Schneider capitalizing pitcher's mistakes, and how a long layoff could affect the entire pitching staff. Then, former MLB outfielder Matt Stairs stops by (30:09) to discuss the development of Canadian prospects across the baseball summer leagues, analyzing a player's hitting mechanics early in their career, how the Blue Jays jump on success right out of the break, and if it's easy to make a change one's mechanics at this stage of the season.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back after the All-Star Break! They share their thoughts on All-Star festivities before outlining the Jays' tough stretch coming out of the break, starting with this weekend's series against the San Francisco Giants, and how the next two-week push will impact the way they approach the deadline. Later, they share their expectations for the trade deadline before welcoming in Giants analyst Susan Slusser (37:34) to tee up the three-game series between San Francisco and Toronto, share what the Jays' bats can expect from future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander tonight, and much more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Blake Murphy and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays TV analyst Caleb Joseph (4:38) to chat about a catcher's job with their pitcher dealing with the heat before and during a game, if Vladdy Jr. is 'one swing away' from returning to hitting form, Bo Bichette's ability to create opportunities, Alejandro Kirk taking ownership behind the plate and for the team's infield defence, and the importance of getting a start before an All-Star break. Then, Jays' infielder Ernie Clement joins the guys (26:52) to discuss his transition and balance from being aggressive to patience with his at-bats, playing multiple positions in the infield, Davis Schneider finding his way back onto the team, George Springer's veteran experience, and how the clubhouse is handling the recent stretch of success sitting atop of the AL East.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blake Murphy and Kevin Barker get set for the Blue Jays' final series before the All-Star break in Sacramento against the Athletics. A's TV analyst Dallas Braden (10:05) shares what the Jays can expect over the weekend series, the next steps in the Athletics' development, the difficulty of evaluating talent at Sutter Health Park, players that could be on the move at the deadline, and how older pitchers handle the Sacramento heat. Later, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (25:50) discusses how he's preparing for the sunshine down south, bullpen availability ahead of the All-Star break, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s timing issues, why Bo Bichette fits best in the clean-up spot, Joey Loperfido's Triple-A improvements, the pressure that comes with leading the division, and much more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by MLB Network analyst and former general manager Dan O'Dowd (4:18) to chat about DJ LeMahieu being designated for assignment by the New York Yankees, how a front office would handle a stretch of success and prepare for some regression just like the Blue Jays, why he would be cautious about moving off Toronto's top prospects at the trade deadline, trading in the MLB Draft, and working around chemistry in the clubhouse. Afterwards, Jeff and Kevin continue to head to the Back-Leg Line to hear listeners' voicemails!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the off-day with a look back on the Blue Jays' streak-breaking loss to the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday. Then, they get into some early trade action with the Orioles trading Bryan Baker to the Rays, why the Jays should act quick for bullpen help and what they should be willing to give up. Later, New York Mets pitching prospect Jonah Tong (26:20) joins the show to discuss his path from Markham to the minors, how he developed his unique mechanics, the biggest challenges in Double-A, and what he's looking forward to at the All-Star Futures Game.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman (3:05) to chat about the contributions across the entire lineup during Toronto's winning streak, Chris Bassitt's performance on the road, where Addison Barger has grown the most, why Nathan Lukes leads the order, how they will split outfield and DH duties between George Springer and Anthony Santander when he comes back, and if Chad Green is within the circle of trust. Then, Barry Svrluga of The Washington Post jumps on (33:07) to discuss the changes with the Nationals' management, the direction of the franchise now, why ownership hasn't sold the team, and Dave Martinez's tenure as the bench boss.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' series-opening win over the Chicago White Sox to extend their win streak to nine games. They get into Joey Loperfido's improvements since his last stint in the majors, John Schneider's decision to pull José Berríos early, Nathan Lukes' jump and more. Then, they discuss the Jays' positional surpluses and needs as they approach the deadline. Later, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (27:45) stops by to share his thoughts on George Springer's All-Star snub, what type of pitcher the Jays should be zeroing in on at the trade deadline, the Red Sox's plans at the deadline, why the Royals should be sellers, how aggressive the Yankees will be in the third baseman market after Jazz Chisholm's move to second base, and how teams view Marlins starter Sandy Alcántara.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by former MLB outfielder Kevin Pillar (3:25) to chat about his decision to retire from the game of baseball, how differently he views the games now through the lens of a fan, the clubhouse experience near the trade deadline, and the importance of chemistry with his teammates. Then, former MLB president David Samson (28:38) stops by to discuss the Blue Jays hot stretch and leading the AL East, adding pitching at the deadline, how a front office analyzes their team during a winning streak, if they factor teammates' chemistry in roster decisions, Bryan Reynolds's peculiar no-trade list, and the Washington Nationals deciding to let go of both their manager and general manager halfway through the season.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the week by breaking down the Blue Jays' weekend sweep over the Angels to extend their winning streak to eight games. They get into the Jays' home-field advantage, call-ups Joey Loperfido, Lazaro Estrada and Ryan Burr making an impact, the vibes around the team, and Alejandro Kirk earning All-Star honours. Later, former MLB catcher and host of Foul Territory, Erik Kratz (28:10), weighs in on George Springer's snub from the All-Star game, shares a national perspective of the Blue Jays, discusses the Nationals' decision to fire manager Dave Martinez, and much more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour with a look down the Blue Jays' lineup with Vladdy out and Bo returning for their series opener against the Angels. They take some calls on the Back Leg Line before welcoming in Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi (9:18) to discuss how this year's team compares to the roster from the last time the Jays led the AL East in 2016, how they've managed Jeff Hoffman, what to expect from Max Scherzer's next start and the latest on Daulton Varsho's recovery. Finally, they close out the week by going back to the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show discussing Anthony Santander moving to the 60-day IL and Lazaro Estrada's promotion to the Majors, if the Blue Jays can keep the top spot of the AL East, how the coaching staff utilizes Chad Green, and how the trade deadline focus will be dictated by the roster's health and success. Then, Jays manager John Schneider stops by (30:37) to chat about his team's winning streak, George Springer's ability to hit the fastball this season, Addison Barger's plate discipline, Max Scherzer's status for the weekend series against the Los Angeles Angels, the pitching staff's approach against the Halos and how much credit he gives to the infield coaches for the team's baserunning improvements.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the second hour with reaction to the All-Star teams, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. getting the honour for a fifth time. ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (3:24) stops by to discuss MLB's gambling investigation on Luis Ortiz, the Jays' place atop the AL East despite a meagre run differential, and their chances at holding on to the division lead through this season. Later, Yankees analyst Pete Caldera (25:55) helps tee up the series finale between the Yanks and Blue Jays and discusses what Brian Cashman will need to prioritise at the trade deadline, whether this is the best version of Aaron Judge and the team's future at shortstop.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker revisit the Blue Jays' thrilling win against the New York Yankees to tie them at the top of the AL East, their resilience throughout the series while missing Bo Bichette, if the Jays a truly a first-place team in comparison to the Bronx Bombers and Yimi Garcia's return. Then, Jeff and Kevin go to the Back-Leg Line to hear callers' voicemails!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by The Athletic's Jayson Stark (1:05) to get his thoughts on the New York Yankees' slide with the potential to lose the lead in the AL East, the gap between the American League teams and the Detroit Tigers, Dave Dombrowski's history in the front office, and if the Chicago Cubs are the third-best team in the MLB. Then, WFAN New York Yankees radio broadcaster Suzyn Waldman stops by (24:45) to discuss the players juggling around the infield, the Blue Jays pitching away from Aaron Judge, the state of the team's bullpen, and their trade deadline focus.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off with a reaction to Yimi García's return from IL and the Blue Jays' corresponding move sending Mason Fluharty down to Triple-A. Then, they look back on the Jays' big Canada Day win over the New York Yankees, discuss José Berríos' recent success against lefties, and react to Andrés Giménez's move to the lead-off spot after his three-run homer yesterday. Later, Blue Jays analyst Joe Siddall (26:30) stops by to share his thoughts on Bo Bichette's status, what's behind George Springer's sustained success this season, the decision to send Fluharty down, Jeff Hoffman getting back on track, and the increase of catcher interference calls.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the second hour with MLB Network's Ryan Dempster (3:34) to discuss how important the Jays' series against the Yankees will be as it gets started tonight. The three discuss how teams should pitch to Aaron Judge, the Jays' ceiling this season, the Phillies' edge on the Mets in the NL East and much more. Later, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi (26:16) shares some thoughts on Mitch Marner being traded to the Vegas Golden Knights before getting into what the Jays' priority should be at the deadline, John Schneider's case for Manager of the Year, the Astro's sudden emergence in the AL, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza's seat heating up, and the Brewers' prospects in the NL Central.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker put a bow on the Blue Jays weekend series against the Red Sox in Boston, Chris Bassitt's road struggles resurfacing, if Jeff Hoffman can continue to build off the positive outings at Fenway ahead of their next series against the Yankees, and they hear from Jays general manager Ross Atkins ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline and Draft. Then, Yankees radio play-by-play voice Dave Sims (31:30) stops by to chat about how Carlos Rodón has become a dependable arm, Aaron Judge's underrated game in the outfield, New York's focus at the trade deadline, Paul Goldschmidt's ability to revert to old-school hitting, and why the baseball club have a strong mental fortitude during a slump.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker project how the Blue Jays will perform in their weekend series against the Boston Red Sox before welcoming in Rays TV analyst Brian Anderson (10:55) to discuss Tampa's recent hot stretch after Yandy Diaz's declaration that they are the best team in baseball. Later, from the booth at Fenway, Blue Jays play-by-play voice Dan Shulman (29:18) stops by to help tee up Toronto's series in Boston and discuss what's behind the Jays' road struggles, George Springer's sustained success at the plate, the team's MVP at the halfway point in the season, Jonatan Clase's maturity, Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s play in the field and how the bullpen hierarchy will change when Yimi García returns.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in Blue Jays manager John Schneider (5:24) to share an update on Vlad Jr., how he should adjust to being pitched in, his focus on finding extra rest days for Kevin Gausman, what he's expecting from José Berríos' start in Boston, his biggest takeaways for his ball club from the first half of the season, and if he's seeing a turnaround for Andrés Giménez on the offensive side. Then, Jeff and Kevin welcome in Alanna Rizzo (28:26) to discuss the Boston Red Sox playing at Fenway Park for the first time since trading away Rafael Devers, why the pitching staff needs to pick up their slack, how the hitting has been exposed without Devers on their lineup, Alex Cora's tenure as Red Sox's manager, and how the Tampa Bay Rays continue to find success despite their current situation with their home ballpark.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the abridged, post-game edition with a look back over the Jays' 6-0 win over the Guardians before welcoming in New Hampshire Fisher Cats manager Brent Lavalee (4:10). The skipper gets into the season so far for the Fisher Cats, Trey Yesavage's performance since his promotion to Double-A and the difference between evaluating pitching and hitting. Later, WEEI Red Sox reporter Rob Bradford (28:00) stops by to tee up the Sox series against the Blue Jays — Boston's first trip back home since trading Rafael Devers. He discusses how the team will be received back home after a five-game losing streak, their path to the postseason, the pressure on rookie Roman Anthony, what's behind Jarren Duran's fall-off and much more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the second hour with a chat about what to expect from Max Scherzer in his return to the mound before listening to John Schneider's pre-game availability ahead of the Jays' second game against the Guardians. Then, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (26:11) stops by to discuss his recently published article on trade candidates around the majors. He gets into the chances of Alex Bregman getting dealt, what position the Jays should try to improve, whether the Orioles will double down on their young core or shake it up at the deadline, and why the Pirates should be considering a Paul Skenes trade.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays series opening win against the Cleveland Guardians, why John Schneider's decisions shows how important the series is, Chad Green now leading the Majors with the most homeruns allowed, Andrés Giménez becoming a mainstay in the infield despite his hitting woes, and Spencer Turnbull DFA'd for the returning Max Scherzer. Then, Blue Jays TV analyst Caleb Joseph (25:55) stops by in-studio to preview Scherzer's return to the mound, what adjustments Green and Jeff Hoffman need to make, when it would be appropriate to reconsider the 9th inning role, and how Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can find his timing against the fastball.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the second hour with Los Angeles Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten (1:30). He discusses why so many Dodgers pitchers are getting hurt, how they mitigate the risks associated with Shohei Ohtani pitching, their rivalry with the Padres, and the challenge of managing multiple superstars for Dave Roberts. Then, Jeff and Kevin react to Blue Jays manager John Schneider's pregame availability, where he discussed Alek Manoah's progress and Yimi García's looming return. Finally, Jeff and Kevin go to the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker share their reactions to Ernie Clement's promotion to the No. 2 spot in the batting order, Eric Lauer's start against the Cleveland Guardians, and why they're still optimistic about Jeff Hoffman coming out of his struggles in the 9th innings. Then, Guardians TV analyst Chris Gimenez (32:24) stops by to chat about Cleveland's issues against left-handed pitchers, Logan Allen's adjustments since his last start against the Blue Jays, why Emmanuel Clase could be a hot commodity at the trade deadline, Cade Smith's strong ability to keep the ball in the yard, and what he would keep an eye on when Max Scherzer returns to the mound.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Former MLB Pitcher and VSiN host Jensen Lewis (1:15) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to comment on John Schneider sticking by Jeff Hoffman, the Blue Jays’ play and standing in the American League, the Phillies sitting pretty in the NL East, and the depth of the Rays’ rotation, before looking ahead to Chase Burns’ MLB debut vs. the Yankees and the upcoming Paul Skenes-Jacob Misiorowski pitching duel. ESPN College Baseball analyst Kyle Peterson (32:46) recaps LSU’s second win in three years at the Men’s College World Series in Omaha as they defeated Coastal Carolina and discusses the decision by umpires to eject Coastal Carolina’s manager and first-base coach in the first inning of the deciding game.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Chicago White Sox, John Schneider reinforcing his belief in Jeff Hoffman despite his struggles as their closer, the options outside Hoffman, Max Scherzer's comments ahead of his return to the mound, and how Ernie Clement has been able to hunt and attack the fastball. Then, Sportsnet.ca's Shi Davidi (28:08) stops by to chat about the level of concern surrounding Hoffman, if we could see an increased workload for Yariel Rodriguez, Scherzer's rehab and pending return, why Anthony Santander's injury might be more serious than originally believed, Andrés Giménez's offensive trajectory and if Ernie can become an everyday MLB player.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the second hour with ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (1:05) to detail his latest article surrounding the Boston Red Sox's messy breakup with Rafael Devers. He chronicles the lack of continuity in the Red Sox management structure, their declining payroll year over year and how this saga impacts the Red Sox's future ability to recruit high-profile free agents. Then, he weighs in on which AL teams will emerge in the postseason, the Braves' deadline direction and the Dodgers/Padres rivalry heating up. Finally, former MLB second baseman Gordon Beckham (30:21) stops by to tee up the Chicago White Sox's weekend series against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker put a cap on the Blue Jays' series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Vlad Jr.'s comfortability in the third spot in the order, Kevin Gausman's reflection on his performances in June and loss to the D-Backs, and how Toronto's front office will look into the pitching market in search of a number two starter. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (24:30) stops by to chat about Nick Sandlin's return to the main roster, Addison Barger's transition into the outfield and up in the batting order, Alejandro Kirk's bat finding a way to the opposite field, and if Gausman will have to tinker with his pitches as he progresses through his career.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the second hour with some thoughts on the Stanley Cup Final before going to the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions, including whether Vladdy is a 'slow starter,' where Addison Barger fits best, Ernie Clement's potential and much more. Later, Blue Jays Central's Joe Siddall stops by (28:00) to share why he's not a fan of Vladdy hitting third in the order, the next step in Barger's development, how Eric Lauer has found success with his fastball, whether there's any concern for the bullpen's increased workload and how the Jays have gotten the best out of Alejandro Kirk.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker take a look back at the Blue Jays' walk-off win in their series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks, how optimistic they are about the batting order finding success, the first game with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hitting third, and Addison Barger's future hitting in the two-hole. Then, D-Backs legend and special advisor Luis Gonzalez stops by (24:12) to chat about how the team has handled Corbin Burnes's injury, what Josh Naylor has brought to the lineup, if it's difficult to hit in today's game versus when he was playing, the tightly contested NL West, and Torey Lovullo's tenure has Arizona's manager.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in former MLB executive David Samson (0:23) to weigh in on the Rafael Devers blockbuster, why it was inevitable, Craig Breslow's comments on Devers after the trade and why the deal could be considered a win for the Red Sox. Then, he shares how the Blue Jays should approach the trade deadline, whether a 2026 lockout is a guarantee and much more. Later, Chris Leroux joins the show (29:53) from the booth at Rogers Centre to discuss Erik Swanson getting DFA'd, whether Bowden Francis can find his form with a reset on the IL and his expectations for Chris Bassitt in the Jays' series opener against the Diamondbacks.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays roster moves, including Bowden Francis heading to the IL, Erik Swanson getting DFA'd and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. shifting one spot down in the batting order. Then, the guys chat about Shohei Ohtani's return to the mound since his Tommy John surgery and if this is the best case for the L.A. Dodgers moving forward. Then, D-Backs reporter Nick Piecoro stops by (27:50) to chat about the team's pitching injuries including Corbin Burnes undergoing Tommy John, how Rafael Devers playing in the NL West impacts Arizona's approach to the trade deadline, Josh Naylor's future, and what has kept Gabriel Moreno in the lineup.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome Blue Jays radio play-by-play voice Ben Shulman (1:15) to reflect on the team's series in Philadelphia where they were swept by the Phillies. They discuss the positives from Bowden Francis's latest start, Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s swing decisions and Max Scherzer's rehab start. Then, Jeff and Kevin get into whether John Schneider should separate Bo and Vladdy in the lineup. Later, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi (24:56) shares what led to Rafael Devers getting traded from the Boston Red Sox, the Giants' management's aggression and Shohei Ohtani's return to the mound for the Dodgers.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays weekend series against the Phillies, signs of improvement from Bowden Francis despite the losing result, Chad Green and Eric Swanson's inconsistency, and growing concerns about Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s at-bat decisions. Then, the guys shift their attention to an MLB-shaking trade that saw long-time Boston Red Sox's Rafael Devers moved to the San Francisco Giants and the end of a season-long drama within Boston's clubhouse. Afterwards, former MLB player and Giants' analyst F.P. Santangelo (29:11) stops by to give his thoughts on the team's newest addition to the lineup, how the Red Sox may have handled juggling Devers' role, and his ideal lineup for the Giants.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by former Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. (1:00) ahead of the Blue Jays' weekend series in Philadelphia to kick off the final hour of the week. They get into the Phillies' recent power outage, what the Jays bats can expect from Ranger Suárez, Cristopher Sanchez, and Zach Wheeler, what's gone wrong for former Phillie Jeff Hoffman in Toronto and much more. Then, Jeff and Kevin review Hoffman's availability ahead of his return to Philly. Finally, USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale (31:40) looks at the Blue Jays' recent hot streak and how it will impact their approach to the trade deadline, the teams that will be most aggressive on the trade market ahead of July 31, and why the Dodgers' pitchers can't stay healthy.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker preview the Blue Jays' rematch against the Phillies in Philadelphia, how they can attack left-handed pitcher Ranger Suárez, why Toronto's lineup performs well against lefties, and whether Kevin Gausman can build off his 6-inning outing against the Minnesota Twins. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (25:58) stops by to chat about his lineup's success against lefties, updates on his injured players including Max Scherzer's rehab stint in Buffalo, Kevin Gausman's splitter, how Jeff Hoffman has handled his recent up and down stretch and if Yariel Rodriguez is ready for an extended 9th-inning role.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (3:17) in on the Blue Jays' off-day. They get into where the Jays rank among the best batting orders in baseball, how recent headline pitcher injuries shape the trade market, how the Braves approach the deadline and much more. Later, WEEI Red Sox reporter Rob Bradford (29:15) joins the show to discuss the dysfunction in Boston, the plan for Rafael Devers, their deadline priorities and how they've handled Roman Anthony's arrival.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker revisit the Blue Jays' sweep of the Cardinals in St. Louis. They get into whether Yariel Rodriguez is ready to take over the closer's role, whether it's beneficial to have multiple options available to pitch in the 9th inning and the Jays' identity and plate approach through June. Then, Jeff and Kevin go through the Back Leg Line to hear listeners' calls!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome Sportsnet Blue Jays insider Shi Davidi (1:50) to kick off the second hour, and they get into the team's pitching options as they work around Bowden Francis's enduring struggles, whether they will look to add to their injured bullpen at the deadline, Jonatan Clase's maturity and whether Addison Barger's trial batting second can become permanent. Later, Athletics' Canadian outfielder Denzel Clarke (28:54) relives his highlight-reel home run robbery against the Angels before discussing his process in the outfield, how he's adjusting to the big leagues and his experience playing in his hometown in Toronto.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show touching on the Blue Jays' second-most comeback wins (20) before being joined by Jays pitching coach Pete Walker (5:58) to chat about some of the positives from Bowden Francis' pitching performances, areas to zone in and improve on, Chris Bassitt's adjustment to stand closer towards first base, Yariel Rodriguez in high-leverage situations, the timeline for a Max Scherzer's return, and what had stood out from Brendon Little. Then, Jeff and Kevin discuss Alejandro Kirk's hot bat and revisit his performances since the increased workload.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in former Twins GM Thad Levine (1:20) to share his thoughts on the Red Sox calling up MLB's no. 1 ranked prospect Roman Anthony, the impact of A.J. Hinch's experience in Detroit, the challenge of winning with high expectations, the Jays' options for the struggling Bowden Francis, and why GMs are more focussed on 'platoon players.' Later, Cardinals analyst and former MLB pitcher Brad Thompson joins the show (29:36) ahead of the Cards' series against the Jays to discuss how they have defied expectations this season, the biggest surprises for St. Louis this year, and where they can improve.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the weekend series against the Minnesota Twins, Bowden Francis continuing to struggle on the mound, what's best for him moving forward and Tyler Heineman's baseball IQ with his at-bats and behind the plate. Then, Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman stops by (27:50) to discuss if Bowden will make his start against the Phillies in Philadelphia, the bullpen's workload, why the team isn't concerned about Jeff Hoffman, whether this is the best version of George Springer in a Jays uniform and an evaluation for Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s season.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off hour two with a discussion on the ABS challenge system as commissioner Rob Manfred hinted this week that it could be implemented at the MLB level in 2026. Then, they go to the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions! Finally, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi (25:20) joins Jeff and Kevin to share his thoughts on the ABS proposal, what the pitcher market might look like ahead of the deadline, whether the Blue Jays should be buyers, sellers or stand pat, off-field drama in Boston and much more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker dive into why the Blue Jays are in a better position to compete in the post-season after their recent stretch and series win over the Phillies, the AL standings, and the expectations for the upcoming 9-game road trip. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (26:27) stops by to chat about the team's extended run of recent success, the buy-in from the bottom of the order, managing platoons, putting Paxton Schultz as the opener against the Minnesota Twins, Bowden Francis' struggles, and if Brandon Little is handling the increased workload out of the bullpen.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome Jeff Passan (3:12), ESPN MLB insider, to the show to discuss his recently published early deadline preview. He gets into when teams start thinking trade, whether the Jays buy, hold or sell at the deadline, their options for a potential Bo Bichette deal, what Sandy Alcántara would cost, how aggressive the Dodgers and Phillies will be and much more. Later, Jeff and Kevin go back to the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back at the Blue Jays series-opening loss to the Phillies, Bowden Francis giving up 6 runs in the first inning, his pitch-location struggles, and what has changed in Addison Barger's at-bats and why he's a mainstay on the team's everyday lineup. Then, Jeff and Kevin dive into the Back-Leg Line taking listener's calls, discussing the mindset of a hitter seeing runs being given up early in a game and much more!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome David Samson (0:25), former MLB executive and host of Nothing Personal, to the show to discuss the Rockies' embarrassing season, the Red Sox's off-field dysfunction, why the Royals should've waited just a bit longer to call up top prospect Jac Caglianone, the Jays' ceiling this season and MLB pushing the ABS challenge system back another year. Later, Jays analyst Caleb Joseph (30:26) shares his thoughts on Jeff Hoffman's recent slide, expectations for Bowden Francis tonight against the Phillies, how the Jays attack Bryce Harper in his return from injury and much more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to the Blue Jays series against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies and how significant the next few games will be for identifying Toronto's post-season hopes. Then, Ben Davis, Phillies TV analyst stops by (26:20) to chat about the team's offensive numbers, Trea Turner's hiccup in the infield and in his at-bats, where Philadelphia has their expectations levels at, Jordan Romano's turnaround since the start of the season, how they're splitting the workload between J.T. Realmuto and Rafael Marchan, how Kyle Schwarber has turned into a complete player and his future with the team.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome Jayson Stark to the show (2:25) to discuss the most controversial picks of his recently published column, the Athletic's MLB All-Quarter-Century team, including David Ortiz over Shohei Ohtani, and Aaron Judge over Ichiro Suzuki. Then, ahead of his induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame on Saturday, Greg Hamilton (31:16), director of national teams at Baseball Canada, reflects on the growth of the national junior team program, his path to the Hall and his expectations for the national team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' series sweep of the Athletics, if they've bought in on Addison Barger and Ernie Clement, how John Schneider will fit Andrés Giménez back into the lineup, and if the Jays' hitters are finally adjusting to the ballpark with George Springer and Bo Bichette's uptrend in hitting. Then, Blue Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux stops by (23:40) to chat about where his concern levels are at with Jeff Hoffman's pitching, the expectations for him against facing his former team, if Barger can be a mainstay in the lineup, could Yariel Rodriguez be thrown into a closer role over Brendon Little and how Alejandro Kirk has performed with the workload he's been given behind the plate.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in ESPN's MLB insider Jeff Passan (5:25) to discuss parity across the American League, who's to blame for the Red Sox's disappointing season so far, why teams are more cautious when calling up top prospects and his recent story on OneTeam Partners, an MLBPA & NFLPA firm being investigated by the FBI. Later, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (31:14) shares why an IL stint is the best course of action for the ailing Anthony Santander, how the bats build off their 12-0 win over the Athletics, what's behind Ernie Clements' recent hot stretch, his expectations for Alan Roden in his return to the majors, the plan for the 5th starter and much more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show reacting to the news that Anthony Santander has been placed on the IL with Alan Roden getting the call-up, and how much confidence the Blue Jays' hitters got after their monster series-opening win against the Athletics. Then, Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman stops by (27:10) to chat about Max Scherzer's live BP and his next steps, the state of the starting rotation, why Vladdy could be on the verge of a breakthrough in his hitting, Alejandro Kirk's underrated season, and how the batting order will line up without Santander.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker head to the Back-Leg Line to answer some questions before bringing on Vancouver Canadians' pitcher Trey Yesavage (17:04) to chat about what he's been working on within his pitch arsenal, how he's been able to ingest information from his coaches and training staff through the minor leagues, working on velocity, and his journey from college to the minors. Then, Athletics TV play-by-play voice Jenny Cavnar (31:51) stops by to discuss how the team has adjusted to playing in a smaller ballpark in Sacramento, how players like Luis Severino will compare results on the mound from a big league ballpark vs. where they play, why Jacob Wilson is the most interesting player in the league, and Lawrence Butler's confidence in his at-bats.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 2-0 win in the rubber match over the Texas Rangers and discuss what worked and didn't work from the team's mixed-up lineup. Then, they look ahead to the Jays' series against the Athletics kicking off tonight and how Toronto's bats can attack the A's below-average pitching staff. Later, Jeff & Kevin go to the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in ESPN senior writer David Schoenfield (3:15) to dissect the - through 100 games - MLB's best Detroit Tigers. He shares what's behind their jump this season, AJ Hinch's impact as manager, his impressions of the Blue Jays and the abundance of struggling teams across the American League. Then, Jeff & Kevin discuss the Tigers' 'what-if?' scenarios with Tarik Skubal trade rumours last season before reacting to the Jays' shaken-up lineup. Finally, Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman (26:19) discusses the mood in the clubhouse, how he's reclaimed confidence in his splitters & fastballs, the evolution of his view toward in-season adjustments and much more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and 2025 Virginia Tech Hall of Fame inductee Kevin Barker chat about receiving the news of the honour and his time playing for the Hokies, before getting into the Blue Jays shutout loss to the Texas Rangers. Then, Sportsnet 590 The FAN's Ben Shulman (30:50) stops by to share his expectations for Paxton Schultz as the opener for their third game against Texas, Chad Green's workload, reasons to shake up the batting order again, Jeff Hoffman's struggles and John Schneider's confidence with the closer.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in Hall of Famer Chipper Jones (0:24) to discuss how Anthony Santander can snap his season-long slump, Ronald Acuña Jr.'s explosive return to the Braves lineup after his ACL tear, Atlanta's ceiling this season, and how he's preparing for his management duties at MLB's All-Star Futures Game. Later, Jeff and Kevin discuss whether Aaron Judge needs a ring to stand among MLB's all-time greats, what the Jays need to see from Bowden Francis against the Texas Rangers tonight, and the impact of mounting pressure on Santander.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Kevin Gausman's 8-inning outing en route to a Blue Jays series-opening win against the Texas Rangers. They look at the scouting report on Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi before bringing in Sportsnet's Shi Davidi (17:21) to discuss Anthony Santander's place in the batting order, if Gausman will need to continue experimenting with his pitches, Bowden Francis' fastball, and why Brendon Little is the second-most important arm out of the bullpen. Then, former GM & MLB Network's Dan O'Dowd stops by (29:54) to share a front-office perspective on managing the lack of scoring opportunities, giving one player a contract while leaving another pending free agent without one, and Shohei Ohtani's desire to pitch again.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in Texas Rangers hitting coach Bret Boone (1:07) ahead of his side's series against the Blue Jays in Texas. He discusses his adjustment to the staff side of the game since getting hired earlier this month, what he's learned in his time with the team and his hitting-coach philosophy. Then, Jeff & Kevin get into the urgency for the Jays in this series and how they can top the premiere pitching in Texas. Later, Rangers analyst Evan Grant (28:15) sets the stage for the series and weighs in on why Texas' offence has dried up, what Boone brings to the clubhouse and Nathan Eovaldi's leadership for the rotation.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the pre-game edition with a look back on the Blue Jays' weekend series in Tampa where the Rays swept them in three games. They get into the unique conditions at Steinbrenner Field, the 4-pitch third inning on Sunday, the Jays' struggles against the fastball, Anthony Santander's health and what's behind the extended slumps at the top of the lineup. Later, Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez (27:50) reflects on the teams' play in Tampa this weekend before helping set the stage for their series against the Texas Rangers kicking off today.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Passan, MLB insider with ESPN, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to take a look around the majors including the Cardinals, Padres, Rockies, Mets, Braves, and of course, the Blue Jays! John Schneider (27:05), Manager of your Toronto Blue Jays, joins the guys to discuss the nuances of playing at George M. Steinbrenner Field this weekend. Skip shares an update on Andrés Giménez, Nick Sandlin, Max Scherzer, before getting into Nathan Lukes' walk-off hit, Jeff Hoffman's form of late, and the intricacies of pitching decisions. We wrap up this week on the program with today's listener question from Jim in Belleville, Ontario!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back on the airwaves following MLSE President and CEO Keith Pelley's press conference. After sharing their takeaways, the boys dive into the Blue Jays' sweep of the San Diego Padres! They chat about the keys that lifted Toronto past the Friars, John Schneider's best-managed series of the season, what to make of Bo Bichette's 2025 at the plate, and Bowden Francis' identity as a starter. Later on, Marc Topkin (28:08) of the Tampa Bay Times checks in on the Rays ahead of their upcoming series against the Blue Jays. He shares the state of affairs at the team's temporary home at George M. Steinbrenner Field, who needs to step up offensively, the quality pieces in the bullpen, and the outlook for a new stadium.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Joe Siddall, former MLB catcher and current Sportsnet analyst, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to break down the Blue Jays' complete 3-0 victory against the San Diego Padres. Joe dives into Anthony Santander's adjustments at the plate, the keys for Kevin Gausman ahead of tonight's start at Rogers Centre, and who makes the most sense to bat cleanup in Toronto. Later on, Jeff and Kevin open up the "Back Leg Line" to respond to your questions and comments!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back on the airwaves following the Blue Jays' first shutout win of the season! They break down Anthony Santander's approach that led to his two-run home run, Chris Bassitt's seven excellent innings of work, and Yariel Rodriguez' strong performance in the eighth. David Samson (28:04), former MLB executive and host of Nothing Personal, chats about the nature of building a team for October, the impact, or lack thereof, of firing a manager, where the Orioles go from here, and what to make of Juan Soto's start with the Mets.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jesse Agler, Padres broadcaster, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss San Diego's ballclub after their weekend to forget against the Seattle Mariners. Jesse checks in on Manny Machado's ability to produce with runners in scoring position, Jackson Merrill's high ceiling, how to attack Dylan Cease, the ultra-competitive National League West, and Mike Shildt's presence in the dugout. Mike Bordick (25:20), 14-year MLB infield and host of the BMORE Baseball Podcast, takes a look at Brandon Hyde's firing, what behind Adley Rutschman's slow start, Cedric Mullins' impressive offensive game, and former Oriole Anthony Santander’s struggles at the plate.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker return from the Victoria Day long weekend with a recap of the Blue Jays' series with the Detroit Tigers. The pair dive into what's behind Anthony Santander's offensive dry spell, Toronto's identity at this point in the season, and the state the rotation. Jon Morosi (26:27), MLB Network analyst, checks in on the Jays' outlook and this roster's ceiling, before taking a look around the league. He wraps up with thoughts on Juan Soto's first impressions with the Mets, the strength of the American League Central, and what to make of the Orioles.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
John Schneider, Manager of your Toronto Blue Jays, kicks off the second hour alongside Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker. Skip shares some updates on his team's injured players, before diving into Anthony Santander's job ahead and if he would consider changing up the batting order. John also chats about Bo Bichette's work at the plate this season, his pitching staff's struggles keeping the ball in the yard, and Bowden Francis' keys to success tonight, before responding to this week's fan question of the week from Brandon in Whitehorse, Yukon! The trio wrap up with thoughts on what's different about Nathan Lukes and the impact of having the dome open at Rogers Centre. Bobby Scales (23:55), Tigers radio analyst, joins the conversation to share the low down on Detroit. He chats about Javier Báez' resurgence, the team-wide offensive approach, Riley Greene's ceiling, how Gleyber Torres has fit in, and what makes Tarik Skubal so special.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open Friday's episode with some thoughts on the visiting Detroit Tigers ahead of this weekend's series at Rogers Centre. The duo focus in on Bowden Francis' start tonight, what's going on with Anthony Santander at the plate and if a lineup change is in order. ESPN's Jeff Passan (28:48) joins the program to chat about the validity of player heights and weighs in the MLB media guides. The trio go around the horn to touch on Pete Rose's Hall of Fame eligibility, the Tigers' strong start to the 2025 season, and the Rangers' bounce-back week.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's pregame episode with thoughts on the Blue Jays' 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. They dive into Alejandro Kirk's clutch go-ahead home run and Anthony Santander's continued struggles catching up to fastballs, before setting up Kevin Gausman's start in this afternoon's rubber match. Ben Shulman (25:14), radio play-by-play voice of the Blue Jays, continues the conversation on Gausman and Santander. Ben also checks in on what's different with Kirk at the plate in 2025, Ernie Clement's offensive approach, Yimi Garcia's lights-out performance in the ninth, Yariel Rodriguez trending up, and Addison Barger's growth as a big leaguer.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Fernando Rodney, World Series champion and current Hamilton Cardinals pitcher, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about his journey to play in the Intercounty Baseball League. He shares what it's been like to continue his career in Canada, his experience in the dugout with his new teammates, and how baseball has changed since his time in the majors. Brian Anderson (22:55), former MLB pitcher turned Tampa Bay Rays analyst, stops by to discuss his Maple Leafs fandom, before diving into this week's series at Rogers Centre. Brian zeros in on the Rays' identity in 2025, Junior Caminero's bright future ahead, what makes Ryan Pepiot difficult to stop on the mound, and more!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker sort through the highs and lows of the Blue Jays' 11-9 loss to open their series against the Tampa Bay Rays. They dive into Jeff Hoffman's pitch selection in the ninth inning, the confidence levels in the back end of the bullpen, and Daulton Varsho's recent power surge. Dan Shulman (22:35), voice of the Blue Jays on Sportsnet, joins the conversation to share his view on what went wrong for Toronto late in yesterday's game. Dan checks in on the Jays' impact relievers, the recent rise of home run power from this lineup, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s start to the 2025 season, and Junior Caminaro's potential.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Danny Jansen, former Toronto Blue Jay and current Tampa Bay Rays catcher, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of this week's series at Rogers Centre. Danny chats about the Rays' situation playing in George M. Steinbrenner Stadium this season, what it's like joining a new team within the division, and how Tampa is able find so many "diamonds in the rough". He also dive into his club's constant threat on the base paths, his mentality as a major leaguer, and Junior Caminero's incredibly high ceiling. Travis Snider (27:46), former Blue Jays outfielder and CEO of 3A Athletics, shares his team's mission to help young athletes navigate the complex world of youth sports.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's episode alongside Sportsnet's Hazel Mae! The trio chat about Hazel's upcoming first pitch at a Vancouver Canadians game this weekend in celebration of Women in Sports Day, before discussing all things Blue Jays. Hazel shares what's behind the drop in Jays' fans attendance during the team's road trip to Seattle, Addison Barger's breakout, Jeff Hoffman's personality off the mound, Mason Fluharty's mindset, and much more! Later, Jeff and Kevin dive into Toronto's form heading into this week's series with the Tampa Bay Rays (22:25).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Shi Davidi, Sportsnet Blue Jays columnist, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker on a sunny Monday afternoon to chat about Toronto's climb back to .500. They dive into Addison Barger's strong weekend in Seattle, Yariel Rodriguez' run of good form out of the bullpen, George Springer's continued success, and prospect Arjun Nimmala's potential. Shi wraps up with his biggest surprises and disappointments from the 2025 Blue Jays season. Chris Rose (26:20), host of Dugout Discussions and Baseball Today with Jomboy Media, shares his impressions of Toronto midway through May. He dives into what he learned during his conversation with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. over the weekend, before discussing what the future holds for Bo Bichette, Rafael Devers, the Rockies and the Pirates.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back on the airwaves following the Blue Jays' series sweep on the road in Seattle. The boys dive into the work by the pitching staff over the weekend, George Springer's clutch three-run homer on Sunday, Bo Bichette's production at the plate, as well as Addison Barger and Nathan Lukes' contributions. Later on, Jeff and Kevin open up the "Back Leg Line" to respond to your questions and comments (26:17)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Mike Timlin, four-time World Series champion reliever, opens the second hour alongside Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker. He discusses the keys to avoiding fatigue as a bullpen arm, Jeff Hoffman's transition to a closing role, how a manager can help get a reliever back on track, and how to know when it's time to change a routine. John Schneider (25:00), Manager of your Toronto Blue Jays, joins the guys live from Seattle to share an update on Andrés Giménez, Nick Sandlin and Max Scherzer as they work back from injuries. Skip also chats about what his team can build on from last night's win, Anthony Santander trending upward, Chad Green's save, Yimi Garcia's issues locating, avoiding outside pressure, Kevin Gausman's routine, and Addison Barger's growth.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off Friday's episode with thoughts on the Blue Jays' 8-5 victory in the series finale against the Angels. The fellas dive into the highs and lows of Chris Bassitt's outing, Toronto's plan of attack against José Soriano's fastball, and what to expect from Kevin Gausman tonight in Seattle. Jeff and Kevin also look into the state of the lineup, the need for another bat to help boost the team's offense, and some potential targets on the market. ESPN's Jeff Passan (26:45) joins the conversation to chat about the state of the Mariners ahead of their weekend set against the Jays. The trio check in on Toronto's reliance on their bullpen, Bo Bichette's drop in value, the tear Pete Alonso is on, who's in line for the next mega-contract, Rafael Devers' opposition to playing first base, and Derek Shelton's firing in Pittsburgh.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Bob Nightengale, MLB columnist with USA Today, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the Pirates firing manager Derek Shelton and who's else might be on the hot seat around the league. Bob also checks in on the Blue Jays, before sharing his most disappointing team of the season so far, what to make of the Diamondbacks in 2025, and his thoughts on Juan Soto and Kyle Tucker. Travis Sawchik (24:50), MLB writer with TheScore, stops by to share his take on Shelton's dismissal in Pittsburgh. The trio dive deeper into what's gone wrong for the Buccos and the path forward to right the ship. Jeff and Kevin wrap up today's program with more of your calls on the "Back Leg Line".
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the program with thoughts on the Blue Jays' 5-4 defeat at the hands of the Angels, capped off by Jeff Hoffman's blown save in the bottom of the ninth. The guys question Hoffman's late-game pitch selection, if the bullpen has been overworked of late, and what to make of Alan Roden's demotion to Triple-A. Later on, Jeff and Kevin open up the "Back Leg Line" to respond to your questions and comments (25:21)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Former Toronto Blue Jay, Ross Stripling, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker on the heels of his announcement of retirement earlier this week. Ross chats about what's next for him after baseball, the advice he would offer his younger self, his favourite moments during his time in Toronto, and the state of baseball in 2025. Later on, Jayson Stark (24:37) of MLB Network and The Athletic breaks down the changes to the strike zone in 2025 and the reception around the league.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker air out their grievances following the Blue Jays' 8-3 loss in the series opener against the Angels. The pair dive into the lineup's issues producing with runners in scoring position, Bo Bichette's lack of competitive at-bats, the bullpen's collapse in the eighth inning, and how to right the ship. Chris Leroux (29:28), former MLB pitcher and current Sportsnet Blue Jays analyst, joins the conversation to discuss the role fatigue played in last night's loss. The trio take a closer look at how John Schneider has deployed his bullpen, Toronto's ongoing issues at the plate, and what to make of Anthony Santander's season so far.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
David Samson, former MLB executive and host of Nothing Personal, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the Blue Jays continued offensive struggles. David weighs in on the state of the team heading into Los Angeles, Bo Bichette's ceiling, and how real George Springer's resurgence is, before wrapping with thoughts on who he would rather build a team around: Paul Skenes or Tarik Skubal? Mark Gubicza (30:35), Angels TV analyst, checks in on Tyler Anderson's recipe for success, which players make up L.A. young core, and Mike Trout's status in 2025. Mark also chats about what Yusei Kikuchi brings to the team, how the Halos stack up in the American League West, and the job Ron Washington has done.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off today's show teeing up the Blue Jays' opportunity to get back on track in their series opener at Angel Stadium. The boys take a closer look at Bo Bichette's lack of power, José Ureña's first start for the Jays, and how to attack opposing starter Tyler Anderson. Caleb Joseph (25:10), former MLB catcher turned Blue Jays Central analyst, joins the conversation to share his view on Ureña's strengths and weaknesses on the mound. Caleb also chats about his experience catching Anderson in Seattle, along with some reasons for optimism and concern surrounding the Jays' offence.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jensen Lewis, MLB Network Radio analyst and co-host of By the Books, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss Steven Kwan's instrumental role in the Guardians' success following their series in Toronto. The trio dive into the Blue Jays' bullpen and Kevin Gausman's bounce-back start, before taking a look at the MLB landscape in early May. After the break, Jeff and Kevin diagnose the Blue Jays' offensive struggles and identify some areas to work on as the team heads out on the road for six games (26:45).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker hit the airwaves for new week on the program recapping the Blue Jays' weekend set against the Guardians. The boys share their frustrations about the state of Toronto's offence, before taking a closer look at the team's bullpen usage and new additions to the pitching staff ahead of their upcoming road trip starting at Angel Stadium. Jon Morosi (27:47) of MLB Network checks in on Jays' issues at the plate, Chad Green's place among the relievers, and if the team has produced any All-Stars in 2025. Jon also chats about the Rangers firing their offensive coordinator Donnie Ecker, free agent bats still on the market, and what's behind the dip in MLB scoring in 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
John Schneider, Manager of your Toronto Blue Jays, kicks off the second hour of the show alongside Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker. The skipper chats about his team's recent power surge, signs that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is heating up, Mason Fluharty's deception on the mound, how to manage the fifth rotation spot, getting Kevin Gausman, Bowden Francis and Andrés Giménez back on track, and his process of getting ready for an evening game. Later on, ESPN's Jeff Passan (24:15) checks in on Guardians ahead of their trip to Toronto this weekend. Jeff also weighs in on Bobby Witt Jr.'s hitting streak, his takeaways from the first month of the Major League Baseball season, the state of the American League East, how the Blue Jays factor in, and Hunter Brown's breakout in Houston.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open Friday's show with thoughts on the Blue Jays' 4-2 comeback victory to claim the rubber match against the Boston Red Sox. They pair dive into Daulton Varsho's clutch at-bat that resulted in a opposite field home run, the job Mason Fluharty has done out of the bullpen, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s clutch moment to take the lead. Tom Hamilton (27:50), play-by-play voice of the Guardians and Ford C. Frick Award winner, joins the show to tee up this weekend's series! He chats about the strength of Cleveland's bullpen, Kyle Manzardo's breakout this season, the Canadians Cade Smith and Bo Naylor, and his perspective on Andrés Giménez.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Madison Shipman, Blue Jays Central analyst, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about how Toronto can carry over the momentum of last night's electric win. The trio take a closer look at Anthony Santander's clutch home run, Alan Roden at the plate, Jeff Hoffman's presence in high-leverage spots, the rise of Brendon Little, José Berríos' plan of attack tonight, and how to manage Andrés Giménez. Jeff and Kevin then open up the "Back Leg Line" to hear your questions and comments! Rob Bradford (27:45), Red Sox reporter for WEEI and host of the Baseball Isn't Boring podcast, chats about Aroldis Chapman's longevity as a closer, Wilyer Abreu's meteoric rise, and what to make of Triston Casas and Rafael Devers through the first month.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker rejoice following the Blue Jays' 7-6 walk-off win over the Red Sox in extra innings! The boys recap the marquee moments from the game including Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s clutch tag-up to move to third base, Anthony Santander's three-run blast, and Alejandro Kirk's heroics on his own bobblehead night. Jeff and Kevin also take some time to discuss Yariel Rodriguez' rough start to the game and where he fits in the pitching staff, before debating if Aroldis Chapman's career deserves Hall of Fame recognition. Chris Rose (27:15), host of Dugout Discussions and Baseball Today with Jomboy Media, chats about Lucas Giolito's first start of the season, the cream of the crop in the American League, and the state of the Mariners through April. Chris wraps up with his thoughts on the Blue Jays, Orioles, and Mike Trout's injury troubles resurfacing.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker air out the remainder of their Blue Jays' frustrations, before teeing up tonight's lineup with Yariel Rodriguez on the mound. They welcome on Alanna Rizzo (12:22), MLB Network analyst and new member of NESN's Red Sox coverage, to take a look around the majors! The trio chat about the Dodgers' road to NL West title, Mookie Betts' adjustment to playing shortstop, and Teoscar Hernández' fit in Los Angeles, before weighing in on Toronto's window to win. Later, ESPN's Tim Kurkjian (29:00) checks in on the Orioles' rough month of April, the Yankees' ceiling, and if it's time for the Jays to panic. Tim wraps up with thoughts on Pete Rose's Hall of Fame eligibility following United States President Donald Trump's call to lift the former player's ban.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker hit the airwaves following the Blue Jays' 10-2 defeat in last night's series opener against the Boston Red Sox. The boys sift through that stats that dictate just how bad Toronto's offense has been to start the season, before zooming out to discuss the level of panic around the organization and the fanbase. Jeff and Kevin take some time to debate if Pete Rose should be reinstated into Major League Baseball following Rob Manfred's meeting with United States President Donald Trump. Later on, Blue Jays play-by-play voice on Sportsnet, Dan Shulman (24:10), lays out some lineup changes that could help the team get back on track. Dan also dives into Eric Lauer's potential as a spot starter, Andrés Giménez' struggles of late, Bowden Francis' trouble limiting homeruns, and Kevin Gausman's extra day of rest.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Alex Speier, Red Sox writer for the Boston Globe, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to help tee up this week's series in Toronto. Alex dives into how the Red Sox have rounded into form, the fan reception for Garrett Crochet, if Rafael Devers' DH debate is finally put to rest, Kristian Campbell's early returns, the state of Boston's bullpen, Jarren Duran's star-power, and more! After the break, Jeff and Kevin open up the "Back Leg Line" to respond to your questions and comments (21:35).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show previewing tonight's series opener between the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays. They begin with thoughts on Daulton Varsho's pending return; where he will slot into the lineup and who will be the odd man out on the roster. The boys move on to tee up this week's pitching matchups including who will get the ball on Thursday, the recipe for Bowden Francis' success tonight, and how to attack opposing starter Garrett Crochet. Sportsnet's Shi Davidi (24:42) joins the conversation as news breaks of Daulton Varsho's official return and Will Wagner's subsequent demotion to Triple-A Buffalo. Shi reacts to the roster moves, before diving into Casey Lawrence's potential as a spot starter, options to align the Jays' defence, how to get Andrés Giménez back on track at the plate, where Toronto stacks up in the American League East, and Max Scherzer's status.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jim Bowden, former MLB executive and current CBS Sports analyst, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to share his impressions from the first month of the season. Jim weighs in on when it's time to shake up an unproductive lineup and John Schneider's decision to keep Kevin Gausman on the mound during a tumultuous third inning, before taking a look around the league to discuss the state of the Orioles, Tigers, and Yankees. Buck Martinez (23:50), former Blue Jays catcher and current Sportsnet broadcaster, joins the boys on an off day ahead of Toronto's upcoming homestand. Buck chats about the value of changing the batting order, the signs that a player need more time to develop, what was behind Gausman's poor outing, and how Yariel Rodriguez has reinvented himself in 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open this week expressing their frustrations after the Blue Jays' series loss to the Yankees, capped off by a sweep of Sunday's double-header. The guys dive into Kevin Gausman's rough start and subsequent ejection, the team's ongoing offensive struggles, and how to address the lineup. Later on, Ryan LaPensee and Paul Lamantia (24:40), co-founders of Backyard Bats, join the show. The pair chat about the origins of their company, the challenges that come with breaking into the professional market, how the relationship with Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos developed, their thoughts on the new "torpedo bats", and more!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
John Schneider, Manager of your Toronto Blue Jays, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker live from Yankee Stadium. Skip shares an update on Daulton Varsho, Nick Sandlin and Erik Swanson as they work back from injury, before getting into where Varsho would likely slot into the lineup when he returns and what went wrong for his team in Houston. John also weighs in Anthony Santander's slow offensive start, Alejandro Kirk at the plate, Paul Goldschmidt's impact in the Bronx, how to contain Aaron Judge, the state of Kevin Gausman's splitter, and the idea of George Springer returning to the leadoff spot. After the break, former MLB pitcher and current YES analyst, Jeff Nelson (28:48), chats about Judge's incredible start to 2025, the early returns on the Yankees' off-season moves, and what to expect from Carlos Carrasco on the mound tonight. Jeff and Kevin wrap up the week with thoughts on how the Jays' bats can wake up this weekend and beyond.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off Friday's episode teeing up this weekend's series in the Bronx. The pair break down José Berríos' keys to success against the Yankees' sluggers and how to navigate New York's lineup, before discussing Daulton Varsho's pending return and the idea of Bo Bichette batting fourth in the order. ESPN's Jeff Passan (23:28) checks in on the Cubs' red-hot start to 2025, what's wrong with the Phillies, the sustainability of Aaron Judge's .415 average, and Kevin Gausman's work refining his splitter.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Sean Casey, former big leaguer and MLB Network analyst, kicks off the second hour alongside Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker! "The Mayor" weighs in on the Blue Jays' offensive shortcomings, the contagious nature of hitting, signs that a "slow starter" is heating up, what constitutes a mechanical change, and his most-underrated batter in baseball. Later on, former MLB backstop and Blue Jays Central analyst, Caleb Joseph (23:25), joins the conversation. He talks about which Jays hitter is nearing a breakout, Bo Bichette's identity at the plate, the volume of home runs given up by Toronto's pitching staff, and more! Jeff and Kevin wrap up with your calls on the "Back Leg Line".
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back on the airwaves following the Blue Jays' sweep at the hands of the Houston Astros. The boys are fed up with Toronto's offensive drought and voice their concerns over the lack of quality at bats in Wednesday's series finale, along with the absence of slugging throughout the lineup. They then take some time to open up the "Back Leg Line" to respond to your questions and comments. Jon Morosi (27:50), MLB Network insider, stops by to share what's different about this year's version of the Chicago Cubs. Jon takes a look around the league to chat about the Mets' positioning in the NL East, Jordan Romano's struggles in Philadelphia, and Bo Bichette's performance in a contract year.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Casey Candaele, Manager of the Buffalo Bisons, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to share the latest news from Sahlen Field! Skip breaks down Orelvis Martinez' work at the plate, how Daulton Varsho is progressing in his rehab stint, early standouts from the Triple-A roster, and Jake Bloss' upside on the mound. Later, David Schoenfield (31:42) takes us through his latest piece for ESPN detailing some early trade deadline targets for all 30 teams, along with his 2025 MLB watchability index! Jeff and Kevin wrap up with thoughts on who the Jays should look at to help bolster the lineup.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's program recapping another quiet night for the Blue Jays' bats at Daikin Park. The guys dive into Chris Bassitt's six innings of work, Daulton Varsho's status as he continues to rehab his shoulder, and where Toronto's centre fielder should slot into the lineup when he returns. Later, Jeff and Kevin zoom out to share their view on how to fix the batting order as the team's losing streak stretches to four games. Ben Shulman (26:00), radio voice of the Blue Jays, checks in after the break live from Houston! The trio chat about Bassitt's post-game comments surrounding the team's upcoming stretch, how to fix to the team's the stalled offence, what to expect from Bowden Francis on the bump tonight, the state of the bullpen, and who's next in line to heat up. The boys wrap up with thoughts on Will Wagner's ideal position in Toronto's infield, along with Alan Roden's first month in the majors.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Joe Siddall, former MLB catcher and current Sportsnet Blue Jays analyst, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to help diagnose Toronto's offensive issues following yesterday's 7-0 shelling. Joe shares his view on potential lineup changes to come, before sifting through the performances of Anthony Santander, George Springer, Alan Roden, and Alejandro Kirk. Later on, Astros analyst Steve Sparks (28:22) previews Ronel Blanco's start in Houston tonight. The trio also chat about what's changed in Josh Hader's approach in 2025, the aftermath of Alex Bregman's departure, what's behind Jose Altuve's move to the outfield, Jeremy Peña's development, and much more!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's show rehashing their debate about Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s lack of home run power early on this season. After agreeing to disagree, the guys move on to discuss the Blue Jays' 7-0 shutout loss at the hands of the Houston Astros. They chat about what they saw from Kevin Gausman on the mound Monday night, how to fix Toronto's sputtering offence, and what to make of limited production from the top of the batting order. Ryan Dempster (29:06), World Series champion and co-host of Intentional Talk on MLB Network, shares what it's like pitching for a team without an offensive punch. Ryan weighs in on Anthony Santander's slow start and the challenges that come with pitching in different ballparks, before taking a look around league to discuss the crowded N.L. West and the state of the Cubs.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
David Samson, former MLB executive and host of Nothing Personal, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to forecast the sustainability of the Cubs, Tigers and Padres' hot starts to the season. The trio take a trip around the league to discuss Aaron Judge's case as the best hitter in baseball, if there's any truth to certain players being "slow starters", Juan Soto's comments about the Mets' lineup protection, the fallout from Jarred Kelenic's lack of hustle, and the Marlins' farm system calling pitches from the dugout. After the break, National Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Billy Wagner (30:17) joins the program! He shares how life has changed since getting the call to the Hall, his enjoyment of teaching the next generation, and his inspirations growing up on the mound. Billy wraps up with thoughts on his son Will's MLB journey so far and offers some advice for the road ahead.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off this week with thoughts on the Blue Jays' lack of production at the plate to start the season. The pair dive into how the team can unlock Anthony Santander's offence and Nick Sandlin's status after being placed on the 15-day IL, before setting the stage for tonight's series opener in Houston. The conversation continues with Geoff Blum (26:40), Astros TV analyst. Geoff discusses Houston's identity crisis in 2025 and Hunter Brown's strong form heading into tonight's start, before sharing his early impressions of Cam Smith, Yainer Diaz and Christian Walker.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of the team's series against the Seattle Mariners (1:25). The skipper starts with the decision to send Davis Schneider down to Triple-A and the injury statuses of George Springer, Daulton Varsho and Max Scherzer. Then, he gets into Andrés Giménez coming back to earth, how he's preparing for Blue-Jay-killer Cal Raleigh, Anthony Santander getting into rhythm, the team's different feel from last season and much more. Later, Mariners TV play-by-play voice Aaron Goldsmith (27:54) joins the show to discuss Raleigh's scorching stretch, Seattle's ceiling this season, Julio Rodriguez's inconsistency and what to expect from the Mariners' pitching staff in the weekend series in Toronto.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off Friday's show teeing up the Blue Jays' series against the Seattle Mariners this weekend. The guys dive into Cal "Big Dumper" Raleigh's red-hot stretch coming into Toronto, Randy Arozarena's impact on Seattle's roster, and how Julio Rodríguez' first few years in the majors compare to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s, before taking a closer look at some other intriguing teams around the American League. Ryan Spilborghs (22:20), former MLB outfielder and Apple TV+ analyst, checks in ahead of tonight's game at Rogers Centre! He shares his view on J-Rod's future in Seattle, how much early season stats matter, and Jeff Hoffman's revival in Toronto, before weighing in on the tough road ahead for the Rockies in 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open with today's trivia question, before taking a closer look at the San Diego Padres' hot start to the season. Ben Higgins, co-host of Ben & Woods on 97.3 The Fan, joins the conversation to discuss who can be the difference-maker on the Padres' roster, the underrated contributors on the squad, and Fernando Tatís Jr.'s MVP-caliber performance. Ben also dives into what's behind Tatís' breakout start, the lasting effects of the team's 2024 playoff series with the Dodgers, and the job Mike Shildt has done. Later, Jeff and Kevin debate how the conversation surrounding PEDs has changed over the years, before chatting about the state of the Blue Jays' bullpen (28:15). Today's program wraps up with your questions and comments on the "Back Leg Line".
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Kevin Barker returns alongside Jeff Blair to recount the Blue Jays' 3-1 victory to seal a series victory over the Braves, fueled by Chris Bassitt's 10 strikeout performance. The duo break the news of Davis Schneider's demotion to Triple-A Buffalo, before getting into who's next in line to get called up to big leagues, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Anthony Santander simultaneously heating up, and the roles players are taking on early this season. After the break, Jeff and Kevin open up the "Back Leg Line" to respond to your questions and comments (25:20).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair opens this episode with a sneak preview of Hazel Mae's interview with Jeff Hoffman recounting how an at-bat with Bryce Harper helped save his MLB career. Jeff then opens up the "Back Leg Line" to respond to your questions and comments. A.J. Pierzynski (12:47), World Series champion and host of Foul Territory, shares his perspective on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s mega-extension, how it changes the perception of Toronto as a free agent destination, and the state of the American League East. Later, JB reacts to Ryan Yarbrough's comments about his split with the Blue Jays organization. Tom Glavine (26:40), two-time Cy Young Award winner and Hall of Famer, joins the show to discuss Spencer Strider's looming return, the strength of Atlanta's rotation when healthy, and Kevin Gausman's recipe for success.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair opens today's show with thoughts on what went wrong for the Blue Jays during their 8-4 blowout at the hands of the Atlanta Braves. Brandon Gaudin, play-by-play voice of the Braves, discusses what's contributed to the team's slow start, how Spencer Strider's pending return will solidify the team's rotation, what to expect from Spencer Schwellenbach on the mound tonight, and the priorities for Alex Anthopoulos. Later, Dan Shulman (22:08), Blue Jays play-by-play voice on Sportsnet, shares his takeaways from yesterday's press conference officially announcing Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s contract extension. Dan also comments on what's next for Easton Lucas, Yariel Rodriguez' outlook as a reliever, and the state of Toronto's offence.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair is joined by Jim Bowden - former GM and MLB analyst with CBS Sports and the Athletic - to continue the conversation around Vladimir Guerrero Jr. making his extension official (0:46). They discuss the industry's reaction to Vladdy's deal, costly timing for the Jays and ownership's role in negotiations. Then, he tees up the Jays' series against the struggling Atlanta Braves. Later, Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins joins the show (26:09) to share a timeline of the negotiation process with Vladdy, the clubhouse's reaction to the deal, the next steps towards a potential Bo Bichette extension and much more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Sportsnet's own Shi Davidi joins Jeff Blair live from Rogers Centre following the press conference announcing Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s contract extension. Shi discusses the role ownership played in the signing, how the rest of the league views the deal, the positive direction this move signifies for the franchise, and what's ahead for Bo Bichette. Later on, ESPN's Jeff Passan (23:12) shares his perspective on Vlad's 14-year extension and the potential ripple effects for future MLB free agents, before shifting to chat about the how the American East-leading Blue Jays have started 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair opens the program by teeing up today's press conference at Rogers Centre officially announcing Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s $500 million, 14-year contract extension. General Manager Ross Atkins, President and CEO Mark Shapiro, and Rogers Executive Chairman Edward Rogers III, join Vladdy on the podium as he puts the pen to paper to sign the historic deal. Jeff checks back in following the media availability to reflect on the magnitude and importance of this contract for the Blue Jays franchise.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (1:15) ahead of the team's weekend series in Baltimore. The skipper follows up on umpire Manny Gonzalez's questionable call in the Jays' series finale at Fenway and how he manages around inconsistent strike zones. Then, he gets into the pleasant surprise of Tyler Heineman, early concerns at the top of the lineup, the rotation's red-hot start to the season, the big-league adjustment for Will Wagner and Alan Roden, and much more. Finally, Jeff and Kevin close out the week by going to the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open with thoughts on the Blue Jays' 3-2 extra innings loss to the Red Sox. They listen back to John Schneider's postgame comments about some questionable umpiring calls behind the plate, before teeing up tonight's matchup to open a three-game series against the Orioles. Toronto Blue Jays Pitching Coach Pete Walker (05:55) joins the show to discuss his rotation's historic numbers early on, the challenges that come with pitching in the elements, and what's behind Easton Lucas' strong start. Pete also dives into the effectiveness of Kevin Gausman and Brendon Little, the messaging to the team when calls don't go your way, Nick Sandlin's early returns, and Yariel Rodriguez work out of the bullpen. After the break, Jeff and Kevin examine Anthony Santander's slow start, the troubling weather rolling into Baltimore this evening, and the state of Toronto's offence two weeks into the season.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Lou Merloni, former MLB infielder and current NESN analyst, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to tee up today's matinee at Fenway Park! He discusses Walker Buehler's start this afternoon, Boston's issues striking out, if the team's third base debate is finally put to rest, Tristan Casas' rough start at the plate, Trevor Story's deterioration, and Kristian Campbell's outlook. Afterwards, Jeff and Kevin listen to what John Schneider had to say about his relievers' work in high-leverage spots, before opening up the "Back Leg Line" to respond to your questions and comments!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's show sorting through the Blue Jays' lineup ahead of this afternoon's series finale against the Red Sox. The guys look back on Kevin Gausman's elite performance in last night's win in Boston, with a focus on his adjustments game to game. They also zero in on Alejandro Kirk's night to forget on both sides of the ball, Jeff Hoffman's dominant two innings of work, and state of Toronto's offence early on this season. David Samson (25:20), former MLB executive and current host of Nothing Personal, joins the program to share his view on the structuring of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s 14-year contract extension. He breaks down how the $325 million signing bonus could impact relations with the Major League Baseball Players Association, the process of getting a deal of this magnitude done, what's ahead for Bo Bichette, and the rationale of having team captains in baseball.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jensen Lewis of MLB Network Radio and By the Books on VSiN, kicks off the second hour of the show alongside Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker. He dives into Andrés Giménez' "fun factor", how the baseball world outside of Toronto views Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s contract, the state of the Guardians' bullpen, and Cleveland's outlook in 2025. Next, Jeff and Kevin discuss the reported details of Vlad's extension including a $325 million signing bonus spread out of the 14-year deal, before debating who's in line to receive MLB's next mega-contract. Today’s program wraps up by going live to Guerrero Jr.'s media availability in Boston on the heels of the Blue Jays' officially announcing his contract.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off today's program with thoughts on the Blue Jays' 6-1 victory over the Red Sox powered by Easton Lucas. The duo highlight the work by Toronto's starter and "low leverage" bullpen arms in the win, the continued lack of power from the team's power bats, and John Schneider's level of trust among his relievers! Later, former MLB catcher and current Sportsnet analyst, Caleb Joseph (25:00) checks in on George Springer's revival this season, how Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s extension could influence what's next for Bo Bichette, and the keys for Kevin Gausman's success tonight in Boston. Caleb also chats about Lucas' strong start to 2025, Tyler Heineman's efforts behind the plate, and the strength of the team defensively.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open this hour giving away a pair of tickets, before welcoming on Blue Jays legend, Carlos Delgado! The two-time All-Star weighs in on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s mega-extension and the pressure that comes with signing a deal of that magnitude. Carlos also shares his view on the place of analytics in today's game, Vlad's ceiling as a power hitter, how to maintain on-field efficiency as you age, and more! Later on, World Series champion and NESN Red Sox analyst, Jonathan Papelbon (30:15) joins the conversation. He chats about Boston overcoming adversity early in the season, the challenges of pitching in the cold, Jeff Hoffman's return to Toronto, how Alex Bregman is settling in with his new team, and his first impressions of Garrett Crochet.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show discussing the Blue Jays' win in their series opener against the Boston Red Sox, the positive changes in George Springer's mechanics and mental approach, Andrés Giménez's addition to the infield's defence, José Berríos battling through the cold weather at Fenway Park, and Pete Walker jawing back and forth with Red Sox third base coach Kyle Hudson. Then, MLB Network's Jon Morosi (28:32) stops by to chat about the Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reaching the finish line in a contract extension early in the regular season, Toronto front office's next move is for Bo Bichette, what Kyle Tucker's next contract is projected to be, and who could be the next biggest free agent signing on the market.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour of 'Vladurday' by going to the Back Leg Line to get your questions and takes on the Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s newly inked extension! Later, The Athletic's Jayson Stark joins the show (27:34) to discuss Vladdy's $500M deal from a broader, MLB point of view. He shares his thoughts on the deal itself before getting into how it might impact the free agent market, realistic post-contract expectations for Vladdy, the role the looming new CBA plays in teams' negotiations, the AL landscape and much more!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open this week with today's news: the Toronto Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have agreed to a 14-year, $500 million extension! The guys dive into the specifics of the deal, the impact of the signing for the organization, and the how the outlook changes as time rolls on. Jeff and Kevin take some time to tee up Blue Jays upcoming series against the Red Sox at Fenway Park, before Sportsnet's Shi Davidi stops by (24:16)! The man who helped break the news discusses the timeline of how the extension came to be, the major sticking pieces along the way, and if the deal can lift some pressure off the slugger's shoulders. Shi also weighs in on where the signing ranks among significant moments in team history, how it will impact the MLB free agent market, and much more!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Blue Jays are back in action, and so are Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker! The guys start by teeing up Kevin Gausman's start this afternoon in New York with thoughts on his unorthodox splitter grip, the rotation he's searching for, and its sustainability over the course of a season. Jeff and Kevin continue to set the stage by sorting through today's lineups, before ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan (27:00) stops by! He weighs in on the wave of "torpedo bats" taking baseball by storm, the state of the Houston Astros, the reasoning behind Kristian Campbell's eight-year extension in Boston, and more!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome Tim Britton (0:24), Mets reporter with the Athletic, ahead of the Blue Jays' series at Citi Field. He gets into the state of the Mets' rotation without Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas, their team identity, how aggressive they'll be in the Vladdy Jr. free agency market, breakout candidates and much more. Finally, Jeff and Kevin dip into the Back Leg Line to answer your questions - including what's behind Andrés Giménez's hot start, why the Jays have struggled on challenge calls and how Yimi Garcia brings stability to the bullpen.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off this off-day episode celebrating the Blue Jays' sweep of the Nationals to push them atop the American League East! The guys start off with thoughts on how the switch to playing outdoors could impact Toronto's young players as the team heads to New York to take on the Mets. They also chat about the team's standouts and surprises from the first week, the Dodgers' winning ways to kick off the season, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s form early on. Joe Siddall (24:00), former MLB catcher and current Sportsnet analyst, joins the guys on the heels of the Jays' first homestand of 2025. Joe weighs in on the team's depth contributors, the sustainability of their hot start, early impressions of Alan Roden, George Springer, Bowden Francis, Yariel Rodriguez, Anthony Santander, and Guerrero, before sharing his expectation for the team's upcoming road trip.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the program teeing up this afternoon's snowy series finale against the Nationals in search of a sweep. They begin with thoughts on the Blue Jays' game plan to attack opposing starter Mackenzie Gore, what's behind Anthony Santander's slow start, and Davis Schneider's opportunity in the lineup today. Jeff and Kevin also share their expectations for Easton Lucas ahead of his first start of the season, before looking into how John Schneider has deployed his bullpen early on and José Berríos' bounce-back start last night. The guys chat about Kristian Campbell and Jackson Merrill signing long-term extensions, before Blue Jays Manager John Schneider joins the show (29:55)! Skip shares his view on Lucas getting the ball for today's game, Yariel Rodriguez' efforts out of the 'pen, Jeff Hoffman's early returns, George Springer's hot start, and what's stood out about Alan Roden and Will Wagner. John wraps up by answering this week's fan question from Darrell in Ingersoll!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Kevin Frandsen (0:50), Washington Nationals TV colour analyst, former MLB player, and host of MLB Network Radio, to discuss the potential of Vlad Jr. receiving an offer from the Nats if he entered free agency, CJ Abrams’ ceiling, the rising star of James Wood, what would define a successful season for the team, the future trajectory of the Washington baseball club, scouting report on left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore, and weighs in on the controversial torpedo bats. Then, Jeff and Kevin look ahead to Jose Berrios' second start of the year and how he can bounce back from Opening Day in the Blue Jays' second game against the Nationals.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off today's show with thoughts on the Blue Jays' 5-2 victory over the Nationals to move above .500 for the first time in 2025. The guys break down Andrés Giménez' third home run in his first five games, Bowden Francis' first outing of the season, and George Springer's promising start to the year. Dan Shulman (24:50), play-by-play of the Blue Jays on Sportsnet, shares his view on Brendon Little's work out of the bullpen, how José Berríos can rebound from his rough Opening Day start, and the sustainability of Springer's hot start. Dan also weighs in on Will Wagner and Alan Roden's expectations in 2025, Davis Schneider's stats that matter, what's behind Anthony Santander's slow start, early returns of Alejandro Kirk hitting behind Giménez, and more!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Former MLB General Manager, Jim Bowden, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to share his take on the Yankees' use of "torpedo bats", how the Blue Jays' signing of Max Scherzer looks in hindsight, and what's behind Rafael Devers' 0-for-16 start to the season. Jim also chats about Rōki Sasaki's rough outing for the Dodgers, as well as what to make of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s agency being in attendance over the weekend. Blair and Barker wrap up with thoughts on Alan Roden's MLB debut, if his approach at the plate is sustainable, Bo Bichette's form to start to season, and what to expect heading into a three-game set with the Nationals (23:55).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open this week on the program looking back on the Blue Jays' opening series of the 2025 season. They dive into Max Scherzer's thumb injury that limited the veteran's debut in Toronto, Yariel Rodriguez' performance out of the bullpen, the options to fill out the rotation, George Springer's change in approach and the lack of power from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Anthony Santander. Later, Jeff and Kevin share their take on the "torpedo bat" the Yankees have implemented. Chris Leroux (31:20), former MLB pitcher and current Sportsnet Blue Jays analyst, joins the conversation to share his view the new bat technology being utilized, before weighing in on Chris Bassitt's 105-pitch outing and Rodriguez' form in Sunday's series finale.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour by going to the Back Leg Line where they answer your burning Blue Jays questions after a lopsided Opening Day loss at the Rogers Centre. Later, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (27:11) joins the show to discuss his chat with Juan Soto, Soto declaring himself 'the best hitter of all time,' and his ceiling with the Mets. Then, the three get into how the standard of Hall of Fame pitching is shifting, whether Teoscar Hernandez is underappreciated and much more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin Friday's show finding some positives from the Blue Jays' 12-2 loss to open the regular season. The conversation shifts to the underlying concerns that Opening Day exposed including José Berríos' ugly debut and the lack of offensive power, before looking into how the team can regroup ahead of tonight's game. Later on, Manager John Schneider (21:34) joins the guys to share his view on his club's disappointing start to 2025 and how to combat the volume of home runs given up by the pitching staff. Skip also weighs in on Alan Roden's first major league hit, the challenge Charlie Morton poses tonight, the highs and lows of Alejandro Kirk's first game, Yariel Rodriguez' appearance out of the bullpen, what to expect from Kevin Gausman, George Springer's progress, and Daulton Varsho's timeline.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the show with Blue Jays’ play-by-play announcer Ben Shulman, discussing the Opening Day lineup, game expectations, Alejandro Kirk’s season outlook, Jose Berrios’ start, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s contract situation. Later, former MLB Manager Fredi Gonzalez (25:43) joins to share insights on Anthony Santander, strategies against Berrios, and his expectations for Adley Rutschman.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the second hour with Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph (1:15) to share his impressions of the team ahead of Opening Day on Thursday. They discuss Alan Roden's early opportunity, Alejandro Kirk's importance, expectations for Max Scherzer, and the hierarchy in the bullpen. Later, Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins (35:26) joins the show to discuss the latest in the organization's negotiations with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., his evaluation of the team's offseason, takeaways from Spring Training and much more!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
On the eve of Opening Day, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show by sifting through Manager John Schneider's press conference. They dive into their expectations for the Blue Jays in 2025, as well as the latest on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s contract negotiations. Later, Emmanuel Berbari (28:05), Yankees broadcaster on WFAN, checks in from New York to share his read on the Bronx Bombers. He chats about the state of the roster with Gerrit Cole sidelined for the season, if the rest rotation can pick up the slack, and how the team can rebound from the loss of Juan Soto. Emmanuel also looks into Jazz Chisholm's importance, Oswaldo Cabrera's job security, the Yanks' bullpen arms to watch, Paul Goldschmidt's veteran presence, and more!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez (5:51) to chat about his expectations for Will Wagner and Alan Roden, the buildup to 'Opening Day' each year, whether Kevin Gausman can return to form, what classifies a good year for Max Scherzer, bullpen depth, Alejandro Kirk's workload behind the plate and on offence, and whether Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can find some comfort alongside Andrés Giménez in the infield. Then, MASN's Roch Kubatko (27:10) stops by to discuss the impact moving the left field wall closer to home plate will have for hitters at Camden Yards, who are the Orioles heading into the 2025 season, projections for Zach Eflin, not signing Corbin Burnes, if the team will look into calling up prospect catcher Samuel Basallo, and concerns for the aging pitching staff.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off Tuesday's episode zeroing in on the Blue Jays roster. They share their expectations for Alan Roden, Will Wagner and Leo Jimenez heading into the season, before looking into Toronto's clean-up options for Opening Day. Producer Mark Boffo joins the guys to pose some Jays over/under bets including Vladimir Guerrero Jr. home runs, Bo Bichette hits, Anthony Santander RBIs, and much more! Later on, David Samson (29:13), former MLB executive and host of the Nothing Personal podcast, stops by! He offers his view on Alejandro Kirk's contract extension, the value of winning in April, which teams will surprise in 2025, what it will take to strike a deal with Vladdy, and how to manage George Springer in his age 35 season.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
MLB Network's Jon Morosi joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker in-studio to chat about the Detroit Tigers' chances for a World Series berth, the differences with the Boston Red Sox's 2025 roster, how the Baltimore Orioles can learn from the L.A. Dodgers' method of handling prospects, why they believe that the Blue Jays and Vlad Jr. have come to an agreement on an extension, and a breakout year for Julio Rodríguez. Then, Jon, Jeff and Kevin discuss Adley Rutschman's future catching for the Orioles, if the Dodgers are good for baseball, and how the game is presented towards diehard and new fans.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are sick of spring training... bring on the regular season! The guys dive into the Blue Jays 26-man roster to debate those who made the cut and Alejandro Kirk's five-year extension with the club, before sharing their preseason picks for MLB division winners and Wild Card spots. Sportsnet's Shi Davidi (28:02) joins the guys to chat about Toronto's roster decisions including Alan Roden's promotion, Ryan Yarbrough's release, and Yariel Rodriguez' outlook for 2025. Shi also shares his view on Kirk's freshly inked contract, what's next for Orelvis Martínez, and who will start in centerfield on Opening Day.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker step into the box on Friday's edition of Blair and Barker with a promising update on Max Scherzer's thumb injury, before sifting through today's Blue Jays lineup. Manager John Schneider (15:56) joins the guys to discuss the latest on Scherzer, before getting into how Bowden Francis can build off of his strong second half of 2024, Yariel Rodriguez' form this spring, and how Will Wagner is fitting in at third base. John also sheds light on the plan leading up to Opening Day, how he wants his team to utilize the Automatic Ball-Strike system, the general reception of ABS from umpires, and who he envisions batting clean-up. Later, Marc Topkin (33:27) of the Tampa Bay Times checks in on Rays as they gear up to play the 2025 season from George Steinbrenner Field. Marc looks into how the minor league park could impact the team's offensive presence, the "big three" in Tampa's lineup, Shane McClanahan's status, and how former Jay Danny Jansen is fitting in.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off today's episode with thoughts on Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro's optimism that the team and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will reach an agreement. ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan (06:52) joins the conversation to share his view on divide between the two parties, before discussing his efforts to republish a story on Jackie Robinson's military service that was removed from the United States Department of Defense website. After the break, Blair and Barker open up the 'Back Leg Line' to respond to your questions and comments (27:10)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the show with Brian Kenny from the MLB Network to discuss whether the Los Angeles Dodgers can repeat as champions this year, whether Shohei Ohtani should abandon pitching and what the Blue Jays need to do to make the playoffs. Later in the show, Red Sox reporter, Rob Bradford (27:47) joins the show to discuss the state of the team, whether they’re capable of taking the A.L. East, whether Rafael Devers should be DH and Alex Bregman’s contribution to the Red Sox.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the show with ESPN MLB Writer, Jesse Rogers to discuss Max Scherzer’s looming injury and whether Yariel Rodriguez will get the start over Scherzer. Next, they hit on Kyle Tucker’s free agency, the state of the A.L. Central and the Chicago Cubs division outlook. Later, Blue Jays Announcer Ben Shulman (27:46) joins the show to weigh in on Scherzer’s thumb implications, whether Davis Schneider’s impressive spring training will be sustainable, how the Opening Day lineup will look like and debate Yariel Rodriguez’s role this year.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
On this St. Patrick's Day edition, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the show by discussing an outfield scare involving Anthony Santander and Alan Roden, José Berríos' Opening Day start, the decision to start Daulton Varsho, and reports of a new contract offer for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Next, MLB Analyst and Insider Jim Bowden (27:51) joins the show to discuss the continued injuries in spring training, whether prospect spring training stats matter and his thoughts on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s alleged new offer.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker step into Friday's edition of Blair & Barker with managers on the mind. Toronto Blue Jays Bench Coach Don Mattingly joins the guys to discuss how his role with the team has evolved, how he applies tactics from his playing career as a coach, and how that strategy changes from player to player. "Donnie Baseball" also weighs in on how the team envisions the batting order, his first impressions of Anthony Santander and Andrés Giménez, and what he's focusing on as spring training winds down. Later, Manager John Schneider (26:05) checks in from the team bus on the way to tonight's game against the Astros. John updates us on Erik Swanson's health after experiencing elbow discomfort, before diving into Addison Barger's spring, what he wants to see from George Springer at the plate this season, who's in contention for the final roster spots, and how Bowden Francis can build off of a strong 2024.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off today's show with thoughts on John Schneider's comments about Max Scherzer and if his thumb injury is related to past ailments. Barker shares his take on the Blue Jays' lineup for this afternoon's spring training matchup against the Orioles, before getting Sportsnet's own Caleb Joseph's opinion (12:30). The former big league catcher shares his view on Bo Bichette's power surge this spring, his level of concern on Scherzer's setback, and what to make Kevin Gausman's performance in Dunedin so far. Later on, MLB Insider Jeff Passan (31:21) shares his view on the Tampa Bay Rays not moving forward with a new ballpark in the St. Petersburg area and the contract negotiations between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Jays.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show with Shi Davidi discussing Max Scherzer's lingering thumb injury and whether it is cause for concern. They also discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s reported contract offer from the Blue Jays, how the offer will be perceived throughout the season, and whether Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can block out the noise. The lads then briefly move to the back leg line before being joined by MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman (29:23). The three discuss how the front office should approach the problem, how to enhance their rotations, and whether first basemen should be paid more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the episode by discussing Gerrit Cole's season-ending injury, whether George Springer deserves to continue as a lead-off hitter, and whether Myles Straw should be the everyday center fielder in Daulton Varsho's absence. Later, former MLB catcher and MLB Network analyst Alex Avila (23:35) joins the show to discuss what it's like to catch Max Scherzer, how Alejandro Kirk should catch him, and how other veteran players like Gausman and Bassitt can still learn from Scherzer. Finally, Alex tells one of his favourite stories about Max while playing a game.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show by reacting to the Blue Jays signing Dillon Tate, discussing how the bullpen could be another negative factor in the season, and delving into their schedule for the season. Next, David Samson (27:15) joins the show to discuss rumours of the Tampa Bay Rays selling the team, as well as the implications and possibilities of such a move. They then turn their attention to the Blue Jays, whether it was smart for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to reveal his contract details, whether Max Scherzer tried to sell himself to other teams and the landscape of the A.L. East.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays Manager John Schneider, who spoke about Kevin Gausman’s Spring debut, the use and impact of his slider, Alejandro Kirk catching Max Scherzer, how he views the team’s batting order, slotting Anthony Santander behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr, and his impressions of top prospect Arjun Nimmala. MLB Insider Jeff Passan discusses a variety of topics around the sport notably the Rays and A’s both playing in minor-league ballparks in 2025, if Pete Rose will be re-instated, and former Mariner Justin Turner criticizing Seattle and their unwillingness to improve their roster during the offseason (30:27).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show by discussing Kevin Gausman’s 2025 spring training debut today, his expectations for the season, and the importance of a hot start. Next, Blue Jays Central Analyst, Joe Siddall (26:49) joins the show to discuss Gauman’s pitching adjustments this spring, they debate what are the Blue Jays' plans with Yariel Rodriguez, Alejandro Kirk's longevity for the season and whether the Jays need to trade for a lead-off man.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show by discussing yesterday's game against the Detroit Tigers. MLB Network Analyst Ryan Dempster then joins them to discuss pitchers making spring training changes, the Blue Jays' veteran rotation, and spring training expectations. Finally, the boys close the program with questions from the back leg line (26:38).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show by discussing their first impressions of Daulton Varsho's 2025 spring training debut, how the Blue Jays should structure their batting lineup, whether Max Scherzer can fine-tune his pitches before the season begins, and who should start in center field on Opening Day. Next up, Blue Jays play-by-play announcer Dan Shulman (25:01) joins the show to talk about Bo Bichette's first home run of the spring, how the team will build their lineup, and who will make the Opening Day roster.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
MLB insider Jeff Passan (3:26) joins Blair and Barker to discuss the Red Sox' impressive offseason, their top prospects that should make a huge impact, if Mike Trout can bounce back after another injury-plagued year, and just how good the Dodgers can be in 2025 after winning it all last season. Later, Blue Jays closer Jeff Hoffman (27:55) joins the guys to reflect on re-joining the team after being traded for Troy Tulowitzki while he was still a prospect, his expectations for the upcoming season, working with a new array of catchers, how free agency unfolded for him and more! Blair and Barker end the show with thoughts on Daulton Varsho, who is returning to the lineup and making his 2025 Grapefruit League debut.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's episode sorting through the Blue Jays' spring training lineup ahead of this afternoon's game against the Orioles. The pair chat about Anthony Santander's arrival to Dunedin and his critique of how Kevin Gausman and José Berríos pitched to him in 2024, before opening up the 'Back Leg Line' to answer listener questions! Later on, former MLB manager and host of the Book of Joe podcast, Joe Maddon joins the program (26:35)! He discusses the evolution of spring training, what goes into managing players on a walk year, how the Jays stack up in the American League East, and the Yankees finally allowing players to grow beards.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show with Jayson Stark from The Athletic to discuss Max Scherzer's Blue Jays spring training debut, how much he has left in the tank, an overall check-in with the team, what Jeff Hoffman brings to the team, and how Anthony Santander will help the Blue Jays make a push this season. Later, Philadelphia Phillies TV Analyst Ben Davis (31:02) joins the show to discuss the team's current status, fighting for roster spots, and if the team's bullpen can propel them to a long-term run.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the show with Blue Jays play-by-play announcer Buck Martinez, who discusses Max Scherzer's first spring training start today, what fans can expect from him, how his new relationship with Alejandro Kirk will play out, forecasting Yariel Rodriguez's bullpen season, and the Blue Jays' biggest questions and new additions. In the second half of the hour, Jon Morosi (28:26) of the MLB Network joins the show to discuss Nolan Arenado's trade scenario with the St. Louis Cardinals, how the team needs to get back to winning, and how the Boston Red Sox can be a major threat in the American League East.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show by addressing Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s contract extension discourse, if it will be a distraction for the rest of the season, whether Orelvis Martinez will make the team and their observations from the Blue Jays' first spring training games. Next up, former MLB executive David Samson (27:53) joins the show to discuss the Vladdy situation, how the Blue Jays front office should approach it, and Rob Manfred's statements about a potential lockout. Finally, they address Giancarlo Stanton's latest injury.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker get set for the Blue Jays' Grapefruit League season kicking off tomorrow against the Yankees and look at the biggest position battles for the team in Spring. They discuss what Orelvis Martinez has to prove, ripple effects of the Ryan Yarbrough signing and their expectations for Max Scherzer. Blue Jays radio voice Ben Shulman (13:46) shares the vibes from Dunedin and the biggest storylines for the team this Spring. Later, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (25:55) joins the show to discuss early action at Spring Training, the team's injury news, Vlad Guerrero Jr. pushing through contract distractions, the positions up for grabs and much more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start with a look at the Blue Jays' recently announced Spring Training rotation and lay out expectations for Yariel Rodriguez before going to the Back Leg Line (4:57) to answer listener questions! They get into how big of a distraction a walk year is for players, whether the Jays will regret trading Spencer Horwitz, what defines a 'generational talent,' and much more. Later, the Athletic's Jim Bowden (27:55) joins the show to discuss teams that should be targeting Vladimir Guerrero Jr. next offseason, why the Nationals make sense as a landing spot and whether the door is still open for the Jays on a Vladdy extension. Finally, he weighs in on how the Jays manage contract distractions, the plan for Bo Bichette, and Rafael Devers' commitment to third base in Boston.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to John Schneider's comments on the Blue Jays' potential lead-off hitter this season and project the team's ideal lineup order. Then, they discuss the task ahead for John Schneider, what Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is actually worth on the open market and how management views him. Later, they share what they're looking forward to from the Jays' Spring Training before welcoming ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (31:20). The three reflect on the Blue Jays' failure to lock up Vladdy long-term, the front office's flawed approach to talent management, and where the organization goes from this point. Finally, Jeff shares what to expect from Spring Training's trial of the ABS challenge system.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back with daily episodes of Blair & Barker! The guys open with thoughts on today's breaking news that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Toronto Blue Jays were unable to come to terms on an extension by the slugger's self-imposed deadline. They dive into what this means for Vlad's future in Toronto, if the door is still open for an extension after the 2025 season, and the organization's level of trust in the player long-term. Jeff and Kevin listen back to President and CEO Mark Shapiro's comments from this morning's media availability, before discussing how the team can rebound if the 4x All-Star does not return next season. Later on, Sportsnet MLB Insider Shi Davidi checks in from sunny Dunedin to share his read on the situation with the Blue Jays' first baseman (29:00). He examines the possibility of a deal between the two sides after the season, who's to blame in the failed negotiations, the front office's mentality throughout the process, how the team can stay focused in 2025, and what's next for Bo Bichette.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
With pitchers and catchers beginning to report at Spring Training, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to Ross Atkins' comments on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. negotiations as the slugger's self-imposed extension deadline nears. ESPN insider Jeff Passan (9:27) discusses how Blue Jays management approaches Vladdy's deadline and what he'd be worth after an offseason of mega-deals around MLB. Then, Jeff weighs in on the Red Sox outlook this season after signing Alex Bregman, teams with the most surprising offseasons and the biggest Spring Training storylines. Finally, Jeff and Kevin discuss uncertainties for the Blue Jays at Spring Training and take calls on the Back Leg Line!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays’ starter Kevin Gausman before he takes off for Spring Training. Gausman shares his thoughts on the team’s offseason so far, his time as a free agent before signing with Toronto, making adjustments on the fly when pitching, and what three-time Cy Young award winner Max Scherzer will bring to the team’s rotation. Blair and Barker end the show with a discussion on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as he remains unsigned to a long-term contract.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick things off with reactions to the Blue Jays' signing of future hall-of-fame pitcher Max Scherzer to a one-year deal, and how this addition affects Toronto's starting pitching rotation. The duo then welcome in Blue Jays Centrals' Caleb Joseph to weigh in on what the veteran righty brings to the lineup, if the Jays have any other moves on the horizon in free agency, and how the recently acquired Anthony Santander can bolster the team's power. Later, Dallas Morning News' (33:22) Evan Grant joins to chat what Scherzer has left in the tank, and how his veteran presence along with pitching coach Pete Walker will elevate this Jays squad.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker wonder what else could be in-store for the Toronto Blue Jays (Max Scherzer?) after signing Anthony Santander before sharing their thoughts on this year’s Hall of Fame Class, and which players got snubbed. With Toronto’s reported interest in free-agent slugger Pete Alonso, the guys call up ex-Mets GM and SportsNet New York Contributor Zack Scott (22:32) to discuss the Alonso sweepstakes, Mets’ owner Steve Cohen making public comments about the team’s offers to Alonso, what its like to negotiate with super-agent Scott Boras, and how he grades Santander’s contract with the Blue Jays.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker host a special edition of Blair and Barker reacting to the news of the Toronto Blue Jays agreeing to a 5-year deal with outfielder Anthony Santander, his track record with the Baltimore Orioles, what he adds to the Jays' offence, before diving into the Roki Sasaki sweepstakes and trading for centrefielder Myles Straw. Then, Roch Kubatko, Orioles reporter for MASN Sports, jumps on to give the scouting report on Santander on and off the field, if he's able to translate to an analytics-heavy organization, the potential for him to play in the infield, and if Rogers Centre will be a challenge for Anthony (30:10).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker return for their first podcast of 2025 with plenty to discuss. First, they comment on the Blue Jays bolstering their bullpen with Jeff Hoffman after he agreed to a three-year contract and the reports that his medicals raised red flags with other teams before agreeing to terms with Toronto. Later, they turn their attention to the Blue Jays’ interest in Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki after it was reported they hosted him for a visit in Toronto. MLB Network Radio Host & former GM Jim Bowden (18:35) discusses assessing problematic medical reports before signing a player, Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s lack of a long-term deal, the remaining bats on the FA market, and why Sasaki makes sense for the Jays.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker close out the calendar year with one last episode! The guys open with their thoughts on the Blue Jays' offseason so far and if they expect to see more activity before the new year. Sportsnet Blue Jays writer Shi Davidi (11:33) joins the guys to share what he is hearing around the team including which free agents they are in on, the state of extension talks with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and if Bo Bichette will finish the 2025 season playing shortstop. Next up, newly acquired Phillies relief pitcher, Jordan Romano stops by (43:12)! He looks back on his exit from Toronto and how he felt last season with the Blue Jays, before discussing why he chose to sign with Philadelphia. Blair and Barker wrap up this episode with a chat about the direction of the Jays' bullpen heading into 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker return with another offseason edition of the show! They start with the Andrés Giménez acquisition and what it means for the Blue Jays and the rest of their winter plans. Jeff & Kevin then get into Juan Soto's contract with the Mets and where Toronto finished in the bidding. Next, the guys are joined by MLB Radio analyst Jensen Lewis for his thoughts on Giménez. Finally, former Miami Marlins President and host of ‘Nothing Personal’ David Samson joins the show. The guys get into how the offseason works from a front office perspective. What are some of the red lines in contract negations and what was David surprised by in the Juan Soto deal?
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back from their winter hiatus with a new episode! The guys offer their thoughts on the offseason so far and where the Jays stand in the Juan Soto sweepstakes. Do the Blue Jays have a legitimate chance at signing Soto? Is it preventing them from pursuing other free agents? And ultimately where will he land? Then, they discuss other free agents the Jays should be keying in on and debate the merits of the Golden At-Bat rule.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker wrap up this season of Blair and Barker sharing their expectations for the Blue Jays’ offseason, before welcoming on two of their favourite guests. Jeff Passan, ESPN MLB insider, hops aboard (10:22) to discuss Freddie Freeman’s battle with injuries in the postseason, his Hall of Fame candidacy, the next steps for the Yankees and the Juan Soto free agency sweepstakes. Later on, The Athletic’s Jayson Stark (33:18) looks into the Dodgers’ road to the World Series with a shorthanded starting rotation, the Scott Boras factor of Soto’s next deal, Walker Buehler’s heroics in the ninth inning of Game 5, and if the Shohei Ohtani vs. Aaron Judge Fall Classic lived up to the hype.
Thank you for listening!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the 2024 World Series Champions! Blair and Barker look back on the dramatic and series-deciding Game 5 - the Dodgers' five-run 5th inning characterized by Yankees defensive miscues, Dave Roberts' managing, Freddie Freeman's MVP performance and the next steps in New York. Then, they react to the Braves starting their offseason early and trading Jorge Soler to the Angels. Later, former MLB executive David Samson (29:58) discusses how this postseason changes Aaron Judge's legacy, whether Aaron Boone's job is safe, the Dodgers' roster construction and Juan Soto's free-agent future.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the New York Yankees living another day with their Game 4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, Aaron Boone's lineup changes, Freddie Freeman's surge at the plate and Mookie Betts' outfield encounter with a Yankees fan. Then, Cleveland Guardians' pitcher Cade Smith (27:26) jumps on to chat about his approach to a shorter offseason for himself this year, high leverage pitching in the regular season vs. the post-season, using the pitch clock to his advantage, attacking Aaron Judge on the mound and if he pitches differently from park-to-park.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Game 3 of the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers' chance to sweep the final and the need for Aaron Judge to perform in the elimination game. Then, the guys dive into Walker Buehler's performance in three post-season starts. Afterwards, Jeff and Kevin are joined by Sportsnet analyst and former MLB catcher Caleb Joseph (31:44), who tries to diagnose the issues at the plate for Judge and the Dodgers' success pitching against him, New York's championship window closing quickly, Buehler's rising free agency stock, and the positive and negative effects of a players-only meeting.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker look back on the pair of World Series games this weekend where the Dodgers got up 2-0 over the Yankees. They discuss Shohei Ohtani's Game-2 injury, Aaron Boone's bullpen management in Game 1, Aaron Judge's struggles and more. Later, Kevin Pillar (26:44) joins the show in-studio to discuss his offseason surgery and his baseball future following his 12th MLB season. Then, he shares his thoughts on the series, Judge's playoff slump, the impact of New York's home field and the role of analytics in the postseason.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Game 1 of the World Series has arrived! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show with their thoughts on what to expect tonight in Los Angeles, including a look at the starting pitchers Gerrit Cole and Jack Flaherty. Then, ESPN's Jeff Passan joins the guys from L.A. (10:55). They talk about how the ample rest between series could help Cole perform at his best, get into the star power on display in this series, and debate who is under the most pressure to perform - Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani. To close out the show, the fellas visit the back-leg line and take questions from listeners.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
While Blair and Barker continue to count down to Game 1 of the World Series, they are joined by two-time champion Johnny Damon (12:20). He shares memories from his title runs with the Yankees and Red Sox, what it means to win in New York and the mental & physical challenges of prepping for the biggest stage. Later, host of Foul Territory Erik Kratz (30:58) discusses Gerrit Cole's outlook ahead of Game 1, which team and players the scheduled time off benefits most, why Aaron Judge is the Yankees' X-factor and how their pitchers must attack Shohei Ohtani.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker are joined by Los Angeles Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten (9:32) to share some memories of the late MLB superstar Fernando Valenzuela, his review of Shohei Ohtani's record-breaking regular season, if home field advantage is a factor in the 2024 World Series, Tommy Edman's fit with the Dodgers, and the evolution of pitchers. Then, New York Post columnist Mike Vaccaro (31:30) stops by to expand on his recent article on New York Yankees' manager Aaron Boone about his playing days, transition into a managerial role, his comparisons with the past Yankees' managers and legacy heading into the World Series.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
MLB Network's Jon Morosi (3:20) joins Blair and Barker to discuss the early storylines heading into the World Series, how the New York Yankees' and Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching staffs match up, who has more pressure on them between Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, and if the league can leverage the marketing value of Judge vs. Ohtani. Then, Blair and Barker dive into the Blue Jays hiring David Popkins as their new hitting coach and why it may not change the outlook for their hitters in 2025 before inviting Sportsnet's Shi Davidi (40:40) to expand on Toronto's decision and if it sparks more moves around the coaching staff and front office.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The World Series stage is set as the New York Yankees will face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers! Blair and Barker look back on the two League Championship Series and discuss the next steps for the eliminated Guardians and Mets. Then, they share the Yankees' and Dodgers' biggest concerns heading into Game 1 on Friday. Former MLB executive David Samson (29:15) shares his thoughts on the financial aspect of Judge vs. Ohtani for MLB, the biggest World Series storylines, and the future of Tropicana Field after Hurricane Milton.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker open the show discussing Jhonkensy Noel's game-tying homer and David Fry's walk-off home run to take hold of a thrilling Game 3 in the ALCS. ESPN's Jeff Passan (6:51) chats about the difficulties of closing in the post-season, if Game 4 is now a must-win game for the New York Yankees, and if Aaron Judge and Juan Soto is a better duo than Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts. Then, Blair and Barker check in on the Back-Leg Line, fielding listener's questions on what the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros need to address in the offseason after an early exit from the playoffs, situational base stealing, and more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show discussing Walker Buehler's return to form in the L.A. Dodgers' Game 3 win and how pitchers change mechanics from regular season starts to games that matter in the playoffs. Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin shares an update on the future of Tropicana Field's status for the 2025 season and beyond and where the Rays would play in the meantime. Then, MLB on TBS analyst Jeff Francoeur (31:45) joins the guys to preview Game 3 of the ALCS, how Cleveland Guardians' starting pitcher Matthew Boyd can give an extended outing for his team and if Aaron Judge has found himself in his post-season at-bats.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker look ahead to game 3 of the NLCS and debate whether the Dodgers should shuffle the top of their lineup. Then, over to the ALCS and Austin Wells' clean-up struggles, the Guardian's stingy offensive identity and Clase's usage in the series. ESPN analyst Tim Kurkjian (15:32) shares his thoughts on the Yankees' 6-3 win over the Guardians last night, Aaron Judge's maturity, Gleyber Torres stepping up at the top of the lineup and how Luke Weaver became the playoff's most dominant closer. Finally, Jeff & Kevin dive deeper into tonight's game between the Mets and Dodgers.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker open the show with their reactions to the Yankees opening the ALCS with a 5-2 win over Cleveland and the Mets evening up the NLCS in L.A. The fellas also preview what to expect on Tuesday, when the ALCS resumes. Then, Chris Rose (28:37) of The Chris Rose Rotation Podcast & Baseball Today joins Jeff and Kevin to analyze the Championship Series so far, including Steven Kwan's continued excellence and the Guardians' need for Josh Naylor to step up. Next, they discuss Aaron Judge's October struggles and Giancarlo Stanton's HOF case off the back of another strong postseason.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker look back at the New York Yankees clinching their spot in the ALCS, who the Bronx Bombers would rather face between the Detroit Tigers or Cleveland Guardians, how Aaron Boone has mastered his lineup and pitching staff in the postseason. Then, they look ahead to Game 5 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres and check in on listeners' questions on the Back-Leg Line. Afterwards, ESPN's Jeff Passan (33:40) joins the guys to discuss the overhaul of coaching staffs across the MLB, if sluggers are more valuable than smart-at-bat takers and why it's easier to scout opposing pitchers in the postseason.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker begin today's show by revisiting a big night for the NLCS-bound New York Mets, while the Yankees, Dodgers, and Tigers registered big wins of their own. Then, SNY analyst Zack Scott joins the show to discuss how the Mets have become such a tough out after recovering from an abysmal May. Scott also describes how the Mets won the Francisco Lindor sweepstakes, of which the Blue Jays were apart of (9:49). In the final segment of the show, Royals analyst Rex Hudler joins Jeff and Kevin to examine how Kansas City find themselves facing a must-win game tonight at Kauffman Stadium. Hudler explains why good pitching is behind Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr.'s struggles thus far (31:18).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker look back at the New York Mets and San Diego Padres taking a 2-1 lead in their respective series, the Philadelphia Phillies' pitching matchups, the Padres' early attack on Walker Buehler and rumours around the Blue Jays' bid for Juan Soto's pending free agency. Then, former MLB catcher and Jays analyst Caleb Joseph (33:13) jumps on to share some stories of his playing days with Manny Machado, if the third baseman has embraced a "villain" role, how much pressure is on Aaron Judge and which team would have the most disappointing exit with high expectations entering the postseason.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Blair and Barker begin the show recapping the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers tying their respective series, then bring on Cleveland Guardians analyst Jensen Lewis (8:28) to chat about Emmanuel Clase giving up the game-winning homer, Tarik Skubal's plan of attack against KC and what it's like to pitch at your home stadium during the post-season. Then, Blair and Barker discuss Jazz Chisholm's post-game comments after their Game 2 loss, the Phillies' losing streak on the road and go behind the scenes of Francisco Lindor's free agency link with the Blue Jays.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Blair and Barker begin their Monday edition recapping the San Diego Padres' blowout win over the Dodgers in Los Angeles to tie the series, the Mets' bullpen collapse in Game 2 and A.J. Hinch's in-game adjustments. Then, they invite former MLB executive David Samson (28:27) on to chat about the importance of post-season messaging after a down year, who has the most pressure in the playoffs between Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, whether Bryce Harper is Mr. October and rivalries in baseball.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Blair and Barker share their reactions to the New York Mets punching their ticket to the NLDS with late-game heroics from Pete Alonso and Minnesota Twins long-time GM Thad Levine leaving the organization. Then, they preview each Division Series with their picks to win the round including how the Kansas City Royals can shut down the Yankees' big bats. Afterwards, they invite ESPN's Jeff Passan (35:47) on to get his thoughts on Terry Francona returning to the bench as the Cincinnati Red's manager and if the non-Wild Card teams will benefit from their 5-day rest between series.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Blair and Barker begin the show recapping both series sweeps in the AL Wild Card games before bringing on former Orioles outfielder Adam Jones (12:23) to get his thoughts on Baltimore's lack lustered second half and falling out of the postseason yet again, what will be the front office's focus heading into the offseason and the importance of having clubhouse confidence during the playoffs. Then, World Series champion and Astros analyst Geoff Blum (33:02) jumps on to discuss Houston's season ending despite winning their division, how high on the priority list are Yusei Kikuchi and Alex Bregman to get re-signed, and if the Tigers have the chance to play in the World Series.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Blair and Barker are joined by Sportsnet's Shi Davidi (10:55) to get his takeaways from Ross Atkins and Mark Shapiro's end-of-season press conferences, if he thinks the front office will pay Vladdy Jr.'s asking price for a contract extension, what roster changes he expects Atkins to go for, the reasons behind the coaching changes, and what are the positives of heading into the offseason and 2025. Afterwards, the guys check into the Back Leg Line to hear what fans think of Atkins and Shapiro's pressers.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker take us through the Blue Jays end-of-season press conference featuring General Manager Ross Atkins and President and CEO Mark Shapiro (37:26). Later on, Jeff and Kevin share their takeaways including the team’s payroll moving forward, the security of the front office and coaching staff, the disconnect between the franchise and fanbase, steps to improve the roster heading into 2025, and what’s ahead for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette (1:28:29).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Blair and Barker begin the show discussing the Blue Jays' plethora of moves within their coaching staff including letting go of their hitting coach Guillermo Martínez. Then, Padres radio play-by-play voice Jesse Agler (11:45) previews the NL Wild Card between San Diego and Atlanta, what fueled the Padres' second-half push and which player will be an X factor in this series. Afterwards, Blue Jays analyst Buck Martinez (28:55) jumps on to chat about what he wants to hear from GM Ross Atkins and President Mark Shapiro's end-of-year press conferences, adjustments for Yariel Rodriguez, the importance of Vladdy's next contract, how he views the starting rotation heading into the offseason and some thoughts on the late Pete Rose's career.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Athletic's Jayson Stark (4:24) joins Blair and Barker to discuss the dramatic doubleheader finale between the Braves and Mets, the Tigers' uphill battle against the Astros, Buster Posey taking over baseball ops duties in San Francisco and the Jays' offseason direction. Later, Jeff & Kevin review their regular season picks, make their predictions for MLB's 2024 postseason and discuss the Jays' front office's top priority as they enter the offseason.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker begin the show summing up the Blue Jays' 2024 season, what they want to hear from general manager Ross Atkins and president Mark Shapiro in their end-of-year press conferences and which of the players acquired and called up since the trade deadline will be starting on opening day in 2025. Then, Blue Jays analyst Caleb Joseph (31:05) jumps on to discuss if there should be a limit on Alejandro Kirk's usage next year, what improvements he'd like to see from Yariel Rodriguez's pitching and Joey Loperfido's hitting, Vlad Jr.'s next contract and if Will Wagner can be the team's opening day leadoff hitter.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
MLB Network's Jon Morosi (6:45) joins Blair and Barker to chat about where he ranks the Detroit Tigers' 2024 season among the franchise's history, how A.J. Hinch extracted the best out of his players and who will have the most pressure heading into the postseason between Shohei Ohtani or Aaron Judge. Afterwards, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (28:16) stops by for his final interview of the season with the guys to share his message to fans on the team's underwhelming year and what he hopes for heading into 2025, what he's focusing on in the final series and if there will be a change in philosophy for hitters throughout the Jays' organization.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ahead of the Blue Jays' final series of the season against the Marlins, Blair and Barker are joined by former MLB pitcher and Marlins analyst Jeff Nelson (4:36) to discuss the Marlins' identity and a playoff outlook for his former team, the Yankees. Then, a chat about John Schneider's future following Shi Davidi's season-closing conversation with him. Finally, Jeff & Kevin review the returns of the 'new' Jays and discuss who the organization needs to prioritize in 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker briefly share their thoughts on the Blue Jays' series-ending win over the Red Sox and Kevin Gausman's final start of the season. They are joined by Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel (8:58) to discuss who Shohei Ohtani is as a person and player, his mentality approaching the 50-50 mark and his evolution since entering the MLB. Afterwards, Atlanta Braves TV analyst C.J. Nitkowski (28:15) chats about the upcoming doubleheader against the New York Mets with massive postseason implications and whether fans will be content with potentially being bounced considering their abundance of bad injury luck.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (2:19) joins Blair & Barker to discuss the 50th anniversary of the first Tommy John surgery, whether or not the Dodgers should be panicking, the A's final games in Oakland and why the Rays are poised for a bounce back in 2025. Later, TV play-by-play voice of the Jays Dan Shulman (25:55) weighs in on which bullpen arms to bring back next season, positive takeaways from the 'new' Jays and which player has the most to prove in 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker react to the San Diego Padres clinching a playoff spot following a triple play to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers before diving into the Blue Jays' second straight loss to the Red Sox at home, an update on Bo Bichette's injury and Alejandro Kirk's hitting streak. Then, Ben & Woods' host Ben Higgins (25:43) stops by to explain why the Padres are a complete team for the post-season, Mike Shildt's managerial impact, Manny Machado's influence and the strength of their pitching staff.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
MLB Network's Chris Gimenez joins Blair and Barker (2:17) to look at MLB's playoff picture with less than a week to go in the regular season. He shares why to buy in on the Guardians, who has the edge in the AL Wild Card race and why he's picking the Padres to win the 2024 World Series. Later, Jays analyst Joe Siddall (29:31) weighs in on Kirk's improved play with an increased workload, Bassitt's blowup in his possible final start last night and why the team's bats have struggled against the fastball.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker share their ideal World Series matchup based on the 2024 season, discuss the Pirates DFA'ing Rowdy Tellez to avoid his contract incentive and which players aren't playing to their contracts. Then, long-time radio voice of the Boston Red Sox Joe Castiglione (27:34) jumps on to chat about his decision to retire from the booth, if the game of baseball is in a good state, how Red Sox fans viewed their team after the Curse of the Bambino was broken and whether Boston has had a successful year.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker are joined by former MLB executive David Samson (1:30) to chat about the Athletics' final home games in Oakland, a front office's focus entering the final week of the season, the importance of home field advantage in the post-season and Shohei Ohtani's future in pitching. Then, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi (29:47) stops by to discuss Tampa Bay's hopes to compete next year, Vlad Jr.'s third base ambitions, why there might not be many changes on the Jays' coaching staff and front office, and who starts at centre field in 2025 with Daulton Varsho set to miss the start of the campaign.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker look back on the Jays' weekend series where they were swept by the Rays, and share concerns for the team's enduring issues when facing fastballs. Then, they reflect on Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s season and his unexpected bid for a batting title. Later, MASN Orioles analyst Roch Kubatko (29:20) weighs in on who's to blame for Baltimore's September skid, Jackson Holliday's playoff role and Adley Rutschman's second-half fall-off.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (2:15) joins Blair and Barker to dive deep into Shohei Ohtani's 2024 campaign. Then, he reflects on what part ownership played in the White Sox' embarrassing year, the Tigers' streak and how serious to take the Guardians in October. Later, Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman (26:21) sets the stage for the Jays' weekend series against the Rays in Tampa, what to expect from Jonatan Clase's debut and rotation questions ahead of 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker begin the show by sharing their thoughts on Shohei Ohtani establishing MLB's 50-50 club before checking in on the Back Leg Line with listeners' voicemails. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (27:32) joins the guys to discuss Bo Bichette's unfortunate end to his 2024 season, Bowden Francis' transition to throwing with a different catcher, Davis Schneider's mid-September turnaround and expectations for recent call-up Dillon Tate.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker start with former Phillies GM and MLB Network's Ruben Amaro Jr. (2:12), who discusses Craig Kimbrel being DFA'd, how the Orioles can turn things around ahead of October and what the Phillies learned from last season's playoff exit. Later, Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux (27:07) ahead of the teams' second game of their series against the Rangers and what to expect from Bowden Francis without his regular catcher, Brian Serven.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker begin the show discussing the Blue Jays dropping their series opener to the Rangers in Texas and Bo Bichette's return to the lineup. Then, Detroit Tigers TV voice Jason Benetti jumps on (12:32) to chat about the team's recent surge in hopes of securing the last AL Wild Card spot and how A.J. Hinch has performed as their manager. Afterwards, Blair and Barker check in on the post-season picture across the league.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Buck Martinez joins Blair and Barker (3:53) ahead of the Blue Jays' three-game series in Arlington against the Rangers and he discusses the decision to DFA Brian Serven, Will Wagner's 2025 outlook now that he's been ruled out for the rest of the season and what to expect from Bo Bichette's return to the lineup tonight. Later, Jeff & Kevin discuss the Jays' free agent options in the offseason and why extending Vlad & Bo is essential in hooking the big fish.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker are joined by former MLB pitcher and 2013 World Series champion Ryan Dempster (13:10) to chat about the difficulties in trying to win back-to-back World Series, Shohei Ohtani's potential return to pitching in the post-season, why the Philadelphia Phillies are the team to beat and why Gerrit Cole intentionally walking Rafael Devers sets a bad tone. Then, Rangers TV analyst David Murphy (29:05) discusses how GM Chris Young will approach their offseason after an underwhelming title defence, Kirby Yates' success on the mound and whether the Houston Astros are the best team in the American League.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Athletic's Jayson Stark (2:25) joins Blair and Barker to discuss his recent interview with Joey Votto about his post-playing-career vocation and Hall of Fame case. Then, he shares concerns about the Dodgers' rotation after losing Glasnow and whether Ohtani will pitch in the playoffs. Later, TJ Burton (28:33), tournament director & program manager of Canadian Futures Showcase, tees up the event and shares how it and Canadian youth baseball have evolved over the decade it's been running.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker begin the week recapping the Blue Jays' weekend sweep against the Cardinals, José Berríos' success rate since he's joined the organization, and designating Brian Serven for assignment. Then, The Athletic's Tyler Kepner (26:13) takes us through the Yankees' and Gerrit Cole's decision to intentionally walk Rafael Devers, the Bronx ace's performance in 2024 and the Mets' chances of sneaking into the Wild Card.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour by answering your questions on Friday's Back Leg Line! To close out the week, Cardinals TV analyst & former MLB pitcher Brad Thompson (29:13) tees up the Jays' weekend series against St. Louis and discusses the Cards' disappointing season, who's most to blame for their falloff and how they can fix it in 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (5:55) to share an update on Bo Bichette's progress rehabbing his calf injury, Bowden Francis' September performances and finding consistency on the mound, and how the team has played against playoff-bound opponents. Then, Jays' pitching coach Pete Walker (35:47) stops by to chat about the workload for his starters nearing the end of the season, helping Yariel Rodriguez find success in his outings, Jose Berrios' 2024 starts and what he wants to see from Chad Green when he enters the game.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker are joined by ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (3:55) to dig deep into the NL MVP race and why Shohei has the edge over Lindor despite playing DH. Then, they discuss Dave Roberts leaving the door open for Ohtani to pitch in the playoffs and ESPN's recent poll on the most exciting player in baseball. Blue Jays Central's Caleb Joseph (31:01) weighs in on Serven's impact on Bowden Francis' recent outings, Chad Green's role in 2025 and what position the Jays should target in the offseason.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker recap the Blue Jays loss to the Mets in their series finale and Bowden Francis's 8-inning no-hitter. Then, Sean Casey (27:05) stops by to chat about player fatigue entering the final month of the season, evaluating in September, his experience with opposing pitchers having a good outing, improving in hitting within the Majors, and Shohei Ohtani's MVP race.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker start with an update on Bo Bichette's rehab stint in Triple-A before they are joined by USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale (2:35). He shares which NL Wild Card result is best for MLB, the Astros' difficult Verlander decision, why Ohtani is a lock for NL MVP and playoff outlooks for NL teams. Finally, Blue Jays play-by-play voice Dan Shulman (27:30) weighs in on the future of the bullpen, the plan for Davis Schneider and who of the 'new Jays' he expects to be on the roster in 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker begin the show recapping the Blue Jays' series-opening loss to the New York Mets which included another bullpen meltdown late in the game. Then, SNY's John Harper stops by (28:29) to chat about the Mets' late season surge and battle between the Atlanta Braves for the Wild Card, Francisco Lindor's MVP-like season, Edwin Diaz's turnaround on the mound and Pete Alonso's future with the baseball club.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
MLB Network radio host Jensen Lewis (2:12) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss the NL Wild Card race between the Braves and Mets, the NL MVP race, what a 'successful' postseason for the Guardians is and Verlander's struggles coming off his injury. Then, Jeff & Kevin listen to and break down John Schneider's pregame availability. Sportsnet's MLB insider Shi Davidi (27:15) shares insight from his chat with Bo Bichette and the Jays' contractual options for Bo & Vlad in the offseason.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker begin the Monday edition sharing their reactions to Bo Bichette's comments on his future with the Toronto Blue Jays and José Berríos' performance in 2024. Then, former MLB executive David Samson joins the guys (31:25) to give his take on the impact of Bichette wanting to stay with the Jays, the importance of keeping players happy, how management evaluates coaches in September and the MVP race in the National League.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Erik Kratz (0:45), host of Foul Territory and former major leaguer, to discuss clubhouse dynamics for young teams, Clay Holmes' closing struggles for the Yankees, the Orioles 'getting too cute' and who he's got for the final NL Wild Card - Mets or Braves. Later, Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi (28:25) from Atlanta shares some injury updates on Bo Bichette and Jordan Romano before teeing up the Jays' weekend series against the Braves.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker begin the Friday edition checking in on the Back-Leg Line - discussing if Juan Soto is worth signing to a long-term contract in free agency, why bringing in talent to the roster is more important to the Blue Jays than changing the coaching staff and addressing the bullpen issues. Jays' skipper John Schneider (26:13) stops by for his weekly chat to discuss the Atlanta Braves and lefty Max Fried, his team's recent trends against left-handed pitchers, his assessment of Will Wagner, Spencer Horwitz' outlook at second base and whether we'll see Jake Bloss by the end of the season.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (1:35) to break down Matt Chapman's 6-year extension with the Giants and how it might impact Alex Bregman's market in the offseason. Then, he shares why the Astros are the team to beat in the AL and puts Shohei Ohtani's historic 2024 campaign in perspective. Later, Mets bench coach and former Jays manager John Gibbons (28:02) discusses his role in New York, Francisco Lindor's turnaround and his approach to analytics.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker begin the show sharing their to-do list of what they want to see from the 2024 Blue Jays with only 21 games remaining including playing time for Addison Barger in different positions, Bo Bichette's availability and Yariel Rodriguez's pitching. Then, TV play-by-play voice for the Atlanta Braves Brandon Gaudin (25:34) stops by to chat about the importance of their lead-off hitter, Chris Sale's return to form and how manager Brian Snitker has navigated his team this season.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker begin the show projecting which of the younger Blue Jays players will become mainstays in the lineup heading into the next season including Spencer Horwitz at second base, starting rotation and Jordan Romano's closer role. Then, The Athletic's Jayson Stark (27:01) stops by to chat about the Wild Card races ramping up as we enter September, if the AL East has weakened as a division, Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers' World Series hopes and whether the Philadelphia Phillies shifted their focus to October too early.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker are joined by ESPN's Jeff Passan (7:23) to reflect on the teams' performances one month after the trade deadline, if it's worth it for Bo Bichette and the organization to play some of the remaining games of the season, projecting Japanese star pitcher Rōki Sasaki's chance of playing in the MLB, and what Corbin Burnes and Juan Soto could be eyeing for ahead of entering free agency. Then Twins Senior VP & GM Thad Levine (29:18) jumps on ahead of the Blue Jays' meeting in Minnesota, the challenges his baseball club has gone through while fighting for a spot in the post-season, and how Simeon Woods Richardson found success on the mound.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker from Minnesota as Toronto gets ready to face the Twins. The guys discuss the club’s recent play, notably Bowden Francis’ last few impressive starts after he pitched another gem Thursday night against the Red Sox. It’s Friday so Blair & Barker open up the Back Leg Line and answer some questions from fans of the show!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Royals TV analyst Rex Hudler (0:40) to discuss KC's transformative 2024 season after their 100-loss 2023 campaign - specifically, Bobby Witt Jr.'s superstar jump and the unsung heroes of the Royals' push for an AL Central lead. MLB Network's Mark Feinsand (26:25) shares his thoughts on the different directions the Jays could go in free agency, Aaron Judge running away with AL MVP and the chances that Juan Soto stays in the Bronx.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker examine the Blue Jays 3-0 loss against the Boston Red Sox and concentrate on Chris Bassitt’s bounce back performance in a tough luck loss. Blue Jays’ infielder Ernie Clement (26:38) joins the guys ahead of the series finale at Fenway Park to discuss his 2024 season so far particularly his defensive play.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look at the tight race in the AL Central between the Guardians, Royals and Twins and project which might come out on top. Former GM and MLB Network's Dan O'Dowd (9:01) shares how he evaluates a team down the stretch, the sustainability of Vladdy's hot stretch, off-field concerns around Bo Bichette and more. Former MLB executive David Samson (29:10) weighs in on the proposed minimum-innings-pitched rule, the Jays' biggest needs in the offseason, the problem of building through free agency and how Toronto's management's contract situation complicates their future spending plans.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss Yariel Rodriguez’s latest outing after picking up the loss at Fenway Park. Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Glavine (25:00) discusses the run the Braves have been on despite their numerous injuries, Chris Sale’s Cy Young-calibre season, and shares his thoughts on the state of pitching in the game today and the importance of a starting pitcher.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez (6:15) from Boston to share some team storylines to watch with 29 games remaining in the regular season. He gets into the future of the rotation, the plan for Bo Bichette when he returns, their young players with the highest upside and more. WEEI's Rob Bradford (28:32) helps tee up the rest of the Jays' series against the Red Sox and discusses Boston's defensive issues, their offseason plans and his takeaways from his recent interview with Kevin Gausman.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays recent play as they attempt to get back to .500 on the season and react to Justin Verlander’s comments on Sunday Night Baseball regarding the state of starting pitching in the game. Later on, ESPN baseball insider Kiley McDaniel (31:18) examines the tiers of the upcoming free-agent class and how Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are perceived by front office executives across the majors.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Jays' recent offensive surge before they are joined by Jays' pitching prospect at Triple-A Buffalo, Jake Bloss (6:32). He shares what it was like getting traded at the deadline, how he's settled in with the organization and what he's been working on as he awaits a call-up for his Jays debut. Seattle Times' Ryan Divish (28:07) discusses what's next for the Mariners after cutting ties with manager Scott Servais. To close the week, Jeff & Kevin go back to the Back Leg Line!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
After some time apart, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are BACK! After catching up they open up the Back Leg Line for a few calls and are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (27:45) coming off of Toronto’s 5-3 win over the Angels. To end the hour, the guys discuss how much time Vladimir Guerrero Jr. could see at third base in 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair welcomes Red Sox & former Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen (1:10) to share how he's settling in with the Sox since he was traded at the deadline, catching a different pitching crew and his chance to become the first player to play for both teams in the same game. Then, Jeff reacts to the Mariners firing manager Scott Servais and reflects on where it went wrong for them. Finally, radio voice of the Blue Jays Ben Shulman (23:53) - ahead of the team's series against the Angels - shares his thoughts on Joey Votto's career and legacy, what to expect from a Ryan Burr opener tonight, when Jake Bloss might get called up and much more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair discusses Joey Votto’s retirement and his potential for reaching the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Padres analyst and former player Tony Gwynn Jr. (15:02) shares a story of Votto reaching out to his dad, arguably the best hitter of all-time, before examining the wild card race in the National League, AJ Preller’s moves throughout the season and at the deadline, and if Fernando Tatis Jr. will re-join the team before the postseason. Votto’s longtime teammate (and the only person Joey follows on Twitter/X!) Devin Mesoraco (29:40) talks about playing with him in Cincinnati and what made him such a great teammate and prolific hitter.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair recaps the Blue Jays' 10-3 beat-down on the Reds in the second game of the series, including another stellar outing from José Berríos. Coach & Director of National Teams at Baseball Canada Greg Hamilton (11:10) joins Jeff to discuss the next World Baseball Classic and Team Canada's outlook following today's announcement of pools, dates and formats for the tournament in 2026. TheScore's Travis Sawchik (28:14) dives deep on the Orioles - why they've struggled recently, whether they did enough at the deadline and how they've gotten the most out of Jackson Holliday in his second stint in the majors.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Former MLB executive David Samson joins Jeff Blair to kick off the second hour, and he shares what he would do if he were president of the Blue Jays (1:23). Then, he discusses how he evaluates executives, the likelihood of a Vladdy Jr. extension this offseason and what's behind the Brewers' miraculous 2024 season. Later, Blue Jays TV voice Dan Shulman (28:29) reflects on his time at the Paris Olympics before weighing in on the possibility that the Jays move Vladdy to third base more regularly, how Schneider handles the rotation down the stretch and why Loperfido has struggled in his Jays tenure so far.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair kicks off with a quick recap of the Jays' 6-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds in the series opener before he's joined by Blue Jays Central's Madison Shipman (3:08) to discuss team goals down the stretch. She shares what to look for Berríos in his final starts, whether Vlad Jr. could make a full-time switch to third base, Will Wagner's growing role and much more. Later, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman (25:51) looks at early favourites in the Juan Soto sweepstakes, what he might cost and what the market for Bo Bichette could look like in the offseason.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
MLB Network insider Jon Morosi checks in with Jeff Blair from Williamsport where the Little League World Series is underway (1:18). He discusses the vibes of the tournament before discussing parity around MLB, Bo Bichette trade rumours and the Jays' path to competitiveness in 2025. Later, Sportsnet.ca MLB insider Shi Davidi (30:37) weighs in on Joey Votto's absence in the Jays' series against the Reds before going in-depth on Bassitt's comments on the Chris Rose Rotation today, his subsequent clarification and murmurs that Bo's time in Toronto is coming to an end.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair is riding solo for the week and he kicks off with Chris Bassitt's comments on the Chris Rose Rotation today. To help break it down, Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph (12:45) discusses the team's mounting player frustration and the potential effects of Bassitt's outburst. Then, he looks back on the Jays' 1-0 win over the Cubs. Former MLB pitcher & Reds' analyst Chris Welsh (32:31) tees up Cincinnati's series in Toronto and shares what would be considered a 'successful' season for the Reds.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour by emptying out the Back Leg Line and answering your burning Blue Jays questions! Then, former MLB catcher and Team USA manager at the Tokyo Olympics Mike Scioscia (30:33) discusses the chances of MLB players being involved in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. He gets into potential hurdles, the feasibility of a mid-season Olympic break, middle-ground solutions and the difference between managing a national team vs. managing in MLB.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the finale of the Blue Jays’ 9-2 win over the Angels to complete the three-game sweep and discuss Alejandro Kirk’s increased workload since the Danny Jansen trade, his recent play, and what they need to see from him in the final six weeks of the season. Longtime MLB manager and current Angels analyst Bobby Valentine (28:25) shares him impressions of the Jays; notably Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and what it takes to survive managing in New York.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ 6-1 win over the Angels, specifically George Springer getting thrown out of the game after it appeared he was hit by a pitch. 14-Year MLB veteran and podcast host Bret Boone (28:05) chimes-in on the Springer incident, Jazz Chisholm’s injury, who needs to step up for the Yankees other than Juan Soto and Aaron Judge, and the wild card races in both the American and National League.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jays analyst Caleb Joseph (1:26) joins Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker from Anaheim to break down Toronto's 4-2 win over the Angels yesterday. He gets into Bowden Francis' 7-inning statement, Zach Pop running out of time to prove himself, Will Wagner's impressive debut and more. Later, Angels analyst Mark Gubicza (30:17) helps tee up the rest of the series, discusses the Angels' identity without Trout and shares how far away they are from being competitive.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 4-2 win in Anaheim, notably Will Wagner’s three-hit game in his debut and Bowden Francis pitching seven strong innings. Billy Wagner (18:35) re-joins the show to discuss Will’s big game and making the cross-country trip to witness his debut live with his family. ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian (29:05) discusses the latest news and notes around the majors including the Yankees blowout loss to the lowly White Sox and the parity among all of the teams fighting for spots in the postseason.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker start the second hour by reacting to the Blue Jays calling up Will Wagner from Triple-A. Jayson Stark of The Athletic reflects on Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s hitting streak ending at 22 games and why hitting streaks are becoming more rare and less appreciated (1:24). Then, he weighs in on the Yankees and Aaron Judge's intentional-walk issues, Mike Trout's legacy, baseball at the Olympics and more. Finally, Blue Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez (28:33) helps tee up the team's 3-game series against the Angels getting started tonight and shares what Will Wagner brings to the lineup.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays series loss to the Oakland A’s – notably Chris Bassitt’s performance and post-game comments after the series finale. MLB Network Radio analyst and longtime GM executive Jim Duquette (29:58) shares his thoughts on what Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s next contract will look like, if he’d like to see Bo Bichette return to the lineup if he were a rival GM looking to trade for him in the offseason and the NL wild card race with the Braves and Mets battling it out for the final spot.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (1:39) joins Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker to amend his previous prediction of what a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. extension might look like and how the baseball world views the Jays front office. Then, he shares possible reasons for the Braves' sudden skid, which AL East contender he's most confident in and his Mount Rushmore of MLB position players right now. Athletics TV analyst Dallas Braden (28:14) helps tee up Oakland's weekend series against the Jays in Toronto and discusses how the organization is preparing for their move to Vegas.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays series win over the Orioles where Kevin Gausman went eight innings and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continued his dominance at the plate as he ended up being a single short of the cycle. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi (28:46) joins the guys to discuss what a potential contract extension would look like for Vlad and the Blue Jays need to spend in the offseason as a penalty for not being able to develop enough players that can make an impact at the major-league level.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker are joined by MASN Orioles analyst Ben McDonald (0:29) to help tee up the the rubber match of the AL East's Battle of the Birds tonight. He discusses how agressive Baltimore will be in resigning Anthony Santander, Jackson Holliday's development and more. Ben and Kevin take a look at the playoff landscape in both leagues before reviewing John Schneider's pre-game availability. Later, MLB Network's Jensen Lewis (27:58) weighs in on Pedro Grifol's dismissal in Chicago and shares what his former teammate, Grady Sizemore, brings to the White Sox dugout in the interim manager role. Finally, Jensen shares his view of the Jays, the class of the NL and the AL MVP race.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker examine Toronto’s 7-3 loss to the Orioles before reacting to comments made by MLB Network analyst Mark DeRosa on the state of the Blue Jays. Four-time manager of the year and current MLB Network analyst Buck Showalter (28:35) discusses the White Sox moving on from manager Pedro Grifol, his views on the Jays, the Yankees and Orioles battling it out for the AL East division crown and how Aaron Boone should handle teams intentionally walking superstar Aaron Judge.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben Ennis, filling in for Jeff Blair, and Kevin Barker are joined by Sportsnet.ca's Shi Davidi (1:03) to help break down Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro's media availability today. He shares his initial takeaways, possible offseason priorities, Shapiro's contract situation and how it limits the Jays' free-agent spending options. Former catcher & MLB Network's Chris Gimenez (29:09) discusses how the catcher position has evolved since his playing days, Alejandro Kirk's 2025 outlook and the next steps for the White Sox after snapping their 21-game losing streak.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker share their thoughts on Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro’s comments after he met with the media for the first time since the start of the season. Chris Rose (27:50) of Jomboy Media examines the Blue Jays difficult season and discusses if Toronto missed their best chance at signing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a contract extension before touching on the Guardians lead in the AL Central, the White Sox struggles, and who he’s buying in the National League to go on a run.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez (2:31) to discuss the team's biggest challenges down the stretch. He gets into the plan for the 'Big 3' starters, position players who can make a big impression on their future roles, the outlook for the bullpen and the team's long-term plans at catcher. MASN Orioles reporter Roch Kubatko (30:11) tees up the O's-Jays series getting kicked off in Toronto tonight, how Baltimore's deadline additions can raise the team's ceiling, Jackson Holliday's growing role and more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open up the show discussing Joey Votto and when he’ll be making his Blue Jays debut. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers (12:50) discusses the White Sox amidst their epic losing streak after they tied the American League record with their 21st consecutive loss. Ryan Dempster (27:18) of MLB Network’s Intentional Talk catches up with the guys and discusses how the Blue Jays should handle their veteran starters down the stretch.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome Blue Jays Central's Caleb Joseph (1:06) to break down the Blue Jays' weekend series loss against the Yankees. He gets into the team's decision to pull Yariel Rodríguez early in his last start, how the Jays can stay motivated on the outside of the playoff race and players that we need to learn more about down the stretch. Later, Canadian Women's baseball team shortstop Mia Valcke (27:52) reflects on her bronze-medal run at the 2024 WBSC Women's World Cup and the evolution of women's baseball in Canada.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' weekend in the Bronx after losing two of three to the Yankees. After the break, they react to the breaking news of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. being named American League player of the week before welcoming Bill Shaikin (30:11) of the Los Angeles Times to the show. Bill examines Mike Trout’s injury setback and its impact on his Hall of Fame candidacy before looking at the Dodgers and their outlook following the trade deadline. To end the hour, Jeff and Kevin discuss the Chicago White Sox and their 20-game losing streak.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour of the Friday show by answering your questions on the Back Leg Line! Then, USA Today's Bob Nightengale (33:22) goes around the big leagues and touches on the biggest headlines coming out of the deadline, including the Padres' second-half strides, Guerrero Jr's extension situation, Mike Trout's season-ending injury and much more. To close out the week, Jeff and Kevin chat about how the Royals avoid making the same mistakes with Bobby Witt Jr. that the Angels made with Trout.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (10:59) to reflect on his new-look roster following the trade deadline and what’s been behind Vladimir Guerrero’s mid-season resurgence at the plate ahead of this weekend’s series against the New York Yankees. Speaking of the Yankees, YES Network’s Jack Curry (31:03) discusses the team’s recent play and previews this weekend’s series in The Bronx.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome Blue Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux in-studio to evaluate the Jays' pitching outlook after the deadline. He shares a player's POV of 'auditioning' for a retooling team, how Yariel Rodríguez closes the season positively and Zach Pop's opportunity to earn a bigger role. ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (28:22) starts with his thoughts on Mike Trout's latest injury before digging into some Jays topics. He projects what a Guerrero Jr extension might look like, Bichette's long-term future in Toronto and evaluates the Jays' return in the Kikuchi trade.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are with you on the off-day discussing everything Blue Jays, notably Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s hot stretch at the plate and the importance of assessing players over the last two months of the season in order to field the best roster in 2025. 16-Year MLB veteran and seven-time all-star Billy Wagner (27:31) joins the show to discuss his son Will’s game after coming over to the Blue Jays organization from the Astros in the Yusei Kikuchi trade.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Baseball America's JJ Cooper joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to evaluate the Blue Jays' returns from yesterday's trade deadline (2:15). He gets into prospect hit-rate and why the Jays' favouring of prospect 'proximity' can pay off in the long run. Recently traded outfielder Kevin Kiermaier (26:16) shares a player's POV of getting traded at the deadline, reflects on his time in Toronto and shares his thoughts on going from an underperforming Jays team to the World Series contending Dodgers. Then, Jeff and Kevin review some sound from GM Ross Atkins' post-deadline availability. Finally, the Athletic's Jayson Stark (52:05) shares some winners and losers from the deadline, whether the Jays should've sold more than just expiring contracts and the different dynamics at play in a potential Vladdy extension.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Approaching the official deadline, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by former MLB executive David Samson (1:48) to discuss the inflated starting pitcher market, the Jays' hesitancy to 'fully' sell and whether a good deadline can save a GM's job. Then, he shares some winners from the day. Blue Jays Central's Caleb Joseph (20:57) shares his thoughts on the Jays' active deadline, reacts live to the IKF trade and discusses the team's next steps toward their goal of being competitive in 2025. As the deadline passes, Jeff and Kevin do a final roundup of Toronto's trades and the big moves around MLB before they are joined by Astros analyst Geoff Blum (57:36), who shares what the Jays are getting with their return in the Yusei Kikuchi deal - Joey Loperfido, Jake Bloss & Will Wagner.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker have you covered with everything related to MLB’s trade deadline. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi (4:41) joins the show off the top from Baltimore to weigh-in on the Blue Jays’ moves so far and if there’s more to come today. After speaking to Shi, the guys react to the breaking news of Jays reliever Trevor Richards being dealt to Minnesota. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi (32:12) checks-in from Detroit to discuss the industry’s reaction to the Blue Jays moves so far, notably the haul they received from trading Yusei Kikuchi to the Astros. He also discusses the Tigers likely keeping Tarik Skubal, the need for them to move more pieces out like Jack Flaherty to improve their future, and what the White Sox will do with Garrett Crochet.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Former MLB executive and host of ‘Nothing Personal’ David Samson discusses White Sox starter Garrett Crochet (and his agent) telling teams interested in acquiring him that he won’t pitch in the bullpen and won’t pitch in the postseason without a contract extension (1:15). Samson explains how he would handle the situation if he was in Chicago’s front office and Toronto starting Yusei Kikuchi tonight despite his name being bandied about in trade rumours. Jeff and Kevin check their voicemails one final time before the trade deadline in this week’s edition of the Back Leg Line (29:00)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to some of the early player movement ahead of the trade deadline before they look ahead to the Blue Jays' series opener against the Rangers tonight with Yusei Kikuchi making his (likely) final start for the team. Then, they evaluate the front office's season thus far and discuss what comes next after Tuesday's deadline. Later, they are joined by Ryan Divish (28:26) of the Seattle Times to help break down the Mariners' trade for Randy Arozarena and he reacts live to them acquiring Jays' reliever Yimi García for prospects Jonatan Clase and Jacob Sharp.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
MLB Network host and Guardians analyst Jensen Lewis (1:13) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to share his thoughts on the Red Sox extending manager Alex Cora, the Jays' disappointing season, how aggressive the Orioles get at the deadline and AL teams that could make a splash on July 30. Later, Rays reporter Marc Topkin (27:43) reflects on Kevin Kiermaier's career as he reports the veteran outfielder will retire at the end of this season. Finally, he looks ahead to the rest of the Rays series against the Blue Jays and whether Yandy Díaz's status impacts where they go at the deadline.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker assess the Blue Jays’ 4-2 loss to the Rays in game one of their series; notably Jose Berrios’ performance where he lasted 4.2 innings and walked six Tampa Bay hitters. Sportsnet’s Joe Siddall (29:08) looks ahead to Yariel Rodriguez’s upcoming start, his work with Alejandro Kirk behind the plate, and what he’s seen out of Leo Jimenez since his promotion to the big leagues. To end the hour, Jeff & Kevin discuss Toronto’s top pitching prospect Ricky Tiedemann and the second and third medical opinions he’s receiving on his arm.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (1:45) to get into detail on his new article previewing the 2024 trade deadline a week away. He discusses the Blue Jays 'subtracting, but not completely,' what type of return they'll look for in trades and Bo/Vlad's long-term futures in Toronto. Then, around MLB, he weighs in on fringe teams that could make a splash, the Braves' & Phillies' arms race and the AL MVP race. Later, Ben Shulman (31:27) helps tee up the Blue Jays' series opener against the Rays tonight, what to expect from José Berríos and how they'll approach workloads for players likely to be traded.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open up the show assessing the Blue Jays' potential moves with the trade deadline one week away; notably why it makes more sense to trade Bo Bichette in the offseason if that’s the route the front office wants to take. Rays TV analyst and friend of the show Brian Anderson (28:00) previews the latest Tampa Bay-Toronto series at Rogers Centre and discusses the talent of starting pitcher Taj Bradley.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Sportsnet's MLB insider Shi Davidi (3:33) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to share how the Jays are approaching the upcoming MLB trade deadline. He digs into pitcher/hitter markets across the majors, the Jays' trade assets and what sort of market they could generate for players on expiring contracts. Later, MLB host & analyst Ryan Spilborghs (40:26) weighs in on the Blue Jays' roster flaws, their outlook for the 2025 season and the clubhouse vibes ahead of the deadline.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays losing two of three against the Tigers and the types of trades the Blue Jays could make before next week’s deadline citing how the front office has operated in years past. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi (16:31) discusses this year’s Hall of Fame class that was inducted in Cooperstown over the weekend; particularly Jim Leyland’s legacy as one of the game’s greatest managers; before discussing the deadline and if the Orioles and Tigers could match up on a deal for starting pitching. Finally, Jeff and Kevin discuss reports that Bo Bichette would 'welcome a trade.'
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by former MLB executive David Samson (1:23) to review the past week of All-Star activities. He gets into the diminishing allure of the Home Run Derby, its lack of star power and whether it needs a fix. Then, getting back into the swing of the season, he shares a front office's POV of what to look for coming out of the All-Star break, his expectations for the Jays' second half and more around MLB. To close, Jeff and Kevin answer your questions on the Back Leg Line!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker return from the All-Star break ready to look ahead to the unofficial second half of the MLB season! They are joined off the top by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (4:30), who provides a few roster updates and discusses Joey Votto inching closer to his Blue Jays debut as he plays this weekend in Triple-A with the Buffalo Bisons. Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer Matt Stairs (25:53) catches up with the guys to talk some hitting with Barker, this weekend’s WCBL All-Star Game and just how widespread baseball is in Canada from coast-to-coast.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' series win over the San Francisco Giants, discuss the team placing Kevin Kiermaier on waivers, the best place to slot Spencer Horwitz in the lineup and how his in-game awareness has improved. Then, former Blue Jay and current Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Randal Grichuk (27:43) stops by to chat about what impressed him the most about his current baseball club prior to signing with them, adjusting to playing under different managers, the art of being a pinch-hitter when called upon and dealing with the uncertainty of his playing time from team to team.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays TV voice Dan Shulman (3:15) to chat about the steps for Spencer Horwitz to become an everyday player, why Daulton Varsho could be the team's future centre fielder, Chad Green's trade value and his first impressions of Leo Jiménez. Then, Blair and Barker share their thoughts on Tim Mayza signing with the New York Yankees on a minor-league deal. Afterwards, Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker (26:25) stops by to discuss the factors of a successful outing from Yusei Kikuchi, the changes Yariel Rodriguez made to his pitch mix, when he knows it's time to talk to his pitchers on adjusting their approach and his relationship with Chris Bassitt and how he's grown as a starter.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Athletic's San Francisco Giants reporter Andrew Baggarly (1:19) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss what he'll remember the most from the late Willie Mays, how the Giants have underperformed to their expectations, Matt Chapman's tenure in the Bay Area, if Blake Snell will be moved at the trade deadline and the team's interest in Juan Soto in free agency. Then, Blair & Barker debate the National League selections for All-Star pitchers - including Paul Skenes - and preview the Blue Jays' upcoming series against the Giants.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Sportsnet.ca's Shi Davidi (2:15) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the expectations for both Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette to play for the Blue Jays in 2025, the organization staying competitive beyond next season and if Alejandro Kirk can become the team's everyday catcher. Then, Coach and Director of National Teams at Baseball Canada Greg Hamilton (28:41) jumps on to discuss some of the Canadian prospects entering the 2024 MLB Draft, the evolution of the draft process, baseball's accessibility outside the major cities across Canada and Cleveland Guardians' Josh Naylor's all-star season.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker return from the weekend outlining the positives from the Blue Jays series win in Seattle: Yariel Rodriguez’s impressive start, George Springer continuing his hot stretch, and Alejandro Kirk looking more comfortable at the dish. With this year’s Hall of Fame inductions approaching, the guys call up The Athletic’s Jayson Stark (28:25) to talk about which current players are on a Hall of Fame trajectory, and how voters will look at members of the Houston Astros who were implicated in the organization’s cheating scandal.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
John Schneider joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker from the team’s road trip in Seattle coming off of their series loss to the Astros (1:07). The Blue Jays manager reflects on how he’s feeling personally amidst this difficult season to date, Spencer Horwitz’s swing, Davis Schneider’s approach at the plate and pitchers throwing stuff away from him, if Bo Bichette is about to turn the corner offensively, and George Springer’s recent improvement and his ability to hit velocity. The guys head into the weekend hearing from Jays fans (23:44) as they open up the Back Leg Line!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Longtime MLB catcher and co-host of Foul Territory Erik Kratz (3:01) shares his thoughts on the Blue Jays, notably which players would be smart fits on certain contending teams and how he views Vladimir Guerrero Jr, before discussing this year’s Home Run Derby and Futures Game during All-Star Weekend. Blue Jays play by play voice Dan Shulman (29:59) checks-in from Seattle ahead of the Mariners series to discuss Toronto’s most recent homestand and the vibes surrounding the team.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Former MLB executive David Samson joins Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker to share his thoughts on the Blue Jays - notably how they should handle contract discussions with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - and why it is so difficult to repeat as World Series champions, citing the Rangers as the most recent example (1:17). Former Mariners all-star and podcast host Bret Boone (27:44) previews the Blue Jays' upcoming series against Seattle, discussing Julio Rodriguez’s season to date and if the Mariners got rid of too much offence this past offseason.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Following the news of Jordan Romano undergoing arthroscopic surgery today for his elbow, Blue Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker (1:35) to share a pitcher's perspective on recovering from an injuries and surgery and whether Romano stays as the team's closer when he returns. Then, former LA Dodgers pitcher & 2003 NL CY Young Award winner Éric Gagné (15:50) jumps on to chat about how he would be deployed in today's MLB, his views on the pitch clock and the biggest mental hurdles in recovering from injuries. Afterward, ESPN's Jeff Passan joins the guys (29:19) to discuss the Rays trading away right-handed pitcher Aaron Civale to the Brewers, what it says about MLB's trade market, Bo Bichette trade murmurs and possible shortstop replacements for the Jays.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show discussing Bo Bichette’s recent struggles at the dish and react to the breaking news that Jordan Romano underwent arthroscopic surgery which puts the rest of his season in question. MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis (30:00) looks ahead to the MLB draft later this month as he breaks down the top prospects and comments on the Blue Jays system.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to Isiah Kiner-Falefa hitting the IL after missing yesterday’s game on Canada Day. Astros TV analyst Geoff Blum (27:38) comments on the Houston’s recent play and if he sees similarities between Hunter Brown and veteran ‘Stros starter Justin Verlander. Buck Martinez (1:07:36) checks-in from Rogers Centre ahead of first pitch to discuss Yariel Rodriguez’s standout start and what he expects from Jose Berrios taking the mound in Game 2 vs. Houston.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays’ 9-2 blowout win against the Yankees where George Springer starred once again in the victory. Blue Jays manager John Schneider (25:30) discusses why he continues to believe in Springer and Ross Atkins giving him a vote of confidence when speaking yesterday. The guys empty out their voicemail in the latest edition of Friday’s Back Leg Line. MLB.com’s Yankees reporter Bryan Hoch (1:18:33) discusses the team’s recent play - notably, how Gerrit Cole has looked since his return to the rotation, Gleyber Torres’ underwhelming season, the lack of swing-and-miss stuff in their bullpen and if Luis Gil could be moved to the pen despite his success as a starter.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker after a big 9-2 win to open the series against the Yankees. The skipper discusses Springer's recent hot stretch and why he always believed the veteran outfielder would find his game at the plate. Later, he weighs in on Bichette's slow return from injury in the lead-off spot, how to get Jansen back on track, Kikuchi's historic dominance over the Yankees and more. Finally, he shares his thoughts on Ross Atkins' comments yesterday.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of a pivotal series against the Yankees. He gets into the underlying reasons behind the team's struggles and the declining state of the team's offence. Then, he reflects on the Varsho and Swanson trades, long-term plans for Guerrero and Bichette and why he still has faith in Springer. Finally, he discusses the Jays potentially being buyers this season, fanbase frustration and the future of John Schneider.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays win at Fenway Park which snapped their losing streak and in particular the contributions made by George Springer. Jays starter Chris Bassitt (15:30) reflects on the win before discussing how warmups dictate his pitch selection and his unique usage of PitchCom. Host of ‘Nothing Personal’ David Samson (50:35) comments on offence being down in the majors, Orelvis Martinez’s suspension and how honest a front office should be in the media. Blue Jays Central’s Caleb Joseph (1:15:30) drops-by in-studio before tonight’s rubber match in Boston.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays pitcher Chris Bassitt joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker following the team's losing-streak-snapping 9-4 win over the Red Sox. 'The Hound' discusses the vibes in the clubhouse, how warmups dictate his pitch selection and his unique usage of PitchCom. Then, he looks ahead at Yariel Rodríguez's start tonight and how he improves on his poor outing last time out. Finally, he gets into the Jays' recent rough stretch and why he has faith they can turn it around.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss last night’s Blue Jays loss in Boston after the team relinquished the lead late in the game before welcoming Joe Siddall with his thoughts on the opening game of the series (9:50). USA Today’s Bob Nightengale provides a national perspective on the Jays' recent play and more around the majors (27:10). MLB on TBS analyst Jeff Francoeur checks-in from Citi Field ahead Mets-Yankees with his thoughts on the subway series and how a clubhouse knows if they’re out of the postseason race (52:08). The guys end the show reacting to John Schneider’s pre-game availability from Boston and comments from MLB Network’s Dan O’Dowd on the direction of the team.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' weekend on and off the field where Toronto was swept for a second consecutive series and Orelvis Martínez was given an 80-game suspension for use of a banned substance. The Athletic’s Jayson Stark (29:19) discusses why offense has been on the decline this season across MLB and more on the legendary ‘Say Hey Kid’ Willie Mays following his passing last week. Red Sox analyst Lou Merloni (54:41) previews this week’s series at Fenway Park. Blue Jays play-by-play voice Ben Shulman (1:17:37) drops by the studio to share his thoughts on both the Jays and Guardians after calling this past weekend’s series in Cleveland.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker open by emptying out the voicemail for this Friday’s edition of the Back Leg Line (12:01). Blue Jays skipper John Schneider (27:18) joins the show to discuss the choice behind having Orelvis Martinez debut against Cleveland's starter Carlos Carrasco. Tom Hamilton, the voice of the Guardians, shares his thoughts on the ballclub ahead of this weekend (51:19). Orioles' broadcaster Melanie Newman (1:25:42) recaps the Baltimore-New York series that went down in the Bronx between the two best teams in the AL East and discusses the unsung heroes on Baltimore, and her experience overseas covering and calling the London series.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker to discuss the upcoming series against the Guardians kicking off tonight. He gets into the decision to put Orelvis Martinez in for his long-awaited debut and what he can bring to the lineup. Then, the skipper discusses Yariel Rodriguez making his first start since late April and what he expects from him. Finally, he weighs in on the team's home run problems on both sides of the ball, Springer's struggles, how Vladdy can find more consistency at the plate and more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker have you covered on the Blue Jays off-day as they react to the team’s sweep at the hands of the Red Sox. Legendary pitcher and Hall of Famer Fergie Jenkins (27:29) reflects on what it was like to face Willie Mays and how the Blue Jays can turn things around in the second half of the season. MLB insider Jeff Passan (50:47) comments on Toronto’s home run issues: allowing too many and not hitting enough of them; before debating who the better team is between the Yankees and Orioles and which current player is this generation’s version of Willie Mays. MLB.com’s Mandy Bell (1:21:13) discusses the Guardians as the Blue Jays make the trip to Cleveland for a three-game series starting Friday.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker go over the Blue Jays' decision to sit Orelvis Martinez for a second consecutive day before welcoming Buffalo Bisons' play-by-play voice Pat Malacaro to the show to talk about how Martinez was performing in AAA before his call-up (12:05). Negro Leagues Baseball Museum President Bob Kendrick discusses the life and legacy of the legendary Willie Mays after his passing at age 93 (25:57). MLB Network’s Dan Plesac shares his view on the Jays ahead of working the finale of the BOS-TOR series (59:01). WEEI’s Rob Bradford comments on the Red Sox play and if Alex Cora remains in Beantown past this year (1:11:33). Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman (1:25:00) checks-in from Rogers Centre as the Blue Jays look to avoid a series sweep.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker react to the top Blue Jays news of the day: Bo Bichette is hitting the IL and prospect Orelvis Martinez getting called up from the Buffalo Bisons. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi (23:06) stops by in-studio with his thoughts on Bichette/Martinez, the Blue Jays’ current youth movement and more from around the majors including this week’s pivotal AL East series between the Yankees & Orioles. Sportsnet’s Buck Martinez (54:07) joins the show ahead of first pitch from Rogers Centre and shares that the Blue Jays’ newest Martinez plans to wear his old # 13 when he debuts for Toronto. 2024 Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum inductee Russell Martin (1:15:59) reflects on the honour and his career.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays series win over the Cleveland Guardians and discuss the state of the team’s bullpen with Yimi Garcia leaving Sunday’s game with an elbow injury. Former Red Sox closer and NESN analyst Jonathan Papelbon (25:37) comments on Boston’s young talent, Tanner Houck becoming the ace of the rotation and how to deal with bullpen injuries in-season. The guys go around the majors with The Athletic’s Jayson Stark (51:58) and discuss how aggressive Atlanta will be ahead of the trade deadline, the injury bug hitting the Dodgers, the Orioles and more. Sportsnet’s Madison Shipman (1:16:10) checks in from Rogers Centre ahead of Jays-Red Sox with her read on Toronto’s recent play.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker ahead of the Guardians series to discuss the team's decision to DFA Daniel Vogelbach and recall Addison Barger (11:04). Later, the guys check their voicemails for this Friday’s edition of the Back Leg Line (30:28). Los Angeles Dodgers EVP & GM Brandon Gomes discusses the Cavan Biggio trade from his club’s perspective, Shohei Ohtani performing as advertised in his first year with the team and Teoscar Hernandez’s standout season (51:02). MLB insider Jeff Passan (1:17:26) discusses Bo Bichette, last weekend’s marquee Dodgers-Yankees series, what the Astros' approach could be leading up to the trade deadline and more from around the major leagues.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker ahead of a three-game series against the Guardians over the weekend. The skipper discusses the team's decision to DFA Daniel Vogelbach and why it was the right time to recall Addison Barger and if he has a chance to be a long-time right fielder in the league. Then, how Spencer Horwitz is adjusting to the Majors, Tim Mayza's string of struggles coming out of the pen and if Kevin Gausman can have an effective sinker moving forward.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker touch on the Cavan Biggio trade and react to Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts’ comments on his newest player before bringing on MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (12:06) to discuss Aaron Judge’s hot streak, players garnering interest on the trade market, and Gerrit Cole’s impending return to the Yankees rotation. Sportsnet’s Caleb Joseph (52:52) comments on Toronto’s recent play, notably the loss in the series finale vs. Milwaukee. Foul Territory contributor and Guardians radio analyst Jason Kipnis (1:16:27) looks ahead to this weekend’s series at Rogers Centre and discusses the Guardians' season so far and their extremely successful bullpen.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker share their thoughts on Toronto’s 3-1 loss to Milwaukee in the opener of the series, and look ahead to game two where Yusei Kikuchi and rookie Carlos Rodriguez will take the mound for their respective clubs. Blue Jays infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa (35:34) discusses how his positional versatility helps take pressure off, adjustments to his approach at the plate and why the fastball has eluded the Blue Jays batting order this season. David Samson (50:28) discusses the latest around the major leagues; particularly if an in-season tournament would make sense for baseball like it does in the NBA. Former major-league outfielder Jayson Werth (1:18:33) comments about his wild weekend where his horse Dornoch won the 2024 Belmont stakes before looking back on his career including his time with the Blue Jays.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss how his positional versatility helps take pressure off, adjustments to his approach at the plate and why the fastball has eluded the Blue Jays batting order this season. Then, he gets into how MLB's shift bans have changed fielding, his unique path to the big leagues and lessons from his years with the Yankees.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s series win over Oakland, notably Sunday’s win in extra innings, and the standout pitching performances from starters Chris Bassitt and Kevin Gausman. Brewers broadcaster Jeff Levering discusses Milwaukee’s successful season so far and how the organization continues to play well following the departure of manager Craig Counsell in the offseason (28:20). Jeff and Kevin discuss and debate the results of The Athletic’s players poll (51:05). MLB Network’s Jon Morosi (1:17:42) discusses the latest around the game including the overwhelming number of teams below .500 and the success of this past weekend’s London series between the Phillies and Mets in the UK.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker ahead of a three-game series against the Athletics. The skipper gets into what improvements he has seen in Spencer Horwitz's game that could warrant a spot on the main roster with reports he's with the team in Oakland. Then, he discusses the team's ongoing first-inning scoring drought, the challenges Bo Bichette is facing in his at-bats and Danny Jansen's workload. Finally, how Chris Bassitt can find success against his former team and how he views his team bouncing back after a blowout loss to the Baltimore Orioles.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Sportsnet’s Caleb Joseph joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker between the Orioles and A’s series as the Blue Jays head west to Oakland in hopes of continuing their winning ways (8:54). The Athletic’s Andy McCollough (28:11) discusses the latest story he co-authored on Latin American starting pitchers in MLB and why the number of them has dwindled over the years.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker discuss Toronto’s 10-1 loss to the Orioles, notably Baltimore’s balanced offensive attack and Ryan Mountcastle continuing his Jays-killing ways with a two-HR performance at Rogers Centre. What makes certain hitters hot at certain ballparks? The guys call up Hall-of-Famer and former Braves hitting consultant Chipper Jones (27:03) to ask him about that and what changes he had to make mechanically whenever he was in a slump. With two games of four completed in the O’s series, Jeff & Kevin open up the Back Leg Line (52:15). Dan Shulman (1:19:05) shares his point of view on the Blue Jays and the series so far ahead of first pitch of tonight’s game.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss Toronto’s latest loss to the Orioles, the team’s difficulty at scoring runs continuing, and examine a few of the trades and signings Ross Atkins has made during his tenure as Blue Jays GM. Sportsnet’s Joe Siddall (33:03) checks in from field level at Rogers Centre with his thoughts on game one of the O’s series and the team’s recent play. MASN’s Roch Kubatko (54:43) gives the lowdown on Connor Norby, the organization’s latest top prospect to be recalled and Corbin Burnes pitching as advertised since coming over from Milwaukee. Jeff Passan (1:17:01) shares an early look ahead to the trade deadline, if the Jays' mindset can change between now and then and the latest gambling bans and suspensions levied by MLB.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Toronto Blue Jays series win over the Pirates; notably, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. playing 3B in the finale before reacting to comments Jays GM Ross Atkins made on MLB network radio. Former Orioles closer and ESPN analyst Gregg Olson (32:34) comments on the O’s and how closer injuries can affect the rest of the bullpen. The Athletic’s Jayson Stark (49:42) goes around MLB with the guys with his thoughts on Toronto’s season to date, their important month ahead, Aaron Judge’s hot streak, and Rob Thomson’s successful two-year stint as Phillies manager. Sportsnet’s Buck Martinez (1:20:58) checks in ahead of first pitch from Rogers Centre.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss Alek Manoah heading to the IL and more with Blue Jays Manager John Schneider ahead of this weekend’s Pirates series (2:18). Former Blue Jays coach and current Pirates bench boss Derek Shelton comments on his club, notably phenom Paul Skenes taking MLB by storm following his call-up (25:22). Blair & Barker open up the voicemail for this week’s edition of the Back Leg Line (50:05). Blue Jays legend Jose Bautista (1:14:41) joins the show with his thoughts on Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s season and the team’s new City Connect jerseys!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to share his thoughts on unveiling the team's City Connect jerseys. Then, he shares the latest on Alek Manoah as he heads to the IL and their plans in his absence, including elevating newly acquired pitcher Ryan Burr. Later, the skipper evaluates his coaching staff, Springer's play in the 7th-spot and Romano's recent dip in fastball velocity.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 3-1 victory and sweep of the Chicago White Sox, notably, starter Alek Manoah’s status after leaving the game in the second inning. David Samson (25:54) shares why he’s feeling for Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins before discussing the release of ‘City Connect’ jerseys around MLB and the renderings of a new ballpark in Tampa Bay. LA Angels' outfielder Kevin Pillar (50:38) speaks on his resurgent year and reflects on his unique career path after reaching the 1000-hit milestone. SNY's Andy Martino (1:07:48) breaks down the Jorge Lopez situation and shares what's wrong with the Mets. Finally, former MLB pitcher Jason Grilli (1:21:45) on the Pirates' exciting outlook with Paul Skenes and to what level ownership will invest in building around him.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Chicago White Sox Director of Player Development (and Barker’s former teammate!) Paul Janish discusses his role, joining a young and up-and-coming front office and how his time as a player has helped him transition to management (23:59). Blue Jays’ OF Davis Schneider joins the show to talk about his move to the lead-off spot, playing in both the infield and outfield and his overall success since his promotion last season (51:02). ESPN’s Jeff Passan comments on Paul Skenes’ latest elite start, the Pirates duty to surround him with strong talent, Angel Hernandez’s retirement and also fact-checks previous trivia questions asked on this show (1:16:31).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays' infielder and outfielder Davis Schneider joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss his approach to being the team's lead-off hitter, the types of batting stances he has and the adjustment between playing in the outfield versus on second base. Then, he shares when he knew he's capable of playing in the Majors, the difficulty of cracking the 40-man roster and if he gets star struck by other players he's watched and now play against. Finally, he discusses the mood in the clubhouse as the baseball club navigates through an up and down 2024 season.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ahead of Game two of the Blue Jays-White Sox series, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Foul Territory’s Erik Kratz who discussed umpire Angel Hernandez’s retirement, Chris Bassitt’s latest start and the rest vs. rust debate when it comes to clinching a postseason berth (27:00). Legendary MLB manager Terry Francona comments further on Hernandez before talking about the emergence of the Naylor brothers in Cleveland, how his managing style changed over the years and the best players he’s ever played with and managed (51:16). Sportsnet’s Caleb Joseph breaks down the latest surrounding the Blue Jays, notably the decision to send down Erik Swanson with Chad Green returning to the team’s bullpen (1:16:13).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss Toronto’s 9-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers before Blue Jays manager John Schneider (16:21) talks about what it’s like managing with an ongoing power outage, when he knows Vladdy and Bo Bichette's hitting and approach have signs of life, and the decision to put Daulton Varsho in the lead-off spot in tonight’s game. Following Schneider, the guys take your phone calls for this week’s edition of the Back Leg Line (30:31). ESPN’s Jeff Passan discusses the newest pitches in the game that are taking MLB by storm (51:41). Tigers analyst & former outfielder Craig Monroe comments on the ongoing DET-TOR series, particularly reliever Alex Lange and his demotion (1:17:52).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s home run in the series opener against the Tigers, when he knows Vladdy and Bo Bichette's hitting and approach have signs of life, the decision to put Daulton Varsho in the lead-off spot, Alek Manoah's adjustment to pace of play and attacking left-handed batters. Then, the Jays' skipper shares some updates on Chad Green, Bowden Francis and Yariel Rodriguez.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays offensive surge in the series finale against the White Sox which coincided with the return of the team’s home run jacket. Former MLB manager Bobby Valentine (28:20) comments on how to handle scuffling lineups on the job and the success of Japanese pitchers across major league baseball. David Samson (51:19) joins the show to discuss Astros closer Josh Hader and his 'rules,' if MLB is behind the curve when it comes to successful national TV deals and the emergence of Ranger Suarez. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi (1:16:32) checks in from Comerica Park ahead of Jays-Tigers.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the show with thoughts on Toronto’s 5-0 loss to the White Sox where the bats once again went cold. Calgary’s Michael Soroka joins the guys to discuss his fresh start and how he’s fitting in with Chicago after an injury-riddled stint in Atlanta (16:10). White Sox radio analyst Darrin Jackson stops by with his thoughts on the series to date ahead of the rubber match (34:37). Braves President & General Manager Alex Anthopoulos comments on his club’s recent play, Chris Sale’s resurgent 2024 and why run differential is big factor in determining how aggressive to be on the trade market (51:27). Dan Shulman checks-in from Rogers Centre with his view on the Blue Jays, notably what to expect from Justin Turner and George Springer going forward and Alek Manoah’s encouraging last two starts (1:17:03).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Foul Territory’s Trevor May (27:35) to go around the majors; notably his thoughts on former teammate Jose Berrios’ start to the year, and the trust that exists between managers and starting pitchers after Sonny Gray asked to be taken out of his start against the Orioles. Shi Davidi (50:05) checks in pre-game from Rogers Centre, as does former White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham (1:19:00) with his scouting report on starter Garrett Crochet and more surrounding the Chi Sox.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin begin the show talking to Ben Shulman, Blue Jays play-by-play voice on Sportsnet 590 The FAN, about his takeaways from the weekend, before getting us set for this week's series with the Chicago White Sox.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blake Murphy and Kevin Barker open up the Back Leg Line, before being joined by MLB Network Radio and Apple TV’s Ryan Spilborghs ahead of Blue Jays-Rays weekend series (17:14). Rays TV analyst Brian Anderson dives deeper into the series providing a scouting report on Tampa’s pitchers, notably Friday’s starter Tyler Alexander (31:40). Blue Jays manager John Schneider makes his weekly appearance on the show to discuss tonight’s lineup and the decision to start Chris Bassitt tonight (50:05). ESPN’s Jesse Rogers discusses Pirates’ rookie Paul Skenes’ electric second major-league start against the Cubs and his recent story on load management in MLB (01:13:39).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins Kevin Barker and Blake Murphy to discuss the decision to matchup Chris Bassitt to start the series against the Tampa Bay Rays, the positive and negative effects of extra days rest between pitcher's starts, Alek Manoah's improvements on the mound, what has made Yimi Garcia successful coming out of the bullpen, and why he's not worried about his offence.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 3-2 loss to the Orioles and discuss the back end of the bullpen; notably how good Yimi Garcia has been all season long. Sportsnet’s Caleb Joseph calls up the guys with his recent thoughts on Toronto’s play ahead of their weekend series against the Rays (25:50). Current Rays and former Blue Jays hitting coach Chad Mottola talks about his role with Tampa, why great hitters aren’t necessarily the best hitting coaches, pitchers “stuff” nowadays getting better and better, and Yandy Diaz’s improvement as a player (50:00). Sean Casey, former Yankees hitting coach and host of The Mayor’s Office, joins the guys to talk about life in the minor leagues, if hitters can be given too much data, and how to approach players about moving down in the lineup when they’re struggling (01:15:58).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 3-2 extra innings victory over the Orioles, notably Daulton Varsho getting it done offensively and defensively. The guys also react to Corbin Burnes’ post-game comments on Toronto’s hitters crediting them for making him work during his start. Orioles Bench Coach Fredi Gonzalez joins the show to discuss the influx of young talent joining the O’s at the same time and how they compare to other hitters he’s coached such as Freddie Freeman when he managed in Atlanta (28:00). USA Today’s Bob Nightengale discusses the rumoured interest in Jordan Romano league-wide and predicts what the market for both he and Yusei Kikuchi would fetch if the Blue Jays become sellers at the deadline (49:45). To end the show, ESPN’s Jeff Passan does a deep-dive on the bat-tracking data released by MLB and shares his takeaways with Jeff and Kevin (01:16:10).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ weekend series against the Twins; notably Alek Manoah’s performance in the finale, George Springer in the lead-off spot, and Vladimir Guerrero’s recent success at the dish. MLB Network Radio’s Jim Duquette comments on if the Orioles will part with young talent to further improve their major league roster, why Toronto needs to sign at least one of Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, and his read on the Yankees and their ability to sign Juan Soto (27:23). Ahead of Jays-Orioles, former Baltimore GM (and Jim’s cousin) Dan Duquette discusses the Orioles’ trajectory as an organization, how front offices decide who to commit to long-term, and pivoting in-season as a GM when your team is playing below expectations (49:52). To end the show, Sportsnet’s Buck Martinez checks-in from Camden Yards to preview tonight’s pitching matchup between José Berríos and Corbin Burnes (01:21:03).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Barker’s back and so are the Blue Jays as they open up a weekend series against Minnesota. Twins Senior VP and GM Thad Levine joins the show to discuss his ballclub’s play up to this point and the improvements made by Canadian infielder Edouard Julien. Later the guys open the Back Leg Line with fan questions on a Friday (30:05), before being joined by Blue Jays skipper John Schneider who talked about Yimi Garcia’s status, tonight’s lineup, what he’s seeing from George Springer at the dish, Davis Scheneider, and Danny Jansen since his return from injury (49:50).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays skipper John Schneider joins Jeff and Kevin to give the guys an update on Yimi Garcia, shares his approach to shuffling the batting order and talks about Davis Schneider's ability to reinvent in his at-bats. Schneider also touches on Bo Bichette's struggles, biggest differences in playing baseball from the minor leagues to the majors, and making the case to keep Danny Jansen in the lineup.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair hosts the show solo today to bring you the latest around MLB and the Toronto Blue Jays. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi comments on Toronto’s recent play, the correlation between Triple-A pitching numbers being so bad this year, hitting prospects scuffling at the big league level, and how this might affect Blue Jays prospect Orelvis Martinez. Former Marlins President and host of Nothing Personal David Samson talks about things to look out for when changes may be afoot when it comes to the front office or roster of an organization (26:05). Jeff invites theScore’s Travis Sawchik to discuss the latest around the majors, notably the Pirates calling up Paul Skenes and his thoughts on the state of the Jays (49:41). Play-by-play voice Dan Shulman wraps up today's show with his off-day Jays observations from the road trip including if Danny Jansen might be someone the Jays could look to extend (01:15:03).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead at the Blue Jays’ series against the red-hot Phillies starting tonight. Phillies analyst Ben Davis helps tee up the first game of the series, how Philadelphia has managed their league-best start, a tough matchup for Berríos and what the Jays’ lineup can expect from Cristopher Sanchez (27:21). Chris Rose of the Chris Rose Rotation discusses the Guardians’ unexpected, AL Central-leading campaign and whether they can sustain it in the suddenly competitive division (49:55). Then, he shares his thoughts on the Jays’ frustrating offence, Manoah’s return and the Luis Arráez deal. Finally, Blue Jays Central’s Joe Siddall weighs in on possible batting order changes to consider, the Jays bullpen issues heating up without Garcia and how Berríos attacks the Phillies’ lineup (01:17:15).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' series loss to the Washington Nationals, notably what they saw out of Alek Manoah in the finale and George Springer’s lack of production in the lead off spot. Intentional Talk’s Ryan Dempster joins the guys with his thoughts on Manoah’s results and how to battle through struggles as a pitcher, Luis Arráez being dealt to the Padres, and Shota Imanaga’s incredible start with the Cubs (28:49). What have we learned in MLB so far this season? The guys discuss that and more with The Athletic’s Jayson Stark, including his thoughts on the Blue Jays and what they have to trade if it comes to that (49:49). Former Phillies GM and MLB Network analyst Ruben Amaro Jr. looks ahead to the Jays' series in Philadelphia and how to evaluate your club in-season when falling low of expectations (01:16:47).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Is there a reckoning coming for the Toronto Blue Jays? Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker share their thoughts on Ken Rosenthal’s latest piece in The Athletic on the direction of certain teams including Toronto. The guys call up Nationals’ analyst Kevin Frandsen to preview this weekend’s upcoming series (26:04). José Berríos joins the show to reflect on his start to the season after being named American League Pitcher of the Month for April (49:48). Later on, Foul Territory’s A.J. Pierzynski comments on the status of the Jays, the competition overall in the AL, and if he has any interest in coaching or managing in the big leagues (01:10:24).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
AL Pitcher of the Month for April, José Berríos joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss receiving the recognition from the MLB, how effective he's been pitching against left-handed batters, his process in learning something new towards his game, the pitching staff's success, and how they've approached to run prevention on the bases.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Sportsnet’s Caleb Joseph to discuss the Blue Jays’ offence following the series finale vs. Kansas City where the team earned only one run on four hits (27:22). Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times discusses Mike Trout’s latest injury and how he seems to be stuck in Anaheim with other clubs unwilling to take on his mammoth contract (49:38). Later on, the guys empty out the voicemail on the 'Back Leg Line' with listener questions on the Blue Jays ahead of their next series against the Washington Nationals (01:13:00).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the pre-game show with some takeaways on the Jays’ 4-1 loss to the Royals yesterday before being joined by Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi. He discusses Yariel Rodriguez’s move to the IL and whether the Jays will run a 4-man rotation or elevate Alex Manoah off his stellar Triple-A start. Will Rodriguez be moved to the bullpen when he returns? Later, they chat about how the Jays’ batters have attacked the fastball this season and their biggest concerns when it comes to the order. Finally, they react to John Schneider’s pre-game availability as they tee up the rubber match at the Rogers Centre!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker weigh in on the Blue Jays' 6-5 win over the Royals to kick off the series, highlighted by Justin Turner's two home run night. Eric Hosmer, former MLB player and host of the Diggin’ Deep podcast, discusses Bobby Witt Jr’s player profile and how good he can become, if the Padres can get to another level with their talent-laden roster, and looks back at the 2015 ALCS between the Royals and Blue Jays (26:08). Blue Jays radio play-by-play voice Ben Shulman joins the show with his thoughts on Toronto’s recent play including how Yariel Rodriguez fared in game one of the series (49:53). Blair and Barker end the show talking some baseball business with former MLB executive David Samson; notably the latest on the A’s situation in Vegas and the current state of the Marlins (01:17:20).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ weekend where the Dodgers took two of three against Toronto; despite the losses the guys discuss how it was encouraging to see Kevin Gausman return to his elite form. World Series champion closer and NESN analyst Jonathan Papelbon comments on Canadian Tyler O’Neill’s hot start with the Red Sox and the competition within the American League East (27:48). Later on, Sportsnet’s Buck Martinez shares his most recent thoughts on the Jays as they get set to re-familiarize with the Royals at Rogers Centre after facing them last week in Kansas City (49:53).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open up the 'Back Leg Line' for fan reaction on a Friday. Blue Jays Pitching Coach Pete Walker talks about preparing for the Dodgers talent-laden lineup and what he expects from Kevin Gausman in his next start (25:12). Blue Jays Manager John Schneider joins for his weekly appearance and comments on if he’s given any thought to switching around the batting order (49:50). Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten discusses his ballclub ahead of this weekend’s series; notably L.A.’s pursuit of Shohei Ohtani, his marketability, and how he has fit in since joining his new team (01:16:30)
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays Manager John Schneider joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss his takeaways from the team's trip to Kansas City, the structure of the batting order, the state of the Jays' offence and how to deal with the Dodgers ahead of this weekend's series.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ 3-2 loss in Kansas City with thoughts on Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s game, Kevin Gausman’s fastball usage, and Kevin Kiermaier leaving the game with a hip injury. Royals analyst and franchise saves leader, Jeff Montgomery, weighs-in on Jays-Royals, Jordan Romano, and how to sustain longevity as a closer (28:35). The Athletic's Jayson Stark discusses the results of a poll ranking the best front offices in MLB (49:50). Later on, Blue Jays Central analyst Joe Siddall comments on Guerrero’s plate approach and if Addison Barger can add a spark to the big league lineup (01:16:58).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Guest host Blake Murphy and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 5-3 win over the Kansas City Royals; where Bo Bichette and Daulton Varsho provided the offence and Jordan Romano locked down his 100th career save. The guys welcome Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman on the show after his call of Monday’s game to discuss the Blue Jays’ recent play and look ahead to tonight’s matchup at Kauffman Stadium with Kevin Gausman on the hill (24:55). With Varsho on an absolute tear offensively, Blake and Kevin call-up his dad, former MLBer Gary Varsho, to discuss the work he put into the offseason and how to stay consistent at the plate and in the field (49:50). To end the show, the guys go around the majors with Hall of Famer Tim Kurkjian, notably Heston Kjerstad being the latest prospect promoted in Baltimore and his honest thoughts on Toronto’s offence in the early-going (01:15:12).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin kick off a new week on the program looking back on the Blue Jays' near sweep of the San Diego Padres; what we've seen from Toronto's starters, the bullpen management at the tail end of Sunday's game, and which bats in the lineup are finding their stride. Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph shares his takeaways from the series and previews Yusei Kikuchi's start in Kansas City tonight (25:52). Buffalo Bisons announcer Pat Malacaro updates us on the Jays' farm system including Orelvis Martinez' red-hot stretch and Addison Barger's upside (49:56). Later on, Royals colour commentator Rex Hudler weighs in on Bobby Witt Jr.'s breakout and the keys to Kansas City's strong start to the 2024 season (01:14:36).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open up the Back Leg line for their usual fan interaction on Friday. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi checks-in from San Diego with an update on prospect Ricky Tiedemann after being placed on the IL (32:07). Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins the show for his weekly hit to reflect on his club’s 6-3 homestand before heading west (49:47). Padres TV analyst Mark Grant previews the Jays' weekend series with a scouting report on Friday’s starter Matt Waldron, before discussing young phenom Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado continuing to play at an elite level (01:15:42).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays Manager John Schneider joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker for his weekly visit to discuss his team's offence, bullpen deployment, Daulton Varsho's strong homestand, Alek Manoah's next steps and more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker discuss the Blue Jays' bullpen use in the series finale vs. the New York Yankees, and the notion that they should have activated Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson in a more staggered approach, and not demoted Nate Pearson. MLB insider Jeff Passan talks about umpire Angel Hernandez’s strike zone, if the Royals are for real, and more across the big leagues (27:02). Baseball America’s JJ Cooper talks about Jack Leiter’s promotion to the Texas Rangers and how he views Toronto's prospects overall (49:47). To end the show, Blair and Barker react to Rays reliever Pete Fairbanks' post-game comments after blowing the save against the Angels, before looking ahead to the pitching matchups for Toronto’s weekend series against the Padres (01:21:37).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker examine Yusei Kikuchi’s standout performance over the Yankees. Later, they react to Aaron Judge’s post-game comments on facing the Blue Jays’ lefty; and look forward to Wednesday’s series finale where ex-Jay Marcus Stroman and Kevin Gausman will be taking the mound. To end the show, the guys go around the majors with MLB Network analyst and former General Manager Dan O'Dowd and ask him about when the time is right to commit long-term to certain players (24:07).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 3-1 win over the Yankees, highlighted by the battery of Chris Bassitt and Alejandro Kirk. Blue Jays top prospect Ricky Tiedemann joins to discuss what his goals are for the rest of 2024, doing whatever it takes to stay healthy, and being ready for the call to the majors when it comes (27:51). Jays’ radio analyst Chris Leroux stops-by in-studio with his thoughts on Toronto’s recent play and what Yusei Kikuchi needs to do to have success tonight against New York (49:52). To end the show, Jeff and Kevin react to the breaking news regarding Blue Jays pitchers: Nate Pearson has been optioned to the Buffalo Bisons and Mitch White has been designated for assignment (01:16:25).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker share their weekend takeaways after the Blue Jays took two of three against the Colorado Rockies. The guys break down José Berríos’ outstanding start, Yariel Rodriguez’s MLB debut, Alek Manaoh’s performance with the AAA Buffalo Bisons, and Daulton Varsho sitting on Sunday after hitting a grand slam in Saturday’s win. Mark Feinsand of MLB.com and MLB Network shares the latest from New York ahead of the Jays-Yankees series: notably how they have mitigated the loss of ace Gerrit Cole in the early-going (29:42). Sportsnet’s Buck Martinez discusses Danny Jansen being reinstated from the IL, what he’s seen from Nate Pearson out of the bullpen, and why he sees Berríos being in the American League Cy Young running in 2024 (49:41). To end the show, Jeff and Kevin examine the Blue Jays lineup for game one against the Yankees and give some love to Isiah Kiner-Falefa for his recent play (01:18:53).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker address the reports that Yariel Rodriguez will be called up by the Blue Jays and examine Erik Swanson and Jordan Romano’s outings at AAA Buffalo; before opening up the Back Leg Line for fan questions. Rockies analyst Ryan Spilborghs weighs in ahead of Colorado's weekend series in Toronto (24:25). Blue Jays manager John Schneider makes his weekly appearance to comment on Rodriguez’s status with the club, his team's series win over Seattle, Danny Jansen working his way back, Alejandro Kirk handling the pitchers in his absence, and Yimi Garcia’s outstanding start to the year (49:51). Former MLB executive and host of ‘Nothing Personal’ David Samson discusses the latest developments in the Ippei Mizuhara-Shohei Ohtani gambling story, the A’s moving to Sacramento pre-Vegas, Scott Boras losing Jordan Montgomery as one of his clients and more (01:16:56).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider, who shares the latest updates on Danny Jansen, Jordan Romano, Erik Swanson and more!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays-Mariners finale as Cal Raleigh once again played spoiler to help give Seattle the 6-1 victory. Blair and Barker examine Raleigh’s post-game comments suggesting he has “beef” with Blue Jays’ manager John Schneider, Yusei Kikuchi’s standout nine strikeout performance, and Yimi Garcia continuing to impress in the bullpen. Shane Bieber, Spencer Strider, Framber Valdez, Gerrit Cole… so many of MLB’s top pitchers have been hitting the IL with elbow injuries early in the 2024 campaign. The guys call up world-renowned orthopaedic surgeon and Tommy John surgery expert Dr. James Andrews for his opinion on the number of injuries, if the pitch clock is a main culprit, and the advice he should share to parents of young pitchers (25:37). Next, Orioles reporter Roch Kubatko talks about top prospect Jackson Holliday getting called up and making his MLB debut at Fenway Park (49:54). Later on, MLB insider and author of The Arm, Jeff Passan weighs-in further on the pitching epidemic, before discussing the iron men across baseball who strive to be in the lineup everyday (01:17:02).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 5-3 win over the Mariners on Tuesday to give them their first series win of the season. The guys discuss Chris Bassitt after his standout performance, his post-game comments about the team’s starting rotation having more to offer, and the offence finding its rhythm totalling eleven hits. Later, Blue Jays radio voice Ben Shulman checks in ahead of the first pitch from Rogers Centre as Yusei Kikuchi takes the mound for Toronto against his former team in search of the series sweep.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 5-2 win in their home opener; particularly José Berríos’ solid outing, along with the crowd’s reaction to John Schneider pregame and when he took Berríos out of the game. The guys invite Sportsnet's Dan Shulman on with his thoughts on the home opener and Berríos' "ace" potential given how well he’s pitched so far this season (26:30). Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement discusses his start to the season, the renovations at Rogers Centre being beneficial for the players, and the importance of Matt Hague to his development as a hitter (49:54). Do you have to plan differently as a coach when changes are made to the dimensions of a ballpark? Jeff and Kevin call-up former MLB manager and Mariners’ 3B Coach Manny Acta to ask him (01:03:44), before being joined by play-by-play voice Dave Sims who provides a scouting report on tonight’s starter George Kirby (01:18:16).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker get set for the Blue Jays' home opener against the Mariners. They share positives and negatives after 10 games and break down Don Mattingly's comments on the team's offensive identity. Then, Jays' Central's Joe Siddall (26:00) discusses the Jays' lack of home-field advantage last season, how the renovations impact hitting and his biggest concerns 10 games in. Later, Blue Jays president & CEO Mark Shapiro (50:54) joins the show to discuss Rogers Centre renovations and his takeaways from the first 10 games of the season. Finally, Shi Davidi (1:16:43) shares the latest on Romano, Swanson, Manoah and Jansen before looking at how John Schneider will navigate the injury-struck roster.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays President & CEO Mark Shapiro joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to touch on the culmination of the Rogers Centre's two-year renovation, his takeaways from his ballclub's start to the 2024 season after 10 games and his concerns for the growing list of pitchers sidelined with injury across the league.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss Toronto’s 8-0 loss to the Astros in the finale of their three-game series where Toronto managed only one hit. The guys debate why Davis Schneider wasn't in the Blue Jays' lineup for the rubber match vs. the Astros after hitting the game-winning home run in Game 2. Buffalo Bisons Manager Casey Candaele shares what he's seen so far from Blue Jays prospects Yariel Rodriguez and Ricky Tiedemann after earning his 200th win as Bisons skipper (19:05) . Following Candaele, Jeff and Kevin open up the Back Leg Line to hear fan reaction on the team’s scuffling offence (31:30). MLB analyst and former player Doug Glanville explains what he saw in this Blue Jays’ team ahead of this season that made him pencil them in as his World Series pick (49:47). Astros analyst and three-time World Series champion with the Yankees, Mike Stanton looks back on Jays-Astros before previewing Toronto’s upcoming series in the Bronx, particularly his thoughts on Friday’s starter ex-Jay Marcus Stroman and Juan Soto’s fast start (01:17:43) .
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' 2-1 comeback win over the Houston Astros as Davis Schneider played hero in the 9th inning. Houston Astros GM Dana Brown (28:45) discusses why he's not going to overreact to his team’s slow start with such high expectations and what he's learned about himself after his first full season in his new role. Blue Jays skipper John Schneider (52:57) talks about bouncing back from being no-hit on Monday, José Berríos' evolution as a starter, and the status of the team's injured pitchers. MLB insider Jeff Passan (1:20:52) comments on the status of the Royals in Kansas City after residents voted to decline a tax hike which would have gone towards a new ballpark before discussing the Tigers' hot start and how the Astros will handle Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman’s next contracts.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Following late-inning drama in Houston, Blue Jays skipper John Schneider joins Blair & Barker to chat about bouncing back from being no-hit on Monday, José Berríos' evolution as a starter during his time in Toronto, the status of the team's injured pitchers, and potential adjustments to the batting order with a few regulars struggling out of the gates. Next, the manager gets into what goes into self-correcting in-game when being no-hit.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays getting no-hit by Houston Astros starter Ronel Blanco on April Fools Day; notably the lack of adjustments made at the plate by Toronto’s hitters. Intentional Talk host Ryan Dempster weighs-in on the no-no, takes the guys inside the mind of a pitcher when he’s dealing on the mound, and comments on what’s caught his eye MLB-wide early on (26:17) . MLB Insider Jim Bowden shares why he was concerned about Toronto’s lineup even before last night’s result, his thoughts on how Toronto’s payroll is managed, and if he’s surprised Bo Bichette or Vladimir Guerrero Jr. haven’t been extended by the organization (49:37). Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae discusses the life and legacy of former MLB executive Larry Lucchino, Ernie Clement earning more playing time, and Bowden Francis’ demeanour following his tough start in Houston (01:17:18).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker share their takeaways from the Blue Jays' series split against the Rays; notably clean-up hitter Justin Turner’s big game and why having him swinging free-and-easy in that spot makes it easier on every other hitter in the lineup. Buck Martinez joins the guys with further thoughts on Turner, Kevin Gausman’s 2024 debut, and the amount of stolen base attempts across MLB in the early-going (24:00). Next hour, Blair and Barker look ahead to Toronto’s series against the Astros and ask Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi about how to deploy the bullpen against Houston, before getting into Vladimir Guerrero’s game plan at the plate in the opening series (49:45). Later, World Series champion and Astros TV analyst Geoff Blum shares his scouting report on Houston and discusses the team’s 0-4 start after being swept by the Yankees (01:17:55).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman with his Opening Day takeaways after being on the call for Toronto’s 8-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. Following Dan, Blair and Barker open up the ‘Back Leg Line’ for fan reaction to yesterday's maiden win (25:14). Blue Jays Manager John Schneider comments on his club’s impressive victory, provides an update on Justin Turner, and admits he will keep today’s lineup the same after its success in game one (49:35). Later, MLB Insider Jeff Passan shares his early Jays impressions, before discussing payroll disparity across MLB, Bo Bichette’s contract status, and if upcoming free agents are more likely to re-sign with their current clubs given how this past offseason played out (01:16:24).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Following their first win in Tampa Bay, Blue Jays skipper John Schneider joins Blair & Barker to chat about translating their success from Spring Training to the regular season, his batter's two-strike approach, if there's any pressure on Bo Bichette and Vlad Jr. heading into the new year, expectations for Isiah Kiner-Falefa, how much workload Alejandro Kirk will have with Danny Jansen out, Kevin Gausman's injury status and much more!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Opening Day has finally arrived and Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined in-studio by Caleb Joseph to set the stage for the Blue Jays' 2024 opener against the Rays. They discuss the lineup, José Berríos' outlook and who will need to step up in the pen with Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson out. Then, Rays TV analyst Brian Anderson weighs in on Tampa's pitching depth, how they stay competitive after significant losses in the offseason and what to expect from Zach Eflin today (22:30). Next, Jayson Stark of The Athletic looks into the uptick of pitcher injuries, how teams adjust to the rise of stolen bases, pressure on the Dodgers and his expectations for the Blue Jays (46:45). Finally, the fellas reflect on how things ended last season and how the team moves forward into 2024 (01:12:56).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show anticipating who will be named to the Blue Jays’ Opening Day roster and talk about who the team’s ex-factors will be, before discussing Jordan Montgomery’s deal with the Diamondbacks - was it a missed opportunity for AL East teams like the Red Sox and Orioles? MLB Network Radio and ‘Rates & Barrels’ host Trevor May reflects on his experience transitioning from Spring Training to the start of the regular season, the composition of a successful bullpen, and a few of his award winners ahead of the season (24:24). In the second hour, Jeff and Kevin have their 2024 MLB predictions bookended by John Schneider (49:45) and Ross Atkins’ (01:14:26) media availabilities to discuss Toronto’s final roster for Opening Day.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker examine Kevin Gausman’s outing against the Pirates as he impressed in his only start of the Grapefruit League season. Later, they discuss how important Yimi Garcia will be in the back of the Blue Jays' bullpen amidst the unknown status of Erik Swanson and Jordan Romano. MLB analyst David Samson shares his thoughts on Shohei Ohtani’s press conference and where he thinks the Blue Jays will finish in the AL East (26:18). The Athletic’s Sam Blum shares more on Ohtani and the fallout of this gambling story after covering the superstar’s availability yesterday (49:36) Hall of Fame pitcher Greg Maddux talks about taking the mound on opening day, the importance of switching speeds on the mound, his brother Mike’s work with the World champion Texas Rangers, and the potential of Las Vegas as an MLB city (01:15:26).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Blue Jays opening day roster is beginning to take shape as the team prepares for their final Grapefruit League game against the Pirates. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss Kevin Gausman’s prognosis as he makes the start, Bo Bichette potentially moving around the batting order, and John Schneider announcing Ernie Clement, Davis Schneider, and Daniel Vogelbach will break camp with the team. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi joins the guys (20:45) with the latest on Gausman ahead of his start, who’s making the team, and Joey Votto’s status. Jeff and Kevin end the show talking about why Jordan Montgomery makes a ton of sense for the Baltimore Orioles as he remains on the FA market.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Kevin Barker makes his return from Dunedin and joins Jeff Blair to discuss Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro’s comments to reporters about pursuing Shohei Ohtani in free agency and doubling down on the belief in their own players after he signed with the Dodgers. The guys also talk about Bowden Francis being named to Toronto’s starting rotation and Ricky Tiedemann impressing in his latest tune-up against Pittsburgh. It’s Friday so the guys open up the Back Leg Line before welcoming MLB Network Radio’s CJ Nitkowski on the show (30:13) for his Blue Jays thoughts and where Jordan Montgomery will sign as the last remaining Scott Boras client on the market.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
It’s Barker’s last day in Dunedin as he and Jeff Blair comment on the Blue Jays parting ways with Santiago Espinal after he was dealt to the Cincinnati Reds for P Chris McElvain. Later they discuss Kevin Gausman’s timetable after he threw on Wednesday, and Barker outlines his concerns going into the season after covering the team throughout his time in Florida. To end the show, Blair is joined by MLB insider Jeff Passan (32:51) to discuss two major off-the-field stories: Shohei Ohtani and his interpreter Ippei Mizuhara being implicated in an illegal gambling investigation, and the division within the MLBPA and the future of its Executive Director Tony Clark.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker examine the state of the Blue Jays bullpen, mentioning Chad Green and Nate Pearson as pitchers who could be relied upon to step up in the absence of Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson. The guys also wonder about Kevin Gausman’s readiness for the season, and Barker explains why Daulton Varsho is the hitter who has impressed him most in Dunedin. Blue Jays Central’s Joe Siddall joins Jeff (28:21) to share his thoughts on Green, why Ernie Clement is making his Opening Day roster, where Cavan Biggio and Isiah Kiner-Falefa slot in defensively, and the need for Danny Jansen to build up his arm strength following his latest injury.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the latest news out of Spring Training as both Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson are dealing with arm issues, and why this team can't afford to be without their top two relievers for too long. With the Orioles in Dunedin to face the Blue Jays, analyst Ben McDonald breaks down Baltimore’s exciting young lineup and if he thinks 20-year-old phenom Jackson Holliday can make the team out of camp. Later, Blair and Barker react to Chris Bassitt’s comments on pitching velocity before welcoming Buck Martinez to the show (30:38). Jeff and Buck talk about today’s Jays lineup and how it could resemble the one we see on opening day, Justin Turner’s impact in the clubhouse, and Alejandro Kirk’s positive Spring.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair is joined by Kevin Barker, who is currently on-site in Dunedin. The guys discuss Kevin Gausman’s ongoing rehab process when the Blue Jays’ ace might be ready to rejoin the team’s starting rotation, Alek Manoah’s current injury timeline, Yariel Rodriguez’s intriguing Grapefruit League debut, Joey Votto’s performance in his brief outing on Sunday, and the Blue Jays’ encouraging offensive trends this spring. Later, Jonathan Mayo, MLB.com prospects writer, stops by (32:04) to discuss the fallout from MLB’s inaugural Spring Breakout series, the possibility of MLB adopting a tournament-style format in future years, and the current depth of talent within the Blue Jays’ farm system.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show discussing Friday’s breaking news that Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen will miss time with a fractured pisiform bone. Jays manager John Schneider then joins the guys with more on Jansen’s prognosis, Kevin Gausman’s availability for the start of the season, and the decision-making into who makes the opening day roster. The guys head to the Back Leg Line for a few calls before Jeff welcomes former catcher and Sportsnet analyst Caleb Joseph (31:41) on for his Jansen thoughts and Spring Training observations.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show discussing Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s admission that he would like to see the Blue Jays’ home run jacket return in 2024 - will he get his wish? Later they transition to Joey Votto after his minor-league debut and the importance of Bowden Francis going into the season. In the second segment, Blair welcomes former MLB executive and host of ‘Nothing Personal’ David Samson (31:31) to talk about the Padres reversing course and trading for SP Dylan Cease after parting with Juan Soto, dealing with medical reports and team doctors from a front office perspective, and the number of pitching injuries that have occurred so far in Spring Training.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
With Barker in Dunedin, both he and Blair discuss Ernie Clement and Santiago Espinal battling it out for Toronto’s final roster spot, and the season ahead for catcher Alejandro Kirk – can he improve on his 2023 campaign? Blue Jays play by play voice Ben Shulman joins the show (31:30) with his thoughts on likely opening day starter Jose Berrios after his most recent Spring tune-up, and provides updates on pitchers Kevin Gausman, Alek Manoah, and Yariel Rodriguez.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss health updates on Blue Jays hurlers Alek Manoah, Kevin Gausman, and free-agent signing Yariel Rodriguez. Later they examine some of the roster battles in camp for pitchers like Mitch White and Bowden Francis, and talk about Ernie Clement’s hot Grapefruit League season and John Schneider’s praise for the infielder. With the Yankees facing Toronto, Jeff welcomes SNY reporter and author of The Yankee Way Andy Martino to discuss the latest on Gerrit Cole’s injury status after an MRI on his pitching elbow, Aaron Judge, and Brian Cashman’s tenure as Yankees GM (30:13).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair is joined by our resident Dunedin correspondent, Kevin Barker, who is currently on site at the Blue Jays’ Spring Training complex in Florida. The guys discuss Joey Votto’s arrival at Jays camp, his chances of cracking the team’s Opening Day roster, Justin Turner’s potential usage at third base, the current state of the Blue Jays’ bullpen, and how the team will manage Votto’s playing time during the remainder of the spring. Later, Jayson Stark, MLB Insider for The Athletic, stops by (28:42) to chat about Gerrit Cole’s lingering elbow discomfort, the current free agent market for Blake Snell, and his latest piece on Joey Votto’s presence at Jays camp.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker get into the news that the Blue Jays have allegedly signed former Reds first baseman - and Canada's own - Joey Votto to a non-roster invite at Spring Training. They discuss what it means for the rest of the roster, including for Daniel Vogelbach - could the team bring in Votto over either Vogelbach or Eduardo Escobar? Who needs to go for Votto to make the roster? Plus, they debate his clubhouse presence, and what it could mean for a team that already has Bo Bichette and others in leadership positions.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss John Schneider’s recent comments about the Blue Jays’ naysayers heading into 2024 and Kevin Kiermaier’s omission that he dealt with persistent foot issues last season. Then, the guys head to the Back Leg Line to field questions from the B&B audience! Later, ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan drops by (31:12) to chat about the genesis of MLB’s new Spring Breakout series, the potential fallout from this year’s slow-moving free agent market, the Blue Jays’ playoff chances in 2024, and his latest piece on Chris Sale’s quest for redemption with the Atlanta Braves.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss Jose Berrios following his latest Spring tune-up against the Pirates, can the Jays starter improve on his successful 2023 campaign? Later the guys are joined by Blue Jays Central analyst Joe Siddall (10:30) with his assessments from camp and who he thinks will crack Toronto’s opening-day roster once the season starts.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by 2015 American League MVP Josh Donaldson (13:33) after the slugger announced his retirement after 13 MLB seasons. Donaldson talks about his tenure in Toronto, the brotherhood of the 2015-2016 Blue Jays, his plans in retirement, and how he wants to be remembered now that his playing career has come to an end. Jomboy Media’s Chris Rose (32:00) discusses the unfortunate prognosis on his co-host Lucas Giolito, his view on the Jays and the AL East, and if free agency will be looked at differently next off-season with name players currently still on the market.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open up the show concentrating on Kevin Gausman and the starting rotation after John Schneider announced that the Blue Jays’ ace has been dealing with shoulder soreness in camp. Giants analyst and former player F.P. Santangelo comments on former Jay Matt Chapman signing with San Francisco (29:23), if the Giants are done making moves, and the perception vs. reality when it comes to luring free agents to the Bay Area. Following Santangelo, Blair & Barker examine the bullpen, particularly closer Jordan Romano.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
As they head into the weekend, Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker open up the back leg line and answer fan questions including who they think is most likely to be the Blue Jays' fourth outfielder and who Kevin ranks as his top ten players in baseball heading into the 2024 season. Blue Jays radio play-by-play voice Ben Shulman shares his Spring Training observations and discusses the fourth outfielder spot, Toronto’s players and coaches emphasizing longer at-bats, and what the team is looking for from Alek Manoah in camp (30:40).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
“The Mayor” Sean Casey joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker with his thoughts on Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s upcoming 2024 campaign, the Blue Jays adding Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and his view on the Yankees offense after being their hitting coach in 2023. Later on, the guys react to comments from Jays manager John Schneider on what he’s seeing from both Jose Berrios & George Springer in Spring Training. The show ends with the guys welcoming former MLB executive David Samson (31:17) to the show who shared his thoughts on Scott Boras’ remaining free agents and if he would circle back on Matt Chapman if he were in Toronto’s front office.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Blue Jays reporter Hazel Mae joins Blair and Barker to discuss her conversations with Pete Walker and John Schneider following Alek Manoah's first spring start, and what they expect to see in his next start and going forward throughout the spring. With the Blue Jays taking on Tampa Bay in Grapefruit League play, Rays analyst, former MLB pitcher, and Maple Leafs fan Brian Anderson checks-in with the guys (30:25) to give the low down on the team, notably pitcher Ryan Pepiot, and starters not going as deep into games as they used to.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the show discussing Yusei Kikuchi’s new changeup after his 2024 Grapefruit League debut on Monday, and Alek Manoah who pitches today against the Tigers. Jayson Stark of The Athletic & MLB Network shares some takeaways from his visit to the Blue Jays facility in Dunedin; notably a commitment from players like Manoah and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to be better and Justin Turner knowing what it takes to win. Stark also comments on how much money Juan Soto will make at season’s end, and if Scott Boras deserves criticism for how he handled contract negotiations this offseason. To end the show, Jeff and Kevin examine Chris Bassitt’s outing against Pittsburgh and the expectations for him this upcoming year (35:13).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker return from the weekend with their takeaways from the Blue Jays first two games against the Phillies and Yankees. Later, they turn their attention to Yusei Kikuchi who will be starting today’s game against Pittsburgh before examining Cody Bellinger’s three-year pact with the Chicago Cubs, and the Cleveland Guardians methods to improve their hitting from a year ago (27:01).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker briefly discuss Ricky Tiedemann after being scratched from Saturday’s start with a hamstring issue before being joined by Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho. Varsho talks about the messaging from the coaching staff to players early in camp, what he worked on this offseason, and being teammates with Justin Turner after being a division rival the past four years.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the show discussing Blue Jays top prospect Ricky Tiedemann and what we can expect out of him from Spring Training. The guys are then joined by Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi (30:23) from Dunedin and open up the back leg line for fan questions ahead of the Blue Jays’ first Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to comments from the Blue Jays yesterday at Spring Training; notably Bo Bichette discussing the work players are doing with Don Mattingly and John Schneider looking ahead to Toronto’s early season schedule. Foul Territory host and former MLB catcher Erik Kratz (27:42) shares his thoughts on the new MLB jerseys which have been a controversial topic amongst players, Spring Training being a good time for coaches and players to have honest conversations, and the expectations on Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in 2024.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
With everyone in camp, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker turn their attention to the free agents who remain unsigned; notably super agent Scott Boras’ clients: Cody Bellinger, Matt Chapman, Blake Snell, JD Martinez, and Jordan Montgomery. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale checks-in from Spring Training in Arizona with his free agency thoughts (27:47) and Mike Trout’s future with the Angels. To end the show, the guys discuss Montgomery further and why they’re surprised he’s still available to sign with any team.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the second hour with Tim Kurkjian of ESPN who shares his thoughts on which team is under the most pressure to make the playoffs, the most disappointing team this season, who can stop the Braves and how an explosion in steals around the league changes the game. Later, MLB Network’s Bill Ripken shares his thoughts on the expectations around Vladdy Jr., the positives and negatives of off-days and Corey Seager’s unique but effective approach (28:48).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker examine the Blue Jays dropping a second consecutive game against the Rangers, Texas now owning the tie breaker between the two clubs, and the breaking news that Max Scherzer is done for the year after exiting last night’s game. The guys turn their attention to game three of the series as they hear from John Schneider in his pre-game availability and welcome Dan Shulman on the show to discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s series so far and the performance of Toronto’s bullpen over the last few weeks (36:14).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour with Rangers analyst for the Dallas Morning News Evan Grant who breaks down last night's series opener between Texas and the Blue Jays, why he’s optimistic the team’s slump is coming to an end, what to look for from Max Scherzer tonight and the Bruce Bochy experience. Astros TV analyst Geoff Blum discusses whether Houston is the class of the American League, the significance of Christian Javier, and takes a look through the AL Wild Card race (13:23). Then, Mariners TV announcer Dave Sims shares his thoughts on Teoscar Hernandez’s contributions since the trade deadline, George Kirby’s recent post-game complaints and if they’ll be a distraction, and how the team is dealing with excessive travel and workload at this point in the season (27:13). They end the show with your calls on the Back Leg Line!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 10-4 loss to the Rangers in game one of their important four-game series; notably Chris Bassitt’s performance and the mound disengagement that led to Texas’ first run before examining Vladimir Guerrero’s numbers vs. the fastball. Sportsnet’s MLB insider Shi Davidi checks in from Rogers Centre (23:48) to share his thoughts on game one and provide an injury update on Brandon Belt and Matt Chapman. Blair & Barker discuss Max Scherzer and his strikeout total in the latest edition of “Between the Lines”.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the second hour with host of Loud Outs on MLB Network Radio & Rangers’ TV analyst CJ Nitkowski, who explains the underlying factor behind Texas’ skid, what to expect out of recent top prospect call-up Evan Carter, and he shares his thoughts on George Kirby’s recent, controversial post-game comments. Later, radio voice of the Blue Jays tees up the series between Texas and Toronto, discusses Alek Manoah’s complicated, season-ending situation, whether the Jays are worried about Alejandro Kirk’s workload behind the plate and how game management might change down the stretch (25:03). Finally, Mike Trout trade rumours and the Angels’ offseason plans.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker reflect on the Blue Jays taking care of business over the weekend after sweeping the Kansas City Royals. After looking back, the guys look ahead to the most important series of the year: Toronto hosting the Texas Rangers for a pivotal four-game set starting tonight. Later on, the guys examine how the teams around the Blue Jays in the standings fared over the weekend in the latest installment of ‘Around the Wild Card’ (25:37) and dissect George Kirby’s comments after his most recent start for the Mariners.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Davis Schneider who talked about his success at the major league level since his call-up, improving hitting elevated fastballs, and lessons learned at Triple-A that have translated to the next level (3:13). Later, Blue Jays Manager John Schneider talks to Jeff and Kevin about Bo Bichette being activated off the IL, Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s play over the last week, and plans for the team’s starting rotation down the stretch (24:30). To end the show, the guys head into the weekend with fan questions from the Back Leg Line.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start with the news that Bo Bichette has been activated off the IL and will be active for tonight’s game against the Royals. They discuss what to expect from him in his return, take a look around the teams in the Wild Card race heading into the weekend, how the Rangers could stop their poorly-timed slump and what effect the manager has on their drastic slide. Later, they are joined by Royals TV analyst Rex Hudler (26:14) who shares his thoughts on the ‘Buffalo Brigade’ and reflects on the time he was a call-up spark plug for the Expos in the late 80s before teeing up tonight’s series opener between the Jays and Royals.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour with Blue Jays Central’s Caleb Joseph who gives an assessment of the ‘Buffalo Brigade’ with Bo Bichette, Matt Chapman and Brandon Belt inching closer to their respective returns, his thoughts on Chad Green’s play, the idea of ‘playing for the big inning’ paying dividends offensively and Chris Bassitt weaponizing the pitch clock to great effect. They close with your calls on the Back Leg Line!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the current state of the Blue Jays following the conclusion of their 4-2 road trip against the Rockies and A’s. The guys talk about how Bo Bichette may be nearing a return after working out at Rogers Centre, Chad Green’s outings in the bullpen since being activated, and Toronto catching a break ahead of next week’s pivotal Rangers series with Adolis Garcia hitting the IL. ESPN’s Jeff Passan joins the guys with his thoughts on the Royals young talent (notably Bobby Witt Jr.) ahead of the Toronto-KC series, the impressive pitching matchups for the Texas series, and if Bruce Bochy is deserving of any blame for how Texas has played recently (32:30).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
It’s the final month of MLB’s regular season and The Athletic’s Jayson Stark joins the guys to discuss the exciting month ahead. Jayson and the guys discuss the AL wild-card race, if Philadelphia can get back to the World Series, the season to forget for the Yankees and Mets, Craig Counsell managing the Brewers without a contract for next year, and if the Twins are the forgotten team in the American League. To wrap up the second hour, your calls on the Back Leg Line!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker start with a couple of Blue Jays wins over the long weekend spearheaded by the call-ups, the competitive, mature approaches they’ve brought and how they might fit into the equation for next season. Then, onto yesterday’s game against the A’s, an encouraging outing from José Berríos, the Jays’ turnaround month with runners in scoring position and why the quick change came down to swing decisions. Later, the latest ‘In the Wild Card!’ (25:29).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider for his weekly hit to start off the second hour. The Jays’ skipper shares his thoughts on what Chad Green and Spencer Horwitz can bring, where the team’s focus is in this final stretch of the season, the challenge of playing at Coors Field and the luxury of the consistently strong pitching rotation. Later, Denver Post’s Patrick Saunders tees up tonight’s series opener (30:06) between the Jays and Rockies and shares his long-term expectations for the Rockies, some young players to keep an eye on and Bud Black’s impact as manager.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin with a couple of Blue Jays’ roster moves passed through today, with reliever Chad Green being activated off the IL and infielder Spencer Horwitz being called up from Triple-A Buffalo. They discuss the upside and what to expect from each. Then, the Jays are taking on the Colorado Rockies and tonight’s starter, Hyun-jin Ryu, has changed up his game after Tommy John surgery to excellent early results. Later, ESPN insider Jeff Passan stops by (27:35) for his weekly appearance to discuss the MLB announcing that there will be no adjustments to the pitch clock for the postseason, the overall success of the new rules and the strategic wrinkle of ‘weaponizing’ the pitch clock. They also discuss the Jays’ postseason chances down the stretch and who to blame if the team fails to make the playoffs.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off hour two with former Marlins President David Samson to discuss the waiver process, why the Angels did nothing wrong making several of their players available and if the trade deadline could be changed in future seasons. He also examines the current state of the Blue Jays as they battle for a postseason berth. Then, Rockies and Apple TV+ analyst Ryan Spilborghs (31:16) looks ahead to the Blue Jays' upcoming series in Colorado and how playing at Coors Field can be challenging for visiting teams because of the altitude.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open with a look at all the players picked up from waivers today, Randal Grichuk going unclaimed and the wider issue of players being waived en-masse after the trade deadline. Then, a preview of the Jays’ series against the Rockies starting tomorrow in Colorado, the impact of the altitude, and Kevin maps out the difficult path for the team to get back into an AL Wild Card spot. They are joined by MLB Network’s Jon Morosi (28:14), who delves into the waiver claims from today, how each player will fit in their respective landing spots and if the Angels might trade Mike Trout in the offseason now that it seems likely that Shohei Ohtani will not return.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the second hour with MLB Network analyst Mark Derosa, who shares his thoughts on the LA Angels waiving Lucas Giolito, Matt Moore, Reynaldo López, Hunter Renfroe and Randal Grichuk, how Shohei Ohtani might react to the move, flaws with teams that rely heavily on pitching and why the Blue Jays are still dangerous if they can squeak into the playoffs. They close the show with your calls on the Back Leg Line! (25:03)
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start with last night’s Blue Jays game before touching on today’s top story; Bo Bichette will once again be shelved on the 10-day IL with a quad strain, and Mason McCoy getting the call up. They welcome Washington Nationals TV analyst Kevin Fransden to tee up game 2 in the Nats’ series against the Jays, how close they are to being competitive in the NL East and look ahead to the team’s offseason plans. Later, Blue Jays’ general manager Ross Atkins stops by (27:42) to clear up some of the Jays’ injuries, why McCoy was elevated over younger prospects like Orelvis Martinez or Addison Barger, his thoughts on Vlad Guerrero Jr.’s mechanics and his expectations down the stretch with the schedule easing up.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour with Blue Jays’ radio voice Ben Wagner, who shares an update on the sightings of Vlad Guerrero Jr. warming up at third base, the Jays’ backup plans for third with Matt Chapman on the IL and Daulton Varsho’s turnaround at the plate. Later, former GM and MLB Network radio analyst Jim Duquette (24:44) shares his thoughts on Vladdy's mechanical struggles against velocity, the strength of the Orioles’ bullpen without Félix Bautista and how to handle Shohei Ohtani’s free agency from an Angels’ executive’s perspective.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker (back from vacation!) get right into last night’s Blue Jays’ loss to the Cleveland Guardians in extras to drop the series, the big mistakes, necessary lineup changes and possible solutions to reignite the team and get back into a Wild Card spot. Afterwards, is it time for the Jays to look at promoting a top prospect with Matt Chapman hitting the IL and Bo Bichette heading for an MRI? Later, with the postseason approaching, a brand new segment looking at the latest ‘In the Wild Card!’ (29:31).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair opens the second hour with radio play-by-play voice of the Guardians, Tom Hamilton, who shares his thoughts on the career and character of manager Terry Francona who has hinted at an imminent retirement, his marked legacy in Cleveland and tees up the Guardians’ series against the Blue Jays starting tonight. Then, your calls on the Back Leg Line! Afterward, ESPN insider Jeff Passan stops by (25:18) for his weekly hit to weigh in on whether or not the Blue Jays could be in on Shohei Ohtani this offseason, what type of money Ohtani could still command after his injury and how significant a surgery he will likely have to undergo. Jeff closes the show by checking in with Ben Wagner from the Rogers Centre ahead of the Jays’ series opener against the Guardians!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair starts with last night’s rubber match between the Blue Jays and Orioles, a 5-3 loss for Toronto where the offence was once again bottled up. Then, reaction and analysis on Jays’ GM Ross Atkins’ press availability from earlier today. Later, Jeff is joined by Blue Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez (23:20) who shares his expectations for the team’s next 5 weeks, why ‘urgency’ might not be the best approach for Vladdy at the plate, and he assesses Terry Francona’s year with the Guardians in what could be his last season as a manager.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair starts the second hour with MLB Network insider Jon Morosi for a deep dive into Shohei Ohtani’s torn UCL. They chat about how it changes the offseason landscape changes for all Ohtani, the Angels and the MLB, his open-market value if he cannot pitch in the long term and which teams would still buy big on him. Later, from his UnderTheKnife sub stack, Will Carroll gets down to the nitty gritty on the exact nature of Ohtani’s injury (24:52), rehab options and the lack of longevity for pitchers throwing over 100 MPH. Jeff closes with your calls on the Back Leg Line!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair opens with Blue Jays Central's Madison Shipman in studio to go over the Blue Jays’ 7-0 loss to the Orioles last night, but first, Shohei Ohtani’s torn UCL, how it changes his free agency landscape and how his role may change when he returns. They then get into the game, Kevin Gausman’s post-game comments about playing with a ‘sense of urgency,’ Genesis Cabrera’s long-term role and Alek Manoah finally heading to Buffalo. Later, play-by-play voice of the Blue Jays Dan Shulman shares his thoughts on the Manoah development, how the Jays respond to being shut out and the Orioles’ impressive depth (21:01). Jeff closes the hour with your calls on the Back Leg Line!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff kicks off the second hour with Anthony Castrovince from MLB Network and MLB.com to give his take on the Blue Jays this season and why the Orioles season was a surprise to everyone. Next up, Jeff answers your calls in the Back Leg Line before being joined by Orioles reporter Roch Kubatko (24:50) to give his insights on the decision of scratching Jack Flaherty hours before the game, what was the most surprising part of the Orioles season, and what the team’s future in the infield could look like.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair kicks off the show by recapping last night's win over the Baltimore Orioles, John Schneider’s decision-making, and being able to shut down Ryan Mountcastle. Next up, former MLB pitcher and Blue Jays radio colour analyst Chris Leroux joins the show to give his take on the Jays being better than the Orioles, and who is more trustworthy between Romano and Hicks. Finally, Blue Jays analyst Joe Siddall joins the show (25:32) to give his take on Daulton Varsho changing his approach, Bo Bichette’s amazing defensive play, and his thoughts on Yusei Kikuchi’s outing.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair starts the second hour looking at the odd reports that Alek Manoah is still in Toronto despite being optioned over a week ago before turning to the Back Leg Line (11:14) for your calls! Afterwards, Jeff is joined by Sportsnaut Orioles reporter Dan Connolly (25:01), who discusses John Angelos’ comments about not committing to the young core, a financial outlook on the Orioles’ long-term plans and what the team’s playoff rotation might look like.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair kicks off the show with a look into the Jays’ three-game series against the Orioles starting tonight and the importance of this series for both an on- and off-field boost. Jeff welcomes in MASN Orioles’ broadcaster Geoff Arnold (12:16), who shares his perspective on Ryan Mountcastle’s hold over the Jays and his recent scorching stretch, the biggest shock of the season and Grayson Rodriguez’s ceiling this year. Later, MLB Network insider Mark Feinsand weighs in on White Sox relocation rumours, Orioles owner John Angelo’s hesitancy to commit to his core and how to fix the problems with the Yankees (26:15).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair kicks off the second hour with Blue Jays Central’s Caleb Joseph, who shares his thoughts on Bo Bichette’s comments about playing ‘fearless,’ a team-wide approach at the plate, John Schneider’s lineup management and the Jordan Hicks experience. Later, the latest ‘In the East’ as well as a look at some of teams pushing in the AL Wild Card race (29:01). Finally, New York Times’ Tyler Kepner weighs in on the turmoil for the New York Yankees, Orioles’ owner John Angelos’ hesitancy to commit to his core long-term and which player would be the priority to lock up with a long contract (37:32).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair is solo hosting this week on Blair & Barker as Kevin is off. So JB takes you over the weekend where the Jays win the series in Cincinnati taking 2 out of 3 against the Reds and the offence seems to have come alive after getting shutout on Friday. Then The Athletic’s Jayson Stark joins Jeff to discuss the tightened division and wild card races across the American League. Finally, Jeff checks in with the BBWAA and Forbes’ own Maury Brown (28:05) who talks about increased attendance in MLB this season as well as gives his take on his team, the red-hot Seattle Mariners.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds and discuss the help they’ll have on the way with Kevin Kiermaier and Trevor Richards being activated tonight and Bo Bichette making his return on Saturday. Reds Vice President & General Manager Nick Krall previews the series from a Cincy perspective and talks about his ballclub’s plethora of exciting players and baseball being rejuvenated in the city (14:02). Blue Jays Manager John Schneider makes his weekly appearance with the guys (51:22), and spoke about Bo Bichette’s imminent return, how the bullpen sets up with everyone healthy, Daulton Varsho’s recent success at the plate and Cavan Biggio’s play since the all-star break.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome former MLB pitcher Bronson Arroyo who reflects on his recent entry into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, how he prepared for seasons, the Reds' turnaround season and Cincinnati baseball's links to the city's music scene. Later, Astros' radio broadcaster Steve Sparks shares his thoughts on what Houston's ceiling is, his long-term expectations for Justin Verlander, Kyle Tucker continuing to rake and manager Dusty Baker's importance down the stretch (30:07). They close (44:37) with your calls on the Back Leg Line!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 9-4 loss against the Phillies, particularly Kevin Gausman’s outing and a crucial play not made between Santiago Espinal and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Later, Jeff and Kevin welcome MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis on the show to discuss his re-vamped farm system rankings: why the Blue Jays are at #25, the Orioles topping the list, and if the Yankees have anyone in the pipeline or if they will have to continue to outspend other organizations (27:30).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by ESPN insider Jeff Passan, who shares his thoughts on what has been a disastrous season for the New York Yankees, how the Wander Franco situation complicates things further for the Rays on- and off-field and the idea of load management in baseball. They close with your calls on the Back Leg Line!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show giving an update on Bo Bichette's DH day down with the Buffalo Bisons, the Blue Jays' series-opening win against the Philadelphia Phillies and the Wild Card races in the AL. Then, Bisons' manager Casey Candaele stops by (17:53) to share his firsthand assessment of Bo's rehab start, what the organization is looking for in both Chad Green's and Trevor Richards' outings and what stood out to him about Spencer Horwitz on and off the field. Afterward, Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman joins the guys to discuss (34:59) if Green and Richards will have a major role out of John Schneider's bullpen, the case for Toronto's game 2 starter for the post-season following Kevin Gausman and if Whit Merrifield will be a priority for the front office to bring back next year.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about Jordan Romano's return to the bullpen, how Jordan Hicks performed in Romano's absence, how the team will ease Bo Bichette back into the lineup and what has impressed him from Yusei Kikuchi's recent outings. Afterward, MLB Network analyst and former Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. (27:03) discusses how he would approach the following season after his team had won a World Series, Bryce Harper's adjustment to playing at first base, and his perspective on Shohei Ohtani's upcoming free agency.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open with the latest on the Blue Jays, including Jordan Romano's return from the IL and Bo Bichette's rehab stint in Buffalo. Then, they welcome Phillies analyst Ben Davis (25:03) to preview the upcoming series against Philadelphia, the NL East club's season so far, and to discuss the calm, steady demeanor of manager Rob Thomson.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Athletic's Jayson Stark joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker (2:39) to discuss how the Tampa Bay Rays have juggled their pitching staff riddled by injuries, their history of growing talent within the organization, the battle for the third Wild Card spot, Seattle Mariners' approach to the trade deadline, and what the future holds for New York Yankees' GM Brian Cashman. Then, Mariners studio analyst Ryan Rowland-Smith (28:03) jumps on to chat about if there's a worry settling in as the team fights for a post-season spot, how important J.P. Crawford is for the roster, his view on the Baltimore Orioles season, and who is the ace of Seattle's pitching staff.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ weekend against the Cubs as Toronto lost two of three; but saw the bats break out in an 11-4 win on Sunday…only the second time this season that Toronto has scored double-digit runs at home. Later in the hour, the guys examine how Toronto’s division opponents fared over the weekend in the latest installment of ‘In the East’ (27:58), highlighted by Cedric Mullins’ late-game heroics in Seattle and a collapse of epic proportions from the Yankees against the Marlins.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome Blue Jays manager John Schneider to talk about the team's recent decision to option Alek Manoah to triple-A Buffalo, Bo Bichette's injury status, offensive inconsistency from series-to-series and different lineup configurations down the stretch. Later, ESPN insider Jeff Passan stops by for his weekly visit to share his thoughts on the Chicago Cubs ahead of their series against the Blue Jays, competition heating up in the AL West and Cody Bellinger’s standout season after betting on himself (33:21).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show discussing the Blue Jays’ decision to send Alek Manoah to AAA Buffalo and recall Hagen Danner. The guys also share their thoughts on Toronto’s lineup for game one against the Cubs; notably Cavan Biggio hitting fifth in the order. To end the hour, 2015 American League MVP Josh Donaldson reminisces about being Jose Bautista’s teammate with the Blue Jays, admiring him from a far before he joined the organization, and how those Jays teams got along with all of the high-profile players and personalities in the clubhouse (26:41).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker continue 'Bautista Week' with his former teammate Russell Martin, who shares some Joey Bats memories from with the Blue Jays and Junior College, his perspective of the iconic bat flip and the positives and negatives of pitch com from a catcher's perspective. Later, another former catcher and co-host of 'Foul Territory,' Erik Kratz weighs in on the Blue Jays' offensive drought, why Jays batters aren't adapting to the count in high leverage and the mental side of hitting with RISP (27:50).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker hit the airwaves following the Blue Jays’ 4-3 loss to the Guardians in a game where both George Springer and John Schneider were ejected. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi comments on the Jays’ struggles at the dish, the Mariners being 1.5 games back of Toronto for the final wild-card spot, how the league perceives Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Angels buying at the deadline looking like it will backfire (28:51).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Former Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker (7:22) to chat about what brought his attention to Jose Bautista, the reasoning behind trading for him back in 2008, how he and Dwayne Murphy helped him throughout his career with his batting, combatting against elevated fastballs, and if it's possible to create run producers over the course of a season. Then, former Marlins president David Samson (24:36) stops by to discuss how teams would utilize their starting pitching during the post-season and Kevin Brown's suspension from the Baltimore Orioles broadcast crew.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays’ hitting woes with runners in scoring position following Toronto’s 1-0 loss on Tuesday night. Guardians catcher Bo Naylor reflects on his rookie season to date, playing alongside his brother Josh, and the talent of Cleveland’s young starters like Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibee (15:48). To end the hour, the guys go to the Back Leg Line for questions and comments from Blue Jays fans.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Former Blue Jays slugger José Bautista (2:09) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the moment when he was traded to Toronto back in 2008, how he found consistency in his batting, the importance of taking care of his body, how he watches the game now, and his career revolving around the iconic bat flip in the 2015 ALDS. Then, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi (24:33) look back at the legacy Bautista left behind with the Jays, his fight with the Texas Rangers, how the team ended their 22-year playoff drought, and Davis Schneider taking advantage of his stint in the Majors.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss Kevin Kiermaier hitting the IL and provide health updates on Hyun Jin Ryu after he left yesterday’s game with a contusion, closer Jordan Romano, and SS Bo Bichette. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (24:15) joins the show to talk about ace Shane McClanahan likely being done for the year, if there are concerns about Tyler Glasnow after he was scratched from his last start, and the Orioles overtaking them atop the AL East. How will Yusei Kikuchi fare against the Guardians? Jeff and Kevin break down in the latest installment of ‘Between the Lines’.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin welcome the voice of the Cleveland Guardians Tom Hamilton (1:58) who takes us behind the scenes of the call of the fight between Jose Ramirez and Tim Anderson, how the team will move past the scuffle against the White Sox, and the performances from the Naylor brothers. Jeff and Kevin then go around the AL East!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the week by reviewing an incredible weekend for the Blue Jays, and Davis Schneider, if they expect his excellent hitting to continue and if they have found a diamond in the rough. Then, Blue Jays Analyst Caleb Joseph (26:13) joins the show to preview what we should expect from the series against the Guardians and from Hyun-jin Ryu and what he saw from Schneider in his weekend debut.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the past difficulties against the Boston Red Sox, his conversations with his team about converting runs and approaches to the plate, what Davis Schneider can bring to the main roster, his assessment of the first go-around with a 6-man rotation and when we could eventually see Chad Green joining them. Then, ESPN's Jeff Passan stops by (26:06) to discuss which teams won and lost at the trade deadline, how Shohei Ohtani being removed from the trade block affected the market, if Ohtani can pitch and hit throughout his entire career and whether Baltimore has a chance of winning a World Series without an ace pitcher.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to the Blue Jays and Red Sox series and discuss the team’s lineup with Davis Schneider being recalled from Triple-A Buffalo and Danny Jansen batting in the cleanup spot. The Athletic’s Chad Jennings breaks down Boston’s season to date, the logjam in the AL East, when Trevor Story will make his season debut, and Alex Cora pulling the strings as Manager (26:37).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open with former Marlins presidentDavid Samson, who shares his thoughts on how the trade deadline may have impacted Shohei Ohtani's free agency, a long-term outlook on a slumping George Springer, the biggest sleeper teams and why there are no 'super-teams.' They close with listener questions on The Back Leg Line.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show by discussing another Blue Jays loss to an AL East opponent, Hyun-jin Ryu's season debut and return to the mound after his Tommy John Surgery, their post-trade deadline reactions 24 hours later and which player needs to step up in the absence of Bo Bichette in the lineup. Then, MLB Network's Jon Morosi (27:54) jumps on to chat about the acquisitions Toronto has made, how the division has shaped up after the deadline, Baltimore Orioles setting up their team for success this season and for the future, George Springer's struggles at the plate, and if Matt Chapman will have some interest in free agency with his 2023 performance.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The deadline has come and gone, and Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the third hour of their deadline day coverage by going through the trades floating in after the official deadline. They cool down with Sportsnet Central Blue Jays analyst Caleb Joseph, who shares his thoughts on the team's deadline moves, whether or not it was enough and the biggest surprises from the day around the league (6:16). Later, an evaluation of the Blue Jays' outlook after the deadline, if they improved enough relative to other AL teams in a playoff spot and the best moves of the day (24:27). They finish off their trade deadline coverage by going live to Ross Atkins' press availability, and make some quick takeaways on his comments about Bo Bichette, the trade market and his thoughts on the moves they made (39:29).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the second hour of their deadline coverage with former MLB general manager Dan Duquette, who relives some deadline day memories, sheds some light on how executives approach the trade deadline and when its time to push the prospect chips in. MASN Sports Orioles' reporter Roch Kubatko breaks down Baltimore's quiet deadline, why they might be hesitant to push in with their prospect pool, who's left for the team to target in the final moments before the deadline and the team's ceiling if no further moves come through (28:52).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin their deadline day coverage with reactions to another Jays-Cardinals trade - this time for Paul DeJong - what the shortstop can bring to the team, what it says about Bo Bichette's health and what a potential follow-up move might consist of. Then, a quick look at some of the bigger moves around the league before they dive into the Jays' series-opening loss against the Orioles last night, whether George Springer's inactivity was a scheduled day off or if he was benched and what to expect from Hyun-jin Ryu's return to the big leagues tonight. Later, Dan Shulman weighs in on the DeJong trade, further insight into Bo's injury status and who the Jays should key in on in the final hour of deadline day (26:54).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair kicks off the second hour with Cardinals reporter Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post Dispatch, who breaks down the behind-the-scenes negotiations between St. Louis and the Blue Jays for Jordan Hicks, what to expect out of the Jays' newly acquired reliever and what’s next for a busy Cardinals team (6:48). Then, the latest in the division with this week's 'In The East' (16:52). Finally, Ben Wagner joins the show from the Rogers Centre to tee up a crucial series between the Jays and Orioles, an already dried up trade market for position players and where Hicks will fit within the Jays' bullpen when Jordan Romano returns from the IL (27:53).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair begins the show by sharing his reaction to the Blue Jays trading for St. Louis Cardinals' Jordan Hicks. The Athletic's Jayson Stark (7:32) jumps on to explain why the fielders' market hasn't fired up ahead of the trade deadline compared to pitchers, the lack of super teams across the MLB, his thoughts on Toronto's newest bullpen member, and why the Baltimore Orioles could be a sleeper team a day before the deadline. Then, former Orioles and Blue Jays shortstop and hose of Baltimore Baseball Tonight Mike Bordick (32:43) weighs in on how the O's will approach the trade market, if they'll be buying, the organization's road map to building a successful team around their young players and witnessing Gunnar Henderson's breakout season.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays Manager John Schneider (6:23) discusses the importance of the Blue Jays upcoming series, sorting out the starting rotation with Hyun Jin Ryu close to a return, and George Springer’s recent slump at the plate. Following Schneider, Jeff and Kevin discuss Miles Mikolas being thrown out of Thursday’s game against the Cubs and how the situation was handled by the umpiring crew. To end off the week, the guys go to the ‘Back Leg Line’ (25:18) to answer questions on the batting order, Ryu’s impending return, and if we could see a current Jays starter moved to the pen later in the year or the postseason.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show discussing the Blue Jays lineup changes including moving George Springer down to hitting fifth and Whit Merrifield leading off to start their series against the Angels. The guys bring MLB Network's Jon Morosi (10:37) into the conversation giving his thoughts on Toronto's changes, moves within the trade market ahead of the deadline, the direction of the White Sox organization, and which team in the AL East will need to add to their roster. Then, former pitcher and Friday Night Baseball's Dan Plesac (31:15) shares his experience days before a trade deadline, Lucas Giolito's scouting report, if teams can flip the switch and get better with RISP, and the impact of a 6-man starting rotation.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Intentional Talk’s Ryan Dempster (3:28) discusses Shohei Ohtani’s complete game, adding talent at the deadline even when players aren’t having great seasons, and how players deal with post-trade pressure when they know they’re being acquired by a team with expectations. Canadian baseball coach and scout Ken Lenihan (28:03) talks about how floods have affected the baseball-playing communities in Nova Scotia for a few minutes before Blair and Barker solicit a few questions on the ‘Back Leg Line’
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the latest trade talk around MLB, notably the Angels announcing that Shohei Ohtani will not be traded before the deadline and Carlos Santana going to the Brewers. Later on, they revisit the Blue Jays west-coast trip before looking ahead to their upcoming homestand. Longtime MLB broadcaster and host of the “Angels Win” podcast, Victor Rojas (31:37) discusses Ohtani staying put, his impact on the Angels (on a day he pitched a complete game), and the team acquiring Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez to make a run for the postseason.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand breaks down the players he thinks are most likely to be dealt ahead of the deadline and the Yankees’ hitting woes with Aaron Judge absent from the lineup.Dodgers analyst (and former Angels broadcaster) José Mota provides a scouting report on Julio Urias as he gets ready to face the Blue Jays before talking about Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman as a dream 1-2 atop L.A.’s batting order, and if Shohei Ohtani will still be an Angel on August 2nd (26:44).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 6-3 win over the Dodgers and discuss the team’s position ahead of the trade deadline. Notably, they talk about Jeff Passan’s reporting on the Blue Jays who suggests that they are in the “muddled middle” of the American league and who they could be targeting to add to the club. Sportsnet’s Buck Martinez comments on the Jays taking game one at Dodger Stadium, particularly Daulton Varsho’s clutch at-bat and how he can maintain momentum in the batter’s box (26:51).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
2003 NL Cy Young Winner and Dodgers legend Eric Gagné reflects on his career, the 2023 edition of the Dodgers, pitching high-leverage innings in the postseason, his epic showdown with Barry Bonds, and the amount of promising Canadian players in MLB. Jeff and Kevin examine potential trade targets for the Blue Jays with just over a week until the deadline before taking a call on the Back Leg Line.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker with his takeaways from the Blue Jays series in Seattle as Toronto avoided the sweep with a win in the finale. The guys discuss Bo Bichette’s recent stretch of games, Nate Pearson being sent down, and if Danny Jansen avoided serious injury after leaving Sunday’s game (7:33). With Toronto currently sitting in third place in the division, Blair & Barker examine how Toronto’s rivals fared over the weekend in the latest installment of ‘In the East’ (34:04).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Three-time Gold Glove winner and former Mariners’ All-Star selection Mike Cameron (2:03) discusses Seattle’s expectations after making the postseason in 2022, the hitting dimensions at T-Mobile Park, and his thoughts on the rule changes implemented by MLB ahead of this year. Longtime Blue Jays outfielder and current Mariner Teoscar Hernandez (24:19) joins Jeff and Kevin to reflect on his season before looking back on his time with the Blue Jays, playing with his ex-teammates, his relationship with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and calling him during the Home Run Derby.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays acquisition of Genesis Cabrera from the Cardinals and look ahead to Yusei Kikuchi’s start as he returns to T-Mobile Park to face the Mariners. Later in the hour they’re joined by Blue Jays’ Manager John Schneider (25:23) after earning his 100th career victory on Thursday against the Padres.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker hit the airwaves following the Blue Jays' 4-0 win over the San Diego Padres, as Chris Bassitt picked up his 10th victory of the year. 14-Year MLB veteran and podcast host Bret Boone looks ahead to the Blue Jays’ next series against the Mariners, if they’ll avoid being sellers at the deadline, and his other former team the Reds staying competitive in the NL Central (30:38). Sportsnet’s Caleb Joseph shares his thoughts on the Jays before they hit their west-coast trip, if they should be interested in a DH like Nelson Cruz, and if Mike Elias will part with some of his top prospects to improve the Orioles at the deadline (52:26). Cardinals beat reporter Derrick Goold talks about St. Louis’ disappointing season, the Cards’ players that contenders covet via trade, and covering 3B Scott Rolen’s career as he gets inducted into the Hall of Fame this weekend (1:17:37).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss Alek Manoah’s start against the Padres and react to GM Ross Atkins’ pre-game availability where he touched on Manoah and his shopping list for the trade deadline. MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis shares his scouting report on Toronto’s first-round draft pick Arjun Nimmala before talking about Orelvis Martinez’s promotion to Triple-A Buffalo, and how the industry views the Blue Jays’ farm system overall (28:21). Padres broadcaster and Barker’s former teammate Bob Scanlan shares his views on the Padres-Jays series so far and if teams could come calling for Juan Soto ahead of the deadline (51:28). Shi Davidi checks-in live from Rogers Centre with an injury update on Kevin Gausman before discussing Alek Manoah and Hyun-Jin Ryu’s impending return (1:29:23).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker look ahead to the Toronto Blue Jays’ three-game series against San Diego with Alek Manaoh taking the mound in the opening game. Padres TV analyst and former Major League Pitcher Mark Grant discusses the sky-high expectations for the team ahead of this season and also shares a scouting report on Joe Musgrove and the rotation (28:10). With the MLB trade deadline fast approaching, Blair & Barker call up Jon Morosi to break down the rumours ahead of August 1st including the interest in Shohei Ohtani’s immediate future (52:10). Blue Jays radio voice Ben Wagner joins the guys ahead of first pitch and comments on prospect Orelvis Martinez’s promotion to AAA (1:16:40).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker return from the weekend do discuss the Blue Jays sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and it being all the more impressive without Kevin Gausman and Jordan Romano. After breaking down Toronto’s weekend, the guys focus on their division rivals with the latest installment of ‘In The East’ (31:41). The Athletic’s Jayson Stark discusses the sights and sounds from All-Star week in Seattle, a legends home run derby that could take place in 2024, the Yankees struggles, and how he sees the Blue Jays doing in the unofficial second half. Jeff and Kevin go to the Back Leg Line to take a few questions from fans; notably if there’s a chance for a Marcus Stroman reunion in Toronto (53:16).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker return from the All-Star break along with the rest of Major League Baseball. Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman checks-in from Rogers Centre before his call of Blue Jays-Diamondbacks this weekend (25:33). D-backs Senior Advisor and 2001 World Series hero Luis Gonzalez joins the guys to discuss his experience winning the home run derby in Seattle (just like Vlad Jr.), Corbin Carroll’s campaign and MVP candidacy, and Arizona’s staying competitive in the NL West (49:14). After a few days off, the guys go to the Back Leg Line to hear what the fans have to say (1:16:17).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
With Alek Manaoh returning to the mound tonight against the Detroit Tigers, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to tonight’s game and Danny Jansen catching him behind the plate. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale discusses MLB at the All-Star break, notably the disappointing seasons for the Mets and Padres, NL Rookie of the Year favorite Corbin Carroll’s shoulder injury, and his second-half expectations for Toronto (29:11). Blue Jays manager John Schneider examines the 162 games (94-68 record) he’s managed for Toronto, what he and the coaches are expecting from Manoah, his all-star week plans, and more ahead of the Tigers series (50:07).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays 4-3 win over the Chicago White Sox; as Vladimir Guerrero hit a clutch go-ahead home run and Jordan Romano locked down the save. The guys invite White Sox analyst Darrin Jackson on for the weather report in Chicago before asking him about the team’s plans for the trade deadline and Luis Robert Jr’s contributions to the lineup (26:40). David Samson joins the show with his thoughts on how Mike Trout’s injury, Shohei Ohtani’s contract negotiations, Alek Manoah making his return against the Tigers, and when teams know they’re going to definitively be buyers (51:57). MLB.com’s draft and prospects analyst Jonathan Mayo previews next week’s MLB draft: which LSU star is going first overall and who do the Jays have their eye on at pick number 20? (1:19:25)
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker share their thoughts following the Red Sox sweep of the Blue Jays over the weekend and examine their schedule going forward in the second half. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi discusses what he saw from Alek Manaoh in his rehab start with the Fisher Cats and the latest on Hyun-Jin Ryu’s status as he looks to re-join Toronto later this month (31:03). The Braves are sending eight players to the All-Star Game in Seattle; notably their entire infield. Atlanta’s President & General Manager Alex Anthopolous discusses the feat and his club’s incredible first half to the season (49:32). Finally, breaking news hits the show as John Schneider mentions in his pre-game availability that Alek Manoah will make his return to the Blue Jays on Friday and start against the Detroit Tigers (1:13:09).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by WEEI’s Red Sox reporter Rob Bradford as Boston makes their first trip to Rogers Centre this season (28:08). Blue Jays Manager John Schneider makes his weekly appearance with the guys to discuss pitching to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the home run derby, Tim Mayza’s all-star calibre season, and Yosver Zulueta pitching in the Futures Game (51:06). MLB insider Jeff Passan joins the guys with breaking news as the first big trade of the season goes down with Aroldis Chapman going from Kansas City to the Texas Rangers (1:16:15).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman to discuss the latest surrounding the Toronto Blue Jays, including how many wins it will take to secure a spot in the postseason, Chris Bassitt’s numbers against left-handed hitters and Alejandro Kirk making his return from the IL (9:21). Longtime MLB executive and current Giants President Farhan Zaidi discusses his club’s strong season to date, attempting to go big-game hunting in free agency this past winter, and the use of analytics in San Francisco’s front office (30:31). Blair and Barker discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s participation in the upcoming Home Run Derby during all-star week in Seattle before being joined by Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times who discussed Shohei Ohtani’s present and (free-agent) future (1:16:51).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker examine the Blue Jays 3-0 loss to the Giants despite Kevin Gausman’s strong outing with twelve strikeouts. Blue Jays EVP/GM Ross Atkins discusses his ballclub at the halfway point of the season; notably Alek Manoah’s work in Florida, Bo Bichette’s standout season, having difficulty hitting with runners in scoring position, and how he views Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s first-half production (26:04). Three-Time World Champion with the Giants Jeremy Affeldt talks about how San Francisco’s Gabe Kapler has evolved from his first manager job with the Phillies, the success he and the Giants had under Bruce Bochy in the 2010s, this year’s Giants squad, and his podcast ‘Built for The Storm’ (51:41).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show discussing the news of the day: Alek Manoah’s first start in the Florida Complex League where he lasted 2.2 innings and allowed 11 earned runs. With San Francisco coming to town, the guys call up ex-Giants hurler and current analyst Shawn Estes to preview the upcoming series and talk some pitching (28:11). MLB Network analyst and former executive Dan O’Dowd gives his perspective on the adjustments Alek Manoah needs to make in Florida, how Toronto has handled the situation sending him down and if Buck Showalter is on the hot seat in New York (51:03). Blue Jays radio voice Ben Wagner checks-in from Rogers Centre ahead of the first pitch of Blue Jays-Giants (1:17:14).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker return from the weekend following the Blue Jays’ series win over the Oakland A’s and Blair having correctly predicted that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would hit his first home run of the season at Rogers Centre. The guys examine how Toronto’s division rivals fared over the weekend as ‘In The East’ makes its return (26:01). MLB Network’s Jon Morosi joins the show to discuss the All-Star Game voting process, Freddie Freeman’s offensive prowess, the Orioles promoting Jordan Westburg, and when the Blue Jays could recall Alek Manoah from Florida (54:55).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
A’s TV analyst and former starting pitcher Dallas Braden joins Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker from Rogers Centre to preview the Blue Jays’ weekend series vs. Oakland and discuss the tough season for the team on-and-off the field (8:50). Blue Jays Manager John Schneider talks to the guys about the team’s recent stretch, why it’s tough to give Bo Bichette days off, what he’s seeing with Vladimir Guerrero at the plate, and if teams have adjusted to him (27:18). MLB insider Jeff Passan joins the show from New York City where he spoke about the Reds streak, Wander Franco, and provides a scouting report on…Raptors first-round pick Gradey Dick(??) (48:57)
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker are joined by former Reds infielder Paul Janish to discuss Cincinnati taking MLB by storm following their 11th straight win yesterday against the Rockies (11:26). With the College World Series going this weekend, the guys call up ESPN’s NCAA Baseball analyst Kyle Peterson to talk about how the college game has evolved over the years, and the top ranked players expected to be drafted into MLB organizations next month ( 33:51).MLB Network Radio’s Ryan Spilborghs discusses Kevin Cash’s decision to sit Wander Franco, the bizarre ending to White Sox-Rangers the other night, and how he believes Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is too talented to slump all season-long (52:36).To end the show, Blair and Barker hear from the fans, including Billy from Markham’s inaugural call to the Back Leg Line!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin their show following the Blue Jays’ series victory over the Miami Marlins; as Kevin Gausman pitched six solid innings and Matt Chapman went yard to give Toronto the 6-3 win. Before signing with the Red Sox, was Masataka Yoshida nearly a Blue Jay? The guys examine how Toronto’s offseason could have been much different if they inked the Japanese star (26:05). Former Marlins President & host of ‘Nothing Personal’ David Samson weighs-in with his most recent thoughts on the Jays and how to pivot as a front-office when your trade (or free-agent) target falls through and goes elsewhere (52:03).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair has returned and is reunited with his co-host Kevin Barker! Together the guys examine the state of the Blue Jays after Monday’s 11-0 loss, particularly the team’s struggles at the dish against the Marlins pitching. The guys take a few calls on the Back Leg Line before being joined by The Athletic’s Jayson Stark who discussed Toronto’s inconsistent play, why he still feels they’re a playoff team with the third wild card spot, what makes Luis Arraez such a prolific hitter, the Oakland A’s, and Rob Manfred’s comments about the team’s fan base last week (53:45).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker discuss the latest surrounding the Blue Jays: losing two of three to Texas, Alejandro Kirk hitting the IL, and changes to the batting order for their upcoming series against the Miami Marlins. Former MLB executive Jim Bowden joins the show with his latest thoughts on Alek Manoah after he was sent down to Florida, the conversations being had by GMs leading up to the trade deadline and if he would start selling if he was in charge of the Cardinals and Mets (28:56).Marlins (and Yankees) analyst Jeff Nelson previews the Toronto-Miami series, before discussing Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara’s struggles and the Yankees woes without Aaron Judge in the lineup (51:45).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker are joined in-studio by Sportsnet’s Caleb Joseph with his most recent thoughts on the Blue Jays after their series loss in Baltimore. Speaking of the Orioles, the guys call up Caleb’s old teammate, outfielder Adam Jones, to share stories from their playing days together (26:43). Rangers TV analyst Mark McLemore previews the Jays weekend series against Texas and discusses Bruce Bochy’s influence on the organization, and Jacob deGrom being lost for the season (52:40).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays’ 4-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles as their record against AL East opponents falls to 7-17 this season. British Columbia’s own Rich Harden joins the show (26:12) to discuss his career and the honour of being inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame this weekend in St. Marys. MLB insider Jeff Passan makes his return to the show (49:40) and shares his thoughts on why he doesn’t think the Blue Jays will be sellers, Alek Manaoh being sent down to Florida, the A’s potential move to Las Vegas, and the Yankees winning despite their injuries.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker assess the Blue Jays’ latest loss to the Orioles in game one of their series in Baltimore, and discuss the interesting tweaks by Jays coaches to the batting order for game two. MLB analyst and former outfielder Doug Glanville checks-in with his thoughts on the Blue Jays, why Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is still dangerous despite his numbers being down, and more around the majors (28:07). Orioles EVP & GM Mike Elias discusses his club’s strong season so far, their deep prospect pool, and if they will make moves to add to their impressive roster (50:59). The Athletic’s Eno Sarris discusses his experience at the Oakland Coliseum as A’s fans boycotted against unpopular owner John Fisher last night (1:19:33).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker discuss the tinted window of opportunity for the Baltimore Orioles, if Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will continue his success against Dean Kremer and Bassitt's challenge ahead of his start at Camden Yards. Then, former Montreal Expo Denis Boucher joins Jeff and Kevin to chat about his upcoming Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame induction and a surprise from his former Expo teammate, Joe Siddall (34:23). Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins Jeff and Kevin from Baltimore to break down the Orioles threats, digging Vladdy Jr. out of his slump, Belt and Chapman’s up an downs, balancing decisions between reliability and in-game events and thoughts on emotional reactions from pitchers (56:21). Later, Tim Britton from The Athletic joins to discuss the upcoming Subway Series, which ball club has more at stake, and why Luis Severino can't get on track (1:18:00).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays avoiding the sweep to the Twins thanks to Cavan Biggio’s heroics in the final game. Afterwards, the guys examine how the weekend went for the Jays’ division rivals in the latest installment of ‘In The East’ (28:59). Orioles reporter Roch Kubatko discusses Toronto’s next opponent as they make their way to Camden Yards for a three-game series on Tuesday (56:45). MLB Network Radio host and former closer Brad Lidge shares his thoughts on the Jays and if he feels they’re playing up to expectations, the Orioles great season so far, and the teams that have his attention in the National League (1:16:29).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Toronto Blue Jays decision to designate Anthony Bass for assignment. Buffalo Bisons Manager Casey Candaele talks about Bowden Francis’s game, Mitch White’s return to the big leagues, and playing with robot umpires at the Triple-A level (31:15). Former Marlins and Expos executive David Samson comments on the Mets’ troubling play of late and the organization giving Buck Showalter a vote of confidence before going more in-depth on Canadian tax laws amidst the story that the CRA is looking to collect money from ex-Blue Jays players (52:11).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker dissect Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins' media availability and his comments on Alek Manoah, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Anthony Bass. Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman checks-in from Rogers Centre ahead of the series finale against the Astros (30:43). MLB Network analyst Bill Ripken shares his views on the Blue Jays, their decision to send Manoah to Florida to work on his game, Luis Arraez’s standout campaign with Miami, and Elly De La Cruz debuting with the Reds (51:30). Astros analyst and three-time World Series Champion Mike Stanton provides a scouting report on Framber Valdez and discusses what Mauricio Dubon brings to the Houston lineup (1:15:42).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker share their latest thoughts on the Blue Jays after a 5-1 win and a standout 13-strikeout performance from Kevin Gausman. Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Glavine discusses his process on the mound, how he adjusted out of season-long slumps, his thoughts on Alek Manoah and looking forward to sharing the broadcast booth with former Braves Chipper Jones, John Smoltz, and Jeff Francoeur (28:05). MLB Network’s Jon Morosi talks about poor air quality due to wildfires forcing the postponement of games, if a trade is on the horizon to help Toronto and the stiff competition in the American League (1:17:02).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the big Blue Jays news of the day: starter Alek Manoah being sent down to the Florida Complex League. Sportsnet’s Buck Martinez comments on the club’s decision to send Manoah to Florida and compares it when he was Blue Jays manager and Roy Halladay was sent to the minors (29:42). MLB columnist Shi Davidi checks-in from field level with his thoughts on Manoah and how teammates reacted to the news before hearing audio from fellow starter Jose Berrios on the matter (52:40). Houston Astros General Manager and former member of the Blue Jays front office Dana Brown discusses his first season as GM after taking over the role in January (1:15:36).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker share their thoughts on the Blue Jays sweep over the Mets at Citi Field, particularly Toronto’s strong starting pitching in the series. The guys examine how the weekend went for the Jays’ division rivals in the latest installment of ‘In The East’ (28:27). Former MLB executive Jim Duquette discusses Alek Manaoh’s 2023 season ahead of his next start against the Astros, the Mets confusing play of late, and if there’s been a passing of the torch in the AL West (52:31). Astros analyst Steve Sparks previews the Toronto-Houston series from Rogers Centre to end the show (1:16:15).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker reflect on Armando Galarraga’s near-perfect game and the botched call on the final out on its anniversary; before focusing on the Blue Jays and their series in New York. Dan Shulman joins the show from Citi Field to discuss Chris Bassitt leaving the ballpark after his start to join his wife who is in labour and the reasons for optimism for the Blue Jays with the calendar turning to a new month (26:58). MLB manager Joe Maddon talks about how to coach hitters out of slumps, having tough conversations with players if they need to be sent to the minors, and how he views Alek Manoah and Kevin Kiermaier’s contributions to the lineup (50:44). Jays Manager John Schneider joins the guys for his weekly appearance where he reflects on Manoah’s latest start vs. Milwaukee, the other pitchers on the staff supporting him through his struggles, Brandon Belt’s recent plate approach, and the conversations he’s having daily with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (1:16:11).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays 3-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers, particularly Kevin Gausman’s dominant outing and working with catcher Tyler Heineman. SNY’s Gary Apple previews the Blue Jays upcoming series against the New York Mets and talks about the young players contributing to their lineup, and how the bullpen has performed without regular closer Edwin Diaz (27:26). Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi joins the guys for a deep dive on Alek Manoah following his latest start and how the organization can help him turn things around (49:41) before ending the show with questions from the ‘Back Leg Line’ (1:14:27).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin begin the show discussing the Blue Jays’ win over the Milwaukee Brewers, particularly Nate Pearson’s contributions to the bullpen. Howard Stutz of the Nevada Independent shares the latest news on the Oakland Athletics’ potential move to Las Vegas and how a new stadium will be funded (29:11). Blue Jays play by play voice Ben Wagner checks-in from Rogers Centre with his thoughts on the team; notably Pearson and Alek Manoah’s pitch arsenal ahead of his important start in game two of the Brewers series (49:41). The number-one ranked Canadian prospect in the upcoming 2023 MLB Draft Myles Naylor discusses his game and what he’s learned from his older brothers Bo and Josh (1:14:18)
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin open the show with their thoughts on Anthony Bass and his statement from earlier today at Rogers Centre. Brewers play by play broadcaster Jeff Levering previews this week’s Milwaukee-Toronto series and talks about how ex-Blue Jay Rowdy Tellez is contributing to the lineup (31:32). Jayson Stark of The Athletic discusses what he and others are seeing lately from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at the plate and which current players are shoe-ins for Cooperstown when their time comes (53:34). MLB Network analyst Dan Plesac talks about the point in the season when players start looking at the standings, Alek Manoah’s confidence on the mound, and Nate Pearson’s pitch arsenal (1:16:41).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker return from the weekend discuss the Blue Jays series win over the Minnesota Twins; particularly Jose Berrios’ outing and the job from the bullpen as they put up zeros in relief on Sunday. Afterwards, the guys take a look at how the weekend went for Toronto’s AL East rivals in the latest installment of “In The East” (33:14). Hall of Fame pitcher and broadcaster Jim Kaat relies on his eight decades in baseball to discuss the pitch clock, pacing on the mound, the key to a good elevated fastball and what Jose Berrios has to do to stay successful in Toronto’s rotation (52:08). Sportsnet’s Caleb Joseph looks ahead to the Blue Jays upcoming week and discusses what he’s seen from Nate Pearson in recent outings (1:18:48).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open up the ‘Back Leg Line’ as Blue Jays fans weigh-in with questions and comments following a tough series against the Rays. Dan Hayes of The Athletic comments on Carlos Correa’s foot injury, why he’s surprised he avoided the IL, and why the Twins are better than their record indicates (55:19). Blair and Barker are then joined by Jays Manager John Schneider who discusses his ballclub’s recent play and if there has been any consideration of sending Alek Manoah to the minors to work on his craft (1:18:24).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker provide instant reaction to the Blue Jays dropping the series finale against the Rays at Tropicana Field; as Toronto’s players called a meeting post-game in an effort to get things to turn around. Minnesota Twins SVP & GM Thad Levine discusses his ballclub as they get ready to welcome Toronto to Target Field for a weekend series (28:10). With Alek Manoah lasting only three innings, MLB Network’s Ryan Dempster talks about the importance of pitchers having pace on the mound and his experience being in players only meetings (49:40). MLB insider Jeff Passan examines how robot umpires have been working out in Triple-A and if a trade could shake things up for Toronto (1:19:33)
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Rays’ decision to use position players on the mound in a nine-run ninth inning. Later on, the guys break down Aaron Judge’s latest home-run over the Orioles and his success hitting with two strikes, before opening up the ‘Back Leg Line’ for some questions. Former MLB Catcher and ‘Foul Territory’ host Erik Kratz reflects on the seven times he’s been asked to pitch in the big leagues, Alejandro Kirk and Danny Jansen behind the plate, and his view on the antics between the Blue Jays and Yankees last week at Rogers Centre (50:51).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker provide their thoughts on Toronto dropping the series opener against the Rays as hitting with runners in scoring position continued to plague the team. Diamondbacks reporter Nick Piecoro re-visits the Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Gabriel Moreno for Daulton Varsho offseason trade as Gurriel finds himself in the midst of a 15-game hit streak (35:11). The guys provide an injury update on Blue Jays pitchers Chad Green and Hyun-jin Ryu before being joined by former Marlins President David Samson who spoke about trading top prospects from a front-office point-of-view, the rumours of a potential Rays sale, and his assessment of Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s season to date (52:48).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays’ disappointing showing at home as they got swept by the Orioles over the weekend after losing three of four to the Yankees. With Toronto starting their next series against Tampa Bay, Rays analyst Brian Anderson discusses how impressive Tampa has been this season especially at Tropicana Field (28:47). To end the show, the guys examine the recent play of Toronto’s division rivals in ‘In The East’ and open up the Back Leg Line!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to the Blue Jays-Orioles series at Rogers Centre after Toronto struggled offensively and lost three of four against the Yankees. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden shares his thoughts on the Blue Jays, particularly Alek Manoah’s season to date, and the Orioles getting even better this year with the glut of talented prospects they have in their system (32:38). Orioles TV analyst Ben McDonald previews this weekend’s series and discusses Baltimore’s impressive season to date (49:45). Blue Jays’ Manager John Schneider looks back on the “eventful” series against New York, if Adam Cimber could be activated this weekend, Alek Manoah’s side sessions, and what he’s seen from Jordan Romano and Nate Pearson in the ‘pen (1:15:34)
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 3-0 extra innings win over the New York Yankees, thanks to Danny Jansen’s walk-off three-run home run. The guys discuss starter Chris Bassitt extending his scoreless innings streak, Jordan Romano pitching two innings for the win, the runners left on base, and the look of the Blue Jays’ lineup without Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman shares his thoughts on the Yankees series so far and why it would be huge for Toronto to earn a split after dropping the first two games (49:48). MLB insider Jeff Passan comments on the entertainment provided by Jays-Yankees, Liam Hendriks working his way back to the White Sox bullpen, the Padres struggles and more (1:39:56)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 6-3 loss to the New York Yankees, a game that was overshadowed by Domingo German’s ejection after a substance check from the umpiring crew. MLB insider Jon Morosi discusses the Blue Jays start to the season, and whether they should look at emptying a bit of their prospect cupboard and making an early season trade or two to fill some needed holes (31:29). “The Guru of Goo” Jayson Stark chimes-in with his thoughts on German getting caught, the Yankees picking up Toronto’s tipped pitches, the effect MLB’s new rules are having on the game, and the impressive Orioles before they head to Rogers Centre this weekend (49:18).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start with the Blue Jays dropping the first game of the series against the Yankees last night, Aaron Judge peeking at the dugout, what he could have possibly been looking at and whether it was cheating or just good old-fashioned baseball gamesmanship. Then, Alek Manoah's struggles; is it a simple fix or a longer-term problem? Sportsnet colour commentator Buck Martinez joins the show (29:31) to talk about Judge-Gate, what he makes of Manoah’s struggles and how he would address them. MLB.com Yankees reporter and author of 62: Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees, and the Pursuit of Greatness, Bryan Hoch joins the guys to go over the Aaron Judge situation and whether or not he thinks he was cheating (52:55). Bryan also goes over how the new contract and being captain of the Yankee’s has affected him. The guys close out the day with the ‘Back Leg' line!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the weekend that was at Rogers Centre as the Toronto Blue Jays came away with an impressive sweep over the NL East leading Atlanta Braves! The guys break down the series, notably Danny Jansen’s clutch at-bat in the finale, Whit Merrifield on the basepaths, and Chris Bassitt pitching a complete game in the opener. Afterwards, they examine Toronto’s division rivals in the latest installment of ‘In The East’ (30:06). Later on, Yankees radio analyst Suzyn Waldman previews the upcoming series down at Rogers Centre and discusses New York’s season to date (50:05). Jeff and Kevin open up the 'Back Leg Line' to end the show.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
MLB insider Jeff Passan joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss Marlins phenom Eury Perez making his MLB debut and how he would rank the top MLB teams so far this season (28:31). Current Braves outfielder and long-time Blue Jay Kevin Pillar joins the show ahead of this weekend’s series at Rogers Centre and discusses hitting his 100th career home run and how he’s evolved as a hitter before looking back at his time in Toronto (52:07). Blue Jays Manager John Schneider makes his weekly appearance following two consecutive losses in Philadelphia (1:39:49).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin recap the Blue Jays’ extra innings loss to the Phillies and discuss Bo Bichette’s error to end the game, Kevin Gausman’s bounce back performance, and Alejandro Kirk’s recent struggles at the plate. Braves President & GM Alex Anthopoulos looks ahead to the weekend’s TOR-ATL series and talks about Spencer Strider’s early-career success, making trades in a competitive division, and Mike Soroka’s progress as he returns from injury (26:32). The guys open up the Back Leg Line, before welcoming Jays’ prospect Brandon Barriera to the show following his second professional start with Single-A Dunedin (01:17:08).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi following the Blue Jays’ 8-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies who discussed Alek Manoah’s latest start, his slider not being as effective as last season, and Ricky Tiedemann’s status after he left his start in Double-A last week (30:21). Phillies analyst and former MLB catcher Ben Davis previews the final game of the Jays-Phillies two-game set and talks about how he would handle Bo Bichette as a catcher when he is locked in at the plate (49:36). Sportsnet’s Caleb Joseph dives deeper into Alek Manoah’s results on the mound and if Danny Jansen should get a shot at being his catcher in his next start (01:16:48)
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to the mini two-game series between the Blue Jays and Phillies and how Toronto’s hitters should approach Aaron Nola and Zach Wheeler. Phillies manager and Corunna, Ontario native Rob Thomson previews the matchup while discussing Bryce Harper’s return from Tommy John surgery and how Trea Turner is fitting in with the team (27:00). MLB insider Kiley McDaniel joins the guys with the lowdown on Shohei Ohtani’s next contract after he spoke to various sources around the league and Jays prospect Brandon Barriera who made his debut last week with Single-A Dunedin (49:34). To end the show, Jeff and Kevin solicit calls from the Back Leg Line (01:39:44)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays weekend in Pittsburgh as they swept the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park; after getting swept themselves by the Red Sox. The guys examine Toronto’s division rivals in the latest installment of ‘In The East’ (29:47). David Samson discusses how the Cardinals are handling Willson Contreras (and his contract), Carlos Rodon’s chronic back injury, the state of the Blue Jays, and where he thinks the Yankees will finish in the AL East (49:40). Blair & Barker catch up with former Jays pitcher Jason Grilli to end the show and ask him about his foray into podcasting with his show ‘Mound Visit’ (01:17:13)
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to the Blue Jays weekend series in Pittsburgh after getting swept by the Boston Red Sox. Travis Sawchik of The Score discusses the Pirates early-season success, if they could be buyers as the trade deadline approaches, and how he viewed Jose Berrios’ first month of the season (23:49). The guys open up the ‘Back Leg Line’ before welcoming Jays Manager John Schneider on the show for his weekly hit who shared his thoughts on the Boston sweep, Daulton Varsho’s hitting adjustments, Guerrero Jr’s success hitting at Fenway Park, George Springer, and managing the bullpen (01:18:13).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays latest loss to the Red Sox: Alek Manoah’s outing, staying in the game after getting hit by a comebacker, Toronto committing four errors, and the rough weather in Boston. Afterwards, they open up the ‘Back Leg Line’ with fan questions on George Springer, six-man rotations, and Charlie Montoyo. MLB Network analyst Mark DeRosa shares his overall thoughts on the Blue Jays’ 2023 aspirations, Manoah’s start to the season, Bo Bichette’s elite hitting, and who’s for real in the AL East. MLB insider Jeff Passan talks about what the Red Sox are doing well, Matt Chapman’s early-season production, and how much faith he has in the Yankees (01:21:36).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss Daulton Varsho’s new adjustment at the plate paying dividends, and George Springer’s struggles atop the order before looking ahead to Alek Manoah’s start against Alex Verdugo and the Boston Red Sox. Sportsnet’s Joe Siddall comments on Springer’s slow start, how close he thinks we are to seeing Nate Pearson in high leverage situations, Matt Chapman winning AL player of the month and how sustainable his performance is (27:36). President of the Negro Leagues Museum, Bob Kendrick discusses the plans for the museum’s new state-of-the-art facility and how cool it is to have Negro Leagues’ involvement in the MLB The Show video game (50:33). Barker’s former teammate and current Red Sox analyst Darnell McDonald previews Game three of the TOR-BOS series and talks about Rafael Devers AKA “the left-handed Vladimir Guerrero Jr.” and what makes him such a dangerous hitter (01:15:49).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 6-5 loss to the Boston Red Sox as Alex Verdugo hit a game-winning walk-off home run off of Jordan Romano. The guys discuss Jose Berrios’ start, John Schneider’s bullpen usage, and Bo Bichette being locked in offensively before going to the Back Leg Line for a few questions. Caleb Joseph joins the show to assess the level of trust of the different relievers in the Blue Jays’ pen before commenting on Nate Pearson’s breaking ball, Daulton Varsho’s plate approach, and how Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk profile defensively (49:40).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays taking two of three against the Seattle Mariners and share their thoughts on: the bullpen, Chris Bassitt showing emotion in the dugout, Alejandro Kirk behind the plate, and Alek Manoah battling on Friday night. Afterwards, the guys present the latest edition of ‘In the East’ an examine how the weekend went for the Rays, Yankees, Orioles, and Red Sox (25:07). The Athletic’s Jayson Stark discusses the first month of the MLB season, Jacob deGrom’s health, and Bryce Harper returning to the Phillies (49:53). Rob Bradford of WEEI previews the Red Sox-Blue Jays series and looks ahead to Manoah vs. Alex Verdugo after Verdugo made comments about the Jays’ starter on Rob’s “Baseball Isn’t Boring” Podcast (01:15:14)
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to this weekend’s series against the Seattle Mariners where Teoscar Hernandez will make his return to Rogers Centre. Hall of Famer and hitting consultant Chipper Jones joins the show to discuss what he did to break out of hitting slumps and how it relates to the current Blue Jays (28:19). Former Mariners All-Star and podcast host Bret Boone talks about how Hernandez has fit in with Seattle, losing Erik Swanson to Toronto, and his experiences as a hitter (49:25). Blue Jays Manager John Schneider re-visits his decision-making in last season’s postseason loss to Seattle and talks about the recent success of Jose Berrios and Yusei Kikuchi in the rotation (01:12:40).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays sweep of the White Sox and Yusei Kikuchi’s latest outing before opening up the ‘Back Leg Line’ for fan questions on the team’s off-day. Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman comments on the starting rotation’s recent success and Daulton Varsho contributing all over the diamond despite some inconsistencies at the dish (51:26). MLB Insider Jeff Passan discusses the competitiveness of the AL East, Alek Manoah impressing in his previous start at Yankee stadium, career minor-leaguer Drew Maggi getting called up by the Pirates and more from around the game (01:17:40).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays’ 7-0 win over the Chicago White Sox; particularly José Berríos’ strong start and Danny Jansen’s big game at the plate. Former White Sox second baseman Gordon Beckham provides his thoughts on the series so far and what the Blue Jays can expect from Michael Kopech in the finale (26:21). Blue Jays pitcher Erik Swanson talks about his routine, role in the bullpen, and facing his former team this weekend when the Mariners come to town (49:42). White Sox pitcher and author of A Damn Near Perfect Game: Reclaiming America’s Past Time, Joe Kelly discusses why he chose to write a book while still playing, if Rob Manfred is the right person to be the commissioner of MLB, and interacting with Blue Jays’ fans in the new bullpens at Rogers Centre (01:15:48).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 5-2 win over the White Sox as Cavan Biggio provided the offense with a three-run HR in the fourth inning, before going to the ‘Back Leg Line’ to answer a few listener questions (32:48). MLB Network’s Jon Morosi discusses the Rays continuing their winning ways, who could be selling at the deadline, and the Pirates surprising the baseball world as they sit in first place (49:32).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' series win over the New York Yankees as starters Yusei Kikuchi, Alek Manoah, and Kevin Gausman were all on their game; especially Gausman who pitched seven shutout innings with 11 strikeouts. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi joins the show to discuss Manoah's bounce-back start and the starting rotation settling in(28:36). Following Shi, the guys examine how the Blue Jays’ division rivals fared over the weekend in the latest edition of ‘In The East’ (49:31). White Sox TV voice Jason Benetti previews the upcoming Chicago-Toronto series, provides a scouting report on the team’s starters, and discusses Liam Hendriks' journey working his way back after announcing that he is cancer-free (01:18:40).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by 30-year MLB umpire Brian Gorman who discussed Max Scherzer’s suspension after the Mets’ ace decided not to appeal (25:30). MLB Network reporter Mark Feinsand looks ahead to the Yankees-Blue Jays series, before discussing if this is Gerrit Cole’s best run as a Yankee and Shohei Ohtani’s visit to New York when the Angels were in town earlier in the week (50:00). Blue Jays Manager John Schneider breaks some news about Matt Chapman hitting cleanup against Domingo German tonight, and looks ahead to this weekend against the Yankees (01:17:11).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker go over the Blue Jays-Astros series finale where Houston prevailed with a 8-1 win. The guys discuss the Jays' inability to score with the bases loaded in the eighth inning, a solid start from José Berríos, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. getting called out on a pitch clock violation. Speaking of violations, the guys react to post-game comments from Mets pitcher Max Scherzer and manager Buck Showalter after Scherzer was ejected by umpire Phil Cuzzi following a foreign substance check against the Dodgers (28:34). Foul Territory co-host & YES Network analyst Todd Frazier shares his thoughts on the Scherzer situation and the umpires’ role in the incident, before discussing Toronto’s next opponent: the New York Yankees (49:33). MLB Insider Jeff Passan comments on the umpires vs. Scherzer, if Mad Max could be suspended, and if the Oakland A’s will be moving to Las Vegas anytime soon (01:19:23).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays' 4-2 road win over the Houston Astros where Chris Bassitt shut down Houston’s offence and both Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Matt Chapman went yard! Astros analyst and former third baseman Geoff Blum comments on the Astros-Jays series so far, Alex Bregman’s slow start offensively, and Houston’s starting rotation without ace Justin Verlander this season (28:00). Jeff and Kevin share their thoughts on another batch of new rules that Major League Baseball is testing out in the Atlantic League, before answering listeners’ questions on the “Back Leg Line’(49:33). To end off the show, World Series-winning Manager Dusty Baker joins the show to talk about his friendship with Cito Gaston, managing Barker with the Cincinnati Reds, where Yordan Alvarez ranks amongst the best left-handed hitters he’s managed, and why he decided to take the Astros job in the first place (01:15:21).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker go over Toronto’s 9-2 loss to the Houston Astros, highlighted by if the pitch clock affected Kevin Gausman’s performance and if tweaks should be made with the team’s batting order. The guys then answer a few calls on the ‘Back Leg Line’ (29:04), before speaking to Blue Jays analyst Caleb Joseph about if Bo Bichette should be moved to the cleanup spot, Alejandro Kirk and Danny Jansen behind the plate, and what he needs to see from top prospect Ricky Tiedemann to show he’s ready for the Majors (49:41). Speaking of Tiedemann, the man himself joins Jeff and Kevin to discuss what he learned from his first spring with the big club, what he's been working on in the minors, and whether he's been given any timelines for his promotion (01:15:52).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Toronto Blue Jays' weekend which saw them win two of three games against the previously undefeated Tampa Bay Rays; notably the starting pitching and Alek Manoah struggling again in his latest appearance. Afterwards, the guys examine the Blue Jays’ other division rivals in the latest installment of ‘In The East’ (29:57). Jayson Stark of The Athletic comments on what we’ve learned from the Rays' winning streak, the bizarre substance check on Yankees’ starter Domingo German, and more from the weekend in Major League Baseball (49:33). We wrap up with Astros radio analyst Steve Sparks, who previews the upcoming Houston-Toronto series at Minute Maid Park (01:14:45).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' 3-1 loss to the Tigers and discuss Ricky Tiedemann’s nine strikeouts through three innings in his season debut with AA New Hampshire, before looking ahead to this weekend’s big series against the 13-0 Tampa Bay Rays! Rays GM Peter Bendix talks about what’s behind the team’s exceptional start, key contributors like Brandon Lowe being healthy, and the new MLB rules encouraging athleticism and working well with his team’s skillset (26:10). Former Rays outfielder and current studio analyst Matt Joyce shares his view on the 13-0 streak and being teammates with Kevin Kiermaier (49:28). MLB insider Jeff Passan sends us into the weekend with his assessment of tonight’s starter José Berríos, and share why the Mets and Dodgers could be front runners if Shohei Ohtani hits free agency (01:19:24).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays’ 4-3 win in extra innings over the Detroit Tigers, notably Kevin Gausman’s strong outing and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s defence. Blue Jays Manager John Schneider joins the show with his club having won seven of their last eight games to discuss the positive signs he’s seen from José Berríos, Alek Manoah gradually building up his velocity, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. becoming a gold glover at first-base, and the current platoon situation at second base (28:11). Tigers Manager A.J. Hinch looks ahead to the final game of the Jays-Tigers series and talks about managing a developing young team and the new bullpen configurations at Rogers Centre for opposing teams (49:33). We wrap up with Blue Jays play-by-play voice Dan Shulman, who comments on Matt Chapman’s hot start and how the new rules can effect the team on the base paths (01:14:13).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker share their takeaways from the Blue Jays’ 9-3 win over the Tigers on a night where Kevin Kiermaier stole the show with an incredible highlight reel catch and home run! The guys discuss what they saw from Alek Manoah’s 4.1 innings of work, the bullpen pitching scoreless innings the rest of the way, and Brandon Belt who had three hits in the win. Blue Jays radio play-by-play voice Ben Wagner weighs in on the home opener, nobably Manaoh’s velocity from start to start, the Jays’ platoon at second base, and Kiermaier’s big game (30:48). Later on, MLB executive Morgan Sword discusses how excited they are that the league has transitioned and adjusted to the new rules so smoothly, and why they'll keep letting fans lead them for any future rule adjustments down the road (49:28). Jeff and Kevin end the show with questions on the ‘Back Leg Line’, before examining Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s contract status, and looking ahead to Kevin Gausman’s start in game two of the series (01:14:20).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The final home opener of the 2023 season takes place tonight at Rogers Centre as the Blue Jays host the Tigers! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss what they’re looking for from Alek Manoah tonight, the run differential of the American League East teams, Matt Chapman winning AL Player of the week, and the Orioles' new home run celebration. Later on, the fellas head to the phonelines to answer some of your questions on the 'Back Leg Line' (27:15). Next up, Chris Rose, host of The Chris Rose Rotation, weighs in on the Blue Jays and José Berríos’ start to the season, before projecting if Aaron Judge can repeat his MVP-performance (47:37). We wrap up with Tigers analyst Craig Monroe, who previews the upcoming series from a Detroit perspective and takes us through the mix of youngsters and veterans on the roster (01:16:05).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' weekend in L.A. as they took two of three against the Angels. The guys focus on Toronto's starting pitching in the series, while Matt Chapman and Kevin Kiermaier stayed red-hot at the plate. Later on, the guys examine the Jays’ division rivals in the latest installment of ‘In The East’ (31:44). Former Marlins President David Samson talks about how front offices handle players who are underperforming with big contracts and where Miguel Cabrera stands all-time ahead of the Tigers' visit to Toronto (51:15). With the Rays continuing their winning ways, the guys call up Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times to discuss the club’s perfect 9-0 start to the season (01:20:54).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays taking four of three against the Kansas City Royals, as Kevin Gausman didn’t allow an earned run in his second consecutive start. The guys empty out the 'Back Leg Line' and answer questions on Brandon Belt, Yusei Kikuchi, and no hitters (27:26). MLB Network Radio’s C.J. Nitkowski shares his thoughts on the early part of the season, notably the competition in the AL West, the Cardinals, and what he’s seen out of José Berríos (49:27). Angels TV analyst Mark Gubicza previews this weekend’s series between the Jays and Halos, before offering his perspective on the future of Shohei Ohtani in Southern California (01:18:39).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ 3-0 win over the Kansas City Royals, highlighted by Alek Manoah's seven innings of one-hit ball and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s first HR of the season. Former MLB player and father of Daulton, Gary Varsho, joins the guys to discuss his son’s path to the major leagues and why he felt that Daulton would be a good fit on the Blue Jays (25:32). MLB insider Jeff Passan shares his thoughts on the Rays’ hot start, Grayson Rodriguez’s debut with the Orioles, Shohei Ohtani’s pitch clock violations on the mound and in the batter’s box, and José Berríos’ struggles against the Royals (50:03). Jeff and Kevin wrap up today's show listening to your calls on the 'Back Leg Line' (01:20:53)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' 4-1 win over the Royals, as Yusei Kikuchi and the bullpen’s solid performance snapped the team’s three-game losing streak. Former MLB catcher and co-host of Foul Territory Erik Kratz discusses the early part of the MLB season and comments on Chris Bassitt and José Berríos’ first starts (27:49). Later on, Sportsnet’s Buck Martinez checks-in from Kansas City ahead of Alek Manoah’s start in the rubber match of the series (49:22). Jeff and Kevin react to Oli Marmol and Tyler O’Neill’s post-game comments from Tuesday night, before wrapping things up with a few questions from the 'Back Leg Line' (01:20:45).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show discussing the Blue Jays’ third consecutive loss, accentuated by José Berríos struggles on the mound after allowing eight runs in 5.2 innings of work. Jeff and Kevin listen and react to Alex Verdugo’s candid comments on Alek Manoah, before welcoming MLB Network’s Ryan Dempster to the conversation (30:58). Royals analyst & former closer Jeff Montgomery looks ahead to game two between the Royals and Jays and shares what he noticed from Berríos from the series opener (49:31). To end off the show, the guys check the voicemail on the “Back Leg Line” (01:13:14).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' opening series loss against the Cardinals; particularly Chris Bassitt’s rough debut on Sunday afternoon. “In The East” returns as the guys examine the play of Toronto’s division rivals, notably the Rays’ starting pitching looking strong in the early going (27:25). The Athletic’s Jayson Stark discusses Rob Manfred’s candid comments on the use of analytics and his takeaways from MLB’s opening weekend (51:10). Blue Jays manager John Schneider comments on his club’s play against St. Louis, Bassitt’s debut and the adjustments needed to be made, Daulton Varsho and Matt Chapman’s series at the dish, and looks ahead to José Berríos’ start against the Royals (01:18:13).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' 10-9 Opening Day win over the St. Louis Cardinals and share their thoughts on the way John Schneider configured the batting order, Matt Chapman hitting to the opposite field, how the team operated on the base paths, and Bo Bichette’s overall game. Blue Jays radio voice Ben Wagner comments on what a healthy George Springer brings to the lineup, Daulton Varsho batting in the clean-up spot, and Alek Manoah’s use of PitchCom (29:58). MLB insider Jeff Passan discusses Shohei Ohtani’s dominance in the Angels’ latest hard luck loss, the Mariners and Astros in the AL West, Adley Rutschman’s amazing season debut with the Orioles, and MLB and the MLBPA reaching a deal on a CBA for minor league players (49:30).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
It’s Opening Day and Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker are ready for Blue Jays baseball! The guys open up the phone lines throughout the show for fans to weigh-in on the 2023 edition of the team. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi (38:43) and Cardinals TV analyst Brad Thompson (50:38) join the show from St. Louis to preview today’s matchup with Alek Manoah and Miles Mikolas taking the hill.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin are back to two hours, and start off the show with their predictions ahead of the 2023 MLB season! Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae previews the six-part series “Alek Manaoh: Obsessed” and discusses her main takeaways from covering the Blue Jays throughout spring training in Florida (30:25). Next up, the guys welcome Cardinals’ VP & General Manager Mike Girsch to the show for a deep dive on the Blue Jays first opponents of the season (49:36). To conclude the show, Blue Jays’ manager John Schneider talks to the guys about how he and the coaching staff decide how to configure the team’s lineup, José Berríos’ offseason and outlook for 2023, Bo Bichette’s defence, and more ahead of his first Opening Day as an MLB manager (01:14:22).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss today’s breaking news that Nathan Lukes has made the Blue Jays over Otto Lopez, and react to Manager John Schneider’s comments about how he and the coaching staff arrived at the decision. The guys then revisit Monday’s Grapefruit League action against Philadelphia, notably Chris Bassitt’s comments about using PitchCom, how he fared against the Phillies’ hitters, and J.T. Realmuto’s bizarre ejection at the hands of umpire Randy Rosenberg. WEEI’s Rob Bradford concludes our 2023 AL East previews as he joins Jeff and Kevin to break down the Red Sox (26:16), before the guys head to the "Back Leg Line" to answer a question on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (41:42).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the state of the Blue Jays bullpen; notably Zach Pop’s consecutive outings over the weekend against the Tigers and Yankees, and being encouraged by Yimi Garcia’s increased velocity throughout spring training. Jack Curry of YES Network continues our AL East previews as the guys dive deeper into the New York Yankees and the ceiling of top prospect Anthony Volpe (28:40). The guys end the show with two more questions from the Back Leg Line, and share why they aren’t worried about the trade sending Gabriel Moreno and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. for Daulton Varsho (43:27).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker are reunited with Barker returning from his assignments in Florida to chat about why the Blue Jays have retired their home run jacket. MLB Network analyst Carlos Pena joins the show with his thoughts on the Blue Jays, players using spring training to experiment with different techniques, and why he’s not sleeping on Baltimore as a threat in the AL East (13:33). ESPN's MLB Insider Jeff Passan discusses why he likes the 2023 edition of the Blue Jays' bullpen, his expectations for Kevin Gausman, and his pick to represent the American League in the World Series (28:37).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair opens the show solo discussing Jose Berrios’ latest effort against the Orioles, earning the win while pitching five innings of one-run ball. Speaking of the O’s, the 2023 AL East previews continue with MASN’s Roch Kubatko examining Baltimore's up-and-coming roster and if they can improve on last season's positivity (08:00).Blue Jays play-by-play voice Dan Shulman joins the show from sunny Dunedin to talk about the team’s attitude in spring training compared to last year, if Alek Manoah or Kevin Gausman will be Toronto’s opening day starter against the Cardinals, and more (23:45)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the World Baseball Classic’s thrilling championship game where Japan defeated the United States 3-2; notably the final at-bat between Angels teammates and superstars Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout. Blue Jays radio voice Ben Wagner joins the guys to preview Jose Berrios’ first Grapefruit League start since returning from the WBC (14:04). Kevin Gausman joins the show to discuss how he’s preparing for the upcoming season, adjusting to the pitch clock, his thoughts on players participating in the WBC during Spring training, and last season’s postseason exit against the Seattle Mariners (25:40).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the show reacting to last night’s semi-final in the World Baseball Classic, where Japan prevailed 6-5 over Mexico. Next they focus in on the Blue Jays, in particular Kevin Gausman who pitched five shutout innings in his latest spring tune-up against Detroit. Rays TV analyst Brian Anderson begins our AL East previews to break down how Tampa Bay is shaping up for the upcoming season (28:35); before the guys end the show with a few questions from Barker's Back Leg Line!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ weekend, notably Alek Manoah pitching six strong innings in a loss against the Rays. They also examine the recent struggles of Matt Chapman and Daulton Varsho at the dish, and the possibility of Whit Merrifield being an x-factor at the bottom of the lineup in 2023. Could Joey Votto be in Toronto’s sights around the trade deadline? They guys react to a tweet from Jim Bowden who spoke to Reds GM Nick Krall. Former Marlins President and CBS Sports analyst David Samson discusses the World Baseball Classic including the success of this year’s tournament, the timing of the games, and the concerns for teams sending players to participate (30:10).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays’ Pitching Coach Pete Walker who discussed Chris Bassitt working with Alejandro Kirk after previously throwing to Danny Jansen, José Berrios’ start at the World Baseball Classic, Alek Manoah adding a third pitch to his arsenal, Ricky Tiedemann, and Nate Pearson’s role in 2023 (14:50). Later on, Radio play-by-play voice Ben Wagner checks in to share what he’d like to see from the Jays before camp breaks, before focusing in on minor-league signing Ernie Clement, Matt Chapman’s toe-tap at the plate, and how Toronto will manage Yusei Kikuchi’s starts (32:32).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open up the show discussing Edwin Diaz’s freak injury at the World Baseball Classic, the Dominican Republic (and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.) not advancing to the second round, and Canada being eliminated by Mexico. Next up, the guys go to "Barker's Backleg Line" for an extended question and answer session on the Blue Jays. To end the show, Baseball Canada Coach and Head of the Junior National team, Greg Hamilton recaps the tournament from a Canadian perspective and discusses the bright future for the program with up-and-coming players like Owen Caissie, Denzel Clarke, and Edouard Julien (33:02).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss Blue Jays prospect Otto Lopez starring for Team Canada at the World Baseball Classic and if he has the leg up on the competition as Toronto's 26th man on the roster. With Vladimir Guerrero Jr. returning to the Blue Jays’ lineup this afternoon, the guys discuss if he will represent the Dominican Republic and react to John Schneider’s comments on the matter, before providing an update on Ricky Tiedemann. Sportsnet’s Caleb Joseph talks about why he likes Lopez for the final roster spot, if he’s concerned about José Berrios, Danny Jansen and Chris Bassitt getting comfortable with one another and PitchCom, and the positive signs surrounding Vladdy's return (28:17).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker examine the Blue Jays 16-3 rout of the Red Sox: Alek Manoah’s latest start, Alejandro Kirk’s 2023 Grapefruit League debut, Bo Bichette staying hot at the dish, and what Nate Pearson’s role might be after his clean inning of work. Sportsnet’s Buck Martinez breaks down Canada at the World Baseball Classic following their 12-1 loss to the United States to set up an extremely important game against Colombia in Pool C (29:04). To end off the show, the fellas answer the "Back Leg Line" for Barker’s latest assignment from Dunedin (44:34)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker focus in on Jose Berrios’ performance for Puerto Rico at the World Baseball Classic as he struggled lasting only one inning in a 9-6 loss versus Venezuela. Later they focus on the rest of the Blue Jays, who went 3-0 in Grapefruit League action over weekend; notably George Springer’s big weekend at the plate, Yusei Kikuchi’s latest outing, and how Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is progressing with his knee injury. Sportsnet's Shi Davidi checks in from the World Baseball Classic to recap Canada’s wild 18-8 mercy rule win against Great Britain, and looks ahead to their next game against Team USA tonight (28:18). Lastly, the guys head to "Barker’s Back Leg Line" for his latest assignment from Dunedin (43:56).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by the Blue Jays’ top position player prospect Addison Barger, who discussed how he became a left-handed hitter despite being a natural righty, adding a leg kick to his swing, and learning from the Blue Jays' veteran players in camp (17:25). Barker reports back from his assignment on Don Mattingly and explains how “Donnie Baseball” has impacted Toronto’s players so far. Later on, Blue Jays radio voice Ben Wagner checks-in ahead of today’s Blue Jays-Red Sox game with his takeaways from Blue Jays camp; including who he believes should be the Toronto's 26th man on the roster (37:34).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss Alek Manoah’s Grapefruit League outing against the Twins and how he is using the pitch clock to his advantage. Next up, Cal Quantrill talks about anchoring the rotation for Team Canada at the World Baseball Classic, the team’s expectations, and how he has adapted to the pitch clock while in camp with the Cleveland Guardians (16:41). With Barker on assignment at the Blue Jays Player Development Complex, Jeff calls up former MLB umpire Dale Scott to hear his view on how umpires have done enforcing the new rule changes around the game (32:56).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down Yusei Kikuchi and Ricky Tiedemann’s respective performances against the Pirates in Grapefruit League action, particularly where Tiedemann is at with his velocity. World Series-winning Manager and author of 'The Book of Joe', Joe Maddon joins Jeff and Kevin to discuss managing teams with high expectations, his experience working with Shohei Ohtani, facing the Blue Jays as manager of the Rays, and his view on the rule changes for the 2023 season (17:28). To end off the show, Blair and Barker head to the phone line to answer your questions on the shift and Hyun-Jin Ryu’s injury status (38:21).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show discussing Barker’s observations at the Blue Jays Player Development Complex, notably Brandon Belt looking strong doing drills at first base. The guys also examine Yusei Kikuchi’s velocity as he prepares for his latest Grapefruit league start, Zach Pop’s role in 2023, and how Toronto is equipped with better options in the bullpen than a year ago. MLB Insider Jeff Passan talks about spending time around the Blue Jays in spring training, which players could be ex-factors for the team in 2023, and what a contract extension could look like for Matt Chapman at season’s end (29:51).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap a victorious weekend for the Blue Jays as they picked up wins against the Rays, Tigers, and Phillies; and break down the most recent outings from Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman, and Chris Bassitt. The guys also discuss the status of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s knee injury which has forced him to skip the World Baseball Classic, who will be the 26th man on the roster, and the Blue Jays’ deciding to get rid of their home run jacket. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi previews the World Baseball Classic, how the Dominican Republic will offset the loss of Guerrero, and which teams he thinks are being overlooked and could surprise (31:10). To end the show, Blair & Barker check their voicemail and send Barker on assignment (45:10)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin concentrate on Yusei Kikuchi following his second consecutive successful Grapefruit League start. With Toronto facing Pittsburgh this afternoon, the guys call up Pirates Manager (and former Blue Jays coach) Derek Shelton to chat about why he and Orioles Manager Brandon Hyde decided to play a half-inning without umpires, and the veterans his club brought in this offseason including Carlos Santana, Rich Hill, and Andrew McCutchen (15:30). Later on, former Blue Jays and Pirates pitcher A.J. Burnett catches up with the guys and reflects on his time in Toronto, being teammates with Barker, keeping things loose in Spring Training, and fitting-in with new organizations after being dealt (28:30)
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker assess the performances from a few of the most talked about pitchers in Blue Jays’ camp: Jose Berrios’ outing against the Phillies, along with new addition Chris Bassitt and top prospect Ricky Tiedemann who both faced the Tigers. With a few days of sample-size, Major League Baseball’s Vice President of On-Field Strategy Joe Martinez discusses the feedback he has received on the new rules and quicker pace of play from players, managers, and executives around the game (27:55). Blair and Barker end the show with the debut of their new phone line! They chat about if the Blue Jays should have signed a depth catcher after trading away Gabriel Moreno (44:47).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker share their early reads on the Blue Jays' batting order, before discussing Alejandro Kirk skipping the World Baseball Classic after the birth of his daughter, expectations for Matt Chapman in 2023, and significant injuries around baseball (Joe Musgrove, Tyler Glasnow, and Gavin Lux). With Jose Berrios & the Blue Jays facing Philadelphia in split squad action this afternoon, the guys welcome Phillies analyst and former catcher Ben Davis on the show to break down the Phillies’ potent lineup, the addition of Trea Turner, Bryce Harper’s injury status, and how he feels catchers will adapt to the new pitch clock (29:18).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off this week discussing MLB's new rules being put on display and share their takeaways from the Blue Jays' opening weekend of Grapefruit League action. Later, they break down Toronto's hiring former Houston Astros GM James Click as their VP of Baseball Strategy. Later on, MLB Insider Jeff Passan chats about the early feedback on the pitch clock and rule changes, Manny Machado’s massive contract extension with the Padres, and the Jays' decision to add Click to the front office (29:35).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start off discussing a report that Alek Manoah has forced the Blue Jays to renew his contract; what does it mean and how it will effect his salary going forward? Later on, MLB Network analyst & host of The Mayor’s Office, Sean Casey shares why he thinks the new rule changes are great for the game, his thoughts on the Jays ahead of the 2023 campaign, and what its like for players entering a new clubhouse (13:57). Jeff and Kevin wrap things up by unveiling the plans for their new phone line, before looking ahead to Yusei Kikuchi’s first start of the spring against the Pirates (31:15).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the plethora of coaches and ex-players working with Blue Jays players in Dunedin and what they can learn from the guest instructors in camp and what factors players face when deciding to participate in the World Baseball Classic. Later on, MLB Network Radio and Rockies analyst Ryan Spilborghs joins the guys to explain why the Blue Jays are his pick to win the American League, what Daulton Varsho and Brandon Belt will add to Toronto’s lineup, Kevin Kiermaier’s defence, and how he thinks players will adapt to the game’s rule changes (24:40).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss new addition Chris Bassitt, his experience using PitchCom last season with the Mets, and how he and Danny Jansen have been working together early in spring training. Later on, Blue Jays analyst Buck Martinez joins the show live from Dunedin with his takeaways from camp and how pitchers, hitters, and catchers will adapt to the pitch clock (24:52).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show wondering which of the Blue Jays’ new additions will be most important to the team’s success in 2023 and why they believe Bo Bichette has the inside track to hitting in the cleanup spot. Later on, Tim Britton of The Athletic joins the show to discuss the Mets’ free-spending ways, owner Steve Cohen’s willingness to pay a significant luxury tax, and how real New York’s interest would be in Shohei Ohtani if he were to hit the open market (29:10).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker are back in their daily timeslot to bring you their Blue Jays thoughts now that spring training is in full swing! Jeff and Kevin examine the projected win totals for Toronto and their foes in the AL East, the expectations for the starting rotation, and the importance of the team's starters pitching deeper into games. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi joins the show from the Blue Jays complex in Dunedin, Florida to chat about how teams will adjust to the 2023 MLB rule changes, José Berríos’ outlook for 2023, and manager John Schneider being a hero off the field (26:47).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Spring Training has begun down in Florida! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker visit with Blue Jays radio voice (and Dunedin offseason resident) Ben Wagner to discuss the position battles early in camp, how the new additions of Daulton Varsho and Kevin Kiermaier have looked so far, and who the Opening Day starter might be at the end of March (3:13). Afterwards, they chat with former MLB shortstop Paul Janish on what it takes to play his position (versus playing second base, for example) and how players make the transition to other places on the field if asked (25:33). Plus, another edition of the weekly listener mailbag (45:44)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to Bo Bichette’s new three-year pact with the Toronto Blue Jays, and why the deal makes sense for both sides. Later on, Blair & Barker shift their focus to Team Canada and the World Baseball Classic as they speak to Manager Ernie Whitt and catcher Bo Naylor (26:11), before ending the show answering this week’s listener mailbag (54:03)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back to discuss Alek Manoah vs. Anthony Recker, Chad Green joining the Blue Jays bullpen, and this year’s Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame class. Later on, two-time World Series Champion with the Toronto Blue Jays John Olerud reflects on his career and his induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2020; finally being able to celebrate it in-person this upcoming June in St. Marys, Ontario (27:34).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker are joined by Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi (17:27) who shares the low down on the renovations and new outfield dimensions that Blue Jays fans and players can expect at Rogers Centre. The Athletic’s Jayson Stark discusses Scott Rolen punching his ticket to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, covering him while he was with the Phillies, and the players remaining on the ballot who missed the call to the hall in 2023 (26:47).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back and welcome Thad Levine, Minnesota Twins’ Senior Vice President & General Manager to the show! Levine discusses how the Twins ended up re-signing star shortstop Carlos Correa, why they were comfortable moving forward after the Giants and Mets had medical concerns, and what the arbitration process is like for both players and management (05:20). Afterwards, Jeff and Kevin share their thoughts on Bo Bichette and the Blue Jays going to salary arbitration, before answering listener questions with the offseason winding down (18:53).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker are back for 2023! The guys weigh-in on the Blue Jays-Diamondbacks trade that saw Gabriel Moreno and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. go to Arizona for outfielder Daulton Varsho; notably the decision to trade Moreno, who was considered by many as the organization’s top prospect. Afterwards, Daulton Varsho himself joins the show to discuss the surprise of being dealt to Toronto, what he brings to the team, and the excitement of competing in the AL East (14:18). Following Varsho, Jeff & Kevin talk about Rafael Devers contract extension with the Boston Red Sox, if Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s future deal could be comparable to it, and what else the Blue Jays could do this offseason to improve the roster (28:16).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
New Blue Jays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier joins Jeff and Kevin to explain his excitement about joining the team before opening up about what the free agent process was like for him, why he chose Toronto, and bouncing back after hip surgery. Following Kevin, Blair & Barker give out gifts to members of the Blue Jays for the holiday season (23:22).
Happy New Year - see you in 2023!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to terms with free-agent pitcher Chris Bassitt on a three-year deal! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker call up Mets reporter John Harper to discuss the type of pitcher and personality the Blue Jays are acquiring, and New York’s ever-expanding payroll under owner Steve Cohen (11:00). MLB insider Jeff Passan broke the Bassitt signing and joins the guys to talk about how the deal came to be and the Blue Jays’ next steps this offseason (23:40).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Blue Jays have finally made a free agent signing! 32-year-old centerfielder, Kevin Kiermaier is reportedly coming to Canada! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down Kiermaier’s game, what the move means for the Jays future plans this offseason, what the move means for George Springer, and more.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker return with their thoughts on the billion-plus dollars dished out by MLB teams at the winter meetings in San Diego, as star players like Trea Turner, Xander Bogaerts, and Justin Verlander secured new contracts. After some thought that Aaron Judge might go to the Giants, he ultimately remained a New York Yankee. Jeff and Kevin call up WFAN’s Yankees reporter Sweeny Murti to discuss how close the slugger was to leaving New York (18:46). John Schneider checks-in to discuss his first winter meeting as Blue Jays manager, Don Mattingly joining his staff as bench coach, and adapting to MLB’s rule changes for the upcoming season (33:40).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Don Mattingly has been hired as the new bench coach for the Toronto Blue Jays. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker share their thoughts on “Donnie Baseball” joining John Schneider’s staff before inviting former Marlins President David Samson on the show to discuss his experience working with Mattingly when he hired him to be Miami’s manager. Jeff, Kevin, and David also look ahead to next week’s Winter Meetings in San Diego; particularly the top-tier shortstops available in free agency.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back to breakdown the Teoscar Hernández trade news! Are you surprised that Teoscar was the first domino to fall? What did the Jays acquire? And is this move setting up another? Seattle Times reporter Ryan Divish joins the guys to talk about what the Jays acquired and how people in Seattle are feeling following the news (13:30). Finally they preview their offseason schedule and look ahead to what's next!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
With the World Series in the rear-view mirror, Blair and Barker turn their attention towards the offseason. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi joins the show from the GM Meetings in Las Vegas with a focus on the Toronto Blue Jays: their wants and needs and how active they will be to improve the roster (10:46). Afterwards, MLB insider Jeff Passan discusses Shohei Ohtani’s potential availability, what teams would have to give up for someone of his calibre, and the star players available in free agency including Aaron Judge and Jacob deGrom (36:04).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Houston Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in six games to become the 2022 World Series champions; earning Dusty Baker his first championship as a manager! The guys examine the series-clinching game, notably Rob Thomson’s decision to bring in José Alvarado to face Yordan Álvarez and Jeremy Peña's MVP honours, before discussing how closer Edwin Díaz’s new $102M five-year pact with the Mets can impact the free-agent market for relief pitchers. Throughout the show, Jeff and Kevin ask their listeners if this championship changes the way the Astros organization is viewed after the 2017 cheating scandal; and if Houston can be considered a dynasty with their two titles and consistent success.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Justin Verlander picked up his first career World Series win as the Astros took Game 5 by a score of 3-2, and now lead the series by that same margin. Jeff and Kevin recap the game and discuss if it will be finally be manager Dusty Baker’s time to win the championship that has alluded him to this point in his career. 2008 World Series Champion pitcher Jamie Moyer shares his thoughts on the Astros-Phillies, Houston’s Game 6 starter Framber Valdez, and the anxiety and excitement that permeates through the dugout during high-pressure postseason moments (27:42).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
History was made in Game 4 of the World Series as Cristian Javier and the Astros' bullpen combined to no-hit the Philadelphia Phillies in a 5-0 win to even up the series. Charlie Manuel, manager of the 2008 World Series-winning Phillies, reflects on the series so far, compares the 2008 World Champions to the 2022 squad, and goes down memory lane when he had a firsthand seat to MLB’s last postseason no-hitter: Roy Halladay’s gem in 2010 (15:12). MLB insider Jeff Passan joins the show from Philadelphia to discuss to tonight’s pivotal Game 5, the decision-making from Dusty Baker and Rob Thomson through four games, and how the Astros’ players involved in the 2017 cheating scandal are perceived today (30:29).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker recap Philadelphia’s convincing 7-0 win in Game 3 of the World Series and look into whether or not Lance McCullers Jr. was tipping his pitches during his outing; before discussing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. winning the AL Gold Glove at first base. Former Astros and Phillies closer Brad Lidge reflects on the World Series between his former clubs; notably the atmosphere at Citizens Bank Park, how he would pitch to Bryce Harper amidst his historic postseason, and who is more trustworthy in the World Series going forward: Justin Verlander or Zack Wheeler (27:23). To end the show, Jeff and Kevin discuss Charlie Montoyo’s future, with reports suggesting that the former Blue Jays manager will be named the Chicago White Sox’s bench coach (47:59).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
There was no Halloween baseball as rain postponed Game 3 of the World Series in Philadelphia. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss why the rain delay could provide Philadelphia's bullpen with an advantage, Albert Pujols officially announcing his retirement, and the task ahead for new White Sox Manager Pedro Grifol. The guys welcome Dan Shulman to the show from the "City of Brotherly Love" to preview Game 3, and focuses in on Jeremy Peña's postseason emergence for Houston and Zack Wheeler’s status for the rest of the series (25:28). To end the show, Jeff and Kevin ask each other which team tonight’s game is more of a must-win for (45:51).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the weekend that was in the World Series as the Phillies and Astros split the first two games. Jeff and Kevin discuss the decisions by managers Dusty Baker and Rob Thomson, particularly the wild Game 1 with Philadelphia prevailing in extra innings. Astros analyst and World Series champion Geoff Blum joins the guys with his thoughts on the series so far, notably if Justin Verlander can be trusted going forward after another sub-par World Series outing on Friday (28:21).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
It’s finally time for the World Series to begin between the Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome former Phillies player, manager, and coach Larry Bowa to the show to share his thoughts on Philadelphia’s journey to the World Series, Bryce Harper’s performance to this point, and the intimidation factor playing at Citizens Bank Park (08:40). NY Times baseball columnist Tyler Kepner discusses his new book The Grandest Stage on the history of the World Series ahead of this year’s fall classic(26:48).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
With the World Series only a day away, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker debate the decision by the Philadelphia Phillies to start Aaron Nola in Game 1 over Zack Wheeler, before inviting CBS Sports’ David Samson into the Astros-Phillies conversation (15:28)! He comments on Philly's decision to move Bryce Harper to third in the order, Yankees ownership giving a vote of confidence to Aaron Boone, and how certain organizations can overthink things in the postseason. Afterwards, Jeff and Kevin talk about the Blue Jays’ six Silver Slugger finalists and address Shohei Ohtani’s availability in an extended version of "Barker’s Back Leg Bits" (33:48).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker continue to get set for the start of the World Series and call up Dan Shulman, who will have the upcoming radio call of Phillies-Astros. The guys discuss Dusty Baker’s influence on the Astros’ club, Baker’s Hall of Fame candidacy, who has the best “stuff” in Houston’s pitching staff, Yankee fans booing Aaron Judge, and the offseason decisions that loom for New York (15:34). The guys catch up with Blue Jays catcher and soon-to-be dad Danny Jansen about the end of Toronto’s season, watching and studying different catchers around the game, and John Schneider returning as manager (39:00).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open up the show with some final thoughts on the New York Yankees and their motivational tactics ahead of Game 4 of the ALCS before being swept by the Houston Astros. The guys invite MLB insider Jeff Passan into the conversation to chat about the futures of Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman in the Bronx and examine the Astros and their dominant postseason run so far (04:21). Philadelphia Phillies manager and Corunna, Ontario native Rob Thomson discusses his club’s run to the World Series and the success the Phils have had since he took to reigns as manager midseason (38:05).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
On a special edition of the podcast, Blue Jays manager John Schneider speaks to the media after signing a new contract to remain with the club. Sportsnet's Caleb Jospeh weighs in on what this means for the team’s immediate plans and how the rest of the Jays' coaching staff might shake out.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
John Schneider is back as the Blue Jays’ manager after agreeing to a three-year contract extension, with a team option for the 2026 season. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi joins the guys for instant reaction as they discuss who could be joining Schneider on his coaching staff (03:49). Afterwards, San Diego Padres’ President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller discusses his club’s postseason run, Game 3 starter Joe Musgrove, Manny Machado’s Hall of Fame trajectory, and much more as the NLCS heads east to Philadelphia tied 1-1 (28:57).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Wednesday’s postseason action where Juan Soto had his playoff moment for the Padres, and Justin Verlander’s 11 strikeouts kept the Yankees at bay in Game 1 of the ALCS. Jeff Francoeur, former major-leaguer and current TBS broadcaster on the call for Astros-Yankees, shares his thoughts on Houston’s win to open the series and if the Yankees can get to the 'Stros' formidable pitching staff (28:44).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker share their final thoughts on the Yankees-Guardians series with New York now on their way to face Houston in the ALCS. Later, they hone in on the Phillies 2-0 win over the Padres in Game 1 of the NLCS, particularly Zack Wheeler’s masterful performance where he pitched seven innings of one-hit ball. MLB Insider Jeff Passan comments on why no announcement has been made yet by the Blue Jays on John Schneider, Terry Francona’s decision to start Aaron Civale in a do-or-die scenario, and why the Astros should be disappointed if they aren’t the 2022 World Series champions (31:26).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker preview Game 5 of the ALDS between the Yankees and Guardians after it was cancelled on Monday night. YES Network’s Jeff Nelson comments on the Yankees starting Nestor Cortes in the deciding game over Jameson Taillon and his experience dealing with rain delays as a player (15:13). With the NLCS returning to San Diego for the first time since 1998, Blair and Barker call up former Padres outfielder and current radio analyst Tony Gwynn Jr. to discuss the excitement in the city and the Padres chances against the Phillies(29:28).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to a busy and entertaining weekend of baseball where the Astros, Padres, and Phillies all advanced to the next round. The guys discuss the current postseason format, the layoff the Dodgers had ahead of the NLDS, the Padres and Phillies meeting in the NLCS, and Josh Naylor’s home run off Gerrit Cole and subsequent celebration. Afterwards, Blair and Barker welcome former Marlins President & MLB analyst David Samson in on the conversation ahead of Game 5 between the Yankees and Guardians (34:39).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin continue to be in awe of Yordan Álvarez' ability and hear why manager Dusty Baker says the Astros' slugger reminds him of Barry Bonds. ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian looks back at the Blue Jays’ quick postseason exit, before discussing Carlos Correa opting-out of his Twins contract, this winter’s free-agent shortstop market and the division series in both the AL & NL (11:47). Blair and Barker call up Fox Sports’ Adam Amin, who is calling Dodgers-Padres tonight, to get his thoughts on the series so far, bullpen usage throughout this postseason, who needs to step up for the Padres at home, and the raucous atmosphere he’s expecting at Petco Park (32:29).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Padres evening their series with the Dodgers in Game 2, capped off with Manny Machado and Jake Cronenworth providing the heroics. Yankees radio analyst Suzyn Waldman discusses the weather forecast for Game 2 of Cleveland vs. New York, if a cancelled game will alter each team's pitching plans, Nestor Cortes pitching on extra rest, an injury update on DJ LeMahieu, and why the Yankees continue to bat Aaron Judge in the leadoff spot (16:09). Three-time World Series Champion and current Astros analyst Mike Stanton reflects on Houston’s thrilling Game 1 win over Seattle, Yordan Álvarez' propensity to hit the fastball, and explains why Game 2 starter Framber Valdez has the best stuff in Houston’s rotation (yes, even better than Justin Verlander) (33:38).In Barker’s Back Leg Bits, the guys discuss Blue Jays pitcher Nate Pearson and his upcoming stint in Winter Ball (44:45).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff and Kevin start off the show reacting to Yordan Álvarez’ walk-off home run off of Robbie Ray in Game 1 of Houston & Seattle’s divisional series, before getting into why Scott Servais decided to use Robbie Ray out of the bullpen. Afterwards, the guys look back on Ross Atkins’ end-of-season news conference and discuss why ultimately, they both believe John Schneider will be back as manager of the Blue Jays in 2023. Sportsnet’s Joe Siddall shares his takeaways from Atkins’ availability and day one of the 2022 division series, notably Cal Quantrill’s start against the Yankees, Dodgers-Padres West coast showdown, and his breakdown of the Ray-Álvarez at-bat (33:50).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi joins the guys ahead of Ross Atkins' news conference to discuss what he would like to hear from the Blue Jays’ GM, the state of the team’s bullpen, keeping George Springer healthy, and if he thinks the organization should sign Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and/or Bo Bichette to a long-term extension this offseason (01:18). Following Shi, Blue Jays fans have their say on what they want to hear from Atkins and what they would like to see happen to the roster in the offseason.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin open up the show looking ahead to Ross Atkins’ media availability – what will the Blue Jays’ GM say after a quick two-game sweep at the hands of the Mariners? Later on, the guys transition to the divisional series and make their predictions for both the American and National Leagues. Hall of Fame pitcher and Braves broadcaster Tom Glavine joins to preview Game 1 between the Braves and Phillies and chat about Atlanta’s chances at repeating, the pressures of postseason pitching, and Spencer Strider’s recent extension with the ball club (33:05).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph joins the show with his thoughts on the Blue Jays-Mariners series, particularly the second and deciding game. Caleb goes into detail on the decision to pull Kevin Gausman for Tim Mayza, the need for a few “bad cops” on the coaching staff, if Jackie Bradley Jr. should have been put in the game earlier as a defensive replacement, and how Alek Manoah and Alejandro Kirk pitched to Cal Raleigh in Game 1 (02:49). Throughout the show, Jeff and Kevin open up the phone lines and read messages as listeners weigh-in with their thoughts on the historic loss, John Schneider’s future as manager, and the priorities that are ahead in the offseason.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Blue Jays postseason is over just as quickly as it began after a crushing 10-9 loss in Game 2 to the Seattle Mariners; a game where Toronto relinquished a 8-1 lead. Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker break down everything from the loss, the turning points in the game, and look ahead to what the offseason now has in store after an earlier than anticipated exit. World Series Champion and Marquee Sports analyst Ryan Dempster discusses John Schneider’s bullpen management in Game 2, the Blue Jays players using the loss as a learning experience, Seattle’s hitters getting to Alek Manoah early in Game 1 of the series, and if the Blue Jays should make a serious run to bring Ross Stripling back (33:33).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Former Mariners All-Star and current Special Assignment coach Mike Cameron joins Blair and Barker to look back on the 2001 season, a historic year for Seattle and the last time they made the postseason until now. Cameron also previews the Wild Card series from a Mariners perspective discussing Julio Rodríguez’s standout season, what intangibles Cal Raleigh brings to the table, and how much previous postseason experience matters in October (01:47). MLB insider Jeff Passan shares why he thinks the Blue Jays-Mariners series is the most exciting of the Wild Card round, if Kevin Gausman should be saved for a potential must-win Game 3, and his final thoughts on Aaron Judge and Albert Pujols’ resurgent second half (27:09).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
It’s finally game day! Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker get you ready for Blue Jays-Mariners starting with their instant reaction to the Jays’ postseason roster announcement and Game 1 starter Alek Manoah’s media availability from Thursday. Later, the guys go over the other Wild Card series in the AL & NL and share their predictions for Guardians-Rays, Cardinals-Phillies, and Mets-Padres. Longtime MLB closer & current ESPN analyst Gregg Olson is in town working Jays-Mariners and discusses why he’s anticipating a low-scoring Game 1, starters Alek Manoah and Luis Castillo, and the battle of the bullpens (35:06).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Seattle Mariners play-by-play voice Dave Sims joins Jeff and Kevin to give the lowdown on the team, notably Scott Servais’ managing style and how he runs his bullpen, Ty France covering the entire plate as a hitter, and Robbie Ray making his return to Rogers Centre (02:15). MLB on TBS & Mets analyst Ron Darling discusses Alek Manoah making his postseason debut on Friday, Jordan Romano’s repertoire, gamesmanship in the postseason with managers not tipping their hand, and the Mets being swept by Braves late in the season to cost them the NL East title (26:14).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
With Alek Manoah tapped to start Game 1, Jeff and Kevin debate which game Kevin Gausman should pitch in the Wild Card Series against Seattle. The guys then discuss if Toronto would be in this position if a managerial change wasn’t made during the season and look back at the key moments and performances from this team in 2022. In Barker’s Back Leg Bits, the guys ask fans for their confidence level ahead of the Mariners series, which Blue Jays they’re expecting big series from, and which players could be unsung heroes (31:50).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays radio voice Ben Wagner joins the show on the final day of the season from Baltimore - the site of today’s doubleheader. Ben discusses the plan for today’s double-dip, how John Schneider will be setting today’s lineups ahead of the Wild Card Series, and Toronto's preparation to face Seattle (00:36). Braves’ President & GM Alex Anthopoulos comments on Atlanta winning the NL East after the Mets’ led for most of the season, entering the postseason as defending champions, and if his current roster is more well-balanced than last year’s championship squad (28:28).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
It’s official: the Toronto Blue Jays will host the Seattle Mariners in a Wild Card series this weekend at Rogers Centre! Jeff and Kevin share their thoughts on the matchup while looking back at the season series where Seattle went 5-2, including a four-game sweep in back in July. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi joins the show from Arlington, Texas – the site of Aaron Judge’s 62nd home run to set the new American League record. Jon discusses being in the ballpark to witness history, speaking to Judge post-game, and how the Blue Jays' hitters stack up against the Mariners starting rotation in the Wild Card series (30:23).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair & Barker call up MLB Network’s Alex Avila to hear his thoughts on the Blue Jays, specifically the atmosphere at Rogers Centre, and how players and managers approach the final days of the season when there is nothing left to play for (03:23). Former MLB outfielder and current MLB Network Radio host Ryan Spilborghs breaks down why the Blue Jays shouldn’t care who they face in the Wild Card round, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s 2022 campaign, and how he feels about the Dodgers heading into the postseason having covered their recent games (25:30).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Following their rain-shortened 5-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles, the Toronto Blue Jays learned that they will be hosting the Wild Card Series after the Seattle Mariners' loss to the Detroit Tigers! Jeff and Kevin welcome in Blue Jays Central’s Caleb Joseph to assess José Berríos' season as a whole, who he would start following Alek Manoah in the Wild Card Series, and who would he rather face if he was the Jays: Seattle or Tampa Bay (27:32).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin discuss the Wild Card standings and what needs to be done for the Blue Jays to secure home-field advantage, before hearing from Mariners’ manager Scott Servais and Rays’ skipper Kevin Cash after clinching their spots in the postseason. Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins the show to discuss what he’d like to see from his team in their final three games of the season vs. Baltimore, if he would consider changing the bottom of the batting order, and provides an update on the health of Kevin Gausman, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Santiago Espinal (24:34)
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker return after the Blue Jays' sweep of the Boston Red Sox; a team that Toronto dominated in 2022 compiling a 16-3 record. Jeff and Kevin discuss Teoscar Hernández heating up at the right time, Whit Merrifield getting more and more comfortable, and Kevin Gausman leaving his start early with a cut on his finger. Dan Shulman, play-by-play voice for Sportsnet and ESPN, comments on the Jays' play over the weekend, if Moreno or Zimmer should be the final player on the postseason roster, and if he would move Hernández into the cleanup spot (32:15).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
CBS Sports HQ Analyst & former Marlins President David Samson discusses how much playoff revenue means to ownership, the logistics of travelling teams and families in the postseason, where he would slot Alek Manoah in a series, and what Aaron Judge’s value is to the New York Yankees beyond his contributions on the field (02:03). Jeff and Kevin mix in some more phone calls on the Jays’ postseason hopes and end off the week with a couple of Barker’s Back Leg Bits (29:06).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Toronto Blue Jays are heading to the postseason! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open up the phone lines to hear from fans: who would like to see Toronto face in the Wild Card round? Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman joins the show ahead of this weekend’s series against the Boston Red Sox and talks about why he would like to see Alek Manoah start game one of any Wild Card series, who should make the Blue Jays’ post-season roster, and if it should include three catchers (30:33).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
MLB insider Jeff Passan shares his view on Aaron Judge’s accomplishment, if he will stay a Yankee in the offseason, who can challenge the Astros in the AL, Tyler Glasnow getting healthy for the Rays, and if Aaron Judge is in the Hall of Fame conversation (02:13). The guys end off the show with an extended edition of Barker’s Back Leg Bits (22:20)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
History was made at Rogers Centre on Wednesday night as Aaron Judge hit his 61st home run of the season to equal Roger Maris’ American League & New York Yankees single-season record. Jeff and Kevin react to the accomplishment and listen to post-game comments from Judge himself, Blue Jays Manager John Schneider, Roger Maris Jr. and Jays pitcher Tim Mayza, before asking the fans which number they consider to be the true home-run record: 61 or Barry Bonds’ 73 which was reached in the steroid era.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
With all the talk surrounding Aaron Judge’s potential home run milestones, Jeff and Kevin invite Phil Ozersky on the show; the man who caught Mark McGwire’s 70th home run in 1998, the single-season record at the time. Phil discusses what happened in the aftermath of catching ball, his decision to put it up for auction, and what it was like meeting McGwire himself after the ball sold (02:29). Later on, WFAN Yankees reporter Sweeny Murti discusses the Yankees winning the division, Giancarlo Stanton not hitting like himself lately, and how the Yankees will approach the next week with the AL East all wrapped up (30:43).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays’ 5-2 loss to the Yankees as New York was able to clinch the AL East division on Toronto’s home turf. Jeff and Kevin talk about the mistakes made on the base paths by Toronto, Bo Bichette’s play in the field, and José Berríos’ latest start where he lasted 5.1 innings in the loss. The guys invite Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi in on the conversation where he shared his reaction to John Schneider’s post-game availability and the baserunning blunders from the Blue Jays in an important game where they are also trying to solidify their place in the postseason (34:19).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Sportsnet’s Joe Siddall joins Blair & Barker to discuss the latest surrounding the Blue Jays including if José Berríos is tipping his pitches, the work he is putting in with Pete Walker, Teoscar Hernández' two-run double and recent plate approach, and what he’s noticing from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. offensively(01:02). Play-by-play broadcaster for TBS Brian Anderson previews Game 2 of the Yankees-Blue Jays series and comments on how he prepares to call potential milestones when he’s on the mic (26:37).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays’ 3-2 win over the New York Yankees including: Kevin Gausman’s start, John Schneider’s decision to intentionally walk Aaron Judge, and Vladimir Guerrero’s walk-off hit in extra innings. The Athletic’s Jayson Stark goes around the Majors with the guys and shares his thoughts on where Aaron Judge’s 2022 season ranks among the best he’s seen, what kind of manager the Miami Marlins need after parting ways with Don Mattingly, and which combination of starting pitchers will set the Blue Jays up for postseason success (28:54).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Four-time World Series Champion and YES Network analyst Jeff Nelson joins Blair and Barker to discuss Aaron Judge’s historic season, Luis Severino, and how the Yankees could set their lineup and rotation as they head to Rogers Centre for the final time this regular season (04:14). Blue Jays manager John Schneider discusses George Springer’s sense of the moment, why securing home-field advantage is a priority, and who would start a decisive third postseason game for the Blue Jays (31:14).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ weekend against the Tampa Bay Rays, notably the last two games where Toronto picked up wins to split the series. The guys delve into Teoscar Hernández’s awakening at the plate, Whit Merrifield’s impressive numbers at Tropicana Field, Alek Manaoh’s performance on Saturday where he pitched 7 innings to secure the win, and Ross Stripling providing another strong outing. The guys then examine the weekend for the Yankees, Mariners, and Rays, and provide an update in the Wild Card Race for “In The East” (27:26). They wrap up this hour by revisiting the conversation on whether or not Alek Manoah should be available to pitch in one of the first three games of a Wild Card series (42:33).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
MLB insider Jeff Passan joins Blair and Barker to discuss the postseason teams jockeying for position, who in each league poses the biggest threat to the Astros and Dodgers, what he thinks the Blue Jays should do when it comes to securing home-field advantage, and the playoff atmosphere at Rogers Centre (04:54). In Barker’s Back Leg Bits, the guys answer a question on if catchers Alejandro Kirk, Danny Jansen, and Gabriel Moreno will all be back with Toronto next year, and fans weigh-in with their thoughts on how Toronto’s rotation should be set up in the playoffs (27:12).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Following Toronto’s 10-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, Jeff Blair and Kevin assess José Berríos' performance at Tropicana Field after he threw 74 pitches and lasted only two innings. Later on, they discuss and debate what should be the priority for Toronto: securing home-field advantage or setting up the starting rotation to feature Alek Manoah in a potential Wild Card series. Tampa Bay VP and General Manager Peter Bendix talks Jays-Rays, the pitching depth in his organization, and how a front office’s role changes down the stretch and into the postseason (30:59).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Rays Reporter Marc Topkin previews the final regular season series between Tampa Bay and Toronto, while providing an update on Shane McClanahan’s health and the argument between teammates Yandy Diaz and Randy Arozarena (02:39). Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker then open up the phone lines to ask fans for their expectations ahead of the all-important Blue Jays-Rays series (13:41), before ending the show with the latest installment of Barker’s Back Leg Bits (27:45).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 4-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies to earn a series split in the "City of Brotherly Love". Notably, they discuss Toronto’s decision to not use Anthony Bass in extra-innings, despite him not pitching in several days. Former Phillies GM & current MLB Network/NBC Sports analyst Ruben Amaro Jr. comments on certain managers being the right fit for certain teams, the mentality of managers coaching their teams down the stretch, Aaron Judge’s historic season and his future with the Yankees (30:15).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Senior VP of Baseball Operations for MLB and long-time player Raúl Ibañez joins Blair and Barker to discuss why he thinks baseball’s new rules will bring a “70’s and 80’s” feel to today’s game, why the new rules will benefit players, and looks back on the most "clutch" performers he’s been teammates with (02:16). Veteran MLB pitcher Jamie Moyer relies on his 25 years experience in the bigs to break down the adjustment going from the rotation to the bullpen in the postseason, before talking about winning the World Series in 2008 with the Phillies and the 2022 edition of the Seattle Mariners as they jockey for position with Toronto in the AL Wild Card Race (29:46). In the latest edition of Barker’s Back Leg Bits, the guys tackle questions on: Cavan Biggio, Matt Chapman and more (46:15)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap a wild 18-11 Blue Jays win over the Philadelphia Phillies and discuss Ross Stripling’s no decision, Bryce Harper’s base-running blunder, a successful night at the dish for Teoscar Hernández, the AL Wild Card race and Shane McClanahan leaving the Rays' game with an injury. Blair and Barker welcome Blue Jays radio voice Ben Wagner in on the conversation and ask who should be the Blue Jays’ starting second baseman when the playoffs begin (29:32).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Longtime MLB catcher and Phillies radio analyst Erik Kratz joins Blair and Barker to comment on the job Canadian Rob Thomson has done managing Philadelphia after taking over for Joe Girardi, Bryce Harper’s overall season and health, and what is was like being teammates with Aaron Judge on the Yankees as the slugger continues to chase history (03:34).Sportsnet’s Caleb Joseph shares his thoughts on how Danny Jansen looked catching Alek Manoah over Alejandro Kirk, Jansen’s pitch-framing, Jordan Romano’s blown save on Sunday, and Romano’s fastball-slider mix (29:03).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker start off with a look at the Wild Card standings, before re-visiting their conversation with John Schneider to question how the Blue Jays' lineup will look tonight when Toronto visits the Philadelphia Phillies for a two-game set. Houston Astros analyst and World Series Champion Geoff Blum discusses the team’s impressive performance this season, as Houston clinched the AL West for fifth time in six years after a 4-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays (29:18).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker welcome Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi to the show to discuss who would be the Blue Jays’ primary DH when everyone is healthy, the importance of Anthony Bass and Tim Mayza in the bullpen, and how to set up the starting rotation come playoff time (02:49). Blue Jays’ manager John Schneider makes his weekly appearance to reflect on his club going 7-4 in a 10-day stretch, Alek Manoah’s latest outing, Raimel Tapia making the most of his opportunities, and Jansen and Kirk working with the pitching staff (27:10). In Barker’s Back Leg Bits, the guys answer your questions, including one on Aaron Judge's options to sign in the off-season outside of New York (41:57).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Blue Jays took two of three from the Orioles over the weekend, distancing themselves further away from Baltimore in the AL Wild Card race. Jeff and Kevin examine Toronto's series win, notably Jordan Romano and the bullpen’s performance, and Alek Manoah’s latest start on Sunday. Blair & Barker then take a look at how the Jays' American League rivals fared over the weekend; primarily the Yankees and Aaron Judge as the slugger chases the Triple Crown and the organization’s record for home runs in a season (27:09).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
MLB’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Morgan Sword joins Jeff and Kevin to discuss how the rule changes for 2023 came to be, the decision to ban shift, the research and data behind the changes, and how to speed up the game (02:02). Later on, MLB insider Jeff Passan curses Bluetooth technology while also providing his opinion on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. saying he would like to sign an extension with Toronto in the off-season, and the Chicago White Sox playing better with Tony LaRussa away from the club (29:24).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 11-0 loss to the Rays, a disappointing final game despite Toronto winning the five-game series three games to two. The guys discuss Kevin Gausman’s latest start going up against Shane McClanahan, and what Toronto's best lineup would be at a time where key hitters are banged up and/or underperforming. In an extended Barker’s Back Leg Bits, Jeff and Kevin answer questions on: Bo Bichette, if the Texas Rangers could be a destination for Ross Stripling, Seattle’s schedule down the stretch and more (28:49)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman joins Jeff and Kevin to comment on the Blue Jays’ recent play, notably: if Raimel Tapia deserves more playing time, Ross Stripling being firmly inside the circle of trust, managing George Springer’s elbow, and what is the team’s optimal lineup when everyone is healthy (05:16). Padres analyst Tony Gwynn Jr. provides his thoughts on the Mariners after seeing them up close, Josh Hader’s turnaround, and San Diego battling it out for the third and final wild card spot in the NL (30:06).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' 5-1 victory over the Rays where starting pitcher Ross Stripling once again proved his worth. Rays analyst and friend of the show Brian Anderson previews today’s series finale and the standout pitching matchup between Shane McClanahan and Kevin Gausman (27:19). Afterwards, Toronto Blue Jays Program Manager of Amateur baseball T.J. Burton discusses this year’s upcoming Canadian Futures Showcase – the biggest amateur baseball tournament in the country (35:45).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Former Cardinals pitcher and current analyst Brad Thompson discusses the longevity of batterymates Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina ahead of their start today, Albert Pujols’ quest for 700 home runs, personally working with Molina, and Paul Goldschmidt’s MVP-type season (04:51). In an extended version of Barker’s Back Leg Bits - the guys answer your questions on pitch clocks, Teoscar Hernández, and more (26:48)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down a full day of baseball as the Blue Jays and Rays split their doubleheader Tuesday at Rogers Centre. Blair & Barker focus-in on Mitch White eating innings in game one, Whit Merrifield’s all-important two-run double, and Alek Manoah’s gutsy performance in game two after having his start pushed back due to illness. Former umpire Joe West re-joins the guys to share how umps will adapt to MLB’s rule changes next season, how the profession has evolved over the years, and if umpires handle the game differently in September and October (28:54).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Toronto Blue Jays / Buffalo Bisons pitcher Nate Pearson reflects on an injury-plagued 2022 season, how he’s currently feeling, and what his expectations are for the rest of the year and beyond (05:33). Afterwards, Jeff and Kevin focus in on the breaking news that Alek Manoah is dealing with a stomach bug and how Mitch White will be used after being recalled from AAA Buffalo, before inviting former catcher and Blue Jays analyst Caleb Joseph in on the conversation from Rogers Centre (23:38).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on game one in the Blue Jays-Rays series where Bo Bichette once again provided the heroics with a game-winning two-run home run in the 8th inning. Rays analyst and host of “Baseball Legends Lounge” Orestes Destrade shares his thoughts on the Rays-Jays rivalry with the two teams facing each other eight more times before season’s end (33:30); before Jeff and Kevin break down the Jays’ lineup for game one of Tuesday’s double-header with Julian Merryweather starting in place of Alek Manoah.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal joins Blair and Barker to discuss his latest story on Bo Bichette, his hot play on the Blue Jays’ road trip, the rule changes coming to MLB next year, and the future contracts of the Blue Jays’ core players (01:49). Later on, Blue Jays manager John Schneider reflects on a successful road trip where he touched on getting ejected, dealing with umpires, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. putting in work, and Bichette being in a good place mentally at the plate (24:46).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' weekend where they took two of three from the Texas Rangers; notably Sunday’s bullpen day started by Trevor Richards and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s series at the plate, before looking ahead to this week’s pivotal eight-game home stand against the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles. Afterwards, the guys look at how Toronto’s foes in the AL East and Wild Card Race fared over the weekend for “In The East”, and hear what managers Aaron Boone, Kevin Cash, and Brandon Hyde had to say post-game (29:16).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker give you the chance to win Blue Jays tickets as they take on the Rays on September 14th. The guys then welcome on MLB Network insider, Jon Paul Morosi, to talk about how the MLB's rule changes could affect the league and how they will be implemented. Then they discuss which players will benefit most from the new rules. YES Network Yankees analyst, Jack Curry, joins Blair & Barker to further discuss the struggles surrounding the team right now and how worried he is about this weekends series against the Rays. Finally the guys close out the week and send you into the weekend with Barker’s Back Leg Bits NFL edition!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the rule changes we could see come down the pipe today from the MLB competition committee. They also take a look at the AL East and AL wild card standings and dive into what the next 30 games could look like for the Blue Jays. Are they one of the three best teams in the American League? From the idea of a pitch clock, to the how they will ban the shift, how will these new rules affect the game? Blue Jays play-by-play announcer Dan Shulman joins the show to preview what these potential rule changes could look like and what effect they could have on Bo Bichette? The guys then discuss the Jays upcoming series against the Rangers this weekend, how the rotation could shake out, and what the rotation could look like against the Rays.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
MLB insider Jeff Passan takes a trip around the Majors with Jeff and Kevin and touches on the Yankees’ diminishing lead in the AL East, Alex Anthopoulos locking up the Braves’ core position players long-term, Manoah’s standout season and where he ranks among the top young starters in the game like Max Fried and Dylan Cease (02:22). Former Mets pitcher and host of the Shea Station podcast Jerry Blevins discusses the Mets battling it out with Atlanta for the NL East crown, Max Scherzer heading to the IL, and what the team’s biggest weakness is heading into the postseason (27:42).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker examine the Blue Jays' 4-1 win over the Orioles, taking three of four from them on the road, highlighted by Alek Manoah’s performance on the mound. The guys discuss how nothing spilled over after the tension in Tuesday’s game and assess the Jays’ schedule going forward with 26 games remaining. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi joins to comment on Toronto’s recent stretch and who he would start in Game One of a playoff series: Kevin Gausman or Alek Manoah (33:04).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Former MLB umpire & crew chief Dale Scott relies on his experience to provide a deep dive on benches clearing, umpires issuing warnings and balks given the incidents in the Blue Jays-Orioles series with umpire Jeff Nelson (02:53). Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette discusses his recent hot streak at the plate, making strides defensively, and how he assesses his season as a whole (25:14).To end the show, the guys answer questions in Barker’s Back Leg Bits including one on Whit Merrifield’s playing time since coming over from the Royals at the trade deadline (43:00).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ 9-6 loss to the Orioles in a game that was overshadowed by both benches clearing and John Schneider being ejected by home plate umpire Jeff Nelson. Jeff and Kevin discuss Bo Bichette continuing to get it done offensively with four hits and four runs; before looking ahead to the series finale on Wednesday with Alejandro Kirk likely catching three days in a row with Alek Manoah on the mound. Blue Jays Central analyst and former MLB backstop Joe Siddall comments on how umpires issuing warnings can alter how pitchers and catchers attack hitters and shares his thoughts on Toronto’s bullpen usage after Mitch White brief outing (30:31).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays radio play-by-play man Ben Wagner discusses the team’s recent stretch, specifically noticing a mental shift for Bo Bichette, assessing José Berríos’ start against the Orioles, and who the unsung heroes have been in the team’s bullpen (01:33). Orioles’ reporter Roch Kubatko talks about how Baltimore hopes to respond following Monday’s sweep in the double-header and Gunnar Henderson being the latest O’s prospect to take MLB by storm (26:45). We wrap up with Barker’s Back Leg Bits, as Jeff and Kevin answer your questions including if a salary floor would be good for the game (38:41).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker hit the airwaves after a successful long weekend for the Toronto Blue Jays with wins over the Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles! Jeff and Kevin key in on Bo Bichette’s recent offensive surge, highlighted by his three home-runs in game two of Monday’s double-header, while also discussing Cavan Biggio’s hot stretch, Jackie Bradley Jr. contributing, if Toronto’s rotation is now solidified with positive starts from José Berríos, and Jordan Romano’s performance in the ninth inning Sunday at PNC Park. Afterwards, the guys examine how the Blue Jays' rivals fared over the weekend for In The East and provide an update to the wild card standings(32:03).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Former catcher and current Sportsnet analyst Caleb Joseph joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to help preview the Jays-Pirates series this weekend, how the rotation could be structured moving forward, which Jay needs a strong September, and provides some in-depth analysis on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s swing (01:51). The guys close out the week with an extended version of "Barker’s Back Leg Bits" discussing who should bat third in the order, if the Jays are in need of a major overhaul in the off-season, and the lack of noise with surrounding the DH in the National League (29:51).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off today's show by previewing the Blue Jays' upcoming series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. They discuss how the rotation will shake out as they prepare for the Orioles, the O's continued success following their series against Cleveland, and how the Jays' farm system compares to other contenders. Later on, Tampa Bay Rays analyst Brian Anderson joins the show to preview a pivotal series between the Yankees and Rays, before discussing the team's strong stretch of play after the All-Star break and the tightening race for the AL East (29:00).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker continue to take calls and texts on the level of confidence in this Blue Jays team and the other organizations jockeying for position in the wild card race (01:08). In honour of Edwin Diaz and Timmy Trumpet, MLB Insider Jeff Passan does a deep dive on walk-out songs in MLB, the Orioles aggressively promoting their top prospects, and which teams, if any, could wrestle away Aaron Judge from the Yankees in free agency this offseason (33:03).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Following the Blue Jays’ 7-5 loss to the Chicago Cubs, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker hit the airwaves with Barker explaining what he has seen from Toronto's hitters far too often in the batter’s box. The guys welcome Shi Davidi to the show with his thoughts on the Jays-Cubs series, Santiago Espinal's playing time, Mitch White’s outing, and how the Blue Jays might set their rotation for the upcoming series against Pittsburgh & Baltimore (16:29). Later on, phone lines are opened up to gauge the temperature of the Blue Jays’ fanbase after a losing record in August (33:34).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome Toronto Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro to the show to reflect on the team’s season. Shapiro discusses the upcoming renovations at Rogers Centre, Bo Bichette’s play at SS, Jordan Romano’s emergence into the closer’s role, and potential contract extensions for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bichette (01:1`0). Later on, Blue Jays relief pitcher Anthony Bass talks about returning to the Blue Jays from the Marlins and the success he’s experienced since re-joining their bullpen (31:19).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ 5-3 win over the Chicago Cubs, where Teoscar Hernández & Vladimir Guerrero Jr. both hit key home runs to seal the victory. Jeff and Kevin focus in on Hernández needing a big moment amidst a tough stretch of games and injury, guys playing banged up at this time of year, Vlad Jr. in the batter’s box, and Kevin Gausman’s latest outing. Later on, MLB analyst Doug Glanville discusses Aaron Judge’s historic season, how the Yankees should celebrate him if he passes Roger Maris’ 61 HR single-season total, and closers like Jordan Romano pitching multiple innings per appearance (28:36).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Sportsnet’s Buck Martinez shares his view on the Blue Jays' recent play including Jordan Romano starring in the closer’s role, Cavan Biggio’s recent contributions, and Danny Jansen being a sparkplug for the team (01:35). Afterwards in Barker’s Back Leg Bits, Jeff and Kevin answer questions on Bo Bichette’s play at shortstop, MLB players practicing their sliding techniques, the Bradley Zimmer waiver claim, and if there is lack of depth at the minor-league level (28:50).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 5-4 win over the Chicago Cubs in extra innings; on a night where Danny Jansen played the hero with a three-run HR and the game-winning RBI. With the Cubs series ongoing, Jeff and Kevin welcome analyst and former pitcher Jim Deshaies to the show to discuss Marcus Stroman’s season to date as he gets ready to pitch opposite Kevin Gausman for his first start in Toronto since being dealt by the Blue Jays in 2019 (30:44).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
MLB analyst for CBS Sports David Samson joins Blair and Barker to discuss the latest around baseball including the MLBPA representing minor-league players, Julio Rodriguez’s massive contract extension with the Seattle Mariners, and if that figure will impact Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or Bo Bichette's contract talks in Toronto (01:32). The fellas then focus in on how the Blue Jays’ AL East rivals fared over the weekend in In the East (24:37), before ending with the latest installment of Barker’s Back Leg Bits where they solicited ZERO questions about the Blue Jays’ home run jacket (34:41)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Blue Jays got a taste of their own medicine over the weekend: getting swept by the Angels after Toronto completed the sweep in their previous series against the Red Sox. Jeff and Kevin break down the series and discuss what they’re seeing from Teoscar Hernández and Bo Bichette on a weekend where boos were heard around Rogers Centre. Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman shares his thoughts on the Angels’ series and the Blue Jays’ offensive inconsistencies, before looking into Ross Stripling’s latest outing and his upcoming contract expectations (27:50).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
With a 7-3 record in their last 10 games, Blair & Barker ask MLB insider Jon Morosi if his opinion of the Blue Jays has changed as the postseason approaches. Morosi also touches on Ohtani’s future in Los Angeles, the Mariners recent play, the emphasis being put on the upcoming World Baseball Classic, and the players who have already committed to their various respective countries (1:00). Jeff and Kevin head into the weekend by catching up on all of your questions with an extended edition of ‘Barker’s Back Leg Bits’! (30:00).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Blue Jays earned a series sweep over the Boston Red Sox as they won their second-consecutive game in extra-innings by a score of 6-5. The guys break down the game and discuss Boston’s difficulty cashing in baserunners, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. defensively at first base, Jordan Romano pitching two innings in relief, and important plays down the stretch from Matt Chapman and Cavan Biggio (1:00). Los Angeles Angels play-by-play voice, Matt Vasgersian, previews this weekend’s series vs. Toronto and talks about the team struggling after a hot start, its potential sale, and the uber-talented Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani (40:00).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
MLB Insider and 2022 Dan Jenkins Medal recipient, Jeff Passan, discusses the latest around the league including the potential sales of the Angels and Nationals, a more-balanced 2023 MLB schedule, and who the Blue Jays would match up best with in the postseason: Seattle, Tampa Bay, or Cleveland (5:00). Blue Jays Central Host, Jamie Campbell, shares the story of The Blair Brothers, the subjects of a special feature airing Sunday ahead of the Blue Jays-Angels game (30:00).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays’ 3-2 victory against the Red Sox where George Springer provided the heroics in the 10th inning; they discuss José Berríos’ latest effort on the mound, the bullpen’s scoreless performance, and Matt Chapman’s defensive prowess. 1992 World Series MVP, Pat Borders, joins the show ahead of the 30th Anniversary of the Blue Jays’ first World Series championship to reminisce about the win, what it was like to catch Jack Morris, and to share his thoughts on Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Bo Bichette, and Alejandro Kirk (30:00).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays radio play-by-play voice, Ben Wagner, checks-in from Boston to discuss the latest news surrounding the team; notably Jackie Bradley Jr’s contributions to Toronto since coming over from the Red Sox, the Blue Jays’ bullpen, and how the team will handle their September call-ups (5:00). Maury Brown of Forbes, talks about owner Arte Moreno exploring the sale of the Angels and the impact it could have on Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani (30:00). Who should start Game 3 of a potential wild-card series, Stripling or Berrios? Blair and Barker share their thoughts in the latest edition of Barker’s Back Leg Bits (50:00).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
After another standout start for Ross Stripling in the Blue Jays’ 9-3 win over the Red Sox, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss his importance to the team and the cost to re-sign him as a pending free agent. Hall of Fame third baseman, Chipper Jones, discusses Bo Bichette’s play this season, the Braves re-signing their core players, and where he ranks future Hall of Famer, Albert Pujols, as he approaches 700 home runs (27:00).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate
NESN’s Tom Caron, previews the upcoming Blue Jays and Red Sox series and discusses what the future holds for standout SS Xander Bogaerts and the organization (10:00). Former closer and current MLB Network Radio analyst, Brad Lidge, comments on Josh Hader’s struggles since being dealt to the Padres, the Yankees’ banged up bullpen, and how he feels about Albert Pujols’ chances of hitting 700 home runs and passing Alex Rodriguez on the all-time list (30:00).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss Albert Pujols belting his 693rd career home run and if they believe he will eventually get to 700 before focusing on the Toronto Blue Jays as they get ready for a three-game set at Fenway Park in Boston. The guys welcome Marquee Sports’ Ryan Dempster, to the conversation who discussed what it was like to face Pujols (eight career HRs vs. Dempster) and how playoff-bound teams can underestimate inferior opponents down the stretch (30:00).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
In the second hour of Blair & Barker, Hall of Fame pitcher, Jim Kaat, joins the show! They discus his legendary 6+ decades in baseball, how the game has changed and how it has stayed the same. They then talk about what he saw from José Berríos in his last start and how pitching in general has changed during his time in baseball. Finally, Jim offer’s his thoughts on what he saw from the Yankees and Blue Jays this weekend. The guys close out the show by taking a look around the AL east on “In The East”. From the scuffling Yankees, to the red hot Rays. Finally the guys close out Monday with an extended edition of Back Leg Bits!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the show by recapping the Jays weekend in New York. Taking three of four from the Yankees, what did the guys see? Should Jays fans be worried about George Springer's absence from the lineup? And what exactly happened between Alek Manoah, Aaron Judge, & Gerrit Cole? Former Blue Jay catcher and Sportnet analyst, Caleb Joseph, joins the show to give his thoughts on the incident. They then delve into some of the details regarding Alek Manoah's last start, whether he saw anything different in Jose Berrios' approach in his last start, and what the addition of Bass & Pop have meant for the Bullpen.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
New York Yankees beat reporter for WFAN Sweeny Murti joins the guys to recap last night’s 9-2 win for the Blue Jays, before looking into the Yanks' recent slump, if Aaron Boone is on the hot seat, and what the future holds for Brian Cashman (04:23). The guys then take a trip around the league with ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan! He discusses what's going on with the Yankees, where the Padres go from here after the Fernando Tatís Jr. news, and what he makes of the Blue Jays heading into September (30:39).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' impressive 9-2 victory in New York last night. They focus in on the adjustments José Berríos made during his start, and look into the opposing dugout to discuss the causes behind the Yankees' uncharacteristic struggles of late. Later on, former MLB closer and host of the "Blackjack and Pap" podcast, Jonathon Papelbon joins the show to talk about Jordan Romano tinkering with pitching from the windup, the pressures of being a closer, and Bo Bichette's 2022 season, before sounding off on the Fernando Tatís Jr. situation (28:00).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays analyst Joe Siddall, comments on the decision to take Yusei Kikuchi out of the rotation and move him into the bullpen, opposing pitchers executing their game plans against Toronto’s hitters, and how José Berríos cannot be intimidated by Yankee Stadium in Thursday’s start (1:00). YES Network/ESPN’s Michael Kay discusses playing mediator between Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter on The KayRod Cast and previews the four-game series between New York and Toronto (30:00).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate
Ross Stripling provided a quality start to propel the Blue Jays to a 6-1 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss just how important Stripling’s consistency has been to the rotation compared to what his role was thought to be at the start of the season. Former executive and MLB insider Jim Bowden, discusses the Blue Jays’ right-handed heavy lineup, playoff races, the Padres’ disappointment with Fernando Tatis Jr. and the collision rule at home plate (25:00).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate
Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman discusses the Blue Jays’ recent stretch of play, their standing in the Wild Card race, teams like Cleveland and Baltimore playing with house money, Orioles’ standout rookie Adley Rutschman, and if Yusei Kikuchi will be making his next scheduled start (03:59). Later on, Calgary native and Atlanta Braves’ pitcher Mike Soroka talks about his return to the mound in an impressive rehab start where he struck out eight batters in four innings (26:20). To wrap up, Jeff and Kevin examine Bo Bichette’s numbers against left-handed pitching in the latest edition of “Barker’s Back Leg Bits” (40:48).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates
The Blue Jays could not right the ship on Tuesday night against the Orioles as their struggles continued in a 4-2 loss at Rogers Centre. Jeff and Kevin concentrate on Alek Manoah’s outing and Bo Bichette being dropped to seventh in the batting order as the Blue Jays can fall out of a playoff spot with another loss on Wednesday against Baltimore. MLB Network Radio’s C.J. Nitkowski chimes in on Fernando Tatis Jr.’s suspension, the Braves and Mets going toe-to-toe in the NL East, and what he is noticing from José Berríos this season (32:29).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates
Jeff and Kevin discuss the Blue Jays’ record at this point in the season, and the expectations that were put on them in the Spring (1:00). New Blue Jays’ outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. discusses his decision to sign with the team, the impressions of the Blue Jays from the outside looking in, and his experience playing in the American League East (25:00). In ‘Barker’s Back Leg Bits’, the guys re-visit Fernando Tatis Jr.’s PED suspension, how his excuse did him no favours compared to others who have been busted, and if they’re noticing anything different from Danny Jansen’s approach at the plate (35:00).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ latest effort vs. the Baltimore Orioles – a 7-3 loss where Yusei Kikuchi’s struggles continued and manager John Schneider said all options are on the table when it comes to the left-hander. Former major-league pitcher and Orioles bullpen coach Darren Holmes talks about the Orioles’ “Animal Kingdom” and the importance of having velocity in the 'pen with the Orioles now only 1.5 games back of the Blue Jays (30:00).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Sportsnet’s Buck Martinez comments on the Blue Jays’ recent play, the location of José Berríos’ fastball, and if he expects George Springer to return to the lead off spot tonight after nursing his troublesome elbow (03:39). Later on, former Orioles & Blue Jays shortstop Mike Bordick previews the latest series between the AL East rivals and focuses in on Brandon Hyde's impact managing the club in Baltimore (25:44). In Barker’s Back Leg Bits, Jeff & Kevin concentrate on the Blue Jays’ bullpen to question if a Ken Giles reunion could help Toronto's postseason push, and share the latest on Julian Merryweather's injury rehab (39:00).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays series loss to the Guardians – a three-game set where Toronto’s bats went silent and Cleveland was able to find success against José Berríos and Kevin Gausman. As always on Monday, the guys examine how the Blue Jays’ divisional opponents fared over the weekend in “In The East” (29:39); before commenting on the news that shook the baseball world over the weekend: Padres’ star Fernando Tatis Jr. being suspended 80 games for PED use (42:05).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi joins Blair and Barker to discuss some Blue Jays topics including his latest column on John Schneider, George Springer’s troublesome elbow, and Yusei Kikuchi’s role going forward with the ball club (03:44). Later on, Tom Hamilton, the voice of The Guardians, previews this weekend's series from a Cleveland perspective and touches on the job Terry Francona has done as Manager, reliever James Karinchak not making the trip, Steven Kwan’s standout season, and Mississauga’s Josh Naylor working his way back from injury (28:43).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show with their thoughts on the Field of Dreams game between the Cubs and Reds last night, before turning their attention to the Blue Jays and their weekend series against the Guardians; mainly who will follow José Berríos in the starting rotation. MLB Network analyst and host of “The Mayor’s Office” Sean Casey talks about his experience in Iowa at the Field of Dreams, Bo Bichette’s approach at the plate, and who he thinks is most likely to make the postseason in the AL Central (31:11).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates
Jeff and Kevin open up the phone lines on the Blue Jays’ off-day as listeners weigh-in with their confidence level in the team after a pair of losses to Baltimore. The guys take calls on a variety of Blue Jays topics including: the competition in the American League for wild card spots, Alejandro Kirk, and if Yusei Kikuchi should be a mainstay in the bullpen (04:59). Later on, MLB on TBS analyst Jeff Francoeur discusses the Red Sox' problems with their pitching staff, if the Braves have a legitimate shot to repeat as champions, how the Mets continue to impress, and Austin Riley and Dansby Swanson taking over as leaders from the Freddie Freeman era in Atlanta (30:08). In “Barker’s Back Leg Bits”, Jeff and Kevin solicit questions and determine which game José Berríos should start in a potential wild card series (42:32).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
After the Blue Jays and Orioles got rained out, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker agree that Toronto will have their hands full with the Cleveland Guardians this weekend. The guys talk about the delay that caused José Berríos to make his next start at home and the makeup of the Blue Jays’ starting rotation with Ross Stripling making a rehab start on Friday with the Buffalo Bisons. MLB insider Jeff “Jeffy” Passan shares how the Juan Soto trade came to be, which teams were involved in those talks, and reflects on Soto betting on himself by turning down the Nationals' contract offer. Later, the trio discuss the contract statuses of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette and if the Blue Jays can afford to sign them both to long-term extensions (27:10)
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman talks about Rougned Odor playing the villain last night, José Berríos starting the series finale, his performance on the road this season, Yusei Kikuchi’s place in the rotation when Ross Stripling returns, Bo Bichette’s big game at the plate and his ability to tune out the outside noise(01:13). Finally, Alek Manoah and the future of Teoscar Hernandez dominate the discussion in the latest edition of “Barker’s Back Leg Bits” (29:11).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Orioles' 6-5 win over the Blue Jays and focus on Rougned Odor’s homerun against Yimi Garcia and what could have been done differently during the at-bat. Later on, CBS Sports analyst David Samson goes around the Majors discussing the Padres, Orioles and more, before turning his attention to Toronto’s record against teams over .500 and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s season to date (26:14).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin go around the Majors with MLB Network analyst and former GM Dan O’Dowd! They touch on the Padres’ big trades, how they match up against the Dodgers, how close he thinks the Orioles are to contending, the impact of the Yankees’ Jordan Montgomery trade, and how to manage underperforming players committed to major contracts (00:50). Later on, Orioles analyst and former first overall pick Ben McDonald shares his view on the Orioles-Blue Jays series, Adley Rutschman living up to the hype, and playing at Camden Yards in the sweltering heat (30:44).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays' 7-4 loss to Baltimore – another game where Yusei Kikuchi’s inconsistency was on display. The guys focus in on Kikuchi’s start and look ahead to Alek Manoah’s task tonight as he attempts to get Toronto back in the win column. Blue Jays Interim Manager John Schneider checks-in from Baltimore to discuss Kikuchi’s start, if he sees any signs of a turnaround, José Berríos' performance away from Rogers Centre, shuffling up the batting order, Mitch White’s debut, and opposing pitchers making adjustments to attack the Blue Jays' hitters (25:46).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
On the back nine, The Athletic's Dan Connolly joins Jeff and Kevin to discuss how the Orioles became one of the biggest surprises of the MLB season. He zeroes in on what's been the key to their success, how high this team's ceiling is, and the impact Brandon Hyde has had on the team (04:35). Later on, the guys take a closer look 'In The East' at what was a tough weekend for the Yankees, a Rays team that won’t say die, Jarren Duran’s continued struggles, and the Orioles finding themselves in a similar spot to the Blue Jays (24:06). They close the show answering your questions on Barker’s Back Leg Bits including the ideal playoff rotation and who should start behind the plate in the post-season (35:12).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
In the first hour, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap everything from this weekend's Blue Jays-Twins series including the controversial call at home plate, Kevin Gausman's impressive start on Sunday, and what they saw from Mitch White, before reflecting on who the best Blue Jays position player has been this season. The guys are then briefly joined by former catcher and Sportsnet analyst Caleb Joseph (28:18) to share his interpretation of the play at the plate, before Sportsnet's Joe Siddall (38:24) adds to the conversations to clear up any lingering confusion surrounding the call.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Athletic's Jayson Stark comments on Shohei Ohtani's future, his importance financially to the Angels, the Braves' locking up their core players, and how the baseball world perceived the Blue Jays' moves and Milwaukee's decision to trade closer Josh Hader (01:55). To wrap up, Jeff and Kevin delve into the job John Schneider has done so far and his communication with players in this week's final edition of 'Barker's Back Leg Bits’ (32:09).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start off discussing Whit Merrifield being able to join the Blue Jays in Toronto right away, John Schneider not being afraid to shuffle the batting order, and Alek Manoah's performance in Toronto's 9-3 win over Minnesota. Afterwards, Twins' Senior Vice President and General Manager Thad Levine re-joins the show with his read on MLB's trade deadline, how deals evolve after months of lead up, and the dogfight in the American League Central (26:58).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Padres radio analyst Tony Gwynn Jr. discusses the impact of San Diego's new-look lineup with Juan Soto, Josh Bell and Brandon Drury after beating the Rockies 9-1. He also comments on Fernando Tatis Jr.'s upcoming rehab assignment and why Dinelson Lamet didn't work out with the club (03:17). Later on, MLB insider Jeff Passan sorts through the deals that didn't get done on deadline day, what scouts are saying about the Blue Jays-Marlins trade involving Jordan Groshans, if he thinks Toronto could have done more, and why the Tigers held on to their relievers (35:05).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down Toronto's 3-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, specifically Yusei Kikuchi's mechanics after lasting only four innings. They also discuss what they're seeing with Bo Bichette at the plate and if it's time for a change in the Blue Jays' batting order. In 'Barker's Back Leg Bits', Jeff and Kevin continue the conversation on Bichette and question if Jackie Bradley Jr. and Dinelson Lamet should peak Toronto's interest after being designated for assignment by the Red Sox and Brewers respectively (29:16).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale discusses if the Padres are now equipped to take on the Dodgers post-deadline, his read on the Blue Jays' moves and what he would have liked to see them do, the Cubs standing pat, and the Yankees' shopping spree (02:56). Jeff and Kevin also react to the breaking news of Ross Stripling hitting the IL and fit in another edition of Barker's Back Leg Bits before the break (17:50). To wrap up, radio play-by-play voice Ben Wagner previews today's Jays-Rays matchup and talks about Danny Jansen's work with Yusei Kikuchi and how players in the Jays' clubhouse felt about the deadline (31:21).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin open up the show celebrating legendary MLB play-by-play broadcaster Vin Scully who passed away at the age of 94, before turning their attention to the Toronto Blue Jays and MLB's trade deadline. The guys break down the Blue Jays' acquisitions of Whit Merrifield, Anthony Bass, Zach Pop, and Mitch White, the prices paid by teams around the Majors, and Toronto's 3-1 win over Tampa Bay thanks to a strong start from Kevin Gausman. Later on, Royals broadcaster Jeff Montgomery joins Blair and Barker to explain what two-time All-Star Merrifield will bring to the Blue Jays (35:45).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Yankees reporter Sweeny Murti discusses the moves made by Brian Cashman ahead of the deadline including adding Andrew Benintendi and Frankie Montas, and looks ahead to project if he's expecting more before 6pm ET (01:11). Orioles reporter Roch Kubatko shares his thoughts on Jorge Lopez' departure, the return the Orioles got for Trey Mancini, and the availability of Cedric Mullins (16:00). After the break, Rays TV analyst Brian Anderson previews the two-game series with the Blue Jays and speculates on what else Tampa might be up to after acquiring David Peralta (26:53). To end the show, Jeff and Kevin react to the breaking news reports that Juan Soto is being traded to the San Diego Padres.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the latest moves around MLB on the day of the trade deadline, notably the moves made by their rivals in the AL East. Sportsnet's Shi Davidi checks-in from Tampa Bay with what the Blue Jays are up to: their reported interest in Noah Syndergaard, if their preference is to trade for players who are free agents at the end of the season, and being runners-up to the Yankees in the Frankie Montas sweepstakes (26:08). Later on, WEEI's Rob Bradford comments on the Red Sox both buying and selling so far (36:10), before the guys react to Orioles' closer Jorge Lopez being dealt to Minnesota.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
MLB Network insider Jon Morosi joins Blair & Barker in-studio for the full hour to discuss the latest around MLB's rumour mill ahead of the deadline. Jon talks about the pursuits of Juan Soto and Shohei Ohtani, if the Blue Jays are involved in those talks at any level, the availability of the Tigers' arms, and if the Blue Jays would trade anyone from their major-league roster (00:07). Morosi sticks around to answer fan questions during "Barker's Back Leg Bits" including how he viewed Toronto's decision to move on from Charlie Montoyo as manager (29:29).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Blue Jays take three of four in their extended weekend series against Detroit as the trade deadline looms. Jeff and Kevin talk about Jose Berrios' outing, how the lineup is affected when George Springer isn't leading off, and how certain members of the Tigers' bullpen would look good in a Blue Jays uniform after seeing them first-hand. Later on, the guys examine how the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, and Orioles fared over the weekend in the latest edition of "In the East” (29:15).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays analyst and former catcher Caleb Joseph comments on what he saw out of Yusei Kikuchi on Thursday, Danny Jansen’s influence on the game from behind the plate, and what could happen between now and the trade deadline for the team (04:46). Later on, ESPN’s Jesse Rogers discusses the trade markets for Ian Happ and David Robertson, his read on the Juan Soto sweepstakes, and looks into how the Cubs and Blue Jays have scouted each other at the minor-league level (29:36). Jeff and Kevin wonder if the Giants’ Joc Pederson could be a player of interest to the Blue Jays in latest edition of Barker’s Back Leg Bits (39:58).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 5-3 win over the Detroit Tigers, a game with no shortage of storylines. The guys delve into Matt Chapman staying hot at the plate with two home runs, George Springer’s elbow, Yusei Kikuchi earning the win, and the level of confidence in him going forward. Tigers TV analyst Craig Monroe shares a scouting report on the Tigers’ bullpen with relievers like Gregory Soto, Joe Jiménez, and Alex Lange in-demand ahead of MLB’s trade deadline (34:30).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays pitcher Ross Stripling talks about the mood in the Blue Jays clubhouse ahead of the trade deadline, Adam Wainwright’s performance last night, and his work with Pete Walker and bullpen coach Matt Buschmann (01:44). Later on, Yankees radio broadcaster Suzyn Waldman discusses the Yankees’ trade for Andrew Benintendi, why she believes Luis Castillo is New York’s number one target, and reflects on being selected for induction into the Radio Hall of Fame(29:03).To wrap up, Blair corrects Barker's memory, and Edwin Diaz’s walk-out music dominates the latest installment of Barker’s Back Leg Bits (41:45).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Albert Pujols and Adam Wainwright provided vintage performances to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-1 at Rogers Centre and split their mini two-game series. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the game, particularly John Schneider’s decision to take Kevin Gausman out in the fourth inning. Afterwards, the guys discuss Andrew Benintendi being traded from the Royals to the Yankees and how interested the Blue Jays might have been in his services, before welcoming in former catcher and current MLB Network analyst Anthony Recker to add to the conversation (28:15).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian returns to Blair and Barker to reflect on Hall of Fame weekend in Cooperstown where he was honoured with the BBWAA Career Excellence Award. He also comments on why now is the best time for the Nationals to trade Juan Soto, and the predicament the Boston Red Sox find themselves in following their recent stretch and the unknown futures of Rafael Devers and Xander Bogaerts (03:39). The guys then focus in on Jeff Passan’s latest report on the Blue Jays being amongst the teams interested in starting pitchers Luis Castillo and Frankie Montas; and discuss Carlos Rodon’s bat-kicking incident in Barker’s Back Leg Bits (26:27).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 10-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals as the team’s recent offensive surge continues. They also discuss the likelihood of Yusei Kikuchi starting Thursday's game against the Detroit Tigers following his strong stint in AAA with the Buffalo Bisons. Sportsnet’s Buck Martinez returns to the show following his homecoming at the broadcast booth last night to share his thoughts on Toronto’s needs at the trade deadline and Alek Manoah’s workload down the stretch (30:16).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin talk about Yusei Kikuchi being named Buffalo Bisons Player of the Week and when he might re-join the Blue Jays (06:23). MLB insider Jeff Passan shares what he’s hearing ahead of the deadline, which pitchers might make sense for the Blue Jays and other contenders and his read on the Juan Soto sweepstakes (11:38). In the latest edition of Barker’s Back Leg Bits, Jeff and Kevin answer your questions including weighing-in on Nick Castellanos’ exchange with Phillies’ beat reporter Jim Salisbury (36:26).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show looking at the American league standings after an off-day for the Blue Jays and key-in on the recent injuries to the Rays (Kevin Kiermaier, Mike Zunino), Red Sox (Chris Sale), and Yankees (Michael King). Afterwards, the guys are joined by Cardinals reporter Derrick Goold to preview the Toronto-St. Louis series and discuss the team's missing pieces Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado for the series and how interested St. Louis is in Juan Soto’s services at the trade deadline (24:51).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays play-by-play voice Dan Shulman shares his thoughts on the Blue Jays' impressive series at Fenway Park, how Boston's trade deadline strategy was impacted, Xander Bogaerts’ contract status, and Matt Chapman’s production over the last several weeks (10:42). World Series champion and MLB analyst Ryan Dempster talks about Boston’s recent struggles and Alek Manoah’s competitiveness on the mound, before looking back on playing alongside David Ortiz and why he is deserving of his first ballot induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame (27:53).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Toronto Blue Jays find themselves ten games over .500 after sweeping the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker re-visit the series and discuss Toronto’s offensive output in their 28-5 win on Friday, John Schneider’s conversation with Alek Manoah, and the bullpen usage after Ross Stripling pitched four innings in his start. The guys listen to comments from Red Sox skipper Alex Cora and examine how the Yankees, Rays, and Orioles fared over the weekend in the latest installment of “In the East” (27:48).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
MLB insider Jon Morosi joins Blair and Barker to sort through the latest on Juan Soto and question if the Jays should mortgage the farm to get him, before looking into Shohei Ohtani's market price and sharing his takeaways from the 2022 All-Star festivities (02:08). Later on, Blue Jays insider Shi Davidi adds to the All-Star conversation discussing the vibe in L.A. this past week and if the Juan Soto rumours overshadowed the event, before sharing where the Blue Jays currently stand as they approach the trade deadline (26:26). Finally, the boys welcome everyone back with an edition of Barkers’s Back Leg Bits (40:29)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair & Barker are back and raring to go! They kick off today’s show discussing the trade rumours surrounding Juan Soto that dominated the All-Star break, and question if the Jays should make a push for him and what they would need to give up in return. They then pivot to debate Toronto's most glaring need ahead of the trade deadline, before heading to the phonelines to answer all of your calls and questions (25:22)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker kick off the final hour with former Blue Jays catcher Caleb Joseph, who shares his thoughts on Charlie Montoyo's dismissal, what led to the change at the helm, and his personal experience in the Jays' clubhouse (03:21). Later on, interim manager of the Toronto Blue Jays John Schneider joins the show to talk about his excitement to manage the club, the changes he'd like to implement, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s season so far, his philosophy managing a team and what fans can expect moving forward (25:23). Finally, the guys send you off into the All-Star break with an edition of Barker Back Leg Bits (41:47)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
On the final edition of Blair & Barker before the All-Star break, the guys break down the Blue Jays' uninspiring loss to the Kansas City Royals. The fellas question why the offense has gone silent, if the shake-up in the batting order in enough to spark some life, and the longevity of Alejandro Kirk's continued excellence. They are then joined by Jim Callis, senior writer for MLB Pipeline, to preview the MLB Draft this weekend including who we can expect to see off the board first, some of the major storylines leading up to the event, and what's on tap for the Blue Jays with the 23rd overall pick (31:57).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman shares his thoughts on Charlie Montoyo’s firing, what John Schneider brings to the ballclub as manager, and lefty Andrew Benintendi’s trade-market shrinking because of his vaccination status (02:34). MLB insider Jeff Passan discusses his report on the Royals missing ten players in Toronto, if he was surprised by Charlie Montoyo’s dismissal, and what the baseball world thought of the move (28:53). In the latest installment of Barker’s Back Leg Bits, Kevin and Jeff answer questions on Charlie Blackmon’s availability and Bo Bichette (43:22)
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker comment on John Schneider’s first game as manager of the Blue Jays, starting off with an 8-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. The guys concentrate on Ross Stripling after another stand out performance and his importance to the rotation with injuries to the pitching staff. They also touch on the short-handed Kansas City Royals who come to Toronto for a four-game series with 10 of their players on the restricted list. Afterwards, Jeff and Kevin dissect Ross Atkins’ media availability where he discussed the firing of Charlie Montoyo (27:03).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker react to the breaking Blue Jays news of the day: that Charlie Montoyo has been fired as manager. They call up Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi upon his return from the team’s west coast road-trip and ask him if he is surprised by the timing of the move (35:42).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays Central analyst Joe Siddall comments on last night’s game, particularly Danny Jansen making his return as the team’s catcher, his work with Berrios, and Yimi Garcia’s performance since coming off the IL (02:21). Afterwards, Blair and Barker discuss what they’ve seen from Jordan Romano after he locked down his 19th save of the season. In the latest installment of Barker’s Back Leg Bits, the guys delve into the Blue Jays’ farm system and how it ranks across MLB. (25:45)
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Blue Jays are back in the win column after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 at home. Jeff and Kevin delve into Jose Berrios’ 13 strikeout performance (matching his career-high), if they would make any changes to the batting order, and the play involving Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base which the Jays decided to challenge despite Vlad's reluctance to do so. Later on, MLB analyst with ESPN & Marquee Doug Glanville shares how he sees the AL East shaking out with Orioles now reaching the .500 mark, and how a new rule implemented in the Florida State League that would restrict the use of the shift could make it's way to MLB soon. (28:42)
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Phillies Manager and Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer Rob Thomson discusses his club’s play since he took over for Joe Girardi, Kyle Schwarber’s standout season, and if he believes switching up a team’s batting order can have a positive impact on the lineup (00:06). Vancouver Canadians pitcher Ricky Tiedemann talks about his impressive 2022 season, his ascent up the Blue Jays prospect chart, and looks ahead to participating in the Futures Game in Los Angeles during All-Star week (27:45).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin look ahead to the mini-two game series between the Phillies and Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, discuss which players will be put on the restricted list, and react to J.T. Realmuto’s comments about not being able to participate in the series. Blue Jays radio play-by-play voice Ben Wagner joins the show to discuss if Charlie Montoyo is on the hot seat, Gabriel Moreno’s pitch-framing, and compares Jays prospect Ricky Tiedemann to Alek Manoah (29:40).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
MLB Network analyst Bill Ripken talks about the Orioles' recent resurgence, why he still likes the Jays despite their recent skid, how in-season trades can affect a clubhouse, and which contender needs to make a move the most (02:45). Jeff and Kevin react to both the AL and NL rosters for the All-Star game and discuss this year's biggest snubs, before ending the show with an extended edition of “Barker’s Back Leg Bits” (27:01)
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Blue Jays now find themselves tied with the Seattle Mariners following a four-game sweep at T-Mobile park. Jeff and Kevin examine the series as a whole, particularly yesterday’s 6-5 loss and the job Max Castillo did on the mound. The guys also discuss the mood around the club during this tumultuous point in the season, and the bizarre play where the ball went through Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s glove that would’ve been a double play. Later on, Blair & Barker take a look at the play of the Orioles, Rays, Yankees, and Red Sox in the latest installment of “In the East” (30:50).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker are joined by former MLB catcher Caleb Joseph to look back on Thursday's loss in Seattle, identify ways to shake-up the lineup, and update the injury report for Kevin Gausman (04:40).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 8-3 loss in Seattle to kick off the 4-game series. They discuss Anthony Banda and Casey Lawrence's performance on the mound and the Jays' need to add arms to their pitching staff. After the break, the guys break down Charlie Montoyo's ideal bullpen deployment and look ahead to Friday's game in Seattle with Ross Stripling on the bump (31:20).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Former Mariners pitcher and current analyst Ryan Rowland-Smith discusses Robbie Ray’s recent turnaround, Ty France’s All-Star calibre season, Julio Rodriguez blooming into a star and more ahead of the upcoming series in Seattle (00:48). Later on, Blue Jays play-by-play announcer Dan Shulman joins the show from Seattle where many Blue Jays fans are expected to make the trip from western Canada! Dan and the guys discuss if Danny Jansen and Yimi Garcia will re-join the team on the road trip, Adam Cimber’s dependability, Gabriel Moreno, and who should get sent down if Jansen returns (26:36).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Blue Jays’ losing streak has come to an end after a 2-1 win over the Oakland A’s. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker talk through Jose Berrios’ start, Matt Chapman’s strong series, his improvement at the plate, and Jordan Romano earning his first save since June 19th. In an extended edition of Barker’s Back leg Bits, Kevin answers questions on the current state of the Jays’ offence, this team’s expectations compared to the 2013 roster, and Teoscar Hernandez' season so far (29:19).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
MLB Network’s Jon Morosi joins Blair and Barker to provide his thoughts on the Blue Jays' recent play, the early returns they’re getting on Berrios and Kikuchi's contracts, and why he believes José Quintana could be a target for Toronto ahead of the trade deadline (01:46). Later on, Jeff Passan of ESPN discusses the role of the starting pitcher, why MLB teams aren’t letting their starters go as deep into games this season, Alek Manoah’s thoughts on the matter, and what it means for the future of baseball (25:14).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the show reacting to Charlie Montoyo’s blunt post-game comments regarding Blue Jays starter Yusei Kikuchi after failing to get out of the third inning Tuesday's 5-3 loss to Oakland, and discuss the decision to rest both Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. on the same night. Long-time MLB executive and former Dodgers GM Ned Colletti joins the guys to discuss what conversations are like between front offices a month away from the trade deadline and how things can differ from the American and National League (31:10).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Chris Rose of the “Chris Rose Rotation Podcast” joins the show to discuss how impressed he’s been with Alek Manoah as a both a pitcher and person, what went wrong for Toronto when they faced the Rays, Teoscar Hernandez’s year so far, Jose Berrios’ extension, and how he views the team going forward (01:36). For Barker’s Back Leg Bits, the guys open up the phone lines back up with the bullpen being a hot topic (22:27).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin recap the Blue Jays' 5-1 loss at the hands of the Oakland Athletics. Specifically, they discuss Alek Manoah’s start, as he experienced a dip in his velocity, and hear Charlie Montoyo's postgame comment mentioning that he’s feeling fine physically after pitching into the sixth inning. Afterwards, the guys open up the phone lines and ask fans how they feel about the Blue Jays at the halfway point of the season (33:34).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays radio play-by-play voice Ben Wagner joins Jeff and Kevin and is asked if the Blue Jays, Rays, and Red Sox will make up the three wild card spots in the American League. Following that, Ben talks about how the Blue Jays need to make a deal to bolster the bullpen, Cavan Biggio’s improvement, and if he believes Jose Berrios is turning the corner (01:43). We wrap with Oakland Athletics broadcaster Vince Cotroneo previews the A’s-Jays series and examines what will happen with starter Frankie Montas at the trade deadline (30:19).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker return to discuss the Blue Jays dropping 3 of 5 to the Tampa Bay Rays. The guys delve into the amount of depth Tampa Bay has in their organization and how it was extremely beneficial to them over the weekend. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays' bullpen arms continue to struggle in high-leverage situations and long-relief. Blair and Barker also discuss the job done by the Blue Jays' starters, notably a strong start from Yusei Kikuchi and what they saw from Jose Berrios. In the latest edition of “In The East”, we hear from Kevin Cash, Alex Cora, and Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton (29:22).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman joins the guys ahead of the Tampa Bay series to discuss Yusei Kikuchi's start tonight, the security of his spot in the rotation, and the bullpen's performance in high-leverage situations (04:17). Would a Ken Giles reunion be a good idea for the Blue Jays? Jeff and Kevin examine that and more in the latest edition of Barker’s Back Leg Bits (23:56)! To end the show, three-time World Series Champion Sergio Romo talks about signing with Blue Jays, watching the team from afar before joining them, and what he brings to the table in the bullpen (29:44).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
After the Red Sox avoided a series sweep, Toronto gets ready to host another AL East opponent: The Tampa Bay Rays. Jeff and Kevin wonder what version of Yusei Kikuchi they will see on the mound against Tampa, before discussing David Phelps' 10th inning performance and the life on Alek Manoah’s fastball yesterday. Rays Senior VP & GM Peter Bendix discusses if the Yankees' lead in the division impacts what they do at the deadline, Shane McClanahan’s emergence as an ace, and how their front office is viewed by rival teams (30:38).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Hall of Famer and Braves analyst Tom Glavine joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to talk about Freddie Freeman’s return to Atlanta over the weekend, and how to make adjustments in-game and in-season as a pitcher when things aren’t going well on the mound.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin welcome Shi Davidi to the show to share his thoughts on the Jays-Red Sox series and discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s decision to skip this year’s home-run derby at All-Star Week in Los Angeles (03:11). Former Red Sox 3B and MLB analyst for NESN Will Middlebrooks joins the guys ahead of the TOR-BOS series finale to chime-in on the Red Sox bullpen missing Tanner Houck, Alex Cora's management of the team, the heart of Boston’s batting order, and the team’s needs at the deadline (28:07). The fellas wrap up with another installment of Barker's Back Leg Bits (37:27)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down an exciting night at Rogers Centre as the Blue Jays’ walked off the Red Sox 6-5. The guys discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s game-winning hit in the ninth inning, Alejandro Kirk’s clutch pinch hit appearance, and their confidence level in Toronto’s bullpen. Hall of Famer and Braves analyst Tom Glavine talks about Freddie Freeman’s return to Atlanta over the weekend, and how to make adjustments in-game and in-season as a pitcher when things aren’t going well on the mound (28:56).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Former Marlins President and CBS Sports HQ analyst David Samson discusses the Angels-Mariners brawl, the suspensions handed out by MLB, ownership's role in an intentional hit-by-pitch, and the Angels' struggles despite having Mike Trout and reigning MVP Shohei Ohtani (04:10). In an extended edition of Barker’s Back Leg Bits, Kevin answers questions on the potential of the Orioles going forward in the AL East and players dealing with the “yips” (30:14).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down Kevin Gausman’s strong outing against the Red Sox in the Blue Jays' 7-2 victory. They also discuss Alejandro Kirk’s offensive output, working with Gausman behind the plate, and Matt Chapman looking more comfortable offensively. Former Blue Jays catcher Caleb Joseph joins the show and to discuss what made Gausman successful against Boston, and what's stood out to him about Jose Berrios and Yusei Kikuchi recent form (31:31).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Sportsnet’s Joe Siddall discusses the concerns surrounding Yusei Kikuchi and Jose Berrios after their most recent outings, if he believes the Blue Jays would benefit from having a veteran catcher, and Toronto’s crucial AL East schedule this week facing Boston and Tampa Bay (03:52). Former MLB infielder and current WEEI host Lou Merloni comments on the surging Red Sox, who currently hold second place in the division, and weighs in on what has led to their turnaround (34:22).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' series loss after dropping two of three to the Brewers. The conversation revolves around the latest starts by Jose Berrios and Yusei Kikuchi as their struggles continue, and question if Kikuchi will make his next scheduled start against the Rays. In the latest edition of “In The East”, the guys examine the weekend series between the Yankees and Astros that included walk-off home runs and a combined no-hitter; and the Red Sox and Rays getting ready to face Toronto this week (30:37).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
MLB insider Jeff Passan takes a trip around the Majors with the guys as they discuss if the Yankees are peaking too early, Aaron Judge’s arbitration case, the Brewers and Cardinals vying for top spot in the NL central, and if the Blue Jays absolutely need to acquire a starting pitcher this season (04:30). In the latest edition of ‘Barker’s Back Leg Bits’, the guys answer questions on if Alejandro Kirk and Alek Manoah should both start the All-Star Game, Nate Pearson’s setback at Triple-A Buffalo, and the availability of Rockies reliever Daniel Bard (29:45).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
After a few days off, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker return to address the Blue Jays' performance on the road against the White Sox and the team currently leading the league in ejections. Brewers play-by-play voice Brian Anderson talks about his history with Barker, previews the weekend series between Milwaukee and Toronto, and discusses the quality arms they have in the starting rotation (Corbin Burnes) and the back end of their bullpen (Devin Williams and Josh Hader) (30:27).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Longtime Yankees reporter and author of ‘The Franchise: New York Yankees – A Curated History of the Bronx Bombers” discusses the Yankees season to date and their historic win-pace, Aaron Judge’s MVP-type performance, the Yankees shopping list at the deadline, and how their needs are similar to the Blue Jays’ (4:30). Sportsnet’s Caleb Joseph tries to make sense of Kevin Gausman’s recent struggles (26:22). To end the show, Jeff and Kevin discuss just how close Justin Verlander was to signing with Toronto in the offseason along with an abbreviated version of “Barker’s Back Leg Bits” (42:10).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays 10-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles which saw them split the four-game series. The guys discuss the tough loss, particularly what they saw out of Kevin Gausman on the hill. Later on, they open up the phone lines as Toronto prepares for an important three-game set against the MLB-leading New York Yankees (28:25).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start off looking back on the Blue Jays' 7-6 win over the Orioles in extra innings. They discuss Brandon Hyde’s decision to pitch to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the 10th inning with a base open, Toronto’s bullpen giving up the lead, and if a trade for “swing and miss stuff” in the backend of the bullpen could happen before the deadline. Jonathan Mayo of MLB Pipeline gives the lowdown on the top prospects in the MLB Draft as they have arrived at Petco Park in San Diego for the 2022 Draft Combine. They guys ask who might interest the Blue Jays at pick #23 (28:01)?
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Dan Shulman comments on the Blue Jays' recent play including Yusei Kikuchi searching for confidence with his fastball, if Toronto needs to roster three catchers when Danny Jansen returns, and if 3B Matt Chapman has turned the corner offensively (02:36). Later on, MLB insider Jeff Passan discusses the trade market for relief pitching, the Yankees’ daunting lead in the AL East, if he expects teams could sell ahead of August 2nd , and what the strategy is for under-achieving yet talented teams like the Phillies and White Sox (32:16).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian discusses the Blue Jays’ needs at the trade deadline, if he thinks there will be any early activity on the trade market before August 2nd, and the state of the Orioles' ownership and their rebuilding roster (03:12). If the Blue Jays trade for a starter, could Yusei Kikuchi be moved to the bullpen for the postseason? We answer that and more in the latest edition of Barker’s Back Leg Bits (29:51)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ 6-5 loss to the Baltimore Orioles – notably the performance of starter Yusei Kikuchi who struggled through four innings. The guys also delve into Hyun-Jin Ryu’s injury status as he is slated to miss the remainder of the 2022 season, and discuss how the Blue Jays will replace those innings. Orioles Manager Brandon Hyde joins the show in he midst of the O’s-Jays series to comment on his young roster, Adley Rutschman breaking into the big leagues, and the importance of having a strong bullpen with an inexperienced roster (23:41).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays starter Ross Stripling joins the show to discuss the team’s recent success, the personality of the pitching staff, how he’s changed as a pitcher, and his impressive last few starts in the rotation (01:17). Next up, Author of “Rickey: The Life and Legend of an American Original” Howard Bryant discusses the life and Hall of Fame career of lead-off hitter and speedster Rickey Henderson (26:57). To wrap up, Blair and Barker answer your questions on a quick edition of "Barker's Back Leg Bits" (45:05)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ 11-1 blowout win over the Baltimore Orioles on a night where Alek Manoah improved to 8-1 on the season. The guys focus on the teamwide offensive output, the pickoff play the Jays pulled off in the third inning, Manoah’s consistency and his case as the best pitcher in the American League at this point in the season. Later on, Orioles reporter for MASN Roch Kubatko shares his view on the Orioles-Blue Jays series so far and comments on the future of the team remaining in Baltimore (29:14).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays play by play voice Ben Wagner discusses the Blue Jays following their road trip, notably Gabriel Moreno looking comfortable behind the plate, the club’s mindset heading into the Orioles series, and Cavan Biggio’s play since rejoining the team (06:14). In an extended edition of "Barker’s Back Leg Bits", Jeff and Kevin answer questions on if Moreno could play anywhere else besides catcher, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s spot in the batting order, and what Cavan Biggio’s role is going forward (29:35).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Toronto Blue Jays' series win over the Detroit Tigers. The guys concentrate on Gabriel Moreno making his MLB debut on Saturday and the pitching performances from the rotation, including a bounce back performance from Jose Berrios on Friday and Ross Stripling continuing to fill-in admirably for Hyun-Jin Ryu. Afterwards, the guys examine how the Blue Jays' rivals fared over the weekend for “In The East”: Matt Carpenter’s breakout game for the Yankees, the upcoming Rays-Yankees series, the Red Sox' recent run, and the ownership situation in Baltimore (30:03)
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Detroit Tigers Manager A.J. Hinch joins Blair and Barker to talk about how his Tigers are performing as they play host to the Blue Jays, his philosophy managing his mixed-bag roster with top prospects and Hall of Famers, and how external factors can affect player performance (05:52). Finally, the guys wrap up the week with today's trivia question, before answering all your questions in "Barker's Back Leg Bits" (26:07)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
On today’s episode of Blair and Barker, the boys start off by anticipating Gabriel Moreno's debut weekend against the Tigers. Barker then shares a story about when he got called up to the Majors, before they look into Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s struggles at the plate. Later on, former Blue Jays catcher Caleb Joseph joins the show the talk about the intricacies of the catcher position at the MLB level and what qualities he looks for in a solid backstop ahead of Moreno's debut (26:43).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
2007 Cy Young Award winner & MLB Network analyst Jake Peavy comments on the Blue Jays rotation, what it can be like throwing to rookie catchers, Kevin Gausman tipping pitches, and how he views the Yankees and the other AL East competition (02:04). Later on, ESPN’s Jeff Passan shares why he believes Gabriel Moreno will hit at the MLB level, the Red Sox 7-game win-streak, the Angels 14-game losing streak, and who could replace Joe Maddon in L.A. (30:36). With their depth at the position, should the Blue Jays trade away a catcher? Blair and Barker cover it in Barker’s Back Leg Bits (45:17).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
It’s time! The Toronto Blue Jays are calling up top prospect Gabriel Moreno and he is expected to join the club for the upcoming series against the Detroit Tigers. Jeff and Kevin discuss the organization’s decision, the timing of the move and Yusei Kikuchi failing to get out of the first inning in Toronto’s 8-4 loss to the Royals Wednesday afternoon. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi discusses Moreno getting the call, how often he’ll be behind the plate, and why he thinks Toronto made the move (23:57).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times joins to talk about the Angels' firing Manager Joe Maddon after a twelve-game losing streak, and if the change was initiated GM Perry Minasian or Owner Arte Moreno (02:52). Following the conversation, Blair and Barker wonder where Maddon could wind up next and which teams would make sense if he’d like to continue managing. Royals pre and post-game analyst and former closer Jeff Montgomery discusses his impressions of today's starter Brady Singer, his similarities to Alek Manoah, and the Royals’ challenging season to date (28:17). For "Barker’s Back Leg Bits", the guys mention who they would like to see represent the Blue Jays at the 2022 All-Star Game (39:24).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker touch on another blowout win for the Blue Jays over the Royals, led by Alejandro Kirk's offensive outburst with four hits! Should Gabriel Moreno be called up from AAA Buffalo with fellow catcher Danny Jansen hitting the IL? The guys pose this question to Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman who also discussed Alejandro Kirk’s emergence, how Jansen might have avoided a longer-term injury, and Kevin Gausman not getting swings and misses with his splitter during his last start (17:27).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Kansas City Royals TV analyst & friend of the show Rex Hudler shares his view on the Blue Jays and Royals series so far, rookie phenom Bobby Witt Jr, and outfielder Andrew Benintendi’s availability before the deadline (06:28). No deGrom, no Scherzer, no problem for the New York Mets. SNY analyst Jerry Blevins discusses New York leading the National League, Buck Showalter pushing the right buttons as manager, and the improved defence behind the pitching staff (26:24). To wrap up, Kevin recalls his encounters with the media as a player on today's "Barker's Back Leg Bits" (40:50).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' 8-0 win over the Kansas City Royals in the opening game of the series. The guys focus in on Ross Stripling’s quality start, the Jays' bats getting to KC's starter Daniel Lynch, and the team’s ability to stay ready for the game after its start was delayed. MLB Network insider Jon Morosi examines the market for relief pitching, if the Blue Jays or another contending team should have interest in FA Trevor Rosenthal, and the cost for Toronto to bolster their bullpen (30:05).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Former MLB executive David Samson discusses why he still feels the Blue Jays are the team to beat in the East, if the Yankees pitching will be good enough for October, Joe Girardi’s firing, and how front office executives evaluate their managers (03:51). Blair & Barker complete the show with the latest installment of “Barker’s Back Leg Bits” (32:05) and discuss what they expect tonight out of Ross Stripling when Toronto opens up their series against Kansas City (43:34).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Toronto Blue Jays weekend series against the Minnesota Twins; in particular Sunday’s 8-6 loss in the rubber match. Jeff and Kevin comment on Kevin Gausman’s outing and the possibility of him tipping his pitches, Toronto not being sharp defensively in the game, and Jose Berrios’ best start of the season with his 13 strikeout performance against his former team. Afterwards, the guys examine how the Blue Jays' rivals fared over the weekend for “In The East” (30:41), and share their thoughts on Yusei Kikuchi getting pulled on Friday, Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. coming together on an infield pop-up, and how it was handled afterwards by both players (40:23).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Minnesota Twins Senior VP & General Manager Thad Levine joins the show to discuss who isn’t making the trip to Toronto, Carlos Correa’s status after being placed on the COVID-IL, Byron Buxton’s impact on the team, and Gio Urshela and his postseason experience being on the roster (02:38). Finally, Blair & Barker head into the weekend with an extended cut of Barker’s Back Leg Bits (31:43).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the red-hot Toronto Blue Jays who have now won eight straight games following their second consecutive series sweep and another strong outing from Alek Manoah. The guys also look at the upcoming Twins series and who will be missing for Minnesota after being placed on the restricted list. Afterwards, they open up the phone lines for fans to have their say on the Blue Jays’ best stretch of the season to date (30:44).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays announcer Dan Shulman comments on the Blue Jays' recent winning streak, the team’s improving offence, Toronto’s shopping list ahead of the deadline, and Bo Bichette drawing three walks in yesterday’s win (02:29). Next up, White Sox closer and friend of the show Liam Hendriks discusses his evolution as a closer, his personal experiences using PitchCom, and how he’s fit in with the Tony La Russa-managed White Sox since signing with the team as free-agent (22:50). We wrap up by fielding your questions on a quick edition of Barker's Back Leg Bits (40:40)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Danny Jansen continued his hot streak at the plate as he belted a three-run home run to lead the Blue Jays to a 7-3 win over Chicago. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the team’s seventh straight win, commenting on Jansen’s productivity, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s encouraging game at the plate, and the job Ross Stripling and the bullpen did in relief of Hyun Jin Ryu. Later on, White Sox Play by Play voice Jason Benetti shares his thoughts on the series, today’s starter Johnny Cueto, and the use of PitchCom ahead of the series finale (29:37).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman joins “Blair and Barker” to recap his start against Chicago. He discusses his arsenal of pitches, working with Pete Walker, the Blue Jays finding their rhythm offensively, and the starting rotation supporting one another and watching each others bullpens (06:26). To wrap up today, Jeff and Kevin address questions on the trade market for left-handed bats and bullpen help in the latest edition of Barker’s Back Leg Bits (32:34).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 6-5 win over the Chicago White Sox where Alejandro Kirk propelled the offence with two home runs and 4 RBI. On top of Kirk’s hot bat, the guys discuss Teoscar Hernandez’s strong game, Kevin Gausman’s outing, a base-running blunder from White Sox catcher Reese McGuire that may have cost Chicago a crucial run, and the Blue Jays designating Ryan Borucki for assignment. Later on, White Sox radio analyst and former outfielder Darrin Jackson shares his view on the opening game of the series and previews tonight’s starter Michael Kopech (33:36).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Barker’s Winter League manager, Current White Sox analyst and World Series-winner Ozzie Guillen comments on the 2022 edition of the team, notably Tim Anderson’s impact at shortstop and in the lineup, the decision to part ways with Dallas Keuchel, and the ceiling for flame-thrower Michael Kopech (06:16). Later on, 1993 AL Cy Young Winner with Chicago Jack McDowell discusses the technology used in the game today, how baseball is different now compared to his era, and his short stint with the Buck Showalter-managed Yankees in 1995 (27:21).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
As the Blue Jays get ready to face the Chicago White Sox, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to the series and pitching matchups, particularly what to expect from Kevin Gausman in his start and how he plans to attack the White Sox hitters. After announcing his retirement, 14-year MLB catcher Russell Martin reflects on his career, his time with the Blue Jays, his new business venture, working as a consultant alongside his agent, and what's next for him (29:02).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
MLB Network Radio’s Kevin Frandsen comments on the Blue Jays' season so far, how the team must learn to win with expectations, Juan Soto’s standing in Washington, and the Phillies’ struggles (04:42). Later, ESPN’s Jeff Passan discusses the Blue Jays' need for a lefty bat and if the Royals’ Andrew Benintendi could be a solution via trade (29:04).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Blue Jays' bats have officially heated up as they completed a four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels, highlighted by Sunday’s wild 11-10 win. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker examine the team’s offensive surge, the productivity of catchers Alejandro Kirk and Danny Jansen, and their level of concern with Jose Berrios after lasting only 2.1 innings in his latest start. Afterwards, the guys examine the Rays talking smack and the recent rise of the Red Sox in the latest edition of “In the East” (31:47).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays' Bench Coach John Schneider joins Blair and Barker to discuss the club's hitting with runners in scoring position, the work the players are putting in with the coaching staff, and Danny Jansen’s hot bat since coming off the IL (15:55). Later on, Angels General Manager Perry Minasian comments on his club’s impressive 27-19 start, what Noah Syndergaard has brought to the starting rotation, Mike Trout’s greatness & more (30:27)! To wrap up, we head to Twitter and the text-line for Barker's Back Leg Bits (41:31).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Despite his success against right-handed hitters in 2022, the Blue Jays were able to attack the reigning AL-MVP Shohei Ohtani as they won the opener against the Angels 6-3. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss George Springer’s success batting leadoff, Danny Jansen’s hot bat, and the impact of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s hitting drills off of a tee. Later on, Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times talks about the Angels and the latest news surrounding their stadium after city council voted to kill the sale (35:07).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin welcome ‘Big Time Baseball’ host and Padres analyst Tony Gwynn Jr. to the show! He discusses the mentality of overcoming struggles throughout a long season, how to deal with unlikeable teammates, the NL West, and the job Bob Melvin has done as San Diego’s Manager (04:52). Later on, former ace and current Angels radio analyst Mark Langston shares his thoughts on the team’s starting rotation being a strength, and the standout seasons from the likes of Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, and Taylor Ward (31:21). The guys concentrate on the Blue Jays' lineup configuration in the latest edition of Barker’s Back Leg Bits (41:49).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Blue Jays prepare to face the L.A. Angels in a four-game series. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker examine the matchup, particularly Shohei Ohtani’s season so far on the mound and his success against right-handed hitters. Later on, Buffalo Bisons Manager Casey Candaele discusses the latest news around the Blue Jays’ AAA affiliate including the emergence of Adrian Hernandez, Gabriel Moreno, Jordan Groshans, and how Cavan Biggio has performed during his stint with the club (28:56).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
World Series Champion and Marquee Sports Network analyst Ryan Dempster discusses Fergie Jenkins being honoured at Wrigley Field last weekend, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. going up against Shohei Ohtani, and different rallying points for struggling teams during a season (02:29). Afterwards, NESN’s Tony Massarotti talks about the surging Red Sox and Trevor Story turning his season around after an abysmal start (28:18). We wrap up by answering your questions with a quick edition of Barker's Back Leg Bits (41:05)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays' 8-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals, where the team’s offense mustered 12 hits including home runs from Danny Jansen and Vladimir Guerrero Jr, and remark on how loose and more relieved the dugout looked. Later on, Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman comments on Danny Jansen’s big two-HR game, left-handed outfielders on the trade market, and if the Blue Jays could carry three catchers with Jansen, Kirk, and prospect Gabriel Moreno (29:19).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Longtime MLB Umpire & Crew Chief Dale Scott joins Blair and Barker to share his point of view on why the fake strike zones on MLB telecasts create more problems for umpires and the challenges of implementing an Automatic Ball/Strike System (06:02). Later on, former Blue Jays' catcher and current St. Louis Cardinals radio analyst Bengie Molina discusses the longevity his brother Yadier has enjoyed throughout his career, his view on the Blue Jays, and why he is not concerned at all about Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s production (27:14).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' 7-3 loss in extra innings to the St. Louis Cardinals. The guys delve into Jose Berrios’ solid start, the usage of the bullpen in the 10th inning, and the lack of production offensively throughout the lineup. Blue Jays Central analyst Joe Siddall shares his thoughts on Ryan Borucki getting into the game, what he’s noticing from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at the plate, and weighs in on Santiago Espinal's pivotal at-bat in extra innings (31:38).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Former Cardinals pitcher and current analyst Brad Thompson previews the short two-game series between St. Louis and Toronto. Thompson discusses the season so far for tonight's starter Miles Mikolas, the stability that Paul Goldschmidt brings to the lineup, and the job Oliver Marmol has done as the youngest manager in MLB (06:30). Later on, Blue Jays infielder Santiago Espinal discusses his impressive season to date and the work he has put in to be better both offensively and defensively (26:28).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Joey Votto spoiled a potential series sweep for the Blue Jays over the Reds. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss how the Blue Jays took two of three against Cincinnati, the team continuing to squeak out one and two-run victories, Alek Manoah’s outing on Saturday, and the team sitting at 19-22 a quarter into the season. Afterwards for In The East, the guys examine the Tim Anderson-Josh Donaldson saga, the Red Sox heating up, and Adley Rutschman making his MLB debut for the Orioles (31:29).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Cincinnati Reds TV analyst and former Major League pitcher Chris Welch previews this weekend’s CIN-TOR series at Rogers Centre and discusses Joey Votto’s tenure and future within the organization, if SP Luis Castillo will be traded before the deadline, and if rookie Hunter Greene’s ceiling will live up to the hype surrounding him (03:53). To end of the show, Blair and Barker head into the weekend answering your questions on another edition of Barker’s Back Leg Bits (38:59)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker open the show examining Pete Alonso of the Mets’ post-game comments about his approach and compare it to what they’re seeing from the Blue Jays at the plate. Afterwards, they discuss how former Blue Jays Brandon Drury, Connor Overton, and Jeff Hoffman are off to strong starts for the Reds as they visit Rogers Centre this weekend, and preview the Blue Jays starters for the series: Ryu, Manoah, and Kikuchi (31:12).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays play-by-play voice Dan Shulman joins the guys with his thoughts on the team’s recent stretch of games, the bullpen, and if he expects Toronto to be active on the trade market as the season goes on (01:22). The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal discusses his recent feature on how the Blue Jays decided to draft Alek Manoah, before shifting his attention to the trade market and who Toronto could pursue as they search for a lefty bat and Juan Soto’s future in Washington (28:28).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Blue Jays were unable to earn a sweep against the Seattle Mariners as they dropped the final game of the series 5-1. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker assess Kevin Gausman’s outing, the bullpen’s performance in relief, and the Blue Jays' top hitters continuing to struggle with runners in scoring position. World Series Champion and radio host Rob Dibble joins the show to share his views on the Blue Jays, the Yankees impressive season to date, and how the mechanics of young pitchers have evolved over the years from when he played (28:41).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Manny Acta, longtime MLB Manager and current Mariners' third-base coach, discusses the Toronto-Seattle series from his point of view, what he did as a manager when his teams were struggling at the plate, what Robbie Ray has brought to the rotation, and gives a scouting report on tonight’s starter Marco Gonzales as Toronto looks for the series sweep (02:35). We wrap up with an extended edition of Barker’s Back Leg Bits concentrated on the Blue Jays’ need for left-handed bat and if the Washington Nationals could be forced to deal phenom Juan Soto if he doesn’t agree to a long-term extension with the club (30:36).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin kick off the show discussing the Houston Astros' 13-4 rout of the Boston Red Sox before moving on to the Blue Jays’ 3-0 win over the Seattle Mariners, led by Jose Berrios’ seven strong innings and George Springer’s base-clearing triple. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi joins the guys to talk about Springer’s impact to the Blue Jays’ clubhouse both on and off the field and addresses who needs to step up in the bullpen with Tim Mayza’s injury (26:49).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin open the show with an extended edition of Barker’s Back Leg Bits and discuss what they need to see out of Jose Berrios in his start tonight against the Mariners after an inconsistent beginning to the 2022 campaign (01:36). Next up, Mariners' analyst and former MLB infielder Mike Blowers comments on how the Jays matchup with tonight’s starter Logan Gilbert, his impressions of Yusei Kikuchi during his stint in Seattle, and how Robbie Ray has started the season with his new team (27:10).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 6-2 win over the Seattle Mariners, which featured another quality start from Yusei Kikuchi. The guys discuss the adjustments Kikuchi has made on the mound, the batting order returning to how it was, and concerns about Tim Mayza’s injury and who will step up in the bullpen. Later on, MLB Network analyst Bill Ripken discusses how great players break out of hitting slumps and what he’s noticed from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette offensively and defensively a month into the season (27:44).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Former Seattle second baseman and current podcast host Bret Boone talks about the 2022 edition of the Mariners ahead of the team’s three-game series against the Blue Jays. The former All-Star also shares his views on the Blue Jays and how his brother Aaron has managed the Yankees to a 25-9 record to this point in the season (01:52). Dunedin Blue Jays Manager Donnie Murphy joins the show to recap an epic performance from his pitching staff after they struck out 24 batters in a game over the weekend (28:24).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker assess the Blue Jays' series loss against the Tampa Bay Rays, where they dropped two of three games at Tropicana Field. The guys discuss Alek Manoah’s first loss of the 2022 season, the returns of Danny Jansen and Hyun-Jin Ryu, and the changes to the Blue Jays' batting order, notably with Guerrero Jr. hitting second and Bo Bichette being dropped to the cleanup spot. Later on, the guys look at how the other teams In The East fared over the weekend, and discuss how the Reds managed to lose to the Pirates, despite not allowing a hit (29:08).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays First Base Coach Mark Budzinski joins Blair and Barker to discuss how the Rays will challenge Toronto this weekend, the team's increased use of a four-man outfield, and takes us inside the strategy of coaching the team on the base paths (02:01). Afterwards, Tampa Bay Rays TV analyst (and die-hard Maple Leafs fan) Brian Anderson previews the Jays-Rays series and explains what they Blue Jays can expect from the Rays’ pitching staff, notably Friday’s starter Drew Rasmussen (24:52).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
With the Blue Jays and Rays ready to begin a three-game series at Tropicana Field - Jeff & Kevin look at how Toronto’s top hitters have fared in Tampa Bay and how opposing pitchers are attacking the Blue Jays’ right-handed hitters this season. Later on, ESPN’s Joon Lee joins to discuss the change of opinion surrounding PitchCom technology across MLB and how teams have embraced it more than a month into the season (30:41).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
MLB Network Analyst and former Houston Astros Manager Bo Porter shares his thoughts on offence being down across MLB, the pressure that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and other star players put on themselves to be great, and the frustration towards umpires in the early-going of the season (01:43). ESPN's MLB Insider Jeff Passan talks about the Blue Jays' current struggles, why he’s not concerned about their starting pitching, their search for a lefty bat, and if the Nationals’ Josh Bell would be a good fit for Toronto’s batting order (26:26).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker assess the damage after the Blue Jays' mini two-game sweep at the hands of the New York Yankees. They discuss the team failing to take advantage of a suspect first inning from Jameson Taillon, Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s frustration at the plate, and what they thought of Jose Berrios’ 5.1 innings of work. Later on, David Adler of MLB.com takes a deep-dive into how the Blue Jays set up defensively and explains the reasoning why they have used a four-man outfield more than any team this season (30:53).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair & Barker are joined by Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman ahead of his call of New York-Toronto at Yankee Stadium to preview the series and the Blue Jays' continuing to search for a lefty bat (01:06). Later on, Talkin’ Yanks host Jake Storiale comments on the current state of the Yankees including: Jose Trevino’s impact behind the plate, Aaron Judge’s contract status being a hot topic in New York, and the pleasant surprises they’ve received in the rotation and bullpen (30:19).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show reacting to Mississauga’s Josh Naylor 2 HR, 8 RBI performance in the Cleveland Guardians' win over the Chicago White Sox. With the Blue Jays opening up a quick two-game set against the Yankees, the guys discuss what to expect from Yusei Kikuchi ahead of tonight’s start. 2019 All-Star and Calgary native Mike Soroka joins the show to discuss his rehab following two Achilles surgeries, when he expects to return to the Braves' rotation, and the current baseballs being used across MLB (21:00).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker are joined by Jomboy Media’s Chris Rose who discussed Cleveland’s underrated lineup, the struggles of the Red Sox and Phillies, the Padres being better than expected, and the Dodgers winning despite not hitting (01:46). On an extended edition of Barker’s Back Leg Bits, Kevin answers questions about Charlie Montoyo, the shift, and if this year’s edition of the Blue Jays needs a “Josh Donaldson-type” player to be a catalyst for the struggling batting order (29:50).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker examine the Blue Jays latest series against the Guardians, where Toronto dropped three of four in Cleveland. They start the show off discussing Alek Manoah’s performance in the series finale and his post-game comments on having difficulty gripping the baseballs; before talking about Teoscar Hernandez’s return, Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s approach, and the current struggles of Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Matt Chapman at the plate. Afterwards, the guys debut their new segment In The East to take a further look at the AL East and the teams surrounding the Blue Jays in the standings (28:15).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Joe West, retired MLB umpire and host of 5460: The Joe West Podcast, joined Jeff and Kevin to reflect on his 45-year career (03:33). “Cowboy Joe” discussed why players decide their own strike zone, the Dan Bellino-Madison Bumgarner incident, why it’s easier to call balls and strikes with high-velocity pitchers, and which starting pitchers he enjoyed being behind the plate for the most. Later, the guys head into the weekend with another edition of ‘Barker’s Back Leg Bits’ (43:02)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start off breaking down the Blue Jays' loss 6-5 to the Cleveland Guardians where Jose Berrios only lasted 4.2 innings without a strikeout. They assess Berrios’ start and inconsistency so far this season, the continued struggles at the plate with runners in scoring position, and if George Springer’s rest day should have waited until Teoscar Hernandez returned to the lineup from injury. Afterwards, they discuss the latest around the Majors: the Mets' epic ninth inning comeback, if the Phillies are wasting another year of Bryce Harper’s production, and what's next for Joey Votto and the scuffling Cincinnati Reds (28:13).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi assesses the Blue jays' recent play against tough American League opponents including Houston, New York, and Boston, the contributions they’ve been getting from role players like Bradley Zimmer and Zack Collins, and what the organization sees in newly-signed LHP Derek Holland (04:13). Later, the guys go in-depth on Madison Bumgarner's ejection in yesterday’s MIA-ARI game after being checked thoroughly for foreign substances by 1B umpire Dan Bellino, and head to the text-line for Barker's Back Leg Bits (28:50)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Blue Jays avoided the sweep against the New York Yankees by a score of 2-1, ending the Bronx Bombers 11-game win streak. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss Yusei Kikuchi’s best start as Blue Jay, Santiago Espinal at the plate and in the field, and expecting Teoscar Hernandez to return to the Blue Jays lineup against the Cleveland. The “Voice of the Guardians” Tom Hamilton previews the upcoming four-game series at Progressive Field, Jose Ramirez’s decision to stay in Cleveland, and Canadians Josh Naylor and Cal Quantrill making an impact (30:12).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin open this hour by discussing Alejandro Kirk's baserunning lapse that got him picked off last night, and question if taking on more responsibility as catcher is effecting his performance on offence. Later on, WFAN’s Sweeny Murti talks about the Yankees' current 11-game winning streak as they go for the series sweep tonight, and gives the lowdown on tonight’s starter Nestor Cortes and his impressive beginning to the 2022 campaign (11:13). To wrap up, Jeff and Kevin react this morning's breaking news as free-agent LHP Derek Holland shares that he’s headed to the Blue Jays on a minor-league deal (30:50).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker share their thoughts on the Blue Jays 9-1 loss to the New York Yankees, despite another strong performance from Toronto’s Alek Manoah. The guys discuss the Yankees’ big seventh inning to blow the game open, the rundown play involving Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tagging Marwin González with González ruled safe, and the Blue Jays struggles at the plate with runners in scoring position. Hunter Mense, the Blue Jays Assistant Hitting Coach, shares what he is seeing from the team’s hitters and weighs in on offence being down in general across all of baseball (30:06).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jack Curry of YES Network comments on the Yankees' strong start to the season, if their offense can remain as one of the top in the AL all year long, and how Aaron Boone manages his bullpen (08:16). Later the guys look ahead to Alek Manoah’s start tonight, before heading to the text-line for "Barker's Back Leg Bits" to answer your questions on the shift, why certain umpires are given home plate assignments, and more (30:31)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look at the Blue Jays 3-2 loss to the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre – the tenth straight victory for the Bronx Bombers. The guys discuss the decision to not pinch run for Alejandro Kirk in the seventh inning, the Yankees employing the pinch runner for the game-winning run, and what they noticed from Yimi Garcia in the ninth inning. Jayson Stark of The Athletic shares his thoughts on the lack of offense across the majors, his read on the Angels and Twins currently atop their divisions, and the pitch clock being used at the minor-league level (31:28).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates
The NY Post’s Jon Heyman joins Blair & Barker to examine the hot starts by both the Yankees and Mets, the mindset behind the Mets' designating Robinson Cano for assignment, and which team’s start is more sustainable (04:49). Later on, four-time MLB All-Star and former Blue Jays' Special Assistant Dante Bichette breaks down what he’s seen from Bo at the plate and how George Springer has helped him this season (26:35).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open by reacting to another series win for the Toronto Blue Jays, stealing the rubber match against the Houston Astros 3-2 at Rogers Centre led by starter Kevin Gausman, who has yet to walk a batter this season! Blue Jays Central’s Joe Siddall talks about what to expect from Ross Stripling, George Springer’s fantastic play, Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s recent stretch at the plate, and Kevin Gausman’s sequence of pitches when facing hitters (29:53).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin take a deep dive into why offence has decreased in the early part of the MLB season with The Score’s Travis Sawchik (12:19). With the Blue Jays facing Houston for the second time in a week, the guys ask Astros TV analyst Geoff Blum who has the advantage: pitchers or hitters? Blum also weighs-in with his thoughts on Yusei Kikuchi and what makes him effective and what to expect from the Astros' lineup minus Jose Altuve (31:16).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays' 1-0 win over Boston, taking 3 out of 4 games from the Red Sox in the series. They examine Alek Manoah’s performance, how impressive his stats have been since making his MLB debut, and what they need to see out of Yusei Kikuchi when he takes the mound tonight against Houston. 'The Mayor' Sean Casey joins the show with his thoughts on offence being down across baseball, what he’s seen out of the Blue Jays' hitters, and if Joey Votto would ever consider leaving the Reds (25:46).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start off breaking down the lineups ahead of the Blue Jays - Red Sox finale, including days off for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Xander Bogaerts (00:05). WEEI's Rob Bradford stops by to break down the game of pitcher Garrett Whitlock and why Bogaerts still doesn't have a long term deal (11:14). Sportsnet's Ben Wagner joins from Rogers Centre to shed some light on the foot injury for Vladdy Jr., and what injury replacements could fill in if Teoscar Hernandez is unable to go in the next few weeks (33:17).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Host of Off The Mound and World Series Champion pitcher Ryan Dempster weighs-in on Mets starter Chris Bassitt’s comments on the game’s “bad baseballs” and how teams can elevate their game when a particular pitcher is starting on the mound (01:34). Later on, former Blue Jays' All-Star Ricky Romero discusses Kevin Gausman’s splitter, what it’s like as a pitcher to possess a devastating pitch like it, and his thoughts on Bassitt’s comments and the Blue Jays in the early-going (29:14).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin recap the Blue Jays’ thrilling 6-5 comeback win vs. the Red Sox at Rogers Centre. The guys focus in on George Springer’s big game and game-tying home run, his flair for the dramatic, Raimel Tapia’s at-bat in extra innings to win it, and Kevin Gausman’s second consecutive strong start against Boston. Afterwards, MLB Network’s Bill Ripken joins the guys to share his perspective on the game and how good hitters like Bo Bichette work out of slumps (31:21).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair and Barker are joined by Toronto Blue Jays' GM Ross Atkins to provide his thoughts on his team’s play in the early portion of the season. The guys discuss Bo Bichette following his big game, the energy of the home crowd at Rogers Centre, Alejandro Kirk’s defence behind the plate, and the overall feeling of excitement around the clubhouse.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff and Kevin recap the Blue Jays' 6-2 win over the Red Sox - led by Bo Bichette’s tie-breaking grand slam in the eighth inning! They discuss how big of a hit it was for both the team and Bichette personally, Toronto’s strong start with the potential to see even more from Alek Manoah and Jose Berrios, and the effort from Adam Cimber and the bullpen (00:36). Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman discusses the Blue Jays’ team camaraderie, league-wide likability, Charlie Montoyo putting the bullpen in positions to succeed, and Berrios’ demeanour on the mound (26:40).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap a successful road trip for the Blue Jays, despite losing the final game 8-7 to the Houston Astros, and examine how the bullpen has been a catalyst for the team’s success, particularly Yimi Garcia. Afterwards, Blue Jays Central’s Joe Siddall shares his thoughts on Kikuchi’s propensity for throwing the cutter, what he needs to do in his next start, and Bo Bichette’s defence (30:46).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff and Kevin welcome Former Marlins President David Samson to the show to discuss Miguel Cabrera reaching 3000 hits, how he grew into one of the sport’s best hitters, why they had to trade him to the Tigers, and who else was involved in the talks (02:23). Former Red Sox infielder Lou Merloni previews the upcoming Red Sox-Blue Jays series and how Boston will adjust with unvaccinated players like Tanner Houck unable to make the trip (29:44). Barker’s Back Leg Bits looks at the possibility of an automatic strike and ball-calling system after a tough game for home plate umpire Angel Hernandez on Sunday Night Baseball (39:36).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff and Kevin re-visit Yusei Kikuchi’s last start against Boston, the confidence he can gain from it, and pitching coach Pete Walker working with him as the newest member of the rotation (09:34). They also assess how Alejandro Kirk has handled the pitching staff after taking over for Danny Jansen behind the plate. Later on, three-time All-Star and MLB insider Carlos Baerga talks about what MLB is doing to speed up the game, Miguel Cabrera’s pursuit of 3000 hits, if there will ever be another person to accomplish the feat, and the art of switch-hitting (26:16).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays’ latest series victory after taking the rubber match 3-2 at Fenway Park, fueled by the best performance by a Blue Jays’ starter so far this season as Kevin Gausman pitched eight strong innings, striking out eight batters without issuing a walk (00:17). Afterwards, Astros studio analyst Mike Stanton shares what the Blue Jays can expect from Houston this weekend; specifically starter Justin Verlander after missing significant time due to Tommy John surgery (27:20).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker speak with Blue Jays DH/catcher Zack Collins after a successful series against the Oakland A’s and his HR off Nathan Eovaldi Tuesday night at Fenway Park. Collins talks about his experience with the club after coming over from the White Sox, working with the coaching staff, and embracing the hitch in his swing (1:38) . To finish, Hall of Fame writer and broadcaster Tim Kurkijan joins the guys with his early season thoughts and if anything can be learned from small sample sizes this month (24:16).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
The Blue Jays dropped the series opener against the Boston Red Sox 2-1 and Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break it all down discussing Yusei Kikuchi’s outing, Bo Bichette’s defence, and the Jays’ lack of production with runners in scoring position (1:14). Afterwards, the guys open up the phone lines and take calls on prospect Gabriel Moreno, the Raimel Tapia-Randal Grichuk deal, Kikuchi’s start and upcoming opponents, and the lineup without Teoscar Hernandez (24:42).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
1995 American League MVP and Red Sox analyst Mo Vaughn discusses the offensive struggles for certain teams to start the season, what Trevor Story brings to the Red Sox, and what makes a great defensive first baseman (1:45). Later, former All-Star closer and MLB Network Radio host Brad Lidge talks about the emergence of Jordan Romano, the adrenaline that takes over in the ninth inning, and knowing your strengths as a closer (26:03).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to the Blue Jays-Red Sox series where Yusei Kikuchi will take the mound in the opener on extra rest – what results are they expecting from the Blue Jays’ starter (1:09)? Next, Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi talks about the coaching staff’s level of confidence in Raimel Tapia, Ross Stripling taking on an expanded role in Hyun-jin Ryu’s absence, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hitting cleanup, and the chances we could see Gabriel Moreno called up from AAA Buffalo (31:15).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Dan Shulman shares his thoughts on the Blue Jays leading the division despite a few rough outings from the starting pitching, the team’s improved bullpen, how Alek Manoah compares to different Jays starters of the past, and his broadcast partner Buck Martinez (2:37). Afterwards, Red Sox TV analyst Tony Massarotti talks about Boston dealing with a current COVID-19 situation within their organization, how the team will get by without James Paxton and Chris Sale in their rotation, and if the contract statuses of Rafael Devers and Xander Bogaerts will be distractions for the organization going forward (28:37).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays weekend at Rogers Centre where they escaped with a series win taking two of three against the Oakland A’s (2:22). In particular, the guys examine what they’re seeing from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette at the plate since Teoscar Hernandez hit the IL and Alek Manoah’s performance on the mound in Sunday’s win. Later they open up the phone lines and take calls discussing concerns with Hyun-jin Ryu in the early going, the Yankees standing in the AL East, and umpiring in the game after a questionable performance from home plate umpire Jeff Nelson in Saturday’s TOR-OAK game (26:08).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Former Blue Jays infielder Kevin Smith joins the guys to reflect on his time with the organization and discuss his role with the Athletics after being traded to the team for Matt Chapman (3:17). Later in the hour, Jeff and Kevin take calls on the Jays' batting order, the roster’s depth being tested with injuries, and the bullpen (29:55).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays 3-0 loss and series split against the Yankees, including the game’s ending with closer Aroldis Chapman being pulled and Toronto leaving the bases loaded with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on deck and Kevin Gausman’s second start (1:35). Afterwards, Blue Jays radio announcer Ben Wagner shares his thoughts on the team after one week of regular season play and how he would tweak the lineup with injuries to Danny Jansen and Teoscar Hernandez (26:09). Later, Bob Kendrick, President of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, discusses the importance of Jackie Robinson Day on the 75th anniversary of him breaking baseball's colour barrier (40:01).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
MLB Network analyst and former Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd shares a front-office perspective on how to handle injuries early in the season, if Danny Jansen’s IL stint might force the Blue Jays to call up Gabriel Moreno, and his thoughts on Clayton Kershaw being pulled mid-perfect game (3:10). To wrap, Seattle Mariners starter and Kingston, ON native Matt Brash discusses making his MLB debut against the White Sox and winning a rotation spot out of Spring Training (27:56).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Blair and Barker open with a chat about the Blue Jays' 6-4 win over the Yankees on Wednesday night, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s three-home run performance (two of which came after his hand was stepped on and bloodied), Teoscar Hernandez leaving the game with left side discomfort, and how the team might make up for the potential loss of the outfielder (038). Afterwards, the guys take your calls on the bullpen, the Tapia-Grichuk trade, Alejandro Kirk, and more (23:30).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Four-time World Series champion Jeff Nelson discusses the makeup of the Yankees' bullpen, the importance of relief pitchers when starters aren’t completely stretched out, and how he views the Blue Jays rotation and they stack up in the AL East (8:04). Following another edition of “Barker’s Back Leg Bits” (28:06), 2015 American League MVP Josh Donaldson calls-in to discuss how he’s fitting in with the New York Yankees following the offseason trade with the Twins (37:24).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ 4-0 loss to the Yankees, specifically Yusei Kikuchi’s outing where his velocity was up but only lasted 3.1 innings (0:40). The guys also examine the Blue Jays catching depth without Danny Jansen and how Alejandro Kirk will handle the pitching staff for an extended time with crucial matchups against the Red Sox and Astros approaching on the schedule (10:30). Later, Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah re-visits his impressive start in the opener of the Yankees series, his approach on the mound, and what Kevin Gausman has taught him since joining the Blue Jays (31:19).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Blair and Barker go around the majors with ESPN and Marquee Sports Network’s Doug Glanville who discusses how he views the AL East, teams experimenting with PitchCom technology in the early going, Cubs’ rookie Seiya Suzuki, and more (0:56). To wrap, Jeff and Kevin touch on the pitching matchups for the remainder of the Jays-Yankees series, how the Blue Jays should handle Danny Jansen, some injury news across the majors, how teams may be monitoring players after a shortened spring, and the Jays' shift rate (29:37 )
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Blair and Barker open with a chat about the Blue Jays' 3-0 win over the Yankees in the series opener, and take a look at Alek Manoah's strong outing, the team’s impressive defense, and George Springer carrying the offence (1:00). The guys also touch on Danny Jansen’s setback as he hits the IL after a nice start to the season (12:08). Sweeny Murti, WFAN Yankees reporter, comments on the Yankees and Jays ahead of game two, and touches on Aaron Judge’s relationship with the organization, New York trading for Isiah Kiner-Falefa instead of signing a high-priced shortstop, and Joey Gallo fitting in after getting traded from the Rangers last season (29:59).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
ESPN’s Marly Rivera previews the upcoming Yankees-Blue Jays series and discusses Aaron Judge and the Yankees unable to come to a long-term agreement and how she sees the AL East shaking out with the Toronto, Tampa Bay, New York, and Boston all expected to challenge for the postseason (4:06). To wrap, MLB Network Radio Host and Texas Rangers analyst CJ Nitkowski talks about the hype surrounding the Blue Jays after watching them first-hand over the weekend (25:15).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
The Blue Jays are 2-1 to start the season after winning their opening home stand against Texas and Blair and Barker break it all down! Jeff and Kevin recap the series, notably the performances from Jose Berrios, Hyun-jin Ryu, the bullpen, and missing an arm like Nate Pearson to pitch a few innings in relief (2:50) Next, Blue Jays Central’s Joe Siddall comments on Danny Jansen’s two home runs, Berrios’ outing, Matt Chapman making adjustments at the plate, and what Bradley Zimmer brings to the Blue Jays lineup after getting called up (28:04). To end the hour, Barker describes what he’s seeing out of Jansen and why he is seeing positive results early at the plate (41:41).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff & Kevin are joined by Toronto Blue Jays Bench Coach John Schneider to help break down the new PitchCom system introduced this season, before chatting about the feeling around the team and the atmosphere surrounding Opening Day in Toronto (03:00). Then Blair & Barker share their thoughts on the Vladdy-Bo experience and the latest Rogers Centre face-lift, take in some pre-game defensive drills, and discuss Matt Chapman's impact on the left side of the infield (10:51). Finally, Manager of the Blue Jays Charlie Montoyo stops by and takes a moment to reflect on what Opening Day means to help, before shifting his attention to his team to chat about their athleticism on the bases and how the bullpen has shaped up this off-season (26:23).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Happy Opening Day! Blair and Barker are live from Rogers Centre as the Blue Jays get set to take on the Texas Rangers, and are joined off the hop by Dan Shulman to chat about the atmosphere at the ballpark, how a crowd can impact play-by-play, Bo and Vlad Jr. being "young veterans", reasonable expectations for Alek Manoah, Danny Jansen and Cavan Biggio, the acquisition of Bradley Zimmer, how key a healthy George Springer and Jordan Romano will be to the team's success, how aggressive Charlie Montoyo might be, and how the Jays might use PitchCom (2:22). Next, Rangers manager Chris Woodward stops by to discuss the makeup of his group after a busy offseason, if chemistry is an issue, what Corey Seager brings to the club, and his experiences so far with PitchCom (30:47).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi talks about the Blue Jays’ strategy when it comes to hitting and what Hunter Mense and Dave Hudgens provide in their current roles, before discussing how the team will deal with sky-high expectations from media both north and south of the border, and if there has been any talk about extensions for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette (10:45). Afterwards, former MLB infielder and WEEI host Lou Merloni previews the season of the division rival Boston Red Sox who added shortstop Trevor Story but will be missing Chris Sale to start the year (29:07).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
The MLB Season starts today! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show with their American League predictions for the 2022 season and who they think will meet in the World Series (0:24). Next, Hunter Mense, Blue Jays assistant hitting coach and minor league hitting coordinator, talks about working with the Blue Jays hitters this Spring, Lourdes Gurriel Jr’s potential this year, and the emergence of Blue Jays hitters from their time in the minors to the big leagues (26:56).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
With Opening Day approaching, MLB Network analyst Carlos Peña explains why he’s bullish on the Blue Jays dating back to last season, where he would slot Vlad Jr. in the batting order, and why four teams in the AL East can all make the postseason (0:23). Next, Ben Wagner, the radio voice of the Blue Jays checks-in with his final thoughts on the roster that made it north (17:03). To conclude the show, Blair & Barker share their 2022 predictions for the National League and end with the latest edition of “Barker’s Back Leg Bits” (33:53).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open by discussing the day’s breaking news: star infielder (and rumoured Blue Jays trade target) José Ramírez has re-signed with the Cleveland Guardians on a new 5-year deal. Next, Buffalo Bisons manager Casey Candaele joins the show following his club’s 3-2 win in their home opener to talk about this year’s squad and the potential of prospects like Gabriel Moreno and Otto Lopez (18:43). Afterwards, Chris Rose of “The Chris Rose Rotation” shares his thoughts on the Ramírez deal and why he thought the Padres were a potential destination for the slugger before assessing the AL East and if the Blue Jays can meet expectations as the current favourites to win the division (35:13).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Blair and Barker open up the phone lines on where Vladimir Guerrero Jr. should hit in the order and a plethora of Jays-related topics, and react to the news that Nate Pearson will be out “for awhile” according to Charlie Montoyo with a bout of mononucleosis (3:28). Later, Minnesota Twins VP and GM Thad Levine discusses his team’s busy off-season, surprising the baseball world after signing prized free-agent shortstop Carlos Correa, and revisits the Jose Berrios trade with Toronto (36:54).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Blair and Barker open with a chat about Greg Bird exercising his release from the Blue Jays after an impressive camp and his decision to re-sign with the division rival New York Yankees, Gōsuke Katō making the big-league team, Andrew Vasquez being sent to the minors, and more (0:27). Afterwards, Pat Tabler gives his thoughts on the Bird move, before evaluating the Jays' batting order and explaining his confidence level in Biggio-Espinal at second base and the team’s swing and miss stuff in the bullpen (22:16). To wrap, Rays TV analyst and former MLB pitcher Brian Anderson discusses the use of the PitchCom technology used by pitchers and catchers, Tampa Bay trading away Austin Meadows, and previews the Rays’ outlook for the 2022 season (37:18).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Blair and Barker talk about how they would like to see the Blue Jays batting order shake out, specifically where Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette should slot in, and compare it to how the Nationals are utilizing their young superstar Juan Soto (1:45). Afterwards, MLB broadcaster and 2022 Hall of Fame Inductee Jim Kaat discusses his new book Good As Gold and how the sport has evolved over his eight different decades in the game (25:21).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays’ catching depth after dealing Reese McGuire to Chicago for Zack Collins, with Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk left to handle Blue Jays pitchers (0:53). Next, Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman weighs-in on the McGuire-Collins deal, the Blue Jays’ tough schedule to start the season with 30 games in 31 days, Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s love for running the bases, and the José Ramirez rumours that won’t go away (21:20).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff and Kevin examine the Blue Jays Opening Day-like lineup against the Tigers in Grapefruit League play (0:37). 2B Cavan Biggio joins the guys to discuss getting regular reps at second base this season, his ability to play all over the diamond, being able to focus on his hitting this spring, and learning and bouncing back from a tough 2021 campaign (8:03). Later, Blue Jays Central analyst Joe Siddall shares his outlook on the Blue Jays after covering the team in Florida and the Tigers as a team on the rise in the AL (33:09).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker assess the teams in the AL East, before reacting to the breaking news that free agent outfielder Dexter Fowler has a nameplate in the Blue Jays clubhouse and will presumably be joining the team (2:44). Later on, Jeff and Kevin welcome Yankees broadcaster Suzyn Waldman to the show to discuss Greg Bird’s chances at making the Blue Jays opening day roster, Josh Donaldson’s early impressions amongst his teammates, what Aaron Judge’s next contract could look like and more (20:35). To end the show, the guys examine the Blue Jays' catching depth with Danny Jansen, Reese McGuire, and Alejandro Kirk behind the plate (40:20).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff and Kevin examine the latest around Spring Training including how their views on the Blue Jays bullpen, Tim Mayza’s place in it, and the “cuts” made at the Blue Jays’ major-league camp including top prospects Gabriel Moreno and Orelvis Martinez (0:54). Next Buck Martinez reflects on his time as a manager and the conversations he had with players when they didn’t crack the roster, how he sees the bullpen being built, and what he needs to see from the Blue Jays in their final seven Grapefruit League games (19:12). To wrap, Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos then phones in to chat about how spring training has been thus far, Freddie Freeman not returning to the team, why Kenley Jansen made sense for Atlanta, the team's pursuit of a second-straight World Series, and the impact the DH will have in the NL (37:05).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Blue Jays bench coach John Schneider joins Blair and Barker to discuss where the team is at right now, how his role has changed with the club, what it's like working with players who are fighting for jobs, how honing in on one position will help Cavan Biggio offensively, working with Matt Chapman to help integrate him with his new teammates, the challenges of bringing new pitchers into the fold and deciding which catchers they'll work with, the process in filling out the final spots on the roster, and how Charlie Montoyo has grown as a manager (5:51). Next, Blair and Barker chat about a bit more about Charlie Montoyo and what Kevin saw from him in Dunedin (20:17). To finish, the guys talk about Pete Walker being arrested on a charge of driving under the influence, what impressed Barker the most from spring training, and what his biggest concern is (28:42).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Blair and Barker open with a chat about the Blue Jays' acquisition of Raimel Tapia from the Rockies in exchange for Randal Grichuk, Adrian Pinto and cash, and how Kevin had the inside scoop (1:09). Next, the guys take your calls on the trade, how the Jays stack up in the AL East, and what the team might be missing to be a true World Series contender (12:31). Afterwards, the guys touch on Bo Bichette's comments to Arden Zwelling regarding the Jays' pre-arbitration system, before taking more of your calls and texts (32:27).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Blair and Barker open with a chat about Ross Atkins being open to carrying three catchers with expanded rosters, before touching on Nate Pearson's role with the Blue Jays (4:45). Next, Shi Davidi phones in to discuss Bo Bichette and Alek Manoah's contracts being renewed and what that means, whether this fuels the fire for both players, if this could mean Bichette wants to sign a multi-year contract with the team, and Pearson's possible role with the club (12:00). To wrap, Nate Pearson joins the show to talk about where he's at right now, what his goal was coming into spring training, if there's a velocity that will show him he's where he needs to be, the emergence of hybrid roles across the majors, his own role with the team, the challenges that come with being a starter, how he's changed over the years, and what he's seen from Yusei Kikuchi (34:42).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays’ roster composition, who they think will make the cut and why they believe Greg Bird is an intriguing lefty bat for the club (0:34). Jeff and Kevin also address the rumours that Toronto has interest in longtime Yankee Brett Gardner - but would he actually make the team better at this stage in his career (10:48)? Joe Siddall joins the show with the latest from Florida, what Jays pitchers and catchers thought of the new-pitch technology, what the team still needs to add, and why he wouldn’t carry three catchers on the roster (31:50).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
The Blue Jays host the Yankees this afternoon in Grapefruit League action! Jeff and Kevin discuss Teoscar Hernández’s absence from today’s lineup due to a sore wrist and the slugger’s mindset heading into the season (0:28). Afterwards, the guys discuss a new pitch-calling system that is being tested by MLB teams that allows catchers to electronically send signals to pitchers (18:58). To wrap, MLB Network analyst Dan O’Dowd discusses the Blue Jays recent moves, why he feels Kyle Schwarber would have been the perfect fit in Toronto, and why he is high on Danny Jansen this season (34:25).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to the Blue Jays' first Spring Training game against the Baltimore Orioles where José Berríos will make the start, and react to comments from Blue Jays third baseman Matt Chapman about joining the team, talking to Marcus Semien about what to expect in Toronto, and working alongside Bo Bichette (9:58). Next, former Dodgers GM Ned Colletti examines LA's lineup with Freddie Freeman, and chats about his views on how to build a successful organization for the long-term, who will close for the Dodgers this season, and whether Kenley Jansen could be a fit as a closer or set-up man for the Jays (29:19). Lastly, Blair gives Barker another Spring Training assignment as they head into the weekend (48:01)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the latest transactions around MLB including Freddie Freeman agreeing to sign a six-year pact with the Dodgers, and the Rockies inking 3B/OF Kris Bryant to a 7-year $182M deal (1:08). Blue Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez checks-in from Spring Training with his thoughts on the Matt Chapman trade, the team concentrating on a fast start to the season, and what he’s seen from José Berríos so far in camp (30:40).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Ed Sprague, the Oakland A’s Director of Player Development and former MLB third baseman discusses Matt Chapman’s defensive prowess at third and provides a front office perspective on the trade (4:09). Next, Jeff and Kevin react to Ken Rosenthal’s tweet regarding the Blue Jays' interest in Jose Ramirez and him possibly playing 2B (30:06). To finish, A’s TV analyst Dallas Braden talks more about Chapman’s platinum glove, the type of teammate he is, and how his presence will be beneficial to Bo Bichette on that side of the infield (32:09).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Blair and Barker discuss the Matt Chapman trade, and Shi Davidi's report on what Toronto sent to Oakland in the deal (0:43). Next, Cliff Floyd shares his thoughts on the trade, how the team might feel after a move like this is made, keeping Vlad Guerrero Jr. at first base, if too much emphasis is placed on having a balanced lineup, how dangerous the Jays' lineup is, and the biggest challenge facing Vlad Jr. and Bo as they strive to replicate their success from last season (11:15). Afterwards, Shi stops by to give his perspective on the trade, the cost of acquisition, whether a Cavan Biggio and Santiago Espinal platoon situation is the plan at second base, what Toronto might look to add next, moves that may need to be made to optimize the roster, and whether we could see a deal involving prospect Jordan Groshans (30:30).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker (from sunny Florida!) discuss the latest on free-agent slugger Freddie Freeman: the interest from the Blue Jays and others, what a possible contract could look-like, and Atlanta moving on after acquiring Matt Olson from the A’s (2:16). The guys also examine Kyle Schwarber as a possible fit for the team and wonder if the Reds and Blue Jays could be trade partners (8:30). Next, C. Trent Rosecrans of the Athletic talks about the latest Reds sell-off and how Joey Votto perceives the current state of the franchise (21:05). Afterwards, Hall of Famer Tom Glavine discusses Freeman’s departure from the Braves, his importance to the organization, and compares it to when he left the club (36:38).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
A solo Jeff Blair recaps the Yusei Kikuchi signing and talks about the Blue Jays treating pitchers like Ross Stripling and Nate Pearson as starters this spring (4:00). Next, Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae joins Jeff from Florida and discusses the players arrivals, the plan Blue Jays pitchers were on during the lockout, and the Yankees’ acquisition of Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa (8:35). To finish, SNY’s John Harper weighs-in on the Yankees’ trade, Mets’ owner Steve Cohen’s willingness to spend, and Chris Bassitt joining Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer in the rotation (28:22).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a three-year, $36M deal with free-agent SP Yusei Kikuchi. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker call-up Ryan Divish of the Seattle Times to discuss Kikuchi’s 2021 season and what to expect from the former Mariner (9:02). Later, Blue Jays radio voice Ben Wagner weighs-in from Dunedin on the Kikuchi signing, what it means for Nate Pearson going forward, and possible trade targets to bolster the lineup (25:01).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff and Kevin chat about the Blue Jays' signing Joe Biagini and Greg Bird, before opening up the phone lines and taking your calls on who the Blue Jays could target in free agency, how the trade market is shaping up, what a potential trade package for José Ramírez might look like, and more (2:40). Later, the guys react to Tony Clark's media availability, and his comments on how vaccine mandates will impact players travelling to Canada (34:31).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Blair and Barker open with a discussion on the Canadian border remaining closed to unvaccinated visitors, and how that impacts the Blue Jays' trade options and free agency targets (2:41). Next, the guys touch on some of the positives from the new CBA, before pivoting to discuss what the Jays need to add(11:16). Afterwards, Ben Wagner phones in from the Jays' complex in Dunedin to chat about what the mood's like there, how Vlad Guerrero Jr. looks, how the border-vaccination situation impacts the Jays' free agency plans, Dave Phelps and Ryan Borucki's roles with the team, and his thoughts on Gabriel Moreno (35:06).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Baseball is back! Blair and Barker break down today's negotiations, the voting process and how both sides came to an agreement, the international draft stumbling block, the rule changes that will come into effect, and some of the numbers in the agreement (0:28). Next, a discussion about what's next for the Blue Jays, including free agents the team could pursue, possible trades, and fits (12:50), before pivoting to chat about Jon Heyman's report that the player's union executive board vote was 8-0 against the MLB proposal but teams voted 26-4 in favor of it (22:35). Then Shi Davidi joins to discuss the agreement, what Ross Atkins may look to add to improve the club, how quickly he expects the player market to pick up, and the pressure on Charlie Montoyo (34:42). Blair and Barker then discuss why this year the focus for Toronto has to be on winning the World Series- not just making the postseason (55:54). To wrap, Blue Jays player rep Ross Stripling stops by to chat about the lockout being over, how he's feeling physically, his mindset heading into the vote, and how his teammates reacted to the news (1:16:16).
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The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
With the ongoing lockout and the start of the regular season now cancelled, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker wonder: is there anybody who can save Major League Baseball from itself? Longtime baseball columnist Ken Davidoff covered the most recent round of labour talks between MLB and the players and discusses who is most to blame for the current stalemate and how Rob Manfred has handled negotiations (2:29) . Afterwards, 1996 American League Cy Young winner Pat Hentgen shares his thoughts on potential rule changes and talks about what pitchers did to stay ready after the 1994 strike (17:14).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the news that MLB and the Players Association were not able to come to a labour agreement, and that the coming season's first two series have been cancelled as a result. They discuss the press conferences by Rob Manfred and Tony Clark, Manfred's path forward as commissioner, and players wanting to be treated as people instead of assets. Afterwards, they break down the major remaining issues, including the Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) and how both the players and owners view it very differently.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Blair and Barker catch up with Toronto Blue Jays radio voice Ben Wagner to discuss his visit to the organization’s player development complex in Florida: a “nonstop hub of activity” as minor league players, coaches and members of the front office ramp things up despite the lockout (07:17). Afterwards, Jeff and Kevin call up Red Sox beat reporter Chris Cotillo who spoke about Chris Sale hosting pitchers at his alma mater to train during the lockout and the expectations for the pitching staff and Sale himself coming off of an injury-shortened season (28:59). To end the show, the guys present the latest edition of 'Barker’s Back Leg Bits’ (39:55)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker check-in with Toronto Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen on the week that pitchers and catchers were supposed to report to Spring Training (3:52). Former MLBPA Director of Communications Greg Bouris weighs-in on the lockout, the ongoing labour negotiations, and what he believes the players want to ultimately get a deal done (18:37). ESPN Investigative Reporter T.J. Quinn discusses the latest from the trial over the death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs where Matt Harvey and other former teammates testified that they received pills from a club employee (39:02).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss where he’s working out this offseason, Dante Bichette resigning from his role with the Blue Jays in order to work with him and other players during the lockout, his hitting mechanics, improving defensively at shortstop, and if he’s thinking about a potential contract extension once CBA talks come to an end (5:12). In this week’s edition of 'Barker’s Back Leg Bits’ Jeff asks Kevin Barker about where he would put Bichette in the Blue Jays’ batting order and if anybody famous ever tried to fix his swing.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays pitcher and player representative Ross Stripling to discuss the state of the CBA talks, working with Pete Walker and the tweaks he made in the 2021 season, and the opportunity to work with newly-signed Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman (6:27). With Tom Brady retiring, former Montreal Expos GM talks about Brady’s strengths as a baseball player and wonders what might have been if the NFL’s greatest quarterback changed sports (26:49). This week’s edition of 'Barker’s Back Leg Bits’ Jeff asks Kevin about playing football growing up and if he was ever a consideration over baseball.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
No Bonds, No Clemens, this year’s Hall of Fame induction is all about David Ortiz. Jeff and Kevin weigh-in on the writers decision to omit Bonds, Clemens and others before speaking to two of Ortiz’s Red Sox teammates. Four-time World Series champion Mike Timlin discusses Ortiz’s emergence into a star from when he first arrived to the Red Sox organization and how he always had a plan at the plate (11:43). Afterwards, outfielder Johnny Damon talks about David Ortiz’s clutch performances in the postseason, his popularity with teammates, and the Red Sox “Idiots” turning Cooperstown into Woodstock to celebrate Big Papi’s induction (25:09)!
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
A deal that could have seen the Tampa Bay Rays split their regular season home games in Montreal is dead. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the situation from the viewpoint of all parties in involved: MLB, the Rays organization, and Stephen Bronfman’s Montreal group. Blue Jays outfielder Randal Grichuk discusses how he’s preparing for the lockout and what he thinks his role will be going forward with the club in 2022 (12:59). The voice of the Montreal Expos Dave Van Horne looks back on his legendary career after announcing his retirement and weighs-in with his thoughts on the future of baseball in Montreal (25:39). On This week’s edition of 'Barker’s Back Leg Bits’ Kevin answers questions about: Cody Bellinger, Ryan McMahon, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker comment on Thursday’s session of labour talks between the league and the players. Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah reflects on his rookie season, picking the brain of new acquisition Kevin Gausman, and takes the guys inside his offseason routine (10:44). Afterwards, Jeff and Kevin discuss the Atlantic League and the changes they plan on making as part of its partnership with Major League Baseball (28:25).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the plans to upgrade Rogers Centre (2:20) before getting into the gift-giving mood for the holiday season! Jeff and Kevin dole out presents tailored to the American League teams (9:51), National League teams (29:39), and the Toronto Blue Jays (42:08). Afterwards, they end the show with another edition of 'Barker's Back Leg Bits!'
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back to 1994, the last time there was a labour stoppage in baseball. The Expos were never the same after the 1994 strike; but could there be positive news on the horizon for baseball fans in Montreal (0:20)? John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times discusses the Rays’ stadium plans, its discussions with local government, and the concept of splitting home games between Florida and Montreal going forward (15:10). Next, Hall of Fame pitcher and former MLBPA representative Tom Glavine joins the show to talk about his role during the 1994 strike, why he suggests players stay off of social media during the lockout, and if he foresees free-agent slugger Freddie Freeman re-signing in Atlanta (33:25). To end the show, Kevin answers listeners’ questions for 'Barker’s Back Leg Bits!' (49:55).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker return to discuss the interest the Toronto Blue Jays had in signing Corey Seager before he agreed to his ten-year pact with the Texas Rangers, the Mets’ level of interest in Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker, and if a first-time manager is what the Mets need right now (1:00). Next, Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano talks about his offseason and continuing his conditioning without the team’s facilities during the lockout (12:30). To finish, longtime MLB agent Barry Axelrod talks about how an agent’s role is impacted by the lockout, when players start to get antsy about returning to work, and when he ultimately sees the stoppage coming to an end (30:00).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by ESPN’s Jeff Passan to discuss all things regarding MLB’s lockout, including the respect level between adversaries Rob Manfred and Tony Clark, how commissioner Manfred is perceived by fans of the game, and when the he foresees MLB and the MLBPA ultimately reaching an agreement (16:44).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
What do MLB general managers do during a lockout? Former Dodgers GM and current TV analyst Ned Colletti joined Jeff and Kevin to break down the stoppage, and to give some inside info on how organizations handle their internal discussions during a labour dispute (1:45). Later on, former MLBPA Communications Director Greg Bouris shares some thoughts on if games will be missed, getting both sides back to the negotiating table, and the players wanting to see an economic shift (30:20).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
The owners have locked out the players, putting a freeze on all transactions across Major League Baseball!
Jeff and Kevin examine the work stoppage and Jeff explains why he doesn’t foresee any games being missed despite the current stalemate. Later, the guys react to comments from new Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman, and invite Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi in on the conversation to further discuss the lockout and why he feels the Blue Jays need to make a trade in order to accomplish everything they want to this offseason (30:59).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Longtime NY baseball columnist John Harper talks about the Mets’ moves in free agency, notably Max Scherzer’s record-breaking 3-year deal. Jeff and Kevin also ask John about Steve Cohen’s twitter account, Kevin Gausman choosing Toronto over the Mets, and who could possibly be named the club’s new manager (6:00). Jeff and Kevin also examine the free agent landscape with the CBA set to expire and grade the Blue Jays’ offseason to this point.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff and Kevin discuss the Blue Jays rumoured interest in FA left-handed hitter Freddie Freeman, the surprise of him still being unsigned, and hypothetically if Vladimir Guerrero could handle more playing time at third base. St. Louis Cardinals’ starter Steven Matz discusses his new 4-year deal with the club, Pete Walker helping him find his identity as pitcher in Toronto, being able to work with Yadier Molina, communicating with Robbie Ray during free agency, and how much the Canadian government’s vaccine mandate for professional athletes played a role in negotiations (26:05).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Former Major League pitcher and SF Giants analyst Shawn Estes discusses what the Toronto Blue Jays are getting in Kevin Gausman, breaks down his pitch repertoire, and his approach towards left-handed hitters (3:31). Blue Jays’ catcher Danny Jansen joins the show and talks about meeting Kevin Gasuman at the team’s Player Development Complex in Dunedin, his offseason workouts, and building off a strong finish to the 2021 season (22:38).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Robbie Ray agrees to a 5-year/$115M deal with the Seattle Mariners, joining Marcus Semien and Steven Matz as free agents who left the Blue Jays. How will Toronto replace the production of the reigning AL Cy Young winner and an MVP finalist? Jeff and Kevin discuss the details of the Ray signing and ultimately what led to Ray signing in Seattle and Kevin Gausman ending up in Toronto, and how a full season of Jose Berrios stabilizes the starting rotation (0:20). The guys also discuss the other moves around free agency including Javier Baez’s deal with the Tigers, Corey Seager’s 10-year pact with the Rangers, and where players like Freddie Freeman and Carlos Correa will wind up (37:32).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff and Kevin wonder about the Los Angeles Angels and their quest for more starting pitching; could they be a destination for Robbie Ray? Jeff and Kevin take calls on the off-season for the majority of the hour, with some fans wondering where ex-Jay Marcus Stroman could wind up and if Toronto would be interested in a reunion. Later, the guys discuss Yimi Garcia’s addition to Toronto’s bullpen, the Blue Jays’ interest in Noah Syndergaard before he joined the Angels, and figuring out what Nate Pearson’s role will be in 2022.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back to unpack MLB’s free agency period; notably the Toronto Blue Jays signing free-agent starter Kevin Gausman to a 5-year/$110M deal and how he will fit in to the team’s rotation. Jeff and Kevin also comment on Marcus Semien leaving the Blue Jays to sign a 7-year/$175M with the Texas Rangers, where Max Scherzer could wind up, and Gausman (and RP Yimi Garcia) taking less money to sign with an up and coming Blue Jays team. Jeff and Kevin also discuss how the Canadian government’s vaccine mandate can effect negotiations in free-agency and Kevin weighs-in on Jose Berrios’ extension seven-year extension with Toronto.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
A solo Jeff Blair weighs in on the news that the Blue Jays and José Berríos have come to an agreement on a reported seven-year, $131M extension (0:34). Jeff chats about Berríos' durability, the significance of the extension, why he thinks the Jays will look to make another major pitching addition, the effects of the deal both on and off the field for Toronto, where the team is at after the signing, and the Jays' intention of putting together a pitching core to match its position player core (4:46).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
With the 2021 postseason completed and the Atlanta Braves crowned World Series champions, the focus now shifts to Major League Baseball’s offseason. Jeff and Kevin are joined by Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi (1:38) and go in-depth on the Toronto Blue Jays: who is more likely to re-sign: Robbie Ray or Marcus Semien, if any of the prospects in the organization are viewed as “untouchable”, Steven Matz, potential trade candidates to balance the team’s lineup, the bullpen, and how to use Nate Pearson going forward. Later, Jeff and Kevin discuss what they enjoy most about the sport and the young stars and personalities in MLB, before being joined by Maury Brown (1:12:10) of Forbes. Maury, Jeff, and Kevin talk about the current financial health of the sport amidst the pandemic, the landscape of the labour negotiations between the league and MLBPA, if a resolution can be found quickly, and how an unknown CBA impacts different tiers of players.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open this edition of the show by answering your calls and hearing your wants, needs, and desires for the 2022 Blue Jays (00:51). Soon after, Jays’ Assistant Director of Player Development Joe Sclafani speaks about Gabriel Moreno’s development in the Jays’ prospect system, and touches on the impact of the 2020 minor league shutdown (04:17). Then, Blair & Barker head back to the phone lines to listen to some final calls before saying farewell for the off-season (16:52).
It’s the final edition of Blair and Barker before the guys take a well-deserved winter break (stay tuned for weekly pods!). The guys open the show by discussing the Jays’ offseason and what the organization’s priorities should be (7:37). Then they take some calls from listeners regarding Jays’ offseason wants, needs, and desires (22:46). Next, Jeff Passan stops by to chat about what teams can learn from the 2021 Braves, Joc Pederson sending Harry Styles a jersey and note after the singer predicted Atlanta would win the World Series, and Marcus Semien and Robbie Ray (34:41).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.
Scott Crawford, Director of Operations at the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, discusses this year’s induction class (9:29). Then, San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler discusses the work he is doing with his ‘Pipeline for Change’ Foundation where he has been an advocate for hiring practices to evolve in baseball so that front offices can become more inclusive and improving mental health for players and employees around the game (29:06). Later, Kapler touches on Buster Posey’s career, the World Series and Dusty Baker as a communicator and the Giants’ exceptional 2021 season (38:00).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
With the offseason now officially underway, Jeff and Kevin discuss some news and notes around the majors and discuss Buster Posey’s career and hall of fame candidacy as the 2012 NL MVP is set to announce his retirement on Thursday (0:51). With teams making qualifying offers to their upcoming free agents, Jeff and Kevin debate what would be the best course of action for the Blue Jays and Steven Matz (12:32). MLB Network analyst Carlos Peña joins the show to recap the World Series and share what noticed from Alex Bregman at the plate and if one of his former teams the Detroit Tigers will be aggressive in free agency (31:12).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Blair & Barker react to Brian Snitker’s post-game availability and share their final thoughts on the World Series: notably Max Fried and Jorge Soler’s MVP performance and violent swing (0:07). They also discuss what the loss means for the Astros and how they were unable to pair their tainted 2017 championship with another one in 2021 (11:48). Host of “Nothing Personal” and former Miami Marlins President David Samson joins the show and discusses how the Braves will be a different looking team come next year, the difficulty repeating as champions, four of the five NL East teams winning championships since 2003, the Astros as baseball’s “villains”, and the upcoming CBA talks and if he thinks a resolution can be reached sooner than later (32:02).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Atlanta Braves are World Series Champions! GM Alex Anthopoulos joins Jeff and Kevin to discuss his club’s historic postseason run, the team playing below .500 for much of the season, the impact of World Series MVP Jorge Soler and the other trade deadline acquisitions, bringing back Freddie Freeman, and his own journey in baseball to get to this point (7:45). Next, ESPN MLB analyst Doug Glanville shares his views on the World Series, playing for Dusty Baker, if Baker will return to manage Houston next season, and Atlanta becoming a “buzzsaw” as the postseason progressed (31:55).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin react to Atlanta Braves’ manger Brian Snitker’s comments on whether his team feels pressure at this juncture in the World Series, before going over the approach that Astros and Braves lineups must have against Max Fried and Luis Garcia respectively (0:08). World Series Champion and former Astros closer Brad Lidge discusses the pitching in the World Series to this point: how hitters have the advantage the longer the series goes on, how to mix things up to hitters as a relief pitcher in a long series, Martin Maldonado’s at-bats in Game 5, and why Max Fried has to establish the inside fastball in his start (26:11).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
It’s Game 6 of the World Series in Houston. Jeff and Kevin talk about which team has more pressure on them, Carlos Correa hitting third in the Astros order, and how they wouldn’t tinker with Braves lineup at all if they’re manager Brian Snitker (0:54). ESPN’s Dan Shulman joins the guys ahead of his call to discuss what Max Fried has learned from facing Houston earlier this series, what can be expected of Kendall Graveman, how going from a 60 to 162 is affecting pitchers late in the season, and more before the pivotal game (30:57).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin look ahead to Game 6 and how Brian Snitker and Dusty Baker will manage the pitching for both the Braves and Astros (0:30). The Mariners declined their club option on Kyle Seager – would a team like the Blue Jays be a fit for the veteran 3B (11:02)? National baseball writer Scott Miller joins the show from Houston to weigh-in on Alex Bregman being moved down in the batting order, Max Fried’s upcoming start in Game 6, how Dusty Baker will maneuver his bullpen, and Bob Melvin coming in to manage the Padres (26:45). To end the show, Jeff and Kevin wonder what the future holds for Freddie Freeman in Atlanta at the conclusion of the World Series (37:15).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Houston Astros prevailed in Game 5 with a 9-5 win but the Atlanta Braves continue to lead the World Series three games to two. Jeff and Kevin recap the weekend at the World Series, specifically how pitchers are being used (and have been used all postseason), the way the Astros batters got the job […]
Mark Bradley, columnist at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, examines Game 3 from a Braves’ perspective and how this year’s team compares to the great Braves teams of the 1990s (3:50). MLB insider Jeff Passan joins Blair & Barker for his weekly segment and discusses the Braves’ tomahawk chop, how weather could effect Game 3, tonight being vital to the Braves chances at being crowned champions, Bob Melvin being hired as Padres’ manager, and the latest on CBA negotiations between MLB and the MLBPA (32:00).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.
After an off night at the World Series, Jeff and Kevin discuss Marcus Semien changing his representation and hiring super agent Scott Boras ahead of free agency – what does this mean for the Blue Jays chances to re-sign him? With news that Albert Pujols is suiting up for Dominican Winter League team Leondes del Escogido, Kevin goes down memory lane when he played first base for them in his career (1:56). Houston Astros radio analyst Steve Sparks looks ahead to Game 3 of the World Series from an Astros’ point-of-view and how they will set their lineup without the DH in Atlanta (30:31).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin discuss a report in the New York Post that the New York Mets asked the Toronto Blue Jays for permission to speak with Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro about their vacant President of Baseball Operations position (0:30). Dan Evans, former Dodgers GM and Blue Jays scout, discusses the plans ahead for the Field of Dreams site in Iowa, the first two games of the World Series, his time working with Alex Anthopoulos in Toronto, and the importance of Game 3 in a tied World Series (27:45).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Astros win in Game 2 of the World Series, and discuss Dusty Baker going with Jose Siri in the lineup, the performances of starters Jose Urquidy and Max Fried, the Braves having problems with the shift, and another big postseason performance from Jose Altuve (1:04). Dan Shulman is calling the World Series for ESPN radio and stops by with his thoughts on the series so far including what Michael Brantley brings to the Astros lineup and if he’s seeing any signs of Alex Bregman breaking out of his slump (31:41).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff and Kevin continue the World Series conversation but also examine news and notes from around MLB. The guys discuss Blue Jays prospect Gabriel Moreno’s impressive performance up to this point in the Arizona fall league and his current standing within the organization, Nelson Cruz winning the 2021 Roberto Clemente award and his HOF candidacy, and Ozzie Guillen interviewing for the San Diego Padres (15:33). National MLB writer and former Astros executive Kevin Goldstein shares his thoughts on Game 1, mainly Framber Valdez’s outing, how the Astros will configure their lineup with NL rules, how Drew Smyly’s role could change for the Braves, and what separates Carlos Correa from other shortstops in MLB (27.18).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Atlanta Braves prevailed in Game One of the World Series as they picked up a 6-2 win despite starter Charlie Morton leaving the game with a broken leg. Blair & Barker break down the game and touch on Morton’s injury and what it means for the Braves, Brian Snitker’s decision to put Jorge Soler in the leadoff spot, Framber Valdez’s start for the Astros, and if Alex Bregman should be moved down in the Astros’ batting order (0:52). Next, ESPN senior writer Howard Bryant discusses Henry Aaron’s influence and importance to the 2021 World Series and how Dusty Baker can rally the Astros down 0-1 (33:14).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blair & Barker ask for fan reaction on the World Series and who they’d like to see to win before Jeff explains that he’s sick of seeing of seeing pitchers hit in the postseason (3:09). Atlanta Braves legend, two-time NL MVP and restauranteur Dale Murphy weighs-in on the World Series matchup, what he expects from Freddie Freeman, Ian Anderson’s performance in the NLCS, and 3B Austin Riley’s breakout campaign (26:29).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.
The World Series starts tonight! Jeff and Kevin open up the show discussing Atlanta manager Brian Snitker’s relationship with GM Alex Anthopoulos, why they are selecting the Astros to win it all, and expecting more from Houston’s Alex Bregman (4:50). Later in the hour, Barker’s former manager currently with the Nashville Sounds, Rick Sweet joins the show to discuss his friendship with Dusty Baker and why he knew the Astros made the right choice hiring him after the organization’s cheating scandal (32:15).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Astros-Braves World Series matchup is a special one to Cito Gaston. The two-time World Series-winning manager with the Toronto Blue Jays discusses his personal friendships with managers Dusty Baker and Brian Snitker as their teams get ready to square off against each other (2:29). Chris Rose, host of “The Chris Rose Rotation” weighs-in on the World Series, why Dusty Baker will be a hall of famer, the Astros cheating scandal still hovering around the organization, and how he’ll feel about the Astros if they win it all again this year (32:05).
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves will meet in the World Series. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back at the ALCS & NLCS, Eddie Rosario’s MVP performance vs. LA and the Red Sox and Dodgers’ high-priced rosters going home (0:54). Later in the hour, Jeff and Kevin discuss if the Dodgers’ loss makes them feel different about last year’s World Series win in a shortened season, if Justin Verlander would be an intriguing pitcher for the Blue Jays to pursue in free agency, and the roster decisions looming for both teams in the “Fall Classic”.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Dodgers analyst and former GM Ned Colletti talks about the organization finding key players like Chris Taylor and Max Muncy, how Joe Kelly’s injury effects the Dodgers’ bullpen, Cody Bellinger’s play in the postseason and much more (6:24). ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan is covering the ALCS and discusses how long the leash should be […]
Blair & Barker discuss the Dodgers extending the NLCS after their 11-2 win over the Atlanta Braves in Game 5. The guys break down Chris Taylor’s phenomenal game where he became the first player in MLB history to hit three-home runs in the postseason while facing elimination, Albert Pujols’ significance to the club, and what […]
Mark Shapiro, President and CEO of the Toronto Blue Jays, discusses his thoughts on next season and the potential for full capacity at Rogers Centre, the off-season plans for the Blue Jays and how he hopes to improve the ballclub, the negotiation process with the Jays’ pending free agents, the future of third base, the […]
The Astros and Braves both won big on Wednesday night and now have Boston and the World Champion Dodgers facing elimination. Jeff and Kevin examine the NLCS particularly Julio Urias’ performance in Game 4 and the Dodgers not having a set starter and using their bullpen in a must-win Game 5 (1:37). Later, they transition […]
Blair & Barker lookahead briefly to the MLB offseason, the market for shortstops and the main thing that separates Marcus Semien from other top targets like Corey Seager and Carlos Correa: health (1:20). Later in the hour, 2018 Hall of Fame Inductee and Atlanta Braves coach Chipper Jones talks about his role working with Atlanta’s […]
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Game 4 of the ALCS where the Astros’ bats came alive for a 9-2 win to tie the series at 2-2 (1:20). Jeff and Kevin break down Nathan Eovaldi’s pitch to pinch hitter Jason Castro that was called a ball before the go-ahead base hit, umpire Laz Diaz’s strike […]
Three-time World Series champion and Astros analyst Mike Stanton discusses Houston’s 12-3 loss in Game 3 of the ALCS, what we can expect from Game 4 starter Zack Greinke, and reflects on his time pitching in the postseason over his 19-year career (2:28). MLB Network’s Dan O’Dowd reflects on today’s breaking news that manager Aaron […]
Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro spoke to the media where he addressed all things related to the organization including payroll perimeters, renovations to the Rogers Centre, and the offseason ahead (2:16). Blair & Barker have their say before opening up the phone lines (35:27). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers […]
With Game 3 of the ALCS on tap at Fenway, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by WEEI’s Lou Merloni to discuss how the cold weather could potentially impact this game, Kiké Hernández’s defence as well as his stellar offence, what’s going on with Rafael Devers at the plate, and Eduardo Rodriguez’s aggressive mindset paying […]
After a wild weekend of baseball, Jeff and Kevin break down the Braves going up 2-0 on the Dodgers as the series shifts back to Los Angeles later this week, how the Dodgers starting rotation has been under siege all series long, before shifting focus to the ALCS and Kiké Hernández’s historic pace in the […]
Astros radio analyst Steve Sparks stops by to tee up the ALCS, and chat about Dusty Baker’s decision making, the state of the rotation without Lance McCullers Jr., the season series between the Astros and Red Sox, and the key role defence may play in the series (2:10). To wrap up, former MLB umpire Dale […]
Blair and Barker break down the controversial check-swing call to end Game 5 of the NLDS between the Giants and Dodgers, discuss the definition of a check-swing, and weigh in on whether they should be reviewable (0:12). Then Jeff Passan joins to give his thoughts on the matter, and discuss Chris Sale getting the start […]
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to comments from Los Angeles Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts and San Francisco Giants’ Manager Gabe Kapler ahead of game 5, particularly how L.A. plans to attack Giants’ starter Logan Webb & how Kapler plans to use his pitching staff in the must-win game. Longtime Giants pitcher and studio analyst […]
It’s the anniversary of Jose Bautista’s bat-flip vs. the Texas Rangers. Jeff & Kevin look back at the iconic moment in Blue Jays history and how now six years later players in the game are allowed to be themselves more than ever before (0:18). With Ron Washington, Buck Showalter, Bruce Bochy being rumoured for managerial […]
Hall of Famer and Braves analyst Tom Glavine joins the show following the Braves’ series win over the Milwaukee Brewers and touches on Freddie Freeman’s level of consistency, Max Fried and the Braves’ rotation, and Will Smith in closer role (1:39). Blair and Barker then shift their focus to the Giants-Dodgers series, notably Justin Turner’s […]
Jeff and Kevin recap the Braves’ big win over the Brewers to advance to the NLCS and break down Freddie Freeman’s go-ahead home run in the eighth that sealed the victory (0:38). They then touch on the Dodgers’ win over the Giants to force a winner-take-all Game 5, and take a look at Houston’s win […]
Jeff and Kevin share their thoughts on Giants/Dodgers and Brewers/Braves as Los Angeles and Milwaukee look to avoid elimination (0:13). White Sox reliever Ryan Tepera had some choice words for the Houston Astros following Game 3, will they backfire? Blair and Barker break down Tepera’s comments and Dusty Baker’s response to them (14:35). WEEI’s Rob […]
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker examine the Red Sox win over Tampa Bay in the ALDS, Brandon Lowe’s tough series for the Rays and wonder if Dusty Baker’s 5-16 record as a manager in clinching games is cause for concern for Houston (0:41). Toronto Blue Jays Pitching Coach Pete Walker looks back at The Blue […]
Jeff asks Kevin about which of his ex-teammates rose to the occasion late in the season. His answer? Not a player, but current Astros manager Dusty Baker (0:15). They also break down Chris Sale’s comments about how bullpens are used in the postseason and preview the NL West battle between the rival Los Angeles Dodgers […]
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker open the show discussing Randy Arozarena’s heroics in game one against the Red Sox, how the Rays’ baserunning puts pressure on the defence, Eduardo Rodriguez’s quick hook, and the task ahead for Red Sox manager Alex Cora (0:33). After, they take look back at game one between the White Sox […]
Jeff and Kevin lookahead to the Rays-Red Sox ALDS and mix-in some calls to ask fans about their World Series Predictions (0:28). MLB insider Jeff Passan discusses MLB postseason rosters and how many clubs ultimately choose to ride the hot hand, if Alex Cora can navigate a shaky Red Sox bullpen against Tampa Bay, why […]
Blair and Barker react to Ross Atkins’ media availability and break down the comments made from the Blue Jays’ GM touching on Bo Bichette at shortstop, Nate Pearson’s role going forward, making roster decisions with uncertainty regarding the new CBA & more (3:23). Later, Houston Astros TV analyst and World Series hero for the Chicago […]
Former Dodgers GM Ned Colletti joins Blair & Barker to preview the NL Wild Card game between L.A. and the St. Louis Cardinals. Ned examines the pitching matchup between Max Scherzer and Adam Wainwright, Yadier Molina’s chemistry behind the plate with Wainwright, who should play 1B tonight for the Dodgers, and what players, managers, and […]
Jeff and Kevin give their thoughts on the Red Sox’ 6-2 win over the Yankees in the AL Wild Card game, including Gerrit Cole’s changeup to Xander Bogaerts that resulted in a two-run homer and Aaron Judge being waved home and then subsequently tagged out in the sixth inning (0:42). The guys then turn to […]
Luis Rojas isn’t coming back to manage the New York Mets, but Blair has a candidate in mind who can deal with big personalities: John Gibbons. Then former Blue Jays’ CF Vernon Wells shares his thoughts on Toronto’s season, what he likes about Bo Bichette’s game, and falling short of the postseason when he was […]
Dan Shulman joins Blair and Barker to look back on the Jays’ season and discuss standouts and surprises. They also chat about playoff formatting and touch on the AL Wild Card game between the Red Sox and Yankees. The guys then take your calls on a hypothetical Marcus Stroman-Jays reunion. The views and opinions expressed […]
The guys continue to take your calls, and are joined by Shi Davidi to recap the season, look ahead to the offseason, and chat about Nate Pearson’s role moving forward, and whether Bo Bichette is the team’s cleanup hitter next season. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and […]
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker chat about the Blue Jays’ season coming to an end and discuss moments that stood out from the team’s post-game Zooms. They also reflect on the good and bad from this season, look ahead to next, and take your calls. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those […]
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker address last night’s Blue Jays loss to the Yankees and he status of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as he will be the designated hitter Friday against the Orioles. ESPN MLB analyst Tim Kurkjian discusses the AL wild card race, the Mariners’ underrated lineup, and the Blue Jays’ chances this weekend. Blue […]
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to the crucial rubber match between the Yankees and Blue Jays as Robbie Ray takes the mound for his final game of the season and are joined by WFAN’s Sweeny Murti to discuss the New York side of things (18:28). ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan comments on the […]
Chris Gimenez, former MLB catcher and current MLB Network analyst, joins Jeff and Kevin to discuss his experience catching Jose Berrios in Minnesota and how the Blue Jays should approach pitching to a red-hot Giancarlo Stanton (23:32). YES Network analyst Jack Curry stops by to chat about Stanton’s recent hot streak at the plate, his […]
Jeff and Kevin dive into the importance of this week’s three-game series against the Yankees, Hyun-Jin Ryu staring down his biggest start as a Blue Jay, and Bo Bichette’s recent struggles at the plate. Jeff Nelson, former MLB pitcher, four-time World Series champion, and co-host of the New York Post’s Pinstripe Podcast, weighs in on […]
Jeff and Kevin share their thoughts on George Springer rediscovering his confidence at the plate, signs of fatigue from Bo Bichette, and the Blue Jays’ critical series this week against the Yankees. Dan Shulman stops by to chat about Alek Manoah’s strong rookie season, the pressure facing Charlie Montoyo heading into the final week of […]
Minnesota Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson joins Jeff and Kevin to discuss his time in Toronto, the fan reception last weekend at Rogers Centre, his first full season with the Twins, and his approach to hitting (4:56). Later, the guys discuss Steven Matz’s short outing on Thursday, Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s freak hand injury, and George […]
Jeff and Kevin discuss Charlie Montoyo’s reaction to yesterday’s plunking incident and his laid-back managerial style. Nick Swisher, former MLB first baseman, current Yankees advisor, and FOX analyst, weighs in on Aroldis Chapman rebounding after a shaky August and this weekend’s pivotal Yankees-Red Sox series at Fenway Park (22:53). ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan shares […]
Jeff and Kevin kick-off Baseball Central with their thoughts on the fallout from Kevin Kiermaier’s card-stealing saga and Alek Manoah delivering six strong innings in Tuesday’s 4-2 win. Jayson Stark, senior MLB writer for The Athletic and co-host of the Starkville podcast, discusses his recent interview with Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo, the AL and […]
Jeff and Kevin share their thoughts on the inconsistent strike zone during Monday night’s Blue Jays-Rays game, Nate Pearson potentially tipping his pitches, and the team’s current bullpen hierarchy. Orestes Destrade, former MLB first baseman and current Rays analyst, weighs in on Shane Baz’s impressive MLB debut on Monday and how this year’s Rays team […]
Jeff and Kevin discuss Hyun-Jin Ryu landing on the 10-day IL with a neck strain and the Jays taking two of three against the Twins over the weekend. Chris Singleton, former MLB outfielder and current ESPN analyst, weighs in on the Blue Jays’ playoff surge and the MVP debate between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Shohei […]
Jeff and Kevin share their thoughts on the Blue Jays’ pitching plans for the final two weeks of the regular season and where things stand with the Red Sox and Yankees heading into the weekend. Justin Morneau, former MLB first baseman, current Twins analyst, and contributor to Blue Jays Central, joins the show to discuss […]
Jeff and Kevin break down Robbie Ray’s seven-inning performance against the Rays on Wednesday and discuss how the Blue Jays can line up their starting rotation ahead of a potential playoff appearance. Minnesota Twins Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey joins the show to chat about his team’s struggles this season, early returns on Austin Martin […]
It’s Walk Off Wednesday! Jeff and Kevin discuss the Blue Jays’ 2-0 loss to the Rays on Tuesday and Jose Berrios’ strong outing before exiting with abdominal tightness. Doug Waechter, former MLB pitcher and current Rays analyst, joins the guys to discuss Drew Rasmussen’s emergence for Tampa and the veteran leadership provided by Mike Zunino […]
Jeff and Kevin share their thoughts on Alek Manoah’s dominant outing against the Rays and Breyvic Valera’s three-hit effort in Monday’s 8-1 win. Joe Siddall, former MLB catcher and current Blue Jays Central analyst, joins the guys to discuss the team’s recent offensive surge, Manoah’s increased slider usage on Monday, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s MVP […]
Jeff and Kevin discuss the Blue Jays’ offensive explosion against the Orioles over the weekend and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s continued assault on the MLB record books. Brian Anderson, former MLB pitcher and current Rays colour analyst, weighs in on Tampa’s success this season, Nelson Cruz’s impact since being acquired ahead of the trade deadline, and […]
Jeff and Kevin discuss the Blue Jays’ four-game sweep of the Yankees, Jose Berrios’ strong outing on Thursday, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s pursuit of the AL triple crown. ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan weighs in on the Red Sox’s lingering COVID-19 issues, Robbie Ray’s Cy Young chances, and Trevor Bauer’s uncertain future amidst ongoing legal […]
Blue Jays pitcher Steven Matz joins Jeff and Kevin from the Bronx to discuss the team’s current seven-game winning streak and his success since the beginning of August (4:27). Legendary Yankees play-by-play voice John Sterling stops by to chat about New York’s recent struggles, the team’s depleted bullpen, and his memories from covering Derek Jeter’s […]
It’s Walk-off Wednesday! Jeff and Kevin share their thoughts on Larry Walker’s Hall of Fame induction speech and the Blue Jays’ 5-1 win over the Yankees on Tuesday. Former MLB GM Pat Gillick stops by to chat about today’s Hall of Fame ceremony, Walker’s Canadian roots, and Derek Jeter’s iconic career (16:04). Jeff Nelson, former MLB […]
Jeff and Kevin share their thoughts on Corey Dickerson batting leadoff for the Blue Jays on Tuesday and how the team should approach facing Yankees ace Gerrit Cole. Carlos Pena, former MLB first baseman and current MLB Network analyst, weighs in on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s recent resurgence, Joey Gallo’s strikeout woes, and the AL Cy […]
It’s a post-game edition of Baseball Central as the Blue Jays blank the Yankees 8-0 on Labour Day! Ben Wagner, voice of the Blue Jays, joins Jeff and Kevin to discuss Hyun-Jin Ryu exiting Monday’s game due to arm tightness, George Springer’s nagging knee injury, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s disciplined approach at the plate (4:40). […]
Jeff and Kevin share their thoughts on Alek Manoah’s effective sinker-slider combination and Sean Manaea’s recent struggles. Larry Walker (20:27), former MLB outfielder and 2021 Hall of Fame inductee, joins the show to discuss his upcoming enshrinement into Cooperstown. Blue Jays pitcher Bryan Baker (36:29) stops by to chat about his recent promotion to the […]
Jeff and Kevin discuss the Blue Jays’ 5-4 win over the Orioles on Wednesday, Steven Matz battling through five innings of two-run ball, and Jordan Romano’s maturation as a closer. ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan weighs in on the early stages of MLB’s CBA talks with the MLBPA and Robbie Ray’s potential asking price in […]
It’s Walk Off Wednesday! Jeff and Kevin discuss George Springer tweaking his knee on Tuesday and Hyun-Jin Ryu’s inconsistency this season. Eduardo Perez, former MLB first baseman and current ESPN analyst, weighs in on the Blue Jays’ aggressive approach at the plate and Nate Pearson’s insertion into the Jays’ bullpen (20:12). Ben Wagner checks in […]
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s two-homer performance against the Orioles on Monday, George Springer’s first game back in the lineup, Brad Hand being DFA’d, and Danny Jansen’s return from injury. Atlanta Braves pitcher and Calgary native Mike Soroka (19:51) joins the show to chat about his recovery after re-tearing his Achilles, […]
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker host! The guys share their thoughts on Jose Berrios’ strong outing against the Tigers on Sunday, Bo Bichette rediscovering his rhythm at the plate, and George Springer’s return to the lineup. John Harper (25:58), columnist and studio analyst for SNY, joins the show to discuss the Mets’ thumbs down celebration […]
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the American League Wild Card race, how the Toronto Blue Jays fit in, who should be the offseason priority, and if there’s any concerns with Hyun-jin Ryu. Blue Jays starter Robbie Ray shares his thoughts on being involved in AL Cy Young award conversations, tweaks he has made to […]
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to last night’s Cy Young calibre performance from Robbie Ray as he struck out 14 batters in the team’s 3-1 win over the Chicago White Sox. Later, they are joined by play-by-play voice Ben Wagner from Rogers Centre ahead of this afternoon’s series finale against Chicago with Hyun-Jin Ryu […]
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss Jose Berrios’ struggles in his outing against the White Sox. Chicago’s pitcher Liam Hendriks joins to chat about how close the Blue Jays were to signing him in free agency, his wife’s support throughout his career, if he made any changes to his approach to pitching this year, and […]
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays winning their series opener against the White Sox and Tony La Russa’s impact on the Chicago ball club. MLB Network analyst and former first baseman Sean Casey stops by to chat about teams not producing runs with runners in scoring position, players facing pitchers who they’ve never […]
Jeff and Kevin discuss the Blue Jays falling to the Detroit Tigers in their weekend series, the top concerns in the team’s recent struggles and Miguel Cabrera’s 500th home run. Chicago White Sox radio analyst and former MLB centre fielder Darrin Jackson joins to chat about the success the team has had sitting atop of […]
Ben Ennis and Shi Davidi discuss the Blue Jays search for consistent outings from the bullpen, if we’ll see some reinforcements called up from Buffalo, and Robbie Ray’s ability to pitch deep into games. Bisons and Blue Jays pitcher Nate Pearson joins to chat about his return to the mound from an injury in two relief […]
Ben Ennis and Shi Davidi host! The guys share their thoughts on the Blue Jays’ 8-5 loss to the Nationals on Wednesday, Brad Hand’s struggles since being acquired at the trade deadline, and the team’s glaring bullpen issues. Former Blue Jays manager John Gibbons joins the show to discuss his experience managing bullpens, the importance […]
Ben Ennis and Rob Wong host! The guys share their thoughts on the Blue Jays’ 12-6 loss to the Nationals on Tuesday and Rafael Dolis being DFA’d by the organization. Ben Wagner, Blue Jays play-by-play voice on Sportsnet 590 The FAN, joins the guys in studio to discuss George Springer’s latest trip to the IL, […]
Ben Ennis and Shi Davidi host! The guys discuss the Blue Jays’ current bullpen hierarchy and the team’s impending roster moves ahead of this week’s mini-series in Washington. Vernon Wells, former MLB outfielder and contributor to Blue Jays Central, weighs in on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s recent skid at the plate and Alek Manoah’s impressive rookie […]
Ben Ennis and Rob Wong host! The guys share their thoughts on the Blue Jays dropping two of three games against the Mariners over the weekend and their lingering bullpen issues. Will Middlebrooks, former MLB third baseman, 2013 World Series champion, and current CBS analyst, weighs in on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s recent regression at the […]
Rob Wong guest hosts with Kevin as they recap the Jays series finale against the Angels. Blue Jays radio voice Ben Wagner talks about getting a closer look at Shohei Ohtani and why Teoscar Hernandez flies under the radar (28:30). The guys take listener text messages, looking at the optimal lineup, where Cavan Biggio and […]
Rob Wong guests hosts with Kevin Barker and they discuss Alek Manoah’s mettle on the mound and George Springer’s incredible streak. Former Blue Jays first baseman Chris Colabello stops by to talk about the 2015 run to the playoffs and hitting around great players in the lineup (25:47). Twins special assistant LaTroy Hawkins talks about […]
Jeff and Kevin chat with Angels radio analyst Mark Langston to talk about the club’s organizational pitching depth and if Shohei Ohtani looks tired (13:55). Vancouver Canadians Manager Donnie Murphy chats about some of the prospects playing with the club this year (33:36). ESPN’s Jeff Passan looks at the Rays continuing to have success and why this […]
Jeff and Kevin are joined by MLB Network’s Bill Ripken to chat about the Blue Jays series against the Angels and the approach that Vladdy Guerrero Jr needs to take at the plate (7:52). Blue Jays radio voice Ben Wagner stops by to talk about the excitement of Guerrero versus Ohtani and what we can expect from Nate Pearson […]
Jeff & Kevin look back at the Jays’ successful weekend, what led to George Springer’s big homerun, and if 90 wins is a possible target to finish the year (2:57). Blue Jays play-by-play voice Dan Shulman talks about the vibe surrounding the Jays and if he would look to sign Robbie Ray to a contract […]
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker host; they discuss the Boston Red Sox coming to town for four games – the final time the Blue Jays and Red Sox will see each other this season – and also discuss the breaking news that Oakland OF Ramon Laureano was handed an 80-game suspension for PEDs. WEEI’s Rob […]
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker host; they discuss Steven Matz’ start and George Springer hitting another leadoff home run, and are later joined by Padres radio broadcaster Tony Gwynn Jr to discuss San Diego, Fernando Tatis Jr potentially being done for the year, and the NL West as a whole (11:40). Former MLB Pitcher and […]
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker host; they discuss the Blue Jays lineup, including Breyvic Valera starting at third base, and Steven Matz getting the start for Toronto against Cleveland’s JC Mejia. Astros TV Analyst Geoff Blum (25:24) stops by to discuss Houston’s place at the top of the AL West, and whether or not they […]
Jeff and Kevin discuss Corey Dickerson making his Jays debut, the struggles of Brad Hand, and the team’s offence sputtering late in games. GM Ross Atkins (21:42) talks about how much the team has enjoyed their return to Toronto, Cavan Biggio’s tough season, how quickly the Berrios deal came about with Minnesota, and George Springer […]
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays series sweep against the Kansas City Royals with the team now back at Rogers Centre; particularly Jose Berrios’ scoreless debut on Sunday. WFAN’s Sweeny Murti discusses the New York Yankees new-look lineup with Anthony Rizzo and Joey Gallo and the state of the AL East […]
Jeff Blair open the show with his thoughts on the Toronto Blue Jays returning home to play their first game at Rogers Centre since September 2019 (0:20). Jeff and Kevin break down the Blue Jays-Twins trade that sent Jose Berrios to the Blue Jays for Austin Martin and Simeon Woods-Richardson and the decision to part […]
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the wheeling and dealing ahead of the MLB trade deadline, notably the Blue Jays acquiring reliever Brad Hand from the Nationals and the reports that Max Scherzer is close to being dealt to the San Diego Padres. MLB.com / MLB Network’s Mark Feinsand joins the show with the latest […]
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays 4-1 win in Game One of their day-night doubleheader against the Red Sox. Jeff and Kevin discuss George Springer’s game, Robbie Ray’s performance, and to what degree the Blue Jays will be buyers at the MLB trade deadline before answering the text-line and reacting to the […]
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays latest loss after the Red Sox rallied from behind to earn a 5-4 win at Fenway Park. Ellis Burks, former Red Sox outfielder and current MLB analyst, discusses the Red Sox season to date, Bo Bichette’s approach at the plate, and the pressure that comes with […]
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays series to the New York Mets, notably yesterday’s one-run 5-4 loss. Tampa Bay Rays reporter Marc Topkin discusses how Nelson Cruz is fitting in with the Rays after their deal with the Minnesota Twins and what else the team might be shopping for at the deadline […]
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker examine the latest news around Major League Baseball: notably the Tampa Bay Rays trading for Nelson Cruz and Cleveland changing their name to the Guardians. Former Blue Jays manager John Gibbons discusses his experiences in the week before the trade deadline and shares his opinion on Toronto’s current squad (17:50) […]
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s loss to the Boston Red Sox and key in on Robbie Ray’s outing, Danny Jansen’s injury opening up the door for Alejandro Kirk, and Jordan Romano being used in the 8th inning. New York Mets Bench Coach (and home run derby pitcher extraordinaire!) Dave Jauss previews the upcoming […]
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to Ross Atkins’ comments suggesting that the team is concentrating on run prevention at the deadline and that Nate Pearson is an option for the team’s bullpen going forward. Then it’s time for Walk Off Wednesday: Jeff and Kevin take calls and texts on what the Blue Jays could […]
Jeff & Kevin recap the Blue Jays’ 13-4 loss to the Boston Red Sox and discuss Ross Stripling’s post-game comments that summed up his thoughts regarding moving around between different homes this season. The duo look ahead to tonight’s game: What the Blue Jays can expect from Garrett Richards and Thomas Hatch being thrust into […]
Jeff & Kevin recap the Toronto Blue Jays’ series sweep over the Texas Rangers that saw impressive performances from both the pitching staff and hitters. The pair also look ahead to the Jays’ return to Rogers Centre and have an announcement about their show! WEEI’s Rob Bradford discusses the Red Sox as they get ready […]
Jeff & Kevin discuss the latest news around the game: The Yankees COVID-19 situation, the Atlanta Braves trading for Joc Pederson, and wonder if the Blue Jays would be able to trade for an unvaccinated player. MLB Network Radio & Texas Rangers analyst CJ Nitkowski gives the scouting report on Texas ahead of the Blue […]
Jeff & Kevin open up with the latest on the Blue Jays’ status on a return to Toronto, and discuss the team’s starting rotation against the Texas Rangers. MLB Network analyst “The Mayor” Sean Casey looks ahead to MLB’s second half, and shares his thoughts on the Blue Jays, Joey Gallo, and if players are […]
Jeff & Kevin react to the the 2021 MLB All-Star Game where Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won the MVP award – becoming the first Toronto Blue Jays player to do so. Then it’s time for Walk Off Wednesday! The duo ask Jays fans for their second half wishes. Only time will tell if they come true […]
Jeff & Kevin recap Pete Alonso’s win in the MLB Home Run Derby, and discuss the pitching performance from Mets bench coach Dave Jauss. Colorado Rockies legend Dante Bichette talks about his son Bo playing his first All-Star Game in the city where he spent most of his career. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast […]
Jeff & Kevin are joined by MLB Network’s Carlos Pena, who discusses the first-half of the season, his thoughts on the Blue Jays, and the MLB All-Star festivities headlined by Shohei Ohtani’s participation in the game & Home Run Derby. The pair react to the Blue Jays’ series loss against the Rays, and share their […]
Jeff & Kevin tee up this weekend’s pivotal Blue Jays-Rays series heading into the All-Star break. Blue Jays coach John Schneider discusses Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s breakout season and George Springer’s fit in the cleanup spot. Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Rowdy Tellez reflects on his time with the Blue Jays and discusses getting a fresh start […]
Jeff & Kevin share their thoughts on Jon Heyman’s latest report regarding the Blue Jays’ interest in Nelson Cruz, and Hyun-Jin Ryu’s recent control issues. Bill Ripken, former MLB infielder and current MLB Network analyst, weighs in on Cruz’s potential fit with the Blue Jays, Bo Bichette’s defence at shortstop, and Shohei Ohtani’s plan to […]