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Blair & Barker

Blair & Barker

651 episodes — Page 10 of 14

Focusing on the Regular Season's Final Week

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.

Sep 23, 202449 min

Rays Sweep Jays & Orioles' September Slide

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.

Sep 23, 202449 min

Inside Shohei's Superstar Season

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.

Sep 20, 202449 min

Ohtani's 50-50 Club + Bowden's Pitch Mix with John Schneider

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.

Sep 20, 202449 min

Orioles Spiral + Catcher Chemistry

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.

Sep 18, 202449 min

Bichette Returns and the Surging Tigers

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.

Sep 18, 202449 min

September Uncertainties with Buck Martinez + Bo's Back!

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.

Sep 17, 202450 min

Playoff Pitching with Ryan Dempster + Jays & Rangers Preview

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.

Sep 17, 202449 min

Evolution of the Canadian Futures Showcase

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.

Sep 16, 202449 min

Berríos' Tenure + Yankees' Intentional Decision

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.

Sep 16, 202449 min

Clashing with the Cardinals + Back Leg Line!

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.

Sep 13, 202449 min

Schneider, Walker, Blair & Barker

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.

Sep 13, 202449 min

Lindor Or Ohtani?

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.

Sep 12, 202449 min

Bowden's Big Night & Evaluating in September

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.

Sep 12, 202449 min

2025 Projections & NL Playoff Outlook

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.

Sep 10, 202449 min

The Bull in Bullpen + Mets' Surge

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.

Sep 10, 202449 min

The Future of the Core with Shi Davidi

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.

Sep 9, 202449 min

Bo Bichette's "Ultimate Goal" with the Blue Jays

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.

Sep 9, 202448 min

Clubhouse Dynamics + Jays Injury Update

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.

Sep 6, 202449 min

Hotlanta Convo with John Schneider

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.

Sep 6, 202449 min

Chapman Cashes In + John Gibbons

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.

Sep 5, 202449 min

Jays' Remaining Tasks + Atlanta Braves Check-In

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.

Sep 5, 202449 min

Phillies' Flaws & Fact-Finding in September

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker get set for the Blue Jays' two-game series against the Phillies with Phillies TV analyst Ben Davis. He digs into potential reasons for Philadelphia's late-season skid, what lessons they can take away from their last postseason run and the team's X-Factors heading into October. Blue Jays' play-by-play voice Dan Shulman (26:05) discusses the Jays' roster uncertainties they need to sort out in the final month of the regular season - Barger's upside, Horwitz's ideal position, Will Wagner's 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.

Sep 3, 202450 min

Jays' Mainstays & Wild Card Races

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.

Sep 3, 202449 min

Will Bo Play? + Twins GM Thad Levine

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.

Aug 30, 202449 min

Talking to John Schneider in the Twin Cities

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.

Aug 30, 202448 min

The Royals' Rise & Free Agent Forecast

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.

Aug 29, 202449 min

Bassitt’s Adjustment & Ernie Clement from Fenway!

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.

Aug 29, 202449 min

'Run It Back' Ambiguity

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.

Aug 28, 202450 min

Pitching 101 with Tom Glavine

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.

Aug 28, 202449 min

The Path Forward with Buck Martinez

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.

Aug 27, 202449 min

Looking Ahead to This Winter’s Free-Agent Frenzy

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.

Aug 27, 202449 min

Strife in Seattle & Jake Bloss

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.

Aug 23, 202449 min

B&B Reunited & Friday with John Schneider

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.

Aug 23, 202449 min

Catching Up with Jano + Hosting the Halos

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.

Aug 22, 202449 min

Joey Votto Announces His Retirement

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.

Aug 22, 202449 min

Pitching Prognosis & Passan on MLB Parity

Jeff Blair is joined by ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (1:40) to make his now weekly projection for a potential Vladimir Guerrero Jr. extension and how his recent play at third base can impact negotiations. Then, they go around MLB - whether the Orioles did enough at the deadline, parity around the big leagues and what's next for the Cardinals after releasing Brandon Crawford & optioning Nolan Gorman. Later, Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux (29:21) evaluates Toronto's pitching this season, what he and the team are looking for from each arm down the stretch and what's up with Davis 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.

Aug 21, 202449 min

Jays Rout Reds, WBC Announcement + the Beat on Baltimore

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.

Aug 21, 202449 min

Future Plans + Catching Up with Dan Shulman

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.

Aug 20, 202449 min

Final Stretch Goals & Soto Sweepstakes

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.

Aug 20, 202449 min

Little League Vibes, Bo's Future & Where's Votto?

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.

Aug 19, 202449 min

Bassitt's Bitterness + Getting Ready for the Reds

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.

Aug 19, 202449 min

MLB Olympic Uncertainty

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.

Aug 15, 202449 min

Brooms in Anaheim, Blair Returns, and Bobby V

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.

Aug 15, 202449 min

Future on the Field with John Schneider

Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (0:32) to give a state of affairs amidst the team's series against the Angels. The skipper shares an update on Bichette and Romano's status, long-term plans for the deadline additions, what's changed for Vladdy during his prolonged hot stretch and much more. Later, Ben and Kevin go around MLB with ESPN insider Jeff Passan (27:23) - Kikuchi's stellar start in Houston, price tags & markets for upcoming big-name free agents and which teams' post-All-Star trends - good and bad - he believes in most.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Aug 14, 202449 min

Ump Show in Anaheim + Bret Boone

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.

Aug 14, 202449 min

Current Affairs in California

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.

Aug 13, 202449 min

Billy The Kid’s Son Will

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.

Aug 13, 202450 min

Olympic Baseball & Auditions in Anaheim

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.

Aug 12, 202449 min

Jays Drop Two to the A’s + Jim Duquette

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.

Aug 12, 202450 min