
Blair & Barker
770 episodes — Page 12 of 16
Mets Magic Continues
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.
NLDS on The Brink + The Soto Situation
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.
Carpenter's Heroics + Rivalry Heats Up in San Diego
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.
Postseason Pressure, Rivalries and Who Is Mr. October?
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.
Division Series Preview
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.
American League Sweeps
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.
Defining Generational Talent & Roster Construction
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.
Atkins and Shapiro Take the Podium
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.
Wild Card Stages & Blue Jays' Staff Changes
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.
2024 Playoff Preview & Predictions
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.
Putting a Bow on the '24 Blue Jays
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.
Olympic Stadium's Final Out
Following yesterday's final outs in Oakland Coliseum, Blair and Barker are joined by former Expos & Marlins infielder Mike Mordecai (3:06), who caught the final out at Olympic Stadium in Montreal. He shares the story of what happened to the final ball put in play and his thoughts on how the final game in Oakland was handled. Finally, the guys dip into the Back Leg Line to answer your questions for the last time this regular 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.
Yankees Clinch, Hinch's Tigers and Season Reflection with John Schneider
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.
Jays' Last Series of 2024 + Schneider's Closeout Chat
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.
A Lens Through Ohtani's Coach + Doubleheader Implications
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.
Final Week Wind Down + Jeff Passan
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.
Bo's Injury Update + Padres Clinching in Style
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.
Wild Card Walkthrough & Jays' Fastball Problem
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.
Playing to the Contracts + Legendary Broadcaster Joe Castiglione
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
'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.
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.
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.