The FAN Pregame

Nick Kypreos, co-host of Real Kyper and Bourne, joins JD, Blake and Ailish to discuss the Leafs’ sluggish start in Game 5, John Tavares finding success in the dirty areas, Jack Campbell’s resiliency, Auston Matthews’ elevated physicality, and if the Leafs have finally located their killer instinct. Later, the team tees up the betting odds for this afternoon’s Blue Jays-Yankees game and assemble their daily Wake and Rake parlay (23:52). 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 affiliate.

Jennifer Botterill, three-time Olympic gold medalist and current Sportsnet analyst, joins JD, Blake and Ailish to discuss Jason Spezza’s leadership and the cache he carries in the Maple Leafs’ locker room, John Tavares’ productive night, and the biggest keys for Game 6 in Tampa. Then, the team weighs in on Jordan Romano’s ninth-inning meltdown on Tuesday, his recent dip in velocity, and how the Blue Jays should manage his workload (17:37). Later, the crew chimes in on Yusei Kikuchi’s positive outing against the Yankees, Yimi Garcia’s ejection after hitting Josh Donaldson, and concerns about the Jays’ bullpen depth (23:33). 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 affiliate.

Ailish discusses her experience attending the Maple Leafs’ Game 5 win at Scotiabank Arena last night. Afterwards, the team chats about Toronto’s epic comeback, Jason Spezza rallying his teammates after a flat first period, the Leafs’ "core 4" all contributing in the win, Jack Campbell elevating his game, and Justin Holl’s strong performance in Game 5. Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List (36:37)!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.

Aaron Ward, former NHL defenceman and two-time Stanley Cup champion, joins JD, Blake and Ailish to discuss Tampa’s resounding response after their Game 3 letdown, the pressure on Jack Campbell to bounce back in Game 5, the Jekyll and Hyde of Toronto’s blue line, and whether Sheldon Keefe should remove Justin Holl from the lineup on Tuesday night. Later, the team weighs in on Tom Brady signing with FOX to become a lead NFL analyst after his playing career ends. The crew also fields more texts from listeners (23:36)!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.

John Buccigross, NHL play-by-play announcer and studio host for ESPN, joins the show to discuss John Tavares’ struggles so far against Tampa, the pressure on Auston Matthews to elevate his game, the Lightning's championship acumen, and the value of having a type-A personality in the dressing room. Afterwards, JD, Blake and Ailish sift through some more texts from listeners. Later, the team tees up the betting lines for tonight’s Blue Jays-Yankees matchup and Game 5 between the Leafs and Lightning. They also assemble their daily Wake and Rake parlay (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.

Luke Fox, NHL scribe for Sportsnet, joins JD, Blake and Ailish to discuss the Maple Leafs’ possible lineup adjustments for Game 5, the importance of last change in terms of setting matchups, Toronto’s lack of killer instinct in Game 4, and the versatility of Tampa’s Point-Killorn-Cirelli line. Afterwards, the crew chats about the Raptors’ reported interest in Rudy Gobert and if he’d be a good fit in Toronto (17:11). Later, the team heads to the text line to field comments and questions from listeners (33:31). 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.

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss Morgan Rielly’s post-practice comments on Monday about the Leafs learning from past playoff failures, where Game 5 falls on the must-win meter, the scrutiny facing John Tavares, the pressure facing Auston Matthews to put his imprint on this series, and potential lineup changes for Game 5. Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List (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 affiliate.

Dave Andreychuk, Hockey Hall of Famer and current Lightning studio analyst, joins the show to discuss the game-to-game momentum swings in this series, the Leafs' depth contributions, Sheldon Keefe and Jon Cooper tinkering with their respective power plays, and Tampa's increased sense of urgency when coming off a loss. Then, JD, Blake and Ailish weigh in on Keefe’s decision to pull Jack Campbell in the second period and how it might affect his mindset heading into Game 5 (16:49). Ryan Callahan, former NHL forward and current ESPN analyst, stops by to chat about Tampa’s championship pedigree, the Leafs squandering a golden opportunity to take control of the series, John Tavares struggling to find his game alongside William Nylander, and the similarities in terms of roster construction between Toronto and Tampa (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 affiliate.

Justin Bourne, co-host of Real Kyper and Bourne, joins JD, Blake and Ailish to discuss the Leafs’ disheartening performance in Game 4, Sheldon Keefe’s messaging after the loss, the lingering effects of past playoff failures, how Tampa imposed their will on Sunday night, Auston Matthews’ usage in this series, and John Tavares’ poor fit with William Nylander. Later, JD voices his gripe with the NBA’s injury report and its adverse impact on sports betting markets (25:34). Afterwards, the team assembles their daily Wake and Rake parlay (39:03)!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.

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss the Blue Jays’ difficult weekend in Cleveland, Toronto’s sustained offensive woes, Teoscar Hernandez's return to the lineup, concerns about the team’s bullpen depth, and if the Jays can unlock their full potential. Later, the crew chats about the continued proliferation of Formula 1 in North America, this past weekend’s inaugural Miami Grand Prix, the NBA’s anti-climactic second round, and the biggest winners and losers from Saturday night’s UFC 274 card (23:47). 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.

JD recounts his experience attending a wedding reception on Friday night during the Maple Leafs’ Game 3 win over the Lightning. Afterwards, the team discusses the Leafs’ 7-3 blowout loss in Game 4, Sheldon Keefe’s comments about being satisfied with a split in Tampa, Toronto’s lack of a killer instinct, Auston Matthews struggling to find his rhythm in five-on-five situations, and William Nylander’s disappointing Game 4 performance (11:50). Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List (39:13)!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.

Blue Jays play-by-play voice Dan Shulman checks in from Cleveland to discuss Teoscar Hernandez’s impending return to the lineup, the Jays’ sputtering offence, Bo Bichette breaking out of his early-season funk, and Jose Berrios’ rough outing on Thursday. James Mirtle, senior managing editor and NHL columnist for The Athletic, joins the show to chat about which Leafs players have the most pressure on their shoulders heading into Game 3, Jack Campbell being under the microscope going head-to-head against Andrei Vasilevskiy, and Sheldon Keefe’s intent on establishing a physical presence in this series (25:40). The team closes out the show by delivering a special farewell to our outgoing technical producer, Vicken Polatian (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 affiliate.

ESPN NHL reporter Kristen Shilton joins JD, Blake and Ailish to discuss Sheldon Keefe’s looming lineup decisions for Game 3, the potential benefits of reinserting Jason Spezza on the fourth line, and how Toronto might respond to their latest encounter with playoff adversity. Later, the crew tees up the betting lines for tonight’s Blue Jays-Guardians game and the Leafs’ Game 3 showdown against the Lightning. They also assemble their daily Wake and Rake parlay (24:18)!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.

Sean Avery, former NHL forward and host of the No Gruffs Given podcast, joins the show to discuss Tampa’s championship mettle, Mitch Marner’s strong start to the series, the Leafs’ lack of discipline in Game 2, how Toronto’s blue line stacks up against the Lightning’s forward group, and potential lineup changes for the Leafs in Game 3. Then, the crew chats about the Blue Jays’ 6-5 loss to the Guardians on Thursday night, George Springer’s omission from the lineup, and Jose Berrios’ poor outing (28:09). Later, UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje stops by to discuss his lightweight title fight against Charles Oliveira on Saturday night at UFC 274 (36:39). 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 affiliate.

JD discusses his Friday night plans and how he intends to watch Game 3 between the Leafs and Lightning while also attending a wedding. Afterwards, the team chats about where Game 3 ranks on the Leafs’ must-win scale and which players are facing the most scrutiny heading into tonight’s game (13:44). Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List (32:25)!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.

Colby Armstrong, former NHL forward and current Sportsnet analyst, stops by to chat about Tampa’s resounding performance in Game 2, Alex Kerfoot’s positive impact on both ends of the ice, Michael Bunting’s return to the lineup, and the tight whistle on Wednesday night. Afterwards, Rick Tocchet, former NHL head coach and current NHL on TNT analyst, joins the show to discuss the coaching battle between Sheldon Keefe and Jon Cooper, the Leafs’ effectiveness with their transition game, Tampa’s improved structure on the power play, and how Toronto can make the Lightning uncomfortable with their forecheck (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 affiliate.

Nick Kypreos, former NHL forward and co-host of Real Kyper and Bourne, weighs in on Wayne Simmonds’ undisciplined play in Game 2, the potential of reinserting Jason Spezza into the lineup for Game 3, John Tavares’ lack of involvement offensively and his diminishing footspeed, and Jack Campbell’s jittery presence in the crease on Wednesday. Later, JD, Blake and Ailish tee up the betting lines for tonight’s Blue Jays-Guardians game and assemble their daily Wake and Rake parlay (24:56). 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.

Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Drive Time, joins JD, Blake and Ailish to discuss the Blue Jays’ cold bats, lingering concerns about the team’s lineup depth, Toronto’s need for a quality left-handed bat, the Jays’ reliance on their pitching so far this season, and the modern discourse surrounding officiating in sports. Later, the team chats about their go-to gifts for Mother’s Day and why Cinco de Mayo isn’t widely celebrated in Canada (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 affiliate.

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss the Maple Leafs’ 5-3 loss to the Lightning in Game 2, Tampa’s improved play after the Leafs’ blowout win in the series opener, John Tavares and William Nylander struggling to find their rhythm, Toronto’s inability to stay out of the penalty box, and Sheldon Keefe’s impending decisions on the fourth line. Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List - featuring a special birthday shoutout (38:11)! 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 affiliate.

Craig Simpson, former NHL forward, two-time Stanley Cup champion, and current Sportsnet analyst, stops by to discuss the Leafs generating momentum from their penalty kill, Toronto learning from their past playoff shortcomings, and the atmosphere inside Scotiabank Arena during Game 1. Former Blue Jays pitcher Ricky Romero checks in to chat about Toronto’s recent offensive dryspell, Alek Manoah’s dominant start to the season, Bo Bichette starting to find his rhythm at the plate, Nate Pearson’s journey to get back to the Big Leagues, and Kevin Gausman’s unique pitching repertoire (22:11). 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 affiliate.

Sportsnet’s Luke Fox joins the show to discuss Michael Bunting’s status for Game 2, if he should immediately rejoin the Leafs’ top line, Jason Spezza likely being a healthy scratch for a second straight game, and the Lightning’s power play issues in Game 1. Later, JD, Blake and Ailish tee up the betting lines for tonight’s Leafs-Lightning tilt and the Blue Jays’ series finale against the Yankees. They also assemble their daily Wake and Rake parlay (24:17). 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 affiliate.

Jeff Marek, host of The Jeff Marek Show and co-host of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, joins JD, Blake and Ailish to discuss how Tampa might respond to adversity, Mitch Marner’s brilliant Game 1 performance, and the Leafs’ effective special teams play. Later, the crew chats about their takeaways from Masai Ujiri’s season-ending press conference, including the lack of clarity regarding the Raptors' path to contention (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 affiliate.

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss the Blue Jays’ 9-1 loss to the Yankees, Alek Manoah delivering another solid outing, the Jays’ mounting offensive woes, Bo Bichette’s recent defensive struggles at shortstop, and the missed calls from the umpiring crew during last night’s seventh inning. Then, the team chats about which storylines they’re most curious about heading into tonight’s Game 2 between the Leafs and Lightning, including Michael Bunting’s potential return, Jason Spezza’s lineup status, and Tampa’s response to their blowout loss in Game 1 (25:26). Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List (35:09)!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.

Kris Versteeg, former NHL forward and two-time Stanley Cup champion, discusses the Maple Leafs’ crucial five-minute penalty kill early in Game 1, Alex Kerfoot’s lineup versatility, David Kampf’s importance to the Leafs’ success, and Tampa’s lack of urgency in Game 1. Afterwards, Chris Chelios, Hockey Hall of Famer and current ESPN studio analyst, stops by to chat about his takeaways from the Leafs’ shutout win on Monday, Toronto’s dominant two-way game, and Kyle Clifford's potential punishment for his hit on Ross Colton (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 affiliate.

Jennifer Botterill, three-time Olympic Gold Medalist and current Sportsnet analyst, joins the show to discuss the Leafs’ poise in Game 1, Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner starting the post-season on a positive note, Alex Kerfoot’s tenacious disposition and his fit on the Leafs’ top line, Kyle Clifford’s ill-advised hit on Ross Colton, and Toronto's added physical edge. Later, JD, Blake and Ailish tee up the betting lines for tonight’s Blue Jays-Yankees game and assemble their daily Wake and Rake parlay (24:53). 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.

JD, Blake and Ailish head to the text line to field comments and questions from listeners! The crew covers several topics including the Leafs’ quest to develop a killer instinct, Tampa’s sluggish performance in Game 1, and Toronto's physicality in the series opener. Afterwards, Blue Jays radio play-by-play voice Ben Wagner stops by to chat about Toronto's 3-2 loss to the Yankees on Monday, Yimi Garcia’s back-to-back rough outings, the early taxation on the Blue Jays’ bullpen, and Hyun-Jin Ryu’s timeline for a return to the rotation (28:38). 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.

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss the Leafs’ resounding 5-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 1, the electric atmosphere at Scotiabank Arena, Toronto’s dominant special teams play, David Kampf’s prowess as a penalty killer, Mitch Marner snapping his playoff goalless drought, and the influx of penalties during last night's series opener. Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List (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.

Justin Bourne, co-host of Real Kyper and Bourne, joins JD, Blake and Ailish to discuss his confidence level in Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner heading into the playoffs, Sheldon Keefe’s decision to omit Jason Spezza from the fourth line, Keefe’s job security, Jack Campbell’s importance to the Leafs’ chances of unseating the Lightning, and Toronto’s blue line depth. WWE superstar Edge stops by to chat about his excitement for the playoffs, why he’s confident the Leafs’ depth stacks up well against Tampa, and his admiration for Jake Muzzin (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.

Steve Dangle, co-host of The Steve Dangle Podcast, joins the show to discuss his level of optimism heading into the playoffs, Jack Campbell’s strong form since returning from injury, Mitch Marner’s evolution as a goal scorer, and the pressure facing Marner and Auston Matthews this post-season. Later, JD, Blake and Ailish tee up the betting lines for tonight’s Leafs-Lightning game and Blue Jays-Yankees series opener. They also assemble their daily Wake and Rake parlay (25:44). 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.

Dave Randorf, play-by-play announcer for the Tampa Bay Lightning, joins the show to discuss the Lightning’s quest for a three-peat, their stretches of inconsistency during the regular season, and Andrei Vasilevskiy’s impressive post-season resume. Jeff Blair, co-host of Blair and Barker, stops by to chat about the Jays’ encouraging results in April, Kevin Gausman’s dominant splitter and his prolific start to the season, and Bo Bichette’s early struggles at the plate (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 affiliate.

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss the short turnaround between the end of the regular season and the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Sheldon Keefe’s pre-series comments about Tampa’s physicality, the gamesmanship between Keefe and Jon Cooper, and the pressure facing Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner to deliver this post-season. Afterwards, JD discusses his experience watching Kevin Gausman dominate the Astros at Rogers Centre on Sunday (26:22). Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List (36:36)!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.

Howard Beck, senior NBA writer for Sports Illustrated and co-host of The Crossover NBA Show, weighs in on the Raptors’ unique team-building philosophy, the need to have a superstar-calibre player in order to compete for a championship, and how the 76ers match up against the Heat in their second round playoff series. Later, JD, Blake and Ailish discuss Sheldon Keefe’s decision to rest Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and Jack Campbell for tonight’s regular season finale and whether Tampa or Boston poses a bigger threat to the Leafs in a potential first round matchup (25:42). 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.

Sportsnet's Michael Grange checks in to discuss the Raptors’ reasons for optimism heading into the off-season, Scottie Barnes’ emergence as a potential franchise cornerstone, Gary Trent Jr.’s future as he heads into a contract year, and the Raptors being in the early stages of their competitive window. Later, the JD, Blake and Ailish tee up the betting lines for tonight’s Leafs-Bruins regular season finale and Blue Jays-Astros game. They also assemble their daily Wake and Rake parlay (23:46). 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.

Bobby Marks, former NBA executive and current front office insider for ESPN, joins the show to discuss the Raptors’ playoff exit at the hands of the 76ers, Pascal Siakam elevating his game to an All-NBA level this season, Toronto’s need to reinforce their backcourt this off-season, the team’s big gap to championship contention, and Chris Boucher’s potential market in free agency. Later, JD, Blake and Ailish chat about their experience attending yesterday’s Blue Jays-Red Sox game at Rogers Centre and where Alek Manoah currently ranks among baseball’s best starting pitchers (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 affiliate.

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss the Raptors being eliminated by the 76ers, the team’s second half meltdown in Game 6, the totality of the Raptors’ growth this season, how Toronto takes the next step towards championship contention, and the Sixers finding their rhythm after two dejecting losses in Games 4 and 5. Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List (38:33)!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 affiliate.

Justin Bourne, co-host of Real Kyper and Bourne, stops by to discuss the results of the NHLPA’s annual players’ poll, the Leafs’ optimal blue line pairings for the playoffs, and lingering lineup decisions in the team’s bottom six. Dwane Casey, former Raptors head coach and current Detroit Pistons bench boss, joins the show to discuss how the Raptors’ size and length has disrupted Joel Embiid, the challenge of closing out a playoff series, OG Anunoby’s development, the Raptors’ biggest matchup advantages against Philadelphia, and Scottie Barnes taking home Rookie of the Year honours (24:31). 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.

Vivek Jacob, writer for Raptors.com and CBC Sports, joins the show to discuss the Raptors capitalizing on the non-Embiid minutes over the past three games, Pascal Siakam’s dominance in Toronto’s back-to-back wins, and Scottie Barnes putting his imprint on this series. Then, JD, Blake and Ailish weigh in with their X-factors for Game 6 and which Raptors are facing the most pressure heading into tonight’s elimination game (13:04). Later, the team tees up the betting lines for Game 6 at Scotiabank Arena and this afternoon’s Blue Jays-Red Sox series finale. They also assemble their daily Wake and Rake parlay (24:02)!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.

Spike Eskin, co-host of The Rights to Ricky Sanchez podcast, joins JD, Blake and Ailish to discuss Joel Embiid’s frontrunner tendencies, the 76ers’ ideal game script against the Raptors, James Harden’s regression as a scorer, and the potential repercussions if the Sixers lose this series. Afterwards, Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith stops by to chat about the Blue Jays’ 7-1 loss to the Red Sox on Wednesday, Hyun-Jin Ryu’s murky rehab process, Bo Bichette’s early-season struggles, and Alek Manoah’s emergence as a front-line starter (24:47). 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.

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss Doc Rivers getting defensive with reporters about his history of squandering leads in the playoffs, why Rivers’ comments might be a good sign for the Raptors, and how Fred VanVleet’s absence has inadvertently unlocked Toronto’s most potent lineup machinations. Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List (38:46)!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.

Blue Jays play-by-play voice Dan Shulman joins the show to discuss Kevin Gausman’s impressive start to the season, the Jays’ improved bullpen depth compared to the start of 2021, George Springer’s resounding impact on both sides of the ball, and the team’s strong depth contributions. Later, JD, Blake and Ailish chat about Pascal Siakam’s resurgence in the Raptors’ first round series against Philadelphia, the potential value of Gary Trent Jr.’s next contract, and the mounting pressure on James Harden (22:12). 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.

Nick Kypreos, former NHL forward and co-host of Real Kyper and Bourne, stops by to discuss the magnitude of Auston Matthews' 60-goal season, if Sheldon Keefe should rest his stars for Friday night's regular season finale, the team’s line machinations for the playoffs, Jack Campbell rediscovering his mojo between the pipes, and the renewed optimism surrounding this Leafs team heading into the post-season. Later, JD, Blake and Ailish tee up the betting lines for tonight’s Blue Jays-Red Sox game and assemble their daily Wake and Rake parlay (26:02). 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.

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss the Blue Jays’ thrilling comeback win over the Red Sox on Tuesday, George Springer's ninth-inning heroics, Kevin Gausman delivering another quality outing, the team’s early trend of winning close games, and Toronto getting strong contributions from depth players like Raimel Tapia and Alejandro Kirk. Keith Pompey, 76ers scribe for the Philadelphia Inquirer, joins the show to discuss Joel Embiid’s comments after Game 5 about James Harden’s production so far in this series, Tyrese Maxey’s regression after two stellar performances in Games 1 and 2, and the 76ers’ depth concerns (20:04). 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 affiliate.

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss Auston Matthews reaching the 60-goal plateau, the special atmosphere last night at Scotiabank Arena, where Matthews’ season ranks in the pantheon of great Leafs accomplishments, and if Toronto is poised to finally exorcise their playoff demons. Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List (30:48)!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 affiliate.

William Lou, host of The Raptors Show, stops by to discuss the Raptors’ success with their quasi-small ball lineup, the team’s improved defence over the past two games, Nick Nurse’s defensive adjustments against Joel Embiid, the special chemistry within this Raptors team, and Doc Rivers’ history of blowing leads in the playoffs. Later, the team heads back to the text line to field more questions and comments from listeners. They also chime in on Embiid’s post-game comments about James Harden’s lack of offensive production (34:29). 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.

Jeff Van Gundy, former NBA head coach and current ESPN colour analyst, joins JD, Blake and Ailish to discuss James Harden’s struggles in this series, the Raptors’ effectiveness in exploiting mismatches on the offensive end, Pascal Siakam being the catalyst for Toronto's offence, Scottie Barnes' impressive composure, and the fallout for the Nets after being swept by Boston. Later, the team tees up the betting lines for tonight’s Blue Jays-Red Sox game and Leafs-Red Wings showdown. They also assemble their daily Wake and Rake parlay (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 affiliate.

JD, Blake and Ailish head to the text line to field comments and questions from Raptors fans. The team also weighs in on Joel Embiid’s public criticism of the officiating over the past few games. Later, former Blue Jays first base coach Tim Leiper joins the show to chat about Bo Bichette’s game-winning grand slam against the Red Sox on Monday, the next steps in his development, and Jose Berrios finding his groove after his rough Opening Day start (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 affiliate.

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss the Raptors’ defensive masterpiece in Monday’s Game 5 win over the 76ers, Pascal Siakam delivering back-to-back standout performances, Sixers fans voicing their frustration inside Wells Fargo Center, the Raptors’ effectiveness when playing their positionless lineups, Scottie Barnes’ playmaking prowess, Precious Achiuwa's emergence. Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List (40:53). 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.

Anthony Stewart, former NHL forward and current Sportsnet analyst, joins the show to discuss Nick Abruzzese getting an opportunity to play on the Leafs’ top line, Auston Matthews potentially missing out on a 60-goal campaign, and if Jake Muzzin will crack the Leafs’ playoff blue line. Later, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps stops by to chat about the severity of Joel Embiid’s lingering thumb injury, the pressure on the 76ers to close out the series tonight, Scottie Barnes potentially shouldering more ball-handling responsibilities if Fred VanVleet misses Game 5, and Kevin Durant’s performance in the Nets’ first round series against the Celtics (22:49)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 affiliate.

Former Raptors guard Malcolm Miller joins the show to discuss the Raptors’ improved defensive physicality in Saturday’s Game 4 win over the 76ers, the unique challenge of game planning for Joel Embiid, OG Anunoby’s steady play throughout the series, and how Nick Nurse can adjust his rotation if Fred VanVleet misses Game 5. Later, JD, Blake and Ailish tee up the betting lines for tonight’s Raptors-76ers game and the Blue Jays’ series opener against the Red Sox. They also assemble their daily Wake and Rake parlay (24:30). 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.

JD opens the hour by discussing his newfound fandom of Aussie rules football. Afterwards, the team chats about the Blue Jays’ 4-2 road trip, the team’s success in one-run games, early returns on the bullpen, and Zack Collins’ steady contributions so far this season (8:22). Later, the crew chats about Sheldon Keefe’s late-season line tinkering, Nick Abruzzese getting an opportunity in the top six with John Tavares and Michael Bunting sidelined, and Jake Muzzin’s outlook for the post-season (33:18). 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.