The FAN Pregame

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.

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss Scottie Barnes being named the 2021-22 NBA Rookie of the Year, Pascal Siakam’s dominant performance in the Raptors’ Game 4 win, why the 76ers could be susceptible to a series collapse, Fred VanVleet’s hip injury and his potential absence for Game 5, and Thaddeus Young giving Toronto a big lift off the bench on Saturday afternoon. Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List (36:46)!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 outing on Thursday, teams exercising extensive caution with pitcher workloads, opposing teams beginning to work around Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at the plate, and Miguel Cabrera sitting on the doorstep of 3,000 hits. Later, Sportsnet’s Luke Fox stops by to chat about Auston Matthews’ mercurial injury situation, Tampa’s physical presence on Thursday night, the Leafs’ biggest areas of concern heading into the playoffs, Steven Stamkos setting a new franchise record as Tampa's all-time points leader, and decision to spurn the Leafs in free agency back in 2016 (24:46).The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

Stan Van Gundy, former NBA head coach and current NBA on TNT analyst, checks in to discuss the Raptors falling into an 0-3 hole against the Sixers, Pascal Siakam’s quiet Game 3 performance, Siakam and Fred VanVleet shouldering extensive minutes throughout the season, the Raptors’ lack of guard play, the team’s flawed roster construction, and the impact of Scottie Barnes’ absence. Afterwards, the team tees up the betting lines for tonight’s Blue Jays-Astros series opener and assemble their daily Wake and Rake parlay (25:08). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Drive Time, joins the show to discuss Kevin Gausman’s dominant start against the Red Sox on Thursday, Charlie Montoyo’s decision to remove Gausman in the ninth inning, how sports science has reframed expectations for starting pitchers, the Jays’ rotation depth, and whether the Raptors should play Scottie Barnes in Game 4 against the Sixers. Later, the team chats about Fred VanVleet’s struggles in the Raptors’ opening-round series against the 76ers (32:06). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss the Maple Leafs’ 8-1 blowout loss to the Lightning, concerns about Toronto’s secondary scoring, Tampa showing their championship mettle, the Lightning’s effectiveness on special teams, and the level of trepidation surrounding Auston Matthews’ injury situation. Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List (35:11)!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.

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss the next steps in Pascal Siakam's development and if the Raptors should entertain moving moving Siakam this offseason (0:36). Dave Andreychuk joins the show to chat about about the Lightning's current form heading into the playoffs, Andrei Vasilevskiy's inconsistent play since the All-Star break, the challenges Toronto might pose for Tampa in a playoff series, and Auston Matthews' historic goal-scoring season (26:56). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Media Inc. or any affiliate.

Michael Grange joins the show to discuss Pascal Siakam’s struggles in the second half of Game 3, his lack of assertiveness down the stretch, Fred VanVleet’s struggles in the series, whether Scottie Barnes should suit up in Game 4 and his long-term development curve, and OG Anunoby’s strong contributions throughout the series (0:32). Later, the team tees up the betting lines for today’s matinee affair between the Blue Jays and Red Sox as well as the Leafs-Lightning game. They also assemble their daily Wake and Rake parlay (24:29).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 head to the text line to field comments and questions from Raptors fans, including consternation surrounding Doc Rivers’ timeout late in overtime, Nick Nurse’s future beyond this year, and the prospect of pursuing Rudy Gobert via trade this off-season (1:43). Later, the team chats about the Maple Leafs’ matchup against the Lightning on Thursday night and reasons for optimism in a possible first round series against Tampa (32:18).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.

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss the Raptors’ Game 3 loss to the Sixers in overtime, the lack of production from Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet, big picture concerns about Siakam, VanVleet’s overall struggles in this series, and the emergence of long-term questions about the Raptors’ competitive window. Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List (37:29)!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.

Lou Merloni checks in from Boston to discuss Celtics fans' animosity towards Kyrie Irving, the early sentiment surrounding the Red Sox, handicapping the AL East, Bo Bichette's early-season slump, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. chances of emerging as the best hitter in baseball (1:03). To wrap, David Jacoby weighs in on James Harden's role as a facilitator on this 76ers team, the offensive burden being shouldered by Pascal Siakam, Joel Embiid's MVP-calibre play this season, and the budding rivalry between Kyrie Irving and the Boston Celtics (23:40).The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

Nick Kypreos joins the show to discuss Sheldon Keefe’s line-juggling experiment, the team’s management of Auston Matthews, Jack Campbell regaining his confidence between the pipes, and the Leafs’ form trending towards the post-season (0:48). Later, the team tees up the betting lines for tonight’s Raptors-Sixers game and Blue Jays-Red Sox matchup, and assembles their daily Wake and Rake parlay (24:26).The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

Stephen Brunt stops by to chat about Bo Bichette’s aggressive approach at the plate, the team’s current roster construction, Gabriel Moreno’s torrid start in Triple-A, and what comes next for Hyun-jin Ryu (0:34). Later, Kevin Calabro discusses the Raptors’ injury woes, the pressure facing James Harden to make a deep playoff run, Tyrese Maxey’s emergence, and Marcus Smart becoming the first guard since Gary Payton to win Defensive Player of the Year (28:48).The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss Sheldon Keefe experimenting with new line combinations during last night’s 5-2 win over the Flyers and William Nylander showing the ability to drive his own line. Afterwards, the team weighs in on the Blue Jays’ stagnant offence and Bo Bichette’s slow start at the plate (19:49). The crew also chats about their biggest areas of curiosity heading into tonight’s Game 3 between the Raptors and 76ers (28:08). Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List (40:00)! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

Michael Lee stops by to chat about the officiating in the Raptors-Sixers series, Joel Embiid's diverse offensive repertoire, the enhanced scrutiny on James Harden this postseason, and the Raptors' lack of guard play through two games (1:20). Afterwards, James van Riemsdyk phones in to talk about the allure surrounding certain goal-scoring milestones, Auston Matthews' prolific offensive skillset, and tonight's matchup against the Leafs at Scotiabank Arena (33:30).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.

Alvin Williams joins the show to discuss Joel Embiid’s dominance through the first two games of this series, the Sixers’ offensive efficiency, how the Raptors can shift momentum back in their favour on home court in Game 3, and the importance of showing composure despite concerns about officiating (0:33). Later, the team tees up the betting lines for tonight’s Blue Jays-Red Sox game and assemble their daily Wake and Rake parlay (22:10).The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss Fred VanVleet showing signs of fatigue after shouldering extensive minutes throughout the season and Nick Nurse exchanging words with Joel Embiid at the end of last night’s game (0:32) . Afterwards, the team heads to the text line to solicit feedback from Raptors fans. Later in the hour, the crew returns to the text line to field more questions and comments from listeners (32:30).The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

JD and Blake discuss the Raptors’ Game 2 loss to the Sixers, the outcry from Raptors fans regarding the free throw disparity so far in the series, OG Anunoby’s encouraging production, the Raptors’ defensive struggles, the added offensive workload for Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet, and Joel Embiid posing matchup problems for the Raptors’ defence. Later, after a tech issue, Ailish rejoins the show and presents her daily edition of the A-List (38:24)! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

Justin Bourne joins the show to discuss the possibility of Auston Matthews falling short of 60 goals, the importance of Pierre Engvall and Ilya Mikheyev, and which defenceman should claim the final spot on the Leafs’ playoff blue line (0:25). To wrap, David Thorpe weighs in on the Raptors’ Game 1 loss, how the team can cope with Scottie Barnes’ injury, Tyrese Maxey’s offensive explosion in the series opener, and how the Raptors should defend Joel Embiid (24:38).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.

Stephen A. Smith joins the show to discuss how the Raptors’ Game 1 loss to the Sixers has reshaped his outlook on the series, Scottie Barnes’ standout rookie campaign and the impact of his absence from the lineup, the pressure facing James Harden, and Kyrie Irving’s animosity towards Celtics fans (1:26). Later, the team tees up the betting lines for tonight’s Raptors-Sixers game and assembles 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.

JD discusses his experience attending Sunday’s Leafs-Islanders game and the team weighs in on Auston Matthews’ pursuit of 60 goals as well as Pierre Engvall’s underrated play this season (0:33). Afterwards, the crew chats about the Blue Jays taking two of three games against the Athletics over the weekend, the abysmal strike zone during Saturday’s loss, and Ross Stripling taking Hyun-jin Ryu’s spot in the rotation after landing on the IL with arm inflammation (17:23). To wrap, Shi Davidi joins the show to discuss Ryu’s prolonged struggles dating back to last season, the team taking a cautious approach with his latest arm injury, questions about his psychology on the mound, Nate Pearson’s status, and the team’s current catching situation (29:44).The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss the Raptors’ Game 1 loss to the Sixers on Saturday, Toronto’s defensive warts, Scottie Barnes going down with an ankle injury, potential adjustments for Game 2, and the pressure facing Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam heading into tonight’s game. Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List (35:55). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

Tim Bontemps checks in to discuss the potential ramifications facing the Sixers if they fail to advance past the first round, James Harden’s history of playoff disappointments, Pascal Siakam’s growth as a playmaker this season, and Fred VanVleet’s health heading into the playoffs (0:18). To wrap, Keith Law joins the show to chat about Gabriel Moreno’s skill set, his limited sample size in Triple-A, when the Jays might entertain calling him up, Orelvis Martinez’s red-hot start in Double-A, and the team’s lack of pitching prospects (25:48).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 discusses his confidence level heading into the Raptors’ opening-round series against the Sixers, the pressure on Philadelphia to have a lengthy playoff run, OG Anunoby’s reintegration into the lineup, and how the Raptors might defend Joel Embiid (0:50). Later, the team tees up the betting lines for tonight’s Blue Jays-Athletics game and assemble their daily Wake and Rake parlay (25:05).The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

Ben Nicholson-Smith joins the show to discuss the Blue Jays’ current injury woes, the significance of Teoscar Hernandez’s absence, the team’s lack of MLB-ready prospects in the minors, Gabriel Moreno’s development, Nate Pearson’s timeline for a potential return, and the team’s handling of Hyun-jin Ryu (0:30). Afterwards, Rick Vaive stops by to chat about Auston Matthews’ historic goal-scoring season, how his game has evolved since his rookie year, his candidacy for the Hart Trophy, and the Leafs’ identity heading into the post-season (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 discuss the Raptors garnering praise from national media ahead of their series against the 76ers and the viability of the NBA play-in tournament. Then, the team chats about the Blue Jays’ 3-0 loss to the Yankees, concerns about the team’s offensive depth, Kevin Gausman showcasing his devastating splitter, and Matt Chapman’s slow start (8:00). Afterwards, the crew chimes in on Matthew Knies’ decision to return to the University of Minnesota and the Leafs’ dominant 7-3 win over Washington (28:09). Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List (43:08)! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.