Podcasts by Category
- 1609 - Season Finale with Jayson Stark and Jeff Passan
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker wrap up this season of Blair and Barker sharing their expectations for the Blue Jays’ offseason, before welcoming on two of their favourite guests. Jeff Passan, ESPN MLB insider, hops aboard (10:22) to discuss Freddie Freeman’s battle with injuries in the postseason, his Hall of Fame candidacy, the next steps for the Yankees and the Juan Soto free agency sweepstakes. Later on, The Athletic’s Jayson Stark (33:18) looks into the Dodgers’ road to the World Series with a shorthanded starting rotation, the Scott Boras factor of Soto’s next deal, Walker Buehler’s heroics in the ninth inning of Game 5, and if the Shohei Ohtani vs. Aaron Judge Fall Classic lived up to the hype. Thank you for listening! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Fri, 1 Nov 2024 - 49min - 1608 - The Dodgers Win the World Series!
The Los Angeles Dodgers are the 2024 World Series Champions! Blair and Barker look back on the dramatic and series-deciding Game 5 - the Dodgers' five-run 5th inning characterized by Yankees defensive miscues, Dave Roberts' managing, Freddie Freeman's MVP performance and the next steps in New York. Then, they react to the Braves starting their offseason early and trading Jorge Soler to the Angels. Later, former MLB executive David Samson (29:58) discusses how this postseason changes Aaron Judge's legacy, whether Aaron Boone's job is safe, the Dodgers' roster construction and Juan Soto's free-agent future. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Thu, 31 Oct 2024 - 49min - 1607 - Yankees Survive the Day + Post-Season Pitching
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the New York Yankees living another day with their Game 4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers, Aaron Boone's lineup changes, Freddie Freeman's surge at the plate and Mookie Betts' outfield encounter with a Yankees fan. Then, Cleveland Guardians' pitcher Cade Smith (27:26) jumps on to chat about his approach to a shorter offseason for himself this year, high leverage pitching in the regular season vs. the post-season, using the pitch clock to his advantage, attacking Aaron Judge on the mound and if he pitches differently from park-to-park. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Wed, 30 Oct 2024 - 49min - 1606 - The Dodgers Only Need One
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Game 3 of the World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers' chance to sweep the final and the need for Aaron Judge to perform in the elimination game. Then, the guys dive into Walker Buehler's performance in three post-season starts. Afterwards, Jeff and Kevin are joined by Sportsnet analyst and former MLB catcher Caleb Joseph (31:44), who tries to diagnose the issues at the plate for Judge and the Dodgers' success pitching against him, New York's championship window closing quickly, Buehler's rising free agency stock, and the positive and negative effects of a players-only meeting. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Tue, 29 Oct 2024 - 49min - 1605 - Dodgers Defend LA
Blair and Barker look back on the pair of World Series games this weekend where the Dodgers got up 2-0 over the Yankees. They discuss Shohei Ohtani's Game-2 injury, Aaron Boone's bullpen management in Game 1, Aaron Judge's struggles and more. Later, Kevin Pillar (26:44) joins the show in-studio to discuss his offseason surgery and his baseball future following his 12th MLB season. Then, he shares his thoughts on the series, Judge's playoff slump, the impact of New York's home field and the role of analytics in the postseason. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Mon, 28 Oct 2024 - 49min - 1604 - Game 1 Is Finally Here
Game 1 of the World Series has arrived! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show with their thoughts on what to expect tonight in Los Angeles, including a look at the starting pitchers Gerrit Cole and Jack Flaherty. Then, ESPN's Jeff Passan joins the guys from L.A. (10:55). They talk about how the ample rest between series could help Cole perform at his best, get into the star power on display in this series, and debate who is under the most pressure to perform - Aaron Judge or Shohei Ohtani. To close out the show, the fellas visit the back-leg line and take questions from listeners. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Fri, 25 Oct 2024 - 49min - 1603 - What It Means to Win in the Bronx
While Blair and Barker continue to count down to Game 1 of the World Series, they are joined by two-time champion Johnny Damon (12:20). He shares memories from his title runs with the Yankees and Red Sox, what it means to win in New York and the mental & physical challenges of prepping for the biggest stage. Later, host of Foul Territory Erik Kratz (30:58) discusses Gerrit Cole's outlook ahead of Game 1, which team and players the scheduled time off benefits most, why Aaron Judge is the Yankees' X-factor and how their pitchers must attack Shohei Ohtani. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Thu, 24 Oct 2024 - 49min - 1602 - Dodgers' World Series Path with President Stan Kasten
Blair and Barker are joined by Los Angeles Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten (9:32) to share some memories of the late MLB superstar Fernando Valenzuela, his review of Shohei Ohtani's record-breaking regular season, if home field advantage is a factor in the 2024 World Series, Tommy Edman's fit with the Dodgers, and the evolution of pitchers. Then, New York Post columnist Mike Vaccaro (31:30) stops by to expand on his recent article on New York Yankees' manager Aaron Boone about his playing days, transition into a managerial role, his comparisons with the past Yankees' managers and legacy heading into the World Series. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Wed, 23 Oct 2024 - 49min - 1601 - New Jays Hitting Coach + Early World Series Storylines
MLB Network's Jon Morosi (3:20) joins Blair and Barker to discuss the early storylines heading into the World Series, how the New York Yankees' and Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching staffs match up, who has more pressure on them between Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, and if the league can leverage the marketing value of Judge vs. Ohtani. Then, Blair and Barker dive into the Blue Jays hiring David Popkins as their new hitting coach and why it may not change the outlook for their hitters in 2025 before inviting Sportsnet's Shi Davidi (40:40) to expand on Toronto's decision and if it sparks more moves around the coaching staff and front office. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Tue, 22 Oct 2024 - 49min - 1600 - World Series Stage is Set
The World Series stage is set as the New York Yankees will face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers! Blair and Barker look back on the two League Championship Series and discuss the next steps for the eliminated Guardians and Mets. Then, they share the Yankees' and Dodgers' biggest concerns heading into Game 1 on Friday. Former MLB executive David Samson (29:15) shares his thoughts on the financial aspect of Judge vs. Ohtani for MLB, the biggest World Series storylines, and the future of Tropicana Field after Hurricane Milton. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Mon, 21 Oct 2024 - 49min - 1599 - Big Christmas & Big Fry Take Game 3
Blair and Barker open the show discussing Jhonkensy Noel's game-tying homer and David Fry's walk-off home run to take hold of a thrilling Game 3 in the ALCS. ESPN's Jeff Passan (6:51) chats about the difficulties of closing in the post-season, if Game 4 is now a must-win game for the New York Yankees, and if Aaron Judge and Juan Soto is a better duo than Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts. Then, Blair and Barker check in on the Back-Leg Line, fielding listener's questions on what the Baltimore Orioles and Houston Astros need to address in the offseason after an early exit from the playoffs, situational base stealing, and more. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Fri, 18 Oct 2024 - 49min - 1598 - Vintage Buehler, Trop's Future, and Judge is Back
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show discussing Walker Buehler's return to form in the L.A. Dodgers' Game 3 win and how pitchers change mechanics from regular season starts to games that matter in the playoffs. Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin shares an update on the future of Tropicana Field's status for the 2025 season and beyond and where the Rays would play in the meantime. Then, MLB on TBS analyst Jeff Francoeur (31:45) joins the guys to preview Game 3 of the ALCS, how Cleveland Guardians' starting pitcher Matthew Boyd can give an extended outing for his team and if Aaron Judge has found himself in his post-season at-bats. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Thu, 17 Oct 2024 - 49min - 1597 - Judge Gets on the Board + NLCS Game 3 Preview
Blair and Barker look ahead to game 3 of the NLCS and debate whether the Dodgers should shuffle the top of their lineup. Then, over to the ALCS and Austin Wells' clean-up struggles, the Guardian's stingy offensive identity and Clase's usage in the series. ESPN analyst Tim Kurkjian (15:32) shares his thoughts on the Yankees' 6-3 win over the Guardians last night, Aaron Judge's maturity, Gleyber Torres stepping up at the top of the lineup and how Luke Weaver became the playoff's most dominant closer. Finally, Jeff & Kevin dive deeper into tonight's game between the Mets and Dodgers. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Wed, 16 Oct 2024 - 49min - 1596 - New York State of Mind
Blair and Barker open the show with their reactions to the Yankees opening the ALCS with a 5-2 win over Cleveland and the Mets evening up the NLCS in L.A. The fellas also preview what to expect on Tuesday, when the ALCS resumes. Then, Chris Rose (28:37) of The Chris Rose Rotation Podcast & Baseball Today joins Jeff and Kevin to analyze the Championship Series so far, including Steven Kwan's continued excellence and the Guardians' need for Josh Naylor to step up. Next, they discuss Aaron Judge's October struggles and Giancarlo Stanton's HOF case off the back of another strong postseason. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Tue, 15 Oct 2024 - 49min - 1595 - Yanking ALCS Ticket from the Royals + Game 5 Weekend
Blair and Barker look back at the New York Yankees clinching their spot in the ALCS, who the Bronx Bombers would rather face between the Detroit Tigers or Cleveland Guardians, how Aaron Boone has mastered his lineup and pitching staff in the postseason. Then, they look ahead to Game 5 between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres and check in on listeners' questions on the Back-Leg Line. Afterwards, ESPN's Jeff Passan (33:40) joins the guys to discuss the overhaul of coaching staffs across the MLB, if sluggers are more valuable than smart-at-bat takers and why it's easier to scout opposing pitchers in the postseason. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Fri, 11 Oct 2024 - 49min - 1594 - 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.
Thu, 10 Oct 2024 - 50min - 1593 - 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.
Wed, 9 Oct 2024 - 49min - 1592 - 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.
Tue, 8 Oct 2024 - 49min - 1591 - 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.
Mon, 7 Oct 2024 - 49min - 1590 - 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.
Fri, 4 Oct 2024 - 49min - 1589 - 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.
Thu, 3 Oct 2024 - 49min - 1588 - 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.
Wed, 2 Oct 2024 - 49min - 1587 - 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.
Wed, 2 Oct 2024 - 1h 31min - 1586 - 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.
Tue, 1 Oct 2024 - 49min - 1585 - 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.
Mon, 30 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1584 - 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.
Mon, 30 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1583 - 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.
Fri, 27 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1582 - 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.
Fri, 27 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1581 - Jays' Last Series of 2024 + Schneider's Closeout Chat
Ahead of the Blue Jays' final home 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.
Thu, 26 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1580 - 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.
Thu, 26 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1579 - 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.
Wed, 25 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1578 - 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.
Wed, 25 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1577 - 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.
Tue, 24 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1576 - 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.
Tue, 24 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1575 - 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.
Mon, 23 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1574 - 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.
Mon, 23 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1573 - 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.
Fri, 20 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1572 - 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.
Fri, 20 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1571 - 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.
Wed, 18 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1570 - 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.
Wed, 18 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1569 - 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.
Tue, 17 Sep 2024 - 50min - 1568 - 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.
Tue, 17 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1567 - 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.
Mon, 16 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1566 - 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.
Mon, 16 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1565 - 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.
Fri, 13 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1564 - 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.
Fri, 13 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1563 - 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.
Thu, 12 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1562 - 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.
Thu, 12 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1561 - 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.
Tue, 10 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1560 - 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.
Tue, 10 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1559 - 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.
Mon, 9 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1558 - 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.
Mon, 9 Sep 2024 - 48min - 1557 - 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.
Fri, 6 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1556 - 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.
Fri, 6 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1555 - 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.
Thu, 5 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1554 - 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.
Thu, 5 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1553 - 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.
Tue, 3 Sep 2024 - 50min - 1552 - 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.
Tue, 3 Sep 2024 - 49min - 1551 - 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.
Fri, 30 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1550 - 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.
Fri, 30 Aug 2024 - 48min - 1549 - 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.
Thu, 29 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1548 - 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.
Thu, 29 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1547 - '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 complicate 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.
Wed, 28 Aug 2024 - 50min - 1546 - 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.
Wed, 28 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1545 - 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.
Tue, 27 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1544 - Looking Ahead to This Winter’s Free-Agent Frenzy
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays recent play as they attempt to get back to .500 on the season and react to Justin Verlander’s comments on Sunday Night Baseball regarding the state of starting pitching in the game. Later on, ESPN baseball insider Kiley McDaniel (31:18) examines the tiers of the upcoming free-agent class and how Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are perceived by front office executives across the majors. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Tue, 27 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1543 - Strife in Seattle & Jake Bloss
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Jays' recent offensive surge before they are joined by Jays' pitching prospect at Triple-A Buffalo, Jake Bloss (6:32). He shares what it was like getting traded at the deadline, how he's settled in with the organization and what he's been working on as he awaits a call-up for his Jays debut. Seattle Times' Ryan Divish (28:07) discusses what's next for the Mariners after cutting ties with manager Scott Servais. To close the week, Jeff & Kevin go back to the Back Leg Line! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Fri, 23 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1542 - B&B Reunited & Friday with John Schneider
After some time apart, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are BACK! After catching up they open up the Back Leg Line for a few calls and are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (27:45) coming off of Toronto’s 5-3 win over the Angels. To end the hour, the guys discuss how much time Vladimir Guerrero Jr. could see at third base in 2025. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Fri, 23 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1541 - Catching Up with Jano + Hosting the Halos
Jeff Blair welcomes Red Sox & former Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen (1:10) to share how he's settling in with the Sox since he was traded at the deadline, catching a different pitching crew and his chance to become the first player to play for both teams in the same game. Then, Jeff reacts to the Mariners firing manager Scott Servais and reflects on where it went wrong for them. Finally, radio voice of the Blue Jays Ben Shulman (23:53) - ahead of the team's series against the Angels - shares his thoughts on Joey Votto's career and legacy, what to expect from a Ryan Burr opener tonight, when Jake Bloss might get called up and much more. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Thu, 22 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1540 - Joey Votto Announces His Retirement
Jeff Blair discusses Joey Votto’s retirement and his potential for reaching the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Padres analyst and former player Tony Gwynn Jr. (15:02) shares a story of Votto reaching out to his dad, arguably the best hitter of all-time, before examining the wild card race in the National League, AJ Preller’s moves throughout the season and at the deadline, and if Fernando Tatis Jr. will re-join the team before the postseason. Votto’s longtime teammate (and the only person Joey follows on Twitter/X!) Devin Mesoraco (29:40) talks about playing with him in Cincinnati and what made him such a great teammate and prolific hitter. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Thu, 22 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1539 - Pitching Prognosis & Passan on MLB Parity
Jeff Blair is joined by ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (1:40) to make his now weekly projection for a potential Vladimir Guerrero Jr. extension and how his recent play at third base can impact negotiations. Then, they go around MLB - whether the Orioles did enough at the deadline, parity around the big leagues and what's next for the Cardinals after releasing Brandon Crawford & optioning Nolan Gorman. Later, Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux (29:21) evaluates Toronto's pitching this season, what he and the team are looking for from each arm down the stretch and what's up with Davis Schneider. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Wed, 21 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1538 - Jays Rout Reds, WBC Announcement + the Beat on Baltimore
Jeff Blair recaps the Blue Jays' 10-3 beat-down on the Reds in the second game of the series, including another stellar outing from José Berríos. Coach & Director of National Teams at Baseball Canada Greg Hamilton (11:10) joins Jeff to discuss the next World Baseball Classic and Team Canada's outlook following today's announcement of pools, dates and formats for the tournament in 2026. TheScore's Travis Sawchik (28:14) dives deep on the Orioles - why they've struggled recently, whether they did enough at the deadline and how they've gotten the most out of Jackson Holliday in his second stint in the majors. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Wed, 21 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1537 - Future Plans + Catching Up with Dan Shulman
Former MLB executive David Samson joins Jeff Blair to kick off the second hour, and he shares what he would do if he were president of the Blue Jays (1:23). Then, he discusses how he evaluates executives, the likelihood of a Vladdy Jr. extension this offseason and what's behind the Brewers' miraculous 2024 season. Later, Blue Jays TV voice Dan Shulman (28:29) reflects on his time at the Paris Olympics before weighing in on the possibility that the Jays move Vladdy to third base more regularly, how Schneider handles the rotation down the stretch and why Loperfido has struggled in his Jays tenure so far. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Tue, 20 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1536 - Final Stretch Goals & Soto Sweepstakes
Jeff Blair kicks off with a quick recap of the Jays' 6-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds in the series opener before he's joined by Blue Jays Central's Madison Shipman (3:08) to discuss team goals down the stretch. She shares what to look for Berríos in his final starts, whether Vlad Jr. could make a full-time switch to third base, Will Wagner's growing role and much more. Later, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman (25:51) looks at early favourites in the Juan Soto sweepstakes, what he might cost and what the market for Bo Bichette could look like in the offseason. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Tue, 20 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1535 - Little League Vibes, Bo's Future & Where's Votto?
MLB Network insider Jon Morosi checks in with Jeff Blair from Williamsport where the Little League World Series is underway (1:18). He discusses the vibes of the tournament before discussing parity around MLB, Bo Bichette trade rumours and the Jays' path to competitiveness in 2025. Later, Sportsnet.ca MLB insider Shi Davidi (30:37) weighs in on Joey Votto's absence in the Jays' series against the Reds before going in-depth on Bassitt's comments on the Chris Rose Rotation today, his subsequent clarification and murmurs that Bo's time in Toronto is coming to an end. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Mon, 19 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1534 - Bassitt's Bitterness + Getting Ready for the Reds
Jeff Blair is riding solo for the week and he kicks off with Chris Bassitt's comments on the Chris Rose Rotation today. To help break it down, Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph (12:45) discusses the team's mounting player frustration and the potential effects of Bassitt's outburst. Then, he looks back on the Jays' 1-0 win over the Cubs. Former MLB pitcher & Reds' analyst Chris Welsh (32:31) tees up Cincinnati's series in Toronto and shares what would be considered a 'successful' season for the Reds. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Mon, 19 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1533 - MLB Olympic Uncertainty
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour by emptying out the Back Leg Line and answering your burning Blue Jays questions! Then, former MLB catcher and Team USA manager at the Tokyo Olympics Mike Scioscia (30:33) discusses the chances of MLB players being involved in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. He gets into potential hurdles, the feasibility of a mid-season Olympic break, middle-ground solutions and the difference between managing a national team vs. managing in MLB. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Thu, 15 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1532 - Brooms in Anaheim, Blair Returns, and Bobby V
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the finale of the Blue Jays’ 9-2 win over the Angels to complete the three-game sweep and discuss Alejandro Kirk’s increased workload since the Danny Jansen trade, his recent play, and what they need to see from him in the final six weeks of the season. Longtime MLB manager and current Angels analyst Bobby Valentine (28:25) shares him impressions of the Jays; notably Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and what it takes to survive managing in New York. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Thu, 15 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1531 - Future on the Field with John Schneider
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (0:32) to give a state of affairs amidst the team's series against the Angels. The skipper shares an update on Bichette and Romano's status, long-term plans for the deadline additions, what's changed for Vladdy during his prolonged hot stretch and much more. Later, Ben and Kevin go around MLB with ESPN insider Jeff Passan (27:23) - Kikuchi's stellar start in Houston, price tags & markets for upcoming big-name free agents and which teams' post-All-Star trends - good and bad - he believes in most. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Wed, 14 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1530 - Ump Show in Anaheim + Bret Boone
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ 6-1 win over the Angels, specifically George Springer getting thrown out of the game after it appeared he was hit by a pitch. 14-Year MLB veteran and podcast host Bret Boone (28:05) chimes-in on the Springer incident, Jazz Chisholm’s injury, who needs to step up for the Yankees other than Juan Soto and Aaron Judge, and the wild card races in both the American and National League. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Wed, 14 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1529 - Current Affairs in California
Jays analyst Caleb Joseph (1:26) joins Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker from Anaheim to break down Toronto's 4-2 win over the Angels yesterday. He gets into Bowden Francis' 7-inning statement, Zach Pop running out of time to prove himself, Will Wagner's impressive debut and more. Later, Angels analyst Mark Gubicza (30:17) helps tee up the rest of the series, discusses the Angels' identity without Trout and shares how far away they are from being competitive. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Tue, 13 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1528 - Billy The Kid’s Son Will
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 4-2 win in Anaheim, notably Will Wagner’s three-hit game in his debut and Bowden Francis pitching seven strong innings. Billy Wagner (18:35) re-joins the show to discuss Will’s big game and making the cross-country trip to witness his debut live with his family. ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian (29:05) discusses the latest news and notes around the majors including the Yankees blowout loss to the lowly White Sox and the parity among all of the teams fighting for spots in the postseason. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Tue, 13 Aug 2024 - 50min - 1527 - Olympic Baseball & Auditions in Anaheim
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker start the second hour by reacting to the Blue Jays calling up Will Wagner from Triple-A. Jayson Stark of The Athletic reflects on Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s hitting streak ending at 22 games and why hitting streaks are becoming more rare and less appreciated (1:24). Then, he weighs in on the Yankees and Aaron Judge's intentional-walk issues, Mike Trout's legacy, baseball at the Olympics and more. Finally, Blue Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez (28:33) helps tee up the team's 3-game series against the Angels getting started tonight and shares what Will Wagner brings to the lineup. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Mon, 12 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1526 - Jays Drop Two to the A’s + Jim Duquette
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays series loss to the Oakland A’s – notably Chris Bassitt’s performance and post-game comments after the series finale. MLB Network Radio analyst and longtime GM executive Jim Duquette (29:58) shares his thoughts on what Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s next contract will look like, if he’d like to see Bo Bichette return to the lineup if he were a rival GM looking to trade for him in the offseason and the NL wild card race with the Braves and Mets battling it out for the final spot. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Mon, 12 Aug 2024 - 50min - 1525 - Jays-A's Preview & Jeff Passan
ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (1:39) joins Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker to amend his previous prediction of what a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. extension might look like and how the baseball world views the Jays front office. Then, he shares possible reasons for the Braves' sudden skid, which AL East contender he's most confident in and his Mount Rushmore of MLB position players right now. Athletics TV analyst Dallas Braden (28:14) helps tee up Oakland's weekend series against the Jays in Toronto and discusses how the organization is preparing for their move to Vegas. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Fri, 9 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1524 - Vlad Jr’s Dominance Continues
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays series win over the Orioles where Kevin Gausman went eight innings and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continued his dominance at the plate as he ended up being a single short of the cycle. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi (28:46) joins the guys to discuss what a potential contract extension would look like for Vlad and the Blue Jays need to spend in the offseason as a penalty for not being able to develop enough players that can make an impact at the major-league level. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Fri, 9 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1523 - The Orioles' Ceiling & ChiSox Choose Sizemore
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker are joined by MASN Orioles analyst Ben McDonald (0:29) to help tee up the the rubber match of the AL East's Battle of the Birds tonight. He discusses how agressive Baltimore will be in resigning Anthony Santander, Jackson Holliday's development and more. Ben and Kevin take a look at the playoff landscape in both leagues before reviewing John Schneider's pre-game availability. Later, MLB Network's Jensen Lewis (27:58) weighs in on Pedro Grifol's dismissal in Chicago and shares what his former teammate, Grady Sizemore, brings to the White Sox dugout in the interim manager role. Finally, Jensen shares his view of the Jays, the class of the NL and the AL MVP race. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Thu, 8 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1522 - Buck Showalter Joins the Show!
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker examine Toronto’s 7-3 loss to the Orioles before reacting to comments made by MLB Network analyst Mark DeRosa on the state of the Blue Jays. Four-time manager of the year and current MLB Network analyst Buck Showalter (28:35) discusses the White Sox moving on from manager Pedro Grifol, his views on the Jays, the Yankees and Orioles battling it out for the AL East division crown and how Aaron Boone should handle teams intentionally walking superstar Aaron Judge. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Thu, 8 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1521 - Making Sense of Shapiro & Starting Catcher Checklist
Ben Ennis, filling in for Jeff Blair, and Kevin Barker are joined by Sportsnet.ca's Shi Davidi (1:03) to help break down Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro's media availability today. He shares his initial takeaways, possible offseason priorities, Shapiro's contract situation and how it limits the Jays' free-agent spending options. Former catcher & MLB Network's Chris Gimenez (29:09) discusses how the catcher position has evolved since his playing days, Alejandro Kirk's 2025 outlook and the next steps for the White Sox after snapping their 21-game losing streak. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Wed, 7 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1520 - Mark Shapiro Speaks
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker share their thoughts on Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro’s comments after he met with the media for the first time since the start of the season. Chris Rose (27:50) of Jomboy Media examines the Blue Jays difficult season and discusses if Toronto missed their best chance at signing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a contract extension before touching on the Guardians lead in the AL Central, the White Sox struggles, and who he’s buying in the National League to go on a run. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Wed, 7 Aug 2024 - 50min - 1519 - Stretch Run Strategies & Jays-Orioles Preview
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez (2:31) to discuss the team's biggest challenges down the stretch. He gets into the plan for the 'Big 3' starters, position players who can make a big impression on their future roles, the outlook for the bullpen and the team's long-term plans at catcher. MASN Orioles reporter Roch Kubatko (30:11) tees up the O's-Jays series getting kicked off in Toronto tonight, how Baltimore's deadline additions can raise the team's ceiling, Jackson Holliday's growing role and more. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Tue, 6 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1518 - Another White Sox Loss & Ryan Dempster
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open up the show discussing Joey Votto and when he’ll be making his Blue Jays debut. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers (12:50) discusses the White Sox amidst their epic losing streak after they tied the American League record with their 21st consecutive loss. Ryan Dempster (27:18) of MLB Network’s Intentional Talk catches up with the guys and discusses how the Blue Jays should handle their veteran starters down the stretch. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Tue, 6 Aug 2024 - 50min - 1517 - The Evolution of Canadian Women's Baseball
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome Blue Jays Central's Caleb Joseph (1:06) to break down the Blue Jays' weekend series loss against the Yankees. He gets into the team's decision to pull Yariel Rodríguez early in his last start, how the Jays can stay motivated on the outside of the playoff race and players that we need to learn more about down the stretch. Later, Canadian Women's baseball team shortstop Mia Valcke (27:52) reflects on her bronze-medal run at the 2024 WBSC Women's World Cup and the evolution of women's baseball in Canada. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Mon, 5 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1516 - Vladimir Guerrero Jr: AL Player of the Week
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' weekend in the Bronx after losing two of three to the Yankees. After the break, they react to the breaking news of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. being named American League player of the week before welcoming Bill Shaikin (30:11) of the Los Angeles Times to the show. Bill examines Mike Trout’s injury setback and its impact on his Hall of Fame candidacy before looking at the Dodgers and their outlook following the trade deadline. To end the hour, Jeff and Kevin discuss the Chicago White Sox and their 20-game losing streak. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Mon, 5 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1515 - Around the Bigs with Bob Nightengale & Back Leg Line!
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour of the Friday show by answering your questions on the Back Leg Line! Then, USA Today's Bob Nightengale (33:22) goes around the big leagues and touches on the biggest headlines coming out of the deadline, including the Padres' second-half strides, Guerrero Jr's extension situation, Mike Trout's season-ending injury and much more. To close out the week, Jeff and Kevin chat about how the Royals avoid making the same mistakes with Bobby Witt Jr. that the Angels made with Trout. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Fri, 2 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1514 - John Schneider Joins Post-Deadline
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (10:59) to reflect on his new-look roster following the trade deadline and what’s been behind Vladimir Guerrero’s mid-season resurgence at the plate ahead of this weekend’s series against the New York Yankees. Speaking of the Yankees, YES Network’s Jack Curry (31:03) discusses the team’s recent play and previews this weekend’s series in The Bronx. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Fri, 2 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1513 - Jays' Pitching Picture & Jeff Passan
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome Blue Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux in-studio to evaluate the Jays' pitching outlook after the deadline. He shares a player's POV of 'auditioning' for a retooling team, how Yariel Rodríguez closes the season positively and Zach Pop's opportunity to earn a bigger role. ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (28:22) starts with his thoughts on Mike Trout's latest injury before digging into some Jays topics. He projects what a Guerrero Jr extension might look like, Bichette's long-term future in Toronto and evaluates the Jays' return in the Kikuchi trade. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Thu, 1 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1512 - Blair, Barker, Billy Wagner!
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are with you on the off-day discussing everything Blue Jays, notably Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s hot stretch at the plate and the importance of assessing players over the last two months of the season in order to field the best roster in 2025. 16-Year MLB veteran and seven-time all-star Billy Wagner (27:31) joins the show to discuss his son Will’s game after coming over to the Blue Jays organization from the Astros in the Yusei Kikuchi trade. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Thu, 1 Aug 2024 - 49min - 1511 - Deadline Reflections & Kevin Kiermaier
Baseball America's JJ Cooper joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to evaluate the Blue Jays' returns from yesterday's trade deadline (2:15). He gets into prospect hit-rate and why the Jays' favouring of prospect 'proximity' can pay off in the long run. Recently traded outfielder Kevin Kiermaier (26:16) shares a player's POV of getting traded at the deadline, reflects on his time in Toronto and shares his thoughts on going from an underperforming Jays team to the World Series contending Dodgers. Then, Jeff and Kevin review some sound from GM Ross Atkins' post-deadline availability. Finally, the Athletic's Jayson Stark (52:05) shares some winners and losers from the deadline, whether the Jays should've sold more than just expiring contracts and the different dynamics at play in a potential Vladdy extension. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Wed, 31 Jul 2024 - 1h 13min - 1510 - Deadline Day with Samson, Joseph & Blum
Approaching the official deadline, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by former MLB executive David Samson (1:48) to discuss the inflated starting pitcher market, the Jays' hesitancy to 'fully' sell and whether a good deadline can save a GM's job. Then, he shares some winners from the day. Blue Jays Central's Caleb Joseph (20:57) shares his thoughts on the Jays' active deadline, reacts live to the IKF trade and discusses the team's next steps toward their goal of being competitive in 2025. As the deadline passes, Jeff and Kevin do a final roundup of Toronto's trades and the big moves around MLB before they are joined by Astros analyst Geoff Blum (57:36), who shares what the Jays are getting with their return in the Yusei Kikuchi deal - Joey Loperfido, Jake Bloss & Will Wagner. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Tue, 30 Jul 2024 - 1h 14min
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