Blair & Barker

The Rangers have won their first World Series in franchise history after defeating Arizona 5-0 in the deciding game. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand and The Athletic’s Jayson Stark to discuss Corey Seager’s MVP performance, Bruce Bochy’s return to managing leading to a championship, and Chris Young getting credit for putting the team together, while briefly touching on the offseason…get ready for the Winter of Ohtani! (33:41) The views and opinions 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.

After their 11-7 win in game four over Arizona, the Texas Rangers are one win away from their first World Series in franchise history. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Rangers’ offence breaking out without Adolis Garcia before being joined by ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian who shared his thoughts on the series and Corey Seager’s historic postseason for Texas. Two-time World Series Champion and MLB analyst Hunter Pence (24:58) talks about what it’s like playing for Bruce Bochy in crucial postseason situations and how he’s managing his Rangers’ ballclub now that they’re up 3-1 with a chance to win it all. The views and opinions 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 Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Rangers' 3-1 win in game three over the Diamondbacks while focusing on the injuries sustained to Adolis Garcia & Max Scherzer and the questionable strike zone throughout the game. The guys hit up Barker’s Back Leg Line for a few thoughts from listeners before welcoming Sportsnet’s Caleb Joseph (27:17) to the show to discuss the strike zone during Gabriel Moreno’s crucial AB and Texas being fortunate to win the game with their injuries before looking ahead to game four of 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker share their thoughts on the World Series being all tied up as the Rangers and Diamondbacks head to Arizona for Game 3. Former MLB closer and radio host Brad Lidge discusses how the managers have used their bullpens and pitching with adrenaline in the postseason. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi (28:40) looks ahead to Max Scherzer’s start in Game 3 and shares why Arizona has the pitching advantage at this point in time. The views and opinions 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 Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by MLB host & analyst Ryan Spilborghs ahead of his call of the World Series: can the Diamondbacks continue to play spoiler? Later they are joined by MLB insider Jeff Passan (29:54) to discuss Dusty Baker’s tenure in Houston, the defensive prowess of both the Rangers and Diamondbacks, and Max Scherzer going up against his former 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 affiliate.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by MLB Network Radio Host and Rangers analyst CJ Nitkowski to discuss Texas’ run to the World Series, Arizona’s Cinderella postseason and which version of Max Scherzer will show up when called upon. Legendary Blue Jays Manager Cito Gaston (29:57) joins the guys to talk about potentially being named to the Hall fo Fame in Cooperstown, managing in the postseason and how it differs from his era, his good friend Dusty Baker’s retirement, and to re-visit the 1993 World Series win on the week of its 30th anniversary. The views and opinions 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.

The World Series is officially set after the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 4-2 in Game 7 of the NLCS. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss Arizona’s remarkable and unexpected run, starter Brandon Pfaadt’s performance, Gabriel Moreno’s series, Ketel Marte winning MVP, and take a look ahead at the Rangers-Diamondbacks matchup. Phillies analyst and former MLB catcher Ben Davis (27:59) talks about what went wrong for Philadelphia, how Torey Lovullo managed his bullpen, how Moreno profiles as a catcher long-term, and Bruce Bochy’s experience managing in big games. To end the show, the guys go to Barker’s 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 affiliate.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Texas Rangers victory over the Houston Astros to advance to the World Series; notably Adolis Garcia’s MVP performance and Cristian Javier’s struggles in the deciding game. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale touches on Dusty Baker’s potential retirement before concentrating on Arizona’s game six win in the NLCS to force a game 7 against the Phillies. Former Marlins President and host of 'Nothing Personal’ David Samson (29:51) shares his latest thoughts around the game, notably Texas advancing, how the Astros lineup could look next year and his understanding of what happened with Kim Ng and the Marlins. The views and opinions 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 Blair & Kevin Barker discuss Texas and Houston’s series going the distance and look ahead to Game 7 with Max Scherzer and Cristian Javier taking the hill for their respective clubs. Later, the guys recognize the Blue Jays’ 1993 World Series win on its 30th anniversary before welcoming Turner Sports’ Brian Anderson (25:01) to the show to focus on the NLCS. BA discusses preparing for big calls, the fanbases in Philadelphia and Arizona, the level of trust in Craig Kimbrel and more ahead of tonight’s pivotal Game 6 from Philly. The views and opinions 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 Blair and Kevin Barker discuss Arizona winning Game 3 of the NLCS over the Phillies; notably Torey Lovullo pulling starter Brandon Pfaadt after 5.2 innings and turning it over to the bullpen, and the Astros tying up the ALCS. 2013 World Series champion and host of 'Intentional Talk' Ryan Dempster comments on yesterday’s postseason action, how bullpens are being deployed, and what Mike Maddux and Bruce Bochy have unlocked with Jordan Montgomery. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi checks-in (27:53) from Arizona to talk about how the press box wasn’t surprised when Pfaadt got pulled, the Diamondbacks organization being enamoured with Gabriel Moreno, and whether or not Jose Altuve is a first-ballot hall of famer. The views and opinions 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 Blair & Kevin Barker discuss Houston winning game three of the ALCS over the Rangers, how the pitch clock is keeping players on their toes defensively, the pace of play making games more fun to watch, and if the Phillies can sweep the Diamondbacks. Before the break, they take two calls on the back line as some still aren’t over the Blue Jays postseason exit. Astros analyst and 2005 World Series champion Geoff Blum joins the show (30:45) and tells the guys why Houston has been such a strong road team all season long and why there was no panic in the clubhouse with the team down 0-2 headed to Arlington. The views and opinions 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 Blair & Kevin Barker discuss the Phillies scoring early and often against Arizona before being joined by Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae ahead of Game 3 of the ALCS between the Rangers and Astros. Hazel talks about the mood surrounding both teams with Texas leading the series, what Dusty Baker is telling his players down 0-2, and what to expect from ace pitcher Max Scherzer tonight in front of the home crowd. Later, long-time Cardinals ace and MLB on FOX analyst Adam Wainwright (27:47) shares his thoughts on the current postseason overall, pitching in the postseason compared to the regular season, his view on starting pitchers having a shorter leash and getting pulled earlier, and more on Scherzer’s return tonight. The views and opinions 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 Blair & Kevin Barker share their quick thoughts on Texas and Philadelphia leading their respective series before being joined by former Phillies closer & 2007 World Series champion Jonathan Papelbon. Papelbon discusses being Bryce Harper’s teammate and how he’s matured into the player he is today, performing under the bright lights in October, and his thoughts on the Blue Jays and Red Sox seasons in the AL East. MLB insider Jeff Passan comments on the Blue Jays abrupt postseason exit, the final four teams remaining, and Nathan Eovaldi’s competitiveness on the mound (28:27). The views and opinions 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 Blair and Kevin Barker recap game one of the ALCS as Jordan Montgomery & the Texas Rangers shut down the Houston Astros 2-0. Rangers analyst David Murphy joins the guys to discuss how Montgomery might have been overshadowed by the Max Scherzer trade but has been just as important to the Rangers down the stretch; and how Bruce Bochy has been employing his bullpen. Later the guys shift their focus to the NLCS between the Phillies and Diamondbacks with former Phillies Manager & World Series Champion Larry Bowa (28:23) who spoke about Philadelphia’s second straight trip to the NLCS, the job Rob Thomson has done as manager, and how gaining postseason experience last year was beneficial for players like Alec Bohm and Bryson Stott. The views and opinions 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 and Kevin share their thoughts on the final four teams left standing now that both the ALCS and NLCS are set after the Phillies eliminated the Atlanta Braves last night. Foul Territory’s Erik Kratz joins the guys to talk about how awesome the games have been this postseason and the format before sharing his views on the Toronto Blue Jays and how analytics can be better communicated to players in the clubhouse. The Athletic’s Jayson Stark (30:27) discusses how teams like Houston and Philadelphia continue to get it done come October, and how much this particular Phillies team embodies the city of Philadelphia. The views and opinions 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 Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays Central’s Caleb Joseph ahead of Mark Shapiro’s end of season media availability to discuss what they expect to hear from the Jays’ President and more on how the season ended. After Shapiro addressed the media and announced GM Ross Atkins will be returning in 2024, Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi joins Blair and Barker with his thoughts on how Shapiro handled the questioning (01:07:50). The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the show discussing the Texas Rangers sweeping the Baltimore Orioles in their American League Division Series, to cap off a disappointing postseason for A.L. East teams with none of them having won a game. Host of ‘Nothing Personal’ and former Marlins President, David Samson joins the guys to discuss Baltimore’s exit, the current postseason format, why Arizona is a better team than the Dodgers at this moment, and what he is expecting to hear from Mark Shapiro tomorrow (11:14). To end the show, Blair and Barker focus on the remaining series with three games on the schedule today (28:08). 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 affiliates.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to Ross Atkins’ media availability from this past weekend and wonder if there is a scenario where Atkins and John Schneider can continue to work together. The guys outline how there were whispers of dissatisfaction throughout the season talking to some of the players, and wonder what President Mark Shapiro will say and do on Thursday when he is scheduled to speak with the media. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi shares a national perspective on the Blue Jays predicament, before looking at the remaining postseason series, notably Houston-Minnesota and Texas-Baltimore which continue tonight (31:12). 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 affiliates.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the second hour with Dan Shulman, who circles back to the final game of the season and the decision to pull a dealing José Berríos, the place for analytics in the game and how much blame falls on the shoulders of manager John Schneider. Then, they predict potential changes to next year’s lineup. Finally, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan joins the show (26:41) to share his thoughts on how the season ended in Toronto and what comes next this offseason for Vladdy, the pending free agents and the front office. He gives his perspective on the remaining postseason picture and some storylines to watch. The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker continue to focus on the Blue Jays postseason exit and look ahead to GM Ross Atkins' year-end media availability this weekend. Jeff and Kevin welcome MLB Network Analyst and New York Yankees hitting coach Sean Casey to the show, (31:11) who discussed pulling Berríos for Kikuchi, how organizations make team decisions in today’s game, hitting in the postseason vs the regular season, what makes Aaron Judge such an elite hitter after working with him every day and if long layoffs could hurt the Orioles and Braves respectively in their division 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.

Blue Jays colour analyst Buck Martinez joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker (1:35) to share his thoughts on the baseball club's early exit in another Wild Card series, why the offence struggled to hit the high fastball throughout the year, if the front office and coaching staff have to fix their relationship with José Berríos, and how the pitcher handled to being removed from the game. Then, Jeff and Kevin take your calls from the Back Leg Line to hear fans reactions to the Jays season ending 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker continue to share their thoughts on the Blue Jays postseason loss to the Minnesota Twins and discuss how the quick two-game series encapsulated the team’s weaknesses all season long: the lack of timely hitting. The guys welcome ESPN baseball analyst Doug Glanville (26:48) to the show to talk about the decision to pull Jose Berrios, if Vladimir Guerrero Jr. needs more protection around him in the lineup to reach his full potential, and his impressions of Gabriel Moreno and the Diamondbacks after covering the Milwaukee-Arizona wild card 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.

The Athletic's Jayson Stark joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker (2:23) to discuss the separation between manager Buck Showalter and the New York Mets, who could be their next bench boss, why the Los Angeles Dodgers have dropped out of the limelight, and a look around the upcoming Wild Card series. Then, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi stops by (29:41) to chat about who's the number one closer heading into the post-season for the Blue Jays, who's the x-factor on the offensive side, final playoff roster cuts, Alejandro Kirk's game calling since Danny Jansen's injury, and who could pitch in Game 2. Plus, we hear comments from GM Ross Atkins ahead of their AL Wild Card 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to the Blue Jays-Twins series now that the matchup is official after the final weekend of the regular season. The guys welcome 1993 World Series MVP with the Blue Jays & Former Twins Manager Paul Molitor (25:12) to the show to preview the series, notably what to expect from Minnesota’s game one starter Pablo Lopez. Blair & Barker react to Bo Bichette’s comments after addressing reporters on media day ahead of Tuesday’s postseason action. The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker chat with Blue Jays manager John Schneider (4:22) ahead of the final series of the regular season against the Tampa Bay Rays; could Toronto face them again shortly after in the postseason? Former Mariners All-Star and host of ‘The Bret Boone Podcast’ (25:00) discusses Seattle battling it out with the Rangers this weekend in an effort to lock up the final AL Wild Card spot and shares his thoughts on the Jays’ offence throughout the 2023 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start with a look at the Jays' playoff-clinching scenario tonight after closing their series against the Yankees with a win to avoid the sweep. They share their thoughts on Chris Bassitt's stellar outing, the shuffled lineup and how ending the regular season against the Rays impacts a potential Wild Card matchup against them. Then, live reaction to the Giants cutting ties with Gabe Kapler. Finally, Blue Jays Central's Caleb Joseph gives his take on Matt Chapman's approach vs. the elevated fastball, Bo's thoughts on hitting clean-up and the benefit of ending the regular season against the Rays (26:40). 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 affiliates.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour with ESPN insider Jeff Passan, who shares his thoughts on the Jays lineup with Bo Bichette now in the clean-up spot, where Matt Chapman ranks among this winter's free agency class and which city the MLB is likely to expand to next. Later, radio voice of the Blue Jays Ben Wagner shares his thoughts on the Jays’ updated lineup, how hitting clean-up changes Bo’s approach, how hitting 8th and 9th will impact Chapman and Dalton Varsho and whether there’s a chance Jordan Romano isn’t closing in the playoffs (26:08). They close with your calls on 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.

Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays’ lack of offence in their first two games against the Yankees and John Schneider and his staff changing around the batting order ahead of tonight’s game with Bo Bichette hitting fourth and Matt Chapman and Daulton Varsho being dropped to the bottom. Four-Time World Series Champion with the Yankees and Marlins analyst Jeff Nelson comments on changing batting orders this late in the season, Aaron Judge, the pressure players put on themselves this time of year, and why the Marlins can lock down the final wild card spot in the NL (29:03). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by former Marlins president David Samson, who shares his thoughts on the Yankees’ long-term options for Giancarlo Stanton, how management approaches no-trade clauses and Brandon Belt’s comments urging Jays fans to be louder. Later, ESPN’s national MLB reporter Jesse Rogers gives a glance at the NL Wild Card race, what the near future looks like for the streaky Cubs, the keys to clinching and which of the potential Wild Card teams can be serious threats to the powerhouse Braves (27:57). The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays’ lack of offence in game one of the series against the Yankees, the decision to use Jordan Romano in a tie-game and Michael King impressing on the mound for New York. Afterwards, the guys examine comments from Brandon Belt where he encouraged fans to be as loud as possible at Rogers Centre during the important games down the stretch. YES Network analyst Jack Curry shares his thoughts on King’s performance and comments on tonight’s starter Gerrit Cole and how cerebral he can be on the mound (26:58). The views and opinions 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.

MLB Network insider Jon Morosi joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to react to the passing of Orioles legend Brooks Robinson before sharing his thoughts on the Mariners’ ill-timed skid, the Jays’ postseason ceiling and which potential playoff opponent Toronto matches up best against. Later, VP and general manager of the Minnesota Twins Thad Levine discusses clinching a playoff spot, bouncing back from trading Luis Arráez and how the team stays motivated with less than a week to go in the regular season (27:15). The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to Jays-Yankees with the Blue Jays coming into the series playing some of their best baseball of the season and talk about Kevin Gausman’s standout season and his presence in the clubhouse ahead of his start. Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman examines the Jays’ recent play; notably Vladimir Guerrero Jr. looking more comfortable at the dish, and who should start Game 2 of a wild card series following Gausman (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 affiliates.

Former MLB pitcher and co-host of Intentional Talk, Ryan Dempster (5:29) joins Jeff and Kevin to discuss the Seattle Mariners potentially missing the post-season with the roster they have on paper, how to grade managers' season, finding a team identity, unorthodox ways of creating offence, and how deep can the Blue Jays go into the post-season. Then, the guys go to the Back-Leg Line to hear your calls! The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Toronto Blue Jays series win over the Tampa Bay Rays and the team receiving some help in the Wild Card standings with how other series played out over the weekend. The guys discuss Toronto clicking at the right time and react to comments from Chris Bassitt and George Springer on the team’s recent play. With one week left in the regular season, Blair & Barker do a deep-dive in ‘Around the Wild Card’ and invite Mark McLemore, Mike Stanton, and Ryan Divish on the program to analyze the Rangers, Astros, and Mariners respectively (26:10). 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 affiliates.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the show by teeing up Friday’s series opener against the Tampa Bay Rays and why coming away with a series win won’t be an easy task. They also take a look at the Jays’ loss in the Bronx and highlight the team’s struggles against elite pitching. Then, Rays’ colour analyst, Brian Anderson (27:44), stops by to break down the keys to Tyler Glasnow’s success this year and what the Jays can expect from him Friday. Additionally, Brian gives the guys his pick for the Rays’ MVP. Later, Jays’ Manager John Schneider sits down with Jeff and Kevin (49:39) to get us ready for this weekend’s series against the Rays. He also provides the latest on Vladdy, his thoughts on the current lineup and why it’s hard not to keep one eye on the playoff standings these days. The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the hour with FOX Sports MLB analyst Ben Verlander, who looks at how Shohei Ohtani’s free agency outlook has changed since his injury and surgery, if he might move to the bullpen when he returns to the mound and whether the Blue Jays could be in on the Ohtani sweepstakes. Then, he looks at the AL playoff picture and how the Jays fare with their roster construction. Later, Jeff Passan stops by (28:31) to share his thoughts on Yusei Kikuchi’s sleep schedule and some of the weirder sleep quirks in MLB history, the Tigers’ new GM hire Jeff Greenberg and the future of the Blue Jays rotation. The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker hit the airwaves after Toronto’s second consecutive win over the New York Yankees and discuss the Jays’ approach against New York’s bullpen after Michael King exited the game and Kevin Gausman’s standout performance. Before the break, the guys talk about Alek Manoah’s status after Sportsnet’s Ben-Nicholson Smith reported that he received multiple injections in his pitching arm. World Series-winning Manager Joe Maddon re-joins the show and shares his thoughts on what it takes to win in the postseason when the calendar turns to October (28:20). 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 affiliates.

Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker start the second hour with Buck Martinez who shares his thoughts on what to expect from Kevin Gausman tonight, Bo Bichette’s defensive improvement this season and how Alejandro Kirk has adjusted to an increased workload with Danny Jansen out. Later, the guys react to breaking news of Vlad Guerrero Jr being scratched for tonight's game with right knee discomfort, more on Yusei Kikuchi’s sleeping habits and take your calls on 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.

Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker recap game one of the Blue Jays-Yankees series, Yusei Kikuchi’s performance, and his sleeping habits after picking up his 10th win of the season in the Bronx. The guys welcome Yankees broadcaster and radio hall of famer Suzyn Waldman back on the show (26:10) to discuss the underwhelming seasons for both New York and Boston in the AL East, Michael King’s “stuff” on the mound, Alex Volpe as the Yankees’ shortstop of the future, and why Gerrit Cole’s Cy Young-calibre season could’ve been even more impressive with more run support. The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour with Shi Davidi to tee up tonight's series opener between the Jays and Yankees and share his thoughts on the vibes around the Yankees’ clubhouse, Yusei Kikuchi’s command drop-off and Cavan Biggio hitting himself into Schneider’s circle of trust. Later, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times on the Rays’ new stadium deal, a look at the stadium’s timeline and the challenges standing in its way (14:31). Blue Jays Amateur Baseball program manager TJ Burton tees up the Canadian Futures Showcase held at the Rogers Centre this week with the Jays on their road trip, the significance of the tourney as an MLB pipeline and how it’s grown the game in Canada (27:29). They close with your calls on the Back Leg Line (38:07)! The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker look ahead to the Blue Jays upcoming series against the Yankees with Yusei Kikuchi taking the mound for game one in the Bronx. The guys examine the Blue Jays lineup for the opening game and wonder if Don Mattingly could be a candidate to be New York’s manager if they were to move on from Aaron Boone after the season. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi joins the show (27:38) to discuss the latest around the majors including Adam Wainwright reaching 200 career victories and if 200 is still a noteworthy milestone for pitchers before addressing the breaking news on Shohei Ohtani who underwent a procedure and will only hit in 2024, not pitch. The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour with Jayson Stark of the Athletic, who shares his thoughts on the Rays’ potential new stadium deal, the landscape of the AL Wild Card race down the stretch, the payoff of the new schedule and playoff format and how the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes have changed. Former MLB pitcher and Orioles TV analyst Ben McDonald shares his thoughts on Baltimore clinching a playoff spot for the first time since 2016, how they have navigated around Felix Bautista’s absence and which young star will have the keys to the franchise in the future (29:58). Finally, Brian McTaggart, Astros reporter with MLB.com, joins the show (38:25) to discuss Houston’s status in the Wild Card race, whether there should be concerns over the rotation and the importance of Michael Brantley. The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker comment on the Blue Jays sweeping the Boston Red Sox after getting swept themselves in the previous series by the Texas Rangers. The guys discuss Toronto’s current standing in the Wild Card race and also examine Bo Bichette’s defensive play and if it has improved as the season has gone on. For this week’s edition of ‘Around the Wild Card’, Jeff and Kevin invite Mariners TV voice Aaron Goldsmith (28:06) and Rangers reporter Kennedi Landry (37:23) on the show to focus on the recent play of Seattle and Texas respectively. The views and opinions 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.

Blue Jays Manager John Schneider joins Jeff and Kevin following the Rangers series to discuss the state of the team post-sweep (1:22). Schneider touches on the ups and downs of his first season as manager and what he’s learned, his reaction to hearing fans boo, and Vlad Jr.’s series against Texas. The guys hear from Jose Berrios about the significance of Roberto Clemente and why he is celebrated before inviting Sportsnet’s Caleb Joseph on the show ahead of Jays-Red Sox this weekend (25:03). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start with overall reflections from the Jays’ disappointing series against the Rangers before moving on to tonight’s series opener against the Red Sox, Nate Pearson being called up for Bowden Francis, how the Jays bounce back and a look around the AL Wild Card race. Then, revisiting last night’s game, what - if anything - inspired optimism, Whit Merrifield’s outfield drop and if he should be starting in the outfield over Daulton Varsho. They are joined by WEEI Red Sox analyst Rob Bradford, who shares his thoughts on Chaim Bloom’s firing and if it was justified, how far the Red Sox are away from being serious contenders, the long-term plan for Chris Sale and the ascent of Triston Casas (30:15). The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair, Kevin Barker, and ESPN’s Jeff Passan (3:17) discuss the Red Sox decision to part ways with Chaim Bloom, the Rangers dominance over the Blue Jays after three games of their series, and have a back and forth on the use of analytics in the game. To end the show, the guys go to the Back Leg Line to answer calls amidst the Blue Jays’ three-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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off with Matt Chapman returning to the lineup before hitting on the Jays’ 10-0 loss to the Rangers last night, a new low in the Vladdy/Bo era, where the players are mentally at this point in the season and how finishing the season strong could set them up well for next year. They are joined by Rangers analyst & former Rangers outfielder David Murphy (17:26) who shares how Texas has woken up from their slump in time for this series, Jonah Heim back at full speed after his wrist injury and the Rangers’ X-Factors if they do make the playoffs. Later, president of baseball ops. and GM of the Braves Alex Anthopoulos discusses clinching the NL East title, the importance of power in the postseason and some unheralded Braves this season (31:16). The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the second hour with Tim Kurkjian of ESPN who shares his thoughts on which team is under the most pressure to make the playoffs, the most disappointing team this season, who can stop the Braves and how an explosion in steals around the league changes the game. Later, MLB Network’s Bill Ripken shares his thoughts on the expectations around Vladdy Jr., the positives and negatives of off-days and Corey Seager’s unique but effective approach (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 affiliates.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker examine the Blue Jays dropping a second consecutive game against the Rangers, Texas now owning the tie breaker between the two clubs, and the breaking news that Max Scherzer is done for the year after exiting last night’s game. The guys turn their attention to game three of the series as they hear from John Schneider in his pre-game availability and welcome Dan Shulman on the show to discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s series so far and the performance of Toronto’s bullpen over the last few weeks (36:14). The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour with Rangers analyst for the Dallas Morning News Evan Grant who breaks down last night's series opener between Texas and the Blue Jays, why he’s optimistic the team’s slump is coming to an end, what to look for from Max Scherzer tonight and the Bruce Bochy experience. Astros TV analyst Geoff Blum discusses whether Houston is the class of the American League, the significance of Christian Javier, and takes a look through the AL Wild Card race (13:23). Then, Mariners TV announcer Dave Sims shares his thoughts on Teoscar Hernandez’s contributions since the trade deadline, George Kirby’s recent post-game complaints and if they’ll be a distraction, and how the team is dealing with excessive travel and workload at this point in the season (27:13). They end the show with your calls on 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 10-4 loss to the Rangers in game one of their important four-game series; notably Chris Bassitt’s performance and the mound disengagement that led to Texas’ first run before examining Vladimir Guerrero’s numbers vs. the fastball. Sportsnet’s MLB insider Shi Davidi checks in from Rogers Centre (23:48) to share his thoughts on game one and provide an injury update on Brandon Belt and Matt Chapman. Blair & Barker discuss Max Scherzer and his strikeout total in the latest edition of “Between the Lines”. The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the second hour with host of Loud Outs on MLB Network Radio & Rangers’ TV analyst CJ Nitkowski, who explains the underlying factor behind Texas’ skid, what to expect out of recent top prospect call-up Evan Carter, and he shares his thoughts on George Kirby’s recent, controversial post-game comments. Later, radio voice of the Blue Jays tees up the series between Texas and Toronto, discusses Alek Manoah’s complicated, season-ending situation, whether the Jays are worried about Alejandro Kirk’s workload behind the plate and how game management might change down the stretch (25:03). Finally, Mike Trout trade rumours and the Angels’ offseason 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker reflect on the Blue Jays taking care of business over the weekend after sweeping the Kansas City Royals. After looking back, the guys look ahead to the most important series of the year: Toronto hosting the Texas Rangers for a pivotal four-game set starting tonight. Later on, the guys examine how the teams around the Blue Jays in the standings fared over the weekend in the latest installment of ‘Around the Wild Card’ (25:37) and dissect George Kirby’s comments after his most recent start for the Mariners. The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Davis Schneider who talked about his success at the major league level since his call-up, improving hitting elevated fastballs, and lessons learned at Triple-A that have translated to the next level (3:13). Later, Blue Jays Manager John Schneider talks to Jeff and Kevin about Bo Bichette being activated off the IL, Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s play over the last week, and plans for the team’s starting rotation down the stretch (24:30). To end the show, the guys head into the weekend with fan questions from 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start with the news that Bo Bichette has been activated off the IL and will be active for tonight’s game against the Royals. They discuss what to expect from him in his return, take a look around the teams in the Wild Card race heading into the weekend, how the Rangers could stop their poorly-timed slump and what effect the manager has on their drastic slide. Later, they are joined by Royals TV analyst Rex Hudler (26:14) who shares his thoughts on the ‘Buffalo Brigade’ and reflects on the time he was a call-up spark plug for the Expos in the late 80s before teeing up tonight’s series opener between the Jays and Royals. The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour with Blue Jays Central’s Caleb Joseph who gives an assessment of the ‘Buffalo Brigade’ with Bo Bichette, Matt Chapman and Brandon Belt inching closer to their respective returns, his thoughts on Chad Green’s play, the idea of ‘playing for the big inning’ paying dividends offensively and Chris Bassitt weaponizing the pitch clock to great effect. They close with your calls on 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the current state of the Blue Jays following the conclusion of their 4-2 road trip against the Rockies and A’s.  The guys talk about how Bo Bichette may be nearing a return after working out at Rogers Centre, Chad Green’s outings in the bullpen since being activated, and Toronto catching a break ahead of next week’s pivotal Rangers series with Adolis Garcia hitting the IL. ESPN’s Jeff Passan joins the guys with his thoughts on the Royals young talent (notably Bobby Witt Jr.) ahead of the Toronto-KC series, the impressive pitching matchups for the Texas series, and if Bruce Bochy is deserving of any blame for how Texas has played recently (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 affiliates.

It’s the final month of MLB’s regular season and The Athletic’s Jayson Stark joins the guys to discuss the exciting month ahead. Jayson and the guys discuss the AL wild-card race, if Philadelphia can get back to the World Series, the season to forget for the Yankees and Mets, Craig Counsell managing the Brewers without a contract for next year, and if the Twins are the forgotten team in the American League. To wrap up the second hour, your calls on 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.

Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker start with a couple of Blue Jays wins over the long weekend spearheaded by the call-ups, the competitive, mature approaches they’ve brought and how they might fit into the equation for next season. Then, onto yesterday’s game against the A’s, an encouraging outing from José Berríos, the Jays’ turnaround month with runners in scoring position and why the quick change came down to swing decisions. Later, the latest ‘In the Wild Card!’ (25:29). 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 affiliates.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider for his weekly hit to start off the second hour. The Jays’ skipper shares his thoughts on what Chad Green and Spencer Horwitz can bring, where the team’s focus is in this final stretch of the season, the challenge of playing at Coors Field and the luxury of the consistently strong pitching rotation. Later, Denver Post’s Patrick Saunders tees up tonight’s series opener (30:06) between the Jays and Rockies and shares his long-term expectations for the Rockies, some young players to keep an eye on and Bud Black’s impact as manager. The views and opinions 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 Blair and Kevin Barker begin with a couple of Blue Jays’ roster moves passed through today, with reliever Chad Green being activated off the IL and infielder Spencer Horwitz being called up from Triple-A Buffalo. They discuss the upside and what to expect from each. Then, the Jays are taking on the Colorado Rockies and tonight’s starter, Hyun-jin Ryu, has changed up his game after Tommy John surgery to excellent early results. Later, ESPN insider Jeff Passan stops by (27:35) for his weekly appearance to discuss the MLB announcing that there will be no adjustments to the pitch clock for the postseason, the overall success of the new rules and the strategic wrinkle of ‘weaponizing’ the pitch clock. They also discuss the Jays’ postseason chances down the stretch and who to blame if the team fails to make the playoffs. The views and opinions 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 Blair and Kevin Barker kick off hour two with former Marlins President David Samson to discuss the waiver process, why the Angels did nothing wrong making several of their players available and if the trade deadline could be changed in future seasons. He also examines the current state of the Blue Jays as they battle for a postseason berth. Then, Rockies and Apple TV+ analyst Ryan Spilborghs (31:16) looks ahead to the Blue Jays' upcoming series in Colorado and how playing at Coors Field can be challenging for visiting teams because of the altitude. The views and opinions 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 Blair and Kevin Barker open with a look at all the players picked up from waivers today, Randal Grichuk going unclaimed and the wider issue of players being waived en-masse after the trade deadline. Then, a preview of the Jays’ series against the Rockies starting tomorrow in Colorado, the impact of the altitude, and Kevin maps out the difficult path for the team to get back into an AL Wild Card spot. They are joined by MLB Network’s Jon Morosi (28:14), who delves into the waiver claims from today, how each player will fit in their respective landing spots and if the Angels might trade Mike Trout in the offseason now that it seems likely that Shohei Ohtani will not return. The views and opinions 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 Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the second hour with MLB Network analyst Mark DeRosa, who shares his thoughts on the LA Angels waiving Lucas Giolito, Matt Moore, Reynaldo López, Hunter Renfroe and Randal Grichuk, how Shohei Ohtani might react to the move, flaws with teams that rely heavily on pitching and why the Blue Jays are still dangerous if they can squeak into the playoffs. They close the show with your calls on the Back Leg Line! (25:03) The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start with last night’s Blue Jays game before touching on today’s top story; Bo Bichette will once again be shelved on the 10-day IL with a quad strain, and Mason McCoy getting the call up. They welcome Washington Nationals TV analyst Kevin Fransden to tee up game 2 in the Nats’ series against the Jays, how close they are to being competitive in the NL East and look ahead to the team’s offseason plans. Later, Blue Jays’ general manager Ross Atkins stops by (27:42) to clear up some of the Jays’ injuries, why McCoy was elevated over younger prospects like Orelvis Martinez or Addison Barger, his thoughts on Vlad Guerrero Jr.’s mechanics and his expectations down the stretch with the schedule easing up. The views and opinions 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 Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour with Blue Jays’ radio voice Ben Wagner, who shares an update on the sightings of Vlad Guerrero Jr. warming up at third base, the Jays’ backup plans for third with Matt Chapman on the IL and Daulton Varsho’s turnaround at the plate. Later, former GM and MLB Network radio analyst Jim Duquette (24:44) shares his thoughts on Vladdy's mechanical struggles against velocity, the strength of the Orioles’ bullpen without Félix Bautista and how to handle Shohei Ohtani’s free agency from an Angels’ executive’s perspective. The views and opinions 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 Blair and Kevin Barker (back from vacation!) get right into last night’s Blue Jays’ loss to the Cleveland Guardians in extras to drop the series, the big mistakes, necessary lineup changes and possible solutions to reignite the team and get back into a Wild Card spot. Afterwards, is it time for the Jays to look at promoting a top prospect with Matt Chapman hitting the IL and Bo Bichette heading for an MRI? Later, with the postseason approaching, a brand new segment looking at the latest ‘In the Wild Card!’ (29:31). 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.

Jeff Blair opens the second hour with radio play-by-play voice of the Guardians, Tom Hamilton, who shares his thoughts on the career and character of manager Terry Francona who has hinted at an imminent retirement, his marked legacy in Cleveland and tees up the Guardians’ series against the Blue Jays starting tonight. Then, your calls on the Back Leg Line! Afterward, ESPN insider Jeff Passan stops by (25:18) for his weekly hit to weigh in on whether or not the Blue Jays could be in on Shohei Ohtani this offseason, what type of money Ohtani could still command after his injury and how significant a surgery he will likely have to undergo. Jeff closes the show by checking in with Ben Wagner from the Rogers Centre ahead of the Jays’ series opener against the Guardians! The views and opinions 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 Blair starts with last night’s rubber match between the Blue Jays and Orioles, a 5-3 loss for Toronto where the offence was once again bottled up. Then, reaction and analysis on Jays’ GM Ross Atkins’ press availability from earlier today. Later, Jeff is joined by Blue Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez (23:20) who shares his expectations for the team’s next 5 weeks, why ‘urgency’ might not be the best approach for Vladdy at the plate, and he assesses Terry Francona’s year with the Guardians in what could be his last season as a manager. The views and opinions 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 Blair starts the second hour with MLB Network insider Jon Morosi for a deep dive into Shohei Ohtani’s torn UCL. They chat about how it changes the offseason landscape changes for all Ohtani, the Angels and the MLB, his open-market value if he cannot pitch in the long term and which teams would still buy big on him. Later, from his UnderTheKnife sub stack, Will Carroll gets down to the nitty gritty on the exact nature of Ohtani’s injury (24:52), rehab options and the lack of longevity for pitchers throwing over 100 MPH. Jeff closes with your calls on 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 affiliate.

Jeff Blair opens with Blue Jays Central's Madison Shipman in studio to go over the Blue Jays’ 7-0 loss to the Orioles last night, but first, Shohei Ohtani’s torn UCL, how it changes his free agency landscape and how his role may change when he returns. They then get into the game, Kevin Gausman’s post-game comments about playing with a ‘sense of urgency,’ Genesis Cabrera’s long-term role and Alek Manoah finally heading to Buffalo. Later, play-by-play voice of the Blue Jays Dan Shulman shares his thoughts on the Manoah development, how the Jays respond to being shut out and the Orioles’ impressive depth (21:01). Jeff closes the hour with your calls on 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 affiliate.

Jeff kicks off the second hour with Anthony Castrovince from MLB Network and MLB.com to give his take on the Blue Jays this season and why the Orioles season was a surprise to everyone. Next up, Jeff answers your calls in the Back Leg Line before being joined by Orioles reporter Roch Kubatko (24:50) to give his insights on the decision of scratching Jack Flaherty hours before the game, what was the most surprising part of the Orioles season, and what the team’s future in the infield could look like. The views and opinions 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 Blair kicks off the show by recapping last night's win over the Baltimore Orioles, John Schneider’s decision-making, and being able to shut down Ryan Mountcastle. Next up, former MLB pitcher and Blue Jays radio colour analyst Chris Leroux joins the show to give his take on the Jays being better than the Orioles, and who is more trustworthy between Romano and Hicks. Finally, Blue Jays analyst Joe Siddall joins the show (25:32) to give his take on Daulton Varsho changing his approach, Bo Bichette’s amazing defensive play, and his thoughts on Yusei Kikuchi’s outing. The views and opinions 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 Blair starts the second hour looking at the odd reports that Alek Manoah is still in Toronto despite being optioned over a week ago before turning to the Back Leg Line (11:14) for your calls! Afterwards, Jeff is joined by Sportsnaut Orioles reporter Dan Connolly (25:01), who discusses John Angelos’ comments about not committing to the young core, a financial outlook on the Orioles’ long-term plans and what the team’s playoff rotation might look like. The views and opinions 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 Blair kicks off the show with a look into the Jays’ three-game series against the Orioles starting tonight and the importance of this series for both an on- and off-field boost. Jeff welcomes in MASN Orioles’ broadcaster Geoff Arnold (12:16), who shares his perspective on Ryan Mountcastle’s hold over the Jays and his recent scorching stretch, the biggest shock of the season and Grayson Rodriguez’s ceiling this year. Later, MLB Network insider Mark Feinsand weighs in on White Sox relocation rumours, Orioles owner John Angelo’s hesitancy to commit to his core and how to fix the problems with the Yankees (26:15). The views and opinions 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 Blair kicks off the second hour with Blue Jays Central’s Caleb Joseph, who shares his thoughts on Bo Bichette’s comments about playing ‘fearless,’ a team-wide approach at the plate, John Schneider’s lineup management and the Jordan Hicks experience. Later, the latest ‘In the East’ as well as a look at some of teams pushing in the AL Wild Card race (29:01). Finally, New York Times’ Tyler Kepner weighs in on the turmoil for the New York Yankees, Orioles’ owner John Angelos’ hesitancy to commit to his core long-term and which player would be the priority to lock up with a long contract (37:32). The views and opinions 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 Blair is solo hosting this week on Blair & Barker as Kevin is off. So JB takes you over the weekend where the Jays win the series in Cincinnati taking 2 out of 3 against the Reds and the offence seems to have come alive after getting shutout on Friday. Then The Athletic’s Jayson Stark joins Jeff to discuss the tightened division and wild card races across the American League. Finally, Jeff checks in with the BBWAA and Forbes’ own Maury Brown (28:05) who talks about increased attendance in MLB this season as well as gives his take on his team, the red-hot Seattle Mariners. The views and opinions 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 Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds and discuss the help they’ll have on the way with Kevin Kiermaier and Trevor Richards being activated tonight and Bo Bichette making his return on Saturday. Reds Vice President & General Manager Nick Krall previews the series from a Cincy perspective and talks about his ballclub’s plethora of exciting players and baseball being rejuvenated in the city (14:02). Blue Jays Manager John Schneider makes his weekly appearance with the guys (51:22), and spoke about Bo Bichette’s imminent return, how the bullpen sets up with everyone healthy, Daulton Varsho’s recent success at the plate and Cavan Biggio’s play since the all-star break. The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome former MLB pitcher Bronson Arroyo who reflects on his recent entry into the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame, how he prepared for seasons, the Reds' turnaround season and Cincinnati baseball's links to the city's music scene. Later, Astros' radio broadcaster Steve Sparks shares his thoughts on what Houston's ceiling is, his long-term expectations for Justin Verlander, Kyle Tucker continuing to rake and manager Dusty Baker's importance down the stretch (30:07). They close (44:37) with your calls on 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 9-4 loss against the Phillies, particularly Kevin Gausman’s outing and a crucial play not made between Santiago Espinal and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Later, Jeff and Kevin welcome MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis on the show to discuss his re-vamped farm system rankings: why the Blue Jays are at #25, the Orioles topping the list, and if the Yankees have anyone in the pipeline or if they will have to continue to outspend other organizations (27:30). 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 affiliates.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by ESPN insider Jeff Passan, who shares his thoughts on what has been a disastrous season for the New York Yankees, how the Wander Franco situation complicates things further for the Rays on- and off-field and the idea of load management in baseball. They close with your calls on 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show giving an update on Bo Bichette's DH day down with the Buffalo Bisons, the Blue Jays' series-opening win against the Philadelphia Phillies and the Wild Card races in the AL. Then, Bisons' manager Casey Candaele stops by (17:53) to share his firsthand assessment of Bo's rehab start, what the organization is looking for in both Chad Green's and Trevor Richards' outings and what stood out to him about Spencer Horwitz on and off the field. Afterward, Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman joins the guys to discuss (34:59) if Green and Richards will have a major role out of John Schneider's bullpen, the case for Toronto's game 2 starter for the post-season following Kevin Gausman and if Whit Merrifield will be a priority for the front office to bring back next 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.

Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about Jordan Romano's return to the bullpen, how Jordan Hicks performed in Romano's absence, how the team will ease Bo Bichette back into the lineup and what has impressed him from Yusei Kikuchi's recent outings. Afterward, MLB Network analyst and former Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. (27:03) discusses how he would approach the following season after his team had won a World Series, Bryce Harper's adjustment to playing at first base, and his perspective on Shohei Ohtani's upcoming free agency. The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open with the latest on the Blue Jays, including Jordan Romano's return from the IL and Bo Bichette's rehab stint in Buffalo. Then, they welcome Phillies analyst Ben Davis (25:03) to preview the upcoming series against Philadelphia, the NL East club's season so far, and to discuss the calm, steady demeanor of manager Rob Thomson. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

The Athletic's Jayson Stark joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker (2:39) to discuss how the Tampa Bay Rays have juggled their pitching staff riddled by injuries, their history of growing talent within the organization, the battle for the third Wild Card spot, Seattle Mariners' approach to the trade deadline, and what the future holds for New York Yankees' GM Brian Cashman. Then, Mariners studio analyst Ryan Rowland-Smith (28:03) jumps on to chat about if there's a worry settling in as the team fights for a post-season spot, how important J.P. Crawford is for the roster, his view on the Baltimore Orioles season, and who is the ace of Seattle's 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

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ weekend against the Cubs as Toronto lost two of three; but saw the bats break out in an 11-4 win on Sunday…only the second time this season that Toronto has scored double-digit runs at home. Later in the hour, the guys examine how Toronto’s division opponents fared over the weekend in the latest installment of ‘In the East’ (27:58), highlighted by Cedric Mullins’ late-game heroics in Seattle and a collapse of epic proportions from the Yankees against the Marlins. The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome Blue Jays manager John Schneider to talk about the team's recent decision to option Alek Manoah to triple-A Buffalo, Bo Bichette's injury status, offensive inconsistency from series-to-series and different lineup configurations down the stretch. Later, ESPN insider Jeff Passan stops by for his weekly visit to share his thoughts on the Chicago Cubs ahead of their series against the Blue Jays, competition heating up in the AL West and Cody Bellinger’s standout season after betting on himself (33:21). The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show discussing the Blue Jays’ decision to send Alek Manoah to AAA Buffalo and recall Hagen Danner. The guys also share their thoughts on Toronto’s lineup for game one against the Cubs; notably Cavan Biggio hitting fifth in the order. To end the hour, 2015 American League MVP Josh Donaldson reminisces about being Jose Bautista’s teammate with the Blue Jays, admiring him from a far before he joined the organization, and how those Jays teams got along with all of the high-profile players and personalities in the clubhouse (26:41). The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker continue 'Bautista Week' with his former teammate Russell Martin, who shares some Joey Bats memories from with the Blue Jays and Junior College, his perspective of the iconic bat flip and the positives and negatives of pitch com from a catcher's perspective. Later, another former catcher and co-host of 'Foul Territory,' Erik Kratz weighs in on the Blue Jays' offensive drought, why Jays batters aren't adapting to the count in high leverage and the mental side of hitting with RISP (27:50). The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker hit the airwaves following the Blue Jays’ 4-3 loss to the Guardians in a game where both George Springer and John Schneider were ejected. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi comments on the Jays’ struggles at the dish, the Mariners being 1.5 games back of Toronto for the final wild-card spot, how the league perceives Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Angels buying at the deadline looking like it will backfire (28:51). The views and opinions 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.

Former Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker (7:22) to chat about what brought his attention to Jose Bautista, the reasoning behind trading for him back in 2008, how he and Dwayne Murphy helped him throughout his career with his batting, combatting against elevated fastballs, and if it's possible to create run producers over the course of a season. Then, former Marlins president David Samson (24:36) stops by to discuss how teams would utilize their starting pitching during the post-season and Kevin Brown's suspension from the Baltimore Orioles broadcast crew. The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays’ hitting woes with runners in scoring position following Toronto’s 1-0 loss on Tuesday night. Guardians catcher Bo Naylor reflects on his rookie season to date, playing alongside his brother Josh, and the talent of Cleveland’s young starters like Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibee (15:48). To end the hour, the guys go to the Back Leg Line for questions and comments from Blue Jays fans. The views and opinions 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.

Former Blue Jays slugger José Bautista (2:09) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the moment when he was traded to Toronto back in 2008, how he found consistency in his batting, the importance of taking care of his body, how he watches the game now, and his career revolving around the iconic bat flip in the 2015 ALDS. Then, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi (24:33) look back at the legacy Bautista left behind with the Jays, his fight with the Texas Rangers, how the team ended their 22-year playoff drought, and Davis Schneider taking advantage of his 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss Kevin Kiermaier hitting the IL and provide health updates on Hyun Jin Ryu after he left yesterday’s game with a contusion, closer Jordan Romano, and SS Bo Bichette. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (24:15) joins the show to talk about ace Shane McClanahan likely being done for the year, if there are concerns about Tyler Glasnow after he was scratched from his last start, and the Orioles overtaking them atop the AL East. How will Yusei Kikuchi fare against the Guardians? Jeff and Kevin break down in the latest installment of ‘Between the Lines’. The views and opinions 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.

Jeff and Kevin welcome the voice of the Cleveland Guardians Tom Hamilton (1:58) who takes us behind the scenes of the call of the fight between Jose Ramirez and Tim Anderson, how the team will move past the scuffle against the White Sox, and the performances from the Naylor brothers. Jeff and Kevin then go around the AL East! The views and opinions 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the week by reviewing an incredible weekend for the Blue Jays, and Davis Schneider, if they expect his excellent hitting to continue and if they have found a diamond in the rough. Then, Blue Jays Analyst Caleb Joseph (26:13) joins the show to preview what we should expect from the series against the Guardians and from Hyun-jin Ryu and what he saw from Schneider in his weekend debut. The views and opinions 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.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the past difficulties against the Boston Red Sox, his conversations with his team about converting runs and approaches to the plate, what Davis Schneider can bring to the main roster, his assessment of the first go-around with a 6-man rotation and when we could eventually see Chad Green joining them. Then, ESPN's Jeff Passan stops by (26:06) to discuss which teams won and lost at the trade deadline, how Shohei Ohtani being removed from the trade block affected the market, if Ohtani can pitch and hit throughout his entire career and whether Baltimore has a chance of winning a World Series without an ace 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to the Blue Jays and Red Sox series and discuss the team’s lineup with Davis Schneider being recalled from Triple-A Buffalo and Danny Jansen batting in the cleanup spot. The Athletic’s Chad Jennings breaks down Boston’s season to date, the logjam in the AL East, when Trevor Story will make his season debut, and Alex Cora pulling the strings as Manager (26:37). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open with former Marlins president David Samson, who shares his thoughts on how the trade deadline may have impacted Shohei Ohtani's free agency, a long-term outlook on a slumping George Springer, the biggest sleeper teams and why there are no 'super-teams.' They close with listener questions on 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.