Jeff Blair, ex-MLBer Kevin Barker & Blue Jays broadcaster Joe Siddall discuss all the news and stories on-and-off the major league and minor league diamonds.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by former MLB outfielder Kevin Pillar (3:25) to chat about his decision to retire from the game of baseball, how differently he views the games now through the lens of a fan, the clubhouse experience near the trade deadline, and the importance of chemistry with his teammates. Then, former MLB president David Samson (28:38) stops by to discuss the Blue Jays hot stretch and leading the AL East, adding pitching at the deadline, how a front office analyzes their team during a winning streak, if they factor teammates' chemistry in roster decisions, Bryan Reynolds's peculiar no-trade list, and the Washington Nationals deciding to let go of both their manager and general manager halfway through 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the week by breaking down the Blue Jays' weekend sweep over the Angels to extend their winning streak to eight games. They get into the Jays' home-field advantage, call-ups Joey Loperfido, Lazaro Estrada and Ryan Burr making an impact, the vibes around the team, and Alejandro Kirk earning All-Star honours. Later, former MLB catcher and host of Foul Territory, Erik Kratz (28:10), weighs in on George Springer's snub from the All-Star game, shares a national perspective of the Blue Jays, discusses the Nationals' decision to fire manager Dave Martinez, 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour with a look down the Blue Jays' lineup with Vladdy out and Bo returning for their series opener against the Angels. They take some calls on the Back Leg Line before welcoming in Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi (9:18) to discuss how this year's team compares to the roster from the last time the Jays led the AL East in 2016, how they've managed Jeff Hoffman, what to expect from Max Scherzer's next start and the latest on Daulton Varsho's recovery. Finally, they close out the week by going back to the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions.The views and opinions 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 Anthony Santander moving to the 60-day IL and Lazaro Estrada's promotion to the Majors, if the Blue Jays can keep the top spot of the AL East, how the coaching staff utilizes Chad Green, and how the trade deadline focus will be dictated by the roster's health and success. Then, Jays manager John Schneider stops by (30:37) to chat about his team's winning streak, George Springer's ability to hit the fastball this season, Addison Barger's plate discipline, Max Scherzer's status for the weekend series against the Los Angeles Angels, the pitching staff's approach against the Halos and how much credit he gives to the infield coaches for the team's baserunning improvements.The views and opinions 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 reaction to the All-Star teams, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. getting the honour for a fifth time. ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (3:24) stops by to discuss MLB's gambling investigation on Luis Ortiz, the Jays' place atop the AL East despite a meagre run differential, and their chances at holding on to the division lead through this season. Later, Yankees analyst Pete Caldera (25:55) helps tee up the series finale between the Yanks and Blue Jays and discusses what Brian Cashman will need to prioritise at the trade deadline, whether this is the best version of Aaron Judge and the team's future at shortstop.The views and opinions 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 revisit the Blue Jays' thrilling win against the New York Yankees to tie them at the top of the AL East, their resilience throughout the series while missing Bo Bichette, if the Jays a truly a first-place team in comparison to the Bronx Bombers and Yimi Garcia's return. Then, Jeff and Kevin go to the Back-Leg Line to hear callers' voicemails!The views and opinions 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 The Athletic's Jayson Stark (1:05) to get his thoughts on the New York Yankees' slide with the potential to lose the lead in the AL East, the gap between the American League teams and the Detroit Tigers, Dave Dombrowski's history in the front office, and if the Chicago Cubs are the third-best team in the MLB. Then, WFAN New York Yankees radio broadcaster Suzyn Waldman stops by (24:45) to discuss the players juggling around the infield, the Blue Jays pitching away from Aaron Judge, the state of the team's bullpen, and their trade deadline focus.The views and opinions 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 a reaction to Yimi GarcĂa's return from IL and the Blue Jays' corresponding move sending Mason Fluharty down to Triple-A. Then, they look back on the Jays' big Canada Day win over the New York Yankees, discuss JosĂ© BerrĂos' recent success against lefties, and react to AndrĂ©s GimĂ©nez's move to the lead-off spot after his three-run homer yesterday. Later, Blue Jays analyst Joe Siddall (26:30) stops by to share his thoughts on Bo Bichette's status, what's behind George Springer's sustained success this season, the decision to send Fluharty down, Jeff Hoffman getting back on track, and the increase of catcher interference 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 kick off the second hour with MLB Network's Ryan Dempster (3:34) to discuss how important the Jays' series against the Yankees will be as it gets started tonight. The three discuss how teams should pitch to Aaron Judge, the Jays' ceiling this season, the Phillies' edge on the Mets in the NL East and much more. Later, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi (26:16) shares some thoughts on Mitch Marner being traded to the Vegas Golden Knights before getting into what the Jays' priority should be at the deadline, John Schneider's case for Manager of the Year, the Astro's sudden emergence in the AL, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza's seat heating up, and the Brewers' prospects in the NL Central.The views and opinions 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 put a bow on the Blue Jays weekend series against the Red Sox in Boston, Chris Bassitt's road struggles resurfacing, if Jeff Hoffman can continue to build off the positive outings at Fenway ahead of their next series against the Yankees, and they hear from Jays general manager Ross Atkins ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline and Draft. Then, Yankees radio play-by-play voice Dave Sims (31:30) stops by to chat about how Carlos RodĂłn has become a dependable arm, Aaron Judge's underrated game in the outfield, New York's focus at the trade deadline, Paul Goldschmidt's ability to revert to old-school hitting, and why the baseball club have a strong mental fortitude during a slump.The views and opinions 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 project how the Blue Jays will perform in their weekend series against the Boston Red Sox before welcoming in Rays TV analyst Brian Anderson (10:55) to discuss Tampa's recent hot stretch after Yandy Diaz's declaration that they are the best team in baseball. Later, from the booth at Fenway, Blue Jays play-by-play voice Dan Shulman (29:18) stops by to help tee up Toronto's series in Boston and discuss what's behind the Jays' road struggles, George Springer's sustained success at the plate, the team's MVP at the halfway point in the season, Jonatan Clase's maturity, Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s play in the field and how the bullpen hierarchy will change when Yimi GarcĂa returns.The views and opinions 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 in Blue Jays manager John Schneider (5:24) to share an update on Vlad Jr., how he should adjust to being pitched in, his focus on finding extra rest days for Kevin Gausman, what he's expecting from JosĂ© BerrĂos' start in Boston, his biggest takeaways for his ball club from the first half of the season, and if he's seeing a turnaround for AndrĂ©s GimĂ©nez on the offensive side. Then, Jeff and Kevin welcome in Alanna Rizzo (28:26) to discuss the Boston Red Sox playing at Fenway Park for the first time since trading away Rafael Devers, why the pitching staff needs to pick up their slack, how the hitting has been exposed without Devers on their lineup, Alex Cora's tenure as Red Sox's manager, and how the Tampa Bay Rays continue to find success despite their current situation with their home ballpark.The views and opinions 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 abridged, post-game edition with a look back over the Jays' 6-0 win over the Guardians before welcoming in New Hampshire Fisher Cats manager Brent Lavalee (4:10). The skipper gets into the season so far for the Fisher Cats, Trey Yesavage's performance since his promotion to Double-A and the difference between evaluating pitching and hitting. Later, WEEI Red Sox reporter Rob Bradford (28:00) stops by to tee up the Sox series against the Blue Jays — Boston's first trip back home since trading Rafael Devers. He discusses how the team will be received back home after a five-game losing streak, their path to the postseason, the pressure on rookie Roman Anthony, what's behind Jarren Duran's fall-off 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the second hour with a chat about what to expect from Max Scherzer in his return to the mound before listening to John Schneider's pre-game availability ahead of the Jays' second game against the Guardians. Then, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (26:11) stops by to discuss his recently published article on trade candidates around the majors. He gets into the chances of Alex Bregman getting dealt, what position the Jays should try to improve, whether the Orioles will double down on their young core or shake it up at the deadline, and why the Pirates should be considering a Paul Skenes 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays series opening win against the Cleveland Guardians, why John Schneider's decisions shows how important the series is, Chad Green now leading the Majors with the most homeruns allowed, Andrés Giménez becoming a mainstay in the infield despite his hitting woes, and Spencer Turnbull DFA'd for the returning Max Scherzer. Then, Blue Jays TV analyst Caleb Joseph (25:55) stops by in-studio to preview Scherzer's return to the mound, what adjustments Green and Jeff Hoffman need to make, when it would be appropriate to reconsider the 9th inning role, and how Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can find his timing 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the second hour with Los Angeles Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten (1:30). He discusses why so many Dodgers pitchers are getting hurt, how they mitigate the risks associated with Shohei Ohtani pitching, their rivalry with the Padres, and the challenge of managing multiple superstars for Dave Roberts. Then, Jeff and Kevin react to Blue Jays manager John Schneider's pregame availability, where he discussed Alek Manoah's progress and Yimi GarcĂa's looming return. Finally, Jeff and Kevin go to the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions!The views and opinions 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 share their reactions to Ernie Clement's promotion to the No. 2 spot in the batting order, Eric Lauer's start against the Cleveland Guardians, and why they're still optimistic about Jeff Hoffman coming out of his struggles in the 9th innings. Then, Guardians TV analyst Chris Gimenez (32:24) stops by to chat about Cleveland's issues against left-handed pitchers, Logan Allen's adjustments since his last start against the Blue Jays, why Emmanuel Clase could be a hot commodity at the trade deadline, Cade Smith's strong ability to keep the ball in the yard, and what he would keep an eye on when Max Scherzer returns to 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.
Former MLB Pitcher and VSiN host Jensen Lewis (1:15) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to comment on John Schneider sticking by Jeff Hoffman, the Blue Jays' play and standing in the American League, the Phillies sitting pretty in the NL East, and the depth of the Rays' rotation, before looking ahead to Chase Burns' MLB debut vs. the Yankees and the upcoming Paul Skenes-Jacob Misiorowski pitching duel. ESPN College Baseball analyst Kyle Peterson (32:46) recaps LSU's second win in three years at the Men's College World Series in Omaha as they defeated Coastal Carolina and discusses the decision by umpires to eject Coastal Carolina's manager and first-base coach in the first inning of the deciding 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Chicago White Sox, John Schneider reinforcing his belief in Jeff Hoffman despite his struggles as their closer, the options outside Hoffman, Max Scherzer's comments ahead of his return to the mound, and how Ernie Clement has been able to hunt and attack the fastball. Then, Sportsnet.ca's Shi Davidi (28:08) stops by to chat about the level of concern surrounding Hoffman, if we could see an increased workload for Yariel Rodriguez, Scherzer's rehab and pending return, why Anthony Santander's injury might be more serious than originally believed, Andrés Giménez's offensive trajectory and if Ernie can become an everyday MLB player.The views and opinions 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 ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (1:05) to detail his latest article surrounding the Boston Red Sox's messy breakup with Rafael Devers. He chronicles the lack of continuity in the Red Sox management structure, their declining payroll year over year and how this saga impacts the Red Sox's future ability to recruit high-profile free agents. Then, he weighs in on which AL teams will emerge in the postseason, the Braves' deadline direction and the Dodgers/Padres rivalry heating up. Finally, former MLB second baseman Gordon Beckham (30:21) stops by to tee up the Chicago White Sox's weekend series against the Toronto 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 affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker put a cap on the Blue Jays' series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Vlad Jr.'s comfortability in the third spot in the order, Kevin Gausman's reflection on his performances in June and loss to the D-Backs, and how Toronto's front office will look into the pitching market in search of a number two starter. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (24:30) stops by to chat about Nick Sandlin's return to the main roster, Addison Barger's transition into the outfield and up in the batting order, Alejandro Kirk's bat finding a way to the opposite field, and if Gausman will have to tinker with his pitches as he progresses through his 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the second hour with some thoughts on the Stanley Cup Final before going to the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions, including whether Vladdy is a 'slow starter,' where Addison Barger fits best, Ernie Clement's potential and much more. Later, Blue Jays Central's Joe Siddall stops by (28:00) to share why he's not a fan of Vladdy hitting third in the order, the next step in Barger's development, how Eric Lauer has found success with his fastball, whether there's any concern for the bullpen's increased workload and how the Jays have gotten the best out of Alejandro Kirk.The views and opinions 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 take a look back at the Blue Jays' walk-off win in their series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks, how optimistic they are about the batting order finding success, the first game with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hitting third, and Addison Barger's future hitting in the two-hole. Then, D-Backs legend and special advisor Luis Gonzalez stops by (24:12) to chat about how the team has handled Corbin Burnes's injury, what Josh Naylor has brought to the lineup, if it's difficult to hit in today's game versus when he was playing, the tightly contested NL West, and Torey Lovullo's tenure has Arizona's 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 affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in former MLB executive David Samson (0:23) to weigh in on the Rafael Devers blockbuster, why it was inevitable, Craig Breslow's comments on Devers after the trade and why the deal could be considered a win for the Red Sox. Then, he shares how the Blue Jays should approach the trade deadline, whether a 2026 lockout is a guarantee and much more. Later, Chris Leroux joins the show (29:53) from the booth at Rogers Centre to discuss Erik Swanson getting DFA'd, whether Bowden Francis can find his form with a reset on the IL and his expectations for Chris Bassitt in the Jays' series opener against the Diamondbacks.The views and opinions 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 the Blue Jays roster moves, including Bowden Francis heading to the IL, Erik Swanson getting DFA'd and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. shifting one spot down in the batting order. Then, the guys chat about Shohei Ohtani's return to the mound since his Tommy John surgery and if this is the best case for the L.A. Dodgers moving forward. Then, D-Backs reporter Nick Piecoro stops by (27:50) to chat about the team's pitching injuries including Corbin Burnes undergoing Tommy John, how Rafael Devers playing in the NL West impacts Arizona's approach to the trade deadline, Josh Naylor's future, and what has kept Gabriel Moreno in 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome Blue Jays radio play-by-play voice Ben Shulman (1:15) to reflect on the team's series in Philadelphia where they were swept by the Phillies. They discuss the positives from Bowden Francis's latest start, Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s swing decisions and Max Scherzer's rehab start. Then, Jeff and Kevin get into whether John Schneider should separate Bo and Vladdy in the lineup. Later, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi (24:56) shares what led to Rafael Devers getting traded from the Boston Red Sox, the Giants' management's aggression and Shohei Ohtani's return to the mound for the 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays weekend series against the Phillies, Â signs of improvement from Bowden Francis despite the losing result, Chad Green and Eric Swanson's inconsistency, and growing concerns about Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s at-bat decisions. Then, the guys shift their attention to an MLB-shaking trade that saw long-time Boston Red Sox's Rafael Devers moved to the San Francisco Giants and the end of a season-long drama within Boston's clubhouse. Afterwards, former MLB player and Giants' analyst F.P. Santangelo (29:11) stops by to give his thoughts on the team's newest addition to the lineup, how the Red Sox may have handled juggling Devers' role, and his ideal lineup for the Giants.The views and opinions 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 Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. (1:00) ahead of the Blue Jays' weekend series in Philadelphia to kick off the final hour of the week. They get into the Phillies' recent power outage, what the Jays bats can expect from Ranger Suárez, Cristopher Sanchez, and Zach Wheeler, what's gone wrong for former Phillie Jeff Hoffman in Toronto and much more. Then, Jeff and Kevin review Hoffman's availability ahead of his return to Philly. Finally, USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale (31:40) looks at the Blue Jays' recent hot streak and how it will impact their approach to the trade deadline, the teams that will be most aggressive on the trade market ahead of July 31, and why the Dodgers' pitchers can't stay healthy.The views and opinions 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 preview the Blue Jays' rematch against the Phillies in Philadelphia, how they can attack left-handed pitcher Ranger Suárez, why Toronto's lineup performs well against lefties, and whether Kevin Gausman can build off his 6-inning outing against the Minnesota Twins. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (25:58) stops by to chat about his lineup's success against lefties, updates on his injured players including Max Scherzer's rehab stint in Buffalo, Kevin Gausman's splitter, how Jeff Hoffman has handled his recent up and down stretch and if Yariel Rodriguez is ready for an extended 9th-inning role.The views and opinions 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 ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (3:17) in on the Blue Jays' off-day. They get into where the Jays rank among the best batting orders in baseball, how recent headline pitcher injuries shape the trade market, how the Braves approach the deadline and much more. Later, WEEI Red Sox reporter Rob Bradford (29:15) joins the show to discuss the dysfunction in Boston, the plan for Rafael Devers, their deadline priorities and how they've handled Roman Anthony's arrival.The views and opinions 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 revisit the Blue Jays' sweep of the Cardinals in St. Louis. They get into whether Yariel Rodriguez is ready to take over the closer's role, whether it's beneficial to have multiple options available to pitch in the 9th inning and the Jays' identity and plate approach through June. Then, Jeff and Kevin go through the Back Leg Line to hear listeners' 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 welcome Sportsnet Blue Jays insider Shi Davidi (1:50) to kick off the second hour, and they get into the team's pitching options as they work around Bowden Francis's enduring struggles, whether they will look to add to their injured bullpen at the deadline, Jonatan Clase's maturity and whether Addison Barger's trial batting second can become permanent. Later, Athletics' Canadian outfielder Denzel Clarke (28:54) relives his highlight-reel home run robbery against the Angels before discussing his process in the outfield, how he's adjusting to the big leagues and his experience playing in his hometown in Toronto.The views and opinions 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 touching on the Blue Jays' second-most comeback wins (20) before being joined by Jays pitching coach Pete Walker (5:58) to chat about some of the positives from Bowden Francis' pitching performances, areas to zone in and improve on, Chris Bassitt's adjustment to stand closer towards first base, Yariel Rodriguez in high-leverage situations, the timeline for a Max Scherzer's return, and what had stood out from Brendon Little. Then, Jeff and Kevin discuss Alejandro Kirk's hot bat and revisit his performances since the increased workload.The views and opinions 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 in former Twins GM Thad Levine (1:20) to share his thoughts on the Red Sox calling up MLB's no. 1 ranked prospect Roman Anthony, the impact of A.J. Hinch's experience in Detroit, the challenge of winning with high expectations, the Jays' options for the struggling Bowden Francis, and why GMs are more focussed on 'platoon players.' Later, Cardinals analyst and former MLB pitcher Brad Thompson joins the show (29:36) ahead of the Cards' series against the Jays to discuss how they have defied expectations this season, the biggest surprises for St. Louis this year, and where they can improve.The views and opinions 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 weekend series against the Minnesota Twins, Bowden Francis continuing to struggle on the mound, what's best for him moving forward and Tyler Heineman's baseball IQ with his at-bats and behind the plate. Then, Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman stops by (27:50) to discuss if Bowden will make his start against the Phillies in Philadelphia, the bullpen's workload, why the team isn't concerned about Jeff Hoffman, whether this is the best version of George Springer in a Jays uniform and an evaluation for Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s 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 kick off hour two with a discussion on the ABS challenge system as commissioner Rob Manfred hinted this week that it could be implemented at the MLB level in 2026. Then, they go to the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions! Finally, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi (25:20) joins Jeff and Kevin to share his thoughts on the ABS proposal, what the pitcher market might look like ahead of the deadline, whether the Blue Jays should be buyers, sellers or stand pat, off-field drama in Boston 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker dive into why the Blue Jays are in a better position to compete in the post-season after their recent stretch and series win over the Phillies, the AL standings, and the expectations for the upcoming 9-game road trip. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (26:27) stops by to chat about the team's extended run of recent success, the buy-in from the bottom of the order, managing platoons, putting Paxton Schultz as the opener against the Minnesota Twins, Bowden Francis' struggles, and if Brandon Little is handling the increased workload out of the bullpen. The views and opinions 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 Jeff Passan (3:12), ESPN MLB insider, to the show to discuss his recently published early deadline preview. He gets into when teams start thinking trade, whether the Jays buy, hold or sell at the deadline, their options for a potential Bo Bichette deal, what Sandy Alcántara would cost, how aggressive the Dodgers and Phillies will be and much more. Later, Jeff and Kevin go back to the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions!The views and opinions 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 back at the Blue Jays series-opening loss to the Phillies, Bowden Francis giving up 6 runs in the first inning, his pitch-location struggles, and what has changed in Addison Barger's at-bats and why he's a mainstay on the team's everyday lineup. Then, Jeff and Kevin dive into the Back-Leg Line taking listener's calls, discussing the mindset of a hitter seeing runs being given up early in a game 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome David Samson (0:25), former MLB executive and host of Nothing Personal, to the show to discuss the Rockies' embarrassing season, the Red Sox's off-field dysfunction, why the Royals should've waited just a bit longer to call up top prospect Jac Caglianone, the Jays' ceiling this season and MLB pushing the ABS challenge system back another year. Later, Jays analyst Caleb Joseph (30:26) shares his thoughts on Jeff Hoffman's recent slide, expectations for Bowden Francis tonight against the Phillies, how the Jays attack Bryce Harper in his return from injury 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to the Blue Jays series against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies and how significant the next few games will be for identifying Toronto's post-season hopes. Then, Ben Davis, Phillies TV analyst stops by (26:20) to chat about the team's offensive numbers, Trea Turner's hiccup in the infield and in his at-bats, where Philadelphia has their expectations levels at, Jordan Romano's turnaround since the start of the season, how they're splitting the workload between J.T. Realmuto and Rafael Marchan, how Kyle Schwarber has turned into a complete player and his future with the team.The views and opinions 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 Jayson Stark to the show (2:25) to discuss the most controversial picks of his recently published column, the Athletic's MLB All-Quarter-Century team, including David Ortiz over Shohei Ohtani, and Aaron Judge over Ichiro Suzuki. Then, ahead of his induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame on Saturday, Greg Hamilton (31:16), director of national teams at Baseball Canada, reflects on the growth of the national junior team program, his path to the Hall and his expectations for the national team in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.The views and opinions 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.