Baseball Central @ Noon

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider to discuss looming roster decisions once Addison Barger returns, the latest on José Berríos' injury, and Jeff Hoffman settling back in after changing roles. They also get into Dylan Cease's efficiency, Trey Yesavage's pitch mix, Jesús Sánchez's struggles, and whether there's lingering concern around George Springer's injury. Plus, why Toronto's stars need to deliver in big moments and a final round of 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 affiliate.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Dan Shulman to dig into what's fueling the Blue Jays' struggles, including unexpected defensive issues and John Schneider's performance through the skid. They also hit on early MLB surprises, Jeff Hoffman's return to form, Kazuma Okamoto's hot streak, and Dylan Cease's ceiling this season. The hour wraps 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 affiliate.

John Gibbons, bench coach for the Los Angeles Angels, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about how the role has changed in the modern game. The former Jays skipper also shares what it's like coaching a healthy Mike Trout, how he would've fit into Toronto's 2016 lineup, and his early impressions of the Automated Ball-Strike system. Jeff Passan (22:43), host of Sources Tell Jeff Passan, joins the boys to discuss the slow starts around the American League, if the slump could spark some early-season trades, and how he views the Mariners and Rays. Jeff also details how umpires receive feedback mid-game with the ABS system and the buy-in from veteran officials, along with Tarik Skubal's recovery process. The views and opinions 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 Blue Jays' 3-0 loss Wednesday afternoon in Tampa Bay, completing a three-game sweep. They take a closer look at Toronto's sputtering offence and discuss what needs to change to get it back on track. With Addison Barger nearing a return, the boys also chat about the jolt he can bring to the lineup and who will be the odd man out once he's activated, along with thoughts on Patrick Corbin's form at the back of the rotation. Jon Morosi (27:48), MLB Network analyst, weighs in on the teams going through early season struggles around the league, Framber Valdez' eight-game suspension, and Tarik Skubal's outlook as he recovers from surgery. The views and opinions 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.

David Popkins, Toronto Blue Jays hitting coach, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the state of the team. David discusses his work to get the team's offence in sync, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s lack of power, the impact of Kazuma Okamoto's change in approach, Daulton Varsho and Jesús Sánchez' performance at the plate, utilizing the Automated Ball-Strike system, and George Springer's status. Later, Kevin Pillar (27:45), former Blue Jay and Sportsnet analyst, stops by the studio to share his view on Vladdy's start to the season, the current vibe in the clubhouse, the Jays' approach at the plate, 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 today's show breaking down the Blue Jays' 5-1 loss to the Rays including Eric Lauer's issues in the first inning and how Tampa Bay shut down Toronto's bats. Marc Topkin (16:15) of the Tampa Bay Times checks in with his evaluation of the Rays' season so far. The boys ask Marc about Tampa's place in the American League East, Bryan Baker's strong 2026, the recent changes at Tropicana Field, and what Jonathan Aranda brings to the lineup. After the break (29:50), Jeff and Kevin share today's trivia question, before discussing the approach change behind Kazuma Okamoto's power surge and who the odd man out might be once Addison Barger is ready to 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 affiliates.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Vancouver Canadians' Jose Mayorga (3:11) to chat about the promotion of No. 3 prospect in the Blue Jays organization Arjun Nimmala to Double-A, his development at shortstop and running the bags, how coachable he is, his advice to Arjun in playing in a league up, pitchers Johnny King and Holden Wilkerson's developments on the mound, and if he's seen a difference between the current group of players compared to previous years coming through the organization. Then, Kevin shares his experience getting promoted, playing in the minors and when we can expect Nimmala to play in the Majors. Later, former MLB pitcher and Tampa Bay Rays TV analyst Brian Anderson (28:00) stops by to discuss the differences between the 2026 team and the AL East-dominating rosters of the past, Nick Martinez's reliance on his secondary pitches this season, Bryan Baker's success in the 9th inning, and Drew Rasmussen's fastball usage.  The views and opinions 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 on the Toronto Blue Jays' split series against the Minnesota Twins. They discuss John Schneider's decision to bench Tyler Heineman, Kazuma Okamoto's hot streak, and whether Dylan Cease's pursuit of efficiency is compromising his strikeout stuff. Later, Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi joins the show (27:18) to help tee up the Jays' series against the Rays in Tampa and discuss Heineman's benching, George Springer's tough luck in the batter's box, and what the lineup might look like when the team is back 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.

Blue Jays Manager John Schneider joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker for his weekly chat! Skip shares the latest on José Berríos and Addison Barger as they continue to work back from injury, his takeaways from Trey Yesavage's return to the mound, and what he learned from the team's "State of the Squad" meeting. They also touch on his lineup's lack of home run production, what's changed for Daulton Varsho and Kazuma Okamoto at the plate, the keys to success for Patrick Corbin and Tyler Rogers, and how Jeff Hoffman has handled his role change. John wraps up with his thoughts on the Blue Jays' outlook heading into May with a 14-17 record. Later, Thad Levine (27:45), former Twins GM and co-host of Rosters to Rings, investigates Carlos Mendoza's vote of confidence in New York, the Red Sox clearing house, and the Phillies' struggles through April. They wrap up the week with discussion about a potential lockout in 2027 and what's on the table for both sides. The views and opinions 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 with thoughts on the Blue Jays' 7-1 loss in the series opener against the Twins. They break down what went wrong for Kevin Gausman and the lineup's quiet night offensively, before debating how to view Toronto's 14-17 record as the calendar flips. Paul Molitor (28:31), 1993 World Series MVP, Hall of Famer and Twins analyst, joins the guys to chat about when in a season it's time to be concerned and if there's any truth a "World Series hangover". Paul also discusses the state of the Twins, Byron Buxton's work to stay healthy, former Blue Jay Austin Martin, and Louie Varland's growth since his trade to 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.

Former MLB catcher and current MLB Network analyst Anthony Recker (3:21) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the identity of the 2026 Minnesota Twins, if they're working towards a defensive or offensive-first mindset, Bailey Ober's changeup, why a healthy Mick Abel would help the team's pitching staff, what impresses him the most about Kevin Gausman, and why the Padres have been the biggest surprise to start the year. Then, Blue Jays analyst Joe Siddall joins the guys (26:54) to discuss the adjustments Kazuma Okamoto has made, Brandon Valenzuela's potential, Ernie Clement's ability to cover all areas in his at-bats, Daulton Varsho's strengths and weaknesses, and Jeff Hoffman's usage in low-leverage situations.  The views and opinions 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 Minnesota Twins after an 8-1 win over the Red Sox. They discuss the bullpen's recent turnaround, Kazuma Okamoto's adjustment paying off, and what to expect from Kevin Gausman tonight against a Twins team he's struggled against historically. Later, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan joins the show (28:08) to reflect on the first month of the MLB season, including the Red Sox's disappointing start, Ben Rice's All-Star-calibre play, Drake Baldwin's emergence, the Reds' success on the road, 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. Break: 25:29.800

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's pregame episode setting up this afternoon's rubber match at Rogers Centre. They discuss George Springer's activation from the 10-day IL, Eloy Jiménez' subsequent DFA, and Eric Lauer's start today, before looking back on Tuesday's 3-0 victory over the Boston Red Sox. They break down Trey Yesavage's strong form his return to the mound, Kazuma Okamoto heating up at the plate, the Hoffman-Rogers-Varland bullpen experience, and some eye-popping Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stats. Later, Ben Shulman and Chris Leroux (26:25) join the guys live from the Sportsnet 590 The FAN radio booth for a roundtable chat! They touch on a variety of topics including the Jiménez' decision, Okamoto's form, Vladdy's April, the state of the rotation, Yesavage's return, Lauer's start, and Hoffman's new 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.

Host of 'Nothing Personal' and former MLB president David Samson (1:02) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about seeing a team with high expectations into the new year start on a losing skid, if he's surprised by the managerial firings of Alex Cora and Rob Thomson, why it's better to make the change early, Don Mattingly stepping into an interim role with the Philadelphia Phillies, which teams have a bigger issue between the Red Sox, Phillies and New York Mets, and when Blue Jays fans should start to panic. Then, Red Sox analyst, former closer with Boston and Philly, Jonathan Papelbon (34:36) joins the guys to weigh in on which market was the toughest to play for, if Chad Tracy has a chance to get his interim managerial tag removed, and how hard it is to lose your closer job. The views and opinions 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 Philadelphia Phillies cutting ties with Rob Thomson and naming Don Mattingly interim manager after a 9-19 start. Then, they discuss the Toronto Blue Jays' series-opening loss to the Red Sox, Dylan Cease's up-and-down start, the impact of Alejandro Kirk and George Springer's absence, and what they expect from Trey Yesavage in his season debut tonight. Later, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi joins the show (27:52) to share his thoughts on the Phillies' coaching shake-up, whether the Mets could be the next team to make a move, Alex Cora turning down the offer to manage the Phillies, and whether the firing signals more change on the player side in 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 affiliates.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Baseball Today's Chris Rose (3:48) to chat about the worst start to the New York Mets' season, his recent conversation with Kevin Gausman and his longevity on the mound, the Boston Red Sox firing their coaching staff including manager Alex Cora, who's in a tougher situation between the Mets, Red Sox and Phillies, and if Cora could return to manage the Phillies. Then, former MLB catcher and Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph stops by (32:22) to discuss Max Scherzer being placed on the 15-day IL, how the Jays can get Dylan Cease to pitch deep into games, Patrick Corbin's success in keeping the ball inside the park, Louis Varland's changeup usage, next steps for Jesús Sánchez with his at-bats, and what has changed for Kazuma Okamoto at the plate. The views and opinions 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 on the Toronto Blue Jays' weekend series win over the Cleveland Guardians. They discuss Max Scherzer's inconsistent start, the bullpen hierarchy without a clearly defined closer, Kazuma Okamoto's improvements, the next steps for Jesús Sánchez, and Ernie Clement's play in the lead-off spot. Then, Red Sox reporter Rob Bradford stops by (30:14) to discuss why Boston decided to fire manager Alex Cora and overhaul their coaching staff before May, the ups and downs on the mound, and potential further consequences if they can't turn it around this season. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider (2:20) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to share some injury updates on George Springer, Trey Yesavage and more, why he isn't definitive on who he's bringing out in the 9th inning, Louis Varland's increase high-leverage workload, what adjustments he'd like to see from Kazuma Okamoto's at-bats, if he sees remnants of the 2025 Jays' identity on their recent road trip, Ernie Clement's contact rate, and Brandon Valenzuela's adjustment to the Majors. Then, the guys hear from GM and VP Ross Atkins on the team's start to the 2026 season and Jeff Hoffman not being designated as their closer. Afterwards, The Athletic's Jayson Stark stops by (33:38) to discuss the state of the Phillies, their president declaring manager Rob Thomson is not on the hot seat, if fans could dictate his future, and why the New York Yankees could be a real threat to the L.A. 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 get set for the Toronto Blue Jays' series against the Cleveland Guardians. They discuss the Guardians' start to the season, whether José Ramírez is a top-five MLB talent, what the Jays can expect from Guardians starter Gavin Williams, and why hitting is a bigger early concern for the Jays than relief pitching. Later, Guardians TV analyst and former MLB catcher Chris Gimenez joins the show (29:27) to discuss what's behind Williams' recent dominance on the mound, Ramírez's clubhouse leadership, Brayan Rocchio's development, and Bo Naylor's slow start. Finally, Jeff and Kevin discuss potential solutions for Kazuma Okamoto's struggles at the plate. The views and opinions 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.

Anthony McCarron, Mets analyst for SNY, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to detail the latest news around the team after snapping their 12-game losing streak last night. Anthony looks into what's behind New York's slow start this season, Bo Bichette's comfortability with his new club, and the next steps to right the ship. Later, two-time All Star Jason Kipnis (23:26) stops by to share his impressions of Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins during his time in Cleveland. Jason also discusses his experience battling through April struggles, the reality of George Springer's broken toe, the ever-persistent Guardians, and Juan Soto's radio silence on the IL. Jeff and Kevin wrap up today's show responding to your questions on the Backleg 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 look back on the Toronto Blue Jays' 7-3 loss in their series finale against the LA Angels. They discuss the signs that the offence is starting to turn a corner with George Springer nearing a return, and who would be the odd man out of the rotation when Trey Yesavage returns. Later, Jeff Passan (24:16), ESPN MLB insider and host of Sources Tell, joins the show to discuss his recent sit-down with World Series managers John Schneider and Dave Roberts, whether the Phillies will make a move after their losing streak hit eight games, and if Mets manager Carlos Mendoza is on the hot seat after their rough start. The views and opinions 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 today's pregame edition of Blair and Barker with a chance for the Blue Jays to sweep away the Angels! They dive into last night's 4-2 victory and break down how the team survived another shaky outing from Jeff Hoffman, before sharing the lineups for today's matinee. Toronto Blue Jays starter Dylan Cease (05:12) chats about his experience with the Jays' coaching staff, balancing strikeouts with soft contact, his process on the mound, the variety of pitches in his arsenal, his view on the ABS system, and more! After the break (29:15), the guys touch on Trey Yesavage's subpar outing with Triple-A Buffalo, listen back to John Schneider's comments about the ninth inning, and project who will close games moving forward. The views and opinions 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 outfielder and Blue Jays Central analyst Kevin Pillar (2:19) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about Vlad Jr. heating up at the plate, what makes Dylan Cease difficult to hit, Eric Lauer's comments about the opener, the relationship between players and managers, 'kangaroo court' in a baseball clubhouse, how teams are utilizing the ABS challenge, and Mike Trout adjusting his at-bats late in his career. Then, former Blue Jay and current pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels Jordan Romano (26:21) stops by to discuss the construction of the roster mixed with veterans and new guys, his transition through three teams in three years, handling slow starts as a pitcher, handling the noise from both home and opponent fanbases, what it's like having Trout as a teammate, motivation to face his former team, and the evolution of his pitches.  The views and opinions 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 on the Toronto Blue Jays' 5-2 win to kick off their series against the Los Angeles Angels. They discuss Jeff Hoffman's ninth-inning outing, Dylan Cease's performance and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. breaking his homer drought. Later, Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi joins the show (25:09) to discuss the Jays' plan for Hoffman and the ninth inning, Vladdy starting to turn a corner with his power, how the roster will change when George Springer returns, and Eric Lauer's comments about the opener. The views and opinions 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.

Miami Marlins catcher and first baseman, as well as Toronto native Liam Hicks (0:43) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about his hot start of the 2026 season, his hitting approach through the offseason and Spring Training, the team's performance so far, controlling your slumps, the use of ABS, calling pitches from the dugout, and playing alongside fellow Canadians on the Marlins. Then, Jeff and Kevin discuss who should be given the green light to use the ABS challenge and whether a kangaroo court should be implemented. Afterwards, Mark Gubicza (30:07), former MLB pitcher and current Los Angeles Angels TV analyst, stops by to weigh in on Mike Trout reinventing his game, a small change to his at-bat timing, Jo Adell's confidence, and the scouting report on José Soriano. The views and opinions 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 on the Blue Jays' weekend series loss against the Arizona Diamondbacks, which included a 10-run outburst in the finale. They discuss what was behind the offensive uptick, whether they can carry that momentum into their series against the Angels, Eric Lauer's criticisms of the opener strategy, and whether Jeff Hoffman should still be the closer after another blown save. Later, Dan Shulman stops by (26:33) to discuss what the Jays' bats can expect from Angels starter José Soriano, how Nathan Lukes is managing his vertigo, the plan for Hoffman, Kazuma Okamoto's hitting adjustments, and the Jays' early struggles with ABS. The views and opinions 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.

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider (0:56) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about using Braydon Fisher as the opening pitcher in their first game of the series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, injury updates including George Springer, Trey Yesavage, José Berríos and Yimi Garcia, 9th inning options outside of Jeff Hoffman, struggling to put on runs, Vladdy's ground ball rate, Jesús Sánchez's impact on the lineup and the change in his at-bats, Kazuma Okamoto's defensive stance, Brandon Valenzuela's presence behind the plate, and Myles Straw's spark. Then, ESPN's Jeff Passan stops by (31:08) to discuss the San Diego Padres record-breaking sale, a salary cap implementation in MLB, his upcoming podcast debut episode with John Schneider and Dave Roberts, and if he's worried about the start of the Blue Jays' 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 get set for the Toronto Blue Jays' weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. They discuss the decision to opt for an opener with Braydon Fisher taking the mound in Game 1, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s early-season approach, and what the Jays' bats can expect from Diamondbacks' starter, Canadian Michael Soroka. Then, former MLB pitcher and Blue Jays Central analyst Jason Grilli (27:35) joins the show to discuss how relievers react to their role changing early in the season, and the importance of clubhouse leadership when the bullpen struggles. The views and opinions 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 bring in Vancouver's mayor, Ken Sim (13:50), to chat about how far along the city is in their plan to bid for an MLB franchise, why he is pushing for a bid now, the Vancouver market's interest, and the council's role in the bid. Then, Milwaukee Brewers TV play-by-play voice Brian Anderson joins the guys (32:49) to weigh in on the fans booing their pitcher Trevor Megill, the team's history of postseason berths, Jake Bauers and Gary Sánchez's presence in the clubhouse, Christian Yelich's injury, and if William Contreras has become the perfect catcher for the Brewers. The views and opinions 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 on the Toronto Blue Jays' series-opening win over the Milwaukee Brewers. They discuss Jeff Hoffman's blown save, Louis Varland's reliability, Kazuma Okamoto's defensive mistakes at third base, and Kevin Gausman's shakiest start of the season. Later, Blue Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux (27:28) shares his thoughts on whether Hoffman should remain the team's closer, Varland's viability as a ninth-inning guy, what Dylan Cease needs to adjust ahead of his fourth start, and his concern levels for Max Scherzer. The views and opinions 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's Jon Morosi (0:54) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to share his thoughts on the Vancouver mayor Ken Sim calling to launch a bid to bring an MLB team to the city, if he's more worried about the Blue Jays or Red Sox, which teams in the National League he'd buy stock in with their performance to start the year, what's gone wrong for the New York Mets, and Lenyn Sosa's addition to the Blue Jays. Then, Milwaukee Brewers TV analyst and former MLB pitcher Tim Dillard (29:00) stops by to discuss Jacob Misiorowski's reverse splits, the team's identity heading into 2026, who the Brewers rely on just like the Jays with Vladdy, and Gary Sánchez's usage at first base.  The views and opinions 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 get set for the Toronto Blue Jays' series against the Milwaukee Brewers. They discuss whether the Jays should mix up the batting order and move Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to the two-hole, the outfield defence, and Kazuma Okamoto's play at third base. Later, Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker (27:00) stops by to discuss the team's depleted rotation, how they can get the most out of Max Scherzer, whether they'd consider using an opener, Kevin Gausman's strong start to the season, Jeff Hoffman's stability, 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.

Host of Baseball Today and Dugout Discussions, Chris Rose (1:10) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the slow starts from American League's star players, who's the second best team in the league, Shane Bieber's decision to return to the Blue Jays, Fernando Tatís Jr. playing at second base, why Oneil Cruz needs to be the centrepiece of the Pirates' offence, and how he projects his Cleveland Guardians for the rest of the season. Then, Blue Jays legend Buck Martinez (27:24) returns to the show to discuss the team's growing list of injuries to start the season, if the World Series hangover is real, Kazuma Okamoto's adjustment to the MLB, why Dylan Cease benefits from working with Pete Walker, how he would manage Max Scherzer's outings, and the team's erratic defence. The views and opinions 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 on the Toronto Blue Jays' weekend series against the Minnesota Twins. They discuss concerning starts from Max Scherzer and Eric Lauer, George Springer's injury, the Jays' trade for infielder Lenyn Sosa from the White Sox, and positive signs from Daulton Varsho, Andrés Giménez and Louis Varland. Later, Jays' radio voice, Ben Shulman (28:42), joins the show to share his thoughts on the Sosa trade, Kazuma Okamoto's play at the plate, and how Nathan Lukes can get back on track.The views and opinions 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.

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider (2:25) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the outcome from their series rematch against the L.A. Dodgers, his argument with home plate umpire Dan Merzel on calling Kevin Gausman's balk, conversations with his coaching staff handling mental mistakes from their players early in the season, his upcoming podcast conversation with ESPN's Jeff Passan and Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts, Daulton Varsho's struggles after a strong Spring Training, injury updates on his pitchers including Trey Yesavage, Shane Bieber, and Jose Berrios, how Kazuma Okamoto is handling the swing and miss at-bats, and the path for Davis Schneider to play more games. Then, Blair and Barker head to the Back-Leg Line ahead of the weekend!  The views and opinions 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 get set for the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Minnesota Twins. Dan Shulman stops by (3:31) to discuss how the Jays can build off their win against the Dodgers, Tyler Rogers' efficiency, Kazuma Okamoto's offensive ceiling, his expectations for Patrick Corbin, and much more. Later, Twins manager Derek Shelton (27:45) shares a Minnesota perspective on the upcoming series, their unorthodox bullpen hierarchy, their goals for this season, and his growth as a manager since his stint in Pittsburgh. The views and opinions 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.

Sean Casey, former big leaguer and host of The Mayor's Office podcast, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about finding your rhythm as a hitter in April, dealing with fan criticism, the Automated Ball-Strike system, and his favourite player to watch as a fan. Later, New York Post columnist and author of The Bosses of the Bronx, Mike Vaccaro (26:50) joins the guys to discuss his new book about George Steinbrenner and the history of Yankees ownership, along with thoughts on the 2026 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 start the off-day edition with a look back on the Blue Jays' win over the Dodgers to avoid a sweep and snap a six-game losing streak. They discuss Daulton Varsho's slow start, Shohei Ohtani's 'special treatment', and their impressions of Dylan Cease after his third start. Later, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (23:58) joins the show ahead of the debut episode of his new podcast, Sources Tell Jeff Passan. He discusses an upcoming episode featuring John Schneider and Dave Roberts reflecting on the World Series, the Jays' slow start, the biggest surprises so far this season, the Brewers' culture, and the Astros' ceiling. The views and opinions 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 today's pregame show in a sour mood following the Blue Jays' 4-1 loss to the Dodgers to extend their losing streak to six games. The boys discuss the Jays' dismal offensive output of late, the importance of tomorrow's off day to reset, and the balk call on Kevin Gausman that resulted in John Schneider's fiery ejection. They also dig into the statistics to find some positives from the first two weeks, identify some players that need to step up in order to right the ship, and chat about Andy Pages' hot start to the year. Ryan Howard (26:27), World Series champion and 2006 MVP, joins to discuss how the Phillies overcame fatigue from October baseball, battling through early season struggles, and the pressure to perform in a major market. The views and opinions 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 this episode chatting with Caleb Joseph, former MLB catcher and Sportsnet analyst. They dig into the issues behind the Blue Jays' five-game losing streak, Max Scherzer's road back to the mound after exiting Monday's game with forearm tendinitis, expectations for Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Kevin Gausman tonight, the options behind the plate in Alejandro Kirk's absence, and the lingering emotions from the 2025 World Series. Later, Jayson Stark (24:45) of The Athletic discusses the mediocrity early in the American League, storylines to watch in this week's Blue Jays vs. Dodgers series, and his impressions of the Automated Ball-Strike system. The views and opinions 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 on the Toronto Blue Jays' 14-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers and stretching their losing streak to five games. They discuss the residual animosity between the two teams after the World Series, Max Scherzer's early exit, and what adjustments Kevin Gausman must make to get a better result this evening. Later, Dodgers Pitching Coach Mark Prior (26:17) discusses his role, what Jays hitters can expect from tonight's starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, what Shohei Ohtani's pitching workload might look like this season, and more! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Host of Nothing Personal and former MLB President David Samson (0:28) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about how teams navigate a slow start after playing in the World Series, Roman Anthony's outspoken comments around the Boston Red Sox's start to their year, what Konnor Griffin's long-term contract indicates to fans, players and owners around the league, why the Cleveland Guardians have surprised him the most, and Carter Jensen being pulled from the Royals lineup after sleeping through an alarm. Then, L.A. Dodgers reporter Katie Woo stops by (26:35) to discuss Freddie Freeman's longevity, Shohei Ohtani's 2026 pitching plan, if any manager can manage the current Dodgers roster, who is the second-best player on the team and how Kyle Tucker has fit in.  The views and opinions 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.