The JD Bunkis Podcast

Cliff Floyd, MLB Network analyst and World Series Champion, joins JD to discuss what about Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s season has surprised him the most, how the Blue Jays supporting cast has helped or hurt Vladdy, how confidence can impact plate appearances, what adjustment's Vladdy can make it, and the performances of Kazuma Okamoto and George Springer. The show ends with 'What We Missed!' The views and opinions 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.

JD and Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show,  discuss Chandler Simpson and athletes that drive you crazy when they play against your team, how they view morality in sports differently, plus Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s struggles and what type of hitter he really is.  The views and opinions 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.

JD reacts to Mitch Marner's playoff performance with the Vegas Golden Knights and the surrounding Toronto discourse. Colby Armstrong, Sportsnet NHL analyst, joins to have the Marner conversation, discuss the Montreal Canadiens' fandom and their chances at a deep Stanley Cup run, and share if he thinks the Maple Leafs will select Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick. Later, Blake Murphy and Producer Armen join JD to get into the NBA's draft lottery results.  The views and opinions 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.

JD reacts to a loaded sports weekend and starts by expanding on the Blue Jays with Ben Nicholson-Smith, MLB insider and Sportsnet Jays reporter. JD asks Ben which Jays pitcher could be joining the starting rotation, what the Jays could do next with a struggling Eric Lauer, what the return of Addison Barger was a reminder of, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s continued struggles, what went into the Jays decision to send down Yohendrick Pinango to the minors, who are the most exciting Jays players to currently watch, and how active the Jays front office will be in the trade market. JD then touches on the viewing experience of Anthony Edwards versus Victor Wembanyama.  The views and opinions 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.

Sam Cosentino, Sportsnet hockey analyst, joins JD to discuss the difference between a mock draft and a draft ranking, how close or far apart the prospective 2026 NHL lottery picks are, Gavin McKenna's strengths and potential weaknesses, McKenna opting out of competing at the World Championship with Team Canada, and how he stacks the defensemen that will be selected at the top of the NHL draft. The show ends with 'What We Missed!' The views and opinions 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.

JD gives his opinion on the heated debate about the Maple Leafs selecting Gavin McKenna with the first overall draft pick. Kevin Barker, from Blair and Barker, analyzes what's wrong with the Blue Jays offence, what they can get from the return from Addison Barger, when the AL standings start to matter, why Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is struggling to slug, and how the season could go if he doesn't drastically improve. JD and Producer Armen then discuss the Oklahoma City Thunder's tough 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.

James Mirtle, senior writer at The Athletic, analyzes how he would utilize the first overall pick, the biggest dominos from winning the draft lottery, what direction the front office may lean, what the Leafs roster needs to be competitive again, and the biggest challenges this off-season for John Chayka. JD and Producer Armen end the show discussing Bobby Webster's end-of-season media availability.  The views and opinions 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.

JD and Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, banter about sports superstitions, the most exciting moments as a sports fan, and where winning the draft lottery ranks among them. Later, the duo debate if they're concerned about the Blue Jays' recent slump and insert their recent old guy gripes.  The views and opinions 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.

Bobby Marks, ESPN NBA front office insider, breaks down the Raptors off-season prerogatives, including Jakob Poeltl's contract and what it would take for the Raptors to get off it, what move the Raptors should prioritize this summer, and what Brandon Ingram's value is in the market. The show ends with 'What We Missed!'  The views and opinions 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.

JD reacts to the Maple Leafs winning the NHL's Draft Lottery and starts to think about what the Maple Leafs may do with the first overall pick. Jason Bukala (9:00), Sportsnet hockey analyst and former Director of Amateur Scouting for the Florida Panthers, breaks down why he thinks the Maple Leafs should use their first overall pick to select Ivar Stenberg over Gavin McKenna. JD also asks Jason about where the draft drops off, if trading down is a viable option for the Leafs, and his mock draft for the rest of the lottery picks, and what Mark Leach, the Leafs Director of Amateur Scouting, covets most. Sam McKee (35:30) of Leafs Talk and Real Kyper and Bourne talks about the mood shift in Leafs nation after winning the draft lottery and who they think the Leafs should select.  The views and opinions 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.

JD and Ben Nicholson-Smith, MLB insider and Sportsnet Blue Jays reporter, discuss what happened between John Schneider and Tyler Heineman, the catcher battle between Heineman and Brandon Valenzuela, multiple positive injury updates for the Jays lineup, new expectations for Kazuma Okamoto, what to do if José Berríos continues to struggle in the minor leagues, and Tarik Skubal needing surgery. The show ends with "What We Missed" The views and opinions 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.

JD reacts to the introduction of John Chayka and Mats Sundin as the Toronto Maple Leafs front office leadership and outlines how there is a lot of catching up to do for the organization. JD asks Nick Kypreos, co-host of Real Kyper and Bourne, what his biggest takeaway was from interviewing Chayka and Sundin, how he feels about Craig Berube's job security, what to make of Sundin's vague job title, the perspective of a Maple Leafs alumni, how quickly Chayka can earn his stripes, and about Morgan Reilly's fit.  The views and opinions 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.

JD and Kris Versteeg, two-time Stanley Cup champion, talk about the Montreal Canadiens persevering in Game 7 despite only having nine shots on goal, what the next move could be for the Tampa Bay Lightning, Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl's comments after being eliminated, and how much longer they think McDavid will give the Edmonton Oilers. The show ends with 'What We Missed!'  The views and opinions 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.

JD reacts to the Maple Leafs hiring John Chayka and Mats Sundin to lead their new front office. JD then gets into the Raptors' Game 7 loss and what matters most moving forward. JD and Joseph Casciaro, Raptors reporter and NBA content lead at theScore, talk about (10:00) the most intriguing takeaway from the series, the added urgency to build a competitive team around Scottie Barnes, which Raptors aren't seamless fits on the roster, the complicated RJ Barrett contract, and what Darko Rajaković proved in 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 affiliates.

JD and Ben Nicholson-Smith, MLB insider and Sportsnet Blue Jays reporter, talk about if it's fair to criticize Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s lack of home runs despite his impactful season, George Springer and Addison Barger's return to the lineup, making sense of Alejandro Kirk's return timetable, Eric Lauer having the worst Stuff+ among qualified MLB pitchers, and how baseball is viewing expansion before a potential lockout. The show ends with 'What We Missed!' The views and opinions 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.

JD reacts to Connor McDavid and Nikola Jokic being eliminated from the first round of the playoffs and discusses the modern realities of parody in the NHL and NBA with producer Armen. Michael Soroka, Team Canada and Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher, joins JD to chat about his All-Star calibre season, the nuances of making in-season tweaks, the impact of the Trajekt machine, what made him want to pitch for Canada at the World Baseball Classic, and advice he'd give to young baseball players. The views and opinions 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.

JD asks James Mirtle, senior writer at The Athletic, about the Maple Leafs search to hire a new president of hockey operations or a general manager. JD and James discuss what Matt Sundin's influence could be on the front office, John Chayka's history as a front office executive, how Tie and Max Domi's relationship with Chayka may affect decisions, and try to see a future where the Leafs can compete with the upstart Montreal Canadiens.  The views and opinions 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.

JD reacts to positive and negatives from the Raptors Game 5 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Justin Termine, host of NBA Today on SiriusXM, shares if he feels the Raptors fumbled the game or if the Cavaliers took it, how Brandon Ingram's poor play has affected the series, the legacy narrative surrounding Nikola Jokic, and which Eastern Conference team has the most pressure. JD ends the hour evaluating the Blue Jays series win over the Boston Red Sox.  The views and opinions 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.

JD asks Shayna Goldman, national NHL writer at The Athletic, about which team she trusts more to complete a series comeback down 3-1, how the playoff results will affect the Pittsburgh Penguins' future, if feelings about the playoff format has shifted, and a Connor McDavid theory. The show ends with 'What We Missed!' The views and opinions 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.

JD and Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, discuss the difference between small and big market sports cities, reaons for Raptors optimism, the return of Trey Yesavage, how they think the Blue Jays closing role will be handled, and complicated Dylan Cease feelings.  The views and opinions 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.

JD and Matthew Barnaby, 14-year NHL forward, analyze Sidney Crosby's and Connor McDavid's chances of making a comeback in their first round series, what possibilities McDavid's competitive hunger could lead to, if the Anaheim Ducks or Montreal Canadiens have a better chance of making a deep playoff run, what he thinks the Buffalo Sabres' ceiling could be, and Brady Tkachuk's standing in Ottawa. The show ends with 'What We Missed!' The views and opinions 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.

JD and Jared Carrabis, co-host of the Baseball is Dead podcast, get into the Dylan Cease experience thus far with the Blue Jays, before JD asks Jared about the tumultuous times for the Boston Red Sox. Jared breaks down the hatred for Red Sox owner John Henry, how the organization got to this point, and if the conversations about a lockout have shifted. JD closes the hour discusses what it's like seeing a pitching duel in-person.  The views and opinions 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.

Steve Jones, co-host of The Dunker Spot, joins JD to discuss how Darko Rajaković has adjusted as the series has gone along, the shift that comes with Scottie Barnes being the best player in the series, if there is a tactical adjustment the Cavaliers can make, what makes Collin Murray-Boyles special, what NBA teams have the most pressure left, and Nikola Jokic's chances of climbing back from a 3-1 deficit. The show wraps up with "What We Missed!" The views and opinions 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.

JD reacts to the Raptors tying up their first-round series 2-2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Shi Davidi, MLB columnist and Sportsnet Jays reporter, talks about Jeff Hoffman's ousting as the closer, the plan with Trey Yesavage this week, how Kazuma Okamoto is finding himself, and the team's current chemistry. JD closes the hour talking about the most exciting Stanley Cup playoff 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.

Adam Ottavino, MLB analyst and 15-year MLB pitcher, joins JD to assess the Blue Jays pitching staff. Adam analyzes Jeff Hoffman's performance thus far and breaks down why fixing pitching mechanics is harder then fixing mental hurdles, if he likes Louis Varland in a closer role, what makes Tyler Rogers an elite bullpen arm, Trey Yesavage's return to the big leagues, and the usage of Trajekt machines. The show ends with 'What We Missed!'  The views and opinions 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.

JD reacts to the Raptors Game 3 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers and debates what the most important factors in the win was. Brady Quinn, NFL on FOX analyst, breaks down Round 1 of the NFL draft. JD and Producer Armen finish the hour with their thoughts on Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett.  The views and opinions 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.

JD asks Cliff Floyd, MLB Network analyst, about Logan Gilbert's shirt malfunction, the team dynamics at play when the closing role is not solidified, how he would deploy Jeff Hoffman amidst his struggles, if he thinks Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will hit for power again, and his perspective on Kazuma Okamoto's acclimation to the MLB.  The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

JD and theScore's Joseph Casciaro, chat about the ripple effects from Victor Wembanyama's concussion, Brandon Ingram's time to step up, and what's been reaffirmed about the Raptors thus far in the playoffs. JD then discusses the shortlist of General Manager candidates for the Maple Leafs.  The views and opinions 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.

JD asks Kris Versteeg, two-time Stanley Cup Champion, about the makeup of the Montreal Canadiens, what could happen next with Michael Hage, the allure and promise of the Buffalo Sabres, and if the Edmonton Oilers can flip the playoff switch, again. The show ends with 'What We Missed!'  The views and opinions 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.

JD and Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, talk about the ABS challenge system and banter about what they are optimistic and pessimistic about with the Blue Jays. JD and Ben also chat about bad sports bar designs.  The views and opinions 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.

Jim Bowden, MLB insider and former MLB GM, joins JD to analyze the Blue Jays' concerning start, Bo Bichette's poor start with the New York Mets, Jeff Hoffman's volatility, the changing landscape of pitcher contracts, and if there's a shift in optimism about MLB's potential labour stoppage. The show ends with Raptors discussion on DeMar DeRozan and Toronto's playoff hopes.  The views and opinions 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.

JD reacts to the Raptors going down 0-2 to the Cleveland Cavaliers and brings on Sportsnet's Michael Grange to dissect the Raptors' issues and Brandon Ingram's historically bad game. JD and Grange discuss Ingram's over-importance to the team, the roster's clunky on-court fit, if there are any adjustments Grange can foresee the Raptors making, and the likelihood of Immanuel Quickley returning for Game 3. JD then points out a lesson Maple Leafs fans could take from New York Knicks 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.

JD and Ben Nicholson-Smith, MLB insider and Sportsnet Blue Jays reporter, debate if the Blue Jays season is teetering and if they have a team identity. JD asks Ben about Dalton Varsho's injury, if Jeff Hoffman's role could change after blowing another save, and Eric Lauer's honest comments about having an 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.

Chris Mannix, NBC sideline reporter for the Raptors-Cleveland series, joins JD to react to the Raptors Game 1 loss and break down what will need to change for the Raptors in Game 2 and the rest of the series. JD asks Chris about Brandon Ingram's lack of offensive involvement, Scottie Barnes' biggest test to date, which series opener around the league most shifted his mind, and LeBron James exposing the Houston Rockets. Later, JD and Producer Armen banter about the other biggest storylines from the opening weekend of 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 affiliates.

Jason Timpf, host of Hoops Tonight, joins JD to breaks down what the Raptors may struggle to handle from the Cavaliers, how the roster is built to guard the Cavs' star guards, what he thinks are the most critical hinge points of the series, what fit issues the Raps may face head-on in the first-round, which first-round favourite has the most pressure, the elusive second ring for modern NBA superstars, and if Oklahoma City Thunder should be more favoured than they were last year. The show ends with 'What We Missed'. The views and opinions 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.

JD reacts to the Maple Leafs missing out on Sunny Mehta and how it appears the Leafs are conducting their management search. MLB Network's Jon Morosi talks about the Blue Jays' precarious rotation situation and the domino effect on the bullpen staff. JD and Jon also discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s slow start, who they're confident about in the lineup, the most surprising part of the Jays start, the rareness of being active in the trade market this early in the season. JD then lists a number of silver linings for the Jays and his favourite first-round matchups in the Stanley Cup playoffs and NBA 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 affiliates.

JD and James Mirtle, senior writer for The Athletic, break down Auston Matthews' comments about not being able to predict the future and how the team reacted to his injury from the Radko Gudas hit. JD asks James if the Maple Leafs would consider trading William Nylander, the evolution of player empowerment, the differences between the general managers the Leafs are considering, and how the timeline of the search could unfold.  The views and opinions 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.

JD reacts live to the interviews of Craig Berube, Auston Matthews and William Nylander at the Maple Leafs locker room clean out day. To close the hour, JD touches on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s quiet bat.   The views and opinions 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.

Chris Pronger, Hockey Hall of Famer and author of 'Earned', joins JD to discuss what he hopes people can take from his book, managing accountability, how a team builds up culture in 2026, and what a best player on a team wants to understand about a franchise's direction. JD and Producer Armen then get into Lamelo Ball's dirty play and Rick Bowness' poignant post-game comments (29:00). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Ernie Johnson, host of Inside the NBA on ESPN, talks about the regular season crawl to the NBA playoffs, the success of the Play-In Tournament, who the most compelling player of the postseason is to Ernie, Dillon Brooks' villain arc, Victor Wembanyama's future as the face of the league, and Inside the NBA's first season on ESPN. Later (40:00), JD reacts to Jeff Hoffman blowing the lead for the Blue Jays and wonders how long the leash is in the closing 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.

AJ Pierzynski, MLB analyst and World Series champion, joins JD to talk about what the most important factors are early in the MLB season, if there's a chance Max Scherzer would open to pitching out of the bullpen, the importance of Alejandro Kirk, the best way to determine a catcher's playing time, and why ABS makes framing pitches even more important.  The views and opinions 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.

JD and Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, banter about aging before debating Rory McIlroy's legacy, if he draws casual fans and his rivalry with Scottie Scheffler. Later, the duo discuss how they feel about the Blue Jays a few weeks into 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.