Jeff Blair. Stephen Brunt. Richard Deitsch. As long-time journalists they’ve all experienced writer’s block, but they never run out of things to say! Opinions, insight and analysis from three of the smartest sports observers in the country. Writers Bloc… sharp takes, not hot takes.
In their final Monday hour, Ben & Brent discuss the baseball market and potential trade targets for Toronto ahead of Thursday's deadline. They welcome Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith from Baltimore to explore possible fits from the Orioles and other teams that may be selling. The hosts also chat with Alanna Rizzo (29:14) from Fair Territory for her insights on the Blue Jays as contenders and other teams like the Dodgers, including Mookie Betts' status.The views and opinions 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.
Ben and Brent continue the Blue Jays conversation in the second hour. The hosts begin by discussing John Schneider as the new betting favourite to win American League Manager of the Year. They turn their attention to this year's MLB trade deadline, which is now four days away, and ask if anything has changed given where the Jays sit atop the entire league. They discuss who's still on the trade board, if there's any concern the front office won't do enough, and if there is such a thing as adding too much. Erik Kratz (22:50), former big league catcher and host of Foul Territory, joins the guys to chat about his former minor league roommate John Schneider has done and what, if anything, the Blue Jays are missing in order to go "all-in" for a long postseason run.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben and Brent hit the air on Monday with thoughts on the Blue Jays, who despite just missing a sweep of the Tigers, are MLB's best overall team with a 63-43 record! The hosts get into the 6.5 game lead they've established atop the American League East and what can be taken away from the three out of four wins in Detroit this weekend. They discuss Max Scherzer maybe having his best outing of the season in the series finale loss, as well as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette seemingly heating up at the plate at the same time. The a.m. boys also chat about the 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame Class who had their day over the weekend, and how amazing and polarizing Ichiro Suzuki is. B&B share their view on what Aaron Judge's trip to the IL means for the second-place Yankees, before reviewing the Happy Gilmore sequel!The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
In the final hour, Ben and Brent kick off with NFL discussions as training camps open. They're joined by CBS color commentator Charles Davis, who weighs in on Aaron Rodgers' potential impact for the Steelers, the Chiefs' aging roster, and Shedeur Sanders' chance to shine in Cleveland. Next, MLB Network's Adnan Virk (26:24) discusses whether the Jays are being seen as serious contenders and if Eric Lauer could emerge as an ace. The trio delves into potential trade targets ahead of the deadline before wrapping up with a look at the AL East race between the Jays and Yankees.The views and opinions 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.
Ben and Brent reset on baseball to start the second hour of the show. The pair dig back into the Jays' 11-4 win over the Tigers, sharing how their expectations for the rest of the season have now been heavily raised. They talk about the pressure on this core to win their first playoff series and possibly beyond. B&B continue talking about the Blue Jays out of the break, touching on the team's lack of home run power and how they have managed to win despite this, putting up great hitting numbers in other categories. They wrap up wondering which player could find themselves out of the lineup come Daulton Varsho's 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.
Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning kick off this edition of The FAN Morning Show by diving straight into the Jays' 11-4 win over the Tigers that now has them atop the American League! The guys analyze Eric Lauer's impressive outing, debating how long we could continue to see this version of Lauer. They then chat about Joey Loperfido's home run, if we could finally see things start to click for him consistently, and why he could be the odd man out in trade talks. B&B then continue to look at Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s season so far and his efficiency at the plate, but wonder where his power has gone. Later on, the duo recap the trade sending Josh Naylor from Arizona to Seattle, before getting into other moves we could see around the league, such as where Eugenio Suárez might go. They finish off the hour pondering what the Jays rotation could look like come the postseason and take a look at Adam Svensson's opening round 60 at the 3M Open.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben and Brent kick off the final hour of the morning joined by Jim Callis, senior writer for MLB Pipeline! Jim and the guys dive right into the upcoming trade deadline, discussing if we could see the Jays move any of their top prospects and which player would be worth emptying the farm system for. They then take a look at Orelvis Martínez's down season thus far in Triple-A and if he holds any value, as well as when we could see Trey Yesavage get called up. After the break, former MLB player and manager, Bobby Valentine (25:17), joins the conversation. Valentine reflects on his ejection against the Jays from 1999 and then offers his thoughts on the Yankees inability to get out of their own way, how the Jays handled Aaron Judge's at-bats, and Aaron Boone's managerial decisions.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben and Brent reset on the Blue Jays to start off the second hour. They continue their chat about last night's big win, breaking down the Yankees' poor defensive play and how much confidence they have in the Jays during close games. They get into Daulton Varsho's ongoing rehab with Buffalo, focusing on if his return could disrupt team chemistry. B&B also share their thoughts on Joey Loperfido's skillset compared to Addison Barger, and why trading away Loperfido could come back to bite them. Later on, the duo are joined by Rob Longley (23:22), Blue Jays reporter with the Toronto Sun. Rob offers his take on the job John Schneider and the coaching staff have done to clean up the Jays' play this year, along with what else Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has to offer this season. The trio wrap the hour with a chat about how the team should manage Jeff Hoffman and the rest of the bullpen 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.
Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning get straight into the Blue Jays' season-series-clinching 8-4 win against the Yankees! The guys share their reactions to the dominant win and ponder if the Jays are favourites in the American League. They dive into Chris Bassitt's solid start and talk about his competitiveness on the mound, before focusing on if the right decision was made to pitch to Aaron Judge in the 6th. B&B then chat about the contributions from Toronto's under-the-radar depth guys with the spotlight on Davis Schneider. The duo wrap up the hour debating why LeBron James isn't the most powerful person in sports anymore, who is, and if there is a MLB equivalent of Patrick Mahomes or Connor McDavid.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben and Brent continue their chat about the Jays' search for a pitcher, before being joined in-studio by Canadian professional tennis player, Felix Auger-Aliassime, ahead of the National Bank Open! The trio get into his relationship with fellow Canadian pro Denis Shapovalov, how special it always is to play in front of a home crowd, and the new wave of young talent taking over the sport. Later, the pair are joined by Mike Francesa (26:35), host of the Mike Francesa Podcast, where he shares his thoughts on the regression in Anthony Volpe's play and the Yankees' poor situational defense.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben and Brent reset on the Blue Jays to discuss the fast-approaching MLB trade deadline. They cover the Jays' need to bolster their starting rotation, their reported interest in Pittsburgh's Mitch Keller, and whether he would be worth the acquisition cost. The pair then jump into a chat about fans' expectations of seeing more emotion from athletes during rough patches. MLB Network insider Jon Morosi (28:10) joins the conversation to share his thoughts on which teams could be deadline sellers. The group look into how aggressive the Jays will be in the pitching market, the challenge of finding quality starting pitching mid-season, why they should try to add for a long reliever, and who Toronto could be willing to include in a deal.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning start the morning getting right into the Blue Jays' 5-4 loss to the Yankees, snapping their historic win streak at home. The hosts break down Max Scherzer's start with thoughts on his pitch command, how much he's still got in the tank, and the decision to allow him to pitch to Aaron Judge. B&B continue talking about the team's pitching and wonder if the Jays have overused Jeff Hoffman coming out of the break. The pair then look at Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s recent production at the plate and discuss if criticisms regarding his lack of power are valid. Later, the duo dive into unconventional putting-strokes, before wrapping up with a chat about Dakota Joshua choosing to wear No. 81 with 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.
Ben and Brent get back into baseball and welcome Yankees broadcaster, Emmanuel Berbari, onto the show. Emmanuel gives his thoughts on the expectations surrounding Anthony Volpe, focusing on what could be affecting his recent play. They also get into how injuries have impacted the Yankees' starting rotation, what they could do to fix that, and how much, if any, of the blame should fall on Aaron Boone for his team's recent undisciplined play. The duo are then joined by Blue Jays commentator, Joe Siddall (23:25), where they discuss how great of a season Bo Bichette has had at the plate and how Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s batting mechanics are affecting his power. The trio wrap up with a look at the differences between Toronto and New York's defensive play. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben and Brent reset for the second hour by diving into Kevin Gausman's recent success. Has he played himself into being a Game 1 starter for the Blue Jays in the postseason? They take a look at the rest of the starting rotation and debate who else could get the nod. The boys also chat about Anthony Santander's return timeline and if the team should try to add another bat at the deadline. Sportsnet's Shi Davidi (23:20) joins the conversation to discuss the boost Yimi Garcia's return would give the bullpen, the sloppy play of the Yankees, and the cost to acquire certain players at the deadline. They wrap up the hour analyzing Addison Barger's play against left-handed pitchers.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning kick off this edition of The FAN Morning Show looking back on Monday night's Blue Jays win over the Yankees, highlighted by Toronto's ability to play clean baseball. They analyze Bo Bichette's impressive numbers with RISP, the contributions from the bottom of the lineup, and Kevin Gausman's vintage outing on the mound. The guys also get into Jeff Hoffman's success in save situations against New York and his mentality on the mound. Next, they discuss why the Jays are officially one of the best teams in baseball this year, before shifting focus to the recent Rogers Centre sellouts. Could the Maple Leafs also sell out a larger arena?The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning continue their coverage on-location at the Jays Care Foundation 30th Annual Golf Classic from RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton, ON. The hosts are joined by two-time World Series Champion, Joe Carter, who shares his thoughts on the Jays' success this season, the effect of having everybody in the lineup contributing, and his dislike for DH'ing. Former Blue Jays manager, Cito Gaston (29:47), joins the conversation to provide his own takes on the team's current run. They focus on John Schneider's managerial and lineup decisions, if Addison Barger is an everyday player, and where the team should look to add at the trade deadline, if at all. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben and Brent are back on the airwaves live from the Jays Care Foundation 30th Annual Golf Classic at RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton, ON. The boys continue talking about the Jays' recent success at home, before Sportsnet Golf Analyst, Adam Stanley, joins the show. Adam shares his thoughts on Scottie Scheffler's chances of becoming a Grand Slam winner, now just needing to win a US Open, and how Scottie's personality has set him up for success, before looking at Corey Conner's impressive performances at this year's major championships. Blue Jays 1992 World Series champion, Rance Mulliniks (31:10), joins the conversation to share his thoughts on the value of Ernie Clement's defensive versatility, the impact of playing in a sold-out ballpark, and how the Jays' chemistry and confidence is leading to wins.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben and Brent are back for the second hour live from the Jays Care Foundation 30th Annual Golf Classic at RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton, ON. The boys reset on the Blue Jays and share why this upcoming series against the Yankees could be the most anticipated since 2015. James Dodds, Chairman of the Jays Care Foundation, joins Ben and Brent to discuss the impact of the Jays Care Foundation and the effect of the excitement surrounding the team. The duo then get into a quick injury roundup with thoughts on Alek Manoah's second rehab start, what the team can expect from Anthony Santander if he returns this season, and how the lineup could look once Daulton Varsho heals up. They wrap up with their feelings towards Wyndham Clark's ban from Oakmont Country Club.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
The FAN Morning Show with Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning kicks off the week on-location from the Jays Care Foundation 30th Annual Golf Classic at RattleSnake Point Golf Club in Milton, ON! The boys start off the show recapping the Jays' sweep of the San Francisco Giants coming out of the All-Star Break. They focus on the surprises they've seen from the team so far, if Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is due for a heater, and which pitchers the Jays could look to add at the trade deadline. They then get into a ‘Golf Report' and give their thoughts on Scottie Scheffler's win at the 153rd Open from Royal Portrush and his recent dominance on the Tour.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Brent and Daniele get back into baseball and the Blue Jays to start off the final hour. Sportsnet's MLB Insider Ben Nicholson-Smith joins the guys (2:05) to give his thoughts on what the Jays could look to do at the deadline to make a push for a division title, which teams will be sellers, and the challenge of finding available quality starting pitchers. They also touch on if there are any untouchable players in Toronto's prospect pool when it comes to a trade. D&B are then joined by USA Today Sports baseball writer, Gabe Lacques (26:13). Gabe shares his opinion on the Red Sox's chances of making a big push in the East, if we could see a surprise team emerge willing to move players for prospects, and which under-the-radar teams could be poised to take the next step.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Brent and Daniele reset for the second hour and get right into the Blue Jays' outlook coming out of the All-Star break. They talk about the upcoming stretch of above-.500 opponents for the Jays and how crucial it will be for them to perform. D&B then get into their biggest storylines of the second half, mainly, if Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will go on a power heater, how the return of players from injury could impact playing time across the Jays, and how Toronto can keep their starting pitching rotation fresh. Sportsnet golf reporter Adam Stanley joins the show (27:40) to break down the first two days of The Open from Royal Portrush. The guys get into the uniqueness of the tournament, the difference in how the course has played between rounds 1 & 2, and Tyrrell Hatton's chances of capturing his first major. They wrap up with a preview of what we could see from Rory McIlroy heading into 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.
Brent Gunning and Daniele Franceschi kick off this Friday edition of the FAN Morning Show diving into the Maple Leafs and their trade for Dakota Joshua. The guys focus on the physical impact Joshua can bring and where he fits within the team. They also get into what other moves the team could look to make, specifically how they plan to round out the rest of the bottom six and if we could see Easton Cowan join the team. D&B then chat about the ongoing Open from Royal Portrush and Brian Harman's second round performance. They wrap up the hour giving their thoughts on Damian Lillard's return to Portland and what it means for his legacy.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
In the final hour, Sportsnet's own Luke Fox joins Brent and Daniele to get into the NHL offseason. They take a look at what possible offseason moves the Leafs could still make, the rumours surrounding Quinn Hughes teaming up with his brothers, and whether the Flames should listen to trade offers for Nazem Kadri. National Baseball Hall of Famer Fred McGriff (23:33) then joins D&B for the final segment of the hour. The guys hit on McGriff's experience acting as hitting coach for the AL team in the Futures Game, the Jays' prospect pool, and what he looks for in a batter's approach 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.
Daniele and Brent continue into the second hour talking about Gavin McKenna's commitment to play with the Penn State Nittany Lions in 2026. The hosts focus on the changing landscape of junior hockey due to the partnership between the CHL and NCAA, the draw of NIL money, and how more players could choose to go the NCAA route moving forward. Later, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi (23:30) joins the show to give his thoughts on this past week's MLB All-Star festivities, the talk surrounding a possible league salary cap, and how the league can optimize their contracts.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Brent Gunning and Daniele Franceschi kick off the morning with a look at the recently released schedule for the 2025-26 NHL season. They give their thoughts on the league having the Florida Panthers raise their banner at 5pm on a Tuesday, before focusing on the scheduling of Mitch Marner's return to Toronto and why the league should have treated it as a marquee matchup. D&B dig deeper into the Leafs' schedule and discuss their concerns with the number of back-to-backs the team has. Later on, they chat about Joel Embiid's new ESPN feature and give their thoughts on his comments addressing the narratives surrounding his playoff production and health. D&B wrap up with a ‘Golf Report', as the 153rd Open at Royal Portrush gets underway.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Brent and Daniele hit the final hour with some Maple Leafs offseason talk. The hosts welcome on Gord Stellick, former General Manager turned analyst, to look at the moves Toronto has made so far, the ceiling of this group, and what to make of their player and asset management. They also take some time to discuss Mitch Marner's move to Vegas and Easton Cowan's expectations for heading into next year. Later on, Tim Britton (26:00), senior writer at The Athletic, gives his thoughts following the MLB All-Star festivities in Atlanta. Tim chats about the state of baseball right now, the quickly approaching trade deadline, integrating the ABS system, and how necessary a salary cap is. They close with some of the marquee names available at the deadline and some specific targets the Jays should be looking at to bolster their pitching staff.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Daniele and Brent roll into the second hour continuing to discuss the future of MLB and their expiring CBA. The hosts weigh in on the possibility of expansion in the MLB, how it could potentially affect the rest of the league, and the financial incentives surrounding it. The duo then turn their attention to golf with The Open at Royal Portrush set to begin Thursday. B&D share their thoughts on Scottie Scheffler's recent rant questioning life and the fulfillment of winning. Joe House (28:00), host of the Fairway Rollin' podcast at The Ringer, joins the boys to help tee up the last major of the year. The trio talk about Scheffler's stardom and consistency on the course, before diving into the uniqueness of The Open and who they like in the field this 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.
Brent Gunning and Daniele Franceschi start the show breaking down last night's MLB All-Star game. The hosts discuss how surprisingly entertaining the game was, the way it ended an unprecedented swing off, the use of the ABS system in the game, and if the MVP was worthy of it. The duo also dive into the lack of star power in the stadium towards the end, and the importance of hosting the game in outdoor venues, especially with the reports Toronto is being considered for an upcoming Mid-Summer Classic. B&D wrap up the hour focusing on the MLBPA's desire to implement a salary cap in the league and how its seemingly the hill they will die on. Should they? The pair talk about whether its good for the game or not, and if spending big really leads to more wins on the field.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
In the final hour on Tuesday, Daniele and Brent are joined by UFC Hall of Famer Georges St-Pierre to discuss his upcoming live show in Toronto, including his motivations and the mental challenges of his sport. They then welcome Adnan Virk (30:37) from MLB Network to recap the Home Run Derby and All-Star festivities, focusing on Cal Raleigh's impressive season and his potential as an A.L. MVP candidate. They also touch on Rob Manfred's comments about MLB competitiveness and the possibility of a salary cap.The views and opinions 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.
Daniele and Brent continue into the second hour with a look back at Blue Jays' manager John Schneider's entertaining ejection from the weekend in Sacramento. They take a look at the state of the rest of the American League East and which team could be looking to make a deep postseason run. The pair highlight the Red Sox amid their recent surge and discuss if they can continue to stay hot heading into the trade deadline. The hosts also talk about the Baltimore Orioles' lack of success, the regression of some of their big-name players and prospects, as well as their reluctance to spend money on the team. Sportsnet's own Shi Davidi (30:45) checks in from the All-Star Game in Atlanta to discuss the Jays' position atop the division, their expectations heading into the second half, and their prospect direction post-draft. They wrap up going over Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s play at the plate so far this season and if he could be in for a second-half heater.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Brent Gunning returns to the host's chair alongside Daniele Franceschi to chat about the MLB All-Star festivities and Home Run Derby last night. They discuss this year's field in the derby, if it was lacking some star potential, and which competitors could take that next step to superstardom. They focus on the Mariners' Cal Raleigh, who ended up winning the event, and how the man now known as ‘Big Dumper' was seemingly showcased. B&D also look into Brent Rooker's comments that hinted at a bit of conspiracy and unfair play against him. The duo then get into the state of Major League Baseball and competitive balance after Rob Manfred's comments, with thoughts on the Pirates and the future of Paul Skenes. The hour ends with a 'Golf Report' looking at the return of The Open to Portrush.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
In their final Monday hour, Daniele & Zack reflect on the Blue Jays as they reach the MLB All-Star Break. They chat with Brandon Wile, theScore's MLB supervising editor, about the team's performance and trade deadline expectations. The trio also discusses Toronto's recent draft picks. To wrap up, they preview the Home Run Derby with insights from Dave Jauss (21:23), Senior Advisor for the Washington Nationals, who has experience coaching stars like Pete Alonso and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.The views and opinions 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.
Daniele and Zack continue into the second hour with a chat about the Blue Jays at the break and how important these days off are. They focus in on one of the two players who will be in Atlanta for the All-Star festivities, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. D&Z talk about how Toronto's face of the franchise collected his 1000th hit over the weekend and debate if people are sometimes too hard on the first baseman. They look at his numbers this year, what expectations are on him and if that has, or should, increase given his new contract. Next, the two share their thoughts on rookie Jacob Misiorowski, who after only five starts, has been named an All-Star. Later, they check in with longtime tennis scribe, Christopher Clarey (25:35), who was in London covering Wimbledon, to get his thoughts on the tournament as a whole and the final between Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Guest hosts Daniele Franceschi and Zack Bodenstein open this week on The FAN Morning Show with thoughts on the Blue Jays, who dropped their final series before the break in Sacramento to the Athletics. In what was a bit of a lacklustre finale, the pair dive into John Schneider's ejection yesterday, Max Scherzer's start on Friday night, and some overall reflections of the unofficial first half for Toronto. The pair also investigate a report that the team will be “all-in” at the trade deadline, with a certain pitcher already in their sights. Later on, the duo look back on the Wimbledon Finals and the new marquee matchup on the men's side that could uplift the sport (34:35). The hour ends with a quick golf report following an unlikely winner at the Genesis Scottish Open.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Daniele & Zack continue their Jays discussion in the third hour, focusing on the team's MVP and the upcoming series before the All-Star Break. They welcome Sportsnet analyst Madison Shipman to discuss Vladdy's recent performance and the fairness of the criticism he's faced. The trio also explores the team's positive trends and expectations for Max Scherzer. To wrap up the week, they chat with NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly (32:05) about the new CBA, its early ratification, changes to the salary cap, the regular season schedule, and the decentralized draft.The views and opinions 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.
Daniele Franceschi and Zack Bodenstein continue the Blue Jays discourse into the second hour. The hosts start off discussing the team's five hundred million dollar man, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the gravity of his 14-year contract, and the expectations for him this season and beyond. They turn their attention to the upcoming MLB trade deadline and Toronto's “untouchables” on the roster and in the system. Would the organization be willing to move Arjun Nimmala and Trey Yesavage? Sho Alli (29:30), host of Jays Talk, joins the conversation to share his take, before taking a closer look at some targets Toronto should be focusing on before July 31st.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Guest hosts Daniele Franceschi and Zack Bodenstein take the reins on Friday's edition of The FAN Morning Show. Despite their latest game being a loss, the pair start with a chat about the Blue Jays, who still sit atop of the American League East with a two-game lead over the Yankees. They discuss how the recent run for Toronto has changed expectations of what this team should do ahead of the fast-approaching trade deadline. D&Z examine what would constitute as a job well done by the Jays' front office and would be viewed as a success in eyes of Toronto fans post-July 31st.. In the back end of the hour, the duo discusses a minor trade made late last night by the Maple Leafs, as well as projected No. 1 pick Gavin McKenna's decision to play at Penn State in 2026 and it's impact on junior hockey in Canada (31:11).The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben & Daniele keep the Blue Jays talk going into their third hour; this time the hosts focus on the team moving forward, roster decisions and what could be coming at the deadline. They start on the who the team's “untouchables” would be and if anyone at the Major League level could be used as trade bait. Next, the duo bring on newly minted author Adnan Virk (23:59), weighs in on the Blue Jays and their recent run; what they need to add to be a legit contender and what some other A.L. East teams might do before July 31st.The views and opinions 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.
Ben and Daniele continue to dive into all things Blue Jays and start the second hour focused on their bench boss, John Schneider. Should he be among the betting favourites for American League Manager of the Year if his club can keep this up? The hosts make a case for why he should be the favourite, before dissecting a recent tweet from Hector Gomez reporting on who Toronto is interested in at the deadline. They discuss how serious this is, given how dialed in Hector was on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s extension, as well as give their take on the names attached and some other possible fits. To close this hour, Blue Jays beat writer and columnist for the Toronto Sun and Postmedia, Rob Longley (25:56), chats about the job John Schneider has done this season and what other factors has helped changed the narrative around this 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.
Ben Ennis and Daniele Franceschi are back, but unfortunately, they are talking about a Blue Jays' loss that halted their win streak at ten games in a row and stopped them from tying the franchise record for consecutive victories. Given the run, can fans still be frustrated with the loss or was it just due? The hosts dive into it and focus, like many fans did, on the performance (and maybe season as a whole) of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. They expand that to a conversation of supporters' love for Vladdy and how it tends to waver at times. The duo also try to get into the mind of manager John Schneider with some of the decisions that were made yesterday specifically with the lineup and the bullpen. On the back end of this first hour, the morning pair get into LeBron James' latest social media troll and if the Maple Leafs should be extending Anthony Stolarz (30:05).The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben & Daniele wrap up their day discussing the Blue Jays' trade deadline strategies, reflecting on past decisions made by the front office. They invite Ben Nicholson-Smith from the At the Letters Podcast to explore Atkins and Shapiro's trading history and speculate on potential targets for Toronto. The discussion includes names in the market and an overview of the A.L. East with Alanna Rizzo (23:13) from MLB Network, examining team performances and trade possibilities ahead of July 31st. They also touch on other MLB stories, such as Rafael Devers and 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 affiliate.
Ben and Daniele stay on the Blue Jays' page while the team's win streak has the city of Toronto buzzing. The hosts look at the chemistry of this team that many players and manager John Schneider keep referencing, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr. who says he can't wait to get to the clubhouse everyday. Is there a worry of disrupting that at the deadline? The pair delve into Vladdy's season as a whole and if there would be more grumblings about it if they weren't leading the division. They also share their take on George Springer's All-Star snub and it's potential correlation to the 2017 Astros cheating scandal. MLB Network Insider Jon Morosi (27:05) joins to discuss what kind and how big of a splash the Jays could make at the trade deadline, as well as some pending free agents in Toronto and what they could be looking at on the open 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.