American baseball player
POPULARITY
JD and Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, discuss the craziness of the MLB's Wild Card round, and look ahead to what may await the Blue Jays in the ALDS ahead of the pivotal Game 3 between the Yankees and Red Sox on Thursday (00:00). The guys take a look at Bo Bichette's recovery and potential availability in the postseason, Trey Yesavage's projected role within the Jays' pitching staff, and how Eric Lauer will fit into the equation, before comparing each of their Blue Jays playoff rosters. After the break, JD and Ben get into their confidence level in Jays' closer Jeff Hoffman and what they would do if things go south, before evaluating Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s 2025 season and debating what we should expect from the Blue Jays' slugger (32:37). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Guests: Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement, pitchers Jeff Hoffman and Eric Lauer As the Blue Jays prepare to play in the American League Division Series for the first time since 2016, we take you back onto the field in the wake of their division-clinching win Sunday. Ernie Clement is the poster boy for the Jays' cast of unsung heroes and versatile contributors, and he joins us to talk about his multiple roles over the course of the season and how his flexibility was once again put on display by playing three different positions in Sunday's season finale. Eric Lauer may have saved the season by stabilizing the pitching staff when he was called up at the end of April, and he had the ball in his glove when the season ended, stepping on first to retire Tampa Bay's Jonathan Aranda for the final out. He talks about bouncing back from a 2024 in which he got released by two major-league organizations and wound up pitching in South Korea, and what he's doing with the ball from the 27th out. Closer Jeff Hoffman was on the National League East champion Philadelphia Phillies last season, who also got a first-round bye, and we talk to him about what the Jays will do with five days off and how the break could affect them in the next round. All that, plus we open up the mailbag at deepleftfield@thestar.ca for your questions and comments!
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show discussing the Blue Jays' big home win to end their series against the Boston Red Sox, Louis Varland's and Eric Lauer's strong outing in the finale, and Alek Manoah getting claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider stops by (28:25) for his weekly chat on Varland's start to the bullpen game, how both him and Lauer could be utilized in the postseason, the decision to keep Daulton Varsho in the game to face against a left-handed pitcher, how Anthony Santander's swing looks coming off the IL and rehab stints, George Springer's decisions at the plate, who could be in the running to start the regular season finale, and Alejandro Kirk's increased workload this year.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blue Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez (1:50) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to kick off the second hour. They look back on the Jays' 6-1 win over the Red Sox, Daulton Varsho's grand slam, what's made George Springer's production sustainable, and Louis Varland and Eric Lauer's statement to start the bullpen game. Then, Buck weighs in on Vladdy Jr.'s recent performance at the plate, what to expect from Shane Bieber against the Rays, and the importance of the bye for the Jays. Later, WEEI reporter and host of Baseball Isn't Boring, Rob Bradford (25:15), swings by to tee up the Detroit Tigers' series against the Red Sox with the AL Central title on the line. He discusses Detroit's historic collapse after having led the Guardians by 15 games this season, Boston's postseason outlook, and his thoughts on the Jays. Finally, Jeff and Kevin share their predictions for this weekend's action around 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 6-1 win over the Red Sox in the series finale! They take your calls and texts, and they get into the Jays bullpen who completed six perfect innings - what was clicking for Louis Varland, Eric Lauer, and the rest of the relievers tonight? Plus, they discuss Daulton Varsho smashing a grand slam, George Springer with a two-run bomb, and Anthony Santander narrowly missing a grand slam of his own earlier in the game. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blake Murphy and Julia Kreuz recap the win vs. the Red Sox, where Louis Varland and Eric Lauer held things down, and the bats woke up in the 6th. MLB.com's Bryan Hoch (30:25) joins to preview the Yankees ahead of their series vs. the Orioles. Sportsnet's Shi Davidi (50:30) describes the atmosphere around the team after the win, Daulton Varsho responding against a lefty and the weekend ahead. Lastly, Apple TV's Heidi Watney (1:14:55) provides the state of the Rays and what Clayton Kershaw's final start was like. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning kick off Friday morning celebrating a big Blue Jays victory over the Red Sox last night. They chat about the emotion surrounding Daulton Varsho's grand slam, the palpable sense of relief that followed, and if they remember a bigger home run since José Bautista's iconic blast. The guys also share how impressive yesterday's bullpen day was and if they would consider using the combo of Louis Varland and Eric Lauer in the postseason. Later, Ben and Brent turn their attention to the Maple Leafs' 7-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. They dive into Easton Cowan's fit on the fourth line to start the season and what's best for his development, before discussing if the team should consider alternatives in net given the Joseph Woll news. The boys close out the hour with thoughts on Seahawks' narrow victory over the Cardinals on Thursday Night Football and debate if Marvin Harrison Jr. is trending towards bust territory.The views and opinions 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 into the second hour alongside Charles Davis, NFL on CBS analyst! They dive into last night's clash between the Seahawks and Cardinals and discuss if Seattle is for real after moving to 3-1 on the season. Charles also shares his take on the Bills ahead of their matchup with the Saints, the level of concern surrounding the Ravens' defence, if the Rams are better than people are giving them credit for, and Shedeur Sanders reportedly turning down teams at the draft. Later, the guys discuss their initial Ryder Cup thoughts, before pivoting to baseball as José Berríos hits the IL (26:56). They chat about how this will affect their pitching staff heading into October, if Eric Lauer should have retained his place amongst the starters, and who they would rather match up with down the stretch: Rays or Orioles?The views and opinions 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 wrap up the week with Jeff Blair, co-host of 'Blair & Barker.' They discuss the Blue Jays' recent victory, Eric Lauer's performance, the Jose Berrois situation, Alek Manoah's struggles, and what constitutes a successful season for the Jays—World Series or bust? They then welcome Joe House (25:44) from 'The Ringer Gambling Show' to chat about the Ryder Cup at Bethpage, the American team's chances, key pairings, and matchups to watch, including John Rahm's pressure.The views and opinions 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 kick off this hour by teeing up the Blue Jays upcoming series against the Red Sox with the American League East in the balance. Should Toronto treat this like a playoff series? The guys discuss Kevin Gausman's security as the team's Game 1 postseason starter, before getting into Anthony Santander's rehab progress and what we need to see from him to confidently slot him into the lineup. Later, they take a closer look at some Ryder Cup storylines including Team Europe deciding not to take any money for the event, how that portrays the American side, and the big players to watch for heading into the weekend. Shi Davidi (25:27), Sportsnet Blue Jays Insider, shifts the conversation back to baseball as the Jays prepare to battle Boston at Rogers Centre. Shi shares his expectations for the series at hand, the status of Bo Bichette and Santander, Eric Lauer's ideal role in October, and what he makes of the team's rotation 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.
Sho Alli and Daniele Franceschi break down the Blue Jays' 8-5 win over the Royals to officially punch their ticket to the 2025 MLB Playoffs! They take your calls and texts, and get right to the team's champagne-soaked celebrations - even with the division title still ahead, how great is it to see the team clinch a playoff spot just a year after finishing dead last in the AL East? They get into the win itself, including the controversial Daulton Varsho non-catch, some timely hitting from the bottom of the order, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smashing a two-run double, Trey Yesavage making his second career start, and both Eric Lauer and Seranthony Domínguez looking good in relief. Plus, we go inside the visiting clubhouse, as Arden Zwelling chats with members of the playoff-bound Blue Jays. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 6-5 win over the Rays to ensure at least a series split in the four-game series down in Florida! They take your calls and texts, and get right to the review of a Brandon Lowe home run and whether or not there was fan interference - did MLB blow this one? They discuss Nathan Lukes righting that wrong with a home run of his own, and get into the closer situation as well - who should be the team's closer after another nail-biter, Seranthony Domínguez, Yariel Rodríguez...or Jeff Hoffman? Plus, they get into Eric Lauer's appearance out of the bullpen, and José Berríos' four innings of work. The views and opinions 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 second hour by diving into the Blue Jays' decision to call up Trey Yesavage. What are some reasonable expectations for his MLB debut tonight? What are the ripple effects for some other pitchers in the organization such as Eric Lauer and Alex Manoah. Later on, the guys get back to football following Week 2's thrilling Sunday slate (24:50). They debate if if's too soon to bury the Chiefs, what to make of the Steelers right now, Buffalo and Baltimore's case to be the AFC's best, and why in the world the Browns are still starting Joe Flacco.
Sho Alli and Ben Nicholson-Smith break down the Blue Jays' 5-4 walk-off win over the Orioles to take the series in Toronto! They get to your calls and texts, and get right to Alejandro Kirk, who came through with both a pinch-hit RBI single and the game-winning RBI sacrifice fly - how important is it that he gets going offensively again? They discuss the ninth inning at-large, including the Jays stringing together hits off the Orioles bullpen, Tommy Nance and Eric Lauer both pitching well in relief of Max Scherzer, Addison Barger smashing a solo home run, and take a look at the team's playoff positioning with their 86th win now secure. The views and opinions 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.
GriffsThePitch.com Richard Griffin joined OverDrive to discuss the headlines for the Blue Jays and Orioles' series, the mixture of the lineup, Bo Bichette's injury timeline, the handling of Jeff Hoffman closing, Anthony Santander's return, Kevin Gausman's performance and the potential to start Game 1, Max Scherzer's role towards the playoffs, Eric Lauer's position and more.
Ben Ennis and Sam McKee kick off Wednesday morning recapping yesterday's Blue Jays win! They dive into José Berríos' short start to determine their level of concern, if the team should consider dropping him out of the rotation, or if that is part of the reason why he is struggling right now. They guys also chat about Eric Lauer's performance out of the bullpen, if Louie Varland has finally turned a corner, Bo Bichette's clutch play, and George Springer's impact in 2025. Where would this team be without him? Later, the guys get into Pablo's Torre explosive report on Kawhi Leonard's free agency, the NHL closing their postseason salary cap loophole, and Brad Treliving's comments about Mitch Marner recent media 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.
Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning kick off the second hour of the day talking about John Schneider's decision to transition back to a five-man rotation. The guys question if it's the right call, what it means for Eric Lauer going forward, and how they match up against their divisional rivals in New York and Boston. The duo take some time to chat about the start of the college football season! What happened to Arch Manning? Should people be worried about Bill Belichick? Later on, MLB Network insider, Jon Morosi (27:10), joins the guys to share what he is seeing from the Blue Jays bullpen right now. Jon shares how Toronto can make improvements in-season, what should happen with the closer role, if the bullpen is the "fatal flaw" for this team, and which relivers are most likely to figure it out down the stretch.The views and opinions 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 wrap up the morning discussing the Blue Jays' loss to the Reds. Are the issues finally catching up with the team, or is it a surprise? They welcome former NFL player and ESPN analyst Herm Edwards to discuss the Micah Parsons trade and its effects on the Cowboys. Herm shares insights on the Commanders facing the Eagles, Archie Manning's debut, the Lions coping with coordinator losses, and Bill Belichick's college coaching start. MLB.com writer Keegan Matheson (25:33) also joins to analyze the game, bullpen challenges, and the roles of Trey Yesavage and Eric Lauer 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 affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined in-studio with Blue Jays radio analyst and former pitcher Chris Leroux to debate how John Schneider should reconsider utilizing Brendon Little and the rest of the relievers, if the roster is capable of being the best team in the Majors, even the AL East, Eric Lauer's second stint back to the bullpen, and Bo Bichette's contact ability this season. Then, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi stops by to discuss the Blue Jays' recent additions to the team with rosters expanding for the month, if they can still call-up Trey Yesavage to the big leagues, why he wouldn't be too concerned with Jeff Hoffman despite some hiccups over the recent stretch, and if John Schneider will consider switching up the second spot in the batting order. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 5-4 walk-off loss vs. the Reds in the series opener. They take your calls and texts, and get right to the bottom of the ninth - should Tommy Nance have stayed in the game over Brendon Little? Was there another relief option to go to other than Little? They get into Chris Bassitt's quality start, Bo Bichette and Daulton Varsho launching some late home runs, and the news that Eric Lauer is moving into the bullpen as the team transitions back to a five-man rotation. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in Blue Jays Central's Caleb Joseph (3:28) to weigh in on the Blue Jays' series against the Minnesota Twins, the bullpen's struggles keeping runners on base, who slots into the Jays' two-hole in an ideal order, whether Eric Lauer's rocky start is a red flag for the rotation's extended rest, and which relievers are in the 'circle of trust.' Later, former Blue Jays manager and two-time World Series champion Cito Gaston (31:23) joins the show to reflect on his upcoming induction into the Negro League Baseball Museum's Hall of Game, his relationship with other inductees Dusty Baker, Jerry Manuel, and Willie Randolph, and his thoughts on the 2025 Blue Jays as they make the final push to 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.
Blake Murphy and Julia Kreuz recap all the chaos in Wednesday night's Blue Jays win. They give their thoughts on Eric Lauer's start, Tommy Nance and Justin Bruihl providing big outs, Barger's huge 8th inning double, Ty France's pinch-hit home run and more. Following that, former Blue Jay and new member of the Brewers' Wall of Honour, John Axford (29:43), reflects on his memorable weekend and MLB career. 2011 MLB All-Star Alex Avila (50:18) breaks down why Alejandro Kirk is a top-tier catcher, catching Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber's nasty stuff. Lastly, Amazin' Avenue's Richard Staff (1:17:51) updates on the Mets and previews the MLB debut of Canada's Jonah Tong on Friday.The views and opinions 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 Ennis and Sam McKee kick off your Thursday morning recapping one of the Blue Jays' signature wins of the year! Sam McKee was there, and he gives his on-site report of the feeling heading into the eighth inning and what the atmosphere was like in Rogers Centre as Toronto took the lead. They chat about Jeff Hoffman's redemption game, securing the save one night after his disastrous outing. Did they have any doubts about him closing the show? The pair also chat about the team's ability to claw back late in games, before debating if Eric Lauer's mojo might've been squandered after his long layoff. Later, the guys then get into Connor McDavid's comments about a potential contact extension with the Oilers and his lack of commitment currently. Ben and Sam question if there should be more attention on this, why a deal hasn't been inked yet, and if other teams should be prioritizing McDavid's free agency?The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blake Murphy and Julia discuss Jeff Hoffman's 9th inning meltdown, the bullpen's recent struggles, and George Springer mashing. Afterwards, The Athletic's Cody Stavenhagen (30:15) talks Riley Green, Tarik Skubal and the Tigers with a month remaining before the postseason. MLB.com's Keegan Matheson (50:24) pops by to dive into the bullpen, Hoffman and Eric Lauer. Lastly, former MLB 1st baseman Cody Decker (1:15:02) discusses the Blue Jays and a few of the notable playoff races. The views and opinions 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.
Blake Murphy and Julia Kreuz kick off Jays Talk Plus by discussing Shane Bieber's impressive season debut and the Blue Jays' recent road trip. Ben Nicholson-Smith (29:55) joins to share his insights on Bieber, Eric Lauer's usage, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s potential return against the Twins. Jon Morosi (50:58) then analyzes Bieber's performance, the Yankees' struggles, and MLB's Reliever of the Year Award. Finally, Joon Lee (1:16:32) recaps the Red Sox vs. Yankees series and assesses the Red Sox bullpen's postseason viability.The views and opinions 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.
Hour 2 of the Big Show with George Rusic & Matt Rose is on demand! To kick off the hour the guys are joined by Blue Jays radio host Sho Ali! Sho and the guys discuss Shane Bieber's debut, Eric Lauer heading to the Bullpen, if Toronto has a Jose Berrios problem, the starting pitching playoff plan, the bullpen and more as the Blue Jays head down the final stretch of the regular 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 Media Inc. or any affiliate.
Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with Ben Nicholson-Smith (0:40) live from the ballpark in Miami ahead of Shane Bieber's Blue Jays debut. They discuss his journey back to the mound, what to expect from the starting pitcher, what it means for Eric Lauer's next appearance, and more. Then Ailish and Justin tee up the game before welcoming Sportsnet's Adam Stanley to the show live from the CPKC Women's Open (26:14). They discuss teenage sensation Aphrodite Deng making her mark at the tournament, Brooke Henderson's Day 2 performance, the upcoming men's tournaments, and the storylines to keep an eye on, 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.
MLB.com Blue Jays Reporter Keegan Matheson joined OverDrive to discuss the headlines around the Blue Jays, Eric Lauer's move to the bullpen and the impact on the rotation, the decent play against middling teams, losing momentum in their stretch, the Yankees' power in the spotlight, Shane Bieber making his Blue Jays debut, Max Scherzer's ranking, George Springer playing lead-off on the team and more.
Justin and Patrick decide to largely ignore the series loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates and instead create their own baseball version of Frankenstein's monster. The guys choose different body parts to create the ultimate two-way player.Vladdy has a sore hamstring, Bieber Fever begins Friday, and Eric Lauer goes to the bullpen...for now.
JD reacts to the Blue Jays series' loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tommy Pham's revenge game, before making the case that it should be José Berríos in the bullpen over Eric Lauer as the Jays stick with a five-man rotation (00:00). Ben Nicholson-Smith, host of At The Letters, joins JD to continue to the conversation on the starting rotation, Berríos' leash with Shane Bieber joining the squad against the Marlins this weekend, the strength of the bullpen with Lauer slated to join the group, expectations for Bieber in his first start since April 2024, and the effect that Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s injury has on the lineup (9:54). Later, JD discusses the comments by Auston Matthews on Mitch Marner heading to the Vegas Golden Knights (46:46).The views and opinions 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.
Blake Murphy and Julia Kreuz are joined by former Blue Jay Devon Travis to discuss his time with the Blue Jays, naming his son after Bo Bichette and taking pride in developing good baseball players. Following that, Former Red Sox development coach Katie Krall (32:00) reflects on her roles in baseball and why the upcoming Saber Seminar in Chicago is a valuable experience. Afterwards, Fair Territory's Alanna Rizzo (50:31) breaks down her chat with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and how she sees the AL East shaking out. Lastly, Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith (1:12:28) talks about Eric Lauer moving to the bullpen for the Marlins series, Braydon Fisher getting optioned to Triple-A and the upcoming stretch of crucial games for the Blue Jays. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
After a brief digression to discuss Tommy Pham being an idiot, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s health, our thoughts turn to the Blue Jays' rotation this week.Shane Bieber will make his debut for the club on Friday in Miami, which means that Eric Lauer's dream season has taken another twist, as he head's back to the bullpen—albeit only temporarily. What's up with that? What's going on with Berríos? What do we expect from Bieber? We guarantee we'll answer all of these questions*, and so many more! (Not a guarantee).Plus! Myles Straw appreciation time!FOR AN AD-FREE VERSION OF THIS EPISODE AND WEEKLY BONUS SHOWS, SUPPORT US AT patreon.com/BJHH Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Join Michael DiStefano and Frank Corrado for Hour 1 on OverDrive! The guys discuss the Blue Jays' series defeat to the Pirates, Tommy Pham's massive game in the afternoon matchup, Eric Lauer's move to the bullpen, and the possibility of a six-man starting rotation on the team. Canada Men's National Soccer Team Head Coach Jesse Marsch joins to discuss the high optimism for the team, talent playing internationally and the culture of the squad leading up to the World Cup.
Former MLB and Blue Jays Pitcher Jason Grilli joined OverDrive to discuss the headlines around the Blue Jays' playoff quest, experiencing a high energy moments, Toronto's starting rotation strengths, George Springer's incredible season, Eric Lauer's shift to the bullpen and more.
Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with the Blue Jays announcing that Eric Lauer is being moved to the bullpen to make room for Shane Bieber. Then, St. Louis Blues and Team Canada Olympic GM Doug Armstrong joins the show (5:35). They discuss the upcoming orientation camp for team Canada ahead of the Olympics, what it means to have Crosby, MacKinnon, and McDavid don the Maple Leaf at the Four Nations ahead of the Olympics, what he is looking for when putting together an Olympic roster, and much more. After, they discuss his expectations for the Blues this season, potential offer sheets following last year's additions of Broberg and Holloway, the decision to sign Milan Lucic to the PTO for a “second chance”, and more. Later, David Samson joins the show (29:00) to discuss the idea of division realignment in the MLB, which cities could be in the running for an expansion team, 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 take a deeper dive into the Blue Jays' decision to option Braydon Fisher to Buffalo, bumping Eric Lauer to the bullpen ahead of Shane Bieber's debut, and the competition around the rotation for postseason starts. ESPN's Jeff Passan jumps on (27:45) to discuss if Max Scherzer's play as of late, how the Jays can translate their hitting approach in the playoffs, how he views the New York Yankees roster in the second half, why the Baltimore Orioles' down year is just a blip, and how soon could the MLB look into expansion. Finally, MLB Network's and World Series Champion Ryan Dempster joins the guys (56:41) to chat about Lauer's move to the pen, his experience from pitching as a starter to being asked to close, how the Jays stack up against their rivals ahead of October, and how to be a great teammate supporting the final stretch.The views and opinions 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.
On this episode, Josh Goldberg recaps a tough series loss for the Blue Jays on the road against the Pittsburgh Pirates. We also discuss the team's decision to at least temporarily move Eric Lauer to the bullpen, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s injury status, and look ahead to Shane Bieber's debut. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 2-1 loss vs. the Pirates, as they drop two of three in Pittsburgh. They take your calls and texts, and they get right to Chris Bassitt striking out ten Pirates over 5.2 IP - despite the loss, did the good start on the road inspire any more confidence in Bassitt on the road? They also get into John Schneider's pre-game comments on Eric Lauer being sent to the bullpen, what Lauer's role will be going forward, and react live to Braydon Fisher being optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. The views and opinions 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.
Sho Alli and Daniele Franceschi break down the Blue Jays' 14-2 blowout win over the Rangers to take the series in Toronto! They take your calls and texts, and get right to a career day for Myles Straw, who had two home runs in a single game for the first time - does this continue the idea that the Jays can get production from any part of the lineup? Afterwards, they discuss Eric Lauer's five innings of one-run ball, his status in the starting rotation with Shane Bieber's return imminent, and whether or not Ross Atkins deserves more credit for the job he's done this season. Plus, a giveaway courtesy of some Straw-themed trivia! The views and opinions 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 Monday with thoughts on the Blue Jays and their weekend in L.A. The hosts dive into their series against the Dodgers that was very reminiscent of postseason baseball. The duo discuss how Toronto handled the challenge and take a closer look into the finale of the series, where the Jays managed to avoid the sweep with a dramatic comeback win. They get into the importance of that victory and some of the players who had key moments in the game, including Vlad Guerrero Jr., Ernie Clement, Eric Lauer, Mason Fluharty and Jeff Hoffman. B&B also break down the Jays' current bullpen situation and how to best utilize those arms. Later, the boys check in on the first leg of the PGA playoffs that featured more heartbreak for golf's loveable loser, Tommy Fleetwood, and a win for veteran Justin Rose. They also chat about the weekend that was in the NFL preseason with Shedeur Sanders' first start, Travis Hunter playing both sides of the ball, and a record-breaking field goal.The views and opinions 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 is joined by Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, to recap his time at the National Bank Open semi-finals, before attempting to rank the most athletic sports across the world. Then, the guys get into their takeaways from the historic Blue Jays series against the Rockies, including the continued depth down the lineup, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. starting to find his power stroke since the All-Star break (00:00). Later, JD and Ben shift their attention to the Blue Jays pitching staff as they start to project who should be a part of a potential playoff rotation, what goes into that decision for the Jays' coaching staff, and whether or not Eric Lauer has earned himself a spot with his performance this season (31:31). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
TSN Baseball Insider Steve Phillips joined OverDrive to discuss the headlines from the Blue Jays, Eric Lauer's season on the mound and if he is a playoff starter, Bo Bichette seeking a new contract, the potential of the salary cap, the Red Sox elevating in the AL East and more.
Join Aaron Korolnek, Jason Strudwick and Michael DiStefano for Hour 3 on OverDrive! TSN Baseball Insider Steve Phillips joins to discuss Eric Lauer's position in the Blue Jays' pitching rotation, Bo Bichette's potential contract and the Red Sox jumping up the AL East standings. Former NFLer and SiriusXM NFL Analyst Robert Turbin joins to discuss the futures of Micah Parsons, Terry McLaurin and James Cook, the Bengals' starters playing in the preseason and the NFC East landscape and the FanDuel Best Bets.
Join Aaron Korolnek, Jason Strudwick and Michael DiStefano for Hour 1 on OverDrive! The guys dive into the Blue Jays' dominating win against the Rockies, Shane Bieber's stint with the Bisons, Eric Lauer's potential as a playoff starter, Bo Bichette's contract value and Nick Robertson signing a contract with the Maple Leafs. TSN Tennis Analyst Mark Roe joins to discuss Victoria Mboko's rise to stardom, her impressive National Bank Open run and the matches throughout the tournament and Chris Boucher signing with the Celtics.
JD starts the week with thoughts on the Blue Jays' dominant victory over the Rockies after losing the previous series to the Royals, and the Yankees' struggles as they attempt to make up ground on Toronto, before getting into the recent heroics of Bo Bichette (00:00). Jim Bowden, MLB insider and former GM, joins the show to break down the Blue Jays' moves at the trade deadline, notably the Shane Bieber acquisition from the Guardians, how the Jays should approach the rotation with the emergence of Eric Lauer, the additions to the bullpen, the question of whether or not Bichette will re-sign in Toronto, and the front office's strategy to continue improving the farm system (7:51). Later, JD touches on the Maple Leafs settling with Nick Robertson on a one-year contract ahead of his arbitration hearing, and where the Leafs' bottom-six is headed next season (37:11).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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' offensive barrage to open their series against the Colorado Rockies -- putting up a season-high 15 runs in the road win. They discuss Daulton Varsho's big fly, Bo Bichette's two-homer night, Eric Lauer overcoming his Coors Field demons and whether he's earned consideration for a start in the postseason. Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph stops by (24:02) to tee up the second game of the series in Colorado and discuss how José Berríos gets back on track with his fastball, Lauer's chances at getting a start in the postseason, Bo's hot streak and why the Jays must work something out on an extension. The views and opinions 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 WEEI Boston Red Sox writer and co-host of 'Baseball Isn't Boring' Rob Bradford (2:55) to chat about the team's recent hot streak since turning the page from the trade deadline, why Garrett Crochet should be front-running the Cy Young Award, Lucas Giolito's resurgence, and expectations for recently acquired Dustin May from the L.A. Dodgers. Then, Rockies TV analyst Ryan Spilborghs (27:15) stops by to discuss how different the Colorado baseball club is compared to the Blue Jays, Eric Lauer's turnaround and performance against the Rockies, and why he likes the Jays so much as the best team in the American League. The views and opinions 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.
Sho Alli and Julia Kreuz kick off Jays Talk Plus, celebrating the Toronto Blue Jays' impressive victory over the Colorado Rockies. They spotlight standout performances from Bo Bichette, Daulton Varsho, and Ernie Clement. Pat Malacaro (25:30), voice of the Buffalo Bisons, joins to discuss Shane Bieber's recent start, his potential return, and its impact on the clubhouse. Next, Colorado Rockies Beat Writer Christian Saez (50:25) shares insights on the Rockies and his memories with Jeff Hoffman. The episode concludes with their analysis of the trade deadline moves and speculation on the Blue Jays' strategy with Eric Lauer (1:18:37).The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Ronald Acuña is headed to the IL with an Achilles injury (3:39). ... Andrew Vaughn has entered must-add territory (9:20). ... Jesus Luzardo had a great start on paper but what about under the hood (12:46)? ... News (18:13): Aaron Judge could return when first eligible and we had another trade! ... Kyle Manzardo is picking the power back up (30:49). ... Eric Lauer had another solid start (35:30). ... Ian Happ is going on the IL and Moises Ballesteros was recalled (39:04). ... James Wood has been struggling in July (47:28). ... These hitters are mashing in July (47:28). ... Hey, real quick, starting pitcher edition (56:08). ... We wrap up with leftovers, bullpen updates and streamers (1:03:56). Fantasy Baseball Today is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/FantasyBaseballToday Download and Follow Fantasy Baseball Today on Spotify: https://sptfy.com/QiKv Get awesome Fantasy Baseball Today merch here: http://bit.ly/3y8dUqi Follow FBT on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fbtpod?_t=8WyMkPdKOJ1&_r=1 Follow our FBT team on Twitter: @FBTPod, @CPTowers @CBSScottWhite, @Roto_Frank Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/fantasybaseballtoday Sign up for the FBT Newsletter at https://www.cbssports.com/newsletters/fantasy-baseball-today/ For more fantasy baseball coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/ To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ You can listen to Fantasy Baseball Today on your smart speakers! Simply say "Alexa, play the latest episode of the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast" or "Hey Google, play the latest episode of the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast." To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
IT HAS BEGUN! Josh Naylor was traded to the Mariners (2:40). ... What does this mean for the Dbacks (6:42)? ... Eric Lauer just had his best start of the season (13:14). ... Julio Rodriguez is on fire over his last 10 games (16:38). ... News (21:32): Felix Bautista was placed on the IL. ... Charlie Morton turned in another quality start (28:46). ... Sonny Gray got rocked again (37:45). ... Let's play some Scotty Doesn't Know (42:50)! ... It's time to preview Week 19, with two-start pitchers and sleeper hitters (56:34). ... We wrap up with bullpen updates and weekend streamers (1:07:43). Fantasy Baseball Today is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/FantasyBaseballToday Download and Follow Fantasy Baseball Today on Spotify: https://sptfy.com/QiKv Get awesome Fantasy Baseball Today merch here: http://bit.ly/3y8dUqi Follow FBT on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fbtpod?_t=8WyMkPdKOJ1&_r=1 Follow our FBT team on Twitter: @FBTPod, @CPTowers @CBSScottWhite, @Roto_Frank Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/fantasybaseballtoday Sign up for the FBT Newsletter at https://www.cbssports.com/newsletters/fantasy-baseball-today/ For more fantasy baseball coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/ To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ You can listen to Fantasy Baseball Today on your smart speakers! Simply say "Alexa, play the latest episode of the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast" or "Hey Google, play the latest episode of the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast." To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices