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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Toronto Blue Jays' 9–8 win over the Minnesota Twins at Rogers Centre. They take your calls and texts, and dig into Ty France's pinch-hit jolt against the team that traded him and Addison Barger's go-ahead two-run double. They also hit Davis Schneider's two moonshots, Jeff Hoffman's bounce-back save, and what this weekend's test vs. Milwaukee could reveal.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' 7-5 loss to the Minnesota Twins and discuss Jeff Hoffman's ninth-inning blowup. They get into the team's bullpen-wide slump, George Springer's two-homer game and Chris Bassitt's start. Later, Jeff and Kevin open up the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions. Should the Jays have added a bona fide closer at the deadline? Can Springer sustain his scorching August form? Will Eric Lauer make a permanent move to the bullpen? And more.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
ESPN's Jeff Passan (2:59) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the Milwaukee Brewers losing closer Trevor Megill to a flexor strain, if the Blue Jays' bullpen is good enough to win a World Series, Cal Raleigh's case for American League MVP, and who will come out of the AL West. Then, host of Nothing Personal, David Samson (25:14) stops by to discuss Jeff Hoffman's recent blown save, why he's still picking the Blue Jays over the Boston Red Sox, who's the best team in performing on the road, if he's surprised with the Texas Rangers added to the group of one-and-done teams, and how he views pitchers coming off Tommy John and returning to the mound. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays 7-5 loss to the Minnesota Twins in Toronto. They take your calls and texts, and get to Jeff Hoffman's outing to forget, as he surrendered a 4-3 lead and coughed up four runs in the ninth inning. They discuss John Schneider's overall bullpen deployment, their level of concern with the relief group moving forward, and a silver lining to be found in George Springer's multi-homer night.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 bench coach Don Mattingly (0:51) to chat about the success throughout their lineup this season, their home versus road performances, whether he sees their hitting approach translating well into the postseason, Addison Barger's evolution in his bat skills, Vlad Jr.'s 2025, and how John Schneider has navigated managing. Then, Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman stops by (28:36) to discuss the expectations on when Anthony Santander could return to the main roster, the team's success rate at Rogers Centre, Dan's walkthrough with the Jays' Trajekt tech hitting machine, how Schneider maps out his bullpen pitchers up until calling upon his closer, and Andrés Giménez's presence in the infield. 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' 10-4 win over the Minnesota Twins to kick off a three-game series. They get into Andrés Giménez's adjustment at the plate before reflecting on the team's consistency since the All-Star break. Then, ahead of his start tonight, they debate whether Chris Bassitt's home/road split discrepancy is overblown. Later, retired MLB outfielder and Twins TV analyst Denard Span (23:09) discusses the Twins' future outlook after their fire-sale at the deadline, what the Jays' bats can expect from tonight's starter Bailey Ober, the next step in Royce Lewis' development, and former Twin Louis Varland's potential as a starter in Toronto.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 10-4 win over the Twins to open the three-game series in Toronto! They take your calls and texts, and get right to the offence breaking through, including Andrés Giménez and Alejandro Kirk both going yard off Joe Ryan. They discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr. driving in two runs in his return to the starting lineup, Nathan Lukes with a two-RBI night, and Max Scherzer giving up four earned runs over six innings of work. Plus, how important is it this year of all years for the Jays to win the division and get a first-round bye? The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the week with a look back on the Blue Jays' series against the Miami Marlins. They check in on the standings before digging into Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s return to the lineup, Shane Bieber's debut, shaky play from the bullpen, and whether it's time for the club to call up top prospect Trey Yesavage. Then, Blue Jays Central analyst Joe Siddall (29:03) weighs in on the team's bullpen-wide struggles, the plan for the rotation down the stretch, what's behind Addison Barger's recent power outage at the plate, and who bats second in a must-win game. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker quickly revisit Shane Bieber's debut with the Blue Jays and how the rotation could shape up with the former Cy Young Award winner in the fold, before hearing John Schneider's media availability ahead of their series against the Minnesota Twins, including an update on Yimi Garcia's injury. Then, former pitcher and host on MLB Network Radio Jensen Lewis (28:00) stops by to discuss Bieber's return to the mound, how difficult is it to pitch to a new catcher, Max Scherzer maintaining his velocity at the age of 41, who would pitch Game 1 of the postseason between Shane and Max, how he would evaluate relievers near the end of a regular season, and the Boston Red Sox's post trade deadline turnaround. 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' 5-2 win over the Marlins to kick off the three-game series in Miami! They take your calls and texts, and get right into Shane Bieber allowing one run and notching nine strikeouts over six innings of work in his Blue Jays debut - are Blair and Barker officially Beliebers? They also discuss Daulton Varsho hammering a two-run bomb - what is his status as a part of the team's core moving forward? Plus, we hear post-game audio from both John Schneider and Shane Bieber himself. 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 Blue Jays manager John Schneider (1:15) ahead of the team's weekend series against the Miami Marlins. The skipper shares an update on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s hamstring injury, his expectations for Shane Bieber in his Blue Jays debut tonight, internal competition in the rotation, and much more. Then, Jeff and Kevin set the stage for Bieber's first Major League start in 507 days and what would be considered a successful outing for the returning righty. Finally, they weigh in on Samuel Basallo signing a long-term contract with the Orioles and what it means for Adley Rutschman.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 Bob Nightengale (3:01) of USA Today to share his expectations for Shane Bieber's return to the mound and Blue Jays debut, if the Jays are capable of a deep run and win the AL East, Max Scherzer pitching like he was 10 years ago, the New York Mets' drastic turnaround season, whether Kyle Tucker's market will dictate Bo Bichette's pending free agency, and the prospect of the MLB looking into expansion with a shorten season. Then, Rob Bradford of WEEI in Boston stops by (34:40) to chat about Walker Buehler's move to the bullpen, Red Sox calling up Jhostynxon Garcia, how the Boston club stacks up against the New York Yankees, and the confidence coming from Roman Anthony in his rookie 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the off-day edition with a look at the AL East landscape as the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox get set to square off in a four-game series. Then, they debate the importance of the Blue Jays' upcoming weekend series against the Marlins. Later, Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph joins the show (26:36) to discuss the Jays' recent scoring slump, how the starters are adjusting to the changed rotation, his expectations for Shane Bieber, and Brendon Little's control issues.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in former Blue Jays' pitcher Adam Cimber (1:15) to chat about his old teammate Shane Bieber and what he was like during their days with the Cleveland Guardians, expectations for Shane returning to the mound coming off an injury, the difficulties as a pitcher of putting yourself aside and focus on the team first, and the feeling in the clubhouse of being hunted in the standings than being the hunter. Then, Jeff and Kevin head to the Back Leg Line to hear some listeners' voicemail messages! 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.
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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 7-3 win over the Pirates to even the series at one game apiece in Pittsburgh! They take your calls and texts, and get right to the six innings of one-run ball from Max Scherzer - how big is it for him to grind through while also throwing more than 100 pitches for the first time since 2023? They also discuss George Springer smashing a two-run bomb, Alejandro Kirk with three RBI including a two-run bomb of his own, and Jeff Hoffman working efficiently to close down 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' eventful series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates, a 5-2 loss at PNC Park. They discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s exit, the Jays' sloppy fielding, Tommy Pham's tiff with Tyler Heineman and his later social-media outburst. Later, Blue Jays Central analyst Joe Siddall (31:18) shares his thoughts on Heineman and Pham's dust-up from a catcher's POV, Kevin Gausman's outing, and Addison Barger's growth as a hitter.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 pitching coach Pete Walker (2:32) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about how he's navigated the 2025 season with his pitchers' injuries and trade deadline acquisitions, expectations for Shane Bieber when he makes his Blue Jays debut, what he's learned about Max Scherzer, how Jose Berrios can find his velocity again, Brendon Little's walk rate, Jeff Hoffman's adjustment to the closer role, and his assessments of Louis Varland and Seranthony Domínguez. Then, The Athletic's Jayson Stark stops by (28:38) to discuss the sustainability of the Blue Jays' approach to hitting, the team's high-calibre pitching staff, Scherzer's longevity, and potential MLB expansion. 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' 5-2 loss vs. the Pirates to open the three-game series. They take your calls and texts, and get right to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. being removed from this game with hamstring tightness - if Vladdy is out for an extended period of time, what would that mean for this offence? They discuss the sloppy game overall, including wild pitches, dropped balls, and a number of walks - is this something that could continue, or was this a one-off? Plus, they get into the Tyler Heineman/Tommy Pham skirmish, and hear John Schneider's thoughts as well. 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.
Kevin Barker is back with Jeff Blair, and they open the Monday show with a look back on what he missed last week. They dig into the Jays' weekend series against the Rangers, George Springer's return to the lineup, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s hot stretch, how José Berríos fits into the starting rotation when Shane Bieber is activated, and what's still left to figure out in the bullpen. Then, they look ahead to the Jays' series against the Pirates, what the order can expect from Paul Skenes on the mound, and they listen in to John Schneider's pre-game 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays Central analyst Madison Shipman (0:45) to chat about the news of Shane Bieber slated to make his Jays' debut and a potential six-man rotation. Then, she gets into Max Scherzer's velocity, who would be the Jays' second-best bullpen arm after Jeff Hoffman, what stands out from Ernie Clement's game, whether the Blue Jays sustain their contact-first approach into the playoffs, and how John Schneider has navigated the team's 2025 campaign. Later, Jeff and Kevin share who they don't want the Blue Jays to face in the playoffs before bringing on MLB Network's Sean Casey (32:14) to discuss how to attack Paul Skenes, his assessment of Bo Bichette, and Jose Berrios' struggles. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair is joined by Texas Rangers TV and radio broadcaster Jared Sandler (1:49) to chat about the team's struggles to break out over .500, the offence stalling, Bret Boone's hitting philosophy, if Chris Young did enough at the trade deadline, how Bruce Bochy is navigating the season, and Jacob DeGrom's 2025 pitching report. Then, Blue Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux stops by (22:32) to discuss if there's a clear indication at why Chris Bassitt finds a lot of success pitching at Rogers Centre, how he would roll out the pitching rotation with Shane Bieber potentially coming up and into the post-season, Max Scherzer's outing against the Chicago Cubs, and who's the odd man out when George Springer returns to the main roster. Finally, Kevin Barker makes a short return to the show! 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 looks ahead to the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Texas Rangers and reflects on what's changed since the clubs last met. MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo joins the show (6:05) to discuss the site's updated farm system rankings, how the Jays improved from 27 to 20, what they have in Yohendrick Pinango, and Trey Yesavage's ceiling. Later, Blue Jays manager John Schneider stops by (30:03) to discuss George Springer's timeline to return, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s post-All-Star heater, Max Scherzer's growing confidence, José Berríos's recent struggles, and how he manages the dog days of August.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 Sho Alli break down the Blue Jays' 2-1 win over the Cubs to take the series in Toronto! They take your calls and texts, and get right to Max Scherzer's seven innings of one-run ball - if you're constructing a playoff rotation, where does Scherzer stand in those conversations? Plus, with Shane Bieber's imminent return, how does the rotation get handled until the end of the regular season? They discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr. smashing a two-run bomb, Bo Bichette's contract situation, and the bullpen pitching in playoff mode to win it, including another big save from Jeff Hoffman. We also hear from John Schneider, Max Scherzer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Burlington Ontario native Owen Caissie after he made his MLB debut for the Cubs in Toronto. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and ESPN's Jeff Passan (6:43) discuss the Milwaukee Brewers continuing to lead the way in the NL Central, whether the New York Yankees will be out of the postseason mix, why the Seattle Mariners could be the scariest team towards September, and how the Blue Jays currently stack against the American League teams. Then, Casey Candaele (30:30), manager for the Buffalo Bisons shares an update on Alek Manoah's recent rehab start with the team, what he looks for in his players during their process of getting back to the Majors, how much of a factor velocity is for their pitchers, differences in time spent on the mound between newer and older pitchers, and the expectations for Trey Yesavage's first start in Triple-A. 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 looks back on the Blue Jays' 5-1 win over the Chicago Cubs to open the series and Ernie Clement extending his home run streak to three games. ESPN reporter Jesse Rogers joins the show (10:20) to share what the Jays can expect in the rest of their series against the Cubs, whether they did enough at the deadline, Kyle Tucker's future, and how the Brewers have found their NL-leading success this season. Later, Jays' play-by-play voice Dan Shulman (28:50) weighs in on Clement's timely hot stretch, Alek Manoah's rocky Triple-A rehab start, José Berríos's recent form, and John Schneider's bullpen management since the deadline.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 welcomes in guest co-host, MLB Network's Jon Morosi, to share a national perspective on the Blue Jays ahead of their series against the Chicago Cubs. They look at the Jays' standing in the AL, share takeaways from Mark Shapiro's availability, and project what the Jays might do with their rotation when Shane Bieber is ready. Later, Jays Special Assistant and retired MLB outfielder Kevin Kiermaier (31:31) reflects on winning a World Series with the Dodgers in his final season, his transition to coaching, and the clubhouse culture in the Jays' minor league system.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair is joined by current starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs and former Blue Jay Matthew Boyd (0:41) to chat about what it was like to be traded for David Price, his road back from Tommy John in 2024, his relationship with the Cubs' front office, and the team's aspirations to return to the World Series. Then, Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph stops by (17:00) to discuss how much of a boost Andrés Giménez will give to the clubhouse returning for the final stretch towards the postseason, José Berríos losing steam, and Jeff Hoffman's recent form. To wrap up the show, we hear from Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro discussing his future with the organisation.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 is hosting solo this week, and he kicks it off with a look back on the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Dodgers in LA. Then, the Athletic's Mitch Bannon (15:38) breaks down the Jays' promotion of No. 1 prospect Trey Yesavage to Triple-A, whether he can factor in for the Jays down the stretch, and the unmistakable impact of George Springer's absence. Later, after his return to the booth this weekend, Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez (27:15) stops by to evaluate John Schneider's bullpen usage since the deadline, what Yesavage needs to do to earn a spot in the big leagues this season, and how the team has evolved since he was last in the booth.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 welcomes David Samson (1:05), host of Nothing Personal and former MLB President, to chat about the dumpster fire around the New York Yankees since the trade deadline, the Blue Jays' success on the recent road trip despite dropping two games against the L.A. Dodgers, how he would approach a prospect making debuting in September, Dave Roberts calling out Shohei Ohtani, and Jen Pawol becoming the first female umpire in MLB. Then, to wrap up the show, Jeff heads to the Back-Leg Line to hear some of your calls and questions about the Jays' weekend series against the Dodgers and recent road trip! 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 set the stage for the Jays' weekend series in LA against the Dodgers, and what to expect in the Hall-of-Fame head-to-head tonight between Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw. They debate which of the vets had the better prime, whether Shane Bieber is a lock for a postseason start, and storylines to watch at Dodger Stadium. Later, LA Times' Bill Shaikin (27:35) joins the show to discuss how Kershaw has evolved in his veteran years, what's behind Mookie Betts' struggles, the plan for Shohei Ohtani down the stretch and whether he will pitch 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (2:05) ahead of the team's weekend series in LA. He shares an update on George Springer, Andrés Giménez, and Anthony Santander, the ideal goal Shane Bieber will need to reach before a return to the Majors, balancing playing time for his infielders and managing tough decisions, how he views this matchup against the World Series champs, Vladdy's effectiveness at the plate and how Alejandro Kirk has adjusted to catching new pitchers. Then, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi stops by (36:25) to chat about his expectations for Max Scherzer against the Dodgers, how Jays' pitching matches up against Dodgers' hitting, Schneider's options out of the pen, and whether Bo Bichette will strive against the champs.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 & Brent focus on the Blue Jays as they preview the weekend series against the Dodgers, featuring a Hall of Fame pitching matchup. They invite Jeff Blair to discuss what the series reveals about Toronto's starters and the impressive seasons of Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. To wrap up, Anthony Castrovince (28:43) from MLB.com & MLB Network shares insights on the Blue Jays' strengths, their entertainment value, and the impact of acquiring Shane Bieber at the deadline.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.
Following the Blue Jays' dominating sweep over the Colorado Rockies, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the off-edition by going to the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions! They get into Shane Bieber's future in Toronto, whether the Jays go big-game hunting in the offseason once again, and the looming return of Alek Manoah. Later, Miami Marlins catcher and Canadian Liam Hicks swings by (31:37) to discuss the Marlins' unexpected run this year, his experience getting selected in the Rule 5 Draft this offseason, building a routine in the big leagues, and his path from the Toronto Mets to 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 are joined by ESPN's Jeff Passan (2:12) to chat about the recent surge by the Milwaukee Brewers, why they're arguably the deepest team in the MLB, Bo Bichette's next contract, the Blue Jays' ability to make contact, similarities between the Jays and the 2015 Kansas City Royals roster, and why the battle within the AL East is still up for grabs. Then, L.A. Dodgers first base coach Chris Woodward stops by (26:58) to discuss if the team still has a lingering World Series hangover, if Shohei Ohtani is a better pitcher or hitter, where Clayton Kershaw stacks up among the best left-handed pitchers of all time, Mookie Betts' hitting slump, and how he would envision the starting rotation rolling out for the post-season.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 20-1 win over the Rockies to wrap up a series sweep in Denver! They take your calls and texts, and discuss the new franchise records for runs and hits in a three-game series - was there anything negative to get to at all? They chat about a big few games for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, the importance of getting every player back on track offensively, and Kevin Gausman allowing just three hits and one earned run over seven 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.
In hour one, guest hosts Josh Eliott-Wolfe and Randip Janda look back at a busy weekend in sports (3:00), plus they talks a dominant Blue Jays win over the Rockies with Fan 590's Jeff Blair (25:00). This podcast is produced by Andy Cole and Greg Balloch. 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.
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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Royals and get into early returns from the new acquisitions, some questionable bullpen management, Daulton Varsho's return, Max Scherzer's strong outing, and Shane Bieber's progress in his latest rehab start at Triple-A. Blue Jays Central analyst Joe Siddall joins the show (27:05) from Colorado to help tee up the Jays' series against the Rockies. He discusses why there's no reason to overreact to the teams' recent slide, George Springer's impactful absence and much more. Finally, Jeff and Kevin discuss Bo Bichette's future and what he might be worth on the open free-agent market.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by MLB Network's Mark Feinsand (1:09) to chat about the worries around the New York Yankees post-trade deadline and after being swept by the Miami Marlins for the first time in franchise history, how recently traded players from small market teams adjust to the pressure in New York, if Craig Breslow made the right moves for the Boston Red Sox, and the future of the Rockies in Colorado. Then, former MLB outfielder and colour commentator for the Rockies, Jeff Huson, stops by (28:54) to discuss the team's losing season, the difficulties of pitching in Colorado, Warming Bernabel overcoming a robbery to play in the Majors, and the roster's struggles 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 9-3 loss vs. the Royals to open the three-game series in Toronto. They take your calls and texts, and get right to Kevin Gausman allowing five earned runs over six innings of work - most of those runs came in the early innings via the long ball, how can the Jays curb the home run issue? They get into the first outing from Louis Varland as a Jay, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hitting an early home run, and Michael Wacha solving the rest of the Jays offence to the tune of eight 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.
With the deadline down, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Royals, where some of the new Jays will make their Toronto debuts. They discuss which teams had the best deadlines, what to expect from Daulton Varsho in his return from injury and how the lineup changes when Andrés Giménez returns. Later, Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins joins the show following the deadline (25:38). He gets into the decision to target Shane Bieber despite his injury, the competitive relief-pitcher market, what Louis Varland brings to the bullpen, Ty France's fit, his trade negotiation process 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 are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider to get his thoughts on the front office's trade deadline acquisitions (1:40). The skipper shares how he plans on using Louis Varland out of the bullpen, his job of getting new players acquainted to their roles and setting within a game and clubhouse, Shane Bieber's recovery and fit within the rotation, why they'll have a cautious approach with Daulton Varsho returning, and his options within the pen and on the bench. Then, Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman stops by (25:47) to discuss how the players feel post-trade-deadline, why Ty France is a depth upgrade in the infield, if Joey Loperfido is predictable, why Max Scherzer could be on a verge of a successful run, and why Vladdy Jr. is the most important player 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin their trade deadline special by recapping the Blue Jays' moves so far, including Seranthony Domínguez and recently acquired Shane Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians, while arguing if this is enough to go on a run in the AL. Then, they bring on former MLB President and host of Nothing Personal with David Samson (30:36), to chat about what it means for the Jays acquiring a pitcher who hasn't pitched due to an injury, roster comparisons between the New York Yankees and Toronto, Aaron Judge's uncertainty in the right-field for the rest of the season, whether other front offices have scouting reports on other general managers, clubhouse moral when the franchise is looking to sell, the Rays' focus at the deadline with their current home-field issues, and looks back at the role of a President during trade calls.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker continue their trade deadline special by reacting to the Blue Jays trading Will Wagner to the Padres for Minor League catcher Brandon Valenzuela. Then, 10 years after being traded to Toronto, former pitcher David Price joins the show (1:35) to relive the Jays' big deadline in 2015 and his time with that special team. Then, he shares his message for Shane Bieber as he adjusts to his new reality with the Jays and his election into the College Baseball Hall of Fame. Later, Jeff and Kevin react to the Red Sox acquiring Dustin May from the Dodgers before going to the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker wrap up their trade deadline special touching on the Blue Jays' last acquisitions with reliever Louis Varland and first basemen Ty France from the Minnesota Twins, before putting a bow on Toronto's deadline moves, if the team's roster has significantly improved, and how they compare to the New York Yankees after improving their bullpen. Then, they bring on Sportsnet.ca's Shi Davidi (20:35) to chat about the Jays transitioning into a 6-man rotation, how Ty France can help the roster, how the Jays stack up to New York's roster, and where Varland slots in during a game. Then, Jeff and Kevin end the show with the Back-Leg Line with listeners' thoughts on how the Blue Jays' trade deadline went. 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 roll on following the Blue Jays' 9-8 win over the Orioles to close out the series. Cardinals writer Derrick Goold (1:00) discusses St. Louis' plans at the deadline and what it would cost the Jays to acquire closer Ryan Helsley. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Noah Hiles (10:26) shares what led to the Pirates trading Ke'Bryan Hayes away to the Reds and who else could be on the move ahead of Thursday's deadline. Chris Rose stops by (28:01) to weigh in on the potential outcomes of MLB's investigation into Emmanuel Clase, how the Guardians pivot and whether the Jays should be 'all in.' Finally, ESPN insider Jeff Passan (51:50) breaks down today's trades and shares a final tee-up ahead of the deadline.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 continue the game-day edition following the Blue Jays' 16-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles in the first leg of their doubleheader. Former MLB general manager and executive Thad Levine stops by (1:39) to share a front office's perspective on the lead-up to the trade deadline, Ross Atkins' reputation in trade talks, and the Twins' direction. Then, Jeff and Kevin react live to the Jays acquiring reliever Seranthony Dominguez from the Orioles for prospect Juaron Watts-Brown. Later, The Athletic's Jayson Stark (26:11) shares what Dominguez brings to Toronto, discusses his time at Sunday's Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and projects what could come from MLB's investigation into Emmanuel Clase.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.