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We hear from Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro and General Manager Ross Atkins discussing a wide range of topics, including Shapiro's contract, Bo Bichette's free agency, Shane Bieber picking up his player option and much more! Plus, Jeff Blair heads to the Back-Leg Line to get your reactions on the Jays' front office end-of-season media avails.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 reflect on the Toronto Blue Jays' Game 7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, falling short of a World Series title. They break down the game, including Jeff Hoffman giving up a game-tying home run to the Dodgers' nine-hole hitter and Isiah Kiner-Falefa's base-running in the ninth inning. Then, they share positive takeaways from the Jays' run that they can build on in 2026, which aspects of the team may regress, and whether resigning Bo Bichette will be a priority in the offseason. Later, Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph (31:56) weighs in on IKF's base-running, silver linings from the Jays' loss, and the next step for Ross Atkins and Mark Shapiro.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Former MLB President and host of 'Nothing Personal' David Samson (1:28) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about how he would plan for the upcoming offseason, assessing 'breakout years' from the likes of Ernie Clement and George Springer, Jeff Hoffman overcoming the game-tying home run in Game 7, Yoshinobu Yamamoto's uniqueness, how he would rank the 2025 World Series, Bo Bichette's free agency and if load management will increase amongst the teams. Then, Jeff and Kevin head to the Back-Leg Line for the final time this season!The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 5-4 extra-innings loss to the Dodgers to end the season in crushing defeat, as the Dodgers win the World Series. They take your calls and texts, and discuss this wild game, including Miguel Rojas' game-tying blast off Jeff Hoffman with two outs remaining in the top of the ninth, Ernie Clement's deep flyout to Andy Pages, Isiah Kiner-Falefa's attempt to run home with the bases loaded, Shane Bieber giving up a solo bomb in extras to Will Smith, and everything in-between. They get into what's next for this ballclub, including the future of Bo Bichette and manager John Schneider - do they both return in 2026? Plus, Kevin Pillar (57:30) stops by the radio booth, and takes your calls and texts as well alongside Jeff and Kevin. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 3-1 loss to the Dodgers in Game 6 of the World Series to force a winner-take-all Game 7 on Saturday night. They take your calls and texts, and get right to the bizarre ninth inning, which included a wedged ball in the outfield wall to stop play on what would have been a game-tying hit from Addison Barger, followed by the lineout double play that ended the game seconds later. Had they ever seen the the wedged ball happen at the Rogers Centre, and how much blame does Barger deserve in that situation? They also get into the game at-large, including the missed opportunities against Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the start from Kevin Gausman, the performance of the bullpen, and whether or not the team will be able to bounce back for Game 7 in such a short amount of time. 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.
It's game day! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to Game 6, a potential World Series-clinching stage for the Jays against the Dodgers. They go through the lineup, including George Springer's return to the lead-off spot and Bo Bichette's corresponding move back to second base. Then, two-time World Series champ and MLB Network's Al Leiter joins the show (11:45) to discuss what mentality the Jays must have against a red-hot Yoshinobu Yamamoto, what Kevin Gausman can take away from Trey Yesavage's outing, and his memories from playing in the World Series. Later, Sportsnet play-by-play announcer Dan Shulman stops by (32:00) to share his confidence levels going into Game 6 against Yamamoto, the late-innings plan for Bichette, Addison Barger's growth, Chris Bassitt embracing the bullpen role, and his favourite moments from the booth through the Jays' playoff 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker hear from both Bo Bichette and John Schneider ahead of Game 6, reacting to Bo's comments about his future, returning from injury to play in the World Series, his maturity through the years within the Blue Jays' organization, and John's comments on how he spent Halloween at his doorstep a year ago to now having the chance to clinch a championship. Then, 3-time World Series Champion and former Blue Jays' manager Pat Gillick stops by (31:00) to chat about the 2025 Jays' roster compared to his 1992 & 1993 winning team, if we can expect a shift in hitting philosophy across the league after seeing the success by the Jays, the difficulties of winning "one more game", and difficulties of clinching back-to-back championships. 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 3-time World Series Champion and National Baseball Hall of Famer Jack Morris (4:20) to chat Trey Yesavage's historic Game 5 start in the World Series, the differences in pitching in the Fall Classic and regular season, how Kevin Gausman should approach pitching in a clincher, playing in extra-inning postseason games, the comfort of having Chris Bassitt coming out of the bullpen, and the Blue Jays surpassing the underdog title. Then, we hear from Blue Jays manager John Schneider a day before Game 6. Afterwards, Sportsnet.ca's Shi Davidi stops by (32:10) to discuss Addison Barger's at-bats, George Springer's status for Game 6, how much the break in-between the regular season and postseason helped Vladdy's monster performances and if other MLB teams will look to replicate the Jays' offensive approach. 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 reflect on the Blue Jays' 6-1 win over the LA Dodgers in Game 5 to take a 3-2 World Series lead back to Toronto. They discuss Trey Yesavage's masterpiece on the mound and Addison Barger's awareness on the basepaths before looking ahead to Game 6 and how the Jays adjust to Yoshinobu Yamamoto the second time through. Later, MLB Network analyst Sean Casey joins the show (27:00) to share his thoughts on the Dodgers' stars' struggles, what to expect from Kevin Gausman in Game 6, how the Jays approach Yamamoto, and the impact the Rogers Centre crowd might have 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 affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 6-1 win over the Dodgers to take a 3-2 World Series lead as they head back to Toronto! They take your calls and texts, and get right to the man of the hour in Trey Yesavage, who carved the Dodgers for 12 Ks and no walks over 7.0 IP - with the context of the World Series, is that one of the best pitching performances in franchise history? They talk about the bats starting the game with back-to-back home runs from Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., get into the terrific play of Addison Barger, and also discuss the job John Schneider did in managing this ballgame. 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 with a look back on the Blue Jays' 6-2 win over the Dodgers in Game 4 to tie up the World Series, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s big home run off Shohei Ohtani and Shane Bieber's bounce-back. Then, they look ahead to Game 5, how the starters in Blake Snell and Trey Yesavage will adjust from their Game 1 outings, the Dodgers' lineup change and Chris Bassitt's role. Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph stops by (30:30) to share his expectations for Yesavage, what the Jays' bats can expect from Snell the second time around, how Will Smith's move up to the two-hole impacts the approach to Ohtani, and Bo Bichette getting back to full speed at the plate.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour leading up to Game 5 of the World Series with Baseball Today host and Jomboy Media's Chris Rose (1:00). He shares his impressions of the first four games of the Fall Classic, the Dodgers' bottom-of-the-order hole, Chris Bassitt's bullpen breakout, and a national POV of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s postseason. Then, Jeff and Kevin throw to a snippet of Hazel Mae's sit-down with Andrés Giménez and discuss the shortstop's defensive impact. Later, they listen in on Dave Roberts' and John Schneider's game-day availabilities.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' 6-2 win over the Dodgers in Game 4 of the World Series to pull even at two games apiece! They take your calls and texts, and discuss the Jays bouncing back after the 18-inning loss earlier in the day - how important is it that the World Series is now a best-of-three, with two of those games potentially coming in Toronto? They chat about the big Shane Bieber start, and get into Chris Bassitt's terrific relief outing - what could his role be moving forward? They also discuss the offence, including a two-run bomb from Vladimir Guerrero Jr., a sharp Bo Bichette single off the outfield wall, and another big Blue Jay inning in the seventh. 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' marathon Game 3 against the LA Dodgers, a 6-5 in the 18th inning. They reflect on the Jays' consequential decision to pitch to Shohei Ohtani in the seventh inning, John Schneider's pinch-run replacements, questionable umpire calls, Nathan Lukes' 12-inning at-bat against Clayton Kershaw with the bases loaded, and more of the Jays' missed opportunities. Then, they move on to Game 4, what to expect from the starters in Shane Bieber and Ohtani, and how the lineup changes in the potential absence of George Springer. Later, Blue Jays special assistant and 12-year MLB veteran Kevin Kiermaier (29:02) stops by to discuss the toll of an extra-innings postseason loss, how the Jays can bounce back in Game 4, and how they can attack Ohtani on 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 are joined by MLB Network analyst and two-time World Series champion Jake Peavy to chat about what he thinks the message would be in the Blue Jays clubhouse before Game 4 after a gut-wrenching Game 3 loss, Shane Bieber's gameplan at attacking Shohei Ohtani, hitting against high velo pitches, and why we're seeing two of the best catchers in the World Series. Then, Jeff and Kevin touch on Eric Lauer's extra innings dominance before bringing on Blue Jays' outfielder and Sportsnet MLB analyst Kevin Pillar stops by to discuss Ohtani's pitching, bench decisions from Game 3, how Mookie Betts would feel seeing Shohei getting intentionally walked at-bat after at-bat, and what could be at stake for Shane Bieber in his Game 4 start. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 6-5 walk-off loss vs. the Dodgers in a marathon 18-inning Game 3 of the World Series. They take your calls and texts, and debate where this game was won and lost - does this fall on John Schneider over-managing with early hooks for Bo Bichette, Alejandro Kirk, and Addison Barger, or does it fall on the offence that replaced them late in the game? They get into the efforts from the bullpen, including Eric Lauer and Jeff Hoffman, and discuss the effects this might have on both the Blue Jays and Dodgers in Game 4 and 5. Plus, they chat about Shohei Ohtani, the decision not to intentionally walk him in the seventh inning, and what they do vs. Ohtani on both sides of the ball in Game 4. 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.
As the World Series heads to Los Angeles, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to Monday night's Game 3 and share their expectations for the game's starters in Max Scherzer and Tyler Glasnow before welcoming ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan to the show (11:33). They discuss how Scherzer and George Springer are viewed in LA, whether Game 3 is a must-win for the Blue Jays, the unsung impacts of Will Smith and Max Muncy, and what the Orioles are getting with their new managerial hire, Craig Albernaz. Later, Dodgers broadcaster Eric Karros (28:45) shares a more in-depth preview of Glasnow's start, how the Jays' bats should approach Shohei Ohtani in Game 4, if there are still hard feelings for the LA faithful over Scherzer's time with the Dodgers, and the impact of the shadows at Dodger Stadium. Finally, Jeff and Kevin react to the Jays and Dodgers' Game 3 lineups. 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 former MLB pitcher and co-host of 'VSiN By The Books' Jensen Lewis (1:03) to chat about the challenges for the Blue Jays playing in a late afternoon game in L.A. for the next three World Series games that includes shadows, the keys to attacking Tyler Glasnow and vice versa for pitching against the Jays' batters, Dodgers fans' dislike for George Springer and Max Scherzer, if the Houston Astros' hitting scandal still has an impact on today's players, why it's a 'must-win' for both sides, and why he expects to see Rōki Sasaki making his World Series debut out of the bullpen. Then, Blue Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux (29:45) stops by to discuss his expectations for Max Scherzer's turn in the Fall Classic, Chris Bassitt's usage, why he's hesitant to use Brendon Little, and Bo Bichette's return to the Game 3 lineup. 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' 5-1 loss vs. the Dodgers in Game 2 of the World Series. They take your calls and texts, and discuss the masterful performance from Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto - what more could the Jays' bats have done against him in this game? Was this a 'tip your cap' moment with Yamamoto looking like he did? They get into the start from Kevin Gausman, chat about the batting order both in this game and going forward, and look ahead to Game 3 with Max Scherzer on 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' 11-4 win over the Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series! They take your calls and texts, and get right to Addison Barger's grand slam, the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history! They discuss Daulton Varsho and Alejandro Kirk both going yard in the win, the bats pushing Blake Snell out of the game in the sixth inning, John Schneider pushing all the right buttons with both pinch-hitters and the bullpen, and the start from Trey Yesavage. Plus, they get into Bo Bichette making his first career start at second base in the World Series - will that continue in Game 2? 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 had the chance to chat with Blue Jays' pitching coach Pete Walker (1:13) from the World Series Media Day to talk about Trey Yesavage making his first Fall Classic start, Chris Bassitt's adjustment into a bullpen role during the ALCS and his projected workload against the L.A. Dodgers, and Jeff Hoffman's closing confidence. Then, MLB Network host Greg Amsinger (8:43) weighs in on how Game 1 is a must-win for the Blue Jays, if we'll see a complete game from a Dodgers' pitcher, and Vladdy's perception in America. Afterwards, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi stops by (22:53) to discuss Bo Bichette's deployment at 2B, who ends up facing Shohei Ohtani coming out of the bullpen, and Louis Varland's expected usage. To wrap up before Game 1, The Athletic's Jayson Stark jumps on (45:17) to give his thoughts on the impact of Bichette's long layoff, Blake Snell's strong competitive pitch arsenal, if the Dodgers have 'ruined' baseball, and who is the most important player for the Blue Jays outside of 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 affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays' Game 1 lineup, which includes Bo Bichette in the clean-up spot and at second base. They weigh in on the decision and look at the rest of the World Series roster before listening in on Ross Atkins' and Bichette's game-day availability. Later, TVA Sports' play-by-play announcer Denis Casavant (27:58) discusses the Jays' reception in Quebec considering the province's historical ties to the Dodgers, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s similarities and differences to his father and his expectations for Trey Yesavage in Game 1. Finally, Jeff and Kevin listen 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 the Commissioner of Major League Baseball Rob Manfred (0:35) to chat about the current state of the game on the field and for audiences across all mediums and the world, the international stage being highlighted for the Fall Classic, how MLB approaches the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics in L.A., Rogers Centre renos and Toronto's prospects of hosting an MLB All-Star weekend, the rule changes over the years and ABS coming in 2026 and the chance of expansion in Canada. Then, '93 World Series MVP and National Baseball Hall of Famer Paul Molitor stops by (29:38) to discuss the difficulties of reaching the final series in a playing career, memories of Joe Carter's walk-off homer, home-field advantage playing a role, and his advice to Trey Yesavage and other young players.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays announcing Trey Yesavage as the Game 1 starter for the World Series and lay out their expectations for the 22-year-old. Then, Bo Bichette sits down with Jeff and Kevin (16:40) to discuss his recovery and how he'd approach possibly playing second base. Later, Dodgers President Stan Kasten (20:52) reflects on a second straight World Series trip, how the team has changed from last season, the rotations' postseason dominance, and the narrative that the Dodgers' spending is 'bad for baseball.' Finally, former Blue Jay pitcher and World Series winner Pat Hentgen (34:55) discusses the franchise's return to the Fall Classic, his advice for Yesavage, and his postseason memories from his playing days.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to Friday's Game 1 of the World Series and discuss the Blue Jays' keys against the Dodgers. They get into L.A.'s starting pitching edge and project how John Schneider will deploy the bullpen. Then, former MLB pitcher and cohost of Intentional Talk, Ryan Dempster, stops by (23:46) to discuss his World Series run with the 2013 Red Sox after finishing last in the division in the previous season, the mentality required to win a Fall Classic, and how the Jays' bats attack Blake Snell in Game 1. Finally, Jeff and Kevin discuss the pressure of the World Series vs. the League Championship Series and whether Game 1 is a must-win for the 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.
MLB Network's Jon Morosi joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker (1:11) to discuss how the Blue Jays match up against the L.A. Dodgers, the differences in types of pitchers and hitters the Milwaukee Brewers have compared to the American League champions, John Schneider's bullpen usage, why Chris Bassitt should get more run in the World Series, and projecting Bo Bichette's deployment. Then, National Baseball Hall of Famer and former Blue Jay Frank Thomas stops by (29:41) to chat about winning MLB's Comeback of the Year and George Springer potentially winning the same award, living up to the expectations bestowed on a player like Vladimir Guerrero Jr., if home field advantage plays a factor in the Fall Classic, if Shohei Ohtani can pitch and hit throughout his MLB career and his memories of his time with 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 affiliates.
Blake Murphy and Julia Kreuz are joined by Jeff Blair to discuss his appearance in the documentary about the demise of the Montreal Expos and how this Blue Jays team compares to others in team history. The Score's Jonah Birenbaum (51:59) joins to reflect on Toronto's season and the ups and downs throughout the year. Lastly, the Athletic's Levi Weaver (1:18:16) breaks down where the Dodgers and Blue Jays hold advantages as we begin previewing the 2025 World Series. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
The Blue Jays are going to the World Series for the first time in 32 years! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker listen back on all the calls of George Springer's clutch, go-ahead home run in the seventh inning of Game 7, discuss the teams' winding path to this point, and look ahead at the decisions the team will have to make ahead of Friday's Game 1 against the L.A. Dodgers. Later, Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins the show (26:27) to reflect on the Game 7 victory, Springer's clutch gene, the veteran starters' impact out of the bullpen, Bo Bichette's status for the World Series, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s rise into superstardom.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 back former MLB President and host of Nothing Personal, David Samson (1:05) to revisit the fallout of the Montreal Expos as the newest Netflix documentary "Who Killed the Montreal Expos" releases which included Jeff and David, before looking towards the financial implications for both teams entering the World Series, the front office's influence on the post-season run, why Mookie Betts could be an x-factor for the L.A. Dodgers, if the Blue Jays should be favourites in the Fall Classic and if Albert Pujols will be a great player turned manager. Then, Jeff and Kevin head to the Back-leg Line to hear your calls with reactions on the Jays' berth to the World Series! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 4-3 win over the Mariners in Game 7 of the ALCS to book their ticket to the World Series for the first time since 1993! They take your many calls and texts, and get right to the biggest swing of the night: George Springer launching a three-run bomb in the bottom of the seventh inning! They discuss Springer's big moment, the pitching changes that included Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt, Jeff Hoffman closing the game in the ninth, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. being named ALCS MVP. Plus, we go on the field and inside the Blue Jays clubhouse for celebrations, courtesy of Sportsnet's Hazel Mae. 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.
We've got a Game 7 in Toronto! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker get set with former GM and MLB Network analyst Jim Duquette (4:30), who discusses the Jays' momentum heading into the do-or-die stage, how the bats approach George Kirby the second time around and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s dominant postseason. Then, Jeff and Kevin project how John Schneider will manage the bullpen with the season on the line, share expectations for Shane Bieber, and look at the two teams' lineups. Later, Jays Central analyst Madison Shipman stops by (27:45) to weigh in on Addison Barger's adjustment at the plate, the impact of George Springer's knee injury, the plan for Jeff Hoffman after a busy Game 6, the Mariners' mental mistakes, and the importance of a strong start. Finally, Jeff and Kevin share who they think will be the x-factor in Game 7.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 MLB Insider Jeff Passan joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker (3:20) to chat about if the Los Angeles Dodgers care who they face in the World Series between the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays, Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s incredible offensive performance throughout October, and if his view on John Schneider as a manager changed after his pitching decision in Game 5. Then, we hear from George Springer on his experience playing Game 7s and manager John Schneider. Finally, Jeff and Kevin share the keys for the Jays in the do-or-die stage at Rogers Centre.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' 6-2 win over the Mariners in Game 6 of the ALCS to force a winner-take-all Game 7 in Toronto! They take your calls and texts, and discuss the pitching performance that saw Trey Yesavage turn out 5.2 IP of two-run ball while Louis Varland and Jeff Hoffman lock it down late - could Hoffman still be available tomorrow despite two innings of work in Game 6? They get into the offence coming through, including another solo blast for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Addison Barger smashing a two-run shot of his own amidst a three-RBI night. Plus, they get into the defence looking terrific, and look ahead to Game 7 of the ALCS with Shane Bieber on 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' 6-2 loss vs. the Mariners in Game 5 of the ALCS. They take your calls and texts, and get right to the question on everyone's mind: why did John Schneider bring in Brendon Little over Seranthony Domínguez or Jeff Hoffman to start the eighth inning to face Cal Raleigh? They debate the reasoning behind the decision, listen to Schneider's own reflections on the move, and discuss what could have gone differently (if anything). They get into the start from Kevin Gausman, the injury to George Springer, and how you bounce back from a devastating loss with Game 6 in Toronto right around the corner. 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 Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph (0:49) to go over the Blue Jays' Game 4 win and how they keep it rolling in Game 5. He discusses Max Scherzer's throwback start, how John Schneider will adjust in managing Kevin Gausman, how the bats attack Bryce Miller, and what's behind Andrés Giménez's recent offensive breakthrough. Then, Jeff and Kevin discuss Giménez's impact, Scherzer's mound-meeting moment and Ernie Clement's evolution before listening in on the Jays' 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 open Friday's show with thoughts on the Blue Jays' Game 4 victory over the Seattle Mariners. Dan Plesac, former MLB pitcher and current MLB Network analyst, discusses Toronto's momentum moving forward and Max Scherzer's fiery interaction with John Schneider in the fifth inning, before setting the stage for Kevin Gausman's start in Game 5 this evening. Derek Shelton (26:10), former MLB player and manager, joins the guys to chat about how each team in the ALCS has managed their pitching staff, how to approach Bryce Miller, Trey Yesavage's meteoric rise, Isiah Kiner-Falefa's utility, and George Springer's resurgence. Derek wraps up his segment addressing his future in Major League Baseball, before Jeff and Kevin weigh in on Addison Barger's outfield defence.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 8-2 win over the Mariners in Game 4 of the ALCS! They take your calls and texts, and get right to Max Scherzer's 5.2 IP of two-run ball - how important was that moment for 'Mad Max' with John Schneider atop the mound? They get into a four-RBI night for Andrés Giménez, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. blasting his fifth home run of the playoffs (a Blue Jays playoff record), and discuss the bullpen as well, which saw Seranthony Domínguez get the ninth inning over Jeff Hoffman. Plus, with at least one more game now guaranteed to be played in Toronto, they look ahead to Game 5 and Game 6 and the pitching matchups that lie ahead. 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' 13-4 win over the Seattle Mariners to pull back to 2-1 in the ALCS, highlighting Shane Bieber bouncing back after a shaky first inning and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. getting back to his ALDS form. Buck Martinez joins the show (6:54) to discuss the Jays' aggressive approach in Game 3, Bieber's adjustment, what to expect from Max Scherzer in Game 4 after nearly a month since his last start, and Ernie Clement's growth. Later, MLB on TBS's Jeff Francoeur stops by (29:06) ahead of Game 3 in the NLCS to discuss the pitching showcase between the Dodgers and Brewers, Shohei Ohtani's postseason slump, and what to expect from Tyler Glasnow. Finally, Jeff and Kevin react to the Mariners announcing Bryce Miller as the Game 5 starter and break down Daulton Varsho's clutch two-run double in Game 3.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 former Seattle Mariners' manager and current special assistant with the San Diego Padres, Scott Servais (3:53) to chat about Luis Castillo as a starter, how Cal Raleigh grew into an MVP-caliber ballplayer, Julio Rodríguez's performance with the team, the magnitude of the ALCS for Seattle, how well home field advantage plays in post-season baseball, and how a manager's game planning changes from the regular season to playoffs. Then, Jeff and Kevin react to Isiah Kiner-Falefa being inserted into the lineup with Anthony Santander being placed on the bench. To wrap up, the guys look ahead to Max Scherzer's return to the postseason 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' 13-4 win over the Mariners in Game 3 of the ALCS! They take your calls and texts, and get right to the start from Shane Bieber - was that his best start in a Jays uniform? How important was it for the team to pick him up after a rough first inning? They discuss the offensive explosion that saw the Jays launch five home runs, three coming off George Kirby - what did they change in their approach after the first two games in Toronto? Plus, they get into Max Scherzer getting the start in Game 4, whether or not Chris Bassitt will factor into that game, and what the Jays' offence could look like against Luis Castillo. 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 their discussion on their expectations for Shane Bieber in his second postseason start ahead of Game 3 in Seattle, how the Blue Jays' hitters should game plan against George Kirby, and how the season will be viewed if Toronto falls out of the ALCS. Then, they turn their attention to the L.A. Dodgers taking a 2-0 series lead over the Milwaukee Brewers. Later, 4-time World Series champion, member of the '01 Mariners and current Yankees & Marlins analyst Jeff Nelson stops by (28:55) to chat about his experience in New York completing a 0-2 comeback against the Atlanta Braves in 1996, the intimidation of a road game, if he sees changes to the Yankees roster, bullpen days in the postseason, and how managers are utilizing their starters. To wrap up, Jeff and Kevin react to John Schneider changing up the batting order with Anthony Santander returning and hitting cleanup. 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 2015 AL MVP with the Blue Jays, Josh Donaldson (3:35), to chat about his experience being doing 0-2 in a series, batting in Seattle, blocking out the noise of the Mariners' strength in pitching, combating the elevated fastball and his thoughts on Cal Raleigh's historic offensive season. Then, he looks back at Jose Bautista's iconic bat flip and the controversial and chaotic inning leading up to it. Later, Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux joins the guys (28:18) to chat about how Shane Bieber can be dominant against the Mariners' batters, holding batters away from hitting towards the 'big part' of the field, Anthony Santander and Addison Barger switching spots in the batting order, Chris Bassitt's outing out of the bullpen in Game 2, and sets the scene for T-Mobile Park. 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' 10-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners in Game 2 to fall into an 0-2 hole in the ALCS. They break down the meat of the order's struggles, Jorge Polanco's go-ahead home run and John Schneider's pitcher decisions before discussing what the Jays need to do to turn it around in Game 3 in Seattle. Then, World Series champion manager Joe Maddon stops by (27:15) to discuss managing around analytics in the postseason, when to pull a starter from a playoff start, and how the Jays approach Cal Raleigh.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 TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman (1:24) to chat about the positives coming out of the first two losses against the Seattle Mariners, if John Schneider will make any changes to the batting order, whether Shane Bieber can bounce back in his second postseason start, Trey Yesavage's Game 2 outing, and if Jeff Hoffman has got back his command of his pitches. Then, we hear from Jays' closer Hoffman in his off-day availability before bringing on former pitcher and VSiN host Jensen Lewis (28:15) to get his thoughts on how Bieber can find success against Seattle, the adjustments the Jays need to make for Game 3, pitching decisions from Alejandro Kirk, and where he sees the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers series moving towards.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' 10-3 loss vs. the Mariners in Game 2 of the ALCS. They take your calls and texts, and get right to the offence - where have the bats gone after such a successful ALDS? Is it all Mariners pitching, or has the team failed to make meaningful in-game adjustments? Is there a different configuration of the batting order that might lead to more productivity? They discuss the Mariners bats bombing the Jays' bullpen, Trey Yesavage with a rough second playoff outing, and also look ahead to the next few games that will see Shane Bieber and possibly Max Scherzer take the mound in Seattle. 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 hit the airwaves following the Blue Jays' 3-1 loss at the hands of the Seattle Mariners to open the American League Championship Series. They break down John Schneider's decision to pull Kevin Gausman in the sixth inning, Bryce Miller's performance on short rest, and what caused Toronto's bats to fall silent in Game 1. The boys also touch on the crowd noise at Rogers Centre last night, and how it compared to the electric atmosphere during the ALDS. Caleb Joseph (22:35), former MLB catcher and current Sportsnet analyst, discusses how to attack Cal Raleigh at the plate, what went wrong for Brendon Little last night, and the scouting report for today's opposing starter, Logan Gilbert. Caleb also checks in on Raleigh's elite defence behind the plate and how to navigate bullpen usage throughout a seven-game series. The boys wrap up this hour with thoughts on John Schneider's pregame comments.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 Passan, ESPN MLB insider, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of Game 2 of the ALDS. They touch on Anthony Santander's late scratch, what to expect from Trey Yesavage in his second-career playoff start, and feelings in Toronto down 0-1 in the series. Jeff also checks in on the strength of the Mariners' pitching staff, Jorge Polanco's ability to perform in high-pressure spots, and what to make of John Schneider's decision making. Later, the boys listen in to Shane Bieber's media availability ahead of his Game 3 start on Wednesday. Ryan Divish (28:02) of the Seattle Times gets us set for first pitch with thoughts on Cal Raleigh's defensive prowess, the difference makers in the M's lineup, the team's ability to keep their arms fresh, and what to expect from Logan Gilbert.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 3-1 loss vs. the Mariners in Game 1 of the ALCS in Toronto. They take your calls and texts, and discuss John Schneider's decision to take out Kevin Gausman after 5.2 IP - does the loss fall on that turning point? They get into the offence managing just one run in the game alongside two total hits, and chat about the surprising start (and velo) from Bryce Miller on only three days of rest. Plus, they get into the lineup and what it may have in store for Seattle's Game 2 starting pitcher, Logan Gilbert. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Dodgers advancing to the NLCS after Orion Kerkering's error cost the Phillies their season in extra innings. They discuss whether the Phillies make big changes in the offseason, look at the lopsided Game 4 between the Cubs and Brewers, and debate who would be a better matchup for the Jays in the ALCS - the Tigers or Mariners. Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi joins the show (27:17) to make predictions for the Blue Jays' roster changes, whether Bo Bichette will be ready and whose spot he would take, why Anthony Santander is safe, where Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt fit in, and why the Mariners might be the better ALCS matchup for 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 are joined by The Athletic's Jayson Stark (3:20) to chat about whether the Philadelphia Phillies fanbase could forgive Orion Kerkering's misjudgement in Game 4 giving the L.A. Dodgers the win and ticket to the NLCS, what's next for the Phillies, if the Dodgers have returned to being the best team in the MLB, what the New York Yankees should focus on in the offseason, and potential roster changes for the Blue Jays ahead of the ALCS. Then, FOX Sports' play-by-play broadcaster Adam Amin (35:46) stops by to discuss the Seattle Mariners-Detroit Tigers series heading to 5 games, if Josh Naylor can become an x-factor in a win-or-go-home scenario, and if a Tigers series win will erase a bad end to their 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 Sports & Media or any affiliates.