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On the latest edition of Jays Talk: Field Access, Blue Jays radio play-by-play voice Ben Shulman chats with a pair of Blue Jays pitchers: Shane Bieber (20:12) and Jeff Hoffman (27:38). Plus, Sho Alli chats with pitcher Kevin Gausman in the dugout down at the Rogers Centre (1:36). 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 Kaitlyn McGrath break down the Blue Jays' 8-6 comeback win vs. the Cubs to even the series at one game apiece! They take your calls and texts, and discuss Louis Varland shutting things down in a six-out save - is he a shoo-in for AL Reliever of the Year at this point? They get into the timely hitting from Alejandro Kirk, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Kazuma Okamoto, and Daulton Varsho - does John Schneider also get some credit for his pinch-hit moves? Plus, they discuss the outfield defence from Varsho alongside Myles Straw and Nathan Lukes, Jeff Hoffman keeping it together in the seventh, and what the rotation could look like when Shane Bieber returns on Monday. 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 is back, Tim is visiting his new grandson, and life is good here on Is This A Great Game, Or What? A huge thank-you to Kelly Kurkjian for stepping in on our last episode—she was an absolute superstar! We start with Cal Raleigh, because he's simply the best. After a slow start to the season, he looks like he's finding his groove again. Nothing will top last year, of course, but it's great to see him back on track. We also discuss Jeff Hoffman's puzzling season and take a look at what baseball could look like in Las Vegas after getting a sneak peek of what's to come. Colt Keith leads off the Quirkjians segment, and a Hopp, Skip and Jump is finally complete—much to Tim Kurkjian's delight. In Three Cards in the Bathroom, Jeff shares a few favorites from his card collection, featuring some names that are sure to bring back memories. On This Date and Alphabest both turn into a celebration of Willie Mays. The legendary Hall of Famer is almost impossible to put into words, but we do our best—including sharing what Johnny Bench once said about him, a remarkable testament to Mays' character and impact. We wrap up the episode with an all-Team Tim lineup featuring the greatest pinch hitters of all time, inspired by Kelly's outstanding pinch-hitting performance earlier in the week. Thanks so much for listening and watching, and as always, thank you for being part of our family! Coach Smarter, Connect Live, Replay the Action with GameChanger at https://tinyurl.com/gc-gamechangerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 3-0 shutout win vs. the Red Sox to take the series at Fenway Park! They take your calls and texts, and get right to Louis Varland carving up the meat of the Red Sox order to lock down a win on a bullpen day - does the relief staff still need another guy to avoid burning out some of these arms? They get into Simeon Woods Richardson's bulk outing, Spencer Miles continuing to look great, and Jeff Hoffman staying consistent - if Hoffman continues to stay out of the ninth, can he remain this effective? Plus, they get into Vladimir Guerrero Jr. knocking home a pair of runs, and Andrés Giménez causing some havoc on the basepaths. 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 vs. the Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston! They take your calls and texts, and get right to Davis Schneider and Andrés Giménez going back-to-back in the fifth inning - did the stint in the minors do Schneider some good? They get into Dylan Cease striking out seven over five innings of work - is there a way for him to be more efficient more consistently? Plus, they discuss the bullpen usage tonight, including appearances from Jeff Hoffman, Tyler Rogers, Tommy Nance, and Louis Varland. 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 Nick Ashbourne break down the Blue Jays' 8-3 loss vs. the Yankees to wrap up a series loss in Toronto. They take your calls and texts, and discuss some big picture items for the team; are injuries still a valid excuse for the lack of consistent run production? Has the lack of offence hurt an overworked bullpen? What holes does this team need filled, and are there too many of them to plug in 2026? How important is the coming road trip for this team's direction this season? Plus, they get into some smaller items from this game, including not walking Ben Rice in the ninth inning, the play of Jeff Hoffman, whether or not he balked, and John Schneider's subsequent ejection from the 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.
Guests: Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman, Philadelphia Phillies reliever Tim Mayza This week in Deep Left Field, we look into the latest Blue Jays news from a 4-3 week, including the returns of Dylan Cease (good) and Max Scherzer (less good) from the injured list and speculate about how the Jays might handle the impending return of Alejandro Kirk, given that Brandon Valenzuela has emerged as one of the team's best hitters so far this season. Kevin Gausman, the only Jays' pitcher to have not yet missed a start this season, joins us to share his thoughts about the team being under .500 but very much in the playoff race as the first day of summer approaches. Gausman also talks about some of his more lightning-rod-type teammates, including Jeff Hoffman, George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Tim Mayza was back in Toronto this week, but the one-time longest-tenured Blue Jay is now a Philadelphia Phillie. The left-hander reminisces about his Jays days and talks about the ups and downs of life as a reliever in the big leagues. All that, plus a deep dive into the mailbag at deepleftfield@thestar.ca!
Former Blue Jays MVP Josh Donaldson (0:43) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to kick off the second hour. He shares his experience playing in a local slow-pitch softball game, the challenges Max Scherzer faces as he returns to the Jays' rotation, and how Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can get his power back. Then, Jeff and Kevin listen to John Schneider's pre-game availability ahead of the Jays' series finale against the Phillies. Later, Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker (27:05) joins the show to discuss what he expects from Scherzer in his return, the team's confidence in Jeff Hoffman, the expanded workloads for Braydon Fisher and Mason Fluharty, and whether Spencer Miles will get a look in higher leverage. 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' 3-2 walk-off win vs. the Phillies to even the series at one game apiece in Toronto! They take your calls and texts, and get right to the play of Brandon Valenzuela - how does he continue to raise his game going forward? They also discuss Dylan Cease striking out 11 Phillies in his return from the IL - is that one of the most dominant starts of his career? Plus, they get into the big plays of the game, including Jesús Sánchez with a solo shot off Zack Wheeler, the baserunning in the ninth, and Jeff Hoffman looking good in relief. 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 (1:08), joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss the Jays' potential solutions for a struggling Jeff Hoffman, the number of voices around Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s hitting, whether Aaron Judge's injury will up the Yankees' deadline aggression, and why the Tigers should act now on Tarik Skubal after his first rehab stint. Later, Jeff and Kevin listen to John Schneider's pre-game availability ahead of the Jays' series-opener against the Phillies, discuss the looming returns of Dylan Cease, Alejandro Kirk and Yimi García, and dive deeper into Vladdy Jr.'s mechanics. Finally, they share their expectations for the Jays in their test against Cristopher Sánchez and the Phillies. 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 recap the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles, including their 6-4 win, the comeback in the 6th inning, Jeff Hoffman's blown save in their second game, Ernie Clement dodging Gunnar Henderson's tag, Kevin Gausman's outing against his former team and his slider usage. Then, former MLB umpire and crew chief Dale Scott (16:04) takes a deeper dive on the base-running and infield defensive plays between Toronto and O's, and the leash he would have for managers. Later, Phillies TV analyst Ben Davis joins the guys (28:14) to chat about the managerial change with Don Mattingly, if they can sustain their success through the post-season, Cristopher Sánchez's success with his changeup, how he can continue dominating the mound, how the team and Orion Kerkering overcame their devastating loss in the playoffs, Brandon Marsh marking his all-star campaign, and Bryce Harper not losing his step. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blake Murphy kicks off Jays Talk+ with former Blue Jays reliever John Axford to discuss the Blue Jays' series win over the weekend, Gunnar Henderson's controversial tag attempt, Brandon Valenzuela's future when Alejandro Kirk returns, Jeff Hoffman's recent struggles, and whether Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can turn things around (30:40). Later, Todd Zolecki (49:49) checks in on the Phillies and Cristopher Sánchez's rise to stardom. Blake wraps up the show with Levi Weaver (1:17:26) to take a trip 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 affiliate.
Sho Alli and Jesse Rubinoff break down the Blue Jays' 6-4 win vs. the Orioles to even the series at one game apiece in Toronto! They take your calls and texts, and get right to the game's biggest star in Ernie Clement - how important is it to see him bring back his terrific defence alongside some timely hitting? Should he be the Jays position player headed to Philadelphia for the 2026 All-Star Game? They also get into Brandon Valenzuela continuing to look great - could there be a scenario in which he splits the catcher and DH roles with Alejandro Kirk? Plus, they discuss Spencer Miles looking great in a bounce-back outing, Kazuma Okamoto staying hot, and get into the curious case of Jeff Hoffman. 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 recap the Blue Jays' 7-2 win over the Atlanta Braves in their series finale, Toronto having success against Chris Sale, how Trey Yesavage can bounce back against the same team in Baltimore, the expected bullpen usage between Louis Varland, Braydon Fisher and Jeff Hoffman in the late innings, and early impressions of Charles McAdoo. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins the guys (26:10) to chat about the return of Simeon Woods Richardson and how he'll use him out of the pen, if Varland has naturally transitioned into the closer's role, Jeff Hoffman's recent performances, how McAdoo has acclimated himself into the Majors, Nathan Lukes being the jack of all trades as a baseball player, whether he'll consider resting George Springer more, whether he'd consider having three catchers in the lineup, and the effort shown by his players on the baseball diamond. 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 Arden are in Georgia as the Blue Jays tangle with MLB's best team. They seize on some interesting Kevin Gausman comments to consider the Blue Jays' current trajectory (1:00), break down the factors behind which catcher will exit upon Alejandro Kirk's impending return (24:52), and round up some pitching developments including what comes next for Jeff Hoffman (37:30). This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Cristian Ceniti and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith. Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.ca 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 ahead to the Blue Jays' series opener in Atlanta against the Braves, keys to a bounce-back game for the team and Kevin Gausman on the mound, and Vlad Jr.'s lack of extra-base hits this season. Then, former pitcher and current co-host of VSiN By the Books, Jensen Lewis (30:50) joins the guys to chat about the state of college baseball, how the Jays should approach their series against one of the best teams in the Majors currently, finding continuity with the bullpen and Jeff Hoffman, Tarik Skubal returning to play soon and the rumours around trading him 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 affiliates.
Blake Murphy is joined by Davy Andrews of Fangraphs to talk Blue Jays, Daulton Varsho and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Afterwards, Sportsnet's Eric Smith (27:51) pop by to analyze the decision to use Jeff Hoffman in the 9th on Saturday and the week ahead for Toronto. Jon Morosi (51:09) of MLB Network joins to talk Jacob deGrom's legacy, where Toronto stands in the AL East and more. Lastly, Jesus Cano (1:16:06) of the Athletic joins to talk everything about the NL East leading Braves including their dominant pitching staff and Ronald Acuna Jr. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Join Bryan Hayes, Jeff O'Neill and Jamie McLennan for Hour 1 on OverDrive! The guys discuss the state of Canadian hockey, the Canadiens' defeat to the Hurricanes and the Stanley Cup Final set with the Golden Knights, the Maple Leafs hiring Judd Brackett and Freddie Hamilton to the front office and the coaches and general managers role for a franchise. They dive into Jeff Hoffman's future, Jesus Sanchez getting hit by a ball from a fan and Braves' president of baseball operations and general manager Alex Anthopoulos on the Braves' season, the positives for the team and building the roster.
Justin and Patrick return after the Toronto Blue Jays split the weekend series with the Baltimore Orioles. The Jays had a great comeback in game 2 and then immediately returned the favour in game 3 after Jeff Hoffman couldn't protect a 4-run lead in the 9th. The guys recapthe series, talk June goals for the Jays, play a game about old stadiums, and then preview the upcoming test that will be the Atlanta Braves.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back at the Blue Jays' weekend series in Baltimore against the Orioles and touch on Jeff Hoffman's 9th-inning meltdown, Spencer Miles' first start on the road, Jesús Sánchez getting hit by a ball in the outfield from the stands, and Charles McAdoo's debut weekend in the Majors. Then, The Athletic's and host of the Starkville Podcast Jayson Stark joins the guys (29:17) to chat about the New York Yankees 13-run game against the A's, the state of the American League and it's East division with many teams without a winning record, if the Chicago White Sox's pitching staff is sustainable, and why the 2026 NL Cy Young Award is a tight race. 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 outfielder and current NBC analyst Dexter Fowler (3:01) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker following the Blue Jays' series against the Orioles in Baltimore. They discuss Jesús Sánchez's odd injury, the Jays' tough injury luck, the American League landscape, why it's so hard to hit in today's MLB, and how Pete Crow-Armstrong can break out of his defensive slump in the outfield. Later, Ben Nicholson-Smith (29:00) stops by ahead of the Blue Jays' series against the Atlanta Braves, and he discusses Jeff Hoffman's role moving forward, Spencer Miles' outing against the Orioles, Ernie Clement's adjustment to being an everyday second baseman, and what the Jays have in Charles McAdoo. Finally, Jeff and Kevin grade John Schneider's 2026 campaign so far. 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 is joined by Kaitlyn McGrath to recap the 4-game series vs. the Orioles including Jeff Hoffman's 9th inning on Saturday, Jesus Sanchez's freak injury and the Blue Jays banged up starting pitching rotation. Afterwards, Braves analyst Jeff Francoeur (31:07) talks Toronto's bats and previews Atlanta heading into their 3-game set vs. the Blue Jays. Bryce Whitlow (49:49), Hall of Pretty Good creator, discusses the vision behind the social account and the success he's had building it up on Instagram. Lastly, Tim Brown (1:15:22), author of “Nolan: The Singular Life of an American Original,” reflects on the vision behind the book, his favourite chapters, and Nolan Ryan's legacy. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning kick off the week by recapping the Blue Jays' four-game series in Baltimore. They discuss the series split with the Orioles, Jeff Hoffman's struggles in Saturday's outing, the state of the injury-plagued rotation, and whether Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s strong weekend could signal a turnaround. After the break, they shift to the NBA, breaking down Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs reaching the Finals after defeating the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. The conversation explores Wembanyama's rapid rise, the potential emergence of a new dynasty, Oklahoma City's shortcomings, Chet Holmgren's quiet performance, and how San Antonio matches up with the Knicks. 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 open the second hour by discussing the Carolina Hurricanes' breakthrough run to the Stanley Cup Final. They examine what changed from past Eastern Conference Final disappointments, Montreal's struggles, and Carolina's chances against the Golden Knights. They also break down David Carle's decision to decline the Maple Leafs' head coaching job, what it means for both sides, and where Toronto turns next. Brent then shares his World Hockey Championship report following Canada's semifinal loss. After the break, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi (26:40) joins the show to discuss the Jesús Sánchez fan interaction incident, its implications for player-fan relationships, and the impact of his absence. The conversation also covers Jeff Hoffman's recent struggles, the Blue Jays' bullpen outlook, Louis Varland's emergence, and concludes with Morosi's thoughts on the World Hockey Championship and its significance. 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 Nick Ashbourne break down the Blue Jays' stunning 6-5 walk-off loss vs. the Orioles in Baltimore. They take your calls and texts, and get right to the biggest story of the game: Jeff Hoffman melting down in the bottom of the ninth, as he allowed six straight batters to reach in the loss. How much can the blame be shared between Hoffman himself, manager John Schneider for not pulling him sooner, or Ross Atkins for the bullpen construction? What is Hoffman's role on the team moving forward? Plus, they discuss Trey Yesavage walking seven batters over 5.0 IP, and get into the offence delivering five runs in the loss, including a four-hit day for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and another big swing for Kazuma Okamoto. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Brent Gunning and Zack Bodenstien open Friday's show by breaking down the Blue Jays' win to open their series against the Orioles. Is there anything more electric than a go-ahead walk? The boys break down all the action including Baltimore's failed challenges, Toronto's ability to keep winning despite limited offence, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s impact in key moments. They also touch on Chris Bassitt facing his former team, Patrick Corbin's importance to the Jays, Louis Varland's dominance out of the bullpen, and what that means for Jeff Hoffman's role. Later, the guys shift to the Spurs forcing a Game 7 against the Thunder in the Western Conference Final and discuss the pressure facing Victor Wembanyama. They wrap up by reacting to Bruce Cassidy's comments about the Golden Knights blocking him from interviewing for other coaching positions. 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 the post-game edition, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome Blue Jays TV analyst Joe Siddall (3:41) to reflect on Toronto's 2-1 win to close out their series against the Miami Marlins. They discuss Tyler Heineman's franchise-record-setting day as he caught four Marlins stealing, who will be the odd men out when Addison Barger and Alejandro Kirk return, and whether Jeff Hoffman's recent form is sustainable. Then, MASN Orioles analyst Roch Kubatko (34:10) stops by with the Jays heading off to Camden Yards, and he discusses the frustrating year so far for the O's, Pete Alonso's fit, Chris Bassitt's first season in Baltimore, 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.
The Houston Astros had three pitchers combine to throw the first no-hitter of the season. Does it mean you can now trust Tatsuya Imai? Corey Pieper breaks down the top injury news, studs and duds, the Bullpen Report segment, and the FanDuel Bet of the Day. On the injury front, the White Sox designated Jarred Kelenic for assignment to pave the way for Nishida, while the Blue Jays officially placed ace Dylan Cease on the 15-day IL with a hamstring strain and hold Vladimir Guerrero Jr. out with elbow soreness. Meanwhile, Cole Ragans has been shut down for 2-3 days. In studs and duds, Jacob Misiorowski put on a masterclass by striking out 12 over seven frames, and Colton Cowser hit a walk-off home run for the second consecutive day. Conversely, Tanner Bibee got completely annihilated for seven earned runs while surrendering an egregious five home runs. For the Bullpen Report, we sort through a chaotic closing landscape across the league, analyzing the shifting high-leverage roles for Gregory Soto in Pittsburgh, Nate Pearson in Houston, and the continuous save rotation of Jeff Hoffman and Louis Varland in Toronto. First Cup Fantasy Baseball drops every weekday around 9 AM ET on The F6P Hour. Use code F6PPODS for 15% off All Access at fantasysixpack.net — rankings, matchup tools, DFS and betting cheat sheets, and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Blue Jays radio voice Ben Shulman (1:53) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of the team's series opener against the Miami Marlins. They discuss the decision to send Davis Schneider down, Kazuma Okamoto's slump, Jeff Hoffman's turnaround, Dylan Cease's injury and the plan for his spot in the rotation, whether Yohendrick Piñango's production is sustainable, and why the offence has struggled so much in early innings. Later, former MLB president David Samson (27:08) shares how teams self-evaluate at this point in the year, when to start panicking about Vlad Jr., how looming labour negotiations will factor into this season, why the Tigers must trade Tarik Skubal, and Fernando Tatís Jr.'s lawsuit against Big League Advance. 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 the show discussing Davis Schneider being sent down to Triple-A Buffalo and the Blue Jays activating Nathan Lukes for the series opener against the Miami Marlins. Then, they recap the weekend against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Jeff Hoffman's performance using his slider, how the Jays' hitters approached Paul Skenes, Alejandro Kirk's light rehab in Toronto, updates with Shane Bieber's progress, and Vlad Jr. getting hit in the elbow. Later, Marlins TV host and reporter Craig Mish joins the guys (31:30) to chat about how he would compare this team to previous rosters, Otto Lopez reaching 70 hits, how far the roster is from competing and winning meaningful games, and if Sandy Alcántara will survive another trade deadline. To wrap up the hour, we hear from John Schneider ahead of their series opener against Miami. 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 Kaitlyn McGrath break down the Blue Jays' 5-2 win vs. the Pirates to secure a series win in Toronto! They take your calls and texts, and get right to Patrick Corbin, who notched seven strikeouts and allowed only one run over six innings of work - how did he outduel Paul Skenes, and was that his best outing as a Blue Jay? They get into the offence, including Jesús Sánchez knocking home an RBI double off Skenes, George Springer and Tyler Heineman both blasting no-doubt home runs, and Yohendrick Piñango continuing to impress. Plus, they discuss the bullpen, which had both a shaky outing from Yariel Rodríguez and a dominant one from Jeff Hoffman. 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 talk to Blue Jays manager John Schneider (0:40) ahead of the team's return to the Rogers Centre, where they will host the Pittsburgh Pirates. The skipper shares injury updates, reflects on the Jays' road trip, Andrés Giménez's approach adjustments, Adam Macko's potential, Brandon Valenzuela's game-to-game growth, what a save against the Yankees means for Jeff Hoffman, and much more. Jeff continues on the Friday edition solo, and he weighs in on who will be the odd men out with Alejandro Kirk and Nathan Lukes nearing a return. To close out the week, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan stops by (24:50) to discuss Tarik Skubal's rapid progress after undergoing elbow surgery, whether he'll factor into this year's trade deadline, what Gerrit Cole's return means for the AL East landscape, why teams stay away from high school arms in the draft, and what the Jays can expect from the Pirates this weekend. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 2-0 win over the Yankees to ensure a series split in New York! They take your calls and texts, and discuss a sterling effort from the Jays bullpen, as they struck out 14 batters over the game. They chat about Spencer Miles, who struck out six over 4.1 IP - what does his potential look like given what he's shown so far? Plus, they get into Jeff Hoffman getting the save opportunity with some relievers down, and chat about the offence continuing to scuffle despite the win - could there be a trade out there that could help the team? The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning kick off Friday's show with thoughts on the Toronto Blue Jays' gritty win over the New York Yankees to split the road series in New York. They discuss renewed confidence in the Jays, Spencer Miles' emergence as a potential rotation option, the effectiveness of the team's double-opener strategy, and strong outings from Adam Makko and Jeff Hoffman. The duo also debates Hoffman's future in high-leverage bullpen situations. Later, they shift to the Carolina Hurricanes struggling against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final and debate whether major changes could be coming. They wrap up with thoughts on Sidney Crosby's long-term future and the Cleveland Cavaliers falling behind the New York Knicks after Game 2 at MSG. 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.
FTN's Dan Thompson (@redfoxroto) breaks down the latest news in the world of MLB bullpens, relief pitchers, and save opportunities. On today's show, Dan covers eight teams after a relatively calm week. Is Trevor Megill back in the ninth for the Brewers? The returns of Ryan Helsley and Josh Hader are delayed. The Angels and Reds are mysterious messes, David Bednar's on shaky ground, and Jeff Hoffman's chances are six feet under. The FTN website is loaded with the best fantasy baseball content, rankings, projections, and tools! Join us this season at www.FTNFantasy.com. No team of analysts is better equipped to help you dominate your leagues, featuring three NFBC overall champions! Your fantasy baseball cheat code: FTN Fantasy Baseball Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
FTN's Dan Thompson (@redfoxroto) breaks down the latest news in the world of MLB bullpens, relief pitchers, and save opportunities. On today's show, Dan runs down the add/drop prospects of no less than 24 different relievers, including Trevor Megill, Emilio Pagan, Edwin Diaz, Rico Garcia, Caleb Kilian, and Jeff Hoffman. The FTN website is loaded with the best fantasy baseball content, rankings, projections, and tools! Join us this season at www.FTNFantasy.com. No team of analysts is better equipped to help you dominate your leagues, featuring three NFBC overall champions! Your fantasy baseball cheat code: FTN Fantasy Baseball Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 3-2 walk-off loss vs. the Tigers to kick off the three-game series in Detroit. They take your calls and texts, and debate what was the primary cause of tonight's loss, Jeff Hoffman or the bats going quiet in an impromptu Tigers bullpen day? What do you do with Hoffman moving forward, and how do the bats wake up after continuing to be quiet? Plus, they discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s struggles specifically, and get into Trey Yesavage's first quality start of the season The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Former MLB right fielder and current hitting coach for the Tampa Bay Rays Chad Mottola (0:34) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about what makes a great run producer, the types of development paths for his hitters, if batter technology has caught up to pitcher tech, the transition back to playing at Tropicana Field after a season at Steinbrenner Field, the next steps in Junior Caminero's offence, Kevin Cash's managerial philosophy, and how to be athletic in a player's at-bats. Then, MLB Insider and Sportsnet Blue Jays reporter Ben Nicholson-Smith (25:08) takes a look at how the baseball club are either actively looking or just monitoring the pitching market, if an impact player on both sides could be moved earlier in the trade market, the clubhouse vibe around the quarter mark, if John Schneider would consider moving Vlad Jr. in the lineup, Jeff Hoffman's potential return to the 9th inning, Brandon Valenzuela's adjustment to the Majors, and Andrés Giménez's hot bat. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Glavine (3:30) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to remember the former third baseman, manager and Baseball Hall of Famer Bobby Cox, what it was like playing for him, Bobby's relationship with his pitching staff, and how he managed different personalities throughout his tenure with the Atlanta Braves. Then, Blue Jays analyst Caleb Joseph jumps on (28:38) to weigh in on the Monday roster moves including Eric Lauer DFA'd, Drew Rasmussen vs. Kevin Gausman to open up their home series against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays, Yariel Rodriguez getting called up, Spencer Miles' projection in the rotation, how the Jays can produce runs like the L.A. Angels over the weekend and if Jeff Hoffman is ready to return to the 9th inning. 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 breaks down the Blue Jays' 2-0 win vs. the Angels to kick off the three-game series in Toronto! He takes your calls and texts, and discusses the man of the hour, Dylan Cease, who struck out ten over seven innings of work - after two straight starts of seven innings (and few walks), has he turned the corner? Plus, Jeff also gets into Jeff Hoffman and Louis Varland slamming the door, and discusses the offence only scratching across three hits - what's the fix? 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 Dan Shulman to dig into what's fueling the Blue Jays' struggles, including unexpected defensive issues and John Schneider's performance through the skid. They also hit on early MLB surprises, Jeff Hoffman's return to form, Kazuma Okamoto's hot streak, and Dylan Cease's ceiling this season. The hour wraps with listener questions on the Back Leg Line. 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 by Blue Jays manager John Schneider to discuss looming roster decisions once Addison Barger returns, the latest on José Berríos' injury, and Jeff Hoffman settling back in after changing roles. They also get into Dylan Cease's efficiency, Trey Yesavage's pitch mix, Jesús Sánchez's struggles, and whether there's lingering concern around George Springer's injury. Plus, why Toronto's stars need to deliver in big moments and a final round of questions from the Back Leg Line. 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.
Host Brenden Escott breaks down a frustrating and injury-riddled start to the 2026 season for the Toronto Blue Jays, who find themselves sitting at 16-21 and searching for consistency. The conversation brings in Brayden Ewasko and looks at how much injuries have disrupted the club early on, including the significant absence of Alejandro Kirk after his broken/dislocated thumb, the return of Addison Barger and whether it may be time for Davis Schneider to head back to the minors. The episode also examines Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s unusual start to the year. While Vladdy continues to hit for average and lead the team offensively, the power numbers simply haven't been there — prompting discussion about what's behind the drop in home run production and whether it's cause for concern moving forward. Elsewhere, the focus shifts to some of the Blue Jays' biggest storylines: Kazuma Okamoto's adjustment to Major League Baseball, Dylan Cease's first season under his massive new contract and the ongoing bullpen rollercoaster headlined by Jeff Hoffman's electric stuff but continued ninth-inning struggles. There's also appreciation for the emergence of Louis Varland and debate over what the Jays should do to stabilize the bullpen long term. Finally, the show looks ahead to one of the organization's most intriguing young arms, Trey Yesavage, discussing expectations for the prized prospect after a dominant playoff run was followed by a shoulder impingement that delayed the start of his season. Don't forget to subscribe to the show anywhere you get your streaming audio and follow Inside Sports on X (@InsideSports880). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Blue Jays Manager John Schneider joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker for his weekly chat! Skip shares the latest on José Berríos and Addison Barger as they continue to work back from injury, his takeaways from Trey Yesavage's return to the mound, and what he learned from the team's "State of the Squad" meeting. They also touch on his lineup's lack of home run production, what's changed for Daulton Varsho and Kazuma Okamoto at the plate, the keys to success for Patrick Corbin and Tyler Rogers, and how Jeff Hoffman has handled his role change. John wraps up with his thoughts on the Blue Jays' outlook heading into May with a 14-17 record. Later, Thad Levine (27:45), former Twins GM and co-host of Rosters to Rings, investigates Carlos Mendoza's vote of confidence in New York, the Red Sox clearing house, and the Phillies' struggles through April. They wrap up the week with discussion about a potential lockout in 2027 and what's on the table for both sides. 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.
Mike Trout is on the move in the rankings, and Joe Bond has the full breakdown of who is rising and who is falling in today's Rankings Movers segment. On the risers side, Trout leads the way alongside Randy Arozarena, Josh Jung, Jose Soriano, Nolan McLean, Bryan Baker, and Louie Varland. Falling include Jarren Duran, Salvador Perez, Pete Crow-Armstrong, Rafael Devers, Logan Gilbert, Devin Williams, Jeff Hoffman, and Aaron Nola. Luis Robert Jr. is heading for an MRI with the IL looking likely, Jasson Dominguez left yesterday's game with a left elbow contusion, and Javier Baez is on the IL with a right ankle sprain with Wenceel Perez taking over in CF. Joe also runs through today's studs and duds. On the stud side: Hunter Goodman, Juan Soto, Nolan Arenado, Lawrence Butler, Taj Bradley, and Calvin Faucher. Duds include Daylen Lile, Sandy Alcantara, JR Ritchie, and Brayan Bello. The FanDuel Bet of the Day: Christopher Sanchez 7+ K at +108 and Elly De La Cruz to hit a home run at +290. First Cup Fantasy Baseball drops every weekday around 9 AM ET on The F6P Hour. Use code F6PPODS for 15% off All Access at fantasysixpack.net — rankings, matchup tools, DFS and betting cheat sheets, and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Former MLB catcher and current MLB Network analyst Anthony Recker (3:21) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the identity of the 2026 Minnesota Twins, if they're working towards a defensive or offensive-first mindset, Bailey Ober's changeup, why a healthy Mick Abel would help the team's pitching staff, what impresses him the most about Kevin Gausman, and why the Padres have been the biggest surprise to start the year. Then, Blue Jays analyst Joe Siddall joins the guys (26:54) to discuss the adjustments Kazuma Okamoto has made, Brandon Valenzuela's potential, Ernie Clement's ability to cover all areas in his at-bats, Daulton Varsho's strengths and weaknesses, and Jeff Hoffman's usage in low-leverage situations. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
JD reacts to the Raptors tying up their first-round series 2-2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Shi Davidi, MLB columnist and Sportsnet Jays reporter, talks about Jeff Hoffman's ousting as the closer, the plan with Trey Yesavage this week, how Kazuma Okamoto is finding himself, and the team's current chemistry. JD closes the hour talking about the most exciting Stanley Cup playoff series. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
MLB.com Blue Jays Reporter Keegan Matheson joined OverDrive to discuss Jeff Hoffman's role changing, his removal as the closer, the team's unit at the position, Trey Yesavage and Jose Berrios' return to the mound. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s decent April statistics, the look of the lineup and more.
Join Bryan Hayes, Jamie McLennan and Dave Feschuk for Hour 1 on OverDrive! They dive into the Senators on the brink of elimination against the Hurricanes, the Maple Leafs' hockey operations search and John Chayka and Scott White being finalists for the role. MLB.com Blue Jays Reporter Keegan Matheson on Jeff Hoffman's removal as the closer, Trey Yesavage and Jose Berrios nearing returns and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s inconsistent start to the season.
Chris Rose and Trevor Plouffe discuss the hottest stories in baseball Monday through Friday! Thanks to our partners at T-Mobile for sponsoring today's episode. Go to https://www.tryjoymode.com/TODAY Or enter TODAY at checkout for 20% off. Save on essentials. Save the everyday with Amazon. Shop your favorite gear from the Jomboy Media store. Click here to shop today! https://shop.jomboymedia.com/ 00:00 INTRO 04:17 Is it time for a change in Queens? 13:35 The Phillies aren't looking too good either 22:48 Do the Blue Jays have a Jeff Hoffman problem? 27:45 Rest in peace Garret Anderson 33:10 A bunch more from the MLB weekend 51:18 OUTRO Follow us on X/Instagram: @ChrisRoseSports Chris Rose on X/Instagram: @ChrisRose Trevor Plouffe on X/Instagram @TrevorPlouffe Follow all of our content on https://jomboymedia.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.