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Sho Alli and Nick Ashbourne break down the Blue Jays' 7-6 win over the Athletics to open the series in Sacramento! They take your calls and texts, and get right to Jeff Hoffman's adventurous ninth inning - was this shades of what we saw in May, or was this a one-off after his recent run of success? They also discuss Max Scherzer picking up his first career win as a Blue Jay, get into some high leverage moments for Brendon Little, and chat about the offence benefitting from a little luck in this one. Plus, with the trade deadline approaching, how do people feel about trading one or both of Trey Yesavage or Arjun Nimmala? 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' 3-2 win over the Angels to complete the sweep at the Rogers Centre to complete a perfect seven-game homestand! They take your calls and texts, and discuss the overall vibes with the team - how good does it feel to see a team get contributions from everywhere, up and down the roster? They also chat about some of the specifics from this game, including Kevin Gausman notching nine strikeouts over 5.2 IP, Ryan Burr's terrific return from the IL, Addison Barger with some late-game defensive theatrics, and Jeff Hoffman locking down the game. Plus, they react live to Alejandro Kirk being named as an American League All-Star reserve by Major League Baseball. 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 with a look down the Blue Jays' lineup with Vladdy out and Bo returning for their series opener against the Angels. They take some calls on the Back Leg Line before welcoming in Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi (9:18) to discuss how this year's team compares to the roster from the last time the Jays led the AL East in 2016, how they've managed Jeff Hoffman, what to expect from Max Scherzer's next start and the latest on Daulton Varsho's recovery. Finally, they close out the week by going back 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 break down the Blue Jays' 11-9 win over the Yankees to both take the series and move into a tie for first place atop the AL East! They take your calls and texts, and they get right to the eighth inning of a wild ballgame - was it the right move for John Schneider to walk Aaron Judge, despite his game-tying home run? They discuss contributions from Myles Straw, Andrés Giménez, George Springer and Davis Schneider (who had his first career multi-home run game). Plus, they chat about the lockdown work from Jeff Hoffman, the return of Yimi García, and José Berríos giving up all six earned runs in a single 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 and Kevin Barker kick off with a reaction to Yimi García's return from IL and the Blue Jays' corresponding move sending Mason Fluharty down to Triple-A. Then, they look back on the Jays' big Canada Day win over the New York Yankees, discuss José Berríos' recent success against lefties, and react to Andrés Giménez's move to the lead-off spot after his three-run homer yesterday. Later, Blue Jays analyst Joe Siddall (26:30) stops by to share his thoughts on Bo Bichette's status, what's behind George Springer's sustained success this season, the decision to send Fluharty down, Jeff Hoffman getting back on track, and the increase of catcher interference 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.
Blake Murphy and Julia Kreuz kick off Jays Talk Plus by discussing the Blue Jays' victory over the New York Yankees in Game 1. They cover Max Scherzer's standout performance, Jeff Hoffman's solid close, and the current state of the bullpen. In the second half, they preview the Canada Day matchup between Kevin Gausman and Max Fried, speculating on Gausman's ability to maintain his dominance and whether Fried will cool down (29:54).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 put a bow on the Blue Jays weekend series against the Red Sox in Boston, Chris Bassitt's road struggles resurfacing, if Jeff Hoffman can continue to build off the positive outings at Fenway ahead of their next series against the Yankees, and they hear from Jays general manager Ross Atkins ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline and Draft. Then, Yankees radio play-by-play voice Dave Sims (31:30) stops by to chat about how Carlos Rodón has become a dependable arm, Aaron Judge's underrated game in the outfield, New York's focus at the trade deadline, Paul Goldschmidt's ability to revert to old-school hitting, and why the baseball club have a strong mental fortitude during a slump.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Sho Alli and Julia Kreuz break down the Blue Jays' 5-3 win over the Red Sox to win the rubber match in Boston, and finish the road trip 4-2! They take your calls and texts, and get right to the bullpen shutting down the Red Sox bats late in the game - how important was it for all of Brendon Little, Nick Sandlin, and Jeff Hoffman to show up in big moments, especially on the road? They discuss the biggest needs for the team at the trade deadline, Bo Bichette's contract status, and also get into Eric Lauer's 4.1 IP allowing three earned runs. Plus, with a four-game series vs. the Yankees starting tomorrow, is a 2-2 record acceptable or do the Jays need to go 3-1 with a big opportunity to gain some ground? 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 series opening win against the Cleveland Guardians, why John Schneider's decisions shows how important the series is, Chad Green now leading the Majors with the most homeruns allowed, Andrés Giménez becoming a mainstay in the infield despite his hitting woes, and Spencer Turnbull DFA'd for the returning Max Scherzer. Then, Blue Jays TV analyst Caleb Joseph (25:55) stops by in-studio to preview Scherzer's return to the mound, what adjustments Green and Jeff Hoffman need to make, when it would be appropriate to reconsider the 9th inning role, and how Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can find his timing against the fastball.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 share their reactions to Ernie Clement's promotion to the No. 2 spot in the batting order, Eric Lauer's start against the Cleveland Guardians, and why they're still optimistic about Jeff Hoffman coming out of his struggles in the 9th innings. Then, Guardians TV analyst Chris Gimenez (32:24) stops by to chat about Cleveland's issues against left-handed pitchers, Logan Allen's adjustments since his last start against the Blue Jays, why Emmanuel Clase could be a hot commodity at the trade deadline, Cade Smith's strong ability to keep the ball in the yard, and what he would keep an eye on when Max Scherzer returns 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.
Ben and Brent continue to look ahead to NHL free agency as July 1st quickly approaches. The pair focus on what the Maple Leafs need to do to "change their DNA" as GM Brad Treliving has indicated. Anthony Petrielli of Maple Leafs Hotstove joins the conversation to discuss what's next for Toronto's pending UFAs Mitch Marner and John Tavares. They also debate if the team could actually get better, even if both players are lost to the open market. Later on, Sportsnet's Joe Siddall (27:40) checks in from Cleveland ahead of the first game of the Blue Jays' road trip tonight against the Guardians. The trio discuss why this upcoming stretch is so important for the ballclub, the state of the starting rotation, and the level of trust in the bullpen with Jeff Hoffman closing.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 Pitcher and VSiN host Jensen Lewis (1:15) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to comment on John Schneider sticking by Jeff Hoffman, the Blue Jays' play and standing in the American League, the Phillies sitting pretty in the NL East, and the depth of the Rays' rotation, before looking ahead to Chase Burns' MLB debut vs. the Yankees and the upcoming Paul Skenes-Jacob Misiorowski pitching duel. ESPN College Baseball analyst Kyle Peterson (32:46) recaps LSU's second win in three years at the Men's College World Series in Omaha as they defeated Coastal Carolina and discusses the decision by umpires to eject Coastal Carolina's manager and first-base coach in the first inning of the deciding 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 recap the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Chicago White Sox, John Schneider reinforcing his belief in Jeff Hoffman despite his struggles as their closer, the options outside Hoffman, Max Scherzer's comments ahead of his return to the mound, and how Ernie Clement has been able to hunt and attack the fastball. Then, Sportsnet.ca's Shi Davidi (28:08) stops by to chat about the level of concern surrounding Hoffman, if we could see an increased workload for Yariel Rodriguez, Scherzer's rehab and pending return, why Anthony Santander's injury might be more serious than originally believed, Andrés Giménez's offensive trajectory and if Ernie can become an everyday MLB player.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blake Murphy and Julia Kreuz recap the weekend series vs. the White Sox and how things unravelled for Jeff Hoffman on Sunday. They also take your texts regarding the chances Toronto can win the AL East and the state of the starting rotation (30:51). Jeremy Maschino joins (51:06) to discuss his Pitch Profiler database, why Brendan Little's stuff works and whether he sees anything concerning in the numbers of Hoffman's recent outings. Lastly. Jake Mintz (1:14:51) recaps the College World Series and prospects to watch for in the MLB Draft.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Sho Alli and Nick Ashbourne break down the Blue Jays' 4-2 defeat at the hands of the White Sox to wrap up a series loss in Toronto. They take your calls and texts, and get to the questions on everyone's mind: what's up with Jeff Hoffman? Can the Jays afford to keep him in the closer role? Should Yariel Rodríguez see more save opportunities? When is Yimi García returning? They also discuss the two runs from the Jays offence - can Vladimir Guerrero Jr. deliver more runs in big moments? - and get into Chris Bassitt allowing just one run over six innings of work. Plus, Eric Lauer and Max Scherzer are going to start the first two games of the Cleveland series - what are expectations for both starters? 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 preview the Blue Jays' rematch against the Phillies in Philadelphia, how they can attack left-handed pitcher Ranger Suárez, why Toronto's lineup performs well against lefties, and whether Kevin Gausman can build off his 6-inning outing against the Minnesota Twins. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (25:58) stops by to chat about his lineup's success against lefties, updates on his injured players including Max Scherzer's rehab stint in Buffalo, Kevin Gausman's splitter, how Jeff Hoffman has handled his recent up and down stretch and if Yariel Rodriguez is ready for an extended 9th-inning role.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 Cardinals to complete the sweep in St. Louis! They take your calls and texts, and get right to the performance of the bats once again - in what was their 21st comeback win, how do they keep taking these dramatic victories? They discuss Ernie Clement's home run, the continuing great play of Eric Lauer on bullpen days, and Yariel Rodríguez locking down a save - should he get continue to get save opportunities if Jeff Hoffman falters? 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' 10-9 win over the Cardinals to take the series in St. Louis! They take your calls and texts, and get to Alejandro Kirk once again coming through with a big game - after Seattle's Cal Raleigh, is Kirk the next best catcher in baseball? They discuss the whole offence staying hot, including four RBI from Andrés Giménez, and also get to the bullpen decisions John Schneider made regarding Mason Fluharty, Chad Green, and Jeff Hoffman. Plus, they chat about the start from Chris Bassitt, in which he allowed four earned runs 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.
Blake Murphy and Julia Kreuz recap Alejandro Kirk hitting another homer, the decision to bring in Jeff Hoffman for one hitter, the benefits of being a low-strikeout/high-contact team and more. Former Blue Jay Bengie Molina (30:30) joins to talk Cardinals and the 2006 Toronto Blue Jays. Davy Andrews (49:56) dives into Kirk's power, the Twins and Kyle Schwarber (1:14:55). 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 & Brent are diving into the Blue Jays, MLB's best team over the last 31 games, as they aim for another series win. They discuss last night's game, highlighting manager John Schneider's praise for different players stepping up each night, and debate the season MVP. The focus then shifts to pitching, covering closer Jeff Hoffman and starter Chris Bassitt. They also preview Game 3 of the NBA Finals and touch on the Pacers naming streets after players, as well as Giannis trade rumors. Finally, they address Rod Brind'Amour's comments about not shaking hands after losing to Paul Maurice and the Panthers (26:34).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.
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 5-4 extra innings win over the Cardinals to open the series in St. Louis! They take your calls and texts, and discuss once again how the Jays are never out of it - is Alejandro Kirk the team's best hitter right now? They discuss Jonatan Clase's big night, including a game-tying home run in the ninth inning off All-Star closer Ryan Helsley, and also get into the peaks and valleys from Yariel Rodríguez in this game. Plus, they chat about Jeff Hoffman shutting it down in extras, and also chat about José Berríos allowing no runs over 6.2 IP. 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 weekend series against the Minnesota Twins, Bowden Francis continuing to struggle on the mound, what's best for him moving forward and Tyler Heineman's baseball IQ with his at-bats and behind the plate. Then, Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman stops by (27:50) to discuss if Bowden will make his start against the Phillies in Philadelphia, the bullpen's workload, why the team isn't concerned about Jeff Hoffman, whether this is the best version of George Springer in a Jays uniform and an evaluation for Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s 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.
Sho Alli breaks down the Blue Jays' 6-4 win over the Twins to start a nine-game road trip in Minneapolis! He takes your calls and texts, and gets right to the Jays winning another bullpen day - between Paxton Schultz, Eric Lauer, Mason Fluharty, Yariel Rodríguez, Brendon Little, and Jeff Hoffman, can the Jays still continue winning these patched together starts? He discusses the offence, including Addison Barger ripping another home run, Alejandro Kirk continuing to hit with two strikes, and Bo Bichette padding his team-leading RBI total. Plus, some updates on Spencer Turnbull and Max Scherzer. 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 today's show, the WIP Midday Show is discussing how they believe the Eagles defense will take a step back going into next season! They are split as to how much of a step back they will take but they all expect regression in 2025 from a unit that ranked among the top in the league in all important categories! Plus, are people beginning to underrate Trea Turner as he continues to perform well at the plate? As well as, Eliot Shorr-parks giving a live Eagles OTA report, the changing perspective of fans on Nick Sirianni, a supposed sports psychologist trying to help Hugh, Jeff Hoffman's offseason saga, and more!
In hour 4, Joe, Hugh and Kyle are looking over the conflicting reports from the offseason over if Jeff Hoffman was heavily pursued by the Phillies before failing to come to an agreement or if he was simply just allowed to walk in free agency. Plus, the midday show asks what is going on at WIP with some interesting moments coming from the Morning and Afternoon show!
Over the offseason the Phillies let pitcher Jeff Hoffman leave in free agency where he would sign with the Toronto Blue Jays. With the Phillies traveling to Toronto for the first time this season more reports have come out why the Phillies tried hard to keep Hoffman it didn't work out but are happy for his success. Except according to Hoffman the Phillies never even contacted him or his agent! Who do you and the WIP Midday Show believe?
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome David Samson (0:25), former MLB executive and host of Nothing Personal, to the show to discuss the Rockies' embarrassing season, the Red Sox's off-field dysfunction, why the Royals should've waited just a bit longer to call up top prospect Jac Caglianone, the Jays' ceiling this season and MLB pushing the ABS challenge system back another year. Later, Jays analyst Caleb Joseph (30:26) shares his thoughts on Jeff Hoffman's recent slide, expectations for Bowden Francis tonight against the Phillies, how the Jays attack Bryce Harper in his return from injury 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.
(0:00- 12:14) Conner and Ricky open the hour talking about the Phillies lineup for tonight. Then they analyze it. (12:20 – 21:28) Conner and Rickey talk about pitchers changing hair styles, then they talk about the Phillies and Bryce Harper returning to play. (21:35 – 31:59) Andrew DiCecco joins the show to talk about Vic Fangio’s press conference. (32:13 – 42:30) Conner and Ricky talk more about Jeff Hoffman and Jordan Romano swapped.
(0:00- 10:41) Conner Ricky wrap up the conversation with Bill then they shift to comparing Jordan Romano with Jeff Hoffman. (10:48 – 20:09) Conner Ricky discuss what Vic Fangio said during his press conference earlier this afternoon. (20:16 – 30:24) They read the twitter poll about Jordan Romano with Jeff Hoffman. Then they compare them. (30:38 – 37:59) Conner and Ricky talk about the Phillies playing tonight and Zack Wheeler being out of tonight’s game.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' series sweep of the Athletics, if they've bought in on Addison Barger and Ernie Clement, how John Schneider will fit Andrés Giménez back into the lineup, and if the Jays' hitters are finally adjusting to the ballpark with George Springer and Bo Bichette's uptrend in hitting. Then, Blue Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux stops by (23:40) to chat about where his concern levels are at with Jeff Hoffman's pitching, the expectations for him against facing his former team, if Barger can be a mainstay in the lineup, could Yariel Rodriguez be thrown into a closer role over Brendon Little and how Alejandro Kirk has performed with the workload he's been given behind 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.
Sho Alli and Julia Kreuz break down the Blue Jays' 8-7 win over the Athletics to take the series in Toronto! They take your calls and texts, and get right to a tough injury for Daulton Varsho, who left the game with a hamstring strain - if he misses any length of time, what are the team's options? Plus, they react live on-air to Davis Schneider being pulled from the Bisons game in the first inning - is he going to be the solution? They discuss Jeff Hoffman giving up a two-run bomb in the ninth but still coming away with the save - should Yariel Rodríguez, who looked good again, get save opportunities moving forward? They discuss four home runs, one from Bo Bichette and Addison Barger, and two from George Springer - what does the team need from Springer moving forward if Varsho is to miss time? To wrap up, some trivia for a George Springer football replica jersey giveaway! 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.
Eno & Trevor go on a reliever bonanza and talk everything reliever from the past 4 seasons to the future. They breakdown the best relievers of the past 4 years, some of the guys in the top 30, a few guys who could make the jump soon and a few players to keep an eye on in the future and what pitches make them special. Rundown1:20- Young Players that might be called up soon6:12- Tim Anderson DFA'd by the Angels9:36- Doval moved back to the Giants closer14;12- Best Relievers in the last 4 years19:07- Jason Adam breakdown25:59- Griffin Jax breakdown28:27- Tanner Scott breakdown33:46- Jeff Hoffman breakdown38:36- Graham Ashcroft look ahead40:38- Jeremiah Estrada look ahead44:14- Randy Rodriguez look ahead48:10- Will Vest look ahead51:00- Relievers to look for in the future & their best pitchesFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.socialFollow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Eno Sarris & Trevor MayExecutive Producer: Brian Smith Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 2-0 win over the Rangers to take the series in Texas! They take your calls and texts, and get right to Bo Bichette's late-game pinch-hit home run to deliver the game's only runs - does that mean the back issue isn't as big a problem as previously thought? They also discuss the outstanding bullpen game, as Paxton Schultz, Eric Lauer, Braydon Fisher, Brendon Little, and Jeff Hoffman combine for one hit and 13 strikeouts. Plus, how can the Jays be more efficient with their high payroll levels going forward both this year and in future years? 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 2025 Virginia Tech Hall of Fame inductee Kevin Barker chat about receiving the news of the honour and his time playing for the Hokies, before getting into the Blue Jays shutout loss to the Texas Rangers. Then, Sportsnet 590 The FAN's Ben Shulman (30:50) stops by to share his expectations for Paxton Schultz as the opener for their third game against Texas, Chad Green's workload, reasons to shake up the batting order again, Jeff Hoffman's struggles and John Schneider's confidence with the closer. 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.
Justin Cuthbert and Jesse Rubinoff kick things off with Stars analyst Brien Rea (10:00) ahead of a pivotal Game 4 between Dallas and the Edmonton Oilers. They discuss how the Stars have been able to create offence against the Oilers, Edmonton's defence and goaltending, how the Stars can even the series, and much more. Then, Nick Ashbourne (28:05) joins the show to discuss the Jays' .500 level play this season, Bo Bichette's performance at the plate, if we are seeing the best version of Daulton Varsho, Jeff Hoffman's value in the bullpen, 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.
Ben & Brent discuss the Blue Jays' return to form, highlighting Kevin Gausman's impressive performance against Jacob deGrom in Texas. They analyze Gausman's recent dominance and potential while addressing Jeff Hoffman's bounce-back, especially with Yimi Garcia sidelined. The duo notes the offence's struggles despite solid pitching, emphasizing that only a few big swings are sometimes needed. They wrap up by looking at the NHL Conference Finals, where Carolina stays alive, and the NBA, where SGA led OKC to a win away from the Finals (30:00).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' 2-1 win over the Rangers to open the series in Texas! They take your calls and texts, and get right to Kevin Gausman's terrific start in which he allowed just one run over eight innings of work - has he found something over the last few starts when it comes to the fastball/splitter combo? They chat about Jeff Hoffman locking down the win, get into Daulton Varsho crushing another home run, and also discuss the lack of pop from the rest of the offence - despite the win, what needs to change there? 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 departure of Brendan Shanahan from the Maple Leafs organization (00:00). Dan Shulman, Blue Jays play-by-play voice, joins JD to discuss how the Jays can stay afloat above a .500 win percentage, what feels sustainable so far, Daulton Varsho and Alejandro Kirk stepping up, the concern level about Jeff Hoffman, playing at the Tampa Bay Rays temporary stadium, and problem-solving the fifth rotation spot (9:00). JD touches on why the end of the Shanahan era of Leafs hockey was so frustrating (46:00). The views and opnions 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, MLB insider with ESPN, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to take a look around the majors including the Cardinals, Padres, Rockies, Mets, Braves, and of course, the Blue Jays! John Schneider (27:05), Manager of your Toronto Blue Jays, joins the guys to discuss the nuances of playing at George M. Steinbrenner Field this weekend. Skip shares an update on Andrés Giménez, Nick Sandlin, Max Scherzer, before getting into Nathan Lukes' walk-off hit, Jeff Hoffman's form of late, and the intricacies of pitching decisions. We wrap up this week on the program with today's listener question from Jim in Belleville, Ontario!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 discuss Jeff Hoffman's blown save, Nathan Lukes' walkoff single, and Addison Barger finding a groove again. Alanna Rizzo joins to talk Shohei Ohtani's looming return to the mound and Rafael Devers clashing with the Red Sox. Afterwards, Matt Joyce (30:10) comes on to talk Drew Rasmussen, the Rays playing at Steinbrenner Field, their struggles vs. lefties 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 affiliate.
Ben & Brent kick off by discussing the Blue Jays' impressive sweep, highlighting their third straight win in extra innings thanks to Nathan Lukes. They delve into the team's recent momentum and rising excitement, noting the emergence of players like Lukes, Varsho, and Bargar, and advocating for Addison to continue playing even after Andres Gimenez returns. The conversation also addresses recent blown saves by Jeff Hoffman and Bowden Francis's struggles. To wrap up, they analyze the NHL East Final, NBA West Final, and Canada's upset at the World Championships (32:34).The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
After a sweep of the reeling Padres, Justin and Patrick return to discuss how the Jays were able to pull it off. They got great pitching from Bassitt, Gausman, and the bullpen over the 3 game set and tons of production from up and down the lineup. With the sweep, the Jays climb back above .500 and head out on a road trip to play the Rays and Rangers. Justin gives updates on injured players and Patrick asks tough questions about Jeff Hoffman.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 7-6 extra-innings win to complete a sweep of the Padres in Toronto! They get right into Nathan Lukes delivering the game-winning RBI single in the 11th inning, John Schneider's decision to pull Bowden Francis when he did, the performance of the bullpen, and the worry level on Jeff Hoffman after another blown save.Note: The contract of Leafs Team President Brendan Shanahan was not renewed, and following an extra-inning ball game, today's edition of Jays Talk was abbreviated to make way for Real Kyper & Bourne. The regularly scheduled post-game show will resume with the Rays series beginning 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.
This week Arden and Ben start with a big-picture check in on the Blue Jays (00:19) before discussing Jeff Hoffman's struggles (32:08) and the state of the starting rotation (1:02:29).This podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Arden Zwelling and Ben Nicholson-Smith.Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.caAudio Credits: MLB.comThe 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.
Jacob Wilson just launched two homers against the Dodgers (2:22)! ... Javier Baez might be back (7:24)! ... What's up with Jeff Hoffman (10:10)? ... Shane Baz ... FOOLED YOU (12:28). ... Kris Bubic vs. Framber Valdez was great (19:17). ... News (24:33): Roki Sasaki is going on the IL. ... Josh Jung is coming around (38:48). ... How do we rank Abbott, Leiter, Soriano and Springs (45:18)? ... Did you notice Kristian Campbell is slowing down, Robbie Ray has turned things around and more (47:09)? ... We wrap up with leftovers, bullpen updates and streamers (1:05:59). Fantasy Baseball Today is available for free on the Audacy app as well as Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Subscribe to our YouTube channel: youtube.com/FantasyBaseballToday Download and Follow Fantasy Baseball Today on Spotify: https://sptfy.com/QiKv Get awesome Fantasy Baseball Today merch here: http://bit.ly/3y8dUqi Follow FBT on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fbtpod?_t=8WyMkPdKOJ1&_r=1 Follow our FBT team on Twitter: @FBTPod, @CPTowers @CBSScottWhite, @Roto_Frank Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/fantasybaseballtoday Sign up for the FBT Newsletter at https://www.cbssports.com/newsletters/fantasy-baseball-today/ For more fantasy baseball coverage from CBS Sports, visit https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/ To hear more from the CBS Sports Podcast Network, visit https://www.cbssports.com/podcasts/ You can listen to Fantasy Baseball Today on your smart speakers! Simply say "Alexa, play the latest episode of the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast" or "Hey Google, play the latest episode of the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast." To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker sort through the highs and lows of the Blue Jays' 11-9 loss to open their series against the Tampa Bay Rays. They dive into Jeff Hoffman's pitch selection in the ninth inning, the confidence levels in the back end of the bullpen, and Daulton Varsho's recent power surge. Dan Shulman (22:35), voice of the Blue Jays on Sportsnet, joins the conversation to share his view on what went wrong for Toronto late in yesterday's game. Dan checks in on the Jays' impact relievers, the recent rise of home run power from this lineup, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s start to the 2025 season, and Junior Caminaro's potential.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 dissect the loss to the Rays that featured Jeff Hoffman getting lit up in the 9th, Daulton Varsho smacking two home runs and Bo Bichette continuing to generate hard contact. Afterwards, David Laurila touches on his conversation with Paul Molitor and what he learned about Max Scherzer after he evaluated his 2008 scouting report.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 open today's episode alongside Sportsnet's Hazel Mae! The trio chat about Hazel's upcoming first pitch at a Vancouver Canadians game this weekend in celebration of Women in Sports Day, before discussing all things Blue Jays. Hazel shares what's behind the drop in Jays' fans attendance during the team's road trip to Seattle, Addison Barger's breakout, Jeff Hoffman's personality off the mound, Mason Fluharty's mindset, and much more! Later, Jeff and Kevin dive into Toronto's form heading into this week's series with the Tampa Bay Rays (22:25).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 Timlin, four-time World Series champion reliever, opens the second hour alongside Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker. He discusses the keys to avoiding fatigue as a bullpen arm, Jeff Hoffman's transition to a closing role, how a manager can help get a reliever back on track, and how to know when it's time to change a routine. John Schneider (25:00), Manager of your Toronto Blue Jays, joins the guys live from Seattle to share an update on Andrés Giménez, Nick Sandlin and Max Scherzer as they work back from injuries. Skip also chats about what his team can build on from last night's win, Anthony Santander trending upward, Chad Green's save, Yimi Garcia's issues locating, avoiding outside pressure, Kevin Gausman's routine, and Addison Barger's growth.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.