POPULARITY
In this edition of 32 Thoughts, Kyle Bukauskas and Elliotte Friedman offer a surprise mid-summer check-in across the NHL. They begin with big-name 2026 UFAs, including McDavid and Kaprizov, and discuss how these players could influence the rest of the UFA/RFA class. Elliotte shares notes on the Winnipeg Jets (15:00).The duo dives into the NHL's decision to retain the decentralized draft format (20:57), followed by a discussion of Roger McQueen's commitment to Providence in the NCAA (24:27). They also check in on Pittsburgh and consider the possibility of Nick Robertson landing there (30:19). Kyle and Elliotte explore Matthew Tkachuk's path to returning next season (34:12) and discuss Team Canada's orientation camp ahead of Milan 2026 (38:07).The Final Thought revolves around a long-standing listener question that finally has an answer (41:48).In the final segment, Kyle and Elliotte are joined by Nashville Predator Spencer Stastney, who opens up about a challenging period in his life and the importance of seeking help (45:46).Email the podcast at 32thoughts@sportsnet.ca or call the Thought Line at 1-833-311-3232 and leave us a voicemail.This podcast was produced and mixed by Dominic Sramaty and hosted by Elliotte Friedman & Kyle Bukauskas.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 returns from his vacation to break down the Blue Jays' struggles amid their four-game losing streak, including two losses in a double-header to the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, and looks into the trade for reliever Seranthony Domínguez from those same Orioles (00:00). Then, Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith joins the show to dive deeper into the trade, what the Blue Jays still need to do ahead of Thursday's trade deadline, the projected hierarchy of the bullpen should they add another arm, the remaining options in the starting pitching market, and the rumours surrounding some position players the Blue Jays could be interested in acquiring, before giving an update on some of the injured players on the roster (7:46). Later, JD looks ahead to the deadline with interest as he questions wo Toronto will add (46:51).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 loss vs. the Orioles to drop the series in Baltimore, their fourth straight loss. They take your calls and texts, and discuss the offence struggling in this game - was this just a result of a long doubleheader day in hot weather, or is there something more to worry about? They also get into the decision to send out Jeff Hoffman in the bottom of the eighth, and discuss Seranthony Domínguez' debut as a Blue Jay following the trade between the two games. Plus, they chat about the trade deadline and what moves are more pressing following the deal for Domínguez. 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 the Blue Jays talk and reset on their first deal ahead of the trade deadline; acquiring Seranthony Domínguez from the Baltimore Orioles. The hosts discuss making an inner-division trade and what else could be on the table for Toronto. The duo dive into some of the reports out there, which teams will be busy, and who the big fish are within the market. They focus on the Blue Jays' front office tendencies and how much they should be “all in” this year. Jon Morosi (23:05) of MLB Network shares what working the deadline is like for him, if trading inside your own division is less taboo today, and what he believes the Jays will do in the next 36 hours. The trio then look around the league and what teams could make the most impact if they decide to sell.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 wrap up Wednesday discussing the Blue Jays' current losing streak and the urgency of a win against the Orioles to avoid a sweep. They welcome Dan Shulman, the TV voice of the Jays on Sportsnet, to analyze the team's struggles, missing players, and a strained bullpen. They also explore potential reinforcements ahead of Thursday's deadline. Finally, they check in with Team Canada's World Junior camp in Minneapolis, speaking with head coach Dale Hunter (26:50) about bouncing back from last year's loss and insights on Leafs prospect Easton Cowan.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 start the show with thoughts on the Blue Jays, who got swept in their double-header in Baltimore yesterday against the Orioles. The hosts break down the games and discuss how much the team is missing Alejandro Kirk and George Springer, along with the importance on Eric Lauer's five-inning start. The duo dive into Toronto's first trade of this deadline and the oddities that come from swapping players with the team you're playing in a double-header. To close the hour, the pair revisit Scottie Scheffler's comments before his recent U.S. Open win and how Tom Brady reacted to it (33:08).The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
In between a Blue Jays doubleheader against the Baltimore Orioles, Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith (1:35). They discuss the breaking news surrounding the Jays acquiring Orioles RP Seranthony Domínguez and break down the swing and miss he brings to the lineup, where he is expected to slot in in the bullpen, and more. Then, to discuss the summer of Summer, Brittany MacLean-Campbell joins the show (27:13). They discuss Summer McIntosh's newest Gold Medals for Canada at the World Championships in Singapore, the biggest challengers in the sport, the growth of the sport, Penny Oleksiak's rule violation case, and much more. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker continue the game-day edition following the Blue Jays' 16-4 loss to the Baltimore Orioles in the first leg of their doubleheader. Former MLB general manager and executive Thad Levine stops by (1:39) to share a front office's perspective on the lead-up to the trade deadline, Ross Atkins' reputation in trade talks, and the Twins' direction. Then, Jeff and Kevin react live to the Jays acquiring reliever Seranthony Dominguez from the Orioles for prospect Juaron Watts-Brown. Later, The Athletic's Jayson Stark (26:11) shares what Dominguez brings to Toronto, discusses his time at Sunday's Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and projects what could come from MLB's investigation into Emmanuel Clase.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 11-4 loss vs. the Orioles to open the four-game series in Baltimore. They take your calls and texts, and get right into the injury to George Springer - if he is absent for any amount of time, how does that change the list of needs ahead of the deadline? Plus, they discuss Chris Bassitt allowing six earned runs over 2.1 IP, and chat about how the impromptu bullpen day could have negative consequences ahead of a doubleheader. Afterwards, they discuss the impending deadline itself, and whether or not Orioles OF Ramón Laureano could be a good fit for 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 16-4 loss vs. the Orioles to kick off the doubleheader in Baltimore. They take your calls and texts, and get right to the starting pitching - is there anything to worry about, or does this matter less because Easton Lucas isn't a regular member of the rotation? They get into the offensive struggles during the three-game losing streak, and discuss the pitching vs. offence needs as the deadline gets ever 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.
Blake Murphy, and Julia Kreuz discuss Chris Bassitt and the pitching staff struggling in the loss to the Orioles, as well as Bo Bichette's consecutive hit streak and Addison Barger's at-bats recently. MLB Network's Jon Morosi (24:59) comes by to preview the trade deadline and Toronto's reported interest in Pirates pitchers David Bednar and Dennis Santana. Ben Clemens (49:54) of FanGraphs recaps the results of his Trade Value Series. Lastly, Sportsnet's Jamie Campbell (1:19:33) discusses the “Jamie Campbell Bursary” and what to watch for from the Blue Jays ahead of the trade deadline. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Ben and Brent continue the Blue Jays talk into their second hour Tuesday. The hosts focus in on Bo Bichette, who yesterday sets the franchise record for consecutive at-bats with a hit, and debate if he's finally returned to form. They discuss if his hitting success is sustainable and if the organization should be trying to sign him long-term. B&B compare his career arc to that of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and what range a contract extension for him would look like. Next, the a.m. boys check in with SN590's own Sam McKee (23:50), who made the trek to Detroit to watch the Jays play the Tigers over the weekend. The trio discuss his experience at Comerica Park, how invested fans are in this team, how it compares to other popular teams of the past, and expectations at the trade 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.
Ben and Brent wrap up their Jays discussion in the final hour, joined by former MLB player Kevin Barker. They dive into the Bo Bichette extension debate, analyze the team's recent performance, and discuss key contributions needed for the stretch run. The trio also considers the impact of injuries on trade decisions and team chemistry. To close, they chat with Joon Lee (28:43)—a former ESPN reporter now on YouTube—about the Blue Jays' legitimacy, the A.L. East landscape, and concerns around recent MLB gambling investigations.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Ben and Brent begin Tuesday's show talking about the Blue Jays' lackluster game in Baltimore to start their series with the Orioles. Besides the 11-4 loss itself, the hosts discuss the scary moment that took George Springer out of the game and left a question mark for his timeline of return. The duo also chat about Chris Bassitt's off start, if its an indication of pitchers missing Alejandro Kirk, and how it impacts the team's priorities for the quickly approaching trade deadline. Later, the a.m. duo look into a developing story of a high-end reliever that was placed on paid leave as part of a gambling investigation. They wrap up with thoughts on superstar Bryce Harper and Commissioner Rob Manfred's face-to-face discussion regarding the possibility of a MLB salary cap.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.
Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert kick things off with Jays Talk Plus host Julia Kreuz (1:17) ahead of the opening game of the Blue Jays' series against the Orioles. They break down the importance of adding reliable relievers at the deadline and what fans should expect from Atkins and Shapiro at the deadline. Then, they discuss the competitiveness of the market, the state of the Jays' pitching staff, and more. Finally, they break down the Jays' stretch as of late and what to expect against Baltimore. 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 second hour touching on Bryce Harper's reported confrontation with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred in the Phillies' clubhouse, before bringing on Sportsnet.ca's Shi Davidi (10:14) to chat about Bo Bichette's at-bats post All-Star break, how the Blue Jays' trade market is shaping up, where the team is in the standings could dictate their approach at the deadline, and Chad Green's outlook. Afterwards, Baltimore Orioles reporter Roch Kubatko stops by (32:57) to discuss who's untouchable on the roster, Adley Rutschman's season, and the direction of the franchise. 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 week by reacting to MLB's sports-betting investigation into Guardians' sought-after trade piece, Emmanuel Clase, and discussing what it means for the Blue Jays in their hunt for bullpen support. Then, they look back on the Jays' weekend series against the Tigers, Max Scherzer's efficient outing and Bo Bichette's quiet consistency. Later, former Cleveland pitcher and current analyst Jensen Lewis (29:10) delves deeper into the Clase investigation, the next steps for the Guardians, its impact on Cade Smith's trade market, and what the Jays should do 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 and Julia Kreuz discuss the Blue Jays taking 3 of 4 vs. the Tigers, Max Scherzer's start, Bo Bichette's at-bats and more. Afterwards, former Blue Jay Homer Bush (29:52) joins the show to reflect on his career, Toronto's playing style and his son nearing the big leagues. Sportsnet's Madison Shipman (49:49) comes in-studio to talk about Toronto's ability to manufacture runs and the team heading into August. Lastly, Orioles broadcaster Melanie Newman (1:15:15) provides the state of Baltimore heading into the trade deadline. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
In their final Monday hour, Ben & Brent discuss the baseball market and potential trade targets for Toronto ahead of Thursday's deadline. They welcome Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith from Baltimore to explore possible fits from the Orioles and other teams that may be selling. The hosts also chat with Alanna Rizzo (29:14) from Fair Territory for her insights on the Blue Jays as contenders and other teams like the Dodgers, including Mookie Betts' status.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Ben and Brent continue the Blue Jays conversation in the second hour. The hosts begin by discussing John Schneider as the new betting favourite to win American League Manager of the Year. They turn their attention to this year's MLB trade deadline, which is now four days away, and ask if anything has changed given where the Jays sit atop the entire league. They discuss who's still on the trade board, if there's any concern the front office won't do enough, and if there is such a thing as adding too much. Erik Kratz (22:50), former big league catcher and host of Foul Territory, joins the guys to chat about his former minor league roommate John Schneider has done and what, if anything, the Blue Jays are missing in order to go "all-in" for a long postseason 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.
Ben and Brent hit the air on Monday with thoughts on the Blue Jays, who despite just missing a sweep of the Tigers, are MLB's best overall team with a 63-43 record! The hosts get into the 6.5 game lead they've established atop the American League East and what can be taken away from the three out of four wins in Detroit this weekend. They discuss Max Scherzer maybe having his best outing of the season in the series finale loss, as well as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette seemingly heating up at the plate at the same time. The a.m. boys also chat about the 2025 Baseball Hall of Fame Class who had their day over the weekend, and how amazing and polarizing Ichiro Suzuki is. B&B share their view on what Aaron Judge's trip to the IL means for the second-place Yankees, before reviewing the Happy Gilmore sequel!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' 10-4 loss vs. the Tigers in the series finale. They take your calls and texts, and get right to the 11 strikeouts over seven innings of work from Max Scherzer - despite the loss, how important was this to see considering the injury issues over the course of the season? They get into Chad Green's struggles late in the game - does that change how much the bullpen needs reinforcements? Plus, they get into Bo Bichette going five-for-five, and throw around some names that could help bolster the offensive performance as the trade deadline nears. 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' 6-1 win over the Tigers to take the series in Detroit! He takes your calls and texts, and discusses the 'three stars' of the game: Kevin Gausman, Bo Bichette, and George Springer. He gets into Gausman's 10 K outing over six innings of work, Bichette delivering the game-winning two-run single in the top of the eighth inning, and Springer making up for an early gaffe with a three-hit day including a home run. Plus, he discusses the imminent return of Daulton Varsho, what Alek Manoah's contributions could look like post-rehab, and continues to debate whether starting or relief pitching should be the target at the trade deadline. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 6-2 win over the Tigers to both ensure a series split in Detroit and to propel the Jays to the best record in MLB at 62-42! They take your calls and texts as they discuss the Jays' big fifth inning and get into how this team finally finding an identity has helped them tremendously. They get into José Berríos allowing just two hits over six innings of work, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continuing to heat up. Plus, Daulton Varsho clobbered a two-run bomb for the Bisons as his rehab outing continues in the minors - what place does Varsho hold on the roster when he returns? 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 Sam McKee kick things off with former Blue Jays pitcher Ricky Romero (1:47) ahead of the Jays' second of four games against the Tigers. They discuss the team's play as of late, what Max Scherzer's presence has meant for the team, the Jays' pitching staff heading into the deadline, and more. Then, they discuss how bringing in players at the deadline can impact the ball club, what would be the ideal number of arms that the Blue Jays should target, the team continuing to roll on offence, and more. Then, Justin and Sam discuss the tough choices that Atkins and Shapiro will have to make this week, who should be the top targets to improve the team, answer your texts, 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Aaron Goldsmith (0:52), Seattle Mariners TV play-by-play voice, to chat about the team's most recent trade, acquiring Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks, what this could signal for the trade market and the organisation moving forward, what needs Seattle must address, and Julio Rodriguez's 2025 season. Afterwards, Blue Jays 4th-round pick, right-handed pitcher Micah Bucknam stops by (28:20) to discuss getting into the sport being born from New Zealand and growing up in Canada, his draft experience, the moment he had to focus on his craft knowing scouts were watching, the transition from high school to university, and watching his former LSU teammate Paul Skenes transition into the Majors.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' 11-4 win over the Detroit Tigers to improve to the best record in the American League. Then, they share their thoughts on the Mariners trading for Josh Naylor from the Diamondbacks, the Yankees filling their third-base hole with Ryan McMahon from the Rockies, the Mets landing Gregory Soto from the Orioles, and how the early trade action impacts the Jays' plans for the deadline. Later, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (25:40) stops by to share an update on Daulton Varsho and Andrés Giménez's rehab progress, what part the players play in trade decisions, how Eric Lauer has sustained his success, where he's improved most as a manager 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.
Blake Murphy and Julia Kreuz discuss Eric Lauer going 8 innings of one-run ball and Toronto's balanced attack. Former Blue Jay Frank Catalanotto (30:40) joins to reflect on his MLB career and why he likes Toronto's offence. Afterwards, Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith (49:52) previews the trade market and where the Blue Jays can improve the team. Lastly, Joe Doyle (1:16:08) of Over-Slot Baseball discusses why he is so high on Toronto's 2025 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 11-4 win over the Tigers in Detroit! They take your calls and texts, and discuss the unexpected power surge from Ernie Clement, Joey Loperfido, and Nathan Lukes. They also get into another strong outing from Eric Lauer, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s continually improving form. Plus, the Jays' climb to the top of the AL, and what the Josh Naylor trade to the Mariners means for the deadline market.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
In the final hour, Ben and Brent kick off with NFL discussions as training camps open. They're joined by CBS color commentator Charles Davis, who weighs in on Aaron Rodgers' potential impact for the Steelers, the Chiefs' aging roster, and Shedeur Sanders' chance to shine in Cleveland. Next, MLB Network's Adnan Virk (26:24) discusses whether the Jays are being seen as serious contenders and if Eric Lauer could emerge as an ace. The trio delves into potential trade targets ahead of the deadline before wrapping up with a look at the AL East race between the Jays and Yankees.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliate.
Ben and Brent reset on baseball to start the second hour of the show. The pair dig back into the Jays' 11-4 win over the Tigers, sharing how their expectations for the rest of the season have now been heavily raised. They talk about the pressure on this core to win their first playoff series and possibly beyond. B&B continue talking about the Blue Jays out of the break, touching on the team's lack of home run power and how they have managed to win despite this, putting up great hitting numbers in other categories. They wrap up wondering which player could find themselves out of the lineup come Daulton Varsho's return.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 this edition of The FAN Morning Show by diving straight into the Jays' 11-4 win over the Tigers that now has them atop the American League! The guys analyze Eric Lauer's impressive outing, debating how long we could continue to see this version of Lauer. They then chat about Joey Loperfido's home run, if we could finally see things start to click for him consistently, and why he could be the odd man out in trade talks. B&B then continue to look at Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s season so far and his efficiency at the plate, but wonder where his power has gone. Later on, the duo recap the trade sending Josh Naylor from Arizona to Seattle, before getting into other moves we could see around the league, such as where Eugenio Suárez might go. They finish off the hour pondering what the Jays rotation could look like come the postseason and take a look at Adam Svensson's opening round 60 at the 3M Open.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 Sportsnet's Shi Davidi (0:26). They get into the excitement surrounding the Blue Jays, their farm system's depth, and how the team might manage what could be a critical trade deadline. They discuss whether the Jays should prioritise acquiring a starting pitcher or a reliever, the market for both, and tee up the four-game series on the road against the Detroit Tigers. Later, Justin and Jesse recap the verdict of the 2018 Team Canada World Juniors Sexual assault trial.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' 8-4 win over the New York Yankees to secure the series victory. They get into the Yankees' fielding woes, George Springer's hustle on the base paths, whether the Jays can continue their stretch of success on the road against the Detroit Tigers, and Chris Bassitt's up-and-down outing. Later, Tigers radio analyst and former MLB pro Bobby Scales joins the show (36:07) to discuss Detroit's skid coming out of the All-Star break, Javier Báez's resurgence this season, Riley Greene's stellar production, Reese Olson's confident changeup, 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.
It's Thursday, so Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker head to the Back Leg Line to answer some listeners' calls! Then, Blue Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux stops by in-studio (30:18) to discuss how he would react as a pitcher to poor infield performances behind him, Chris Bassitt's command of his pitches, Eric Lauer's in-game adjustments, home vs. road games, and will Yariel Rodriguez carve out a role for the Jays after the trade 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.
With a week remaining before the trade deadline, let's dive in. Shi Davidi joins Ben to discuss covering the deadline (01:00) the league-wide trade market (20:50) and the Blue Jays' needs (36:29).Contact us: attheletters@sportsnet.caThis podcast is produced and sound engineered by Christian Ryan and hosted by Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi.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 the Blue Jays' series win over the Yankees, the value of great defensive play, and the raucous Rogers Centre crowd. Dan Szymborski (30:15) of FanGraphs breaks down why Toronto's front office should consider going all-in on this season ahead of the trade deadline. Cody Stavenhagen (50:40) of The Athletic provides the state of the Tigers, who have lost nine of their last 10 games, ahead of Toronto's trip to Detroit. Afterwards, Vancouver Canadians hitting coach and former Blue Jay, Jonathan Davis (01:15:10) joins the show to reflect on his career and transition to coaching.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' 8-4 win over the Yankees to take both the three-game series and the season series as well! They take your calls and texts, and get right to the Jays taking advantage of the many Yankees defensive miscues - is that something that can be fixed by the time these two teams play again in New York later in the year? They also discuss Bo Bichette's two-run bomb, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. looking stronger on offence, and get into Chris Bassitt's eight strikeouts over 7.1 IP. Plus, how good is it for the team to continue to look elite on defence - can that continue throughout the rest 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.
Ben Ennis and Brent Gunning get straight into the Blue Jays' season-series-clinching 8-4 win against the Yankees! The guys share their reactions to the dominant win and ponder if the Jays are favourites in the American League. They dive into Chris Bassitt's solid start and talk about his competitiveness on the mound, before focusing on if the right decision was made to pitch to Aaron Judge in the 6th. B&B then chat about the contributions from Toronto's under-the-radar depth guys with the spotlight on Davis Schneider. The duo wrap up the hour debating why LeBron James isn't the most powerful person in sports anymore, who is, and if there is a MLB equivalent of Patrick Mahomes or Connor McDavid.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 reset on the Blue Jays to start off the second hour. They continue their chat about last night's big win, breaking down the Yankees' poor defensive play and how much confidence they have in the Jays during close games. They get into Daulton Varsho's ongoing rehab with Buffalo, focusing on if his return could disrupt team chemistry. B&B also share their thoughts on Joey Loperfido's skillset compared to Addison Barger, and why trading away Loperfido could come back to bite them. Later on, the duo are joined by Rob Longley (23:22), Blue Jays reporter with the Toronto Sun. Rob offers his take on the job John Schneider and the coaching staff have done to clean up the Jays' play this year, along with what else Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has to offer this season. The trio wrap the hour with a chat about how the team should manage Jeff Hoffman and the rest of the bullpen moving forward.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Ben and Brent kick off the final hour of the morning joined by Jim Callis, senior writer for MLB Pipeline! Jim and the guys dive right into the upcoming trade deadline, discussing if we could see the Jays move any of their top prospects and which player would be worth emptying the farm system for. They then take a look at Orelvis Martínez's down season thus far in Triple-A and if he holds any value, as well as when we could see Trey Yesavage get called up. After the break, former MLB player and manager, Bobby Valentine (25:17), joins the conversation. Valentine reflects on his ejection against the Jays from 1999 and then offers his thoughts on the Yankees inability to get out of their own way, how the Jays handled Aaron Judge's at-bats, and Aaron Boone's managerial decisions.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Justin Cuthbert and Jesse Rubinoff kick things off with Sportsnet's Chris Black (0:20) ahead of Game 3 of a critical three-game series against the Yankees. They discuss Vladdy's recent play, the pros and cons of his game and discuss what would constitute a successful season for the Jays' $500M player. Then, they get into what fans can expect from Jeff Hoffman's usage and how the bullpen can improve, potential trade deadline targets, and much more. Later, Ben Verlander joins the show (25:43) to discuss Shohei Ohtani''s dominance this season while rehabbing on a big-league mound. Finally, they look at the Jays and the other contenders around the league to discuss trade deadline targets, the Tigers' recent skid, and much more.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 5-4 loss to the New York Yankees in the second game of the three-game series. They break down Max Scherzer's start, whether Jeff Hoffman's home run problem is due to his heavy workload and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s struggles with runners in scoring position. MLB Network analyst Sean Casey (12:03) stops by to discuss his son Jake's transition to the pros after being drafted by the Blue Jays and his role in his son's development as a former MLB hitting coach. Later, Jeff and Kevin react to the Blue Jays' lineup in the rubber match featuring Davis Schneider in the lead-off spot, and they outline the Jays' keys to victory in the series finale.The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
ESPN's Jeff Passan (0:53) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the Houston Astros' winning streak, the intricacies of a verbal agreement as reported between the Blue Jays and the top international prospect in the 2028 class Angel Montas, if the Jays would consider taking a deep look into their prospect pool versus their current depth on the main roster for trades, and how far Toronto is from building a AL-winning — or even World Series — roster. Then, Blue Jays TV voice Dan Shulman joins the guys (31:35) to discuss Braydon Fisher's adjustment stage against the scouting report on him, George Springer's consistency, and whether Vladdy's down year is weighing heavily on the first baseman.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 loss to the Yankees as this series is evened at one game apiece in Toronto. They take your calls and texts, and discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - despite a three-hit night, does the team need more from the $500 million man? They also get into Max Scherzer giving up four runs over five innings of work, and the decision to throw Jeff Hoffman out there in the ninth inning in a tie game. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.
Blake Murphy and Julia Kreuz open the show recapping the Blue Jays' loss to the Yankees where Max Scherzer got dinged up and Jeff Hoffman conceded a game-winning home run in the ninth. Chris Rose (30:20) of Jomboy Media gives his take on the Jays, Jacob Misiorowski's role with the Brewers for the rest of the season, and the state of the Cleveland Guardians. Brandon Warne (51:51) of Locked on Twins updates on the cost of players that Minnesota might move at the trade deadline. Afterwards, Keith McPherson (01:13:50) of WFAN660 discusses the Yankees' side of their three-games series at Rogers Centre including Anthony Volpe's blunders at shortstop and New York's power showing up at the plate on Tuesday.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 Sportsnet 590 The FAN's Ben Shulman ahead of the second game against the Yankees. They discuss the Jays win in the first game of the series, how the they've found ways to win ballgames, how Toronto should approach bringing in players at the deadline, the needs on both sides of the ball, what to expect from Max Scherzer, and much more. Then, following his announcement that he will be retiring following the NBO, Vasek Pospisil joins the show. They discuss his decision to retire, the highlights of his career including representing his country, the changes to the game, 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 affiliate.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 4-1 win over the New York Yankees to open a three-game series — their 11th home win in a row. They get into the Yankees' fielding woes and listen to Aaron Boone's availability before discussing the viability of a six-man rotation in Toronto and debating whether the Jays should prioritise a bullpen arm over a starter at the deadline. Later, they go 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 are joined by MLB Network's Jon Morosi (1:08) to give his gut feeling on which direction the Blue Jays will take after the trade deadline, if teams lean towards adding to their strengths or address their weaknesses, how deep the Jays might dive into their prospect pool, and why he believes the National League is wide open. Then, Yankees reporter Bryan Hoch (29:13) stops by to chat about why New York fans are disappointed in Anthony Volpe's season, the way the Jays approach Aaron Judge, if Aaron Boone is the right fit for the Bronx Bombers' managerial job, how big of an issue is Max Fried's blister problems, and the Yankees' new house of horrors now lives 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.
Justin Cuthbert and Jesse Rubinoff kick things off with Ben Nicholson-Smith (2:32) ahead of a major three-game series for the Blue Jays against the Yankees. They discuss each team's approach to the series, the Jays' trade deadline targets, and more. Then, they discuss Eric Lauer's rise to prominence for Toronto and his newfound importance ahead of the deadline. Later, following a historic performance from Scottie Scheffler at the Open, Adam Stanley joins the show (26:15). They discuss Scheffler's inevitability and whether his dominance is good for the sport, how the tournament unfolded, 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.