Blair & Barker

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin their second hour listening to Blue Jays' manager John Schneider's pre-game availability ahead of their first series post-All-Star break against the visiting Chicago White Sox, updates on Max Scherzer, the next steps for Addison Barger, if Jesús Sánchez and Yimi Garcia are closer to a return, the implementation of putting two catchers in the lineup and second-half goals. Then, ESPN's and host of 'Sources Tell,' Jeff Passan joins the guys (27:05) to chat about the new format for the Home Run Derby, if U.S. politicians would involve themselves with ending of a potential work stoppage in the MLB, the trade market for Francisco Lindor, how aggressive Toronto could be at the deadline, and why the league is restricting the use of iPads in the dugouts. 

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.

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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back after the MLB All-Star break! They take stock of the Blue Jays as they begin the second half before welcoming White Sox outfielder Tristan Peters (6:00) ahead of their series in Toronto. He discusses his path from being a 7th-round pick out of Winkler, Manitoba, to being selected to the All-Star team, the keys to the White Sox's success this season, his experience with the Savannah Bananas, and much more. Later, Jeff and Kevin discuss the Jays' keys to a second-half turnaround, their expectations for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Dylan Cease's performance in the All-Star Game, and the new-look Home Run Derby.

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.

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Blue Jays analyst Madison Shipman (1:15) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to look at the importance of their final series before the All-Star break, Shane Bieber vs. the Padres in San Diego, Alejandro Kirk's recent at-bats, George Springer in the clean-up spot, home run props, Kazuma Okamoto performing above expectations, and if there are any concerns with Daulton Varsho. Then, the guys head to the Back Leg Line to hear listeners' calls, including Max Scherzer's future, if it changes now with the announcement that Justin Verlander will retire at the end of the year, the lack of 'blockbuster' trades, 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.

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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays trading Tommy Nance to the Twins before they welcome Hall of Fame closer and Padres executive Trevor Hoffman (3:13) ahead of the Jays' series in San Diego. He discusses what makes Mason Miller elite, how the role and profile of the closer have changed since his playing days, and what the Jays can expect from the Padres in their final series before the All-Star break. Later, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (26:31) stops by from San Diego to discuss the Nance trade, managing Dylan Cease's near no-hitter, who he might choose to start the All-Star game, Shane Bieber's location struggles, George Springer's fit in the clean-up spot, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s mechanical progress, 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.

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MLB Network insider Jon Morosi (0:58) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker in the second hour of the off-day edition. They look ahead to the All-Star game and which pitchers will get the start, the state of the trade market, the Jays' deadline plans, Aaron Judge's absence taking a toll on the slumping Yankees, and whether we'll ever see another pitching career like Justin Verlander's or Max Scherzer's. Later, ESPN insider Jeff Passan stops by (26:25) to discuss Kevin Gausman's trade market, why the Jays shouldn't look to build for 2027 at the trade deadline, Dylan Cease's near no-hitter, and the looming extinction of the 300-win pitcher.

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.

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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' 10-0 shutout series win on the road against the Giants, Dylan Cease's near no-hitter, whether the momentum from Vladdy's slump-snapping homer can carry over to the Jays' next series against the Padres in San Diego, and the introduction of the home run 'dragon'. Then, special assistant with the San Diego Padres, former MLB manager and catcher Scott Servais (27:30) to chat about being one of the few people to catch and manage a no-hitter, how he handled his conversations with his pitcher going through a no-hit game, home run props, what's gone wrong in Fernando Tatís Jr.'s 2026 season, and Padres' needs that can jumpstart the team's successful run after the All-Star break.

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.

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MLB Network's Sean Casey (0:50) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss the Blue Jays' recent stretch and whether they still have a chance at making a run, what the All-Star break can do for Vladdy Jr., Sean Keys' potential, and how players deal with trade rumours at this time in the season. Later, four-time World Series-winning manager Bruce Bochy (26:45) joins the guys to discuss the challenges of following up a deep playoff run, how Buster Posey is handling his first year as Giants President, facing the media in a down season, and the right time to rip 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.

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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays series opening loss to the Giants in San Francisco, if the team would have reconsidered 'running it back' after a World Series clinch and losing Bo Bichette in free agency, if the Jays should decide to move expiring contracts at the deadline, the struggling offence and swing decisions, and what went wrong in Kevin Gausman's start against his former team. Then, Blue Jays' reliever Louis Varland joins the guys (26:30) to look back at the move from Minnesota in 2025, how he's grown as a pitcher, if he ever thought he would be heading to the All-Star Game, if he's routine has changed since being placed in a 'closing role', learning from the World Series, and his goals heading into the season and before the end of the year. 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

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Former pitcher and MLB Network Radio host Jensen Lewis (0:45) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to kick off the second hour. They discuss the Marlins' decision to pull Eury Pérez after seven perfect innings, whether Miami is 'for real,' the Padres' offensive struggles, why it's still too early for the Jays to start thinking about selling, and whether Aaron Judge's absence has exposed the Yankees' weaknesses. Later, F.P. Santangelo (26:30), Giants broadcaster and former Major Leaguer, stops by ahead of the Blue Jays' series in San Francisco. He weighs in on what's gone wrong for the Giants this year, the bullpen's inconsistency, the offence lacking fundamentals, Tony Vitello's first year as 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.

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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap a disappointing weekend series for the Blue Jays in Seattle, the offence going quiet, and why that could dictate the franchise's direction at the trade deadline. Then, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi joins the guys (29:57) to share his thoughts on the lack of scoring against the Mariners, why it's up to the players to perform to the best of their ability versus manager John Schneider shaking the lineup, concerns for Daulton Varsho, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. deciding to sit out the MLB All-Star Game, what's next for Shane Bieber after throwing just four innings in their loss to Seattle, and if the front office has a clear idea on what they need to add or remove from their pitching staff and hitting lineup. 

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affiliates.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.