Blair & Barker

Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker start off with a look at the Wild Card standings, before re-visiting their conversation with John Schneider to question how the Blue Jays' lineup will look tonight when Toronto visits the Philadelphia Phillies for a two-game set. Houston Astros analyst and World Series Champion Geoff Blum discusses the team’s impressive performance this season, as Houston clinched the AL West for fifth time in six years after a 4-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays (29:18).

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 & Kevin Barker welcome Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi to the show to discuss who would be the Blue Jays’ primary DH when everyone is healthy, the importance of Anthony Bass and Tim Mayza in the bullpen, and how to set up the starting rotation come playoff time (02:49). Blue Jays’ manager John Schneider makes his weekly appearance to reflect on his club going 7-4 in a 10-day stretch, Alek Manoah’s latest outing, Raimel Tapia making the most of his opportunities, and Jansen and Kirk working with the pitching staff (27:10). In Barker’s Back Leg Bits, the guys answer your questions, including one on Aaron Judge's options to sign in the off-season outside of New York (41:57).

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 Blue Jays took two of three from the Orioles over the weekend, distancing themselves further away from Baltimore in the AL Wild Card race. Jeff and Kevin examine Toronto's series win, notably Jordan Romano and the bullpen’s performance, and Alek Manoah’s latest start on Sunday. Blair & Barker then take a look at how the Jays' American League rivals fared over the weekend; primarily the Yankees and Aaron Judge as the slugger chases the Triple Crown and the organization’s record for home runs in a season (27:09).

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’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Morgan Sword joins Jeff and Kevin to discuss how the rule changes for 2023 came to be, the decision to ban shift, the research and data behind the changes, and how to speed up the game (02:02). Later on, MLB insider Jeff Passan curses Bluetooth technology while also providing his opinion on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. saying he would like to sign an extension with Toronto in the off-season, and the Chicago White Sox playing better with Tony LaRussa away from the club (29:24).

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' 11-0 loss to the Rays, a disappointing final game despite Toronto winning the five-game series three games to two. The guys discuss Kevin Gausman’s latest start going up against Shane McClanahan, and what Toronto's best lineup would be at a time where key hitters are banged up and/or underperforming. In an extended Barker’s Back Leg Bits, Jeff and Kevin answer questions on: Bo Bichette, if the Texas Rangers could be a destination for Ross Stripling, Seattle’s schedule down the stretch and more (28:49)!

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.

Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman joins Jeff and Kevin to comment on the Blue Jays’ recent play, notably: if Raimel Tapia deserves more playing time, Ross Stripling being firmly inside the circle of trust, managing George Springer’s elbow, and what is the team’s optimal lineup when everyone is healthy (05:16). Padres analyst Tony Gwynn Jr. provides his thoughts on the Mariners after seeing them up close, Josh Hader’s turnaround, and San Diego battling it out for the third and final wild card spot in the NL (30:06).

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' 5-1 victory over the Rays where starting pitcher Ross Stripling once again proved his worth. Rays analyst and friend of the show Brian Anderson previews today’s series finale and the standout pitching matchup between Shane McClanahan and Kevin Gausman (27:19). Afterwards, Toronto Blue Jays Program Manager of Amateur baseball T.J. Burton discusses this year’s upcoming Canadian Futures Showcase – the biggest amateur baseball tournament in the country (35:45).

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 Cardinals pitcher and current analyst Brad Thompson discusses the longevity of batterymates Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina ahead of their start today, Albert Pujols’ quest for 700 home runs, personally working with Molina, and Paul Goldschmidt’s MVP-type season (04:51). In an extended version of Barker’s Back Leg Bits - the guys answer your questions on pitch clocks, Teoscar Hernández, and more (26:48)!

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 a full day of baseball as the Blue Jays and Rays split their doubleheader Tuesday at Rogers Centre. Blair & Barker focus-in on Mitch White eating innings in game one, Whit Merrifield’s all-important two-run double, and Alek Manoah’s gutsy performance in game two after having his start pushed back due to illness. Former umpire Joe West re-joins the guys to share how umps will adapt to MLB’s rule changes next season, how the profession has evolved over the years, and if umpires handle the game differently in September and October (28:54).

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 affiliates.

Toronto Blue Jays / Buffalo Bisons pitcher Nate Pearson reflects on an injury-plagued 2022 season, how he’s currently feeling, and what his expectations are for the rest of the year and beyond (05:33). Afterwards, Jeff and Kevin focus in on the breaking news that Alek Manoah is dealing with a stomach bug and how Mitch White will be used after being recalled from AAA Buffalo, before inviting former catcher and Blue Jays analyst Caleb Joseph in on the conversation from Rogers Centre (23:38).

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.