Blair & Barker

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker address last night’s Blue Jays loss to the Yankees and he status of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as he will be the designated hitter Friday against the Orioles. ESPN MLB analyst Tim Kurkjian discusses the AL wild card race, the Mariners’ underrated lineup, and the Blue Jays’ chances this weekend. Blue Jays reliever Nate Pearson discusses the team’s mindset going into the season’s final series vs. Baltimore and his effective outing in the finale of the Yankees series. As always, Blue Jays play by play voice Ben Wagner joins the show from Rogers Centre ahead of the 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 look ahead to the crucial rubber match between the Yankees and Blue Jays as Robbie Ray takes the mound for his final game of the season and are joined by WFAN’s Sweeny Murti to discuss the New York side of things (18:28). ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan comments on the chaotic AL wild-card race, the Mariners not going away, and Marcus Semien’s influence on the young Blue Jays players (45:45). Blue Jays play by play voice Ben Wagner joins the show from the ballpark before first pitch (1:05:25).

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.

Chris Gimenez, former MLB catcher and current MLB Network analyst, joins Jeff and Kevin to discuss his experience catching Jose Berrios in Minnesota and how the Blue Jays should approach pitching to a red-hot Giancarlo Stanton (23:32). YES Network analyst Jack Curry stops by to chat about Stanton’s recent hot streak at the plate, his polarizing reputation among Yankee fans, and the AL Cy Young battle between Gerrit Cole and Robbie Ray (47:59). Ben Wagner checks in from Rogers Centre to discuss the vibe around the ballpark after last night’s series-opening loss and Reese McGuire’s strong rapport with Berrios (1:05:09).

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 affiliate.

Jeff and Kevin dive into the importance of this week’s three-game series against the Yankees, Hyun-Jin Ryu staring down his biggest start as a Blue Jay, and Bo Bichette’s recent struggles at the plate. Jeff Nelson, former MLB pitcher, four-time World Series champion, and co-host of the New York Post’s Pinstripe Podcast, weighs in on the Yankees’ reinvigorated bullpen, Jameson Taillon returning from the IL for tonight’s series opener, and how the Jays can neutralize Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge (22:52). Jared Diamond, MLB scribe for the Wall Street Journal, joins the show to discuss the confounding nature of the Yankees’ season, Aroldis Chapman rediscovering his form in September, and the team’s new clubhouse pet turtle Bronxie (47:09). Ben Wagner checks in from the ballpark to chat about Cavan Biggio’s return to the big leagues and Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s reinsertion into the lineup after injuring his hand last week in Minnesota (1:02:51).

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 affiliate.

Jeff and Kevin share their thoughts on George Springer rediscovering his confidence at the plate, signs of fatigue from Bo Bichette, and the Blue Jays’ critical series this week against the Yankees. Dan Shulman stops by to chat about Alek Manoah’s strong rookie season, the pressure facing Charlie Montoyo heading into the final week of the season, and the Rays’ potential partnership with the City of Montreal (21:21). David Cone, former MLB pitcher, five-time World Series champion, and current YES analyst, joins the show to discuss the Yankees’ resurgent bullpen, Giancarlo Stanton’s recent hot streak, and the team’s three-game sweep in Boston (46:22). Later, the guys dive into the Padres being eliminated from playoff contention and the Blue Jays’ current bullpen hierarchy.

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.

Minnesota Twins third baseman Josh Donaldson joins Jeff and Kevin to discuss his time in Toronto, the fan reception last weekend at Rogers Centre, his first full season with the Twins, and his approach to hitting (4:56). Later, the guys discuss Steven Matz’s short outing on Thursday, Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s freak hand injury, and George Springer making his long-awaited return to the outfield tonight. Blue Jays pitcher Trevor Richards checks in from Minnesota to chat about the team’s playoff push, his success since being acquired in July, and Jordan Romano’s maturation as a closer (45:14). Ben Wagner stops by to discuss the Blue Jays’ plans for Hyun-Jin Ryu and Cavan Biggio’s ongoing rehab stint in Buffalo (1:14:15).

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 and Kevin discuss Charlie Montoyo’s reaction to yesterday’s plunking incident and his laid-back managerial style. Nick Swisher, former MLB first baseman, current Yankees advisor, and FOX analyst, weighs in on Aroldis Chapman rebounding after a shaky August and this weekend’s pivotal Yankees-Red Sox series at Fenway Park (22:53). ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan shares his thoughts on yesterday’s incident at Tropicana Field, the St. Louis Cardinals extending their win streak to 12 games, and Canadian Tyler O’Neill’s standout season (47:46). Ben Wagner joins the guys in studio to discuss George Springer’s continued absence from the outfield and Steven Matz’s recent success (1:03:20).

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 and Kevin kick-off Baseball Central with their thoughts on the fallout from Kevin Kiermaier’s card-stealing saga and Alek Manoah delivering six strong innings in Tuesday’s 4-2 win. Jayson Stark, senior MLB writer for The Athletic and co-host of the Starkville podcast, discusses his recent interview with Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo, the AL and NL wild card races, and Bryce Harper’s late-season push for NL MVP. Later, the guys head to the text line to answer questions from listeners!

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 and Kevin share their thoughts on the inconsistent strike zone during Monday night’s Blue Jays-Rays game, Nate Pearson potentially tipping his pitches, and the team’s current bullpen hierarchy. Orestes Destrade, former MLB first baseman and current Rays analyst, weighs in on Shane Baz’s impressive MLB debut on Monday and how this year’s Rays team compares to the group that made the World Series in 2020 (23:43). Will Middlebrooks, former MLB third baseman, current CBS analyst, and co-host of the Wake and Rake podcast, joins the show to chat about the Red Sox rebounding from their COVID-19 outbreak, Kyle Schwarber’s impact on Boston’s lineup, and his pick for AL MVP (46:15). Ben Wagner stops by to discuss Kevin Kiermaier picking up a scouting card that fell from Alejandro Kirk’s wristband during Monday’s game and whether the Blue Jays should take retributive action with Alek Manoah on the hill on Tuesday night (1:05:06).

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 affiliate.

Jeff and Kevin discuss Hyun-Jin Ryu landing on the 10-day IL with a neck strain and the Jays taking two of three against the Twins over the weekend. Chris Singleton, former MLB outfielder and current ESPN analyst, weighs in on the Blue Jays’ playoff surge and the MVP debate between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Shohei Ohtani (25:41). Dante Bichette, former MLB outfielder and current Blue Jays special advisor, stops by to chat about the maturation of Toronto’s young stars, Bo’s improvement as a defender at shortstop, and Teoscar Hernandez’s breakout season (46:02). Ben Wagner joins the guys in studio to discuss Ryu’s chances of cracking the Jays’ playoff roster and Jose Berrios’ importance to the team’s starting rotation (1:08:19). 

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.