Blair & Barker

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker touch on the Blue Jays' 6-4 loss to the Rays, Bo Bichette's 13 pitch at bat, Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s triple, the importance of the team having good defence with a less than stellar pitching staff, Trent Thornton's outing, whether they're fans of Vlad Jr. sliding, and the interesting pennant races; MLB Network's Jon Morosi on why there is no reason for the Blue Jays to not be involved in talks to acquire a solid veteran arm in the off-season, the team's decision to use an opener before Anthony Kay and T.J. Zeuch made their debuts, whether the Jays could look like the A's and Rays in 2020, what Vlad Jr. will need to do to ensure he's healthy and producing long-term, and the Nationals' playoff push.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Michael Lorenzen's big night with the Reds, and discuss Angels' prospect Miguelangel Sierra lost homer after not crossing home plate; on Blue Jays vs. Rays, Trent Thornton's record against Tampa, and Anthony Kay possibly debuting Saturday (after an opener); Blue Jays' pitcher T.J. Zeuch on following opener Wilmer Font, what he's learned about himself, how it felt to make his MLB debut, issues that come with being a very tall pitcher, his mindset when waiting to get the call-up, and his pitching repertoire.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro who discusses when the rebuild will be over, their pitching prospect depth, Teoscar Hernandez's growth, the possibility of long-term extensions for pre-arbitration players, the use of openers, and the job done by the coaching staff; on team's they're disappointed in, the importance of home-field advantage in the post-season, and takeaways from Shapiro's comments.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss Josh Donaldson's comeback season, where the Blue Jays' are at right now, how the young core is looking as the season winds down; Blue Jays major league coach John Schneider on Rowdy Tellez's mindset at the plate, what pitchers need to do to impress when called up the majors in the age of the home run, Bo Bichette's impressive defence, and whether Danny Jansen can be an impact bat; on T. J. Zeuch pitching behind an opener in his major league debut.

Roger Lajoie hosting: Josh Goldberg joins him in-studio and they recap Justin Verlander's no-hitter in the Blue Jays vs. Astros series finale, whether teams are too cautious with pitchers now, and why hitters are swinging for home runs.

Scott MacArthur and Kevin Barker discuss Mike Minor's season thus far and his WAR, the Astros' rotation, their pursuit of home field advantage, how solid the organization is after their teardown and struggles; Houston Chronicle's Chandler Rome on how Jeff Luhnow has built up the Astros' farm system, how badly Houston wants home field advantage, how A.J. Hinch will handle Michael Brantley's playing time, and whether the Astros can win the World Series with Alex Bregman at shortstop; Barker's Bundesliga Picks.

Scott MacArthur and Kevin Barker discuss whether next year the Bue Jays should be focused on competing next season and what additions they should make, whether they would be content with Trent Thornton & Jacob Waguespack at the back of the rotation on a contending Jays' team, the worst pitch in baseball, Waguespack's surprising starts, and the state of the Jays' infield heading into 2020; ESPN's Jeff Passan on players' salaries being impacted by openers and home runs, whether Cubs' core is good enough to win the World Series, whether the Jays' can attract a big-name pitcher next season, and where the team's rebuild is at.

Scott MacArthur and Kevin Barker discuss the good and bad of interleague series, where Josh Donaldson's ranks among the Blue Jays' greats, Donaldson's confidence and swagger, the personality of the Jays' young core; Blue Jays OF Derek Fisher on his time with the organization thus far, what he's learned so far from his teammates, who he knew when he first joined the team, his approach vs. lefties and why he struggles more against right-handed pitchers, and how he'd assess his play so far.

Scott McArthur and Kevin Barker tee-up Josh Donaldson's return to Toronto, and discuss where his game is at right now, and they reflect on his time with the Blue Jays and where he ranks among the Jays greats; on the Jays' youthful core and when they'll add vets, the future rotation, when Nate Pearson may be called up, when the team may be ready to contend, and Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins' expiring contracts heading into 2020; Braves catching coach Sal Fasano on the evolution of the catcher, robot umpires, Mike Soroka impressive season thus far, the talent that is Ronald Acuña Jr., and the use of openers.

Scott MacArthur and Kevin Barker discuss the Players' Weekend uniforms, Andrew Luck's retirement, players forced out of baseball early, how fun Bo Bichette is to watch, his timing and approach at the plate, and how; on Cavan Biggio's play thus far, his ability to take walks, and his hitting struggles; the guys discuss Nate Pearson and what the Blue Jays should do with him next year and they take your calls!