Blair & Barker

MLB Network analyst and former catcher Alex Avila (2:43) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss the state of the American League after 40 games, how players break out of mid-season slumps, what Brandon Valenzuela can expect in his first game behind the plate at Yankee Stadium, and why Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has so much success in the Bronx. Jeff and Kevin listen to John Schneider's pre-game availability before welcoming in Yankees radio analyst Suzyn Waldman (31:20) to discuss the recent offensive drop-off in New York, solutions for their struggling bullpen, their ceiling in 2026, and her conversation with Bo Bichette.

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 look back on the Toronto Blue Jays series win over the Detroit Tigers, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr. snapping his home run slump after moving up in the order and Kevin Gausman's stellar start. Then, they get set for the Jays' four-game test against the New York Yankees and discuss the Yankees' recent struggles, what a series win would mean for Toronto, and how Patrick Corbin should approach a dangerous Yankees lineup in the series opener. Later, former Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain (26:56) joins the guys to discuss the state of the Yankees/Jays rivalry after last year's ALDS, Cam Schlittler's demeanour, and whether players care about Vladdy's 'Da Yankees lose' comments.

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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John Schneider, Manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to share an update on the injury list ahead of tonight's series opener in Detroit. John also weighs in on Daulton Varsho's walk-off grand slam, the dip in defence efficiency this season, Yohendrick Piñango's performance, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s chance to break out on this road trip, and much more! Ben Shulman (26:57), Blue Jays radio play-by-play voice, stops by to chat about Wednesday's potential turning point moment, George Springer's form midway through May, Spencer Miles' projected start on Saturday, and Brandon Valenzuela's upside.

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 open the show setting up tonight's action as the Blue Jays head into Detroit for "Rivalry Weekend" against the Tigers. The boys discuss if the lineup can carry over momentum from Wednesday's walk-off win, as well as the storylines brewing ahead of next week's meeting with the Yankees. Jon Morosi (25:48), MLB Network insider, outlines the Jays' upcoming series at Comerica Park, the urgency surrounding the Mets heading into this weekend's "Subway Series", and expectations for Toronto's visit the Bronx. Jon wraps up discussing if anything will ever top the Yankees and Red Sox legendary 2003-04 rivalry, how the Automated Ball-Strike system has altered the strike zone, and Fernando Tatís Jr.'s home run drought.

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 head to the Back Leg Line to hear listeners' thoughts on who has surprised them and has disappointed them the most at the quarter mark of the Blue Jays' 2026 season, Yohendrick Piñango's future on the main roster, Vlad Jr.'s early-season struggles, and more. Then, The Athletic's Jayson Stark joins the guys (28:20) to discuss the Phillies' success with Don Mattingly at the helm, if the Atlanta Braves can maintain their top spot in the NL East, how ABS has affected the game including the increased number of unintentional walks to start the year, changes with the strike zone, and how this could change the way pitchers pitch in the long term. 

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 look back on the Toronto Blue Jays walk-off win over the Tampa Bay Rays to wrap up their series. They discuss Dylan Cease's start, Daulton Varsho's game-winning Grand Slam and Kazuma Okamoto's approach. Then, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan joins the show (27:41) to discuss his upcoming episode of 'Sources Tell' with Brewers flamethrower Jacob Misiorowski, ABS killing manager/umpire arguments, and the weight of the Jays' upcoming series against the 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 affiliates.

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Sportsnet's Blue Jays TV analyst Joe Siddall (0:51) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to break down how Vlad Jr. could work his way out of his hitting slump, where Daulton Varsho's game is at both on the offensive and defensive side this season, Dylan Cease's pitching arsenal, how John Schneider will juggle around the lineup when Addison Barger and Nathan Lukes return, if Yohendrick Piñango is the odd man out, and what has gone wrong for George Springer in his at-bats. Then, former MLB pitcher and MLB Network Analyst Dan Plesac stops by (26:52) to share his experience with role changes out of the bullpen, why he has two New York Yankees starters at the top of his pitching rankings, why WBC could be a strong indication of players' slow starts, if the New York Mets can fix their season, and which players have caught his eye across the league. 

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 look back on the Toronto Blue Jays' loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in extra innings. They discuss the Jays' five-run seventh inning, the Rays taking advantage with their speed, Shane McClanahan's dominant outing, Daulton Varsho's outfield defence, and how Dylan Cease can set the Jays up for a better result in the series finale. Later, three-time manager of the year Joe Maddon (28:08) joins the show to share his thoughts on the Rays' formula, why it's too early for Jays fans to start panicking, how John Schneider can get the most out of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and why Cease's adjustments towards being more efficient are sustainable.

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 MLB right fielder and current hitting coach for the Tampa Bay Rays Chad Mottola (0:34) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about what makes a great run producer, the types of development paths for his hitters, if batter technology has caught up to pitcher tech, the transition back to playing at Tropicana Field after a season at Steinbrenner Field, the next steps in Junior Caminero's offence, Kevin Cash's managerial philosophy, and how to be athletic in a player's at-bats. Then, MLB Insider and Sportsnet Blue Jays reporter Ben Nicholson-Smith (25:08) takes a look at how the baseball club are either actively looking or just monitoring the pitching market, if an impact player on both sides could be moved earlier in the trade market, the clubhouse vibe around the quarter mark, if John Schneider would consider moving Vlad Jr. in the lineup, Jeff Hoffman's potential return to the 9th inning, Brandon Valenzuela's adjustment to the Majors, and Andrés Giménez's hot bat. 

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 look back on the Toronto Blue Jays' series-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. They discuss whether Vladimir Guerrero Jr. should be moved from second in the lineup like fellow struggling superstar Cal Raleigh, Kevin Gausman's rough outing, and whether the 'Rays Way' is sustainable. Later, former pitcher and MLB Network's Jensen Lewis (28:27) joins the show to share his take on the first quarter of the Jays' season, the Rays' pitching dominance, Chandler Simpson's elite speed, and which AL teams can emerge as 'the best of the rest' after the Yankees and Rays.

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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