Blair & Barker

Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider (0:39) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss why the end of the 2025 World Series won't define the team's 2026 season, how he's evolved as a manager, Addison Barger's confidence, Andrés Giménez finding his swing and transitioning into an everyday shortstop, if the 9th inning will be Jeff Hoffman's, Brendon Little's outlook and the challenge for Kazuma Okamoto playing third base in MLB. Then, Blue Jays TV analyst Joe Siddall (22:45) gives his thoughts on the opening-day batting order, who could be a long-term solution batting in the 2-hole, Barger's ceiling, the top left-handed option out of the bullpen, Okamoto's impressions, and whether Giménez has found his offence. 

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 ahead to first pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays get set for their Opening Day matchup against the Athletics. They react to the starting lineup, predict how it might change against lefty starters, and share their expectations for the first series of the season. Later, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan stops by (26:30) to discuss some of the storylines heading into the 2026 season, including the Dodgers' chances to three-peat, who will challenge them in the National League, and why he sees the Mariners running away with the AL West. Then, he gets into the Jays, their path to a second-straight AL East title, bullpen concerns, and how the industry views offseason additions, Kazuma Okamoto and Dylan Cease. Finally, Jeff and Kevin break down Shane Baz's 5-year extension with the Orioles.

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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Toronto Blue Jays EVP and general manager Ross Atkins (0:24) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about what he's looking forward to and his goals for the organization's 2026 season, how they handled their first Spring Training after a long season and World Series push, Kevin Gausman entering his 14th MLB season and his workload, how Spencer Miles earned a main roster spot, what he learned from Dylan Cease, how Max Scherzer ended up returning to the team, what he envisions for third base and Kazuma Okamoto as a hitter, Vladdy Jr.'s maturation, Daulton Varsho's consistency and continuing to work with John Schneider after both signing contract extensions. Then, New York Yankees reporter Erik Boland (28:22) drops by to recap their season opener, if the defence or bullpen is the biggest weakness, Ben Rice's season outlook, and if Aaron Judge can stay healthy enough to win another AL MVP. Plus, we hear from Kevin Gausman ahead of his Opening Day start.

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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Major League Baseball is officially back! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open with their thoughts on the Yankees' dominant win over the Giants to kick off the season, before going live to John Schneider's availability from the Blue Jays' workout day at the Rogers Centre. Later, Jeff and Kevin share their picks and predictions for the 2026 season, including playoff teams, World Series matchups, and award winners! 

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 chat about their breakout star for the Blue Jays this season, José Berríos' outlook, which bat and arm should we pay attention to starting the year, confidence levels with Jeff Hoffman and more. Then, the guys bring on former MLB pitcher and Tampa Bay Rays TV analyst Brian Anderson (29:40) to discuss the Rays' chances at reclaiming the AL East, Shane McClanahan's road back from a lost season, which players will benefit from returning to play at the Trop, homefield renovations, and if Junior Caminero can replicate his strong 2025 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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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show with thoughts on the Blue Jays final moves to set their 26-man roster. Hunter Pence (07:20), two-time World Series champion and Giants analyst, sets the stage ahead of tonight's first MLB game of the season between the Yankees and Giants! The boys chat about the outlook for the Bronx Bombers this season, the misconception with how San Francisco will call pitches this season, and what to expect before first pitch. David Forst (27:38), Athletics General Manager, shares how his team's mentality has changed heading into this season. David outlines the A's opportunity to contend in the American League West, the names on the roster to watch out for, and the club's first series of the year in Toronto.

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 joined by former MLB pitcher and current Orioles analyst Ben McDonald (5:44) to chat about the excitement of a competitive AL East, the biggest addition during the offseason for Baltimore, what sets apart Pete Alonso from the rest of the great hitters of the game, if we can see a bounce back year from Adley Rutschman, and the state of the Orioles' bullpen arms after their starters. Then, former MLB outfielder and newest MLB Network analyst Kevin Kiermaier joins the guys (28:18) to discuss which teams in the AL East has the most pressure heading into the new year, if a team like the Blue Jays can replicate a 'ball in play' approach two seasons in a row, Kevin Gausman's legacy, how Vlad Jr. will approach the season without Bo Bichette and vice versa, and his early thoughts on ABS. 

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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show looking ahead to Blue Jays Opening Day! Barker shares what it's like for players on the fringes of a 26-man roster and reflects on his own training camp experiences. The boys also dive into John Schneider's choices to bat second in the Jays order, Cody Ponce's outlook this season, and Josh Kasevich's upside. Dan Shulman (26:52), Blue Jays play-by-play voice, joins the conversation to discuss what can separate Toronto from the pack heading into 2026. They trio take a closer look at Max Scherzer's scoreless spring training, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s soaring confidence, expectations for Kazuma Okamoto and Dylan Cease, Jeff Hoffman's status, and Brendon Little's opportunity to bounce back.

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 catcher and Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker (3:15) to chat about the Jays' path to winning the AL East, if Jeff Hoffman will continue to be the closer to start the year, Alejandro Kirk's job to transition pitch calling behind the plate between Spring Training to the regular season, how Dylan Cease can build efficiency, if we can expect a breakout year for Vlad Jr., and if he's buying in on Daulton Varsho's Spring numbers. Then, host of 'Baseball Isn’t Boring' and Red Sox reporter for WEEI Boston, Rob Bradford, stops by (28:12) to discuss where the team stacks in the division, if post-season hangovers exist, if Boston can improve on their infield defence from 2025, expectations for Roman Anthony, and how hot Alex Cora's managerial seat is. 

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 week by reacting to the Blue Jays extending GM Ross Atkins and manager John Schneider. Sportsnet insider Ben Nicholson-Smith joins them (4:30) to share his thoughts on the extensions, the plan for Jesús Sánchez, Leo Jimenez's chances at cracking the Opening Day roster, the battle for the final reliever spot, what to expect from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. following a breakout postseason run, Dylan Cease's ceiling, and much more. Later, David Samson, host of Nothing Personal and former MLB President, stops by (28:50) to discuss Cristopher Sanchez's extension with the Phillies, why MLB seems set for a work stoppage in 2027, Tarik Skubal's future in Detroit, and the state of the game after the success of the World Baseball Classic.

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.