Blair & Barker

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by 2015 AL MVP with the Blue Jays, Josh Donaldson (3:35), to chat about his experience being doing 0-2 in a series, batting in Seattle, blocking out the noise of the Mariners' strength in pitching, combating the elevated fastball and his thoughts on Cal Raleigh's historic offensive season. Then, he looks back at Jose Bautista's iconic bat flip and the controversial and chaotic inning leading up to it. Later, Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux joins the guys (28:18) to chat about how Shane Bieber can be dominant against the Mariners' batters, holding batters away from hitting towards the 'big part' of the field, Anthony Santander and Addison Barger switching spots in the batting order, Chris Bassitt's outing out of the bullpen in Game 2, and sets the scene for T-Mobile Park. 

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 their discussion on their expectations for Shane Bieber in his second postseason start ahead of Game 3 in Seattle, how the Blue Jays' hitters should game plan against George Kirby, and how the season will be viewed if Toronto falls out of the ALCS. Then, they turn their attention to the L.A. Dodgers taking a 2-0 series lead over the Milwaukee Brewers. Later, 4-time World Series champion, member of the '01 Mariners and current Yankees & Marlins analyst Jeff Nelson stops by (28:55) to chat about his experience in New York completing a 0-2 comeback against the Atlanta Braves in 1996, the intimidation of a road game, if he sees changes to the Yankees roster, bullpen days in the postseason, and how managers are utilizing their starters. To wrap up, Jeff and Kevin react to John Schneider changing up the batting order with Anthony Santander returning and hitting cleanup. 

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 Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman (1:24) to chat about the positives coming out of the first two losses against the Seattle Mariners, if John Schneider will make any changes to the batting order, whether Shane Bieber can bounce back in his second postseason start, Trey Yesavage's Game 2 outing, and if Jeff Hoffman has got back his command of his pitches. Then, we hear from Jays' closer Hoffman in his off-day availability before bringing on former pitcher and VSiN host Jensen Lewis (28:15) to get his thoughts on how Bieber can find success against Seattle, the adjustments the Jays need to make for Game 3, pitching decisions from Alejandro Kirk, and where he sees the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers series moving towards.

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 Blue Jays' 10-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners in Game 2 to fall into an 0-2 hole in the ALCS. They break down the meat of the order's struggles, Jorge Polanco's go-ahead home run and John Schneider's pitcher decisions before discussing what the Jays need to do to turn it around in Game 3 in Seattle. Then, World Series champion manager Joe Maddon stops by (27:15) to discuss managing around analytics in the postseason, when to pull a starter from a playoff start, and how the Jays approach Cal Raleigh.

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 Passan, ESPN MLB insider, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of Game 2 of the ALDS. They touch on Anthony Santander's late scratch, what to expect from Trey Yesavage in his second-career playoff start, and feelings in Toronto down 0-1 in the series. Jeff also checks in on the strength of the Mariners' pitching staff, Jorge Polanco's ability to perform in high-pressure spots, and what to make of John Schneider's decision making. Later, the boys listen in to Shane Bieber's media availability ahead of his Game 3 start on Wednesday. Ryan Divish (28:02) of the Seattle Times gets us set for first pitch with thoughts on Cal Raleigh's defensive prowess, the difference makers in the M's lineup, the team's ability to keep their arms fresh, and what to expect from Logan Gilbert.

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 hit the airwaves following the Blue Jays' 3-1 loss at the hands of the Seattle Mariners to open the American League Championship Series. They break down John Schneider's decision to pull Kevin Gausman in the sixth inning, Bryce Miller's performance on short rest, and what caused Toronto's bats to fall silent in Game 1. The boys also touch on the crowd noise at Rogers Centre last night, and how it compared to the electric atmosphere during the ALDS. Caleb Joseph (22:35), former MLB catcher and current Sportsnet analyst, discusses how to attack Cal Raleigh at the plate, what went wrong for Brendon Little last night, and the scouting report for today’s opposing starter, Logan Gilbert. Caleb also checks in on Raleigh's elite defence behind the plate and how to navigate bullpen usage throughout a seven-game series. The boys wrap up this hour with thoughts on John Schneider's pregame 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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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by The Athletic's Jayson Stark (3:20) to chat about whether the Philadelphia Phillies fanbase could forgive Orion Kerkering's misjudgement in Game 4 giving the L.A. Dodgers the win and ticket to the NLCS, what's next for the Phillies, if the Dodgers have returned to being the best team in the MLB, what the New York Yankees should focus on in the offseason, and potential roster changes for the Blue Jays ahead of the ALCS. Then, FOX Sports' play-by-play broadcaster Adam Amin (35:46) stops by to discuss the Seattle Mariners-Detroit Tigers series heading to 5 games, if Josh Naylor can become an x-factor in a win-or-go-home scenario, and if a Tigers series win will erase a bad end to their regular season. 

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 react to the Dodgers advancing to the NLCS after Orion Kerkering's error cost the Phillies their season in extra innings. They discuss whether the Phillies make big changes in the offseason, look at the lopsided Game 4 between the Cubs and Brewers, and debate who would be a better matchup for the Jays in the ALCS - the Tigers or Mariners. Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi joins the show (27:17) to make predictions for the Blue Jays' roster changes, whether Bo Bichette will be ready and whose spot he would take, why Anthony Santander is safe, where Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt fit in, and why the Mariners might be the better ALCS matchup for 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 MLB Network's Jon Morosi (0:35) to take a look at the Detroit Tigers-Seattle Mariners series, who would be a better matchup for the Blue Jays between those two teams, Vladdy's new legacy against the New York Yankees, why the Jays have silenced the nay-sayers of their small ball approach, how John Schneider managed the Yankees series and bullpen day, and what's next for the Bronx Bombers. Then, Mariners insider Shannon Drayer (33:30) stops by to chat about the team's feelings after the Tigers forced Game 5, which player needs to step up for Seattle, what makes Cal Raleigh a special player on both ends of the bat, and how Seattle can come out of the series and meet Toronto for the ALCS. 

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 reflect on the Blue Jays' series-clinching Game 4 win over the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium to advance to the ALCS. They get into the offensive effort, Nathan Lukes' clutch hit, John Schneider's bullpen deployment, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s dominant series. Later, fresh off a champagne shower in the Jays' clubhouse, reporter Hazel Mae joins the show (28:56) to discuss the Jays' postgame celebrations and how it speaks to the team's personality.

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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