Blair & Barker

Blue Jays skipper John Schneider joins Jeff and Kevin to give the guys an update on Yimi Garcia, shares his approach to shuffling the batting order and talks about Davis Schneider's ability to reinvent in his at-bats. Schneider also touches on Bo Bichette's struggles, biggest differences in playing baseball from the minor leagues to the majors, and making the case to keep Danny Jansen in the lineup. 

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 hosts the show solo today to bring you the latest around MLB and the Toronto Blue Jays. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi comments on Toronto’s recent play, the correlation between Triple-A pitching numbers being so bad this year, hitting prospects scuffling at the big league level, and how this might affect Blue Jays prospect Orelvis Martinez. Former Marlins President and host of Nothing Personal David Samson talks about things to look out for when changes may be afoot when it comes to the front office or roster of an organization (26:05). Jeff invites theScore’s Travis Sawchik to discuss the latest around the majors, notably the Pirates calling up Paul Skenes and his thoughts on the state of the Jays (49:41). Play-by-play voice Dan Shulman wraps up today's show with his off-day Jays observations from the road trip including if Danny Jansen might be someone the Jays could look to extend (01:15:03).

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 at the Blue Jays’ series against the red-hot Phillies starting tonight. Phillies analyst Ben Davis helps tee up the first game of the series, how Philadelphia has managed their league-best start, a tough matchup for Berríos and what the Jays’ lineup can expect from Cristopher Sanchez (27:21). Chris Rose of the Chris Rose Rotation discusses the Guardians’ unexpected, AL Central-leading campaign and whether they can sustain it in the suddenly competitive division (49:55). Then, he shares his thoughts on the Jays’ frustrating offence, Manoah’s return and the Luis Arráez deal. Finally, Blue Jays Central’s Joe Siddall weighs in on possible batting order changes to consider, the Jays bullpen issues heating up without Garcia and how Berríos attacks the Phillies’ lineup (01:17:15).

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 affiliates.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' series loss to the Washington Nationals, notably what they saw out of Alek Manoah in the finale and George Springer’s lack of production in the lead off spot. Intentional Talk’s Ryan Dempster joins the guys with his thoughts on Manoah’s results and how to battle through struggles as a pitcher, Luis Arráez being dealt to the Padres, and Shota Imanaga’s incredible start with the Cubs (28:49). What have we learned in MLB so far this season? The guys discuss that and more with The Athletic’s Jayson Stark, including his thoughts on the Blue Jays and what they have to trade if it comes to that (49:49). Former Phillies GM and MLB Network analyst Ruben Amaro Jr. looks ahead to the Jays' series in Philadelphia and how to evaluate your club in-season when falling low of expectations (01:16:47).

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.

Is there a reckoning coming for the Toronto Blue Jays? Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker share their thoughts on Ken Rosenthal’s latest piece in The Athletic on the direction of certain teams including Toronto. The guys call up Nationals’ analyst Kevin Frandsen to preview this weekend’s upcoming series (26:04). José Berríos joins the show to reflect on his start to the season after being named American League Pitcher of the Month for April (49:48). Later on, Foul Territory’s A.J. Pierzynski comments on the status of the Jays, the competition overall in the AL, and if he has any interest in coaching or managing in the big leagues (01:10:24).

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.

AL Pitcher of the Month for April, José Berríos joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss receiving the recognition from the MLB, how effective he's been pitching against left-handed batters, his process in learning something new towards his game, the pitching staff's success, and how they've approached to run prevention on the bases. 

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 are joined by Sportsnet’s Caleb Joseph to discuss the Blue Jays’ offence following the series finale vs. Kansas City where the team earned only one run on four hits (27:22). Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times discusses Mike Trout’s latest injury and how he seems to be stuck in Anaheim with other clubs unwilling to take on his mammoth contract (49:38). Later on, the guys empty out the voicemail on the 'Back Leg Line' with listener questions on the Blue Jays ahead of their next series against the Washington Nationals (01:13:00).

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 start the pre-game show with some takeaways on the Jays’ 4-1 loss to the Royals yesterday before being joined by Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi. He discusses Yariel Rodriguez’s move to the IL and whether the Jays will run a 4-man rotation or elevate Alex Manoah off his stellar Triple-A start. Will Rodriguez be moved to the bullpen when he returns? Later, they chat about how the Jays’ batters have attacked the fastball this season and their biggest concerns when it comes to the order. Finally, they react to John Schneider’s pre-game availability as they tee up the rubber match at the Rogers Centre!

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 weigh in on the Blue Jays' 6-5 win over the Royals to kick off the series, highlighted by Justin Turner's two home run night. Eric Hosmer, former MLB player and host of the Diggin’ Deep podcast, discusses Bobby Witt Jr’s player profile and how good he can become, if the Padres can get to another level with their talent-laden roster, and looks back at the 2015 ALCS between the Royals and Blue Jays (26:08). Blue Jays radio play-by-play voice Ben Shulman joins the show with his thoughts on Toronto’s recent play including how Yariel Rodriguez fared in game one of the series (49:53). Blair and Barker end the show talking some baseball business with former MLB executive David Samson; notably the latest on the A’s situation in Vegas and the current state of the Marlins (01:17:20).

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 affiliates.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ weekend where the Dodgers took two of three against Toronto; despite the losses the guys discuss how it was encouraging to see Kevin Gausman return to his elite form. World Series champion closer and NESN analyst Jonathan Papelbon comments on Canadian Tyler O’Neill’s hot start with the Red Sox and the competition within the American League East (27:48). Later on, Sportsnet’s Buck Martinez shares his most recent thoughts on the Jays as they get set to re-familiarize with the Royals at Rogers Centre after facing them last week in Kansas City (49:53).

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.