Blair & Barker

The Athletic's Jayson Stark joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker (2:23) to discuss the separation between manager Buck Showalter and the New York Mets, who could be their next bench boss, why the Los Angeles Dodgers have dropped out of the limelight, and a look around the upcoming Wild Card series. Then, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi stops by (29:41) to chat about who's the number one closer heading into the post-season for the Blue Jays, who's the x-factor on the offensive side, final playoff roster cuts, Alejandro Kirk's game calling since Danny Jansen's injury, and who could pitch in Game 2. Plus, we hear comments from GM Ross Atkins ahead of their AL Wild Card series.

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 to the Blue Jays-Twins series now that the matchup is official after the final weekend of the regular season. The guys welcome 1993 World Series MVP with the Blue Jays & Former Twins Manager Paul Molitor (25:12) to the show to preview the series, notably what to expect from Minnesota’s game one starter Pablo Lopez. Blair & Barker react to Bo Bichette’s comments after addressing reporters on media day ahead of Tuesday’s postseason action.

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 chat with Blue Jays manager John Schneider (4:22) ahead of the final series of the regular season against the Tampa Bay Rays; could Toronto face them again shortly after in the postseason? Former Mariners All-Star and host of ‘The Bret Boone Podcast’ (25:00) discusses Seattle battling it out with the Rangers this weekend in an effort to lock up the final AL Wild Card spot and shares his thoughts on the Jays’ offence throughout the 2023 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start with a look at the Jays' playoff-clinching scenario tonight after closing their series against the Yankees with a win to avoid the sweep. They share their thoughts on Chris Bassitt's stellar outing, the shuffled lineup and how ending the regular season against the Rays impacts a potential Wild Card matchup against them. Then, live reaction to the Giants cutting ties with Gabe Kapler. Finally, Blue Jays Central's Caleb Joseph gives his take on Matt Chapman's approach vs. the elevated fastball, Bo's thoughts on hitting clean-up and the benefit of ending the regular season against the Rays (26:40).

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 second hour with ESPN insider Jeff Passan, who shares his thoughts on the Jays lineup with Bo Bichette now in the clean-up spot, where Matt Chapman ranks among this winter's free agency class and which city the MLB is likely to expand to next. Later, radio voice of the Blue Jays Ben Wagner shares his thoughts on the Jays’ updated lineup, how hitting clean-up changes Bo’s approach, how hitting 8th and 9th will impact Chapman and Dalton Varsho and whether there’s a chance Jordan Romano isn’t closing in the playoffs (26:08). They close with your calls on the Back Leg Line!

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 & Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays’ lack of offence in their first two games against the Yankees and John Schneider and his staff changing around the batting order ahead of tonight’s game with Bo Bichette hitting fourth and Matt Chapman and Daulton Varsho being dropped to the bottom. Four-Time World Series Champion with the Yankees and Marlins analyst Jeff Nelson comments on changing batting orders this late in the season, Aaron Judge, the pressure players put on themselves this time of year, and why the Marlins can lock down the final wild card spot in the NL (29:03). 

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 are joined by former Marlins president David Samson, who shares his thoughts on the Yankees’ long-term options for Giancarlo Stanton, how management approaches no-trade clauses and Brandon Belt’s comments urging Jays fans to be louder. Later, ESPN’s national MLB reporter Jesse Rogers gives a glance at the NL Wild Card race, what the near future looks like for the streaky Cubs, the keys to clinching and which of the potential Wild Card teams can be serious threats to the powerhouse Braves (27:57).

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 discuss the Blue Jays’ lack of offence in game one of the series against the Yankees, the decision to use Jordan Romano in a tie-game and Michael King impressing on the mound for New York. Afterwards, the guys examine comments from Brandon Belt where he encouraged fans to be as loud as possible at Rogers Centre during the important games down the stretch. YES Network analyst Jack Curry shares his thoughts on King’s performance and comments on tonight’s starter Gerrit Cole and how cerebral he can be on the mound (26:58). 

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.

MLB Network insider Jon Morosi joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to react to the passing of Orioles legend Brooks Robinson before sharing his thoughts on the Mariners’ ill-timed skid, the Jays’ postseason ceiling and which potential playoff opponent Toronto matches up best against. Later, VP and general manager of the Minnesota Twins Thad Levine discusses clinching a playoff spot, bouncing back from trading Luis Arráez and how the team stays motivated with less than a week to go in the regular season (27:15).

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 look ahead to Jays-Yankees with the Blue Jays coming into the series playing some of their best baseball of the season and talk about Kevin Gausman’s standout season and his presence in the clubhouse ahead of his start. Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman examines the Jays’ recent play; notably Vladimir Guerrero Jr. looking more comfortable at the dish, and who should start Game 2 of a wild card series following Gausman (35:55).

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.