Blair & Barker

Former Blue Jay, current Blue Jays Central analyst and host of Blue Bird Territory Kevin Pillar (2:48) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss dealing with the noise around the trade deadline as a player, why pending free agents could be on the move, Shane Bieber's performances since coming off of Tommy John surgery, why the season so far has been a failure on the players over the manager and coaching staff, Dylan Cease's evolution, and his role in the upcoming 'The Catch' movie. Then, we hear from manager John Schneider and share some reactions on injury updates for Addison Barger, Yimi Garcia and Jesus Sanchez. Afterwards, former MLBer and current colour analyst for the Washington Nationals Kevin Frandsen (38:05) joins the guys to chat about CJ Abrams' future with the club, if he's surprised with the Nats' offence or pitching performances this year, and what manager Blake Butera has brought to the organization. 

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 teeing up the Blue Jays' series against the Washington Nationals, with Max Scherzer returning to the mound in the series-opener on his 42nd birthday. Then, they discuss the team's goals as they inch closer to the trade deadline, Dylan Cease's complete game against the Red Sox, and Kevin Gausman's trade value after a recent rough stretch. Later, USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale stops by (30:16) from the Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown to discuss what the Jays could net in a potential Shane Bieber trade, Alejandro Kirk's trade market, which teams will be the most active at the deadline, and potential surprise names that could be on the move.

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 news of Addison Barger out for the rest of the season with a scheduled surgery on his elbow before bringing in MLB Network's Jon Morosi to discuss if the Blue Jays sweeping the streaking Red Sox in Boston would change their approach towards the trade deadline, Philadelphia Phillies' rumoured interest in Jeff Hoffman, if Alejandro Kirk has a potential market amongst the other catchers, Tarik Skubal's next team, and the 2026 Baseball Hall of Fame class. Then, WEEI's and host of 'Baseball Isn't Boring' Rob Bradford stops by to chat about how the Red Sox overcame their slow start to streaking to a franchise-record 15 games, the scouting report on Caleb Durbin, how the entire organization shutout the outside noise on the team's performance this season, Chad Tracy's impact and if the team's deadline focus will change with the recent success. 

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 affiliate.

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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker get set for the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Boston Red Sox. They discuss Brandon Valenzuela being left off the lineup in the series opener, whether Shane Bieber's resurgence makes him available at the trade deadline, and whether Vladdy Jr.'s swing is fixable in 2026. Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins the show to discuss Max Scherzer's triple-A progress, how Kazuma Okamoto can avoid extended slumps, what's behind the team's historic success at Fenway Park, Trey Yesavage’s in-game adjustments, and much more.

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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Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph joins the show (3:50) to share his thoughts on whether the 2026 roster can get back on track, if defensive slumps are real, Kevin Gausman's last five starts, and the veteran buy-in during a down season. Then, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker hear from manager John Schneider ahead of their third game against the Tampa Bay Rays. Afterwards, The Athletic's Jayson Stark (26:47) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about his mid-season awards, Vlad Jr.'s low home run numbers, the Boston Red Sox tying their franchise record win streak, and which teams are poised to make a splash at the trade deadline. 

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' 12-2 loss to the Rays. Tampa Bay Times reporter Marc Topkin stops by (6:42) to discuss the Rays' biggest deadline need, the success of the Yandy Díaz, Jonathan Aranda and Junior Caminero hitting trio, and Kevin Cash's growth as a manager. Then, Jeff and Kevin discuss where Chandler Simpson stands amongst the fastest MLB players of all time, listen to Max Scherzer's availability after his Triple-A start, and take your calls and questions 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. 

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Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman (0:43) looks at the team's trade deadline options, the potential last start for Kevin Gausman in Toronto, the change in his delivery on the mound, John Schneider's decision to move Ernie Clement in the third spot of the order, the clubhouse vibe through the down season and towards the deadline, and if the Tampa Bay Rays are one bat away towards becoming contenders. Then, host of Baseball Today and Dugout Discussions Chris Rose (27:55) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about what could be behind the Boston Red Sox's recent surge, the most disappointing teams across the league and where the Jays rank, if it's fair to put the losing season on Vlad Jr., and if a looming work stoppage affects the deadline approach. 

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' 7-1 loss to open their series against the Tampa Bay Rays. They discuss the team becoming a 'tough watch,' Kevin Gausman's reworked delivery ahead of his potential final start at the Rogers Centre, John Schneider's future as manager in Toronto, and whether this is more than just a bad season for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Later, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan joins the show (31:28) to weigh in on whether Nolan Arenado will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, if the Jays are 'fixable' after 100 games, Kevin Gausman's trade market, the Red Sox's historic streak, and the teams that will be aggressive ahead of the trade deadline.

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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Todd Stottlemyre (3:08), two-time World Series champion pitcher with the Blue Jays, reflects on the life and career of his former teammate Duane Ward, his presence in the clubhouse and on the mound, the pitcher's game-day routines, and the importance of the 1991 season and its impact on the following back-to-back World Series wins. Then, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker listen to John Schneider's pre-game media availability ahead of their series against the Tampa Bay Rays before bringing on Rays' TV analyst and former pitcher Brian Anderson (30:00) to look at how the team can hold the top spot of the AL East with the surging Boston Red Sox, Bryan Baker's breakout year as their closer, Nick Martinez's changeup vs. sinker usage, and trade deadline targets. 

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 kick off the week with a look back on the Blue Jays' series loss to the Chicago White Sox over the weekend. They discuss Shane Bieber's bounce-back, dwindling playoff chances, and why so many of the Jays' top players from 2025 have regressed in 2026. Then, they discuss the Joe Carter statue unveiling ceremony in honour of the Jays' World Series wins in 1992 and 1993, and reflect on the life and legacy of Duane Ward, who passed away on Sunday. Later, Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi stops by (29:06) to discuss reasons to hold out hope with the Rays coming to town, Brandon Valenzuela's workload, George Springer and Daulton Varsho's standing nearing the trade deadline, and Kevin Gausman's trade value.

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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