Blair & Barker

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker share their thoughts following the Red Sox sweep of the Blue Jays over the weekend and examine their schedule going forward in the second half. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi discusses what he saw from Alek Manaoh in his rehab start with the Fisher Cats and the latest on Hyun-Jin Ryu’s status as he looks to re-join Toronto later this month (31:03). The Braves are sending eight players to the All-Star Game in Seattle; notably their entire infield. Atlanta’s President & General Manager Alex Anthopolous discusses the feat and his club’s incredible first half to the season (49:32). Finally, breaking news hits the show as John Schneider mentions in his pre-game availability that Alek Manoah will make his return to the Blue Jays on Friday and start against the Detroit Tigers (1:13:09).

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 WEEI’s Red Sox reporter Rob Bradford as Boston makes their first trip to Rogers Centre this season (28:08). Blue Jays Manager John Schneider makes his weekly appearance with the guys to discuss pitching to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the home run derby, Tim Mayza’s all-star calibre season, and Yosver Zulueta pitching in the Futures Game (51:06). MLB insider Jeff Passan joins the guys with breaking news as the first big trade of the season goes down with Aroldis Chapman going from Kansas City to the Texas Rangers (1:16:15).

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 are joined by Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman to discuss the latest surrounding the Toronto Blue Jays, including how many wins it will take to secure a spot in the postseason, Chris Bassitt’s numbers against left-handed hitters and Alejandro Kirk making his return from the IL (9:21). Longtime MLB executive and current Giants President Farhan Zaidi discusses his club’s strong season to date, attempting to go big-game hunting in free agency this past winter, and the use of analytics in San Francisco’s front office (30:31). Blair and Barker discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s participation in the upcoming Home Run Derby during all-star week in Seattle before being joined by Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times who discussed Shohei Ohtani’s present and (free-agent) future (1:16:51).

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 examine the Blue Jays 3-0 loss to the Giants despite Kevin Gausman’s strong outing with twelve strikeouts. Blue Jays EVP/GM Ross Atkins discusses his ballclub at the halfway point of the season; notably Alek Manoah’s work in Florida, Bo Bichette’s standout season, having difficulty hitting with runners in scoring position, and how he views Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s first-half production (26:04). Three-Time World Champion with the Giants Jeremy Affeldt talks about how San Francisco’s Gabe Kapler has evolved from his first manager job with the Phillies, the success he and the Giants had under Bruce Bochy in the 2010s, this year’s Giants squad, and his podcast ‘Built for The Storm’ (51:41).

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 begin the show discussing the news of the day: Alek Manoah’s first start in the Florida Complex League where he lasted 2.2 innings and allowed 11 earned runs. With San Francisco coming to town, the guys call up ex-Giants hurler and current analyst Shawn Estes to preview the upcoming series and talk some pitching (28:11). MLB Network analyst and former executive Dan O’Dowd gives his perspective on the adjustments Alek Manoah needs to make in Florida, how Toronto has handled the situation sending him down and if Buck Showalter is on the hot seat in New York (51:03). Blue Jays radio voice Ben Wagner checks-in from Rogers Centre ahead of the first pitch of Blue Jays-Giants (1:17:14).

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 return from the weekend following the Blue Jays’ series win over the Oakland A’s and Blair having correctly predicted that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. would hit his first home run of the season at Rogers Centre. The guys examine how Toronto’s division rivals fared over the weekend as ‘In The East’ makes its return (26:01). MLB Network’s Jon Morosi joins the show to discuss the All-Star Game voting process, Freddie Freeman’s offensive prowess, the Orioles promoting Jordan Westburg, and when the Blue Jays could recall Alek Manoah from Florida (54:55).

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.

A’s TV analyst and former starting pitcher Dallas Braden joins Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker from Rogers Centre to preview the Blue Jays’ weekend series vs. Oakland and discuss the tough season for the team on-and-off the field (8:50). Blue Jays Manager John Schneider talks to the guys about the team’s recent stretch, why it’s tough to give Bo Bichette days off, what he’s seeing with Vladimir Guerrero at the plate, and if teams have adjusted to him (27:18). MLB insider Jeff Passan joins the show from New York City where he spoke about the Reds streak, Wander Franco, and provides a scouting report on…Raptors first-round pick Gradey Dick(??) (48:57)

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 & Kevin Barker are joined by former Reds infielder Paul Janish to discuss Cincinnati taking MLB by storm following their 11th straight win yesterday against the Rockies (11:26). With the College World Series going this weekend, the guys call up ESPN’s NCAA Baseball analyst Kyle Peterson to talk about how the college game has evolved over the years, and the top ranked players expected to be drafted into MLB organizations next month ( 33:51). MLB Network Radio’s Ryan Spilborghs discusses Kevin Cash’s decision to sit Wander Franco, the bizarre ending to White Sox-Rangers the other night, and how he believes Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is too talented to slump all season-long (52:36). To end the show, Blair and Barker hear from the fans, including Billy from Markham’s inaugural call to 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 and Kevin Barker begin their show following the Blue Jays’ series victory over the Miami Marlins; as Kevin Gausman pitched six solid innings and Matt Chapman went yard to give Toronto the 6-3 win. Before signing with the Red Sox, was Masataka Yoshida nearly a Blue Jay? The guys examine how Toronto’s offseason could have been much different if they inked the Japanese star (26:05). Former Marlins President & host of ‘Nothing Personal’ David Samson weighs-in with his most recent thoughts on the Jays and how to pivot as a front-office when your trade (or free-agent) target falls through and goes elsewhere (52:03).

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 has returned and is reunited with his co-host Kevin Barker! Together the guys examine the state of the Blue Jays after Monday’s 11-0 loss, particularly the team’s struggles at the dish against the Marlins pitching. The guys take a few calls on the Back Leg Line before being joined by The Athletic’s Jayson Stark who discussed Toronto’s inconsistent play, why he still feels they’re a playoff team with the third wild card spot, what makes Luis Arraez such a prolific hitter, the Oakland A’s, and Rob Manfred’s comments about the team’s fan base last week (53:45).

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.