
Jeff & Kevin return for another season of Baseball Central!  We discuss the state of the Blue Jays as the pre-season wraps up, and are joined by Blue Jays starting pitcher Steven Matz to discuss his first camp with the team, and his readiness to pitch in the AL East.



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.

March 29: We’re Back!  Steven Matz Joins The Show

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker talk all things Blue Jays and MLB. Airing live on Sportsnet 590 The FAN weekdays from 2-4 ET during the baseball season.

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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ 3-2 loss in Kansas City with thoughts on Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s game, Kevin Gausman’s fastball usage, and Kevin Kiermaier leaving the game with a hip injury. Royals analyst and franchise saves leader, Jeff Montgomery, weighs-in on Jays-Royals, Jordan Romano, and how to sustain longevity as a closer (28:35). The Athletic's Jayson Stark discusses the results of a poll ranking the best front offices in MLB (49:50). Later on, Blue Jays Central analyst Joe Siddall comments on Guerrero’s plate approach and if Addison Barger can add a spark to the big league lineup (01:16:58).

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.

Tough Luck Loss for Gaus

Guest host Blake Murphy and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 5-3 win over the Kansas City Royals; where Bo Bichette and Daulton Varsho provided the offence and Jordan Romano locked down his 100th career save. The guys welcome Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman on the show after his call of Monday’s game to discuss the Blue Jays’ recent play and look ahead to tonight’s matchup at Kauffman Stadium with Kevin Gausman on the hill (24:55). With Varsho on an absolute tear offensively, Blake and Kevin call-up his dad, former MLBer Gary Varsho, to discuss the work he put into the offseason and how to stay consistent at the plate and in the field (49:50). To end the show, the guys go around the majors with Hall of Famer Tim Kurkjian, notably Heston Kjerstad being the latest prospect promoted in Baltimore and his honest thoughts on Toronto’s offence in the early-going (01:15:12).

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.

Blake & Barker After a Win in KC

Jeff and Kevin kick off a new week on the program looking back on the Blue Jays' near sweep of the San Diego Padres; what we've seen from Toronto's starters, the bullpen management at the tail end of Sunday's game, and which bats in the lineup are finding their stride. Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph shares his takeaways from the series and previews Yusei Kikuchi's start in Kansas City tonight (25:52). Buffalo Bisons announcer Pat Malacaro updates us on the Jays' farm system including Orelvis Martinez' red-hot stretch and Addison Barger's upside (49:56). Later on, Royals colour commentator Rex Hudler weighs in on Bobby Witt Jr.'s breakout and the keys to Kansas City's strong start to the 2024 season (01:14:36). 

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.

San Diego Survives the Sweep + Sights and Sounds of Kansas City

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open up the Back Leg line for their usual fan interaction on Friday. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi checks-in from San Diego with an update on prospect Ricky Tiedemann after being placed on the IL (32:07). Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins the show for his weekly hit to reflect on his club’s 6-3 homestand before heading west (49:47). Padres TV analyst Mark Grant previews the Jays' weekend series with a scouting report on Friday’s starter Matt Waldron, before discussing young phenom Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado continuing to play at an elite level (01:15:42).

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.

Getting Ready to Play the Padres

Blue Jays Manager John Schneider joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker for his weekly visit to discuss his team's offence, bullpen deployment, Daulton Varsho's strong homestand, Alek Manoah's next steps and 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.

March 29: We’re Back! Steven Matz Joins The Show

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