Podcast
Blair & Barker
Hosted by Sportsnet · EN
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker talk all things Blue Jays and MLB. Airing live on Sportsnet 590 The FAN weekdays from 4-6 PM ET during the baseball season.
124episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
MLB Labour Talk with Jon Morosi + Double Dose of Texas in Toronto
2d ago00:49:41Tap to summarizeMLB Network's Jon Morosi joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker following the most recent round of meetings between MLB and the MLBPA. They discuss how the labour negotiation process has evolved in the social media era, the players' demands, the Jays' top need ahead of the trade deadline, and whether George Springer's spot is at risk. Then, Jeff and Kevin listen in on John Schneider's pre-game availability ahead of the Blue Jays' series opener against the Rangers. Later, Evan Grant (27:00) of the Dallas Morning News stops by ahead of first pitch to share what the Jays can expect from the Rangers and tonight's starter, Mackenzie Gore. 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.
Transcribe →Big Mistakes, Big Impact Against Astros
2d ago00:49:51Tap to summarizeJeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show discussing the Blue Jays' 3-1 loss to the Houston Astros, the decision to go for a pick-off play from Jeff Hoffman, Trey Yesavage's outing against the Astros, how the poor offensive performances have affected the team, and whether the guys prefer adding a run producer vs. an arm at the trade deadline. Then, the guys head to the Back-Leg Line to hear from callers about the recent rough stretch for the Blue Jays against the Astros, Vlad Jr.'s search for a change in his batting, if the team can compete in a Wild Card series, 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.
Transcribe →Pitching Questions with Dan Shulman and Ricky Romero
3d ago00:49:48Tap to summarizeJeff Blair is solo on the second hour, and he kicks it off with Sportsnet's voice of the Blue Jays, Dan Shulman (1:10). They discuss Trey Yesavage's rookie-season grind, Shane Bieber's shaky season debut, and whether the bullpen solution can be found internally. Then, Jeff listens in on John Schneider's pre-game availability ahead of the Jays' second game against the Astros. Later, former Blue Jays pitcher Ricky Romero (29:40) joins the show to chat about Yesavage ahead of his start against Houston, what he has to learn in his first full season, the importance of a starter's relationship with his catcher, and what went wrong for Bieber in his return. 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.
Transcribe →Midseason Check-In and Deadline Approach with GM Ross Atkins
3d ago00:49:53Tap to summarizeJeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays EVP and general manager Ross Atkins (0:45) to chat about how he's assessed his team with the amount of injuries this season, how wide open the AL East could be, Kazuma Okamoto's transition to the MLB, the growth in Ernie Clement's game on both sides of the field, how the organization is supporting Vladdy through his down year, if Jesús Sánchez can become an everyday player for the Jays, if there's any worry about the increased usage for Louis Varland, and if he would consider looking into another starter at the trade deadline. Then, Jeff and Kevin look back at the extra innings loss to the Houston Astros, Tyler Rogers' usage, and Shane Bieber's first return start. 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.
Transcribe →Defensive Decisions + Around the Majors with Jayson Stark
5d ago00:49:46Tap to summarizeJeff Blair is solo on the second hour of the Monday edition. He kicks it off by welcoming in The Athletic's Jayson Stark (3:03) to discuss his recent conversation with Nolan Ryan about Jacob Misiorowski's velocity, Bryce Harper's cycle, whether the Astros can catch the Mariners, and the Giants' rocky start in the first year of Buster Posey's tenure as President. Then, ahead of the Jays' series-opener against the Astros, Jeff listens to John Schneider's pre-game availability. Finally, Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux stops by (32:56) to share his thoughts on the team's decision to option Yohendrick Piñango, Jesús Sánchez's head-scratching outfield defence, and how Dylan Cease can be more efficient in his start against the Astros. 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.
Transcribe →Season Turnaround? + Yordan Álvarez's Elite Hitting with Geoff Blum
5d ago00:49:52Tap to summarizeJeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Chicago Cubs, Jays acquiring infielder Luis Urías from the Arizona Diamondbacks for cash considerations and sending outfielder Yohendrick Piñango down to Triple-A Buffalo, Kevin Gausman getting torched against the Cubs, if there's signs for a turnaround this season for the Blue Jays or Houston Astros, Kazuma Okamoto's stability at the plate, Daulton Varsho's at-bats since returning from his injury, and Louis Varland's six-out save. Then, Astros TV analyst Geoff Blum (30:20) stops by to chat about why Yordan Álvarez is the purist hitter in baseball, how he has influenced his teammate Christian Walker, Hunter Brown's growth into becoming the Astros' ace, Jose Altuve's regression, and how aggressive the club will be 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.
Transcribe →A Sweep at Fenway and a Spark from Vladdy
1w ago00:49:55Tap to summarizeJeff Blair is solo for the post-game edition following the Blue Jays' win over the Boston Red Sox to secure the series sweep in Fenway. Jeff recaps the game before listening to John Schneider's post-game availability. Then, Sportsnet insider Ben Nicholson-Smith (7:39) stops by to share his takeaways from the series, including Trey Yesavage's control, what the sweep means for the Jays, whether Vladdy Jr. can build off his first home run since May 17, and whether Max Scherzer has pitched his last innings for the Jays. Later, to help tee up the Jays' series at Wrigley Field, Chicago radio analyst Bruce Levine (31:30) discusses the Cubs' season so far, Alex Bregman's underwhelming debut season, what the team might do at the deadline, and Matt Shaw's usage. 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.
Transcribe →The Catcher Hour with Erik Kratz and Caleb Joseph
1w ago00:49:47Tap to summarizeErik Kratz, former MLB catcher and host of Foul Territory, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of the Blue Jays' second game against the Red Sox (3:21). They discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s slump, Max Scherzer being moved to the IL, the state of the American League, the Red Sox's struggles at home, how the Phillies turned it around under Don Mattingly, and why the Brewers should swing big at the trade deadline. Later, Blue Jays Central's Caleb Joseph (29:19) weighs in on Scherzer's MLB future, how Trey Yesavage can work his starts deeper into games, Dylan Cease's fastball usage, and signs that George Springer is heating up. 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.
Transcribe →Max Scherzer Heads to the IL + Springer's 300th HR with John Schneider
1w ago00:49:52Tap to summarizeJeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (0:45) to chat about Max Scherzer being placed on the 15-day IL, Braydon Fisher getting the opener spot against the Boston Red Sox, Shane Bieber's most recent rehab outing, how Fenway Park and Wrigley Field affects a hitter's mindset, George Springer hitting his 300th homerun, what impresses him from Miles Straw, Alejandro Kirk's implementation since returning from his injury, if he would consider moving Vladdy down the batting order, and where Addison Barger and Yimi Garcia are at in their respective rehabs. Then, Jeff and Kevin discuss Scherzer's future, Vlad Jr.'s ongoing slump, and New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone's comments about Jose Caballero's pitch clock antics. 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.
Transcribe →Uncertainty in Boston + Pitching in Fenway with Chris Leroux
2w ago00:49:33Tap to summarizeJeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the second hour hearing from Blue Jays' manager John Schneider ahead of their three-game series against the Red Sox in Boston before being joined by WEEI's and host of Baseball Isn't Boring Rob Bradford to discuss why the franchise doesn't have a concrete plan for their future, Roman Anthony's injury concerns, who is likely to be moved at the trade deadline, and their managerial options. Then, Blue Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux stops by to chat about how to pitch and hit at Fenway Park with the short porch and green monster, the differences with playing at Wrigley Field, what does Max Scherzer needs to do to earn another start, bullpen's recent usage during their homestand, Shane Bieber's pending return, where Yimi Garcia fits, and if the Jays can turn around their season past their midway point. 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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