Blair & Barker

Sportsnet

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.

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603 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes603

Newest first

Sep 2, 2025 · 49 min
Ninth Inning Nightmares in Cincinnati
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 5-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds and another bullpen breakdown in the ninth. They discuss Ryan Borucki's call-up, whether Brendon Little's second-half struggles are correctable, and Bo Bichette's consistency at the plate. Then, they review Max Scherzer's interview on Foul Territory where he opened up on his back injury and Vladdy's untapped potential. Later, Reds broadcaster and former MLB reliever Jeff Brantley (29:11) shares his thoughts o
Sep 1, 2025 · 49 min
Bullpen Issues Linger into September
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined in-studio with Blue Jays radio analyst and former pitcher Chris Leroux to debate how John Schneider should reconsider utilizing Brendon Little and the rest of the relievers, if the roster is capable of being the best team in the Majors, even the AL East, Eric Lauer's second stint back to the bullpen, and Bo Bichette's contact ability this season. Then, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi stops by to discuss the Blue Jays' recent additions to the team with rosters expand
Aug 29, 2025 · 49 min
A Weekend Between Two of MLB's Best Teams
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in Milwaukee Brewers TV play-by-play voice Brian Anderson (1:39) to discuss the team's offensive style of play, what's behind Christian Yelich's resurgence, why Abner Uribe could fill their closer's shoes with Trevor Megill out, and who would be the team's Game 1 starter in October. Then, Jeff and Kevin chat about Markham, ON's Jonah Tong making his big league debut for the New York Mets, before diving back into the Blue Jays' lineup without Ernie Clement, how
Aug 29, 2025 · 50 min
Jays' August Overview with John Schneider
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in Blue Jays manager John Schneider (7:04) ahead of the team's weekend series against the NL-leading Milwaukee Brewers. The skipper shares team injury updates, how Jeff Hoffman and Addison Barger have handled up-and-down months, Trey Yesavage's pathway to a postseason opportunity, Davis Schneider's evolution as a big leaguer, and much more. Later, NESN analyst and former World Series champion Jonathan Papelbon (30:32) swings by to discuss Walker Buehler's rele
Aug 28, 2025 · 49 min
Attention to Detail + Catching Up with Cito Gaston
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in Blue Jays Central's Caleb Joseph (3:28) to weigh in on the Blue Jays' series against the Minnesota Twins, the bullpen's struggles keeping runners on base, who slots into the Jays' two-hole in an ideal order, whether Eric Lauer's rocky start is a red flag for the rotation's extended rest, and which relievers are in the 'circle of trust.' Later, former Blue Jays manager and two-time World Series champion Cito Gaston (31:23) joins the show to reflect on his up
Aug 28, 2025 · 49 min
Pitching Into the Final Stretch with Dan Plesac + Inside Jays' Hitting Coach
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker quickly recap the Blue Jays late game comeback against the Minnesota Twins and Jeff Hoffman's redemption in the 9th inning before bringing on former pitcher and MLB Network Analyst Dan Plesac (5:55) to chat about what he saw from Shane Bieber's first outing against the Miami Marlins since coming off Tommy John, how the Jays' top three pitchers stack up against other teams' top starters, what are clear red flags coming from your closers as we near October, his assessme
Aug 27, 2025 · 49 min
Can the Blue Jays' Bullpen Win a World Series?
ESPN's Jeff Passan (2:59) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the Milwaukee Brewers losing closer Trevor Megill to a flexor strain, if the Blue Jays' bullpen is good enough to win a World Series, Cal Raleigh's case for American League MVP, and who will come out of the AL West. Then, host of Nothing Personal, David Samson (25:14) stops by to discuss Jeff Hoffman's recent blown save, why he's still picking the Blue Jays over the Boston Red Sox, who's the best team in performing on the
Aug 27, 2025 · 49 min
Jeff Hoffman Closing Concerns
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 7-5 loss to the Minnesota Twins and discuss Jeff Hoffman's ninth-inning blowup. They get into the team's bullpen-wide slump, George Springer's two-homer game and Chris Bassitt's start. Later, Jeff and Kevin open up the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions. Should the Jays have added a bona fide closer at the deadline? Can Springer sustain his scorching August form? Will Eric Lauer make a permanent move to the bullpen? And more.
Aug 26, 2025 · 49 min
Putting It In Play with Don Mattingly + Dan Shulman
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in Blue Jays bench coach Don Mattingly (0:51) to chat about the success throughout their lineup this season, their home versus road performances, whether he sees their hitting approach translating well into the postseason, Addison Barger's evolution in his bat skills, Vlad Jr.'s 2025, and how John Schneider has navigated managing. Then, Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman stops by (28:36) to discuss the expectations on when Anthony Santander could retu
Aug 26, 2025 · 49 min
Taking One from the Twinkies + Bassitt's Home/Road Riddle
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 10-4 win over the Minnesota Twins to kick off a three-game series. They get into Andrés Giménez's adjustment at the plate before reflecting on the team's consistency since the All-Star break. Then, ahead of his start tonight, they debate whether Chris Bassitt's home/road split discrepancy is overblown. Later, retired MLB outfielder and Twins TV analyst Denard Span (23:09) discusses the Twins' future outlook after their fire-sale at the dead
Aug 25, 2025 · 49 min
Shane Bieber's Return & Scherzer's Resurgence with Jensen Lewis
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker quickly revisit Shane Bieber's debut with the Blue Jays and how the rotation could shape up with the former Cy Young Award winner in the fold, before hearing John Schneider's media availability ahead of their series against the Minnesota Twins, including an update on Yimi Garcia's injury. Then, former pitcher and host on MLB Network Radio Jensen Lewis (28:00) stops by to discuss Bieber's return to the mound, how difficult is it to pitch to a new catcher, Max Scherzer
Aug 25, 2025 · 49 min
Vladdy's Back + Unpredictability in the Pen
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the week with a look back on the Blue Jays' series against the Miami Marlins. They check in on the standings before digging into Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s return to the lineup, Shane Bieber's debut, shaky play from the bullpen, and whether it's time for the club to call up top prospect Trey Yesavage. Then, Blue Jays Central analyst Joe Siddall (29:03) weighs in on the team's bullpen-wide struggles, the plan for the rotation down the stretch, what's behind Addison B
Aug 22, 2025 · 49 min
Roman Anthony's New York Takeover + Bob Nightengale
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in Bob Nightengale (3:01) of USA Today to share his expectations for Shane Bieber's return to the mound and Blue Jays debut, if the Jays are capable of a deep run and win the AL East, Max Scherzer pitching like he was 10 years ago, the New York Mets' drastic turnaround season, whether Kyle Tucker's market will dictate Bo Bichette's pending free agency, and the prospect of the MLB looking into expansion with a shorten season. Then, Rob Bradford of WEEI in Bosto
Aug 22, 2025 · 49 min
John Schneider + Shane Bieber is Back in the Bigs!
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (1:15) ahead of the team's weekend series against the Miami Marlins. The skipper shares an update on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s hamstring injury, his expectations for Shane Bieber in his Blue Jays debut tonight, internal competition in the rotation, and much more. Then, Jeff and Kevin set the stage for Bieber's first Major League start in 507 days and what would be considered a successful outing for the returning righty. Fin
Aug 21, 2025 · 49 min
Shane Bieber Report and October Stretch with Adam Cimber
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in former Blue Jays' pitcher Adam Cimber (1:15) to chat about his old teammate Shane Bieber and what he was like during their days with the Cleveland Guardians, expectations for Shane returning to the mound coming off an injury, the difficulties as a pitcher of putting yourself aside and focus on the team first, and the feeling in the clubhouse of being hunted in the standings than being the hunter. Then, Jeff and Kevin head to the Back Leg Line to hear some l
Aug 21, 2025 · 49 min
Off Day Playoff Push Reset
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the off-day edition with a look at the AL East landscape as the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox get set to square off in a four-game series. Then, they debate the importance of the Blue Jays' upcoming weekend series against the Marlins. Later, Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph joins the show (26:36) to discuss the Jays' recent scoring slump, how the starters are adjusting to the changed rotation, his expectations for Shane Bieber, and Brendon Little's c
Aug 20, 2025 · 1 hr 14 min
Pitching Decisions Towards the Off Day
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker take a deeper dive into the Blue Jays' decision to option Braydon Fisher to Buffalo, bumping Eric Lauer to the bullpen ahead of Shane Bieber's debut, and the competition around the rotation for postseason starts. ESPN's Jeff Passan jumps on (27:45) to discuss if Max Scherzer's play as of late, how the Jays can translate their hitting approach in the playoffs, how he views the New York Yankees roster in the second half, why the Baltimore Orioles' down year is just a bl
Aug 19, 2025 · 49 min
What Shane Bieber Brings with Pete Walker
Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker (2:32) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about how he's navigated the 2025 season with his pitchers' injuries and trade deadline acquisitions, expectations for Shane Bieber when he makes his Blue Jays debut, what he's learned about Max Scherzer, how Jose Berrios can find his velocity again, Brendon Little's walk rate, Jeff Hoffman's adjustment to the closer role, and his assessments of Louis Varland and Seranthony Domínguez. Then, The Athletic's Jayso
Aug 19, 2025 · 49 min
Pham-ily Drama
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' eventful series opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates, a 5-2 loss at PNC Park. They discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s exit, the Jays' sloppy fielding, Tommy Pham's tiff with Tyler Heineman and his later social-media outburst. Later, Blue Jays Central analyst Joe Siddall (31:18) shares his thoughts on Heineman and Pham's dust-up from a catcher's POV, Kevin Gausman's outing, and Addison Barger's growth as a hitter. The views and opinions expre
Aug 18, 2025 · 49 min
Madison & The Mayor
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays Central analyst Madison Shipman (0:45) to chat about the news of Shane Bieber slated to make his Jays' debut and a potential six-man rotation. Then, she gets into Max Scherzer's velocity, who would be the Jays' second-best bullpen arm after Jeff Hoffman, what stands out from Ernie Clement's game, whether the Blue Jays sustain their contact-first approach into the playoffs, and how John Schneider has navigated the team's 2025 campaign. Later, Je