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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600 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes600

Newest first

July 10 · 49 min
Stopping in San Diego Before the Break with John Schneider
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays trading Tommy Nance to the Twins before they welcome Hall of Fame closer and Padres executive Trevor Hoffman (3:13) ahead of the Jays' series in San Diego. He discusses what makes Mason Miller elite, how the role and profile of the closer have changed since his playing days, and what the Jays can expect from the Padres in their final series before the All-Star break. Later, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (26:31) stops by from San Diego to disc
July 9 · 49 min
State of the Trade Market with Jon Morosi and Jeff Passan
MLB Network insider Jon Morosi (0:58) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker in the second hour of the off-day edition. They look ahead to the All-Star game and which pitchers will get the start, the state of the trade market, the Jays' deadline plans, Aaron Judge's absence taking a toll on the slumping Yankees, and whether we'll ever see another pitching career like Justin Verlander's or Max Scherzer's. Later, ESPN insider Jeff Passan stops by (26:25) to discuss Kevin Gausman's trade market, why the
July 9 · 49 min
Cease's Near No-Hitter, Vlad Jr. Hitting Carryover and Home Run Props
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' 10-0 shutout series win on the road against the Giants, Dylan Cease's near no-hitter, whether the momentum from Vladdy's slump-snapping homer can carry over to the Jays' next series against the Padres in San Diego, and the introduction of the home run 'dragon'. Then, special assistant with the San Diego Padres, former MLB manager and catcher Scott Servais (27:30) to chat about being one of the few people to catch and manage a no-hitter, how he han
July 7 · 49 min
Benefits of the All-Star Break + Managing Slumps with Bruce Bochy
MLB Network's Sean Casey (0:50) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss the Blue Jays' recent stretch and whether they still have a chance at making a run, what the All-Star break can do for Vladdy Jr., Sean Keys' potential, and how players deal with trade rumours at this time in the season. Later, four-time World Series-winning manager Bruce Bochy (26:45) joins the guys to discuss the challenges of following up a deep playoff run, how Buster Posey is handling his first year as Giants Presi
July 7 · 49 min
Tough Decisions Nearing the Break + All-Star Louis Varland
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays series opening loss to the Giants in San Francisco, if the team would have reconsidered 'running it back' after a World Series clinch and losing Bo Bichette in free agency, if the Jays should decide to move expiring contracts at the deadline, the struggling offence and swing decisions, and what went wrong in Kevin Gausman's start against his former team. Then, Blue Jays' reliever Louis Varland joins the guys (26:30) to look back at the move from Mi
July 6 · 49 min
What's Wrong with the Giants? + Jensen Lewis
Former pitcher and MLB Network Radio host Jensen Lewis (0:45) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to kick off the second hour. They discuss the Marlins' decision to pull Eury Pérez after seven perfect innings, whether Miami is 'for real,' the Padres' offensive struggles, why it's still too early for the Jays to start thinking about selling, and whether Aaron Judge's absence has exposed the Yankees' weaknesses. Later, F.P. Santangelo (26:30), Giants broadcaster and former Major Leaguer, stops by ah
July 6 · 49 min
The Blue Jays Are Not Good Enough
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap a disappointing weekend series for the Blue Jays in Seattle, the offence going quiet, and why that could dictate the franchise's direction at the trade deadline. Then, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi joins the guys (29:57) to share his thoughts on the lack of scoring against the Mariners, why it's up to the players to perform to the best of their ability versus manager John Schneider shaking the lineup, concerns for Daulton Varsho, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. deciding to sit o
July 3 · 49 min
Sizing Up the Mariners with Aaron Goldsmith and Dan Shulman
Ahead of the Blue Jays series-opener in Seattle, Mariners play-by-play voice Aaron Goldsmith (0:58) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker. They discuss the Mariners' frustrating season so far, what's behind Cal Raleigh's regression, their power-centric offensive approach, the rotation's 'piggy-back' drama, and what they'll be targeting at the trade deadline. Then, Jeff and Kevin look at the American League landscape at the midway point and the lingering impacts of the WBC on players like Raleigh and
July 3 · 49 min
The Second Home in Seattle + Lead-Off Decisions with John Schneider
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin their Friday edition discussing the Blue Jays' upcoming road series against the Seattle Mariners, game plans for Dylan Cease and attacking Luis Castillo, George Springer's playing time vs. Sean Keys, and the need for a successful outing from Shane Bieber. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider stops by (27:00) to share some updates on Anthony Santander and Max Scherzer, whether Nathan Lukes has a case to remain on the top of the order when Springer returns, Vlad
July 2 · 49 min
American League Pillow Fight with Jeff Passan + Back Leg Line!
ESPN insider Jeff Passan (2:51) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker on Hour 2 of the off-day edition to weigh in on the Jays' disappointing June, who they should be targeting at the trade deadline, why Dylan Cease isn't a true No. 1 starter, and how he's handicapping the Wild Card race in the American League. Later, Jeff and Kevin dive deeper into the state of the AL before taking your calls and questions on the Back Leg Line! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host
July 2 · 49 min
Building Off of Canada Day Win + Sean Keys' to Success
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back at the Blue Jays' 9-3 win on Canada Day over the New York Mets, promising swings from Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the potential for Spencer Miles in a starting role, Sean Keys' first career home run, and how the team can ride their momentum into Seattle against the Mariners. Then, MLB insider and reporter for Sportsnet Ben Nicholson-Smith joins the guys (28:20) to discuss how many swings do players take before a game, the case for Nathan Lukes to bat lead-off, fi
June 30 · 50 min
The Vladdy Conversation with Terry Collins and Kevin Pillar
Former Mets manager Terry Collins (4:00) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker following the Jays' series-opening win over the Mets. Terry weighs in on whether moving Vladdy Jr. in the Jays order will help the struggling star, his philosophy on managing ageing stars, and the challenge of following up a World Series run. Then, Jeff and Kevin listen to John Schneider's pre-game availability, in which he outlines the pitching plan for Canada Day following Patrick Corbin's move to the bullpen. Finally,
June 30 · 49 min
Jays Snap the Skid in Bo's Emotional Return
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 2-1 win over the Mets to open the series and snap a six-game losing streak. They discuss Trey Yesavage's command bouncing back, Sean Keys betting clean up in game two, Patrick Corbin being moved to the bullpen, and what to expect from Kevin Gausman as he looks to get back on the rails. Then, they reflect on Bo Bichette's reception in his return to Toronto. Later, Caleb Joseph stops by (29:05) to discuss what Gausman can take from Yesavage's
June 29 · 49 min
Bichette's Mets Tenure + Struggles Against Starters with Joe Siddall
SportsNet New York's John Harper (2:03) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the Mets firing manager Carlos Mendoza with interim Andy Green stepping in, former MLBer Albert Pujols having potential interest in the gig, how Bo Bichette had acclimated himself in the New York sports environment, and the Mets' trade deadline needs. Then, we hear Blue Jays manager John Schneider's pre-game availability before their series against the Mets. Afterwards, Blue Jays TV analyst Joe Siddall stops
June 29 · 49 min
Jays in Turmoil as Bo Makes Toronto Return
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker get set for the Blue Jays' series against the Mets as Bo Bichette makes his return to Toronto. They discuss the Jays being swept by the Rangers, Vladdy's continued struggles, the rotation starting to scuffle, Albert Pujols' recent comments on Vladdy's mechanics, the Alejandro Kirk/home run jacket incident on Saturday, and whether the Jays should start to consider a soft sell. Later, Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi stops by (35:35) to discuss the vibes heading into To
June 26 · 49 min
Finding a Fix for Vladdy with Jeff Passan and Bret Boone
ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (1:34) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to kick off the final hour of the week. They discuss the New York Mets firing Carlos Mendoza, Albert Pujols' candidacy as manager, the Jays' playoff hopes, peculiar results in the fans' All-Star Game voting, the MLBPA pushing to ban prop bets, and how the proposed five-year maximum length on contracts will impact pending free agents like Tarik Skubal. Later, former MLB All-Star and Rangers hitting coach Bret Boone stops by (28
June 26 · 49 min
Welcome to the Show, Sean Keys + John Schneider
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show reacting to the news of the Blue Jays calling up left-handed power-hitting prospect Sean Keys to the main roster, if there's a spot on the roster for him to become an everyday player, why it's a different team when George Springer and Vlad Jr. aren't having success at the plate, and the lack of quality starts from the starters, especially from Kevin Gausman. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (28:38) joins the guys to chat about the 23-year old pros
June 25 · 49 min
MLB Labour Talk with Jon Morosi + Double Dose of Texas in Toronto
MLB 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 Dal
June 25 · 49 min
Big Mistakes, Big Impact Against Astros
Jeff 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
June 24 · 49 min
Pitching Questions with Dan Shulman and Ricky Romero
Jeff 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 Hous