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

Jun 6, 2025 · 49 min
Taking on the Twins with John Schneider
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker dive into why the Blue Jays are in a better position to compete in the post-season after their recent stretch and series win over the Phillies, the AL standings, and the expectations for the upcoming 9-game road trip. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (26:27) stops by to chat about the team's extended run of recent success, the buy-in from the bottom of the order, managing platoons, putting Paxton Schultz as the opener against the Minnesota Twins, Bowden Francis'
Jun 4, 2025 · 49 min
Early Trade Deadline Preview with Jeff Passan
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome Jeff Passan (3:12), ESPN MLB insider, to the show to discuss his recently published early deadline preview. He gets into when teams start thinking trade, whether the Jays buy, hold or sell at the deadline, their options for a potential Bo Bichette deal, what Sandy Alcántara would cost, how aggressive the Dodgers and Phillies will be and much more. Later, Jeff and Kevin go back to the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions! The views and opinions exp
Jun 4, 2025 · 49 min
Bowden Burned in Phillies Series Opener
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back at the Blue Jays series-opening loss to the Phillies, Bowden Francis giving up 6 runs in the first inning, his pitch-location struggles, and what has changed in Addison Barger's at-bats and why he's a mainstay on the team's everyday lineup. Then, Jeff and Kevin dive into the Back-Leg Line taking listener's calls, discussing the mindset of a hitter seeing runs being given up early in a game and much more! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are
Jun 3, 2025 · 49 min
Red-Sox Circus + Fighting the Phillies
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome David Samson (0:25), former MLB executive and host of Nothing Personal, to the show to discuss the Rockies' embarrassing season, the Red Sox's off-field dysfunction, why the Royals should've waited just a bit longer to call up top prospect Jac Caglianone, the Jays' ceiling this season and MLB pushing the ABS challenge system back another year. Later, Jays analyst Caleb Joseph (30:26) shares his thoughts on Jeff Hoffman's recent slide, expectations for Bowden F
Jun 3, 2025 · 49 min
A Series Test and Jordan Romano's Return with the Phillies
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to the Blue Jays series against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies and how significant the next few games will be for identifying Toronto's post-season hopes. Then, Ben Davis, Phillies TV analyst stops by (26:20) to chat about the team's offensive numbers, Trea Turner's hiccup in the infield and in his at-bats, where Philadelphia has their expectations levels at, Jordan Romano's turnaround since the start of the season, how they're splitting the workload be
Jun 2, 2025 · 49 min
MLB's Quarter-Century Team + Greg Hamilton's Path to Canadian Baseball HoF
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome Jayson Stark to the show (2:25) to discuss the most controversial picks of his recently published column, the Athletic's MLB All-Quarter-Century team, including David Ortiz over Shohei Ohtani, and Aaron Judge over Ichiro Suzuki. Then, ahead of his induction into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame on Saturday, Greg Hamilton (31:16), director of national teams at Baseball Canada, reflects on the growth of the national junior team program, his path to the Hall an
Jun 2, 2025 · 49 min
Bats & Brooms Come Alive Against the A's
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' series sweep of the Athletics, if they've bought in on Addison Barger and Ernie Clement, how John Schneider will fit Andrés Giménez back into the lineup, and if the Jays' hitters are finally adjusting to the ballpark with George Springer and Bo Bichette's uptrend in hitting. Then, Blue Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux stops by (23:40) to chat about where his concern levels are at with Jeff Hoffman's pitching, the expectations for him against facing
May 30, 2025 · 49 min
Building off the Blowout with John Schneider + Passan on Prospect Caution
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in ESPN's MLB insider Jeff Passan (5:25) to discuss parity across the American League, who's to blame for the Red Sox's disappointing season so far, why teams are more cautious when calling up top prospects and his recent story on OneTeam Partners, an MLBPA & NFLPA firm being investigated by the FBI. Later, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (31:14) shares why an IL stint is the best course of action for the ailing Anthony Santander, how the bats build off their
May 30, 2025 · 49 min
Anthony Santander Heads to the Injured List
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show reacting to the news that Anthony Santander has been placed on the IL with Alan Roden getting the call-up, and how much confidence the Blue Jays' hitters got after their monster series-opening win against the Athletics. Then, Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman stops by (27:10) to chat about Max Scherzer's live BP and his next steps, the state of the starting rotation, why Vladdy could be on the verge of a breakthrough in his hitting, Alejandro
May 29, 2025 · 49 min
Scouting Report on the Athletics + Trey Yesavage's Journey
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker head to the Back-Leg Line to answer some questions before bringing on Vancouver Canadians' pitcher Trey Yesavage (17:04) to chat about what he's been working on within his pitch arsenal, how he's been able to ingest information from his coaches and training staff through the minor leagues, working on velocity, and his journey from college to the minors. Then, Athletics TV play-by-play voice Jenny Cavnar (31:51) stops by to discuss how the team has adjusted to playing
May 29, 2025 · 49 min
Attacking the A's + Back Leg Line!
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 2-0 win in the rubber match over the Texas Rangers and discuss what worked and didn't work from the team's mixed-up lineup. Then, they look ahead to the Jays' series against the Athletics kicking off tonight and how Toronto's bats can attack the A's below-average pitching staff. Later, Jeff & Kevin go to the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests
May 28, 2025 · 49 min
The Art of Adjustments with Kevin Gausman
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in ESPN senior writer David Schoenfield (3:15) to dissect the - through 100 games - MLB's best Detroit Tigers. He shares what's behind their jump this season, AJ Hinch's impact as manager, his impressions of the Blue Jays and the abundance of struggling teams across the American League. Then, Jeff & Kevin discuss the Tigers' 'what-if?' scenarios with Tarik Skubal trade rumours last season before reacting to the Jays' shaken-up lineup. Finally, Blue Jays pitche
May 28, 2025 · 49 min
Blair & Hokie Hall of Famer
Jeff Blair and 2025 Virginia Tech Hall of Fame inductee Kevin Barker chat about receiving the news of the honour and his time playing for the Hokies, before getting into the Blue Jays shutout loss to the Texas Rangers. Then, Sportsnet 590 The FAN's Ben Shulman (30:50) stops by to share his expectations for Paxton Schultz as the opener for their third game against Texas, Chad Green's workload, reasons to shake up the batting order again, Jeff Hoffman's struggles and John Schneider's confidence wi
May 27, 2025 · 49 min
Checking In with Chipper Jones
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in Hall of Famer Chipper Jones (0:24) to discuss how Anthony Santander can snap his season-long slump, Ronald Acuña Jr.'s explosive return to the Braves lineup after his ACL tear, Atlanta's ceiling this season, and how he's preparing for his management duties at MLB's All-Star Futures Game. Later, Jeff and Kevin discuss whether Aaron Judge needs a ring to stand among MLB's all-time greats, what the Jays need to see from Bowden Francis against the Texas Rangers
May 27, 2025 · 49 min
Pitching Big in Texas
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Kevin Gausman's 8-inning outing en route to a Blue Jays series-opening win against the Texas Rangers. They look at the scouting report on Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi before bringing in Sportsnet's Shi Davidi (17:21) to discuss Anthony Santander's place in the batting order, if Gausman will need to continue experimenting with his pitches, Bowden Francis' fastball, and why Brendon Little is the second-most important arm out of the bullpen. Then, former GM & MLB
May 26, 2025 · 49 min
Taking on the Rangers in Texas
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in Texas Rangers hitting coach Bret Boone (1:07) ahead of his side's series against the Blue Jays in Texas. He discusses his adjustment to the staff side of the game since getting hired earlier this month, what he's learned in his time with the team and his hitting-coach philosophy. Then, Jeff & Kevin get into the urgency for the Jays in this series and how they can top the premiere pitching in Texas. Later, Rangers analyst Evan Grant (28:15) sets the stage fo
May 26, 2025 · 49 min
Swept at Steinbrenner + Heater Horror
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the pre-game edition with a look back on the Blue Jays' weekend series in Tampa where the Rays swept them in three games. They get into the unique conditions at Steinbrenner Field, the 4-pitch third inning on Sunday, the Jays' struggles against the fastball, Anthony Santander's health and what's behind the extended slumps at the top of the lineup. Later, Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez (27:50) reflects on the teams' play in Tampa this weekend before helping set
May 23, 2025 · 49 min
John Schneider's Jays Roll Into Tampa + Jeff Passan!
Jeff Passan, MLB insider with ESPN, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to take a look around the majors including the Cardinals, Padres, Rockies, Mets, Braves, and of course, the Blue Jays! John Schneider (27:05), Manager of your Toronto Blue Jays, joins the guys to discuss the nuances of playing at George M. Steinbrenner Field this weekend. Skip shares an update on Andrés Giménez, Nick Sandlin, Max Scherzer, before getting into Nathan Lukes' walk-off hit, Jeff Hoffman's form of late, and the int
May 23, 2025 · 49 min
Flying Past the Friars + State of the Vagabond Rays
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back on the airwaves following MLSE President and CEO Keith Pelley's press conference. After sharing their takeaways, the boys dive into the Blue Jays' sweep of the San Diego Padres! They chat about the keys that lifted Toronto past the Friars, John Schneider's best-managed series of the season, what to make of Bo Bichette's 2025 at the plate, and Bowden Francis' identity as a starter. Later on, Marc Topkin (28:08) of the Tampa Bay Times checks in on the Rays ahea
May 21, 2025 · 50 min
Santander Settling In + Your Calls!
Joe Siddall, former MLB catcher and current Sportsnet analyst, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to break down the Blue Jays' complete 3-0 victory against the San Diego Padres. Joe dives into Anthony Santander's adjustments at the plate, the keys for Kevin Gausman ahead of tonight's start at Rogers Centre, and who makes the most sense to bat cleanup in Toronto. Later on, Jeff and Kevin open up the "Back Leg Line" to respond to your questions and comments! The views and opinions expressed in thi