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

May 21, 2025 · 49 min
Standouts From a Shutout Win + David Samson!
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back on the airwaves following the Blue Jays' first shutout win of the season! They break down Anthony Santander's approach that led to his two-run home run, Chris Bassitt's seven excellent innings of work, and Yariel Rodriguez' strong performance in the eighth. David Samson (28:04), former MLB executive and host of Nothing Personal, chats about the nature of building a team for October, the impact, or lack thereof, of firing a manager, where the Orioles go from h
May 20, 2025 · 49 min
State of the Padres & Orioles
Jesse Agler, Padres broadcaster, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss San Diego's ballclub after their weekend to forget against the Seattle Mariners. Jesse checks in on Manny Machado's ability to produce with runners in scoring position, Jackson Merrill's high ceiling, how to attack Dylan Cease, the ultra-competitive National League West, and Mike Shildt's presence in the dugout. Mike Bordick (25:20), 14-year MLB infield and host of the BMORE Baseball Podcast, takes a look at Brandon Hy
May 20, 2025 · 49 min
Tony No-Taters, Jays Identity & Jon Morosi!
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker return from the Victoria Day long weekend with a recap of the Blue Jays' series with the Detroit Tigers. The pair dive into what's behind Anthony Santander's offensive dry spell, Toronto's identity at this point in the season, and the state the rotation. Jon Morosi (26:27), MLB Network analyst, checks in on the Jays' outlook and this roster's ceiling, before taking a look around the league. He wraps up with thoughts on Juan Soto's first impressions with the Mets, the
May 16, 2025 · 49 min
John Schneider's Weekend Walkthrough + Bobby Scales Talks Tigers
John Schneider, Manager of your Toronto Blue Jays, kicks off the second hour alongside Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker. Skip shares some updates on his team's injured players, before diving into Anthony Santander's job ahead and if he would consider changing up the batting order. John also chats about Bo Bichette's work at the plate this season, his pitching staff's struggles keeping the ball in the yard, and Bowden Francis' keys to success tonight, before responding to this week's fan question of t
May 16, 2025 · 49 min
Taming the Tigers + This Week in MLB with Jeff Passan
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open Friday's episode with some thoughts on the visiting Detroit Tigers ahead of this weekend's series at Rogers Centre. The duo focus in on Bowden Francis' start tonight, what's going on with Anthony Santander at the plate and if a lineup change is in order. ESPN's Jeff Passan (28:48) joins the program to chat about the validity of player heights and weighs in the MLB media guides. The trio go around the horn to touch on Pete Rose's Hall of Fame eligibility, the Tige
May 15, 2025 · 49 min
Rubber Match Mindset with Ben Shulman
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's pregame episode with thoughts on the Blue Jays' 3-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. They dive into Alejandro Kirk's clutch go-ahead home run and Anthony Santander's continued struggles catching up to fastballs, before setting up Kevin Gausman's start in this afternoon's rubber match. Ben Shulman (25:14), radio play-by-play voice of the Blue Jays, continues the conversation on Gausman and Santander. Ben also checks in on what's different with Kirk at the
May 14, 2025 · 49 min
Fernando Rodney Suits Up in Steeltown + Rays Identity Check
Fernando Rodney, World Series champion and current Hamilton Cardinals pitcher, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about his journey to play in the Intercounty Baseball League. He shares what it's been like to continue his career in Canada, his experience in the dugout with his new teammates, and how baseball has changed since his time in the majors. Brian Anderson (22:55), former MLB pitcher turned Tampa Bay Rays analyst, stops by to discuss his Maple Leafs fandom, before diving into this
May 14, 2025 · 49 min
Rays Outslug Jays + Bullpen Confidence Levels
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker sort through the highs and lows of the Blue Jays' 11-9 loss to open their series against the Tampa Bay Rays. They dive into Jeff Hoffman's pitch selection in the ninth inning, the confidence levels in the back end of the bullpen, and Daulton Varsho's recent power surge. Dan Shulman (22:35), voice of the Blue Jays on Sportsnet, joins the conversation to share his view on what went wrong for Toronto late in yesterday's game. Dan checks in on the Jays' impact relievers,
May 13, 2025 · 49 min
Catching Up with Danny Jansen & Travis Snider
Danny Jansen, former Toronto Blue Jay and current Tampa Bay Rays catcher, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of this week's series at Rogers Centre. Danny chats about the Rays' situation playing in George M. Steinbrenner Stadium this season, what it's like joining a new team within the division, and how Tampa is able find so many "diamonds in the rough". He also dive into his club's constant threat on the base paths, his mentality as a major leaguer, and Junior Caminero's incredibly high ce
May 13, 2025 · 50 min
Hazel Mae Takes the Mound + Jays on the Rise
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's episode alongside Sportsnet's Hazel Mae! The trio chat about Hazel's upcoming first pitch at a Vancouver Canadians game this weekend in celebration of Women in Sports Day, before discussing all things Blue Jays. Hazel shares what's behind the drop in Jays' fans attendance during the team's road trip to Seattle, Addison Barger's breakout, Jeff Hoffman's personality off the mound, Mason Fluharty's mindset, and much more! Later, Jeff and Kevin dive into Toro
May 12, 2025 · 49 min
Chris Rose Sits Down With Vladdy + Shi Davidi's Surprises & Disappointments
Shi Davidi, Sportsnet Blue Jays columnist, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker on a sunny Monday afternoon to chat about Toronto's climb back to .500. They dive into Addison Barger's strong weekend in Seattle, Yariel Rodriguez' run of good form out of the bullpen, George Springer's continued success, and prospect Arjun Nimmala's potential. Shi wraps up with his biggest surprises and disappointments from the 2025 Blue Jays season. Chris Rose (26:20), host of Dugout Discussions and Baseball Today wi
May 12, 2025 · 49 min
Jays Sweep in Their Home Away From Home
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back on the airwaves following the Blue Jays' series sweep on the road in Seattle. The boys dive into the work by the pitching staff over the weekend, George Springer's clutch three-run homer on Sunday, Bo Bichette's production at the plate, as well as Addison Barger and Nathan Lukes' contributions. Later on, Jeff and Kevin open up the "Back Leg Line" to respond to your questions and comments (26:17)! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of
May 9, 2025 · 49 min
The Art of Durable Relief with Mike Timlin + John Schneider Live From Seattle!
Mike Timlin, four-time World Series champion reliever, opens the second hour alongside Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker. He discusses the keys to avoiding fatigue as a bullpen arm, Jeff Hoffman's transition to a closing role, how a manager can help get a reliever back on track, and how to know when it's time to change a routine. John Schneider (25:00), Manager of your Toronto Blue Jays, joins the guys live from Seattle to share an update on Andrés Giménez, Nick Sandlin and Max Scherzer as they work b
May 9, 2025 · 50 min
Jays Steal One From the Halos + Jeff Passan's Player Stock Watch
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off Friday's episode with thoughts on the Blue Jays' 8-5 victory in the series finale against the Angels. The fellas dive into the highs and lows of Chris Bassitt's outing, Toronto's plan of attack against José Soriano's fastball, and what to expect from Kevin Gausman tonight in Seattle. Jeff and Kevin also look into the state of the lineup, the need for another bat to help boost the team's offense, and some potential targets on the market. ESPN's Jeff Passan (26
May 8, 2025 · 48 min
Bob Nightengale's Big League Overview + Shelton Sacked in Pittsburgh
Bob Nightengale, MLB columnist with USA Today, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the Pirates firing manager Derek Shelton and who's else might be on the hot seat around the league. Bob also checks in on the Blue Jays, before sharing his most disappointing team of the season so far, what to make of the Diamondbacks in 2025, and his thoughts on Juan Soto and Kyle Tucker. Travis Sawchik (24:50), MLB writer with TheScore, stops by to share his take on Shelton's dismissal in Pittsburgh.
May 8, 2025 · 50 min
Blue Jays' Late-Game Grief Continues
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the program with thoughts on the Blue Jays' 5-4 defeat at the hands of the Angels, capped off by Jeff Hoffman's blown save in the bottom of the ninth. The guys question Hoffman's late-game pitch selection, if the bullpen has been overworked of late, and what to make of Alan Roden's demotion to Triple-A. Later on, Jeff and Kevin open up the "Back Leg Line" to respond to your questions and comments (25:21)! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are thos
May 7, 2025 · 49 min
Life After the Show with Ross Stripling
Former Toronto Blue Jay, Ross Stripling, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker on the heels of his announcement of retirement earlier this week. Ross chats about what's next for him after baseball, the advice he would offer his younger self, his favourite moments during his time in Toronto, and the state of baseball in 2025. Later on, Jayson Stark (24:37) of MLB Network and The Athletic breaks down the changes to the strike zone in 2025 and the reception around the league. The views and opinions ex
May 7, 2025 · 50 min
Jays' Bullpen Unravels in Anaheim
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker air out their grievances following the Blue Jays' 8-3 loss in the series opener against the Angels. The pair dive into the lineup's issues producing with runners in scoring position, Bo Bichette's lack of competitive at-bats, the bullpen's collapse in the eighth inning, and how to right the ship. Chris Leroux (29:28), former MLB pitcher and current Sportsnet Blue Jays analyst, joins the conversation to discuss the role fatigue played in last night's loss. The trio tak
May 6, 2025 · 49 min
David Samson on Toronto's Troubles + Mark Gubicza's Halos Report!
David Samson, former MLB executive and host of Nothing Personal, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the Blue Jays continued offensive struggles. David weighs in on the state of the team heading into Los Angeles, Bo Bichette's ceiling, and how real George Springer's resurgence is, before wrapping with thoughts on who he would rather build a team around: Paul Skenes or Tarik Skubal? Mark Gubicza (30:35), Angels TV analyst, checks in on Tyler Anderson's recipe for success, which player
May 6, 2025 · 48 min
Ureña Gets the Nod + Jays' Opportunity in L.A.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off today's show teeing up the Blue Jays' opportunity to get back on track in their series opener at Angel Stadium. The boys take a closer look at Bo Bichette's lack of power, José Ureña's first start for the Jays, and how to attack opposing starter Tyler Anderson. Caleb Joseph (25:10), former MLB catcher turned Blue Jays Central analyst, joins the conversation to share his view on Ureña's strengths and weaknesses on the mound. Caleb also chats about his experien