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 5, 2025 · 48 min
Managing Pitcher Fatigue + May's Early Contenders
Jensen Lewis, MLB Network Radio analyst and co-host of By the Books, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss Steven Kwan's instrumental role in the Guardians' success following their series in Toronto. The trio dive into the Blue Jays' bullpen and Kevin Gausman's bounce-back start, before taking a look at the MLB landscape in early May. After the break, Jeff and Kevin diagnose the Blue Jays' offensive struggles and identify some areas to work on as the team heads out on the road for six gam
May 5, 2025 · 50 min
No Fly Zone: Jays Offensive Frustrations
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker hit the airwaves for new week on the program recapping the Blue Jays' weekend set against the Guardians. The boys share their frustrations about the state of Toronto's offence, before taking a closer look at the team's bullpen usage and new additions to the pitching staff ahead of their upcoming road trip starting at Angel Stadium. Jon Morosi (27:47) of MLB Network checks in on Jays' issues at the plate, Chad Green's place among the relievers, and if the team has prod
May 2, 2025 · 48 min
Power, Pitching & Process with John Schneider + Jeff Passan!
John Schneider, Manager of your Toronto Blue Jays, kicks off the second hour of the show alongside Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker. The skipper chats about his team's recent power surge, signs that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is heating up, Mason Fluharty's deception on the mound, how to manage the fifth rotation spot, getting Kevin Gausman, Bowden Francis and Andrés Giménez back on track, and his process of getting ready for an evening game. Later on, ESPN's Jeff Passan (24:15) checks in on Guardians ahe
May 2, 2025 · 50 min
Back-to-Back Comebacks + Guarding the Six
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open Friday's show with thoughts on the Blue Jays' 4-2 comeback victory to claim the rubber match against the Boston Red Sox. They pair dive into Daulton Varsho's clutch at-bat that resulted in a opposite field home run, the job Mason Fluharty has done out of the bullpen, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s clutch moment to take the lead. Tom Hamilton (27:50), play-by-play voice of the Guardians and Ford C. Frick Award winner, joins the show to tee up this weekend's series! H
May 1, 2025 · 50 min
Building May Momentum + Ready for the Rubber Match
Madison Shipman, Blue Jays Central analyst, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about how Toronto can carry over the momentum of last night's electric win. The trio take a closer look at Anthony Santander's clutch home run, Alan Roden at the plate, Jeff Hoffman's presence in high-leverage spots, the rise of Brendon Little, José Berríos' plan of attack tonight, and how to manage Andrés Giménez. Jeff and Kevin then open up the "Back Leg Line" to hear your questions and comments! Rob Bradford
May 1, 2025 · 49 min
April Is Over!
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker rejoice following the Blue Jays' 7-6 walk-off win over the Red Sox in extra innings! The boys recap the marquee moments from the game including Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s clutch tag-up to move to third base, Anthony Santander's three-run blast, and Alejandro Kirk's heroics on his own bobblehead night. Jeff and Kevin also take some time to discuss Yariel Rodriguez' rough start to the game and where he fits in the pitching staff, before debating if Aroldis Chapman's career
Apr 30, 2025 · 49 min
A Trip Around the Majors + Pete Rose's HOF Eligibility
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker air out the remainder of their Blue Jays' frustrations, before teeing up tonight's lineup with Yariel Rodriguez on the mound. They welcome on Alanna Rizzo (12:22), MLB Network analyst and new member of NESN's Red Sox coverage, to take a look around the majors! The trio chat about the Dodgers' road to NL West title, Mookie Betts' adjustment to playing shortstop, and Teoscar Hernández' fit in Los Angeles, before weighing in on Toronto's window to win. Later, ESPN's Tim
Apr 30, 2025 · 49 min
Gauging Jays Panic Levels with Dan Shulman
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker hit the airwaves following the Blue Jays' 10-2 defeat in last night's series opener against the Boston Red Sox. The boys sift through that stats that dictate just how bad Toronto's offense has been to start the season, before zooming out to discuss the level of panic around the organization and the fanbase. Jeff and Kevin take some time to debate if Pete Rose should be reinstated into Major League Baseball following Rob Manfred's meeting with United States President D
Apr 29, 2025 · 49 min
State of the Sox + Your Calls!
Alex Speier, Red Sox writer for the Boston Globe, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to help tee up this week's series in Toronto. Alex dives into how the Red Sox have rounded into form, the fan reception for Garrett Crochet, if Rafael Devers' DH debate is finally put to rest, Kristian Campbell's early returns, the state of Boston's bullpen, Jarren Duran's star-power, and more! After the break, Jeff and Kevin open up the "Back Leg Line" to respond to your questions and comments (21:35). The view
Apr 29, 2025 · 49 min
The Varsho Must Go On with Shi Davidi
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show previewing tonight's series opener between the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays. They begin with thoughts on Daulton Varsho's pending return; where he will slot into the lineup and who will be the odd man out on the roster. The boys move on to tee up this week's pitching matchups including who will get the ball on Thursday, the recipe for Bowden Francis' success tonight, and how to attack opposing starter Garrett Crochet. Sportsnet's Shi Davidi (24:4
Apr 28, 2025 · 49 min
First Month Feelings with Jim Bowden & Buck Martinez
Jim Bowden, former MLB executive and current CBS Sports analyst, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to share his impressions from the first month of the season. Jim weighs in on when it's time to shake up an unproductive lineup and John Schneider's decision to keep Kevin Gausman on the mound during a tumultuous third inning, before taking a look around the league to discuss the state of the Orioles, Tigers, and Yankees. Buck Martinez (23:50), former Blue Jays catcher and current Sportsnet broadca
Apr 28, 2025 · 49 min
A Road Trip to Forget + Backyard Bats on the Big Stage
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open this week expressing their frustrations after the Blue Jays' series loss to the Yankees, capped off by a sweep of Sunday's double-header. The guys dive into Kevin Gausman's rough start and subsequent ejection, the team's ongoing offensive struggles, and how to address the lineup. Later on, Ryan LaPensee and Paul Lamantia (24:40), co-founders of Backyard Bats, join the show. The pair chat about the origins of their company, the challenges that come with breaking i
Apr 25, 2025 · 50 min
Waking the Bats in the City That Never Sleeps with John Schneider
John Schneider, Manager of your Toronto Blue Jays, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker live from Yankee Stadium. Skip shares an update on Daulton Varsho, Nick Sandlin and Erik Swanson as they work back from injury, before getting into where Varsho would likely slot into the lineup when he returns and what went wrong for his team in Houston. John also weighs in Anthony Santander's slow offensive start, Alejandro Kirk at the plate, Paul Goldschmidt's impact in the Bronx, how to contain Aaron Judge,
Apr 25, 2025 · 49 min
Bring On the Bronx Bombers + Jeff Passan!
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off Friday's episode teeing up this weekend's series in the Bronx. The pair break down José Berríos' keys to success against the Yankees' sluggers and how to navigate New York's lineup, before discussing Daulton Varsho's pending return and the idea of Bo Bichette batting fourth in the order. ESPN's Jeff Passan (23:28) checks in on the Cubs' red-hot start to 2025, what's wrong with the Phillies, the sustainability of Aaron Judge's .415 average, and Kevin Gausman's
Apr 24, 2025 · 48 min
Hitting 101 with Sean Casey + Caleb Joseph!
Sean Casey, former big leaguer and MLB Network analyst, kicks off the second hour alongside Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker! "The Mayor" weighs in on the Blue Jays' offensive shortcomings, the contagious nature of hitting, signs that a "slow starter" is heating up, what constitutes a mechanical change, and his most-underrated batter in baseball. Later on, former MLB backstop and Blue Jays Central analyst, Caleb Joseph (23:25), joins the conversation. He talks about which Jays hitter is nearing a bre
Apr 24, 2025 · 51 min
Headaches at the Plate: Everything's Bigger in Texas
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back on the airwaves following the Blue Jays' sweep at the hands of the Houston Astros. The boys are fed up with Toronto's offensive drought and voice their concerns over the lack of quality at bats in Wednesday's series finale, along with the absence of slugging throughout the lineup. They then take some time to open up the "Back Leg Line" to respond to your questions and comments. Jon Morosi (27:50), MLB Network insider, stops by to share what's different about
Apr 23, 2025 · 50 min
Casey Candaele's Farm Report + Trade Market Check-In
Casey Candaele, Manager of the Buffalo Bisons, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to share the latest news from Sahlen Field! Skip breaks down Orelvis Martinez' work at the plate, how Daulton Varsho is progressing in his rehab stint, early standouts from the Triple-A roster, and Jake Bloss' upside on the mound. Later, David Schoenfield (31:42) takes us through his latest piece for ESPN detailing some early trade deadline targets for all 30 teams, along with his 2025 MLB watchability index! Jeff a
Apr 23, 2025 · 49 min
Jays Downed in H-Town with Ben Shulman
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's program recapping another quiet night for the Blue Jays' bats at Daikin Park. The guys dive into Chris Bassitt's six innings of work, Daulton Varsho's status as he continues to rehab his shoulder, and where Toronto's centre fielder should slot into the lineup when he returns. Later, Jeff and Kevin zoom out to share their view on how to fix the batting order as the team's losing streak stretches to four games. Ben Shulman (26:00), radio voice of the Blue J
Apr 22, 2025 · 49 min
Solutions at the Plate + Get to Know the 'Stros
Joe Siddall, former MLB catcher and current Sportsnet Blue Jays analyst, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to help diagnose Toronto's offensive issues following yesterday's 7-0 shelling. Joe shares his view on potential lineup changes to come, before sifting through the performances of Anthony Santander, George Springer, Alan Roden, and Alejandro Kirk. Later on, Astros analyst Steve Sparks (28:22) previews Ronel Blanco's start in Houston tonight. The trio also chat about what's changed in Josh H
Apr 22, 2025 · 49 min
Jays' Flightless Offence with Ryan Dempster
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's show rehashing their debate about Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s lack of home run power early on this season. After agreeing to disagree, the guys move on to discuss the Blue Jays' 7-0 shutout loss at the hands of the Houston Astros. They chat about what they saw from Kevin Gausman on the mound Monday night, how to fix Toronto's sputtering offence, and what to make of limited production from the top of the batting order. Ryan Dempster (29:06), World Series champ