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

Apr 3, 2025 · 49 min
Blue Jays Hit the Road With a Division Lead
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off this off-day episode celebrating the Blue Jays' sweep of the Nationals to push them atop the American League East! The guys start off with thoughts on how the switch to playing outdoors could impact Toronto's young players as the team heads to New York to take on the Mets. They also chat about the team's standouts and surprises from the first week, the Dodgers' winning ways to kick off the season, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s form early on. Joe Siddall (24:00)
Apr 2, 2025 · 49 min
John Schneider Tees Up the Jays' Matinee in Search of a Sweep
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the program teeing up this afternoon's snowy series finale against the Nationals in search of a sweep. They begin with thoughts on the Blue Jays' game plan to attack opposing starter Mackenzie Gore, what's behind Anthony Santander's slow start, and Davis Schneider's opportunity in the lineup today. Jeff and Kevin also share their expectations for Easton Lucas ahead of his first start of the season, before looking into how John Schneider has deployed his bullpen e
Apr 1, 2025 · 50 min
The Nationals' Vision with Kevin Frandsen
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Kevin Frandsen (0:50), Washington Nationals TV colour analyst, former MLB player, and host of MLB Network Radio, to discuss the potential of Vlad Jr. receiving an offer from the Nats if he entered free agency, CJ Abrams’ ceiling, the rising star of James Wood, what would define a successful season for the team, the future trajectory of the Washington baseball club, scouting report on left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore, and weighs in on the controversial
Apr 1, 2025 · 49 min
Jays Climb Above .500 with Dan Shulman
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off today's show with thoughts on the Blue Jays' 5-2 victory over the Nationals to move above .500 for the first time in 2025. The guys break down Andrés Giménez' third home run in his first five games, Bowden Francis' first outing of the season, and George Springer's promising start to the year. Dan Shulman (24:50), play-by-play of the Blue Jays on Sportsnet, shares his view on Brendon Little's work out of the bullpen, how José Berríos can rebound from his rough
Mar 31, 2025 · 47 min
In the GM's Office with Jim Bowden
Former MLB General Manager, Jim Bowden, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to share his take on the Yankees' use of "torpedo bats", how the Blue Jays' signing of Max Scherzer looks in hindsight, and what's behind Rafael Devers' 0-for-16 start to the season. Jim also chats about Rōki Sasaki's rough outing for the Dodgers, as well as what to make of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s agency being in attendance over the weekend. Blair and Barker wrap up with thoughts on Alan Roden's MLB debut, if his approach
Mar 31, 2025 · 51 min
Blue Jays Opening Weekend Rewind + Torpedo Talk
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open this week on the program looking back on the Blue Jays' opening series of the 2025 season. They dive into Max Scherzer's thumb injury that limited the veteran's debut in Toronto, Yariel Rodriguez' performance out of the bullpen, the options to fill out the rotation, George Springer's change in approach and the lack of power from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Anthony Santander. Later, Jeff and Kevin share their take on the "torpedo bat" the Yankees have implemented. C
Mar 28, 2025 · 48 min
Juan Soto's Trajectory with Jeff Passan
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour by going to the Back Leg Line where they answer your burning Blue Jays questions after a lopsided Opening Day loss at the Rogers Centre. Later, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (27:11) joins the show to discuss his chat with Juan Soto, Soto declaring himself 'the best hitter of all time,' and his ceiling with the Mets. Then, the three get into how the standard of Hall of Fame pitching is shifting, whether Teoscar Hernandez is underappreciated and muc
Mar 28, 2025 · 51 min
How the Jays Can Bounce Back w/ John Schneider
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin Friday's show finding some positives from the Blue Jays' 12-2 loss to open the regular season. The conversation shifts to the underlying concerns that Opening Day exposed including José Berríos' ugly debut and the lack of offensive power, before looking into how the team can regroup ahead of tonight's game. Later on, Manager John Schneider (21:34) joins the guys to share his view on his club's disappointing start to 2025 and how to combat the volume of home runs
Mar 27, 2025 · 49 min
Bring On Opening Day!
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the show with Blue Jays’ play-by-play announcer Ben Shulman, discussing the Opening Day lineup, game expectations, Alejandro Kirk’s season outlook, Jose Berrios’ start, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s contract situation. Later, former MLB Manager Fredi Gonzalez (25:43) joins to share insights on Anthony Santander, strategies against Berrios, and his expectations for Adley Rutschman. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and gues
Mar 26, 2025 · 49 min
Final Season Prep with Ross Atkins
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the second hour with Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph (1:15) to share his impressions of the team ahead of Opening Day on Thursday. They discuss Alan Roden's early opportunity, Alejandro Kirk's importance, expectations for Max Scherzer, and the hierarchy in the bullpen. Later, Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins (35:26) joins the show to discuss the latest in the organization's negotiations with Vladimir Guerrero Jr., his evaluation of the team's offseason, takeaw
Mar 26, 2025 · 49 min
Can the Yankees Stay Competitive in 2025?
On the eve of Opening Day, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show by sifting through Manager John Schneider's press conference. They dive into their expectations for the Blue Jays in 2025, as well as the latest on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s contract negotiations. Later, Emmanuel Berbari (28:05), Yankees broadcaster on WFAN, checks in from New York to share his read on the Bronx Bombers. He chats about the state of the roster with Gerrit Cole sidelined for the season, if the rest rotation can pi
Mar 25, 2025 · 49 min
Managing Jays' Expectations + Orioles' 2025 Identity
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez (5:51) to chat about his expectations for Will Wagner and Alan Roden, the buildup to 'Opening Day' each year, whether Kevin Gausman can return to form, what classifies a good year for Max Scherzer, bullpen depth, Alejandro Kirk's workload behind the plate and on offence, and whether Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can find some comfort alongside Andrés Giménez in the infield. Then, MASN's Roch Kubatko (27:10) stop
Mar 25, 2025 · 49 min
David Samson Balances the Jays' Books + Over/Unders!
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off Tuesday's episode zeroing in on the Blue Jays roster. They share their expectations for Alan Roden, Will Wagner and Leo Jimenez heading into the season, before looking into Toronto's clean-up options for Opening Day. Producer Mark Boffo joins the guys to pose some Jays over/under bets including Vladimir Guerrero Jr. home runs, Bo Bichette hits, Anthony Santander RBIs, and much more! Later on, David Samson (29:13), former MLB executive and host of the Nothing
Mar 24, 2025 · 49 min
2025 MLB Season Preview with Jon Morosi
MLB Network's Jon Morosi joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker in-studio to chat about the Detroit Tigers' chances for a World Series berth, the differences with the Boston Red Sox's 2025 roster, how the Baltimore Orioles can learn from the L.A. Dodgers' method of handling prospects, why they believe that the Blue Jays and Vlad Jr. have come to an agreement on an extension, and a breakout year for Julio Rodríguez. Then, Jon, Jeff and Kevin discuss Adley Rutschman's future catching for the Orioles, i
Mar 24, 2025 · 49 min
Kirk's Extension, Preseason Picks & Shi Davidi!
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are sick of spring training... bring on the regular season! The guys dive into the Blue Jays 26-man roster to debate those who made the cut and Alejandro Kirk's five-year extension with the club, before sharing their preseason picks for MLB division winners and Wild Card spots. Sportsnet's Shi Davidi (28:02) joins the guys to chat about Toronto's roster decisions including Alan Roden's promotion, Ryan Yarbrough's release, and Yariel Rodriguez' outlook for 2025. Shi al
Mar 21, 2025 · 49 min
Road to Opening Day with John Schneider + Mark Topkin's Rays Report
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker step into the box on Friday's edition of Blair and Barker with a promising update on Max Scherzer's thumb injury, before sifting through today's Blue Jays lineup. Manager John Schneider (15:56) joins the guys to discuss the latest on Scherzer, before getting into how Bowden Francis can build off of his strong second half of 2024, Yariel Rodriguez' form this spring, and how Will Wagner is fitting in at third base. John also sheds light on the plan leading up to Opening
Mar 20, 2025 · 49 min
Vladdy Optimism + History Restored w/ Jeff Passan
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off today's episode with thoughts on Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro's optimism that the team and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will reach an agreement. ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan (06:52) joins the conversation to share his view on divide between the two parties, before discussing his efforts to republish a story on Jackie Robinson's military service that was removed from the United States Department of Defense website. After the break, Blair and Barker open u
Mar 19, 2025 · 49 min
Should Ohtani Stay Off the Mound + Red Sox Taking the A.L. East?
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the show with Brian Kenny from the MLB Network to discuss whether the Los Angeles Dodgers can repeat as champions this year, whether Shohei Ohtani should abandon pitching and what the Blue Jays need to do to make the playoffs. Later in the show, Red Sox reporter, Rob Bradford (27:47) joins the show to discuss the state of the team, whether they’re capable of taking the A.L. East, whether Rafael Devers should be DH and Alex Bregman’s contribution to the Red So
Mar 18, 2025 · 49 min
Cubs’ Division Outlook + Scherzer Concerns with Ben Shulman
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the show with ESPN MLB Writer, Jesse Rogers to discuss Max Scherzer’s looming injury and whether Yariel Rodriguez will get the start over Scherzer. Next, they hit on Kyle Tucker’s free agency, the state of the A.L. Central and the Chicago Cubs division outlook. Later, Blue Jays Announcer Ben Shulman (27:46) joins the show to weigh in on Scherzer’s thumb implications, whether Davis Schneider’s impressive spring training will be sustainable, how the Opening Day
Mar 17, 2025 · 49 min
Berríos Gets the Opening Day Start + Vladdy’s Alleged New Offer?
On this St. Patrick's Day edition, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the show by discussing an outfield scare involving Anthony Santander and Alan Roden, José Berríos' Opening Day start, the decision to start Daulton Varsho, and reports of a new contract offer for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Next, MLB Analyst and Insider Jim Bowden (27:51) joins the show to discuss the continued injuries in spring training, whether prospect spring training stats matter and his thoughts on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s al