Sep 24, 2024 · 49 min
BB
Sports
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.
- 600 episodes
- Updated Friday
Episodes600
- BBSep 23, 2024 · 49 min
Focusing on the Regular Season's Final Week
Blair and Barker are joined by former MLB executive David Samson (1:30) to chat about the Athletics' final home games in Oakland, a front office's focus entering the final week of the season, the importance of home field advantage in the post-season and Shohei Ohtani's future in pitching. Then, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi (29:47) stops by to discuss Tampa Bay's hopes to compete next year, Vlad Jr.'s third base ambitions, why there might not be many changes on the Jays' coaching staff and front office
- BBSep 23, 2024 · 49 min
Rays Sweep Jays & Orioles' September Slide
Blair and Barker look back on the Jays' weekend series where they were swept by the Rays, and share concerns for the team's enduring issues when facing fastballs. Then, they reflect on Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s season and his unexpected bid for a batting title. Later, MASN Orioles analyst Roch Kubatko (29:20) weighs in on who's to blame for Baltimore's September skid, Jackson Holliday's playoff role and Adley Rutschman's second-half fall-off. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those
- BBSep 20, 2024 · 49 min
Inside Shohei's Superstar Season
ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (2:15) joins Blair and Barker to dive deep into Shohei Ohtani's 2024 campaign. Then, he reflects on what part ownership played in the White Sox' embarrassing year, the Tigers' streak and how serious to take the Guardians in October. Later, Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman (26:21) sets the stage for the Jays' weekend series against the Rays in Tampa, what to expect from Jonatan Clase's debut and rotation questions ahead of 2025. The views and opinions expr
- BBSep 20, 2024 · 49 min
Ohtani's 50-50 Club + Bowden's Pitch Mix with John Schneider
Blair and Barker begin the show by sharing their thoughts on Shohei Ohtani establishing MLB's 50-50 club before checking in on the Back Leg Line with listeners' voicemails. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (27:32) joins the guys to discuss Bo Bichette's unfortunate end to his 2024 season, Bowden Francis' transition to throwing with a different catcher, Davis Schneider's mid-September turnaround and expectations for recent call-up Dillon Tate. The views and opinions expressed in this podca
- BBSep 18, 2024 · 49 min
Orioles Spiral + Catcher Chemistry
Blair and Barker start with former Phillies GM and MLB Network's Ruben Amaro Jr. (2:12), who discusses Craig Kimbrel being DFA'd, how the Orioles can turn things around ahead of October and what the Phillies learned from last season's playoff exit. Later, Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux (27:07) ahead of the teams' second game of their series against the Rangers and what to expect from Bowden Francis without his regular catcher, Brian Serven. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are
- BBSep 18, 2024 · 49 min
Bichette Returns and the Surging Tigers
Blair and Barker begin the show discussing the Blue Jays dropping their series opener to the Rangers in Texas and Bo Bichette's return to the lineup. Then, Detroit Tigers TV voice Jason Benetti jumps on (12:32) to chat about the team's recent surge in hopes of securing the last AL Wild Card spot and how A.J. Hinch has performed as their manager. Afterwards, Blair and Barker check in on the post-season picture across the league. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the h
- BBSep 17, 2024 · 50 min
September Uncertainties with Buck Martinez + Bo's Back!
Buck Martinez joins Blair and Barker (3:53) ahead of the Blue Jays' three-game series in Arlington against the Rangers and he discusses the decision to DFA Brian Serven, Will Wagner's 2025 outlook now that he's been ruled out for the rest of the season and what to expect from Bo Bichette's return to the lineup tonight. Later, Jeff & Kevin discuss the Jays' free agent options in the offseason and why extending Vlad & Bo is essential in hooking the big fish. The views and opinions expressed in th
- BBSep 17, 2024 · 49 min
Playoff Pitching with Ryan Dempster + Jays & Rangers Preview
Blair and Barker are joined by former MLB pitcher and 2013 World Series champion Ryan Dempster (13:10) to chat about the difficulties in trying to win back-to-back World Series, Shohei Ohtani's potential return to pitching in the post-season, why the Philadelphia Phillies are the team to beat and why Gerrit Cole intentionally walking Rafael Devers sets a bad tone. Then, Rangers TV analyst David Murphy (29:05) discusses how GM Chris Young will approach their offseason after an underwhelming title
- BBSep 16, 2024 · 49 min
Evolution of the Canadian Futures Showcase
The Athletic's Jayson Stark (2:25) joins Blair and Barker to discuss his recent interview with Joey Votto about his post-playing-career vocation and Hall of Fame case. Then, he shares concerns about the Dodgers' rotation after losing Glasnow and whether Ohtani will pitch in the playoffs. Later, TJ Burton (28:33), tournament director & program manager of Canadian Futures Showcase, tees up the event and shares how it and Canadian youth baseball have evolved over the decade it's been running. The
- BBSep 16, 2024 · 49 min
Berríos' Tenure + Yankees' Intentional Decision
Blair and Barker begin the week recapping the Blue Jays' weekend sweep against the Cardinals, José Berríos' success rate since he's joined the organization, and designating Brian Serven for assignment. Then, The Athletic's Tyler Kepner (26:13) takes us through the Yankees' and Gerrit Cole's decision to intentionally walk Rafael Devers, the Bronx ace's performance in 2024 and the Mets' chances of sneaking into the Wild Card. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host
- BBSep 13, 2024 · 49 min
Clashing with the Cardinals + Back Leg Line!
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour by answering your questions on Friday's Back Leg Line! To close out the week, Cardinals TV analyst & former MLB pitcher Brad Thompson (29:13) tees up the Jays' weekend series against St. Louis and discusses the Cards' disappointing season, who's most to blame for their falloff and how they can fix it in 2025. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers S
- BBSep 13, 2024 · 49 min
Schneider, Walker, Blair & Barker
Blair and Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (5:55) to share an update on Bo Bichette's progress rehabbing his calf injury, Bowden Francis' September performances and finding consistency on the mound, and how the team has played against playoff-bound opponents. Then, Jays' pitching coach Pete Walker (35:47) stops by to chat about the workload for his starters nearing the end of the season, helping Yariel Rodriguez find success in his outings, Jose Berrios' 2024 starts and what
- BBSep 12, 2024 · 49 min
Lindor Or Ohtani?
Blair and Barker are joined by ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (3:55) to dig deep into the NL MVP race and why Shohei has the edge over Lindor despite playing DH. Then, they discuss Dave Roberts leaving the door open for Ohtani to pitch in the playoffs and ESPN's recent poll on the most exciting player in baseball. Blue Jays Central's Caleb Joseph (31:01) weighs in on Serven's impact on Bowden Francis' recent outings, Chad Green's role in 2025 and what position the Jays should target in the offseas
- BBSep 12, 2024 · 49 min
Bowden's Big Night & Evaluating in September
Blair and Barker recap the Blue Jays loss to the Mets in their series finale and Bowden Francis's 8-inning no-hitter. Then, Sean Casey (27:05) stops by to chat about player fatigue entering the final month of the season, evaluating in September, his experience with opposing pitchers having a good outing, improving in hitting within the Majors, and Shohei Ohtani's MVP race. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the posit
- BBSep 10, 2024 · 49 min
2025 Projections & NL Playoff Outlook
Blair and Barker start with an update on Bo Bichette's rehab stint in Triple-A before they are joined by USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale (2:35). He shares which NL Wild Card result is best for MLB, the Astros' difficult Verlander decision, why Ohtani is a lock for NL MVP and playoff outlooks for NL teams. Finally, Blue Jays play-by-play voice Dan Shulman (27:30) weighs in on the future of the bullpen, the plan for Davis Schneider and who of the 'new Jays' he expects to be on the roster in
- BBSep 10, 2024 · 49 min
The Bull in Bullpen + Mets' Surge
Blair and Barker begin the show recapping the Blue Jays' series-opening loss to the New York Mets which included another bullpen meltdown late in the game. Then, SNY's John Harper stops by (28:29) to chat about the Mets' late season surge and battle between the Atlanta Braves for the Wild Card, Francisco Lindor's MVP-like season, Edwin Diaz's turnaround on the mound and Pete Alonso's future with the baseball club. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guest
- BBSep 9, 2024 · 49 min
The Future of the Core with Shi Davidi
MLB Network radio host Jensen Lewis (2:12) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss the NL Wild Card race between the Braves and Mets, the NL MVP race, what a 'successful' postseason for the Guardians is and Verlander's struggles coming off his injury. Then, Jeff & Kevin listen to and break down John Schneider's pregame availability. Sportsnet's MLB insider Shi Davidi (27:15) shares insight from his chat with Bo Bichette and the Jays' contractual options for Bo & Vlad in the offseason. The
- BBSep 9, 2024 · 48 min
Bo Bichette's "Ultimate Goal" with the Blue Jays
Blair and Barker begin the Monday edition sharing their reactions to Bo Bichette's comments on his future with the Toronto Blue Jays and José Berríos' performance in 2024. Then, former MLB executive David Samson joins the guys (31:25) to give his take on the impact of Bichette wanting to stay with the Jays, the importance of keeping players happy, how management evaluates coaches in September and the MVP race in the National League. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of
- BBSep 6, 2024 · 49 min
Clubhouse Dynamics + Jays Injury Update
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Erik Kratz (0:45), host of Foul Territory and former major leaguer, to discuss clubhouse dynamics for young teams, Clay Holmes' closing struggles for the Yankees, the Orioles 'getting too cute' and who he's got for the final NL Wild Card - Mets or Braves. Later, Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi (28:25) from Atlanta shares some injury updates on Bo Bichette and Jordan Romano before teeing up the Jays' weekend series against the Braves. The views and opi