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.

Subscribe Listen in podnod RSS feed Show website

600 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes600

Newest first

Sep 6, 2024 · 49 min
Hotlanta Convo with John Schneider
Blair and Barker begin the Friday edition checking in on the Back-Leg Line - discussing if Juan Soto is worth signing to a long-term contract in free agency, why bringing in talent to the roster is more important to the Blue Jays than changing the coaching staff and addressing the bullpen issues. Jays' skipper John Schneider (26:13) stops by for his weekly chat to discuss the Atlanta Braves and lefty Max Fried, his team's recent trends against left-handed pitchers, his assessment of Will Wagner,
Sep 5, 2024 · 49 min
Chapman Cashes In + John Gibbons
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (1:35) to break down Matt Chapman's 6-year extension with the Giants and how it might impact Alex Bregman's market in the offseason. Then, he shares why the Astros are the team to beat in the AL and puts Shohei Ohtani's historic 2024 campaign in perspective. Later, Mets bench coach and former Jays manager John Gibbons (28:02) discusses his role in New York, Francisco Lindor's turnaround and his approach to analytics. The vie
Sep 5, 2024 · 49 min
Jays' Remaining Tasks + Atlanta Braves Check-In
Blair and Barker begin the show sharing their to-do list of what they want to see from the 2024 Blue Jays with only 21 games remaining including playing time for Addison Barger in different positions, Bo Bichette's availability and Yariel Rodriguez's pitching. Then, TV play-by-play voice for the Atlanta Braves Brandon Gaudin (25:34) stops by to chat about the importance of their lead-off hitter, Chris Sale's return to form and how manager Brian Snitker has navigated his team this season. The v
Sep 3, 2024 · 50 min
Phillies' Flaws & Fact-Finding in September
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker get set for the Blue Jays' two-game series against the Phillies with Phillies TV analyst Ben Davis. He digs into potential reasons for Philadelphia's late-season skid, what lessons they can take away from their last postseason run and the team's X-Factors heading into October. Blue Jays' play-by-play voice Dan Shulman (26:05) discusses the Jays' roster uncertainties they need to sort out in the final month of the regular season - Barger's upside, Horwitz's ideal posit
Sep 3, 2024 · 49 min
Jays' Mainstays & Wild Card Races
Blair and Barker begin the show projecting which of the younger Blue Jays players will become mainstays in the lineup heading into the next season including Spencer Horwitz at second base, starting rotation and Jordan Romano's closer role. Then, The Athletic's Jayson Stark (27:01) stops by to chat about the Wild Card races ramping up as we enter September, if the AL East has weakened as a division, Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers' World Series hopes and whether the Philadelphia Phillies s
Aug 30, 2024 · 49 min
Will Bo Play? + Twins GM Thad Levine
Blair and Barker are joined by ESPN's Jeff Passan (7:23) to reflect on the teams' performances one month after the trade deadline, if it's worth it for Bo Bichette and the organization to play some of the remaining games of the season, projecting Japanese star pitcher Rōki Sasaki's chance of playing in the MLB, and what Corbin Burnes and Juan Soto could be eyeing for ahead of entering free agency. Then Twins Senior VP & GM Thad Levine (29:18) jumps on ahead of the Blue Jays' meeting in Minnesota
Aug 30, 2024 · 48 min
Talking to John Schneider in the Twin Cities
Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker from Minnesota as Toronto gets ready to face the Twins. The guys discuss the club’s recent play, notably Bowden Francis’ last few impressive starts after he pitched another gem Thursday night against the Red Sox. It’s Friday so Blair & Barker open up the Back Leg Line and answer some questions from fans of the show! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect
Aug 29, 2024 · 49 min
The Royals' Rise & Free Agent Forecast
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Royals TV analyst Rex Hudler (0:40) to discuss KC's transformative 2024 season after their 100-loss 2023 campaign - specifically, Bobby Witt Jr.'s superstar jump and the unsung heroes of the Royals' push for an AL Central lead. MLB Network's Mark Feinsand (26:25) shares his thoughts on the different directions the Jays could go in free agency, Aaron Judge running away with AL MVP and the chances that Juan Soto stays in the Bronx. The views and opinions
Aug 29, 2024 · 49 min
Bassitt’s Adjustment & Ernie Clement from Fenway!
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker examine the Blue Jays 3-0 loss against the Boston Red Sox and concentrate on Chris Bassitt’s bounce back performance in a tough luck loss. Blue Jays’ infielder Ernie Clement (26:38) joins the guys ahead of the series finale at Fenway Park to discuss his 2024 season so far particularly his defensive play. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rogers Sports & Media or any affil
Aug 28, 2024 · 50 min
'Run It Back' Ambiguity
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look at the tight race in the AL Central between the Guardians, Royals and Twins and project which might come out on top. Former GM and MLB Network's Dan O'Dowd (9:01) shares how he evaluates a team down the stretch, the sustainability of Vladdy's hot stretch, off-field concerns around Bo Bichette and more. Former MLB executive David Samson (29:10) weighs in on the proposed minimum-innings-pitched rule, the Jays' biggest needs in the offseason, the problem of building
Aug 28, 2024 · 49 min
Pitching 101 with Tom Glavine
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss Yariel Rodriguez’s latest outing after picking up the loss at Fenway Park. Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Glavine (25:00) discusses the run the Braves have been on despite their numerous injuries, Chris Sale’s Cy Young-calibre season, and shares his thoughts on the state of pitching in the game today and the importance of a starting pitcher. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the positio
Aug 27, 2024 · 49 min
The Path Forward with Buck Martinez
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez (6:15) from Boston to share some team storylines to watch with 29 games remaining in the regular season. He gets into the future of the rotation, the plan for Bo Bichette when he returns, their young players with the highest upside and more. WEEI's Rob Bradford (28:32) helps tee up the rest of the Jays' series against the Red Sox and discusses Boston's defensive issues, their offseason plans and his takeaways from his recent
Aug 27, 2024 · 49 min
Looking Ahead to This Winter’s Free-Agent Frenzy
Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays recent play as they attempt to get back to .500 on the season and react to Justin Verlander’s comments on Sunday Night Baseball regarding the state of starting pitching in the game. Later on, ESPN baseball insider Kiley McDaniel (31:18) examines the tiers of the upcoming free-agent class and how Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are perceived by front office executives across the majors. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are tho
Aug 23, 2024 · 49 min
Strife in Seattle & Jake Bloss
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Jays' recent offensive surge before they are joined by Jays' pitching prospect at Triple-A Buffalo, Jake Bloss (6:32). He shares what it was like getting traded at the deadline, how he's settled in with the organization and what he's been working on as he awaits a call-up for his Jays debut. Seattle Times' Ryan Divish (28:07) discusses what's next for the Mariners after cutting ties with manager Scott Servais. To close the week, Jeff & Kevin go back to the
Aug 23, 2024 · 49 min
B&B Reunited & Friday with John Schneider
After some time apart, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are BACK! After catching up they open up the Back Leg Line for a few calls and are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (27:45) coming off of Toronto’s 5-3 win over the Angels. To end the hour, the guys discuss how much time Vladimir Guerrero Jr. could see at third base 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 Sports & Media or any af
Aug 22, 2024 · 49 min
Catching Up with Jano + Hosting the Halos
Jeff Blair welcomes Red Sox & former Blue Jays catcher Danny Jansen (1:10) to share how he's settling in with the Sox since he was traded at the deadline, catching a different pitching crew and his chance to become the first player to play for both teams in the same game. Then, Jeff reacts to the Mariners firing manager Scott Servais and reflects on where it went wrong for them. Finally, radio voice of the Blue Jays Ben Shulman (23:53) - ahead of the team's series against the Angels - shares his
Aug 22, 2024 · 49 min
Joey Votto Announces His Retirement
Jeff Blair discusses Joey Votto’s retirement and his potential for reaching the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. Padres analyst and former player Tony Gwynn Jr. (15:02) shares a story of Votto reaching out to his dad, arguably the best hitter of all-time, before examining the wild card race in the National League, AJ Preller’s moves throughout the season and at the deadline, and if Fernando Tatis Jr. will re-join the team before the postseason. Votto’s longtime teammate (and the only person Joey fol
Aug 21, 2024 · 49 min
Pitching Prognosis & Passan on MLB Parity
Jeff Blair is joined by ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (1:40) to make his now weekly projection for a potential Vladimir Guerrero Jr. extension and how his recent play at third base can impact negotiations. Then, they go around MLB - whether the Orioles did enough at the deadline, parity around the big leagues and what's next for the Cardinals after releasing Brandon Crawford & optioning Nolan Gorman. Later, Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux (29:21) evaluates Toronto's pitching this season, what he
Aug 21, 2024 · 49 min
Jays Rout Reds, WBC Announcement + the Beat on Baltimore
Jeff Blair recaps the Blue Jays' 10-3 beat-down on the Reds in the second game of the series, including another stellar outing from José Berríos. Coach & Director of National Teams at Baseball Canada Greg Hamilton (11:10) joins Jeff to discuss the next World Baseball Classic and Team Canada's outlook following today's announcement of pools, dates and formats for the tournament in 2026. TheScore's Travis Sawchik (28:14) dives deep on the Orioles - why they've struggled recently, whether they did
Aug 20, 2024 · 49 min
Future Plans + Catching Up with Dan Shulman
Former MLB executive David Samson joins Jeff Blair to kick off the second hour, and he shares what he would do if he were president of the Blue Jays (1:23). Then, he discusses how he evaluates executives, the likelihood of a Vladdy Jr. extension this offseason and what's behind the Brewers' miraculous 2024 season. Later, Blue Jays TV voice Dan Shulman (28:29) reflects on his time at the Paris Olympics before weighing in on the possibility that the Jays move Vladdy to third base more regularly, h