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

Aug 20, 2024 · 49 min
Final Stretch Goals & Soto Sweepstakes
Jeff Blair kicks off with a quick recap of the Jays' 6-3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds in the series opener before he's joined by Blue Jays Central's Madison Shipman (3:08) to discuss team goals down the stretch. She shares what to look for Berríos in his final starts, whether Vlad Jr. could make a full-time switch to third base, Will Wagner's growing role and much more. Later, MLB Network insider Jon Heyman (25:51) looks at early favourites in the Juan Soto sweepstakes, what he might cost and wha
Aug 19, 2024 · 49 min
Little League Vibes, Bo's Future & Where's Votto?
MLB Network insider Jon Morosi checks in with Jeff Blair from Williamsport where the Little League World Series is underway (1:18). He discusses the vibes of the tournament before discussing parity around MLB, Bo Bichette trade rumours and the Jays' path to competitiveness in 2025. Later, Sportsnet.ca MLB insider Shi Davidi (30:37) weighs in on Joey Votto's absence in the Jays' series against the Reds before going in-depth on Bassitt's comments on the Chris Rose Rotation today, his subsequent cl
Aug 19, 2024 · 49 min
Bassitt's Bitterness + Getting Ready for the Reds
Jeff Blair is riding solo for the week and he kicks off with Chris Bassitt's comments on the Chris Rose Rotation today. To help break it down, Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph (12:45) discusses the team's mounting player frustration and the potential effects of Bassitt's outburst. Then, he looks back on the Jays' 1-0 win over the Cubs. Former MLB pitcher & Reds' analyst Chris Welsh (32:31) tees up Cincinnati's series in Toronto and shares what would be considered a 'successful' season for
Aug 15, 2024 · 49 min
MLB Olympic Uncertainty
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour by emptying out the Back Leg Line and answering your burning Blue Jays questions! Then, former MLB catcher and Team USA manager at the Tokyo Olympics Mike Scioscia (30:33) discusses the chances of MLB players being involved in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. He gets into potential hurdles, the feasibility of a mid-season Olympic break, middle-ground solutions and the difference between managing a national team vs. managing in MLB. The views an
Aug 15, 2024 · 49 min
Brooms in Anaheim, Blair Returns, and Bobby V
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the finale of the Blue Jays’ 9-2 win over the Angels to complete the three-game sweep and discuss Alejandro Kirk’s increased workload since the Danny Jansen trade, his recent play, and what they need to see from him in the final six weeks of the season. Longtime MLB manager and current Angels analyst Bobby Valentine (28:25) shares him impressions of the Jays; notably Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and what it takes to survive managing in New York. The views and opinions
Aug 14, 2024 · 49 min
Future on the Field with John Schneider
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (0:32) to give a state of affairs amidst the team's series against the Angels. The skipper shares an update on Bichette and Romano's status, long-term plans for the deadline additions, what's changed for Vladdy during his prolonged hot stretch and much more. Later, Ben and Kevin go around MLB with ESPN insider Jeff Passan (27:23) - Kikuchi's stellar start in Houston, price tags & markets for upcoming big-name free agents a
Aug 14, 2024 · 49 min
Ump Show in Anaheim + Bret Boone
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ 6-1 win over the Angels, specifically George Springer getting thrown out of the game after it appeared he was hit by a pitch. 14-Year MLB veteran and podcast host Bret Boone (28:05) chimes-in on the Springer incident, Jazz Chisholm’s injury, who needs to step up for the Yankees other than Juan Soto and Aaron Judge, and the wild card races in both the American and National League. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the ho
Aug 13, 2024 · 49 min
Current Affairs in California
Jays analyst Caleb Joseph (1:26) joins Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker from Anaheim to break down Toronto's 4-2 win over the Angels yesterday. He gets into Bowden Francis' 7-inning statement, Zach Pop running out of time to prove himself, Will Wagner's impressive debut and more. Later, Angels analyst Mark Gubicza (30:17) helps tee up the rest of the series, discusses the Angels' identity without Trout and shares how far away they are from being competitive. The views and opinions expressed in this p
Aug 13, 2024 · 50 min
Billy The Kid’s Son Will
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 4-2 win in Anaheim, notably Will Wagner’s three-hit game in his debut and Bowden Francis pitching seven strong innings. Billy Wagner (18:35) re-joins the show to discuss Will’s big game and making the cross-country trip to witness his debut live with his family. ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian (29:05) discusses the latest news and notes around the majors including the Yankees blowout loss to the lowly White Sox and the parity among all of the teams fighting for spo
Aug 12, 2024 · 49 min
Olympic Baseball & Auditions in Anaheim
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker start the second hour by reacting to the Blue Jays calling up Will Wagner from Triple-A. Jayson Stark of The Athletic reflects on Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s hitting streak ending at 22 games and why hitting streaks are becoming more rare and less appreciated (1:24). Then, he weighs in on the Yankees and Aaron Judge's intentional-walk issues, Mike Trout's legacy, baseball at the Olympics and more. Finally, Blue Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez (28:33) helps tee up the team's 3-ga
Aug 12, 2024 · 50 min
Jays Drop Two to the A’s + Jim Duquette
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays series loss to the Oakland A’s – notably Chris Bassitt’s performance and post-game comments after the series finale. MLB Network Radio analyst and longtime GM executive Jim Duquette (29:58) shares his thoughts on what Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s next contract will look like, if he’d like to see Bo Bichette return to the lineup if he were a rival GM looking to trade for him in the offseason and the NL wild card race with the Braves and Mets battling it
Aug 9, 2024 · 49 min
Jays-A's Preview & Jeff Passan
ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (1:39) joins Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker to amend his previous prediction of what a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. extension might look like and how the baseball world views the Jays front office. Then, he shares possible reasons for the Braves' sudden skid, which AL East contender he's most confident in and his Mount Rushmore of MLB position players right now. Athletics TV analyst Dallas Braden (28:14) helps tee up Oakland's weekend series against the Jays in Toronto and disc
Aug 9, 2024 · 49 min
Vlad Jr’s Dominance Continues
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays series win over the Orioles where Kevin Gausman went eight innings and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continued his dominance at the plate as he ended up being a single short of the cycle. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi (28:46) joins the guys to discuss what a potential contract extension would look like for Vlad and the Blue Jays need to spend in the offseason as a penalty for not being able to develop enough players that can make an impact at the major-league
Aug 8, 2024 · 49 min
The Orioles' Ceiling & ChiSox Choose Sizemore
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker are joined by MASN Orioles analyst Ben McDonald (0:29) to help tee up the the rubber match of the AL East's Battle of the Birds tonight. He discusses how agressive Baltimore will be in resigning Anthony Santander, Jackson Holliday's development and more. Ben and Kevin take a look at the playoff landscape in both leagues before reviewing John Schneider's pre-game availability. Later, MLB Network's Jensen Lewis (27:58) weighs in on Pedro Grifol's dismissal in Chicago and
Aug 8, 2024 · 49 min
Buck Showalter Joins the Show!
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker examine Toronto’s 7-3 loss to the Orioles before reacting to comments made by MLB Network analyst Mark DeRosa on the state of the Blue Jays. Four-time manager of the year and current MLB Network analyst Buck Showalter (28:35) discusses the White Sox moving on from manager Pedro Grifol, his views on the Jays, the Yankees and Orioles battling it out for the AL East division crown and how Aaron Boone should handle teams intentionally walking superstar Aaron Judge. The vi
Aug 7, 2024 · 49 min
Making Sense of Shapiro & Starting Catcher Checklist
Ben Ennis, filling in for Jeff Blair, and Kevin Barker are joined by Sportsnet.ca's Shi Davidi (1:03) to help break down Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro's media availability today. He shares his initial takeaways, possible offseason priorities, Shapiro's contract situation and how it limits the Jays' free-agent spending options. Former catcher & MLB Network's Chris Gimenez (29:09) discusses how the catcher position has evolved since his playing days, Alejandro Kirk's 2025 outlook and the next s
Aug 7, 2024 · 50 min
Mark Shapiro Speaks
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker share their thoughts on Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro’s comments after he met with the media for the first time since the start of the season. Chris Rose (27:50) of Jomboy Media examines the Blue Jays difficult season and discusses if Toronto missed their best chance at signing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a contract extension before touching on the Guardians lead in the AL Central, the White Sox struggles, and who he’s buying in the National League to go on a run. The
Aug 6, 2024 · 49 min
Stretch Run Strategies & Jays-Orioles Preview
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez (2:31) to discuss the team's biggest challenges down the stretch. He gets into the plan for the 'Big 3' starters, position players who can make a big impression on their future roles, the outlook for the bullpen and the team's long-term plans at catcher. MASN Orioles reporter Roch Kubatko (30:11) tees up the O's-Jays series getting kicked off in Toronto tonight, how Baltimore's deadline additions can raise the team's ceiling
Aug 6, 2024 · 50 min
Another White Sox Loss & Ryan Dempster
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open up the show discussing Joey Votto and when he’ll be making his Blue Jays debut. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers (12:50) discusses the White Sox amidst their epic losing streak after they tied the American League record with their 21st consecutive loss. Ryan Dempster (27:18) of MLB Network’s Intentional Talk catches up with the guys and discusses how the Blue Jays should handle their veteran starters down the stretch. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are thos
Aug 5, 2024 · 49 min
The Evolution of Canadian Women's Baseball
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome Blue Jays Central's Caleb Joseph (1:06) to break down the Blue Jays' weekend series loss against the Yankees. He gets into the team's decision to pull Yariel Rodríguez early in his last start, how the Jays can stay motivated on the outside of the playoff race and players that we need to learn more about down the stretch. Later, Canadian Women's baseball team shortstop Mia Valcke (27:52) reflects on her bronze-medal run at the 2024 WBSC Women's World Cup and th