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

April 8 · 49 min
Early Season Adversity with Ryan Howard + Can the Jays Steal One?
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's pregame show in a sour mood following the Blue Jays' 4-1 loss to the Dodgers to extend their losing streak to six games. The boys discuss the Jays' dismal offensive output of late, the importance of tomorrow's off day to reset, and the balk call on Kevin Gausman that resulted in John Schneider's fiery ejection. They also dig into the statistics to find some positives from the first two weeks, identify some players that need to step up in order to right th
April 7 · 49 min
Jays-Dodgers Extra Motivation + Jayson Stark!
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off this episode chatting with Caleb Joseph, former MLB catcher and Sportsnet analyst. They dig into the issues behind the Blue Jays' five-game losing streak, Max Scherzer's road back to the mound after exiting Monday's game with forearm tendinitis, expectations for Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Kevin Gausman tonight, the options behind the plate in Alejandro Kirk's absence, and the lingering emotions from the 2025 World Series. Later, Jayson Stark (24:45) of The Athlet
April 7 · 49 min
Dodgers Dominate World Series Rematch
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Toronto Blue Jays' 14-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers and stretching their losing streak to five games. They discuss the residual animosity between the two teams after the World Series, Max Scherzer's early exit, and what adjustments Kevin Gausman must make to get a better result this evening. Later, Dodgers Pitching Coach Mark Prior (26:17) discusses his role, what Jays hitters can expect from tonight's starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, what Shohei Ohtan
April 6 · 49 min
Rookie Mistakes + World Series Rematch
Host of Nothing Personal and former MLB President David Samson (0:28) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about how teams navigate a slow start after playing in the World Series, Roman Anthony's outspoken comments around the Boston Red Sox's start to their year, what Konnor Griffin's long-term contract indicates to fans, players and owners around the league, why the Cleveland Guardians have surprised him the most, and Carter Jensen being pulled from the Royals lineup after sleeping through
April 6 · 49 min
Jays' Offence Stays Cold in Chicago
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker check in with the Toronto Blue Jays ahead of their World Series rematch against the Dodgers after being swept by the Chicago White Sox. They discuss the team's early-season offensive woes, Brendon Little being DFA'd to Triple A, the Jays' plan in Alejandro Kirk's absence, and Addison Barger's underwhelming start. Later, Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi (27:44) stops by to share his impressions of the Jays through three series, the implications of the Patrick Corbin si
April 2 · 49 min
Early Takeaways with Jeff Passan + Player Development with Paul Janish
Chicago White Sox's Director of Player Development, Paul Janish (0:26) joins Jeff Blair and his former teammate Kevin Barker to chat about his role with the organization, how they approach players' goals season-to-season, if they've considered 'out of the box' methods of playing like the Colorado Rockies calling pitching from the dugout, how younger players are learning compared to when Paul and Kevin played, the evolution of scouting with analytics, how he would define a successful season for t
April 2 · 49 min
Takeaways Through Two Series with Jon Morosi
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the off-day edition with some Blue Jays takeaways through the first two series of the season. They discuss reasons to be optimistic with Jeff Hoffman, why they're not concerned with the team's offensive struggles with runners in scoring position, who fits best in the clean-up spot, and Kevin Gausman's stellar start. Later, MLB Network's Jon Morosi (29:56) shares his early-season Blue Jays thoughts, including his concerns for the rotation's health, Brendon Little
March 31 · 49 min
Rotation Without Ponce, Brendan Little Solution and Bisons Report
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show discussing how John Schneider could navigate the pitching rotation with Cody Ponce's status up in the air, the best way forward for Brendan Little after strong Spring outings and two rocky relief stints to start the regular season, why Kazuma Okamoto's second career MLB home run was impressive, and Ponce's first pitches in the Majors. Then, the guys bring on play-by-play voice of the Buffalo Bisons Pat Malacaro (27:00) to chat about potential options fo
March 30 · 49 min
Following Up a World Series Berth with Mark Shapiro
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by co-host of VSiN By The Books and former MLB pitcher Jensen Lewis (0:58) to chat about the first weekend of ABS' implementation, his takeaways from the Blue Jays' pitchers successful weekend with the strike zone, why he's not overreacting to Jeff Hoffman's first blown save to the year, and Rōki Sasaki's 2026 debut after a rocky Spring Training. Then, Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro (25:40) stops by to discuss the World Series' effect on the 2026
March 30 · 49 min
Starting the Season with a Sweep
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Toronto Blue Jays' first series of the 2026 season - a three-game sweep over the Athletics. They discuss the rotation's early statement, as Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, and Eric Lauer combined for 32 strikeouts, share their first impressions of Jesús Sánchez and Kazuma Okamoto, and express early concerns for Brendon Little and Jeff Hoffman in the bullpen. Later, ahead of the Jays' series opener against the Rockies, Colorado TV analyst Ryan Spilborghs (
March 27 · 49 min
Kicking Off a New Season with John Schneider and Joe Siddall
Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider (0:39) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss why the end of the 2025 World Series won't define the team's 2026 season, how he's evolved as a manager, Addison Barger's confidence, Andrés Giménez finding his swing and transitioning into an everyday shortstop, if the 9th inning will be Jeff Hoffman's, Brendon Little's outlook and the challenge for Kazuma Okamoto playing third base in MLB. Then, Blue Jays TV analyst Joe Siddall (22:45) gives his though
March 27 · 49 min
Opening Day is Here! + Jeff Passan
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to first pitch as the Toronto Blue Jays get set for their Opening Day matchup against the Athletics. They react to the starting lineup, predict how it might change against lefty starters, and share their expectations for the first series of the season. Later, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan stops by (26:30) to discuss some of the storylines heading into the 2026 season, including the Dodgers' chances to three-peat, who will challenge them in the National Leagu
March 26 · 50 min
What Ross Atkins Envisions for 2026
Toronto Blue Jays EVP and general manager Ross Atkins (0:24) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about what he's looking forward to and his goals for the organization's 2026 season, how they handled their first Spring Training after a long season and World Series push, Kevin Gausman entering his 14th MLB season and his workload, how Spencer Miles earned a main roster spot, what he learned from Dylan Cease, how Max Scherzer ended up returning to the team, what he envisions for third base an
March 26 · 49 min
2026 Season Predictions!
Major League Baseball is officially back! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open with their thoughts on the Yankees' dominant win over the Giants to kick off the season, before going live to John Schneider's availability from the Blue Jays' workout day at the Rogers Centre. Later, Jeff and Kevin share their picks and predictions for the 2026 season, including playoff teams, World Series matchups, and award winners! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests an
March 25 · 49 min
Rays' Return to the Top with Brian Anderson + Back-Leg Line!
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker head to the Back-Leg Line to chat about their breakout star for the Blue Jays this season, José Berríos' outlook, which bat and arm should we pay attention to starting the year, confidence levels with Jeff Hoffman and more. Then, the guys bring on former MLB pitcher and Tampa Bay Rays TV analyst Brian Anderson (29:40) to discuss the Rays' chances at reclaiming the AL East, Shane McClanahan's road back from a lost season, which players will benefit from returning to pl
March 25 · 49 min
Hunter Pence Sets Up a New Season + State of the Athletics with GM David Forst!
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show with thoughts on the Blue Jays final moves to set their 26-man roster. Hunter Pence (07:20), two-time World Series champion and Giants analyst, sets the stage ahead of tonight's first MLB game of the season between the Yankees and Giants! The boys chat about the outlook for the Bronx Bombers this season, the misconception with how San Francisco will call pitches this season, and what to expect before first pitch. David Forst (27:38), Athletics General Ma
March 24 · 49 min
What Pete Alonso Brings to the O's + Kevin Kiermaier
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by former MLB pitcher and current Orioles analyst Ben McDonald (5:44) to chat about the excitement of a competitive AL East, the biggest addition during the offseason for Baltimore, what sets apart Pete Alonso from the rest of the great hitters of the game, if we can see a bounce back year from Adley Rutschman, and the state of the Orioles' bullpen arms after their starters. Then, former MLB outfielder and newest MLB Network analyst Kevin Kiermaier joins th
March 24 · 49 min
Life on the Fringes + Dan Shulman's Difference Makers
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show looking ahead to Blue Jays Opening Day! Barker shares what it's like for players on the fringes of a 26-man roster and reflects on his own training camp experiences. The boys also dive into John Schneider's choices to bat second in the Jays order, Cody Ponce's outlook this season, and Josh Kasevich's upside. Dan Shulman (26:52), Blue Jays play-by-play voice, joins the conversation to discuss what can separate Toronto from the pack heading into 2026. They
March 23 · 49 min
Blue Jays 2026 Expectations with Caleb Joseph + Red Sox Preview
Former MLB catcher and Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker (3:15) to chat about the Jays' path to winning the AL East, if Jeff Hoffman will continue to be the closer to start the year, Alejandro Kirk's job to transition pitch calling behind the plate between Spring Training to the regular season, how Dylan Cease can build efficiency, if we can expect a breakout year for Vlad Jr., and if he's buying in on Daulton Varsho's Spring numbers. Then, host of 'Basebal
March 23 · 49 min
Jays Extend Atkins and Schneider + Final Roster Battles
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the week by reacting to the Blue Jays extending GM Ross Atkins and manager John Schneider. Sportsnet insider Ben Nicholson-Smith joins them (4:30) to share his thoughts on the extensions, the plan for Jesús Sánchez, Leo Jimenez's chances at cracking the Opening Day roster, the battle for the final reliever spot, what to expect from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. following a breakout postseason run, Dylan Cease's ceiling, and much more. Later, David Samson, host of Nothing