

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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 26, 2025 • 50min
High-Stakes Season Finale with Buck Martinez
Blue Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez (1:50) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to kick off the second hour. They look back on the Jays' 6-1 win over the Red Sox, Daulton Varsho's grand slam, what's made George Springer's production sustainable, and Louis Varland and Eric Lauer's statement to start the bullpen game. Then, Buck weighs in on Vladdy Jr.'s recent performance at the plate, what to expect from Shane Bieber against the Rays, and the importance of the bye for the Jays. Later, WEEI reporter and host of Baseball Isn't Boring, Rob Bradford (25:15), swings by to tee up the Detroit Tigers' series against the Red Sox with the AL Central title on the line. He discusses Detroit's historic collapse after having led the Guardians by 15 games this season, Boston's postseason outlook, and his thoughts on the Jays. Finally, Jeff and Kevin share their predictions for this weekend's action around MLB.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 affiliates.

Sep 26, 2025 • 50min
Heading into the Final 3 with John Schneider
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show discussing the Blue Jays' big home win to end their series against the Boston Red Sox, Louis Varland's and Eric Lauer's strong outing in the finale, and Alek Manoah getting claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider stops by (28:25) for his weekly chat on Varland's start to the bullpen game, how both him and Lauer could be utilized in the postseason, the decision to keep Daulton Varsho in the game to face against a left-handed pitcher, how Anthony Santander's swing looks coming off the IL and rehab stints, George Springer's decisions at the plate, who could be in the running to start the regular season finale, and Alejandro Kirk's increased workload this year.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 affiliates.

Sep 25, 2025 • 50min
Offence Absent, AL East Title Slipping Away
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look in on John Schneider's pre-game availability ahead of the Blue Jays' series finale against the Boston Red Sox. To help tee up the game, Jays radio voice Ben Shulman (7:03) weighs in on the decision to start Louis Varland in the pivotal matchup, how the team is dealing with the pressure of a division race and Anthony Santander's return to the lineup. Then, Jeff and Kevin open up the Back Leg Line to take calls, questions, and gauge the Jays' faithful's concern levels as the division lead dwindles. Finally, The Athletic's Tyler Kepner stops by (27:15) to discuss the New York Yankees' recent play to gain ground on the Jays, their postseason outlook and Aaron Judge's MVP-level season.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 affiliates.

Sep 25, 2025 • 50min
Concern Level Assessment + Berríos Sent to the IL
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker weigh the magnitude of the Blue Jays' series finale against the Boston Red Sox after dropping two straight, including being shut out, with Louis Varland getting the nod to start their bullpen day. Then, they go through Max Scherzer's final regular-season start and react to the news of José Berríos being sent to the IL following his bullpen outing. Later, Mike Cameron (31:07), special assignment coach of the Seattle Mariners, stops by to discuss the club clinching the AL West, the hitting differences from 2024 to Cal Raleigh's historic 2025 season, and the difficulties of a manager trying to bring the best out of their team's offence.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 affiliates.

Sep 24, 2025 • 50min
AL East Crunch + ABS Specifics with Jeff Passan
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays signing Korean pitching prospect Seojun Moon and some rotation updates before listening in on John Schneider's game-day availability. ESPN MLB analyst Doug Glanville (9:46) stops by to share his thoughts on the Jays' season, George Springer's buy-in, the Yankees' October outlook and whether the Detroit Tigers have 'lost their mojo.' Later, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan joins the show (29:32) to discuss the controversial foul call in the Jays/Red Sox's series opener, a lack of pushback on the incoming ABS rule, the Guardians' postseason potential, and how he handicaps the AL playoff races that could go down to the wire.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 affiliates.

Sep 24, 2025 • 50min
A Big Bat Returns & Scherzer's Final Regular Season Start
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show touching on the controversial calls from the Blue Jays' series-opening loss to the Boston Red Sox, Alek Manoah being DFA'd, Anthony Santander batting fifth in the order in his return to the lineup and Vladdy's struggles in the final games of the year. Then, VSiN By The Books co-host and former MLB pitcher Jensen Lewis (30:17) stops by to chat about the Cleveland Guardians on the verge of a historical comeback in the AL Central standings over dwindling Detroit Tigers, the adjustment Bo Naylor made in his swing, how important Max Scherzer's final regular season start is, the path for the Blue Jays to clinch the division, and his clubhouse experience with Myles Straw.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 affiliates.

Sep 23, 2025 • 50min
ABS Incoming + Blue Jays Prospect Gage Stanifer in Studio!
MLB Network insider Jon Morosi joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker (0:32) to kick off the second hour, and they react to MLB's announcement that it will be implementing the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System (ABS) for the 2026 season. Then, they discuss the Jays' outlook down the stretch, the Guardians' miraculous playoff push, the Mets' late-season collapse, and why the Reds could be dangerous in the postseason. Later, Blue Jays pitching prospect Gage Stanifer joins the guys in studio (29:38) to reflect on his year across three levels in the Jays' farm system, his impressions of Trey Yesavage, and the next steps in his development.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 affiliates.

Sep 23, 2025 • 50min
Chasing an AL East Title at Rogers Centre
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show discussing Anthony Santander's injury status, the ideal spot for him in the batting order once he returns, Addison Barger cleaning up, and the magnitude of the Blue Jays' final series against the Boston Red Sox. Then, NESN Red Sox's studio host Tom Caron (19:26) jumps on to discuss Boston's path to the post-season, the velocity from their top starters including Lucas Giolito, the glaring gap without Roman Anthony, the ramifications if the club don't make the playoffs, Alex Cora's future, where Aroldis Chapman's year stacks up in his career and Red Sox's history, and who needs to step up during this chase into the Wild Card. Afterwards, we hear from Blue Jays' manager John Schneider on Anthony Santander's road back to becoming active on the roster.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 affiliates.

Sep 22, 2025 • 50min
Details Down the Stretch with Caleb Joseph & Kevin Kiermaier
Jeff Blair welcomes Kevin Barker back from his Virginia Tech Hall of Fame ceremony before they are joined by Blue Jays Central's Caleb Joseph (6:30) to discuss the Jays' biggest unknowns with just six games left in the regular season. They get into the potential postseason rotation, how the Jays would use Anthony Santander once —or if— he returns, and who hits second against righties. Later, Blue Jays special assistant Kevin Kiermaier (31:45) discusses the clubhouse vibes after clinching a playoff spot, what's different about the 2025 Jays, and what the young players can expect from playoff baseball.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 affiliates.

Sep 22, 2025 • 50min
En Route to October + Postseason Pitching with Adam Wainwright
Jeff Blair and the returning Kevin Barker begin the show recapping the Blue Jays clinching a postseason berth after their win in the series finale against the Kansas City Royals, Trey Yesavage's second start and Max Scherzer's outing over the weekend, their roles in October and Bo Bichette's comments on Ernie Clement and Myles Straw's clubhouse leadership. Then, FOX Sports' MLB analyst and World Series Champion Adam Wainwright stops by (29:18) to discuss pitching in the regular season vs. in the postseason, the pressure on a starter and bullpen pitcher, playoff experience, and changing routines nearing the end of the year and during a pennant race.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 affiliates.


