Blair & Barker

Sportsnet
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Sep 19, 2025 • 50min

Last KC Meeting with Rex Hudler + Bullpen Trust with Chris Leroux

Jeff Blair is joined by Kansas City Royals TV analyst Rex Hudler (2:55) to get his thoughts on the benefits of being able to play multiple position like Andrés Giménez filling in for Bo Bichette at shortstop, previews the weekend series against the Blue Jays, the lack of consistency from the Royals' offence, and optimism for the team's pitching staff after this season. Then, Blue Jays radio analyst and former MLB pitcher Chris Leroux stops by in-studio (29:55) to chat about his top concerns as we near the last week of the regular season, trust in Braydon Fisher, and Max Scherzer post-season projections. 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.
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Sep 19, 2025 • 50min

Clinching Scenarios with John Schneider

Jeff Blair outlines the Blue Jays' potential playoff-clinching scenarios on Friday before welcoming manager John Schneider to the show (4:10). The skipper shares updates on Bo Bichette and Anthony Santander, the vibes around the clubhouse with the postseason in view, what goes into managing the platoon advantage, and the plan for the rotation's workload down the stretch. Later, MLB.com Tigers reporter Jason Beck stops by (28:37) to discuss what's behind Detroit's recent slide, the Guardians' edge in the division race and Tarik Skubal's status after his recent injury scare. Finally, Jeff opens up the Back Leg Line to take your calls and questions!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.
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Sep 18, 2025 • 50min

Managing the Home Stretch with Derek Shelton

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the postgame edition with a look back on the Blue Jays' 4-0 loss to close out their series against the Tampa Bay Rays. MLB Network's Jon Morosi joins the show (4:49) to discuss what's wrong with the Tigers after they got swept at home by the Guardians, the impact of Bo Bichette's absence, why Trey Yesavage should be used as a starter in the playoffs, and Clayton Kershaw's legacy now that he's announced his intent to retire. Then, Jeff and Kevin debate whether the Dodgers should play Shohei Ohtani in the outfield in the playoffs. Finally, former MLB manager Derek Shelton stops by (30:38) to give a manager's perspective on how the Jays should handle Yesavage down the stretch and into the playoffs.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.
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Sep 17, 2025 • 50min

Options in the 9th + Yesavage's Outlook with Dan Shulman

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker head to the Back Leg Line to hear listeners' voicemails and discuss Trey Yesavage's role in the postseason and in 2026, who will be the default closer in October, the mechanical changes in Andrés Giménez's swing, the front office's roster decisions making dividends, and much more. Then, Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman (29:35) stops by to get his thoughts on Anthony Santander getting a stint in the Buffalo Bisons' outfield, Yesavage's outlook before the regular season ends, if José Berríos' playoff spot is in jeopardy, and the fan's interference at the Minor League ballpark the Tampa Bay Rays are playing in. 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.
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Sep 17, 2025 • 50min

AL Playoff Picture and MVP Pulse with Jeff Passan

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 6-5 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, moving their magic number to clinch a playoff spot down to three. They get into the fan-interference review, José Berríos' outing, and Jeff Hoffman's velocity. Then, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (16:15) stops by to discuss the AL MVP race after Cal Raleigh's recent switch-hitting milestone, why the Yankees' place in the standings doesn't hurt Aaron Judge's case, George Springer's resurgent season and how the Jays might use Trey Yesavage in the playoffs. Later, Jeff and Kevin break down Joey Loperfido's pinch-hit home run in the fifth inning.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.
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Sep 16, 2025 • 50min

A Catcher's Responsibility with Joe Siddall + Pete Walker's First Impressions

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined in-studio by Blue Jays Central analyst Joe Siddall (1:19) to recap Trey Yesavage's MLB debut, how Tyler Heineman approached catching Trey's first game, Jeff Hoffman's pitch sequencing, Andrés Giménez's stint as shortstop while Bo Bichette is on the IL, who would round out as the Jays' three starters in a three-game series, the final roster spots on the pitching end, and José Berríos' slurve. Then, the guys are joined by pitching coach Pete Walker (25:45) to get his take on Trey's first game with the big-league roster, the plan for Yesavage moving forward, Braydon Fisher's control late in the game, and getting Jeff Hoffman's and Berríos' elite pitches back. Finally, Jeff and Kevin react to the news that Bo Bichette will miss the remainder of the regular 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.
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Sep 16, 2025 • 50min

Yesavage Deals in Debut + Extra Innings Hero Braydon Fisher

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open with a look back on Trey Yesavage's 9-strikeout debut against the Tampa Bay Rays. They weigh in on how the Jays should deploy Yesavage in the postseason, news on Bo Bichette's injury, Andrés Giménez's play at shortstop, and potential solutions for Jeff Hoffman's dipping velocity. Later, following his heroics in extra innings on Monday, Blue Jays reliever Braydon Fisher stops by (26:40) to discuss how his trip to Triple-A helped him reset, the difference between pitching in the sixth and seventh versus pitching late innings, what he's learned from Hoffman this season, his thoughts on Yesavage's stellar debut, and the team's winning culture.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.
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Sep 15, 2025 • 50min

Trey Yesavage Scouting Report + An Update on Bo Bichette

Buffalo Bisons' pitching coach Drew Hayes joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to describe Trey Yesavage as a pitcher and person in the clubhouse, his best pitch within his arsenal, the dynamics of his high release point, the stints between starting a game and coming out of the bullpen, and what would be a clear indicator that he's on the right path to success ahead of his Blue Jays' debut (11:00). Then, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi stops by (35:19) to discuss the news that Bo Bichette is looking into a second opinion on his sprained left PCL, what steered the Blue Jays into calling Yesavage up to the main roster, and why Tyler Heineman is catching Trey's MLB debut. 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.
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Sep 15, 2025 • 50min

Trey Day in Tampa

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker get set for Blue Jays' top prospect Trey Yesavage's MLB debut to kick off the team's series against the Tampa Bay Rays. They share expectations for the young starter, takeaways from the Jays' weekend sweep over the Baltimore Orioles, Addison Barger's push for a larger role, and much more. Later, Rays TV analyst and former pitcher Brian Anderson (32:40) joins the show to discuss what's behind Tampa's streaky season, Junior Caminero's breakout year, and how the Rays' bats might attack Yesavage's tricky release point.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.
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Sep 12, 2025 • 49min

Pennant Races with Troy Tulowitzki

Former Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about his transition to coaching for the University of Texas, how he's navigated being a mentor versus a coach, working closely with Bo Bichette, his hitting style, the unique style of playing at short, Bo's overall performance in 2025, working through a contract year, memories of Rogers Centre and the 2015 baseball club, and his advice to the current Jays on pushing through October. To wrap up the show, Blair and Barker touch on their expectations for Chris Bassitt against the Baltimore Orioles and their keys to victory over the weekend series.  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 affiliate.

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