Blair & Barker

Jeff Blair looks back on the Blue Jays' 5-1 win over the Chicago Cubs to open the series and Ernie Clement extending his home run streak to three games. ESPN reporter Jesse Rogers joins the show (10:20) to share what the Jays can expect in the rest of their series against the Cubs, whether they did enough at the deadline, Kyle Tucker's future, and how the Brewers have found their NL-leading success this season. Later, Jays' play-by-play voice Dan Shulman (28:50) weighs in on Clement's timely hot stretch, Alek Manoah's rocky Triple-A rehab start, José Berríos's recent form, and John Schneider's bullpen management since the deadline.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.

Jeff Blair is joined by current starting pitcher for the Chicago Cubs and former Blue Jay Matthew Boyd (0:41) to chat about what it was like to be traded for David Price, his road back from Tommy John in 2024, his relationship with the Cubs' front office, and the team's aspirations to return to the World Series. Then, Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph stops by (17:00) to discuss how much of a boost Andrés Giménez will give to the clubhouse returning for the final stretch towards the postseason, José Berríos losing steam, and Jeff Hoffman's recent form. To wrap up the show, we hear from Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro discussing his future with the organisation.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.

Jeff Blair welcomes in guest co-host, MLB Network's Jon Morosi, to share a national perspective on the Blue Jays ahead of their series against the Chicago Cubs. They look at the Jays' standing in the AL, share takeaways from Mark Shapiro's availability, and project what the Jays might do with their rotation when Shane Bieber is ready. Later, Jays Special Assistant and retired MLB outfielder Kevin Kiermaier (31:31) reflects on winning a World Series with the Dodgers in his final season, his transition to coaching, and the clubhouse culture in the Jays' minor league system.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.

Jeff Blair welcomes David Samson (1:05), host of Nothing Personal and former MLB President, to chat about the dumpster fire around the New York Yankees since the trade deadline, the Blue Jays' success on the recent road trip despite dropping two games against the L.A. Dodgers, how he would approach a prospect making debuting in September, Dave Roberts calling out Shohei Ohtani, and Jen Pawol becoming the first female umpire in MLB. Then, to wrap up the show, Jeff heads to the Back-Leg Line to hear some of your calls and questions about the Jays' weekend series against the Dodgers and recent road trip! 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.

Jeff Blair is hosting solo this week, and he kicks it off with a look back on the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Dodgers in LA. Then, the Athletic's Mitch Bannon (15:38) breaks down the Jays' promotion of No. 1 prospect Trey Yesavage to Triple-A, whether he can factor in for the Jays down the stretch, and the unmistakable impact of George Springer's absence. Later, after his return to the booth this weekend, Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez (27:15) stops by to evaluate John Schneider's bullpen usage since the deadline, what Yesavage needs to do to earn a spot in the big leagues this season, and how the team has evolved since he was last in the booth.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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (2:05) ahead of the team's weekend series in LA. He shares an update on George Springer, Andrés Giménez, and Anthony Santander, the ideal goal Shane Bieber will need to reach before a return to the Majors, balancing playing time for his infielders and managing tough decisions, how he views this matchup against the World Series champs, Vladdy's effectiveness at the plate and how Alejandro Kirk has adjusted to catching new pitchers. Then, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi stops by (36:25) to chat about his expectations for Max Scherzer against the Dodgers, how Jays' pitching matches up against Dodgers' hitting, Schneider's options out of the pen, and whether Bo Bichette will strive against the champs.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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker set the stage for the Jays' weekend series in LA against the Dodgers, and what to expect in the Hall-of-Fame head-to-head tonight between Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw. They debate which of the vets had the better prime, whether Shane Bieber is a lock for a postseason start, and storylines to watch at Dodger Stadium. Later, LA Times' Bill Shaikin (27:35) joins the show to discuss how Kershaw has evolved in his veteran years, what's behind Mookie Betts' struggles, the plan for Shohei Ohtani down the stretch and whether he will pitch in 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by ESPN's Jeff Passan (2:12) to chat about the recent surge by the Milwaukee Brewers, why they're arguably the deepest team in the MLB, Bo Bichette's next contract, the Blue Jays' ability to make contact, similarities between the Jays and the 2015 Kansas City Royals roster, and why the battle within the AL East is still up for grabs. Then, L.A. Dodgers first base coach Chris Woodward stops by (26:58) to discuss if the team still has a lingering World Series hangover, if Shohei Ohtani is a better pitcher or hitter, where Clayton Kershaw stacks up among the best left-handed pitchers of all time, Mookie Betts' hitting slump, and how he would envision the starting rotation rolling out for the post-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.

Following the Blue Jays' dominating sweep over the Colorado Rockies, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the off-edition by going to the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions! They get into Shane Bieber's future in Toronto, whether the Jays go big-game hunting in the offseason once again, and the looming return of Alek Manoah. Later, Miami Marlins catcher and Canadian Liam Hicks swings by (31:37) to discuss the Marlins' unexpected run this year, his experience getting selected in the Rule 5 Draft this offseason, building a routine in the big leagues, and his path from the Toronto Mets to 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by WEEI Boston Red Sox writer and co-host of 'Baseball Isn’t Boring' Rob Bradford (2:55) to chat about the team's recent hot streak since turning the page from the trade deadline, why Garrett Crochet should be front-running the Cy Young Award, Lucas Giolito's resurgence, and expectations for recently acquired Dustin May from the L.A. Dodgers. Then, Rockies TV analyst Ryan Spilborghs (27:15) stops by to discuss how different the Colorado baseball club is compared to the Blue Jays, Eric Lauer's turnaround and performance against the Rockies, and why he likes the Jays so much as the best team in the American League. 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.