

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

Jul 22, 2025 • 50min
Priorities for a Winning Baseball Club
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by MLB Network's Jon Morosi (1:08) to give his gut feeling on which direction the Blue Jays will take after the trade deadline, if teams lean towards adding to their strengths or address their weaknesses, how deep the Jays might dive into their prospect pool, and why he believes the National League is wide open. Then, Yankees reporter Bryan Hoch (29:13) stops by to chat about why New York fans are disappointed in Anthony Volpe's season, the way the Jays approach Aaron Judge, if Aaron Boone is the right fit for the Bronx Bombers' managerial job, how big of an issue is Max Fried's blister problems, and the Yankees' new house of horrors now lives at Rogers Centre. 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.

Jul 22, 2025 • 50min
Rogers Centre Stronghold + Deadline Pitcher Preference
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 4-1 win over the New York Yankees to open a three-game series — their 11th home win in a row. They get into the Yankees' fielding woes and listen to Aaron Boone's availability before discussing the viability of a six-man rotation in Toronto and debating whether the Jays should prioritise a bullpen arm over a starter at the deadline. Later, they go to the Back Leg Line to answer 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.

Jul 21, 2025 • 50min
The Magnitude of Anthony Santander's Status
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph (2:33) to chat about how the team can repeat a sweep over the visiting New York Yankees, if he's seen a step forward for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with his at-bats, how the bottom of the order and the bench have found ways to sustain their productivity, what he expects from Kevin Gausman with a long layoff between starts, and if the uncertainty of Anthony Santander's return impacts their trade deadline targets. Then, former MLB President and host of 'Nothing Personal with David Samson' stops by (29:40) to discuss what it means for a sports team to declare they are 'all-in' and how Santander's injury status changes the front office's mindset.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.

Jul 21, 2025 • 50min
Sweeping San Fran + Second-Place Yanks in Town
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the week by looking back on the Blue Jays' three-game sweep over the San Francisco Giants. They discuss Vladdy showing signs of an offensive breakthrough, the Jays' team-wide approach, José Berríos's outing and the type of pitcher the Jays would be looking for ahead of the deadline. Then, they react to the latest news on Anthony Santander's status before YES Network's Meredith Marakovits stops by (30:40) to discuss the state of the Yankees as they begin a three-game series in Toronto tonight. She shares how they've changed since their last visit to the Rogers Centre, Anthony Volpe's dip, how Aaron Boone responds to John Schneider's approach to Aaron Judge, and much more.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.

Jul 18, 2025 • 50min
Post All-Star Chat with John Schneider and Matt Stairs
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (3:20) to chat about his All-Star break, the swing off, and give some roster updates on Yimi Garcia, Anthony Santander, Daulton Varsho, and other names. Then, he gets into how he's set up his rotation for the first two series after the week's rest against the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees, how the team has settled in performing at Rogers Centre versus on the road, what it'll take for Vladdy Jr. to get hot at the dish, Davis Schneider capitalizing pitcher's mistakes, and how a long layoff could affect the entire pitching staff. Then, former MLB outfielder Matt Stairs stops by (30:09) to discuss the development of Canadian prospects across the baseball summer leagues, analyzing a player's hitting mechanics early in their career, how the Blue Jays jump on success right out of the break, and if it's easy to make a change one's mechanics at this stage of the 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.

Jul 18, 2025 • 50min
Back from the Break!
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back after the All-Star Break! They share their thoughts on All-Star festivities before outlining the Jays' tough stretch coming out of the break, starting with this weekend's series against the San Francisco Giants, and how the next two-week push will impact the way they approach the deadline. Later, they share their expectations for the trade deadline before welcoming in Giants analyst Susan Slusser (37:34) to tee up the three-game series between San Francisco and Toronto, share what the Jays' bats can expect from future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander tonight, and much more.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.

Jul 11, 2025 • 50min
Is Vladdy One Swing Away? + Ernie Clement's Patience
Blake Murphy and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays TV analyst Caleb Joseph (4:38) to chat about a catcher's job with their pitcher dealing with the heat before and during a game, if Vladdy Jr. is 'one swing away' from returning to hitting form, Bo Bichette's ability to create opportunities, Alejandro Kirk taking ownership behind the plate and for the team's infield defence, and the importance of getting a start before an All-Star break. Then, Jays' infielder Ernie Clement joins the guys (26:52) to discuss his transition and balance from being aggressive to patience with his at-bats, playing multiple positions in the infield, Davis Schneider finding his way back onto the team, George Springer's veteran experience, and how the clubhouse is handling the recent stretch of success sitting atop of the AL East.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.

Jul 11, 2025 • 50min
Getting Set for the Sacramento Sun with John Schneider
Blake Murphy and Kevin Barker get set for the Blue Jays' final series before the All-Star break in Sacramento against the Athletics. A's TV analyst Dallas Braden (10:05) shares what the Jays can expect over the weekend series, the next steps in the Athletics' development, the difficulty of evaluating talent at Sutter Health Park, players that could be on the move at the deadline, and how older pitchers handle the Sacramento heat. Later, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (25:50) discusses how he's preparing for the sunshine down south, bullpen availability ahead of the All-Star break, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s timing issues, why Bo Bichette fits best in the clean-up spot, Joey Loperfido's Triple-A improvements, the pressure that comes with leading the division, and much more.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.

Jul 10, 2025 • 50min
Blue Jays Trade Deadline Expectations
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by MLB Network analyst and former general manager Dan O'Dowd (4:18) to chat about DJ LeMahieu being designated for assignment by the New York Yankees, how a front office would handle a stretch of success and prepare for some regression just like the Blue Jays, why he would be cautious about moving off Toronto's top prospects at the trade deadline, trading in the MLB Draft, and working around chemistry in the clubhouse. Afterwards, Jeff and Kevin continue to head to the Back-Leg Line to hear listeners' voicemails!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.

Jul 10, 2025 • 50min
From Markham to MLB with Jonah Tong
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the off-day with a look back on the Blue Jays' streak-breaking loss to the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday. Then, they get into some early trade action with the Orioles trading Bryan Baker to the Rays, why the Jays should act quick for bullpen help and what they should be willing to give up. Later, New York Mets pitching prospect Jonah Tong (26:20) joins the show to discuss his path from Markham to the minors, how he developed his unique mechanics, the biggest challenges in Double-A, and what he's looking forward to at the All-Star Futures Game.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.


