

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

May 6, 2025 • 50min
David Samson on Toronto's Troubles + Mark Gubicza's Halos Report!
David Samson, former MLB executive and host of Nothing Personal, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the Blue Jays continued offensive struggles. David weighs in on the state of the team heading into Los Angeles, Bo Bichette's ceiling, and how real George Springer's resurgence is, before wrapping with thoughts on who he would rather build a team around: Paul Skenes or Tarik Skubal? Mark Gubicza (30:35), Angels TV analyst, checks in on Tyler Anderson's recipe for success, which players make up L.A. young core, and Mike Trout's status in 2025. Mark also chats about what Yusei Kikuchi brings to the team, how the Halos stack up in the American League West, and the job Ron Washington has done.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.

May 6, 2025 • 49min
Ureña Gets the Nod + Jays' Opportunity in L.A.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off today's show teeing up the Blue Jays' opportunity to get back on track in their series opener at Angel Stadium. The boys take a closer look at Bo Bichette's lack of power, José Ureña's first start for the Jays, and how to attack opposing starter Tyler Anderson. Caleb Joseph (25:10), former MLB catcher turned Blue Jays Central analyst, joins the conversation to share his view on Ureña's strengths and weaknesses on the mound. Caleb also chats about his experience catching Anderson in Seattle, along with some reasons for optimism and concern surrounding the Jays' 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.

May 5, 2025 • 49min
Managing Pitcher Fatigue + May's Early Contenders
Jensen Lewis, MLB Network Radio analyst and co-host of By the Books, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss Steven Kwan's instrumental role in the Guardians' success following their series in Toronto. The trio dive into the Blue Jays' bullpen and Kevin Gausman's bounce-back start, before taking a look at the MLB landscape in early May. After the break, Jeff and Kevin diagnose the Blue Jays' offensive struggles and identify some areas to work on as the team heads out on the road for six games (26:45).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.

May 5, 2025 • 51min
No Fly Zone: Jays Offensive Frustrations
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker hit the airwaves for new week on the program recapping the Blue Jays' weekend set against the Guardians. The boys share their frustrations about the state of Toronto's offence, before taking a closer look at the team's bullpen usage and new additions to the pitching staff ahead of their upcoming road trip starting at Angel Stadium. Jon Morosi (27:47) of MLB Network checks in on Jays' issues at the plate, Chad Green's place among the relievers, and if the team has produced any All-Stars in 2025. Jon also chats about the Rangers firing their offensive coordinator Donnie Ecker, free agent bats still on the market, and what's behind the dip in MLB scoring in 2025.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.

May 2, 2025 • 49min
Power, Pitching & Process with John Schneider + Jeff Passan!
John Schneider, Manager of your Toronto Blue Jays, kicks off the second hour of the show alongside Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker. The skipper chats about his team's recent power surge, signs that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is heating up, Mason Fluharty's deception on the mound, how to manage the fifth rotation spot, getting Kevin Gausman, Bowden Francis and Andrés Giménez back on track, and his process of getting ready for an evening game. Later on, ESPN's Jeff Passan (24:15) checks in on Guardians ahead of their trip to Toronto this weekend. Jeff also weighs in on Bobby Witt Jr.'s hitting streak, his takeaways from the first month of the Major League Baseball season, the state of the American League East, how the Blue Jays factor in, and Hunter Brown's breakout in Houston.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.

May 2, 2025 • 50min
Back-to-Back Comebacks + Guarding the Six
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open Friday's show with thoughts on the Blue Jays' 4-2 comeback victory to claim the rubber match against the Boston Red Sox. They pair dive into Daulton Varsho's clutch at-bat that resulted in a opposite field home run, the job Mason Fluharty has done out of the bullpen, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s clutch moment to take the lead. Tom Hamilton (27:50), play-by-play voice of the Guardians and Ford C. Frick Award winner, joins the show to tee up this weekend's series! He chats about the strength of Cleveland's bullpen, Kyle Manzardo's breakout this season, the Canadians Cade Smith and Bo Naylor, and his perspective on Andrés Giménez.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.

May 1, 2025 • 51min
Building May Momentum + Ready for the Rubber Match
Madison Shipman, Blue Jays Central analyst, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about how Toronto can carry over the momentum of last night's electric win. The trio take a closer look at Anthony Santander's clutch home run, Alan Roden at the plate, Jeff Hoffman's presence in high-leverage spots, the rise of Brendon Little, José Berríos' plan of attack tonight, and how to manage Andrés Giménez. Jeff and Kevin then open up the "Back Leg Line" to hear your questions and comments! Rob Bradford (27:45), Red Sox reporter for WEEI and host of the Baseball Isn't Boring podcast, chats about Aroldis Chapman's longevity as a closer, Wilyer Abreu's meteoric rise, and what to make of Triston Casas and Rafael Devers through the first month.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.

May 1, 2025 • 49min
April Is Over!
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker rejoice following the Blue Jays' 7-6 walk-off win over the Red Sox in extra innings! The boys recap the marquee moments from the game including Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s clutch tag-up to move to third base, Anthony Santander's three-run blast, and Alejandro Kirk's heroics on his own bobblehead night. Jeff and Kevin also take some time to discuss Yariel Rodriguez' rough start to the game and where he fits in the pitching staff, before debating if Aroldis Chapman's career deserves Hall of Fame recognition. Chris Rose (27:15), host of Dugout Discussions and Baseball Today with Jomboy Media, chats about Lucas Giolito's first start of the season, the cream of the crop in the American League, and the state of the Mariners through April. Chris wraps up with his thoughts on the Blue Jays, Orioles, and Mike Trout's injury troubles resurfacing.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.

Apr 30, 2025 • 50min
A Trip Around the Majors + Pete Rose's HOF Eligibility
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker air out the remainder of their Blue Jays' frustrations, before teeing up tonight's lineup with Yariel Rodriguez on the mound. They welcome on Alanna Rizzo (12:22), MLB Network analyst and new member of NESN's Red Sox coverage, to take a look around the majors! The trio chat about the Dodgers' road to NL West title, Mookie Betts' adjustment to playing shortstop, and Teoscar Hernández' fit in Los Angeles, before weighing in on Toronto's window to win. Later, ESPN's Tim Kurkjian (29:00) checks in on the Orioles' rough month of April, the Yankees' ceiling, and if it's time for the Jays to panic. Tim wraps up with thoughts on Pete Rose's Hall of Fame eligibility following United States President Donald Trump's call to lift the former player's ban.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.

Apr 30, 2025 • 50min
Gauging Jays Panic Levels with Dan Shulman
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker hit the airwaves following the Blue Jays' 10-2 defeat in last night's series opener against the Boston Red Sox. The boys sift through that stats that dictate just how bad Toronto's offense has been to start the season, before zooming out to discuss the level of panic around the organization and the fanbase. Jeff and Kevin take some time to debate if Pete Rose should be reinstated into Major League Baseball following Rob Manfred's meeting with United States President Donald Trump. Later on, Blue Jays play-by-play voice on Sportsnet, Dan Shulman (24:10), lays out some lineup changes that could help the team get back on track. Dan also dives into Eric Lauer's potential as a spot starter, Andrés Giménez' struggles of late, Bowden Francis' trouble limiting homeruns, and Kevin Gausman's extra day of rest.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.


