

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

Aug 15, 2024 • 50min
MLB Olympic Uncertainty
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour by emptying out the Back Leg Line and answering your burning Blue Jays questions! Then, former MLB catcher and Team USA manager at the Tokyo Olympics Mike Scioscia (30:33) discusses the chances of MLB players being involved in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. He gets into potential hurdles, the feasibility of a mid-season Olympic break, middle-ground solutions and the difference between managing a national team vs. managing in 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.

Aug 15, 2024 • 50min
Brooms in Anaheim, Blair Returns, and Bobby V
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the finale of the Blue Jays’ 9-2 win over the Angels to complete the three-game sweep and discuss Alejandro Kirk’s increased workload since the Danny Jansen trade, his recent play, and what they need to see from him in the final six weeks of the season. Longtime MLB manager and current Angels analyst Bobby Valentine (28:25) shares him impressions of the Jays; notably Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and what it takes to survive managing in New York.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.

Aug 14, 2024 • 50min
Future on the Field with John Schneider
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (0:32) to give a state of affairs amidst the team's series against the Angels. The skipper shares an update on Bichette and Romano's status, long-term plans for the deadline additions, what's changed for Vladdy during his prolonged hot stretch and much more. Later, Ben and Kevin go around MLB with ESPN insider Jeff Passan (27:23) - Kikuchi's stellar start in Houston, price tags & markets for upcoming big-name free agents and which teams' post-All-Star trends - good and bad - he believes in most.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.

Aug 14, 2024 • 50min
Ump Show in Anaheim + Bret Boone
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ 6-1 win over the Angels, specifically George Springer getting thrown out of the game after it appeared he was hit by a pitch. 14-Year MLB veteran and podcast host Bret Boone (28:05) chimes-in on the Springer incident, Jazz Chisholm’s injury, who needs to step up for the Yankees other than Juan Soto and Aaron Judge, and the wild card races in both the American and National 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.

Aug 13, 2024 • 49min
Current Affairs in California
Jays analyst Caleb Joseph (1:26) joins Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker from Anaheim to break down Toronto's 4-2 win over the Angels yesterday. He gets into Bowden Francis' 7-inning statement, Zach Pop running out of time to prove himself, Will Wagner's impressive debut and more. Later, Angels analyst Mark Gubicza (30:17) helps tee up the rest of the series, discusses the Angels' identity without Trout and shares how far away they are from being competitive.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.

Aug 13, 2024 • 50min
Billy The Kid’s Son Will
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 4-2 win in Anaheim, notably Will Wagner’s three-hit game in his debut and Bowden Francis pitching seven strong innings. Billy Wagner (18:35) re-joins the show to discuss Will’s big game and making the cross-country trip to witness his debut live with his family. ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian (29:05) discusses the latest news and notes around the majors including the Yankees blowout loss to the lowly White Sox and the parity among all of the teams fighting for spots in the postseason. 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.

Aug 12, 2024 • 50min
Olympic Baseball & Auditions in Anaheim
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker start the second hour by reacting to the Blue Jays calling up Will Wagner from Triple-A. Jayson Stark of The Athletic reflects on Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s hitting streak ending at 22 games and why hitting streaks are becoming more rare and less appreciated (1:24). Then, he weighs in on the Yankees and Aaron Judge's intentional-walk issues, Mike Trout's legacy, baseball at the Olympics and more. Finally, Blue Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez (28:33) helps tee up the team's 3-game series against the Angels getting started tonight and shares what Will Wagner brings to the lineup.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.

Aug 12, 2024 • 50min
Jays Drop Two to the A’s + Jim Duquette
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays series loss to the Oakland A’s – notably Chris Bassitt’s performance and post-game comments after the series finale. MLB Network Radio analyst and longtime GM executive Jim Duquette (29:58) shares his thoughts on what Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s next contract will look like, if he’d like to see Bo Bichette return to the lineup if he were a rival GM looking to trade for him in the offseason and the NL wild card race with the Braves and Mets battling it out for the final spot. 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.

Aug 9, 2024 • 50min
Jays-A's Preview & Jeff Passan
ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (1:39) joins Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker to amend his previous prediction of what a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. extension might look like and how the baseball world views the Jays front office. Then, he shares possible reasons for the Braves' sudden skid, which AL East contender he's most confident in and his Mount Rushmore of MLB position players right now. Athletics TV analyst Dallas Braden (28:14) helps tee up Oakland's weekend series against the Jays in Toronto and discusses how the organization is preparing for their move to Vegas.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.

Aug 9, 2024 • 50min
Vlad Jr’s Dominance Continues
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays series win over the Orioles where Kevin Gausman went eight innings and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. continued his dominance at the plate as he ended up being a single short of the cycle. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi (28:46) joins the guys to discuss what a potential contract extension would look like for Vlad and the Blue Jays need to spend in the offseason as a penalty for not being able to develop enough players that can make an impact at the major-league level.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.


