

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 8, 2024 • 50min
The Orioles' Ceiling & ChiSox Choose Sizemore
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker are joined by MASN Orioles analyst Ben McDonald (0:29) to help tee up the the rubber match of the AL East's Battle of the Birds tonight. He discusses how agressive Baltimore will be in resigning Anthony Santander, Jackson Holliday's development and more. Ben and Kevin take a look at the playoff landscape in both leagues before reviewing John Schneider's pre-game availability. Later, MLB Network's Jensen Lewis (27:58) weighs in on Pedro Grifol's dismissal in Chicago and shares what his former teammate, Grady Sizemore, brings to the White Sox dugout in the interim manager role. Finally, Jensen shares his view of the Jays, the class of the NL and the AL MVP race.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 8, 2024 • 50min
Buck Showalter Joins the Show!
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker examine Toronto’s 7-3 loss to the Orioles before reacting to comments made by MLB Network analyst Mark DeRosa on the state of the Blue Jays. Four-time manager of the year and current MLB Network analyst Buck Showalter (28:35) discusses the White Sox moving on from manager Pedro Grifol, his views on the Jays, the Yankees and Orioles battling it out for the AL East division crown and how Aaron Boone should handle teams intentionally walking superstar Aaron Judge.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 7, 2024 • 49min
Making Sense of Shapiro & Starting Catcher Checklist
Ben Ennis, filling in for Jeff Blair, and Kevin Barker are joined by Sportsnet.ca's Shi Davidi (1:03) to help break down Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro's media availability today. He shares his initial takeaways, possible offseason priorities, Shapiro's contract situation and how it limits the Jays' free-agent spending options. Former catcher & MLB Network's Chris Gimenez (29:09) discusses how the catcher position has evolved since his playing days, Alejandro Kirk's 2025 outlook and the next steps for the White Sox after snapping their 21-game losing streak.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 7, 2024 • 50min
Mark Shapiro Speaks
Ben Ennis and Kevin Barker share their thoughts on Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro’s comments after he met with the media for the first time since the start of the season. Chris Rose (27:50) of Jomboy Media examines the Blue Jays difficult season and discusses if Toronto missed their best chance at signing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to a contract extension before touching on the Guardians lead in the AL Central, the White Sox struggles, and who he’s buying in the National League to go on a run.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 6, 2024 • 50min
Stretch Run Strategies & Jays-Orioles Preview
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Jays TV analyst Buck Martinez (2:31) to discuss the team's biggest challenges down the stretch. He gets into the plan for the 'Big 3' starters, position players who can make a big impression on their future roles, the outlook for the bullpen and the team's long-term plans at catcher. MASN Orioles reporter Roch Kubatko (30:11) tees up the O's-Jays series getting kicked off in Toronto tonight, how Baltimore's deadline additions can raise the team's ceiling, Jackson Holliday's growing role and 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.

Aug 6, 2024 • 50min
Another White Sox Loss & Ryan Dempster
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open up the show discussing Joey Votto and when he’ll be making his Blue Jays debut. ESPN’s Jesse Rogers (12:50) discusses the White Sox amidst their epic losing streak after they tied the American League record with their 21st consecutive loss. Ryan Dempster (27:18) of MLB Network’s Intentional Talk catches up with the guys and discusses how the Blue Jays should handle their veteran starters down the stretch.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 5, 2024 • 49min
The Evolution of Canadian Women's Baseball
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome Blue Jays Central's Caleb Joseph (1:06) to break down the Blue Jays' weekend series loss against the Yankees. He gets into the team's decision to pull Yariel Rodríguez early in his last start, how the Jays can stay motivated on the outside of the playoff race and players that we need to learn more about down the stretch. Later, Canadian Women's baseball team shortstop Mia Valcke (27:52) reflects on her bronze-medal run at the 2024 WBSC Women's World Cup and the evolution of women's baseball in Canada.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 5, 2024 • 50min
Vladimir Guerrero Jr: AL Player of the Week
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' weekend in the Bronx after losing two of three to the Yankees. After the break, they react to the breaking news of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. being named American League player of the week before welcoming Bill Shaikin (30:11) of the Los Angeles Times to the show. Bill examines Mike Trout’s injury setback and its impact on his Hall of Fame candidacy before looking at the Dodgers and their outlook following the trade deadline. To end the hour, Jeff and Kevin discuss the Chicago White Sox and their 20-game losing streak.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 2, 2024 • 50min
Around the Bigs with Bob Nightengale & Back Leg Line!
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour of the Friday show by answering your questions on the Back Leg Line! Then, USA Today's Bob Nightengale (33:22) goes around the big leagues and touches on the biggest headlines coming out of the deadline, including the Padres' second-half strides, Guerrero Jr's extension situation, Mike Trout's season-ending injury and much more. To close out the week, Jeff and Kevin chat about how the Royals avoid making the same mistakes with Bobby Witt Jr. that the Angels made with Trout.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 2, 2024 • 50min
John Schneider Joins Post-Deadline
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (10:59) to reflect on his new-look roster following the trade deadline and what’s been behind Vladimir Guerrero’s mid-season resurgence at the plate ahead of this weekend’s series against the New York Yankees. Speaking of the Yankees, YES Network’s Jack Curry (31:03) discusses the team’s recent play and previews this weekend’s series in The Bronx.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.


