Blair & Barker

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph (0:49) to go over the Blue Jays' Game 4 win and how they keep it rolling in Game 5. He discusses Max Scherzer's throwback start, how John Schneider will adjust in managing Kevin Gausman, how the bats attack Bryce Miller, and what's behind Andrés Giménez's recent offensive breakthrough. Then, Jeff and Kevin discuss Giménez's impact, Scherzer's mound-meeting moment and Ernie Clement's evolution before listening in on the Jays' pre-game availability. 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 open Friday's show with thoughts on the Blue Jays' Game 4 victory over the Seattle Mariners. Dan Plesac, former MLB pitcher and current MLB Network analyst, discusses Toronto's momentum moving forward and Max Scherzer's fiery interaction with John Schneider in the fifth inning, before setting the stage for Kevin Gausman's start in Game 5 this evening. Derek Shelton (26:10), former MLB player and manager, joins the guys to chat about how each team in the ALCS has managed their pitching staff, how to approach Bryce Miller, Trey Yesavage's meteoric rise, Isiah Kiner-Falefa's utility, and George Springer's resurgence. Derek wraps up his segment addressing his future in Major League Baseball, before Jeff and Kevin weigh in on Addison Barger's outfield defence.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 former Seattle Mariners' manager and current special assistant with the San Diego Padres, Scott Servais (3:53) to chat about Luis Castillo as a starter, how Cal Raleigh grew into an MVP-caliber ballplayer, Julio Rodríguez's performance with the team, the magnitude of the ALCS for Seattle, how well home field advantage plays in post-season baseball, and how a manager's game planning changes from the regular season to playoffs. Then, Jeff and Kevin react to Isiah Kiner-Falefa being inserted into the lineup with Anthony Santander being placed on the bench. To wrap up, the guys look ahead to Max Scherzer's return to the postseason mound. 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 look back on the Blue Jays' 13-4 win over the Seattle Mariners to pull back to 2-1 in the ALCS, highlighting Shane Bieber bouncing back after a shaky first inning and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. getting back to his ALDS form. Buck Martinez joins the show (6:54) to discuss the Jays' aggressive approach in Game 3, Bieber's adjustment, what to expect from Max Scherzer in Game 4 after nearly a month since his last start, and Ernie Clement's growth. Later, MLB on TBS's Jeff Francoeur stops by (29:06) ahead of Game 3 in the NLCS to discuss the pitching showcase between the Dodgers and Brewers, Shohei Ohtani's postseason slump, and what to expect from Tyler Glasnow. Finally, Jeff and Kevin react to the Mariners announcing Bryce Miller as the Game 5 starter and break down Daulton Varsho's clutch two-run double in Game 3.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 2015 AL MVP with the Blue Jays, Josh Donaldson (3:35), to chat about his experience being doing 0-2 in a series, batting in Seattle, blocking out the noise of the Mariners' strength in pitching, combating the elevated fastball and his thoughts on Cal Raleigh's historic offensive season. Then, he looks back at Jose Bautista's iconic bat flip and the controversial and chaotic inning leading up to it. Later, Jays radio analyst Chris Leroux joins the guys (28:18) to chat about how Shane Bieber can be dominant against the Mariners' batters, holding batters away from hitting towards the 'big part' of the field, Anthony Santander and Addison Barger switching spots in the batting order, Chris Bassitt's outing out of the bullpen in Game 2, and sets the scene for T-Mobile Park. 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 open their discussion on their expectations for Shane Bieber in his second postseason start ahead of Game 3 in Seattle, how the Blue Jays' hitters should game plan against George Kirby, and how the season will be viewed if Toronto falls out of the ALCS. Then, they turn their attention to the L.A. Dodgers taking a 2-0 series lead over the Milwaukee Brewers. Later, 4-time World Series champion, member of the '01 Mariners and current Yankees & Marlins analyst Jeff Nelson stops by (28:55) to chat about his experience in New York completing a 0-2 comeback against the Atlanta Braves in 1996, the intimidation of a road game, if he sees changes to the Yankees roster, bullpen days in the postseason, and how managers are utilizing their starters. To wrap up, Jeff and Kevin react to John Schneider changing up the batting order with Anthony Santander returning and hitting cleanup. 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 TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman (1:24) to chat about the positives coming out of the first two losses against the Seattle Mariners, if John Schneider will make any changes to the batting order, whether Shane Bieber can bounce back in his second postseason start, Trey Yesavage's Game 2 outing, and if Jeff Hoffman has got back his command of his pitches. Then, we hear from Jays' closer Hoffman in his off-day availability before bringing on former pitcher and VSiN host Jensen Lewis (28:15) to get his thoughts on how Bieber can find success against Seattle, the adjustments the Jays need to make for Game 3, pitching decisions from Alejandro Kirk, and where he sees the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers series moving towards.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 look back on the Blue Jays' 10-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners in Game 2 to fall into an 0-2 hole in the ALCS. They break down the meat of the order's struggles, Jorge Polanco's go-ahead home run and John Schneider's pitcher decisions before discussing what the Jays need to do to turn it around in Game 3 in Seattle. Then, World Series champion manager Joe Maddon stops by (27:15) to discuss managing around analytics in the postseason, when to pull a starter from a playoff start, and how the Jays approach Cal Raleigh.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 Passan, ESPN MLB insider, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of Game 2 of the ALDS. They touch on Anthony Santander's late scratch, what to expect from Trey Yesavage in his second-career playoff start, and feelings in Toronto down 0-1 in the series. Jeff also checks in on the strength of the Mariners' pitching staff, Jorge Polanco's ability to perform in high-pressure spots, and what to make of John Schneider's decision making. Later, the boys listen in to Shane Bieber's media availability ahead of his Game 3 start on Wednesday. Ryan Divish (28:02) of the Seattle Times gets us set for first pitch with thoughts on Cal Raleigh's defensive prowess, the difference makers in the M's lineup, the team's ability to keep their arms fresh, and what to expect from Logan Gilbert.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 hit the airwaves following the Blue Jays' 3-1 loss at the hands of the Seattle Mariners to open the American League Championship Series. They break down John Schneider's decision to pull Kevin Gausman in the sixth inning, Bryce Miller's performance on short rest, and what caused Toronto's bats to fall silent in Game 1. The boys also touch on the crowd noise at Rogers Centre last night, and how it compared to the electric atmosphere during the ALDS. Caleb Joseph (22:35), former MLB catcher and current Sportsnet analyst, discusses how to attack Cal Raleigh at the plate, what went wrong for Brendon Little last night, and the scouting report for today’s opposing starter, Logan Gilbert. Caleb also checks in on Raleigh's elite defence behind the plate and how to navigate bullpen usage throughout a seven-game series. The boys wrap up this hour with thoughts on John Schneider's pregame comments.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.