Blair & Barker

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's episode with thoughts on Team Canada's historic win over Cuba to qualify for the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic. They touch on the complicating factors of José Berríos' injury, before digging in on the players that contributed to Canada's success. Kevin Gausman (06:58), Toronto Blue Jays pitcher, joins the boys live from Dunedin to discuss the team's revamped rotation, building off last year's World Series run, and his process of getting ready for the season. KG also chats about being a baseball dad, his first impressions of Dylan Cease, the potential of starting on Opening Day, and much more! Later, we hear John Schneider's comments on Berríos' status, before the boys open up the "Back Leg Line" to respond to your questions and comments (26:48). 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 today's show with thoughts on Team USA's loss to Italy in the World Baseball Classic, opening the possibility of USA not qualifying for the quarterfinals. Jon Morosi (07:17), MLB Network insider, joins the boys to reflect on Manager Mark DeRosa's confusion about his team's clinching scenario, how the Italians were able to complete the upset, and Canada's outlook heading into this afternoon's must-win against Cuba. Joe Siddall (30:00), former MLB catcher and Sportsnet Blue Jays analyst, checks in to discuss Canada's opportunity to advance, before checking in the standout performers from Blue Jays spring training. They touch on Toronto's stretch of four-consecutive shutout wins, Brandon Valenzuela's upside behind the plate, the battle for the final rotation spots, Addison Barger's strong spring, and what Dylan Cease needs to get to the next 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show setting up this afternoon's Blue Jays game against the Atlanta Braves with José Berríos taking the mound. They sort through the lineups for today's game and detail how the bullpen is shaping up, before moving on to discuss tonight's World Baseball Classic matchup between Canada and Puerto Rico with Sportsnet's Shi Davidi (12:21). They dive into the strengths and weaknesses of Team Canada's squad and outline their path to the quarterfinals. David Samson (28:22), former MLB executive and host of Nothing Personal, chats about the business side of the WBC, the best stories from the tournament so far, Randy Arozarena and Cal Raleigh's moment at home plate, 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off a new week on the program with thoughts on Team Canada's first weekend of action at the World Baseball Classic. They begin with James Paxton's costly error in Sunday's 4-3 loss to Panama, before taking a look at how some Blue Jays players are faring around the tournament. The boys pivot to the Grapefruit League to chat about the Jays' three-win weekend including Max Scherzer's four scoreless innings of work and Cody Ponce's latest outing. Chris Rose (27:23) of Jomboy Media joins to chat about Canada's path to the quarterfinals and the rise of the WBC over the years, before setting the stage for knockout round. 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 begin the final episode of this week setting up this afternoon's Blue Jays vs. Braves Grapefruit League matchup with Dylan Cease missing today's start. They pivot to chat about the preliminary World Baseball Classic action with Cal Quantrill (09:02), pitcher for Team Canada! He chats about the opportunity ahead of the squad, switching gears from spring training to tournament play, the Group A competition, and their mentality heading into their first game Saturday. Later, Dan Shulman (27:38), Blue Jays play-by-play voice on Sportsnet, discusses the biggest stories out of Dunedin, the battle for the rotation, the prospects making the most noise, and early outlook for the bullpen. 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 today's show with thoughts on Tuesday's matinee between Team Canada and the Toronto Blue Jays and Kevin Gausman's two innings of work. Jon Morosi (09:13), MLB Network insider, stops by to set up the upcoming World Baseball Classic, before discussing the possibility on baseball being an Olympic event in 2028. Jon also touches on the strength of Team USA, the contenders to win the tournament, the dark house teams to keep an eye on, and what to expect as Canada takes on the Phillies this afternoon. After the break, the boys open up the "Back Leg Line" to respond to your questions and 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's program with thoughts Team Canada's lineup as they get set to face the Blue Jays in this afternoon's World Baseball Classic tune-up game. The boys pivot to chat about the battle for the Jays final rotation spot and how the back-end of the bullpen is shaping up. Dale Scott (09:21), former MLB umpire, joins to chat about the new Automated Ball-Strike system, how it could change the relationship between players and umpires, and offers insight into calling a game. Later, ESPN's Jeff Passan (28:42) discusses how ABS could change our view on umpires, Max Scherzer's one-year deal, and Konnor Griffin's immense potential in Pittsburgh. 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 a new week on the show with thoughts on Max Scherzer joining the Blue Jays down in Dunedin. Florida. The boys look back on the Jays' weekend of Grapefruit League action, before projecting Friday's anticipated José Berríos-Eric Lauer tandem on the mound. Could this be an indicator of what's to come this season? They also chat about Jeff Hoffman's role in 2026, how the rotation is shaping up, and who might potentially be the odd-man-out. Kevin Pillar (27:47), former Blue Jay and host of To the Majors, stops by to chat about the impact of re-signing Scherzer, his experience facing Dylan Cease, and expectations for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in 2026. KP wraps up with a discussion about Daulton Varsho's strong spring so far, balancing outfield and DH reps for George Springer, 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open Friday's program with a preview of this afternoon's Blue Jays vs. Rays spring training game. They look back on Thursday's 8-7 loss to the Marlins and discuss Andrés Giménez' first home run of the spring, before projecting how the Jays rotation and 26-man roster might come together ahead of Opening Day. The boys also take a moment to chat about Alek Manoah's comments about Toronto's World Series run, before Jayson Stark (15:08) of The Athletic joins to discuss his recent piece on the Blue Jays outlook in 2026. He debates if the team is better equipped this season, how to manage the rotation, and Jeff Hoffman's opportunity to bounce back. Later, MLB Network host Robert Flores (30:50) chats about the Jays' ability to rebound this year, the players at camp he's keeping his eye on, the Max Scherzer signing, the upcoming World Baseball Classic and Tarik Skubal's limited 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 Thursday's podcast with thoughts on Blue Jays re-signing Max Scherzer to a one-year, $3 million deal with plenty of incentives. Ben Nicholson-Smith (10:47), Sportsnet's MLB insider and host of At the Letters, joins the boys to share how this morning breaking news came together and who might be the odd-man-out of the rotation. BNS also highlights Cody Ponce's first start in a Blue Jays uniform, the bats vying for a roster spot, and how the batting order might shape up. Later, we hear from the man himself, Max Scherzer (27:25)! The starter shares what sparked his reunion with the Jays, his goals for the upcoming season, and his thoughts on the ABS system. 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 today's show with a recap of the Blue Jays' 8-7 loss to the Yankees in spring training action. They tee up Cody Ponce's start this afternoon against the Tigers, discuss how to properly evaluate talent in the Grapefruit League, and gauge their expectations for Eloy Jiménez, Jesús Sánchez and Daulton Varsho in 2026. Adam Ottavino (14:50), former MLB pitcher and host of Baseball and Coffee, chats about his return to the mound for Team Italy in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. Adam also touches on the Yankees' mentality against the Blue Jays, Gerrit Cole's return to the mound, the American League East landscape, and the newly-implemented ABS system. Later, we hear the latest from Manager John Schneider, before Sportsnet's Caleb Joseph (29:34) joins the program. They chat about how players are utilizing the challenge system early on, Ponce's first Blue Jays start, what Drew Butera brings to the coaching staff, and the opportunity for some Rule 5 relievers. 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 today's show reacting to Kazuma Okamoto's first Blue Jays home run in Monday's spring training game. The boys take some time to set up this afternoon's game against the Yankees and look back on José Berríos first start of the spring, before discussing Ricky Tiedemann's setback, Eric Lauer's post-arbitration comments, and Tyler Rogers first impressions. Later, the boys question how the American League East will shake out in 2026, share an update on Trey Yesavage as he continues to ramp up, and project where Jesús Sánchez might slot into the batting order. Jeff and Kevin wrap up with thoughts what Drew Butera brings to the Jays coaching staff, Brandon Valenzuela's upside, and some positional battles around the diamond. 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 kick off a new week on the program breaking down the Blue Jays first two games of Spring Training. They begin with thoughts on what José Berríos' role might look like this season, Shane Bieber's status as we ramp up to Opening Day, and first impressions of Kazuma Okamoto. The boys then set up this afternoon's game against the Mets and discuss the scrutiny surrounding Bo Bichette's first reps at third base. Sportsnet's Madison Shipman (18:01) joins to share her early takeaways from Jays camp so far including Daulton Varsho's breakout potential and Berríos' first spring start today. Later Tim Britton (27:08) of The Athletic checks in on Bichette's work at the hot corner, how Canadian Jonah Tong might factor into the pitching staff, Francisco Lindor's injury, positional battles around the diamond, 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.

With the Blue Jays' Grapefruit League season kicking off on Saturday, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open up the Back Leg Line for the first time this season to take your calls and questions! They get into how the Jays will replace Bo Bichette's offensive production, how the team can avoid another slow start to the season, and whether a 'bullpen-by-committee' can work in the playoffs. Then, Jeff and Kevin react to the news that the Blue Jays are negotiating with Max Scherzer before welcoming Greg Hamilton (30:49), Director of National Teams and Baseball Canada coach, to the show to help set the stage for the World Baseball Classic. Greg discusses the WBC's evolution since its debut in 2006, what he's looking forward to most at the tournament, and the state of Canadian baseball.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 continue to count down to the Blue Jays' first taste of Grapefruit League action against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday. They discuss the introduction of the ABS challenge rule and whether any Jays will be 'exempt' from using it in a game. Then, they look at the rotation and project who will occupy the fourth and fifth starter roles, share expectations for Trey Yesavage's first full MLB season, and react to the news that Kevin Gausman is considering retirement following this year. Later, Blue Jays radio voice Ben Shulman stops by (25:45) from Dunedin to discuss the mood around camp, the battle for roster spots in the bullpen, Ricky Tiedemann's Spring outlook, and where Leo Jimenez fits in the mix of infielders.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 follow up on yesterday's conversation on whether or not the Blue Jays are better than they were at this point last year. Then, they discuss whether Leo Jimenez could crack the big-league roster, pitchers on the roster bubble, what to expect from Kazuma Okamoto in the field, and the pressure on Jeff Hoffman. Sportsnet MLB insider Shi Davidi (28:54) joins the show from Dunedin to share insight into the timeline of Anthony Santander's injury, his first impressions of Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce, the team's plan for Okamoto, 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.

With Spring Training games around the corner, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back to their daily schedule! They start with Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s comments about being 'happier' this season, whether the Jays are better this year than last year — even without Bo Bichette, and where the Jays stand in a much-improved American League. Then, they discuss the biggest camp storylines for the Jays, including where Kazuma Okamoto will line up, whether the number of Jays in the World Baseball Classic is cause for concern, and if Jesús Sánchez fits as a clean-up hitter. Later, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (32:02) stops by to discuss what Tony Clark's recent resignation as MLBPA executive director means for upcoming MLB CBA talks and why players should be concerned about an impending lockout.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.

With pitchers and catchers reporting for Spring Training, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back! They discuss what to expect from a post-Bo Bichette Blue Jays lineup, how Kazuma Okamoto's production in Japan will translate to the MLB level, and why the bullpen is still the biggest weakness heading into the 2026 regular season. Then, they get into José Berríos's role for the Jays moving forward, Toronto's standing in a much-improved AL East, and whether there's cause for concern over the number of Jays participating in the World Baseball Classic.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.

Blake Murphy and Kevin Barker are in for an offseason edition to react to Kyle Tucker signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the New York Mets signing Bo Bichette, and what it means for the Blue Jays. They start with Bo and what the Jays' lineup will look like without their long-time shortstop and his fit at third base with the Mets. Then, they discuss where the Jays may turn for an impact bat, how aggressively they should approach Cody Bellinger's market, and whether adding to the bullpen is a higher priority at this point. Finally, Blake and Kevin look at Cardinals' infielder Brendan Donovan as a potential trade target, and where the Jays stand in an improved AL East if their offseason work is now complete.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 Sho Alli listen in on the Toronto Blue Jays' newest addition, Kazumo Okamoto's press conference. They follow up with their thoughts on the move, a discussion on what the six-time NPB All-Star brings to the lineup, and a projection of what comes next in the Blue Jays' offseason, including where the team stands in Bo Bichette and Kyle Tucker's market.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.