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Blair & Barker

Sportsnet
1044 episodes   Last Updated: Jun 18, 25
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

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the second hour with some thoughts on the Stanley Cup Final before going to the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions, including whether Vladdy is a 'slow starter,' where Addison Barger fits best, Ernie Clement's potential and much more. Later, Blue Jays Central's Joe Siddall stops by (28:00) to share why he's not a fan of Vladdy hitting third in the order, the next step in Barger's development, how Eric Lauer has found success with his fastball, whether there's any concern for the bullpen's increased workload and how the Jays have gotten the best out of Alejandro Kirk.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.
Jun 18, 2025
New Look Success
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker take a look back at the Blue Jays' walk-off win in their series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks, how optimistic they are about the batting order finding success, the first game with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hitting third, and Addison Barger's future hitting in the two-hole. Then, D-Backs legend and special advisor Luis Gonzalez stops by (24:12) to chat about how the team has handled Corbin Burnes's injury, what Josh Naylor has brought to the lineup, if it's difficult to hit in today's game versus when he was playing, the tightly contested NL West, and Torey Lovullo's tenure has Arizona's manager.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 welcome in former MLB executive David Samson (0:23) to weigh in on the Rafael Devers blockbuster, why it was inevitable, Craig Breslow's comments on Devers after the trade and why the deal could be considered a win for the Red Sox. Then, he shares how the Blue Jays should approach the trade deadline, whether a 2026 lockout is a guarantee and much more. Later, Chris Leroux joins the show (29:53) from the booth at Rogers Centre to discuss Erik Swanson getting DFA'd, whether Bowden Francis can find his form with a reset on the IL and his expectations for Chris Bassitt in the Jays' series opener against the Diamondbacks.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 react to the Blue Jays roster moves, including Bowden Francis heading to the IL, Erik Swanson getting DFA'd and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. shifting one spot down in the batting order. Then, the guys chat about Shohei Ohtani's return to the mound since his Tommy John surgery and if this is the best case for the L.A. Dodgers moving forward. Then, D-Backs reporter Nick Piecoro stops by (27:50) to chat about the team's pitching injuries including Corbin Burnes undergoing Tommy John, how Rafael Devers playing in the NL West impacts Arizona's approach to the trade deadline, Josh Naylor's future, and what has kept Gabriel Moreno in 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.
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome Blue Jays radio play-by-play voice Ben Shulman (1:15) to reflect on the team's series in Philadelphia where they were swept by the Phillies. They discuss the positives from Bowden Francis's latest start, Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s swing decisions and Max Scherzer's rehab start. Then, Jeff and Kevin get into whether John Schneider should separate Bo and Vladdy in the lineup. Later, MLB Network insider Jon Morosi (24:56) shares what led to Rafael Devers getting traded from the Boston Red Sox, the Giants' management's aggression and Shohei Ohtani's return to the mound for the Dodgers.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 recap the Blue Jays weekend series against the Phillies,  signs of improvement from Bowden Francis despite the losing result, Chad Green and Eric Swanson's inconsistency, and growing concerns about Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s at-bat decisions. Then, the guys shift their attention to an MLB-shaking trade that saw long-time Boston Red Sox's Rafael Devers moved to the San Francisco Giants and the end of a season-long drama within Boston's clubhouse. Afterwards, former MLB player and Giants' analyst F.P. Santangelo (29:11) stops by to give his thoughts on the team's newest addition to the lineup, how the Red Sox may have handled juggling Devers' role, and his ideal lineup for the Giants.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.
Jun 13, 2025
Rematch in Philly
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by former Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. (1:00) ahead of the Blue Jays' weekend series in Philadelphia to kick off the final hour of the week. They get into the Phillies' recent power outage, what the Jays bats can expect from Ranger Suárez, Cristopher Sanchez, and Zach Wheeler, what's gone wrong for former Phillie Jeff Hoffman in Toronto and much more. Then, Jeff and Kevin review Hoffman's availability ahead of his return to Philly. Finally, USA Today MLB insider Bob Nightengale (31:40) looks at the Blue Jays' recent hot streak and how it will impact their approach to the trade deadline, the teams that will be most aggressive on the trade market ahead of July 31, and why the Dodgers' pitchers can't stay healthy.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 preview the Blue Jays' rematch against the Phillies in Philadelphia, how they can attack left-handed pitcher Ranger Suárez, why Toronto's lineup performs well against lefties, and whether Kevin Gausman can build off his 6-inning outing against the Minnesota Twins. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (25:58) stops by to chat about his lineup's success against lefties, updates on his injured players including Max Scherzer's rehab stint in Buffalo, Kevin Gausman's splitter, how Jeff Hoffman has handled his recent up and down stretch and if Yariel Rodriguez is ready for an extended 9th-inning role.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 welcome ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (3:17) in on the Blue Jays' off-day. They get into where the Jays rank among the best batting orders in baseball, how recent headline pitcher injuries shape the trade market, how the Braves approach the deadline and much more. Later, WEEI Red Sox reporter Rob Bradford (29:15) joins the show to discuss the dysfunction in Boston, the plan for Rafael Devers, their deadline priorities and how they've handled Roman Anthony's arrival.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 revisit the Blue Jays' sweep of the Cardinals in St. Louis. They get into whether Yariel Rodriguez is ready to take over the closer's role, whether it's beneficial to have multiple options available to pitch in the 9th inning and the Jays' identity and plate approach through June. Then, Jeff and Kevin go through the Back Leg Line to hear listeners' calls!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.