Blair & Barker – Details, episodes & analysis

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the second hour with ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (1:05) to detail his latest article surrounding the Boston Red Sox's messy breakup with Rafael Devers. He chronicles the lack of continuity in the Red Sox management structure, their declining payroll year over year and how this saga impacts the Red Sox's future ability to recruit high-profile free agents. Then, he weighs in on which AL teams will emerge in the postseason, the Braves' deadline direction and the Dodgers/Padres rivalry heating up. Finally, former MLB second baseman Gordon Beckham (30:21) stops by to tee up the Chicago White Sox's weekend series against the Toronto Blue Jays.

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 put a cap on the Blue Jays' series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Vlad Jr.'s comfortability in the third spot in the order, Kevin Gausman's reflection on his performances in June and loss to the D-Backs, and how Toronto's front office will look into the pitching market in search of a number two starter. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider (24:30) stops by to chat about Nick Sandlin's return to the main roster, Addison Barger's transition into the outfield and up in the batting order, Alejandro Kirk's bat finding a way to the opposite field, and if Gausman will have to tinker with his pitches as he progresses through his career.

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 kick off this off-day episode celebrating the Blue Jays' sweep of the Nationals to push them atop the American League East! The guys start off with thoughts on how the switch to playing outdoors could impact Toronto's young players as the team heads to New York to take on the Mets. They also chat about the team's standouts and surprises from the first week, the Dodgers' winning ways to kick off the season, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s form early on. Joe Siddall (24:00), former MLB catcher and current Sportsnet analyst, joins the guys on the heels of the Jays' first homestand of 2025. Joe weighs in on the team's depth contributors, the sustainability of their hot start, early impressions of Alan Roden, George Springer, Bowden Francis, Yariel Rodriguez, Anthony Santander, and Guerrero, before sharing his expectation for the team's upcoming road trip.

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 program teeing up this afternoon's snowy series finale against the Nationals in search of a sweep. They begin with thoughts on the Blue Jays' game plan to attack opposing starter Mackenzie Gore, what's behind Anthony Santander's slow start, and Davis Schneider's opportunity in the lineup today. Jeff and Kevin also share their expectations for Easton Lucas ahead of his first start of the season, before looking into how John Schneider has deployed his bullpen early on and José Berríos' bounce-back start last night. The guys chat about Kristian Campbell and Jackson Merrill signing long-term extensions, before Blue Jays Manager John Schneider joins the show (29:55)! Skip shares his view on Lucas getting the ball for today's game, Yariel Rodriguez' efforts out of the 'pen, Jeff Hoffman's early returns, George Springer's hot start, and what's stood out about Alan Roden and Will Wagner. John wraps up by answering this week's fan question from Darrell in Ingersoll!

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 Kevin Frandsen (0:50), Washington Nationals TV colour analyst, former MLB player, and host of MLB Network Radio, to discuss the potential of Vlad Jr. receiving an offer from the Nats if he entered free agency, CJ Abrams’ ceiling, the rising star of James Wood, what would define a successful season for the team, the future trajectory of the Washington baseball club, scouting report on left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore, and weighs in on the controversial torpedo bats. Then, Jeff and Kevin look ahead to Jose Berrios' second start of the year and how he can bounce back from Opening Day in the Blue Jays' second game against the Nationals.

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 today's show with thoughts on the Blue Jays' 5-2 victory over the Nationals to move above .500 for the first time in 2025. The guys break down Andrés Giménez' third home run in his first five games, Bowden Francis' first outing of the season, and George Springer's promising start to the year. Dan Shulman (24:50), play-by-play of the Blue Jays on Sportsnet, shares his view on Brendon Little's work out of the bullpen, how José Berríos can rebound from his rough Opening Day start, and the sustainability of Springer's hot start. Dan also weighs in on Will Wagner and Alan Roden's expectations in 2025, Davis Schneider's stats that matter, what's behind Anthony Santander's slow start, early returns of Alejandro Kirk hitting behind Giménez, 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.

Former MLB General Manager, Jim Bowden, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to share his take on the Yankees' use of "torpedo bats", how the Blue Jays' signing of Max Scherzer looks in hindsight, and what's behind Rafael Devers' 0-for-16 start to the season. Jim also chats about Rōki Sasaki's rough outing for the Dodgers, as well as what to make of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s agency being in attendance over the weekend. Blair and Barker wrap up with thoughts on Alan Roden's MLB debut, if his approach at the plate is sustainable, Bo Bichette's form to start to season, and what to expect heading into a three-game set with the Nationals (23:55).

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 this week on the program looking back on the Blue Jays' opening series of the 2025 season. They dive into Max Scherzer's thumb injury that limited the veteran's debut in Toronto, Yariel Rodriguez' performance out of the bullpen, the options to fill out the rotation, George Springer's change in approach and the lack of power from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Anthony Santander. Later, Jeff and Kevin share their take on the "torpedo bat" the Yankees have implemented. Chris Leroux (31:20), former MLB pitcher and current Sportsnet Blue Jays analyst, joins the conversation to share his view the new bat technology being utilized, before weighing in on Chris Bassitt's 105-pitch outing and Rodriguez' form in Sunday's series finale.

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 start the second hour by going to the Back Leg Line where they answer your burning Blue Jays questions after a lopsided Opening Day loss at the Rogers Centre. Later, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan (27:11) joins the show to discuss his chat with Juan Soto, Soto declaring himself 'the best hitter of all time,' and his ceiling with the Mets. Then, the three get into how the standard of Hall of Fame pitching is shifting, whether Teoscar Hernandez is underappreciated 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 affiliate.