Blair & Barker

Jeff Blair opens today's show with thoughts on what went wrong for the Blue Jays during their 8-4 blowout at the hands of the Atlanta Braves. Brandon Gaudin, play-by-play voice of the Braves, discusses what's contributed to the team's slow start, how Spencer Strider's pending return will solidify the team's rotation, what to expect from Spencer Schwellenbach on the mound tonight, and the prioritie...

Jeff Blair is joined by Jim Bowden - former GM and MLB analyst with CBS Sports and the Athletic - to continue the conversation around Vladimir Guerrero Jr. making his extension official (0:46). They discuss the industry's reaction to Vladdy's deal, costly timing for the Jays and ownership's role in negotiations. Then, he tees up the Jays' series against the struggling Atlanta Braves. Later, Blue J...

Sportsnet's own Shi Davidi joins Jeff Blair live from Rogers Centre following the press conference announcing Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s contract extension. Shi discusses the role ownership played in the signing, how the rest of the league views the deal, the positive direction this move signifies for the franchise, and what's ahead for Bo Bichette. Later on, ESPN's Jeff Passan (23:12) shares his per...

Jeff Blair opens the program by teeing up today's press conference at Rogers Centre officially announcing Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s $500 million, 14-year contract extension. General Manager Ross Atkins, President and CEO Mark Shapiro, and Rogers Executive Chairman Edward Rogers III, join Vladdy on the podium as he puts the pen to paper to sign the historic deal. Jeff checks back in following the med...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (1:15) ahead of the team's weekend series in Baltimore. The skipper follows up on umpire Manny Gonzalez's questionable call in the Jays' series finale at Fenway and how he manages around inconsistent strike zones. Then, he gets into the pleasant surprise of Tyler Heineman, early concerns at the top of the lineup, the rotati...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open with thoughts on the Blue Jays' 3-2 extra innings loss to the Red Sox. They listen back to John Schneider's postgame comments about some questionable umpiring calls behind the plate, before teeing up tonight's matchup to open a three-game series against the Orioles. Toronto Blue Jays Pitching Coach Pete Walker (05:55) joins the show to discuss his rotation's histor...

Lou Merloni, former MLB infielder and current NESN analyst, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to tee up today's matinee at Fenway Park! He discusses Walker Buehler's start this afternoon, Boston's issues striking out, if the team's third base debate is finally put to rest, Tristan Casas' rough start at the plate, Trevor Story's deterioration, and Kristian Campbell's outlook. Afterwards, Jeff and K...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open today's show sorting through the Blue Jays' lineup ahead of this afternoon's series finale against the Red Sox. The guys look back on Kevin Gausman's elite performance in last night's win in Boston, with a focus on his adjustments game to game. They also zero in on Alejandro Kirk's night to forget on both sides of the ball, Jeff Hoffman's dominant two innings of wo...

Jensen Lewis of MLB Network Radio and By the Books on VSiN, kicks off the second hour of the show alongside Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker. He dives into Andrés Giménez' "fun factor", how the baseball world outside of Toronto views Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s contract, the state of the Guardians' bullpen, and Cleveland's outlook in 2025. Next, Jeff and Kevin discuss the reported details of Vlad's extensi...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off today's program with thoughts on the Blue Jays' 6-1 victory over the Red Sox powered by Easton Lucas. The duo highlight the work by Toronto's starter and "low leverage" bullpen arms in the win, the continued lack of power from the team's power bats, and John Schneider's level of trust among his relievers! Later, former MLB catcher and current Sportsnet analyst,...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open this hour giving away a pair of tickets, before welcoming on Blue Jays legend, Carlos Delgado! The two-time All-Star weighs in on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s mega-extension and the pressure that comes with signing a deal of that magnitude. Carlos also shares his view on the place of analytics in today's game, Vlad's ceiling as a power hitter, how to maintain on-field e...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show discussing the Blue Jays' win in their series opener against the Boston Red Sox, the positive changes in George Springer's mechanics and mental approach, Andrés Giménez's addition to the infield's defence, José Berríos battling through the cold weather at Fenway Park, and Pete Walker jawing back and forth with Red Sox third base coach Kyle Hudson. Then, M...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour of 'Vladurday' by going to the Back Leg Line to get your questions and takes on the Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s newly inked extension! Later, The Athletic's Jayson Stark joins the show (27:34) to discuss Vladdy's $500M deal from a broader, MLB point of view. He shares his thoughts on the deal itself before getting into how it might impact...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open this week with today's news: the Toronto Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. have agreed to a 14-year, $500 million extension! The guys dive into the specifics of the deal, the impact of the signing for the organization, and the how the outlook changes as time rolls on. Jeff and Kevin take some time to tee up Blue Jays upcoming series against the Red Sox at Fenway...

The Blue Jays are back in action, and so are Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker! The guys start by teeing up Kevin Gausman's start this afternoon in New York with thoughts on his unorthodox splitter grip, the rotation he's searching for, and its sustainability over the course of a season. Jeff and Kevin continue to set the stage by sorting through today's lineups, before ESPN MLB Insider Jeff Passan (27:...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome Tim Britton (0:24), Mets reporter with the Athletic, ahead of the Blue Jays' series at Citi Field. He gets into the state of the Mets' rotation without Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas, their team identity, how aggressive they'll be in the Vladdy Jr. free agency market, breakout candidates and much more. Finally, Jeff and Kevin dip into the Back Leg Line to answer...

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'...

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...

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 baseb...

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, shar...

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...

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 Sa...

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...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin Friday's show finding some positives from the Blue Jays' 12-2 loss to open the regular season. The conversation shifts to the underlying concerns that Opening Day exposed including José Berríos' ugly debut and the lack of offensive power, before looking into how the team can regroup ahead of tonight's game. Later on, Manager John Schneider (21:34) joins the guys t...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker kick off the show with Blue Jays’ play-by-play announcer Ben Shulman, discussing the Opening Day lineup, game expectations, Alejandro Kirk’s season outlook, Jose Berrios’ start, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s contract situation. Later, former MLB Manager Fredi Gonzalez (25:43) joins to share insights on Anthony Santander, strategies against Berrios, and his expectations fo...