Blair & Barker

Erik Kratz, former MLB catcher and host of Foul Territory, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of the Blue Jays' second game against the Red Sox (3:21). They discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s slump, Max Scherzer being moved to the IL, the state of the American League, the Red Sox's struggles at home, how the Phillies turned it around under Don Mattingly, and why the Brewers should swing big at t...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays manager John Schneider (0:45) to chat about Max Scherzer being placed on the 15-day IL, Braydon Fisher getting the opener spot against the Boston Red Sox, Shane Bieber's most recent rehab outing, how Fenway Park and Wrigley Field affects a hitter's mindset, George Springer hitting his 300th homerun, what impresses him from Miles Straw, Alejandro...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the second hour hearing from Blue Jays' manager John Schneider ahead of their three-game series against the Red Sox in Boston before being joined by WEEI's and host of Baseball Isn't Boring Rob Bradford to discuss why the franchise doesn't have a concrete plan for their future, Roman Anthony's injury concerns, who is likely to be moved at the trade deadline, and t...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker begin the show previewing the Blue Jays road series against the Boston Red Sox, how the Jays should gameplan against lefty Payton Tolle and Fenway Park. Then, ESPN's and Sources Tell Jeff Passan joins the guys to chat about the 1994 MLB strike, if this generation of owners and players would navigate a work stoppage, why he's not given up on the Blue Jays, the American L...

Blue Jays reporter and recent recipient of the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame's Jack Graney Award, Hazel Mae (1:57), joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to kick off the second hour of the off-day edition. She shares her thoughts on the Jays' series loss against the Yankees, missed opportunities on offence, and the bullpen's workload. Then, co-host of Intentional Talk and former MLB pitcher Ryan Demp...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' weekend series against the New York Yankees, why some of their biggest takeaways weren't the lack of extra base hits, whether Alejandro Kirk should have started the second game, growing concerns with how the bullpen performed against New York, Yankees shortstop Jose Caballero's pitch clock antics and John Schneider's thoughts on the issue. Then the...

Sportsnet's Shi Davidi (10:20) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of the Blue Jays' series opener against the Yankees. They break down the Jays' recent roster moves with Tyler Heineman being DFA'd, whether George Springer could be back in the outfield, Addison Barger's rehab progress, and the plan for Max Scherzer as Shane Bieber nears a return. Later, ESPN's Tim Kurkjian (31:11) stops by to...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker share their reaction to the Blue Jays' roster moves including reinstating Alejandro Kirk, recalling Davis Schneider, Daulton Varsho placed on the IL and designating Tyler Henieman for assignment before bringing on the Jays' manager John Schneider (2:24). The skipper explains some of the moves, Shane Bieber's status, how he will balance the workload for Kirk and Brandon...

Buffalo Bisons manager Casey Candaele (2:27) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker following some rehab starts from Dylan Cease, Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber. The skipper outlines the plan for Bieber's second rehab start tonight, what Bisons regulars have learned from the experienced group of starters, Davis Schneider's progress at the plate, and much more. Later, Jeff and Kevin open the Back Leg Lin...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Max Scherzer's return outing against the Philadelphia Phillies, how the Blue Jays should use him moving forward after the loss, and where the Jays rank in extra-base hits through June. Then, Chris Rose (26:56) of Baseball Today joins the guys to chat about how John Schneider and the rest of the staff should approach Scherzer about his future, the need for Vlad Jr....

Former Blue Jays MVP Josh Donaldson (0:43) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to kick off the second hour. He shares his experience playing in a local slow-pitch softball game, the challenges Max Scherzer faces as he returns to the Jays' rotation, and how Vladimir Guerrero Jr. can get his power back. Then, Jeff and Kevin listen to John Schneider's pre-game availability ahead of the Jays' series fin...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap Dylan Cease's successful outing following his IL stint against the Phillies, if he has a case to make the All-Star game, why Brandon Valenzuela has solidified his case to remain on the main roster once Alejandro Kirk comes back, George Springer's return to lead-off after Vladimir Guerrero Jr. held his spot for one game, what Vlad Jr. should focus on during his at-...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour by listening to John Schneider's availability ahead of the Blue Jays' second game against the Philadelphia Phillies, where the skipper discussed the decision to move Vladdy Jr. to the leadoff spot. Then, Phillies manager and former Blue Jays bench coach Don Mattingly joins the show (8:10) to discuss taking over the manager job mid-season, what he l...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker share their reaction to reinstating Dylan Cease to start in their second game against the Phillies and sending Adam Macko to Triple-A, the new batting order with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. moved to the leadoff spot, why George Springer won't be an everyday player moving forward, and how Cease should attack the Phillies' hitters. Then, MLB Network's Jon Morosi joins the guys...

Former MLB president and host of 'Nothing Personal,' David Samson (1:08), joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss the Jays' potential solutions for a struggling Jeff Hoffman, the number of voices around Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s hitting, whether Aaron Judge's injury will up the Yankees' deadline aggression, and why the Tigers should act now on Tarik Skubal after his first rehab stint. Later, Je...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' weekend series against the Baltimore Orioles, including their 6-4 win, the comeback in the 6th inning, Jeff Hoffman's blown save in their second game, Ernie Clement dodging Gunnar Henderson's tag, Kevin Gausman's outing against his former team and his slider usage. Then, former MLB umpire and crew chief Dale Scott (16:04) takes a deeper dive on the...

Former MLB player and manager Dusty Baker (0:24) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of the official release of his book Crossroads on June 9. He discusses why he chose to write about his 50-year MLB journey, the influence of Felipe Alou and Cito Gaston, his favourite moments as a player and manager, and much more. Later, Sportsnet's voice of the Blue Jays, Dan Shulman, stops by (26:48) ahead...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' 7-2 win over the Atlanta Braves in their series finale, Toronto having success against Chris Sale, how Trey Yesavage can bounce back against the same team in Baltimore, the expected bullpen usage between Louis Varland, Braydon Fisher and Jeff Hoffman in the late innings, and early impressions of Charles McAdoo. Then, Blue Jays manager John Schneider...

Toronto legend Buck Martinez (3:31) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of the Blue Jays' series finale against the Braves. He shares his thoughts on the Jays' recent injury-riddled stretch, George Springer's regression, the challenge for John Schneider in 2026, and the first season of ABS. Then, Jeff and Kevin listen to John Schneider's pre-game availability, where he discussed Alejandro Kirk...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' second loss to the Braves in Atlanta, why firing manager John Schneider isn't a solution to the Jays' season so far, why the small things during a game are costing the team's performance, Alejandro Kirk's rehab stint with Dunedin Blue Jays, and more. Then, Baseball Hall of Famer and two-time World Series champion Chipper Jones (24:11) joins the guys...

Braves TV analyst CJ Nitkowski (1:48) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of the second game of the Blue Jays' series in Atlanta. They discuss Matt Olson's elite play on offence and defence, Ozzie Albies' quiet reliability, Spencer Strider's evolution, and why manager Walt Weiss was the right choice to replace Brian Snitker. Jeff and Kevin listen to John Schneider's pre-game availability befor...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker chat about Patrick Corbin's 11-game losing streak to the Atlanta Braves, his game plan against the Braves, before touching on their series opener in Atlanta, George Springer's struggles, Kevin Gausman's outing and pitching decisions to Matt Olson, and questioning Vlad Jr.'s run to first base out of the box in his fourth at-bat. Then, ESPN insider and host of Sources Tel...

Former Blue Jays executive and current Braves President of Baseball Operations and GM Alex Anthopoulos (1:17) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of Atlanta's series against Toronto. He discusses the manager transition from Brian Snitker to Walt Weiss, the team's hot start, the offseason emphasis on depth, Raisel Iglesias' unsung efficiency, Matt Olson's MVP-calibre campaign, Chris Sale's ment...

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to the Blue Jays' series opener in Atlanta against the Braves, keys to a bounce-back game for the team and Kevin Gausman on the mound, and Vlad Jr.'s lack of extra-base hits this season. Then, former pitcher and current co-host of VSiN By the Books, Jensen Lewis (30:50) joins the guys to chat about the state of college baseball, how the Jays should approach t...

Former MLB outfielder and current NBC analyst Dexter Fowler (3:01) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker following the Blue Jays' series against the Orioles in Baltimore. They discuss Jesús Sánchez's odd injury, the Jays' tough injury luck, the American League landscape, why it's so hard to hit in today's MLB, and how Pete Crow-Armstrong can break out of his defensive slump in the outfield. Later, Ben...