The FAN Pregame

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss Doc Rivers getting defensive with reporters about his history of squandering leads in the playoffs, why Rivers’ comments might be a good sign for the Raptors, and how Fred VanVleet’s absence has inadvertently unlocked Toronto’s most potent lineup machinations. Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List (38:46)! The views and opinions expressed in this podca...

Blue Jays play-by-play voice Dan Shulman joins the show to discuss Kevin Gausman’s impressive start to the season, the Jays’ improved bullpen depth compared to the start of 2021, George Springer’s resounding impact on both sides of the ball, and the team’s strong depth contributions. Later, JD, Blake and Ailish chat about Pascal Siakam’s resurgence in the Raptors’ first round series against Philad...

Nick Kypreos, former NHL forward and co-host of Real Kyper and Bourne, stops by to discuss the magnitude of Auston Matthews' 60-goal season, if Sheldon Keefe should rest his stars for Friday night's regular season finale, the team’s line machinations for the playoffs, Jack Campbell rediscovering his mojo between the pipes, and the renewed optimism surrounding this Leafs team heading into the post-...

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss the Blue Jays’ thrilling comeback win over the Red Sox on Tuesday, George Springer's ninth-inning heroics, Kevin Gausman delivering another quality outing, the team’s early trend of winning close games, and Toronto getting strong contributions from depth players like Raimel Tapia and Alejandro Kirk. Keith Pompey, 76ers scribe for the Philadelphia Inquirer, joins the sh...

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss Auston Matthews reaching the 60-goal plateau, the special atmosphere last night at Scotiabank Arena, where Matthews’ season ranks in the pantheon of great Leafs accomplishments, and if Toronto is poised to finally exorcise their playoff demons. Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List (30:48)! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of...

William Lou, host of The Raptors Show, stops by to discuss the Raptors’ success with their quasi-small ball lineup, the team’s improved defence over the past two games, Nick Nurse’s defensive adjustments against Joel Embiid, the special chemistry within this Raptors team, and Doc Rivers’ history of blowing leads in the playoffs. Later, the team heads back to the text line to field more questions a...

Jeff Van Gundy, former NBA head coach and current ESPN colour analyst, joins JD, Blake and Ailish to discuss James Harden’s struggles in this series, the Raptors’ effectiveness in exploiting mismatches on the offensive end, Pascal Siakam being the catalyst for Toronto's offence, Scottie Barnes' impressive composure, and the fallout for the Nets after being swept by Boston. Later, the team tees up...

JD, Blake and Ailish head to the text line to field comments and questions from Raptors fans. The team also weighs in on Joel Embiid’s public criticism of the officiating over the past few games. Later, former Blue Jays first base coach Tim Leiper joins the show to chat about Bo Bichette’s game-winning grand slam against the Red Sox on Monday, the next steps in his development, and Jose Berrios fi...

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss the Raptors’ defensive masterpiece in Monday’s Game 5 win over the 76ers, Pascal Siakam delivering back-to-back standout performances, Sixers fans voicing their frustration inside Wells Fargo Center, the Raptors’ effectiveness when playing their positionless lineups, Scottie Barnes’ playmaking prowess, Precious Achiuwa's emergence. Later, Ailish presents her daily edit...

Anthony Stewart, former NHL forward and current Sportsnet analyst, joins the show to discuss Nick Abruzzese getting an opportunity to play on the Leafs’ top line, Auston Matthews potentially missing out on a 60-goal campaign, and if Jake Muzzin will crack the Leafs’ playoff blue line. Later, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps stops by to chat about the severity of Joel Embiid’s lingering thumb injury, the pressu...

Former Raptors guard Malcolm Miller joins the show to discuss the Raptors’ improved defensive physicality in Saturday’s Game 4 win over the 76ers, the unique challenge of game planning for Joel Embiid, OG Anunoby’s steady play throughout the series, and how Nick Nurse can adjust his rotation if Fred VanVleet misses Game 5. Later, JD, Blake and Ailish tee up the betting lines for tonight’s Raptors-...

JD opens the hour by discussing his newfound fandom of Aussie rules football. Afterwards, the team chats about the Blue Jays’ 4-2 road trip, the team’s success in one-run games, early returns on the bullpen, and Zack Collins’ steady contributions so far this season (8:22). Later, the crew chats about Sheldon Keefe’s late-season line tinkering, Nick Abruzzese getting an opportunity in the top six w...

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss Scottie Barnes being named the 2021-22 NBA Rookie of the Year, Pascal Siakam’s dominant performance in the Raptors’ Game 4 win, why the 76ers could be susceptible to a series collapse, Fred VanVleet’s hip injury and his potential absence for Game 5, and Thaddeus Young giving Toronto a big lift off the bench on Saturday afternoon. Later, Ailish presents her daily editio...

Blue Jays play-by-play voice Dan Shulman joins the show to discuss Kevin Gausman’s impressive outing on Thursday, teams exercising extensive caution with pitcher workloads, opposing teams beginning to work around Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at the plate, and Miguel Cabrera sitting on the doorstep of 3,000 hits. Later, Sportsnet’s Luke Fox stops by to chat about Auston Matthews’ mercurial injury situatio...

Stan Van Gundy, former NBA head coach and current NBA on TNT analyst, checks in to discuss the Raptors falling into an 0-3 hole against the Sixers, Pascal Siakam’s quiet Game 3 performance, Siakam and Fred VanVleet shouldering extensive minutes throughout the season, the Raptors’ lack of guard play, the team’s flawed roster construction, and the impact of Scottie Barnes’ absence. Afterwards, the t...

Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Drive Time, joins the show to discuss Kevin Gausman’s dominant start against the Red Sox on Thursday, Charlie Montoyo’s decision to remove Gausman in the ninth inning, how sports science has reframed expectations for starting pitchers, the Jays’ rotation depth, and whether the Raptors should play Scottie Barnes in Game 4 against the Sixers. Later, the team chats about...

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss the Maple Leafs’ 8-1 blowout loss to the Lightning, concerns about Toronto’s secondary scoring, Tampa showing their championship mettle, the Lightning’s effectiveness on special teams, and the level of trepidation surrounding Auston Matthews’ injury situation. Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List (35:11)! The views and opinions expressed in this podca...

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss the next steps in Pascal Siakam's development and if the Raptors should entertain moving moving Siakam this offseason (0:36). Dave Andreychuk joins the show to chat about about the Lightning's current form heading into the playoffs, Andrei Vasilevskiy's inconsistent play since the All-Star break, the challenges Toronto might pose for Tampa in a playoff series, and Aust...

Michael Grange joins the show to discuss Pascal Siakam’s struggles in the second half of Game 3, his lack of assertiveness down the stretch, Fred VanVleet’s struggles in the series, whether Scottie Barnes should suit up in Game 4 and his long-term development curve, and OG Anunoby’s strong contributions throughout the series (0:32). Later, the team tees up the betting lines for today’s matinee aff...

JD, Blake and Ailish head to the text line to field comments and questions from Raptors fans, including consternation surrounding Doc Rivers’ timeout late in overtime, Nick Nurse’s future beyond this year, and the prospect of pursuing Rudy Gobert via trade this off-season (1:43). Later, the team chats about the Maple Leafs’ matchup against the Lightning on Thursday night and reasons for optimism i...

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss the Raptors’ Game 3 loss to the Sixers in overtime, the lack of production from Pascal Siakam and Fred VanVleet, big picture concerns about Siakam, VanVleet’s overall struggles in this series, and the emergence of long-term questions about the Raptors’ competitive window. Later, Ailish presents her daily edition of the A-List (37:29)! The views and opinions expressed i...

Lou Merloni checks in from Boston to discuss Celtics fans' animosity towards Kyrie Irving, the early sentiment surrounding the Red Sox, handicapping the AL East, Bo Bichette's early-season slump, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. chances of emerging as the best hitter in baseball (1:03). To wrap, David Jacoby weighs in on James Harden's role as a facilitator on this 76ers team, the offensive burden being...

Nick Kypreos joins the show to discuss Sheldon Keefe’s line-juggling experiment, the team’s management of Auston Matthews, Jack Campbell regaining his confidence between the pipes, and the Leafs’ form trending towards the post-season (0:48). Later, the team tees up the betting lines for tonight’s Raptors-Sixers game and Blue Jays-Red Sox matchup, and assembles their daily Wake and Rake parlay (24:...

Stephen Brunt stops by to chat about Bo Bichette’s aggressive approach at the plate, the team’s current roster construction, Gabriel Moreno’s torrid start in Triple-A, and what comes next for Hyun-jin Ryu (0:34). Later, Kevin Calabro discusses the Raptors’ injury woes, the pressure facing James Harden to make a deep playoff run, Tyrese Maxey’s emergence, and Marcus Smart becoming the first guard s...

JD, Blake and Ailish discuss Sheldon Keefe experimenting with new line combinations during last night’s 5-2 win over the Flyers and William Nylander showing the ability to drive his own line. Afterwards, the team weighs in on the Blue Jays’ stagnant offence and Bo Bichette’s slow start at the plate (19:49). The crew also chats about their biggest areas of curiosity heading into tonight’s Game 3 be...