Blair & Barker Sportsnet
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- Sports
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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker talk all things Blue Jays and MLB. Airing live on Sportsnet 590 The FAN weekdays from 2-4 ET during the baseball season.
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Tough Luck Loss for Gaus
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ 3-2 loss in Kansas City with thoughts on Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s game, Kevin Gausman’s fastball usage, and Kevin Kiermaier leaving the game with a hip injury. Royals analyst and franchise saves leader, Jeff Montgomery, weighs-in on Jays-Royals, Jordan Romano, and how to sustain longevity as a closer (28:35). The Athletic's Jayson Stark discusses the results of a poll ranking the best front offices in MLB (49:50). Later on, Blue Jays Central analyst Joe Siddall comments on Guerrero’s plate approach and if Addison Barger can add a spark to the big league lineup (01:16:58).
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. -
Blake & Barker After a Win in KC
Guest host Blake Murphy and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 5-3 win over the Kansas City Royals; where Bo Bichette and Daulton Varsho provided the offence and Jordan Romano locked down his 100th career save. The guys welcome Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman on the show after his call of Monday’s game to discuss the Blue Jays’ recent play and look ahead to tonight’s matchup at Kauffman Stadium with Kevin Gausman on the hill (24:55). With Varsho on an absolute tear offensively, Blake and Kevin call-up his dad, former MLBer Gary Varsho, to discuss the work he put into the offseason and how to stay consistent at the plate and in the field (49:50). To end the show, the guys go around the majors with Hall of Famer Tim Kurkjian, notably Heston Kjerstad being the latest prospect promoted in Baltimore and his honest thoughts on Toronto’s offence in the early-going (01:15:12).
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. -
San Diego Survives the Sweep + Sights and Sounds of Kansas City
Jeff and Kevin kick off a new week on the program looking back on the Blue Jays' near sweep of the San Diego Padres; what we've seen from Toronto's starters, the bullpen management at the tail end of Sunday's game, and which bats in the lineup are finding their stride. Blue Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph shares his takeaways from the series and previews Yusei Kikuchi's start in Kansas City tonight (25:52). Buffalo Bisons announcer Pat Malacaro updates us on the Jays' farm system including Orelvis Martinez' red-hot stretch and Addison Barger's upside (49:56). Later on, Royals colour commentator Rex Hudler weighs in on Bobby Witt Jr.'s breakout and the keys to Kansas City's strong start to the 2024 season (01:14:36).
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. -
Getting Ready to Play the Padres
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open up the Back Leg line for their usual fan interaction on Friday. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi checks-in from San Diego with an update on prospect Ricky Tiedemann after being placed on the IL (32:07). Blue Jays manager John Schneider joins the show for his weekly hit to reflect on his club’s 6-3 homestand before heading west (49:47). Padres TV analyst Mark Grant previews the Jays' weekend series with a scouting report on Friday’s starter Matt Waldron, before discussing young phenom Jackson Merrill and Manny Machado continuing to play at an elite level (01:15:42).
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. -
Blue Jay Bats, Bullpens and Battleships with John Schneider
Blue Jays Manager John Schneider joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker for his weekly visit to discuss his team's offence, bullpen deployment, Daulton Varsho's strong homestand, Alek Manoah's next steps 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. -
A Nervous Ninth Inning + Prospect Report with JJ Cooper
Blair and Barker discuss the Blue Jays' bullpen use in the series finale vs. the New York Yankees, and the notion that they should have activated Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson in a more staggered approach, and not demoted Nate Pearson. MLB insider Jeff Passan talks about umpire Angel Hernandez’s strike zone, if the Royals are for real, and more across the big leagues (27:02). Baseball America’s JJ Cooper talks about Jack Leiter’s promotion to the Texas Rangers and how he views Toronto's prospects overall (49:47). To end the show, Blair and Barker react to Rays reliever Pete Fairbanks' post-game comments after blowing the save against the Angels, before looking ahead to the pitching matchups for Toronto’s weekend series against the Padres (01:21:37).
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.
Customer Reviews
Khakified Konversations
Barker is the hitting coach the Jays didn’t know they needed. Great insight and I appreciate the honest take on the state of baseball in Toronto. Blair is a decent sidekick.
The best Jays show
It’s da bomb!
Great show but gets political
Intelligent and informative baseball talk. It is centered on the Blue Jays, but I enjoyed it as a White Sox fan. The show interviews the beat writers and local TV announcers of the team that the Blue Jays are playing. You get a baseball series worth of terrific, home spun insight on all MLB teams because of this. They actually made a Blue Jays fan out of a southside of Chicago, guy.
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However, down here in the states, we are being hammered by the political left and the political right on a daily basis. Everything is being politicized to the maximum extent Independents are being driven crazy. Many of us go to sports to get a break from this red versus blue insanity. Unfortunately, this show also has gotten political on a couple of occasions now. The show leans hard left.