Blair & Barker

Blair and Barker are joined by Blue Jays TV analyst and former MLB catcher Joe Siddall (6:05) to chat about the team signing recently DFA'd pitcher Michael Lorenzen, how Spencer Arrighetti can attack the zone, if the Jays can find success with one approach on offence, Eugenio Suárez clearing waivers and whether he would've fit with Toronto, building Brett Bateman into an everyday player, and Louis Varland's changeup. Then, ESPN's and host of Sources Tell Jeff Passan joins Jeff and Kevin (25:35) to discuss the MLB's proposal to shrinking the free agency window in December, who this benefits, and who is the best team to come out of the AL Wild Card.

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.

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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' win over the Kansas City Royals to tie the series at a game apiece. They discuss the postgame Gatorade incident, the bullpen's shutout, and Nathan Lukes' homer. Then, they react to the Blue Jays signing recently DFA'd pitcher Michael Lorenzen and passing on Eugenio Suárez. Later, former MLB All-Star Bret Boone joins the show (28:52) to reflect on what's gone wrong for the Mariners, the pressure of playing under a big contract, Cal Raleigh's recent turnaround, and potential consequences in Seattle if they miss the postseason cut.

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.

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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker head to Rogers Centre to hear from Blue Jays' manager John Schneider ahead of their second game against the Kansas City Royals before bringing on radio play-by-play voice Ben Shulman (10:26) to discuss how the series opener ended with Nathan Lukes getting thrown out at second base, Jesús Sánchez returning to play left-field, having both George Springer and Alejandro Kirk's day off scheduled on the same day, and why Vlad Jr. is still having a strong year on the defensive end. Then the guys share a fun activity for all Jays fans to replicate Buck Martinez's iconic home run calls outside of Rogers Centre before having his former teammate, Hall of Fame third baseman and VP of Baseball Operations with the Royals, George Brett (29:00) to chat about their off-field friendship, transitioning and having success as a player to managing to becoming a broadcaster, the amount of advice Buck would give him, his ability to catch and call a game, the differences in the game over the years and what Bobby Witt Jr. has brought to KC.

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.

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Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Toronto Blue Jays' series-opening loss to the Kansas City Royals. They discuss the Jays's standing in the Wild Card race as they fell three games back with four teams ahead, the team's play since Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s return to the lineup, the decision to sub Alejandro Kirk and George Springer in mid game, Max Scherzer's start, and the lineup's struggles with runners in scoring position. Later, MLB Network analyst and former MLB GM Dan O'Dowd (25:32) stops by to share how a front office should approach a struggling superstar like Vladdy, the Jays' resilience in 2026, why the Cubs pose the biggest threat to the Dodgers in the NL, why Kyle Tucker has been the most disappointing player in MLB this season, and Brewers manager benching Cooper Pratt for not running hard out of the box.

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.

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MLB Insider and Blue Jays reporter Ben Nicholson-Smith (1:16) joins Jeff and Kevin to chat about Alejandro Kirk and George Springer's status after being left off the opening lineup against the visiting Kansas City Royals, what Brett Bateman has brought to the club, if the front office will consider dipping into the current free agent market to find a 5th starter while Shane Bieber is on the IL, where Brendon Little sits in the 'circle of trust', why Ben would be worried about Seattle and Cleveland sneaking into the Wild Card, and who is the second-most important bat in the lineup outside of Vlad Jr. Then, Blue Jays legend Buck Martinez (30:53) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to discuss how retirement has been going, the amount of baseball and Blue Jays games he's been tuning in, if he envisioned returning to the sport after his playing days, how much has he reflected on the best moments from playing, managing and broadcasting, and how the team can support Vladdy during and after a down offensive year. 

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.

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