Episodes

  • Attention to Detail + Catching Up with Cito Gaston
    Aug 28 2025

    Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in Blue Jays Central's Caleb Joseph (3:28) to weigh in on the Blue Jays' series against the Minnesota Twins, the bullpen's struggles keeping runners on base, who slots into the Jays' two-hole in an ideal order, whether Eric Lauer's rocky start is a red flag for the rotation's extended rest, and which relievers are in the 'circle of trust.' Later, former Blue Jays manager and two-time World Series champion Cito Gaston (31:23) joins the show to reflect on his upcoming induction into the Negro League Baseball Museum's Hall of Game, his relationship with other inductees Dusty Baker, Jerry Manuel, and Willie Randolph, and his thoughts on the 2025 Blue Jays as they make the final push to the playoffs.

    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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    50 mins
  • Pitching Into the Final Stretch with Dan Plesac + Inside Jays' Hitting Coach
    Aug 28 2025

    Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker quickly recap the Blue Jays late game comeback against the Minnesota Twins and Jeff Hoffman's redemption in the 9th inning before bringing on former pitcher and MLB Network Analyst Dan Plesac (5:55) to chat about what he saw from Shane Bieber's first outing against the Miami Marlins since coming off Tommy John, how the Jays' top three pitchers stack up against other teams' top starters, what are clear red flags coming from your closers as we near October, his assessment of Jeff Hoffman, and how the Milwaukee Brewers have the best record in the AL. Then, The Athletic's Twins reporter Dan Hayes stops by (31:19) to discuss the team's hitting differences since letting go of the current Jays hitting coach David Popkins, how David found success with Toronto's lineup, and his ability to work with hitters.

    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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    50 mins
  • Can the Blue Jays' Bullpen Win a World Series?
    Aug 27 2025

    ESPN's Jeff Passan (2:59) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about the Milwaukee Brewers losing closer Trevor Megill to a flexor strain, if the Blue Jays' bullpen is good enough to win a World Series, Cal Raleigh's case for American League MVP, and who will come out of the AL West. Then, host of Nothing Personal, David Samson (25:14) stops by to discuss Jeff Hoffman's recent blown save, why he's still picking the Blue Jays over the Boston Red Sox, who's the best team in performing on the road, if he's surprised with the Texas Rangers added to the group of one-and-done teams, and how he views pitchers coming off Tommy John and returning to the mound.

    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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    49 mins
  • Jeff Hoffman Closing Concerns
    Aug 27 2025

    Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 7-5 loss to the Minnesota Twins and discuss Jeff Hoffman's ninth-inning blowup. They get into the team's bullpen-wide slump, George Springer's two-homer game and Chris Bassitt's start. Later, Jeff and Kevin open up the Back Leg Line to answer your calls and questions. Should the Jays have added a bona fide closer at the deadline? Can Springer sustain his scorching August form? Will Eric Lauer make a permanent move to the bullpen? 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.

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    50 mins
  • Putting It In Play with Don Mattingly + Dan Shulman
    Aug 26 2025

    Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome in Blue Jays bench coach Don Mattingly (0:51) to chat about the success throughout their lineup this season, their home versus road performances, whether he sees their hitting approach translating well into the postseason, Addison Barger's evolution in his bat skills, Vlad Jr.'s 2025, and how John Schneider has navigated managing. Then, Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman stops by (28:36) to discuss the expectations on when Anthony Santander could return to the main roster, the team's success rate at Rogers Centre, Dan's walkthrough with the Jays' Trajekt tech hitting machine, how Schneider maps out his bullpen pitchers up until calling upon his closer, and Andrés Giménez's presence in the infield.

    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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    50 mins
  • Taking One from the Twinkies + Bassitt's Home/Road Riddle
    Aug 26 2025

    Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 10-4 win over the Minnesota Twins to kick off a three-game series. They get into Andrés Giménez's adjustment at the plate before reflecting on the team's consistency since the All-Star break. Then, ahead of his start tonight, they debate whether Chris Bassitt's home/road split discrepancy is overblown. Later, retired MLB outfielder and Twins TV analyst Denard Span (23:09) discusses the Twins' future outlook after their fire-sale at the deadline, what the Jays' bats can expect from tonight's starter Bailey Ober, the next step in Royce Lewis' development, and former Twin Louis Varland's potential as a starter in Toronto.

    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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    50 mins
  • Shane Bieber's Return & Scherzer's Resurgence with Jensen Lewis
    Aug 25 2025

    Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker quickly revisit Shane Bieber's debut with the Blue Jays and how the rotation could shape up with the former Cy Young Award winner in the fold, before hearing John Schneider's media availability ahead of their series against the Minnesota Twins, including an update on Yimi Garcia's injury. Then, former pitcher and host on MLB Network Radio Jensen Lewis (28:00) stops by to discuss Bieber's return to the mound, how difficult is it to pitch to a new catcher, Max Scherzer maintaining his velocity at the age of 41, who would pitch Game 1 of the postseason between Shane and Max, how he would evaluate relievers near the end of a regular season, and the Boston Red Sox's post trade deadline turnaround.

    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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    50 mins
  • Vladdy's Back + Unpredictability in the Pen
    Aug 25 2025

    Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the week with a look back on the Blue Jays' series against the Miami Marlins. They check in on the standings before digging into Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s return to the lineup, Shane Bieber's debut, shaky play from the bullpen, and whether it's time for the club to call up top prospect Trey Yesavage. Then, Blue Jays Central analyst Joe Siddall (29:03) weighs in on the team's bullpen-wide struggles, the plan for the rotation down the stretch, what's behind Addison Barger's recent power outage at the plate, and who bats second in a must-win game.

    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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    50 mins