Baseball Central @ Noon

Blue Jays First Base Coach Mark Budzinski joins Blair and Barker to discuss how the Rays will challenge Toronto this weekend, the team's increased use of a four-man outfield, and takes us inside the strategy of coaching the team on the base paths (02:01). Afterwards, Tampa Bay Rays TV analyst (and die-hard Maple Leafs fan) Brian Anderson previews the Jays-Rays series and explains what they Blue Jays can expect from the Rays’ pitching staff, notably Friday’s starter Drew Rasmussen (24:52).   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.

With the Blue Jays and Rays ready to begin a three-game series at Tropicana Field - Jeff & Kevin look at how Toronto’s top hitters have fared in Tampa Bay and how opposing pitchers are attacking the Blue Jays’ right-handed hitters this season. Later on, ESPN’s Joon Lee joins to discuss the change of opinion surrounding PitchCom technology across MLB and how teams have embraced it more than a month into the season (30:41). 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.

MLB Network Analyst and former Houston Astros Manager Bo Porter shares his thoughts on offence being down across MLB, the pressure that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and other star players put on themselves to be great, and the frustration towards umpires in the early-going of the season (01:43). ESPN's MLB Insider Jeff Passan talks about the Blue Jays' current struggles, why he’s not concerned about their starting pitching, their search for a lefty bat, and if the Nationals’ Josh Bell would be a good fit for Toronto’s batting order (26:26). 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker assess the damage after the Blue Jays' mini two-game sweep at the hands of the New York Yankees. They discuss the team failing to take advantage of a suspect first inning from Jameson Taillon, Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s frustration at the plate, and what they thought of Jose Berrios’ 5.1 innings of work. Later on, David Adler of MLB.com takes a deep-dive into how the Blue Jays set up defensively and explains the reasoning why they have used a four-man outfield more than any team this season (30:53). 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.

Blair & Barker are joined by Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman ahead of his call of New York-Toronto at Yankee Stadium to preview the series and the Blue Jays' continuing to search for a lefty bat (01:06). Later on, Talkin’ Yanks host Jake Storiale comments on the current state of the Yankees including: Jose Trevino’s impact behind the plate, Aaron Judge’s contract status being a hot topic in New York, and the pleasant surprises they’ve received in the rotation and bullpen (30:19). 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show reacting to Mississauga’s Josh Naylor 2 HR, 8 RBI performance in the Cleveland Guardians' win over the Chicago White Sox. With the Blue Jays opening up a quick two-game set against the Yankees, the guys discuss what to expect from Yusei Kikuchi ahead of tonight’s start. 2019 All-Star and Calgary native Mike Soroka joins the show to discuss his rehab following two Achilles surgeries, when he expects to return to the Braves' rotation, and the current baseballs being used across MLB (21:00). 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.

Blair and Barker are joined by Jomboy Media’s Chris Rose who discussed Cleveland’s underrated lineup, the struggles of the Red Sox and Phillies, the Padres being better than expected, and the Dodgers winning despite not hitting (01:46). On an extended edition of Barker’s Back Leg Bits, Kevin answers questions about Charlie Montoyo, the shift, and if this year’s edition of the Blue Jays needs a “Josh Donaldson-type” player to be a catalyst for the struggling batting order (29:50). 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker examine the Blue Jays latest series against the Guardians, where Toronto dropped three of four in Cleveland. They start the show off discussing Alek Manoah’s performance in the series finale and his post-game comments on having difficulty gripping the baseballs; before talking about Teoscar Hernandez’s return, Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s approach, and the current struggles of Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Matt Chapman at the plate. Afterwards, the guys debut their new segment In The East to take a further look at the AL East and the teams surrounding the Blue Jays in the standings (28:15). 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.

Joe West, retired MLB umpire and host of 5460: The Joe West Podcast, joined Jeff and Kevin to reflect on his 45-year career (03:33). “Cowboy Joe” discussed why players decide their own strike zone, the Dan Bellino-Madison Bumgarner incident, why it’s easier to call balls and strikes with high-velocity pitchers, and which starting pitchers he enjoyed being behind the plate for the most. Later, the guys head into the weekend with another edition of ‘Barker’s Back Leg Bits’ (43:02)! 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start off breaking down the Blue Jays' loss 6-5 to the Cleveland Guardians where Jose Berrios only lasted 4.2 innings without a strikeout. They assess Berrios’ start and inconsistency so far this season, the continued struggles at the plate with runners in scoring position, and if George Springer’s rest day should have waited until Teoscar Hernandez returned to the lineup from injury. Afterwards, they discuss the latest around the Majors: the Mets' epic ninth inning comeback, if the Phillies are wasting another year of Bryce Harper’s production, and what's next for Joey Votto and the scuffling Cincinnati Reds (28:13). 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.

Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi assesses the Blue jays' recent play against tough American League opponents including Houston, New York, and Boston, the contributions they’ve been getting from role players like Bradley Zimmer and Zack Collins, and what the organization sees in newly-signed LHP Derek Holland (04:13). Later, the guys go in-depth on Madison Bumgarner's ejection in yesterday’s MIA-ARI game after being checked thoroughly for foreign substances by 1B umpire Dan Bellino, and head to the text-line for Barker's Back Leg Bits (28:50)! 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.

The Blue Jays avoided the sweep against the New York Yankees by a score of 2-1, ending the Bronx Bombers 11-game win streak. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss Yusei Kikuchi’s best start as Blue Jay, Santiago Espinal at the plate and in the field, and expecting Teoscar Hernandez to return to the Blue Jays lineup against the Cleveland. The “Voice of the Guardians” Tom Hamilton previews the upcoming four-game series at Progressive Field, Jose Ramirez’s decision to stay in Cleveland, and Canadians Josh Naylor and Cal Quantrill making an impact (30:12). 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.

Jeff and Kevin open this hour by discussing Alejandro Kirk's baserunning lapse that got him picked off last night, and question if taking on more responsibility as catcher is effecting his performance on offence. Later on, WFAN’s Sweeny Murti talks about the Yankees' current 11-game winning streak as they go for the series sweep tonight, and gives the lowdown on tonight’s starter Nestor Cortes and his impressive beginning to the 2022 campaign (11:13). To wrap up, Jeff and Kevin react this morning's breaking news as free-agent LHP Derek Holland shares that he’s headed to the Blue Jays on a minor-league deal (30:50). 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker share their thoughts on the Blue Jays 9-1 loss to the New York Yankees, despite another strong performance from Toronto’s Alek Manoah. The guys discuss the Yankees’ big seventh inning to blow the game open, the rundown play involving Vladimir Guerrero Jr. tagging Marwin González with González ruled safe, and the Blue Jays struggles at the plate with runners in scoring position. Hunter Mense, the Blue Jays Assistant Hitting Coach, shares what he is seeing from the team’s hitters and weighs in on offence being down in general across all of baseball (30:06). 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.

Jack Curry of YES Network comments on the Yankees' strong start to the season, if their offense can remain as one of the top in the AL all year long, and how Aaron Boone manages his bullpen (08:16). Later the guys look ahead to Alek Manoah’s start tonight, before heading to the text-line for "Barker's Back Leg Bits" to answer your questions on the shift, why certain umpires are given home plate assignments, and more (30:31)! 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

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look at the Blue Jays 3-2 loss to the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre – the tenth straight victory for the Bronx Bombers. The guys discuss the decision to not pinch run for Alejandro Kirk in the seventh inning, the Yankees employing the pinch runner for the game-winning run, and what they noticed from Yimi Garcia in the ninth inning. Jayson Stark of The Athletic shares his thoughts on the lack of offense across the majors, his read on the Angels and Twins currently atop their divisions, and the pitch clock being used at the minor-league level (31:28). 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

The NY Post’s Jon Heyman joins Blair & Barker to examine the hot starts by both the Yankees and Mets, the mindset behind the Mets' designating Robinson Cano for assignment, and which team’s start is more sustainable (04:49). Later on, four-time MLB All-Star and former Blue Jays' Special Assistant Dante Bichette breaks down what he’s seen from Bo at the plate and how George Springer has helped him this season (26:35). 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open by reacting to another series win for the Toronto Blue Jays, stealing the rubber match against the Houston Astros 3-2 at Rogers Centre led by starter Kevin Gausman, who has yet to walk a batter this season! Blue Jays Central’s Joe Siddall talks about what to expect from Ross Stripling, George Springer’s fantastic play, Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s recent stretch at the plate, and Kevin Gausman’s sequence of pitches when facing hitters (29:53). 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.

Jeff and Kevin take a deep dive into why offence has decreased in the early part of the MLB season with The Score’s Travis Sawchik (12:19). With the Blue Jays facing Houston for the second time in a week, the guys ask Astros TV analyst Geoff Blum who has the advantage: pitchers or hitters? Blum also weighs-in with his thoughts on Yusei Kikuchi and what makes him effective and what to expect from the Astros' lineup minus Jose Altuve (31:16). 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays' 1-0 win over Boston, taking 3 out of 4 games from the Red Sox in the series. They examine Alek Manoah’s performance, how impressive his stats have been since making his MLB debut, and what they need to see out of Yusei Kikuchi when he takes the mound tonight against Houston. 'The Mayor' Sean Casey joins the show with his thoughts on offence being down across baseball, what he’s seen out of the Blue Jays' hitters, and if Joey Votto would ever consider leaving the Reds (25:46).  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.