Baseball Central @ Noon

Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman joins Jeff and Kevin to comment on the Blue Jays’ recent play, notably: if Raimel Tapia deserves more playing time, Ross Stripling being firmly inside the circle of trust, managing George Springer’s elbow, and what is the team’s optimal lineup when everyone is healthy (05:16). Padres analyst Tony Gwynn Jr. provides his thoughts on the Mariners after seeing them up close, Josh Hader’s turnaround, and San Diego battling it out for the third and final wild card spot in the NL (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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' 5-1 victory over the Rays where starting pitcher Ross Stripling once again proved his worth. Rays analyst and friend of the show Brian Anderson previews today’s series finale and the standout pitching matchup between Shane McClanahan and Kevin Gausman (27:19). Afterwards, Toronto Blue Jays Program Manager of Amateur baseball T.J. Burton discusses this year’s upcoming Canadian Futures Showcase – the biggest amateur baseball tournament in the country (35:45). 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.

Former Cardinals pitcher and current analyst Brad Thompson discusses the longevity of batterymates Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina ahead of their start today, Albert Pujols’ quest for 700 home runs, personally working with Molina, and Paul Goldschmidt’s MVP-type season (04:51). In an extended version of Barker’s Back Leg Bits - the guys answer your questions on pitch clocks, Teoscar Hernández, and more (26:48)! 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 break down a full day of baseball as the Blue Jays and Rays split their doubleheader Tuesday at Rogers Centre. Blair & Barker focus-in on Mitch White eating innings in game one, Whit Merrifield’s all-important two-run double, and Alek Manoah’s gutsy performance in game two after having his start pushed back due to illness. Former umpire Joe West re-joins the guys to share how umps will adapt to MLB’s rule changes next season, how the profession has evolved over the years, and if umpires handle the game differently in September and October (28:54). 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.

Toronto Blue Jays / Buffalo Bisons pitcher Nate Pearson reflects on an injury-plagued 2022 season, how he’s currently feeling, and what his expectations are for the rest of the year and beyond (05:33). Afterwards, Jeff and Kevin focus in on the breaking news that Alek Manoah is dealing with a stomach bug and how Mitch White will be used after being recalled from AAA Buffalo, before inviting former catcher and Blue Jays analyst Caleb Joseph in on the conversation from Rogers Centre (23:38). 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 back on game one in the Blue Jays-Rays series where Bo Bichette once again provided the heroics with a game-winning two-run home run in the 8th inning. Rays analyst and host of “Baseball Legends Lounge” Orestes Destrade shares his thoughts on the Rays-Jays rivalry with the two teams facing each other eight more times before season’s end (33:30); before Jeff and Kevin break down the Jays’ lineup for game one of Tuesday’s double-header with Julian Merryweather starting in place of Alek Manoah. 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 Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal joins Blair and Barker to discuss his latest story on Bo Bichette, his hot play on the Blue Jays’ road trip, the rule changes coming to MLB next year, and the future contracts of the Blue Jays’ core players (01:49). Later on, Blue Jays manager John Schneider reflects on a successful road trip where he touched on getting ejected, dealing with umpires, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. putting in work, and Bichette being in a good place mentally at the plate (24:46). 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.

Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' weekend where they took two of three from the Texas Rangers; notably Sunday’s bullpen day started by Trevor Richards and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s series at the plate, before looking ahead to this week’s pivotal eight-game home stand against the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles. Afterwards, the guys look at how Toronto’s foes in the AL East and Wild Card Race fared over the weekend for “In The East”, and hear what managers Aaron Boone, Kevin Cash, and Brandon Hyde had to say post-game (29:16). 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 & Kevin Barker give you the chance to win Blue Jays tickets as they take on the Rays on September 14th. The guys then welcome on MLB Network insider, Jon Paul Morosi, to talk about how the MLB's rule changes could affect the league and how they will be implemented. Then they discuss which players will benefit most from the new rules. YES Network Yankees analyst, Jack Curry, joins Blair & Barker to further discuss the struggles surrounding the team right now and how worried he is about this weekends series against the Rays. Finally the guys close out the week and send you into the weekend with Barker’s Back Leg Bits NFL edition!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 discuss the rule changes we could see come down the pipe today from the MLB competition committee. They also take a look at the AL East and AL wild card standings and dive into what the next 30 games could look like for the Blue Jays. Are they one of the three best teams in the American League? From the idea of a pitch clock, to the how they will ban the shift, how will these new rules affect the game? Blue Jays play-by-play announcer Dan Shulman joins the show to preview what these potential rule changes could look like and what effect they could have on Bo Bichette? The guys then discuss the Jays upcoming series against the Rangers this weekend, how the rotation could shake out, and what the rotation could look like against the Rays.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 insider Jeff Passan takes a trip around the Majors with Jeff and Kevin and touches on the Yankees’ diminishing lead in the AL East, Alex Anthopoulos locking up the Braves’ core position players long-term, Manoah’s standout season and where he ranks among the top young starters in the game like Max Fried and Dylan Cease (02:22). Former Mets pitcher and host of the Shea Station podcast Jerry Blevins discusses the Mets battling it out with Atlanta for the NL East crown, Max Scherzer heading to the IL, and what the team’s biggest weakness is heading into the postseason (27:42). 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker examine the Blue Jays' 4-1 win over the Orioles, taking three of four from them on the road, highlighted by Alek Manoah’s performance on the mound. The guys discuss how nothing spilled over after the tension in Tuesday’s game and assess the Jays’ schedule going forward with 26 games remaining. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi joins to comment on Toronto’s recent stretch and who he would start in Game One of a playoff series: Kevin Gausman or Alek Manoah (33:04). 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.

Former MLB umpire & crew chief Dale Scott relies on his experience to provide a deep dive on benches clearing, umpires issuing warnings and balks given the incidents in the Blue Jays-Orioles series with umpire Jeff Nelson (02:53). Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette discusses his recent hot streak at the plate, making strides defensively, and how he assesses his season as a whole (25:14). To end the show, the guys answer questions in Barker’s Back Leg Bits including one on Whit Merrifield’s playing time since coming over from the Royals at the trade deadline (43:00). 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ 9-6 loss to the Orioles in a game that was overshadowed by both benches clearing and John Schneider being ejected by home plate umpire Jeff Nelson. Jeff and Kevin discuss Bo Bichette continuing to get it done offensively with four hits and four runs; before looking ahead to the series finale on Wednesday with Alejandro Kirk likely catching three days in a row with Alek Manoah on the mound.  Blue Jays Central analyst and former MLB backstop Joe Siddall comments on how umpires issuing warnings can alter how pitchers and catchers attack hitters and shares his thoughts on Toronto’s bullpen usage after Mitch White brief outing (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.

Blue Jays radio play-by-play man Ben Wagner discusses the team’s recent stretch, specifically noticing a mental shift for Bo Bichette, assessing José Berríos’ start against the Orioles, and who the unsung heroes have been in the team’s bullpen (01:33). Orioles’ reporter Roch Kubatko talks about how Baltimore hopes to respond following Monday’s sweep in the double-header and Gunnar Henderson being the latest O’s prospect to take MLB by storm (26:45). We wrap up with Barker’s Back Leg Bits, as Jeff and Kevin answer your questions including if a salary floor would be good for the game (38:41). 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker hit the airwaves after a successful long weekend for the Toronto Blue Jays with wins over the Pittsburgh Pirates and Baltimore Orioles! Jeff and Kevin key in on Bo Bichette’s recent offensive surge, highlighted by his three home-runs in game two of Monday’s double-header, while also discussing Cavan Biggio’s hot stretch, Jackie Bradley Jr. contributing, if Toronto’s rotation is now solidified with positive starts from José Berríos, and Jordan Romano’s performance in the ninth inning Sunday at PNC Park. Afterwards, the guys examine how the Blue Jays' rivals fared over the weekend for In The East and provide an update to the wild card standings (32:03). 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.

Former catcher and current Sportsnet analyst Caleb Joseph joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to help preview the Jays-Pirates series this weekend, how the rotation could be structured moving forward, which Jay needs a strong September, and provides some in-depth analysis on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s swing (01:51). The guys close out the week with an extended version of "Barker’s Back Leg Bits" discussing who should bat third in the order, if the Jays are in need of a major overhaul in the off-season, and the lack of noise with surrounding the DH in the National League (29:51). 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 kick off today's show by previewing the Blue Jays' upcoming series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. They discuss how the rotation will shake out as they prepare for the Orioles, the O's continued success following their series against Cleveland, and how the Jays' farm system compares to other contenders. Later on, Tampa Bay Rays analyst Brian Anderson joins the show to preview a pivotal series between the Yankees and Rays, before discussing the team's strong stretch of play after the All-Star break and the tightening race for the AL East (29:00). 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker continue to take calls and texts on the level of confidence in this Blue Jays team and the other organizations jockeying for position in the wild card race (01:08). In honour of Edwin Diaz and Timmy Trumpet, MLB Insider Jeff Passan does a deep dive on walk-out songs in MLB, the Orioles aggressively promoting their top prospects, and which teams, if any, could wrestle away Aaron Judge from the Yankees in free agency this offseason (33:03). 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.

Following the Blue Jays’ 7-5 loss to the Chicago Cubs, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker hit the airwaves with Barker explaining what he has seen from Toronto's hitters far too often in the batter’s box. The guys welcome Shi Davidi to the show with his thoughts on the Jays-Cubs series, Santiago Espinal's playing time, Mitch White’s outing, and how the Blue Jays might set their rotation for the upcoming series against Pittsburgh & Baltimore (16:29). Later on, phone lines are opened up to gauge the temperature of the Blue Jays’ fanbase after a losing record in August (33:34). 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.