Baseball Central @ Noon

Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman shares his thoughts on Charlie Montoyo’s firing, what John Schneider brings to the ballclub as manager, and lefty Andrew Benintendi’s trade-market shrinking because of his vaccination status (02:34). MLB insider Jeff Passan discusses his report on the Royals missing ten players in Toronto, if he was surprised by Charlie Montoyo’s dismissal, and what the baseball world thought of the move (28:53). In the latest installment of Barker’s Back Leg Bits, Kevin and Jeff answer questions on Charlie Blackmon’s availability and Bo Bichette (43:22) 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 comment on John Schneider’s first game as manager of the Blue Jays, starting off with an 8-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. The guys concentrate on Ross Stripling after another stand out performance and his importance to the rotation with injuries to the pitching staff. They also touch on the short-handed Kansas City Royals who come to Toronto for a four-game series with 10 of their players on the restricted list. Afterwards, Jeff and Kevin dissect Ross Atkins’ media availability where he discussed the firing of Charlie Montoyo (27:03). 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.

Blair and Barker react to the breaking Blue Jays news of the day: that Charlie Montoyo has been fired as manager. They call up Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi upon his return from the team’s west coast road-trip and ask him if he is surprised by the timing of the move (35:42). 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 Jays Central analyst Joe Siddall comments on last night’s game, particularly Danny Jansen making his return as the team’s catcher, his work with Berrios, and Yimi Garcia’s performance since coming off the IL (02:21). Afterwards, Blair and Barker discuss what they’ve seen from Jordan Romano after he locked down his 19th save of the season. In the latest installment of Barker’s Back Leg Bits, the guys delve into the Blue Jays’ farm system and how it ranks across MLB. (25:45) 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.

The Blue Jays are back in the win column after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 at home. Jeff and Kevin delve into Jose Berrios’ 13 strikeout performance (matching his career-high), if they would make any changes to the batting order, and the play involving Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base which the Jays decided to challenge despite Vlad's reluctance to do so. Later on, MLB analyst with ESPN & Marquee Doug Glanville shares how he sees the AL East shaking out with Orioles now reaching the .500 mark, and how a new rule implemented in the Florida State League that would restrict the use of the shift could make it's way to MLB soon. (28:42) 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.

Phillies Manager and Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer Rob Thomson discusses his club’s play since he took over for Joe Girardi, Kyle Schwarber’s standout season, and if he believes switching up a team’s batting order can have a positive impact on the lineup (00:06). Vancouver Canadians pitcher Ricky Tiedemann talks about his impressive 2022 season, his ascent up the Blue Jays prospect chart, and looks ahead to participating in the Futures Game in Los Angeles during All-Star week (27:45). 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.

Jeff and Kevin look ahead to the mini-two game series between the Phillies and Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, discuss which players will be put on the restricted list, and react to J.T. Realmuto’s comments about not being able to participate in the series. Blue Jays radio play-by-play voice Ben Wagner joins the show to discuss if Charlie Montoyo is on the hot seat, Gabriel Moreno’s pitch-framing, and compares Jays prospect Ricky Tiedemann to Alek Manoah (29:40). 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 Bill Ripken talks about the Orioles' recent resurgence, why he still likes the Jays despite their recent skid, how in-season trades can affect a clubhouse, and which contender needs to make a move the most (02:45). Jeff and Kevin react to both the AL and NL rosters for the All-Star game and discuss this year's biggest snubs, before ending the show with an extended edition of “Barker’s Back Leg Bits” (27:01) 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 now find themselves tied with the Seattle Mariners following a four-game sweep at T-Mobile park. Jeff and Kevin examine the series as a whole, particularly yesterday’s 6-5 loss and the job Max Castillo did on the mound. The guys also discuss the mood around the club during this tumultuous point in the season, and the bizarre play where the ball went through Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s glove that would’ve been a double play. Later on, Blair & Barker take a look at the play of the Orioles, Rays, Yankees, and Red Sox in the latest installment of “In the East” (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 & Kevin Barker are joined by former MLB catcher Caleb Joseph to look back on Thursday's loss in Seattle, identify ways to shake-up the lineup, and update the injury report for Kevin Gausman (04:40). 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 the Blue Jays' 8-3 loss in Seattle to kick off the 4-game series. They discuss Anthony Banda and Casey Lawrence's performance on the mound and the Jays' need to add arms to their pitching staff. After the break, the guys break down Charlie Montoyo's ideal bullpen deployment and look ahead to Friday's game in Seattle with Ross Stripling on the bump (31:20). 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 Mariners pitcher and current analyst Ryan Rowland-Smith discusses Robbie Ray’s recent turnaround, Ty France’s All-Star calibre season, Julio Rodriguez blooming into a star and more ahead of the upcoming series in Seattle (00:48). Later on, Blue Jays play-by-play announcer Dan Shulman joins the show from Seattle where many Blue Jays fans are expected to make the trip from western Canada! Dan and the guys discuss if Danny Jansen and Yimi Garcia will re-join the team on the road trip, Adam Cimber’s dependability, Gabriel Moreno, and who should get sent down if Jansen returns (26:36). 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.

The Blue Jays’ losing streak has come to an end after a 2-1 win over the Oakland A’s. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker talk through Jose Berrios’ start, Matt Chapman’s strong series, his improvement at the plate, and Jordan Romano earning his first save since June 19th. In an extended edition of Barker’s Back leg Bits, Kevin answers questions on the current state of the Jays’ offence, this team’s expectations compared to the 2013 roster, and Teoscar Hernandez' season so far (29:19). 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.

MLB Network’s Jon Morosi joins Blair and Barker to provide his thoughts on the Blue Jays' recent play, the early returns they’re getting on Berrios and Kikuchi's contracts, and why he believes José Quintana could be a target for Toronto ahead of the trade deadline (01:46). Later on, Jeff Passan of ESPN discusses the role of the starting pitcher, why MLB teams aren’t letting their starters go as deep into games this season, Alek Manoah’s thoughts on the matter, and what it means for the future of baseball (25:14).   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 the show reacting to Charlie Montoyo’s blunt post-game comments regarding Blue Jays starter Yusei Kikuchi after failing to get out of the third inning Tuesday's 5-3 loss to Oakland, and discuss the decision to rest both Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. on the same night. Long-time MLB executive and former Dodgers GM Ned Colletti joins the guys to discuss what conversations are like between front offices a month away from the trade deadline and how things can differ from the American and National League (31:10). 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.

Chris Rose of the “Chris Rose Rotation Podcast” joins the show to discuss how impressed he’s been with Alek Manoah as a both a pitcher and person, what went wrong for Toronto when they faced the Rays, Teoscar Hernandez’s year so far, Jose Berrios’ extension, and how he views the team going forward (01:36). For Barker’s Back Leg Bits, the guys open up the phone lines back up with the bullpen being a hot topic (22:27). 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 recap the Blue Jays' 5-1 loss at the hands of the Oakland Athletics. Specifically, they discuss Alek Manoah’s start, as he experienced a dip in his velocity, and hear Charlie Montoyo's postgame comment mentioning that he’s feeling fine physically after pitching into the sixth inning. Afterwards, the guys open up the phone lines and ask fans how they feel about the Blue Jays at the halfway point of the season (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.

Blue Jays radio play-by-play voice Ben Wagner joins Jeff and Kevin and is asked if the Blue Jays, Rays, and Red Sox will make up the three wild card spots in the American League. Following that, Ben talks about how the Blue Jays need to make a deal to bolster the bullpen, Cavan Biggio’s improvement, and if he believes Jose Berrios is turning the corner (01:43). We wrap with Oakland Athletics broadcaster Vince Cotroneo previews the A’s-Jays series and examines what will happen with starter Frankie Montas at the trade deadline (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 return to discuss the Blue Jays dropping 3 of 5 to the Tampa Bay Rays. The guys delve into the amount of depth Tampa Bay has in their organization and how it was extremely beneficial to them over the weekend. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays' bullpen arms continue to struggle in high-leverage situations and long-relief. Blair and Barker also discuss the job done by the Blue Jays' starters, notably a strong start from Yusei Kikuchi and what they saw from Jose Berrios. In the latest edition of “In The East”, we hear from Kevin Cash, Alex Cora, and Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton (29:22). 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 Dan Shulman joins the guys ahead of the Tampa Bay series to discuss Yusei Kikuchi's start tonight, the security of his spot in the rotation, and the bullpen's performance in high-leverage situations (04:17). Would a Ken Giles reunion be a good idea for the Blue Jays? Jeff and Kevin examine that and more in the latest edition of Barker’s Back Leg Bits (23:56)! To end the show, three-time World Series Champion Sergio Romo talks about signing with Blue Jays, watching the team from afar before joining them, and what he brings to the table in the bullpen (29:44). 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.