Baseball Central @ Noon
Rays Winning Ways with Peter Bendix & Matt Joyce
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' 3-1 loss to the Tigers and discuss Ricky Tiedemann’s nine strikeouts through three innings in his season debut with AA New Hampshire, before looking ahead to this weekend’s big series against the 13-0 Tampa Bay Rays! Rays GM Peter Bendix talks about what’s behind the team’s exceptional start, key contributors like Brandon Lowe being healthy, and the new MLB rules encouraging athleticism and working well with his team’s skillset (26:10). Former Rays outfielder and current studio analyst Matt Joyce shares his view on the 13-0 streak and being teammates with Kevin Kiermaier (49:28). MLB insider Jeff Passan sends us into the weekend with his assessment of tonight’s starter José Berríos, and share why the Mets and Dodgers could be front runners if Shohei Ohtani hits free agency (01:19:24). 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 o…
14 abr 2023 - 01 t 39 min 38 sek
Jays-Tigers Debrief with John Schneider & A.J. Hinch
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays’ 4-3 win in extra innings over the Detroit Tigers, notably Kevin Gausman’s strong outing and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s defence. Blue Jays Manager John Schneider joins the show with his club having won seven of their last eight games to discuss the positive signs he’s seen from José Berríos, Alek Manoah gradually building up his velocity, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. becoming a gold glover at first-base, and the current platoon situation at second base (28:11). Tigers Manager A.J. Hinch looks ahead to the final game of the Jays-Tigers series and talks about managing a developing young team and the new bullpen configurations at Rogers Centre for opposing teams (49:33). We wrap up with Blue Jays play-by-play voice Dan Shulman, who comments on Matt Chapman’s hot start and how the new rules can effect the team on the base paths (01:14:13). The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily r…
13 abr 2023 - 01 t 36 min 12 sek
A Memorable Home Opener at Rogers Centre
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker share their takeaways from the Blue Jays’ 9-3 win over the Tigers on a night where Kevin Kiermaier stole the show with an incredible highlight reel catch and home run! The guys discuss what they saw from Alek Manoah’s 4.1 innings of work, the bullpen pitching scoreless innings the rest of the way, and Brandon Belt who had three hits in the win. Blue Jays radio play-by-play voice Ben Wagner weighs in on the home opener, nobably Manaoh’s velocity from start to start, the Jays’ platoon at second base, and Kiermaier’s big game (30:48). Later on, MLB executive Morgan Sword discusses how excited they are that the league has transitioned and adjusted to the new rules so smoothly, and why they'll keep letting fans lead them for any future rule adjustments down the road (49:28). Jeff and Kevin end the show with questions on the ‘Back Leg Line’, before examining Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s contract status, and looking ahead to Kevin Gausman’s start in game two of the seri…
12 abr 2023 - 01 t 39 min 27 sek
Manoah Takes the Hill at Home
The final home opener of the 2023 season takes place tonight at Rogers Centre as the Blue Jays host the Tigers! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss what they’re looking for from Alek Manoah tonight, the run differential of the American League East teams, Matt Chapman winning AL Player of the week, and the Orioles' new home run celebration. Later on, the fellas head to the phonelines to answer some of your questions on the 'Back Leg Line' (27:15). Next up, Chris Rose, host of The Chris Rose Rotation, weighs in on the Blue Jays and José Berríos’ start to the season, before projecting if Aaron Judge can repeat his MVP-performance (47:37). We wrap up with Tigers analyst Craig Monroe, who previews the upcoming series from a Detroit perspective and takes us through the mix of youngsters and veterans on the roster (01:16:05). 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 affiliat…
11 abr 2023 - 01 t 39 min 15 sek
Heading Home After a Crazy Finish in SoCal
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' weekend in L.A. as they took two of three against the Angels. The guys focus on Toronto's starting pitching in the series, while Matt Chapman and Kevin Kiermaier stayed red-hot at the plate. Later on, the guys examine the Jays’ division rivals in the latest installment of ‘In The East’ (31:44). Former Marlins President David Samson talks about how front offices handle players who are underperforming with big contracts and where Miguel Cabrera stands all-time ahead of the Tigers' visit to Toronto (51:15). With the Rays continuing their winning ways, the guys call up Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times to discuss the club’s perfect 9-0 start to the season (01:20:54). 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.
10 abr 2023 - 01 t 39 min 52 sek
An Angelic Weekend Ahead
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker discuss the Blue Jays taking four of three against the Kansas City Royals, as Kevin Gausman didn’t allow an earned run in his second consecutive start. The guys empty out the 'Back Leg Line' and answer questions on Brandon Belt, Yusei Kikuchi, and no hitters (27:26). MLB Network Radio’s C.J. Nitkowski shares his thoughts on the early part of the season, notably the competition in the AL West, the Cardinals, and what he’s seen out of José Berríos (49:27). Angels TV analyst Mark Gubicza previews this weekend’s series between the Jays and Halos, before offering his perspective on the future of Shohei Ohtani in Southern California (01:18:39). 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.
7 abr 2023 - 01 t 38 min 41 sek
The Gary VarSHOW
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ 3-0 win over the Kansas City Royals, highlighted by Alek Manoah's seven innings of one-hit ball and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s first HR of the season. Former MLB player and father of Daulton, Gary Varsho, joins the guys to discuss his son’s path to the major leagues and why he felt that Daulton would be a good fit on the Blue Jays (25:32). MLB insider Jeff Passan shares his thoughts on the Rays’ hot start, Grayson Rodriguez’s debut with the Orioles, Shohei Ohtani’s pitch clock violations on the mound and in the batter’s box, and José Berríos’ struggles against the Royals (50:03). Jeff and Kevin wrap up today's show listening to your calls on the 'Back Leg Line' (01:20:53)! 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.
6 abr 2023 - 01 t 39 min 50 sek
Kikuchi Crowns the Royals
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays' 4-1 win over the Royals, as Yusei Kikuchi and the bullpen’s solid performance snapped the team’s three-game losing streak. Former MLB catcher and co-host of Foul Territory Erik Kratz discusses the early part of the MLB season and comments on Chris Bassitt and José Berríos’ first starts (27:49). Later on, Sportsnet’s Buck Martinez checks-in from Kansas City ahead of Alek Manoah’s start in the rubber match of the series (49:22). Jeff and Kevin react to Oli Marmol and Tyler O’Neill’s post-game comments from Tuesday night, before wrapping things up with a few questions from the 'Back Leg Line' (01:20:45). 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.
5 abr 2023 - 01 t 39 min 02 sek
Berrios’ Bad Start & Verdugo vs. Manoah
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open the show discussing the Blue Jays’ third consecutive loss, accentuated by José Berríos struggles on the mound after allowing eight runs in 5.2 innings of work. Jeff and Kevin listen and react to Alex Verdugo’s candid comments on Alek Manoah, before welcoming MLB Network’s Ryan Dempster to the conversation (30:58). Royals analyst & former closer Jeff Montgomery looks ahead to game two between the Royals and Jays and shares what he noticed from Berríos from the series opener (49:31). To end off the show, the guys check the voicemail on the “Back Leg Line” (01:13:14). 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.
4 abr 2023 - 01 t 39 min 03 sek
Weekend Wrap with Jayson Stark & John Schneider
Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' opening series loss against the Cardinals; particularly Chris Bassitt’s rough debut on Sunday afternoon. “In The East” returns as the guys examine the play of Toronto’s division rivals, notably the Rays’ starting pitching looking strong in the early going (27:25). The Athletic’s Jayson Stark discusses Rob Manfred’s candid comments on the use of analytics and his takeaways from MLB’s opening weekend (51:10). Blue Jays manager John Schneider comments on his club’s play against St. Louis, Bassitt’s debut and the adjustments needed to be made, Daulton Varsho and Matt Chapman’s series at the dish, and looks ahead to José Berríos’ start against the Royals (01:18:13). 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.
3 abr 2023 - 01 t 39 min 52 sek