Heading Into the Weekend with Pena & Passan

Jays Fly Home After a 4-2 Road Trip: Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap a successful road trip for the Blue Jays, despite losing the final game 8-7 to the Houston Astros, and examine how the bullpen has been a catalyst for the team’s success, particularly Yimi Garcia. Afterwards, Blue Jays Central’s Joe Siddall shares his thoughts on Kikuchi’s propensity for throwing the cutter, what he needs to do in his next start, and Bo Bichette’s defence (30:46). 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 affiliate. by Blair & Barker

52 min listen

In the Bullpen with Ryan Dempster & Ricky Romero: Host of Off The Mound and World Series Champion pitcher Ryan Dempster weighs-in on Mets starter Chris Bassitt’s comments on the game’s “bad baseballs” and how teams can elevate their game when a particular pitcher is starting on the mound (01:34). Later on, former Blue Jays' All-Star Ricky Romero discusses Kevin Gausman’s splitter, what it’s like as a pitcher to possess a devastating pitch like it, and his thoughts on Bassitt’s comments and the Blue Jays in the early-going (29:14). 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. by Blair & Barker

49 min listen

Catching Up with Coach Bud and Brian Anderson: 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. by Blair & Barker

49 min listen

‘Cowboy Joe’ Joins the Show: 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. by Blair & Barker

50 min listen

Runs Down as the Astros Come to Town: 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. by Blair & Barker

49 min listen

Blue Jays Bats Stay Silent: 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. by Blair & Barker

49 min listen

Beyond the Numbers with Dante Bichette + Jon Heyman's NY Report: 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. by Blair & Barker

49 min listen

Rose Knows Baseball: 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. by Blair & Barker

49 min listen

Bo’s Big Bash Sinks Boston: Jeff and Kevin recap the Blue Jays' 6-2 win over the Red Sox - led by Bo Bichette’s tie-breaking grand slam in the eighth inning! They discuss how big of a hit it was for both the team and Bichette personally, Toronto’s strong start with the potential to see even more from Alek Manoah and Jose Berrios, and the effort from Adam Cimber and the bullpen (00:36). Sportsnet’s Dan Shulman discusses the Blue Jays’ team camaraderie, league-wide likability, Charlie Montoyo putting the bullpen in positions to succeed, and Berrios’ demeanour on the mound (26:40). 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 affiliate. by Blair & Barker

49 min listen

Early Season Reactions with Ross Atkins: Blair and Barker are joined by Toronto Blue Jays' GM Ross Atkins to provide his thoughts on his team’s play in the early portion of the season. The guys discuss Bo Bichette following his big game, the energy of the home crowd at Rogers Centre, Alejandro Kirk’s defence behind the plate, and the overall feeling of excitement around the clubhouse. 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 affiliate. by Blair & Barker

33 min listen

Gaus: Pitching Like a Boss: 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. by Blair & Barker

51 min listen

Blue Jays are Bronx Bound (Again!): 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. by Blair & Barker

50 min listen

Brooms and Berrios: The Blue Jays' bats have officially heated up as they completed a four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Angels, highlighted by Sunday’s wild 11-10 win. Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker examine the team’s offensive surge, the productivity of catchers Alejandro Kirk and Danny Jansen, and their level of concern with Jose Berrios after lasting only 2.1 innings in his latest start. Afterwards, the guys examine the Rays talking smack and the recent rise of the Red Sox in the latest edition of “In the East” (31:47). 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. by Blair & Barker

51 min listen

Derek Holland: The Newest Blue Jay: 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. by Blair & Barker

49 min listen

How Umpires Stole the Show in Arizona: 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. by Blair & Barker

49 min listen

Behind the Plate with Dale Scott & Bengie Molina: Longtime MLB Umpire & Crew Chief Dale Scott joins Blair and Barker to share his point of view on why the fake strike zones on MLB telecasts create more problems for umpires and the challenges of implementing an Automatic Ball/Strike System (06:02). Later on, former Blue Jays' catcher and current St. Louis Cardinals radio analyst Bengie Molina discusses the longevity his brother Yadier has enjoyed throughout his career, his view on the Blue Jays, and why he is not concerned at all about Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s production (27:14). 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. by Blair & Barker

50 min listen

A Gausman Gem & Springer Dinger: Jeff and Kevin recap the Blue Jays’ thrilling 6-5 comeback win vs. the Red Sox at Rogers Centre. The guys focus in on George Springer’s big game and game-tying home run, his flair for the dramatic, Raimel Tapia’s at-bat in extra innings to win it, and Kevin Gausman’s second consecutive strong start against Boston. Afterwards, MLB Network’s Bill Ripken joins the guys to share his perspective on the game and how good hitters like Bo Bichette work out of slumps (31:21). 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. by Blair & Barker

50 min listen

Teoscar Hernandez Can’t Return Soon Enough: 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. by Blair & Barker

50 min listen

Vladdy Jr. Gets The Day Off: Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start off breaking down the lineups ahead of the Blue Jays - Red Sox finale, including days off for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Xander Bogaerts (00:05). WEEI's Rob Bradford stops by to break down the game of pitcher Garrett Whitlock and why Bogaerts still doesn't have a long term deal (11:14). Sportsnet's Ben Wagner joins from Rogers Centre to shed some light on the foot injury for Vladdy Jr., and what injury replacements could fill in if Teoscar Hernandez is unable to go in the next few weeks (33:17). 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. by Blair & Barker

50 min listen

History in Dunedin + Bret Boone Joins!: Former Seattle second baseman and current podcast host Bret Boone talks about the 2022 edition of the Mariners ahead of the team’s three-game series against the Blue Jays. The former All-Star also shares his views on the Blue Jays and how his brother Aaron has managed the Yankees to a 25-9 record to this point in the season (01:52). Dunedin Blue Jays Manager Donnie Murphy joins the show to recap an epic performance from his pitching staff after they struck out 24 batters in a game over the weekend (28:24). 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 or any affiliates. by Blair & Barker

49 min listen

Motown's Mission with A.J. Hinch: Detroit Tigers Manager A.J. Hinch joins Blair and Barker to talk about how his Tigers are performing as they play host to the Blue Jays, his philosophy managing his mixed-bag roster with top prospects and Hall of Famers, and how external factors can affect player performance (05:52). Finally, the guys wrap up the week with today's trivia question, before answering all your questions in "Barker's Back Leg Bits" (26:07)! 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. by Blair & Barker

50 min listen

Pinch Running & Pitch Clocks: 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 by Blair & Barker

50 min listen

Yankees Deep Dive with Jack Curry: 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 by Blair & Barker

49 min listen

Porter & Passan Join the Show: 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. by Blair & Barker

49 min listen

When Will the Jays Offence Break Out?: 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. by Blair & Barker

51 min listen

Scanning the Trade Market with Dan Shulman & Ken Rosenthal: Blue Jays play-by-play voice Dan Shulman joins the guys with his thoughts on the team’s recent stretch of games, the bullpen, and if he expects Toronto to be active on the trade market as the season goes on (01:22). The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal discusses his recent feature on how the Blue Jays decided to draft Alek Manoah, before shifting his attention to the trade market and who Toronto could pursue as they search for a lefty bat and Juan Soto’s future in Washington (28:28). 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. by Blair & Barker

49 min listen

Springer and Berrios Step Up: Jeff and Kevin kick off the show discussing the Houston Astros' 13-4 rout of the Boston Red Sox before moving on to the Blue Jays’ 3-0 win over the Seattle Mariners, led by Jose Berrios’ seven strong innings and George Springer’s base-clearing triple. Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi joins the guys to talk about Springer’s impact to the Blue Jays’ clubhouse both on and off the field and addresses who needs to step up in the bullpen with Tim Mayza’s injury (26:49). 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. by Blair & Barker

50 min listen

A Series to Forget in Cleveland: 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. by Blair & Barker

50 min listen

Manoah by The Numbers: 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. by Blair & Barker

51 min listen

West Coast Wake-Up Calls with John Schneider and Perry Minasian: Blue Jays' Bench Coach John Schneider joins Blair and Barker to discuss the club's hitting with runners in scoring position, the work the players are putting in with the coaching staff, and Danny Jansen’s hot bat since coming off the IL (15:55). Later on, Angels General Manager Perry Minasian comments on his club’s impressive 27-19 start, what Noah Syndergaard has brought to the starting rotation, Mike Trout’s greatness & more (30:27)! To wrap up, we head to Twitter and the text-line for Barker's Back Leg Bits (41:31). 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. by Blair & Barker

50 min listen

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Heading Into the Weekend with Pena & Passan

Heading Into the Weekend with Pena & Passan

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