Baseball Central @ Noon

MLB insider Jeff Passan shares his view on Aaron Judge’s accomplishment, if he will stay a Yankee in the offseason, who can challenge the Astros in the AL, Tyler Glasnow getting healthy for the Rays, and if Aaron Judge is in the Hall of Fame conversation (02:13). The guys end off the show with an extended edition of Barker’s Back Leg Bits (22:20)! 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.

History was made at Rogers Centre on Wednesday night as Aaron Judge hit his 61st home run of the season to equal Roger Maris’ American League & New York Yankees single-season record. Jeff and Kevin react to the accomplishment and listen to post-game comments from Judge himself, Blue Jays Manager John Schneider, Roger Maris Jr. and Jays pitcher Tim Mayza, before asking the fans which number they consider to be the true home-run record: 61 or Barry Bonds’ 73 which was reached in the steroid era. 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 all the talk surrounding Aaron Judge’s potential home run milestones, Jeff and Kevin invite Phil Ozersky on the show; the man who caught Mark McGwire’s 70th home run in 1998, the single-season record at the time. Phil discusses what happened in the aftermath of catching ball, his decision to put it up for auction, and what it was like meeting McGwire himself after the ball sold (02:29). Later on, WFAN Yankees reporter Sweeny Murti discusses the Yankees winning the division, Giancarlo Stanton not hitting like himself lately, and how the Yankees will approach the next week with the AL East all wrapped up (30:43). 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 discuss the Blue Jays’ 5-2 loss to the Yankees as New York was able to clinch the AL East division on Toronto’s home turf. Jeff and Kevin talk about the mistakes made on the base paths by Toronto, Bo Bichette’s play in the field, and José Berríos’ latest start where he lasted 5.1 innings in the loss. The guys invite Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi in on the conversation where he shared his reaction to John Schneider’s post-game availability and the baserunning blunders from the Blue Jays in an important game where they are also trying to solidify their place in the postseason (34:19). 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.

Sportsnet’s Joe Siddall joins Blair & Barker to discuss the latest surrounding the Blue Jays including if José Berríos is tipping his pitches, the work he is putting in with Pete Walker, Teoscar Hernández' two-run double and recent plate approach, and what he’s noticing from Vladimir Guerrero Jr. offensively (01:02). Play-by-play broadcaster for TBS Brian Anderson previews Game 2 of the Yankees-Blue Jays series and comments on how he prepares to call potential milestones when he’s on the mic (26:37). 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 the Blue Jays’ 3-2 win over the New York Yankees including: Kevin Gausman’s start, John Schneider’s decision to intentionally walk Aaron Judge, and Vladimir Guerrero’s walk-off hit in extra innings. The Athletic’s Jayson Stark goes around the Majors with the guys and shares his thoughts on where Aaron Judge’s 2022 season ranks among the best he’s seen, what kind of manager the Miami Marlins need after parting ways with Don Mattingly, and which combination of starting pitchers will set the Blue Jays up for postseason success (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.

Four-time World Series Champion and YES Network analyst Jeff Nelson joins Blair and Barker to discuss Aaron Judge’s historic season, Luis Severino, and how the Yankees could set their lineup and rotation as they head to Rogers Centre for the final time this regular season (04:14). Blue Jays manager John Schneider discusses George Springer’s sense of the moment, why securing home-field advantage is a priority, and who would start a decisive third postseason game for the Blue Jays (31:14). 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 & Kevin Barker recap the Blue Jays’ weekend against the Tampa Bay Rays, notably the last two games where Toronto picked up wins to split the series. The guys delve into Teoscar Hernández’s awakening at the plate, Whit Merrifield’s impressive numbers at Tropicana Field, Alek Manaoh’s performance on Saturday where he pitched 7 innings to secure the win, and Ross Stripling providing another strong outing. The guys then examine the weekend for the Yankees, Mariners, and Rays, and provide an update in the Wild Card Race for “In The East” (27:26). They wrap up this hour by revisiting the conversation on whether or not Alek Manoah should be available to pitch in one of the first three games of a Wild Card series (42:33). 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 joins Blair and Barker to discuss the postseason teams jockeying for position, who in each league poses the biggest threat to the Astros and Dodgers, what he thinks the Blue Jays should do when it comes to securing home-field advantage, and the playoff atmosphere at Rogers Centre (04:54). In Barker’s Back Leg Bits, the guys answer a question on if catchers Alejandro Kirk, Danny Jansen, and Gabriel Moreno will all be back with Toronto next year, and fans weigh-in with their thoughts on how Toronto’s rotation should be set up in the playoffs (27:12). 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.

Following Toronto’s 10-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, Jeff Blair and Kevin assess José Berríos' performance at Tropicana Field after he threw 74 pitches and lasted only two innings. Later on, they discuss and debate what should be the priority for Toronto: securing home-field advantage or setting up the starting rotation to feature Alek Manoah in a potential Wild Card series. Tampa Bay VP and General Manager Peter Bendix talks Jays-Rays, the pitching depth in his organization, and how a front office’s role changes down the stretch and into the postseason (30:59). 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.

Rays Reporter Marc Topkin previews the final regular season series between Tampa Bay and Toronto, while providing an update on Shane McClanahan’s health and the argument between teammates Yandy Diaz and Randy Arozarena (02:39). Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker then open up the phone lines to ask fans for their expectations ahead of the all-important Blue Jays-Rays series (13:41), before ending the show with the latest installment of Barker’s Back Leg Bits (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 Blair and Kevin Barker recap Toronto’s 4-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies to earn a series split in the "City of Brotherly Love". Notably, they discuss Toronto’s decision to not use Anthony Bass in extra-innings, despite him not pitching in several days. Former Phillies GM & current MLB Network/NBC Sports analyst Ruben Amaro Jr. comments on certain managers being the right fit for certain teams, the mentality of managers coaching their teams down the stretch, Aaron Judge’s historic season and his future with the Yankees (30:15). 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.

Senior VP of Baseball Operations for MLB and long-time player Raúl Ibañez joins Blair and Barker to discuss why he thinks baseball’s new rules will bring a “70’s and 80’s” feel to today’s game, why the new rules will benefit players, and looks back on the most "clutch" performers he’s been teammates with (02:16). Veteran MLB pitcher Jamie Moyer relies on his 25 years experience in the bigs to break down the adjustment going from the rotation to the bullpen in the postseason, before talking about winning the World Series in 2008 with the Phillies and the 2022 edition of the Seattle Mariners as they jockey for position with Toronto in the AL Wild Card Race (29:46). In the latest edition of Barker’s Back Leg Bits, the guys tackle questions on: Cavan Biggio, Matt Chapman and more (46:15)! 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker recap a wild 18-11 Blue Jays win over the Philadelphia Phillies and discuss Ross Stripling’s no decision, Bryce Harper’s base-running blunder, a successful night at the dish for Teoscar Hernández, the AL Wild Card race and Shane McClanahan leaving the Rays' game with an injury. Blair and Barker welcome Blue Jays radio voice Ben Wagner in on the conversation and ask who should be the Blue Jays’ starting second baseman when the playoffs begin (29:32). 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.

Longtime MLB catcher and Phillies radio analyst Erik Kratz joins Blair and Barker to comment on the job Canadian Rob Thomson has done managing Philadelphia after taking over for Joe Girardi, Bryce Harper’s overall season and health, and what is was like being teammates with Aaron Judge on the Yankees as the slugger continues to chase history (03:34). Sportsnet’s Caleb Joseph shares his thoughts on how Danny Jansen looked catching Alek Manoah over Alejandro Kirk, Jansen’s pitch-framing, Jordan Romano’s blown save on Sunday, and Romano’s fastball-slider mix (29:03). 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.

Jeff Blair & Kevin Barker start off with a look at the Wild Card standings, before re-visiting their conversation with John Schneider to question how the Blue Jays' lineup will look tonight when Toronto visits the Philadelphia Phillies for a two-game set. Houston Astros analyst and World Series Champion Geoff Blum discusses the team’s impressive performance this season, as Houston clinched the AL West for fifth time in six years after a 4-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays (29:18). 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 welcome Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi to the show to discuss who would be the Blue Jays’ primary DH when everyone is healthy, the importance of Anthony Bass and Tim Mayza in the bullpen, and how to set up the starting rotation come playoff time (02:49). Blue Jays’ manager John Schneider makes his weekly appearance to reflect on his club going 7-4 in a 10-day stretch, Alek Manoah’s latest outing, Raimel Tapia making the most of his opportunities, and Jansen and Kirk working with the pitching staff (27:10). In Barker’s Back Leg Bits, the guys answer your questions, including one on Aaron Judge's options to sign in the off-season outside of New York (41:57). 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 took two of three from the Orioles over the weekend, distancing themselves further away from Baltimore in the AL Wild Card race. Jeff and Kevin examine Toronto's series win, notably Jordan Romano and the bullpen’s performance, and Alek Manoah’s latest start on Sunday. Blair & Barker then take a look at how the Jays' American League rivals fared over the weekend; primarily the Yankees and Aaron Judge as the slugger chases the Triple Crown and the organization’s record for home runs in a season (27:09). 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’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Morgan Sword joins Jeff and Kevin to discuss how the rule changes for 2023 came to be, the decision to ban shift, the research and data behind the changes, and how to speed up the game (02:02). Later on, MLB insider Jeff Passan curses Bluetooth technology while also providing his opinion on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. saying he would like to sign an extension with Toronto in the off-season, and the Chicago White Sox playing better with Tony LaRussa away from the club (29:24). 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.

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker break down the Blue Jays' 11-0 loss to the Rays, a disappointing final game despite Toronto winning the five-game series three games to two. The guys discuss Kevin Gausman’s latest start going up against Shane McClanahan, and what Toronto's best lineup would be at a time where key hitters are banged up and/or underperforming. In an extended Barker’s Back Leg Bits, Jeff and Kevin answer questions on: Bo Bichette, if the Texas Rangers could be a destination for Ross Stripling, Seattle’s schedule down the stretch and more (28:49)! 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.