The JD Bunkis Podcast

JD is joined by Kevin Barker, co-host of Blair and Barker, to discuss the plans for the Blue Jays' starting rotation with Shane Bieber making his season debut on Friday, and Max Scherzer pitching as well as he has with Toronto (00:00). They also get into Jeff Hoffman and the construction of the bullpen, the recent baserunning and defensive lapses, and the effect Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s injury could have going forward. Later, JD div...

JD dives into the awkward incident between Tyler Heineman and Tommy Pham during the Blue Jays loss to the Pirates, and wonders about possible retribution coming in the second game of the series (00:00). James Palmer, NFL insider at Bleacher Report, joins the show to discuss the biggest storylines from the NFL training camps and preseason including the Cleveland Browns' decision to start Joe Flacco in Week 1, the QB competition brew...

JD is joined by Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, to preview the Blue Jays series against the Pirates in Pittsburgh and the excitement of seeing Paul Skenes make his first career start against Toronto (00:00). The guys discuss the Jays' position as a favourite in the American League to reach the World Series, the depth of competition in the AL once the playoffs begin, what would constitute a disappointing end to the 2025 ...

JD opens with thoughts on the Blue Jays' loss to the Cubs at Rogers Centre on Wednesday, the importance of winning Thursday's series finale, and the recent performance of the starting rotation (00:00). Ben Nicholson-Smith joins to chat more about pitching, the expectations for Shane Bieber when he gets back to the big leagues, and the excitement around Trey Yesavage making his first Triple-A start (9:18). Later, former MLB All-Star...

JD starts with the Blue Jays following another victory, along with his feelings on the front office returning after Mark Shapiro's comments to the media (00:00). Dakota Joshua, newly acquired Maple Leafs' forward, joins the show to chat about his path to the NHL through the NCAA system, the changing landscape in junior hockey, the challenges of his 2024-25 season, the excitement of coming to Toronto and joining the Leafs, and what ...

JD opens with his thoughts on preseason action, and his change of heart when it comes to paying attention to exhibition games (00:00). Lance Lynn, 13-year Major League pitcher, joins the show to chat about his retirement, the changing role of starting pitchers and managers in the MLB, his experience moving between three teams within a year, before touching on the Yankees' struggles, the depth of the Blue Jays' starting rotation, an...

JD is joined by Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, to discuss the Blue Jays salvaging their series in Los Angeles (00:00). They touch on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s clutch numbers following his game-tying home run in the eighth inning, Jeff Hoffman's struggles to find the strike zone after a week-long hiatus, the looming decision on Shane Bieber joining the starting rotation, and question whether or not the front office should...

JD is joined by Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, to recap his time at the National Bank Open semi-finals, before attempting to rank the most athletic sports across the world. Then, the guys get into their takeaways from the historic Blue Jays series against the Rockies, including the continued depth down the lineup, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. starting to find his power stroke since the All-Star break (00:00). Later, JD an...

JD tempers his excitement around the Blue Jays following back-to-back dominant victories over the Rockies in Colorado, and breaks down the latest in the AL East with the Red Sox and Yankees continuing to move in different directions (00:00). 15-year MLB pitcher, Adam Ottavino, joins the show to chat about his career, changes in technology in baseball over the years, and the importance of comradery on a baseball team, before diving ...

JD starts the week with thoughts on the Blue Jays' dominant victory over the Rockies after losing the previous series to the Royals, and the Yankees' struggles as they attempt to make up ground on Toronto, before getting into the recent heroics of Bo Bichette (00:00). Jim Bowden, MLB insider and former GM, joins the show to break down the Blue Jays' moves at the trade deadline, notably the Shane Bieber acquisition from the Guardian...

JD shares his thoughts on the Blue Jays activity at the MLB Trade Deadline, and reflects on the players moved out and acquired by Toronto during a busy day in baseball (00:00). Then, Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith joins the show to break down yesterday's excitement, the Blue Jays' strategy at the deadline, other options that may have been on the table for Toronto, before diving into the specifics of the team's newest reliever Loui...

JD is joined on MLB Trade Deadline day by Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, to discuss the importance of the Blue Jays' win over the Orioles as they salvage the series, and the expectations of the Jays front office to acquire another impact player (00:00). They dive into the options for the Blue Jays to improve their roster, the prospects that should or shouldn't be traded, their concerns with the current rotation of star...

JD returns from his vacation to break down the Blue Jays' struggles amid their four-game losing streak, including two losses in a double-header to the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, and looks into the trade for reliever Seranthony Domínguez from those same Orioles (00:00). Then, Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith joins the show to dive deeper into the trade, what the Blue Jays still need to do ahead of Thursday's trade deadline, the pr...

JD starts with his thoughts on the NHL schedule release, the potential lack of anticipation for Mitch Marner's return to Toronto, and the comparison to John Tavares' return to Long Island after signing with the Maple Leafs (00:00). Rob Longley, Toronto Sun Blue Jays reporter joins the show to chat about JD's burning questions for the Jays heading into the unofficial second half of the MLB season (07:04). They discuss the need for V...

JD opens with his thoughts on the MLB All-Star Game, the addition of the ABS system, and the efficiency of more technology in sports (00:00). Ariel Helwani, Creator of Uncrowned, joins to chat about the New York Knicks offseason following their Eastern Conference Finals loss and the comparisons to the Toronto Maple Leafs, before getting into the state of the UFC Heavyweight division, the rumoured event taking place at the White Hou...

JD discusses his feelings towards the MLB's Home Run Derby ahead of the All-Star Game tonight, as well as the possibility that the Canadian anthem was omitted as the festivities began, before turning his attention to the Blue Jays position in the American League heading into the break (00:00). Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith joins the show to chat about the Blue Jays' options in the starting pitcher trade market, an update on Max S...

JD opens the MLB All-Star break with his thoughts on the Blue Jays series loss to the Athletics, John Schneider's decision making with rest coming to the core players, and the direction the team should be headed in the unofficial second half of the season (00:00). JD takes a look at the available starting pitchers ahead of the trade deadline and what Toronto will consider moving in order to upgrade the roster, before singling out V...

JD opens the show with his thoughts on the news that Ryan Reaves has been traded from the Toronto Maple Leafs to the San Jose Sharks. Matt Murray, former Maple Leaf and new Seattle Kraken goaltender, joins to chat about his decision to head west, his Stanley Cup champion teams in Pittsburgh, the difficulties of playing goalie in today's game, the lack of dominant Canadian goalies, as well as his experience playing in Toronto and hi...

JD takes a look at Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s recent string of play amidst the Blue Jays hot streak and how to approach the topic when he's seemingly underperforming (00:00). Jeff Blair, host of Blair and Barker, joins the show to continue the discussion on Vladdy's performance of late, whether or not he can return to his MVP-candidate form, what the front office should be looking to add to the roster at the trade deadline, the chance...