The JD Bunkis Podcast

JD and Ben Ennis, co-host of The FAN Morning Show, discuss Trey Yesavage's historic Game 4 pitching performance to bring the Blue Jays within one win of their first World Series championship since 1993 (00:00). The guys dig into the numerous records set by the 22-year old Yesavage, and the impact he's made since arriving in the majors in September, before looking towards the future for this team with Yesavage and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. leading the way. After the break, JD and Ben continue the conversation around the Blue Jays World Series run, the potential for the Dodgers to push the series to seven games, and the ability of the Jays to come together as a team at the biggest moments (33:49). 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.

JD revels in the Blue Jays' Game 4 victory over the Dodgers in LA, credits the team for their gusty performance by the team after the historically long Game 3 on Monday, and looks closer at the Vladimir Guerrero Jr.-Shohei Ohtani matchup (00:00). Jonathan Papelbon, '07 World Series champion, joins the show to discuss what we've seen during the Fall Classic (11:59), the pitching matchups throughout the series, the impact that Chris Bassitt has provided for the bullpen, the incredible atmosphere at Rogers Centre for these postseason games, and Trey Yesavage's chances in Game 5, as he makes his second start against the Dodgers. After the break, JD highlights the Blue Jays offence, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s record-breaking performance, and the good decisions made by John Schneider in Game 4, before touching on the Maple Leafs' win over the Flames (40:58). 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.

JD reacts to the heartbreaking Blue Jays loss to the Dodgers in 18 innings during Game 3 of the World Series, before dissecting the game's biggest moments (00:00). Jared Carrabis, host of the Baseball Is Dead podcast, joins the show to help break down the incredible action from the Fall Classic (10:52). The guys get into the craziness of the night, including the decisions made by managers John Schneider and Dave Roberts, the impact of George Springer's unfortunate injury, Shohei Ohtani's two home run performance, and the theatrics of having Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw appear in what could be their final World Series appearances (00:00). After the break, JD offers up some of Game 3's most insane stats and looks ahead to Game 4 (47:46). 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.

JD recaps the weekend of baseball in Toronto as the Blue Jays split their two games with the Dodgers in their first World Series appearance since 1993, breaking down the highlights of Friday night's victory and how Los Angeles was able to even it up on Saturday (00:00). Eric Hosmer, 2015 World Series champion, joins the show to continue the conversation around the World Series. He dives into the incredible pitching matchups we've seen throughout the first two games, the comparisons of this Blue Jays team to his 2015 Royals championship team, the consistency Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s postseason performances, Bo Bichette's gutsy return to the lineup despite his injury, the decision to send out Max Scherzer in Game 3 ahead of Shane Bieber, and the atmosphere at Rogers Centre during the MLB postseason (20:38). After the break, JD takes a look at the Raptors' loss against No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks, ahead of their matchup against Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio on Monday (47:38). 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.

JD Bunkis is joined by Sam McKee, host and producer at Sportsnet 590 The FAN, to reflect on the Toronto Blue Jays' 11-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the World Series. They discuss the Rogers Centre's electric atmosphere, Addison Barger's pinch-hit grand slam -- the first in Fall Classic history, and contributions from up and down the Jays' roster. Afterwards, the duo reacts to Bo Bichette's absence from Toronto's Game 2 lineup and share their optimism that Bichette could stay a Jay beyond 2025. 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.

JD opens with his thoughts ahead of Game 1 of the World Series in Toronto between the Blue Jays and the Dodgers, including the decision to start Trey Yesavage on Friday night at Rogers Centre (00:00). Adam Ottavino, former MLB reliever & host of Baseball and Coffee, joins the show to further break down Yesavage starting Game 1, the effect of Kevin Gausman pitching in Game 7 against the Mariners, how the Jays will have to use their limited left-handed arms in the bullpen, how Max Scherzer and Chris Bassitt will factor into the series, the Blue Jays plan of attack against the Dodgers pitching staff, the impact of Bo Bichette potentially re-joining the team, and the Jays mindset against L.A. as heavy underdogs (10:49). After the break, JD touches on the Shohei Ohtani of it all, and gives his keys for the Jays to beat the Dodgers in Game 1 (47:34). 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.

JD takes a moment to discuss the market for World Series tickets in Toronto, the pricing amongst the secondary options, and the difficulty for true Blue Jays fans to get into the Rogers Centre for Game 1, before looking at his questions for the Jays heading into the Fall Classic (00:00). Jon Morosi, MLB Network insider, joins JD to chat about the World Series matchup between the Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers, Bo Bichette's apparent readiness to re-join the team at the biggest point of the season, the progression of George Springer's knee injury suffered in Game 5 against the Mariners, the challenge for the Blue Jays' starting pitchers against the Dodgers' loaded lineup, and where the Jays might have an advantage against the reigning World Series champions. After the break, JD breaks down the Raptors win in their season opener against the Hawks, and the stand-out play by Immanuel Quickley in the blowout (44:19). 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.

JD reflects on the 2025 Blue Jays season so far with the World Series getting underway on Friday against the Dodgers, looking at the biggest contributors to the Jays' making their first appearance in Fall Classic since 1993 (00:00). Blake Murphy, host of Jays Talk Plus and The Raptors Show, joins JD in-studio to further discuss the chemistry of this Blue Jays squad, the progression of the offence with first-year hitting coach David Popkins, the new demographics of Blue Jays fans at playoff games, and the impact of this season's theatrics across the Blue Jays history (7:49). After the break, JD and Blake get into the Raptors' biggest stories ahead of their season opener on Wednesday, including the team's financial situation, RJ Barrett's standing with the team amongst the trade rumours all summer, Brandon Ingram's role as the most recent addition to the starting lineup, and the potential for the 2025-26 season if the Raptors can stay healthy (28:36). 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.

JD celebrates the Blue Jays winning the ALCS against the Mariners in Game 7, as they move on to their first World Series since 1993 to take on the L.A. Dodgers (00:00). Ben Ennis, host of The FAN Morning Show, joins JD in-studio to further discuss the Jays' Game 7 victory (5:38), George Springer's legacy in Toronto after his game-winning 3-run home run, Mariners' skipper Dan Wilson's decision to go with Eduard Bazardo in the 7th inning instead of closer Andrés Muñoz, and John Schneider's deployment of Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, and Jeff Hoffman in the winner-take-all game, after the decision to go with Brendon Little in Game 5. After the break, the guys continue the Blue Jays talk, including the matchup against the Dodgers, the continued development of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s stardom in Toronto, and the connection he has with the fanbase (36:25). 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.

JD gives his thoughts on the Blue Jays' split against the Mariners over the weekend, the belief in the team after pushing the series to seven games, other Toronto comparables to this postseason run by the Jays, and the historical impact Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is having on the city and country with his incredible play in October (00:00). Sportsnet.ca's Ben Nicholson-Smith joins the show to add-on to the Blue Jays conversation (14:55), including the performance from Vlad Jr., the contributions from the unsung heroes after the injury to George Springer, how much a World Series appearance would mean to the fans and the organization, John Schneider's bullpen decision-making in Game's 5 & 6 and what the expectations should be for the bullpen for Game 7, before looking at Bo Bichette's potential to join the club should they make the World Series. After the break, JD checks in on Anthony Stolarz after his comments following the Maple Leafs' OT loss to the Kraken on Saturday night (48:02). 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.