Best Advanced Scout Podcasts (2025)

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Week 13 vs Bills 23:01

Play Pause

3d ago23:01

23:01

Tom Opferman and Matt Williamson break down the Steelers upcoming opponent the Buffalo Bills. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By SNR

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Why I Lost My Joy for Creating (And How I’m Getting It Back) | THE HEAT CHECK SERIES 1 35:23

18h ago35:23

35:23

THE HEAT CHECK - Morning Mind Dump from Inside the Sauna Blanket (Episode 1) In this first-ever episode from inside the sauna, I get real about something I’ve been wrestling with for a long time… losing my joy for creating. And i'm publishing this "disaster" of an episode to finally attempt to rid myself of this OCD perfectionism I have that makes …

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Ep36: Player Pathways: How Clubs Build from Grassroots to First Team 52:49

22h ago52:49

52:49

Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary The conversation explores the structured approach to player development in sports, emphasising that successful pathways are not a matter of luck but are carefully engineered through collaboration among various departments within sports clubs. Takeaways Pathways aren't luck, they're engineered. Successful pl…

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What Dylan Cease Brings + What's Next for the Blue Jays? 49:29

1d ago49:29

49:29

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are back for an offseason edition as the Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly signed starting pitcher Dylan Cease to a 7-year, $210 million contract. They share their reactions to the move, what Cease can bring to Toronto's rotation, and what comes next on the Jays' list of offseason priorities. Sportsnet insider Shi Davidi…

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Emergency Pod: Blue Jays Land Dylan Cease 15:11

2d ago15:11

15:11

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker reconvene for an emergency podcast to discuss the Blue Jays reported signing of right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease to a 7-year, $210 million contract. It's the largest pitching contract handed out by Toronto in franchise history and Blair and Barker break it all down! The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are th…

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Ep35: Inside Recruitment: Lessons from Successes and Failures 36:52

8d ago36:52

36:52

Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary In this conversation, David Bromley and Tom Butterfield discuss the intricacies of football signings, emphasising that each transfer tells a unique story. David discusses the four key realities of recruitment, emphasising the importance of clarity, behaviour, environment, and expectation in the recruitment …

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Week 12 @ Bears 27:55

10d ago27:55

27:55

Matt Williamson and Tom Opferman break down the Steelers upcoming opponent the Chicago Bears. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By SNR

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Ep34: The Analyst’s Role in Storytelling: Shaping How Fans See the Game 29:52

14d ago29:52

29:52

Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary In this conversation, David Bromley discusses the intricacies of football analysis, focusing on identifying patterns, momentum shifts, and the emotional aspects of the game. He emphasises the importance of storytelling in analysis and the analyst's role in choosing how to present data and narratives effecti…

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Week 11 vs Bengals 22:08

18d ago22:08

22:08

Tom Opferman and Matt Williamson look at the Steelers upcoming matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By SNR

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Ep33: What Will Data Never Be Able To Tell Us? 30:37

22d ago30:37

30:37

Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary The conversation explores the interplay between data and instinct in decision-making, emphasizing the importance of knowing when to trust each. It highlights the limitations of data and the necessity of context in understanding outcomes. Takeaways It's not data versus instinct. It's knowing when to trust ea…

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Mark Shapiro & Ross Atkins End-Of-Season Avails 1:24:13

23d ago1:24:13

1:24:13

We hear from Blue Jays President and CEO Mark Shapiro and General Manager Ross Atkins discussing a wide range of topics, including Shapiro's contract, Bo Bichette's free agency, Shane Bieber picking up his player option and much more! Plus, Jeff Blair heads to the Back-Leg Line to get your reactions on the Jays' front office end-of-season media ava…

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Week 10 @ Chargers 17:15

24d ago17:15

17:15

Tom and Matt break down the Steelers upcoming matchup with the Chargers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By SNR

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Post-World Series Priorities with David Samson 49:44

26d ago49:44

49:44

Former MLB President and host of 'Nothing Personal' David Samson (1:28) joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker to chat about how he would plan for the upcoming offseason, assessing 'breakout years' from the likes of Ernie Clement and George Springer, Jeff Hoffman overcoming the game-tying home run in Game 7, Yoshinobu Yamamoto's uniqueness, how he would…

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An Incredible Run Comes to an End 49:38

26d ago49:38

49:38

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker reflect on the Toronto Blue Jays' Game 7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, falling short of a World Series title. They break down the game, including Jeff Hoffman giving up a game-tying home run to the Dodgers' nine-hole hitter and Isiah Kiner-Falefa's base-running in the ninth inning. Then, they share positive takeaways …

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The Magnitude of 'One More Game' with Pat Gillick 49:26

29d ago49:26

49:26

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker hear from both Bo Bichette and John Schneider ahead of Game 6, reacting to Bo's comments about his future, returning from injury to play in the World Series, his maturity through the years within the Blue Jays' organization, and John's comments on how he spent Halloween at his doorstep a year ago to now having the chance…

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A Chance to Close Out Against Yamamoto 50:17

29d ago50:17

50:17

It's game day! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to Game 6, a potential World Series-clinching stage for the Jays against the Dodgers. They go through the lineup, including George Springer's return to the lead-off spot and Bo Bichette's corresponding move back to second base. Then, two-time World Series champ and MLB Network's Al Leiter joins …

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Ep32: From Data to Dressing Room: How Insights Actually Influence Coaches 28:49

29d ago28:49

28:49

Join the Free Kickstart Challenge In this episode David and Tom talk about one of the three most important skills that can help the analyst translate the data into usable insights that could help them gain the trust of the coach. You could calculate the greatest data finding of the century...... but if you can't speak the language of the coaching s…

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Closing Out the World Series with MVP Jack Morris 49:52

30d ago49:52

49:52

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by 3-time World Series Champion and National Baseball Hall of Famer Jack Morris (4:20) to chat Trey Yesavage's historic Game 5 start in the World Series, the differences in pitching in the Fall Classic and regular season, how Kevin Gausman should approach pitching in a clincher, playing in extra-inning postsea…

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One. More. Win. 49:48

30d ago49:48

49:48

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker reflect on the Blue Jays' 6-1 win over the LA Dodgers in Game 5 to take a 3-2 World Series lead back to Toronto. They discuss Trey Yesavage's masterpiece on the mound and Addison Barger's awareness on the basepaths before looking ahead to Game 6 and how the Jays adjust to Yoshinobu Yamamoto the second time through. Later…

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Can Jays Take a Fall Classic Lead Back to Toronto? 49:43

1M ago49:43

49:43

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start the second hour leading up to Game 5 of the World Series with Baseball Today host and Jomboy Media's Chris Rose (1:00). He shares his impressions of the first four games of the Fall Classic, the Dodgers' bottom-of-the-order hole, Chris Bassitt's bullpen breakout, and a national POV of Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s postse…

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Jays Get to Ohtani to Even Up World Series 49:33

1M ago49:33

49:33

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker start with a look back on the Blue Jays' 6-2 win over the Dodgers in Game 4 to tie up the World Series, including Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s big home run off Shohei Ohtani and Shane Bieber's bounce-back. Then, they look ahead to Game 5, how the starters in Blake Snell and Trey Yesavage will adjust from their Game 1 outings,…

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Week 9 vs Colts 23:11

1M ago23:11

23:11

Matt and Tom break down the Steelers upcoming matchup against the Colts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By SNR

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Overcoming an 18-Inning Loss Ahead of Game 4 49:25

1M ago49:25

49:25

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by MLB Network analyst and two-time World Series champion Jake Peavy to chat about what he thinks the message would be in the Blue Jays clubhouse before Game 4 after a gut-wrenching Game 3 loss, Shane Bieber's gameplan at attacking Shohei Ohtani, hitting against high velo pitches, and why we're seeing two of t…

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Questionable Decisions in the Game 3 Marathon 49:48

1M ago49:48

49:48

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' marathon Game 3 against the LA Dodgers, a 6-5 in the 18th inning. They reflect on the Jays' consequential decision to pitch to Shohei Ohtani in the seventh inning, John Schneider's pinch-run replacements, questionable umpire calls, Nathan Lukes' 12-inning at-bat against Clayton Kershaw with th…

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A Must-Win for Both Teams at Dodger Stadium 49:37

1M ago49:37

49:37

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by former MLB pitcher and co-host of 'VSiN By The Books' Jensen Lewis (1:03) to chat about the challenges for the Blue Jays playing in a late afternoon game in L.A. for the next three World Series games that includes shadows, the keys to attacking Tyler Glasnow and vice versa for pitching against the Jays' bat…

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Sizing Up Game 3's Starters with Jeff Passan and Eric Karros 49:21

1M ago49:21

49:21

As the World Series heads to Los Angeles, Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to Monday night's Game 3 and share their expectations for the game's starters in Max Scherzer and Tyler Glasnow before welcoming ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan to the show (11:33). They discuss how Scherzer and George Springer are viewed in LA, whether Game 3 is a must-w…

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World Series Game 1 Special Preview 1:08:07

1M ago1:08:07

1:08:07

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker had the chance to chat with Blue Jays' pitching coach Pete Walker (1:13) from the World Series Media Day to talk about Trey Yesavage making his first Fall Classic start, Chris Bassitt's adjustment into a bullpen role during the ALCS and his projected workload against the L.A. Dodgers, and Jeff Hoffman's closing confidenc…

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Bo is Back + Blue Jays' National Reach 56:34

1M ago56:34

56:34

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays' Game 1 lineup, which includes Bo Bichette in the clean-up spot and at second base. They weigh in on the decision and look at the rest of the World Series roster before listening in on Ross Atkins' and Bichette's game-day availability. Later, TVA Sports' play-by-play announcer Denis Casavant (27:58…

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Ep31: Why Some Teams Overachieve: From Brentford to Mjällby - When Process Beats Payroll. 54:21

1M ago54:21

54:21

Ep31: 2024/25 EPL Team Personalities Mjällby Article Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary In this episode of the Football Insights Academy podcast, hosts Tom Butterfield and David Bromley delve into the concepts of overachievement and underachievement in football, particularly focusing on the Premier League. They discuss the performance index …

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State of MLB with Rob Manfred + '93 World Series MVP Paul Molitor 49:31

1M ago49:31

49:31

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by the Commissioner of Major League Baseball Rob Manfred (0:35) to chat about the current state of the game on the field and for audiences across all mediums and the world, the international stage being highlighted for the Fall Classic, how MLB approaches the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics in L.A., Rogers Centr…

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Yesavage Gets Game 1, Bo's Options, and Pat Hentgen 49:51

1M ago49:51

49:51

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker react to the Blue Jays announcing Trey Yesavage as the Game 1 starter for the World Series and lay out their expectations for the 22-year-old. Then, Bo Bichette sits down with Jeff and Kevin (16:40) to discuss his recovery and how he'd approach possibly playing second base. Later, Dodgers President Stan Kasten (20:52) re…

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How Dodgers & Jays Match Up + Hall of Famer Frank Thomas 49:47

1M ago49:47

49:47

MLB Network's Jon Morosi joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker (1:11) to discuss how the Blue Jays match up against the L.A. Dodgers, the differences in types of pitchers and hitters the Milwaukee Brewers have compared to the American League champions, John Schneider's bullpen usage, why Chris Bassitt should get more run in the World Series, and projec…

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Is Game 1 a Must-Win? 49:47

1M ago49:47

49:47

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look ahead to Friday's Game 1 of the World Series and discuss the Blue Jays' keys against the Dodgers. They get into L.A.'s starting pitching edge and project how John Schneider will deploy the bullpen. Then, former MLB pitcher and cohost of Intentional Talk, Ryan Dempster, stops by (23:46) to discuss his World Series ru…

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Week 8 vs Packers 22:29

1M ago22:29

22:29

Matt Williamson and Tom Opferman break down the Steelers upcoming matchup with the Green Bay Packers on Sunday Night Football this week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By SNR

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Who Killed the Expos? + World Series Back-Leg Line! 49:45

1M ago49:45

49:45

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker welcome back former MLB President and host of Nothing Personal, David Samson (1:05) to revisit the fallout of the Montreal Expos as the newest Netflix documentary "Who Killed the Montreal Expos" releases which included Jeff and David, before looking towards the financial implications for both teams entering the World Ser…

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The Blue Jays Are Going to the World Series! 49:54

1M ago49:54

49:54

The Blue Jays are going to the World Series for the first time in 32 years! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker listen back on all the calls of George Springer's clutch, go-ahead home run in the seventh inning of Game 7, discuss the teams' winding path to this point, and look ahead at the decisions the team will have to make ahead of Friday's Game 1 agains…

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Can Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Deliver Once Again? 49:53

1M ago49:53

49:53

ESPN's MLB Insider Jeff Passan joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker (3:20) to chat about if the Los Angeles Dodgers care who they face in the World Series between the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays, Vlad Guerrero Jr.'s incredible offensive performance throughout October, and if his view on John Schneider as a manager changed after his pitching…

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Game 7 in the Six 49:54

1M ago49:54

49:54

We've got a Game 7 in Toronto! Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker get set with former GM and MLB Network analyst Jim Duquette (4:30), who discusses the Jays' momentum heading into the do-or-die stage, how the bats approach George Kirby the second time around and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s dominant postseason. Then, Jeff and Kevin project how John Schneider w…

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The Blue Jays' Game 5 Blueprint 49:32

1M ago49:32

49:32

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Jays Central analyst Caleb Joseph (0:49) to go over the Blue Jays' Game 4 win and how they keep it rolling in Game 5. He discusses Max Scherzer's throwback start, how John Schneider will adjust in managing Kevin Gausman, how the bats attack Bryce Miller, and what's behind Andrés Giménez's recent offensive b…

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Managing the Moment with Derek Shelton & Dan Plesac 48:48

1M ago48:48

48:48

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open Friday's show with thoughts on the Blue Jays' Game 4 victory over the Seattle Mariners. Dan Plesac, former MLB pitcher and current MLB Network analyst, discusses Toronto's momentum moving forward and Max Scherzer's fiery interaction with John Schneider in the fifth inning, before setting the stage for Kevin Gausman'…

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Ep30: Match Analysis Myths: What TV Pundits Get 'Wrong'! 32:50

1M ago32:50

32:50

Join the Free Kickstart Challenge Summary In this episode, Tom Butterfield and David Bromley delve into the world of match analysis and punditry, exploring common myths and misconceptions that arise in football commentary. They discuss the differences between the roles of pundits and analysts, highlighting how entertainment often takes precedence o…

1
Managing October with Scott Servais 49:45

1M ago49:45

49:45

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by former Seattle Mariners' manager and current special assistant with the San Diego Padres, Scott Servais (3:53) to chat about Luis Castillo as a starter, how Cal Raleigh grew into an MVP-caliber ballplayer, Julio Rodríguez's performance with the team, the magnitude of the ALCS for Seattle, how well home fiel…

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Did the Jays' Offence Unlock Something in Seattle? 49:48

1M ago49:48

49:48

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 13-4 win over the Seattle Mariners to pull back to 2-1 in the ALCS, highlighting Shane Bieber bouncing back after a shaky first inning and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. getting back to his ALDS form. Buck Martinez joins the show (6:54) to discuss the Jays' aggressive approach in Game 3, Bieber's adjus…

1
Josh Donaldson's Keys to an ALCS Comeback 49:47

1M ago49:47

49:47

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by 2015 AL MVP with the Blue Jays, Josh Donaldson (3:35), to chat about his experience being doing 0-2 in a series, batting in Seattle, blocking out the noise of the Mariners' strength in pitching, combating the elevated fastball and his thoughts on Cal Raleigh's historic offensive season. Then, he looks back …

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The Magnitude of Game 3 49:54

1M ago49:54

49:54

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker open their discussion on their expectations for Shane Bieber in his second postseason start ahead of Game 3 in Seattle, how the Blue Jays' hitters should game plan against George Kirby, and how the season will be viewed if Toronto falls out of the ALCS. Then, they turn their attention to the L.A. Dodgers taking a 2-0 ser…

1
Week 7 @ Bengals 20:08

1M ago20:08

20:08

Matt and Tom break down the Steelers upcoming opponent the Cincinnati Bengals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.By SNR

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Looking Ahead to Shane Bieber & Game 3 in Seattle 49:50

2M ago49:50

49:50

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker are joined by Blue Jays TV play-by-play voice Dan Shulman (1:24) to chat about the positives coming out of the first two losses against the Seattle Mariners, if John Schneider will make any changes to the batting order, whether Shane Bieber can bounce back in his second postseason start, Trey Yesavage's Game 2 outing, an…

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Postseason Pitching Decisions with Joe Maddon 49:49

2M ago49:49

49:49

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker look back on the Blue Jays' 10-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners in Game 2 to fall into an 0-2 hole in the ALCS. They break down the meat of the order's struggles, Jorge Polanco's go-ahead home run and John Schneider's pitcher decisions before discussing what the Jays need to do to turn it around in Game 3 in Seattle. Then,…

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A Make-or-Break Game 2 with Jeff Passan & Ryan Divish 46:25

2M ago46:25

46:25

Jeff Passan, ESPN MLB insider, joins Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker ahead of Game 2 of the ALDS. They touch on Anthony Santander's late scratch, what to expect from Trey Yesavage in his second-career playoff start, and feelings in Toronto down 0-1 in the series. Jeff also checks in on the strength of the Mariners' pitching staff, Jorge Polanco's abili…

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Pitching Decisions, Silent Bats & Game 2 Scouting Reports 53:02

2M ago53:02

53:02

Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker hit the airwaves following the Blue Jays' 3-1 loss at the hands of the Seattle Mariners to open the American League Championship Series. They break down John Schneider's decision to pull Kevin Gausman in the sixth inning, Bryce Miller's performance on short rest, and what caused Toronto's bats to fall silent in Game 1. T…