The Fan Drive Time

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert share their thoughts on MLB’s All-Star Game before inviting Sportsnet’s Michael Grange on the show with the latest on the Raptors and Pascal Siakam’s future. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi looks ahead to the second half of the season for Toronto, recaps All-Star week in Seattle, and wonders if the game could be coming to Toronto in the next few seasons. Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli examines the NHL rumour mill and discusses the latest on a potential Auston Matthews’ contract extension, William Nylander’s status, and which team is Erik Karlsson’s preference is to be dealt to.

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert are joined by MLB Network’s Adnan Virk from Seattle to discuss Vladimir Guerrero Jr’s win in the Home Run Derby, the Blue Jays drafting Arjun Nimmala, and a showdown for the ages: Barbie vs. Oppenheimer at the box office.

Ailish Forfar and Justin Cuthbert are in the Drive Time slot! With MLB’s home run derby happening tonight, they call up Kevin Barker to break down the field before assessing the Blue Jays at the halfway point. Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz discusses participating in the free agent frenzy for the first time, prioritizing ex-Leafs Ryan O’Reilly and Luke Schenn. NBA reporter Katie Heindl checks-in from Summer League; notably the performances of Gradey Dick and Markquis Nowell, and the hype in-town surrounding Victor Wembanyama.

Ben & Blake react to the breaking news of the day: That Kyle Dubas won't return as general manager of the Maple Leafs. Nick Kypreos looks back on Dubas' and Leafs President Brendan Shanahan's fiery media conferences this past week. Elliotte Friedman shares what people in the hockey world are saying about the big news, and potential candidates for the vacancy. JD Bunkis from Leafs Talk closes the show with his thoughts on the Dubas-Leafs divorce.

Caleb Joseph on the Jays' series with the Yankees, and what makes Chris Bassitt so tough to face. Ben & Blake discuss what a quiet week for the Maple Leafs could mean behind the scenes. Shayna Goldman sets up the NHL Conference Finals, and opines on Kyle Dubas' future with the Leafs. The guys close with a discussion about the NBA Conference Finals.

Ben and Blake start with Sean Gentille from The Athletic, who continues his yearly tradition of writing about the demise of the Arizona Coyotes. He looks at relocation and top cities ready for a franchise before giving his take on the Conference Finals and how Jack Eichel has finally delivered on the potential he had when selected 1st overall. We close with Michael Grange on “situational tanking” by the Spurs and why it was a missed opportunity for the Raptors who remain at #13.

The guys take a dive into the NBA with the Conference Finals starting tonight, and the NBA Draft Lottery with the Raptors sitting at a 1% chance to win the #1 pick. Ryan Dempster weighs in on the Aaron Judge saga with the Blue Jays, why this was not exactly "cheating," the battle for balls and strikes with umpires & the relationship you need to establish with them, and the idea of sending umps to the minors when they are struggling.

Ben and Blake kick off the hour with Frank Seravalli from DailyFaceoff.com and he gives an update on Leafs news from over the weekend, that the team “made overtures” to get a new deal done with Kyle Dubas. Frank goes over Dubas’ media availability today and explains why he was perplexed when he hedged on returning or not. Later, off the Leafs for a moment and back to the Jays who start a series with the Yankees following a sweep of Atlanta. Finally, the NBA Playoffs, another Game 7 loss for Doc Rivers and the possibility of Canadian Jamal Murray reaching the NBA Finals.

Ben and Blake try to capture the mood of Leafs fans now that they are still alive. Jo Woll gets the start in Game 5 and the guys wonder if Matthew Knies might be available sooner rather than later.

Ben & guest co-host Justin Cuthbert look at Joseph Woll getting the start in Game 4, and Mitch Marner deciding to pick a fight with the media. Frank Seravalli on whether the Blackhawks are a perfect fit for Connor Bedard, and the unforgivable Game 3 performance from the Leafs. Three-time Stanley Cup Champion Justin Williams takes us behind the scenes of coming back from 3-0 as his LA Kings team did in 2014. Shi Davidi tees up the Jays-Phillies 2-game mini-series.

Ben starts the hour with Dan Shulman who called the Jays as they went from swept to sweep – receiving in Boston and dishing it out in Pittsburgh. He discusses the ascent of Daulton Varsho and how Brendan Belt is finally starting to get hot. He also looks ahead to a four-game series against the Yankees after a two-game mini-series with the Phillies. Next, former Leafs forward and NHL Network analyst Brian Boyle shares his thoughts on what it was like playing in the early Matthews years and his surprise that the team hasn’t done more in the playoffs over these last 7 years. Then, he discusses how the Panthers aren’t getting enough credit for their performance.

Ben & Blake open with a tough night in Toronto sports with the Leafs going down 0-2 to the Panthers while the Jays got swept away in Boston by the Red Sox. David Amber on how the Leafs can’t get wrapped up with ref complaints and suspension talk, and why Sergei Bobrovsky has single-handedly tipped the series for the Panthers. Kaitlyn McGrath on a miserable performance by the Jays in Boston.

Ben & Blake take a look at Kevin Gausman now being the clear “ace” of this rotation, and why the best pitchers do things like end losing streaks. Gord Stellick looks ahead to Panthers-Leafs Game 2, why he wasn’t thrilled with Toronto's performance in Game 1, his thoughts on Matthew Knies and the danger in asking to much from him. Some breaking news as the Bucks fire Mike Budenholzer.

Ben and Blake start with the Leafs loss in Game 1 vs Florida, a suspicious fan that is always cheering against Toronto and the Jays are now 0-2 in Boston with Manoah on the mound tonight.

Ben & Blake open with the complaints about the Leafs Round 2 schedule which now sees Game 3 set for Sunday night. Frank Seravalli explains how the Leafs match up very favourably against the Panthers and goes through the Jacob Trouba hit on Timo Meier. Felix Potvin discusses the performance of Ilya Samsonov in Round 1, and what to expect against the Panthers. Andrew Raycroft on the Panthers upsetting the Bruins, and what Paul Maurice is like as a coach.

Ben and Blake react to a wild first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs beginning with Ron MacLean. The legendary Hockey Night in Canada host takes them through some of the unsung heroes in the NHL, the historical context of a Leafs win and why another President’s Trophy team lost in the 1st round. Later on, Edge from WWE discusses being a massive Leafs fan, attending Game 6 in Tampa and his friendship with Jake Muzzin

Ben & Blake kick off the “Leafs lose a clincher” recap show with Nick Kypreos, who wrote in The Toronto Star that Kyle Dubas potentially turned DOWN a contract extension this season. JD Bunkis reflects on last night and how the Lightning have been the better team in the series. Peter King takes Ben and Blake through the first round of the NFL Draft. Finally, a discussion on the Jays taking on the Mariners and facing ex-teammate Teoscar Hernandez for the first time.

TVA NHL reporter Renaud Lavoie joins Ben and Blake to look at Game 5 between the Maple Leafs and Lightning, Jon Cooper's choice of word in between games, the maturity of the Toronto hockey club, how Kyle Dubas has constructed this roster and the choice to scratch Michael Bunting. Later, they get to NBA playoffs, and Jimmy Butler and the Heat's massive upset over the Bucks. They discuss the shaken-up dynamic without the East's 1-seed, Butler's heroics and what comes next for Giannis Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee

Ben and Blake start with former Leafs defenceman and Stanley Cup winner Hal Gill, who discusses closeout games in a series, the types of players it takes to win in the playoffs and some awesome stories about coaches he’s played for and things said to players before the biggest games. He also breaks down the Leafs/Lightning series, the wear and tear and nerves ahead of Game 5. Finally, Caleb Joseph gives his take on how the pitch clock has helped José Berríos, how it has saved Yusei Kikuchi and helped him establish a new quick pace and motion.

Justin Bourne on the incredible comeback win by the Leafs in Tampa in Game 4. Frank Seravalli from DailyFaceoff.com shares his thoughts on why the Leafs are indeed different than years past. Ben & Blake take a look at the Blue Jays-White Sox series, and Charlie Montoyo in town. Marc Savard, now the Head Coach of the Windsor Spitfires, provides insight into his son Tyler Savard playing in a crucial hockey playoff series, and what it was like joining the Bues and coaching “Factor” Ryan O’Reilly.

Ben & Blake discuss the firing of Nick Nurse, the Masai Ujiri news conference, and if this felt more like a "parting of ways" than a "firing" from the team. Michael Grange with a deep dive into this story and candidates for the vacant role. Ramona Shelburne on free agent coaches Nick Nurse and Ime Udoka, and how attractive the open Raptors position is.

Ben & Blake capture the nervousness ahead of Leafs-Lightning Game #2. Luke Fox joins the show from Scotiabank Arena. "Mr. Arizona" Shane Doan on being friends with both Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies, the hockey scene in Arizona, how Matthews is revered in the city, and son Josh recently signing a deal with the Coyotes.

Ben & Blake discuss the Leafs' Game 1 loss to Tampa and the Jays rebounding in Houston. Kelly Hrudey reflects on Game 1 and the pressure and expectations on Toronto. Craig Simpson, who called Game 1 of Leafs-Lightning, on how the Leafs can respond to the tough loss. To conclude, the pair talk about the breaking news that Michael Bunting has been suspended for 3 games, and get some instant analysis from former NHL Official Kerry Fraser.

Felix Potvin joins the show. Felix recalls his first playoff experience and what it was like as a staring goalie and his tenure in Toronto post Grant Fuhr and pre Curtis Joseph.

Ben and Blake start the hour with Joe Siddall in-studio to take a deep dive into Alek Manoah, mechanics vs control and whether or not there is something to the fact that the pitch clock is rushing him. He goes into how to diagnose and address the issue, Yusei Kikuchi looking in control, and what the best approach is for Bo Bichette at the plate. Later, the NBA Playoffs have been filled with road wins, injuries and a rejuvenated Russell Westbrook.

Ex-Oilers & Ducks (and Marlies) head coach, Dallas Eakins, discusses the mind games between Jon Cooper and Sheldon Keefe. Dan Shulman on the state of the Jays' rotation. Andrew Raycroft tells us that questions from the media can get into a player's head.

Although the starters have been dinged up in the last couple of weeks, the bullpen has been under the microscope the most. From Alex Anthopoulos to Kevin Pillar, plenty of Ex-Jays are appearing this weekend.