Former Blue Jays Star Enhances Sportsnet’s Playoff Coverage
Toronto Blue Jays enthusiasts will recognize a familiar presence during this year’s postseason coverage. Sportsnet recently revealed its broadcast team for the Blue Jays playoff run, highlighting former player Kevin Pillar’s involvement alongside established commentators Dan Shulman and Buck Martinez. This marks Pillar’s second consecutive postseason with Sportsnet.
Kevin Pillar’s Return to Sportsnet
Pillar will collaborate with Caleb Joseph, another former Blue Jay. Last year, he made notable contributions to Sportsnet’s World Series coverage. The postseason for the Blue Jays begins on October 4, 2025, featuring a special edition of Blue Jays Central at 2:30 PM ET, leading up to the first pitch at 4:08 PM ET.
Kevin Pillar’s Career Overview
Pillar played seven seasons with the Blue Jays from 2013 to 2019, achieving a batting average of .260. His stats include:
- 55 home runs
- 231 RBIs
After his tenure with the Blue Jays, Pillar joined various other teams in the MLB, playing for nine different franchises. Notably, he retired twice: first at the end of the 2024 season, then again midway through 2025.
Recent Challenges and Retirement
Initially, Pillar returned to the game, participating in the Texas Rangers’ spring training. He made the Opening Day roster but struggled with a .209 batting average in 20 games, managing only nine hits, one RBI, and six runs. Placed on assignment by the Rangers on May 25, 2025, he could not secure another position in the league.
In an interview on the Foul Territory podcast, Pillar expressed the difficulty of leaving the game and then returning. “I wanted to make sure that I was really done playing,” he remarked about his retirement decision.
Looking Ahead to Blue Jays’ Playoff Games
As the Blue Jays prepare for their playoff journey, fans can anticipate an engaging broadcast experience spearheaded by Sportsnet. The full crew will deliver comprehensive coverage of all postseason games.
