Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

The Athletic

In baseball, numbers are everywhere. But they’re not just numbers. For Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris, they’re the keys to solving the most fun problem in sports.

Every weekday, join DVR and Eno as they unpack baseball in ways you’ve never heard before, endeavoring to figure out all they can about a sport that’s constantly changing. Alongside contributors Britt Ghiroli, Trevor May and Jed Lowrie, the Rates & Barrels crew breaks down all the latest MLB news through an analytical lens, feeding your unhealthy addiction to numbers, while helping you master your fantasy baseball GM skills. But wait, there's more: come back for Saturday mornings in Starkville, where Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville talk to some of the most important players, coaches, and thought leaders in the league.

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Today · 1 hr 4 min
MLB Wild Card LIVE: Day 2: Recap & Reactions
The 2026 MLB Wild Card Day 1 is in the books and what a day it was— Rates & Barrels will be back with you LIVE to break down everything from Day 2 of the Wild Card Series. Join DVR and Eno during the 7th inning of the final game of the day as they recap all four Wild Card matchups, react to the biggest performances and turning points, and break down what's next for each series. Which teams put themselves in position to advance? What did we learn from the pitching matchups? Which decisions could shape the rest of the Wild Card round? And what should we be watching when the teams get back on the field Thursday? Bring your questions and reactions to the chat as we recap Day 2 and get you ready for Day 3 of the MLB postseason. Like, subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss our LIVE Wild Card coverage Wednesday and Thursday. #MLB #MLBPlayoffs #WildCard #Postseason #Baseball #RatesAndBarrels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Yesterday · 54 min
MLB Wild Card Recap: Yankees & Padres Dominate + Braves, White Sox Win Game 1
The 2026 MLB Playoffs are underway — and Rates & Barrels went LIVE to break down a wild Day 1 of the Wild Card Series. DVR and Eno recap all four Wild Card Game 1s, reacting to the biggest performances, turning points and decisions that shaped the opening day of the MLB postseason. Austin Riley delivered a huge three-run homer to lift Atlanta past Philadelphia, the White Sox knocked off Houston, the Yankees shut out Boston in the Bronx, and Michael King dominated as San Diego rolled past the Cubs. What did we learn from the pitching matchups? Which Game 1 performances are sustainable? And what adjustments do the Phillies, Astros, Red Sox and Cubs need to make with their seasons now on the line? DVR and Eno break it all down and preview Wednesday’s four Game 2 matchups. Bring your questions and reactions to the chat, and make sure to like, subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss our LIVE Wild Card coverage Wednesday and Thursday. #MLB #MLBPlayoffs #WildCard #Postseason #Baseball #RatesAndBarrels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Monday · 49 min
MLB Playoffs: Breaking Down Every Wild Card Matchup
The 2026 MLB Wild Card Series is here. DVR and Eno break down all four Wild Card matchups before Tuesday's postseason quadruple-header, digging into the key stats, pitching matchups and tactical advantages that could decide each best-of-three series. Can the Phillies finally get their offense going against Chris Sale and the Braves? Philadelphia had to push all the way through the final day of the regular season, leaving its pitching plan complicated for Game 1. The surprising White Sox head to Houston to face an Astros team with plenty of October experience — but major questions in its starting rotation. Could the power in these two lineups turn White Sox-Astros into the highest-scoring series of the Wild Card round? The Yankees and Red Sox renew their rivalry in the Bronx. Boston brings one of the most left-handed pitching staffs we've seen in the postseason, creating fascinating lineup decisions for New York — while Aaron Judge's availability remains one of the biggest questions entering the series. Finally, the Cubs travel to San Diego for a rematch of last year's Wild Card Series. Chicago has one of the best offenses in the postseason field, while the Padres counter with an elite bullpen and a lineup that could run directly into one of the Cubs' biggest defensive strengths. Plus, DVR and Eno make their picks for all four Wild Card Series and look ahead to what the winners could face in the Division Series. And join Rates & Barrels LIVE Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday! We'll go live during the seventh inning of the final game of the night to recap the day's Wild Card action and preview what's coming next. Like, subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss any of our postseason coverage. #MLB #MLBPlayoffs #WildCard #Postseason #Baseball #RatesAndBarrels First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026 Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Contributor: Jed Lowrie Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis Editor: McEnroe Francis 00:00 2026 MLB Wild Card Preview 00:36 The Wild Card Round Is Here 01:31 Why Do So Few Wild Card Series Reach Game 3? 02:41 Phillies vs. Braves 03:32 What's Wrong With These Two Offenses? 07:41 Chris Sale Gives Atlanta the Game 1 Edge 08:31 How Will Philadelphia Handle Its Pitching? 09:51 Who Wins Phillies-Braves? 11:44 Who Would the Dodgers Rather Face? 13:16 Rates & Barrels LIVE Wild Card Coverage 13:53 BREAK 14:36 White Sox vs. Astros 14:59 Houston's Starting Pitching Problem 16:16 How Should Chicago Pitch Yordan Alvarez? 18:30 Could This Series Become a Track Meet? 19:53 Can the Young White Sox Handle October? 22:18 Houston's Huge Premium-Velocity Advantage 23:22 Is This the Series Most Likely to Reach Game 3? 24:16 Who Would Cleveland Rather Face? 26:23 Who Wins White Sox-Astros? 27:08 Red Sox vs. Yankees 27:31 Boston's Historic Left-Handed Pitching Staff 28:34 How Do the Yankees Adjust to All Those Lefties? 32:23 Does Boston's Handedness Close the Pitching Gap? 33:48 Boston's Elite Bullpen 34:34 Who Wins Red Sox-Yankees? 35:39 BREAK 36:00 Cubs vs. Padres 36:19 Can Chicago Hit San Diego's Pitching? 38:55 Will Ground Balls Sink the Padres? 42:53 Why the Cubs' Offense Is Built for October 44:48 Who Wins Cubs-Padres? 46:41 Who Would the Rays Rather Face? 47:25 Who Would the Brewers Rather Face? 48:35 LIVE Wild Card Coverage This Week Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Monday · 1 hr 34 min
2026 MLB Playoff Preview: Breaking Down All 12 Teams + World Series Picks
The 2026 MLB Playoffs are set! DVR and Eno break down all 12 postseason teams, examining the strengths, weaknesses, pitching staffs, offenses and underlying numbers that could determine who survives October. The Milwaukee Brewers enter as the NL's No. 1 seed after a franchise-record 103 wins, but will their lack of home-run power matter in October? The Los Angeles Dodgers are chasing a third straight World Series title with another loaded roster, while the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies round out a fascinating National League playoff field. In the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays earned the No. 1 seed behind elite run prevention, speed and roster depth. The Cleveland Guardians once again bring pitching and contact to October, while the Houston Astros somehow won the AL West at 81-81 despite major questions behind Hunter Brown in their rotation. The New York Yankees may have the most imposing starting rotation in the AL, but Aaron Judge's availability looms over their Wild Card matchup against the Boston Red Sox. Boston counters with a deep bullpen and a healthier lineup, while the surprising Chicago White Sox bring legitimate power — and plenty of questions about how their young pitching will handle October. Finally, DVR and Eno make their first postseason predictions: AL champion, NL champion, World Series winner and World Series MVP. Who are you picking to win the 2026 World Series? Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment! First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026 Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Rates & Barrels MERCH: https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/ Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis Editor: McEnroe Francis 00:00 2026 MLB Playoff Preview 00:49 Does the Regular Season Matter in October? 05:42 Breaking Down All 12 Playoff Teams 06:05 Milwaukee Brewers: The NL’s No. 1 Seed 10:58 Can Milwaukee Handle Premium Velocity? 13:18 Why the Brewers’ Offense Works 17:14 Los Angeles Dodgers: Can They Three-Peat? 20:27 The Dodgers’ Ridiculous Pitching Depth 23:43 Atlanta Braves: How Dangerous Are They? 29:47 BREAK 30:28 San Diego Padres: Built for a Short Series? 31:51 Does San Diego Have the Worst Playoff Rotation? 34:26 The Padres’ Bullpen Can Shorten Games 38:11 Chicago Cubs: Elite Offense, Pitching Questions 41:06 Pete Crow-Armstrong’s 40-40 Season 43:44 Philadelphia Phillies: Can the Offense Wake Up? 46:54 Philly’s Problem Against Premium Velocity 49:14 How Do the Phillies Handle Game 1? 51:51 BREAK 52:13 Tampa Bay Rays: The AL’s No. 1 Seed 56:15 Why Tampa Bay’s Lineup Is So Pesky 1:01:32 Cleveland Guardians: Better Than Last Year? 1:05:58 Houston Astros: An 81-81 Division Champion 1:08:05 Can Houston’s Rotation Survive October? 1:11:01 New York Yankees: The AL’s Best Rotation? 1:13:51 The Aaron Judge Question 1:17:04 Boston Red Sox: Can the Lineup Score Enough? 1:20:36 How Good Is Boston’s Rotation Without Crochet? 1:23:19 Boston’s Bullpen Might Be Its Biggest Weapon 1:24:47 Chicago White Sox: October’s Surprise Team 1:26:07 Can Chicago’s Young Pitching Hold Up? 1:29:46 DVR & Eno Make Their Playoff Predictions 1:30:20 Who Wins the AL Pennant? 1:30:50 Who Wins the NL Pennant? 1:31:38 World Series Picks 1:32:25 World Series MVP Picks 1:33:47 Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Saturday · 55 min
Starkville | Pat Murphy Visits Starkville
Pat Murphy joins Starkville! This week, Jayson and Doug sit down with the Brewers manager to talk about Milwaukee’s home run philosophy, the team’s secret sauce for October, navigating tough roster conversations, and his unique leadership style. Murphy also discusses Jacob Misiorowski’s rapid ascendance, the impact a Brewers championship could have beyond Milwaukee, and why mentoring players is one of the best parts of the job. Plus, Jayson and Doug debate the American League LVPs, including Cal Raleigh and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and make the case for what makes a true “winner” in baseball. And in Strange But True, the Brewers clinch the division in a particularly Brewer way. Rundown: 0:00 Today’s Lineup 00:48 Welcome to Starkville 07:31 LVP Awards 14:18 UP NEXT 14:22 Pat Murphy 15:13 Maintaining Pitching Continuity 17:35 Brewers and Home Runs 20:29 Winning In October 24:40 Tough Conversations 26:16 Leadership Style 27:33 Not Satisfied Yet 29:41 “No One Believes in Us” Tactic 32:54 Jacob Misiorowski’s Ascendance 38:41 Impact Outside of Milwaukee? 41:09 Passion for Mentorship 45:36 Pocket Pancakes 46:58 UP NEXT 47:07 Strange But True Follow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.social Follow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.social Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.social E-mail: starkville@theathletic.com Starkville Hotline: (347) 313-8371 Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosts: Jayson Stark & Doug Glanville With: Tony Gwynn Jr. & Mark Grant Producer: Matthew Chilelli Thumbnail Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Friday · 1 hr 14 min
The Fantasy Baseball Picks That WON Leagues in 2026
Which players actually won fantasy baseball leagues in 2026? DVR and Eno look back at the biggest fantasy baseball values of the season and build their 2026 All-ROI Team — highlighting the late-round draft picks, waiver-wire additions and overlooked players who dramatically exceeded expectations. The guys also revisit their fantasy draft strategies and the lessons they’ll take into 2027. When should you prioritize floor over ceiling? Is “skills over roles” still the best way to find late-round breakouts? And can this year’s success actually help us identify the next Pete Crow-Armstrong or Jacob Misiorowski? Niv Shah joins the show to examine the most profitable players in Ottoneu, including PCA’s enormous return, the difficult keeper decisions coming this offseason and whether there’s a blueprint for finding 2027’s breakout stars. Plus, it’s the final Taste the Majors review of 2026! The Philly Dog gets put to the test, and the crew has some ideas for how MLB’s ballpark hot dog series can take another step forward next season. Before Fantasy Friday begins, DVR and Eno break down the final weekend of the MLB regular season. The Phillies are still fighting to secure their playoff spot, their offense ranks near the bottom of MLB, and using Zack Wheeler on Sunday could complicate their Wild Card rotation. Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment! First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026 Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Rates & Barrels MERCH: https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/ Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Guest: Niv Shah Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis Editor: McEnroe Francis 00:00 Intro 00:32 The Final Weekend of Fantasy Baseball 02:38 What Did DVR Learn This Fantasy Season? 04:40 Rethinking Draft-and-Hold Strategy 06:15 Can the Phillies Survive the Final Weekend? 10:13 Philadelphia’s Offense Has Been a Disaster 11:20 MLB’s Final Playoff Spots 13:50 Do You Need Home Runs to Win in October? 17:17 Fantasy Friday: The 2026 All-ROI Team 17:58 Fantasy Baseball’s Biggest Draft-Day Bargains 18:48 Waiting on Catcher Paid Off 20:50 Jordan Walker’s Massive Return 22:19 The Best Waiver-Wire & Late-Round Finds 23:01 Jake McCarthy & Carson Benge Deliver 25:37 Sal Stewart Rewards the Skills-Over-Roles Approach 26:42 Brandon Lowe & Luis García Jr. 29:09 Otto Lopez’s $26 Fantasy Season 31:28 Is Kevin McGonigle Too Expensive for 2027? 32:05 Miguel Vargas Was a League Winner 34:22 Nolan Arenado’s Forgotten Bounceback 35:38 Jake McCarthy Thrives in Colorado 38:02 Ben Rice & Other Mid-Round Wins 39:27 Randy Arozarena’s Big Season 39:59 The Biggest Out-of-Nowhere Breakouts 40:29 Liam Hicks Comes From Nowhere 43:00 Ezekiel Duran’s Breakout 46:10 Finding Deep-League Unsung Heroes 47:03 Niv Shah Joins Rates & Barrels 47:23 Ottoneu’s Most Profitable Players 50:03 Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Massive Profit 51:52 The Mason Miller Keeper Decision 53:18 Difficult Keeper Decisions for 2027 53:56 How Did PCA & Misiorowski Break Out? 58:47 Can You Find the Next PCA? 59:20 Why Fantasy Success Isn’t Always Repeatable 1:00:46 A 2027 Anthony Volpe Rebound? 1:02:50 Taste the Majors: The Philly Dog 1:03:16 What Is Actually on the Philly Dog? 1:09:26 Our Hot Dog Plea for 2027 1:13:32 Building the Ultimate Ballpark Hot Dog 1:14:25 Farewell to Taste the Majors #FantasyBaseball #MLB #Baseball #FantasyBaseball2027 #RatesAndBarrels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Friday · 1 hr 6 min
Can You Actually Build a Winning Team for Coors Field?
The Colorado Rockies are headed toward a fourth consecutive 100-loss season — but for the first time in a while, there are signs that the organization may actually be moving in the right direction. DVR, Eno Sarris and Trevor May close the tab on the 2026 Rockies and examine Colorado's emerging roster-building philosophy. The Rockies dramatically reduced their hitters' strikeout rate, added more contact-oriented bats and began changing how their pitchers attack hitters at Coors Field. But what would an organization truly built to exploit baseball's most unusual environment look like? Trevor uses his experience pitching at Coors to explain which traits could actually work at altitude, while Eno digs into pitch design and whether velocity, gyro sliders, splitters and different types of changeups could provide Colorado with a sustainable pitching strategy. Before that, it's time to close the tab on the Miami Marlins. Miami could finish with a positive run differential for the first time in a full season since 2010, while players such as Otto Lopez have emerged from an extremely inexpensive roster. But does Miami have enough impact talent to take the next step? Plus, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is facing criticism over comments about his massive Blue Jays contract following a disappointing 2026 season. The guys discuss what Vlad meant, the timing of his comments, his injuries and why baseball's salary structure makes the situation more complicated than the reaction suggests. 00:00 Vlad Jr., Marlins & Rockies 00:38 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Faces Criticism 01:33 Did Vlad Jr.’s Comments Go Too Far? 07:52 Comparing Vlad Jr. to Miguel Cabrera 08:38 Did Injuries Derail Vlad’s Season? 10:55 Why Aren’t the Reds the Brewers? 11:34 Is Reds Ownership Part of the Problem? 17:37 Why Some Small-Market Teams Keep Falling Behind 20:41 Marlins Preview 21:22 Closing the Tab: Miami Marlins 21:44 Are the Marlins Better Than Their Record? 22:46 Miami’s Offense Is Finally Improving 26:30 What Is the Marlins’ Identity? 31:13 Could Miami Use Starters Out of the Bullpen? 32:18 Injuries Hit the Marlins’ Pitching Prospects 33:03 Otto Lopez’s Breakout Season 34:27 Can Starters Really Pitch Between Starts? 38:55 Does Miami Finally Need to Spend? 41:15 Is Miami’s Farm System Good Enough? 43:51 Closing the Tab: Colorado Rockies 44:31 The Rockies Are Actually Getting Better 46:34 Colorado’s New Offensive Philosophy 46:53 Rockies Dramatically Cut Their Strikeout Rate 48:38 Colorado Is Changing Its Pitching Approach 49:24 What Actually Works at Coors Field? 53:27 Building Hitters for Coors 54:27 Colorado’s Veteran Pitching Strategy 57:37 How Should the Rockies Develop Pitching? 59:41 How Do You Build a Pitcher for Coors? 1:05:08 Are the Rockies Finally Moving Forward? Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment! First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026 Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Rates & Barrels MERCH: https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/ Hosts: Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris & Trevor May Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis Editor: McEnroe Francis #MLB #Baseball #Rockies #ColoradoRockies #Marlins #MiamiMarlins #BlueJays #VladimirGuerreroJr #RatesAndBarrels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 23 · 59 min
The Pirates Fixed Their Offense… So Why Did They Miss the Playoffs?
The Pittsburgh Pirates finally fixed their offense in 2026. So why are they still watching the MLB postseason from home? DVR, Eno Sarris and Jed Lowrie close the tab on the Pirates after a fascinating season in Pittsburgh. The Pirates entered Wednesday fifth in MLB in runs scored after finishing dead last in 2025, while their underlying numbers suggest they may have been significantly better than their actual record. The Pirates have plenty of young pitching behind Paul Skenes. Braxton Ashcraft broke out, Jared Jones returned from Tommy John surgery and Bubba Chandler remains part of a promising rotation. But after another season outside the playoffs, is it finally time for ownership to spend aggressively around this young core? The crew examines Pittsburgh’s defensive problems, high strikeout rate, pitching development and what the Pirates need to add this offseason to finally get back to October. Then, what happened to the Kansas City Royals? Just two years removed from reaching the playoffs, Kansas City took another major step backward in 2026. Injuries to Cole Ragans and Kris Bubic exposed the lack of pitching depth, while a disastrous bullpen helped turn run prevention from one of the Royals’ biggest strengths into their biggest weakness. There are reasons for optimism around Bobby Witt Jr., Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen, but Kansas City’s pitching numbers tell a much different story. The Royals rank near the bottom of MLB in K-BB%, Stuff+, Location+ and ERA, and their next wave of prospects may still be years away. Plus, Baseball News You Should Know: the Rays clinch the AL East, Andy Green changes course and remains manager of the Mets, Derek Falvey reportedly joins New York’s front office, weather threatens the Red Sox-Cubs weekend series, Shohei Ohtani returns to the Dodgers and Aaron Judge is expected to miss the Wild Card Series. Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment! First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026 Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Rates & Barrels MERCH: https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/ Hosts: Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris & Jed Lowrie Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis Editor: McEnroe Francis #MLB #Pirates #PittsburghPirates #Royals #KansasCityRoyals #RatesAndBarrels 00:00 Intro 00:42 Baseball News You Should Know 01:54 Rays Clinch the AL East 05:18 Andy Green Stays With the Mets 10:04 Derek Falvey Reportedly Joining Mets Front Office 12:48 Could Weather Alter Red Sox-Cubs? 15:17 MLB’s Final Playoff Races 16:52 Shohei Ohtani Returns for Dodgers 18:18 Aaron Judge Expected to Miss Wild Card Series 19:12 Closing the Tab: Pittsburgh Pirates 20:03 Pirates Go From MLB’s Worst to a Top-Five Offense 20:25 Oneil Cruz & Konnor Griffin Offer Reasons for Optimism 21:11 Were the Pirates Better Than Their Record? 23:38 Pittsburgh’s Underlying Numbers Tell a Different Story 24:37 The Pirates Have a Defensive Problem 28:10 Is It Finally Time for Pittsburgh to Spend? 30:55 Can Paul Skenes Bounce Back? 32:09 Pittsburgh’s Young Rotation Has Plenty of Upside 32:55 Pirates Ownership Needs to Keep Spending 33:35 Pittsburgh Still Strikes Out Too Much 34:42 Is Pirates Pitch Development Falling Behind? 41:07 How Close Is Pittsburgh to Contending? 42:40 Closing the Tab: Kansas City Royals 43:40 Injuries Expose Kansas City’s Lack of Depth 44:26 Royals Go From Elite Run Prevention to Bottom Six 45:13 Kansas City’s Pitching Numbers Are Ugly 45:49 Reasons for Optimism in the Royals’ Lineup 46:33 The Royals Need to Invest in Pitching 47:19 Where Is Kansas City’s Future Ace? 52:05 How Does Kansas City Fix This? 52:29 Salvador Perez Is Finally Showing His Age 53:12 Royals’ Farm System Is a Major Concern 53:31 Can Kansas City Find Enough Pitching? 59:07 Royals’ Massive Home-Road Split Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 22 · 1 hr 5 min
The Mets’ $400M Mess + What Happened to the Orioles?
What went wrong with the New York Mets in 2026? DVR, Eno and Britt Ghiroli close the tab on a massively disappointing Mets season and examine how a roster built around Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor fell out of contention — and what David Stearns needs to fix this offseason. Injuries certainly played a role, with Lindor and Soto both missing significant time, but the problems went much deeper. The crew examines Stearns’ difficult offseason, the Mets’ next managerial decision and why New York’s biggest question might not be resources — but how those resources are being allocated. Then, what happened to the Baltimore Orioles? A young core that once appeared capable of becoming one of baseball’s most dangerous offenses finished much closer to league average than expected. The numbers reveal a fascinating contradiction: Baltimore ranks first in MLB in bat speed and fourth in barrel rate, but 28th in strikeout rate and only 13th in wRC+. Britt breaks down the Orioles’ player-development philosophy, constant coaching changes and why several talented young hitters have struggled to make the adjustments necessary to consistently succeed in the majors. Plus, Baseball News You Should Know: the Red Sox remove the interim tag from Chad Tracy and give him a three-year contract, while Boston also exercises Craig Breslow’s options through 2030. River Ryan returns for Detroit, Dylan Cease avoids surgery, Trey Yesavage returns for Toronto and Andy Pages, Roki Sasaki and Robert Suarez are all on their way back. Finally, the crew looks at everything still up for grabs during the final week of the MLB regular season, including the AL Central battle between Cleveland and Chicago, the Rangers and Astros fighting for the AL West, Tampa Bay trying to clinch the AL East and the remaining National League playoff positioning. Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment! First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026 Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Rates & Barrels MERCH: https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/ 00:00 Intro 00:34 Red Sox Remove Interim Tag From Chad Tracy 01:30 How Chad Tracy Turned Boston Around 03:17 Red Sox Commit to Craig Breslow 05:12 Why Boston Is Betting on Its Leadership 08:37 River Ryan Returns for Detroit 10:37 Tigers’ Young Rotation Has Huge Upside 12:28 Dylan Cease Avoids Surgery 15:28 Trey Yesavage Returns for Toronto 17:29 Andy Pages, Roki Sasaki & Robert Suarez Return 17:48 What’s Still Up for Grabs? 21:19 MLB’s Final-Week Playoff Races 23:09 Closing the Tab: New York Mets 45:10 Closing the Tab: Baltimore Orioles 45:56 What Happened to Baltimore’s Young Core? 48:46 Britt’s Orioles Rant 49:48 Baltimore’s Revolving Door of Hitting Coaches 50:12 Are the Orioles Too Young Everywhere? 51:13 Baltimore’s Problems Go Beyond the Manager 51:50 Did the Orioles Fall in Love With Tools? 52:07 Mike Elias Begins Making Changes 53:41 The Numbers Behind Baltimore’s Offensive Problems 54:07 No. 1 in Bat Speed, No. 28 in Strikeout Rate 55:16 Did Baltimore Sacrifice Too Much Contact? 58:29 What Does the Orioles’ Offense Need? 59:55 How Baltimore Can Fix Its Lineup 1:01:33 Is the Orioles’ Development System Too Demanding? 1:03:05 Baltimore’s Rotation Still Has Questions 1:03:44 Why Has the Orioles’ Defense Regressed? 1:04:22 Orioles Add Another New Voice to Baseball Ops 1:04:54 Can Baltimore Fix This in 2027? Hosts: Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris Contributor: Britt Ghiroli Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis Editor: McEnroe Francis #MLB #Mets #Orioles #NewYorkMets #BaltimoreOrioles #RatesAndBarrels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 22 · 1 hr 8 min
The MLB Playoff Picture Gets Clearer
The Braves have clinched the NL East and the Red Sox secured a Wild Card berth in the American League as the playoff picture continues to come into focus. Eno and DVR discuss the final-week battle for playoff spots and seeds, and what they need in order to come away with fantasy baseball championships in the remaining days of the season. Plus Chris Solomon (Soly) of 'No Laying Up' joins the show to close the tab on the 2026 Reds. Beyond a pair of arm injuries for Hunter Greene, what else has kept the Reds from making another run to October this season? Looking forward, is there enough of a core in place with Elly De La Cruz, Sal Stewart, Chase Burns, and Greene to build for the immediate future during the winter? Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment! Rundown 00:41 The Braves Clinch NL East: Seventh Title in Nine Years 02:13 Tyler Mahle: An Overlooked Trade Addition? 09:22 Jesús Luzardo: Plays Catch, Could Return in Bullpen Role 11:47 Alex Bregman: Day-to-Day After Getting Hit by Foul Ball 13:04 The Red Sox Clinch Wild Card: Historical Comeback From 32-46 Start 16:02 Félix Bautista: Returns After Second Lengthy Absence 17:56 Four-Team Battle for Three Remaining Spots? 21:22 AD BREAK 21:27 Where the Money Went & Final Week Needs 32:16 Coming Up: Closing the Tab, 2026 Reds w/Soly 32:20 Welcome, Soly! (Chris Solomon, No Laying Up) 32:59 Closing the Tab: A Hunter Greene Season They Couldn’t Afford 37:20 Long-Term Lineup Issue: Why Do the Reds’ Lineups Lag? 43:18 Another Brutal Trade: Mike Sirota Blossoms in LA 46:10 Time for More Changes? Is Tito Still the Right Fit in Cincinnati? 49:15 Can They Build Around and Win With Elly De La Cruz? 52:21 Beyond the Core: Flaws Up and Down 55:13 Pitching Rebounds? Can Nick Lodolo Bounce Back in 2027? 1:05:23 A Puzzling Decision: Why Did CES Get DFA’d? First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026 Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social e-mail: [ratesandbarrels@gmail.com](mailto:ratesandbarrels@gmail.com) Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Rates & Barrels MERCH: https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/ Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis Editor: Matthew Chilelli #MLB #MLBPlayoffs #Reds #FantasyBaseball #RatesAndBarrels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 19 · 48 min
Starkville | Tony Gwynn Jr. and Mark Grant on How the Padres Became a Baseball Powerhouse
Tony Gwynn Jr. and Mark Grant, the voices of the San Diego Padres, join Starkville! This week, Jayson and Doug sit down with Tony and Mark to break down how the Padres went from losing a bunch of games to becoming one of the best teams in baseball, whether San Diego fans are getting spoiled by AJ Preller’s annual wheeling and dealing, and the teams that have stood out most to them this season. Plus, the guys discuss the Padres’ massive sale, what the new ownership group has in mind, the atmosphere at Petco Park, and why other small market teams can’t seem to replicate San Diego’s success. Later, the guys head to Strange But True for an unbelievable minor league twist, where Hickory Crawdads teammates Brady Ebel and his brother Trey somehow combine to finish the same at bat. Rundown: 0:00 Today’s Lineup 00:37 Welcome to Starkville 8:33 UP NEXT: TONY GWYNN JR. AND MARK GRANT 5:33 Padres - What Happened? 17:05 Are San Diego Fans Spoiled By AJ? 23:26 Stand out Teams for Mark and Tony 25:09 SD Team Sold for 3.9 Billion! 27:53 Can Other Small Markets Copy SD? 31:03 New Manager, New Process? 34:05 Mark Grant Makes Good Impression 38:39 UP NEXT: STRANGE BUT TRUE 38:47 Strange But True Trey and Brady Ebel finish the same at-bat Follow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.social Follow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.social Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.social E-mail: starkville@theathletic.com Starkville Hotline: (347) 313-8371 Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosts: Jayson Stark & Doug Glanville With: Tony Gwynn Jr. & Mark Grant Producer: Matthew Chilelli Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 18 · 57 min
MLB’s Late-Season Breakouts + Final Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire
Which players have emerged as unexpected fantasy baseball difference-makers down the stretch? DVR and Eno look back at the biggest surprise producers of the last 30 days before digging into the final Weekend Waiver Preview of the 2026 MLB season. First, Baseball News You Should Know covers the possibility of Garrett Crochet returning as a bullpen weapon for the Red Sox, Willson Contreras dealing with a bruised hand and the Nationals discussing a potential contract extension with Cade Cavalli. DVR and Eno examine Cavalli’s breakout, the impact of adding a cutter and what a long-term deal with Washington could look like. Plus, Walbert Ureña continues his impressive rookie season after seven scoreless innings with nine strikeouts against Minnesota, Jared Young is dealing with concussion symptoms after a scary collision at first base and the latest developments surrounding Mark Walter. The mailbag tackles Dillon Dingler’s second-half decline, how a potential delay to the 2027 MLB season could impact veteran pitchers like Jacob deGrom and Zack Wheeler, and one of fantasy baseball’s most frustrating problems: What do you do with the player you can never seem to start at the right time? Finally, DVR and Eno search the waiver wire for the last players who could help fantasy managers win their leagues. Ryan Johnson, Cristian Javier, Griffin Conine, Adael Amador, Jonah Cox, Henry Bolte and Victor Mesa Jr. are among the late-season options discussed — along with several players who could carry intriguing value into 2027. Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment! First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026 Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Rates & Barrels MERCH: https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/ Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis Editor: McEnroe Francis #MLB #FantasyBaseball #WaiverWire #MLBProspects #RatesAndBarrels 00:00 Intro 00:34 Baseball News You Should Know 00:59 Could Garrett Crochet Join Boston’s Bullpen? 02:24 Willson Contreras Day-to-Day With Bruised Hand 05:33 Nationals in Extension Talks With Cade Cavalli 07:14 How Cade Cavalli Changed His Arsenal 09:21 MLB’s Biggest Strikeout-Rate Risers 11:43 Walbert Ureña’s Breakout Rookie Season 14:36 Jared Young Injured in Scary Collision 15:55 Latest Developments Surrounding Mark Walter 18:10 Mailbag 18:24 What Happened to Dillon Dingler? 21:24 How Could a Delayed 2027 Season Impact Pitchers? 26:53 The Fantasy Player You Can Never Get Right 29:38 DVR’s Cam Smith Problem 32:07 How to Handle Frustrating Fantasy Players 35:17 Sage Performance Review 35:39 Surprise Hitters of the Last 30 Days 37:40 The Hottest Pitchers of the Last 30 Days 41:11 Final Weekend Waiver Preview 41:37 Late-Season Starting Pitcher Adds 47:43 Final Waiver Wire Hitters 48:04 Griffin Conine Is Getting an Extended Look 50:01 Middle Infield Waiver Options 52:28 Late-Season Outfield Adds 53:12 Is Jonah Cox a 2027 Sleeper? 54:22 Henry Bolte & Victor Mesa Jr. 56:12 Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 17 · 1 hr 13 min
Which MLB Bullpens Are Actually Built for October?
Which MLB contenders have the bullpens built to survive October? DVR, Eno Sarris and Trevor May rank the best relief units in the American and National Leagues and break down which teams they trust most heading into the MLB postseason. The Guardians headline a tightly packed group of American League bullpens, with the Red Sox, Yankees, Astros and Rays all making their cases. The guys examine Cleveland’s high-leverage arms, Houston’s top-end talent, Boston’s impressive results and whether the Yankees have enough depth to shorten games in October. They also explain why Tampa Bay may be missing the overpowering arm that becomes so valuable in the postseason. In the National League, the Padres have built one of baseball’s deepest and most dangerous bullpens around Mason Miller, but the Brewers, Dodgers, Braves and Phillies all enter the conversation. Has Milwaukee quietly assembled an elite October bullpen? Can the Dodgers piece together enough healthy arms? And should Philadelphia’s actual results make us skeptical despite strong underlying projections? Plus, Baseball News You Should Know covers another late-season injury concern for the Dodgers after Blake Snell exits with a groin strain, Aaron Judge leaving early with leg tightness, Jackson Holliday landing on the IL and Kyle Bradish’s season coming to an end. Finally, Closing the Tab turns to the Seattle Mariners. After entering the season as heavy favorites in the AL West, Seattle fell well short of expectations as Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodríguez and several key players took steps backward or battled injuries. But the biggest question may be the pitching staff: Have T-Mobile Park and Seattle’s run-prevention environment caused us to overrate just how good Bryan Woo, George Kirby and the Mariners’ rotation really are? DVR, Eno and Trevor examine Seattle’s surprising home-road pitching splits, what could change in 2027 and why a disappointing season doesn’t necessarily mean the Mariners’ successful pitching-development model is broken. Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment! First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026 Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social e-mail: [ratesandbarrels@gmail.com](mailto:ratesandbarrels@gmail.com) Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Rates & Barrels MERCH: https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/ Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis Editor: McEnroe Francis #MLB #MLBPlayoffs #Mariners #FantasyBaseball #RatesAndBarrels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 16 · 1 hr
Are MLB’s Aging Stars Starting to Decline? Turner, Machado & J-Ram
Are Trea Turner, Manny Machado and José Ramírez beginning to show real signs of decline — or are MLB’s aging stars poised to bounce back in 2027? DVR, Eno Sarris and Jed Lowrie dig into three veteran hitters on the wrong side of 30 and examine what the underlying numbers tell us about where their careers are headed. José Ramírez continues to provide plenty of fantasy value despite an injury-altered season, while Manny Machado’s declining hard-contact numbers raise questions about how much elite production remains. Then DVR takes a deep dive into Trea Turner’s surprising 2026 season. Turner’s bat speed still looks healthy, but his production against fastballs has fallen, his swing decisions have changed and his overall offensive production has dropped significantly. A surprising comparison with Xander Bogaerts may also offer a better idea of what Turner could look like over the second half of his long-term contract. First, Baseball News You Should Know covers another huge moment from Junior Caminero, Pete Alonso’s return to Citi Field, the Guardians-White Sox playoff battle and a razor-thin AL West race between the Astros and Rangers. Finally, Closing the Tab heads to Washington. The Nationals have made a massive offensive leap in Year 1 under their new front office, but questions remain about their pitching development. DVR, Eno and Jed look at what changed in Washington, the next wave of pitching prospects and the rapid ascent of 18-year-old Eli Willits. Plus, Jed puts a new spin on Name That Dude with the help of a pack of 2026 Topps Chrome. #MLB #FantasyBaseball #TreaTurner #MannyMachado #JoseRamirez #RatesAndBarrels 00:00 Intro 02:03 Junior Caminero Is Fearless at the Plate 04:42 Pete Alonso Returns to Citi Field 08:31 Guardians-White Sox Delivers Again 11:29 Astros & Rangers Battle for the AL West 15:09 What's Going On With Wyatt Langford? 16:49 Decline or a Cliff? 17:12 Is José Ramírez Finally Slowing Down? 25:32 What’s Happening to Manny Machado? 37:39 What Happened to Trea Turner? 38:59 Turner’s Fastball & Swing-Decision Problems 40:25 Trea Turner vs. Xander Bogaerts 45:45 Closing the Tab: Washington Nationals 49:50 Can the Nationals Fix Their Pitching? 57:14 Eli Willits’ Incredible Rise 57:34 Name That Dude: Topps Chrome Edition 1:00:40 The Mystery Player Revealed Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment! First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026 Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Rates & Barrels MERCH https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/ Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis Editor: McEnroe Francis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 15 · 51 min
Yankees vs. Rays: Who’s Better Built for October?
Are the New York Yankees getting healthy at exactly the right time? DVR and Eno break down the latest MLB playoff picture before Yankees reporter Brendan Kuty joins the show to discuss Aaron Judge finding his timing, the Yankees’ October rotation and a fascinating decision between George Lombard Jr. and Anthony Volpe. The American League playoff race remains unsettled as the White Sox battle Cleveland, Toronto and Texas for position. DVR and Eno also examine the Padres’ biggest October weakness, a crushing Blue Jays loss and whether heavy workloads eventually catch up with MLB relievers. Plus, the Rays have already punched their ticket to October. DVR and Eno examine Tampa Bay’s lineup, rotation and bullpen and assess whether the Rays have everything they need to make a deep postseason run. #MLB #Yankees #Rays #MLBPlayoffs #RatesAndBarrels #baseballgame 00:00 MLB Playoff Race Heats Up 01:44 White Sox Take a Huge Game From Cleveland 06:31 Can the Padres’ Rotation Survive October? 09:30 Blue Jays Let One Get Away 11:57 How Much Is Too Much for MLB Relievers? 14:29 Four More Teams Punch Their Playoff Ticket 17:37 Aaron Judge Looks Like Aaron Judge Again 22:02 Is the Yankees’ Rotation Getting Healthy at the Perfect Time? 23:56 George Lombard Jr. or Anthony Volpe? 27:09 Did Volpe Fix His Swing in Triple-A? 28:43 Can the Yankees Still Steal the AL East? 30:04 What Could Sink the Yankees in October? 33:35 Are the Rays Built for an October Run? Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment! First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026 Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Rates & Barrels MERCH https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/ Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis Editor: McEnroe Francis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 14 · 1 hr 1 min
Brewers Are For Real & the Blue Jays Are Surging | MLB Playoff Race
Are the Milwaukee Brewers built to make a deep October run? DVR is joined by WTMJ Brewers host Dominic Cotroneo to examine why Milwaukee’s unconventional offense works, Jacob Misiorowski’s transformation into an ace, Logan Henderson’s emergence and how the Brewers could build their pitching staff for the MLB postseason. First, the American League playoff picture is finally beginning to take shape. The Toronto Blue Jays have quietly pushed their way back into serious contention, while the White Sox and the rest of a crowded AL field battle for six postseason spots. Could Toronto be a dangerous “house money” team if Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays get back to October? Then it’s time for Where the Money Went. Dodgers prospect Josue De Paula gets his first taste of the majors, showing impressive plate discipline and hitting his first MLB home run. DVR and Dom also discuss late-season fantasy baseball strategy, returning catchers and why finding usable pitching in the final two weeks has become increasingly difficult. Finally, Closing the Tab turns to the 2026 St. Louis Cardinals. Is Jordan Walker’s breakout sustainable? Does St. Louis have the position-player core to contend again soon? And can the organization’s pitching development catch up quickly enough to complete the rebuild? Plus, Dominic discusses the Service Time podcast and the history of baseball’s relationship with its players. #MLB #Brewers #BlueJays #MLBPlayoffs #FantasyBaseball #RatesAndBarrels 00:00 Blue Jays Emerge in the AL Playoff Race 03:43 Is the AL Playoff Picture Finally Taking Shape? 09:25 The Blue Jays Are Making Their Move 12:42 Padres-D-backs & the NL Wild Card Race 18:05 Where the Money Went: Josue De Paula Arrives 21:19 Late-Season Fantasy Baseball Strategy 25:30 Brewers Deep Dive: Is This Team Better? 29:17 Why Milwaukee’s Offense Works 33:43 What Really Happened to Milwaukee in the 2025 NLCS? 36:43 Misiorowski, Henderson & the Brewers’ October Rotation 41:15 Who Emerges From the Brewers Bullpen? 43:58 Closing the Tab: 2026 Cardinals 49:03 Is Jordan Walker’s Breakout For Real? 52:22 The Cardinals’ Young Core 55:13 Dominic Cotroneo’s Service Time Podcast Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment! First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026 Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Host: Derek VanRiper Contributor: Dominic Cotroneo Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis Editor: McEnroe Francis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 12 · 53 min
Starkville | Chipper Jones on the Braves, Bobby Cox and Today’s Game
Hall of Famer Chipper Jones returns to Starkville! This week, Jayson and Doug sit down with the Braves icon to talk Ronald Acuña Jr.’s memorable curtain call, his favorite Bobby Cox ejection stories, whether Chipper ever got tossed himself, and what he thinks he would hit in today’s game. Plus, Chipper weighs in on ABS, the evolving role of hitting coaches, the Braves’ World Series chances, and his memorable battles with Doug Glanville. Later, the guys head to Arizona for Strange But True, where the Diamondbacks and Royals somehow turned a 0 0 game into an absolute baseball zombie thriller. Rundown: 0:00 Today’s Lineup 00:37 Welcome to Starkville 8:33 UP NEXT: CHIPPER JONES VISITS STARKVILLE 8:35 Ronald Acuña Jr. Curtain Call 18:05 Did Chipper Jones Ever Troll? 21:58 Changing Role of Hitting Coaches 26:40 The Braves’ World Series Chances 31:08 In Honor of Bobby Cox - what’s your favorite Bobby Cox Ejection Story? 35:39 Has Chipper Jones ever been Ejected from a game? 37:35 What would Chipper Jones have hit if he were still playing baseball today? 39:32 Thoughts on ABS - is it helping the game? 41:22 Chipper Vs. Doug - stories about Doug Glanville going up against Chipper Jones 45:27 UP NEXT: STRANGE BUT TRUE 46:21 Strange But True Diamondbacks Vs. Royals Zombie game Follow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.social Follow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.social Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.social E-mail: starkville@theathletic.com Starkville Hotline: (347) 313-8371 Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosts: Jayson Stark & Doug Glanville With: Joe Maddon Producer: Matthew Chilelli Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 11 · 59 min
How Good Is Cam Schlittler? + Post-Hype Sleepers for 2027
The Under the Radar crew is back! DVR reunites with Ian Kahn and Nando Di Fino to look back at lessons from the Fantasy Baseball season, identify post-hype sleepers for 2027 and discuss the incredible rise of Yankees starter Cam Schlittler. Just how good has Schlittler become? The guys break down his dramatic improvement in command, overpowering arsenal and rapid development before asking a much bigger question: Has Schlittler already become a top-five starting pitcher? Then it's time to start looking ahead to 2027 fantasy baseball. Royce Lewis headlines a group of former top prospects who may still have another level to reach. Could Lewis' combination of power and speed finally turn him into a 20/20 player if he stays healthy? Plus, Spencer Jones is beginning to deliver on the enormous power-speed potential that made him such an intriguing Yankees prospect, while the crew looks back at a young pitching class that largely delivered on the hype this season. Finally, Jake Bauers gets his flowers in the Sage Performance Review after emerging as one of the biggest waiver-wire surprises of the season. It’s an Under the Radar reunion filled with fantasy baseball strategy, prospect talk, old predictions, receipts and plenty of stories along the way. Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment! First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026 Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosts: Derek VanRiper Contributors: Nando Di Fino & Ian Kahn Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis Editor: McEnroe Francis #FantasyBaseball #MLB #Yankees #CamSchlittler #Baseball #RatesAndBarrels 00:00 Under the Radar Reunion 04:02 Fantasy Baseball Lessons From 2026 14:21 DVR’s Fantasy Season & Young Pitching 19:34 2027 Post-Hype Sleepers 20:30 Christian Encarnacion-Strand 23:22 Can We Still Believe in Royce Lewis? 28:37 Jasson Domínguez & Spencer Jones 34:44 Cam Schlittler’s Incredible Rise 41:11 Is Cam Schlittler a Top-5 Starter? 43:13 Nick Gonzales: 2027 Sleeper? 47:04 What Matters Beyond the Numbers? 53:01 Jake Bauers’ Breakout Season 56:27 Under the Radar Reunion Wrap-Up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 10 · 1 hr 2 min
Are the Dodgers Falling Apart? Ohtani to IL, De Paula Gets the Call
Are the wheels falling off for the Los Angeles Dodgers? DVR, Eno and Trevor May discuss Shohei Ohtani heading to the IL, Freddie Freeman battling another injury and the Dodgers calling up top prospect Josue De Paula directly from Double-A as they try to get healthy for October. Plus, Jazz Chisholm Jr. lands on the IL during a disappointing walk year for the Yankees. What could his upcoming free agency look like? Corbin Carroll’s back injury comes at a brutal time for the Diamondbacks as they battle for a National League Wild Card spot. Then it’s time for the 2026 Angels Autopsy. With new ownership on the way, the Angels are already making significant organizational changes. Eno examines dramatic pitch-mix changes following Mike Maddux’s departure, the evolution of Reid Detmers and whether a greater investment in analytics and player development can finally change the direction of the franchise. Finally, we check in on three veteran starting pitchers whose futures have become increasingly difficult to project. Can Framber Valdez adjust as his velocity and strikeout rate decline? Have the Rays found something with Freddy Peralta? And could Shane Bieber become one of the most intriguing bounce-back pitchers of 2027? Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment! First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026 Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Contributor: Trevor May Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis Editor: McEnroe Francis #MLB #Dodgers #ShoheiOhtani #JosueDePaula #FantasyBaseball #RatesAndBarrels #TheAthletic Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
September 9 · 1 hr 12 min
Which MLB Rookies Will Break Out in 2027?
Which MLB rookies should we be buying heading into 2027? DVR, Eno and Jed Lowrie set expectations for Colt Emerson, Braden Montgomery and Spencer Jones after three fascinating rookie seasons — and dig into the strengths, flaws and adjustments that could determine what comes next. Colt Emerson battled through a wrist injury while making the jump to Triple-A and the Seattle Mariners, finishing with 15 home runs and 13 stolen bases between the two levels. Jed shares his own experience playing through a similar wrist injury and explains why Emerson’s 34.4% strikeout rate in Seattle may not tell the entire story. Braden Montgomery’s rookie season presents a different challenge. The Chicago White Sox outfielder already shows an advanced approach at the plate, but Eno examines whether below-average bat speed and athletic tools could limit his ceiling — and what Montgomery might need to unlock to become a bigger offensive threat. Then there’s Spencer Jones. The New York Yankees rookie has elite bat speed and has crushed fastballs, but a 36.6% strikeout rate and significant swing-and-miss against breaking and offspeed pitches raise questions about his long-term ceiling. Before looking ahead, Rates & Barrels begins its 2026 MLB Autopsy series with the Athletics. Injuries devastated a young lineup, but the problems go beyond health. Plus, Baseball News You Should Know: Aaron Judge isn’t thrilled about playing only six innings in his return to the Yankees, Shohei Ohtani’s health remains something to monitor, Corbin Burnes returns from Tommy John surgery, Jacob Misiorowski makes history with his 1,000th pitch at 100 mph or faster, and Seattle Mariners rookie Lázaro Montes crushes a 474-foot home run. Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment! First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026 Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Contributor: Jed Lowrie Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis Editor: McEnroe Francis #MLB #MLBRookies #Baseball #FantasyBaseball #SpencerJones #ColtEmerson #BradenMontgomery #RatesAndBarrels #TheAthletic 0:00 Welcome to Rates & Barrels 3:44 Baseball News You Should Know 6:20 Shohei Ohtani’s Health 7:30 Corbin Burnes Returns 10:49 Jacob Misiorowski Makes History 15:59 Brewers Rally & Jackson Chourio 17:16 Lázaro Montes’ 474-Foot Homer 20:41 Athletics Autopsy: What Went Wrong? 24:35 The A’s Defensive Problem 26:41 Should the A’s Trade a Young Hitter? 28:31 The A’s Pitching Development Problem 42:23 Building the A’s for 2027 47:32 Expectations for the A’s in 2027 51:27 Intriguing MLB Rookies for 2027 51:27 Colt Emerson 57:48 Braden Montgomery 1:06:50 Spencer Jones 1:12:13 Thanks for Watching Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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