Podcast
Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball
Hosted by The Athletic · EN
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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98episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Baseball is Flying Like It's 2019 Again
6d ago01:06:32Tap to summarizeDon't blame us if this episode is a drag — blame baseball. Eno and DVR dig into why drag levels have climbed back to heights not seen since 2019, and what it means for hitters (and pitchers) across the league. They also break down some of baseball's most frustrating bats, identify a few buy-low pitchers worth targeting right now, and discuss the Bryce Harper-Kyle Schwarber show in Philadelphia. Plus, a look at where fantasy managers spent their money over the weekend.Rundown:2:29 Why is Drag Suddenly Back to 2019 Levels?7:17 Who Will Be Impacted With Less Drag on the Baseball?14:43 Most Frustrating Hitters: Who Drives Us Crazy at the Dish?16:54 Jackson Merrill: Overall, More Aggressive Than Anticipated26:35 Freddy Peralta: Can He Rebound to Pre-2026 Form?32:22 Buy-Low Pitchers38:20 Bryce Harper & Kyle Schwarber Erupt42:09 The Rays’ Slide: When Things Get Quiet46:54 Where the Money WentFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHost: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Starkville | Jerry Dipoto’s Mariners Are Back On Track
1w ago01:08:00Tap to summarizeNolan Ryan had "The Express," so what do we call Jacob Misiorowski’s heater? This week on Starkville, Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville brainstorm the perfect nickname for "The Miz’s" electric four-seamer. Then, Mariners President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto joins the show to talk about his short history pitching against Doug, his reputation as one of MLB's most prolific dealmakers, rising star Colt Emerson, and his Immaculate Grid strategy. Plus, he shares some incredible reflections on the legendary Ichiro Suzuki. To wrap it all up, Jayson and Doug head to Las Vegas for an explosive edition of Strange But True.Rundown:3:19 Nolan Ryan on Jacob Misiorowski15:17 Jerry Dipoto Visits Starkville16:00 Dipoto vs. Glanville18:27 The First Place Mariners20:17 The ‘Piggyback’ Strategy28:00 ‘Trader Jerry’35:15 Colt Emerson39:18 The Immaculate Grid45:07 Living a ‘Baseball Life’48:30 The Legend of Ichiro55:08 Strange But TrueFollow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.socialFollow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.socialE-mail: starkville@theathletic.comStarkville Hotline: (347) 313-8371Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Jayson Stark & Doug GlanvilleWith: Jerry DipotoProducer: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →June Starting Pitcher Rankings Update & Waiver Wire Preview
1w ago01:05:16Tap to summarizeFresh starting pitcher rankings have dropped, and it’s time to complain! Who is too high, who is too low — and should Eno and DVR watch *more* baseball? On this episode, they discuss frustration around the rankings of George Kirby, Reid Detmers, Justin Wrobleski, and many others. Plus, a surprising discovery in the three-year park factors for Baltimore and Detroit, before they dig into this weekend’s waiver-wire preview. Rundown0:00 Intro1:12 Eno’s Updated Rankings: A Few Disagreements2:38 George Kirby: Pitching Within Bottom Range of His Outcomes?6:54 Jesús Luzardo: Is the OOPSY Projection Too Optimistic?9:18 Bryce Miller: DVR’s Case to Move Him Higher13:08 Reid Detmers: Eno Pushes Back on Rosy Second-Half Outlook17:18 Shane Baz: Does Recent Form Point to More Success?20:44 A DVR Challenge! Park Factors Update: BAL & DET25:47 Justin Wrobleski: Do We Need to Watch More Baseball?32:57 Waiver Wire Targets: Eury Pérez & Shane Bieber Returning Soon40:17 Brandon Young: A Rankings Update Omission?42:54 Griffin Jax: Having Success in Short Outings As Starter45:59 Better Roster Stash?: Injured Aces vs. Top Prospects52:44 Waiver Wire Targets: S. Taylor, D. Guzman & C. Moore59:06 Post-Hype Sleeper?: Endy Rodríguez Is Cooking in PittsburghEno’s Fresh SP Rankings ($): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7370900 Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHost: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisEditor: Jessie Auritt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Miss Distance for Pitchers is Here, What Are We Doing With It?
1w ago00:59:42Tap to summarizeWhy are some baseball fans still weird about Driveline? Eno, Trevor, and DVR tackle that question after Driveline founder Kyle Boddy left his advisory role with the Red Sox. Then, the guys dive into the newly unveiled miss distance leaderboards, marvel at just how dominant Mason Miller has become, and explore whether there's a better way to account for inherited runners.Rundown:1:52 Daniel Espino’s Debut: The Long Road of a Former Top Prospect5:48 Make It Make Sense: Why Are People Weird About Driveline?15:56 Emotions & Outcomes: Dismissing Evidence in the Face of Frustration23:38 Miss Distance Leaderboards: How We Want to Use This for Pitchers27:39 Low Hanging Fruit: More Bat Adjustments Coming?32:20 Arsenal Effects: Is Movement Spread Key to Andrew Abbott Tricking Us?37:20 Flawed Swings: Pitches That Completely Confound Hitters40:38 At the Bottom: Takeaways From Lowest Flawed Swing Rate Pitchers?47:13 Inherited Runners: ‘We Should Account for Inherited Runners Better’ - Ben Clemens52:09 Win Probability Added: Still A Very Effective Way to Measure RelieversMiss Distance Leaderboard: http://theathletic.lnk.to/MissDistFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHost: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Trevor MayEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Is There a Stat That Shows Us How Much Pitchers Fear Hitters?
2w ago01:00:17Tap to summarizeDrew Rasmussen’s incredible run continues. Today, Eno, Jed, and DVR dig into the factors behind the Rays right-hander owning the best ERA in baseball since 2021 among qualified starters not named Shohei Ohtani. Then, they discuss whether Zone% can reveal which hitters pitchers fear the most. Later, the guys examine the recent regressions of Rafael Devers and Alex Bregman before wrapping up with a daunting round of Name! That! Dude!Rundown:0:50 Drew Rasmussen’s Run3:48 Eno at World Cup6:33 Cooper Pratt’s Debut8:47 Sal Stewart vs. Bryce Eldridge12:20 Adjustment Phases: The League Will Find Flaws, Eventually18:11 Leaning on Strengths: Use Them Until They Stop Working!26:04 Zone Rates for Feared Hitters32:30 Middle-Middle Fastballs: Another Potential Indicator?38:04 Rafael Devers’ Slide40:20 Alex Bregman: Declining Gracefully Still Messes with Us42:18 Mookie Betts: Plate Discipline Holding Steady45:36 Vision Driving Decline50:08 Name! That! Dude!Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHost: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Jed LowrieEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Starting Pitcher Rankings: Tough Calls in June
2w ago01:07:31Tap to summarizeWho are the toughest starting pitchers to rank right now? Eno and DVR dig into a group of arms that defy easy placement, including Jared Jones, Chase Burns, JT Ginn, Trey Yesavage, and more, breaking down the factors that make each of them such difficult evaluations. Then, they're joined by Chris Gill of MLB The Show to discuss how the iconic franchise has evolved over the past two decades and the challenge of creating a baseball game that mirrors the real thing.Rundown:1:04 Jared Jones’ Slow Start7:14 Chase Burns’ Dominance17:34 Logan Gilbert’s Slider & Splitter Blurring Together19:25 Dustin May’s ROS Outlook26:01 Is the Phillies’ Lineup Still ‘Good’?30:22 Walbert Ureña Quietly Pitching Well in Anaheim34:00 JT Ginn Deals Again38:28 Trey Yesavage’s Lack of Command42:00 20 Years of MLB The ShowFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHost: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisEditor: Jason PotereWith: Chris Gill Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →The Injury Roller Coaster Speeds Up
2w ago01:06:25Tap to summarizeWhat a weekend across baseball. A reigning Cy Young winner returned to the mound, runs piled up in Kansas City and Las Vegas, and two stars suffered an all-too-familiar injury to a notorious hand bone. Eno and DVR break down Tarik Skubal’s uneven return, the hamate fractures suffered by José Ramírez and Vinnie Pasquantino, and Luis Lara’s extension with the Brewers. Plus, they take a closer look at Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s continued struggles and examine where fantasy managers spent their money over the weekend.Rundown:3:20 Tarik Skubal's Return9:17 José Ramírez Lands on IL11:59 Vinnie Pasquantino to the IL17:22 A Weird Series in KC20:31 Hunter Brown is Back!24:33 A ‘Maddux’ From The Miz31:42 Cooper Pratt Promoted41:45 Luis Lara’s Extension46:14 Ryan Waldschmidt Sent to Reno50:31 Vlad Jr. Check-In54:42 Where the Money WentFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialE-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHost: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Starkville | Catching Up with J.T. Realmuto
2w ago00:52:07Tap to summarizeJ.T. Realmuto returns to Starkville this week, joining Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville to talk about everything from his last appearance on the show (which happened on a golf course) to catching Cristopher Sánchez, facing Jacob Misiorowski, and the unforgettable time Freddie Freeman kicked dirt on him.Plus, Jayson and Doug weigh in on Manny Machado's criticism of analytics and what it says about the modern game, and Jo Adell makes another appearance in Strange But True — though this chapter of the story isn't nearly as triumphant as the last one.Rundown:2:50 Manny Machado Dislikes Analytics13:55 J.T. Realmuto Joins the Show14:48 Golfing with Kyle Schwarber16:58 From Thomson to Mattingly21:30 Catching Cristopher Sánchez25:11 Sánchez vs. Misiorowski29:12 Adjusting to ABS32:38 Being a Catcher in 202637:41 2026 Team Expectations41:21 Realmuto & Freeman’s Dust-Up43:10 Strange But True: Jo AdellFollow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.socialFollow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.socialE-mail: starkville@theathletic.comStarkville Hotline: (347) 313-8371Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Jayson Stark & Doug GlanvilleWith: J.T. RealmutoProducer: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Draft-Day Regrets, Prospect Talk & Waiver Wire Prep
2w ago01:18:30Tap to summarizeIt’s Fantasy Friday, and with Eno out today, DVR enlists a pair of special guests. First, James Anderson of RotoWire joins the show to discuss the draft picks he’s already regretting, along with prospects generating plenty of buzz, including Braden Montgomery, Cole Carrigg, and Jordan Lawlar.Later, Ottoneu founder and Senior Hot Dog Correspondent Niv Shah stops by to examine Aaron Judge’s long-term outlook as he turns 35 next April before sharing reviews from his latest ballpark hot dog tour through Detroit and Miami.Rundown:0:37 James Anderson Joins the Show1:55 Draft-Day Regrets: Price Enforcing & the Cal Raleigh Premium6:25 Prospect Profiles: How Has Increased Data Altered Your Targets?11:39 Chasing Unicorns: Could Aaron Judge’s Success Lead Us Astray?14:38 Accounting for the Ball: How Is James Dealing with Lively Minor-League Baseball?20:46 2026 Prospects to Come: Are We Facing a Drought Until Mid-August?23:45 Braden Montgomery27:26 Cole Carrigg30:07 Jordan Lawlar33:58 Jac Caligianone is Heating Up!37:12 The Big Picture: Are We Always Going to Be Limited by Waiver-Wire Pitching?41:19 Making Draft-Day Adjustments to Avoid In-Season Shortages43:36 Hagen Smith May Debut This Weekend48:17 Other SPs to Consider52:31 Closer Carousel: Low Bids Could Pay Off on Elvis Alvarado54:46 Niv Shah Joins the Show55:35 Aaron Judge in Ottoneu & Other Keeper/Dynasty Leagues1:07:13 Detroit Dog Reviews: The Tiger Tail & A Polish Sausage1:10:46 Taste of the Majors: Behold, The ‘Miami Dog’!Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHost: Derek VanRiperWith: James Anderson and Niv ShahEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Transcribe →Fear the Regression Monster, or Feed the Beast?
2w ago01:08:21Tap to summarizeAfter news of a setback for Garrett Crochet’s injured lat, DVR and Stephen revisit the 2024 blockbuster that sent the ace to Boston and brought four prospects back to Chicago — all of whom have now reached the majors with the White Sox. Then, they sort through a group of potential regression candidates, including Dillon Dingler, James Wood, Jordan Walker, Brandon Lowe, José Soriano, Gavin Williams, Max Meyer, and Bryce Elder, to determine who’s most likely to cool off in the months ahead.Rundown:3:35 Garrett Crochet’s Injury Setback8:37 The White Sox Did Well in Crochet Trade11:22 Reid Detmers as a Trade Candidate?18:32 Oneil Cruz Out with Broken Hand28:20 Fear the Regression Monster? Or Feed the Beast?28:57 Dillon Dingler: Fully Buying the 2026 Power Breakout?32:47 James Wood: Will He Avoid Second-Half Slide?38:30 Jordan Walker Homers Again: Is a 30-20 Season On Tap?42:17 Brandon Lowe: Resurgence Hinges on Continued Good Health?46:08 José Soriano: Has the Regression Monster Already Arrived?51:09 Gavin Williams: A Capital ‘A’ Ace Now?54:42 Max Meyer: Will He Hold Up Through Career-High Workload?59:30 Bryce Elder: Better than ROS Projections, Right?Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHost: Derek VanRiperWith: Stephen NesbittEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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