Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball Scherzer Re-Ups with Jays & Spring Training Trends to Monitor
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Feb 27, 2026 They break down Max Scherzer’s return to Toronto and what his role and innings might look like. They debate workload projections for Shohei Ohtani in 2026. They trace spring trends like shifting pitch mixes, rising stolen-base aggression, and which young pitchers could break out. A veteran describes a typical spring training day and off-field clubhouse rituals.
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Six Man Rotation Is Insurance Not A Silver Bullet
- The Blue Jays could employ a six-man rotation to protect arms and preserve postseason health, but that trades innings and bullpen workload.
- Eno warns a sixth starter who averages only ~4.1 innings defeats the purpose and strains the bullpen.
Ohtani Projected Around 130 Innings
- Shohei Ohtani's 2026 innings likely land near 130, balancing his pitching goals with Dodgers' postseason-first approach.
- Derek and Eno cite recent NL Cy Young innings (≈167–178) but expect the Dodgers to prioritize health over an extreme regular-season workload.
Teams Are Cutting Fastballs And Emphasizing Best Pitches
- Early spring data show teams like the Nationals and Mets sharply reducing fastball usage, adopting a 'throw your best pitches more' philosophy.
- Eno links this to analytic coaching hires (Red Sox, Braves, Mets trees) and quick implementation in spring.