Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

Tough Starting Pitcher Rankings for the Rest of 2025Eno and DVR wish FanGraphs a Happy 20th Birthday and discuss several tough rankings from Eno's final list for the 2025 season including Logan Webb, Dylan Cease, Shohei Ohtani, and Chase Burns, along with the surprising lefties -- Andrew Abbott, Jacob Lopez, and Trevor Rogers -- as the stretch run approaches. They also look at a few intriguing names on the waiver this weekend including the recently-promoted Owen Caissie, and Nolan McLean ahead of his MLB debut against the Mariners on Saturday.Plus, Niv Shah joins the show to discuss late-season ottoneu strategy with players unlikely to be kept and how to approach trading with loans versus dropping a player in hopes of a cascading effect that puts other interesting players onto waivers, and our Senior Hot Correspondent ranks the eight Taste of the Majors hot dogs from the season so far($) Eno's Updated Starting Pitcher Rankings: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6549810Rundown4:12 Updates on Ronald Acuña Jr., Pablo López & Michael King10:30 Padres-Dodgers & Great Weekend Series On Tap21:09 Logan Webb: A Tough Rank Up Top?25:22 Dylan Cease's Rebound & Cade Horton's Surge31:50 Shohei Ohtani's Workload Increasing to Win Eligibility Levels35:55 Chase Burns' Late-Season Limitations40:40 Owen Caissie's Promotion & Playing Time Outlook43:49 Nolan McLean Headed to the Mets' Rotation48:18 Forrest Whitley is Pitching Well at Triple-A53:07 LODEM Kings as Tough Rankings Too55:02 Talking Keeper Trade/Drop Strategy w/Niv Shah1:09:27 Taste of the Majors: Power Rankings in Mid-AugustFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Niv on Bluesky: @ottoneu.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer: Brian SmithGuest: Niv ShahExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss the battle atop the AL West before examining the Phillies' case for the 'Best Team in Baseball' crown thanks to excellent starting pitching at the continued improvement of Cristopher Sánchez and Kyle Schwarber putting up career-best numbers in his age-32 season. Plus, they look at four intriguing starting pitchers getting a late-season opportunity.Rundown1:12 A Look at the AL West as Josh Hader Gets a Second Opinion & Yordan Alvarez Inches Toward a Return7:01 Dylan Crews is Back; Nathaniel Lowe DFA'd by the Nationals11:38 The Phillies' Case for 'Best Team in Baseball'16:43 Cristopher Sánchez's Rise to Ace-Level Performance29:59 Kyle Schwarber's Career-Year at Age-32 (How I'd Pitch This Guy)40:18 Injuries Keeping the Gap Between Teams Around the League Smaller?50:14 Nerding Out: Four Starting Pitchers We're Intrigued ByFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Trevor MayProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Jed, and DVR discuss the Red Sox's 'quiet' ascent to the second-place spot in the AL East on the strength of a lineup that is tied for fifth in wOBA and wonder if the pitching is deep enough to make the team dangerous if they reach the playoffs. Plus, they discuss how players change over the course of the season, and a round of injury news items including a follow-up on Astros closer Josh Hader. Rundown1:05 Assessing the Red Sox in mid-August9:15 Is the Current Success of the Pitching Staff Successful?12:53 An Improving Bullpen, Not Without Questions15:55 Dustin May & The Importance of Fastball Mix23:09 How Do They Stack Up Against the Blue Jays?30:13 How Players Change Over the Course of the Season?40:05 How Does Velocity Hold Up When Fatigue Sets In?45:18 'First-Half' and 'Second-Half' Players53:18 Other News & Notes: Adolis García, Félix Bautista, Zach Eflin & Miguel Vargas1:00:43 The A's Young Pitching is Intriguing, Will It Work in Sacramento?Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Jed LowrieProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss the Astros' bullpen as Josh Hader is slowed by a shoulder injury, the return of Cristian Javier to the rotation, plus on the first installment of 'The Checklist', they discuss the seasons of Ben Rice, Bo Bichette and Geraldo Perdomo.Cody Stavenhagen joins the program to discuss the Tigers, whose underwhelming additions at the Trade Deadline may come into question without a deep run in October.Rundown1:05 Josh Hader: Sent for Imaging Due to Shoulder Soreness4:54 Cristian Javier: Shows New Sinker in Return to Rotation10:08 Shane McClanahan: Undergoes Season-Ending Surgery13:57 Ben Rice: Increasing Time Behind the Plate23:31 Bo Bichette: Buying the 2025 Rebound?27:08 Geraldo Perdomo: A Top-25 Hitter in 202530:42 Cody Stavenhagen Joins the Show to Talk Tigers!35:16 Understanding Riley Greene's Mid-Summer Slump40:42 A Deeper Lineup for This Year's Tigers?45:21 An Underwhelming Trade Deadline55:45 The Lack of Consistency with the Bats Despite a Higher Floor1:02:06 A Very Strong System Capable of Bringing Long-Term SuccessFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.socialFollow Cody on Bluesky: @codystavenhagen.bsky.social‬e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisGuest: Cody StavenhagenProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss the upcoming return of Hunter Greene for a critical juncture in the schedule, and if the Reds might have found an undervalued group of pitchers despite the tendencies of Great American Ball Park. Plus, they look at James Wood's recent slump and the potential impact on his 2026 value, Jo Adell's career-year, and the bloated ratios of Griffin Jax despite great underlying numbers before recapping where the money went in fantasy baseball leagues this weekend.Rundown1:31 Hunter Greene: Expected to Return on Wednesday11:05 Michael King: A Two-Inning Outing in Weekend Return13:07 Chris Sale: Rehab Start Coming Tuesday; Hurston Waldrep Changes17:27 James Wood’s Recent Slump, 2026 Outlook26:01 A Decision to Pinch-Hit for PCA Against JoJo Romero31:53 Expecting Regression from Jeremy Peña After Career-Year?34:18 Time to Believe in Jo Adell, Now and Forever?37:56 Making Sense of Griffin Jax’s 2025 Struggles43:24 Where the Money Went: Luis Gil, Cade Cavalli, and Jakob Marsee’s Speed CeilingFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Niv Shah, Senior Hot Dog Correspondent and a familiar voice discussing ballpark cuisine, brings a delicious twist to the conversation. The chat covers Josh Naylor's surprising speed boost that catapulted him into the top ranks, while Cade Cavalli's improved performance post-surgery creates excitement for Nationals fans. Niv shares insights on the intriguing rise of Jakob Marsee, and speculates on Warming Bernabel's potential at Coors Field, blending baseball analytics with fun food commentary.

Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss history on tap this weekend when Jen Pawol will become the first woman to umpire a regular season MLB game, the return of Michael King (and potential adjustments for JP Sears in the Padres' organization), the ways in which hitters can make life difficult on opposing pitchers, the struggles of relievers in new roles and on new clubs since the Trade Deadline, and Eno's attempt to sort out which team has the best bullpen in baseball.Rundown0:51 Jen Pawol: First Woman to Umpire in MLB Regular Season2:30 Michael King: Returning Saturday; Potential Adjustments for JP Sears7:57 Gavin Williams: Takes No-Hit Bid Into the Ninth Inning on Wednesday10:32 Which Division Is the Toughest on Pitchers in 2025?17:10 What Makes a Pitcher's Job More Difficult?26:08 WAR Surfing in Evaluating Pitchers (and Cy Young Award candidates)31:06 Making Sense of Reliever Struggles Since the Trade Deadline38:17 Chase Rates Jump in the Ninth Inning?!43:28 Eno's Look at the Best Bullpens in Baseball53:34 Devin Williams' Chase Contact Rate Spike (Q from Bitcloud)1:01:48 George Kirby v. Joe Ryan in Long-Term Situations (Q from Sierra Six)1:08:47 Shane Baz's Slider Changes (Q from Thiago Splitchange)Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Trevor MayProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno returns to discuss a contract extension for Roman Anthony and to help determine if the Yankees' defensive shortcomings are as bad as the internet might lead you to believe. Plus, DVR talks Brewers with Vinny Rottino of FanDuel Sports Network Wisconsin. What has helped propel the Brewers to the best record in baseball during the first week of August?Rundown2:03 Roman Anthony: Agrees to Eight-Year, $130M Extension12:20 Aaron Judge is Back; the Yankees Are Still Spiraling18:32 The Sloppy Mistakes That We Notice29:00 Vinny Rottino Joins the Show to Talk Brewers32:15 Jacob Misiorowski's Adjustments Since Spring Training35:53 Brandon Woodruff's Impressive Return From Shoulder Surgery41:46 Quinn Priester's Ascent in the Brewers' Rotation46:34 Andrew Vaughn's Turnaround in Milwaukee50:03 Brice Turang's Long-Term Power Potential54:45 Jackson Chourio in Year 257:45 Sal Frelick Flying Under the Radar Outside of Milwaukee1:00:37 The Glue Guys & An Organization In Sync?1:08:53 Grayson Rodriguez: Elbow Debridement SurgeryFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisGuest: Vinny RottinoProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR is joined by Nando Di Fino and Ian Kahn for an Under the Radar reunion! The trio discusses the differences between the Dodgers' push for an elite rotation compared to the Padres' push for an elite bullpen, the Marlins effectively playing spoiler throughout the middle-third of the season, growing concern about the Yankees amidst a recent slide, a split on Spencer Jones' long-term outlook, and the Twins' production team magnanimous share of Jhoan Duran's entrance following his trade to Philly. Rundown0:57 The UTR Reunion Begins4:13 Padres/Dodgers - Different Approaches to Building Out Pitching9:00 Nando Guy Deep Cut: JP Sears Gets Fresh Start in San Diego13:57 'Baltimore lineup finally....'22:15 A Mailbag Question About Body Language (from: KigaKoyata)27:18 'Marlins being bosses.'31:39 'Yankees might be screwed.' (related to previous topic)40:00 Is This a Good Trade that Nando Passed On?49:55: 'Arte Moreno going for it.' (This isn't really going for it, is it?)56:38 Scherzer1:00:17 Philly's Jhoan Duran walk out. Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHost: Derek VanRiperWith: Nando Di Fino and Ian KahnExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR is joined by Vlad Sedler of FTN Fantasy to discuss Austin Riley's return to the IL, Jacob Misiorowski's quick trip to the IL, Max Muncy's upcoming return, and the bizarre season of Tommy Edman before sharing some of the adjustments they make for the final two months of the season. Plus, they look back at where the money was spent this weekend on the waiver wire, and uncooperative weather for the Speedway Classic at Bristol.Rundown1:16 Austin Riley's Return to the IL6:12 Jacob Misiorowski to the IL w/Tibia Contusion10:40 Tommy Edman, Max Muncy, Blake Snell & a Blake Treinen Wobble19:12 Tactical Adjustments for the Fantasy Baseball Stretch Run28:46 Where the Money Went: Warming Up to Jakob Marsee?40:15 Will the O's Let Coby Mayo Play Every Day Here on Out?52:05 The Speedway Classic Draws a 'Fyre Festival' Comp58:09 Rehab Assignment Updates: Shane Bieber & Michael KingFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Vlad on Bluesky: @rotogut.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHost: Derek VanRiperWith: Vlad SedlerProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.