

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 24, 2024 • 54min
World Series Preview & Predictions: Yankees v. Dodgers
Eno and DVR preview the World Series matchup between the Yankees and Dodgers, examining the team's position player groups -- including defense and baserunning -- pitching, and the difficulty of game planning throughout the series. Plus, they share their predictions for series winner and series MVP.Rundown1:32 The Lineups: Depth Will Be Under the Microscope Behind Stars14:38 How Do the Yankees & Dodgers Stack Up Defensively?24:05 Do the Dodgers Have a Significant Edge on the Basepaths?27:55 Game-by-Game Starting Pitcher Outlook33:52 The Challenge of Limiting Looks at Your Relievers37:07 Game Planning Considerations for the Series51:54 Predictions: Series Winner & MVPFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-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.

Oct 23, 2024 • 60min
World Series Reliever Rankings & Critical Matchups
Eno, DVR, Trevor discuss the passing of Fernando Valenzuela, whose dominant 1981 season led to Rookie of the Year and Cy Young Award honors in the same campaign and spurred 'Fernandomania' in Los Angeles. Plus, they dig into reliever rankings for the World Series and critical matchups that each team will be focused on during the Fall Classic. Rundown0:59 Fernando Valenzuela Passes Away at Age 635:21 Reliever Rankings for the World Series: Who Is No. 1?15:59 Evan Phillips' Difficult Matchup with the Yankees' Bats20:12 Tommy Kahnle's Extremely Heavy Changeup Usage28:08 The Yankees' Lack of Power Lefties in the Bullpen37:27 Uncertainty Around Nestor Cortes Jr.'s Availability & Role44:22 Critical Matchups That Could Swing the SeriesFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Trevor on Twitter: @IamTrevorMaye-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Trevor MayExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 22, 2024 • 60min
Is This The Dream World Series?
Eno, Britt and DVR discuss a few compelling things about this year's World Series matchup and wonder if this round of Yankees v. Dodgers is a 'Dream World Series'. Plus, they rank the starting pitchers that are likely to appear in the series and assess the overall strength of each team's rotation options. Beyond the World Series, they also discuss Britt's story about White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf considering a potential sale of the team, and the upgrades that might be on tap for a Cubs team seeking a return to the playoffs in 2025. Rundown1:14 Is This the 'Dream World Series'?5:32 The Best World Series Money Can Buy?13:03 What Compels You Most About Yankees-Dodgers?23:21 Lining Up the Starters Around Expected Bullpen Games28:28 Rankings the Starting Pitchers We'll See In This Series42:56 Jerry Reinsdorf is Open to Selling the White Sox51:12 Offseason Plans for the CubsFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Britt on Twitter: @Britt_Ghirolie-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris & Britt GhiroliExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 21, 2024 • 56min
The Yankees & Dodgers Advance to the World Series
Eno and DVR look back at the conclusion of the LCS matchups as the Dodgers eliminated the Mets and the Yankees eliminated the Guardians to advance to the World Series over the weekend. They also examine a few potential offseason moves for the Mets and Guardians.Rundown4:51 The Dodgers' Lack of Innings From Starters This Postseason8:53 Reliever Third Time Penalties Raise Questions About Heavy Reliever Usage in Playoffs14:56 Did We Underappreciate the Tommy Edman Deal?19:48 Looking Ahead at the Mets' Offseason Plans28:45 An ALCS That Delivered Plenty of Excitement40:39 Juan Soto v. Hunter Gaddis in Game 5 of the ALCS48:27 What's On Tap for the Guardians This Winter?Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-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.

Oct 18, 2024 • 54min
An Instant Classic in Cleveland & Early Starting Pitcher Thoughts
Eno and DVR discuss an instant classic in Cleveland as the Guardians took Game 3 of the ALCS in dramatic fashion. Plus, they see another night of increased stuff across the board for Dodgers and Mets pitchers in Game 4 of the NLCS, where the Dodgers are now just one win away from the World Series. They also consider the 2025 outlook for Yoshinobu Yamamoto and take their first look at very early draft-day costs for starting pitchers around the top of the board.Rundown2:21 An Instant Classic in Cleveland10:58 Should Jhonkensy Noel Be in the Starting Lineup for Bottom-Half Pop?14:26 The Dodgers Are One Win Away From the World Series20:20 Did We See a Similar Stuff Increase at Citi Field in Game 4?29:10 Is Yoshinobu Yamamoto a Fantasy Ace In Year 2 with the Dodgers?41:25 What If You Wait Until After Round 5 (15 teams) to Start Drafting Pitchers?Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-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.

Oct 17, 2024 • 56min
Walker Buehler's Stuff Plays Up & The October Struggles of Catchers
Eno and DVR discuss Walker Buehler's outing in Game 3 of the NLCS and the overall uptick in pitch movement at Citi Field on Wednesday night. Plus, they examine the struggles of catchers at the plate this postseason -- and in recent years -- before discussing publicly available defensive metrics following the release of Gold Glove finalists earlier this week.Rundown1:13 Was That Walker Buehler's Best Stuff of the Season?9:29 David Fry's Injury-Driven Defensive Limitations11:53 Are Catcher Ground Into Stumps by October?20:06 Will Smith's Slight Downturn in 202430:06 How Does This Guardians Team Compare to Other Recent LCS Clubs?41:20 The Gold Glove Finalists Made Us Wonder: How Do We Feel About Currently Available Defensive Metrics?Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-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.

Oct 16, 2024 • 52min
Can the Guardians Battle Back in the ALCS?
Eno and DVR discuss the Yankees' Game 2 over the Guardians and the missed opportunities for Cleveland as the series heads to Ohio and wonder how the Guardians might be able to climb back into the series. Plus, Eno shares his frustration with the unfair critiques of one-knee down catching, and they discuss the lack of right-on-right changeups. Rundown2:20 Missed Opportunities in Game 2 of the ALCS7:40 The Absurdity of Complaints About One-Knee Down Catching12:49 Pedro Avila's New Splitter May Matter Beyond the Playoffs21:32 How Can the Guardians Climb Back Into the ALCS?29:02 Why Don't We See More Right-on-Right Changeups?35:43 Can We Have More Broadcast Options in the Playoffs?45:33 Hawk-Eye Purchases KinaTrax; Potential Benefits on the Public Data Side in the Future?Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 15, 2024 • 55min
Will Bullpen Decay & The Mets' Success Against Relievers Define This Postseason?
Eno and DVR discuss the Dodgers' altered bullpen game approach in Game 2 of the NLCS which included an earlier usage of Landon Knack, who surrendered a critical second-inning grand slam to Mark Vientos. Plus, they examine the Mets' success against relievers throughout the year as highlighted by Robert Orr of Baseball Prospectus, a few potential fits for Alex Bregman and Willy Adames in free agency, and the success of Carlos Rodón in Game 1 of the ALCS against the Guardians.Rundown1:41 The Mets Slug Against the Dodgers' Bullpen to Take Game 27:16 Mark Vientos' 2024 Breakout12:23 How Will Alex Bregman's Defense Age?18:01 Willy Adames' Foray Into Free Agency22:55 Did the Dodgers' Hold Back Their Top Relievers in Game 2 to Limit the Mets' Looks?26:39 Robert Orr's Breakdown of the Mets' Success Against Relievers35:20 What Would You Put on Your Hitters Skills Checklist?39:55 Can the Guardians Begin to Turn Good Hit Tools Into More Power?47:51 What Changed for Carlos Rodón in Game 1 of the ALCS?52:37 Will Luis Severino Add Wrinkles for the Dodgers' Lefties in Game 3?Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-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.

Oct 14, 2024 • 54min
LCS Matchup Thoughts, Offseason Plans for Padres & Tigers
Eno and DVR discuss the LCS matchups between the Dodgers and Mets, and the Yankees and Guardians -- including the Dodgers' pitching staff going on an excellent run of scoreless innings (33 entering Game 2 of the NLCS on Monday) -- and the Guardians' series-clinching win over the Tigers from the weekend. Plus, they wonder what adjustments AJ Preller and company will make around the core returning for 2025, and the next steps for the Tigers after their run ended one win away from a trip to the ALCS. Rundown1:35 Will the Dodgers Ever Give Up a Run Again?3:21 The Padres' Offseason Outlook12:35 Keys to the Mets-Dodgers NLCS Matchup25:58 Lane Thomas' Grand Slam Propels the Guardians Into the ALCS37:14 The Tigers' Offseason Outlook49:31 Jackson Jobe's Path Into the Opening Day RotationFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 11, 2024 • 49min
The Yankees Reach the ALCS & Two Game 5s On Tap
Eno and DVR discuss the Yankees' series-clinching win over the Royals, and what comes next after big step forward in Kansas City in 2024. Plus, they examine the Guardians' win in Game 4 that brings their ALDS matchup with the Tigers for a decisive Game 5 against Tarik Skubal, and a few offseason news items of interest.Rundown1:12 Yankees Advance to ALCS with Game 4 Win in Kansas City5:42 Offseason Outlook in KC17:07 Chuckles From the Yankees' Postgame Celebration25:14 Another Smart Bullpen Decision in an Elimination Game30:38 An Excellent Game 4 in Guardians-Tigers Series41:09 Offseason Updates: Brent Rooker, Jorge Polanco & Tomoyuki SuganoFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-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.


