

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

Sep 29, 2022 • 1h 3min
Learning From 2022 Roster Builds, Title or Bust & Timing Rebuilds
Eno and DVR looks at two of their teams with wildly different outcomes in 2022 in an attempt to mold future strategies and avoid repeating mistakes. Plus, Eno's best Halloween costumes, diminishing returns when too many teams execute the same strategy, choosing a direction in long-term leagues. Rundown1:36 Best Halloween Costumes8:34 Learning from Eno's AL LABR Build16:48 Preparing to Pivot22:46 Adjusting to Other Strategies in the Room27:19 DVR's Disastrous TGFBI Squad: Avoiding Repeat Mistakes42:17 Is It Championship or Bust?49:11 Timing Contending v. RebuildingFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 26, 2022 • 1h 3min
Finale Strategy, Triston McKenzie's Big Step Forward & the Impact of Rule Changes on Catchers
Eno and DVR discuss a few more difficult aspects of endgame strategy with just 10 days left to play in the 2022 fantasy baseball season. Plus, they examine the long-term outlook for Triston McKenzie on the heels of his breakout, optimism about Brandon Marsh's first full campaign in Philadelphia, and the impact of rule changes on how catchers might be valued in the long run. Rundown5:12 Endgame Strategy: Protecting Ratios v. Chasing Wins and/or Strikeouts11:56 Putting on Your Opponents' Shoes17:25 Fighting Back Against Instincts, Late FOMO23:22 Triston McKenzie's Long-Term Outlook29:25 Does a Pitcher's Frame/Body Type Matter?36:06 Are Top-End Speedsters More Desirable in H2H Leagues?41:29 Brandon Marsh & Mickey Moniak in New Organizations48:08 Rule Changes & Impact on CatchersFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 22, 2022 • 1h 1min
New Steals Sources, Late Promotions & Endgame Help
Eno and DVR consider the implications of new 2023 rules on stolen bases. Will players who currently run occasionally end up with bigger increases than top-end speedsters? Plus, they look at several potential late-season additions capable of making a positive impact in the final weeks of the season. Rundown1:21 How Stolen Base Opportunities Might Change9:12 Unfortunately, You Can't Switch Defenders That Way15:33 Ezequiel Tovar Gets a Late Promotion to Colorado20:21 Jordan Diaz's Look from the A's27:36 Eno Speaks Italian32:23 Bubba Thompson: Is This Real?38:08 Edward Olivares...Again?44:16 DVR Finally Gives Up on Nick Senzel47:08 Late Pitching Help!55:17 Weird Season: Chris TaylorFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 19, 2022 • 58min
Shift Rule Winners, Breaking WAR & Superstar Fatigue
Eno and DVR dig into potential winners from the restrictions on shifting that will go into effect in 2023. Can José Ramírez become even more productive in batting average in the new landscape? Will teams swap defensive positions to counteract shift rules? How does Shohei Ohtani break WAR, and is 'superstar fatigue' a real thing?Rundown4:37 Searching Statcast for Potential Shift Rules Winners10:51 José Ramírez: Slightly Higher Ceiling in 2023?18:45 Will Defenders Swap Positions Regularly?23:05 An Increasing Number of Multi-Position Players?25:43 Are Any Player Types Susceptible to Lose Playing Time?31:06 Will the Market Overcorrect for Players Losing Hits to Shifts?39:06 Shohei Ohtani & Breaking WAR52:12 Superstar FatigueFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 15, 2022 • 52min
When to Give Up on Young Players, Spin Rate Check-In & Making Sense of Morel
Inspired by the 2022 struggles of Jo Adell and Jarred Kelenic, Eno and DVR discuss when they give up on young players, what they look for while trying to determine a player's future power potential. Plus, spin rates are ticking up as sticky stuff appears to be alive and well, an update to the tempo data for pitching pace, and an attempt to make sense of Christopher Morel's rookie season. Rundown-- When to Give Up on Young Players-- Looking Back at the Early Years Dansby Swanson-- What to Look For While Seeking Future Pop-- Spin Rates Are Healthy-- Revisiting the Rule Changes; Clarity on the Tempo Data-- Making Sense of Christopher Morel's Rookie SeasonFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 12, 2022 • 1h 4min
Second Half Pitching Risers & Fallers
Eno and DVR discuss some of the biggest risers and fallers among pitchers in the second half of the season in search of late-season pitchers to trust, others to avoid, and potential bargains for those looking ahead to draft-and-hold season for 2023.Rundown-- New Role, Big Improvement-- Michael Wacha's Adjustments-- Blake Snell's Turnaround-- Bailey Falter's Run in the Philly Rotation-- Spenser Watkins-- David Peterson is Pretty Good-- Trevor Rogers is Returning to 2021 Form?-- Drew Rasmussen Improving In-Season?-- Could the O's Consider Dillon Tate as a Starter in 2023?-- Second-Half Fallers-- Craig Kimbrel's Slide Out of Regular Saves in LAFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.comSubscribe to The Athletic at $1/month for the first six months: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsSubscribe to the Rates & Barrels PodcastApple: http://bit.ly/AppleRandBSpotify: http://bit.ly/SpotifyRandBGoogle: http://bit.ly/RatesGoogleStitcher: http://bit.ly/STRandBTuneIn: http://bit.ly/RBTuneIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 8, 2022 • 55min
Quality Speed Sources, Rule Changes On Tap & Pitch Clock Considerations
Eno and DVR discuss the pleasant surprise of having many sources of stolen-bases that are good all-around offensive players, plus Cody Bellinger's future, the risky speed profiles to avoid, underrating Jon Berti, and the potential impact of rule changes looming for the 2023 season.Rundown7:30 Stolen-Base Leaderboard Packed with Good Players?12:30 Cody Bellinger's Future; Brighter Leaving LA?20:08 Low OPS, Good Speed, High Risk24:02 Underrating Jon Berti27:16 Potential Impact of Rule Changes on Stolen Bases31:09 Cedric Mullins' Breakout Follow-Up35:56 Pitch Clock Coming in 2023? Pitchers Primed to Gain/Lose45:45 The Pie Slice Rule, Shifting49:55 Joey Bart's Second-Half TurnaroundFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.comSubscribe to the Rates & Barrels YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RatesBarrels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 6, 2022 • 1h 4min
An Impressive Debut & Fun with xStats
Eno and DVR discuss the strong debut from D-backs pitcher Ryne Nelson before examining a few surprises on the xStats leaderboards including José Ramírez, Alex Bregman, Bo Bichette, Paul Goldschmidt, José Abreu, and much more.Rundown4:06 Ryne Nelson’s Debut8:10 xStats Recalibrated for 202212:16 Making Sense of José Ramírez's xStats15:59 Alex Bregman’s Second-Half Rebound21:27 Bo Bichette's Huge Monday; Slight Step Back in 202224:25 O-Swing% v. Great Hit Tools30:59 What's Next For Paul Goldschmidt?34:43 José Abreu's Lost Homers42:21 Luis Patiño’s Two-Strike Approach52:41 Too Many Lefty Bats in Shallow Leagues?Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.comSubscribe for $1/mo for the first six months: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 1, 2022 • 60min
Promotions, Roster Expansion & The Julio Rodríguez Megadeal
Eno and DVR discuss several recently promoted players in the wake of September roster expansion including Gunnar Henderson, Spencer Steer, Garrett Mitchell, Hunter Brown, and Ken Waldichuk -- plus a few second-half pitchers competing for long-term opportunities with their respective clubs. Rundown2:02 Gunnar Henderson is Up!8:33 Spencer Steer's Late-Season Opportunity16:55 Nick Senzel's 2023 Role?19:58 Spencer Torkelson, Round 222:59 Miguel Vargas Returns27:17 Michael Toglia's Regular Run33:57 Hunter Brown's Promotion in Houston37:31 Ken Waldichuk Debuts46:03 Brayan Bello, Cade Cavalli & Javier Assad54:54 Julio Rodríguez's Long-Term Deal with the MarinersFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.comSubscribe for $1/mo for the first six months: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 29, 2022 • 59min
Corbin Carroll Gets the Call, Misjudging Paul Goldschmidt, and Late-Season Bullpen Help
Eno and DVR discuss the promotion of Corbin Carroll, his chances of being relevant in all league formats down the stretch, second-half risers in contact quality, how we missed on Paul Goldschmidt's MVP-worthy 2022 campaign, and a few late reliever pickups capable of making meaningful contributions. Rundown-- Corbin Carroll Gets the Call-- Jesús Aguilar DFA'd by the Marlins-- Second-Half Barrel & Hard-Hit Surgers-- What's Next for Rowdy Tellez?-- How Did We Miss on Paul Goldschmidt?-- The Timing of Taking Chances on Young, Breakout Players-- Ketel Marte's Pursuit of His 2019 Peak-- Waiting on Shortstop Worked Out-- Late-Season Bullpen HelpFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.comSubscribe to The Athletic at $1/month for the first six months: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


