Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

The Athletic
  • 4.7 (66)
  • Baseball
  • Updated Daily

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.

  1. 18 hrs ago ·  Video

    Bat Speed Risers, Stuff Fallers & Buster's Blunders

    As some hitters crank up their bat speed, a few pitchers are watching their stuff head in the opposite direction. Eno and DVR break down the biggest bat-speed risers from the past month, including Sal Stewart and Fernando Tatis Jr., before examining several pitchers whose underlying numbers have slipped — and whether there's still reason for optimism. Plus, a trip to San Francisco to unpack the ongoing saga involving Buster Posey, Rafael Devers, and the Giants. Rundown: 1:09 Bat Speed Increases: How Do You Typically Get There? 3:25 Zack Gelof Injury: Feeling Healthy Also Helps 6:35 Does Season Help Hitters Get “Locked In”? 10:18 Bat Speed Risers: Last 30 Days vs. April 18:08 Intriguing Movers: Nasim Nuñez & Masyn Winn 23:27 Fernando Tatis Jr.: Bat Speed Up, Big Second Half On Tap? 25:29 Stuff+ Fallers: Where Are We Concerned? 32:30 Kevin Gausman: Where Does DVR Rank Him? 37:38 Stuff+ Shelves? Thresholds Might be Key 40:06 Paul Skenes: Maybe the Model is Just Missing Something? 41:03 Will Warren: What’s the Second-Half Outlook? 46:11 Buster Posey’s Presser: Making a Bad Situation Worse 57:26 ‘GM Speak’ About Deadline Approach 1:01:59 Cole Ragans & Edward Cabrera Updates Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Host: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Editor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 7m

  2. 1d ago ·  Video

    A Closer Look at Monday's U-Turn in Run Production

    It’s time to review some games, and this time we’re headed to San Diego, Los Angeles, and Detroit, as Eno, Britt, and DVR break down Braves-Padres, Orioles-Angels, and Yankees-Tigers. Plus, The Seattle Times’ Ryan Divish joins the show to unpack why the Mariners haven’t pulled away in the AL West, what Jerry Dipoto is cooking up for the trade deadline, and his early impressions of rookie Colt Emerson. Rundown: 1:00 Elly Returns Tuesday, Woodruff & Singer Shine 6:10 Game Reviews: ATL-SD 14:50 Game Reviews: BAL-LAA 24:00 The Orioles Are Built to Keep Pushing Chips In 27:33 What Could the Trade Deadline Bring in Miami? 35:03 Talking Mariners: Ryan Divish Joins the Show! 35:47 Trader Jerry’s Options 38:44 What to Do with Pitching Excess? 41:47 How M’s Rotation Got On Board with Piggybacking 46:10 Emerson Hancock: A Very Pleasant Surprise in 2026 47:52 Early Impressions of Colt Emerson 52:25 Game Reviews: NYY-DET Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social Follow Britt on Bluesky: @brittghiroli.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Host: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris With: Britt Ghiroli Editor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    57 min

  3. 2d ago ·  Video

    The Baseball is Flying Like It's 2019 Again

    Don'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 Anticipated 26:35 Freddy Peralta: Can He Rebound to Pre-2026 Form? 32:22 Buy-Low Pitchers 38:20 Bryce Harper & Kyle Schwarber Erupt 42:09 The Rays’ Slide: When Things Get Quiet 46:54 Where the Money Went Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Host: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Editor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 7m

  4. 5d ago ·  Video

    Starkville | Jerry Dipoto’s Mariners Are Back On Track

    Nolan 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 Misiorowski 15:17 Jerry Dipoto Visits Starkville 16:00 Dipoto vs. Glanville 18:27 The First Place Mariners 20:17 The ‘Piggyback’ Strategy 28:00 ‘Trader Jerry’ 35:15 Colt Emerson 39:18 The Immaculate Grid 45:07 Living a ‘Baseball Life’ 48:30 The Legend of Ichiro 55:08 Strange But True Follow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.social Follow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.social E-mail: starkville@theathletic.com Starkville Hotline: (347) 313-8371 Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosts: Jayson Stark & Doug Glanville With: Jerry Dipoto Producer: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 8m

  5. 5d ago ·  Video

    June Starting Pitcher Rankings Update & Waiver Wire Preview

    Fresh 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. Rundown 0:00 Intro 1:12 Eno’s Updated Rankings: A Few Disagreements 2:38 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 Higher 13:08 Reid Detmers: Eno Pushes Back on Rosy Second-Half Outlook 17:18 Shane Baz: Does Recent Form Point to More Success? 20:44 A DVR Challenge! Park Factors Update: BAL & DET 25:47 Justin Wrobleski: Do We Need to Watch More Baseball? 32:57 Waiver Wire Targets: Eury Pérez & Shane Bieber Returning Soon 40:17 Brandon Young: A Rankings Update Omission? 42:54 Griffin Jax: Having Success in Short Outings As Starter 45:59 Better Roster Stash?: Injured Aces vs. Top Prospects 52:44 Waiver Wire Targets: S. Taylor, D. Guzman & C. Moore 59:06 Post-Hype Sleeper?: Endy Rodríguez Is Cooking in Pittsburgh Eno’s Fresh SP Rankings ($): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7370900
 Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Host: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Editor: Jessie Auritt Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 5m

  6. 6d ago ·  Video

    Miss Distance for Pitchers is Here, What Are We Doing With It?

    Why 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 Prospect 5:48 Make It Make Sense: Why Are People Weird About Driveline? 15:56 Emotions & Outcomes: Dismissing Evidence in the Face of Frustration 23:38 Miss Distance Leaderboards: How We Want to Use This for Pitchers 27:39 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 Hitters 40:38 At the Bottom: Takeaways From Lowest Flawed Swing Rate Pitchers? 47:13 Inherited Runners: ‘We Should Account for Inherited Runners Better’ - Ben Clemens 52:09 Win Probability Added: Still A Very Effective Way to Measure Relievers Miss Distance Leaderboard: http://theathletic.lnk.to/MissDist Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social Follow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Host: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris With: Trevor May Editor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr

  7. Jun 17 ·  Video

    Is There a Stat That Shows Us How Much Pitchers Fear Hitters?

    Drew 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 Run 3:48 Eno at World Cup 6:33 Cooper Pratt’s Debut 8:47 Sal Stewart vs. Bryce Eldridge 12:20 Adjustment Phases: The League Will Find Flaws, Eventually 18:11 Leaning on Strengths: Use Them Until They Stop Working! 26:04 Zone Rates for Feared Hitters 32:30 Middle-Middle Fastballs: Another Potential Indicator? 38:04 Rafael Devers’ Slide 40:20 Alex Bregman: Declining Gracefully Still Messes with Us 42:18 Mookie Betts: Plate Discipline Holding Steady 45:36 Vision Driving Decline 50:08 Name! That! Dude! Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Host: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris With: Jed Lowrie Editor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1 hr

  8. Jun 16 ·  Video

    Starting Pitcher Rankings: Tough Calls in June

    Who 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 Start 7:14 Chase Burns’ Dominance 17:34 Logan Gilbert’s Slider & Splitter Blurring Together 19:25 Dustin May’s ROS Outlook 26:01 Is the Phillies’ Lineup Still ‘Good’? 30:22 Walbert Ureña Quietly Pitching Well in Anaheim 34:00 JT Ginn Deals Again 38:28 Trey Yesavage’s Lack of Command 42:00 20 Years of MLB The Show Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Host: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Editor: Jason Potere With: Chris Gill Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 8m
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4.7
out of 5
66 Ratings

About

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.

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