Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

The Colorado Rockies are headed toward a fourth consecutive 100-loss season — but for the first time in a while, there are signs that the organization may actually be moving in the right direction.

DVR, Eno Sarris and Trevor May close the tab on the 2026 Rockies and examine Colorado's emerging roster-building philosophy. The Rockies dramatically reduced their hitters' strikeout rate, added more contact-oriented bats and began changing how their pitchers attack hitters at Coors Field. But what would an organization truly built to exploit baseball's most unusual environment look like?

Trevor uses his experience pi...

The Pittsburgh Pirates finally fixed their offense in 2026. So why are they still watching the MLB postseason from home?

DVR, Eno Sarris and Jed Lowrie close the tab on the Pirates after a fascinating season in Pittsburgh. The Pirates entered Wednesday fifth in MLB in runs scored after finishing dead last in 2025, while their underlying numbers suggest they may have been significantly better than their actual record.

The Pirates have plenty of young pitching behind Paul Skenes. Braxton Ashcraft broke out, Jared Jones returned from Tommy John surgery and Bubba Chandler remains part...

What went wrong with the New York Mets in 2026? DVR, Eno and Britt Ghiroli close the tab on a massively disappointing Mets season and examine how a roster built around Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor fell out of contention — and what David Stearns needs to fix this offseason.

Injuries certainly played a role, with Lindor and Soto both missing significant time, but the problems went much deeper. The crew examines Stearns’ difficult offseason, the Mets’ next managerial decision and why New York’s biggest question might not be resources — but how those resources are being allocated.

T...

The Braves have clinched the NL East and the Red Sox secured a Wild Card berth in the American League as the playoff picture continues to come into focus. Eno and DVR discuss the final-week battle for playoff spots and seeds, and what they need in order to come away with fantasy baseball championships in the remaining days of the season.

Plus Chris Solomon (Soly) of 'No Laying Up' joins the show to close the tab on the 2026 Reds. Beyond a pair of arm injuries for Hunter Greene, what else has kept the Reds from making...

Tony Gwynn Jr. and Mark Grant, the voices of the San Diego Padres, join Starkville!

This week, Jayson and Doug sit down with Tony and Mark to break down how the Padres went from losing a bunch of games to becoming one of the best teams in baseball, whether San Diego fans are getting spoiled by AJ Preller’s annual wheeling and dealing, and the teams that have stood out most to them this season.

Plus, the guys discuss the Padres’ massive sale, what the new ownership group has in mind, the atmosphere at P...

Which players have emerged as unexpected fantasy baseball difference-makers down the stretch? DVR and Eno look back at the biggest surprise producers of the last 30 days before digging into the final Weekend Waiver Preview of the 2026 MLB season.

First, Baseball News You Should Know covers the possibility of Garrett Crochet returning as a bullpen weapon for the Red Sox, Willson Contreras dealing with a bruised hand and the Nationals discussing a potential contract extension with Cade Cavalli. DVR and Eno examine Cavalli’s breakout, the impact of adding a cutter and what a long-term deal with Wa...

Which MLB contenders have the bullpens built to survive October? DVR, Eno Sarris and Trevor May rank the best relief units in the American and National Leagues and break down which teams they trust most heading into the MLB postseason.

The Guardians headline a tightly packed group of American League bullpens, with the Red Sox, Yankees, Astros and Rays all making their cases. The guys examine Cleveland’s high-leverage arms, Houston’s top-end talent, Boston’s impressive results and whether the Yankees have enough depth to shorten games in October. They also explain why Tampa Bay may be...

Are Trea Turner, Manny Machado and José Ramírez beginning to show real signs of decline — or are MLB’s aging stars poised to bounce back in 2027?

DVR, Eno Sarris and Jed Lowrie dig into three veteran hitters on the wrong side of 30 and examine what the underlying numbers tell us about where their careers are headed. José Ramírez continues to provide plenty of fantasy value despite an injury-altered season, while Manny Machado’s declining hard-contact numbers raise questions about how much elite production remains.

Then DVR takes a deep dive into Trea Turne...

Are the New York Yankees getting healthy at exactly the right time? DVR and Eno break down the latest MLB playoff picture before Yankees reporter Brendan Kuty joins the show to discuss Aaron Judge finding his timing, the Yankees’ October rotation and a fascinating decision between George Lombard Jr. and Anthony Volpe.

The American League playoff race remains unsettled as the White Sox battle Cleveland, Toronto and Texas for position. DVR and Eno also examine the Padres’ biggest October weakness, a crushing Blue Jays loss and whether heavy workloads eventually catch up with MLB relievers.

Are the Milwaukee Brewers built to make a deep October run? DVR is joined by WTMJ Brewers host Dominic Cotroneo to examine why Milwaukee’s unconventional offense works, Jacob Misiorowski’s transformation into an ace, Logan Henderson’s emergence and how the Brewers could build their pitching staff for the MLB postseason.

First, the American League playoff picture is finally beginning to take shape. The Toronto Blue Jays have quietly pushed their way back into serious contention, while the White Sox and the rest of a crowded AL field battle for six postseason spots. Could Toronto be a d...

Hall of Famer Chipper Jones returns to Starkville!

This week, Jayson and Doug sit down with the Braves icon to talk Ronald Acuña Jr.’s memorable curtain call, his favorite Bobby Cox ejection stories, whether Chipper ever got tossed himself, and what he thinks he would hit in today’s game. Plus, Chipper weighs in on ABS, the evolving role of hitting coaches, the Braves’ World Series chances, and his memorable battles with Doug Glanville.

Later, the guys head to Arizona for Strange But True, where the Diamondbacks and Royals somehow turned a 0 0 game into an...

The Under the Radar crew is back! DVR reunites with Ian Kahn and Nando Di Fino to look back at lessons from the Fantasy Baseball season, identify post-hype sleepers for 2027 and discuss the incredible rise of Yankees starter Cam Schlittler.

Just how good has Schlittler become? The guys break down his dramatic improvement in command, overpowering arsenal and rapid development before asking a much bigger question: Has Schlittler already become a top-five starting pitcher?

Then it's time to start looking ahead to 2027 fantasy baseball. Royce Lewis headlines a group of former top prospects...

Are the wheels falling off for the Los Angeles Dodgers? DVR, Eno and Trevor May discuss Shohei Ohtani heading to the IL, Freddie Freeman battling another injury and the Dodgers calling up top prospect Josue De Paula directly from Double-A as they try to get healthy for October.

Plus, Jazz Chisholm Jr. lands on the IL during a disappointing walk year for the Yankees. What could his upcoming free agency look like? Corbin Carroll’s back injury comes at a brutal time for the Diamondbacks as they battle for a National League Wild Card spot.

Which MLB rookies should we be buying heading into 2027? DVR, Eno and Jed Lowrie set expectations for Colt Emerson, Braden Montgomery and Spencer Jones after three fascinating rookie seasons — and dig into the strengths, flaws and adjustments that could determine what comes next.

Colt Emerson battled through a wrist injury while making the jump to Triple-A and the Seattle Mariners, finishing with 15 home runs and 13 stolen bases between the two levels. Jed shares his own experience playing through a similar wrist injury and explains why Emerson’s 34.4% strikeout rate in Seattle may not tell the entire stor...

Eno goes solo for a Tuesday roundup: Aaron Judge's return (and Trent Grisham's hamstring), Seattle's playoff odds slipping under 7%, and injury news on Pivetta, Burnes, McClanahan, and Kyle Harrison. Then The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya joins for the state of the Dodgers: Ohtani's done pitching for the season, the back of the rotation, and what's wrong with Kyle Tucker. Plus waiver wire notes to close.

Rates & Barrels is your home for smart MLB analysis, advanced stats, fantasy baseball and the stories shaping the game with Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris.

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One of baseball’s greatest managers, Joe Maddon, returns to Starkville!

This week, Jayson and Doug catch up with Joe to break down the latest stadium developments in Tampa, reflect on the 10-year anniversary of the historic 2016 World Series champion Cubs, and weigh in on Shohei Ohtani’s singular dominance and Mike Trout’s enduring loyalty.

Later, the guys head to Philadelphia for a wild edition of Strange But True, diving into a pair of stunning Phillies comebacks that proved they are never out of it—even down to their final out.

Rundown:

3:4...

Shohei Ohtani has been playing through a pair of injuries, does he need a breather before the playoffs? Eno and DVR discuss the Dodgers’ unique position in the final month of the regular season, before digging into Adley Rutschman’s return to Baltimore, and several intriguing players they’re considering on the waiver wire this weekend. Plus, Senior Hot Dog Correspondent Niv Shah returns to discuss the Atlanta Dog that went missing during a matinee at Nats Park this week.

Rates & Barrels is your home for smart MLB analysis, advanced stats, fantasy baseball and the stories shapin...

Several presentations and tools from Saberseminar have us thinking about baseball in different ways. Eno, Trevor, and DVR share a few takeaways and threads to pull on in the future, including the impact of high pitch count innings, biomechanics, and more. Plus, they discuss an impressive tool -- Open Command -- and look at some of the biggest differences across pitchers compared to Location+, and they revisit a previous talk about arm angle and it's relationship to injury, especially when a high arm-angle pitcher utilizes a sweeper.

Rates & Barrels is your home for smart MLB analysis...

Angels fans rejoice as Arte Moreno has decided to sell the club to Stan Kroenke, on the heels of MLB’s longest-running playoff drought. Plus, Eno and DVR discuss fantasy stat correlations and variance as the head-to-head playoffs are underway in many leagues, before taking a look at a few of the most interesting players getting promoted (or activated from the IL) as a part of September roster expansion.

Rates & Barrels is your home for smart MLB analysis, advanced stats, fantasy baseball and the stories shaping the game with Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris.

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The Boston Red Sox have gone from one of MLB's biggest disappointments to a legitimate September contender. DVR, Eno and Britt Ghiroli discuss Boston's remarkable turnaround, whether Craig Breslow's changes actually fixed something within the organization and whether the Red Sox should now be viewed as a legitimate World Series threat.

First, Ketel Marte returns to the Diamondbacks following a 13-game absence. DVR, Eno and Britt discuss the reaction in Arizona, Torey Lovullo's handling of the situation and what the latest chapter could mean for Marte's long-term future with the D-backs.

Then it's...

MLB's player development continues to change. DVR and Eno take the show on the road at Saber Seminar, exploring the evolution of pitching development, the next generation of hitting metrics and the new data that could change how teams evaluate players.

Former MLB pitcher and current University of Oregon Director of Pitching Development Dan Straily joins the show to retrace his career through one of the most transformative eras in pitching. Straily explains how being forced to develop a changeup helped take him from Double-A to the major leagues, how the Astros recognized that his fastball...

It’s Doug’s birthday, and who better to help him celebrate than his former Phillies teammate and mentee, Jimmy Rollins? This week, Doug and DVR, filling in for Jayson, sit down with Jimmy to talk about the shock of being drafted by Philadelphia, how Doug helped him get acclimated to the big leagues, what it was like playing alongside Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, and Cole Hamels, and the moment he finally knew it was time to retire.

Plus, with the playoff chase heating up, Doug and DVR each pick a team they believe in. And, of cour...

MLB's final push for the Wild Card and Playoffs are here, Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris have everything you need for the stretch run. DVR and Eno break down the best September waiver-wire targets, two-start pitchers and late-season saves options while examining whether breakouts from Jordan Walker, James Wood and other young hitters are sustainable heading into 2027.

First, the guys catch up on the baseball news you should know. Carlos Correa is nearing a September return, Eugenio Suárez and TJ Friedl have landed on waivers, Mason Winn's thumb injury creates new questions in St. Louis, a...

Should MLB create a Rookie Pitcher of the Year award? DVR, Eno and Trevor May break down baseball’s best rookie pitchers, including Nolan McLean, Parker Messick and Payton Tolle, before searching deeper for young arms who could become impact starters, closers and fantasy baseball breakouts in 2027.

Parker Messick is putting together a historically impressive rookie season for the Guardians. Payton Tolle offers a different profile for the Red Sox. With more traditional high-end velocity and a polished presence on the mound. In the National League, Nolan McLean has answered some of the biggest questions surrounding hi...

DVR, Eno and Jed Lowrie make their final American League playoff predictions, picking all three AL division winners and three Wild Card teams as the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, White Sox, Guardians, Mariners, Rangers and Astros battle for October.

DVR still can't quit the Seattle Mariners. Seattle enters the stretch run within striking distance of the AL West and owns an extremely favorable remaining schedule, but defensive shortcomings and an inconsistent offense leave plenty of reasons to question whether the Mariners can actually get back to October.

Jed also offers a player's perspective...

Cal Raleigh finally broke out in a huge way, blasting three home runs Monday after a season-long struggle at the plate. But was this simply one monster game, or are there signs that the Mariners slugger is beginning to correct the approach issues that contributed to his disappointing season?

DVR and Eno dig into what changed for Cal Raleigh, including his swing decisions, declining aggression on pitches inside the strike zone and increased chase rate.

The Mariners aren't the only team with a star player raising questions. Zack Wheeler has been hammered over...

The Houston Astros have fired general manager Dana Brown as their season and the American League playoff race descend into chaos. DVR and Eno break down what went wrong for Houston, and what's next for their pitching plan and roster-building misses.

Plus, the Dodgers lose Andy Pages for approximately four to five weeks, prompting a deeper discussion about outfield defense and how we should evaluate metrics like Outs Above Average, Defensive Runs Saved and Statcast Fielding Run Value.

Then it's time to answer your mailbag questions. What has happened to Bryce Miller? Eno...

Legendary Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow will be retiring from the booth after 36 seasons. He shares the emotional outpouring he's received from fans, the gut-wrenching moment he told his partner Duane Kuiper, and highlights from a lifetime of stories — from homering off Steve Carlton to lessons learned from Harry Caray and Vin Scully.

Rundown:

00:00 Intro

02:35 Showing Love to Local Voices

10:43 Welcoming Mike Krukow

13:47 The Magic of Kruk and Kuip

17:04 How Kruk and Kuip Evolved

20:30 The Hard Decision to Step Away

26:05 Surprising Fans

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Who are the best starting pitchers in baseball right now — and which arms actually belong in the ace tier? Eno Sarris returns with his updated starting pitcher rankings as DVR breaks down some of the toughest calls, biggest risers and most surprising placements on the board.

Blake Snell is back in the top 10, landing at No. 10 after another strong stretch, while Drew Rasmussen climbs all the way to No. 11 as his health and consistency continue to change the way we value him. How sustainable are the pitch-mix and process changes that have helped pitchers like Snell an...

Shohei Ohtani isn't the No. 1 pick in the first major 2027 fantasy baseball draft. So who went ahead of him? Ryan Bloomfield of Baseball HQ and Bubba and the Bloom joins DVR to break down the Meatball Draft and give us an incredibly early look at the 2027 fantasy baseball rankings, ADP, breakouts, bargains and potential first-round picks.

Pete Crow-Armstrong steals the No. 1 spot in the Meatball Draft. PCA's combination of power and speed has pushed him all the way to the top of this early 2027 fantasy baseball draft board, ahead of Ohtani and the rest of baseball's...

Kevin McGonigle isn't just running away with the American League Rookie of the Year race — he's already playing like one of the best players in baseball. DVR, Eno Sarris and Jed Lowrie take a deep dive into McGonigle, JJ Wetherholt and an incredibly deep 2026 MLB rookie class to determine which young stars have the skills to sustain their early success.

On the National League side, JJ Wetherholt has emerged as another remarkably polished young hitter. The guys compare Wetherholt and McGonigle's swings, plate approaches, defense and power potential — including why Wetherholt's deeper contact point could leave him...

Pete Crow-Armstrong is making a serious push in the National League MVP race. After another huge night for the Chicago Cubs — including two home runs and a walk-off blast against the White Sox — PCA now has back-to-back 30/30 seasons and has put himself squarely into the NL MVP conversation with Shohei Ohtani.

DVR and Eno break down PCA's remarkable surge and how dramatically his outlook has changed. Since June 2, PCA has hit 23 home runs with 19 stolen bases and a 197 wRC+ — the best mark among all MLB hitters during that span. Has Pete Crow-Armstrong reached another level, and can he...

The American League Wild Card race is complete chaos. With the Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners and Minnesota Twins battling for position in a crowded AL playoff picture, DVR and Eno Sarris break down which teams have the best chance to survive the final weeks of the 2026 MLB season.

The Orioles are playing their way back into the postseason race despite selling at the MLB Trade Deadline, while the Rangers, Tigers and Mariners are all trying to find enough consistency to grab a Wild Card spot. How much should we trust Baltimore's resurgence...

The Dodgers are ruining baseball—or they’re not. These days, it depends on who you ask. This week, Jayson and Doug go straight to the source, sitting down with Dodgers president Andrew Friedman to get his take on the firestorm, as well as the inside story of how he pulled off the trade for Tarik Skubal. Plus, Jayson and Doug try to make sense of what happened in Toronto, where the Red Sox scored on one of the strangest plays in recent baseball history.

Rundown:

2:55 A Fourth Out in Toronto?

15:33 Andrew Friedman Stop...

The Seattle Mariners sent Colt Emerson back to Triple-A — so what went wrong for one of baseball’s most talented young prospects? DVR and Eno Sarris break down Emerson’s struggles, his alarming strikeout rate, what Seattle should expect from him going forward and why a reset in the minors could ultimately be the right move for his development.

Plus, Jacob deGrom left his latest start with right triceps fatigue, adding another major injury concern for a Rangers rotation already dealing with the loss of Nathan Eovaldi. DVR and Eno look at potential replacements and break down s...

Buster Posey is a San Francisco Giants legend — but could running the team put that legacy at risk? Britt Ghiroli joins DVR and Eno Sarris to discuss her exclusive reporting on Posey’s transition from franchise icon to president of baseball operations, the decisions that have defined his tenure so far, and what comes next for the struggling Giants.

They also break down the major roster decisions of the Posey era, including the Rafael Devers trade, Willy Adames contract and Matt Chapman, while looking at whether San Francisco can remain competitive as its next wave of youn...

The Cleveland Guardians once looked like they were cruising toward an AL Central title. Now, after losing 13 of 17, Cleveland has fallen back into one of baseball’s most unpredictable division races. DVR and Eno Sarris are joined by Zack Meisel to break down what has gone wrong for the Guardians and whether they can turn their season around.

The guys take a deep dive into the AL Central playoff race, where the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins and Guardians remain tightly packed. Are the Tigers actually the best team in the division even after mo...

How do pitchers handle doubt, failure and the pressure of knowing one bad pitch can change an outing? Trevor May joins DVR and Eno for a conversation about the mental side of pitching in the major leagues. Trevor explains the battle to convince yourself that you belong, how pitchers build confidence and an on-field persona, and why the mental side of the game can be every bit as important as mechanics or stuff.

Plus, DVR, Eno and Trevor discuss the latest pitching news and performances around MLB, along with one of baseball's strangest rules sequences after...

The Red Sox aren't cheating—they're simply playing better baseball.

DVR and Eno break down why Boston's offense has transformed over the last three months, examining the coaching changes, a dramatically more aggressive approach in the strike zone and why the numbers suggest this turnaround is completely sustainable—not the result of anything nefarious. They also react to the growing online conspiracy theories surrounding Boston's recent surge and explain why the underlying metrics tell a much different story.

Elsewhere around baseball, the Dodgers continue to pile up pitching while questions remain about their agin...

The Phillies made one of the biggest splashes at the trade deadline by landing a three-time batting champion, and Dave Dombrowski joins Jayson and Doug to break down how it all came together. The guys also look back at a whirlwind deadline that saw a former No. 1 overall pick dealt within the division, while Doug shares what it was like to be traded himself at the 2003 deadline. Plus, another edition of Strange But True heads to the Motor City for a one-of-a-kind line score you won't believe.

Rundown:

2:34 Adley Rutschman Traded to Boston

5:00...