Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

The Milwaukee Brewers are headed to the WORLD SERIES for the first time since 1982! After sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS, Milwaukee is four wins away from the first championship in franchise history. But how did the Brewers dismantle the defending champions, and is the Dodgers' dynasty approaching a turning point?

Derek VanRiper and Stephen Nesbitt break down the Brewers' historic NLCS sweep, their remarkable comeback in Game 4, and the bullpen that continues to dominate October. DVR shares what reaching the World Series means to him as a lifelong Brewers fan, while the guys examine how Milwaukee's roster construction, player development, and relentless offense helped take down Los Angeles.

Plus, Jake Bauers takes home NLCS MVP honors, Aaron Ashby delivers another postseason masterpiece, and the Brewers prepare to host World Series Game 1.

In the American League, the Cleveland Guardians have taken a 2–1 ALCS lead over the Tampa Bay Rays. Petey Halpin comes through with another massive postseason home run, Gavin Williams continues to impress, and Cleveland's dominant bullpen is making life miserable for opposing hitters.

Finally, it's time to Close the Tab on the 2026 Los Angeles Dodgers. After winning 100 games and entering October with three-peat aspirations, LA was swept out of the postseason. Is the veteran core getting too old? Should the Dodgers re-sign Tarik Skubal? And what does Shohei Ohtani's future as a two-way player look like?

**On today's episode:**
- Brewers sweep Dodgers and reach first World Series since 1982
- Milwaukee's Game 4 comeback and historic postseason run
- DVR's emotional reaction to the Brewers' pennant
- Aaron Ashby, Jake Bauers, Garrett Mitchell and Milwaukee's organizational success
- Guardians take a 2–1 ALCS lead over the Rays
- Petey Halpin, Gavin Williams and Cade Smith
- Postseason bullpen management and Tampa Bay's offensive struggles
- Sage Performance Review: Jake Bauers' remarkable resurgence
- Closing the Tab: Dodgers' aging roster, prospects and Tarik Skubal
- Shohei Ohtani's health and his future as a two-way player

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Are the Brewers the World Series favorites? And do you think the Dodgers' championship window is beginning to close?

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Follow Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris on Bluesky.

Hosts: Derek VanRiper and Stephen Nesbitt
Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis
Rates & Barrels | The Athletic

00:00 Intro
01:06 The Brewers' Historic NLCS Sweep
06:10 How Milwaukee's Entire Roster Contributed
08:13 Do the Brewers Really Need Home Runs?
12:39 DVR Reflects on a Lifetime of Brewers Fandom
18:33 How Milwaukee Built a World Series Team
21:00 Aaron Ashby and the Brewers' Bullpen
28:02 Jake Bauers' Remarkable Journey
33:43 A Message from Sage
34:05 Guardians Take Control of the ALCS
39:23 Gavin Williams and Cleveland's Dominant Bullpen
43:59 ALCS Game 4 and Bullpen Strategy
47:08 Why Postseason Hitting Is So Difficult
54:00 Sage Performance Review: Jake Bauers
1:00:24 Closing the Tab: Los Angeles Dodgers
1:04:41 Is the Dodgers' Aging Core a Problem?
1:08:24 Tarik Skubal and the Dodgers' Offseason
1:13:47 Can Shohei Ohtani Remain a Two-Way Star?
1:18:39 World Series Plans and Final Thoughts
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Are MLB teams pushing pitchers TOO FAR in the 2026 postseason? Relievers are being asked to throw more pitches than they have all season, starters are appearing on their normal throwing days, and bullpens are being stretched to their limits.

But is the biggest danger injury, fatigue, or something teams might be overlooking entirely: PITCH COMMAND?

Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris and former MLB reliever Trevor May break down the wild pitching decisions defining October, the Milwaukee Brewers' commanding NLCS lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers, and what comes next for the Atlanta Braves.

Trevor May has some serious questions about the way teams are using pitchers this postseason.

Eno digs into the data on pitch usage, Stuff+, Location+ and fatigue, uncovering an important trend: pitchers may maintain their stuff while losing command, especially during and after unusually demanding outings.

The Milwaukee Brewers have taken a 3-0 series lead and pushed the Los Angeles Dodgers to the brink of elimination!

Blake Snell looked nearly unhittable before another marathon Jake Bauers at-bat helped change the game. Was Snell left in too long, or did Milwaukee simply execute when it mattered?

The crew breaks down the Brewers' offensive approach, Robert Gasser's five scoreless innings, the Dodgers' struggles, and how Milwaukee could close out the series.

Plus, with Tyler Glasnow set for Game 4, what pitching approach gives the Brewers their best chance to reach the World Series?

Trevor May and Eno Sarris examine William Contreras' swing, pitch-type strengths and weaknesses, and the strategy pitchers should use to get him out.

DVR, Eno and Trevor evaluate Atlanta's long-term outlook, including Ronald Acuña Jr.'s health, Austin Riley's offensive decline, Chris Sale's workload, the uncertain futures of Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach, and the team's ongoing shortstop problem.

Are MLB managers overworking their pitchers this October? Should the Dodgers have taken Blake Snell out earlier? And how would YOU pitch to William Contreras?

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**FOLLOW THE HOSTS**
Derek VanRiper on Bluesky:
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Email: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com

Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Contributor: Trevor May
Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis

Rates & Barrels | The Athletic

#MLBPlayoffs #NLCS #Brewers #Dodgers #Pitching #WilliamContreras #TrevorMay #Braves #RatesAndBarrels

00:00 – Intro
01:34 – Trevor May on Extreme Postseason Bullpen Usage
02:48 – Grant Taylor and Didier Fuentes: Longer Relief Outings
07:27 – The Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Fatigue
08:55 – Eno's Research: Starters Pitching on Throw Days
11:17 – Relievers Exceeding Their Regular-Season Pitch Limits
12:32 – What Happens When Pitchers Work Three Days in a Row?
14:08 – The Hidden Cost of Losing Pitch Command
17:39 – Abner Uribe's Struggles in NLCS Game 3
19:33 – Should Teams Prepare Relievers for Longer Outings?
21:39 – Managing Uribe and Other High-Leverage Pitchers
22:16 – Did the Dodgers Leave Blake Snell in Too Long?
27:11 – Jake Bauers' Epic 11-Pitch At-Bat
28:43 – The Brewers' Unusual Postseason Offensive Profile
30:27 – Milwaukee's Defense and the NLCS Game 3 Recap
35:43 – NLCS Game 4 Preview: Tyler Glasnow and Milwaukee's Pitching Plan
38:05 – How I'd Pitch to William Contreras
43:05 – Where Can Pitchers Limit Contreras' Damage?
46:15 – Closing the Tab: Atlanta Braves
55:36 – Raisel Iglesias, Didier Fuentes and the Bullpen
58:52 – Final Thoughts and What's Next
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The Milwaukee Brewers have a 2-0 NLCS lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers, while the Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays are tied 1-1 in the ALCS. With Game 3 approaching in both Championship Series, what adjustments could decide who reaches the 2026 World Series?

DVR, Eno and Jed Lowrie break down the latest MLB playoff action, preview the critical pitching matchups, and close the book on the Chicago White Sox's surprising 2026 season.

Milwaukee has taken the first two games against Los Angeles, and a 12-pitch walk by Jake Bauers may have been one of the biggest turning points of Game 2.

We analyze how Bauers battled Yoshinobu Yamamoto, drove up his pitch count and set up Christian Yelich's two-run single that knocked the Dodgers' ace out of the game.

Looking ahead to Game 3, how should the Brewers approach Blake Snell? Can Robert Gasser's unique pitch mix keep the Dodgers' lineup off balance? And which team has the advantage as the NLCS shifts to Los Angeles?

The Rays have evened the ALCS at 1-1 after Freddy Peralta delivered six scoreless innings in Game 2, reaching 99.4 mph and dominating with his elevated fastball.

Plus, Rays infielder Taylor Walls gives a fascinating explanation of how elite defenders anticipate where a baseball will be hit. Jed Lowrie shares his own major league experience with defensive positioning, pitch recognition and reacting to contact.

With the series heading to Cleveland, the crew takes a deep dive into Gavin Williams' arsenal and how Tampa Bay hitters should approach him. Can Griffin Jax deliver enough innings to give the Rays an advantage in Game 3?

The White Sox made an incredible turnaround in 2026, but their season ended with a disappointing five-game ALDS loss to Cleveland.

What went wrong for Chicago's high-strikeout offense? Can Colson Montgomery, Munetaka Murakami and Kyle Teel make the adjustments needed to take the next step?

DVR, Eno and Jed examine the development of Chicago's young core, the future of Noah Schultz and Grant Taylor, and whether the White Sox should make a major investment in their starting rotation.

Could a frontline free-agent pitcher turn the White Sox into legitimate World Series contenders in 2027?

💬 **JOIN THE CONVERSATION**

Who wins Game 3 of the NLCS and ALCS? Are the Brewers the team to beat in the National League? And should the White Sox spend big this offseason?

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**MORE RATES & BARRELS**

💬 Join our Discord for conversations and mailbag questions: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe

📰 Subscribe to The Athletic:
https://theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels

👕 Shop Rates & Barrels merchandise:
https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/

**FOLLOW THE HOSTS**
Derek VanRiper on Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/dvr.bsky.social

Eno Sarris on Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/enosarris.bsky.social

📧 Email: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com

Hosts:Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Contributor:Jed Lowrie
Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis

Rates & Barrels | The Athletic

#MLBPlayoffs #Brewers #Dodgers #ALCS #NLCS #Guardians #Rays #WhiteSox #RatesAndBarrels

00:00 – Introduction: NLCS & ALCS Game 3 Preview
01:24 – The Moneyball Advantages
02:52 – Jake Bauers' 12-Pitch Walk vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto
06:15 – How Long At-Bats Wear Down Elite Pitchers
14:05 – NLCS Game 3 Preview: Blake Snell vs. Robert Gasser
20:26 – Why Robert Gasser's Pitch Mix Is So Difficult
22:37 – Freddy Peralta's Dominant ALCS Game 2
25:49 – José Ramírez's Defensive Mistakes
32:36 – Taylor Walls Explains the Art of Infield Defense
39:39 – Jed Lowrie on Defensive Preparation & Positioning
44:25 – Parker Messick and the Guardians' Game 3 Outlook
45:48 – How Would You Hit Against Gavin Williams?
53:14 – Griffin Jax and Tampa Bay's Game 3 Strategy
54:20 – Closing the Tab: Chicago White Sox
56:25 – The White Sox's Emerging Young Core
1:05:02 – How the White Sox Can Reduce Their Strikeouts
1:06:36 – Final Thoughts & What's Next
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Should the Los Angeles Dodgers actually consider BENCHING Shohei Ohtani? The Milwaukee Brewers have jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the NLCS, Cleveland has stolen Game 1 of the ALCS from Tampa Bay, and the New York Yankees are facing some uncomfortable questions after another disappointing October.

Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris and Britt Ghiroli break down the latest MLB playoff action on Rates & Barrels, including Milwaukee's formula for beating the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani's struggles, Cleveland's pitching strategy against the Rays, and a deep dive into what went wrong for the 2026 Yankees.

Milwaukee has taken the first two games of the NLCS despite facing Tarik Skubal and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. What's making the Brewers so difficult to beat?

Looking ahead to Game 3, can Blake Snell and the Dodgers turn the series around against Robert Gasser?

The Guardians stunned Tampa Bay in ALCS Game 1, rallying against Drew Rasmussen and the Rays' bullpen.

Did Kevin Cash leave Rasmussen in too long? How did Cleveland use Tampa Bay's platoon weaknesses to its advantage? And can the Guardians maintain their momentum against Freddy Peralta in Game 2?

DVR, Eno and Britt examine Cleveland's aggressive approach at the plate, Parker Messick's workload, the impact of Chase DeLauter and Patrick Bailey, and Junior Caminero's injury scare.

Another 90-win season. Another October disappointment. And another winter of questions in the Bronx.

Britt Ghiroli examines the Yankees' lack of accountability, the health concerns surrounding Aaron Judge, and why the organizational culture may no longer resemble the Yankees teams that won championships.

Should Aaron Boone return? What changes should Brian Cashman make? Can the Yankees build a roster that wins with contact, defense and situational baseball instead of relying so heavily on power?

What do you think? Should the Dodgers bench Ohtani? Are the Brewers the NL favorites? And what needs to change for the Yankees to win another World Series?

Drop your thoughts in the comments!

👍 Like, subscribe and drop us a comment!
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Follow Rates & Barrels:
Derek VanRiper on Bluesky:
https://bsky.app/profile/dvr.bsky.social
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📧 ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Contributor:Britt Ghiroli
Executive Producer & Editor:McEnroe Francis

#MLBPlayoffs #Brewers #Dodgers #ShoheiOhtani #Yankees #RatesAndBarrels

00:00 – Guardians Win Game 1; Brewers Take Control of NLCS
02:34 – Did Kevin Cash Leave Drew Rasmussen in Too Long?
06:55 – How Cleveland Exploited Tampa Bay's Platoon Weaknesses
13:43 – Guardians' Aggressive Approach Against Rasmussen
15:18 – ALCS Game 2 Preview: Parker Messick vs. Freddy Peralta
21:43 – Brewers Lead Dodgers 2-0 in the NLCS
23:24 – Milwaukee's Winning Formula: Plate Discipline and Baserunning
25:40 – Shohei Ohtani's Health and Dodgers' Offensive Struggles
26:28 – Why Milwaukee's Fastball Strategy Is Working
28:15 – How the Dodgers Attacked Jacob Misiorowski
30:17 – The Brewers' Dominant Bullpen
32:17 – William Contreras, Christian Yelich and Cooper Pratt
38:39 – What Went Wrong with Yoshinobu Yamamoto?
39:57 – Why Haven't the Dodgers Used Edwin Díaz?
44:57 – NLCS Game 3 Preview: Robert Gasser vs. Blake Snell
48:05 – Should the Dodgers Bench Shohei Ohtani?
50:40 – Closing the Tab: The 2026 New York Yankees
01:02:36 – Are the Yankees Behind Baseball's Contact Revolution?
01:03:36 – Is the Yankees' Culture of Accountability Gone?
01:06:30 – The Yankees' Success Since Their Last World Series
01:08:12 – Final Thoughts and What's Next
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The 2026 ALCS is set! The Cleveland Guardians completed an incredible comeback against the Chicago White Sox, erasing a 2-0 ALDS deficit to advance to the American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. But after surviving Chicago, does Cleveland have enough pitching left to take down Tampa Bay?

Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris deliver their complete **Guardians vs. Rays ALCS preview**, breaking down projected starting pitching matchups, bullpen depth, lineup advantages, platoon strategies, X-factors and predictions for the best-of-seven series.

José Ramírez delivered one of the most remarkable home runs in postseason history, Gavin Williams dominated Game 5, and Cade Smith has been nearly unhittable. Now the Guardians face a Rays team that won five of their six regular-season meetings and has a very different approach to managing its pitching staff.

Can Cleveland navigate a potential bullpen game against Drew Rasmussen? How will Parker Messick and Gavin Williams match up against Tampa Bay's starters? And will Junior Caminero, Yandy Díaz or an unexpected Rays role player become the difference-maker?

Who wins the ALCS — Guardians or Rays? And how many games will it take? Drop your predictions in the comments!**

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💬 Join the Rates & Barrels Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
📰 Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
👕 Rates & Barrels Merch: https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/

Follow Rates & Barrels:
Derek VanRiper on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/dvr.bsky.social
Eno Sarris on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/enosarris.bsky.social

📧 Email: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
🎧 Rates & Barrels — The Athletic's Baseball Podcast

Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis

#ALCS #Guardians #Rays #MLBPlayoffs #RatesAndBarrels

00:00 – Guardians Complete an Incredible ALDS Comeback
01:43 – Cleveland's Pitching Exposes Chicago's Biggest Weakness
06:56 – José Ramírez's Unbelievable Game 5 Home Run
11:45 – Guardians vs. Rays: Projected ALCS Pitching Matchups
14:24 – Comparing the Starting Rotations and Bullpens
16:22 – How Cleveland Can Attack Tampa Bay's Platoons
22:33 – Rays Dominate the Regular-Season Matchups
25:44 – Cade Smith and the Guardians' Bullpen Challenge
28:23 – Which Guardians Hitters Must Step Up?
33:14 – Breaking Down the Game 1 and Game 2 Matchups
39:36 – Tampa Bay's Pitching Depth and Defensive Advantage
42:16 – Why the ALCS Schedule Could Hurt Cleveland
44:40 – ALCS Predictions: Rays in Six?
49:24 – The Junior Caminero Trade Comes Back to Haunt Cleveland
51:29 – ALCS X-Factors and Unexpected Difference-Makers
52:18 – Could Tampa Bay's Outfield Defense Be Exposed?
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