Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

Did MLB get the 2026 Gold Glove Awards right? Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris debate the biggest defensive questions, break down the American League and National League Rookie of the Year races, and question whether Manager of the Year is still a meaningful award.

With the World Series over, MLB's offseason is underway, and teams are making critical decisions on contract options ahead of free agency.

The guys examine the Twins' decision to decline their side of Joe Ryan's $13 million mutual option and why arbitration could leave one of baseball's most valuable starting pitchers underpaid. They also discuss the Padres declining Nick Pivetta's option, Michael King entering free agency, and what comes next for Sandy Alcantara, Drew Rasmussen, Bo Bichette and Tatsuya Imai.

Plus, who deserves Rookie of the Year? Kevin McGonigle, Parker Messick and Munetaka Murakami feature in the AL conversation, while Carson Benge, JJ Wetherholt, Sal Stewart and Nolan McLean lead a crowded NL debate.

DVR and Eno also explore the limitations of defensive metrics like Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Average, the influence of reputation on Gold Glove voting, and whether voters sufficiently recognize sustained managerial success.

Finally, DVR shares highlights from Milwaukee's World Series celebration, and the guys congratulate the overall winners of the Rates & Barrels Listener League.

00:00 Today's Show
00:56 Milwaukee Celebrates a World Series Championship
05:19 MLB Option Season Begins
09:21 Sandy Alcantara's $21 Million Option
13:35 Drew Rasmussen's Workload and Future
16:48 Bo Bichette Stays with the Mets
19:47 Can Tatsuya Imai Improve in Year Two?
23:59 Joe Ryan's Arbitration and Contract Value
29:51 Michael King, Nick Pivetta and the Pitching Market
33:40 More Starting Pitchers Enter Free Agency
36:11 Luis Robert Jr. and the Orioles' Option Decisions
39:01 American League Rookie of the Year Debate
50:07 National League Rookie of the Year Debate
56:40 Cowboy Ohtani and the Rookie Class
57:28 Should Manager of the Year Still Exist?
1:03:03 Gold Glove Winners, Snubs and Defensive Metrics
1:09:58 Rates & Barrels Listener League Winners
1:19:17 First Pitch Arizona and What's Next

Rates & Barrels is a baseball podcast from The Athletic covering Major League Baseball, advanced analytics, player development, fantasy baseball and the biggest stories around the game.

Hosts: Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris
Production: Rates & Barrels | The Athletic

Subscribe to Rates & Barrels for year-round MLB analysis, baseball news, fantasy baseball strategy and more.

#MLB #GoldGlove #MLBFreeAgency #RookieOfTheYear #RatesAndBarrels
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The Milwaukee Brewers are World Series champions. Now comes the challenge of defending their title.

Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris look ahead to the Brewers' 2027 season, examining William Contreras' future in Milwaukee, Aaron Ashby's potential move to the starting rotation and the offseason decisions facing the reigning World Series champions.

Could Milwaukee bring back its championship core? What happens with Brandon Woodruff, JoJo Romero and Jake Bauers? And how will one of baseball's strongest farm systems help the Brewers build another contender?

Plus, Closing the Tab on the Tampa Bay Rays. After a remarkable 2026 season ended in a World Series loss, DVR and Eno examine Tampa Bay's offensive limitations, pitching depth and potential offseason upgrades.

Finally, it's the Performance Review, sponsored by Sage. The guys make their 2026 MLB awards picks, including Yordan Alvarez vs. Bobby Witt Jr. for AL MVP, Pete Crow-Armstrong's historic NL MVP campaign and the Cy Young cases for Cam Schlittler and Jacob Misiorowski.

02:05 – Brewers World Series Afterglow
02:59 – Milwaukee Prepares for Its Championship Parade
07:25 – An Incredible Brewers Fan Story
09:29 – What's Next for the Brewers in 2027?
11:22 – William Contreras' Future in Milwaukee
15:10 – Contreras' Development and Long-Term Role
16:44 – Brandon Woodruff's Future
20:31 – Milwaukee's Farm System and Pitching Depth
24:24 – Could Aaron Ashby Return to the Rotation?
25:36 – JoJo Romero's Free Agency and Bullpen Decisions
26:48 – Pat Murphy's Message to Jake Bauers
30:14 – Closing the Tab: Tampa Bay Rays
31:29 – Tampa Bay's Offensive Limitations
32:40 – How Will New Ownership Shape the Rays?
36:51 – Tampa Bay's Pitching and Contract Decisions
39:01 – Potential Rays Trades and Roster Upgrades
42:21 – Performance Review: 2026 MLB Awards
42:45 – AL MVP: Yordan Alvarez vs. Bobby Witt Jr.
44:19 – NL MVP: Pete Crow-Armstrong's Historic Season
46:50 – AL & NL Cy Young Award Predictions
49:32 – What's Coming Next on Rates & Barrels?

Every weekday, Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris explore Major League Baseball through analytics, player development, roster construction and the latest news from around the league.

Hosted by Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris
Rates & Barrels | The Athletic

Follow us on Instagram: @rates_barrels

Subscribe for more MLB analysis, fantasy baseball insights and conversations from Rates & Barrels.

#MilwaukeeBrewers #MLB #RatesAndBarrels #WorldSeries #MLBAwards
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The Milwaukee Brewers are World Series champions for the first time in franchise history, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in five games to complete one of the most impressive postseason runs in recent MLB history.

Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris react to Milwaukee's historic championship, reflecting on what this moment means to the city, its fans and the generations who waited to see the Brewers win it all.

The conversation revisits Milwaukee's remarkable 11–2 postseason run, including its victories over the Padres and Dodgers, and examines the performances that made the championship possible.

Jacob Misiorowski delivered 5⅔ innings in the decisive Game 5 despite relying heavily on his fastball, while Milwaukee's bullpen completed an extraordinary World Series, allowing just four earned runs across 24⅓ innings.

DVR and Eno also discuss William Contreras, Cooper Pratt and the World Series MVP conversation, Aaron Ashby's historic postseason workload, and the roster depth that separated Milwaukee from Tampa Bay.

Plus, Drew Rasmussen's impressive short-rest start, the Brewers' approach at the plate, the Rays' offensive shortcomings and what comes next for both franchises.

From Bob Uecker's enduring connection to Milwaukee to the fans who supported the team through decades of disappointment, this is a celebration of a championship that means far more than one baseball season.

00:00 The Brewers Are World Series Champions
00:36 Eno Revisits Milwaukee's Postseason Run
10:21 DVR Joins the Championship Celebration
11:08 What This Title Means to Milwaukee
15:18 The Fans, Families and Memories Behind the Brewers
19:52 World Series MVP: William Contreras or Cooper Pratt?
27:07 The Players Who Defined Milwaukee's Championship
29:16 Jacob Misiorowski's Game 5 Pitching Performance
31:16 Drew Rasmussen's Short-Rest Start
33:18 Milwaukee's Dominant World Series Bullpen
35:18 Aaron Ashby's Remarkable Postseason
40:34 The Strategy Behind Milwaukee's Lineup
45:18 Why the Brewers' Offense Outperformed Tampa Bay
48:34 How Roster Depth Decided the World Series
52:29 Building a Team That Can Win in October
57:20 What's Next for the Brewers?
01:02:09 A Final Toast to Brewers Fans

Subscribe to Rates & Barrels for in-depth MLB analysis, postseason coverage and conversations about the game.

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

Instagram: @rates_barrels
Contact: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com

#MilwaukeeBrewers #WorldSeries2026 #WorldSeriesChampions #MLB #RatesAndBarrels
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THE RAYS ARE STILL ALIVE! 🤯⚾

The Milwaukee Brewers were on the verge of winning their first World Series championship. Then the Tampa Bay Rays pulled off an unbelievable 12th-inning comeback to win Game 4 and force Game 5 of the 2026 World Series!

After Cooper Pratt launched a go-ahead home run in the top of the 12th, Milwaukee appeared destined to complete the sweep. But a costly Joey Ortiz throwing error opened the door for Tampa Bay, and a string of hits from Liam Hicks, Jonny DeLuca and Chandler Simpson set up Ben Williamson's dramatic walk-off winner.

The Brewers still lead the World Series 3-1, but the Rays have new life!

DVR and Eno break down the late-inning chaos, the unlikely heroes, and the enormous pitching challenge now facing Tampa Bay in Game 5.

🔥 AN UNBELIEVABLE 12TH-INNING COMEBACK

Was this supposed to be Cooper Pratt's championship moment?

Pratt continued his remarkable postseason with a monster game, including what looked like the World Series-winning home run.

But one defensive mistake changed everything.

DVR and Eno examine Milwaukee's pitching decisions, the pivotal error, and how Tampa Bay's lineup delivered when its season was on the line.

⚾ CHANDLER SIMPSON STEALS THE SHOW

Chandler Simpson delivered one of his most complete performances of the postseason, helping keep Tampa Bay's championship hopes alive.

💥 DAVID HAMILTON AND MILWAUKEE'S UNEXPECTED POWER

David Hamilton homered for the second time this postseason after hitting just four home runs during the regular season.

😬 JUNIOR CAMINERO INJURY CONCERNS

Junior Caminero appeared uncomfortable running the bases late in Game 4 and exited with an apparent leg injury.

🚨 HOW WILL THE RAYS PITCH GAME 5?

This might be Tampa Bay's biggest problem.

After using Griffin Jax, Nick Martinez, Bryan Baker, Tyler Wells and other important arms in Game 4, Kevin Cash faces an extremely complicated pitching puzzle.

Can the Rays piece together nine innings with their season on the line?

👇 WHO WINS GAME 5?

Do the Brewers finish the job behind Jacob Misiorowski, or can the Rays pull off another miracle?

Drop your prediction in the comments!

Subscribe to Rates & Barrels for World Series recaps, MLB news, pitching analysis and in-depth baseball conversations throughout the postseason.

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CREDITS

Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis
Rates & Barrels | The Athletic

00:00 Rays Walk Off Brewers in Game 4
01:08 The Costly Error That Sparked Tampa Bay's Rally
02:26 Ben Williamson and the Unlikely Walk-Off Heroes
03:22 Should Milwaukee Have Used Jacob Misiorowski?
06:01 David Hamilton, Cooper Pratt and Chandler Simpson
08:32 The Brewers' Hitting Philosophy
11:18 Griffin Jax's Start and Pitch Locations
13:18 Toast of the Game: Chandler Simpson
14:17 Junior Caminero's Injury and Game 5 Concerns
16:16 Tampa Bay's Lineup Adjustments
19:31 Brewers Bullpen Usage and Game 5 Outlook
21:52 Can the Rays Find Enough Pitching for Game 5?
27:00 Aaron Ashby Makes Postseason History
28:44 Jackson Chourio Ties Babe Ruth
30:53 Misiorowski's Slider Command and Pitching Adjustments
33:34 Will the Tropicana Field Mound Be a Problem?
36:24 DVR's World Series Experience at Broken Bat
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THE BREWERS ARE ONE WIN AWAY FROM A WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP! 🏆⚾

Milwaukee demolished the Tampa Bay Rays 10-1 in Game 3 of the 2026 World Series, fueled by a HISTORIC eight-run fifth inning, an incredible performance from Jackson Chourio and six scoreless innings from Robert Gasser.

The Brewers now lead the World Series 3-0, putting them one victory away from the first championship in franchise history!

DVR and Eno are back from Milwaukee and breaking down everything that went right for the Brewers, everything that went wrong for the Rays, and what to expect in a potential World Series clincher in Game 4.

🔥 JACKSON CHOURIO MAKES WORLD SERIES HISTORY

Four hits. A stolen base. And another incredible performance on baseball's biggest stage.

Chourio joins some extraordinary historical company, with a World Series performance that showcased his plate discipline, contact skills, defense and speed.

DVR and Eno explain what made Chourio's performance so impressive and why the young Brewers star deserves recognition for one of the biggest games of his career.

💥 THE BREWERS' HISTORIC EIGHT-RUN INNING

Milwaukee exploded for EIGHT RUNS WITH TWO OUTS in the fifth inning, setting a World Series record.

But the inning nearly ended before any of those runs scored.

A crucial replay review overturned an out at second base after Junior Caminero's decision to throw toward the bag instead of first. From there, the Brewers relentlessly attacked Tampa Bay's pitching with singles and doubles.

Eno examines Milwaukee's opposite-field approach, how the Brewers wore down former teammate Freddy Peralta and why this lineup's ability to string together hits has become such a dangerous weapon.

⚾ ROBERT GASSER'S DOMINANT WORLD SERIES START

Six scoreless innings. One hit. One walk. Three strikeouts.

Robert Gasser delivered exactly what Milwaukee needed in Game 3, shutting down Tampa Bay while keeping the Brewers' most trusted relievers rested.

Eno breaks down Gasser's pitch locations, his ability to command the bottom of the strike zone and how he kept the Rays from generating dangerous contact.

👀 WORLD SERIES GAME 4 PREVIEW

The Brewers have a chance to complete the sweep.

But who takes the ball in Game 4?

With starting plans still uncertain at the time of recording, DVR and Eno explore potential pitching combinations involving Griffin Jax, Ian Seymour, Shane Drohan, Dustin May and Brandon Woodruff.

Milwaukee's best relievers are rested. Tampa Bay is playing for its season.

Could the Rays have a small pitching advantage in Game 4, or is Milwaukee's bullpen simply too deep?

🏆 ONE WIN FROM HISTORY

Can the Brewers complete the sweep and bring Milwaukee its first World Series championship?

Or will the Rays finally break through and send the series to Game 5?

👇 DROP YOUR GAME 4 WINNER AND FINAL SCORE IN THE COMMENTS!

LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for the latest World Series coverage, analysis and MLB news from Rates & Barrels!

CONNECT WITH RATES & BARRELS

Instagram: @rates_barrels

Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis
Rates & Barrels | The Athletic

00:00 Brewers One Win Away After Historic Game 3
01:00 Jackson Chourio's Four-Hit World Series Performance
03:15 William Contreras' World Series MVP Case
04:09 Robert Gasser's Dominant Start
05:11 How the Brewers Attacked Freddy Peralta
08:15 The Historic Eight-Run Fifth Inning
14:14 Gasser's Pitch Locations and Command
15:19 Brandon Woodruff's Emotional World Series Return
19:32 Why Did the Rays Bench Jonathan Aranda?
23:55 Tampa Bay's Baserunning and Lineup Problems
29:35 Game 4 Pitching Plans and Bullpen Matchups
32:20 The History of Teams Taking a 3–0 Lead
38:50 Gasser's Historic Company and Tampa Bay's Pitching Mistakes
40:40 The Brewers' Confidence and Hitting Philosophy
45:31 Eno's Worst Airport Burrito Ever
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