Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

It's time to wrap up the first half of the baseball season, and there's no better guest to do it with than Ken Rosenthal. This week, Jayson and Doug are joined by their longtime Starkville friend to break down the season's biggest surprises and disappointments, make their midseason MVP picks, and discuss whether Tigers ace Tarik Skubal could actually be moved before the trade deadline—and why that might be a mistake.
Rundown:
1:45 Ken Rosenthal Joins the Show
4:02 Most Surprising Team of 1st Half
9:10 Most Disappointing Team of 1st Half
13:02 First Half MVPs
17:51 MLB Trade Deadline
21:04 Should the Tigers Trade Tarik Skubal?
28:20 Teams to Watch in 2nd Half
31:17 One Surprise Playoff Contender
35:54 Strange But True w/ Yordan Alvarez
Follow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.social
Follow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.social
Follow Ken on Bluesky: @ken-rosenthal.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: Ken Rosenthal
Producer: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With All-Star Week approaching, it's time to get a head start on the weekend waiver wire. But first, Eno and DVR discuss the reduced suspensions for Willson Contreras and Cade Cavalli before breaking down the latest injury news, including which players are returning soon and why Aaron Judge still needs more time to recover. Then, Ottoneu founder Niv Shah joins the show to examine the biggest fantasy price risers since Opening Day, explain why Paul Skenes' price continues to climb despite an underwhelming season, and share his latest hot dog reviews from Kansas City and Chicago's South Side.
Rundown:
1:12 Reduced Suspensions for Willson Contreras & Cade Cavalli
3:45 Aaron Judge: Will Have Imaging During All-Star Break
4:29 Munetaka Murakami: Expectations for Second Half?
10:55 Michael Busch: Does Limited Bat Speed Prevent Power Surge?
17:18 Vinnie Pasquantino Returns
21:45 Ryan Waldschmidt is Back
24:06 How Does Luis Lara Fit in Brewers’ OF Mix?
27:11 Garrett Mitchell: Are We Buying Growth This Season?
32:41 Niv Shah Joins the Show
33:52 Six Picks: Biggest Price Risers Since Opening Day
37:25 Confidence In Paul Skenes?
40:40 Link Between Six Picks Trends & Keeper Costs
44:36 Eno & DVR Make a Trade!
54:40 Taste of the Majors
1:01:09 Lucky’s Korean Dogs For the Win!
1:06:58 Other Bats to Consider
1:13:07 Pitchers to Consider
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
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
With: Niv Shah
Editor: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the greatest pitchers of his generation, Justin Verlander, has decided to hang up his cleats. Today, Eno, Trevor, and DVR reflect on Verlander's remarkable career, where he ranks among baseball's all-time greats, and the legacy he leaves behind. Then, the guys examine why some pitchers, including Robbie Ray, are targeting the bottom of the strike zone more often and how that approach is changing their effectiveness. Later, they explore whether the data can reveal when hitters are sitting on a particular pitch.
Rundown:
0:35 Justin Verlander to Retire
3:40 A Look Back at Verlander’s Career
11:27 Multiple No-Hitters: Rare Air & Near No-Nos
17:58 26 Complete Games!
19:39 The Top of the Zone is Dead!
23:41 Why Losing Part of the Zone Is a Big Deal
35:16 Return of the Sinker
41:53 Do Any Stats Reveal Hitters Sitting on Pitches?
49:35 Tipping Struggles: Looking Back at Ryan Helsley and Jesús Luzardo
52:15 Did the Blue Jays Take Away Roupp’s Best Pitch?
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
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
With: Trevor May
Editor: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the All-Star break nears, it's time to revisit some preseason predictions that didn't quite pan out. DVR explains why he'd be less bullish on Kyle Tucker today, Jed breaks down the Braves' surprising fall, and Eno evaluates the Astros' first-half performance against expectations. Plus, the guys discuss Zack Wheeler's frustration over his All-Star snub and whether the surging Marlins can make a legitimate postseason run.
Rundown:
0:38 DVR’s Mulligan: Kyle Tucker Will Win NL MVP Award
4:41 NL MVP Candidates
11:59 Eno’s Mulligan: Expectations for 2026 Astros
16:46 Jed’s Mulligan: Choosing Atlanta in Four vs. The Field
23:39 Austin Riley’s Struggles
28:59 Who Does Jed Want in Place of Atlanta Now?
32:42 Zack Wheeler is Mad
40:19 A ‘Target Home-Run Rate’
50:00 An Intriguing Change?
58:42 The Marlins Are Cooking
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
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
With: Jed Lowrie
Editor: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a few exciting weeks, the U.S. Men’s National Team came crashing back to earth Monday night and were eliminated from the World Cup. Eno and DVR lament a disappointing effort before turning their attention back to baseball. The guys discuss what baseball and soccer have in common when it comes to developing young athletes. They examine how different types of pitchers age and highlight a few who have exceeded expectations this season. Later, they tackle the fan debate surrounding whether the Mets should consider trading Francisco Lindor and spotlight some unexpected relievers from around the league.
Rundown:
0:45 U.S. Men’s National Team’s World Cup Loss
3:08 Youth Development: Similar Issues in Soccer and Baseball?
12:40 Cam Schlittler’s Outlook
21:47 Will League Eventually Adjust to Three Fastballs?
27:52 Which Pitchers Have Topped OOPSY K% and BB%?
35:50 Francisco Lindor Rumors
40:11 Is Eno Jumping Ship with E. Hancock, B. Ashcroft, C. Cavalli & K. Harrison?
47:22 Casey Mize’s K% Rise
52:06 Surprising Relievers
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
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Editor: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.