Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

Things are looking up for two aces: Cristopher Sánchez and Jacob Misiorowski. After dominant performances throughout May, both have emerged as early frontrunners in the NL Cy Young race. Today, Eno and DVR break down what's fueling their success, while also examining which hitters made the biggest leaps at the plate from April to May. Later, the guys dig into the disappointing seasons of Bo Bichette and Austin Riley, and examine whether either star can turn things around before the year is over.
Rundown:
0:40 Eno’s Trip to Firestone Walker Invitational
4:31 The Miz & Cristopher Sánchez Go Off in May
6:37 Jake Bauers’ Approach Against Imai’s Slider
11:00 Imai Pitched Well Again
12:30 Yankees Send 18 to Plate During 13-Run Third Inning
18:21 Elly De La Cruz to the IL
20:11 Garrett Crochet Setback
27:00 Rafael Devers Turns It Around in May
32:25 Carson Benge is Clicking
37:02 Context is Key: Down Months Are Normal
40:30 The Long Game: Does Combo Bad Finish, Slow Start Worry Us?
46:29 Ildemaro Vargas, Jose Fernandez & Liam Hicks Cool Off
49:30 Bo Bichette’s Struggles
53:08 Austin Riley’s Quiet Start
57:38 One-Year wRC+ Leaderboard: The Most Surprising Bat in the Top-Five?
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
e-mail: [email protected]
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.

An Astros pitcher accomplished something this week that hadn’t been done since 1892. Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville break down the historic feat, explain where Bumpus Jones fits into the story, and discuss what made it so remarkable with Sunday Night Baseball voice Jason Benetti. The guys also talk about Benetti’s chaotic travel schedule, how the ABS challenge system is changing the way he calls games, and the baseball cliché he can’t stand.
Rundown:
1:26 Joey Votto’s Visit to Starkville
4:40 The Miz Brings the Heat
8:13 Jason Benetti Joins the Show
9:19 Benetti’s Chaotic Travel Schedule
15:25 NBC’s Sunday Night Baseball Coverage
31:39 The ABS Challenge System
36:19 The Up-and-Down Detroit Tigers
38:31 Tigers Manager A.J. Hinch
41:40 Favorite (and Least Favorite) Cliché
44:46 Strange But True with Jason Benetti
Follow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.social
Follow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.social
E-mail: [email protected]
Starkville Hotline: (347) 313-8371
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Jayson Stark & Doug Glanville
With: Jason Benetti
Producer: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Major League Baseball and the MLBPA have officially opened negotiations on a new labor deal, and while both sides are talking, they’re nowhere close to seeing eye to eye. Today, Eno and DVR break down the league’s initial proposals, the union’s response, and why these talks could stretch deep into the offseason. Later, Ottoneu founder and Senior Hot Dog correspondent Niv Shah joins the show to discuss the latest Ottoneu leaderboard — and explain why he refused to eat the hot dog fries.
Rundown:
0:44 And It Begins: MLBPA & Owners Present First Offers
10:42 Inevitable Lockout: Does That Mean Lost Games?
16:30 Sell-High Starting Pitchers: We’re All Looking at the Same Numbers!
26:45 Dustin May’s Turnaround: Buying In with Increased Cutter Usage?
28:10 Jared Jones is Back! Returning Friday Night vs. Minnesota
33:08 Hitters to Consider: Another Thin Week for Bats?
42:36 Niv Shah Joins the Show
42:52 Hot Dog Fries: Why Did Niv Pass?
44:45 What in the World Is This?
49:25 Taste of the Majors: The New York Mets Dog is a Hit!
51:08 Ottoneu Points Leaderboard: Learning From This Year’s Pleasant Surprises
1:01:38 Timing is Everything: Keeper League Windows are Open!
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
e-mail: [email protected]
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.

After breaking out last season, Nolan McLean has come back down to Earth a bit in 2026. Today, Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss whether the Mets right-hander still has future ace potential. Plus, the guys dig into Andrew Painter’s progress, Bubba Chandler’s arrival, and what JR Ritchie’s return to Triple-A means for his long-term outlook. Later, they tackle perhaps the biggest question on today’s show: What the heck is going on with Paul Skenes?
Rundown:
1:15 Checking In on Nolan McLean
11:52 Pitches That Move *Too Much*?!
19:32 Andrew Painter’s Progress
26:40 Corbin Burnes’ Fastball Tweaks Might Help
32:23 Bubba Chandler’s Arrival
38:45 JR Ritchie’s Outlook After Return to Minors
46:58 Quick Pitches: Andrew Alvarez, Trevor McDonald & Coleman Crow
53:43 Paul Skenes’ Changes: Is Everything OK?
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
Follow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.social
e-mail: [email protected]
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.

Today, things got a little weird — thanks to Bryce Harper giving the world a glimpse into his unconventional toothbrushing routine. Eno, Jed, and DVR break down Harper’s viral moment, the end of Nick Kurtz’s on-base streak, and discuss Trea Turner, Jarren Duran, Steven Kwan, and the players who’ve brought them the most joy this season. Later, the guys revisit their plus-minus draft to see which big-name hitters have fallen short of expectations at the plate.
Rundown:
0:31 The Streak is Over! Nick Kurtz On-Base Streak Ends at 48 Games
3:02 No, We Don’t Get It: Bryce Harper’s Toothpaste Usage is Odd
4:39 Trea Turner’s Slow Start: Better Days on Tap as He Adjusts?
21:12 Jarren Duran’s Changes: Is He Too Aggressive with Pull-Happy Approach?
37:31 Steven Kwan's Struggles: Are We Sure He’s Healthy?
46:08 Appreciating Silly: A Few Great (Random) Moments in 2026
58:15 Plus-Minus Draft Review: A Few Underperforming Stars!
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
e-mail: [email protected]
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.