Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

The Padres and Guardians are surging, while the Orioles are still searching for answers. Eno, Britt, and DVR break down how San Diego has managed to stay atop the standings despite underperformance from a few key stars. Then, the crew takes a closer look at Baltimore’s continued struggles, examining why the Orioles haven’t been able to build on their 100-win season just a few years ago — and whether the bigger issues stem from pitching development or a lack of continuity on the coaching staff. Later, DVR sits down with The Athletic’s Zack Meisel to discuss Cleveland’s early success and whether the Guardians’ young core can keep them atop the AL Central.
Rundown:
3:30 First Place Padres!
10:57 Starting Pitching Questions: How Will They Find Enough?
12:50 Can Walker Buehler or Griffin Canning Put it Together?
14:42 A Slow Start in Baltimore: Is This a Bottom-Five Team?
22:20 Can Shane Baz, Trevor Rogers & Chris Bassitt Turn It Around?
30:10 Turnover on the Staff: Is the Lack of Continuity an Issue?
34:05 Zack Meisel Joins the Show
35:11 Travis Bazzana: Impressing From the Jump
36:44 Brayan Rocchio & Angel Martínez Impressing
39:55 Guardians Tied for Second in Steals This Season
42:54 Ralphy Velazquez to Columbus: Is an August Promotion on Tap?
46:35 Parker Messick is Rolling: What Do the Next 16 Starts Hold?
50:15 Potential Weakness: Is the Rotation Depth Lacking?
51:44 Bullpen Remains a Strength
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
Follow Britt on Bluesky: @brittghiroli.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: Britt Ghiroli and Zack Meisel
Editor: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another top prospect has arrived in Seattle, as 20-year-old Mariners shortstop Colt Emerson made his MLB debut Sunday. Eno and DVR also discuss how Zack Wheeler finally looks like his old self again after beginning the season on the IL, and why Dodgers starter Roki Sasaki may finally be settling in as a reliable starter in LA. Later, the guys open the mailbag to discuss Shohei Ohtani, stabilizing whiff rates, and the long-term outlook for Marlins second baseman Xavier Edwards.
Rundown:
0:47 Colt Emerson Promoted
8:13 Zack Wheeler is Rolling
12:11 Walk Rate Improvement: How Much is Sustainable?
17:43 Surgery for Blake Snell: Loose Bodies in Elbow; Timetable TBD
21:37 Roki’s Turnaround: Another Strong Start vs. Angels
25:09 Justin Wrobleski Excelling in LA
26:46 Grayson Rodriguez is Back: A Big Boost for Halos’ Rotation?
28:33 Clay Holmes Out Several Weeks: Leg Fractured by Comebacker
35:40 Jose Altuve is Hurt: Grade 2 Oblique Strain, Timetable TBD
40:47 Weekly Decision: Using Shohei Ohtani as Pitcher Instead of UT?
44:40 Whiff Rates: When Do They Stabilize?
53:18 The Long Game: Xavier Edwards’ Future Outlook
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.

One of baseball's most beloved managers is gone. Hall of Famer Bobby Cox passed away this week, and Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville celebrate his life with a guest who knew him well — Mark DeRosa, who played for Cox in Atlanta and shares what made him such a special manager. DeRosa also reveals a moment that stuck with him: Cox going out of his way to say he was glad to see him thriving, even after DeRosa had long since moved on to other teams. Then, Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz provides the material for one of the most jaw-dropping Strange But True segments in recent memory.
Rundown:
2:00 ABS Through the First Quarter of the Season
10:12 Mark DeRosa Joins the Show
11:45 Remembering Bobby Cox
23:30 Al Leiter Pops In
29:07 Remembering Bobby Cox (cont’d)
33:00 Managing Team USA in WBC
39:22 Remembering Bobby Cox (cont’d)
42:49 Strange But True
Jayson’s Article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7281002/2026
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: Mark DeRosa (and Al Leiter)
Producer: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A fresh batch of starting pitcher rankings has arrived, and there’s plenty to debate. Who made the “Hype 7”? Is Gavin Williams making the leap to ace status? And where does José Soriano land in the mix? Eno and DVR break it all down before turning their attention to the waiver wire, where two intriguing rookies — A.J. Ewing and Henry Bolte — are making their cases as weekend pickups. Plus, no Fantasy Friday would be complete without another edition of “Closer Corner.”
Rundown:
2:00 Eno's Updated SP Rankings: The 'Hype 7' is on the Move!
6:25 Future Drafts: Is There Usually a Group Like This to Target?
12:55 Emmet Sheehan's Velo: Wide Fluctuations Start-to-Start
17:00 Another Top-20 SP in Pittsburgh? Braxton Ashcraft Joins the Fray
20:56 Gavin Williams' Adjustments: Is He Becoming an Ace?
30:29 Using Fresh Rankings: Finding Fits on the Trade Front
34:18 José Soriano: Top-25 Guy Now, Defensive Limitations?
38:58 A.J. Ewing & Henry Bolte: Most Intriguing Waiver-Wire Hitters This Weekend?
44:12 JJ Bleday's Breakout: A True Post-Hype Sleeper is Delivering!
50:05 Vaughn Grissom's Opportunity: Good Enough to Stick in Anaheim?
54:36 Pitching Considerations: Bryce Miller is Back, G-Rod Nearing Return
55:54 A Tough Toss-Up: Ben Brown vs. Griffin Jax
1:01:44 Closer Corner: Still Waiting on Ryan Helsley
Eno's Starting Pitcher Rankings: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7277683/
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.

Have you ever compared baseball to microtones? Neither had we — until today. The guys dive into the music of Angine de Poitrine to explore just how many pitch types a pitcher could realistically master. Then, Eno, Trevor, and DVR head behind the plate to break down the surprising development of Pirates catcher Henry Davis’ command model.
Rundown:
1:47 Bryce Miller is Back
7:38 Cal Raleigh Placed on the IL
8:16 Max Fried Exits with Elbow Soreness
11:05 Robby Snelling to the IL
13:12 Francisco Alvarez Likely Out Eight Weeks (Knee Surgery)
15:05 Getting the Return Right: Coming Back from the IL
20:17 Pitching & Microtones?
27:00 Covering Everything: Having Pitches for All Situations
35:36 Two Splitters? Roki Sasaki’s Attempt to Find More Options
40:38 Nothing in the Middle? Empty Space for Cutters & Gyro Sliders
44:44 Thinking About Development: Creative Solutions to Pitching Problems?
52:00 Henry Davis’ Command Model
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.