Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

In baseball, numbers are everywhere. But they’re not just numbers. For Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris, they’re the keys to solving the most fun problem in sports. Every weekday, join DVR and Eno as they unpack baseball in ways you’ve never heard before, endeavoring to figure out all they can about a sport that’s constantly changing. Alongside contributors Britt Ghiroli, Trevor May and Jed Lowrie, the Rates & Barrels crew breaks down all the latest MLB news through an analytical lens, feeding your unhealthy addiction to numbers, while helping you master your fantasy baseball GM skills. But wait, there's more: come back for Saturday mornings in Starkville, where Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville talk to some of the most important players, coaches, and thought leaders in the league. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball is a sports podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 0 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 92. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball, a sports show with 0 episodes published.

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  Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

  Why Kevin McGonigle's Rookie Season is HISTORIC + MLB'S Next Wave of Stars

  Aug 19, 20261h 10m

  Kevin McGonigle isn't just running away with the American League Rookie of the Year race — he's already playing like one of the best players in baseball. DVR, Eno Sarris and Jed Lowrie take a deep dive into McGonigle, JJ Wetherholt and an incredibly deep 2026 MLB rookie class to determine which young stars have the skills to sustain their early success. On the National League side, JJ Wetherholt has emerged as another remarkably polished young hitter. The guys compare Wetherholt and McGonigle's swings, plate approaches, defense and power potential — including why Wetherholt's deeper contact point could leave him with more untapped power as he develops. The rookie conversation doesn't stop there. Munetaka Murakami presents a fascinating power-versus-strikeout dilemma, while Konnor Griffin, Carson Benge and Sal Stewart offer very different combinations of tools, plate discipline, defense and long-term upside. Griffin's elite physical tools in particular make him one of the most intriguing young players to watch heading toward 2027. Plus: Shohei Ohtani and Pete Crow-Armstrong continue their nightly NL MVP battle, Fernando Tatis Jr. makes one of the catches of the year, and the Brewers hang 22 runs on the Mariners. First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026 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 Contributor: Jed Lowrie Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis Editor: McEnroe Francis Thumbnail Courtesy: Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images 00:00 MLB’s Loaded Rookie Class 02:14 Ohtani vs. PCA, Tatis’ Incredible Catch & Brewers Score 22 03:26 Kevin McGonigle’s Historic Rookie Season 12:42 Kevin McGonigle vs. JJ Wetherholt 22:35 Munetaka Murakami’s Extreme Power Profile 29:50 Konnor Griffin’s Superstar Upside 32:19 Carson Benge & Sal Stewart 38:22 Which Other Rookies Have Star Potential? 39:52 Rookies Flying Under the Radar 42:06 A.J. Ewing & George Lombard Jr. 49:01 Cole Carrigg 52:46 Sam Antonacci 56:56 Ryan Waldschmidt 1:00:41 What’s Going On With Travis Bazzana? 1:04:05 Which Rookie Baseball Cards Should You Buy? #KevinMcGonigle #DetroitTigers #MLB #MLBRookies #RookieOfTheYear #Baseball #FantasyBaseball #RatesAndBarrels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

  Is Pete Crow-Armstrong Coming for Shohei Ohtani’s NL MVP?

  Aug 18, 202654 min

  Pete Crow-Armstrong is making a serious push in the National League MVP race. After another huge night for the Chicago Cubs — including two home runs and a walk-off blast against the White Sox — PCA now has back-to-back 30/30 seasons and has put himself squarely into the NL MVP conversation with Shohei Ohtani. DVR and Eno break down PCA's remarkable surge and how dramatically his outlook has changed. Since June 2, PCA has hit 23 home runs with 19 stolen bases and a 197 wRC+ — the best mark among all MLB hitters during that span. Has Pete Crow-Armstrong reached another level, and can he really challenge Ohtani for the 2026 NL MVP Award? Plus, the guys discuss the strange situation surrounding Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks. DVR and Eno examine what we know, the apparent communication breakdown between Marte and the D-backs, and whether the situation could eventually impact his future in Arizona. There is also significant injury news for the New York Yankees, as Max Fried returns to the injured list with an elbow bone bruise just as Carlos Rodón returns to the Yankees rotation. What should New York expect from Rodón down the stretch, and how concerning is Fried's recurring elbow issue as the Yankees prepare for a potential postseason run? Then, The Athletic's Chandler Rome joins the show for a deep dive on the Houston Astros and the AL West race. The Astros have surged to the top of the division despite a season filled with pitching injuries. The group examines Hunter Brown's command, Houston's pitching development, its uncertain postseason rotation and whether the lineup around its biggest stars is deep enough for October. On the National League side, The Athletic's Dennis Lin joins the show to break down the San Diego Padres' playoff push. Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill have helped revive the Padres' offense as San Diego attempts to hold onto an NL Wild Card spot. Finally, the guys break down a wild Padres night on the bases and one important lesson: do not run on Carson Benge. After San Diego repeatedly challenged Benge's arm, DVR and Eno look at MLB's strongest outfield arms and how baserunning decisions can swing games during a tight playoff race. Rates & Barrels with Derek Van Riper and Eno Sarris delivers MLB analysis, advanced baseball metrics, fantasy baseball insight, player development, prospects and the biggest stories from around Major League Baseball. Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment! First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026 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 Contributors: Chandler Rome & Dennis Lin Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis Editor: McEnroe Francis #petecrowarmstrong #cubs #shoheiohtani #NLМVP #mlb #baseball Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

  The AL Wild Card Race Is Absolute Chaos — Who Gets In?

  Aug 17, 20261h 7m

  The American League Wild Card race is complete chaos. With the Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners and Minnesota Twins battling for position in a crowded AL playoff picture, DVR and Eno Sarris break down which teams have the best chance to survive the final weeks of the 2026 MLB season. The Orioles are playing their way back into the postseason race despite selling at the MLB Trade Deadline, while the Rangers, Tigers and Mariners are all trying to find enough consistency to grab a Wild Card spot. How much should we trust Baltimore's resurgence? Can Texas overcome its pitching concerns? And which of these flawed American League contenders is actually built to make a playoff run? The guys also look at the Chicago White Sox's sweep of the Detroit Tigers and what it means for the AL Central race. Plus Joshua Baez makes MLB history with an unforgettable debut for the St. Louis Cardinals. Baez homered three times in his first three Major League plate appearance In the Monday mailbag, DVR and Eno examine how the Tampa Bay Rays continue to find pitching advantages, including their unusual success developing and deploying changeups. Rates & Barrels is your home for MLB analysis, advanced baseball statistics, fantasy baseball strategy, prospects, player development and everything happening around Major League Baseball with Derek Van Riper and Eno Sarris. Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment! First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026 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 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rates_barrels?igsh=d2FkZ3RzdW9yd3Ft&igsi=d2FkZ3RzdW9yd3Ft Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis Editor: McEnroe Francis 00:00 - Today on Rates & Barrels 03:06 - The AL Playoff Picture Is a Mess 03:10 - White Sox Sweep the Tigers 05:10 - What’s Gone Wrong for Detroit? 08:23 - Breaking Down the AL Playoff Race 08:53 - Orioles, Rangers & Mariners Battle for Wild Card 11:56 - Joshua Baez Makes MLB History 12:18 - Breaking Down Joshua Baez’s Incredible Debut 15:00 - Can Baez Overcome the Swing-and-Miss? 26:18 - Mailbag: What Have the Rays Found With Changeups? 29:32 - How Tampa Bay Keeps Finding Pitching 32:25 - George Kirby & Long-Term Pitcher Value 39:13 - Early Look at 2027 Fantasy Hitter Rankings 46:13 - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire 46:21 - How Much FAAB Should You Spend on Joshua Baez? 58:35 - Late-Season Closer Targets #mlb #mlbplayoffs #orioles #rangers #fantasybaseball Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

  Starkville | Andrew Friedman Isn’t Apologizing for the Dodgers

  Aug 15, 202651 min

  The Dodgers are ruining baseball—or they’re not. These days, it depends on who you ask. This week, Jayson and Doug go straight to the source, sitting down with Dodgers president Andrew Friedman to get his take on the firestorm, as well as the inside story of how he pulled off the trade for Tarik Skubal. Plus, Jayson and Doug try to make sense of what happened in Toronto, where the Red Sox scored on one of the strangest plays in recent baseball history. Rundown: 2:55 A Fourth Out in Toronto? 15:33 Andrew Friedman Stops By 15:57 The Rich Get Richer with Tarik Skubal 21:33 Are the Dodgers Ruining Baseball? 29:21 How a Big Deal Goes Down 31:20 Listening to the Players 32:24 Transitioning From Player to GM 33:17 The Awe-Inspiring Shohei Ohtani 36:06 Strange But True 41:10 Doug’s Strange But True Moment Follow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.social Follow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.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: Andrew Friedman Producer: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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  Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

  Why the Mariners Sent Top Prospect Colt Emerson Back to Triple-A

  Aug 14, 20261h 10m

  The Seattle Mariners sent Colt Emerson back to Triple-A — so what went wrong for one of baseball’s most talented young prospects? DVR and Eno Sarris break down Emerson’s struggles, his alarming strikeout rate, what Seattle should expect from him going forward and why a reset in the minors could ultimately be the right move for his development. Plus, Jacob deGrom left his latest start with right triceps fatigue, adding another major injury concern for a Rangers rotation already dealing with the loss of Nathan Eovaldi. DVR and Eno look at potential replacements and break down several pitchers nearing returns, including Edward Cabrera and Carlos Rodón. DeGrom said afterward that he was optimistic the issue wasn't serious, though further evaluation was expected. The guys also discuss another blown save from Edwin Díaz and whether the Dodgers should temporarily make a change in the ninth inning. Could Tanner Scott become the reliever to roster if Los Angeles gives Díaz a break from closing? Then Niv Shah joins the show to help navigate fantasy trade deadlines. Is Corbin Carroll worth paying up for? Is Gunnar Henderson becoming a potential 2027 draft-day bargain? And how should fantasy managers value stars like Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge and Juan Soto as keeper and dynasty decisions loom? First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026 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 Contributor: Niv Shah Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis Editor: McEnroe Francis Thumbnail Courtesy: Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images 00:00 Today on Rates & Barrels 03:00 Taj Bradley & Field of Dreams Takeaways 05:15 Is Baseball Better Without the Strike Zone Box? 11:01 Brewers Hit Hard by Injuries 15:08 Cooper Pratt’s Fantasy Outlook 18:28 What Went Wrong With Colt Emerson? 24:33 Mariners’ Struggles & Cal Raleigh’s Down Year 27:48 Jacob deGrom Injury & Pitchers Returning Soon 30:45 Is Jared Jones Still a Must-Roster Pitcher? 34:24 Fantasy Waiver Wire: Hunter Dobbins 36:09 Jackson Kent’s Fantasy Potential 40:20 Should Dodgers Make a Change at Closer? 43:07 Fantasy Saves & Bullpen Targets 45:23 Young Shortstops & Fantasy Waiver Targets 45:43 Is Zac Veen Finally Breaking Out? 52:35 Fantasy Baseball Trade Deadline Strategy 53:58 Ohtani, Judge & Soto’s Massive Keeper Prices 59:25 Buy Low on Corbin Carroll? 1:00:36 What Happened to Gunnar Henderson? 1:04:49 Fantasy Value of Gunnar Henderson in 2027 1:05:20 The Chicago Hot Dog Review Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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