{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6818a1a4eb737caf8ca41879/6818a1bdeb146d8e35c2b30f?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Jackson Merrill's Extension, Rafael Devers' Slow Start & The Importance of Contact Point","description":"<p>Jed Lowrie makes his Rates &amp; Barrels debut to join Eno and DVR and to discuss Jackson Merrill's nine-year extension with the Padres, Jed's trip to the season opening series in Japan between the Dodgers and Cubs, the early-season struggles of Rafael Devers, and hitters that have moved their contact point up (toward the pitcher) thus far in 2025. </p><p><br></p><p>Please participate in our listener survey! <a href=\"theathletic.com/athletic/survey25%20\">theathletic.com/athletic/survey25 </a></p><p>(Three lucky entries will receive £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers!)</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Rundown</strong></p><p>1:40 Jackson Merrill Gets Paid!</p><p>6:47 Jed’s Takeaways from Opening Series Trip to Japan</p><p>16:00  Changing and Experimenting with Bats</p><p>22:43  Why the 'Torpedo' Bat Hasn't Taken Off Sooner</p><p>25:19 Rafael Devers' Slow Start to 2025</p><p>34:04 Players Who Have Moved Their Contact Point Up (Toward Pitcher)</p><p><br></p><p>Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social</p><p>Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.social</p><p>e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com</p><p><br></p><p>Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe</p><p><br></p><p>Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels</p><p><br></p><p>Hosts: Derek VanRiper &amp; Eno Sarris</p><p><br></p><p>With: Jed Lowrie</p><p><br></p><p>Producer: Brian Smith</p><p><br></p><p>Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper</p><p> </p>","author_name":"The Athletic"}