{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/6818a1a4eb737caf8ca41879/6acfd6f6d99ff41eade46043?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"MLB Championship Series Preview: Can the Dodgers & Rays Respond?","description":"<p>The Milwaukee Brewers have a 2-0 NLCS lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers, while the Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays are tied 1-1 in the ALCS. With Game 3 approaching in both Championship Series, what adjustments could decide who reaches the 2026 World Series?</p><p><br></p><p>DVR, Eno and Jed Lowrie break down the latest MLB playoff action, preview the critical pitching matchups, and close the book on the Chicago White Sox&#39;s surprising 2026 season.</p><p><br></p><p>Milwaukee has taken the first two games against Los Angeles, and a 12-pitch walk by Jake Bauers may have been one of the biggest turning points of Game 2.</p><p><br></p><p>We analyze how Bauers battled Yoshinobu Yamamoto, drove up his pitch count and set up Christian Yelich&#39;s two-run single that knocked the Dodgers&#39; ace out of the game.</p><p><br></p><p>Looking ahead to Game 3, how should the Brewers approach Blake Snell? Can Robert Gasser&#39;s unique pitch mix keep the Dodgers&#39; lineup off balance? And which team has the advantage as the NLCS shifts to Los Angeles?</p><p><br></p><p>The Rays have evened the ALCS at 1-1 after Freddy Peralta delivered six scoreless innings in Game 2, reaching 99.4 mph and dominating with his elevated fastball.</p><p><br></p><p>Plus, Rays infielder Taylor Walls gives a fascinating explanation of how elite defenders anticipate where a baseball will be hit. Jed Lowrie shares his own major league experience with defensive positioning, pitch recognition and reacting to contact.</p><p><br></p><p>With the series heading to Cleveland, the crew takes a deep dive into Gavin Williams&#39; arsenal and how Tampa Bay hitters should approach him. Can Griffin Jax deliver enough innings to give the Rays an advantage in Game 3?</p><p><br></p><p>The White Sox made an incredible turnaround in 2026, but their season ended with a disappointing five-game ALDS loss to Cleveland.</p><p><br></p><p>What went wrong for Chicago&#39;s high-strikeout offense? Can Colson Montgomery, Munetaka Murakami and Kyle Teel make the adjustments needed to take the next step?</p><p><br></p><p>DVR, Eno and Jed examine the development of Chicago&#39;s young core, the future of Noah Schultz and Grant Taylor, and whether the White Sox should make a major investment in their starting rotation.</p><p><br></p><p>Could a frontline free-agent pitcher turn the White Sox into legitimate World Series contenders in 2027?</p><p><br></p><p>💬 **JOIN THE CONVERSATION**</p><p><br></p><p>Who wins Game 3 of the NLCS and ALCS? Are the Brewers the team to beat in the National League? And should the White Sox spend big this offseason?</p><p><br></p><p>Like, subscribe and drop us a comment!</p><p><br></p><p>**MORE RATES &amp; BARRELS**</p><p><br></p><p>💬 Join our Discord for conversations and mailbag questions: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe</p><p><br></p><p>📰 Subscribe to The Athletic:</p><p>https://theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels</p><p><br></p><p>👕 Shop Rates &amp; Barrels merchandise: </p><p>https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/</p><p><br></p><p>**FOLLOW THE HOSTS**</p><p>Derek VanRiper on Bluesky:</p><p>https://bsky.app/profile/dvr.bsky.social</p><p><br></p><p>Eno Sarris on Bluesky:</p><p>https://bsky.app/profile/enosarris.bsky.social</p><p><br></p><p>📧 Email: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com</p><p><br></p><p>Hosts:Derek VanRiper &amp; Eno Sarris </p><p>Contributor:Jed Lowrie </p><p>Executive Producer &amp; Editor: McEnroe Francis</p><p><br></p><p>Rates &amp; Barrels | The Athletic</p><p><br></p><p>#MLBPlayoffs #Brewers #Dodgers #ALCS #NLCS #Guardians #Rays #WhiteSox #RatesAndBarrels</p><p><br></p><p>00:00 – Introduction: NLCS &amp; ALCS Game 3 Preview</p><p>01:24 – The Moneyball Advantages </p><p>02:52 – Jake Bauers&#39; 12-Pitch Walk vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto</p><p>06:15 – How Long At-Bats Wear Down Elite Pitchers</p><p>14:05 – NLCS Game 3 Preview: Blake Snell vs. Robert Gasser</p><p>20:26 – Why Robert Gasser&#39;s Pitch Mix Is So Difficult</p><p>22:37 – Freddy Peralta&#39;s Dominant ALCS Game 2</p><p>25:49 – José Ramírez&#39;s Defensive Mistakes</p><p>32:36 – Taylor Walls Explains the Art of Infield Defense</p><p>39:39 – Jed Lowrie on Defensive Preparation &amp; Positioning</p><p>44:25 – Parker Messick and the Guardians&#39; Game 3 Outlook</p><p>45:48 – How Would You Hit Against Gavin Williams?</p><p>53:14 – Griffin Jax and Tampa Bay&#39;s Game 3 Strategy</p><p>54:20 – Closing the Tab: Chicago White Sox</p><p>56:25 – The White Sox&#39;s Emerging Young Core</p><p>1:05:02 – How the White Sox Can Reduce Their Strikeouts</p><p>1:06:36 – Final Thoughts &amp; What&#39;s Next</p>","author_name":"The Athletic"}