Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

Pete Crow-Armstrong was thrown out stealing on a walk... except he wasn't actually caught stealing on a walk. Confused? So were Jayson and Doug. This week, they break down PCA's controversial play at second base against the Mets, explain exactly what happened, and debate whether the league needs to change the rule.Then, the guys revisit last week's search for a nickname worthy of Jacob Misiorowski's electric fastball, turning to the Starkville Hotline to hear listeners' best submissions.Later, Jon ‘Boog’ Sciambi joins the show to talk about his working relationship with Doug, the Cubs' up-and-down season, the unique atmosphere at Wrigley Field, the time he bought mozzarella sticks for an entire bar, and a couple hilarious stories about Chipper Jones.Rundown:2:59 Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Steal That Wasn’t13:58 Nickname for Jacob Misiorowski’s Fastball20:18 Jon ‘Boog’ Sciambi Joins the Show22:08 Was PCA Safe or Out?28:13 The 2026 Chicago Cubs33:38 Great Rivalries35:57 Boog the Broadcaster41:15 ‘Mozzarella Sticks for Everybody’44:29 Calling Games at Wrigley Field47:31 Calling the World Series49:41 Boog’s Bucket List50:52 Chipper Jones’ Stories57:15 Strange But True w/ the PhilliesFollow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.socialFollow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.socialE-mail: starkville@theathletic.comStarkville Hotline: (347) 313-8371Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Jayson Stark & Doug GlanvilleWith: Jon ‘Boog’ SciambiProducer: Jason Potere

As America celebrates its birthday, fantasy managers are getting ready for the second half of the baseball season. This week, Eno and DVR take a closer look at what's behind Paul Skenes' recent struggles, and whether his declining fastball velocity helps explain the dip in results. Then, they size up several players around the league to determine who could be worth targeting in a trade. Plus, they wrap up the show by highlighting the best waiver-wire pickups on both the hitting and pitching sides ahead of the holiday weekend.Rundown:2:52 Concerns About Paul Skenes14:40 Trade Activity Picking Up in Second Half20:40 Which Lagging Bats Should Be Targets?24:30 Younger Position Players to Trade For29:02 First-Rounder Challenge Trade - Gunnar Henderson vs. Paul Skenes?31:36 Plate Discipline Forward Targets32:41 Pitchers to Deal For: Leaning on ERA-SIERA?41:25 Is Drew Rasmussen Underrated in Long-Term Leagues?43:27 Weekend Waiver Targets: Pitchers of Interest54:47 Weekend Waiver Targets: Looking for Hitters Back After the Break?Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisEditor: Jason Potere

It’s time for a tour around the National League, where every division has its own storylines taking shape. Eno, Jed, and DVR begin in the NL West, where the Dodgers have opened up a sizable lead. They discuss whether the Padres can still make a push, what needs to happen for the Diamondbacks' offense to get going, and where the Giants and Rockies go from here. From there, they head to "America’s Division," the NL Central, where the Brewers and Cubs are battling for the top spot while the Cardinals and Pirates remain in the postseason mix. Finally, they wrap up in the NL East, where the Phillies are gaining ground on the Braves and tightening the division race.Rundown:0:45 Jed The Banana4:28 MLB Baseballs’ Manufacturing Error6:52 The 2026 Dodgers: The Machine is Working16:05 The Padres’ League-Worst Offense25:12 Can the D-backs’ Outhit Pitching Woes?30:46 Giants Falling to Sellers?31:46 Rockies Taking Steps Forward34:37 Should Brewers Go Big with Upgrades?39:10 Can the Cubs Find Enough Pitching?44:24 Cardinals Have 34.2% Chance of Reaching Playoffs48:37 Is Pirates’ Biggest Need a Top-End Reliever?51:05 Check In on Your Cincinnati Friends57:25 Philly Closes Gap on Atlanta to 2.5 Games1:00:28 Phillies Climbing: Where Will They Upgrade?1:06:02 The Marlins Need Bats: A Sneaky-Good Mid-Pack Team?1:11:55 The Nats Need Pitching: An Intriguing Deadline on Tap?1:13:47 Mets Owner Steve Cohen Says Stearns is SafeEno’s Article on MLB Baseballs: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7410468/Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Jed LowrieEditor: Jason Potere

Baseballs started flying in June -- and it wasn't simply warmer weather -- it might be a manufacturing error! Eno and DVR explain why changes in drag on the baseball have a significant impact on home runs, and how Major League Baseball's revelation of a manufacturing error may provide some clues as to why we have seen so much variation in how the ball has played throughout the first half of the season. With drag recently returning to the same levels we saw in 2019, they wonder if we're going to see a massive uptick in home runs throughout the second half.Story from Eno Sarris & Evan Drellich 'MLB sees no link between factory defect and liveliest baseball since year of the homer in ‘19'Gift Link: https://theathletic.lnk.to/TA26BallRundown0:17 Breaking News: MLB Reveals Manufacturing Error with Ball1:44 A Sudden Change: Drag Significantly Dropped in Recent Weeks6:40 Don’t Forget 2019 When 6,776 Home Runs Were Hit9:19 Hitters and Pitchers Notice and React to Ball Changes12:20 Will Barrels Recover?Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisEditor: Jason Potere

It’s time to take a tour around the American League, and there’s plenty to unpack. Eno, Britt, and DVR begin in the AL East, where the Rays have surged into first place as the Yankees try to stay afloat without their captain, Aaron Judge. From there, they head to the AL Central to break down the surprising White Sox, the steady Guardians, and the disappointing Tigers. Finally, they wrap up in the AL West, where the Rangers sit atop the division and the Astros are left trying to prove they still have one more run in them.Rundown:1:35 Atop the AL East: The Rays Are Holding On, For Now!6:09 The Yankees Weathering the Storm Without Aaron Judge9:54 Jays, O’s & Red Sox Scrambling to Make Up Ground12:25 A Case for the Blue Jays to Continue Buying17:22 Most Likely to Rally: Blue Jays, Orioles, or Red Sox?21:15 Key Injuries for Boston22:15 Cleveland Pitching, Again27:43 Can White Sox Build On a Surprising Start?32:16 Eno’s Bold Prediction on the Tigers38:23 The Twins Aren’t Bad: But Are They Stuck in the Middle?46:04 What If Wyatt Langford & Corey Seager Get Healthy?50:06 Does Anyone Still Like Houston?59:59 Future Autopsies: 2026 Royals and 2026 AngelsFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow Britt on Bluesky: @brittghiroli.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Britt GhiroliEditor: Jason Potere

The first domino has fallen for two of baseball's most disappointing teams. Today, Eno and DVR break down the firings of Mets manager Carlos Mendoza and Angels GM Perry Minasian, what comes next for both clubs, and which managerial opening — between the Mets, Red Sox, and Phillies — offers the most upside. Plus, they take a closer look at this year's MLB players' poll from The Athletic, including the results that stood out most.Rundown:2:29 MLB’s Latest Proposal5:00 Mets Fire Carlos Mendoza6:48 Best Managerial Role: Mets, Red Sox, or Phillies?16:54 Grade 3 Hip Flexor Strain for Marcus Semien20:45 Tragedy in Venezuela23:07 Konnor Griffin Returns, Homers31:35 Rolling Aaron Nola & Shane Baz for Two-Start Weeks?38:20 Buehler Delivers, Roki Slides & Trevor Rogers Rolls40:58 Luis García Jr.: Did We Miss His Power Potential?45:40 Where the Money Went58:02 Angels Fire GM Perry Minasian59:43 The Athletic’s Players’ PollMLB Players Poll: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7382921Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisEditor: Jason Potere

A nickname is earned, not given—and after lighting up radar guns at 104 mph, Jacob Misiorowski’s fastball has certainly earned one. This week, we dive into listener-submitted suggestions and, with help from Jayson and Doug, try to land on the perfect name for The Miz’s electric four-seamer. Then, Dodgers broadcaster and Fox Sports play-by-play voice Joe Davis joins Starkville to talk about the defending champs, calling last season’s World Series, and what makes Shohei Ohtani unlike anyone else. Plus, Strange But True from a wild night in Philadelphia.Rundown:2:53 A New Nickname for The Miz13:14 Joe Davis Joins the Show15:05 Wild Night in Philadelphia17:50 Broadcasting the Dodgers19:28 2026 Los Angeles Dodgers27:30 The Legend of Shohei Ohtani33:45 Reaction to ABS35:10 ‘Gibby Meet Freddie’40:03 Calling Game 7 of 2025 World Series45:30 Strange But TrueFollow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.socialFollow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.socialE-mail: starkville@theathletic.comStarkville Hotline: (347) 313-8371Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Jayson Stark & Doug GlanvilleWith: Joe DavisProducer: Jason Potere

The Mets entered the season with plenty of optimism. Instead, they've been plagued by injuries, inconsistency, and an ever-growing payroll. Eno, Trevor, and DVR break down what's gone wrong in Queens, whether a strong July could put New York back in the playoff race, or if selling at the trade deadline is becoming inevitable. Plus, a look at the Diamondbacks' pitching woes, what the future holds for Arizona's rotation, and another round of Name That Dude featuring a player from the past.Rundown:2:20 The LOL Mets Return?9:12 Constant Tension Caused by the Environment?13:29 Only Four Teams Have Lost More WARP to the IL (source: BP)15:14 Will Mets Rally Before Deadline?22:32 Arizona Pitching Woes: A Two-Year Struggle25:20 Zac Gallen: Struggling to Adjust to Reduced Stuff?48:30 What’s Next for the Group?53:03 Does Defense Play a Significant Role in LOB%?58:36 Elite Relievers Typically Have Great LOB% Marks1:03:45 Name! That! Dude!Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHost: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Trevor MayEditor: Jason Potere