Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

The MLB Draft is in the books, and The Athletic's senior writer Keith Law joins Eno and DVR to break it all down. They discuss the first two selections, shortstops Roch Cholowsky and Grady Emerson, the Rockies' standout draft, the A's landing four players from Keith's Top 50, and the Phillies' puzzling approach. Later, the guys look back at this year's Futures Game and discuss why MLB missed an opportunity to give the event a bigger spotlight.Rundown:0:54 White Sox Draft Roch Cholowsky at 1.14:17 High School Arms Continue to Slide8:15 Grady Emerson to Tampa Bay13:53 Giants Get Pitching: Jackson Flora at No. 420:15 The Rockies’ Impressive Draft27:26 The A’s Load Up31:25 Will A’s Prove Capable of Developing Arms in Vegas?34:56 Quick Paths to The Show: Derek Curiel & Zion Rose41:12 Lingering Questions About the Phillies’ Approach47:51 Futures Game: The Difficulty of One-Inning Looks56:17 Any Surprises From Sunday’s Showcase?Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow Keith on Bluesky: @keithlaw.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Keith LawEditor: Jason Potere

A new king has been crowned, and his name is Jordan Walker! Today, Eno and DVR recap the Home Run Derby, breaking down the new format, Netflix's presentation of the event, and whether All-Star Week can help bring new fans to baseball. Then, they discuss which players are the best candidates to turn their careers around the way Walker has this season. Later, they go head-to-head in a draft of the biggest first-half underperformers, debating which struggling players are most likely to bounce back after the break.Rundown:0:37 Jordan Walker Wins HR Derby4:54 Eno Didn’t Love Netflix’s Presentation9:11  Does All-Star Week Bring Influx of New Viewers?16:11 Sometimes It Takes Time For Things to Click23:54 Is Jasson Domínguez Trending Into a Group Like This?30:45 Curtis Mead: Another Post-Hype Sleeper Delivering?33:50 Dylan Crews vs. Marcelo Mayer40:29 First-Half Underperformers Draft49:57 Eno’s Case for Heliot Ramos53:00 First-Half Underperformers Draft1:03:46 Draft RecapFollow 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 wrap up the first half of the baseball season, and there's no better guest to do it with than Ken Rosenthal. This week, Jayson and Doug are joined by their longtime Starkville friend to break down the season's biggest surprises and disappointments, make their midseason MVP picks, and discuss whether Tigers ace Tarik Skubal could actually be moved before the trade deadline—and why that might be a mistake.Rundown:1:45 Ken Rosenthal Joins the Show4:02 Most Surprising Team of 1st Half9:10 Most Disappointing Team of 1st Half13:02 First Half MVPs17:51 MLB Trade Deadline21:04 Should the Tigers Trade Tarik Skubal?28:20 Teams to Watch in 2nd Half31:17 One Surprise Playoff Contender35:54 Strange But True w/ Yordan AlvarezFollow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.socialFollow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.socialFollow Ken on Bluesky: @ken-rosenthal.bsky.socialE-mail: starkville@theathletic.comStarkville Hotline: (347) 313-8371Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Jayson Stark & Doug GlanvilleWith: Ken RosenthalProducer: Jason Potere

With All-Star Week approaching, it's time to get a head start on the weekend waiver wire. But first, Eno and DVR discuss the reduced suspensions for Willson Contreras and Cade Cavalli before breaking down the latest injury news, including which players are returning soon and why Aaron Judge still needs more time to recover. Then, Ottoneu founder Niv Shah joins the show to examine the biggest fantasy price risers since Opening Day, explain why Paul Skenes' price continues to climb despite an underwhelming season, and share his latest hot dog reviews from Kansas City and Chicago's South Side.Rundown:1:12 Reduced Suspensions for Willson Contreras & Cade Cavalli3:45 Aaron Judge: Will Have Imaging During All-Star Break4:29  Munetaka Murakami: Expectations for Second Half?10:55 Michael Busch: Does Limited Bat Speed Prevent Power Surge?17:18 Vinnie Pasquantino Returns21:45 Ryan Waldschmidt is Back24:06 How Does Luis Lara Fit in Brewers’ OF Mix?27:11 Garrett Mitchell: Are We Buying Growth This Season?32:41 Niv Shah Joins the Show33:52 Six Picks: Biggest Price Risers Since Opening Day37:25 Confidence In Paul Skenes?40:40 Link Between Six Picks Trends & Keeper Costs44:36 Eno & DVR Make a Trade!54:40 Taste of the Majors1:01:09 Lucky’s Korean Dogs For the Win!1:06:58 Other Bats to Consider1:13:07 Pitchers to ConsiderFollow 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: Niv ShahEditor: Jason Potere

One of the greatest pitchers of his generation, Justin Verlander, has decided to hang up his cleats. Today, Eno, Trevor, and DVR reflect on Verlander's remarkable career, where he ranks among baseball's all-time greats, and the legacy he leaves behind. Then, the guys examine why some pitchers, including Robbie Ray, are targeting the bottom of the strike zone more often and how that approach is changing their effectiveness. Later, they explore whether the data can reveal when hitters are sitting on a particular pitch.Rundown:0:35 Justin Verlander to Retire3:40 A Look Back at Verlander’s Career11:27 Multiple No-Hitters: Rare Air & Near No-Nos17:58 26 Complete Games!19:39 The Top of the Zone is Dead!23:41 Why Losing Part of the Zone Is a Big Deal35:16 Return of the Sinker41:53 Do Any Stats Reveal Hitters Sitting on Pitches?49:35 Tipping Struggles: Looking Back at Ryan Helsley and Jesús Luzardo52:15 Did the Blue Jays Take Away Roupp’s Best Pitch?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/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Trevor MayEditor: Jason Potere

As the All-Star break nears, it's time to revisit some preseason predictions that didn't quite pan out. DVR explains why he'd be less bullish on Kyle Tucker today, Jed breaks down the Braves' surprising fall, and Eno evaluates the Astros' first-half performance against expectations. Plus, the guys discuss Zack Wheeler's frustration over his All-Star snub and whether the surging Marlins can make a legitimate postseason run.Rundown:0:38 DVR’s Mulligan: Kyle Tucker Will Win NL MVP Award4:41 NL MVP Candidates11:59 Eno’s Mulligan: Expectations for 2026 Astros16:46 Jed’s Mulligan: Choosing Atlanta in Four vs. The Field23:39 Austin Riley’s Struggles28:59 Who Does Jed Want in Place of Atlanta Now?32:42 Zack Wheeler is Mad40:19 A ‘Target Home-Run Rate’50:00 An Intriguing Change?58:42 The Marlins Are CookingFollow 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

After a few exciting weeks, the U.S. Men’s National Team came crashing back to earth Monday night and were eliminated from the World Cup. Eno and DVR lament a disappointing effort before turning their attention back to baseball. The guys discuss what baseball and soccer have in common when it comes to developing young athletes. They examine how different types of pitchers age and highlight a few who have exceeded expectations this season. Later, they tackle the fan debate surrounding whether the Mets should consider trading Francisco Lindor and spotlight some unexpected relievers from around the league.Rundown:0:45 U.S. Men’s National Team’s World Cup Loss3:08 Youth Development: Similar Issues in Soccer and Baseball?12:40 Cam Schlittler’s Outlook21:47 Will League Eventually Adjust to Three Fastballs?27:52 Which Pitchers Have Topped OOPSY K% and BB%?35:50 Francisco Lindor Rumors40:11 Is Eno Jumping Ship with E. Hancock, B. Ashcroft, C. Cavalli & K. Harrison?47:22 Casey Mize’s K% Rise52:06 Surprising RelieversFollow 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

From a bullpen call that sparked chants of "Shame!" to the never-ending pile of streaming apps and another Tommy John surgery for Cole Ragans, the boys have plenty to get off their chests. This week, Eno and DVR discuss Eury Pérez’s bid for perfection and why Marlins manager Clayton McCullough may have made the right call by pulling the young right-hander. Then, they dig into why it's often tougher than fans realize for pitchers like Ragans to regain their previous form after undergoing UCL reconstruction. Later, they welcome back Hunter Greene and break down where the money went over the weekend.Rundown:0:56 Is Eno Mad About Baseball?4:44 Eury Pérez’s Bid for Perfection9:54 DVR Is Mad About App Mania to Watch Baseball Continues11:54 Junior Caminero’s Streak Ends with 11 HR in 11 Days16:42 Tommy John Recovery24:37 In-Season Usage Also a Challenge Post TJ Surgery29:10 Can Gerrit Cole Recover to 2023 Skills Levels?32:33 Batting Average Blues: When Should You Punt the Category?40:47 Jordan Walker’s June45:51 Looking for Intriguing Players ~1,000 Career PA51:03 Hunter Greene Returns!56:21 Where the Money WentFollow 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