Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

The NL Cy Young race is absolutely loaded right now. Cristopher Sánchez just rattled off 50 and two-thirds consecutive scoreless innings, Jacob Misiorowski is lighting up radar guns, and Shohei Ohtani has his ERA sitting below 1.00. This week, Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville break down the crowded race for the award and discuss just how impressive Sánchez's scoreless streak was.Later, Brewers President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Matt Arnold stops by to talk about Milwaukee's surprising run to the top of the standings, Misiorowski's rapid rise, and what it's really like to spend time around manager Pat Murphy.Plus, the guys close things out with another edition of Strange But True, featuring a magic number of 13.Rundown:3:13 NL Cy Young Race Heating Up11:43 Matt Arnold Visits Starkville13:33 'Trader Matt'15:08 Adapting to Change20:57 Playing for Milwaukee22:21 ‘The Miz’27:38 Don't Forget About Kyle Harrison29:39 Playing in the NL Central30:53 Being the Brewers President & GM32:25 Brewers Manager Pat Murphy37:49 Trade Deadline Plans39:24 Playing in the Postseason40:43 Matt Arnold's Journey44:30 Strange But True: Yankees’ 13-Run InningFollow 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: Matt ArnoldProducer: Jason Potere

Bad news has arrived in the Bronx. Today, Eno and DVR break down what Aaron Judge’s fractured rib means for the Yankees and how the team will fare while he’s gone. Then, they discuss the return of Corey Seager and react to the shock of hearing Noelvi Marte has a new position. Later, the guys dive into the waiver wire, including the latest options in the ever-changing closer market.Rundown:0:42 Aaron Judge Out At Least 4-6 Weeks10:44 Brayan Bello Optioned to Triple-A17:59 Corey Seager is Back!21:43 Noelvi Marte Recalled24:42 Ezequiel Tovar: DVR Admits 2026 Defeat31:05 Edwin Arroyo Getting a Look at Second Base34:00 Royce Lewis is Crushing Triple-A Pitching37:53 Intriguing Corner Options: Curtis Mead and Spencer Horwitz42:24 Lars Nootbaar is Back47:12 Jorge Mateo’s Heater49:10 Karson Milbrandt: Worth a Stash for the Marlins?54:15 Closer Corner: Brewers, Royals & A Few of the Usual SuspectsFollow 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

Commissioner Rob Manfred says MLB's luxury tax is a failure, Aaron Judge's injury situation is getting more serious, and George Kirby's strikeouts are missing. Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss those topics, and dig into a few risers and fallers in K-BB% between March/April and May, before taking a look at a surprising surge in homers and runs across all minor-league levels below Triple-A.Rundown:0:38 Commissioner Manfred Calls Luxury-Tax System a Failure3:42 A Shocker: Franchise Valuations Are Key for Owners10:29 ‘Fairness’ Is the Message: Is That *Really* The Goal?12:36 Aaron Judge’s Rib Injury18:31 George Kirby’s K’s: Where Did They Go, Can We Find Them?31:19 K-BB% Risers & Fallers: Biggest Movers Between April and May52:15 The Ball Beat: How Do Teams Model Differences?1:00:33 Offense Up in Minor LeaguesEvan Drellich: 'Commissioner Rob Manfred, who once touted MLB’s parity, says luxury-tax system has failed'https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7331800Eno Sarris & Britt Ghiroli: 'Some MLB organizations are more injury-prone than others. Is that bad luck or a system issue?'https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7330754J.J. Cooper: 'Home Runs Are Exploding Across The Minor Leagues—And No One Knows Why'https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/home-runs-are-exploding-across-the-minor-leagues-and-no-one-knows-why/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

It’s June 3, which means it’s time for everyone’s favorite game: Four vs. The Field! Today, Eno, Jed, and DVR debate whether the combination of baseball’s four World Series favorites will ultimately take home the trophy, or if the rest of the league is the smarter bet. Then, they discuss whether the Tigers can get revenge for last year’s late-season swoon by tracking down the Guardians in the AL Central. Later, the guys examine the best and worst users of ABS and discuss how teams are adapting to baseball’s challenge system.Rundown:0:36 Four vs. The Field: Can You Pick the World Series Winner with Four Teams?10:25 Banking on Buyers: Trade Deadline Opportunities to Make Strides14:59 Projected fWAR: A Better Option Than Choosing World Series Probables?19:04 Chasing Cleveland: Will the Tigers Turn the Tables on the Guardians?25:38 What’s the Number? Playoff Odds Necessary for Tigers to Buy at Deadline34:08 ABS Challenges: Who Is Doing Well, Who Is Struggling So Far?44:42 Strategic Approaches: Is Marlins’ Catcher-Led Volume Approach Ideal?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

It’s time to talk prospects, as some of baseball’s brightest young stars inch closer to the big leagues while others gear up for a run to the College World Series. Today, Eno and DVR are joined by The Athletic Senior Baseball Writer Keith Law to break down his latest prospect rankings, discuss the pitching development trends shaping organizations across MLB, and look ahead to the player who could top his prospect list in 2027.Rundown:1:13 Franklin Arias: Getting To Power Regularly at Double-A5:18 Projecting Future Power: What Does Keith Look For?8:51 Ethan Salas: Back on Track in the Padres’ System10:48 Felnin Celesten: Another Physical Projection Question15:45 A Future No. 1? Josuar Gonzalez Dominating ACL19:25 Shorter Outings in Pitching Development22:43 Concerns About Limitations in Spinning the Ball?24:48 Seattle Boasts Keith’s Top Two Pitching Prospects30:17 Do Current Struggles Impact Future Assessments?38:44 Edwin Arroyo Gets the Call40:45 Ralphy Velazquez: Real Power Coming Through Cleveland System46:09 Which Teams Skew Heavily Toward Hitters or Pitchers?50:18 Players & Teams to Watch: It’s Super Regional Time in CWSFollow 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

An Astros pitcher accomplished something this week that hadn’t been done since 1892. Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville break down the historic feat, explain where Bumpus Jones fits into the story, and discuss what made it so remarkable with Sunday Night Baseball voice Jason Benetti. The guys also talk about Benetti’s chaotic travel schedule, how the ABS challenge system is changing the way he calls games, and the baseball cliché he can’t stand.Rundown:1:26 Joey Votto’s Visit to Starkville4:40 The Miz Brings the Heat8:13 Jason Benetti Joins the Show9:19 Benetti’s Chaotic Travel Schedule15:25 NBC’s Sunday Night Baseball Coverage31:39 The ABS Challenge System36:19 The Up-and-Down Detroit Tigers38:31 Tigers Manager A.J. Hinch41:40 Favorite (and Least Favorite) Cliché44:46 Strange But True with Jason BenettiFollow 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: Jason BenettiProducer: Jason Potere

Major League Baseball and the MLBPA have officially opened negotiations on a new labor deal, and while both sides are talking, they’re nowhere close to seeing eye to eye. Today, Eno and DVR break down the league’s initial proposals, the union’s response, and why these talks could stretch deep into the offseason. Later, Ottoneu founder and Senior Hot Dog correspondent Niv Shah joins the show to discuss the latest Ottoneu leaderboard — and explain why he refused to eat the hot dog fries.Rundown:0:44 And It Begins: MLBPA & Owners Present First Offers10:42 Inevitable Lockout: Does That Mean Lost Games?16:30 Sell-High Starting Pitchers: We’re All Looking at the Same Numbers!26:45 Dustin May’s Turnaround: Buying In with Increased Cutter Usage?28:10 Jared Jones is Back! Returning Friday Night vs. Minnesota33:08 Hitters to Consider: Another Thin Week for Bats?42:36 Niv Shah Joins the Show42:52 Hot Dog Fries: Why Did Niv Pass?44:45 What in the World Is This?49:25 Taste of the Majors: The New York Mets Dog is a Hit!51:08 Ottoneu Points Leaderboard: Learning From This Year’s Pleasant Surprises1:01:38 Timing is Everything: Keeper League Windows are Open!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: Niv ShahEditor: Jason Potere

After breaking out last season, Nolan McLean has come back down to Earth a bit in 2026. Today, Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss whether the Mets right-hander still has future ace potential. Plus, the guys dig into Andrew Painter’s progress, Bubba Chandler’s arrival, and what JR Ritchie’s return to Triple-A means for his long-term outlook. Later, they tackle perhaps the biggest question on today’s show: What the heck is going on with Paul Skenes? Rundown:1:15 Checking In on Nolan McLean11:52 Pitches That Move *Too Much*?!19:32 Andrew Painter’s Progress26:40 Corbin Burnes’ Fastball Tweaks Might Help32:23 Bubba Chandler’s Arrival38:45 JR Ritchie’s Outlook After Return to Minors46:58 Quick Pitches: Andrew Alvarez, Trevor McDonald & Coleman Crow53:43 Paul Skenes’ Changes: Is Everything OK?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