Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

Who are the best starting pitchers in baseball right now — and which arms actually belong in the ace tier? Eno Sarris returns with his updated starting pitcher rankings as DVR breaks down some of the toughest calls, biggest risers and most surprising placements on the board.Blake Snell is back in the top 10, landing at No. 10 after another strong stretch, while Drew Rasmussen climbs all the way to No. 11 as his health and consistency continue to change the way we value him. How sustainable are the pitch-mix and process changes that have helped pitchers like Snell and Rasmussen reach another level?Then there’s Bryan Woo at No. 22. Woo has flashed ace-level stretches and was pushed aggressively during fantasy draft season, but familiar home-road splits and questions about sustaining an elite strikeout rate may leave him looking more like a high-end SP2 than a true fantasy ace.Then, one of baseball’s top pitching prospects arrives. Kade Anderson is set to make his MLB debut Saturday against the Chicago Cubs after skipping Triple-A. The Mariners’ left-hander has dominated Double-A pairing elite command with a four-pitch arsenal.Finally, the guys preview the fantasy baseball waiver wire, including Ethan “Tugboat” Holliday, Ethan Pecko’s MLB debut, Jackson Kent’s second look and several pitchers who could matter during the fantasy playoffs.Rates & Barrels with Derek Van Riper and Eno Sarris delivers fantasy baseball strategy, MLB analysis, advanced pitching metrics, prospects, waiver-wire advice and everything you need for the stretch run.Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment!First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026Follow 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 SarrisExecutive Producer: McEnroe FrancisEditor: McEnroe FrancisThumbnail Credit: Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images(SNELL)Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images(WOO)00:00 Eno’s Updated Starting Pitcher Rankings03:24 Blake Snell Is Back in the Top 1005:16 Drew Rasmussen Keeps Rising09:00 Logan Henderson vs. Kyle Harrison11:48 Managing Pitcher Workloads Down the Stretch12:43 When Will Chase Burns Be Shut Down?14:58 Bryan Woo at No. 22 — Ace or SP2?17:57 Why Is Joey Cantillo Ranked No. 40?20:38 What’s Going Wrong With José Soriano?25:19 Kade Anderson Is Coming to the Majors26:35 What Should We Expect From Kade Anderson?27:37 What Troy Melton Can Teach Us About Anderson31:01 How Historic Is Anderson’s Double-A Dominance?35:14 Does Dominating Double-A Predict MLB Success?36:58 Projecting Kade Anderson in the Majors38:18 Where Would Anderson Rank Right Now?41:10 Should You Add Kade Anderson?42:33 Why Second-Half Stats Can Mislead Us42:52 Pete Crow-Armstrong & the Second-Half Trap43:43 What Brice Turang Tells Us About Recency Bias45:01 Can Second-Half Slumps Create Draft Bargains?51:08 Waiver Wire & Baseball News51:29 A’s Hit Hard By Season-Ending Injuries55:09 Orioles Playing-Time Opportunities57:43 What’s Going On With Ketel Marte?59:09 Jordan Lawlar Gets His Opportunity1:01:31 Rookie Pitchers to Target on Waivers1:01:54 Tugboat, Ethan Pecko & Jackson Kent1:07:00 Ethan Pecko’s Stuff & Role1:07:28 What Happened With Tugboat’s Fastball?#FantasyBaseball #BlakeSnell #BryanWoo #MLB #Pitching #KadeAnderson #RatesAndBarrels

Kevin McGonigle isn't just running away with the American League Rookie of the Year race — he's already playing like one of the best players in baseball. DVR, Eno Sarris and Jed Lowrie take a deep dive into McGonigle, JJ Wetherholt and an incredibly deep 2026 MLB rookie class to determine which young stars have the skills to sustain their early success.On the National League side, JJ Wetherholt has emerged as another remarkably polished young hitter. The guys compare Wetherholt and McGonigle's swings, plate approaches, defense and power potential — including why Wetherholt's deeper contact point could leave him with more untapped power as he develops.The rookie conversation doesn't stop there. Munetaka Murakami presents a fascinating power-versus-strikeout dilemma, while Konnor Griffin, Carson Benge and Sal Stewart offer very different combinations of tools, plate discipline, defense and long-term upside. Griffin's elite physical tools in particular make him one of the most intriguing young players to watch heading toward 2027.Plus: Shohei Ohtani and Pete Crow-Armstrong continue their nightly NL MVP battle, Fernando Tatis Jr. makes one of the catches of the year, and the Brewers hang 22 runs on the Mariners.First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026Follow 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 SarrisContributor: Jed LowrieExecutive Producer: McEnroe FrancisEditor: McEnroe FrancisThumbnail Courtesy: Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images00:00 MLB’s Loaded Rookie Class02:14 Ohtani vs. PCA, Tatis’ Incredible Catch & Brewers Score 2203:26 Kevin McGonigle’s Historic Rookie Season12:42 Kevin McGonigle vs. JJ Wetherholt22:35 Munetaka Murakami’s Extreme Power Profile29:50 Konnor Griffin’s Superstar Upside32:19 Carson Benge & Sal Stewart38:22 Which Other Rookies Have Star Potential?39:52 Rookies Flying Under the Radar42:06 A.J. Ewing & George Lombard Jr.49:01 Cole Carrigg52:46 Sam Antonacci56:56 Ryan Waldschmidt1:00:41 What’s Going On With Travis Bazzana?1:04:05 Which Rookie Baseball Cards Should You Buy?#KevinMcGonigle #DetroitTigers #MLB #MLBRookies #RookieOfTheYear #Baseball #FantasyBaseball #RatesAndBarrels

Pete Crow-Armstrong is making a serious push in the National League MVP race. After another huge night for the Chicago Cubs — including two home runs and a walk-off blast against the White Sox — PCA now has back-to-back 30/30 seasons and has put himself squarely into the NL MVP conversation with Shohei Ohtani.DVR and Eno break down PCA's remarkable surge and how dramatically his outlook has changed. Since June 2, PCA has hit 23 home runs with 19 stolen bases and a 197 wRC+ — the best mark among all MLB hitters during that span. Has Pete Crow-Armstrong reached another level, and can he really challenge Ohtani for the 2026 NL MVP Award?Plus, the guys discuss the strange situation surrounding Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks. DVR and Eno examine what we know, the apparent communication breakdown between Marte and the D-backs, and whether the situation could eventually impact his future in Arizona.There is also significant injury news for the New York Yankees, as Max Fried returns to the injured list with an elbow bone bruise just as Carlos Rodón returns to the Yankees rotation. What should New York expect from Rodón down the stretch, and how concerning is Fried's recurring elbow issue as the Yankees prepare for a potential postseason run?Then, The Athletic's Chandler Rome joins the show for a deep dive on the Houston Astros and the AL West race. The Astros have surged to the top of the division despite a season filled with pitching injuries. The group examines Hunter Brown's command, Houston's pitching development, its uncertain postseason rotation and whether the lineup around its biggest stars is deep enough for October.On the National League side, The Athletic's Dennis Lin joins the show to break down the San Diego Padres' playoff push. Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill have helped revive the Padres' offense as San Diego attempts to hold onto an NL Wild Card spot.Finally, the guys break down a wild Padres night on the bases and one important lesson: do not run on Carson Benge. After San Diego repeatedly challenged Benge's arm, DVR and Eno look at MLB's strongest outfield arms and how baserunning decisions can swing games during a tight playoff race.Rates & Barrels with Derek Van Riper and Eno Sarris delivers MLB analysis, advanced baseball metrics, fantasy baseball insight, player development, prospects and the biggest stories from around Major League Baseball.Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment!First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026Follow 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 SarrisContributors: Chandler Rome & Dennis LinExecutive Producer: McEnroe FrancisEditor: McEnroe Francis#petecrowarmstrong #cubs #shoheiohtani #NLМVP #mlb #baseball

The American League Wild Card race is complete chaos. With the Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, Seattle Mariners and Minnesota Twins battling for position in a crowded AL playoff picture, DVR and Eno Sarris break down which teams have the best chance to survive the final weeks of the 2026 MLB season.The Orioles are playing their way back into the postseason race despite selling at the MLB Trade Deadline, while the Rangers, Tigers and Mariners are all trying to find enough consistency to grab a Wild Card spot. How much should we trust Baltimore's resurgence? Can Texas overcome its pitching concerns? And which of these flawed American League contenders is actually built to make a playoff run? The guys also look at the Chicago White Sox's sweep of the Detroit Tigers and what it means for the AL Central race. Plus Joshua Baez makes MLB history with an unforgettable debut for the St. Louis Cardinals. Baez homered three times in his first three Major League plate appearanceIn the Monday mailbag, DVR and Eno examine how the Tampa Bay Rays continue to find pitching advantages, including their unusual success developing and deploying changeups. Rates & Barrels is your home for MLB analysis, advanced baseball statistics, fantasy baseball strategy, prospects, player development and everything happening around Major League Baseball with Derek Van Riper and Eno Sarris.Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment!First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026Follow 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/ratesandbarrelsFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rates_barrels?igsh=d2FkZ3RzdW9yd3Ft&igsi=d2FkZ3RzdW9yd3FtHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisExecutive Producer: McEnroe FrancisEditor: McEnroe Francis00:00 - Today on Rates & Barrels03:06 - The AL Playoff Picture Is a Mess03:10 - White Sox Sweep the Tigers05:10 - What’s Gone Wrong for Detroit?08:23 - Breaking Down the AL Playoff Race08:53 - Orioles, Rangers & Mariners Battle for Wild Card11:56 - Joshua Baez Makes MLB History12:18 - Breaking Down Joshua Baez’s Incredible Debut15:00 - Can Baez Overcome the Swing-and-Miss?26:18 - Mailbag: What Have the Rays Found With Changeups?29:32 - How Tampa Bay Keeps Finding Pitching32:25 - George Kirby & Long-Term Pitcher Value39:13 - Early Look at 2027 Fantasy Hitter Rankings46:13 - Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire46:21 - How Much FAAB Should You Spend on Joshua Baez?58:35 - Late-Season Closer Targets#mlb #mlbplayoffs #orioles #rangers #fantasybaseball

The Dodgers are ruining baseball—or they’re not. These days, it depends on who you ask. This week, Jayson and Doug go straight to the source, sitting down with Dodgers president Andrew Friedman to get his take on the firestorm, as well as the inside story of how he pulled off the trade for Tarik Skubal. Plus, Jayson and Doug try to make sense of what happened in Toronto, where the Red Sox scored on one of the strangest plays in recent baseball history.Rundown:2:55 A Fourth Out in Toronto?15:33 Andrew Friedman Stops By15:57 The Rich Get Richer with Tarik Skubal21:33 Are the Dodgers Ruining Baseball?29:21 How a Big Deal Goes Down31:20 Listening to the Players32:24 Transitioning From Player to GM33:17 The Awe-Inspiring Shohei Ohtani36:06 Strange But True41:10 Doug’s Strange But True MomentFollow 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: Andrew FriedmanProducer: Jason Potere

The Seattle Mariners sent Colt Emerson back to Triple-A — so what went wrong for one of baseball’s most talented young prospects? DVR and Eno Sarris break down Emerson’s struggles, his alarming strikeout rate, what Seattle should expect from him going forward and why a reset in the minors could ultimately be the right move for his development.Plus, Jacob deGrom left his latest start with right triceps fatigue, adding another major injury concern for a Rangers rotation already dealing with the loss of Nathan Eovaldi. DVR and Eno look at potential replacements and break down several pitchers nearing returns, including Edward Cabrera and Carlos Rodón. DeGrom said afterward that he was optimistic the issue wasn't serious, though further evaluation was expected.The guys also discuss another blown save from Edwin Díaz and whether the Dodgers should temporarily make a change in the ninth inning. Could Tanner Scott become the reliever to roster if Los Angeles gives Díaz a break from closing? Then Niv Shah joins the show to help navigate fantasy trade deadlines. Is Corbin Carroll worth paying up for? Is Gunnar Henderson becoming a potential 2027 draft-day bargain? And how should fantasy managers value stars like Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge and Juan Soto as keeper and dynasty decisions loom?First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026Follow 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 SarrisContributor: Niv ShahExecutive Producer: McEnroe FrancisEditor: McEnroe FrancisThumbnail Courtesy: Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images00:00 Today on Rates & Barrels03:00 Taj Bradley & Field of Dreams Takeaways05:15 Is Baseball Better Without the Strike Zone Box?11:01 Brewers Hit Hard by Injuries15:08 Cooper Pratt’s Fantasy Outlook18:28 What Went Wrong With Colt Emerson?24:33 Mariners’ Struggles & Cal Raleigh’s Down Year27:48 Jacob deGrom Injury & Pitchers Returning Soon30:45 Is Jared Jones Still a Must-Roster Pitcher?34:24 Fantasy Waiver Wire: Hunter Dobbins36:09 Jackson Kent’s Fantasy Potential40:20 Should Dodgers Make a Change at Closer?43:07 Fantasy Saves & Bullpen Targets45:23 Young Shortstops & Fantasy Waiver Targets45:43 Is Zac Veen Finally Breaking Out?52:35 Fantasy Baseball Trade Deadline Strategy53:58 Ohtani, Judge & Soto’s Massive Keeper Prices59:25 Buy Low on Corbin Carroll?1:00:36 What Happened to Gunnar Henderson?1:04:49 Fantasy Value of Gunnar Henderson in 20271:05:20 The Chicago Hot Dog Review

Buster Posey is a San Francisco Giants legend — but could running the team put that legacy at risk? Britt Ghiroli joins DVR and Eno Sarris to discuss her exclusive reporting on Posey’s transition from franchise icon to president of baseball operations, the decisions that have defined his tenure so far, and what comes next for the struggling Giants.They also break down the major roster decisions of the Posey era, including the Rafael Devers trade, Willy Adames contract and Matt Chapman, while looking at whether San Francisco can remain competitive as its next wave of young talent develops. With much of the Giants’ best prospect talent still years away from the majors, how should Posey approach the offseason and build a bridge to the organization’s future?DVR, Eno and Britt also examine growing concerns surrounding the Philadelphia Phillies. Philadelphia's offense remains near the bottom of MLB in wRC+, the bullpen has struggled to protect leads, and the Phillies find themselves in a tightening National League playoff race with the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks.Plus, Hunter Greene needs a second Tommy John surgery, potentially sidelining the Cincinnati Reds ace for most or all of 2027. What does Greene's latest injury mean for Cincinnati's future, and is pressure mounting on the Reds' front office after six seasons under Nick Krall?🎧 Rates & Barrels with Derek Van Riper, Eno Sarris and Britt Ghiroli.First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026Follow 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/ratesandbarrelsBritt's article on Buster Poseyhttps://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7499186/2026/08/13/san-francisco-giants-buster-posey-legacy/Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisContributor: Britt GhiroliExecutive Producer: McEnroe FrancisEditor: McEnroe FrancisThumbnail Courtesy: Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)00:00 Today on Rates & Barrels04:18 Field of Dreams Game Returns07:38 Is It Time to Worry About the Phillies?12:46 Phillies on the Outside of NL Playoff Picture15:04 Inside Buster Posey’s Giants Gamble18:19 Evaluating the Rafael Devers Trade21:59 What Happened to the Giants’ Pitching?26:06 Are the Giants Falling Behind Other Front Offices?29:15 What Could Posey Have Done Differently?32:52 The Tony Vitello Gamble38:42 Does Posey Have the Right People Around Him?42:54 How Can Posey Fix the Giants?47:44 What Happened to Willy Adames?55:29 How Long Will the Giants’ Rebuild Take?57:16 Hunter Greene Needs Another Tommy John Surgery1:01:13 How Long Should MLB Front Offices Get?1:06:56 Is It Time for Changes in Cincinnati?1:10:36 What’s Next for the A’s Front Office?1:14:45 Thanks for Watching#phillies #sanfranciscogiants #mlbwildcard #cincinnatireds

The Cleveland Guardians once looked like they were cruising toward an AL Central title. Now, after losing 13 of 17, Cleveland has fallen back into one of baseball’s most unpredictable division races. DVR and Eno Sarris are joined by Zack Meisel to break down what has gone wrong for the Guardians and whether they can turn their season around.The guys take a deep dive into the AL Central playoff race, where the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins and Guardians remain tightly packed. Are the Tigers actually the best team in the division even after moving Tarik Skubal at the trade deadline? And could young players like Max Clark help swing the race down the stretch?Then, the Rates & Barrels mailbag opens with a fascinating question: Are Dodgers prospects consistently overrated? DVR and Eno look back at Los Angeles’ highly ranked prospects to separate prospect hype from the reality of player development.Plus, they examine River Ryan’s long-term outlook and injury history, whether Jake McCarthy's breakout is sustainable, the Brewers' unusual save situations involving Chad Patrick, and what to make of Jake Bauers' strong season.Find us on Instagram for even more Rates & Barrels content!Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment!First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026Follow 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 SarrisContributor: Zack MeiselExecutive Producer: McEnroe FrancisEditor: McEnroe Francis#tigers #guardians #whitesox #dodgers #mlbwildcard 00:00 - Today on Rates & Barrels01:24 - Breaking Down the Wild AL Central Race03:20 - Who Is Actually the Best Team in the AL Central?11:14 - Which AL Central Lineup Is Best?15:40 - Why the Tigers Still Look Like the Team to Beat16:46 - Max Clark’s Impressive MLB Start20:00 - Young White Sox & the AL Central’s X-Factors24:30 - What’s Gone Wrong With the Cleveland Guardians?29:01 - Steven Kwan’s Turnaround31:07 - Why Cleveland’s Offense Struggles in Big Moments34:42 - The Guardians’ Young Hitters37:26 - Cleveland’s Pitching & Bullpen Workload39:31- Did the Guardians Do Enough at the Trade Deadline?43:02 - Mailbag: Are Dodgers Prospects Overrated?45:12 - What Happened to the Dodgers’ Top Prospects?49:36 - How Often Do Top Prospects Actually Hit?51:18 - River Ryan’s Talent vs. Injury Risk57:48 - Is Jake McCarthy’s Breakout Sustainable?1:01:53 - What’s Going On With the Brewers’ Saves?1:03:16 - Is Jake Bauers’ Breakout for Real?