Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

Spring Eno is back! Eno and DVR discuss some of Eno's camp observations from stops in Goodyear (Reds) and Peoria (Mariners). Plus, the team preview series rolls on -- Katie Woo joins the show to discuss the Dodgers, and Matt Gelb is here to break down the Phillies. Rundown6:05 Reds Camp Check-In: Spencer Steer's Role, Finding the Right Defensive Alignment14:17 The Mariners' Staff Learns From Each Other21:33 Los Angeles Dodgers Preview35:12 How Will the Dodgers Manage Their Rotation in a WBC Year?51:52 Philadelphia Phillies Preview1:05:17 Andrew Painter's Ceiling, Zack Wheeler's Recovery From TOS Surgery, and Aaron Nola's Rebound BidFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Katie on Bluesky: @katiejwoo.bsky.socialFollow Matt on Bluesky: @mattgelb.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Katie Woo & Matt GelbEditor: Jason Potere

DVR is joined by Stephen Nesbitt to preview the 2026 World Baseball Classic. After the ideal Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Trout matchup to end the 2023 Championship Game, will this year's tournament draw even more eyes? DVR and Stephen assess each of the four pools and make a few predictions for the eight teams that will advance to the knockout stage, and their picks to win the title. Rundown1:09 The Dream Scenario in 2023: USA vs. Japan, Shohei Ohtani vs. Mike Trout15:22 Pool A (Puerto Rico, Cuba, Canada, Panama & Colombia) -- Expectations & Predictions29:02 Pool B (USA, Mexico, Italy, Great Britain & Brazil) -- Expectations & Predictions46:44 Pool C (Japan, Australia, South Korea, Czechia & Chinese Taipei) -- Expectations & Predictions56:00 Pool D (Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Netherlands, Israel & Nicaragua) -- Expectations & Predictions1:09:36 Overall Predictions: Championship Game Matchup & WinnerFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Stephen on Bluesky: @stephenjnesbitt.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHost: Derek VanRiperWith: Stephen NesbittEditor: Jason Potere

DVR continues the Team Preview series by examining the Mets' busy offseason with Tim Britton, the Jays' attempt to make another deep playoff run with Mitch Bannon, and the Guardians' extremely quiet offseason after a surprising second-half surge pushed them back into the playoffs last season. Check out the current win totals projected by PECOTA here: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/standings/Rundown0:25 New York Mets Team Preview24:30 Toronto Blue Jays Team Preview45:11 Cleveland Guardians Team PreviewFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Tim on Bluesky: @timbritton.bsky.socialFollow Mitch on Bluesky: @mitchbannon.bsky.socialFollow Zack on Bluesky: @zackmeisel.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHost: Derek VanRiperWith: Tim Britton, Mitch Bannon & Zack Meisel Editor: Jason Potere

DVR continues the Team Preview series with a lot of help from the newsroom -- Jen McCaffrey joins to break down the Red Sox, Cody Stavenhagen drops by to discuss the Tigers, and Aaron Gleeman helps untangle the Twins' puzzling offseason.Check out the current win totals projected by PECOTA here: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/standings/Rundown0:35 Boston Red Sox Team Preview24:10 Detroit Tigers Team Preview46:28 Minnesota Twins Team PreviewFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Jen on Bluesky: @jcmccaffrey.bsky.socialFollow Cody on Bluesky: @codystavenhagen.bsky.socialFollow Aaron on Bluesky: @aarongleeman.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHost: Derek VanRiperWith: Jen McCaffrey, Cody Stavenhagen & Aaron GleemanEditor: Jason Potere

Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss Max Scherzer's reunion with the Blue Jays, the innings projections for Shohei Ohtani in 2026, and several trends they're watching this spring -- including shifts in pitch mix for the Nats, aggression on the basepaths, and the development of several young players. Plus, Trevor breaks down the typical spring training day for a big-league veteran. Rundown0:39 Max Scherzer Re-Signs with the Blue Jays8:13 Other News & Notes: Merrill Kelly (Back) & Brandon Woodruff13:03 Shohei Ohtani’s Innings Projection for 202616:57 Trends to Watch This Spring29:24 Which Inexperienced Pitchers Are You Watching This Spring?40:24 The Spring Running Game48:43 A Day in the Life of a Big Leaguer During Spring TrainingFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.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

Eno and Jed discuss the full-time arrival of the automated ball-strike challenge system in 2026 and the players most likely to be impacted by the changed to the strike zone. Plus, they resume the Team Preview series with a breakdown of the Rays, where ongoing competition for playing is unfolding at several positions, and the Cardinals, who have opened up a lot of opportunities for younger players by trading away several veterans in their rebuilding effort this winter. Check out the current win totals projected by PECOTA here: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/standings/Rundown1:01 The Expected Impact of ABS in 202618:40 Tampa Bay Rays Preview43:14 St. Louis Cardinals PreviewFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHost: Eno SarrisWith: Jed LowrieEditor: Jason Potere

Eno and DVR discuss a few players with questionable statuses for Opening Day -- including Dodgers starter Blake Snell and Brewers starter Brandon Woodruff -- before previewing the Houston Astros with The Athletic's Chandler Rome. They also discuss a few rebound hitters with discounted draft-day prices this winter, before digging into DVR's unusual build in Monday night's Mixed LABR draft. Check out the current win totals projected by PECOTA here: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/standings/Rundown2:41 Blake Snell’s Slow Spring9:19 Brandon Woodruff’s Path to Opening Day14:00 Chris Sale: Signs One-Year Extension16:00 Houston Astros Preview32:03 Will This Astros Team Contend with Better Health in 2026?37:51 Rebound Hitters for 202650:34 Similarities Between Oneil Cruz & PCA?1:04:53 DVR’s Mixed LABR DraftFull 2026 Mixed LABR Draft Board: https://www.rtsports.com/labr-mixed-draftFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Chandler on Bluesky: @chandlerrome.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Chandler RomeEditor: Jason Potere

Eno and DVR catch up on a spring injury for Joe Ryan before continuing their team preview series with the Yankees, Athletics and Angels. First, Brendan Kuty joins the show to discuss a Yankees’ position player group that is nearly identical to 2025, then Melissa Lockard drops by to examine the A’s as they try to navigate the unique challenges of Sutter Health Park in Sacramento for a second season. Check out the current win totals projected by PECOTA here: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/standings/Rundown3:05 Joe Ryan: MRI Shows Back Inflammation4:21 Jackson Holliday: Falling in Drafts Following Hamate Injury9:45 JR Ritchie: Impressive Spring Debut12:13 New York Yankees Team Preview36:45 (Sacramento) Athletics Team Preview59:44 Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Team PreviewFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Brendan on Bluesky: @brendankuty.bsky.socialFollow Melissa on Bluesky: @melissalockard.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Brendan Kuty & Melissa LockardEditor: Jason Potere

Eno and DVR discuss a few news items ahead of the weekend including Jordan Westburg's elbow injury and Bruce Meyer's move into the executive director role for the MLBPA, before continuing the Team Preview series! Sahadev Sharma joins the show to discuss the Cubs, C. Trent Rosecrans drops by to break down the Reds, and Dennis Lin is here to talk about the Padres. Check out the current win totals projected by PECOTA here: https://www.baseballprospectus.com/standings/Rundown1:16 Listener Leagues in Progress6:45 Spring Injury Updates: Jordan Westburg's Elbow, Tommy John Surgery for Pablo López15:16 Bruce Meyer Moves Into Executive Director Role for MLBPA20:19 Chicago Cubs Team Preview49:42 Cincinnati Reds Team Preview1:18:19 Padres Team PreviewFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Sahadev on Bluesky: @sahadevsharma.bsky.socialFollow Trent on Bluesky: @ctrent.bsky.socialFollow Dennis on Twitter: @dennisline-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Sahadev Sharma, C. Trent Rosecrans & Dennis LinEditor: Jason Potere