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Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball
What Is Happening with Fernando Tatis Jr.?
Eno, Jed, and DVR dig into the early-season struggles of Fernando Tatis Jr., examining what’s gone wrong at the plate and how he can get back on track. They also take a look at the scorching start from Matt Olson and debate whether his trajectory points toward Cooperstown. Later, they break down Framber Valdez drilling Trevor Story, which led to Valdez’s ejection on Tuesday night.
Rundown:
2:40 Fernando Tatis Jr.’s Hitting Woes
13:56 Tatis Jr.’s Projection for Rest of Season
23:58 Expectations for Jackson Merrill
30:25 Matt Olson’s Hot Start
40:05 Ozzie Albies’ Career Year?
44:18 What’s Wrong with Austin Riley?
49:20 Framber Valdez Ejected
57:09 Carlos Correa Out for Season
59:14 Other News & Notes
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
With: Jed Lowrie
Editor: Jason Potere
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Four Intriguing Players for a Round of Trade, Hold, or Extend
54:53|Would you trade, hold, or extend Nick Kurtz right now? CJ Abrams? Ben Rice? The answers might surprise you.Eno, Jed, and DVR break down all three in their favorite new game, "Trade, Hold, or Extend," then shift to two of baseball's hottest prospects: A.J. Ewing, who made a splash in his MLB debut for the Mets on Tuesday, and Henry Bolte, the Athletics outfielder just called up from Triple-A.Rundown:2:02 A.J. Ewing Debuts for the Mets5:45 Henry Bolte Gets the Call9:47 Skipping Rehab Assignments: Christian Yelich Activated From IL17:29 CJ Abrams' Future in D.C.29:49 Is There a Path to an Extension for Ben Rice?37:06 William Contreras' Long-Term Outlook45:42 A Nick Kurtz Extension?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
Four Teams We Haven't Discussed Enough
01:05:22|Eno, Britt, and DVR hit the quarter mark of the season with a look at the Blue Jays’ lack of power and speed, questions surrounding the rotation, and concerns about Louis Varland’s heavy workload in the closer role. Later, DVR puts Eno and Britt to the test with his latest trivia challenge before the crew dives into the Pirates, Cardinals, and White Sox.Rundown: 2:00 DVR's Tattoo Promise 2:50 The Jays' Struggling Offense10:48 Jays Continue to Steal Few Bases16:08 Trivia Time!18:30 Pitching in Toronto23:02 Heavy Workload for Louis Varland26:39 The Pirates Are on Course32:32 Likely Mid-Summer Additions in Pittsburgh37:35 Checking In on the Cards43:02 How Far Away Are the Cards’ Impact Arms?50:06 What Happened to Matt Svanson?51:38 The White Sox's Rebuild Looks OK!59:45 Davis Martin is RollingFollow 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 Dodgers' IL Shuffle Continues & Buster Posey Makes Another Deal
01:02:37|Eno and DVR discuss the recent returns of pitchers Blake Snell and Carlos Rodón, breaking down how the two hard-throwing lefties looked on the mound this weekend. They also preview Mookie Betts’ return to the Dodgers’ lineup Monday and what his presence means for the rest of the offense. Later, the guys analyze the trade that sent Giants catcher Patrick Bailey to the Guardians.Rundown:00:35 Weekend at Eno’s1:45 Blake Snell is Back!4:29 Mookie Betts Returns Monday8:30 Carlos Rodón Also Returned10:33 More Mother’s Day Magic in Milwaukee11:57 Bat Speed Buckets18:30 Do Hitters Change More Slowly than Pitchers?21:15 Ryan Waldschmidt Promoted33:18 Patrick Bailey Sent to Cleveland42:25 Bo Naylor to Triple-A50:04 Tough Starts: Bryce Miller, Tatsuya Imai & Trevor McDonald56:57 Where the Money Went: Zack Gelof 2.0Follow 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
Starkville | Baseball’s Most Unhittable Pitcher & Terry Francona
54:02|Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville explain why Mason Miller may be the most unhittable pitcher in MLB history before discussing the toughest pitcher Doug ever faced. Later, they’re joined by Terry Francona — Doug’s former manager, Jayson’s old neighbor, and current Reds skipper — to talk about his return to the dugout, memories of managing Doug in Philadelphia, and the joy of watching Elly De La Cruz lead the Reds.Rundown:1:35 Is Strands Inspired by Starkville?3:40 Is Mason Miller Baseball’s Most Unhittable Pitcher?8:01 Doug’s Most Unhittable Pitcher11:10 Reds Manager Terry Francona Joins the Show12:40 Being a Manager in 202619:21 Adjusting to ABS25:00 Managing Elly De La Cruz27:07 Playing 16228:10 The Good Ole Days31:38 Most Memorable Regular Season Game34:00 Health Update35:22 Benches Clearing Brawls36:39 Francona’s Gum Chewing Habit 38:55 Francona’s Most Unhittable Pitcher41:18 Strange But True52:00 Call Us at (347) 313-8371 Is Padres closer Mason Miller the most unhittable pitcher who ever lived?: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7244775/Follow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.socialFollow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.socialE-mail: starkville@theathletic.comSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Jayson Stark & Doug GlanvilleWith: Terry FranconaProducer: Jason Potere
Weekend Waiver Preview: Robby Snelling Gets the Call!
01:00:10|Eno and DVR preview top prospect Robby Snelling’s highly anticipated big league debut and discuss expectations for the rookie left-hander. Later, they open the mailbag to answer questions about the closer market, Liam Hicks, and Will Warren. Plus, Ottoneu founder and Senior Hot Dog Correspondent Niv Shah joins the show to break down Yankees prospect Spencer Jones, along with delivering his latest hot dog review — this time, the Minnesota Dog.Rundown:1:16 Marlins Promote Robby Snelling4:23 Pitchers Nearing Returns: Jared Jones, Bryce Miller & Carlos Rodón10:25 Deeper League Considerations: Sean Burke & JT Ginn14:14 Holding Steady: Where Will Noah Schultz Rank?16:57 Good News on Skubal?20:07 Injury Updates: Crochet, Ragans, Glasnow Ryan, Abel, Woodruff24:45 Spencer Jones Gets the Call!29:10 Keeper Consideration — Anthony Eyanson34:11 JJ Bleday Tearing It Up with Reds39:10 Taste of the Majors: The Minnesota Dog!45:54 Closer Corner: Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & Baltimore52:53 Pleasant Surprises: What to Make of Liam Hicks?57:06 Will Warren is Cruising: Is the Strikeout Rate Bound to Fall? 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
Quantifying Deception & The Rays’ Fast Start
01:01:41|Eno, Trevor, and DVR unveil Trevor’s new deception model, digging into how it works, what it’s designed to measure, and the challenges of quantifying deception. They also break down the current leaders in deception among starters and relievers, and reveal where listeners can access the model (Hint: coming soon to Discord!). Later, they bring back How I’d Pitch This Guy with a look at Junior Caminero before shifting to the Rays’ rotation, focusing on Shane McClanahan and Griffin Jax.Rundown:1:15 Quantifying Deception: From 2016 to 20268:39 Current Kings of Deception: Top-Five Starting Pitchers for 20269:30 Current Kings of Deception: Top-Five Relief Pitchers for 202615:10 Looking to the Future: More Precision From Impact of Hitter's Vision?23:15 Deception Model Coming Soon to Discord!23:51 The Rays' 24-12 Start: What's Working Thus Far?26:04 Is the League Pitching the Rays Wrong?36:44 How I'd Pitch This Guy: Junior Caminero42:33 Starkville Sneak Peek44:38 Knocking the Rust Off: Shane McClanahan49:46 Getting Out of Rehab Mode54:37 Expectations for Griffin Jax as a StarterEno's FanGraphs Blog Post: https://blogs.fangraphs.com/an-attempt-to-quantify-pitcher-deception/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: Jed LowrieEditor: Jason Potere
Can the Tigers Survive the Absence of Tarik Skubal?
55:48|Eno, Britt, and DVR break down a Tarik Skubal-less Detroit Tigers and ask whether the team can stay afloat until the reigning AL Cy Young winner gets back. Then, the trio turns to the LA Angels — what's gone wrong for the organization, and is trading Mike Trout actually on the table? Later, Eno and DVR sit down with The Athletic's Phillies writer Matt Gelb to talk through a potential homecoming for the Philly native Trout.Rundown:3:55 Tarik Skubal to Have Elbow Surgery7:55 Can the Tigers Stay Afloat?13:54 Is the Bullpen Good Enough?18:08 More of the Same in Anaheim22:35 The Core Isn’t Bad!: Can It Improve Enough to Contend Though?29:40 Is Trading Mike Trout on the Table?37:06 Matt Gelb Joins the Show37:24 Mike Trout to the Phillies?39:47 The Phillies' Need for a Right-Handed Bat45:00 The Phillies' Bullpen: Where Have the Strikeouts Gone?46:56 Jesús Luzardo's Inconsistency49:08 Adjustment for Aaron Nola?53:12 Is Anything New in the Mattingly Era?Follow 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 May Roster Shuffle: Promotions & Demotions Aplenty
01:01:27|Eno and DVR break down the numerous promotions and demotions around MLB, including Bryce Eldridge and Joe Mack earning their calls to the big leagues, while Marlins catcher Agustín Ramírez and Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe head back to Triple-A. The guys also work through a wave of injuries around the league and discuss the passing of legendary broadcaster John Sterling.Rundown:2:00 Bryce Eldridge Recalled by Giants5:40 Are You Buying a Giants Rebound?11:07 Agustín Ramírez Gets Demoted15:12 Anthony Volpe Staying at Triple-A24:00 John Sterling Passes Away at 8725:58 Joe Ryan Sent for MRI29:24 Ronald Acuña Jr. to the IL32:33 Spencer Strider Returns at Coors Field on Sunday35:33 Griffin Canning’s Impressive Showing in Padres Debut39:16 Ranger Suárez is Day-to-Day43:48 Ryan Pepiot Out for Season (Hip Surgery)51:06 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