The Athletic

Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

Sports EN ↓ 1057 episodes

In baseball, numbers are everywhere. But they’re not just numbers. For Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris, they’re the keys to solving the most fun problem in sports. Every weekday, join DVR and Eno as they unpack baseball in ways you’ve never heard before, endeavoring to figure out all they can about a sport that’s constantly changing. Alongside contributors Britt Ghiroli, Trevor May and Jed Lowrie, the Rates & Barrels crew breaks down all the latest MLB news through an analytical lens, feeding your unhealthy addiction to numbers, while helping you master your fantasy baseball GM skills. But wait,...

Author

The Athletic

Category

Sports

Podcast website

www.nytimes.com

Latest episode

Jul 11, 2026

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Episodes

A Strange Second Day of the MLB Season & Tough Hitter Ranks w/Mike Petriello (Live at Other Half Brewing -- Domino Park) 22.03.2024

Eno and DVR are live in Brooklyn for their second show at Other Half Brewing to discuss a slugfest in Game 2 of the Dodgers-Padres series in Korea and a developing story around the swift firing of Shohei Ohtani's interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Plus, they're joined by Mike Petriello of MLB.com to discuss several groups of tough hitters to rank, and much more before an excellent round of listener ques...

Baseball is Back! More Tough Pitcher Rankings (Live at Other Half Brewing -- Domino Park) 21.03.2024

Eno and DVR are live in Brooklyn and joined by several friends as the 2024 MLB season is underway! Guests include Nick Pollack of Pitcher List, Niv Shah of Ottoneu, Chris Towers of CBS Fantasy and Ellen Adair from the Take Me In to the Ballgame podcast, and several great listener questions! Rundown 0:45 What Are We Trying to Learn From One-Game Samples & Early-Season Baseball? 10:30 Nick Polla...

Another Closer Injury & Tough Pitcher Rankings 19.03.2024

Eno and DVR discuss Jhoan Duran's oblique injury and the short-term pecking order for saves for the Twins during his absence before discussing some of the most difficult pitchers (and groups of pitchers) to rank in 2024.  Rundown 1:15 Jhoan Duran: Headed to IL with Oblique Strain 5:25 Pitchers with Uncertain Health Situations (Eury Pérez, Gerrit Cole, Kyle Bradish) 13:26 Future Aces with Short MLB...

Eury Pérez, TJ Friedl, Josh Lowe Injury Updates & Tough Hitter Rankings 18.03.2024

Eno and DVR discuss another busy weekend filled with injury news including elbow soreness for Eury Pérez, a fractured wrist for TJ Friedl, and an IL stint to begin 2024 for Josh Lowe. Plus, they dig into several tough hitter rankings as draft season heats up.  Rundown 2:58 Eury Pérez: Dealing with Sore Elbow 7:08 TJ Friedl: Out with Fractured Wrist 11:33: Josh Lowe: Will Open Season on IL 16:26 Ky...

Gerrit Cole Update, Blake Snell Linked to Astros, New Faces in New Places, Deep Dive Into Curveballs 15.03.2024

Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss the latest news on Gerrit Cole’s elbow injury, the Astros’ interest in Blake Snell, the best rotations in baseball, and several new faces in new places, before digging into curveballs, and taking a few viewer/listener questions.  Rundown 0:55 Gerrit Cole: No UCL Tear Detected 7:20 Blake Snell: Astros Interested? 8:45 Best Rotations in Baseball Right Now New Faces in Ne...

Dylan Cease to the Padres, Devin Williams' Back Injury & Swing v. Take Decisions in The Shadow Zone 14.03.2024

Eno and DVR discuss the trade that sent Dylan Cease to the Padres, the impact of a significant injury for Brewers closer Devin Williams, the increasing possibility of an early-season opportunity for Victor Scott II in St. Louis, and swing decisions in 'The Shadow Zone'. Rundown 5:20 Dylan Cease Traded to the Padres 10:01 Assessing the White Sox's Return 14:10 Buying the Similarities Between Dylan...

Position Player Walk Years, Disagreements Between Projections & Jackson Merrill Gets a Plane Ticket 13.03.2024

Eno and DVR discuss Eno's recent story examining the tendencies of position players in their walk year, disagreements across projection systems and how to work through those differences (and when to target players with projection systems agreement). Plus, they discuss Junior Caminero getting sent to Triple-A to begin the season, Jackson Merrill's upcoming flight to Korea, an injury for Taj Bradley...

Cole & Judge Injuries, Mixed LABR Draft Strategies and Projections Pushback w/Mike Gianella 12.03.2024

DVR is joined by Mike Gianella of Baseball Prospectus to discuss a busy weekend of news and notes including MRIs for Gerrit Cole and Aaron Judge (among others), an 80-game PED suspension for Noelvi Marte, and more. Plus, they discuss their strategies from the 15-team Mixed LABR draft in which Mike built a roster around a power-heavy base and DVR opted for a 'Pocket Aces' build.  Rundown 2:06 Gerri...

The Pitching Injury Problem, Catching Targets, Altering Pitch Shapes & Slider/Sweeper Deep-Dive 08.03.2024

Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss Eno's co-authored story with Ken Rosenthal about the ongoing concern regarding pitcher injuries as velocity and breaking ball usage continues to increase. Plus, they examine the Rays' use of a relatively simple approach to maximize the effectiveness of their pitchers, and how some pitchers like the Cubs' Justin Steele alter the shape of a smaller arsenal to keep hitter...

2024 Team Previews: Braves, Phillies & Mets 07.03.2024

Eno and DVR finish up their 2024 Team Preview series with the Braves, Phillies, and Mets. What's next for the Atlanta lineup after an excellent 2023 that featured five players among the league's 20 biggest risers in wRC+? With quality young pitching depth, is the rotation stronger than ever behind Spencer Strider, Max Fried, and Chris Sale? Will the Phillies get even more from Trea Turner during h...

2024 Team Previews: Red Sox, Marlins & Nationals 05.03.2024

Eno and DVR continue their Team Preview series with the Red Sox, Marlins and Nationals. Can the Red Sox's lineup produce enough to cover the potential shortcoming of their pitching staff? Will the Marlins' young rotation find enough quality innings in a season without Sandy Alcantara? As the Nats' rebuild continues, how long will we have to wait before James Wood and Dylan Crews enter the mix in W...

Acuña Injury Watch, March Movers, Zack Wheeler Extension & Matt Chapman to the Giants 04.03.2024

Eno and DVR discuss a busy weekend of news including further examination of Ronald Acuña Jr.'s surgically-repaired knee, shoulder fatigue for Kevin Gausman, Zack Wheeler's extension with the Phillies, Matt Chapman's three-year deal with the Giants, a pair of big March movers in recent drafts, and the increasingly complicated playing time situations in Baltimore and Cincinnati.  Rundown 1:31 More K...

Statcast Bat Tracking, Blake Snell's Big Misses, Spencer Strider's Curveball & Cutter Deep Dive 01.03.2024

Eno, Trevor and DVR discuss Statcast's new Bat Tracking technology and the potential benefits of having that information as it becomes publicly available in 2024. Plus, they discuss Blake Snell as a free agent still available in March in a league desperate for quality starting pitchers, the importance of Spencer Strider's developing curveball, the challenges of getting ready for an earlier Opening...

2024 Team Previews: Blue Jays, Rays & Orioles 01.03.2024

Eno and DVR continue their Team Preview series with the Blue Jays, Rays, and Orioles, three teams in the AL East with very little separation in projected wins. All three clubs are loaded with intriguing players, and plenty of mid-round and late-round targets to consider. Can you trust Yusei Kikuchi's walk rate improvement from last season? Will Taj Bradley put the pieces together for a complete se...

2024 Team Previews: Yankees, Royals & White Sox 28.02.2024

Eno and DVR continue their Team Preview series with the Yankees, Royals and White Sox. With the addition of Juan Soto to the lineup, will the Yankees make good on their projection and win the AL East in 2024? Can Clarke Schmidt find a solution against left-handed hitters? Are we buying another improvement in the Royals' young group of hitters? Is there any help coming through the system to bolster...

Cody Bellinger Goes Back to the Cubs, Spring Games Begin, & Working Backward for Draft Strategy 26.02.2024

Eno and DVR discuss Cody Bellinger's return to the Cubs on a short contract with multiple opt-outs, the start of TGFBI, a busy first weekend of spring action that featured a lot of new pitches, and a lot of information about velocity and iVB changes. Plus, they dig into the importance of working backwards when building out draft-day roster construction plans.  Rundown 5:32 Cody Bellinger Re-Signs...

What to Watch in Spring Training Games, Two-Seam Fastball 23.02.2024

Eno, Trevor and DVR discuss an unusual day at Phillies camp, superstitious teammates, and what to look for in spring training games. Plus, they continue the deep dive pitching series with a detailed look at two-seam fastballs/sinkers, before discussing a few challenges organizations have getting coaching staffs on the same page in player development. Rundown 1:38 A Rough Day in Phillies Camp 7:26...

2024 Team Previews: Twins, Guardians & Tigers 22.02.2024

After discussing a few spring news items, Eno and DVR return to their Team Preview series to break down the Twins, Guardians, and Tigers. Will the Twins' position player core take a leap forward with a full season of Royce Lewis at third base? Is the Twins' pitching depth and bullpen good enough to withstand the loss of Sonny Gray from the rotation? How much will the Guardians lean on Kyle Manzard...

2024 Team Previews: Cardinals, Cubs & Brewers 20.02.2024

Eno and DVR return to their Team Preview series to break down the Cardinals, Cubs, and Brewers. Will the Cards' loaded lineup be able to outhit their shaky starting pitching? Are the Cubs preparing to lean on a group of young players to fill a few remaining gaps in their lineup? How will the Brewers' pitching fare following the Corbin Burnes trade and with Brandon Woodruff likely unavailable in 20...

Eno's Case for Elly De La Cruz, Pitcher Injury Risk Considerations, and Spring News & Notes 19.02.2024

Eno and DVR discuss a few takeaways from Eno's squad in the Bay Area Rotisserie Fantasy League before digging into the latest round of news as spring training is in full swing. With a lot of positive injury news around recently hampered players, how should you adjust your plans as ADP begins to reflect improved spring health? Rundown 0:50 Eno's Case for Elly De La Cruz 8:10 Recapping Eno's BARF Le...

Getting to Know Trevor May, Making Sense of Spring News & A Deep Dive Into Four-Seam Fastballs 16.02.2024

Trevor May makes his Rates & Barrels hosting debut, joining Eno and DVR to discuss missteps with the new MLB uniforms, wearing other people's pants, unusual self-designed training regiments, and the difficultly of processing news when the flood of information happens at the outset of spring training. Plus, Eno & Trevor do a deep dive into four-seam fastballs, before a round of listener Q&a...

2024 Team Previews: Dodgers, Reds & Pirates 15.02.2024

Eno and DVR discuss a flurry of news updates from Orioles camp before continuing their Team Preview series, looking at the Dodgers, Reds and Pirates. Is it possible that the Dodgers are slightly underprojected even as a 101-win team in PECOTA? Will the Reds' young pitching stay healthy and deliver enough for them to contend for the NL Central? Can the Pirates turn the corner sooner than expected w...

A Giant Power Boost, Spring Moves, Draft Season Risers & Fallers + Show News! 13.02.2024

Eno and DVR share some show-related news and discuss Jorge Soler to the Giants, a recent swap between the Twins and Marlins, catcher additions for the Brewers and Pirates, and a few spring items to watch for the Rays. Plus, they examine a few risers and fallers among pitchers since the start of draft season in the fall.  Rundown 0:49 Show Announcements! Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://ww...

2024 Team Previews: Diamondbacks, Padres & Giants 12.02.2024

Eno and DVR continue their Team Preview series, looking at the three teams projected to finish in the middle three spots in the NL West -- the Diamondbacks, Padres, and Giants. Will Arizona's offseason upgrades be enough for them to return to the playoffs in 2024? Can the Padres rebound after sending Juan Soto to the Yankees in a blockbuster trade in December? Is there a reasonable path forward fo...

Choosing & Building the Right Fantasy Baseball Leagues in 2024 08.02.2024

There is an infinite number of ways to play fantasy baseball, so what factors should you consider when joining or creating a league?  Eno and DVR discuss some of the basic elements of building or finding a league to play in, as well as a few 2024-specific strategy considerations to keep in mind in the face of MLB's 2023 rule changes and the resulting impact on the run environment.  Rundown 1:40 Ho...

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