
Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball The Strike Zone is Shrinking
Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss the strike zone, which is shrinking in 2025. They dig into why that changes have taken place and consider a few implications of that adjustment. Plus, they look at a trio of underperforming starting pitchers through the first month of the season including Zac Gallen, who may have started a turnaround Thursday against the Mets, Sandy Alcántara, and Aaron Nola.
Story from Jayson Stark, Ken Rosenthal, Eno & several writers from The Athletic MLB team ($): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6328105
Rundown
2:32 Is The Strike Zone Really Shrinking?
4:36 Where Is The Strike Zone Getting Smaller?
13:23 Adjusting the Game to Increase Offense & Balls in Play
20:52 Walk Rates Don't Fluctuate Much
29:59 Zac Gallen: Adjustments Already Happening?
38:16 Sandy Alcántara: A Typical Post Tommy John Command Lag?
45:14 Aaron Nola: Is the Ceiling Coming Down Again?
52:00 Eno's Greatest Fear
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.social
Follow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.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: Trevor May
Producer: Brian Smith
Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
