

Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball
The Athletic
Eno Sarris and Derek VanRiper, along with Britt Ghiroli, Trevor May, and Jed Lowrie discuss advanced stats, strategy, prospects and more. From the first move of the Hot Stove season to the final pitch of the World Series, join us for year-round baseball talk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 9, 2025 • 52min
Do Hitters Set Up Pitchers With Swing Decisions?
Eno, DVR, and Jed take a spin around the league as April injuries pile up, and take a deep dive into a matchup between José Ramírez and José Soriano from Friday's Guardians-Angels matchup. Plus, they answer a mailbag question inquiring about team's patience with switch hitters despite poor splits, inspired by Elly De La Cruz.Rundown1:06 Jackson Merrill to the IL; Early Exits for Fernando Tatis Jr. & Jake Cronenworth6:50 The Long-Term Maintenance From Previous Injuries10:20 An Update on Victor Robles' Shoulder Injury17:19 Other News & Notes: Matt McLain, Ketel Marte & Pablo López23:30 Should Every Monday Be an 'Off-Day'?26:40 Octavio Dotel Passes Away Following Nightclub Collapse27:56 Did José Ramírez Set Up José Soriano?37:59 Hitters Facing Pitchers Over Time44:42 Why Are Teams So Patient with Struggling Switch Hitters?Follow 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/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Jed LowrieProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 8, 2025 • 57min
A Very Busy Red Sox Spring w/Jen McCaffrey & Hunter Greene's Ace Case
Jen McCaffrey joins Eno and DVR to discuss a two-month stretch for the Red Sox that has been packed with a year's worth of storylines including the offseason odyssey of Rafael Devers following should injuries in 2024, the arrival of Alex Bregman, the debut and extension of Kristian Campbell, and much more. Plus, they look back at the showdown between two aces in San Francisco as Hunter Greene is laying the groundwork for another excellent season atop the Reds' rotation.Rundown1:02 Making Sense of Rafael Devers' Slow Start & Week 2 Turnaround7:40 Clubhouse Dynamics w/Alex Bregman's Arrival16:32 Kristian Campbell's Path to Opening Day & an Eight-Year Extension20:48 Questions Around the Boston Rotation27:35 Jarren Duran Opens Up About Mental Health Struggles31:39 Another Orioles Pitching Injury?36:56 Did We Underrate Hunter Greene's 2024 Breakout?52:14 Concerns About Christian Yelich's Sprint & Bat Speed?If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.socialFollow Jen on Bluesky: @jcmccaffrey.bsky.sociale-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Jen McCaffreyProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 7, 2025 • 1h 6min
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Gets a 14-Year, $500M Deal with the Blue Jays
Eno and DVR discuss the massive deal for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays -- 14 years, $500 million -- as extension season rolls further into April. They also wonder if the Jays will be able to supplement the face of their franchise effectively and snap a postseason losing streak that stretches back to 2016. Please participate in our listener survey! theathletic.com/athletic/survey25 (Three lucky entries will receive £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers!)Rundown4:47 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Gets 14-Year, $500M Deal w/Blue Jays10:31 What Else Will the Jays Do to Supplement the Roster Around Vlad?17:56 Chase Dollander's Debut; Zac Veen Promoted by Rockies26:52 Blake Snell to the IL with Shoulder Swelling30:28 Ketel Marte to the IL; Tim Tawa Promoted over Jordan Lawlar32:40 Other News & Notes: Nestor Cortes Jr., Sean Murphy & Iván Herrera45:08 Handling Slow Starts in the NFBC (and Elsewhere)51:05 Where the Money Went: Kyren Paris, Jake Mangum, 12-Team Starting Pitcher Targets & the Closer CarouselFollow 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/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 4, 2025 • 1h 1min
Freddie Freeman to the IL & Our April Breakout Pitchers Draft
Eno and DVR discuss a mishap that landed Freddie Freeman on the IL, a closer change in Pittsburgh with the demotion of David Bednar, a few heavily added players in ottoneu ahead of the weekend with Niv Shah, and their picks for an on-air, five-round pitcher breakout draft featuring several players that may be available in shallow leagues. Please participate in our listener survey! theathletic.com/athletic/survey25 (Three lucky entries will receive £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers!)Rundown2:16 Freddie Freeman to the IL5:40 David Bednar to Triple-A; Dennis Santana to Close in Pittsburgh?9:37 Camilo Doval Still the Fallback in San Francisco14:15 Odds & Ends: Zach Neto, Nestor Cortes Jr., Jordan Lawlar & Angel Genao18:14 Niv Shah Joins the Show! (The Philly Dog, Ottoneu Adds & Six Picks Roster Rates)35:39 Eno's Friday Draft: Late-Round Pitchers/Shallow League Waiver Draft55:07 Tomoyuki Sugano: Underrated by Projections?Follow 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/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 3, 2025 • 55min
Red Sox Extensions, The Year of the Kick-Change & Adjusting to Volpe
Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss another round of extensions as the Red Sox continue to secure long-term parts of their core with Garrett Crochet and Kristian Campbell inking new deals, Ketel Marte tacks on extra years with the D-backs, Jurickson Profar takes an 80-game suspension for a positive PED test as the Braves fall to 0-7, and Esteury Ruiz gets a fresh start with the Dodgers. Plus, we wonder if 2025 will be the year of the 'kick-change', and how pitchers might adjust to Anthony Volpe as his heat maps shift with the 'Torpedo' bat.Please participate in our listener survey! theathletic.com/athletic/survey25(Three lucky entries will receive £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers!)Rundown1:51 Garret Crochet: Inks a Six-Year Extension with Red Sox6:07 Kristian Campbell: Opts for Eight-Year Extension in Boston15:09 Ketel Marte: Adds Years in Arizona (Six-Year, $116.5M)21:42 Jurickson Profar: Suspended 80 Games for Positive PED Test25:43 A Look Back at Other 0-7 Starts30:58 A Fresh Start for Esteury Ruiz in Los Angeles36:07 2025: The Year of the Kick-Change?44:52 New Toys: Using Batter's Box Data & Bat Changes Against Hitters (How to Pitch to Anthony Volpe in 2025)52:59 Advanced Scouts and Player Acquisition Analysts: Asking Different Questions?Follow 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 MayProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 2, 2025 • 49min
Jackson Merrill's Extension, Rafael Devers' Slow Start & The Importance of Contact Point
Jed Lowrie makes his Rates & Barrels debut to join Eno and DVR and to discuss Jackson Merrill's nine-year extension with the Padres, Jed's trip to the season opening series in Japan between the Dodgers and Cubs, the early-season struggles of Rafael Devers, and hitters that have moved their contact point up (toward the pitcher) thus far in 2025. Please participate in our listener survey! theathletic.com/athletic/survey25 (Three lucky entries will receive £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers!)Rundown1:40 Jackson Merrill Gets Paid!6:47 Jed’s Takeaways from Opening Series Trip to Japan16:00 Changing and Experimenting with Bats22:43 Why the 'Torpedo' Bat Hasn't Taken Off Sooner25:19 Rafael Devers' Slow Start to 202534:04 Players Who Have Moved Their Contact Point Up (Toward Pitcher)Follow 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/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Jed LowrieProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 1, 2025 • 43min
Keenan Long of LongBall Labs talks Torpedo Bats & Much More
Eno is joined by Keenan Long of LongBall Labs to talk everything bats. He talks about the process of finding the right bat for a player, the different types of bats & handles, the sudden rise of the torpedo bat, what's in the future for bats and much more.Please participate in our listener survey! theathletic.com/athletic/survey25 (Three lucky entries will receive £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers!)Rundown1:01 Process of finding the right bat for players5:41 Common bat terminology 16:09 Different types of bats19:24 Torpedo Bat breaks out & what's the give and take of the bat25:40 Increased data has cause bat changes31:08 Different types of handles on bats33:06 What's in the future for bat technology39:07 Torpedo bats have been around Follow 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/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Eno SarrisProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 31, 2025 • 54min
Torpedo Bats, A Yankees Home-Run Parade & First Weekend Takeaways
Eno and DVR discuss a weekend filled with homers in the Bronx, 'Torpedo' bats, Mookie Betts' two-homer game and other takeaways from the first weekend of the 2025 season. Plus, an early look at bat speed risers and fallers, and where the money was spent in pursuit of fantasy baseball roster upgrades this weekend.Please participate in our listener survey! theathletic.com/athletic/survey25 (Three lucky entries will receive £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers!)Rundown4:37 Rule 3.02: Bats10:07 An Attempt to Properly Account for the Impact of the 'Torpedo' Bat in Yankees-Brewers series14:05 Mookie Betts' Surprising Two-Homer Game19:27 Colton Cowser's Thumb Injury; Opportunity for Heston Kjerstad27:08 Spencer Strider Progresses in Rehab Assignment31:59 How Many PAs to Determine Bat Speed Changes?42:47 Where the Money Went -- Weekend Fantasy Baseball PickupsFollow 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/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 29, 2025 • 1h 38min
Ben Clemens of FanGraphs Joins us Live from Barebottle Brewing
Eno, Trevor, and DVR are live for Day 2 from Barebottle Brewing in San Francisco. Ben Clemens of FanGraphs joins them for this show. They break down some of the box score fun things they saw from Opening Day, standout pitching performances from the opener, what they are looking forward to this season, and awards predictions for the upcoming season. Please participate in our listener survey! theathletic.com/athletic/survey25 (Three lucky entries will receive £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers!)Follow 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 MayProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 28, 2025 • 1h 56min
Opening Day Thoughts & Predictions Live From Barebottle Brewing
Eno, Trevor, and DVR are live from Barebottle Brewing in San Francisco on Opening Day of baseball in the US. They break down some of the big games from Opening Day and give their predictions on each division and who is going to win the World Series. Please participate in our listener survey! theathletic.com/athletic/survey25 (Three lucky entries will receive £/$100 worth of Amazon vouchers!)Rundown0:57 Wilmer Flores' Go Ahead Homer & Early Opening Takeaways15:23 NL West Predictions27:18 NL Central Predictions38:29 NL East Predictions48:18 A Toast of Kayaker's Cove w/Barebottle Co-Founder Lester Koga55:01 AL West Predictions1:04:51 AL Central Predictions1:16:48 AL East Predictions1:26:53 Postseason Predictions1:29:50 Listener Questionse-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Trevor MayProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


