Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

Eno and DVR discuss Ronel Blanco's sticky-stuff suspension, Austin Riley's quiet start and recent injury, another opportunity for Luis Matos in San Francisco, and the bullpen woes of the Cubs before digging into the early struggles of many prospect pitchers, and a few waiver-wire targets to consider as the weekend approaches.Rundown1:29 Ronel Blanco's Sticky-Stuff Suspension7:38 Austin Riley's Side Injury; Slow Start11:39 Jung Hoo Lee: Structural Damage in Shoulder19:26 Adbert Alzolay to the IL; Searching for Answers in the Cubs' Bullpen27:39 Still Waiting on Junior Caminero33:16 Heston Kjerstad Usage & Demotion to Triple-A44:37 A Look at the Early Struggles of Many Pitching Prospects54:57 Weekend Waiver-Wire ConsiderationsFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes!Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno, DVR and Britt discuss baseball's aim to preserve starting pitchers. How much of a problem is the current use of starting pitchers compared to the past? With injury rates on the rise, what rule changes and tweaks make sense? Will small changes to move the game slightly in the direction of previous era's pitcher usage cause other problems? Plus, they discuss Britt's recent story about a partnership between Perfect Game and Fanatics, and former big leaguer Travis Snider's efforts to improve youth sports. Rundown1:13 The Starting Pitcher 'Problem'6:55 Big Changes in the Last 10 Years11:15 Incentivizing Pitching Deeper Into Starts16:39 The Difficult of Getting Everyone on Board with New Rules20:00 DVR Blames the Reliance on Short Relievers26:40 Reducing the Fifth Inning Exits When a Starter is Dealing31:37 Why Don't Starters Try to 'Save' Velocity for Later Innings?42:46 Britt's Story About the Concerning Perfect Game-Fanatics Partnership48:52 Travis Snider's Efforts to Improve Youth SportsFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Britt on Twitter: @Britt_Ghrolie-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes!Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss Paul Skenes' MLB debut against the Cubs before digging into ways they are utilizing the new bat tracking and bat speed leaderboards from Statcast, including a few players to consider targeting via trade. Rundown1:45 Takeaways From Paul Skenes' Debut & Unexpected Comp13:39 New Bat Tracking & Bat Speed Leaderboards from Statcast!https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/bat-tracking19:27 How Should We Apply Bat Speed Information?25:47 'Squared Up' vs. 'Blasts'27:59 Players to Target40:14 A Tool to Use for 'Buy High' Players?44:44 Learning From Good Players Without 'Ideal' Swing Speed & Length52:11 Robert Gasser's Debut & Where the Money Went1:04:13 Other Bids & Frequently Dropped PlayersFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno, Trevor and DVR discuss an all-time no-hitter jinx, Willson Contreras' injury and the sharp increase in catcher's interference around baseball, pitchers going through role changes in 2024 -- and who they would like to see make a switch in the future -- plus their game plan for hitters facing Pirates pitcher Jared Jones.Rundown1:30 An All-Time Great No-Hitter Jinx?5:48 Willson Contreras' Injury & The Rise of Catcher's Interference15:05 Maybe Just Stop Erasing the Batter's Box?19:48 Is It Time to Regular the Sliding Mitt?25:41 Switching Roles Between Starting & Relieving31:41 Adrian Morejón & Needing to Fix Splits Before Becoming a Starter?36:00 From Long Relief to the Rotation (Bryse Wilson)40:53 Luke Weaver's Success in the Bullpen52:06 Game Planning to Hit Jared JonesFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow Trevor on Twitter: @IamTrevorMayFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes!Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss the highly-anticipated debut of Paul Skenes, set for Saturday against the Cubs, before digging into a deep list of news items including an injury for Christian Encarnacion-Strand, a quick return to Nashville for Tyler Black following Christian Yelich's activation from the IL, Taj Bradley's return to health, and the triumphant return of Prospect of the Week. Rundown0:57 Paul Skenes is Joining the Pirates! Rest of Season Expectations?9:14 Christian Encarnacion-Strand: On IL with Fractured Wrist20:06 Christian Yelich's Return Bumps Tyler Black Back to Triple-A26:50 Finding Replacements for Willson Contreras (Fractured Forearm)30:22 A Setback for Max Scherzer33:31 The Rays' Rotation Shuffle: Taj Bradley is Back, Ryan Pepiot to the IL, Shane Baz at Triple-A on Rehab Assignment46:13 Braxton Garrett: Tread Carefully Upon Activation?49:42 Project Prospect: Bryan Ramos, Rhett Lowder, Mason Black & Parker Meadows60:11 Other Waiver Targets to Consider: Jonny DeLuca, Again!Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes!youtube.com/c/ratesbarrelsSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno, DVR and Britt discuss Walker Buehler's return to the Dodgers' rotation before digging into the four contenders in the AL Central to assess each team's current strengths and weaknesses. Plus, they share a few players they underestimated in the past. Rundown0:51 Walker Buehler Returns to the Dodgers' Rotation4:04 Forays Into Free Agency After Two Tommy John Surgeries10:57 Buying the Guardians' Early Uptick in Offensive Output?21:32 Weathering Early Injuries In Minnesota26:15 If Nothing Else, The Royals Are Interesting Again33:11 Can the Tigers Fix Their Struggling Hitters?45:02 Players We Were Wrong About (Exceeded Expectations)Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Britt on Twitter: @Britt_Ghrolie-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes!Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss the five-player trade that sent Luis Arraez to the Padres, the Marlins' return from the trade, a few hitters that made significant moves up in DVR's updated hitter rankings, and how aggressively Christian Scott was pursued in weekly leagues after an impressive weekend debut against the Rays. Rundown3:35 Luis Arraez Traded to the Padres8:05 Dillon Head & Betting on Best Long-Term Outcome19:56 Injuries News & Notes: Trea Turner, Joe Musgrove, Wyatt Langford, Christian Yelich, Grayson Rodriguez31:46 Is Robert Gasser the Next Pitching Prospect to Get the Call?36:23 A Few Big Risers in DVR's Updated Hitter Rankings($): https://theathletic.com/5344859/44:59 Christian Scott & Massive Weekend Bids59:59 Frequently Dropped Players From The WeekendFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes!https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrelsSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno, Trevor and DVR discuss Christian Scott ahead of his debut against the Rays, and four surprising starting pitchers that have put up great numbers over the first month-plus of the season. They also examine the unique challenges of hitting in Seattle -- and try to determine why the park consistently boosts strikeouts -- before building a game plan to pitch to Elly De La Cruz.Rundown1:10 Christian Scott Debuting Saturday3:45 Jack Flaherty: Career-Best K%, BB% & SwStr%!14:07 Spencer Turnbull: Can He Maintain the Elevated K%?21:48 Tanner Houck’s Breakout29:38 Is Zack Littell’s Approach Meshing Well in Tampa?35:42 What Makes Hitting in Seattle So Difficult?55:15 Building a Game Plan: Elly De La CruzFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow Trevor on Twitter: @IamTrevorMayFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes!Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss several news items including a trip to the IL for Grayson Rodriguez, the return of two other Baltimore starters, more knee trouble for Byron Buxton, and several rehabbing pitchers. Plus, they examine the missing power from Ronald Acuña Jr. this season, strength of schedule considerations, and several players to consider as waiver-wire targets as the weekend approaches.Rundown4:53 News & Notes: Grayson Rodriguez, John Means, Byron Buxton12:48 Suspensions & Rehab Updates: Shane Baz, Taj Bradley & Walker Buehler20:11 Ronald Acuña Jr.'s Currently Missing Power25:13 Factors to Consider in Strength of Schedule30:52 Fluctuations in Lineup Quality Due to Absences35:08 Toughest Stuff+ Faced This Season41:57 Project Prospect: Tyler Black, Jordan Beck, Jackson Jobe, Paul Skenes & Heston Kjerstad57:24 Weekend Waiver Preview: Wenceel Pérez, Nick Senzel, Jacob Young & Pitching Darts/Matchup PlaysFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes!Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno, DVR and Britt discuss Mike Trout's knee injury, José Abreu's demotion to West Palm Beach, the Twins' unusual home-run celebration, and the newest additions to the City Connect uniform lineup, before taking a look at the Nationals' current rebuilding efforts. Rundown1:12 Mike Trout Has a Torn Meniscus; Looked Like He Was 'Back'. Before Injury9:46 José Abreu Optioned to rookie-level West Palm Beach18:09 Bring Food to Home-Run Celebrations?22:22 Thoughts on Mets, Rays City Connects29:49 How Far Along Is the Nats' Rebuild?45:21 Early-Season Series of Note: O's-Yankees, Rays-Brewers & Dodgers-D-backsFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Britt on Twitter: @Britt_Ghrolie-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes!Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices