Eno and DVR discuss the pros (and a few potential cons) of playing in keeper leagues and how long-term formats can make you a better redraft league player. Plus, they consider the ceiling and 2025 redraft ADP of Jackson Chourio, the recent struggles of David Bednar, a big move up for the White Sox's system in Baseball America's midseason rankings update, and a few weekend waiver-wire targets.Rundown1:34 Biases That Can Develop From Keeper/Dynasty Leagues7:00 How Keeper Leagues Make You a Better Redraft Player16:29 Jackson Chourio's Ceiling & 2025 Redraft ADP Outlook29:36 Concern About Lars Nootbaar's Playing Time?35:58 What Has Happened to David Bednar?39:30 Maybe the White Sox's Future Isn't Awful?45:02 The Angels' Long-Term Outlook50:13 Weekend Waiver Preview (Hitters)1:01:15: Tyler Mahle, Spencer Arrighetti & DJ HerzFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us on Thursdays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes!Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Blake Snell's return to Cy Snell levels since coming back from the injured list, DVR, Eno and Trevor discuss how teams should game plan against him during the final two months of the season. Plus, they examine some of the biggest surprises among position players in 2024, and the recent uptick in sinker usage around the league. Plus, they discuss the White Sox's decision to part ways with manager Pedro Grifol, the possibility of MLB players in the 2028 Olympics, and more.Rundown1:15 Pedro Grifol Fired as White Sox Manager; Evaluating Managers on Bad Teams7:37 Typical Player-Manager Interactions15:00 How Will MLB Approach Baseball in the 2028 Olympics?25:02 The Game Plan: How Do You Prepare to Face Blake Snell42:38 Pleasant Surprises of 2024: Brenton Doyle50:57 Tyler Fitzgerald's 8.0 fWAR Pace54:37 Brent Rooker's Step Forward From 20231:01:03 What Has Led to the Uptick in Sinker Usage This Season?1:06:20 Notable In-Season Bat Speed IncreasesFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Trevor on Twitter: @IamTrevorMaySubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Trevor MayProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno, DVR and Britt consider several options for the 'Best Team in Baseball' title, with just under two months before the playoffs. Plus, they discuss the White Sox as the current titleholder for 'Worst Team in Baseball' honors amidst the team's 21-game losing streak and wonder how things turned for the worse so quickly on the south side of Chicago where the future looked bright just four years ago.Rundown4:07 Who Is The Best Team in Baseball Right Now?12:48 The Injury-Based Case for the Dodgers21:13 Questions About the Yankees' Bullpen25:24 What About the Royals?!33:05 Eno Takes a Trip Down Narrative Street37:16 The White Sox Are the Worst Team in Baseball48:40 Eno's Case for the Rockies55:58 Have the A's Escaped This Conversation?Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Britt on Twitter: @Britt_Ghirolie-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us Thursday at 1p ET/10a PT for our weekly live episode with Trevor May!Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris & Britt GhiroliExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss Blake Snell's no-hitter, the path for Snell to opt out of his current deal with the Giants and get a longer contract this winter, and their approach with Max Scherzer in keeper/dynasty leagues, the recent struggles of Tanner Houck, and a busy weekend for pickups with Jackson Holliday and Coby Mayo leading the way in bidding where available. Rundown0:50 Blake Snell Throws a No-Hitter Against the Reds7:33 An Intriguing Class of Free-Agent Pitchers On Tap11:59 Is Max Scherzer a Drop in Shallow Dynasty & Keeper Leagues?18:57 Making Sense of Tanner Houck's Recent Struggles27:02 Why Isn't Randy Vásquez Getting Better Results?36:35 Will Jeffrey Springs' Velocity Return Before the End of 2024?44:51 Calvin Faucher & Victor Vodnik Getting Save Chances?48:02 Jackson Holliday & Coby Mayo Join the O's Regular Lineup52:31 Does Jordan Westburg Have Another Level?Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us on Thursdays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes!Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss the difficulty of trading for top-end prospects -- in fantasy and reality -- and whether we should pay extra attention to the players on the move despite the likelihood that they're not top-100 prospects at the time they are traded. Plus, they look at opportunities for Jackson Holliday and Coby Mayo in Baltimore, changes to a few depth charts coming out of the Trade Deadline, and Hayden Birdsong's return to the rotation for the Giants with Alex Cobb traded to Cleveland.Rundown2:17 Should We Care More About the Prospects Traded at the Deadline?9:47 The Arc of Jasson Dominguez’s Prospect Ranking13:25 Did the Padres ‘Hack’ Age-to-Level Models?19:50 Any Intriguing Prospects That Entered Your Radar This Summer?25:32 Jackson Holliday & Coby Mayo Promoted This Week37:19 The Rays’ Depth Chart is Still a Cluster47:44 Will Miguel Vargas Make a Fantasy Impact with the White Sox?55:51 Kyle Stowers & the Miami Opportunity Machine1:05:59 Hayden Birdsong & Marco Luciano Stock Up?Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us on Thursdays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes!Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno, DVR and Trevor discuss the best pitching staffs in baseball coming out of the 2024 Trade Deadline -- comparing the Stuff+ and WAR projections to effectiveness through the first four months of the season. Are the Phillies still an elite playoff staff? Will the Dodgers sort out their best rotation options before October? Does the crew have any faith in the Guardians or Royals staffs?Rundown2:26 Ranking the Best Pitching Staffs in Baseball by Stuff+6:09 Disconnect Between Twins' Rotation Results and Projections v. Model Output13:45 How Does the O's Top-Three Compare to Other Likely Playoff Teams?18:01 The Phillies Still Look Great, Especially at the Top with Zack Wheeler & Aaron Nola22:55 The Bullpen Depth Goes a Long Way in the Postseason to Mask Flaws of No. 3 and 4 Starters27:56 Do We Have Faith in the Guardians or Royals' Staffs?34:06 Is Everyone Sleeping on the Astros?36:42 The Worst Pitches of 2024 (So Far)55:00 Manipulating iVB on Fastballs to Keep Hitters Off-Balance?1:01:13 Pitchers Employing Different Approaches Impacting Home/Road SplitsFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Trevor on Twitter: @IamTrevorMayJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us at 1p ET/10a PT on Thursday, August 8th for our next livestream!Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHost: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Trevor MayProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno, DVR and Britt recap the final moves leading into the 2024 MLB Trade Deadline including the Astros' addition of Yusei Kikuchi, the Padres' continued push to improve their roster with another bullpen upgrade in Tanner Scott, Jack Flaherty's move to the Dodgers, and a busy Trade Deadline window for the Rays and Marlins, who cashed in at an opportune time as sellers.Rundown2:54 Yusei Kikuchi to the Astros in a Four-Player Swap6:17 Tanner Scott to the Padres in a Large Trade with Miami9:15 Trevor Rogers to the O's as Part of Marlins' Massive Deadline19:45 Lane Thomas to the Guardians25:37 Jack Flaherty to the Dodgers30:13 The Rays and Marlins As Deadline Winners From Selling Position37:51 Which Buyers Did Well?44:23 Lucas Erceg and Bullpen Arms on the Move52:10 Surprised the Angels Didn't Deal Away More Players?1:00:53 Puzzling DeadlinesFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Britt on Twitter: @Britt_Ghirolie-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us Thursday at 1p ET/10a PT for our weekly live episode with Trevor May!Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris & Britt GhiroliExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss the heavy activity in the week leading up to the MLB Trade Deadline (Tuesday, 6p ET) including Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the Yankees, Randy Arozarena to the Mariners, Isaac Paredes to the Cubs, and much more. Rundown2:16 Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the Yankees9:17 Randy Arozarena to the mariners14:45 Isaac Paredes to the Cubs24:31 A Three-Team Blockbuster with the Cardinals, Dodgers & White Sox42:20 Zach Eflin to the Orioles45:09 Carlos Estévez to the Phillies50:25 Quinn Priester to the Red Sox for Nick Yorke58:18 A.J. Puk to the D-backs for Deyvison De Los Santos (and Andrew Pintar)Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us on at 5:30p ET on Tuesday for our Trade Deadline Livestream!Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

DVR and Trevor discuss the rapidly-changing Trade Deadline needs of the Brewers and Mariners in the face of recent injuries to Christian Yelich and Julio Rodríguez. Plus, they’ll examine the Trade Deadline opportunities for the Rays and Padres to re-shape their rosters in the final 2024 installment of ‘At the Fork’. Then, they’ll check in on the Rookie of the Year races in both leagues, before featuring this week’s Game Plan segment: How to Pitch to Bobby Witt Jr.Rundown1:02 Christian Yelich to Visit with Spine Specialist4:26 Robbie Ray Pitches Well in 2024 Debut8:17 Julio Rodríguez & J.P. Crawford Injuries Impacting M's Deadline Plans?15:34 The Clubhouse Impact of the Trade Deadline20:05 Could the Rays Move Veterans & Remain in the Playoff Picture?25:53 What Will the Padres Add In Their 2024 Deadline Push30:32 Paul Skenes is Great, and This NL Rookie Class is Loaded35:38 A Wide Open Rookie of the Year Race in the AL44:02 The Game Plan: Pitching to Bobby Witt Jr.Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Trevor on Twitter: @IamTrevorMayJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us at 1p ET/10a PT on Thursday 8/1 for our next livestream!Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHost: Derek VanRiperWith: Trevor MayProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Britt and DVR look back the approach of a few recent teams that made it to the World Series and discuss the value of making smaller moves that still make an impact without being a splashy mid-season blockbuster. Can the 2021 Trade Deadline plan of the Braves be replicated as a template, or was it a perfect storm? Rundown4:22 Recent World Series Teams' Trade Deadlines14:42 The Perfect Deadline? Atlanta's 2021 Approach20:09 Standing Pat v. Looking to the Future25:29 The 2024 Hall of Fame Class41:39 Key Series as Teams Try to Pick a Lane44:45 Why Are the Cubs Content to Look to 2025?49:33 The Astros' Desire for a 'Star' First BasemanFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Britt on Twitter: @Britt_Ghirolie-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.comJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeJoin us Thursday at 1p ET/10a PT for our weekly live episode with Trevor May!Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Britt GhiroliExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices