Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

Eno and DVR discuss the latest changes to the baseball, hitters with improved strikeout rates in the first half of 2020, relievers with the potential to become starters, and more.Rundown0:47 How Much Should We Weight Fantasy Performance in 2020?12:34 The Baseball Has Changed (Again)20:21 Hitters with Improved Strikeout Rates24:01 A Brandon Lowe Breakout in Progress?28:53 What Do Teams Care About in Small Samples?37:42 Relievers with Future Potential as Starters45:50 Who Stole Dustin May's Strikeouts?50:36 Choosing Between Jose Berrios & Zac Gallen Long Term55:25 Devin Williams' Changeup60:24 Is Brad Keller the Real Deal?Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.comGet 40% off a subscription to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsInterested in picking up a Dugout Mug? Go to dugoutmugs.com/TheAthletic and use promo code “MLB30" for 30% off your first purchase! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Britt & DVR discuss the elevated ratings for early-season baseball, the continued promotion of top prospects -- including Joey Bart and Sixto Sanchez -- Slam Diego, a Subway Series on hold and what they're looking forward to seeing on the field this weekend.Rundown2:36 Baseball Consumption is Up!10:22 The Youth Movement Continues20:17 Difficulties with Player Development at Alternate Sites25:47 Slam Diego & A Challenge for Trade Deadline Buyers33:40 Mets-Yankees Weekend Series Postponed41:23 Thom Brennaman's Homophobic Slur & Failed Apology51:22 What We’re Looking Forward to This WeekendFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow Britt on Twitter: @Britt_GhiroliFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss the stability (and lack thereof) in each team's closer situation, plus the changing outlook for Kyle Lewis, Keston Hiura and struggling with high fastballs, micro fantasy baseball, and more.Rundown1:23 Pickleball!5:21 Is It Too Early to Punt Saves?8:20 Stable Ninth-Inning Situations14:50 Predictable, But Not Entirely Stable Situations26:22 Picking a Direction: Do You Trust Taylor Rogers & Brad Hand?37:52 Cover Your Eyes & Ears — The Unstable Situations; Faith Restored in Kimbrel?47:15 Has Our Kyle Lewis Outlook Changed?51:12 What is the Long-Term Value of J.D. Martinez?59:48 Keston Hiura & Problems with High Fastballs67:58 Micro Fantasy Baseball?Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperE-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.comGet 40% off a subscription to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsInterested in picking up a Dugout Mug? Go to dugoutmugs.com/TheAthletic and use promo code “MLB30" for 30% off your first purchase! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss Fernando Tatis Jr.’s greatness despite a violation of ridiculous unwritten rules, the ongoing pursuit of steals from the waiver wire, the Tigers’ top pitching prospects, spin rate increases, and more.Rundown1:10 Fernando Tatis Jr. is Awesome. Unwritten Rules are Stupid.6:05 Looking for Speed in the Wake of More Injuries14:12 Concern About Yordan Alvarez’s Ongoing Knee Trouble18:22 Tigers Promote Skubal, Mize & Isaac Paredes27:02 Keeper Considerations: Alec Bohm & Casey Mize32:51 The Importance of Timing When Trading Away Great Players41:39 Trevor Bauer & How Pitcher Can Increase Spin RateFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperE-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.comGet 40% off a subscription to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsInterested in picking up a Dugout Mug? Go to dugoutmugs.com/TheAthletic and use promo code “MLB30" for 30% off your first purchase! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR and Britt discuss the packed schedule for the Cardinals as they attempt to resume play Saturday, the possibility of a postseason bubble, and Zack Meisel joins the show to discuss the very unusual week in Cleveland after Zach Plesac and Mike Clevinger broke curfew in Chicago.Rundown2:40 The Cardinals' Highly Unusual Schedule7:31 Baltimore's Surprising Start14:14 Surging in San Diego17:38 Appreciating the New Uniforms Around the League23:31 Is It Ever OK To Change Fanhood?28:34 The Viability of a Postseason Bubble39:45 Zack Meisel Explains What's Going on in Cleveland44:50 How Does This Organization Develop Pitching So Well?48:07 Could James Karinchak Take Over the Closer Role?Follow Derek on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperFollow Britt on Twitter: @Britt_GhiroliFollow Zack on Twitter: @ZackMeiselGet 40% off a subscription to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR take a look at several surprising performers near the top of hitter leaderboards, Trevor Story’s attempt to move into the elite of the elite, the promotion of Alec Bohm, and players with concerning batted-ball profile and approach changes to begin the season.Rundown3:31 Austin Slater Making Most of Opportunity in San Fran6:45 Interest in Dylan Moore?12:47 What’s Up with Robbie Grossman?16:25 Andres Gimenez Offering Immediate Speed20:15 Still Skeptical of Isiah Kiner-Falefa23:06 Erik Gonzalez Quietly Making Better Contact31:02 Alec Bohm Gets the Call40:37 Trevor Story’s Improved Plate Skills44:27 Batted Ball Profile Concerns55:14 Statcast and CommandFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperE-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.comGet 40% off a subscription to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss Eno's updated pitcher rankings -- including prominent risers and fallers -- hitters with early-season strikeout rate concerns, buy-low targets for dynasty leagues, and more.Rundown2:44 Pitcher Rankings: Early Risers9:35 Streamlining Game Prep Process18:41 The Dylan Bundy Adjustments21:31 Continued Concern About James Paxton25:59 Hitters Striking Out More & Offense Down Early30:46 Swing Rates Outside the Strike Zone44:09 Looking For Changes in Astros' 2020 Hitters47:17 Dynasty League Trade Targets: Hitters53:46 Dynasty League Trade Targets: PitchersFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.comGet 40% off a subscription to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, DVR & Britt discuss the change that has taken place in the span of a week, socially distanced celebrations, the difficulty of breaking life-long habits on the field, the Braves' rotation following Mike Soroka's season-ending injury, and more.Rundown1:39 How Much Have Things Changed In A Week?6:37 Nick Markakis Walk-Off & Socially Distanced Celebration11:25 Ryan Christenson’s Apparent Straight-Arm Nazi Salute16:50 Players Trying to Break Habits22:05 Energy & Clubhouse Chemistry31:21 Mike Soroka’s Season-Ending Injury38:26 It’s Never Too Early in a 60-game Season to Talk About the Trade Deadline41:28 More Prospects On the Way?46:02 Eno’s Problems Get WorseFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow Britt on Twitter: @Britt_GhiroliFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperE-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.comGet 40% off a subscription to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR take a look at reach rate leaders and laggards, as well as chase rates leaders and laggards, and try to determine what thriving (or struggling) in these metrics might mean for future performance.Rundown1:41 Water Is Good6:09 Reach Rate Leaders9:52 Reach Rate Laggards15:47 Re-Thinking Cavan Biggio20:20 Trent Grisham in Keeper/Dynasty, Projected 2021 ADP25:49 Concerns About Rafael Devers’ Sluggish Start?30:27 Why Teams Don’t Buy In on Corey Dickerson37:05 Chase Rate Leaders47:20 Chase Rate Laggards52:07 Josh James’ Quick Move Back to the Bullpen55:49 Streaky vs. Consistent Players in Short SeasonFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiperE-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss the chaos that has become weekly pickups every Sunday amidst the constantly dwindling pitching pool before getting excited about the arrival of Jo Adell and Luis Patiño to the big leagues, pitchers working with significantly reduced velocity this season, and more!Rundown1:47 It's All a Mess9:03 Listener Jim Expresses How We All Feel13:12 Concerns About Kirby Yates?18:20 Pitchers Dealing with Significantly Reduced Velocity26:40 Expectations for Pablo López30:49 Jo Adell Gets the Call39:47 More Closer Concerns45:28 How Will Atlanta Replace Mike Soroka?53:02 What Is Fastball Ride?57:26 Where Have the Wins Been for Multi-Inning Relievers?Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarrisFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRipere-mail: ratesandbarrels@theathletic.comGet 40% off a subscription to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsCheck out Dugout Mugs: dugoutmugs.com and use promo code 'MLB30'  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.