
Off The Pike with Brian Barrett
Veteran Boston sports personality Brian Barrett has teamed up with The Ringer for a podcast dedicated to all things Boston. From Fenway to Foxborough to the Garden, 'Off the Pike' features instant reactions to the biggest games and stories in town, plus unique conversations with local and Ringer personalities.
Latest episodes

Oct 30, 2023 • 1h 33min
Pats Offense Takes a Step Back, With James White. Plus, Derrick White Dominates the Heat.
Brian chats with three-time Super Bowl champ James White about the Pats’ loss to the Dolphins, how the defense tried to slow down the Fins’ dynamic receivers, a step backward for Mac Jones and the offense, the upcoming trade deadline, and more (0:30). Then, Brian and Jamie give some last thoughts on the game and talk about their best bets from the weekend (45:20). Finally, Brian recaps the Celtics’ thrilling win over the Heat Friday night, including a stellar game from Derrick White, and he briefly touches on the Bruins’ win over the Red Wings on Saturday (59:50).The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.Host: Brian BarrettGuest: James WhiteProducer: Jamie McClellanAdditional Production Supervision: Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 27, 2023 • 1h 50min
Can Craig Breslow Turn the Sox Around? With Lou Merloni. Plus, Pats-Dolphins Preview With John Jastremski.
Brian kicks off the pod with some leftover thoughts on the Celtics’ win Wednesday night, including how Kristaps Porzingis and Jayson Tatum complement each other and how Jaylen Brown fits into the mix (0:15). Brian talks to NESN’s Lou Merloni about Craig Breslow as the head of baseball for the Sox, how his experience as a former player will help, whether or not he’ll be able to improve the franchise’s pitching development, areas where the Sox need to improve this offseason, and the upcoming World Series (13:45). Then, Brian chats with The Ringer’s John Jastremski about the Knicks-Celtics game Wednesday night, the upcoming Patriots-Dolphins game, how the Pats will defend against the Dolphins’ explosive offense, and more (1:01:20). Later, Brian and Jamie answer a listener email, then give out their best bets and game picks for Pats-Fins (1:24:20).The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.Host: Brian BarrettGuests: Lou Merloni and John JastremskiProducer: Jamie McClellanAdditional Production Supervision: Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 26, 2023 • 1h 27min
C's Survive Season Opener, B's Are Rolling, and Sox Have a New GM
Brian recaps the Celtics' first win of the season, over the Knicks in Madison Square Garden. He breaks down Kristaps Porzingis’s electrifying debut, Jayson Tatum’s ever-improving game, Jaylen Brown’s shaky performance, and more (0:30). Then, Brian takes a closer look at Mac Jones’s play last Sunday, and the Pats' offensive game plan that let him succeed (30:35). After, Brian goes over the Bruins’ undefeated start to the season, and touches on the Red Sox picking Craig Breslow as their new chief baseball officer (46:00). Finally, Brian and Jamie answer a listener call and an email, before offering up final thoughts on the Celtics’ win (1:05:45).The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more, or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.Host: Brian BarrettProducer: Jamie McClellanAdditional Production Supervision: Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 23, 2023 • 1h 20min
Celtics Season Preview With Sean Grande.
Brian speaks with Celtics play-by-play announcer Sean Grande about the upcoming Celtics season, the growing Celts-Bucks rivalry, how the additions of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis will affect the team, Joe Mazzulla's second season as head coach, and more (0:30). Then, Brian shares his favorite Celtics futures bets with Jamie, including Jayson Tatum for MVP and Joe Mazzulla for Coach of the Year (1:06:30)The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.Host: Brian BarrettGuest: Sean GrandeProducer: Jamie McClellanAdditional Production Supervision: Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 22, 2023 • 1h 15min
Pats Upset the Bills With James White. Plus, Belichick’s Contract.
Brian chats with three-time Super Bowl champion James White about the Patriots' dramatic victory over the Bills, Bill O’Brien and the offense’s good day, the defensive game plan against Josh Allen, playing with Rob Gronkowski, and more (0:50). Then, Brian offers some thoughts on Bill Belichick’s reported contract extension last offseason and what it all means regarding Bill, Robert Kraft, and Mac Jones (45:00). Finally, Brian ends with some thoughts on running back Bijan Robinson’s no-show today, how the NFL handles injury reports, and a burgeoning sports betting industry (1:07:30).The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.Host: Brian BarrettGuest: James WhiteProducer: Jamie McClellanAdditional Production Supervision: Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 19, 2023 • 1h 55min
The Sox Search Is on With Chris Cotillo. Plus, Pats-Bills Preview With Chris Brown.
Brian chats with MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo about the Red Sox's search for a new head of baseball operations, the top candidates both inside and outside the organization, and why so many candidates have turned down interviews (0:30). Then, Brian chats with the interim play-by-play announcer for the Buffalo Bills, Chris Brown, about the upcoming Pats-Bills game, another great season from Josh Allen, the Bills’ Super Bowl hopes, and more (49:20). Finally, Brian takes a couple calls before he and Jamie answer an email and give out their game picks and best bets for Sunday (1:14:10).The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.Host: Brian BarrettGuest: Chris Cotillo and Chris BrownProducer: Jamie McClellanAdditional Production Supervision: Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 18, 2023 • 1h 52min
The Celts Look Like a Wagon. Plus, Ted Johnson on the Fading Pats Season.
Brian recaps the Celtics-Knicks preseason game, including an impressive performance from Jayson Tatum, and explains why he is so excited about this team entering the season (0:30). Then, he chats with three-time Super Bowl champ Ted Johnson about the woeful Patriots season, why Belichick’s teams have struggled in recent years, Robert Kraft’s role in this mess, and more (34:15). Then, Brian and Jamie take a couple emails and discuss the Red Sox’s bumpy GM search so far (1:24:15).The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.Host: Brian BarrettGuest: Ted JohnsonProducer: Jamie McClellanAdditional Production Supervision: Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 16, 2023 • 1h 23min
Pats Can’t Get Out of Their Own Way
Brian chats with three-time Super Bowl winner James White about yet another frustrating Pats loss, the issues that continue to plague the offense, the team’s morale, Bill Belichick’s future with the team, and more (0:15). Then, Brian shares a quick note on Jonnu Smith’s season with the Falcons (43:50) before he gets into some Sox, Celtics, and Bruins thoughts (50:45).The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.Host: Brian BarrettGuest: James WhiteProducer: Jamie McClellanAdditional Production Supervision: Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 12, 2023 • 1h 31min
Can Porzingis Put the Celtics Over the Top? With Brian Robb. Plus, Pats-Raiders Preview With Vic Tafur.
Brian opens up by reacting to the recent Boston Herald article detailing the issues surrounding Mac Jones and the Patriots offense (0:30). Then, he chats with MassLive.com’s Brian Robb about the Celtics’ preseason, how Kristaps Porzingis changes the team dynamic, Tatum’s ceiling this season, the team’s biggest flaw, and more (18:40). Then, Brian speaks with The Athletic’s Vic Tafur about the upcoming Pats-Raiders game, Josh McDaniels’s shaky tenure in Vegas, and Jacobi Meyers’s season with the Raiders (58:15). Finally, Brian and Jamie discuss the Mac Jones article some more, give out game picks, and talk about their best bets (1:19:50).The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.Host: Brian BarrettGuests: Brian Robb and Vic TafurProducer: Jamie McClellanAdditional Production Supervision: Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 10, 2023 • 1h 49min
Time for a Quarterback Change With Doug Kyed. Plus, a Bruins Season Preview With Conor Ryan.
Brian chats with The Boston Herald’s Doug Kyed about the Patriots offense, the mistakes that were made that have led to their issues, who the starting quarterback should be going forward, and Bill Belichick’s job status (0:50). Then, Brian speaks to The Boston Globe’s Conor Ryan about the upcoming Bruins season, the young players who will contribute right off the bat, filling the void left by Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci, and more (1:04:40)..The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please check out theringer.com/RG to find out more or listen to the end of the episode for additional details.Host: Brian BarrettGuests: Doug Kyed and Conor RyanProducer: Jamie McClellanAdditional Production Supervision: Steve Ceruti Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices