Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

Baseballs started flying in June -- and it wasn't simply warmer weather -- it might be a manufacturing error! Eno and DVR explain why changes in drag on the baseball have a significant impact on home runs, and how Major League Baseball's revelation of a manufacturing error may provide some clues as to why we have seen so much variation in how the ball has played throughout the first half of the season. With drag recently returning to the same levels we saw in 2019, they wonder if we're going to see a massive uptick in home runs throughout the second half.

Story from Eno Sarris & Evan Drellich 'MLB sees no link between factory defect and liveliest baseball since year of the homer in ‘19'
Gift Link: https://theathletic.lnk.to/TA26Ball

Rundown
0:17 Breaking News: MLB Reveals Manufacturing Error with Ball
1:44 A Sudden Change: Drag Significantly Dropped in Recent Weeks
6:40 Don’t Forget 2019 When 6,776 Home Runs Were Hit
9:19 Hitters and Pitchers Notice and React to Ball Changes
12:20 Will Barrels Recover?

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e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com

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Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels

Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Editor: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s time to take a tour around the American League, and there’s plenty to unpack. Eno, Britt, and DVR begin in the AL East, where the Rays have surged into first place as the Yankees try to stay afloat without their captain, Aaron Judge. From there, they head to the AL Central to break down the surprising White Sox, the steady Guardians, and the disappointing Tigers. Finally, they wrap up in the AL West, where the Rangers sit atop the division and the Astros are left trying to prove they still have one more run in them.
Rundown:
1:35 Atop the AL East: The Rays Are Holding On, For Now!
6:09 The Yankees Weathering the Storm Without Aaron Judge
9:54 Jays, O’s & Red Sox Scrambling to Make Up Ground
12:25 A Case for the Blue Jays to Continue Buying
17:22 Most Likely to Rally: Blue Jays, Orioles, or Red Sox?
21:15 Key Injuries for Boston
22:15 Cleveland Pitching, Again
27:43 Can White Sox Build On a Surprising Start?
32:16 Eno’s Bold Prediction on the Tigers
38:23 The Twins Aren’t Bad: But Are They Stuck in the Middle?
46:04 What If Wyatt Langford & Corey Seager Get Healthy?
50:06 Does Anyone Still Like Houston?
59:59 Future Autopsies: 2026 Royals and 2026 Angels
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
Follow Britt on Bluesky: @brittghiroli.bsky.social
e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
With: Britt Ghiroli
Editor: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first domino has fallen for two of baseball's most disappointing teams. Today, Eno and DVR break down the firings of Mets manager Carlos Mendoza and Angels GM Perry Minasian, what comes next for both clubs, and which managerial opening — between the Mets, Red Sox, and Phillies — offers the most upside. Plus, they take a closer look at this year's MLB players' poll from The Athletic, including the results that stood out most.
Rundown:
2:29 MLB’s Latest Proposal
5:00 Mets Fire Carlos Mendoza
6:48 Best Managerial Role: Mets, Red Sox, or Phillies?
16:54 Grade 3 Hip Flexor Strain for Marcus Semien
20:45 Tragedy in Venezuela
23:07 Konnor Griffin Returns, Homers
31:35 Rolling Aaron Nola & Shane Baz for Two-Start Weeks?
38:20 Buehler Delivers, Roki Slides & Trevor Rogers Rolls
40:58 Luis García Jr.: Did We Miss His Power Potential?
45:40 Where the Money Went
58:02 Angels Fire GM Perry Minasian
59:43 The Athletic’s Players’ Poll
MLB Players Poll: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7382921
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Editor: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A nickname is earned, not given—and after lighting up radar guns at 104 mph, Jacob Misiorowski’s fastball has certainly earned one. This week, we dive into listener-submitted suggestions and, with help from Jayson and Doug, try to land on the perfect name for The Miz’s electric four-seamer. Then, Dodgers broadcaster and Fox Sports play-by-play voice Joe Davis joins Starkville to talk about the defending champs, calling last season’s World Series, and what makes Shohei Ohtani unlike anyone else. Plus, Strange But True from a wild night in Philadelphia.
Rundown:
2:53 A New Nickname for The Miz
13:14 Joe Davis Joins the Show
15:05 Wild Night in Philadelphia
17:50 Broadcasting the Dodgers
19:28 2026 Los Angeles Dodgers
27:30 The Legend of Shohei Ohtani
33:45 Reaction to ABS
35:10 ‘Gibby Meet Freddie’
40:03 Calling Game 7 of 2025 World Series
45:30 Strange But True
Follow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.social
Follow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.social
E-mail: starkville@theathletic.com
Starkville Hotline: (347) 313-8371
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Hosts: Jayson Stark & Doug Glanville
With: Joe Davis
Producer: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Mets entered the season with plenty of optimism. Instead, they've been plagued by injuries, inconsistency, and an ever-growing payroll. Eno, Trevor, and DVR break down what's gone wrong in Queens, whether a strong July could put New York back in the playoff race, or if selling at the trade deadline is becoming inevitable. Plus, a look at the Diamondbacks' pitching woes, what the future holds for Arizona's rotation, and another round of Name That Dude featuring a player from the past.
Rundown:
2:20 The LOL Mets Return?
9:12 Constant Tension Caused by the Environment?
13:29 Only Four Teams Have Lost More WARP to the IL (source: BP)
15:14 Will Mets Rally Before Deadline?
22:32 Arizona Pitching Woes: A Two-Year Struggle
25:20 Zac Gallen: Struggling to Adjust to Reduced Stuff?
48:30 What’s Next for the Group?
53:03 Does Defense Play a Significant Role in LOB%?
58:36 Elite Relievers Typically Have Great LOB% Marks
1:03:45 Name! That! Dude!
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social
Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social
Follow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.social
e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe
Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels
Host: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
With: Trevor May
Editor: Jason Potere
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.