Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

The 2026 WORLD SERIES is almost here! The Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays are four wins away from the first championship in franchise history. But which team has the advantage at the plate?

In Part 1 of our World Series Preview, Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris and Jed Lowrie break down the hitters, offensive approaches and individual matchups that could decide the Fall Classic.

The Brewers and Rays share some remarkable similarities. Both teams get on base, create pressure with speed and manufacture runs without relying on home runs. But beneath those similarities are two very different offensive philosophies.

Milwaukee's hitters have developed an adaptable, up-the-middle approach, while Tampa Bay features an unusually diverse collection of swings and offensive skill sets. Which strategy will be more effective against elite World Series pitching?

The guys explore the adjustments opposing pitchers are making against **Jackson Chourio**, including an intriguing increase in high sinkers and a postseason spike in chase rate. They also examine why **Junior Caminero** is so difficult to pitch to, how his elite bat speed helps him punish pitches outside the strike zone, and whether Milwaukee can exploit any weaknesses.

Plus, Jed explains how **Brice Turang** transformed his offensive game, why **Jake Bauers** has become such a dangerous hitter, and what makes **Yandy Díaz** one of baseball's most consistently underrated offensive players.

We also discuss **Jonathan Aranda's** quiet postseason, **Garrett Mitchell's** untapped potential, and whether Milwaukee can contain **Chandler Simpson's** extraordinary speed.

Finally, Jed makes his World Series prediction and picks his World Series MVP!

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Which lineup has the World Series edge — Milwaukee or Tampa Bay? And which hitter do YOU think will have the biggest impact?

Our World Series Preview continues in Part 2 with a deep dive into the starting rotations, bullpen matchups and pitching strategies.

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CREDITS
Hosts: Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris & Jed Lowrie
Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis
Rates & Barrels | The Athletic

00:00 World Series Preview: Brewers vs. Rays
02:05 Comparing the Lineups and Offensive Approaches
10:10 Brewers' Plate Discipline vs. Rays' Strike Throwing
15:30 Jonathan Aranda's Postseason Struggles
19:51 Why Yandy Díaz Is So Dangerous
26:26 How Do You Pitch to Junior Caminero?
35:30 Jackson Chourio and the High-Sinker Strategy
46:07 Jake Bauers' Breakout Season
51:32 How Brice Turang Added Power
56:12 Bat Speed, Plate Selectivity and Offensive Upside
1:03:04 Can Milwaukee Contain Chandler Simpson?
1:07:12 Jed's World Series Prediction and MVP Pick
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The 2026 World Series is SET! The Tampa Bay Rays are headed to Milwaukee to face the Brewers in a matchup between two of baseball's most innovative organizations. After defeating the Cleveland Guardians in six games, Tampa Bay is back in the Fall Classic for the first time since 2020. But can the Rays finish the job against the team with MLB's best regular-season record?

Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris and Britt Ghiroli break down the Rays' ALCS-clinching victory, Freddy Peralta's MVP performance, and the adjustments Tampa Bay made to help turn his season around. The crew also examines Kevin Cash's bullpen decisions, Junior Caminero's unforgettable home run and celebration, and the roster-building philosophies that helped both small-market teams reach the World Series.

Britt explains why the Rays and Brewers aren't simply feel-good underdogs — they're two of the best-run teams in baseball. And why can't organizations like the Yankees and Dodgers simply copy their formula?

Then it's time to look ahead for the Cleveland Guardians. Despite winning the AL Central and reaching the ALCS, Cleveland entered the season with a payroll below $72 million. Where did the money go, and how might the team's changing television revenue affect its future? The guys also debate Tanner Bibee's surprising absence from the ALCS, potential extensions, Steven Kwan's future and the heavy workload placed on Cade Smith.

Finally, we're Closing the Tab on the 2026 San Diego Padres!

Could San Diego make a massive offseason splash by pursuing Tarik Skubal? The crew explores a hypothetical path to adding an ace and discusses how much Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill can contribute to the Padres' next championship push.

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Who wins the World Series: Rays or Brewers? And should the Padres make an all-in move for an ace this offseason?

Follow Rates & Barrels on Instagram: @rates_barrels
First Pitch Arizona — Join us for baseball and community
Follow Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris on Bluesky
Email: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Join the Rates & Barrels Discord
Subscribe to The Athletic
Shop Rates & Barrels merchandise

Hosts: Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris & Britt Ghiroli
Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis
Rates & Barrels | The Athletic

00:00 Intro
00:36 Tampa Bay Wins the AL Pennant
01:25 Britt: These Are the Best Teams in Baseball
02:28 How the Rays and Brewers Built Their Success
04:23 Freddy Peralta Wins ALCS MVP
05:22 How Tampa Bay Changed Freddy Peralta
10:40 Kevin Cash's Bullpen Decisions
16:06 The Biggest Moments of Game 6
21:52 Why Other Teams Can't Copy the Rays and Brewers
29:18 What's Next for the Cleveland Guardians?
30:00 Cleveland's Surprisingly Low Payroll
36:36 Potential Extensions and Roster Decisions
40:37 Cleveland's Free Agents and Offseason Decisions
42:46 Could Steven Kwan Be Traded?
44:04 Cade Smith's Workload and Bullpen Fatigue
46:39 Closing the Tab: 2026 San Diego Padres
47:10 Will New Ownership Keep Spending?
50:02 San Diego's Starting Rotation Questions
51:22 Could the Padres Make a Blockbuster Move?
53:53 Finding Affordable Pitching Depth
56:17 Tarik Skubal to the Padres?
59:23 Manny Machado's Changing Role
1:00:22 Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill's Upside
1:03:09 Final Thoughts and What's Next
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The Tampa Bay Rays are ONE WIN AWAY from the 2026 World Series! After taking Games 4 and 5 from the Cleveland Guardians, Tampa Bay heads home with a 3-2 ALCS lead. Can the Guardians force a Game 7, or will the Rays punch their ticket to face the Milwaukee Brewers?

Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris break down Tampa Bay's comeback in the ALCS, including the surprising impact of Chandler Simpson. His elite speed, contact skills and improved defense are giving the Rays a different kind of offensive weapon. Eno even admits he may have underestimated Simpson!

Plus, Nick Martinez continues to impress, Drew Rasmussen dominates Cleveland in Game 5, and the guys examine whether the Rays' bullpen is as deep as expected. On the Guardians' side, Parker Messick's command and workload raise questions, while the rainout has complicated Stephen Vogt's pitching plans.

Looking ahead to Game 6, Freddy Peralta takes the mound for Tampa Bay after a brief relief appearance in Game 4. Cleveland will need to piece together its pitching staff to keep its season alive and save Gavin Williams for a potential Game 7.

Then we turn to MLB news beyond the playoffs!

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. undergoes eye surgery following a disappointing season, Japanese slugger Teruaki Sato prepares to enter the MLB market, and Shohei Ohtani intends to pitch again in 2027. The guys also discuss pitching injury updates, the Athletics' front-office direction, offseason roster decisions and managerial changes around baseball.

**IN TODAY'S EPISODE**

- Rays take a 3-2 ALCS lead over the Guardians
- Chandler Simpson's surprising postseason impact
- Nick Martinez's pitch mix and Game 4 success
- Drew Rasmussen's dominant Game 5 performance
- Parker Messick's command and workload concerns
- Is Tampa Bay's bullpen circle of trust shrinking?
- Guardians vs. Rays ALCS Game 6 preview
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s eye surgery and 2027 outlook
- NPB Triple Crown winner Teruaki Sato coming to MLB
- Shohei Ohtani's plans to pitch in 2027
- Tigers injury updates: Troy Melton and Reese Olson
- Sonny Gray, Paul Goldschmidt and Caleb Durbin
- Athletics front-office changes
- Braves pitching plans for Spencer Strider, Spencer Schwellenbach and Didier Fuentes
- Jakob Marsee's recovery outlook
- Don Mattingly returns to Philadelphia; Joe Espada leaves Houston

**LIKE, SUBSCRIBE AND DROP US A COMMENT!**

Are the Rays headed to the World Series? And has Chandler Simpson changed your opinion about the value of contact and speed in today's game?

**CONNECT WITH RATES & BARRELS**

Follow @rates_barrels on Instagram
First Pitch Arizona — Join us for baseball and community
Follow Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris on Bluesky
Email: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com
Join the Rates & Barrels Discord
Subscribe to The Athletic
Shop Rates & Barrels merchandise

Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis
Rates & Barrels | The Athletic

00:00 Intro
00:41 Eno's Marathon Weekend
02:01 Rays Rally Back Against Cleveland
02:26 Chandler Simpson's Surprising Impact
10:33 Is the Rays' Bullpen Circle of Trust Shrinking?
14:09 Guardians' Defensive Struggles
14:48 Parker Messick vs. Drew Rasmussen: What Is Good Command?
17:12 Rasmussen's Dominant Game 5
19:03 ALCS Game 6 Preview
20:27 Freddy Peralta's Unusual Preparation
22:51 Game 6 Predictions
24:00 Baseball News Beyond the Playoffs
24:48 Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s Eye Surgery
27:11 Teruaki Sato Headed to the MLB Market
32:07 Shohei Ohtani Plans to Pitch in 2027
38:50 Troy Melton and Reese Olson Injury Updates
42:40 Sonny Gray's Future
43:20 Athletics' Front-Office Direction
49:53 Caleb Durbin and Paul Goldschmidt
51:35 Braves Pitching Plans for 2027
53:15 Jakob Marsee's UCL Surgery
56:08 Don Mattingly Returns to the Phillies
58:10 Joe Espada Out in Houston
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The Milwaukee Brewers are headed to the WORLD SERIES for the first time since 1982! After sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS, Milwaukee is four wins away from the first championship in franchise history. But how did the Brewers dismantle the defending champions, and is the Dodgers' dynasty approaching a turning point?

Derek VanRiper and Stephen Nesbitt break down the Brewers' historic NLCS sweep, their remarkable comeback in Game 4, and the bullpen that continues to dominate October. DVR shares what reaching the World Series means to him as a lifelong Brewers fan, while the guys examine how Milwaukee's roster construction, player development, and relentless offense helped take down Los Angeles.

Plus, Jake Bauers takes home NLCS MVP honors, Aaron Ashby delivers another postseason masterpiece, and the Brewers prepare to host World Series Game 1.

In the American League, the Cleveland Guardians have taken a 2–1 ALCS lead over the Tampa Bay Rays. Petey Halpin comes through with another massive postseason home run, Gavin Williams continues to impress, and Cleveland's dominant bullpen is making life miserable for opposing hitters.

Finally, it's time to Close the Tab on the 2026 Los Angeles Dodgers. After winning 100 games and entering October with three-peat aspirations, LA was swept out of the postseason. Is the veteran core getting too old? Should the Dodgers re-sign Tarik Skubal? And what does Shohei Ohtani's future as a two-way player look like?

**On today's episode:**
- Brewers sweep Dodgers and reach first World Series since 1982
- Milwaukee's Game 4 comeback and historic postseason run
- DVR's emotional reaction to the Brewers' pennant
- Aaron Ashby, Jake Bauers, Garrett Mitchell and Milwaukee's organizational success
- Guardians take a 2–1 ALCS lead over the Rays
- Petey Halpin, Gavin Williams and Cade Smith
- Postseason bullpen management and Tampa Bay's offensive struggles
- Sage Performance Review: Jake Bauers' remarkable resurgence
- Closing the Tab: Dodgers' aging roster, prospects and Tarik Skubal
- Shohei Ohtani's health and his future as a two-way player

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Are the Brewers the World Series favorites? And do you think the Dodgers' championship window is beginning to close?

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💬 Join the Rates & Barrels Discord
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⚾ Subscribe to The Athletic
📱 Follow Rates & Barrels on Instagram: @rates_barrels
Follow Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris on Bluesky.

Hosts: Derek VanRiper and Stephen Nesbitt
Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis
Rates & Barrels | The Athletic

00:00 Intro
01:06 The Brewers' Historic NLCS Sweep
06:10 How Milwaukee's Entire Roster Contributed
08:13 Do the Brewers Really Need Home Runs?
12:39 DVR Reflects on a Lifetime of Brewers Fandom
18:33 How Milwaukee Built a World Series Team
21:00 Aaron Ashby and the Brewers' Bullpen
28:02 Jake Bauers' Remarkable Journey
33:43 A Message from Sage
34:05 Guardians Take Control of the ALCS
39:23 Gavin Williams and Cleveland's Dominant Bullpen
43:59 ALCS Game 4 and Bullpen Strategy
47:08 Why Postseason Hitting Is So Difficult
54:00 Sage Performance Review: Jake Bauers
1:00:24 Closing the Tab: Los Angeles Dodgers
1:04:41 Is the Dodgers' Aging Core a Problem?
1:08:24 Tarik Skubal and the Dodgers' Offseason
1:13:47 Can Shohei Ohtani Remain a Two-Way Star?
1:18:39 World Series Plans and Final Thoughts
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Are MLB teams pushing pitchers TOO FAR in the 2026 postseason? Relievers are being asked to throw more pitches than they have all season, starters are appearing on their normal throwing days, and bullpens are being stretched to their limits.

But is the biggest danger injury, fatigue, or something teams might be overlooking entirely: PITCH COMMAND?

Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris and former MLB reliever Trevor May break down the wild pitching decisions defining October, the Milwaukee Brewers' commanding NLCS lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers, and what comes next for the Atlanta Braves.

Trevor May has some serious questions about the way teams are using pitchers this postseason.

Eno digs into the data on pitch usage, Stuff+, Location+ and fatigue, uncovering an important trend: pitchers may maintain their stuff while losing command, especially during and after unusually demanding outings.

The Milwaukee Brewers have taken a 3-0 series lead and pushed the Los Angeles Dodgers to the brink of elimination!

Blake Snell looked nearly unhittable before another marathon Jake Bauers at-bat helped change the game. Was Snell left in too long, or did Milwaukee simply execute when it mattered?

The crew breaks down the Brewers' offensive approach, Robert Gasser's five scoreless innings, the Dodgers' struggles, and how Milwaukee could close out the series.

Plus, with Tyler Glasnow set for Game 4, what pitching approach gives the Brewers their best chance to reach the World Series?

Trevor May and Eno Sarris examine William Contreras' swing, pitch-type strengths and weaknesses, and the strategy pitchers should use to get him out.

DVR, Eno and Trevor evaluate Atlanta's long-term outlook, including Ronald Acuña Jr.'s health, Austin Riley's offensive decline, Chris Sale's workload, the uncertain futures of Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach, and the team's ongoing shortstop problem.

Are MLB managers overworking their pitchers this October? Should the Dodgers have taken Blake Snell out earlier? And how would YOU pitch to William Contreras?

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Email: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com

Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Contributor: Trevor May
Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis

Rates & Barrels | The Athletic

#MLBPlayoffs #NLCS #Brewers #Dodgers #Pitching #WilliamContreras #TrevorMay #Braves #RatesAndBarrels

00:00 – Intro
01:34 – Trevor May on Extreme Postseason Bullpen Usage
02:48 – Grant Taylor and Didier Fuentes: Longer Relief Outings
07:27 – The Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Fatigue
08:55 – Eno's Research: Starters Pitching on Throw Days
11:17 – Relievers Exceeding Their Regular-Season Pitch Limits
12:32 – What Happens When Pitchers Work Three Days in a Row?
14:08 – The Hidden Cost of Losing Pitch Command
17:39 – Abner Uribe's Struggles in NLCS Game 3
19:33 – Should Teams Prepare Relievers for Longer Outings?
21:39 – Managing Uribe and Other High-Leverage Pitchers
22:16 – Did the Dodgers Leave Blake Snell in Too Long?
27:11 – Jake Bauers' Epic 11-Pitch At-Bat
28:43 – The Brewers' Unusual Postseason Offensive Profile
30:27 – Milwaukee's Defense and the NLCS Game 3 Recap
35:43 – NLCS Game 4 Preview: Tyler Glasnow and Milwaukee's Pitching Plan
38:05 – How I'd Pitch to William Contreras
43:05 – Where Can Pitchers Limit Contreras' Damage?
46:15 – Closing the Tab: Atlanta Braves
55:36 – Raisel Iglesias, Didier Fuentes and the Bullpen
58:52 – Final Thoughts and What's Next
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