Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

It’s time for a tour around the National League, where every division has its own storylines taking shape. Eno, Jed, and DVR begin in the NL West, where the Dodgers have opened up a sizable lead. They discuss whether the Padres can still make a push, what needs to happen for the Diamondbacks' offense to get going, and where the Giants and Rockies go from here. From there, they head to "America’s Division," the NL Centra...

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 ...

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 Rang...

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 ...

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, ca...

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 ...

As some hitters crank up their bat speed, a few pitchers are watching their stuff head in the opposite direction. Eno and DVR break down the biggest bat-speed risers from the past month, including Sal Stewart and Fernando Tatis Jr., before examining several pitchers whose underlying numbers have slipped — and whether there's still reason for optimism. Plus, a trip to San Francisco to unpack the ongoing saga involving Buster P...

It’s time to review some games, and this time we’re headed to San Diego, Los Angeles, and Detroit, as Eno, Britt, and DVR break down Braves-Padres, Orioles-Angels, and Yankees-Tigers. Plus, The Seattle Times’ Ryan Divish joins the show to unpack why the Mariners haven’t pulled away in the AL West, what Jerry Dipoto is cooking up for the trade deadline, and his early impressions of rookie Colt Emerson.

Rundown...

Don't blame us if this episode is a drag — blame baseball. Eno and DVR dig into why drag levels have climbed back to heights not seen since 2019, and what it means for hitters (and pitchers) across the league. They also break down some of baseball's most frustrating bats, identify a few buy-low pitchers worth targeting right now, and discuss the Bryce Harper-Kyle Schwarber show in Philadelphia. Plus, a look at where fantasy m...

Nolan Ryan had "The Express," so what do we call Jacob Misiorowski’s heater? This week on Starkville, Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville brainstorm the perfect nickname for "The Miz’s" electric four-seamer. Then, Mariners President of Baseball Operations Jerry Dipoto joins the show to talk about his short history pitching against Doug, his reputation as one of MLB's most prolific dealmakers, rising star Colt Emerson, and h...

Fresh starting pitcher rankings have dropped, and it’s time to complain! Who is too high, who is too low — and should Eno and DVR watch *more* baseball? On this episode, they discuss frustration around the rankings of George Kirby, Reid Detmers, Justin Wrobleski, and many others. Plus, a surprising discovery in the three-year park factors for Baltimore and Detroit, before they dig into this weekend’s waiver-wire p...

Why are some baseball fans still weird about Driveline? Eno, Trevor, and DVR tackle that question after Driveline founder Kyle Boddy left his advisory role with the Red Sox. Then, the guys dive into the newly unveiled miss distance leaderboards, marvel at just how dominant Mason Miller has become, and explore whether there's a better way to account for inherited runners.

Rundown:

1:52 Daniel Espino’s Debut: The Long Road of a F...

Drew Rasmussen’s incredible run continues. Today, Eno, Jed, and DVR dig into the factors behind the Rays right-hander owning the best ERA in baseball since 2021 among qualified starters not named Shohei Ohtani. Then, they discuss whether Zone% can reveal which hitters pitchers fear the most. Later, the guys examine the recent regressions of Rafael Devers and Alex Bregman before wrapping up with a daunting round of Name! That!...

Who are the toughest starting pitchers to rank right now? Eno and DVR dig into a group of arms that defy easy placement, including Jared Jones, Chase Burns, JT Ginn, Trey Yesavage, and more, breaking down the factors that make each of them such difficult evaluations. Then, they're joined by Chris Gill of MLB The Show to discuss how the iconic franchise has evolved over the past two decades and the challenge of creating a baseball g...

What a weekend across baseball. A reigning Cy Young winner returned to the mound, runs piled up in Kansas City and Las Vegas, and two stars suffered an all-too-familiar injury to a notorious hand bone. Eno and DVR break down Tarik Skubal’s uneven return, the hamate fractures suffered by José Ramírez and Vinnie Pasquantino, and Luis Lara’s extension with the Brewers. Plus, they take a closer look at Vladimir Guerrero Jr....

J.T. Realmuto returns to Starkville this week, joining Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville to talk about everything from his last appearance on the show (which happened on a golf course) to catching Cristopher Sánchez, facing Jacob Misiorowski, and the unforgettable time Freddie Freeman kicked dirt on him.

Plus, Jayson and Doug weigh in on Manny Machado's criticism of analytics and what it says about the modern game, and Jo Adell makes ...

It’s Fantasy Friday, and with Eno out today, DVR enlists a pair of special guests. First, James Anderson of RotoWire joins the show to discuss the draft picks he’s already regretting, along with prospects generating plenty of buzz, including Braden Montgomery, Cole Carrigg, and Jordan Lawlar.

Later, Ottoneu founder and Senior Hot Dog Correspondent Niv Shah stops by to examine Aaron Judge’s long-term outlook as he t...

After news of a setback for Garrett Crochet’s injured lat, DVR and Stephen revisit the 2024 blockbuster that sent the ace to Boston and brought four prospects back to Chicago — all of whom have now reached the majors with the White Sox. Then, they sort through a group of potential regression candidates, including Dillon Dingler, James Wood, Jordan Walker, Brandon Lowe, José Soriano, Gavin Williams, Max Meyer, and Bryce ...

Baseball Savant has given fans a new toy to play with. Today, DVR and Jed dig into the site's new swing timing and miss distance leaderboards and what they can reveal about hitter performance. Then, they break down the struggles of several young hitters, including Lawrence Butler, Evan Carter, Coby Mayo, Masyn Winn, and Marcelo Mayer. Later, they open the mailbag and tackle one of baseball’s most pressing questions: Is Brando...