Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball

The 2026 MLB Wild Card Series is here.

DVR and Eno break down all four Wild Card matchups before Tuesday's postseason quadruple-header, digging into the key stats, pitching matchups and tactical advantages that could decide each best-of-three series.

Can the Phillies finally get their offense going against Chris Sale and the Braves? Philadelphia had to push all the way through the final day of the regular season, leaving its pitching plan complicated for Game 1.

The surprising White Sox head to Houston to face an Astros team with plenty of October experience — but major questions in its starting rotation. Could the power in these two lineups turn White Sox-Astros into the highest-scoring series of the Wild Card round?

The Yankees and Red Sox renew their rivalry in the Bronx. Boston brings one of the most left-handed pitching staffs we've seen in the postseason, creating fascinating lineup decisions for New York — while Aaron Judge's availability remains one of the biggest questions entering the series.

Finally, the Cubs travel to San Diego for a rematch of last year's Wild Card Series. Chicago has one of the best offenses in the postseason field, while the Padres counter with an elite bullpen and a lineup that could run directly into one of the Cubs' biggest defensive strengths.

Plus, DVR and Eno make their picks for all four Wild Card Series and look ahead to what the winners could face in the Division Series.

And join Rates & Barrels LIVE Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday! We'll go live during the seventh inning of the final game of the night to recap the day's Wild Card action and preview what's coming next.

Like, subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss any of our postseason coverage.

#MLB #MLBPlayoffs #WildCard #Postseason #Baseball #RatesAndBarrels

First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026

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
Contributor: Jed Lowrie
Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis
Editor: McEnroe Francis

00:00 2026 MLB Wild Card Preview
00:36 The Wild Card Round Is Here
01:31 Why Do So Few Wild Card Series Reach Game 3?
02:41 Phillies vs. Braves
03:32 What's Wrong With These Two Offenses?
07:41 Chris Sale Gives Atlanta the Game 1 Edge
08:31 How Will Philadelphia Handle Its Pitching?
09:51 Who Wins Phillies-Braves?
11:44 Who Would the Dodgers Rather Face?
13:16 Rates & Barrels LIVE Wild Card Coverage
13:53 BREAK
14:36 White Sox vs. Astros
14:59 Houston's Starting Pitching Problem
16:16 How Should Chicago Pitch Yordan Alvarez?
18:30 Could This Series Become a Track Meet?
19:53 Can the Young White Sox Handle October?
22:18 Houston's Huge Premium-Velocity Advantage
23:22 Is This the Series Most Likely to Reach Game 3?
24:16 Who Would Cleveland Rather Face?
26:23 Who Wins White Sox-Astros?
27:08 Red Sox vs. Yankees
27:31 Boston's Historic Left-Handed Pitching Staff
28:34 How Do the Yankees Adjust to All Those Lefties?
32:23 Does Boston's Handedness Close the Pitching Gap?
33:48 Boston's Elite Bullpen
34:34 Who Wins Red Sox-Yankees?
35:39 BREAK
36:00 Cubs vs. Padres
36:19 Can Chicago Hit San Diego's Pitching?
38:55 Will Ground Balls Sink the Padres?
42:53 Why the Cubs' Offense Is Built for October
44:48 Who Wins Cubs-Padres?
46:41 Who Would the Rays Rather Face?
47:25 Who Would the Brewers Rather Face?
48:35 LIVE Wild Card Coverage This Week
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The 2026 MLB Playoffs are set! DVR and Eno break down all 12 postseason teams, examining the strengths, weaknesses, pitching staffs, offenses and underlying numbers that could determine who survives October.

The Milwaukee Brewers enter as the NL's No. 1 seed after a franchise-record 103 wins, but will their lack of home-run power matter in October? The Los Angeles Dodgers are chasing a third straight World Series title with another loaded roster, while the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies round out a fascinating National League playoff field.

In the American League, the Tampa Bay Rays earned the No. 1 seed behind elite run prevention, speed and roster depth. The Cleveland Guardians once again bring pitching and contact to October, while the Houston Astros somehow won the AL West at 81-81 despite major questions behind Hunter Brown in their rotation.

The New York Yankees may have the most imposing starting rotation in the AL, but Aaron Judge's availability looms over their Wild Card matchup against the Boston Red Sox. Boston counters with a deep bullpen and a healthier lineup, while the surprising Chicago White Sox bring legitimate power — and plenty of questions about how their young pitching will handle October.

Finally, DVR and Eno make their first postseason predictions: AL champion, NL champion, World Series winner and World Series MVP.

Who are you picking to win the 2026 World Series?

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First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026

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
Rates & Barrels MERCH: https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/

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

00:00 2026 MLB Playoff Preview
00:49 Does the Regular Season Matter in October?
05:42 Breaking Down All 12 Playoff Teams
06:05 Milwaukee Brewers: The NL’s No. 1 Seed
10:58 Can Milwaukee Handle Premium Velocity?
13:18 Why the Brewers’ Offense Works
17:14 Los Angeles Dodgers: Can They Three-Peat?
20:27 The Dodgers’ Ridiculous Pitching Depth
23:43 Atlanta Braves: How Dangerous Are They?
29:47 BREAK
30:28 San Diego Padres: Built for a Short Series?
31:51 Does San Diego Have the Worst Playoff Rotation?
34:26 The Padres’ Bullpen Can Shorten Games
38:11 Chicago Cubs: Elite Offense, Pitching Questions
41:06 Pete Crow-Armstrong’s 40-40 Season
43:44 Philadelphia Phillies: Can the Offense Wake Up?
46:54 Philly’s Problem Against Premium Velocity
49:14 How Do the Phillies Handle Game 1?
51:51 BREAK
52:13 Tampa Bay Rays: The AL’s No. 1 Seed
56:15 Why Tampa Bay’s Lineup Is So Pesky
1:01:32 Cleveland Guardians: Better Than Last Year?
1:05:58 Houston Astros: An 81-81 Division Champion
1:08:05 Can Houston’s Rotation Survive October?
1:11:01 New York Yankees: The AL’s Best Rotation?
1:13:51 The Aaron Judge Question
1:17:04 Boston Red Sox: Can the Lineup Score Enough?
1:20:36 How Good Is Boston’s Rotation Without Crochet?
1:23:19 Boston’s Bullpen Might Be Its Biggest Weapon
1:24:47 Chicago White Sox: October’s Surprise Team
1:26:07 Can Chicago’s Young Pitching Hold Up?
1:29:46 DVR & Eno Make Their Playoff Predictions
1:30:20 Who Wins the AL Pennant?
1:30:50 Who Wins the NL Pennant?
1:31:38 World Series Picks
1:32:25 World Series MVP Picks
1:33:47 Final Thoughts
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Pat Murphy joins Starkville! This week, Jayson and Doug sit down with the Brewers manager to talk about Milwaukee’s home run philosophy, the team’s secret sauce for October, navigating tough roster conversations, and his unique leadership style. Murphy also discusses Jacob Misiorowski’s rapid ascendance, the impact a Brewers championship could have beyond Milwaukee, and why mentoring players is one of the best parts of the job.
Plus, Jayson and Doug debate the American League LVPs, including Cal Raleigh and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and make the case for what makes a true “winner” in baseball. And in Strange But True, the Brewers clinch the division in a particularly Brewer way.
Rundown:
0:00 Today’s Lineup
00:48 Welcome to Starkville
07:31 LVP Awards
14:18 UP NEXT
14:22 Pat Murphy
15:13 Maintaining Pitching Continuity
17:35 Brewers and Home Runs
20:29 Winning In October
24:40 Tough Conversations
26:16 Leadership Style
27:33 Not Satisfied Yet
29:41 “No One Believes in Us” Tactic
32:54 Jacob Misiorowski’s Ascendance
38:41 Impact Outside of Milwaukee?
41:09 Passion for Mentorship
45:36 Pocket Pancakes
46:58 UP NEXT
47:07 Strange But True

Follow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.social
Follow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.social
Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.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: Tony Gwynn Jr. & Mark Grant
Producer: Matthew Chilelli
Thumbnail Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
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Which players actually won fantasy baseball leagues in 2026?

DVR and Eno look back at the biggest fantasy baseball values of the season and build their 2026 All-ROI Team — highlighting the late-round draft picks, waiver-wire additions and overlooked players who dramatically exceeded expectations.

The guys also revisit their fantasy draft strategies and the lessons they’ll take into 2027. When should you prioritize floor over ceiling? Is “skills over roles” still the best way to find late-round breakouts? And can this year’s success actually help us identify the next Pete Crow-Armstrong or Jacob Misiorowski?

Niv Shah joins the show to examine the most profitable players in Ottoneu, including PCA’s enormous return, the difficult keeper decisions coming this offseason and whether there’s a blueprint for finding 2027’s breakout stars.

Plus, it’s the final Taste the Majors review of 2026! The Philly Dog gets put to the test, and the crew has some ideas for how MLB’s ballpark hot dog series can take another step forward next season.

Before Fantasy Friday begins, DVR and Eno break down the final weekend of the MLB regular season. The Phillies are still fighting to secure their playoff spot, their offense ranks near the bottom of MLB, and using Zack Wheeler on Sunday could complicate their Wild Card rotation.

Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment!

First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026

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
Rates & Barrels MERCH: https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/

Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris
Guest: Niv Shah
Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis
Editor: McEnroe Francis

00:00 Intro
00:32 The Final Weekend of Fantasy Baseball
02:38 What Did DVR Learn This Fantasy Season?
04:40 Rethinking Draft-and-Hold Strategy
06:15 Can the Phillies Survive the Final Weekend?
10:13 Philadelphia’s Offense Has Been a Disaster
11:20 MLB’s Final Playoff Spots
13:50 Do You Need Home Runs to Win in October?
17:17 Fantasy Friday: The 2026 All-ROI Team
17:58 Fantasy Baseball’s Biggest Draft-Day Bargains
18:48 Waiting on Catcher Paid Off
20:50 Jordan Walker’s Massive Return
22:19 The Best Waiver-Wire & Late-Round Finds
23:01 Jake McCarthy & Carson Benge Deliver
25:37 Sal Stewart Rewards the Skills-Over-Roles Approach
26:42 Brandon Lowe & Luis García Jr.
29:09 Otto Lopez’s $26 Fantasy Season
31:28 Is Kevin McGonigle Too Expensive for 2027?
32:05 Miguel Vargas Was a League Winner
34:22 Nolan Arenado’s Forgotten Bounceback
35:38 Jake McCarthy Thrives in Colorado
38:02 Ben Rice & Other Mid-Round Wins
39:27 Randy Arozarena’s Big Season
39:59 The Biggest Out-of-Nowhere Breakouts
40:29 Liam Hicks Comes From Nowhere
43:00 Ezekiel Duran’s Breakout
46:10 Finding Deep-League Unsung Heroes
47:03 Niv Shah Joins Rates & Barrels
47:23 Ottoneu’s Most Profitable Players
50:03 Pete Crow-Armstrong’s Massive Profit
51:52 The Mason Miller Keeper Decision
53:18 Difficult Keeper Decisions for 2027
53:56 How Did PCA & Misiorowski Break Out?
58:47 Can You Find the Next PCA?
59:20 Why Fantasy Success Isn’t Always Repeatable
1:00:46 A 2027 Anthony Volpe Rebound?
1:02:50 Taste the Majors: The Philly Dog
1:03:16 What Is Actually on the Philly Dog?
1:09:26 Our Hot Dog Plea for 2027
1:13:32 Building the Ultimate Ballpark Hot Dog
1:14:25 Farewell to Taste the Majors

#FantasyBaseball #MLB #Baseball #FantasyBaseball2027 #RatesAndBarrels
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The Colorado Rockies are headed toward a fourth consecutive 100-loss season — but for the first time in a while, there are signs that the organization may actually be moving in the right direction.

DVR, Eno Sarris and Trevor May close the tab on the 2026 Rockies and examine Colorado's emerging roster-building philosophy. The Rockies dramatically reduced their hitters' strikeout rate, added more contact-oriented bats and began changing how their pitchers attack hitters at Coors Field. But what would an organization truly built to exploit baseball's most unusual environment look like?

Trevor uses his experience pitching at Coors to explain which traits could actually work at altitude, while Eno digs into pitch design and whether velocity, gyro sliders, splitters and different types of changeups could provide Colorado with a sustainable pitching strategy.

Before that, it's time to close the tab on the Miami Marlins. Miami could finish with a positive run differential for the first time in a full season since 2010, while players such as Otto Lopez have emerged from an extremely inexpensive roster. But does Miami have enough impact talent to take the next step?

Plus, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is facing criticism over comments about his massive Blue Jays contract following a disappointing 2026 season. The guys discuss what Vlad meant, the timing of his comments, his injuries and why baseball's salary structure makes the situation more complicated than the reaction suggests.

00:00 Vlad Jr., Marlins & Rockies
00:38 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Faces Criticism
01:33 Did Vlad Jr.’s Comments Go Too Far?
07:52 Comparing Vlad Jr. to Miguel Cabrera
08:38 Did Injuries Derail Vlad’s Season?
10:55 Why Aren’t the Reds the Brewers?
11:34 Is Reds Ownership Part of the Problem?
17:37 Why Some Small-Market Teams Keep Falling Behind
20:41 Marlins Preview
21:22 Closing the Tab: Miami Marlins
21:44 Are the Marlins Better Than Their Record?
22:46 Miami’s Offense Is Finally Improving
26:30 What Is the Marlins’ Identity?
31:13 Could Miami Use Starters Out of the Bullpen?
32:18 Injuries Hit the Marlins’ Pitching Prospects
33:03 Otto Lopez’s Breakout Season
34:27 Can Starters Really Pitch Between Starts?
38:55 Does Miami Finally Need to Spend?
41:15 Is Miami’s Farm System Good Enough?
43:51 Closing the Tab: Colorado Rockies
44:31 The Rockies Are Actually Getting Better
46:34 Colorado’s New Offensive Philosophy
46:53 Rockies Dramatically Cut Their Strikeout Rate
48:38 Colorado Is Changing Its Pitching Approach
49:24 What Actually Works at Coors Field?
53:27 Building Hitters for Coors
54:27 Colorado’s Veteran Pitching Strategy
57:37 How Should the Rockies Develop Pitching?
59:41 How Do You Build a Pitcher for Coors?
1:05:08 Are the Rockies Finally Moving Forward?

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First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026

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
Rates & Barrels MERCH: https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/

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

#MLB #Baseball #Rockies #ColoradoRockies #Marlins #MiamiMarlins #BlueJays #VladimirGuerreroJr #RatesAndBarrels
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