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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 **Like, subscribe and drop us a comment!** Are the Brewers the World Series favorites? And do you think the Dodgers' championship window is beginning to close? CONNECT WITH RATES & BARRELS 🎟️ First Pitch Arizona — Join the baseball community 💬 Join the Rates & Barrels Discord 📧 Email: [email protected] 🧢 Shop Rates & Barrels merchandise ⚾ 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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? Like, subscribe and drop us a comment! **MORE RATES & BARRELS** Join our Discord for live game conversations and mailbag questions: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Shop Rates & Barrels merchandise: https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/ **FOLLOW THE HOSTS** Derek VanRiper on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/dvr.bsky.social Eno Sarris on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/enosarris.bsky.social Email: [email protected] 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Milwaukee Brewers have a 2-0 NLCS lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers, while the Cleveland Guardians and Tampa Bay Rays are tied 1-1 in the ALCS. With Game 3 approaching in both Championship Series, what adjustments could decide who reaches the 2026 World Series? DVR, Eno and Jed Lowrie break down the latest MLB playoff action, preview the critical pitching matchups, and close the book on the Chicago White Sox's surprising 2026 season. Milwaukee has taken the first two games against Los Angeles, and a 12-pitch walk by Jake Bauers may have been one of the biggest turning points of Game 2. We analyze how Bauers battled Yoshinobu Yamamoto, drove up his pitch count and set up Christian Yelich's two-run single that knocked the Dodgers' ace out of the game. Looking ahead to Game 3, how should the Brewers approach Blake Snell? Can Robert Gasser's unique pitch mix keep the Dodgers' lineup off balance? And which team has the advantage as the NLCS shifts to Los Angeles? The Rays have evened the ALCS at 1-1 after Freddy Peralta delivered six scoreless innings in Game 2, reaching 99.4 mph and dominating with his elevated fastball. Plus, Rays infielder Taylor Walls gives a fascinating explanation of how elite defenders anticipate where a baseball will be hit. Jed Lowrie shares his own major league experience with defensive positioning, pitch recognition and reacting to contact. With the series heading to Cleveland, the crew takes a deep dive into Gavin Williams' arsenal and how Tampa Bay hitters should approach him. Can Griffin Jax deliver enough innings to give the Rays an advantage in Game 3? The White Sox made an incredible turnaround in 2026, but their season ended with a disappointing five-game ALDS loss to Cleveland. What went wrong for Chicago's high-strikeout offense? Can Colson Montgomery, Munetaka Murakami and Kyle Teel make the adjustments needed to take the next step? DVR, Eno and Jed examine the development of Chicago's young core, the future of Noah Schultz and Grant Taylor, and whether the White Sox should make a major investment in their starting rotation. Could a frontline free-agent pitcher turn the White Sox into legitimate World Series contenders in 2027? 💬 **JOIN THE CONVERSATION** Who wins Game 3 of the NLCS and ALCS? Are the Brewers the team to beat in the National League? And should the White Sox spend big this offseason? Like, subscribe and drop us a comment! **MORE RATES & BARRELS** 💬 Join our Discord for conversations and mailbag questions: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe 📰 Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels 👕 Shop Rates & Barrels merchandise: https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/ **FOLLOW THE HOSTS** Derek VanRiper on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/dvr.bsky.social Eno Sarris on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/enosarris.bsky.social 📧 Email: [email protected] Hosts:Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Contributor:Jed Lowrie Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis Rates & Barrels | The Athletic #MLBPlayoffs #Brewers #Dodgers #ALCS #NLCS #Guardians #Rays #WhiteSox #RatesAndBarrels 00:00 – Introduction: NLCS & ALCS Game 3 Preview 01:24 – The Moneyball Advantages 02:52 – Jake Bauers' 12-Pitch Walk vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto 06:15 – How Long At-Bats Wear Down Elite Pitchers 14:05 – NLCS Game 3 Preview: Blake Snell vs. Robert Gasser 20:26 – Why Robert Gasser's Pitch Mix Is So Difficult 22:37 – Freddy Peralta's Dominant ALCS Game 2 25:49 – José Ramírez's Defensive Mistakes 32:36 – Taylor Walls Explains the Art of Infield Defense 39:39 – Jed Lowrie on Defensive Preparation & Positioning 44:25 – Parker Messick and the Guardians' Game 3 Outlook 45:48 – How Would You Hit Against Gavin Williams? 53:14 – Griffin Jax and Tampa Bay's Game 3 Strategy 54:20 – Closing the Tab: Chicago White Sox 56:25 – The White Sox's Emerging Young Core 1:05:02 – How the White Sox Can Reduce Their Strikeouts 1:06:36 – Final Thoughts & What's Next Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Should the Los Angeles Dodgers actually consider BENCHING Shohei Ohtani? The Milwaukee Brewers have jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the NLCS, Cleveland has stolen Game 1 of the ALCS from Tampa Bay, and the New York Yankees are facing some uncomfortable questions after another disappointing October. Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris and Britt Ghiroli break down the latest MLB playoff action on Rates & Barrels, including Milwaukee's formula for beating the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani's struggles, Cleveland's pitching strategy against the Rays, and a deep dive into what went wrong for the 2026 Yankees. Milwaukee has taken the first two games of the NLCS despite facing Tarik Skubal and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. What's making the Brewers so difficult to beat? Looking ahead to Game 3, can Blake Snell and the Dodgers turn the series around against Robert Gasser? The Guardians stunned Tampa Bay in ALCS Game 1, rallying against Drew Rasmussen and the Rays' bullpen. Did Kevin Cash leave Rasmussen in too long? How did Cleveland use Tampa Bay's platoon weaknesses to its advantage? And can the Guardians maintain their momentum against Freddy Peralta in Game 2? DVR, Eno and Britt examine Cleveland's aggressive approach at the plate, Parker Messick's workload, the impact of Chase DeLauter and Patrick Bailey, and Junior Caminero's injury scare. Another 90-win season. Another October disappointment. And another winter of questions in the Bronx. Britt Ghiroli examines the Yankees' lack of accountability, the health concerns surrounding Aaron Judge, and why the organizational culture may no longer resemble the Yankees teams that won championships. Should Aaron Boone return? What changes should Brian Cashman make? Can the Yankees build a roster that wins with contact, defense and situational baseball instead of relying so heavily on power? What do you think? Should the Dodgers bench Ohtani? Are the Brewers the NL favorites? And what needs to change for the Yankees to win another World Series? Drop your thoughts in the comments! 👍 Like, subscribe and drop us a comment! 💬 Join the Rates & Barrels Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe 📰 Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels 👕 Rates & Barrels Merch: https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/ Follow Rates & Barrels: Derek VanRiper on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/dvr.bsky.social Eno Sarris on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/enosarris.bsky.social 📧 [email protected] Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Contributor:Britt Ghiroli Executive Producer & Editor:McEnroe Francis #MLBPlayoffs #Brewers #Dodgers #ShoheiOhtani #Yankees #RatesAndBarrels 00:00 – Guardians Win Game 1; Brewers Take Control of NLCS 02:34 – Did Kevin Cash Leave Drew Rasmussen in Too Long? 06:55 – How Cleveland Exploited Tampa Bay's Platoon Weaknesses 13:43 – Guardians' Aggressive Approach Against Rasmussen 15:18 – ALCS Game 2 Preview: Parker Messick vs. Freddy Peralta 21:43 – Brewers Lead Dodgers 2-0 in the NLCS 23:24 – Milwaukee's Winning Formula: Plate Discipline and Baserunning 25:40 – Shohei Ohtani's Health and Dodgers' Offensive Struggles 26:28 – Why Milwaukee's Fastball Strategy Is Working 28:15 – How the Dodgers Attacked Jacob Misiorowski 30:17 – The Brewers' Dominant Bullpen 32:17 – William Contreras, Christian Yelich and Cooper Pratt 38:39 – What Went Wrong with Yoshinobu Yamamoto? 39:57 – Why Haven't the Dodgers Used Edwin Díaz? 44:57 – NLCS Game 3 Preview: Robert Gasser vs. Blake Snell 48:05 – Should the Dodgers Bench Shohei Ohtani? 50:40 – Closing the Tab: The 2026 New York Yankees 01:02:36 – Are the Yankees Behind Baseball's Contact Revolution? 01:03:36 – Is the Yankees' Culture of Accountability Gone? 01:06:30 – The Yankees' Success Since Their Last World Series 01:08:12 – Final Thoughts and What's Next Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2026 ALCS is set! The Cleveland Guardians completed an incredible comeback against the Chicago White Sox, erasing a 2-0 ALDS deficit to advance to the American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. But after surviving Chicago, does Cleveland have enough pitching left to take down Tampa Bay? Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris deliver their complete **Guardians vs. Rays ALCS preview**, breaking down projected starting pitching matchups, bullpen depth, lineup advantages, platoon strategies, X-factors and predictions for the best-of-seven series. José Ramírez delivered one of the most remarkable home runs in postseason history, Gavin Williams dominated Game 5, and Cade Smith has been nearly unhittable. Now the Guardians face a Rays team that won five of their six regular-season meetings and has a very different approach to managing its pitching staff. Can Cleveland navigate a potential bullpen game against Drew Rasmussen? How will Parker Messick and Gavin Williams match up against Tampa Bay's starters? And will Junior Caminero, Yandy Díaz or an unexpected Rays role player become the difference-maker? Who wins the ALCS — Guardians or Rays? And how many games will it take? Drop your predictions in the comments!** 👍 Like, subscribe and drop us a comment! ⚾ First Pitch Arizona: https://www.baseballhq.com/pricing/first-pitch-arizona-2026 💬 Join the Rates & Barrels Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe 📰 Subscribe to The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels 👕 Rates & Barrels Merch: https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/ Follow Rates & Barrels: Derek VanRiper on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/dvr.bsky.social Eno Sarris on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/enosarris.bsky.social 📧 Email: [email protected] 🎧 Rates & Barrels — The Athletic's Baseball Podcast Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis #ALCS #Guardians #Rays #MLBPlayoffs #RatesAndBarrels 00:00 – Guardians Complete an Incredible ALDS Comeback 01:43 – Cleveland's Pitching Exposes Chicago's Biggest Weakness 06:56 – José Ramírez's Unbelievable Game 5 Home Run 11:45 – Guardians vs. Rays: Projected ALCS Pitching Matchups 14:24 – Comparing the Starting Rotations and Bullpens 16:22 – How Cleveland Can Attack Tampa Bay's Platoons 22:33 – Rays Dominate the Regular-Season Matchups 25:44 – Cade Smith and the Guardians' Bullpen Challenge 28:23 – Which Guardians Hitters Must Step Up? 33:14 – Breaking Down the Game 1 and Game 2 Matchups 39:36 – Tampa Bay's Pitching Depth and Defensive Advantage 42:16 – Why the ALCS Schedule Could Hurt Cleveland 44:40 – ALCS Predictions: Rays in Six? 49:24 – The Junior Caminero Trade Comes Back to Haunt Cleveland 51:29 – ALCS X-Factors and Unexpected Difference-Makers 52:18 – Could Tampa Bay's Outfield Defense Be Exposed? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Kurkjian and Eduardo Pérez return to Starkville! This week, Jayson and Doug welcome the baseball insiders to break down the wildest moments of the postseason, from Eduardo’s Dodgers and Yankees fumble to the best stories of October, including Bryan Baker’s buddies and the Tampa Bay Rays’ growth. They discuss the craziest things they’ve seen on the field, questionable umpire predictions, the Yankees’ wall controversy, and the lawyer explanations that followed. Plus, they dive into the baseball insanity surrounding the Guardians and White Sox, the challenges of retractable roofs in Tampa and Milwaukee, and Eduardo’s memorable encounter with a D-ring. And in Strange But True, a fair or foul call involving Milwaukee’s roof takes center stage. Finally, Tim and Eduardo share stories from their travels around baseball, including what makes Tim Kurkjian such a legendary storyteller. Rundown: 00:33 In The Booth 05:59 Up Next 06:03 Tim and Eduardo Visit Starkville! 13:48 Best Thing This Postseason 23:36 Craziest Things Seen 30:21 Guardians and White Sox 42:25 Let’s Talk About Roofs 47:41 Elite Shortstop Explanation 51:49 Top Tales About Traveling With Tim and Eduardo 1:00:00 Up Next 1:00:35 Strange But True 01:12:26 Wrap Up Follow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.social Follow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.social Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.social E-mail: [email protected] 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Dodgers have the star power, the Cy Young-caliber rotation and seemingly endless pitching depth. But are the Brewers actually the perfect team to beat them? Eno Sarris and Trevor May preview the Dodgers-Brewers NLCS, breaking down a loaded Los Angeles rotation featuring Tarik Skubal, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow and how Milwaukee's contact-heavy, low-chase offense might attack it. Can the Brewers grind down L.A.'s starters and reach the vulnerable portions of the bullpen? Is Jacob Misiorowski the great equalizer? How important will Aaron Ashby, Abner Uribe and Trevor Megill be in a seven-game series? And could simply getting one blowout win — and saving the high-leverage arms for another night — ultimately swing the NLCS? Plus, Eno and Trevor reveal their X-factors and make their picks to reach the World Series. Who wins the NLCS: Dodgers or Brewers? Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment! e-mail: [email protected] Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Rates & Barrels MERCH: https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/ 00:00 — Dodgers vs. Brewers NLCS Preview 03:47 — Can Milwaukee Crack the Dodgers' Rotation? 09:03 — Breaking Down the Dodgers' Bullpen 11:47 — Is Edwin Díaz Back? 16:25 — What's Wrong With the Dodgers' Offense? 19:25 — Dodgers vs. Brewers Offense 23:03 — Jacob Misiorowski & the Brewers' Rotation 25:34 — Where the Dodgers Have the Pitching Edge 26:55 — The Key to the Series 28:06 — Brewers Bullpen & Aaron Ashby 31:33 — Death By A Thousand Cuts 32:20 — How Milwaukee Can Attack Dodgers Pitching 36:35 — Can the Brewers Grind Down Skubal? 38:41 — How Milwaukee Can Slow Down an Ace 41:20 — The Left-Handed Matchup Game 43:41 — NLCS X-Factors 48:54 — Trevor & Eno Make Their Picks 51:15 — Why Is Postseason Offense Disappearing? 58:13 — Has Baseball Come Full Circle? Hosts: Eno Sarris & Trevor May Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Championship Series field is starting to take shape. The Dodgers, Brewers and Rays are moving on after a massive day of postseason baseball, while the Guardians kept their season alive and forced another game against the White Sox. DVR and Eno recap all four games, breaking down the biggest performances, pitching decisions and moments that decided each matchup. They look at how Los Angeles, Milwaukee and Tampa Bay punched their tickets to the next round, what Cleveland did to extend its series with Chicago, and what it all means as the MLB postseason moves one step closer to the ALCS and NLCS. Plus, who earned a 🥂 **Toast of the Game** after a full day of October baseball? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Division Series are heating up, and Rates & Barrels is LIVE to break down everything from a huge night of October baseball. DVR and Eno Sarris recap Tuesday’s NLDS action, including Brewers-Padres Game 3 and Braves-Dodgers Game 3, as both National League series take another major step toward determining who will reach the NLCS. Then, the guys turn their attention to the American League after the Rays and White Sox took control of their respective series. The Yankees and Guardians now head into Wednesday facing potential elimination games with their seasons on the line. What went wrong for New York and Cleveland? Can either team fight its way back into the series? And what have Tampa Bay and Chicago done to put themselves one win away from the ALCS? Plus, we break down the biggest performances, managerial decisions, pitching matchups and turning points from another packed day of postseason baseball. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The NLDS is getting interesting in a hurry. DVR, Eno Sarris and Britt Ghiroli take a deep dive into both National League Division Series after a dramatic opening weekend. The Braves stole a game in Los Angeles without using Chris Sale and now head home tied 1-1 with Sale lined up against Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Game 3. Did the Dodgers get too far ahead of themselves by setting up Yamamoto with the NLCS in mind — and could that decision come back to haunt them? Plus, Atlanta’s bullpen has stepped up in a huge way, Ray Kerr continues to emerge as an October weapon, and the Dodgers’ lineup suddenly faces enormous pressure. Then, Britt takes us inside two incredible Brewers-Padres games in Milwaukee. The Brewers head to San Diego with a 2-0 series lead despite defensive mistakes and less-than-dominant starting pitching. Did San Diego pull Michael King too early? Was asking Mason Miller for six outs a mistake? And can the Padres’ offense finally capitalize after leaving 20 runners on base through the first two games? Finally, the crew tackles one of October’s biggest debates: Do analytics actually work in the postseason? Or does playoff baseball require teams to think differently when every pitch, matchup and managerial decision is magnified? Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment! Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Guest: Britt Ghiroli Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis e-mail: [email protected] Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Rates & Barrels MERCH: https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/ #brewers #dodgers #braves #padres #mlbplayoffs 00:00 NLDS Deep Dive 01:57 Braves-Dodgers: Atlanta Steals the Split 03:54 How Atlanta’s Bullpen Beat the Dodgers 05:00 Are the Dodgers in Trouble? 06:57 Ray Kerr Becomes an October Weapon 10:51 Dodgers’ Curious Bunt Decision 14:05 Did LA Make a Mistake With Yamamoto? 18:05 Sale-Yamamoto & What Comes Next 21:25 Are Teams Pushing Pitchers Too Hard? 25:27 ABS Changes October Baseball 27:37 Brewers-Padres Game 2 Deep Dive 28:21 Did the Padres Pull Michael King Too Early? 31:35 Mason Miller’s Six-Out Gamble 35:28 Padres’ Offense Comes Up Short 39:04 Brewers Escape Milwaukee Up 2-0 41:29 What Happened to Mason Miller? 46:38 Can San Diego’s Bullpen Recover? 48:35 Brewers-Padres Game 3 Preview 50:05 Is Playoff Baseball Actually Different? 54:03 Do Analytics Work in October? 58:53 The Analytics vs. Eye Test Debate Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The MLB Division Series are already delivering chaos. DVR and Eno recap a wild weekend of postseason baseball, beginning with the White Sox taking Game 1 from the Guardians behind Munetaka Murakami, Hagen Smith and another huge performance from Grant Taylor. What does Cleveland need to change with Gavin Williams taking the ball in Game 2? Then, Drew Rasmussen delivered one of the best pitching performances of the postseason, carrying a no-hitter through six innings against the Yankees before finishing eight innings of one-hit ball. DVR and Eno break down why Rasmussen remains one of baseball's most underrated starters, Austin Wells' costly baserunning decision, the Rays' unusual approach to outfield defense, and what to expect from Cam Schlittler vs. Freddy Peralta in Game 2. Plus: CABLEGATE! Did Ty France actually lose a potential game-tying home run when his fly ball struck a roof cable at American Family Field? Eno digs into the Statcast data, comparable batted balls, foul-ball probability and information from MLB analysts to determine what probably would have happened without the cable. The Brewers ultimately survived Game 1 and rallied against Mason Miller in Game 2 to take a 2-0 series lead over the Padres. How much did San Diego's aggressive bullpen usage contribute to the loss, and can the Padres still make this a series? Finally, the Braves steal Game 2 in Los Angeles to earn a split against the Dodgers. DVR and Eno examine Atlanta's unusual Chris Sale usage, the cost of leaning heavily on the bullpen, Teoscar Hernández's resurgence and what the series looks like heading back to Atlanta. Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment! 🎟️ First Pitch Arizona: https://firstpitcharizona.com/ Follow Rates & Barrels: DVR on Bluesky: @derekvanriper.bsky.social Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social 📧 [email protected] 💬 Join the Rates & Barrels Discord 📰 Subscribe to The Athletic 👕 Shop Rates & Barrels merch Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis 00:00 Division Series Weekend Recap 01:14 White Sox Take Game 1 From Cleveland 02:03 Grant Taylor & Chicago's Pitching Chaos 04:44 Tommy Pham's Almost-Homer 07:47 Hagen Smith & White Sox Pitching Plans 13:39 White Sox-Guardians Game 2 Preview 17:36 Drew Rasmussen Dominates the Yankees 18:11 Austin Wells' Costly Baserunning Decision 19:18 Is Drew Rasmussen MLB's Secret Ace? 23:15 Cam Schlittler vs. Freddy Peralta 26:38 The Rays' Secret Outfield Defense Weapon 35:06 Cablegate: Did the Padres Get Robbed? 44:44 Brewers Survive Game 1 45:59 Did the Padres Overuse Their Bullpen? 48:51 How Milwaukee Escaped With a 2-0 Lead 50:53 Braves-Dodgers Series Recap 54:14 Atlanta's Chris Sale Gamble 58:55 Monday's ALDS Game 2 Matchups Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Hamilton and Len Kasper join Starkville! This week, Jayson and Doug sit down with the longtime voices of the Red Sox and White Sox to discuss the matchup between two teams that have taken different paths but built their success the right way. They break down why America needs this series, whether any non-playoff teams could surprise everyone and make the postseason next year, and the emergence of José Ramírez, Chase DeLauter and other young players making their mark. They also discuss the early injury chaos, the contrasting pitching staffs, and the importance of trust when managing new coaches and young players. Plus, Jayson and Doug highlight players who deserve more attention, including Brayan Rocchio, Joey Cantillo, Tristan Peters and Sam Antonacci. And in Strange But True, the guys explore the Pope factor and his unexpected influence on the action in the field. Rundown: 03:36 Am I Wrong? 05:41 Losing Left Handed Leverage 08:35 UP NEXT 09:04 Tom and Len Visit Starkville! 12:04 Why America Needs This Series 19:48 The Game of Predicting Playoffs 24:46 Chase Delauter and Parker Messick 27:11 Crazy First Inning Injuries 28:19 Contrast Between Pitching Staffs 31:15 Role of Trust in the Game 36:37 Players We Should Know Better 42:19 The Pope Factor In This Series 46:21 UP NEXT Follow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.social Follow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.social Follow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.social E-mail: [email protected] 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The NLDS is here. DVR and Eno preview Braves-Dodgers and Padres-Brewers, breaking down the pitching matchups, lineup weaknesses, bullpen advantages and X-factors that could decide both National League Division Series. Can Atlanta find a way to slow down the Dodgers? The Braves took five of six from Los Angeles during the regular season, but the postseason pitching staffs look very different. DVR and Eno examine how Chris Sale could be deployed, why J.R. Ritchie could become a surprise weapon for Atlanta and how the Dodgers’ collection of high-velocity arms could attack one of the Braves’ biggest offensive weaknesses. The Dodgers finished among MLB’s leaders in 95+ mph fastballs, while Atlanta posted a .295 wOBA against those pitches during the regular season. Which Braves hitters can handle premium velocity? Plus, how healthy and effective will Shohei Ohtani be, and can Freddie Freeman bounce back after a difficult September? Then it's Padres-Brewers. Milwaukee owns the top seed, but San Diego enters the NLDS after a huge second half and a Wild Card Series win over the Cubs. DVR and Eno dig into Jacob Misiorowski, Logan Henderson, Milwaukee’s pitching plans, Mason Miller and the battle between two deep bullpens. The Brewers' offense might also be more dangerous than its reputation suggests. Milwaukee combines on-base ability, bat speed and aggressive baserunning, while both the Brewers and Padres finished among MLB's best teams against 95+ mph fastballs. Could that become a major factor against Misiorowski and San Diego's power bullpen? Finally, it's time to Close the Tab on the 2026 Philadelphia Phillies. After another disappointing October exit, DVR and Eno discuss how the Bryce Harper era should be evaluated, an aging roster, Zack Wheeler, Trea Turner, Andrew Painter and whether Philadelphia should keep pushing its chips in for another championship run. Like, Subscribe and drop us a comment! e-mail: [email protected] 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 & Editor: McEnroe Francis CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 00:46 Braves-Dodgers: Setting Up the Series 05:46 How Atlanta's Rotation Could Line Up 09:10 Could J.R. Ritchie Be Atlanta's X-Factor? 11:44 The Dodgers' Pitching Advantage 12:34 Atlanta's Problem With High-Velocity Fastballs 17:06 Shohei Ohtani & Freddie Freeman Questions 20:18 Braves-Dodgers Predictions 21:05 Padres-Brewers NLDS Preview 25:26 How the Schedule Impacts Jacob Misiorowski 27:49 Milwaukee's Rotation After Misiorowski 32:45 How Dangerous Is the Brewers Offense? 35:24 Can San Diego Stop Milwaukee on the Bases? 36:59 Breaking Down the Bullpens 39:36 Milwaukee's Bullpen vs. Mason Miller 41:12 Brewers & Padres Can Both Hit Velocity 42:40 Padres-Brewers Predictions 43:19 Closing the Tab on the Phillies 47:23 Evaluating the Bryce Harper Era 48:12 What Should Philadelphia Do Next? 52:11 The Phillies' Aging Lineup 55:29 A Wild Trade Idea for Philadelphia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The MLB Wild Card round comes down to one final elimination game — and Rates & Barrels is going LIVE for Phillies-Braves Game 3. Join DVR and Eno starting in the 7th inning as Philadelphia and Atlanta battle for a spot in the NLDS. We’ll react LIVE to the biggest moments, pitching decisions and late-game strategy as the final Wild Card series is decided. Then we turn our attention to the American League Division Series. The ALDS matchups are set: ⚾ Yankees vs. Rays ⚾ White Sox vs. Guardians How do the Yankees match up with Tampa Bay after advancing through the Wild Card round? Can the White Sox keep their surprising postseason run going against Cleveland? Which rotations, bullpens and lineup matchups could ultimately decide each series? We’ll break down both ALDS matchups, identify the biggest players and X-factors to watch, and get you ready for the next round of the 2026 MLB Playoffs. Bring your questions and reactions to the LIVE chat as we watch the end of Phillies-Braves and turn the page to the Division Series. Like, subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss any of our LIVE postseason coverage! 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: [email protected] Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Rates & Barrels MERCH: https://rates-and-barrels.printify.me/ #MLB #MLBPlayoffs #Phillies #Braves #Yankees #Rays #WhiteSox #Guardians #ALDS #Postseason #RatesAndBarrels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2026 MLB Wild Card Day 1 is in the books and what a day it was— Rates & Barrels will be back with you LIVE to break down everything from Day 2 of the Wild Card Series. Join DVR and Eno during the 7th inning of the final game of the day as they recap all four Wild Card matchups, react to the biggest performances and turning points, and break down what's next for each series. Which teams put themselves in position to advance? What did we learn from the pitching matchups? Which decisions could shape the rest of the Wild Card round? And what should we be watching when the teams get back on the field Thursday? Bring your questions and reactions to the chat as we recap Day 2 and get you ready for Day 3 of the MLB postseason. Like, subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss our LIVE Wild Card coverage Wednesday and Thursday. #MLB #MLBPlayoffs #WildCard #Postseason #Baseball #RatesAndBarrels Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.