Eno and DVR discuss Tanner Houck's excellent start to 2024 on the heels of a 'Maddux' against the Guardians on Wednesday. Plus, they look at the ongoing health struggles for Kris Bryant in Colorado, Yu Darvish's move to the IL, hitters with a path to develop more power over time, and a few recent callups including Jack Leiter, Andy Pages, and Landon Knapp.  Rundown 1:45 Tanner Houck and Buying High on Surging Starting Pitchers 9:35 Ryan Weathers Makes DVR Look Dumb 15:02 Yu Darvish &...

Eno, DVR and Britt discuss John Sterling's abrupt retirement after 36 years with the Yankees, the Marlins' surprising decision to send Max Meyer back to Triple-A, the current state of baseball rivalries including a few potential new feuds that could develop. Plus, they discuss the Cubs as a potential top-five team for the next five years, before a round of 'Buy, Sell, Hold'.  Rundown 1:07 John Sterling Abruptly Announces Retirement 6:03 The Changing Role of Baseball Broadcasters 11:25 Why...

Eno and DVR discuss the idea exercising more caution with high velocity starting pitchers in the future, weekend news and notes, several recent drops and difficult holds amidst early struggles, and where the money went in weekly free-agent pickups from the weekend.  Rundown 2:28 Jackie Robinson Day, 2024 8:20 Another High Velocity Starter (Bobby Miller) Heads to the IL 15:40 Will Trends Make Starters with Slightly Less Velocity (93-94 mph fastballs) More Popular? 20:28 Justin Verlander...

Eno, Trevor and DVR discuss a few surprising takeaways from the criminal complaint against Shohei Ohtani's former translator Ippei Mizuhara, the difficulty of making early-season adjustments, and Henry Davis' current struggle against elevated fastballs. Plus, they introduce a new segment 'How I Would Pitch to This Guy' where Eno and Trevor share a detailed gameplan for pitching to Mookie Betts, before taking a few live questions. Rundown 1:28 Surprises From Criminal Complaint Against Ippei...

Eno and DVR discuss recent progress in the Ippei Mizuhara story, as Mizuhara is in the process of negotiating a guilty plea with federal prosecutors with evidence suggesting that Mizuhara may have stolen more than $4.5 million from Shohei Ohtani. Plus, they consider the arrival of Jackson Holliday and his 2024 comps before taking a look at several minor league injury updates, the early-season struggles of Ceddanne Rafaela, waiver-wire targets, and a few mailbag questions. Rundown 2:07...

Eno, DVR and Britt take a closer look at pitcher injuries that have mounted at all levels in recent years, and dissect the varying reasons behind the significant increase in major elbow and shoulder problems. Plus, they consider the fast start of the Pirates and the dismal start of the Marlins in their first installment of 'Buy, Sell, Hold' for 2024.  Rundown 1:25 The Problem Starts at Youth Levels 7:31 Incentivizing Starters with In-Game Rules to Reduce Velocity & Pitch Deeper Into...

Eno and DVR discuss another round of injuries including a UCL sprain for Spencer Strider, Tommy John surgery on tap for Shane Bieber, a significant hip flexor strain for Luis Robert Jr, and a dislocated shoulder for Trevor Story. Beyond injuries, they discuss Ronel Blanco's encore and the ongoing battle in the Astros' rotation for a spot once Justin Verlander returns, and several players whose value shifted over the past week.  Rundown 1:31 Spencer Strider Has a UCL Sprain; Course of Action...

Eno, Trevor and DVR discuss John Fisher's decision to temporarily move the A's to Sacramento for the next three years (2025-2027) while attempting to complete an eventual move to Las Vegas. Plus, they examine the teams currently facing the toughest path to winning in the next five years, before resuming their pitch deep dive series with changeups. Rundown 0:54 The A's Are Making a Three-Year Stop in Sacramento 9:01 Challenges In Making the A's Competitive Again 17:00 The Rockies' Built-In...

Eno and DVR discuss several injury updates, including a longer-than-expected timetable for Josh Jung's return following wrist surgery,Justin Verlander's progress to a two-start rehab assignment, Walker Buehler's rehab work, and a pair of prospects that avoided scares. Plus, Shōta Imanaga's debut against the Rockies, listener league strategy and roster rates, and several mailbag questions about Luis Gil, monitoring pitcher workloads, and Triston McKenzie's fastball velocity drop Rundown 2:17...

Britt Ghiroli returns to Rates & Barrels (regularly on Tuesdays, all season!) with Eno and DVR to discuss Ronel Blanco's no-hitter, and the start of a new chapter in Baltimore with an ownership change accompanying the organization's rise toward multi-year success. The trio then discusses the five MLB teams best position for the next five seasons. Is the Astros' window coming to a close, or will Dana Brown's front office begin to thrive in the first-year player draft? Plus, if there are a...

Eno and DVR take a look back at the Opening Series for each team and discuss their takeaways, along with some of the surprisingly good and bad starting pitcher performances that have unfolded so far. Plus, they highlight a few other important things to monitor in the early days of the season. Rundown 2:40 Where the Money Went: Jason Foley, Kevin Ginkel, Griffin Jax, Brock Stewart, Jordan Hicks & Garrett Crochet 15:52 Making Sense of Starting Pitcher Debuts (Good & Bad) 20:45 Keeping...

Join Eno, Trevor & DVR as they recap Opening Day and share their predictions for the 2024 MLB Season! From Garrett Crochet's excellent start to Royce Lewis' homer and early exit with an injury, they discuss some of the highest and lows from the first "full" day of the season before making several predictions for the upcoming campaign. Rundown 1:03 Opening Day Takeaways 18:57 Rookie of the Year Predictions 30:28 Cy Young Award Predictions 41:53 MVP Predictions 45:14 AL Division...

Happy Opening Day! Eno and DVR discuss Will Smith's 10-year extension with the Dodgers, good news for Jordan Romano, a tough break for Jordan Lawlar, and other news and notes as the 2024 MLB season gets underway in full. Plus, they break down a few Eno's bold predictions for the upcoming campaign, and discuss a few wrinkles from this year's Main Event of the NFBC. Rundown 3:42 Will Smith Signs 10-Year Extension w/Dodgers 8:26 Jordan Romano May Return Quickly From IL 9:26 Jordan Lawlar Out...

Eno and DVR discuss Jordan Montgomery's move to Arizona on a one-year, $25 million deal, shoulder surgery for Matt McLain, and an opportunity for Victor Scott II following a late-spring injury to Dylan Carlson. Plus, they examine a few spring stats worth caring about, and reveal their selections for The 2024 All-Oatmeal Team. (Reminder: We *Like* Oatmeal!) Rundown 1:53 Jordan Montgomery to the Diamondbacks 6:32 Matt McLain Undergoes Shoulder Surgery 9:39 Will Victor Scott II Offer More Pop...

Eno and DVR discuss the latest in the story involving Shohei Ohtani and his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara, before catching up on a lot of other news around baseball including job battles that have been decided, late spring injuries wreaking havoc on depth charts, and the subsequent opportunities that have opened up. They wrap up the episode with a quick look at some of their most heavily-rostered players as the rest of the league approaches Opening Day on Thursday.  Rundown 1:37 Shohei...

Eno and DVR are live in Brooklyn for their second show at Other Half Brewing to discuss a slugfest in Game 2 of the Dodgers-Padres series in Korea and a developing story around the swift firing of Shohei Ohtani's interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Plus, they're joined by Mike Petriello of MLB.com to discuss several groups of tough hitters to rank, and much more before an excellent round of listener questions. Rundown 0:51 A Slugfest in Game 2 Between the Dodgers-Padres; Yamamoto's Debut 3:22...

Eno and DVR are live in Brooklyn and joined by several friends as the 2024 MLB season is underway! Guests include Nick Pollack of Pitcher List, Niv Shah of Ottoneu, Chris Towers of CBS Fantasy and Ellen Adair from the Take Me In to the Ballgame podcast, and several great listener questions! Rundown 0:45 What Are We Trying to Learn From One-Game Samples & Early-Season Baseball? 10:30 Nick Pollack of Pitcher List Joins the Show! (Cole Ragans Love) 20:52 Tough Rankings: Converted...

Eno and DVR discuss Jhoan Duran's oblique injury and the short-term pecking order for saves for the Twins during his absence before discussing some of the most difficult pitchers (and groups of pitchers) to rank in 2024.  Rundown 1:15 Jhoan Duran: Headed to IL with Oblique Strain 5:25 Pitchers with Uncertain Health Situations (Eury Pérez, Gerrit Cole, Kyle Bradish) 13:26 Future Aces with Short MLB Track Records (Bobby Miller and Grayson Rodriguez) 29:01 Model Disagreement with Other...

Eno and DVR discuss another busy weekend filled with injury news including elbow soreness for Eury Pérez, a fractured wrist for TJ Friedl, and an IL stint to begin 2024 for Josh Lowe. Plus, they dig into several tough hitter rankings as draft season heats up.  Rundown 2:58 Eury Pérez: Dealing with Sore Elbow 7:08 TJ Friedl: Out with Fractured Wrist 11:33: Josh Lowe: Will Open Season on IL 16:26 Kyle Manzardo: Sent to Minor League Camp 23:40 Corey Seager: May Be Ready for Opening Day? 28:29...

Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss the latest news on Gerrit Cole’s elbow injury, the Astros’ interest in Blake Snell, the best rotations in baseball, and several new faces in new places, before digging into curveballs, and taking a few viewer/listener questions.  Rundown 0:55 Gerrit Cole: No UCL Tear Detected 7:20 Blake Snell: Astros Interested? 8:45 Best Rotations in Baseball Right Now New Faces in New Places 14:50 Chris Sale’s Fit in Atlanta 21:00 Josh Hader: Adding to the Astros’...

Eno and DVR discuss the trade that sent Dylan Cease to the Padres, the impact of a significant injury for Brewers closer Devin Williams, the increasing possibility of an early-season opportunity for Victor Scott II in St. Louis, and swing decisions in 'The Shadow Zone'. Rundown 5:20 Dylan Cease Traded to the Padres 10:01 Assessing the White Sox's Return 14:10 Buying the Similarities Between Dylan Cease & Blake Snell? 22:17 Devin Williams' Extended Absence 30:43 Injury Updates: Ronald...

Eno and DVR discuss Eno's recent story examining the tendencies of position players in their walk year, disagreements across projection systems and how to work through those differences (and when to target players with projection systems agreement). Plus, they discuss Junior Caminero getting sent to Triple-A to begin the season, Jackson Merrill's upcoming flight to Korea, an injury for Taj Bradley, and the growing concerns about Gerrit Cole as the wait for an update on his status...

DVR is joined by Mike Gianella of Baseball Prospectus to discuss a busy weekend of news and notes including MRIs for Gerrit Cole and Aaron Judge (among others), an 80-game PED suspension for Noelvi Marte, and more. Plus, they discuss their strategies from the 15-team Mixed LABR draft in which Mike built a roster around a power-heavy base and DVR opted for a 'Pocket Aces' build.  Rundown 2:06 Gerrit Cole: Has MRI on Elbow; Likely to Miss Opening Day 3:40 Aaron Judge: MRI on Abdomen; Timetable...

Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss Eno's co-authored story with Ken Rosenthal about the ongoing concern regarding pitcher injuries as velocity and breaking ball usage continues to increase. Plus, they examine the Rays' use of a relatively simple approach to maximize the effectiveness of their pitchers, and how some pitchers like the Cubs' Justin Steele alter the shape of a smaller arsenal to keep hitters off-balance. Finally, they wrap up the show with the deep dive into the slider and sweeper and...