Assessing the AL Division Leaders & Offense Holding Steady Despite Increased Drag

Eno and DVR discuss the 3,000-strikeout milestone for Clayton Kershaw, injuries to Max Muncy and Spencer Schwellenbach, a demotion for Josh Jung, and an opportunity for Colby Thomas with the A's. Plus, they dig into weekend waiver-wire targets before checking in with Senior Hot Dog Correspondent Niv Shah ahead of the Fourth of July Weekend.Rundown1:29 3,000 Strikeouts for Clayton Kershaw5:55 Who Else Will Reach The 3,000-Strikeout Milestone?10:04 Max Muncy's Early Exit w/Knee Injury12:48 Spencer Schwellenbach to the IL w/Elbow Fracture22:07 Josh Jung to Triple-A, A DVR Miss27:16 Luis Ortiz: On Paid Leave During Gambling Probe32:15 Colby Thomas: Nothing Left to Prove at Triple-A?40:50 Senior Hot Dog Correspondent Niv Shah Returns! (The Texas Dog delivers at Nats Park, and Six Picks strategy talk)1:04:05 Otto Lopez's Push to Shallow League Utility1:13:55 Hayden Birdsong's 2025 StrugglesFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.socialFollow Niv on Bluesky: @ottoneu.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer: Brian SmithGuest: Niv ShahExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Jed, and DVR discuss the three division leaders in the American League, examining the strengths and weaknesses of the Astros, Tigers, and Yankees with the Trade Deadline looming at the end of the month. Plus, they explore how offense has held up to 2024 levels despite the increased drag on the baseball this season.Rundown1:03 Yordan Alvarez's Setback & Increasing Needs for a Left-Handed Bat in Houston10:13 Balancing Team Spending Limits w/Available Upgrades20:59 The Tigers Have a Commanding Lead in the Central36:53 Yankees Under Pressure in the AL East47:52 Drag on the Baseball is Up, But Offense is SteadyFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Jed LowrieProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss the three division leaders in the National League, examining the strengths and weaknesses of the Phillies, Cubs, and Dodgers with the Trade Deadline looming at the end of the month. Plus, they check in on the Nats' rebuild, where the return in the Juan Soto trade hasn't been supplemented with enough to push the club into playoff contention.Rundown1:07 The Phillies Atop the East; Will They Stay There?15:54 The Cubs Attempt to Hold Off the Brewers and Cardinals29:28 Separation for the Dodgers in the West39:17 Checking In on the Nationals' Rebuild46:23 A Surprising Stat From the Nationals (2020-2025)Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss an IL stint for Jeremy Peña, a health issue that has forced Ron Washington to step away from managing the Angels for the duration of the 2025 season, and the passing of Hall of Famer Dave Parker at the age 74. Plus, they take a look at the rolling one-year leaderboard for hitters in hopes of finding long-term trade targets on the struggling side, and a few pleasant surprises, before discussing where the money went with free-agent pickups this week.Rundown2:49 Jeremy Peña to the IL w/Rib Fracture4:59 Checking in on the Angels as Ron Washington Steps Down for the Rest of 202513:16 Dave Parker Passes Away at Age 7418:15 One-Year Leaderboard: Struggling Hitters27:56 Adley Rutschman: A Year Packed w/Injuries33:55 Top-10 wOBA Surprises: Eugenio Suárez, Cal Raleigh & Brent Rooker36:05 Riley Greene v. Corbin Carroll; Is Average Undervalued In Many Leagues?43:57 Mookie Betts: 2024 Injury & 2025 Illness Dragging Production Down50:04 Where the Money Went: Roster Spackle GaloreFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss good news for Zach Neto, whose return from shoulder surgery has gone well in the first half of the season, another injury in the Mets' rotation, and a verdict in the Wander Franco case. Plus, they discuss a surprising multi-year move of Globe Life Field into a pitcher-friendly environment, and weekend waiver-wire targets before checking in with Senior Hot Dog Correspondent Niv Shah about a few ottoneu trends and a big culinary swing at Progressive Field in Cleveland.Rundown1:37 Zach Neto: Good News on Follow-Up for Shoulder5:22 A Potential Long-Term Absence for Griffin Canning9:24 HBPs Reaching an All-Time High (J-Ram & Vlad Jr. day-to-day)13:13 A Verdict in the Wander Franco Case16:39 Globe Life Field Is Changing, Reasons TBD27:46 Hitters of Interest: A Single-Catcher Shuffle & Joey Ortiz Is Waking Up38:05 Pitchers of Interest: Charlie Morton Back on the Shallow League Radar?46:17 Senior Hot Dog Correspondent Niv Shah Returns! (Jacob Lopez's rising roster rates, Didier Fuentes' long-term appeal, and Wenceel Pérez adds thump)1:08:48 What Is Happening in Cleveland?Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.socialFollow Niv on Bluesky: @ottoneu.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer: Brian SmithGuest: Niv ShahExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss a highly-anticipated matchup between Paul Skenes and Brewers rookie Jacob Misiorowski, and the different approaches the two pitchers bring to the table. Plus, they discuss the foundation necessary for a pitcher to become an eventual Cy Young Award contender or future ace, before a collaborative draft of the 2025 rookie starting pitchers.Rundown0:51 Jacob Misiorowski v. Paul Skenes4:54 Skenes' Early Career Adjustments, Planning Ahead for Future Velocity Decline?10:05 Misiorowski's Long-Term Ceiling14:45 Tarik Skubal and the Multi-Year Path to Elite Levels22:08 Eno's Criteria for Eventual Aces32:38 A Collaborative Rookie Starting Pitcher Draft43:29 Beyond Our Top-Five57:06 Recapping the Top-15Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.socialFollow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Trevor MayProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Jed, and DVR discuss Chase Burns' impressive big-league debut against the Yankees, an ugly fan incident in Chicago against D-backs second baseman Ketel Marte, and the Cubs' choice of Cade Horton over Ben Brown in their rotation with the return of Shota Imanaga, before taking a deep dive into the AL playoff picture with a focus on the third Wild Card spots.Rundown2:55 Chase Burns' Impressive Debut9:05 Abusive Fan Ejected (and Banned) After Heckling Ketel Marte14:49 The Cubs Choose Cade Horton over Ben Brown (Optioned to Triple-A)21:52 Buying the Mariners, Rays, and Jays as AL Wild Cards?30:51 The Rays Are Surprising (Some of Us) Again43:24 Team(s) Most Likely to Pass Current Wild Card Holders49:21 Can the Twins Recover in 2025?Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Jed LowrieProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss Corbin Carroll to the IL as another injury hampers the D-backs, one benefit of choosing to trade away players ahead of the Trade Deadline, the Reds' decision to DFA Jeimer Candelario, and Kenley Jansen's abrupt exit Monday. Plus, the current league leaders in "Combo Meals", James Wood's first full year in the big leagues, Ben Brown's underperformance relative to ERA estimators, and a few trades we would like to see as a birthday present to Eno, courtesy of the Trade Master 3000.Rundown1:32 Corbin Carroll Headed to IL w/Chip Fracture in Wrist7:57 Benefits of Deciding to Trade Players Away Early14:55 Kenley Jansen's Early Exit, Jeimer Candelario DFA'd17:58 Does Byron Buxton Leads MLB in Combo Meals?24:54 Ben Brown and Falling Short of Indicators40:27 Clay Holmes' Rest-of-Season Value, Fade Concerns?48:04 Trade Master 3000: Jacob deGrom (assuming he would waive his No-Trade clause), Cedric Mullins & Taylor WardFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss a busy weekend around the league including the announcement that Chase Burns will make his Reds debut Tuesday night against the Yankees. Plus, key injuries to Chris Sale and Adley Rutschman, awaiting MRI results on Corbin Carroll, Francisco Alvarez's demotion to Triple-A, and where the money went with pickups in fantasy baseball leagues over the weekend.Rundown2:18 Chase Burns to Debut on Tuesday v. Yankees6:59 Corbin Carroll's Thumb Injury; D-backs' Offense Continues to Roll12:16 Chris Sale's Fractured Rib Cage; Opportunity for Didier Fuentes18:29 Adley Rutschman's Absence Through the All-Star Break20:15 Francisco Alvarez Optioned to Triple-A27:30 Injury Follow-Ups and Other News32:08 Moving Quickly Ranking Rookie Pitchers40:00 Where the Money Went, Brady House's Interesting Approach53:49 Lingering Concern About Max Scherzer's Thumb?Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss the Red Sox's decision to demote Kristian Campbell to Triple-A, a benches-clearing sequence between the Padres and Dodgers on Thursday hours after the Dodgers denied ICE access to the Dodger Stadium parking lot, and fan ejections during a doubleheader between the Pirates and Tigers, before looking ahead at a few players to consider as waiver-wire pickups this weekend.Rundown2:43 Kristian Campbell: Headed to Triple-A11:14 Padres-Dodgers Finds a New Level17:01 The Bigger Story: Dodgers Deny ICE Access to Stadium Parking Lots22:37 Multiple Ejections at Comerica During Pirates-Tigers Doubleheader25:35 Lars Nootbaar and Tough Shallow League Decisions31:45 Most Added & Dropped Hitters (6.20.25, CBS)40:21 Parker Meadows' Falling Projections46:17 Michael Harris II: Projections Holding Up Despite Disappointing First Half51:51 Jo Adell: Continues to Hold K% Improvement54:44 Most Added & Dropped Pitchers (6.20.25, CBS)1:03:29 Essential for Left-Handed Starters to Get Grounders in Houston?Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @dvr.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.