Bold Predictions for the 2026 Season!

Eno, DVR, and Britt discuss an extension for Pete Crow-Armstrong with the Cubs, more red flags at Ilitch Sports & Entertainment, and Kevin McGonigle's arrival on the Tigers' Opening Day roster, before taking a spin through the American League to predict division winners, Wild Card teams, and award winners for the 2026 MLB season. Rundown0:34 Pete Crow-Armstrong: Gets Extension with Cubs6:14 More Red Flags at Ilitch Sports & Entertainment12:00 Kevin McGonigle Makes the Tigers' Opening Day Roster16:57 AL East Breakdown36:41 AL Central Breakdown53:14 AL West Breakdown1:13:14 AL Rookie of the Year Predictions 1:15:15 AL Cy Young Award Predictions1:17:11 AL MVP PredictionsFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Britt on Bluesky: @brittghiroli.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Britt Ghiroli Editor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss another injury to the Atlanta rotation with Spencer Strider going on the IL with an oblique injury before taking a spin through the National League to predict division winners, Wild Card teams, and award winners for the 2026 MLB season. Rundown0:39 Spencer Strider: Placed on IL with Oblique Injury5:12 NL East Breakdown18:34 NL Central Breakdown40:04 NL West Breakdown59:00 NL Rookie of the Year Predictions 1:01:25 NL Cy Young Award Predictions1:04:52 NL MVP PredictionsFollow 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 SarrisEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss Cristopher Sánchez's new deal with the Phillies and Konnor Griffin falling short of the Pirates' Opening Day roster before sharing their bold predictions for the upcoming season. Rundown0:40 Cristopher Sánchez: Gets Extension w/Phillies3:22 Konnor Griffin: Assigned to Minor League Camp7:49 Trivia! Three Qualified Hitters Age-21 or Younger in 202510:18 It’s Bold Predictions Time!12:45 Eno’s Bold Predictions: 1. Wyatt Langford Goes 30-3016:24 DVR’s Bold Predictions: 1. Yordan Alvarez Wins AL MVP
20:32 Eno’s Bold Predictions: 2. The Number of Pitchers with Multiple Changeups Will Double This Year25:41 DVR’s Bold Predictions: 2. The Marlins Will Have a Top-Five Rotation
30:00 Eno’s Bold Predictions: 3. The Braves Miss the Playoffs (Again)35:55 DVR’s Bold Predictions: 3. The A’s Lead the League in Runs Scored43:08 Surprising Roster Decisions: Dylan Crews & Jasson Domínguez Sent to Triple-A52:08 Pitching Job Battles: Mick Abel Wins Rotation Spot Over Zebby Matthews56:47 Sticking for Opening Day: Justin Crawford & Carson BengeFollow 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 SarrisEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR provide their second-annual 'cram session' as the busiest weekend of fantasy baseball drafts is here. They discuss a few players they've avoided this season, tier drop-offs across several positions, how they're approaching the top rookies in redraft leagues, and more.Rundown1:35 Zack Wheeler Progressing Toward Minor League Game5:17 DVR’s Plan in H2H Roto, Tout Wars Champions League12:43 Grayson Rodriguez Dealing with ‘Dead Arm’15:59 Trey Yesavage: Headed to the IL (Shoulder Impingement)18:35 Carson Willams: Could Open Season as Starting Shortstop20:24 Players We’ve Avoided This Draft Season31:15 Finding the Tier Drops At Every Position36:00 The Shape of First Base39:25 The Long Tail at Second Base42:32 Shortstop Still Has Plenty of Depth46:29 Surprisingly Sharp Falls at Third Base53:10 The Outfield: Using Care With Drafting Too Many Early?1:00:34 Buying Any Rookie Position Players at Late-March Draft-Day Cost?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 SarrisEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Jed, and DVR discuss a few spring news items including Gerrit Cole's return to game action with his first outing for the spring, plus updates on Seiya Suzuki, José Ramírez, and Zach Neto. Plus, they host their ever 'Plus-Minus Draft', selecting their favorite hitters primed to exceed their projections during the upcoming season. Rundown2:31 Gerrit Cole Makes Spring Debut5:41 Seiya Suzuki: PCL Strain; Opening Day Status TBD9:50 Updates: José Ramírez & Zach Neto10:33 The 2026 Hitter Projections Draft13:02 DVR Takes Acuña at 1.1; Was That a Mistake?28:04 Jed’s Case for Wyatt Langford Being Underprojected31:52 Mike Trout?! In This Economy?40:15 Banking Heavily on Youth43:51 Andy Pages & Jed’s Emphasis on Defensive Value46:02 Eno Targets Evan Carter & Matt McLain48:11 Surprised that Jed Added Rafael Devers?49:53 James Wood & Colton Cowser to DVR53:37 Have We Underrated Colson Montgomery’s Debut?56:13 Shopping in the Low WAR Projection Bin: Cam Smith1:04:29 Notable Omissions From This DraftFollow 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 LowrieEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss Venezuela's thrilling win over Team USA in the World Baseball Classic Final on Tuesday including the impressive outing from Eduardo Rodríguez, an incredibly close play on Javier Sanoja's ninth-inning steal of second base, and a swing from Eugenio Suárez that will have a permanent place in Venezuelan baseball history. Plus, Lance Brozdowski joins the show to discuss his recent pitching development survey, teams that appear to be headed in the right direction for the future, and a few prospects on the rise including potential keeper and dynasty league sleepers. Rundown0:13 Venezuela Brings Home Its First WBC Title12:20 A Great Celebration of Baseball17:13 Mark DeRosa's Future as Manager & Tactical Limitations for Tournament21:43 About That Lack of Joy From Team USA25:23 Lance Brozdowski Joins the Show! (Lance's Survey: https://lancebroz.substack.com/p/2026-mlb-pitching-development-rankings-acqusition-lance-brozdowski-best-pitching-organizations-coaches-executives-survey)26:19 Best Organizations for Pitching Development & Acquisition 29:11 How Much Did Past Reputation Influence Guardians’ & Rays’ Rankings?31:59 Varying Timelines in Pitching Development36:40 How Quickly Can Teams Improve Their Development?39:44 Is Alignment Underrated In Organizational Success?49:45 What Results Do You Look at to Measure Minor League Success?55:13 Who Will Likely Move Up In These Rankings in the Near Future?57:48 The Marlins Are Doing Things Their Way1:04:44 Can the Cardinals Improve Faster Than Expected?1:09:25 A Few of Lance’s Favorite Pitching Prospects Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.socialFollow Lance on Bluesky: @lancebroz.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Trevor May & Lance BrozdowskiEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno, Britt, and DVR say goodbye to Team Italy after their fun run in the World Baseball Classic came to an end Monday night against Venezuela, before attempting to predict the headlines that will come from Tuesday's Final between Venezuela and the United States, and wondering if it's time for the Fox booth to move on from John Smoltz . Plus, they discuss a trio of players that Britt expects to break out in 2026, and wonder if the Padres' rotation will be a problem throughout the season with Joe Musgrove headed to the IL to begin the year. Rundown1:05 Venezuela Defeats Italy in Semifinals; Reaches First WBC Final6:42 What Will We Be Talking About Tomorrow From the WBC Final?15:05 John Smoltz Doesn’t Sound Like He’s Enjoying the Tournament22:39 Britt’s Breakouts for 202640:55 Joe Musgrove to Open the Season on the IL47:43 Are the Padres Playoff-Bound This Season?Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Britt on Bluesky: @brittghiroli.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Britt GhiroliEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eno and DVR discuss an exciting weekend in the World Baseball Classic including Venezuela's win over Japan, and a U.S.-Dominican Republic game that left Fernando Tatis Jr. in the on-deck circle as a missed call behind the plate punched the Americans' ticket into the final. Plus, they catch up on a few spring injuries, and discuss sleeper starting pitchers (outside the Top 250 overall in recent drafts), before checking in with Senior Hot Correspondent and Ottoneu Founder Niv Shah about Cody Ponce, Harry Ford, and a few relievers getting a lot of draft-season love on the platform. They also preview a few intriguing matchups for this year's 'Taste of the Majors' stand Nationals Park. Rundown1:33 Venezuela Defeats Japan in WBC Classic to Advance to Semis5:33 USA-Dominican Republic; Disappointed by Cory Blaser’s Missed Call11:29 Every Bullpen Spot Matters12:53 Seiya Suzuki: Leaves Early Saturday with Knee Discomfort15:26 Injury Updates: Zack Neto, Jeremy Peña, José Ramírez, Francisco Lindor & Corbin Carroll21:33 Sleeper Starting Pitchers 38:55 Spring Training Stuff+ Risers46:25 Where Does Rankings Confidence Begin to Slide?53:00 Niv Shah is Back!55:13 Interest in Cody Ponce Following KBO Success?1:02:11 Buying Harry Ford as a 2026 Sleeper?1:05:48 'Niv's Guys for 2026'1:08:50 Advanced Scouting for 'Taste of the Majors' at Nats Park1:19:25 Still Time to Pick Up an Ottoneu Team for 2026!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 SarrisWith: Niv ShahEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DVR and Eno catch up on news from Dodgers camp, an injury creating opportunity in the Brewers' rotation, listener league draft results focusing on players our leagues drafted earlier (and later). Plus, they are joined by Ron Shandler, founder of Baseball HQ and author of 'Fantasy, Reconstructed' to discuss innovating in fantasy baseball game design, his preferred draft-day tools, a few players he's been targeting this draft season, and the challenges of quantifying risk. Rundown2:20 Smelling Hops: Barebottle is Brewing Another Kayaker’s Cove!4:06 Fabian’s Dodgers Notes: Snell, Ohtani & Wrobleski10:34 Josh Hader to Open 2026 on the IL; Bryan Abreu Helium15:39 Quinn Priester’s Injury Opens Up Opportunity in Milwaukee22:05 Rates & Barrels Listener League Drafts: ‘Our Guys’ 44:09 The Fixers: Undervalued Save Sources52:26 The Fixers: Making Up Ground in Stolen Bases1:02:07 Interview with FSWA & FSGA Hall-of-Famer Ron Shandler1:03:06 Inspiration for ‘Fantasy, Reconstructed’1:08:03 Getting Buy-In to Try New Things in Your Leagues1:13:17 Re-creating the Monthly Salary Cap Fun of Shandler Park1:19:07 Ron’s Preferred Draft-Day Tools1:22:50 Who Is Standing Out as Undervalued in Ron’s Draft So Far?1:26:33 The Challenge of Quantifying RiskFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Ron on Bluesky: @bb4caster.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Ron ShandlerEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Italy's 4-0 run through Pool B propelled Team USA into the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic, and Team Canada have reached the quarterfinals for the first time following a decisive win over Cuba. Eno, Trevor, DVR, and Stephen Nesbitt discuss the four quarterfinal matchups on tap, and share their final predictions for the tournament as the knockout stage gets underway. Rundown0:18 Italy Sweeps Pool B, Canada Advances to Quarterfinals!2:31 Korea vs. Dominican Republic (Friday, 6:30p ET)15:45 USA vs. Canada (Friday, 8:00p ET)29:10 Puerto Rico vs. Italy (Saturday 3:00p ET)37:26 Venezuela vs. Japan (Saturday 9:00p ET)47:10 Final Predictions to Win This Year’s WBC Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.socialFollow Stephen on Bluesky: @stephenjnesbitt.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Trevor May & Stephen NesbittEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.