A Search for Acuña's Missing Power, Strength of Schedule & Waiver Targets

Eno and DVR discuss Ronel Blanco's sticky-stuff suspension, Austin Riley's quiet start and recent injury, another opportunity for Luis Matos in San Francisco, and the bullpen woes of the Cubs before digging into the early struggles of many prospect pitchers, and a few waiver-wire targets to consider as the weekend approaches. Rundown 1:29 Ronel Blanco's Sticky-Stuff Suspension 7:38 Austin Riley's Side Injury; Slow Start 11:39 Jung Hoo Lee: Structural Damage in Shoulder 19:26 Adbert Alzolay to the IL; Searching for Answers in the Cubs' Bullpen 27:39 Still Waiting on Junior Caminero 33:16 Heston Kjerstad Usage & Demotion to Triple-A 44:37 A Look at the Early Struggles of Many Pitching Prospects 54:57 Weekend Waiver-Wire Considerations Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: [email protected] Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Join us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes! Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno, DVR and Britt discuss baseball's aim to preserve starting pitchers. How much of a problem is the current use of starting pitchers compared to the past? With injury rates on the rise, what rule changes and tweaks make sense? Will small changes to move the game slightly in the direction of previous era's pitcher usage cause other problems? Plus, they discuss Britt's recent story about a partnership between Perfect Game and Fanatics, and former big leaguer Travis Snider's efforts to improve youth sports.  Rundown 1:13 The Starting Pitcher 'Problem' 6:55 Big Changes in the Last 10 Years 11:15 Incentivizing Pitching Deeper Into Starts 16:39 The Difficult of Getting Everyone on Board with New Rules 20:00 DVR Blames the Reliance on Short Relievers 26:40 Reducing the Fifth Inning Exits When a Starter is Dealing 31:37 Why Don't Starters Try to 'Save' Velocity for Later Innings? 42:46 Britt's Story About the Concerning Perfect Game-Fanatics Partnership 48:52 Travis Snider's Efforts to Improve Youth Sports Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow Britt on Twitter: @Britt_Ghroli e-mail: [email protected] Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Join us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes! Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss Paul Skenes' MLB debut against the Cubs before digging into ways they are utilizing the new bat tracking and bat speed leaderboards from Statcast, including a few players to consider targeting via trade.  Rundown 1:45 Takeaways From Paul Skenes' Debut & Unexpected Comp 13:39 New Bat Tracking & Bat Speed Leaderboards from Statcast! https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/bat-tracking 19:27 How Should We Apply Bat Speed Information? 25:47 'Squared Up' vs. 'Blasts' 27:59 Players to Target 40:14 A Tool to Use for 'Buy High' Players? 44:44 Learning From Good Players Without 'Ideal' Swing Speed & Length 52:11 Robert Gasser's Debut & Where the Money Went 1:04:13 Other Bids & Frequently Dropped Players Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno, Trevor and DVR discuss an all-time no-hitter jinx, Willson Contreras' injury and the sharp increase in catcher's interference around baseball, pitchers going through role changes in 2024 -- and who they would like to see make a switch in the future -- plus their game plan for hitters facing Pirates pitcher Jared Jones. Rundown 1:30 An All-Time Great No-Hitter Jinx? 5:48 Willson Contreras' Injury & The Rise of Catcher's Interference 15:05 Maybe Just Stop Erasing the Batter's Box? 19:48 Is It Time to Regular the Sliding Mitt? 25:41 Switching Roles Between Starting & Relieving 31:41 Adrian Morejón & Needing to Fix Splits Before Becoming a Starter? 36:00 From Long Relief to the Rotation (Bryse Wilson) 40:53 Luke Weaver's Success in the Bullpen 52:06 Game Planning to Hit Jared Jones Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow Trevor on Twitter: @IamTrevorMay Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: [email protected] Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Join us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes! Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss the highly-anticipated debut of Paul Skenes, set for Saturday against the Cubs, before digging into a deep list of news items including an injury for Christian Encarnacion-Strand, a quick return to Nashville for Tyler Black following Christian Yelich's activation from the IL, Taj Bradley's return to health, and the triumphant return of Prospect of the Week.  Rundown 0:57 Paul Skenes is Joining the Pirates! Rest of Season Expectations? 9:14 Christian Encarnacion-Strand: On IL with Fractured Wrist 20:06 Christian Yelich's Return Bumps Tyler Black Back to Triple-A 26:50 Finding Replacements for Willson Contreras (Fractured Forearm) 30:22 A Setback for Max Scherzer 33:31 The Rays' Rotation Shuffle: Taj Bradley is Back, Ryan Pepiot to the IL, Shane Baz at Triple-A on Rehab Assignment 46:13 Braxton Garrett: Tread Carefully Upon Activation? 49:42 Project Prospect: Bryan Ramos, Rhett Lowder, Mason Black & Parker Meadows 60:11 Other Waiver Targets to Consider: Jonny DeLuca, Again! Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: [email protected] Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Join us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes! youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno, DVR and Britt discuss Walker Buehler's return to the Dodgers' rotation before digging into the four contenders in the AL Central to assess each team's current strengths and weaknesses. Plus, they share a few players they underestimated in the past.  Rundown 0:51 Walker Buehler Returns to the Dodgers' Rotation 4:04 Forays Into Free Agency After Two Tommy John Surgeries 10:57 Buying the Guardians' Early Uptick in Offensive Output? 21:32 Weathering Early Injuries In Minnesota 26:15 If Nothing Else, The Royals Are Interesting Again 33:11 Can the Tigers Fix Their Struggling Hitters? 45:02 Players We Were Wrong About (Exceeded Expectations) Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow Britt on Twitter: @Britt_Ghroli e-mail: [email protected] Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Join us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes! Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss the five-player trade that sent Luis Arraez to the Padres, the Marlins' return from the trade, a few hitters that made significant moves up in DVR's updated hitter rankings, and how aggressively Christian Scott was pursued in weekly leagues after an impressive weekend debut against the Rays.  Rundown 3:35 Luis Arraez Traded to the Padres 8:05 Dillon Head & Betting on Best Long-Term Outcome 19:56 Injuries News & Notes: Trea Turner, Joe Musgrove, Wyatt Langford, Christian Yelich, Grayson Rodriguez 31:46 Is Robert Gasser the Next Pitching Prospect to Get the Call? 36:23 A Few Big Risers in DVR's Updated Hitter Rankings ($): https://theathletic.com/5344859/ 44:59 Christian Scott & Massive Weekend Bids 59:59 Frequently Dropped Players From The Weekend Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: [email protected] Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Join us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes! https://www.youtube.com/c/ratesbarrels Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno, Trevor and DVR discuss Christian Scott ahead of his debut against the Rays, and four surprising starting pitchers that have put up great numbers over the first month-plus of the season. They also examine the unique challenges of hitting in Seattle -- and try to determine why the park consistently boosts strikeouts -- before building a game plan to pitch to Elly De La Cruz. Rundown 1:10 Christian Scott Debuting Saturday 3:45 Jack Flaherty: Career-Best K%, BB% & SwStr%! 14:07 Spencer Turnbull: Can He Maintain the Elevated K%? 21:48 Tanner Houck’s Breakout 29:38 Is Zack Littell’s Approach Meshing Well in Tampa? 35:42 What Makes Hitting in Seattle So Difficult? 55:15 Building a Game Plan: Elly De La Cruz Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow Trevor on Twitter: @IamTrevorMay Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: [email protected] Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Join us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes! Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno and DVR discuss several news items including a trip to the IL for Grayson Rodriguez, the return of two other Baltimore starters, more knee trouble for Byron Buxton, and several rehabbing pitchers. Plus, they examine the missing power from Ronald Acuña Jr. this season, strength of schedule considerations, and several players to consider as waiver-wire targets as the weekend approaches. Rundown 4:53 News & Notes: Grayson Rodriguez, John Means, Byron Buxton 12:48 Suspensions & Rehab Updates: Shane Baz, Taj Bradley & Walker Buehler 20:11 Ronald Acuña Jr.'s Currently Missing Power 25:13 Factors to Consider in Strength of Schedule 30:52 Fluctuations in Lineup Quality Due to Absences 35:08 Toughest Stuff+ Faced This Season 41:57 Project Prospect: Tyler Black, Jordan Beck, Jackson Jobe, Paul Skenes & Heston Kjerstad 57:24 Weekend Waiver Preview: Wenceel Pérez, Nick Senzel, Jacob Young & Pitching Darts/Matchup Plays Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper e-mail: [email protected] Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Join us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes! Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eno, DVR and Britt discuss Mike Trout's knee injury, José Abreu's demotion to West Palm Beach, the Twins' unusual home-run celebration, and the newest additions to the City Connect uniform lineup, before taking a look at the Nationals' current rebuilding efforts.  Rundown 1:12 Mike Trout Has a Torn Meniscus; Looked Like He Was 'Back'. Before Injury 9:46 José Abreu Optioned to rookie-level West Palm Beach 18:09 Bring Food to Home-Run Celebrations? 22:22 Thoughts on Mets, Rays City Connects 29:49 How Far Along Is the Nats' Rebuild? 45:21 Early-Season Series of Note: O's-Yankees, Rays-Brewers & Dodgers-D-backs Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris Follow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper Follow Britt on Twitter: @Britt_Ghroli e-mail: [email protected] Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe Join us on Fridays at 1p ET/10a PT for our livestream episodes! Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices