What's Next for These Three Underperforming Hitters?

Today, things got a little weird — thanks to Bryce Harper giving the world a glimpse into his unconventional toothbrushing routine. Eno, Jed, and DVR break down Harper’s viral moment, the end of Nick Kurtz’s on-base streak, and discuss Trea Turner, Jarren Duran, Steven Kwan, and the players who’ve brought them the most joy this season. Later, the guys revisit their plus-minus draft to see which big-name hitters have fallen short of expectations at the plate.Rundown:0:31 The Streak is Over! Nick Kurtz On-Base Streak Ends at 48 Games3:02 No, We Don’t Get It: Bryce Harper’s Toothpaste Usage is Odd4:39 Trea Turner’s Slow Start: Better Days on Tap as He Adjusts?21:12 Jarren Duran’s Changes: Is He Too Aggressive with Pull-Happy Approach?37:31 Steven Kwan's Struggles: Are We Sure He’s Healthy?46:08 Appreciating Silly: A Few Great (Random) Moments in 202658:15 Plus-Minus Draft Review: A Few Underperforming Stars!Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.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.

It’s all about teamwork on Rates & Barrels as Eno, Britt, and DVR break down a combined no-hitter in Houston after Tatsuya Imai, Steven Okert, and Alimbert Santa teamed up to blank the Rangers. Then, the crew heads to Seattle where the Mariners are embracing the collaborative spirit too after Luis Castillo and Bryce Miller pitched in tandem Monday night. Later, they discuss Gerrit Cole’s return and the continued struggles of the Tigers, who have dropped 16 of their last 19 games.Rundown:0:36 Tatsuya Imai, Steven Okert & Alimbert Santa Combined No-Hitter9:34 Are the Rangers OK?10:30 Luis Castillo & Bryce Miller: An Effective Tandem Start Monday19:03 Gage Jump Promoted: Expectations in Difficult Home Park?26:20 Another Halos Lag: Rookie Position Player fWAR Since 202235:37 Gerrit Cole Returns: How Did the Pitch Mix Look?43:35 Loser Leaves Town: Orioles vs. Tigers Weekend SeriesFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.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.

Joey Votto spent the years since his 2024 retirement surfing in Sri Lanka, watching cricket in Dubai, and learning to make sushi in Japan. Now he's back in North America and stopping by Starkville for a wide-ranging conversation with Jayson and Doug — what he took away from his travels, and how he sees baseball differently from the outside. Plus, the Pittsburgh Zoo and Boston's Franklin Park Zoo just completed a gorilla-for-gorilla swap — Frankie for Little Joe, straight up — and Jayson and Doug break it down before building their own MLB all-zoo team.Rundown:3:00 A Most Unusual Trade Involving Gorillas6:45 Starkville’s All-Zoo Team17:18 Joey Votto Joins the Show20:00 Living the Retired Life28:17 Greatness of Shohei Ohtani38:48 Analyzing the Game41:13 Reaction to ABS48:07 If You Were Commissioner…53:23 Living the Retired Life1:00:06 Coming Back to the Game1:04:45 Strange But True: Byron Buxton and the Minnesota TwinsFollow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.socialFollow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.socialE-mail: [email protected] Hotline: (347) 313-8371Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Jayson Stark & Doug GlanvilleWith: Joey VottoProducer: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s Fantasy Friday, and with trade season heating up, fantasy managers are getting antsy to make moves. Eno and DVR break down which hitters have faced the nastiest stuff so far this season — and which ones have still managed to thrive. Plus, the guys discuss the risk-reward proposition of paying up for Colt Emerson in redraft leagues, before taking a closer look at the struggles of two key Royals bats: Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez.Rundown:0:35 Allergy Season is Trade Season! Time to Wheel and Deal6:40 Strength of Schedule: Which Hitters Have Hit the Best Stuff?10:08 Opportunity to Buy? Which Hitters Have *Seen* The Best Stuff?14:20 Salvador Perez’s Struggles: A Familiar Start After Early 2025 Slump?22:36 Colt Emerson Outlook: Bidding Big Where Available?27:37 A Hitter Toss-Up: Luis García Jr. vs. Nolan Gorman32:12 Catcher Injuries: A Few Replacements to Consider36:40 Vinnie Pasquantino’s Poor Start: What’s Happening Here?41:46 Good Projections vs. Bad Results: When Do You Pass on Projections?47:55 Pitchers of Interest: Troy Melton & Jared Jones, A Few StreamersSome big name hitters are struggling and the pitchers they’ve faced may explain why:https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7298365Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.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.

Little League homers are making a comeback — at least for now — as the numbers have spiked across MLB this season. Eno, Trevor, and DVR break down what’s driving the surge in inside-the-park home runs, which pitchers have been hurt most by ABS, and who the most underrated relievers in baseball are in 2026. Later, the guys answer a Discord question about how MLB’s paternity list works and what it’s like balancing fatherhood with life in the big leagues.Rundown:0:30 Little League Home Runs: Are They Way Up This Season?7:36 ABS Zone Impact: Which Pitchers Are Getting Hurt Most?15:42 More Walks From Lefties?19:46 Will Depth of Arsenal Guide Rebounds?28:15 Who Succeeds at the Top of the Zone?30:28 Underrated Relievers51:30 Paternity List & Baseball Dads: How Does It Work?Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.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 MayEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Baseball is hard — just ask Nationals top prospect Dylan Crews and Twins slugger Royce Lewis, two players trending in very different directions. Eno, Jed, and DVR discuss Crews’ promotion to the Nationals and Lewis’ surprising demotion to Triple-A. Then, the guys dive into the diminishing value of “barrels” and whether baseball’s obsession with advanced stats has gone too far in 2026.Rundown:0:42 Dylan Crews Back with Nats: Will Adjustment Click?10:41 Royce Lewis to Triple-A: Can He Reset at Triple-A?21:39 How Barrels Have Lost Value25:02 Heliot Ramos: A ‘Solved’ Player?32:42 Bat Speed is Next: Is Goodhart’s Law Ready to Strike Again?36:26 Miguel Vargas: Swing Decision Foundation, Power Added?43:02 Cam Smith: Growing Pains a Cost of Rushing Player Development?Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.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.

The Padres and Guardians are surging, while the Orioles are still searching for answers. Eno, Britt, and DVR break down how San Diego has managed to stay atop the standings despite underperformance from a few key stars. Then, the crew takes a closer look at Baltimore’s continued struggles, examining why the Orioles haven’t been able to build on their 100-win season just a few years ago — and whether the bigger issues stem from pitching development or a lack of continuity on the coaching staff. Later, DVR sits down with The Athletic’s Zack Meisel to discuss Cleveland’s early success and whether the Guardians’ young core can keep them atop the AL Central.Rundown:3:30 First Place Padres!10:57 Starting Pitching Questions: How Will They Find Enough?12:50 Can Walker Buehler or Griffin Canning Put it Together?14:42 A Slow Start in Baltimore: Is This a Bottom-Five Team?22:20 Can Shane Baz, Trevor Rogers & Chris Bassitt Turn It Around?30:10 Turnover on the Staff: Is the Lack of Continuity an Issue?34:05 Zack Meisel Joins the Show35:11 Travis Bazzana: Impressing From the Jump36:44 Brayan Rocchio & Angel Martínez Impressing39:55 Guardians Tied for Second in Steals This Season42:54 Ralphy Velazquez to Columbus: Is an August Promotion on Tap?46:35 Parker Messick is Rolling: What Do the Next 16 Starts Hold?50:15 Potential Weakness: Is the Rotation Depth Lacking?51:44 Bullpen Remains a StrengthFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.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 and Zack MeiselEditor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another top prospect has arrived in Seattle, as 20-year-old Mariners shortstop Colt Emerson made his MLB debut Sunday. Eno and DVR also discuss how Zack Wheeler finally looks like his old self again after beginning the season on the IL, and why Dodgers starter Roki Sasaki may finally be settling in as a reliable starter in LA. Later, the guys open the mailbag to discuss Shohei Ohtani, stabilizing whiff rates, and the long-term outlook for Marlins second baseman Xavier Edwards.Rundown:0:47 Colt Emerson Promoted8:13 Zack Wheeler is Rolling12:11 Walk Rate Improvement: How Much is Sustainable?17:43 Surgery for Blake Snell: Loose Bodies in Elbow; Timetable TBD21:37 Roki’s Turnaround: Another Strong Start vs. Angels25:09 Justin Wrobleski Excelling in LA26:46 Grayson Rodriguez is Back: A Big Boost for Halos’ Rotation?28:33 Clay Holmes Out Several Weeks: Leg Fractured by Comebacker35:40 Jose Altuve is Hurt: Grade 2 Oblique Strain, Timetable TBD40:47 Weekly Decision: Using Shohei Ohtani as Pitcher Instead of UT?44:40 Whiff Rates: When Do They Stabilize?53:18 The Long Game: Xavier Edwards’ Future OutlookFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.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.

One of baseball's most beloved managers is gone. Hall of Famer Bobby Cox passed away this week, and Jayson Stark and Doug Glanville celebrate his life with a guest who knew him well — Mark DeRosa, who played for Cox in Atlanta and shares what made him such a special manager. DeRosa also reveals a moment that stuck with him: Cox going out of his way to say he was glad to see him thriving, even after DeRosa had long since moved on to other teams. Then, Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz provides the material for one of the most jaw-dropping Strange But True segments in recent memory.Rundown:2:00 ABS Through the First Quarter of the Season10:12 Mark DeRosa Joins the Show11:45 Remembering Bobby Cox23:30 Al Leiter Pops In29:07 Remembering Bobby Cox (cont’d)33:00 Managing Team USA in WBC39:22 Remembering Bobby Cox (cont’d)42:49 Strange But TrueJayson’s Article: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7281002/2026Follow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.socialFollow Doug on Bluesky: @dougglanville.bsky.socialE-mail: [email protected] Hotline: (347) 313-8371Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Jayson Stark & Doug GlanvilleWith: Mark DeRosa (and Al Leiter)Producer: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A fresh batch of starting pitcher rankings has arrived, and there’s plenty to debate. Who made the “Hype 7”? Is Gavin Williams making the leap to ace status? And where does José Soriano land in the mix? Eno and DVR break it all down before turning their attention to the waiver wire, where two intriguing rookies — A.J. Ewing and Henry Bolte — are making their cases as weekend pickups. Plus, no Fantasy Friday would be complete without another edition of “Closer Corner.”Rundown:2:00 Eno's Updated SP Rankings: The 'Hype 7' is on the Move!6:25 Future Drafts: Is There Usually a Group Like This to Target?12:55 Emmet Sheehan's Velo: Wide Fluctuations Start-to-Start17:00 Another Top-20 SP in Pittsburgh? Braxton Ashcraft Joins the Fray20:56 Gavin Williams' Adjustments: Is He Becoming an Ace?30:29 Using Fresh Rankings: Finding Fits on the Trade Front34:18 José Soriano: Top-25 Guy Now, Defensive Limitations?38:58 A.J. Ewing & Henry Bolte: Most Intriguing Waiver-Wire Hitters This Weekend?44:12 JJ Bleday's Breakout: A True Post-Hype Sleeper is Delivering!50:05 Vaughn Grissom's Opportunity: Good Enough to Stick in Anaheim?54:36 Pitching Considerations: Bryce Miller is Back, G-Rod Nearing Return55:54 A Tough Toss-Up: Ben Brown vs. Griffin Jax1:01:44 Closer Corner: Still Waiting on Ryan HelsleyEno's Starting Pitcher Rankings: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7277683/Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.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.