The Dodgers are ruining baseball—or they’re not. These days, it depends on who you ask. This week, Jayson and Doug go straight to the source, sitting down with Dodgers president Andrew Friedman to get his take on the firestorm, as well as the inside story of how he pulled off the trade for Tarik Skubal. Plus, Jayson and Doug try to make sense of what happened in Toronto, where the Red Sox scored on one of the strangest plays in recent baseball history.

Rundown:

2:55 A Fourth Out in Toronto?

15:33 Andrew Friedman Stops By

15:57 The Rich Get Richer with Tarik Skubal

21:33 Are the Dodgers Ruining Baseball?

29:21 How a Big Deal Goes Down

31:20 Listening to the Players

32:24 Transitioning From Player to GM

33:17 The Awe-Inspiring Shohei Ohtani

36:06 Strange But True

41:10 Doug’s Strange But True Moment

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Hosts: Jayson Stark & Doug Glanville

With: Andrew Friedman

Producer: Jason Potere

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The Seattle Mariners sent Colt Emerson back to Triple-A — so what went wrong for one of baseball’s most talented young prospects? DVR and Eno Sarris break down Emerson’s struggles, his alarming strikeout rate, what Seattle should expect from him going forward and why a reset in the minors could ultimately be the right move for his development.

Plus, Jacob deGrom left his latest start with right triceps fatigue, adding another major injury concern for a Rangers rotation already dealing with the loss of Nathan Eovaldi. DVR and Eno look at potential replacements and break down several pitchers nearing returns, including Edward Cabrera and Carlos Rodón. DeGrom said afterward that he was optimistic the issue wasn't serious, though further evaluation was expected.

The guys also discuss another blown save from Edwin Díaz and whether the Dodgers should temporarily make a change in the ninth inning. Could Tanner Scott become the reliever to roster if Los Angeles gives Díaz a break from closing?

Then Niv Shah joins the show to help navigate fantasy trade deadlines. Is Corbin Carroll worth paying up for? Is Gunnar Henderson becoming a potential 2027 draft-day bargain? And how should fantasy managers value stars like Shohei Ohtani, Aaron Judge and Juan Soto as keeper and dynasty decisions loom?

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

Contributor: Niv Shah

Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis

Editor: McEnroe Francis

Thumbnail Courtesy: Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images

00:00 Today on Rates & Barrels

03:00 Taj Bradley & Field of Dreams Takeaways

05:15 Is Baseball Better Without the Strike Zone Box?

11:01 Brewers Hit Hard by Injuries

15:08 Cooper Pratt’s Fantasy Outlook

18:28 What Went Wrong With Colt Emerson?

24:33 Mariners’ Struggles & Cal Raleigh’s Down Year

27:48 Jacob deGrom Injury & Pitchers Returning Soon

30:45 Is Jared Jones Still a Must-Roster Pitcher?

34:24 Fantasy Waiver Wire: Hunter Dobbins

36:09 Jackson Kent’s Fantasy Potential

40:20 Should Dodgers Make a Change at Closer?

43:07 Fantasy Saves & Bullpen Targets

45:23 Young Shortstops & Fantasy Waiver Targets

45:43 Is Zac Veen Finally Breaking Out?

52:35 Fantasy Baseball Trade Deadline Strategy

53:58 Ohtani, Judge & Soto’s Massive Keeper Prices

59:25 Buy Low on Corbin Carroll?

1:00:36 What Happened to Gunnar Henderson?

1:04:49 Fantasy Value of Gunnar Henderson in 2027

1:05:20 The Chicago Hot Dog Review

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Buster Posey is a San Francisco Giants legend — but could running the team put that legacy at risk? Britt Ghiroli joins DVR and Eno Sarris to discuss her exclusive reporting on Posey’s transition from franchise icon to president of baseball operations, the decisions that have defined his tenure so far, and what comes next for the struggling Giants.

They also break down the major roster decisions of the Posey era, including the Rafael Devers trade, Willy Adames contract and Matt Chapman, while looking at whether San Francisco can remain competitive as its next wave of young talent develops. With much of the Giants’ best prospect talent still years away from the majors, how should Posey approach the offseason and build a bridge to the organization’s future?

DVR, Eno and Britt also examine growing concerns surrounding the Philadelphia Phillies. Philadelphia's offense remains near the bottom of MLB in wRC+, the bullpen has struggled to protect leads, and the Phillies find themselves in a tightening National League playoff race with the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks.

Plus, Hunter Greene needs a second Tommy John surgery, potentially sidelining the Cincinnati Reds ace for most or all of 2027. What does Greene's latest injury mean for Cincinnati's future, and is pressure mounting on the Reds' front office after six seasons under Nick Krall?

🎧 Rates & Barrels with Derek Van Riper, Eno Sarris and Britt Ghiroli.

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Britt's article on Buster Posey

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7499186/2026/08/13/san-francisco-giants-buster-posey-legacy/

Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

Contributor: Britt Ghiroli

Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis

Editor: McEnroe Francis

Thumbnail Courtesy: Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

00:00 Today on Rates & Barrels

04:18 Field of Dreams Game Returns

07:38 Is It Time to Worry About the Phillies?

12:46 Phillies on the Outside of NL Playoff Picture

15:04 Inside Buster Posey’s Giants Gamble

18:19 Evaluating the Rafael Devers Trade

21:59 What Happened to the Giants’ Pitching?

26:06 Are the Giants Falling Behind Other Front Offices?

29:15 What Could Posey Have Done Differently?

32:52 The Tony Vitello Gamble

38:42 Does Posey Have the Right People Around Him?

42:54 How Can Posey Fix the Giants?

47:44 What Happened to Willy Adames?

55:29 How Long Will the Giants’ Rebuild Take?

57:16 Hunter Greene Needs Another Tommy John Surgery

1:01:13 How Long Should MLB Front Offices Get?

1:06:56 Is It Time for Changes in Cincinnati?

1:10:36 What’s Next for the A’s Front Office?

1:14:45 Thanks for Watching

#phillies #sanfranciscogiants #mlbwildcard #cincinnatireds

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The Cleveland Guardians once looked like they were cruising toward an AL Central title. Now, after losing 13 of 17, Cleveland has fallen back into one of baseball’s most unpredictable division races. DVR and Eno Sarris are joined by Zack Meisel to break down what has gone wrong for the Guardians and whether they can turn their season around.

The guys take a deep dive into the AL Central playoff race, where the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins and Guardians remain tightly packed. Are the Tigers actually the best team in the division even after moving Tarik Skubal at the trade deadline? And could young players like Max Clark help swing the race down the stretch?

Then, the Rates & Barrels mailbag opens with a fascinating question: Are Dodgers prospects consistently overrated? DVR and Eno look back at Los Angeles’ highly ranked prospects to separate prospect hype from the reality of player development.

Plus, they examine River Ryan’s long-term outlook and injury history, whether Jake McCarthy's breakout is sustainable, the Brewers' unusual save situations involving Chad Patrick, and what to make of Jake Bauers' strong season.

Find us on Instagram for even more Rates & Barrels content!

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

Contributor: Zack Meisel

Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis

Editor: McEnroe Francis

#tigers #guardians #whitesox #dodgers #mlbwildcard

00:00 - Today on Rates & Barrels

01:24 - Breaking Down the Wild AL Central Race

03:20 - Who Is Actually the Best Team in the AL Central?

11:14 - Which AL Central Lineup Is Best?

15:40 - Why the Tigers Still Look Like the Team to Beat

16:46 - Max Clark’s Impressive MLB Start

20:00 - Young White Sox & the AL Central’s X-Factors

24:30 - What’s Gone Wrong With the Cleveland Guardians?

29:01 - Steven Kwan’s Turnaround

31:07 - Why Cleveland’s Offense Struggles in Big Moments

34:42 - The Guardians’ Young Hitters

37:26 - Cleveland’s Pitching & Bullpen Workload

39:31- Did the Guardians Do Enough at the Trade Deadline?

43:02 - Mailbag: Are Dodgers Prospects Overrated?

45:12 - What Happened to the Dodgers’ Top Prospects?

49:36 - How Often Do Top Prospects Actually Hit?

51:18 - River Ryan’s Talent vs. Injury Risk

57:48 - Is Jake McCarthy’s Breakout Sustainable?

1:01:53 - What’s Going On With the Brewers’ Saves?

1:03:16 - Is Jake Bauers’ Breakout for Real?

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How do pitchers handle doubt, failure and the pressure of knowing one bad pitch can change an outing? Trevor May joins DVR and Eno for a conversation about the mental side of pitching in the major leagues. Trevor explains the battle to convince yourself that you belong, how pitchers build confidence and an on-field persona, and why the mental side of the game can be every bit as important as mechanics or stuff.

Plus, DVR, Eno and Trevor discuss the latest pitching news and performances around MLB, along with one of baseball's strangest rules sequences after the Red Sox scored against the Blue Jays on a rare timing play. They explain why the run counted, what Toronto could have done differently, and how an incorrect scoreboard helped create the confusion.

Finally, Trevor takes the show inside his post-MLB experience with Banana Ball, including what it's like competing in a completely different baseball environment and the adjustments that come with stepping back onto the mound.

Rates & Barrels brings together advanced baseball analysis, pitching development, fantasy baseball strategy and the perspective of someone who has experienced the mental and physical challenges of pitching in the major leagues.

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

Contributor: Trevor May

Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis

Editor: McEnroe Francis

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The Red Sox aren't cheating—they're simply playing better baseball.

DVR and Eno break down why Boston's offense has transformed over the last three months, examining the coaching changes, a dramatically more aggressive approach in the strike zone and why the numbers suggest this turnaround is completely sustainable—not the result of anything nefarious. They also react to the growing online conspiracy theories surrounding Boston's recent surge and explain why the underlying metrics tell a much different story.

Elsewhere around baseball, the Dodgers continue to pile up pitching while questions remain about their aging offense after another series against Arizona. The guys discuss Eduardo Rodriguez's resurgence, Brandon Pfaadt's adjustments, Ryan Waldschmidt's development, and whether Los Angeles should have any real concerns heading toward October.

The Tigers welcomed Jackson Jobe back to the rotation, and his electric season debut has fantasy managers—and Detroit fans—dreaming big. DVR and Eno explain why Jobe's Stuff+ and Location+ numbers make him one of the most exciting pitching pickups of the season and whether he's ready to become a major weapon down the stretch.

The show also covers Garrett Cole's encouraging return to form, Peyton Tolle's incredible rise and what the latest offensive trends around baseball tell us about which teams are built for October.

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

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Editor: McEnroe Francis

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The Phillies made one of the biggest splashes at the trade deadline by landing a three-time batting champion, and Dave Dombrowski joins Jayson and Doug to break down how it all came together. The guys also look back at a whirlwind deadline that saw a former No. 1 overall pick dealt within the division, while Doug shares what it was like to be traded himself at the 2003 deadline. Plus, another edition of Strange But True heads to the Motor City for a one-of-a-kind line score you won't believe.

Rundown:

2:34 Adley Rutschman Traded to Boston

5:00 Doug Deadline Deal

12:47 Dave Dombrowski Visits Starkville

13:50 Luis Arraez Trade Impact

18:24 Trade Deadline Reaction

43:36 Defeating a Juggernaut

46:39 Dave’s Future in Baseball

47:54 Strange But True

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Hosts: Jayson Stark & Doug Glanville

With: Dave Dombrowski

Producer: Jason Potere

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The MLB Trade Deadline is over, but the biggest debate is just beginning. Jayson Stark joins DVR and Eno to break down whether modern front offices have become too focused on future value—and whether the Detroit Tigers made the biggest mistake of the deadline by trading Tarik Skubal while sitting in the middle of a playoff race.

The conversation dives into the philosophy behind today's trade market, why more teams are willing to sacrifice tomorrow for today, and whether aggressive executives like A.J. Preller and Dave Dombrowski are becoming the exception rather than the rule. The trio also discusses why rental prices climbed this season, how the Red Sox approached the deadline differently, and what other contenders can learn from Boston's aggressive strategy.

Later in the episode, the focus shifts to fantasy baseball as DVR and Eno identify the biggest winners and losers following the deadline, highlighting new opportunities, lineup changes and playing-time battles that could shape fantasy leagues over the final two months of the season.

Whether you're following the playoff race, preparing for fantasy baseball's stretch run, or looking for deeper insight into how today's front offices think, this episode of Rates & Barrels has you covered.

#Dodgers #tigers #mlbwildcard #mlbtradedeadline

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis

Editor: McEnroe Francis

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Are the Los Angeles Dodgers really the team with the best playoff rotation in baseball? DVR and Eno rank every MLB contender's projected postseason rotation, debating where the Dodgers, Phillies, Brewers, Yankees, Mariners, Pirates and every other playoff hopeful belong heading into October. Then they compare their rankings against the numbers to see where the biggest surprises emerge.

Before diving into the tier list, DVR and Eno examine whether Paul Skenes is actually struggling or simply suffering from bad luck. They break down the Pirates ace's recent stretch, discuss why his strikeout rate still points toward elite production, and explain why now may be the perfect time to buy low in fantasy baseball.

The guys also discuss Chris Sale's incredible resurgence as the Braves ace continues throwing harder than ever at age 37. Is Sale building a Hall of Fame résumé, and how sustainable is this version of one of baseball's most dominant pitchers?

Finally, they look at Cleveland prospect Angel Genao's impressive four-hit MLB debut, what it means for the Guardians moving forward, and one of the most entertaining pitching celebrations baseball has seen all season from Mets reliever Jeffrey Yan.

If you're looking for MLB playoff analysis, fantasy baseball advice, advanced pitching breakdowns, prospect analysis and postseason projections, Rates & Barrels has you covered.

00:00 - Introduction and Week Overview

03:39 - Analazing Paul Skeens' Performance

05:28 - Chris Sale's Resurgence

09:36 - Evaluating Playoff Rotations

11:27 - Team Tier Rankings Discussion

35:56 - Evaluating Pitching Rotations

40:34 - Analyzing Team Performance and Projections

54:34 - Prospect Promotions and Player Debuts

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

Contributor: Jed Lowrie

Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis

Editor: McEnroe Francis

#dodgers #brewers #phillies #yankees

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The MLB Trade Deadline fallout continues as Tarik Skubal makes his highly anticipated debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers. DVR, Eno and Jed Lowrie break down Skubal's first start in Dodger blue, what it means for Los Angeles' loaded rotation, and whether the Chicago Cubs' recent success against the Dodgers should change expectations in the National League.

The Boston Red Sox continue to surge despite injuries, and the latest updates on Garrett Crochet and Roman Anthony provide hope for one of baseball's hottest teams.

Plus, the Philadelphia Phillies unveil their new defensive alignment after acquiring Luis Arraez, moving Bryce Harper back to right field while reshuffling the infield for the stretch run.

DVR, Eno and Jed also take a deep dive into several contenders who's hitters are underperforming expectations. Are the Brewers becoming too dependent on unexpected offensive contributors heading toward October? Is the Dodgers' lineup showing major flaws ahead of the postseason? Will the Mariners' offensive struggles rediscover their power before October arrives.

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

Contributor: Jed Lowrie

Executive Producer: McEnroe Francis

Editor: McEnroe Francis

00:00 - Intro

04:00 -Tarik Skubal Debuts for the Dodgers

10:55 - Red Sox Continue Rolling Despite Injuries

14:25 - Phillies Unveil Their New Defensive Alignment

20:50 - What's Wrong with Christian Yelich?

28:15 - William Contreras & Milwaukee's Offensive Questions

34:30 - Dodgers Hitters Showing Signs of Regression?

44:50 - Should Mariners Fans Be Worried?

49:15 - Cal Raleigh, Julio Rodríguez & Josh Naylor Breakdown

#dodgers #brewers #mariners #phillies

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