The Milwaukee Brewers are headed to the WORLD SERIES for the first time since 1982! After sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS, Milwaukee is four wins away from the first championship in franchise history. But how did the Brewers dismantle the defending champions, and is the Dodgers' dynasty approaching a turning point?

Derek VanRiper and Stephen Nesbitt break down the Brewers' historic NLCS sweep, their remarkable comeback in Game 4, and the bullpen that continues to dominate October. DVR shares what reaching the World Series means to him as a lifelong Brewers fan, while the guys examine how Milwaukee's roster construction, player development, and relentless offense helped take down Los Angeles.

Plus, Jake Bauers takes home NLCS MVP honors, Aaron Ashby delivers another postseason masterpiece, and the Brewers prepare to host World Series Game 1.

In the American League, the Cleveland Guardians have taken a 2–1 ALCS lead over the Tampa Bay Rays. Petey Halpin comes through with another massive postseason home run, Gavin Williams continues to impress, and Cleveland's dominant bullpen is making life miserable for opposing hitters.

Finally, it's time to Close the Tab on the 2026 Los Angeles Dodgers. After winning 100 games and entering October with three-peat aspirations, LA was swept out of the postseason. Is the veteran core getting too old? Should the Dodgers re-sign Tarik Skubal? And what does Shohei Ohtani's future as a two-way player look like?

**On today's episode:**

- Brewers sweep Dodgers and reach first World Series since 1982

- Milwaukee's Game 4 comeback and historic postseason run

- DVR's emotional reaction to the Brewers' pennant

- Aaron Ashby, Jake Bauers, Garrett Mitchell and Milwaukee's organizational success

- Guardians take a 2–1 ALCS lead over the Rays

- Petey Halpin, Gavin Williams and Cade Smith

- Postseason bullpen management and Tampa Bay's offensive struggles

- Sage Performance Review: Jake Bauers' remarkable resurgence

- Closing the Tab: Dodgers' aging roster, prospects and Tarik Skubal

- Shohei Ohtani's health and his future as a two-way player

**Like, subscribe and drop us a comment!**

Are the Brewers the World Series favorites? And do you think the Dodgers' championship window is beginning to close?

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper and Stephen Nesbitt

Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis

Rates & Barrels | The Athletic

00:00 Intro

01:06 The Brewers' Historic NLCS Sweep

06:10 How Milwaukee's Entire Roster Contributed

08:13 Do the Brewers Really Need Home Runs?

12:39 DVR Reflects on a Lifetime of Brewers Fandom

18:33 How Milwaukee Built a World Series Team

21:00 Aaron Ashby and the Brewers' Bullpen

28:02 Jake Bauers' Remarkable Journey

33:43 A Message from Sage

34:05 Guardians Take Control of the ALCS

39:23 Gavin Williams and Cleveland's Dominant Bullpen

43:59 ALCS Game 4 and Bullpen Strategy

47:08 Why Postseason Hitting Is So Difficult

54:00 Sage Performance Review: Jake Bauers

1:00:24 Closing the Tab: Los Angeles Dodgers

1:04:41 Is the Dodgers' Aging Core a Problem?

1:08:24 Tarik Skubal and the Dodgers' Offseason

1:13:47 Can Shohei Ohtani Remain a Two-Way Star?

1:18:39 World Series Plans and Final Thoughts

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