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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Are MLB teams pushing pitchers TOO FAR in the 2026 postseason? Relievers are being asked to throw more pitches than they have all season, starters are appearing on their normal throwing days, and bullpens are being stretched to their limits.

But is the biggest danger injury, fatigue, or something teams might be overlooking entirely: PITCH COMMAND?

Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris and former MLB reliever Trevor May break down the wild pitching decisions defining October, the Milwaukee Brewers' commanding NLCS lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers, and what comes next for the Atlanta Braves.

Trevor May has some serious questions about the way teams are using pitchers this postseason.

Eno digs into the data on pitch usage, Stuff+, Location+ and fatigue, uncovering an important trend: pitchers may maintain their stuff while losing command, especially during and after unusually demanding outings.

The Milwaukee Brewers have taken a 3-0 series lead and pushed the Los Angeles Dodgers to the brink of elimination!

Blake Snell looked nearly unhittable before another marathon Jake Bauers at-bat helped change the game. Was Snell left in too long, or did Milwaukee simply execute when it mattered?

The crew breaks down the Brewers' offensive approach, Robert Gasser's five scoreless innings, the Dodgers' struggles, and how Milwaukee could close out the series.

Plus, with Tyler Glasnow set for Game 4, what pitching approach gives the Brewers their best chance to reach the World Series?

Trevor May and Eno Sarris examine William Contreras' swing, pitch-type strengths and weaknesses, and the strategy pitchers should use to get him out.

DVR, Eno and Trevor evaluate Atlanta's long-term outlook, including Ronald Acuña Jr.'s health, Austin Riley's offensive decline, Chris Sale's workload, the uncertain futures of Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach, and the team's ongoing shortstop problem.

Are MLB managers overworking their pitchers this October? Should the Dodgers have taken Blake Snell out earlier? And how would YOU pitch to William Contreras?

Like, subscribe and drop us a comment!

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Email: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com

Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

Contributor: Trevor May

Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis

Rates & Barrels | The Athletic

#MLBPlayoffs #NLCS #Brewers #Dodgers #Pitching #WilliamContreras #TrevorMay #Braves #RatesAndBarrels

00:00 – Intro

01:34 – Trevor May on Extreme Postseason Bullpen Usage

02:48 – Grant Taylor and Didier Fuentes: Longer Relief Outings

07:27 – The Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Fatigue

08:55 – Eno's Research: Starters Pitching on Throw Days

11:17 – Relievers Exceeding Their Regular-Season Pitch Limits

12:32 – What Happens When Pitchers Work Three Days in a Row?

14:08 – The Hidden Cost of Losing Pitch Command

17:39 – Abner Uribe's Struggles in NLCS Game 3

19:33 – Should Teams Prepare Relievers for Longer Outings?

21:39 – Managing Uribe and Other High-Leverage Pitchers

22:16 – Did the Dodgers Leave Blake Snell in Too Long?

27:11 – Jake Bauers' Epic 11-Pitch At-Bat

28:43 – The Brewers' Unusual Postseason Offensive Profile

30:27 – Milwaukee's Defense and the NLCS Game 3 Recap

35:43 – NLCS Game 4 Preview: Tyler Glasnow and Milwaukee's Pitching Plan

38:05 – How I'd Pitch to William Contreras

43:05 – Where Can Pitchers Limit Contreras' Damage?

46:15 – Closing the Tab: Atlanta Braves

55:36 – Raisel Iglesias, Didier Fuentes and the Bullpen

58:52 – Final Thoughts and What's Next

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