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

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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?

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

Contributor: Trevor May

Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis

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#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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Should the Los Angeles Dodgers actually consider BENCHING Shohei Ohtani? The Milwaukee Brewers have jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the NLCS, Cleveland has stolen Game 1 of the ALCS from Tampa Bay, and the New York Yankees are facing some uncomfortable questions after another disappointing October.

Derek VanRiper, Eno Sarris and Britt Ghiroli break down the latest MLB playoff action on Rates & Barrels, including Milwaukee's formula for beating the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani's struggles, Cleveland's pitching strategy against the Rays, and a deep dive into what went wrong for the 2026 Yankees.

Milwaukee has taken the first two games of the NLCS despite facing Tarik Skubal and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. What's making the Brewers so difficult to beat?

Looking ahead to Game 3, can Blake Snell and the Dodgers turn the series around against Robert Gasser?

The Guardians stunned Tampa Bay in ALCS Game 1, rallying against Drew Rasmussen and the Rays' bullpen.

Did Kevin Cash leave Rasmussen in too long? How did Cleveland use Tampa Bay's platoon weaknesses to its advantage? And can the Guardians maintain their momentum against Freddy Peralta in Game 2?

DVR, Eno and Britt examine Cleveland's aggressive approach at the plate, Parker Messick's workload, the impact of Chase DeLauter and Patrick Bailey, and Junior Caminero's injury scare.

Another 90-win season. Another October disappointment. And another winter of questions in the Bronx.

Britt Ghiroli examines the Yankees' lack of accountability, the health concerns surrounding Aaron Judge, and why the organizational culture may no longer resemble the Yankees teams that won championships.

Should Aaron Boone return? What changes should Brian Cashman make? Can the Yankees build a roster that wins with contact, defense and situational baseball instead of relying so heavily on power?

What do you think? Should the Dodgers bench Ohtani? Are the Brewers the NL favorites? And what needs to change for the Yankees to win another World Series?

Drop your thoughts in the comments!

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

Contributor:Britt Ghiroli

Executive Producer & Editor:McEnroe Francis

#MLBPlayoffs #Brewers #Dodgers #ShoheiOhtani #Yankees #RatesAndBarrels

00:00 – Guardians Win Game 1; Brewers Take Control of NLCS

02:34 – Did Kevin Cash Leave Drew Rasmussen in Too Long?

06:55 – How Cleveland Exploited Tampa Bay's Platoon Weaknesses

13:43 – Guardians' Aggressive Approach Against Rasmussen

15:18 – ALCS Game 2 Preview: Parker Messick vs. Freddy Peralta

21:43 – Brewers Lead Dodgers 2-0 in the NLCS

23:24 – Milwaukee's Winning Formula: Plate Discipline and Baserunning

25:40 – Shohei Ohtani's Health and Dodgers' Offensive Struggles

26:28 – Why Milwaukee's Fastball Strategy Is Working

28:15 – How the Dodgers Attacked Jacob Misiorowski

30:17 – The Brewers' Dominant Bullpen

32:17 – William Contreras, Christian Yelich and Cooper Pratt

38:39 – What Went Wrong with Yoshinobu Yamamoto?

39:57 – Why Haven't the Dodgers Used Edwin Díaz?

44:57 – NLCS Game 3 Preview: Robert Gasser vs. Blake Snell

48:05 – Should the Dodgers Bench Shohei Ohtani?

50:40 – Closing the Tab: The 2026 New York Yankees

01:02:36 – Are the Yankees Behind Baseball's Contact Revolution?

01:03:36 – Is the Yankees' Culture of Accountability Gone?

01:06:30 – The Yankees' Success Since Their Last World Series

01:08:12 – Final Thoughts and What's Next

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The 2026 ALCS is set! The Cleveland Guardians completed an incredible comeback against the Chicago White Sox, erasing a 2-0 ALDS deficit to advance to the American League Championship Series against the Tampa Bay Rays. But after surviving Chicago, does Cleveland have enough pitching left to take down Tampa Bay?

Derek VanRiper and Eno Sarris deliver their complete **Guardians vs. Rays ALCS preview**, breaking down projected starting pitching matchups, bullpen depth, lineup advantages, platoon strategies, X-factors and predictions for the best-of-seven series.

José Ramírez delivered one of the most remarkable home runs in postseason history, Gavin Williams dominated Game 5, and Cade Smith has been nearly unhittable. Now the Guardians face a Rays team that won five of their six regular-season meetings and has a very different approach to managing its pitching staff.

Can Cleveland navigate a potential bullpen game against Drew Rasmussen? How will Parker Messick and Gavin Williams match up against Tampa Bay's starters? And will Junior Caminero, Yandy Díaz or an unexpected Rays role player become the difference-maker?

Who wins the ALCS — Guardians or Rays? And how many games will it take? Drop your predictions in the comments!**

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Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis

#ALCS #Guardians #Rays #MLBPlayoffs #RatesAndBarrels

00:00 – Guardians Complete an Incredible ALDS Comeback

01:43 – Cleveland's Pitching Exposes Chicago's Biggest Weakness

06:56 – José Ramírez's Unbelievable Game 5 Home Run

11:45 – Guardians vs. Rays: Projected ALCS Pitching Matchups

14:24 – Comparing the Starting Rotations and Bullpens

16:22 – How Cleveland Can Attack Tampa Bay's Platoons

22:33 – Rays Dominate the Regular-Season Matchups

25:44 – Cade Smith and the Guardians' Bullpen Challenge

28:23 – Which Guardians Hitters Must Step Up?

33:14 – Breaking Down the Game 1 and Game 2 Matchups

39:36 – Tampa Bay's Pitching Depth and Defensive Advantage

42:16 – Why the ALCS Schedule Could Hurt Cleveland

44:40 – ALCS Predictions: Rays in Six?

49:24 – The Junior Caminero Trade Comes Back to Haunt Cleveland

51:29 – ALCS X-Factors and Unexpected Difference-Makers

52:18 – Could Tampa Bay's Outfield Defense Be Exposed?

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Tim Kurkjian and Eduardo Pérez return to Starkville! This week, Jayson and Doug welcome the baseball insiders to break down the wildest moments of the postseason, from Eduardo’s Dodgers and Yankees fumble to the best stories of October, including Bryan Baker’s buddies and the Tampa Bay Rays’ growth. They discuss the craziest things they’ve seen on the field, questionable umpire predictions, the Yankees’ wall controversy, and the lawyer explanations that followed. Plus, they dive into the baseball insanity surrounding the Guardians and White Sox, the challenges of retractable roofs in Tampa and Milwaukee, and Eduardo’s memorable encounter with a D-ring. And in Strange But True, a fair or foul call involving Milwaukee’s roof takes center stage. Finally, Tim and Eduardo share stories from their travels around baseball, including what makes Tim Kurkjian such a legendary storyteller.

Rundown:

00:33 In The Booth

05:59 Up Next

06:03 Tim and Eduardo Visit Starkville!

13:48 Best Thing This Postseason

23:36 Craziest Things Seen

30:21 Guardians and White Sox

42:25 Let’s Talk About Roofs

47:41 Elite Shortstop Explanation

51:49 Top Tales About Traveling With Tim and Eduardo

1:00:00 Up Next

1:00:35 Strange But True

01:12:26 Wrap Up

Follow Jayson on Bluesky: @jaysonst.bsky.social

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E-mail: starkville@theathletic.com

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Hosts: Jayson Stark & Doug Glanville

With: Tony Gwynn Jr. & Mark Grant

Producer: Matthew Chilelli

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The Dodgers have the star power, the Cy Young-caliber rotation and seemingly endless pitching depth. But are the Brewers actually the perfect team to beat them?

Eno Sarris and Trevor May preview the Dodgers-Brewers NLCS, breaking down a loaded Los Angeles rotation featuring Tarik Skubal, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow and how Milwaukee's contact-heavy, low-chase offense might attack it.

Can the Brewers grind down L.A.'s starters and reach the vulnerable portions of the bullpen? Is Jacob Misiorowski the great equalizer? How important will Aaron Ashby, Abner Uribe and Trevor Megill be in a seven-game series? And could simply getting one blowout win — and saving the high-leverage arms for another night — ultimately swing the NLCS?

Plus, Eno and Trevor reveal their X-factors and make their picks to reach the World Series.

Who wins the NLCS: Dodgers or Brewers?

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00:00 — Dodgers vs. Brewers NLCS Preview

03:47 — Can Milwaukee Crack the Dodgers' Rotation?

09:03 — Breaking Down the Dodgers' Bullpen

11:47 — Is Edwin Díaz Back?

16:25 — What's Wrong With the Dodgers' Offense?

19:25 — Dodgers vs. Brewers Offense

23:03 — Jacob Misiorowski & the Brewers' Rotation

25:34 — Where the Dodgers Have the Pitching Edge

26:55 — The Key to the Series

28:06 — Brewers Bullpen & Aaron Ashby

31:33 — Death By A Thousand Cuts

32:20 — How Milwaukee Can Attack Dodgers Pitching

36:35 — Can the Brewers Grind Down Skubal?

38:41 — How Milwaukee Can Slow Down an Ace

41:20 — The Left-Handed Matchup Game

43:41 — NLCS X-Factors

48:54 — Trevor & Eno Make Their Picks

51:15 — Why Is Postseason Offense Disappearing?

58:13 — Has Baseball Come Full Circle?

Hosts: Eno Sarris & Trevor May

Executive Producer & Editor: McEnroe Francis

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The Championship Series field is starting to take shape.

The Dodgers, Brewers and Rays are moving on after a massive day of postseason baseball, while the Guardians kept their season alive and forced another game against the White Sox.

DVR and Eno recap all four games, breaking down the biggest performances, pitching decisions and moments that decided each matchup. They look at how Los Angeles, Milwaukee and Tampa Bay punched their tickets to the next round, what Cleveland did to extend its series with Chicago, and what it all means as the MLB postseason moves one step closer to the ALCS and NLCS.

Plus, who earned a 🥂 **Toast of the Game** after a full day of October baseball?

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