Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss history on tap this weekend when Jen Pawol will become the first woman to umpire a regular season MLB game, the return of Michael King (and potential adjustments for JP Sears in the Padres' organization), the ways in which hitters can make life difficult on opposing pitchers, the struggles of relievers in new roles and on new clubs since the Trade Deadline, and Eno's attempt to sort out which team has the best bullpen in baseball.

Rundown

0:51 Jen Pawol: First Woman to Umpire in MLB Regular Season

2:30 Michael King: Returning Saturday; Potential Adjustments for JP Sears

7:57 Gavin Williams: Takes No-Hit Bid Into the Ninth Inning on Wednesday

10:32 Which Division Is the Toughest on Pitchers in 2025?

17:10 What Makes a Pitcher's Job More Difficult?

26:08 WAR Surfing in Evaluating Pitchers (and Cy Young Award candidates)

31:06 Making Sense of Reliever Struggles Since the Trade Deadline

38:17 Chase Rates Jump in the Ninth Inning?!

43:28 Eno's Look at the Best Bullpens in Baseball

53:34 Devin Williams' Chase Contact Rate Spike (Q from Bitcloud)

1:01:48 George Kirby v. Joe Ryan in Long-Term Situations (Q from Sierra Six)

1:08:47 Shane Baz's Slider Changes (Q from Thiago Splitchange)

Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social

Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social

Follow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.social

e-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com

Join our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe

Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels

Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris

With: Trevor May

Producer: Brian Smith

Executive Producer: Derek VanRiper

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.