Eno, Trevor, and DVR discuss the battle atop the AL West before examining the Phillies' case for the 'Best Team in Baseball' crown thanks to excellent starting pitching at the continued improvement of Cristopher Sánchez and Kyle Schwarber putting up career-best numbers in his age-32 season. Plus, they look at four intriguing starting pitchers getting a late-season opportunity.

Rundown

1:12 A Look at the AL West as Josh Hader Gets a Second Opinion & Yordan Alvarez Inches Toward a Return

7:01 Dylan Crews is Back; Nathaniel Lowe DFA'd by the Nationals

11:38 The Phillies' Case for 'Best Team in Baseball'

16:43 Cristopher Sánchez's Rise to Ace-Level Performance

29:59 Kyle Schwarber's Career-Year at Age-32 (How I'd Pitch This Guy)

40:18 Injuries Keeping the Gap Between Teams Around the League Smaller?

50:14 Nerding Out: Four Starting Pitchers We're Intrigued By

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.