Making Pitchers Uncomfortable & Best Bullpens Post Trade Deadline

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.Rundown0:51 Jen Pawol: First Woman to Umpire in MLB Regular Season2:30 Michael King: Returning Saturday; Potential Adjustments for JP Sears7:57 Gavin Williams: Takes No-Hit Bid Into the Ninth Inning on Wednesday10:32 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 Deadline38:17 Chase Rates Jump in the Ninth Inning?!43:28 Eno's Look at the Best Bullpens in Baseball53:34 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.socialFollow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.socialFollow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.sociale-mail: [email protected] our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFeSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrelsHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno SarrisWith: Trevor MayProducer: Brian SmithExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.