The Padres & Astros Are Returning to Full Strength at the Right Time

From Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball The Athletic

Eno and DVR discuss the Padres getting healthy for the stretch run as Yu Darvish will rejoin the rotation this week on the heels of Fernando Tatis Jr.'s activation from the IL and Joe Musgrove's last-season success. Plus, they discuss what they would look for to get in front of a pitcher's hot streak, the recent struggles of Taj Bradley and George Kirby, Justin Verlander's post-IL Stuff+ numbers, and a FAAB hammer used to add Dylan Crews as Eno chases down a title.

Rundown

3:49 The Padres Are Returning to Full Strength

13:35 Kyle Tucker Approaching Activation (Similarities to Tatis' Injury)

20:15 David Bednar Removed From Closer Role

23:14 Looking Beyond Fastball Velocity for Pitchers Heating Up

Related Reading 'Baseball's 'Hot Hand' Is Real: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/baseballs-hot-hand-is-real/ (Rob Arthur & Greg Matthews)

29:08 What Happened to Taj Bradley?

36:51 What Is Going On With George Kirby?

40:16 Jackson Merrill is a Top ____ Player in 2025

50:36 Justin Verlander's Post-IL Stuff Numbers

53:05 Eno Throws the Hammer to Get Dylan Crews

Follow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris