The Padres & Astros Are Returning to Full Strength at the Right Time
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.\xa0\n\nRundown\n3:49 The Padres Are Returning to Full Strength\n13:35 Kyle Tucker Approaching Activation (Similarities to Tatis' Injury)\n20:15 David Bednar Removed From Closer Role\n23:14 Looking Beyond Fastball Velocity for Pitchers Heating Up\nRelated Reading 'Baseball's 'Hot Hand' Is Real: https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/baseballs-hot-hand-is-real/ (Rob Arthur & Greg Matthews)\n29:08 What Happened to Taj Bradley?\n36:51 What Is Going On With George Kirby?\n40:16 Jackson Merrill is a Top ____ Player in 2025\n50:36 Justin Verlander's Post-IL Stuff Numbers\n53:05 Eno Throws the Hammer to Get Dylan Crews\n\nFollow Eno on Twitter: @enosarris\nFollow DVR on Twitter: @DerekVanRiper\ne-mail: ratesandbarrels@gmail.com\n\nJoin our Discord: https://discord.gg/FyBa9f3wFe\n\nJoin us on Thursday at 1p ET/10a PT for our next livestream episodes!\n\nSubscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels\n\nHosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris\n\nExecutive Producer: Derek VanRiper\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices