# The ABS Strike Zone is Crushing Some Pitchers, How Can They Adjust?

An episode of [Rates & Barrels: A show about Baseball](https://invisiblenetwork.ai/podcast/1486883874), 21 May 2026, 59 min.

Audio: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/6818a1a4eb737caf8ca41879/e/6a0f641e0a7545ba02b639e9/media.mp3

Little League homers are making a comeback — at least for now — as the numbers have spiked across MLB this season. Eno, Trevor, and DVR break down what’s driving the surge in inside-the-park home runs, which pitchers have been hurt most by ABS, and who the most underrated relievers in baseball are in 2026. Later, the guys answer a Discord question about how MLB’s paternity list works and what it’s like balancing fatherhood with life in the big leagues. Rundown: 0:30 Little League Home Runs: Are They Way Up This Season? 7:36 ABS Zone Impact: Which Pitchers Are Getting Hurt Most? 15:42 More Walks From Lefties? 19:46 Will Depth of Arsenal Guide Rebounds? 28:15 Who Succeeds at the Top of the Zone? 30:28 Underrated Relievers 51:30 Paternity List & Baseball Dads: How Does It Work? Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.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 Editor: Jason Potere Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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