The Top of the Strike Zone is DEAD

One of the greatest pitchers of his generation, Justin Verlander, has decided to hang up his cleats. Today, Eno, Trevor, and DVR reflect on Verlander's remarkable career, where he ranks among baseball's all-time greats, and the legacy he leaves behind. Then, the guys examine why some pitchers, including Robbie Ray, are targeting the bottom of the strike zone more often and how that approach is changing their effectiveness. Later, they explore whether the data can reveal when hitters are sitting on a particular pitch. Rundown: 0:00 Intro 0:35 Justin Verlander to Retire 3:40 A Look Back at Verlander’s Career 11:27 Multiple No-Hitters: Rare Air & Near No-Nos 17:58 26 Complete Games! 19:39 The Top of the Zone is Dead! 23:41 Why Losing Part of the Zone Is a Big Deal 35:16 Return of the Sinker 41:53 Do Any Stats Reveal Hitters Sitting on Pitches? 49:35 Tipping Struggles: Looking Back at Ryan Helsley and Jesús Luzardo 52:15 Did the Blue Jays Take Away Roupp’s Best Pitch? Follow DVR on Bluesky: @DVR.bsky.social Follow Eno on Bluesky: @enosarris.bsky.social Follow Trevor on Bluesky: @iamtrevormay.bsky.social e-mail: [email protected] Join our Discord:   / discord   Subscribe to The Athletic: theathletic.com/ratesandbarrels Hosts: Derek VanRiper & Eno Sarris With: Trevor May Editor: Jason Potere Thumbnail Credits: Justin Casterline/Getty Images (Verlander), Christian Petersen/Getty Images (Ray)