Off The Pike with Brian Barrett

Latest Episodes:

Red Sox Season Preview With Lou Merloni. Plus, a Tatum Trend. Mar 24, 2026

Show notes

Brian compares Jayson Tatum’s return from his Achilles injury to Kevin Durant’s and talks about how the two differed in terms of shooting trends when they came back to the court (0:00). Then, Brian chats with NESN’s Lou Merloni about where the Red Sox’s starting rotation ranks in MLB, how their defense has improved, the crowded Sox outfield, where the Sox rank in the loaded AL East, and more (15:15). Brian and Jamie end with a listener call and discuss the NBA (55:35).

We want to hear from you! Leave Brian a message on the listener line at 617-396-7172. Or send us your questions for our mailbag at offthepike@gmail.com.

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.

Host: Brian Barrett

Guest: Lou Merloni

Producer: Jamie McClellan

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A Rough Night for the Celts With Evan Valenti. Plus, Expectations for Marcelo Mayer. Mar 23, 2026

Show notes

Brian opens with the news that Marcelo Mayer will be the Red Sox’s starting second baseman and what we can expect from him and the Red Sox this season (0:00). Then, he chats with CLNS Media’s Evan Valenti about the Celtics’ loss to the Timberwolves on Sunday night, Jayson Tatum’s shot selection, how Tatum's game is still a work in progress as he returns from his Achilles injury, and more (24:00). Brian and Jamie end by chatting about March Madness and Tom Brady’s flag football debut (56:20)

We want to hear from you! Leave Brian a message on the listener line at 617-396-7172. Or send us your questions for our mailbag at offthepike@gmail.com.

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.

Host: Brian Barrett

Guest: Evan Valenti

Producer: Jamie McClellan

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Good and Bad Sox Trends With Julian McWilliams. Plus, Is Brad the New Theo? Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

Brian starts by comparing Brad Stevens’s tenure as top exec of the Celtics to Theo Epstein’s run with the Red Sox and discusses how they have both taken good teams to the next level (0:00). Then, he chats with CBS Sports’ Julian McWilliams about the Red Sox, Wilyer Abreu’s WBC heroics, Ranger Suárez’s status for Opening Day, the solid camps for young pitchers Connelly Early and Payton Tolle, and Roman Anthony’s greatness (21:25). Brian ends with some top memories from March Madness over the years (1:20:00).

We want to hear from you! Leave Brian a message on the listener line at 617-396-7172. Or send us your questions for our mailbag at offthepike@gmail.com.

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.

Host: Brian Barrett

Guest: Julian McWilliams

Producer: Jamie McClellan

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March Madness Preview With Tate Frazier. Plus, the Celtics' Crunch-Time Offense. Mar 17, 2026

Show notes

Brian opens by recapping the Celtics’ win over the Suns on Monday and what it reveals about how Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum will operate on offense when games come down to the wire (0:00). Then, he chats with The Ringer’s Tate Frazier about March Madness, their top teams, some potential upsets, sleeper teams, best bets, and more (33:00). Brian and Jamie end by discussing the relationship between St. Patrick’s Day and the Boston sports teams (1:16:15).

We want to hear from you! Leave Brian a message on the listener line at 617-396-7172. Or send us your questions for our mailbag at offthepike@gmail.com.

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.

Host: Brian Barrett

Guest: Tate Frazier

Producer: Jamie McClellan

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Assessing Tatum’s First Week Back, With Bobby Manning Mar 15, 2026

Show notes

Brian opens with some Sunday Thoughts, including the Patriots’ continued search for a no. 1 wide receiver, Charlie McAvoy’s under-appreciated greatness, a March Madness preview, and more (0:00). Then, he chats with MassLive’s Bobby Manning about Jayson Tatum’s first week back with the Celtics, whether the Celtics’ physical style of play will catch up with them as the season drags on, how the team’s frontcourt will hold up against the East’s best, and which teams they'd like to avoid in the early rounds of the playoffs (23:30). Brian and Jamie end by chatting about Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and some recent TV shows (1:02:40).

We want to hear from you! Leave Brian a message on the listener line at 617-396-7172. Or send us your questions for our mailbag at offthepike@gmail.com.

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.

Host: Brian Barrett

Guest: Bobby Manning

Producer: Jamie McClellan

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Letter Grades for the Pats’ Signings. Plus, Roman Anthony’s Ceiling. Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

Brian reacts to Roman Anthony’s strong performance in the World Baseball Classic and breaks down why he thinks Anthony can be one of the best players in the league this season (0:00). Then, he chats with MassLive’s Chris Mason about the Patriots’ offseason, they grade their additions so far, and they talk about what more needs to be done (23:00). Brian and Jamie end by discussing Anthony and answering a listener email about college basketball (1:06:00).

We want to hear from you! Leave Brian a message on the listener line at 617-396-7172. Or send us your questions for our mailbag at offthepike@gmail.com.

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.

Host: Brian Barrett

Guest: Chris Mason

Producer: Jamie McClellan

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Jaylen Gets Ejected in the Battle of the 2-Seeds, With Justin Verrier. Plus, a Recap of the Pats’ Moves. Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

Brian recaps the Patriots’ free agent signings, and explains why he likes the moves (0:00). Then, he chats with The Ringer’s Justin Verrier about the Celtics’ loss to the Spurs on Tuesday night, Jaylen Brown’s fiery ejection, ranking the top teams in the East, and more (28:50). Brian and Jamie end with some final thoughts on the Pats’ offseason moves (1:11:45).

We want to hear from you! Leave Brian a message on the listener line at 617-396-7172. Or send us your questions for our mailbag at offthepike@gmail.com.

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.

Host: Brian Barrett

Guest: Justin Verrier

Producer: Jamie McClellan

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Tatum and the Celts Win in Cleveland With Chad Finn. Mar 08, 2026

Show notes

Brian highlights the top needs that the Patriots must address once free agency gets underway this week (0:00). Then, he chats with The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn about the Celtics’ win over the Cavs on Sunday, Jayson Tatum’s strong play in his first two games back, how he and Jaylen Brown will mesh, and Joe Mazzulla’s growth as a head coach (19:10). Brian and Jamie end by talking about the Celtics game and the World Baseball Classic (1:09:45).

We want to hear from you! Leave Brian a message on the listener line at 617-396-7172. Or send us your questions for our mailbag at offthepike@gmail.com.

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.

Host: Brian Barrett

Guest: Chad Finn

Producer: Jamie McClellan

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Jayson Tatum’s Triumphant Return. Mar 07, 2026

Show notes

Brian breaks down Jayson Tatum’s long-awaited and impressive return as the Celtics beat the Mavericks at the Garden on Friday night.

We want to hear from you! Leave Brian a message on the listener line at 617-396-7172. Or send us your questions for our mailbag at offthepike@gmail.com.

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.

Host: Brian Barrett

Producer: Jamie McClellan

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Sox Predictions With Tyler Milliken. Plus, Tatum is Back! Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

Brian opens with the news that Jayson Tatum will play this season, perhaps as soon as Friday night, before discussing the news that the Patriots are releasing Stefon Diggs (0:00). Then, he chats with Section 10’s Tyler Milliken about the upcoming Red Sox season and they give out some predictions for team MVP, best offseason addition, how many games the Sox will win, and more (27:20). Brian and Jamie end by discussing the Tatum news (1:20:25).

We want to hear from you! Leave Brian a message on the listener line at 617-396-7172. Or send us your questions for our mailbag at offthepike@gmail.com.

The Ringer is committed to responsible gaming. Please visit www.rg-help.com to learn more about the resources and helplines available.

Host: Brian Barrett

Guest: Tyler Milliken

Producer: Jamie McClellan

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