(between the post title header and the user ratings) – It is due to the h6 . I think it is coming from plugin. make top margin, padding as zero.
(between the user ratings and the post content) – It is due to 2 line breaks
after the “user rating”
Headings are used wrongly in the design. Headings are used in the design as “div” which is not the way to use it.
