Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

After a brief PSA about an open producer position (email wanted@fangraphs.com with the subject line “Podcast Editor 2026” to apply) Ben Lindbergh (kind of) continues his quest to temporarily resurrect a few dearly departed baseball podcasts by bringing on MLB.com’s Mike Petriello, former host of Ballpark Dimensions, to banter about a record home run trot, which “Statcast era” records they’re most confident are also all-time records, Junior Caminero’s defense and the value of small-sample defensive splits, the latest Statcast tools, Statcast WAR, predictive vs. descriptive stats, a divisive standing ovation for Pete Alonso at Citi Field, and this week’s White Sox-Guardians series. Then (58:25) Ben chats with former Astros AGM Andrew Ball and former Phillies quantitative analyst Tom Kim about Tom’s new command metric, OpenCommand, whether public baseball research still has something to teach teams, the public-private knowledge gap, and overrated secrets. Audio intro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: The Spaghettis, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Ballpark Dimensions podcast archive Link to Caminero trot Link to Caminero LIDOM trot Link to Langs post Link to Tater Trot Tracker Link to exit-speed contributions Link to Mike’s post on Caminero’s defense Link to Mike on the Williams homer Link to Mike’s last EW appearance Link to 2024 bat tracking Link to 2025 swing tracking Link to Nats farm system article Link to 2026 scoops article Link to scoops leaderboard Link to “I’m tired, boss” meme Link to predicted xwOBACON Link to VAAAA Link to Baseball Savant Link to “last mile” wiki Link to standing Alons-O article Link to team 1B WAR Link to Piazza ovation Link to Seaver ovation Link to Pujols ovation Link to Pham story Link to White Sox-Guardians gamer Link to Peters PA article 1 Link to Peters PA article 2 Link to Davy on Jack Reacher Link to Andrew’s baseball bio Link to The Athletic profile on Andrew Link to Tom’s OpenCommand thread Link to OpenCommand account Link to OpenCommand github Link to The Athletic on OpenCommand Link to OpenCommand validation Link to OpenCommand accuracy Link to computer vision article 1 Link to computer vision article 1 Link to pitch-tipping detection info Link to Tom on miss distance Link to Tango on miss distance Link to Sam on misses Link to Ben on COMMANDf/x Link to The Athletic on Command+ Link to “Stuff” model command stats Link to BP on command 1 Link to BP on command 2 Link to team targets article Link to team targets graph Link to command value post Link to Tom’s post on baseball analytics Link to Andrew’s Substack Link to Andrew on public baseball analysis Link to Andrew on idea value Link to Ben on baseball secrets Link to Andrew on idea value Link to Andrew on draft performance Link to Hustle+ paper Link to Ben on hustle Link to Andrew’s podcast post Link to Andrew’s podcast Link to Marvel’s Wolverine clip 1 Link to Ben’s first Wolverine pod Link to Ben’s second Wolverine pod Link to previous Winquest banter Link to Gasper story Link to Paine on position-player pitchers Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

With Meg Rowley on vacation, Ben Lindbergh continues his quest to (temporarily) resurrect a few dearly departed baseball podcasts. Next Up: The Baseball Show With Rany and Joe, featuring Ben, Rany Jazayerli, and Joe Sheehan of the Joe Sheehan Newsletter. With two weeks remaining in the regular season, Ben, Rany, and Joe talk about what’s worth watching the rest of the way: playoff races, awards chases, roster reshuffling, and more. They also examine some big-picture trends pertaining to MLB’s low-average offense, pitcher usage, expansion, and popularity. Audio intro: Garrett Krohn, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to The Baseball Show podcast archive Link to the Joe Sheehan Newsletter Link to Rany’s medical practice Link to Rany on the Royals Link to Rany on Pitcher Abuse Points Link to Ben on postseason usage Link to Dan S. on 2026 playoff rosters Link to Dan S. on the postseason crapshoot Link to playoff randomness by sport Link to Kiger wiki Link to De Paula homer Link to 2023 Cranston promo Link to attendance-boost story Link to article on Vlad’s homer Link to article on Fischer’s homer Link to the Teoscar resurgence Link to Laurila on SP usage Link to Ben on improving player talent Link to Elly throw video Link to Elly throw article Link to Passan on expansion Link to NBA franchise values Link to KC ballpark update Link to Veblen good wiki Link to Sarris on sinkers Link to Ben C. on expanded playoffs Link to Dan S. on expanded playoffs Link to FG combined WAR leaderboard Link to Schlittler MVP article Link to leaguewide K rates Link to leaguewide non-pitcher K rates Link to Ben on Ks in 2017 Link to foul-ball info Link to Ben on pitcher limits Link to Ben on improved defense Link to Rany on Ben’s gaming pod Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. With Meg Rowley on vacation, Ben Lindbergh continues his quest to (temporarily) resurrect a few dearly departed baseball podcasts. Next Up: The Ringer MLB Show, featuring Ben, Michael Baumann of FanGraphs, and Bobby Wagner of Patreon and Tipping Pitches. Ben, Baumann, and Bobby banter about their old show and the absence of one member of the Ringer MLB crew, how MLB commemorated 9/11, who’s to blame for banged-up Shohei Ohtani, whether they’re buying Anthony Volpe’s power spike, and what the widespread mockery of Vivek Ramaswamy’s baseball swing says about politicans’ eagerness to invoke baseball, the danger of appearing inauthentic by faking ball knowledge, and the difficulty (relative to other sports) of not looking doofy doing baseball activities without past playing experience. Then (54:49) Ben plays “Did This Famous Figure Play College Baseball?” and they draft (1:02:38) the top 24 MLB players who are in their age-24 seasons or younger. Audio intro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to The Ringer MLB Show feed Link to Ringer Baseball feed Link to Baumann’s FanGraphs archive Link to Tipping Pitches Link to 2021 young players ranking Link to 2021 young players podcast Link to 2022 young players ranking Link to MLB’s 9/11 press release Link to Baumann on Ohtani Link to Woo on Ohtani Link to Ardaya on Ohtani Link to Ohtani comments Link to Volpe reinvention article Link to Triple-A wOBA leaders Link to Triple-A xWOBA leaders Link to Volpe gamelog Link to Cruz vs. El-Sayed Link to Vivek’s football jersey Link to EW on politician sports fails Link to Jeffries bat post Link to Vivek’s baseball post Link to eyewitness account Link to Vivek’s tennis post Link to Vivek’s bowling post Link to Vivek’s basketball post Link to post deletion story Link to Vivek name article Link to Curtis on baseball language Link to list of Baumann games Link to Eisenhower baseball controversy Link to RoS ZiPS projections Link to 2028 ZiPS projections Link to rest-of-career ZiPS projections Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

With Meg Rowley on vacation, Ben Lindbergh continues his quest to (temporarily) resurrect a few dearly departed baseball podcasts. Next Up: The Bandwagon, featuring Hannah Keyser of CNN and Zach Crizer of The Bandwagon (the ongoing newsletter). Ben, Hannah, and Zach discuss Hannah’s transition from baseball specialist to sports generalist, her visit to Driveline Baseball for velocity training, and why position-player pitchers throw so slow. Then they banter about baseball bits and bobs: the buzzer-beating, pre-postseason returns of Aaron Judge and other prominent players; the future of rehab assignments; Zach’s 2026 rebuild rankings and his and Hannah’s debate about how bad David Stearns has been for the Mets; Mickey Gasper’s hot streak and Munetaka Murakami’s slump; a possible Rockies sale; Thomas Pannone’s Triple-A perfect game; and how the challenge system has affected catcher framing and defensive value, plus postscript follow-ups. Audio intro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to The Bandwagon podcast archive Link to The Bandwagon newsletter Link to Hannah’s CNN archive Link to CNN Explains series Link to first Bandwagon reunion pod Link to second Bandwagon reunion pod Link to Hannah and Lindsey appearance Link to Marte’s cap Link to Alcaraz vs. Shelton story Link to Jay on position-player pitching Link to Sam on position-player pitching Link to underhand free throws story Link to Episode 2372 Link to position-player velo by year Link to late-comeback candidates Link to Hannah and Zach on Trajekt Link to Ben on Trajekt Link to Dan S. on Judge Link to Judge on his abbreviated return Link to Judge/Jones fun fact Link to Schwarber postseason comeback Link to Cohen on Stearns Link to Ben on Mets turnover Link to team rookie batting WAR Link to negative-run-differential division story Link to Yankees hitting without Judge Link to Yankees pitching without Judge Link to Gasper/Murakami leaderboard Link to Gasper wiki Link to Rockies/McCarthy play Link to Paige’s Rockies report Link to report summary Link to Greg Penner wiki Link to BP on team sales Link to Pannone story Link to Pannone photos Link to minor league perfectos list Link to Jeff on framing Link to Ben on framing in 2018 Link to team defensive challenges Link to Tango on team challenges Link to catcher-defensive deviation data Link to catcher-defense deviation graph Link to Ohtani/De Paula news Link to catcher’s interference explainer Link to 23 ways piece Link to 23 ways book Link to Nine Innings to Love trailer Link to Nine Innings to Love premiere Link to Tiglath-Pileser III wiki Link to Yankees winning-season streak Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

With Meg Rowley on vacation, Ben Lindbergh brings a few dearly departed baseball podcasts (briefly) back to life. First up: The Roundtable, featuring EW cofounder (and Pebble Hunting author) Sam Miller and The Athletic’s Grant Brisbee and Andy McCullough. Ben, Sam, Grant, and Andy discuss the worst and best ballpark promotions, Doug Eddings’s cap decree and bid to become MLB’s new infamous umpire, what 2026 taught us about ump importance, whether umps uphold unwritten rules, future revelations about the Astros’ banging scheme, a trivia question in a new movie about the number of ways to reach base, Ketel Marte and the mountains teams try to climb, Sam’s recent writing about the boundaries of baseball performance, Andy’s ace updates, and Shohei Ohtani’s pitching outlook. Audio intro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to The Roundtable archive Link to Roundtable cancellation post Link to Pebble Hunting Link to Grant’s author archive Link to Andy’s author archive Link to Jelly Roll wiki Link to Ben on baseball pizza discounts Link to Taco Bell promotion wiki Link to Jessica Simpson quote Link to Zoolander clip Link to Eddings wiki Link to Eddings article 1 Link to Eddings article 2 Link to Eddings article 3 Link to Eddings article 4 Link to umpire retirements Link to Ben on ABS Link to Gattis on Kershaw Link to banging-scheme site Link to banging-scheme research 1 Link to banging-scheme research 2 Link to banging-scheme research 3 Link to banging-scheme research 4 Link to Noggin Boss Link to MLB Isoblox cap Link to “dadhat” definition Link to The Sun Never Sets wiki Link to Joe Swanberg wiki Link to mumblecore wiki Link to Fennessey on mumblecore Link to automatic double wiki Link to Snapple on reaching base Link to SABR on reaching base Link to Enders on reaching base Link to Marte article 1 Link to Marte article 2 Link to Marte article 3 Link to Marte article 4 Link to double summit wiki Link to Sam on bad challenges Link to Sam on pitcher mistakes Link to Sam on strike rates Link to Tango on miss distance Link to Sam on Kershaw mistakes Link to Rob Arthur on ball variation Link to Andy on aces Link to Ohtani pitching update Link to Sam on two-way Ohtani Link to Beyond the Scrum Link to Sportswriters Blues Link to “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about duplicate episode titles and the Angels being slightly less bad than previously indicated, Stat Blast about extended team droughts between multi-hit MLB debuts, and discuss the arrival and role of Padres prospect Ethan Salas, a (deep breath) Cubs-produced, TikTok-based, baseball-themed, microdrama rom-com, whether they have any interest in VR baseball broadcasts, and an apparent change in Minor League Baseball’s ball, followed by additional Blasting about a Jordan Walker fact that may or may not be fun, catcher hot-swaps, center fielders on the mound, and all-win/loss days for divisions. Audio intro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to duplicate episode titles Link to Episode 1240 Link to Episode 1573 Link to Paine on Moreno/Kroenke Link to Kroenke’s land ownership Link to Langs post 1 Link to Langs post 2 Link to debutant dingers article Link to gaps between debuts Link to Close Encounters scene Link to Montes debut article Link to Ichiro rookie hits record Link to Ichiro video Link to Montes video Link to Ben on debutant batters Link to proj. strength of schedule Link to M’s rookie batting WAR Link to BP on Jenkins Link to BP on Salas Link to ESPN on Salas Link to New Yorker on microdramas Link to Quibi wiki Link to Variety on Nine Innings to Love Link to Nine Innings to Love trailer Link to The Notebook scene Link to VR broadcasts article Link to Jake/Jordan broadcast info Link to Ben’s plot hole video Link to Cooper on the MiLB ball Link to Cooper on college homers Link to Ben on the MiLB-to-MLB gap Link to Clay on the MiLB-to-MLB gap Link to FG on MiLB ball construction Link to Walker alleged fun fact Link to ITYSL meme Link to Williams vs. Wood post Link to catchers data Link to The Onion on Gillette Link to wild 1902 game Link to Garver EW episode Link to all-loss division days Link to all-win division days Link to listener emails database Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley announce an upcoming livestream and then react to the semi-surprising sale of the Angels by Arte Moreno to Stan Kroenke, considering the significance of the sale price, the outlook for the franchise, the legacies of Moreno and Mike Trout, and what the sale might portend for CBA talks. Then (43:16), in the wake of recent reporting and discussion about the volume level at games, they talk to stadium acoustics expert Jack Wrightson of design firm WJHW about how stadium sound systems are simulated and constructed, how they’ve evolved, the sonic environments of baseball and other sports, how team preferences and practices vary, fan noise vs. PA noise, sound on the field vs. sound in the stands, why ballparks are sometimes too loud, and much more, plus (1:37:59) a few postscript follow-ups. Audio intro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Patreon registration Link to FG on the Angels sale Link to The Athletic sale article 1 Link to The Athletic sale article 2 Link to Trout quotes Link to mayor quotes Link to 2023 attendance Link to 2026 attendance Link to Moreno on fan preferences Link to Kroenke wiki Link to Moreno wiki Link to Paine on Moreno Link to new Angels park item Link to froyo fraud article Link to sale-price bubble analysis Link to WJHW “about” page Link to WJHW ballparks page Link to Jack’s WJHW bio Link to latest loudness article Link to loudness article 2 Link to loudness article 3 Link to loudness article 4 Link to loudness article 5 Link to sound level meter wiki Link to loudness wars wiki Link to Langs post 1 Link to Langs post 2 Link to EW on Yandy and ABS Link to Tango on Yandy Link to Tango on the Rays Link to more Tango on the Rays Link to Jade on Skubal Link to new Plot Hole or Not Hole Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the research Meg saw on her trip to Saber Seminar, a vintage Max Scherzer start, Tarik Skubal’s espresso-machine maneuver, a Kevin McGonigle double and rule 9.06(f), an international signing scandal (or in truth, two), MLB’s proposals for reworking offseason signings and roster rules, legal wrangling regarding prediction markets, WPBL difficulties, a Chris Sale gem, a costly FARTBAT, outfield additions, whether Shohei Ohtani will pitch again, the first team eliminated from division-title contention, and more. Audio intro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Saber Seminar site Link to Scherzer start Link to espresso article 1 Link to espresso article 2 Link to McGonigle hit article Link to @ScoringChanges explanation Link to Posnanski post Link to ESPN report on signing scandal Link to MLB proposal article 1 Link to MLB proposal article 2 Link to Baumann on MLB proposals Link to NHL holiday roster freeze Link to MLB prediction-market deals Link to latest legal decision Link to prediction-markets piece 1 Link to prediction-markets piece 2 Link to WPBL standings Link to WPBL article 1 Link to WPBL article 2 Link to Sale article 1 Link to Sale article 2 Link to Sale game page Link to Baldwin game precedents Link to FARTBAT article Link to FARTBAT wiki Link to MLBTR on Pham Link to Pham vs. Myers spat Link to MLBTR on Cave Link to MLBTR on Robert Jr. Link to Ohtani update Link to Reddit Rockies post Link to Curt’s Bluesky post Link to Cowser catch clip Link to Cowser catch article Link to The Sun Never Sets Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a baseball reference in summer sci-fi flick The End of Oak Street and new reporting on players’ unwillingness to wear cups, then (32:30) discuss career years for Pete Alonso and Gabriel Moreno, Mason Miller’s changeup, Cal Raleigh’s swing change, and whether MLB will follow other leagues’ leads in establishing a tournament or trophy apart from the playoffs, before Stat Blasting (1:17:47) about the worst/least-experienced lineups ever, the most prolifically .500 teams, and the hierarchy of double-play frequency. Audio intro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to The End of Oak Street wiki Link to David Robert Mitchell wiki Link to Detroit references in movie Link to Parrish 1982 gamelog Link to Doctor Strange Tigers reference Link to protective cups article Link to Luke 22:42-44 Link to Chisholm article Link to Forbes article on JKG Link to Time article on JKG Link to best hitters in August Link to on-pace leaderboard Link to pitch run values since 2025 Link to Miller’s changeup count Link to Cruz homer clip Link to Miller article 1 Link to Miller article 2 Link to game theory meme Link to Cal swing article Link to Neil on alternate champions Link to Neil on the NBA Cup Link to Knicks NBA Cup decision Link to regular-season-champion article Link to regular-season-champion episode Link to Yankees’ six-run win Link to Stat Blast wiki Link to Giants loss article 1 Link to Giants loss article 2 Link to Giants unfun fact Link to Sam post 1 Link to Sam post 2 Link to 2022 White Sox .500 records Link to Rochester Hop Bitters info Link to Preston’s FB post Link to “9 to 5” video Link to double-play data Link to Hembekides clip Link to Hembekides graph Link to Molina 3-2-8 double play Link to Nootbaar play Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about takeaways from ESPN’s 30 for 30 podcast on Shohei Ohtani and Ippei Mizuhara, disappointing parity (46:41), the latest public-funding ballpark boondoggles in Kansas City and Tampa (52:22), and which AL wild card contender most deserves to squeak into October (1:12:58). Audio intro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to The Betrayal of Shohei Ohtani Link to Passan video on the Dodgers Link to Passan tweeets on the Dodgers Link to EW episode on Ippei Link to criminal complaint Link to Starz show update Link to deMause/Bradbury EW episode Link to KC ballpark update Link to Tampa ballpark update Link to more on Tampa ballpark Link to Field of Schemes book Link to Field of Schemes post 1 Link to Field of Schemes post 2 Link to Field of Schemes post 3 Link to TIF wiki Link to This One Will Be Different Link to deMause Bluesky post Link to Hurtak Bluesky post Link to Nippon Ham wiki Link to Fighters wiki Link to fruit of the poisonous tree Link to Chinese wall wiki Link to national debt news Link to Alou brothers game Link to all-Alou-outfield article Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about baseball’s new reigning fun fact (courtesy of Pete Crow-Armstrong and Randy Arozarena), Kade Anderson’s debut and Dan Wilson’s slow hook, a Cal Raleigh rally, and the firing of Astros GM Dana Brown, then Stat Blast (41:51) about a Phillies comeback, a strange Yankees streak, an unusual double play, getting hit by both pitched and batted balls, and consecutive same names in lineups, before finishing by discussing (58:37) follow-ups and errata pertaining to the previous week’s podcasts and (1:18:02) a sign-stealing/unwritten-rules controversy courtesy of the Cubs and Diamondbacks. Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2” Audio outro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to PCA/Randy fun fact 1 Link to PCA/Randy fun fact 2 Link to FG post on Anderson Link to Sheehan on Wilson/Anderson Link to Cal homers video Link to Cal homers article 1 Link to Cal homers article 2 Link to Cal slump analysis Link to MLBTR on Brown 1 Link to MLBTR on Brown 2 Link to Nightengale on Brown Link to Clemens on Brown Link to Wells gear 1 Link to Wells gear 2 Link to Schwarber homer video Link to FG Phillies post Link to Twins comeback article Link to comebacks Stat Blast results Link to Yankees scoring data Link to Stanton injury update Link to Judge injury update Link to double-play data Link to triple-Brown name game Link to Gasper clip Link to HBP/batted ball instances Link to listener emails database Link to sign-stealing article 1 Link to sign-stealing article 2 Link to Sam on unwritten rules Link to sign-stealing EW episode Link to Ben on coaching/front offices Link to Miz/Sale article 1 Link to Miz/Sale article 2 Link to Miz/Sale box score Link to Randy Johnson EW interview Link to other case of Miz-taken identity Link to Kelly/Mikolas article Link to Mikolas article 1 Link to Mikolas article 2 Link to puck-tracking tech Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a Chris Sale vs. Jacob Misiorowski matchup and how often anticipated pitching duels live up to the hype, a controversial fair/foul call and ball-tracking tech in baseball compared to other sports, and what stadium decibel levels say about whom baseball belongs to, then (57:26) answer listener emails about the AL MVP race, Brayan Bello’s bullpen turnaround, the highest-scoring game in which each run was driven in by a different batter, the potential downside of a closer entrance spectacle, the oldest player who could go yard in a home run derby, the value of freezing time on the field, a game between players dressed as their teams’ mascots, and what makes players fun. Audio intro: PJ Harding, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Sale vs. Miz article Link to Miz zone rate by month Link to Miz velo by month Link to Miz/Sánchez close call Link to Miz/Skenes close call Link to pitching leaders since 4/12 Link to Sale jersey article Link to Ben on Sale in 2018 Link to LaRoche retrospective Link to Alonso call article Link to Yankees booth’s reaction Link to Petriello tweet Link to Tango tweet 1 Link to Tango tweet 2 Link to baseball exceptionalism wiki Link to Kepner on baseball usage Link to NFL measurement tech Link to goal-line tech wiki Link to hockey tech article Link to FoxTrax wiki Link to NBA tech article 1 Link to NBA tech article 2 Link to soccer connected ball info Link to Miller/Grogu video Link to hippo talk episode Link to latest loudness article Link to loudness article 2 Link to loudness article 3 Link to loudness article 4 Link to loudness article 5 Link to loudness prompt Link to “Nothing Night” origin Link to FG WAR leaderboard Link to Bello SP/RP split Link to biggest SP/RP splits Link to 1-RBI-guys games Link to urinalysis info Link to Mariners derby article Link to Ichiro derby video Link to Clair on Appling Link to Ben on Ichiro homers Link to list of MLB mascots Link to McCutchen “furries” lore Link to listener emails database Link to MLBTR on Anderson Link to leaguewide games per year Link to Small Axe Studios news Link to Batman/Superman comic Link to comic heroes roster Link to Benge article 1 Link to Benge article 2 Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Brewers’ record-tying shutout/blowout of the Mariners (warning: profanity), Bryce Rainer and the continued absence of a post-Ohtani two-way wave, the latest manifestation of Paul Skenes’s protracted struggles, the tater turnaround of Fernando Tatis Jr., the reason(s) for the diminishing viewership of “MLB at Field of Dreams,” and which baseball figure (or feature) could extend the Vin Scully/Connie Mack fun fact. Audio intro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Mariners vs. Brewers box score Link to biggest blowouts Link to Julio mistake Link to Mount Rainier wiki Link to Laurila on Rainer Link to article on Rainer’s signing Link to The Board at FG Link to Sam on Ohtani’s two-way balance Link to best past two-way prospects Link to Olerud pitching retrospective Link to article on Jobe vs. Skenes game Link to Tigers vs. Pirates game data Link to Tigers vs. Pirates box score Link to Stumpf on Skenes Link to Sawchik on Skenes Link to Oler on Skenes Link to Verducci on Skenes 1 Link to Verducci on Skenes 2 Link to Skenes photos Link to Skenes gamelog Link to Ashcraft gamelog Link to P/IP leaders Link to Tatis before Link to Tatis after Link to BP on Tatis Link to MLB at Field of Dreams wiki Link to article on Hall of Famers Link to article on audience size Link to EW Field of Dreams episode Link to MLB Speedway Classic wiki Link to Sam’s Scully/Mack piece Link to Ben’s comment Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the deepening monetary morass surrounding Mark Walter and whether it will eventually ensnare the Dodgers, the struggles of Edwin Díaz and Kyle Tucker, L.A.’s incentive to try for a bye, the Dodgers’ and Mets’ offseason oopsies, Pete Crow-Armstrong’s heroics, the hot hitting of Denae Benites and the WPBL’s offensive environment, Joshua Báez and MLB’s debutant ball, Colt Emerson’s hidden hurt, the AL’s wild card mid-off, a four-team whirlwind for Jake Rogers, the longest team trade droughts, and more. Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Walter Mitty wiki Link to Ben on Walter Link to Bloomberg on Walter Link to WSJ on Walter Link to Baker on Walter Link to Reuters on Walter Link to The Athletic on Walter Link to Chelsea shares story Link to Ohtani clause story Link to Walter tweet Link to more on Walter Link to Tucker/PCA tweet Link to one-day WAR Link to Opta/PCA fun fact Link to 1957 Power game Link to FG WAR leaderboard Link to Tucker miss 1 Link to Tucker miss 2 Link to Tucker home offense Link to Tucker road offense Link to Karros comment Link to BP on Tucker Link to Tucker in the dugout Link to Tucker and Ohtani Link to Tucker summary Link to Díaz IL story Link to Dodgers bye incentive Link to Sheehan on Stearns Link to Sam on Stearns Link to Ben on the Mets Link to WPBL leaderboard Link to WPBL RA9 Link to MLB RA9 Link to BP on WPBL offense Link to Benites wiki Link to BP on Benites Link to Benites MLB comps Link to Cade Skywalker Link to Simmons Mariners tweets Link to Emerson story 1 Link to Emerson story 2 Link to Nightengale on Wilson Link to Murphy’s hidden injury Link to Watchmen quote Link to Watchmen meme template Link to Ben on debutant batters Link to debutants spreadsheet Link to MLB Báez video Link to ESPN Báez video Link to Callahan triple video Link to Callahan triple story Link to Cobb/Irwin article Link to Paine on post-deadline confusion Link to FG playoff odds Link to post-deadline odds changes Link to wild card standings Link to Crizer on the AL standings Link to Rogers fun fact Link to Rogers feature Link to Rogers wedding story Link to trade droughts article Link to Atlanta-Philly trades Link to Cleveland-KC trades Link to Dodgers-Tigers trades Link to Red Sox-Yankees trades Link to fourth out wiki Link to Jaffe on John Link to Episode 1580 Stat Blast Link to Cubs-Cardinals game Link to Cubs-Nationals game Link to Hembekides clip Link to Hembekides graph Link to Wilson overturn Link to Yan tweet 1 Link to Yan tweet 2 Link to Burgos gamelogs Link to Burgos post Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the latest apparent change in the baseball’s behavior (this time it seems to be deader) and, in a tribute to Tommy John (11:35), retrace the timeline of his trailblazing surgery and his return to a major league mound 50 years ago through contemporaneous accounts and quotes. Then (55:58) they bring on top-tier Patreon supporter Jamie Verbrugge to discuss his podcast and baseball backgrounds before answering listener emails (1:05:02) about the upper bounds of a cup of coffee, a really entertaining but trophy-less season vs. a really boring championship season, an undercover baseball robot, whether Jefry Yan would celebrate a strikeout on an overturned ball call, whether fans are suggestible enough to be fooled by fake home run distances, an ultimate frisbee-style integrity rule for baseball, the value of Ron Washington, and the advisability of bringing the infield in, followed by Stat Blasts (2:01:49) about Pete Crow-Armstrong leading his league in offense and defense, every team in a divison having the same recent record, team games with high matching run, hit, and walk totals, pitchers who got a win, a loss, and a save in a single three-game series, team games with streaks of the same start to each offensive inning, bullpens where one pitcher out-WARed all the others combined, and strikeout-free shutouts. Audio intro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: Sean .P, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Sheehan on the ball Link to Savant drag dashboard Link to earlier ball analysis 1 Link to earlier ball analysis 2 Link to John’s statement Link to MLB.com on John’s statement Link to Reuters on John’s illness Link to Tommy John wiki Link to Frank Jobe wiki Link to Jaffe on John Link to career IP leaders Link to Grant on Posey/Avila Link to NanoNeedle article Link to Maness repair article Link to TJ timeline links Link to TJS database Link to Strom surgery article Link to Bordley surgery article 1 Link to Bordley surgery article 2 Link to Ben’s baseball/America course Link to Ben C. on Skubal and Detroit Link to Dickson on “cup of coffee” Link to Asimov’s Robot series Link to Super Baseball 2020 Link to Baseball Highlights 2045 Link to Data smell Reddit thread Link to Skenes photos Link to Yan game video Link to Yan box score Link to Yan Savant search Link to ultimate’s integrity rule Link to Arraez/Washington article Link to article on Wash in 2027 Link to SIS infield-in study Link to Ben on shifting vs. RHB Link to Stirnweiss SABR bio Link to PCA/Snuffy Blast spreadsheet Link to AL Central streaks image Link to 13-13-13 Stathead query Link to win/loss/save spreadsheet Link to leadoff streaks info Link to 2026 Guardians relievers Link to bullpen WAR gaps spreadsheet Link to Tigers-Guardians gamer Link to zero-K, zero-run games Link to listener emails database Link to MLB All-Century Team Link to BNS Jays play podcast Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about MLB franchise appreciation, Stat Blast about what the resurgence of three-inning saves and the expanding distribution of saves say about pitcher usage, and learn about a new baseball injury. Then (43:28) they bring on Lindsay Imber of Close Call Sports and the official scorer behind the MLB Scoring Changes account to explain the “fourth-out” rule that confused fans and players this week and to pick nits with the MLB rulebook. Finally (1:30:50), Ben brings back former major leaguer John Poff to read from his new book, reflect on his use of “greenies” and players’ political differences, and share a new fundraising initiative for the Standing Rock Reservation, followed (2:13:45) by a few updates. Audio intro: The Spaghettis, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Yankees “capital infusion” Link to story about Yankees valuation Link to story about Lakers sale Link to impending Padres sale Link to FIFA takeover attempt Link to Infantino wiki Link to Littleton save Link to save rule Link to pope hat giveaway Link to Latz stats Link to Atlanta’s three-out savers Link to data on three-out saves Link to data on save-getters by season Link to multi-inning RP outings data Link to Herfindahl–Hirschman index wiki Link to annual HHI data Link to HHI graph Link to Inverse Participation Ratio Link to THT on three-inning saves Link to SB Nation on three-inning saves Link to Medium post on three-inning saves Link to WSJ closers story Link to Ben on saves slipping in 2017 Link to Betteridge’s law wiki Link to parakeet bounceback news Link to Goodhart’s law wiki Link to league SP splits Link to league RP splits Link to FG post on Goodhart’s law Link to other FG post on Goodhart’s law Link to Arrigheti report Link to more on Arrigheti Link to Morton’s neuroma wiki Link to Morton’s neuroma causes Link to Mayo Clinic on Morton’s neuroma Link to more on Morton’s neuroma Link to even more on Morton’s neuroma Link to Ben on the 2015 ALDS game Link to Ben on confused counts Link to @ScoringChanges Link to @ScoringChanges fourth-out tweet Link to @CloseCallSports Link to Close Call Sports website Link to Close Call Sports YouTube channel Link to Lindsay wiki Link to Lindsay’s fourth-out video Link to Lindsay’s Sale video Link to Lindsay’s Wheeler video Link to fourth out wiki Link to fourth-out story 1 Link to fourth-out story 2 Link to SABR on fourth outs Link to The Athletic fourth-out explainer Link to Bois on balks Link to Sam on balks Link to xkcd comic Link to Schneider quote Link to 2016 Schneider game Link to Strike Four Link to Poff Stat Blast Link to first Poff appearance Link to second Poff appearance Link to Halls of Fame discussion Link to Poff’s first Hall of Fame Link to Poff’s second Hall of Fame Link to Poff’s book Link to Carlin routine Link to baseball exceptionalism wiki Link to greenies info Link to Ben on PEDs and the ball Link to “Buffalo Bill ‘s” poem Link to Standing Rock wiki Link to Gilbert Kills Pretty Enemy art Link to John’s fundraiser Link to Scherzer’s piano-playing Link to Kendrick cameo story Link to Skenes velo graph Link to Skenes game story Link to Liquid I.V. powder Link to Rocker pickle-juice game Link to Stanton yoga report Link to Foulke wife tweet Link to Foulke firing report Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a quick hook for Keith Foulke in the WPBL and Stat Blast about the historic outcome of a series between two streaking teams before analyzing an update on Giancarlo Stanton’s status, the effect of era on Jacob Wilson’s errorless streak, the significance of baseball’s resurgence in Hollywood (as evidenced by a Netflix Yankees series, three upcoming baseball movies, and a baseball tangent on Ted Lasso), Mike Krukow and the best team scenario for a beloved broadcaster’s farewell tour, Max Scherzer’s small-sample resurgence, and the latest on Hunter Greene, Paul Skenes, and Gerrit Cole. Audio intro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Dak quote Link to Dak Wookieepedia page Link to Hobbie’s Hoth fate Link to Boston Hunters announcement Link to Hunters tweet Link to WPBL standings Link to Weeks hiring story Link to story about A’s streak snapping Link to story about Sox streak-snapping Link to Stat Blast streaks data 1 Link to Stat Blast streaks data 2 Link to harmonic mean wiki Link to so over/so back meme Link to FG preseason predictions Link to Boone/Stanton quote 1 Link to Boone/Stanton quote 2 Link to Casas swinging exchange Link to Casas swinging article Link to Casas surgery Link to Stanton chips quote Link to Stanton/Panterra video Link to Stanton/Panterra post Link to Stanton ESPN photo shoot Link to Wilson story 1 Link to Wilson story 2 Link to errorless leaderboard Link to 2025 Wilson fielding game log Link to 2026 Wilson fielding game log Link to 2002 Bordick fielding game log Link to Korach tweet Link to annual fielding averages Link to leaguewide batted-ball stats Link to leaguewide K rate stats Link to 2002 team batted-ball stats Link to 2026 team batted-ball stats Link to Sam on errors Link to Stat Blast on errors Link to dill-flavored Liquid I.V. Link to Netflix Yankees series Link to Gehrig movie news Link to Glen Powell’s IMDb Link to Cooper story 1 Link to Cooper story 2 Link to The Catch movie info Link to Hanks movie news Link to Stone as Padres fan Link to Stone as Mets fan Link to EW baseball movies episode Link to Lasso NLBM story Link to Lasso NLBM scene Link to recent Kendrick EW appearance Link to B-Ref career pitching WAR Link to FG career pitching WAR Link to Eephus on Prime Video Link to Eephus EW interview Link to Josef Suk wiki Link to Olympics art awards Link to Suk’s Scherzo Fantastique Link to fantastic scherzo explainer Link to more fantastic scherzo info Link to Johnson strikeouts discrepancy Link to Scherzer vs. Johnson story Link to Jay on Scherzer and Cole Link to Ryan SABR bio Link to MLBTR on Greene’s surgery Link to White Sox Kwan call Link to previous Skenes discussion Link to Skenes leaderboard Link to Cole leaderboard Link to BaseRuns standings Link to George injury update Link to Lasko injury update Link to Trout birthday fun fact Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the long-in-the-making major league debut of gravity-defying, strikeout-celebrating reliever Jefry Yan, Steven Kwan’s resurgence, a lineup with lots of Juniors, a scooter celebration, a double FARTBAT, Luis Arraez abandoning home plate, MLB players’ low-stakes conspiracies, a head-to-head MVP battle, the Mets’ Francisco Lindor–Juan Soto drama, the A’s firing David Forst, a pitcher plate appearance, and more. Then (1:02:46) Ben brings on YouTubers Noah Campbell (aka SOFTDRINKTV) and Taylor McNelis (aka WildLion Games) to discuss the decline in the quantity and quality of sports video games, how well baseball lends itself to gaming, the golden age of baseball video games, and whether a few new challengers might endanger MLB The Show’s dominance. Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)” Audio interstitial: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Reddit post on Yan Link to first Yan episode Link to second Yan episode Link to Yan debut story Link to Yan debut video Link to Yan leap on single Link to Guardians’ Yan mockery Link to MLBTR on Brebbia Link to Brebbia’s second EW appearance Link to previous Kwan chat Link to Kwan leaderboard Link to Kwan pillow quote Link to sports nepo babies article Link to article on baseball nepo babies Link to Ryan HoF page Link to Giants scooter celly Link to Arraez abandonment Link to @ScoringChanges explanation Link to Marlins misplay Link to EW Episode 500 Link to PCA comments Link to Saucedo comments Link to Ottavino comments Link to PCA vs. Ohtani game Link to Peralta/Lindor/Soto report Link to 2025 Yankees bullpen blowup Link to Lindor/McNeil article Link to MLBTR on Forst Link to Mikolas PA article Link to Nusbaum tweet Link to Button Mash Link to The Ringer-Verse Link to SOFTDRINKTV on YouTube Link to WildLion Games on YouTube Link to Paine on sports games 1 Link to Paine on sports games 2 Link to Jabroni Baseball video Link to EA buyout Link to EA layoffs report Link to EA layoffs report Link to College Football microtransactions Link to Ben on MVP Baseball 2005 Link to Noah on MVP Baseball 2005 Link to Super Mega Baseball 4 article Link to Metalhead on EW 1 Link to Metalhead on EW 2 Link to Taylor on SMB4 roster updates Link to Taylor’s SMB4 review Link to Zach Kram on Backyard Baseball Link to Backyard Baseball comeback article Link to Backyard Baseball wiki Link to Taylor’s Backyard Baseball review Link to Noah on MLB Power Pros Link to Indoor Baseball Link to Noah on Indoor Baseball Link to Noah on MVP 06: NCAA Baseball Link to Noah’s MLB The Show 26 review Link to Taylor’s MLB The Show 26 review Link to Power Pros wiki Link to Professional Baseball Spirits wiki Link to article about eBaseball Pro Spirit 2026 Link to Noah on eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT Link to eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 on PS5 Link to Noah on eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 news Link to Noah’s eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 review Link to Taylor’s eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 review Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

After talking Tarik Skubal and a few other early acquisitions in the preceding pod, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley recap the rest of the trade deadline in detail, from Adell to Zeferjahn (with many non-ex-Angels in between): the biggest surprises, the winners and losers, and the various reminders that life comes at you fast. Audio intro: Garrett Krohn, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Skubal trade EW discussion Link to Ben on the Skubal trade Link to Andy M. on the Brewers and Skubal Link to Brewers “we tried” article 1 Link to Brewers “we tried” article 2 Link to Hogg post Link to Roberts quote Link to Skubal quote Link to Dodgers super-rotation post Link to SP RoS projections Link to SP depth charts Link to Trueblood on the Brewers Link to mlb.com trade tracker Link to FG trade post round-up Link to FG winners/losers post Link to Ben on Spider-Man Link to Baumann’s Rockies headline Link to Wade/Ward wiki Link to Brebbia news Link to Harper OF move Link to May monthly award winners Link to Toboni comments Link to Elias comments Link to ZiPS deadline breakdown Link to Kostka tweet Link to FG farm rankings Link to “subtle” oblique strain Link to Lombard call-up Link to Lombard dinger Link to white flag trade Link to Law on Mayer Link to Partners INW Link to wildfire response fund Link to fire relief fund Link to Red Cross donation site Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley break down the Dodgers’ trade for Tarik Skubal from multiple angles: the Tigers’ return, expectations for Skubal and the Dodgers, why other teams let the trade happen, and the significance for the sport. Then they discuss a smattering of other moves (including deals for Freddy Peralta and Luis Castillo) before closing banter about a shampoo disclosure in the Baltimore booth. Audio intro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Ben on the Skubal trade Link to Other Ben on the Skubal trade Link to Longenhagen on the Skubal trade Link to Sheehan on the Skubal trade Link to Paine on the Skubal trade Link to Dodgers discourse article Link to Friedman quote Link to FG’s pre-deadline top 100 Link to SP RoS projections Link to Baumann on the Brewers/Rays Link to FG playoff odds Link to San Andreas meme Link to payroll/winning correlation Link to more on payroll/winning correlation Link to Rosenthal column Link to Dodgers playoff improvement Link to BP on competitive balance Link to Sheehan on rentals Link to Clemens on rentals Link to Paine on deadline impact Link to Cooper on prospect trades Link to FG farm rankings Link to FG on the Peralta trade Link to MLBTR on the Castillo trade Link to FG on the Twins trade Link to FG on the Brewers/Guardians trade Link to FG on the Atlanta/KC trade Link to MLBTR on the Doval trade Link to Queens vs. Heights gamer Link to The West Wing scene Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. Ben Lindbergh brings on baseball-loving comic-book experts David Harper (of SKTCHD and Off Panel: A Comics Interview Podcast) and Tiffany Babb (of The Comics Courier, The Comics Staple, The Fan Files, and Interesting Jobs the Podcast) to assemble superpowered baseball teams. First they banter about Harrison Bader’s scooter troubles and David’s and Tiffany’s baseball/comic-book backgrounds, trade-deadline desires, and favorite baseball/comics crossovers. Then (37:20) they take turns filling out rosters from the ranks of Marvel/DC superheroes. Audio intro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Bader article 1 Link to Bader article 2 Link to Bader article 3 Link to another Bader report Link to 2014 Bader incident Link to Bumgarner story Link to Kent injury story 1 Link to Kent injury story 2 Link to Giants vehicular injuries Link to Bader suspension article Link to MLBTR on Bader’s suspension Link to Shanahan injury article Link to Midnight Sun Game Link to Midnight Sons wiki Link to Brand New Day box office Link to The Death of Superman wiki Link to Goldman on power levels Link to Granillo on baseball and supes 1 Link to Granillo on baseball and supes 2 Link to Granillo on baseball and supes 3 Link to superhero strength scale wiki Link to Peanuts podcast episode Link to Joe Shlabotnik wiki Link to Peanuts baseball analysis Link to FG on the Angels/Rangers trade Link to MLBTR on the Minter trade Link to West Coast Avengers Annual #2 Link to Bullseye bio Link to David’s Eisner acceptance speech Link to Eisner Awards wiki Link to SKTCHD Link to Off Panel Link to SKTCHD draft post Link to SKTCHD HoF post Link to SKTCHD Avengers post Link to Tiffany’s website Link to The Comics Courier Link to The Comics Staple Link to Interesting Jobs the Podcast Link to The Fan Files Link to The Fan Files Insta videos Link to The Fan Files TikTok videos Link to SI on baseball and superheroes 1 Link to SI on baseball and superheroes 2 Link to Clemens home run video Link to Clemens home run article Link to Clemens fun facts thread Link to ultimate grand slam wiki Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the end of Ben’s jury duty and Meg’s first colonoscopy, then discuss an investigation into Dodgers owner Mark Walter’s finances, Roki Sasaki’s big glove, Munetaka Murakami’s performance against good velocity, a squirrel sighting (and top prospect Max Clark’s arrival) in Detroit, baseball’s animal kingdom, who gets to claim Jimothy, the frustrating Mariners, Curtis Mead’s im-mead-iate injury, and pre-deadline unrest in Philly. Then (1:05:16) FanGraphs contributor Kiri Oler joins to preview the Women’s Pro Baseball League’s inaugural season and consider its prospects for long-term success. Audio intro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to WSJ on Walter’s finances Link to WSJ on Walter’s stroke Link to Ben on the Dodgers in 2015 Link to WSJ on Sasaki Link to June FG post on Sasaki Link to Roki’s rolling WAR Link to Roki’s four-seamer speed by start Link to Murakami vs. velo article Link to extended squirrel video Link to MLB.com squirrel article Link to BP squirrel article Link to PAWS page Link to animal appearances video Link to MLB.com on Clark’s call-up Link to BP on Clark’s call-up Link to baseball exceptionalism wiki Link to Jimothy wiki Link to M’s Jimothy promotion Link to Trash Pandas’ Jimothy promotion Link to food guarding info Link to Mead injury article Link to Mead recovery report Link to BP IL Triage tool Link to Gelb on the Phillies Link to Paine on the Phillies Link to WPBL wiki Link to Kiri on the WPBL teams Link to Kiri on WPBL managers Link to Kiri’s 2025 pod appearance Link to Kiri on other women’s leagues Link to WPBL team pages Link to AP on the WPBL Link to ESPN’s WPBL press release Link to 2025 WPBL announcement Link to Women’s Baseball World Cup article Link to Ben on the OWL Link to A League of Their Own scene Link to Roki game story Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s daughter’s first MLB game, and Ben briefly interviews the four-year-old Sloan about her spectator experience. Then they discuss the MVP races (with an emphasis on Pete Crow-Armstrong’s status as the NL frontrunner over Shohei Ohtani), the Nationals and Red Sox swapping Curtis Mead and Connelly Early, a Kerry Wood trick pitch, John Kruk’s Sunday Night Baseball attire, teams’ tendency to covet Tarik Skubal vs. their reluctance to trade top prospects for rental players, and the biggest pre-deadline positional strengths for non-contenders and positional weaknesses for contenders. Audio intro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Dodgers vs. Mets game Link to “if baseball were different” wiki Link to Goodnight Baseball Link to Decoy Saves Opening Day Link to Moana box office Link to Maui’s nipples article 1 Link to Maui’s nipples article 2 Link to Disney nipples history Link to Mario nipples article Link to FG WAR leaderboard Link to B-Ref WAR leaderboard Link to Roberts on MVP Ohtani Link to Ohtani pen session news Link to top baserunners Link to Paine on PCA Link to Witt injury article Link to MLBTR on the Nats-Sox trade Link to FG on the Nats-Sox trade Link to Red Sox HR leaders Link to Breslow quote Link to Friedman quote Link to winner’s curse wiki Link to team SP projections Link to Mead injury article Link to Wood Reddit post Link to Wood tweet Link to “what kind of move” tweet Link to Meg’s Kruk post Link to article on Kruk broadcast Link to Sheehan on rentals Link to Cooper on traded prospects Link to Paine on deadline deals Link to Dan S. on deadline importance Link to irresistible force paradox Link to Juggernaut meme Link to replacement-level killers series Link to FG playoff odds Link to projected positional WAR Link to Ben’s color-coded spreadsheet Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a Donald Trump claim about Shohei Ohtani, José Caballero’s battle with MLB about his pre-pitch routine, Yandy Díaz spurning ABS, James Wood’s impressive results with a seemingly suboptimal approach, whether the Nats would be better off if they hadn’t traded pitching prior to the season, David Rubenstein’s Orioles optimism, and Corbin Carroll’s triples pace. Then (1:04:45) they talk to EW listener Jacob Redmon, who found himself at the center of a viral video this week when he was slapped by a man who objected to his staying seated during the National Anthem, about how the incident developed, what the video didn’t show, and what he took from the experience. Finally (1:57:33), Ben talks to Kenny Lofton about his exclusion from the Hall of Fame, his Cooperstown-caliber career, and his outlook for induction. Audio intro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Trump on Ohtani Link to Trump on Kershaw Link to White House visit recap Link to EW on Trump’s baseball career Link to Caballero video 1 Link to Caballero video 2 Link to Caballero video 3 Link to Caballero comments Link to Caballero article 1 Link to Caballero article 2 Link to Caballero article 3 Link to Caballero article 4 Link to Caballero article 5 Link to Caballero article 6 Link to “violation” comment Link to CloseCallSports video 1 Link to CloseCallSports video 2 Link to Stanky draft episode Link to Crizer on Yandy Link to Yandy article 1 Link to Santana article Link to MLBTR on Santana Link to Yandy article 2 Link to batting team challenges Link to Sam on bad challenges Link to BP piece on Wood Link to EW on Wood in 2025 Link to Nats WAR leaders Link to team hitting WAR Link to team pitching WAR Link to Rubenstein quote Link to Rubenstein quote thread Link to Carroll triples fact Link to triples park factor Link to “55 burgers” ITYSL sketch Link to National Anthem Link to slap video Link to Lucy Dacus tweet Link to Lucy Dacus shirt Link to Wednesday concert Link to Chavez video Link to Cubs statement Link to EW Episode 2189 Link to 2022 Hoerner homer Link to “third place” wiki Link to Ben on the Hall of Fame Link to Lofton highlights video Link to Lofton playoffs video Link to CF JAWS leaders Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s ongoing jury service and meet major leaguers Zac Thornton and Tyron Guerrero, who used to be—but also never really were?—named Zach Thornton and Tayron Guerrero, respectively. Then (35:29) they attempt to diagnose Cal Raleigh’s offensive ills, check in on Patrick Bailey’s bat, examine how the Red Sox and Phillies wound up where they were supposed to be by a very roundabout route, assess the state of trade-deadline speculation, and consider where they would want a few top trade candidates to go. Audio intro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Meet a Major Leaguer wiki Link to Newsday on Thornton Link to Thornton’s Grand Canyon page Link to Guerrero call-up article Link to Cotillo’s Guerrero tweet Link to Guerrero name pronunciation Link to Guerrero wiki Link to MLBTR on Guerrero Link to The Land Before Time characters Link to Soroka name tweet Link to Varland name article Link to Lovelady name article Link to Stanton name decision Link to Carmona/Hernández name change Link to Jerry Gergich wiki Link to Raleigh batted-ball profile Link to Sam’s Raleigh posts Link to Raleigh’s 2025 splits Link to Raleigh’s 2026 splits Link to original Bailey discussion Link to profane, offensive Ferguson Link to hitting after IBB article 1 Link to hitting after IBB article 2 Link to hitting after IBB article 3 Link to preseason playoff odds Link to updated playoff odds Link to Breslow on the deadline Link to Crizer on the Red Sox Link to Slaten quote Link to Dan S. on managerial firings Link to BaseRuns standings Link to team batting WAR Link to team pitching WAR Link to team 2B WAR Link to The Athletic trade candidates Link to ESPN trade candidates Link to MLBTR on Arraez Link to Goodman rumor Link to MLBTR on the Goodman rumor Link to MLBTR on the Angels’ deadline Link to JKG injury article Link to Crotchfelt signing Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s jury duty and his reaction to Meg and Craig’s pillow talk on the preceding episode. Then they discuss why All-Star Game pitching is overpowering, whether the Home Run Derby balls were juiced (and whether it matters), another earliest-ever Opening Day, MLB’s crackdown on teams’ boundary-pushing use of dugout iPads, Shohei Ohtani’s pitching pause, MLB app complaints, extensions for Chase Burns and Kyle Bradish, Luis Arraez as a prize of the trade deadline, and the funniest tech startups the Dodgers have seeded. Audio intro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to EW Episode 2506 Link to Kepner on the ASG Link to 2018 ASG box score Link to Heyman on Harper Link to Insta post with Harper quote Link to MLB HRD notes Link to longest Harper homers Link to longest Caminero homers Link to longest Contreras homers Link to exit speed responsibility Link to 2024 NBA ASG wiki Link to 2026 NBA ASG wiki Link to top-selling jerseys Link to Sheehan on the lack of stars Link to Paine on ASG philosophies Link to 2027 MLB schedule Link to EW season preview series wiki Link to World Cup expansion Link to March Madness expansion Link to Ohtani news Link to ulnar nerve entrapment Link to MLB app betting odds Link to latest FG app updates Link to The Athletic iPads report Link to Ben on front office encroachment Link to Ottavino clip Link to Dubuque on Burns Link to Bradish on Burns Link to MLBTR on Burns Link to Trent’s tweet about Burns Link to Burns pitch usage Link to MLB pitching WAR leaders Link to MLBTR on Bradish Link to sweepstakes wiki Link to sweeps week wiki Link to MLBTR on Arraez Link to Andrews on Arraez Link to BZZR article 1 Link to BZZR article 2 Link to BZZR article 3 Link to BZZR article 4 Link to FOIAball post Link to 2015 Dodgers investment news Link to 2016 Dodgers investment news Link to 2018 Dodgers investment news Link to R/GA companies page Link to Global Sports Venture Studio Link to Elysian Park companies page Link to 2023 Elysian Park article Link to Elysian Park wiki Link to Elysian Fields wiki Link to Gilbert/Creighton interview Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. With Ben Lindbergh serving jury duty, Meg Rowley is joined by Baseball Prospectus editor-in-chief Craig Goldstein. The pair discuss the perils of hotel pillows and showers, then turn their attention to the 2026 All-Star Game, how the in-person experience compares to the TV one, and the challenges of making it a fun event relative to the Home Run Derby. Then Craig offers his thoughts on the CBA negotiations and Rob Manfred’s approach to communicating (38:58), before he and Meg discuss a few of the things they are looking forward to (and one thing they’re dreading) about the season’s second half, including the White Sox, good teams playing well, a potentially weird deadline, and Pete Crow-Armstrong. Audio intro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to the Five and Dive episode where Craig discusses the Rays Link to Craig on the weird deadline ahead Link to Steven Goldman on the All-Star Game Link to Jake Mintz on the All-Star Game Sandlot tribute Link to Jayson Stark on the AL’s All-Star pitching dominance Link to Andy McCullough on the All-Star Game Link to Michael Baumann on Philly as the haters’ All-Star Game Link to Katie Woo on Jordan Walker Link to Ben Clemens on Dillion Dingler Link to Davy Andrews on Pete Crow-Armstrong Link to Ryan Blake on Lance McCullers Jr. Trade Link to Dan Szymborski on an AL team with a losing record making the postseason Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about all aspects of the Home Run Derby spectator experience, both in the ballpark and from afar: the new format, the Netflix broadcast, the Philly fans, Jordan Walker’s win, and more. Then (49:12) they discuss how All-Star selections increasingly reflect same-season performance, Bruce Meyer’s and Rob Manfred’s comments to the BBWAA, negotiations over MLB players’ participation in the 2028 Olympics, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Ceddanne Rafaela’s mutual lovefest, and the ice-cold A’s and red-hot Red Sox. Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2” Audio outro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to FG HRD recap Link to LHB-heavy preview Link to MLB HRD notes Link to LHB park factors Link to RHB park factors Link to “Year of the LHH” post Link to MLB.com on Walker Link to list of youngest HRD winners Link to Walker on inspirational value Link to historical HRD results Link to McGwire Simpsons scene Link to Marchand on Netflix Link to Sam on the Derby’s future Link to HRD X wiki Link to Meg’s Arozarena photo Link to Posnanski on the HRD Link to Philly Drew/batteries incident Link to Philly Santa Claus incident Link to Paine on All-Star selections Link to past EW discussion on selections Link to Manfred competitive balance quote Link to Meyer on MLB.TV ads Link to Meyer/Manfred messaging summary Link to Passan on the Olympics Link to Drellich on the Olympics Link to The West Wing quote Link to Rafaela/PCA article Link to FG WAR leaderboard Link to playoff odds changes Link to A’s firing article Link to team road FIP Link to team home FIP Link to team batting WAR Link to Sheehan on the Sox Link to conn wiki Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

MLB Draft 2026 What Do Real Prospects Think About MLB's Draft Proposal?2026 Mock Draft 1.0The Biggest (Literally) Draft Class YetJackson Flora's Evolution, Alain Gomez-Gudino's Incredible Journey, and Other Tales from the 2026 Draft Class2026 MLB Draft Preview and Updated RankingsDay 1 Draft Chat2026 Mock Draft 2.0: The Day OfThe MLB Draft Is Once Again for Diehards OnlyDay 1 Recap2026 Futures Game Recap: More Next Year, PleaseEffectively Wild Episode 2504: I Choo-Choo-Choose You Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs lead prospect analyst Eric Longenhagen banter about Zack Wheeler declining MLB’s last-minute All-Star invitation, JJ Wetherholt’s long-term contract extension, and how the Futures Game and amateur draft fell flat as spectator events, then discuss the top tier of draft picks, some surprising picks and revamped approaches by teams under new management, why better data hasn’t made teams much better at drafting, why no team has tried blowing by its bonus allotment, and more, plus closing banter about Bryce Harper’s explanation of his video message for a sports-betting addict. Audio intro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: PJ Harding, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to The Simpsons clip Link to Wheeler article Link to MLBTR on Wetherholt Link to Wetherholt’s draft outfit Link to Baumann on the spectator experience Link to Cooper on the spectator experience Link to Manfred mispronunciation article Link to celebrity golf tournament Link to Futures Game FAQ Link to draft viewing FAQ Link to Brendan on the Futures Game Link to Eric’s draft preview Link to The Board Link to Baumann on big draftees Link to MLB draft tracker Link to FG Day 1 draft recap Link to The Athletic on Schaffner Link to Crotchfelt vs. Titsworth post Link to Angels picks Link to Ball’s draft study Link to Seidler on blowing up the draft Link to Ball on blowing up the draft Link to NBA revenue info Link to Madisynn from She-Hulk Link to Clemens on prospect valuation 1 Link to Clemens on prospect valuation 2 Link to camel case wiki Link to Harper’s Instagram post Link to EW guest appearances Link to Dodgers extra-inning game Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley share listener solutions to the mystery of why the 12-straight-hits club is such an undistinguished group, the Home Run Derby field, Bryce Harper’s video message (13:28) to a sports-betting addict and sportsbooks’ practice of preying on whales, the disparity (35:54) in the recent treatment of two pitchers who had no-hitters in progress, and Zack Wheeler’s gripe against All-Star selecting, then (1:02:42) answer a listener email about how much a game one has to have seen to claim to have “watched” it, and Stat Blast (1:23:20) about partial home run robberies, games with matching starter pitch and strike counts, historical team no-hitter conversion rates, and prolific “first” strikeout and home-run recorders. Audio intro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Tolbert record post 1 Link to Tolbert record post 2 Link to Williams 11th hit Link to Pedroia 11th hit Link to HRD field Link to Norway rowing pedant Link to Inquirer article on Harper Link to Post article on Harper Link to lawsuit article Link to Giannis/Kalshi article Link to gambling damage research 1 Link to gambling damage research 2 Link to addiction story 1 Link to addiction story 2 Link to addiction story 3 Link to addiction story 4 Link to addiction story 5 Link to story on Jones 1 Link to story on Jones 2 Link to Jones game log Link to questions about Jones Link to Jones Q&A Link to Cease story Link to BP on Cease Link to top 2026 pitch counts Link to Blum on pulling pitchers Link to Scott/PCA clip Link to Ben on no-hitter strike zones Link to Wheeler quote clip Link to Wheeler’s agent article Link to latest Luzardo start Link to 2025 Phillies ASG complaints Link to “May I meet you?” meme Link to Pascal’s wager wiki Link to “Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?” Link to Simpson/Adell robbery Link to Glavine game 1 Link to Glavine game 2 Link to Nola question Link to Bois on Stieb Link to Stat Blast data Link to listener emails database Link to Cubs fact 1 Link to Cubs fact 2 Link to MLBTR on Ohtani Link to MLBTR on Wetherholt Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about failed former Dodgers owner Frank McCourt’s subsequent sports ownership endeavors, a claim about Jacob Misiorowski’s pitching improvement, Jackson Chourio (batting lefty) as “a baseball player,” the recent struggles of Paul Skenes and Steven Kwan, Justin Verlander’s retirement, Zack Wheeler’s continued dominance, Andrew McCutchen’s return to the minors, the Orioles’ lack of improvement, the epitome of a Little League home run, Tyler Tolbert’s contribution to one of baseball’s great mysteries, and a 2026 Dodgers first. Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to McCourt’s new league Link to McCourt wiki Link to show jumping wiki Link to Vladimir Shpunt article Link to NPR on Fitzgerald’s quote Link to Nickelodeon Guts wiki Link to “Let’s go to Mo” Link to “Aggro Crag piece Link to Slippery Stairs video Link to Murphy/Chourio quote Link to Rendon lefty dinger Link to Mr. Baseball wiki Link to Mr. Baseball scene Link to FG post on Skenes Link to Sheehan on Skenes Link to Skenes mechanics post Link to Skenes velo tweet Link to Skenes velo data Link to Skenes on his velo Link to Skenes on O’Hearn Link to O’Hearn article Link to Skenes hot dog ad Link to Skenes on EW Link to Griffin injury article Link to sagittal band info Link to FG post on Kwan Link to Verlander’s retirement post Link to Verlander Legend pick Link to 2025 ASG box score Link to Wheeler leaderboard Link to Wheeler ASG article 1 Link to Wheeler ASG article 2 Link to McCutchen tweet Link to Orioles record post Link to Orioles WAR leaders Link to “great call from the haters” Link to LLHR article Link to LLHR video Link to Sam on the LLHR Link to Posnanski on the LLHR Link to BP on the LLHR Link to FG post on the LLHR Link to Tolbert record post 1 Link to Tolbert record post 2 Link to Dodgers extra-inning game Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about two significant MLB debuts on NBC’s “Star-Spangled Sunday” (by Eddy Yean and Eliezer Alfonzo), the fallout from the Marlins pulling Eury Pérez mid-perfecto, a rare fog delay, the All-Star Game rosters (featuring a very normal number of Blue Jays, and also Rob Manfred’s good buddy Bryce Harper), whether the league set a target home-run rate (and whether that would be a bad thing), and the rotation durability of the Cards and Guards. Audio intro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: PJ Harding, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to “Star-Spangled Sunday” explainer Link to minor league draft scoreboard Link to Yean’s cart clip Link to Yean debut article Link to bullpen cart driver episode Link to team RP WAR Link to Alfonzo article 1 Link to Alfonzo article 2 Link to Contreras apology Link to B-Ref’s new debuts Link to Pérez article Link to Sheehan on pulling Pérez Link to Ben on Marlins play-by-play Link to 2016 Hill article Link to 2022 Kershaw article Link to 2022 Scherzer article Link to Stripling on his debut Link to Bachar’s Instagram Link to fog game article 1 Link to fog game article 2 Link to BP on the fog game Link to foggy ABS clip Link to Fog Bowl wiki Link to Statcast Hawk-Eye explainer Link to All-Star rosters announcement Link to Vladito back injury info Link to Harper All-Star story Link to 2025 Harper/Manfred story Link to recent episode on baseball behavior Link to MLB statement Link to Baseball Savant drag dashboard Link to 2026 Athletic ball article Link to 2025 Athletic ball article Link to 2022 ball article 1 Link to 2022 ball article 2 Link to 2022 humidor article Link to 2021 ball-deadening article Link to eyeblack ball report Link to NPB ball scandal article Link to NPB ball scandal outcome Link to Strange-Gordon farming info Link to NBA deflation scandals Link to Sheehan on the Cards/Guards Link to BP IL Ledger Link to SP used per team Link to team SP FB velo Link to team SP WAR Link to Pitcher List on Guardians SP stuff Link to Thress Pérez/Bachar post Link to RE24 explainer Link to SP/RP RE24 data Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

In the fifth incarnation of a time-honored tradition that recurs every 500-ish episodes, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley are joined by ex-co-host Sam Miller and The Athletic's Grant Brisbee to draft assorted things that they like about baseball. Audio intro: Sam Miller, “Effectively Wild Theme (Ken Maeda’s Nice ‘n’ Easy Remix)” Audio outro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to EW wiki page for things drafts Link to Episode 500 wiki Link to Episode 996 wiki Link to Episode 1500 wiki Link to Episode 2000 wiki Link to U.S. semiquincentennial wiki Link to Pebble Hunting Link to Grant at The Athletic Link to Ben on pre-WAR value estimates Link to spaghetti policy research Link to article on spaghetti research Link to Devil Rays food policy article Link to The Roundtable cancellation Link to O’Neil on bat cracks clip Link to O’Neil on Bo article 1 Link to O’Neil on Bo article 2 Link to Tracy quote about Harris Link to Kershaw on McKinstry Link to Tito Translator post Link to Murphy on Vargas Link to Space Jam sound clip Link to Space Jam video clip Link to Space Jam quote 2 Link to Space Jam clip 2 Link to Franzke on Stott Link to Martinez comment Link to Schneider on Lukes Link to Kemp quote 1 Link to Kemp quote 2 Link to Baldelli on Vázquez Link to Cora on Mayer Link to Roberts on DeLuca Link to Maddon on Fletcher Link to Campbell on Andrews Link to Snitker on Acuña Jr. Link to Roberts on Betts Link to Stark on Rollins Link to supposed Tabler quote Link to Malone on Counsell Link to Sandberg quote Link to Royko on Sandberg Link to Royko on Kruk Link to Royko wiki Link to Kruk and Koch Link to 1978 Willoughby article Link to Tomlinson Father’s Day bit Link to Can’t Hardly Wait scene Link to Everybody Wants Some!! clip Link to Sam on sound outside ballpark Link to Sam on K-strutting Link to Sam on Brewers challenging Link to Leeroy Jenkins wiki Link to The Athletic on Ruiz Link to best-hitting catchers Link to 2015 Cozart article Link to 2015 FG post on Cozart Link to 2016 FG post on Cozart Link to 2017 Cozart article Link to 2017 FG post on Cozart Link to The Athletic on Cozart Link to Wong/Chapman story Link to Sam on “drawing interest” Link to Sam on SP strike rates Link to Bill James strike zone quote Link to Cansecos switcheroo story Link to Cansecos switcheroo conspiracy Link to Jolly article Link to Ben on Twins.com Link to MLB trademark application Link to Niekro-on-Niekro homer Link to Perry home run story Link to Gameday 3D explainer Link to previous Gameday 3D banter Link to Defector on Gameday 3D glitches Link to other glitch 1 Link to other glitch 2 Link to other glitch 3 Link to other glitch 4 Link to other glitch 5 Link to other glitch 6 Link to other glitch 7 Link to other glitch 8 Link to other glitch 9 Link to Grubb on Gameday glitches Link to deleted Gameday 3D post Link to possible source of deleted clip Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about tough times for a few EW favorites and Ben’s pre-podcast injury, then (15:00) discuss the response to Cade Cavalli telling Willson Contreras to “Sit down, boy.” After that (38:10), they cover the MLBPA’s proposals to limit certain types of transactions, a continued tightening of the leashes on starting pitchers, Paul Skenes’s recent struggles, the unlikely win-loss records of Tanner Bibee and Aaron Ashby (and an embarrassing Cooper Ingle error), Dansby Swanson and Pete Crow-Armstrong hot streaks and PCA’s newfound patience, recent swoons by the Braves and Yankees and surges by the Marlins and Rangers, what the Red Sox and Tigers should do at the deadline, and more. Audio intro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Sean .P, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to MLBTR on Brebbia Link to MLBTR on Rooker Link to Rooker/Pasquantino pod Link to MLBTR on Lin Link to MLBTR on Lasko Link to Brussels sprouts episode Link to Venezuela earthquakes story Link to MLB/MLBPA Venezuela donation Link to Cavalli/Contreras video Link to story on first Contreras ejection Link to ump’s ejection explanation Link to story about Contreras/Cavalli incident Link to Cavalli apology Link to Toboni comments Link to Bixby census data Link to The Athletic on Cavalli Link to punishments for players Link to MLBTR on the suspensions Link to Contreras Instagram comment Link to Contreras Instagram report Link to The Athletic on player proposals Link to MLBTR on player proposals Link to Ben on pitcher roster restrictions Link to BP on rampant DFAing Link to BP on rampant optioning Link to MLBPA prop-bet proposal Link to Crizer on Skenes, etc. Link to Skenes Big Glizzy ad Link to McClanahan game Link to Sam on starter usage Link to Snell no-hitter Link to familiarity vs. fatigue research Link to Ingle error Link to MLB wins leaders Link to Ashby quotes Link to RP IP leaders Link to RP leverage leaders Link to 23-3 game Link to Littleton save Link to Corbin save tweet Link to PCA fun fact Link to Swanson fun fact 1 Link to Swanson fun fact 2 Link to fun-fact-finding interview Link to Woodrum on PCA Link to NL East playoff odds graph Link to Defector on the Marlins Link to Sheehan on the Rangers Link to Jay on bad defenses Link to Temecula incident Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the firing of Perry Minasian and the Angels’ outlook under John Mozeliak, Molly Jolly, and Arte Moreno, how MLB is using official channels to publicly promote its position in labor bargaining, whether the Mets’ disappointing season will influence other teams’ approaches to roster construction, the popularity (or lack thereof) of Josh Naylor, Jacob Misiorowski and the imprecise nature of pitch-speed records, and the delightful debut of the Diamondbacks’ Mitch Bratt, plus a postscript about MLB’s ball-drag statement. Audio intro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Blum on Minasian Link to Blum on Minasian 2 Link to Dubuque on Minasian Link to Rosenthal on Mozeliak Link to Nightengale’s Angels report Link to Jolly article Link to MLB labor videos Link to MLB Instagram labor post Link to Ozempic ad 1 Link to Ozempic ad 2 Link to MLB.com column 1 Link to MLB.com column 2 Link to Baumann on draft prospect opinions Link to bully pulpit wiki Link to 2026 Mets clubhouse story Link to 2025 Mets clubhouse story Link to 2023 Mets clubhouse story Link to Stearns clip Link to Meisel on Naylor Link to Hedges clip Link to Garrett comment Link to Naylor on Pawol Link to Miz 105.5 mph story Link to Miz postgame comment Link to Miz postgame clip Link to 105+ MPH pitches Link to 107+ perceived MPH pitches Link to Pitch Info website Link to Chapman max MPH at BB Link to Hicks max MPH at BB Link to Joyce max MPH at BB Link to Miz max MPH at BB Link to PITCHf/x calibration article 1 Link to PITCHf/x calibration article 2 Link to PITCHf/x calibration article 3 Link to PITCHf/x calibration article 4 Link to PITCHf/x calibration article 5 Link to Bratt delivery 1 Link to Bratt delivery 2 Link to Bratt last year Link to Walden/Capps story Link to Seinfeld clip Link to Bratt extension rank Link to “fall on my ass” tweet Link to Savant drag dashboard Link to MLB statement to Ben Link to Acuña comparing balls Link to MLB trademark application Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. Ben Lindbergh and Ben Clemens banter about some suspicious variability in the ball’s behavior and whether the low-drag, high-home-run-rate times of the late 2010s have returned, Carlos Mendoza’s “departure” from the Mets, the Blue Jays’ dominance of “Phase 1” of All-Star voting, the hitters and pitchers who have most overperformed and underperformed their projections through the halfway point of the regular season, forsaking single-team fandom, platoon god Paul Goldschmidt, Dalton Rushing’s clash with Shohei Ohtani, the Pope’s audience with A.J. Pierzynski, MLB’s economic proposals, and more, plus Stat Blasts about an unusual homestand and the Nationals’ latest, not-so-greatest bullpen blowup(s). Audio intro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to MLFAD scoreboard Link to bouncing ball wiki Link to Savant drag dashboard Link to ball carry analysis Link to Nathan post 1 Link to Nathan post 2 Link to Nathan post 3 Link to Nathan post 4 Link to March/April scoring Link to May scoring Link to story about May offense Link to June scoring Link to MLB/Rawlings story Link to scoring/attendance research 1 Link to scoring/attendance research 2 Link to scoring/attendance research 3 Link to scoring/attendance research 4 Link to Mets announcement tweet Link to Mets announcement post Link to MLBTR on Mendoza Link to MLBTR on Green Link to Rosenthal on Mendoza/Stearns Link to Ben L. on team turnover Link to FG playoff odds Link to Phase 1 ASG voting results Link to Sogard contest post Link to FG combined WAR leaderboard Link to 2025 trade value series Link to Dan S. on batter ZiPS movers Link to Dan S. on pitcher ZiPS movers Link to batter preseason projections Link to batter pace leaders Link to batter paces vs. projections Link to pitcher preseason projections Link to pitcher pace leaders Link to pitcher paces vs. projections Link to MLBTR on Ragans Link to Cashman on running back the roster Link to Goldschmidt tOPS+ query Link to Goldschmidt sOPS+ query Link to 1B JAWS leaders Link to Petriello on Goldschmidt Link to Other Ben’s VEB archive Link to Jensen HR off of Kimbrel Link to Rushing/Ohtani video Link to Rushing quotes Link to Rushing postgame video Link to Ohtani postgame video Link to Roberts postgame video Link to contested challenge clip Link to dugout conferences clip Link to mound conference clip Link to costly missed catch Link to Rushing bench reaction Link to Ohtani’s Smith/Rushing splits Link to Rosenthal on Pope/Pierzynski Link to Papal infallibility wiki Link to MLB proposals article Link to MLB proposals tweet Link to MLBPA response Link to article on player aging Link to aging curve research 1 Link to aging curve research 2 Link to late homestands spreadsheet Link to BP on the Phillies comebacks Link to Langs on the Phillies comebacks Link to 2026 team RP WAR Link to worst-ever team RP WAR Link to Phillies comeback gamer Link to last-strike-comebacks data Link to non-Einstein quote investigation Link to The Athletic on the Nats’ pen Link to The Athletic on the Nats’ pen again Link to Rockies comeback gamer Link to Other Ben on inherited runners Link to Stat Blast on inherited runners Link to listener emails database Link to SCG Con Link to MLBTR on Minasian/Mozeliak Link to Miz 105.5 mph story Link to fastest tracked pitches Link to Miz postgame comment Link to Miz postgame clip Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the rise and fall of Ildemaro Vargas, the Mets’ and Cubs’ David Peterson swap, Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s refusal to wear a cup, the Giants’ response to Pride Night fallout, and the owners’ CBA strategy. Then (56:41) Ben brings back John Brebbia to discuss the Rockies reliever’s return to the majors, how he’s handling the journeyman phase of his career, when to opt out of a contract, Colorado’s player-dev improvements, Triple-A attitudes, how the minors have changed, the greatest major league luxury, dugout pitch-calling, challenging, his entrance song, how he and other players are following the labor talks, and more. Audio intro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: The Spaghettis, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)” Link to Lennon song Link to MLFAD Link to “Train Daddy” article Link to “Railroad Daddy” article Link to Brebbia’s first appearance Link to Vargas hot streak Link to Vargas cold strea Link to Voros’s Law Link to gambler’s fallacy Link to Vargas collision Link to Flowers for Algernon adaptations Link to Charly Link to TV movie Link to Awakenings Link to “Snakes alive” slogan Link to Nora Morse wiki Link to FG post on the Cubs Link to MLBTR on Peterson Link to Gary Cohen quote Link to Mets’ six errors Link to Chisholm clip Link to Chisholm story Link to Mariners testicle injury thread Link to Haniger story Link to risk compensation wiki Link to catcher helmets interview Link to lollipop story Link to Davitt interview Link to Posey clip Link to SF Chronicle on the Giants Link to The Athletic on the Giants Link to KNBR interview story Link to Devers apology story Link to Vitello’s The Town reference Link to Manfred letter Link to The Athletic on MLB’s proposals Link to MLBTR on MLB’s proposals Link to Play Sun Smart initiative Link to Rockies team attitude story Link to Senzatela pitch mix Link to Bull Durham scene Link to Collins quote Link to dugout pitch-calling story Link to dugout pitch-calling story 2 Link to Ben on dugout pitch-calling Link to Wham! song Link to story about Brebbia’s song Link to Zoolander scene Link to Meyer quote Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Joey Meneses and John Brebbia being back in the big leagues, Mike Trout’s hamstring strain, Dillon Dingler’s dominance, a Blue Jays All-Star voting update, the latest Home Run Derby format change, MLB’s radical amateur drafts proposal, the DOJ’s MLB investigation and the York Revolution’s Pride event, Rafael Devers vs. Tony Vitello, and the struggle-bus swan songs of Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, plus (1:40:06) a postscript. Audio intro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Garrett Krohn, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to MLB.com on Meneses Link to MLBTR on Meneses Link to MLBTR on Brebbia Link to Ben on Meneses Link to Brebbia on EW Link to “Cecilia” Link to MLB.com on Trout Link to latest All-Star tallies Link to AL “as 2B” leaders Link to “primary 2B” leaders Link to team OF rankings Link to AL WAR leaders Link to FG framing leaders Link to Savant framing leaders Link to on-pace leaders Link to catcher batting leaders Link to Derby report Link to Derby format wiki Link to The Athletic on MLB’s proposal Link to ESPN on MLB’s proposal Link to Cohen tweet Link to BA on MLB’s proposal Link to Dan S. on MLB’s proposal Link to DOJ investigation story Link to DOJ investigation story 2 Link to player reaction to investigation Link to York Revolution statement Link to York Revolution news story Link to York Revolution wiki Link to York Revolution news segment Link to Teter clip Link to story on Treinen Link to Manfred letter Link to York County voting results Link to York County voting story Link to Devers/Vitello interaction Link to Devers/Vitello story 1 Link to Devers/Vitello story 2 Link to MLB.com on Scherzer Link to Verlander quotes Link to Verlander’s 25 things Link to Upton story Link to Verlander’s pitching splits Link to Fleisig paper Link to “tree of liberty” quote Link to “rigor mortis” quote Link to Worthington obit Link to Episode 1505 Link to Shreiber obit Link to Draft No. 4 Link to One Writer’s Beginnings Link to Red McDermott at B-Ref Link to Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss the backlash to MLB’s initial statement about the Giants’ objectors to Pride Night, the league’s subsequent expanded statement, and the facts about the policies and punishments (or the lack thereof) pertaining to uniform alterations. Then (37:10) they banter about the Blue Jays’ ballot dominance in early All-Star voting, the history of teams being overrepresented on All-Star rosters, the Mariners’ piggyback pitching plan, and Curtis Washington Jr. as the ultimate phantom ballplayer, answer emails (1:19:28) about where the next two-way player might come from and whether Pete Crow-Armstrong’s defensive value is underrated, and Stat Blast (1:31:56) about where franchise scoring records tend to be set, the biggest run differentials in games with equivalent times on base, days when one team outscored many other teams combined, Boston’s lack of late comebacks, and teams whose win totals did or didn’t match their WAR totals. Audio intro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to wisdom teeth etymology Link to Domínguez tooth news Link to Ohtani gamer Link to MLB’s initial statement Link to assorted bad tweets Link to MLB’s second statement Link to story about statements Link to Hawley letter story Link to story about backlash Link to CBA Link to Josh Hawley fleeing footage Link to Noah Hawley wiki Link to Vesia tribute story Link to California Post story Link to All-Star vote totals Link to AL 2B WAR leaders Link to Blue Jays voting story 1 Link to Blue Jays voting story 2 Link to Blue Jays WAR leaders Link to team All-Star records Link to 2015 Royals voting story Link to 2015 Royals All-Stars Link to 2026 YoY attendance Link to 2015 YoY attendance Link to 2023 Braves All-Stars story Link to Mariners piggyback plan Link to Ben on the ’93 A’s Link to Washington call-up story 1 Link to Washington call-up story 2 Link to Washington call-up story 3 Link to Washington scouting report Link to Washington demotion story Link to Rob Mains on roster limits Link to Ben on Padres Rule 5 guys Link to phantom ballplayers wiki Link to Ben on Ohtani’s origin story Link to Las Vegas stats Link to Rockies record score Link to scoring differentials data Link to 9/2/01 scoreboard Link to ninth-inning scoring splits Link to FG mailbag answer Link to team WAR/wins data Link to listener emails database Link to HRD format report Link to HRD format history Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and The Ringer’s Van Lathan banter about Van’s love of baseball, his origin story as a fan, how he got back into the sport, MLB’s resurgence in popularity, advanced stats questions, why the percentage of Black players in MLB fell, how average sports fans perceive MLB’s labor battle, and much more (warning: language). Then (1:25:38) Ben talks to Thomas Gilbert, author of Death in the Strike Zone: The Mystery of America's First Baseball Hero, about how Jim Creighton revolutionized pitching and reshaped the game, and how Gilbert investigated the many unknowns and misperceptions surrounding the right-hander’s life and death. Audio intro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Van’s Ringer archive Link to Van’s baseball outfit Link to Van’s dad story Link to Chico Escuela clip Link to Ben on Dunn and Pierre Link to B-Ref career WAR leaders Link to wOBA glossary entry Link to Field of Dreams scene Link to Jeter’s dating history Link to The Simpsons scene Link to Death in the Strike Zone Link to How Baseball Happened Link to Creighton wiki Link to Thorn on Creighton 1 Link to Thorn on Creighton 2 Link to EW on pesäpallo Link to The Universal Baseball Association Link to Defector on Coover’s book Link to Ella Black series Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about baseball’s time to shine after the NBA/NHL seasons and a structural difference between basketball and baseball, Jacob Misiorowski achieving escape velocity and entering the deGrom Zone (and a change he’s made that may matter more than his increased speed), the impending posting of red-hot Teruaki Sato, the losers and losers of the Rafael Devers deal one year later, what the trade deadline will look like in this topsy-turvy season, and (42:55) what MLB should do to avoid a repeat of the Giants’ Pride Night debacle, plus (1:25:45) closing banter about games starting/ending too early for night owls. Audio intro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to 82-0 Link to 162-0 Link to Jimmy John’s wiki Link to Misiorowski game Link to Misiorowski fun fact Link to The Miz max speed by game Link to The Miz zone rate by game Link to Skubal game-ending pitch Link to Skubal comeback Link to “Just Dropped In” Link to The Miz on Pokémon 1 Link to The Miz on Pokémon 2 Link to Charmander wiki Link to Charizard wiki Link to Mega Charizard X wiki Link to Ground type Pokémon wiki Link to Ben on the Brewers’ clutchness Link to FG playoff odds Link to FG post on the White Sox Link to Passan’s deadline preview Link to FG post on Ramírez injury Link to The Athletic on the Devers trade Link to Rosenthal on the Giants’ deadline Link to MLBTR on Sato Link to SFGate on the Giants Link to McCovey Chronicles on the Giants Link to Katie on the Giants Link to Grant on the Giants Link to Outsports on the Giants Link to SF Chronicle on the Giants Link to SF Chronicle on the Giants 2 Link to Webb quote Link to Bates story Link to info on Dodgers caps Link to Outsports on Dodgers caps Link to Dodgers’ Burke/Bean memorial Link to 2022 Rays story Link to NHL Pride story 1 Link to NHL Pride story 2 Link to NHL Pride story 3 Link to Outsports on Strider Link to Outsports on MLB warning Link to The Athletic on MLB warning Link to uniform rules Link to Outsports on Affeldt Link to Picard scene Link to SBJ on start times Link to year-over-year attendance Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Tarik Skubal is the latest athlete to return to play faster than anticipated thanks to a new surgical technique or technology. But there’s something even better than coming back more quickly from an injury: avoiding an injury in the first place. Can injury prevention be improved as much as injury treatment? In this themed episode, Ben Lindbergh talks to four guests about three potential ways to keep players healthy. First (5:14), Mariners biomechanist Cedric Attias joins to discuss how pitching mechanics affect elbow stress, whether injuries stem more from nature or nurture, and whether MLB teams are prioritizing injury research. Second (49:23), Daryl and Adam Moreau, the father-and-son inventors of FlexProGrip, explain how forearm weakness endangers the UCL, how they designed and validated their training tool, and how the device has been adopted in the game. Third (1:41:18), Steve Rowson, director of the Helmet Lab at Virginia Tech, shares how helmets have improved across sports, why dangerous impacts are different in football and baseball, and why catcher’s masks may need an overhaul to minimize concussions. Audio intro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 1: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 2: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to NanoNeedle AP piece Link to NanoNeedle Athletic piece Link to Ben on protecting pitchers Link to Ben on pitcher roster limits Link to McGregor/ElAttrache article Link to MLB/ElAttrache article Link to article on Altuve’s return Link to article on Alvarez’s return Link to internal brace info Link to article on Tatum’s return Link to article on Mahomes’s return Link to article on Kittle’s return Link to summary of Cedric’s research Link to Cedric’s research paper Link to other research on lower arm slots Link to pulldowns explainer Link to Ben on team secrets Link to Rieekan quote Link to lower-arm-slots trend Link to video clip about the trend Link to Crizer on arm slots Link to Misiorowski game Link to FlexProGrip site Link to FlexProGrip article 1 Link to FlexProGrip article 2 Link to FlexProGrip article 3 Link to FlexProGrip article 4 Link to FlexProGrip white papers Link to Driveline research Link to The Layback Podcast Link to The Island of Doctor Moreau Link to Edward Scissorhands Link to Helmet Lab concussions research Link to helmet ratings site Link to Rowson’s faculty page Link to CNN Helmet Lab story Link to Ben on catcher concussions Link to Carlin baseball vs. football bit Link to risk compensation wiki Link to Helmet Lab testing footage Link to Marvin the Martian wiki Link to Great Gazoo wiki Link to Dark Helmet wiki Link to Torres protective cap article 1 Link to Torres protective cap article 2 Link to Torres cap footage Link to pitcher cap inserts info 1 Link to pitcher cap inserts info 2 Link to pitcher cap inserts info 3 Link to softball pitcher mask article Link to softball fielder mask article Link to softball fielder mask research Link to The Athletic on catcher nut shots Link to SIS on catcher nut shots Link to Knoxville incident Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the listener response to their conversation with Adrian Chiles, newly minted major leaguer LuJames Groover, and a big Giants comeback (in defiance of the team’s historically walk-averse ways), then (21:25) answer listener emails about how long-term team outlooks factor into present-day disappointment levels, spectacle vs. analysis in closer-entrance pageantry, whether umps should be able to challenge themselves, how future sub-Ohtani two-way players will be perceived, the entertainment value of human managers and hypothetical robo-managers, a pre-playoffs rest period, and stats used as verbs, plus Stat Blasts (1:27:23) about teams that turned deficits into large leads, Paul Skenes and glad-to-see-him-go games, and the Angels’ used-to-be-good guys. Audio intro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Episode 2489 Link to Groover debut story Link to 2025 Groover story Link to 2025 Groover clip Link to Groover shirt story Link to Eldridge game story Link to Eldridge game box score Link to ultimate slams story Link to Giants BB%+ Link to Krukow/Kuiper clip Link to Knicks comeback story Link to Ben on Larry David Link to Burnes setback story Link to Crochet setback story Link to Crochet setback confusion Link to Michael’s BOOG intro Link to BOOG pod appearance Link to Jay on the White Sox Link to Duran entrance video Link to story about ballpark loudness Link to call on Contreras Link to Miller hot-mic moment 1 Link to Miller hot-mic moment 2 Link to Miller hot-mic moments article Link to Sam on the Umpire Manual Link to info on umps and HFA Link to Sam on the two-way balance Link to two-way draft prospects story Link to Grandstand Managers Night Link to Ballers’ AI manager Link to Twitch Plays Pokémon Link to moonwalking robot Link to running robot Link to kicking robot Link to Laws of Robotics Link to Deep Thought wiki Link to Marvin robot Link to Grant on mascot pants Link to NBA Cup Link to Paine on the NBA Cup Link to more Paine on the NBA Cup Link to Knicks banner news Link to Schlittler quote Link to Shakespeare usage shifts Link to Bulls vs. Tides story Link to big comebacks data Link to harmonic mean wiki Link to listener emails database Link to Skenes game story Link to more on Skenes game Link to bullpen blowups data Link to Mancini comeback story Link to past Angels Blasts Link to used-to-be-good guys data Link to Boog/Mancini survival story Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the bunt’s rehabilitation and (17:49) the President publicly picking a side in MLB’s labor battle, then talk to two guests about falling in love with and learning about baseball as adults. First (32:35), beloved BBC presenter and The Guardian columnist Adrian Chiles breaks his baseball silence to expound on how he got bitten by the baseball bug, his long-distance Rays relationship, the loneliness of following baseball from afar, cross-sport comparisons, Chiles-like wonder, and what mystifies him as a fan. Second (1:21:39), Jade Van Kley joins to discuss her journey from registered nurse to baseball content creator, bingeing baseball history, finding an audience for baseball lore drops and video diaries of her first season as a fan, and what fascinates her about the sport. Audio intro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Leo on left-handed hitting Link to Other Ben on bunting Link to Stat Blast about bunting Link to The Wire quote Link to Padres’ three bunts Link to MSG boos Link to Trump interview comments Link to BP on Trump comments Link to Drellich on Trump comments Link to Drellich on Trump’s influence Link to Trump’s Yankee Stadium visit Link to Dodgers White House visit Link to EW episode on Trump’s baseball past Link to voter registration research Link to article on screwworms Link to Adrian’s baseball column Link to Adrian’s Guardian archive Link to Chiles wiki Link to West Bromwich Albion wiki Link to Adrian’s BBC show Link to Adrian’s book about drinking Link to Adrian’s columns collection Link to article about Adrian 1 Link to article about Adrian 2 Link to article about Adrian 3 Link to article about Adrian 4 Link to Chiles headline generator Link to Machado comments Link to European Super League wiki Link to EW episode on promotion/relegation Link to “silly position” at EW wiki Link to Playing Hard Ball book Link to foul strike rule Link to foul tip rule Link to Snickometer wiki Link to British baseball wiki Link to “Baseball Brit” EW episode Link to “London Series” EW episode Link to Adrian on soap dispensers Link to Whales logo Link to @backlinenurse on Instagram Link to Jade interstitial video Link to Jade on her first game Link to Sulphur Dell wiki Link to Green Cathedrals book Link to Veeck As In Wreck Link to Ben on Veeck As In Wreck Link to Ben on losing track of the count Link to pitcher hitting by year Link to backline wiki Link to Jade article 1 Link to Jade article 2 Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Shohei Ohtani’s career-year pace, how often his number of times on base has exceeded his times on base allowed in his two-way games, and his awards outlook, discuss Aaron Judge’s injury and the wide-open AL MVP race, and then (1:06:39) Stat Blast about the most former catchers in one game, Brayan Bello’s woes as a starter, clustering a team’s plate appearances in one inning, perfectly parallel pitch counts for piggybackers, long-lasting low-WAR players, where in the batting order teams tend to go back-to-back-to-belly, players with the longest streaks of having a teammate in the World Series, the most times striking out looking, the best duos drafted consecutively, and more. Audio intro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to FG combined WAR leaderboard Link to batting pace leaders Link to pitching pace leaders Link to Ohtani game story Link to “true win” wiki Link to “I’m the Greatest” Link to Judge injury article Link to Judge injury testing article Link to article on Judge injury impact Link to Judge quote Link to Raiders scene Link to story about Raiders scene Link to Beer Barrel Man wiki Link to Ben on Ohtani and Judge 1 Link to Ben on Ohtani and Judge 2 Link to Amtrak event Link to Crizer on scoreless innings streaks Link to The Miz on Pokémon Link to Sánchez meal plan Link to Red Sox vs. Guardians game Link to Sox catchers tweet Link to The Onion blades article Link to Ben on Padres shortstops Link to Russell on emergency catchers Link to catchers Blast text Link to catchers Blast data Link to article on first-inning scoring Link to info on first-inning scoring and HFA Link to Bello Stathead query 1 Link to Bello Stathead query 2 Link to story on Bello being optioned Link to MLBTR on Bello Link to Yankees’ 13-run inning Link to % of PA in one inning text Link to % of PA in one inning data Link to Miller-Castillo game Link to parallel pitch counts text Link to SABR on Allan Roth Link to longest-lasting players Link to consecutive-homers text Link to consecutive-homers data Link to The Human Centipede 3 wiki Link to Jágr streak tweet Link to Jágr streak post Link to Jágr wiki Link to The Rural Juror clip Link to teammate WS streaks data Link to looking-strikeouts text Link to Beltrán K Link to previous “Toothpick” Jones episode Link to draft duos data Link to harmonic mean wiki Link to Brett-Schmidt draft round Link to listener emails database Link to Emil Gumbel wiki Link to @ScoringChanges tweet 1 Link to @ScoringChanges tweet 2 Link to @ScoringChanges tweet 3 Link to loose bodies clip Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the duality of Jo Adell’s defense (after the FARTBAT low that followed his triple-robbery high), Spencer Arrighetti and MLB’s monthly player honors as the last bastion of old-school-stat-based awards, whether a team with a losing record could make the playoffs this season, Paul Goldschmidt’s pleasing platoon role, how much credit the Brewers deserve for Kyle Harrison’s success, Louis Varland’s value, the Tigers’ rapid plummet out of contention, the twilights of Nick Castellanos’s and Andrew McCutchen’s careers, and (1:15:01) whether the CBA negotiations merit horse race-style coverage. Audio intro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2” Link to Adell’s FARTBAT Link to Adell quote Link to Adell’s three robberies Link to dramatic robbery photo Link to EW robbery discussion Link to Adell’s 2020 FARTBAT Link to Canseco FARTBAT Link to May’s Pitchers of the Month Link to Pereda nut shot Link to Pennywise quote Link to Desk Set wiki Link to Player of the Month Award wiki Link to past PotM winners Link to THT article on the award Link to pitcher WAR leaders in May Link to Sportico on the unbalanced leagues Link to MLB.com on the lower October bar Link to Jay on the Tigers Link to Skubal rehab update Link to Rosenthal on Skubal Link to lowest-win playoff teams Link to Curt on Harrison Link to Location+ leaders Link to Brewers WAR leaders Link to reliever WAR leaders Link to four-seamer velo leaders Link to MLBTR on McCutchen Link to MLBTR on Castellanos Link to Clemens on the opening offers Link to Drellich on Meyer/Caplin quotes Link to Drellich on Manfred quotes Link to The Athletic on open books Link to story on Sánchez’s streak Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Fernando Tatis Jr.’s first home run of the season, injuries to Munetaka Murakami and Craig Kimbrel, a crotch-related suspension precedent, the mystery of Julio Rodriguez’s defense, Roki Sasaki’s surge, the phenomenon of National Anthem standoffs, Carmen Mlodzinski’s brief relief revolt, whether Victor Wembanyama would be a good pitcher, Aaron Ashby’s weirdly winning ways, (1:04:19) whether the Brewers have somehow solved clutch hitting, and the possibility of a Craig Breslow “interpreter.” Audio intro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Tatis HR Link to Tatis HR website Link to Kimbrel injury news Link to MLBTR on Murakami Link to Murakami injury play Link to BP on Gonzalez Link to Elly injury news Link to Pérez injury news Link to gracilis muscle wiki Link to Papelbon article 1 Link to Papelbon article 2 Link to Papelbon article 3 Link to Julio’s defense at Savant Link to Julio’s defense at FG Link to May leaders in pitcher WAR Link to Wrobleski spreadies article Link to standoff ejections article Link to standoff ejections article Link to Mlodzinski article 1 Link to Mlodzinski article 2 Link to Mlodzinski article 3 Link to team SP WAR Link to team RP WAR Link to Pirates pitcher WAR leaders Link to Jaso EW wiki Link to Jaso on EW Link to Wemby baseball photo post Link to Wemby baseball photo Link to Shelob wiki Link to Wemby’s Yankee Stadium visit Link to Wemby’s first pitch video Link to Wemby height article 1 Link to Wemby height article 2 Link to pitcher win leaders Link to Ashby’s game log Link to single-season RP leaders Link to Face obit Link to Sheehan on clutch Link to Episode 2263 wiki Link to Brewers clutch data Link to 2026 tOPS+ w/RISP Link to Brooklyn clutch streak Link to New York clutch streak Link to Philly clutch streak Link to Gumbel distribution wiki Link to Clay Davenport’s adjusted standings Link to BaseRuns standings page Link to Dan S. on the Brewers Link to Brewers wOBA w/RISP Link to Brewers wOBA w/no RISP Link to Brewers xWOBA w/RISP Link to Brewers xWOBA w/no RISP Link to Brewers wOBA w/RISP at home Link to Brewers wOBA w/RISP on the road Link to Brewers BABIP w/RISP Link to Brewers BABIP w/no RISP Link to Brewers Whiff% w/RISP Link to Brewers Whiff% w/no RISP Link to Brewers Pull% w/RISP Link to Brewers Pull% w/no RISP Link to Super Saiyan wiki Link to Marmol on Brewers sign-stealing Link to Brewers sign-stealing rumor Link to “man in white” story 1 Link to “man in white” story 2 Link to “man in white” story 3 Link to Healey on Breslow Link to “anger translator” sketch Link to Brown trade news Link to Yankees scoring stat 1 Link to Yankees scoring stat 2 Link to Mlodzinski update 1 Link to Mlodzinski update 2 Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Enhanced Games and whether they would watch a baseball league where PEDS were explicitly permitted, Abner Uribe’s crotch-chop suspension, and (34:40) the most disappointing and surprising (in a positive way) teams of 2026, then (55:37) answer emails about raising a girl who likes baseball, how a salary cap would affect prices for fans, home runs on the first pitch of the game, the Hall of Fame prospects of Kenley Jansen, Craig Kimbrel, and Aroldis Chapman, the most players appearing in a game against their former team, and how to evaluate whether a team’s player development was responsible for a player’s success or failure. Audio intro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to “Let’s enhance” meme Link to “Let’s enhance” montage Link to Enhanced Games wiki Link to Defector on the Enhanced Games Link to The Conversation on the Enhanced Games Link to NPR on the Enhanced Games Link to nostalgia study Link to Ben on the PED era Link to McGwire Simpsons clip Link to dinger distribution article 1 Link to dinger distribution article 2 Link to dinger distribution article 3 Link to Hill homer Link to Uribe post Link to MLB.com on Uribe Link to AP on Uribe Link to MLBTR on Uribe Link to Uribe/Marmol video Link to D-Generation X wiki Link to DX chop compilation Link to player names on Uribe Link to playoff odds changes Link to team wRC+ Link to SI on Rays hitting Link to Posnanski on Rays hitting Link to Garp quote Link to Owen Meany quote Link to Tatis HR website Link to MLBTR on Pérez injury Link to dynamic vs. static stretching Link to Goodnight Baseball Link to @dril tweet Link to BP on payrolls and prices 1 Link to BP on payrolls and prices 1 Link to BP on payrolls and prices 3 Link to first-pitch homers Link to Sam on first-pitch homers 1 Link to Sam on first-pitch homers 2 Link to Sam on first-pitch homers 3 Link to RP JAWS Link to player development study 1 Link to player development study 2 Link to players vs. former teams data Link to listener emails database Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss the initial CBA proposals by the MLBPA and MLB: some specific points of departure and alignment, whether we really learned anything about what each side wants or the likelihood of lost games, and what the rhetoric and rebuttals say about the PR battle to come. Then (50:08) they banter about whether baseball broadcasts could ever get good enough to endanger attendance, why ABS challenge rates haven’t closely correlated with batter quality, a difference between what fans and neutral spectators tend to enjoy about teams, whether ace-type starting-pitcher seasons are making a partial comeback, a threat to baserunners and bat-dog employment, and a mid-start stretching-related mishap. Audio intro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Drellich on franchise values Link to MLBPA proposals Link to Drellich on the MLBPA proposals Link to Normandin on the MLBPA proposals Link to Mains on the MLBPA proposals Link to Drellich on the MLB proposals Link to Meyer statement Link to Caplin statement Link to CBA math post 1 Link to CBA math post 2 Link to Episode 1542 Link to Passan’s CBA proposals breakdown Link to Ben’s bargaining primer Link to Hershberger’s 1876 post Link to Sam on challenge rates Link to challenge leaderboard Link to Andrews on Wood’s challenges Link to pitcher-pace leaderboard Link to batter-pace leaderboard Link to George injury article Link to bat-dog suspension article 1 Link to bat-dog suspension article 2 Link to “Pups in the Park” page Link to 2025 bat-dog call-up Link to Pérez injury article Link to Reddit comment about Ben Link to MLBTR on Brebbia Link to MLBTR on Jones Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Craig Kimbrel’s new home, Colton Cowser’s walk-offs, Chris Taylor’s rapid retirement, unretirement, and re-retirement, whether the Mets should sell (and whom they could deal), the relative improvement of MLB’s worst teams, the Blue Jays’ (and Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s) punchless contact, the historic hitting of this season’s MLB debutants, Gage Jump and the best-ever early returns for a draft class, whether the Athletics’ and Pirates’ production has been as lopsided as expected, an Oneil Cruz update, a trio of teams that has benefited from stable rotations, the Astros’ combined no-hitter, the Cubs’ extreme streakiness (and nondescript roster), more Giants innovations in thrusting, and Bryce Harper’s toothpaste/toothbrush technique, plus postscript updates. Audio intro: Sean .P, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to MLBTR on Kimbrel Link to post on Kimbrel’s destinations Link to team RP over prior 14 days Link to team RP over prior 30 days Link to Diekman predictions pod Link to final Diekman stats update Link to Cowser post Link to Cowser gamer Link to MLB.com on Taylor Link to MLBTR on Taylor Link to FG playoff odds Link to Mets impending free agents Link to article about 2025 Blue Jays hitting Link to 2026 team wRC+ Link to 2025 team ISO and K% Link to 2026 team ISO and K% Link to 2025 team Barrels/BBE% Link to 2026 team Barrels/BBE% Link to 2025 team hard-hit % Link to 2026 team hard-hit % Link to MLB debutants spreadsheet Link to B-Ref’s new debuts Link to Nishida debut story Link to MLB rookie offense Link to Passan on Jump Link to 2024 first round Link to MLBTR on Jump Link to draft-class data Link to Ben on the Pirates and A’s Link to team hitter WAR Link to team pitcher WAR Link to on-pace leaderboard Link to single-season strikeouts leaders Link to combined no-hitter gamer Link to FG post on the no-hitter Link to BP post on the no-hitter Link to Bumpus SABR bio Link to SABR Bumpus no-no story Link to Langs on Bumpus/Santa Link to 2026 MLB RP stats Link to 2026 MLB SP stats Link to team SP leaderboard Link to Cubs WAR leaders Link to Sam on the 2016 Giants Link to streaky teams spreadsheet Link to McCringleberry sketch Link to McCringleberry homage 1 Link to McCringleberry homage 2 Link to Harper’s TikTok Link to Lindbergh burrito method Link to Nishida throw 1 Link to Nishida throw 2 Link to Cubs streak fact 1 Link to Cubs streak fact 2 Link to Rangers’ revenge stat Link to Sox scoring stat 1 Link to Sox scoring stat 2 Link to Marlins/Cardinals/Twins candidates Link to list of ballpark claimants Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Mason Miller’s recent “struggles,” whether the Tigers will trade Tarik Skubal, and how different baseball would be if the Angels had traded Shohei Ohtani, plus (44:05) more than a dozen Stat Blasts. Audio intro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: PJ Harding, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to previous Miller banter 1 Link to previous Miller banter 2 Link to Miller sample 1 Link to Miller sample 2 Link to article about Grogu promo Link to Grogu promo Link to Triton Ballpark wiki Link to Yaddle at Wookieepedia Link to Ben on The Mandalorian and Grogu Link to Kimbrel blog post Link to MLBTR on Kimbrel Link to Heyman on a Skubal trade Link to Murray on a Skubal trade Link to Olney on a Skubal trade Link to Skubal bullpen sessions article Link to trade deadline date article Link to playoff odds Link to Clark quote about “the pant” Link to Rosenthal on 2023 Ohtani talks Link to Rosenthal on 2022 Ohtani talks Link to Seidler wiki Link to MLBTR on Boras/Seidler/Soto Link to Blum post about Johnson Link to team pitcher development rankings Link to “If baseball were different” wiki Link to Mains on regular-season splits Link to reverse records Link to post about three-team combos Link to Marlins/Cardinals/Twins candidates Link to Marlins/Cardinals players Link to Marlins/Twins players Link to Cardinals/Twins players Link to 2025 Sánchez game Link to 2003 Clement game Link to 2023 Thompson game Link to 1968 Roseboro game Link to all-hits-after-oh-fers list Link to McGwire Simpsons clip Link to Hill homer Link to Hill PED admission Link to Hill transactions Link to post-trade improvers Link to 2024 Ray slam game Link to 2025 NL Cy voting Link to 2021 AL Cy voting Link to 2011 NL Cy voting Link to 1986 NL Cy voting Link to 1971 O’s rotation article Link to Maxwell defensive game Link to Sandberg defensive game Link to McAuliffe defensive game Link to team run differentials Link to team runs scored Link to team runs allowed Link to Mets extra-innings game Link to most blown saves in game Link to 2021 blown-saves game Link to 1995 blown-saves game Link to 1983 Rangers-A’s game Link to 1901 Bernhard game Link to Bernhard’s 1901 game log Link to Bernhard’s 1901 opponent splits Link to 2025 Pressly game Link to most hits by sub Link to 1902 Danny Murphy game Link to Murphy game info 1 Link to Murphy game info 2 Link to Murphy game info 3 Link to Clerks quote Link to listener emails database Link to 1991 Phillies game Link to Griffin video board fun fact Link to list of ballpark claimants Link to “Fever” song wiki Link to article about White Sox collision Link to article about Hawk’s call Link to video of collision/call Link to photo of collision Link to comment about Boone’s signals Link to Boone’s flapping signal Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source