Podcast

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

From Baseball Prospectus Baseball, Sports

Daily baseball statistical analysis and commentary

Baseball chart
#7
Episodes
2,554
Releases
Twice a week
Typical length
1 hr 41 min
On air since
2012
Latest episode
23 hours ago

Episodes

2,554 episodes, newest first

  1. Effectively Wild Episode 2552: The Best Things in Life Are Free Agents

    Show notes

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Astros’ new GM hire and Bryce Harper’s comments about the likelihood of a lost season and his preference for the offseason over the season (22:22). Then FanGraphs’ Ben Clemens joins to break down the MLB free agent class: the weak crop of domestic players, the top NPB imports, the outlook for Tarik Skubal, the players who could have been available if they hadn’t signed extensions, the lockout looming over the market, and much more.

    Audio intro: The Spaghettis, “Effectively Wild Theme”
    Audio interstitial: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
    Audio outro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”

    Link to Clase-Ortiz trial story
    Link to MLBTR on Flores
    Link to Ben on ex-player GMs
    Link to MLBTR on Brown
    Link to Ng story
    Link to “euphemism treadmill”
    Link to Harper comments
    Link to EW guests spreadsheet
    Link to top 50 FA ranking
    Link to Ben L. on free agency
    Link to MLBTR on Reyes
    Link to NPB offensive leaderboard
    Link to posting details story
    Link to MrSugarPenis story
    Link to Oda story
    Link to Nogami story
    Link to MLBTR on qualifying offers

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    01:29:01

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    1 hr 29 min
  2. Effectively Wild Episode 2551: ABS Reviews, Reviewed

    Show notes

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon.

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a few more World Series subjects (TV ratings, Kyle Harrison’s non-use, the Brewers’ bullpen performance, an earlier EW discussion of ideal clinching plays, and more), and then (26:00) recap the first season of ABS: how it went, what surprised them, possible improvements, etc. After that (46:26) they talk about baseball scenes in Avengers: Doomsday (with an MCU digression) and You Can See Everything (sans spoilers), and wrap up (1:15:45) by anticipating how active the MLB transaction market will be leading up to the lockout.

    Audio intro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme”
    Audio outro: Sean P., “Effectively Wild Theme”

    Link to ratings tweet
    Link to ratings article 1
    Link to ratings article 2
    Link to Ben on the Brewers pen
    Link to Jaffe on the Brewers pen
    Link to Paine on the Brewers pen
    Link to Jaffe on the Brewers run
    Link to Stark on the Brewers run
    Link to best postseason records
    Link to Skubal offers report
    Link to drunk Vogelbach
    Link to EW Episode 1771
    Link to Wicked Witch melting
    Link to Ben on challenge changes
    Link to Ben on ABS preseason
    Link to Ben on ABS mix-ups
    Link to AFL experiment results
    Link to Doomsday promo video
    Link to Doomsday article 1
    Link to Doomsday article 2
    Link to First Avenger article
    Link to Doomsday Stewart article
    Link to Professor X appearances
    Link to X-Men movies wiki
    Link to Doctor Doom wiki
    Link to Ebbets Field wiki
    Link to Earth-828 wiki
    Link to EW superhero draft
    Link to “Who’s on First?” clip
    Link to “Who’s on First?” wiki
    Link to Black House wiki

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    00:26:44

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    27 min
  3. Effectively Wild Episode 2550: Won in a Milwaukee

    Show notes

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the end of the World Series and 2026 season: the big moments of Games 4 and 5, the Brewers’ victory and overall October run, and what, if anything, other teams will take away from Milwaukee’s success. They also discuss the ideal last out of a World Series, how this postseason’s level of excitement stacks up historically, what to expect from offseason EW, and more.

    Audio intro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme”
    Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”

    Link to Ben on the Brewers
    Link to Baumann on Game 5
    Link to Jaffe on the Brewers
    Link to ZiPS odds
    Link to Rickey speech
    Link to Contreras quote
    Link to Orlovsky story
    Link to Roffe hire
    Link to MLBTR on Kleine
    Link to Ball on Brewers/Rays
    Link to Bryant play
    Link to Theo quote
    Link to Doyle tweet
    Link to Ashby story
    Link to Smoltz quote
    Link to cWPA spreadsheet
    Link to 2026 pivotal plays
    Link to Sam on Chourio/Miller
    Link to postseason HR leaders
    Link to lockout primer

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    01:41:59

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    1 hr 42 min
  4. Effectively Wild Episode 2549: The Hits Keep Coming

    Show notes

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the history of teams that take 3-0 leads in best-of-seven series, the highlights and lowlights of the first three games of the World Series, the need for an objective check-swing standard, complaints about the broadcasting of John Smoltz, and Rob Manfred’s competitive-balance comments.

    Audio intro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme”
    Audio outro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme”

    Link to Sheehan on odds
    Link to Posnanski on odds
    Link to ZiPS odds
    Link to Contreras piece
    Link to Baumann on the G3 rally
    Link to Langs on the rally
    Link to Sam on the Caminero play
    Link to Ashby streak story
    Link to Langs on scoring 4-plus
    Link to checked-swing videos
    Link to checked-swing wiki
    Link to swing definition article
    Link to AFL challenge system
    Link to Sam on checked swings
    Link to McCalvy tweet
    Link to Nightengale tweet
    Link to Laurila column
    Link to ratings article 1
    Link to ratings article 2
    Link to Megill quote
    Link to Chourio/Hicks play
    Link to Manfred quotes
    Link to Rays coaches page
    Link to Jeff/Dave/Williamson story
    Link to Curt’s second pod
    Link to September article on Baker
    Link to Adam on Baker
    Link to Rasmussen’s 2026 splits
    Link to Rasmussen’s career splits
    Link to Walls defensive stats
    Link to Adam on Walls
    Link to Pham on defensive stats
    Link to Tango on DRS vs. FRV
    Link to Blum on ticket pricing
    Link to Rosenthal report

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    01:38:56

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    1 hr 39 min
  5. Effectively Wild Episode 2548: Bullpen Blame

    Show notes

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon.

    Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Ben Clemens banter about World Series roster and rotation decisions, the Fall Classic through a “styles make fights” lens, whether travel days are really rest days, and more. Then (31:50) Ben C. delivers a guest Stat Blast about whether bullpen games are really risky because the more pitchers you use, the more likely you are to run into a reliever who “doesn’t have it” that day, and Ben L. Blasts about players who played for three playoff teams in the same season and players who played for a few World Series winners in a row without appearing in the postseason. Finally (1:02:33), Ben and Meg banter about Angels turnover, Yankees non-turnover, Shohei Ohtani’s two-way future, NPB postings, a KBO breakout, a new baseball video game and K-drama, and a Yandy Díaz nickname.

    Audio intro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”
    Audio outro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)”

    Link to MLBTR on series rosters
    Link to Woodruff story
    Link to Cleavinger story
    Link to Martinez news
    Link to Rosenthal on Martinez
    Link to Ben C. on starter timing
    Link to Ben C. on Game 7s
    Link to Yankees WC SP story
    Link to Ben C.’s series preview
    Link to ESPN series preview
    Link to Ben L. on playoff trends
    Link to Russell on “half days off”
    Link to “Mathemadage” series
    Link to Cooper post
    Link to Ben C. on bullpen games
    Link to FiveThirtyEight on hot hand
    Link to Ben L. on bullpenning
    Link to Sam on bullpenning
    Link to Russell on “cruising” SP
    Link to Curt on Brewers rings
    Link to Henderson story
    Link to three-peats sheet
    Link to Feduccia request
    Link to MLBTR on Angels GM
    Link to MLBTR on Suzuki
    Link to Goldman on Boone
    Link to Cashman news
    Link to Steinbrenner comments
    Link to Attanasio comments
    Link to Attanasio comments 2
    Link to Xbox non-AI AI release
    Link to Ohtani updates
    Link to Selig first pitch
    Link to Selig on EW
    Link to Lyons on Hilliard
    Link to Stove League wiki
    Link to Stove League EW wiki
    Link to Full Count announcement
    Link to Call of Duty mission
    Link to baseball RPG tweet
    Link to Sato posting news
    Link to Oda news
    Link to Bartleby wiki
    Link to Game 1 box score
    Link to Baumann on Game 1

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    00:26:38

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    27 min
  6. Effectively Wild Episode 2547: Both Sides of the World Series Story

    Show notes

    It’s the World Series preview pod! Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a few intriguing factors that could affect the Fall Classic and then bring on two expert reporters to break down each team’s advantages, vulnerabilities, and overlooked storylines. Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel joins first (19:59) to talk about the Brewers, followed by (1:04:49) Adam Berry of MLB.com on the Rays.

    Audio intro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme”
    Audio interstitial 1: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme”
    Audio interstitial 2: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
    Audio outro: Garrett Krohn, “Effectively Wild Theme”

    Link to missing Miz whiffs
    Link to Baumann on Miz
    Link to 2026 EW team goals
    Link to Brewers preview pod
    Link to Rays preview pod
    Link to Ben C.’s preview
    Link to FG on lefty batters
    Link to MLB.com on lefty batters
    Link to ZiPS odds
    Link to Petriello on challenging
    Link to Sheehan on rest
    Link to Murphy gamers/Famers quote
    Link to Curt on Bauers
    Link to Brewers anthem
    Link to article on anthem
    Link to Timeless Ticket apology
    Link to EW Episode 599
    Link to Curt on traveling Brewers fans
    Link to Curt’s first pod
    Link to Curt’s second pod
    Link to September article on Baker
    Link to Adam on Baker
    Link to Rasmussen’s 2026 splits
    Link to Rasmussen’s career splits
    Link to Walls defensive stats
    Link to Adam on Walls
    Link to Pham on defensive stats
    Link to Tango on DRS vs. FRV
    Link to Blum on ticket pricing
    Link to Rosenthal report

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    01:53:34

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    1 hr 54 min
  7. Effectively Wild Episode 2546: A Pennant for Your Thoughts

    Show notes

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley tease their next playoff livestream and discuss “Chalktober,” the end of the ALCS, Chandler Simpson’s (and Ben’s) calves, Ben’s quickly defused feud with FanGraphs, and hirings/non-firings. Then (1:00:53) they bring back fan-favorite (and host-favorite) guest Adrian Chiles—BBC host, Guardian columnist, and Effectively Wild UK correspondent—to talk about his beloved Rays’ run to the World Series, how he’s followed their exploits despite a several-hour time difference, his musings about the excitement/misery of playoff baseball, and more.

    Audio intro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme”
    Audio interstitial: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme”
    Audio outro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”

    Link to “chalk” definition
    Link to Palpatine clip
    Link to Seinfeld clip
    Link to Yandy clip
    Link to Smith quote
    Link to Langs on Caminero
    Link to other Caminero fact
    Link to Vogt on Bibee
    Link to Yandy non-challenge
    Link to Rays postseason history
    Link to Petriello appearance
    Link to Family Guy clip
    Link to horse gait wiki
    Link to Clemens on ALCS G6
    Link to Andrews on Simpson
    Link to Meg on Lind
    Link to Vogt/Arnerich article
    Link to MLBTR on Boone
    Link to MLBTR on Banner
    Link to MLBTR on Smith
    Link to Hogg on Bauers
    Link to FG zombie graphic
    Link to FG ghost graphic
    Link to Adrian’s first EW spot
    Link to Adrian on the Rays
    Link to Adrian on Wikipedia
    Link to @TBRaysUK
    Link to “place hitter” definition
    Link to “hit ’em where they ain’t”
    Link to Adrian on golf
    Link to Adrian’s Guardian archive
    Link to Adrian’s The Tablet archive
    Link to Adrian’s BBC archive

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    01:48:36

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    1 hr 49 min
  8. Effectively Wild Episode 2545: Dodgered a Bullet

    Show notes

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon.

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley talk primarily (though not exclusively) about the Brewers’ NLCS sweep of the Dodgers: how it happened, the highs and lows, and what the outcome of the rematch does and doesn’t mean for the perception of the sport, the reality of the league and its labor outlook, the future of the Dodgers, and more.

    Audio intro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
    Audio outro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme”

    Link to NLCS stats
    Link to Ben on the sweep
    Link to Ben on predicting sweeps
    Link to Ringer art
    Link to Caravaggio original
    Link to Bobblehead character
    Link to Bobblehead article
    Link to Dol Guldur wiki
    Link to Ohtani homer
    Link to Ohtani on 2027
    Link to gamers quote
    Link to roster breakdowns
    Link to BP on Snell’s command
    Link to Baumann on Snell and Cash
    Link to three-inning-save query
    Link to Pages double
    Link to market-size ranking
    Link to Lucas quote
    Link to Andrew Norton site

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    00:21:08

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    21 min
  9. Effectively Wild Episode 2544: Just Wait Till Next Year

    Show notes

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about ALCS Game 2, nominate (13:52) the five Rays-iest players on the current Rays roster, discuss the Dodgers’ decision to start Shohei Ohtani in NLCS Game 3 (and the matchup between the Brewers and Blake Snell), react (57:00) to news about the Phillies’, Astros’, and (maybe?) Mariners’ managers, and pick (1:10:51) the likeliest 2026 non-playoff teams to be 2027 playoff teams and the likeliest 2026 playoff teams to be 2027 non-playoff teams.

    Audio intro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme”
    Audio outro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”

    Link to FG ALCS G3 gamer
    Link to ZiPS odds
    Link to Peralta pitch usage
    Link to G3 pitch usage
    Link to ticket sales article
    Link to gametime changes
    Link to Rays roster
    Link to Booser wiki
    Link to EW Episode 2262
    Link to EW Episode 2308
    Link to Mesa wiki
    Link to Mesa’s brother wiki
    Link to Vilade wiki
    Link to Rasmussen wiki
    Link to BP on Rays conversions
    Link to Baker wiki
    Link to Baker trade article
    Link to Baker fun fact
    Link to Ohtani update
    Link to Locke Lost clip
    Link to Ohtani ad
    Link to September Ohtani article
    Link to Brewers splits post-ASB
    Link to team P/PA
    Link to pitcher P/BF
    Link to team chase rate
    Link to pitcher zone rate
    Link to The Athletic on Mattingly
    Link to MLBTR on Mattingly
    Link to MLBTR on Espada
    Link to MLBTR on his interview
    Link to MLBTR on Dombrowski
    Link to manager turnover article
    Link to FG AFL preview
    Link to FG AFL notes
    Link to Falvey hire
    Link to Shane McKeon’s site

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    01:41:09

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    1 hr 41 min
  10. Effectively Wild Episode 2543: Lost Angeles

    Show notes

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the end of the all-AL-Central ALDS, what the future holds for the White Sox, the ALCS opener, the Brewers’ 2-0 NLCS lead, the contrast between postseason Shohei Ohtani and José Ramírez, the difference between the Rays and Guardians, and more, plus postscript follow-ups.

    Audio intro: Ian Phillips, “Effectively Wild Theme”
    Audio outro: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme”

    Link to Sox strikeouts fact
    Link to team batting ages
    Link to Clemens on Venable
    Link to Ramírez fun fact 1
    Link to Ramírez fun fact 2
    Link to Ramírez fun fact 3
    Link to Sheehan on the CSes
    Link to Rays influence story
    Link to Turang fact
    Link to AP challenges story
    Link to Dodgers challenges story
    Link to Clemens on clean innings
    Link to Bailey splits
    Link to Patty Barrels nickname
    Link to Little John wiki
    Link to Picard monologue
    Link to John Locke clip
    Link to Brewers bullpen stat
    Link to Espino wiki
    Link to Salazar wiki
    Link to De Paula and Soto
    Link to ZiPS NLCS odds
    Link to ZiPS ALCS odds
    Link to RR payrolls page
    Link to RR roster breakdown
    Link to Sam’s Rays tweet
    Link to Sam on Rays trades
    Link to Sam on NLCS G1
    Link to Ohtani article 1
    Link to Ohtani article 2
    Link to Torre/A-Rod article
    Link to Episode 2030 wiki
    Link to Pope Leo diagnosis
    Link to exemptions update

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    01:44:44

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    1 hr 45 min
  11. Effectively Wild Episode 2542: C U in the CS

    Show notes

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon.

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Game 4 of the White Sox-Guardians ALDS, playoff pitching chaos, and “rest vs. rust” revisited, then preview the Dodgers-Brewers NLCS rematch, react to MLB’s proposed changes to the regular season and postseason, consider an athletic tournament with stakes that extend beyond baseball, and return to the topic of how leagues decide which treatments are legal.

    Audio intro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
    Audio outro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme”

    Link to G4 box score
    Link to Cleveland pitching plan
    Link to Sheehan on G4
    Link to home clincher story
    Link to X-Men wiki
    Link to X-Men scene
    Link to X-Men still
    Link to Neil on R vs. R
    Link to Ben C. on bye layoffs
    Link to Neil on the rematch
    Link to Neil on playoff heroes
    Link to Ditka obit
    Link to team offense vs. LHP
    Link to team offense vs. RHP
    Link to Shoreline School District
    Link to MLB proposals
    Link to MLBPA response
    Link to Drellich on MLB proposals
    Link to 2020 report
    Link to more on 2020 report
    Link to Rendon comment
    Link to JND wiki
    Link to ESG on MLB rights
    Link to ESG on NBA rights
    Link to FDR letter
    Link to Kim wiki
    Link to Kim’s FG page
    Link to KBO batting leaders
    Link to Kim’s hit
    Link to Asian Games wiki
    Link to Asian Games gamer
    Link to Korea Herald on exemptions
    Link to The Athletic on exemptions
    Link to blood doping FAQ
    Link to Baumann on cycling
    Link to Pettitte comments
    Link to McGwire comments
    Link to TUE exemptions
    Link to Gattaca wiki
    Link to Vlad Jr. post
    Link to laser-surgery impact

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    00:24:14

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    24 min
  12. Effectively Wild Episode 2541: Division Series Theories

    Show notes

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a few days’ worth of Division Series action, including three series outcomes. Among other topics, they discuss clutchness, low scoring, scant starting pitching, paternity timing, pant tightness, fan interference, Yankees-fan frustration, postgame-panelist star power, Championship Series sympathy points, and MLB’s experiment in restricting outfielder positioning.

    Audio intro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme”
    Audio outro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme”

    Link to postseason bracket
    Link to carbon copy wiki
    Link to Miller quote
    Link to Miller usage article
    Link to Lewis leave
    Link to Vesia video
    Link to playoff offense
    Link to Ben on bullpenning
    Link to Sam on bullpenning
    Link to Dave on bullpenning
    Link to SP% sheet
    Link to Manny non-homers
    Link to Hernández fun fact
    Link to Hernández ADHD clip
    Link to Paine on Yoshi/Hernández
    Link to “acromioclavicular”
    Link to “debridement”
    Link to Apstein on Verducci
    Link to Verducci author archive
    Link to fan interference play
    Link to fan ejection
    Link to Latin phrase
    Link to “clean hands” wiki
    Link to Yankees offense stat
    Link to Baumann post
    Link to Boone’s record
    Link to 2026 Yankees coaches
    Link to Pedro tweet
    Link to Atlanta RISP stat
    Link to Machado/Verlander clip
    Link to Contreras benching
    Link to Ben on banning the shift
    Link to Ben on pitcher limits
    Link to Ben on foul lines
    Link to EW episode on foul lines
    Link to Eric’s OF report
    Link to BA on OF positioning
    Link to 2024 OF report
    Link to EW Episode 2174
    Link to Russell on OF defense
    Link to Rob on playing deeper
    Link to Rob on OF defense
    Link to 1907 Unglaub arc article
    Link to Bayesian umps article
    Link to Sam on autostrikes 1
    Link to Sam on autostrikes 2
    Link to EW Episode 2097
    Link to EW Episode 2532
    Link to 2024 count splits
    Link to 2025 count splits
    Link to 2026 count splits

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    01:43:55

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    1 hr 44 min
  13. Effectively Wild Episode 2540: The Fly Test

    Show notes

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Cal Raleigh and Josh Naylor and whether end-of-season surgeries for disappointing players are encouraging or frustrating, then share their takeaways from the first six Division Series games, including thoughts on Drew Rasmussen, an Austin Wells mistake, Rays crowds, Aaron Judge’s role in Rich Platelet, Poor Platelet, Grant Taylor (and whether postseason teams are pushing high-leverage relievers too far), the Blake Snell spectator experience, the upside and drawback of Chris Sale, two tantalizing fly balls (and a Ty France roof-related “what if”), how to tackle Jacob Misiorowski and Mason Miller, the Padres’ star scrubs, Jackson Chourio, and much more.

    Audio intro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme”
    Audio outro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme”

    Link to MLBTR on M’s injuries
    Link to FG on Rasmussen
    Link to RHP SP velo
    Link to Rasmussen leaderboard
    Link to Wells article
    Link to Wells clip
    Link to Wells quote
    Link to Wells math 1
    Link to Wells math 2
    Link to Wells math 3
    Link to stop sign
    Link to Apes movie clip
    Link to Ben C. on 3B outs
    Link to Judge taunt
    Link to Schlittler comment
    Link to Rays attendance article
    Link to PH penalty info
    Link to Somehow, Tellez returned
    Link to Judge therapy info
    Link to PPP study
    Link to BP on Taylor
    Link to Taylor as SP note
    Link to Langs Taylor note
    Link to Ben on not enough pitchers
    Link to Pham comment 1
    Link to Pham comment 2
    Link to post on Pham
    Link to Pham fly article
    Link to Pham and Manfred
    Link to Ben on October 2019 balls
    Link to Sam on October 2019 balls
    Link to Miz fouls fact
    Link to Cleveland tourism videos
    Link to Ben L. on Sale in 2018
    Link to Ben C. on Sale
    Link to Pages ABS ban
    Link to FG Atlanta-LA preview
    Link to Miller tipping story
    Link to Erickson comment
    Link to Langston pitch article
    Link to France fly clip
    Link to Tango on France’s fly
    Link to Pelletier on France’s fly
    Link to Leighton on France’s fly
    Link to Sheehan on France’s fly
    Link to Eno on France’s fly
    Link to France fly data
    Link to FG Brewers-Padres G1 recap
    Link to FG Brewers-Padres G2 recap
    Link to Chourio hit clip
    Link to MLBTR on France
    Link to AC joint info
    Link to AC joint debridement info
    Link to TFCC tear info
    Link to wOBA-xwOBA leaderboard
    Link to Harris transactions
    Link to Salas history
    Link to Merrill catch
    Link to Díaz mechanical change

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    1:58:10

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    1 hr 58 min
  14. Effectively Wild Episode 2539: BAC in Action

    Show notes

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon.

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley tease their first playoff livestream and banter about a listener suggestion for how to refer to a postseason that spans multiple months, Jason Benetti’s relationship with Liberty Biberty (including a real-time text exchange), the true alcohol intoxication levels of Munetaka Murakami and other players in clubhouse clinching celebrations (BAC Blast?), and whether MLB should schedule overlapping playoff games, then (35:21) recap the end of the wild card round, opine on the futures of the eliminated teams, lament the latest recurrence of the annual anti-analytics October backlash, preview the various Division Series (1:13:07), discuss the World Series matchups they most want to see, and much more.

    Audio intro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
    Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2”

    Link to long 19 century wiki
    Link to Bluey Long Dog
    Link to “Dog Park” ad
    Link to Biberty background
    Link to Biberty/Benetti spot 1
    Link to Biberty/Benetti spot 2
    Link to Biberty/Benetti spot 3
    Link to Benetti text exchange
    Link to Vasil clip 1
    Link to Murakami clip 1
    Link to Murakami clip 2
    Link to Murakami clip 3
    Link to Murakami clip 4
    Link to ABV by beverage
    Link to Ben’s 2009 photos
    Link to A-Rod/Hudson relationship
    Link to Hudson family history
    Link to attendance news
    Link to wild card attendance
    Link to The Simpsons clip
    Link to anemoia definition
    Link to My Fair Lady scene
    Link to Gray comments
    Link to Contreras comments
    Link to Stark on the Phillies
    Link to Sale update
    Link to Judge quote
    Link to Burke quote
    Link to Burke follow-up
    Link to Burke’s Insta
    Link to Yankees fits
    Link to Volpe suit
    Link to Trueblood on the Cubs
    Link to ZiPS probabilities
    Link to roster breakdowns
    Link to BP NLDS 1 preview
    Link to FG NLDS 1 preview
    Link to FG NLDS 2 preview
    Link to FG ALDS 1 preview
    Link to FG ALDS 2 preview
    Link to MLBTR on Lovullo
    Link to Grand Teton news 1
    Link to Grand Teton news 2

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    0:28:53

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    29 min
  15. Effectively Wild Episode 2538: No Time Like Late September

    Show notes

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about “October” as a (somewhat imprecise) metonym for the playoffs and the popularity of postseason coverage, praise the Yankees’ pitcher-averse roster construction, recap the highlights and lowlights from the first wild card games, ponder the possibility of pushing relievers too far, answer a listener email about the impact of managers, sympathize with and criticize the Astros for complaining about being booed by their fans, and discuss MLB’s petition to play a game in a national park, Zack Gelof’s lawsuit against the Tigers, and more.

    Audio intro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme”
    Audio outro: PJ Harding, “Effectively Wild Theme”

    Link to Episode 1753
    Link to new MLB tagline
    Link to Appelman post
    Link to play-in tournament
    Link to Baumann on the Yankees
    Link to packing post
    Link to Sheehan WC G1 recaps
    Link to Riley homer
    Link to Posnanski on Riley
    Link to Turner non-play
    Link to Miller AFL news
    Link to Taylor outing
    Link to Pope blessing
    Link to Ben on innings shortfalls
    Link to Tracy RP explanation
    Link to Anthony update
    Link to Musgrove fun fact 1
    Link to Musgrove fun fact 2
    Link to shutouts fun fact
    Link to Astros booing story 1
    Link to Astros booing story 2
    Link to Astros booing story 3
    Link to Burke quote
    Link to Grand Teton story
    Link to public lands story
    Link to Craig on Gelof
    Link to Greene quote
    Link to lawyer explanation
    Link to Ruf story
    Link to Fowler story
    Link to FG on Phillies-Braves G2
    Link to Harper article
    Link to Realmuto challenge
    Link to Ruth exhibition
    Link to Dihigo episode

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    1:46:25

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    1 hr 46 min
  16. Effectively Wild Episode 2537: The Playoff Parts Draft

    Show notes

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley wrap up the action from the end of the regular season, including the last starts of Justin Verlander and (maybe) Max Scherzer (with mini-Blasts about Verlander, Laz Diaz, Kirby Yates, and overshadowed career finales), the setting of the playoff field, the firing of Dan Wilson, a rained-out Game 162, several lackluster league leaders, and follow-ups about other stats and stories tracked on the show. Then (43:22), to preview the postseason, they do a draft of the offenses, fielders, starting rotations, and bullpens of all 12 playoff teams.

    Audio intro: Sean .P, “Effectively Wild Theme”
    Audio outro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme”

    Link to rainout news
    Link to playoff field
    Link to Verlander start story
    Link to Verlander’s exit
    Link to Diaz call tweet 1
    Link to Diaz call tweet 2
    Link to Diaz quotes
    Link to Diaz salute
    Link to Verlander on Diaz
    Link to overshadowed-debuts pod
    Link to overshadowed-finales sheet
    Link to Yates story
    Link to Scherzer start story
    Link to Scherzer clip 1
    Link to Scherzer clip 2
    Link to career Ks leaderboard
    Link to Springer update
    Link to MLBTR on Wilson
    Link to MLBTR on M’s coaches
    Link to Dan S. on managerial firings
    Link to Dipoto quote
    Link to Lovullo status story
    Link to Stearns quote
    Link to Pouliot on league leaders
    Link to Posnanski on league leaders
    Link to Montgomery record
    Link to Sam on Reynolds
    Link to 2002 Hernandez article
    Link to single-season K leaders
    Link to yearly SB leaders
    Link to three-inning saves by year
    Link to 2026 three-inning saviors
    Link to Ben on three-inning saves
    Link to Alonso RBI feat
    Link to Angels loss story
    Link to PCA article
    Link to FG WAR leaderboard
    Link to WAR runners-up sheet
    Link to Paine on lopsided contenders
    Link to Paine on the playoff field
    Link to Baumann on playoff offense
    Link to Sheehan on playoff offense
    Link to Bregman video
    Link to Judge update
    Link to article on Hedges hitting
    Link to Hedges framing stats
    Link to draft-prep sheet 1
    Link to draft-prep sheet 2
    Link to Green on Yan
    Link to Lanterns recap

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    1:40:01

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    1 hr 40 min
  17. Effectively Wild Episode 2536: Wrong Division

    Show notes

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon.

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the heroics of Astros outfielder Lucas Spence and the potential for pennant races and postseasons to anoint unlikely heroes, then discuss whether the playoff format puts too much priority on divisions and should incorporate reseeding prior to and/or following the wild card round. They also follow up (28:42) on a few topics from the preceding episode (the Marlins putting starting pitchers in the pen, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s apology, Randy Johnson’s home-defense baseballs), Stat Blast (40:34) about teams improving their winning percentage in several consecutive seasons, hitters who were the worst hitter for one team and the best hitter for a different team in the same season, and franchises that have seen the most visiting teams clinch on their field, before examining (58:19) new baseball and softball TV series. Finally (1:10:51), they talk to Sam Nichols (aka “sportydolphin”) about his MLB/WPBL stats site, the challenges in bringing sabermetrics to a fledgling league and a small-sample season, the WPBL’s most valuable player, league tactics, the WPBL community, and more.

    Audio intro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme”
    Audio interstitial: Ted Berg, “Small Sample Size Song”
    Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme”

    Link to Spence story
    Link to Axisa on the playoffs
    Link to Paine on the playoffs
    Link to Normandin on the playoffs
    Link to Manfred on the playoffs
    Link to Paine on regular-season predictiveness
    Link to Junk appearance
    Link to latest Guerrero comments
    Link to previous Guerrero comment
    Link to 1995 RJ article 1
    Link to 1995 RJ article 2
    Link to RJ vs. Kruk
    Link to RJ on EW
    Link to Grichuk homer
    Link to clinches spreadsheet
    Link to 2009 draft first round
    Link to Sam on Grichuk
    Link to listener emails database
    Link to Colin From Accounts wiki
    Link to Team Moms: Baseball trailer
    Link to THR on Team Moms: Baseball
    Link to Team Moms: Baseball review
    Link to Kim K. on baseball
    Link to Slo Pitch trailer
    Link to Slo Pitch wiki
    Link to Slo Pitch interview
    Link to Heated Rivalry wiki
    Link to Farmer Wants a Wife wiki
    Link to previous week’s WPBL segment
    Link to sportydolphin.fun
    Link to The New Yorker on AIM
    Link to sportydolphin run values
    Link to sportydolphin draft analysis
    Link to sportydolphin Scorigami
    Link to sportydolphin photos
    Link to sportydolphin fan voting
    Link to Bradley on the championship
    Link to sportydolphin linked writing
    Link to D.A. Espinoza newsletter
    Link to Mary Mustard newsletter
    Link to Sam on LinkedIn
    Link to Ben on the pitching shortage

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    0:28:10

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    28 min
  18. Effectively Wild Episode 2535: It’s Go Time

    Show notes

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Alex Bregman likening getting hit by a baseball to getting hit by a baseball bat, the latest Aaron Judge-Aaron Boone drama, which records to root for in the AL West, the Max Scherzer–Justin Verlander career strikeouts rivalry, the Marlins’ pattern of using starters in relief, how many players […]

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    1 hr 47 min
  19. Effectively Wild Episode 2534: Breg Sits

    Show notes

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s return from vacation and their podcast-producer search, then discuss the uncertain statuses of Aaron Judge, Alex Bregman, and Shohei Ohtani on the precipice of the playoffs, how similar finishes in consecutive seasons can produce extra-disappointing or surprisingly uplifting results (featuring thoughts on the Astros, Diamondbacks, and Cardinals), […]

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    1 hr 42 min
  20. Effectively Wild Episode 2533: You Win Some, You Lose 40 in a Row

    Show notes

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. With Meg Rowley on vacation, Ben Lindbergh goes long with a few guests and segments. First, Kiri Oler of FanGraphs and Bradley Woodrum of Baseball Prospectus join to banter about how Pete Crow-Armstrong and Jacob Misiorowski illustrate the differences […]

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    44 min