Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Episoder

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  Effectively Wild Episode 2539: BAC in Action 03.10.2026 28min

  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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: [email protected]  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
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  Effectively Wild Episode 2538: No Time Like Late September 01.10.2026 1t 46min

  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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: [email protected]  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
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  Effectively Wild Episode 2537: The Playoff Parts Draft 29.09.2026 1t 40min

  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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: [email protected]  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
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  Effectively Wild Episode 2536: Wrong Division 26.09.2026 28min

  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  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: [email protected]  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
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  Effectively Wild Episode 2535: It’s Go Time 25.09.2026 1t 47min

  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 in a new book about baseball superstars are actually superstars, the turnover among top hitters this season, Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s comments about what he was paid for, the AL West making the Central look good, and more. Audio intro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Bregman clip Link to Bregman tape photo Link to Parker mask Link to Bregman update Link to Newton’s Second Law Link to “The Green Ribbon” collection Link to Boone quotes Link to Judge quotes Link to Judge video Link to Aarons update Link to Dark Matter wiki Link to Stanton jogging Link to Stanton article Link to Davis call of Ohtani fly Link to Rockies 100-losses streak Link to Scherzer article 1 Link to Scherzer article 2 Link to Verlander quote Link to career strikeouts leaderboard Link to Scherzer/Verlander article Link to 2023 Scherzer quote Link to Mandelbaums Seinfeld clip Link to Alcantara article Link to Alcantara postgame interview Link to latest Alcantara fun fact Link to Marlins tweet 1 Link to Marlins tweet 2 Link to Episode 305 wiki Link to Episode 2465 wiki Link to three-inning-saves Blast Link to Dan S. on WBC players Link to Baseball Superstars 2027 Link to previous Baseball Superstars Link to wRC+ repeaters data Link to 2025 wRC+ leaders Link to 2026 wRC+ leaders Link to Guerrero interview clip Link to Guerrero article 1 Link to Guerrero article 2 Link to Guerrero article 3 Link to Guerrero value numbers Link to private equity report  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: [email protected]  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
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  Effectively Wild Episode 2534: Breg Sits 23.09.2026 1t 41min

  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), the Padres’ recent run, Paul Skenes pinning part of the blame for his inconsistent season on the WBC, what to call the Tigers’ rebranded ballpark, managerial moves for the Red Sox and Mets, Cade Cavalli’s extension, business updates involving the Yankees, Angels, and Dodgers, an Ichiro Suzuki sighting, and a pair of weird-lookin’ (hit by) pitches, plus a few follow-ups. Audio intro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Spokane airport expansion Link to Boone quotes Link to Judge’s calf explanation Link to Judge injury update Link to FG post on Judge Link to soleus muscle wiki Link to Ewing Theory explainer Link to Bregman report Link to post-ASB WAR Link to Bregman clip Link to Bregman face photo Link to Encarnacion clip Link to coach box enforcement Link to Ohtani training Link to Ohtani return update Link to Schwarber postseason comeback Link to “Mr. Autumn Man” article Link to BaseRuns records Link to Ben on the Pirates Link to Skenes comments Link to Ben on WBC injuries Link to Ben on WBC pitching Link to Tigers park renaming Link to Episode 1639 wiki Link to bank merger info Link to Busytown wiki Link to Richard Scarry wiki Link to Beer Barrel Man wiki Link to Red Sox management moves Link to Mets managerial move Link to FG post on Cavalli extension Link to Walter suit Link to Levine on Walter 1 Link to Levine on Walter 2 Link to Yankees PE article Link to MLB PE article Link to Moreno ownership article Link to Ichiro article Link to Ichiro video Link to Halvorsen pitch Link to Halvorsen pitch article Link to 2025 Halvorsen pitch Link to Cantillo pitch Link to Cantillo pitch article Link to Windbigler wiki Link to WPBL gamer Link to WPBL draft analysis Link to Ben on PCA vs. Miz Link to Nakashima wiki Link to Nakashima stats Link to MLB sac bunt leaders Link to Ben on Nakashima Link to Nakashima retirement story Link to Nakashima retirement clip Link to Fighters fan on Nakashima Link to NYT on sportsbooks  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: [email protected]  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
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  Effectively Wild Episode 2533: You Win Some, You Lose 40 in a Row 19.09.2026 44min

  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 in modern pitcher and hitter usage and value, Sandy Alcantara as the last innings eater, two more baseball movies, Ernie Clement’s post-All-Star-Game decline, and Jefry Yan’s more muted strikeout celebrations. Then (43:34) they break down the inaugural season of the WPBL: what went right, what went wrong, the Kelsie Whitmore-Denae Benites battle, the high-offense environment, their other favorite storylines, the future of the league, and more. After that (1:33:33), Ben brings on the manager of the Pioneer League’s RedPocket Mobiles, former major leaguer Dmitri Young, along with Mobiles co-GM and Pioneer League director of operations Al Maulding, to explain how the Mobiles suffered the longest losing streak in pro baseball history, life on a traveling team, indy-ball oddities, and more. Finally (2:36:23), Ben Stat Blasts about the most times reaching base before a first career hit, players who hit their first homers off position-player pitchers, and lineups composed of players with short surnames. Audio intro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme 2” Audio outro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to previous Bradley appearance Link to previous Kiri appearance Link to FG combined WAR leaderboard Link to Eric André meme Link to highest-WAR offensive seasons Link to highest-WAR pitching seasons Link to pitching rate-stats leaders Link to on-pace leaderboard Link to PCA fielding chances Link to Miz fielding chances Link to Miz fielding stats Link to AP on Alcantara Link to Trueblood on Alcantara Link to Baumann on Alcantara Link to IP leaderboard Link to Ben on innings eaters Link to baseball rom-com Link to Powell-Linklater movie Link to Hanks movie Link to De Niro/Lasorda movie Link to Lasorda and son article 1 Link to Lasorda and son article 2 Link to Wahlberg/Rose movie Link to Ben’s Rose obit Link to Ben on Rose and the HoF Link to worst post-ASB hitters Link to Clement vote totals Link to Yan’s last leap Link to Yan’s slide Link to Yan’s MLB strikeout pitches Link to Yan’s Insta post Link to Yan/Jackson Insta post Link to WPBL standings Link to WPBL postseason results Link to WPBL hitting leaders Link to WPBL pitching leaders Link to WPBL leaguewide stats Link to 1871 NA leaguewide stats Link to Defector on the WPBL Link to AP on the WPBL Link to Kiri on WPBL predecessors Link to other WPBL article Link to Gladys the Goose Link to Bradley on Benites Link to Bradley on Lee Link to Bradley on grand slams Link to Bradley on the playoffs Link to Bradley on WPBL offense Link to Ben on mid-PA changes Link to Kiri’s last weekly recap Link to Kiri on the Firebells Link to Kiri on the Queens Link to Apgar video Link to Apgar article Link to Sato wiki Link to Robin Roberts Stadium Link to WPBL draft order Link to WPBL run values Link to MLB-AUSL partnership Link to article on the WPBL’s future Link to Women’s Baseball World Cup Link to The 39 Steps wiki Link to MLB partner leagues Link to Pioneer League wiki Link to Pioneer League standings Link to MLB.com on the Mobiles Link to The Athletic on the Mobiles Link to the Mobiles on the Mobiles Link to Stockade wiki Link to Ben on the Stockade Link to The Only Rule Link to Empire State Greys wiki Link to Mobiles announcement Link to Mobiles YouTube videos Link to Mobiles Twitter thread Link to Pioneer League knockout Link to All-Star swing-off Link to Northern Colorado Owlz Link to Young wiki Link to Young card collection info Link to Young article 1 Link to Young article 2 Link to Young article 3 Link to Young article 4 Link to Young article 5 Link to Young article 6 Link to Young article 7 Link to betting-threats story Link to PPP HR sheet Link to Chapman wiki Link to Hartung wiki Link to Iorg game Link to LaCoss homers Link to Lara post-homer photo Link to scoreboard photo Link to 1946 game Link to 2004 game Link to 2024 game Link to 1956 fun fact tweet Link to 1926 game Link to 2025 game 1 Link to 2025 game 2 Link to listener emails database  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Give a Gift Subscription  Email Us: [email protected]  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
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  Effectively Wild Episode 2532: Can the Public Still Teach Teams? 17.09.2026 2t 4min

  After a brief PSA about an open producer position (email [email protected] 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: [email protected]  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
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  Effectively Wild Episode 2531: The Regular-Season Two-Week Warning 14.09.2026 1t 52min

  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: [email protected]  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
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  Effectively Wild Episode 2530: The Top 24 Players 24 or Younger 12.09.2026 28min

  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: [email protected]  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
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  Effectively Wild Episode 2529: The Bandwagon Re-Reunion 10.09.2026 1t 53min

  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 […]
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  Effectively Wild Episode 2528: The Roundtable Reunion 09.09.2026 1t 40min

  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 […]
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  Effectively Wild Episode 2527: Feels Like the First Time 04.09.2026 32min

  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 […]
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  Effectively Wild Episode 2526: How Ballpark Sound Got Both Better and Worse 03.09.2026 1t 46min

  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 (43:14), […]
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  Effectively Wild Episode 2525: Espresso Written Consent 01.09.2026 1t 39min

  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, […]
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  Effectively Wild Episode 2524: Take This Cup From Me 28.08.2026 33min

  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, […]
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  Effectively Wild Episode 2523: Upon Further Review 27.08.2026 1t 36min

  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 […]
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  Effectively Wild Episode 2522: The New Funnest Fact 26.08.2026 1t 31min

  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, […]
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  Effectively Wild Episode 2521: Keep Your Eye on the Small Ball 21.08.2026 36min

  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 […]
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  Effectively Wild Episode 2520: Catch 22–0 20.08.2026 1t 35min

  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 […]