Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the 50th anniversary of the first Tommy John surgery and how baseball would be different if the procedure had never been pioneered, then (15:14) preview the 2024 postseason by pinpointing the biggest strength and weakness of each AL (21:40) and NL (1:00:17) playoff team. Audio intro : Jimmy Kramer, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Audio outro : The Shirey Brothers, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Link to TJ 50th anniversary info Link to John anniversary interview L...
Sep 28, 2024•1 hr 43 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about MLB’s oddly extended YouTube highlight videos, the league’s handling of a crucial, rained-out Mets/Brave series, the zombie runner rearing its ugly head in games with playoff implications, teams that are well-positioned for an especially free-for-all October, Emmanuel Clase’ s Cy case, the value of top position players vs. top pitchers, and the Pirates’ suspiciously timed ta-ta to Rowdy Tellez . Then (1:02:42) they talk to The Athletic ’s Melissa Lockard...
Sep 26, 2024•1 hr 47 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s return from vacation, Corbin Burnes’ s cutter comeback, the demotion of CJ Abrams , the no-longer-dynamic duo of Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer , the firing of Reds manager David Bell, the Tigers promoting Jackson Jobe , Shota Imanaga’ s post-NPB performance, teams refusing to use injuries as an excuse, Charlie Blackmon’ s career and home-road splits, Matt Chapman’ s long, non-homer hits, and whether to discount Shohei Ohtani ’s power-speed expl...
Sep 25, 2024•1 hr 53 min
Ben Lindbergh and FanGraphs’ Ben Clemens dissect the glorious game in which Shohei Ohtani founded the 50-50 and 51-51 Clubs, Ohtani’s most awe-inspiring feats, and his future, followed (29:51) by banter about the state of defensive stats, the mystery of Salvador Perez ’s swing decisions, questionable kudos for Bud Black, whether Victor Robles made the worst steal attempt of all time, and MLB’s Players of the Game. Then (1:19:55) Ben talks to trailblazing journalist Melissa Ludtke , author of Loc...
Sep 21, 2024•2 hr 17 min
In a bonus EW episode, Ben Lindbergh talks to screenwriter and former editor-in-chief of The Onion Robert Siegel about his classic Onion opinion piece, “In My Day, Ballplayers Were For Shit,” how The Onion used to approach sports coverage, the importance of headlines and stock photos, satirizing baseball vs. satirizing other sports, why The Onion hasn’t lost its fastball, and more, plus (55:53) a postscript. Audio intro : Josh Busman, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Audio outro : Alex Glossman and Al...
Sep 21, 2024
Ben Lindbergh and Joe Sheehan banter about high school, the persistent, befuddling allure of Craig Kimbrel , the Orioles’ recent struggles, the playoff-fumble potential of four teams that previously possessed 90-plus-percent playoff odds, their prediction philosophies, the potential for legislation to curb the excesses of sports betting, and what the surprise “retirement” of Adrian Wojnarowski says about the difference between baseball’s biggest newsbreakers and those of other sports, plus a pos...
Sep 20, 2024•1 hr 29 min
Ben Lindbergh and FanGraphs’ Dan Szymborski banter about Ben’s timing in respect to Declan Cronin’ s homerless streak, the perils of podcasts, predictions, and regression to the mean, the White Sox cutting payroll and their projections for the rest of this season, next season, and beyond, Gerrit Cole’ s ignominious intentional walk, Alex Cora’s seeming admission that the Red Sox threw at Aaron Judge , Farhan Zaidi’s future in San Francisco, Heliot Ramos’ s historic splash hit, Mike Trout ’s poss...
Sep 18, 2024•2 hr 2 min
Ben Lindbergh and R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports debate whether Jackson Holliday , Jackson Chourio , or Jackson Merrill will be the best player long term, discuss the addition of ads to batting helmets and continued MLB ad creep, and ponder the possibility of publicly owned ballclubs. Then (55:52) Ben talks to Mojo Hill about covering Derek Bender , the Twins minor league catcher who was released for telling opposing hitters which pitches were coming. Finally (1:27:09), Ben brings on Frequent Stat ...
Sep 14, 2024•2 hr 6 min
Ben Lindbergh and FanGraphs’ Michael Baumann play a game of “College Baseball Player or Vuelta a España Stage Winner?”, discuss Kumar Rocker ’s potential and path to the majors, and (17:38) meet major leaguers Tyler Jay and Richard Fitts , before talking (39:33) to *checks notes* Marlins reliever Big Mike Baumann about becoming the second major leaguer ever to play for five teams in one season. After that (1:05:10), Ben chats with Baumann’s teammate Declan Cronin about how he’s held hitters home...
Sep 13, 2024•2 hr 11 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley discuss the solution to a Carlos Estévez prediction cold case, share a baseball-sicko experience prompted by the band Hinds’s new single, put actors on baseball-movie Mount Rushmore (in honor of the late, great, James Earl Jones), scrutinize two suggestions for HBP policing, assess the risks and history of ceremonial first pitches, Nora Ephron’s fandom, and the “first ball” in the movie My Blue Heaven , and banter about a White Sox ad for MLB.TV, the call-up of Jasso...
Sep 11, 2024•2 hr 3 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the impressiveness of a prediction by Carlos Estévez , how to say the score from the losing team’s perspective, and getting hit in the head by a hot dog. Then (23:13) they discuss getting hit in the head (or the hands) by a baseball : how often it happens, how dangerous it is, and whether (as Whit Merrifield argues) MLB must act to discourage it. Then (58:28) they brainstorm about visiting teams’ first-inning disadvantage and answer listener emails (1:08...
Sep 07, 2024•1 hr 55 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Giants extending Matt Chapman and Manny Machado’ s pursuit of Nate Colbert’ s Padres home run record, Stat Blast (20:42) about Luis Arraez’ s extreme three-true-outcome avoidance, Ben Joyce ’s potentially unprecedented pitch speeds, and whiff-averse flamethrowers, and then discuss (54:31) the Yankees’ left-field dilemma(?) involving Alex Verdugo and Jasson Domínguez , the Brewers’ expectations-surpassing success, and NPB’s suspicious power outage, be...
Sep 06, 2024•1 hr 54 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Shohei Ohtani , Ronald Acuña Jr. , and quantifying power/speed excellence and the White Sox somehow playing way worse under Grady Sizemore, follow up on hippos, A-Rod’s relationships, double plates/bases, 40-something hitters, player predictions, and one-pitch first strikeouts, and react to a new kind of bases-loaded walk and private equity’s incursion into youth sports. Then (52:12) they talk to Matthew DeSantis and Ramon Riesgo of the Bhutan Baseball &...
Sep 04, 2024•1 hr 36 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Juan Soto’ s free agency and Aaron Judge ’s ego, follow up on in-season exhibition games, and (18:51) answer listener emails about the possibility of adding games to the baseball season, bullpen pitchers robbing a home run robbery, redrawing (or enforcing) coach’s boxes, pronouncing “wRC+,” programming ABS to help starters go deeper into games, Joey Votto vs. Lance Berkman , boycotting A’s games on the road, installing a second home plate (and/or double ...
Aug 31, 2024•1 hr 37 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about ad proliferation on podcasts and make a sheepish plea for listener support, then discuss the reversal of offensive fortunes for first basemen and shortstops and Oneil Cruz’ s move to center field before following up (35:33) on the Mariners’ managerial hiring and the Selig Rule, a Rich Hill record (and dueling Hill fun facts), the effect of equidistant fences, Carlos Santana ’s milestone ball, single-organization Futures Games, and broadcaster BSing, and ...
Aug 30, 2024•1 hr 54 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Derek Jeter ‘s (and Aaron Judge’ s) championship-or-bust rhetoric, Alex Rodriguez’ s date night, Judge’s home-run robberies, Judge’s offensive prowess compared to Babe Ruth and Barry Bonds , how clutchness (or the lack thereof) could affect the AL MVP race, Juan Soto’ s defense, how the trajectory of Seattle’s season may have sealed Scott Servais’s fate, the Royals’ valuable durability, Michael Kopech as a Dodger, Dallas Keuchel’ s latest destination, th...
Aug 29, 2024•1 hr 42 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Mariners firing Scott Servais, the Angels not firing Perry Minasian, Joey Votto ’s career and retirement, the continued collapse of Craig Kimbrel , NPB players pushing for a faster path to domestic and international free agency, and the NWSL abolishing its draft. Then (42:45) they’re joined by Patreon supporter Sam Horton to answer listener emails about active future Hall of Fame pitchers, Mike Trout and Bryce Harper , major and minor leaguers swappi...
Aug 23, 2024•1 hr 54 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the stretch run, the “championship season,” the surprising solidity of the playoff picture, and how the playoff field could change before the end of the season. They also discuss the turnarounds of Jeff McNeil and Corbin Carroll , the return on the Rangers’ pitching blueprint, and whether A’s fans should consider supporting other MLB teams. Then (1:02:30) they Stat Blast about hitters who hogged pitches in an inning, Kris Bryant ’s Colorado decline, and ...
Aug 22, 2024•1 hr 49 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether the custom-painted bats featured during Players’ Weekend should be usable all season, Alex Verdugo’ s batting-glove allergy, Rich Hill ’s predictable-yet-curious choice of team, where the Rookie of the Year races stand, how the Pirates should handle Paul Skenes down the stretch, the magnitude of the Skenes Day attendance boost, the active player who possibly best embodies replacement level, a (slightly) better proposal to promote pitcher’s duels,...
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr 48 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the White Sox walking Juan Soto to face Aaron Judge , how Judge’s season could’ve been even better , the world’s untapped baseball talent, Shohei Ohtani ’s run at a 50-50 season, ways to discourage intentional walks, a proposal to mandate six-inning outings for starting pitchers, a changing of the guard atop the FanGraphs farm system rankings, the extraordinary defense of Austin Hedges , and the nature vs. nurture debate about MLB fathers and sons. Then ...
Aug 16, 2024•1 hr 46 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about how Jorge López has done since his release from the Mets, Juan Soto ‘s underrated dominance, George Springer ’s post-replay rage, whether the Rangers are a candidate for Angels-esque August waiver shenanigans, whether Dodgers pitchers are particularly prone to Tommy John surgeries, and the divisive value of Salvador Perez . Then (41:56) they welcome high-school student Bailey Hall, who won an award for the best poster presentation at SABR 52, for a guest...
Aug 15, 2024•1 hr 16 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the 30th anniversary of the 1994 strike and how nice it is not to have the season end in August, the unusual extension of Victor Robles , Tanner Rainey , Patrick Corbin , and the remnants of the 2019 Nationals, Will Wagner and whether the debuts of sons of big leaguers make us feel old partly because big leaguers have kids earlier than average, how MLB could accommodate the 2028 Olympics, changes in BBWAA awards voting patterns and the suddenly competiti...
Aug 14, 2024•1 hr 44 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the appeal of deflected balls caught on the fly, the lack of variety in MLB.TV highlights, Aaron Judge ’s bases-empty intentional walks, the Braves falling out of playoff position (for now), and the surprising team with a trio of young, above-average, qualified hitters. Then (40:44) they rank the types of baseball versatility and Stat Blast (56:18) about the decline of switch-hitting, Maury Wills and switch-hitter slumps, how often managers are fired fol...
Aug 10, 2024•1 hr 51 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the White Sox and the etiquette and timing of firing the manager of one of the worst teams of all time, Logan O’Hoppe and performance anxiety, Brusdar Graterol and the most demoralizing kind of injury, the return of Anthony Gose , next season’s scheduled game at Bristol Motor Speedway, other unorthodox potential locations for MLB games, and why baseball fields are deepest in center, Aroldis Chapman’ s freakish velocity and durability, Craig Kimbrel , Gra...
Aug 09, 2024•1 hr 26 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Jesús Sánchez and the (perhaps) surprising longest-homer hitters of the Statcast era, the hot hitting of Victor Robles , Vladimir Guerrero Jr. , and Tyler Fitzgerald , the competitive race for the (nonexistent) utility player of the year award, what lessons should be learned from the 2024 Padres’ clutchness correction, whether the Guardians have a clutchness correction coming too, whether we could have seen this White Sox season coming (and the mood of M...
Aug 07, 2024•1 hr 31 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Mike Trout ’s latest season-ending injury, the Orioles’ latest top-prospect promotion, and a tweak to the postseason schedule, and answer listener emails (24:20) about ex-player umpires, eavesdropping on pitchers’ thoughts between pitches, whether and how they’d reintroduce baseball to a world without it, awarding belts or trophies for team rivalries, the viability of a pitcher who can’t field, how a player could win MVP in both leagues in the same seaso...
Aug 03, 2024•1 hr 40 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the end of a historic Clayton Kershaw streak, pitcher errors and unearned runs, the lack of top prospects traded at the deadline, the short-handed Marlins vs. the stripped-down Rays, the latest sign of the White Sox apocalypse, the resurgent Blake Snell , Brett Phillips the full-time pitcher, and whether the percentage of pulled homers is increasing. Then (52:11) they talk to Sports Reference software developer (and primary developer of Baseball-Referenc...
Aug 02, 2024•1 hr 34 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley recap the 2024 MLB trade deadline, discussing their big-picture takeaways, breaking down individual deals they found impressive, surprising, or perplexing, and examining the actions of the teams that drove the deadline by adding or subtracting, and the inaction of teams that didn’t do much. Audio intro : Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “ Effectively Wild Theme (Horny) ” Audio outro : Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Link to FG deadline ...
Jul 31, 2024
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and Ben Clemens break down the Randy Arozarena , A.J. Puk , James Paxton , and Austin Hays trades (plus real-time reactions to the Yimi García and Zach Eflin deals), Stat Blast (29:21) about the most WAR ever dealt at a trade deadline, banter (54:45) about Garrett Crochet ’s extension desire and the MVP cases of Francisco Lindor and Bobby Witt Jr. (and Witt’s/the Royals’ home-road splits), and discuss (1:12:27) the toughest calls, biggest snubs, and process changes in ...
Jul 27, 2024•1 hr 59 min
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Mason Miller’ s hand fracture, the extremely slow pitches of Ildemaro Vargas , a Dylan Cease no-hitter, the punchless Mariners, the impending return of Rich Hill , what the teams with the toughest decisions at the trade deadline should do, updates on Clayton Kershaw (good!) and Mike Trout (not good!), Christian Yelich’ s back, the ageless Carlos Santana , Juan Yepez as the new Joey Meneses , follow-ups on Aaron Judge ’s zone rate and Oneil Cruz , a CBA c...
Jul 26, 2024•1 hr 58 min
