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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Jorge Soler charging the mound against Reynaldo López and whether a team could dupe an opposing ace into getting ejected, Konnor Griffin ’s extension becoming official, whether Jose Altuve is benefiting from the reshaped strike zone, a wave of MLB injuries, teams whose playoff odds have changed the most in the first two weeks of the season, Tony Vitello’s PR performance, the debut of brimless hats, a few follow-ups, and more. Audio intro : Cory Brent, “ ...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Carter Jensen’ s several (inadequate) alarms and why big leaguers don’t oversleep more often, Artemis II, Daniel Susac as the sequel to Andrew Susac , the timing of Konnor Griffin’ s call-up, the many ways to marvel at (and value) Jo Adell ’s home-run-robbery spree, Patrick Corbin the Blue Jay, a quintessentially 2026 half-inning, and follow-up emails, plus (1:40:47) a postscript featuring an Afterball by Ben about national announcer stats. Audio intro :...
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon . Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about rookie batters’ blistering start to the season, then Stat Blast (10:15) about how long it typically takes for there to be no remaining teams that are winless or undefeated (or both), the latest a team won or lost by a margin that matched its record, and the seasons that featured the most Hall of Famers (at all, and in their primes). Then they talk to three listeners who cr...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Joey Wiemer , Colt Emerson ’s contract, the concept of “sticking at shortstop,” and pre-arbitration (and pre-debut) extension trends, then (29:11) answer listener emails about A.J. Preller trading himself, Harrison Bader and the press conference threshold, plotting to prevent a switch-hitter from batting from both sides, no-selling a World Series ring ceremony, giveaway promotions at every game, a Craig Kimbrel PitchCom hypothesis, the top five MLB owner...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Mike Trout’ s hot start, Dub Gleed’ s (nick)name, the challenge system as a mainstream sensation, several tactical considerations, listener emails, premature conclusions, and pedantic points after a weekend’s worth of ABS action, Munetaka Murakami ’s early slugging, a Brewers call-up and extension, NBC’s broadcast crews, and more, plus a few follow-ups. Audio intro : Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Audio outro : Guy Russo, “ ...
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon . Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the pleasures of and precedents for the historic rookie performances on Opening Day, the pains of Netflix’s Opening Night broadcast, an Opening Day disaster for Paul Skenes , Oneil Cruz , and a bird near Carson Benge , Freddie Freeman ’s gameday fit, a perplexing (un?)fun fact about the Phillies and Jhoan Duran , why players don’t always challenge when they “should,” Nico ...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the number of Opening Days/Nights at the start of the regular-season schedule and how long they think the challenge system will last, review some of their favorite offseason transactions, and do their annual draft of all 30 MLB teams in order of how fun they’ll be to follow this season. Audio intro : The Spaghettis, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Audio outro : Jimmy Kramer, “ Effectively Wild Theme ” Link to Craig on Opening Days/Nights Link to broadcast dil...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Randy Arozarena making up with Cal Raleigh , the response to their announcement of the podcast’s new freemium model , whether they would try to issue the official first ball/strike challenge in MLB history, the challenge system vs. the pitch clock, several straggling WBC topics (the Team Italy espresso machine auction results, great TV ratings, a Team USA strawman, reframing the hierarchy of high-level baseball competition, projecting future WBCs, and a ...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley announce a new freemium model for the podcast: From now on, one of their three episodes a week will be available only to Patreon supporters . In this PSA, they lay out their reasons for making the change and explain how it will work. You can also read a written explanation here . Link to subscribe via Patreon Link to written announcement Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki App...
Ben, Meg, Michael Baumann, and Ben Clemens gather for their fourth annual preseason predictions game, making ten bold forecasts each about the 2026 MLB season. Topics include individual player achievements, surprising team outcomes, managerial changes, and even a unique fanfiction prediction, alongside a fun pre-game and discussion on Team Italy's espresso machine auction. Listeners are invited to vote on the likelihood of these predictions and participate in the scoring.
Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs contributor Kiri Oler wrap up the World Baseball Classic, covering Venezuela’s triumph, Team USA’s slump and vibes, and the overall success of the tournament, plus thoughts on Mark DeRosa’s managing and Team USA’s future, the semifinal matchups, the bad calls against the Dominican Republic, the challenge system and pitches that are “too close to take,” the WBC vs. the World Series, when the next WBC should be, and much more. Audio intro : El Warren, “ Eff...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about MLB’s new experimental minor league rules, and the potential downsides of trying to skip straight to a desired on-field result, then complete the 14th annual season preview series by previewing the 2026 Los Angeles Dodgers (35:35) with The Athletic ’s Fabian Ardaya , and the 2026 Colorado Rockies (1:30:13) with Rockies Insider’s Patrick Lyons . 2026 EW Season Preview Series AL BAL CHW ATH BOS CLE HOU NYY DET LAA TBR KCR SEA TOR MIN TEX NL ATL CHC ARI MIA...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about speedster Braiden Ward’ s record spring, whether there’s a baseball equivalent of Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game, and Paradise being a baseball show, then preview the 2026 Atlanta Braves (38:00) with From the Diamond’s Grant McAuley , and the 2026 Chicago White Sox (1:29:45) with Sox Machine’s James Fegan . 2026 EW Season Preview Series AL BAL CHW ATH BOS CLE HOU NYY DET LAA TBR KCR SEA TOR MIN TEX NL ATL CHC ARI MIA CIN COL NYM MIL LAD PHI PIT SDP WSN STL ...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Team Italy’s triumphs (and good vibes) at the WBC, a tumultuous week for Team USA and Mark DeRosa, and where the tournament stands entering the quarterfinals, then preview the 2026 Philadelphia Phillies (39:21) with The Athletic ’s Matt Gelb , and the 2026 Los Angeles Angels (1:21:00) with The Athletic’ s Sam Blum , plus a postscript (2:09:08). 2026 EW Season Preview Series AL BAL CHW ATH BOS CLE HOU NYY DET LAA TBR KCR SEA TOR MIN TEX NL ATL CHC ARI MIA...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Cal Raleigh , Randy Arozarena , and WBC handshake etiquette, whether a mercy-rule-inducing dinger qualifies as a walk-off, whether a winning home team could voluntarily play the bottom of the ninth, MLB’s ban of the Brewers’ challenge-system system, why the MLBPA should defend Jurickson Profar and other players with positive PED tests, and Joe Sewell’ s indestructible bat, then preview the 2026 New York Mets (56:35) with The Athletic ’s Tim Britton , and...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a Shohei Ohtani survey, early WBC action, Andrew McCutchen’ s new team, Payton Tolle’ s triple-digits t-shirt, ABS-driven changes to Alex Bregman’ s and Bo Naylor ’s listed heights, wonky player cards, why teams start spring training days so early, Dodgers pitching problems, and the prevalence of inventive slides, then preview the 2026 Seattle Mariners (50:22) with The Seattle Times’ Ryan Divish , and the 2026 Miami Marlins (1:34:43) with MLB.com’s Chris...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Team USA’s pre-WBC warm-up games, follow up on spring training ballpark naming rights, and discuss Jurickson Profar’ s second PED suspension in as many seasons, then preview the 2026 New York Yankees (20:07) with The New York Daily News’ Gary Phillips , and the 2026 St. Louis Cardinals (59:53) with The St. Louis Post-Dispatch ’s Derrick Goold . 2026 EW Season Preview Series AL BAL CHW ATH BOS CLE HOU NYY DET LAA TBR KCR SEA TOR MIN TEX NL ATL CHC ARI MIA...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about corporate naming rights of spring training ballparks vs. MLB parks, and potential unwritten rules surrounding the challenge system, then (47:03) preview the World Baseball Classic with MLB.com’s Michael Clair , touching on the big and unsung stories of the WBC, whether the interest level will increase again, how often the WBC should be held, and more, as well as Michael’s WBC-inspired book, We Sacrifice Everything to Baseball . Audio intro : Ted O., “ Ef...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Mets pitching prospect Ryan Lambert’ s consumption of copious quantities of raw eggs, then preview the 2026 Chicago Cubs (27:15) with The Athletic’ s Sahadev Sharma , and the 2026 Cleveland Guardians (1:17:46) with The Athletic ’s Zack Meisel , plus a postscript. 2026 EW Season Preview Series AL BAL CHW ATH BOS CLE HOU NYY DET LAA TBR KCR SEA TOR MIN TEX NL ATL CHC ARI MIA CIN COL NYM MIL LAD PHI PIT SDP WSN STL SFG Audio intro : Grant Brisbee, “ Effecti...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Konnor Griffin’ s openness to an extension with the Pirates and a weird Wilyer Abreu check-swing broken bat, then preview the 2026 Boston Red Sox (20:00) with The Boston Globe’ s Alex Speier , and the 2026 Cincinnati Reds (1:08:36) with The Athletic ’s C. Trent Rosecrans . 2026 EW Season Preview Series AL BAL CHW ATH BOS CLE HOU NYY DET LAA TBR KCR SEA TOR MIN TEX NL ATL CHC ARI MIA CIN COL NYM MIL LAD PHI PIT SDP WSN STL SFG Audio intro : Kite Person, “...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a player with legs like a centaur, a knuckleballer’s sore subject, Arte Moreno’s thoughts on whether winning matters to fans, a response from the barback who gave free drinks to a fellow listener, and a new perspective on Tony Clark’s reportedly inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law. Then (45:17) they talk to Maxfield Lane and Owen Riley of Oyster Analytics about the challenge system’s tactical considerations and when it does and doesn’t make...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a video of Brandon Marsh’ s hair-wetting, the Phillies’ latest therapy, the Red Sox “home whites” non-disparagement saga, a former team exec’s proposals to promote competitive balance, and the best candidates among MLB players to pit against each other in a “Who ya got?” debate, then preview the 2026 Toronto Blue Jays (55:43) with The Athletic ’s Mitch Bannon , and the 2026 Tampa Bay Rays (1:42:53) with MLB.com’s Adam Berry . 2026 EW Season Preview Serie...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a generous podcast listener, Bruce Meyer’s elevation to interim executive director of the MLBPA, his framing of the sport’s competitive challenges, media messaging vis-à-vis the owners’ and players’ potential responsibility for missed games in 2027, and the creep of pitch-calling from the dugout, then preview the 2026 Detroit Tigers (53:35) with The Athletic ’s Cody Stavenhagen , and the 2026 Athletics (1:31:28) with A’s on SI’s Jason Burke . 2026 EW Sea...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about recent signings and injuries pertaining to teams whose seasons they’ve recently previewed, the Diamondbacks re-signing Zac Gallen and the thrilling resolution of the free-agent-contract over/under draft, the winter of Bryce Harper’ s discontent, Harper and Manny Machado’ s comments about the Dodgers’ spending, Max Muncy’ s extension, the worsening of the allegations against Emmanuel Clase , new details about the challenge system, Mike Trout ’s impending ...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about hamate fractures and other deflating spring training injury announcements, Zack Wheeler’ s preserved rib, Chris Getz and Luisangel Acuña , a profusion of salary cap coverage, and more, and then preview the 2026 Baltimore Orioles (38:50) with The Baltimore Banner ’s Andy Kostka , and the 2026 San Diego Padres (1:27:28) with MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell . 2026 EW Season Preview Series AL BAL CHW ATH BOS CLE HOU NYY DET LAA TBR KCR SEA TOR MIN TEX NL ATL CHC ARI ...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about new (and encouraging) details about MLB.TV registration, Justin Verlander returning to the Tigers, the rites of spring training, and the Rafael Devers trade in retrospect, before previewing the 2026 Milwaukee Brewers (20:50) with The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ’s Curt Hogg , and the 2026 Texas Rangers (1:08:28) with MLB.com’s Kennedi Landry . 2026 EW Season Preview Series AL BAL CHW ATH BOS CLE HOU NYY DET LAA TBR KCR SEA TOR MIN TEX NL ATL CHC ARI MIA C...
Meg Rowley shares her euphoric reaction to the Seahawks’ Super Bowl win, while Ben Lindbergh largely listens and occasionally interjects with bits of baseball commentary. Then (29:14) they discuss Buck Martinez’ s retirement, Terrance Gore’ s untimely death, and a purported catching super-prospect, before previewing the 2026 Pittsburgh Pirates (44:23) with Roundtable Sports’ John Perrotto , and the 2026 Minnesota Twins (1:25:07) with The Athletic ’s Aaron Gleeman . 2026 EW Season Preview Series ...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the new, ESPN-ified process for signing up for MLB.TV, Stat Blast (12:28) about the long-sought, newfound pitching prowess of the WBC’s Team USA superteam, and then (34:31) preview the 2026 San Francisco Giants with The Athletic’ s Grant Brisbee , and the 2026 Kansas City Royals (1:20:20) with MLB.com’s Anne Rogers . 2026 EW Season Preview Series AL BAL CHW ATH BOS CLE HOU NYY DET LAA TBR KCR SEA TOR MIN TEX NL ATL CHC ARI MIA CIN COL NYM MIL LAD PHI PIT...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about MLB player chatbots, an Addison Barger giveaway, Tarik Skubal’ s big arbitration win, the Tigers signing Framber Valdez , and a rough week for sports media, then (36:29) begin the 14th annual EW season preview series by discussing the 2026 Houston Astros with The Athletic’ s Chandler Rome , and the 2026 Arizona Diamondbacks (1:25:35) with The Arizona Republic ’s Nick Piecoro , followed (1:54:53) by a postscript. 2026 EW Season Preview Series AL BAL CHW A...
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about MLB owners avoiding the Epstein files, preview the season preview series, bemoan the insurance issues preventing some stars from playing in the WBC, and break down the Luis Arraez and Eugenio Suárez signings, the Brendan Donovan trade, the latest White Sox moves, and their major takeaways from the release of the 2026 playoff odds. Then (1:22:00) Ben brings on historian Richard Hershberger to discuss the 150th anniversary of the National League’s founding...
