Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley
  • 4.7 (2.6K)
  • Baseball
  • Updated Semiweekly

Daily baseball statistical analysis and commentary

  1. 3h ago

    Effectively Wild Episode 2511: Will the WPBL Be a W?

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

  2. 3d ago

    Effectively Wild Episode 2510: The Desire to Acquire

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

  3. 5d ago

    Effectively Wild Episode 2509: Won’t Stand for It

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

  4. Jul 22

    Effectively Wild Episode 2508: Deadline Deliberations

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

  5. Jul 20

    Effectively Wild Episode 2507: Nothing Ventured, Nothing Named

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

  6. Jul 17

    Effectively Wild Episode 2506: All-Star Showers Bring Second-Half Flowers

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

  7. Jul 15

    Effectively Wild Episode 2505: Game Recognize (All-Star) Game

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

  8. Jul 14

    Effectively Wild Episode 2504: I Choo-Choo-Choose You

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

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