Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

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

Daily baseball statistical analysis and commentary

  1. 2d ago

    Effectively Wild Episode 2515: All Fun and Games

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the long-in-the-making major league debut of gravity-defying, strikeout-celebrating reliever Jefry Yan, Steven Kwan’s resurgence, a lineup with lots of Juniors, a scooter celebration, a double FARTBAT, Luis Arraez abandoning home plate, MLB players’ low-stakes conspiracies, a head-to-head MVP battle, the Mets’ Francisco Lindor–Juan Soto drama, the A’s firing David Forst, a pitcher plate appearance, and more. Then (1:02:46) Ben brings on YouTubers Noah Campbell (aka SOFTDRINKTV) and Taylor McNelis (aka WildLion Games) to discuss the decline in the quantity and quality of sports video games, how well baseball lends itself to gaming, the golden age of baseball video games, and whether a few new challengers might endanger MLB The Show’s dominance. Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)” Audio interstitial: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Reddit post on Yan Link to first Yan episode Link to second Yan episode Link to Yan debut story Link to Yan debut video Link to Yan leap on single Link to Guardians’ Yan mockery Link to MLBTR on Brebbia Link to Brebbia’s second EW appearance Link to previous Kwan chat Link to Kwan leaderboard Link to Kwan pillow quote Link to sports nepo babies article Link to article on baseball nepo babies Link to Ryan HoF page Link to Giants scooter celly Link to Arraez abandonment Link to @ScoringChanges explanation Link to Marlins misplay Link to EW Episode 500 Link to PCA comments Link to Saucedo comments Link to Ottavino comments Link to PCA vs. Ohtani game Link to Peralta/Lindor/Soto report Link to 2025 Yankees bullpen blowup Link to Lindor/McNeil article Link to MLBTR on Forst Link to Mikolas PA article Link to Nusbaum tweet Link to Button Mash Link to The Ringer-Verse Link to SOFTDRINKTV on YouTube Link to WildLion Games on YouTube Link to Paine on sports games 1 Link to Paine on sports games 2 Link to Jabroni Baseball video Link to EA buyout Link to EA layoffs report Link to EA layoffs report Link to College Football microtransactions Link to Ben on MVP Baseball 2005 Link to Noah on MVP Baseball 2005 Link to Super Mega Baseball 4 article Link to Metalhead on EW 1 Link to Metalhead on EW 2 Link to Taylor on SMB4 roster updates Link to Taylor’s SMB4 review Link to Zach Kram on Backyard Baseball Link to Backyard Baseball comeback article Link to Backyard Baseball wiki Link to Taylor’s Backyard Baseball review Link to Noah on MLB Power Pros Link to Indoor Baseball Link to Noah on Indoor Baseball Link to Noah on MVP 06: NCAA Baseball Link to Noah’s MLB The Show 26 review Link to Taylor’s MLB The Show 26 review Link to Power Pros wiki Link to Professional Baseball Spirits wiki Link to article about eBaseball Pro Spirit 2026 Link to Noah on eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT Link to eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 on PS5 Link to Noah on eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 news Link to Noah’s eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 review Link to Taylor’s eBaseball: PRO SPIRIT 2026 review  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. 5d ago

    Effectively Wild Episode 2514: The Deadline, From Adell to Zeferjahn

    After talking Tarik Skubal and a few other early acquisitions in the preceding pod, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley recap the rest of the trade deadline in detail, from Adell to Zeferjahn (with many non-ex-Angels in between): the biggest surprises, the winners and losers, and the various reminders that life comes at you fast. Audio intro: Garrett Krohn, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Skubal trade EW discussion Link to Ben on the Skubal trade Link to Andy M. on the Brewers and Skubal Link to Brewers “we tried” article 1 Link to Brewers “we tried” article 2 Link to Hogg post Link to Roberts quote Link to Skubal quote Link to Dodgers super-rotation post Link to SP RoS projections Link to SP depth charts Link to Trueblood on the Brewers Link to mlb.com trade tracker Link to FG trade post round-up Link to FG winners/losers post Link to Ben on Spider-Man Link to Baumann’s Rockies headline Link to Wade/Ward wiki Link to Brebbia news Link to Harper OF move Link to May monthly award winners Link to Toboni comments Link to Elias comments Link to ZiPS deadline breakdown Link to Kostka tweet Link to FG farm rankings Link to “subtle” oblique strain Link to Lombard call-up Link to Lombard dinger Link to white flag trade Link to Law on Mayer Link to Partners INW Link to wildfire response fund Link to fire relief fund Link to Red Cross donation site  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. Aug 3

    Effectively Wild Episode 2513: Abandon Zyhir Hope, All Ye Who Enter Here

    Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley break down the Dodgers’ trade for Tarik Skubal from multiple angles: the Tigers’ return, expectations for Skubal and the Dodgers, why other teams let the trade happen, and the significance for the sport. Then they discuss a smattering of other moves (including deals for Freddy Peralta and Luis Castillo) before closing banter about a shampoo disclosure in the Baltimore booth. Audio intro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Ben on the Skubal trade Link to Other Ben on the Skubal trade Link to Longenhagen on the Skubal trade Link to Sheehan on the Skubal trade Link to Paine on the Skubal trade Link to Dodgers discourse article Link to Friedman quote Link to FG’s pre-deadline top 100 Link to SP RoS projections Link to Baumann on the Brewers/Rays Link to FG playoff odds Link to San Andreas meme Link to payroll/winning correlation Link to more on payroll/winning correlation Link to Rosenthal column Link to Dodgers playoff improvement Link to BP on competitive balance Link to Sheehan on rentals Link to Clemens on rentals Link to Paine on deadline impact Link to Cooper on prospect trades Link to FG farm rankings Link to FG on the Peralta trade Link to MLBTR on the Castillo trade Link to FG on the Twins trade Link to FG on the Brewers/Guardians trade Link to FG on the Atlanta/KC trade Link to MLBTR on the Doval trade Link to Paine on everybody being a buyer Link to “C’mon, do something” meme Link to Queens vs. Heights gamer Link to The West Wing scene  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. Aug 1

    Effectively Wild Episode 2512: The Superhero Baseball Draft

    This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon. Ben Lindbergh brings on baseball-loving comic-book experts David Harper (of SKTCHD and Off Panel: A Comics Interview Podcast) and Tiffany Babb (of The Comics Courier, The Comics Staple, The Fan Files, and Interesting Jobs the Podcast) to assemble superpowered baseball teams. First they banter about Harrison Bader’s scooter troubles and David’s and Tiffany’s baseball/comic-book backgrounds, trade-deadline desires, and favorite baseball/comics crossovers. Then (37:20) they take turns filling out rosters from the ranks of Marvel/DC superheroes. Audio intro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Bader article 1 Link to Bader article 2 Link to Bader article 3 Link to another Bader report Link to 2014 Bader incident Link to Bumgarner story Link to Kent injury story 1 Link to Kent injury story 2 Link to Giants vehicular injuries Link to Bader suspension article Link to MLBTR on Bader’s suspension Link to Shanahan injury article Link to Midnight Sun Game Link to Midnight Sons wiki Link to Brand New Day box office Link to The Death of Superman wiki Link to Goldman on power levels Link to Granillo on baseball and supes 1 Link to Granillo on baseball and supes 2 Link to Granillo on baseball and supes 3 Link to superhero strength scale wiki Link to Peanuts podcast episode Link to Joe Shlabotnik wiki Link to Peanuts baseball analysis Link to FG on the Angels/Rangers trade Link to MLBTR on the Minter trade Link to West Coast Avengers Annual #2 Link to Bullseye bio Link to David’s Eisner acceptance speech Link to Eisner Awards wiki Link to SKTCHD Link to Off Panel Link to SKTCHD draft post Link to SKTCHD HoF post Link to SKTCHD Avengers post Link to Tiffany’s website Link to The Comics Courier Link to The Comics Staple Link to Interesting Jobs the Podcast Link to The Fan Files Link to The Fan Files Insta videos Link to The Fan Files TikTok videos Link to SI on baseball and superheroes 1 Link to SI on baseball and superheroes 2 Link to Clemens home run video Link to Clemens home run article Link to Clemens fun facts thread Link to ultimate grand slam 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

  5. Jul 31

    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

  6. Jul 28

    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

  7. Jul 25

    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

  8. 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

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