Podcast
Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast
Hosted by Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley · EN
Daily baseball statistical analysis and commentary
179episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Effectively Wild Episode 2458: The Opening Day Debutant (Base)ball
Mar 2800:21:38Summary readyThis 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 Hoerner and Shane Baz extensions, baseball movies being back (thanks to Tom Hanks), and more, plus a Stat Blast (1:28:40) about Black Ink streaks and a postscript (1:37:14) featuring a follow-up and a few bonus Blasts. Audio intro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to freemium model announcement Link to written explanation Link to 2026 new debuts Link to RE24 query Link to 2026 RE24 players Link to 1914 RE24 players Link to 1938 RE24 players Link to 1950 RE24 players Link to RE24 glossary Link to B-Ref RE24 leaders Link to total bases query Link to 2026 TB players Link to 1938 TB players Link to 1.000 OPS query Link to 2026 1.000 OPS players Link to 1901 1.000 OPS players Link to 1938 1.000 OPS players Link to Dick Crutcher bio Link to Baumann on the rookies Link to “Baseball’s Sad Lexicon” Link to first White Sox game Link to Marchand on the Netflix game Link to Bonds story Link to Bonds at Rickwood game Link to 180-degree rule Link to FG post on Skenes Link to Ben on the Pirates and A’s Link to Pirates HR celebration Link to Benge on the bird Link to Freeman post 1 Link to Freeman post 2 Link to Stark post Link to Sam post Link to Phillies home closers query Link to Phillies road closers query Link to Phillies OD home games Link to Phillies OD road games Link to home OD saves by team Link to Kruk comment Link to Tango on location uncertainty Link to Petriello on catcher challenges Link to Ben’s catcher research Link to MLBTR on Hoerner Link to MLBTR on Baz Link to upcoming FA class Link to Hanks movie announcement Link to Hanks typewriter collection Link to Night Swim wiki Link to Caught Stealing wiki Link to Eephus EW interview Link to Ben on Rogue One and Andor <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Black_Ink" rel="...
SummaryEffectively Wild Episode 2457: The 2026 Team Fun Draft
Mar 2601:54:28Summary readyBen 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 dilemma Link to Ben on the challenge system Link to Ben on the labor situation Link to champing/chomping Link to Rogers tattoo story Link to Langs Giants stat Link to pod duration calculator Link to Adames challenge reaction Link to EWStats site Link to freemium model announcement Link to written explanation 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
SummaryEffectively Wild Episode 2456: The Hierarchy of Power in the MLB Universe is About to Change
Mar 2501:57:14Summary readyBen 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 non-called shot, plus NPB “ghost wins”), how Ben’s anti on-field-front-office-meddling rant resonated with readers, why Kevin McGonigle and JJ Wetherholt made Opening Day rosters and Konnor Griffin (and John Brebbia) didn’t, Pete Crow-Armstrong and Cristopher Sánchez extensions, and how politicians should talk about sports fandom if they want to sound authentic. Audio intro: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Daniel Leckie, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to “hierarchy of power” supercut Link to Arozarena statement Link to freemium model announcement Link to written explanation Link to EWStats site Link to espresso auction Link to Jac jersey auction Link to WBC TV ratings Link to Rosenthal comments Link to Webb quote Link to Acuña quote Link to Kay comments Link to McLean/Holmes story Link to NPB “ghost win” story Link to NPB “ghost win” tweet Link to NHL overtime rules Link to Ben on front-office meddling Link to Ben on the foul lines Link to The Athletic on Griffin Link to Pirates hitter projections Link to MLBTR on Brebbia Link to FG post on PCA Link to profane PCA profile Link to FG post on Sánchez Link to FG post on Strider Link to Mamdani quote Link to Adams cap Link to de Blasio cap Link to Hillary caps story 1 Link to Hillary caps story 1 Link to “trash revolution” story Link to HUAL on Mamdani Link to statue prizes Link to MLFAD picks Link to Meg on HUAL Link to observer effect wiki Link to four playoff teams article Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="" height="18" src="ht...
SummaryEffectively Wild is Going Freemium
Mar 2400:28:49Summary readyBen 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 Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed YouTube Playlist Facebook Group Bluesky Account Twitter Account Get Our Merch! var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source
SummaryEffectively Wild Episode 2455: The 2026 Preseason Predictions Game
Mar 2002:07:48Summary readyBen Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs authors Michael Baumann and Ben Clemens (accompanied by podcast scorekeeper Chris Hanel) play “College Baseball Player or Driver in a Formula 1 Support Series” (5:07), banter about an auction for Team Italy’s WBC espresso machine (10:09), explain the fourth annual preseason predictions game (19:20), and then make 10 bold predictions apiece (22:20) about baseball in 2026, to be voted on by listeners. Audio intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Horny)” Audio outro: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to vote on predictions Link to preseason predictions game wiki Link to Anton’s mash-up song Link to original song Link to EW Episode 2383 Link to “College Baseball Player or” games Link to Baumann on Herta Link to espresso machine auction Link to other Team Italy items Link to Ohtani Cy Young story Link to Ohtani email episode Link to Sam on Gsellman Link to For All Mankind Link to FG playoff odds Link to Artemis II story Link to Perry/moon landing story Link to Neckzilla Link to Schulte’s SABR bio Link to Manfred/Harper/DeRosa story Link to AO3 Link to new managers story Link to team WAR projections Link to 2024 2B innings leaders Link to active postseason droughts Link to 2025 Royals WAR leaders Link to Garcia breakout comment Link to old-SP leaders Link to Quinn’s SABR bio Link to Verlander outing article Link to young, homegrown SP leaders Link to Pirates SP article Link to Baumann on Mlodzinski Link to MLB partnership announcement Link to MLB partnership announcement info 1 Link to MLB partnership announcement info 2 Link to MLB partnership announcement info 3 Link to vote on predictions (do it!) Sponsor Us on Patreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple Podcasts Feed Spotify Feed <img loading="lazy" decoding="async" hei...
SummaryEffectively Wild Episode 2454: Be All You Can WBC
Mar 1901:27:57Summary readyBen 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, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2” Link to Defector on Venezuela Link to Harper on the outcome Link to Posnanski on Team USA Link to Manfred on WBC timing Link to data on US-DR game Link to data on Perdomo take Link to Ben on fouling off pitches Link to Harper on the Olympics Link to McLean start story Link to top SP projections Link to USA anthem answers Link to DeRosa on SEAL speaker Link to Fox Rogers mix-up Link to Julio’s WBC quote Link to Judge’s WBC quote Link to Hernández’s WBC quote Link to Jeter on the WBC Link to DeRosa/López relievers story Link to next WBC timing Link to Ben on more WBCs Link to story on DeRosa’s future Link to Charbonnet play Link to Ben on “Strategy” 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
SummaryEffectively Wild Episode 2453: Season Preview Series: Dodgers and Rockies
Mar 1802:21:26Summary readyBen 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 ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX NLATLCHCARIMIACINCOLNYMMILLADPHIPITSDPWSNSTLSFG .intro-team, .intro-team td { font-family: lato, Arial, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 20px; } .intro-team .intro-header { /*display: none;*/ text-align: center; } .team-lg { text-align: center; width: 100%; } /* [class^="team-box-"] > div { display: inline-block; width: 48%; } [class^="team-box-"] > div table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; } [class^="team-box-"] > div td { background-color: #efefef; border: 1px solid #ccc; line-height: 2; text-align: center; cursor: default; } [class^="team-box-"] > div a { color: #000; text-decoration: none; display: block; width: 100% } [class^="team-box-"] > div a:hover { color: #50ae26; } [class^="team-box-"] > div a.link-inactive { color: #aaa; } */ Audio intro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 1: The Spaghettis, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 2: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Ward article 1 Link to Longenhagen on the new rules Link to Stark on the new rules Link to Stark on second base Link to disengagement rules Link to Bois on balks Link to team payrolls page Link to Dodgers offseason tracker Link to Dodgers depth chart Link to Baumann on Roki Link to Fabian on Roki Link to Dodgers first-rounders Link to field-sponsorship story Link to Fabian’s author archive Link to Rockies offseason tracker Link to Rockies depth chart <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=bat...
SummaryEffectively Wild Episode 2452: Season Preview Series: Braves and White Sox
Mar 1402:23:52Summary readyBen 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 ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX NLATLCHCARIMIACINCOLNYMMILLADPHIPITSDPWSNSTLSFG .intro-team, .intro-team td { font-family: lato, Arial, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 20px; } .intro-team .intro-header { /*display: none;*/ text-align: center; } .team-lg { text-align: center; width: 100%; } /* [class^="team-box-"] > div { display: inline-block; width: 48%; } [class^="team-box-"] > div table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; } [class^="team-box-"] > div td { background-color: #efefef; border: 1px solid #ccc; line-height: 2; text-align: center; cursor: default; } [class^="team-box-"] > div a { color: #000; text-decoration: none; display: block; width: 100% } [class^="team-box-"] > div a:hover { color: #50ae26; } [class^="team-box-"] > div a.link-inactive { color: #aaa; } */ Audio intro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 1: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 2: Harold Walker, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Ward article 1 Link to Ward article 2 Link to Ward video Link to Adebayo article 1 Link to Adebayo article 2 Link to Adebayo article 3 Link to Adebayo article 4 Link to SGA record article Link to Adebayo Facebook thread Link to stream Paradise Link to Paradise clip Link to Ben on the Castellanos meme Link to Minor’s 200th K article Link to Minor’s 200th K video Link to team payrolls page <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/roster-resource/offseason-tracker/braves?transactiontype=&teamc...
SummaryEffectively Wild Episode 2451: Season Preview Series: Phillies and Angels
Mar 1302:16:05Summary readyBen 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 ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX NLATLCHCARIMIACINCOLNYMMILLADPHIPITSDPWSNSTLSFG .intro-team, .intro-team td { font-family: lato, Arial, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 20px; } .intro-team .intro-header { /*display: none;*/ text-align: center; } .team-lg { text-align: center; width: 100%; } /* [class^="team-box-"] > div { display: inline-block; width: 48%; } [class^="team-box-"] > div table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; } [class^="team-box-"] > div td { background-color: #efefef; border: 1px solid #ccc; line-height: 2; text-align: center; cursor: default; } [class^="team-box-"] > div a { color: #000; text-decoration: none; display: block; width: 100% } [class^="team-box-"] > div a:hover { color: #50ae26; } [class^="team-box-"] > div a.link-inactive { color: #aaa; } */ Audio intro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 1: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 2: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)” Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to WBC standings Link to WBC bracket Link to “caffeine and kisses” story Link to Pasquantino homers Link to “beaned up” article Link to “beaned up” clip Link to DeRosa clip 1 Link to DeRosa clip 2 Link to DeRosa clip 3 Link to latest DeRosa comments Link to clip removal Link to article on DeRosa’s mistake Link to Ghiroli on DeRosa Link to Rosenthal on DeRosa 1 Link to Rosenthal on DeRosa 2 Link to article on DeRosa/Harper <a href="htt...
SummaryEffectively Wild Episode 2450: Season Preview Series: Mets and Nationals
Mar 1102:35:14Summary readyBen 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 the 2026 Washington Nationals (1:40:27) with The Athletic’s Spencer Nusbaum, plus several postscript updates (2:27:10). 2026 EW Season Preview Series ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX NLATLCHCARIMIACINCOLNYMMILLADPHIPITSDPWSNSTLSFG .intro-team, .intro-team td { font-family: lato, Arial, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 20px; } .intro-team .intro-header { /*display: none;*/ text-align: center; } .team-lg { text-align: center; width: 100%; } /* [class^="team-box-"] > div { display: inline-block; width: 48%; } [class^="team-box-"] > div table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; } [class^="team-box-"] > div td { background-color: #efefef; border: 1px solid #ccc; line-height: 2; text-align: center; cursor: default; } [class^="team-box-"] > div a { color: #000; text-decoration: none; display: block; width: 100% } [class^="team-box-"] > div a:hover { color: #50ae26; } [class^="team-box-"] > div a.link-inactive { color: #aaa; } */ Audio intro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 1: Ian Philllips, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio interstitial 2: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to espresso shots Link to WBC standings Link to Skubal update Link to handshake beef summary Link to handshake beef precedent Link to video of failed handshake Link to Arozarena’s comments Link to translation Link to De Rosa response Link to Raleigh response Link to Soto homer Link to “walk-off” etymology Link to baseball dictionary definition<b...
Summary