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 created brand-new apps/sites that enhance the experience of following the season: Tristan Rodman of Baseball Scores (28:00), Zach Gines of First Pitch (46:45), and Ezra Thompson of Play-O-Graph (1:09:30), followed by assorted updates (1:26:58).

Audio intro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to freemium model announcement
Link to written explanation
Link to checksum explainer
Link to seasonal rookie batting lines
Link to 2026 rookie batting line
Link to 2026 rookie pitching line
Link to Baumann on Painter
Link to Kepner on the rookies
Link to aging curve research 1
Link to aging curve research 2
Link to Ben on 2015 rookies
Link to Ben on 2015 youth
Link to Fernandez debut game
Link to two-homer-debuts query
Link to winless/undefeated teams data
Link to 1894 game
Link to 1911 game
Link to 1986 game
Link to 1993 game
Link to 1996 game
Link to 2000 game 1
Link to 2000 game 2
Link to HoFers data
Link to HoFers graph
Link to Frisch VC info
Link to listener emails database
Link to Baseball Scores site
Link to Tristan’s site
Link to The Gagnés theme 1
Link to The Gagnés theme 2
Link to @dril tweet
Link to Angell quote
Link to First Pitch site
Link to NERD scores
Link to B-Ref Stream Finder
Link to Skubal-Gallen gamer
Link to Play-O-Graph site
Link to playograph wiki
Link to FotMob
Link to Moneyball clip
Link to Grounds Crew Baseball site
Link to The Number Wall site
Link to “meme” origins
Link to Yates press conference
Link to Orioles tap-off
Link to Crawford walk-off story
Link to pre-Artemis II batted balls
Link to Artemis II launch story
Link to xkcd comic
Link to Bucknor play story
Link to Bucknor play video
Link to Bucknor injury story
Link to Ben on forgotten counts
Link to Bois on forgotten counts
Link to Retrosheet forgotten counts
Link to video of Smith PA
Link to Smith PA on Gameday
Link to Alvarez PA on Gameday
Link to Chris’s Reddit post

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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 owners, pitch-count limits in a World Series perfect game bid, technical fouls in baseball, the aesthetic appeal of platooning, and lifetime .500 franchises.

Audio intro: Garrett Krohn, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Baumann on Wiemer
Link to MLB.com on Wiemer
Link to FG combined WAR leaderboard
Link to “small sample” song
Link to Voros’ Law
Link to “WDJDD?” (short)
Link to “WDJDD?” (long)
Link to MLBTR on Emerson
Link to Nichols’ Law of Catcher Defense
Link to Passan tweet about Emerson
Link to FG post on Pratt
Link to Sam on extensions
Link to Bader story
Link to Seinfeld “sponge-worthy” clips
Link to Kiri on promotions
Link to “Things Fitting Perfectly Into Other Things”
Link to Meg on the baseball penalty box
Link to Diamondbacks bullpen story
Link to “Maddux” stat
Link to Ben on ex-player execs
Link to franchise W-L records
Link to listener emails database

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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, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to the other ABS
Link to Gleed trade story
Link to challenge system tweet 1
Link to challenge system tweet 2
Link to Ben on the challenge system
Link to Sam on the challenge system
Link to UmpScorecards data
Link to Rosenthal on the challenge system
Link to Passan on the challenge system
Link to ABS system wiki
Link to FG community blog
Link to Petriello on 2025 ABS data
Link to team ABS leaderboard
Link to ABS dashboard
Link to ABS player leaderboard
Link to Crizer on the challenge system
Link to debutant dingers query
Link to 2026 debutant dingers
Link to Murakami NPB analysis
Link to Murakami fun fact
Link to Reds Opening Days story
Link to Shelton ejection clip
Link to Bucknor story
Link to Bucknor challenges
Link to Bucknor scorecard
Link to Bucknor story
Link to Cora ejection
Link to ABS and manager ejections info 1
Link to ABS and manager ejections info 2
Link to ABS and manager ejections info 3
Link to Quero call-up info
Link to MLBTR on Pratt
Link to FG Brewers list
Link to Sam on check swings
Link to AP on Benetti
Link to MLBTR on Pratt
Link to listener emails database
Link to “burn the ships” wiki
Link to article about Syracuse team

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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 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
Link to Black Ink info
Link to Black Ink data 1
Link to Black Ink data 2
Link to Ben on Trout’s Black Ink
Link to blowout 1
Link to blowout 2
Link to blowout 3
Link to blowout 4
Link to blowout 5
Link to blowout 6
Link to blowout 7
Link to blowout 8
Link to Vinay’s data
Link to 1930 game
Link to Sam on record talent
Link to Davy on Mets basestealing
Link to Newsday on Mets basestealing
Link to story on Richardson and Riley
Link to listener emails database

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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 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

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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 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

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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

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Ben 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!)

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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, “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”

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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.

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
Link to Rockies team wRC+ by year
Link to article on Bryant’s back
Link to article on Vodnik’s family
Link to article on Vodnik at the WBC
Link to Brebbia on EW
Link to Patrick’s work

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