Archive for Effectively Wild

Effectively Wild Episode 2284: Season Preview Series: Astros and Cardinals

EWFI
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s new sound-dampening windows, listener defenses of MLB’s altered two-way-player rule, and the latest intolerable “breakout” pick, followed by Stat Blasts (15:49) about the teams with the most winless, non-lossless pitchers and the all-time past-their-prime/time-travel teams. Then they preview the 2025 Houston Astros (32:41) with The Athletic’s Chandler Rome, and the 2025 St. Louis Cardinals (1:25:07) with The Athletic’s Katie Woo.

Audio intro: Ted O., “Effectively Wild Theme
Audio interstitial 1: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme
Audio interstitial 2: Liz Panella, “Effectively Wild Theme
Audio outro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme

Link to windows explainer
Link to breakout push notification
Link to Ragans article
Link to late-2023 pitcher WAR
Link to Stathead results
Link to Kram’s Stat Blast
Link to 2005 payrolls
Link to Ryan’s Stat Blast data
Link to Michael’s Stat Blast data
Link to offseason spending
Link to FG payrolls page
Link to Astros depth chart
Link to Astros offseason tracker
Link to Chandler’s author archive
Link to Chandler’s podcast
Link to Cardinals depth chart
Link to Cardinals offseason tracker
Link to 2024 attendance change
Link to Katie’s author archive
Link to Katie’s podcast
Link to MLBTR on Ragans
Link to EW gift subscriptions

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Effectively Wild Episode 2283: Season Preview Series: Cubs and Giants

EWFI
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Red Sox signing Alex Bregman, the Padres signing Nick Pivetta, and Anthony Rendon’s latest long-term injury. Then they preview the 2025 Chicago Cubs (29:35) with The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma, and the 2025 San Francisco Giants (1:14:41) with The Athletic’s Grant Brisbee.

Audio intro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme
Audio interstitial 1: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme
Audio interstitial 2: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme
Audio outro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme

Link to FG post on Bregman
Link to MLBTR on Bregman
Link to over/under draft results
Link to MLBTR on Pivetta
Link to Blum on Rendon
Link to EW episode on Rendon
Link to Cubs depth chart
Link to Cubs offseason tracker
Link to offseason spending
Link to FG payrolls page
Link to Sahadev’s author archive
Link to Sahadev’s podcast
Link to Giants depth chart
Link to Giants offseason tracker
Link to 2014 Giants preview
Link to Grant’s author archive
Link to Grant’s podcast
Link to EW gift subscriptions

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Effectively Wild Episode 2282: Season Preview Series: Twins and Tigers

EWFI
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Rob Manfred’s Super Bowl cameo, the return of not-terrible uniforms, a new finding in the “familiarity vs. fatigue” debate about the times through the order effect, two more Dodgers signings, and an intriguingly timed alteration to the criteria for two-way-player classification. Then they preview the 2025 Minnesota Twins (46:06) with The Athletic’s Aaron Gleeman, and the 2025 Detroit Tigers (1:29:21) with The Athletic’s Cody Stavenhagen.

Audio intro: Josh Busman, “Effectively Wild Theme
Audio interstitial 1: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, “Effectively Wild Theme
Audio interstitial 2: Alex Ferrin, “Effectively Wild Theme
Audio outro: Philip Bergman, “Effectively Wild Theme

Link to Manfred clip
Link to Fielder meme
Link to uniforms article
Link to BP TTOP study
Link to previous TTOP research
Link to MLBTR on Kershaw
Link to FG on Hernández
Link to 2024 major league rules
Link to 2021 major league rules
Link to 2019 rule announcement
Link to 2020 press release
Link to 2021 press release
Link to current glossary entry
Link to archived entry
Link to Twins depth chart
Link to Twins offseason tracker
Link to offseason FA spending
Link to FG payrolls page
Link to A-Rod arb news
Link to RP projections
Link to 2024 RP WAR
Link to SP projections
Link to Aaron on France
Link to Aaron’s author archive
Link to Aaron’s podcast
Link to Tigers depth chart
Link to Tigers offseason tracker
Link to farm system ranking
Link to Cody’s author archive
Link to Cody’s podcast
Link to EW gift subscriptions

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Effectively Wild Episode 2281: Season Preview Series: Orioles and Royals

EWFI
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Dodgers’ overstuffed 2025 bobblehead lineup, Ippei Mizuhara’s sentencing, and the Angels’ tireless pursuit of players who were good several seasons ago. Then they preview the 2025 Baltimore Orioles (35:55) with the Baltimore Banner’s Danielle Allentuck, and the 2025 Kansas City Royals (1:08:21) with the Kansas City Star’s Jaylon Thompson.

Audio intro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme
Audio interstitial 1: Jonathan Crymes 2, “Effectively Wild Theme
Audio interstitial 2: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Pedantic)
Audio outro: Gabriel-Ernest, “Effectively Wild Theme

Link to Dodgers promotions
Link to Dodgers bobbleheads post
Link to past bobbleheads
Link to giveaway conditions
Link to bobblehead data
Link to Rockies bobblehead post
Link to Angels bobbleheads
Link to Ippei sentencing 1
Link to Ippei sentencing 2
Link to Knight thread
Link to Angels additions
Link to Ben on the Orioyals
Link to Orioles depth chart
Link to Orioles offseason tracker
Link to offseason FA spending
Link to FG on O’s spending
Link to Camden Chat on O’s spending
Link to Danielle’s author archive
Link to Royals depth chart
Link to Royals offseason tracker
Link to Dan S. on the Royals
Link to KC stadiums update
Link to Moore for governor news
Link to Jaylon’s author archive
Link to EW gift subscriptions

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Effectively Wild Episode 2280: Season Preview Series: Rays and Brewers

EWFI
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Mets re-signing Pete Alonso, the Twins signing Harrison Bader, and the compressed standings in the newly released FanGraphs and Baseball Prospectus playoff odds. Then they preview the 2025 Tampa Bay Rays (31:35) with MLB.com’s Adam Berry, and the 2025 Milwaukee Brewers (1:09:55) with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s Curt Hogg.

Audio intro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme
Audio interstitial 1: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme
Audio interstitial 2: The Gagnés, “Effectively Wild Theme
Audio outro: Beatwriter, “Effectively Wild Theme

Link to FG post on Alonso
Link to 2021 Boras study
Link to FG post on Bader
Link to Byrd wiki
Link to FG playoff odds post
Link to FG playoff odds
Link to BP playoff odds
Link to Rays depth chart
Link to Rays offseason tracker
Link to Adam’s author archive
Link to Franco update 1
Link to Franco update 2
Link to Brewers depth chart
Link to Brewers offseason tracker
Link to Episode 2262
Link to Episode 2263
Link to MLBTR on Contreras
Link to Trueblood on Contreras
Link to Curt’s author archive
Link to EW gift subscriptions

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Effectively Wild Episode 2279: Season Preview Series: Blue Jays and Padres

EWFI
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley introduce the 13th annual Effectively Wild season preview series, then banter about the Tigers signing Jack Flaherty to a smaller-than-expected deal, a long-awaited explanation for the gambling-related firing of umpire Pat Hoberg, and the death and legacy of former commissioner Fay Vincent. Then they preview the 2025 Toronto Blue Jays (43:30) with the Toronto Sun’s Rob Longley, and the 2025 San Diego Padres (1:20:30) with MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell.

Audio intro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme
Audio interstitial 1: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme
Audio interstitial 2: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme
Audio outro: Grant Brisbee, “Effectively Wild Theme

Link to season preview series wiki
Link to projected standings page
Link to Silicon Valley clip
Link to Dan S. on Flaherty
Link to Petriello on Flaherty
Link to MLBTR on Flaherty
Link to over/under draft wiki
Link to Hobert press release
Link to EW on Hoberg’s ump perfecto
Link to Vincent’s NYT obit
Link to Vincent’s SABR obit
Link to Vincent’s SABR bio
Link to Manfred’s Vincent statement
Link to Sheehan on Vincent
Link to Vincent on gambling
Link to Posnanski on Vincent
Link to EW on commish tenures 1
Link to EW on commish tenures 2
Link to Law on farm systems
Link to McDaniel on farm systems
Link to Jays depth chart
Link to Jays offseason tracker
Link to Rogers Centre offense info
Link to Rob’s author archive
Link to Padres depth chart
Link to Padres offseason tracker
Link to black swan wiki
Link to Padres TV subs
Link to AJ’s author archive
Link to Topps Bunt 24 art
Link to Winfield game
Link to Canseco/Garvey game
Link to Ben’s Luka pod
Link to Memorial Cup wiki
Link to EW gift subscriptions

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Effectively Wild Episode 2278: We Shall Not Look Upon Their Like Again

EWFI
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Max Scherzer and Jorge Polanco signings, Scherzer vs. Justin Verlander, and the changes in pitcher usage over the course of those pitchers’ careers. Then (20:17) they discuss stricter restrictions on the size of fielders’ gloves, and the merits of a tax in Meg’s county to help pay for the Diamondbacks’ ballpark renovations. Finally (55:54), they answer listener emails about designated “jersey guys,” rotating, pre-assigned pennant winners, and factors that could differentiate teams in their pursuits of free agents.

Audio intro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme
Audio outro: Justin Peters, “Effectively Wild Theme

Link to FG post on Scherzer
Link to MLBTR on Polanco
Link to Ben on innings eaters
Link to article on headlights
Link to Patrick on gloves
Link to Ben on the foul lines
Link to Ben on pitcher limits
Link to Sam on errors
Link to AZ tax article
Link to deMause on the tax
Link to better-than-average effect
Link to franchise tag wiki
Link to Verducci on Burnes
Link to listener emails database
Link to Pete Rose Baseball
Link to EW gift subscriptions

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Effectively Wild Episode 2277: The Most Demoralizing Offseasons

EWFI
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the overwhelming listener response to their previous conversation about cover models for baseball video games, and Ben issues some “Bo Nos” in support of his previous Royals reporting. Then (18:19) they talk about the Rays signing Ha-Seong Kim, Roki Sasaki “prospect” rankings, a recent leaguewide run on relievers, trade-based brother breakups, Hal Steinbrenner’s unconvincing attempt at anti-Dodgers-spending solidarity, and minor league name matches for major leaguers, plus (51:42) an in-depth discussion about the teams that have had the most demoralizing (and/or inactive) offseasons (so far).

Audio intro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme
Audio outro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, “Effectively Wild Theme (Horny)

Link to Episode 2276
Link to Bo Game Boy game
Link to Bo NES game
Link to Bo handheld game
Link to Soto cover
Link to Prime Time Football
Link to FG on Kim
Link to over/under draft
Link to Rogers screenshot
Link to Rural Juror
Link to Pressly/Sewald post
Link to Kahnle/Stanek post
Link to Estévez post
Link to Steinbrenner comments
Link to other-Castillo signing
Link to other J-Rod
Link to Ben C. on the Pirates
Link to Paine on payroll/playoffs
Link to offseason spending list
Link to teams without ML signings
Link to MLBTR on Scherzer
Link to MLBTR on Polanco
Link to EW gift subscriptions

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Effectively Wild Episode 2276: Them’s the Breakouts

EWFI
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about some good news and bad news about breakout picks, Junior Caminero’s unbeatable bat flip and home run trot in the LIDOM playoffs, the latest MLB The Show cover model(s) and the lone MLB franchise that hasn’t put a player on the cover of a video game, the Ryan Pressly trade and whether Houston has a plan, and the mysteries of T-Mobile Park’s scoring suppression, plus a Stat Blast (1:28:57) about the players who came closest to team monogamy without quite being faithful to one franchise.

Audio intro: Luke Lillard, “Effectively Wild Theme
Audio outro: Austin Klewan, “Effectively Wild Theme

Link to latest MLB article
Link to Caminero article
Link to Caminero video
Link to Caminero photo
Link to Caminero flip video
Link to Orosco flip article
Link to Prince flip article
Link to Sánchez trot
Link to Soto trot
Link to Soto trot game
Link to Naylor trot
Link to Cruz trot
Link to Santander trot
Link to Marte trot
Link to cover models article
Link to baseball video games list
Link to Ben on pitching prospects
Link to Paine on sports video games
Link to Indiana Jones pod
Link to MLBTR on Pressly
Link to MLBTR on Bregman
Link to MLBTR on Yordan
Link to FG on Pressly
Link to Littlefinger speech
Link to Churchill speech
Link to Petriello on T-Mobile
Link to Statcast park factors
Link to Arneson gravity post
Link to Earth’s gravity wiki
Link to MLBTR on Jones
Link to Stat Blast data
Link to EW gift subscriptions

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Effectively Wild Episode 2275: Stop the Stop Signs

EWFI
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg’s memories of Ichiro and his sensational MLB debut, Ippei Mizuhara’s letter about his work with Shohei Ohtani, Roki Sasaki’s dog, the misleading name of “Sluggball,” Jurickson Profar and the prospect of a Braves rebound, which players will get “shorter” thanks to the challenge system, two new rules changes, how the Dodgers will make innings meet, how to make 3B coaches more aggressive, “Tragedeigh,” and more.

Audio intro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme
Audio outro: Ian H., “Effectively Wild Theme

Link to Ichiro’s first MLB hit
Link to Ben on Ichiro’s homers
Link to Ippei’s letter
Link to Ippei recording
Link to Roki’s dog
Link to dog tweet
Link to Dekopin meeting
Link to Slugball website
Link to Slugball article 1
Link to Slugball article 2
Link to Slugball article 3
Link to Sluggball video
Link to Petriello on Profar
Link to team WAR projections
Link to Rosenthal on Boras/Braves
Link to ABS measuring info
Link to Eric on heights
Link to George’s Timberlands
Link to Drellich on rule changes
Link to MLBTR on rule changes
Link to EW Episode 1863
Link to article on baserunning play
Link to EW Episode 2169
Link to Dodgers depth chart
Link to Sheehan on the Dodgers
Link to listener emails database
Link to running strategy study
Link to Russell on 3B coaches
Link to Ben on goalie goals
Link to tragedeigh wiktionary
Link to tragedeigh subreddit
Link to EW gift subscriptions

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