Effectively Wild Episode 1761: Those Wacky, Tacky Balls

October 20, 2021

EWFI

Meg Rowley and guest co-host Grant Brisbee catch up on some non-postseaosn news, including Grant’s elbow injury, MLB’s decision to provide housing for minor leaguers, and Rob Arthur’s research suggesting spin rate and pitch movement have recovered after cratering in light of sticky stuff enforcement, then banter about Laz Diaz’s strike zone in Game 4 of the ALCS and the use of starting pitchers in the playoffs. Then they turn their attention to the San Francisco Giants, including the team’s wildly successful 2021 and less successful postseason run, before discussing where the Giants go from here. Finally, Grant offers some advice to the remaining playoff teams on how to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers and shares who he’s rooting for now that the Giants are out of the postseason.

Audio intro: American Music Club, “All the Lost Souls Welcome You to San Francisco”
Audio outro: Woody Guthrie, “Dusty Old Dust”

Link to Grant’s podcast, Baggs & Brisbee
Link to the latest episode of Grant’s other podcast, Baseball Barista
Link to Jeff Passan on MLB’s decision to provide housing for minor leaguers
Link to Russell Carleton on minor leaguer housing
Link to Evan Drellich on minor leaguer housing
Link to Rob Arthur on the return of spin rate post-sticky stuff enforcement
Link to Grant on the Giants’ NLDS Game 5 loss
Link to Grant on where the pain of the end of the 2021 season ranks among past Giants losses
Link to Grant on the five best developments of the 2021 Giants season
Link to David Laurila’s ALCS Game 4 recap
Link to Kevin Goldstein’s NLCS Game 3 recap
Link to Jay Jaffe’s piece on the incredible shrinking postseason starter
Link to Jay’s piece on the long shadow of the Mookie Betts trade
Link to Brendan Gawlowski on Cody Bellinger’s postseason adjustments
Link to Ben Clemens’ NLDS manager report cards