Effectively Wild Episode 2351: The Worst Way to Lose

by
July 22, 2025

EWFI

Meg Rowley and guest co-host Michael Baumann discuss the Brewers’ recent win streak, what’s contributing to their success, and the general state of the National League playoff field and what it might mean for the trade deadline. Then they consider the worst ways to lose (and win) a baseball game on the back of the Phillies’ walk-off no-swing catcher’s interference versus the Red Sox and discuss the merits of various sauces. Lastly, in response to a listener email, they contemplating what, if anything, they could see the players asking for in exchange for a salary cap in the next CBA negotiation, leading Michael to offer a bold proposal. Lastly, with the Tour de France underway, Michael tells Meg about the effects that PED use had on the world of cycling and its fans.

Audio intro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Garrett Krohn, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to the Brewers’ BaseRuns and PythagenPat record
Link to the Brewers’ Playoff Odds
Link to Jay Jaffe on why Arizona should sell
Link to Baumann on why the Diamondbacks shouldn’t
Link to the FanGraphs Trade Value Series
Link to Phillies/Red Sox play
Link to Sam on no-swing catcher’s interference
Link to Baumann’s cycling newsletter
Link to listener email database

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Meg is the editor-in-chief of FanGraphs and the co-host of Effectively Wild. Prior to joining FanGraphs, her work appeared at Baseball Prospectus, Lookout Landing, and Just A Bit Outside. You can follow her on Bluesky @megrowler.fangraphs.com.

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