Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Spencer Strider’s concerning performance, how he and Sandy Alcantara remind us that comebacks from elbow surgery aren’t automatic, and whether things are lookng up for the White Sox on and off the field. Then (32:23) they bring on top-tier Patreon supporter John Thomas to banter about his background as an EW listener and baseball fan, answer listener emails (42:34) about the future of baseball’s historic cathedrals, whether sabermetrics inevitably promotes efficiency and specialization, whether Mariano Rivera delayed the reimagining of bullpen roles, the evolution (or devolution) of framing, and a rotation of Paul Skenes clones, and then Stat Blast (1:38:33) about the Rockies and the best-ever infield defenses, Devin Williams and the worst holds, and notable matchups between minor leaguers and rehabbing big leaguers.
Audio intro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio interstitial: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Link to WhatIfSports offer page
Link to Davy on Strider
Link to TJ return study
Link to White Sox TV info
Link to MLBTR on Ishbia
Link to Ishbia wiki
Link to story on Ishbia’s home
Link to story on the Suns
Link to Ishbia letter
Link to Sheehan on the Sox
Link to Vargas leaderboard
Link to team SP WAR
Link to Veres on the Rockies
Link to Dubuque article
Link to Scout School series intro
Link to Scout School series conclusion
Link to Ben on no-hitter defense
Link to Ben’s gaming pod
Link to John Thomas slang
Link to Russell on shortening up
Link to article on historical TTOP
Link to Rob on TTOP over time
Link to Molina framing montage
Link to Ben on framing in 2013
Link to Ben on framing technique
Link to Skenes TTOP splits
Link to Russell on SP handedness
Link to Ben on SP playoff familiarity
Link to Ben on RP playoff familiarity
Link to Monfort on defense
Link to all-time infield defense
Link to 2025 infield defense
Link to infielder definition
Link to infield definition
Link to rulebook on infielders
Link to Ben on Piazza
Link to hold definition
Link to Williams game
Link to worst 2025 holds by WPA
Link to McDaniels game
Link to worst-ever holds by WPA
Link to Cascarella game
Link to worst 2025 holds by RE24
Link to Maton game
Link to worst-ever holds by RE24
Link to Cox game
Link to Kershaw game story
Link to Kershaw box score
Link to Reds prospect list
Link to rehabbing pitchers sheet
Link to rehabbing batters sheet
Link to Ryan Nelson
Link to Robert Au
Link to listener emails database
Link to Excellius
Link to La Colaborativa
Link to Dotson/Farrell article
Link to SNL Goulet clip
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