Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Effectively Wild Episode 2392: The Eyes of the World (Series) Are Upon You

4 snips
Oct 25, 2025
Join Ben and Meg as they dive into the exciting vibe of a World Series-obsessed Los Angeles. They debate whether Game 1 is crucial for the Blue Jays, explore rookie Trey Savage's pressure management, and assess the underdog narrative against the Dodgers' dominant payroll. The duo analyzes managerial hires, notably the Angels bringing in Kurt Suzuki, and the Giants taking a risk with college coach Tony Vitello. Finally, they discuss the growing international interest in the series and whether new tracking stats are genuine or just marketing fluff.
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ANECDOTE

Shohei Mania In LA

  • Ben described feeling Shohei mania in Los Angeles with hotel murals and life-size cutouts everywhere.
  • He used the trip to soak up World Series energy and overheard baseball conversations across the city.
INSIGHT

Must-Win Headlines Are Overstated

  • Meg and Ben debunk extreme "must-win" claims for Game 1 of a seven-game series as overblown.
  • They note Game 1 matters but series probabilities and past data don't justify panic headlines.
INSIGHT

Underdog Narrative Is Nuanced

  • The Blue Jays are framed as underdogs mainly because the Dodgers' sustained success amplifies opponents' underdog status.
  • But Toronto's payroll and record make them a stronger underdog than typical David-versus-Goliath narratives imply.
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