Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley talk to Evan Drellich, senior writer for The Athletic, about the state of labor negotiations between MLB and the MLBPA, the major issues separating the two sides, the odds of a work stoppage, how long a potential lockout could last, how the CBA talks may affect transaction activity, how previous rounds of bargaining led to this one, whether a salary cap and floor could work, transitioning from covering teams as a beat writer to covering the business of baseball, the future of minor league housing and local broadcast blackouts, breaking the Astros sign-stealing story, and collaborating on reporting with Ken Rosenthal. Audio intro: Ian M Bailey, "Take it or Leave it" Audio outro: Attic Lights, "Lock Me Out" Link to Evan on how a lockout would work Link to Evan on previous bargaining rounds Link to Evan on latest MLBPA proposal Link to Evan on Marvin Miller Link to Ben on Lords of the Realm Link to Morning Consult poll Link to Greg Bouris EW interview Link to Evan on blackouts and streaming Link to report about future streaming service Link to Evan on minor league housing Link to The Athletic Baseball Show Link to original sign-stealing report Link to preorder Evan’s book Link to Stove League teaser video Link to stream Stove League via Kocowa Link to stream Stove League via Viki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Ben’s return from podcast paternity leave, the quality of the 2021 postseason, whether the Braves were underrated or simply overperformed, what teams might learn from and emulate about Atlanta’s success, postseason pitcher usage and game length, the career and retirement of Buster Posey, their upcoming discussion of TV drama Stove League, and more. Audio intro: Pavement, "Father to a Sister of Thought" Audio outro: Bill Withers, "Wintertime" Link to NL East playoff odds graph Link to FanGraphs postseason staff predictions Link to Mark Armour on parity Link to Paul Hembekides on game ending times Link to Theo Epstein on emulating champions Link to Zach Kram on Atlanta’s win Link to Michael Baumann on the Astros’ future Link to Ben on Atlanta’s rebuild Link to Zach on Atlanta’s bullpen Link to Eno Sarris on learning from Atlanta Link to Emma Baccellieri on Atlanta’s shifting Link to Jay on playoff pitcher usage Link to Jay on unlikely playoff pitchers Link to Ben on bullpenning Link to Ben on October baseball Link to Ben on predicting postseason sweeps Link to Maury Brown on playoff start times Link to John Ourand on start times and ratings Link to Ben on re-signing World Series winners Link to Rob Mains on pitcher usage and payroll Link to Terrance Gore EW episode Link to Jay Jaffe on Posey Link to Grant Brisbee on Posey Link to Nichols Law of Catcher Defense Link to Stove League teaser video Link to stream Stove League via Kocowa Link to stream Stove League via Viki  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Meg Rowley and guest co-host Eric Longenhagen discuss the conclusion of the World Series, including how Brian Snitker and Dusty Baker managed their depleted pitching staffs, the future of postseason pitching, Jorge Soler’s pyrotechnics, when they realized Atlanta was going to win the Series, and what’s next for the Astros and the Braves. Then they turn their attention to winter ball, including the balance of talent between pitchers and hitters in the Arizona Fall League, the challenges the AFL presents as an evaluation environment, the players who have impressed Eric so far, including Curtis Mead, and finally, the prospects and playing environment in Liga de Béisbol Profesional de la República Dominicana. Audio intro: Oasis, “Champagne Supernova” Audio outro: Simon & Garfunkel, “A Hazy Shade of Winter” Link to the FanGraphs Prospects Twitter account Link to Dan Szymborski’s World Series Game 6 recap Link to Kevin Goldstein’s piece on Game 7 of the 2019 World Series Link to Jayson Stark’s piece on the weird and wild facts of the World Series Link to Michael Baumann on Carlos Correa’s last ride with Houston Link to David Laurila’s interview with Curtis Mead Link to LIDOM’s league website  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Meg Rowley and erstwhile Effectively Wild co-host and current Tampa Bay Rays employee Jeff Sullivan discuss World Series game start times, how Jeff’s job has changed compared to the 2020 season, Wander Franco, the Rays’ uniforms, what it is like to root (and work) for a team in the playoffs, the Rays’ ALDS against Boston, our emotional experience of momentum, and what it’s like to prepare for an uncertain offseason. Audio intro: John Sebastian, “Welcome Back” Audio outro: Broken Bells, “October” Link to Devan Fink on Martín Maldonado crowding the plate Link to Ben Clemens on the marginal pitchers in big playoff spots Link to Jay Jaffe on the ever-expanding postseason bullpen Link to Jay on postseason starters with limited experience Link to Rob Arthur on Jose Altuve and Carlos Correa’s postseason clutchness Link to Evan Drellich on how an MLB lockout would work  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Before Game 3 of the World Series, Meg Rowley and guest co-host Emma Baccellieri of Sports Illustrated discuss postseason travel for sportswriters, the forgotten virtues of suburban malls, Emma’s piece on how Atlanta shifted its stance on the shift midseason, and how the front office, Ron Washington, and the players came together to adopt the defensive strategy, as well as the length and pace of postseason games. Then at a listener’s suggestion, they draft replacement players for each World Series team from the clubs those teams have already vanquished before discussing what Bob Melvin’s hiring as the new manager of the San Diego Padres means for the Padres… and the Oakland A’s. Audio intro: The Decemberists, “On the Bus Mall” Audio outro: Phoebe Bridgers, “Georgia” Link to Five and Dive, Emma’s podcast at Baseball Prospectus Link to Emma on Atlanta and the shift Link to Emma on Atlanta’s pitching options Link to Emma on the Oakland A’s from 2018 Link to Ben Clemens’ piece on Atlanta’s pitching Link to Dennis Lin on Bob Melvin’s hiring  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

In a crossover event Marvel would envy, Meg Rowley and guest co-host Michael Baumann of The Ringer discuss Games 1 and 2 of the World Series, what the loss of Charlie Morton means for Atlanta, the narrative role of the starter, how to navigate the moral conundrum that is fandom, the ever-growing length of postseason games, the conveyor-belt nature of Houston’s offense, Luis Garcia’s delivery, and what we might expect from both teams as the series shifts to Atlanta. Then they turn their attention to Rob Manfred’s comments on the chop before considering the CBA negotiations, the likelihood of a lockout (and a work stoppage), what will motivate both parties at the bargaining table, and the virtues of the pitch clock. Audio intro: Paul Simon, “Slip Sliddin’ Away” Audio outro: Jim Croce, “Time In a Bottle” Link to The Ringer MLB Show podcast Link to Michael’s piece on the areas that could decide the World Series Link to Ben Clemens’ piece on Atlanta’s pitching Link to Jay Jaffe’s piece on Eddie Rosario Link to Luke Hooper’s World Series Game 2 recap Link to Kevin Goldstein’s World Series Game 1 recap Link to Luke’s piece on Yordan Alvarez Link to Evan Drellich’s piece on Rob Manfred’s and Tony Clark’s remarks on the chop, the CBA negotiations, and pitch clocks Link to the National Congress of American Indians statement on Manfred’s remarks Link to Clinton Yates’ piece on the chop and Manfred’s remarks Link to Steven Goldman’s piece on the chop Link to Arnold Hano’s obituary Link to Episode 1536 with Hano Link to A Day In The Bleachers  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Meg Rowley and guest co-host Sarah Langs of MLB.com banter about Sarah’s participation in MLB’s first game to feature an all-women broadcast crew, her research process, and what makes for a good fun fact. Then Sarah shares some Braves and Astros statistical oddities ahead of the World Series, including fun facts about Joc Pederson, Brian Snitker and Dusty Baker, Eddie Rosario, the Astros’ offense, Tyler Matzek, and more. Finally, Sarah offers what could make (and break) each team in the Fall Classic. Audio intro: Doris Day, “Ain’t We Got Fun?” Audio outro: Soundgarden, “Dusty” Link to Sarah’s piece on Dusty Baker Link to Sarah’s piece (with Matt Kelly and Andrew Simon) on Chris Taylor’s three home run NLCS Game 5 Link to David Waldstein’s New York Times piece on the Rays/Orioles game Sarah broadcast, the first MLB game called entirely by women Link to Sarah’s latest Twitch stream Link to Eric Longenhagen’s World Series preview Link to Meg’s NLCS Game 6 recap Link to Dan Szymborski’s ALCS Game 6 recap Link to Ben Clemens’ postseason report card for Alex Cora Link to Jayson Stark’s piece on NLCS Weirdness and Wildness Link to Ken Rosenthal’s piece on Dusty Baker Link to Andy McCullough’s piece on using starters in relief in the postseason Link to Mike Petriello’s piece on using starters in relief in the postseason  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Meg Rowley and guest co-host Ben Clemens discuss the Astros’ pitching woes, the role of starters in the postseason, Dave Roberts’ decision to have Brusdar Graterol hit in Game 5 of the NLCS, Yordan Alvarez, how a 3-2 series deficit feels for fans of the team with the upper hand, and Ben’s look at Ian Anderson‘s first-inning struggles. Then they consider Other Ben and Rob Arthur’s assessment of MLB’s rule experiments in the Atlantic and minor leagues, before answering listener emails on an unorthodox baserunning strategy, ump shows, how aliens might contextualize Mike Trout’s recent season stats, and whether we should re-think the ground rule double. Audio intro: Pete Yorn, “Strange Condition” Audio outro: The xx, “Basic Space” Link to Ben’s piece on Houston’s pitching woes Link to Ben’s investigation into Ian Anderson’s first-inning struggles Link to Ben’s most recent FanGraphs Audio appearance Link to Jake Mailhot’s recap of NLCS Game 5 Link to Ben Lindbergh and Rob Arthur’s piece on the results of MLB’s rule experiments Link to William Boor’s tweet on the Arizona Fall League bases  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

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  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source

Meg Rowley is joined by guest co-host Mike Petriello of MLB.com. They discuss Mike’s role in the booth as a part of ESPN’s Statcast broadcasts, how what is affectionately referred to as the Nerdcast got started, how Mike prepares for games, how he balances being analytics-heavy while still appealing to a broad audience, how the Nerdcast has evolved along with Statcast, what makes for a fun booth, how he works with Jason Benetti and Eduardo Perez, and what might come next for the Nerdcast as more traditional broadcasts become more statistically savvy. Then they briefly contemplate the role of the manager in light of the news of Mike Shildt’s firing in St. Louis before turning their attention (31:19) to the Dodgers’ decision to start Corey Knebel as an opener for Game 5 of the NLDS, how the Giants might counter, what they like about Logan Webb, and what each of these teams needs to do to advance to the NLCS. Audio intro: Tokyo Police Club, “Listen to the Math” Audio outro: First Aid Kit, “Heaven Knows” Link to Mike’s podcast, Ballpark Dimensions Link to Ben Clemens’ piece on the Corey Knebel decision Link to Ben’s piece on ALDS managerial report cards Link to Dan Szymborski’s ALCS preview Link to Michael Ajeto’s piece on Logan Webb’s changeup  iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!)  Sponsor Us on Patreon  Facebook Group  Effectively Wild Wiki  Twitter Account  Get Our Merch!  Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com Source