PODCAST

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley

Daily baseball statistical analysis and commentary

sports baseball

All Episodes

27:38

Effectively Wild Episode 2461: If You Build it, They...

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast ·

2026/04/02

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon.Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about rookie batters’ blistering start to the season, then Stat Blast (10:15) about how long it typically takes for there to be no remaining teams that are winless or undefeated (or both), the latest a team won or lost by a margin that matched its record, and the seasons that featured the most Hall of Famers (at all, and in their primes). Then they talk to three listeners who

en-US

1:41:12

Effectively Wild Episode 2460: The Arc of History...

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast ·

2026/04/01

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Joey Wiemer, Colt Emerson’s contract, the concept of “sticking at shortstop,” and pre-arbitration (and pre-debut) extension trends, then (29:11) answer listener emails about A.J. Preller trading himself, Harrison Bader and the press conference threshold, plotting to prevent a switch-hitter from batting from both sides, no-selling a World Series ring ceremony, giveaway promotions at every game, a Craig Kimbrel PitchCom hypothesis, the top

en-US

1:41:22

Effectively Wild Episode 2459: Pump the ABS Brakes

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast ·

2026/03/31

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Mike Trout’s hot start, Dub Gleed’s (nick)name, the challenge system as a mainstream sensation, several tactical considerations, listener emails, premature conclusions, and pedantic points after a weekend’s worth of ABS action, Munetaka Murakami’s early slugging, a Brewers call-up and extension, NBC’s broadcast crews, and more, plus a few follow-ups.Audiointro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild

en-US

21:38

Effectively Wild Episode 2458: The Opening Day...

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast ·

2026/03/28

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon.Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the pleasures of and precedents for the historic rookie performances on Opening Day, the pains of Netflix’s Opening Night broadcast, an Opening Day disaster for Paul Skenes, Oneil Cruz, and a bird near Carson Benge, Freddie Freeman’s gameday fit, a perplexing (un?)fun fact about the Phillies and Jhoan Duran, why players don’t always challenge when they

en-US

1:54:28

Effectively Wild Episode 2457: The 2026 Team Fun Draft

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast ·

2026/03/26

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the number of Opening Days/Nights at the start of the regular-season schedule and how long they think the challenge system will last, review some of their favorite offseason transactions, and do their annual draft of all 30 MLB teams in order of how fun they’ll be to follow this season. Audiointro: The Spaghettis, “Effectively Wild Theme” Audiooutro: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme” Link to Craig on Opening

en-US

1:57:14

Effectively Wild Episode 2456: The Hierarchy of Power...

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast ·

2026/03/25

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Randy Arozarena making up with Cal Raleigh, the response to their announcement of the podcast’s new freemium model, whether they would try to issue the official first ball/strike challenge in MLB history, the challenge system vs. the pitch clock, several straggling WBC topics (the Team Italy espresso machine auction results, great TV ratings, a Team USA strawman, reframing the hierarchy of high-level baseball competition, projecting future WBCs, and a

en-US

28:49

Effectively Wild is Going Freemium

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast ·

2026/03/24

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley announce a new freemium model for the podcast: From now on, one of their three episodes a week will be available only to Patreon supporters. In this PSA, they lay out their reasons for making the change and explain how it will work. You can also read a written explanation here.Link to subscribe via Patreon Link to written announcement Sponsor UsonPatreon Give a Gift Subscription Email Us:podcast@fangraphs.com Effectively Wild Subreddit Effectively Wild Wiki Apple

en-US

2:07:48

Effectively Wild Episode 2455: The 2026 Preseason...

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast ·

2026/03/20

Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs authors Michael Baumann and Ben Clemens (accompanied by podcast scorekeeper Chris Hanel) play “College Baseball Player or Driver in a Formula 1 Support Series” (5:07), banter about an auction for Team Italy’s WBC espresso machine (10:09), explain the fourth annual preseason predictions game (19:20), and then make 10 bold predictions apiece (22:20) about baseball in 2026, to be voted on by listeners.Audiointro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies,

en-US

1:27:57

Effectively Wild Episode 2454: Be All You Can WBC

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast ·

2026/03/19

Ben Lindbergh, Meg Rowley, and FanGraphs contributor Kiri Oler wrap up the World Baseball Classic, covering Venezuela’s triumph, Team USA’s slump and vibes, and the overall success of the tournament, plus thoughts on Mark DeRosa’s managing and Team USA’s future, the semifinal matchups, the bad calls against the Dominican Republic, the challenge system and pitches that are “too close to take,” the WBC vs. the World Series, when the next WBC should be, and much

en-US

2:21:26

Effectively Wild Episode 2453: Season Preview Series:...

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast ·

2026/03/18

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about MLB’s new experimental minor league rules, and the potential downsides of trying to skip straight to a desired on-field result, then complete the 14th annual season preview series by previewing the 2026 Los Angeles Dodgers (35:35) with The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya, and the 2026 Colorado Rockies (1:30:13) with Rockies Insider’s Patrick Lyons. 2026 EW Season Preview Series

en-US

2:23:52

Effectively Wild Episode 2452: Season Preview Series:...

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast ·

2026/03/14

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about speedster Braiden Ward’s record spring, whether there’s a baseball equivalent of Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game, and Paradise being a baseball show, then preview the 2026 Atlanta Braves (38:00) with From the Diamond’s Grant McAuley, and the 2026 Chicago White Sox (1:29:45) with Sox Machine’s James Fegan.2026 EW Season Preview Series ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX

en-US

2:16:05

Effectively Wild Episode 2451: Season Preview Series:...

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast ·

2026/03/13

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Team Italy’s triumphs (and good vibes) at the WBC, a tumultuous week for Team USA and Mark DeRosa, and where the tournament stands entering the quarterfinals, then preview the 2026 Philadelphia Phillies (39:21) with The Athletic’s Matt Gelb, and the 2026 Los Angeles Angels (1:21:00) with The Athletic’s Sam Blum, plus a postscript (2:09:08). 2026 EW Season Preview Series

en-US

2:35:14

Effectively Wild Episode 2450: Season Preview Series:...

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast ·

2026/03/11

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Cal Raleigh, Randy Arozarena, and WBC handshake etiquette, whether a mercy-rule-inducing dinger qualifies as a walk-off, whether a winning home team could voluntarily play the bottom of the ninth, MLB’s ban of the Brewers’ challenge-system system, why the MLBPA should defend Jurickson Profar and other players with positive PED tests, and Joe Sewell’s indestructible bat, then preview the 2026 New York Mets (56:35) with The Athletic’s

en-US

2:24:44

Effectively Wild Episode 2449: Season Preview Series:...

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast ·

2026/03/06

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a Shohei Ohtani survey, early WBC action, Andrew McCutchen’s new team, Payton Tolle’s triple-digits t-shirt, ABS-driven changes to Alex Bregman’s and Bo Naylor’s listed heights, wonky player cards, why teams start spring training days so early, Dodgers pitching problems, and the prevalence of inventive slides, then preview the 2026 Seattle Mariners (50:22) with The Seattle Times’ Ryan Divish, and the 2026 Miami Marlins

en-US

2:08:35

Effectively Wild Episode 2448: Season Preview Series:...

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast ·

2026/03/04

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Team USA’s pre-WBC warm-up games, follow up on spring training ballpark naming rights, and discuss Jurickson Profar’s second PED suspension in as many seasons, then preview the 2026 New York Yankees (20:07) with The New York Daily News’ Gary Phillips, and the 2026 St. Louis Cardinals (59:53) with The St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Derrick Goold.2026 EW Season Preview Series

en-US

Effectively Wild Episode 2447: 1-2-3, WBC

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast ·

2026/03/03

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about corporate naming rights of spring training ballparks vs. MLB parks, and potential unwritten rules surrounding the challenge system, then (47:03) preview the World Baseball Classic with MLB.com’s Michael Clair, touching on the big and unsung stories of the WBC, whether the interest level will increase again, how often the WBC should be held, and more, as well as Michael’s WBC-inspired book, We Sacrifice Everything to Baseball. Audiointro: Ted O.,

en-US

2:16:51

Effectively Wild Episode 2446: Season Preview Series:...

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast ·

2026/02/28

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Mets pitching prospect Ryan Lambert’s consumption of copious quantities of raw eggs, then preview the 2026 Chicago Cubs (27:15) with The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma, and the 2026 Cleveland Guardians (1:17:46) with The Athletic’s Zack Meisel, plus a postscript. 2026 EW Season Preview Series ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX

en-US

1:58:42

Effectively Wild Episode 2445: Season Preview Series:...

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast ·

2026/02/27

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Konnor Griffin’s openness to an extension with the Pirates and a weird Wilyer Abreu check-swing broken bat, then preview the 2026 Boston Red Sox (20:00) with The Boston Globe’s Alex Speier, and the 2026 Cincinnati Reds (1:08:36) with The Athletic’s C. Trent Rosecrans.2026 EW Season Preview Series ALBALCHWATHBOSCLEHOUNYYDETLAATBRKCRSEATORMINTEX

en-US

1:44:24

Effectively Wild Episode 2444: To Challenge, or Not...

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast ·

2026/02/25

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a player with legs like a centaur, a knuckleballer’s sore subject, Arte Moreno’s thoughts on whether winning matters to fans, a response from the barback who gave free drinks to a fellow listener, and a new perspective on Tony Clark’s reportedly inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law. Then (45:17) they talk to Maxfield Lane and Owen Riley of Oyster Analytics about the challenge system’s tactical considerations and when it

en-US

2:28:37

Effectively Wild Episode 2443: Season Preview Series:...

Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast ·

2026/02/21

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about a video of Brandon Marsh’s hair-wetting, the Phillies’ latest therapy, the Red Sox “home whites” non-disparagement saga, a former team exec’s proposals to promote competitive balance, and the best candidates among MLB players to pit against each other in a “Who ya got?” debate, then preview the 2026 Toronto Blue Jays (55:43) with The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon, and the 2026 Tampa Bay Rays (1:42:53) with

en-US

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Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

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