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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please <a href="https://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild" target="_blank">visit our Patreon</a>.
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about whether Ben cursed <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/shohei-ohtani/19755/stats/batting" target="_blank">Shohei Ohtani</a>&#8217;s bat by predicting that Ohtani would win the Cy Young award but not the MVP award, whether <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/bobby-witt-jr/25764/stats/batting" target="_blank">Bobby Witt Jr.</a> could win his first MVP award this season, the defensive transformation of <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/luis-arraez/18568/stats/batting" target="_blank">Luis Arraez</a>, and more, then (33:16) further interrogate what homoerotic celebrations say about baseball culture, discuss the latest ABS challenge mishaps, answer listener emails (54:30) about an ABS double-or-nothing idea, trading challenges for runs, purchasing challenges midgame, an upside of umpire rotation, boosting offense with double-barreled batters, and a baseball equivalent to the Kelce brothers, plus Stat Blasts (1:28:21) about players with the most inning-ending at-bats in a game, swing rates in debut plate appearances, grand-slam merchants, teams with many MVP vote-getters, and picked-off pinch runners.
Audio&nbsp;intro: The Gagnés, &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jVOMAuZop-4BhxnZ1JQaULw7FlW2XJD_/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>&#8221;
Audio&nbsp;outro: Dave Armstrong and Mike Murray, &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C85Waxu-ubj5VEkl5qCROdNaEAdUbcl4/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>&#8221;

<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2455-the-2026-preseason-predictions-game/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to preseason predictions episode</a>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7274674/2026/05/12/dodger-shohei-ohtani-slump-rest/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Ohtani slump story 1</a>
<a href="https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/dodgers-still-plan-rest-shohei-ohtani-after-breaking-slump" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Ohtani slump story 2</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/shohei-ohtani-out-of-dodgers-lineup-in-back-to-back-games" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Ohtani slump story 3</a>
<a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48766151/amid-slump-ohtani-keeps-mound-dominance-win-giants" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Ohtani slump story 4</a>
<a href="https://full-count.jp/2026/05/14/post1960732/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Ohtani slump story 5</a>
<a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/war?teamid=&lg=&sortcol=6&sortdir=desc&wartype=0" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to FG WAR leaders</a>
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/WAR_top_ten.shtml" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to B-Ref WAR leaders</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/luis-arraez-is-good-at-defense-now/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to FG post on Arraez</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/luis-arraez-improving-defense-with-giants" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to MLB.com on Arraez</a>
<a href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/fielding-run-value?dateEnd=2026-05-13&gameType=Regular&seasonStart=2026&seasonEnd=2026&type=fielder&position=0&minInnings=q&minResults=1" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to FRV leaders</a>
<a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/10/14/24102753/dodgers-mets-kike-hernandez-gavin-lux-crotch-bump-gay/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Outsports post 1</a>
<a href="https://www.outsports.com/2026/3/16/24130383/world-baseball-classic-italy-vinnie-pasquantino-kansas-city-royals-usa-kiss-madonna-lady-gaga/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Outsports post 2</a>
<a href="https://www.outsports.com/2024/10/18/24102964/chicago-cubs-world-series-david-ross-dexter-fowler-crotch-bump-gay-dodgers-cleveland-guardians-david-fry-brayan-rocchio/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Outsports post 3</a>
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosociality" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to homosociality wiki</a>
<a href="https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/david-ross/teammate/9780316559454/?lens=hachette-books" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Ross memoir</a>
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/1tcivjg/junior_valentine_thinks_brett_baty_is_challenging/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Valentine/Baty incident</a>
<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2026/05/10/carlos-torres-denies-abs-challenges-orioles-athletics/90024081007/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Torres challenge denials</a>
<a href="https://x.com/FoulTerritoryTV/status/2051039658499273166" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Heim play</a>
<a href="https://www.theringer.com/2026/05/08/mlb/a-complete-taxonomy-of-mlb-abs-accidents-challenge-system" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Ben on accidental challenges</a>
<a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/will-mlbs-abs-challenge-signal-evolve-heres-why-head-tap-gesture-can-cause-confusion-among-umps-players-and-scoreboard-operators-175516119.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Jake on accidental challenges</a>
<a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48486702/mlb-2026-automated-ball-strike-challenge-system-rule-players-weigh-in" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Gausman quote</a>
<a href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/abs-challenges?gameType=regular&year=2026&challengeType=batter&level=mlb&minChal=1&minOppChal=0&fielderMode=as-challenger" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to batter challenge leaders</a>
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/There_are_unknown_unknowns" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Rumsfeld quote wiki</a>
<a href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/abs-challenges?gameType=regular&year=2026&challengeType=catcher&level=mlb&minChal=1&minOppChal=0&sort=net_net_runs&sortDir=desc&page=0&pageSize=50" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to catcher challenge leaders</a>
<a href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/leaderboard/abs-challenges?gameType=regular&year=2026&challengeType=team-summary&level=mlb&minChal=1&minOppChal=0&dataCount=runs&sort=n_chal_runs_gained_total&sortDir=desc&page=0&pageSize=50" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to team challenge leaders</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/what-are-teams-paying-for-a-win-in-free-agency-2026-edition/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Clemens on FA $/WAR</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/video/home-plate-umpire-roberto-ortiz-exits-game" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Ortiz ump injury</a>
<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130825014635/http:/fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/2013/08/07/our-turn-to-learn-a-baseball-tradition-reconsidered/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to double-barreled BP article 1</a>
<a href="https://www.thescore.com/mlb/news/2200462" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to double-barreled BP article 2</a>
<a href="https://slate.com/podcasts/hang-up-and-listen/2026/03/why-so-many-professional-athletes-have-podcasts-now-and-why-most-fail" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to HUAL segment</a>
<a href="https://frontofficesports.com/have-we-reached-peak-athlete-podcast/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to ex-athlete pods article 1</a>
<a href="https://awfulannouncing.com/podcasts/athlete-hosted-reaching-saturation-point.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to ex-athlete pods article 2</a>
<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/wingmen-with-matthew-brady-tkachuk/id1851307432" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Tkachuks pod</a>
<a href="https://www.milb.com/gameday/seawolves-vs-senators/2026/05/07/818689/final/box" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Harrisburg vs. Erie game</a>
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA197709100.shtml" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to 1977 Jays-Yanks game</a>
<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1R33WX84ilK7JQTYInNAjSKhc3dTQqFDEGPQc1lUclWc/edit?usp=sharing" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to five-inning-ending players</a>
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/2003_National_League_Most_Valuable_Player_Award" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to 2003 NL MVP voting</a>
<a href="https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NuN63MP-5iLFp6nqYm-L14SE-F1h5gulynFR9x6szTM/edit?usp=sharing" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to teams with 8+ MVP vote-getters</a>
<a href="https://sabr.org/journal/article/the-relationship-between-war-and-the-selection-of-annual-performance-based-awards/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to SABR on WAR and awards</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/did-war-ruin-the-mvp-conversation/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Baumann on WAR and awards</a>
<a href="https://pebblehunting.substack.com/p/downballots-got-boring" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Sam on downballot MVP votes</a>
<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iqe1ft-IyCd7ZFbTSA8yasrQUPFItxibE2oA8kEbAJQ/edit?usp=sharing" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to debut-PA swing rates data</a>
<a href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=foul%7Cfoul%5C.%5C.bunt%7Cbunt%5C.%5C.foul%5C.%5C.tip%7Cfoul%5C.%5C.pitchout%7Chit%5C.%5C.into%5C.%5C.play%7Cmissed%5C.%5C.bunt%7Cfoul%5C.%5C.tip%7Cswinging%5C.%5C.pitchout%7Cswinging%5C.%5C.strike%7Cswinging%5C.%5C.strike%5C.%5C.blocked%7C&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2025%7C&hfSit=&player_type=pitcher&hfOuts=&home_road=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&hfEventOuts=&hfEventRuns=&hfABSFlag=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=&hfMo=&hfTeam=&hfOpponent=&hfRO=&position=&hfInfield=&hfOutfield=&hfInn=1%7C2%7C3%7C&hfBBT=&hfFlag=&metric_1=&group_by=league&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=pitch_percent&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&chk_inning=on#results" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to innings 1-3 swing rate</a>
<a href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=foul%7Cfoul%5C.%5C.bunt%7Cbunt%5C.%5C.foul%5C.%5C.tip%7Cfoul%5C.%5C.pitchout%7Chit%5C.%5C.into%5C.%5C.play%7Cmissed%5C.%5C.bunt%7Cfoul%5C.%5C.tip%7Cswinging%5C.%5C.pitchout%7Cswinging%5C.%5C.strike%7Cswinging%5C.%5C.strike%5C.%5C.blocked%7C&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2025%7C&hfSit=&player_type=pitcher&hfOuts=&home_road=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&hfEventOuts=&hfEventRuns=&hfABSFlag=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=&hfMo=&hfTeam=&hfOpponent=&hfRO=&position=&hfInfield=&hfOutfield=&hfInn=4%7C5%7C6%7C7%7C8%7C9%7C10%7C&hfBBT=&hfFlag=&metric_1=&group_by=league&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=pitch_percent&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&chk_inning=on#results" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to innings 4+ swing rate</a>
<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vTSvX4VC1GaOLT6UbanxLa4zUvMqTRImhv7sFO6lRDA/edit?usp=sharing" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to grand slams data</a>
<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-8lpspHQuR5GK7S_nNtGunLGrx60QnSa8XLG_wvRb4Q/edit?usp=sharing" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to listener emails database</a>
<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aiMsFM9aruakWpXktsHDV3dNPzX5yAuFJpnekW_0EWA/edit?usp=sharing" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to highest PR pickoff rates data</a>
<a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=401815301" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Haggerty pickoff game</a>
<a href="https://sabr.org/journal/article/leg-men-career-pinch-runners-in-major-league-baseball/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to SABR on PR specialists</a>
<a href="https://mcusercontent.com/70117f7e29064e68418377637/files/78657855-0a52-3d40-86dc-9838f14a343c/23038_Lewis_Designated_Runner.pdf" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Wright on PR specialists 1</a>
<a href="https://mcusercontent.com/70117f7e29064e68418377637/files/ef7939e4-9cbb-5fb6-6b1e-5d53606b7c12/23043_Designated_Runner_Part_2.pdf" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Wright on PR specialists 2</a>
<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/slangsonsports.bsky.social/post/3mlro5vepbc23" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Langs Bell fun fact</a>

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Effectively Wild Episode 2479: Batters Up!

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