Daily baseball statistical analysis and commentary


Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

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Ben and Meg banter about Ben&#8217;s trip to a World Series-obsessed city, whether Game 1 of a best-of-seven series can be &#8220;must-win,&#8221; the Jays-as-underdogs narrative, the global audience for the matchup, and a few factors they&#8217;re following throughout the series, before reacting to two California clubs&#8217; managerial hirings: the Angels&#8217; choice of Kurt Suzuki and the Giants&#8217; choice of Tony Vitello (plus a postgame postscript).
Audio&nbsp;intro: Gabriel-Ernest, &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RRfThaYTS3pNyN08OEGLJLdhXRb-wIUZ/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>&#8221;
Audio&nbsp;outro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZIp68xsf3VligZWlp_LIlfw_k-0KNsJt/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>&#8221;

<a href="https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/article-blue-jays-must-win-world-series-game-1-vs-los-angeles-dodgers/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to &#8220;Must-win&#8221; article</a>
<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/tangotiger.com/post/3m3xgv5j54k2a" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to best-of-seven probability</a>
<a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/standings/playoff-odds/postseason-zips" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to ZiPS odds</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/bo-bichette-in-blue-jays-lineup-at-second-base-for-2025-world-series-game-1" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Bichette article</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/mickey-stanley-is-tigers-unsung-playoff-hero-c295621048" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Mickey Stanley article</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-mlb-postseason-and-international-stars-drive-record-global-viewership" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to global viewership</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/pharrell-williams-voices-of-fire-2025-world-series" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Pharrell announcement</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByRv-i63fuU" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Pharrell performance</a>
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/NameNerdCirclejerk/comments/1hyzubm/mlb_relief_pitcher_jeff_hoffman_has_some_truly/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Hoffman names</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPxc0YoEdCx/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Snell fashion</a>
<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/04/subjective-age-how-old-you-feel-difference/673086/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to subjective age</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhQ_7vdTs1w" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to plate-tapping promo</a>
<a href="https://www.theringer.com/2025/10/23/mlb/mlb-postseason-starting-pitchers-in-relief-roki-sasaki-dodgers" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Ben on SP as RP</a>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6733619/2025/10/20/albert-pujols-angels-manager-not-candidate/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Pujols/Angels article</a>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6741949/2025/10/22/kurt-suzuki-angels-manager-one-year-contract/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Suzuki hiring</a>
<a href="https://x.com/SamBlum3/status/1981116361809285294" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Minasian story</a>
<a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/breaking-news/article/angels-post-job-opening-for-hvac-technician-after-yusei-kikuchi-complains-about-lack-of-air-conditioning-051338877.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to HVAC story</a>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6737042/2025/10/21/angels-mike-trout-tyler-skaggs-trial/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Trout testimony</a>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6698416/2025/10/07/san-francisco-giants-manager-search-nick-hundley/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Hundley article</a>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6737767/2025/10/22/san-francisco-giants-hire-tennessee-coach-tony-vitello-manager/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Vitello article</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-giants-are-circling-the-most-interesting-managerial-hire-in-decades/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Baumann on Vitello</a>
<a href="https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/general-eisenhowers-order-of-the-day" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to &#8220;eyes of the world&#8221; message</a>

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<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2392-the-eyes-of-the-world-series-are-upon-you/" rel="nofollow">Source</a>

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

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Meg Rowley and guest co-host Ben Clemens of FanGraphs discuss the conclusion of the ALCS, including <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/dan-wilson/1102/stats?position=C" target="_blank">Dan Wilson</a>&#8217;s decision to the turn to <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/eduard-bazardo/20997/stats?position=P" target="_blank">Eduard Bazardo</a> to face <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/george-springer/12856/stats?position=OF" target="_blank">George Springer</a> with runners on in the seventh rather than bring in a higher-leverage reliever like <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/andres-munoz/20373/stats?position=P" target="_blank">Andrés Muñoz</a>. Then they preview the upcoming World Series between the Blue Jays and the Dodgers, highlighting a few matchups they think might prove to be important in determining the winner.
Audio&nbsp;intro: Justin Peters, &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qjDTYA9tQlZDQBpZqZUEosHoKN8nMQxR/view" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>&#8221;
Audio&nbsp;outro: El Warren, &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ndTWsOUXceUIb7RGqCtQChfListDI3GP/view" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>&#8221;

<a href="https://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to sign up for Patreon</a>
<a href="http://How I Voted for the 2025 Fielding Bible Awards: Infield" target="_blank">Link to Ben on the first part of his Fielding Bible Awards ballot</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/by-george-theyve-done-it/" target="_blank">Link to Eric Longenhagen on Game 7 of the ALCS</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/instagraphs/instagraphs-intentionally-walking-cal-raleigh/" target="_blank">Link to Ben on intentionally walking Cal Raleigh</a>
<a href="https://www.joeposnanski.com/p/breaking-down-the-decision" target="_blank">Link to Joe Posnanski on the Bazardo decision</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/game-7-in-three-jumps/" target="_blank">Link to Davy Andrews on the three jumps of Game 7</a>
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<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2391-its-the-world-series-baby/" rel="nofollow">Source</a>

Effectively Wild Episode 2391: It’s the World Series, Baby

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In the hours before an ill-fated (for the Mariners) ALCS Game 7, Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the state of Meg&#8217;s fan feelings and the highlights, lowlights, managerial moves, and more from Games 5 and 6. Then they discuss <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/shohei-ohtani/19755/stats?position=DH" target="_blank">Shohei Ohtani</a>&#8217;s instantly legendary NLCS Game 4 performance (plus postscript). 
Audio&nbsp;intro: Kite Person, &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ShNIfvqdt84DII-pVYvCp32cIpVIP2V5/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>&#8221;
Audio&nbsp;outro: Ted O., &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gbPLdUli8iCoR0VI_Een0wsDnkm_n8i2/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>&#8221;

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<a href="https://www.sportsnet.ca/mlb/article/blue-jays-schneider-defends-turning-to-brendon-little-in-eighth/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Little reasoning</a>
<a href="https://www.theringer.com/2025/10/18/mlb/shohei-ohtani-nlcs-game-4-mvp-dodgers-clinch-pennant" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Ben on the Ohtani Game</a>
<a href="https://www.si.com/mlb/shohei-ohtani-hitting-slump-pitching-risk-dodgers-brewers-nlcs" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to SI Ohtani article</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iesKjDvmKAM&t=20m15s" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Betts pod</a>

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Effectively Wild Episode 2390: Goodnight, Seattle

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Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about ALCS Game 4 and NLCS Game 3, with an emphasis on <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/max-scherzer/3137/stats?position=P" target="_blank">Max Scherzer&#8217;</a>s must-win mentality and why his hyped-up mound and start-day demeanor stops just short of scanning as too intense, the Dodgers&#8217; likeability (or lack thereof), and repetitive promos. Then (as Meg sporadically exclaims about the beginning of ALCS Game 5), they discuss how the Tigers should approach <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/tarik-skubal/22267/stats?position=P" target="_blank">Tarik Skubal&#8217;</a>s contractual/financial future, followed by a postscript featuring snippets of real-time reaction to the Mariners&#8217; Game 5 comeback and <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/shohei-ohtani/19755/stats?position=DH" target="_blank">Shohei Ohtani</a>&#8217;s instantly legendary, pennant-clinching Game 4 two-way display. 
Audio&nbsp;intro: Daniel Leckie, &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MDiYT6nzp-be6mFJdJgEZtCfPxSRWERW/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>&#8221;
Audio&nbsp;outro: Ian Phillips, &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WrPfzMAqjbs7sudd3ufBF9DQ6CUJQBgI/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>&#8221;

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<a href="https://www.reuters.com/sports/max-scherzer-eager-jays-postseason-debut-alcs-game-4-2025-10-16/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Scherzer&#8217;s must-win quote</a>
<a href="https://www.joesheehan.com/2025/10/newsletter-excerpt-october-17-2025.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Sheehan on Scherzer</a>
<a href="https://bandwagon.substack.com/p/84-mookie-murph-max-and-humpy" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to The Bandwagon post</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/how-cal-raleigh-stayed-fresh-for-postseason" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Petriello on catcher fatigue</a>
<a href="https://defector.com/the-mlb-app-wont-stop-forcing-me-to-remember-9-11" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Defector on Piazza</a>
<a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/latest-on-tigers-tarik-skubal.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to MLBTR on Skubal</a>
<a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/poll-should-the-tigers-consider-a-tarik-skubal-trade.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to MLBTR Skubal poll</a>
<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/1o9dmbn/colorado_rockies_owner_dick_monfort_did_not_rule/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Monfort message</a>

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Effectively Wild Episode 2389: Max Effort

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png" alt="EWFI" width="590" height="206" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-242076" srcset="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png 590w, https://blogs.fangraphs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi-300x105.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px" />
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the effect of road dominance on the postseason spectator experience and discuss NLCS Game 2 and ALCS Game 3, touching on <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/yoshinobu-yamamoto/33825/stats?position=P" target="_blank">Yoshinobu Yamamoto</a>&#8217;s throwback complete game, the historic playoff production of <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/enrique-hernandez/10472/stats?position=OF" target="_blank">Kiké Hernández</a>, the less surprising excellence of <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/vladimir-guerrero-jr/19611/stats?position=1B" target="_blank">Vladimir Guerrero Jr.</a>, a budding Dodgers backlash, pitcher usage when a team is trailing, how to handle Humpy, and much more. Then (1:16:22) they answer listener emails about the ethics of October rooting, what to call two-game sweeps, &#8220;representing&#8221; the tying run, great takes on great pitches, and players who lost &#8220;local hero&#8221; status.
Audio&nbsp;intro: Harold Walker, &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_u1OHC8kumMkTfl2QWSo4FRlkFWvOcHB/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>&#8221;
Audio&nbsp;outro: Jonathan Crymes, &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u9uMDVhB3JbuuT3HQYDzXcl4cXc-mY4Z/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>&#8221;

<a href="https://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to sign up for Patreon</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/world-series-road-teams-notching-early-wins" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to 2019 road dominance</a>
<a href="https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/world-series-2023-rangers-have-been-greatest-road-team-in-mlb-playoff-history-here-are-three-reasons-why/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to 2023 road dominance</a>
<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vjgHO9sUrfNm2lvFNreWLlqNWmC71zZ_3we78hxDZck/edit?usp=sharing" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to playoff OPS ratios</a>
<a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&month=0&ind=1&postseason=Y&players=19290&startdate=&enddate=&season1=2009&season=2025&sortcol=18&sortdir=default&pagenum=1" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Arozarena playoff wRC+</a>
<a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&month=0&ind=1&postseason=Y&players=10472&startdate=&enddate=&season1=2009&season=2025&sortcol=18&sortdir=default" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Hernández playoff wRC+</a>
<a href="https://neilpaine.substack.com/p/have-the-dodgers-finally-cracked" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Paine on the Dodgers</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/how-nick-castellanos-became-octobers-fielding-star" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Castellanos defense</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/enrique-and-teoscar-hernandez-have-hit-the-reset-button-in-timely-fashion/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Kiké quotes</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=474xbp86Zjo" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to QT commercial</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-great-6org-discussion-part-1/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to #6org post 1</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-great-6org-discussion-part-2/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to #6org post 2</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-great-6org-discussion-part-3/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to #6org post 3</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/mariners/fans/salmon-run" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Salmon Run cast</a>
<a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/mlb-playoffs-2025-the-story-behind-humpys-15th-inning-win-that-helped-spur-the-mariners-to-alds-victory-that-recharged-the-stadium-051053438.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Humpy story</a>
<a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/guardians-to-re-sign-austin-hedges.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to MLBTR on Hedges</a>

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Effectively Wild Episode 2388: May the Fastest Fish Win

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png" alt="EWFI" width="590" height="206" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-242076" srcset="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png 590w, https://blogs.fangraphs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi-300x105.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px" />
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley revisit Meg&#8217;s experience of Mariners-Tigers ALDS Game 5 and recap the first few games of the Championship Series round, touching on postseason broadcast booths, the Mariners&#8217; mauling of the Blue Jays in Toronto, Pat Murphy&#8217;s burnishing of the Brewers&#8217; underdog image, broader narrative-building about the Brewers-Dodgers series, whether the Dodgers intentionally took it easy during the regular season, the GIDP heard &#8217;round the world, starters moonlighting as relievers, <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/blake-snell/13543/stats?position=P" target="_blank">Blake Snell</a>, and more, plus closing banter about manager news and <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/pete-alonso/19251/stats?position=1B" target="_blank">Pete Alonso</a>&#8217;s contract target in his second crack at free agency.
Audio&nbsp;intro: Jimmy Kramer, &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OsA2tZMe8hrgFONo1iYv7od0ZFea8mpx/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>&#8221;
Audio&nbsp;outro: Tom Rhoads, &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K07EyCA31NglTFT3h8Rdiiu0lpDyz9u_/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>&#8221;

<a href="https://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to sign up for Patreon</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2386-goats-and-goats/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Meg&#8217;s 2386 postscript</a>
<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BEnI8ponDqwKlkzw5EvB-5y-8Ak5eGTA6Rj_KqI20So/edit?usp=sharing" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to playoff win expectancy changes</a>
<a href="https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/did-the-mariners-finally-win-alds-game-5-because-of-humpy-the-salmon/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Humpy article</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFbiTMS6imc" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Humpy video</a>
<a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1r6kna6oj3HQ1tAD7HthKdaHxem4D6N4vPZum5_M2uYk/edit?usp=sharing" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to worst BsR w/30+ SB</a>
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/gold_glove_al.shtml" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to AL team Gold Gloves</a>
<a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/gold_glove_nl.shtml" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to NL team Gold Gloves</a>
<a href="https://bandwagon.substack.com/p/82-meet-the-final-four" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to The Bandwagon on Gold Gloves</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gKPT000hqUU" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to GIDP video</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/near-home-run-in-nlcs-game-1-causes-chaos-on-basepaths" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to GIDP article</a>
<a href="https://x.com/jjcoop36/status/1977928617188360266" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Cooper on the GIDP</a>
<a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46590064/brewers-brice-turang-explains-backing-away-game-tying-hit-pitch-game-1-nlcs-vs-dodgers" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Turang on his near-HBP</a>
<a href="https://stathead.com/tiny/oBZwb" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Stathead on 100-pitch playoff games</a>
<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/megrowler.fangraphs.com/post/3m324ifg4ec2u" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to jacked Jays fan</a>
<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/cjzero.bsky.social/post/3m2zydl7u622j" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Robles play</a>
<a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46576425/mlb-playoffs-2025-dodgers-brewers-nlcs-world-series-passan-labor-battle" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Passan on the NLCS</a>
<a href="https://www.thescore.com/news/3368093" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Murphy&#8217;s &#8220;eight guys&#8221; quote</a>
<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/lauren.rotatingsandwiches.com/post/3m35wdxd6uk2t" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Defector comment</a>
<a href="https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/101352/deep-but-playable-the-dodgers-are-ruining-baseball/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Craig on the Dodgers</a>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6715110/2025/10/14/san-diego-padres-mike-shildt-retirement-questions/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Schildt story</a>
<a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46583259/tigers-keeping-aj-hinch-want-long-term-deal-ace-skubal" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Hinch story</a>
<a href="https://nypost.com/2025/10/11/sports/the-pete-alonso-dilemma-at-the-center-of-mets-offseason/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Alonso report</a>
<a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/18024814/desired-dollars-care-free-agents-seeking" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Sam on &#8220;seeking&#8221;</a>

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Effectively Wild Episode 2387: GIDPodcast

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png" alt="EWFI" width="590" height="206" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-242076" srcset="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png 590w, https://blogs.fangraphs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi-300x105.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px" />
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley announce their playoff livestream plans and then break down Game 4 of the Phillies-Dodgers NLDS, including their musings on <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/orion-kerkering/31776/stats?position=P" target="_blank">Orion Kerkering</a>&#8217;s game-ending error and the events that preceded it, whether baseball would be better or worse without its tragic on-field figures, the Phillies&#8217; future, and the intimidating Dodgers. Then, after a few thoughts on the Brewers and Cubs, they banter about baseball&#8217;s culture of pitch-tipping paranoia (53:29), the effects of high-tech pitching machines (1:09:20), the upcoming MLB free agency of NPB slugger <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/munetaka-murakami/sa3063258/stats?position=1B/3B" target="_blank">Munetaka Murakami</a> (1:17:00), and potentially encouraging comments about MLB&#8217;s path to a unified package of broadcast rights (1:20:58), plus a postscript message from Meg (1:30:05) about the Mariners&#8217; ALDS Game 5 victory.
Audio&nbsp;intro: Nate Emerson, &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EquxhP2rk11C79uLJ6UGylakDUOcbvzY/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>&#8221;
Audio&nbsp;outro: Liz Panella, &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wNnie0fLF2HVQsb4d-w5OqxMzyqfvImV/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>&#8221;

<a href="https://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to sign up for Patreon</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/orions-melt-a-haters-guide-to-dodgers-vs-phillies-nlds-game-4/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to FG Phillies-Dodgers gamer</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qco9g7WLH1A" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to walk-off video</a>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6705755/2025/10/10/phillies-orion-kerkering-error-nlds-game-5-loss/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Gelb&#8217;s Phillies story</a>
<a href="https://x.com/OptaSTATS/status/1976474668614943210" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to walk-off errors stat 1</a>
<a href="https://x.com/jaysonst/status/1976679476172841300" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to walk-off errors stat 2</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLlu_RpElBs" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Yoda quote</a>
<a href="https://x.com/lochlahn/status/1976478059873358258l" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to tweet about Call on Call</a>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6706207/2025/10/10/phillies-offseason-dombrowski-2026-roster/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Stark on the Phillies&#8217; future</a>
<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/mikepetriello.bsky.social/post/3m2smdcf2ss2w" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Petriello&#8217;s post</a>
<a href="https://bsky.app/profile/ontheshanetrain.bsky.social/post/3m2sl62hw7k25" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to new meme format</a>
<a href="https://www.baseball-almanac.com/dictionary-term.php?term=bunt" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to bunting etymology</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-bear-up-there-cubs-blank-brewers-force-game-5" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to FG Cubs-Brewers gamer</a>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6691711/2025/10/06/mlb-pitch-tipping-paranoia-camera-ipads-pitch-clock/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to article on pitch-tipping</a>
<a href="https://www.theringer.com/2020/02/27/mlb/houston-astros-sign-stealing-jonathan-lucroy-pace-of-play" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Ben on the banging scheme</a>
<a href="https://www.union-bulletin.com/sports/seattle_times_sports/mariners-dan-wilson-not-interested-in-a-chess-match-vs-tigers-a-j-hinch/article_bda47ef5-fe38-56b5-b75f-737f9871263f.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Wilson&#8217;s chess quote</a>
<a href="https://bandwagon.substack.com/p/80-paranoia-important-tech-and-supportive" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to The Bandwagon on Trajekt</a>
<a href="https://effectivelywild.fandom.com/wiki/Episode_2230:_The_Best-of-Seven_(Stat_Blasts)_Series#Stat_Blast" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to 2024 Trajekt Stat Blast</a>
<a href="https://x.com/bnicholsonsmith/status/1974939909120213296" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to tweet about Yesavage</a>
<a href="https://www.theringer.com/2021/03/18/mlb/perfect-pitching-machine-trajekt-winmill-jeff-kensrud" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Ben on pitching machines</a>
<a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&ind=0&rost=&filter=&players=0&team=0%2Css&type=8&month=15&startdate=&enddate=&season1=2002&season=2025&pos=np" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to home wRC+ by year</a>
<a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&ind=0&rost=&filter=&players=0&team=0%2Css&season1=2002&season=2025&type=8&month=16&pos=np" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to road wRC+ by year</a>
<a href="https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/10/munetaka-murakami-to-be-posted-this-offseason.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to MLBTR on Murakami</a>
<a href="https://www.theringer.com/2022/09/15/mlb/munetaka-murakami-roki-sasaki-npb-baseball-japan" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Ben on Murakami/Sasaki</a>
<a href="https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/102196/prospectus-feature-boston-red-sox-los-angeles-dodgers-revenue-sharing-cba-rob-manfred-salary-floor-cap/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Normandin article</a>
<a href="https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2025/10/03/kennedy-red-sox-support-centralized-mlb-media-rights/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Kennedy comments</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gJGovru580" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Kasten comments</a>

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Effectively Wild Episode 2386: GOATs and Goats

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png" alt="EWFI" width="590" height="206" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-242076" srcset="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png 590w, https://blogs.fangraphs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi-300x105.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px" />
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the rampant overuse of the phrase &#8220;must-win game,&#8221; denying late timeouts, the Blue Jays&#8217; victory over the Yankees, <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/vladimir-guerrero-jr/19611/stats?position=1B" target="_blank">Vladimir Guerrero Jr.</a>, a Yankees postmortem, <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/aaron-judge/15640/stats?position=OF" target="_blank">Aaron Judge&#8217;</a>s partial postseason redemption, the athletic (and managerial) highlights and lowlights of the other ALDS and the two NLDSes, the swan song of October <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/clayton-kershaw/2036/stats?position=P" target="_blank">Clayton Kershaw</a>, postseason sacrifice bunting, <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/bryce-harper/11579/stats?position=OF" target="_blank">Bryce Harper</a>&#8217;s thoughts on childbirth, and more.
Audio&nbsp;intro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LwE1yLYIymQe16tQBjqWkF9Tx8DNlZez/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>&#8221;
Audio&nbsp;outro: The Shirey Brothers, &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lGyXnWwEoa3G1mWIJfdeNs8HHFLR8Ml7/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>&#8221;

<a href="https://x.com/JeffPassan/status/1975369573362004274" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Passan&#8217;s Phillies tweet</a>
<a href="https://www.joeposnanski.com/p/from-teddy-ballgame-to-all-rise-the-myth-of-the-postseason-choker" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Posnanski on comebacks from 0-2</a>
<a href="https://nypost.com/2025/02/22/sports/vladimir-guerrero-does-not-rule-out-yankees-as-potential-free-agency-suitor/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Vlad&#8217;s Yankees grudge</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/vladimir-guerrero-jr-david-ortiz-punctuate-yankees-alds-loss-2025" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Vlad and Papi</a>
<a href="https://awfulannouncing.com/mlb/david-ortiz-fs1-postgame-show-hitler-joke.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Papi on Schlittler</a>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6699321/2025/10/08/aaron-judge-yankees-alds-new-york/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Rosenthal on Judge</a>
<a href="https://www.joesheehan.com/2025/10/newsletter-excerpt-october-8-2025.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Sheehan on Judge</a>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6702908/2025/10/09/new-york-yankees-boone-cashman/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Rosenthal on the Yankees</a>
<a href="https://www.theringer.com/2017/10/25/mlb/alex-rodriguez-redemption-mlb-on-fox-world-series" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to The Ringer on Fox&#8217;s MLB panel</a>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/12/magazine/clean-your-clock.html" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to &#8220;clean your clock&#8221; etymology</a>
<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/phillies-vs-dodgers-bryson-stott-bunt/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Stott bunt explanation</a>
<a href="https://x.com/ScottLauber/status/1975692432017924437" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Harper quote</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/cal-raleigh-home-run-caught-by-fan-wearing-dump-here-shirt" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Raleigh shirt story</a>
<a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/why-the-infield-fly-rule-was-not-called-for-cubs-brewers-in-nlds" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to infield-fly call</a>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6702939/2025/10/09/mlb-playoffs-weird-bluejays-yankees-kyle-schwarber/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Stark fun fact</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvr1T1sFvEg" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to The West Wing scene</a>

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Effectively Wild Episode 2385: Must-Win Shame

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png" alt="EWFI" width="590" height="206" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-242076" srcset="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png 590w, https://blogs.fangraphs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi-300x105.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px" />
Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Meg&#8217;s recovery from illness and her ongoing emotional distress as a postseason spectator, then share their takeaways from the first two games of each ALDS and the first game of each NLDS. After that (51:15), Ben Gibbard of Death Cab for Cutie joins to talk about how he&#8217;s handling postseason stress, his thoughts on the Mariners season and playoff performance so far, the team he would root for if he weren&#8217;t an M&#8217;s fan, and whether he&#8217;d write a Mariners victory song, plus a postscript (1:31:15) on how Guardians fans are feeling.
Audio&nbsp;intro: Ian H., &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x3QzhMjO6frLGXRoKk-h4I9dkWw16wff/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>&#8221;
Audio&nbsp;interstitial: Cory Brent, &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Pt4d-z71jiJ_H4Zb23Kos4vuP__tzf8t/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://x.com/SlangsOnSports/status/1974885930575290400" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Langs on Yesavage</a>
<a href="https://www.theringer.com/2025/09/30/mlb/mlb-playoffs-storylines-2025" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Ben on first-year pitchers</a>
<a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46488389/mlb-playoffs-2025-los-angeles-dodgers-roki-sasaki-closer-delivery-transformation" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Passan on Roki&#8217;s reinvention</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/mariners-survive-skubal-outlast-tigers-to-level-series/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to FG post on M&#8217;s-Tigers G2</a>
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DPCFNfECd6O/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to DCFC&#8217;s Mariners post</a>
<a href="https://archive.ph/ZbkD1" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to 2011 interview about DCFC&#8217;s name</a>
<a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/5xTA2qg0QkzHeKxBjrhzXG" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to &#8220;Ichiro&#8217;s Theme&#8221;</a>

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<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2384-playoff-baseball-is-cruel-but-it-beats-the-alternative/" rel="nofollow">Source</a>

Effectively Wild Episode 2384: Playoff Baseball is Cruel (But it Beats the Alternative)

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png" alt="EWFI" width="590" height="206" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-242076" srcset="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png 590w, https://blogs.fangraphs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi-300x105.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px" />
Ben Lindbergh brings on Michael Baumann, who immediately makes Ben regret it by subjecting him to a lyrical ode to Effectively Wild inspired by the Taylor Swift song &#8220;Wood.&#8221; Then they play &#8220;College Baseball Player or Make and Model of Car?&#8221; before recapping the three decisive Game 3s of the wild card round (with an emphasis on the absurdity of the Guardians&#8217; immediate elimination after their historic AL Central comeback, a bad call on <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/xander-bogaerts/12161/stats?position=SS" target="_blank">Xander Bogaerts</a>, the heroics of <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/cameron-schlittler/32095/stats?position=P" target="_blank">Cam Schlittler</a> and <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/ryan-mcmahon/15112/stats?position=3B" target="_blank">Ryan McMahon</a>, and converting from Red Sox fandom to Yankees fandom) and ranking the four division series matchups. Then (1:15:44) Ben talks to Tigers TV broadcaster <a href="https://x.com/jasonbenetti" target="_blank">Jason Benetti</a> about calling the team&#8217;s 2024 comeback and 2025 collapse, how to process their reprieve from elimination after a historic blown lead, players to pay attention to in the ALDS, and naturally, <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/players/john-brebbia/12777/stats?position=P" target="_blank">John Brebbia</a>.
Audio&nbsp;intro: Benny and a Million Shetland Ponies, &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Fe79WqDT_GXFX_lxicx_kPv11RE0Q1tf/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme (Horny)</a>&#8221;
Audio&nbsp;interstitial: Philip Bergman, &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r_SutdDwCAJtoMBaw5CjiM-mhsRmG6ii/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>&#8221;
Audio&nbsp;outro: Guy Russo, &#8220;<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/18ypilLuC54vxaDVVNtUuHSx9gP2ZcLug/view?usp=drive_link" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Effectively Wild Theme</a>&#8221;

<a href="https://genius.com/Taylor-swift-wood-lyrics" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to &#8220;Wood&#8221; lyrics</a>
<a href="https://www.theringer.com/2023/10/27/mlb/world-series-preview-texas-rangers-arizona-diamondbacks-bullpens-repeat-reliever-effect" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to reliever familiarity effect</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twLVmR8ugEo" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to call on Bogaerts</a>
<a href="https://x.com/padsfanatic/status/1973951202036756955" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Padres postgame video</a>
<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6686788/2025/10/03/padres-umpires-missed-calls-frustration/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Padres frustration</a>
<a href="https://x.com/UmpScorecards/status/1974119995933102198" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to ump scoreboard</a>
<a href="https://www.si.com/mlb/cam-schlittler-yankees-red-sox-playoffs-stats" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Schlittler fun facts</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/sunday-notes-cam-schlittler-shelved-his-splitter-yet-is-surviving-just-fine/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Schlittler pitches piece</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seC63AEk4-8" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Jeter catch</a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq16vKoaRXQ" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to McMahon catch</a>
<a href="https://x.com/yankee_enjoyer/status/1974169856410071471" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Schlittler&#8217;s mom&#8217;s account 1</a>
<a href="https://x.com/christineschli5" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Schlittler&#8217;s mom&#8217;s account 2</a>
<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/cam-schlittler-massachusetts-red-sox-yankees/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to article about Schlittler&#8217;s family</a>
<a href="https://www.theringer.com/2025/09/30/mlb/mlb-playoffs-storylines-2025" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Ben on first-year pitchers</a>
<a href="https://www.theringer.com/2025/08/29/mlb/mlb-biggest-winners-look-alike-milwaukee-brewers-toronto-blue-jays" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Ben on the Brewers and Jays</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2218-how-the-tigers-got-gr-r-reat/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to 2024 Benetti appearance</a>
<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2316-brebbia-is-the-soul-of-wit/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Brebbia EW episode</a>
<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/have-a-seat-with-jason-benetti-and-dan-dickerson/id1742348104" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Benetti&#8217;s podcast</a>
<a href="https://apnews.com/article/raleigh-skenes-judge-ohtani-baseball-digest-awards-b0014af56b73ceebe7100d3f8c80ba48" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Link to Cal award</a>

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<a href="https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2383-how-to-call-a-collapse/" rel="nofollow">Source</a>

Effectively Wild Episode 2383: How to Call a Collapse

Ben Lindbergh brings on Hannah Keyser and Zach Crizer of The Bandwagon to banter in a hopefully not-immediately-dated way about the first two days of playoff action, including the Dodgers dispatching the Reds, Dave Roberts using “Strategy,” Aaron Boone’s perceived mismanaging, the flamethrowing Mason Miller and a playoff-pitch-speed conundrum, and more, plus conversation about how […]

Effectively Wild Episode 2382: The October Bandwagon

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about their plans for playoff livestreams and an MLB attendance announcement, then recap the highlights of the last weekend of the regular season and discuss what excites them about the playoffs. Along the way, they rank the collapses of the Astros, Tigers, and Mets and banter about trade-deadline do-overs, […]

Effectively Wild Episode 2381: Week in (P)review

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Mariners clinching the AL West, the benefits and drawbacks of MVP debates, the power of great players to enhance a season for spectators, the Cardinals’ and Giants’ reciprocal eliminations, the near-extinction of the 200-inning pitcher, the Nationals’ new head of baseball ops, and how predictive a track […]

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#2393

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

#2392

Effectively Wild Episode 2391: It’s the World Series, Baby

#2391

Effectively Wild Episode 2390: Goodnight, Seattle

#2390

Effectively Wild Episode 2389: Max Effort

#2389

Effectively Wild Episode 2388: May the Fastest Fish Win

#2388

Effectively Wild Episode 2387: GIDPodcast

#2387

Effectively Wild Episode 2386: GOATs and Goats

#2386

Effectively Wild Episode 2385: Must-Win Shame

#2385

Effectively Wild Episode 2384: Playoff Baseball is Cruel (But it Beats the Alternative)

#2384

Effectively Wild Episode 2383: How to Call a Collapse

#2383

Effectively Wild Episode 2382: The October Bandwagon

#2382

Effectively Wild Episode 2381: Week in (P)review

#2381

Effectively Wild Episode 2380: Clinching Chaos