Effectively Wild: A Fangraphs Baseball Podcast

Ben and Sam discuss the improbable outcomes of the first three games between the Cardinals and Dodgers.

Ben and Sam discuss momentum, clutch, and other ALCS storylines.

Ben and Sam discuss Justin Verlander in the wake of his ALDS performance, then answer some listener emails.

Ben and Sam discuss Cubs prospects and (at the end of the episode) Joe Girardi’s managerial decision, then talk about the Pirates’ loss and answer some listener emails.

Ben and Sam discuss the narratives that are dominating the discussion this October.

Ben and Sam discuss the current true talent of Miguel Cabrera, then talk about pitchers starting on short rest in October.

Ben and Sam talk about two managers in the news, then discuss a pair of prospects Ben saw in Arizona.

Ben and Sam talk to Brian Kenny about the reaction to his campaign to kill the win and why sabermetrics needs a confrontational face.

Ben and Sam discuss Dayton Moore’s comments about the Royals’ season, then talk playoff starters.

Ben and Sam answer listener emails about unusual outfield alignments, high schoolers versus big leaguers, modern starters used like Cy Young, and more.

Ben and Sam preview the Reds-Pirates Wild Card game, then talk to Lone Star Ball’s Adam J. Morris about the Rangers’ season and tiebreak defeat.

Ben and Sam discuss Mariano Rivera’s farewell, Carlos Gomez’s suspension, and Bud Selig’s legacy.

Ben and Sam discuss whether contenders use their starters optimally in September, then talk about the Astros’ approach to team-building.

Ben and Sam answer listener emails about MVP debates, the future of soft-tossing pitcher, Hall of Fame voting, and more.

Ben and Sam discuss Manny Machado’s injury and season, then talk about playoff rotations.

Ben and Sam discuss a World Series suggestion by Scott Boras and the Hall of Fame cases of three PED-implicated players. (Breaking Bad spoilers from 2:00-6:00.)

Ben and Sam discuss Hanley Ramirez’s season and future, then talk about various teams’ chances to make it to October in 2014 (and beyond).

Ben and Sam discuss Billy Hamilton, the Rangers’ “collapse” narrative, the Rays’ pickup of Freddy Guzman, and the AL Wild Card race.

Ben and Sam answer listener emails about extreme tiebreak scenarios, home run robberies, the winningest and losingest players, Mike Trout, and more.

Ben and Sam discuss why players don’t choose year-to-year contracts, then rank contending teams by rootability.