Effectively Wild Episode 2486: Has the Clutch Code Been Cracked?

Effectively Wild Episode 2489: Baseball: Better Late Than Never

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the bunt’s rehabilitation and (17:49) the President publicly picking a side in MLB’s labor battle, then talk to two guests about falling in love with and learning about baseball as adults. First (32:35), beloved BBC presenter and The Guardian columnist Adrian Chiles breaks his baseball silence to expound on how he got bitten by the baseball bug, his long-distance Rays relationship, the loneliness of following baseball from afar, cross-sport comparisons, Chiles-like wonder, and what mystifies him as a fan. Second (1:21:39), Jade Van Kley joins to discuss her journey from registered nurse to baseball content creator, bingeing baseball history, finding an audience for baseball lore drops and video diaries of her first season as a fan, and what fascinates her about the sport. Audio intro: Moon Hound, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nUFPNuHpOrpem0flIdJO-zbMml2BaR_a/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio interstitial: Kite Person, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ShNIfvqdt84DII-pVYvCp32cIpVIP2V5/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZIp68xsf3VligZWlp_LIlfw_k-0KNsJt/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to Leo on left-handed hitting [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-year-of-the-left-handed-hitter/] Link to Other Ben on bunting [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/its-the-year-of-the-bunt-so-far/] Link to Stat Blast about bunting [https://effectivelywild.fandom.com/wiki/Episode_2084:_The_Sexiest_Free_Agents_Alive#Stat_Blast] Link to The Wire quote [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UW12BT9pYEw] Link to Padres’ three bunts [https://www.mlb.com/news/samad-taylor-padres-bunt-their-way-to-victory-over-the-reds] Link to MSG boos [https://bsky.app/profile/trumpstaxes.com/post/3mnsygygnyc2z] Link to Trump interview comments [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odNMRF4ADFk#t=19m23s] Link to BP on Trump comments [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/107710/in-the-dirt-the-biggest-wildcard-in-mlbs-looming-lockout-is-donald-trump/] Link to Drellich on Trump comments [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7336676/2026/06/05/trump-mlb-salary-cap-owners-labor/] Link to Drellich on Trump’s influence [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7037067/2026/02/11/mlb-president-trump-labor-issue-wbc/] Link to Trump’s Yankee Stadium visit [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6621004/2025/09/11/trump-yankees-game-president-attendance/] Link to Dodgers White House visit [https://www.mlb.com/news/dodgers-visit-white-house-to-celebrate-2024-world-series-title] Link to EW episode on Trump’s baseball past [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-1539-its-not-the-destination-its-the-journeyman/] Link to voter registration research [https://votehub.com/2026/01/20/the-political-lean-of-pro-sports/] Link to article on screwworms [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/08/science/cattle-disease-screwworm.html] Link to Adrian’s baseball column [https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/may/27/hardly-anyone-watches-baseball-in-the-uk-so-why-do-we-keep-speaking-its-language] Link to Adrian’s Guardian archive [https://www.theguardian.com/profile/adrian-chiles] Link to Chiles wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adrian_Chiles] Link to West Bromwich Albion wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Bromwich_Albion_F.C.] Link to Adrian’s BBC show [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/saturday-live/id285693232] Link to Adrian’s book about drinking [https://profilebooks.com/work/the-good-drinker/] Link to Adrian’s columns collection [https://profilebooks.com/work/the-curious-columns-of-adrian-chiles/] Link to article about Adrian 1 [https://www.gq.com/story/adrian-chiles-guardian-columnist-interview] Link to article about Adrian 2 [https://slate.com/human-interest/2023/03/adrian-chiles-guardian-column-interview.html] Link to article about Adrian 3 [https://theguyliner.substack.com/p/the-truth-about-adrian-chiles] Link to article about Adrian 4 [https://pressgazette.co.uk/news-leaders/adrian-chiles-interview/] Link to Chiles headline generator [https://www.thepoke.com/2025/07/12/our-adrian-chiles-guardian-column-title-generator/] Link to Machado comments [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7337442/2026/06/05/manny-machado-get-the-analytics-out-of-the-way/] Link to European Super League wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Super_League] Link to EW episode on promotion/relegation [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2157-sophomore-lumps/] Link to “silly position” at EW wiki [https://effectivelywild.fandom.com/wiki/Silly_Position] Link to Playing Hard Ball book [https://www.thenile.com.au/books/et-smith/playing-hard-ball/9780349116662?srsltid=AfmBOooiFSfW1KofYNiuZ_Z8xCOcAfZhLCLkSETDZo0nRhb195TfIOqL] Link to foul strike rule [https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Foul_strike_rule] Link to foul tip rule [https://www.mlb.com/glossary/rules/foul-tip] Link to Snickometer wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snickometer] Link to British baseball wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_baseball] Link to “Baseball Brit” EW episode [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-1355-opening-day-banter-and-the-baseball-brit/] Link to “London Series” EW episode [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-1398-what-mlb-looked-like-in-london/] Link to Adrian on soap dispensers [https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/10/pump-action-soap-dispensers-disgrace] Link to Whales logo [https://www.retroseasons.com/teams/chicago-whales/history/logos/] Link to @backlinenurse on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/backlinenurse] Link to Jade interstitial video [https://www.instagram.com/p/DVU1_YRk0zD/] Link to Jade on her first game [https://www.instagram.com/p/DZTpsrtTwxw/] Link to Sulphur Dell wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulphur_Dell] Link to Green Cathedrals book [https://sabr.org/latest/sabr-digital-library-green-cathedrals-fifth-edition/] Link to Veeck As In Wreck [https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/V/bo3630697.html] Link to Ben on Veeck As In Wreck [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/18325/overthinking-it-all-i-really-need-to-know-about-baseball-i-learned-from-bill-veeck/] Link to Ben on losing track of the count [https://www.theringer.com/2018/05/08/mlb/four-ball-non-walk-ian-kinsler] Link to pitcher hitting by year [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&month=0&ind=0&team=0%2Css&pos=p&startdate=&enddate=&season1=1871&season=2026&sortcol=0&sortdir=desc&pagenum=1&pageitems=200] Link to backline wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backline_(stage)] Link to Jade article 1 [https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2022/03/04/covid-19-tennessee-two-years-old-nashville-nurse-helping-musicians/6893115001/] Link to Jade article 2 [https://www.cosmopolitan.com/lifestyle/a38953910/great-resignation-stories/] [https://i.imgur.com/hT2AX6G.jpg] Sponsor Us on Patreon [http://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild] [https://i.imgur.com/xQIHgp3.png] Give a Gift Subscription [https://patreon.com/effectivelywild/gift] [https://i.imgur.com/tNOGFnG.png]podcast@fangraphs.com Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com [podcast@fangraphs.com] [https://i.imgur.com/gj3wTt4.png] Effectively Wild Subreddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/28HuIsx.png] Effectively Wild Wiki [http://effectivelywild.wikia.com/wiki/Effectively_Wild_Wiki] [https://i.imgur.com/n16jO21.png] Apple Podcasts Feed [http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/effectively-wild-daily-baseball/id545919715]  [https://i.imgur.com/fQfPcpV.png] Spotify Feed [https://open.spotify.com/show/18kbXy9p0jHw3o8f2cQlCj] [https://i.imgur.com/sjL4TbJ.png] YouTube Playlist [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXytxPs81CsUSJmN1mQMr526CdeDpf4vK] [https://i.imgur.com/jbkZAC1.png] Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/waJFv7Y.png] Bluesky Account [https://bsky.app/profile/ewpod.bsky.social] [https://i.imgur.com/DAtijEo.jpg] Twitter Account [https://twitter.com/ewpod] [https://i.imgur.com/YXW4kOd.png] Get Our Merch! [https://breakingt.com/collections/fangraphs] Source [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2489-baseball-better-late-than-never/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2488: Ohtani Rules

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild/membership]. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Shohei Ohtani’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/shohei-ohtani/19755/stats/batting]s career-year pace, how often his number of times on base has exceeded his times on base allowed in his two-way games, and his awards outlook, discuss Aaron Judge’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/aaron-judge/15640/stats/batting]s injury and the wide-open AL MVP race, and then (1:06:39) Stat Blast about the most former catchers in one game, Brayan Bello [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/brayan-bello/23920/stats/pitching]’s woes as a starter, clustering a team’s plate appearances in one inning, perfectly parallel pitch counts for piggybackers, long-lasting low-WAR players, where in the batting order teams tend to go back-to-back-to-belly, players with the longest streaks of having a teammate in the World Series, the most times striking out looking, the best duos drafted consecutively, and more. Audio intro: Tom Rhoads, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K07EyCA31NglTFT3h8Rdiiu0lpDyz9u_/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: El Warren, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ndTWsOUXceUIb7RGqCtQChfListDI3GP/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to FG combined WAR leaderboard [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/war?season=2026] Link to batting pace leaders [https://www.fangraphs.com/projections?type=onpacegpp&stats=bat&pos=&team=0&players=0&lg=all&z=1780727003&sortcol=&sortdir=desc&pageitems=30&statgroup=dashboard&fantasypreset=dashboard] Link to pitching pace leaders [https://www.fangraphs.com/projections?type=onpacegpp&stats=pit&pos=&team=0&players=0&lg=all&z=1780727003&sortcol=&sortdir=desc&pageitems=30&statgroup=dashboard&fantasypreset=dashboard] Link to Ohtani game story [https://www.mlb.com/news/shohei-ohtani-pitches-scoreless-gem-vs-d-backs] Link to “true win” wiki [https://effectivelywild.fandom.com/wiki/True_win] Link to “I’m the Greatest” [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua5EAfAMYpM] Link to Judge injury article [https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-judge-discusses-fractured-rib-move-to-injured-list] Link to Judge injury testing article [https://www.mlb.com/news/aaron-judge-to-get-more-testing-on-injured-rib-cage] Link to article on Judge injury impact [https://www.mlb.com/news/5-ways-aaron-judge-injury-can-impact-yankees-american-league] Link to Judge quote [https://x.com/eboland11/status/2062989293405053384] Link to Raiders scene [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQKrmDLvijo/] Link to story about Raiders scene [https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/iconic-scene-harrison-ford-regrets-shooting/] Link to Beer Barrel Man wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beer_Barrel_Man] Link to Ben on Ohtani and Judge 1 [https://www.theringer.com/2022/10/06/mlb/american-league-mvp-2022-aaron-judge-shohei-ohtani] Link to Ben on Ohtani and Judge 2 [https://www.theringer.com/2025/06/03/mlb/who-is-the-best-player-in-baseball-shohei-ohtani-or-aaron-judge] Link to Amtrak event [https://media.amtrak.com/2026/05/amtrak-and-transportation-secretary-sean-p-duffy-unveil-freedom250-train-in-celebration-of-americas-250th-anniversary/] Link to Crizer on scoreless innings streaks [https://bandwagon.ghost.io/the-scoreless-innings-record-is-in-play/] Link to The Miz on Pokémon [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/brewers-jacob-misiorowski-gives-pokemon-214927921.html] Link to Sánchez meal plan [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6235216/2025/03/28/cristopher-sanchez-phillies-breakout-diet-offseason/] Link to Red Sox vs. Guardians game [https://www.fangraphs.com/scores/box-score?date=2026-05-31&hometeamid=5&dh=0] Link to Sox catchers tweet [https://x.com/SmittyOnMLB/status/2062246280718377333] Link to The Onion blades article [https://theonion.com/fuck-everything-were-doing-five-blades-1819584036/] Link to Ben on Padres shortstops [https://www.theringer.com/2024/03/19/mlb/mlb-opening-day-games-2024-dodgers-padres-seoul-series-korea] Link to Russell on emergency catchers [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/41722/baseball-therapy-position-players-catching/] Link to catchers Blast text [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mTz41VMTkX6jBbplZmm1PpY6u9JetTJELIrbtEhAh0Q/edit?usp=sharing] Link to catchers Blast data [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1kcEiz492nosNnXVuNM5GzzyCTk9LlWlMtdK8iSpfXYw/edit?usp=sharing] Link to article on first-inning scoring [https://www.mlb.com/news/highest-scoring-inning-is-surprising] Link to info on first-inning scoring and HFA [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/first-inning-home-field-advantage/] Link to Bello Stathead query 1 [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/tiny/fEq5I] Link to Bello Stathead query 2 [https://www.sports-reference.com/stathead/tiny/LSM6s] Link to story on Bello being optioned [https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2026/06/red-sox-advice-to-optioned-brayan-bello-fall-in-love-with-baseball-all-over-again.html] Link to MLBTR on Bello [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/06/red-sox-to-option-brayan-bello-to-triple-a.html] Link to Yankees’ 13-run inning [https://www.mlb.com/news/yankees-score-13-runs-in-third-inning-against-athletics] Link to % of PA in one inning text [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EaLfe-3Gy9k79OPL12Vd1NjUOkQWMhfUE1fqSN2hA7g/edit?usp=sharing] Link to % of PA in one inning data [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dDNE_qfpeUQCIpsPFkux8jyezX9NlRJCto0CedMM7Ng/edit?usp=sharing] Link to Miller-Castillo game [https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SEA/SEA202605310.shtml] Link to parallel pitch counts text [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FfmIhbUDGlcvtUJfmflQY6l_ggRjuaKJGoyc1c0ZlSg/edit?usp=sharing] Link to SABR on Allan Roth [https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/allan-roth/] Link to longest-lasting players [https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/leaders_most_seasons.shtml] Link to consecutive-homers text [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TZugqvFL-QIi6Crz0IWr4mR2fEFuqk2NLkBNYpWam5c/edit?usp=sharing] Link to consecutive-homers data [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YgbAtruM9cjM214Cst9TuYAJDuP-7EJWIvgv35D7LVI/edit?usp=sharing] Link to The Human Centipede 3 wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Human_Centipede_3_(Final_Sequence)] Link to Jágr streak tweet [https://x.com/ginohard_/status/2062257455661506819] Link to Jágr streak post [https://www.reddit.com/r/hockey/comments/1kyc6uv/a_teammate_of_jaromir_jagrs_has_been_in_the/] Link to Jágr wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jarom%C3%ADr_J%C3%A1gr] Link to The Rural Juror clip [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kZBJs527-k] Link to teammate WS streaks data [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gt9G8IwLUtX1_SNvmg3xA-JDZWxJMvU-cF-Y625Yqaw/edit?usp=sharing] Link to looking-strikeouts text [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1c3Oil6iITg0ex8d9dgBHax2zXDBoUSBAcMun3qJlKTs/edit?usp=sharing] Link to Beltrán K [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWNe6cMsdsI] Link to previous “Toothpick” Jones episode [https://effectivelywild.fandom.com/wiki/Episode_1480:_What_We%E2%80%99ll_Remember_About_Baseball_in_2019] Link to draft duos data [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JR7zat4vRAbxlaeZU72WONuq2iV8_BBxhiMlOzHeYp4/edit?usp=sharing] Link to harmonic mean wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmonic_mean] Link to Brett-Schmidt draft round [https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/index.fcgi?year_ID=1971&draft_round=2&draft_type=junreg&query_type=year_round] Link to listener emails database [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-8lpspHQuR5GK7S_nNtGunLGrx60QnSa8XLG_wvRb4Q/edit?usp=sharing] Link to Emil Gumbel wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emil_Julius_Gumbel] Link to @ScoringChanges tweet 1 [https://x.com/ScoringChanges/status/2062050995233026507] Link to @ScoringChanges tweet 2 [https://x.com/ScoringChanges/status/2063098465492873602] Link to @ScoringChanges tweet 3 [https://x.com/ScoringChanges/status/2063098468202344534] Link to loose bodies clip [https://x.com/ProFootballDoc/status/2062955112314867868] [https://i.imgur.com/hT2AX6G.jpg] Sponsor Us on Patreon [http://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild] [https://i.imgur.com/xQIHgp3.png] Give a Gift Subscription [https://patreon.com/effectivelywild/gift] [https://i.imgur.com/tNOGFnG.png]podcast@fangraphs.com Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com [podcast@fangraphs.com] [https://i.imgur.com/gj3wTt4.png] Effectively Wild Subreddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/28HuIsx.png] Effectively Wild Wiki [http://effectivelywild.wikia.com/wiki/Effectively_Wild_Wiki] [https://i.imgur.com/n16jO21.png] Apple Podcasts Feed [http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/effectively-wild-daily-baseball/id545919715]  [https://i.imgur.com/fQfPcpV.png] Spotify Feed [https://open.spotify.com/show/18kbXy9p0jHw3o8f2cQlCj] [https://i.imgur.com/sjL4TbJ.png] YouTube Playlist [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXytxPs81CsUSJmN1mQMr526CdeDpf4vK] [https://i.imgur.com/jbkZAC1.png] Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/waJFv7Y.png] Bluesky Account [https://bsky.app/profile/ewpod.bsky.social] [https://i.imgur.com/DAtijEo.jpg] Twitter Account [https://twitter.com/ewpod] [https://i.imgur.com/YXW4kOd.png] Get Our Merch! [https://breakingt.com/collections/fangraphs] Source [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2488-ohtani-rules/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2487: A Time to Canseco and a Time to Leap

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the duality of Jo Adell’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/jo-adell/20220/stats/batting]s defense (after the FARTBAT low that followed his triple-robbery high), Spencer Arrighetti [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/spencer-arrighetti/29921/stats/pitching] and MLB’s monthly player honors as the last bastion of old-school-stat-based awards, whether a team with a losing record could make the playoffs this season, Paul Goldschmidt’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/paul-goldschmidt/9218/stats/batting]s pleasing platoon role, how much credit the Brewers deserve for Kyle Harrison’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/kyle-harrison/27758/stats/pitching]s success, Louis Varland’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/louie-varland/27691/stats/pitching]s value, the Tigers’ rapid plummet out of contention, the twilights of Nick Castellanos’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/nick-castellanos/11737/stats/batting]s and Andrew McCutchen [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/andrew-mccutchen/9847/stats/batting]’s careers, and (1:15:01) whether the CBA negotiations merit horse race-style coverage. Audio intro: Alex Glossman and Ali Breneman, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LwE1yLYIymQe16tQBjqWkF9Tx8DNlZez/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme 2 [https://drive.google.com/file/d/17xCKWhVd_jYCsHmnzYS21kpPsWJ2zj73/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to Adell’s FARTBAT [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkE1VK6FXVk] Link to Adell quote [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48953462/ball-bonks-angels-adell-head-fence-home-run] Link to Adell’s three robberies [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeJjnr68I5I] Link to dramatic robbery photo [https://www.instagram.com/p/DWvax6WCWN1/] Link to EW robbery discussion [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2462-coolness-personified-and-quantified/] Link to Adell’s 2020 FARTBAT [https://x.com/FabianArdaya/status/1292562022475784192] Link to Canseco FARTBAT [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QixQMUu4CKI] Link to May’s Pitchers of the Month [https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-cristopher-sanchez-of-the-philadelphia-phillies-named-the-national-league-pitcher-of-the-month-for-may-spencer-arrighetti-of-the-houston-astros-named-the-american-league-pitcher-of-the-month-for-may] Link to Pereda nut shot [https://x.com/SNYtv/status/2062009740473835929] Link to Pennywise quote [https://nofilmschool.com/it-we-all-float-down-here-analysis] Link to Desk Set wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desk_Set] Link to Player of the Month Award wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Baseball_Player_of_the_Month_Award] Link to past PotM winners [https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/player_of_the_month_award.shtml] Link to THT article on the award [https://tht.fangraphs.com/exploring-the-player-of-the-month-award/] Link to pitcher WAR leaders in May [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=al%2Cnl&season=2026&season1=2026&ind=0&qual=0&type=8&month=5&pageitems=100&pagenum=1] Link to Sportico on the unbalanced leagues [https://www.sportico.com/leagues/baseball/2026/mlb-standings-american-league-balanced-schedule-1234901805/] Link to MLB.com on the lower October bar [https://www.mlb.com/news/how-new-format-lets-struggling-teams-reach-postseason] Link to Jay on the Tigers [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-tigers-have-collapsed-but-not-because-of-their-rotation/] Link to Skubal rehab update [https://www.mlb.com/news/tarik-skubal-projects-to-return-from-elbow-surgery-soon] Link to Rosenthal on Skubal [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7322653/2026/06/01/tarik-skubal-detroit-tigers-trade/] Link to lowest-win playoff teams [https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-teams-worst-records-in-postseason] Link to Curt on Harrison [https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/mlb/brewers/2026/03/04/kyle-harrison-arrived-at-brewers-spring-training-with-a-new-changeup/88952103007/] Link to Location+ leaders [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&type=37&season=2026&month=1000&season1=2026&ind=0&sortcol=13&sortdir=default&qual=10&startdate=2026-03-01&enddate=2026-06-02&team=0] Link to Brewers WAR leaders [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/war?lg=&teamid=23] Link to reliever WAR leaders [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&lg=all&type=8&season=2026&month=1000&season1=2026&ind=0&stats=rel&qual=0&startdate=2026-03-01&enddate=2026-06-02&team=0] Link to four-seamer velo leaders [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&type=8&season=2026&month=1000&season1=2026&ind=0&sortcol=15&sortdir=default&qual=10&team=0&startdate=2026-03-01&enddate=2026-06-02] Link to MLBTR on McCutchen [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/05/rangers-designate-andrew-mccutchen-for-assignment.html] Link to MLBTR on Castellanos [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/06/padres-designate-nick-castellanos-for-assignment.html] Link to Clemens on the opening offers [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/mlb-and-the-mlbpa-have-made-their-opening-offers/] Link to Drellich on Meyer/Caplin quotes [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7324965/2026/06/01/mlb-players-union-proposal-pay-cut-bargaining/] Link to Drellich on Manfred quotes [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7331800/2026/06/03/commissioner-rob-manfred-mlb-luxury-tax-system-fail/] Link to The Athletic on open books [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7327993/2026/06/03/mailbag-what-if-skenes-labor-abs/] Link to story on Sánchez’s streak [https://www.mlb.com/phillies/news/cristopher-sanchez-scoreless-innings-streak] [https://i.imgur.com/hT2AX6G.jpg] Sponsor Us on Patreon [http://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild] [https://i.imgur.com/xQIHgp3.png] Give a Gift Subscription [https://patreon.com/effectivelywild/gift] [https://i.imgur.com/tNOGFnG.png]podcast@fangraphs.com Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com [podcast@fangraphs.com] [https://i.imgur.com/gj3wTt4.png] Effectively Wild Subreddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/28HuIsx.png] Effectively Wild Wiki [http://effectivelywild.wikia.com/wiki/Effectively_Wild_Wiki] [https://i.imgur.com/n16jO21.png] Apple Podcasts Feed [http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/effectively-wild-daily-baseball/id545919715]  [https://i.imgur.com/fQfPcpV.png] Spotify Feed [https://open.spotify.com/show/18kbXy9p0jHw3o8f2cQlCj] [https://i.imgur.com/sjL4TbJ.png] YouTube Playlist [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXytxPs81CsUSJmN1mQMr526CdeDpf4vK] [https://i.imgur.com/jbkZAC1.png] Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/waJFv7Y.png] Bluesky Account [https://bsky.app/profile/ewpod.bsky.social] [https://i.imgur.com/DAtijEo.jpg] Twitter Account [https://twitter.com/ewpod] [https://i.imgur.com/YXW4kOd.png] Get Our Merch! [https://breakingt.com/collections/fangraphs] Source [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2487-a-time-to-canseco-and-a-time-to-leap/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2486: Has the Clutch Code Been Cracked?

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Fernando Tatis Jr.’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/fernando-tatis-jr/19709/stats/batting]s first home run of the season, injuries to Munetaka Murakami [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/munetaka-murakami/37120/stats/batting] and Craig Kimbrel [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/craig-kimbrel/6655/stats/pitching], a crotch-related suspension precedent, the mystery of Julio Rodriguez’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/julio-rodriguez/sa3007992/stats/pitching]s defense, Roki Sasaki’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/roki-sasaki/35323/stats/pitching]s surge, the phenomenon of National Anthem standoffs, Carmen Mlodzinski’ [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/carmen-mlodzinski/27572/stats/pitching]s brief relief revolt, whether Victor Wembanyama would be a good pitcher, Aaron Ashby [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/aaron-ashby/23550/stats/pitching]’s weirdly winning ways, (1:04:19) whether the Brewers have somehow solved clutch hitting, and the possibility of a Craig Breslow “interpreter.” Audio intro: Cory Brent, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Pt4d-z71jiJ_H4Zb23Kos4vuP__tzf8t/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Nate Emerson, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EquxhP2rk11C79uLJ6UGylakDUOcbvzY/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to Tatis HR [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sg4SVX-WA0] Link to Tatis HR website [https://hasfernandotatisjrhitahomerunyet.streamlit.app/] Link to Kimbrel injury news [https://www.mlb.com/news/rays-place-craig-kimbrel-on-injured-list] Link to MLBTR on Murakami [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/05/white-sox-likely-to-place-munetaka-murakami-on-injured-list.html] Link to Murakami injury play [https://www.youtube.com/shorts/fL7QaPZzt2I] Link to BP on Gonzalez [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/article/107547/the-call-up-jacob-gonzalez-chicago-white-sox-debut/] Link to Elly injury news [https://www.mlb.com/news/edwin-arroyo-called-up-elly-de-la-cruz-injured-list] Link to Pérez injury news [https://www.mlb.com/news/eury-perez-on-injured-list-with-leg-strain] Link to gracilis muscle wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gracilis_muscle] Link to Papelbon article 1 [https://www.si.com/mlb/2014/09/16/jonathan-papelbon-suspension-crotch-grab-phillies-joe-west] Link to Papelbon article 2 [https://www.mlb.com/news/jonathan-papelbon-returns-from-suspension-maintains-innocence/c-96298324] Link to Papelbon article 3 [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/11535029/jonathan-papelbon-philadelphia-phillies-suspended-7-games-obscene-gesture] Link to Julio’s defense at Savant [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/julio-rodriguez-677594?stats=statcast-r-fielding-mlb#statcast-fielding-run-value] Link to Julio’s defense at FG [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/julio-rodriguez/23697/stats/batting#advanced-fielding] Link to May leaders in pitcher WAR [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&season=2026&season1=2026&ind=0&type=8&month=5&qual=0&sortcol=20&sortdir=default&pagenum=1&pageitems=50] Link to Wrobleski spreadies article [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7322124/2026/06/01/dodgers-justin-wrobleski-breakout/] Link to standoff ejections article [https://www.mlb.com/news/angels-rays-pitchers-ejected-in-national-anthem-stand-off] Link to standoff ejections article [https://www.mlb.com/video/suter-wilson-rodriguez-ejected-for-anthem-standoff] Link to Mlodzinski article 1 [https://triblive.com/sports/kevin-gormans-take-5-carmen-mlodzinski-saga-overshadowed-positive-news-for-pirates/] Link to Mlodzinski article 2 [https://www.mlb.com/news/carmen-mlodzinski-placed-on-restricted-list] Link to Mlodzinski article 3 [https://www.mlb.com/news/mackey-s-mailbag-carmen-mlodzinski-s-future-pirates-additions-braxton-ashcraft-s-season-and-more] Link to team SP WAR [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2026&month=1000&season1=2026&ind=0&team=0%2Cts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&stats=sta&startdate=2026-03-01&enddate=2026-05-31] Link to team RP WAR [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2026&month=1000&season1=2026&ind=0&team=0%2Cts&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&startdate=2026-03-01&enddate=2026-05-31&stats=rel] Link to Pirates pitcher WAR leaders [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&type=8&season=2026&month=1000&season1=2026&ind=0&team=27&qual=0&startdate=2026-03-01&enddate=2026-05-31] Link to Jaso EW wiki [https://effectivelywild.fandom.com/wiki/John_Jaso] Link to Jaso on EW [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-1225-such-is-this-game-and-such-is-john-jaso/] Link to Wemby baseball photo post [https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2023/6/21/23768326/victor-wembanyamas-hand-baseball-photo-first-pitch-video] Link to Wemby baseball photo [https://x.com/sportingnews/status/1671278973278404611] Link to Shelob wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelob] Link to Wemby’s Yankee Stadium visit [https://www.mlb.com/news/victor-wembanyama-visits-yankees-at-yankee-stadium] Link to Wemby’s first pitch video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nWYZqKR3Ow] Link to Wemby height article 1 [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6719924/2025/10/15/victor-wembanyama-height-measurements-spurs-nba/] Link to Wemby height article 2 [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6737805/2025/10/22/victor-wembanyama-height-mystery-nba-spurs/] Link to pitcher win leaders [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&type=8&season=2026&month=1000&season1=2026&ind=0&qual=0&sortcol=2&sortdir=default&startdate=2026-03-01&enddate=2026-05-31&team=0] Link to Ashby’s game log [https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=ashbyaa01&t=p&year=2026] Link to single-season RP leaders [https://www.statmuse.com/mlb/ask/most-wins-in-a-single-season-by-a-relief-pitcher] Link to Face obit [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/14/us/elroy-face-dead.html] Link to Sheehan on clutch [https://www.joesheehan.com/2026/05/newsletter-excerpt-may-23-2026-thinking.html] Link to Episode 2263 wiki [https://effectivelywild.fandom.com/wiki/Episode_2263:_The_Stories_We_Missed_in_2024_(NL_Edition)] Link to Brewers clutch data [https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mYOvYFF5mT42-IjUzPNDc_3j1-XrEeFC?usp=sharing] Link to 2026 tOPS+ w/RISP [http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/lD3UH] Link to Brooklyn clutch streak [https://imgur.com/E7OG2VG] Link to New York clutch streak [https://imgur.com/Z4C4jr6] Link to Philly clutch streak [https://imgur.com/w5fbPxB] Link to Gumbel distribution wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gumbel_distribution] Link to Clay Davenport’s adjusted standings [https://claydavenport.com/stats/standings.html] Link to BaseRuns standings page [https://www.fangraphs.com/standings/pythagorean-baseruns] Link to Dan S. on the Brewers [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/why-does-zips-hate-the-milwaukee-brewers/] Link to Brewers wOBA w/RISP [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2026%7C2025%7C2024%7C2023%7C2022%7C2021%7C2020%7C&hfSit=&player_type=batter&hfOuts=&home_road=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&hfEventOuts=&hfEventRuns=&hfABSFlag=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=2026-05-31&hfMo=&hfTeam=&hfOpponent=&hfRO=5%7C&position=&hfInfield=&hfOutfield=&hfInn=&hfBBT=&hfFlag=&metric_1=&group_by=team&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=woba&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&chk_stats_abs=on&chk_stats_hits=on&chk_stats_woba=on#results] Link to Brewers wOBA w/no RISP [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2026%7C2025%7C2024%7C2023%7C2022%7C2021%7C2020%7C&hfSit=&player_type=batter&hfOuts=&home_road=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&hfEventOuts=&hfEventRuns=&hfABSFlag=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=2026-05-31&hfMo=&hfTeam=&hfOpponent=&hfRO=7%7C8%7C&position=&hfInfield=&hfOutfield=&hfInn=&hfBBT=&hfFlag=&metric_1=&group_by=team&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=woba&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&chk_stats_abs=on&chk_stats_hits=on&chk_stats_woba=on#results] Link to Brewers xWOBA w/RISP [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2026%7C2025%7C2024%7C2023%7C2022%7C2021%7C2020%7C&hfSit=&player_type=batter&hfOuts=&home_road=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&hfEventOuts=&hfEventRuns=&hfABSFlag=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=2026-05-31&hfMo=&hfTeam=&hfOpponent=&hfRO=5%7C&position=&hfInfield=&hfOutfield=&hfInn=&hfBBT=&hfFlag=&metric_1=&group_by=team&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=xwoba&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&chk_stats_abs=on&chk_stats_hits=on&chk_stats_woba=on&chk_stats_xwoba=on#results] Link to Brewers xWOBA w/no RISP [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2026%7C2025%7C2024%7C2023%7C2022%7C2021%7C2020%7C&hfSit=&player_type=batter&hfOuts=&home_road=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&hfEventOuts=&hfEventRuns=&hfABSFlag=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=2026-05-31&hfMo=&hfTeam=&hfOpponent=&hfRO=7%7C8%7C&position=&hfInfield=&hfOutfield=&hfInn=&hfBBT=&hfFlag=&metric_1=&group_by=team&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=xwoba&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&chk_stats_abs=on&chk_stats_hits=on&chk_stats_woba=on&chk_stats_xwoba=on#results] Link to Brewers wOBA w/RISP at home [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2026%7C2025%7C2024%7C2023%7C2022%7C2021%7C2020%7C&hfSit=&player_type=batter&hfOuts=&home_road=Home&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&hfEventOuts=&hfEventRuns=&hfABSFlag=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=2026-05-31&hfMo=&hfTeam=&hfOpponent=&hfRO=5%7C&position=&hfInfield=&hfOutfield=&hfInn=&hfBBT=&hfFlag=&metric_1=&group_by=team&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=woba&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&chk_stats_abs=on&chk_stats_hits=on&chk_stats_woba=on#results] Link to Brewers wOBA w/RISP on the road [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2026%7C2025%7C2024%7C2023%7C2022%7C2021%7C2020%7C&hfSit=&player_type=batter&hfOuts=&home_road=Road&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&hfEventOuts=&hfEventRuns=&hfABSFlag=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=2026-05-31&hfMo=&hfTeam=&hfOpponent=&hfRO=5%7C&position=&hfInfield=&hfOutfield=&hfInn=&hfBBT=&hfFlag=&metric_1=&group_by=team&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=woba&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&chk_stats_abs=on&chk_stats_hits=on&chk_stats_woba=on#results] Link to Brewers BABIP w/RISP [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2026%7C2025%7C2024%7C2023%7C2022%7C2021%7C2020%7C&hfSit=&player_type=batter&hfOuts=&home_road=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&hfEventOuts=&hfEventRuns=&hfABSFlag=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=2026-05-31&hfMo=&hfTeam=&hfOpponent=&hfRO=5%7C&position=&hfInfield=&hfOutfield=&hfInn=&hfBBT=&hfFlag=&metric_1=&group_by=team&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=babip&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&chk_stats_abs=on&chk_stats_hits=on&chk_stats_woba=on&chk_stats_babip=on#results] Link to Brewers BABIP w/no RISP [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2026%7C2025%7C2024%7C2023%7C2022%7C2021%7C2020%7C&hfSit=&player_type=batter&hfOuts=&home_road=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&hfEventOuts=&hfEventRuns=&hfABSFlag=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=2026-05-31&hfMo=&hfTeam=&hfOpponent=&hfRO=7%7C8%7C&position=&hfInfield=&hfOutfield=&hfInn=&hfBBT=&hfFlag=&metric_1=&group_by=team&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=babip&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&chk_stats_abs=on&chk_stats_hits=on&chk_stats_woba=on&chk_stats_babip=on#results] Link to Brewers Whiff% w/RISP [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2026%7C2025%7C2024%7C2023%7C2022%7C2021%7C2020%7C&hfSit=&player_type=batter&hfOuts=&home_road=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&hfEventOuts=&hfEventRuns=&hfABSFlag=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=2026-05-31&hfMo=&hfTeam=&hfOpponent=&hfRO=5%7C&position=&hfInfield=&hfOutfield=&hfInn=&hfBBT=&hfFlag=&metric_1=&group_by=team&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=swing_miss_percent&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&chk_stats_abs=on&chk_stats_hits=on&chk_stats_woba=on&chk_stats_babip=on&chk_stats_swing_miss_percent=on&chk_stats_hardhit_percent=on#results] Link to Brewers Whiff% w/no RISP [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=&hfC=&hfSea=2026%7C2025%7C2024%7C2023%7C2022%7C2021%7C2020%7C&hfSit=&player_type=batter&hfOuts=&home_road=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&hfEventOuts=&hfEventRuns=&hfABSFlag=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=2026-05-31&hfMo=&hfTeam=&hfOpponent=&hfRO=7%7C8%7C&position=&hfInfield=&hfOutfield=&hfInn=&hfBBT=&hfFlag=&metric_1=&group_by=team&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=swing_miss_percent&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&chk_stats_abs=on&chk_stats_hits=on&chk_stats_woba=on&chk_stats_babip=on&chk_stats_swing_miss_percent=on&chk_stats_hardhit_percent=on#results] Link to Brewers Pull% w/RISP [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=Pull%7C&hfC=&hfSea=2026%7C2025%7C2024%7C2023%7C2022%7C2021%7C2020%7C&hfSit=&player_type=batter&hfOuts=&home_road=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&hfEventOuts=&hfEventRuns=&hfABSFlag=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=2026-05-31&hfMo=&hfTeam=&hfOpponent=&hfRO=5%7C&position=&hfInfield=&hfOutfield=&hfInn=&hfBBT=&hfFlag=is%5C.%5C.hit%5C.%5C.into%5C.%5C.play%7C&metric_1=&group_by=team&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=pitch_percent&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&chk_stats_abs=on&chk_stats_hits=on&chk_stats_woba=on&chk_stats_babip=on&chk_stats_swing_miss_percent=on&chk_stats_hardhit_percent=on&chk_game_date_lt=on&chk_runner_on=on&chk_is..hit..into..play=on#results] Link to Brewers Pull% w/no RISP [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=&hfAB=&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=Pull%7C&hfC=&hfSea=2026%7C2025%7C2024%7C2023%7C2022%7C2021%7C2020%7C&hfSit=&player_type=batter&hfOuts=&home_road=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&hfEventOuts=&hfEventRuns=&hfABSFlag=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=2026-05-31&hfMo=&hfTeam=&hfOpponent=&hfRO=7%7C8%7C&position=&hfInfield=&hfOutfield=&hfInn=&hfBBT=&hfFlag=is%5C.%5C.hit%5C.%5C.into%5C.%5C.play%7C&metric_1=&group_by=team&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=pitch_percent&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&chk_stats_abs=on&chk_stats_hits=on&chk_stats_woba=on&chk_stats_babip=on&chk_stats_swing_miss_percent=on&chk_stats_hardhit_percent=on&chk_game_date_lt=on&chk_runner_on=on&chk_is..hit..into..play=on#results] Link to Super Saiyan wiki [https://dragonball.fandom.com/wiki/Super_Saiyan] Link to Marmol on Brewers sign-stealing [https://apnews.com/article/cardinals-brewers-stealing-signs-dugout-3ead932d930cabac6f3ad4c3da87b84c] Link to Brewers sign-stealing rumor [https://northsidebaseball.com/forums/topic/56019-proof-the-brewers-are-stealing-signs-again/] Link to “man in white” story 1 [https://www.espn.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/6837424/baseball-toronto-blue-jays-suspicion-again-stealing-signs-rogers-centre] Link to “man in white” story 2 [https://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/padres-deny-man-white-stealing-signs/] Link to “man in white” story 3 [https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/blue-jays-stealing-signs-one-royal-says-they-got-a-guy-in-center-field/] EW sign-stealing history episode [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-1505-sign-stealing-is-a-flat-circle/] Link to Healey on Breslow [https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/06/01/sports/craig-breslow-state-of-the-red-sox/] Link to “anger translator” sketch [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qv7k2_lc0M] Link to Brown trade news [https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48912173/2026-nfl-offseason-aj-brown-trade-patriots-eagles-receiver-draft-picks-barnwell] Link to Yankees scoring stat 1 [https://bsky.app/profile/slangsonsports.bsky.social/post/3mn6otl6bvc2s] Link to Yankees scoring stat 2 [https://bsky.app/profile/slangsonsports.bsky.social/post/3mn6mvcqbzs2z] Link to Mlodzinski update 1 [https://www.mlb.com/pirates/news/pirates-carmen-mlodzinski-now-off-the-restricted-list-ready-to-embrace-new-role] Link to Mlodzinski update 2 [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/06/pirates-place-carmen-mlodzinski-on-restricted-list.html] [https://i.imgur.com/hT2AX6G.jpg] Sponsor Us on Patreon [http://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild] [https://i.imgur.com/xQIHgp3.png] Give a Gift Subscription [https://patreon.com/effectivelywild/gift] [https://i.imgur.com/tNOGFnG.png]podcast@fangraphs.com Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com [podcast@fangraphs.com] [https://i.imgur.com/gj3wTt4.png] Effectively Wild Subreddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/28HuIsx.png] Effectively Wild Wiki [http://effectivelywild.wikia.com/wiki/Effectively_Wild_Wiki] [https://i.imgur.com/n16jO21.png] Apple Podcasts Feed [http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/effectively-wild-daily-baseball/id545919715]  [https://i.imgur.com/fQfPcpV.png] Spotify Feed [https://open.spotify.com/show/18kbXy9p0jHw3o8f2cQlCj] [https://i.imgur.com/sjL4TbJ.png] YouTube Playlist [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXytxPs81CsUSJmN1mQMr526CdeDpf4vK] [https://i.imgur.com/jbkZAC1.png] Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/waJFv7Y.png] Bluesky Account [https://bsky.app/profile/ewpod.bsky.social] [https://i.imgur.com/DAtijEo.jpg] Twitter Account [https://twitter.com/ewpod] [https://i.imgur.com/YXW4kOd.png] Get Our Merch! [https://breakingt.com/collections/fangraphs] Source [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2486-has-the-clutch-code-been-cracked/]

Effectively Wild Episode 2485: Let’s Enhance?

EWFI [http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ewlogofi.png] This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, please visit our Patreon [https://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild/membership]. Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the Enhanced Games and whether they would watch a baseball league where PEDS were explicitly permitted, Abner Uribe [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/abner-uribe/25327/stats/pitching]’s crotch-chop suspension, and (34:40) the most disappointing and surprising (in a positive way) teams of 2026, then (55:37) answer emails about raising a girl who likes baseball, how a salary cap would affect prices for fans, home runs on the first pitch of the game, the Hall of Fame prospects of Kenley Jansen [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/kenley-jansen/3096/stats/pitching], Craig Kimbrel [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/craig-kimbrel/6655/stats/pitching], and Aroldis Chapman [https://www.fangraphs.com/players/aroldis-chapman/10233/stats/pitching], the most players appearing in a game against their former team, and how to evaluate whether a team’s player development was responsible for a player’s success or failure. Audio intro: The Shirey Brothers, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lGyXnWwEoa3G1mWIJfdeNs8HHFLR8Ml7/view?usp=drive_link]” Audio outro: Jonathan Crymes, “Effectively Wild Theme [https://drive.google.com/file/d/1u9uMDVhB3JbuuT3HQYDzXcl4cXc-mY4Z/view?usp=drive_link]” Link to “Let’s enhance” meme [https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/zoom-and-enhance] Link to “Let’s enhance” montage [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhF_56SxrGk] Link to Enhanced Games wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enhanced_Games] Link to Defector on the Enhanced Games [https://defector.com/the-enhanced-games-were-a-predictably-stupid-failure] Link to The Conversation on the Enhanced Games [https://theconversation.com/the-enhanced-games-set-out-to-transform-sport-but-the-results-looked-surprisingly-ordinary-283813] Link to NPR on the Enhanced Games [https://www.npr.org/2026/05/24/nx-s1-5831252/enhanced-games-steroids-olympics-trump] Link to nostalgia study [https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/05/24/when-america-was-great-according-data/] Link to Ben on the PED era [https://www.theringer.com/2018/09/28/mlb/mark-mcgwire-sammy-sosa-steroid-era-home-run-chase] Link to McGwire Simpsons clip [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-k1vDjbxs8] Link to dinger distribution article 1 [https://www.theringer.com/2019/08/30/mlb/juiced-ball-home-run-lineup-distribution] Link to dinger distribution article 2 [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-other-weird-thing-about-the-home-run-surge/] Link to dinger distribution article 3 [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/home-runs-and-the-middle-class/] Link to Hill homer [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYzLhljyMzA] Link to Uribe post [https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/brewers-manager-pat-murphy-calls-out-unacceptable-crotch-chop-celebration-from-relief-pitcher-abner-uribe-045701581.html] Link to MLB.com on Uribe [https://www.mlb.com/news/brewers-cardinals-clear-air-surrounding-abner-uribe-gesture] Link to AP on Uribe [https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48892964/cardinals-manager-pointed-ribs-warning-brewers-signs] Link to MLBTR on Uribe [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/05/mlb-announces-one-game-suspension-for-abner-uribe.html] Link to Uribe/Marmol video [https://www.reddit.com/r/baseball/comments/1tqbg8p/abner_uribe_says_he_did_the_dx_suck_it_chops/] Link to D-Generation X wiki [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D-Generation_X] Link to DX chop compilation [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oj0KUcYXFHk] Link to player names on Uribe [https://www.baseball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?search=abner] Link to playoff odds changes [https://www.fangraphs.com/standings/playoff-odds/fg/mlb?date=2026-05-29&dateDelta=2026-03-25] Link to team wRC+ [https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders/major-league?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=0&type=8&season=2026&month=1000&season1=2026&ind=0&team=0%2Cts&rost=&age=&filter=&players=0&sortcol=17&sortdir=default&startdate=2026-03-01&enddate=2026-05-28] Link to SI on Rays hitting [https://www.si.com/mlb/rays-bringing-small-ball-back-its-working] Link to Posnanski on Rays hitting [https://www.joeposnanski.com/p/we-dont-really-know-baseball] Link to Garp quote [https://www.themangotimes.com/themt/robin-williams-pre-disastered] Link to Owen Meany quote [https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/434356-baseball-is-a-game-with-a-lot-of-waiting-in] Link to Tatis HR website [https://hasfernandotatisjrhitahomerunyet.streamlit.app/] Link to MLBTR on Pérez injury [https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/05/marlins-place-eury-perez-on-injured-list.html] Link to dynamic vs. static stretching [https://health.clevelandclinic.org/dynamic-stretching-vs-static-stretching] Link to Goodnight Baseball [https://shop.capstonepub.com/Shop/s/product/detail/01t4z00000Ad1FGAAZ] Link to @dril tweet [https://x.com/dril/status/1008896576876670977] Link to BP on payrolls and prices 1 [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/1844/lies-damned-lies-ticket-prices-vs-player-salaries/] Link to BP on payrolls and prices 1 [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/47985/moonshot-big-contracts-dont-make-tickets-more-expensive/] Link to BP on payrolls and prices 3 [https://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/article/72886/veteran-presence-the-relationship-between-player-salaries-and-ticket-prices/] Link to first-pitch homers [https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/statcast_search?hfPT=&hfAB=home%5C.%5C.run%7C&hfGT=R%7C&hfPR=&hfZ=&hfStadium=&hfBBL=&hfNewZones=&hfPull=&hfC=00%7C&hfSea=2026%7C2025%7C2024%7C2023%7C2022%7C2021%7C2020%7C2019%7C2018%7C2017%7C2016%7C2015%7C2014%7C2013%7C2012%7C2011%7C2010%7C2009%7C2008%7C&hfSit=&player_type=pitcher&hfOuts=0%7C&home_road=&pitcher_throws=&batter_stands=&hfSA=&hfEventOuts=&hfEventRuns=&hfABSFlag=&game_date_gt=&game_date_lt=2026-05-28&hfMo=&hfTeam=&hfOpponent=&hfRO=&position=&hfInfield=&hfOutfield=&hfInn=1%7C&hfBBT=&hfFlag=is%5C.%5C.hit%5C.%5C.into%5C.%5C.play%7C&metric_1=lineup_cd&metric_1_gt=1&metric_1_lt=1&group_by=league-year&min_pitches=0&min_results=0&min_pas=0&sort_col=pitches&player_event_sort=api_p_release_speed&sort_order=desc&chk_is..hit..into..play=on#results] Link to Sam on first-pitch homers 1 [https://pebblehunting.substack.com/p/first-pitch-swinging] Link to Sam on first-pitch homers 2 [https://pebblehunting.substack.com/p/run-it-back] Link to Sam on first-pitch homers 3 [https://pebblehunting.substack.com/p/three-small-samples] Link to RP JAWS [https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/jaws_RP.shtml] Link to player development study 1 [https://www.drivelinebaseball.com/2019/04/finding-star-nothing-luck-quantifying-effectiveness-mlb-player-development/] Link to player development study 2 [https://www.drivelinebaseball.com/2019/05/developing-less-efficiency-player-development-lead-success/] Link to players vs. former teams data [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1EEf_F8PbrCuhNkEbwyRq5rYIx321yQTh9nXGZ08ZXoQ/edit?usp=sharing] Link to listener emails database [https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1-8lpspHQuR5GK7S_nNtGunLGrx60QnSa8XLG_wvRb4Q/edit?usp=sharing] [https://i.imgur.com/hT2AX6G.jpg] Sponsor Us on Patreon [http://www.patreon.com/effectivelywild] [https://i.imgur.com/xQIHgp3.png] Give a Gift Subscription [https://patreon.com/effectivelywild/gift] [https://i.imgur.com/tNOGFnG.png]podcast@fangraphs.com Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com [podcast@fangraphs.com] [https://i.imgur.com/gj3wTt4.png] Effectively Wild Subreddit [https://www.reddit.com/r/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/28HuIsx.png] Effectively Wild Wiki [http://effectivelywild.wikia.com/wiki/Effectively_Wild_Wiki] [https://i.imgur.com/n16jO21.png] Apple Podcasts Feed [http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/effectively-wild-daily-baseball/id545919715]  [https://i.imgur.com/fQfPcpV.png] Spotify Feed [https://open.spotify.com/show/18kbXy9p0jHw3o8f2cQlCj] [https://i.imgur.com/sjL4TbJ.png] YouTube Playlist [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXytxPs81CsUSJmN1mQMr526CdeDpf4vK] [https://i.imgur.com/jbkZAC1.png] Facebook Group [https://www.facebook.com/groups/effectivelywild/] [https://i.imgur.com/waJFv7Y.png] Bluesky Account [https://bsky.app/profile/ewpod.bsky.social] [https://i.imgur.com/DAtijEo.jpg] Twitter Account [https://twitter.com/ewpod] [https://i.imgur.com/YXW4kOd.png] Get Our Merch! [https://breakingt.com/collections/fangraphs] Source [https://blogs.fangraphs.com/effectively-wild-episode-2485-lets-enhance/]