Effectively Wild: A FanGraphs Baseball Podcast

Ben and Sam discuss the most interesting angles heading into the series and succumb to the pressure to make their picks. Source

Ben and Sam discuss whether the NLCS performances of several players affected how they think about them or changed the narratives that followed them into the series. Source

Ben and Sam discuss the deeper significance, if any, of the Yankees getting swept. Source

Ben and Sam discuss how the postponement of Game Four hurt the Yankees, talk about how terrible at baseball Hunter Pence appears to be and whether he’s always looked like that, and conclude by revisiting the widespread anti-Cardinals sentiment among baseball fans and examining their own emotional allegiances. Source

Ben and Sam discuss Joe Girardi’s decision(s) not to pinch-hit for any of his left-handed hitters late in Game Three of the ALCS. Source

Ben and Sam discuss whether Matt Holliday’s takeout slide at second was against the rules and why the Cardinals are so widely disliked, then talk about how Ryan Vogelsong has rewarded the Giants for their faith during a string of bad starts. Source

Ben and Sam catch up on the Yankees-Tigers ALCS and Ben’s beat-writing adventures, then talk about why players and stats disagree about the difficulty of pitching on short rest, and Jim Leyland’s comments about closers. Source

Ben and Sam catch up with the latest action developments in each of the just-completed or still-in-progress playoff series, then discuss Darren O’Day in greater depth. Source

Ben and Sam discuss Game Three of the Yankees-Orioles ALDS, the decision to pinch-hit for Alex Rodriguez, and A-Rod’s future in New York, then talk about why the Stephen Strasburg debate won’t go away. Source

Ben and Sam bring on Jason Wojciechowski to discuss whether the 2-3 playoff format is the abomination he makes it out to be, then talk about how the A’s Game Three victory changes (or doesn’t change) their odds of beating the Tigers. Source