Episode Details

Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the showdowns between Paul Skenes and Shohei Ohtani, Skenes’s strengths and weaknesses as a pitcher and an entertainer, the least and most exciting types of strikes, and more. They then discuss the improbable longevity of Aroldis Chapman’s triple-digit pitch speeds, whether the risk of losing the most games ever should stop the White Sox from selling, whether outfield positioning is suppressing offense more than the shift ever did, the less lively but far-from-dead ball, the end of Atlanta’s shutout streak, Adam Duvall’s beer-cup throw as proof of concept for a skills competition, MLB’s latest curious sponsor, an unsightly London Series shirt, and a potential Kyle Tucker nickname. They also assess bears, sharks, pterodactyls, and other natural predators.

Audio intro: Guy Russo, “Effectively Wild Theme”
Audio outro: Andy Ellison, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Ohtani-Skenes video
Link to “Paulk” Skenes video
Link to Sam on Skenes
Link to Bonds vs. Gagne
Link to R.J. on Skenes
Link to Skenes postgame interview
Link to Skenes HR reaction
Link to Ohtani-Skenes-Chapman game
Link to Skenes Baseball Savant page

Listen Now