Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about the unexpected power of Meg’s Mariners (and Jorge Polanco, specifically), in contrast to the Rangers’ unexpectedly light-hitting lineup. They also discuss a Jackson Chourio comment about Julio Rodríguez, the long-awaited comeback of Lance McCullers Jr. and the thus-far-deflating comeback of Sandy Alcantara, the literally diminished Mookie Betts, Jose Altuve’s self-knowledge, a Rockies theory, and the existence of Maverick Handley. Then (38:11) Meg gives Ben some alone time with Tigers reliever John Brebbia, who talks about iPhones vs. Androids, social media, the prospect of becoming Ben’s friend, indy ball, beards, spreadsheets, pitching for the 2024 White Sox, going from worst-to-first in the AL Central, being the new guy in a tightly bonded bullpen, pitch-calling, adapting, Brebbia’s alma mater as a pitching powerhouse, whether baseball players (other than Brebbia) are funny, his post-playing future, a potential new nickname, and more, plus a postscript (1:49:21).

Audio outro: Xavier LeBlanc, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to Ella Black event details

Link to Dodgers bidets article

Link to FG post on Polanco

Link to Chourio video

Link to Mookie’s Savant page

Link to Altuve story

Link to Ben on MLB talent level

Link to Tigers Brebbia video

Link to first EW Brebbia banter

Link to second EW on Brebbia

Link to Step Brothers scene

Link to collected Brebbia clips

Link to Players’ Weekend video

Link to Brebbia pitch-type splits

Link to Brebbia’s Wikipedia page

Link to Elon major leaguers

Link to Bunny Hearn info

Link to TLOU scene

 Sponsor Us on Patreon

 Give a Gift Subscription

 Email Us: [email protected]

 Effectively Wild Wiki

 Get Our Merch!