Ben Lindbergh and Meg Rowley banter about Spencer Strider’s concerning performance, how he and Sandy Alcantara remind us that comebacks from elbow surgery aren’t automatic, and whether things are lookng up for the White Sox on and off the field. Then (32:23) they bring on top-tier Patreon supporter John Thomas to banter about his background as an EW listener and baseball fan, answer listener emails (42:34) about the future of baseball’s historic cathedrals, whether sabermetrics inevitably promotes efficiency and specialization, whether Mariano Rivera delayed the reimagining of bullpen roles, the evolution (or devolution) of framing, and a rotation of Paul Skenes clones, and then Stat Blast (1:38:33) about the Rockies and the best-ever infield defenses, Devin Williams and the worst holds, and notable matchups between minor leaguers and rehabbing big leaguers.

Audio interstitial: Jimmy Kramer, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Audio outro: Philip Tapley and Michael Stokes, “Effectively Wild Theme”

Link to WhatIfSports offer page

Link to Davy on Strider

Link to TJ return study

Link to White Sox TV info

Link to MLBTR on Ishbia

Link to Ishbia wiki

Link to story on Ishbia’s home

Link to story on the Suns

Link to Ishbia letter

Link to Sheehan on the Sox

Link to Vargas leaderboard

Link to team SP WAR

Link to Veres on the Rockies

Link to Dubuque article

Link to Scout School series intro

Link to Scout School series conclusion

Link to Ben on no-hitter defense

Link to Ben’s gaming pod

Link to John Thomas slang

Link to Russell on shortening up

Link to article on historical TTOP

Link to Rob on TTOP over time

Link to Molina framing montage

Link to Ben on framing in 2013

Link to Ben on framing technique

Link to Skenes TTOP splits

Link to Russell on SP handedness

Link to Ben on SP playoff familiarity

Link to Ben on RP playoff familiarity

Link to Monfort on defense

Link to all-time infield defense

Link to 2025 infield defense

Link to infielder definition

Link to infield definition

Link to rulebook on infielders

Link to Ben on Piazza

Link to hold definition

Link to Williams game

Link to worst 2025 holds by WPA

Link to McDaniels game

Link to worst-ever holds by WPA

Link to Cascarella game

Link to worst 2025 holds by RE24

Link to Maton game

Link to worst-ever holds by RE24

Link to Cox game

Link to Kershaw game story

Link to Kershaw box score

Link to Reds prospect list

Link to rehabbing pitchers sheet

Link to rehabbing batters sheet

Link to Ryan Nelson

Link to Robert Au

Link to listener emails database

Link to Excellius

Link to La Colaborativa

Link to Dotson/Farrell article

Link to SNL Goulet clip

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