Effectively Wild Episode 1219: The Opener Arrives

Ben Lindbergh and Jeff Sullivan banter about baffling flamethrower Jordan Hicks , Rich Hill ‘s latest blister problem, the Orioles’ unlikely 13-hit, zero-run game, Albert Pujols ‘ prospects, Ryan Zimmerman ’s slow spring training and slower start, and more. Then they bring on writer Joe Sheehan (23:23) to discuss the Rays’ “starting Sergio Romo ” strategy, whether it will catch on with other teams, the evolution of in-game management, the optimization of bunting, batting orders, and bullpens, why analysis is no longer the province of small-market teams, whether smarter baseball is more boring baseball (and if so, who’s to blame), and how the evolution of baseball has changed baseball writing. Audio intro : Smash Mouth, " 105 " Audio interstitial : Teenage Fanclub, " The First Sight " Audio outro : Superchunk, " Smarter Hearts " Link to Jeff’s Jordan Hicks post Link to Bryan Grosnick’s “Opener” post Link to DRaysBay “Opener” analysis Link to Joe Sheehan newsletter iTunes Feed (Please rate and review us!) Sponsor Us on Patreon Facebook Group Effectively Wild Wiki Twitter Account Get Our Merch! Email Us: podcast@fangraphs.com var SERVER_DATA = Object.assign(SERVER_DATA || {}); Source