Blog Archives

Episode 35: Getting the Calls Right

May 16, 2013
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In Episode 35, Brock & Ben debut the new, more sectionalized format of the podcast, beginning with observations on Brandon Belt’s improvement and the impressive pitching performances of the last week.  The guys then debut a new recurring segment designed to unpack and discuss the myriad advanced statistics that inform modern baseball.  This week’s focus is on pitcher strikeouts, specifically the evolution from strikeout rate (K/9) to strikeout percentage (K/PA).  While discussing strikeouts, Brock & Ben explore the recent league-wide spike in strikeouts and strikeout % and what factors might be contributing to this trend.  The guys round out the podcast with a discussion of umpire accountability and expanded replay and how MLB moves closer to what everyone wants: getting the calls right.

For further reading, here are the New York Times and Fangraphs articles referenced during the discussion on the recent rise in strikeouts/K %.

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Episode 34: Surprising Starts and Sustainability

May 2, 2013
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In Episode 34, Brock & Ben discuss the surprising starts – both good and bad – of the teams in the American League East, assessing the sustainability of strong Aprils for the Red Sox and Yankees and whether the struggling Rays and Blue Jays can turn it around.  The guys then turn their attention to quick-starters Colorado, Pittsburgh and Kansas City, wondering if any of them can exceed expectations of general mediocrity this season.

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Episode 33: L.A. Story

April 18, 2013
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In Episode 33, Brock & Ben are joined by Jeff James to discuss the early season storylines for both L.A. teams.  Jeff provides some SoCal perspective on the Carlos Quentin-Zack Greinke brawl, the impact of the Greinke injury on the NL West race and the Dodger offense’s early season woes.  The guys then turn their focus south, discussing another slow start for the Los Angeles Angels.  The episode concludes with Brock & Jeff sharing their impressions of the new film 42 and the guys discussing Jackie Robinson’s career and legacy.

NOTE: The article Brock references in the discussion of 42 can be found here.

 

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Front Row for Futility: Series Introduction

April 15, 2013
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Pat Sullivan/AP

As a general rule, I tend to avoid watching bad teams (that aren’t my teams) play.  When watching on TV it’s a good rule, but when attending a game in person it’s close to black letter…or so I formerly believed.  The case against watching bad teams is a sensible one, one that essentially comes down…

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Episode 32: T’is the Season for Overreaction!

April 11, 2013
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In Episode 32, with divisional previews complete, Brock & Ben turn their attention to the young 2013 season.  After leading off the podcast with the first ever TBD listener email, the guys recap the weekend’s Cardinals-Giants series in San Francisco. The guys them move on to discuss the Jason Motte, Jered Weaver and Jeff Niemann injuries and their impact, then close by running a number of opening week  storylines through the lens of early season confirmation bias and overreaction.

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Episode 31: AL East Preview

April 5, 2013
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In Episode 31, Yankees fan Digger Lauter returns to the podcast to help Brock & Ben preview the American League East.  The guys kick off the show by discussing the rash of recent big dollar extensions before closing out divisional previews with a belated look at the AL East.

 

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Episode 30: NL East Preview

March 27, 2013
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In Episode 30, Brock & Ben take a look at the Vegas odds for teams winning the pennant and the World Series and discuss what it means for the 2013 season.  The guys then turn their attention to the National League East, breaking down the division and predicting its playoff chances.

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Episode 29: AL Central Preview

March 26, 2013
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In Episode 29, Brock & Ben discuss the Brewers signing Kyle Lohse, the Yankees trading for Vernon Wells and preview the American League Central.

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Episode 28: NL Central Preview

March 22, 2013
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In Episode 28, Brock and Ben say goodbye to the 2013 World Baseball Classic and continue moving eastward with their preview of the National League Central.

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Episode 27: Samurai Japan and the World Baseball Classic

March 14, 2013
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In Episode 27, Brock & Ben are joined by international Citizen of the Diaspora Glen Tsurudome to talk Japanese baseball.  The guys discuss the latest World Baseball Classic action before turning their attention to Japan.  Glen illuminates the Japanese perspective on baseball, the World Baseball Classic and the relationship between Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball.  The guys then identify Japanese players to watch, both in the 2013 WBC Championship Round and as potential cross-overs to MLB.  The conversation closes with Glen discussing the identity conflict the WBC raises for a Japanese American, particularly when Japan and the USA meet head-to-head.

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