Ballpark Dimensions

Baseball’s biggest news, trends, trades and highlights, all broken down from an analytical angle. Subscribe now to stay up-to-date on Majors' most important storylines using the same data as cutting-edge front offices. Enjoy two episodes per week, one with Matt Meyers and Mike Petriello, and another with Mandy Bell and Sarah Langs.

Sports
Baseball
376
All About The Defense - Season 2, Ep. 41
One of the biggest questions at Statcast is how do teams and analysts use it to make defense better. What better way to get that answer than from sabermetrics guru Tom Tango, as he sits down to talk with MLB.com's Statcast host Mike Petriello to discuss this subject on the latest edition of the Statcast Podcast.
18 min
377
Free-for-All - Season 2, Ep. 40
It's a free-for-all as the Hot Stove season kicks off and free agents patiently wait to land on their feet. Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers discuss who leads the free agent pack and possible landing spots for the intriguing market.
24 min
378
Sweet Relief - Season 2, Ep. 39
Royals reliever Peter Moylan joins Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers to analyze Andrew Miller's outstanding postseason pitching, how relievers have been used in the playoffs and how the World Baseball Classic changed his life.
24 min
379
Moments that Matter - Season 2, Ep. 38
Game 5 of the National League Division Series set an improbably high bar for the ALCS and NLCS yet to be played. Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers break down how the Dodgers threw out Jason Werth by a mile at the plate, positional battles and why you should keep an eye on how Kenley Jansen and Aroldis Chapman are used in the NLCS and why the Indians' baserunning could be the difference maker against the Blue Jays in the ALCS.
23 min
380
A Leg Up - Season 2, Ep. 37
Every team's looking for an edge when it comes to conquering the postseason. Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers run through each matchup and break down who's got the upper hand when it comes to positions and why.
26 min
381
A Barrel of Fun - Season 2, Ep. 36
As Statcast evolves, so does its tools to measure data and give us better insight into a player's skills. Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers break down a new term, barrel, and which player in Major League Baseball is the best at it.
26 min
382
The Cutting Edge - Season 2, Ep. 35
While the season is rapidly coming to a close, that doesn't mean that the Statcast crew is ready to start slowing down. Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers talk about Byron Buxton's speed, Marco Estrada's injury and if it's affecting his spin rate and measure the Cubs' defense. You'll also hear from Cubs rookie pitcher Rob Zastryzny about Chicago's mental skills program.
30 min
383
Need for Speed - Season 2, Ep. 34
When it comes to speed in the Major Leagues, the conversation's been consumed with Trea Turner's name but Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers would beg to argue on behalf of a few other players. They'll discuss Byron Buxton's stolen base numbers, look at the league as a whole when it comes to stolen base attempts and why barrels, a new Statcast stat, could better quantify a well-hit ball.
19 min
384
The Art of Spin Rate - Season 2, Ep. 33
If you've ever seen a nasty pitch on Statcast, there's a good chance you heard the term "spin rate." Spin rate is impacting the game more than ever and it's revealing new data for pitchers and hitters alike. Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers talk about spin rate with Driveline Baseball's Kyle Boddy on the latest edition of the Statcast Podcast.
27 min
385
A Closer Look - Season 2, Ep. 32
Ryan Zimmerman is good at hitting the ball hard but that hasn't turned into a ton of production. Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers take a closer look at Zimm's numbers, what could happen when he comes back from the disabled list and dive into MVP and Cy Young candidates and who'd get their vote.
26 min
386
Old School vs. New School - Season 2, Ep. 31
Despite the advances in Statcast data, why is it still a battle to see these numbers brought up in broadcasts? MLB Network's Brian Kenny joins Statcast host Mike Petriello to discuss why there are still old school broadcasters resisting against new school statistics, why it takes so long for new wave ideas like getting rid of pitching titles to catch fire and discuss Kenny's book "Ahead of the Curve".
23 min
387
Down on the Farm - Season 2, Ep. 30
The Trade Deadline saw prospects coming out of the wood works up until the last hour on Monday. MLBPipeline.com's Jonathan Mayo joined the Statcast podcast with host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers to discuss the biggest surprises and just how good the Yankees farm system became after giving up three veterans. Plus, Matt and Mike discuss which team has the best big four in the bullpen and why Miami's spot on the list shouldn't surprise you.
28 min
388
Too Good to Trade? - Season 2, Ep. 29
Seth Lugo caught the attention of Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers after he threw a curveball that hit Anthony Rizzo and struck him out at the same time. Lugo joined the Statcast podcast to dissect the curve that defied Rizzo, share whether or not his pitching repertoire changes depending on where he pitches in the game and how he's adjusted the grips on his pitches. Plus, the guys discuss any looming Trade Deadline deals and why Andrew Miller might be too good to trade.
27 min
389
Tricks of the Trade - Season 2, Ep. 28
'Tis the season for trades and the clock is ticking for teams to make their moves. Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers caught up with MLB.com's Mr. Know It All Jim Duquette to discuss where Jonathan Lucroy could be heading, which team would benefit most from flamethrower Aroldis Chapman and why Alex Reyes hasn't gotten his callup to help the pitiful Cardinals bullpen. Plus, the guys discuss which teams have a real shot at contending in October.
25 min
390
The Dodger Way: Season 2, Ep. 27
The Dodgers are leading the way when it comes to advanced metrics and team nutrition. Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers talk shop with Dodgers pitcher Ross Stripling as he explains why he's focused on spin rate and FIP, what the Dodgers value statistically speaking and how their nutritional plan keeps the team stronger throughout the grueling season. Plus, the guys discuss, by the numbers, whether the American or National League is putting a better team on the field.
28 min
391
Five Decades of Knowledge - Season 2, Ep. 26
How much decision making goes into "putting on the shift?" Statcast host Mike Petriello and National Editor Matt Meyers caught up with Jerry Weinstein, Rockies Developmental Supervisor and baseball guru, who's changing the way the game is played. Weinstein explains the brains behind the shift and whether or not pitch framing can be taught. Plus, the guys gush over Melvin Upton Jr.'s monster home run and home run robbery and predict a few last minute All-Star predictions.
28 min
392
2016 All-Star Roster - Season 2, Ep. 25
If Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers had their way, which players would make their All-Star roster? Find out who they'd like to see in San Diego as they sift through each league and each position to make their All-Star game rosters based off the numbers.
25 min
393
FanGraphs Invades Statcast - Season 2, Ep. 24
The entire FanGraphs crew stopped by MLB.com to join Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers to put their Statcast knowledge to the test. Find out if they passed, as Mike and Matt grill them with some hard-hitting trivia.
34 min
394
One Year Anniversary - Season 2, Ep. 23
It's the one year anniversary of the MLB.com Statcast Podcast! Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers celebrate the milestone by introducing the newest member of the MLB.com team, sabermetrics guru, Tom Tango. Author of The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball, Tom is one of the leading sabermatricians in MLB with many accolades to his name, including developing the FIP stat.
21 min
395
491 Feat of Greatness - Season 2, Ep. 22
Nomar Mazara hit a home run 491 feet and leads all of baseball in distance, for now. Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers examine the different elements that contribute to batted ball distance, how to quantify balls that can be caught in the outfield and which teams improved this statistic from last season. They also try to explain Jose Fernandez's bizarre stretch in which he's striking out hitters at a historic pace while also getting hit harder than anyone in baseball.
25 min
396
How Adam Ottavino is Reaching New Heights - Sea...
Has Aroldis Chapman found a new way to make batters look foolish? Are Chris Sale and Jose Quintana the best 1-2 punch in the game right now? Could Yoenis Cespedes be one of the better position players to hit the free agency market this year? Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers take a closer look at the numbers to hash out these answers. Plus, Rockies pitcher Adam Ottavino joins Statcast to talk about his Tommy John rehab and what it's like pitching at altitude, one of Statcast's favorite topics.
30 min
397
Harvey Time - Season 2, Ep. 20
Are the Mets pushing the panic button on Matt Harvey? Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers caught up with Mets reporter Anthony DiComo to hear how epic the series vs. the Nationals will be all season, why he thinks Harvey is struggling on the mound and to find out how the bullpen has stepped up when its team needed it most.
21 min
398
Worth the Weight - Season 2, Ep. 19
Caleb Cotham's training regimen could be classified as out of the ordinary. Statcast host Mike Petriello caught up with the Reds pitcher to find out when he figured out data and analytics could improve his game, which training tricks give him an edge and who he models his curveball after. Plus, national editor Matt Meyers joins Statcast to debate whether or not now is the time to trade Mike Trout and to take a closer look at the AL Central by the numbers.
29 min
399
Rule Makers and Breakers - Season 2, Ep. 18
What would happen if a Minor League team hired two guys to pick the roster, lineup and strategies with real players using the most advanced statistics? FiveThirtyEight's Ben Lindbergh joins Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers to explain how he and Sam Miller tried to break the barrier between the Sonoma Stomper's front office and stat heads. Plus, the guys take a look at how the rebuilding Phillies are still a part of the conversation, especially Aaron Nola, and why Nolan Arenado is the best player in baseball right now.
31 min
400
Knowledge is Power - Season 2, Ep. 17
Cole Figueroa has decided to take the game of baseball into his own hands. Figueroa joins Statcast host Mike Petriello and national editor Matt Meyers to explain how he became Statcast forward, which statistics he values most and how he's consuming this data at the Major and Minor League levels. Plus, the guys spotlight the newest king for the longest home run in the Statcast era, how the Brewers turned their O-Swing% around 180 degrees and how the Astros landed at 6-15 to start the season.
30 min