What's a way mama stay?

Good morning, and welcome to episode 848 of Effectively Wild.

The Daily Podcast from Baseball Perspectus presented by our Patreon supporters and the

Baseball Reference Plan Dex.

I am Ben Lundberg of 538, joined by Sam Miller of Baseball Perspectus, L.O. Sam.

We are talking about the Tampa Bay Race today, later on in this segment.

George Vissel will talk to Mark Topkin, who covers the race for the Tampa Bay Times.

We are talking not to the author of the BPNU essay, who was Chris Moche, who now works for

the Angels, but the author of the race comments in the BPNU as well as a writer for ESPN Insider

and a long time writer about the race in various outlets.

Tommy Rensell.

Hey Tommy.

Hey guys.

So, when I first looked at the PCODA projections this year, and they've changed a bit since then,

but I think the race was the most surprising result to me at the time.

It was somewhat surprising to see the royals with something in the 70s, but not really,

because you kind of knew PCODA was going to do that.

But to see the race in the 90s, as they were at the time, was more surprising to me.

I think PCODA is still the high system or the high projector on the race.

So we will ask you for your prediction at the end of this segment, so you don't have to

spoil it now.

But what is the argument, at least, for the race as maybe the best team in this division

...