High Hopes: A Phillies Podcast - Are The Phillies Better Than The '05 White Sox?

Episode Date: May 7, 2024

James Seltzer and Jack Fritz discuss the Phillies red-hot start to the season and how well they're set up for success in the rest of the season. Presented by Miller Lite. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

All-star closer, Kenley Jansen, we have a question. What's the best podcast of all time? Baseball Isn't Boring, baby. I'm Rob Bradford, and every single day I'm sitting down with the biggest names to show you this great game is the greatest game. It's my podcast. It's my passion. It's a cause I started more than two years ago and is now the most prolific national daily baseball pod there is.

Another fact, so jump aboard the B.I.B. Express. Follow and listen to Baseball Isn't Boring, presented by Wasabi Hot Cloud Storage on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. This is the High Hopes Podcast. High hopes! It's a bunch of baseball nerds talking about the Phillies on Odyssey and Sports Radio 94. WIP. Yo.

It is another edition of the IOMS Podcast, sponsored by Miller Lite, official sponsor of the Philadelphia Phillies. Tastes like Miller time, Philadelphia. Celebrate responsibly, Fritz. I'm like the regular season yo's. I don't even know what to do anymore. Like that was a pretty solid yo.

It wasn't good enough. It wasn't 25 and 11, 17 of 20. Best Phil starts since 93. Like it wasn't that good. But at a certain point, you know, I won't have a voice anymore. This is what we do in the playoffs. That's when I lose them. I can't have a voice anymore. This is what we do in the playoffs. That's when I lose them. I can't lose a voice in May. What is going on?

What a bait. What a wagon. They just win. All they do is go out and, like, just handle business. Like, a lot of these games aren't even close. It's like 6-1, 5-1. Like, they just 14-3. Like, they just whoop up on teams.

Man, how you doing? So, this is going to sound dramatic for May 7th. I like this. This is good. But, like, every time I see the record, it's kind of a pinch me moment. I heard you say this yesterday. I was in the car. I was listening to you.

Yeah, taking Zoe back from gymnastics, and I hear a little, it's kind of like pinch me moment. It's a pinch me moment. I almost texted you. It's great pinch me moment 25 and 11 like what is this what's life what are we doing who are they to get to get the june through september phillies in april and early may it's it's it's like an out-of-body experience i don't know like it's so, and you know me. Our listeners know me. We don't lie to the IOPS listeners. Like, I put the Phillies on my computer the other night

on Sunday Night Baseball and watched the Brady roast with the Phillies on TV. Oh, wow. It's so stress-free right now. It's just, there's no stress. There's no stress, Jerry. I know, I know. It's,

what a time. They're unbelievable. They're a wagon. They can pitch. They can hit now. They hit now. Dude, it's so funny because the first two weeks

of the season, it's like, oh my God, their offense might be an issue. Everyone freaking out, man. And then you look at their stats, their top five and everything. Yeah. And everything.

I know, I know. So they have arguably the best rotation in baseball. I would probably argue the Mariners, regardless. The. And everything. I know. I know. So they have arguably the best rotation in baseball. I would probably argue the Mariners regardless. The Mariners suck. But like... Good take.

Sure. Sure. Although not Logan Gilbert. Or George Kirby. Or George Kirby. Or Luis Castillo. Or Luis Castillo. Or Bryce Miller or whatever.

So many. So many of my guys. So many of my guys. It's a team of your guys. So... But they're just good. They're good at at everything like even the bullpens the last last podcast we did it was like do you know the other words for bullpen you ever in baseball it doesn't feel that way no and then what have they allowed like two earned runs this week yeah as a bullpen since our last podcast yeah so they're just and yeah one of them didn't even matter. No, no, they're just,

they're good. And, and I like the, I, the conference run team I have, I mean, I'm not going to lie a little peeking too early. Yeah.

Well, that's a worry, right? You worry a little bit about peeking too early. I don't want to get too far ahead of the Braves. You know what I mean? Like keep those games impeditive in September. Yeah.

Yeah. We actually want like a, a, a stretch of, of entertaining baseball at the end of the season. We don't want to games impeditive in September. Yeah, yeah. We actually want a stretch of entertaining baseball at the end of the season. We don't want to just walk into the playoffs

like, oh, are the Phillies going to 107 games or 104 games? I wonder. No, you know what? I'll take that. I'm lying. I'll take it.

That'd be freaking awesome. That'd be so cool. That'd be great. Setting the team wins record would be pretty special. It's in play. And they're on pace

for what, 112? Yeah, yeah. Or something like that? Which is obviously probably not going to happen. Maybe. I don't think. It's in play. And they're on pace for what? 112? Yeah. Or something like that. Which is obviously probably not going to happen. Maybe. I don't think they're going to play. Maybe. I don't think they're going to play. You don't think they're going to challenge the 116 of the Mariners? You don't think that's going to happen? No, I think the bigger issue is

I don't think they're going to face a team that's not over 500 for a whole month. Oh, we're doing the schedule thing now, huh? Is that what we're doing? We're just already there. Hold on a second. We're doing the 25 and 11 on may 7th pod and you're giving me peeking too early you're getting i mean what are we doing here well because here's the thing you're giving me bad schedule like what are we doing we're supposed to be celebrating jack well here's the biggest change to this podcast we've evolved have we really i don't know well sure i think sure about that growth

mindset podcast i think that's one of our you and nick sirianni grow mind that gross mindset how much do you hate gross growth yeah how much do you hate that nick sirianni throws around growth mindset all the time i mean it's it's down a list of things that drive me nuts that it doesn't even make me flinch frankly there's There's much, much more. It's just like I guess I would just evolve past the gee willikers. They're good. You know what I mean? Gee willikers.

Gosh darn. They're really good out there. This is amazing. Because everything now is about, unfortunately, let's go get it done in the postseason. It's where I'm at that where it's where i'm at and it's not that i don't i'm not living you're not enjoying this yeah i got i am enjoying it no here's my issue when anything is too easy i don't oh i know that's actually you

in any situation in anywhere in life period yeah you are that's true something's gonna go yeah you're right yeah that's your ethos yeah so it's like everything's too easy right now yeah it's unbelievable they're obviously a good baseball team i just it's already starting to happen by the casuals oh my god best team ever yeah yeah we got to relax with the best team everything like i think the midday show is poll today is is our is this the best philly's team you've ever seen it's like rain it the hell in let that is like let's enjoy it for what it is they're 25 and 11 jack three philly's teams ever have been in this spot they're the the 93 team was 26 and 10 then i think it was like 74 or something like that was was 25 and 11 and this team, that's it in Phillies history in the 150 years or whatever the hell it is of the Phillies.

This start has happened three times. It's okay to get excited about it without going over. I guess my biggest issue with them or like being my fandom is that I always look to protect the Phillies. You know what I mean? I'm like freaking Jason Peter. Yeah, you're a gatekeeper guy. Well, I'm not a gatekeeper. It's part of it.

It's part of the whole thing. It's all part of the whole thing. I would never. You're the bodyguard. I'm the bodyguard. I like that. Yeah, yeah. So sometimes I feel like I have to protect. And this is just right now I sense. It's a little offensive line thing. Hey!

You don't even have to block. A little pass pro. A little pass pro all day. I just. It gets me nervous when people start putting like high, high, high expectations. Like let it all play out. Let it all play out. There you go.

Very funny that you literally just went from all I could think about is what they're going to do in the playoffs and those expectations to can we just let it play out a little bit here, guys? Oh, I know. It's bad. It's bad podcast. You're all over the place right now. You can't handle this.

I'm so conflicted. I'm so happy, right? We're so used to 11 and 25 more than 11. Let me tell you something, buddy. This podcast was built for the 2018-2019 oh damn straight it was this is this is abnormal really is what it is yeah out of body experience yeah it is i'm so happy but i'm so like nervous i'm so nervous dude because like they can do it like they can do it it's the and and this is how this is exactly what 2010 and 11 were like, I think.

Like, 09, yeah. But, like, 2010, 2011, they were established. The ballpark was packed for Sunday Night Baseball. We expected it. They've won 10 straight at home. Yeah. Like, it's just they've gotten to the point where I think, like, I would be surprised if people are melting down if they lose 4-6. Right.

You know what I mean? Like, I just – now that they've gotten off to the quick start, I would be surprised if people are melting down if they lose 4-6. You know what I mean? Now that they've gotten off to the quick start, they're 25-11, it would take a historic collapse to not make the playoffs. Well, that's the crazy thing. It's like now if they just play 500 baseball, they're still like a 93-win team. I know.

How is that computing in this? That's not computing. I know. I always look at these teams and I'm always so jealous every year. I'm so jealous that the team that just starts hot and it's like,

they can cruise. And sometimes they just keep winning, like, you know, the Braves, the recent years, whatnot. But like,

it's such a luxury. It is such a luxury. Like, we never get this. We always have to like stress and fight. I know.

And lament and argue and all. Like, we never get this. We always have to, like, stress and fight. I know. And lament and argue and all. Like, it's like, wow, they're just awesome. They're just good. They're so good. They just are good. All right. Think about from our perspective, right? Yes.

Being at WIP, we talk about things. We do. It's literally our job. Narratives and whatever on the team. We can feel the pressure points as to what do people want to talk about. With Phillies, dude, it's just, hey, they're really good. People aren't even mad at it. I haven't heard Thompson critiques recently.

I know, I know. Like minor things. We want to bring up Tyler Walker on Sunday, which I'm sure we'll get to. But like, you know, short of a lead off. How about Trey Turner's after six weeks and everyone's just like, okay, let's keep rolling.

Yeah, like, dude, it's fine. No, I will say, I will say, I was in the middle of playing aeronomic on Saturday. Oh, no.

So I was in a, I was already, it was Friday. No, it was Saturday. Oh, it was Saturday when you found out how long he was going to be. Friday it happened,

I was at the game. Friday it was, I was at the game. He left the game, we're like, oh, it's a hamstring, oh, it shouldn't be too bad. No big deal. No big deal. A couple days. Yeah left the game. We're like, oh, it's a hamstring. Oh, it shouldn't be too bad. No big deal.

No big deal. A couple of days. Yeah. Six weeks. And it's like, what? Yeah. So,

but like, I was having the round of my life at a round of McConn's Saturday. Were you really? I, I, when it came out, no,

I did, I think I doubled the next hole after, after I learned. I see what this is here. This is, this is going to work by you. It was really clever.

It was annoying. It was annoying. But even I was like, well, I mean, Sosa's here. Yeah. They can move It was really clever. It was annoying. It was annoying. But even I was like, well, I mean, Sosa's here. Yeah. They can move Stott over. Marryfield.

Marryfield for a reason. They literally have a guy who was an all-star last year just sticking the lineup. By the way, were you listening last night on the final out? So I heard you pinch me,

but I didn't hear much after. I had to get out of the car. Thanks for listening. Yeah. I was locked in for like a good five minutes. It was pretty awesome. Were you locked in

on my final out last night, Tucker? The podcast that I produced? Yeah. It's good sports. That five minutes. It was pretty awesome. Were you locked in on my final out last night, Tucker? The podcast that I produced? Yeah. It's good sports. It's good. It's good sports. Yeah, well done. Little 07 Agucci from Whitmerryfield.

How about that for a poll? Look at you. I didn't even go Polanco. I went 07 Agucci. It's a bit of a shot at Whit, but I like it. It's good. It's good. Listen, dude, Tad Hito was good for them.

Yeah, he was. He was not as good a baseball player as Whitmerryfield, but I like it. Tad Hedo was good for them. Yeah, he was. He was not as good a baseball player as Witt Merrifield has been. Through his career, I would agree. Listen, if you got an 05 White Sox, he's a big 05 White Sox. Really? You know that Unreal 07? Did you really love that 05 White Sox team? I did like the 05 White Sox.

The Mark Burley and Rowan. Yeah, Fasadnik. I liked that team. John Garland. Did you really love that 05 White Sox team? I did like the 05 White Sox. The Mark Burley and Rowan. Yeah, Fasadnik. Yeah, I liked that team. John Garland. Did you really? So you were rooting for them against the Killer Bs and all that in the World Series the whole thing? Yeah.

I wasn't. I was an action. Clemens is my favorite pitcher of all time. Yeah. Before Halliday. Yeah. I wanted Bagwell and Biggio to win, man, but they didn't. I don't care that much.

Honestly, more than anything, it's just- Was that the year that Harry had the call with Biggio? I think they're heading down the stretch run. It was either 05 or 04. Yeah, I don't remember. But where Biggio hit the home run, and Harry goes, all the runs are unearned, but who cares?

Yeah, I don't remember the year, but I know the call, obviously. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know what was really good in 07? Who? Rowan. He was. Speaking of the 05 White Sox. I know. that's how i got there germaine die i love see the problem

with the 05 white socks again we are this is good this is good and why i like them so much yeah why why why i'm sure why tucker will get the reference i don't think you'll get the oh good but it's an old because i'm an old man well they were the best team in mvp baseball 05 oh i don't and mvp baseball was the greatest sports video game i love mvp baseball the greatest sports video game ever created so i i wouldn't know because i stopped playing video games in 1998 essentially golden eye is the best video game ever created sports video okay that's fine i'll capitulate to that. I'm actually surprised you're not a video games guy.

I know. I can see you. Not since junior year of high school. Wow. Were you on Sega? Sega and N64. Those are the last times I played video games. N64 was my first.

Yeah. N64 and Sega were the last two consoles that I owned. Yeah. We're about 10 years from being close friends. I know. We would have been the same thing. Yeah. I'm always... It's one of those things where, like, I mean, like, I'm an adult.

I could start doing it. But, like, I get jealous of people who play video games but have never actually done anything to actually... I'm always like, oh, that must be cool. You just sit around and play video games. What a fun little thing. But I don't do it. Never do it.

I don't have the time. I barely have time for anything. But I just never... Have you never played Madden? I've played Madden over the years like here and there like but man was also on sega and i'm sorry the playstation whatever the first playstation was i don't act like it's even comparable but i didn't own one is the point okay you know i mean yeah i played mad with buddies and stuff like that but yeah like i've not like owned a video game system since then it's more what it is nice yeah it's a breakdown yeah how much was sega i don't what it is. Nice. Yeah. It's a good breakdown. Yeah. How much was Sega?

I don't remember. Xbox One. I don't remember. It's a good question. Oh, way less. Light years less. I would love to know how much. Yeah.

You know what's so funny? Is that like the first HD, or the first flat screen TV, like the plasma? Yeah, I'm not sure. Whatever. Yeah. They were like $5,000.

Dude, I used to have a TV. But right before they came, Emily and I were just talking about this. At our old apartment, we had a TV that we had to have two people move into our house because it was so heavy. It was so big.

And now it's like, and it's trash comparatively now. Oh, yeah. It's unbelievable. But they're so expensive. It was so huge, this TV. And it was so huge at this tv and it was like like two years later it was it was literally you know useless you could get like a 65 inch flat screen for like 300 i know oh it's great dude now it's like crazy yes i know crazy yeah

it is it really is you're right times change but it's a good take by you thanks i like i don't know if there was a thing i don't know times change and a tank. I don't know. Times change and stuff. It's part of my conversation about the UFO. Technology gets better and costs less. That's good. All right, let's talk, Phil. Any more White Sox thoughts? No. No? Okay, good.

Well, besides, oh, there is more White Sox thoughts, actually. They're going to trade for Kopeck at the deadline, and they better trade for Kopeck. That's the, oh, you're going there. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Like, listen, he's ERA might be in the force. Look, he looked nasty. If you get him here, that's what I'm talking about.

That inning I saw, I mean, I'm in. I got to tell you, I've not watched much White Sox other than the three games they played the Phillies. Time to heating up a little bit. Yeah, don't tell me about it. I'm not. The vault is, the take is safe. Do you want it out of the take vault?

No, the take is in the vault, and I'm not letting myself get swayed right now, okay? Good, stay strong. All right, no more Whiteed right now. Okay? Good. Stay strong. All right. No more White Sox talk. Phillies talk. Phillies. So, the Phillies.

No, I'm kidding. All right. Where do you want to start? You want to start with Trey? You want to start with a stop? Merrifield thing? Let's go Trey. Okay.

We haven't talked since Trey got hurt. I was actually at the game, and it was one of the... I mean, first of all... Do you take blame for it? So, here's the thing. I do. I take a little bit of blame now not a lot now Tucker

could you focus on the fact we're doing a podcast every year I was sick of my computer being in the shot yeah okay well next time

well it sounded like there was yeah it's not like you're farting or something yeah also also this is something that's done prior to the pod

you know you get this done and then you know I thought 17 minutes into the pod was the perfect time to do it. I think so, too. That's fine. Okay. You've won me over. Look, I'll take a little bit of responsibility.

Now, I will say, I was 0-2 on the season. They won the game. So, I would have been, if they had lost that game, I might not have been able to, like, come IOPs night, whatever I do. I would not have been able to go to the ballpark. So, like, they won. So, I feel much not have been able to come IOPs night, whatever they do. I would not have been able to go to the ballpark. So they won. So I feel much better about it.

But losing Turner in the brawl, I don't feel great about my attendance records. That's where I'm at. So it's not great. But Turner out six, it was shocking. We're like, oh, hamstring, whatever. Where are you at with the whole situation? First, losing Turner and the effect of that. But then would you keep sod at short, play Merrifield at second every day?

How would you go about replacing Turner? So I'd give him the lion share I give him the lion share the only thing is and I've heard your show for two days and while I respect the morning show no I have not I have never wanted to ram my fist through the radio more than this idea that he's going to take shortstop from Troy Turner. Oh, I said he wasn't. It's asinine. It's not happening. Also, listen, again, and Ruben... I think the idea was he should take it, but...

Sure. And I'm glad that Ruben made the point because I've been wanting to make the point for two days. We're not talking about... He's not Ozzie Smith. Bryson Simeon. He's a competent major league shortstop. But he is a super, super, super defensive second baseman.

And Trey is a below average shortstop. He's not a great defensive shortstop. It is what it is. But you could argue making two positions worse. Worse because, yeah, you've got to make Trey a second baseman. He might not be good at second. We have no idea.

Again, if they were moving over, like, Jimmy Rollins to shortstop, like, he's a fine shortstop. He still throwing error yesterday. You know, so I would play the lion's share of Stott at shortstop. I'll play him there. Edmundo, obviously, to dispel them. And I want Edmundo at shortstop. And I also don't want Trey to get too...

or Stott to get too comfortable at shortstop because I do need him to go back to second base and be fine. So I do want Mundo in there as well, but for a majority of this, yeah, I want Witt at second. I want Witt in the lineup. That's really what it comes down to is if you're going to lose the bat of Turner, because let's be honest, that's who you're losing.

We just talked about defensively, they'll probably be fine or better. It's probably the same. The upgrade for Stott at short, the downgrade from Stott to Merrifield at second. Merrifield's a fine second baseman. But I need Stott's bat. I mean, I need Witt's bat in the lineup. I have to have it.

I'm not worried about the moving back and forth that much. I mean, Bryson's not played shortstop his whole life. He knows how to play second base. I think he can make that switch. I'm not too worried about that. I need Whitmerryville in the lineup. It's really very simple.

Well, and the good part about Whit is that it seems like the early season concerns about him being cooked are slowly going away. He's been good. He's been good. He had the home run over the weekend, the 14-3 game. The big double. He's been good. Yeah, he had a hit yesterday.

He smoked the ball later, just weekend, the 14-3 game. The big double. He's been good. Yeah, he had a hit yesterday. He smoked the ball later. Just happened to be right at a guy. I think you're starting to see more of the real Whit Merrifield than the guy that's signed, which is good because, I mean. What a shock. The first week and a half of the season wasn't the guy. I can't believe it. I can't believe that what we saw in the first week and a half of the season

isn't all he was going to be the whole season. I'm shocked. It is. God, it's just so hard not to react to the moment. People love to react to the moment. It's just so hard. It's so hard. I don't blame anyone. Well, because we wait five months for baseball, and then it's like, oh is. God, it's just so hard not to react to the moment. People love to react to the moment. It's just so hard. It's so hard. I don't blame anyone.

Well, because we wait five months for baseball, and then it's like, oh, my God, baseball. Yeah. Yeah. So I want him in the lineup. I want him in the lineup. He's been good. And obviously, there's times where he can play left if needed.

He's not great there. It's so funny how desensitized we've become to bad outfield play, where it's like, Witt out there, we're like, sure, that's fine. He's a bad outfielder. We're like, yeah, he ain't Schwarber. He ain't Reese Hoskins. He's fine out there. He's bad.

But it is funny because it is like, it's fine. Well, again, he can stand there. He can stand there. He can move a little bit. He can physically stand there. So, you know, I thought i'd be more down about the trade thing and i obviously i'm bummed for him and he was obviously working his way into mvp yeah i'm bummed for how hot he was and i hope that i mean it probably takes him out of

the all-star game i would assume oh i think so i mean he's out to i mean yeah because he won't get voted in he'd have to get voted in i think to get in yeah so that stinks but i wasn't like i i did not have an overwhelming sense of oh god like this is when it's gonna crumble i didn't totally i think they have enough solid depth and the thing that i've liked the most about about what has happened here since trey's gone down bryce homer in both games well bryce homering in both games is definitely a welcome sight but i mean do you remember what their record was after Bryce got hit by Snell? Yeah, they were really good.

They were really good. Yeah, I thought about that too. This team, this group of guys has shown that they can kind of weather stuff. Well, and it's just a simple fact of the matter that when one of your studs is out, everyone else feels like, all right, I've got to step up now because you don't have the crutch of relying on it. Hence Bryce.

Yes. And I don't think those two homers were an accident. I think that Bryce is like, I've got to step up, and that's part of it. Sure, but I feel like almost everyone. I think a lot of guys, yeah. Like JT's looked pretty good in the two hole. Castie, too. It's too long.

Castie, on base four times yesterday. Never a doubt. Never a doubt. Never a doubt. Average is up to like 185 or something. I think it's in the 190s. Is he? Yeah.

Mazel, buddy. I'm proud of you. Yeah. He is shrieking towards 230 in no time. Shries. Is he? Yeah. Mazel, buddy. I'm proud of you. Yeah. He is streaking towards 230 in no time. Streaky is the word. Yeah. He's getting right there. He'll be right there.

No, I'm with you in general, though. I feel so much better about it than I – when Harper went down. Like, in that moment, I remember when the Blake Snell ball hit him, and I'm just like, we're done. I was like, this is it. Like, we're not going to recover from this. This sucks. What a shame.

I really was enjoying what this team was becoming right now, and that's it. And it wasn't. And they played great baseball without Harper there, and they're better now. They're a much better baseball team right now today than they were the day Bryce Harper went down on that pitch. So, yeah, I feel really good about this team's ability

to kind of just plug in and move forward. And Witt's a big part of that. I do think it matters. This guy's been an all-star. He's got more all-star appearances than anyone on the team but Harper, you know what I mean, essentially. So, yeah, I feel so much better about it than I expected. You want to know another thing that I thought?

Like, what if Witt gets too hot? Uh-oh. Uh-oh. Like, what if he's at, like, over 300? It's a thing. It's fine. I mean, I think they'll figure it. That's a good problem to have, as they say.

I will say, too, about Witt. Better learn left field than play center field tomorrow. I will say one other thing, too, about Witt that I really like seeing. I'm sure everyone liked it. If you watched the postgame. Oh, yeah. And they were talking to him. But I also think, so for those who that I really like seeing. I'm sure everyone liked it. If you watch the post game. Oh yeah. And they were talking to him, but I also think so for those who didn't see it,

which I'm guessing most of our listeners did, but it was really funny. They're he's joking around about how, you know, they're messing with Trey and how like, you know, after the double play in the first, they're like,

you know, seven probably wouldn't have made that play and all that. Like, first of all, I love just seeing that wits like part of the guys already. It's just like, uh, like ingratiate himself. And it's just part of it already, part of the guys already. It's just like, like ingratiate himself

and it's just part of it already, especially with the young guys. That's fun. But more so, I think it's so important. It just shows the type of clubhouse they had that like were on the radio

talking about, oh, Trey Turner and shortstop. And are they worried about moving stop back? And it's like, none of it's a worry for these guys. These guys all love each other

and want to play baseball together and they want to win games. And that is it. And that was to me such a sign of like like that not just that they're joking about it like they are joking to trey about it like the fact that trick and hand and that's my point that they did they know that they could joke with trey about that like that's such a big deal to me yeah it's like when we say oh man you really do sound like charlie day exactly yeah you can handle it i can handle it yes um but no it does and and because i sound like charlie day yes yeah i think i saw one review of the podcast one time and it

was like sometimes i just sit there close my eyes and pretend that charlie day is talking about the ai charlie that's true that's true yeah i don't think ai could get this exact is this yeah yeah that's right i'm so anti-ai it's not even funny oh buddy yeah well so. Yeah. I'm so anti-AI. It's not even funny. Oh, buddy. Yeah. Well, so here's the thing. I'm anti-AI.

Tangent. I'm anti-AI in these ways, in the deep fake. It's terrifying. It's horrible. But I do think there is a lot of positive stuff. Like AI, I think in terms of health outcomes and stuff like that, there's real positive things that can come from AI. But I agree.

The AI that we deal with, not a fan. Like, let's put it this way. AI, you can't talk fills like this. That's right. You're bringing a Bose 7 to Gucci? That's right. Well, I will hear. You want to hear my biggest AI like, yo, we got to get better at this.

So everyone, you know, you may have heard this before. You know, sometimes I'll complain about. You're tired? Yes. All the time. I was actually going to say about having to do Beat the Hammer questions. Oh, right. You've heard this because I've done so many over the years. Is there anything that you don't complain about?

No. I like to complain. I'm not that big of a guy. So, from time to time, I've complained about Beat the Hammer questions. You know, a million Phillies. How many Phillies questions? So many people are like, oh, why don't you just ask ChatGBG to come up with the questions? Okay. Guess what? it's always wrong like my brother this weekend and this happened multiple times my

brother's like why don't you just chat to me i'm like try it oh my god he does it yes and it comes up with questions and the answers are wrong like it actually gives you wrong questions so the thing that that the artificial intelligence community is that intelligent better at. Ain't that intelligent? Yeah. It's trivia. It's Phillies trivia. Good. Again, you're supposed to get it wrong. It'll be like, who had the most RBIs in the season for a Philly? And it'll say someone who never even played for the Phillies or whatever.

It's crazy. Anyway. Step your game up. Yes. Yeah. The point is, AI, you suck. You're never hosting this podcast. Anyway.

At least not with our permission. Sure. Who knows where that's going to go. Sure. So, so but yeah that was like the the wit post game interview i felt that way but dude the the the marsh mic'd up oh it was so great like this team this team had they're loose and sexy man there yeah that's a great line i just they're not they're not oh seven to eleven from the standpoint of like they've won a World Series.

But I feel the same way about these guys. Like they are so rootable. It's not even funny. I love them more. You know I've said this. The 07-11 guys, they won me at first title. They're heroes to me. But in terms of like who I love and who I feel connected to,

who I want to like hang out with, this team beats all the teams. Like they beat all of you have Maryfield ingratiating himself very very well like the story of Marsh and Boehm being roommates it's one of my favorite it's like it's great it's amazing it's so good they're like apparently it really seems like they're like soulmates it seems like Brandon Marsh and Alec Boehm are like thank god we found each other kind of thing it's amazing Boehm was very reserved for he was he was and Marsh is getting him getting the most out of him and I am so with you on that Alec Boehm was like, thank God we found each other. It's amazing. Boehm was very reserved. He was.

And I think Marsh is getting the most out of him. I am so with you on that. You have Rojas, who him and Trey are bonding. We talked about when Trey went out, when he hit the wall. It's cool. I know. I love it. Casting out, bringing them all together.

I was like, I haven't ever went over dinner. I love them, dude. I love this team. They're the best. They're the best. And I think that over dinner. I love them, dude. I love this team. They're the best. They're the best. And I think that's why they've shown up on the field so far this year. Like the 25 and 11. They talked about it.

Did we talk about that? Leaning on each other. They're good. They're really good. They're really good. That's going to be the vibes. Just us coming in. Hey, guys, they're good. Listen, every pod, it's going to be like the off season.

When we did, this is boring. Hey, they're really good. This is not boring. They're just really good. I like that. They're they're good. Listen, it's going to be like the offseason when we did this is boring. I know. Hey, they're really good. This is not boring. They're just really good. I like that. They're just really good. I don't know what to tell you.

Rotation's really good. Full pens running into form. Lineups, like, all of a sudden, we're good now. We're good. Better without Troy? 2-1-5. I mean, hey, the runs say it. Big win on Saturday for the run differential. Ah, the 14-3 game. I was like, hey, the runs say it. Big win on Saturday for the run differential.

Ah, the 14-3 game. I was like, thank you. Needed it. No, they needed to break one open. They did. Now they're better run differential than the Braves. No big deal anymore. Bang.

Bang. That's all that matters. I do care about these. No, it matters. Yeah, it matters. I used to not think it mattered. Because I was so accustomed to not worrying about races, like playoff races, to where I was like, to where I was like why does running differential matter?

Just get in. And it's like negative eight. And it's like no. Pretty much tells you how good your team is. You need a good running differential. It matters when it comes to evaluating if you have a good baseball team. Unless you're the stupid Arizona Diamondbacks.

The only time in the history. Two times in the history of baseball a team with a negative running differential made the World. Unless you're the stupid Arizona Diamondbacks. The only time in the history. Two times in the history of baseball, a team with a negative run difference made the World Series. One of them was those Diamondbacks. Nice. Pretty annoying. Yeah.

Pretty annoying. Are they still under 500? I haven't done my. That's your job. You're Mr. Check That. Mr. Check It. The Diamondbacks are going to miss the playoffs? They're 15 and 20.

Whoa. Yes. Yes. Suck it. The Dodgers have started winning. Sweeping the Braves. Thank you, Dod Whoa. Yes. Suck it. The Dodgers have started winning, sweeping the Braves. Thank you, Dodgers. Thank you, Dodgers. The Dodgers are good again. Corbin Carroll's cooked.

I wish there were another Diamondback that were cooked for my fantasy team's purposes, but I'm so excited about him as a keeper. I was like, yeah! I got him late! Look at this! Corbin Carroll! Like, unownable right now. It's great. 15 and 20. Great. Very sad. It's really sad. Very sad. I'm sad. Corbin Carroll. Like, unownable right now. It's great. 15 and 20. Great.

Very sad. It's really sad. Very sad. I'm sad. It's not going to make up for anything that happened in last October. No. Small wins, buddy. Yeah.

Well, it would have been nice to beat them in the playoffs, but they're not even going to get there. So, can't even worry about that. Hey, fantasy football owners. The road to winning your fantasy football championship starts now. I'm Matt Harmon from Reception Perception. Join me and James Coe as we take a deep dive into the position that's going to make or break your fantasy roster.

Wide receivers. We analyze route running, target share, and all the metrics that matter, giving you the insights you need to draft the best wide receivers. As you prep for your draft, let us give you the coverage you need. Follow and listen to Reception Perception on the free Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. Shout out to our Miller Lite account on the week, a place we've been before, done an event from, great place.

Barnaby's in Havertown. Shout out to Barnaby's. Love Barnaby's. Barnaby's is great. Today's show is sponsored by Miller Lite and Barnaby's Havertown. Check out Barnaby's for every Phillies game. Enjoy $3 Miller Lite bottles, pints, and their best of Philly buffalo and boneless wings

with the largest array of sauces around, including the Bangin' Thai or the Barna Blazin' Sauce. Miller Lite's for Phillies. Win, celebrate, responsibly. You a big Bangin' Thai guy? Yeah, well. I'm sorry about that, guys. That was surprising.

Well, it's a, I'm not a big. Tucker gave me a look, and I'm like, whoops. I'm not a big spicy guy. No. No, that sucks. No, I can't do spicy. Oh, spicy's great. No, the most spicy I can handle is buffalo sauce.

Oh, buddy. Horror movies and spicy things are two things that I don't do. Two things I adore. I'm awake. Yeah. Yeah. No, I'm not going like, I mean, I'll go like, whatever like the spiciest, I'm not going like the, you know, I'm awake. Yeah. No, I'm not going like, I mean, I'll go like, whatever like the spiciest,

I'm not going like the, you know, I can't, but like I'll go next step down. Yeah. And I like it a couple steps down. I like to enjoy my food. Yeah. Yes, spice is awesome.

It's enjoyable. Just like horror movies, the best. Do you like to feel alive at all, Jack? I feel alive, 640. I can see that. 640 to about 9 30.

did you run today by the way no oh i didn't have time i didn't have time oh hey walk was up and i didn't get here so i'm gonna have to leave at 8 30 it's harder okay i forgive you so i think it's absurd i'll do seven i think it's absurd that you've run every day anyways i mean for the film yeah well it's really just a dumb way to motivate yourself. Yeah, it's good. I know what you're doing. It's a good way. Yeah, so I'll do seven tomorrow if they win because I'll have more time

in the morning. I like it. All right, what are you going to take back? Or anything else from the weekend because we barely talked about the games. All right, well, let's...

This is a pot of us just going, yeah, man, they're good. Like, so much of what we said was just, hey, they're good. I think NOLA was just cold on Friday. Yeah. I'm not going to totally freak out about that. I mean, it was the cold on Friday. I'm not going to totally freak out about that.

I mean, it was the most excruciating second inning of my life. Try being there, buddy. Try being in the park for it. I'm actually shocked he didn't leave. I know. It feels like a seltzer walkout. Yeah, my brother and I went. Shout out to Peter.

We had a good time together. Yeah. But, I mean, it was a Rob Thompson masterclass. I mean, honestly, the fact that he got out of that only giving up two runs was shocking. Like, my brother and I, at the end of the inning, we're sitting there. We're like, wait, the fact that he got out of that only giving up two runs was shocking. Like my brother and I at the end of the inning were sitting there. We're like, wait,

we're not losing six nothing right now. And then, I mean, for what it's worth, that is a classic. The Phillies the last few years don't win that game. 100%. You know, like that was

felt like a lot. The whole time I've been brother and I kept waiting for them to lose and then they won. It was like, all right, sweet. Yeah, it felt like a loss. It 100% felt like a loss.

Ranger was just good. He allowed us, you right, sweet. Yeah, it felt like a loss. It 100% felt like a loss. Ranger was just good. He allowed us, you know, a lot of home run, but whatever. 6-0, man. Ranger Suarez is 6-0. It's May 7th.

He's 6-0. The crazy thing is right now is that I think Zach Wheeler right now, if you're a betting man, and I know you were and you're in good shape there. If you're a betting man,

I think Zach Wheeler is the clear favorite to win the National League Cy Young. The name, the years he's had, it's a time thing almost on top of the fact that he's the best pitcher in baseball right now. But you could argue that Ranger Suarez deserves the Cy Young the most of everyone. What I'm trying to say is the Phillies have the two most deserving candidates for Cy Young right now.

Yeah. Yeah. I don't know if Freddy Peralta was in there for a second, but as of right now. I think it's those two. I mean, they're both ERA Center 2, dude. I know. And Turnbull. Yeah, and Turnbull's been great.

But I mean, Ranger and Wheeler, like, I think Wheeler's probably going to win the Cy Young if he stays healthy and keeps doing it. He is like a clear favorite. But you could argue right now Ranger has been better to today. As long as they pitch Wheeler on regular.

Has there ever been a guy who's more stark? No. I will not rest. He was great yesterday. It might have been the best he's been all year. That's saying something. He was lights out yesterday have been the best he's been all year. And it's like, that's saying something. But, I mean, he was lights out yesterday.

11 strikeouts. He had nine through like five innings or whatever it was. Yeah, that's good. So I didn't think, obviously we've been anti-Taiwan. I don't think he's been bad through two starts. I think he's been very solid. I mean, he had one bad inning in San Diego, obviously, which I argued he shouldn't have been out there for.

And then I thought he was fine on Sunday. Like he went, I mean, he probably shouldn't have been in the seventh. Yet again. Yet again. Yet again. Put trust in those guys. Put trust in those guys. And Rob, you might want to rein it in. But at the same time, if it's May, like, you know

what I mean? Because Rob Thompson is a trust builder. Clearly. He's a trust builder. He I mean? Because Rob Thompson is a trust builder. Clearly. He's a trust builder. He's a trust. He's a trust fall. Exactly. He's a trust guy. We're trust guys.

Yeah. And I just think that you're not really losing much putting him out there at a 5-1 game in the seventh just to give him like a, hey, we believe in you. Yeah. I know the city doesn't believe in you. Both times, to be fair, they had big leads at times. Sure.

Now they almost lost one of the big leagues. I know. know but i agree with you i think it's a really good point and an important important context for this like at some point you do have to realize it is may you know what i mean so do you need to sink a guy's confidence this early in the season no i mean it hasn't been so bad to where you had yank him out of the rotation the same thing that's happening with castellanos now i, I appreciate he is... Maybe give him a day. I need to start really looking at the numbers here. But he's, what, 2,500 games behind Cal Ripken?

He's nipping on his heels, man. I mean, that's clearly where this is headed. When he breaks, it's going to be...'re a he breaks when he breaks it's gonna be he's gonna do his jog around it'll be magical man yeah he'll be using a walker at the time you know what's your reaction if he plays so let's figure out let's figure out all right so how many years is that how many years did ripken do it for was like 20 years like a million what was it uh let's do some math 20 so i mean i think about i mean 162 years so 10 years if you played every game you'd play 1620 games is that right is that

good math yeah it's pretty ridiculous yeah so then so that's another you know like eight years so you have to do it for like 18 17 18 years something great he's got it so he'll be approaching 50 yeah well listen or you but no no but no you're way too quick with that i was a tough moment it was your boy but yeah i just like you know i haven't felt the castellanos struggles i guess like like rojas stott and castellanos are off to cold starts it's because they're winning and they're winning. It doesn't matter. Yeah. And that's the beauty of the baseball season is that those guys, I'm sure, well, Rojas might not, but everyone else will kind of heat up.

It's not definitely well. It's not well. It's not well. So Castellanos, we'll see. We did experience the entire 2022 season and postseason with this. Yeah. It is wild how we're at the point with Nick

where, like last night, when he drives that ball, the double that he hit. Yeah, it was good. His first double of the year. Yeah, I know. On a nice set. I know.

It's like one of those things where when you see it happen, you're just like, I'm really at the point where I'm like, no way. Every time. I'm always like, oh, sweet. Oh, it is such a,

sweet, man. I can't believe that happened every time. Yeah, but the way you talk about it, it's like a Disney movie. Like, oh, you did it. You did it. And then you realize it's contract, and it's like, well, it's not that inspiring of a story. That's the problem.

Yeah, that's the problem. It's not as inspiring as you laid it out there. Yeah, it is. Thank God they're winning. Because, look, if they were, if this were last year, and everyone else, everyone were, obviously I don't know how that would be possible because of the pitching. Let's say the pitching weren't as good, right?

And the hitting is exactly the same, but it's last year and they have the record they had last year at this time. Like, we are crushing Nick Castellanos. We are crushing Rob Thompson for playing him every day. We are crushing him for the moments that he didn't come through because they'd lead the losses in those situations if that were the case. Like, he's really lucky they're winning. That's a good way to put it. It makes it out of sight, out of mind.

A couple other thoughts on... Sure, in the playoffs it won't matter. There's a couple things from the Giants series that I wanted to point out. Why can't Bob Melvin manage here? It's unbelievable. What is he doing yeah it's unbelievable like mason black who if for real ones of this podcast remember the mason black talk of the draft in 2021 i believe wow lehigh zone yeah local kid best slider in the draft yeah

still it looks good for four innings yeah i thought he looked really good he never pitched like that strike out of harbor in the first thing like that was an unhittable pitch like that was about as good a pitch as you could do price even he was like yep you got me put it back down walk away like that was like it was good he had not thrown more than 71 pitches in a minor league game this unbelievable and he let him throw like 80 or whatever what are you doing you're facing the top of the line and it's actually like two on for Harper like what are you doing like I just like I get it alright you want to let him

face JT because he's a righty fine okay sure what are you doing like Bryce Harper you have lefties in your bullpen right

like it makes it made it was a 1-0 game it wasn't even like oh we're up we're down 4-0 like go ahead kid battle

it was that you're in the game Bob Melvin it was crazy it was legit bad when he walks into this bank park. Because people love him. People think he's a great man. I mean, the Giants got him.

He was left standing to go to the Giants. He is in demand as a manager. I was like, it's so funny because the Giants with Farhan there, obviously they hired Gabe. It's like, oh, they're these forward-thinking friends. And then they hire Bob Melvin, and their pitching coach is Brian Price. It's so weird. Brian Price.

Brian Price. It was so annoying here. Oh, I couldn't stand him. He's just a complainer at all times. Yeah. Complaining about everything. Also, can we be honest? It's just not as fun facing the Giants without Gabe.

Oh, not even close. Like, there was less juice, less enjoyment of that series without Gabe there. It was a little emotional seeing Eric Miller pitch yesterday. Former Philly great. I loved him, man. He's hit 99 on the gun. He's finally healthy. He can never stay healthy as a Phil.

Man, Eric Miller. It's a moment. What could have been? What could have been? That's what I always say about Eric Miller. And then two other Giants thoughts. I would, he would obviously notants thoughts. I would... He would obviously not play here.

I don't think there's a spot for him. I would die to have Lamont Wade on this team. Oh, I love the guy. I love that guy. I love that guy. Dude, all he does is get on base. All he does. He bats 330.

He's got like a 450 OBP, man. 460. It's a 460, whatever. 460, dude. Also, I love the... I know it's like super... This is're 60 dude also i love the the like the dude like i know it's like super this is like the oldest guy thing that i'll say but i know you agree with me like i love a good choke up and when you're done two strike i love a good you know bad on the baseball two strike approach he choked up really high there's a lot of choke up there you know what

he did he freaking muscled it out in the left field and got a big hit there. Yeah. I love Lamont Wade. Love the guy. If for some reason the first baseman ever went down here, God forbid. No. Not happening. No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Great for Lamont Wade.

Yeah. I do like him. I'm very with you on that. I also like Lee, the center fielder. He made some ridiculous – Dude, that one catch, the one on the – was it Stoddard or wherever? He's like running backward. That's Roas.

Roas, whatever. That catch was unbelievable. That was when I was at the game. He made like four catches in that game. He's really fun out there. Yeah, he's really fun out there. So like, because dude, I cannot believe how bad Matt Chapman is.

Like Matt Chapman stinks. Dude, how about the fact that he can't field anymore? That was hilarious. I mean, I get it. Like, right. Like Matt Chapman's bat has always been hit or miss. I'm shocked they paid him the money. They paid him coming off like his first good year in a couple years offensively.

But you could always count on the defense with Matt. Not this weekend. He had a couple really bad ones. He really did. He really did. All right. Take back time. Yes.

Oh, so that wasn't take back. That wasn't a take back. Wow. That was recapping the Giants. Wow. I really thought that was all the take backs. That's good. Well, there's some stuff. I'm happy I got to it early. That was recapping the Giants. Wow. I really thought that was all the take back. So that's good. Well, there's some stuff. I'm happy I got to it early.

That's good. Yeah. So, okay. Tucker's face, too. Tucker was like, wait, what? Tucker wants to give up. Tucker was ready to be done. I know.

Tucker was ready to be done. Tucker was counting his minutes. And then he was like, all right, I can go do something else. I had a lot of thoughts on the Giants series. So I think one thing that I've noticed teams trying to do against the Phillies pitching staff is I think they're really – because the Phillies are a command. Strikes. Yeah, they throw strikes.

What teams are trying to do is just foul them off over and over and over again. It's what happened to Nola. It's what happened to Sanchez. It happened to Wheeler where it's like they'll work the pitch count up because they're so in the strike zone, they'll foul off a million pitches. And that's how they grind down the Phillies pitching. So it's on them to kind of expand it a little bit,

the Phillies pitching staff. And that's a very risky strategy to begin with as well. But there's been, I mean, the Wheeler, I think they fouled off like 18 pitches. It was unbelievable. It kept happening. And Nola on Friday, they fouled off a ton of pitches. Nola, yes.

As you were there for. Yes. I'm sure you were groaning. Well, thank God it was a weekend night. If it had been a weeknight I would have been You would have been out of there I would have been not happy with the 3 plus hour baseball game How funny Like that

I've turned so quick to like if it's a 3 hour baseball game I'm like what the hell is taking so long It's the longest thing I've ever experienced in my life That used to be like the norm Well the time that I almost gave up ever watching baseball again was the September of 18 or 19. Was that the... 18 was the Rockies.

Well, sure. Yeah. 18 was the Rockies. But it was also Gabe in September. Oh, dude. Oh, my God. Dude, that was... Yeah, I think it was 18.

That was the worst experience of my life. Worst experience of my life. It was awful it really was it was like nine pitchers in a three inning span

like it was like it was before the rule changed with the three batter rule he used to go he did you're right well it also was before they had they

they stopped roster expansion yeah they moved to the 26 because of him yeah you changed all the rules it's awful I know producing

producing those games on the radio oh my god I forgot you were producing that must have been horrible it was horrible yeah especially like They moved to the 26 because of him. Yeah, you changed all the rules. It's awful. I know. Producing those games on the radio. Oh my God, I forgot you were producing. That must have been horrible. It was horrible. Yeah, especially like the nights where you're like going late and you're like, all right, my shift is done when the game ends. And the game ends like two hours later. It was the longest.

It was awful. And they were bad and they were choking. Honestly, our jobs are great. We love our jobs. It's super cool. That actually sounds like work to me. me it sounds like that must have actually i would not have enjoyed coming i always enjoy coming into work that sounds like you might not have enjoyed coming into work scarred me i'm gonna say something because this is a safe space if i say on twitter it gets crushed yeah

well i mean you're talking about that yes, this is a very safe space, but, like, you're going from, like, a safe space to, like, the most volatile space. Like, you're talking to opposite ends of the spectrum here. If I say it on WIP, I get sad violin. Yeah. Aren't you the sad violin yourself? Okay, that's a good word. I appreciate the accountability there.

And I might have to just whisper this into the microphone. Good, good. Sir Anthony's back. Oh, no. He appreciate the accountability there. And I might have to just whisper this into the microphone. Good. Sir Anthony's back. Oh, no. He's back, dude. I'm telling you. I'm telling you he's back. Nope, nope.

We can't do that. Nope, nope. We can't do that. He's close. Good pivot. I'll go close. Let's go close. Here's what I'll say.

Here's what I'll say. Was it a 14 to 3 game he came into? It's high leverage. Tom, speaking of that, speaking of that, because I talked about it this weekend, do you remember the game where they brought in Pavetta and they were up by like seven? Oh, yeah. And they almost blew it.

Of course. All time. Meltdown out there. I posted a video, and I was like, I'll delete. And people were not happy. I'll bet they were. They were not happy. But here's what I'll say about Sir Anthony.

First off, fastball looks like that cuts back is 99, and I think that's important. But there's some depth to the slider. Like, for the beginning of the season, it was just spinning and doing nothing. They've added some depth to it. So I appreciate Caleb listening to the podcast and realizing. Shout out to Caleb.

Yes, that we should probably add some depth to Sir Anthony's slider and i just i appreciate that obviously he didn't think of that and then he heard you say and i was like you know what we need to do so i appreciate that him willing to you know no just hear something on a pot and execute katham is the goat but yeah he's awesome i am encouraged by saran do you think he listens caleb no no i don't know only only only the minor league shout out to our guys we love you all more than anything in the world our guys they really are and i love them so much for sure have you noticed and this might break your brain and this might be a a glass ceiling moment for that's the right term glass ceiling is not the right term unless there's glass windows like breaking the glass window is that what it's called so like you know when you see something

that you don't see oh like let throw that you're talking about like you don't you don't know you don't want to throw the first stone is that you're saying like when you see something you can't unsee it oh oh i got you uh like the once the uh what's that phrase the uh you can't put the shoe back on or you can't put the, toothpaste back in the tube. Toothpaste back in the tube. That one works. And there's something that happened in How I Met Your Mother. When How I Met Your Mother, when they were like, they noticed something about the girlfriend

that the guy didn't notice. Oh, yeah. And then he couldn't stop thinking about it. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Whatever that term is. I know exactly what you're talking about. I ruined that. That was a great relationship that he had with that girl and then it got ruined because of

that one little thing. Exactly. I remember that. I remember that. You notice that Taiwan walks like Doc Rivers? Oh, no. Like, he looks so tight.

As if Taiwan wasn't ruined enough for us. He just ruined it. But he walks, like, Doc Rivers walks like his legs are broken and he just got put back together

and he's like, can't like, hobbling along. No, Doc Rivers is an old man. I feel like I'm making fun of an old man walking, but yes, he does.

He's walked so tight. Yeah, he does. Why are you walking so tight? Yeah, it's good. You're a 31-year-old athlete. You know what I mean? He so does not look like a 31-year-old athlete. That's for sure.

He is. And he's only being paid $54 million for the next three years. No problem. Hey, we've eaten into that a little. It's like probably like 50 million. Think about that. It is nice that we went straight from Tobias Harris to Taiwan.

I know. What's nice is that Tyrone Walker's better than Tobias Harris. How about that? How about that? He's certainly not as detrimental. Yeah, that's my point. He can't hurt you as much.

Tyrone Walker will not get nearly as many, we'll call it minutes, in a big game as Tobias Harris did. No, he will not. No, he will not. No, he will not. So I want to talk about the trade deadline again. Oh, hold on. It's May 7th.

What are we doing, man? The nice part about the trade deadline. Is that it's two months away. But besides that. Two and a half months away. Is that for the first time, seemingly, again, barring an unmitigated disaster, they're actually going to be good at the trade deadline. So I think it gives Dombrowski the confidence

to pull the trigger on some trades. To really make a move. Yeah, because the last year, last year they were covering around 500. Each of the years. Both Dombrowski years. We haven't had any real, you know. So you end up with Lorenzen and Rodolfo Castro.

That's not as bad as... We were so excited about Rodolfo. I know. Well, that's Robert Orr's fault, but where is he? Is he still in the, in the system?

He's down there. Down there. Triple A. Okay. I think he's in triple A. It's okay. He's coming back up. The Rodolfo Sants.

It will. Yeah, it will, but it won't be as bad as the Jason Vargas, Wilson Ramos. Oh my God. Jose Bautista, Corey Dickerson,

a strubal Cabrera. Like what a run. Yeah. What a run. I Bautista Corey Dickerson like what a run yeah what a run I'll stand for Corey Dickerson I was a Corey Dickerson guy I like Corey Dickerson man the league didn't value Corey Dickerson I don't get it I thought the guy always hit yeah I felt like if Corey Dickerson was up I was like it's probably gonna hit that guy yeah but so this is the first time that they're probably gonna be actually good no I think that's a really good point and I do think that Dombrowski even though he believed in the team has has been and he's talking about been apprehensive which again is like you know the whole dombrowski thing that we expected him to be he hasn't been with the come in and just sell it it's been great and my final thing

and i need an investigation into this this is serious so why do I feel like he's not that serious? I feel like I think that when Schwarberg gets out he gets more decreased from his batting average than anyone else

in baseball. He's been good. Dude, I'm so with you. I look at his batting average every day and I'm always like wait, what? How is he batting 212?

I feel like he's batting like 260. At least 250. Yeah. At least 250. I think there's a – honestly, we need an investigator. There needs to be an investigator. Yeah, there's probably some like rounding error going on at Major League Baseball or something where he is getting like losing a point as opposed to half a point or something.

It's got to be higher. When he gets out, they have to decrease his batting average by like six points. It's like basically like – Versus two. So for Kyle Schwerber, every one for four is actually like a one for seven. I agree. I think that's what it is. I agree.

It just makes – I think – is it possible someone at MLB has it out for him? Dude, his slugging percentage – And the stat guy is like anti-Schwerbs? No, his slugging percentage is probably low because all he's done this year is hit a home run. And singles. Or a single. So there's nothing in between.

Or strikeout. Those have been the three. It's been a very three. He is a true three-outcome player this year, except singles instead of walks. Because it feels like he's having a good start of the year. I agree. And then you look at the average. It's like 216.

Well, funny the same way is that Bryce feels like he's been like bad. Not bad, but like super average Bryce, other than you have some homers here and there. He's got an 867 OPS. And he's on pace for 40 homers. Bryce has been mediocre. A couple extra hits and he's at 900 OPS with 42 homers. What are we doing here?

Can Bryce just make the All-Star team this year so I can see him in the All-Star game? What a thought. Craig Kimbrell has played in more All-Star team this year so I can see him in the All-Star game. What a thought. Craig Kimbrell has played in more All-Star games as a Philly than Bryce Harper. That's a very sad thing.

Fantastic, yeah. Wow. That sucks, dude. That does suck. It really sucks. It sucks, man. It sucks. Straight up sucks.

No, he has to be in this game. Yeah, bleep. Starting for his baseman. Who's he going to be? So Olsen, Freeman. Olsen's had a horrible start to the year. Yeah, I'm just talking about

from a voting perspective. Yeah, so Olsen, Freeman. Olsen's had a horrible start to the year. Yeah, I'm just talking about from a voting perspective. Yeah, so Olsen, Freeman. Probably, I mean, those are the... Goldschmidt. Yeah, but he's still... Goldschmidt stinks, yeah. I mean, Christian Walker has probably been one of the better first, but he won't get the votes.

He won't get the votes. We'll make sure we keep him out. Yeah. Vote against the Diamondbacks. That's the... Yeah, can you vote against just vote yeah i guess vote for anyone who's not christian walker there we go all right we got it that's our official's name sorry christian's family if you listen to the podcast probably are because

i mean they're from norris town it's possible right well we're more we're more phillies fans we're more anti-gallon than that's true no we're fine with the walkers walkers he stung in that series that was fine he really did he really did. He really did. He did all he could to help us win. I appreciate him. And he gave great advice to Whit Merrifield about it being a really hard place to play. You're right. Christian Walker, one of us.

Okay, we're okay. Let Bryce be the starter in all-star game. You can go ahead of Freeman and Olsen. That'd be fun. I like that. I support that. For sure. Although I could use Freeman heating out

because my fantasy team is in peril. That's a classic Fritz thing right there. What? Fired up into the season, do great, get everything together and then let your team fall apart once the season happens because you've got other things to pay attention to. I know.

Although I have so many Tigers in my rotation right now. Do you really? I got Flaherty, I got Olsen, I got... I got Flaherty. Flaherty's good. You had 13 strikeouts the other day, 14 strikeouts. I'm in on the Tigers. Yeah, I know you.

How about that? How about that whole division being competitive except for... How about Jose Ramirez being plus 4,000 for AL MVP right now? Four teams above 500 in that division, or at least it was a couple days ago. Under 500? That's the point. Yeah. I mean, the Twins just had the 12-game win streak. 13. Oh. No, they lost at 12, or at least it was. Weren't they all under 500 last year? That's the point. Yeah. I mean, the Twins just had the 12-game wins.

Oh, no, they lost at 12, didn't they? No. I'm pretty sure they got to 12 and then lost. I could be wrong, but I saw a wild stat. This is actually pretty nuts. It's not a stat, but it was a graphic. I didn't realize how rare 12 straight wins is. Do you know the last time the Phillies had 12 straight wins?

Last year? No. Take a guess. 2010? Phillies have not had 12 straight wins since 1999. Really? That's how wild it is. So it goes through.

Oh, I've seen 12 wins in that hard. Ready? Listen to this. The Nationals, the Blue Jays, the Mets, the Marlins, the Angels, and the Rockies have never won 12 games in a row. All of those franchises have never won 12 in a row. Wow. The Giants, who we just played, 1966, the last time they won 12.

The Pirates, 1965. The aforementioned White Sox, 1961. Like, it's a lot. Quiz, it's a lot rarer than you think for teams to win 12 games. That's interesting. Right? And there's a lot more. Like, I mean, there's a lot in the, like, 87 for the Brewers,

94 for the Royals. Like, the Yankees have done it recently. It's somewhat 2021. Like, there's a lot in the 87 for the Brewers, 94 for the Royals. The Yankees have done it recently. It's somewhat 2021. There are a few teams that have done the last year, but last year there was only one team or two teams that did it, only won the year before, so on and so forth. Anyway, it's pretty wild. Nice.

Again. Good stuff. It's good stuff, right? Good stuff. I got one final thought. And then we got another one. We added all of it. And then we can get out of here.

Joe DiMaggio has let off It's up. I got one final thought. And then we got another one. We added on. And then we can get out of here. Jody, Joe DiMaggio's let off the hook again. I know. We're right there. I really thought it was going to happen. I did too. Like, you know,

it was like, you'll always do the, Joey D better look out thing. And normally I'm like, come on, Jack, that's silly. This time I was like,

Joey D better look out. They should. No, I do hope that Bones hip is fine. Cause he looked. Yeah. It was a shame. The whole,

you know, at least we can explain it. That's why the hope that Baum's hip is fine because he looked Yeah, it was a shame the whole A little harder than I. At least we can explain it. That's why the hitting streak ended. So it shouldn't count. Yeah, it shouldn't count. He didn't play, technically. Should not count.

Good. All right, so 18 game-winning streak. We'll pick it up next game. Thank you. Okay. It's all we got.

What a ridiculous podcast. Yep. All right. Tucker's been counting down the seconds. Tucker has been out for 30 minutes. Yeah, at least. All right. Tucker's been counting down the seconds. Tucker has been out for 30 minutes. Yeah, at least.

All right. What is today? Is it Tuesday? I don't know when we'll be back. Sometime. Probably this weekend. Two game series? Two game series.

So maybe Thursday. That's a lot to break down. Maybe Thursday. We'll see what happens. Either way, we'll be back soon. He spreads himself.